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- (05 Jul 2010)
BLUNDELL nee Paulin, Clare 1978–1984 (5's) Where are they now: I married in 2000 and became Clare BLUNDELL, I live in Kent with my husband, dog, cat and chickens and I am a qualified lawyer currently working for Kent County Council.
- (16 Jun 2010)
GODDEN-KENT, Peter 1948–1955 (Ma B) RAMC soldier/Admin Officer 1960-76 (and TA 1990-97); NHS in Wales 1976-88; Civil Servant in Welsh Office 1988-95; Essex Social Services 1996-2002; Non-Executive Director, Witham Braintree & Halstead NHS Care Trust Oct 2002 to Sep 2006; Independent Living Advocate (for people with any form of disability) 2002-06; Help the Aged "Expert by Experience" 2006-08; Salvation Army Housing Association Support Worker 2007 to date; Ambulance Service in Essex volunteer "First Responder" Oct 2005 to date.
Peter can be contacted at petergoddenkent@yahoo.co.uk or by telephone; 07775 834824.
- (07 Apr 2010)
FALCK, Colin 1944–1952 (Col B) His book "American and British Verse in the Twentieth Century: The Poetry That Matters"
- (07 Apr 2010)
MILLER, David 1948–1955 (La B) David Miller was at Christ's Hospital (Prep B/Lamb B) from 1948 to 1955, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Open University (1992), in which he specialised in modern history, including courses on nuclear weapons and conflict in the contemporary world.
He was a professional soldier from 1956 to 1991, and served in Malaya, Singapore (twice), Germany (twice), the Netherlands and the Falkland Islands (after the conflict). During the past thirty years he has had 70 books published , some of which have been translated into Chinese, Danish, French, German, Japanese, and Swedish. Published titles include: The Wreck of the Isabella; Lady De Lancey at Waterloo; Richard the Lionheart - The Mighty Warrior (Third Crusade); The Duchess of Richmond’s Ball; The Cold War, A Military History; Mercy Ships; and Janes’s Major Warships, 1997 (2 volumes). Other work includes numerous titles on submarines, tanks, warships, and even American churches. He worked as a journalist for Jane’s Information Group from 1993 to 1997, where he produced a monthly magazine, Despatches, and was Naval Editor of "International Defense Review" (1993-1995). For Christ's Hospital he wrote "Barnes Wallis and the RAF Foundationers' Trust" and has most recently completed a history of the Old Blues who died in World War Two, which will be published in 2011.
- (13 Sep 2009)
GIBBS, Simon 83–90 (Ma A, Ma B) Simon Gibbs is a partner at defendant law costs draftsmen and consultants Gibbs Wyatt Stone. He regularly has articles printed in the legal and insurance press and is a frequent speaker on legal costs at industry and training conferences. He is co-author of Claims Handling: Law and Practice – A Practitioner's Guide and writes the online Legal Costs Blog. He acted as an expert witness in the field of the legal costs industry in the case of Andrew Reid v Capita Group.
Email Simon Gibbs, write to him at Gibbs Wyatt Stone, 68 Clarendon Drive, London, SW15 1AH, telephone: 020-7096-0937 or fax: 0207-096-0954
- (14 May 2009)
TAYLOR, Julian 1985–1992 (LH A, LH B) Head of Customer Support at RM Plc (www.rm.com), managing a multi-location support team, split between Abingdon, Bellshill and Trivandrum, India.
RM is the leading supplier of Software and Services to UK Education, and currently developing in the global market.
Previous roles include Software Test Group Manager, Field Service Manager, Manufacturing Development Manager and Production Manager.
Creator and administrator of the Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum
- (14 May 2009)
HALL, Bryan 1963–1972 (Ma A, Col A) Bryan Hall (Ma A, Col A 1963-1972) is Director of Sales at Chisholm Roth Group, a specialist Financial Training company which delivers tailored Capital Markets training to Investment Banks. We also have excellent online training courses covering all of the main financial instruments / topics and regulatory issues. Finally we have arguably the worlds most complete Trading Simulation which is used by leading banks (e.g. Citi, Barclays, HSBC) and Business Schools (in the UK, Europe and Australasia) to train traders and at many client based events.
To find out more please visit our website at www.chisholmroth.com call (07939 204648) or email me at bhall@chisholmroth.com
- (06 Mar 2009)
BRICKEL, Tim 1987–1995 (Pe B, Pe A) Update from Tim, 05/03/09
After leaving CH I went to Leeds College of music to study Jazz (BA hons).
I now perform with a number of different artists around the country and more and more often internationally. I have done loads of sessions over the last 10 years for Yorkshire Television….Emmerdale, Heartbeat, The Royal, At home with the Braithwaites, A touch of Frost etc etc. (After seeing the news today, hopefully that won’t be the last).
I teach for 4 days a week in schools 1 on 1 Drum - kit.
I’ve built a studio in the garden where I also teach, record and play.
My main and most exiting project at the moment is with my girlfriend Sarah Mitchell (www.sarahmitchell.biz) who has now been signed to Candid records (Jamie Cullum, Clare Teal, Stacey Kent). About to be release on April 30th at Pizza Express (Dean street) in London, is an album we recorded ourselves at home called ‘You give me something’.
We have just performed at the Dubai Jazz Festival along with Spyro Gyra and Peter Cincotti.
I have recently played with Julian Jackson (Fellow Old Blue) in his function band. What a player he is now! On the bass, drums and piano…gulp. A legend in London I hear. I have also been converting some old Beating retreat/ showband/ jazz trio videos to digital which has been really interesting.
There are plenty of current videos and pictures on Sarah’s website, and I also have a Myspace website which is www.myspace.com/timbrickel1
Some recent photos (click on each for larger version):-
- (14 Nov 2008)
CLAVADETSCHER , Iain 78–85 (Ma B, La B, Ma A ) Where are they now FOUND: Iain Clavedetscher has jointly established Clavadetscher Hoffmann Architects LLP, an architectural practice. After graduating in the early 90s, Iain and Alex have spent the past ten years with large firms of architects, working on a variety of high-profile, landmark projects. See his website link below.
- (17 Sep 2008)
FLYNN, Peter 1959–1960 (ColB) Where are they now FOUND: After returning to the States from a year of student exchange at Christ's Hospital, Peter earned a BA from Harvard College in 1963 and an LL.B from Yale Law School in 1966. After a stint in the Peace Corps in West Africa, he moved to Illinois and embarked on the practice of law. In 1999 he was appointed to a judgeship and am still a judge, hearing chancery cases. He currently lives and works in Illinois.
- (04 Aug 2008)
GEALL, Chantal 1977–1984 (2's) Where are they now FOUND: Chantal Geall, Head of FI Credit Portfolio, Royal Bank of Scotland. Now living in Hertford.
