A Tower of a Man by Jan Cobley

His spectacles defined him. The last pair were designer ones, Ted Baker, with oval grey frames. There had been many pairs over the years. Rimless, Gucci, large framed seventies style and black heavy rimmed examples. They were a professional tool as well as a fashion statement.

“When I take my glasses off I’m in role and when I put them back on I’m me”

He told his students

“And when you look over the top of them we’re in trouble”

one student quipped. 

There was rarely any need to employ that strategy.

These instructions were uttered in his deep voice. It was like brown velvet or liquid chocolate. He spoke with an authority that demanded attention and usually got it. From the early National Youth Theatre Days, through local radio to drama and theatre studies teaching and church preaching, that voice commanded that you listen.

Despite the statement spectacles fashion was never very high on his list of priorities. Jackets and smart trousers for work. Never a tie.

“Ties are a capitalist plot to keep the masses under control “

he once remarked. 

Although he might just about be persuaded to wear one for a wedding or special family occasion. Then jeans of various colours with casual shirts on non working days. In his youth the clothes would carry the faint whiff of Gauloises untipped or Tom Thumb cigars. 

Once all that became a thing of the past the pervading odour was Givenchy Gentleman. He tried other colognes, but always came back to this one. That was part of him too, a leaning towards obsessiveness. Clothes were hung in his wardrobe according to size and colour, pictures straightened, specs meticulously cleaned with spray and cloth every morning - even if time was short.

His hair also went through several incarnations, often dictated by the preferences of the time. As a student he had long hair. Next it was permed, followed by a crewcut, then longer again, always blow dried and carefully coiffed. When he was young his hair was deep dark brown like his eyes………and his voice. Finally it was silver grey.

He was large. Large in size certainly. Tall enough to reach the top shelves of the kitchen cupboards, stooping to go through doorways, usually managing not to bang his head. But he was also a large personality, people listened to him and he was always willing to say what he thought. Not a comfortable thing. Students loved him, management found him a challenge.

He was a benevolent, complicated, tower of a man, with a rich, effortless growl. A man who could switch from warm smile to terrifying glare in a heartbeat. A man that kept you on your toes. A romantic fool who’s laugh would make you high, who’s disappointment could break you, who’s passion, love and dedication would fuel you for a lifetime.

Now those grey-framed glasses lie in their case in the drawer beside my bed. So I guess wherever he is………..he’s in role!