The Cestrian

It is with sadness that I begin these notes by reporting the loss of three our number during the past year.  Alan MacQueen, Dave Tipper, and Keith Henney were all popular and active during out time.  Keith was the oldest at 95 and that title is now taken by John Herbert.  This reduces our small group of Nonagenarians to eight.  Last year I attended reunion and enjoyed the day despite being rather lonely as the only representative of 1953.  I was also the oldest attendee at the event and as such received a special greeting from the Vice Chancellor.  Unfortunately, I was not well enough to attend this year’s event, but I have only missed two reunions of the 70 held since we left College.    

Our small group keep in regular touch mainly by telephone. Hopefully we will manage to avoid further illness and thus maintain the memories of Chester during the early 50s and College days probably rather different to those of today!  

Best wishes to all   

Alwyn Peel  

I was a student at Chester College in 1957/59.  This February I sadly lost a dear friend from the 1958 Mid-Year, the Revd Graham Martin. We kept in touch over these 64 years.  Graham is one of the last contacts from that era, except for an annual Christmas card from, Revd Ron Leatherbarrow, another of my good friends. Mr Bradbury, Vice-Principal and ‘Ernie’ Pickup my French tutor I remember with great affection. 

I ended up as a Primary Headteacher of 2 schools in Essex and then was ordained as a minister of the URC.  My main subjects were English and French both at Advanced Level and I was awarded the College English Prize, which was quite an achievement as I failed GCE O level English Literature!  For a while I enjoyed teaching French in the Primary School in West Riding Schools. 

 My interest in French took me on many wonderful holidays, and I later studied Spanish, German and Italian and toured all over Europe.  It would not surprise anyone that I remain a firm Remainer. A German friend, made through Town Twinning activities, is coming to visit this month. 

From a young age I loved dancing. In retirement I have enjoyed Ballroom dance and enjoy teaching this still. Once a teacher…!   I have enjoyed the 33 years’ retirement, enjoying the pursuit of the above activities, together with gardening and art and pottery.  I finally gave up conducting church services this year but do the occasional reading. 

At the beginning of the Covid epidemic I wrote a book covering my childhood memories and am now in the middle of relating my National Service in the RAF.  Maybe I will reach my college days eventually. 

I would love to hear from anyone around in 1957/9. 

Revd Colin Knight 

Time flies by, numbers dwindle. Aches and pains ebb and flow, bits fall off, pills are popped, slowing down becomes normal. All at ninety, slightly plus or minus, we can't complain.    

 Regular contacts include Ray Hills, Malcolm Burrill, Colin Hunt and Mike Duffield. Simon Nanson is in a care home near Newcastle, close to daughter Rebecca, a talented painter. Losses this year have been Eric Bolton, Peter Noden, John Slee and John Smith. Dave Walker has dropped off the radar, Brian Martland a couple of years ago. 

As for Ken and Jenny, we continue to be regular customers of Jet2.  The motorways of the UK often see us travelling to our various HPB holiday locations.  The shrouds are locked away, the Grim Reaper can wait. 

Ken Morgan 

I must first mention my debt to my pottery lecturer Mr Peter Ainslie. He gave me a very valuable lesson when he showed me what was good and what wasn't. When I started teaching in a small country primary school Staffs L E A gave me a kiln for my classroom and the kids enjoyed many sessions making pots and sometimes parents tried their hands in the evening. 

 I was lucky enough to be picked for the college badminton team and found that our first match was against Saighton!! I finished my badminton career coaching local teenagers in my hometown’s School of Excellence. 

My final teaching practice was at Birkenhead - Cathcart Street Junior Mixed near the docks and I had a classroom on the first floor. The view through the window was of ship's funnels! 

For the first year of my college life, I was in digs at Upton and each morning the roar of the sea-lions was the first thing I heard. In my second year I had a first-floor room in Exton Park and my friend Clive Wrench had a ground floor room. We still exchange e-mails and cards. We were lucky because in the drive outside there was a converted bus which toured local villages selling groceries etc and the owner at the end of the day would sell off stuff cheaply to us starving students. 

