Tributes to solicitor Roger Iveson: ‘A true gentleman’

Tributes have been paid to former Driffield solicitor Roger Iveson – described as a true gentleman who loved helping people – who has passed away at the age of 81.

A highly-regarded solicitor with a brilliant legal mind, Roger began his career alongside his father Gus at the family business W.A.I Iveson in Hull.

He trained with his father and studied at the University of Hull and once qualified, the father and son went into partnership and the firm became W.A.I Iveson and Son.

The business had an office in Driffield, which Roger and his father would visit on a Thursday and in 1972, they took over H W Rennison’s practice on Exchange Street.

A year later, the practice bought out Frankish Wilkinson and Sanderson and Frankish Iveson & Son was born.

In 1980, the firm amalgamated with Andrew Jackson, when Roger moved full-time to Driffield.

Latterly, Roger and fellow partner at Andrew Jackson, Anthony Atkin, set up together as Iveson and Atkin.

One of the high-profile cases of his brilliant legal career was his work to represent the prison officers involved in the 1976 riots at Hull Prison.

Roger’s eldest son James, who worked alongside his father as a legal executive for 18 years, said his father loved every aspect of the law.

He said: “In his early years, he specialised in criminal law and he was a wonderful advocate.

“In court he was mesmerising. He had the ability to think on his feet and could respond to whatever situation.

“People have said to me that they always felt more confident when he was on their side.

“As a solicitor from day one, money was not his objective, he just wanted to help people. He gave people confidence.

“He was able to communicate and get on with all people.

“He fell in love with Driffield and enjoyed every minute of representing the people of Driffield and it gave him the opportunity to practice other aspects of law from matrimonial, contract and civil law. He got a great buzz out of the diversification of law.”

Roger was a family man through and through. He met the love of his life, his wife Di, in 1959.

The couple were married in 1965 and have three sons James, Matthew and Richard, and four grandchildren; all of whom Roger was immensely proud of. The family have precious memories of their Sunday afternoons playing rugby, cricket and tennis in the family garden, in which Roger loved spending his time.

Di and Roger moved to North Frodingham in 1965, where they have been a pivotal part of the community.

Roger was the chairman of North Frodingham Village Hall and later chairman of North Frodingham Playing Fields.

Di said: “Roger was the easiest man to get on with. Nobody felt they couldn’t talk to him because he would talk to anybody.

“He had a good word for everybody and could see the good in everyone.

“He enjoyed representing the ordinary man and would always give up his time if anyone came knocking at our door asking for help. He was a wonderful man and a true gentleman.”

Alongside his family, another great passion of his life was sport.

He was a keen sportsman playing rugby and cricket when he was at Ampleforth School.

When he started working in Hull; he played rugby for Hull and East Riding and captained the team in 1963/64. He also represented Yorkshire in 1964.

His sporting career was not without its incidents. While playing rugby, he fractured his skull and was given only 24 hours to live and told he would never play again – only to be back on the rugby pitch just six months later!

His association with Driffield Rugby Club began in 1973 when he was asked to play at the club by a former Hull and East Riding team-mate Richard Dawson.

He played for one season; however, it was as a coach that he will be most remembered at the club.

When his sons played rugby in the 1980s, the then headteacher of Driffield School John Harrison encouraged some of the students to play for the Colts.

Roger was asked to help with the team and coached the youngsters before being asked if he would coach the 1st team.

His tenure as coach was hugely successful culminating in the 1st XV winning the Yorkshire Shield for the second time in 1991 and going on to achieve back-to-back promotions.

Andrew Chapman, former chairman and squad member of the 1991 Shield winning team, said: “If ever there was a case of the right man, in the right place, at the right time, then Roger Iveson’s appointment as head coach at Driffield RUFC was it, bringing with him, as he did, his passion and experience of the game, but most importantly, his insistence in discipline in all aspects of the club’s approach to pre-match preparation.

“For some years, Driffield had been endeavouring to emulate the heroes of 1971 and win the Yorkshire Shield for a second time and it was the appointment of Roger that proved to be the catalyst in achieving this goal.

“In what was still an amateur game, he introduced a very professional, honest approach to fitness and preparation and he inspired his players with his dedication and his well chosen words.

“Having achieved the Shield win on that glorious day in April 91 at the now defunct Roundhay RUFC, the club enjoyed a long period of success, culminating in our fourth promotion to what now is the Northern Premier League, a status we held for five years.

“All of this was the work of many people, but the person that laid the foundation for that success following the Shield win was Roger Iveson.

“The players and supporters of our club owe him a great debt of gratitude for the work he did on the field. And for some errant individuals that had occasion to be thankful for his loyalty and dedication in his professional capacity, this is especially true.

“Roger will be remembered as a man who contributed a great deal to East Yorkshire rugby and in particular DRUFC, where he is very fondly remembered.

“Of course it could be argued that his greatest contribution, with the help of Di of course, was the production of three talented young sons who all proceeded to play 1st XV rugby in the blue, black and white, not a bad contribution!

“Well played Roger, well played!”

As well as rugby, Roger was asked to revive the North Frodingham cricket team and he played alongside his three sons representing the village. Roger was also Honorary president of Hull Law Society and chairman of Age Concern for 25 years.