Memories of Ian Hinson
📷 Ian Hinson was a town and county councillor for 42 years
Ian was born in 1938 in Benwell Newcastle and grew up in Central Avenue in Amble with his parents Archie and Dora, and his elder sister, Ann. Leaving school at 16, he became an apprentice at RAF Locking in Somerset which ignited his life-long fascination with electronics.
Finding that other apprentices were Grammar and Private school educated only made Ian more determined not be outdone. In fact, he came sixth out of his class of 120 in the final exams, and was considered for officer training but Ian turned it down, he was happier in the ranks!
Although they had met at a youth group earlier Ian and Norma’s relationship truly began in 1959 at a dance in the Legion Hall. After getting engaged in 1961, Norma headed to Durham to train to become a teacher, while Ian set off for the Far East and postings.
Norma and Ian were married in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Amble on 25 August 1962. Their first years of marriage was in Wiltshire as Ian was posted to RAF Lyneham.
As his 12 years of service neared the end, Ian was allowed to choose his final posting. So, with Norma having had dreams of travelling the world, spending time in exotic and far-flung locations that served as RAF bases, Ian chose RAF Acklington! Stuart was born in 1963 and Jonquil arrived in 1965. Moving back to Amble in 1966, they chose a house in Eastgarth Avenue. As Ian explained, it would always be suitable because they would be two minutes from the shops, a level and short walk to the doctors’, and he was just round the corner from the pub! They never left. Future-proofing at its best.
Ian’s whole working life was built on his love of electronics working in Medical Physics at the RVI and then at Alcan aluminium smelter, Lynemouth.
In his early 30’s he decided to study part-time for a degree in Electronics Engineering. He created a desk under the stairs at home, and spent four years in this tiny space.
After being made redundant from Alcan, over the next 10 years he worked in a charity, achieved teaching qualifications and taught at Newcastle College. He was never one for a gentle, quiet life! He loved to travel and go walking, both up mountains and on long distance paths, with Norma and with his friends from Alcan.
Ian will best be remembered for his many years spent in local government. He was always determined and passionate in his discussions, although not always diplomatic! But his achievements were clear both in their scale and ambition.
In the last few years Ian was challenged by Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, but even then, he still bore it with good humour. When he was being so well-cared for in Dolphin View, with his room overlooking the Little Shore, he loved nothing more than a ‘walk’ round the harbour in his mobility scooter and having a glass of red wine while looking up the river to Warkworth, across the harbour to the North Shore and out through the harbour mouth to Coquet Island beyond.
Ian died peacefully, aged 87, with his family surrounding him.
Norma wishes to thank everyone for their condolences, cards and kind wishes.
