WE were delighted to welcome British writer and King’s Ely parent, Richard Pinto, into school on October 10th to host our annual James Bowman Lecture.
For radio, Richard co-created and wrote Elvenquest, and he was the lead writer on both the radio and the TV series of Goodness Gracious Me. Other television writing credits include Small Potatoes, The Kumars at No. 42, Bromwell High, Mutual Friends, Fresh Meat, Armstrong and Miller and Citizen Khan.
Richard, who is pictured here with our Heads of School, Charlotte Wilkinson and Sol Boon, talked to Sixth Form students, staff, Old Eleans and guests a little about his fascinating career so far, emphasising how important it is to be ‘you’ and to be confident in pursuing your dreams.
The James Bowman Lecture was established by King’s Ely five years ago to promote the creative and liberal arts at the school, and is generously supported by the Old Eleans’ Club.
James Bowman CBE is a world-renowned counter-tenor, whose career spans opera, oratorio and solo recitals. He was educated at King’s Ely between 1951 and 1960, singing as a boy chorister at Ely Cathedral, before going on to study at New College, Oxford, where he was a member of New College and Christ Church choirs.
He spoke of his career as “a wonderfully exciting journey” and remembers his time at King’s Ely fondly commenting, “I can’t emphasise enough the profound effect this school has had on me”, going on to say, “The school taught me the real meaning of musical discipline, for which I am eternally grateful.”
Thank you so much for your time Richard!