Obituaries |
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Here we remember Westminsterians who are no longer with us. |
l-r: Willis Johnson, Jack Baxter, & Maurice Page
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Baxter, Jack H, 1949-51, (pictured centre with Willis Johnson (left) and Maurice Page (right) in 2017) died December 2021 following increasingly poor health. A history teacher, Jack was well-known in the world of genealogy for his authoritative index of Essex Burials 1813-65. A fully active Methodist, Jack attended a Salvation Army hall in his later years.
Jack was born on 22 August 1929, the younger son of Grace Nichols & Eaton Barnes Baxter, who had met while working for The Gramophone Company (later HMV/EMI), and settled in Leigh on Sea, Essex. His parents separated in the early 1930s and the boys’ mother, unable to support them in pre-welfare state times, reluctantly sent them to live under the care of the National Children’s Home in various locations, sometimes together, sometimes apart. Jack was found to be academically able and was given a scholarship to Woodhouse Grove, a boarding school near Bradford. He enjoyed a full school life, excelling at English, French and Latin, socialising, and participating in sports. In holiday times the brothers came back to stay with their mother in Leigh-on-Sea. He matriculated in 1947. |
Following school days, Jack did his national service in Kenya in the Royal Corps of Signals, operating telephones, radio and teleprinters.
He then trained to teach at Westminster College in Horseferry Road, specialising in French. To improve his French prior to teaching, he spent year in France as a language assistant. Jack’s first teaching post was at Westleigh School in Leigh on Sea which at the time catered for 5-14 year-olds. Following his probationary period, he was summoned in some trepidation, to an interview with the head master. ‘You are a very good teacher,’ Jack was told. A year or so later, in 1953, the teachers of the older pupils were transferred to the newly built Belfairs High Schools. He taught for over 30 years at the boys’ school, initially teaching French but soon specialising in English. Jack was consistent, fair and sensitive to particular needs of individuals, giving extra help with reading at lunchtimes. In addition to the regular curriculum, he organised cricket teams, chess clubs and continental skiing trips for pupils.
Recent comments from former pupils (now in their 70s and 80s) say of him:
‘Yes - Jack was a good teacher. I remember him well- he cycled to school……. He was one of the younger tutors - I think he was probably more on our wavelength than some of the others (he encouraged us when we formed our skiffle group).’
‘So many happy memories of Jack; one of those teachers we'll never forget - even tempered and good at his job. He will be remembered by literally thousands of us - the legacy of a great teacher.
‘A teacher that I respected’.
‘A good man who, as a worthy cricketer, had a good innings!’
One of Jack’s colleagues paid tribute to him: ‘I worked alongside Jack for eight years at Belfairs in the English Department. He was, I felt at the time, uniquely his own man. As I remember, you could always get a straightforward opinion from him, with no hedging! He had his own style of teaching and classroom management, unaffected by passing educational fads. As a probationary teacher, I observed a number of his lessons, and learned a lot from his approach. He was very much a respected colleague.’
Jack was a long-time member at Leigh Wesley Methodist Church, attending evening worship. A social group grew out of Wesley church in the 1950s called The Carisbrooke Club, which, despite many changes of personnel, is still running after 70 years. They met often for activities like quizzes, visits, and hikes. Jack loved organising his share of these. He liked active holidays: Youth Hostelling at home and abroad; skiing trips in Austria, Switzerland and France with his brother and his best friend; adventurous camping trips at home and in Europe.
When at school Jack played scrum half at rugby. He loved golf: he would play a few holes after work to calm his nerves. He ran a table tennis team and played for the same cricket team as his brother. He also liked acting. He was in plays in his college days and his most recent role was playing an old cobbler at a Salvation Army corps nativity drama. For almost forty years, he was part of the Badminton Players, a drama group based at Highlands Methodist church. (They had played badminton before deciding to become a drama group). He starred in such titles as Arsenic and Old Lace, Separate Tables and Blithe Spirit. In addition to learning his own lines, he would help others to practise theirs.
He liked books, music and listening to his radio. Caring for his mother in his own home in her later years, he bought a colour TV for her to enjoy. When later it broke down, he put it in the wardrobe where it stayed for decades. He had a reel-to-reel tape recorder in the early 60s and recorded his nephews talking when small boys. He recorded himself reading books for use at school, and for a blind friend. He did not like telephones ‘There’s a phone box opposite if I need to make a call’, but when his friends gave him a mobile, he dived into texting with great ease, well before his nephews.
In 1970 Jack decided to trace his ancestral roots. Over the next 30+ years his research, in many churches across Essex, led him to transcribe some of the registers and subsequently n to compile indexes of baptisms, marriages and burials for all of Essex. He drove to Chelmsford twice a week to do research at the Essex Record Office and was honoured as a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, in later years Jack realised a lifetime’s ambition by travelling alone all over New Zealand, visiting genealogy contacts and seeing the sights, he gave up smoking and he joined the Salvation Army as an adherent. He told his nephew ‘I think being in the Salvation Army has made me a better person.’
Throughout his life Jack befriended people and stayed loyal to them. He routinely visited those older and infirm; he met others socially, often for meals; he shopped for his neighbours. He was many times a best man, a godfather, and a dearly loved uncle to his devoted nephews.
Everyone has a different version of Jack. – ‘wouldn’t give in’ - ‘said it as it was’, ‘lively little man’ - ‘a mind that will be missed’ – ‘lovely caring man’
Goodbye Jack - Au revoir – or, as he’d say, ‘reservoir – olive oil’.
The above is adapted from the tribute paid by his nephews, Keith and Richard to Jack at his funeral in late January 2022. Jack was a regular at gatherings of the East Anglian group of Old Ws. It was his nephews who made sure he was able to attend them by so willingly acting as his chauffeur, no matter how far the distance. Jack’s spirit and enthusiasm was much admired by us all.
Margaret Baldry (Law) ‘67
He then trained to teach at Westminster College in Horseferry Road, specialising in French. To improve his French prior to teaching, he spent year in France as a language assistant. Jack’s first teaching post was at Westleigh School in Leigh on Sea which at the time catered for 5-14 year-olds. Following his probationary period, he was summoned in some trepidation, to an interview with the head master. ‘You are a very good teacher,’ Jack was told. A year or so later, in 1953, the teachers of the older pupils were transferred to the newly built Belfairs High Schools. He taught for over 30 years at the boys’ school, initially teaching French but soon specialising in English. Jack was consistent, fair and sensitive to particular needs of individuals, giving extra help with reading at lunchtimes. In addition to the regular curriculum, he organised cricket teams, chess clubs and continental skiing trips for pupils.
