Originally from Manchester, in England, he had immigrated to South Africa and went to work for Stanely Motors in Durban, until he chose to open his own business in Himeville. Here he settled down and married Leslie McLean, raising two sons, Graham and Denis. For many years he provided vehicle sales and servicing, and even a taxi for a while when there were not many cars on the primitive roads in t
he district. In those days one could not think of Himeville without linking it to Mays Garage, where Dick was always helpful and on hand to sort out any number of problems with a willing smile, even after normal working hours. He was a veritable king pin in the life of the village and surrounding farms. As technology and communications improved, however the humble garage became Himeville Toyota under the guidance of Dennis, with Graham running the workshop. One of South Africa’s most successful franchises the business flourished selling vehicles as far away as Namibia until Dennis’s untimely death in 2003. The old building which has been enlarged and modernised several times is now once more distinguished by the name of May’s Auto Centre. One cannot but welcome the return of a name with such historical connotations, and is a tribute to one of the villages true pioneers – long may it remain.