- (06 Jul 2008)
MARLAND, Michael 1944–1953 (Th A) The headmaster and educationist Michael Marland (Th A 44-53) has died aged 73.
His Guardian obituary:
Michael Marland, who has died of cancer at the age of 73, was a colourful and charismatic headteacher, and a vigorous advocate of the comprehensive ideal. A champion of the educative power of the arts and of multilingual education, a pioneer in school management and pastoral care, and the author of a seminal teaching manual, he made his greatest mark as founder headteacher of North Westminster community school, London, from 1980 until his retirement in 1999.
Michael's vision and leadership of North Westminster completely justified the term community school, reaching far beyond the traditional educational parameters. Pupils were treated as full members of the community, while staff development included regular discussion of educational articles and invitations to meals with the school's many, often prominent, guests. Michael led from the front in matters of curriculum and pedagogy, initiating and teaching, for example, a core course in the area of "science, technology and society", which examined the practical impact of science on everyday life. It reflected his desire to make subjects relevant to his pupils' lives, and to escape traditional specialisation.
Similarly, he tried to break down the barriers between pupils' home lives and their time at school, introducing liaison officers whose role was to enhance communication with parents over pupil performance and misbehaviour.
His energy was relentless and inspiring. Even when walking (his preferred mode of transport) between the school's three sites, he would talk endlessly into his trusty Dictaphone, producing masses of material for his secretaries to type. They, in turn, tried to keep his perambulations to a minimum.
A generous host, sartorially elegant in his trademark bow-tie, Michael was always prepared to share his own cogent views on any educational topic that arose. He was especially committed to the performing arts, and the studio theatre that he established at the school not only provided a venue for performances by pupils and the wider local community, but also attracted professional and international artists. He was skilled in the art of persuasion, and charmed prominent writers, including Margaret Drabble, Keith Waterhouse and Fay Weldon, to visit the school to judge short-story competitions and talk to pupils about their work, while international opera stars Jessye Norman and Willard White graced the school with performances.
Michael was born in London, but was proud of his parents' working-class roots in Mosley, Manchester. His father was a pianist for the bandleader Henry Hall. Michael's formidable mother gained a governor-sponsored place for him at Christ's Hospital school, Horsham, Sussex, where his reputation as a bon viveur was established: he was once observed ascending from the staff kitchen in a dumb-waiter, firmly clutching two bottles of red wine.
He went on to read English and history at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (1954-57), where he was president of the university amateur dramatic club and a founder member of the musical comedy association: he was also one of the few undergraduates to father twins while completing his studies - he married his first wife, Eileen, in 1955.
Six years later, he was appointed head of English at Abbey Wood school in south-east London, taking on the same role in 1964 at nearby Crown Woods school, where he subsequently became director of studies, and his inclusive approach began to make an impact. In 1971, Michael was appointed headteacher of Woodberry Down school in north-east London, and nine years later went to North Westminster. A measure of the impact he had there comes from the hundreds of former staff and pupils who have joined a Facebook group set up in his memory.
Michael's energy found numerous outlets beyond his immediate responsibilites. He was an influential member of the Bullock committee on the teaching of English, whose report, A Language for Life (1975), recommended that "every secondary school should develop a policy for language across the curriculum". He was founder chair of the National Association for Pastoral Care in Education and of the Royal Opera House education committee. Recognition of his service led to a CBE in 1977 and honorary awards from the universities of Kingston (2000), Surrey Roehampton (2001) and the Institute of Education, University of London (2002).
Books were an essential part of his life and he served as chair of the Books in the Curriculum research project and the National Textbook Reference Library steering committee. In the capacity of general editor, he oversaw the Longman Imprint books, which brought the works of postwar writers Stan Barstow, Doris Lessing and Alan Sillitoe into secondary school classrooms, and the Heinemann Organisation in Schools series, while his own books covered every aspect of school life, from the teaching of English and pastoral care to school management and marketing.
His deep love of the music of Benjamin Britten led him and his young family to move to a ramshackle farmhouse in Suffolk in the 1960s and turn it into a home - and, typical of Michael, a venue for staff conferences and the place where he worked on his many books and reports.
Of his own works, the most influential was The Craft of the Classroom: A Survival Guide to Classroom Manage-ment in the Secondary School. First published in 1975, this slim volume immediately became an essential resource for prospective and practising teachers alike and was updated for the third time in 2003. Its final paragraph provides the key to understanding both the personality of a man who enriched the lives of everyone he met, and the reasons for his success. "The craft won't work without a spirit compounded of the salesman, the music-hall performer, the parent, the clown, the intellectual, the lover and the organiser, but the spirit won't win through on its own either. Method matters. The more 'organised' you are, the more sympathetic you can be. The better your classroom management, the more help you can be to your pupils."
Other volumes included Multilingual Britain: The Educational Challenge (1987), which sought to demonstrate the nation's mutilingual heritages and the extent of multilingual education in the world today. Throughout the 1990s, he wrote a much-admired column on education for the Guardian.
On retiring from North Westminster, Michael continued to be in demand as a speaker, consultant, editor and author. One of the proudest achievements of this period took place near his home in Islington, north London, where he hosted an event at the Union Chapel and helped secure the mounting of a plaque in Upper Street to commemorate the residents of Highbury Corner killed by a V1 bomb in 1944.
Michael's commitment to intercultural dialogue continued outside the boundaries of school life as he served as patron of the Tagore Foundation and as vice-chair of the City of Westminster Race Equality Council. He had recently completed work as series editor of the Cambridge Collections, a set of fiction, non-fiction and themed anthologies.
Eileen died in a car accident in 1968, as did his eldest son Edgell in 1990. A second marriage, to Rose, was dissolved in 1977. Michael married Linda, a fellow teacher, in 1989. Their son Matthew, born the following year, allowed Michael, already a grandfather, to rediscover the joys of parenthood.
He is survived by Linda, Matthew, and his sons Oliver, Tim, Ben and daughter Folly from his first marriage.
· Michael Marland, educationist, born December 28 1934; died July 3 2008
Reproduced from the Guardian website
Once a high-profile state school head, Michael Marland (Th A 44-53) was editor of the Heinemann School Management series and wrote the volume on Managing the Arts in the Curriculum (Heinemann, £17.25) jointly with Rick Rogers.
- (06 Jul 2008)
BARTLETT, Nick 1945–1953 (Col A) The novelist and copywriter Nick Bartlett (Col A 45-53) has died aged 74.
His Guardian obituary by David McKie (Col A 45-53):
Ideally, he might have spent much of his life writing for the cinema. Second only to his family, this was the great love of Nick Bartlett's life. His conversations with his friend Glyn Jones about every movie of any consequence were the wonder of all who heard them.
