Chronicle 687

49 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Nick Quartley– A Good Man

There was song to remind us of his love of Gilbert and Sullivan while Simon Taylor, with whom he often collaborated at school, performed Pinter’s Victoria Station . Shakespeare was, of course, one of Nick’s perennial passions and, when not directing, Nick was equally skilled at delivering both tragedy and comedy. The rapt audience enjoyed some priceless video of him in role as Malvolio in 2016. The Chronicle was just one of Nick’s unsung labours at Teddies as he served as its Editor for many years but he was also a great writer of letters, as his family remembered. His family was the ever-present centre of his life and even as he went into the terrible illness of his last years he was able to connect with his young grandchildren as photographs in a touching slideshow revealed. Other contributions to the event came from Nick’s eldest son, Tom, who talked about his father’s love of the Lake District and from his widow, Freddie, who spoke about his spiritual life and visits to Mount Athos. Mark, Nick’s younger son, presented the afternoon in a masterly but touching manner. The poem he wrote and performed left us all feeling the terrible loss but also evoked marvellous memories of such a modest but supremely generous and talented man. Any donations in Nick’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

There was a packed house in The North Wall for the celebration of Nick Quartley’s life attended by former colleagues and pupils along with family and a host of friends, neighbours and fellow thespians. Nick was a Classics Teacher at Teddies and was instrumental in the development of The North Wall. Reminiscences and performances paid tribute to Nick’s fascinating and active life. Nick was a many-faceted man who led an incredibly busy life, sometimes travelling alone but more often with friends or family or accompanying school trips. His love of the outdoors, and in particular the Lake District, was lovingly recalled. His talents were many, though it was repeatedly mentioned that his skills did not extend to anything culinary.

Tony Snell John Wiggins, Honorary Secretary of the St Edward’s School Society, writes:

A short while after the January flooding had subsided, Tony Snell’s nephew and closest living relative came on a visit bearing Tony’s ashes. Tony was a Physics teacher at St Edward’s and was closely involved in the running of the School’s Duke of Edinburgh programme over many years. It was Tony’s wish that his ashes be cast upon the waters of the Thames from the Teddies Boathouse. This was duly done and another of Tony’s former colleagues, Andrew Davis, came to add his memories to the occasion. Andrew shared many a DofE expedition with Tony and we both enjoyed (and survived) the infamous Skiff Expeditions on which Tony brought enthusiastic Shell boys over a number of years. A bench is a lasting memorial to Tony and though it is currently looking out over Port Meadow and along the Thames it is ultimately to be located in front of the ‘Green Hut’, site of many a winter ‘teatime’. Visitors to the Boathouse will be able sit and recall their own memories of Tony who for so many years generously gave of his time, wisdom and experience to instil wonder and love of boating, folklore and, in particular, the River Thames.