DEATHS AND OBITUARIES
We regret to announce the passing of the following OPs and we extend our sympathy to their families and friends :
DEATHS AND OBITUARIES
Roger John Akrill ( 54-62 ) of Pickering , North Yorkshire , 9 April 2024 , aged 79 .
The Reverend Martin Beaumont ( 59-69 ) of Rockwell Green , Wellington , Somerset , 30 August 2024 , aged 73 .
Derek Akroyd Bradley ( 39-49 ) of Leyburn , 18 February 2024 , aged 92 .
Tim Clappison ( 59-69 ) of Harswell , near Pocklington , 17 July 2024 , aged 73 .
Howard Cox ( Former Staff , 59-72 ) of Nantwich , Cheshire , 21 December 2023 , aged 87 .
Michael Antony Fearne ( 53-55 ) of Sheffield , February 2023 , aged 81 .
Nick ( Michael ) Anthony Galtress ( 44-50 ) of Ludlow , Shropshire , 24 December 2024 , aged 92 .
David Donald Hall ( 47-54 ) of Harrogate , 29 October 2023 , aged 86 .
Peter Hardman ( 62-68 ) 14 July 2024 , aged 73 .
Michael Hardwick ( 56-63 ) of Beverley , East Yorkshire , 30 August 2024 , aged 79 .
Laurence Hodgson ( 62-67 ) of South Frodingham , Hull , 23 August 2024 , aged 73 .
Simon Hodgson ( 70-75 ) of Sydney , Australia , 23 October 2023 , aged 62 .
Robert William Horner ( 47-55 ) of Sevenoaks , 5 July 2024 , aged 87 .
Nicolas John Leaf ( 66-74 ) of Escrick near York , April 2024 , aged 67 .
David Martin Leggott ( 48-55 ) of Torquay , 30 December 2023 , aged 84 .
Nigel James Mertens ( 77-80 ) of Beverley , 1 June 2024 , aged 59 .
Brian Moore ( 49-55 ) of Gainsborough , Lincolnshire , 24 October 2024 , aged 86 .
Simon H Ogram ( 56-60 ) of London , 28 February 2022 , aged 78 .
Robert W Olsen ( 67-74 ) of Cheltenham , 6 May 2024 , aged 68 .
Howard G Parham ( 61-68 ) of Liskeard , Cornwall , 23 June 2024 , aged 73 .
Patrick Stephen Porter ( 60-70 ) of Holderness , Yorkshire , 21 December 2023 , aged 72 .
Eric Sydney Room ( 36-44 ) of Uxbridge , Middlesex , 5 August 2023 , aged 97 .
( Joseph ) Nigel Rudsdale ( 52-59 ) of Bishop Wilton , York , 23 June 2024 , aged 80 .
Roger Shaw ( 52-62 ) of Beverley , 18 October 2024 , aged 81 .
Peter Stoppard ( 49-53 ) of Clevedon , Somerset , 9 July 2024 , aged 88 .
Paul ( Pavlik ) Thompson ( 56-64 ) of York , 17 November 2024 , aged 77 .
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OBITUARIES
Roger John Akrill ( 54-62 ) was born on 11 January 1945 at Butleigh in Somerset . When he was a few weeks old , he travelled with his family to Beverley where he remained until he retired . He was educated in Beverley until he became a pupil at Pocklington School .
His family had the business of H . Esau Akrill ( Gunmaker ) in the Market Place , Beverley which had been operating since 1828 selling equipment and accessories for hunting , shooting and fishing . When Roger left school , he trained to be a gunsmith in Birmingham for a year and then took his place in the family business where he worked until retirement . For the past 25 years of his life , he has lived in Thornton-Le-Dale with his partner Jean , where he died suddenly on 9 April 2024 .
Roger loved the village and his garden and excelled at all things DIY . He was a member of Scarborough Cricket Club and was a keen supporter of Yorkshire County Cricket and had attended the Scarborough Cricket Festival for most of his life . He also kept in regular touch with fellow pupils from Pocklington .
( Jean Leggott )
The Reverend Martin Beaumont ( 59-69 ) was born in Yorkshire and educated at Pocklington . He went on to read Theology at King ’ s College , London following which he was ordained as a Priest in Newcastle Diocese in 1975 . He served as a Curate in the west of the city before joining Marlborough as Assistant Chaplain . Then to Exeter Diocese where he was both the Bishop ’ s Domestic Chaplain and the Vicar of a rural benefice . Whilst there , he continued to play rugby which , as well as attracting the attention of the local press , provided source material for his morning addresses in Chapel , as did his stories from Tyneside . During his time in Devon , Martin married Ruth , who was unstinting in her support as he moved around the country . He moved to Taunton School before joining Haileybury in January 1992 .
In his role as Senior Chaplain at Haileybury , Martin was much loved by staff and pupils alike . As a colleague he was always good humoured and supportive , never seemingly phased by anything . He was the consummate schoolmaster teaching across the age range , including Moral Philosophy at A level , and was much involved out of class . His love of rugby and swimming made him a well-respected coach of both , as did his love of Leeds FC on the soccer field . A keen walker and climber , he was involved in Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and took part in a number of World Challenge trips .
After eight years at Haileybury , Martin became Chaplain of Tonbridge before returning to parish life as the Vicar of Chiddingstone , Kent from where , in 2019 , he retired to Somerset . Initially working as a part-time associate priest , in 2021 he became Priest in Charge of All Saints , Rockwell Green .
Martin touched the lives of many and will be remembered with deep affection and gratitude by all those who knew him .
( Tribute by Robin Bishop , Former Staff , Haileybury )
Derek Bradley ( 39-49 ) was born on the 6 July 1931 at Tingley House in Morley , Leeds . He was the son of Richard and Margaret Bradley and younger brother to Kenneth . His family were involved in the textile industry and part owned a woollen mill . His early years were spent in Morley and at eight years old he went with his brother to Pocklington School .
His first day at school coincided with the outbreak of war in 1939 . The main York / Hull railway line which ran parallel to the school was targeted and bombed early on . Derek spent many hours watching Wellington bombers take off and land at the aerodrome next to the school playing fields . He recounted many stories about this period in his life .
Whilst at school , he developed a love of rugby which continued throughout his life . He played hooker for the first team and was selected for a Yorkshire school boys ’ trial . He was also a member of the school gymnastics team and on the athletics sub-committee .
After Pocklington , Derek went to Askham Bryan College to study agriculture . He acquired all the skills necessary for farming and took a livein placement working on a beef farm at Cayton near Scarborough . His working life began at West Moor Farm in Finghall , a 100-acre dairy farm with a small flock of hens which were housed in one of the rooms in the farmhouse !