Chipping Campden School 1440-1990

by Robert Cook

For the 550th Anniversary of the School back in 1990 Robert Cook wrote a history of the school. We have now scanned the book and are pleased to make it available online for the first time during our 575 Celebrations.

Robert Haldane Cook
by Jeremy Bourne

Robert Cook, known as Bobby to his family and friends to distinguish him from his father, who had the same name, was a senior civil servant in the Department of Employment. He had read Modern Languages (French and German) at Oxford, was fluent in both languages and had a thorough and cultivated knowledge of European literature and the Arts. During the Second World War he served in the seventh battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He was a Vice-President of the Regimental Association.
Blockley had been his home from his early teens, when his parents retired there from London. He was devoted to Blockley and Chipping Campden, belonged to many local societies and committees, and was Chairman of the Horticultural Society, and of the Campden Music Society. On retirement from the Civil Service he was offered the post of Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of Campden School, and he served the School for six years. He was a great friend and admirer of Alan Jones, then Headmaster. At he same time he became Chairman of Governors of Blockley School. In both of these capacities he was able to welcome Princess Anne, at Campden School for the Quincentenary celebrations, and at Blockley for the opening of the new extensions to the Primary School.
For the Quincentenary he undertook to write a history of Campden School, a project which gave him enormous pleasure. The book is dedicated to Alan Jones. He spent much time exploring the various farms and properties once owned by Pembroke College, Oxford, and which had supported Campden School through their profits and endowments. While working on the archives at Pembroke, in order to trace the link with Campden School, he was a guest at high table for dinner, and sat next to the Master, Dr Roger Bannister. He would have been delighted to know that his book, Chipping Campden School 1440 to 1990, is still read and enjoyed.

Chipping Campden School 1440-1990
This page was added on 03/11/2015.

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