At Bedminster Down school, Bristol, Anton Bantock was head of history and my teacher. He travelled the world every summer holiday, leaving when the bell went and returning just in time to start the new term. His travels were to benefit people worldwide, thanks to his various educational and fundraising schemes.
His death, at the age of 82, characteristically followed a trip overseas, on this occasion to Jordan. His home was in Withywood, Bristol, but his influence was truly worldwide as he made friends and helped people on every continent.
Born David Delius Anton Bantock in Barnt Green, near Birmingham, he was a grandson of the composer Sir Granville Bantock. Anton was the second of the six children of Margaret (nee More), a composer, and Raymond Bantock, an educationist. He became known as Anton because there were six other Davids in his class at school in Bromsgrove, from where he went to King Edward’s school, Birmingham.
After national service he went to New College, Oxford, where he gained a degree in history and started teaching, first at New College choir school then Guthlaxton school, Leicester.
In 1960 he moved to the West Country to be among the first staff at the newly built Bedminster Down comprehensive school, where he stayed for 27 years, becoming known for his inspirational, eccentric teaching and charitable works.
He travelled worldwide by bicycle and public transport, visiting eastern Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. A skilled artist, he sketched people he met and places he visited. His drawings and illustrations were published and exhibited to raise funds to support the education of people he met along the way.
Following retirement in 1987, he became a prolific speaker and lecturer and turned his home into the University of Withywood, providing varied and interesting community events in this socially deprived area with musical shows, walks, debates and entertainment. It also raised money to sponsor education projects in developing countries.
In 1995 the University of Withywood became a registered charity, and in 20 years raised almost £260,000, closing only in 2014 as Anton’s health declined. The charity’s successes included funding a tuition and tailoring centre in India, a medical clinic in Ghana and a school in Cameroon, as well as helping to fund the education of hundreds of individuals who have become architects, doctors, teachers and medical specialists.
In October 2003 Anton was appointed MBE for services to the community, especially education in south Bristol. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bristol.
He is survived by two brothers.
