Bishop Otter College Guild Newsletter 2018
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 3 Welcome to the Bishop Otter College Guild Newsletter 2018
We are very excited to announce the return of the Jean Lurçat tapestry to the Chapel of the Ascension after six years.
The tapestry had not been taken down since its installation in the early 1960s and although it was in very good condition it showed evidence of dye fading due to over exposure to high light levels, a few areas of abraded weft particularly at shoulder and arm height and it was very dusty.
The work undertaken by conservator Zenzie Tinker (pictured below) has addressed the damage caused by dust and abrasion and the tapestry has been raised to reduce the risk of people brushing against it when using the altar. The issue of UV damage remains but the tapestry will now be checked annually by the conservator to assess its condition.
The Chapel of the Ascension has played a central role in the life of the University since its creation and we are thrilled to be able to showcase the tapestry once more. We invite our alumni back to campus to view the tapestry either before or during the Bishop Otter Guild Reunion.
If you would like to visit please get in touch with the Alumni Team who will be happy to arrange a visit for you. 01243 812171 [email protected]
2 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Bishop Otter College Guild
President Professor Clive Behagg
Vice-Presidents Dr Colin Greaves Professor Philip E D Robinson
Honorary Secretary Mr Marten Lougee 11 Meadow Close Cononley, Keighley West Yorkshire BD20 8LZ 01535 636487 (mob) 07813 393381 [email protected]
Honorary Treasurer Mr John Fletcher 6 Colley Rise Lyddington Oakham Rutland LE15 9LL 01572 821213
Membership Secretary and Newsletter Editor Mrs Rose Savage 14 Crouch Cross Lane Boxgrove Chichester PO18 OEH 01243 773336 [email protected]
Auditor Mrs Hilary Chapman 60 Connaught Road Cromer Norfolk NR27 OBZ 01263 513711
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 3 From the Editor
Another year gone by! It is so good to hear from you with all the news, and to receive articles of the adventures you have undertaken and the reminiscences of your time in college. The closing date for receiving contributions for the 2019 magazine is Monday 21st January 2019.
Once again, the reunion was a very happy occasion, although the numbers were down on previous years, and the University, as usual, made sure that our weekend was a real joy. However, it must be stressed, that on the booking form for the reunion it does say all meals must be pre-booked and even if you are attending and not having meals, the £3 administration fee has to be paid. A couple of people did turn up on the Saturday morning in 2017 expecting to be able to pay on the day. The catering team needs to know in advance how many people will be eating. Extra people turning up means there may not be enough for those who have pre-booked. Please make sure you read the small print at the top of the booking form before signing it. Also, please remember to tell the Alumni team at the University if you have changed dietary needs (such as vegetarian to vegan) between booking your meals and the reunion date.
The other matter about which it must be considered I am a terrible nag is the subject of changes of address. Magazines will only be sent to the address on my list. If you have moved from there the magazine is probably binned by the current owners. Don’t forget that there is very important information in the magazine about the reunion including the booking form, as well as, I hope, articles that will be of interest to you all.
It has been suggested to me by a member of the Guild that the writers of articles may be willing to have their contact details added, so if anyone should want to get in touch with them they are able to. Perhaps, if you send me an article for the magazine, you could say whether or not you would be willing to have your e-mail address or telephone number published with your name.
Committee Meeting
All Year Representatives able to get to the Reunion are invited to the Committee Business Meeting at 9.30 a.m. in room H149.
Year Representatives 1944-46 Mrs Cynthia Aird, 1 Rosevine Road, West Wimbledon, London SW20 8RB 1947-49 Mrs Sue Pickering, 5 Berehurst, Borovere Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1PA 1948-50 Mrs Pat Life, 78 Elmstead Gardens, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 7BE 1949-51 Mrs Josephine Sztyber, 8 Crofton, Lion Lane, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1JE 1950-52 Miss June Blitz, 19 Marjoram Crescent, Cowplain, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO8 9BD 1951-53 Revd Barbara Watson Hammond, 28 Church Path, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 7DP 1952-54 Mrs Trixie Barnden, 48 Folders Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0DX 1953-55 Mrs Pamela Cahill, 50 Ridgeway, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7DE 1954-56 Miss Rosslyn Stenning, 7 Hurst Gardens, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, BN6 9ST 1955-57 Mrs Valerie Gabriel, Flat 1, 6 Dittons Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 1DN 1956-58 Mrs Lorna Edwards, 26 Queen’s Drive, Nuttall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG16 1EG 1957-59 Mrs Pauline Moss, 3 Lathallan Drive, Polmont, Falkirk, Stirlingshire FK2 0PD 1958-60 Miss Muriel Warburton, 37a Oaklands Avenue, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9SS 1959-61 Mrs Anne Walters, 1 Wayte Court, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire NG11 6NL 1960-63 Mrs Maureen Evershed-Martin, Mile End Cottage, Cherlton Fitzpaine, Crediton, Devon EX17 4JU 1961-64 Mr Terry Turner, Copper Beeches, 6A Wood End, Bluntisham, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 3LE 1962-65 Mr Marten Lougee, 11 Meadow Close, Cononley, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 8LZ 1963-66 Mr Roy Salmon, 36 Lombard Street, Lidlington, Bedfordshire MK43 0RP 1964-67 Mr Bob Norris, Exotter, 7 Ethelbert Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 3EU 1965-68 Mrs Jo Bird, Swansong, 70 Glade Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1DH 1966-69 Mr and Mrs Peter and Rose Scott, 23 Beamish Way, Maple Farm, Winslow, Buckinghamshire MK18 3EU 1970+ Mrs H Chapman, 60 Connaught Road, Cromer Norfolk NR27 0BZ 1980+ Mrs P Cahill, 50 Ridgeway, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7DE
Mrs Rose Savage has now taken over as Membership Secretary, so it is helpful if you could let her know of changes of address or any deaths, so as to keep records up to date. If you have lost touch with former friends, drop Rose an e-mail or a note and hopefully she will be able to put you in touch again.
4 | Guild Newsletter 2018 From the Guild Secretary
Dear Fellow Otters
Welcome to the Guild newsletter 2018 and thanks go, yet again, to Rose for all her hard work and to Hannah, the University conference manager. But, first things first:
The NEW dates for the Guild reunion are: 31st August, 1st and 2nd September
I will not discuss the matter here but I will at our meeting on 1st September 2018 when I will give a full report. I am sorry if this has messed up some of your plans, but that is life!
1. The Friday evening meal has been a great success and it will be repeated this year on Friday 31st August at 7.00 p.m. You will need to book this with College on your booking form. There will, however, be a minimum number of 20 people required for this to take place but that number has been easily reached since it started in 2013. You will be informed by the middle of July if it is not taking place so you can make alternative arrangements. After dinner some people will meet in college around 8.30 p.m. in the old music room for a drink. After dinner the Alumni team will be hosting an Alumni Drinks reception at the Student’s Union bar, all are welcome!
2. On Saturday 1st September the timetable will be: 9.30 a.m. Business meeting, especially for year reps and interested members 10.30 a.m. Guild Service 11.15 a.m. Coffee break 11.45 a.m. General meeting and news 1.15 p.m. Lunch
The rest of day can be spent looking at exhibits etc around our old college, look at the changes and, most of all, enjoy meeting with friends.
3. Sunday 2nd September There will be no official Trundle walk. It was pleasing to see such a good turn-out (report in the Guild Magazine). As you know, Bob Self and myself considered that, as we had done it since 2005, people who wanted to do it would have done it. The Guild is a team effort with Colin, Hilary, Rose, John, Barbara, Hannah and me – the University is very co-operative in so many ways. At our Guild Meeting on 9th July 2016 I did inform the gathering that I would be stepping down as Guild Secretary on Saturday 1st September 2018 at the end of the event. I have not been crushed in the rush of volunteers!!!!! May I again stress the new dates this year and, at the time of writing, 2019 and 2020 have not been considered by the Committee. We may have further thoughts at our committee meeting in March 2018 but nothing is set in stone. I do hope that many of you can make the new dates – if not we will think about you. Finally, I must thank Hilary Chapman upon her retirement as Membership Secretary. She took on the task in 1974 and has done a wonderful job keeping meticulous records over all these years. Without her records we would be stuck and she is making sure that it all comes to Rose who is now doing that job as well as her other jobs! Thank you, Hilary, you will be missed and we hope that our Guild Newsletters will keep you and all our members informed. Regards to you all as well bearing in mind that our lives change constantly and not always for the better.
Marten Lougee
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 5 FINANCIAL REPORT 2017 From John Fletcher, Treasurer
BISHOP OTTER COLLEGE GUILD Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ending 31st December 2017
INCOME EXPENDITURE
Balances at 1/1/17
Cash 0.00 Year Rep's Expenses 69.55 Current Account 4596.17 Secretaries' Expenses 104.11 Deposit Accounts Membership Sec. Exp. 0.00 Treasurer's Expenses 87.00 4596.17 260.66 SUBS & DONATIONS 405.00 Newsletters 0.00 Miller, Memorial Tree 0.00
REUNION July 2017 REUNION July 2017
Receipts 213.00 BOC Shield 0.00 Sale of badges BOC Chapel 165.00 Chapel Offering 330.00 Chosen Charities 165.00 543.00 John Dane Don 25.00 Service sheets 0.00 BOC Shield Don 0.00 355.00
BANK INTEREST Balances at 31/12/17
Deposit Accounts Cash 0.00 Current Account 4928.51 0.00 Deposit Accounts 0.00
4928.51
TOTALS 5544.17 5544.17
Checked & found correct
H Chapman 10/01/2018
6 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Notes for the Reunion Weekend 31st August to 2nd September
Please note that the booking form only covers accommodation for the Bishop Otter Guild Reunion weekend dates. Any additional nights are subject to availability and can be booked directly on 01243 812120 or email [email protected]
Please complete the booking form which is enclosed separately with the Newsletter. The Accommodation Office is open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. during the Reunion weekend.
Notes on the weekend Please be aware that there will be some building works taking place around campus over the weekend of the reunion and certain areas may be cordoned off. The conference reception is open over the weekend from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please telephone 01243 812120 if you are going to be delayed. 1. Residential Room Allocation and Check-In: Room keys can be collected from the Accommodation Office, located in Amberley Hall. Check-in is between 3 and 10 p.m. on the day of your arrival. If you are likely to arrive after 10 p.m. please let the University know on 01243 793477 and they will make the necessary arrangements. Please note on the booking form if there is anybody that you would like to be allocated near and the University will endeavour to do this where possible.
2. Meal Tickets: Vouchers for your meals will be sent out with the confirmation of reservation and receipt for payment. Please ensure that you bring these with you as they cannot be replaced.
3. Check-Out: Rooms will need to be vacated and keys returned by 10 a.m. on your departure day. Please speak to the Accommodation office if you require your luggage to be stored.
4. Car Parking Restrictions: Parking space is limited on campus and cannot be guaranteed. Parking permits will be required for those staying overnight and for Friday. Parking is free during the day on Saturday and Sunday. Please put the permit clearly on display in your car on arrival.
5. Times of Meals (All served in Otters Restaurant): Breakfast will be served between 7.30 and 9.00 a.m. (Included in the Bed and Breakfast Rate) Friday – Welcome Dinner will be at 7 p.m. – To be booked in advance Saturday – Morning Coffee and Biscuits – Cash service Saturday – Reunion Luncheon at 1.15 p.m. – To be booked in advance Saturday – Afternoon Tea and Biscuits – Cash service If any day visitors would like to join residents for a full-breakfast you can book in advance at the rate of £9.50 (including VAT). Please call the conference office on 01243 812120. There will be tea and coffee making facilities in all en-suite bedrooms for those staying overnight.
6. Bed and Breakfast Prices: Single en-suite rooms are £38.70 per person, per night. Price includes tea and coffee making facilities, wi-fi, parking permit and breakfast.
7. Telephone number for emergencies: The Accommodation number 01243 793477 is a 24hr number which is diverted to Security outside office hours.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 7 Bishop Otter Guild Minutes of the Business Meeting of the Guild Committee held on Saturday 8th July 2017 at 9.30 a.m. in the Cloisters
1. Welcome: Dr C Greaves, Chairman and Vice-President of the Guild, welcomed eight year reps and five other ex-students.
2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Hilary Chapman (membership secretary).
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting: The minutes of the last Business Meeting, held on Saturday 9th July 2016, were circulated, accepted and signed. They had been previously circulated.
4. Matters Arising: There were no matters arising.
5. Treasurer's Report: John Fletcher, Guild treasurer, presented the accounts, which had appeared in the Guild Newsletter in March 2017. He thanked the University for collecting the money and Hilary Chapman for checking them. The Accounts were approved. John was thanked for continuing to do such a good job. Roy Salmon proposed that they should be accepted, seconded by Sandra Stansfield and approved by the meeting. John thanked Hilary Chapman for auditing them.
6. Chapel Collection: The Chapel collection was discussed. Half always goes toward Chapel funds, the other half to a local charity. This year it was decided that it would be the Development Fund for students who are struggling financially.
7. Future of the Guild: The Secretary said he still wanted to finish, if possible, in July 2018. He had stated his case in 2016. Hilary Chapman had let it be known that she wished to stand down for health reasons and she would make sure that the Guild got all her lists, books etc. The meeting wanted to put on record and acknowledge all the hard work she had put in over the years.
8. Date of the Next Reunion: The next reunion would be 13th, 14th, 15th July 2018 and this was agreed. (Please note that the dates have been changed to 31st August, 1st and 2nd September)
9. Any Other Business: The Guild Secretary was asked to contact Professor Clive Behagg to see if he would like to be President of the Guild. Rose Savage was thanked for all her hard work for the Guild, producing the Newsletter and, with her friend Pat Burton helping, putting them all in envelopes ready for posting. It was pointed out that today was also a University Open Day and up to 900 extra people could be on the Campus.
Bishop Otter Guild Minutes of the General Meeting of the Guild held on Saturday 8th July 2017 at 11.45 a.m. in the College Chapel
Attendance: Representatives were present from the following years; 1947-49, 2; 1949-51, 3; 1951-53, 1; 1954- 56, 8; 1955-57, 7; 1956-58, 1; 1960-63, 1; 1961-64, 5; 1962-65, 11; 1963-64, 1; 1963-66, 2; 1964-67, 14; 1964-69, 1. Guests, 9. Seventy people attended this meeting.
1. Dr Colin Greaves, Vice-President and Guild Chairman, welcomed everybody.
2. Apologies: Janet Carter (University Archivist), Professor Jane Longmore (Vice Chancellor), Hilary Chapman (Membership Secretary), Jill Holliman (Martin) 1962-1965, Vivian Evans and Wendy Imeson (Evans) (1962-1965) and Martin Imeson (1961-1964).
8 | Guild Newsletter 2018 3. The new Vice Chancellor, Professor Jane Longmore, was on holiday and she had asked Professor Seamus Higson to speak. He showed slides of what was happening within the University. He talked about the changes on both campuses – the new academic and music blocks at Chichester and the new block in Bognor Regis costing £8.6 million. There is a shortage of skills in engineering and design and Rolls Royce and Sony were involved. The number of students would increase to over 7,000. 2018 would see the launch of 33 new programmes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) – the largest ever. There was even an interest in seeds, gravity and space. Professor Higson was thanked by Professor Greaves. Ann Harley from the Alumni Team gave a short talk.
4. Minutes of the last Guild Meeting: were printed in the Guild Newsletter 2017. They were approved by a show of hands.
5. Matters Arising: There were no matters arising from the minutes.
6. Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer and the Guild Secretary's reports can be read in the Business Meeting minutes as can the dates of the 2018 meeting (now changed – see Guild Secretary’s letter), the Chapel Collection and the Membership Secretary's resignation (Items 5,6,7,8,9)
7. The Guild secretary gave a short report on the March 2017 planning meeting.
8. Any Other Business: This year (2017) would be the last organised walk up Trundle (See Bob Self’s excellent article in this Newsletter). 2019 would be 75 years since D-Day and a plaque commemorating this is at the back of the Science Laboratory. It was hoped that the tapestry would be back in position in six months’ time (there had been a silly rumour that it had been sold). [When you read this it should actually be back in the chapel.]
