20/05/2013 13:52 President’s Letter 2 News from Former Pupils 34 The President Elect 4 Susie Jordan 52 Editorial 6 School Matters 53 Main Committee 8 Dinners, Lunches & Balls 54 Headmaster’s Reflections 13 Shenstonian Lodge 58 OSA Trust 16 Obituaries 59 The Clubhouse 20 Hockey Success 73 School Song 22 Old Sils v Old Warwickians 74 Denis Tomlin 26 Sports 76 David Briggs - World Tour 30 Acknowledgments 84 With the right kind of support, Contents anything is possible. 0121 693 5000 | jerroms.co.uk “ T H E S I L H I L L I A N ” the magazine of the The Old Silhillians’ Association Limited (The Former Pupils of Solihull School) The Leonard Stevens Building Solihull School Warwick Road Solihull West Midlands B91 3DJ Telephone: 0121 703 2963 Email: [email protected] Website: www.silhillians.net ISSUE 66 NOVEMBER 2015 President 2015 John Loynton 1 Dear Friends On 16th December 2014 I entered the world of the Old Silhillians’ Association with very little knowledge or experience of how it was run or what being President actually entailed. All I could provide was information about the School and its history, or offer advice from a former teacher’s prospective. What I was to discover as the year progressed was a really The President fine organization run by an impressive and dedicated team of professional people who give their time and expertise so effectively at a time of major change and transition. 2015 hasn’t quite seen the completion of all the building projects and the required and protracted administrative changes, but it was great to be back enjoying the facilities at a revitalised and expanded club house. As President, I have enjoyed a variety of functions happy to be back at O.S.A. H.Q. The Hockey Club’s Annual Dinner was quickly followed by the Rugby Club Bash, both celebrating highly successful years on the field of play, and it was great to be part of the revelry. A little less boisterous but just as enjoyable were the Over 60s lunches, the Past Presidents’ Dinner and the London dinner, which took place for the first time at the East India Club. A sincere thank you to all the organizers of these events, I thoroughly enjoyed them all and the time and effort that goes into these functions is much appreciated. Another notable event that I was pleased to attend as a guest was the Shenstonian Lodge Open Evening, and I pay tribute to the gentlemen of the Lodge for the charity work they do including somewhat unsung support for the School. As always, I enjoyed the meetings and matches of the Golf Society, congratulations to Paul Gilbert for a successful year as Captain. Paul led the support team at the Grafton Morrish Tournament at Hunstanton. Nowhere is the spirit of the O.S.A. better represented than by the loyal camp followers of our elite golfers, to the envy of the other teams and the joy of those who count the bar takings! After an absence of two years the O.S.A. was able to hold a Summer Ball. As always a support team swung into action to help an inexperienced President. Malcolm Lawrie and Julia Skan (and Julia’s mum) ensured that I had very little to do except enjoy what many agreed was a terrific evening. My thanks are also due to Patrick and his staff who served us so well. Back at School it was a strange feeling to attend so many familiar things as President of the O.S.A. but an absolute honour and I felt proud not only for my office, but for the staff and pupils who produce such wonderful musicals, plays, recitals and sporting events. The quality of everything they do is first class and deeply impresses former pupils, who fondly lament those days in Big School, the Old Gym and the Tuck Shop, and reflect how far the School has progressed in recent times, and how much they enjoy returning to see the old place. Pride in the School’s achievements is rightly celebrated each year at the Speeches. This year a new School song was premiered, only gentlemen of a certain age will remember the original version written in 1931 but abandoned by Mr. Hitchens in the 1950s, because he didn’t like it! As I write this, I still have a few more events to look forward to. The opening of the improvements to the Chapel in October, and then the Cooper Building (new Sixth Form Centre) the following month, one day after the Remembrance Service. The Annual Dinner on the 21st November is my final duty before the A.G.M. when I will hand over to Simon Westwood who will make an excellent