Recent comments from former pupils (now in their 70s and 80s) say of him:
‘Yes - Jack was a good teacher. I remember him well- he cycled to school……. He was one of the younger tutors - I think he was probably more on our wavelength than some of the others (he encouraged us when we formed our skiffle group).’
‘So many happy memories of Jack; one of those teachers we'll never forget - even tempered and good at his job. He will be remembered by literally thousands of us - the legacy of a great teacher.
‘A teacher that I respected’.
‘A good man who, as a worthy cricketer, had a good innings!’
One of Jack’s colleagues paid tribute to him: ‘I worked alongside Jack for eight years at Belfairs in the English Department. He was, I felt at the time, uniquely his own man. As I remember, you could always get a straightforward opinion from him, with no hedging! He had his own style of teaching and classroom management, unaffected by passing educational fads. As a probationary teacher, I observed a number of his lessons, and learned a lot from his approach. He was very much a respected colleague.’
Jack was a long-time member at Leigh Wesley Methodist Church, attending evening worship. A social group grew out of Wesley church in the 1950s called The Carisbrooke Club, which, despite many changes of personnel, is still running after 70 years. They met often for activities like quizzes, visits, and hikes. Jack loved organising his share of these. He liked active holidays: Youth Hostelling at home and abroad; skiing trips in Austria, Switzerland and France with his brother and his best friend; adventurous camping trips at home and in Europe.
When at school Jack played scrum half at rugby. He loved golf: he would play a few holes after work to calm his nerves. He ran a table tennis team and played for the same cricket team as his brother. He also liked acting. He was in plays in his college days and his most recent role was playing an old cobbler at a Salvation Army corps nativity drama. For almost forty years, he was part of the Badminton Players, a drama group based at Highlands Methodist church. (They had played badminton before deciding to become a drama group). He starred in such titles as Arsenic and Old Lace, Separate Tables and Blithe Spirit. In addition to learning his own lines, he would help others to practise theirs.
He liked books, music and listening to his radio. Caring for his mother in his own home in her later years, he bought a colour TV for her to enjoy. When later it broke down, he put it in the wardrobe where it stayed for decades. He had a reel-to-reel tape recorder in the early 60s and recorded his nephews talking when small boys. He recorded himself reading books for use at school, and for a blind friend. He did not like telephones ‘There’s a phone box opposite if I need to make a call’, but when his friends gave him a mobile, he dived into texting with great ease, well before his nephews.
In 1970 Jack decided to trace his ancestral roots. Over the next 30+ years his research, in many churches across Essex, led him to transcribe some of the registers and subsequently n to compile indexes of baptisms, marriages and burials for all of Essex. He drove to Chelmsford twice a week to do research at the Essex Record Office and was honoured as a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, in later years Jack realised a lifetime’s ambition by travelling alone all over New Zealand, visiting genealogy contacts and seeing the sights, he gave up smoking and he joined the Salvation Army as an adherent. He told his nephew ‘I think being in the Salvation Army has made me a better person.’
Throughout his life Jack befriended people and stayed loyal to them. He routinely visited those older and infirm; he met others socially, often for meals; he shopped for his neighbours. He was many times a best man, a godfather, and a dearly loved uncle to his devoted nephews.
Everyone has a different version of Jack. – ‘wouldn’t give in’ - ‘said it as it was’, ‘lively little man’ - ‘a mind that will be missed’ – ‘lovely caring man’
Goodbye Jack - Au revoir – or, as he’d say, ‘reservoir – olive oil’.
The above is adapted from the tribute paid by his nephews, Keith and Richard to Jack at his funeral in late January 2022. Jack was a regular at gatherings of the East Anglian group of Old Ws. It was his nephews who made sure he was able to attend them by so willingly acting as his chauffeur, no matter how far the distance. Jack’s spirit and enthusiasm was much admired by us all.
Margaret Baldry (Law) ‘67
Mike Best
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Best, Michael Charles, Mike, 1972-75, retired on his 60th birthday after 14 years as headteacher of Beominster School, Dorset. He died 16 December 2021, age 67.
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Becky Blake
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Blake, Rebecca 'Becky' (Atkinson), 1984-88, d. 9 July 2022 a few days before her 56th birthday to motor neurone disease and cardiac arrest. Her illness was relatively brief, only diagnosed earlier this year. Her funeral was on 4 August at St Paul's Salisbury.
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Blake, Rebecca 'Becky' (Atkinson), 1984-88, d. 9 July 2022 a few days before her 56th birthday to motor neurone disease and cardiac arrest. Her illness was relatively brief, only diagnosed earlier this year. Her funeral was on 4 August at St Paul's Salisbury.
Booton, Catherine Ruth, ‘Clare’, (Bradshaw), 1964-67, b. September 1945, d. 16 June 2021 in Yeovil District Hospital, while living in Thorncombe, Chard, Somerset.
Bradley, Mark, 1965-68, d 15 January 2022, and is survived by Hazel (Hunt) 1965-68.
Booton, Catherine Ruth, ‘Clare’, (Bradshaw), 1964-67, b. September 1945, d. 16 June 2021 in Yeovil District Hospital, while living in Thorncombe, Chard, Somerset.
Bradley, Mark, 1965-68, d 15 January 2022, and is survived by Hazel (Hunt) 1965-68.
Laurie Cook & Eileen
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Laurie Cook, '52 (pictured here with his wife Eileen) d.22 October 2022 born at Thurnscoe in the West Riding of Yorkshire May 1930, died in St Lukes Community Hospital in Market Harborough age 92. Laurie had been a local preacher since 1957 and lived his life to the full in the worshipping of his God.
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Anne Dean (Beck)
Dean, Anne (Beck) '65, d. October 2021 Our group of six girls who lived together at Westminster 1962-1965 consisted of Anne Beck, Catherine Lamb, Barbara Marston, Heather Marshall, Mary Giles and me, Catherine Haan. What wonderful friendships they were and we are still as close now in our late seventies as we were aged 18-21. It was therefore a great shock when we heard of Anne's sudden death in October, the first of our group to die.
Anne was popular with everyone she met at Westminster and beyond. Fellow students may remember her as an extremely efficient organiser of the newly created coffee bar. Before long there were regular visits to our house from another Westminster student, David Dean, and we were thrilled when these led to her marrying David in December 1967.
Anne was popular with everyone she met at Westminster and beyond. Fellow students may remember her as an extremely efficient organiser of the newly created coffee bar. Before long there were regular visits to our house from another Westminster student, David Dean, and we were thrilled when these led to her marrying David in December 1967.
