Sir Alan Duncan's Tribute to Roger Begy Former Rutland County Council Leader St. Mary Greetham Rutland
Monday 15th January 2016
Roger was a giant personality, with the physical frame to match, and Rutland's most recognisable
local figure. He dominated the politics and public life of our little county for nearly a decade and a
half.
Following the restoration of Rutland's unitary status 20 years ago, the county needed leadership,
and thanks to Roger's unstinting sense of public service, that is exactly what we got.
But with Roger, we got far more than leadership. We were given too a local exemplar who gave
all of us a sense that he was in many ways a part of our lives, and that all of us were in so many
ways part of his.
Perhaps the county motto, Multum in Parvo, much out of little, was cast with him in mind. Because
while Rutland was of course the Parvo bit, there was no doubt Roger was our very own multi multi
Multum within it.
Big in stature, and larger than life, the sheer image of the man, beaming what can only be
described as a deeply mischievous grin, would leap out from the page of the Rutland Times,
and convey a sense of steadfast confidence around the affairs of the Council, even when the
news was sometimes bad rather than good. He was in so many ways, wholly reassuring for
those who looked to the County Council for assistance.
When Roger was in the room, however large the gathering, you knew he was there. Talking
to him standing up, however, was not without its perils. Apart from his sturdy height
advantage over the likes of me, many others besides lived in serious danger over the wine
and canapes of suffering a high velocity attack from his ample tummy, as yet another
shirt button would ping across the room.
There was something about Roger which was unashamedly shambolic. Nit for him the
tailored suit or the carefully knotted tie: his preference was for the moth-eaten jacket,
the comfy corduroys, and shoes which had spent their life unconnected with the offer
of polish.
When I once suggested I might buy him a hairbrush for Christmas, He said I'd better
think twice about what he might end up giving me - smiling threat whose meaning
must forever remain a mystery.
But if neatness of appearance was not his main quality, tidiness of thought most certainly
was. His Oxford education and business experience combined to make him a formidable
force for effective policy in local government, He could analyse an issue, see the challenge,
and translate his understanding of what needed to be done into a clear strategic path for
doing it.
It was in executing any such challenge that many in the bureaucracy of local government -
the very concept of bureaucracy is, of course, alien to Rutland itself - often made a fatal
error.
Observing his bluff manner and matter-of-fact good cheer, some thought he'd be a pushover,
How wrong they invariably were. He was a supreme judge of character, and was very
shrewd.
While others thought they were getting one over him, it was only when they lost and
failed to get their way, that they then realised that at all stages Roger had been getting
one over them, This characterful and popular attitude served our county well.
It is thanks to him, and to a team of councillors and staff who he led and inspired,
all in a manner that attracted deep affection, that we have sound finances, a by-pass,
a care village, a business park, and a county which is so often at the top of the league
which measures where people in the UK would most want to live,
He loved this, the village of Greetham, and was much-loved figure within it. He
was always willing to champion any local issue. A few years ago he offered to join
me in doing so for the cause of dog-friendly pubs.
As I was posing for the cameras with a borrowed Labrador inside his favourite pub,
in walked Roger, only to hear someone say 'I can have a pint with a dog alright, but
this grizzly bear is more than I bargained for.'
People sometimes forget that Councillors are all volunteers. They don't have to do it,
and give of their time for little or no financial reward. That we have the likes of Roger
serving us as they do is something for which we should all be profoundly grateful.
Councillor Roger Begy OBE, you were a life-enhancer, who radiated good cheer,
made us laugh, and in so many practical ways gave years of your life to the betterment
of our community, Quite simply, you were an all round good bloke.
All of us here, and beyond, remember you with respect, gratitude and affection, We
salute you today for all that you were in your life, and for the service you so richly
gave to others.
Sir Alan Duncan KCMG, MP
Monday 15th January 2016
Roger was a giant personality, with the physical frame to match, and Rutland's most recognisable
local figure. He dominated the politics and public life of our little county for nearly a decade and a
half.
Following the restoration of Rutland's unitary status 20 years ago, the county needed leadership,
and thanks to Roger's unstinting sense of public service, that is exactly what we got.
But with Roger, we got far more than leadership. We were given too a local exemplar who gave
all of us a sense that he was in many ways a part of our lives, and that all of us were in so many
ways part of his.
Perhaps the county motto, Multum in Parvo, much out of little, was cast with him in mind. Because
while Rutland was of course the Parvo bit, there was no doubt Roger was our very own multi multi
Multum within it.
Big in stature, and larger than life, the sheer image of the man, beaming what can only be
described as a deeply mischievous grin, would leap out from the page of the Rutland Times,
and convey a sense of steadfast confidence around the affairs of the Council, even when the
news was sometimes bad rather than good. He was in so many ways, wholly reassuring for
those who looked to the County Council for assistance.
When Roger was in the room, however large the gathering, you knew he was there. Talking
to him standing up, however, was not without its perils. Apart from his sturdy height
advantage over the likes of me, many others besides lived in serious danger over the wine
and canapes of suffering a high velocity attack from his ample tummy, as yet another
shirt button would ping across the room.
There was something about Roger which was unashamedly shambolic. Nit for him the
tailored suit or the carefully knotted tie: his preference was for the moth-eaten jacket,
the comfy corduroys, and shoes which had spent their life unconnected with the offer
of polish.
When I once suggested I might buy him a hairbrush for Christmas, He said I'd better
think twice about what he might end up giving me - smiling threat whose meaning
must forever remain a mystery.
But if neatness of appearance was not his main quality, tidiness of thought most certainly
was. His Oxford education and business experience combined to make him a formidable
force for effective policy in local government, He could analyse an issue, see the challenge,
and translate his understanding of what needed to be done into a clear strategic path for
doing it.
It was in executing any such challenge that many in the bureaucracy of local government -
the very concept of bureaucracy is, of course, alien to Rutland itself - often made a fatal
error.
Observing his bluff manner and matter-of-fact good cheer, some thought he'd be a pushover,
How wrong they invariably were. He was a supreme judge of character, and was very
shrewd.
While others thought they were getting one over him, it was only when they lost and
failed to get their way, that they then realised that at all stages Roger had been getting
one over them, This characterful and popular attitude served our county well.
It is thanks to him, and to a team of councillors and staff who he led and inspired,
all in a manner that attracted deep affection, that we have sound finances, a by-pass,
a care village, a business park, and a county which is so often at the top of the league
which measures where people in the UK would most want to live,
He loved this, the village of Greetham, and was much-loved figure within it. He
was always willing to champion any local issue. A few years ago he offered to join
me in doing so for the cause of dog-friendly pubs.
As I was posing for the cameras with a borrowed Labrador inside his favourite pub,
in walked Roger, only to hear someone say 'I can have a pint with a dog alright, but
this grizzly bear is more than I bargained for.'
People sometimes forget that Councillors are all volunteers. They don't have to do it,
and give of their time for little or no financial reward. That we have the likes of Roger
serving us as they do is something for which we should all be profoundly grateful.
Councillor Roger Begy OBE, you were a life-enhancer, who radiated good cheer,
made us laugh, and in so many practical ways gave years of your life to the betterment
of our community, Quite simply, you were an all round good bloke.
All of us here, and beyond, remember you with respect, gratitude and affection, We
salute you today for all that you were in your life, and for the service you so richly
gave to others.
Sir Alan Duncan KCMG, MP
