01/06/2026
In Memory of George Skinner
As one of the hall's original trustees, George played an important role in helping create and support the community facility we enjoy today. We would like to take this opportunity to remember and thank him for his dedication, commitment and service to the hall and community over many years.
You used to be able to spot him a mile off, walking with his distinctive gait and hat set at a jaunty angle. Every single day he was up at the crack of dawn, ready for a day’s work. We all know George Skinner! He was an extraordinary man whose reputation as a leader, a facilitator went ahead of him. He was hardworking, plain speaking and a thoroughly good man who looked out for others and for this community. There is no doubt we will never see his like again, but we hope he will continue to inspire us.
George helped to resurrect Lourin Fair, which goes back to the Middle Ages when Rayne was granted the right to hold a market. It remained a feeing market until just before the WW2. In the 1970s, George helped bring it back to life as a fundraiser for St Lawrence Hall.
Together with two other members of the Old Rayne community, he laid the foundations of ORCA, the Old Rayne Community Association. He was instrumental in the building, expansion and maintenance of St Lawrence Hall, and showed remarkable leadership in establishing initiatives such as the Sunday School, Whist Club, Bowling Club and Playgroup.
More recently, he was a great supporter and driving force behind ORCA's successor, St Lawrence Hall Old Rayne SCIO. He also committed countless hours of work to many other committees and fundraising efforts, supporting causes locally, throughout the wider community and further abroad.
George was kind, but he spoke the truth, even when it was not what you wanted to hear, always direct and to the point.
He was an excellent speaker, a man of great wit and with a sharp insight into humankind and nature - always neatly and aptly put in Doric. We all loved his stories, his observations and his weather forecasts…
George will be greatly missed by our community, but we are lucky to have known him. His legacy remains all around us, and his example will continue to inspire us for many years to come.
