It was with great sadness that the Parish Council learned of the passing of Ian Dring a dedicated councillor for 40 years and friend.
Below is a tribute to Ian written by Chris Miles.
Councillor Ian Dring
It is with great sadness I am writing this tribute to Councillor Ian Dring who passed away suddenly in the early hours of Wednesday 30thDecember 2020.
His life was always extremely busy and as you will see, his achievements have been many.
Ian’s connection with Packington began in 1971 when he moved into No 4 Homecroft Drive. Here, he raised three boys with Ronna and commuted to Coventry where he worked for Courtaulds and later the same company in Spondon. Later he set up his own company British Sanitised and was office based in Market St Ashby.
Ian was a Christian and he practiced what he preached. He was kind, measured, and thoughtful, wanting to share the joy in his heart with others. He and his family were regulars at Measham Baptist Church and began a journey there which involved his being a Deacon, Treasurer, Preacher, Boys Brigade Leader and much more. In his spare time Ian was the Treasurer and member of the charity, The International Miner’s Mission, which involved many trips abroad to attend conferences. He also found time to play some cricket for Packington, was a keen squash player and loved taking the Boy’s and Girl’s Brigade away on camps.
In the 1980s Ian became an elected Parish Councillor for Packington and attended meetings regularly. His thoughtful appraisal of situations was exemplary and his long tenure of 40 years as a Parish Councillor is testament to his unselfish giving of his time. As a Trustee to The Packington Recreation Ground Charity Ian found time to support events, particularly the Bonfire Night Celebrations where he could be seen with his torch on the far side of the field setting light to, what could be “dangerous explosive material,” the fireworks! Ian also assisted the Memorial Hall Committee who organised the Packington Carnivals in the 80’s 90,s and early 2000,s when he masterminded the erection of the Brigade’s large marquee. For a time, Ian was also a Packington School Governor.
In 1985 the Dring family moved to Babelake Street where, with a large garden, he became a keen gardener and like many of us tried to produce lawns like Lords Cricket Ground with the stripes and all but never quite managing it. Never-the-less, his fruit trees produced an abundance of apples resulting in his Normandy Apple Tarts becoming legendary. It was here he was able, along with Ronna, to hold garden parties and lunches with his church family.
Ian’s life was never dull. In retirement he and Ronna liked holidays abroad. He became the lynch pin of the Measham Baptist Church, guiding the church in his gentle and unassuming way. He organised the repairs which were necessary, following a lightning strike to the church and he headed the enormous efforts needed to make the Measham Baptist Church (a listed building) compliant with the Disability Act. Ian also continued to lead and preach at many of the services at Measham and other evangelical local churches. His last sermon in December, via a home recording to the Congregation at Measham, was one of hope and was based on Psalm 31 verse 15. “My times are in your hands”.
Ian, you will be missed by many and your dedication to improving the lives and souls of those who knew you, will not be forgotten. We know you are resting in the Lord’s hands. Written by Chris.(A friend and fellow councillor.)