OV Roger’s Return

It was lovely to see OV Roger Tringham (Cr 51-60) on 1 February 2023, who joined King’s Alumni Relations Co-ordinator, Amanda Sutcliffe, for a walk around the School as it is today.

Although Roger is still a ‘local boy’ and regularly visits both College Green and Worcester Cathedral with his grandchildren, he had not been back on the main school site for quite some time. A long career in teaching had not lessened Roger’s memories of his time at King’s, and he regaled Amanda with some wonderful stories of both his school friends and teachers, in particular Dan McTurk, who Roger explained had some unusual teaching techniques, which, on occasion, included teaching from outside the classroom and calling to the boys through the ground floor window.

While at King’s, Roger’s favourite subject was Chemistry. His had been one of the first year groups to enjoy the new facilities of the Winslow Building, which opened in 1958, with its dedicated Chemistry and Physics laboratories, as well as a science lecture theatre. Popping into ‘the science block’ as it is affectionately known, Roger met with Chemistry teacher Dr Mark Poole (Hon OV); this was a great opportunity to chat through how Chemistry teaching has changed over time with ever more stringent health and safety guidelines! Roger was also keen to see how the laboratories themselves had evolved, and was pleased to note the Chemistry Prep Room was still very much in use.

With his time at King’s still very fresh in his mind, the next key stop for Roger was Edgar Tower. During his Sixth Form, Edgar Tower had been home to Roger’s study, right at the very top. Although his study room is no longer in use, the trip up Edgar Tower stairs and seeing where their small kitchen had been brought back some great memories.

Roger also recalled how, during his time at school, the story in the playground was that the Edgar Tower doors had been installed at the behest of King John himself. While the doors have aged incredibly well, in fact, as OVs will of course know, Edgar Tower was built in mid-14th Century, replacing an earlier stone gateway built on King John’s order in the early 1200s.

A quick trip to see what had been the library in Roger’s day, now part of Hostel House, with its familiar architecture was the perfect way to end Roger’s walk around School, for this time at least.

We hope to see Roger again soon, and if you would like to visit please do get in touch with the office!