Chronicle January 2021

19 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Re-Dedicating the Fisher Field

On a blowy day back in February when the world was a very different place, a small party met at the Fisher Field to re-install a plaque commemorating the naming of the easternmost astro turf pitch after the seventh Warden of St Edward’s, Francis (Frank) Forman Fisher. Present were Charles Cooper OSE and his wife Gisela, Sir David Lewis OSE, Cassie Cooper, Jubilee Matron, and the Warden. The Field was originally opened by Charles’s father and Cassie’s grandfather, Graham Cooper OSE, in 1991.

Fisher in 1960

Fisher became Warden of St Edward’s in 1954, facing the unenviable task of succeeding the iconic Henry Kendall, who had been Warden for the preceding 29 years. Fisher knew the challenge was a huge one. Not only was he stepping into big shoes, but significant changes were necessary if the School were to grow its numbers and survive all the challenges of the post-war era. He more than rose to the circumstances, presenting Governors with a far-reaching development plan in 1956, recommending new boarding Houses, a new music school, a review of fees and an overhaul of pupils’ responsibilities and activities to reflect contemporary trends. Alongside a rise in academic standards, the School’s sporting achievements

Malcolm Oxley, former Sub-Warden and History Teacher at St Edward’s, as well as author of the School’s history, remembers Fisher thus, ‘In his dealings with teachers and pupils he had a relaxed demeanour which was simultaneously conveyed with a striking sense of natural authority. Efficient, decisive and business- like one moment, he could be surprisingly humorous and caring the next. One felt he knew every boy in the School, and he did.’ Fisher left St Edward’s to become Master of Wellington College in 1966. He died in November 1986 and at his funeral in the St Edward’s Chapel, the then Warden of Radley, Dennis Silk, said in his address, ‘He loved Teddies to the core of his being.’ Graham Cooper OSE was a pupil in Segar’s from 1931–7, becoming Senior Prefect and Captain of Rugby, Hockey and Athletics. He went on to serve as an exceptional Governor of St Edward’s from 1947–93, and as Chairman from 1973–85. The Chronicle of 1991 reports that Graham had been cheated by traffic problems of opening a quadrangle in his name in 1987, and so it was pleasing that he was able to officiate at the opening of the Fisher Field a few years later. The Cooper Quadrangle is now home to the Art and Design Departments, the Bursary and the Maths Department and, having been the location for the temporary Cooper Lodge, gave its name to the new House. Cooper's, the Sixth Form common room, is also named after him. With many thanks to Archivist Chris Nathan for the historical information herein.

blossomed under Fisher. The Boat Club won the Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley for the first time in 1958, surpassing itself by winning it again the following year. In 1960, both the 1st and 2nd XV were unbeaten for a whole season, a feat never before achieved. The Harriers won the prestigious Parrish Cup three years running from 1961–3.

The Warden, Cassie Cooper, Sir David Lewis OSE, Gisela Cooper and Charles Cooper OSE