OS News - Issue 140 October 2019
Obituaries WITHERDEN – Edward (Ted) G. Witherden (Staff, 63-87) died on 6th May 2019, aged 97. Ted was Groundsman and Cricket Coach at the College and positively touched the lives of generations of College pupils during that time. An outstanding cricketer himself, he always sought to bring out the full potential of all College cricketers. Ted joined the army when war broke out and rose to the rank of Sergeantmajor. He became groundsman at Tonbridge School in 1946 and was with Kent County Cricket Club from 1949. Six years later he joined Norfolk County Cricket Club as a professional cricketer and coach, until he came to the College in 1963. OS, Broadcaster and lifelong friend of the Witherden family, Andy Peebles (GH,HH, 60-66) wrote: ‘So very sad to hear of the passing of one of my sporting heroes, Ted Witherden, our school cricket coach and brilliant groundsman at Bishop’s Stortford College in my schooldays. I spent many afternoons watching him bat and purvey his off spin for Bishop’s Stortford CC and loved stories of his time at Kent where he net bowled to a very young Colin Cowdrey. At Brian Statham’s funeral, Lord Cowdrey spoke to me about Ted with great affection. However, maybe at the great pavilion in the sky they can be reunited. Ted played a lot of cricket for his beloved Norfolk with a young Henry Blofeld who would, I’m sure, concur that Ted will not be at all happy getting out for 97!’ Ted’s funeral took place on Thursday 16th May at Mary Magdalene Church, Great Hampden, Great Missenden at which Andy Peebles gave the eulogy. It was well attended with a large number of OS present. We send our sincerest condolences to Nigel, Nicola, Becky and Lucy and the rest of the family on their sad loss.