LIVES REMEMBERED

Dr Derek Lever (1955-1962)

Derek Lever was a much-awaited second son born to James and May Lever of Sutcliffe Street, Bolton, in May 1944. Derek’s primary education was at Wolfenden School, Bolton, and then St Paul’s Junior School, Astley Bridge. He had a happy childhood with his mother who worked in a cotton factory, his father who was a plumber and his brother, Allan. The proximity to the local factories and mills provided Derek and his friends with cinder yards and factory walls for their football and cricket pitches.

In 1955 Derek passed a full Bolton Borough scholarship to Bolton School and his world began to expand. He entered School on 13th September 1955 and became a member of Blackburn House. Derek found many aspects of such a different life hard, but he soon became recognised as an excellent sportsperson. In football he captained both the School U14 and U15 teams and in his final year played for the School 2nd X1. In cricket he attended the 1958 and 1959 Lilleshall Cricket Coaching courses and later played in the 1st X1 in both 1961 and 1962. Less enviably, or deliberately, he held an unofficial record for most broken School windows during playground batting practices.

Following his elder brother’s footsteps into the teaching profession, Derek left Bolton School in 1962 to begin a threeyear teacher training course at Didsbury Training College, Manchester. He began his teaching career in Rugeley, Staffordshire. He continued to study throughout his working life and attained his first degree at Wolverhampton University and his Masters and PhD at Loughborough.

He worked as a Headteacher, a Chief Education Officer, a Registered Ofsted Inspector and a School Improvement Partner. He co-authored an education

book, A Quick Guide to Behaviour Management

Derek gave generously of his time to voluntary work. He trained as a Police Custody visitor and supported the establishment and running of the local Walking Cricket team and Walking Football team. He was a fly fisherman and continued an active sporting life until his death. He played football and cricket with the same commitment as ever. Derek was guided by his inherent decency, a loving upbringing and his belief in the Bolton School motto, ‘Mutare Vel Timere Sperno’. His sense of justice, equality and personal commitment was his creed.

Derek and I have travelled the world, visiting sporting events and mountains and taking part in education projects in developing countries. Derek’s love of mountaineering began with a copy of Nanga Parbat by Karl M Herrligkoffer, given to him as a Bolton School form prize for Latin in 1957. Together we travelled the Himalayan range by plane in 2012 and Derek was in great demand on the plane to share his mountain knowledge.

Derek died suddenly on 19th November 2022 and leaves Margaret, his wife; a son; two stepsons and five grandchildren. We are heartbroken.

Margaret Lever

Richard Lloyd Miller (2000–2007)

Richard spent his early childhood in Broxburn, West Lothian, moving, aged 11, to Manchester with his Mum to start a new life with me and my own family. I was immediately struck by his strongminded, independent outlook, and his fierce loyalty to his Mum. He also had to take on board three new sisters, Jess, Emily and Lydia – a big challenge for a hitherto only child, but one he rose to admirably, becoming a true big brother to them. In due course two younger brothers, Edward and Henry, completed the picture.

At Bolton School Rick was a very good sportsman, excelling at rugby, his short stature being no barrier to his ferocious and fearless attitude to the game, and becoming an accomplished water polo player, leaving home at 6am to get to the early morning training sessions. He was also a talented musician: a brilliant guitarist and a skilled saxophonist. Mr Martin and Mr Bleasdale had rarely, if ever, had a student who could play the bagpipes and it was a massive thrill for us to watch him on the pipes at School concerts.

After studying Law at Leeds Metropolitan University Rick had a successful career in property sales before moving into recruitment, spending a year in Hong Kong. Returning to the UK, he decided to move into the political arena, a longheld love and interest, and secured a position on the staff of Edward Timpson, MP.

Rick’s father became very poorly in 2022, and Rick spent several months back in Broxburn looking after him until his death in July that year. Richard’s sudden and untimely death less than six months afterwards was a tragic loss to all our family. We were heartened and proud to see a huge turnout for Rick’s funeral and it was very fitting that the wake was held in the Arts Centre at Bolton School.