The six of us ended up living many miles apart in Cumbria, Oldham, Shrewsbury, East Anglia and Cornwall, but we have still managed to meet all together at regular intervals. Because my family was in Cambridge and Anne and David were living in Ipswich and then Bury St Edmunds, we were near enough to see each other more often. They had two daughters and we had two sons, all of the same age, and the children grew up enjoying each others' company.
Anne enjoyed an excellent teaching career as well as teaching the piano privately and she influenced many young lives. As time passed, she and I often met for coffee, lunch, shopping or cinema in Cambridge or Bury. She adored her family and was so proud of two daughters and extended family and regaled me with stories of their doings so I felt as though I knew them all well. She was blessed with twin grandsons and for the last ten years, she helped look after them, even being part of their home schooling - in person and on Zoom during the pandemic.
Anne was a stalwart of Trinity Methodist Church, Bury St Edmunds, and held multiple offices there. Her faith was strong. For several years she organised some amazing Christmas tree festivals. She also started an 'Occasional Catering Service' for the church and rallied a willing team which raised hundreds of pounds over the years. She was an excellent cook and loved being in the kitchen so could not have been a more enthusiastic leader.
She loved music, theatre and reading and we had many an interesting discussion about something she or I had heard, seen or read recently. She had a warm personality and was always interested in other people and cared for them. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently died, she and David were first on the scene with comfort and practical help and they continued to support me closely in the first years of my bereavement. We laughed at the same things and I always felt more cheerful and uplifted when we parted. After nearly sixty years of friendship, there will be a huge gap in my life without Anne and I know I am not the only person who feels this way.
Catherine Sharp (Haan) '65
Anne enjoyed an excellent teaching career as well as teaching the piano privately and she influenced many young lives. As time passed, she and I often met for coffee, lunch, shopping or cinema in Cambridge or Bury. She adored her family and was so proud of two daughters and extended family and regaled me with stories of their doings so I felt as though I knew them all well. She was blessed with twin grandsons and for the last ten years, she helped look after them, even being part of their home schooling - in person and on Zoom during the pandemic.
Anne was a stalwart of Trinity Methodist Church, Bury St Edmunds, and held multiple offices there. Her faith was strong. For several years she organised some amazing Christmas tree festivals. She also started an 'Occasional Catering Service' for the church and rallied a willing team which raised hundreds of pounds over the years. She was an excellent cook and loved being in the kitchen so could not have been a more enthusiastic leader.
She loved music, theatre and reading and we had many an interesting discussion about something she or I had heard, seen or read recently. She had a warm personality and was always interested in other people and cared for them. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently died, she and David were first on the scene with comfort and practical help and they continued to support me closely in the first years of my bereavement. We laughed at the same things and I always felt more cheerful and uplifted when we parted. After nearly sixty years of friendship, there will be a huge gap in my life without Anne and I know I am not the only person who feels this way.
Catherine Sharp (Haan) '65
Jack Delbridge
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Delbridge, Jack, '68 b. 12 February 1946 d. 2 March 2023 age 77. After his time at Westminster College, Jack taught in secondary schools in Bracknell, Maidenhead, West Mosley, and Banstead holding various positions up to Senior Master. During this time he was seconded to Reading University for a year to study for a post graduate diploma in counselling.
He spent two years as a County Advisor in Schools Industry Links and Careers Guidance during which time he co-wrote a book for schools on the Rochdale Pioneers. After a year at Roehampton University to study for a MA in Education 1990-1991, Jack began his time as a Senior Lecturer at Roehampton. This entailed lecturing on the undergraduate degree course in Education and teaching a number of MA courses and modules in Education Management, Education Studies, Careers Guidance and Counselling. He remained there until he retired in 2008. |
Jack was an elected Councillor on Easthampstead Rural District Council and then Bracknell Borough Council. Various positions held including Leader of the Labour Group. Vice Chairman of the Council and chairman of various committees. As chairman of the leisure committee he was responsible for developing a municipal golf course, adding a swimming pool to the leisure centre and the opening of South Hill Park Arts Centre.
Jack was a Methodist Local Preacher, preaching for nearly sixty years, forty of them fully accredited. He held many offices in local Methodist churches at Byfleet, Weybridge and Worthing.
Jack was a Methodist Local Preacher, preaching for nearly sixty years, forty of them fully accredited. He held many offices in local Methodist churches at Byfleet, Weybridge and Worthing.
Eccles, Ruth, 1961-1964, d. 26 December 2022 Ruth was born to Samuel and Mary Hays in April 1943. She has an older brother David and a younger brother Philip. The family left Doncaster for Leigh-on-Sea, Essex after the war and at the age of 11 Ruth and I became friends. We were both in the same class at Westcliff High School for Girls and we have remained friends ever since. On finishing school, we both started Teacher Training at Westminster College in 1961 where girls had only recently been admitted. It was here that she met her future husband John on the first day of the three-year course.
She started her teaching career at Edwards Hall Primary School (Leigh-on-Sea), then moved to Westwood Primary School in Hadleigh. After the children were born she had a part time job helping children with learning difficulties at King John Secondary School in Benfleet, a modern school which became comprehensive in the late 1960s, where John taught Science.
After marrying John in 1966 at Highlands Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Rachel, her daughter was born in 1972 and Matthew, her son was born the following year. In 1977 Ruth, John and family then moved to Holbrook in Suffolk where she continued her career at Bentley Primary School. She took a great interest in Rachel and Matthew’s schooling as well as showing them the wider world of the UK and Europe touring around by caravan during the summer holidays.
Ruth retired from teaching at 60 and found new ways to help people, volunteering for the Witness Protection programme at Ipswich Magistrates Court and helping cancer sufferers at ICAN in Ipswich. In retirement they both enjoyed travelling to all corners of the world and especially to Seattle USA where their son now lives with his family. She took a great interest in her grandchildren Megan, Sam and Tudor helping them with school work, watching them play sport and teaching them how to cook! It was during covid that her teaching skills were put to use again. Tudor’s pre-school in Seattle was closed so every day for 60 to 90 mins on Face Time Ruth would have ‘Grannie School’ to make sure he didn’t miss out on the basics.
She continued her ties with Westminster College as a member of the East Anglian Westminster Society and enjoyed meeting up with Old W’s for outings and lunches. Old W’s Tom and Carol Pilkington’s son Steven gave Ruth’s grand-daughter Megan piano lessons whilst Chris and Stephanie Slack sometimes met them while caravanning. She and John also attended many college reunions. She was a member of Holbrook Methodist Church where her wonderful funeral service was held. It was broadcast on YouTube to many friends and Old W’s who were unable to travel to Suffolk.
