Who was Norman Booth?

Dr. Norman Booth was a GP in Old Harlow from 1927 to 1965, although he continued to work part-time after his retirement until his death in 1972. He was a well-loved member of the Old Harlow community and was universally accepted as a caring, hard-working family doctor. He was interested in all aspects of community life and played a major role in helping to develop the community of Harlow as we now know it.

In addition to his medical activities, he was very active in various sporting and leisure activities in Old Harlow. He served on the committee of various sporting clubs and was president, at some time, of the Football Club, the Bowls Club and the Cricket Club. For many years, he organized a team know as the “Dr. Booth XI” which played matches with surrounding village teams. The annual highlight for this team was a long weekend tour to Wells in Somerset.

He played hockey for Harlow and for many years was the referee for the women’s Hockey Club. He was also very involved in the activities of the Men’s Institute in Garden Terrace Road and was their president for some time.

In 1929, he was responsible for helping to found the Harlow unit of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and later saw the building of the ambulance station near to the site of the leisure centre. He was seen to drive the ambulance himself on many occasions and was always active in organizing the regular carnivals which raised funds for the Brigade.

He was medical officer to the approved school at Pishiobury and became closely involved in the welfare of the boys there. He also helped, organised and played in various team games at the school.

He was closely involved in the setting-up of the Harlow Industrial Health Service which was a pioneering initiative in this field. He was one of its first part-time medical officers, and continued to work as a factory medical officer until his death.

Norman Booth was a man who worked tirelessly for the good of the Old Harlow community, both in his professional life and in his sporting and welfare activities. He was the sort of man who saw a need, and then set about quietly organising something to fill that need. He was an unassuming personality who played a most valuable role in the Old Harlow community and this leisure centre was named in his memory.