Dates of next meetings: This date has had to be changed to 31st August, 1st and 2nd September 2018. Dr Colin Greaves thanked everybody for attending. He wished them well and hoped they would enjoy the rest of the day.
From the President of the Students’ Union (2017-2018) Lauren Ellis 2017 has been a fun, exciting and very busy year for the Students’ Union. The last year has seen many changes both within the University and the Students’ Union and we have introduced a part- time commuting student’s officer to start next year to represent students not living in University accommodation. As a Students’ Union we have continued to deliver a huge range of support, activities and events for all of our students. Within the last 12 months we have worked with the University to bring our students new services and opportunities; these include 24-hour openings of both libraries, online submission pilot, improved inter-campus bus travel, a new student shop and introduced varsity with Winchester University for our sports teams. Along with introducing all these new things it has been business as usual. Our fresher’s fair is now bigger than ever with over 123 stands for businesses and other organisations and just over 3,000 students attending, and our annual summer ball was also a huge event for our student with around 2,200 tickets sold. During the last academic year our Raising and Giving Committee (RAG) raised just shy of £7,300 for various charities by holding events such as rag race and rag fest along with other fundraising activities. Our societies and sports teams have continued to grow and offer students all sorts of opportunities to get involved. We now have 20 active societies and 44 sports teams. Our annual sports awards were held on campus in 2017. It was a great evening for our sports clubs with Women’s Rugby collecting the club of the year award – they were recognised for all their good work both on and off the pitch. Our men’s and women’s football teams continue to play at the highest level of university sport with the women’s first team losing out on being champions simply by goal difference. Our societies also did some great things within the last year with Roleplaying Games and Tabletop being awarded the society of the year, The Female Empowerment Society ran the Women of The Year awards which won event of the year. Along with our society and sports activities we have also run several campaigns including “This Girl Can”, “Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment”, “Stress-less Week” and many more. To keep up to date with our news and information, please visit our website: www.ucsu.org.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 9 From the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane Longmore Dear Guild Members, I was delighted to join the University of Chichester in May 2017; as some of you may be aware, I am an historian (pure chance - this was not specified as a prerequisite for anyone following in Clive’s footsteps) and I was very happy to spend a number of weekends reading the numerous histories of both Bishop Otter College and Bognor Regis College. Janet Carter, our Special Collections Manager and Archivist has also been exceptionally patient with my queries; we have a number of intriguing objects around the University, with which you are no doubt very familiar but which present the newcomer with some surprises, including the wooden squirrel pictured on the right. I am now fully informed that the squirrel is a work by Donald Potter, a well-known sculptor who was a former apprentice to Eric Gill. I gather that it was well- loved by former students and was located for many years in the library when the latter was in Cloisters. Across the many decades of the life of this remarkable institution, there are some consistent themes. The strong focus on child-centred teacher training is evident from the very early years. In fact, I can almost hear the echoes of the 80 late-Victorian girls and 20 infants who were taught in the building where my office is now located; this must have been a very squashed experience for pupils and teachers. Throughout the years, this commitment to education, the powerful sense of community and the sense of fun shine through the various histories. Reading your earlier newsletters, I can see the same values. I hope that those of you who are able to attend the reunion weekend will sense that our academic and professional service staff are carrying these values forward into another generation. I joined the University at an interesting moment. The Engineering and Digital Technology Park was rising out of the ground; consequently, I have extended my construction vocabulary and can now join discussions of culvert crossings, electricity sub-stations, Section 278s and cable risers with a level of confidence beyond that of most Fellows of the Royal Historical Society. We had the ‘topping out’ ceremony for the new building in late November, at which point I made my visible mark on the University by completing possibly the worst piece of concreting you will ever see. It was a great occasion for celebration as the University needs to keep responding to the demands of the world around us; this is epitomised by our efforts to encourage more women into engineering and meant that I was particularly delighted to be joined by one of our first Engineering students, Louise Grainger, both of us pictured on the left in our fetching hard hats. The percentage of women engineers in the UK has remained stubbornly fixed at only 8% of the total engineering workforce for decades. Just as we were at the forefront of developing a cadre of much-needed women teachers in the late-nineteenth century, we will rise to the challenge of encouraging women and other under- represented groups into STEM subjects. Other innovations include our new degree apprenticeship programme which allows students to combine studying for a degree with employment. We recognise that this is not the route for all students but it is intellectually demanding for those who choose it and has the added advantage of leaving them free of debts. We offer degree apprenticeships for Chartered Managers, Cyber Security Analysts, Software Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers and Electronics and Electrical Engineers. Degree apprenticeships still represent only 0.2% of all apprenticeship starts in England but it is encouraging that the 25+ age cohort is the largest, representing a critical contribution to the increase in skilled labour required by our advanced economy. Much of my first year has been devoted to learning about the wonderful work which goes on in the University – our core teaching and research, our cultural and sporting achievements and our contribution to schools and our local communities. I then shout about all of this to the world beyond as I have discovered that we are still one of the best-kept secrets in West Sussex. You have all been part of the distinguished history of this University: I hope that I can count on you as part of our vital circle of ambassadors.
Warm regards, Jane Longmore
10 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Stained Glass … Continued …
Janet Carter, Special Collections Manager and Archivist You may recall that I wrote an article previously for the Guild Newsletter entitled ‘Stained Glass Unveiled’. Then I wrote about the stained-glass windows from the Old Chapel at Bishop Otter College that today are located in the Cloisters and the Chapel of the Ascension. For this year’s article I am going to keep with the theme of stained glass, but focus on two windows that have been in situ for close on 90 years. Left: chapel vestibule. The two windows in question depict St Francis and St Richard, and are listed as works of art at the University, originally designed by the artist Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope (1891-1988). In the last few months these two windows have been included in a new e-book publication entitled The Two Margarets by Arthur Rope. The book and accompanying website covers the life and designs by Margaret and her cousin, Margaret Agnes Rope (1882-1953), both prominent and prolific stained-glass artists. The two stained-glass windows in the University are located in the vestibule of the Old Chapel, now our Student Records office. Back in the late 1920s this was the former Student Common Room and therefore an area familiar to students and leading through to the chapel entrance. You may also be aware that in the past, student year groups, in appreciation of their time at Bishop Otter College, would raise money for gifts that would adorn, or in various forms, make an addition to Bishop Otter College. In this way the students who had been in college from 1925-1927 chose to mark their stay by giving monies to afford a window in honour of St Francis. By May 1929 the former students had paid for this commission and the window was installed. Right: the Principal, Florence Johnson, with the prefects from the 1925-1927 student year group. We currently have not found any documentary references within the University archives to suggest why Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope was chosen for the commission, but it could have been her connection to the ‘Arts and Crafts Movement’. Margaret and her cousin worked on many church and private commissions. Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope was born in Leiston, Suffolk, and studied at Chelsea School of Art and the LCC Central School of Arts and Crafts. After completing her studies Margaret worked for a period alongside her cousin who had been brought up in Shrewsbury. Their church commissions came from all regions of the British Isles and even overseas, including Australia, South Africa, Trinidad, Malta and Sri Lanka. Both cousins had strong Christian faith and their commissions encompass Anglo-Catholic traditions. Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope, like many stained-glass artists, had a maker’s mark which was a tortoise and from which she gained the nickname ‘Tor’. The St Francis window clearly shows the tortoise in the bottom left hand corner. Margaret designed several windows in honour of St Francis, and other examples are located in churches in Hampshire, Cambridge and London. A description of the Bishop Otter College window, written by the then Principal, Florence Johnson, in the Bishop Otter Magazine of June 1929 reads: ‘In the centre of the window is the fixture of St Francis amid his brothers and sisters, the flowers, beasts and birds. At the head of the main-light the sacred mystery of the Stigmata is depicted according to the detail by Bonaventura, and the little rose-window above seems to chant forth the “Canticle of the Sun”’. In the same report Miss Johnson goes on to remark, ‘All who pass from the Common Room to the Chapel are thus kept in constant remembrance, not only of the life and wondrous virtue of the mediaeval Saint, but also of a generation of students who brought their College life something of the spirit of Franciscan fellowship, and who have given this window as its memorial’ … (p7, Bishop Otter Magazine, 1929). The official dedication of the St Francis window took place on the weekend of the 11th and 12th May 1929. On the Saturday, the current 1929 first year students performed four of the ‘Little Plays’ of St Francis. These plays, based on the work published by Houseman Lawrence in 1922, had first been performed at Bishop Otter College by the first-year students of 1925, hence the symbolism to the window’s dedication and importance of the theme to those students who had funded the window. The plays themselves look at the life and legend of St Francis of Assisi and the four parts played were entitled ‘Our Lady of Poverty’, ‘The Builders’, ‘Sister Clare’ and ‘Brother Jupiter’.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 11 In the photographs below you can see images from the 1925 production. On that occasion, the University of London loaned the costumes you see. Also, interestingly, these photographs belonged to Daphne Edwards, a 1925 student who can be seen playing ‘the beggar’ on the top left row of the full cast photograph. We know from the records that Daphne was one of the students who helped fund the St Francis window and whose photographs are now held with the University. Below: photographs from the 1925 production of the ‘Little Plays of St Francis
On 12th May 1929 was the actual chapel service for the dedication. The preacher on the day was the college chaplain. During the service a choir of Theological students sang Psalm 142, whilst Bishop Otter students sang ‘The Canticle of the sun’ relating to the little rose window above St Francis. Right: photograph of the rose window above St Francis; below: St Richard’s Window. The second window commissioned from Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope and positioned in the chapel vestibule was to be paid for and given in honour of the 1928-1930 student group. The window depicts St Richard, Bishop of Chichester (1197- 1253). The depiction illustrates St Richard standing with a sketch of Chichester cathedral above his right shoulder. Margaret would sometimes include places relating to the person or place of installation of her piece into the design. In the St Richard window, Margaret also positioned a chalice at St Richard’s feet, illustrating the point that St Richard dropped the chalice when serving mass and miraculously not a drop of liquid spilt. In the rose window above the main piece are the words of the well- known prayer by St Richard which includes ‘O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, May I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly’. Right: rose window above St Richard. The official dedication of the window took place on the weekend of 14th March 1931. The students of 1928-30 returned to Bishop Otter College for a reunion and on Saturday the highlight was a dance with other staff and students of the college. Sunday 15th March was the Dedication Service, officiated by the college chaplain, Canon H L Pass, and the Rev D C Dunlop. According to the Bishop Otter Magazine of 1931, ‘Tea and an informal musical programme brought the happy Re-union to an end’ (p25, Bishop Otter Magazine, 1931). The installation of the two windows completed the decoration of this area of the chapel vestibule. Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope went on designing windows until she was 82 years of age. Today staff, students and visitors can enjoy the two windows in their original location. If you would also like to know more about Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope and her cousin Margaret Agnes Rope, information is available from Arthur Rope at http://www.arthur.rope.clara.net. Grateful thanks to Leo Powell, University of Chichester, for the photographs. If you would like to see the Bishop Otter College windows in their location, or if you have any other anecdotes or archival information that you would like to share, please do get in touch at [email protected]. Janet Carter, Special Collections Manager, University of Chichester. Tel. 01243 816000.
Farewell as Membership Secretary Hilary Chapman (Robinson) (1953-1955) In 1974, at a London Reunion held at St Gabriel’s College, the cry went up “we need a new treasurer/membership secretary”. I wasn’t teaching but had some knowledge of accounts and record keeping. That year Guild numbers were about 650, of whom 40 had started before World War I (1914) and a further 300 before World War II (1939). By 2007, although there were only a few members who had left after 1970 our numbers had risen to over 850.
12 | Guild Newsletter 2018 The Newsletter was printed by College, but the Year Reps were responsible for distribution to their year; many were handed over at reunion. In 2009 College offered not only to print, but also to despatch, individually, in March; an offer we gratefully accepted. But it did mean all the year lists needed to be on a proper database with the correct attachments. So, we turned to Rose Savage, who we already knew had all the necessary IT skills. Since then she has not only been producing the Newsletter but has also been keeping up to date with all changes to the lists. I know that it is more than time that Rose is thanked for all she has done and that her name is listed as Membership Secretary, and that all changes of address or other alterations, amendments or deletes are sent to her. I still have some very old paperwork, including the home addresses of leavers in 1898 and for some subsequent years. Also, I have a printed register of all Guild Members in 1937. This shows their addresses and current school details or, for those who had married, the comment “Left the profession”. (How times have changed!) Not really relevant today, but if anyone is doing family history and is looking for some background information I will happily do some checking up before all papers and records I hold are offered to the University. I have really enjoyed my years being involved with Guild at this level and the support and friendship from Year Reps and all the members, and am sorry now that reduced mobility means I cannot meet up with people in the summer. Best wishes to all, now and in the future, Hilary Chapman. Life before and after Bishop Otter – 1968-2018 Peter and Trudy Jones (1965-1968) I suffer seriously from terminal nostalgia. I have deep, fond and grateful memories of so many wonderful people and occasions at our ‘alma mater’. So much still seems as clear as it was fifty years ago - when yesterday is a blur. College never taught me to teach but I had an unforgettable three years. And we got paid for going! My days as a school boy had been far from successful. At the first attempt I passed GCE English and Geography. Twelve months later I added Maths and History. Good enough (just) to get me set up as an insurance company clerk. After six years I decided there had to be more to life, and teaching seemed good for holidays. Miss Murray said I could come if I got another ‘O’ Level and so I mugged up on ‘Scripture’ and added this to my tally of GCE passes. (About 30 years later I took GCSE Spanish – in the same school hall as some of my pupils. That resulted in a total of six passes.) I never did Sixth Form or ‘A’ levels – which didn’t help when I found I was trying to teach ‘A’ Level RE! Nevertheless, I covered some more ground after BOC and got a BA with the OU, as did Roy Kennedy (below). Trudy (below) is really the bright one. She has proper ‘A’ Levels, got a Merit in Geography (BOC) and could have been in the first BEd cohort. In September of 1968 I took up a first teaching (RE) post at Hayesbrooke Secondary Modern Boy’s School in Tonbridge (not to be confused with Tonbridge School which is at the other end of town), Trudy Morgan being just down the road in Royal Tunbridge Wells (close to her home) at St James’s C of E Primary. I passed my probationary year on the basis of an ‘Inspector’ poking his head round my classroom door and as there was no evident riot (on that occasion) he gave the nod and behold – I was a fully qualified, inexperienced teacher! Trudy and I, after ‘wandering in the wilderness’ for some time, settled down at St Luke’s Church, Tunbridge Wells. I picked up on my Boys’ Brigade membership and helped with their Company. Trudy and I were both involved in helping to lead Sunday Family Services. Having played Hockey for BOC 1st Xl (if you remember, there was only one Xl) I then played a while for Tonbridge – 3rd/4th Xl. I was never much good but enjoyed it. I still have my two BOC sticks! Trudy and I decided to marry in July 1972 – I don’t think that her mother ever forgave me for not asking Trudy’s father for his permission. At the start of the summer term I had taken my second (and final) teaching post as Head of Religious Education at Alleyne’s Grammar School in Uttoxeter (where?), Staffordshire. I turned up most days until I retired in 2002. Like almost everywhere else (but not Kent) in the 70s the school became a Comprehensive. Trudy also got a new job – as primary school deputy head in the nearby village of Denstone. She stayed – with time out for our children – until retiring in 2007. Our particular memories of her interview are the smell of cow muck drifting from the farm across the road and her being asked about helping in the Sunday School! In June 1970 I had gained the Mountain Leadership Certificate which helped in assessing D of E expedition work at Bronze and Silver level. So, I got to both Buckingham and St James’s Palaces. When the children got Gold, Trudy went to St James’s twice! After Liverpool (my home), Chichester, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, and Uttoxeter came as something of a culture shock. But we have put down deep roots here and it really is home. The nearby village of Doveridge has been our spiritual home across the years. I had become an Anglican (Lay) Reader whilst in Kent and picked up those traces again at Doveridge church. Post OU Degree I did another three years part-time training – for Anglican ordination. I have found my ministry immensely fulfilling. Having been around so long I am now baptising the
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 13 babies of former pupils whom I married! Trudy is a very good churchwarden. Following retirement. I took up the post of part-time chaplain at Derby Grammar (full circle) School for a few years. I think a remarkable number of former BOC people took the ordination route, either in a full-time capacity or, as in my case, a non-stipendiary. Hugh Alan comes to mind, John Hendy (?). Bridget Smith (below) – a Canon no less! Where did David Shepherd’s organ playing take him? Our daughter, Joanna, was 40 just a few weeks back. She, despite our warnings, is a primary school teacher (Winchester trained – we went with her on interview to Lancaster where Peter Gedge, my BOC tutor, was one of her interviewers). She is currently in post at Doveridge Primary School, attended, in turn, by her two children. She is involved at church and plays flute. She and Trudy sing in a local choir. In three years’ time our granddaughter, Imogen, will be transferring from her present Middle School to the High School where I had taught for 30 years. Her younger brother, Harrison, is into soccer, Lego, Star Wars etc (sound familiar?). Our son, Nicholas, did a first and a second degree at Liverpool University (the proper one) and works at the Soccer Museum in Manchester. He and I got to the London Olympics with tickets for Handball and Men’s Hockey. Nick was also a ‘Gamesmaker’ at the Paralympics. He runs for Charlton Runners – completing the London Marathon twice. (The guy who was seen on TV this year collapsing just short of the finish was helped over the line by a Charlton runner.) In 2016 I was able to be at Thiepval for the commemoration of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. We’re blessed with a good life. I’ve picked up on prostate cancer but it really is no big deal. We both have our share of general aches and pains. We are getting older, but not old. In 2015 and 2016 we walked, with two friends, the Cotswold Way. A couple of years previously we did the North Norfolk Coastal Path. In recent years I’ve completed Offa’s Dyke and the Staffordshire Way as well as The Two Saint’s Way (from Chester Cathedral to Lichfield Cathedral) and am part way along the Peak Pilgrim route from Ilam to Eyam in the White Peak. I’ve walked the Hadrian’s Wall Path too. Not to mention the length of the Trent Mersey Canal. Trudy and I, with our same two friends, are booked in for a week walking part of the Northumbria coast next year (St Oswald’s Way). I am qualified for direct entry into heaven, bypassing purgatory, having completed the last 100 miles of the Santiago de Compostella Pilgrim route in northern Spain. Following retirement, I trekked to Everest Base Camp. So, there we go. I would love to have news of Jenny Reid and Vera Howard (a year ahead of us), and Pat Gillespie and Joy Wetherall (two years ahead of us). Also, the Marvell sisters – Jenny and Pat. Across the years Trudy and I have re-visited BOC just a few times, and, of course, it has changed and continues to do so. We hope to get to some part of the 2018 reunion, but we will then finally walk away … and continue to live with our memories of our Bishop Otter College. Saw Dust Society Meeting Again John Christophers (1960-1963) In 1960, Jeff Lowe’s woodwork group met for the first time. Little did we expect to be meeting up 57 years later, still touched by the Jeff Lowe ethos for design and wood grain. A most remarkable lecturer who lifted us all to heights we didn’t even know existed. In those innocent days word went round the woodwork shop that Jeff Lowe was not a full time lecturer at the College but was actually on day release from Graylingwell. Slowly the truth sunk in. Excellence was there for everybody to enjoy, as was inspiration. It was the turning point of turning points and after 57 years still it goes on. This year (2017) the 1960-63 woodworkers visited Snowshill Manor in Oxfordshire. The photograph above shows the group in the gardens. It is National Trust owned and the house was bought in the 19th century solely to house the many collections of Charles Wade, a great eccentric. In the attic is a vast collection of bikes going back to 1750! (None from Halfords.) In the floor below is half a stage coach screwed to the wall and on the ground floor a wonderful collection of model boats and ceramics. The garden, too, is a place to contemplate. The only slight embarrassment of the day was when the House Manager made Martin Hill leave his screwdriver at the front entrance. Martin’s claim that Lloyd George knew his father got him nowhere (“Lloyd George knew my father” was a truly daft song which became a permanent fixture in our group. It will mean nothing to those outside). As for myself, my dear wife claims that I don’t have enough moving parts for anything to go seriously wrong. Given the company I have mentioned, another 57 years would go down rather well.
