John Raymond Hanson: – [Heath 1938–1945]
Raymond Hanson died peacefully on aged 96. His wife, Jean, to whom he had been married for 70 years, had died in 2022.
In 2019 he had shared his memories of Heath Grammar School in Seven years a Heathen. Prior to his death, with the help of Kathryn Lumb, he had compiled The Marvellous Life and Times of John Raymond Hanson describing his life as a teacher and as a member of the Baptist community.
A Service of Thanksgiving was held on Wednesday, at Blackley Baptist Church. You can download copies of the Order of service and The Marvellous Life in PDF format.
At the Service of Thanksgiving, Revd Joanna Williams offered the following reflections:
At this point in the service I would normally be saying that I am not able to say everything that could or should be said, but I hope that I will say enough to prompt you own reflections and memories. Well, that is still very true, but the great thing is that I do not need to say everything because Raymond, along with crafting the service, has covered that too! He dictated his story to Kathryn, and she has painstakingly worked on it to get it ready for today, and it is available for you as you leave. We decided not to give it to you as you arrived as you would now all be deeply engrossed in the tale and not listening to a word I am saying! It may not hit the best seller lists but it’s an interesting read as it brings together different aspects of Raymond’s life — and does so far more thoroughly than I ever could achieve today. But the fact that it is there in a way frees me to pick and choose aspects, speak to the readings, identify some highlights, and offer some personal remembrances from others, in paying tribute to the remarkable man that some of you, primarily those involved in education, knew as John, but others, particularly in church circles knew as Raymond. I hope that the former will understand and forgive me when I call him Raymond — I can do no other!
The readings we heard read were of course chosen for us by Jean and Raymond, and are the ones we had at Jean’s service too. And as I read them again in preparation for this service I was struck once more about what they had in common — the rock. God as the Rock.
The Isaiah passage speaks to us of God as the rock from which we are hewn, the quarry from which we are dug, and in Matthew’s Gospel there is that wonderful story told by Jesus of the wise and the foolish men. Jesus speaks of the wisdom of building our lives on the rock, on the words of God, on an unshakeable foundation — firm enough to withstand the vicissitudes and storms of life. The rains will come, the storms cannot be avoided, and at times they will feel overwhelming. But in these words Jesus is encouraging us to hold on to the eternal truths that sustains us all in these times of struggle — that the eternal God is our refuge and our strength, and underneath us are the everlasting arms that hold us.
Rock is strong, and permanent — it is not going anywhere. When our strength seems weak, we rely on the strength of our Rock to hold us, to support us, to anchor us.
And that makes them good readings for this morning. For Raymond believed that, and held on to that in his storms and vicissitudes, he believed in the rock that is God, the permanent, unfailing, love of God made known in Jesus, and we too when we face the hard and difficult times, such as grief and loss as we do today, we can find comfort in the strong and steadfast love of God in Jesus.
But actually Jesus is saying something more here. The rock is not just something to hang on to or rely on — we need to build on it. This is not a passive story of comfort but an active story of faith. And in this way these readings have been deliberately chosen for us by Raymond, yes to give us comfort but also to offer us the challenge to live lives shaped by the Word of life. To be doers not just hearers. Raymond, the incurable teacher, is offering us instruction and challenge even now!
For as Kathryn has already outlined, Raymond’s life was shaped around educating and enabling others. He was a born educator and thinker.
In writing his mini auto biography, Raymond divided it up in to sections the first being entitled ‘The first 22 years’ when he recounts his childhood and relationship with his parents, especially his mother; and his education, at school and at Oxford. I was struck by how his mother nurtured him, and how, despite successive childhood illnesses which kept him away from school, he discovered through his mother a love of learning, and of history in particular. She helped him to get to grammar school and later to Oxford. For many children, not getting to school in those early years would have been huge limiting to future success but I wonder — maybe it gave birth to his determination to provide opportunities for all, particularly those who had deprived starts in life, and becoming a huge advocate for Comprehensive education in which he truly believed.
His nature as a true educator is apparent in the second and longest section of the booklet entitles The School master which catalogues his career as an educator, as teacher at Withernsea, Elland, and Buttershaw, as head in Brockworth and Boston Spa, culminating in his role as Director of a training centre for Heads and Deputies of Primary and Secondary Schools in the North West. His love of history, and his love of education coupled with his willingness to collaborate with others made him an effective voice and inspiration to others. I cannot detail all his many achievements as a Schoolmaster — you need to read it for yourselves — but when an announcement of Raymond’s death was placed on Facebook there were many comments from former pupils here in Elland, such as:
I remember him very fondly.
Gutted! Mr Hanson was a cracking teacher!
He gave me a love of history.
