Chris Taylor – a personal reflection
There is a moment in Robert Bolt’s 1966 film, A Man for all Seasons, when the young, ambitious Richard Rich asks his mentor, Sir Thomas More, what career he should follow. Reflecting on the brilliant, inspirational life of Chris Taylor, that exchange came to mind:
Sir Thomas More: Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher; perhaps a great one.
Richard Rich: If I was, who would know it?
Sir Thomas More: You; your pupils; your friends; God. Not a bad public, that.
And Chris was, indeed, one of the “great ones”. Whoever, or whatever, prompted Chris to enter the teaching profession changed and enriched the world through the young people fortunate enough to be taught by him. And not only them. For the deep, personal qualities that Chris embodied led to lifelong friendships, as well as brief or longer acquaintances, and the highest professional respect of colleagues, that brought joy, laughter, intellectual challenge and enlightenment to all who came within his orbit.
Those who worked most closely with Chris at Bancroft’s were of course the historians, an aspect of his life and work so evocatively described by Jeremy Bromfield in his school history, Floreat! When I first met Chris, on his arrival there, we were both young – or relatively young – bachelor schoolmasters. The historian and the linguist got on well, and our friendship was soon to reveal one of his many remarkable qualities: a love and deep knowledge of European history. Countless were the hours during which we explored the positive and negative qualities of Bismark, or the reasons why Italy actually became a country or the French were, well, as they were. My father, too, a former Austrian refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe, greatly enjoyed discussions with Chris, only rarely meeting someone quite so sensitively and well-informed on that period of European history.
Chris also showed a remarkable grasp of Jewish culture and traditions. He had a profound understanding of why and how Israel had come into existence when it did, and also of the tragic transformation that has taken place there in recent years. He helped me lead one of the two 1980s Bancroft’s school trips to the country, then a very different Israel, every pupil benefiting hugely from his erudition and communicative genius. Coincidentally, the future Anne Taylor had co-led the other one some years earlier!
In some respects, Chris was a quintessential Englishman – courteous, urbane, tolerant, with a distinctive wit and turn of phrase that often revealed his perspicacity. In fact, his very use of the English language was an art form in itself, and an education to listen to. Yet in other ways, he was the antithesis of that stereotype – a lover of both culture and intellectual debate, a masterchef long before the word came into common usage, and with a rare passion for opera.
His boundless enthusiasm – a hallmark, as many will recognise, of his teaching – could also be seen not only in his culinary knowledge, but in the creative use to which he put it over many years, in the service of friends and colleagues. He, together with Anne and their dear friend Joanna, formed “Bespoke Buffets”, a sort of travelling Michelin star restaurant. Just before Susie and I were married in 1988, Chris and Anne took us out for a most exquisitely prepared celebratory picnic, the most sophisticated and delicious we have ever had, and a reflection of the style and flair that he brought to all his activities.
Chris’s knowledge of opera was encyclopaedic, and his appetite for it insatiable, so much so that he and Anne would think nothing of attending performances on three consecutive nights, even at different venues. Only last summer, the four of us saw Handel’s “Semele” at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire – enhanced, of course, by one of Chris and Anne’s by now legendary interval picnics on the lawn.
Chris was a fine judge of character, and perhaps never more so than in his choice of bride. When he and Anne, his fellow historian, married in 1990, the whole Bancroft’s community celebrated. The love and evidently complete happiness they showed in each other’s company generated a feeling that, somehow, all was well with the world. It was not just the conversations both entertaining and serious, on matters grave or light-hearted, but their home itself which contributed to that. Art, antiques, sculpture, memories of Oxford, oh, and just a few books too, together with their wonderfully warm hospitality, all created an idyllic and cultured environment.
If this was true in Wanstead, it was taken to a new level after their move to Wales and the extraordinarily beautiful house and gardens that were to be their new home. They created here a world of beauty and nature combined, shared with the public on open days, meticulously designed, lovingly maintained, with their beloved, timeless, age-old Black Mountains watching over them. It was a unique and special paradise.
In this phase of their life together, their involvement with the outstanding music of Brecon Baroque and with the Hay Literary Festival, together with Chris’s captivating, brilliantly informed and compellingly delivered tours of Hay Castle (not to mention of the tiny parish church of St Matthew in Llandefalle too) – these were all aspects of Brecon life enriched by Chris’s exceptional knowledge and irrepressible wish to share it with others, one of the qualities that made him such an inspirational teacher of young and old alike.
Those privileged to have had Chris among their friends have been fortunate beyond measure. We may have known, during the long period of his illness, that there would only be one outcome. Now that this has proved to be true, how we miss him. But none of us can fully imagine the full scale of Anne’s loss, and we can only hope that our love for them both will be some small comfort to her now, and indeed always.
When reflecting on Chris as historian, chef, writer, orator, art critic, opera lover, garden designer, religious sceptic, conversationalist, the dearest of friends, and of course teacher, those words of Sir Thomas More come back to mind, reverberating among an even wider audience. For in his disarmingly modest way, he knew that as a teacher he was good. So did his pupils. And his friends. And, although the two of them might have argued from time to time, so did God.
Not a bad public, that.
Farewell, Chris. Floruit!
