PERSONALIA NEWS
PRE- 1970
Richard Beadle( 58-68), Professor of Medieval English Literature and Palaeography, who joined the Faculty of English at Cambridge University in 1975, retired in September 2016. Richard is known for his work on medieval drama – his magisterial two-volume edition of the York Cycle appeared in 2009 and 2013 – and for educating many generations of students and future scholars in the reading of medieval manuscripts( not least through the development of the MPhil in palaeography). To mark the occasion of his retirement a symposium on Textual and Related Studies took place at the Faculty of English, the University Library, and St John’ s College, on 22 September 2016. For many years, Richard facilitated the biennial OP Cambridge Dinner in the Wordsworth Room at St John’ s College, Cambridge.
Roger Chapman( 47-56) sent his book about his time organising expeditions for scientists and Operation Drake and Raleigh, Expeditions make me sick to the school archivist. It mentions his time at Dolman under James Eggleshaw and in main school under Mr Pitts-Tucker, when he went on his first expedition to Bear Island.
Canon Michael Long( 45-50) celebrated 60 years of ordained ministry this year. A special Eucharist at Holy Trinity, West Runton, Norfolk, was held in May followed by a buffet.
Brian Madderson( 53-63) as chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association has been campaigning for the Chancellor, Philip Hammond to cut fuel duty as the price of fuel continues to soar.
Neil Mainwaring( 43-51) was one of four members of the Country Land and Business Association( CLA) to be presented with the President’ s Award for outstanding contributions to the association. The award was presented at a celebratory meal hosted by CLA President, Ross Murray. The award is presented in recognition for outstanding contributions and long and loyal service to the CLA over many years. life in teaching and teacher education. He is keenly involved with the local branch of the University of the 3rd Age as well as volunteering with the Credit Union in North Lincolnshire. Richard would like to pass on his best wishes to all of his contemporaries who remember him.
Mike Stathers( 62-69) is a local East Riding Councillor for the Wolds Weighton Ward. He has been campaigning for BT Openreach to speed up its superfast broadband programme to avoid villages slipping further into the IT wilderness.
Peter Twombley( 52-59) remembers‘ Pock’ as being a great place to be during his time there. Art teacher, Nigel Billington, was a particular inspiration to him. After Pocklington he went to King’ s College, Newcastle to read Fine Art and then trained to be a teacher. His first job was at Monkton Combe School near Bath where he enjoyed sport and being a young director of the art department for seven years. Finally, he and his young family moved to the Loughborough Endowed Schools where Peter established a new department. He retired to pursue his artistic interests and exhibiting in the UK. During his teaching career he won a Goldsmith’ s scholarship to study the culture and art of ancient Egypt and visited many European and American collections of their art forms. He also spent time in Luxor and worked on his own art projects as well as extensively exploring every corner of the country. He now exhibits in his own barn studio near Loughborough which he opens to visitors.
Forrest Franklin( 54-56), now a vineyard manager in California, and philanthropist who co-founded Tour de Cure, a one-day cycling event supporting diabetes research, reports achieving donations in excess of one million dollars for the 2017 routings. The ride, in its 26th year has broken the million dollar( 875,750 GBP) mark each of the past ten years( www. tourdecurenapa). Franklin continues also to support MND and breast cancer research in other, similar events.
Richard Harker( 57-63) is a committee member of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society, a charity that campaigns to protect, restore and promote the 19th century canal. Between April and October, the society runs trips on its narrowboat, New Horizons, to help raise funds alongside its other fundraising activities. Check the website for further details: pocklingtoncanalsociety. org.
David James( 59-67), following a PhD involving sea urchins, entered teaching accidentally and spent his entire career in independent and state schools in the UK and abroad. He led school expeditions to South America, Africa and Borneo. He now lives in Cornwall with his wife Gail. David would love to hear from any of his contemporaries. If you would like to contact David, please contact Rachel Dare in the OP office.
Alec Sabin( 56-65), has written an updated and revised edition of his book You’ re On! Using his extensive industry knowledge and experience from over 30 years as an actor, broadcast journalist and media trainer, Alec provides expert tips and guidance on how to come across well on radio, TV and online. It was acting which started Alec on his career path. Although he disliked school, his ambition to become an actor had been there in his final years at Pocklington. He went on to study philosophy at Newcastle University, then drama at Manchester University before starting his career as an actor, working mainly in television. His many credits include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Doctor Who, Coronation Street and The Royal Shakespeare Company. During the‘ 80s, Alec changed course, went into broadcast journalism, and worked in TV but mostly radio in the UK, and abroad. He worked for the BBC World Service as a presenter, newsreader, journalist and trainer. He has written two books about broadcast presentation and is still working freelance for the BBC as a voice and presentation trainer. More information on Alec and his extensive career is on his website, www. alecsabin. com. The book is available from Amazon both in print and digital versions and is suitable for anyone, especially students, who have an interest in broadcast and media( new and traditional) presentation.
Richard Stakes( 54-64) is now retired and spending time with family and friends after a working
1970- 1979
Patrick Belas( 70-75) recently retired from the NHS as a Psychotherapist and is developing a private practice. However, other important projects include gigging( mainly blues harmonica) and travel which have both been welcome life changers. His father, OP Rex Belas( 35-40), at 95, is living independently nearby( Hampshire) and doing well.
Neil Calder( 63-70) since graduating from St Andrew’ s University in 1974, has followed a career in communications, working in Geneva, California and France. In 2011 he became the Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, in Japan. Neil has also published many articles, press stories, and has directed several films.
Adrian Edmondson( 69-75) has written his first novel for children entitled Tilly and the Time Machine. Published by Puffin Books on 4 May 2017, the book deals with the difficult subject of grief through humour and a seven-and-a-half-year-old, time-travelling girl called Tilly. This isn’ t the first time Adrian has ventured into writing books. He published adult fiction novel, The Gobbler, in 2011. To help publicise the book, Adrian gave radio interviews and made several personal appearances including at the Hay Festival. As well as his writing, Adrian is to star in the Royal Shakespeare Company’ s new version of Twelfth Night. The play to be directed by Christopher Luscombe, will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from
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