14 | Guild Newsletter 2018 The Last Trundle Walk (Bob Self 1962-1965) It was with some sadness that we completed the final 'official' stroll to the Trundle during the last summer's reunion. Although some found it sensible to join the group at the halfway stage and some at the top, the occasion was much enjoyed by all. (Editor: Thanks to George Redgrave for supplying the photograph.) Among those who reached the top were: Sylvia Baker (Harries), Janice Funnell, Sue Hester, Jan Barnes (Tedeschi), Jacque Grannum (Brooke), Jean Rush (Turnock), Rose Savage (Parks), Derek and Stella Freeman-Smith (Quarmby), John and Joan Fletcher (Marson), Susan Carey, George Redgrave, Bob Self, Claire Edwards (Henderson), Sandy Stansfield (Pickard) and Marten Lougee. I still treasure memories of the first time, in 1962, that we followed Miss Murray en masse to the summit before completing the nine-mile circular ramble. On that sunny September Sunday morning we gathered in the chapel square seeking out our new-found friends before setting off up College Lane. Miss Murray had instigated the tradition of The Trundle Walk where the College community gathered together to climb the hill. At the start of the walk word went round that men were advised that the Principal would get to the top first. Believing that this meant that all male students should adopt a courteous approach to the walk allowing Miss Murray to be the first to the top, we were rather taken aback to find we could not keep pace with her as she strode onwards and upwards. There was little chance of any of us reaching the top before her. In light-hearted mood we continued through Summersdale and across Fordwater to East Lavant, following the River Lavant north before ascending the ridge of Haye's Down to the foot of the Trundle. After a short scramble those of us that had thought to bring refreshments were able to enjoy a brief picnic at the top while admiring the view. The return route was a little shorter via Chalkpit Lane to East Lavant and this version of the route is the one we have enjoyed since the walk was revived in 2005 by Marten Lougee for the 40th anniversary of our leaving Bishop Otter. Known to us as Miss Murray, K.M. Elizabeth (Betty) Murray became Principal of Bishop Otter College in 1948, a women's teacher training institution. Under her leadership, which lasted 22 years, the college doubled in size and became co-educational; she was much lauded and is fondly remembered there for her efficient administration and the support of her students. Her interest in studying the past and, in particular, the archaeology of the Chichester area, coupled with her love of the South Downs, surely explains her choice of a walk to the Trundle as a suitable induction activity for her new recruits. She never pressed her enthusiasms on her students but was always willing to discuss and inform when questions were asked. The Trundle was the ideal spot for those curious about Neolithic causewayed enclosures and Iron Age forts. Miss Murray was also concerned about the state of neglected areas of unimproved chalk downland where the richness of species of flora and fauna might be lost. With the agreement of the landowners, reserves were established at Heyshott Down and the Devil’s Jumps. Miss Murray chaired the advisory committee set up, under the auspices of the Society of Sussex Downsmen (now the South Downs Society), to manage the reserves. The Society agreed to provide a sum of money to allow the formation of an independent group and The Murray Downland Trust was set up in 1994. For many of us this was inspirational and one of several stepping stones which culminated in the formation of the South Downs National Park. It was a pity that Miss Murray did not live long enough to see its formation in 2010, providing oases of beauty and calm for the well-being of mind, body and spirit in our increasingly hectic lives. How to become a teacher (by accident) Roy Ramsey (1961-1964) Five of us had been at work for some months after leaving school but stayed in touch. On this evening we were together playing records when John announced “I’m gonna be a teacher”. When the guffaws subsided we patiently explained to him that teachers were clever, important people, not secondary school herberts like us (or
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 15 “guttersnipes” as the music teacher had called us). Out of his jacket pocket John drew the evidence. He was right! We all had, at least, the basic necessary qualifications to apply to become teachers. This was a revelation. The careers officer had offered me a job at Sainsbury’s. I didn’t fancy it and found an alternative occupation in the warehouse office at Decca Radio and Television which was within walking distance from home and paid more than Sainsbury’s. Despite being positioned between a rail marshalling yard and Battersea Power Station I quite liked the job, but to be a teacher was leagues beyond. Probably just a dream. I applied anyway. So did my mates. We were offered interviews – eventually – on my fifth choice in my case. My interview was with James Donaghy who seemed to appreciate my left wing views and the fact that I was at work. An acceptance letter came. The process had begun. Working class city boys living in multi-occupancy Victorian houses were faced with opportunity. We grabbed it, to some parents’ consternation – “Was it wise to give up a good job? – especially as I had been promoted and had a promise of management training. Suppose I didn’t succeed. Would my firm have me back? ...” It was a risk but maybe I’d cope. Anyway Chichester and Bishop Otter College looked quite a lot more appealing than the power station and marshalling yard. I arrived and found a remarkable mix of students. There were ex-army personnel (a major in one case), people from Church schools, Grammar schools, Public schools. There were a few like me but others from exotic places like the Channel Islands. Some even had hyphenated surnames. There was a Bishop’s daughter, a world-famous actor’s niece and chaps who knew how to sing in cathedral choirs. Obviously, I would need to “up my game” to keep up. At every lecture I noted everything that was said. Then, I spent most of the night writing up my notes longhand. This I managed for about a month before realising that that wasn’t the way. A few notes, memory, study and a questioning approach served better. I made it. 1964 saw me as a qualified teacher. For the next 36 years I worked in SE London. I enjoyed every minute. Hopefully so did the rest of the students from my cohort. I remember arriving at Bishop Otter College in October 1961. Term start was delayed as the new hostels building was behind schedule. With no idea about higher education or how to behave in what seemed like paradise, I was glad when Brenda “chummed” me, showed me round and fed me sardine sandwiches and coffee. I surmise that Brenda must have had a surname but to me she was “Brenda Introduction to Paradise Chum”. Introductory weeks began; magical and daft – “Go to the cathedral; close your eyes and feel the stone; what colour does it feel? (I had no doubt it felt pink!). “Use sticky paper patterns to represent an emotion”. Learn modern dance ... “Find a partner. Move into a corner and work up to a climax” – yes, that really was the instruction. Some of us became overwhelmed with mirth. I mean “pretend there is steam coming out of your elbow and scribe your name in the air with the steam” was entertaining but “climaxing in a corner” was just too much. Mirthful chaos ensued. “Imagine you are in a rowing boat that capsizes”. This was enacted in groups on the Hall floor ... and so on ... write a poem ... sing. An altogether joyous fortnight. At the time it was a great lark but when I hit the classroom a faint memory surfaced. Somehow I had learnt that education should be fun – was it, I wonder, those two weeks of uninhibited activity? The 2017 Reunion Weekend Rose Savage (Parks) (1961-1964) Those who attended the Friday evening dinner were amazed to have the very unusual venue of the chapel as our restaurant. Due to the fact that there were 350 Spanish children in the college at that time, all eating in Otters, it was felt by the authorities that, to preserve our sanity and make it easier for us to think and speak without having to compete, the chapel would be the ideal venue. Much of the rubbish stored there was screened off and Jean Rush (1964-1968) put up an impressive display of photographs and documents of our college years which she has collected. The dinner had a cold starter, which was put out at the places (there were 30 of us), and the other two courses were kept warm and covered and we served ourselves. It all worked splendidly. A number of the group then moved up to the old music room (now the staff canteen) and finished the evening with much chat and many beverages. Thanks to George Redgrave who supplied the photograph on the right.
16 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Saturday morning continued in the normal manner, meetings, service and then lunch. The only difference was that the University had organised an open day on the same day, and the campus was much enlivened by the sight of prospective students and their parents wandering around. Some of us were able to talk to a few of them. At the general meeting Professor Seamus Higson gave us our talk, and most enjoyable it was with, as a highlight, the time-lapse film of the new Academic building, from the demolition of the old cottages to the rise of the new building (this is on YouTube). As always the catering staff pulled out all the stops at lunchtime and our usual sumptuous buffet was much enjoyed by everyone. In the afternoon Janet Carter, the university’s archivist, did a short tour showing some of the artwork that was not usually on display – in private offices etc. For those of us from our year it was particularly interesting to see two of the beautiful tapestries donated by Mike Crompton. If you are wondering about the 350 Spanish youngsters, they had been ferried off for the weekend in a fleet of buses. The photograph on the right shows (from left to right): Carolyn Keysor (Morgan), Rose Savage (Parks), Sandra Stansfield (Pickard), Ken Tutt and, at the back, John Rolls. On Sunday, fine weather brought out a number of walkers on the last ever Trundle walk (see Bob Self’s article on page 15), and those of us who were willing, but slightly less able, joined the walkers at the car park at the top of the chalk road and did the final walk to the summit where we were all photographed around the trig point. Our very special thanks to all the staff of the University who made our weekend so special – the Conference office, the Otter Gallery, the Alumni team and the catering staff, along with John Dane, the recently-retired Chaplain who took his last service for us. Ramblings Mandy Watson (Adkin) (1962-1965) Do you remember Waiting for Godot? Vladimir: That passed the time Estragon: It would have passed in any case. Vladimir: Yes but not so rapidly. How can more than fifty years have passed since the unforgettable three that we spent at Bishop Otter? All seeming to have passed in a flash of time. How many more memories have we banked as we have become historical resources ourselves? Yes, I too can remember the day President Kennedy was shot. We were on 2nd Year teaching practice. A memory came to mind when I was watching a student recently, trying to make “an embedded subordinate clause” exciting, while teaching grammar and punctuation in a literacy lesson. The children seemed to be well practiced in their secretarial skills, imperative to pass today’s English tests, but it didn’t help. Back to 1963, I had been placed in a boys’ secondary school. Fresh in my Mary Quant hairstyle, Twiggy short skirt and Beatles’ roll neck sweater, I arrived at the bottom of the stairs leading to my first Year 8 English lesson. “Here she comes!” I heard. They were obviously waiting with glee and indeed I certainly made an impression on them as did they on me! I had been given a Midsummer Night’s Dream to complete with them, by the presumably both cynical and sceptical Head of English. They had been left drawing pictures of the characters ... I don’t need to go into detail, I am sure you can visualise it! Thank goodness for Roger Iredale, with youthful memories himself no doubt, who provided this very despondent student with a marvellous recording of Victor Borge explaining punctuation through making various noises, as well as some very funny bits from Beyond the Fringe. I like to think that I improved their writing, although not, maybe, their love or understanding of Shakespeare! Between you and me I have never learnt the modern rules for exclamation marks either! You know I do think we were part of an unsung generation of teachers who brought some inspirational innovation and practice to teaching and learning (which often seem to surface as new ideas now), and I am sure we are remembered vividly by some of today’s middle-aged movers and shakers. I was in lodgings during those weeks in school practice, in November, on the edge of a vast expanse of woodland. My landlady, who seemed extremely old, but was probably about twenty years younger than I am now, had a Doberman which slept on one side of her bed under a blanket. She insisted on me walking with them in the woods, in the dark, after school “to get some fresh air” (me or her?).
