Old Decanian News Summer 2011

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society Newsletter

Website | www.olddecanians.co.uk

Old Decanian News

Featured in this issue :

PAGE 18

OD Year Reps in the making

PAGE 12

Interview with OD Timothy Hawkins

PAGE 23

OD archives: Do you recognise any of these former pupils?

The new cricket pavilionInset: The OD Committee

Summer 2011No 87~

Old Decanian News | Summer 2011No 87~

2~

OD

N

Winter 2010/11

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

Welcome to the Old Decanian Newsletter 2011

This years’ newsletter comes to you with reports and articles of the past year from Easter 2010 up to the end of Lent term.

Lucy SmithOLD DECANIAN ADMINISTRATOR

3~

OD

N

Welcome to our new members and to those who have renewed their contact with the society. For new members the rules of the Society are on the website for those who like to know. Our aims are to keep Old Decanians in touch with each other and the school. It also aims to support the school in its current activities.

The Society currently has a LinkedIn group and a Facebook page which may be launched again with a new name to save confusion with other groups set up by others. If there are any volunteers who can assist with keeping these points of contact available it would be gratefully received. Just contact the OD office on 01242 258048 to discuss the details.

Please let the OD office know if you would like something included each year to allow more time to prepare for Re-unions and Gatherings for ODs. This means if you

have an interesting item you would like to share, it will be incumbent for you to tell the OD Office. We will always try to get to hear about school activities and changes occurring that might affect you. Are you involved in a life-challenging occupation? Have you any helpful suggestions for our younger ODs? Did something amazing happen to you this past year? Did you meet up with an OD from your past? Are you willing to come and speak to our 6th formers about your work and interests?

Finally, we are endeavouring to ask you all to sign a declaration saying that you agree to allow us to hold your name, address and contact details on our database. At present we do not give out people’s personal information without contacting them for permission, but there are times when it would be easier if we knew whether you would be happy for us to give them to

other Old Decanians, if they request them without contacting you first. Please email us to that effect so that we have a record of this. Most people already have the understanding that we have your details, but not that we can pass them on without our contacting you first.

With all good wishes Ian Bassett-Smith OD, Registrar and Lucy Smith, OD Administrator.

Old Decanian Society is 120 Years OldForming an association for former pupils began in 1891, five years after the School’s opening. That summer there was the first cricket match of Past versus Present – the School (the Present) winning – followed by dinner.

What occurred was recounted by R F McNeile; ‘…the Old Boys then present decided to form an association; no rules seem to have been made, except that members should agree to pay an annual subscription of two shillings and sixpence [£6.25]. G B Webb, then a medical student at Guy’s Hospital, was elected secretary…’ The association’s first annual dinner was held that winter at the Holborn Restaurant, London. The first membership list was issued in September

1892 in the Dean Close Memorial School Magazine and contained 38 names.

Over the 120 years there have been 46 Presidents to date. Events and gatherings together with dinners and trips have been held for and with Old Decanians.

There is a chapter dedicated to the Old Decanian Society in At Close Quarters by Charles Whitney. (Details in the Authors and Books section).


OD CriCket Week 2010

Monday – 20/20 challenge: On Monday 12th July, the annual 20/20 challenge went the way of the senior players, although not without quite a struggle. The over 25s batted first, and it was good to see Anthony Thompson back on the cricket pitch, and batting well. He made a fine 39, before falling at the half-way point of the innings. Unfortunately, the innings rather fell away after that, and it took a recovery from John Nicholson, Chris Townsend and John Denley to take the total up to 136.

The under 25s seemed to have this well in range, despite a good spell from Nicholson (taking three wickets) and Tom Churchill also back bowling some excellent left arm spin. A superb innings of 62 from Jono Watkiss was well supported by Jamie Legg, and when Townsend dropped Legg, it seemed like the senior side was on its way to defeat.

However, old heads kept their nerve dismissing Legg (Nicholson) and Watkiss (Townsend), leaving David Masson with 10 to defend from the final over, which he did comfortably. Over 25s won by 6 runs.

George Lane (t 98) Despite some inclement weather, 2010 saw another hugely successful Old Decanian cricket week. As always it brought all generations of cricketers together, and welcomed back some established cricketing talents from the past after lengthy periods away from the game.

Tuesday – KGS / Weds – Gloucester Gypsies: Having yet to win the Tuesday fixture against Kings Gloucester old boys in four attempts, a determined OD side with a blend of youth and experience decided to have a bat.

After one early setback, an excellent stand of over one hundred between Anthony Thompson (53) and Nawaz Mucadam (122) put us firmly in the box seat. Mucadam went on to three figures in stylish fashion, dispatching the KGS attack to all parts of the field. Ben Price (45) continued to build on this positive platform, enabling OD’S to declare on a healthy 260-7 after 47 overs. Dawson struck early in the KGS response, and it was 12 for 1 when rain put an end to proceedings.

In the Gloucester Gypsies fixture the following day the OD side was attempting to retain “The Doctors Trophy” for the fourth consecutive year (in memory of Dr John Andrews, former president of the Gypsies club). Jeremy Winter phoned in from the hockey tour in South Africa for regular updates throughout the day, and issued some strong words to the OD skipper upon hearing that we were 70-5 at lunch! This did the job as captain Bradley Mears (22) steadied the ship, and a classy rear-guard action from James Legg (91) gave the ODs back the initiative.

Ryan Brignull (51) accelerated the run-rate towards the end of the innings, and we declared on 236-8 after 54 overs.

The Gypsies seemed to have a suspiciously long batting line up this year, though Joe Jenkins and Tom Churchill made early inroads, and with 131 required in the final 20 overs and 7 wickets in hand, the game was evenly poised. Frustratingly once again the weather had the final say, and a heavy downpour meant that the match was abandoned.

Thursday – SOA: Those who played golf in the morning would testify that it was a miracle the game at Shipton took place at all in the afternoon, given the ferocity of the showers that peppered the golfers at Lyneham. A bit of sawdust here and there, however, and the game miraculously began just about on time.

SOA batted first and seemed to be heading towards a large total as two out of their top three made half centuries. Indeed, at 130-2 after 20 overs, our prospects were not good. Enter Joe Jenkins, who bowled two excellent spells to finish with 4 for 39 off 10. He was assisted by Will Odell who took 3-28 off 10.4 overs and Jamie Legg who took two

4~

OD

N

To avoid confusion let me start by saying that I am your temporary Chairman, merely keeping the seat warm until Andrew Marquand’s responsibilities at Premier Products allow him to assume full control here.

I should start by expressing the sincerest thanks on behalf of the OD Committee to Nick Akerman who has been your Chairman for nearly ten years. Indeed only increased commitments in his job forced him to stand down last July. Nick has really moved the Society forward, particularly in its increasing involvement with the School and its needs, but also in terms of updating our communications systems, training Secretaries and constantly reviewing what we are doing and what

else we should be doing. His time and effort have been given unstintingly.

Another Committee member who merits special thanks is Ian Bassett-Smith, our long-time Treasurer. Ian has occupied the hot seat in the OD Office for over a year now, and latterly has covered for Mrs Lucy Smith who has had a spell of indifferent health. Ian and Lucy were much involved last Summer with organising the Annual Event of AROPS (Association of Representatives of Old Pupils’ Societies) which

by richard PadfieldChairman’s Report


equally crucial wickets. SOA crumbled to 169 all out and at 120-3 (Paul Marchand 26, Ben Davis 38, Nawaz Macadum 34) the ODs looked comfortable.

A mid-order batting collapse with the exception of Legg (26), which included no fewer than four run outs, meant that 9 was needed off the final over with just one wicket to spare. Sadly we fell 6 runs short in a game that had swung SOA’s way then ours. Nevertheless, given the nature of the weather in the morning, and that this fixture had been rained off for the last two years, it was a relief to have had a game at all; and, as it turned out, such a thrilling one at the end.

Friday – Bourton Vale: A strong Old Decanian side assembled at Bourton, normally a tough place to get a positive result, especially by this stage of the week. Bourton elected to bat first, after a delay for rain, and with the forecast again not positive, it was agreed that we would play a 40 over game, with a single interval. Bourton struggled against the seam attack of Jamie Legg and Dan Jones, who were very well backed up by Ben Davis and Joe Jenkins. Davis took the first three wickets, before George Walker struck in his first over (first over for a year!). Chris Townsend followed up with two wickets, before the batsmen realised that his leg breaks don’t turn, and George Lane and Chris Morgan both applied the pressure with non-bouncing off breaks, caught in the deep.

Sadly, with Bourton struggling on 152 for 8, the rain started, and it did not abate. With Ryan Brignull, Joe Jenkins and Paul Marchand all raring to get at the bowling, this was a shame,

although it did allow us to enjoy fully an excellent lunch.

Saturday – Exeter Casuals: This is a fixture that has been keenly contested since 2003, and upon careful inspection of the score book during the rain interruptions at Bourton, it became apparent that the Decanians lead the way 6-3 overall. With the weather at last set fair for the afternoon, the OD’s began to accumulate steadily in their 40 overs. Nawaz Macudam (39) and Paul Marchand (34*) were the main contributors with the bat, though the Casuals showed more discipline than usual in the field holding on to a string of vital catches. At the half stage honours were even with the score at 184-9.

