News
Dr Edward Patrick Berwick (1930-2007)

Eddie’s and Celia’s first contact with Woldingham was in 1981 when they introduced their eldest daughter, Brigid (later to be joined by sisters, Catharine and Claire) to the joys of Marden House.  Little did they then realise the degree to which Eddie would become involved in the development of the school – as parent, member of the Parents’ Association, member of the Governing Body, and finally its Chairman – an association spanning more than 15 years.

Eddie was born in Ireland and educated at Blackrock College, Dublin, where there was also the opportunity to develop his love of rugby; in fact he played in the team which won the Leinster Senior Cup of 1948.  Then he moved to Queen’s University, Belfast, where he completed his medical degree. Deciding to make anaesthetics his speciality he became a houseman at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, renowned for its Anaesthetic Department.  From there he west to Great Ormond Street and after that to St George’s  Hospitals at Hyde Park Corner and Tooting, incorporating Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, Wimbledon.  He was appointed as a Consultant Anaesthetist at St George’s (which is a London teaching hospital) in 1964.  He also worked at other London hospitals and at Parkside Hospital and St Teresa’s Hospital in Wimbledon and at St Antony’s Hospital in North Cheam.  His specialist anaesthetic interests were in neurosurgery, maternity, ENT paediatrics and maxillofacial surgery.  He was active in and enjoyed contributing and in initiating training programmes for the Anaesthetic Department at St George’s.

The many qualities and skills Eddie developed in his own work and in his interests which included sailing, golf, rugby, music and theatre, were brought to bear in his role of Chairman of Governors at Woldingham from 1989-1994.

It was during this period that I really got to know Eddie.  He had a huge interest in education and spent much of his spare time working for young people.  When he took on the Chairmanship of Governors at Woldingham School it had been under a lay Head since 1985.  Many Chairmen of Governors take their role lightly, officiating on behalf of the school on major occasions (often using a text prepared by the Head).  This remote contact would have been totally foreign to Eddie.  One of my tasks as Head was to bring to his attention any worthwhile book or article on education recently published.  These he read and discussed, working out what, if anything, was relevant for Woldingham.

His sense of detail was obvious in all he did for the school – as much in educational matters as in the development of the buildings and estate.  I greatly valued his encouragement, his approachability and his unfailing interest in every aspect of Woldingham.  He worked closely with the Senior Staff and guided the school through a transformation which showed positively in the organisation, staffing and curriculum being developed.  Eddie’s contribution will be especially remembered by the generations who have used and will continue to live in Berwick House – which was named after him.  On his frequent visits to the school, Eddie enjoyed chatting with the Sixth Formers – especially those who shared his love of music, theatre and sport.

Above all, Eddie was a warm and caring family man, devoted to Celia and the girls.  It was this caring quality that was the hallmark of his time as Chairman.  One could say he adopted the school into his family.  Personally, I shall always be grateful to him for the huge contribution he made to my development at a key stage in the history of the school.

Celia, Brigid, Catharine and Claire may be proud of the memory of a much loved husband and father.

Phil Dineen (Headmistress, Woldingham School 1985-1997)