Bell pays tribute to '˜one of our greatest heroes'

Martin Bell OBE, and the BBC's former foreign correspondent, has described Stonyhurst College old boy Tim Hetherington as one of Britain's greatest heroes.
Martin Bell OBEMartin Bell OBE
Martin Bell OBE

Bell hosted a commemorative event in honour of Hetherington’s life at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre, attended by Stonyhurst Headmaster Andrew Johnson – and accompanied by many children and staff from the world famous Jesuit College.

Photojournalist Hetherington was killed in 2011, aged 40, during an assignment in Libya months after his film Restrepo was awarded an Oscar.

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“This was a remarkable event for so many reasons, and remembering a man who I believe is one of Britain’s greatest heroes,” said Bell.

“It was sad one too, because Tim’s death was a loss not only to his family but to the whole profession.

“We did not need reminding – but he reminded us anyway – that war reporting is now more dangerous than it has ever been.”

The audience saw a documentary – Which Way is the Front Line from Here? – about Tim’s life and career, while Mr Bell also read a poem he had written about Hetherington, who attended Stonyhurst from 1981 to 1989.

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Mr Bell later interviewed two of Hetherington’s teachers, Peter Anwyl, the ex-headmaster of St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst and Paul Warrilow, who both spoke with great passion about Tim’s contribution to Stonyhurst his profession and as a human rights advocate

“Tim Hetherington is one of the all-time great old boys of Stonyhurst,” said Mr Anwyl. “He was a truly remarkable man.”

Mr Warrilow, who teaches Theology at the college, said: “Tim Hetherington was a compassionate person with a strong sense of justice.”

Tim’s parents Judith and Alistair were also in the audience and the following day Mr Bell toured Stonyhurst College, before seeing a film about the Battle of the Somme hosted by battlefield historian and Stonyhurst history teacher Paul Garlington.

The Grand Theatre would like to thank David Ridout, Head of Politics at Stonyhurst and Laura Kerrigan for their contributions in making it such an evening to remember.

Tony Dewhurst

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