Obituary – Joe Weed
Joe Weed, long serving President of Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) rugby club, passed away at the end of January at the age of 89. He suffered a fall and broken hip earlier in the month and then developed Covid symptoms. Our sympathy goes to his son, Gareth, and rest of his family.
A proud Welshman, born in Tredegar, Joe had been a member of Camelot for over 60 years, having joined the club in 1959. Prior to that he had played for Hendon, generally at fly half, for several seasons.
Joe’s playing career at Camelot was cut short in by a head injury whilst playing for the 2nd XV (Knights) in 1967. However, he almost immediately took up the whistle and joined the Hertfordshire Referees Society. He soon became one of the leading referees in the county, remembered by Daryl Hayler as a referee who “always gave a smile when he used to penalise us which always diffused the situation!”. One of the highlights of his career was, when in Japan on a business trip in 1977, he refereed a Japanese Varsity match between Tokyo and Nagasaki Universities. Much to his amazement this was in front of a very large crown and, we believe, television cameras.
Joe also became involved in the organisation of the Society, serving on the Committee between 1972 and 1978, during which time organised a highly successful dinner-dance for the Society.
In 1984 as Joe’s refereeing commitments were slowing, he was elected Chairman of Camelot, a position in which he served 16 years. During this time, he oversaw a significant extension to the Club house, an improvement in playing standards and a reorganisation of the Committee structure.
Then in 1990 he was elected President of the Club. On his retirement as President in 2019 he was elected President Emeritus in recognition of his 60 years service to Hemel Hempstead (Camelot).
Although Joe had been struggling in recent months with ill health and had become quite frail, he maintained his sense of humour and still loved a good laugh. Brexit and the ‘meddling French’, Boris Johnson and the Welsh squad for the upcoming 6 nations were his favourite topics of conversation.
Joe always made everyone welcome to Hemel Hempstead with his warmth and ready smile. He will be missed by family, Camelot and all his friends in the wider Hertfordshire rugby community.
(with acknowledgements to Jon Clapham and Gareth Weed)