While Rick took his role as big brother seriously, offering Edward and Henry help and advice as they navigated their way through School and on to university, they reciprocated by being the little brothers Rick needed to bounce off. His clever jokes, witty comments and fantastic take-offs of teachers the three of them knew from School were worth the resulting jawache and rib pain from laughing so much.

During his time at School Rick forged a great personal friendship with Dr Holland, with whom he kept in regular correspondence. Dr Holland sent a wonderful letter to the family, culminating in this tribute: ‘One of the best of the thoroughly good young men, whom this School has had the pleasure to see taking their place in the world – Richard was a priceless part of Bolton School, and all to whom he belonged’.

You never know when it will be the last time you see someone, or the last memory you will make. The most important thing we have learned from Rick is how valuable it is to spend time with the people you love most. We will be forever grateful for the privilege of having Rick as part of our family.

Martin Stenton, Edward Miller-Stenton (Class of 2021) and Henry Miller-Stenton (Class of 2022)

If I had to describe Rick to a stranger, I would start with compassionate, thoughtful, generous, supportive, reliable, honest, genuine, charismatic, charming, witty, intelligent, creative, open-minded, empathetic and understanding. I could go on; fitting adjectives are too numerous to include here.

Rick was a natural storyteller and entertainer who was at his absolute best in a big crowd. His passing has left a huge hole in my life, and the lives of countless other people who loved and cared for him.

Guy Hughes (Class of 2006)

Miller, or The Milldog, was a dear friend of mine for over 15 years. I remember my first encounter with him vividly: on my first day in Bolton School, having recently joined from Bridgewater School, I walked into the Sixth Form common room to hear the howls of a group of boys laughing at the jokes and antics of one boy; it was Rick. He was wearing diamanté earrings, which would become his trademark during his Sixth Form years, and his tie was shorter than I’d ever seen a tie worn before, something that would get him into trouble with the teachers from time to time. I joined in the laughter and the rest, as they say, was history.

Rick was charismatic. Incredibly witty and naturally clever (even though academia – he would openly admit himself – was not his passion), he possessed a natural talent for comedic timing, which was infectious and resulted in him being popular with all year groups and with (the majority of) our teachers.

He was unique, someone I’m honoured to have known at all, someone I count myself lucky, to have called a best friend. He will never be forgotten, having made an impact on so many peoples’ lives.

Rest in peace, Miller. We’ll always have the memories you gave us.

Danny Cox (Class of 2007)

Due to space constraints the above are abridged versions of the tributes we received – the full versions can be read on the School website.

Clifford Pooley (1939-1946)

Clifford's life began 95 years ago in Bolton, a town that he identified with throughout his long and varied life. He had an older sister, Barbara, who moved to Canada. He also had a younger sister, Pat, to whom he remained close.

Cliff used to play cricket with his sisters when they were children. However, his sporting interests diversified once he attended Bolton School and discovered that he was a natural runner. He became House Captain, House Captain for Physical Training and House Cross Country Captain. He must have enjoyed School life because he was a member of several societies and clubs. He never lost contact with Bolton School, and made a contribution to it every month. This is an extract from his School record: 'At the School Sports Day in 1946, his last at School, he again excelled. He won the mile in 4 minutes and 51 seconds, won the half mile in 2 minutes and 10.4 seconds and won the 120 yards hurdles in 18.7 seconds. He was named Victor Ludorum.'

In November 1946 he found a temporary job as a Post Office sorter where he awaited his call-up papers for National Service. Because he had learned to speak German at School, he used to say that he had 'got off lightly' by being given a job in 1947 with the Education Corps teaching German to the British Army of the Rhine. He spent a lot of his time organising and training with the Army athletics team. He even trained with Olympic runners. His life in the army gave him the opportunity to see much of northern Europe in the aftermath of

World War Two, visiting towns and cities in France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. The fact that he could continue to run competitively seems to have made National Service an enjoyable and meaningful time for him.

Demobbed and back in England, he was later to meet his future wife Patricia. They shared a passion for classical music and used to frequent the Hallé Orchestra concerts in Manchester together. It is fitting that their son, Tim, now plays lead viola for that orchestra.

