It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our friend and Colleague Frank Hodges. Frank passed away peacefully on Sunday 18th September following a long battle with cancer.

On behalf of everyone at FoWT we send our sincere condolences to Dorothy, Liz and Steven and all their families.

Frank was a founder Member of the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels and served as Company Secretary for many years. He worked as our chief negotiator with those in authority. His tenacity and patience over twelve years eventually triumphed when we took possession of the lease for the Paddington Site.

We repeat here part of an article that Frank wrote for Mole 30 where he reminisces about how he became involved with saving the tunnels.

“A phone call in January 1996 invited us to a meeting at the Liverpool Central Library in February. Steve and Dave had rented a meeting room and put together a presentation on the history of the Stableyard, the sale by the Council and the development plans. After much discussion there was obviously strong support for some sort of action and it was decided to form a pressure group to try to stop the development. I can clearly remember my wife, Dorothy, holding my left arm and whispering in my ear “Don’t volunteer for anything!” There was a request for a volunteer to take on the job of Membership Secretary – my right hand went up and I was set on a course that was to change my life for the next twenty years.”

As soon as we have details of the commemoration of Frank’s life, we will let everyone know.