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 17 I got a stone hot water bottle to warm (questionable) my freezing bed and she brought water in a jug for me to wash in the mornings, which provided about an inch in the very small bowl and was cold before I got to it (the bath at college on Friday nights was so appreciated). I don’t think I was ever warm, although the dog certainly was; but can still remember the most wonderful steaming bowls of porridge and huge plates of bacon and eggs. I think I actually asked to be out in digs for the final practice. I often wondered how Mrs Donaghy chose our landladies, but then became one myself, some years later, when we lived in Crawley. So, of course, now I understand you need a certain personality ... All my student lodgers seemed eccentric too, so perhaps that is how we all came across ourselves! I recall one young man who appeared to favour Dr Who scarves and hobnail boots and, like me all those years before, didn’t seem to wash much although we did have a shower and hot water! There have been so many changes over the years, good and bad, but has much had impact really? Events tend to repeat themselves, but it’s the people and their characters and personalities who shape and colour what’s happening, past, present and future. That’s why Shakespeare is still so popular – even a Midsummer Night’s Dream, although I enjoyed Julius Caesar so much more recently. It must be the relevance to present times. Did College, or time and experience, shape our characters or are we still our 20-year-old selves in much older bodies? I love the birthday card that says, “Don’t grow up it’s a trap!” as well as “You are only given a little spark of madness so you mustn’t lose it”. Aubrey and I have celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, remembering lots of little sparks if not infernos, from the first year at Bishop Otter, through 20 adventurous years in Africa and the hectic demands of being grandparents. That’s a lot of past, but the memories linger on. What do you remember? Where were you? The College reunions and the Guild Magazine always bring back those early escapades and memories of old friends, as well as keeping us in touch – long may they last! Thanks Marten! Official opening of the new Academic Building Rose Savage (Parks) (1961-1964) Early on an April evening in 2017 I was invited to attend the official opening of the new Academic Building on the Bishop Otter Campus. Although it had been in use for a few months a very select gathering met for the opening ceremony. The photo on the right shows the ex- Vice Chancellor, Professor Clive Behagg beside the memorial stone. After the speeches and wonderful buffet refreshments, the visitors were shown all over the building and then shown the time-lapse film of the demolition of the cottages and the new construction taking shape. (This film was shown by Seamus Higson at the reunion in July 2017.) It was sad to see the cottages go, but the film was great fun. In the entrance of the building is a commemorative plaque, funded by Diana and Roger Revell (1962-1965), which for time immemorial will remind people of the long and wonderful history of Bishop Otter College. With that the memory will never be allowed to die. The photo on the left shows Roger and Diana Revell beside the plaque. Bishop Otter Days (for Pauline) (Dorothy Barden (Emptage) It was always warm in ‘53 Now, the Gothic stone The sun beamed down, the moon was full The cloisters and the Turkey oak We frolicked on the field, stole slices of bread at tea On hallowed green for the elite To toast for hungry supper time. Where we trespassed in unholy glee Climbed in windows after dark Are all still there, though hidden now If we’d missed the curfew bell, By monstrous brick and concrete blocks. We rode our bikes through clouds No matter – you and I and everyone Of meadowsweet and milkmaids thick From fifty-three to fifty-five In lanes to Singleton and far away; As happy ghosts at College still The scene was set for bumper fun. Can talk and walk and laugh and play.
18 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Tarantella (Bishop Otter version) – with apologies to Hilaire Belloc (Dorothy Barden (Emptage) Do you remember a time, Barbara? In the room till midnight, drinking, eating Do you remember a time? And thinking of those past times till the chimes And the giggling and the walking Of the midnight bell came to tell; And certainly the talking Do you remember a time, Barbara? And the fish and chips and the many merry quips Do you remember a time? Once more Barbara And the fruits of the vine. Do you remember a time, Barbara? Once more Do you remember a time? Only the quick and passing hour And the smiles all the while but without any guile Twelve brief months till our Reunion Of the old BO girls In the rooms of the Halls where falls Who haven’t any cares and who can still climb the The tread of the feet of ’53 on the ground stairs Lots of sound And be damned to the morrow they all say. And the thunder And the chat! chat! chat! Of our laughter and our wonder And all that from us girls as we sat
And finally – from 50 years ago – Guild Chronicle (1968) Back to College for the Romp “On Saturday 24th February [1968], College was packed to overflowing when many young Guild members returned, not only to enjoy meeting their friends, but also to meet the challenge of the present students on the soccer, rugby and hockey fields. Rumour has it that advancing years are already making their mark, for the honour of the Guild was lost on all sides! (We cannot but look forward to the time when the winners will be on our side!) Maybe, however, it was necessary to keep some energy in reserve, because the day was by no means over when the last whistle was blown. After tea, preparations were completed for the dance which took care of the evening’s programme. The dancing was energetic enough, but so was the talking. In fact, we wonder how late it was into the night before the last bits of conversation stopped. Same again next year: 22nd February 1969. See you then.”
STOP PRESS!! The Jean Lurçat (1892-1966) tapestry, which has been away from the chapel for cleaning and restoration, was rehung in its rightful place on Friday 19th January 2018. The following photographs show some of the work of restoration and the estate team who were responsible for replacing it. The photographs show (from left to right): One of the restorers working on the tapestry; two of the team at the beginning of the rehanging; the tapestry part way up and finally, the tapestry in place. Many thanks to Ann Harley of the Alumni Team at the University for supplying the photographs.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 19 News of ex-Otters (see also the Obituaries)
1944-1946 Cynthia Aird is now 90 years old and still sings in the church choir, but sings contralto nowadays. She also plays the church organ when requested. She did her full 40 years of teaching, all in the London area, finally becoming headteacher at Bonneville School in Clapham, retiring after 20 years there. At the end of her career she found such a change in the pupils coming into the school, with the influx of immigrants and a number of children whose first language was not English.
1947-1949 Sue Pickering (Stockford) is still alive and kicking vigorously and is active – swimming daily, runs a book club and plays bridge and still drives around. Valerie Tipple (Collins) is also well and happy, driving about and has a busy life. Valerie and Sue met up earlier in the year and often have a chat. Betty Kimbell (Christopher) has recently moved into a care home (just after her 90th birthday) and seems to have settled. She is quite well and still gets out and about but has found that age and her sight problems made it too difficult to cope on her own any more. Margaret Hayden (Barker) says that she has been in hospital for nine weeks and only came home in the middle of January. She really enjoyed last year’s reunion for their year – 70 years since their entry to the college. Her son wheeled her round in her wheelchair. For a number of years she has been the only representative of her year, and was very disappointed to miss seeing Sue Pickering. Margaret joined the Guild after her husband and herself spent that very special weekend to celebrate an anniversary. Since then, for some years, a group of the 1947-49-ers met up every year, Latterly, she has been befriended by the group who followed them and she very much enjoys their company. She still hears from Don, the widower of Jean Brogden (Sharp) in Melbourne. Margaret’s friends, family and church are very supportive. Son Simon works at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester so she sees him regularly. His twin sons, Theo and Rufus, coming up 21, are at different universities in London. Matt, her younger son also keeps in touch and her niece and her son, both teachers in Worthing, keep an eye on her. She joined the Friends of the Otter Gallery at its inauguration and although she doesn’t get to much, they inform her of regular events. She also looks forward to the Cathedral Flower Festival in June. She says that if she doesn’t make the reunion this year she sends her best wishes to all and that she has very happy memories.
1948-1950 Sheila Barnes (Shaw) wrote “I am not very mobile so will not be able to get to reunions”. But her husband, Stan, is still with her so that is a blessing. Diana Jones (Woodall) sent some rather alarming news that she broke her back last January but all is well now. She is able to enjoy visits to and from the family, and still maintains links with the U3A and other clubs, and her lively Methodist church. Pat Life (Heath) Pat has had continuing health problems. She now can’t get out on her own and relies on others to take her out in a wheelchair. But with wonderful support from family and friends she still makes the most of life.
1949-1951 Pat Barnard looks forward to a hip operation and hopes to be able to move less painfully. Jean Lewis (Simpson) had a new hip in August and a fourth grandchild in November (a little boy, Simon Bede). Anne Parsonage (Lane) keeps in touch with Doris Short (Milligan) and Sheila Charles (Hemnall). She was saying to her son, who is at Chichester Festival Theatre now, how dark College Lane was when she was there, and he replied “it still is!” Audrey Reeves (Rogers) is now more or less house bound but has a carer and friends who take her out. Pauline Tinley (Orsbourne) is still suffering from sepsis caused by a rose thorn, but it is on the mend now and she now has help in the garden – lots of spring bulbs but no more roses!! Barbara Woodcock (Poile) is very happy to be able to drive still. She still sees Pauline Tinley and is in touch with Elizabeth Arnold. Thelma Hayes (Sears) has been in hospital after a fall and subsequent heart attack, and is slowly recovering. She was hoping to be home in time for Christmas. (See also obituaries.) Pam Robinson (Rock) went to Holland with her daughter in April, and her son got married in September. She is now the “happiest mother-in-law in the world”. Daphne Blake (Salmon) Her husband is very ill, and she is his carer, so life is rather difficult at times. Jean Ward (Porteous) had a surprise heart attack last May, which slowed her down a lot, but she is much better now and is going to be a great grandma in May.
20 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Margaret Streete (Emsley) Margaret’s eyesight is failing. Eric’s Alzheimer’s progresses slowly and they have given up their car, now relying on trains and their lovely daughters who help with shopping and transport. They appreciate Liss village life, especially the weekly Luncheon Club. Daughter, Sarah, enjoys sport with the sailing club, orienteering in winter and tennis and cricket in summer. She went to Kenya in Autumn to play cricket with the Three Services (Ladies) in Nairobi. Grandson Toby is in his first year at Chichester University and has enjoyed it very much.
1951-1953 Greetings have come from – Hazel Allison (Marquand), Dolores Emptage (Andreazzi), Paule Andrews (Johnston), and Janet Bradfield (Dixon). Jill Potts (Davies) enjoyed a cruise with Sheila Trussler on the River Rhone, and enjoyed it so much they plan to explore the River Rhine this year. Jill is still involved with her local church, particularly with the luncheon club she started when she retired. Anna Bridger (Johnson) was looking at the snow in Stamford as she wrote her Christmas cards so didn’t get her daily walk that day. She and Harold are hoping to enjoy lots of trips to the seaside in Norfolk this year, places within driving distance. Thelma Cleaver (Brown) sent the news that Avril Dacey (Bulmer) died in November having been nursed by her husband as she suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. Joy Ash has continued most of her regular interests with her choir, entertaining in local care homes, fun holidays with the U3A and, as always, spending Christmas with a friend from College in Goring on Sea. She wrote, ‘although I live on my own my life is blessed with much to do and many good friends’. Ella Hutt is almost house-bound, but still enjoys the help and good company of many friends, and gets out occasionally with the help of a tri-walker. She was able to attend the fifth Storrington School reunion, and enjoyed meeting some of her former pupils. Barbara Watson Hammond had a happy year, and took part in a video film for The Otter Gallery at College which now houses all the art treasures that Miss Murray and Sheila McCririck amassed from WWII onwards, their collecting continuing for many years. My part was to remember the early days as it all began. Later Brian and I enjoyed another cruise with a group of family friends, this time going to Iceland, ‘the land of ice and fire’. We went at midsummer, and experienced total daylight inside the Arctic Circle – and yes, we did have to ‘kiss the fish’ for doing so! The year ended with the demise of the Folk-dance Club which we had run for 17 years, and our new involvement in a local pantomime As I was writing these notes for the Newsletter, Brian died suddenly in early January, while out playing his accordion for the Fishbourne Mill Morris Dancers, so life will be very different from now on.
1952-1954 Shirley Glaysher (Ellis) The past year has seen a big change in my life as I sold the home I had lived in for 47 years and moved to a brand new house along with my daughter and son-in-law. As you can imagine this involved a great deal of down loading and much time was spent looking at old photographs etc. However, it has been a good move. I am only ten minutes away from my old home and so am still able to meet up with friends and neighbours and can be in the centre of town on my mobility scooter in twenty minutes. I had a surprise visit from Trixie Barnden (Hibbert), my old next-door room-mate in Randall Dormitory at BOC in 1952. She and her husband, Chris, were in Horsham on a shopping trip. It was lovely to have tea together and show off my new abode. My old college friend Anne Morgan moved to Horsham, into a Nursing Home, to be near us as she has no family of her own and is godmother to my children. My daughter was able to take Anne for trips in the car and bring her to my house for occasional visits. I was able to visit weekly when the conversation invariably turned to reminiscing about our college days and also of the holidays we spent together when my husband was alive. Sadly, Anne passed away just after Christmas after a short illness. We had been friends for 65 years and we will all miss her greatly. Best wishes to all old Otters. Trixie Barnden (Hibbert) Still ticking although erratically at times. I regret I could not make the reunion in 2017 on Saturday but managed to go on the last organised walk up the Trundle on the Sunday; on one of the hottest days of the summer. I managed to walk from the bottom to the top with only two stops to view the scenery! but the descent was a doddle. I anticipate attending the reunion this year in September when I hope to see some fellow Otters from 1952-1954. The photo on the right shows Trixie triumphant by the trig point at the top of the Trundle. Enid Whiteman (Gulland) We have been trying to sell our house this year as we think it is time to downsize, but no takers yet. We hope for better luck in 2018. We have just acquired a little rescue dog, a 4½ year old Westie, so we are getting plenty of exercise. Christine Ayres (Pelling) I am making very slow progress after my stroke but have now had seven injections in my left eye to slow down macular degeneration. I can still write a bit and read using my one good eye.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 21 The good news is that we now have a great grandson and in October Tom and I celebrated our Diamond Wedding so somehow we are surviving!! Tom now has a heart problem which has slowed him up and he is undergoing many tests which involve lots of visits to hospitals and doctors. Jenny Holdstock (Davies) I moved from Hungerford to Dorchester and still have five packing boxes, marked china and glass, unopened. In one are the remnants of last year’s Christmas cards and list. I am settling in and am looking further afield for interests while I am mobile. I have found someone here who in the mid-seventies did a two-year mature student’s course at BOC – Susan Blencowe – someone might remember her (she was an occupational therapist). I briefly met Lorna Hooper in the summer. Lorna Hooper (Garton) This year has gone so quickly and I have been busy as usual keeping up with my activities and U3A meetings twice a month. I have been on several mystery tours - to Cheshunt with a visit to Cambridge and St Albans – to Ipswich visiting an owl sanctuary at Clacton on Sea – and to Bristol visiting Western Super Mare and Burnham on Sea. I have visited the Isle of Wight with a friend, with Christopher and his sons, and on my own when I walked from Ryde to Seaview and back. The real highlight was a Rhine cruise in April to celebrate my birthday. I briefly met Jenny Holdstock in Dorchester on my way back from Falmouth. I keep in touch with Margaret Harris (Hogsden) but Trevor has not been well so I haven’t seen them this year. Margaret Harris (Hogsden) I regret I will be unable to attend the reunion in September because my husband Trevor is not well. Although I still enjoy my interest in painting I have been unable to attend my weekly painting days. We have carers to help at home but I do not like to leave Trevor for too long. Mary Williams (Burrell) did get to the reunion Service and lunch this year. It was my turn to be the only one from our year, but year 1957 were there in good number and most welcoming. Elaine Du Lieu hopes to be at the next reunion in September but walking is sadly greatly reduced. Paddy Burn (Dean) reflects on how swiftly the years are passing, each bringing sadness and gladness in almost equal measure. We enjoyed a large family gathering at Christmas at my daughter Kay’s home in Nottingham. My younger son and family of four joined us and we had face time contact with son, Christopher, in Australia. I have six grandchildren ranging from 13 to twenty-three. On 7th July 2017 my dear college friend Maureen Janaway (Walton) (see also obituaries) passed away in a Cheshire nursing home, a victim of cruel Alzheimer`s disease. We were a group of friends at BOC, Vivienne Henderson, Margaret Stentiford, myself Paddy (Pat) Dean and Maureen (Mo) Walton. Our friendship continued through our married lives, meeting at reunions and anniversary gatherings etc. Maureen and Louis married in 1956 but tragically lost their middle son (aged 9) to leukaemia. They worked tirelessly for the Leukaemia Research Association thereafter and were honoured by the Queen on two occasions. Vivienne flew from Portugal where she now lives, to attend the funeral although she is wheelchair bound with rheumatoid arthritis. Margaret (Stenty) has invited me to holiday with her at her Exmouth home this summer and if we can match the new reunion date we will dearly hope to join any available Otters in September. I still drive the motorways but will be tempted to come by train over such a tiring distance. Oh how I long for the halcyon days of studentship at BOC. The memories linger on. Greetings from Margaret Harris (Hogsden), Margaret Heathcote (Birch), Eileen Canterbury (Allen), Shirley Crompton (Notley), Kathleen Smith (Sevier), and from Italy, Angela Bellinaso (Chard).