Settling in Poynton they had a son, Simon, in 1955, a daughter, Sally, in 1957, and another son, Tim, in 1960. They all soon found themselves learning musical instruments and Pat and Cliff sang in the St George's choir in Poynton, Pat as an alto and Cliff a tenor.

Cliff's other great passion at that time was the Poynton Show. He was at different times Treasurer and President on the Show Committee. His family hardly saw him in August as the preparations for the Show gathered momentum. He took his civic duties seriously, but the Show also gave him a lot of friends, all of whom he seems to have outlived, althought there are still many in Poynton who remember him fondly.

In the 1960s and 1970s the Pooley family made their first trips abroad together. They explored Italy and France, but their trip to Athens coincided with the military coup there, when Greek students were rebelling and soldiers and tanks were on the streets and the air smelled of tear gas.

Cliff later became a grandad to Fiona, Richard, Oliver, Elliot and Imogen. To Fiona and Richard, especially, he became a really important figure in their lives as they grew up. Their mother, Sally, had a full-time job whilst they were at school, so they spent a lot of time with their nana and grandad. Cliff's generosity and devotion were important in those formative years. Later he became a devoted great-grandfather, too.

When the family watched comedy on TV Cliff's laugh was always the loudest, most wholehearted and infectious. He loved to laugh and it did not take much to make him do so. He had a great sense of humour and the more absurd a thing was the more he laughed. He lived alone after his wife had suffered for some time from dementia and after he had selflessly devoted himself to caring for her by himself. Only when he had given so much of himself to her that his own health had badly deteriorated did he submit to the need for her care being passed to a care home.

His independent spirit gave him the strength to continue life alone at home for some years. Indeed, a paramedic who called on him when his personal alarm went off whilst he was gardening (yes, he was still gardening in his nineties) told his son that he had come to no harm and was presently running up the stairs.

At about this time he expressed his pride to have become known as ‘the apple man’ because he gave away the fruit from his apple trees. People used to greet him when he sat on a bench for a breather on the way to the shops.

Cliff was not on Facebook. He never had a computer. He would have been astounded to find that he was trending on a Poynton page. This was one of many comments he attracted: ‘I remember Cliff from the Poynton Show committee; he was a lovely gentleman. Sending condolences to his family. RIP Cliff’.

In Memoriam

By the time he lived in The Lodge Care Home in Chapel-en-le Frith staff soon got used to the idea that if they did not arrest his progress as soon as he got to his feet, then they would never catch him as he headed for the exit. So, he was still running to the last!

Right until the end he and his personal carer, Amos, used to laugh together. So he never lost his sense of humour either.

Simon Pooley

Donald Ritson (1946-1951)

Don was awarded a scholarship to Bolton School and on leaving joined the Bolton Town Planning Department. Shortly after his arrival, he recalled being summoned to the boss’s office. With some trepidation, he stood in front of the great man, who said “I hear you went to Bolton School. Is it any good?” Don managed to stammer that it was a very good school, to which his boss said “I’m thinking of sending my son there.” His boss’s name was McKellen. After six years of arduous study at night school, he qualified as an architect and town planner, and his career took him and his young family to Runcorn, Edinburgh and even the Mexican/USA border, finally ending up in Milton Keynes in the early seventies. There he played a leading role in the development of Milton Keynes as it grew from a series of small towns and villages to the impressive city it is today. During his time at the Milton Keynes Development Corporation he carried

(Arthur) Graham Dickinson (1951-1957) – Died 22nd January 2023

Paul Duckworth (1967-1978) – Died August 2022

Fred Gee (1945-1954) – Died 22nd January 2023 out many important roles but he always claimed that the most important was being in charge of the Department of Silly Ideas. In the mid-eighties, he moved with his wife, Linda, and two small children to the Sultanate of Oman where he worked for nine years for the rather grandly-named ‘Supreme Committee for Town Planning’. Whilst at School, he was an enthusiastic Patrol Leader in the Scout Group.

Michael Priestley (1944-1953) remembers a scout trip to Santander across the Bay of Biscay in a small, wooden ex-Navy patrol boat. On the return voyage, he and Don were selected to navigate the boat at night on their own across the busy Western Approaches. This was a great thrill for two 16-year-olds in those days with not a risk assessment in sight.

