My dad, Tony Matthews, who has died of cancer aged 79, was a respected BBC producer, founder of the Windsor branch of the carers’ charity Crossroads Care and a talented writer and poet.
Tony was born in Guildford, Surrey, the eldest of three children of Richard, a policeman, and Marie (nee De Brûle), a civil servant. He attended Westborough county primary school from 1942, then Pewley school in Guildford where, thanks to the encouragement of one of the teachers, he successfully took the entrance exams for Oxford University. Following national service in Cyprus, he went to Keble College, Oxford, to study philosophy, politics and economics. There he met Ann Blackman, who was training as a midwife, and, after marrying, in 1964 they settled in Windsor, where they raised their family and were active in the local Labour party and Windsor Arts Centre.
Tony started as a “hack” at the City Press in London in 1961, then worked with the Economist Intelligence Unit before joining the BBC in 1963 as a trainee TV producer, spending nearly all of his 30-year career in the further education department. His commitment to adult learning in public service broadcasting was reflected in ground-breaking series such as Trade Union Studies, helping workers to take up educational opportunities, and Parosi, aimed at encouraging Asian women to learn English. His strong social conscience led him to produce programmes dedicated to helping people access support and information about their rights, including Advice Shop and Who Cares Now?
A powerful advocate for the needs of carers, in 1992 Tony set up Windsor’s first Crossroads Care scheme in 1992, for which he was a trustee for more than 20 years. Using his formidable fundraising and networking skills, he helped to steer a successful voluntary organisation that supported many hundreds of local carers.
After retirement Tony filled his life with voluntary and creative activity. He was a tutor for the Pre-Retirement Association and volunteered with the British Executive Service Overseas, travelling to Ukraine and Eritrea to advise on its fledging educational TV services.
In the 1980s he started writing community plays based on Windsor’s hidden social history. These 10 plays were enjoyed and performed with the participation of hundreds of local people, often featuring in the Windsor fringe festival. Even in the last few weeks of his life he continued with his musical play Fallen Women, encouraging local people to get involved. He won prizes for his writing, and was a valued member of Slough Writers group for more than 10 years.
Tony loved cycling, reading and collecting books, frequenting youth hostels and taking trips with Ann in their beloved VW camper until her death in 2010. He took great pleasure in his two beehives and his beautiful garden and allotment. He was a thoughtful, loving man with a dry sense of humour.
Tony is survived by his children, Joe, Paul, Kate and me, by his brother, Richard, and by nine grandchildren.
