I,
many a time, stood in assemby and spoke of life and death
and the inevitability that the fate of each and every one is: to pass
away. I told them, I told you, that the bird of time has but a
little way to fly and lo! it is already on the wing. Of course we all
understand that, yet somehow we can not believe it. But death happens
and those we cherish go. It is a truth, as old as time: indeed the Ancient
Egyptians had an interesting view on this sadness... they said that when
one spoke the name of a departed loved one, then the departed person lives
again. So, as we read the following, they too live again.
Ray Rahman, sadly, died all too young
of a heart attack in September 2001. He taught
Maths at the school and then went to teach in Saudi Arabia where he became
fluent in Arabic. He decided to return home, as a heart condition developed,
to be with his family and to spend more time with them in semi-retirement
but within weeks was taken from them. He was a gentle man and a gentleman.
Doreen Reynolds was one of
the longest serving members of the Office Staff who was the kindest
and loveliest of lades. Sadly she recently passed away after a series
of battles, over many years, against several forms of cancer. It is hoped
that a tree will be planted in memory of her next spring on the newly
developed school site. I cannot remember ever hearing a complaint or cross
word from her and the number of children she patched up as the first aid
lady is impossible to calculate. Everyone loved her.
Bill Butcher
was an English teacher at the Manor for many years.
Before training he had been in industry and served in the Royal Navy rising
to Chief Petty Officer. At the farewell for him when he retired due to
the onset of cancer he got well tipsy and took me to one side to say farewell
and said, "You know, Michael, none of us is invulnerable." That
has always stuck in my mind. He was a good man and no doubt is bawling
the angels out for their punctuation errors at this very moment. Home
is the sailor, home from the sea...
Peter Fletcher was the First Deputy
when I joined the school and was a wonderful
support. I was delighted when he secured the Headship of Norbury Manor
Boys School and saw the school through to its closure at which point he
retired. Sadly his retirement only lasted for a few years before he was
also taken by a heart attack, and he had suffered for some years from
Angina. He was a good friend and a fine teacher.
Liz Kloppe was a teacher of
English and the School Librarian, initially
in Pampisford, and then in Kendra. She was one of the most enthusiastic
of staff and kept the thousands of libarary books in perfect order.
Sadly she too succumbed to a tumur/cancer and had little time for a
dreamed of retirement. She was a lovely lady, much missed.
Stephen Prince
was a pupil of the year of '98. There is always a mystery when someone
young, gifted, beautiful and without any evil gets taken from us. Steve
Prince was such a one. He was a great friend to those who knew him, a fine
athlete with a reputation for being a really good footballer, but mostly
he is remembered as one who just loved fun, and being fun. All who were
in in Year of '98 will remember him and those close to him miss him beyond
measure. Many will be sad to know that after a battle with cancer he fell
as its victim at an early age. But in our memories he will be young for
ever and like young soldiers will not grow old as we grow old.
Haling Manor in Roundy's Time