For those who are unable to attend the service today at 2.00 p.m. St. Mary the Virgin Church, Swainswick, Bath.
I have taken the liberty of contacting the rector & church wardens by telephone this morning. I was able to send the following tribute to one of them for inclusion into the service.
" A lady who inspired many to expand their horizons in literature, who was a breath of fresh air into what was an all male establishment. A subject of many a young boys fantasy, a person whose memory will always remain dear to their hearts"
The folowing ex-pupils would like to extend their condolences to Mike Williams:
Anthony Eccles, Barry Cannell, Conroy Knapp, David Hough, David Tadd, David Warren, Douglas Gray, Francis Williams, Geoff Cole, Graham Rawlings, Jim Ivens, John Stickland, Ken Eynon, Len Muir, Mick Little, Mike Hallett, Neil Merrett, Peter Waring, Ray Evans, Richard Lanham, Richard Conneely, Roger Coombe, Rodney Strong, Steve Coffin, Stuart Stickler, Tony Madden, Tony Spooncer.
- 8/24/2009 5:35:07 PM
Dear All,
The funeral was extremely well attended. Mrs. W's love of music was obvious from the number of sung items in the service. The vicar's address hit just the right note - he quoted from a letter (as below) I wrote expressing all our condolences and the high regard in which we held her. Mike W seemed very touched that you guys still remember her with affection. I hope you don't mind my presumption in writing this letter but I ensured that the quotes were unattributed.
Dear Mr Williams,
A number of us were deeply saddened by the news of your wife’s death last week. We, being a small group of Brougham Hayes boys (largely from the early sixties) who have formed a social networking group based around our common school boy experiences and our largely happy memories as pupils at CBTS.
I know that a number of this group wanted to attend the funeral as a mark of respect and affection that we held for your wife but we were only made aware of the funeral arrangements at mid-day on Sunday.
Nevertheless, you may comforted a little by a few of the paraphrased comments made by members of the group both in open discussion and in private messages
“Mrs Williams gave me a love of literature which has been with me ever since”.
“I think it must have been Mrs W. who finally convinced me that University was something to aim for”.
“the fragrant Mrs Williams was, for us boys, the most glamorous woman outside the movies”
“I well remember that she was a breath of fresh air in a stuffy male environment. Had she ever taught me then possibly my English might have been a bit better than it is”.
“…a very good teacher and I do thank her for my love of reading, starting in 1961 with Moonfleet”.
With our sincerest condolences,
Mike Hallett