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(and fellow rugby teammate) Antony Craft
(also sadly no longer with us) playing the
character of Marco. I have no idea which of
us was worse (although Ant was accused
on more than one occasion of sounding
like The Count from Sesame Street!),
but what was special is that Mr Ritchie
was able to get us to leave behind our
inhibitions and just have a go. This made
the lessons as fun as they were memorable.
I am no actor (unlike Mr Ritchie), but I am
forever grateful to him for opening my eyes
as to the merit and enjoyment of going to
the theatre.
Matt Packham (1984-1989)
Summer
2013
I am no actor
(unlike Mr Ritchie),
but I am forever
grateful to him for
opening my eyes
as to the merit and
enjoyment of going
to the theatre.
Many have a lot
to thank MTS for,
but for a special
group of us,
Bruce Ritchie set
us on our way.
He was a
very effective
communicator –
the sort of person
you learn from
without necessarily
realising it.
belief in all of us, was probably something
we only appreciated years later. We
came to MTS from a hugely diverse
range of family backgrounds; academic/
intellectual, artistic, sporting abilities
and of course in the 3rd Form at an age
of quite varied physical and emotional
development. Many have a lot to thank
MTS for, but for a special group of us,
Bruce Ritchie set us on our way.
Matthew Miller (1982-1989)
Bruce was always very kind to me. He
would guide rather than instruct, and
influence rather than command. He was a
very effective communicator – the sort of
person you learn from without necessarily
realising it.
Bruce had been a family friend for
many years before I got to know him, as
my father and he taught together at the
school long before I joined. It was in my
four years in the cricket 1st XI that I really
got to know Bruce, and especially on the
annual cricket festivals at the end of the
summer terms, our tour to Singapore and
Australia, and in my 6th Form season
when I was Captain of the XI. I think it’s
fair to say that our teams included their
fair share of characters over the years, and
Bruce’s calm and reassuring presence, with
a good dose of humour, always seemed
to manage any difficult situations. Our
successes, as a team and as individuals,
always delighted him. When we fell short,
we could tell how disappointed he was –
not for himself, but for us.
Bruce knew a great deal about cricket
and whilst he held traditional views for the
most part, he was open to new ideas and
ways of thinking – though I think the (now
routine) concept of warm-ups and stretches
before a game always slightly bemused
and amused him. I have very many happy
memories of the school, and most of all of
time spent on the cricket field, and that is
due in no small part to Bruce.
Allan Hawkey (1986-1991)
As I did not know of his death before
my copy of Concordia arrived I read
with real sorrow David Andrews’ worthy
appreciation of Bruce, for whom I had the
highest regard.
Since reminiscences are invited may I
offer this among the many possible. One
morning just as he was leaving my study
Bruce said, “Oh, by the way, Head Master,
this man [A.N.] Wilson whom you have
just appointed showed us [Bruce and John
Steane] some of his writing last night. He
hasn’t had anything published yet, but we
think he will. He is really good.”
Francis Davey
Head Master (1974-1981)
I, along with many friends - and I would
suggest countless other OMTs – have
very fond memories of the 3rd Form
and our first form master Bruce Ritchie.
Those of us who began our MTS careers
in the 3rd Form I feel are very fortunate
to have gained two years’ invaluable
experience on those who joined us in
the 4th Forms, and Bruce Ritchie was
responsible for helping all of us settle into
life at one of the country’s most famous
and best schools, which for a lot of 10 and
11 year olds might have been daunting.
His manner, experience, understanding,
ability, encouragement, humour, empathy,
joviality and maybe, most significantly,
