__‘Aunt Ness’ Agnes Hilda COATES
1877 - 1957

Photo courtesy of John and Carol Coates

Aunt Ness often visited Malvern, but in 1922 when the school moved to Crown East she moved into the cottage, and became much more intimately involved. 

The Summer 1957 magazine describes her role:

It is impossible to do justice to her unique relationship with and work for the School during this period.  Except for her teaching of painting to a few special pupils for a time, she held no official position; but her fathomless kindness and sympathy allied to shrewd good sense and uncompromising standards made her the friend and confidant of all.  The homesick and frightened new boy found someone who understood, yet made him laugh and feel better; older boys had someone with whom they could discuss their hopes and difficulties unofficially, receiving help and advice, and even at the right moments a salutary jolt; and to many members of the staff she was the same, a valued friend and counselor, with whom they continued to keep in touch long after they had gone to work elsewhere. 

When she and Tief moved to Little Aymestrey in 1947 her contact with the School was inevitably not quite so close; but she continued to visit constantly, to take an intense interest in everything and everybody, and to shed sunshine on all sides.  She never missed any important day at the School, she attended all gatherings of the Old Aymestrey Association, of which she was an Honorary Member, and even at her last Bust Up her crippling arthritis could not keep her from Sir Roger.

Pony Pump by Aunt Ness Photo courtesy of Brian Fayle

Ness may well have had a significant influence on Dan, sharing as they did a considerable talent for painting, a love of animals, and of the open air.  Ness loved both dogs and horses, and painted many animal portraits, and like Dan she was very interested in birds of all kinds.    

Midge, by Aunt Ness

Scrum, by Aunt Ness (Courtesy of Simon Coates)

Midge, by Aunt Ness (Courtesy of Simon Coates)

Ness is remembered by many as a brilliant story-teller, often using a rural dialect; and her sausage and mashed potato suppers at the cottage were enjoyed by many boys.

Aunt Ness is buried in Eyton Churchyard, and is probably near one of her beloved horses.  This horse was originally buried just outside the churchyard, but an extension subsequently included this piece of land.  According to the Coates family Ness was delighted with the idea that he was in hallowed ground.

Sir and Tief are also in this extension.  

Headstone in Eyton Churchyard