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Floreat
Prescotia |
The
Website for former pupils of the Prescot
Grammar and Prescot Schools |
© The
Prescotian 2000 - 2010 |
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| 13
March, 2002: It is with great
sadness that the Prescotian
announces the passing of Alan
Stoddart, chemistry teacher at
Prescot Grammar and Prescot
School . The Prescotian was
informed of this sad news by his
colleague Des Roberts. We present
a range of thoughts expressed via
e-mail to the Editor. |
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| While
I was headmaster, I could not
have asked for greater commitment
from any staff than Alan gave.
Even then, relatively early in
his career, he was totally
devoted to the school, its pupils
and traditions, and showed his
devotion in every word and
action. In addition to his energy
and quality as a teacher, he was
also very ready to offer advice,
frequently wise, to a headteacher
of his own generation. I did not
always take it, but we both knew
exactly where we stood! Alan was
excellent company, cheering me up
immensely on many occasions with
his asides and quips. I
remember, in particular, during
my first term, the day he told
me, with controlled irony, that
it was time that I re-issued the
edict on the precise width of
margins in exercise-books,
otherwise the school would
collapse around me. It was such a
relief, in those staider times,
to have a member of staff who
relaxed in the presence of
authority, and who knew how to
persuade even the most
intractable of governors. He was,
of course, one of the great
devotees of the Dent venture,
which gave him such an
opportunity to show his skills as
an educator and leader out in the
field. John
Weeks (Head 1968-1977)
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| Alan
Stoddart was my form teacher at
PGS in first and second year and
it's a real blow he's no longer
with us. I have such fond
memories of Stoddy - my first
encounter with a real mad
scientist - and the biggest
eyebrows this innocent eleven
year old had ever seen! He put me
in charge of the terrapins,
delighted in cutting up bulls
eyes and had a manner which
taught the class without them
realising it. We just thought we
were having a laugh! He also
showed a glowing interest in
Doctor Who, which kept half a
dozen of us enthralled during
Science lessons. I haven't seen
or spoken to him in fifteen years
but he has left me with a
barrowload of good times which
I'll treasure always. Andrew
Hogg |
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| He
was a great man. I left PGS in
1969, and remember him with great
respect. Colin
Ward |
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| One
of the first teachers I met at
PGS (Chemistry in Room 6 -
Periods 3 & 4 on Thursdays) -
a veritable character, certainly
made an impression on me, and I
enjoyed being taught by him.
Slippery Sam, his jokes about Mr
Harley the lab technician. The
Orienteering trip to Tarn Hows,
my first ever trip away from home
(and the homesickness!).
A
sad loss indeed. Dave
Tilley |
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| I
remember Mr. Stoddart as a
strong, tenacious type with bags
of stamina who certainly seemed
to care about his charges. I am
genuinely sorry to hear this
news. David
Birchall |
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| This
makes me very sad. Stoddy taught
me chemistery in years 1 and 2. I
was also a keen cross country
runner and remember him taking a
great interest in us Alpha lads
and our showing in the yearly
competition. He was a fine
teacher and more importantly a
decent human being. Thanks
Stoddy, you made a real
difference to me and stimulated
my interest in science. I owe you
(and several others of your time)
a debt I can never repay. CWB
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| I
had the pleasure of being taught
by him(not that I took any notice
like)and would like to pass on my
condolences to his family etc.
Stoddy stood out to me because of
his infamous eyebrows which we
called birds nests but I remember
him being quite strict about
homework being handed in on time.
AM |
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| Stoddy
must have been a good teacher
because he managed to get me
through to a pass in Chemistry at
O-level (just). He was a great
character and will always be
remembered by me particularly for
his love of orienteering and the
fun we had setting up the courses
on the hillsides at Dent - a
place I know he loved. Loz |
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| Very
sad to hear the news about Alan
Stoddart . I would like to record
my appreciation to him , for
nurturing in me a love of the
outdoors via his creation of, and
enthusiastic leadership of the
PGS Orienteering Group. This
small but select band toured the
wilds of the UK , usually up to
our necks in mud and brambles ,
but his combination of good
humour and threats generated some
results which surprised
ourselves. He will be long
remembered and sadly missed. Rob
Liddiard |
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| I've
just read your email. I
remember Stoddy well. My
fave memory was around
1979. It was the last day
before summer hols. I had
Stoddy for science and did well
answering a question. He
gave me a note in front of the
class. "I, A.Stoddart,
hereby declare that D.Williams is
exempt from any form of
punishment, homework and
classwork for the next six
weeks." As a spotty 14
year old it took me a few minutes
to get the joke. Great Guy.
Dave
Williams |
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| I
am very sorry to hear the
news about Alan. He was a major
guide to me in my days at
Prescot, particularly in
connection with Orienteering. I
had been in touch with him at the
occasional event, but have not
seen him for some time now. any
details of where he was living
and what he was doing , age cause
of death etc would be
appreciated. He put in an
enormous amount of effort into
the sport when it was in its
early days in the North West. He
will be sadly missed. Keith
Ellery |
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| Picking up John
Week’s comments that Alan
was ‘relaxed in the presence
of authority', he was not only
this but from the pupil’s
perspective, he was undoubtedly
in authority, yet was also a
friend. I have many happy
memories of Alan: Birdwatching,
Dent, The Lyke Wake Walk,
Chemistry of course, and yes, his
eyebrows. That it is over twenty
years since I saw him, is a great
regret, yet the memories remain
as fresh as ever. Thanks to Dave
Gibson’s 11th
hour ‘heads up’, I
managed to attend the funeral.
The sun was shining and a Robin
was singing in the near distance.
Alan would have enjoyed that. Damien
Walker |
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