Page 36 - The Old Ratcliffian 2010

The Old Ratcliffan 2010 | Obituaries A Tribute to John and they responded readily to his advice the Satterthwaite family home for many years and it will be a lasting testimony to and wisdom. John was particularly good Satterthwaite at relating to recalcitrant pupils (it takes his great skills and imagination. one to know one!). At the other extreme, As his surname indicates, John hailed he inspired many of the ‘A’ level students Even so, we shall remember him most from the Lake District, a source of to study art-related subjects in higher for his personal qualities. John related well to everyone in the school – from considerable pride to him. He was education, and a great many of them junior pupils and kitchen staff to prefects at school in Coniston and Ulverston have become successful as architects, and the senior management. Indeed, before moving on to University at artists, restorers and designers, he related well to all people everywhere. Lancaster and then Leicester, where for example. He was generous with both his time and he remained for the rest of his life. However, it was not only the pupils at his money; always willing to give advice Despite this, he always thought of Ratcliffe who gained from his presence. and to buy a drink (unlike some of his himself as a ‘lad from the Lakes’ and Over time, John also had an influence colleagues!). Despite this, he would not returned there often to see family on developments of the physical fabric shirk from voicing his criticism when members. (Not often enough though of the college. Former classrooms and he felt it was needed. In short, a kind, for his niece Helen, who always dormitories were transformed into bright generous, considerate, talented and good regarded him as the ‘golden boy’ and welcoming places: corridors and humoured man who we were all honoured – which indeed he was!) public rooms were transformed from to have known. the traditional dark green and brown I first met John and Diana at a drinks to friendly, bright colours. He brought Sadly, Diana died as she approached party in 1965 on the evening before their colour to the school. A fine example her retirement, and this undermined the wedding. It was at a joint party given of this was the Old Library. Formerly a pleasure of John’s imminent retirement. by the staff of Grace Dieu for the staff rather gloomy resting place of books However, family, good friends and at Ratcliffe. I was delighted to meet a and artefacts for many decades, the holidays kept him active during the fellow northerner, but my main memory ‘Satterthwaiteian’ imagination turned remainder of his life. of the evening was of a tour of the new it into a bright and friendly Functions He is already missed greatly by so many art room that John had created, and of Room, much used for meetings and of us and especially by his family, of the amazing artwork that he had inspired gatherings. Thus John clearly made a whom he was so proud. Both his children from such young pupils. This led to him great impact at Ratcliffe. were educated at Ratcliffe, before going starting part time work at Ratcliffe, which on to university, after which, Rachel ultimately became full time. There he However, it was not only in the school became a solicitor and Ben an officer in remained for the rest of his working life. that his creative influence was felt. the Royal Navy. Rachel and Mark’s two One of finest achievements was the Once he became established at rehabilitation of his own home. The children, Edward and Hannah both gave Ratcliffe, he developed Art and History O.E.D. defines a ‘thwaite’ as ‘a piece of John so much joy and he was delighted of Art as major subjects in the school wild land made arable.’ Satters made to be able to spend so much time with curriculum. Not only did his pupils his ‘thwaite’ - a mass of wild, overgrown them. Both grandchildren are now at achieve outstanding exam results, but vegetation surrounding a tumbledown Grace Dieu and so the ‘Satters’ tradition also he became a friend and counsellor cottage - into a delightful, enviable, will live on through them. to most of those with whom he had landscaped garden surrounding a Mike Batty contact. He genuinely cared for them refurbished, extended cottage. This was Ex Teacher, Ratcliffe College Wg Cdr Greg Middlebrook Old Ratcliffian 1938-39 Flt. Lt. Peter Middlebrook Old Ratcliffian 1952-1954 Wg Cdr Greg Middlebrook, MBE, Royal Air Force Rtd, aged 83 years, died on 27th December 2009 in Boston, Lincolnshire. He was a long time supporter of the Pattaya Orphanage Trust in Thailand. His brother, Flt Lt Peter Middlebrook, Royal Air Force Rtd, aged 68 years, died on 24th April 2010 in Brisbane, Australia, after a long and painful illness. He left Ratcliffe in 1954. These two were the youngest and eldest sons of the Middlebrook family of five, a Boston family. The two other sons, also Ratcliffians, were Martin and John. Greg and Peter wanted to do nothing else but fly aircraft from the minute they were born. Greg went to Cranwell. He flew 30 different aircraft, had three tours in the Far and Middle East, and two in Germany. Peter was a navigator in Phantoms and V bombers. David Middlebrook (72)