An excellent opening spell from Michael Dawson (15 for 2 from his 6 overs) was just the ticket for the OD’s, though the Exeter middle order got the bit between their teeth and were clearly not going to lie down easily. A crucial wicket from James Gegg as well as a fine, hostile spell from veteran pace-man Will Kinder proved too much for the visitors, and the Decanians were once again deserved victors by 19 runs.

5~

OD

N

took place at DCS. The sheer volume of organisation meant, unfortunately, that the OD Newsletter did not come out as promptly as we would have wished.

Your Society supports the School itself in various ways: we offer Travel Scholarships, provide a Hardship Fund for the HM to use at his discretion, sponsor a Schola Cantorum each year (A DCPS child who sings in the Tewkesbury Abbey Choir) and various smaller items as need arises. Currently we

have agreed to pay for Sporting Honours Boards to go in the new Sports’ Pavilion, as the old ones were lost in the fire. We also now aim to provide hospitality FREE to members who attend Events.

As well as Events organised for all members there are occasionally smaller targeted reunions. So this Summer we hope to reassemble as many as possible of the 1961 undefeated Cricket XI – plus their coach! The Wednesday of Cricket Week seems an

ideal day. If anyone is in touch with David Young or Robin Scott-Nelson please let us know. Also Mike Harry hopes to reunite the 1961 group of School Prefects. By the time you read this invitations should have gone out to all we are in touch with.

Do please keep sending us your news AND contact details. And keep an eye on events listed on the website. Why not make this the year you make the effort to get (back) in touch with us.

A big thank-you to all captains (Chris townsend, Chris tasker-Grindley, George Lane, Bradley Mears, rob kinder and Will Odell) for raising the sides, to Jack Lawrence for his scoring and fine performances on the field, and also to the school for their excellent catering.

Another superb evening was had by OD cricketers and golfers at the Suffolk Arms on the Wednesday evening – many thanks to tim Lawrence for organising what is always a happy occasion. BBQs took place after the games on the Monday and Saturday, and so our utmost thanks go to Dorothy Odell, Sarah kenyon, Judy Lane and Sue Marchand for providing such wonderful spreads.

And so, despite the weather, this was another entertaining week of competitive cricket, and great to see a return to the action from a number of players after a period in the wilderness.

As always, it would be great to see more ODs available for selection, (particularly those in the 18-25 category!), as well as supporters to enjoy one of the most successful OD traditions. Please get in touch with Jeremy Winter - jeremy.winterdar@ blueyonder.co.uk


6~

OD

N

OD HOCkey 2011

Back row: 1st X1 Richard Baker, Mike Strachan, Tom Pinnegar (Capt.), Simon Slabbert, Tom Scrase, James Astley Front row: Ben Miller, Mike Penny, Will Pearce & Nick Hume.

Back row: James Mears, Tim Postlethwaite, Dave Holdaway, Pete Holdaway, Chris Billington, John Postlethwaite (Capt.) Centre: Adrian Barrett, Chris Hooper, Peter Hicks, Brad Mears, Phil Sidey Front: Jonathan Blair (goalie)

OD 2nd XI The school 2nd XI were tough opponents for the ODs 2nd XI and scored first. The ODs hit back with an equaliser from Peter Hicks and a stream of OD attacks were kept at bay by the school’s fine Russian goalie Vlad Baldin. However the school scored again before half-time to lead 2-1.

The second half was dominated by the school who scored a further 4 goals countered only by a single reply from Pete Holdaway culminating to a final score of 6-2.

OD 1st XIThe school coach Gary Tredgett (OD) and Head of Sport, Rhys Gwilliam agreed that the OD side was the strongest they had seen for this match with many from the National UI8 winning side of 2009 playing.

A very high class and exciting game resulted as the final score of 4-4 suggests .Fine goals from the ODs came from Will Pearce (2), Mike Penny and Tom Scrase. The school star was skipper and Welsh U18 international Liam Brignull, scorer of three goal, the other by Wes Howell.

Good luck to the school at Cannock in the U18 National Finals 2011.

Monday 21 march 2011


7~

OD

N

OD GOLF 2010

The competition was again very well supported with two teams of eight from Monmouth, Christ’s Coll., Brecon, Llandovery and Dean Close, and one team from Ruthin, Rydal and Cheltenham Coll.

The holders Monmouth again put out two strong teams and their A side stormed to another fine victory with a score of 133 points, well clear of Christ’s Coll., Brecon’s A team who were runners up with 124 points from Cheltenham Coll. on count back.

The Dean Close A squad of Huw Davies-Thomas, Alastair Carroll, Nigel Newport-Black, Chris Dyer, John Barker, Rupert Lane, Robert Reed and Chris Renfrew scored a

commendable 121 points but this was only good enough for fifth place. Old Decanian Huw Davies-Thomas picked up the valuable compensation of two free rounds of golf at the course as the prizes for the competitions for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

The ODs experienced B team of David Carpenter, John Hunt, Colin Parry-Williams, Peter Morgan, Robert Farnes, Peter Smallwood, Barry Symonds and Glynn Jones scored 114 points for seventh place.

The day was a great personal success for Robert Reed whose superb organisation of the whole day will have taken up many hours of work over the previous 12 months.

The host school for 2011 is Christ’s College, Brecon and their chosen venue is Royal Porthcawl G.C.

Ods hOsts FOr edWard harris CuP 2010The Manor House Golf & Country Club, Castle Combe was chosen by the OD’s most worthy Hon. Sec. Robert Reed to be the venue for The Welsh Public Schools annual competition for the Edward Harris Cup and a most enjoyable and highly successful day resulted.

By Jeremy Winter

AROPS 2011 Conference

Planning for the event began in 2009 when a party from the Old Decanian Society and the School attended the Conference held that year at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Wakefield, mainly to gain first-hand information on the event.

Over the next months many meetings were organised both with the Old Decanian Society AROPS Committee and members of the School staff to finalise plans for the

2010 Conference. As was the tradition, a pre-conference dinner was arranged for AROPS’ committee members and guests on the evening before the event. This took place at Dean Close House, by kind permission of the Headmaster and proved a very enjoyable occasion especially with a memorable performance given by the Tewkesbury Schola Cantorum.

The day of the Conference duly arrived and the weather was favourable. Some 91 delegates attended representing 70 former pupils’ societies together with members of the Old Decanian Society. The Conference was opened by Bradley

Salisbury, Deputy Headmaster and the Chairman of the Old Decanian Society, Nick Akerman and was followed by a full programme of events and seminars ranging from Communication and Overseas Alumni Activities to the very popular Facebook and Relating to Generation Y. An excellent lunch was provided in the School Dining Hall and the Conference ended around 4.30pm followed by tea and tours of the school.

The day finally came to a close with a well-attended post-conference dinner and an entertaining speech from the guest speaker Stuart Boreham.

Dean Close has been a member of the Association of Representatives of Old Pupils’ Societies (AROPS) for many years and the School was honoured to be invited to host the Annual Conference for 2010.

by ian Bassett-Smith

ODs RETAIN GOLF TROPHY The ODs fielded an experienced side v The School at Cotswold Hills G.C. on Sunday 26th September 2010 in defence of the cup won last year at Gloucester G.C. and after an early setback eased to a victory by 2.5 matches to 1.5 in a most enjoyable contest played in fine dry weather.

Other golf reports can be found at www.olddecanians.co.uk


I should like to add my congratulations to Bernie Ribeiro on his elevation to the peerage: a strong argument in favour of the constitutional status quo. (Rib’s is now formally Baron Ribeiro of Achimota. Ed.)

At the time I last wrote for the OD News I noted that work on the Pavilion was to begin later in the year. The building is now open, in use and proving popular both for supporting sports and as an additional meeting space.

On a similar note, I am very pleased to let you know that we are planning to open a new girls’ day house for September 2011 to give day girls the same choice as day boys now have. I am very pleased that Kate Miller will be the first Housemistress. Next term we will carry out the process of allocation of girls between the houses. Subject to planning permission, the new house will initially be accommodated in structures similar to the new Pre-Prep Library and located in the Quad.

At the end of this year Viv Burroughs retires as Housemistress of Fawley after 14 very successful years. She and Nick will be much missed by the girls. I am delighted that Mrs Julia Abbott has been appointed as the new Housemistress from September 2011. Julia has worked at Dean Close since January 2008, latterly as Senior Mistress in the Preparatory School.

Dr Carolyn Shelley will take on the role of Headmistress of the Pre-Prep School when Sue Bennett retires this Summer. Carolyn was previously Deputy Head at St Andrew’s School, Turi in Kenya. She is presently a Year 3 teacher and Deputy Director of Studies in the Prep School.

Another key recruitment to the staff has been that of the world-renowned Carducci Quartet. They have already performed their first concert at the School and it was a truly memorable event. Other musical highlights have included the Chamber Choir singing evensong at Merton College, Oxford, and the Pittville Concert, which is always a wonderful occasion.

