At the end of term, we said farewell to Gary Dibden, who had worked at Emanuel since 1990 and attended the school as a boy. Arriving in 1974, Gary was a pupil in the grammar school days, leaving in 1981. As a member of Wellington House, Gary’s main school pursuits were rugby and cricket, during a period in which Emanuel fielded incredibly strong rugby and cricket teams. He was made a Sub-Prefect in the sixth form.
After leaving school, Gary worked in public libraries for several years. His love of sport continued beyond school, with Gary playing cricket and rugby for the Old Emanuels. He eventually turned his hand to rugby refereeing, a lifelong passion which took him all over the world to referee at prestigious fixtures and famous stadiums.
In 1990, Gary returned to Emanuel under the headship of Peter Thomson and joined the sports department. In those early years, he coached many squads in various sports including some superb cricket teams, one of which won a rare double, triumphing in both the Surrey and London Cups. He also travelled extensively, including round-the-world rugby tours.
When not working in the sports department, Gary was on the rugby field refereeing. As the years went by, he took over the schedules for organising referees across Surrey and eventually assessing other referees. He regularly attended international Sevens’ competitions in far flung places such as Hong Kong and Dubai. Whilst most people would be content to specialise in one sport, Gary was also a skilled cricket umpire.
Gary was a successful and highly organised Housemaster of Drake and won the coveted Parents’ Shield on more than one occasion, usually doubling up with Cliff Lynn, long-serving Head of DT and Head of Nelson.
For many years he was also the ‘voice’ of the annual Parents’ Quiz and was well known for giving former History teacher, Mr Andrew Keddie, a ‘run for his money’ as he often led the triumphant staff team.
In Easter 2007, Gary moved to the brand new library where he remained until retirement. Whilst in the library, he continued to work in the sports department and as a part-time drama technician. In those days, the director of drama was a ‘one-man band’ who was supported by a few English teachers and Gary. Even though the staffing was small, the productions were not. Over the years, the department grew and eventually full-time drama technicians were employed, with Gary continuing to provide support until relatively recently. One of Gary’s fondest memories must surely be building the magnificent Barricades set (with James Arnott) for Les Misérables, one of the best musicals of the modern era. He skillfully balanced several jobs and used his extensive knowledge of organising rugby and cricket fixtures to administer the internal House fixtures, which was no mean feat when Emanuel moved to a split lunch during the Covid era.
Keen to keep Emanuel in the family, Gary’s daughter Robyn also attended the school from Hill Form, with a proud moment being when she won a medal at the National Schools’ Regatta. Always willing to try something new, he even appeared on stage with his daughter at a performance raising money for an Edinburgh Fringe performance and made the odd cameo in productions like Play in a Week. Gary loved the stage and often attended the Edinburgh Fringe when the school was performing.
Over the years, he provided reliable support to the library, archive and with alumni matters. OE visitors were always keen to chat with Gary at Dacre Day and other functions he supported. His knowledge of the school was encyclopedic, his historical tours of the school were highly amusing, and if he were ever to appear on Mastermind, Gary’s chosen subject would surely be ‘Emanuel School ties’. Without Gary, the school archive would be a shadow of what it currently is, as his anecdotal knowledge and incredible ability to remember faces and names will be irreplaceable. He also kindly donated many photos from the early nineties era, which were fine additions to the permanent archive.
A mainstay of school life for many years, Gary will be missed by his colleagues and pupils alike. We would like to wish him all the very best with his retirement and whatever comes next, both on and off the sports field.