1953-1955 The photo on the right shows Carol, Margaret, Joyce and Pam on a Warner’s weekend having played indoor bowls on the top floor of Littlecote House. You can see who the fit people were – slim-line trousers! Barbara was supposed to be with us too, but she had a blip health-wise. Anyway, she spent January 2018 in Namibia. Carol is a keen member of U3A and also helps with a homework club. Margaret (Passmore) is back to playing golf weekly or more after two hip operations. Joyce runs a keep fit class, walks the dog twice daily and sings. Pam plays indoor bowls weekly and belongs to a church sewing group. She is getting very deaf. Dorothy (Dot) Barden (Emptage) says that she remembers teaching in the large comprehensive school until 2008, having started there in 1955 (with five years off for child bearing!). She still misses being with lively teenagers and has turned to writing instead. See the poems she has written about Bishop Otter days (pages 18 and 19). She has also written a book for teenage boys of which her year group were privileged to hear a chapter at last year’s reunion. Mavis Ford (Sadler) says that they live in a very beautiful part of the world, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, especially when the spring arrives. Last winter the winds were very cold, but they had very little rain so a hectic bush fire season was predicted. They are both very well and still doing as much walking as possible although they are not as fit nor as fast as they used to be. Jean Barnett (Hail) has had a knee operation. Her third son is doing the sound system for the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Queensland, this year. Her eldest granddaughter gets married in the summer of 2018.
22 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Beryl Sharp (Pasquale) said that after a skipper rammed a boat, she suffered injuries to her arm so more holidays have had to be cancelled. Doreen Davis (Johns) continues to go on canal boat holidays in France where their boat is moored at Corre on the Saone, but also enjoyed a cruise on the River Douro and holidays in southern France and Ypres. Ann Francis (Skurrey) is hoping for more stability in walking after physio. Shirley Hall (Chapman) is suffering after falling backwards in the summer of 2017. Janet Camus (Stewart) is now out of her wheelchair. She spends a lot of time organising events in the retirement complex she lives in. Margaret Harris (Rayner) writes “On one of my trips to Scotland last autumn I visited the lovely Western Isles. I took the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry from Largs to the island of Great Cumbrae. Whilst there I attended the choral evensong in the Cathedral of the Isles, which is said to be the smallest cathedral in Europe. The Bishop of Argyle and the Isles was also at the service. The cathedral has a small nave with no side aisles and to enter the glassed-in cloisters for refreshments we went through a door in the chancel. I spent Christmas in Scotland with my son and family, who live in Stirling. On Christmas Eve I went to the large Church of the Holy Rude, which is adjacent to Stirling Castle, for the midnight service. The son of Mary, Queen of Scots, was baptised for the second time in this church – the first baptism being in the Chapel of the Castle. He became James VI of Scotland and later James I of England on the death of Elizabeth I. Mary Smith (Warne) has been very contented at home in Buckingham, enjoying all the delights of U3A, literary and music fests, and an easy walk into town with helpful cab drivers for the journey back. Paddy (Pat) Sparke (Johnson) enjoyed a stay in remote Brittany with a friend after long arguments with her family about extensive driving – then came home to find she’d left her driving licence at home all the time! Meg Franklin (Cameron) is settling in to her retirement flat – one bedded – after her move from a four-bed house. So, no pets, no feeding of birds/hedgehogs, but then no grass cutting or gutter cleaning! Barbara Hodgson (Eustace) is now her husband’s carer but gardening, tai-chi and looking after two donkeys keeps her fit. She is not able to paint so much but goes to a master-class talk about others’ work. Kathleen Allcorn (Young) keeps very fit with Keep Fit, Scottish dancing and a walking group. She is also able to travel twice yearly to see her daughter in the USA and her other daughter on a Greek island. Daphne Keach is a member of the WI, a reading group, holiday group and is very creative with jewellery. Joan Rippengal (Reedman) is a keen Sussex weaver. She has found her musical box society holiday too tiring. Pat Wilkins (Bertie) goes to lectures at BOC monthly, all to do with the Otter Art Collection. Billie Llewelyn (Le Huray) had hoped to move nearer to the centre of Cirencester – 1, Waterworks. Hilary Chapman (Robinson) is fairly limited in mobility but enjoys living in a mixed-age street with a shop, a post office and a doctors’ surgery.
1955-1957 Jill Fudge (Bryant), Ann Hawke (Booth), Liz Care (Astor), Chris Tweed (Hague), Sylvia Davis-Munro (Kelway- Pope), Marjorie Nutland (Valencia) and Viv Mitchell were at the 2017 reunion. Val Edmands (Field) meets Eileen Parsons regularly. They attend the same church. K Harcourt (Horsley), Viv Mitchell and Shirley Born (Waites) meet for lunch about twice a year. Sadly Peter, the husband of Margaret Child (Wilks) died in 2017 after 57 happy years of marriage. Jill Fudge (Bryant) has a granddaughter who hopes to go to Bishop Otter in 2018. Liz Care (Aston) is at present nursing her husband through his third bout of cancer. She manages to attend an Italian class. She and Peter spent two years teaching English in Cordoba after getting married as Peter had studied Spanish and French. Liz retired from her job as head of languages at a comprehensive school in 1990. At Peter’s suggestion she became a professional dance teacher and did it till 2015. Val Gabriel suggested that some of our year sent in memories of college. Liz Care said her first encounter was the interview with Miss Klotchkoff: “Did you choose BOC because it is a C of E College?” Liz replied “Oh no, it’s because French is taught here”, and the rest of the interview took place in French. “Imagine my astonishment when we had our first RE lecture!” Liz remembers, with pleasure, the teachings from Dr Shave and Dr Ward “The latter spoke to us in French all the time”. Liz really enjoyed her time at college and made friends for life. Her largest class in her career was 48 for French with no text books – in the early 1960s. Anne Hawke (Booth) writes that we all had such great times together at BOC with lots of love and friendship. She remembers Ascension Day – a whole day to ourselves after chapel when we were encouraged to leave campus – a glorious cycle ride over the Downs; Trundle Walks with Miss Murray leading; the dread of being invited to dine with Miss Murray; queueing for ingredients for our Sunday supper and taking them back to share in our room; getting into trouble for knitting in the gallery during a visit by an outside lecturer; travelling by coach to King Alfred’s [Winchester] for dances (Anne remembers the lovely avenue of copper beeches), and the occasional cup of coffee in Chichester upstairs in the Lilac Lantern – a great treat that could only be afforded once a term. Val Gabriel comments that she can’t remember the Lilac Lantern and so maybe she and her group of friends couldn’t afford it at all!
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 23 Anne also remembers the modern dance sessions – all wore identical short skirted outfits but in different colours – taught by Miss Thomas; school practice – one in a small church school in Chichester, another in Shoreham and we had to catch an early train – a very long day. Anne comments that we were very lucky to train at BOC with its Christian ethos and such caring tutors. Val Gabriel (Duckett) remembers the horse boxes with fond memories – our own space and yet near our friends. In fact, Liz Robinson and K shared the room at the end of Haven Dorm, then Margaret Green in the first horse box, Jenny Parker, Val, Eileen Brown, Mary Wilson and Jean Roberts. Val also remembers daily chapel – in the choir and as a chapel warden with Mary Wheeler, cycle rides to Bosham, lots of visits to the cinema including to Bognor for “Rock around the Clock”. When we visited schools in London we then all met in Fortes, Piccadilly, where the fountains played to music. On Ascension Day we hitch-hiked to Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. K had her leg in plaster and so we went by train. There was one male student in our year – Jeremy Whale. He very sensibly got engaged to a lovely girl from another college. Val remembers cycling to Pallant to see friends there – Canon and Mrs Eperson were their wardens. K was senior student in our second year and Liz, Eileen, Margaret and Val joined her there along with Mag Elliot, Eileen Parsons, Jean Forster, Joan Walland and Shirley Wade. Margaret Child (Wilks) was the organ scholar in our second year and so played for our services – in our lovely chapel now replaced by a larger, less intimate one. What most of us remember of our time at BOC is the friendship. For two years we shared our lives with so many friends – all training – yes we did attend lectures and write essays, and we had to do school practice – with fun and laughter and unforgettable memories.
1956-1958 Barbara Doughtery (Jones) finally had her hip replacement last February and, although she is continuing to have physiotherapy, says she and Maurice are both keeping reasonably active. She still sings with the Rugby Philharmonic Choir and in April, for their 150th anniversary, John Rutter visited and conducted them in a “Come and Sing” day. A very special experience. She was going to look out for Dorothy (Doddie Pickering) at the usual Christmas concert. She is also still involved with Rugby Retired Teacher Association. Evelyn Farquhar (Davison) has not had a good year owing to a fall in July which led to her having to use a zimmer frame, crutches, wheelchair etc. She is now very reliant on Gordon, her husband, and her daughter. However, she was looking forward to her family joining them for Christmas. Granddaughter, Elinor, is in her second year at Birmingham University reading “English and Creative writing”. Caroline Mercer (Boon) says the year since she and Mike retired from “guesthousing” in Cornwall has simply flown. She had her usual wonderful January holiday in the Maldives but sadly feels that would be her last visit. She has joined her local U3A and enjoys the art group, now that she has more time to paint and draw. She has also been able to return to church regularly since retiring and has even joined the choir. Maureen Dice (Smith) has been looking into the possibility of having degrees awarded to those students who did a two-year teacher training course. It was discussed at our reunion in 2016 and Yvonne Kellaway’s (Wilkins) husband has recently been awarded a degree after his training at King Alfred’s, Winchester. Friends of Maureen and myself had also been awarded degrees after their 1956-1958 training at Southlands College (Roehampton) in July 2017. So far there is no news from Bishop Otter. Maureen and Pam Maclay (Lunn) spent a few days visiting Anna Waites (Bryant) and husband, Terry, at their home in Oswestry in the summer. They hadn’t seen her for about 50 years so they had a lot to catch up on. Bridget Bodewin (Durman) says 2017 seems to have been the year of the weather in Canada. Fortunately, the worst of it didn’t affect them. Smoke was their main problem in Vancouver although on their usual trip south in February they encountered floods, slides and fallen trees. They enjoyed the adventure but were pleased to be with friends rather than alone. They were luckier later when they went to Tofino where they saw miles and miles of glorious flowers and in their usual way had a very active time kayaking on lakes! No sign of slowing down yet! They also managed to squeeze in a trip to Germany and England. Their family are well and happy and sound just as busy as Bridget and Karl. Sylvia Dadd (Claydon) writes that she had broken her arm in August so was unable to drive for 10 weeks. Peter, her husband, doesn’t drive and, as they live “in the sticks” in Norfolk, they were reliant on the family for some time. Their granddaughter, Ella, graduated from Oxford in September with a degree in History of Art and has six months’ work in the print department at Windsor Castle. Peter was 85 in November and Sylvia, like the rest of us, can’t believe that we will all be 80 this year. Audrey Falla (Martin) and husband, Ken, were getting all their winter woollies and thermals packed ready for their Christmas holiday cruising up the coast of Norway. Ken had never experienced snow and ice in Europe so it may have come as a bit of a shock after living in Guernsey. Mary Rose has recently had her cataracts removed and, as a result, thought she would be spending Christmas painting and decorating! Sometimes it is better to live in blissful ignorance. She is hoping to be at the reunion. Karl St Vincent (Hefford) writes that grandson, Nat, is in his first year at King’s doing Medicine. Rebecca, granddaughter, is in her second year at Leeds doing Liberal Arts. Karl says they “keep taking the tablets” which seem to be working for them. She has had a slight stroke earlier in the year.
24 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Anita Whale (Fay) and Esme Waters (Jones) are hoping to get to our “special” reunion as is Dorothy Westerman (Doddie Pickering). Margaret Campbell, Ruth Cook (Green) and Lorna Edwards (Ogley) spent a lovely day together in London in July. Ruth had made all the arrangements – lunch at Green Park, a boat trip down the River to Greenwich, then over the river in a cable car to the museum. All most enjoyable. The day wasn’t without a few incidents but it all added to the fun. I tested my fitness by having to race for my train to Nottingham but made it with seconds to spare. My PE training stood me in good stead! Unfortunately, Mary French (Carr), Audrey Falla (Martin) and Brenda Collier weren’t able to join us owing to health problems. At Christmas Ruth wrote to say they were having the family with 11- year old twins, followed by her son and family with their sons (18, 16 and 13 years) plus two dogs over the Christmas period. She was hoping they and the tree would survive. Mary was happy to say her husband is still able to fly, albeit with an instructor now. Yvonne Kellaway (Wilkins) and Tony were planning to spend Christmas with Simon (son) and family at their holiday home in Devon. Her daughter, Sarah, will be visiting for a month in July, from Australia, to celebrate Yvonne’s 80th birthday. She has contacted Hilary (Travers), Bobby (Ward) and Moira (Graham) about our reunion but, sadly, none of them will be able to attend. Yvonne was still reeling from the shock of Sally Thompson’s sudden death (see obituaries). Lorna Edwards (Ogley) has still managed to stay active and continue doing all her activities despite various ailing body parts! Lorna spoke to Jill Thompson at Christmas. Unfortunately, the cataract operation she had has not improved the sight in her “good” eye at all, which means she is virtually blind. She knew it was a long shot but felt it was worth a try. She is still at home, where she knows where everything is, and has carers every day. “Doddie” remains extremely supportive despite the distance and, as usual, Jill sounded very upbeat and positive. Lorna also spoke to Dorothy Day (Newell) who had recently had a bad fall and while in hospital other health problems were found. She was at home being cared for by her daughter. Sadly, in November Yvonne phoned Lorna to give her the news of Sally’s sudden death on 31st October. She became friends with Sally through reunions. They both had the same fond feelings for Bishop Otter and also shared the love of dogs. Consequently, for many years, she stayed with Sally at her home in Southampton for the weekend of the reunions. Lorna has lovely memories of lots of eating and meals out and even more talking. They would invariably be chatting until the early hours of the morning and Lorna learned so much about Sally’s life. She was the perfect host and she will be very much missed at the reunion this year, not only by our year but by the group from 1955 – 1957 as she always joined them when she visited each year and when her own group was not there. Lorna also heard of the death of Jane Manning. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and had been in a care home for some time. Lorna is hoping to have a good turnout for their very special reunion – 60 years since leaving Bishop Otter – despite the change of date from July to August/September.
