David DAVIES (retired in 1996)

David Davies has retired after thirty-seven years in the School: since 1968, upon succeeding his compatriot David Thomas in the position, he has been Head of the PE. Department.

The Staff Notes in 'Skylark' 1959 included the following entry: 'As assistant PT. instructor, we have gained the valued services of Mr D. E. Davies, who has been in charge of Physical Education at the Orange Hill School, and is an active member of the "Wasps" R. F. Club. Thus was the arrival announced of a teacher who was to become one of the School's longest-serving and most loyal servants. A man of natural charm and modesty, many of his achievements have gone almost unnoticed because of his hatred of self-promotion or publicity, and because he has always operated on the principle that his colleagues will display the same professional standards that he demands of himself; sport at Haberdashers' has always depended on the skilled and expert help of other academic staff as well as specialist P.E. teachers, and David has been willing at all times to allow a liberal autonomy to those ready to give up much of their spare time to running teams.

Shortly after his arrival at Haberdashers' David took charge of Athletics, and then in the autumn of 1965 he was appointed Master in charge of rugby, a post which he held until 1982. David's tenure coincided with one of the most successful eras in the School's rugby history, and of course that success was in large measure due to David's unflagging enthusiasm, skill and commitment. It is worth noting that the 1st XV remained unbeaten for an almost incredible sixty five games from October 1973 to December 1977. Perhaps a part of this success had to do with the rugby training camps which David led for many years in Snowdonia - Martin Baker (O.H.) recalls the legendary water fight of 1977 in the London School of Mountaineers' but which culminated in David sealing victory by pouring gallons of water over the aforementioned.

It was also during these years that David organised the creation of the original 100 metre cinder track - no mean feat when one considers that it involved the demolition of a cottage and pond which stood in the way. John Welbourne and his intrepid C.C.F. pioneers blew up these obstacles, and David then arranged for himself and a team of staff and boys to lay the foundations using clinker obtained from the boilers of Edgware Hospital - an admirable example, surely, of recycling in an earlier age!

In September 1977 David Davies became Housemaster of the Boarding House and oversaw it until its closure in 1983. Many of his colleagues will remember with affection the warm and welcoming atmosphere which he and his wife Jean established there: Doug Yeabsley recollects the 'most fantastic chocolate cakes', and reckons the boys will not have forgotten them, either ... or the charms of the Davies' delightful daughters. It might have been an unrewarding time to be running the Boarding House, its closure looming and with all the awkwardness of looking after a group of boys for whom the school was not specifically geared, but, together with the marvellous help on offer from David and Flora Griffiths, they ensured that the House 'made a good end'.

It might be appropriate here to say something about the tact and sensitivity David has offered elsewhere, too - and all involved in the 1995-96 Far East Tour will pay tribute to the contribution David made to the happiness and smooth running of the trip, taking care to find appropriate opposition and always on hand to head off potential problems with individuals or logistics. Perhaps this very 'human' side of David is expressed also in his love of music - he has been a wonderfully loyal member of school audiences all through his time at Haberdashers'.

We shall be losing in David one of the pillars of the School which came to Elstree and was then built up to the height of success enjoyed today: such success would never have been possible without the shrewd appointments made by Tom Taylor, of which vintage David Davies must surely be one of the finest examples.

Let me end by quoting one of David's longest-serving colleagues: 'If I were ever stuck in the middle of nowhere and needed help, the person I'd ring would be David - he really is the kindest of men'.