In memoriam

Since the last edition of OC, we have been advised of the deaths of the following Old Chucherians. We have included a few words and reflections which have been sent to us by family and friends. All obituaries are published on Churcher’s Community – In Memoriam.

Susie Arnold (former staff)

Susie Arnold passed away in September leaving a muchloved family, both at home and amongst the Churcher’s community. Susie seemed to live and breathe drama and had more than 28 years’ involvement with Churcher’s as a parent and LAMDA teacher. She started teaching LAMDA at Churcher’s College in 2007 as a single teacher for 25 girls and boys from the Senior School in Petersfield.

The very first exam session was held in the Summer Term 2008 featuring Verse and Prose Grade One exams before moving on to Acting exams the next year. As interest and takeup of LAMDA grew, so did the team with Zoe joining Susie and the beginning of the annual Churcher’s performances at the Godalming Speech and Drama Festival every March. Susie’s talent for teaching and passion for drama was evident in the large number of trophies and cups her pupils were awarded during this time. The team would continue to grow with the addition of Jenny and Suzanne and 139 pupils participating in LAMDA lessons across the Senior School.

When Susie retired in 2019, she mentioned a high point of her time at Churcher’s was the huge number of students who had reached their Grade Eight Gold Medal Acting exam, something that is recognised by UCAS, and what a far cry it was from her little First Years taking their first Verse and Prose exams all those years ago. With a perpetually reassuring smile, a “never mind, dear” or a “it will be alright on the night”, Susie was one of life’s perpetual glass halffull people, which is why the children (and adults) at Churcher’s loved her so much. She will be sorely missed by the entire Churcher’s community.

Peter Bennett (58)

Peter talked so very fondly of his time at Churcher’s College and enjoyed reading the books that we purchased from the school shop. His memory of School was so vivid and although he had short term memory loss, he could still recite the names of all the boys in his class – an amazing feat after over 70 years. Churcher’s gave Peter security (his family were Army and travelled extensively). An amazing education which he built on at University and beyond, and a strong moral basis for how to live his life.

Jonathan (Jon) Brooks (74)

‘Jon’ Brooks, died in March 2022 from Motor Neurone Disease which was diagnosed in 2019. On leaving Churcher’s, where he was a member of the CCF Marching band, he went to Sheffield University obtaining a BA in Art. Using his art, he tutored at the Art Academy in Farnham Surrey and the South Bank Museum of Moving Images. In 1980 he was invited by Steven Spielberg to join his animation films, where he was involved with many of Spielberg’s productions but especially ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988). He changed careers and worked with the administration team in the Oncology Department of London University Hospital. On retirement he and his wife Moya, whom he had met while at university, moved from London to Lewes in Sussex. They had two daughters, Alexandra and Justine.

David Cave (former staff)

It was abundantly clear from the huge amount of correspondence that the Headmaster received from OCs, pupils along with parents past and present following news of David’s sudden death, that he made the most significant and lasting impression on so, so many and very much to the good. David was a man of few words but when he spoke, people listened. His understated, no fuss and no-nonsense approach, together with his impressive academic credentials and dry sense of humour made him hugely well respected within the Churcher’s Common Room and amongst the pupil body. An academic heavyweight, Dr Cave made significant contributions to two key initiatives for the most able Churcherians – The Academy and the Extended Project Qualification. As a loyal and dedicated Collingwood Sixth Form Tutor, David helped countless students navigate their A Level studies, providing wise counsel and sound advice on their university applications. Dr Cave – even the name is almost iconic and has become synonymous with extraordinary scholarship and a deep-seated passion to inspire all with a love of English language and literature. His legacy is long-lived through all at Churcher’s who have been inspired by him both inside the classroom and out.

Old Churcherians

Rob Hiscutt (42) Drake Frank Sayer (44) Nelson Roy Kersley (47) Nelson Bernard Stanley (48) Drake Derek Alesbury (49) Grenville

Hilary Perraton (51) Nelson Ken Hick (52) Rodney David Savage (47-52) Broadlands

Anthony Thatcher (53) Rodney Peter Coles (55) Rodney Peter Bennett (58) Grenville

Andrew Squire (62) Rodney Jim Thomas (64) Grenville Stuart Swain (66) Rodney John Holley (68) Nelson John Loader (71) Rodney Jon Brooks (74) Grenville Charles Beeson (75) Rodney Trevor Pike (78) Rodney Maddy Lawrence (20) Drake

Former staff

Susie Arnold (07-19) Lamda Teacher

David Cave (97-21) English Don Martin (59-86) English Arthur Middleton (67-91) Classics, Librarian

Kenneth (Ken) Hick (52)

Kenneth Allen Hick was born on 15 May 1935 in Silverdale. His family moved to Hayling Island in 1938 and his lifelong love of Petersfield began when he joined Churcher’s College in 1946. Appearances at the Festival Hall with the Operatic Society brought him to live in Petersfield during March 1961 and in March 1963 he became responsible for the maintenance of the telephone service in the town. He retired in 1992 as a senior manager in BT’s ViceChairman’s public relations department. In 1964, Ken was prominent in the formation of the committee of the Petersfield Community Association. His long association with local government in Petersfield began in 1965 and he was elected Town Mayor of the newly formed Town Council. He was to fill this role on two further occasions, in 1987 and, more recently in 2002. He also served as Chairman of the Petersfield Arts Council and the Petersfield Diabetic Group. Known to many as ‘Mr Petersfield’, his great love was, the Festival Hall, where he masterminded the 1987 improvements. Another love of his was the Petersfield Museum and he always hoped that the museum would encourage the next generation of Petersfield historians.