Ruth was diagnosed with cancer in November 2022 and died with her family around her on Boxing Day morning. She was a Wife, Mum, Grannie, Sister, Auntie and a friend. We will miss you Ruth, you will be remembered by so many people for your friendship, helpfulness, kindness and courage. Madeleine Harvey (Foord). 1961-1964
She started her teaching career at Edwards Hall Primary School (Leigh-on-Sea), then moved to Westwood Primary School in Hadleigh. After the children were born she had a part time job helping children with learning difficulties at King John Secondary School in Benfleet, a modern school which became comprehensive in the late 1960s, where John taught Science.
After marrying John in 1966 at Highlands Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Rachel, her daughter was born in 1972 and Matthew, her son was born the following year. In 1977 Ruth, John and family then moved to Holbrook in Suffolk where she continued her career at Bentley Primary School. She took a great interest in Rachel and Matthew’s schooling as well as showing them the wider world of the UK and Europe touring around by caravan during the summer holidays.
Ruth retired from teaching at 60 and found new ways to help people, volunteering for the Witness Protection programme at Ipswich Magistrates Court and helping cancer sufferers at ICAN in Ipswich. In retirement they both enjoyed travelling to all corners of the world and especially to Seattle USA where their son now lives with his family. She took a great interest in her grandchildren Megan, Sam and Tudor helping them with school work, watching them play sport and teaching them how to cook! It was during covid that her teaching skills were put to use again. Tudor’s pre-school in Seattle was closed so every day for 60 to 90 mins on Face Time Ruth would have ‘Grannie School’ to make sure he didn’t miss out on the basics.
She continued her ties with Westminster College as a member of the East Anglian Westminster Society and enjoyed meeting up with Old W’s for outings and lunches. Old W’s Tom and Carol Pilkington’s son Steven gave Ruth’s grand-daughter Megan piano lessons whilst Chris and Stephanie Slack sometimes met them while caravanning. She and John also attended many college reunions. She was a member of Holbrook Methodist Church where her wonderful funeral service was held. It was broadcast on YouTube to many friends and Old W’s who were unable to travel to Suffolk.
Ruth was diagnosed with cancer in November 2022 and died with her family around her on Boxing Day morning. She was a Wife, Mum, Grannie, Sister, Auntie and a friend. We will miss you Ruth, you will be remembered by so many people for your friendship, helpfulness, kindness and courage. Madeleine Harvey (Foord). 1961-1964
John Enderby
Enderby, Sir John Edwin, 1951-53, b. 16 January 1931, d. 3 August 2021, Professor of Physics, Bristol University 1976-96. John Edwin Enderby was born in Lincolnshire, on January 16, 1931. The family moved to Chester and John went to Chester Grammar School. He carried out national service in Egypt from 1949 to 1951 and said that working in the telecommunications centre of RAF Ismailia “convinced me of the importance of physics and mathematics”.
John obtained a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction at Westminster College London in 1953, before taking up a position at Penge Secondary Modern School for Boys and at the same time starting evening classes as a part-time physics student at Birkbeck College, where he earned a first-class honours degree in 1957. He stayed at Birkbeck for his PhD, supervised by Norman Cu-sack; his research was concerned with the electrical properties of liquid metals.
John obtained a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction at Westminster College London in 1953, before taking up a position at Penge Secondary Modern School for Boys and at the same time starting evening classes as a part-time physics student at Birkbeck College, where he earned a first-class honours degree in 1957. He stayed at Birkbeck for his PhD, supervised by Norman Cu-sack; his research was concerned with the electrical properties of liquid metals.
John lectured in Huddersfield from 1957-1960 and then moved to Sheffield University, where he was a lecturer and reader during the 1960s. A further move took John to a chair in Leicester University, where he became Head of Department. In 1976 John was appointed to a chair in Bristol Physics and served as Head of Department from 1981 until 1994, a long period interrupted from 1985-1988 when John took leave to be Directeur-Adjoint of the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, the world’s premier neutron beam facility.
John’s research impacted across several areas of condensed matter physics and chemistry. He developed innovative ways of using neutrons to study the structure of disordered matter at the microscopic level. In 1966 John and his colleagues introduced the technique of neutron scattering with isotopic substitution which advanced fundamental understanding of the structure of multicomponent liquids - those made up of two or more types of atoms – including liquid alloys, glasses, liquid semiconductors and molten salts. Different isotopes scatter neutrons in different ways allowing the correlations between different species to be unravelled. This insight, and John’s ability to exploit it using newly developed neutron sources, proved enormously productive in determining the physics underlying the structure of binary liquid mixtures. Perhaps of more general scientific significance, John and colleagues pioneered physics research into how water molecules are ordered around ions in aqueous solutions. Their neutron studies provided seminal information about a problem that challenged physical chemists of the calibre of Pieter Debye and one that remains crucial in biophysics and biochemistry.
Top class scientists are not always willing to shoulder the burdens of administration. John was an exception. He was a huge servant to Bristol Physics and, indeed, to the wider science community. Briefly, John was elected FRS in 1985, and after retirement in 1996, served with distinction as Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society from 1999 to 2004. He was awarded a knighthood in 2004 for services to science and technology and served as President of the Institute of Physics from 2004 to 2006. John was proud of his long association with the Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP) in Bristol where he was scientific advisor. The University of Bristol recognized John’s contributions and his distinction with the award of an Honorary DSc in 2006.
Focusing on the man himself; John took delight in his children, gardening, and woodwork. He was a qualified association football referee and a long-term supporter of Leicester City. John possessed key 'people skills'; he was a magnificent team leader. Those of us who knew John personally will miss his zest for science, his wise advice, and his font of anecdotes, most of which we cannot disclose. His relationship with formal theory and theoreticians is summarized by "The only field theory I know is "Please shut the gate." John was, of course, an experimentalist.
John’s research impacted across several areas of condensed matter physics and chemistry. He developed innovative ways of using neutrons to study the structure of disordered matter at the microscopic level. In 1966 John and his colleagues introduced the technique of neutron scattering with isotopic substitution which advanced fundamental understanding of the structure of multicomponent liquids - those made up of two or more types of atoms – including liquid alloys, glasses, liquid semiconductors and molten salts. Different isotopes scatter neutrons in different ways allowing the correlations between different species to be unravelled. This insight, and John’s ability to exploit it using newly developed neutron sources, proved enormously productive in determining the physics underlying the structure of binary liquid mixtures. Perhaps of more general scientific significance, John and colleagues pioneered physics research into how water molecules are ordered around ions in aqueous solutions. Their neutron studies provided seminal information about a problem that challenged physical chemists of the calibre of Pieter Debye and one that remains crucial in biophysics and biochemistry.