The Chapel Choir, which numbers over 70, launched a CD, ‘O Be Joyful’ just before Christmas and had the honour of being invited to sing in Winchester Cathedral during February.

We enjoyed a number of art displays by our talented current pupils and recently Stephanie Cartwright, OD, exhibited her stunning black and white photographs in the BonBernard Gallery. Six of our September leavers secured places on foundation courses at some of the most acclaimed schools of art. One gained direct entry to the top-ranked Slade School of Art, and another secured one of only a dozen places at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence to study naturalistic drawing.

Drama continues to flourish. The Close Up Theatre Company’s production of The History Boys received excellent reviews

in Edinburgh last summer. Cabaret was moving and spectacular at the end of the Michaelmas term and we are now looking forward the Drama Scholars’ Play, Death of a Salesman.

We continue to enjoy sporting success. We reached four regional finals this year in the Senior School and two West of England championships in DCPS. Hockey is particularly successful with the boys’ being county champions at U18, U16 and U14 levels and girls at U18 and U14 levels. The U18 boys are West of England champions and through to the National Finals. Badminton, basketball and equestrian teams are also doing very well with our polo team winning the Green Division at the Intermediate Polo Tournament recently.

Dates for your DiaryCommem this year will celebrate our 125th year. A good OD presence would be very much appreciated. There are lots of plans to make the afternoon special and we hope that many of you will join us to mark this key milestone at Dean Close.

There will be a Summer Ball at the end of term organised by a committee of Dean Close parents. This will take place on 2 July in the Dining Hall, with drinks from 7.30pm. It is a black tie event and tickets are £65. If you are interested in attending or for more information please email [email protected]

I hope to see many of you in the year ahead.8~

OD

N

The Treasurer’s Report

I am pleased to present the Financial Statement of the Old Decanian Society for the year ending 31st December 2009. This has been another good year for the Society with our combined bank and building society accounts standing at over thirty thousand pounds. We have made investments during the year totalling twelve thousand pounds and purchased a new marquee and camera. The Society continues to support Dean Close School with donations towards their Hardship Fund and the Schola Cantorum Scholarship Fund.

As always, my thanks go to Henry Hodgkins for his valuable help with our investment portfolio.

Presented at the 2010 AGM

by ian Bassett-Smith

Over the past year £1200 was given to Old Decanians to assist them in the costs of their trips. Money is available to ODs for travelling and providing assistance for life-changing experiences.

OD Travel Scholarships

by Jonathan LancashireHeadmaster’s Notes


Bursar’s Notes

I’m pleased to say also that progress in a number of important areas has been rapid and will be evident to the trained OD eye for those who have an opportunity to visit the School. The new Kenyon Sports Pavilion was completed during the summer break to budget, and almost on time, and is already earning it’s keep, with all four changing rooms getting regular use and the ‘clubroom’ proving to be a popular venue for match teas and as a meeting venue. Boards recording past captaincies and sporting achievements will be installed shortly and I’ve no doubt that, despite its more modern appearance, the Pavilion will gradually develop a character all of its own. Over on the northern Astroturf pitch the eight new ‘triffid-like’ floodlights allow the pitch to be

The OD community will be delighted to learn that this has been yet another busy, and I hope quietly effective, year in ‘Bursarland’ – that mythical place where dreams and aspirations meet the real world and where our very own troglodytes labour away throughout the year (holiday periods included) to ensure that Dean Close continues to tick like the well-oiled clock we all know it to be.

used into the early evening during the winter months and seem to have been generally accepted by our near neighbours.

Last summer also saw the completion of a number of major refurbishment works, not the least of which was the first phase of a major project to replace the main Senior School roof, which has definitely seen better days. Phase 2 will be completed this summer along with a number of other similar projects. Subject to Planning Permission being granted we also intend to install a large modular building in the Quad to provide a temporary home for a second girls’ day house that is planned to come into being from the start of the new academic year.

The recent publication of the School’s updated Strategic Plan has provided the trigger for a number of major building projects that are likely to dominate our capital expenditure programme for the next five years. Chief among these will be the construction of a new classroom block, examination space and library in the area currently occupied by the old gymnasium and this is likely to closely followed by a similar project to replace the Prep School’s Langhorne Hall and associated classrooms. Plenty there to keep the troglodytes busy for quite some time!

Finally, I’m pleased to report that the School’s finances remain sound, notwithstanding the continuing economic uncertainties under which we all now live and despite some growing inflationary pressures. Whilst prudence will undoubtedly continue to be our watchword for some considerable time to come, I’m glad to say that the future looks bright and it looks exciting.

by John ewbank

9~

OD

N

Did You Know…?Lt. Colonel SM Cleeve (1894-1993) who left DCS in 1912 was surely one of the most talented all-rounders Dean Close ever produced.

He served in both World Wars, was a top-class musician, a talented water-colourist and a skilled model-maker. An example of the last can be seen in the School’s CDT Department where stands a scale model he built of a steamship (The Iolaire) he also recreated the Viola d’Amore and played it to Concert standard.

I recently read a book called Forgotten Voices in which extracts from the diaries and letters of ‘ordinary men and women’ recount their experiences of the 2 Wars. In Vol 1 the following reminiscence appears written by Monty Cleeve, then a Lieutenant with the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1916.

“We officers were living in a marvellous chateau filled with fine furniture, and I remember my delight at finding a newish violin, which I was able to play. That was a great joy to me because I hadn’t touched a violin for so long. In this chateau we were absolutely in the lap of luxury - and this was only a few hundred yards from the gun position.

But the digging we had to do to get into that gun position was simply gigantic. It was about ten feet deep and forty long, and we had an awful job manoeuvring the gun into it because the caterpillars were useless. They could get them into the right neighbourhood but then we had to manhandle these enormous monsters, which weighed several tons. We had to push them into their positions, we couldn’t pull them.

But when we got them there, they were very well concealed. We camouflaged them by putting wire netting over them threaded with real grass. In fact it was so well concealed that one day a French farmer with his cow walked straight into the net and both fell in.

We had an appalling job getting this beastly cow out of the gun position. The man came out all right, but the cow! In the end the general, who happened to be nearby, joined in and it was one of those delightful moments when you all burst out laughing, it was so comical… a great relief really from the tension we were all suffering from.”

the book is published by the ebury Press and edited by Max Arthur in conjunction with the imperial War Museum. the iSBN is 9780091888879.

Did You Know…?Old Decanians live all over the world: 41 in Australia; 40 in Canada; 22 in China; 27 in France; 29 in Germany; 87 in Hong Kong; 18 in Ireland; 28 in Japan; 17 in Kenya; 18 in Malaysia; 15 in New Zealand; 12 in Russia; 11 in Singapore; 13 in South Africa; 16 in Spain; 13 in UAE; 16 in Uganda and 123 in USA! Of course most live in the UK.


10~

OD

N

DrAMA & tHe eDiNBurGH FeStivAL 2010

The Drama Department has had another storming year, starting with a Sell-Out production of Alan Bennett’s masterpiece The History Boys at the Edinburgh Fringe 2010, when we played to capacity houses, and punters were queuing for returns. It was no coincidence that three members of the cast have gone on to great things: Cameron Chapman was awarded a major scholarship to LAMDA (the oldest drama school in the world); Lachlan Bond was awarded a place at the prestigious Mountview Academy (the acceptance rate for admission to top British drama schools is currently 1 in 7 – so both these talented young men have done impressively well to achieve this); and William Merrick, currently in his UVI year, has starred in the latest E4 series of SKINS, which has a massive following amongst young people, and has caused something of a sensation at School. Most schools would be thrilled to have even one of their number in the National Youth Theatre: over the last two years we have had 7, which has been a source of great excitement. There are currently 4 members of the UVI applying to major drama schools, and it is most encouraging to see them all getting call-backs for RADA, LAMDA, Mountview and Central School of Speech and Drama, amongst others.

The major productions of the year so far have been the School Musical, Cabaret, which played to full houses in The Bacon Theatre for three nights in December 2010, and was much-lauded – especially Tilly Fateh’s Sally Bowles and Wesley Lineham’s Emcee. The Junior Play in the Lent Term was a very large and zany production of Much Ado about Nothing. But the special highlight of the dramatic year was The Drama Scholars’ Play in the Lent Term 2011, Miller’s Death of a Salesman, in which Paddy Fleming (as the salesman) and Serena Jennings (as his wife Linda) gave the single best performances I have ever seen on a school or university stage.

draMa at dCs: trinitY terM 2010 tO Lent 2011

by Lloyd Allington, Director of Drama

Death of a Salesman – Alex riley as Biff Loman and Patrick Fleming as Willy Loman

Cast of Much Ado About Nothing

Picasso’s Women – Serena Jennings as Dora


Cabaret – Alex Carden plays Clifford Bradshaw

Miss Julie – Beatrice Lawrence as Julie Cabaret – Christina ryan, Wesley Lineham as emcee and Lucy McClaran 11~

OD

N

Other productions during the school year were Miss Julie by Strindberg and Picasso’s Women by Brian McAvera, both in the Drama Studio, as well as a smashing Evening With Noel Coward as a House Play. The Drama Studio also saw excerpts from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And other plays as part of the AS Practical exams. The UVI scored high marks with their home-written and hard-hitting piece 8:48.