In retirement he devoted himself to travel and endorsed twinning links with the Town’s twin towns of Warendorf in Germany and Barentin in Normandy. In 2002 the Mayor of Barentin awarded him the town’s Medal of Honour for his services to greater understanding between the two countries.

Ken was inordinately proud when two of his grandchildren joined Churcher’s and he continued his long association with the College attending many events over the years.

Maddy Lawrence (20)

On 25th March, 2022, Maddy Lawrence tragically passed away after a courageous fight against sepsis, after incurring a rugby injury whilst playing for her university team (UWE). Coming to Churcher’s Sixth Form, Maddy faced this experience with boundless enthusiasm and determination, displaying the resilient character that was always her bedrock. She especially loved Art as she was technically very sound, which happily combined with being creatively excellent. On receiving an A grade in Art, it was this field that she went into on leaving the school. She continued to thrive in new places, using the excellent underpinning gained at Churcher’s, securing a Distinction in Art Foundation at Oxford Brookes. She loved creation and design but was also at home outdoors, especially up a tree or flying down the wing for her beloved UWE rugby team. Maddy not only leaves her mark with her friends and family but will continue to do so with her charity, Maddy’s Mark, promoting women’s rugby and mental health. To support Maddy’s Mark, Churcher’s hosted a fantastic fundraising day on the penultimate day of the summer term, with a rugby tournament for the whole school. It was a hugely successful event, raising funds as well as bringing huge enjoyment to all pupils and staff. There is the hope to make this an annual event.

Find out more about Maddy’s Mark and future fundraising events on Facebook or Instagram by searching ‘Maddy’s Mark’.

John Edward Loader (71)

John Loader sadly passed away, aged 69, on 28th March 2022 after long illness. He attended Churcher’s College between 1962 and 1972 followed by achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Portsmouth University. John then set up his own very successful desktop publishing business with clients such as Hoover and Prestige. John kept his ties with Churcher’s by becoming the secretary of the Old Boys association, producing the monthly magazine as well as helping to arrange numerous events at the school, including the Old Boys cricket match against Emanuel School – it was the 40th anniversary of Old Emanuels being evacuated to Churcher’s College. His father, Ted Loader, was Steward at Churcher’s for twenty-one years before retiring in 1990. John’s mother, Joy, also worked alongside Ted. During that time, he lived opposite the school, in the old Mount Cottage, with his parents and twin sister, Jacqueline. John had strong ties with Churcher’s College and remembered his time there with huge pride.

Donald (Don) Martin (former staff)

Don was Head of English at Churcher’s from 1959 to 1986 and Housemaster of Nelson from 1967 until his retirement.

He was born in Wimbledon on 25 January 1926 to parents Jack and May. In April 1944 he went on a naval short course at Cardiff University. His subsequent National Service in the Royal Marines involved postings to Cardiff, Deal, Chatham, Eastney and North Wales, the latter being with the Special Boat Section – part of preparations for a planned invasion of Japan. On completion of National Service, he was called for interview at Trinity College, Cambridge to read English. It rained heavily on the day, and at the end of the 3 mile walk from the station, he was soaked to the skin. His interviewer sat him in front of the fire with a glass of sherry. Don always maintained that he passed the interview because the Master felt sorry for him.

Don met Stella at a social evening in 1947, and, at the end of the evening she said to him: “You’ve made quite an impression”. They married on 11 August 1949 whilst Don, having graduated from Cambridge, was doing his education year for a career in teaching at Epsom. They moved to Guildford when Don took up his first post at the Royal Grammar School in 1950.

In August 1952 he became a father with the birth of Paul (70), and again in 1955 with Catherine. In 1959 he was successful in gaining the post of Head of English at Churcher’s College. Veronica was born in 1961 and a few days later, Don was on TV representing Petersfield in a Southern Television general knowledge quiz show, competing against Eastleigh in ‘Beat Your Neighbour’. Don stayed at Churcher’s where as well as inspiring a love of literature in generations of his pupils, he was head of Nelson House, a rugby referee, producer of school plays and an officer in the CCF, until his retirement in 1986.

Don first became a grandfather in 1983 to Paul and Jill’s twins Ben (01) and James (01) and later Charlotte (06) arrived, followed by Nicholas, Richard & Oliver, born to Veronica and Mark. He later became a proud great grandfather to Ben and Zena’s George and Rosie, James and Melissa’s Ella Rose and Duncan, and Nicholas and Hannah’s Oscar.

