Ronald Johnson (M 59-65).

Darrell Farrant (M 62-65), who was a master at school at the same time as Ronald, has contributed the following.

“Ron was a special friend among a number of delightful colleagues at St Bees and we spent quite a lot of time together as we shared a number of common interests. 

The special environment in Cumberland contributed to this as we would frequently spend time in the Lake District mountains in both summer and winter conditions. We were only about half an hour from many of the most splendid areas and shared a number of excellent expeditions together. We also had a common interest in music and frequently sang with the school choir, including performances with professional performers in the annual St Bees Festival. I was privileged to be asked to be an usher at Ron's first marriage and was glad that he was able to be a guest at my own wedding in Edinburgh a couple of years later.

Another very special time was when Ron, Peter Croft and I drove Ron's splendid Rover 90 all the way to Greece for a three week holiday in 1964. The Rover was not always in the best of health but somehow we nursed it between us to many of the most wonderful classical locations.

We all left St Bees at the same time in 1965 and went on to different schools and universities but managed to keep regularly in touch. Peter went to be Deputy Head at St Peter's, York where he had a distinguished career, but sadly died of cancer only a year after his retirement.

Even after all these years I retain a warm affection for St Bees and have visited it several times over the years.”

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St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

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