Issue 7, June 2003 (Back to Contents)

Dennis Silk (Warden 1968 - 1991) on Hamish Aird (1966 - 2003)

Hamish Aird (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Teaching is in his blood and the success he enjoyed with the top Shell form year-in, year-out, has had far reaching effects on the academic standards of the College higher up. His well furnished mind, nourished by wide reading (he founded and ran the College Bookshop) and a genuine love of the Classics challenged the brightest boys to think for themselves. Greece and China have been Meccas for him and added more arrows to his bow. The general consensus was that it was fun to be taught by Mr. Aird, and quite unconsciously this showed in every report he wrote, and as Warden I was in a good position to know.

Well armed in the classroom he was even better armed as a Tutor. Every one of his boys was an individual to him and all were equally valued. He had time for all of them and the fact that he was such a good listener made it easy for boys to talk to him. Moreover every boy knew that he would get an honest answer as well as a fair hearing. He trusted his boys and in return his boys trusted him to the extent that it was genuinely regarded by the Social rather than by the Tutor as a betrayal when that trust was abused. No foul weather could keep him away from a distant touchline where E Social was playing, whatever the level. The finer points of Rugby Football might not be familiar to him, but his presence was worth ten points to the Social in any game he visited. The desire to "please Tutor" was stronger than he ever knew and a reflection of the affection they had for him.

His generosity knew no bounds. He was well aware that boys were usually hungry and even more thirsty and accordingly he ministered to their needs. Even as I write I can smell the delicious aroma of a summer night's barbecue in the Tutor's garden where a roast pig was turning on the spit and the corks were popping. It may sound trite to say so but happiness abounded in the relaxed E Social atmosphere, where everyone had his job to do and where there was a warm welcome for visitors.

When he became Sub-Warden the value of his accumulated wisdom became more obvious than ever, though again all his good work was done naturally, without self advertisement or pomposity. Pomposity was, in fact, unthinkable in a man of such wit and good humour.

What impressed me most of all in his role of Sub-Warden was his judgement, which saved me from so many pitfalls into which I would have blundered but for his gentle admonition. He knew when to be serious and when to be light hearted and seldom confused the two. His loyal support for the Chapel was never in doubt, and all of us envied his ability as a preacher, laced as his sermons were with wit and good sense.

In a lighter vein his performances in Dons' Plays were spectacular, and his part in the title role of 'Peter Panto' shines brightly in the memory. His Miss Ann O'Level was not far behind, five years later in "Horse Play", but for me his Jeevesian Butler to the Warden, Alfred Bowyer, in "The Case of the Compromised Question Papers" was superb theatre and his finest dramatic hour.

Never was he a more perfect butler, however, than in his own house where his hospitality was boundless and his parties legendary. The chaos of his kitchen was only matched by the excellence of what came out of it. His palate for good wine was impeccable. How he managed to entertain so often and so generously was a marvel to all of us. His stamina was remarkable.

It is hard to imagine Radley without Hamish: no Brigadier genially presiding over amazing cricket matches; no ill-fitting shirts and baggy trousers vainly trying to hide an ever-growing corporation; no ample shoulder to weep on; no first port of call for returning Old Radleians. One could go on. It will be very hard when the time comes for Radley to say good-bye to Hamish, who has given us all so much. It really is a case of "Good-bye Mr. Chips" and thank you for everything.

We hope you will be able to join us to say goodbye to Hamish on July 5th - click here for further details.