T. A. (Arthur) Middleton (former staff)

Arthur Middleton sadly passed away in January 2022. He was Head of Classics at Churcher’s College, School Librarian from 1966 and Housemaster of Drake from 1983 until his retirement in 1991. In the 1991 Churcherian magazine, Brian Walsh wrote of Arthur: “Arthur Middleton had played rugby of quite a high standard and for many years coached and organised teams at the college. He was generous with his time and his goodwill…a considerate and helpful Head of Department with a profound knowledge of his subject and a valued colleague.”

Hilary Perraton (51)

Hilary Perraton, who has died aged 86 of cancer, was born in Lee-on-the-Solent to Leslie, a college lecturer, and Marjorie, a teacher. He attended Churcher’s College and studied history at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, where he met fellow student Jean Warner, whom he married in 1960, two years after his graduation. His first job was for the London County Council, “looking after dustbins”, as he put it. At the NEC he helped to pioneer courses combining TV and radio broadcasts, written materials, science kits, postal tutorials and occasional faceto-face sessions.

By 1971 he had joined the International Extension College so that he could help to develop these new methods for the benefit of people in developing countries. In 1983 Hilary moved to the Commonwealth Secretariat where he promoted the use of distance learning methods for socio-economic development. On returning to Cambridge in 1996, founded and directed the International Research Foundation on Open Learning. His colleagues found him scrupulously honest in his judgments, incredibly supportive, and totally uninterested in status or selfpromotion. Nevertheless, the Commonwealth of Learning awarded him an honorary fellowship and, in 2005, he received an honorary doctorate from the Open University. He is survived by Jean, their children Jonathan and Claire and granddaughter Ruby. Excerpt taken from the Guardian newspaper.

David Savage (Broadlands 47-52)

David Savage was a pupil at Broadlands Prep School from 1947 to 1952. He had great respect for Jack Le Grice, the School’s Headmaster, and enjoyed the five years at the School, which had close connections with Churcher’s College where his father and uncle were educated in the 1920s. After graduation, David qualified as a Solicitor working in the Farnborough area. He was a man with many interests, serving as a Councillor for 16 years; as well as having stood for Parliament as a Conservative Candidate in the General Elections in 1974 and 1979.

All his life he kept in touch with Churcher’s, and as a member of the 1722 Society, he left a legacy to the College. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and his two sons, both of whom are medical practitioners. David retained such wonderful and happy memories of those years in Petersfield. He would regularly mention walking “in crocodile file” to Street Church, following behind the Churcher’s contingent led by Mr. Schofield, and The Broadland contingent was led by Jack Le Grice or ‘Sarge’. In particular he would recall how cricket tuition from Jack Le Grice was an education and a pleasure.

B. J. Stanley (48)

Bernard was born on 4th June 1931 in Bedhampton, Hampshire and was educated at Churcher’s College in Petersfield.

From 1947 to 1952 he trained as a solicitor, including day release courses at University College (now University of) Southampton. He was articled to Hubert Way in Southsea and admitted as a solicitor in December 1952. From 1952 to 1954 Bernard served in the Royal Air Force on National Service. After training, he was commissioned into the secretarial branch as a Pilot Officer, and subsequently promoted to Flying Officer. He was stationed at R.A.F. Tangmere and twice seconded, once to R.A.F. Fairlight and once to R.A.F. Manston to act as adjutant due to the temporary absence of the officer normally holding that post. In 1955 he returned to the law as partner of Hubert Way, becoming senior principal in the partnership until his retirement in 2000, following which he acted as a consultant to the successor firm of Hughes Way. He specialised in the mortgage lending aspect of the business and as such represented owners in areas of Portsmouth due for slum clearance. Through Members of Parliament, he negotiated the principle of market value compensation for owner occupiers and finally saw this enacted as the Slum Clearance (Compensation) Act 1956. Bernard was a member of the Portsmouth Diocesan Conference from 1960 and successfully led opposition which defeated plans for the over large extension of the Cathedral. He was elected Representative for the Portsmouth Diocese on the Church Assembly 1965 to 1970 and on General Synod for 10 years thereafter. He was elected as the first lay Vice-President of the Portsmouth Diocesan Synod and Chairman of the House of Laity. In 1960 Bernard set up the Bedhampton Charitable Trust to act as a grant making charity. In 1967 he established The Manor Trust, Bedhampton to care for elderly people and to preserve the historic local buildings in which they were cared for. Bernard had suffered ill health for the last 5 or so years and latterly required more care. He sadly died on 5th October 2021 at the Bedhampton Nursing Home.

Anthony (Tony) Thatcher (53)

Tony’s sister, Susan, said: “My brother was captain of rugby and created a new record for putting the shot. I am eight years his junior but as a child he taught me how to ‘tackle’ an opponent whilst shouting: “Get ‘em low Churcher’s scrum!”. Sadly, girls were restricted to hockey and netball in those days.”