The OKS Magazine No. 36 • Autumn 2012
150 Years of Michael OKS Careers Day Rowing at King’s Morpurgo Matthew Townshend from the purchase of the steals the show in a dresses up oarsmen first boat in 1862 to 2012 vintage King’s Week and Frances Judd wants Olympic endeavour page 3 page 17 your help page 21 Tom wins Bronze
Olympics Tom Ransley (second from left, back row) gained the only OKS medal of the London 2012 Olympics in the Men’s Eight. Photo: Getty Images/Mike Hewitt Features OKS Offcuts • Issue No. 36 • Autumn 2012 The 150th Anniversary of King’s Rowing Mike Brown reflects on a celebration of 150 years of rowing at King’s, from the purchase of In this issue the first boat in 1862 to Olympic endeavour in 2012
hen Peter Henderson, Wthe King’s School Archivist, came Pride of place in this issue deservedly goes to 150 Years of Rowing features p3 across a document recording that in 1862 Rowing at King’s, its long tradition embellished in recent decades Mike Brown’s account of the anniversary celebrations introduces the school had purchased a boat from by this being the only sport in which a significant number of OKS our feature section on the history of the Boat Club Searle and Sons of Lambeth, he set in train, have become Olympians (see last issue). A nearer anniversary, in 2012, a year of celebration. Arriving at and one still with significant resonance for the School, is that A Daughter Remembers features p12 Sturry railway station 150 years ago, the it is now 50 years since Canon Shirley retired, after 27 years as Janet Barlow (née Shirley) offers some reflections on her father, Searle boat was carried proudly by King’s Headmaster of King’s. 50 years after his retirement boys to Fordwich, to be named by the daughter of Dean Alford and launched on Canon Shirley’s retirement is marked directly only by a short Monty features p13 the river on the 3rd of March. The sport recollection from his daughter, Janet; but his personality can Tom Pares recalls Montgomery’s account of the Battle of Alamein of rowing had begun at King’s, recording be detected also in the respective accounts, from the 1940s, by over the years, on current information, 9 Michael Brown, Tom Pares and Michael Watt. OKS Lunch events p14 Olympians, 62 Internationals, 39 Oxford Mark Lascelles is Guest of Honour and Cambridge blues, a long list of Two King’s School eights row past at Henley As for the Boat Club, Michael Dover (lx 1962-67) has completed successful club and college rowers and a Below: the crews ready to row a labour of love, History of the King’s School Boat Club, running May Reunion events p15 thriving OKS boat club. (The 9 Olympians’ Photos: Kirsty Mason to some 90,000 words and containing some fascinating early Michael Watt is reminded of his time at Milner Court, Carlyon Bay tally is 12 representations, resulting in one documents and photographs discovered by the School Archivist. and Canterbury gold, three silver and one bronze medal.) Some few of these 90,000 are used here to describe 1862-1939; To mark this anniversary year, the rowing fixtures between Pilgrims and Next followed drinks in Lattergate then Pilgrims President Michael Brown (sh 1944-49) evokes the Kings Week 2012 arts p16 Canterbury Pilgrims and Jon Williamson, School crews; but this year, with the arrival garden, looking gorgeous on a fine atmosphere and circumstances of 1940s King’s, honouring besides The weather smiles and Michael Morpurgo steals the show 50 years the recently appointed Director of Rowing of Jon Williamson and the emergence of summer’s evening, attended by the coaching of John Corner (common room 1933-40, 1946- on at King’s, decided to focus on two main rowing as a popular sport at Junior King’s Headmaster Peter Roberts and his wife 55); and finally extracts from the speeches by Ewan Pearson(mr events of a sporting and social nature. resulting in a welcome swelling of the Marie, and dinner in the school dining 1975-80) and Stephen Graham (common room 1971 - ) at the RifCom news p18 The first of these was planned for 23 June ranks in the senior school boat club, it was hall: a full house with OKS and members Anniversary Dinner on 23 June tell of the deeds of David Goodes Julian Camble sets up the Rif Community Foundation at the Westbere Lake at Fordwich, with decided to involve not only more OKS of the King’s Boat Club, rowing blazers (common room 1951-1986) during the heroic years at Pluck’s rowing for all on the lake and a dinner at but as many boys and girls from King’s adding colour to a lively and enjoyable Gutter, and Richard Hooper later (common room 1980-2010) Mike Bax: The New High Sheriff of Kent news p19 the school afterwards. The second was to as possible out on the water to make it a evening. The school’s catering staff rose and of Blues, Purples, internationals and Olympians ever since. OKS installed as High Sheriff of Kent with a mission to clean up to the occasion the countryside as usual: it was a All this is preceded by Michael Brown’s account of this year’s delicious meal. celebrations, at the Lakes, Precincts and Henley. Unknown OKS 9 archives p20 A full house with OKS and Speeches were by Peter Henderson uncovers a dynasty of OKS dancing masters Ewan Pearson for members of the King’s Boat the Pilgrims and Careers Day 2012 careers p21 Stephen Graham, Dates for the diary Matthew Townshend enjoys his return to the Palace classrooms Club, rowing blazers adding former master-in- and Frances Judd promotes the OKS Careers Service colour to an enjoyable evening charge of rowing, for the King’s Boat 18 October 2012 18 May 2013 Round the Island sport p22 Club. OKS Networking Dinner OKS May Reunion Claude Fielding joins OKS, parents, staff and pupils to sail round At Henley on (Financial Services) (those at KSC between 1987 the Isle of Wight the 30th, as usual The House of Lords – 2012) be on 30 June at the traditional Pilgrims messing-about-in-boats ‘Fun Day’. And we had the Pilgrims/KSCBC marquee St. Augustine’s, Canterbury OKS Summer of Sport sport p24 drinks and lunch event on the Saturday as Pilgrims Chairman, Ewan Pearson conveniently close to the enclosures in 29 November 2012 From the Olympics to the OKS Sports Day (semi-finals day) at Henley Regatta, (mr 1975-80), had obtained permission our usual spot at the Henley Cricket Club OKS London Christmas 9 June 2013 followed by a ‘row-past’ up the regatta from the Henley Stewards for the row- ground. This is an ideal meeting place Drinks Galpin’s House 60th course and in front of the spectator past (usually only given for one crew at and people drop by for a drink, coffee or The Antelope, Sloane Square, Anniversary Reunion stands by two King’s Canterbury VIIIs a time of past Henley winners) and since lunch mainly during the regatta lunch or Eaton Terrace KSC This edition ofOffcuts has been produced at the King’s School Press by composed of past and present pupils. there was no shortage of applicants, there tea intervals. This year, some 120 people Lee Rigley; the new format has been designed by Nick Ebdon. Meanwhile, Michael Dover (lx 1962-67, were to be trial rows in VIIIs to facilitate attended the lunch and we were pleased to 7 December 2012 14 June 2013 OKS publications are dealt with by Sue Wittich and all features and former Editor-in-Chief of Orion Books) is selection of two crews. Heavy showers see a number of King’s rowers, some with Carol Service OKS Careers Day photographs for Offcuts or information for inclusion in For the Record completing a detailed, illustrated History had threatened, but on the day it was parents; as well as students from various Canterbury Cathedral should be sent to her: [email protected] Tel: 01227 595672. of the King’s School Canterbury Boat bright and sunny, but windy, with a stiff universities dropping by to say hello. 20 June 2013 Both Offcuts and For the Record are edited by Stephen Woodley Club, 1862-2012, available in hardback breeze blowing across the lake and rough Ending the day with a flourish, the two 24 February 2013 Summer London Drinks (common room 1969-98), who is assisted and advised by an Editorial and online. As ‘living history’, July saw water in places. It was a splendid sight to crew row-past, side by side, with matching Legacy Club Luncheon The Antelope, Sloane Square, Committee of Felicity Lyons (Chair) (sh 1975-77), Peter Henderson two OKS, Frances Houghton (wl 1992- see middle-aged men bracing themselves blue and white King’s Canterbury kit KSC Eaton Terrace (common room 1969 - ), Nick Phillis (mr 1977-81, common room 98, women’s quadruple sculls) and Tom with evident delight to recover their lost designed for the occasion and King’s 1987 - ), Kirsty Mason and Sue Wittich, with further support and advice Ransley (mr 1999-04, men’s heavyweight youth (and doing very well); and a joy to blades, white with blue markings, was 25 April 2013 30 June 2013 from Paul Pollak (common room 1950-88). VIII) going for Gold – or competing in see two VIIIs of young King’s boys and an impressive sight. The verdict: ‘King’s OKS Annual Dinner & AGM OKS King’s Week Lunch Unless otherwise credited, photographs are by Matt McArdle or senior events at the Olympics. several smaller boats with girls out on the beat King’s by two feet. Ewan’s crew won, Cavalry & Guards Club Green Court Marquee from the School Archives. At Westbere there have been periodical water and enjoying themselves. naturally...!’
