In memoriam: Dr Nigel Collins
Posted on Tue 17 July 2007
An event in remembrance of Dr Nigel Collins, who died suddenly in early 2007, was organised by the School and held at Kidderminster Town Hall on 17th July 2007.
Tim Gulliver welcomed a virtually packed hall by explaining that the final piece of music played at Nigel's funeral was 'Over the Rainbow', and he felt it fitting that this memorial event should begin with it. On this occasion, it was beautifully sung by School pupil Christina Lloyd (Year 10), accompanied by Cathy Foster, the School's Head of Music, on piano.
Past Headteacher Graham Merlane, who was responsible for appointing Nigel to his post at the School, told how he wondered at the interview how to persuade this bright young biologist – educated at one of London's finest schools, an honours graduate from Oxford, who had spent four years as part of a scientific research team in the Antarctic – to join the staff of a Kidderminster comprehensive school. Nevertheless, he did, and Mr Merlane went on to tell a series of anecdotes about Nigel's early years at the School.
Mr Merlane's reminiscences were followed by two more musical pieces: 'Siciliano', by J S Bach, played on the flute by Katherine Jones (Sixth Form), and 'Pastorale from Sonata No 4', by Vivaldi, played also on the flute, but this time by Jessica Bagust (Sixth Form). Both performances were a credit to the players and to the School.
This was followed by a eulogy from Mo Wood, Head of Drama and member of the School's English Department. Many of the eulogies that followed, understandably, concentrated on Nigel's achievements within the Science Department, but we have chosen Mo's, as it gives insight into other areas of Nigel's interests. We thank Mo for giving us permission to publish it here.
'You can buy a man's time, his physical presence at a given place and even his skill, but you can't buy the enthusiasm… loyalty… and devotion displayed by Nigel. Nigel earned my respect; he was exemplary. He has been with me all the way; he had confidence in me and was lavish in his praise, whether it was a whole school production or a low-key affair. Following "Grease", his comment was "Better than the West End"! I have assumed he didn't mean the west end of Kidderminster! He was a cultured man, who valued the arts and gave me amazing opportunities for "Science through Drama". I always knew he was hatching a plan. He always used the term "notion"… I was honoured to be included in Nigel's notions.
'Through him, King Charles I pupils gave an exclusive royal performance to Princess Anne. She was amused and informed by our interpretation of the effect of the declining sperm count. Our show "Talking Bollocks" was a highlight of my teaching career, and Nigel's favourite expression "awesome" summed up his response. Nigel loved mixing with the upper echelons – equally he could deal with kings and paupers.
'Nigel and I shared a Bristolian background, but we went one step further and became the extended family to a bunch of youngsters. Nigel was canny and knew that, by becoming "partners", we could purchase a family rail ticket. Leaving Kidderminster for St Thomas's Hospital, we were a poor imitation of the Walton mountain crew. We had a posh London hotel, funded by The Wellcome Trust and Y Touring. We went on to adopt more children from another school, whose staff was not as accommodating as we were. Throughout the residential, Nigel chatted – he knew so much and was keen for us all to share in his love of knowledge. We learnt so much from him, but Nigel listened, too – he listened to our ideas, suggestions, opinions and fears without pre-judging or being dismissive. He went on to share his sushi with me… who else would choose raw fish as they waited at Paddington Station for the return?
'Nigel loved the theatre and was granted honorary membership of the ladies "Vagina Monologues" group along with John Atkinson. How bemused he was to receive the admiration from his female work colleagues – he didn't bat an eye when he and John were overwhelmed by an auditorium of women at Wolverhampton. Again, Nigel held his own. Again, it was "awesome".
'He was immortalised in the school panto "Snow White and the Seven Wannabees". He was scrutinised by Pete Holland (then in Year 11) and he was represented complete with his "fluffy penguin" and assisted by his Lab Rats. He thought it was "fab", or should that be "awesome" or "neat"?
'Nigel strengthened me. We worked interdependently. He allowed me to do what needed to be done creatively and practised enough self-restraint to keep from meddling with the artistic creations. Robert Louis Stevenson said: "Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others". Thanks, Nigel, it was encouragement, encouragement and encouragement.'
Following Mo's eulogy, further reflections and recollections were contributed by virtually every member of the Science faculty, plus two students who went on the once-in-a-lifetime School visit to CERN: Mike Gough, on whose Dunclent farm Nigel organised the annual 'BioCamp'; and previous School student, currently first-year PhD candidate and Association member Mike Stubbington.
A final musical item, chosen by Tim Gulliver as he thought it summed up Nigel, was the lively quasi-jazz piece 'Willie Wagglestick's Walkabout', written by Brian Bonsor and delightfully played on the piano by Julia Sloan.
Tim wound up this joyful celebration of Nigel's life with a slideshow of photographs from all eras of it, before going back to the Science Theatre and Rose Garden at the School for tea and (as Nigel would have expected) home-made cakes.
If there were ever any doubt, the occasion demonstrated that, although Nigel is sadly no longer with us in the flesh, he will live on in our hearts and minds for ever.
Martin Humphries
If you would like to make a donation to 'The Nigel Collins Fund for Young Scientists', a bursary has been set up in Nigel's memory to give financial assistance to science students in further education. Please contact Lyn Stanley, PA to the Headteacher, King Charles I School, on 01562 512880 for more information.