Does anyone remember the albino blackbird on the principals lawn? And speaking of the principal the Rev Price, the college suffered badly from an outbreak of Asian flu one time and I was a victim. As the sanatorium was full, I was treated in the Reverends spare bedroom - quite an honour! 

 Thank you - yours faithfully 

 Mr Trevor Pearsall 

I am pleased to report that most of us are still surviving fairly well, although the Rev. Stephen Sandham had a stroke in March.  He is now making a steady, but slow recovery. We all wish him well. Keith Hayhurst is also having health problems, and I understand Lawrie Cooke and Bill Ainslie have been to visit him. 

Bob Carr had a hip operation in July and is recovering well, whilst Mike Hutchinson informed me that he has sold his house in France. The remainder of us appear to be continuing as before, but at the slower pace demanded by our advancing years. Examples that spring to mind are Richard Lawson participating in Fun Runs and Dick Skerritt baking with fruit  picked from his garden. The only alumni I have been unable to contact has been Brian Hall. I can only assume he is visiting his daughters in Australia. 

During a recent telephone conversation with Ian Cleland he optimistically remarked that it would be interesting to see if we would be having a reunion in 2030 to celebrate 70 years of starting our Mid-Year course in 1960!!    
 

Eric H. Draper 

Janric.bleeberry@btinternet.com 

It's a sobering thought that by my reckoning there is now no-one from our year under the age of eighty. We have lost a few along the way, and I know of some others who are in poor health. In July I attended the funeral of Malcolm (Malc) Thomas who had been a long-term dementia patient. John Bush and Doug Fitch were also there, and it was Doug who presented an excellent eulogy. On the other hand, we have Geoff Lomax who is fit as a fiddle, not needing any medication whatsoever. Perhaps we should take note of his lifestyle - cruising and ballroom dancing! 

We had our mini reunion in February, starting with morning coffee in the refectory, then moving on into the chapel. No set programme here, just the opportunity to reminisce which several of us did. Doug Fitch (him again!) gave us an amusing insight into the duties of a chapel warden, which he was. 

We then moved on to the home of our worthy year president, Mike Perkins, where we were royally entertained. Mike and Angela had performed miracles of catering for which we are indeed truly thankful. So now we go our various ways, looking forward to meeting up again early in the new year. 

Best wishes to all. 

Colin Rodgers. 

This year has been quiet for news with September reunion cancelled. Recommend reading Granny Thompson Facebook page with observations on wildlife and countryside of Yorkshire. Known to us as Barbara Cann. 

Last year I concluded my second term as Chairman of British Para Table Tennis. However, I continued as Deputy Chair of European Table Tennis Union and as one of six members of the International Table Tennis Zpara Committee and also national council of British Paralympic Association. It was a great honour to be invited to Paris and to be asked to be a presenter in a Victory Ceremony at Para Table Tennis. I also was asked to look after visiting VIPs including European Royal Family guests 

Karen Tonge OBE 

My Report commences, as we honour yet another mighty warrior from our Year, in Alun Stoll, a hugely popular, admired and respected educational practitioner and headteacher, who joined Bridgenorth Rugby FC, following Chester College in 1969, and served them up until this year! He was Club President for 17 years! Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz and the family, following a packed funeral, at which Dave Cowell delivered a superb eulogy. We were also represented with Kathy Cowell, and Jim MacMullan and Pat. 

In March, a group of former PE folk held a mini reunion up on Teesside, which went very well, with Alun and Liz Stoll joining us, together with Dave and Kath, Jim and Pat, Jeff and Chris Moulder, and John and Lorna Leithead, we were also joined by locals from the north east, Jackie and Mick Pink. 

We sadly lost another great sportsman and geographer in Neil McMechan, who gave much support to us from his Year group when we held those amazing reunions in 2016 and 2019. 

It is also with great sadness, we mourn the loss of The Revd Canon Dr Peter Jenner, Dean of Chapel, who gave me much support when I served on the Alumni Exec. I walked with him and his wife Vicki on the 175th Anniversary Snowdon ascent in 2015, representing Alumni. His welcome to everyone at Graduation ceremonies was very special and included our Foundation prayers. 

