"In the pages of the magazine you will read of the year’s activities. On the whole, these follow the well-established pattern of the past but there have been innovations and no doubt in the years to come there will be more. If there be any who regret these changes, I would remind them that the school is a living organism and that the growth is essential to life. The spirit of the School is as vigorous and independent as ever and there is no doubt that it will go forward from strength to strength.”
These words, written by George Stanley Brown, were published in the first edition of “The Theocsbrian” produced after the beginning of his “reign” as Headmaster of Tewkesbury Grammar School, but they have a much wider significance: they summarise his philosophy of education, indeed of life and could well have been written at almost any time during the 17 years he was Headmaster, even at the closure of his beloved school. Sad he was to see go, especially as it just failed to reach its quarter-centenary, but he was never dispirited and from the seemingly remote offices of Shire Hall he will certainly continue to support education in Tewkesbury.
Mr. Brown, was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was an Exhibitioner and Moses Scholar. After teaching in Wigan and Chesterfield he moved in 1938 to the City of London School. In 1955 he came to Tewkesbury to face the difficult task of replacing W. H. Struthers, who had been Headmaster for 33 years. Struthers had gathered around him men who were to serve a life-time teaching in Tewkesbury, J. G. Thomas, J. T. Knoyle, L. C. K. Wyatt, H. L. Creeth and S. Guy, men who continued to serve under Brown and who ensured the continuity which is so essential to a successful school. Changes there have been over years, notably in 1967, yet he never failed to attract and hold devoted staff.
The pre-occupation of any Headmaster must be academic standards and the constant stream of successful entrants to the professions, commerce and industry must make many generations of Old Theocsbrian grateful to him. Lack of buildings prevented any dramatic increase in numbers, but with many more boys staying on in the Sixth Form the School did grow significantly. Mr. Brown fought continually to better the facilities at the School with the support of the Governors, and especially their Chairman, Alderman F. H. Knight. A second laboratory, a huddle of terrapins and especially the swimming pool were gradually added. Perhaps the swimming pool was closest to his heart, for he did so much enlist the support of boys, parents and old boys to run a series of fetes to raise the necessary sum, events so well organised by Mr. Creeth.
As a younger man he was an athlete of high calibre and on the very day I write this tribute he has been swimming in the pool. The story that he once swam across the pool on Christmas Day can be confirmed. Until very recently he led the Headmaster’s XI on the field and he umpired these matches to the end. His XI was usually more successful than in the first match in 1956 when the score book records that the School made 139 for 5 declared and then bowled out the Head’s XI for 33. Rugby was always a great interest and he encouraged its establishment in the School in 1959 and must have enjoyed the steady improvement. Perhaps the outstanding achievements were in 1964 when John Chandler twice played for England under 15 side and in 1971 when the School first organised a seven-a-aside competition.
Yet Mr. Brown is no more mere academic nor sportsman alone. In his first term he helped to launch a school choir, which for many years gave annual concerts. It was a source of great regret to him that there were never enough instrumentalists to form an orchestra. His interest in music extends far beyond the School and has long been a very active President of the Tewkesbury and District Choral Society. His interest in drama too is strong and he gave every support to J. T. Knoyle and latterly G. W. Byers in a series of imaginative and stimulating productions. Whatever the activity he supported it, whether visiting the camp at Braithwaite or taking a strawberry tea to touring canoeists at Ross-on-Wye, founding a School Council or sending working parties to the Star Centre.
Over the years Mr. Brown has given unstinting to Tewkesbury in many ways. For several years he was a Councillor and in 1966-67 was Mayor of the Borough. As Chairman of the Festival Committee, he played a great part in that successful venture and somehow contrived to attend every function. His recent appointment as Chamberlain of the Borough is surely a just recognition of his service to the citizens of the town. He sits on numerous committees. A regular worshipper at the Abbey, he is a member of the Parochial Church Council and was Churchwarden from 1969-1972.
All these achievements point to a life-time devoted service to his fellow men, service in which he has always enjoyed the quiet loyal help of Mrs. Brown. His integrity, generosity and good humour influence all who meet him. He gives up this post to continue his work in education, but it is as the last Headmaster of Tewkesbury Grammar School that he will be remembered.
J. W. RENNISON, Second Master, 1967-1972
Note; Tribute to G. S. Brown, Theocsbrian 1972 by J. W. Rennison.