Page 63 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024

IN MEMORIAM

spent two years fostering children and graduated from Streatley in the quality of care shown to his patients and
helping others with adoptions. early 1950s. equally to their owners.

In 1976, back in England, she took Heather was first and foremost a Graduating in 1975 from the RVC,
over Graham Joss’ mixed, mainly large professional whose veterinary vocation Stuart’s first job was as an assistant in
animal practice in Redhill, Surrey, moving took priority and she managed to juggle the practice of Tuckett, Gray and Partners
into new premises at Gayton House. all the complexities that life sent her way. in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. In 1978
She made this into a versatile clinic, Every problem was just a challenge, and it he moved to the Leicester practice of
working tirelessly to build up from has been an honour to have been Beynon and Piggot, before heading to
singlehanded to four vets over six years. influenced by her kind, intelligent and East Yorkshire and a role in pig practice
She won over the local farmers she robust presence in this world. with the Garth Veterinary Group.
inherited, being capable and confident, “Heather was a professional whose Iain Piggot tempted him back to Leicester
yet with a natural ability to communicate veterinary vocation took priority and she in 1981 to form the fledgling partnership
and a lively sense of humour. There was a managed to juggle all the complexities of Piggot and King, located on Saffron
strong equine body of work too, where that life sent her way” Lane, a lively urban venue for what was
Heather made lifelong bonds.
to become a tremendously successful
In the early days of the parvovirus mixed practice. With Iain concentrating on
epidemic, Heather rapidly adopted the large animal side, Stuart’s heart and
improvements in care of these cases STUART CHARLES skillset naturally lent towards small animal
including using intravenous fluid work and, despite still being a mixed
therapy, which was seldom used in KING (1975) practitioner (equally competent in calving
general practice at the time. She By Andy Radley, Gareth Jones cows as spaying bitches), he led the rapid
adopted the newest anaesthetics expansion of the small animal practice.
and pharmaceuticals and her enthusiasm A teacher and mentor to many young Tall, slender, impeccably dressed and
for CPD allowed young students and vets, Stuart was a talented surgeon who normally sporting a colourful bow tie,
graduates to be strongly supported, set high standards and refused to accept he was a clinical director before clinical
while they were also expected to use second best. He was energetic, cheerful directors became a thing.
lashings of common sense. and enthusiastic.
Stuart set the standards in patient
Alongside running the business, Our friend and colleague Stuart King who and client care that young vets like
Heather was closely involved with died on 24 April 2024 was a veterinary ourselves, felt we had to emulate. The
Riding for the Disabled. Her philanthropy surgeon who always worked to the practice was always busy but because
extended to many youngsters, offering highest of standards, both in terms of the of his popularity among the clients,
essential stepping stones for them to
realise careers in animal care, lay staff
positions and farriery to name a few.
She was also involved with the local
soroptimists, continuing into her
retirement in Kent.
From the early 1980s, Heather was
closely associated with animal transfer
and transport at Gatwick Airport,
becoming the UK representative for the
International Air Transport Association. In
this role, she travelled the world teaching
and checking on regulations. Early work
here set up improvements in livestock
transfer by air that are still in use now.
Horses were an overriding passion for
Heather from the age of three, through
to her retirement. In the 1990s she took
up competitive cross-country carriage
driving and was still winning driving
prizes in 2011.
In her latter years, Heather enjoyed
a rich environment at Grove Lodge,
Southampton, near both her daughters.
Until recently, she continued to meet up
annually with colleagues who had Stuart Charles King

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