Coulter, Jim

Obituary

Published in DA News Autumn 2019.

D. J. B. ‘JIM’ COULTER BSc.

From 1993 Jim Coulter was the Chairman, and from time to time also acted as the Hon. Secretary, of the North Devon Branch and he continued in the Chair until the Branch closed in 2002. From 1997 Jim was a member of the committee of the History Section and he served as its Hon. Secretary from 1999 until 2001. Jim was elected to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Association’s Council, as it then was, between 1999 and 2000 and again between 2001 and 2002, on both occasions under the chairmanship of Bruce Peeke, at the time when the problems over Bowhill and its unsuitability as our headquarters became apparent and were at their height. He will be best remembered for taking the lead at the time in the negotiations with English Heritage which led eventually to the Association successfully surrendering the residue of its lease and enabling a move to smaller and more suitable office premises in Longbrook Street in 2004.

As a lasting testimony to Jim Coulter’s sterling and long-standing efforts in achieving a successful outcome to these negotiations the Report of Council to the Annual Meeting in 2002 read:

“Council is pleased to report that since the last Annual Meeting agreement has been reached with the Regional Office of English Heritage on the terms to be recommended to the Secretary of State in order for the Association to be released from its lease of Bowhill. A major part in reaching this agreement over a prolonged period was played by Mr Jim Coulter and Council is most appreciative of all the time and work he has put into this.”

Bob Letcher