Vic ECCLESTONETributes have been paid to a legendary teacher who brought famous ballet, opera and the Royal Shakespeare Company to his school in Hartcliffe.
Vic Ecclestone, who passed away suddenly on Saturday evening, became nationally renowned for his efforts to raise the aspirations and outlooks of young people in South Bristol, with many of his former pupils saying he changed their lives.
Vic Ecclestone taught for around 25 years at Hartcliffe Comprehensive School and was named the national Teacher of the Year in 1996. In 2007, then Prime Minister Gordon Brown dedicated an entire chapter of his book ‘Britain’s Everyday Heroes’ to Mr Ecclestone. As a teacher, he decided there should be no limit to the aspirations of the pupils at the school in South Bristol, located in one of the most socio-economically deprived areas of the country.
Through persistence, he managed to persuade some of the world’s leading arts companies to come to Hartcliffe to perform, and to work with young people there. Everyone from the D'oyly Carte Opera Company, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Welsh National Opera and the Royal Shakespeare Company came to BS13 to work with the young people. The Royal Shakespeare Company, for example, performed Macbeth in the school hall, just because Mr Ecclestone asked them to.
The performances and workshops weren’t just one-off stunts either. After a visit from the Rambert Ballet Company, Mr Ecclestone formed the Hartcliffe Boys Dance Company, which toured the country and then Europe. He took coachloads of pupils on countless trips to London and beyond to see, and give, live performances. He set up a cricket team and worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for young people.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Vic Ecclestone. We invite you to share your memories and pay tribute to Vic below.
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