Literature , said : ‘ The list scans like a miniature who ’ s who of British post-war poets , and it is incredible , though clearly deserved , that Uncle Richard should be in their company as a prizewinner .’
Under his pseudonym , Richard Edwards , he became a children ’ s poet and author , and he also wrote educational books for primary schools . Over 40 of his books were published in English , and many were translated into other languages , including Japanese , Spanish , French , Polish and Turkish . In the 1980s and 1990s some of his poetry was broadcast on television , and his writing for children won several awards . The Welsh National Opera adapted and performed his book The Forest Child . Although many of his books are now only available second-hand , Richard ’ s nature and children ’ s poetry continues to be included in many anthologies .
RICHARD EDWARD TIBBITTS 1949-2021
It is with great sadness that I am writing this obituary for my younger brother .
After attending Solefield prep school in Sevenoaks , Richard won a scholarship to Sevenoaks School where his lifelong love of literature , language , poetry and jazz was stimulated and encouraged . The English department was flourishing in the 1960s , and gave encouragement to young writers and poets , publishing their efforts in Verve and Quays and Crossroads . Richard came second in the under 19 poetry competition organised by the Critical Quarterly . He also played the drums with a group of musicians at school who produced a record that was sold for charity .
He studied for his degree in English and American Literature at Warwick in their second year , before any students had graduated from the course . Richard then took his Certificate in Education at Bristol and the qualification to teach English to foreign students , so that he could live and work in other countries . He later lived in Italy , France , Spain and Scotland .
In 1970 , when he was 21 , he submitted a collection of unpublished poetry , and won the prestigious Society of Authors ’ Eric Gregory Poetry Award . Looking at the list of past winners , my grandson Ben , who followed in Richard ’ s footsteps to study English and American
He was one of a small group of talented poets who wrote specifically for children at that time , but he was a modest man who shunned the limelight , and rarely did interviews . In 1990 the Sunday Telegraph described him as ‘ Surely the best poet to have emerged in the last decade ’. George MacBeth called him : ‘ A master of light verse in the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson or Walter de la Mare .’ Matthew Sweeney wrote , ‘ Commonly regarded as one of our best children ’ s poets , he is endlessly inventive and handles form with a light touch ... he is funny and mysterious and throws an oblique light on a child ’ s world .’
As well as teaching at the Edinburgh School of English , Richard latterly spent a few happy years volunteering in the Oxfam Bookshop in Edinburgh , and he bequeathed his large personal collection of books to them . He was a keen wildlife photographer and walker . His plan had been to retire to rural Spain , but sadly that became impossible when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis . The illness took his sight and mobility , and a year before his death he moved into the wonderful Lauder Lodge Care Home in Edinburgh . When the pandemic prevented visits to residential homes , the kind and caring staff always made time to talk and read to him .
He died peacefully on 19 May 2021 with his close friend Susanne at his bedside . His family and friends miss him very much . He was a very important part of all our lives . His sense of humour made us smile even when he was very ill and I was blessed to be the sister of such a talented , warm , kind and inspiring man .
Richard will live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved him , and in the minds of generations of children who read , enjoyed and learnt his poems .
Angela Chapling
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2020-2021 133