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A collection of news about the wider OF Family. We rely entirely on people like you for these entries. If you’re logged in, you can post directly to the relevant section. If you aren’t, and even if you aren’t an OF, you can go to Contact Us (top of your screen) and complete a form to send us your news.

Marriages

James Simpson (R01-11) to Diana Miguel-Lava

  • When
    Saturday 7th September 2024
  • Where
    Cascais, Portugal

James Simpson (R01-11) to Diana Miguel-Lava on Saturday 7th September 2024 in Cascais, Portugal, their son Isaac was born in September 2023.

The following OFs were present Charles Simpson (K65-72) Henry Simpson (K74-84) Lucy Simpson (P01-11) Will Simpson (G03-18) Dan O’Leary (R00-09) Connor O’Leary (R02-11) Ed Barker (S06-11) Paul Boatman (S06-11) Will (R10-11) and Olivia (nee Castle M06-11) Pitcher.

Deaths

Neil John Relton Joy (R47-51)

  • When
    5 February 2025
  • Where
    Chiswick, London
  • Age
    90

We are sad to report that the OF Rifle Club’s oldest member Neil John Relton Joy (R47-51) has died 4 days before his 91st birthday on 5 February 2025.  He had been suffering from cancer for many years.  He was a splendid, eccentric, interesting and very kind man.

His funeral will take place at the Mortlake Crematorium on 25 February 2025 at 10.40am, followed by a buffet lunch at The Bell & Crown at 11-13 Thames Road, Strand on the Green, W4 3PL.  RSVP 07415099864 or peterjoy@hotmail.fr

Below is an obituary written by Steve McDowell (G82-86) :

Neil Joy OF 1934 – 2025 (R 47-51)

 OFRC captain Steve “Train-crash” McDowell pays tribute to the club’s longest-serving member Neil “Mad Professor” Joy.

 

Rifle shooting at long range is an eccentric sport.

To be any good, one needs a combination of calm concentration and a childish love affair with explosions, blended with a reasonable understanding of physics and precision engineering as well as a grasp of basic meteorology.

That’s a paradox in itself, since the definition of the word ‘eccentric’ is ‘off centre’ – a result all rifle shooters strive to avoid at any cost.

It should come as no surprise then the sport has its fair share of off-kilter participants.

And few of them came more eccentric than Neil Joy, who has died after a long struggle with cancer five days short of his 91st birthday.

Neil was well named – it was always a joy to see him turn up on the Bisley ranges for the Old Framlinghamians Rifle Club. And he always did.

In his later years he grumbled about old age, fading eyesight and increasing decrepitude, yet competition after competition there he appeared.

Always in his beloved (and also increasingly decrepit) silver Ford Capri 2.8i, which he bought new in 1983 and drove to almost his dying day – complete with 80s style Go-Faster stripes.

At the beginning of each season there would be smiles all round from the rest of us as we had a quiet guess which home-made gizmo he would produce. He was an engineer after all.

Horrified by the cost of specialist shooting eyewear, yet (like many of us) frustrated by deteriorating eyesight – he simply made his own. The origin of the giant lens he had soldered to a recycled wire frame remains unknown but it gave rise to one of the many monikers we all acquire over the years. He became known as ‘Cyclops’.

Neil was characterised by gentle humour, kindness, willingness to muck in and sheer tenacity. Even well into his 80s he would cheerfully run the butts (marking targets) for our Guest Days. A tedious and physical task, yet vital to raise funds to keep the club fiscally healthy.

Another admirable quality was his modesty. When he fired a shot he didn’t like, he would unfailingly apologise to the coach.

A few years back I was coaching him (sitting next to the shooter; reading wind, plotting his shots and making sight corrections) at 900 yards.

As usual, this rumpled figure with borrowed gear, black socks sticking out of the end of the ubiquitous shabby sandals, shuffled up to the firing point and settled down.

Neil complained that he was too erratic ‘these days’ and apologised in advance for any wild shots. But on this day he showed his class and experience of 70+ years of shooting.

He was hitting the middle, just, but keeping it in the bullseye – no mean feat for anyone given you are more than half a mile away from the target.

I was muttering words of encouragement and watching closely to keep him focussed. It was getting quite exciting.

“Sorry about out that one Steve, a bit high.” It was. But still in the bull. His sixth consecutively.

I was not prepared for the next shot, however, because as the bullet exited – so did his teeth.

Without putting the rifle down, he calmly pushed the top set back in with his thumb.

“Sorry Steve, these are new choppers, I haven’t quite got the hang of them yet.”

The shot was bang in the middle.

He dropped only one point that day, finishing with 49.2 from a maximum possible 50.10.  He took some convincing it was a genuine score too, but there was no hiding his utter joy at finally putting a great score together.