2 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 3 Features
Rowing at King’s 1862-1946
Michael Dover describes the origins of School rowing on the Stour and the establishment of a successful sport. Michael’s book on the History of the King’s School Boat Club will be available soon The first surviving group photograph of a King’s crew, the 1st IV of 1903, forty-one years after the start of ‘boating’ on the Stour Inset below: The programme for the annual races of (probably) 1903
n 1862, opposite the old half- Francis Hall had been at the School from arrangements with Mr Johnson of Barton more definite status, and to bring it into of photograph albums from the period timbered Guildhall on the quayside at 1862 to 1868 and was a Blue from 1869 Mill for building a boat-house below it… line with the various other branches of the 1908-10 which shows a hive of activity at Fordwich, on the cold, narrow, muddy, to 1872, returning to King’s as an assistant the boats were largely used by the boys. School Games...’ Fordwich, and racing followed by a large windy, weed-choked reaches of the River master in 1873, Field’s last year. Mr Galpin took them over from me and In 1900 upper and lower boathouses are crowd of enthusiastic supporters. ‘Put on Stour three miles from Canterbury, a There is no mention in the archives it is to him that the formation of a regular recorded and a new four was purchased flannels, get a noisy rattle, and jog along boat shed was established. Account books of rowing in the dozen years after Field’s system of School rowing is due.’ from Aylings of Putney. In 1903 the new the bank with the School Boat, and you will I which survive in the School archive show departure in 1873 though with masters A contemporary adds: ‘Field rowed on boathouse opposite Fordwich C h u r c h have your fill of exercise.’ (C.E.A.Pullan that in 1862 Searle of Lambeth was paid experienced on the water it is difficult to the Stour…The narrowness of the river was completed. From the late 1908-13). Outside the £18.0.0 for a boat and the expenses of a imagine it ceasing altogether. In a school prevented rowing abreast, so that only nineteenth century rowing picture postcard captain are recorded. debate in February 1885 on the motion timed races over measured distances were had become increasingly perfection of Fordwich A member of the original four recalled ‘that the formation of a Boating Club possible. There were about 30 boat-club popular and attracted a the surroundings are ‘we collected the money to buy (it) and would be beneficial to the King’s School’ members. The difficulties, natural and large number of members dismal. Sheep, stunted it was launched in otherwise, were great in the first part of (nearly 40 are recorded in trees and a flat, marshy, naval fashion at the course. There were shallows, rapids, 1903) which put a strain windy landscape frame Fordwich by Dean When I went up to Corpus, I was and an awkward bridge and members on resources, given the the narrow ditch that is the Alford’s daughter... of the Angling Association, who eyed narrow waters and reedy Stour, the antithesis of the and after hernot wholly ignorant of the way to proceedings with no great favour, had the sinuousness of the river Thames at Eton, Radley or we named it the bottom staked. From the sewage-farm and the small number Abingdon. In one picture of Princess Alice. manage an oar bridge to Sturry there was a fairly good of boats and coaches. a summer fours race, those A flag was made course, but a bad smell.’ Competition was lining the bank are wearing for it... Our rows In January 1897 Arthur Galpin internal, in the form of heavy coats. were generally to Grove Ferry and back... G.M.D. Hughes stated that ‘there had once succeeded Dr Field and in a school boats setting off at timed The war brought a halt sometimes to Sandwich and back…’ been a K.S. Boating Club, which…had minute book for 1897 there is the entry: intervals, until 1903 to the development of the The only account of rowing over the fallen through on account of the expenses’ ‘Boat Club. To encourage and organise when the OKS brought down a four to club, the dilapidation of the next ten years comes from Thomas Field and T.R.Wilcox remarked that the Stour the rowing of the school a Boat Club is race the School, and the following year the boats and boathouses and the deaths of (King’s 1867-1873). ‘When I came to the was ‘not wide enough to row races on, and formed under the following officers... the first annual race against Tonbridge School many crew members. In 1919 the School school…there was a tradition of a four races were one of the chief supports of a year is divided into two boating seasons...’ was instituted. 1st IV took part in the Peace Regatta at at Fordwich used regularly by the School boating club’. The known list of consecutive Captains of The club flourished before the First Henley where crews from around the in…the early sixties. In the early seventies It was Field, the epitome of a muscular Boats dates from 1897, although a captain World War, racing many local town and world competed in an effort to regenerate (it was) used regularly on Saturdays in the Christian, who had rowed at Corpus had been mentioned in the 1863 accounts. army crews as well as Tonbridge and the the sport. After an emotionally worded Summer Term to row from Fordwich to Christi College, Oxford, who was In July 1900 the President of the Boat OKS and regularly entering the Public appeal by the captain new boats were the old mill… We were often steered by responsible for the revival of rowing. Club, Mr C.W. Bell, declared: ‘The Club Schools Fours Championship at Marlow forthcoming and the boathouses repaired. F.H. Hall, who had been cox of the Oxford After an assistant mastership at Harrow has been in existence for some time, and Regatta. The 1st IV were losing finalists In 1921 the first of a series of private boat for four years. In consequence when he returned to King’s as Headmaster in has, all will agree, justified its position. in 1914 (and were again three more times matches with other schools, other than I went up to Corpus, I was not wholly 1886. ‘As soon as I came to Canterbury I Changes have lately been made in the before winning convincingly in 1948). Tonbridge, was instituted with two fours ignorant of the way to manage an oar.’ bought some boats from Salter and made constitution of the Club, so as to give it a Activity on the river is recorded in a series continued on page 6
4 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 5 Features Features racing against Westminster, starting from stakeboats on the Thames. In the same year the upper boathouse at Barton Mill Pool was pulled down after 35 years of use King’s School Rowing: due to change of ownership of the land and the school abandoned that reach of The Post-War Revival the river, concentrating at Fordwich. A few years before a boatman known only as Mike Brown reflects on the aftermath of the ‘Punch’ had retired after 20 years service Second World War and the role of John Corner in the upper boathouse. A regular round of fours races continued throughout the 20s and 30s, with the annual Senior and Junior fours races at Fordwich fiercely contested. The intra-school knockout competition was initially competed for by Tutor sets before houses took over. In the mid-30s the rather scruffy blue boat club blazer, shorts and striped socks were replaced by a crisp white blazer trimmed in blue with matching blue and white caps, and white flannels, the crews in the photographs clearly smelling strongly of Brylcreem. In 1929 a limiting age of 15½ for boat club st entry was proposed, to ensure heavier and in future be necessary to go seven or eight The 1909 1 IV stronger crews and ease the strain on the miles to find water good enough to row on’. at Fordwich coaching staff and equipment. The same In the boat club ‘prospects’ of 1940 snow year an annual fixture against Eastbourne and disease had taken its toll on the club The above photo shows the 1909 1st Launching the first first VIII, made up College was instituted. In 1931 the crew but also ‘little can be said of the fixture list, IV at Fordwich after a hard race of the first and second fours, in July 1950 ‘characters’ described A.J.Barrett (13st 4 which at the moment is very uncertain’. against Tonbridge Town which the from a river board shed at Grove Ferry lbs) prophetically as ‘a very good stroke, Following exile in Cornwall during the school won by a quarter of a length. Inset below: The dining hall – and the Boat who always got the best out of his crew… war years, when the boat club ceased to Club – needed rebuilding after the war with his neat bladework and sense of function, the next report is dated 1946 No 3, Bruno Garibaldi, steps ashore. rhythm he should become a really good from Canterbury, where ‘it is hoped to Garibaldi was the son of General oar.’ He was to become the club’s first restart the boat club…’ And a remarkable Ricotti Garibaldi and his English here are few more garages had been converted, the largest French and German, efforts were made Olympian, winning a silver medal in revival it was. ‘Boathouses, boats and oars wife, and the grandson of the dramatic events in the long as a chapel with an altar brought from in 1946 to get rowing started again with the Coxless Fours at the Berlin Olympic were damaged or destroyed… none of the founder of modern Italy. Brought history of the School than its Canterbury; the spacious Cornish Riviera him in charge. By summer 1947 two fours Games of 1936. boys could row, and all the old traditions up in Lazio in Italy he was at King’s Tevacuation to Cornwall in Club was leased, literally on the beach; were afloat and the club was back to the In 1934 the river at Fordwich once had gone.’ But by the end of the season between 1904 and 1909. World War II. One grey morning in May Societies flourished and the Messiah was pre-war membership of 45. again became too reedy to row in, ‘the three fours were racing and the first boat 1940, the charismatic headmaster Canon sung in Truro Cathedral. Facilities were Corner had rowed as an undergraduate whole surface of the river was covered…’ had won all four of its school races and He rowed in the 1st IV in 1908 and Shirley, known to all the boys as ‘Fred’, found for cricket, rugby and athletics. in the King’s College, Cambridge 1st VIII; and the fours had to be transported by were runners up to Clifton in the final of 1909 and was Captain of Boats told the school that it was going to leave Rowing, however, remained out of the and was a great believer in the ‘Fairbairn lorry to Pluck’s Gutter. The annual report the Public Schools Cup at Marlow Regatta. in 1909. He joined the ‘Garibald Canterbury to ‘carry on its work in new question for the five and a half years of style’ of rowing developed at Jesus College ends grimly: ‘It is hoped…that it will not A new era had begun. Legion’ with five of his six brothers surroundings, away from the activities of Cornish exile. As it happens, the school by the legendary coach Steve Fairbairn. in the early months of the First German bombers’. Eight days later, the Boat Club’s best days were to come. This was in contrast to the traditional World War. It became a unit of the school and its contents had been packed King’s came home to Canterbury in ‘Orthodox style’ emanating from Eton, French Foreign Legion and on 26th up and transported to Cornwall, with October 1945. which involved December 1914 he was killed, aged its blue and white flag flying over new The Precincts still keeping a straight 24, leading his men in an attack on accommodation. Fred had secured a very showed the scars back and arms at Another Olympic rowing medal a German trench in the Argonne. large hotel near St Austell, the Carlyon of war; but Fred the catch, as the Bay Hotel, situated on a cliff-top looking had managed by blade enters the Tom Ransley gained the only OKS medal of the His body lay in state in the main directly out to sea, together with a smaller his usual mixture water. Steve saw London Olympics, the Men’s Eight winning bronze hall of the railway station in hotel nearby, and about twelve other of threats and the rowing stroke on 1st August after a heroic effort to take on the Rome before burial. houses of varying size. He took with him persuasion to as a much more German Eight who have gone undefeated since JKS, the Cathedral Choir School and St achieve the near elastic, athletic, the Beijing Olympics. Leading the Germans at When Mussolini came to Edmund’s, Canterbury (who could not impossible task fluid process. At 1200m, they were pulled back by 1500m and power Bruno’s body was afford to move alone), the latter and King’s of reconstructing the catch, the in the last 500m were overtaken by the fast- disinterred and reburied at performing as one school. damaged school arms were loosely finishing Canadians. Campo Verano Cemetery in The setting was spectacular, with buff- buildings for the straight, more like Rome where a bust, erected coloured cliffs dropping to extensive new term, notably the dining hall which strong elastic bands than connecting rods, On the same day, Frances Houghton’s Women’s by Mussolini, marks his grave. white sands and two long green headlands had suffered a direct hit from a bomb, with with emphasis on timing the entry and Quad Sculls, which had done so well to reach the enclosing a wide expanse of sea. But there little more than the buttresses remaining a strong leg drive off the stretcher at the final, were placed 6th. were no classrooms, no science labs, no from the 12th Century monastery beginning of the stroke. To the converted, playing fields. That summer, all teaching building. With the return to King’s, after this more rhythmical style was easier for Photo: Getty Images/Mike Hewitt was done out of doors; but by winter wartime service, of John Corner, to teach continued on page 8
