OBITUARIES
took a set of photographs of the original buildings before they went . As far it is known , these are the only photographs of the old Chapmangate . Roger continued to record parts of the town as they were disappearing – indeed even in his final years , if he got wind of a building to be demolished , he would be out on his mobility scooter to photograph it before it went !
In 2007 , Roger had been asked whether there might be any interest within Pocklington for a Local History Society , and he thought there might be , so an advert was placed in the paper and the Old Magistrates court was booked and they waited to see how many turned up . A dozen would have been good , but when they got to 100 , they had to close the doors and turn people away ! And so , the Pocklington History Group was formed . Roger declined to be on the committee – he felt that at the age of 75 his committee days were over – so he was promptly made Honorary Life President of which he was very proud .
After his death , Roger ’ s wish was for all his historical research about Pocklington to be passed to the Pocklington History Group so that others could continue to reference and build on it – a further reflection of his enduring dedication to the town . Throughout his 60 years in Pocklington , Roger gained a huge amount , but he also gave a huge amount too .
( Chris Bellingham )
Darrell Buttery MBE DL ( Former Staff 01- 06 , Former Governor 06-20 , Life Patron ) was born in Guisborough in 1941 and spent his childhood years in York before his family moved elsewhere . Returning to the city in 1968 , Darrell became a leading member of the York community . He was an English teacher at Nunthorpe Grammar School for Boys until its closure in 1985 . He then taught at Queen Mary ’ s Thirsk until his retirement , and latterly at Pocklington School . He was a past Chairman and President of the York Civic Trust , long-serving chairman of York Georgian Society and an active member of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society . Darrell joined the Company of Merchant Adventurers in 1981 and was Governor in 2002 / 3 . He was also Curator of Paintings for the Company , remaining active throughout his final illness . His published work included The Vanished Buildings of York ( 1984 ) and Pictures of York Minster from the 17th Century to the Present ( 2007 ). He was appointed MBE for his services to heritage in the city in 2018 and was a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire . He was also a noted diarist : his diaries from 1974 to 2018 are archived in the Borthwick Institute .
Darrell joined Pocklington School in Michaelmas 2001 shortly after his retirement from teaching to provide teaching cover in the English Department for the last ten days of term . He immediately fell in love with the School and everything about it so , when the opportunity arose to extend his temporary appointment , ten days happily turned into nearly five years !
In true Pocklington fashion , his teaching encouraged students to look further than the curriculum and to stretch their independent thinking . He revived and rejuvenated debating , with weekly in-house debates and frequent verbal battles against many York district schools . Using his York connections with the Merchant Adventurers , the Georgian Society , the York Civic Trust , and his many personal friends and associates , he enabled and encouraged Pocklington students to benefit from numerous visits , theatre trips , visiting speakers , and unique experiences such as the Georgian Balls and the York Mystery Plays .
On his ‘ second ’ retirement , Darrell joined the Board of Governors where his unfailingly generous support and commitment to Pocklington School continued well beyond the extensive time and effort required to edit and be one of the authors of the School history , published at the time of its Quincentenary in 2014 . A loyal figure on the touchline of numerous rugby and cricket matches and a regular attendee at OP and School events , concerts and plays , his efforts , time and encouragement have helped students , staff , and fellow governors in all aspects of boarding and day school life .
Darrell stepped down as Governor in 2020 . However , his involvement and connection with Pocklington remained through his status as an Honorary OP and Life Patron of the School , and through his philanthropic support as a founder member and President of the ‘ Shape the Future ’ 1514 Legacy Club .
Darrell will be sorely missed as a friend and colleague to many in both the School and wider York community .
Isobel ( Liz ) Cottom ( Former Staff , c . 59-93 ) was Secretary to four Headmasters over a period of more than 30 years . Consummately professional , she was a formidable guardian of the School ’ s administrative organisation . She ran her office with supreme efficiency before the time when computers and IT networks were commonplace and was always ready to help those who depended upon her unique mastery of procedures . The onus of her job along with the associated bureaucracy and paperwork increased as pupil numbers grew and the School transitioned to a more modern era . Isobel ’ s daily
victory in the battle to complete work promptly was quite remarkable – she even found time to help the late Malcolm Milne administer the OP Association , her encyclopaedic knowledge of pupils past and present almost matching his ! She retired in 1993 to take a well-earned break from the ever-increasing pressures of the school office and to enjoy more time with her late husband , Sefton ( Former Staff , 51- 90 ), who retired from the School three years earlier .
Graham White Dixon ( 46-50 ) was born in South Shields to Norman and Agatha Dixon on 4 March 1933 . He was their only son . His father worked for the National Provincial Bank , which meant moving every few years , so in the interests of consistent education he was sent away to prep school , then Pocklington . He remembered being one of the youngest in the 1st XV in rugby , gaining his colours in 1948 . He also enjoyed athletics and was described as ‘ an efficient and enthusiastic ’ team captain for Dolman .
After school , he went to work in the National Provincial Bank and found himself in Wolverhampton , which is where he met his wife , Christine Haselock . They married in 1960 , which is the year he joined the family firm , D & G Haselock Ltd . It was a small wholesaler to the hairdressing trade . Graham set about expanding the business . He was a true entrepreneur and with the help of his loyal staff , he
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