Old Princethorpians

Congratulations to Lucy Bailey (née McDermott), Class Of 2017, on the birth of her first child. Aiva Rose Bailey was born on Friday 14 June weighing 5lb 11oz.

Comments the new mum, "She is absolutely perfect and we are loving life as a family of four, including our little dog Wilson. Aiva is being baptised at Princethorpe at the start of November, in the Chapel where we got married last August, which will be lovely."

It's wonderful to hear that Lucy and her family are are enjoying this new chapter of their lives, and we wish them well.

Paddy (Patrick) Cox - Champion Sportsman, Beloved Friend and Talisman for the Class of 1970 - 77 (March 8th 1959 –August 17th 2024)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paddy Cox, a remarkable athlete, cherished friend, and enduring spirit for the class of 1970-77. Paddy passed away on the of 17 August 2024, with two of his three daughters at his bedside. Paddy taken too soon by cancer at the age of 65. His loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him.

Paddy was more than just a talented sportsman; he was a natural leader and an inspiration to everyone around him. Throughout his school years and beyond, he excelled in rugby, basketball, athletics, swimming, and cricket. His fierce competitiveness, coupled with a deep sense of camaraderie, made him not only a standout athlete but a true talisman for his peers. Paddy’s unwavering dedication and sheer skill on the field, court, and track were legendary.

As a rugby player, Paddy’s tenacity and strength made him a force to be reckoned with. His quick reflexes in basketball and his wicket keeping in cricket were matched only by his grace and endurance in swimming and athletics. No sport seemed too daunting for Paddy, and he approached each one with passion and sportsmanship that earned him the admiration of all who had the privilege to play with him and by those who watched him play.

But more than his sporting accolades, Paddy will be remembered for the warmth of his character. His kindness, humour, and always wanting to help the underdog shone as brightly as his sporting talents. We found out later in life that he was not a fan of bullies, as he came to the aid of a few, make that way more than a few, classmates who were dealing with some unpleasantries.

Although Paddy has left us far too soon, his legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him and those who follow in his footsteps. He is survived by his three loving daughters, Katie, Heidi and Emily. Emily’s first-born Isabella made him a doting grandpa and a soon to be born grandson, Liam Patrick Baptiste is going to carry on his name. Paddy’s career as a Motorbike Officer in the London Metropolitan Police led him to a chance encounter with an American lady who had been involved in an accident at a major roundabout in London. (damn yanks driving the wrong way ‘round the roundabout) Anyway, this meeting led to Paddy moving to the States to marry Brenda, the bad driver yank, and producing the three amazing women mentioned above. Paddy and the family resided in the Los Angeles area and all the time Paddy built a very successful Swimming Pool business. He remained an avid motorbike rider and often did long trips with some of the old boys up and down the California coast.

Some of us had the privilege of visiting Paddy in LA in 2022 and spending some quality time with him at his pad in Palm Springs, reminiscing about life at Princethorpe over a few beers. Memories that will stay with us for a long time.

Paddy Cox will forever be remembered as a true champion and advocate, both on and off the field. May he rest in peace.

Paddy is pictured with longstanding friend, Mike Halloran, in 2023.

The group photo was taken when the Class of 1977 visited Paddy in LA and Palm Springs in May 2022. Left to right: Robin Abeyesinhe, Mike Loughnane, Paddy Cox, Steve Evans, Harry Beauchamp, Mike Halloran, Mike Nagaur.

Richard Rex wrote with the sad news that his mother, Christina, died on 14 August. The funeral, a requiem Mass, was held on Monday 2 September at All Saints’ Catholic Church in Thirsk, with family and friends present. Christina’s ashes will be laid to rest with those of her late husband, Peter, who predeceased her by a little over a decade.

Peter and Christina Rex arrived at Princethorpe from Huddersfield in the late sixties; Peter ultimately led History, Politics and Government Studies, and Christina taught English and was Head of Music. She was responsible for the Music Room being set up in what was the former sacristy, and Christina procured the College’s first grand piano shortly afterwards. 

They made their home at St Joseph’s on the Leamington Road, later moving to the south of Leamington and then to Ely in Cambridgeshire upon their retirement. Some time after Peter died, Christina moved to Yorkshire, which she loved, to be near to Richard’s home.

Alex Darkes, former Assistant Head of Princethorpe, and former pupil of Christina's, writes: “I put down a lot of my English language grammar and sentence construction to Christina’s teaching, which I found inspiring, practical, relevant and useful. My all-time favourite novel, Evelyn Waugh’s Decline and Fall, was studied with Christina and she brought just the right measures of seriousness and fun to make it interesting. I also remember her encouraging me to read Iris Murdoch.”

We send our condolences to Richard, his wife and their sons.

It's been ten years since OP Beth Plant left Princethorpe in 2014, armed with A-levels and ready to embark on her degree in English at Leicester University. Now her arms are about to hold her first child and an engagement ring adorns her hand. Beth takes up the story: 

"Likibi and I got engaged in Cornwall whilst we were on our Babymoon. It was very unexpected, as we were busy eating our weetabix at the breakfast table when Likibi suddenly got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! He had been planning the proposal for months after our return from a trip to his country of birth, Ghana, where I met a lot of his extended family for the first time.

"We first met through a mutual friend of ours, Ellie Potter. Ellie is one of my best friends who I met whilst we were at Princethorpe together (also Class of 2014), and Likibi lived with Ellie whilst they were both studying at the University of Nottingham. All the credit goes to her for setting us up, as she would always tell us we had so much in common; it turned out she was right!

"Our baby is due in early November and we couldn't be happier."

Congratulations to Beth and Likibi and we wish you every happiness.

Law graduate Hannah Gregory (née Little), who left Princethorpe in 2012, has married her partner Oliver, having met him whilst they were both students at Hertfordhire University. Hannah takes up the story:

"I had a small interest in white water kayaking, and he was already an expert! We moved to the Leamington area shortly after I graduated and we have been here ever since. Our love of mountain biking, travelling and being outdoors has given us plenty of opportunity to travel the UK, and when we started wedding planning the Lake District had our hearts."

She continues, "We got married on Saturday 8 June at Low Hall, The Lakes, and were truly blessed to be surrounded by our families and friends. After a few days of solid rain the sun even decided to make an appearance! It truly was the most amazing day filled with joy, ice cream and crazy golf."

Congratulations to Hannah and Oliver and we wish you a happy future together.

Congratulations to OP Rowanna Hughes (Class of 2015), who married her fiancé Matt on Friday 7 June at Tyn Dwr Hall in Llangollen, Wales. The bride shares details of the big day:

"The wedding was absolutely perfect and we were thrilled that the sun came out after a very rainy week. We were joined by 12 other OPs, including Maid of Honour, Lamorna McNevin (also Class of 2015). We enjoyed a relaxing mini-moon in Montenegro and are looking forward to our honeymoon in the Maldives and Sri Lanka in February.

We wish Rowanna and Matt a lovely honeymoon and many happy years together.

Congratulations to Old Princethorpian Jim Lowe (Class of 2013), who got engaged to his partner, Evie, in the presence of their daughter this August.

Jim chose to make his proposal at a particularly special moment for him and his family. He had just completed the South West Coast Path Walking Challenge to raise funds for MNDA, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in memory of his Grandpa John. Immediately after reaching the SWCP monument, he proposed to Evie using a token ring (actual engagement ring to be secured imminently!), with their daughter Scarlett looking on.

Thank you for sharing your news with us, Jim, and we wish you both well with your wedding plans.