Top class scientists are not always willing to shoulder the burdens of administration. John was an exception. He was a huge servant to Bristol Physics and, indeed, to the wider science community. Briefly, John was elected FRS in 1985, and after retirement in 1996, served with distinction as Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society from 1999 to 2004. He was awarded a knighthood in 2004 for services to science and technology and served as President of the Institute of Physics from 2004 to 2006. John was proud of his long association with the Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP) in Bristol where he was scientific advisor. The University of Bristol recognized John’s contributions and his distinction with the award of an Honorary DSc in 2006.
Focusing on the man himself; John took delight in his children, gardening, and woodwork. He was a qualified association football referee and a long-term supporter of Leicester City. John possessed key 'people skills'; he was a magnificent team leader. Those of us who knew John personally will miss his zest for science, his wise advice, and his font of anecdotes, most of which we cannot disclose. His relationship with formal theory and theoreticians is summarized by "The only field theory I know is "Please shut the gate." John was, of course, an experimentalist.
Ian Galbraith
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Galbraith, Dr Iain Baird, MTh 1999, d. 20 December 2021 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, with funeral at Lomond Parish Church, where he was organist.
Fellow member of that first Scottish MTh student cohort at Westminster, Rev Dr Graham D S Deans, writes: Iain was President of the Church Service Society 2012-14. He was a teacher by profession, but he may be remembered more for his musical gifts as a Church organist, in which capacity he served for over 60 years.He also had a passion for stained glass, and created a stained glass room in one of the churches where he served. Dr Galbraith was a recognised authority on stained glass in Scotland, and his work, which spanned 40 years, was accepted into the National Archives of Scotland. He was also a Church of Scotland elder and reader who played an active role in the Presbytery of Dumbarton for many years, and had the rare ability of being able to inspire so many young lives. There is an extended appreciation of his life and work in Vol 56 of the Record of the Church Service Society on pp. 1962-65. |
Gibbon, Jeff ‘John Jeffrey’, 1959-61, d. 3 October 2019, age 81, in Yorkshire, having retired there from his home in Barrow-in-Furness.
Gratton, Richard Edward, Eddie, 1959-61, d. 29 March 2022, age 83 The Guardian obituary
Hadnett, Richard, Dickie, BTh 1998, d. 1 August 2018 at Limerick Junction, Ireland.
Hoffman, Shane Arthur Bradford, BTh 1996-98, d. 19 March 2020. Shane was a co-founder of West London Churches Homeless Concern.
Gratton, Richard Edward, Eddie, 1959-61, d. 29 March 2022, age 83 The Guardian obituary
Hadnett, Richard, Dickie, BTh 1998, d. 1 August 2018 at Limerick Junction, Ireland.
Hoffman, Shane Arthur Bradford, BTh 1996-98, d. 19 March 2020. Shane was a co-founder of West London Churches Homeless Concern.
John Ley
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Ley, John '67, d. October 2022 A service of memorial and thanksgiving for the life of John Ley was held at St Helen's Church, Ranworth, on Monday 17th October 2022 at 2.30pm. A much loved family man, John truly lived life to the full! Never far from his beloved bikes, if John wasn't riding through the country lanes near Ranworth, he was sailing on the Broads with Diana, selflessly contributing to the community and church life in the village, or spending cherished time with his children and grandchildren.
Throughout John's illness and beyond, both John and Diana received support from Big C, the well known local cancer charity with a hub at the Norfolk & Norwich hospital. Whether it was advice, or a place to rest between appointments or have a cup of tea and a chat, Big C were there for them. And when John spent time in the hospital, Diana could also pop in for a chat with people who understood what they were going through. It is charities like this who make a huge difference throughout the toughest of times. |
McArdell, Michael John, 1953, d. 1 July 2019, age 89 at Maldon, Essex.
Mumford, Kenneth John, 1948-52, former Westminster College governor, d. 1 November 2021. Son Andrew (alumnus of Southlands College) writes: Born in Bibury in 1928, Ken was brought up largely in the Black Country, where he moved from his parents’ Anglicanism to the local Methodists. Following National Service immediately after the war, in 1948 Ken went to Westminster College, London, for two years to train to teach. There he enjoyed playing rugby and listening to the great Methodist preachers of the day.
Ken’s first post, in 1950, was at the Methodist School in Witney, Oxfordshire. He joined High Street Methodist Church which was to remain his spiritual home for the rest of his life. Already a Local Preacher, he embarked on nearly 70 years as an active and respected preacher. Ken married Joyce in 1952, and in the following year the first of their three children was born.
In 1953 the Methodist School closed, and Ken was one of the staff appointed to the new Secondary Modern School. He and his lifelong friend Bill Patton (’48) were part of a small team of young teachers who took on the challenge of developing the ethos of a new school. He was given extra responsibilities, eventually becoming Head of Lower School, as well as helping the transition to a comprehensive school. At the same time he was contributing to national working parties and committees on the teaching of Religious Education.
In 1970, a new secondary school was planned for Carterton, serving the community around RAF Brize Norton. To his surprise, Ken was appointed as Head, and he took on the challenge of creating a new school with cutting edge ideas, especially in regard to the curriculum and to working with children with special educational needs.
Ken left Westminster College with a teaching qualification, but no degree. Early on he obtained an LCP qualification through home study, which was later given degree equivalence. In 1979 the LEA seconded Ken for a year to study for a Masters Degree at the University of Sussex, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. He returned to Carterton for the remainder of his career, before retiring in 1986.
During this time, Ken served as a governor of the now Oxford-based Westminster College, and in many capacities at all levels in the Methodist Church. Throughout his career, Ken has a motto on his desk: People matter most. He lived this throughout his professional, personal and church lives. As well as his work in schools, Ken took a close interest in youth work in the town, was a regular contributor to ‘Talking News’, and was a committed member of the Rotary Club. On one occasion he was voted the town’s Citizen of the Year.
In retirement, Ken and Joyce enjoyed travel, especially to India and Nepal, and to Canada. As well as trekking in the Himalayas, including to Everest base camp (age 72!) Ken was a great supporter of the charity Wells for India (now WaterHarvest) and visited many of their projects in India. They also discovered Taizé and visited eleven times.
