![]() Her Indian born partner Atam Vetta’s PhD was in Quantitative Genetics. ‘Sculpting the Elephant’ set in Oxford and India, is close to her own life experience. It has been endorsed by China experts from Oxford, Harvard and Frankfurt and the poet Jenny Lewis says it is “Utterly mesmerising and unforgettable and among my top ten historical novels.” ‘Brushstrokes in Time’ set in China and California wouldn’t have been possible without the three years she spent researching and interviewing Qu Leilei, a founder of the Stars Art Movement (Beijing 1979) who saved the life of the first leader of the Democracy Movement. Her novels cross cultures but have impressive endorsements for their authenticity. The launch of Oxford Castaways 3 in the Mathematics InstituteĪs a writer Sylvia Vetta is best known in the Oxfordshire area for the 18 years she was a freelance writer on The Oxford Times and other magazines, especially for her popular ‘Oxford Castaways’series which gave her the opportunity to write the lives of 120 inspirational people from five continents. The launch of Oxford Castaways 2 in the Story Museum Another much loved Oxford character : Colin Dexter also in the front row died last year. Charlotte Bannister-ParkerĪnniversary event at Antiques on High. He lived his life stretching himself mentally and physically but the warmth and love in his family is evident in the photograph of him and his daughter Charlotte at the launch of Oxford Castaways 3 which she hosted. Roger spoke eloquently against a background of heroic Greek athletes. I attach some pictures of them starting with the launch of Oxford Castaways in the appropriate setting of the cast gallery in the Ashmolean. They have attended most ‘castaway’ events. Roger, Moyra and their daughter Charlotte have showed me great kindness and generosity. You can read it here.įew people recognise that the foundations of the success of the London Olympics were laid by him as the first chairman of the Executive Sports Council. I had the privilege of reviewing it for the Oxford Times and newsquest syndicated it. His memoir celebrating his scientific career as well as his short but brilliant sporting career was aptly titled Twin Tracks. ‘Yes’ she said ‘and when he came home he was green. He was talking about it as if writing a paper for Nature when Moyra interrupted. Roger described an experiment on himself trying to discover the causes of deaths from heat-disease of British soldiers in Aden. I had the good fortune of interviewing him with Moyra. For the 2010 feature he was keener to talk about his ground breaking career in neurology. That iconic image of the young Roger breaking the 4 minute mile is etched upon the minds and optimism of my generation. There are wonderful tributes to Roger in the media but none of them do him justice. “He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends.” “Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3 March 2018, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them. So I know that the statement released on behalf of his family is perfect. I noted their warmth and pride when they talked about their family and I later witnessed it first-hand. His story is in Oxford Castaways the first of three castaway books. You can read the Castaway feature here and see some memorable pics below. Th e Madras Courier gave the opportunity to write a tribute to this ground breaking athlete and scientist. Sir Roger hadn’t given an interview for many years and described himself as ‘ a private person’ so I was honoured that he gave up several hours to be interviewed by me. I had the privilege of interviewing Roger and Moyra Bannister in 2011 for the part biographical series where I send inspirational people to my mythical island of Oxtopia. Roger Bannister was not only a great man but he was also a modest, kind and compassionate person. He was a supporter of the NHS working only in the public sector. ![]() ![]() One thousand swimming pools were built because of him. When he started Sports for All there were only 12 sports centres in England. His life has affected hundreds of thousands of people through his research in neurology and his work as the first chair of the Sports Council. My generation were inspired and given hope by his breaking of the 4 minute mile. I didn’t know that he was offered the Vice Chancellorship of Oxford University but turned it down because he thought Pembroke College needed him more. I thought I knew a lot about him after interviewing him and reviewing his autobiography. It was a beautiful and moving service in St Mary the Virgin Church led by his daughter the Rev Charlotte Bannister Parker. I have just come from the funeral of Roger Bannister.
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