6 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 7 Features Features beginners to learn, more enjoyable, more Rowing in Eights: 1950 Onwards natural and ultimately better. Fairbairnism was to be the style for the King’s post-war In his speech at the Dinner, Ewan Pearson took up the story of the great transition rowing revival and Corner produced a succession of fast boats. It is incredible to imagine boats n 1950, under the keen eyes hat-trick of quads, doubles and singles at training or racing on the tiny River Stour of Headmaster Canon Shirley and National Schools! In 2000, GB celebrated downstream of Fordwich, little wider than Rowing Master David Goodes, berets its first Olympic Gold medal in an VIII at Canterbury, with water barely a metre Iwere dropped, weights were lifted, since 1912. Our man, Fred Scarlett, OKS, deep and with many bends. Racing was and funds were raised for the first 1st VIII. was in that remarkable crew, capping this for two crews in single file, starting a few It was launched on the narrow bendy golden era. lengths apart, with hand-operated signals river at Grove Ferry, the only stretch wide But what really started to take off from for each boat half-way and at the finish. enough to turn VIIIs. the early 1990s was girls’ rowing here. But these arrangements worked well In 1953, only three years after starting We started to win national titles, so that and generated considerable excitement in VIIIs, King’s made it to the final of the by 2000 Sara Liddiard was a recognised amongst the spectators as the boats went Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley, losing talent, winning the first ever Edward past. to St Paul’s. The crews were level at the Beaugié Medal here at King’s. In 2000, Corner always looked for competitive 1st IV 1948: victorious at Marlow milepost but St Paul’s higher rating took Kajsa McLaren won her Oxford Blue as or psychological advantage over our JM Watt, CF Porter; CGS Paterson (Capt.), John Corner, AGP Davidson; RDH Roberts (cox) them through to win by 1 a length. It was cox in the Men’s boat, and Sarah Martin rivals from other schools, and to do the difficult to row higher rates for any length (now Henderson) won triple Women’s unexpected. This imbued us with the of time here on the Stour for fear of hitting Blues at Oxford in 2001-3. same spirit and focused our minds on our against a good Wallasey Grammar School Goodes, had spent his teaching practice at a bend! At that time, a young talent was race tactics. First, he believed in a very fast crew, they won by four lengths to take the King’s. ThatD ecember, Corner contacted Success was also common with the emerging, Fran Houghton. In 2004 start, to unsettle the opposition; second, Public Schools Cup. him to say that the Headmaster’s wish was alumni: in 1960 in Rome we gained our at Athens, Fran was in her second he preferred the rear station, to discourage After these successes, Fred turned his that King’s should concentrate on eights. 2nd and 3rd Olympians, the mountainous 1st VIII at Henley in 1957 Olympics, taking a fantastic silver medal the rival crew, who would see us gain attention to rowing, keen as always to Goodes returned at the start of Summer Colin Porter, a UL Purple, and Dick in the women’s quads, a feat she and on them. Halfway over the Fordwich support and promote any activity in which Term 1951, not long after a Junior eight Fishlock, an Oxford Blue. In that year, her crew repeated in Beijing in 2008. course was an almost right-angled bow- the school showed promise and could had made a promising debut by winning 1960, King’s won the School’s Head for the at National and World Masters events. He Her displeasure at winning only silver side bend. As we approached this bend, enhance its reputation. Behind the scenes, it’s first race against a Westminster School first time. We then contested the final of the won recently at Marlow, for instance. The is a measure of the level that crew had the cox was instructed to shout ‘NEXT he was now determined that King’s should crew at Putney. Princes Elizabeth Cup, and did so again in golden era continued through the 1970s reached. STROKE…CHUG STUFF!’ whereupon become a major rowing school at national Corner continued to coach the 1st 1961, losing both times to Shrewsbury. It and ’80s with many good race wins and Today we are on the cusp of the third bow side shortened their stroke and eased level, which meant rowing in eights, but I IV who had a good year overall, losing must have been a heady time to be a rower several England or GB Junior, U23 and Olympics to be hosted in London. It’s the off a bit, whilst stroke side lengthened knew nothing of this at the time. narrowly to Tonbridge at Marlow. The at King’s. And at Shrewsbury! Senior vests. first city to have the honour of hosting theirs and rowed flat out. As visiting crews Meanwhile, 1949 was my year and we crew were enormously disappointed; but In 1962, King’s were 2nd in the Schools’ Andrew Rudkin, another UL Purple, three Games. It’s always good to finish invariably eased off, we spun round the also arrived at Marlow with an unbeaten as Corner put it - ‘to beat 11 crews and Head and semi-finalists at Henley where built an enviable stash of GB Vests, at a peak, and I am delighted that Fran bend as if on rails and gained ground. In record. An abiding memory is travelling to lose to two by a matter of a few feet four OKS rowers contested the final of the medals and trophies that included three Houghton and Tom Ransley, both OKS, Canterbury there was a taxi firm which to our first fixture at Reading in a Rolls only is a pretty distinguished record’. It Grand, and three in the Steward’s. That’s a Henley wins (’86 4x, ’88 2x, ’90 2x), and are rowing for GB at these Games. Nick ran two old-fashioned, box-shaped, Rolls Royce taxi. We won the Public School was also his final year as coach. He had market share of nearly 30% of the top two I even managed three Boat Races and Strange is coaching the Women’s VIII. All Royce taxis, as used for weddings. For Fours and were each awarded a silver indicated to Fred that he had no wish to events! Also that year, Colin Porter won two Henley wins myself. In 1980 a small these crews are serious medal contenders. away fixtures we went in one of these, in tankard. Returning home along the A25 coach eights and recommended strongly a Bronze in the Empire Games. In 1963, tornado arrived from Hampton School in I end by congratulating Jon Williamson order to be different and to show a touch in our Rolls, passing through the pretty to Fred that Goodes be taken onto the our Henley crew included the Freeman the form of Richard Hooper. I was his first and his very young and very dedicated of elitism. Whether the competition ever village of Abinger Hammer, Corner staff permanently for that purpose, thus brothers, Chris and Richard. We lost Captain of Boats and was relieved to have first 1st VIII on their splendid efforts noticed or not, it was good for our morale! stopped the car at the pub on the left and elegantly providing his successor. the semi-final to St Paul’s. Both brothers only one term under him. Richard stirred yesterday at the Henley qualifying races. Corner’s record speaks for itself. In proposed that we briefly christen our No history of the King’s School went on to win Blues and the Boat Race things up. We moved to Westbere in 1984, It shows that King’s rowing is definitely in 1947 the 1st IV, aged 16-17, began with tankards with cider, which we did. At the Boat Club would be complete without for Oxford in 1966. They are both here and reached another Henley Princess the ascendancy! convincing wins over pre-war rivals, end of season Marlow Regatta, however, acknowledging John Corner’s remarkable tonight, having come all the way from Elizabeth final in 1991, with a hugely I would now like to ask Stephen Tonbridge and Eastbourne, before we had some sickness affecting two crew achievement in spearheading the King’s the USA and Canada. In 1964 we won the talented crew, losing to Eton. [Note: the Graham to talk to us about the history reaching the final of the Public School members and in the semi-final lost by two post-war rowing revival. He took a Schools’ Head again, but could not hold stroke of that crew, Nick Prince, went on of the club during his 28 years as rowing Fours at Marlow Regatta, where they took feet to Wallasey, who won the final easily. handful of young teenage boys with no the form through to Henley. Incidentally, to win a Gold medal in the World Junior master, which include a stint as Master in an early lead, before a bigger and heavier A highly disappointing result, but it was previous experience, in a matter of months we have won the Schools’ Head three coxless fours – Andy Rudkin]. charge from 2002-8, and coach of the 1st Clifton crew drew away to win. This was a only the second race that the King’s 1st IV reaching the final of the senior Public times in VIIIs and four times in Girls’ Henley is considered by most school VIII from 2002-2006. very creditable debut, as it was King’s first had lost in three years. Schools Cup for Fours, winning it the Quads. rowers as the pinnacle. It is where school regatta since pre-war days, a high profile The next year brought a younger, following year and attracting the whole- Alumni from the 60s and 70s crop rowing goes on show. King’s has contested Footnote: event with many spectators, a fairground, lighter development four, which hearted backing of Fred, which paved the up in all sorts of colours: Purple (Nigel six Henley VIIIs finals, four of them On 31 May in 1952 Canon Shirley large umpires’ launches, a good deal of performed creditably. 1951, however, saw way for a successful period in Eights under Press), light and dark Blue (the Freemans, the Princess Elizabeth Cup, two Special scribbled one of his trademark notes to river traffic and their first experience of far-reaching changes. A second-hand the excellent leadership of David Goodes, David Mills, PD Miller, Richard Church), Races for Schools. We’ve lost three times David Goodes: ‘can you… decide what side-by-side racing. eight had been acquired and an old shed and the fast crew coached by Richard and Palatinate for Tom Bishop at to Shrewsbury, once each to St Paul’s, a Boat-house must hold, and therefore The 1948 line-up was a year older borrowed as a makeshift boathouse, at Hooper that contested with Eton the final Durham. Tom and his wife Diana are a Radley and Eton. Always the bridesmaid, its size?’ Shirley had somehow managed and stronger, with three members of the Grove Ferry, five miles downstream from of the Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley remarkable couple: in 1976 Tom rowed in never the bride, but nonetheless a record to turn Somerset Maugham’s alleged previous year’s crew. They won their first Fordwich. The decision had been taken in 1991. Inspirational, witty, unorthodox, the Montreal Olympics in the men’s quad. that puts many schools to shame. I want distaste for his old school into a joint race on the challenging tidal waters of the to train a Junior Eight as a nucleus for full of anecdotes that entertained us, he Diana rowed in the women’s coxed four at to move briefly to the present. In 1996 cause to upgrade its facilities including Thames at Putney, against Haileybury, in future years, whilst continuing with fours was at his best amongst a group of boys, the same event, and hers was the first ever Nick Strange continued our presence in £3,000 for the Pluck’s Gutter boathouse. boats borrowed from Westminster School; for the more senior crews. In Lent Term teaching them to row, to race and to win GB Women’s Olympic crew. the Olympics in the Atlanta Lightweight A replacement boathouse at Fordwich and followed this with an unbeaten 1950, a young teacher who had rowed and enjoying their company, receiving in Tom is by some way the fastest sculler of pair, the first time Lightweights took part. and a new house for the boatman were season. At Marlow Regatta, in the final for Brasenose College, Oxford, David return an unconditional loyalty. his age today, still competing and winning In that same year the King’s girls won the also built at the same time.
