Sue Peel taught the oboe at Marlborough College between the early 60s and mid 80s. It’s hard to be precise since she and her husband Bob (RHDP) were raising their family at this time and my sisters and I did interrupt her teaching from time to time.

Sue was so much more than an oboe teacher. During their time at MC and before they moved to Great Bedwyn in 1985, Bob and Sue regularly provided a home for the senior boys and girls who needed to board ‘out of house’. In some cases this meant providing a home and support for a student for a whole academic year, in others, just for a term.

This led to lifelong friendships in many cases and was an extension of their commitment to providing pastoral care for all those who came into their orbit. For Sue, this might mean catering for 100 at each summer Brasser party, catering for 30 or so hungry participants in the 10 day jazz courses run by RHDP in the holidays or ensuringthat the regular callers to the house at tea time at the weekends would always find a cakey welcome.

Sue died in her sleep in July 2026 and she will be much missed by all who knew her – students, colleagues, and latterly those who she met through her other passions: Dolls House Miniatures and the Great Bedwyn Musical Society.