Nick, who has died aged 74, went to school at Christ's Hospital, West Sussex, but contracted TB, which kept him away for three years and left him physically impaired. After reading English at Christ Church, Oxford, he worked in the script department of Warwick Films, but with the company looking increasingly precarious, he gave it up to become an advertising copywriter, ultimately with the Dorlands agency. His first published novel, The Second Prize, appeared when he was 27, and another, The Beggars Are Coming to Town, soon followed.
In 1960, he married Valerie Bale, a talented amateur actor. They moved to the south-east London suburb of Mottingham, and soon became involved with what was to become, to celebrate the patronage of a famous son, the Bob Hope Theatre, Eltham. Here they, and in time their daughters, Jacky, Gerri and Katy, became engaged in every aspect of the theatre's life - from acting, writing and directing to designing sets and making props and costumes. In the late 1970s Nick published two more novels under the pseudonym Richard Wiseman: dark, brooding, psychological thrillers - wholly different in style and content from his gentler, earlier books.
Valerie died of cancer in 2000, after which Nick left London for Poole, Dorset, to be close to his two older daughters and four grandchildren, to whose entertainment and gentle instruction he devoted much of his time. Yet he never really adjusted to Valerie's death. Alongside the old humour and generosity of spirit, there was always a hint of melancholy. In April, he suffered a stroke, and after a second died peacefully in hospital. His daughters and grandchildren survive him.
Reproduced from the Guardian
- (17 Jun 2008)
Baugh, Chris 1947–1954 (Col B) Where are they now FOUND: Charles Baugh (Col B 1947-1954) owns and manages an international real estate agency offering a wide range of overseas property and land. Whilst specializing in Brazil, Vila Branca Property & Leisure also covers Portugal, California, Florida, Mozambique and is planning further expansion to other locations in the near future. The company’s overseas associates were selected not only for their expertise and integrity but also for their ability to provide clients with a truly personal before and after-sales service.
A recent addition to the company’s portfolio is a competitive range of holiday accommodation and travel services.
Website: www.villabranca.com
e-Mail: c.baugh@ntlworld.com
Telephone: +44-(0)1932-701-752
- (17 Jun 2008)
Jeremy, Tom 1993–2000 (Th B,Mid A ) Working for the Allegis Group, the world’s largest IT staffing consultancy as Business Development Manager.
- (17 Jun 2008)
Fraser-Gausden , Toby 1993–2000 (Pe B,Mid A) FOUND: Currently working for the Allegis Group, the world’s largest IT staffing consultancy as Business Development Manager along with Tom Jeremy (ThB / MidA ,93-2000)and Charlie George (LaB/PeA 92 – 99). All are working presently in the London office.
- (17 Jun 2008)
George, Charlie 1993–2000 (La B,Pe A) FOUND: Currently working for the Allegis Group, the world’s largest IT staffing consultancy as Business Development Manager along with Tom Jeremy (Thorn.B / Mid.A ,93-2000)and Toby Fraser-Gausden (Peele.B / Mid.A,93-2000). All are working presently in the London office.
- (17 Jun 2008)
Trewick, Tom 1993–2000 (La B, Mid B) FOUND: Tom is heading up the Dublin office of the Allegis Group, the world’s largest IT staffing consultancy, managing a team of Business Development Managers and Technical Recruiters.
- (17 Jun 2008)
Dankwah, Anton 1993–2000 (Pe B, Mid A) FOUND: Anton instigated an ‘old boy’s network’ for the Allegis Group , which continues, but has now moved on from Allegis Group to begin working as a consultant for Accenture.
- (14 May 2008)
HAROUN, Ansar 1959–1966 (Mid A) After leaving CH, Haroun studied Medicine in London and Lahore, and Community Medicine in Nottingham. He then moved to America, and trained as a psychiatrist at Yale, and a child psychiatrist at Columbia.
He is now a Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Law at the medical and law schools in San Diego and the Chief Phychiatrist for the San Diego Superior Court.
He teaches 'Law, Logic and Ethics in Medicine' and was formerly with the Royal Army Medical Corps, recently retired from the US Army Medical Corps, after tours in Irag and Afghanistan.
I am now also a Governor of CH.
- (13 Apr 2008)
LEWIS, Peter Frank (CH Staff) On 18th March 2008 at the age of 56, Peter Frank Lewis a member of the Science School at Christ’s
Hospital until 1987, when he moved to Beneden School to become Head of Science where he was still
working until he died.
- (28 Mar 2008)
BARR, Louise 1989–1996 (Col B) Design Editor and Development Editor of the innovative Head First series. I.T. books with a difference: they're fun!
Owner of Frog Box Design - a graphic and web design consultancy specialising in usable and accessible web design.
- (28 Mar 2008)
DIMOPOULOS, Alex 1993–2000 (La B, Ma A) Alex Dimopoulos (La B, Ma A 1993-2000) runs a couple of creative businesses:
- Creative Kite www.creativekite.com
- Is a creative company that offers photography, graphic, design, web and branding.
- My Love Story www.my-lovestory.co.uk
- Elegant and creative, yet beautifully simple wedding photography
- (13 Mar 2008)
ABELL, Noell (CH (left 1964/65)) Noell Abell - a lively musician who left CH in 64/65. Noell went on to study at the Royal College of Music and through his musical career worked for the Royal Opera House and many other leading musical venues.
He has sadly passed away.
- (13 Mar 2008)
WILLITTS , Alice (nee Peasnall) 1983–1990 (LH B) Alice Willitts is the author of 'Food Allergy and Your Child: a practical guide for parents' available in all good bookshops and online retailers or from www.allergybuddies.org.uk where you can also read about the Allergy Buddies scheme for schools.
- (13 Mar 2008)
JARVIS, Alison (nee Barlow) (Horsham staff 1930s-1950) My mother taught mathematics at Christ's Hospital Horsham from the latter part of the war and was then Alison Barlow (full name Cicely Alison Mitford Barlow). She met my father Thomas Gwyn Jarvis, who taught physics and chemistry, and they were married I think in 1946. Sadly he died in 1950 and she then moved to Cornwall with her two small children.
She died on Feb 27th 2008, peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 99.
Sally Campbell
- (30 Jan 2008)
DUNN, Charis 1966–1971 (8's) Charis Chan (8's 66-71) former BBC news journalist and author of books on China, Charis now works as a BWY yoga teacher in Poole Dorset.
- (25 Jan 2008)
PENNY, John 1969–1984 (Head of Art) John Penny, Head of Art at Christ’s Hospital from 1969 to 1984, died peacefully in his sleep aged 79 on 1st of January 2008.
