Truro School Former Pupils’ Association

November 2018 Newsletter

November 2018/19 issue 03 www.truroschool.com tsfpa@truroschool.com

ALUMNI NEWS

12 December 2018

Christmas Concert

Were you at Truro Prep or Pre-Prep between 1987– 1992?

We would like to invite you to this year’s Christmas concert at Willday House at 2.30pm followed by festive refreshments in the Prep dining hall.

If you would like to attend please email Katy: tsfpa@truroschool.com

12 April 2019

Pre-1970 Afternoon Tea

If you left Truro School before 1970, please join us on the 12 April for a

cream tea at our very popular annual Spring reunion!

Email or telephone Katy:

tsfpa@truroschool.com

01872 246094

Truro Fencing Club

Ollie Lobb CO09

Luke Mansfield CO14

Robin Elsey CO11

Bex Hogan CO99

Family Announcements

Archive Attic

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A note from the Development Team

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Another year has flown by already! Just to remind you that

due to the school holidays, there will not be a newsletter in

December, and the next edition will be with you at the end

of January. I would love to hear what you are up to over

Christmas and New Year, especially if you are arranging

festive get-togethers with your fellow alumni – be it family or

friends! Please send us in your pictures!

Or, are you spending your time somewhere exotic? It would

be great to see who is furthest away and how widely spread

around the globe our community is.

I cant wait to hear from you all, and speak to you over

December and throughout January!

Best wishes to you all,

Katy

Communications and Development Assistant Nicky, Jo and Katy

Locryn Williams CO14

Derek Man CO07

Truro Fencing Club visit the Lansdowne Club to watch former pupils James

Honeybone (CO09) and Will Deary (CO15) perform

A group of aspiring young international fencers from Truro Fencing Club were thrilled to receive an invitation to watch some sublime swordsmanship in the serene surroundings of the Landsdowne Club in Mayfair, London.

Six current Truro School students were joined by students from neighbouring Penair School, Roselyon School and Plymouth College, to watch the international ‘Masters of Fencing’ exhibition matches between Hungary and Great Britain.

Individual bouts displaying the highest levels of skill & dexterity between members of the Great Britain and Hungarian sabre squads were followed by a nail-biting foil match pitting Richard Kruse, World Championship Silver Medallist and quadruple Olympian against James Davis, 2014 European Champion, Grand Prix and World Cup Gold Medallist. Despite Kruse building a strong lead early on in the bout, Davis fought back effectively with some considerable panache to recover the points gap and pull off a 15-14 win.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Lansdowne Club and need a nomination, we may be able to help. Please let us know by emailing: tsfpa@truroschool.com in the first instance.

Following a break with live music fusing flamenco guitar, lutar & percussion courtesy of the "Horsemen of the Apocalypse", the scene was set for a series of team events with Truro School alumni James Honeybone (CO09) and Will Deary (CO15), and Camden’s Webb and Miller, representing GB, facing a veritable "Battle Royale" against a world-class Hungarian squad comprising Szilagyi, Szatmari, Gemesi and Desci. A similar battle of weapons and wits was on display as the Commonwealth Championship teams of Scotland (Ghosh, Carter, Shek and Rocks) faced off against Wales (Jolley, with James and Nathan Potter). With victory to the Hungarians and Welsh secured, the audience was then treated to a one on one between JJ Webb and Andras Szatmari, with the Hungarian fencer and former World Champion coming out on top.

The evening's grand finale did not disappoint. Truro’s James Honeybone - GB Sabre Champion & Olympian - took on double Olympic Gold Medallist Aaron Szilagyi. With a combination of some superb counter attacks and parries, and a series of clinical attacks, James secured a 15-9 GB victory worthy of this wonderful evening, which showcased the incredible athleticism, skill and sportsmanship which this sport combines.

We hope all the young Cornwall fencers who were lucky enough to be invited to this event not only had fun, but also took inspiration from this exhibition. All the long, hard lessons and footwork sessions, and fights on pistes both near and far, contribute to building a better, tougher, and more competitive fencer. James Honeybone reminded us of Muhammad Ali's quote: The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.

Finally, a huge debt of gratitude is due to Olympic referee Vasil Milenchev, assistant referee Alex Beta, and MC James Williams and all those who supported, organised and funded this event especially Jon Salfield & sponsor Julian Ghosh. Lucy Jupp, Head of Fencing

Robin Elsey CO11

Vendée Globe 2020

Since Robin last caught up with us a lot has changed for Robin however his goal has always remained the same; to get to

the Vendée Globe 2020.