A teacher to the end, Ken had prepared a session for the church house group he and Joyce hosted, which was due to take place the day after his sudden death. The packed church and the hundreds who viewed the funeral service online were a testament to the esteem in which he was held. Ken is very much missed by Joyce and all the family, including 22 great-grandchildren, and also by the church and the wider community where he made such an impact.
Mumford, Kenneth John, 1948-52, former Westminster College governor, d. 1 November 2021. Son Andrew (alumnus of Southlands College) writes: Born in Bibury in 1928, Ken was brought up largely in the Black Country, where he moved from his parents’ Anglicanism to the local Methodists. Following National Service immediately after the war, in 1948 Ken went to Westminster College, London, for two years to train to teach. There he enjoyed playing rugby and listening to the great Methodist preachers of the day.
Ken’s first post, in 1950, was at the Methodist School in Witney, Oxfordshire. He joined High Street Methodist Church which was to remain his spiritual home for the rest of his life. Already a Local Preacher, he embarked on nearly 70 years as an active and respected preacher. Ken married Joyce in 1952, and in the following year the first of their three children was born.
In 1953 the Methodist School closed, and Ken was one of the staff appointed to the new Secondary Modern School. He and his lifelong friend Bill Patton (’48) were part of a small team of young teachers who took on the challenge of developing the ethos of a new school. He was given extra responsibilities, eventually becoming Head of Lower School, as well as helping the transition to a comprehensive school. At the same time he was contributing to national working parties and committees on the teaching of Religious Education.
In 1970, a new secondary school was planned for Carterton, serving the community around RAF Brize Norton. To his surprise, Ken was appointed as Head, and he took on the challenge of creating a new school with cutting edge ideas, especially in regard to the curriculum and to working with children with special educational needs.
Ken left Westminster College with a teaching qualification, but no degree. Early on he obtained an LCP qualification through home study, which was later given degree equivalence. In 1979 the LEA seconded Ken for a year to study for a Masters Degree at the University of Sussex, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. He returned to Carterton for the remainder of his career, before retiring in 1986.
During this time, Ken served as a governor of the now Oxford-based Westminster College, and in many capacities at all levels in the Methodist Church. Throughout his career, Ken has a motto on his desk: People matter most. He lived this throughout his professional, personal and church lives. As well as his work in schools, Ken took a close interest in youth work in the town, was a regular contributor to ‘Talking News’, and was a committed member of the Rotary Club. On one occasion he was voted the town’s Citizen of the Year.
In retirement, Ken and Joyce enjoyed travel, especially to India and Nepal, and to Canada. As well as trekking in the Himalayas, including to Everest base camp (age 72!) Ken was a great supporter of the charity Wells for India (now WaterHarvest) and visited many of their projects in India. They also discovered Taizé and visited eleven times.
A teacher to the end, Ken had prepared a session for the church house group he and Joyce hosted, which was due to take place the day after his sudden death. The packed church and the hundreds who viewed the funeral service online were a testament to the esteem in which he was held. Ken is very much missed by Joyce and all the family, including 22 great-grandchildren, and also by the church and the wider community where he made such an impact.
Peter Nunn
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Nunn, Peter Handley '59, d. 28 November 2022 Peter was born in 1937 in the lovely Suffolk village of Walsham le Willows and died at home in Rustington, West Sussex. His early education was at the village school, but when he passed the 11 plus examination, his schooling took place in Bury St. Edmunds. His National Service (1955-57) was spent in the RAF, mostly in Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Peter studied Divinity and Mathematics at Westminster. His was the last year of W’s to leave college in 1959, before the move to Oxford. Peter was a fine organist and taught music and other subjects at various schools, first of all in Ipswich and later in Sussex. He was often seen at Westminster reunions where he would meet up with Peter Harper, Jim Rigby, Terry Hurrell, Dave Cook and Colin Johnson, all from his year.
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Throughout his life, Peter was interested in work at Sunday Schools; during both years at college, he was part of a team of Westminster students that went to the Hackney area of London and helped with a Sunday School and Youth Club at the Methodist Church, Barnabas Road, Homerton, overseen by the Rev. Eric Roberts. Terry Harris (Kingpin) led other ‘59ers: Ivan Poole, John Evans, Jim Rigby, Peter Nunn (pianist), Terry Hurrell (pianist), Jack White (boxer) and Ken Armstrong ’58 in this project. They missed hearing some of the ‘big’ preachers of the day – such as: Leslie Weatherhead and Donald Soper - but were rewarded in knowing that they were doing God`s work in this part of London’s East End.
Peter became a headmaster in Ipswich and later at South Lancing Primary School and other schools in West Sussex. He and his friend, Gordon Shaw, also a teacher, enjoyed many caravan adventures, mostly in southern France. Gordon died in 2014, but Peter continued to live at 1 Frobisher Way, Rustington. He enjoyed directing a church choir and playing the organ at Ardingly Anglican Church and attending St. Mary’s, Clymping.
Terry Hurrell ’59, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Peter became a headmaster in Ipswich and later at South Lancing Primary School and other schools in West Sussex. He and his friend, Gordon Shaw, also a teacher, enjoyed many caravan adventures, mostly in southern France. Gordon died in 2014, but Peter continued to live at 1 Frobisher Way, Rustington. He enjoyed directing a church choir and playing the organ at Ardingly Anglican Church and attending St. Mary’s, Clymping.
Terry Hurrell ’59, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Maurice Page
Page, Maurice Haydn, 1951, d. 31 March 2021 Maurice was described as a gentleman, gentle man, principled, humorous and loyal. He was a liberal and an optimist and loved music. He made a profound influence on many lives through teaching and scouting and was known to many as Kim (a leader’s name in scouting). Born in Clapton, east London, his parents both Salvation Army officers, he soon had to adapt to changing homes and schools, living in nine different places in ten years, eventually settling down in Brightlingsea, north Essex.
Following National Service, Maurice went to Westminster College, London and studied His first teaching appointment was at Witney Methodist School in Oxfordshire. Then he returned to Brightlingsea, teaching in Colchester and starting up a band and a choir. In 1957 Maurice and Beryl were married and then emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada, but this was shortlived and they returned to the Colchester area, with Maurice teaching at Stanway.
