Stephen John Ashman

A year on, this Lowden boy says that what bears repeating is the hope that Stephen's family finds solace to sustain each and every one of them.

Vale, Stephen. Stephen and I have not spoken in the 50 years, 3 months and 9 days or so since I left Chippenham after O levels. We were friends more or less from both starting at Lowden School until then. For two years at the Boys' High we sat next to each other in all, or almost all, lessons. Outside, then, he loved British Bulldog and delighted in using his characteristic body swerve to avoid being tagged. In the 2nd year, we were lunch servers together. We spent time out of school together. We swam the mile for certificates on the same Tuesday evening. I maintain that he was the only school boy I knew who wrote coherent poetry. Stephen was ferociously loyal to those he cared about. Personally, he was the one who first suggested to me getting a doctorate in chemistry (at the end of the second year of secondary school). I am deeply sorry to learn of his passing. I have persuaded myself that our friendship was (temporarily) passive and not capable of being ended. I hope his family are able to find solace to sustain them.

RIP Ashy, many happy memories of school rugby and the friendships that created.