Obituary: Retired draughtsman Dave Ratford was a well-known face around Burley

A MEMORIAL service was held last week for retired draughtsman Dave Ratford, who was a well-known face around Burley and praised for his handyman abilities.

Dave died aged 67 following a fire at his home in Esdaile Lane on 16th July. He was described by his family as “a great man who will be hugely missed”.

He was often seen in the village walking to the shops or to his parents’ house in Chapel Lane, as well as cycling on New Forest tracks.

Known for his ability to mend, make, repair and solve all sorts of problems, Dave was regularly called upon by friends and neighbours to help them at short notice.

He was born in east London in 1954 and was the eldest of three boys. He grew up in Orpington where he attended the local schools and excelled at maths.

He went on to study at university in Bournemouth and Derby. On finishing his degree, he returned to the Orpington area to work and it was there that he met his future wife, Annie, in 1979.

They married in 1983 and two years later made the decision to move from their home in Ashford, Kent, to Burley.

Their daughter Frances was born in 1983 and Joe followed in 1987.

By this time Dave was working for local firms as a self-employed draughtsman, before setting up his own business which he ran successfully from his home until his retirement in 2019.

Dave and Annie were very active supporters of Burley Primary School, helping to run the school fete and race nights, among other events.

Dave had many hobbies and interests, and early holidays for the family of four were spent with his younger brother and his family, skiing in Switzerland in winter and camping in Cornwall in summer.

He also enjoyed cycling, walking, skiing and canoeing and was involved in many of the activities of Ringwood Canoe Club, including two attempts at the Liffey Descent in Dublin and trips to France, Scotland, Wales and Devon.

When Frances moved to Australia in 2002, travelling became a love for Dave and together with Annie he made regularly made trips to visit her.

In 2015 Dave went to Tasmania to help Frances renovate an old wooden shack she had purchased and spent several weeks teaching her the basics of carpentry.

Other memorable trips were to Reunion Island to visit Joe who was studying French.

They later visited him in Japan when he was working as an English teacher. Subsequent trips included Europe, Thailand, India, America and Canada.

Trips were also made to visit Joe in Devon, where he works on an organic vegetable farm.

Dave loved helping out there and spending time with his grandchildren, as well as enjoying the end-of-season barn dance.

Dave also helped with the running of the Burley Village Cinema until the pandemic forced the suspension of all films.

Latterly, Dave had been suffering from dementia and was no longer able to drive or work, but spent his time doing jigsaws and listening to music.

His memorial service was held at St John the Baptist Church in Burley on Monday 8th August.

Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to Dementia UK via W. Smith & Sons, Bransgore, or online at www.davidratford.muchloved.com