Close Up Theatre will again be visiting the Edinburgh Fringe (August 22-27, 2011), reprising Salesman at Greenside (Venue 231); we are always delighted to see how many ODs come and support – indeed, there were a significant number of ODs performing at the Fringe in their own right in the last two or three years, which is direct result of Close Up’s involvement over the last 8 years. Any ODs are always welcome to come and support any productions at School or in Edinburgh – but please book the Fringe tickets well in advance this year, since we are expecting to sell out quickly. The Director of Drama, Lloyd Allington, will be very glad to have enquiries – email him on [email protected]. Please see the school website for any details re productions.

draMa at dCs: trinitY terM 2010 tO Lent 2011


What are your memories of Dean Close School?Before I started at Dean Close I learned that it was a good school and that it was quite a privilege to get a place. Even though there were some kind and understanding staff, I have to say that I really missed living at home and felt like a fish out of water away from my parents and siblings and my native Hereford. It took me quite a while to get used to this new ‘family’!

Being mildly dyslexic at a time when the condition was not widely recognized (and hadn’t been in my case) obviously made parts of my schooling pretty difficult for me.

The almost unlimited access granted to the Art rooms though by the teachers gave me the opportunity to explore the creative world and to work in a way that came more naturally to me ~ something for which I’m very grateful!

My late maternal grandfather and his father were acclaimed ecclesiastical woodcarvers, together creating magnificent reredoses for both Canterbury and St. Chad’s Cathedrals amongst other commissions both here and abroad.

Not surprisingly then, I grew up being fascinated by great craftsmanship and interesting pieces of woodwork.

What did you do after leaving Dean Close School?After leaving the sixth-form I went to Art School in Hereford and also at that time began making pieces of furniture at home. When I left Art School I applied for a vocational course in Shrewsbury, but was advised to gain some workshop experience for a year before re-applying. As it quickly became apparent that there were no furniture makers or other woodworkers

Interview from OD timothy Hawkins

OD 73-76

12~

OD

N


in the area with whom I could seek a placement, I then approached a local furniture retailer who agreed to sell pieces that I made.

A year later the College got in touch with me to re-offer a place, but by then I was too busy making and had already decided to try to grow a small company of my own. With the help and support of my parents I carried on making furniture, selling locally and taking commissions for bespoke pieces. It wasn’t long though before I stopped supplying furniture to retailers and started selling work directly, first from my workshop and then from my showroom in Bartestree.

How did your career develop?I married when I was in my early twenties and helping to bring up my two sons kept me busy outside work, as did my drumming with a band, which I still do and from which I still get a real buzz!

After starting my business I was soon able to take on an apprentice, then another and over the thirty years that I’ve been making I’ve had various good craftsmen working for me.

One of the two who are employed by me now has been with me for twenty years, the other for nine and when the current economic climate improves I’ll accept a placement student again from the furniture course at the college ~ or someone who’s already had relevant experience in the workplace.

It’s a risky, costly and time-consuming thing though to take on new craftspeople, particularly those fresh from college ~ it takes about three years to train someone into the ways in which we do things in my workshop.

Nowadays it’s common for youngsters to want to take a break and travel the world for a while and my last apprentice decided after a year to do just that, so it makes one a little wary! I feel so lucky though to do the work that I do ~ it’s very demanding in all sorts of ways, not least physically and certainly isn’t an easy way to earn a living.

Job satisfaction though is a precious thing and I feel privileged to be able to design and make pieces which the V&A were kind enough to tell me (last year) should be signed by me! They are though effectively, as each piece bears my ‘makers mark’ carved acorn.

I’ve been fortunate too in being nominated for the Turner Prize a few years or so ago, voted a Silver ‘Craft & Design Selected’ award in 2009 for my work and in being a member of the DMOU and the FDMA amongst other organizations. My work is also rewarding in its diversity ~ I have made pieces in the past for Hereford Cathedral and for numerous churches, yet have today delivered two vanloads of themed

boardroom furniture which I designed for a brewery.

I’ve tackled all sorts of projects over the years and of course the

more extraordinary ones stick in ones mind, but it’s just as satisfying to make a simple piece for someone who’s going to enjoy it!

Any news of Old Decanians?WelI ~ it’s great to be back in touch with Dean Close, I made some good friends during my time there and I often wonder what they are doing now.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Julian Davies for example, then I’d be very glad if they’d let me know and of course there are other old friends whom I’d be pleased to see again! I wish that I’d been able to keep in touch with them, but I’m sure that I’m not alone in meaning to do this and that, but finding sometimes that Life sweeps us along at such a rate that good intentions are not always acted on.

I hope that some of those reading this will look in if they’re visiting or passing through the lovely part of Herefordshire where I’m lucky enough to be based, the showroom’s open most days and you’ll always get a warm welcome. If I’m not too far up to my eyes in sawdust, I can sometimes step away from my nearby workshop for a few minutes and would be pleased to say hello to you!

13~

OD

N


14~

OD

N

Peter Knight (C 57) has recently published book, Travels With a Briefcase. It is a light-hearted account of his globe-trotting experiences whilst travelling for his career, evoking rich memories of far-flung places. He recounts his experiences in his new book Travels with a Briefcase, subtitled Odd fragments of a working life. But this is not a travel book in the conventional sense, nor is it an account of a working life. The author says that the book was originally conceived as the story of his working life abroad, minus the work.

The places Peter Knight writes about are a far cry from the leafy streets of Clifton, Bristol, where he was born.

He was educated at primary school in the village of Warmley and later at DCS in Cheltenham. He now lives in a small medieval town in central France. He has also written Not Half a Life, which tells the story of his early years - childhood, school and army - up to the age of twenty-one. Travels with a Briefcase is published by SilverWood Books of Bristol at £8.99.

Bernard Ribeiro (T 62) LONDON GAZETTE reported on 23 DECEMBER 2010 “The QUEEN has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated in the afternoon of 20 December 2010 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Sir Bernard Francisco Ribeiro, Knight, CBE, by the name, style and title of Baron Ribeiro, of Achimota in the Republic of Ghana and of Ovington in the County of Hampshire.”

Ivan Pawson (G 64) wrote to tell us that he is happily retired from careers in academia and biotechnology! He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He also remarks that his hobbies includes travelling to remote parts of the globe; food & wine and pursuing interests in early music that started with music lessons from David Lepine, formerly organist at DCS and later at Coventry Cathedral.

Nicholas Morison (C 70) says “Hello, just a quick note to say I am still alive and kicking. Working 34 weeks sailing 18 weeks yearly. Our yacht a Prout 38 from 1998, Knot in Vein is now in Culebra on way to St Thomas and then Virgin Gorda. Regards, Nich & Wendy. PS How do I blog ODs from 1965 to 1970? Any answers?” (emailed to OD office 24th Feb. 2011)

Richard Hardy (T 71) Richard became the High Sheriff of Warwickshire this past year.

Hugh Quarshie (B 71) featured in ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ on BBC2 on Friday 10th September 2010. Did you know that there is a club in the school named after him; The Quarshie Club?

David Lawson (B 76) writes to say that “he is happily settled in Bishop’s Stortford after nine months back in Cheltenham. Loving a career change having left the Army after 33 years and now working full time for a global Company based in London. I get married to Gill on 30th April and will drink a toast to the new cricket pavilion at the wedding reception.”

1950s

1960s

1970s

news from the decades


15~

OD

N

Dorothy Speed (M 80) Congratulations to Dorothy on receiving the Grooming Award 2011 for the Best Moisturiser for Clarins.

Andrew Moore (C 81) wrote to say “I was just thinking of my year at Dean Close today and wondered how my classmates we’re doing. I still keep in touch with Roland Hover, but no one else. I’m married with three children and live on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts where I work as an artist selling paintings through my own gallery. www.agmoore.com I have fond memories of the school in general and watercolouring trips with Mr. Carnill especially. I would love to hear from anyone from the Class of 1981. All the Best,” Andrew Moore. (Please contact the ODS office for details [email protected])

Samantha Pyle (nee Rumble)(M 83) would love to get in touch with people from the same year. Contact the ODS office for details [email protected]

Graham Orme (T 83) Recently married and now has 2 year old boy and 4 month old little girl so very little time to do anything! Returned to UK in 2000 and now with working as a Global Supply

Chain Manager. Graham is Chairman of Southdown Sports Club, Lewes, home to the Tennis, Squash and Hockey clubs. Keen tennis player and golfer when allowed!

Ben Langmaid – (T 83) won a Grammy at this year’s 53rd Annual Grammy Award ceremony in Los Angeles for Best Electronic/Dance Album. On 13th February 2011, ‘off stage’ second half of London-based synth pop duo La Roux, Ben Langmaid (Tower 1983) won a Grammy at this year’s 53rd Annual Grammy Award ceremony in Los Angeles for Best Electronic/Dance Album.