John Penny was a popular teacher as the many kind reflections from former pupils bears out. His manner and way with his pupils endeared him to many as did his infectious love of Art. He was the first to open the Art School on Sundays, allowing all pupils to come in and be creative, unrestricted by the curriculum.
John, apart from his duties as a teacher, was a keen amateur actor, taking part in many school plays as well as musical performances, helped by his schooldays as a chorister at Winchester Choir School. He was also, for a period, chairman of the Debating Society.
John grew up in Portsmouth and, after completing his education at Art College in Portsmouth, John fulfilled his National Service obligations, serving as a lieutenant (the first officer in the family) with the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment during the Malayan Emergency 1951-1954.
After National Service, John began his teaching career in Chesham, Sherbourne, Ramsgate and Scarborough, before taking the post at Christ’s Hospital. There the family lived and both his sons were pupils at the school.
After retiring from full time teaching, John moved to Portsmouth and then finally to Fishbourne, giving Art History lectures at the Chichester Art Club and putting on several exhibitions of his work. John was a wonderful father and grandfather, worrying his own children with his energetic and enthusiastic larking around with one or all of his 5 grandchildren. He sometimes found the 21st century not to his taste. He often described himself as a ‘dinosaur’ while confessing to being more suited to the Edwardian period than today’s world.
He is survived by his three children. Sarah, a teacher living in London, Will a teacher living in Denmark and James, who works in the telecommunications industry and still lives in Horsham. All love and miss their Dad and his slightly idiosyncratic ways.
- (03 Jan 2008)
JONES, Timothy 1962–1969 (Col B) The second edition of Gypsy and Traveller Law (Commission for Racial Equality/the Legal Action Group) was published in October 2007 and now (much enlarged) costs £30 from the Legal Action Group. Tim Jones (Col B 62-69) is the lead writer of the chapter on Planning Law.
- (03 Dec 2007)
SCOTNEY, Sebastian 1966–1973 (Col B) Professor of Professional Skills Royal College of Music Graduate School
- (25 Nov 2007)
WARDEN, John 45–51 (La A) John Warden (La 1945-51) has written a short illustrated children's book about the adventures of a Falmouth fisherman's son entitled Black Jack and the Swample which was published last summer by Troubador.
The book is available from the publishers or directly from John, in which case he will donate £2 for each copy sold to CH.
Black Jack and the Swample (Synopsis)
The tale opens with a young boy asking his grandfather "Why is it called the Swample?" (The boy means the Swan Pool a lake near a Falmouth beach). The story is the answer.A famous pirate called Black Jack was reputed to have buried a treasure there. At the time, many years ago in the time of sailing ships, it was a swamp.
The story opens properly when the boy Bob Tregonnis, son of a Falmouth fisherman was shipwrecked and his father drowned. The boy joins a ship sailing to America. On the way the ship is taken by pirates and many of the crew slain. Bob joins the pirate crew. He is a good carver and, noticing the crew's propensity to gamble, he carves a die. Use of the die becomes popular and he makes and sells pairs of dice. Then he plans to cheat the pirates of their gold and makes 'loaded' dice. He manages to accumulate a lot of treasure but the pirates become suspicious and thinking him in league with the devil they maroon him.
After many years during which he grows a big black beard he is rescued by the crew of a schooner which plies a trade banking the various pirate’s treasures at American ports. He becomes a valuable crew member and does not cheat them, but he continues to cheat pirates at their hideouts, but much more carefully. Then the captain, wanting to retire to make rum, sells the ship to Black Jack (as he is now called). This is carried out through a 'fixed' game of dice with the other crew members who expect a decision by chance. The captain connives, wanting his price and knowing Black Jack to be the only suitable captain.
After some time passes Bob decides to visit New Orleans where he opens the first casino. The casino flourishes but Bob gets homesick and gathering a crew of Cornishmen he returns to Falmouth with his treasure. There he finds and marries his old sweetheart, promising never to cheat again. They sail away but Bob first buries part of his treasure, meaning to return. But he never does and eventually rumours about the treasure start and the whole area is dug up (fruitlessly) by treasure seekers and becomes a lake. What used to be the Swample is now really called the Swan Pool.
@ Copyright John Warden 2006
John Warden La A 1945-51
Abbots Piece
Church Lane
Islip
Oxon. OX5 2TA
Tel: 0865 376162
Fax: 0865 375055
The author:
Now in his 70's the author spent most of the war years as a child in Malaya and India. He was later a pupil at Christ's Hospital. He studied chemistry at Oxford and worked in Tanzania and later as a Patent Agent in London and Canada. After retiring early he studied at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich for two years. Now living near Oxford, he enjoys writing. He has a son and daughter and three grandchildren.
- (13 Nov 2007)
LANG, Alastair 1930–1936 (Col B) Alastair Lang DFC (Col B 30-36), a wartime Squadron Leader who later became a director of Mobil Oil, has died aged 88.
Squadron Leader Alastair Lang, who has died aged 88 lived in Collingbourne Ducis for nearly thirty years.Early in his RAF career he was posted to 156 (Pathfinder) Squadron at Warboys in September 1942, as a young Flying Officer with 22 operational sorties already under his belt. The squadron had just been selected, with three others, to form the nucleus of the newly-formed Pathfinder Force, and Alastair immediately volunteered for this new task to get away from interim instructional duties.
He arrived at Warboys, near Huntingdon, at the same time as a certain Pilot Officer Lighton Verdon-Roe, whose father, Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe had founded the famous aircraft companies A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd (Avro') and later, Saunders-Roe Ltd and whose aunt was Dr Marie Stopes, the early pioneer of birth control.
The squadron was equipped with Wellington bombers at this time, but by January l943 had acquired the formidable new Avro Lancasters onto which it quickly converted. At this time, these two pilots were joined by an Australian, Flight Lieutenant Peter Isaacson, DFM from 460 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who had already flown Lancasters, and personally checked out Lang and Verdon-Roe onto the new aircraft.
These three men became the greatest of friends, and quickly earned themselves the title of "The Terrible Threesome" from their C.O. Wing Commander Tommy Rivett-Carnac. Like many very young men in the acute grip of war they found various ways of coping with the pressure.
At the beginning of l943, the squadron casualty rate was gradually rising, leading to a decline in morale. In l942 the squadron had lost 45 aircraft, l9 since starting its Pathfinder role. In l943 this would rise to 58 aircraft (each Lancaster having a crew of seven).
Now fast becoming the oldest members of the squadron, by reason of their continuing survival, Lang, Verdon-Roe and Isaacson decided occasional bouts of exuberance would not go amiss.
