I just wish to echo what my brother has said; the Dook was the finest of men. I had many a conversation with him on my own in his study in my final year and realised at first hand that his principal concern was for the welfare of all his fellow human beings, and that he was content for others to have the recognition for his own work if that happened to be the best way for something worthwhile to occur (this he did on more than one occasion, and even now I am sure he would not want me to reveal the details of the occasions on which this happened).

"Dook" (as we all called him) made everyone at Orange Hill School feel special, from pupils to teachers to the dinner ladies and the caretaker - he showed us to value people for who they are and not judge by status alone.

He encouraged all students to strive for their own level of excellence and to express themselves in many ways, academic.... team and individual sports... perfroming arts. Many of us learned to overcome the fear of speaking in public by being encouraged to give simple reports in school assembly about colleagues achievements in the sports arena.

Dook believed that by the time we reached the 6th form we were all ready to contribute to the fair and safe environment of the school, so he made us all prefects - his trust in us was always treasured and never betrayed not even by the more wayward.

Abiding image of Dook...? While considering weighty matters, he'd hold his glasses in the corner of his mouth as though it were a pipe and he never seemed ruffled.

Wonderful man - we all really loved him

Jim Roberts (1960-1967)

Ken was an excellent Headmaster at Orange Hill, subsequently, a great producer of plays for the Orangehillians, before pursuing a very active retirement in Kendal.