Blue Yellow Pages (Last Names beginning with S)
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- SACKER, Hugh (The Prophet OBOL) 1935–1943 (CA)
His views on alternatives to the "War on Terror" - scroll down to "Reply on 14th November 2002"
- SAINT, Andrew 1958–1964 (La A)
Cambridge University's Professor of Architecture Andrew Saint (La A 58-64) is one of the authors of St Paul's: The Cathedral Church of London 604-2004 (Yale University Press, £65).
- SALISBURY, Roy 1940–1986 (Th B, Officer (1946-86), Clerk (1971-86), Governor)
"Belated mention for a publication we missed in 1985. Beazley and Oxford edited by Donna Kurtz (Oxford University Committee for Archaeology Monograph 10) marked the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Sir John Beazley (11's, CA 1898-1903), Professor of Classical Archaeology and the man who revolutionised the study of Greek vase painting. It records the verdict of T E Lawrence: 'Beazley is a very wonderful fellow, who has written almost the best poems that ever came out of Oxford- If it hadn't been for that accursed Greek art, he'd have been a very fine poet.' He was a close friend of the poet James Elroy Flecker, brother of H L O Flecker (Headmaster 30-55). Among those thanked for helping to compile the book or mark the centenary are Peter Attenborough (MB 48-57, Almoner), Sir John Forsdyke (CH 1895-1902), Jasper Griffin (PA 48-56) and Roy Salisbury (TB 40-46, Officer 46-86, Clerk 71-86, Governor).
- SANDHAM, Daniel 1994–2001 (Pe B, Ma A, Gr E)
His article on Brancepeth Church and the Durham University Society of Change Ringers
- SAREL, Nicholas 1970–1974 (Col B)
Where are they now FOUND: Being traced by Richard Wade, Ma A 1967-1970, Pe B 1970-1974
- SARLO, Dario 1999–2001 (La A, Gr E)
His page on Grecians 2001 (the photo is of him, though the details are Daniel Sandham's):
- SCHMIDT, Michael 1965–1966 (Th B)
Poet, novelist, scholar & publisher
Congratulations to Michael Schmidt (Th B 65-66) who received an OBE for services to higher education and to poetry in the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2006.
Editor of New Poetries III: An anthology (Carcanet, £9.95) is Michael Schmidt (Th B 65-66).
Latest book by Michael Schmidt (Th B 65-66) is The Story of Poetry: English Poets and Poetry from Caedmon to Caxton (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £25). This is the first of four projected volumes, which will add up to the most comprehensive history of English poetry as well as a new anthology of it. Times reviewer Robert Nye (14 March) commended both book and author: 'The story of English poetry would be the less without him.'
- SCOTNEY, Sebastian 1966–1973 (Col B)
Professor of Professional Skills Royal College of Music Graduate School
- SCOTT, Jonathan 1959–1968 (Col A)
Big Cat Diary: Cheetah (HarperCollins, £16.99) by Jonathan Scott (Col A 59-68) and his wife Angie is the third book the Scotts have written on an individual African species in connection with their BBC television series.
- SCOTT, Sir Robert Forsyth 1877–1879 (Newgate Street Staff)
Mathematician & antiquary. Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge University
- SEAKINS, Michael 1945–1954 (Pe A)
Mention in Old Blue Scientists Reminisce - extensive report on Science Teaching at CH.
- SEAMAN, C M E 'George' 1920–1927 (Th A, Ba B, Headmaster (1955-70), Governor)
Belated mention for a book published in 1998 for the sixtieth-birthday retrospective exhibition of painter Benedict Rubbra (Col A 49-56, Horsham Art Staff 60s). Benedict Rubbra: Paintings 1958-98: Ideas and Influences (Edizioni Electa, £9.95) has eighty-nine illustrations, many in colour. Its text amounts to a short autobiography, complete with CH material, notably a loving account of Nell Todd (Horsham Staff 50-69), inspiring and eccentric Head of Art. Rubbra found her impossible to paint: 'Miss Todd only looks herself when she puts on her hundred and one facial expressions and when I tell her to keep still, it looks nothing like her.' At her instigation Rubbra painted the Hon David Herbert (Horsham Staff 55-61) who went into publishing and commissioned two books from Rubbra; Herbert's widow Brenda edited the present one. A later and grander portrait commission involved Sir Colin Davis (Th B 38-44). (Rubbra also did a posthumous portrait of George Seaman (Th A, Ba B 20-27, Headmaster 55-70, Governor), never yet reproduced in The Blue.)