Lang and Verdon-Roe had recently developed a game to enliven the proceedings - on routine night-flying training flights over the U.K. they had raced each other back (and begun to involve others too) to try to be the first to be interrogated and de-briefed by an exceptionally pretty and intelligent W.A.A.F. officer (rather than by her male colleagues). The sight of their Lancasters screeching at high speed around the perimeter track to their dispersals, and braking abruptly to a halt, became a common sight to their ground crews as this game developed!
By early May, Alastair had extended the contest to the returning from operations over Germany, and he cut the corners on the normal dog's legs' to try to beat Lighton back. So far, Alastair had been successful, but cutting corners like this exposed them to areas of heavy flak, or night fighter activity. So Alastair had agreed a truce' with Lighton for the operation to Dortmund on May 4th.Lang's Flight Engineer was Sgt Jack "Nobby" Clark, DFM, a man of uncanny ability to foretell whether an operation would be cancelled. Indeed during briefings the CO, Rivett-Carnac, would frequently turn to Clark to enquire half-jokingly as to whether the operation would proceed.
Shortly before their mission to Dortmund of May 4th 1943 Clark took Lang aside and advised him that their crew would "undergo a drastic change of circumstances but that he should not worry for himself".
Over Dortmund, the Target Indicator bombs in his Lancaster hung up' (although the rest of the bombs dropped normally). A few seconds later his Lancaster exploded in a massive fireball, seen by Lighton behind him. The nose and cockpit section of the Lancaster tumbled down separately, while the rest disintegrated in flames. Clark came forward to help Lang with his parachute which was stuck and both men were pinned into the falling nose section. They were somehow thrown out backwards and their parachutes opened just seconds before they hit the ground hard. Lang broke his ankle, and Clark suffered head injuries. They were the only survivors among the crew.
Both were eventually taken to hospital by the Germans, and became prisoners-of-war in Stalag Luft 3 (Sagan) the famous "wooden horse" camp. Clark was able to feign madness and was repatriated after a relatively short stay. Lang stayed at Sagan and was then moved to Stalag 3a (Luckenwalde) a notoriously hard camp until released by the Russian army in May 1945. There exists an intense portrait of him during this period by Leonard Pearman the artist, who was a fellow prisoner of war in Sagan.
It had been Alastair's 50th operational trip, and just prior to this, he had been awarded the D.F.C. on March 9th in l943 "for displaying exceptional ability and consistently setting a high example of courage and determination" on operations to targets in Germany and Italy.
He had also been confirmed as Squadron Leader a few days earlier. His wife Barbara and baby daughter Virginia learnt of his safety a month later, but his great friend Lighton (now also confirmed as a Sqd. Ldr and awarded a D.F.C.) perished a week later over Germany.
Later in 1943 Peter Isaacson flew Q-Queenie the first Lancaster down to Australia on a war-bond mission. He later became Wing Commander Peter Isaacson RAAF, AM DFC AFC DFM.
The "Terrible Threesome" had outlived their luck, but had more than done their bit in lifting the Squadron's morale at a critical time.
GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Alastair Grant Lang was born on October 26th l9l9 in Burma, one of three brothers and two sisters of Hugh Francis Lang and his wife Cara Jamesa Grant.
Shortly afterwards, Alastair's father, a merchant trader, died on his way back from India and his mother, living at Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex brought up her family of five alone in considerable hardship.
Alastair was educated at Seaford College and Christ's Hospital, Horsham, and both he and his brother Hugh (known as Ian), joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as war broke out in l939, Hugh being trained as a fighter pilot and Alastair as a bomber pilot.
Alastair had gained his wings' by October l940, and after converting onto Wellington bombers at Lossiemouth, was posted to 150 Squadron at Newton, Nottinghamshire in April l941. He flew his first Operation' on April 15th as second pilot, and his first as skipper on June 11th. In the meantime, on April 20th, his brother, Hugh, flying with 242 Squadron over the Channel, was involved in a unique accident when Hugh, another pilot and their Squadron C.O., Sqd. Ldr W.P.F. Treacy, D.S.O, finding themselves suddenly under attack from German fighters all collided together, and drowned when their Hurricanes crashed into the sea.
Just 10 days after flying as skipper on his first operation, Alastair married his fiancée Barbara Davies in Eastbourne on June 21st 1941, and after a brief honeymoon in London, was back on operations again just four days later.
By August l941 Alastair had completed 19 operational trips, before being posted to an Operational Training Unit to train more bomber pilots to help make up the losses now being sustained. By September 1942, although he had flown on the three 1,000 bomber raids' on German cities that had meant using the Training Unit aircraft to make up the numbers, Alastair was desperate to get back on regular operations again, and when he heard of the new Pathfinder Force being formed, volunteered immediately, and was posted to l56 Squadron by September 21st 1942.
After his return to England when the war ended, Alastair elected to remain with the RAF in Peacetime. He was posted to 12 (Bomber) Squadron on October 8th 1945, and found himself flying Lancasters again as Squadron Leader in charge of B' Flight. In August l946 they converted onto Avro Lincolns, and in September Alastair was elevated to be the Officer Commanding 12 Squadron.
In May l947 Alastair was posted to 617 Squadron (The Dambusters') as B' Flight Commander and underwent intensive training in formation and instrument flying, in preparation for a tour of the USA. The squadron flew out from Binbrook on July 23rd l947, crossed the Atlantic to Gander and Andrew Field (Washington) and then toured the USA for the month of August, calling at Detroit, Salina, Wichita, Sacramento, Riverside, Fort Worth, Montgomery and back to Washington. Then they visited Trenton, Ontario, and flew back over Gander, arriving back at Binbrook on September 9th l947.
Alastair then returned as O.C. of 12 Squadron until the end of 1947, before making a major career course change and opting to become a fighter pilot from 1948 onwards (in his brother's footsteps).
After a course at the Central Flying School at Little Rissington (Jan-July l948), Alastair dropped a rank back to Flight Lieutenant, and was posted to 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force at Biggin Hill, to fly Spitfire F.22s. He became O.C. of the Squadron and regained his rank as Sqd. Ldr. In December l949, then after converting to fly the jet Gloster Meteor F-4, Alastair was posted to 66 (Fighter) Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse in May l959 as Commanding Officer, flying Meteor F.8s as a key unit in Fighter Command. He immediately put the squadron on an intensive formation flying and aerobatics course of training, and he led the squadron in a memorable aerobatic display at the RAF Air Display at Farnborough on July 7th and 8th, l950. He remained in command until august l952, remembering that on one occasion, he flew the BBC Air Correspondent, Raymond Baxter, in a Meteor 7 to make a broadcast on flying a jet fighter (Raymond himself being an ex-spitfire pilot).
After this, Alastair took a post in Ceylon in October 1952 helping to train Royal Ceylon Air Force cadets on Chipmunk trainers and preparing them to receive de Havilland Vampire fighters from England.
