Tribute To Alan

Alan Strong died last Wednesday, aged 56, at Trinity Hospice in Clapham, London. Mr Strong was well known in Lancing and was the head of drama at Boundstone from 1971 to 1986.

He was also known in drama circles throughout the county and the bulk of his estate has been left to create a trust fund for West Sussex students looking to attend drama college.

Former Boundstone headmaster Stephen Love paid tribute and said Mr Strong was one of the finest teachers he ever worked with.

"I was at Boundstone for 27 years and a teacher for 40 years all over the world," said Mr Love. "Out of the hundreds of teachers I worked with he was one of the three of four best."

Mr Love said Mr Strong started working at Boundstone in 1971. Before that, he was director of Shoreham Youth Workshop and lived on a houseboat in Shoreham for 20 years.

"When I first met him he was very tall, thin as a rake, but he just had this huge enthusiasm and excitement. His whole life was about teaching young people about drama.

"Apart from all the young people who did drama, or who were in his plays, there are the people who actually went and made it their lives and careers."

Mr Love said these included former Boundstone pupil Robin Driscoll, who co-wrote the Mr Bean series with its star, Rowan Atkinson.

While Mr Love was at the Lancing school, he made regular appearances at the Edinburgh and Brighton Festivals. He staged several epics at the school, including Marat-Sade, The Royal Hunt of the Sun and Mutiny on the Bounty.

Playwright Peter Terson also wrote a play especially for the school to perform at Edinburgh.

Mr Strong's funeral will be held on October 8 in Clapham. For more information, contact Gillman Funeral Service, 971 Garratt Lane, Tooting, London, telephone 020 8672 1557, to whom flowers or donations to Cancer Research UK may be sent.