AN ENORMOUSLY generous Herefordshire businessman who donated millions of pounds to charities has died aged 83.
Philanthropist Clive Richards helped dozens of good causes across Herefordshire and the rest of the UK after setting up a charity with his wife, Sylvia.
Mr Richards died on Friday, his wife said, and she has now paid tribute to the man she said “lived his life to the absolute fullest”.
“Clive Richards, aged 83, made Herefordshire his home for the last 38 years,” Mrs Richards said.
“He was born and educated in Birmingham and the Black Country and qualified as a chartered accountant, cost and management accountant and chartered secretary in 1959.
“Having moved to the City of London in 1960 he spent 50 years becoming a serial entrepreneur, building up 10 plcs in various industries, subsequently merging and selling them.
“Outside his business career, his major interests were the estate in Herefordshire where there are two farming enterprises, Lower Hope Farms and Lower Hope Fruit, where they grow the most delicious prize-winning cherries.
“He won fruit grower of the year in both 2011 and 2015.”
OTHER NEWS:
- The Grand Tour's Richard Hammond to host new TV show – here's what it's about
- Herefordshire schools' tributes to friend Clive Richards
- Hereford cancer survivor tells of sleepless nights after finding new lump
Despite his work at Lower Hope, the estate in Ullingswick, near Bromyard, he was arguably most renowned for his charity work.
The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity was established in 1986 and currently gives away up to £2 million a year to a wide variety of charities, including education, hospitals, hospices, heritage and overseas. In 2014, Mr Richards donated £1 million to the Bartestree-based St Michael’s Hospice for a major refurbishment.
The hospice said everyone was deeply saddened to hear the news that Mr Richards had died.
OTHER NEWS:
- Drivers face 50-mile diversion as Herefordshire main road shuts
- Herefordshire farmer banned from keeping animals for life
- Revealed: the huge cost of missed appointments at Herefordshire's hospitals
“Clive, and his wife Sylvia, were unwavering in their dedication to their hospice,” it said.
“Their profound kindness was never more evident than in 2014 when the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity donated £1 million to the St Michael’s Hospice redevelopment appeal. This generosity helped build our new hospice buildings which are enabling us to care for more people than in any time since St Michael’s first opened its doors in 1984.
“The Inpatient Wing is named in the couple’s honour.
“Clive chose to support St Michael’s Hospice because he felt passionate about the work we do and that the hospice ‘plays a vital role in the community’.
“Clive continued his commitment to supporting St Michael’s.”
He opened the gardens of his Ullingswick home to raise funds and, as recently as 2019, helped the St Michael’s Hospice Race Day at Hereford Racecourse become an overwhelming success, raising almost £50,000.
“It’s his generosity and sound advice, often delivered with good humour, which we’ll miss the most,” it added.
Remembering his honours, Mrs Richards said: “He was awarded the Knighthood of the Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great, by Pope Francis in 2018 and in January 2020 he was awarded the Commander of the British Empire for services to charity and to the community in Herefordshire,” Mrs Richards added.
OTHER NEWS:
- Post Office's promise to Herefordshire border town facing 'horrible' closure
- Accountant blamed theft from Hereford opticians on colleagues
- New independent restaurant with rooftop bar to open in Hereford
“Clive was passionate about so many things and endeavoured to help as many as he could either by advice, support via his charity, fundraising events and opening his beautiful gardens at Lower Hope. He would often be seen wandering around his garden on the National Garden Scheme open days with his beloved Labrador dogs not far behind.
“He kept strong connections with his old grammar school, Bishop Vesey in Sutton Coldfield, as his education and guidance there set him off on his career path to, in his own words, ‘make a few bob’ which he later generously shared with others.
“He has been a mentor to many now very successful businessmen, singers, musicians, sportsmen, doctors and accountants.
“Over the years he was actively involved with the Herefordshire Young Farmers, most of the schools in Herefordshire, and beyond where many have annexes, buildings, football and rugby pitches, new classrooms etcetera named after him: Malvern Theatres, Conquest Theatre, Bromyard Leisure Centre, Bromyard Sports Foundation and Bromyard Rugby Clubs to name just a few.
“Clive lived his life to the absolute fullest. A keen sportsman in cricket and rugby playing at county level, went skiing twice a year, enjoyed sailing, fishing and shooting.”
Mr Richards passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 16. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, three children and four grandchildren.
His funeral will be for family only due to the coronavirus restrictions, and anyone who wishes to make a donation could make one to the charity.