One of the huge cast of The Dons by Noel Annan (HarperCollins, £7.99) is A L Smith (CH 1857-69, Almoner). Son of an unsuccessful civil engineer, and one of a family of nineteen surviving children, he found it hard to make ends meet as a young don in the 1880s but rose to be Master of Balliol College, Oxford, which under his leadership became well known for its concern with working-class education and poverty. His son became Rector of the Edinburgh Academy, where his successor was C M E Seaman (Th A, Ba B 20-27, Headmaster 55-70).
- SELL, Philip J 1967–1974 (Pe A)
Surgeon - previous link to Queen's Medical Centre Nottingham is now broken.
- SHACKLETON, HELEN (Staff, Unknown years)
Patricia Menon (Mitchell, 2's 54-61) has taught English at Niagara College and Brock University, Ontario, Canada,and has now had a volume of literary criticism published: Austen, Eliot, Charlotte Bronte and the Mentor-Lover (Palgrave Macmillan ?45). Three teachers at CH Hertford - Frances Mercer, Helen Shackleton and Audrey Cleobury Sunderland - are gratefully included in the acknowledgements.
- SHAKESPEARE, Stephan 1968–1975 (Kukowski, Pe B)
Observer article: Let the people choose a Tory chief (May 2005)
Observer article: They seem to be campaigning for the sake of it (April 2005)
Observer article: Politics can learn from Pop Idol (January 2004)
Observer article: IDS must land a few punches (October 2003)
Observer article: Can Big Brother save democracy? (August 2003)
- SHEARS, David 1935–1944 (Prep A?, Prep B?, Ma B)
Mention in Old Blue Scientists Reminisce - extensive report on Science Teaching at CH.
- SHEPPARD, Julian 1939–1947 (Mid A)
Reprinted from the 1966 original, Ximenes on the Art of the Crossword (Swallowtail Books, £7.95) now has a foreword by Colin Dexter. Ximenes was the nom de plume of Derrick Macnutt (Horsham Staff 28-63), and his book, recommended by Tim Moorey in The Week, gives an enlightening conducted tour through the process of composing a crossword and sets out the principles of sound and fair clueing, as followed today by most setters. Julian Sheppard (Mid A 39-47) who sent this item says he's not sure 'sound and fair' was the phrase that came to mind when Macnutt set him homework in the Forties.
- 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.
- SILK, Anne 1943–1947 (Arnold, 4's)
Anne Silk (Arnold, 4's 43-47) is co-author with David Cowan of Ancient Energies of the Earth: A Groundbreaking Exploration of the Earth's Natural Energy and How It Affects Our Health (Thorsons, £9.99) which 'traces the energy patterns that resonate from the ley lines, standing stones and circles of Great Britain.' Anne Silk 'is widely respected in the scientific world and has received numerous awards for her research work' and has been researching the connection between human health and the electromagnetic fields of the Earth. It will be remembered that in 1987 she became the first CHOG to propose the Housey Toast at Founder's Day Dinner.
- SILK, Dennis 1942–1950 (Ma A, President CH Club 1990-95)
Warden, Radley College. President, MCC. Chairman, Test & County Cricket Board
- SILLETT, Joe 1983–1990 (LH B, LH A)
Founder of WOODWORM Cricket Company, bats used in The Ashes 2005
- SILLS, H D 'Kappa' 1933–1947 (Horsham Staff)
Mention in Old Blue Scientists Reminisce - extensive report on Science Teaching at CH.
- 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.
