A Life Well Lived, A Story Well Told

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Rex Harvey OT, who died on 17 June 2025 at the age of 74 after a short illness.

Rex joined our school community in 1963, first at Bramcote Hall and later moving up to Trent.  He was a proud member of Wortley House and went on to become a House Prefect. His schooldays were shared with close friends Rex Gooding, Jeremy Fowell, and the late Peter Smith. Even in his early years, Rex was known for his quick wit, inventive thinking, and love of all things mechanical.  He was deemed so bright he was moved up two years to be in the same class as his older brother Charles. He may have struggled a bit academically after that leap, and detested all sports, but he more than made up for it with his ingenuity and graft.  He designed a music system that would cut out whenever a teacher opened his door during ‘prep time’.

After leaving school, Rex studied at Birmingham College of Food & Domestic Art before embarking on a successful career in hospitality, taking over the family-run Musters Hotel in West Bridgford, that his father Norman had built. There, he transformed the venue into a thriving hub of entertainment, the large ballroom remained in regular use and, upstairs, The Variety Lounge became increasingly famous, hosting everyone from up-and-coming comedians to established acts like Lenny Henry, Freddie & the Dreamers, The Batchelors, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Bernard Manning.  The musicians were all paid professionals and included such local luminaries as Austin Payne, Bert Hartley, Gordion Verne, Bob Taggart. The vintage era was 1971 when the compere/comedian was Roger L. Idiot. Later the comperes were Peter Lea, Jackie Brown, and Chris Peters.

As cabaret declined in popularity Rex turned the venue into the now-legendary Harvey’s Bar and Discotheque and such was its popularity (with partygoers, not neighbours!) it later moved to a larger site at the Greyhound Stadium at Colwick Racecourse. The Hotel remained on Muster’s Road until it was later sold. Rex’s eye for detail, flair for showmanship, and gift for making guests feel welcome ensured these ventures became part of Nottingham’s social history.

Away from business, Rex was a man of many passions. A lifelong motoring enthusiast, which began with his first car at the age of 16 being a red Reliant Robin three-wheeler.  He went on to collect and cherish numerous cars, often with a dash of ingenuity in their personalisation, and was never shy of an adventurous deal. Rex would participate in Aston Martin Owners Club treasure hunts around the countryside, often getting lost, and coming in towards the end of the pack! He was so devoted to his Lagonda cars that he extended the garage to fit their five-metre length.

It’s not just cars where Rex excelled. He earned his pilot's licence in 1978, and he was incredibly passionate about boats, from holidaying up the Trent to Scunthorpe, departing from the banks of the house on Wiford Lane to spending countless hours in sweltering engine rooms with his father in the South of France.

Those who knew him well will remember his zest for life, love of good food, his skill as a storyteller, and his generosity of spirit, always ready to help friends and family, never losing his good humour.

Rex’s greatest achievement was that he was father to three daughters; He was married to Sally, with whom he shared two daughters, Millie and Laura, and was father to Amanda from his earlier marriage to Jean. Following Sally’s untimely passing, Rex faced the challenges of raising his youngest daughters with unwavering devotion, becoming both mother and father to them. In later years, he found happiness with his partner, Jackie Lymn Rose, with whom he shared a love of fine dining, travel, and the joy of simply being together.

Rex’s kindness, warmth, and irrepressible sense of fun touched the lives of many, both within and beyond our school community. He will be remembered not only for his achievements, but for the laughter he inspired, the friendships he nurtured, and the love he gave so freely to those around him.

Our thoughts are with his family, Amanda, Millie, Laura, and his adored grandchildren Tom, Olive, and Toto, and partner Jackie. Rex’s legacy lives on in the stories, memories, and adventures he shared with all who knew him.