The Very Revd. Alan Richardson, K.B.E., M.A., D.D

The Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association Under 19 Group held their Annual Festival at the School from 21st to 24th July. We congratulate D. I. Riley on being selected for the Yorkshire side.

Until further notice, the PETERITE will be published once a year, October.

THE VERY REVEREND ALAN RICHARDSON

K.B.E., M.A., D.D. 1905-1975

Of Alan Richardson the scholar much has been written and no doubt much will be written. There is a remarkable synopsis of his life and work in this summer's edition of The Ample forth Journal; the writer, Revd A. J. Stacpoole, 0,S.B., M.C., M.A., says of the late Dean: "His being formally of another denomination almost escaped my notice, for he had a mind in all senses catholic." The man of •world wide renown as a Church historian and theologian, and as a leader of the ecumenical movement has his place assured in the great tradition of Church scholarship.

At St Peter's we think of Dr Richardson more personally and more locally. Personally, because he was our Chairman of Governors, and the Headmaster has written of his impact in presiding over the destiny of the School. Personally too, because he sometimes came to preach in Chapel; and no-one who was present when he faced the questions of a crowded Theological Society is likely to forget the directness and the depth of his answers.

Locally we shall remember Dr Richardson in his guardianship of the great Minster; a guardianship which brought him the admiration and gratitude of the cultured world for his energy in guiding the saving and restoration of his priceless charge, and which earned him the Sovereign's recognition of his work by the award of the K.B.E.

Dr Richardson once defined religion as "God in search of man". These words came back forcibly when we heard that soon after he had given the Blessing at Evensong in the Minster on Sunday 23rd February he collapsed and died, his work done.

D.G.C.

The Headmaster writes: "May I add a word of tribute to the late Dean of York in his capacity of Chairman of Governors? Dr Richardson was never on top of us at the School, yet always behind us. If ever I had a problem about the School that took me out of my depth, I could be assured at the Deanery of an hour's sanctuary, a sympathetic ear, and humane advice —and all of this without any hurry. He was a busy man who always found time to listen patiently. How often he resumed a sense of proportion!"