As Year Secretary, I’m anxious - whilst I’m still around - re organising another special reunion for us in September 2026. I desperately need your help in order to maximise contact with any from our Year! Sadly, the list on which many of you gave contact details in 2019 has been lost (not down to me!). Please, therefore, send me any ‘contact’ information, from of our group, for me to do ‘our 60th’ anniversary. Anne Cowen has kindly offered me support. We’re a dwindling group, and I’ll do my best for you! PLEASE do contact me in order to hopefully move forward, celebrating CC whilst we move forward into those years we have left in celebration of our very special College, as part of an integral part of the University of Chester. 

Best wishes, 

Geoffrey Mackenzie 

Another year, another Reunion and again the weather in Chester was lovely. 

We were disappointed not to be able to stroll around the campus but a group of us, Gaynor, Sheila, Sue and Gwil, Liz and Ken and myself and husband met up in Hoole and had a long lunch and lots of chat together. 

Sue and Gwil are still travelling and spent a few weeks in Canada in the summer, they even came across a town called "Chester". Shorter trips have included Perpignan and Limoges.  

Sheila is still busy with her 8 grandchildren but some if not all of them are at school now. 

Gaynor is still very involved in choreography and performing arts with U3A in her hometown. 

Liz and Ken are keeping well and enjoyed another trip to Monte Cassino this year. 

I still play golf, and it keeps me fit if nothing else as Cavendish golf course in Buxton is quite hilly. Last year I went to New York for the US Open tennis and saw some good performances from the British players. This year we went to Malta to escape the rain and enjoyed some real sunshine. 

I spoke to Stephen Cooper earlier this year and he is definitely living in the suburbs of Stoke on Trent. 

Dave Robertson is still cycling around in the UK and abroad. John Williams continues to farm sheep in Wales and Dave Hadden still spends time in Spain and who can blame him after this year's summer.  

I spoke to Carol (née Dickinson) recently. She had a fall at home in February and consequently needed a hip operation. That went well but Carol still has problems with her knees, but the pain is eased by injections when needed. Fortunately, her son is a great help and on the whole she is doing well. 

Hoping everyone is still busy and in good health. 

If anyone from our year group has any news to share, I would love to hear from you. My email address is... 

gouldteresa51@gmail.com 

Tree  

Regrettably, news from the 1970 cohort has been slim, though I am grateful to those who make the effort to keep in touch. Some of our alumni use their Christmas card as a means of communication. This enables me to exchange annual greetings with David Hutchinson, John Astbury and John Watts. 

I was saddened to learn of the death of Melvyn Chivers on 2nd June 2024 and I’m indebted to his close friend Mike Thornton, who readily offered to write the obituary that appears elsewhere in this publication. 

Dick Gillingham tells me that largely due to health issues, this has been one of the few years since leaving College that he hasn’t been back to visit the city of Chester. Despite medical problems, he has managed to continue his voluntary work of Trustee at Fleetwood Museum as well as delivering numerous illustrated talks. Dick is still in contact with Marjorie Glover and more recently John Lord, with whom he exchanges news and views. 

Keith Morrison finally retired at the end of July 2024, but still plans to do some University work, doctoral supervisions and a little teaching. He still has two books to finish on research in education. One will be published in 2025 and the other ‘monster edition’ will be in print by 2026. During August 2024 Keith returned to the UK for a brief family visit to the northwest of Scotland, followed by a stay in the Scottish borders before returning to Macau. 

Lesley Wheeldon has sadly spent more time than she wishes in hospital wards and corridors. She has now got used to living in Lancaster, where she enjoys its lovely buildings, but finds the pavements and facilities for the disabled are dreadful. Like so many of our handicapped alumni, we admire their courage and determination. 

My own health has been a cause for concern. After a very successful second hip replacement in February, I contracted a cellulites infection which developed into some seriously painful and debilitating leg ulcers. However, after four months of treatment I am now well on the road to recovery and back to gentle jogging again. 

