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David Bateman
David came to Oundle in 1981 after a distinguished professional career as an orchestral player,
joining the Music department as Head of Strings, a position he held for 10 years. He made a major contribution, not only in music, but through his unusual personality and his remarkable empathy.
He recognised the need to operate within the relentless Oundle pressures and expended much time outside his classes, helping his pupils with patient forbearance, introducing them to challenging works and giving them a firm foothold on which to base their future musical lives.
David embodied the axiom that a teacher teaches not only his subject but himself. His passionate musical spirit was evident in his own performances. Whether bringing a House chamber group up to performance standard in 24 hours or chasing up junior pupils, his devotion shone through his various activities, reflecting his belief that music is necessary for spiritual wellbeing. His inability to refuse a request sometimes led to his attempting to teach three different pupils simultaneously in three different places and if this led to a charge of being disorganised, it was a label he bore good-humouredly.
However, it is for more than music that David will be remembered. He was a great seeker of truth and this search led him in diverse directions. He was a devoted follower of various gurus, mostly of Indian extraction, and would fiercely defend his current sage against all-comers. He shared his interest in mysticism with pupils, mainly through his ‘magic carpet’ sessions, which developed into something resembling a cult, with David as the guru. However,
vulnerable pupils often found comfort and strength through his friendship and understanding, his door ever open and a wide range of health foods, spiced by surprising conversation, always available.
After his retirement David continued to be involved in music and was happy to sit in the back row of the second violins in a local orchestra, providing inspiration and support for the section.
During his final years David’s health deteriorated. Whilst he never complained, his friends understood he had no wish to face an existence as an invalid and he died on 29th December 2018. He will be remembered as a fine musician, an outspoken but loyal friend and an exceptional human being.
abilities of high achievers, but he also endeavoured to get the best from all pupils. His mantra for teaching was: “I don’t want to teach them to learn; I want to teach them to think.” He was also extremely thoughtful and sensitive, spending many hours coaching and supporting those who were struggling at school.
James was a firm believer that extracurricular activities were an essential part of education and were to be enjoyed by all. He was delighted to give his time to CCF, hiking, botany, rugby, cross country and rowing, and regularly took Oundle crews to Henley Regatta. His idiosyncratic coaching style as he drove the coaching launch up and down the Nene with his pipe clenched between his teeth was a sight to behold, particularly when he made one of his memorable spin turns on full throttle and sank slowly into the depths, pipe still in place!
Many will remember the variety and number of expeditions he led throughout his time at Oundle. Organising for boys to live with little- known tribes in the African, Bornean and New Guinean jungles, and crossing great desert expanses on camels, he provided some unforgettable experiences when travel to such destinations was not as easy and commonplace as it has become. They were particularly unforgettable for those who were subject to his blood-curdling home surgery and jungle remedies!
In 1980 James married Honor (his late wife) in the School Chapel and they had two children, William and Felicity. He went on to become Headmaster of Cawston College in Norfolk, before retiring in the Malvern Hills. He died in August 2018 after a brief but characteristically determined struggle with pancreatic cancer. Felicity Winsley (née Berry) and Stephen Forge
Staff obituaries
Michael Aubrey
James Berry
James joined Oundle in 1964 from Queen Mary College as a Biology teacher and a Tutor in School
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House. In 1971 he was appointed Housemaster of Sidney. He considered those days in Sidney the happiest and most rewarding of his life. He was known for his intolerance of bullying. His gentleness and sensitivity were appreciated by many – as were his determined and outraged outbursts when defending their rights. He launched a fight against bad manners and the lamentable school diet of the time, symbolised by the inferior beefburgers he called “felt-washers” that formed a staple at that period.
James was passionate about academic excellence, but with a tremendous sense of humour, fun and eccentricity. Making learning exciting and engaging was a priority. He valued academic achievement and was committed to nurturing the