At school, POB formed a friendship with Robin Tilden-Davis. The two bonded over a shared passion for cars. As POB writes in his memoirs: "He was bright, interesting, enthusiastic, mechanically knowledgeable and a very good photographer. Robin was also generous. Of course, none of these qualities counted at school. He did not shine academically, played no sport, was tall and gangly, a bit untidy and had a double-barrel name. In our English public-school-based system these were all fatal qualities".
Looking back, POB reflected on the harshness of the institutional environment, which too often penalised individuality and vulnerability. Despite the relentless social pressures and hierarchical cliques that dominated the school, Robin remained authentic and kind - POB recounts an anecdote about Robin in his memoirs that showed Robin's incredible strength of character.
“The art of becoming ourselves is not looked upon positively by the collective mind because, as the collective mind is intent on perpetuating uniformity, it will inevitably see diversity and differentiation as a threat”. ~ Carotenuto (1996).
Below this group photo someone claiming to be Tilden-Davis's stepson asked if anyone knew more about him. Evidently he died in 2006 which would've put him in his early sixties.
https://blackwood-hodge.typepad.com/home/2013/11/teds-last-day-.html
......and the
male guests are, from the left, Tony Nelmes, Mr Shapland, Peter Ginsberg, Robin Tilden-Davis, Ted,
Mike Maddox, Steven Freid, Keith Prebble, and Uncle Ted Farmer.
Hello,
My name is Chris Patterson, Robin Tilden-Davis's stepson. We
last meet in 1982 and I'd love to know more of what became of him.
I understand he passed away in 2006.
Thanks,
Chris
My name is Catherine O'Brien. I am trying to trace
Chris Patterson who in turn is looking for information about Robin
Tilden-Davis. My father was at school in South Africa with Robin Tilden-Davis,
and has a great story about him. I'd be keen to share this with Chris Patterson
if he is interested.
I
could not find any contact info on the Blackwood Hodge website:
https://blackwood-hodge.typepad.com/home/2013/11/teds-last-day-.html
In
addition the comments are closed. Chris Patterson had left the following
comment.
--------------------
Hello,
My
name is Chris Patterson, Robin Tilden-Davis's stepson. We last meet in 1982 and
I'd love to know more of what became of him.
I
understand he passed away in 2006.
Thanks,
Chris
Posted
by: Chris | January 23, 2016 at 05:23 PM
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