February 2025

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of M.V. “Bob” Roberts. Bob was a very significant member of the History Society. Soon after joining the Society, he became a committee member and in the minutes of the 1997 AGM it is reported that he had edited and published the first Fram Journal, which he continued to produce twice yearly – numbering no less than sixty in total – until 2019, when ill health made it impossible for him to continue.

In March 2020, the Journal was replaced by the bi-annual Newsletter of today. Long serving members will need no reminder of the scholarly authenticity, range, and quality of the Fram Journal, and thanks to recent work by committee member Simon Garrett, this magnificent source of learning, interest and fascination is now available to existing members and all visitors to the Society’s website – virtually in perpetuity.

Bob was also for many years a Town Councillor at Framlingham, where his extensive knowledge and judgement strongly guided the Council’s assessment of architecture within the Conservation Area of Framlingham’s historic town centre, especially for Planning and Listed Building applications.

Bob’s working background was that of a professional Archivist and Librarian which accounts for the very thorough nature and presentation of the journals. For many years he was employed as such at the City of London Guildhall Library, and he is still remembered there today by those who worked with him. There was a touch of eccentricity about him which together with his interest in both history and current affairs made him a charming and loyal friend and committee colleague. The society is both delighted and thrilled that it can continue to treasure and remember Bob for the wonderful Fram Journals he has left with us. Since drafting this piece, we have received a very affectionate and interesting email from Christopher Nickolds, one of Bobs childhood friends, which complements much of which we remember about him when he lived in Framlingham.

Memories of our schoolfriend – Bob Roberts

We met Bob when we all went to Cheshunt Grammar School, from September 1953. Right from the start, Bob stood out – he was at the time a lot taller than most of us! Like many of us, he came from a modest background. He lived in a Council House in Upshire, a village near Waltham Abbey, where his father was a bricklayer. Bob was bright and studious, but certainly not lacking a sense of humour. Whereas he enjoyed the serene sport of fishing, he hated games and school sport. During one notable games period, being instructed by the games master to practise a rugby tackle, he simply hacked out with his boot and caught the teacher’s shin.

As we grew older, he converted to Roman Catholicism. And whilst others of us, during our 6th Form days, interested ourselves in politics, and would go canvassing for one or other of the main political parties, Bob decided that, for him, Total Monarchy was the answer! Some of us, including Bob, studied English at A level, where the syllabus included the poetry of T S Eliot. “The Wasteland” was one of our favourite poems, which inspired Bob to name our group of friends “The Worshipful Company of Wastelanders” – WCW – a title we embraced and retained over the years – a useful name for what was, amongst other things, a social and drinking club!

We went on trips and holidays together. On one walking holiday in North Wales, Bob turned up in a lounge suit, carrying a rolled umbrella, with a fishing rod strapped to it. However, he did get to the top of Snowdon, Tryfan and other peaks in that garb, even if his black office shoes were in tatters by the end of the week.

He excelled academically, and was the one member of our group to go on to Cambridge University – Clare College. During university vacations, he worked as a hospital porter at the Royal Free Hospital in London, where his uncle was Head Porter. After University, we all went our separate ways and gradually lost touch with Bob. He married Jane, and had two children. Bob was a one off. Eccentric but loveable. We remember him with affection: a good friend, highly intelligent, modest, warm hearted, caring – and great fun. May he rest in peace.