In Memoriam

We regret to announce the deaths of the following members of the BGS family and extend our condolences to everyone that knew and cared for them.

Adrian Ashley (1957-1967) Richard Anthony Camp (Staff 1960-1996) John Clarke (Staff 1986-2001) David Henry Gammon (1955-1961) Christopher James Goode (1981-1991) Martyn Dennis Hooper (1948-1956) Keith Grant Howard (Staff 1964-1976) David Mogford Lloyd (1935-1944) John Maurice Mansfield (1947-1954) Stephen John (‘Steve’) Marsh (Staff 2006-2017) Keith McGlynn (1953-1960) William Anthony Rhys Northwood (1949-1957) David A Raeburn (Staff 1951-1954) Vivien C Rees (Staff from 1978) Edward David Towne (Staff 1973-1983) Philip Colin Watts (1939-1949) Alan Winstone (1943-1950)

Adrian Kenneth Charles Ashley

1949-2021 BGS 1957- 1967

A classics scholar who went on to read for Classical Mods at Wadham College Oxford, followed by Philosophy and Theology for his second examinations, he was a House Prefect and an enthusiastic sportsman.

He was School Captain of Fives, and also played Rugby for the 2nd and 3rd XVs.

Richard Anthony Camp

1936-2021 BGS 1960-1996

Richard Camp taught English and is remembered as the master who succeeded ‘Fred’ Perry as Librarian.

In his thirty six years he saw many changes: he was Librarian when the new Library was built, replacing the first formal Library on the ground floor of the Fenwick Richards wing.

He loved the Library, he loved books, and he wanted everyone to read, ‘My aim since 1960 has been to make books increasingly accessible to readers, and to provide agreeable space in which reading can be done: so that the Library has been open during virtually every lunch-hour every day since 1960, and until around 6.00 every evening: as well as throughout the school day.

He wanted ‘everything accessible to everyone’, because ‘everyone has different reading ages; we read in different moods, for different purposes. Swings from Jane Austen to Sweet Valley and back again are quite common.’

He oversaw the implementation of his ‘vision of a computerised Library’ and waxed lyrical about the ‘day-long use for serious searches’ which the computer provided, whereas ‘no amount of lecturing could actually get students to use the card-index effectively’. His valedictory Library report is a eulogy to books and readers, and a poem in itself.

John Clarke

Died 2021 BGS 1986-2001

John Clarke retired in February 2001 after fifteen years as School Sergeant at the heart of the School’s support service.

His detailed knowledge of the ‘ways’ of the pupils, of the School site and in particular the hundreds of keys and locks needed to open and secure the buildings proved extremely difficult to replace.

David Henry Gammon

1944-2021 BGS 1955-1961

In 1955 he joined Shell A and left in July 1961.

He went on to Selwyn College Cambridge.

Christopher James Goode

1973-2021 BGS 1981-1991

A Pro-Prefect, later Second Prefect, and a sportsman of ‘determination, he was outstanding in Music and the Performing Arts, with a great gift for words; writing, re-writing and performing his own plays’. He had a ‘wide knowledge of/ receptivity to all sorts of music’ and wrote ‘or arranged all the music for his jazz band and led from the piano’. The breadth of his interest is apparent in the additional comment, ‘ He was in Allan Schiller’s piano master class, and has just finished writing an oratorio.’

His professional career was equally successful; he oversaw the production of Men in the Cities, Monkey Bars, Neutrino and Kiss of Life and he was the artistic director of Camden People’s Theatre (2001-2004) and he directed the 40th anniversary revival of Jubilee, which was presented at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

His company, Chris Goode & Company, closed in 2021.

Martyn Dennis Hooper

1937-2021 BGS 1948-1956

As befits one of the first BGS pupils to attend Loughborough College, Martyn Hooper had a fine record in sports: he was a member of the First XV (full back), a member of Dehn’s House Cricket XI (an allrounder) and as a member of the School Athletics Team he won the Javelin (125 ft 6 ins) and thereby set the record.

A note from his Housemaster lists these achievements and adds, ‘Plays for other Bristol Clubs and finds time for golf, tennis, jazz and the outside world’.

Keith Grant Howard

1932-2020 BGS Staff 1964-1976

Keith Howard was a languages master at BGS, teaching Russian and French. He went on to become Deputy Head of St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School and was then appointed Headmaster of Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall.

David Mogford Lloyd

1926-2021 BGS 1935-1944

His son writes; It is with much sadness that I must advise you that one of your (very) old boys – David Mogford Lloyd – has died peacefully, after an illness, at the ripe old age of 95 years.