The Vendée Globe starts in France on 6 November 2020. 30 sailors will race solo, non-stop around the world without

assistance on extreme 60ft race boats. The race was founded by Philippe Jean Tot, and since 1992 has taken place every

four years.

As the only single-handed non-stop round-the-world race, the race is a serious test of individual endurance, and is regarded

by many as the ultimate in ocean racing.

Robin told us that he has been lucky enough to join the Hugo Boss racing team over the summer, sailing on-board their

foiling 60ft IMOCA. Continuing to build up his knowledge in the latest generation of foiling yachts that are at the cutting edge

of technology.

Robin went on to say:

From that I jumped onto the really radical 100ft Supermaxi from Australia joining the team to help boost their

development of this concept on such a large boat.

Robin said this was one of the most extreme yachts that you can race on, and the team came away from a testing Rolex

Middle Sea Race having pushed the boat to its limit, hitting 37 knots in the process. He said:

for the non-sailors among you, imagine standing on top of a car during a rally race, that is pretty much what it is like

except it goes on for days, you come away with a few bumps and bruises!

Robin went on to become the boat captain and as

a team they have worked to improve the boat and

bring home a line honours win in the RORC

Transatlantic Race and a new monohull record in

the Round Barbados Race.

Now Robin is aiming to compete in the Vendée

Globe 2020 on-board a boat prepared and run

from the heart of Cornwall in order to bring

Cornish business and sport to international

attention through the Vendée Globe.

Robin’s dream has always been to compete in this

prestigious race and bring a world-class

sailing team to Cornwall. Now the dream is on the

way to becoming a reality.

Locryn Williams CO14

Fjällräven Polar Race

Former pupil Locryn Williams is in the running to enter the

Fjallraven polar. This is a race which involves a 300km race

through Arctic wilderness with more than 200 highly skilled sled

dogs and a group of ordinary people. Locryn is determined to be

one of those ordinary people but needs your vote. The way the

race works is that two people form each region are selected to

enter - one of those two people is whoever gets the most

votes - the second is picked by the Fjallraven Polar jury. Locryn is

looking for votes to win the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium,

Netherlands and Luxembourg region and take on this amazing

challenge- as you can imagine that is a lot of people fighting for

two places! Locryn told us that he isn’t the best when it comes to

asking for help but is reaching out to his old school community to

help him secure as many votes as he can.

Vote for Locryn

Locryn was a keen rugby player at school and beyond and was the captain of the U18 and Vice Captain of the U15s

Twickenham team. However, after a few head injuries and concussions Locryn was medically retired from the sport. Locryn told

us that after these concussions he suffered with his mental health and being as he is, struggled to talk about it. Locryn began

rock climbing as a way of rehabilitation and began adventuring around amazing locations such as Iceland and Snowdonia.

Locryn told us that adventure helped rekindle his self-belief, gave him purpose and made him believe he could keep on.

Let’s show Locryn what our Truro School Community can achieve - every vote matters - so please forward this to your friends share it far and wide and help get Locryn into the race and support his incredible journey. The voting closes on 13 December so act fast!

Watson Weeks Memorial Plaque Unveiling

On Saturday 17 November, family and friends of the late

Watson Weeks gathered in the Burrell Theatre foyer to share in

the moment when Ann Weeks officially unveiled the memorial

plaque, which honours Watson’s time at Truro School. Former

Headmaster, Guy Dodd (who kindly organised the plaque) and

his wife Helen were present, along with Brian and Lorna Jackson

who had all been great friends for so many years. Everyone

enjoyed Ann’s moving words of tribute to her husband,

recounting his many performances and productions, a great

many of which took place in the School Chapel. Ann and her

daughters Deborah and Emma said they had been tremendously

comforted by the enormous number of cards and tributes

received after Watson died earlier this year. Ann said: I was so

moved to think that Watson had touched so many lives and that

former pupils still remembered him such a long time after he had

stopped teaching. It really is amazing.

There could be no other place to locate the plaque than the

Burrell Theatre foyer, as Watson was such a prominent figure in

drama productions at Truro School for so many years. He was

also instrumental in the idea behind the building of the Burrell

Theatre. Alas, Watson never performed in the Burrell. However,

he is certainly fondly remembered by so many former pupils,

staff and fellow aspiring thespians.

Luke Mansfield CO14

PhD at the University of Sheffield

Derek Man CO07

New Cosmos of Photography Competition

Luke got in touch recently to let us know about his next steps after graduating from the University of Kent with a 1st

class degree in biomedical science. He is now embarking on a PhD at the University of Sheffield, the title is:

Determining the non-canonical functions of telomerase involved in modulating macrophage biology and their potential

implications for tissue ageing. This will involve studying the functions of telomerase that have been hypothesised but as

yet have no evidence for. The study will use zebrafish as model organisms. The zebrafish is often used in scientific

research as it is particularly notable for its regenerative abilities. Luke told us that ideally his research will contribute to

the field of aging research, specifically how to prevent some of the symptoms of ageing and/or prevent age related

diseases such as cancer, by clearing dormant cells known as senescent cells from the body.

