Brian Hugh Jones (1945-2017) Obituary

Brian was born in Wrexham and attended Grove Park Grammar School, where he participated at a high level in a wide range of games and athletics as an all-round sportsman. He went on to study for a B.A. Degree in English and French at Cardiff University, followed by a P.GC.E. at Liverpool University in 1967-1968, during which he became a student teacher at the Collegiate School. He impressed the English department so much that the school decided to make him a permanent member of staff on completion of his teacher training.

Whilst at the school, in addition to his responsibilities as a teacher, Brian enjoyed participating in sporting and musical activities and took leading roles in Gilbert and Sullivan productions such as Iolanthe and The Pirates of Penzance. After several years at the Collegiate he was promoted to the post of Head of English at Anfield Comprehensive and to that of Senior Teacher when the school became Priory Comprehensive under reorganisation within the Liverpool Authority. During one academic year he undertook a teacher exchange, accompanied by wife and children, with a member of staff at a school in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada.

On leaving teaching Brian worked for two Insurance Companies and for the Office of National Statistics. For several years he was also an examiner for the Welsh Board in O and A Level English.

In his retirement Brian enjoyed travel, walking, reading and singing, being a prominent member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Oriel Singers and numerous church choirs. He became actively involved in charity work in his later years and undertook two sponsored walks for Action Aid, namely Tanzania in 2005 and Peru, with an ascent to Machu Pichu, in 2008. He went on to promote the work of the charity by speaking at a wide range of Primary and Secondary school assemblies in the Merseyside area.

Brian leaves a wife, Jill, son and daughter and five grandchildren and will be remembered fondly by his many former friends and colleagues who attended his memorial service in June 2017 at All Hallows' Church on Allerton, Liverpool.

Hi Keith, - (And all our members)

Here is a case, where there is sure to be members with memories of Mr Jones. We do have many members from the late '60s and '70s. A sportsman, such as he, must have made his mark on the minds of lads who needed some 'geeing up' to reach their full potential and of course, his musical input to the stage productions of G&S must have been memorable.

Accordingly, we would like to publish some emails from ex-pupils who can delve up stories and 'tittle-tattle' to bring it all back for the rest of 'our gang'. Don't be shy! Alll are welcome and everything from our members will be published.

Cheers - Webby

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