Your Webmaster reports the sad death of H. A. "Peter" Otway (JRCS 1938-42)…

It is with a very heavy heart that I record the passing of Henry Arthur McRae "Peter" Otway (JRCS 1938-42) who, according to his son, Mark Otway, died peacefully on April 26 at his care home.
   In a contribution to The Mill back in 2002, Peter recalled wartime life at the school and during his evacuation to Shoreham, Sussex. "At first the bombing in daylight was very disruptive to school work," he wrote. "But when it went to night bombing this was hardly disruptive at all - if you were still alive! Generally, the teachers at that time were over age for joining the forces, although one or two did so."
   And a year later: "As one of the evacuees, I recall being billeted over a shop - Express Dairy - in Shoreham. However, my father came to the conclusion that this place was probably more dangerous than Croydon, and so I came back. I did not go back to John Ruskin until it opened again in Croydon, and lost nearly a year's tuition."

Mel Lambert, Burbank, CA, USA; April 2020 Email

 Mike Briggs promotes a book written by his grandfather, an original JRGS pupil…

It seems that the audio recordings uploaded in early 2004 of my late grandfather, Alfred L. Stacey, who was one of the original pupils at John Ruskin Boys' Central School, are no longer functional. [ML adds: These files will be replaced ASAP.] Incidentally, I was amused to note the warning below the recordings that "It may take a couple of minutes to access and download each file via a 28.8 KB modem" - thankfully the technology has improved somewhat since then!

   The alumni might also be interested to know that a manuscript written by my grandfather will finally be published next month, on Friday, 24th April, 2020, entitled The Trail Beyond The Toadstool. First published in the our school magazine, my grandfather developed a passion for writing at JRGS and, in addition to prose, became a prolific writer of verse, including writing verses for greeting card companies.

   The Trail Beyond The Toadstool by A. L. Stacey, recounts a magical journey involving sprites, goblins and fairies, that unfolds one boring Saturday morning after Pat, the female protagonist, kicks a toadstool.
   The easy-to-read book (reading-age 7-9, but of interest from age five and up) features 64 pages and 14 full-page colour illustrations. the book is being published by Sheredean Publishing at £6.99, ISBN 978-1-5272-5020-8, and will be available to order from traditional and online bookshops in many countries. (Except the USA, due to spelling differences).
   Clock on the thumbnail to view a larger version.

   For more information about the book click here and a flyer here.

Mike Briggs, Paris, France; March 2020

 Your Webmaster discovers Ruskin Park in Camberwell, South London...

While researching via Google Maps The Camberwell Submarine, a Brutalist building in Lambeth, I noticed that just to the east in nearby Camberwell there is an open space new to me but which I must have driven past many times while travelling from New Addington to Central London. Ruskin Park, just off Denmark Hill in Camberwell - and within the London Borough of Lambeth, South London - opened on 2 February, 1907, with an area of 24 acres; in 1910, 12 acres was added on its south-west side. The following images were secured in the mid-Fifties or early-Sixties.

As might be expected, the park was named after John Ruskin (1819–1900), a poet, writer and a champion of diverse green spaces, as well as of the Arts and Crafts movement, who lived near the open space. Reportedly, during World War I, recruits of the 21st Battalion, London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) and based at nearby Flodden Road in Camberwell, trained in the park.
   Located between Camberwell, Brixton and Herne Hill, Ruskin Park contains several heritage features as well as sports facilities. On-site facilities include tennis and games courts, a children's play area plus a paddling pool, ponds, formal gardens and a wooden bandstand. It is one of Lambeth's nine Green Flag Award-winning parks, having secured this title for the first time in 2009. (The Green Flag Award recognises the achievements made by everybody to provide the community with a viable green space.) Immediately adjacent to Ruskin Park are King's College Hospital and Maudsley Hospital. Friends of Ruskin Park

Connection to Pink Floyd
An iconic Pink Floyd photo shoot - reportedly their first - took place in Ruskin Park in 1967. Founding band members Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright were captured by Colin Prime, who was a disc jockey as well as a photographer. The band was photographed sitting on benches, or in or near the Ruskin Park Portico, a remaining part of the 18th Century villas that once encircled Denmark Hill.

"All the guys were in high spirits at the time - Syd was performing cartwheels - but quite laid back," Prime recalls. "After some slightly more formal shots I experimented and came up with these images." Colin recalls.
   One of the photos was also used by Barrett to create a silhouette illustration of the band for the back cover of the group’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, named after the seventh chapter from Wind in the Willows and released in August, 1967, four months after the shoot.

