A Final Farewell To Our Friend And Colleague Brian Leslie Dunsby OBE
Chamber Past President Mark Lancaster gave the eulogy at the funeral of our former CEO, Brian Dunsby, at the request of his wife Beryl and their children, Martin, Adrian and Carolyn. As well as knowing Brian through the Chamber, Mark worked closely with him for more than two decades on projects including Yorkshire Business Market and Harrogate Christmas Market. His warm words at Brian’s funeral rang true for all of us in the Chamber, and we wanted to share them with our members.
Mark said:
Brian Leslie Dunsby OBE
I would like to begin by warmly welcoming everyone who knew Brian. I am sure many of us, like me, were shocked to learn of his passing.
My name is Mark Lancaster. For over 25 years, I have worked on a wide range of projects with Brian and Beryl at the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, including Rail and both the Business and Christmas markets.
Therefore, it was an honour to be asked by Beryl and the family to say a few words. However, I suspect a few words wouldn’t do justice to the passing of someone who achieved so much and profoundly impacted a community.
Legacy
Legacy is a word often used loosely, but in this case, it doesn't seem quite enough. I will soon present a more detailed list of achievements, but before I do, please consider that everything I am about to tell you happened during a period of Brian’s life that many would consider retirement. But not Brian – or Beryl, for that matter.
Knowing Brian, his intention was never to set out to leave a legacy, but I can assure you he left one. His attention to detail, diligence and pure bloody-mindedness delivered some astonishing results.
Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce CEO - Represented the interest of businesses at the Borough and County Councils.
Organiser of the award-winning Yorkshire Business Market
Organiser of the award-winning Harrogate Christmas Market
The Harrogate Rail Line Supporters Group
Leeds Bradford Airport Consultative Committee
“When he couldn't get a train to stop at the airport, he made sure a bus did”
In fact, anything to do with transport, Brian was there to make sure Harrogate got a fair hearing.
On top of all of this, he helped and mentored small business owners, which many found invaluable.
He guided and supported successive officers, vice presidents, and presidents of the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, many of whom are here today. They will no doubt have their own memories of how Brian helped them – while possibly still giving a sigh of relief that they are not waking up to Brian’s significant overnight emails!
Brian was recognised in his professional life with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and, of course, an OBE followed for the work he did for Harrogate
I first met Brian and Beryl at a monthly Harrogate Chamber meeting. Even then, I realised that he was the sort of person who wanted to get things done. Putting this in perspective, we were all unpaid volunteers – working in or running our businesses. But Brian had a way of thinking big and gently encouraging people to join in.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic, which is often the downfall of many voluntary groups. Brian did the heavy lifting, which made the lives of many Chamber Presidents easier. His famous black pilot case was his mobile office, always containing the right piece of paper at the right moment, no matter which meeting you were in. Some of the venues used for meetings put on a spread of handmade biscuits and the same pilot case was used to smuggle a few out for the journey home!
However, the best meeting of all was always Chocolate Biscuit Friday back at the home office.
We attended countless business events and dinners over the years. Brian loved his puddings, so my wife Alison (who hasn’t got a sweet tooth) made a pact with Brian, who would get her dessert. All this was done with a comedic disapproving glance from Beryl!
Integrity
To some, Brian often seemed a complicated person to work with, but in reality, he wasn’t. Beneath his customary bluster, he was quite shy. To address this, like many intelligent people, he ensured he was always exceptionally well-prepared. He was highly motivated and dedicated, yet also generous and empathetic. However, in my opinion, he embodied one of the most significant values a person can possess: Integrity.
Impact of His Work
The impact of all of this work was to generate economic prosperity for Harrogate and the wider area. However, it wasn’t all business. The profits from the commercial activities in which so many of us were involved went on to support a whole host of projects that impact people's lives today.
Whether sponsoring business awards, supporting the International Festival, or the legendary Lions Mulled Wine stall at the Christmas Market, the idea was always to keep the economy healthy and ensure we were all connected, which are the underpinnings of a good community.
Dedication
Leaving the world in which you lived a better place than when you found it should be a natural aspiration for everyone. To be here in front of you today, I can tell you and the people of Harrogate, its businesses, charities, and those who visit, all experienced something Brian made happen.
I will leave you all with that thought again: Brian achieved all of this in what many would consider retirement. I didn’t really know Brian during his professional career, but I am sure he was hard to keep up with.
Beryl, Martin, Carolyn, Adrian, and all the grandchildren, thank you for allowing me the honour of saying these few words. I hope my words adequately reflect the husband, father, and grandfather you knew. Beryl, to whom he was devoted, you were always by his side. I know, because he told me, how proud he was of his children's achievements. I also witnessed on a number of occasions when returning from family holidays how much he cherished time with his grandchildren.
I am sure I speak for everyone here, including those who could not make it. Brian was a true tour de force, and I, for one, am better for knowing him.