And former colleagues and teachers who worked under him remembered him with affection and admiration, as well as bit of trepidation. There was a reason that the song sung at his leaving do by teaching staff was a rewrite of Sinatra’s most famous hit, culminating in the line ‘Don’t complain, we did it your way.’ He had high standards, and I for one am glad that he did! None of us here will probably be able to even guess the extent of the impact that Raymond had on children, schools, and fellow educators. I know that when I began teaching history in 1985 in a secondary modern in Southend, Essex, I had to teach Schools Council History Project — which originated in Leeds, and on which Raymond had quite a lot of influence. It was, and still is a brilliant way of teaching history which was, and I quote, ‘set up in 1972 to undertake a radical re-think of the purpose and nature of school history. It sought to revitalize history teaching in schools and to halt the erosion of history’s position in the secondary curriculum.’ I have no idea if Raymond was behind those words, but it wouldn’t surprise me - I know he was an advocate for the Project, writing a paper on its impact on school history teaching.
Raymond believed in life-long learning, and even up to very recently was reading avidly books and articles on faith and history, and always willing to discuss and talk of things that interested and excited him. I was also struck that whilst working he deliberately also studied, extending his knowledge and understanding, be it on school management, or a period of history of which he was less informed. Someone recently described another teacher to me as ‘the best sort of teacher who knows that she is also a learner’ and I think that description should also be given to Raymond.
So learning, and education was a keystone to John Raymond Hanson, but as the readings remind us, so was his faith in God through Jesus Christ.
A few weeks ago, after Raymond had come home from hospital when Andy visited him Raymond tried to remember and sing a hymn — ‘All the way my saviour leads me’. He could only recall the first verse, but the words were so true for Raymond. You cannot read his mini autobiography and be in any doubt of the importance of Christian faith to Raymond, nor could you visit him at home and come away without knowing it. In early years, through school days his was a fledgling received faith, but it became his own, intentional faith commitment when, as a young man at Pellon Baptist he was encouraged to do an enquirers course by his minister, leading to his baptism alongside Kathryn’s mother. He has followed Jesus as his Saviour and Lord from that day onwards.
Again, there is insufficient time to pay proper tribute to Raymond’s contribution to the Baptist denomination, particularly here in Yorkshire. A committed and active member of local churches where he lived, usually a Baptist church, he played his part in local church life, serving in youth groups, offering Bible Studies and preaching. Raymond first preached whilst at Oxford, and for 70 years Raymond was a prominent lay preacher, and played a significant part in the life of various churches in this capacity. Indeed, when Revd Ernie Whalley led the funeral a few weeks ago for Jane Powell at Steep Lane, Raymond was mentioned as one who set up a preaching team especially for small churches. He had a passion for the care and support of small churches. It is lovely that some of you are here today from those churches, because of your appreciation for him and what he gave to you — but he also valued you, and would speak of you often.
The booklet also outlines his contribution to the Yorkshire Baptist Association where amongst other things he became a member of and later the Chair of the Commission of Christian Witness for several years, something he described as a ‘Think Tank’ overseeing working groups on education, on public transport and on issues connected with world poverty, including the launch of the YBA 1% appeal for World Development.His appointment as YBA Training co-ordinator led to a series of day courses run at South Parade in Leeds, basically taking continuing personal development ideas from his world of education and applying them to give ministers and lay leaders additional skills. Revd Dr Keith Jones said that they covered topics like effective chairing of meetings, change management, developing new leaders, handling conflict, engaging with civic authorities, exercises in knowing your own strength and weaknesses. There are several present this morning who were recipients of these training courses, speaking of them with great appreciation and affection.
He also created material around the evaluation of churches. This was later built into the YBA Church evaluation package - the ‘Advance 87’ campaign (marking 200 years of the establishment of the ‘old’ Yorkshire and Lancashire Association of 1787 by John Fawcett) and Raymond did a lot of the training of the Association-appointed evaluators. It was a significant and important piece of work and should be remembered — and probably used!
Raymond was also a supporter of Northern Baptist College where he became a Governor. In 1971 meeting Revd Michael Taylor, the newly appointed Principal of the Northern Baptist College, saw the start of not only greater involvement with the College but a friendship which blessed Raymond and Jean, and I think that this was mutual. A change in the college’s selection procedure led to Raymond becoming involved with interviewing candidates for ministerial training. Both Ernie and Andy had the ‘privilege’ of being interviewed by Raymond. Ernie remembers that when Raymond heard that he, Ernie, was an RE teacher, he demanded to know why he wanted to leave teaching, adding, before Ernie could respond, ‘And by the way I am a headmaster!’ He later became Chairman of the new established Education Committee and continued to serve in both these ways for the next 25 years.