He leaves behind five children and (very!) many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

He was always extremely proud of being an ‘Old Boy’ and in fact it was requested that he be buried with his old school tie on! David (a ‘sterling character’) was a prefect, a Corporal in the JTC and Captain of the 1st XV.

‘A forward who easily adapts himself to every situation. His backing-up is especially good. As Captain and leader of the forwards he has been most efficient.’

‘A hard working forward whose good work in the loose has only been slightly affected by his position in the second row. Very good in the line-out and breaks away well on his own.’ (December 1942 Chronicle.)

John Maurice Mansfield

1936-2021 BGS 1947-1954

John Mansfield was born in 1936 in Swansea but brought up in Bristol where he attended BGS. His father, John Lawford Mansfield was also an OB.

At BGS his acting ability was immediately apparent, and his Head of House describes his ‘Talented Performance in School Play - Macduff’s son - , in Middle School Play and in winning House Play. This acting is what he is really very very keen about.’

As he progressed through the School he was also involved in the Choir, in cricket, fives and rugger, ‘Thoroughly enthusiastic, notably in dramatic activity (School Play, House Play producer) yet also in rugger and cricket. Later he becomes a Pro-Prefect and House Prefect, with House fives, swimming and shooting, senior NCO in the CCF RAF section. ‘He has given admirable service’. the 23 Welsh Park-runs in 23 weeks whilst undergoing treatment for his own cancer both inspirational and humbling.

After National Service with the RAF, with the rank of Flying Officer, John went up to Jesus College, Cambridge, to read French and Italian. He also acted in and produced for the Cambridge Footlights.

An Emmy Awardwinner, he wrote, directed and produced more than 100 programmes for the BBC, including documentary films for its major science series, Horizon. It was a privilege to be with Steve, Celia, his friends, colleagues and some BGS pupils in Newport as he completed the last of the 23 runs.

Keith McGlynn

1941-2021 BGS 1953-1960

His contemporary Alan Durbin writes:

Born in South Wales in 1941 Keith moved to Bristol when his father accepted a position with the radio department of the BBC on Whiteladies Road when Keith was only two years old. Nonetheless he retained his passionate Welsh identity throughout his life. I first met Keith when we joined 4th classical in 1955 under the wise and humane tutelage of our form master Michael Booker. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship that lasted until Keith’s untimely death in March 2021.

Stephen John (‘Steve’) Marsh

1957-2021 BGS Staff (2006-2017)

A colleague writes: It is with sadness that I am writing to let you know that Steve Marsh passed away on Thursday following his battle with cancer. He will be remembered fondly by many staff, pupils and parents at BGS. Steve was a fantastic teacher and an inspiration to many. He will be missed greatly by all those who knew him.

On a more personal note, I found his determination to raise money for Macmillan and the Velindre Cancer Centre by completing all Along with five others we formed a band of brothers who vowed to stay in touch with each other throughout our respective lives which I’m pleased to say we managed.

Like a penguin, Keith was much more graceful in the water than on land and was soon taken under the wing of schoolmaster K W Lyon or “Ben” who described Keith as a veritable fish. Encouraged by Ben, Keith was part of an awesome swimming and water polo team at BGS winning many County, Western Counties and National titles. He went on to become a Welsh Champion and a Welsh international swimmer in 1957. Built like a sturdy Welsh pit prop he also played hooker for the school first XV and was selected for the Bristol Schools representative side.

But swimming was always his first love.

His great friend Maitland Horler tells this amusing anecdote “In 1957 Keith and I competed in the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Championships to be held in Blackpool. Very late that night Keith arrived at our hotel room which we were sharing for that week, He had just travelled from Butlins Pwllheli, where he had won the Welsh championships. He walked in the door carrying a giant silver cup, which was almost bigger than him! The cup and the big grin came through the door before he did, he actually slept with it that night!!”

After completing his A levels in classics he gained a place at Guy’s Hospital to study dentistry and upon graduation in 1966 he accepted a position at Godfrey Ratcliffe’s practice in Hanham as an associate where he quickly built up a loyal and contented list of patients. I qualified at Bristol in 1965 and after completing a short service commission in H M Forces I too joined Keith as an associate in Hanham. David Powell followed soon after qualifying at Guys. As you can imagine the practice became very successful.

I left the practice in 1972 to set up a new practice in Portishead where Keith joined me in 1974 and again helped to build an impressive list of satisfied patients.

