Derek Pace (AKA 'Pacey'), 1943 - 2023

Derek was a close family friend who I got to know well through the Morris. Together with his wife Jacky and children Beccy and Jo we shared many happy Sunday lunches, firstly at the 'White Hart' in Lyddington and then taking it in turns to burn a chicken at one or other of our respective homes. Sadly, Jacky died in 1993, and Derek then devotedly brought up his two daughters to be the happy, contented and caring parents that they are today.

Derek was a GENTLEMAN, known for his quiet courtesy, and the time he would give for chats in the town of Uppingham where he worked as a mechanic in his one-man garage. His skills in keeping older cars on the road were legendary, and there are many people in Uppingham whose memory will be of Derek in his blue overalls and oil blackened hands emerging from under a car to explain what he had done to keep their precious car on the road.

As for the Morris, Derek was a founder member of Rutland Morris who attended the first practice in 1974, and during his time with Rutland Morris undertook many of the 'background' roles with great care and diligence. His dancing days, particularly in the latter years led to now recognisable 'Derek Pace style' where the emphasis was on the raised handkerchiefs, somewhat disguising the fact that the feet barely left the ground. This style was enthusiastically adopted by other RMM whose age is catching up with them. Derek suffered a heart attack a few years ago which drew an end to his dancing days, but not his links to the Rutland Morris.

The local communities of Lyddington, Uppingham and other small Rutland villages, together with the world of Morris dancing, have lost an honest, decent gentleman.

Some memories of Derek from our scrap books are here (note that some images are not very good quality, because much of Derek's membership of Rutland Morris pre-dates the widespread use of digital photography).

Dave Casewell
Squire, Rutland Morris