President, and I am delighted that he has accepted 2 the Committee’s nomination. The President Returning to School for a moment of sadness, I would like to pay my respects to two former colleagues who passed away this year. Former Matron Doris Tomlin and Peter Arculus, Head of Science (1958-1988). Peter was very helpful and kind to me when I arrived as a new teacher in 1982. Those who were taught Chemistry by Peter will never forget a flamboyant character and outstanding teacher with a great sense of humour. The links between the O.S.A. and the School have never been stronger. Mr Bushell’s summary, 40 years after the creation of the O.S.A., ” that the School’s prosperity binds former pupils together in friendship and recreation, offering a sense of belonging.” still sparkles today. The Solihull family is a reality. The new tiles in the Cooper Building remind me of Mr. Bushell’s appeal for more chairs in the 1920s to cater for an expanding School population. Sponsors could have their name carved on the back. The response, like today was, as Mr. Bushell concluded...”most satisfactory.” One other link with the past is the modern version of the Old Silhillian blazer based on the 1930s’ model. My thanks to Malcolm Lawrie, who has given me so much help and support throughout my year, for organising their production. As School Archivist I have been fortunate to have close connections with the Alumni Department based in the Leonard Stevens Building, and offer sincere thanks to Susie Jordan and her team, plus Heather and Tracey in the Head’s Wing for all their help and support during my Presidency. Also Headmaster David Lloyd has given me much encouragement and so too has my irrepressible predecessor Julia Skan. It is no exaggeration to say that Julia’s support, guidance and continued involvement have been invaluable. It has been an absolute privilege to represent the O.S.A. as President in 2015, a truly great organisation, with its rich history, dedicated officials and loyal members; the centenary of which is only six years away. With best wishes, John Loynton THE OLD SILHILLIANS’ ASSOCIATION - PAST PRESIDENTS 1921/22 Dr AV Bernays 1956 VO Hawley 1986 JRD Orrett 1923 C Aldrin 1957 FR Bishop 1987 G Stubbings 1924 WR Ludlow 1958 LG Highway 1988 MS Saunders 1925 PE Martineau 1959 HA Steele 1989 HJC Taylor 1926 PH Reading 1960 CWD Cooper 1990 MJD Smith 1927 HA Hughes 1961 HT Wilcox 1991 RJC Graves 1928 HS Matthews 1962 WP Townsend 1992 BW Allen 1929 TA Furse 1963 DH Billing 1993 GM Hughes 1930 CH Palmer 1964 HB Callaghan 1994 HE Blow 1932 LC Reading 1965 CT Coton 1995 AJ Richardson 1933 LE Horton 1966 MJ Wheelock 1996 P Callaghan 1934 F Burnett 1967 PJ Hill 1997 MC Bettridge 1935 RH Whitehill 1968 BJW Swift 1998 PA Thomas 1936 CL Hughes 1969 FAR Moon 1999 JM Batsford 1937 FJ Osborne 1970 JEJ Baggs 2000 J Woolman 1938 HD James 1971 RG Toy 2001 BJD Wilde 1939/43 WRL Horton 1972 TG Jones 2002 MA Cutler 1944 FL Nock 1973 JMB Urry 2003 N Smith 1945 AG Bragg 1974 DM Powell 2004 R Jerrom 1946 JB Mayers 1975 MJ Cusack 2005 BW Allen 1947 CW Bragg 1976 RC Young 2006 PA Thomas 1948 EG Wilcox 1977 KJ Foster 2007 SD Allso 1949 AJD Mansell 1978 T Jackson 2008 JA Platt 1950 JM Urry 1979 DA Gurnham 2009 RJ Young 1951 KW Highway 1980 PBL Instone 2010 ME Levenger 1952 Dr. KD Waters 1981 JLR Hare 2011 JN Harrison 1953 BE Hatton 1982 RC Cupit 2012 PG Davies 1954 MAD Cooper 1983 DD Cox 2013 JR Bates 1955 JT Rolfe 1984 DW Edwards 2014 Julia Skan 3 1985 SC Mackay Dear Old Silhillians When my good friend Joe Bates phoned me and told me he had something to discuss face to face, he was being unusually mysterious. When he did pop round my The President-elect house, which is currently a building site, I took him to the one unaffected room and he told me that the OSA Committee had unanimously decided to ask me to take over the role of President for the forthcoming year. That was, probably, the very last thing that I was expecting. Surprise doesn’t really cover it; I was astonished. I felt both very honoured Simon and Christine Westwood and humbled at the same time. A most unusual mix of emotions for me. I was delighted to accept once I had discussed with my wife Christine. Her support wasn’t really in doubt, but it’s always a good idea to discuss first. My family had a bit of history with Solihull School. My father, Norman, left in 1939 and his younger brother, Barry, left in 1946 as Head Boy.