Luke told us he first got interested in science during

his GCSEs. He enjoyed biology as he said it

explained what made living things tick, and he was

always interested in nature growing up. We asked

Luke of his time at school – he told us:

A couple of stand out memories for me where being

taught A-level biology by Dr Pope as I felt he had a

real passion for the subject and tried to impart that

on us. Another memory would be the Model UN

delegations I took part in during Sixth Form, and Mrs

Rainbow trying to steer the class discussion back

towards history during my history A-level as we

never seemed to stay on track for very long.

Truro School helped me most during the second half of my A-levels, as at AS my grades were less than fantastic so I had quite a few re-takes coming into the A2 section. Again it was the teachers I had, Mrs Rainbow, Dr Pope, Dr Brogden and others that helped to push me to get the grades I need to get into university. Personally, I always felt it was the teachers at Truro School that really made a difference to my time there and I don't think I'd be where I am now without them.

Derek has recently returned from Tokyo where he exhibited at

the new Cosmos Photographic Art Museum. Derek’s exhibit is

called What Do You See, Old Apple Tree? and was selected

for an excellence award. On 2 November Derek, along with six

others, had to present for the Grand Prize.

What is What Do You See, Old Apple Tree about?

Since the 1950s, over half of traditional orchards in England

have disappeared due to development, conversion of land

to other uses, and intensive farming. The Orchard Project

is dedicated solely to the creation, restoration and celebration

of community orchards. Working in collaboration with the

national charity, Derek visited sites under restoration

and created pinhole cameras out of apples at each location.

Utilising these site-specific cameras, the work

captures team members, volunteers and visitors, who are all

integral to the survival of the orchards. By piecing together

a narrative from the perspective of the preserved apple, the

project seeks to highlight and reflect on the intertwined

relationship between agriculture and community.

You can visit Derek’s website: https://derekman.com/

Ollie Lobb CO09

Back to Cornwall

Bex Hogan CO99

Book Launch

Look out for Bex’s feature article in the 2019 Truronian magazine

We are able to share the very exciting news that former pupil Bex

Hogan (née Spence) has secured an incredible book deal with

Hachette Children’s Group for her fantasy series: The Isles of

Storm and Sorrow. The first book Viper will be released in April

2019 followed by Venom in 2020 and Vulture in 2021.

The series will be published on the Orion imprint and editor Lena

McCauley says that:

This enthralling new fantasy series has everything – a powerful

female heroine, an intricate world of extraordinary islands and

monster-filled oceans, heaps of action, a heart-stopping romance

and incredibly polished writing – I’m so excited to introduce VIPER

and Bex Hogan to the world in 2019

In her press release Bex said:

It’s an absolute dream come true to be working with Lena and the

team at Orion. To have my debut novel published by Hachette

Children’s Group – who have some of the best UKYA writers on

their list, not to mention fantasy writers – is both a joy and an

honour. I can’t wait for readers to join Marianne on her adventures.

When Ollie left school he immediately boarded a boat to the

“Caribbean of the UK” (the Isles of Scilly) to work as a dinghy

instructor for the summer. He had a great summer teaching sailing,

meeting amazing people and visiting many pubs! Ollie had already

made the decision to defer his university application to take a break

from exams, and during his gap year he taught at Loe Beach and

took some time to travel to India and Sri Lanka.

On his return, Ollie studied Geography at Southampton University

before packing his bags for London – not knowing entirely what he

wanted to do. He ended up being placed by the Graduate

Recruitment Bureau into a small financial technology software

company where he worked predominantly in sales and learned a lot

about business. Ollie was then offered a job at a global management

and technology consultancy company, however he knew the big city

wasn't for him long term so, with his fiancée Lynn, packed up and

headed back to Cornwall to begin an exciting new business venture.

Find out more about Ollie in the 2019 Truronian magazine

Truro School Co-Ed Reunion

We are looking for all of our First Ladies!

It’s forty years since the TSFPA welcomed the first Truro School girls into it’s ranks. To celebrate this important milestone in

Truro School’s history we are looking for all of our first ladies and hoping to get you all together again for the Reunion Dinner

in September 2019.

