Kenneth Wilson Cully: – [Heath 1954–1961]

Kenneth Wilson Cully passed away at his home on , aged 82 years. Beloved father to Sam and Sarah. Grandad to Megan, Alicia, Taryn, Alex, Emily and Elliot. Great Grandad to Beau, Tillie, Winnie, Tucker and River and friend to many.

The funeral service at took place at Octon Crematorium on Friday followed by a gathering at the Bosville Arms Pub in Rudston.

Any donations to the British Heart Foundation.

Eulogy

Ken was born in Halifax on to parents Gertrude and Fredrick. Up until the age of thirteen, he lived with his parents in a late Georgian mansion called Woodside Hall where he was surrounded by an extended family of grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins.

Ken was an only child; however his childhood in the forties and fifties were far from quiet or lonely. His friends, some known from being toddlers, were an important part of his life. His best friend, soul mate and ‘blood brother’ Keith Ormerod lived next door to his lifelong friend Chris Fernyhough (Ken and Chris lost touch when seven years old due to moving). Cousin Pete also lived at Woodside Hall with Ken.

Back then, as young boys, times were simpler, yet rich with the kind of freedom that modern childhoods rarely taste. Ken spoke of those carefree years where there was always the promise of excitement around the next corner and that he never knew what adventures the coming day may bring.

They learned loyalty, resilience and the value of laughter from those early days. Even decades later, when sat together, their stories would often begin with, ‘Remember when ….’ They had the kind of friendships that don’t just survive time — they define it. Those years formed who they were.

Ken with his parents were the first family to move into 183 Mixenden Road in 1956 when he was a young teenager. He described ‘Mixy’ as a great place to grow up and was very proud to be a ‘Mixy kid.’

When fourteen years old Ken’s father sadly passed away. Ken spoke about how lucky he was to have such kind and loving parents.

Ken, a clever lad, saw his secondary school years at Heath Grammar School for boys. He passed English, Maths, British History, RE and Latin and was awarded advanced levels in subjects French and German.

It was at Heath that Ken met another lifelong friend Rod Eastwood [Heath 1954–1961]; they went through school together and stayed in touch following them leaving school.

Rod shared that Ken started a football team, which he captained, called Royleshead Wanderers. Rod taught overseas for a few years and recalled that, when back in Halifax, he saw Ken playing at a folk club in the Royal Oak in Halifax — this was 1969; he said their friendship took off again from there and they then both went around the folk clubs together. Rod said in recent years he and Ken spoke frequently on the phone and Ken used to send him the Rudston Newsletter. So Rod knows Rudston as much as he knows Halifax. Rod described Ken as a faithful friend and will miss him.

When Ken was 17½ he answered an advertisement to audition in a band. He didn’t know it at that time, but it was his old friend Chris Fernyhough who placed the ad. The band was formed ‘Tina and the Minute Men.’ Their first gig was held at a Valentines dance at Ovenden Secondary School. Ken spoke of having to walk back to Mixenden that night in two metres of snow, carrying his guitar and amplifier, whilst wearing his winkle pickers.

Ken was a talented guitarist, songwriter and singer. He was a creative person. He kept his music going for his entire life, writing his own material. At family celebrations or just with friends he would get his guitar out and start jamming.

From 1963 to 1966 Ken studied at Bishop Otter College in Chichester, obtaining his teachers certificate. He shared digs with Neil Ferguson.

In 1966, Ken was appointed at Dean Field Junior School where he was initially in charge of a second-year class, and then a fourth-year class. His seniors described him as having ‘an excellent relationship with the pupils’ and that his ‘teaching methods and class control were of a high standard.’

In April 1972, Ken was offered a deputy Head role at Stanningley Green Junior School and later acting Head. He loved working at this school and loved teaching the pupils. He told hundreds of stories about his time here, taking the kids to Scarborough beach where they all stripped off and ran into the sea, taking kids to Staithes in North Yorkshire, staying in hostels, playing rounders/cricket, teaching kids music and giving up his break times and getting his guitar out. He read Lord of the Rings to his class.

Ken often gave his pupils nick-names; many are still known as the names he gave them.

It was at Stanningley Green that he and fellow teacher Mike Muff formed P&P inc. They were aptly named ‘captain crazy’ and ‘uncle mad.’ Together this duo produced the school performances, which according to all that remember or were involved, were, literally hilarious. Ken had kept some of the scripts.

In 1980, the pupils performed Snow White and the Five Dwarfs. In scene 3, the queen didn’t go to her mirror, but to her magic colour telly on the wall to ask who is the fairest of them all. The TV was broke she said, ‘Darn it, this TV wont work,’ and picked up the phone: ‘Hello is this Wigfalls; this is the queen speaking; my telly doesn’t work; send a man to look at it immediately.’ !!