8 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 9 Features Features
From 1971: Pluck’s Gutter to Headmaster’s Study
Stephen Graham’s speech offered an expressive view of King’s School rowing in recent decades Peter Willis, man and boat, with OKS rowers at the anniversary Fun Day Photo: Kirsty Mason Inset below: Peter Roberts and Jon Williamson look to the future
irstly I have to say that a river too narrow to turn an eight round, (it was a heavy crew) until half-way down increasing numbers, increasing standards. exploded on Saturday when we beat used his skills to locate Richard Hooper it is a delight to see here two of my most of the way. the course Tom Morris stood up in the And increasing success with girls’ rowing. Hampton so on Sunday he arrived with and bribe him away from Hampton. It rowing heroes. First there is Peter But the crews were fit. One unusual middle of the now submerged boat, not Rowing grew apace – driven by Richard’s vast quantities of champagne. We were was there that Headmaster Wilkinson FWillis – and his wife Marjorie. training device was a huge pole with a 6ft waving but nearly drowning. flair and determination. robbed by that damn school near Slough, made it clear that he would have none of Peter was boatman for over 40 years, but square sheet of wood on the end. This had AfterD avid retired there was a huge gap Richard also decided to introduce but it was a memorable season. the idea of the Boat Club vanishing. He he was more than a boat-builder and to be used to shove tons – and I mean tons to fill. Graham Barrett was excellent but Easter holidays training camps abroad. And then Richard became Head of lured me into the study and claimed I’d be maintainer. To a young coach he was a – of mud off the concrete hard – the tide did not like the formality of Headmaster So a rather motley caravanserai set out History and, facing a House of 99 boys, I bored, having just given up my House, so source of wisdom, good humour and brought it in each day – prior to getting Newell. This culminated in an incident to the Hotel Waldheim on the Sarnersee. faded back to helping with the youngsters, it would be good for me to try to get the common sense. Second hero is the most an eight near the water. With lower where Graham drove the new minibus There famously Richard coxed the eight and the rule of the gentlemen amateurs Club back on track for a couple of years. important single Master i/c Rowing since water flows, it was clear this was getting (the Boat Club’s first) round to the Head’s out in a storm – nothing stopped him – passed to Tim Parker, then Martin Still, it was an enjoyable time; new the war – David Goodes. David started hopeless, so the school decided to build house and walked away, thus stopping and, fleeing for safety, took the boat over Lawrence and Rory Reilly. All supported landing stage built, more numbers in, us rowing in VIIIs and in the ’50s and a set of wooden steps over the concrete, the Head from getting out. Graham soon a gravel ridge which removed the whole better links with JKS. True, no Henley ’60s produced a stunning set of results. going right out into the stream. Not sure if went to Abingdon. Our loss. Peter Allen – bottom of the 1st VIII boat. Richard used Final – but then nor were we ever told He really did put us on the map and it’s the then Clerk of Works was incompetent a member of one of David’s school crews – his contacts with Stampfli to effect a rapid we had to go in for a qualifying race. wonderful to see him here. or mean but he used the cheapest wood. took over. But he was a teacher of English, repair so we rowed the only Stampfpacher And somewhere in there was a 1st VIII The best way to look at my years, rather Within two years it was rotting from the School Chaplain and the Housemaster of in existence. National Schools Silver. And the ever than boringly year by year, might be place tidal flow. So when putting out an eight, Linacre as well as running the Club and Later I was able to revive these camps memorable occasion of getting Joanna by place. there could be a sudden crack and the leg coaching the VIII. – in France (cheaper) on the lovely Lac Lumley down in King’s Week to launch The first rowing place I saw at of one crew member could vanish three This was spotted at once by the new d’Aiguebelette . There in 2004 we had the two new IVs, Absolutely and Fabulous. Canterbury was Pluck’s Gutter. By 1972 feet into the ooze. Getting the leg out was HM, the great Peter Pilkington. Money remarkable chance of being able to train As 60 came on my horizon we David Goodes had asked me to look after not easy as the wood fragmented, shoving was no object if Pilks wanted something with the French Olympic VIII – they were managed to kidnap a promising potential the Junior Colts (J15s these days). Many vicious barbs into the leg. – and he always wanted the best. He also such nice people. I think their cox was coach – Steve Hermes. So all seemed well of you know the Gutter; but I could not But somehow it worked and so we get had an ability to network that was almost smitten with Rosie. as I handed things on. But a few years later understand how King’s had got those to the next place on our tour, an even paranormal. So he spotted and decided And of course an even pleasanter place that damn place near Slough made Steve results, training at such a hellhole. In the bigger hell-hole, the National Water Sports to steal a brilliant rowing coach from is Henley. I was lucky in that in 1990 by the endless enthusiasm and hard work Hermes a bigger offer. So I was delighted winter the wind swept from Siberia to give Centre at Nottingham. We went there Hampton; and after the application of Richard – with new wife and children of Andy Turner. But then in 2000-02 the that the first conversation Headmaster a Gulag-like effect; in the summer coaches in 1972, the first year National Schools industrial quantities of Peter Allen’s malt – felt he had to take a break, so I agreed Club went through a very rough patch Peter Roberts had with me was on the battled through herds of unfriendly cattle Regatta switched from the pleasures of whisky Richard Hooper agreed to take the to look after the 1st VIII. They realised and there were discussions over whether situation in the Boat Club and that almost along a towpath that did not exist and the Thames to this terrible place. Solid job. Richard arrived in 1980 – terrified all the potential they had shown as a 2nd it should just fade away, saving the School the first thing he did as HM was to appoint which in three places stopped altogether concrete with no trees to shelter from the other coaches with his reputation (and VIII. We were an absurdly dark horse at a lot of money. a full-time Director of Rowing – our first- at drainage ditches; one just had to pick up the wind, the charm of a concentration temper) and set about transforming the Henley in 1991, but I persuaded Richard So now we turn to the last place – the ever full-time boss. one’s bike and jump. camp. Yet somehow in the 1970s I seem club. to return as a finish coach for the last HM’s study. Perhaps the most vital place I now feel that with Jon Williamson’s david Goodes did have a launch – a to recall a few J15 gold medals. My main Which he did. Which brings us to few weeks. I remember each evening of all. It was of course Canon Shirley who, ability and the Headmaster’s backing, the foul-tempered catamaran called Gemini memory, however, of that place is of my a more familiar place – the Lakes. This phoning Headmaster Phillips and he got wanting to link us as publicly as possible club can do more than look back – it can whose plugs always oiled up and with a last 1st VIII in 2005; into the howling gale facility, lock stock and barrel, was the increasingly excited by Friday – when we with Eton, Winchester and the like started look forward with confidence to the next turning-circle the size of an oil tanker – on they went – lower and lower the boat got creation of Richard. New facilities, beat Shrewsbury – and then he nearly us in VIIIs. It was Peter Pilkington who 150 years.
