Obituaries 2026

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Obituaries 2026

Peter Fry (Former Staff; 1974-97)

We are very sad to report the sudden death of Peter, after a brief illness.

Peter was a warm and much-admired member of staff, first teaching Physics, then computer studies, becoming an innovative Head of Department in the early 1980s in what was a new subject in a new, purpose-built centre. He and his wife Barbara were also Assistant Houseparents at Kingweston for a number of years.

Peter was an unassuming but very talented man who in retirement worked tirelessly for the local community, in particular the Street Twinning Association, and the Repair Café.

Peter’s memorial service will be at the Quaker Meeting House in Street BA16 0EB on Saturday 21st March at 2pm. It will also be available to watch on Zoom. The link for the meeting on Zoom will appear here in due course

We offer our deepest sympathy to Barbara and the family.

Mike Cole (Former staff; 1958-1995)

Although born in London Mike always considered himself a son of Herefordshire. His mother and he moved there via Pembrokeshire during the war for family reasons. From an early age he attended Lucton School which he always remembered with great affection and gratitude. No slouch academically, Mike was also a respected leader on the sports fields, captaining both rugby and cricket with significant success. His all-round ability, responsibility, and sociability was duly rewarded with the position of Head Boy in his final year.  

A degree at Cardiff followed, majoring in Geology, with ancillaries in Botany and Zoology, which he taught for a few subsequent terms at Lucton. But of more significance during his student and school holidays, was his part-time working at a local market garden business run by Molly Holloway. Between them a relationship blossomed which they joyfully shared for the rest of his life. Married in 1957 and with the hope of a family soon, they realised that married life in an agricultural caravan would be insufficient; a more formal and lucrative career pathway was required. 

Towards the end of 1957 Jack (Boss) Meyer interviewed Mike at Millfield School in Somerset. Perhaps more on his sporting enthusiasm and the delightful impression that Molly made on Boss, Mike was appointed to teach Biology.  

At the tender age of 24 he found himself among a small cohort of young teachers in an established staffroom of war-hardened veterans. After a few years he started hankering for career advancement and discussed looking elsewhere. By this time, he must have gained a reputation for academic competence alloyed with an ability to enthuse and motivate pupils beyond their expectations, a quality which Boss valued highly. “Hold on a while, Mike, something might crop up.” And within a few months the Head of Biology moved on, and Mike took his place, a Geology graduate in charge of an expanding Biology Department.  

Through the 50s and 60s Biology was a rapidly developing science: in cytology, biochemistry, DNA and medical science, there were enormous intellectual and technical developments with unanticipated applications. Mike spent many evenings in Bridgwater Public Library keeping himself fully informed, and devising innovative ways to present new ideas to pupils. Reading around the subject was important to prepare A level candidates for university, especially so for Oxford and Cambridge aspirants. Although Mike’s rigorous teaching and thorough testing was intimidating at times it brought success to innumerable pupils over the 36 years he led the department of 11 or 12 biology teachers. As the school expanded sixty or more pupils took A level biology each year, of whom most would proceed to university and several to Oxbridge colleges. He received frequent letters of appreciation from former pupils for the inspiration, confidence and success that he had given them. Furthermore, Mike was a mentor and father-figure to the staff he employed; he was a true educator to adolescents and adults alike.  

But there was more to Mike’s life than Millfield. With a daughter and two sons his time away from school was well filled working about the house and playing games, and many memorable extended family holidays in Pembrokeshire. And if there was a group of acquaintances going to a pub, or away on golf and cricket tours, he would be there. Always with self-effacing humour, Mike would lighten-up a social gathering anywhere. He was always a pleasure to be with, and many of his colleagues and friends will miss his camaraderie. 

As a final challenge during the last 13 years of his career, Mike and Molly accepted the role of Houseparents in a Millfield boarding house. Understanding, sympathising, complimenting, shepherding, cajoling, and admonishing ever changing groups of thirty girls through five years of their adolescence is no mean task. It is a role that demands immense patience and resilience, where expectations can feel high and challenges unpredictable. Yet, with an understanding of the complexities of adolescence, the commitment can lead to wonderful satisfaction.   

There is no better way to summarise Mike and Molly’s success than to quote from one of very many letters of one of ‘their’ girls, now in her 50s: “Mike meant more to me than he ever knew, and I will always remember him. He and Molly are, quite simply, the best people I have ever met.” 

Mike is survived and missed by his wife, Molly, their three children Suzanne, Ian and Philip, and seven grandchildren.  

Doc (Rob) Eagle  

Terry Dampier (Former staff; 1990-2003)

It is with great regret that we announce the recent death, after a long period of ill-health, of 21 Club member, Terry Dampier, who was a driver and very popular colleague at the Prep School.

Terry, who was a Baltonsborough man from a farming background, was given full ‘tractor honours’ from his village to the Mendip Crematorium.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.