MR J.J. BREEZE
Big Bill Breeze from the School Magazine, 1958.
MR J.J. BREEZE
It has been stated that the late Mr Turral when he returned on one occasion from making an appointment to the Staff of the School was very enthusiastic: he had appointed as Geography Master a young man "with blue eyes and a wonderful voice". That young man was Mr J.J. Breeze, and we all agree that Mr Turral showed wonderful judgment and made an excellent choice.
By the old stagers, J.J.B. is referred to, sometimes as Bill Breeze, sometimes as Big Bill. Why "Bill" is not known, but is probably a term of endearment - the "Big" is obvious.
What a taskmaster, what a tyrant, what a martinet he purports to be; how kind, how considerate, how gentle, how helpful he really is. Nobody who goes to J.J.B. for help or advice but is given it in full measure - nothing is too much trouble, no effort is spared. But let the shirker, the hypocrite beware - he will receive short shrift.
J.J.B. is a man to whom honesty, uprightness, justice, charity are shining virtues; any departure from his shining standards is looked upon with contempt, with derision as utterly shameful. His enthusiasm for all that is worthy, his determination to give himself to further some activity in which he is interested - these are almost breath-taking. he seems to have time for all and for everybody.
His work for School, which has been the predominant interest in his life, can scarcely be assessed - to the Academic side, to sport, to music he has contributed all that is best in himself. How valuable that has been is widely known and truly appreciated.
His departure will be a great loss to School, his going a sad moment, but how pleased he will be if we say of him, "This was a man."
I would like to add a couple of personal memories. I well remember Bill Breeze asking the form I was in where Southport was on the map of England and Wales. "Sir," said one boy, "Just below Blackpool." "Go down a mineshaft to get there do you, lad?" said Bill. I always think of that when I hear the near universal tendency to equate south with down and north with up, and I am capable of inserting my own sarcasm on Breezian lines when I encounter it.
My other memory is a vicarious one. One day a group of sixth formers were intent on avoiding the obligatory cross country run and nipped into Stanley Park, only to find Big Bill in his car waiting for them at the other side. They dashed back across the Park and there at the other side was Bill in his car waiting for them. And thus their afternoon went. At the end of the afternoon no punishments were meted out to the dodgers but they were nonetheless thoroughly exercised, and thus honour was satisfied.
Article submitted by Peter Barton 1951 starter
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