Community answers
Clive Richards: share your memories and condolences
"Share your memories and pictures or leave a message of condolence after the death of well-known Herefordshire philanthropist Clive Richards"
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
Share your memories and messages of condolencea great and kind man Adrian Richards
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive taught me all I know about stocks and shares when he managed the research department at Durlacher's. A wonderful man: kind and generous. An absolute genius, and we shan't see his like again.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMy grateful thanks to Clive Richards for delving into his charitable pockets and giving a donation to the 1805 Club in order to complete the duel dedications to the Vice Admirals Nelson and Collingwood Plaques in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. The latest additions to the Painted Hall decorations for nearly 300 years. Anthony Wozencroft (former Projects Officer)
Share your memories and messages of condolenceHerefordshire Samaritans would like to send sincere condolences to Sylvia and family on the passing of the inimitable Clive Richards, CBE. Herefordshire Samaritans benefitted from Clive and Sylvia's generosity over the years, including financial help towards purchasing our base in Berrington Street, Hereford, and in opening their gardens at Lower Ullingswick to the public to raise funds for us, for which we remain very grateful indeed. Clive will be fondly remembered in many ways, but especially as an amazing philanthropist to the people of our county and beyond.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceI met Mr and Mrs Clive Richards in the Rankin Club. They were an amazing couple and easy to converse with. Of course, I know and appreciate all they both gave through their generosity to the town of Leominster and the county of Herefordshire. May I offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Richards at this sad time.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMany years ago I valeted his Land Rove after one of his shoots. As you can imagine it was challenging but fun. So after I completed this task, Clive introduced me to his Bentley. What a pleasant surprise to be able to valet this beautiful classic. Clive and Sylvia were very kind to me and my young son. Clive was always a gentleman. A lovely guy with a generous and big heart. RIP, Clive
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive was one of the most kind and supportive people I have met! He was immensely generous to Diabetes UK, a charity that meant a great deal to him personally, and he and I spoke several times together to different audiences about our respective experiences of diabetes, relying often on his humour to retain the attention of the audiences! RIP, Clive, a truly lovely man who will be hugely missed. Richard Lane OBE, Ambassador and Immediate Past President, Diabetes UK
Share your memories and messages of condolenceSo sad to hear Clive Richards has died. He was an amazing man who helped so many in Herefordshire. He will be missed.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMembers of Bromyard Rugby Football Club are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of our longstanding club president, Clive Richards. With Clive's enthusiasm and support our community now boasts a thriving rugby club with mini, junior, girls sections, colts team, ladies touch team and senior male teams, for this we are deeply indebted. Clive actively supported the junior and senior teams and it was truly a pleasure having him on the touchline and being part of our rugby family. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Sylvia at this sad time.
Share any pictures you have of Clive Richards
Clive Richards attending junior festival at Bromyard RFC with Veseyans Rugby Club, both clubs benefiting from Clive's generosity. Share your memories and messages of condolenceA man of our time. Wealth used in a way to benefit so many people in his local area . My daughter played a number of times for Bromyard wind band at Lower hope raising money for charity at a wonderful venue Clive's home . RIP, a Gentleman in the true sense of the word.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive was an incredible supporter of education and we have remained in contact throughout my time at Weobley. Both he and Sylvia have visited the school on many occasions and have been unswerving in their dedication and generosity. His commitment to Herefordshire schools and improving the life chances of our future generations is unparalleled. I was always impressed at how well he understood the challenges facing schools; not just in general, but specifically. He maintained a keen eye on each school and was always happy to offer his support and advice. He will be greatly missed. Herefordshire has lost a true gentleman.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMany memories of all the help you gave Herefordshire Y.F.C. and all the rallies we held at Lower Hope. Thoughts go out to all the family. R.I.P. Clive
Share your memories and messages of condolenceVery sorry to hear of the death of my uncle, and very impressed and proud of his astounding generosity and of the legacy he has created with his wife. I only wish I had known him more during his amazing business and charitable life Dominic Hessian/ nephew
Share your memories and messages of condolenceThe staff, governors and students of Queen Elizabeth High School were greatly saddened to hear of the recent passing of Clive Richards, a gentleman we were very fortunate to know and consider a good friend. With Sylvia by his side, Clive always looked to give back to his local community with a particular fondness for education and we were fortunate to benefit from their generosity when we approached Clive, Sylvia and their Trustees to develop our Vocational Centre, without their support the project would not have come to fruition and for their help we will remain forever grateful. As a school community we plan to commission a small seating area on the school grounds overlooking Lower Hope in memory of Clive as well as plant a cherry tree which we believe is a fitting tribute that students and the community will be able to enjoy for years to come ensuring fond memories of Clive and his lasting legacy to our school.
Share any pictures you have of Clive Richards
The opening of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Vocational Centre at Queen Elizabeth High School Bromyard by Cllr Jonathan Lester fully funded by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. Share your memories and messages of condolenceThank you for your generosity, friendship and continued support over many years. Herefordians Cricket Club
Share your memories and messages of condolenceWe say goodbye to a most remarkable gentleman of extreme genorosity to many local charities. I was always interested in his charities, and especially the most generous funding to our magnificent St Michael's Hospice. RIP Sir. We also send our sympathy to his dear wife.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive shared his good fortune with people of Bromyard, and especially the rugby club. That single act of generosity benefitted my two children immensely, providing happy memories, during a time of stress as we underwent a divorce.
Clive Richards: share your memories and condolences
Share your memories and pictures or leave a message of condolence after the death of well-known Herefordshire philanthropist Clive Richards
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here