The Common Room and Staff

We have suffered the loss of two of our number in the past year.

On 30th November Mr. Paddy Power died suddenly, and at once we felt the deep void left by that sunny and quite remarkable personality who had done so much for the School and for the City. To Mrs. Power and her family we offer our warm sympathy, and the assurance that their loss is shared by all at St. Peter's. The Address given in Chapel at the Memorial Service is published in this edition.

On 5th March Mrs. May Allenby died after some time in hospital. Her work was mainly in keeping the Chapel clean and tidy, and it seemed that nothing was too much trouble for her. It was not long ago that we joined together to wish Maisie a happy retirement, and we were glad to see her about, enjoying a more relaxed life; but alas, it was not for long. We all offer our deep sympathy to Ronnie.

Two masters are leaving us: Mr. Bainbridge after a short stay, and Mr. Duncan, after fourteen years is obeying the call to the Ministry. We wish happiness and success to them both.

PATRICK FRANCIS POWER, M.B.E. 1910-1977

A memorial Service was held in Chapel on 10th December, and the following address was given by Mr. D. G. Cummin.

On Christmas morning some years ago I met Paddy Power tying a bed on to the top of his car. He had found a family destitute because of neglect. They needed a bed and they could expect no dinner at all, let alone a Christmas dinner. From Paddy Power they got both.

When Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor Power went to Buckingham Palace to receive his decoration many years ago, it was at the time when his son was about to be born. The King asked Mr. Power what family he had, and to the delight of his Sovereign Mr. Power replied. . . "Sir: I have three daughters, and I'm waiting for my relief to turn up at any moment". "If you can walk with kings, nor lose the common touch", said Kipling ... "you're a man".

It is indeed a man we think of today with gratitude and with joy. For I don't think any of us can think of Paddy Power with gloom. Of course we feel most deeply the impact of his passing. None of us can enter into the private grief and shock that his family have suffered. We can only pray that they will come to know the reality of the words: "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted". And if our support can help them to find comfort, they know they have it in full measure.

But to us Paddy Power was a man of dynamic energy: fearless, forthright, irrepressible, overwhelmingly generous, utterly unorthodox. Sometimes I have thought that he and Robin Hood might have compared notes on one or two things.

Perhaps less obviously he was a man far more sensitive than some of us may have thought; more easily hurt than the vigorous and bluff 12

appearance would readily reveal. It was very important to him to be needed: and if the need for him should seem to diminish, so might the confidence of this out-going, warm-hearted and kindly man.

I doubt if any one who is here today has not at some time known the kindness of Paddy Power. It could be expressed in unusual ways. The very small cadet recruit, given a uniform too big for him, might be dismayed to be told: "You'll grow into it". But the growing process would start at once when the recruit heard: "Come back next week and I'll have a new one for you" . . . and then the calculated premature promotion of the small recruit, often a prediction . . . "carry on . . . Corporal".

I doubt if anyone here ever asked in vain for genuine help from Paddy Power. He didn't like to be put upon, and he did like simple appreciation. But if there was need for an unusual prop for a play, a piece of equipment for a special activity, or a group of boys requiring occupation at a difficult time, Paddy Power was your man. And how quickly we started to notice the void that has opened in these recent days.

I'm told that there was a memorial service for Paddy a few days ago in Paris: and it isn't surprising. His activities took him all over the world: as referee in top level football; as coach and manager in international fencing. As he himself would say, he must be "where the action is".

The personal skill was far less important than the driving force of personality. A direct "You're getting. soft" could restore the waverer to the discipline of training: a crisp "Well done" could lift the learner to the heights of effort. Let Paddy Power take a few local boys on to a cleared public space by the river, put up goal posts and referee their game, and the field becomes, as of right, and I suspect for years to come ... "Paddy's field".

Few men have stamped their mark so indelibly on so many different pages. The Carmelite Order in Thicket Priory, sick pilgrims needing help to get to Lourdes, the children of many a school, members of York University and of the Armed Services, to mention but a few, will not easily forget this man. And here in the School where he served so loyally and so long, I am sure we shall seek to set up some permanent reminder of him.

I think that Paddy Power was not made for old age; I don't know how he would have adapted to it. The first threat of inaction came when he had a severe foot injury about a year ago. He fought it and willed himself back to activity. But perhaps it was a chill warning for him. Certainly in recent weeks he felt himself less decisive, less sure, and perhaps things seemed dark as he looked ahead; I hope they now shine brighter for him again.

We honour the passing of a good man of a kind rarely to be seen.

Patrick Francis Power was his own man, with a deep faith in his God to whom we now give thanks for his life.

S.P.B.

Paul Bainbridge taught Biology for the year at St. Peter's. During that year he showed a particular skill in patiently steering the struggling 13

P. F. Power, M.B.E. 1910-1977.

(Photo: ) ortohireL l'•

individual towards his "0" and "A" levels. He will be most particularly remembered in the School for his many contributions to music: he sang in the Choir, he helped organize the House Concert, he was always ready to join in with small instrumental groups. Above all we shall remember that meticulously trained group of members of staff who sang with such musical precision and art at the Wind Band Concert in March.

P.D.R.G.

C.P.M.D.

Patrick Duncan leaves us after fourteen years in order to be ordained. He was a most versatile schoolmaster who, more and more strongly inspired by the Christian faith, became anxious to fulfil a pastoral vocation more extensive than is possible in a school. We have been fortunate in having had in our midst a man able to touch the life of the School at so many points.

As a Classics teacher, he has taught small groups of skilled classicists in the Sixth Form and steered more or less reluctant "0" level candidates to their aim; he has been particularly associated with the very successful introduction of the Greek Civilisation courses at "0" level and with the Ancient History courses in the Sixth Form. He has also taught English, showing a talent for encouraging the unacademic boy and for proving to him his own worth and skills.

Our memories of Patrick—a quiet but dynamic man—are not confined to the Classroom: we will remember him on the river, up mountains or on a motor-bike. His riverside activities not only entailed spurring on crews but also repairing boats and initiating the very successful Rowing Supporters' Club. His strong interest in mountaineering, canoeing, sailing and the open air life generally, had previously taken him for three years teaching to New Zealand, and for some years he shared these interests with the boys.

He has a remarkable gift for getting on the right wave-length with the young. He was an excellent Assistant Housemaster, vigorous, fair and keen to discuss issues frankly: in conversation with him, one felt immediately that he was interested in others' viewpoints and not merely with expressing his own opinions.

His strong Christian commitment was a driving force behind the Christian Union activities which have been happily shared by Peterites and girls from Queen Anne Grammar School for some years now. He sometimes arranged a week's services with members of the C.U. and these services, with their remarkable combination of spontaneous informality and urgent commitment, made apathy crumble and brought the Chapel happily together.

Patrick has so many skills that he has not been able to pursue them as he would have wished, nor to share them fully with Peterites. He is a skilful painter, as was clear at an Exhibition of his at the University about five years ago, and an accomplished musician. He ran the School magazine for a short spell.

With so many talents and interests, he might have fallen in with the way of the world and specialised in only one or two of them. Patrick preferred to remain a full and rounded human being, a family man, a 15