JOHN HUTCHINS Back in the late Sixties and Seventies Sevenoaks & DMC was one of the more prominent non National Clubs to organise race meetings at Brands Hatch. In those days in addition to such as the BARC and BRSCC, local clubs such as TEAC, Rochester Motor Club, West Essex Car Club, Maidstone and Mid Kent Motor Club and 7Oaks & DMC also organised such meetings.  For a number of years 7Oaks & DMC had two meetings, the traditional late autumn/early winter date and also a mid summer date. It was by no accident that 7Oaks & DMC enjoyed the privilege and financial benefit of an “in season” Brands date. It came about through the hard work of a small number of people. One such person was John Hutchins who, following a short period of hospitalisation died just before Christmas. John was an active member of BRSCC and initially was “on the bank” at BRSCC meetings, one of our earliest memories is of John being an observer at Brands race meetings. As time went on he became one of the team who took on responsibility for the organisation of race meetings being secretary of the meeting for a number of 7Oaks & DMC Brands race meetings. It didn’t stop there, for he also did a stint of being secretary for the Valence Speed Hill Climb and a number of other events. In those days there was the “Speed Sub-Committee”, which often met at John’s home and, of course John also served on the committee too. Unless you’ve done it, the disruption to your household caused by organising such meetings as high profile Brands events is difficult to appreciate. John and his wife Lois accepted such disruption and as would be expected John’s meetings were always organised to a high standard with immaculate documentation and records. Those who followed on had the benefit of excellent templates. In his professional life John worked for National Westminster Bank who, many years ago saw fit to transfer John to Bristol, thus effectively bringing to an end John and Lois’s active involvement in 7Oaks & DMC. As a life member John continued his interest in 7Oaks & DMC and in the earlier years of their exile to Bristol travelled back to Brands for both BRSCC and 7Oaks race meetings, John usually being a steward and Lois, as always, tirelessly and quietly working away in the paddock office signing on competitors, churning out result sheets etc. For many years John was an MSA Steward a position which he fulfilled with his trademark tact and quiet authority. John’s professional skills were also of benefit to the Club and more than one club member was able to turn to John for advice and assistance which enabled them to make achievements that might well have not been possible. As always John happily gave realistic and sound advice and assistance, happy to help whoever it was. On retirement from Nat West John was able to spend more time in his activities supporting the RNLI. Diabetes resulted in his having to have a leg amputated and when some while later he had to lose his other leg for the same reason he became reliant on using a wheelchair, not a situation he enjoyed, but one that he gradually came to terms with. I have not seen John and Lois for many years but through brief notes at Christmas we kept in touch, sadly never managing to get together in the same place at the same time, as we always promised we would. There are a number of members whose hard work and commitment laid and built upon the foundation stones that give 7Oaks & DMC its strength. John Hutchins was one of these persons. Our thoughts and sympathies are extended to Lois at this very sad time. John Symes