Then in 1954 it was back to the inevitable deskjob in London working for the Ministry of Supply and being responsible for managing cockpit layout, lighting and air conditioning of the RAF's new fighter aircraft.
Alastair made sure he took the regular familiarisation courses (to keep his hand in at flying) every year, and as part of his job (and with a twinkle in his eye) he insisted he personally try out the new fighters that came along - the Swift F.4, Hunter F.4, Swift FR-5 and Gnat Mk 1.
He would get a briefing on their handling, then climb aboard, and - as laconically stated in his log book - "climb to 45,000 ft, exceed Mach 1 (ie go through the Sound Barrier) and Aerobatics". He thoroughly enjoyed these short flights, but finally decided to leave the RAF in August l957.
Alastair then joined Mobil Oil in London, and worked his way up through several Departments, becoming manager of the Wholesale Fuel Department and looking after contracts with, amongst others, suppliers of aviation fuels at airports and airfields around the U.K. He retired as a Director to his family home at Collingbourne Ducis, near Marlborough in Wiltshire.
Alastair was an all-round sportsman, playing cricket for his schools, rugby for his RAF units and tennis and golf in later life. He was also keen on horse-racing, playing Bridge, and he and his wife were well-known for their parties and social activities. He life to the full, and felt the loss of his wife Barbara deeply, when she pre-deceased him on December 3rd l992. He later married Tessa Anderson in l999, who also predeceased him.
Alastair died on October 28th 2007, just two days after his 88th birthday, and is survived by his three daughters, Virginia, Charmian and Judith, two step-daughters and his grandchildren, Louise and Charles.
Obituary taken from This is Wiltshire website
- (05 Oct 2007)
QUICKENDEN / DICKSON, "Lynn" 1939–1945 (7's) Where are they now: The family of the late Mrs Pamela Wright nee Dingle, (7's 39-45) are trying to trace her contemporary at CH Hertford, who is known as "Lynn" Quickenden/Dickson.
- (09 Sep 2007)
MARCH, Richard (Dickie) 1945–1951 (Pe A) Richard (Dickie) March (Peele A 45-51). Born 16th April 1935, died 30th June 2007.
Richard March died tragically as a consequence of a fire at his home in Woking. Neither he nor his wife had been in the best of health over the previous few years. At the time he was alone, his wife being in respite care.
Richard came from sturdy Geordie stock, his father being a professional footballer. At the time of his entry to CH as an LCC scholar the family were living in Shepherd’s Bush, his father having transferred to Queens Park Rangers. During Richard’s time at CH his mother died unexpectedly , also as a result of a tragic accident in the home.
Like many of his generation Richard left at 16 to make his way in the City. He joined the Price & Pierce Group, agents & brokers for forest products, with whom he built a successful business career in the marketing and importing of sawn goods.
National Service was served with the Rifle Brigade. He was a member of the battalion advance party when it was ordered to the Far East but got only as far as Singapore when the orders were changed to deploy in Kenya. He spent the remainder of his service in operations against the Mau Mau insurgency and for which he was awarded the General Service Medal.
On demobilisation his first promotion took him to Manchester. At the time, this busy sales office numbered three Old Blues among its eight staff, all of whom became Managing Directors of their respective operational companies. He met and, in 1960, married Joyce. Chris Pearson (Mid A 42-48), with whom at the time he was sharing a flat, was Best Man.
Richard turned out regularly for Old Blue RFC sides where he played in the scrum as hooker. After his move north, he played for Manchester RFC, for some seasons in the 1st XV, in the same position. He was a Member of the MCC and played cricket for the Flemish Giants XI, a side touring the village greens of Surrey and Sussex.
On promotion, Richard returned to the London Headquarters of Price & Pierce, where his career continued to advance until the mid 1980s when the Company was sold to repay the loans of the controlling shareholder. The new owners did not bring the same dedication to the Price & Pierce ethos, with the consequence that the business began to disintegrate. Richard himself left in 1991 taking up, until his retirement, a position managing and integrating exports of timber from the ‘glasnost’ freed Baltic States.
He was Hon. Secretary to the Stewards of Founder's Day during part of the 100 years celebrations and was responsible for organising two successful dinners. He retired from this post at the onset of his period of ill-health.
Richard was a loyal and dedicated supporter of Christ’s Hospital, Old Blues, Rifle Brigade and the MCC. At his funeral, wreaths in their colours, together with his club and regimental ties were laid on the coffin. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
- (06 Sep 2007)
TURNER, Group Captain A D 1948–1953 (Pe B) David Turner died suddenly after an operation on August 7th 2007. He spent 35 years in the Royal Air Force having joined direct from Christ’s Hospital. His career included flying duties as a navigator on Canberra and Vulcan squadrons, punctuated with appointments at the Ministry of Defence, Headquarters Strike Command and Headquarters RAF Germany. Overseas appointments included the NATO Headquarters in Oslo and Defence Attaché duties in Washington DC.
He took early retirement from the Royal Air Force in 1988 to take up the post of Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at Wellingborough School. He also became a magistrate and tax commissioner and his leisure time was spent making trips in his boat along the south coast, France and the Channel Isles. He spent eleven years in Wellingborough before finally retiring in 1999.
He and his wife Margaret moved to Poole, where he was able to carry on his duties as a magistrate and tax commissioner, as well as being an active committee member of the Royal Motor Yacht Club. He also made an epic three month boat trip to Oslo, with the help of numerous voluntary crew members.
Last year they moved to Bluecoat Pond, a retirement development on the site of the Christ’s Hospital school farm, swimming pool and gymnasium. His two married daughters went to the girls’ school in Hertford and they each have two children. He was beginning to make his mark on the Christ’s Hospital Association and his enthusiasm & expertise will be sorely missed.
- (10 Jul 2007)
NEWSOME, David 1970–1979 (Headmaster) One entry in Holy Dread: Diaries 1982-84 by James Lees-Milne (John Murray, £22.50) has the author and National Trust pioneer visiting the Master of Wellington College, Dr David Newsome (Headmaster 70-79), in connection with their biographical projects. 'Such a nice man. We were at once on Christian name terms. Even so, I find it shy-making to be with a headmaster, though he must be twenty years my junior.'
Headmaster Dr. David Newsome surveys Lunch Parade in Summer 1979
- (02 Jul 2007)
CARROLL, Claire (neé PICKFORD) 1981–1988 (7s, Col B) Claire Pickford - now Claire Carroll - is an educational psychologist specialising in autism and neuropsychological assessment in Manchester.
- (02 Jul 2007)
PICKFORD, Briony 1989–1996 (Ba A) Briony is living in London and completing a course in interior design and writing poems and stories for children whilst nannying.
