PERSONALIA NEWS
Brian Worthy (45-52)
During his time at school Brian held several
positions of responsibility including Head
Prefect, Captain of Dolman House, Sergeant in
the CCF, Assistant Librarian and Editor of the
school magazine. He also enjoyed sport and was
particularly good at rugby and swimming – he
gained his colours in the former and was Captain
of both the 2nd XV and the swimming team in
his final year.
After Pocklington he proceeded to Clare College,
Cambridge, to read History followed by a Post
Graduate Diploma in Education at Durham after
which he pursued a career in education. His first
job was Assistant Master at West Hartlepool
Grammar School in his native Teesside. He then
worked as an Education Officer for several Local
Education Authorities in North Hertfordshire,
Gateshead and Kent before returning to Teesside
in 1970 as Deputy Director of Education at
Middlesbrough Borough Council. During his 26
years in educational administration on Teesside,
he played a pivotal role in the day to day running
of the Polytechnic, now Teesside University. He
was appointed County Educational Officer in
1991 and in 1996 was awarded an honorary
degree from Teesside University in recognition of
his contribution to education.
Brian was also an active member of many
educational and training bodies throughout his
career. In the 1980s, he was a member of the UK/
EEC education delegations to Denmark, USA,
Japan and Portugal. In 1994 he became a member
of Durham University Governing Council and
in 1995 became Chair of Governors and an
Honorary Fellow of St Mary’s College, Durham.
Brian was a loyal supporter of the Old
Pocklingtonian Association, serving as President
from 2001 to 2003. One of the key things he
accomplished as President was a complete
overhaul of the OPA constitution to its presentday version.
Brian married Diana in 1961 and they have two
daughters and four grandchildren.
TRIBUTES?
PLEASE SEND
DEATH NOTICES
& OBITUARIES
TO RACHEL
IN THE OP OFFICE
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PRE - 1970
David Barnes (Former staff, 62-66) taught Latin
and Greek at Pocklington as his first teaching job.
Other Classics teachers at the time were Derek
Whilesmith, Roger Kirk and James Eggleshaw. In
1966, he and his wife and two children (both born in
the East Riding) moved to Nottingham High School.
He then became Vice-Principal of Newcastle-underLyme School, followed by Headmaster of Pate’s
Grammar School, Cheltenham, where he stayed
until retirement. In his spare time, he has learned
Old English – he says “that’s three languages in which
I can hold conversations with no-one at all.” He has
also become interested in architecture and did the
post-graduate diploma in Architectural History at
Oxford when he turned 70.
Ralph Buckton (57-64) trained as a teacher at
Madeley College at Keele University after leaving
Pocklington. He now splits his time between Cyprus
and the UK. When in the UK he still works for part
of the year running the public exams for the BRIT
Performing Arts School in London. When he was
younger he held several high jump records jumping
for Yorkshire and the British Colleges. In the next
year or so he is thinking of attempting the British
high jump record for the over seventies which stands
at 1m 46 cm. He sends his regards to all those who
were at school during his time at Pocklington.
George Dixon (45-51) and his twin brother
Harry (45-51) would like to hear from their
contemporaries. He says “We would both be
delighted to make contact and would respond.”
Peter Hill (55-62) and Christopher Elliott (6065) bridged a gap of more than 50 years at London’s
Reform Club in February 2016. Peter was among
the audience for a lecture at the Club given by Major
General (Rtd) Christopher Elliott. As reported in last
year’s magazine, Christopher is the author of High
Command, which was published to critical acclaim
in 2015. Peter said: “His excellent presentation
prompted me to buy the book and Chris was
surprised to discover an OP waiting in the queue
for a signature!”
Richard Lambert (45-50) used to live across
the railway line opposite the School Assembly Hall
and swimming pool at Wilberforce House. After
completing two years of National Service with
the 5th Tank Regiment in Germany, he decided
to study Tropical Agriculture at Marshall College,
Aberdeen University and worked for a short time as
a Field Assistant with the Cameroons Development
Corporation.
After returning to England, Richard wanted to
work in BBC Radio Drama and obtained a grant to
study drama at the Florence Moore Drama School
in Brighton, where TV presenter Paul Sch