William John Ainsworth (25 Aug 1945 - 17 Aug 2018)

I strangely found myself thinking of John whom I hadnt seen since Oxford. We were contemporaries at BGS -- we rode the number 8 bus into school. I remember John as one of the funniest people I have ever known. He lightened the long daily journey into Bristol. I remember meeting both his sisters; from New York I extend my condolences to them.

A much missed colleague of many years

You herded us in the mornings down to breakfast.
You led us across the moors in the rain.
You screamed "run faster" in the heat around the athletics track and covered in mud and scratched to hell on the gorse, on the heath.
You offered me champaign on my 18th.
You gave us a house-warming cuppa in your new flat having confided in me "Ive got to get out of here" out of your room behind your School House Office.
You said "oui" when all the others said "non".

Never forgotten
Rest in Peace Jack

You herded us in the mornings down to breakfast.
You led us across the moors in the rain.
You screamed "run faster" in the heat around the athletics track and covered in mud and scratched to hell on the gorse, on the heath.
You offered me champaign on my 18th.
You gave us a house-warming cuppa in your new flat having confided in me "Ive got to get out of here" out of your room behind your School House Office.
You said "oui" when all the others said "non".

Never forgotten
Rest in Peace Jack

When I arrived at Canford in 1988, French was one of my least favourite subjects. John Ainsworth changed that, as he taught French with real energy, humour and enthusiasm, and helped me to gain an 'A' grade in my GCSE. I was very sad to read of his recent passing, and I'm sure he is fondly remembered by many Old Canfordians.

Very sorry to hear of John Ainsworth's death. I was in School House at Canford from 1980-1985 when he was Housemaster there, and he took a great interest in the development and well-being of all of us. He was also an inspiring and amusing teacher of French. Will be missed.