Kelvin Young 
kelvinyoung@kelvinyoung.karoo.co.uk 

Although our annual alumni reunion was not to be this year due to an overall decline in numbers five of us did get together this summer. Phil Roycroft, Bob Blackburn, Dave Parker and I were guests at the Derbyshire cricket club thanks to the club President Alan ‘Bud’ Hill. Although Lancashire got trounced by Derbyshire in the T20 on a gloriously sunny afternoon in Derby my partner Christine and I enjoyed all the hospitality laid on by the club President. Well, we four septuagenarians Cestrians do like an afternoon of first-class cricket. So what if it was fifty years since our college days together, we just picked up where we left off.  

Now nearly halfway through our Mayoral year, Christine and I are enjoying being the ambassadors for Hyndburn. At one of my engagements as the Mayor this autumn I came upon the University of Chester’s stand at a ‘Futures’ event held in the hospitality lounge of Accrington Stanley FC. This was a careers convention for the secondary schools of the borough of which I am the Mayor. As well as the township of Accrington it also includes Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton with the villages of Altham, Baxenden, Huncoat and Knuzden. In 2022 the borough had a population of 83,213. So why am I mentioning all this? The reason is that higher education has changed so much since our college days through blended learning in our technological age. Universities are reaching into areas like Hyndburn providing the validation for degree courses run in our local FE colleges. So, to get to the final point I’m liaising with our alma mater to bring Sports Science courses to my area under the banner of ‘Health & Well Being in Hyndburn’ because isn’t that what alumni do? Create links and forge out opportunities? The NHS is changing too with much greater emphasis on prevention and early interventions. Is it a dream? Will it be possible to bring together a founding member of the English football league, with Accrington & Rossendale College and Nelson & Colne College and the University of Chester to create a Health & Well Being centre in the very heart of Accrington in our plans for the redevelopment of our town centre? Who knows but I’ll give it a good try. Old Cestrians can still make things happen! So, I’ll be back at college this month kicking these ideas around with a couple of the key players at the University of Chester - wish me luck! 

Cllr. Mike Booth 

Mayor of Hyndburn 

“So, what is a year secretary?” asked my neighbour during lunch in the refectory at Chester Cathedral recently. He was a Chester graduate from the 1990s when year secretaries no longer existed. 

We were taking part in an informal get-together of Chester alumni, meeting on the same day originally planned for the Cestrian Day reunion but which, sadly, had been cancelled. However, it seemed a good opportunity still to meet up even though under different circumstances. 

Of course, the main job of a year secretary is to compile these year notes. However, over the past year I have helped members of our year group get into contact with each other. In July’s General Election I even acted as a proxy voter for one of our colleagues, voting in the polling station next to the university’s campus. 

It’s always good to hear how those from our year group keep in contact with each other, especially as this year marks 55 years since we started as students at Chester College. I well remember Sir Bernard addressing us as Chester’s latest intake of students. We were so small in number that we could easily fit into the chapel for this introductory talk. 

Last autumn I visited Switzerland, travelling entirely by train. Thankfully, the British trains to Eurostar seemed to be as efficient as the French and Swiss trains – at least on this occasion. As some of you may know, Tom Spencer has lived and worked in Switzerland since leaving College. It was a totally unexpected pleasure that we were able to meet – the first time since our college years. Tom had arranged a day sailing on a paddle steamer on Lake Geneva. As you can imagine, we had a great deal of catching up to do! 

Back in Chester Cathedral’s refectory, it was good to share with other alumni what studying at Chester has meant over the years. Joining me on that occasion from our year group were Sue Hadfield (née Iddon) and Pat Ransome (née Salter). As you may recall, Sue and Pat were involved in organising our own reunion events in 2019 and 2022. Before we know it, we will be celebrating 60 years since starting College! 

So, as The Cestrian magazine moves to an online version I look forward to hearing your news or updates to share here. Keep in touch! 

Kenneth Kay (Year Secretary) 

k.kay5@btinternet.com 

49 years since we started at Chester College on our B.Ed course in Physical Education!  

Paul Jelly (Leicestershire), Clive (Jago) Johnson (Kent), Stuart Buck (Chicago) and I (Gateshead) shared Jelly's room at Fisher 71, a flat at 37, Cornwall St and back to Hall were our residences!! 

