Noticeboard
A collection of news about the wider OF Family. We rely entirely on people like you for these entries. If you’re logged in, you can post directly to the relevant section. If you aren’t, and even if you aren’t an OF, you can go to Contact Us (top of your screen) and complete a form to send us your news.
Deaths
Mervyn John Scott Hills (R54-64)
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When22 May 2026
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WhereIsle of Man
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Age80
Alexendra Bell (daughter) advises that he died on 22 May 2026, aged 80. He lived 20 years in South Africa and then in Malta, Lugano (Switzerland) and finally the Isle of Man. He is survived by his three children Alexandra, Ian and Claire and 7 grandchildren. Alexandra provided the following eulogy to her father :
My Dad believed that life was an adventure – one to be filled with experiences, personal challenges and big bold goals. It was more important that things were memorable than just frivolous fun. Our childhood holidays were packed with adventure – and when we were walking up Masada to the mountain-top fortress in the Judean desert in 40-degree heat – he reminded us of just that.
My Dad was an only child, born in London after the second world war in 1946 – a baby boomer who played in the rubble left by the blitz. He went to boarding school aged 8 and exceled as an all-round sportsman – fiercely competitive and intensely independent.
He met my mum at a party where they both wore purple bellbottomed trousers and after travelling overland from Cairo to Cape Town, he wired her the airfare to come join him in South Africa. They were married a few months later and the world was their oyster. They spent three years travelling around the world on 10 dollars a day, visiting 50 countries and cataloguing where they might put down roots. In those days, South Africa was the land of opportunity, and they spent 20 years living in Johannesburg building a life which afforded us the chance to participate in their adventure. Dad loved places with big skies, Italian hospitality and German efficiency. He taught us the value of education, of earning your own money and of spending it wisely. That’s one I’m still learning.
He always wanted to retire to a warm, non-American, English-speaking tax haven and there aren’t many of those – so we all moved to Malta in 1995 where Ian still lives today. This ticked the warm Italian hospitality box, but he thrived for many years after my mum died in Lugano in Switzerland to cover off the German efficiency.
His final years have been spent very happily here on the Island. A chance to easily access proper tea and English newspapers. Whilst none of the three of us kids can really claim to have inherited his sporting talent to any meaningful extent, he still advocated for us to excel in other ways – never settling for average and viewing every obstacle as an opportunity to open negotiations.
He leaves an enviable legacy including 7 beautiful grandchildren and I will miss him immeasurably.
I love you, Dad.
Deaths
Anthony David Richard Green (R57-65)
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When16 May 2026
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WhereSuffolk
His family have advised us that he died on 16th May 2026. He had spoken often of his time, along with his brother Peter (R57-67), at Framlingham with fondness and pride. He is survived by his wife Susan and his two children Alexander and Rebecca.
Deaths
David Leeson Butcher (S48-54)
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When1 Otober 2025
Deaths
Brian John Lee (S46-52)
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When13 April 2026
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WhereBeechwood Grove Nursing Home, Eastbourne, East Sussex
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Age91
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Story
His son Stephen has advised us that his father passed away peacefully on Monday 13th April 2026 at Beechwood Grove Nursing Home, aged 91.. The funeral was on 1 May 2026
Deaths
Robin Christopher Beckwith (R51-54)
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When5 May 2026
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WhereWorthing Hospital, Sussex
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Age88
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.”
Details on the funeral and wake have been provided by the family. The funeral will be 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/
Deaths
Rupert George Chenevix-Trench (S71-75)
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When6 May 2026
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WhereSuffolk
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Age68
We have been advised that Rupert died on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at the age of 68.
His funeral will be held at 11am on 17 June 2026 at 7 Hills Crematorium, Nacton, Suffolk, IP10 0FG. Afterwards at Lawford House, CO11 2JD. Coloured shirts encouraged.
Deaths
Colin Malcolm Micklewright (S55-59)
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When25 March 2026
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WhereLanhydrock golf course in Cornwall
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Age84
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Story
His daughter Julia writes that he very sadly passed away suddenly, whilst playing golf on Wednesday 25th March 2026 and that it was a great shock as he was so fit and well. He was the brother of Bruce (S48-51) and uncle to Charles (S67-77) and Ashley (S68-78). He was also organiser of occasional OF Suppers in Devon/Cornwall, one being at Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club where he was a member.
His funeral was held on Thursday 16th April 2026 at 2pm in St Crida Parish Church in Creed, Cornwall followed by the wake at Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club in Bodmin.
His wife Christine adds “as a life long supporter of Ipswich Town football club, he was overjoyed to be successful in obtaining tickets for the first match of the 2024/25 season when they played Liverpool, his second team, at home. Sadly they did lose but it was a great day nevertheless less.”
Deaths
Hugh Kennon MBE (Hon OF)
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When30 March 2026
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WhereWakefield Hospital
Deaths
Rev Canon David John Pitcher (R44-51)
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When26 March 2026
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WhereFramlingham, Suffolk
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Age92
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)
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. While Rector of Framlingham he was a school governor and during his retirement he had a spell as volunteer chaplain to the College.
Simon has advised us that his funeral will be in St Michael’s Church, Framlingham at 1. 30pm on Friday 24th April 2026.