Philip G.K. Davies (QM staff 1976-92

Philip Davies joined the staff of Queen Mary’s in September 1976 to teach Modern Languages. He studied French and Latin at University College, London, being awarded his BA in 1959. He went on to study for a PGCE from Leicester University in 1960, after which he went to L’Isle Jourdain on a foreign exchange.

The then Headmaster, Keith Howard, spoke of Philip Davies as “a diligent, conscientious man who has a marked sympathy with those who find French less than easy. He shows a very real interest in his pupils and thinks hard about teaching method in or- der to stimulate and motivate”

He ran the London Marathon and, apparently, regularly ran the 7 miles from his home in Wolverhampton into School. When he did not run it, he cycled it, with a best time of 53 minutes!

He had a deep interest in pastoral work and counselling and had occasional publications in learned journals. He was a very fit man (he completed the London Marathon) and has in the past made a strong contribution outside teaching through taking groups to our Field Centre and through his running of the Bell-Ringing Society (he was a nationally-known campanologist).

Philip Davies (far right) with a group visiting the Blue Lagoon at Fairbourne in December 1995

By the time he opted for early retirement in 1992 he was a Form Master and an enthusiastic supporter of Farchynys.

The Farchynys Log for the Cycling Weekend 8th—10th July 1988, written by Tim Swain, records that the Sixth running of the Harlech Dome Bike Ride produced three new records, one of which was:

“Mr P.G.K. Davies, having pampered himself in a Barmouth hotel the night before, got round in 2 hrs, 40 mins and 30 seconds—a new staff record. The gauntlet has been thrown down.”

Tim Swain and Steve Law were riding a tandem and did the ride in 2 hrs 45 mins 10 seconds.