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The Royal School
I often think that being involved in The Royal
School Cavan is a little like travelling on a train,
with people getting on and o all the time. The
one constant, though, over the last twenty years
or so has the Boards of Governors, the members
of which faithfully ful l their duty in directing and
maintaining the ethos and policies of the school.
In the last year, however, we have lost two very
loyal members of the board. Bishop Ken Clarke, our
chairman for the previous twelve years, resigned
last summer. His guidance and encouragement at
meetings will be sorely missed, not to mention his
humour, as well as his presence at carol services,
graduation ceremonies and other celebrations.
We wish him well in his new role with the South
American Mission Society.
Archdeacon George Miller was the “grand old man” of the board, having been part
Archdeacon George Miller was the “grand old man” of the board, having been part
of Royal School life since 1965. He retained his interest in the welfare of the school
throughout the last forty eight years and his gentle-spoken manner and wisdom was
always much appreciated.
We were very sorry to learn of his death in early April, and express our sympathy to his
daughter, Ann and her family.
We rejoice, though, that Bishop Ferran Glen eld will be coming on board in the
coming months and look forward to his experience and ideas for the future. And we
ask your prayers for the Board of Governors in their deliberations and decisions at a
very challenging time in the school’s journey.
Cannon Mark Lidwill (Chaplain)
6 e Royal Times 2012-2013
Back Row L-R: Dean Raymond Ferguson, Mrs Cynthia Poyntz, Mr. Desmond Lowry, Mrs Lily Morrison,
Mrs Doris Allison, Canon Billy Sta ord, Mrs Hilda Bolton, Canon Mark Lidwill & Mrs Hazel Pickens.
Front Row L-R: Mr Ivan Bolton, Most Revd. Bishop Ken Clarke, The Late Archdeacon George Miller,
Mrs Helen Clarke & Mr Edward Lindsay.
Fond Memories
On Tuesday 27th November, 2012, a gathering of It would be remiss not to also make mention of the
members of the Board of Governors of the Royal valued role played by Helen Clarke, the bishop’s
School Cavan, along with other distinguished guests wife. Not only as a strong support to her husband,
was held in the Headmaster’s Drawing Room to mark she has also done much in her own right to support
two momentous occasions. the work done in the Royal School. One of her most
One of the events being marked was the resignation of valued contributions was in her role as President of
Bishop Ken Clarke as the bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and the Mothers Union, as the “Never Alone” initiative
was introduced in 2010. With the shocking incidents
Ardagh, and therefore also resigning as chairman of that have occurred in secondary schools this year, the
the Board of Governors. Since November 2001, Bishop e orts made to combat teenage suicide was truly
Ken has maintained a keen interest in the happenings
involving the school, giving good and wise counsel appreciated.
to both the previous and current headmasters. He The retirement of Archdeacon Miller from the Board
took his responsibility as chairman very seriously, ends a connection that goes back over 47 years. After
having chaired over 50 meetings during his time in his appointment to the Cavan group of parishes in
the diocese. Yet, as important as this work was, he is 1965, he was co-opted onto the Board later that same
better and more widely remembered by most for his year. As he tells the story himself, he would have a
direct involvement in the life of the school. During his row with Rev. John Anderson (Headmaster of the
years in Cavan, he con rmed students attending the school at the time), sort out the problem, only to have
Royal School in Cavan Parish Church on 12 separate another row! He has continued to maintain a keen
occasions, always leaving each candidate with words interest in the school since his retirement from the
of encouragement and challenge. On at least two Cavan parishes in 1989, and I know that his wisdom
occasions, he hosted a united event for the Royal has been leaned upon by many who have met him
Schools which were enjoyed by all who took part. He through their work in the Royal School Cavan.
also ensured that the celebrations to mark both the It was with great thankfulness, as well as a little
quarcentenary of the Royal Schools’ Charter (2008) sadness that the departures of the Bishop, Mrs. Clarke
and the appointment of the rst headmaster to the and Archdeacon Miller were noted. The school wishes
Royal School Cavan (2011) were both joyous and each of them God’s good happiness and blessings in
notable occasions. the future.
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