PAGE 49
A number of former staff have passed away in the last year, many of whom worked at Dulwich College for a significant period of time.
Bryan Richards 1963–1970
Bryan was Head of Economics at Dulwich College from 1963 to 1970, when he left to join Rugby School. Bryan’s love of rugby was first nurtured at Neath Grammar School in Wales, and he continued to play during his time at Swansea University and later Cambridge University, where he won a Blue in 1955. He played for Swansea, London Welsh and the RAF, where he did his National Service, and won his one and only Welsh cap against France in 1960. When Bryan became progressively blind following his retirement, he joined the English Blind Golfers Association, eventually becoming captain and surprising his friends and family by playing for England.
Barry Gower 2002–2022
Barry joined the College as a Porter in 2002 and retired in 2022 after 20 years as Caretaker of the Junior and Lower School. Many colleagues remember Barry’s affection for the College and his care of both pupils and staff.
Giles Jackson 1967–2004
Giles arrived at Dulwich in 1967 with all the credentials for what was to be a remarkable service of 29 years in the English Department. While known for his quiet and dedicated professionalism, Giles also had a more radical side, which was reflected in his passionate commitment to the humanising values of literature and his determination to find the emotional truth of each text. He despised the vocabulary tests and grammar exercises that teachers take refuge in from time to time. Outside of the classroom, Giles coached rugby, hockey and tennis, representing staff teams in all these sports and fitting in a game of bridge in the Common Room whenever he could. He was always willing to step in when an additional pair of hands was required, and this reliability earned him the lasting respect of his colleagues, who elected him President of the Common Room for three years. Giles also lent his support to the Scouts and the Hollington Boys’ Club, and edited the Alleynian for many years. In partnership with Barry Viney and a team of willing boys, Giles produced a creative and enterprising publication well ahead of most of its kind. Giles went part-time at the College in 1996 and after returning for one more year to cover a sabbatical, he retired in 2004, allowing more time for his family and for a remarkable range of practical skills such as carpentry and gardening.
The Venerable Peter Robin Turner CB (52–61) 1998–2002
Robin, as he was known, was well acquainted with Dulwich before his arrival as Chaplain in 1998, having arrived as a boy nearly half a century earlier to start an Alleynian career of quiet distinction. He was ordained in Exeter Cathedral in 1966 and joined the Chaplains Branch of the Royal Air Force in 1970, marking the start of a 29-year career in the RAF. After returning to the College, Robin made the transition to the humbler world of school chaplaincy with no fuss. His specialist training greatly assisted his counselling work, and his love of music could be witnessed in his elegant conduct of services and ceremonies, as well as his support for all the activity of the College Chapel Choir. He made special efforts to accompany choir trips to Ripon, York and Wells in spiritual and liaison roles. Robin also took up teaching duties in the Religious Studies Department, tackling congenial forms with delight and the less congenial with saintly patience. At the heart of the man was a quiet devotion to service, and his work resonated with many members of the College community.
Adapted from an article by Reverend Neil Fairlamb in the Alleynian 671
Adapted from an article by Robert Weaver in the Alleynian 677
John ‘Jock’ Llewellyn 1952–1987
Barry Viney 1964–1994
John took up an appointment to teach Mathematics at the College in 1952 and retired 35 years and five Masters later. While it is for his skill in the classroom that he is still remembered by so many today, John’s contribution to the College as a whole was immeasurable. In particular, those aspiring to make their way in the City will remember him as a mentor to the Investment Society, which benefitted greatly from his demonstrations of the mechanics and perils of the market. He also spent a decade, between 1972 and 1982, with his wife Audrey, making Blew House into home for countless senior boarders, transient tutors and itinerant OAs and, for the last 20 years of his career, was the Senior Housemaster of Marlowe. On the games field, John worked tirelessly throughout the seasons. He ran the 3rd XI cricket team, dispensing justice according to the spirit of the game rather than by exact interpretation of the law, as well as the 2nd XI hockey team, having supported hockey’s introduction as a major sport. Rugby, however, was his first love and he ran the U14s, the Junior Colts and the 5th XV ‘all stars’. His sons Huw (67–76) and David (71–80) both followed in his footsteps and played for the 1st XV during their time at the College. John was also
Barry arrived at Dulwich in 1964 and quickly became known for his strong character, strict values and, most importantly, the breathtaking nature of the work that he summoned from his pupils. Barry believed that a grasp of what is admirable and what is paltry in the field of art and design is just as important as a grounding in the solution of mathematical problems or the construction of sentences. Not only did he work hard to nurture pupils’ skills and imagination, but Barry also made countless contributions to wider College life, printing all society posters, theatre programmes and tickets, as well as designing elaborate sets for numerous productions. He also designed and hand-printed a thousand copies of a book to commemorate the College’s 350th anniversary in 1969 and curated the magnificent exhibition ‘A School and its Art’ at the South London Art Gallery in 1981. Few would know that Barry’s vigilant eye saved the lime trees against the main elevation of the College from being cut down to make room for another car park, or that he devised the grand scheme for the refurbishment of the Common Room following the disastrous fire of 1983. This is not to mention Barry’s innumerable achievements outside the College, which left colleagues wondering how he possibly found the time. In the summer of 1994, 30 years of the Viney Era came to an end, leaving behind a legacy that would be hard to beat. Adapted from an article by Jan Piggott in the Alleynian 669
Common Room Treasurer and a valued member of the Finance Committee, working enthusiastically to put on social functions and raise funds for various sporting tours. Following his retirement, John continued to live in Dulwich with Audrey, studying the Financial Times at leisure and playing golf.
Adapted from an article by ‘FRFW’ in the Alleynian 658
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs