Retired hotelier Tomas Niedt, who was for many years a prominent figure in Penrith and passionate about life and trade in the town, has died, aged 83.
Born at Ulm, in southern Germany, Tomas was the third son of Fritz and Gertrude Niedt.
The young Tomas trained as a chef and went on to work in France, Switzerland and Germany. In 1962 he arrived in Cornwall to learn English as he worked at the Hotel Tresanton, in St Mawes.
Two years later his father encouraged him to enrol at the famous Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, in Switzerland. This is regarded as the best hospitality school in the world, with all classes there being taught in French.
After graduating, he found a position as assistant manager of the Swan Hotel, at Grasmere, and within six months, aged just 24, was appointed manager.
In 1966 he was headhunted by the Duchess of Devonshire, and moved down to Derbyshire to run the Devonshire Arms at Beeley.
As time went by he became keen to travel and found a position in Durban, in South Africa — outraging his fiance Rosalind, who was against the racially segregated society in operation under that country’s apartheid system.
Tomas worked there for two months and became more aware of the system of legislation that upheld racial segregation and discrimination against non-white citizens. He was appalled by the inequality and left for Nigeria to take up a position in Benin City.
He and Rosalind were married in Benin Cathedral in 1972 and together they enjoyed an exciting life in the tropics. Their son Dominic was born in 1972.
Latterly, Tomas ran three hotels and a country club and provided hospitality for the British High Commissioner in Benin.
At the end of 1977, Tomas purchased Penrith’s George Hotel and in 1978 his and Rosalind’s daughter Francesca was born. It was in May, 1979, that he purchased the Tufton Arms Hotel, in Appleby.
Tomas felt very privileged to have many loyal and devoted staff. The esteem and respect in which he was held was shown by the large number of past employees who travelled great distances to attend his funeral.
Tomas received a warm welcome after taking up his new life in Penrith. The town’s Rotary club invited him to become a member and he later became its president.
He served three terms as chairman of Penrith Chamber of Trade and played his part in illuminating the town with the Christmas lights.
He was passionate about Penrith and did his utmost to promote the town and surrounding area as he welcomed guests from afar in his own unique and inimitable way.
The George Hotel also became a regular gathering spot for a large number of local residents who all valued their friendship with Tomas.
Few people know he was an interpreter for Cumbria Constabulary and at Penrith Magistrates’ Court. In this role he helped many German citizens who found themselves in difficulty in Cumbria.
In 1998, after 21 years at the George Hotel, he decided to retire from his professional life and sold the hotel to the Graves family.
After retirement he was involved with many voluntary groups, including as a driver for the Fellrunner bus for 12 years.
The family were totally devastated when their beloved son Dominic, having just graduated from Durham University, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2000.
Following his death from the disease, they channelled their grief into raising funds for Leukaemia Research. They began competing in the Great North Run and over 10 years, with the help of 30 participants, raised £100,000 for the charity.
Tomas had many other interests, including fell walking, wine tasting, chess, gardening and attending operatic performances, often at venues across Europe.
Tomas was a constant force, his straight talking was legendary and his hospitality widely known. Always reliable and a very proud man, he had a public side to his life and very few saw his warm and generous private side.
He leaves behind his wife of 50 years Rosalind and his daughter Francesca, who both live in Penrith.
His funeral service was held in St Andrew’s Church, Penrith, which was packed to capacity with former friends. Walkers Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
