School Prefects 1961
1956 - 1962
I joined school in January 1956 and stayed for six years leaving in July 1962. That's me standing at the back in the centre. 1962 the year after this photo was taken was the pinnacle of my school career; being Head of School, Head of Sheffield House and C.S.M to The School CCF contingent, also I held a regular place in the 1 st XV Rugby, 1 st .XI Cricket, Swimming VIII, Basket Ball team also the Shooting team but to mention a few.
Thanks to my exam results when I left I gained a place at St Luke's College Exeter Teacher Training. Graduating from college I went on to teach Mathematics at Worth Abbey for five years. I married my school friend Mike Francis's wife's sister, Mike also a school prefect (seen in this photo seated second in from the left) was my best man. I then took a two year post in Barbados as Headmaster of the Junior School of Mapp's College! Played rugby for Barbados so gained an International honour.
Returning to UK I taught at Shebbear College for the next nine years, where George Kingsnorth, (who was Durham Housemaster and Head of English at KHS), was Headmaster. I also did an Open University degree course, I ran all the Outdoor Pursuits while at Shebbear College. I then moved to Kings College, Taunton where I taught Mathematics and coached Rugby and Hockey until I retired in December 2008. Latterly I ran the CCF as a Lt. Colonel, (rather larger than Kingham with 290 cadets and 3 sections) I was also Chairman of the Somerset Schools CCF Committee.
I have two adult children, from my first marriage. I divorced in 1986 and married the San sister at King's and now have 2 step children also adults and I have 3.5 grand children. I still love sport, though now as a spectator, both hips being replaced, (thanks to running a few marathons). Both my wife and I are committed Christians and are very involved in Music Ministry in our Church, and to do some overseas voluntary work in retirement.
The Sheffield Boys
In this photo that's me seated on the far right as you view the photo with Tom Bowker our housemaster seated in the centre others in the photo are all former Sheffield house members.
Kingham Hill and Tom Bowker had more than a little influence in my life from Maths to CCF and Christian faith and the ethos of Kingham and example of Teddie Cooper and all the staff and pupils have been in my thoughts a great deal over the years.
It has been great to actually meet so many recently at our reunion June 2009.
The others (standing left to right as you look ) Tony Thompson, Peter Morris, Richard Greenwell, John Timmins, Philip Hildesley, (Who are you) and then Jon Rudman.
Jerry Rudman is also seated with Tom and myself.
