Most of us only went to one secondary school and so have little real frame of comparison, but I have long thought that WHS by luck or judgement had a considerable number of truly exceptional teachers and humans. One of these was Brian MIddlebrook, a rather unsung member of staff in comparison to some others. Omnipresent and charismatic he was perhaps not, but he had a heart of gold. I had him for latin for five years and was never bored. I ended up with a 2 at 'O' Level thanks to him.

He replaced Taffy as Housemaster of Halls in September 1965, and in that term I had a serious personal family crisis and wanted to leave WHS to go home. He didn't want me to leave (and in truth it was not reallly desirable in my 'A' Levels year) and counselled me at some length. He also - and this is qute unbelievable and indeed unknown until now by anyone alive in this world apart from me - invited me to stay in a room in his flat in Halls during what he thought and hoped might be a temporary crisis.

I didn't take him up on it and did leave during the autumn term of my final year. I do not think in my entire life anyone not in my close family ever made such a selfless and caring gesture. I learned years later that he had become a vicar in Durham. That did not surprise me in a way, though he kept his faith very quiet at WHS. I had no idea that he was such a devoted churchman.

Brian was an unforgettable star among stars.

His staff profile: https://www.whs-archives.net/staff/db/45/1.htm

an obituary: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/979622.tributes-paid-teacher-priest/