1958-1960 Careth Paternoster (Osborne) says that she and Michael have had a good year in many respects, although they are slowing down and find that they have insufficient time for all they'd like to do. They spent their short breaks away this year, chiefly on musical activities. They especially enjoyed listening to chamber music and heard performances of a Schubert Quintet and the Mendelssohn Octet. They thought these were the best they had ever heard. On a visit to Cambridge they witnessed an undergraduate performance of a little-known Handel Opera. Thelma Bristow (Lewis) In June she attended the U3A South East Forum Summer School held at the Bishop Otter Campus. She found it very interesting. She was impressed with the student accommodation that she stayed in, with its en-suite and communal room. The latter had cooking and washing facilities for just six rooms. (What a contrast to our time.) Jacqueline Weddell (Lovell) reports that she went on a cruise to Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands with a friend who was a year ahead of us all at college. The weather was not good although they went at the end of June. It was stormy when they reached Reykjavik and they were unable to land thus missing the volcano and hot springs. Felicity Silvester (Stent) Her grandson will be 18 months old on Christmas Day and is a huge delight to her. She goes up to the Midlands about every six weeks to visit. Her younger daughter and husband are based in Wembley, although they travel a great deal. Marion Harris (Cairns) Marion and her husband have had a busy year. They met up with Thelma Bristow and Paddy Holmes at Thelma's home in early December. They have continued to travel the world. Towards the end of January 2017, they embarked on a cruise around the West Indies. In June, they went on their biennial visit to Vancouver to see family. The highlight of that trip was attending their granddaughter's school graduation. Later, they flew up to the Yukon for an eight-day holiday. In October, they spent three days exploring Vienna, where they saw a grandson singing with Kings College School chamber choir in the cathedral. This took place in the baroque splendour of the Peterskirche. Interspersed with these trips were many visits to and by friends in England. They both continue with their church work. Marion is a WI and MU member. She goes to an Arts Society in Bowdon. She and Doug are regular members of their local town gym and continue to enjoy walking. They stayed near Ilkley in August and walked across the moor to see the Cow and Calf rocks.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 25 Muriel Warburton (Badham) This year has been a mixed bag with several sessions of ill health. The highlight of the year, coming at the beginning of October, was when we went on a nostalgic visit to Porthcawl in South Wales. We were last there when our children were two and seven - 43 years ago! My husband, now 84, had previously lived there, when aged nine. At that time his father was on secret government work and was helping to build a factory with other engineers in the sand dunes at Kenfig. Today we were told that there is nothing left of this site: in fact, the site is now a nature reserve which covers the whole area. Sadly, although we visited it, we were unable to get into the nature reserve building as it was closed. Porthcawl, itself, has not really changed: still with its long sea front promenade. We now both find walking difficult, so most of our expeditions were by car. Jennifer Lawler (Barham) Jenny writes that 2017 was a year for a new knee and removal of cataracts. She says she now has crystal clear sight and jokes that she can now see all the dust and cobwebs! She is busy with U3A and Art Society and is looking forward to visiting South Africa in January. Her daughter, Katie, is head of science and year 11 after just five years. She was a late entrant to teaching. Two of Jenny's grandchildren are rugby players. One plays for the Kent under 16s while his older brother is on a rugby scholarship to a Uni in the USA Cynthia Keener is having trouble walking due to arthritis, which is making shopping difficult. She and Anne Stidwell spent a weekend with Jenny Hill in April. She met Jenny's younger daughter and two children who are now 10 and fifteen. Cynthia hadn't met them since they were babies! Joy Wallwin (King) When Joy and Muriel spoke on the phone the snow was several inches thick. At that time, Joy hoped that it would soon be gone as she was due to play the organ, on three occasions, in a church at a local village. She added that she does not drive in the snow. Anne Stidwell (Limbert) spoke to Muriel on the phone and said that she had seen an article in her church notices about Roehampton University giving honorary degrees to former students who left with a Certificate of Education before 1980. Muriel has since received a photograph of one of her past teaching colleagues in her academic dress after being invested with her honorary degree at the Royal Festival Hall. Anne also said that she had spoken to Robina Dore who is fine and said that Robina would be in England for Christmas." Nadine Tacchi (White) Muriel spoke to Nadine by phone in early December. Nadine told her that she learnt to swim when she was sixty-five. She goes to her local centre once a week to swim and really enjoys these sessions. She also potters about in her garden, weather permitting. Nadine said she would be spending Christmas Day with her daughter.
1959-1961 Pat Barrett (Cox) always keeps in touch. She is still out and about with the trolley shop at her local Community Hospital and vice-chair of the League of Friends. She is well and keeps active. Sue Chitty (Corfmat) writes “My major news is that Bob and I are getting married at the end of June. We met three years ago at the Shakespeare Hospice, in Stratford, a while after we had lost our spouses. I moved in with Bob here in Snitterfield just over a year ago. Challenging … two houses into one! Life seems just as busy, trying to keep up with folks, and interests; music, including the N Cotswold U3A choir and also painting group. Sadly, polymyalgia and arthritis have put a damper on activities with walking groups, but I'm still an enthusiastic gardener with help and enjoy knitting and creative sewing when I can. During my teaching career I benefited very much from many teachers' courses connected with needlecraft and music, and thoroughly enjoyed specialising in those subjects. The enthusiasm carries on, but I expect, like me, many of us wish we could still do and manage what we did in the old days ... when we were young! Bob continues to enjoy gliding (I had a flight last week). Embarrassingly, I do need rather a lot of help getting in and out of the glider, fixing the parachute and strapping in. I am assured that in an emergency adrenalin would enable me to exit pdq, but I have every confidence in Bob's flying ability. He is a very careful and experienced pilot. We've been fortunate enough to have had some very enjoyable holidays this year, including a trip to visit my daughter in Germany, fulfilling an ambition to drive there again; Paul and I had driven there many times from St Albans, manageable in a day. As the journey is longer from here, Bob and I travelled overnight via the Harwich-Hook ferry. Recommend it. Good facilities including hotel standard cabins. The only disadvantage being that the morning disembarking is very early. However, our drive to the Rheinland Faltz was easy. Turn right at Rotterdam and keep going for c 270 miles! If I can manage next year's Reunion, although doubtful with our forthcoming events, I'll try. Bob and I had an enjoyable visit to BOC last summer while we were staying near Arundel on a U3A walking holiday. We were impressed with what we saw, ethos etc, but we did have navigational problems in Chichester!” Sue, many congratulations - we wish you both many blessings and future happiness. Sue Clark (Curtis) writes “It has been an interesting year for us as our granddaughter, Sophie, is applying for universities. We were going to take her to visit some but by the time she contacted them all the open days were over! Still there will be time to take her in the summer. We had a wonderful trip to Switzerland in May going from Montreux to Interlaken and then on to Luzern. Each journey involved climbing over mountain passes with stunning views We went to an international church in Luzern and enjoyed the welcome there. Interestingly, they began with communion which we thought was a great idea. In our church it is usually tagged on at the end. Our grandson is now at Exeter university and we combine visiting him with a holiday in Sidmouth, one of our favourite places.”
26 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Joan Connelly (Stephen) All children and grandchildren are thriving either at university or in their chosen field. Her fourth grandchild (Bethany – still only 19) has a lovely voice and had a small part in a Glyndebourne opera last summer. She's also been chosen to be Mary in the Wintershall Nativity Play where she will sing the soprano solo part in the Stanford Magnjficat. They have high hopes for her (but have a feeling she might give it all up to get married to her boyfriend when she finishes Uni!). So, in that generation there is now a Geologist, an Astro Physicist, a Historian and a singer. The next five are still at school! Pat Garford (Terry) writes, “2017 has been another travelling year for me. I visited the family in Sydney in February to catch up with the activities of my four grandsons now aged seven to twenty-one. In May I joined 18 New Zealanders on an escorted tour to Mexico and Cuba. Starting in Mexico City, the heart of the Aztec civilisation, we visited the pyramids to the north, explored the Spanish influenced metropolis and its wonders, cruised the channels of the floating gardens and went south to Taxco, a delightful Spanish style small town with cobbled streets and white buildings with tiled roofs and black wrought iron work, and a pink stone church with a magnificently decorated interior, the gift of a silver baron. Then to Cuba, the island of Castro, cigars, rum and classic cars and we also explored Ernest Hemingway’s time there. Cuba only took me back 50/60 years in time. I loved the vibrant colours, constant music, cocktails and the restored Cuban Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings of Havana’s plazas. We travelled half way down the island and I thought Trinidad, with roots in the sugar industry was delightful with streets of tiled pastel coloured houses with fancy iron window grilles on the cobble streets where the odd horse and cart made its way. We returned to lowland Mexico, the Yucatan, to the Mayan Riviera where everything seemed brighter and the colours more vibrant and had a day trip to Chichen Itza the remarkable Mayan ruin. I enjoyed the music, the food and the architecture of both countries. November saw me on a three weeks escorted trip, 14 of us this time, to Luang Prabang in Laos, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) in Cambodia and to Vietnam, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. I visited this part of the world 14 years ago so it was great to see some changes like restoration work at the temples, and eight million motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City, and to have new adventures like being able to visit the third level at Angkor Wat, experience a cycle ride in the Hanoi traffic as well as enjoying the exotic fruits, the sights and the food again. In Luang Prabang the Olde Worlde charm still prevails. Flying to each area gave us more time to enjoy each one. We had many beautiful meals in fabulous restaurants. During the year I have tried to keep up with technology and at Senior Net have assisted coaching Smartphones and Tablets, they are amazing. I still attend the gym, do the garden and belong to three groups at U3A and also belong to Rebus, they sometimes have interesting speakers. Where to in 2018? I’m working on another interesting destination.” Mary Gostling (Lloyd) took early retirement after 31 years of teaching and is now a full-time carer for her husband, John. They have both been involved in their local church at Apuldram for many years. John was churchwarden for 34 years and Mary retired as their organist four years ago after 54 years of service. She still leads the CMS and USPG support groups in Chichester and for 10 years was on the Diocesan Overseas Council. After retiring she took a two- year course at Chichester Theological College, which is now closed and all the books from their Library are at BOC. The building itself is now a residential care and nursing home. Thelma Jack, after major heart surgery in 2015, has managed to regain a reasonable fitness level. She still volunteers at the Weald and Downland Museum, is a member of a very active Local History Society and the Horticultural Society. Still growing all her own vegetables. Betty Jones (Prince) returned from St Lucia just before Christmas to our freezing weather. Quite a shock! She enjoyed the warmer climate which helped her get some walking practice after her hip problem last year. John is still cycling and completed 10,000 miles in 2017. Ian and family are doing well, Kirsty has started a new job nearer home, Jess has moved in with her boyfriend and Ben and Libby are currently studying for A levels and GCSEs respectively. In York, Lexie is studying for GCSEs and Jack has settled well into Secondary School. Brother Eddie is enjoying his final year at Junior school without big brother in the year above. Eddie has entered the world of Bloggers, has 100 subscribers and the family can’t wait until he has made his millions! The social highlight of the year was a party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Betty’s Mum. All Betty’s brothers and their families were able to attend, including 15 great grandchildren with ages ranging from a few months to 23 years. They enjoyed pre-Christmas festivities with Ian and the family was looking forward to Christmas in York once again. Revd Freda Jackson taught for 30 years, finally leaving a primary headship in order to be ordained with the first women to be made priest in 1994. To date she is still working in her home parish at Middleton, though without a licence now, since she is 76, but she does have permission to officiate and is still busy!! She has travelled to America quite frequently because her cousin, who lived in Midhurst, emigrated with his wife and children about 1978. Alabama must have been quite a shock after West Sussex but they have another generation out in the sticks now. In 2017 Freda was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours List for service to the community … quote “all quite embarrassing, but Middleton deserves it”. They really try to 'love where they are”! Jenny Kirkaldy (Shepherd) has had a difficult year. After a happy reunion with Tony’s extended family in August, sadly Tony passed away in October 2017 from bronchopneumonia. Sue is suffering from hearing loss and hoping for a solution after a hospital visit in January. She also hopes to be at the 2018 College Re-union. Norah Luty (Goodwin) is still enjoying her travels. She has just spent Christmas in Madeira and visited the Antarctic twice last year. She also visits the lovely city of Budapest every year for the Grand Prix.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 27 Jean Tune (Handsaker) has had a good year health-wise and has learned to be grateful for many things that we all took for granted in our youth. She and John enjoy their visits to Italy to visit daughter, Jackie, and are fortunate that daughter, Heather, and son, Andrew, and families live close by. Rugby and hockey matches keep them busy and there seems to be something happening every weekend. They visited Anne and John Newsham twice last year. Anne’s son, Andrew, is to marry in 2018 so they are very happy. Sue Scott (Haddlesey) writes “It's good to keep up with news about everyone. Thought I'd send some sort of update about myself. Obviously rather a lot has happened since 1961! My husband, Revd Brian Scott, sadly died in 2011 (we were married in1968). We have two daughters Clare and Madeleine. Clare is a teacher and has an English degree from when she was in Canterbury, as well as a law qualification from City University. Madeleine is a trained nurse and counsellor and also has a degree in Theology from Durham University. They are both near me and it is lovely that I can be so involved in looking after my grandchildren, George, now five and Katy, two (Madeleine’s children). She and her husband, Richard, are just down the road in Oakham and Clare has a house in Uppingham, also very near. I keep busy, walking, water colour painting, flower arranging in church, gardening, trying to teach myself to be better on the computer!! etc. etc. I'm fortunate that my hip replacement seven years ago and knee replacement four years ago were successful”. Maureen Sutherland (Blake) 2017 has been a good year for the Sutherland family. Daughters getting promoted and moving up the housing ladder and Maureen has been elected to be Bailiff (Town Clerk) of Warwick Court Leet which predates the Mayoralty and is the senior position, appointed bi-annually by the jurors. The Town Clerk acts as Steward of the court and they appoint the ancient officers: Ale Taster, Brook Looker, Surveyor of Buildings, Pavement Looker and Herald, together with Constables who represent each of the Electoral Wards. These officers report their findings to four Courts in spring, summer, autumn and winter. The Mayor and Town Council are equivalent to the Lord of the Manor and it is the Court’s duty to support them at Civic functions throughout the year. Members of the jury attending the public meetings are required to put forward presentments. If these are accepted by the Court, the Steward is requested to submit them to the relevant authority, be it Town, District or County Council and they are legally obliged to respond. Maureen says it is keeping her on her toes! Anne Walters (Sansom) A huge thank you to everyone who has sent in news or been in touch during the year. It is very rewarding to be adding new names to our circle of old Otters who want to keep in touch. Old age is catching up with most of us but we keep plodding on and still achieve our goals in a longer time. Next year, 2019, will be the 60th anniversary of us all starting at BOC and it would be good to see as many as possible at the Guild reunion. Please do think about it. I have been extremely busy once again in 2017 continuing as Lay Chair of Nottingham North Deanery at a very exciting time for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham as we seek to grow new disciples. Many of my churches are in vacancy, which brings the opportunity to rethink our missional needs in some of the poorest areas of the country as we strive to give our communities hope and encouragement. We work with asylum seekers, job seekers and those in debt through our five Food Banks and have had an extremely busy Christmas period. One food bank alone fed 256 people with Christmas dinners thanks to the generosity of Asda and the local fruit and vegetable wholesale market. The local police added gifts for the children and everything was gratefully received by all our clients. A great deal of time is spent worshipping alongside these communities and supporting the churchwardens to ensure that there is service cover and accounts etc are kept up to date. We went on several short breaks in the UK last year mainly to visit cathedrals in places unknown to us and all interesting in their own way. Firstly, there was Lichfield, very close to us here in Nottingham. We never seem to visit the area close to home and it was good to learn their local history and explore the delights of the town. We also visited Samuel Johnson’s birthplace in an amazing bookshop and toured the National Arboretum, a growing site for memorials to the fallen in several wars. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area. At Easter we went with friends to Lealholm in the Esk valley and worshipped at a variety of churches on Good Friday and Easter Day; a contrast to the urban ministry we experience here. Gloucester was next on the list. The cathedral precincts are experiencing a huge makeover and we will return to see the results in a few years’ time. The team of volunteers was most helpful explaining the history and giving us an interesting tour of the crypt. The history of the docks and old town kept us wondering why we hadn’t been before. In June, seeking some warmth and a rest, we visited Corfu for the first time and were surprised how green it was. We stayed at Agios Gordios on the west coast, recommended by a friend and really enjoyed relaxing and reading by the sea. The water was very cold as it was early season so very little swimming! We took the local bus twice into Corfu Old Town and browsed around the Cathedral and old cobbled streets which join the ancient Roman harbour with the new mooring place for the cruise ships. Our three grandchildren continue to thrive in their various environments. Alice, in Chicago, will be 18 in August and has offers from universities, all in the USA. She has been driving for just over a year and is developing a taste for folk music, driving her father to gigs where he plays guitar. She works at weekends and has financed herself for a school expedition to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which leaves in January. In Bucharest Max, 14, will be taking his GCSEs next year. He plays many sports and really enjoys his acting. There is a production every term. Ben is nearly nine, plays football, loves reading and is into blogging. He spends time at an extra- curricular club, which has a YouTube site for primary school news, writing scripts and interviewing.