- (02 Jul 2007)
PICKFORD, Helen 1980–1986 (2s, Ba B) After several years teacher training in Malaysia Helen has recently travelled to the Congo where she is working training teacher-trainers to set up new schools in areas devastated by war. She is working for Children in Crisis.
- (02 Jul 2007)
PICKFORD, Susan 1986–1993 (Ba A) UPDATE JULY 07 has just been awarded a permanent lectureship in translation at the University of Paris.
Susan Pickford (Ba A 85-92) is presently at the University of Toulouse, working on typographical innovations in early Romantic travel writing, and has translated a number of books, chiefly on art. Her translation of Jacques Derrida's article 'Ceci n'est pas une note infrapaginale' will be included in L'espace de la note, a forthcoming book from the Presses Universitaires de Poitiers which will also contain her own article on the use of endnotes in modern editions of Sterne's Sentimental Journey.
- (24 Jun 2007)
KING, Bill 1965–1972 (Pe B) Congratulations to Bill King (Pe B 65-72) on his inauguration as Mayor of Torfaen in South Wales.
- (23 May 2007)
BROWNLESS, Basil 1936–1943 (Ma A) Music teacher & campanologist. His son, Edmund's website has a full obituary obituary as well as pages about books and articles which he wrote.
- (20 May 2007)
SIMMS, Chris 1981–1988 (Pe A) May 2007 Congratulations to the crime writer Chris Simms (Pe A 1981-88) on being one of the 25 authors nominated by publishers, editors and agents as likely to produce the most significant works of the next 25 years.
Full detail of the nominations are available at the bookseller.com.
Publication of a third novel by Chris Simms (Pe A 81-88). Part psychological thriller, part police procedural, Killing the Beasts (Orion, £12.99) is set in Manchester - the first of a planned series of novels set there - and involves a succession of brutal murders after the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Orion's Jane Wood has lured Chris away from his previous publisher with a two-book deal for what's described as a solid, five-figure advance. He has, she says, 'a terrific, young, edgy voice and his work explores themes of contemporary angst and paranoia in a most compelling and commercial way'.
'Baba's Bites', a short story by Chris Simms (Pe A 81-88) is included in Green for Danger: The Official Anthology of the Crime Writers' Association 2005 edited by Martin Edwards (Do-Not Press, £8.99).
Chris Simms (Pe A 81-88) has had a second novel, Pecking Order, published by Hutchinson at £12.99. Shots magazine found much to praise, calling the book 'robust and creepy - a curious black as night tale about a series of murders plotted against the backdrop of academia, and the frightful world of the battery farmed chicken- It reminds me a little of the early work of Patricia Highsmith, as it deals with amoral people trapped in an amoral situation, trying to find a way out of their plight, and where adherence to rules plays no part in the resolution... Chris Simms is a rapidly developing talent in the world of crime fiction.' He's working on a third psychological thriller, provisionally entitled Chew.
Congratulations to Chris Simms (Pe A 81-88) whose novel Outside the White Lines has been published in hardback by Random House (£15.99), with the paperback due in January. Described by Sky Text as 'not so much a whodunnit but a gripping and gritty whydunnit', the book involves a random killer who leads an otherwise blameless life, a young policeman hunting him and a strange and lonely character called the Searcher. 'Here is a new crime writer who really knows his stuff' (Publishing News); 'one of the most promising debuts in crime for some time' (City Life, Manchester). Chris is married with two children and works in Manchester as a freelance copywriter. His second novel, Pecking Order, will appear early next year. OB journalists who would like to read Outside the White Lines and/or could put in under the nose of an appropriate reviewer are invited to contact him at the.simms@virgin.net.
- (15 Apr 2007)
MAYNE, Philip 1911–1919 (Pe A) Philip Mayne (Pe A 11-19), the last surviving British officer of World War One and perhaps the oldest Old Blue of all time, has died aged 107.
- (03 Apr 2007)
FORWARD, Ian 1955–1962 (Pe A) Business Name: Goldprint Owner : Ian Forward (Peele A 1955 -1962) [Note: retired from Army in 1992 and started Goldprint]
Address : Snowdon House, Gold Street, Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2LX
Tel/Fax : 01963 363930 Email : ian.forward@tiscali.co.uk
Provider of : Letterheads : Invoices (incl. NCR sets) : Business Cards (incl. plastic) : Fliers : Booklets : CVs : Personal & Wedding Stationery : Laminating : (A4 full colour work available, with some limitations)
Artwork & Design done in-house. Can accept pdf files via Email. No VAT (not registered). 10% Discount for Old Blues.
Fast turnround : Despatch at Royal Mail cost.
- (16 Mar 2007)
SHIELLS, George 1939–1945 (Th A) Biography taken from www.georgeshiells.co.uk
Brookmans Park resident George Shiells passed away on Thursday February 15, aged 78 after a short illness. He leaves wife, Lyn, four children, Susan, Graeme, Manda, Philippa and twelve grandchildren. Mr Shiells was well-known throughout the area and will be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the community.
George Shiells was born in East St Pancras, London on April 12, 1928. He won a scholarship to Christ’s Hospital (The Bluecoat School) where he developed a life-long love of music and sport, particularly rugby, cricket, squash and golf.
He met his wife, Lyn in 1949 at a Halloween dance she had organised and the couple were married in 1952. They lived in Brookmans Park for more than forty years.
Following national service in the Marines, he began his career as an articled clerk, becoming a practicing accountant in 1948 and joining John Dale Ltd as an accountant in 1951. After gaining further experience as a management consultant he joined the Enfield-based family firm of Reeves & Sons, a well known name for art and craft materials. This was the company’s first non-family senior appointment. Upon promotion to Group Managing Director, he transformed the company from a UK based operation to an international operation.
In 1971 George Shiells became an early pioneer of free newspapers by starting his own business to publish the Enfield Advertiser. He played a significant part in the development and success of this new industry, holding senior posts on all the major bodies governing the industry including a period as Chairman of the Association of Free Newspapers. He grew the business significantly, launching new editions before selling the business to a division of United Newspapers in 1985, remaining as Chairman until 1989. He continued to act as a consultant to United Newspapers until his retirement in 1993.
Although he enjoyed a very successful business career, it was his considerable involvement with the local community that George Shiells will be remembered for most. He firmly believed in putting something back into the community. During his career he worked closely with many local organisations having been a committee member of Trent Park Preservation Committee, president of Enfield Rotary Club, chairman of governors at Middlesex University, foundation governor at Enfield Grammar School and vice chairman of Enfield College of Technology.
He was passionate about the success of the business community in Enfield and also served as a committee member of Enfield Enterprise Agency, as president of the Enfield District Manufacturers Association and secretary of the Enfield Chamber of Trade. He took great pride in his involvement as a director and trustee in the creation of MoDA, the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture.
