It is very hard to believe but Ian Taylor (Head of Science, 67-04) celebrates his 80th Birthday today (2nd April).

Ian Taylor came to the College as Head of Physics in 1967, became Head of Science in 1974 and proved to be an inspiration to the generations of pupils that he taught. His College teaching career spanned 37 years (an incredible 111 academic terms) and it is impossible to list all of his additional achievements during those decades but to name but a few: he oversaw the introduction of the teaching of ICT and the placing of the first Macintosh computers within the classroom (often building and programming them himself), he worked tirelessly on numerous administrative tasks, including the Blue Book, the O.S. Newsletter, The Stortfordian and in its early years, The Young Stortfordian.

One of Mr Taylor’s great loves has always been photography and the school has been privileged to benefit from his expertise for over 50 years in total. Every pupil during his 37 year College career was photographed on numerous occasions by Mr Taylor as they have progressed through the school be it in individual, team, House or event photographs.

Although he officially retired in 2004 Mr Taylor continued to dedicate his time to College and Old Stortfordian sporting and event photography and continued to help to create OS News for over a further 10 years. Always a popular figure at OS reunions with his past pupils making a beeline to speak to him, after he had provided firm guidance from the School House fire escape during the traditional reunion group photograph of course!

Ian with OS John Samson (MJH,HH,68-75)                                                                             Ian with OS Tim Sheridan (MJH,HH,68-73)

A dedicated and proud Father of five Old Stortfordian Daughters and constantly supported in all he has done by wonderful wife Joan, it is difficult to think of how Ian could have immersed himself in College life any further than he has.

Unfortunately due to the Covid pandemic numerous events have been cancelled or postponed for many of us and this includes his 80th Birthday party. In a small way to help to make Mr Taylor's birthday extra special, Old Stortfordians and former Collegaues from his time at the College were contacted and asked to share a birthday message with him. The response was overwhelming and a booklet containing 23 pages of messages and fond memories was given to Mr Taylor's Daughter, Jennifer (YH, 91-93),Head of Psycology at the College, for presentation along with a bottle of Champagne on his big day.

The warmth and gratitude within the messages was incredibly touching, thanks was often given for Mr Taylor's outstanding teaching and for cultivating life long interests and careers within science and IT. Vivid memories of individual experiments were shared and even anecdotes of OS teaching their own children the experiments during their own school studies were noted.

A truely inspirational and dedicated Stortfordian, we wish Mr Taylor the happiest of 80th birthdays. Hoping he is infront of the camera as well as behind it when family celebrations can finally take place later in the summer.