Mel Lambert, Burbank, CA, USA; March 2020 Email

Bernard Maguire (JRGS 1951-59) adds: Alumni may be interested to know that John Ruskin's parents are buried in the churchyard at St John's Church, Shirley Church Road, near our school former site on Upper Shirley Road. Close to the church's east window, the grave was refurbished a few years ago by the Ruskin Society, which visited from Coniston - Brantwood, the writer/poet's long-time home, is on the shores of Coniston Water - and held a short service and talk in church, noting the Ruskin crest and inscriptions on the memorial. It is now a Grade II listed monument.
   I was churchwarden at the time. When the Society learned that I was a former JRGS pupil, they put me on the spot and got me to sing the school song from the pulpit. I was surprised that I still remembered the words. (Two verses.) I am now the church's verger and would be happy to point out to visitors the memorial, and explain why his parents wished to be buried in Shirley.
   Incidentally, a couple of weeks ago I visited an old classmate, Graham Davidson, in Bearley in the Cotswolds. We played in the same skiffle group in the Fifties and revived some songs - we were still a bit rubbish!

Paul Graham (JRGS 1959-66) adds: I took the following pictures 18 months ago in Ruskin Park, while doing a South London walk. It’s still a nice little open space, not as well known as it might be, and very close to where John (Byford not Ruskin) lives. It has associations with Mendelssohn too.
   Click on any thumbnail to view a larger version.

By the way, Earl’s Sluice is one of London’s forgotten, and largely now underground, rivers – like the River Fleet and the River Tyburn. The Earl’s Sluice goes north west through Camberwell, Walworth, Burgess Park and Bermondsey to The Thames at Rotherhithe near Greenland Dock, combining with the River Peck on its way. I was walking the route at the time. The Earl is the 11th Century Robert Fitzroy, Earl of Gloucester, whose land the sluice river went through, and who first used it as a drainage channel. I have also walked the River Wandle, from South Croydon to The Thames at Wandsworth.

 Rodger Holcombe (JRGS 1959-64) reports the sad death of Robert "Bob" Hoffman…

I have been asked by his family if The Mill could announce the death of Robert "Bob" Hoffman (JRGS 1958-1965), who died on the 8th of February after a short illness. The funeral will be held at Beckenham Crematorium on Thursday, 27th February at 14:30, for those who might want to attend.
   Bob was a close friend during our mid-teens. Although I didn’t see him very often after he went off to Saudi Arabia and Australia, he was a pal for sure.
   I’m just leaving Santander, Northern Spain, on a ferry for Portsmouth en route from Portugal, which is a bit of a home from home.

Rodger Holcombe, Burgau, Western Algarve, Portugal, February 2020 Email

Paul Graham (JRGS 1959-66) adds: I remember Bob Hoffman from several drama productions, including Mole in the play Toad of Toad Hall by A. A. Milne, based on Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows. A program for the JRGS Junior Dramatic Society performance in April 1960 can be seen here; John Cobley (JRGS 1958-65) recalled the production, with some interesting images.
   Bob was also on the 1962 JRGS Drama Exchange trip with Mr. “Fred” Field and Mr. Robertshaw to Louviers, Paris and Dieppe – along with myself, Roger Searle (JRGS 1959-66), Grant Harrison (JRGS 1959-66) and others. Our production was well received, though we were never quite sure whether the loud laughter was directed at us or because of the natural humour in the productions. (See July 1962 school magazine for details.)
   Staying with French families was quite an education. Amongst other things I seem to recall my first taste of home-made eau de vie, camembert and kissing a girl – not all at the same time!
   Sorry, but I can’t attend the funeral on Thursday.

Peter Hood (Selhurst Grammar Alumnus) reports: Bob Hoffman's funeral was a quiet family affair attended by his daughters, grandchildren, brother, former wife and a few old friends. A poem was read and tributes were given by his daughters and brother. The very traditional Christian service at Beckenham crematorium was followed by a wake at Bob's local - The Chancery in Bromley Road.
   We did, of course, give Rodger's apologies; Sue, Malcolm and Christine send you their love and best wishes. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
ML Adds: Sadly, Rodger was unable to attend Bob Hoffman's funeral because the day before he was suddenly admitted to Eastbourne General Hospital Stroke Unit. I am sure that all of the JRGS Alumni wish him well and a speedy recovery.
   I have just heard that he's been cleared of anything serious. "I am getting better and should be out of hospital by the weekend," Rodger writes. Wonderful news!

Harold Fish  (JRGS 19519-56) adds: Thanks to Roger Holcombe for sharing the sad news about Bob Hoffman. While I do not remember Bob as a fellow student, I do remember him as "Mole". In fact, ever since the picture I have carried in my head when reading Wind in the Willows to my children and grandchildren has always been of Bob's portrayal of Mole.
   The production was my first chance to tread the boards - I was the back legs of Alfred the Horse! I have always remained so grateful to Mr. "Knacker" Neale for making the theatre so exciting for me. (Mr. Neale taught English and Drama before leaving JRGS in December 1959 to join West Bridgford Grammar School in Nottingham.)