Tony Hansard 1954 – 2026
It was with great sadness that I heard the news of the passing of Tony Hansard from the CRA, Concrete Repair Association an organisation that he was deeply involved in.
Tony was one of the first characters I met in the industry, being an “Erdington Boy” and Makers office being located in Summer Row, Erdington meant frequent visits on a Monday morning and quick pop ins on a Friday afternoon!
In times before email, the mobile phone and internet, Tony was the “go to” for the latest information and industry moves, plus he knew everyone in Birmingham City Council. Tony back then was the equivalent to google, if you wanted something out there Tony was your man, he was always willing to listen and share and always wanted to be the first to know, it was his currency.
Those who knew Tony well will remember his stature, as he told me he was not built for off the peg, he was always wrestling with his attire that never quite fitted. Tony wasn’t the biggest but had the heart of a lion which made him the ideal “Villan” supporter of his beloved Aston Villa. Indeed visits to our office usually followed a good result at the weekend for them or in my case a terrible result for the Birmingham City the Blues, where Tony would be sat there smiling in reception knowing I was bluenose a supporter of that team. Visits sometimes became too frequent but always had an exchange of good information by way of compensation and commiseration.
Tony had another couple of passions, Golf and Royal Doulton. Tony loved to win, he would enthusiastically organise Weber golf days carefully selecting teams and ensuring he had just the right amount of handicap, unofficial of course but organisers privilege. he would choose his team carefully and then depending on where his team finished would organise the prize table accordingly.
Tony had a habit of licking his lips particularly when he was concentrating and before every golf shot. I recall being in his team and to be fair we were going quite well, we both had about 80 yards to the green and I asked him what club he was taking. he casually walked around his buggy and pulled out a 3 wood and addressed the ball. before he could hit I shouted “ Tony its only 80 yards!!, watch and learn my boy “ he responded, taking a full swing he popped the ball up and landed as softly as you like 3 foot from the pin. He turned grinned and said I think that’s a gimme winking! I proceeded to thin my ball through the green with a wedge!
Tony was the inventor of the hybrid club he used his 3 wood for everything, his game was played with a genuine smile and joy, he knew his ability just keeping it short but straight but was a fierce competitor. Tony loved organising his golf days and many a great day was had on the SBD/ Weber golf day especially in the bar afterwards where Tonys exuberance shone through especially if he had won a nice piece of Doulton to take home to the good lady.
As well as playing golf we managed to attend The Open at Royal Birkdale in 1988 travelling up from Erdington on the final days play. Travelling up in a Maker minibus with Tony and Makers senior management we drove to Southport and on route stopped off to get bottles and gin and lemonade. Bottles we decanted and a 50/50 mixture formed which passed through gate security with little concern.
Tony not really fancying walking around the course settled down in the main grandstand on the 18th Hole perched on aisle seats to watch the players finish their rounds. After a number of hours of sampling our wares we were a little worse for wear. Enter Justin Rose!
The young English amateur had been leading the open but had slipped back on the final day, hitting his approach shot he pulls it short of the green to groans amongst the watching spectators, then immediately out of nowhere Tony stands up and at the top of his voice shouts “ stand up you bastards he’s English” and violently begins to clap, this sets of a chain reaction with other joining in. Tony full of gin and pride turns to acknowledge the crowd only to mis his step and tumble down the Grandstand aisle. As he struggled to his feet Justin Rose chipped in to a tumultuous roar and rising grandstand all of which Tony missed. Rosey finished 4th and turned pro after that event only to miss 20 consecutive cuts in his professional career.
Tony having been helped to his feet a feeling the after effects of copious amounts of Gin and lemonade decided to head back to our chauffeur driven minibus. The journey back was long and arduous punctured by too many comfort stops and the odd wailing of stomachs. Landing back in Erdington in the late hours of Sunday evening we were greeted by a rather bemused Mrs Hansard as we watched Tony stagger up the drive, head bowed mumbling as he entered his house.We never did The Open again!
Tony had a huge passion for the industry and in particular for the Concrete Repair Association, CRA, born in April 1954 Anthony Patrick Daniel Handsard became a Director of the CRA in 2008 which held for 3 years before resigning in 2011. In 2008 he became the Chairman which he considered a great honour which he truly loved. He steered the Association through quite difficult times with the financial crisis and was the first representative from a manufacturer to take up the position, traditionally being held by contracting representatives.
