SPURRIER, Steven Hugh Walthall (1941-2021)

[colinp]

Obit in the Daily Telegraph 1 March 2021 - Steven Spurrier, ‘unsung hero of wine’ who organised the world-shaking Judgment of Paris tasting – obituary (telegraph.co.uk)

He m 1968 Arabella Ann (b 1946) dau of Lt-Cdr (Arnold) Derek Arthur LAWSON (1907-1984) and (m 1944 as his 1st w and her 2nd h) Hon  Flora Breckinridge FERMOR-HESKETH (1913-1970) dau of the 1st Baron Hesketh and they had a son John Christian b 1971 and a dau Catherine Isabelle Flora b 1973

[colinp]

oops...obit was in Telegraph 12 March 2021

[G. Willis]

The Spurrier family- of Marston-on-Dove, Hilton, Derbyshire- last treated in BLG 1969.

S. H. W. Spurrier [a christening record, giving the following parents, gives his name as "Steven Hugh Alastair", but the birth registration has "Steven H. W."] 2nd s. of Capt. Henry John Marston Spurrier (1913-1988), Derbyshire Yeomanry, of Cubley Old Rectory, Ashbourne, Derbys., and of Cedar Farm, Wick St Lawrence, Somerset [the latter his address at time of death per probate], and Pamela Agnes, dau. of Lt-Col Bernard Neame, of Collycroft House, nr Ashbourne, Derbys. (per BLG 1969, of the family "Neame of Kent", BLG 1952). This family descends from Henry Spurrier (1760-1839), of Marston-on-Dove, whose eldest son, Thomas, was ancestor of the family of "Spurrier of Trafalgar (formerly Heighington) House", also in BLG 1969.

Per BLG 1969, S. H. W. Spurrier of Villa Bayonne, Bagnols-en-Foret, Var 83, France, educ. Rugby; much detail on life and career, of course, in Telegraph obit. Colin provided. The head of the family in 1969, his grandfather, John Marston Spurrier (1886-1973), listed as "of The Hall, Marston-on-Dove, Derbyshire, Lord of the Manor of Marston, Patron of the Livings of Marston, Scropton and Foston, J.P., High Sheriff 1944". As is not unusual with BLG, no mention appears to be made of the "Derbyshire-based gravel company" that was presumably their main business concern/ source of income, and which J. M. Spurrier, per the Telegraph obit., sold in 1964 (giving his grandson "£250,000, the equivalent of £5 million today"). Mention is made of S. H. W. Spurrier's great-grandfather, Henry Spurrier, J.P. (John Marston, as above, being his fourth son), at one time head of the family, having been "founder of Leyland Motors"; the Telegraph obit. says S. H. W. Spurrier's great-great-uncle "founded the Lancashire Steam Motor Company (later British Leyland)"; as I don't know the details it's possible these somewhat conflicting accounts are reconcilable.

S. H. W. Spurrier's elder brother, Nicholas John Marston Spurrier, b. 1939 [per BLG 1969- of 13, Harley Gardens, S.W.10, educ. Rugby, m. 1963, Virginia Okeover, yr dau. of Robin Henry Rowland Buckston, J.P., of Sutton Hall, Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbys., of that family formerly of Bradbourne Hall in BLG 1965; issue 1 s. 1 dau. (possibly more post-1969)], per company records (where he appears as director of the Marston Estate), of Marston Hall, Hilton- doubtless "The Hall" as above- d. 15 Nov. 2019, per Telegraph notice- http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/237580/spurrier

An article of some interest on the family estate/ history- https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/property/fancy-owning-your-village-heres-211137

[Netty Leistra]

Spurrier, Steven. Wine Educator and Journalist. Died peacefully at home on 9th March 2021, aged 79 years. Much loved husband, father and grandfather.

Source: Telegraph, 13 March 2021

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph of 30 Nov 2022: SPURRIER Steven. A Memorial Service for Steven Spurrier will be held on Thursday 19th January 2023 at 12 noon at St James Garlickhythe, London EC4V 2AF, and afterwards at Vintners' Hall, 68 Upper Thames Street, London EC4V 3BG. If attending, please email...by 5th January 2023.