Tribute to Norman Garlick
It is with great sadness that we report the death after a long illness of one of our stalwart volunteers in Cornwall Branch - Norman Garlick.
Norman was our Branch Treasurer from 2006 to 2009, our Branch Chairman from July 2011 to mid-2014, and a key figure in the organisation of our beer festivals. He was also the Finance Officer for South West Region from October 2014 to February 2022.
As a member of CAMRA, I used to attend the Falmouth beer festival every year from 2012. On these occasions I used to see a nice man who was obviously deeply interested and involved in the running of the festival and CAMRA. I was later to come to know and work with this man. He was Norman Garlick, or Norm as he was known.
On the 24 March 2018 I took over as Treasurer of the Cornwall Branch of CAMRA knowing a few of the members of the committee but not really understanding what my role really involved. CAMRA had just started using an online branch accounting system which was only used by a few branches and not a lot was known about it at the time. Enter Norman Garlick.
As soon as he found out I was the new Treasurer he contacted me and talked me through what was expected of me and got me onto the COBAS accounting system and delivered manuals, etc., to me. He contacted me regularly to make sure I was happy with what I was doing.
When I was told I was the Treasurer for the festival I had not got a clue what was involved. Norm was there to help in many ways, and we formed a really good working relationship. He took care of the day-to-day financials for the festival and I did the overall bookwork, etc. I never once saw him stressed while we worked.
I would see Norm regularly in the Front and we always shared an enjoyable pint and friendly chat and banter. Every time we saw each other in passing, he always stopped for a chat.
Norman was a lovely man, and I will miss our beer together. Cheers Norm, and Rest in Peace.
Jim Gordon
Photo of Norm at Bodmin Beer Festival, February 2008 (Steve Barber)