Michael D. Pook, BA, DipEd, DO, DIHom, FBIH
Teacher, Manipulative Therapist and Homoeopath
ABGS 1953–1960
Michael Pook
Michael Pook was the son of Arthur Pook and his wife Cecilia, née Evans. The family lived in Greenfield Terrace, Cwmbach, a home that Michael shared with his elder brother Tony1 - who also attended ABGS. After attending the Town Church primary school, Michael ‘passed the scholarship’ and entered ABGS in 1953. He was a studious pupil at school and in 1957 he won the W.H. Evans2 prize, awarded to promising students in the junior section of the school. Whilst at school his interests included collecting early English coins, as well as stamps. His A levels were taken in Latin, French and Scripture Knowledge.
In 1960 he enrolled at UCNW, Bangor. He obtained a B.A. honours degree in Religious Studies (1963), and his teaching diploma the following year, in 1964.
He then embarked upon the first half of his working career when he commenced a twenty-one-year period of teaching in secondary schools: Initially as Librarian and Head of RE, at Bexley Grammar School, 1964–1972; then Head of RE, at Cottesmore School, Nottingham, 1975–1983; and finally Head of Social Studies, at Sandfield School, Nottingham, 1983–1988.
His career then took a significant change of direction. In 1989 he obtained a Diploma in Osteopathy. Six years later he added a Diploma in Homeopathy in 1995. Since leaving his career as a school teacher he has established himself as a Manipulative Therapist and Homoeopath.
Michael is in the back row, centre.
(from 1957 School Panoramic Photograph,
complete photo available in main website menu.)
Whilst engaged in his work at his practice, Michael has kept up a busy schedule of in-service training to expand and develop his skills, for example through his membership of The Royal Society of Medicine. He has also been active in relevant professional bodies, serving as Treasurer of the Guild of Osteopaths (1994–96), then its Chairman (1996–97), and President (1997–98). He is currently Principal and Founder of The Midlands School of Massage & Manipulative Therapy Ltd. He practises at The Castle Clinic, in Nottingham.
Michael and his wife Maureen, (née Cole), whom he married in 1965, live in Nottingham. They raised three daughters: one of whom, Catharine, followed in her father’s steps to Bangor University and now does some lecturing there; Helen, the eldest daughter, took an HND in illustration and has one son, Kieran; whilst the youngest daughter, Felicity, works at Nottingham University.
- After Tony Pook’s death in June 2008, Michael delivered the eulogy for his brother at the Gadlys Chapel of Rest. Tony led a full and busy life: he was a local champion cyclist, a signalman at Abernant, Robertstown and Hirwaun; an Officer in the South Wales Police Force, and in his spare time he showed a passion for steam engines, spending many years as a volunteer museum curator at Loughborough and Ruddington Steam Heritage Centres. He was also a committee member of The Cynon Valley History Society.
- W.H.Evans was a visiting teacher of woodwork at the school between 1912 and 1920. He resigned in 1920 when he was appointed to the staff of Pontypridd Boys County School, a post he held until his retirement. When he died it was a surprise to the Aberdare School staff to hear that he had left a sum of money to ABGS for a school prize to be awarded once every three years. In May 1957, Michael was the first recipient of this prize, which was awarded shortly after W.H.Evans had died.