Concordia 2025

combined to form an impregnable duo on the fives, badminton, squash and tennis courts. They would set the ‘Mars Bar Challenge’ to any boys willing to take them on at badminton — the challenge being to score a point rather than win. Simon Burrows won the National Fives Championship pairs competition in 1980, and it was a great source of pride when he and Mark D.J. Ingram defeated JNP/GPC. John tolerated the endless pranks that Geoff played, whether it was a whoopee cushion, toothpaste-filled shoes, vaseline in rugby boots, or even itching powder in a jock strap! As a pair they raised Physical Education and coaching to a level where it became apparent that without proper facilities the boys’ development would be held back. With the support of a fundraising campaign, a new gymnasium and swimming pool were introduced in the 1980s — a tribute to the greater ambition of Pallant and Colley to provide a wide range of games opportunities so that there was something for everyone (though it must be said that I never saw anyone other than GPC using the balcony’s climbing wall). John’s leadership is best summed up by Bruce Paxton: The arrival of John Pallant brought the era of suitable real-world standards to the sports coaching at MTS (and the beginning of the demise of the enthusiastic amateur!). This spread through the multiple sports played in that era, much to the benefit of results, the fun of achieving and a general better level of fitness. Thank you. The All-Round School Master John played his role in the wider life of the school, as all members of the SCR do. He was in the CCF for 12 years. He recalls many cadets who went on to illustrious careers, among them Air Vice Marshall Michael Harwood (1971–1976), General Sir Richard Barrons (1972–1976) and Simon Humphreys CBE (1979–1985). He also has fond memories of CCF camp with the likes of Bruce Ritchie. He recalls an RAF camp on Anglesey where a night exercise started at midnight. The officers had to defend an aeroplane while the cadets were challenged to ‘attack’ it by sticking pieces of paper on the fuselage. Officers Pallant and Ritchie positioned themselves by the wheels to settle in for the night, only to wake up the next morning to find the plane covered in paper. John was a meticulous tutor as well, counting a young Michael McIntyre (1989–1993) among his charges. Bruce Ritchie became a close friend alongside David Mash, ‘RAGS’ Stokes, Dennis Trebble, Andy Goff and many others. John was a great mentor to new colleagues, such as me, whom he took under his wing from day one. Chris Whitby recalls John helping him to police the lunch queue — always the test of a new teacher:

Concordia Winter 2024

Clive Chase (1969–1974) loved his shirt and apparently can still get into it!

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kit – jumpers, bags, ties and team shirts that were a reward for representing the school. There was even a highly prized First XV colours scarf which was also popular with the girls at St Helen’s! A personal favourite is the First XV rugby shirt of the early 1970s with the V flash, a great shirt that had to be discontinued after a member of the Merchant Taylors’ Company complained to Francis Davey, the Head Master, that they were too much like Rugby League shirts. Association, another innovation by John in 1973 that went on to spawn other parental support groups over the range of school activities. John’s drive, enthusiasm and — let’s face it — charm were hugely popular with the parents who turned up to support not just on the touchline but also at such events as the Annual Supper Dance which, despite the nerve-wracking efforts of the boys as waiters (a tradition that continues today), raised significant amounts of funding for tours and equipment to support rugby at the school. Geoff Colley — the best of partners For the best part of three decades, Physical Education meant the partnership of Pallant and Colley. On the surface they were something of an ‘odd couple’: one large, taciturn and a stickler for organisation; the other a live-wire, constantly looking for a prank. Simon Burrows (1975–1980), former Head Monitor, described them as a classic double act. He and Nigel Smith respected the way that John and Geoff would not talk down to the boys. But they shared more than just an office; they were both formidably talented athletes blessed with the ability to turn their hands to any kind of sport. Their skills complemented each other but they None of this would have been possible without the fundraising efforts of the Supporters’

It was just very, very boisterous and the noise quite clearly got through the door to the Rec