The compasionate (temporary) taxman
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I HAD ALWAYS believed that an inspector of taxes needed a broad streak of sadism and no sense of humour. This is not so, otherwise how could Forbes Macgregor have involved himself closely in the compassionate work of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund and been elected its deputy president?
A humorous Scot who was "driven south by hunger and bad weather," his varied career before he eventually became chairman of Perry's, the big Ford distributors, included a spell as a tax inspector and then 10 years with Ford. The name Macgregor may strike fear in the hearts of steel workers and miners but Forbes is the embodiment of charity.
The new president, Desmond Hall, who has also had long and strong links with Ford, was invested with his badge of office on the 46th anniversary of its original presentation to the fund by F. S. Bennett to commemorate the coronation of King George VI.
One of his first important duties will be to welcome Princess Alexandra when on June 23 she opens Ben's magnificent new home in Southport to which she has graciously given her name. The building — orginally a private house owned by Hartley of jam fame and then an hotel — was a disaster area when the fund's officers had the vision and courage to buy it. The transformation is incredible.