10 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 11 Features Features
A Daughter
Canon Shirley addresses the Common Room in 1960 after planting the trees Remembers to celebrate his 25 years as Headmaster Tom Pares, Monty and John Shirley in 1947 Below: FJS and his hat Inset: Monty in 1944 speaking to Michael Watt
Janet Barlow (née Shirley) Canon Shirley retired as Headmaster of a week pocket money, not him! he only Monty chalks As this Autumn Term began, the news of 70 offers a very personal King’s 50 years ago. had tuppence. Out of this he saved up years ago was worth recalling : 4 September, “before and after” view Can I begin with a small grumble? Who and bought a gold cross for his mother, 1942 : “Last evening under cover of early is this new person called Fred Shirley? real gold not a child’s trinket, I have it still. up Alamein darkness the Afrika Korps withdrew from of Canon Shirley, one I was always used to hearing my father His brother Alfred ran away to sea when its positions and retreated nine miles to the of the School’s greatest talked about as John Shirley, or Canon he was eleven. (And did very well, but south. We may safely say that in the opening He told us that he headmasters, 50 years Shirley, or if you wanted a nickname, Fred. why did I never ask why this happened, round of this vital battle Lt.-Gen. Montgomery kept a portrait of his adversary, Rommel, Possibly just ‘FJS’. But this Fred Shirley how he travelled, did he go to Liverpoool, 70 years on from the Battle of has not been outmanoeuvred.” in his HW caravan, so he could daily think following his retirement who has swum up from the depths, I don’t Southampton, where?) His brother Walter Alamein, Tom Pares remembers what might be in Rommel’s mind. know him at all. There, that’s that out of worked all his life from the age of twelve Monty’s remarkable speech to John Allchurch’s and Paul Pollak’s fascinating Monty emphasised that whatever the way. for the Oxford University the School at Carlyon Bay, just 6 memories of Monty in the last issue awoke you are doing in life you must get your Now where were we? Press and could set weeks before D-Day my own vivid recollections as a 15-year-old, AIM right – “Yes, get your AIM right.” (He Fred in retirement. He books in Arabic without of his historic address in that Carlyon Bay had this habit of repeating any lesson he did not like it. Nor did he knowing the language. garage 68 years ago and six weeks before wanted to impress upon his hearers.) like increasing deafness I knew that uncle well, D-Day. The uppermost thought in most He described how Rommel had and ill-health. He and liked hearing him minds then was “When will this invasion deployed his troops with German and snarled and grumbled boast about the Press, to liberate Europe from the Germans Italian units mixed. Monty’s aim was to now and then, but on he had loved it so much. start?” Around the school were encamped force Rommel to separate the two Axis the whole he dealt with And Aunt Florrie – she American and some Indian troops, whom armies. He eventually achieved this, so he it sensibly. What else was lived in Headington and Monty had no doubt come to inspire with could launch his final assault at the junction there to do? Visits and taught me how to make a one of his pre-invasion “pep” talks. between the Germans and Italians. letters from OKS were a lardy cake, in days when He startled us by saying: “You all want During his talk one of the army lorries delight to him. you could go round to to know when we are going to invade the deployed nearby revved up its engine Visits from myself plus husband plus the baker’s and buy a lb. of dough. Three Continent so I will now tell you when we loudly. Monty sent his ADC running to three sons were not, so far as we could brothers and one sister, all as proud of are going to invade!”… An electric pause… “stop that engine”. It stopped at once! This tell, much of a delight. I was by then living themselves and each other as any peacock. “we will invade when we have won the air small but sharp incident made a lasting in Scotland, busy with my young family And of each other, that’s important. Three battle!!” imprint on my young mind. and my own work; it was a long way from of them spoke Oxford town and my Then he called for a blackboard and chalk. My overriding impression of that Carlyon Kent. Meetings took place, of course, father, of course, had learnt to speak posh. With clarity and simplicity he described the Bay lecture is still one of the atmosphere and there were letters, but at this period I asked him once if this had not been Battle of Alamein. I suppose this occasion he created of complete confidence in I hardly knew him. The more I try to very difficult – emotionally, I meant, with could only have been matched historically himself. One felt that whatever battles remember him as he was then, the more family relationships involved – and got by Wellington describing one of his famous lay ahead he would be certain to win. As my unreliable mind skips back not to my my head most uncomfortably bitten off. victories over the French. As A.J.P. Taylor David Edwards quoted Monty to me after own childhood and youth but further ‘Yes!’ he said, and left the room. wrote in 1976 about Montgomery: “he the Field Marshal’s May 1947 Canterbury back, to my father’s. Odd little snippets of you had to watch your step with him, was the greatest British field commander address to the School: “Von Runstedt was things he said – he did not get sixpence whatever his age. since Wellington.” the best German general – I beat him!”
12 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 13 Events Events
OKS King’s Week Lunch should have taken up in 2009. and I can take one of the governors, as Three very different years then, Ed Condry moves close by as Bishop of Mark Lascelles, who was Acting Headmaster for the second of his three years at the but here we are at the end of the 2012 Ramsbury. On the issue of my family I School was Guest of Honour at the OKS Lunch academic year and I honestly would not would like to pay tribute to Amber. Not have changed a thing. Whilst Canon Ed only did she get the job here for me, and the his year’s lunch Condry laughed at me when I said this next one at Dauntsey’s, but she has been a marked the retirement of to him, it is true. I have been incredibly magnificent mother and wife. She hasn’t a number of prominent lucky; King’s has allowed me to develop been able to attend as many functions as Tmembers of the Common enormously both professionally and as a she would have liked, but I could not have Room – David Cameron, John Pidoux person. done what I have done without her. She (OKS), Dick Churcher – and also of King’s is a very special place: I know has coped with three moves in three years Heather Scott, who has served and been that all schools claim to have a unique and now faces another. a friend of the School for many years, and atmosphere, but this one really does. As I finish, I would like to thank Sue, latterly ran the flourishing King’s Society, Whether that is because of the Cathedral Heather Scott Kirsty and Sue for all their hard work and in conjunction with Rory Reilly. But it and its Precincts, whether it is to do with for making today happen. I have loved my was a bird of passage who was invited to the architecture and ancient buildings, time here, have loved getting to know so make the main speech: for “in the course whether that is to do with the style of the Beadle, the dulcet tones of the Guinea many of you and will miss you enormously. of a revolving moon” (as it were) Mark education provided or whether – and most Fowl, Congers, Calendar meetings with So very sadly it is goodbye. Thank you, Mr Lascelles arrived from Shrewsbury to probably – it is because of the outstanding the incomparable Martin Miles, Governors Dean, for the opportunity that you have follow Paul Taylor as Lower Master, was people, pupils and adults, who operate living on site, SMT and Housemaster/ given me. Thank you to Felicity and James called on to become Acting Head and around the place on a daily basis, I cannot mistress meetings, King’s Week, Rory, for their support and for ensuring that did so with distinction (“one of the rising really say. But it is unique and inspires Bev and Kate and our Friday afternoon strong links are forged between the School stars of HMC”, the Dean called Mark incredible loyalty amongst its pupils and, of Wine Club (Admissions from 4pm every and the OKS. Thank you to Andy Snook on Commemoration Day), and then course, amongst the OKS. The interesting week, bring a bottle), a sensational Head and his team – there is not a better team in reverted without complaint to the role of thing for me (and Amber) is that leaving of the Geography Department in Rob the country – and I look forward to them Lower Master. Everyone wishes him well here is a bigger wrench than when we Sanderson, my cassock and surplice and, joining me in Wiltshire. And to all of you as Headmaster of Dauntsey’s School. left Shrewsbury, and this is odd given the of course, services in the Cathedral and the thanks for the memories, thank you for Extracts from Mark’s speech follow: amount of time that we spent there. sheer beauty of the place. your friendship and, most of all, thank you There are so many things that I will miss: And so now we head off to Wiltshire, for putting up with me.” “I am deeply touched to have been invited here today by the OKS. As a resident of these parts for a mere three years, I do feel unworthy of this honour, particularly given the immense contribution and length of distinguished May 2012 OKS Reunion service of our other leavers, but I am Mark and Amber Lascelles with their daughters delighted nevertheless. I have also greatly A display of film and photographs in the Tithe Barn at Milner Court brings back memories appreciated the support of Felicity of wartime days in Cornwall, as JKS hosts the OKS May Reunion (Lyons), James (Bartlett) and the OKS. to await a phone call either offering me all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude When I accepted the invitation to the job or rejecting me. not to me, but to the people around me The OKS Association are grateful to period. In the Barn at Milner Court the become Lower Master at King’s back in But, I was offered the job and so who are extremely talented, dedicated Mr Peter Wells, Headmaster of Junior Archivists and organisers of the function 2009, little did I know what was about Amber and I packed up and left the and selfless. So to Geoff Cocksworth, Pat King’s, and all who made us welcome had arranged for a domestic cine- to happen. No-one could have foreseen green fields of Shropshire bound for Wakeham, Mark Taylor and his team, Ian at Milner Court on 19 May. At a well- film of the period in Cornwall which or prepared me for my first year, for my King’s. King’s being King’s welcomed me MacEwen, Rory Reilly and Peter Wells – attended lunch, the guests included Tom Michael Watt holds a great variety of memories for second year or for my third year. in its own inimitable style. Much talk of thank you for your wise counsel, for your Watts, who was the last Head of The (GR 1944-49) people who were there. Together with In fact, my career at King’s can be very Paul Taylor, my predecessor, and how friendship and for your loyalty. Grange before the War and his godson the collection of photographs, it was a easily summed up using three words: wonderful he was; Neil Warnick entered And so another summer, another Charles Haddon-Cave (GR 1969-73), fascinating reminder of the evacuation. Anybody, Somebody and Nobody. my study in Lardergate only to retreat in move to a beautiful house on Broad Street who conducted the Review of the notice of the OKS Reunion at Milner I duly transferred to the Senior