Throughout his retirement, George Shiells continued his involvement with local organisations, none more so than Chancellor’s School in Brookmans Park. His long association with the school began in 1964 when his eldest daughter was in the first intake of pupils. He subsequently became the first parent Chairman of the PTA, the first parent observer to the Governing Body and the first ex-parent Governor. In 1979/80 he led a campaign to save the school from closure.
In 1981, he had the idea to start Chancellors Community Newsletter, a professionally-produced newsletter distributed free to around 6000 homes. He continued to support the school, appearing in PTA productions and assisting with the organisation of numerous events.
George Shiells was a man who loved life. Ever the congenial host, he appreciated excellent food and wine although he would admit that his own best culinary skills amounted to toast and marmalade, kippers and heating beans. His broad musical tastes ranged from the Rolling Stones to Gilbert and Sullivan and he had a love of theatre, performing too, whenever the opportunity arose.
He relaxed by reading, completing crosswords and simply watching the birds bathing in his garden. He also enjoyed spending time at his house in France. As a sportsman he played golf at Brookmans Park Golf Club.
George Shiells leaves us with many lasting memories and legacies of his life and work. An astute businessman, a popular employer, a devoted family man, sportsman, entertainer, organiser and fearless campaigner.
- (07 Mar 2007)
GRANT, Mike 1973–1979 (LH B, Pe B) Mike is now Editor of The Plantsman.
RHS Publications Ltd, Churchgate, New Road, Peterborough PE1 1TT, UK
T 01733 775782 F 01733 775819
Society borne or bred: Plants discovered or bred by the Royal Horticultural Society
- (23 Jan 2007)
ADAMS, Carol 1959–1965 (Hertford) Obituary from Guardian Unlimited website
Carol Adams, who has died of cancer aged 58, established the country's first General Teaching Council (GTC) in 2000. As chief executive, she led it until her retirement just before Christmas. The GTC's purpose is to regulate teachers; improve standards in teaching; and provide research and evidence-based advice to government and other bodies. Carol, supported by a loyal team, developed the GTC into a mature organisation with an authoritative body of policy and research work, a comprehensive register of 500,000 qualified teachers and robust regulatory procedures.
She handled the often tough politics of the GTC with skill, humour and reserves of energy that were legendary. She happily worked long days, criss-crossing the country, championing teachers and teaching, ending the evening either playing clarinet in one of the two jazz bands to which she belonged or swimming or playing tennis. In the last 12 months of her life, she also climbed her first mountain, became a commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality, worked for the British Council and advised on the setting up of a GTC in Georgia in the former Soviet Union.
Carol was driven by a passionate belief in every child's right to develop his or her potential. Always an egalitarian, she believed education was the key to social justice. For over 30 years, she fought without flagging, and often ferociously, to improve standards while also striving to enhance the status of teachers, most often at times when they were being blamed by politicians as the source of every social ill.
She spoke from the heart as well as the head. She was born into a close working-class family in Hackney. Aged 11, she won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital girls' school, Hertford. She read history at Warwick University in the 1960s, briefly enjoying flower power and radical politics at the University of California, Berkeley.
After teaching history and humanities for five years at inner London secondary schools, from 1979, she managed a resource centre for teachers for four years. She wrote books for students and co-authored The Gender Trap, published in three volumes, 1975-76. Aimed at schoolgirls, it explained with wit and wisdom how sexism limited female opportunities. It was published at a time when becoming an air hostess was viewed by some as the height of female ambition.
Carol also co-edited the Women in History series for Cambridge University Press, which brought the women's movement into the classroom. She captured the lives of medieval women, as well as life in a 19th-century silk factory. She was on the original editorial advisory board of the feminist publishing company, Virago.
In the 1980s, Carol became the country's first inspector for equal opportunities at the Inner London Education Authority. In a ground-breaking post, she was responsible for gender equality in over 1,000 schools. She later became assistant chief education officer in Haringey, responsible for all equality issues, working especially hard to develop the careers of black teachers.
In the 1990s, she became director of education first in Wolverhampton and then in Shropshire, showing leadership, vision and drive at a time of great change both in local authority reorganisation and in education.
As the highly respected and politically influential chief executive of the GTC, she had no qualms in criticising government policy. She argued, for instance, that while standards had to be raised, children needed to be freed from the tyranny of being taught only to pass tests.
Carol was a generous friend; funny and feisty, she loved to dance, travel, and shop. She showed not a shred of self-pity. She spent New Year's Eve in Venice, watching fireworks over the Grand Canal. Five girl friends helped carry her and her wheelchair up and over numerous bridges. Ever the optimist, she said, it was her best New Year's Eve - so far.
She was extremely proud of her children, Amy, 19, and Joe, 22. She had a warm friendship with her ex-husband, Richard Noss. She is also survived by her parents, Dorothy and Gordon Adams, and her sister, Jill.
· Carol Adams, educationist and teacher, born July 28 1948; died January 11 2007
The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and clarifications column, Monday January 22 2007
Carol Adams was the chief executive of the General Teaching Council for England, established in 2000. The earliest GTC in the UK was Scotland's, predating those in England and Wales by over 30 years, being established in 1966.Tribute to Carol Adams, founding chief executive of the General Teaching Council for England
Mon, 15 Jan 2007
It is with great sadness that the General Teaching Council for England notifies the death of its founding chief executive, Carol Adams.Carol was recruited to establish the GTC, which launched in September 2000, bringing into reality the long held aspiration that teaching should have its own independent professional body. During her seven years as chief executive, Carol developed the GTC from a fledgling Council to a mature organisation with an authoritative body of policy and research work, a comprehensive register of 500 000 qualified teachers and fair and robust regulatory procedures. Carol was a passionate advocate for teachers and teaching and has made access to high quality professional development for teachers a central focus of the GTC’s work. She was particularly proud of the development of the GTC Teacher Learning Academy which offers teachers professional recognition for their learning and development work in school.
Before joining the GTC, Carol was chief education officer first in Wolverhampton and then in Shropshire. She trained as a history teacher and remained a teacher first and foremost. During the 1980s she worked as an equality adviser for the Inner London Education Authority and published a series of books and articles on curriculum development and on equality in education, including The Gender Trap.
Carol continued to champion equality throughout her career. In all her work at the GTC she ensured that the Council focused on raising achievement for all pupils regardless of background. She was appointed as a Commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality in 2006.Carol will be remembered by colleagues and friends as an inspirational leader who was completely dedicated to the cause of high quality teaching. She believed that teaching is the most important job in society and spoke up for teachers and teaching at every opportunity.