Portrait of Lionel Stephens presented to the College

At a ceremony at the College on September 6th hosted by OP Society chairman Ian Williams a full length portrait of Lionel Stephens commissioned by the Society was unveiled by the subject, to spontaneous applause from a 60-strong audience including all of Steve's family.

Completed by the well known portraitist Sally Munton, the painting shows Steve in his 60s holding a copy of his history of Pangbourne College and wearing an OP tie. In the background the image of the College's founder, Sir Thomas Devitt, can be discerned.

The portrait will now hang in The Yellow Room in Devitt House alongside one of of Steve's predecessors as Hon. Sec. of the OP Society, Harry Sykes.

Lionel Stephens joined the Nautical College in 1954, becoming Second Master in 1967 and Hon. Sec. of the OP Society in 1975. He retired from teaching in 1986 and retired as Hon. Sec. of the Society at its 76th AGM on September 6th after a 34-year stint.