Richard Speed 1935-2009
	Dr. Richard Roger James Speed, was born on November 1st 1935 in Somerset. In the mid 1950s he studied English and Design and Technology at Loughborough College. Around that time he met his wife Pam at Midsomer Norton Fair and they were married in 1958. Richard's first employment was as a teacher of Design and Technology at St Albans. After 2½ years he moved to Hatford near Faringdon. Richard and Pam bought land there, where they lived in a caravan for 18 months whilst they built themselves a house. Typically for a very practical man, Richard carried out much of the work himself to his own very unique design. After a brief spell at a school in Swindon, Richard began a 23-year period teaching Design and Technology at Faringdon Secondary School. During this time he became Deputy Head there. Richard studied with the Open University and gained a B A (Hons) followed by an MA at Reading University. During a year's sabbatical he gained his PhD from Nottingham University. Being a very modest man he did not use the title 'Doctor' to which he was entitled and few of his many friends will have known about his achievements. In 1985 Richard became Adviser in Design and Technology for Oxfordshire County Council at Macclesfield House. In 1989 he retired but continued for a further year as a Supply Teacher. In his retirement, Richard started his own business, Technology Associates, to provide technology advice for schools. For this he was given a Heart of England Award.

Richard was a pioneer in challenging traditional roles and introduced woodwork and metalwork for the girls along with cookery for the boys. He was also active in arranging teacher exchanges between the UK, Denmark and America. Away from his professional life, Richard had many interests that have brought him into contact with hundreds of people over the years. In 1990 he organised the first of his Oxford Summer Schools. These have become very successful covering a wide range of Arts & Crafts courses including vocal and instrumental workshops. Last year, knowing that his health was deteriorating, he 'passed the baton' for the summer schools to Liz Bryant who is already planning for next year. He also organised a number of music workshops in the area. Richard had a great interest in the Arts and Craft movement and Naïve paintings. Richard's musical love was jazz, probably gained from his piano-playing father. His tastes were broad; he had a great love for jazz across the spectrum. In the 1990s he started Live Jazz in Oxfordshire to promote jazz events in the county. After a brief period in Bridge Street, Abingdon he moved the main venue to the Railway Inn at Culham. Seven years here were followed by a couple of years at the Dog House in Frilford and then a move to the current venue, Carswell Golf and Country Club near Faringdon. One-off concerts were also organised in Oxford at the Holywell Music Room and the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. Richard brought to these venues the cream of the UK's jazz musicians as well as some visiting foreign musicians. In 2004 the Performing Rights Society gave to Live Jazz in Oxfordshire a Jazz Promoters' Award for the high standard of programming of UK-based artists and composers and the facilities provided for the performers. One jazz critic, in reviewing a gig at Carswell, wrote that 'the evening was run with an informal precision that some London clubs could learn from' - a tribute to Richard's quiet leadership. Thanks to Richard's encouragement, the team of helpers will be able to follow his wish that Live Jazz goes on into the future. Richard was an active member of the Oxfordshire Jazz Federation for many years and, until recently, produced its events guide 'Jazz Finder'. Pam and Richard have two sons, James and John, who were always encouraged to be adventurous and confident. Richard's love for travel and other cultures took the family to many interesting countries around the world. Richard was non-judgemental, accepting people for what they were. His philosophy was "There is no such word as can't". He always remained positive. He believed that everybody had a talent and he was instrumental to many people in achieving their goals and potential. Whilst he was a quiet and unassuming man he also had a wry and wicked sense of humour. Richard had fought bravely since his diagnosis of prostate cancer early in 2007. He lost his battle on Tuesday October 20th 2009.

Return to Main Page |