OSAmag87_library

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 7
The dates for these meetings were “set” by
the Committee but considered a mere
guideline by GP and always deferrable for
“just one more” article to be made ready; or
was it just to confound my diary? To be
fair, however, he did on occasion leave
Madeleine with more than one evening to
re-type the whole and produce a disc ready
for the printer’s deadline date!
Geraint’s broad communications skills
across the Association’s membership will
quite simply never be bettered: a fact
which has long been acknowledged (and
worried about)! How he ever found time
to keep in touch with and to visit so many
people simply astounded us all. Like many
we were fortunate recipients of his always
welcome postcards from foreign climes: he
never spared himself effort in encouraging
others to travel as much as he did.
As already mentioned, he was very deeply
committed to his Church, both in Anglesey
and in London, near Barbican. His
enthused tenacity manifested itself in
many ways: football triumphs and tragedies
of yesteryear; his dedication to Stationers’,
(taking the same qualities with him to his
subsequent role at Nower Hill); and more
recently through determination, despite
his illness, to maintain his walking for as
long as possible, preferably in his beloved
Snowdonia. All this has deeply impressed
many people. But it was Geraint’s warmth
and genuine interest in people which made
him such an exceptional man; one whom
we were both proud to have called our
friend, and whom we, in common with
hundreds of others, shall both miss very
much indeed. We extend our sincerest
condolences to Marjorie and his family.
Peter (and Madeleine) Jarvis
ge
Not an article, by any means, but an
anecdote.
This concerns an ‘O’ Level Geology field
trip to Malham which I believe fell in
1964/65. A party of students stayed at the
Youth Hostel in Malham. I recollect that
Geraint was involved but suspect this can
only be so if he were on summer holiday
vacation from University (the years don’t
fit otherwise). Half the group stayed for
the first three days around Malham,
charting the geology up as far as the Tarn,
walking the limestone pavement and
risking life by getting too close to the edge
on repeated occasions. The other half of
the party went on a two day “Yomp”
around the surrounding hills – taking in
Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough.
My Head of House in Meredith on joining
the School, my recollection is that Geraint
was involved, sharing his knowledge of
the terrain and giving great exhortation
and encouragement to me and to others to
get the most out of the experience. It’s a
vivid memory that has lived with me down
the years. I am so thoroughly grateful to
have been able to share the story with my
sons and daughters. They have found
careers as earth scientists and teachers of
Geography – there’s just a little of Geraint
in their interest in the “Wider World” that
Geographers love.
I can also confirm that Geraint was in no
way implicated in my delayed departure on
the “Yomp”, with Reg Davies (also 1960-
1967), which necessitated us catching up
the group by taking a bus to venture pass
Giggleswick Scar while those ahead of us
walked the whole way! Our sketches of
the Scar, based on top-of-the-bus views,
were perfect and scored high marks from
Stan Read.
Recollections from my years as a Member
of the OSA Committee, in frequently
held meetings in Corporation of London
offices thanks to Peter Jarvis, and my year
as President, disclose Geraint’s ever
present Magazine point on the Agenda.
We are talking about the first days of an
OSA website and the crucial question:
“How shall we preserve the Magazine in
the face of this new technology?”. The
answer was always, like with Arsene
Wenger..... “Geraint Knows!!!” Bless the
man – Geraint is a true OSA Legend, a
Giant among the hills and moors of north
Yorkshire.
As Far as he Roamed.
With thanks,
Andy Forrow
OSA Past President and ex-Committee
Member - Meredith House 1960-1967
ge
Anne and I were so sorry to hear of
Geraint’s death. We knew how ill he was
but it was still a great shock that he had
gone so quickly at the end. He was a man
totally wrapped up in the affairs of Old
Stationers and always came to see us and
was interested in all our news whenever he
was visiting family in North Wales which
he did so often.
Our condolences go to his family. We
were away celebrating our 50th anniversary
on a cruise and heard the news on our
return from our next door neighbours who
were life-long friends of his family. It was
good to hear that so many of the OS’s
made the journey to Anglesey and sang the
school song for him.
Norman Rimmer
ge
Geraint will be much missed as his drive
and energy has done much to keep the
Association from fading away. Also there
were occasions, when family affairs brought
him into the Welsh Marches, he would
suddenly appear on our door step but
never had time other than for a quick chat
and a cuppa.
Julian, my younger brother, was at
Stationers with Geraint and since he is not
a member of the association I forwarded
Peter’s mail onto him. In reply he says
“Sorry to hear about Geraint. Although
I’ve not wanted to keep in touch with
anyone from school I note that he passed
away ‘peacefully’. The Geraint I remember
never did anything peacefully”.
Lucien Perring
ge
I was so sad to hear that Geraint had
passed away. He was a great teacher who
gave me a real love for geography. We had
a fantastic field trip to Malham and there’s
not much I don’t know about limestone! It
was great to see him again at a couple of
recent Old Stationers’ Christmas lunches.
He did such wonderful work for the old
boys’ magazine for so many years. He will
be sorely missed”.
Andrew Devon
Hodgson House 1972-79
ge
When I was recovering from a major
cancer operation, my wife and I greatly
appreciated Geraint unexpectedly calling
on us to enquire about my health and to
wish me well. A very kind and thoughtful
act from a real gentleman.
Dick Hersey
ge
I really didn’t know Geraint that well.
However, it was he who unwittingly lit a
fuse deep inside me that was to emerge
many years later as a passion for hill
walking. The means was, of course, via the
famous, Geraint-led Malham field trip
when in the sixth form and, during that
trip, the infamous Yorkshire Three Peaks
Challenge walk which the Masters
encouraged us to go on. I distinctly recall
32