- SIMON of Highbury, Lord 1950–1958 (Mid A, Senior Grecian, Governor & Almoner)
Transform yourself and your fortunes with the aid of management guru Robert Heller (Pe A 42-50) who has written ten volumes for Dorling Kindersley's 'Essential Managers' series: Achieving Excellence, Communicate Clearly, Effective Leadership, How to Delegate, Making Decisions, Managing Change, Managing People, Managing Teams, Motivating People and Selling Successfully (£4.99 each). Much of the same ground is covered in The Essential Manager's Manual (co-written with Tim Hinde, same publisher, £25). His other recent books include Goldfinger: how entrepreneurs grow rich by starting small (HarperCollins, £8.99) and In Search of European Excellence: The 10 Key Strategies of Europe's Top Companies (HarperCollins, £8.99) which contains a short, admiring account of what Lord Simon of Highbury (Mid A 50-58, Senior Grecian, Governor) achieved at BP. Heller has edited Finance Today (price unknown), published by DTZ Pieda Consulting in association with the Board for Chartered Accountants in Business. He advises leading companies on strategy and is much in demand as a conference speaker in Europe, the Americas and the Far East.
Chief executive and chairman of BP. Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
- SINCLAIR, Nicholas 1963–1971 (La A)
Crossing the Water (Photoworks, £18) is a book of atmospheric, 'Saturnian Gothic' photographs by Nicholas Sinclair (La A 63-71) of a lake in East Sussex that he has visited since childhood and that continues to hold a sense of mystery and unresolved fascination for him. Sinclair's work has been exhibited widely in Britain and Europe and is represented in public collections including the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A and the Musee de l'Elysee, Lausanne. Last year he was made a Hasselblad Master.
- SKEMPTON, Alan 1932–1939 (Th A)
In his 1973 autobiography In and Out of the Box, the veteran newsreader Robert Dougall recalled that in 1951 he, Alan Skempton (TA 32-39) and Frank Phillips (MdB 12-17) were among the 'Big Seven' chosen to provide news coverage on all three BBC radio networks. Later he made the transition to television alongside Phillips, who said it was 'like driving a Rolls Royce after a Mini.' He also mentioned a sticky moment for the actor Geoffrey Wincott (MdB 11-18), who as a relief announcer on the BBC Empire Service in the Thirties was especially good at bidding listeners goodnight; but on one occasion, having properly intoned 'Good night to you all - wherever you may be - good night from London,' he went on (annoyed with the engineers, and unaware that his mike was still 'live') 'The bloody fools! Christ! The bloody fools!'
- SLADEN, Captain H. Fred L. 1928–1937 (Pe A)
Mention in Old Blue Scientists Reminisce - extensive report on Science Teaching at CH.
- SLOANE, Sir Hans 1694–1730 (Physician to CH)
The Whitbread Book of the Year for 2002 was Claire Tomalin's Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self (Viking hbk £20, Penguin pbk £8.99), a life of the great diarist and naval administrator which gives due attention to his work for Christ's Hospital.
He became a Governor in 1676 (seven years after the end of his diary, alas), rose to be Vice-President and was still engaged in CH business on his deathbed. It was he who persuaded Charles II to endow in 1673 the Royal Mathematical School at CH, where boys could be prepared for the Navy, and he who arranged for the commemorative painting by Antonio Verrio in which he appears. (One mystery left unsolved by Tomalin is the present whereabouts of a smaller version owned by Pepys which was sold at Sotheby's in 1931.)
The RMS remained his particular concern: 'he was eager to see good results, often asking how the boys fared when they went to sea and sending directives to the staff.' Finding the boys' progress unsatisfactory in 1695 he consulted Sir Isaac Newton (Governor) about a new Master for the RMS; within a few months the man chosen, Sam Newton (no relation), was complaining that boys were being hauled off to sea too young, before doing any serious study, by the then Master of Trinity House, Sir Matthew Andrews (also a Governor). Tomalin quotes from Newton's indignant letter to Pepys, and from Pepys's disappointing, make-the-best-of-it reply; 'had he been younger and more fit, you feel, he would have taken up Newton's cause.'
When Pepys's long-serving maid Jane Edwards was widowed he got her son Sam Edwards into CH; Sam was one of the pupils presented to James II in early 1688, later became a Navy officer and may have represented his mother at Pepys's funeral. Sir Hans Sloane (Physician to CH 1694-1730, Governor 1715) was Pepys's doctor and helped conduct his autopsy in 1703. Four years earlier Pepys had been given the Freedom of the City of London for his service to Christ's Hospital.
