A MAN who was a member of the organisation for establishing new towns, including Redditch, has died at the age of 92 after suffering a heart attack.
Engineer and businessman Michael Hastilow was a member of the Commission for New Towns from 1978 to 1986 – as well as Redditch, it also helped set up Telford and Corby.
Mr Hastilow, who lived in Barnt Green, was also the chairman or managing director of several Glynwed subsidiaries in the 1970s and 80s, including the Wednesbury Tube Company and the Aga Foodservices Group.
After graduating from Birmingham University, he joined the Fleet Air Arm during World War Two before working for a series of Black Country ’metal-bashing’ companies including Birmetals, Bilston Foundries and Allied Ironfounders.
He took over as managing director of the Wednesbury Tube Company (a subsidiary of Glynwed and now owned by Mueller Industries Ltd) in 1966, joining the Glynwed main board.
He was responsible for the development of a widely-used copper tube system for central heating and ensured the survival of the business by standing up to the Transport and General Workers’ Union during the industrial strife of the early 70s.
A keen cricketer, Mr Hastilow was for many years associated with Barnt Green Cricket Club as a player and administrator, becoming club President. He was also treasurer and president of the Midlands Club Cricket Conference.
Mr Hastilow was the elder son of Alec Hastilow, a former chairman of Smith & Nephew and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, his daughter Veronica, his son Nigel (former editor of The Birmingham Post), six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
