Obituaries

It is with sadness that we learn of the death of the following Old Worksopian members. We pass on our sincere condolences to their families and friends.

Gordon Wallis Talbot 58 – 62

Gordon was the eldest son of Martin and Barbara, followed by Christopher and Elizabeth, with the family living in Worksop. Tragedy struck in the brothers’ early childhood when they contracted polio, spending many months in isolation in hospital, creating a lifelong bond between them. Gordon met the challenge of learning to walk again using callipers with determination, as he did the rest of his life.

Both were educated at Ranby Preparatory School and Worksop College, with Gordon transferring to the College in 1958. Christopher joined him later in Talbot House, overseen by Mr Peters.

Gordon pursued a career in the Law. He was articled to Clay Allison and Clark of Worksop and studied at London and Guildford Law Colleges. He practiced as a solicitor in Nottingham, gaining a formidable reputation in his speciality, property, becoming a partner at Browne Jacobson.

Sport was a great interest to Gordon. He scored for the College’s first cricket team and umpired for Clumber Park and Nottingham Amateurs CC’s. He supported the English Rugby team enjoying fixtures at Twickenham and was secretary of Nottingham Rugby Club.

Good natured and outgoing, Gordon had friends from all walks of life, some made at The Rotary and The Round Table, where he raised funds to eradicate polio.

A family man, he married Eve in 1977, welcoming her daughters Karen and Julie. Their son Giles arrived in 1980. Together they enjoyed holidays in Wales and he and Eve travelled widely with The Rotary and on their own behalf. All admired Eve for her help when, in later years, Gordon’s disability became troublesome.

He had fond memories of his time at Worksop College and was a highly respected and popular member of The Old Worksopian Society. Sadly, Gordon had a brain haemorrhage which caused a short illness. He is survived by his wife Eve and son Giles. Neville Broberg Shirley 1944 – 1948

Peter Spencer Elkington Portland 67 – 72

Peter was proud to be a student of Worksop College, a member of Portland House from 1967-1972. His life-long friend, Tony Barclay Walker (‘Harry’) recalls many happy memories of mischief and mayhem from their days together at Worksop. Peter went on to join the family farm near Sleaford, where, with his brothers, he successfully ran and diversified the business. A larger than life character, he leaves behind his much loved family; his wife Sally, three sons, two daughters and two dogs.

Gordon Hebblethwaite Talbot 44 - 48

Sadly, but not unexpected, after a short illness Gordon died on 28th July 2020 in a local Huddersfield nursing home. A man of many varied talents, he ran his own Worsted Mill in Huddersfield for many years, before starting an import/ export company in the 70’s. Gordon’s final venture was to open one of Huddersfield’s leading local private education establishments, Rosemeade School, alongside his wife Helen and one of his daughters, Catherine, which closed in 2006. Gordon will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. He waves “Goodbye” to everyone he knows.

Chris Carrell Portland 52 – 59

The death of Chris Carrell, not long after his 80th birthday and after Parkinson’s and age-related illnesses, has deeply saddened countless artists across the UK and beyond, while stirring magical memories among those who experienced his insightful practice of bringing art into the lives of people wherever he worked.

His time as director of Glasgow’s Third Eye Centre (1978-1991) was undoubtedly a significant factor in Glasgow achieving its 1990 European City of Culture status, just as Sunderland and Portsmouth both gained a renewed sense of cultural identity from his astutely managed creative projects.

Chris is survived by his wife Carole Carrell, his children Severin, Shanna and Lucy (from previous relationships), and his brother, John.

Robin Duxbury Shirley 87 – 92

Robin joined Worksop College in September 1987 in Shirley House, under Housemaster Christopher Murphy, after attending St Crispin`s Preparatory School in Leicester.

As a chorister at Leicester Cathedral for several years he joined the School Choir for a couple of terms before his voice broke. He was a gifted sportsman and represented the School at various sports, particularly hockey and tennis, playing at both hockey festivals in Oxford and The Public Schools Tennis Tournament at Eton College. He was awarded school caps at both hockey and tennis, of which he was immensely proud.

On leaving Worksop he spent several months working for the Kanuga Charity in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the USA, where he was eventually joined by his great Worksop friend Simon Birchall. The two of them spent several weeks touring Florida in a beaten up beach buggy. On his return to the UK he attended Seale Hayne Agricultural College for 3 years, studying Agriculture. It was here he met his wife Suzanne and they married three years later. After managing a large pig unit in Somerset for a number of years, he was persuaded to return to Leicester and join the family business. Over a twenty year period he introduced and developed a dynamic, marketing and point of sale division, forming relationships with many multi-national companies.

