Jeremy Bridgeland (1961-1967)
Died on 14th May 2020, aged 71
Only through a chance meeting with his brother at the butchers recently did I learn of the death in 2020 of Jeremy Bridgeland. We were both in the School swimming team in 1966-1968, but after university Jerry spent nearly all his time in either Scotland or Shropshire, so pre-mobile phone and internet, we lost contact.
Jerry was born in Hastings in 1948, second son of Harold and Eve Bridgeland, and both Jerry and older brother Michael started at MTS in 1961 when their father Harold took up the post of Bursar. Harold was Bursar from January 1961 until Summer 1979.
Jeremy won a place at Oxford, reading Chemistry and taking a PGCE from University College. He was notable for his many and varied sporting endeavours, winning two full Blues and seven Half Blues. He captained the swimming team and represented the University in Water Polo and Modern Pentathlon. His efforts in 1971, particularly in the shoot and swim, helped Oxford to its first Varsity triumph in the Modern Pentathlon for a decade. While at Oxford, Jerry met his future wife, Yvonne Goodwin.
After Oxford, Jerry spent five years teaching at Gordonstoun, then joined the Chemistry department at Shrewsbury School in 1977. Their two sons, Charlie and Edward, were both born during their time in Shrewsbury.
While at Shrewsbury, Jerry was active in many aspects of school life, especially anything involving water or outdoor pursuits. He played for the staff rugby team, coached swimming and water polo, and ran a popular canoeing club. He was very involved in the CCF and in 1980 travelled to Canada to represent the UK in the NATO Reserve Officers’ Military Competition.
In 1982, Jerry returned to Gordonstoun as a Housemaster. His second spell at Gordonstoun included the alarming and extraordinary experience of a night-time fire within the boarding house: that it should be attended to by a team of pupils from the school’s own fire department was surely unprecedented; and thankfully boarders, family and firefighters were all unharmed. Jerry led groups of pupils up numerous ‘Munros’ and founded the school’s surf life-saving service, which patrolled local beaches.
In 1990, Jerry was appointed Headmaster of Ardvreck, a prep school in Perthshire.
Jerry was injured in a climbing accident in 1994 where his father-in-law fell to his death. David Goodwin wished to celebrate his 80th birthday by climbing a Monro with his son-in-law and grandsons. Jerry chose Schiehallion, a 3547ft mountain near Loch Rannoch. On the descent, David slipped and fell 200ft, but while Jerry tried to save him, both men had to be helicoptered off the mountain; however David could not be revived.
The next year Jerry moved back to Shrewsbury to become Headmaster of Prestfelde Prep School, where he was responsible for significant growth in pupil numbers, the introduction of girls, and the completion of new music and pre-school buildings. It was also characterised by his efforts to modernise the school and prepare it to thrive. One of his first objectives at Prestfelde was (unsurprisingly) to upgrade the school swimming pool and he also enjoyed applying his scientific background to help deliver a spectacular annual school fireworks event.
As a true all-rounder, Jerry was spotted driving minibuses on the morning school run if one of the regular drivers fell ill, while one Prestfelde parent was particularly surprised to find Jerry manning the parking booth at the Prince Rupert Hotel on a day when his son was unable to fulfil his summer job obligations!
Following retirement from Prestfelde in 2007, Jerry and Yvonne moved to Harley, just outside Much Wenlock. Jerry’s many subsequent activities included time as a Governor of Ellesmere College, Moreton Hall and Abbots Bromley School and a spell as an Ofsted inspector. He was a generous contributor of his time to many local charities and organisations, including the Rotary Club, Shrewsbury Darwin, Shropshire Historic Churches Trust, Confide Counselling, and Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest.
He continued to love life outdoors and led local walking groups on hikes in the Shropshire Hills.
In the last decade of his life, Jerry also enjoyed exploring Australia and New Zealand, as he and Yvonne made regular trips to visit their younger son and his family in Sydney.
Jerry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early in the pandemic. He died on 14th May 2020, and even with the Covid19 restrictions in place at the time, well over 100 people lined the streets around St Mary's church in Harley. A memorial service was held at Hereford Cathedral in April this year.
Richard Herbert