Anton Bantock - The University of Withywood
After 27 years teaching at Bedminster Down School Anton took early retirement in 1987 and was able to concentrate on his many other activities which included travel, writing, sketching and lecturing to groups of people from Townswomen’s Guilds, Rotary Clubs, Women’s Institutes, elderly peoples’ clubs, churches and chapels, schools to local history societies, and many more. He always channels any donations given to him at these talks to help young people in developing countries who he had come to know during his years of travel. His repertoire extends to over 70 topics and a list can be found on this website.
For details of Anton's lectures Please click here
That same year he had a small extension built onto his bungalow to house the collections of books which for all those years had inspired his classes in Room 23. This became known as the library and led to the creating of “The University of Withywood” which was opened with due ceremony in January 1988.
Since that date Anton’s bungalow on the edge of Bristol has been used almost continuously for events, lectures and exhibitions. As well as providing varied and interesting projects in which local people can participate, there is also the possibility of them taking a holiday in North Wales at the cottage that has been in Anton’s family for many years. This means that some people who would never get away, have the chance of a change of air, walking and making friends.
From his initial idea, which Anton believes anyone can do by collecting a few
friends and sharing skills and each other’s company, the University of Withywood
has grown into a team effort, with volunteers taking on administration and
financial duties, teaching
languages, printing and publishing all sorts of
books, leaflets and invitations and arranging and executing
drama
and music workshops.
Local people have gradually learned of this resource and come in greater and greater numbers, sometimes crowding the bungalow’s small rooms to capacity.
In 1995 the University of Withywood became a registered charity and from then on all monies raised from donations, lectures, exhibitions etc. are channelled into The Sponsorship Fund which currently raises over £15,000 a year for the education of young people in Third World countries.
In October 2003 Anton received an MBE from the Queen, for services to the
community, especially education in south Bristol. This was a very joyous
occasion recognising his tireless work over many years, and three students from
the University of Withywood were privileged to accompany him to the Palace.
Anton’s
work goes on every day – lecturing, sketching, providing information from his
vast library, litter-clearing and collecting disused cans. These are recycled by
The Malago
Valley Conservation Group and the money raised is
used to buy spring bulbs to beautify the area in south Bristol.