It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of VAL GRANTHAM on Sunday 15th March.
Although Val has in recent times experienced medical setbacks, he was far too young and not ready to move on.
I have known Val for about 20 years as a fellow bookmaker and much more importantly, as a friend.
Prior to becoming a bookmaker Val worked in the hotel/hospitality industry and the experience he gained in human interaction was clearly apparent in how he ran his business and lived his life.
He grew his bookmaking business, WHITEHOUSE TATTERSALLS and it became a household name. Val was not shy to mix with his patrons and knowing what his punters wanted, he went out of his way to accommodate them. Val was always a forward thinker and soon acquired additional Tattersalls in KZN and the EASTERN CAPE. Val was never scared of a challenge and the next step was to become a director on the KZN BOOKMAKERS SOCIETY – an office he held for many years, the majority of the time as the chairman. It was in this position that I got a very clear picture of who and what Val really was. In life in general, many people take up positions on committees / boards etc. with hidden agendas and ulterior motives. Val was definitely not one of those – he worked tirelessly on the board for the benefit of bookmakers, big and small, and for the betterment of the industry.
Val was deeply involved in the Society and was largely instrumental in its growth and transformation and the creation of the dissemination division, as well as the initial and on-going negotiations with Tellytrack and the Operators. He was a fountain of stored information and his knowledge will be sorely missed.
Whilst serving together on the board and also through being part of the KZN betting syndicate which used to formulate the betting, I got to know Val in more depth, and not only did he become a great inspiration and advisor to me (as a naïve, fledgling bookmaker) but also a wonderful friend. We shared a common love of horseracing, sport and not forgetting, peri-peri chicken and wine!
Oh how I am going to miss those long, late lunches spent with Val, which were so enjoyable but sadly, in retrospect, too infrequent.
Val my friend, I know your health had deteriorated but I am so sorry you will not be around to enjoy your golden years with Janet and your countless friends. You were a genuinely wonderful, all round person and I am not alone in saying that you will be sorely missed. Travel safe – knowing that you made a difference….
– Patrick Bradley
The management and staff at WINNING FORM, HOLLYWOODBETS and SPORTING POST would like to express our sincere condolences to the Grantham family. We trust that the Almighty will grant you the strength during this time of bereavement.
