1646 – Issue 3

2 7 In 1967 I came back from Canada, so our meetings started all over again. My grandfather and my father were both Freemasons and David was a member of Aldworth Freemasons Lodge. In 1958 he asked me if I would like to join and if so he would like to propose me. I said that I would love to join, so he proposed me in 1958. On October 4th 1959 I was Initiated into Aldworth Lodge by Robert Faulkner, Old Blue (1950). I thereafter joined a few more Lodges which David was a member of, so we would meet on a regular basis, most probably about 50 times a year. David started to become ill in about 2017 so at this time we would only meet at Aldworth Lodge meetings. In 2002/2003 I was both President of the Old Blues and Master of Aldworth Lodge, David and I would meet on a regular basis as he had put so much time and effort into the Old Blues Association and was made President Emeritus, a very high Honour. That is my life story with David. A wonderful friendship. He will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace. (Maurice Little, Old Blue, 1952) Brian Hayes (1957) died suddenly on 3 September 2021. After leaving school Brian joined A H Lansley, a firm established in 1890 and specialising in the sale and valuation of all types of businesses ranging from nursing homes to retail shops throughout the whole of the UK. Brian subsequently became a Partner together with his brother Morvyn and was still working and sharing his vast knowledge until the day he died aged 80. Brian was married to Sue for 58 years and had two sons, Ashley and Nicholas, both of whom went to Blue Coat; he also had two grandchildren, Katie and Joe who he loved spending time with and sharing his passion for boating; he so enjoyed his garden and was keen and active in protecting the environment. Brian had a full, active and enjoyable life – he will be so missed. (Morvyn Hayes; Brother and Old Blue 1952) Brian Walsh (1957) passed away in April 2021. “Brian Walsh was awarded a bursary to attend Blue Coat School from 1952 to 1957. If you read through the Aldworthian magazines of this time you will see him placed consistently at the top of his form. He was a diligent student, but more than this he clearly embraced all the opportunities that the school afforded him, such that by the time he reached his final year at the school, as well as being head boy, he was also house captain of Hall, captain of the first XII football team, playing Cricket out of the football season, appearing in drama society productions and representing the school in the debating team. The headmaster at the time, Bernard Inge, said of Brian in his end of year report “His personal example is above reproach and his moral character of the highest – all of us, Trustees, Staff, parents and boys are in his debt. He has but one ideal – to do what is right and to get other people to do the same – and he fears no man. The values and focus so evident at school followed him into his career as an accountant and progressing to a finance director, a long and successful career which took him and his family to live in Hong Kong and then Malaysia. Brian always had a way of bringing people along with him, encouraging and pushing them. He was warm and sociable and always got involved in clubs. His sporting start at Blue Coat mellowed over the years and golf became his favoured pass time – spending many weekends and holidays playing with friends and latterly also with his wife, Betty. Brian never lost contact with the school, remaining an active Old Blue, and then a governor, finally chair of the board of governors and a trustee. He supported the school’s connection with the masonic lodge and also climbed the ranks there. Both of Brian’s children attended the school, Andrew (1985) as a boarder whilst the family lived in Malaysia and Christine (1989) as one of the first girls to join the 6th form. He gave back to the school in spades and worked particularly hard to increase the bursaries and foundation scholarships for students to enjoy the same opportunities that he had. He was incredibly proud and honoured to have a building named after him and would have been very touched to know that family and friends gathered in the buttery in October 2021 to remember and celebrate his life.” (Christine Collett, Daughter and Old Blue, 1989) David Cripps (1958) passed away in hospital on 4 February 2021 with Covid. Marcus d’Amico (1981) passed away in Oxfordshire on 16 December 2020 from pneumonia. Marcus was a very talented and successful actor and appeared in several productions whilst at Blue Coat. He was best known for appearing 1993 miniseries “Tales of the City” and he was nominated for an Oliver Award for his role on stage in the 1992 production of “Angels in America”. Robert Spencer (2014) sadly passed away 20 June 2021. Robert’s funeral took place on Friday 16th July at St John The Evangelist Church and was attended by both Old Blues and members of staff.