Kindling of a flame

I recently heard about the death of my history teacher who died this summer.

John Searle-Barnes was, without doubt, one of the best teachers I ever had.

A gentleman. Friendly. Kind.

And most importantly, extremely knowledgeable

(Forgive the superlative, but it is true and, I suppose, unnecessary to say so)

You’d think: but of course, he had to be knowledgeable!

Just under than 30 years ago, I attended the then Friends‘ School in Saffron Walden (later, the Walden School)

A Quaker school which ran along a spirit of the benign, compassion and inclusion.

Mr. Searle-Barnes taught, mostly, without notes.

We‘d sit around a table, as if having a chat about 19th century British politics.

As opposed to the received idea of a formal lesson: blackboards, chalk, (which I had as a girl, during my schooling in Kenya.

Or, in these more modern times: whiteboards, projectors, and all other state-of-the-art accessories.

I would take notes while Mr. Searle-Barnes spoke. Just Spoke.

A calm, authoritative delivery by Mr. Searle-Barnes.

The topics? Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, Robert Peel, Lord Palmerston, John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham, Harriet Martineau, John Locke, Hobbes, William Cobbett, Ireland and emancipation, the Industrial Revolution, rotten boroughs, India, Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery, and many others.

The 19th century, in terms of social policy, was instrumental. And many ideas from that time, cannot be dismissed. Yes, it is an age gone by but during which, a foundation was developed for many admirable policy ideas in subsequent years.

(Can be discussed later).

My views on politics, and fleeting involvement in politics (I stood for Town and County Council seats in the Vale of White Horse) have been, to some extent, influenced by those lessons in 19th century British politics, delivered by the brilliant Mr. Searle-Barnes.

Unapologetically effusive: Mr. Searle-Barnes was amazing.

A word that, nowadays, can be and often is inappropriately overused.

John is much missed.

May God rest his soul.