Pictured above (from left to right): Old Brentwoods Robert Payne and Richard Payne

In the past few years malignant brain tumours have cut short the lives of two members of a family of four old boys.

Through the 50s and 60s the Payne brothers, each in their own way, left their mark at the school. Robert was a school praepostor and Head of Newnum House, Richard and Rodney, both of Mill Hill, excelled in the school diving team and Jeremy, another Newnum boarder, was captain of gymnastics.

After school Richard was called to the bar as a barrister, Robert and Rodney joined the Royal Navy and Jeremy became a journalist. At the end of a successful career Robert retired as a Captain but shortly afterwards was diagnosed with a high grade gliomablastoma (an aggressive brain tumour) and in little more than a year he died.  Within five years Richard too had died succumbing to the same condition. He had just stood down from Nottingham University where he had been teaching law after ending his long career as a barrister.

Since his brothers' deaths Jeremy Payne has taken up the role of chairman of the charity Brain Tumour UK which supports those affected by brain tumours, he campaigns on their behalf and raises funds for research.

In June next year the school will be commemorating Richard and Robert's deaths and supporting Brain Tumour UK by presenting the celebrity Bunbury´s Cricket XI playing a match against a team captained by former England bowler Alan Igglesden, who himself suffers from a brain tumour and is a Patron of the charity. Sunday, 6 June 2010 has been set as the date for the match and more details on tickets and how to get involved is available from the charity.  Please email claire.glazebrook@braintumouruk.org.uk for further details.