SCHOOL OBITUARIES NEWS
Obituaries We are saddened to report the death of the following OPs:
Michael Robin Blackham (1952) Jean and Nik Blackham write: Michael Robin Blackham (Rob) was born in Cambridge on 1 September 1935. He attended the Milton Road Primary School before becoming a pupil at The Perse, alongside his older brother, David.
Peter Francis Charter (1953) Jennifer Charter writes: Peter was born in 1937 in Bourn. He was the youngest son and had two older sisters. After attending Bourn School, he boarded at The Perse and excelled in athletics, winning many events including the Victor Ludorum in 1951 in 2 minutes 10 seconds. He was Captain of cricket at The Perse and played once he left school for Barrington, Royston, and was Captain for Longstowe and Papworth teams. He was a good batsman and fielder and rarely dropped a catch. After he left school he joined his father farming Chapman’s Farm, with his main interest in livestock, cattle and pigs. He was also a judge of livestock. He bought for many abattoirs including Swifts, Dawn Meats, Maclaren and Church and Morrisons (Woodheads), where
Rob did his National Service in the RAF from 1954 to 1956 and from all accounts spent most of his time playing sports including fives, squash, rowing and not surprisingly football. It was during this time that unfortunately a broken ankle interrupted the chance of a trial with his beloved Arsenal Football Club. After being demobilised, Rob became a sales rep until he decided to set up his own business, named after his wife’s maiden name of Jean Ashley, manufacturing school wear. He succeeded in supplying schools from all over the country.
In 1997 he had the chance to retire and enjoy more golf. Rob was a member of the Gog Magog Golf Club, where he also represented the county, and was a founding member of the Old Persean Golfing Society. He enjoyed many golfing holidays in Scotland with his wife Jean and son Nik. Unfortunately, Rob was diagnosed with dementia in 2016 but, up until the pandemic, was still able to take his afternoon strolls. Rob died peacefully on 17 April 2021 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
he told John Woodhead about the village being built at Cambourne. This knowledge meant they opened a supermarket there. The Charters grew top quality and high yielding crops and were never frightened of hard work. They employed many in the village picking vegetables and taking them to market in London. He was married in 1958 to Diana, and together they had three children – Julia, Nicholas and Stephen. Sadly, Stephen died aged 15 years of a virus, and Peter’s marriage was dissolved a few years later. He decided to sell his house and start afresh. The Charters subsequently bought land at Barton, Comberton and Gamlingay (which was purchased from Merton College, Oxford) and made the farm more economical to run. He farmed with his son Nicholas. The machinery got more complex and much larger over the years. Peter moved to St Ives in 1993 where he met Jennifer and her three children. He still farmed, visited markets, played green and indoor bowls at Chesterton, Newnham, Huntingdon and St Ives, winning cups and trophies. They had many cruises and days away, and spent lockdown going for walks across the fields and relaxing. When he became unwell in early
May this year, Jennifer and the family nursed him for his last few days, and he was visited by friends and both families. He obtained a special licence to marry, and died seven days later, aged 83, at at his home of thirty years in St Ives.
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Eric Michael Curtis (1959) Tish Hopkins writes: Eric joined The Perse Preparatory in 1947 and stayed at the School until completion of his A Levels. At The Perse he won the Country Major Award and was promoted to Corporal in the CCF (Army Section). After leaving The Perse, Eric spent a pre-University year with Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) Ltd in Manchester. He got an Exhibition to Christ’s College, Cambridge where he gained a First-Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering. His
