here - Oswestry School

ObituariesPeter Birch1927-2008Peter's son Paulwas kind enoughto write a fewwords for usabout his fatherPeter Birch:“Peter always talked fondly of his timeat school and regaled stories of howhis French teacher made the learningof that subject come alive and hecontinued to visit France on a regularbasis and was always happy to "parler"the lingo at the drop of a hat or shouldthat be "chapeau"?He was great mates with Henry Ellis atschool and Henry was best man attheir wedding when Mum and Dadmarried in October 1949. They thenmoved down to Somerset where Dadwas already based with Bibby's. I wasborn in May 1952 and David (whounfortunately died from cancer inAugust 2003) was born in October1954.Peter played club cricket for Sparkforduntil he was in his 40's and was areasonable batsman and in his earlierdays kept wicket too. Mum used tohelp with teas and David and I wouldspend hours trying to keep thescoreboard up to date until we toostarted playing for the same villageteam.Apart from running a pub for 12months in the early 1970's, Dadworked for Bibby's right up until hisretirement in1986. They were able toenjoy a comfortable retirement andtravelled extensively, with trips to NewZealand, USA, France and Germanybeing made right up until this summerwhen Dad first became ill.He enjoyed spending time with hisfamily during his retirement, and was adoting grandfather to his 6 grandchildren (Jen, his second youngestgrand daughter was married on theSaturday before Dad died and Dadwas able to make the service andI honestly believe he felt that havingachieved that, it was time to go out ona positive) and was an active memberof several societies, including wineappreciation and gardening and wasalso a season ticket holder at YeovilTown football club, having renewed histicket again for the current seasonbefore he became too ill to attend.In brief, he was a good "egg" and I thinkhis sense of humour and ready smilewill be remembered by those whomet him.”Dominick Spencer (1924-2008)The Old Oswestrians' Society is sad to announce the recent death of Dominick Spencer,former headmaster of the Junior School. Dominick taught at the school from 1961-1970and was headmaster of the Junior School when it was in the "green hut", moving it up tothe Quarry site and developing it into a proper prep-school. Although Dominick went onto be headmaster at Amesbury School, Surrey from 1971 and retired to Cambridgeshire,he retained his interest in the School and the Old Oswestrians' Society.The funeral, held on Monday 19th May at St Laurence's Church, Wicken, Nr Ely, Cambridgeshire, wasattended by OOs Graham Arthan, Martyn and Mike Bracegirdle and Nigel Whittingham. Also in attendance wasMorag Hare, wife of the late Oswestry School master John Hare. Dominick had been a master at ReptonSchool with Oswestry colleagues Dick Sale and John Hare.Two former pupils share their brief recollections with us:“Dominick Spencer was a significant person in the history and development of Oswestry School. To fullyappreciate his contributions you had to have experienced the Green Hut (a wooden shed painted green) and theestablishment of the Junior School at the Quarry (impressive period house with traditional range of brickbuildings and well kept grounds) If memory serves correctly we moved up the hill in the summer term of 61with about 24 pupils. This was a completely new encounter for me having previously been 'taught' by threewomen, K.Lloyd, M.Watkin and Mrs. Walton. These three individuals had altered little since 1407 when theschool was founded. Being shouted at and called 'Fishface' at my first lesson for talking to 'Peanut' Watts andnot paying attention did not cause me any long term psychological damage.Dominick Spencer was supported by his wife Sue who looked after the boarders and was ably assisted byWendy Lloyd and John Harriott .The very cold winter of '62 saw us having regular running matches around the triangle. Ice on the road was notconsidered a safety issue. Initially swimming was in the 'cool pool' fed by spring water from Oswald's well. Heloved his cricket, inviting his 'little men' as he called us into his small sitting room to watch the famous 60'sWest Indian Test touring team on his t.v.I am sure he relished the opportunity offered by Dick Sale, the then headmaster, of building the foundations ofa new institution virtually from scratch and the testament to his vision and success is all to see of how the JuniorSchool has developed and expanded over the last 47 years. Perhaps the school may now recognise his impactand contribution.”Jeremy Dell OO (1959-71)“I still have a Junior School photo from 1964 showing Dominick and his wife Sue along with the teaching staffand 43 boys. We were taught all the Kings and Queens and their dates from 1066 by rote and I will alwaysremember the outdoor drama productions of Henry V and Julius Caesar. Although we were not many innumber, we played inter school matches of football and cricket against the likes of Packwood and Prestfeld. I wasonly 9 years old when I started in 1962 and remember him being firm but fair. Sue informs me when theystarted at the Quarry they had 10 day boys and 10 boarders and when they left in 1970 there were over 100 boys”.Donald Inman 1940-2008Graham Arthan OO (1962-71)Donald attended Oswestry School from 1950 to 1956 and was a member of HolbacheHouse. He then went to Grimes Tutorial College in Manchester.He was always keenly interested in mechanics and mechanical development andspent the whole of his life working in the motor trade in the North West.With two partners he started G.I.S. Motor Body Repairs in Kendal in 1974 and grewthe business into a reputable and reliable specialist company employing a workforceof 25. The business finally closed in 1997 when Donald took early retirement.Donald championed the Motor Industry all his life: he was actively involved in the Institute of the Motor Industryand was elected to a Member in 1983, he taught evening classes of Motor Vehicle Technology at BoltonTechnical College, was Chairman of the Kendal Branch of the Chamber of Trade and also of the Cumbria Branchof the Vehicle Body Repairers Association.Donald spent his last years with his partner Ginette in between Kendal and La Teste de Buch on the South Westcoast of France. He died in France on 11th August 2008 after a long fight against cancer. Methodical to the endDonald kept a day by day account of the experimental treatment he had received in the hope that it wouldbenefit others.Donald leaves a son, a daughter and eight grandchildrenThe Society is also sad to report the deaths of the followingJohn Maxwell (Max) BusseyClive Spaltonpage 18