It is with considerable sadness that we learnt of the sudden death of Rtn Denis Blandford on Saturday 25th February 2012. As his self-portrait above and the various illustrations on this website will testify, Denis was a naturally gifted Artist with an enviable range of artistic talents - painter, portraitist, illustrator, graphic designer, and cartoonist. His website boasts 33 years as a professional artist.
Denis came to Windsor Rotary as a result of participating in and of course winning the 2006 Rotary Art competition, and his work has graced most of the significant events undertaken by the Club including lately the artwork for the 80th Charter celebrations. Away from Rotary Denis had set up a regular 'Life Drawing' group in Windsor, and latterly was teaching for the first time at Bracknell College. When not wielding a paint brush Denis was equally at home with a bowling wood, spending many a Summer's evening honing a natural eye for the game. Many tributes to Denis have been received and all touch on his infectious charm and enthusiasm for his subject. It is perhaps appropriate that this account from one of his friends of how he spent last Friday should illustrate so accurately what and who Denis was and is consequently reproduced here in full. 'Barry(Denis' brother)had not been aware that I had spent the whole day with Denis on Friday but was pleased when I told him that Denis was very excited about the project we were working on together and we spent most of the day walking round Eton College and the outlying fields in the sunshine, taking photographs and getting picture ideas. I even commented to Denis and the Eton College folks that I could think of worse ways of spending a Friday! We stood for quite a while marvelling at the light and how brilliantly blue the sky was and incredibly green the grass and trees were. I am sure the pictures on his camera will show just how amazing the day was. We finished off with a late lunch at Dorney Court Kitchen Garden, the food was lovely and we left there on a high about what the future would hold for this work and future projects. I’m so sorry to hear this awful news, but it is reassuring to know that he was full of anticipation about the future when he died' Denis will be sadly missed by all those who knew and worked with him, and our sympathies extend to all his family and friends. | 
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