It kept him coming back for many more years.

We embarrassed him once. The Public Schools Veterans shoot at Bisley, the last of the season and a ’must’ for Neil. It’s a huge match with upwards of 50 teams of Old Boys taking part.

The tannoy burst into life announcing to more than 1000 people across a half-mile wide range that someone from Haileybury School was shooting his 60th consecutive Veterans match. Neil said it was his 75th. We had that announced, too.

We cheered him. Neil looked at his sandals.

Neil Joy was born in Portsmouth on 9 February 1934. His father was a Merchant Navy officer and the family (with his younger brother Kit) relocated to Singapore until the Japanese invaded in 1942 and they were evacuated to Australia.

Returning the UK in 1947, he was promptly dispatched to a bleak Rendlesham House at Framlingham College.

Unlike most of the rest of the OFRC, Neil thrived and by all accounts he was very successful. He was 1st XV rugby, shooting captain and a scholar.

National Service in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers yielded another great Neil moment. This caused great consternation with John “Irish Imam” Halahan, himself a former REME squaddie, when he revealed he had been a 2nd Lieutenant.

“Oh yeah,” said Halahan, “I was a corporal… and so was Hitler.”

Being an officer was most unusual for a National Serviceman but he explained that the base commander had two sons and he wanted Neil to teach them to shoot though, in order to do so, he had to accept a commission. Naturally, helpful and willing as ever, Neil obliged – for nearly two years.

A scholarship to Imperial College, London, to read Chemical Engineering followed as did a wife, Sheila, whom he met at a college dance, a long career in all kinds of engineering – including project managing the construction of the Channel Tunnel – and two sons.

Sadly Sheila, later a primary school teacher, became extremely ill with MS and Neil became her full-time carer for many years before her death in 2010.

He is survived by Gordon and Nicholas, three grandchildren; Nicholas, Peter and Marie-Guiliane and a 1983 Ford Capri.

He will be greatly missed by many, I’m sure, but the OFRC most certainly.

Deaths

Alan Bewick (K47-53)

  • When
    7 September 2020
  • Where
    Unknown
  • Age
    85

We are sad to announce the death of Alan Bewick (K47-53) who appears to have died as his 2024 OF Newspaper was returned “Deceased”.  He would have been 90.  No other details known at present, but according to Ancestry record he would appear to have died back in 2020.  Alan was a Vice President of the Society.

A close contemporary of his James Ruddock-Broyd (G46-52) recalls Alan was a talented sportsman at school and his record shows he was lst XV Rugby in 1951 & 1952, 1st XI Hockey in 1951, 1952 & 1953 and 2nd XI Cricket in 1953.  James remembers he took a holiday in the Algarve for golfing and first day first shot  his club while swinging hit a piece of rock.  He was soon active again and regularly attended Council meetings, but about 5 years later his back suddenly collapsed.  It seems no operation would correct it and he was confined to bed for the rest of his life.  James visited Alan in bed at his home in Newton, Cambs around the early 2000s.

Deaths

William “Bill” Montague Pinney (G63-70)

  • When
    15 January 2025
  • Where
    Orford, Suffolk
  • Age
    70

Bill Pinney (G63-70) died on 15 January 2025. No other details at present.

As well as being a member of Woodbridge Golf Club for many years, he will be best known for taking over the running of the fish business Pinney of Orford from his father.

Deaths

Michael Alexander McGuire (K54-63)

  • When
    26 December 2024
  • Age
    80

Michael McGuire (K54-63) died on Boxing Day morning 2024.  According to his brother Tim (K62-73), his death on Boxing Day mimicked his own mother’s death in 1999.

Michael was Head Boy at both Brandeston and at the College.  Tim says “He was a sportsman, a musician and a dedicated engineer. He spent most of his working life keeping us all safe by maintaining the integrity of nuclear power installations. In later life he researched carbon capture techniques and how to recycle organic rubber materials into more useful products. He is survived by his 2 children and their mother.”

The Green Register also reveals that he won his Rugby and Athletics colours and won a Wallace Scholarship.

The funeral is booked for Monday 20th January at 11.00 am at Alford Crematorium, Miles Cross Hill, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9LH.  Please can those attending in person aim to arrive at the Crematorium between 10.40 and 10.45am. You are all warmly invited to join afterwards at the White Horse Inn, Marshchapel, where there will be some light refreshments and we will raise a glass to Mike. Those unable to attend in person are welcome to access the webcast of the ceremony – contact Tim. They have requested no flowers, but if you would like to make a donation in lieu, they have nominated the choir Mike was a member of to receive these. Donations can be made to ‘Sing Out Louth’ c/o Elizabeth McIntosh 60-13-15 account no: 43522742.

