December 2001
ART,
ENTERPRISE AND CHARITY
By Ronald Leask
My background may help to explain why I have been enabled to raise funds in an enjoyable way. As a young man I worked for a remarkable Architect, Professor J.A.Campbell who I had met in a minor Public School in Devon. The then Headmaster of this school was Neville Gorton who later became Bishop of Coventry. Gorton was an Anglican priest whose inspiration came via the third member of the Trinity, The Holy Spirit. He saw that the 3-dimensional arts were a vital component of a balanced education. Due to staff shortages in the war he was able to appoint two outstanding non academic professionals - Professor Campbell (Architecture) and Willi Soukop (Sculpture).
The school workshops under their inspired direction produced outstanding works in stone and wood carving, pottery and clay modelling. Music and drama were also important. Reality to the students’ efforts was provided by installing their work around the school and chapel.
Although inspired by Willi Soukop to become a sculptor, my aim changed to architecture on being gently told by him that my talent was not of the quality to provide a living. I therefore qualified as an architect in 1951, working firstly for a firm of Ecclesiastical Architects and then in general practice in Bristol, eventually becoming a partner and retiring in 1989.
In the 1970s I was tested in as Margaret Thorne’s successor as Chair of S.D. (Britain). During my ten years in this position I was wonderfully supported by, among others, Lawrence Lennard as first fundraiser and Ismutijah Davies, Lloyd Caldwell and Stephen Gonsalves as Treasurers.
At a low point in our affairs I was depressed by our apparent lack of achievement and I tested with the National Helpers, who always gave warm support. My adventures with S.D. could fill a book; I travelled to Sri Lanka, North and South America, Holland, Germany and Spain at my own expense, getting to know the characteristics of each country. One of the wonders of Subud, manifest in large international gatherings is the experience that all races and religions are one body in the act of worship expressed in the latihan.