Harrow County Staff
Mr. Maurice G. Venn
"What about Maurice Venn - yersss that's right!! - with the famous cough, who
taught Geology (best teacher I had - despite outer appearances)?" - Mike Deacon
(HCS
1969-76)
A small contribution from a former pupil, who at the age of 12
in about 1952 or so was among the awestruck as the Vincent Black Shadow roared
into the archway and the lean, leather clad figure parked it against the
wall.
Later I knew Mr. Venn as a teacher, and when I expressed an
interest in Geology he encouraged me to follow it up.
No facilities existed at Harrow County, but in a very common
sense and innovative way three of us were permitted to attend Ealing Technical
School in the evenings to do A level Geology.
I am sure that this was because of Maurice's gentle persuasion
of the powers that be at the time who were not noted for the openness of mind.
So it happened. Barry Ottiwell (sp?) Chris Paul and myself were
given time to study and allowed to register at Ealing Tech.
Barry sadly lost his life while at Bristol. Chris Paul,
by far the brightest and most motivated of us went on to a distinguished
career in academic geology and is currently Professor at Liverpool.
I went to Exeter, read geology and joined the British Antarctic
Survey and following a Ph. D at Birmingham had a enjoyable career with
Inco Limited the mining company in Canada and other countries.
There are those who helped one along the way. Such a man
is Maurice Venn. I have never thanked him; he probably does not remember
me but I think of him from time to time and always with gratitude for
treating us as adults and with great good humour. I wish him the
very best.
Dick Worsfold
1951 1958
Maurice Venn, who was appointed CBE in 1978, is now Treasurer of the Sir John Cass
Foundation. He is Chairman of the Trustees of the Billingsgate Seafood Training
School.
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