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Norman Mayhew (R48-56) reports “We met John and his friend Gwen, for lunch in Harwich on 29th November 2023. Gwen is the elder sister of Roy Farman (K47-55) who died in New Zealand a year ago. We had a very convivial lunch and John was in good form and seemingly good health. He was taken ill the following Thursday and died the next day Friday 8th December.  His son-in-law, Gary Bridges emailed me the next day with the sad news.”

He was a Vice-President of the Society and past organiser of the Essex OF Supper.

His funeral will be held on Friday 12th January at All Saints Church Dovercourt CO12 4LN at Midday.

Barry was a great servant of the Society and in particular the OF Golf Society where was Secretary from 1986 till 2006.  He was also a past President of the Society from 1995-97.

We will add details of his funeral when known.

His brother Colin (S55-59) said “We have just returned from Wimborne in Dorset where, sadly, Bruce died on Friday evening 8th December aged 89.  He had been suffering poor health ever since he caught Covid in January 2020 in Mougins near Nice where he had been living for a number of years.  Bruce’s wife, Harriett is still going strong.  They came back to England about eighteen months ago to be close to two of the children.”

Some years ago Bruce had a chance meeting with distinguished OF Bill Goldfinch (26-32) at Old Sarum Flying Club. Bruce had spent many years as a Cathay Pacific pilot after being in the Royal Canadian Air Force and when he retired he restored a Tiger Moth and finished it in the Framlingham colours of chocolate and blue. This was spotted by Bill at the airfield and the pair became firm friends in the seven years before Bill died.

Bruce went on to say “I spent my career in aviation and on my retirement restored a Tiger Moth and finished it with light blue wings, chocolate brown fuselage with white registration lettering. I considered registering it as G-FRAM and flying it over the school on the Millennium, however, I missed the date to complete the restoration and I subsequently registered it as G-EMSY, my daughter’s pet name.  Shortly after the completion of the rebuild, I moved the aircraft to Old Sarum near Salisbury and one day this elderly gentleman approached me in the hangar and said “I believe you own this lovely aeroplane and I am intrigued whether you had any particular reason for choosing chocolate and light blue as a colour scheme?” When I told him they were my old school colours he replied “Not by any chance, Framlingham?” On confirming that they were, he replied “How wonderful, I also went to Framlingham”.  We spent many hours reminiscing about Framlingham, our service careers, aviation and of course Colditz. His attitude to the time that he spent in Colditz was one of privileged confinement! He loved the castle and said his fellow prisoners were the most marvellous collection of intelligent and inspiring men from throughout the Commonwealth and the USA. He was also quite fair to his captors. Bill was a charming, unassuming, delightful man. He died in his sleep, fit and well to the last.”

His daughter said in December 2023 “Mr Colin Rigby passed away in 2021 and I noticed he had a few past copies of material from Framlingham College, and thought we should a) inform you he had passed and b) write something.  However, life got in the way and as Colin cared for Diana his wife, it was that we focused on after sorting out bank accounts.”

His daughter Angela has now sent through an obituary with additional photos.

Olivia Pitcher, née Castle (M06-11) and William Pitcher (R10-11) welcomed the arrival of their baby daughter Elodie Jemima Pitcher on the 30th of October 2022. Her Christening was held in the College Chapel on the 11^th of June 2023 and was officiated by William’s father Rev Canon Simon Pitcher (Z76-82). A number of Old Framlinghamians were present for the service, including Elodie’s Great Grandpa Rev Canon David Pitcher (R44-51).

Ian Foster (K46-53) died peacefully aged 88 on 18 November 2023, in Mallorca, Spain, his home for many years.  Our thoughts are with with Tessa and his family.  No information yet on funeral arrangements which are expected to be in Mallorca.

He was the author of 2 books – More By Luck Than Judgement (2020), The Silver Spoon (2022).

He was also a long serving Vice President of the Society.

James Victor Waugh (K52-57) died on 13 September 2023, in the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, following a prolonged illness bravely borne.  He was the husband of Sue, father of Andy and Will and grandfather to Oliver, Hattie, Charlie and Harry. He was cremated followed by a memorial service at St Peter’s Church, Fordham on Thursday 5th October 2023.

Brian Smallcombe (Hon OF) died on Sunday 8 October 2023. He had been suffering from liver cancer.

He was a Senior Master, Housemaster of Stradbroke/Ziegele House and Head of English. Brian was instrumental in attracting overseas students to Framlingham College and housing them in his family home.  He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

His memorial service took place on 2 November 2023 at Worlingworth Church at 2pm and afterwards at Worlingworth Community centre. A private family and close friends cremation took place first earlier in the day.  Family flowers only and Donations to be made to St Elizabeth Hospice Ipswich and British Heart Foundation.

Keith Charles Oakley (K45-50) died on Saturday 9 September 2023.  We were notified by his daughter Liz.  She said Badingham and Framlingham were a big parts of all their lives and she had many memories growing up on Lime Tree Farm, Badingham.

If anyone would like to attend his funeral will be held on Thursday 5th October at St Peters Church Henley.  No flowers please but any donations welcome to the Kidney Research Ltd which is a very special charity to the family.