We are sad to announce the recent passing of Deborah Merrick (nee Brayshaw). Deborah died on Saturday 15 October 2022. She leaves her husband, Chris and three sons, Neave, and twins Jamie and Leigh.

Debbie was at Sidcot from 1957-1964. Her father Richard Brayshaw was Headmaster at Sidcot from 1957-1977. In 1964 she won first prize in an art competition for a print composition. Debbie was also a Dymond Speech winner in 1963.

Perhaps offering a hint at her future career aspirations, Debbie was regularly involved with many of the School productions. She was part of the chior alongside her mother in HMS Pinafore in 1959, played Maggie Cutler in a School play in 1960 called 'The Man who Came to Dinner', and she was also in 'The Life of Galileo' in 1963. After leaving School she worked as an actress and starred in 'Rain', 'The Merry Ghost of Summerville' and 'The Stray Bullet'. Debbie wrote a lovely piece for us in our Summer 2021 newsletter, sharing a Sidcot memory of the final journey of the Cheddar Slug. You can view the piece here.  

Our thoughts are with her husband Chris and her three sons at this time. We will share a more detailed obituary in due course. 

In Friendship - The Alumni Office