SCHOOL NEWS // OBITUARIES
and rejuvenated debating , with weekly in-house debates and frequent verbal battles against many York district schools . Using his York connections with the Merchant Adventurers , the Georgian Society , the York Civic Trust , and his many personal friends and associates , he enabled and encouraged Pocklington students to benefit from numerous visits , theatre trips , visiting speakers , and unique experiences such as the Georgian Balls and the York Mystery Plays .
On his ‘ second ’ retirement , Darrell joined the Board of Governors where his unfailingly generous support and commitment to Pocklington School continued well beyond the extensive time and effort required to edit and be one of the authors of the School history , published at the time of its
Quincentenary in 2014 . A loyal figure on the touchline of numerous rugby and cricket matches and a regular attendee at OP and School events , concerts and plays , his efforts , time and encouragement have helped students , staff , and fellow governors in all aspects of boarding and day School life .
Darrell stepped down as Governor in 2020 . However , his involvement and connection with Pocklington remained through his status as an Honorary OP and Life Patron of the School , and through his philanthropic support as a founder member and President of the ‘ Shape the Future ’ 1514 Legacy Club .
Darrell will be sorely missed as a friend and colleague to many in both the School and wider York community .
MATTHEW PIMM
25.07.86 – 02.01.22
Matthew was appointed as an IT technician in November 2020 , partly to ensure that we had depth-in provision whilst Stuart Hodgson was ill .
Matthew had attended the School from 1997 to 2004 and immediately felt at home in the school ; he loved seeing the teachers he had respected as a pupil , took pleasure in meeting new staff from all departments , enjoyed the work he had been appointed to do and delighted in all that the School environment had to offer .
Matthew settled in very swiftly and enjoyed his time here . He was ‘ Pocklington ’ through and through .
Matthew ’ s job at Pocklington was hugely positive in his life and so important to him that , even when he could have chosen to spend time at home during his illness , Matthew still came to work whenever he could .
On February 25th 2021 , Matthew went for a chest x-ray as he still had a slight cough , despite numerous negative Covid tests . Matthew ’ s results showed that he had renal cancer which had already spread to other parts of his body , and he sadly passed away on 2nd January 2022 , surrounded by his family .
All have fond memories of Matt , and we miss him . We hope that his family will find solace within the Pocklington ‘ family ’ which was such a special part of Matthew ’ s life .
Naturally , his family was his whole world , and it was comfort knowing that his wife Amy would be joining the staff in the Prep School .
It also gave him tremendous pleasure and pride to watch his two older children , Amelie and Wilf , join the school , knowing he could trust
Pocklington to help his family bring up his children with our School Values , which meant so much to him .
8 THE POCKLINGTONIAN