Tony Benge – 16th March 2020
Ivor Murrell writes:
“I am very sad to report the death of my long-term friend, Tony Benge, who was at KEGS from 1954 to 1961, and would have been known by everyone at school at that time for his humour, sporting activities and his interest in guitar playing. After following a course at art college he taught at Cambridge for a while, then moved to Bury, Lancashire for several years where he produced an investigative newspaper, with much of the investigation being done by himself. He also took up his main interest as a playwright during this time, with successful plays performed in Manchester Library Theatre. When his mother died he moved to her house at Bourton, in Wiltshire, with his wife, Sue, who is another successful playwright. They worked together on theatre involved in local social and environmental issues, writing and directing, again with considerable acclaim.
Tony was diagnosed with Lymphoma twelve years ago, and it was successfully treated into remission, but it recently came back with complications and he died on March 16th. Sue, his partner of fifty years, was by his bedside.
Just a tale about Tony I wrote and reminded him about just before he died. In the summer of 1961 we decided to hitchhike to Paris. Tony proposed that we should combine our savings and then split it, so that we carried half each. I was very keen to go, and quickly agreed. We ended up with £9 each, Tony contributing £5 and me £13. A good lesson in Social economics, and some wonderful memories.
I will miss his humour and his slightly differently focused view on life.”
The “Poets’ Corner” feature of the Old Burians Magazine, inaugurated in the 2020 Edition, was suggested by Tony and we are happy to dedicate it to his memory.