Services and Eulogies


Services and Eulogies

Contacts: Chris Wood Old Rendcombian Society President.   Chair Alex Brealy (2023)
Jane Gunner  Email:[email protected] Old Rendcombian Society Secretary

OR Reunions: oldrendcombian.org.uk/reunions
OR Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/2217271449

Remembering Martin Richards b. 4 Feb 1935 d. 24 July 2024

Martin Richards A brief tribute from Julian Comrie
I am sorry to tell you that my great life-long friend Martin Richards has just died.  I will give some brief details below for the current OR news; I could produce a longer appreciation and some photos for next year’s Magazine, should they be required.
 
Martin Richards, born 4 February 1935, died 24 July 2024, aged 89.   Student at Rendcomb 1946 – 1954.
 
Martin and I first met at Rendcomb in September 1946, two of the six new boys that year – shortly to become only five.  We became lifelong friends.   He was Best Man at my wedding to Helen, nee James, at St Peter’s church in 1959, when we both started our professional careers.   Martin, thoroughly Welsh, inherited his father’s, and grandfather’s solicitor’s practice in Llanelly, which he manged until retirement in about 2000.
His interests outside the Law were artistic – he was an excellent pianist, and sketches, drawings, paintings, and pictures in any medium emanated from his studio, then often onward to exhibitions and galleries.
 
He married Sue Powell in 1963, and they had three sons; they all survive him.   Martin and Sue moved to a small village near Hereford in early 2000, where Martin was able to indulge in art, but he suffered ill health for a few of his last years.

Robert Alan Barnard-Weston

Robert Alan Barnard-Weston at Rendcomb College 1968 to 1976
Family and friends remembered Rob, his life, energy and spirit on Friday 19th January 15:00 to 17:30
at Manor Farm Upton Cheyney BS30 6ND.  Please tap/Click the invite photograph to enlarge.

Funeral service and wake for John Willson 11am 26th October 2023 at Bridgewater

John Willson Director of Music, English and Latin master at Rendcomb College. 1967-88

John Willson’s funeral will be at Sedgemoor Crematorium at 11am 26th October at
Red Ln, Stretcholt, Bridgwater TA6 4SR  sedgemoorcrem.co.uk T: 01278680020

All will be welcome at the wake afterwards at Admirals Landing, The Docks, Bridgwater TA6 3EX  admiralslanding.co.uk  T: 01278422515  John requested no flowers but donations to Parkinson’s UK.

John RW Willson taught at Rendcomb College from 1967 to 1988. He directed Music and taught English and Latin. He was a major influence to many being the driving force behind the orchestra and choral, operatic and major musical performances such as Fidelio and Der Freischutz to name just two. He loved the outdoors, walking, hikes and in particular rock climbing – also into his later years. His Morris 1000 van took many a weekend trip to the rugged Wintour’s Leap in the Wye valley and much further afield to the Austrian Alps during long holidays.

p6-p10 John Willson on his retirement in the 1988 OR Newsletter. Link to the following here
https://www.oldrendcombian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1988.pdf

Announcement and comments made on UK climbing (courtesy of John Shaw and Des Knox) Link to the following here
https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/john_willson_rip-764070?

Photographs: Rendcomb College 1973 Prospectus and Courtesy: A. Robertson OR 1965-72 personal collection.

Service for Roger MA Medill 7 July 2023 at St Peter’s Church Rendcomb College

Roger Medill Head Master of Rendcomb College

Funeral order of service on 7th July 2023 link to 8 page pdf document opens in new window.