King Purchasers:
Jeremy Dancey
Philip Dancey
Rob York
Annual Events:
Hartpury Rugby Club match sponsorship
Annual Dinner held at The New Club, Cheltenham
Cheltenham Cricket Festival
Chepstow or Hereford Races
Donations:
Each year we donate to a number of small local Charities and families in financial trouble
Active members: 45
Non-active members: 5
History:
The exact details as to when the Gloucester Purchasers came into being is now shrouded in mystery.
The longest serving members agree that the group was originated by Frank Gardner of local repute. How long after 1921 is not known, but members remember attending dinners at HQ before and during the last war – others who attended do not remember a thing!
It is recorded that the unit had gathered such strength and recognition that the sixth St Harson cot was presented to representatives of the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary and eye institution at Gloucester in October 1945.
The succeeding King Purchaser was Cyril Dancey, who organised the local group with his efficient ability until he passed on his responsibilities in 1969 to King Purchaser Vernon Clark. Cyril remained a loyal supporter until his death in 1973. Shortly after the war Gloucester began to hold its own dinners in the Oak Room at the old Bell Hotel.
These were worthy affairs, food of the best, always oysters to stir the memories of the older members, the usual raffles for the bottles donated by those present or absent, the inevitable poker and always a highly satisfactory sum sent to HQ.
In 1982 King Purchaser Vernon Clark was gathered and King Purchaser Derek Evans took on the tricky job of organising the Gloucester Purchasers by this time numbers had increased to 27. However, Derek unfortunately was gathered himself in 1983.
It was then agreed that Sidney Skelton would take over with the idea that Jeremy Dancey would take over after that. Sidney died in November 1985 however he had passed the honour of King Purchaser to Jeremy on Friday 28th June 1985.
The main activities of the local group, which numbered around 26, remained unchanged. Dinners were held once a year. An annual pilgrimage made by coach to Twickenham for the Varsity Match – rugby now being secondary consideration with the sweep, poker, pontoon and other odd swindles ensuring a considerable amount of money was sent to local charities.
In 1995 it was agreed that we should encourage our sons to join in our activities and five enjoyed their first outing to the Varsity match. This trend was to continue and many were eventually made Purchasers.
David Parsons was made a King Purchaser in May 1996 and inducted by Harson Kim Bellamy at our annual dinner. David unfortunately had a stroke in 1997 and was not able to participate as much as he would like. David Foyle was made a King Purchaser in 2002.
In 1999 Jeremy Dancey was presented with a silver tray as a thank you present for organising the Varsity Match trips for 25 years. These trips were stopped in 2007 because of a change in day and time for the match. We then made our first trip to the Races instead of the Rugby.
In 2012 with numbers of members now over 40 Philip Dancey was made a King Purchaser and in 2014 he took over the running of the Gloucester Purchasers.
KP David Parsons resigned as a King Purchaser in 2016.
KP David Foyle was sadly gathered in September 2024.
KP Jeremy Dancey continues in his role as an advisor.
Rob York was made KP in December 2024