The script for Aladdin saw the market trader call, ‘Roll up, roll up, for the biggest bargain in nose warmers, this side of Hong Kong. No more red conks and dripping hooters. Only 25p each, or have some slightly soiled ones on offer for just 10p.’

One of Ken’s regrets is that there are no recordings of these shows. He spoke of how he would have loved to watch these productions again.

Ken met Pat in 1984; leaving Bridlington she, Sam (14) and Sarah (7) moved to Halifax, moving into his home on Woodlesford Cresent. This was Ken’s first time as a dad. It’s fair to say he was strict; however, he was also fun, kind, and patient. Sam recalls he did a great job in raising us and always told us he was proud of us. She also said she wouldn’t have got through her degree if it wasn’t for him proofreading all her work. Sam said it was difficult to pin point the significant memories as there where many, but she will remember Ken as always having time for her, which is a quality she does not take for granted.

Sarah will always remember that her dad was always supportive, loving and kind. Sarah legally took her dad’s name when she was 16 years old; it was a special day and she will cherish that memory.

Ken remained at Stanningley Green until 1991, when he retired at 48 years as acting Head. He’d had enough of the red tape; that had increased, making teaching in his style difficult to continue.

Ken moved to Bridlington in February 1999, initially living several months with Sam and Andy, before renting a Cottage on Nightingale Row, where he lived for a few years until he bought his cottage, Meadow View, in 2003.

Ken loved living in Rudston, walking everyday round the village; he especially loved walking up the track. He loved the peace and tranquility of village life.

He re-entered study and started researching the impact of living in a toxic environment. He was interested in ADHD and childhood vaccinations. He completed a thesis ‘The Influence of Dietary, Environmental, and Iatrogenic Factors on the Development of Symptoms Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’. He received a PhD degree in Science of Education in 2000.

Kens shone at being a Grandad. He named himself GDC (Grandad Cully).

Some messages from your Grandkids...

Alex: Alex’s best memory is when Grandad used to take him down the track to see the ‘wolf’ and one day the wolf left him a letter in the tree. Love you Grandad.

Emily: she remembers Grandad as a constant presence in childhood, always around, always making jokes, always there to give her advice when she needed it. She remembered Grandad singing to her in the kitchen while she danced an Irish dance. He read all of her university work again and again to make it right for her; from school pickups to the Christmas dinners, he was there; he never missed a single dance show, performance or pantomime which she took part in; he loved every moment and his pride in all his grandchildren was always so clear to see. I love you Grandad from Emily

Elliot: will remember Grandad with a smile on his face; he will miss him.

Alicia: remembers the times her Grandad would sometimes give her a ring and ask if she would like to go shopping with him; when she was on one of these shopping trips he bought her a Christmas tree which Alicia still has. Alicia says she will always think of him when she decorates the tree especially because of how he loved Christmas with his family. You will always be in our thoughts Grandad from Alicia, Paddy, Tillie and River.

Meg: said thank you for being a big part of her life through childhood to adulthood — you were always there. Not having you around is going to be hard getting used to but we are holding onto those special times we shared over the years. When you lived with us you brought the magic of the nightingale fairy to life. She would look forward to waking up to a beautiful presentation each morning on her chalk board. The countless times you read me the same story of the four leaved clover from the teddy tale’s book. The book had many other stories inside, but this was our favourite. I will cherish the times spent with you, those trips into Brid, to the seaside museum — we would go on the 2p machines, there was always a story to be told when we were wondering around. At Tesco, we would park in your favourite spot. We would get out pack-up together. Driving home you would break into song, ‘Fields of gold’. You were one of a kind, someone who always listened and never judged. Your memory will live on in our hearts. We love you forever and always GDC. X

Ken was quite simply a very special human being. He was a man of great warmth, passion, humour and sincerity, who enriched the lives of those he met.

The world has lost a very good man. We all have lost a dad, Grandad, great Grandad, and friend.

If there was anyone who was born to teach, it was Ken; he was a dedicated and inspiring educator. Tony Martin, whom Ken taught in the 70s and later became close friends posted a picture of Ken on a Facebook page, ‘I’m Proud to be a Mixy Kid,’ asking who remembered Ken Cully entertaining us on his guitar at Stanningley Green. Ken was so touched by the comments from the ex ‘Stanningley Greenites’, which he proudly kept, and would read the commentaries from time to time, as they brought back special memories for him.

Here are a few of those responses:

He did life on his terms. Despite how fragile he had become he fiercely held onto his independence, which was despite us wanting him to agree to additional help and support.

We take comfort in the legacy he left; he was ahead of his time; he was so forward thinking. He touched us all. A gentle soul.

With thanks to Sam who shared this with us.