His ready wit and humour was always much to the fore in teaching, scouting and home. Maurice lived a full life, with wide interests which he shared with his family, pupils and the many associations he was a member of - the local choral society, the town partnership with Germany and the East Anglia area links of The Westminster Society. Throughout his long life, Maurice was a great source of encouragement to his pupils and the many people he met along life’s path. David Shearmur ’57
Following National Service, Maurice went to Westminster College, London and studied His first teaching appointment was at Witney Methodist School in Oxfordshire. Then he returned to Brightlingsea, teaching in Colchester and starting up a band and a choir. In 1957 Maurice and Beryl were married and then emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada, but this was shortlived and they returned to the Colchester area, with Maurice teaching at Stanway.
His ready wit and humour was always much to the fore in teaching, scouting and home. Maurice lived a full life, with wide interests which he shared with his family, pupils and the many associations he was a member of - the local choral society, the town partnership with Germany and the East Anglia area links of The Westminster Society. Throughout his long life, Maurice was a great source of encouragement to his pupils and the many people he met along life’s path. David Shearmur ’57
Sayers, Frank, 1944-48, d. April 2022.
Joe Smith
Smith, Joseph '95, d. 2 June 2022 Joe's ordained ministry began at St Mark's Talbot Village, then St Aldheims Branksome and on to St Peter's Bournemouth with St Stephen's and St Augustine. He married in 2021 and moved to Windsor. Sadly, he caught Covid and was in a hospice and hospital for twelve weeks.
Andy Sloman
Sloman, Andrew P, Andy, 1975-78, d.3 November 2021 Andy was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. His dignity and sense of humour remained undiminished to the end. He will be fondly remembered and keenly missed.
Staves, Philip, Phil, 1956-58, d. 7 November 2021, age 85, at Friargate Hospital, Northallerton
Sweet, Alan Richard Lobb, 1954, d. 16 January 2022, age 89 after a period of ill health.
Sweet, Alan Richard Lobb, 1954, d. 16 January 2022, age 89 after a period of ill health.
Keith Tewkesbury
Revd Keith Tewkesbury ’64-‘67 d. December 2022
It is with a heavy heart that I am moved to offer a brief tribute to record the passing, late in 2022, of Keith Tewkesbury. Keith and I shared both a firm friendship, and accommodation, over our three years together at Westminster. As contemporaries will recall, Keith was, in his final year, a dedicated and highly efficient Union Society Treasurer. As a loyal member of the J.W.S., Sunday sorties out into the South Oxfordshire sticks, to conduct morning worship in small chapels, ‘where two or three were gathered together’ (often literally), was also very much part of his student life. He also managed to find the time to toil competitively, on behalf of the College Cross Country Club. He always held me responsible for his subsequent addiction to ‘the running bug’! In later years his fund-raising exploits, in the London Marathon (as recently as 2017!) and around North Wales, on behalf of ‘All We Can’ is well documented. In his own words: “I have been a supporter and advocate of ‘All We Can’ for many years. Most recently, I ran in support of this particularly worthy cause in the Snowdonia Half Marathon (May 2015). When I was Chaplain at Rydal Penrhos School, I took a party of students and members of staff to assist in our own small way with an ‘All We Can’ project in Uganda… I have seen first-hand what an incredible difference this initiative makes to the lives of some of the poorest people in East Africa”.
It is with a heavy heart that I am moved to offer a brief tribute to record the passing, late in 2022, of Keith Tewkesbury. Keith and I shared both a firm friendship, and accommodation, over our three years together at Westminster. As contemporaries will recall, Keith was, in his final year, a dedicated and highly efficient Union Society Treasurer. As a loyal member of the J.W.S., Sunday sorties out into the South Oxfordshire sticks, to conduct morning worship in small chapels, ‘where two or three were gathered together’ (often literally), was also very much part of his student life. He also managed to find the time to toil competitively, on behalf of the College Cross Country Club. He always held me responsible for his subsequent addiction to ‘the running bug’! In later years his fund-raising exploits, in the London Marathon (as recently as 2017!) and around North Wales, on behalf of ‘All We Can’ is well documented. In his own words: “I have been a supporter and advocate of ‘All We Can’ for many years. Most recently, I ran in support of this particularly worthy cause in the Snowdonia Half Marathon (May 2015). When I was Chaplain at Rydal Penrhos School, I took a party of students and members of staff to assist in our own small way with an ‘All We Can’ project in Uganda… I have seen first-hand what an incredible difference this initiative makes to the lives of some of the poorest people in East Africa”.
As was the case with a number of his contemporaries, on completing his 3 year Teaching Certificate, Keith committed to a two-year spell of VSO. He then briefly took up a teaching post before a strong pull to serve the needs of the Methodist Church led to his candidature for the Ministry, reading for a Theology degree at the late-lamented Hartley Victoria College, Manchester. Some twenty-five years in circuit postings culminated in an appointment as School Chaplain to Rydal Penrhos, in Colwyn Bay.
The January 2023, Rydal Penrhos Digest, a journal for the alumni, carried a fulsome acknowledgement of Keith’s eleven years’ service as chaplain and teaching member of Common Room. A retirement from the school environment, in 2009, saw him take up a no-less demanding appointment as Superintendent Minister of the Conwy & Prestatyn Circuit and Assistant Chair of Welsh Synod. Even after a further retirement from this posting in 2019 Keith, then at the age of 75, continued to serve as part-time chaplain to Coed Craig MHA in Rhos-on-Sea.
Keith’s Funeral Service was held, very appropriately, on 14 December, 2022 in the former St. John’s Methodist Church, Colwyn Bay, now the RPS School Chapel. Many warm tributes are on record, from the ‘Rydal Penrhos family’ and Westminster alumni alike. Peter Wilbourn and Mike Worsley, themselves key Union Society personnel in their own time, underline the measure of the man - PW: “A lovely man who made such an impression as a student and, I’m sure, in the classroom and pulpit in the years that followed”. MW: “I am very glad to have known him. He was a special example of lively and gracious Methodists”. Bob Williams ’64 -‘67
Weller (Long), Elizabeth, Liz, 1968-72, d. December 2021 Husband Graham writes: Elizabeth had been battling cancer over a year and sadly succumbed just before Christmas to a particularly aggressive form of the disease. After graduating (myself in Engineering at Loughborough and Elizabeth at Westminster College - N house & P house) we married and moved to London. Elizabeth taught initially in Isleworth, then at Heathland High School in Housnlow, and later at South Lee School in Suffolk. We raised a family of three boys, two of whom have taught both here in the UK and in China. We have lived in Devon since retirmenet, where Liz was an avid gardener, and restored a much-neglected garden to its former glory. Wonderful memories… when we were undergrads, exploring the spires and environs of Oxford and some of the pubs, of course.