La Roux comprises singer/songwriter Elly Jackson and keyboardist/producer Ben Langmaid. Jackson is the daughter of actress Trudie Goodwin and is also responsible for the group’s namesake — a moniker she reportedly found in a book of baby names. After collaborating in 2006, the duo formed a project titled Automan, writing mostly acoustic music before transitioning into the David Bowie- and Prince-inspired sounds of La Roux. They released their debut single “Quicksand” in 2008 and toured in support of GRAMMY-nominated artist Lily Allen the following year. “In For The Kill,” the duo’s first single of their 2009 self-titled debut, also earned the duo a Best Dance Recording nomination. Their second single

“Bulletproof” topped the UK singles chart in 2009 and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010.

Ben, a London-based producer and composer, does not participate in the music videos or live performances with the band. He has been involved with various other music projects in the past. He has a close association with Rollo Armstrong of Faithless and later collaborated as Huff & Puff in the mid 1990s, releasing the house single “Help Me Make It” in 1996. Ben also recorded as Atomic before contributing as a songwriter to indie rock band Kubb’s debut album Mother, released in 2005. This project was again linked to Rollo Armstrong; Kubb’s frontman Harry Collier was introduced to Langmaid after Collier sang “Happy Birthday to You” to Armstrong whilst working as a waiter in a North London organic café.

Simon Organ (F 89) has made a very successful career as a professional hockey coach. Since leaving the UK he became the Assistant Coach to South Africa Men, also Head Coach at the University of Stellenbosch (winning 3 National Championships in his 4 years there). He then had a successful 2 year stint as a player and coach in the Dutch Hoofdklasse with Klein Zwitserland HC. He is now living with his new wife and daughter in Antwerp where he is Head Coach to Braxgata Hockey Club as well as Head Coach to Belgium U18 Hockey Team.

Sarah Meyrick (M 83) had an unforgettable experience in the Holy Land, hosted by Palestinian Christians. She wrote an article in the Church Times 21 January 2011 of her travels.

1980s

decades


16~

OD

N

Joanna Hart (nee Edmonds) (Fa 92) wrote to update us on her news last year and says “ it seems a long time since the last OD event I attended, in fact I think it was before James was born (coming up for 4 years ago!). Where has the time gone? We also have had a daughter in that time, Lottie (almost 2.5yrs old). I am still a full time mum, but desperate to return to some form of work, although I am after that perfect job that combines work with looking after the children.

In the meantime, we are on the move, out of London, but not all the way back to Cheltenham unfortunately as my husband, Chris, needs to be able to commute into London. So we are heading near to Wallingford, just in time for Christmas. All is rather busy, but I am keen to get all the change of addresses organised before we move. All very exciting, it will be great for the kids to have a garden and the village seems very active. We will also be a lot closer to family which will be a big help.”

Caroline Chick (Fa 94) got married in Australia and the office was delighted to assist in providing a recording of the Choir when she was in the prep school. Nothing like a bit of English Choral music!!!

Mpumelelo “Pommie” Mbangwa (B 95) Decanians of the mid 90s have enjoyed the comments and commentaries throughout Sky Sports’ coverage of cricket’s World Cup in India, of “Pommie” Mbangwa, who was brought from Zimbabwe by Chris Kenyon to Dean Close for two years in the sixth form, following the school’s cricket tour in that country in 1994, where Pommie was captain of the Milton College, Bulawayo side. (Thanks to Jeremy Winter for this news).

Lucy Gooderham (nee Tootell) (Fa 95) writes to say that she was in Hardy House in DCJS from 1988-90 and then Fawley from 1990-1995. She is married to Alastair, and they have 3 boys, Joel(8), Caleb(6), and Malachi(2) and live in Doncaster. Al is the Pastor of South Doncaster Community Church and having been a primary school teacher before having Joel, she is now a very fortunate stay at home mum. Find us at: www.graceinthecommunity.org

Sam Gilbert (D 97) has had a volume of verse published entitled Prospero’s Trilby. Its ISBN number is 978-0-9567053-1-0. Copies cost £9.99 each , plus postage.

Richard (F96) & David (F 98) Cooper Richard and David Cooper are doing an interesting variation on the Land’s End-John O’Groats theme: having cycled the leg north, they are running (at the rate of a marathon and a half a day!!) the return leg, completing the 1750 mile journey in exactly 30 days, in aid of Starlight, a wish-granting charity for seriously and terminally ill children.

Both boys were in Field in the ‘90s. Richard is now a Chief Inspector with the local Constabulary having got a first in English at Durham. David studied Sports Science and is now a paramedic in

Cheltenham. They set out at the end of April, after sister, Victoria’s wedding. Victoria was in Mead.

Tom Johnson, (T 2000) Exeter Chiefs RFC Photo taken after Premier League match, Gloucester v Exeter, Sat 9 Jan 2011.

1990s

2000s


17~

OD

N

Claire Mans (S 2002) In August 2010, a group of 8 amateur swimmers including OD Claire Mans, Joanna Crisp, Sarah Downes and Louise Hewlett, swam for ‘Swim for Heroes’ by swimming a non-stop relay along the length of the non-tidal Thames. The challenge was started in Kemble, situated in the Cotswold Hills and, whilst it is not possible to swim the first few kilometres, the challenge began on foot at the source of the Thames. The swimmers then took it in turns to swim for an hour at a time, day and night, until they reached the finish line over 200 kms away at Teddington Lock. This challenge was done to raise money for Help for Heroes.

To support the girls and their fellow swimmers please visit www.swimforheroes.co.uk where there is a link to their donation page. It would be great if we could do something with Dean Close OD society to help promote our challenge and the charity. Many thanks for your time. Kind regards Claire.

Sarah Turner (nee Cottle) (M 2002) writes to say “I married in September 2010 to Andy, who I met at university. We got married in Oxford, and had the reception at my college, St Hilda’s. Our witnesses were his brother and my brother, who was in the year below me at DCS. We were punted with one of my bridesmaids to St Hilda’s on the river.”

Susanna Bidgood (Fa 2004) In November 2010 an Old Decanian, Susanna Bidgood’s research was reported in the national press and on the radio. Our congratulations go to her on this notable achievement in Medical Research. She says “‘Cambridge Scientists may have found cure for common cold’ is actually based on the work I’ve been doing with two colleagues during the first year of my PhD here at the Medical research council laboratory of molecular biology in Cambridge. The actual academic paper was published online in PNAS.” News was all over the press and Susanna is the joint first author.

Roisin Rowley-Brooke (S 2004) (pictured left) was appointed conductor of the Chapel Choir in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) for the 2009/2010 academic year. Ms Rowley-Brooke, who began her studies in TCD for a Ph.D. in engineering, has been a member of the Chapel Choir and a Choral Scholar for the past few years. She is also a former conductor of the Trinity College Singers.

Tim Holtom (F 2004) Congratulations to Tim on gaining at first class degree from Brunel University in 2009.

Ashok Gupta (D 2006) was on the early evening R3 programme, InTune on Wednesday 2 March 2011. He was accompanying singers from Guildhall Opera in an extract from Dialogues des Carmelites by Poulenc and he was also interviewed by Petroc Trelawny. Always good to hear how well Dean Close scholars are doing!

Miles Beardsley (F 2008) has taken up a place at UCL and LSE, and he was awarded a bursary to help with his further studies. Well done to him for all his hard work and effort. Well deserved!.

Nazirul Syarqawi Haji Jaini (G 2010)Thanks to Naz for keeping in touch. He is studying Medicine at Newcastle University

Sulaiman Sufardi (T 2010) Five excellent students received the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation’s Sultan’s Scholar scholarship award for further studies abroad in 2010. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to present the scholarship award on 20th September at Istana Nurul Iman.

The third award was given to Awang Muhammad Sulaiman bin Haji Sufardi, a student who received the Special Scheme of the Human Resource Fund Scholarship. Since the presentation of the Sultan Scholar Scholarships in 2006, nineteen students have received the award. The ‘Sultan’s Scholar’ Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship. It is awarded with the aim to produce knowledgeable, skilled, disciplined and well-mannered individuals for the long-term benefits of Religion, Monarch and Nation. The scholarship was awarded to students who have been identified by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs as having shown excellence in academic and extra curricular activities to further their studies to a higher level at the prestigious institutions abroad. Congratulations to Sulaiman on this achievement.


younger generation Engaging with the

18~

OD

N

On Thursday 25th November 2010 The Old Decanian Society hosted a Wine and Cheese reception in the new Pavilion to which we invited the Head of School - Rebecca Coombs, the Deputy Heads of School - William McAleer and Eleanor Riding and the 15 School Prefects.

History was made on two counts, as this was the first occasion the new Pavilion had been used for a social evening event, but rather more interestingly we believe it was the first time the Old Decanian Society had ever hosted an Informal Introduction and ‘get to know you’ evening with Scholars.

