From the moment Jude Watts walked into my classroom in June 2013, we hit it off immediately. I knew at once that I was going to offer her the job! She was warm, friendly, bubbly and able to instantly strike up a rapport with anyone, especially her new pupils. That continued right up until the day she came into Moulsford to teach her last violin lesson.

Jude lived in Hambleden, near Henley, with her husband Steve, and her two beautiful daughters, Molly and Chloe. Apart from her family, Jude used to say she had three great passions in life. These were her horses, which she rode every day she possibly could, the string quartet she played in, known as the ‘The Carousel Quartet’, which she co-founded with her best friend Sue Baker whilst studying at Trinity College of Music, and finally her teaching. She loved her pupils, and many talented young violinists benefitted from Jude’s excellent tuition during the nearly 10 years that she worked as a VMT at Moulsford, many of them winning music scholarships to their senior schools as a result!

Jude once said to me that she had never been so happy at work as she was during her time at Moulsford! She was very actively involved in every aspect of the Music Department - teaching violin and piano; coaching and conducting the String Ensemble in concerts and carol services; playing the violin in both the Orchestra for concerts and the Band for school shows. She was about as involved with the school as it is possible for a VMT to be.

Having undergone three major operations, several courses of chemotherapy and endless hospital appointments, Jude finally lost her battle with cancer on 8th April 2022, passing quietly, at home, surrounded by her family. She was without a doubt one of the most inspirational and courageous women I have ever known. During her five-year battle with cancer, her pupils hardly missed a lesson, and she was still coming into school to teach four weeks before she died.

On 29th April 2022, Jude’s cremation service, at Reading Crematorium, was attended by close family and friends only. However, later that day a service for the Celebration of Jude’s Life was held at St. Mary’s Church, Hambleden, and was attended by many Moulsford staff, pupils and their parents. Musical contributions were made by both Jude’s beloved quartet and music staff from Moulsford. The quartet became a veritable string orchestra of some 12+ players, including current and former members. They performed a specially commissioned arrangement of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, and Jude’s aforementioned best friend, Sue Baker, played Jude’s own violin, as a tribute. Myself, Josie Lunnon and Carl Bache were privileged to be asked to perform the song ‘What a Wonderful World’, the lyrics of which sum up perfectly Jude’s sunny and optimistic outlook on life.

Jude is still missed, every day, in the Music Department at Moulsford. We have so many fond memories of Jude, and often talk about our shared memories of her. A truly inspirational woman, who has left a legacy which continues, both in the wonderful young men who were lucky enough to be taught by her, and her friends and colleagues who were equally lucky to know her! We miss you, Jude.

We would very much welcome comments below from anyone who would like to add a fond memory of Jude. Thank you!

Trevor Bissell

Director of Music, 1999-2022