On the School's Formative Years

Kilworthy House Tuition Centre was started by the Rev J.R.G. Lyon (John) in September 1963 with a very small number of boys and a team in support. He was assisted by Mike Anderson who lived in and carried out all the general duties in the house and garden including all driving duties. John Lyon had come down from Cambridge where he was a part time tutor with the Fairlawns Education Centre on the side of Parkers Piece. John Lyon worked from his house in Glisson Road Cambridge.

When John Lyon started Kilworthy he had a junior partner (I believe) who had been a language tutor at the Friends School in Saffron Walden Essex. He was called Kelvin Osbourne and he never 'lived in' at Kilworthy, but lived at No. 1 Courtney Road Tavistock. All Kelvin's family were members of the Society of Friends (Quakers). I was aware of both sides as my sister was at the Friends School (as was I) where Kelvin taught French. We are also a Quaker family. My sister needed extra cramming for English 'O' level and went to Fairlawns Education Centre for that in Cambridge, where she was sent to John Lyon. I was later sent for some History and Geography cramming again to John Lyon.

When Lyon set up Kilworthy, he suggested to my parents that I might be a suitable candidate for his type of teaching (firm and fair), which they readily accepted and I was sent to Kilworthy in September 1963 when the school officially started. If my memory is correct there were only 7 boys that first term. I can only remember Rozal Metta from India in his early 20's and came from Cambridge with Lyon. Also Ken Oquasa (again, early 20's) from Guana. Barry Hollaway (18) from Scunthorpe was another original along with myself, David Peters (14) from Saffron Walden. I am not sure of the others, but they may well be in the list of names I remember.

Other staff I can remember during my time are: Mrs. Anderson, (Mike's mother) was housemistress for a short while. Mr Hake (Moochy, because of his handlebars) had been a medic in the army was a general assistant for a period of time. Mrs. Wright (a Tavistock woman) was the cook during the week all the time I was at Kilworthy. Lyon always cooked the breakfast which was always good. Miss Derry was also a Housemistress for a while, she came from Horrabridge and came in each weekday. In the early days Lyon drove an old Bentley and the boys had the use of a 7 seater Rolls Royce with glass partition and speaking tube. This was later changed for an Austin Gypsy as the extra seating was required.

In the early days it was definitely more like a family than a school, Lyon was good with everybody providing they did what was asked of them, if they failed to perform he was a hard task master. I loved every minute of Kilworthy, it was a great place ot be in the early 60's.

The People Newspaper tried to slaughter Rev. Lyon in the late 60's/early 70's. All I can say is he was a great man and a very good teacher. His private life was not public knowledge, so I could not confirm or deny anything. After passing on the school he returned to the Cambridge area and I believe passed away in the 1980's/90's.