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Barry Till obituary Barry Till obituary
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Barry Till, who has died aged 90, was dedicated to adult education and believed that people from all backgrounds should have access to the best teachers and facilities. As principal from 1965 to 1986, he transformed Morley College, London, with its strong heritage in music, to a centre for creative arts and vibrant adult education. He was committed to community inclusion and raised the profile of adult learning, often described as a Cinderella service.Barry Till, who has died aged 90, was dedicated to adult education and believed that people from all backgrounds should have access to the best teachers and facilities. As principal from 1965 to 1986, he transformed Morley College, London, with its strong heritage in music, to a centre for creative arts and vibrant adult education. He was committed to community inclusion and raised the profile of adult learning, often described as a Cinderella service.
At the time of his appointment, Morley College was one of the smaller adult education institutes, with some 150 classes. In his second year, Barry made Raymond Rivers his vice-principal and together they started the work that turned Morley into a considerable force in adult education. Barry recognised and admired the strength of Morley's music department, which had attracted many eminent musicians to its staff, including Gustav Holst and Michael Tippett, and wanted every other department to be equally distinguished and professional.At the time of his appointment, Morley College was one of the smaller adult education institutes, with some 150 classes. In his second year, Barry made Raymond Rivers his vice-principal and together they started the work that turned Morley into a considerable force in adult education. Barry recognised and admired the strength of Morley's music department, which had attracted many eminent musicians to its staff, including Gustav Holst and Michael Tippett, and wanted every other department to be equally distinguished and professional.
Inheriting the shell of a nearby pub, purchased by the previous principal for the visual arts, Barry made sure that a gallery was included; he believed that arts students needed the equivalent of the performance spaces enjoyed by the college's musicians. Supported by the chair of the college council, the Liberal peer Nancy Seear, Barry embarked on years of fundraising. In order to add sculpture to the curriculum, Morley bought a former mission hall which, with a generous donation from Henry Moore, became a sculpture studio.Inheriting the shell of a nearby pub, purchased by the previous principal for the visual arts, Barry made sure that a gallery was included; he believed that arts students needed the equivalent of the performance spaces enjoyed by the college's musicians. Supported by the chair of the college council, the Liberal peer Nancy Seear, Barry embarked on years of fundraising. In order to add sculpture to the curriculum, Morley bought a former mission hall which, with a generous donation from Henry Moore, became a sculpture studio.
Barry's vision for Morley as a centre for a broad programme of adult education continued to grow and in 1969 he launched an appeal for a major extension. Funds becoming unexpectedly available, Barry worked all summer with the young architect John Winter. The extension, opened at the end of 1973, doubled the college's capacity and provided a range of specialist resources, including disabled access and classrooms designed to encourage informal teaching methods. During Barry's time the college grew from about 3,000 students to 12,000 making it the largest adult education centre in London. He was able to attract luminaries in all disciplines to teach classes by day and night.Barry's vision for Morley as a centre for a broad programme of adult education continued to grow and in 1969 he launched an appeal for a major extension. Funds becoming unexpectedly available, Barry worked all summer with the young architect John Winter. The extension, opened at the end of 1973, doubled the college's capacity and provided a range of specialist resources, including disabled access and classrooms designed to encourage informal teaching methods. During Barry's time the college grew from about 3,000 students to 12,000 making it the largest adult education centre in London. He was able to attract luminaries in all disciplines to teach classes by day and night.
Barry was among the pioneers for an inclusive education for all. In 1966, inspired by Hannah Gavron's The Captive Wife, he started day classes aimed at women (along with a playgroup) and soon for anyone who could attend, including special days for pensioners. Further influenced by the 1973 Russell Report on adult education, Barry inspired a new range of courses designed to reach out into the local community and provide first steps back into learning for some of the most disadvantaged communities in Lambeth and Southwark.Barry was among the pioneers for an inclusive education for all. In 1966, inspired by Hannah Gavron's The Captive Wife, he started day classes aimed at women (along with a playgroup) and soon for anyone who could attend, including special days for pensioners. Further influenced by the 1973 Russell Report on adult education, Barry inspired a new range of courses designed to reach out into the local community and provide first steps back into learning for some of the most disadvantaged communities in Lambeth and Southwark.
