Noticeboard

Andrew Towler (R77-82) advises that he heard from Andy Beckwith (his son and close family friend) that Robin passed away at Worthing Hospital on Tuesday 5th May 2026.  He is the brother of Cullen Michael Beckwith (R50-53).There will be a cremation followed by a wake at West Sussex Golf Club in early June – see more details below.

Andrew addes “I played golf with Robin in the Halford Hewitt back in 1985 against Harrow in the first round when he was called up as a last minute sub at Royal St George’s. Harrow went on to win it that year. He later became a member of the Seniors Golf Society which he absolutely loved. Was a West Sussex member for over 30 years and captained the club team in the Cyril Blake Knockout. He was a very good golfer and got down to 8 Handicap.”

The funeral took place on Friday 5th June 2026 at 12 noon and Kingswood Chapel, Worthing Crematorium, BN14 0RG. Afterwards at West Sussex Golf Club, RH20 2EN.  The family say “We would love to see you there if you can make it.  If you are not able to make it, the service will be available to watch as a live stream on the internet (or, indeed, also on demand after the service). Here are the details for this:

Website : https://watch.obitus.com

Username: wafo6598

Password: 551790

The family request NO FLOWERS, please, but if anyone would like to make a charitable donation, they have chosen ACTION for PULMONARY FIBROSIS – “APF”.  Donations can be made via this specifically set up web page: https://robinbeckwith.muchloved.com/

We have been advised that Rupert died on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at the age of 68.

His funeral was held at 11am on 17 June 2026 at 7 Hills Crematorium, Nacton, Suffolk, IP10 0FG.  Afterwards at Lawford House, CO11 2JD.  Coloured shirts were encouraged.

Margaret Kennon informed us that Hugh died on 30 March 2026 at Wakefield Hospital, his latter years having been scarred by dementia.  His funeral took place at Wakefield Crematorium on April 21st.

He was elected Hon OF in 1980. Hugh was Senior Master, Housemaster of Garrett and Head of Economics. He was also in charge of the CCF, attaining the rank of Lt Colonel. He took over in the early 1980s and retired as Contingent Commander in 1996. ‘Hugh’, as he was very affectionally known, used the CCF as a tool for developing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the College and was awarded the MBE for his massive contribution.

He died in hospital, surrounded by his family aged 92.  He was the father of Simon (Z76-82) and Michael (Z79-87) and grandfather of William (R10-11), plus great granddaughter Elodie, currently in the pre-school nursery at Brandeston.

He was Rector of St Michael’s Church Framlingham from 1976 – 1991 and wrote a book called ‘All Change for Framlingham,’ based on the train line that used to run to Framlingham, and which was much used by Framlinghamian boarders at the beginning and end of terms. He was also Rector at St Mary’s, Woodbridge until he retired in 1998.

David was the beloved husband of the late Helen Pitcher, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a devoted and humble parish priest whose life of service and quiet wisdom provided inspiration and comfort to the communities he served, including Framlingham and Woodbridge. He was also a steam train enthusiast, social historian and author.  The funeral was held at St Michael’s Church, Framlingham on 24th April, 2026.

His son, the Rev Canon Simon Pitcher, Rector of St Peter and St Paul at Lavenham, officiated at the service. He spoke of his father with moving and eloquent sincerity, saying that his father was a very dedicated priest who cared very much for his people, not just in church, but in the community. He was always very dedicated to young people. In every parish he worked in, he created a youth club. He was quite musical. He loved singing in choirs. He was very dedicated with his time and resources. He supported a lot of charities. His father had survived tuberculosis in his early years, and cancer later on in life. In the 1980s he had been told by doctors that he would not survive the cancer. His family said he literally prayed himself better, developing “a spiritual life that was quite extraordinary.”

Rev Pitcher was born in 1933 and spent his early years in Winchester, contracting tuberculosis after drinking contaminated milk. This resulted in his legs being heavily bandaged and supported by metal callipers (leg braces) that made walking difficult.

His family moved to Bury St Edmunds, where he passed the 11+ exam and was due to attend King Edward VI Grammar School in Bury, but West Suffolk Education Authority arranged for him to attend Framlingham College instead, due to easier accessibility.

He wanted to become a cricketer, but could not, due to his disabled legs. Instead, he became head chorister, sacristan and verger for the school chapel, beginning his religious journey – alongside being cricket scorer.