Before and during my first year, I disappointment when he realised it was and the usual thanks to Amber. My third Nimrod disaster and was knighted on Court arrived at the same time that I School in time to spend a year in the really could have been ANYBODY. My me, and when I went into the Admissions year at King’s and SOMEBODY again being appointed to the High Court in had re-read the History of JKS by R.Q. Carlyon Bay Hotel before returning to first interview was finished by Mary Berg Office I was confronted with tears from became NOBODY. My keys to Lattergate November. Edmonds. I determined to attend, and Canterbury. It says a great deal for the with less than encouraging words, ‘Thank Bev and Kate still grieving for their were returned in August, no more perhaps spend some time searching the amount of work done by the teaching, you, Mr Lascelles, you have taken up former boss. Fortunately Martin Miles reserved seats, no mug of tea on my desk I entered Milner Court as a day-boy in Archives to find out more about the administration and domestic staff, and quite enough of our time’. Somewhat to was on hand to provide reassurance waiting for my arrival in the mornings, September 1939, having been evacuated incredibly complex logistic operations not a few boys, in preparing the battered my surprise, I was invited to the second and carefully chosen words which have courtesy of Tom Drake, and no more from Rochester to Canterbury. In May involved in organising the evacuation of school for our return that I have no round where things went well until stayed with me ever since. secretaries and PAs to keep the lunatics the following year I became a quasi- four school groups, the King’s School, memories of anything untoward in the the Archdeacon, Sheila Watson, leant On to year two. I definitely thought from the door. The final indignities were boarder and was again evacuated, with the JKS, the St. Edmund’s School and the first few months. I doubt the teaching forward and asked me ‘Mr Lascelles, that I was SOMEBODY now. Everyone Gavin Merryweather coming to remove the School, to the Bayfordbury Hotel, Choir School, from Canterbury to two staff would agree, but to me all was could you tell me the difference between was nice to me, nothing was too much the Lower Master plaque from my door near St. Austell, in Cornwall. I was one empty hotels in Cornwall. normal: cold bedrooms, lessons, prep, and faith and values’. Those of you who know trouble and if there had been any water and seat in the Cathedral, around three of the few who were unable to go Not surprisingly, because of the healthy exercise on a rugger pitch. me well will be surprised to know that I on Green Court, frankly I would have weeks ago – talk about trying to hurry home during the holidays and I clearly pressure of work at the time, there is My final memory of the evacuation resisted the temptation to reply in David tried to walk across it. me on – and turning up to last weekend’s remember how well we were looked little written evidence of the operation was Shirley saying to me on my last day Cameron style, ‘Well, love, I think that I will not bore you with the details rowing dinner to find that I was not on after by the Headmaster, Ralph Juckes, apart from some letters from Canon “… Now the last of the Cornwall boys might be a question for you rather than other than to say that if last year was a the guest list. Anyway, I have returned and his wife. Shirley to parents, but it was fascinating have gone,… I can begin to build the me’ – and we then returned to Shropshire success, and that is for others to judge, you to the engine room and to the role that I I was reminded of these events when reading a lot of the Cantuarians of the school again…”
14 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 15 Arts Arts King’s Week 2012 Review Michael Morpurgo Talk The weather smiles on a vintage King’s Week Ed Gilmore (Captain of School in 2012) introduced his By Tricia Emlyn-Williams predecessor Michael Morpurgo at his King’s Week talk
life that brought her from her quiet life by Classics beak Raymond Mew Emily Champion plays Joan of Arc in The Lark as a peasant girl to leading the French (definitely more Bamber Gascoigne than army into battle against the English and Jeremy Paxman in manner) between four crowning the Dauphin as King. The action leaving members of staff and four King’s hardly moves from the ecclesiastic court Scholars. It was held in a small marquee in Rouen, where she is on trial for her life on Green Court, and proved to be a rather on the charge of heresy, but nonetheless uneven contest, with the staff winning by it is intensely dramatic in much the same a large margin. It would have been fun if it way as The Crucible, where most events had been the other way round. are described rather than performed, and The Gala Concert on the last night the drama is in the clash of characters and of term rounded off King’s Week in beliefs. spectacular fashion. After Copland’s It was a gripping play to watch, and Fanfare for the Common Man, Hope was greatly enhanced by being set in Tong played Grieg’s Piano Concerto in the round. The performance of Emily its entirety and Jacob Ewens, very much Champion as Joan was dazzling. It is a the musical star of King’s Week, played huge part, centre stage all the time, and Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto. Their she never faltered. Indeed, the part could have been written for her, so convincing was she in her courage, sincerity and simplicity. Oluwateniola Mobereola was A very entertaining equally good as the Bishop of Beauvais, Joan’s main interrogator, his genuine addition to the ing’s Week 2012 witnessed entirely towards his audience, the King’s concern for Joan and his humanity programme this the return to the Shirley Hall community. Using memory as a theme, contrasting with the creepy obsessiveness of one of our most notable he took us on a tour of his childhood of the Promoter (Patrick Demir) and the year was the King’s KOKS, Michael Morpurgo. and his time at the school. The talk was chilling austerity and arrogance of Sam Exactly fifty years previously almost to not only wonderfully nostalgic but also Gearing as the Inquisitor (a departure Week Challenge the day, he had given the farewell speech thought-provoking as we heard how his for him as he is best known for his comic as Captain of School to the legendary memories have helped him and inspired roles. No doubt such versatility will stand headmaster Canon Shirley. him to write. The enormous character him in good stead at RADA, where he has As last year’s Captain of School I had of Michael struck a chord with the recently been awarded a place.) Charlie talent is breathtaking and humbling, and the pleasure and privilege of introducing enchanted audience as he did readings Carr, as the Dauphin, proved to be a comic the hard work that their performances him and with the help of the archivist, and told stories with a wealth of different genius in the role, bringing a welcome bespoke is all the more remarkable given Peter Henderson, I was able to learn a accents and tones. touch of humour to what is a very intense that they both had A levels this term. I am little of his time at King’s. He arrived in King’s has in recent years begun to play, and portraying the weak, vacillating sure than neither of them will feel that they 1957 and left in 1962. A Galpin’s boy get more and more notable speakers and self-serving princeling to perfection. wasted their youth or their opportunities. who played in the 1st XV and was head to come and give talks or lectures Graham Sinclair, the Director, has again These were the highlights of the Week, of the CCF – not to mention being throughout the year, from MPs to demonstrated his skill at choosing the right but much else happened besides. As well Captain of School – his career at King’s journalists to sportsmen, but what was so actors for the parts and bringing them on as the usual round of plays, concerts and was illustrious and prescient of his future refreshing about Michael’s talk was that it to give such amazing performances. exhibitions, there was show-jumping, a successes as one of Britain’s greatest was entirely unique to us. We were not Choirs in the Quire provides a few super-speedy car challenge against other children’s authors and as a notable one stop on a long book tour or hearing moments of calm and reflection and a schools in Kent, two debates, a wine charity worker through Farms for City the same talk that the speaker churns out wonderful opportunity to hear the various tasting, demonstrations of circus skills, Children, the charity he and his wife set for every school he goes to. Michael did choirs performing in the ethereal beauty Songs from the Shows, a version of the X up around thirty-five years ago. not stop talking from the second he took of the Cathedral. This year, as well as a Factor, a pop concert with the music of The title of the talk was “There are to the stage and his boundless charisma, selection of Byrd, Bach and Purcell, we Stevie Wonder, Speeches in the Chapter other things in life, Morpurgo, besides stage presence and passion for King’s n spite of the dismal Serenade, the Mint Yard play, cream tea had the Five Mystical Songs by Vaughan House and lectures on wonderfully diverse rugby, you know. Try Wordsworth” – a left us with a glimpse into the mind and performance of British weather in the Archdeacon’s garden, OKS fencing, Williams, where each of the songs was subjects given by some frighteningly quote from one of Michael’s tutors. He heart of one of our most talented and during the early part of the summer. science demonstrations, the Scholar/ sung by one of the departing members clever members of 6b. had clearly returned to do this talk out of admirable OKS. The only question in my Ithe gods of meteorology smiled on Teacher quiz, and the endless parade of of the Crypt Choir. Howard Ionascu A very welcome development was Wi- a love for the school – this was not a talk mind at the end was who had enjoyed King’s Week, praise be, and it made such unusual bicycles took place in tolerable if has a great deal of experience in putting Fi accessibility on Green Court, and daily he would repeat again and was geared the talk more, the audience or Michael? a huge difference. Rushing from venue not perfect weather. together a balanced programme for the podcasts. Nobody can accuse King’s of to venue huddled under umbrellas is It was more than a little chilly on the concerts he organises, and the results are not keeping up with technology, and this Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure not conducive to good humour, and not evening we saw the Mint Yard play (The always pleasing in their balance of classic is representative of what is so marvellous was published having the opportunity to sit on Green Lark by Jean Anouilh) but the brilliance and modern, choral and solo, and provide about King’s Week – holding on to the best in mid-October. “Artemis Cooper’s beautifully crafted and Court having tea or ice cream, meeting of the production enthralled the audience something to interest his audience. of the traditional aspects of the festival but much anticipated biography not only draws on Leigh Fermor’s up with friends or watching the world go to such an extent that there was hardly A very entertaining addition to the welcoming novelty and encouraging the papers, but also on years of interviews and conversations with by ruins the atmosphere further. So we a whimper. The story is the trial of Joan programme this year was the King’s Week pupils to do what they want to do. They him and his closest friends.” were luckier than we expected to be – the of Arc, as she recounts the events of her Challenge, a quiz devised and conducted are so very lucky.