Pictured are Tim, sister Shelagh and Mike.

Deaths

Robert “Jim” Blythe (K48-54)

  • When
    19 December 2024
  • Where
    Stowmarket, Suffolk
  • Age
    86

Jim Blythe (K48-54) died on the morning of 19 December 2024 aged 86.  He’d not been good with dementia for last few years, but he was greatly involved with the Society and The School.  He was the first boy across the threshold at Brandeston Hall and went on to be SOF President, Governor and SOF Trustee for many years.

He is also listed in Distinguished OFs for his plant nursery business click here.

We are advised that there will be a private cremation for family only and then a celebration of his life on Saturday 22nd February at St Edmund’s Church, Southwold at 12.00noon. RSVP by email to wendytrent@btinternet.com

The family have posted the following obituary notice :

In loving memory of Robert James Blythe ‘Jim’ formerly of Potash Nursery died peacefully, at home in Suffolk on 19th December 2024 aged 86 years.
Dad was born in Southwold, attend Brandeston School the Framingham College. After leaving school he joined the Merchant Navy in 1958. In 1964 he left the Navy and become salesman for Silkcocks where he met our mum June. They were married in September 1965. Dad took over the running of Potash Nursery when his father in law passed away in June 1966. Several years down the line mum and dad decided to specialised in Fuchsias and began to attend the RHS Shows and several county shows. He then displayed his fuchsias at Chelsea Flower Show and in 1993 he had his picture in the Hello magazine with the queen. When he retired he was able to play more golf, help out at the Alfred Corry museum. He also attended Here4u Dementia Group which he loved. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

All enquiries to Andrew Bingham Independent Funeral Service, The Nutshell, Milton Road South, Stowmarket, IP14 1EZ Tel: 01449 771666.

Donations, if desired, for St Elizabeth Hospice, Marie Curie, Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum and/or Mouth and Foot Painting Artists can be made payable to ‘Andrew Bingham Independent Funeral Service’ and sent to the above address.

Deaths

Michael Powlesland (R40-45)

  • When
    15 November 2024
  • Where
    Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk
  • Age
    95

Michael Powlesland (R40-45) died peacefully at home on 15 November 2024 aged 95. He and his 3 brothers all went to the College.  Beloved husband of the late Joan and loving father of Sarah and Mary, grandfather of Verity (V00-02), David and Ruth, and sons-in-law Tony and David. He was a Vice President of the Society, a former Norfolk Supper organiser and regular attendee and a member of the OF Golf Society.

The funeral service took place at St. Peter’s Church, Strumpshaw on Thursday 19 December 2024 at 12.30 p.m.  Colin Wigg (G48-54) a former Norfolk Supper organiser and John Ling (S49-56) attended the funeral. Brother Ross (R53-59) read a detailed eulogy and granddaughter Verity (V00-02) a moving poem.

The photo was taken at the 2022 Norfolk Supper.

Deaths

Michael Rutterford (Hon OF)

  • When
    27 November 2024

Michael Rutterford (HOn OF) passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 27 November 2024. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral Service was held at St Peter’s Church, Monk Soham on Wednesday 18th December at 1.00 p.m. Family flowers only please but if wished donations to benefit Cancer Research UK and St Peter’s Church, Monk Soham may be sent c/o Susan Whymark Funeral Service Ltd, Moore House, 8 Fore Street, Framlingham, IP13 9DY or made online at www.susanwhymark.co.uk.  In attendance was Bill Neckrews (Hon. O.F.), Steve Wright (Hon. O.F.), Michelle Davidson (Wright) (Hon. O.F.), Malcolm Todd (Hon. O.F.), Paul Taylor (Former H.M. Hon. O.F.), Sue Hobson (Hon OF.), Colin Rutterford (Hon. O.F.), Carlos Reynell (Hon. O.F.), Robin Sampson (Hon. O.F.), Paul Baker (Hon. O.F.), David Morgan (Hon. O.F.), Lucy Flack (V85-96), Andrew Payn (Hon OF.), Suzy Pym (McEwan) (P86-95), Naomi Wheeler (Horton) (P87-95), Julie Brumby (Cooper) (P84-95) and Jason Wright – current Head of Ground Staff – and a number of supporting colleagues

Mike was Head Groundman.

Deaths

John Anthony Haddon-Silver (S48-56)

  • When
    9 October 2024
  • Age
    87

Peter Drake (G49-55) informs us that his good friend and OF, who was Head Boy in 1956, has died on 9th October 2024.  After Framlingham, he attended the Sorbonne and went on to become a French teacher in and around Stowmarket and Great Finborough.  He was cremated wearing his Stradbroke rugby shirt on 4th November and his ashes are due to be scattered on The Mears, in sight of the office he occupied as Head Boy.

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