Rev Canon Pitcher first came to Framlingham in 1944. He remembered travelling to school by train and walking in convoy up to the College. He also remembered walking from Framlingham to Brandeston when it opened, and watching B17 bombers taking off from Parham airfield, one of them exploding over Framlingham as it tried to gain height. He also remembered the celebratory D Day placing of a chamber pot on the College flagpole, and a member of staff shooting it down with a rifle shot, smashing into smithereens, to huge cheers from those assembled below.

Following his father’s death, his school results suffered and funding for his education was withdrawn by the education authority. He did odd jobs for a number of years, including turkey-farming, but stopped after all his turkeys flew into a tree and refused to come down. So instead, he applied for ordination training. The Church of England initially turned him down as he had not been to university, studied Greek, Hebrew or Latin at degree level or done National Service.

Subsequently, he worked as a receptionist at the sugar beet factory in Bury, studying Latin, Greek and Hebrew during his lunch breaks. This resulted in his being accepted by the Church of England and training at Ely theological college. His curacies were spent at Kingswinford in the West Midlands, Kirkby in Liverpool and Sutton, Ingham and Old Lakenham in Norfolk before he returned to Framlingham.

During his later years, he was cared for at home in Coucy Close, Framlingham, before moving to Seckford Care assisted-living residence in Woodbridge. David and Helen had four children: Kathy, Simon, Margaret, and Michael. A truly remarkable man, who, despite setbacks, led a life full of faithfulness and of huge commitment to others.

His daughter Penny sent the following Obituary :

John died on 2^nd February 2026 aged 89. He had fond memories of his time at Framlingham, where he and his 3 brothers, Patrick, Nicholas and Christopher went to school. After finishing school and completing national service, John attended St John’s College, Cambridge, studying Law and Economics. After university, he studied for his articles in accountancy winning the top advanced accountancy prize in the country in his final exams. His love of travel, history and geography encouraged him to visit many countries and in the mid 1960s, he took a job working in industry at Pilkington’s, the glass manufacturers in St Helens. His job enabled him to combine his work with his love of visiting overseas countries and he remained at Pilkington’s in various roles until retirement. Latterly, John volunteered as treasurer for the Pilkington’s Trust so maintaining a connection to his work. John met Iona and married in 1968; they had 2 children, Penny and Richard. Family, gardening and visiting gardens, and travel were John’s hobbies into retirement.  Iona sadly died of Leukemia in 2014 and John continued to live in Southport until last year when he moved closer to family in London. He would always attend alumni events when able.

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Arthur Mayhew ( Jimmy ) at home, aged 106, on Thursday, 26th February, 2026. Loving husband of Janice and father to Philip (R67-71), Christopher (R69-74), Geoffrey (R72-76) and Michael (R75-80).

At 106 Jimmie was the oldest ever Old Framlinghamian, exceeding his brother Ken (R29-34) by 2 years.

The funeral service was held at Saint Michael’s Church, Woolverstone, on Tuesday, 24 March.                                  

Jimmy Mayhew, soldier, OF and celebrating many birthdays

Jimmy Mayhew was born in Old Hall, Helmingham in 1919, very much of farming stock.

At school, Jimmy played for the first teams in cricket and hockey. His sporting energies in later life were channelled into sailing and golf (Woodbridge GC).

He survived a challenging time in World War Two, when he saw service with No 1 Commando, serving in Tunisia, Algiers, North Africa and Burma. He lost his best friend from school, Richard (Dick) Whittaker, who was killed in the battle of Britain, but despite inevitably tough experiences, he survived the war intact, and was given glowing credentials at the end of it all.

He then moved back into the world of farming, starting off on the Shotley Peninsula, at Home Farm, Woolverstone but then expanding significantly, particularly in the Felixstowe area, as he did his best to ensure that his four sons, born of his marriage to Janice, who survives him, should have opportunities comparable to those he had himself enjoyed. His cheerful affability made him much loved by those who knew him. He was a fine sportsman, in the Mayhew tradition.

The funeral was held in St Michael’s Church, Woolverstone, close to his home in Chelmondiston. It was attended by some 200 people, including many family members, and friends from the world of agriculture. A special poem had been composed on behalf of all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, entitled “We will remember him”. It was beautifully put together, and Jimmy will indeed be remembered. His love of the land was celebrated, inevitably, by the singing, finally, of the farmers’ favourite, “We plough the field and scatter….”

Even though he had survived to the grand old age of 106, he had carried many friends through with him right to the end, a mark of the affection in which he was held by so many people.