16 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 17 News News Mike Bax: The New High Morocco is a country of great culture and targets realistically low and our first fund- also enormous financial diversity. While raiser was a successful combination of Sheriff of Kent there is some tremendous wealth, mostly hard trekking and community assistance Helping in the in the great cities, there is also extreme projects in Moroccan mountain poverty. Our events took groups of up communities. Our group of forty office OKS installed as High Sheriff to forty European office workers deep workers worked hard at every task we set of Kent with a mission to into remote mountain villages that gave them, from creating a volleyball court out clean up the countryside Rif Mountains witness to shoeless children dressed in of nothing to painting a tiny mountain rags, men trying to hack a living out school, from cleaning the rubbish from of rocky soil and women bent double a river that was a vital water source to By Julian Camble (BR 1980-84) carrying huge loads of firewood on their running a football academy for kids who backs. usually spent their days working in the The charity we were fund-raising fields. Some of us struggled with sickness for does great work in many countries from the water or the sun, but nobody where the needs are even greater than we complained and everyone achieved were seeing, but this was close to home considerably more than they´d expected and the charity didn’t work there, so we before leaving home, including a greater began to talk more and more about how appreciation for the people and culture we could help directly, bringing with us of Morocco as well as for their friends, various donations when we returned for colleagues and themselves. For the first the third corporate challenge. And so RifCom event, it was a tremendous it was, on the bus back home from that success. third event, a close friend suggested we But later that year, the first shocking On Sunday, 1st April, 2012 Mike Bax might start our own charity… and I said hurdle was thrown in front of a group (LN 1969-72) was installed as High “yes”. After all, how hard could it be? And of us. Arriving back at one of the tiny Sheriff of Kent at the Church of St so, we started down the road that led hamlets we had helped earlier that year, Matthew, Warehorn. to the creation of a fully registered and expecting smiles and discussions of the After leaving King’s, Mike attained a functioning charity. Bringing together a next, bigger charity project, we were met degree in Estate Management before by long faces and soldiers. Taken up to a pursuing a career in Land Agency. nearby hill-top village, we were marched His background being based in the in to see the local official and the chief of countryside has been invaluable to police. him in his new role as High Sheriff. I quickly discovered that although it He has set up rural initiatives such as may be easy to demonstrate good intent Farm Watch, a scheme based on the with acts of kindness to Neighbourhood Watch system, to people who are in need, combat rural crime. it’s extremely difficult He is also running a campaign, to explain and then close to his heart, against dropping defend what you wish litter in the countryside. This is a to do with those in office criminal offence and Mike is dedicated small group of volunteers, when you speak none to raising the profile of the serious we created the purpose, of their languages! Our problems it creates. oes King’s teach you documentation, image, interpreter was valiant in There are some aspects of the confidence? My plans for marketing and vision for his efforts but ultimately role which are entirely new to Mike, an easy life were seriously what in early 2009 became we were thrown out of the such as the more graphic sectors of Ddeflected when a major UK formally registered as village and the entire valley the criminal justices system, which charity asked me to organise corporate “The Rif Community because we didn’t have he has experienced whilst sitting in challenge fundraising events for them Foundation”, known the necessary permits and the Coroner’s Court in Dover. Mike out of Gibraltar. simply as “RifCom”. reams of stamped paper is taking the new challenges in his Three years later, we’d run three major www.rifcom.org. We set up RifCom with which are so respected there. stride and is greatly enjoying the multi-day sponsored adventure events a vision of helping those living in poverty But we’ve ploughed on. We’ve taken responsibilities his role encompasses. and raised nearly £150,000 with the to have a better life, whether through baby steps in the world of charity, done A fine cricketer, Mike earned the generous support of hundreds of people. education or health or economy. We had some great little projects and spent a lot gratitude of the School and the OKS We ran two of those events in the nearby dreams of building multiple centres in of time trying to get the paperwork which at the sporting dinner and auction Rif Mountains of Morocco: being based remote locations that would bring all this apparently opens all doors. And all this in held at The Merchant Taylors’ Hall in in Gibraltar gave us this incredible option to peoples who eked out a subsistence our spare time, trying also to balance full- November 2004: “The evening was as the North African coast is within living. time jobs and families! rounded off by a highly successful sight of our comfy, modern homes. But The basic fundraising model was If you’d like to help us in any way, auction of extremely attractive Main photo: School painting, Akchour for most of us, that short ten mile trip simple enough: we just carried on as we´d please have a look at the website promises and memorabilia, expertly Inset, opposite page top: Camel train across the Straits was like travelling to a done before and ran our own sponsored www.rifcom.org. Any and all donations conducted by Mike (Bax) until he Inset, opposite page bottom: Julian and Matt, RifCom founders different world two hundred years back challenge treks. We hadn’t factored in of money, time, wisdom and good wishes sprinted out of the Hall to catch the Photos: Julian Camble in time. → the on-coming recession, but we set our are welcome. last train home.”
18 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 19 News Archives Careers New Senior The Dancing Philpots OKS Careers Day 2012 Deputy Peter Henderson's series on Unknown OKS continues with Matthew Townshend relishes the opportunity to return to the classroom and to meet Sixth a dynasty of OKS dancing masters Formers and fellow OKS Head makes may need to see more of history in the the world but it is still a thrill to be able to drive through the Mint Yard Cathedral Igate – to be grumpily informed that “there may be a parking space” in the Green Court “if you’re lucky, that is”. I sweep past a huddled group of OKS, looking more scared than a freshly landed Shell class, some faces recognisable despite hair loss and the other many subtle changes wrought by Time. The introduction to the Sixth Form begins in classic style – slackers v. teacher just having to do a job – and then suddenly the splayed legs (male) and come-hither eyes (female) disappear. The new Head Man commands an attentive audience: a dropped pin could have been heard in The tradition of dance continues Herne Bay, let alone Palace Street. Most Matthew Townshend deploys wig and corset as Hugh Walpole looks on impressive. Bad moment to realise that Mrs Elizabeth Worthington, the lame collection of mildly risqué old the new Senior Deputy Head, he earliest surviving 1837, a sale of his household furniture girls’ and boys’ stories - with which, in the were. All smugness vanishes like smoke Many thanks to the organisers and to was installed in the Cathedral reference to dancing at the included ‘an excellent 6-octave cabinet absence of the official OKS speaker, I had on meeting a much younger OKS who, all those who come back to Canterbury on Sunday 9 September ‘in King’s School comes in a 1778 pianoforte (by Broadwood)’ and ‘a finger light-heartedly thought to entertain the whilst still at school, was writing iconic for the day; friendships are made and officium hypodidascali’. Tschool bill. Manby May Tylden organ in mahogany case’. He died in crowd – will have to be ditched pronto. software and communicating with one renewed; in our family’s case this means She is the first woman to hold this is charged £1 9s for ‘Dancing Master’. It is 1862. None of us can get the PC nor the of Britain’s most respected twentieth a Country and Western festival on a historic office, known to most OKS as quite possible that the teacher concerned Six of William’s sons were also at the projector to produce any sound, but century composers. farm in Suffolk some ten days later. An Lower Master or Second Master. The is George Philpot (ks 1765-70). He was School: William (ks 1816-19), George it’s comforting to find that the Palace Ah well, on with the show and once event that we would never have touched Royal Charter of 1992 anticipated and the son of George Philpot, also a dancing (ks 1816-20), Stephen (ks 1818-20), classroom only just pays lip service to again, I find the discussion about pathways with a bargepole had another OKS not regularised this possibility by decreeing master, who lived in the Archbishop’s Charles (ks 1820-24), Henry (ks 1824- modern fandangled nonsense – like for now and tomorrow with students over recommended their own appearance as that “references to the male include Palace. An advertisement from George 29) and John (ks 1827-28). Little is interactive whiteboards – and still has a tea at the end of the sessions the most fiddler with one of the bands. the female”. Mrs Worthington has senior in the Kentish Gazette refers known about Stephen, who appears to good old fashioned musty atmosphere satisfying part of the day; ranging from Back on the Green Court, car parked been a housemistress at Oundle and to him offering ‘Minuets, Rigadoons, have been apprenticed to a musician of books and solid learning. We have one who wants to find courage to tell untidily half on half off the kerb, and the Uppingham, and comes to us from being Catillions [=Cotillions], and all other and died at the age of 36. Henry was fun dressing strapping oarsmen in wigs their teacher about a dream project to this Cathedral sails serene over all the effort, a Deputy Head at Wellington. French Dances in the newest Method’. very much the odd one out, becoming a and corsets and descend feeling smug to year’s King's Week stars and the agony the hopes and the striving, into which we Her King’s School credentials are Three generations of his descendants chemist and druggist in Paddington. The coffee underneath Shirley Temple, as it over University against Drama School. have been offered a privileged window. impeccable. Her brother, were to come other four all became dancing masters – Richard Smalman-Smith (BR to the School William, George and Charles after being 1982-86), her father, John and most of apprenticed to their father. Between them Smalman-Smith (WL 1950- them were to they must have dominated the profession 56), and her grandfather, follow in his in mid-Victorian Kent. William was The OKS Careers Service …an invitation from Frances Judd Andrew Telfer (KS 1908-12) professional Professor of Dancing in Tunbridge Wells, and great-uncle William footsteps. George in Dover, Charles in Maidstone One of the most important extremely popular event. This takes place and to establish what may be useful links Telfer (KS 1900-05) were all George the and John in