Richard Slater
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- Fertii
- LE (Little Erasmus)
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- Location: Ashford Kent
Richard Slater
Am I right in thinking that the 20 anniversary of Richard's death is about now? Was anything done / is anything going to be done for the commemoration?
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- Button Grecian
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Re: Richard Slater
Rick Slater died on 15 March 1990. I checked with my daughter who was in the school at the time and vividly remembers him. (she particularly remembers the date because it is the Ides of March!) I remember the article in the local newspaper with a picture of the flag at half mast and the headline 'A School Mourns'. The headmaster was out of the country at the time. As far as I am aware nothing was done to mark the anniversary - except in the hearts and minds of those who loved him. Are you aware that Rick's (then) girlfriend is a contributor to this forum?
Frances Grogan (Haley) 6's 1956 - 62
'A clean house is a sign of a broken computer.'
'A clean house is a sign of a broken computer.'
- cj
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Re: Richard Slater
Hands up, I didn't realise my cover had been blown. Damn!
The 20th anniversary of Richard's suicide was in March. I found it very hard this year, more than other years. 20 years seems such a long time and although the shock has diminished, the sadness is at times still palpable. Suicide has a horrible way of invading so many aspects of one's life even years down the line. I remembered him that day on Facebook and received some lovely messages from various CH friends. A public commemoration of sorts. I can't imagine that it would be on the school's radar. Most staff are gone from the school and I would suggest that the institution would not want to remember a dark cloud in its history. There's a plaque in the Chapel, as there are for other pupils who have died at school. I choose my words carefully writing about this subject. I have lived with this at a distance from CH for many years and am only starting to hear the stories of other people from that time now that I am reconnecting with long-lost friends. My understanding of events and reasons surrounding his death has developed over the years. I'm happy to discuss things with anyone though.
The 20th anniversary of Richard's suicide was in March. I found it very hard this year, more than other years. 20 years seems such a long time and although the shock has diminished, the sadness is at times still palpable. Suicide has a horrible way of invading so many aspects of one's life even years down the line. I remembered him that day on Facebook and received some lovely messages from various CH friends. A public commemoration of sorts. I can't imagine that it would be on the school's radar. Most staff are gone from the school and I would suggest that the institution would not want to remember a dark cloud in its history. There's a plaque in the Chapel, as there are for other pupils who have died at school. I choose my words carefully writing about this subject. I have lived with this at a distance from CH for many years and am only starting to hear the stories of other people from that time now that I am reconnecting with long-lost friends. My understanding of events and reasons surrounding his death has developed over the years. I'm happy to discuss things with anyone though.
Catherine Standing (Cooper)
Canteen Cath 1.12 (1983-85) & Col A 20 (1985-90)
Any idiot can deal with a crisis. It takes a genius to cope with everyday life.
Canteen Cath 1.12 (1983-85) & Col A 20 (1985-90)
Any idiot can deal with a crisis. It takes a genius to cope with everyday life.
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- Button Grecian
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Re: Richard Slater
Of course, twenty years ago, I had mentally blocked out CH completely. I didn't want to remember those disastrous days, and knew nothing whatsoever about CH Horsham.
Then a mail-out letter arrived telling Old Blues about the death of Richard Slater. It ended - and I do remember this - with something like these words... "der... der... Chapel Service.... der,der, and the day ended not in sadness but with a feeling of triumph."
Couldn't believe it.
Then a mail-out letter arrived telling Old Blues about the death of Richard Slater. It ended - and I do remember this - with something like these words... "der... der... Chapel Service.... der,der, and the day ended not in sadness but with a feeling of triumph."
Couldn't believe it.
"Baldrick, you wouldn't recognise a cunning plan if it painted itself purple, and danced naked on top of a harpsichord singing "Cunning plans are here again.""
Re: Richard Slater
I remember that day back in 1990 as I was in Geography with a clear view of that particular stretch.It's a day I will never forget even though I never knew him.A very sombre day indeed
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- 2nd Former
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Re: Richard Slater
I can still remember that day , even now 20 years on . It was a very sad day
Ma A 1983 - La B - La A 1991 Long time ago but I can still remember it!!!!!!!!!
- Fertii
- LE (Little Erasmus)
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Re: Richard Slater
Being called in at break to the chapel. Tongues guessing at what it was. That must have been particularly difficult for Dobbie and Poulton to tell us...
And that night someone put candles on the crossing and they burnt all night.
Sad times.
Ashley - is that you?
And that night someone put candles on the crossing and they burnt all night.
Sad times.
Ashley - is that you?
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- 2nd Former
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Re: Richard Slater
Fertii wrote:
Ashley - is that you?
Yea it is me!!!
Ma A 1983 - La B - La A 1991 Long time ago but I can still remember it!!!!!!!!!
- CHAZ
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Re: Richard Slater
Just for my personal knowledge, was Richard Slater one of Puny Slater's sons? I remember PUny often on his bicycle and his othe rson, Julian but Richard odes not ring a bell.
Charles Forster
PeB 1978-1984
PeB 1978-1984
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- GE (Great Erasmus)
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Re: Richard Slater
No Chaz, completely different family. Tim was the other son in the year above me (left 1989) and there was also a daughter who I think was called Naomi.
Re: Richard Slater
Yeah Tim was my year and Mr Slater's (language master) son and we left in summer 89.
I only heard about it from my mum who lives in Horsham so only ever got to hear the West Sussex County Times story.
I only heard about it from my mum who lives in Horsham so only ever got to hear the West Sussex County Times story.
- jhopgood
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- 2nd Former
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Re: Richard Slater
Just posting to keep this thread alive as I remember dear Rick and sometimes he still pops into mind, even after all this time. He will only really die when we do.
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- GE (Great Erasmus)
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Re: Richard Slater
That's really lovely to read.rjscratton wrote: ↑Mon Feb 26, 2024 8:58 pm Just posting to keep this thread alive as I remember dear Rick and sometimes he still pops into mind, even after all this time. He will only really die when we do.
I ended up watching Highway and the Remembrance service from 1989 the other day. Feels like a different world looking back on it. He won't age like the rest of us, eternally 18 years old.
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- GE (Great Erasmus)
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