Silhillian 1998 November Issue Number 49
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8661 U1UJT q JT S oq I CONTENTS The Silhillian CONTENTS THE MAGAZINE OF THE THE ASSOCIATION 2 OLD SILHILLIANS' ASSOCIATION LIMITED THE SCHOOL 8 MEMORIAL CLUBHOUSE AND GROUND — Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LW Telephone: (01564) 777680 PAST HEADMASTERS 18 Facsimile: (01564) 775151 25 YEARS WITH THE LADIES 23 Hon. Editor: CLAUDE COTON, C.C.F. CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 31 35 Whitefields Road, Solihull, B91 3NX (0121) 705 6698 OBITUARIES 36 No. 49 OLD BOYS' NEWS & LETTERS 42 NOVEMBER 1998 SECTION 60 SPORTS REPORT 61 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 71 List of Editors 1. Bernard Owens (1950,53-55) 2. Brian Coughlan (1951-52) 3. Arthur Upton (1956-60,63) 4. Robin Cooper (1962-62) 5. Mike Cusack & Mike Calaghan (1964) 6. Mike Cusack (1965-67) 7. Brian Knight (1968-71) 8. Geoff Herne (1972-74) 9. Nick Atkinson (1975-76) 10. John Woolman (1977-79) 11. Simon Wilcox (1980-82) 12. Martin Cotter (1983-85) 13. David Gilbert (1986-87) 14. Robert Shetland (1988-89) 15. Reg Instone (1990-91) 16. Richard Graves (1992-94) 17. Claude Coton (1995-98) PRESIDENT 1998 — PETER ANGUS THOMAS THE ASSOCIATION THE ASSOCIATION MAIN COMMITTEE OFFICERS 1998 TNE PRESODENT'S LETTER Home Tel. No. Bus. Tel. No. Dear Old Silhillians, President P. Thomas (0121) 456 2627 When I was asked by Mike Bettridge to become his President-elect, little did I know that when it 23 Bonningale Way, became time for me to take over the office of President, that I would be setting out on such an interesting and enjoyable journey. In December, at the Annual Dinner all seemed a little strange and Dorridge, to be totally honest, I was beginning to wonder what I had let myself in for, but within a very short Solihull period of time my dear old pal John Richardson, our illustrious secretary, had come to my rescue with a detailed plan of the year's activities ahead and almost at once the fog began to clear, and I could see that this was going to be tremendous fun. President-Elect J. Batsford (01564) 778198 (0121) 609 7666 The first official duty that any President has to perform in his year of office is that of reading a 14 Hansell Drive, lesson at the service of nine lessons and carols held in the school chapel. As a past School Sacristan, Dorridge, the prospect of carrying out this duty did not worry me in the slightest, that is until I took my place on the altar steps and the service got under way. I was scheduled to read lesson No. 6. The first one Solihull up was a young boy from the Junior School, who I have to say read his lesson with the maturity and disposition of an Oxford Don. Then came a boy from the middle school, and another from the upper school — both of whom were faultless in their delivery. After the boys came a Master of the School, Hon. Secretary A.J. Richardson (01564) 776565 (01564) 776565 followed by the President of the Parents' Association — again equally faultless — and then it was 4 Everitt Drive, my turn. Well I was 'scared stiff' not only at the prospect of floundering at the lectern, but I could not Knowle, work out which was the best route that I should take to get to it, as there appeared to be a number Solihull, B93 9EP of obstacles (chairs, candlesticks — not to mention people) between me and my place behind the lectern. Anyway, I survived the ordeal and I have to say thoroughly enjoyed the service, which incidentally I would strongly recommend any old boy/girl to attend if they possibly can. Christmas seemed to come and go pretty quickly and with one or two dinners to attend in Chairman of the H.E. Blow (0121) 744 4756 (0121) 709 0086 January/February I seemed to be operating at a reasonably comfortable pace. Little did I realize that this Management 21c Hampton Lane, was the 'quiet before the storm' as between 28th March and the end of June, I was to attend Committee Solihull, B91 2QE approximately forty functions, and see my slim, firm and finely tuned almost athletic frame develop into something more akin to that of a beached whale. Without exception, all of the sports sections were particularly kind and generous to me during this period, inviting me to their dinners and various sporting Headmaster Patrick Derham (0121) 705 0958 (0121) 705 0958 events, and I can honestly say that I will always remember their hospitality with much affection. Solihull School, There have, however, been two events during the year which I particularly enjoyed and would wish to make special mention of. The first one was the occasion of the Centenary Inspection of the CCF Warwick Road, held at Solihull School. Phil Griffiths did an outstanding job in