Page 49 - OM Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

OM OBITUARIES
1960s
behind a wife (Charmian), four children, seven grandchildren and a host of happy memories. Died 14 December 2018, aged 78.
Drew Stuart Venn (7.58-62) After eight years in the RAF Medical Corps Stuart was in General Practice in Hampshire until 2008 after which Stuart worked from home in Midhurst. Died 12 May 2019, aged 74.
Jones-Davies Peter Michael (5.57-61) House Prefect Died 24 October 2018, aged 74.
1970s
Dunn Francis (8.71-76) Died February 2019, aged 61.
Titmas Martin Alexander (1.69-74) House Prefect. Martin’s interest and talent for Arts and History led him to Manchester Art College and a career in advertising as a copywriter at some top London agencies, creating European and U.S. advertising for Pan Am, Barclays and Max Factor among others. Always a rebel, he founded a punk rock group ‘The Porno Cassettes’ whose singles today change hands on Ebay for £700 or more. Later when he became a single parent he worked part- time and then went to Bath Spa University where he studied English and History. From there he handled the public relations for Strode College in Street, Somerset; photographing and writing about all the College activities for the local press. He then lectured in History, Media Studies and Employability. The latter he found most rewarding as he helped the long- term unemployed back into work, giving them back their confidence as well as a pay packet. On retirement from Strode College, Martin cared for his elderly mother and her partner. Family meant a lot to him, as it does to his two daughters who gave a lot of their time to help him with his MND illness. Died 5 July 2019, aged 63.
2000s
Hunt Philippa Clare (3.03-08) Died 8 February 2019, aged 28. See tribute on page 35.
STAFF OBITUARIES
Donald Grayston Burgess (Staff 82-94)
A tribute from Rory Boyle:
Donald Grayston Burgess (known to most as ‘Don’) was one of the true pioneers of the En- glish choral tradition and, as a counter-tenor, was a leading exponent of the genre, reviving the long-lost glories of Elizabethan England as well as promoting the more recent music of composers like Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten. He was born in Kent on 7 April 1932 – brought up mainly by his grandparents follow- ing the early death of his father, his musical ca- reer began when he became a boy chorister in Canterbury Cathedral. At the end of the war he moved to Cheltenham College before winning a choral scholarship to King’s College, Cam- bridge in 1950 studying under the great Boris Ord as well as joining the Consolidated Op- era Incorporated which enabled him to widen his musical horizons and explore the operatic repertoire. His professional career began in earnest in 1955 when he was appointed a Lay Vicar, singing at Westminster Abbey as well as becoming a music tours officer for the British Council and then, in 1969 he moved to St. Paul’s Cathedral as a Vicar Choral. At home in both the provincial choral society tradition as well as on the concert platform exploring the medieval and renaissance repertoire, he also appeared at Covent Garden singing the demanding counter-tenor role of Oberon in the 1961 and 1964 revivals of Britten’s ‘A Mid- summer Night’s Dream’. In 1963 he founded the Purcell Consort of voices, a six-strong group which revived many aspects of medi- eval and renaissance repertoire and which, under his expertise produced many pioneer- ing recordings from the works of Guillaume de Machaut to songs by Prince Albert and the music of Queen Victoria’s court. Throughout his career he was active as a teacher impart- ing his considerable musical expertise to future generations and it was Malvern’s considerable good fortune that he taught, first at Ellerslie and then, following the 1992 merger, as Head of Vocal Studies at the College. Although he was only in the post for a few years before retiring to live in Cambridge he left an indelible mark on pupils and colleagues alike with his engaging demeanour, unrivalled musical skill and loyal friendship, but it is surely his belief
Brown Alan Ronald (7.62-67) Alan left Malvern and pursued a career as a Credit Controller. This took him to London where he married, with his family then moving to and living in the Reading area. Alan was a keen golfer, car enthusiast and dedicated father to his two children. A keen supporter of charitable causes, Alan will be remembered dearly by a young women’s charity as his support helped fund 15 coaching sessions to help those in need, build confidence and find work. Died 2 August 2019, aged 70.
Corfield Roger Chirchman (4.63-67) Died I June 2019, aged 69.
Devas Hugh Edmund (9.63-68) Head of House. School Prefect. Hugh was a beloved husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, godfather and friend to many. A keen student of literature, and with a first-class legal and analytical mind, he enjoyed a successful career as a solicitor, having graduated Oxford with a degree in English Literature. A renowned wit, a beguiling raconteur, a loyal friend and an entertaining English eccentric, he made a lasting impression on all who met him. He shall be missed dreadfully and leaves
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