Some time ago I learnt that on average up to 20 years pass before many Old Decanians revisit Dean Close following university, foreign travel, a career and bringing up a family. With this in mind I felt this trend should be addressed and

understanding that our current Scholars are of course our future Old Decanians I recognised our need to engage with ‘generation Y’ so as to encourage them to become involved with the Old Decanian Society whilst at School and to perpetuate this after leaving Dean Close.

What better way of introducing the Old Decanian Society to the senior Scholars than over a glass of wine? Hence on November 25th we gave a presentation encompassing a potted history of both Dean Close and the Old Decanian Society, how things stand at present and how we ideally wish to shape the future of the Society engaging with the Scholars. The Old Decanian Society had to understandably re-word its stated aim some years ago, as “to promote friendly intercourse between members” was deemed inappropriate, so in our days of mixed membership we settled for “supporting the school” and “enabling members to meet socially”. The evening was enthusiastically received by the Scholars, with the decision made that they wished to further the contact between the Old Decanian Society and the 6th Form.

Last term at a Thursday morning Prefects meeting we met again and paved the way forward as follows:

Our aim is to appoint nine volunteer Old Decanian Representatives from the 6th Form, one from each School House, who would become involved in the Society by attending

meetings and events, but, in addition we are keen for the nine to arrange one event each term which they feel would appeal to the younger generation to which they would be able to invite Scholars, Old Decanians and Staff. At the end of each School year we will look to appoint one of the nine to be the ‘Year Representative’ who will continue to be the focal contact point for their year after leaving School.

I am pleased to report that arrangement are progressing well, as Rebecca Coombs has informed me that seven of the nine 6th Form Old Decanian Representatives have already been selected.

During the summer term it is planned for a further presentation to be made to the 6th Form Assembly, to brief them of this new arrangement.

In addition an ‘action meeting’ with the nine appointed Old Decanian Representatives will take place, the result of which will be details of the first ‘generation Y’ event being announced, which again will be recorded as history being made.

With the above new arrangement in place, I feel that a further step in the right direction will have been achieved with the Society having a broader age spectrum within its active membership.

by Andrew Marquand

History made with Wine and Cheese!


19~

OD

N

Reunions – Formal and Informal

The Headmaster hosted a supper at Browns for Decanians studying in Oxford. While this was the first such occasion, the Headmaster hopes that it might be repeated in other university cities to enable him to keep in touch with Decanians at university.

Hatty Pocock (Fawley 2010), Rhiannon Jones (Fawley 2010), Alex Harrison (Field 2007), Henry Harding (Tower 2007) and James Trickey (Field 2010) had accepted the invitation to join the Headmaster, Jacquie Davis, Viv Burroughs and Richard Taylor for a delightful evening of good food and good company. All are thoroughly enjoying their courses and being in Oxford. Henry was on fine form and James Trickey, a choral scholar at Christ Church, had sung his first solo in the Cathedral earlier in the evening. Alex Harrison, in his final year, has a job lined up in finance, Rhiannon is in her element in A&E (just like Fawley on a Saturday night?), and all the tales about Hatty’s fashion trends were clearly way wide of the mark! After supper, the party retired to the Eagle and Child for a drink in the room in which the Inklings used to meet. The ghosts of Oxford past…

On a lovely spring weekend in March, Cheltenham was the venue for a 1980’s OD weekend and some 50 Old Decanians from 1983-1987 met for a fabulous reunion with much merriment, laughter, reminiscing and the odd glass of wine and beer!

Some travelled from as far as Ghana, The Bahamas, Italy and the Channel Islands to join the event and meet some old school mates they hadn’t seen in over 25 years. The weekend started on the Saturday with a guided tour of the School with around 20 OD’s calling in on Margaret in the Dining Halls for tea and cakes. In the evening the top floor of Zizzis Restaurant in Suffolk Parade was taken over for drinks and a meal.

The picture says it all as to what a wonderful event it was and one that should not have taken 25 years to arrange and goes to show just how important friends are and what being an OD really means to people. This may now become an annual event and one we hope will grow in numbers each year. Here’s to the next one!

OD Luncheon at Sydney Arms, Sydney Street, Chelsea, London on 19th November 2010: Paul Tipper organised this event. Those who managed to attend were Paul Tipper, Martin Ellis-Jones, John Harding, Alan Bailey, Simon Bailey, Martin Lamb, Ross Cole, Tim Kidd, John Eaden, Jeremy Winter, Peter Tipper and Quentin Seymour-Smith. The gathering enjoyed a good menu of dishes for all tastes.

A Reunion of Two Friends, Jeremy Seavers (T 55) and Charles Letchworth (T 53) from DCS days and both Tower House, met recently, they had not seen each other for 44 years! Both were in the 1st XV in 1953 as wing forwards. Charles left DCS early at the end of 1953 and went to the US where he finished his secondary education at an American High School. Jeremy remained until 1955, and was a very successful captain of the 1st XV in 1954.

Charles returned to England in 1955 and both Jeremy and Charles were called up for National Service. Jeremy went to the Royal Air Force and spent many years as a Tactical Fighter and Air Defence pilot on a range of aircraft including Hunters, Lightning’s, and Jaguars. He also flew with the Blue Diamonds, the forerunners of the Red Arrows. Charles joined the Army, attended the Royal Military Academy and was commissioned in to the Royal Artillery. They had a chance meeting in Aden in 1965; Charles was on a six month emergency tour and Jeremy was passing through with his Squadron on his way to the Gulf. They met one Sunday afternoon at the Services Beach Club; Charles had been taken there from Little Aden by Russell Wright (1951), also a Gunner, but doing a full tour in Aden, as a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps. Charles was a forward air controller and arranged to do his continuation training when he returned to the UK at the Air Force Station where Jeremy was based. During this training Charles controlled Jeremy, who was piloting a Hunter, on to a target. This was in 1966 and the two had not met since then.

Jeremy retired as a Wing Commander in 1978 and then spent 8 years with the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force. He then retired to Cyprus, where he still lives, Charles retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1986 and then spent 12 years as a Queen’s Messenger.

The meeting took place at Charles’ home in Lymington, during a visit to the UK by Jeremy. Jeremy’s son Neill (1972) was also at DCS. Many thanks to Charles Letchworth for this news.

1980’s OD reunion in Cheltenham

Oxford Supper, Thursday 25 November

1980’s OD Reunion in Cheltenham

by richard taylor by robin Bayliss


20~

OD

N

Obituaries

WER Cook (G 45) on 31st December 2010, aged 77. Bob followed his brother Richard to DCJS in 1945 and into Gate one year later. Academically strong he moved through the school in the A stream eventually finishing in the Science Sixth. He was a School Prefect and won his colours for cricket in 1951; he was also a gymnast and a good hockey player, a sport which he kept going for many years.

He then studied at the Royal Veterinary College in Camden Town, being contemporary there with GR Robbins and D Renfrew. Living at Broadway he worked for the Veterinary Practice, formerly A Renfrew and Sons, where he eventually became a Senior Partner.For more than 40 years he was a regular visitor at farms across the Cotswolds, where he treated anything from horses and cows to dogs, cats and rabbits. He retired officially in 1999, but continued to work on a part-time basis and as an honorary vet at Cheltenham racecourse.

William Guest (W 31) on September 9th 2010, aged 92. Bill Guest worked in the Bank of England. His lengthy War Service, where he rose to Captain in the RASC, took him to France, Belgium, Madagascar, East Africa and India.

Brian King (C 47) on August 30th 2010, aged 77. Brian came as a Scholar and rose to be a School Prefect. He joined the RAF for National Service, trained as a Navigator and changed to Regular Service. His first posting was to a Sunderland Unit at Wig Bay adjacent to West Freugh (Stranraer). His flying career was mostly in Canberras and helicopters in Europe (he was actually involved in the planning of the RAF’s Coronation Review at Odiham in 1953), the Middle East (he was at Suez) and the Far East (including the Borneo confrontation).

During his career he served on 97, 115, 9, 78, 81 and finally 72 Squadron on Wessexes at Odiham from where he retired in 1970. He joined the RAF Association early in his career and became a RAFA Liaison Officer on several Stations.

The Society sends its sincere condolences to the families of all Old Decanians who have died. Those we know about are listed below. Our thanks to family members for supplying the information for these obituaries.

After retiring he joined the Civil Aviation Authority in the Flight Safety Directorate. He was involved in the planning and development of the new Hong Kong International Airport and similarly of Mount Pleasant Airfield in The Falklands after the War there.

He was a great traveller and his many interests included hockey, cricket, bridge, jazz and steam railways.

Geoffrey Morgan (T 51) in November 2010. The younger of two brothers in Tower Brian was a good sportsman, especially in Rugby and Shooting; he was also a House Prefect. Initially he went into Law, taking Articles at the Law Society Law School from 1956-61. He then spent nearly 20 years as a Solicitor in the City and was President, at one time, of the Young Lawyers’ Association.