In 2007 Kellers had decided to dispose of the Makers business and having undertaken a MBO at the end of 2007 was keen to maintain our membership of the CRA being founder members. Tony was a huge supporter despite significant pushback from other established members, but Tonys assistance prevailed and our membership maintained since 1988.
Tony was an incredibly proud Brummie and had strong ties with his Erdington MP where he managed to get the Houses of Parliament to host the CRA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner. Tony hosted the event and during the evening surprised Peter Cowlard with the Kevin Couleman Award for services to the Industry. Peter, Makers Technical Director was visibly emotional having known Kevin and appreciating what the Award represented.
Tony was completely in his element, immaculately dressed, full of humour, conducted the room. For those who attended from Makers it was a special night and an occasion that we will always recall and one Peter will fondly remember. I looked back at some of the photos from that evening before I put pen to paper and was sad to recall others that have sadly passed, Brian Dargan, Geoff Brown, Gary McKensie, Ken Dykes and now Tony, and is a further reminder of those great characters we have lost.
Tony studied at Ealing Technical College back in 1975, graduating in Modern European Studies and spent the majority of his working life at Saint Gobain Weber from 1986 to 2016 where he held the position of National Accounts Manager and latterly Key Accounts Manager. In 2016 Tony announced he as taking a sabbatical and to wish him well and that that was the last I really heard from Tony.
Tony didn’t really enjoy the best of health and became very private preferring to retreat and focus on his health. There had been a couple of close shaves whilst in Ireland where it was reported that having obtained a hire car was nearly harpooned by a piece of timber that pierced his windscreen after losing its load, and an attempted hit and run on zebra crossing but Tony is from Erdington Birmingham and made of stern stuff!
Personal note.
Tony I will always be grateful for your imparted knowledge and wisdom of a young industry. Your jokes sometimes weren’t so good but your laughter infectious. You hold a special place in Makers as you helped me and fellow colleagues through tough times, as for the Doulton that I have on my window ledge, it will now mean more and remind me of happy times on the golf course. Sadly, you have passed just as it looks like Villa might actually win something, I’m not sure I could cope with that, but I know you will be greatly missed especially by those working colleagues from the industry in Andy Gilbert and Rob Bowman.
You were always kind and upbeat, the world is a less kind place for your passing so swing easy my friend it’s only 80 yards!
Tony’s funeral took place at the catholic church of St Peters & St Paul’s on Thursday 16th April 2026 at Kingsbury Road Eddington. This was Tony’s local church which he attended as a child with his Mom & Dad.
The service began at 9.00am and was followed by private service for the family and gathering at Walmley social club where refreshments were provided. Tony, an ardent Villa fan had flowers displaying his beloved team and a team shirt dropped over his coffin. Incidentally he was laid to rest on his birthday he would have been 72.
It was good to see some familiar faces from the industry and a time to reflect, catch up and discuss the ongoing pressures felt by everyone in the industry. We are all naturally getting older and Tony’s passing brings home that vulnerability that we all feel on such occasions.
Tony funeral was a deeply family affair with his eldest son traveling over from New Zealand. He had said during the service that he had only spoken to his father a few days before his heart attack which took Tony. Tony in his latter life had struggled to walk without the aid of sticks and was a dab hand with his motorised scooter continuing to visit away grounds to watch his team. Apparently, Tony had promised his wife foreign travel when he proposed to her but she was hoping for something more exotic than Sunderland away!
Tony, true to form, had a reel of photos covering his life and throughout the common theme of that indelible smile and grin, most were pictured of him wearing some form of villa shirt and pint in hand, safe to say Tony enjoyed life, he ate life. One colleague commented that on meeting Tony for the first time had suggested a salad bar for their tea, he recalls they ended up in a Welsh curry house drinking pints of lager a little worse for wear.
Wherever we turned there were humorous stories, Tony seemed to end up in situations and somehow survive, sadly the last few photos showed how his health had taken a turn for the worse but despite his difficulties he continued to raise a glass and wear a smile.
I was pleased to be able to attend Tonys funeral, pay my respects personally and on behalf of the company and recall happier moments for those eager to learn more about their Dad, Uncle or friend but his youngest son Andrew is Tony reincarnated, a resemblance that you could see Tony in his prime of youth. Tony’s family and the next generation celebrated Tony’s life for it was a good one, a joyous one and a gentle one. He was one of the characters of our industry, he left an imprint upon us all but now it’s time to close the book and wonder about the next chapter.