Natural historian, collector, President of the Royal Society
- SMART, Peter 1943–1950 (Ba A)
Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Civil Engineering Department, Glasgow University
- SMART, Sherrie 1968–1975
Where are they now: Born Gastigny Court, London EC1 around 1956 and who was at CH around 1967. Being traced by Susan Ironside (nee Eldridge) who was at primary school (St Luke's, Old Street, London) with her
- SMITH, A.L. 1857–1869 (CH, Almoner)
One of the huge cast of The Dons by Noel Annan (HarperCollins, £7.99) is A L Smith (CH 1857-69, Almoner). Son of an unsuccessful civil engineer, and one of a family of nineteen surviving children, he found it hard to make ends meet as a young don in the 1880s but rose to be Master of Balliol College, Oxford, which under his leadership became well known for its concern with working-class education and poverty. His son became Rector of the Edinburgh Academy, where his successor was C M E Seaman (Th A, Ba B 20-27, Headmaster 55-70).
- SMITH, Joseph Clarendon (CH circa 1790)
His engraving of "St John's Church, Devizes, Wiltshire. View of the east end" by John Britton
- SMITH, Sir Leslie 1930–1935 (Ba B)
Sir Leslie Smith (Ba B 1930-35) died on 4 July. He was chairman of British Oxygen from 1972 to 1985.
- SOUTHEY, W A
Where are they now: Left CH in 1913 or 1914. He won a DFC and Bar in the Great War. It is believed he came from South Africa originally. Any information would be gratefully received by Roger Goulder, his great nephew, who has his leaving bible.
- SPARROW, Ann 1793–1826 (Headmistress)
A letter she wrote in 1822 on behalf of Mary Royde, former Matron:
- SPEED, Sir Eric 1904–1914 (Ma A)
Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, in War Diaries 1939-45 (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £25), mentions dining with Sir Eric Speed (Ma A 04-14); 'Speed always refreshing' is his comment.
- STACE, Dr Christopher 1965–1973 (Horsham Staff)
Dr Christopher Stace (Horsham Staff 65-73) has translated and introduced Saint Claire of Assisi: Her Legend and Selected Writings (Triangle, £7.99) and for the same publisher has written St George: Patron Saint of England (£7.99), arguing that 'the balance of probabilities is that he did exist.'
- STAMP, Henry
Where are they now: In 1985, he was at Coventry University and was organist at St John's, Berkeswell in Warwickshire. Being traced by Anita O'Brien neé Howard.
- STEBBING, John Reynolds, OBE, MLitt (Oxon), FRSA 1920–1927 (La B)
John Reynolds Stebbing OBE, MLitt (Oxon), FRSA (LB 20-27) died on 4 March 2000 at the age of 89. As a member of the Colonial Service from 1934 to 1960, he rose to be Government Secretary and Deputy Resident Commissioner in Swaziland and later Chief Secretary in Somaliland, and was much concerned with rural development and improved land-use in arid and semi-arid countries. Twelve years in the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell and Culham Laboratory followed, after which he emerged as an expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, spending four years as a Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, Oxford. His 1993 book A Structure of Peace argued the case for building on the good relations between Israelis and Palestinians at a technical level in matters of agriculture and irrigation. He was survived by his wife Margaret, two daughters, five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
- STEELE-PERKINS, Chris 1956–1965 (Mid B)
The photographer Chris Steele-Perkins (Mid B 56-65), part of the Magnum agency since 1983, was responsible for creating the 500 page anthology Magnum (= 'Magnum Degrees') published by Phaidon (£39.95) - 'a body of new work - [reflecting] both the sweep of contemporary world history and the concerns of the individual photographer'. His own contributions range from war in Somalia ('the bottom line in the possibility of human suffering') to a study of the Pakistan humanitarian folk hero Abdul Sattar Edhi, 'one of the great men of our time'.
- STEINER, Cathy 1964–1971 (Havilland, 3's)
Fees & investments secretary, St Catherine's College, Oxford
- STEPHENS, Wilson 1922–1928 (Ba B)
In June last year Wilson Stephens (Ba B 22-28), who edited The Field for twenty-seven years, reached the age of ninety. His Gundog Sense and Sensibility (Quiller Publishing, £14.99) is now in its third edition.
