JEREMY BALL (D 87–92), SCR (02–24), 1973–2024

Jeremy was one of those rare people one meets in life; a truly inspirational man, someone so special he left a lasting, positive impression on everyone he encountered. A lifelong Bradfieldian, Jeremy’s presence at the College spanned many happy years, as a pupil, teacher, cricket coach, Housemaster, mentor, colleague and friend. He was loved and valued in every one of these roles. Bradfield remembers him above all for his kindness and selfless care, which enriched the lives of generations of pupils and staff alike.

On a personal note, when I first arrived at Bradfield, I was fortunate to meet Jeremy early on. I was settling in, living in Great Oaks, and Jeremy was just above me. From the very beginning, he welcomed me with genuine warmth and generosity. He quickly became much more than a neighbour, he became a dear friend, someone I trusted completely. I often ran ideas past him, he had that uncanny ability to know when to affirm them and when to gently and wisely rechannel my energy, something he always did with grace and wit.

Jeremy’s care extended into every corner of life at Bradfield. He lived with a quiet assured authenticity, unfailingly kind, consistently compassionate and guided by deep integrity at the core of his being.

That was the heart of Jeremy, not just saying the right thing but doing it, simply because it was the right thing to do. He never sought praise or recognition and his goodness was not for show; it was who he was.

Jeremy arrived at Bradfield as a pupil in 1987, already showing the razor-sharp mind, mischievous wit and deep empathy that would be recognised throughout his life. From the outset, he stood out as a scholar. Peter Fraser (SCR 87-97), his Housemaster, recalls that Jeremy needed constant challenge, academic and otherwise, just to keep him occupied. Appointing him as Head of House was, Peter says, one of the most popular decisions he ever made. Even as a Sixth-Former, Jeremy commanded deep respect across the school. It wasn’t just his intellect that set him apart as Jeremy had, even then, a rare capacity for kindness. As Head of House, he would quietly spend time with those who felt displaced or uneasy. He made people feel they mattered.

David Evans (SCR 87-01), one of his teachers, had a lasting influence on Jeremy’s spiritual formation, nurturing in him a lifelong love of St Paul. Stuart Williams also played a pivotal role, first as Jeremy’s Year 9 Tutor and later as a colleague and lifelong friend.

Simon Gathercole (H 87-92), a close friend and contemporary at both Bradfield and Cambridge, remembers ‘Jez’, the top scholar, always self-deprecating and someone who got on with everyone. He was clever without pretence, a Christian without dogma and always a warm and loving friend. He captained the mighty 3rd XI cricket team, famed for his wily slow left-arm spin; he became a skilled fives player and a devoted Bob Dylan fan. Jeremy loved fives and cricket, avidly following the test match while he worked. In a tribute in his last weeks, he received a fitting mention on Test Match Special as he was listening in hospital.

It is deserved that a special prize for cricket, the Jeremy Ball Prize for ‘The Spirit of Cricket’, has been established in his memory. Awarded to a pupil in the Upper Sixth, it celebrates the qualities Jeremy modelled throughout his life: fair play, integrity, and a love for the game. The prize stands as a tribute to all that was enriching and empowering about Jeremy’s life.

After becoming an OB, Jeremy went on to read Arabic and then Theology at Cambridge, attending Gonville and Caius College. He returned to Bradfield in 2002, beginning more than two decades of devoted service as a teacher.

Jeremy was universally respected and cherished as a much-loved colleague in the SCR. Jeremy Preston, his friend and fellow teacher, recalls: ‘He didn’t take himself, or others, too seriously. But at the same time, he genuinely cared for the wellbeing of his colleagues, always knowing when to encourage us to rest.’

Jeremy loved comedy and frequently went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with many of his colleagues and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humour in the everyday. Jeremy’s legendary wit was on full display even in the weekly duty email. As Jeremy Preston recalls one read ‘Some rooms were so hot that you had more chance of falling asleep if you dipped yourself in cognac and flambéed yourself.’

He was an exceptional Tutor, displaying great support in pastoral care and treating each pupil according to what they needed most, whether that meant supporting the shy or gently deflating a little too much teenage bravado. Few schoolmasters could strike that balance quite like he did.

In the SCR, Jeremy was a trusted colleague, a loyal friend and a generous mentor to many staff. Louise Marshall (SCR 05–14) remembers him as someone who always seemed to have a remarkable ability to make time for everyone, offering a kind word at just the right moment and maintaining a sense of perspective about what truly mattered. Jeremy loved the company of others and was deeply devoted to the Bradfield community.

He was appointed young to the role of Housemaster of Field (Stone) House (E) and in that role he was beloved by his charges. One of his former Head of House pupils, Alex Holcroft (E 01-06), remembers how Jeremy brought calm simply by being nearby. His famous raised eyebrow, gentle interventions and countless quiet acts of kindness stayed with people long after they left school. Jeremy always combined warmth with wisdom, humour with authority; not many people can pull that off, but he did, and he made it look effortless.

In the classroom he was perceived by many of his pupils as the best teacher in the school. He loved teaching and was a master at his craft. He was central to the success of his department. Former pupils refer to the inspirational and amazing Philosophy classes that he taught and all pupils who went through his class felt lucky to be taught by him. Jeremy was also an amazing Scholar’s Tutor stretching pupils in the art of critical thinking. Jeremy discouraged seeing learning in terms of results and instead focused on the journey enabling pupils to challenge themselves and seek wisdom.

To his nieces and nephews; Charlotte, Edward, Benji, Theo, Maisie, Toby, Theo and to great-nephew Felix, he was ‘Uncle Jes’. He is remembered fondly as an Uncle who was witty, generous, full of fun, always supportive, helpful and full of love.

Jeremy’s legacy is written deep in those he taught, mentored, and befriended. He was a man of high intellect without arrogance, a man of humour who was never cruel, and a man of faith without pomposity. Jeremy showed our community how to live with grace, generosity, and kindness and in doing so, he helped us all believe that we mattered as we are. As Jeremy once said

TO BE IS NOT TO BE PERCEIVED. TO BE IS TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. TO BE IS THAT YOU ARE A UNIQUE CREATION. THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL AND THAT IS WHERE YOUR WORTH LIES