Throughout his life he had a passion for speed; motor cars and motor racing. After early days off-road racing he founded and developed the successful Redbrick Racing brand which, over the years, competed in various track events throughout the UK, Europe and one very memorable trip to Australia. Robin sadly fell ill in December 2020 and was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Despite a major operation, various treatments bravely borne and the support of Suzanne and his children Jessica, Sam and Seb, close family and friends, Robin died peacefully at their home on 25th August. His funeral was attended by 140 people including some of his close friends from Worksop, and the family were touched and grateful for their love and support. His enterprise, optimism, energy, good humour and forward thinking will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Malcom Harding-Roberts Talbot 31 – 35

Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Harding-Roberts (T 1931 – 1935) passed away in Malvern on September 9th aged 102.

Malcolm was born in Clun in Shropshire in August 1919, younger brother to Eric (T 1929 – 1935) who passed away in 2009. Their father was the local bank manager and the owner of one of the only two cars in the village. In 1927 the family moved to Kington in Herefordshire when their father became manager of the Midland Bank there.

Malcolm followed his father into the Midland Bank, working in Malvern on the princely salary of £48 per annum. In June 1939 he joined the Territorial Army, and he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, assigned to the Malvern Battery of the 67th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. War broke out just three months later and the regiment joined the British Expeditionary Force. During the retreat to Dunkirk two of his comrades were killed in the lorry he was driving. Rescued by HMS Worcester he had to witness further carnage during German air attacks.

On his return to England Malcolm volunteered for “hazardous ops” and after commando training and winning his parachute wings he was posted to India where he was part of a unit that was responsible for directing naval gunfire. That included during the amphibious landings in Burma, when he was erroneously listed as “killed in action”.

After the war Malcolm returned to the Midland Bank where he worked first in Malvern then in Worcester until he retired in 1979. Settled in Malvern he married Trini in 1950 and raised his two sons Christopher and Neil. He returned to serve in the Malvern Battery of his regiment commanding it from 1955 to 1961. In retirement he regularly attended Royal Artillery and Dunkirk Veterans Association reunions. However, it took many years for him to be able to tell his sons anything about his wartime experiences.

When he was offered retirement on a full pension at age 60 in 1979 (42 years after he had joined the bank) he was told that the actuarial assessment was that he would live to enjoy his full pension until he was about seventy-two. In fact, he was to enjoy it not for 12 years, but for 42 years – by which time we believe that he was the oldest living OW.

The centre of Malcolm’s life was always his family. Trini, who passed away in 2014, his sons Christopher and Neil and his granddaughters Ilona and Verity, who brought great joy to his and Trini’s later years. An officer and a gentleman; gentle, funny, kind and generous. A much loved Father, Grandfather, Uncle (to Michael [T 1964 – 1968] and Peter [T 1965 – 1970]), Great Uncle and Great Great Uncle.

Jonathan Higham Ranby & School House 68 – 73

We have been informed by Phil Higham (Pelham 76 - 79) of the sad loss of his brother Jonathan Higham (Ranby & School House 68 - 73) who passed away in December following his battle against Cancer. Jonathan leaves his wife Isabel, daughter and 3 grandchildren. RIP Jonathan, you will be sadly missed by all.

Olive Burgin Headmaster’s Secretary 1990 – 1999

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Olive Burgin, Headmaster’s Secretary 1990 – 1999. Our thoughts are with Olive’s family at this very sad time.

I would like to leave you with this rather fitting tribute written by the Headmaster at the time, Roy Collard, published in the 2000 edition of the Worksopian magazine to mark Olive’s departure.

“Olive Burgin first came to Worksop College in 1990, from Barlborough Hall School, and her first job was to help Roger Knight settle in as Headmaster. Three years later she was to have a new boss and once again was presented with the challenge of settling in a new Headmaster. When, eventually, the time came for Olive to retire in December 1999, so close had my working relationship with Olive become that her departure was like what I imagine a divorce to be.

For most parents, Olive was the first point of contact with the College, whether in telephoning to make an appointment to have a tour of the school or when ringing, perhaps in anger, to speak urgently to me. Always reassuring, unfailingly polite and informative, Olive’s gift was always to allow the caller to feel that she had all the time in the world to speak to them, even though, as in any busy office, time was at a premium. Through her ten years at the College, Olive played a pivotal role in helping to promote the College’s good name and demonstrating to parents of prospective pupils the strength of individual care that they could expect for their children as members of the college.

Olive was not one of those secretaries who watched the clock, never being prepared to leave her desk until a day’s tasks were completed. This sometimes meant still being in her office after 6.00pm or, such was her dedication, even taking work home with her. It is not only I who will miss Olive greatly, for she was very much part of the community and a frequent supporter of school events, especially those involving Music or Drama. Many a pupil has benefited from Olive’s advice, particularly those a little unsure of etiquette when visiting her office or mine.

