20th May 1950 - 26th August 2020

Andrew first joined Portsmouth Grammar School as a pupil in 1965, aged 15 years. After taking his A-Levels in Music, Chemistry & Mathematics he earned a scholarship to the Royal School of Church Music at Addington Palace and obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in 1977.

He then returned to PGS as a member of the teaching staff in the Music Department. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there, in particular the teaching of singing. He also delved into cross-country running and athletics with the pupils with a great amount of enthusiasm! He was always grateful for the grounding PGS gave him in teaching and dealing with young people.

In 1977, one dull wet February day, he saw an advertisement in the Times Educational Supplement for a post of Director of Music at a private preparatory school for English and African children in Kenya. It turned out to be the most idyllic 4 years of all their lives.

In 1981, he decided the family should return to a more normal life and he was offered a post of Director of Music at Liverpool College. Somewhat of a culture shock after Kenya! Again, he built up the music department from scratch virtually, with his usual enthusiasm! Libby became a school Matron in one of the boarding houses and the family made Liverpool their home for the next 14 years.

In 1995, they moved back to the south of England, to Warminster in Wiltshire and Andrew joined the music department at Warminster School. He did not find this as satisfying so left teaching and took up a position as a Civil Servant.

During this time, he and Libby bought a home in the Algarve in Portugal, having fallen in love with the country following several family holidays there. Over the next 10 years they renovated the rather antique property and finally retired there in 2013.

He leaves his wife Libby, their children Matthew and Becki and their 4 grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.