Ramsgate. services that OKS have to offer on a Friday in mid-June, with about 20 for the future. here, and her mother was younger, who John Philpot offered ‘La Cellarius is that of careers support and to 25 OKS from a variety of careers and If you are able to offer some of your a childhood friend of Paul worked in Valse, New Mazurka Quadrille Polka, advice. The OKS careers service professions coming to the school to talk to time to promote any of these activities, Wenley (Lower Master 1976-89), when Canterbury and died in 1806, may well Valse a Deux Tems, &c.’ and advertised his aims to put potential, new and groups of pupils. The pupils have said they or simply to set aside an hour to chat to he was a boy at Felsted, where Andrew be the Mr Philpot (dancing master) ‘Academies for Dancing and Calisthenic established OKS in touch with find the day very useful and interesting: for a school or university leaver or someone Telfer was headmaster of the Junior who visited Godmersham in 1805 while Exercises and Fencing’ at Canterbury each other for this very purpose. the OKS it is – apart from anything else seeking a career change, we would be very School. Jane Austen was staying with the Knight and Faversham as well as at Ramsgate. There is no better way for a young – very good fun. We are always looking grateful indeed. We are not just seeking family. His clientele were, he hoped, ‘the nobility, (or even not so young) person to decide for more volunteers, especially from those assistance from the more senior amongst The younger George’s sons were gentry and inhabitants of Canterbury what they are good at than by obtaining who are scientists and in business, as well you – those who are closer in age and The School has purchased the William Philpot (ks 1793-95), and his and its vicinity’. By 1864, he was giving the advice and support of those who have as from the professions. experience to school and university Malthouse site next to Blore’s. brother Frederick (ks 1804-05), who sessions at St George’s Hall for King’s established themselves. The careers service also aims to hold leavers have an immense amount to This major development will seems to have died while at school. Scholars on Wednesdays at 4 o’clock. He Work placements, for a month, a week a series of networking dinners for OKS. offer too. The advantage will not just be include a new theatre and William became a dancing master in is recorded in school lists as teaching or even a couple of days, are invaluable to There have already been successful events to those on the receiving end of help and additional sports facilities. More Canterbury, though in the City freemen dancing at the School from 1869 to 1878, school and university leavers. We cannot for the legal profession, the armed forces advice. Those of you who give it will see details will appear in the next records he is sometimes described as but Woodruff and Cape meanly (or just stress this enough. Advice is also invaluable. and the financial sector. These dinners are for yourselves what an impressive array of issue. ‘dancing master and music and fencing carelessly) omit him in their record of The OKS Careers Day, for the 6bs who an opportunity for people of different talent the school continues to produce. master’. When he left Canterbury in Assistant Masters. He died in 1893. have just finished their AS levels, is an generations to meet on an informal basis • Please contact us for more details
20 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 21 Sport Sport 2012 Round the Island Race
Claude Fielding (MO 1941-42), ‘the Ancient Mariner’, celebrates his birthday with OKS, parents, pupils and staff
Photos: Julien Hartley (sh 1975-79)
ichard Maltby, master i/c introduction for those experiencing their Natalie Freeman (wl 1990-95), Julien 139 boats (there were 1900 competing Ventnor and Sandown, before meeting King’s Sailing Club, and Richard Ninham, first sail on the open sea. Hartley (sh 1975-79), Robin King (wl in all), and for Vantage the race began by low water and a rising tide on entering the Housemaster Elect of Meister Omers, had The three boats: 1972-76), Andrew Mackintosh (gl 1968- motoring to safety some way to the east of Eastern Solent. A navigational flaw took a significant supporting role in a novel Forrader, skipper Tim; crewed by current 72), Dominic Molyneux (sh 1978-83), the start line, the skipper wisely deciding Vantage into a strong adverse tide so that “time out” from King’s Week that proved pupils Oliver Briggs, Harry Churchill, Richard Pollok (gl 1978-83), Richard (sh that there was little point in trying to there was a lot of tacking to do before the very successful, and may be repeated. Giles Dean, Sasha Grover, Theo Haynes, 1985-89) and Niki Schaefer. save a couple of minutes from a 9 hour finish line at Cowes was reached, an hour R Three large 43 foot Sun Odyssey Georgina MacDonald, Alex McCulloch, After their practice day, the three race. Nevertheless after the parents’ boat, Sparkling Spirit, leisure cruisers were chartered, with their Charlie Trumper, Ben Warnick, with cruisers were required to “raft up” at Cowes the boat made a had arrived. In the professional skippers, to participate in the Richard Ninham and Lisa Cousins ex Yacht Haven alongside a very large Volvo good start, sailing event, this latter annual race around the Isle of Wight, the officio. 60 racing boat into the wind finished 22nd of biggest and one of the most exciting yacht Sparkling Spirit, skipper Ed; crewed appropriately down the western the 139 boats in races in the world. The yachts were crewed by Richard Maltby and by parents called Venom. Solent before the category, with by (respectively) This latterentering the area a corrected time of current pupils, required a 6 of turbulent water 7 hours, 59 mins., parents of current A day’s practice in the Solent am departure, at the end of the 8 secs. Vantage was pupils and a so the skippers Solent, between placed 86th and selection of OKS, took place in 30-35 knots of wind and some of Hurst Castle on Forrader 97th. one of whom the King’s the right and None of (Claude Fielding) occasionally gusting to gale force contingent Needles on the the King’s boats had been a boy had to be left. Avoiding a famous wreck, Vantage infringed any rules or for four terms at up early to sailed out into the high seas where the suffered any penalties or disqualification, Carlyon Bay, in adult life had become a Jane Arnold, Nick (gr 1981-86) and undo the Channel meets the Solent, before tacking and all finished safely without damage, solicitor and yacht master, and now joined Mary Briggs, Richard Churchill, Neil shorelines to towards St Catherine’s Point, and quieter which was good going for a first time out. the OKS boat on his 86th birthday. McCulloch, Austen Slattery, Sally and allow Venom water, at which stage it was time to break The crews’ experiences have been well The three crews assembled on 29th June Julian Trumper, Richard Webster and to slip out of out the champagne and smoked salmon captured on Robin King’s video, on You at Haslar Marina, Gosport, preparatory Andrew Wickham. the raft, and then tie ours back onto the sandwiches and celebrate the Ancient Tube: look up OKS RTI 2012. to a day’s practice sailing in the Solent Vantage, skipper Debs; crewed by pontoon, a lesson in seamanship. Mariner’s birthday. which took place in 30-35 knots of wind Claude Fielding, Chris Born (ln 1965- All three King’s boats had been classified With the Ancient Mariner navigating, occasionally gusting to gale force, a hairy 69), Malcolm Freeland (sh 1963-67), in the ISC Group 5, which consisted of the boat stayed well off the shore to pass
22 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine www.oks.org.uk Autumn 2012 OKS Offcuts 23 Sport King’s and the Olympics Hugh Robertson is promoted following the huge success of the London 2012 Olympics and Tom Ransley brings home another King’s rowing medal
ongratulations are due to the International Olympic Committee, including CTunku Imran (mo 1962-66), and to the Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson (br 1976-81) on the success of this summer’s sporting extravaganza. We hope to have Hugh’s reflections in our next issue. He was recognised for his work by his promotion to Minister of State and to the Privy Council. He was probably equally delighted at winning the bet with his Aussie counterpart over who would win most medals at the London Games. As a result, he didn’t have to dribble a hockey ball around Australia House. (He captained the KSC 1st XI at cricket and Warming up for the Olympics: OKS Fencing on the Green Court the 2nd XI at hockey, but cricket is not, at the moment, an Olympic sport: hence his choice of penalty.) women’s quad, and Nick Strange (mr/mt And Michael Morpurgo (gl 1957-62) OKS sporting participation was 1979-84), an Olympian himself in 1996, wrote Out of a Rainbow, the original story restricted to Eton Dorney Lake. As was coach of the British women’s eight, of Wenlock and Mandeville, the mascots reported elsewhere Tom Ransley (mr who also reached their final. for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 1999-2004) won a bronze medal in the Two other OKS had highly visible On a sadder note, one of the School’s men’s eight. This is the sixth OKS Olympic roles. Jim Turner (mo 1986-91) was leader most distinguished Olympians, Richard medal, so far as we are aware, and the of the Red Arrows in their fly-pasts at Norris (sh 1946-51), winner of a bronze fourth consecutive games at which an the Opening Ceremony and the Victory medal for hockey at Helsinki in 1952, OKS has been on the podium. Frances Parade, and Georgie Bingham (jr 1993- attended a team reunion at the Riverside Houghton (wl 1993-98), already a double 98), now an experienced television sports Stadium, but died in South Africa on 25 silver medallist, appeared in her fourth journalist, was a commentator on the August. An obituary appears in For the Olympic Games and was a finalist in the Paralympics for Channel 4. Record.
… and the … and the OKS Summer Sports Day Commonwealth Games HRH Prince Imran / Tunku Imran Ja’afar, or ‘Tunku Pete’, (MO 1961-66), a former Malaysian squash champion, has been president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and a member of the IOC for some years. Last November he was elected President of the Commonwealth Games The Friday of King’s Week saw cricket on Birley’s, and on Saturday there was Federation (CGF) and in this role he had fencing on the Green Court and tennis at Birley’s. his first visit, in August, to Glasgow, where OKS Cricket: OKS 196 (Fabbro 4-45); KSC 197-3 (Stacey 78, R. MacLeod 77*). the Commonwealth Games will be held. Lost. OKS XI: Jack Masters (Captain), Charlie MacLeod, Alex Gilmore, Mark Healy, Prince Imran said, “I am confident that James Hearn, Loren Kock, Pat Mitchell, Billy Newman, Will Chilcott, Kieran Premnath we will see an amazing eleven days of and Rohan Premnath. world-class sport in 2014. I believe the OKS Fencing participants were Frazer Hughes, Emma Pinder, William Jennings, organising committee has robust plans Marc Chapman and Chris Uhde. in place, not only to ensure a fantastic The OKS Tennis players were Patrick Booth-Clibborn, Marcus Van Der Gaag, multi-sport event but to deliver a Johnny Cheung and Alex Proudlock. tangible legacy for Glasgow, Scotland and On the same day, the OKS were well represented in the two King’s School boats the Commonwealth Games movement that rowed past at Henley, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the start of in general.” rowing at King’s.
24 OKS Offcuts Autumn 2012 The OKS Magazine