William Russell Potter: – [Heath 1967–1974]
Russell Potter died in August 2022 after a battle with cancer.
At Heath, Russell was a talented cricketer. The Heathen 1974 4(5) pp. 10, 11 comments on his ‘stubborn resistance while six wickets fell at the other end’ and that as opening batsman a ‘heavy burden was placed on Potter who’s stolid batting provided valuable on several occasions.’
He continued his cricket career with Barkisland where he regularly came top of the Club batting averages — and the Parish League averages — made all the more remarkable as he played for a number of seasons with an undiagnosed broken wrist. He later went on to play with Halifax in the Yorkshire League.
After Heath, Russell went to the University of York to read History and later to Reading University to take his PGCE.
As a teacher he taught History and Geography at schools in Hull, Richmond (North Yorkshire) and Darlington.
He married Shelagh Preston, who he met whilst at Reading University in 1980. They had two daughters – Sadie and Rachel – and three grandchildren.
He was a thoughtful, kind and gentle man.
With thanks to Jon Potter [Heath 1971–1978]