15.01.2016

Tony Green 1933 – 2016

We have received the sad news that Tony Green owner of UK lifting gear supplier Taunton Lifting Services died yesterday in hospital.

In addition to running Taunton Lifting Services, he was played a significant role in the Lighthouse Club - the UK’s charity for construction workers – having played a major role in establishing the charity, having joined in 1964 and founded the South Wales branch. He was past council member and honorary life member.
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Tony Green

He had a long career in the crane industry initially in South Wales, with companies like Roads & Runways, Rush & Tompkins and then Richards & Wallington, which became British Crane Hire and took him to Somerset.

He leaves behind wide Maureen who plans to continue running the business.

The funeral will be at 12:00 am on Thursday 11th February at Taunton Crematorium. And afterwards at Hatch Beauchamp,Village Hall

We have also now received the following tribute to him which we publish in full:

Anthony Michael (Tony) Green 1933 - 2016

"Born in London, raised in Northern Ireland and Birmingham, and educated at King Edwards School in Birmingham he always maintained his spiritual home was South Wales where in the late 1950's, he first became involved in what turned out to be a lifelong connection with the Lighthouse Club".

"In his youth, he played rugby, cricket and tennis with some distinction, was a good golfer and also a driving force in the King Edwards Old Boys Association and hosted many 'O B' reunions with fellow classmates with whom he maintained contact over 60 years".

"His career in cranes and plant spanned some 50 odd years - with companies such as Roads & Runways, Rush & Tompkins and then Richards & Wallington soon to become British Crane Hire, which brought him eventually to Somerset. In 1977 he started his own crane hire company which he ran until selling it in 1990 to continue with Mendip Mini Excavators and latterly, Taunton Lifting Services - which company is still in operation".

"Tony never did anything by half measures - he was truly an 'all or nothing' chap. A treasured husband, father and grandfather. A charismatic character who will not be forgotten and very much missed".

"During Tony’s time in Wales he started to get involved with the Lighthouse Club And when he moved to Somerset he helped in setting up a branch there which eventually became known as the Western Branch. Tony became treasurer of the Branch right up to when he had a stroke in November 2014 which hit him very hard. He became a National council member for the Club and when other branches were struggling Tony was the first to volunteer to go and help out to re-establish the branch. Tony took on the roll keeping all the branches in the South and Wales up to date with General Council information. He also made a point in attending their functions always there to give support"

Tony will be sadly missed by all within The Lighthouse Club