Geoffrey A Williams OH
Monday 07 December 2020
Those who attended HCS in the 1950’s will remember Geoffrey – Langfordian scholar in the days of legendary staff like 'Tiger' Bell. Born in October 1939, the eldest of 5 brothers, Geoffrey grew up on the Hunderton Council Estate in Hereford. During his time at HCS he gained a State Scholarship for Durham University (Kings College Newcastle) where he achieved a BA (First Class Hons) in Classics, gaining along the way the Marris Studentship at the British School of Archaeology, Athens, and the Senior Johnson prize and Stephenson prize. The Cadbury Education prize followed in his time at the University of Birmingham whilst studying for his PGCE. From 1962 he taught Classics at Ashington Grammar School, Northumberland and in 1964 married Margaret Bedding, whom he met through his lifelong friendship with her older brother David (OH 1950 - 1957). Geoffrey wanted to make a difference in the wider field of education and in 1967 he went to Dorset County Council, becoming Senior Assistant Education Officer and then in 1972 came the move to Hertfordshire where he eventually held the post of Assistant Director of Education. Geoffrey’s interests spanned education, academia and management – he was Chair of the Council for the Joint Association of Classical Teachers, on the Council of the Society of Education Officers, a member of the management board of TASC (Teaching as a Career) and the Education and Employment National School Governance working group, as well as the Bishop of St Albans’ Commission on Education, Chair of the Christian Education Trust and many others. He was author and editor of the Education Management Manual (Longmans), joint author of the Law of Education (Longmans), joint author of the Guide for OFSTED inspectors dealing with Classical subjects, and author of an Introduction to the gospel of St John. Retiring at 57 he put his teaching skills into practice with Adult Education Classes (U3A) in Classical Greek and Latin, as well as being Associate lecturer for the Open University (Latin and Greek) and Associate lecturer in New Testament Greek at Spurgeon’s Baptist College. Geoffrey was a committed Christian who could truly be described as a ‘gentleman’ in every sense. I, as one of his younger brothers am very grateful that he blazed the educational trail for us to follow. His love for Margaret was obvious for all to see and they shared over 56 years of happiness together - a story of love given, love received and love shared. He is survived by Margaret and their two children, Sarah and Christopher. I was privileged to lead his funeral just before Christmas last year and I told the story of the boy who in his mid teens dedicated his life to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. His Christian faith showed in all that he spoke and did throughout his 81 years. He passed from this world into the next, to: ‘our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness or dazzling, but one equal light; no noise or silence, but one equal music; no fears or hopes, but one equal possession; no ends or beginnings, but one equal eternity; in the house of God’s glory and dominion, world without end.’ (John Donne) Rev Phil Williams (OH 1959 – 1966), Vicar of Holmer Church 1996 - 2013