Hammersmith Society Pays Tribute to Chairman Tom Ryland

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'His wisdom and calm balanced approach were an immense asset to the community'

The Hammersmith Society has paid tribute to its Chairman Tom Ryland RIBA, who died earlier this month, just days after being awarded the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honour for Heritage.

The society says: "It is with great sadness that we report the news of the death of our Chairman, Tom Ryland RIBA. Tom died peacefully on 9 March in Hammersmith Hospital.

"It is hard to imagine the Hammersmith Society without Tom. He had been on the Committee for many years, and Vice Chairman for some twelve years, before becoming Chairman nearly three years ago - a role to which he brought his knowledge as an architect, a lively interest in local affairs and a belief that it was always possible to do things better. His wisdom, and his calm, balanced approach to planning issues were an immense asset to the community.

"Working with Tom was always a pleasure. He was unflappable, interested, sociable, kind, and had a wonderful quiet sense of humour. He had a great gift for getting people on his side, and committee meetings with him at the helm were enjoyable affairs. He will be hugely missed by the very many people across the wide range of activities he gave his time to. We extend our thoughts and all our sympathy to his wife Liz and all his family."

The Hammermsith Society says a more detailed appreciation of Tom’s contribution to the Society will be included in its April Newsletter.

A service of thanksgiving will be held on 21 April at midday at St Peter’s Church, W6 9BE.

Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to The Blood Fund which supports the Haematology Department at Hammersmith Hospital.

March 30, 2018