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29 Jan 2025 | |
Obituaries |
Reverend Nicholas “Nick” Ball
March 1954 - November 2023
OP 1972
With our thanks to Nick's brothers Richard and Andrew
Nick was born at Bowland, the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Maternity Home overlooking Southsea Common, in March 1954. He was the first child of Cliff and Margaret, who had met and married in Malta, while serving with the Royal Navy. He was brought up in Stubbington Avenue, North End, spending a year in total at Lyndhurst Road Primary and two years at a school in Canberra, Australia, where his father was posted. He entered Lower 1 under Miss Smith in Nicol House in September 1962 and enjoyed academic success throughout the Lower School, winning the History Prize, and was an enthusiastic goalkeeper and cricketer. In his final year at the Lower School he played King William III in a production of “1066 and All That”, tied back to back with his Queen Mary, played by Nick Fennemore, who in later life was to become head of the chaplaincy for Portsmouth area hospitals.
In the Upper School Nick took A levels and S Levels in History and English, and an A level in Maths, and was awarded the History Prize. He became a prefect and Head of Smith House under the inspiring leadership of Mr Mitchell and Mr Clayton. He edited the school magazine, for which he wrote poems, and was secretary of the debating society. He was an excellent runner, becoming the school 440 yards champion and a rugby wing three-quarter. He was confirmed at Portsmouth Cathedral following instruction from the school chaplain, Tony Winterbotham, and became a very active member of St Mark’s Church in North End, where he became a server and helped the curate run a boisterous youth club. Nick decided that he wanted to become a minister in the Church of England, but first took a degree in Modern History and Economics at Manchester University. At Manchester Nick revived his goalkeeping skills for the departmental 5-a-side team, and was part of the teams welcoming overseas students. He also took part in several charity events, including the Bogle Stroll from Manchester to Wigan and back. During vacations he worked at St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth and at the Portsmouth Record Office.
The Church of England wanted Nick to experience the grittier side of life before training for the ministry and so he worked for a year as a hospital porter at Southmeads Hospital, Bristol, and then for a further year in the offices of IBM in North Harbour. His training for the ministry was undertaken at Cuddesdon College, Oxford, where he also obtained an Oxford Theology degree. His training also included placements with parishes in Seattle and Boston, USA, and a period working at the Mission for Seamen in Hamburg.
Wanting to achieve something in the challenging environment of a major city, Nick took up his ministry at Christ Church Yardley Wood, South Birmingham, where he was ordained and also met and married his wife, Helen. He was then a curate at St. Mary’s Moseley, whilst also serving as chaplain to the leader of Birmingham City Council, and a vicar for over nine years at Bartley Green. Subsequently he became chaplain to Birmingham Heartlands and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals, appearing in the BBC2 series “Meet the Chaplains” based on the Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, Nick was plagued with ill health following a heart attack in 2011 and had to retire from his role as a hospital chaplain in 2016 due to heart failure. Despite his illness Nick managed to continue to help out at various churches and was able to play an active role in the marriage services of his daughters, Catherine and Caroline.
Outside his ministry Nick was a passionate listener to classical music, particularly enjoying the performances of Mahler’s symphonies and the music of Elgar by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle. He was also an avid fan of rugby (Harlequins and England), football (Pompey and Aston Villa), cricket (enjoying a Warwickshire cricket membership) and horse racing.
Sadly, Nick’s heart finally failed and he died in November 2023. He was survived by his wife, Helen (who died in July 2024); his daughters, Catherine, Caroline and Sarah, and granddaughter, Asta. He is also survived by his brothers, Richard (OP 1974), and Andrew (OP 1981).