OBITUARIES
at Dover College) and served for many years as
a local councillor, as an Independent on Ashford
Borough Council. He was a Justice of the Peace. At
Cambridge (St John’s) he was an athletics Blue and at
Pocklington was very actively involved with athletics
and tennis. He is remembered as an outstanding
history master, always expecting commitment and
effort from those who took history at A level and
so providing an excellent foundation for those who
went on to read history at university. Also during his
time at Pocklington, he succeeded G F D Pearson as
Housemaster of Wilberforce Lodge.
(Christopher Dent, 61-65)
the club.” His commitment to the club both on and
off the field was enduring. He was the treasurer from
1966-72 and attended almost all the home matches
over many years as well as the annual dinners.
North Dalton became the base for Peter’s farming
career. His mother had three brothers and one of
them, Stanley Tennant, had the tenancy of North
Grange, owned by The Warter Estate so it was
no surprise that Peter joined Uncle Stanley. A new
farmhouse was built and soon they were trading
as Tennant and Nettleton, which they did for many
years. Eventually, it became possible for Peter to
buy North Grange and Summit House farms from
Warter Estate.
Peter was passionate about many things but
particularly about his farming and conservation. He
was never happier than when he was walking his
fields, inspecting his crops and planning and planting
his conservation schemes. He moved with the times
as crops developed and was chairman of the local
Pea Group for 10 years. He used to keep bullocks in
the winter and had sheep.
Peter was a founder member of a group of Wolds
farmers which meets to discuss their industry and
share knowledge. The group is called “The Oolitics”
and it was only Peter who could think up that name,
based upon the oolite rock upon which all Wolds
farmers operate. It started in 1983 and Peter was
the secretary for many years. In addition to their
meetings, there were visits and tours out of the
county, all of which he would arrange, being part of
extending their farming knowledge.
Peter William Nettleton (49-58) was born in
Driffield, the only son of Charles and Dorothy
Nettleton and they lived at Ludhill House,
Warter, in the centre of the village. He attended
Warter Primary School where he first became
friends with Peter Smith (49-58). In 1949, Peter
(and Peter S.) moved to Pocklington School as
a day boy where he made another lifelong friend,
Paul Hutton (49-56). Peter did well at Pocklington.
In addition to his academic successes in A level
maths, physics and chemistry, he was very sporty
with a particular focus on rugby and athletics. He
was captain of the rugby 1st XV in his final year
and is quoted in the school records as “a hard and
determined runner, always ready to switch the
direction of the attack.”
He went to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and
read Natural Sciences. There he enjoyed his rugger
and his rowing – his oar was proudly displayed on
the dining room wall at his farm years later. After
graduating he stayed on an extra year at Cambridge
to do a Diploma in Agriculture.
To continue his love of rugby, Peter joined
Pocklington RUFC where he had a very successful
1st team career. Here again, the club records make
mention of “his very distinctive high-stepping style
which enabled him to make big strides, either
forward or sideways, bringing him a hatful of tries for
When Peter was no longer able to play rugby,
he joined a locally based cycling club, providing the
much needed exercise as well as the opportunity
to meet at leisure with friends and neighbours.
They had international as well as national tours,
the first of which was to Ireland in 2003. This
was followed by trips to France, Germany, Spain,
Scotland, Wales and different parts of this country.
It was a cruel blow when his health issues prevented
him from cycling but typically he would continue to
attend the social evenings.
John Dixon Briery Nicholson (49-56) died
in May, aged 78, and the large congregation at All
Saints Pocklington to celebrate his life attested to
the affection and respect of many in East Yorkshire
and further afield.
He was no academic at school, but survivors of his
era remember his inventive and witty excuses for
late attendance. Born a farmer’s son, he later went
to Bishop Burton College and became a successful
farmer, at one time owning a large arable Wolds
farm and a pig breeding business.
He had a great love and understanding of the
people and history of the Yorkshire Wolds. He liked
travelling the area, dispensing help and advice and
exchanging stories in farmhouses and pubs. In later
years, his diverse interests included the mistreatment
of farmers by banks and methods of early years
education. He devised a type of abacus to aid maths
teaching and travelled to China and India to promote
his methods. He sought election to Parliament to
promote these interests, standing unsuccessfully in
the Haltemprice and Howden constituency.
He lived a full and sometimes eccentric life. I and
others will miss our meetings at the White Horse
in Beverley. Two partners and seven children survive
him. His brother Derek and his son Dixon continue
in farming.
(Norman Wood, 49-57)
Peter was always proud of his school connection and
of the successes of his OP children, John (78-89),
the late Simon (86-91), Tim (98-03) and Emma
(94-05). He continued to support the development
projects at the school and only a year ago attended
the opening and dedication of the new Art and
Design Centre to which he had contributed. In June,
he was able to join the OP day and attended the
Sunday lunch to join others who had started at the
school when he did.
Peter worshipped at All Saint’s Church in the village
of North Dalton. He was actively involved on the
PCC and as Churchwarden for over 30 years. He
was also on the Parish Council for 40 years. It is here,
in the centre of the community in which he served
that he is now laid to rest alongside his mother,
Dorothy, and his son, Simon.
(Edited from the eulogy by Paul Hutton, 49-56)
Francis Geoffrey Coverley Smith (63-74),
known as Geoff, started at Pocklington aged 8,
continuing through to the sixth form. Whilst at
Pocklington he developed a love of sport, playing
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