For the last nine years of his life Don suffered from multiple myeloma, but remained resolutely cheerful and never lost his dry sense of humour in spite of almost constant medical care and procedures. After one particularly painful bone marrow biopsy, he was asked by a friend how it had gone: “I wouldn’t call it habit-forming,” he replied. He was very active in all types of social activity in the hamlet of Passenham where he lived and still enjoyed the occasional pub lunch with a small local group of Old Boltonians of a similar vintage who call themselves the Rusty Old Bolts.

David Lowe (1944-1954)

Brian Gerrard (Boys’ Division Staff, 1986-2005) – Died 3rd February 2023

Ian Walter ‘Walt’ Gibson (1959-1966) – Died 5th February 2023

Heliene ‘Lena’ Godding (Boys’ Division Staff, 1974-2009) – Died 21st January 2023

Christopher Stanley Hargraves (1947-1958) – Died 18th January 2023

Michael McCarthy (1949-1956) – Died 7th June 2021

Geoffrey Stuart Monk (1943-1948) – Died 13th January 2023

A Howard Northam (Boys’ Division Staff, 1963-1996) – Died 9th March 2023

Peter Nuttall (1959-1964) – Died 6th July 2022

Martin Orrell (1944-1953) – Died 1st January 2023

(James) Brian Parker (1945-1950) – Died 3rd November 2022

Mark Schofield (Class of 1990) – Died 9th March 2020

J Irving Wardle (1940-1947) – Died 23rd February 2023

Malcolm Worrall (1941-1947) – Died 12th January 2023

Notice Of Annual General Meeting 2023

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Old Boltonians’ Association will take place on Monday 15th May 2023 at 12 noon in the Leverhulme Suite, Bolton School.

AGM agenda

• Apologies

• Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2022

• Secretary’s Report

• Treasurer’s Report and Accounts

OLD BOLTONIANS' ASSOCIATION Proxy Voting Form a member of the Association appoint [insert name].......................................................................................... of [address]............................................................................................................... or failing him the President of the Association (or in his absence the chairman of the meeting) to be my proxy to vote on my behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Association to be held on Monday 15th May 2023 or at any adjournment of that meeting

I [insert name].......................................................................................................... of [address]...............................................................................................................

I desire my proxy to vote on the resolutions to be submitted as follows:

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OLD BOLTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION HELD ON MONDAY 16TH MAY 2022

The Minutes of the AGM 2021 were accepted as a true record of that meeting.

Secretary’s Report

Jon thanked Laura Firth and the Development Office team for their continued sterling work in the creation and management of a vibrant online and in-person calendar for our members. He remarked on the growing success of the Find Your Path mentoring scheme. A trial of a Joint Lunch in 2023 was announced.

• Sectional Reports (these will be taken as the reports printed in this edition of The Bugle)

• Election of Officers and General Committee (save for the office of President, nominations close at the meeting)

• Head of Boys’ Division’s Report

• Any other business

Details of those members of the General Committee who are due to retire by rotation will be given at the meeting. Richard Washington (Class of 1993) is the Presidential nominee and is proposed for election for a period of one year.

Annual General Meeting

(1) To elect Richard Washington as President of the Association for 2023/24

*FOR *AGAINST *Please delete whichever is not required

In the absence of instructions my proxy may vote or abstain from voting as he thinks fit on any matter which may properly come before the meeting

Date

Signed ........................................................................................................................

Please return this form to arrive no later than 11.30am on 15th May 2023 to The Secretary, Old Boltonians' Association c/o Development Office, Bolton School, Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PA with the envelope clearly marked “OBA AGM”

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer, Phil Riding, reported that the OBA finances were in good health.

Sectional Reports

The football club was to hold a Festival of Football in July 2023 at School.

Election of Officers and General Committee

Judge Roy Battersby was re-elected as President until May 2023 and that the period of office for future Presidents would run from the AGM in future years. Peter Leather and David Shaw were thanked for their years on the General Committee as they stepped down. Mark Millhouse, Michael Griffiths and Ross Taylor were re-elected, and Martin Wadsworth and Richard Morris were elected to the General Committee.