- STEVENS, John 1932–1940 (Th B)
In Stainer & Bell's Invitation to Medieval Music series (7 vols, £4.20 each) volumes 3 and 4 were edited by Brian Trowell (Mid B 40-50) and volumes 5 and 6 by John Stevens (Th B 32-40).
Professor Emeritus of Medieval & Renaissance English, Cambridge University
- STEWART of Fulham, Lord 1918–1925 (Michael Stewart, La A)
The author, economist and publisher Peter Etherden (BA 57-64) advises anyone who wants to understand what John Maynard Keynes is about to get hold of Keynes And After by Michael Stewart (LA 18-25). First published by Penguin in 1967, 'it is far and away the best book available on the subject and a masterpiece of political writing.'
Greg Rosen's Dictionary of Labour Biography (Politico's, ?30) has entries on three OBs and an ex-Almoner (Ken Livingstone). The political economist Stuart Holland (LA 51-59) was 'the main influence behind the more radical policy agenda that emerged in the Labour Party after the disappointments of the 1964-70 Wilson government', while Cabinet minister Michael Stewart (LA 18-25) was 'the safest pair of hands' in that government. Union leader John Edmonds (MdB 54-62) was affected by Housie's 'atmosphere of snobbery' and 'ethos of being a minor public school'; CH 'did not allow the young man to develop his personality' (but, in fairness, it did help him get into Oxford).
Two more posthumous books from the monk and mystic Bede Griffiths (A R Griffiths, PB, BB 19-25). Arthur James and Medio Media have published The Mystery Beyond: On Retreat With Bede Griffiths (£5.99), and John Swindells has edited A Human Search: Bede Griffiths Reflects On His Life: An Oral History (Burns & Oates, £8.50) in which seven pages are devoted to his CH years. On being a Grecian: 'I remember somebody saying that I went about the school as though I owned the place.' Griffiths, Frank Root (CH c. 19-25) and the future Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart (LA 18-25) became pacifists under Tolstoy's influence, refused promotion in the Officer Training Corps and were released from it entirely by William Hamilton Fyfe (Headmaster 19-30), 'a very wonderful person'. Later they were Oxford Socialists together.
- STUBBS, Amanda (Atkinson) 1978–1985 (7's)
Amanda Stubbs (7s 78-85) is co-editor with Christopher Dering of Environmental Law for the Construction Industry (Thomas Telford, £25).
- STYLES, Ronald Arthur (Horsham Staff 1945, 1948-51)
Ronald Arthur Styles (Horsham Staff 1945, 48-51) died on 5 January 2004. From Heanor Grammar School in Derbyshire he went to Downing College, Cambridge, where he read Natural Sciences and was also the Organ Scholar. The war put a stop to his postgraduate research and he went up to Scotland to work on the manufacture of TNT. During this time he had lessons from the great Scottish pianist Frederick Lamond, a former pupil of Liszt. Styles was thus one of the very last grand-pupils of Liszt.
He came to CH in September 1945 to fill a temporary post in the Science department, serving also as junior housemaster of Middleton B, helping with the Scouts and revealing his accomplishment as a pianist. The post was for a year but the man he was replacing (presumably Paul Beaven or Tom Archbold) was released from the armed services earlier than expected so in January 1946 Styles went to Felsted School with a very nice testimonial from H L O Flecker (Headmaster 1930-55). The following year the CH Director of Music Cecil Cochrane wrote to ask if he'd be interested in a post on the music staff, and thus he returned in January 1948 for a second spell at Christ's Hospital, attached this time to Barnes A. At this period he contemplated making his career as a pianist but a motorcycling accident prevented, though he remained a very good player who loved performing - and people loved to hear him.
Leaving in 1951 he went to work as a chemist for Rolls Royce in Derby. During this time he married Celia and their daughter Rosemary, now a consultant surgeon, was born. In 1956 he returned to teaching with a post at Hymers College in Hull where he stayed until 1982. Meanwhile he was Master of the Music at Holy Trinity, Hull, from 1961 to 1977 and organist of All Saints, Helmsley, from 1978. He was much involved in the music of Hull both as pianist and organist. Though the organ was in a sense his 'second study' he was nonetheless an FRCO.