A drastic change of career took him into the Entertainment World, where he became a Director of various companies, including MD at Capital Radio. He worked at London Films and Panter Friedman Productions. Whilst at Capital Radio he had a close involvement with the Duke of York’s Theatre and the Wren Orchestra.

He continued with some private legal work and Consultancy. He bought a house in Uzes, France in the late 1980s and moved there permanently in the early 90s while keeping a base in London.

HAD Oliver QC (W 36) on January 14th 2011, aged 89. Despite his brief 2 year stay at DCS Bert Oliver remained in touch, both with the School and a few OD friends throughout his life.

From School he went straight into the Royal Norfolk Regiment for 7 years service. His achievements are too numerous to list in full here, but can be summarised thus: After the War he studied at Lincoln’s Inn and was called to the Bar in 1952. In 1954 he emigrated to Vancouver where he became a most distinguished member of the legal profession for many years. He rose to County Court Judge in Vancouver in 1988

and in 1990 Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

He was a dedicated family man as well as serving in numerous roles as lecturer, chairman of Commissions, editor of Legal Journals, not to mention being a Member, Fellow or Honorary Fellow of many Societies and Associations.

(A copy of a comprehensive obituary may be obtained from the OD Office if anyone so wishes).

Richard Oversby (F 71) in October 2010, aged 52. Richard spent a good few years at DCS having come through the Prep School and experienced Yearlings before joining Field in 1971.

Despite not having the physique to make teams Richard was a keen sportsman, particularly in hockey.

He spent his working life in Gloucestershire running his own Accounting and Business Services practice. He died peacefully in his sleep while staying with his brother in the South of France. Thanks to Neil Mitchell-Clarke (F 73) for this information. Neil adds “Sadly his death served to bring some Field ODs back together: Paul Hoskin, Jon Godfrey, Nick Allen, Howard Bailey, Graham Woodward, Peter Cole, Martin Green.”

Richard is survived by his two children, Olivia (from his first marriage to Lisa Moore (M 75)) and Hugo. Lisa lives in Cheltenham, while Neil is in Queensland, but, he assured me, he escaped both the floods and the cyclone.

John Stanier (G 29) on 30th January 2010, aged 93. John Basil Stanier, CVO, TD, DL, FRICS, NDA, was born in 1916 at the Duchy of Cornwall Liskeard Office. His father, Thomas Stanier, was an Assistant Land Steward at Liskeard in 1907 and was responsible for erecting the Home Farm buildings at Stoke Climsland in 1912, the architect being Sir Albert Richardson who also designed the


21~

OD

N

Duchy Office building in Liskeard. He became Land Steward in 1927.

Jock was educated at Highwood House School, Liskeard Grammar School, Dean Close School, Cheltenham (where he played hockey) and Seale Hayne Agricultural College, Newton Abbot.

In 1933 he was a pupil under David Annand, the Manager of the Duchy Home Farm. He was involved in his first Royal Tour when King George VI came to Cornwall in November 1937 and he was made Assistant Land Steward at Liskeard from 1938. He gained an NDA (National Diploma in Agriculture) in 1938 and the FRICS (Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) in 1952.

In 1935 he was commissioned into the DCLI 4th/5th Battalion TA, in the 5th Battalion based in England from 1939 to 1941, and from 1942 to 1945 he was a Staff Officer in the East Africa Command, based in Nairobi, Kenya.

After the war Jock rejoined the Duchy of Cornwall as Assistant Land Steward. He married Margy Harland of Welwyn Garden City in 1946, and they had two sons, John and Peter.

Jock was appointed Land Steward in 1950 on the retirement of his father after 43 years’ service. During his career the late King George VI presided over the biannual meetings of the Duchy Council until 1953, when the Queen took over this duty, until 1969 when Prince Charles came of age and took over himself.

During Jock’s stewardship there were some notable Royal Tours to organise: a day with the King and Queen and Princess Margaret in 1950, and with the Queen and Prince Philip in 1956 and 1962.

During the post-war years he took an active part in the Devon and Cornwall branches of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Land Agents’ Society, (subsequently amalgamated) together

with the Chartered Auctioneers Society under the name of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Jock’s outside activities include being a life member of the Royal British Legion and a Vice President of the Cornish Branch of the British Legion; until 1993 he was a Vice President of the Cornwall CPRE; he was on the National Trust Regional Committee for Devon and Cornwall from 1965 for 17 years; and on the Glebe Committee for the Truro Diocese for six years; and also St Johns Council for six years; he was Chairman of the Liskeard and District Agricultural Show for 25 years, and on the Council of the Royal Cornwall Show; he was a founder member of the Surf Life saving Advisory Committee in 1958 and involved for 15 years.

In 1969 he was made a Deputy Lieutenant and appointed MVO in 1960 and CVO upon his retirement from the Duchy of Cornwall in 1976. In 1994 Prince Charles opened the second hostel at the Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, which was named Stanier House in recognition of the service of Jock Stanier and his father to the Duchy – between them, 81 years.

His hobbies included golf from 1937 to 1946, taking it up again in 1978 until 2003. He went game shooting for 15 to 20 years after the war.

Sailing was a great passion from 1947 to 1977, keeping a boat at Looe and then Fowey. From 1979 he practised water colour painting and was a member of the East Cornwall Society of Artists; he stopped painting in 2002.

He and his wife Margy visited New Zealand 11 times since 1977, where his son John lives.

He leaves his widow Margy, two sons, John and Peter and grandchildren Thomas and Beth.

(It is to Peter that I am indebted for most of this information – Ed).

John Underwood (B 45) on 20th July 2010 aged 76. Entirely appropriately for a Brook House boy John Underwood gained school colours for Gym and hockey. After leaving he entered the family textile business, Synthetic Yarn Company. In 1974 he joined JT Thorpe & Son Ltd as Sales Manger.

Robin Troughton (B 70) on 22nd April 2011 aged 58. Died suddenly and unexpectedly. From school Robin went to Reading University and then spent most of his life farming near Bushley in Worcestershire.

Former Staff:Rosemary Langhorne on 28th October 2010. Anthea Hodgetts writes: “Our mother was one of that dying generation of prep school headmaster’s wives. She was in overall charge of catering, matroning and general management of all things non-academic, always readily stepping in to help out whenever there was an emergency, whether it be in the kitchen, the dining-room or the sick room. Combined with all these duties she managed to look after us four children with much loving care.

When we first arrived at DCJS my father was charged with turning the school into an independent prep school rather than being just a feeder school for Dean Close. Initially this involved a great deal of re-organization between the three houses – Caldecote, Fortfield and Rickerby – and I well remember my mother helping to move beds and other heavy items around, none of which did her back any good at all!

She presented a mother figure for the boys which probably tempered the rather more severe aspect of the headmaster, and I am sure many of them will remember her with affection. Above all she had an innate charm and was always cheerful whatever the circumstances.

(We send our condolences to Anthea, Richard, Penelope and Judith. Ed.).


22~

OD

N

OD Authors & CDs

Absorb yourself in 19 rich chapters, interspersed with nearly 300 photographs, tracing the history of Dean Close School from the laying of the cornerstone (foundation) on 11th November 1884 through to the present day.

Available from:- The School Shop, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 3NY. Tel: 01242 258016Cost: £27 Hardback p&p £5 £19 Paperback p&p £5

Forgotten Voices (see article about Lt Col Montague Cleeve OD) is published by the Ebury Press and edited by Max Arthur in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum. The ISBN is 9780091888879.

Prospero’s Trilby. A book in which a volume of verse by Sam Gilbert (D 97) has been published. Its ISBN number is 978-0-9567053-1-0. Copies cost £9.99 each , plus postage.

Travels with a Briefcase by Peter Knight (C 57) is published by SilverWood Books of Bristol at £8.99.

AT CLOSE QUARTERS - Dean Close School 1884-2009

by Charles Whitney, School Archivist

Still available…

Also…

O Be Joyful – Music by Elgar, Howells, Walton and Britten.

Cost £15 each. Available from the Music Department, Dean Close School, Shelburne road, Cheltenham, GL51 3Ny. Please make cheques payable to Dean Close School.

new album from dean Close Chapel Choir

1990-1994

1982 Holland 1st Xv rugby tour


23~

OD

N

by C. e. Whitney

Archives 2010-2011

We are most grateful to Barry Barker, David Sinclair Baugh, Gerald George, David Carpenter on behalf of his father, A. J. Carpenter, David Worthy and the only OD lady in the group, Sarah Pickering Pick who have all sent us items for the Archives that we really value. A particular thank you to Robert Baylis for all the fascinating items he sent us that even included some school tradesmen’s bills from the late 1930s and early 1940s! However, the biggest donation from a family in terms of sheer space has been the edited diaries and letters of the late Sir Arthur R. Astley Weston CBE, an OD who left in 1910 and who eventually became chief legal adviser to the then Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. We much appreciated a number of ODs sharing their DCJS/DCS experiences with us, including a large group who were in the then Junior School in the 1950s and sixties.

