Jane Rook - A tribute from Rosemary Barlow on behalf of HTSG

It is with enormous sadness that I have to report that Jane Rook died in hospital on the night of Thursday 5th April following a fall at home earlier. Jane had not been well for a number of years.

Jane will be remembered for her love of all equestrian sports, her love of life, strength of character, an incredible hostess, her kindness and fun, but always making sure we did the right thing . She would tell us what to do but always in a very kind way.

I remember in the very early days of the HTSG Marquee at Badminton it was polystyrene cups and sandwiches in horrible plastic boxes not like we have today! Jane Rook and I decided it all needed an upgrade so rushed down to the Director’s Tent and borrowed or should I say pinched some flowers, sourced a caterer and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

Laurence and Jane’s hospitality was known world-wide, either in a marquee or out of a car boot, but especially at their wonderful home Beverston Castle near Tetbury. It was second to none and I remember feeling very grown up when Mark & I progressed from being asked for dinner to being asked to stay for the duration of Badminton Horse Trials where we stayed every year till Jane became unwell. What fun we all had, and following the Badminton cocktail party Jane thought nothing of asking 40 people back to Beverston for dinner. My job was to make sure the flowers from the tables in the HTSG marquee at Badminton were taken back to Beverston for the tables! 

Jane loved her involvement with the HTSG serving on the committee for a while, being an amazing DC of the Beaufort Pony Club and her Chairmanship of the Pony Team. All the children adored her and her generosity was legendary and being a stickler for correctness.

​Jane will be sorely missed and it has been a privilege to call her a true friend and someone who helped me so much throughout my time with the HTSG.