organising such an event and I felt Solihull, B91 3DJ incredibly honoured to take part in the day, which made me feel privileged to be a former pupil of Solihull School. As one would expect the day went with great military precision and we were entertained with a fly-past by Tornado Aircraft, a parachute display team from the Red Arrows and Membership Secretary M. Waters (0121) 704 4819 an exhibition of numerous items of military hardware, tanks, rocket launchers and the like. Even the 30 Whitley Avenue, boys and girls from the school were being given helicopter rides over Solihull in the very latest military Solihull aircraft. All this on one of the hottest days of this unusually miserable summer. The day concluded with an excellent dinner held in the School Refectory and again, one felt privileged to be a part of such an event where more than 150 former pupils who had each chosen to make their careers in the The 'Silhillian' Editor C.T. Coto n (0121) 705 6698 armed forces were present. The second event which I thoroughly enjoyed this year was that of the Summer Ball, which, despite 35 Whitefields Road, suffering from diminishing numbers attending in previous years, was a great success, with more than Solihull, B91 3NX 150 enjoying an evening of fun and fellowship well into the early hours of the morning. I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank all of those members who supported me and a particular mention to those who helped me with the background organisation. My dear Ann must Hon. Treasurer R. Jerrom (0121) 754 4131 have written out the seating plan 100 times just to ensure that each and every detail was correct. Jerrom Associates When I took over the office of President of your Association, I had two simple objectives for the Westminster House, year. The first was to ensure that the financial growth of the Club continued to secure the future existence of the association for years to come, and the second objective was to try and further the 188/190 Stratford Road, links between the school and the OSA. Shirley, Well, financially, it has been quite a tough year, though I am pleased to report that we have at least Solihull, B90 3AQ come out on top and though our financial growth has not been as significant as I would have hoped, we have nonetheless made something of a small profit. The second objective which I personally consider to be of equal — if not more importance than that of financial growth, was that of developing further the link between the OSA and the school. Patrick Derham has been an absolute delight to work with in this regard, and I would like to take this THE ASSOCIATION THE ASSOCIATION opportunity to thank both Patrick and his lovely wife Allison for all the support that they have both given me during the year. As many of you are already aware, I felt ashamed when I discovered what little the OSA did in PRESIDENT-ELECT regard to providing scholarships at the school, and in January I launched my President's Scholarship Appeal Fund, where it is my intention to raise, during the course of the next five years, a sum of £200,000 for the purpose of providing scholarships for people who because of financial constraints, JOHN BATSFORD - PRESIDENT-ELECT are unable to attend Solihull School. I am pleased to report that the initial reaction to such a project was well received by many of you and I would like to thank all of you who have sent me cheques. Solihull School — 1959-1969 So far, at the time of writing, I have received approximately £9,000 through donations and I hope Windsor that with a proposed concert to be held in the school chapel with Nigel Kennedy playing, a further £15,000 should be raised. Obviously we have a long way to go, so please if you have not contributed John entered Solihull School as the youngest pupil in the yet then please, please do so, as and when you can. newest House — Windsor having been formed at the start of Before I sign off, I would like to make one further plea for support, and that is to all OSA Members the 1959 academic year. who have or have had children at Solihull School to encourage them to join our wonderful association. Delivered into the tender mercies of Miss Bradwell, he rose Life was much easier 25 years ago when the parents of pupils at school were given an opportunity through the School with a notable lack of academic prowess to pay a little extra on the school fees, to enable their children when they finished school, to in the care of such memorable masters as Messrs Crawford, automatically become 'life members of the association' (something which I would dearly like the Bailey, Rickman, Berridge and Costard to the Sixth Form and governors to consider reintroducing — it works for King Edward's).