Obituary: Nicholas Milner-Gulland (CR 1966-69)
Nicholas Milner-Gulland (CR 1966-69) died 26th November 2017
The death is announced of Nicholas Milner-Gulland, who was a Member of CR from 1966-69 teaching Classics.
Nick was a Scholar at Westminster School before reading Classics at Cambridge but he could equally well have read Music, since he was a fine player of keyboard instruments, especially the organ. With his friend and colleague Andrew Carter (CR 1965-70), Nick inspired many pupils to take an active part in musical events, whether it was listening to LP recordings, singing and playing in small groups and working with the Chapel Choir.
Nick’s Marlborough career was cut short when he succeeded his father as Headmaster of Cumnor House Prep School in 1969, when ill health forced his father to take early retirement. Nick proved a most able prep school head master. He raised academic standards, oversaw the introduction of co-education, organised the construction of a wonderful new theatre and was inspirational in the fields of drama and music, where the annual summer Shakespeare play was the highlight of many pupils’ lives. Nick had to retire early because of ill health, but thanks to the Royal Marsden Hospital, he had many years in remission. Lots of music followed with Nick running many successful choirs; becoming the organist of Ringmer Church; serving as a prison visitor and a School Governor and as a part time teacher of Greek.
At his funeral at Ringmer Church many tributes were payed to Nick and many friends gathered to sing in his memory. He is survived by his wife Anna, who played a large part in school life, and their three children, Kate, Jamie and Toby. He will be hugely missed, not just by family, ex pupils and many friends, but by a great circle of music makers who were looking forward to him conducting a performance of Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion next March.
Nick Milner-Gulland was a talented, kind and considerate friend to many people and one most endearing characteristic was his great sense of humour, which helped to see him through some testing and challenging times, and gave great pleasure to those in his company.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving in Ardingly Chapel on Saturday 14th April 2018 – further details will be published on the website nearer the time.
MCWE/CAJ
