Alan Thompson
Alan was the secretary of the Refounders group and a member of the Senior Common Room. He died at the Society on Saturday 10th September 2005. He was attending the Refounders Weekend which he organised each year. On the Friday evening he chaired the annual dinner but in the early hours of Saturday he had a heart attack and passed away before he could be taken to hospital.
Alan came to the Society as a young seventeen year old in October 1947 to read for a BA in General Studies. He came at a time when the majority of members were ex-service men returning from World War 2 and I think he found mixing with these mature student a little bit daunting at first, especially when they all seemed to be elected to the senior posts in the JCR. However, he quickly realised that sport was an area in which he had an opportunity to shine and was able to excel at cricket that continued to be a life-long passion. Alan played for the Society and the Colleges XI. His most memorable match being the defeat of Hatfield in the final of the 1949 Cricket Trophy.
After graduation and National Service Alan taught in several schools in the North before returning to his hometown of Stockton to teach languages at the local high school. He followed county cricket and was involved in local activities, especially those at his local church.
Alan’s support for the Society never wavered. The Refounders offered him the opportunity to meet his old friends and help the Society. He became a member of the Senior Common Room and secretary of the Refounders in 1998. This cheerful, helpful member is going to be sorely missed.
His wife Hazel, his daughter and two sons survive Alan.