But he and Jean were also always members of the local church, and here at Blackley they worshipped and served for many years; first in the 1960s when Raymond was teaching at Elland — Jean worked with Guides and Raymond was church secretary, overseeing the 175 celebrations, and later in the 1990s after retirement when Jean served as Church Secretary and Raymond was Centre Manager. However, it would be disingenuous to pretend that this did not end badly. It was a difficult time with different opinions about direction and leadership when David MacKay was here, and Raymond and Jean chose to resign their positions. This was very hurtful and painful for many, including Raymond and Jean. It has been really important that, over latter years, both Raymond and Jean returned to Blackley, and thanks to the graciousness of people from different perspectives it has been a gradual time of healing and restoration in many ways. Andy and I have appreciated the trust that people, including Raymond and Jean, placed in us in talking about the troubles, which enabled them to find some peace. This included a meeting of Raymond with Revd Alison Mackay which both found healing.
Raymond and Jean worshipped with us every week through the printed services we began during Covid and have continued, and members of the church have supported them in these years when life has been more limited and constrained. I know that Raymond appreciated the continuing friendships with folk at Blackley, particularly the two other wise men of the triumvirate — Leslie Bolton and Trevor Wilson. Karen, Leslie’s daughter, spoke of her delight at seeing her Dad Leslie all dressed smartly, ready for an afternoon tea here not so long ago, and what a great time he had, back with his friends. Sadly, neither Leslie nor Trevor are able to be here today due their own health issues, but both are thinking of us all. Raymond also really enjoyed that occasion, as he did when others from the church and beyond came to visit.
For Raymond, and Jean, had been determined that they would remain at home. As life became more limited for them both, they needed more care. Raymond and Jean never had any children of their own, but in many ways Kathryn and her family have filled the gap. Kathryn’s connection with Raymond and Jean goes back to childhood — they have been constant friends, and have delighted in and enjoyed your family — Andrew, and especially Poppy and Amy. It was wonderful to witness Raymond’s utter delight when he heard that you, Poppy, had passed your driving test, not least because he knew how much it would also help you Kathryn. Over these latter years Raymond and Jean have relied and depended on your love and support as their family and you have never let them down. It is important to name how much you have meant to them, and to thank you for your unfailing care of both Raymond and Jean.
Through the continuing support of Kathryn, Raymond and Jean were able to set up a structure of care which enabled them to have their wish of staying in their home until the end. I have to say that the care they received from the carers has been exemplary — home care at its very best, so I would like to thank all of you, many of whom are here today for all you have done. You cared for R and J with respect and love, and it showed. Now I know that you will say that it was easy to care for them because of the way they were with you. I have never before been privileged to read such wonderful words from carers as I have in ‘Hansons Harem.’
I think it fair to say that some of Raymond’s former teaching staff, as well as ministers in the association would have difficulty in believing the description of Raymond as Teddy Bear — as one said to me ‘it didn’t do to get on the wrong side of him! However, that same person Rev Tony Peck, also spoke of Raymond’s care and compassion, his warmth and hospitality mentioning how kind Raymond and Jean had been, letting his family use their house in Bridlington for holiday breaks — and I have heard that was true for quite a lot of people. Raymond had a pastoral heart, appreciated by Ernie and Mary Whalley when he came to their daughter Anna’s funeral.
A larger than life character, an educator to his finger tips, a thinker, a doer, sometimes irascible, and stubborn, possessor of a cheeky giggle, and known at times to get into a bit of a flap, Raymond was a wonderful mixture of wit, wisdom, generosity and challenge.
However, he was very determined that no one should ever be in any doubt that he could not have done any of his remarkable achievements, would not have been himself without his lovely Jean, and without Jesus. Jean was the constant and stay in Raymond’s life, and without doubt he has been incomplete without her over this last year, and therefore we will conclude our service with Kathryn sharing Raymond’s words about Jean.
The other constant of course was his faith in God as I named at the beginning, finding in Jesus his friend and Saviour who was with him ‘all the way.’ Following Andy’s visit when Raymond had tried to remember the words to that lovely hymn I went with the good old Green Hymn Book and sang it with him, and at a later visit shortly before he died I sang All the way my Saviour leads me to him. On that last visit he was too weak to sing it, but he mouthed some of the words. Never had they seemed more true than when I read them that day.
Kathryn Lumb read the final section of The Marvellous Life headed ‘Closure’:
Raymond’s mobility became an issue, and his care support was increased. He did jigsaws (sometimes getting frustrated!) watched sport, read his newspaper and books, plus enjoyed his food which was all planned on a menu board. He also loved having visitors and hearing their news. The amazing care he received at home enabled him to stay there. After a short spell in hospital with double pneumonia, Raymond returned home where he continued to be an inspiration to all who came in contact with him. He was a man of prayer, and he may have retired officially but as an individual he continued to strengthen others’ faith. As Kathryn said to him many times over his last days, ‘the Gates of Heaven are open, and the Angels are singing with Jean waiting and asking where have you been?’ Raymond passed away peacefully at home on 7th May 2024 knowing he was loved by all.
With thanks to Revd Andy Williams, Revd Joanna Williams and Kathryn Lumb.
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