Journal 2014 retiring from her last role as deputy head of a large comprehensive school, John Kyrle High School, in Ross-onWye, Herefordshire, she went to teach in Uganda in 1993, and commented to her family “I’ve been waiting all my life to do this.” On her return she was
tireless in raising money for clean water wells through the Busoga Trust, and in sponsoring young people through school and university. Frances made sure that every penny donated went to someone who needed it. At home she was a keen
gardener, with a wonderful vegetable garden, from which many meals were made and shared with her many friends. Her last few weeks were spent in her beloved village of Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, sitting in her cottage garden with family and friends.
Sarah Rogers (Ward) T’59 Sarah’s husband John sent us this biography which appeared in the Order of Service at her funeral Sarah was born at Horton Kirby, in Kent, eldest child of Ralph and Yvonne Rogers. Her grandfather, William Rogers, was a well-known farmer in Kent. He died in 1948 and Ralph and his family moved into Court Lodge. Sarah’s sister Jane was born in 1944 and her brother Bill in 1950. Jane was chronically ill and died aged 12. Sarah was educated at home until the age of 11, and was then sent to Sherborne Girls before going up to Newnham College, Cambridge, in 1960 to read English. Her time at Newnham had a great influence on her. She was taught by F R Leavis and his wife Queenie, two of the most eminent critics of the day. She met her future husband, John and they were married in Horton Kirby in 1965. After coming down from Cambridge in 1963, Sarah applied to join the Foreign Office, but, since married women were prohibited from working there, she had to resign after only two years. John and Sarah moved to the Gower Peninsula where their two sons, Tristan and Tom, were born in 1966 and 1971 respectively. Three years later, the family moved back to Kent to live at Court Lodge. Sarah proved to have a natural ability for farming, a love of rural affairs, and the intelligence, ambition and charisma to bring those talents to public life. She held many prominent roles both nationally and regionally. Sarah was
20
appointed OBE for services to the countryside in 1998, Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 2001 and Associate Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge in 2003. She died at her home, Court Lodge, as had her father and grandfather before her.
Sarah was appointed OBE for services to the countryside in 1998, Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in 2000, Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 2001 and Associate Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge in 2003.