MD of Mallory Park Passes away
Discussion
It is with very great sadness, that we have to report the death of Edwina Overend, managing director of Mallory Park (Motorsport) Limited. Edwina passed away as a result of respiratory problems on Sunday 16 November.
A short appreciation follows:
A visit to Mallory Park in 1966 was the start of the Overend family’s long association with the circuit. Fired with enthusiasm for the sport, Edwina and husband Ron became volunteer helpers, with Edwina ultimately taking on the responsibility of competition secretary for the BRSCC Midland Centre. This led her to meet drivers such as Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi in the early stages of their careers, as well as organising races at Silverstone and Donington Park, together with Mallory events.
Edwina was then offered the role as circuit manager at Mallory Park, and she remained in that position until the sale of the circuit in 1983. With Mallory Park facing closure and a future as a housing estate, Edwina contacted her old friend the entrepreneur and successful racing driver Chris Meek, who bought the circuit, leasing it back initially to the BRSCC, then to Mallory Park (Motorsport) Limited. Edwina remained as managing director, assisted by her husband Ron and from 1990, their only son David.
During this period Mallory Park has thrived and is now one of the busiest circuits in the country. Over the winter of 2002/03, a new corner was constructed at the circuit, being named ‘Edwina’s’ in her honour. Unfortunately she did not live to see the completion of the new race control and hospitality suite which is currently being built.
Away from the circuit, Edwina enjoyed family life to the full, with two granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. Edwina and Ron married at St. Mary’s Church Lichfield in 1948 and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1998.
Edwina was a life member of the BRSCC and of the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club. She was also a member of the Kirkby Mallory Women’s Institute and an enthusiastic Scrabble player! Born and bred in Lichfield, Staffordshire, one of her early claims to fame was as Lichfield Bower Queen in 1944.
Those who knew Edwina will attest to her warm personality and love of people, as well as clothes and diamonds! However, like most successful people, she could be forceful when necessary, but this only lead to her being held in more respect.
Edwina will be very much missed by many. The Good Lord certainly
threw away the mould when he made her……
A short appreciation follows:
A visit to Mallory Park in 1966 was the start of the Overend family’s long association with the circuit. Fired with enthusiasm for the sport, Edwina and husband Ron became volunteer helpers, with Edwina ultimately taking on the responsibility of competition secretary for the BRSCC Midland Centre. This led her to meet drivers such as Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi in the early stages of their careers, as well as organising races at Silverstone and Donington Park, together with Mallory events.
Edwina was then offered the role as circuit manager at Mallory Park, and she remained in that position until the sale of the circuit in 1983. With Mallory Park facing closure and a future as a housing estate, Edwina contacted her old friend the entrepreneur and successful racing driver Chris Meek, who bought the circuit, leasing it back initially to the BRSCC, then to Mallory Park (Motorsport) Limited. Edwina remained as managing director, assisted by her husband Ron and from 1990, their only son David.
During this period Mallory Park has thrived and is now one of the busiest circuits in the country. Over the winter of 2002/03, a new corner was constructed at the circuit, being named ‘Edwina’s’ in her honour. Unfortunately she did not live to see the completion of the new race control and hospitality suite which is currently being built.
Away from the circuit, Edwina enjoyed family life to the full, with two granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. Edwina and Ron married at St. Mary’s Church Lichfield in 1948 and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1998.
Edwina was a life member of the BRSCC and of the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club. She was also a member of the Kirkby Mallory Women’s Institute and an enthusiastic Scrabble player! Born and bred in Lichfield, Staffordshire, one of her early claims to fame was as Lichfield Bower Queen in 1944.
Those who knew Edwina will attest to her warm personality and love of people, as well as clothes and diamonds! However, like most successful people, she could be forceful when necessary, but this only lead to her being held in more respect.
Edwina will be very much missed by many. The Good Lord certainly
threw away the mould when he made her……
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