If you ever went for a night out in Ipswich in the 1960s, the chances are you may have come across George Welham.  

George was a stalwart of the Ipswich nightlife, having run the Chevallier Lodge Club (known as ‘the Chev’) from 1962. 

“He loved running the nightclub,” said George’s wife, Caroline Welham. “He liked to walk around, talking to people. His life revolved around the customers.” 

George was a London boy by birth, having been born in Peckham to parents George and Alice Welham on February 20, 1938. 

He and his younger sister, Valerie, grew up in the shadow of the Second World War, and it was not uncommon for Alice to whisk her children down to an underground station as bombs rained down upon the city.  

“George was always wandering off,” laughed Caroline. There was one story in particular which Alice was fond of telling. 

“He’d been told to do something for his mother, and then the next thing, he was being brought back down the underground with the police, because he’d been climbing on the roof of the post office!” said Caroline. 

Ipswich Star: George pictured with his younger sister, Valerie. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge pictured with his younger sister, Valerie. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George Welham was known to many people in Ipswich, but spent the final years of his life in Portugal. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge Welham was known to many people in Ipswich, but spent the final years of his life in Portugal. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George enjoying a picnic with friends, who were also customers at the Chev. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge enjoying a picnic with friends, who were also customers at the Chev. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)

The family relocated to Ipswich when George was around ten, and he was often teased for his London accent. 

Trying to fit in, he would ask his mother, ‘Where we goin’?’ in a heavy Suffolk drawl, until he was roundly told off. 

When Teddy Boy fashion became all the rage, George was often to be seen strutting about with friends, dressed to the nines in a bright blue coat and blue shoes with thick heels and soles. 

After leaving school, George was briefly a tool setter for Reavell and Co, but it was from the Chevallier Lodge in Chevallier Street that many in Ipswich will remember him best.  

George started out first as a croupier at the then-casino, dealing cards and running the roulette table.

When the casino became a night club, George stayed on as manager. It was George who held the club’s music and alcohol license, and he worked hard to make the club one of the most vibrant places in Ipswich. 

Caroline remembers meeting George at the club for the first time, on a night out with friends around 1971. 

“George never took his eyes off me,” remembered Caroline. After he had finished closing up, George came over to speak to Caroline – and the pair “just clicked”. 

“He was so intelligent,” said Caroline. “It didn’t matter what subject anyone talked about, George could hold a conversation with them all night long. 

“I don’t think there’s anyone who can have a bad word to say about him.” 

Ipswich Star: George and Caroline relaxing by their swimming pool in Portugal. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge and Caroline relaxing by their swimming pool in Portugal. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George with a young Russell, pictured on a ferry on their way to Brussels, Russell's first travel experience. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge with a young Russell, pictured on a ferry on their way to Brussels, Russell's first travel experience. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George and Russell in Cheshire. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge and Russell in Cheshire. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George having fun with Turkish bar owners. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge having fun with Turkish bar owners. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)Ipswich Star: George with Disco, one of his beloved ducks, which earned him the nickname of 'the duck man'. Image: Caroline WelhamGeorge with Disco, one of his beloved ducks, which earned him the nickname of 'the duck man'. Image: Caroline Welham (Image: Caroline Welham)

 

George and Caroline tied the knot on November 14, 1978. He became a loving father to Caroline’s son, Russell, until Russell’s sad death in 2013. 

In 2002, George and Caroline decided to emigrate to Portugal. They moved out to Ferreiras, close to Albufeira. George loved life in Portugal. 

“He thoroughly enjoyed going out for meals, and for walks. He’d get talking to strangers, and they’d end up friends,” said Caroline. 

George also had a reputation amongst the locals for being kind-hearted when it came to animals. Stray dogs would often be left at his front gate, and eight of them were living with George and Caroline in their villa when George passed away. 

He was the same back in Ipswich, said Caroline, which often led to hilarious situations.  

Joking with friends one day, George said that he would like to have a duck for a pet. 

“On his birthday, they turned up with this box. People kept saying, George, you need to open your present now,” said Caroline. 

“Well, he opened the box, and this duck poked its head out!” 

George was adamant that the duck was coming home with them, and set to work building ‘Disco’ the duck his very own house. 

Before long, George had sneaked home with a companion for Disco, Puddles. Soon, Caroline estimates that they had a flock of almost 100 ducks making their home in Sidegate Avenue.  

“We used to get people knocking on the door, saying ‘We’ve heard the duck man lives here!” laughed Caroline.  

George died in hospital on August 31. He was 84.