28 | Guild Newsletter 2018 All the family descended at various times in the summer and we spent time in Derbyshire climbing near Stanage and two days in Stratford upon Avon. We all had a backstage tour of the Theatre and Max experienced his first Shakespearean production, Julius Caesar, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He is taking Drama as an extra GCSE subject next year and loves his acting. We didn’t have the house to ourselves again until September as some stayed for the beginning of the football season. Nottingham Forest have supporters in both Bucharest and Chicago. The October half term saw us in Bucharest looking after the boys while Phil and Liz spent time in France house hunting. After selling their London flat they are looking for somewhere to call home. They started in the Toulouse area and have narrowed down the search to a couple of villages in the Aude region close to the Canal du Midi near Carcassonne. They are returning in February with the boys to make a final decision. So, who knows we may sneak a holiday in France this year. We returned for a pre-booked trip to Chester. The weather was kind and we were able to walk the length of the ancient walls, visit the cathedral and meet up with Graeme, the best man at our wedding in 1964, who lives on the Wirral. After a busy time with my local churches, we returned to Bucharest for Christmas on 12th December. We love the children’s activities and the traditional Carol Service, which is an experience for many of the 52 nationalities in the British school. The family pre-Christmas trip saw us travelling to north west Romania for a three-night stay by the River Danube close to the Serbian border. We enjoyed a river trip with a local boatman who showed us all the sites including the remains of pillars for the Roman Bridge built by Emperor Tajan between 103 and 105 AD. They are mostly covered as the water level is heightened by dams to provide water for the Iron Gates hydro-electric installation, the largest on the Danube. This was a joint venture by Yugoslavia and Romania, which is now part run by the Serbian government. There is a National Park on both sides of the river near Orsova and we managed to see a quite unusual waterfall, the Bigar Cascade. The Romanians rave about it. It starts as a small spring 400 metres away and is unusual in the way the water spreads and falls is tiny strings of water. It is also on the 45th parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. We enjoyed a great family Christmas playing board games old and new and watching UK television. On 29th December the boys went off skiing and we departed for Istanbul, somewhere that we have always longed to visit. It lived up to expectations although it was tiring with many miles walked. Our hotel was in the Old Town within walking distance of the wonderful Blue Mosque and the ancient Aghia Sophia where Christianity was overcome in 1453 when Constantinople fell to the troops of Sultan Mehemet II after a siege, and the dominance of the Ottomans began. The progression from the beautifully tiled Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Sultan Mehemet, to the new Dolmabache Palace on the Bosphorus built in 1856 by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Mecit, was amazing. It is now well revered as the place where Ataturk died in 1938. He led the Turkish National Movement and became the first President. Transport was amazingly cheap. A city card allowed us travel on metro, rail or ferry; each journey, no matter the length, cost the equivalent of 80 pence! We crossed the Bosphorus via the rail tunnel to the Asian side of Istanbul and returned via the ferry. The police presence was substantial at all the tourist attractions and we felt very safe even on New Year’s Eve. Pam Watton (Kitcher) is still in touch with both Vicki Keeling and Betty Prince. She continues to help out once a week at her local church school in Norfolk with various events but especially reading with the Reception class. Anne (Year Rep) says “please do continue to keep in touch and don’t forget to let me know of any changes to your address or email etc and thoughts on the 2019 Reunion”.
1961-1964 John Rolls writes: “I want to make a rather different ‘afterthought’ from our Guild Reunion last July. Numbers attending from our years at college are declining due to health issues and, dare I say, advancing years, but the camaraderie remains strong. The choice of hymns at the Guild Service obviously reflected the reasons we took up teaching as our vocation and our pride in returning to our beloved Bishop Otter where our hopes and dreams had been fulfilled as we practised all we had learned during our college years. ‘We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells’ speaks volumes of our fellowship. As fellow Christians we celebrate ‘One Church, one faith, one Lord’ regardless of our chosen denomination; seeking to serve Christ wherever we go – thoughts mirrored in the reading from Matthew Chapter 25. The changes around the campus are apparent as each year passes and the university continues to expand. During the remarkable film showing how the new Academic Building arose from the ashes of the Gardener’s Cottages, brick by brick, girders swinging into place willy-nilly – all accompanied by a most imaginative use of apt melodies for crane or workmen alike!! At every corner elsewhere there seemed to be floral fountains and cascades, resplendent use of rampant pendulous petunias (home-grown somewhere in college) adorning the steps and ramp to the refectory, hanging from walls around the patio. Now, we await the repairs to the Chapel roof and then new flooring – etc ... Rose Savage (Parks) still continues with her busy life – volunteering at the Weald and Downland museum in the office, and also at the local village hall where the manager always has exciting things for her to create on the computer, such as flyers for film nights and also the tickets for various events. She meets one of her daughters a couple of times a week at lunchtime for a cup of tea. A lovely Christmas was spent with her other daughter who lives in East Sussex.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 29 1962-1965 Marten Lougee thanks his colleagues for their information. He sincerely apologises if he has missed anything out but sadly it does seem to happen every year. Please let me know if your bit is missing as my memory is not so good these days. David and Janet Austin (Curtis) want people to know that they are OK and fine. In Zimbabwe there were enormous marches in the city. It is peaceful but the people are angry and want change. Prices rise daily with such high inflation. The school is going well and all the end of year festivities took place. Janet sang with the Community Choir which is made up of guards, maids, gardeners, teachers, assistants etc. It was recorded and can be seen on You Tube (90 minutes) – it really is wonderful to listen to it. This can be found via the Heritage School website – www.theheritageschool.net (the Heritage School, Zimbabwe Christmas Concert 2017). It just shows how much work has gone into this school by the Austin family. Janet Bailey (Doreen Cliffe) has had quite a busy year – as always. Her husband (David) has a brother who is an artist in Perth, Australia, and he came over to celebrate his 90th birthday with other Oz relatives. Thirty people gathered in the New Forest for a fab weekend. Janet and David had holidays in UK and France and Janet seems to be working harder than ever as a colleague left in July – extra services, baptisms, wedding and yes, funerals. She says that their church is not “dying”, theirs is really thriving – thankfully she looks after just two. She thought that she would be cutting back. She sends her best wishes to fellow Otters and she often reflects how fortunate and privileged we were to attend such an amazing college. Clive and Linda Bolton (Goodwin) have had a quieter year. April saw them in Sicily and they visited lots of Roman remains and Greek temples and came home to recover. Great value for money but not exactly a holiday. Linda is President of their WI. She was just too slow in stepping back and Clive is still on his committees. They are both involved with their village hall which is in great need of redevelopment, so fund raising is important. They both work hard at the gym to maintain their stamina. Their twins will be 50 in July (they had them very young) and there are two celebrations – Mandy in the UK and then Guy in Canada. Jim Buxton and Carol had a wonderful Christmas gift – Jim had his final hospital appointment and has been signed off into the care of his GP. You may remember from our 2017 magazine that they had had to get out of their property by May. They tried to find similar positions to what they did in France but nobody seemed to want a pair of oldies like them! They approached the village mayoress for properties available to rent and they were offered two possibilities, but both by the side of a main road. They chose the two-bedroom bungalow which has fields on three sides with mature trees including an Indian Bean tree and a Persian Silk tree. They have officially retired. The weather in 2017 was exceptionally dry. Hay-time and harvest were early and the livestock are still out in the field (December). If you want to be in touch, e-mail [email protected] or 0033 254 381952. For Claire Edwards (Henderson) another year has flown by – much walking – Cardiff Ramblers in Teneriffe, Coastal Way of Arran and, in 2018, it is the eastern part of the Pennine Journey (Wainwright wrote a book of it in 1938 – published 40+ years later) from Settle to Hesketh by Hadrians Wall. Her plot secretarial duties keep her busy at the large allotment site. Her nine grandchildren, aged two to 13 keep her busy through school holidays (even Scotland). She has compiled the final edition of her church magazine after 17 years. She continues to lead walks and her annual one at New Year was from Porthcawl to Merthyr Mawr. On 18th August Vivian Evans had her birthday present from the NHS – a CRT pacemaker!!. The improvement was immediate and she is hoping for further improvements over time. Pateley Bridge had its usual summer. One day it reached 25 degrees C and on a few others it just exceeded 20 degrees C – the usual cool, damp summer. Carer’s Resource, a local charity, has recently arranged craft afternoons for a small group of carers and they have enjoyed many craft activities. She has managed just one service at Dacre Top URC. Her courtyard window boxes did well despite the awful weather. December saw Gillian Feest (Endersby) and her new partner, Peter, again in Kenya, 180 miles north of Nairobi in the tiny house Peter had built some years before on the slopes of Mount Kenya. They are surrounded by a huge private game park where animals abound and can be seen clearly from the verandah. (The photos show: left Gillian driving the Landrover above and the landscape from their verandah below; right Gillian herself). The park has been very successful in preventing poaching as they are far from anywhere and look north towards the Ethiopean border. The rains came in November and so everything is green and the nomadic tribes, the Samburu and Masai were returning north. Here they live with Kikuyu who are the national tribe holding national power. Kenya remains a very corrupt country with bribes being a part of life. For Gillian and Peter life in the wild is utterly delightful. They were there for 10 weeks and then off to Dharamsala in India. They have decided to make Gill’s their joint home and they have a long list of other places they want to take each other to. Like many, they have despaired of the news in 2017 (I think many of us feel the same – ML) and hope things improve.
30 | Guild Newsletter 2018 2017 was a challenging year for Barrie and Meg Hayles (Harper-Tarr) when they realised just how good the NHS was. Their dealings with both Respiratory and Renal have been tremendous in the way that they have helped and are still helping Meg. In March (2016) they celebrated their Golden Wedding which was a lovely occasion organised by their daughters, and which took place in an Ice Cream Parlour/Restaurant. Before Christmas they took their youngest grandchildren on the Severn Valley Railway to Santa’s Grotto. They were excited to be on a steam train and even more so when Barrie and Meg explained they travelled on them in the 1960s!! They wish you all a happy and healthy 2018. Chris and Roz Howell (Harcourt-Vernon) flew to Venice and stayed in Mogliano, a delightful small town some ten minutes north of the city – they visited three islands, Murano for glass, Burano for lace and Torcello, which has a cathedral built in the 7th century with a huge shining mosaic of the Madonna and Child. The Coakham allotment produced 40 butternut squashes. Their daughter, Madeline, works as an assistant teacher and her daughter is part of the school choir that had been invited to sing in front of the Christmas tree in the Great Hall at Windsor Castle – much high-tech security did allow Chris and Roz to see the event. Martin (1961-1964) and Wendy Imeson (Evans) have had their horizons shrunk for a number of reasons, the main one being that Martin (and Viv Evans) had appointments with five different consultants. Wendy continues to play the piano with a friend and they are building up a repertoire of duets. Knit and natter continues. At Easter, Martin retired as Lay Preacher at Dacre United Reformed Church. The congregation presented him with a beautiful garden seat and a rug for when it is cool. (Need it in Pateley Bridge!! – ML). For him one highlight in a rather dull year was an all singing and dancing computer, scanner and printer (Apple type). This has dispensed with a multitude of wires. Marten Lougee says that he thinks the maddest thing he did in the past year was to rejoin the Parish Council who were struggling after two people resigned. However it was on the promise that he would finish this April and be no longer available. Should everything have to run by volunteers of 75? He had a great time in France and must thank Sue Phillpot (Hiscox) for a great day out on 29th April. Likewise he saw Jill Holliman (Martin) when her U3A group stayed in Harrogate – a nice surprise. He had a holiday in Sicily and, like Clive and Linda Bolton, needed to come home for a rest!! He has had many theatre, ballet and art gallery visits, Rotary and walking. We (Pam and myself) have a picture on The Yorkshire Dales website on a walk. Marten is a keen SpeedWatch supporter and he helps enforce the 20 mph speed limit in the village – just one of two villages that do it in North Yorkshire. Barbara and John Patten celebrated their 50th anniversary. The Registry in Portsmouth is now a scruffy disco. They spent a splendid day with Maureen and Godfrey Hurst. In March 2017 they went to the re-opening of the Otter Gallery – the only other visitors from our generation were Maureen and Godfrey Hurst. The interesting event was that one of the fund raisers recognised John’s name. She told him that one of his paintings was in safe storage and she was amazed that he had been an Art main, with Sheila McCririck and Sally Mather. He was soon surrounded by staff and students, anxious to hear his views and opinions about them. He also talked himself into returning and giving a talk about those wonderful days when the rest of the year were grafting away writing essays and going on outdoor courses in the Brecon Beacons whilst John was painting and gossiping in the Art Room, joyously sculpting in the Orchard Shed and having days in London touring galleries. He looks forward to talking to a captive audience but he hopes that any Otters, living in the area will support him. (We just need a date – ML). Christine Payne (Holtham) and her husband, John, had lived for many years in the Totteridge/Whetstone area of north London and so, after 47 years, they have moved to Rickmansworth to see more of the family. They have been able to give their daughter more help with the grandchildren. For all their married life Christine and John were committed to the United Reform Church, Christine being an Elder and Treasurer. They have found a very warm welcome at the local Anglican Church in Rickmansworth and they are now involved in many aspects of life there, Christine being a new governor at the local church school whilst John is on the PCC. Christine wonders if she will lose John to his boat when he retires in March after 50 years in surveying as he has purchased a second hand 20- foot motor cruiser which he is keeping at Harefield on the Grand Union Canal. Their son lives in Oxford. George Redgrave still takes a photo of himself every day and two others of anything else and loads them onto Flickr – a visual diary. On his 75th birthday, two of his children took him on a day trip to Paris and did the usual Parisian things – a wonderful day. Beaches are not his thing so he has been to two U3A summer schools, Early 20th- century poetry and Paris 1890-1920. He changed his car in July but kept the number plate – GE04 VAL (George for Valerie). Martin and Jean Rickard (Christopher) are kept on their toes by their two grandchildren. Their daughter, Louise, was made a Fellow of the University of Aberystwyth in July and a couple of weeks later became a “Centurion” at the first dinner celebrating any rugby players to gain 100 caps for their country (worldwide). Louise gained 112 caps with the Welsh Ladies. She was adopted by Wales having spent seven years taking a BSc in Zoology and then a PhD in Marine Biology. Bob and June (1963-1966) Self (Westmorland). It was with some sadness that we completed the last “official” stroll up the Trundle during last summer’s reunion. Although some found it sensible to join the group at the halfway stage and some at the top, the occasion was enjoyed by all. Being a local walk for him, he will treasure memories of the first time, in 1962, that he followed Miss Murray en masse to the summit and subsequent ascents since. On a good day the view from the top is glorious.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 31 Their daughter, Helen, married her partner, Martin, close to where they live in the Cheviots. Their son, Richard, is now at a junior school in Fareham. Last October June and Bob took their golden wedding anniversary trip on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York – wonderful voyage and stays in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Niagara. A visit to the battlefield at Gettysburg proved exciting and informative. At home they have been adopted by a vixen and two cubs and Bob was watching them playing as he penned this piece. “Best wishes to you all in 2018 – let’s hope it is a good one”. Val Slocombe says that they are both well but her partner, Barry, is waiting for a hip operation brought about by his running exploits – 15 London Marathons and many more. He will be 80 this year so Val has booked a holiday in Japan. They spent Christmas in Spain staying with her brother. Mike Sproule says that his older son, Simon, has recently been promoted to lead Aston Martin in the USA and has moved back to Laguna Beach in California. Their daughter, June, has been in some form of education since she was 15 months in Tokyo. Simon’s wife is Korean/Japanese. Mike’s younger son has added another garage to his business in Farnham. He has had to work hard to support his four children through private schools. Sadly Mike’s spine continues to deteriorate gradually with a concomitant nerve pain in his left leg. He recently was in hospital with an ulcer caused by his medication that he takes for pain relief. He just has to keep going. David and Bridget Smith (Hinton) still have quite full lives, despite his dementia and her fibromyalgia. Dave enjoys films regularly in Nottingham and at the local Methodist church and spends many happy hours browsing in Waterstones and Southwell library – nothing has changed there – he is still engrossed by the books he loves. Given half a chance even more would arrive at home. Biddy officiates at services monthly at the local Retreat House where she is a voluntary Sacristan and also monthly in their rural benefice. She grows vegetables, paints with oils and crochets hats and scarves. They are very happy in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and if anyone would like to call, please do. They are not far off the A1 – address from ML. Rick (1963-1966) and Juliet Strappini (Affleck) say that apart from relaxing holidays, the year has been busy as grandchild number eight arrived. Rick is no longer President of Rocquaine Regatta. He enjoys pottering in the garden but rejects the kneeling down activities and uses the sit-down mower as much as possible!! The garden has developed into an arboretum over the years and mini-forest management describes his activities rather than gardening. Juliet is joint President of the WI, still sewing and playing tennis. She is also on the committee of a local charity which employs and occupies adults with various disabilities. They have moved into the property market with a seaside house to let. They wish you all an enjoyable year and send their love. For Aubrey and Mandy Watson (Adkin) please see her “Ramblings” (page 17).
