Page 27 - Holles Connect Spring 2017
P. 27
Teacher Tributes
Mrs Barbara Wallard, LEH 1969 - 1974 Beryl Crockford, 1950-2016, Mrs Cynthia Maccoby, LEH 1966-1992
Head of Rowing at LEH 1989-2002
We are very sad to report that Mrs Barbara Cynthia Maccoby, who taught Economics
Wallard, English teacher from 1969 until Beryl Crockford, née Mitchell, who at LEH from 1966-1992, died in July
1974, died on 12th October 2016. died in September 2016, was Britain’s 2016, at the age of almost 90.
foremost International and Olympic
Having graduated with First Class Woman Rower and Sculler, and the first Ann Campbell, née Beeching (LEH
Honours from St Andrews in English to win a World Championship Medal 1960-1967), described her as, ‘a true
Language and Literature, Barbara (1981 – Silver in Single Sculls), also the intellectual - thought provoking and
brought her creative and inspirational first to win a Gold (1985 – WL2x). She challenging and a brilliant teacher. She
teaching to LEHS. How incredibly for- won the inaugural Women’s Single taught me (and others) A level economics
tunate we were to have been taught by Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta in 1982 for one year only, but as I recall, we all
Mrs Wallard. She was one of those very and became the first female member passed the A level after that one year
special teachers whom people remem- of Leander Club. By her charisma and with an A grade. And A grades were
ber with affection for the rest of their example she set the scene for the future few and far between in those days.
lives. She captured our imaginations success of women’s rowing, and at LEHBC. I owe her a great deal.’
with her enthusiasm and passion for her Her organisational skills managed
subject, her vibrancy and humour. She the teaching and training of our LEH Louise Hovsepian, née Vartoukian, LEH
was brilliant, always getting the very rowers around their academic and other 1982-1989 writes:
best out of her pupils. demands to ensure their enjoyment and
successes. ‘Beryl’s girls’ know how lucky Mrs Maccoby was more than just a
She has left behind an amazing legacy they were/are. teacher. She was an institution at LEH
having had such a positive influence on - a gifted scholar in every sense of the
so many lives. Beryl was a wonderful, enthusiastic word. The haunting click, click click of
and energetic colleague and coach, her heels coming down the corridor,
In February 2016, six LEHS pupils from the as all her rowers will attest. She made announcing her arrival in the ‘turret’
1970s met Barbara for tea in Guildford. LEH the top girls’ rowing school for (Economics Room) above the main
We had a wonderful afternoon, sharing many years, despite the lack of training entrance never failed to bring us to
our memories. Still full of life and fun, facilities and boats, which she scoured attention, ready for the next instalment
Barbara remembered us all and many the country to borrow. Nothing was too of economic debate.
other colleagues too. We were so much trouble in ensuring the success
thrilled to see her again. of her girls. When she went to Australia I think back to those years with numer-
with her husband Duncan and son Daniel ous fond memories, much inspiration
Thank you Barbara for the five years you (who was born ‘on the job’, and was and many laughs. From the moment
spent teaching us English, we cherish backpacked around with her) she was a Mrs Maccoby decided I had the potential
your memory. grievous loss to LEH. to study PPE at Oxford, she took me
under her wing and there was no looking
Mary Richardson (née Warren) LEH Beryl died as the result of a bicycle back. Many an hour was spent poring
1964-1975, Jane Young (née Hunter), training accident which resulted in over books in her study at home in Kew,
LEH 1968-1975 and Kate Lipmann, LEH severe brain and spinal injuries. discussing anything from Keynesian
1969-1976 economics to glamorous up-dos! ‘An
Mrs Wendy Vye (née Offer), extraordinary mentor’, ‘a gifted academic’
LEH 1953-1960 and Head of PE, LEH, an ‘erudite scholar’; many phrases can
1979-2001 be used to describe her intellect, but to
me, she was the single most influential
figure in shaping my destiny and I will be
eternally grateful to her for that.
Her extraordinary dedication and
commitment to her pupils, and the
unique charm with which she imparted
her knowledge, will mean that her
legacy lives on, both at the school and
in her pupils.
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