In 1995 he and Celia moved back to Derbyshire. He lived in the village of Brassington and was organist of the nearby village of Bradbourne where he played his last service just two months before he died; his pleasure in playing both organ and piano had endured to the end.
Ron was a dedicated teacher who empathised with people who found learning difficult. He was also a generous and much loved person with wide interests and an inexhaustible fund of funny stories drawn from a long and varied career.
- Supping in Public - The Ancient Custom
Lastly, amongst the numerous customs associated with Christ's Hospital, may be noticed the "Supping in Public." This ceremony formerly took place in they dining-hall, on the seven Sunday evenings preceding Easter Sunday, and on the evening of that day, but it has been altered to Thursday evening. The supper consisted of cheese in wooden bowls, beer in wooden piggins, and bread brought in huge baskets. At the present day supper consists of bread and butter and milk. After supper an anthem is sung, and the "bowing round " begins. On Easter Tuesday the boys visit the Mansion House, and receive from the Lord Mayor their Easter gifts. To the fifteen Grecians a guinea is given, and to the nine probationers half a guinea, to the forty-eight Monitors half a crown, and to the ordinary scholars a shilling. Each boy also receives a glass of wine and two buns. One of the privileges of the "Mathemats," as they are called, is their annual presentation at Court, when they exhibit their maps and charts to the Sovereign, and receive gold pencil-cases or similar gifts.
Source: The Illustrated London News, No.2256—Vol. LXXXI, Saturday, July 29, 1882, p.122
Item found on London Ancester.com
A precursor the current St Matthew's day largesse tradition?
- SUTTLE, Ken (Cricket coach & First XI umpire)
His Daily Telegraph obituary - you may be asked to register before reading it
- SWAN, Anna 1971–1977 (3's)
Anna Swan (3's 71-77), a freelance journalist and editor, has contributed to the Independent, the Mail on Sunday, the London Review of Books and the TLS, among others. In July her first book will be published by Hodder & Stoughton. Statues without Shadows is a study of the brief, fragmented and intense lives of her parents, the admired author Michael Swan (CA 33-40) and his wife Joan. 'Ultimately,' she writes, 'they were destroyed by love, but not for each other- My research has uncovered confessions, betrayals, addictions, promiscuity, bisexuality, infidelity, familial estrangements and hatreds, fraternal negligence, a custody trial and thirteen suicides (four in my immediate family).' Statues without Shadows won the Biographer's Club Prize for a work-in-progress in 2002.
- SWAN, Michael 1933–1938 (Col A)
Where are they now: Anna Swan (Hertford, 3's, 1971-1977) is writing a book about her father, the explorer and author Michael Swan (Col B, 1933-1938). She would love to hear from any contemporaries or friends of his.
Anna Swan (3's 71-77), a freelance journalist and editor, has contributed to the Independent, the Mail on Sunday, the London Review of Books and the TLS, among others. In July her first book will be published by Hodder & Stoughton. Statues without Shadows is a study of the brief, fragmented and intense lives of her parents, the admired author Michael Swan (CA 33-40) and his wife Joan. 'Ultimately,' she writes, 'they were destroyed by love, but not for each other- My research has uncovered confessions, betrayals, addictions, promiscuity, bisexuality, infidelity, familial estrangements and hatreds, fraternal negligence, a custody trial and thirteen suicides (four in my immediate family).' Statues without Shadows won the Biographer's Club Prize for a work-in-progress in 2002.
- SWAN, Richard Carey 1935–1943 (Th A)
Passed away on 2 October. He worked?on the?farm at CH as a small boy, and came full circle after he retired when he came back with Betty, his wife, to live at?Bluecoat Pond. He gained a BSc in Agriculture at Reading University and became a FRAgS. After twenty years teaching at the Somerset Farm Institute he went to Shropshire Farm Institute?as a Senior Lecturer, became Principal of Hadlow College and a Director and Chief Executive?of the Agricultural Training?Board, and was appointed OBE for his services to agriculture, training and education. He was President of the Old Blues Countryside Club and for forty years a Governor of CH; Betty too is a Governor. His interests were agriculture, music and Christ's Hospital. A memorial service was held in the School Chapel on 14 October.