Memoirs of Phyllis

Allan Williams (email to Andrew Halladey):

Dear Andrew,

I was sad to hear of Phyllis's death. Please accept my condolences. I would like to come to the funeral but, unfortunately, distance and work commitments prevent me. Your email said that you would be happy to hear of any memories we all may have of Phyllis. I'm not much of a writer but I would like to share a few words:

Where do I start? I first met Phyllis in April of 1966, when I arrived at Red Hill as a new boy. I remember her being very kind to me when I arrived, and although my contact with her over the years was more sporadic than with the teaching staff, she was always a "breath of fresh air" to me. She always had a smile and usually a kind word (except when I'd committed yet another felony!).

I remember one evening I enjoyed very much, thanks to Phyllis' thoughtfulness and generosity: One afternoon, I ran into her on the back drive, outside the cottage. She told me that she was going to Canterbury in the evening, to an opera, and asked if I would like to go with her. I remember worrying about being able to find something at least vaguely presentable, to wear. Sartorial elegance was not my strongest point (and still isn't), whereas Phyllis always dressed tastefully and always looked lovely, so I didn't want to look like something the cat dragged in. I don't remember how I managed; I probably borrowed something!

We saw two performances at the Marlowe Theatre that night: Dido and Aeneas & The Pardoner's Tale. Dido and Aeneas soared a mile or two over my head but I enjoyed the spectacle and the music. The Pardoner's Tale was a much lighter affair and a lot of fun. The entire evening was very enjoyable and has stayed with me ever since.

Phyllis' dedication to Red Hill and her loyalty to Shaw, were indispensable to the functioning of the school. On the one hand, it took a special person to work closely with Shaw and the many unconventional aspects of Red Hill, on the other hand, to be the primary point of contact with parents, education authorities, and other outside connections. Phyllis managed all this and more, and still found the time for kindnesses, such as the one
I mention above. She will be remembered with fondness and gratitude by a great many people.

Allan Williams
RHS 1966-1974

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Allan Dandridge: (2nd March 2017)

I have just been reading the eulogies and memoirs on Phyllis' funeral page, and I had tears running down my face. She was always a beautiful lady and a wonderful person. At one time I helped Brian Smith and Colin Hart in the kitchen getting the breakfasts ready and when Brian was on he would send me up to take Phyllis a cup of tea.... that was when she was living in the caravan near the new art room up the steep drive. I'm sure that it must have cooled off a lot by the time that I got it there!

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Ken Newman:

Phyllis was a mother figure to almost everyone when they first arrived to RHS. She was a genuine person with a really warm and caring heart. I could get her advice or confide in her without the discussion being forwarded to Shaw.

I can remember her listening to repeatedly played 78's with a group of students on the lawn outside the woodpile and insisting that she was still enjoying the music. It was typical of her placid nature. The only time I remember her showing real annoyance was when Corkhill set light to her hair in the office. To me the fact he attempted it showed that he expected her to tolerate it showed the affection in which she was held. If it had happened to me I'd have gone spare!

I was able to visit her in 2014 and 2015. Sadly I was unable to do so last year. Her mind was still as sharp as ever - she recalled so many details of past students. She didn't complain of her failing body or the circumstances in which she found herself. She was a wonderful human being.

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Mike Lacey:

I arrived at RHS on 2nd August 1956 at age 11. I was miserable for awhile and the only silver lining on the horizon was school secretary Phyllis Mills who showed kindness and consideration and would give me an encouraging smile...............I don't know if I would have had the career I have enjoyed, without going to Red Hill; perhaps not. Equally, I don't know that I met the fabled intelligence quotient ascribed to Red Hill pupils; perhaps not. But, I do know that the kindness shown to me when all else was dark and fearful by the school secretary, Phyllis Oliver, who was a little shaft of sunlight at a midnight moment in my life (extracted from Mike's September 2009 "Red Hill School and me" memoir).

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Eric Edwards:

I remember Phyllis and am saddened by her loss. One of the shining and real compasionate lights of Red Hill. RIP.

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Kenny Bruce:

How sad, I have very fond memories of such a lovely lady. She was always very well dressed and presented herself impeccably! Rest in peace.

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Richard Hayes:

A class act. Strange relationship with her husband but always impeccably turned out and super professional. She was beset by a myriad of physical ailments but apparently they didn't slow her down as she was over 90 when she passed.

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Robert Jamieson:

Very sad news. Now that she is gone our school really is gone too. A secretary is a keeper of secrets. Now that Phyllis is gone a lot of Shaw's secrets have gone with her. In 1962 she wrote me a supportive letter, to tell me that I had passed my English O level with a good mark. I never replied, and I wish that I had kept that letter. I would like to have known why Shaw kept me from doing any academic work. He had to be pushed really hard (by Birmingham LEA) to allow me even to do that one O level. But by the time I again had contact info for Phyllis, she was old and frail, and it would have been unfair to burden her.

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Jason Haiselden:

My condolences to her family. She was a stalwart of Red Hill.

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Steve Butcher:

She was a beautiful woman inside and out. R.I.P

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Chris Davies:

Very sad news, we will all remember her with affection.

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Stuart 'Wilf' Wilshaw:

Very sad news, she will live long in our memories.

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Justin Hemsley:

Yes, sad news indeed. I always liked Phyllis.

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Daphne Styles:

Sorry to hear the sad demise of Phyllis - will always remember
her with happy thoughts

 

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Adrian Gray:

Very sorry to hear this. Phyllis was an integral part of the Red Hill experience.

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Bill Howard:

It was Phyllis that said to me "If I wanted psychoanalysis I would not go to Shaw because he is not qualified".

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Antony Hillman:

Phyllis WAS Red Hill School. Without her the place would have been nothing. I have great memories of her. RIP.

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Peter Still:

Some documents that Lawrence Mills kept when the school closed show that at least some of Shaw's letters were actually written by Phyllis, just a few hints as to the the general direction coming from Shaw. There's an old saying that behind every great man there's a great woman, and RHS proves that. The school could not have succeeded without Phyllis and MoF. A thought struck me earlier today...... Phyllis was the only member of staff I've never heard anyone say a bad word about.

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Nick Hendley:

I had a great respect for her. She told me a lot of what Redhill was about and her time there, a fascinating person. I remember altering a zimmer frame for her when she had damaged her ankle and when she took it back the hospital asked who had done it as they often had people complaining that they were too wide for normal house doors.

 

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