Clifford Gould
Obituary
Originally published by somersetlive.co.uk, 21 February, 2020, 10:53
Tribute to Clifford (Tiffy) Gould, 76, Badminton School Headteacher from Glastonbury
A tribute has been paid to a former headteacher from Glastonbury who died unexpectedly playing a sport he loved - tennis.
Patricia Gould, his wife of 48 years, has spoken of the 'dreadful shock' of losing her beloved husband, Clifford, Gould on Saturday, February 1, aged 76.
Clifford, known as Tiffy to many, lived most of his life in Glastonbury but taught English in London and Surrey, before spending 17 years as headteacher at Badminton Girls' School in Bristol.
Upon retiring in 1997, he lived full time in Glastonbury, sharing his love of tennis with his sons and enjoying cycling, skiing, and embarking on adventures abroad each Christmas.
A tribute from Patricia reads: "Clifford Gould, Tiffy to many, died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 1, while playing tennis, aged 76. A dreadful shock to those playing with him and to his wife of 48 years, Patricia, and his son Simon.
"Clifford was born in Burnham on Sea and moved to the family home in Glastonbury on the death of his grandfather, Reginald, who had been town Clerk and senior partner of Gould and Swayne, and when his father, Colonel Hugh Gould, returned from India in 1947.
"Glastonbury has been his home since then, returning from school in the holidays, and from Trinity College, Dublin and Kings College, London, setting a pattern for a life teaching English in London and in Surrey where he and his wife Patricia shared their vocation to teach at Frensham Heights.
"Their sons Simon and Ben gave them a lot of joy, sharing their love of tennis. They both became members of their school first teams at a young age. School holidays were spent in Glastonbury.
"When Clifford became the first male head of Badminton girls' school in Bristol the family was able to spend more time at home in Glastonbury.
"His seventeen years as a head were as rewarding for him as they were for the school, which thrived under his guidance and excelled academically in music and the creative arts.
"He retired in 1997 and has enjoyed living full time in Glastonbury, playing tennis, cycling, skiing and planning adventures to interesting countries each Christmas.
"Tiffy will be sorely missed by Patricia, Simon and their grandchildren Georgina, Jacob and little Ella.