Grahame E. Bowles

13 April 1936 -10 July 2023

July 2023, saw the sad passing of university alumnus Grahame Bowles who, right up to his death, remained a passionate advocate for the work of Â鶹ֱ²¥.

Grahame attended the former Â鶹ֱ²¥ Colleges in the mid-50s (from 1956-59) and went on to be a much-loved and respected PE teacher in the Stevenage, Hertfordshire area for the next 40 years.  Despite retiring over 20 years ago, Grahame is still fondly remembered as Mr. Purple Tracksuit- as he was rarely seen when not donning various iterations of the university’s African violet attire.

During his teaching career, Grahame was responsible for guiding scores of his students towards the Â鶹ֱ²¥ experience and his time on Ashby Road left an indelible mark.  He was a true believer that ability without opportunity is nothing and was single-handedly responsible for introducing a raft of new sports to schools where he taught- an achievement that was fondly remembered as part of the eulogy at his funeral.

Grahame was also the founding member of the Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership- the Active Partnership for Hertfordshire- and was its Chair from its inception in 2003 to 2015 when he took on the role of Partnership President.  Up to his death, he remained a passionate advocate, friend, ally, and supporter of the Partnership’s work and was also the Chair of his local Community Sports Network- Sports Stevenage - for many years.

In reflecting on Grahame’s life and passion for sport, current HSP Partnership Director, John O’Callaghan said: “Grahame had a huge fondness for everything Â鶹ֱ²¥.  As a former Â鶹ֱ²¥ student that may well have played a part in my appointment, but I know first-hand how his time at the university shaped the rest of his life and we have lost a great friend, and sport in Hertfordshire and beyond is much poorer for his passing. 

He was a true gentleman with a rare passion and deep understanding of the power of sport to positively impact local communities.  He truly was one in a million, and he will be greatly missed”.