Farnborough Hill

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Newsletter update: the 2010/2011 old girls magazine was sent out on the 19th August 2011 to all FHOGA members. We extend sincere apologies for omitting to include the following:

Joan Walters (née Merrill) 1945-2010
Head of Department of Speech and Drama at Farnborough Hill 1967-1990

Joan was born on 20 April 1945.  She joined the staff of Farnborough Hill at Easter 1967.  So began a brilliant career in one to one work and drama productions.  She transformed the Department and the girls responded with enthusiasm to her leadership.  Rex Walters visited from the Guildhall and, in spite of the difference in age, they married in the summer of 1969.  Sadly, Joan left Farnborough Hill because of serious ill health and Rex died on 18 August 1995.

Jeremy Walters gave a moving address at Joan’s funeral and I have his permission to quote from it extensively:  

“Joan’s father was a strong personality who instilled in Joan a ’can-do’ attitude and gave her the spirit and determination to always give her best and succeed.  After school Joan went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study drama….Later she joined the staff there and had a considerable impact, being made a Fellow at the very young age of 33.  On Rex’s retirement Joan went to Farnborough Hill.  There, the highlight of the school year was their fantastic annual joint production – Rex’s experience and Joan’s dynamism were unbeatable….After Farnborough Hill, Joan taught for a few years at the City of London School for Girls before starting her successful career as a private tutor, which carried on until a few weeks ago.  Her most famous student was John Major while he was Prime Minister.  However, she also acted as tutor to Ian Duncan-Smith (when he was Leader of the Opposition) and David Davies (when he was a Cabinet Minister).  For the last ten years, Joan was Head of Department in Performing Arts at Carshalton College…

Despite living in the limelight, Joan was a very private person – none of us totally knew her - indeed over the last weeks we keep discovering new things about her!

Joan was admitted into hospital in June suffering from infection caused by a ruptured gastric ulcer.  After spending four weeks in intensive care she appeared to be recovering satisfactorily so it was a shock to everyone when she died suddenly on 16 July.”

Finally Jeremy mentioned that, for him, the most memorable Farnborough Hill productions were ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘Toad of Toad Hall’ and ‘My Fair Lady’.  My own niece Ann (née Alexander), now married with two grown up daughters, told me only a short while ago: “I always remember what I learnt in the production of ‘My Fair Lady’ from Rex and Joan.”

May she rest in peace.

Rosemary Alexander R.C.E.