It is with much sadness that we have learned of the recent death of Bill Masefield MBE, a much respected and tireless member of the local community championing many causes. He was awarded the MBE in 2003 New Year’s honours list for services to healthcare in Ledbury, in recognition of his chairmanship of the Friends of Ledbury Cottage Hospital for over half a century.
Bill Masefield was the first Chair of Governors for John Masefield High School, the school named in honour of his famous uncle, the former Poet Laureate, John Masefield. The school was formed in 1978 from the amalgamation of three schools, Ledbury Grammar School, Ledbury Secondary Modern School and Canon Frome School. Taking staff and pupils from all three schools was a complex process and Bill worked with the first Headteacher, Terry Neill, with considerable skill and diplomacy to create a successful new school.
In remembering Bill Masefield, Mr Evans, Headteacher, commented,
“Bill Masefield has been a great supporter of JMHS for the past forty years. He has supported school events such as presentation evenings and through donations to the school supported sport, the arts and extra-curricular activities. Bill was always a perfect gentleman showing kindness to staff, pupils and governors at all times. He was relentlessly positive and supportive and a real help to me in my first few years at the school.”