We must never forget Old Decanians who fell in the two World Wars. This year research both by a correspondent in Australia and this Department has confirmed that Hugh Donald Bennett left Dean Close School to join the training ship HMS Conway in 1890. After a merchant navy career, he was conscripted into the Royal Navy as a Lieutenant (acting Commander) but was lost at sea when his ship, HMS Cressy, was torpedoed on 22nd September 1914. His name must be added to the School’s Roll of Honour, not least because it would now appear that he was the first OD to perish in World War I.

Lt Douglas Rimington Scott’s death in Libya in World War II in 1942 has also recently come to light and his name, too, has to be added to the School’s Roll of Honour, as well as another that came to our notice earlier, Flt Lt Kenneth Powell, RAFVR, who died in 1943 over France.

You will see on other pages our plea for you to fill up names from photos presented.

We are particularly grateful for your response as without your help many photos would otherwise be of very limited value.

We are also keen to hear from Old Decanians about their memories of the School; this is especially true of the ladies who are far too modest!

Please do get in touch with either Grace Pritchard-Woods or me.

There has been much interest both by Old Decanians and about Old Decanians in and through the School Archives this year, not least in Lord Ribeiro’s elevation. He is the first OD to enter the House of Lords as one of the Lords Temporal. However, three OD Bishops, Sherard F. Allison, (Bishop of Winchester), J. Denis Wakeling (Bishop of Southwell) and Jim Thompson (Bishop of Bath and Wells) were there before him as Lords Spiritual.

Circa 1985

1950s


24~

OD

N

1990-1994

Court House 1969

If you recognise any of these people please contact the archives department at [email protected] or telephone Dean Close School on 01242 258000 ext 637.

the Corps of Drums 1947

1950s


25~

OD

N

Circa 1985

Circa 1985 girls hockey

Circa 1985

the Choir 1948

1982 Holland 1st Xv rugby tour


Forthcoming dates 2011

Notices

Commemoration 2011 Saturday 28th May 2011

OD Summer Lunch/AGM Saturday 18th June

OD Cricket & Golf Weeks start Monday 11th July

OD Welsh Dinner Monday 11th July

Supper at The Suffolk Arms, Cheltenham

Wednesday 13th July

ODs are warmly invited to come along to any of these events

Reply slips need to be completed for the occasion detailed below as catering is involved; the slips can be found on a separate sheet within your magazine.

ClothingVarious clothing and other items are available from the OD Office – see the website for details of prices. Blazers are available (made to measure) from The Famous, 208 High St, Cheltenham, GL50 3FA Tel: 01242 260471; if you’d like one, please contact The Famous direct, and ask for Richard Grierson.

Internet Networking Sites We know that there are many networking sites on the internet and that there are groups for ODs on many of them, including LinkedIn and Facebook. There simply isn’t enough time in the day for the OD office to check all these sites to pick up OD contacts we may have lost, so if you are a member of any of these sites, please do encourage other members to make sure the OD office has their electronic contact details – we know there are many ODs in contact with each other, but no longer on our database.

Summer Lunch & AGM This year’s Summer Lunch will be held on Saturday 18th June at 1.30pm in the Senior School Dining Room, preceded by the AGM at 12 noon in the Sports Pavilion. Afternoon tea will be available. Tours of the school will be arranged after lunch. There will be no charge for lunch. RSVP at [email protected]

Welsh DinnerThis isn’t just for golfers!! – all ODs are very warmly welcome.Robert Reed is organising a Dinner at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in South Wales on Monday 11th July, 7pm for 7.15pm at a cost of £30 for a four course meal.

Dress code: Jacket & Tie. A cash bar will be available. Contact Robert at: [email protected] to book your place.

Cricket Fixtures 2011Mon 11th July Twenty/20 Match, U25s v O25s 5.00pm DCS BBQ Following

Tues 12th July v Gloucester King’s School 11.30am King’s School, Society Old Boys Gloucester

Wed 13th July v Gloucestershire Gypsies 11.30am DCS Club Dinner Suffolk Arms

Thurs 14th July v Old Cheltonians 11.30am DCS

Fri 15th July v Bourton Vale 12 noon Bourton on the Water

Sat 16th July v Exeter University Casuals 2.00pm DCS

Please email Jeremy Winter at [email protected]

Golf Meetings 2011 Fri 13th May Black Bowl Rolls of Monmouth GC Co-hosted with

The Stroke-A-Hole GS

Sun 22nd May Grafton Morrish Denham GC Public School knockout competition

Mon 11th July Summer Tour Royal Porthcawl GC OD Golf Dinner/OD Welsh Dinner

Tues 12th July Summer Tour The Manor GC Castle Combe

Wed 13th July Summer Tour Minchinhampton GC OD Golf & Cricket Supper Chelt.

Thurs 14th July Summer Tour Cotswold Hills GC OD Cricket v Cheltenham College

Fri 15th July Summer Tour Broadway GC OD Cricket at Bourton-on-the-Water

Fri 29th July ODGS v Old Cheltonian GS The Berkshire GC

Sun 18th Sept ODGC v The School Cotswold Hills GC Match Manager Jeremy Winter

Fri 23rd Sept Watts Cup & Reed Trophy Co-hosted with Rolls of Monmouth GC The Stroke-A-Hole GS

Tues 4th Oct Autumn Meeting Walton Heath GC Old & New Courses

Fri 7th Oct Edward Harris Cup Welsh Public School Royal Porthcawl Old Boys Competition

7th-9th Oct Grafton Morrish - Hunstanton GC Public School knockout (Fri/Sat/Sun) & Royal West Norfolk GC competition - Finals

Please email Robert Reed at [email protected]

26~

OD

N


27~

OD

N

One of many entries received for the Photographic Competition 2011 . Section of photo by James Moos, (tower) year 13


Old Decanian Society

CONSULS

If you are willing to become an OD Consul in any country not currently represented, please get in touch with the OD office. It isn’t an onerous task; it involves being a point of

contact and a friendly face for visiting ODs, especially Gappers, supporting touring Dean Close teams if possible, and organising the occasional reunion if you wish.

London Hong Kong South Africa

Miss Charlie Forbes (88-93)[email protected]

DCC Ho (82-85)[email protected] Comfort Heights,63 Tin Hau Temple Road, Hong Kong

Mrs Tia Lotter (78-83)[email protected] Boulters Close, The Green, Kingham, Oxon, OX7 7YD

Australia India USA – California

John Stanley-Smith (41-51)18 Annesley Ave, Bowral, NSW 2576

Sam Pickering-Pick (92-97)[email protected] Central Avenue, Fair Oaks,California 95628

Canada – Western Middle East USA – New York

Lynn Burrough (72-76)[email protected] Newbury Court, St Albert, Alberta, T8N 7C1

Dr M Eaton (64-68)[email protected] Box 30987, Dubai, UAE

Kirsten Spalholz (95-97)[email protected] Cove Road, Huntington, New York 11743

Canada – Eastern New Zealand USA – Washington

Charles Kennedy (81-86)[email protected] Oakhurst CrescentOttawa, Ontario, K1B 4A5

GN Brackenbury (60-63)[email protected] Kiripaka Road, Whangarei

DAW Richardson (51-54)[email protected] NE 4th Street, Sammamish, Washington 98074-3706

CONTACT US AT

Old Decanian Society, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6HETelephone 01242 258048 E-mail [email protected] Website www.olddecanians.co.uk

EDITORS OF NEWSLETTER

Lucy Smith – Old Decanian Secretary Ian Bassett-Smith – Old Decanian RegistrarRichard Padfield – Editor of Obituaries Designer - James Ford (OD 77-80) of James Ford Design, Cheltenham28~

OD

N

OFFICERS FOR 2010-2011

President JM Postlethwaite (48-51) (also a Trustee)Chairman RC Padfield (55-61) (also a Trustee)Vice Chairman NA Marquand (67-71) (also a Trustee)Hon Treasurer IM Bassett-Smith (57-60) (also Registrar)OD Secretary Mrs Lucy SmithHon Auditor Eric Atherton

COMMITTEE

NR Akerman (75-80) RD Lane (57-62)RW Bayliss (80-83) CP Lynam (42-46)A Brown (DCPS Hon. Rep.) DBW Marsh (93-98)JV Denley (83-88) Mrs C Sorensen-Lotter (78-83)Mrs R Frett (77-82) QD Seymour-Smith (56-61)HJ Hodgkins (73-78) RF Taylor (DCS Former Deputy Head) AJ Judge (DCPS Hon. Rep) Mrs SLM Webster (74-79)JM Lancashire (HM) JCB Winter (57-61)

NEWS JUST IN… …from Alastair Judge

My wife and I have just started our own business, Alikats Mountain Holidays which offers luxury stays in our catered chalet in Morzine, France. The chalet is a beautifully restored farmhouse which sleeps 26 people (all ensuite rooms) and is just 6 minutes from the ski-slopes. It has its own hot-tub, sauna and bar and has breath-taking views of the Northern Alps. Whether you come on your own or with a big group, we’d love to treat you to some Old Decanian hospitality in the mountains…

Find out more at www.alikats.eu

Old Decanian News Summer 2011

Documents

Transcript of Old Decanian News Summer 2011