Ralph Potts

A wonderful headmaster during my time at Houghton school

Mr Potts was my Headmaster at Houghton School. He was always very kind and professional, but he went much further than that. He recognised that I had an interest in birds and used to cut out the nature notes section of his Trout and Salmon magazine and give them to me in school. This encouragement may be a big part of the reason I became a professional Zoologist. I like to think I've done OK at that and that it was his contribution that led to some of things I'm most proud of (e.g. writing and Programme leading the Zoology Degree at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle, co-writing the Conservation degree at UoC and designing Watchtree Nature Reserve following foot and mouth).
Ken could be amusingly pompous (in a non-serious way!) and he wrote in one of my school reports "Roy's academic progress would benefit from him not watching birds out of the window when he's supposed to be studying". When I got my PhD in bird biology, I showed him that report and bought him a pint at the Near Boot. We spent the rest of a very enjoyable evening together swapping stories.
Mr Potts was a great man and the influence of good people like him should never be underestimated. He did what he did out of the goodness of his heart and not for selfish reasons.
I haven't spoken to him for probably 30 years, but news of his passing makes me slightly sad, but happy that I met and was encouraged by such a fine gentleman.
My very best wishes to his family,
Dr Roy Armstrong