In 1990 girls entered into the First and Third Years for the first time starting the process of making Truro School fully

co-educational – were you one of those girls? We want to catch up with you and find out where your life has taken you, if you

are still in touch with old classmates or if you have travelled far away from Truro – we know many alumni are spread far and

wide across the globe. As always if you want to get in touch – or feel you might be able to get a table together for the

reunion next year email Katy on tsfpa@truroschool.com

1977 was the first whole School photo to feature female students. See if you can spot the lady in this snippet!

Rob Piper CO73

Congratulations

Last year we were delighted to report

that Rob Piper CO73 and Science

Coordinator at Truro Prep School

gained a place in the British Judo

Masters’ Squad. We are proud to say

the Rob has kept his spot this year

winning silver in the U90KG M7 group

at the British Masters Open Judo

Competition in Norfolk on 13 October.

Congratulations Rob, we wish you

the best of luck for the coming years!

Left: Rob on the silver podium

Family Announcements

Katy Sweeney is now Katy Slater! Photos as promised.

Mr Ian

GOODHAND

22/06/1928 – 20/10/2018

TS 1935 - 1946

Truro School are deeply saddened to

learn of the passing of former pupil

Ian Goodhand

Ian attended both Treliske and Truro

School with his younger brother

Derek, who now lives in Canada.

Ian resided in Hertfordshire and

passed away peacefully with his wife

of 67 years Estella, son Christopher

(CO70) and daughter Christine by his

side on 20 October 2018 aged 90.

Ian was head boy and captain of

both the rugby 1st XV and cricket

1st XI during his time at Truro School.

Mr Michael Elliston

BARKER

06/01/1931 – 06/10/2018

TS 1939 - 1948

Truro School are saddened to learn

that former pupil Michael Barker

passed away on Saturday 6 October

aged 87.

He left behind his partner, sister-in-

law, two nieces, two nephews and

five great nieces.

He will be sadly missed.

Mr Kenneth Henry

HITCHENS

18/02/1922 – 12/09/2018

TS 1933 - 1939

Truro School are sad to learn of the

passing of former pupil Kenneth

Hitchens, who passed away

peacefully on 12 September 2018

aged 96.

Beloved husband of the late

Elizabeth, father of Glynn, Chris and

Neil and Grampy to his seven

grandchildren and ten great

grandchildren.

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Archive Attic

Click on each number to reveal a Truro School memory every day until Christmas!

Truro School Remembrance Day

The 1918 Armistice was the focus of this year’s Remembrance Service held on Friday 9 November. The service drew on

the archive articles in this year’s The Truronian, and members of staff read extracts from the accounts of the end of the

war by Charles Argall and J.P. King. The Headmaster took the opportunity to recount the statistics of those former pupils

who served in the 1914-1918 War, as well as to read the account of the School’s experience of 11 November 1918.

As has become the custom, the names of the former pupils who were casualties of conflicts since 1914 were read out by the Deputy Heads while members of the Sixth Form processed to the front of the hall to place a poppy on the display board to mark each person. A minute’s silence was held between the reading of the names of the First and Second World Wars, marked by the playing of the Last Post and Reveille.

The last former pupil who died on the Western Front was William Ford on 24 October 1918. A private in the 1st Wiltshire

Regiment, Ford was part of the final Allied advance but was taken prisoner during fighting near Le Cateau on 20 October,

and died a few days later.

The last two casualties commemorated on the school memorial were 2nd

Lieutenant Harold Nicholls of the Royal Field Artillery and Tom Curtis of the RAF, who were both victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic, and both died on 8 November 1918. Curtis was also the youngest person whose name appears on either school war memorial – he was 17.

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The Last Baguette Company

presents

The Little Match Girl

Friday 21 December, 2.30pm

£12 Full, £8 Concession, £34 Family (2 adults, 2 children)

Tickets available at www.crbo.co.uk

A family show for Christmas inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s traditional tale.

London. Christmas Eve. The snow is falling. A little girl struggles fiercely through the cold. We follow her throughout the day as

she encounters the funny and zany characters of the vibrant city streets.

In an attempt to stay warm she strikes a match, then a second and third. In the cold the flames blaze to life and the flickering

fire illuminates her fantastic Christmas visions. With each strike we enter the tumultuous world of her imagination, meeting

talking turkeys, dancing rats, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their chattering Christmas tree.

Having delighted audiences in 2017 The Last Baguette returns with this touching, madcap and heart-warming Christmas

show. The Company use their signature style of visual storytelling, live music and puppetry to shine a light on Hans Christian

Andersen’s classic winter tale.

Written by T. A. Woodsmith, winner of the Sunday Times Playwriting Award.

The energy and commitment of the company is infectious… beautiful imagery and memorable moments. This is unique theatre with a great heart

- Theatre Bath

What’s on at the Burrell