John Dunston
Chris Taylor
The news of Chris Taylor’s passing, whilst not unexpected, was nonetheless a moment of great sadness personally as I reflected on almost 40 years of friendship and a professional relationship second to none. In writing this tribute to someone I admired so much, I have, at Anne’s request, incorporated much of what I wrote about Chris in Floreat ten years ago.
I first met Chris when he came for interview as Head of History in early 1987, an important appointment as it was Peter Southern’s first full-time appointment to the staff. On meeting Chris, I knew immediately that I would be able to work with him and that he had all the qualities to lead and develop what was already a strong department. I was delighted when Peter Southern agreed and he proved to be an inspired appointment.
Chris had been teaching at King’s School Macclesfield where he had developed an exceptional teaching style, supported by his love of his subject and the ability to share that with others. He also had a reputation as an all-rounder, making a wide contribution to school life. This, of course, was to continue throughout his 27 years at Bancroft’s.
With Chris as head of department history was consistently one of the strongest departments in the school both in terms of the quality of the teaching and in terms of the number of pupils opting to take the subject. He was especially adept at getting the best from his colleagues allowing individuals to teach the periods of history that reflected their interests and allowing them to teach in the style that suited them most, ensuring that the pupils received the best. He believed in a collegiate style of management and no changes were introduced without departmental discussion. The department had a fine record of success both at A level and Oxbridge entry, with many Bancroftians reading history at university, in no small way due to Chris’s inspiration and love of the subject. He created the History Society that welcomed a wide range of university speakers who sought to encourage the intellectual curiosity of sixth form historians. He also introduced a range of history trips perhaps most notable amongst them being the Berlin-Prague trip and the annual trip for GCSE pupils to the World War One battlefields. Here Chris was in his element. HhHHHis great depth of knowledge and understanding of European history bringing an expertise few could match. His explanation standing close to the Thiepval memorial on the Somme battlefield, of the carnage on July 1st 1916 was very moving and for those present always a highlight of the trip.
He managed the school’s Oxbridge applications where his knowledge of colleges, his building of relations with admissions tutors, his understanding of what made a good Oxbridge reference and his determination to get more Bancroftians into these universities, ensured a significant increase in the number of successful applicants. Chris also served as the chairman of the Bancroft’s players and as well as supporting the efforts of others producing plays, he produced several fine plays himself, his most notable production being Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia. Bancroft’s was the first school to perform the play and use costumes from the original National Theatre production. He was always prepared to defend the player’s interests, and the high quality of Bancroft’s drama owes much to his support and expertise.
He was greatly admired and respected by his pupils who recognised his commitment on their behalf, as well as by his colleagues who valued his support and wisdom. For many years he was a most effective chairman of the SCR committee representing the interests of the teaching staff with great skill and diplomacy. A very fond memory of many of his colleagues was Chris’s culinary skills. For many years he masterminded the carvery for the annual staff Christmas party. Few could forget the excellence of that carvery but fewer still can forget the amazing cheese board with which the meal concluded, purchased at considerable expense at Chris’s insistence, from Neal’s yard!
This tribute does not do justice to Chris Taylor’s contribution to Bancroft’s school and its pupils over 27 years; few have made a more significant contribution to its life and success. He helped raise standards and was selfless in his approach always putting the interests of the pupils first. What is more he really understood and promoted Bancroft’s School, its ethos, traditions and history and that firmly underlined the professionalism with which he approached his role as a member of staff.
To me Chris was not only a colleague, one whom I admired and for whom I had the greatest respect, but also a true and genuine friend, one to whom I could turn for advice and support when I needed someone to confide in. We didn’t always agree but that never affected our friendship. I remember admiring him when some 20 years ago he had the first signs of what was to become a long-term struggle with his health. That was not going to stop him enjoying life to the full and following the many interests in his life which he shared with Anne. The annual covert term time trip to the Chelsea Flower show on the Wednesday afternoon being one to which I always turned a blind eye!
When I was writing Floreat seeking advice from Chris was most re-assuring. I was also delighted when he agreed not only to proofread the draft and to advise on presentation, producing some excellent chapter headings but also to writing a time chart recording the History of Bancroft’s in a national historical context. I am sure all who have read that will agree that it serves not only as a fine tribute to Chris’s skills and knowledge as an historian but also as a worthy way to start the history of such a remarkable institution.
It was also a great pleasure when Chris told me that he and Anne had become more than colleagues in the department. Their married life was full of such joy and pleasure sharing interests, experiences, travel all over the world and playing hosts to so many both in Wanstead and later in Llandefalle. Theirs was a true partnership and to be in their company was always such great fun and a privilege, especially over a meal, usually a long one prepared by Chris, with a good bottle or two of wine. Many of us mourn the loss of a dear friend and we share in supporting Anne, who had been at his side throughout their marriage but also particularly throughout the recent trying years of hospital appointments and differing treatments. I know just how much that meant to Chris.
I end with something from Chis himself. When he first learnt that he had 3 tumours he christened them his BBC, Boris Brexit and Covid! That was so typical of Chris and my admiration, not only for all that he gave to so many but also to the way in which he fought his BBC is a most apt end to this tribute to a very special person.
Floreat. May he rest in peace.
Jeremy Bromfield