Wheeler, Eric A, 1952, d. late-2021 in Portsmouth.
The January 2023, Rydal Penrhos Digest, a journal for the alumni, carried a fulsome acknowledgement of Keith’s eleven years’ service as chaplain and teaching member of Common Room. A retirement from the school environment, in 2009, saw him take up a no-less demanding appointment as Superintendent Minister of the Conwy & Prestatyn Circuit and Assistant Chair of Welsh Synod. Even after a further retirement from this posting in 2019 Keith, then at the age of 75, continued to serve as part-time chaplain to Coed Craig MHA in Rhos-on-Sea.
Keith’s Funeral Service was held, very appropriately, on 14 December, 2022 in the former St. John’s Methodist Church, Colwyn Bay, now the RPS School Chapel. Many warm tributes are on record, from the ‘Rydal Penrhos family’ and Westminster alumni alike. Peter Wilbourn and Mike Worsley, themselves key Union Society personnel in their own time, underline the measure of the man - PW: “A lovely man who made such an impression as a student and, I’m sure, in the classroom and pulpit in the years that followed”. MW: “I am very glad to have known him. He was a special example of lively and gracious Methodists”. Bob Williams ’64 -‘67
Weller (Long), Elizabeth, Liz, 1968-72, d. December 2021 Husband Graham writes: Elizabeth had been battling cancer over a year and sadly succumbed just before Christmas to a particularly aggressive form of the disease. After graduating (myself in Engineering at Loughborough and Elizabeth at Westminster College - N house & P house) we married and moved to London. Elizabeth taught initially in Isleworth, then at Heathland High School in Housnlow, and later at South Lee School in Suffolk. We raised a family of three boys, two of whom have taught both here in the UK and in China. We have lived in Devon since retirmenet, where Liz was an avid gardener, and restored a much-neglected garden to its former glory. Wonderful memories… when we were undergrads, exploring the spires and environs of Oxford and some of the pubs, of course.
Wheeler, Eric A, 1952, d. late-2021 in Portsmouth.
Dennis Whight
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Whight, Dennis, 1948-52 b.1926-d.October 2022 – A good innings! Born in Bury St Edmunds, the youngest of nine children, to Florence and Frederick, he won a scholarship to the Culford Methodist School and was a keen sportsman and singer. He joined the RAF in 1944 and was posted to India during partition. On returning to the UK he went to Westminster College in 1948 and completed a degree in History at London University. In 1951 as the Social Secretary and MC of the College Hop he met the love of his life Gloria. In his words –
At that time I was starting my fourth year at Westminster, my teacher training year, and I was amongst many roles Social Club Secretary. At that time this was a demanding role as the College staged weekly hops, end of month dances at the Dragoons Hall and a Summer Ball in the nearby Caxton Hall. A limited number of invitations to the "Hops" went out to students at the London Colleges for ladies and there was no shortage of takers as the College 78 record collection of big band music was extensive. The Social Club Secretary was M.C. at all the Hops and Dances and at the Hops also manned the record player, starting with the signature tune of Tommy Dorsey's Opus One. |
At this first Hop of the year I was looking for a partner for the end of month dance as were a number of other Westminsterians such as Mervyn Uglow, Geoff Hunt, John Trewhella and Stan Barnes. The demands of the "Hop", however, left me little time to socialise and when I closed down the evening I hadn't found a partner. On the way back to my room I encountered a group from St Gabriel's College who were trying to find the way out to Horseferry Road. Being a gentleman I not only showed them the way out but I also walked them to Vauxhall Bridge Road to catch their trolleybus. The last to mount the bus was Gloria whom I had noticed enjoying the dancing and whom I now asked to be my partner at the end of month dance. "I'll let you know" she said and on the Thursday night she phoned to say "Yes!" Great Success and Relief! The rest as they say is History.
They were married on the shortest day, and longest night, of the year in December 1953.
They both started on a long career in teaching with Dennis working in Birmingham and Woodstock before obtaining a headship at Oundle Secondary Modern in 1962 and then moving to Uppingham Village College in 1971; remembered with respect and fondness by many of his pupils, every one of whose names and behaviours he knew.
He had a long sporting career, particularly in cycling, hockey, table tennis, tennis, walking, golf and, latterly, watching cricket. He was actively involved with the Rotary Club of Rutland, the Masons, the St. George’s Society, Wing Church, the Wing Village Hall, and other charities. Following an early singing background with the Methodists, he took up acting with the Oundle Gilbert & Sullivan Amateur Dramatic society and was a leading light in the many Wing pantomimes in the 80’s and 90’s. He loved picking out a tune on the piano or organ and writing poetry for family occasions.
He was a lay preacher and took many services in Wing at both the Methodist chapel and the Wing parish church, and in other parishes in Rutland for many years.
He and Gloria were blessed with four children (John, Julie, Helen, and Peter) and six grandchildren (Chris, Ollie, Peter, Ella, Charlie, and Jess). His very full life was celebrated by his family and many friends in a packed service at the parish church of St Peter & St Paul in Wing on 31st October 2022. He will be deeply missed.
They were married on the shortest day, and longest night, of the year in December 1953.
They both started on a long career in teaching with Dennis working in Birmingham and Woodstock before obtaining a headship at Oundle Secondary Modern in 1962 and then moving to Uppingham Village College in 1971; remembered with respect and fondness by many of his pupils, every one of whose names and behaviours he knew.
He had a long sporting career, particularly in cycling, hockey, table tennis, tennis, walking, golf and, latterly, watching cricket. He was actively involved with the Rotary Club of Rutland, the Masons, the St. George’s Society, Wing Church, the Wing Village Hall, and other charities. Following an early singing background with the Methodists, he took up acting with the Oundle Gilbert & Sullivan Amateur Dramatic society and was a leading light in the many Wing pantomimes in the 80’s and 90’s. He loved picking out a tune on the piano or organ and writing poetry for family occasions.
He was a lay preacher and took many services in Wing at both the Methodist chapel and the Wing parish church, and in other parishes in Rutland for many years.
He and Gloria were blessed with four children (John, Julie, Helen, and Peter) and six grandchildren (Chris, Ollie, Peter, Ella, Charlie, and Jess). His very full life was celebrated by his family and many friends in a packed service at the parish church of St Peter & St Paul in Wing on 31st October 2022. He will be deeply missed.
Jeremy Yelland
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Yelland, Jeremy d. 2022 Jeremy (b. 1955) became unwell and was admitted to critical care with sepsis. A short time later his life support was turned off as there was nothing else they could do for him. A huge shock for everyone.
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