Pete Pearce (Wigan), Paul Keighley (Brisbane) all meet up bi- annually at Stuart's House in Florida for golf! 

We met Ross Demming last year, in Wigan, and Les Carroll, over from San Fran! Alan Whitehead (Withernsea) keeps in touch as do Ali Rice, (Melbourne) Dave Richards, (Chester) Graham ' Seadog' Callander and Jeff Mason, all from 1974. 

We talk about Geoff Allen, but lost touch when he went to France. 

I see Dave Young (Gateshead 1967) most weeks and Dougal Moir (Berwick 1971) when visiting Berwick. 

Anne Marie Nicholson (m.Parker, South Wales) at a Wales v Eng Rugby game!! 

Rest assured, lots of college stories are still being discussed! Will they ever cease to amuse us all?!! Probably not! 

Please get in touch via below email. 

donheelbeck@aol.com  

The 2023 reunion weekend coincided with a China Crisis gig at the Live Rooms on the Friday evening. It seemed an apt way to celebrate our 40th anniversary so three tickets were purchased and Lawrence Bee, Adele Thompson and I enjoyed a memorable evening dancing to 80s classics. 

On Cestrian Day we met Gill Keight (nee Nelson) and Pam and Chris Green for the Chapel service and the blessing of the fig tree. The event, presided over by Chaplain Gill Reeve, was well attended by a large cross section of alumni.   

We enjoyed another lovely meal at the Neighbourhood Bakehouse in Northgate Street. During the day we stopped at places that held a special memory for each of us such as Old College, The Red Lion and the River Dee. We finished with drinks at The Architect, supper at Bella Italia. As usual the weather was glorious.  

In March Pat Ransome, Kenneth Kay and I were invited to be stewards on campus for the biennial Choir Festival. We were honoured to be a part of this event and to share our enthusiasm and passion for Chester with Chaplains and Vice Chancellors from other Universities.  

I met with my year group in May for lunch in Bridge Street. Chester Castle and the Agricola Tower happened to be open that weekend and we had a blustery wander round the ramparts. The tiny chapel was fascinating and the guides informative. We finished at Alexander’s for some live jazz.  

In August I caught up with Jane Speakman, Lynne Barton and another mutual friend. Jane and Lynne hadn’t seen each other for a number of years, so there was a lot to catch up on. 

Sadly, I was unable to attend the informal alumni get-together in September but I understand it was well attended. 

It is a testament to the Power of Chester that we stay connected whether we meet on campus or elsewhere. 

If you wish to contribute an update, please email me. 

Sharon Forsdyke 

Year Secretary 1983 Starters 

sharonlforsdyke@gmail.com  

Tony went to Barnsley Grammar School before serving the last couple of years of the war in the Cameron Highlanders. Tony played the bagpipes so when he went into the Army Education Dept he joined the Pipe Band, both piping and dancing. 

 Tony was accepted at Chester College, where the men just demobbed were expected to be back in college by 9.00pm at night.  Tony loved his time at Chester, cycling between Barnsley and Chester, even in winter. He rowed for the college, played rugby and joined the local Scottish Dance group. He played his pipes for their dancing and as a crowd attraction on Rag days. He was also very involved in the life of the College Chapel. 

 His first teaching post was a Secondary Modern in Barnsley. Tony became a Fulbright Scholar, exchanging with a teacher from Pelham, New York. He became Pipe Major of Yonkers Kiltie band while there and marched in the 5th Avenue parades 

Tony studied at Leeds and Manchester Universities for further qualifications including an MA. He lectured at St John’s College York, moved to work for Sir Alec Clegg as an adviser, and played with local Pipe Bands, including the West Yorkshire Fire Service. He became honorary piper for many local Scottish Societies and was still piping at 96 years old.  

Tony played and danced at big events all over the continent and into China, making friends everywhere he went. He loved languages and trying them out and became an Emeritus Reader in the Church of England. 

Tony had an abiding zest for life and learning, he was still learning Gaelic and studying Hebrew and Greek to the last few weeks of his life. Deeply missed by his wife Cynthia and their family. 

