Old Tamensians: John Fulkes' Funeral

The funeral took place on 30th April and, as was noted during the service, the weather was appropriate for someone who's passion was cricket: grey, wet and cold.

St Mary's was full, as was the the large marquee that had been erected on the cricket field. And there were also mourners who were happy to stand outside in the rain outside. It was if most of Thame had stopped and had come or turned its head towards the church.

Perhaps writing mourners uses the wrong word in that the service was a Thanksgiving for the Life of JF and, because it was such a large and magnificent life, we came to the church to celebrate his deeds and love. Of course, there were at times damp eyes and tears but JF loved big occasions and no doubt in one way or another, he was relishing this moment.

For the many OTs present, we were transported back to Founder's Day. It has been many years since the church echoed to uplifted voices singing the School Hymm, 'Who would true valour see' and 'For all the saints.' The School Choir sang a Walford Davies anthem; there were teachers sitting in the nave and students in the Sanctuary.

Norman Lilley led the service and ensured we remembered to celebrate rather than mourn. He had a School photo from 1959 when JF had first entered the School - he was the small boy, fourth from left in the front row in shorts and knee length socks. This sense of celebration was reinforced by the spirit and content of the tribute that Michael Spencer made, and the comments he read out from past and present students of John's.

Among the hundreds present were teachers who had taught JF including Geoff Goodall, Peter More, Gerard Gould and Henry Blyth. The OTA was well-represented and among the family was one OT, JF's cousin Terence Fulkes.

This is not a typical funeral notice. It doesn't record all who were present but there were staff colleagues, past Headteachers, members of Thame Council and many from Oxfordshire cricket. All of us were saying the same thing: with JF's passing there will be a huge void. He did so much for the community and, inevitably, his commitment, kindness and energy was inadvertently taken for granted. Now we will struggle to fill that void. John had been on the OT Committee for 30 years (he was on the School's staff for 29 years), and how much we relied on him is only too apparent. He was the natural link to the School; he arranged the OT matches, had the President's Boards carved, booked the meeting room, arranged Founder's Day, the list goes on and on.

And finally and not least, there will be a huge void in the sixth form - as was seen from the comments written by students. JF personified and brought to life why our teachers should be revered and not villified.

Order of Service

Sentences

Introduction and Welcome

Hymn: 'Who would true valour see'

Readings:

St John Chapter 1 v1-14 (Read by Thea Collings, Sixth Form student)

Death be not proud, John Donne (Read by Adam Oliver, staff member)

Anthem: God be in my Head, Walford Davies (School Choir)

Tribute (Micheal Spencer, Headteacher)

School Hymn: 'Jesu, redemptor omnium'

Address (Norman Lilley)

Commendation

Prayers and The Lord's Prayer

Hymn: 'For all the saints'

Benediction

Nunc Dimittis

Postlude: Piece d'Orgue, Fantasia in G Major: J.S Bach

Committal at Oxford Crematorium

The number of people attending the funeral for John Fulkes on 30 April in St Mary’s Church, Thame was estimated at over 1000. This was a sad day for Lord Williams’s School where John Fulkes (JF to his students and colleagues) had been a teacher of English and Head of the Sixth Form. St Mary’s Church was packed with past and present colleagues, students and friends in addition to his mother and other members of his family. The affection and respect felt for their mentor and teacher was shown by the hundreds of students who lined Church Lane and part of the High Street to watch the cortege. The quiet procession of sombrely-dressed, past and present students followed the coffin to church. A marquee, erected on the edge of Thame Cricket ground held the overflow of people attending the service. This was a truly moving sight of so many young people remembering their teacher. The service of celebration of John Fulkes’ life was taken by Norman Lilley, a former staff member of Lord Williams’s School who recounted his memories of John beginning school as a pupil at Lord Williams’s in 1959. His enthusiasm for Drama and English gained him a place at Trinity College, Oxford. He returned to Lord Williams’s as a teacher of English in 1975 but his other passion was cricket. Michael Spencer, Headteacher of Lord Williams’s School in his tribute, recounted JF’s support of grand school occasions especially at St Mary’s Church. He was an active supporter of the Old Tamensians (past students of LWS) and of the history surrounding the school. His passion for young people’s participation in cricket had enabled the school to play in many important matches against local and national teams. Mr Spencer had selected some of the many tributes from students that had been put up in school over the last days. The choir of staff and students lead the singing of the school hymn in Latin as sung at the Founder’s Day service supported by Bernard Keavy at the organ (an ex-student of LWS). This was joined by the congregation which included several past Principals, Governors, parents and staff of Lord Williams’s School, representatives of local organisations and schools, members of the Thame Town Council, local and county cricket teams and many young people. Passages from St John’s Gospel and John Donne were read by a student, Thea Collings and a colleague, Adam Oliver. This was a day of thanksgiving and celebration not only for a notable mentor and teacher but for his legacy through the young people of Thame. John Fulkes strived to develop a sense of purpose and responsibility in his Sixth Formers and they responded with their dignified tribute to him. Following cremation at Oxford, the family joined the many people remembering John over tea at Lord Williams’s School. His mother indicated how overwhelmed she was at the strength of feeling and respect shown by so many colleagues and students in Thame. Letters and tributes are still arriving for his family and the school who have established a memorial fund to support young people and cricket. {Anne Clark Chairman of Governors}

John's Valete notice in the 1967 Tamensian

J.E Fulkes (Wykeham) House Prefect 1965, School Prefect 1966: 10 'O levels' 1963-4: 'A' level English, History, Geography, 'S' Level English, History 1966: Army Section (Corporal) 1961-4, Arduous Training 1964: Societies - Geographical (Treasurer), Drama, 59, Railway, Apollo: parts in 'Hamlet' (including German Tour), 'War and Peace' and 'Post Mortem'. To Trinity College to read English.

Cast of Post Mortem

Post Mortem was a flawed play by Noel Coward but nonetheless the School had the distinction of holding the premiere.

John Cavan ... John Fulkes

Lady Cavan ...Margaret Griffin

Sir James Cavan ...Kenneth Smith

Tilly ...Toby Bourgein

Shaw ...John Turner

Babe Robins ...Christopher Smith

Perry Lomas ...Andrew Gibson

Jenner ...Alan Gibson

Corporal Macey ...Paul Gratwick

Monica Chellerton ...Lynda Davies

Bertie Chellerton ...Clive Hurst

Kittley Harris ...Janet Wood

Eggie Brace ...Andrew Goss

Drake ...Cameron Naish

Alfred Borrow ...David Evans

Miss Beaver ...Linda Howard