KEN DOUGHTYKen Doughty, an inspirational teacher and one of the best watercolour artists in the Devon area, died on 16 May, 2009, aged 78.Ken Doughty touched the lives of hundreds of children in almost four decades as an art teacher at Park Community School in Barnstaple, writes Journal digital editor Catherine Jones, one of his former pupils.He was one of those teachers you never forget, striding across the athletics field on sports day, cheering on the Kingsley House cross country runners.He was such a strong personality and he seemed to genuinely love his work, his pupils and the school.But for me and many others, both young and old, it was his enthusiasm for art that was truly infectious. He could be a tough critic, but he was also fun, so full of life and with a deep respect for his fellow artists.Kenneth Walter Doughty was born in 1930 and grew up in the New Forest. He won a scholarship to Brockenhurst County High School, then another to study at the Southern College of Art in Bournemouth where after five years he qualified as a teacher.He joined the forces in August 1952 and, at 23, was sergeant instructor for the Royal Army Educational Corps at Blandford Camp in Dorset.His skill as an artist brought him to the notice of HQ command and HQ South West District and he had already exhibited work both locally and in London.Ken was also a keen sportsman and represented his home town of Ringwood and the college at tennis and soccer.He also played badminton for his town and he was a county trialist.His love of sport continued when he moved to North Devon and started work at Barnstaple Boys’ Grammar School in September 1954.Trevor Hill, who interviewed Ken for a book he is writing on the history of the school, said: “His was usually the first name to go down on the team sheet for the staff cricket team, though he recalled being the first staff victim of a very young David Shepherd, who caught and bowled him out.”He said the loss of the sixth form in the early 1970s was a “bitter blow” to Ken but he adapted well and then embraced the major changes in Park’s educational system and became a legendary head of Kingsley House in 1969 until his retirement.David Atton, head teacher at Park school, said: “Whenever I meet an ex-pupil of the school, whether from the days of the grammar school or the comprehensive era, Ken Doughty’s name is rapidly referred to above all other.“Everyone has their own anecdote to share. He was a true school master, strict and standing no nonsense, but also a man who commanded respect and who earned the genuine affection of the very many pupils he helped.“He was a character of the stature that today’s educational world would not be able to create, much to its loss.”He said Ken had experienced enormous educational changes, from joining a small boys’ grammar school in the 1950s to embracing the co-educational comprehensive system.“Personally, I reflect upon a colleague who was always courteous, very friendly and helpful to me from the day I joined the school.“When Ken left the school following that last session we had together, he noticed to great delight that a framed painting by one of his ex-pupils is still on display in the school corridor.He could remember her name and all of the details of her work and success.“This was a teacher who took real pride in the lives of his pupils and who focused always upon those things that really mattered.”Ken continually painted and developed as an artist throughout his life.He was a core member of the North Devon group of artists.Artist Mary Chugg recalled meeting Ken for the first time in 1955 when they were both exhibiting at the Westward Ho! Arts Society.“At that time he was doing oil paintings and they were very impressive, but as time went on he did more and more watercolour and that really was his medium.”Ken loved the landscape of North Devon especially the coastline and he was passionate about Exmoor.Ken’s work has been exhibited worldwide, including the Royal West of England Academy, the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts and the Royal Society for Marine Artists.He once said: “Nothing fascinates me more than the ever-changing light on land or sea, and the discovery of the underlying structure and forms of the natural world. I suppose I have a romantic approach to my work which best enables me to celebrate this wonderful landscape of North Devon.”Mary said: “As an artist he was really a master of watercolour, one of the very best in the area.”She said it was “wonderful” that he has left such a legacy, not only with his drawings and paintings, but in a wealth of sketchbooks.“He leaves a very notable collection of work. When you are creative like Ken you never disappear. He will go on giving pleasure for generations.”Ken Doughty died of cancer at the North Devon Hospice.Remembering his love of Kingsley House, yellow roses were chosen for his funeral which was at Pilton Church on Tuesday, 26 May.He left behind his wife Margaret, his sons Mark and Guy and his “pride and joy”, seven-year-old granddaughter Sasha.
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