Born in Wigan in 1935, Eric passed his eleven plus and attended the local grammar school, like most lads from those schools leaving aged sixteen. He told me he worked in a factory. National Service gave him a chance to change career directions, as many of us did.  In 1955 he entered Chester Teacher Training College, and apart from anything else, became a stalwart of the rugby team.  He left with his teaching certificate in 1957. 

We lost contact so I don’t know what happened after that. His career path is unknown to me. However, contact was resumed in the late nineties, and we exchanged regular emails, often humorous, after that. I asked him about his career since teaching and this is what he wrote. 

“In 1973 I became an HMI and in 1983 became the Senior Chief Inspector of Schools for England and Wales (Sci), a post that combined being the Head of HMI, the Government of the day's chief professional adviser on education and one of the 4 deputy secretaries of state in the Dept of Education & Science. I was honoured with a CB in the 1980's but can't recall the year exactly. I resigned in 1991 when Ofsted was created by the Major government.  

I worked directly with 6 Secretaries of State for Education: Shirley Williams/Mark Carlyle /Sir Keith Joseph /Ken Baker/John MacGregor/Ken Clarke but was never a Deputy Secretary of State - that is a political post. I was the Senior Chief Inspector (SCI) and a Deputy Permanent Secretary in the DES - the second most senior civil servant level in a department, the Permanent Secretary being the top dog.” 

Eric passed away peacefully in the early evening of 12th July in a care home near Eastbourne, surrounded by his large family.   As his son wrote, “he even shared a final glass of champagne with us (his idea)”. 

Ken Morgan, also 55/57 

Ken was an active student, being a member of the rowing club especially.  

He qualified as a teacher and began his career in his own area working in Junior schools. He moved into the new Middle school system where he stayed working with mixed nationalities and thoroughly enjoyed working with less able. He ended his career as head of his own school. 

He took early retirement due to deteriorating health problems

He was married to Patricia who was also a teacher for 62 years and received Congratulations from the king on their Diamond anniversary.

During retirement he enjoyed motoring and outdoor activities in the Peak District

He died peacefully in hospital in May this year 1940 -2024 

Patricia Bradshaw 

Colin was born into a mining family in Shilbottle and retained his love for his native county of Northumberland throughout his life. 

After leaving The Duke’s School in Alnwick, where he studied art, he became a Chester student, where he was a member of the PE wing and also studied history. His interest in art continued however and more than one of his college contemporaries has examples of his work on their walls. 

At the end of his college course, he taught for a short time in the Gosforth area before spending two years in Canada, where he became part of the PE staff at Saskatchewan High. 

Outside school he played and became a big fan of ice hockey, and his purchase of a Ford Mustang led to cars becoming another area which had a continued appeal.   

He returned home in 1970, and joined the staff of The Chantrey School in Morpeth, where he was to spend the rest of his career, teaching PE, art and history. Shortly after his return he was to meet his future wife Joan and they were married in Seahouses in 1972, before having three children Lauren, Greg and Dougie, and later three grandchildren, to whom Colin became a devoted grandad. 

Sport was to be a passion throughout his life. He played football, rugby and cricket as a young man, but found his main area of success on the golf course. He was a member of three Northumberland golf clubs, bringing his handicap down to four and taking part and winning trophies in many competitions, which included the county final in 1998. 

From the early days of this century, Colin became a member of a group of 1966 Cestrians who regularly wandered around some notable walking spots, highlights of which were completing the Dalesway in 2005, and a three-day hike along the Northumberland Coast in 2010, which Colin organized, greatly assisted by Joan, who organized lodgings and provided transport. The same 1966 group and our wives also enjoyed many sociable weekends away over the same period, and Colin and Joan were very much part of those.  

On one of our early walking trips in Ambleside, Colin told us that at the age of 59, he’d been diagnosed with prostate cancer and the outlook was bleak. To the admiration of all who knew him he was to doggedly fight against this for the next 21 years, continuing to enjoy the fullness of life and accepting every treatment which was offered, until he finally succumbed in March of this year. 

Several of us were able to represent our year at his funeral, when the crematorium was full to overflow, as was the later gathering at Morpeth Rugby Club. We all extend our sympathies to Joan and to all their family     

 
Ian Crickett 

Neil was born on 2nd February 1947 and died on 16th August, 2024. 