With more space needed, Barry launched a new appeal to fund a community building and once again commissioned Winter to design a "user-friendly" space. Now Morley offered basic education for adults, training for pre-school playgroup leaders, courses for the unemployed and Fresh Start, a one-year programme that provided access to higher education for those who had missed out on traditional entry routes.With more space needed, Barry launched a new appeal to fund a community building and once again commissioned Winter to design a "user-friendly" space. Now Morley offered basic education for adults, training for pre-school playgroup leaders, courses for the unemployed and Fresh Start, a one-year programme that provided access to higher education for those who had missed out on traditional entry routes.
Barry was appointed principal of Morley College after what he described as "an extraordinary series of flukes". Born in Thames Ditton, Surrey, he was educated at Harrow. His studies in ecclesiastical history at Jesus College, Cambridge, were interrupted by the second world war, in which he served with the Coldstream Guards in the Italian campaign. On demobilisation he completed his degree, then went on to Westcott House Theological College, Cambridge. He was ordained as a priest in 1951, serving as a curate before returning to Jesus College, first as chaplain, then as dean. In 1960, he was appointed dean of Hong Kong, but left in 1964 on the breakdown of his first marriage.Barry was appointed principal of Morley College after what he described as "an extraordinary series of flukes". Born in Thames Ditton, Surrey, he was educated at Harrow. His studies in ecclesiastical history at Jesus College, Cambridge, were interrupted by the second world war, in which he served with the Coldstream Guards in the Italian campaign. On demobilisation he completed his degree, then went on to Westcott House Theological College, Cambridge. He was ordained as a priest in 1951, serving as a curate before returning to Jesus College, first as chaplain, then as dean. In 1960, he was appointed dean of Hong Kong, but left in 1964 on the breakdown of his first marriage.
On leaving Morley College, Barry joined the Baring Foundation, a charitable organisation with a particular emphasis on social inclusion projects, which he had advised informally for some years, as director. His wide range of interests broadened the foundation's remit, taking in contemporary art and music, education, health, conservation and work in deprived inner cities. On leaving the foundation in 1991, he returned to ecclesiastical history, writing monographs and, later, extended entries for the Dictionary of National Biography. His scholarship earned him a Lambeth DD, awarded in 2008 by Rowan Williams.On leaving Morley College, Barry joined the Baring Foundation, a charitable organisation with a particular emphasis on social inclusion projects, which he had advised informally for some years, as director. His wide range of interests broadened the foundation's remit, taking in contemporary art and music, education, health, conservation and work in deprived inner cities. On leaving the foundation in 1991, he returned to ecclesiastical history, writing monographs and, later, extended entries for the Dictionary of National Biography. His scholarship earned him a Lambeth DD, awarded in 2008 by Rowan Williams.
He served on the boards of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Mary Ward Foundation and the London Sinfonietta. He loved Italy, opera, Norfolk and his family. Barry was charming and eloquent, though occasionally ratty, with a great turn in Latin phrases and a penchant for chips. He often ruled with his heart, for which he was respected and loved.He served on the boards of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Mary Ward Foundation and the London Sinfonietta. He loved Italy, opera, Norfolk and his family. Barry was charming and eloquent, though occasionally ratty, with a great turn in Latin phrases and a penchant for chips. He often ruled with his heart, for which he was respected and loved.
He is survived by his second wife, Antonia, and their two daughters, Lucy and Emily; and by two sons, Nicholas and Jeremy, from his first marriage.He is survived by his second wife, Antonia, and their two daughters, Lucy and Emily; and by two sons, Nicholas and Jeremy, from his first marriage.
• Barry Dorn Till, scholar and educator, born 1 June 1923; died 12 June 2013• Barry Dorn Till, scholar and educator, born 1 June 1923; died 12 June 2013
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