Keith first married in 1966 and had three sons Simon, Ross and Ian but sadly the marriage did not last. Fortunately he found happiness with Rose whom he met in 1980 and married in 1995. Tragically, also in 1995 Keith’s son Ross died from a DVT following a minor motorcycle accident and it fell to Keith to deliver a moving eulogy to his son in St Peters Church, Portishead - surely the worst thing any father has to do. After several bouts of illness Keith decided to come out of general practice and go into orthodontics which he found very satisfying. He took up a full time hospital post treating those with special needs. He really found his niche which involved not only treating patients but also training and lecturing. His work was deeply appreciated and as a consequence he won the only prize given to any of the medical staff in the last year of the NHS Trust for which he worked.

Sadly due to health issues Keith could not have the immunising injections required for continuing in his job so instead in 2000 he chose to retire having served the Dentistry profession for 35 years. Keith’s retired life consisted of maintaining his fitness levels by swimming a mile every morning, continuing his love of music by playing the guitar and the piano and by learning Spanish, successfully achieving an A level grade well into his 60s.

Keith and Rose embarked on many cruises, often taking members of their enlarged family of four children and ten grandchildren with them whom he loved very much.

Keith had the uncanny ability to stay friends with all the people he met and to this day his kindness and care is fondly remembered and missed by his family, his many friends and patients. My deepest sympathy goes to them all.

(Alan Durbin 1950-1959)

William Anthony Rhys “Rhys” Northwood

1937-2021 BGS 1949-1957

An enthusiastic sportsman, he gained House colours in Rugby and Cricket as well as playing in School teams and he was in the RAF section of the CCF.

His son writes: His full name was William, Anthony, Rhys, Northwood, better known as Rhys.

He attended BGS between 1949 and the summer of 1957, he enjoyed his time at the school very much, where he played Rugby and Cricket for the school. After leaving BGS, he moved to London where he trained and worked as an accountant in the City.

He subsequently married and had two children. As a family he enjoyed travelling very much visiting much of Europe and America.

He died at the end of February this year aged 83, he is survived by his widow Alethea, son David and daughter Alison.

David A Raeburn

1927-2021 BGS Staff 1951-1954

In December 1954, when he left BGS after teaching Classics for three years, the Chronicle said: Mr Raeburn has only been with us since 1951 but he has most surely made his mark. The climax of his outstanding success in producing the School Play was fittingly reached with the triumphant tour of Lower Saxony with The Taming of the Shrew. He has given vigorous help with the artistic side of the School’s life, and now he leaves us for Bradfield, where he will be in charge of that School’s famous Greek play.

He also gave The David Raeburn Prize for Contribution to School Plays, which reflects his interest in the School play - while at BGS he produced Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Henry V.

Vivien Christine Rees

1938-2021 BGS Joined Lower School Staff in September 1978

A colleague writes, ‘Viv Rees was here for many years. She was very involved in Maths and she led, perhaps even started, the activities programme for the Juniors.’

We hope to include a longer tribute to Mrs Rees in the next issue.

Edward David Towne

1947-2021 BGS Staff 1973-1983

Edward Towne (staff 1973-1983), died suddenly and unexpectedly on 21st April. A former Head Boy of Rugby School and graduate of the University of East Anglia in European Studies, he gained a Cambridge PGCE and later an MA from London University and an Oxford MStud.

He was a big man physically and a larger-than-life character who was well-liked at the school and has kept in touch since leaving; an enthusiastic diner, he regularly attended OB Dinners long after he moved on. He specialised in early modern English and European

History, and taught General Studies courses on Law and Politics.

A knowledgeable birdwatcher, he was active in the Field Club and also the Archaeological and History Societies; he also ran Public Speaking and Debating and was an active member of the English-Speaking Union.

He obtained the post of Head of History at King School, Rochester, where he remained until early retirement; while keeping in touch with BGS; he went on to give history talks and led tours for the Historical Association as well as continuing to judge ESU public speaking competitions.

A compulsive entertainer, some will remember him as Queen Elizabeth l at a Midsummer Fair, and as Lady Dundown and Miss Czechoslovakia in the staff production of Alan Bennet’s “Forty Years On” in 1975.

He also appeared twice on Mastermind. A great gossip with a keen sense of humour, he was always excellent company and will be much missed by his wife Jane, whom he married in 2014, and by his many friends.

Philip Colin Watts

1930-2021 BGS 1939-1949 After a rewarding academic career at BGS, with extra curricular engagement in Cricket and Rugby, the Thorne Society, the Literary and Debating Society and stage managing the House Play in 1948 and 1949, Philip did National Service in the Army and then went on to Christ’s College, Cambridge.

Alan Winstone

1933-2021 BGS 1943-1950

He enjoyed Rugby and Cricket and was active in House affairs, with varied interests including the Scientific Society, the Literary and Debating Society and the Choir. He left to study dentistry at Bristol University.