My sincere and deepest condolences. I recall first becoming ‘aware’ of Mark at KES in 1961 when he was practising (on his own) one lunchtime in the fives courts’ and (quite rightly) didn’t much appreciate my (with two other first year boys) messing about in the adjacent court!
We were already somewhat in awe of this larger than life (and much larger than us!) character – even though he was but a 3rd year boy, not even 14 years old. My respect and admiration for Mark grew during the school years which followed, and I was proud to call him a friend in the late ’60s/early ’70s when we played cricket (occasionally in the same team – especially at Bishops Castle on the annual ‘A’ XI weekend tour) for the Old Eds. The beers which followed each match were always a highlight – Mark was of course great company – and to say that we will miss him would be a massive understatement.
Roger Otto (1967)
Mark entered Shell C in September 1958. His pleasant way with people was rewarded by his appointment as Class Rep and thereafter he made steady progress up the school. He was a gifted sportsman, but particularly good at cricket and fives. He was a bright student and he wasn’t cowed by authority. At his leaving interview, normally an exchange of platitudes, he rounded on the Chief Master and had a full and frank discussion of views.
After successfully studying for his Ll.B. at Liverpool University he did his articles in Birmingham and was admitted as a solicitor in 1971. A year later he married Susan Dale and a few years after that Charlotte was born, with Helen following soon after. He had a stellar career, in the law initially and then he entered industry. Mostly this was in the East Midlands but after an amicable divorce he moved to the Lake District where he eventually entered into a civil partnership with Sue Chadburn. He spent the last twenty years of his life happily beside beautiful Esthwaite Water. Sadly in 2017 a diagnosis of cancer was the start of a seven-year battle which he fought as bravely as anyone could. His superb natural fitness meant that he could undergo surgery most of us couldn’t have dealt with.
These are the bare details of his life. They don’t convey the sheer vivacity of the man. He was like a coiled spring waiting to go into full action mode. A great lover of gossip and ready to share it with anyone interested. An inveterate giver of nicknames and a recipient of so many. A family man who adored his family. A man with a strong social conscience and sense of fairness. “A good friend and a bad enemy“ is how he described himself. I will remember him as a fantastic friend.
Peter Macdonald (1965)
Please see an additional tribute to Mark, since the Gazette was sent out in early July 2024, from Edward Picken (1965)
On reading of Mark’s death in the Gazette I feel that one of my last links with the school is gone. As a timid Hall Green boy in 1958 I was like most Shells, in terror of masters particularly the Rev. Lunt. Not so Mark! I have still never come across an eleven-year-old with such self-confidence. He seemed completely disdainful of authority.
Even now to refer to ‘Mark’ feels strange. He was always Shaggy. Why? His copper hair was perhaps a bit long by 1958 short back and sides standards, but not much. Perhaps most likely he self-christened in order to deflect attention from his first name which I believe was Valentine. Yes, he loved nicknames, and never seemed fazed when they didn’t stick. He christened me “Chinster” because he recognised I had a chin like Jimmy Hill. Thankfully that didn’t stick!
Although both of us went to Liverpool University in 1965 we totally lost touch. Because I was never particularly sporty (I was in Gifford after all!) and never lived in Birmingham again I did not join the OEA. Fast forward fifty years to 2015 and I made possibly my first visit to the school for a re-union. As I locked the car this human version of a big friendly dog came bounding over. “Good to see you Ed” Bone crushing handshake. I hesitatingly replied “I am awfully sorry, you have the advantage of me, who are you?” The once copper hair was now grey. After that we occasionally emailed and phoned. He always invited me to the OE Christmas drinks in Birmingham but sadly I never made it. In our infrequent phone conversations he inevitably brought the subject around to a bike ride he and I did in 1962 from Birmingham to Dorset along with Bill Riddick and Eric Nicholson (can you imagine letting teenagers do that in 2024?). On this ride there was apparently a ‘really serious’ hill in one village where Bill stopped for a cigarette at the bottom, had another one halfway up, and a third when he reached the top! Mark always expected me 55 years on to remember the name of the village and sadly I always failed him.
Our last meeting was at the Dorridge reunion in 2019. As usual he was robust in his greeting; there was an awful lot of “don’t be so damned rude!” and other catchphrases. He told me he had been ill but batted away my questions about his future health. Although I am perfectly happy at such gatherings, he acted like an upmarket holiday camp host, making sure I had a drink, knew who I was talking to, knew who wanted to talk to me, and so on. I mean all this as a compliment. In particular, I am grateful he re-introduced me to Bill Riddick, who I had not seen for 54 years and would never have recognised.
So farewell Shaggy. The dwindling numbers of class of ’65 will not forget you in a hurry.
