MICHAEL A.Ritchie (Oxon) died sudddenly but peacefully on Tuesday, February 23 in his cottage at Slegden, near Greenlaw.
In a statement to 'Border Life' some years ago, Michael, born in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, stated: "I never ever give my age by the way, one being as young as one feels."
This was a typically positive statement from someone who never ail
ed!
Michael travelled throughout Europe and the UK, mainly on holiday where he met many people who were to remain lifelong friends.
During a spell in the Royal Air Force, Michael was involved in the running of the radar station at RAF Forres before moving to RAF Kinloss to work with the RAF Search and Rescue Team where he was involved in many rescues in the North of Scotland.
An Oxford University graduate, Michael had an interest in a vast range of subjects about which he read and researched extensively.
He lectured and taught English at various colleges and universities, including the University of Chester. Whilst living in Newcastle, Michael had the idea of eatablishing the Institute for English, which he eventually founded in Whithorn, Wigtownahire.
As director, he helped people tutorially by mail worldwide with their study and use of English. His prime focus was in the progression of students, irrespective of whether English was their mother tongue, to whatever level of the English language they required and was unconcerned if a student was perhaps unable to meet the Institute's very reasonable fees, in which case, these fees would be waived- such was his dedication to their learning.
Having researched the history of Scotland, Michael proved conclusively that under Scots Law, the Kingdom of Scotland is legally and constitutionally still in being as both the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1603 and the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707 were illegal and unconstitutional under Scots Law and English Law. These facts were confirmed, albeit unofficially, by several prominent academics and historians.
In the Market Square, Duns in 1992, Michael's proclamation, 'The Declaration of Duns' detailed the above facts which led to him assuming the roll of Regent, and following this, he continued with his aim to have the Kingdom of Scotland wholly restored to its people with its own monarch, completely free as it was before 1603.
At the first meeting of the reconvened Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland, held in Duns in 2002, Michael was confirmed as Regent and Acting Chancellor by the other members present.
This was based on the precedent of Robert the Bruce appointing himself the King of Scots with the Parliament confirming him as being King some years later.
Over the years, Michael continued to work tirelessly on behalf of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland and corresponded with many like minded people. He had many articles and letters published in both the local and national press which often resulted in further communications.
Latterly, Michael had contact with the Scottish Democratic Alliance whose aims and views are not disimilar to his own hopes and aspirations for Scotland. Perhaps Michael's research will be utilised by the Alliance in the years to come- a fitting epitaph!
Michael liked the quiet life in the country, enjoying the company of his neighbours and their families. In his spare time he kept in touch with his many friends, family and acquaintances by letter and telephone and was, therefore, kept extremely busy.
His garden and greenhouse were undoubtedly his pride and joy, spending many happy hour tending to his vegetables and herbs. His speciality was growing older varieties of crops which he shared with anyone who dropped by. No-one went away empty handed!
Indeed, Michael was already planning which older varieties of cucumbers and tomatoes he would try this year, and of course, wondering who might like to share some of the seeds for their own garden.
Michael was essentially a private person who lived life quietly and modestly. He was, however, interested in people and was always involved in advising and assisting anyone with a problem and invariably came up with an appropriate solution.
Michael's companionship, ready sense of humour and honesty will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours, students, his many friends and all who knew him.
He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
L.J.L.
