Tower and Town, October 2017 (view the full edition)AR StedmanMr Stedman was appointed Headmaster in 1932 at the age of 29, the youngest ever to be appointed at the Grammar School. He had graduated from King's College, London, and he was awarded an AKC (Associate of King's College). After this he taught History at St. John's Exeter and King Edward V1th School in Melton Mowbray (where the organist and choirmaster was Malcolm Sergeant). 
In 1946 there were 343 pupils together with 20 teachers. Dad knew all the pupils' names, and the nick-names of most of the staff. He was very proud of his school and took great delight in his pupils' achievements. He always had time for anyone having problems at school or at home.
Music was important to my father. Many of us joined the choir or learnt to play an instrument. Some of us attended the Wiltshire Rural Music School, held at Grittleton once a year. The Governors gave us all a small grant to enable us to go. It was here, unknown to the 'old man', I met my future husband 66 years ago this July.
My father supervised the building of the small brick pavilion to provide changing rooms on games days. The water tap in the hedge was useful on hot days. The hockey pitch alongside the Italian Prisoner of War Camp provided attractive and appreciative supporters on their side of the hedge!
Dad routinely checked the school every Saturday. On one occasion he discovered an escaped prisoner on the run from Bristol prison had broken into the canteen, slept there, made a cake and had a meal of tinned corned beef! The prisoner was recaptured walking to Reading.
The beautiful Mulberry tree in the grounds was a favourite with my father. I fed my silk worms on the leaves!
My father developed a strong attachment to Marlborough and its surrounding villages. He lectured extensively for the WEA (Workers' Educational Association) in the area and eventually put these lectures together in a book called 'Marlborough and the Upper Kennet Country'. [Available in the town library; Ed]Pamela Horril |