1154/55: Following the death of Abbot Martin de Bec, 'all the congregation met to choose a man among them who should be their father and shepherd, and guardian lest by reason of their delay some stranger should make his way in by payment of bribes'. They chose William de Waterville. All formalities and procedures were followed and on this first Sunday of Lent, 'with a great procession he was welcomed into his own home of Burch (the name of Peterborough at that time)'. (Mellows, W.T.,The Peterborough Chronicle of Hugh Candidus, Peterborough Museum Society, 1980)
Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press,2014.
Thomas Deacon is best known by his eponymous school, but his story was one of charity. Born in 1651, Deacon was a wealthy man. He owned many lands including Willow Hall near Thorney and lived for a time in Boroughbury Manor. He was a wool merchant, as much of the gentry were in the city, profiting from wool or fleece produced in the area. As one of the Feoffees he offered wool to the poor to provide an income. The poor were able to gain money for spinning the wool, which helped them out of poverty. Upon his death in 1721 he left a gift of money known as a legacy, which would pay for an education for 20 poor boys. At that time only the rich could afford an education, so this was a generous gift.
Thomas Deacon's school was originally sited on Cowgate, where a blue plaque has been placed. The school remained there until 1883 when it moved to Deacon Street and later to Queen's Gardens off Park Road. Thankfully it now educates both boys and girls. The Thomas Deacon Foundation continue to offer educational opportunities in the form of scholarships at Thomas Deacon Academy. A large effigy of Thomas Deacon resides in Peterborough Cathedral amongst the good and great of the city.
John Kippax was the pen name of science fiction writer John Charles Hynam, the author of many short stories and the Venturer Twelve series of novels, which tell the story of space going humans threatened by mysterious aliens. Much of his work was done in collaboration with Dan Morgan.
John Hynam was born on the 10th of June 1915 in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire the son of Percy and Jane Hynam. His first short story was published in the early 1950s whilst working as a master at The Deacon's school. Papers relating to John Hynam’s published works are held in the Peterborough Archives, all of which were completed on a typewriter. As well as his science fiction writing these include many radio and television plays one of which is ‘The Daffodil Man’ which he wrote for Morecambe & Wise. A story, ‘Ali Barber’s Thieves’ was sold to the Daily Mail to be used in a children’s annual. Many of his short stories were either published in the Daily Mail Children’s Annual or Odham’s Children’s annual. ‘Galleon’s Key’ was his first piece of work to be televised in December 1956. The play originally began as a novel but was adapted into a children’s television play lasting just over thirty minutes.
John was unfortunately killed on 17th of July 1974 when a lorry hit his car in Werrington.
His death left his series of science fiction novels unfinished.
In the postscript to "Where No Stars Guide" (Pan Books, London, 1975), published posthumously, Hynam's literary collaborator Dan Morgan wrote, "John had a larger-than-life physical and psychic presence. Likeable, eccentric, egocentric, kind, brusque, take your pick from the thesaurus to describe him, he was all of these and more. A man of enormous enthusiasms, he died as lived, at full speed".
Mary Deacon nee Harvey was christened on 15th June 1654 in Spalding. She was known as the wife of philanthropist Thomas Deacon and she was as much a keen philanthropist as he was. Thomas died in 1721, leaving money to start and maintain a school, but so did his wife. According to the memorial to Thomas and Mary Deacon, she gave £250 for a school in Fleet (near Spalding) which had begun in 1727 and provided free education to poor children. She also bequeathed money for St John's vicarage and the Grammar School (The King’s School).
Mary died without any living children, so her money and effects were shared out between her nephews and nieces and worthy beneficiaries. Her collection of books were offered to the Spalding Gentlemen's Society, where her nephew Joseph Sparke was a prominent member; he had also been a founder member of the Peterborough gentlemen's Society too. The society would not open its doors to women for over 200 years, but she wished for her books to be sent to a society that was based in her birthplace and had a family link.
The memorial to Thomas and Mary Deacon can be found inside Peterborough Cathedral along with their graves.
Thomas Deacon is best known by his eponymous school, but his story was o…
Mary Deacon nee Harvey was christened on 15th June 1654 in Spalding. She…