Darrell Buttery MBE (1941-2022)

The Old Pocklingtonian Association is sad to inform OPs of the recent passing of Pocklington School Governor and former teacher, Darrell Buttery (01-06) MBE, from cancer on 27 July 2022, aged 81.

Born in Guisborough in 1941, Darrell spent his childhood years in York before his family moved elsewhere. Returning in 1968, Darrell became a leading member of the York community. He was an English teacher at Nunthorpe Grammar School for Boys until its closure in 1985. He then taught at Queen Mary’s Thirsk until his retirement, and latterly at Pocklington School. He was a past Chairman and President of the York Civic Trust, long-serving chairman of York Georgian Society and an active member of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. Darrell joined the Company of Merchant Adventurers in 1981 and was Governor in 2002/3. He was also Curator of Paintings for the Company, remaining active throughout his final illness. His published work included The Vanished Buildings of York (1984) and Pictures of York Minster from the 17th Century to the Present (2007). He was appointed MBE for his services to heritage in the city in 2018 and was a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire. He was also a noted diarist: his diaries from 1974 to 2018 are archived in the Borthwick Institute.

Life at Pocklington

Darrell joined Pocklington School in Michaelmas 2001 shortly after his retirement from teaching to provide teaching cover in the English Department for the last ten days of term. He immediately fell in love with the School and everything about it so, when the opportunity arose to extend his temporary appointment, ten days happily turned into nearly five years!

In true Pocklington fashion, his teaching encouraged students to look further than the curriculum and to stretch their independent thinking. He revived and rejuvenated debating, with weekly in-house debates and frequent verbal battles against many York district schools. Using his York connections with the Merchant Adventurers, the Georgian Society, the York Civic Trust, and his many personal friends and associates, he enabled and encouraged Pocklington students to benefit from numerous visits, theatre trips, visiting speakers, and unique experiences such as the Georgian Balls and the York Mystery Plays.

On his ‘second’ retirement, Darrell joined the Board of Governors where his unfailingly generous support and commitment to Pocklington School continued well beyond the extensive time and effort required to edit and be one of the authors of the School history, published at the time of its Quincentenary in 2014. A loyal figure on the touchline of numerous rugby and cricket matches and a regular attendee at OP and School events, concerts and plays, his efforts, time and encouragement have helped students, staff, and fellow governors in all aspects of boarding and day School life.

Darrell stepped down as Governor in 2020. However, his involvement and connection with Pocklington remained through his status as an Honorary OP and Life Patron of the School, and through his philanthropic support as a founder member and President of the ‘Shape the Future’ 1514 Legacy Club.

Darrell will be sorely missed as a friend and colleague to many in both the School and wider York community.