As I look back on my first six years at Worksop, I know how much I owe to Olive for all that she has done to support me and help maintain my peace of mind. So much of her work is unseen by others but I know I speak for many when I say that Olive is highly respected by all members of the staff at the College and her work much appreciated by all parents who come into contact with her. As she leaves us to enjoy a busy retirement in North Anston, continuing to pursue her many cultural interests, we all wish her health, happiness and contentment. We are all greatly in her debt.” Ted Ramble School House 48 – 54

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of OW Ted Ramble (SH 48 – 54). Ted had always been so helpful and supportive of everything surrounding the OW society.

Ted told tales from the 40s when times were much more austere. He spoke of how he felt at just 12 years old when he was dropped off at the end of the driveway and about the ‘compulsory’ boxing that used to happen in the House bathroom, where prefects would pitch students against one another.

Ted was a keen sportsman and excelled at athletics and shooting, something he was very proud of. Ted encapsulated everything it is to be an Old Worksopian, and it was clear how special the school was to him.

Ted - you will be missed and it was an honour for you to be part of this society over the years. Our love goes to his lovely wife Winn and his wider family.

Tributes to Martyn Cleasby

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of much-loved, former member of staff and devoted Old Worksopian, Martyn Cleasby, at the age of 82. Martyn was a loyal member of staff from 1973 – 1997 and had remained an active part of the OW community ever since.

Martyn was originally appointed to teach French primarily, but also German. Years later he was given special responsibility for French under the then Head of Modern Languages, Colin Paton. He also went on to become a House Tutor in Talbot.

Like all the masters, Martyn was expected to be active in sports coaching, eventually taking on the role of sprint coach and the starter for all athletic track events, and the Dorm Run.

He was appointed PR Officer under Hugh Monroe, which involved liaising with local and national media, organising School/House photographs and organising the College’s presence at public school exhibitions.

Both Martyn’s sons, Morgan (Pelham 81 – 86) and Patrick (Pelham 79 – 84) were students at the school and his wife Gabrielle, was also a former teacher of singing (Vocal Studies) at the college. I started at Worksop in 1970 and when Mr Cleasby arrived, about 3 years later, I recall him being somewhat different. He was not like the other teachers!

He was the teacher that made a lasting impression on me.

I talk of my time at Worksop with fond memories and above all else there were two individuals whose approach, style and character helped shape me into the person I am today. CHD Everett – who joined and left the exact same time as me – and Martyn.

With my very best wishes

Word by Ian Lovatt (M 70-75)

To reduce a professional lifetime to mere chronological dates seems somehow to dehumanize the service that marks a schoolmaster. And, in Martyn’s case, Worksop College extended well beyond those 24 years between 1973 and 1997 he actually found himself in situ. The Worksop College community, in its broadest sense, meant a lot to Martyn and was all the better for his devotion to it.

On one level, ‘Basher’ was a formidable personality at school, from the ‘Masters Common Room’, where he pretty much single-handedly trenchantly championed the glories of the antiquated sofa (!), through his unequivocal presence pistol in hand at the start of the Dorm Run and on the Athletics track, to his distinctive iron fist in the classroom, all with a ferocious attention to detail, a great aim (!), a dapper dress sense and an enviable ability to look half his actual age!

The huge response to Facebook posts, however, oozes an accompanying thread of the human. With high flying and struggling linguists alike, a combination of Martyn’s impeccable, near-native French, Gallic mannerisms and all, his instinctive passion for his subject, his patience and his unerring sense of how to guide young people clearly made a very deep mark, as, too, did his kindness with fellow teachers, perhaps particularly those ‘fresh’ ones in need of a gentle, avuncular, almost unstated, and certainly nonjudgmental, nudge, and his ‘back in the chair’ tutoring in Talbot House.

He would be very proud of the number of allusions to his sense of fun, his joie de vivre, his mischievousness, his cheeky smile. It would seem he mistakenly believed the school minibus should achieve a similar speed to his many fast cars! On one occasion in the early ‘80s, he and an accompanying younger member of staff were refused entry to a nightclub in Wakefield on account of being considered striking miners! No doubt he would have roared at the irony. A particularly useful skill of his was markedly large handwriting in termly reports!

CCF, Athletics Sprint Coach, 1st XV devotee, ASH Board Games, Careers Officer, i/c PR in the pre PR (and pre technological) age, somehow all juggled with an equally active political career. Lists tell but a minor part of the story. Ultimately, it’s about the lifelong human legacy. As one expupil put it: “my point about MAC is that he didn’t teach me French, he taught me France”. Both, and many more, will be forever grateful to the inimitable ‘Basher’.

Words by Nick Kitchen