At his funeral, his younger brother, Ian described him as ‘The most honest, decent, friendliest and kindest human being that one could ever meet’, which indeed says it all! 

Neil was an outstanding fellow Cestrian who gave his all to Chester College. He was an incredibly humble and modest man and earned the respect of all who were fortunate enough to meet him. This was exemplified when he was Chairman of the Geographical Society. He organised field trips with supreme efficiency, and the ones to Malham and Castleton were truly memorable. Derbyshire figured in walks regularly up until July 18th, less than a month before he passed away. 

He was a fair sportsman and represented the College at football, and beyond. He took up refereeing and advanced in standing. He modestly showed me the letter from Anfield, inviting him to run the line for the fixture between Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. He was a keen Preston North End supporter. 

He was highly successful in primary education, and became a headteacher, and then an adviser in Lancashire. 

Many College friends clearly greatly valued Neil as someone very special over the years, including Peter and Gwen Thompson, Pat and Richard Ransom, Angela and Derek Pattinson, and Frank and Sue Pennington. Pat said, ‘Neil was always consistent, affable, and kind, with his special sense of humour’. Angela and Derek affirmed that, ‘Neil was always great company, whatever the context or occasion’. David Whittaker said, ‘Neil was a good friend, and he was popular with many people. He was a true and loyal friend, who always made you feel special’. Jim Watkins remembered Neil ‘as a person I was always happy to be around, and I am better for having known him!’ Dave Hodkinson said, ‘I’ll never forget his magnetic smile!’ Andrew. Brakes, a retired Staffordshire Head said, ‘We are all the richer for having met him……Neil McMechan….a good man true!’ 

Neil, may you rest in peace good man. 

Geoffrey Mackenzie 

Mel Chivers was born on the 19th September 1948 in Halifax, Yorkshire,  but ‘grew up’ in Raistrick, close to Brighouse. After he left Raistrick Grammar School in 1967 he undertook some voluntary work in Naples during a tour of southern Italy. He was obsessed with all sports and excelled in football and cricket with an ambition to follow a career in teaching. Mel was one of the cohorts of PE students at Chester College in September 1967 and he represented the college with success in football and cricket. 

Mel started his teaching career at Sacriston Secondary in the early ’70s where he made many lifelong friends. He quickly progressed to become Head of the PE Dept. and later to teach History and Careers. His growing reputation in the school and local community was recognised when he was appointed Head of Sixth Form as the school became Fyndoune Comprehensive. Mel dedicated thirty-five years to teaching and he finally retired early due to his ill health in 2004. 

Mel met his first wife Mary whilst at College and they settled in Durham where Lucy was born, followed three years later by Paul. Mary tragically died at a young age. Mel later met Cathy and they married in 1984. Beth was born in 1985.  

He played football for a number of local teams but achieved notable success in an outstanding career in cricket. He was a founder member of Plawsworth CC and a member of a very good team in the ’80s and ’90s. In a memorable Cup Final against Whickham he managed a sixty run partnership against an Australian Test team bowler and he appeared in ‘The Times’ following more batting heroics in a National Village game where he shared a last wicket partnership.    

In his later life Mel and Cathy enjoyed cruises and time spent at home and in their beautiful garden. On Sunday June 2nd Mel finally succumbed to multi organ failure and passed away on the 7th of June in hospital with his family by his side. Over 300 of his friends attended his funeral.   

Written by Mike Thornton (1970) 

Mick passed away on February 14th, 2024, aged 74.  

Mick, originally from Thorne in Doncaster, taught in High Schools in the Newcastle and Durham area until his retirement. 

Although he never learned to drive, he managed to climb every one of the Scottish Monroes, getting there mostly using public transport and his bicycle! His enthusiasm spread to many of his students.  

Mick also completed several marathons. His activity was restricted, but never stopped by a number of knee and hip replacements. 

For those who knew him, he will be fondly remembered as a true character. 

Mick leaves behind, his wife, Pam, and 2 children, Paul, and Suzanne from his first marriage. 

Eddie Berry (a contemporary)