1964-1967 Bob Norris says “Angela and I drove down to college on the Friday, making a short detour up to Ditchling and Ditchling Beacon on the way where we had lunch. We then continued on to Littlehampton where we had another short stop for coffee and a look round the charity shops there. I was extremely lucky, by the way, to find two boxes of history books with DVDs (55 in all) ranging from Roman forts to ancient Egyptian temples to the Sutton Hoo treasure and to things like the Antikythera Mechanism and so on. I still haven’t watched them all. When I have, I’ll pass them on to the History department of a local school as a classroom resource. We arrived at college in good time and met up straight away with Jean Rush who was very busy already setting up her wonderful exhibition of college memorabilia. We had booked a room for her to display this collection but because it was right down by the cloisters, she had been allowed to set up her things on display boards in the chapel. This was especially good as we were not able to dine in the dining room due to there being something like 350 Spanish school children in there, and the college authorities had put us (the members of the Guild) into the chapel for our evening meal. This meant that Jean’s lovely exhibition was there for all to see without people having to go off miles to find it – it was there, surrounding us all. Although some people were a little dubious about dining in the chapel, I thought it was brilliant. It separated us off from the noisy youngsters and allowed us to catch up with our friends in peace with a very relevant and interesting show of photographs etc all around us. Fabulous – and with all our grateful thanks to Jean. I had contacted many non-members of the Guild from our year as well as all our year members to remind them that 2017 was an important milestone for us and lots of people kindly replied – some to say they would be there but some to say that, due to various difficulties, they would not be able to join us. Andrew and Anna Vessey, for example, had an ‘Open Studio’ on that weekend and Sue and Vernon Cutler had had various medical problems and would not be able to travel. We were sorry to miss these friends and they, too, missed a lovely weekend in college. We all wish them well and, of course, look forward to seeing them at some future event. I would like to thank all those who were able to travel and who were free to do so for coming down to BOC last year. These were – Jenny and Jim Barrett, Jean Rush (Turnock), Sue Hester, Janice Funnell, Jan Barnes (Tedeschi), Cynthia Maragna (Ashworth), Sylvia Baker (Harries), Jo Turner (Smethurst), Nigel Holland and his niece, Lisa, Barbara Akeman (Stokes), Rod Harris, Margaret Harris (Blackmore) and Jacque Grannum (Brooke) who couldn’t make the Saturday but who arrived on Sunday in time to do what might well turn out to be the last ever walk up Trundle.
32 | Guild Newsletter 2018 The Saturday was spent in the usual way. I attended the guild Committee meeting on our year’s behalf, where I was very relieved to hear that Marten Lougee was prepared to soldier on for another year as our Guild Honorary Secretary (but he would really like somebody else to take over the reins now). This was followed by the chapel service which most of those present attended, though I spent that time outside to welcome any late-comers from our year. After that came coffee in the dining hall where there was a joyously noisy bustle of people catching up with one another. It was lovely. We all then attended the General meeting in the chapel where we were addressed by Professor S Higson, who caught us all up to date with the recent developments at BOC. After further addresses by committee members we retired to the beautifully prepared lunch where there was a lot more chatter and many photographs taken before people began to depart for home, after making their fond farewells. Angela and I drove up to West Lavant and had our evening meal in ‘The Lord March’ pub which I’d never been to before and which I must say proved an excellent place to dine. A typical old Sussex pub but full of young (I’d say wealthy) people and lovely views across the South Downs. The car park was full of expensive cars, many sporting personalised number plates, but we didn’t feel out of place in her little Toyota as the pub had a jolly, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We returned to college and joined those of Marten Lougee’s year in the staff room above the foyer for drinks and chat till it finally got too dark to see. It was a fine evening which we all very much enjoyed and I must say that our pleasure was greatly enhanced by all the beautiful flowers that were on the balcony and in tubs placed all around the chapel quad. The grounds staff had really excelled themselves again this year for which we thank them. We retired to our rooms and did most of our packing. The following morning, we had our breakfast in a very noisy dining room fully of youngsters then headed off to Eastbourne where we had been invited to join Angela’s brother and his family for lunch at Sovereign Harbour, a busy and very interesting place where there are lots of different dining venues and boats coming and going all the time. All in all, we had a fantastic weekend and were so glad to see so many old friends again. I expect the Guild Newsletter will make it obvious, but I should mention that since leaving, I have been informed that, for the first time in at least 50 years the university is unable to offer the Guild the second weekend in July 2018 for our next reunion. However, Marten has managed to thrash out a date which is good for them and which still falls into the holiday period. So, the next reunion weekend will be held on 31st August, 1st and 2nd September. I hope you all have a healthy and happy 2018 and I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon. My very best wishes to you.”
1965-1968/9 Many apologies to Christine Ostler (Winter) who sent this last year for inclusion in the 2017 magazine. Unfortunately I missed the e-mail which included the write-up and only included the photograph. This is what was missing. (Editor) The four of us have been meeting together most years since we left BOC in 1968. From left to right: Christine Ostler (Winter), Linda Rodda (Smart), Jennie Forsberg (Cooper), and Anne Garrard (Harris). Christine trained as a dyslexia specialist in 1984 and continued teaching, lecturing and writing until she retired in the summer of 2007. She then went off to theological college where she was fast-tracked through, ordained deacon in January 2009 and priested in 2010. Following her curacy she was installed as Priest in Charge of St Barnabas Church, Wellingborough, in 2012. She sings in a choral society run by her husband Stephen, and visits their three children and six grandchildren when she can get away from the parish! Linda divides her time between Spain and England. After teaching for thirty years she now plays a lot of golf in Spain! She has two daughters and two grandchildren. Jennie is married to a Swede and moved to Stockholm in 1972 where she was involved in adult education and translation. She retired in 2012 and spends much of the year travelling, enjoying the arts in general, but particularly attending opera and ballet. Jennie and Christine attend the ballet together whenever she is in the country. During her thirty+ year teaching career Anne has taught young children through to adults. In retirement she continues to tutor candidates preparing to sit the eleven plus. She enjoys worldwide travel when not visiting her son, daughter and two grandchildren. Angela Gill (Phillips) wrote to Jo saying “Thank you for taking the trouble to e-mail me re the BOC reunion at the end of August. Although I won’t be there I wanted to wish you all a wonderful weekend and to say that I was very happy in those three years, making good friends who have lasted through the years and who I still see from time to time. One clear memory I have is helping to decorate the dining hall for a valedictory dinner and charging around on the back of Liz Dawes’ scooter buying rolls of redundant wallpaper in the town to make a giant mermaid to hang in one of the big windows in the refectory! I haven’t thought of that for years but your e-mail somehow triggered that memory. Happy days!
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 33 I didn’t teach children for very long, starting instead a tutorial agency which I ran for 30 years as a business from home (children came along and it served us well) and then in 1991 I qualified as a counsellor/therapist and worked in adult education, the NHS and privately for many years retiring exactly a year ago. All thanks to my initial training in 1965-68! All good wishes to you and everyone who joins you at the reunion. Michael Woolley sent a short description of his life past and present, saying “A rickety life: I inherited the old Liverpool and Victoria flat from Jim Barrett and live in it still. After college I taught for a year or two in Chichester, then privately abroad and in the UK. The next few years, in the eighties, were spent developing property in the East End of London. In the nineties I spent five years in Mexico; ran a refugee charity in Portsmouth and still spend time doing that. In college I was an atheist – now I'm a Quaker atheist, though I suppose it all depends on what you mean by God. From 2009 – 2011 I was Mayor of Chichester. My partner is Alec – a lovely but somewhat temperamental Mexican artist.” Jo Bird (Chalk) It seems incredible that during 2017 we have reached three score and ten and are officially classified as old. But, it is just a number! It is also 50 years since we qualified as teachers and entered our chosen profession. Some of us, including me, spent most of the intervening years at the chalk-face, then the whiteboard and then, for me, reluctantly at the computer screen. Now for most of us it is full retirement with time to reflect on our wonderful years at BOC. Jo’s special memories (apart from hot chocolate, sticky buns and weekend Vesta meals) include the Geography Field Trip to S Wales where, amongst other things, she was terrified having to descend open-tread stairs through about four storeys of the above-ground processing building at a coal mine. (Was the lift genuinely broken?!) However, after a camping trip, a gold star was awarded to her by Phil Morris, when she managed to communicate in French and ascertain that the overnight express train would be stopping in Clermont-Ferrand and arrive in time for the group to catch the ferry. These experiences served her well when she was in charge of her school field trips to Normandy. (No coal mines!) Hopefully, many memories will be sparked at our special Golden Anniversary when she expects the largest gathering of the Year Group to muster at the Reunion despite its unfortunate change of date. Sadly, we will miss two of our number as Ian Hayler and Judith Ritchie (Burley) (see also Obituaries) passed away in 2017. Our deepest sympathy goes to their families. Jo was so pleased to meet Jennifer Bulled (Butterfield) at the Reunion last year as no other members of the Year Group attended. It was an opportunity for Jo to enter and admire the many new University buildings as it was also an Open Weekend for potential students. If she were going to study Music, Sport or Theatre Studies it would be at the top of her list! In August, Jo made contact with Sue Jeffreys (Eichkoff) by the ice-cream stall at the Harrogate G & S Festival! They saw a wonderful performance of “Engaged” and agreed that performing in the BOC production in 1966 was a highlight in their memories. (Thanks to Geoff Taylor and Peter Jones for sending Jo some photos and names of the cast.) Sue is in regular contact with her South House “girls” – Angela Gill (Phillips), Sue Plackett (Ellis), Terry Payne (Herlihy), Jennifer Ince (Leadbetter), Elspeth Yates (McFarlane) and Lizzie McQueen (Dawes). Apart from Lizzie in Australia, they meet as often as possible in London and some hope to come to Chichester this year. Last year, some news arrived too late for publication, but here it is now: Christine Millyard (Walls) wrote that she lived in Chichester for many years with her two children in a house that once was owned by tutor Mary Miller, and taught in schools in West Sussex. She then lived in the Luberon area of France for 10 years before returning a few years ago. Chris is a keen photographer and has taken some beautiful landscape photos of her travels. She is in touch with Catherine Falls (Underwood), Angela Fall (Griffin) and Wyn Lewin. Angie Fry (Harvey) wrote that she spends time helping with grandchildren, enjoyed a visit to her son in Cape Town and the family skiing holiday, though Angie has abandoned the skis in order to protect her new knee! Roy and Jackie (Holliman) Kennedy are thrilled to be grandparents for the second time. The baby girl was born in January 2018 and is a sister for their four-year-old grandson. The family lives near enough for plenty of cuddles. Roy and Jackie keep in touch with Peter and Trudy Jones and Kay Clark (Buckman). Hilary Cunningham (Hunter) was in Adelaide with her daughter’s family at the beginning of the year but has mentioned she is in touch with David Shepherd (Assistant Organist at St Botolph’s Church) and John Crockford Hawley. Linda Pitt (Japes) and Moyna Chown (Turner) have remained friends since their days in Orchard House and Hammonds. They both play competitive golf regularly and have been/are Ladies’ Captains. They have enjoyed many holidays together in Portugal. After several attempts, they met Jo Bird (also an Orchard and Hammonds’ inhabitant) for a pub lunch in November. Moyna has moved house twice in nine months in order to downsize and be nearer civilisation! Colin and Sally (James) Conner have been in touch and would love to come to Chichester but are anticipating that the date of a nephew’s wedding in Italy may clash. (No contest methinks!) They are still friends with Geoff and Pam (Meason) Southworth. Jenny Bulled (Butterworth) passed on the sad news about Judy (Burley) who died after a short illness. They had been friends as Wing students and lived in Springfield and Bishop Bell hostels. Susan Elkin (Hillyer) has had a very stressful year after moving back into London last year. The house was completely renovated and her husband has been diagnosed with a progressive illness. Susan is a theatre critic and has also started writing a “blog” that may help other carers.
34 | Guild Newsletter 2018 Geoff and Cherry (Williams) Taylor enjoyed celebrating Cherry’s major birthday with a surprise family weekend in Bath and a tour of the Scottish Highlands. Geoff is still involved with schools in Sussex which require his help! Apologies from Jo to John and Stella (Taylor) Hendy who were awarded nine great grandchildren last year! To put the record straight, they have three children and nine grandchildren. They also find time to be involved with Romney Marsh Historic Churches. Felicity Hoyle hopes to arrive in Chichester from Norfolk on board her motorhome and Peter and Jenny (Green) Cornish could be driving a restored Morris Minor Traveller! Jill Armitage (Hurst/Norris) and Mary Bentall (Cutting) hope to attend the Reunion. Sue Hyland (Braendle) lives locally and works in the Chichester Festival Theatre. She has offered to arrange a back- stage tour, if possible, during the Reunion weekend. Jo hopes to gather a group together who would like to attend a performance on the Saturday evening. Many thanks to all who have written and/or extended the communication net. Looking forward to a lovely weekend at the end of the summer. Please encourage your friends to come. Obituaries ex-students
1940-1942 Lilian Cecile Pickett was born in the year when the first Austin 7 car rolled onto the road, Lloyd George's coalition government collapsed and the newly-founded BBC was set for its first broadcast. She grew up in a working-class background in Ilford. Essex. Her first school was in Epping Forest with travel disruption, air raids, blackouts and Doodlebug bombs (V1 and V2). Lilian loved all children and guided generations of them over 40 years. She wore bright dresses and big hats, she was full of her vital energy for life with her "Sid James-like" laughter ... vibrant, exuberant, life - loving person who devoted her life to "Her Children".
1941-1943 Monica Mary Selfe died late in 2017. The following was written by her nephew, David Clarke. “I have known Monica all my life yet, in some ways, I know very little about her. She was born in September 1923 in 4 Haverfield Gardens, on Kew Green in London. Monica was the youngest of three children of Leonard Francis Selfe, a bank manager, and Eleanora Inglis. Her brother, Leslie, was born in 1914, and her sister, Helen (my mother), in 1919. In about 1926 the family moved to another number 4, Fallowcourt Avenue, in Finchley, North London. The children went to Tollington school, a bus ride or walk in Muswell Hill. They used to go to Scarborough to see their grandparents in the summer holidays. (The photograph right shows Monica, on the left, in 1936, along with her mother, sister, brother and father). In 1936 Auntie Winnie (Monica’s aunt), then teaching in Kings Lynn, was chosen to take an address from the town Mayor to the Mayor of Vancouver in Canada for Vancouver’s 50th anniversary of being founded. Winnie was not married and Monica was ‘borrowed’ for the three-month trip. As well as the Vancouver celebrations they visited family relatives in the Arrow Lake region. One night they could not get back to the house across the lake and spent a night under the stars. A picture I have shows Monica astride a large white horse. Previously my mother Helen and her brother Leslie had been similarly ‘borrowed’ for a 1934 Norwegian North Cape cruise, which Monica was not allowed to go on as she was only 11, so now it was her turn. The family moved to Scarborough in about 1937, the next number 4, Nares street (maternal grandparents on both sides already lived there). Leaving school in September 1941 Monica went to Bishop Otter College, in Chichester, for a two year teacher training course. Her grandfather William Dickson Inglis had been a head teacher, her mother Eleanora Selfe (Inglis) was a teacher, and her Aunt Winifred Cox Inglis had been to university for a Master’s degree in French which she subsequently taught. Bishop Otter college was requisitioned in 1942 for war work and the students moved to Bromley College, in London. Not far from German raids and something I never heard anything of. In June 1943 the course ended. Monica’s autograph book contained several entries from college friends. One said ‘In memory of the happy hectic hours we had, “‘Fire fighting’ at Bishop Otter College. 1941 to 1943’. Another said, ‘In remembrance of that first awful day on the train, exams, rows with DM, rides to the Trundle (a prehistoric earthwork near Chichester). Nights in the shelter and last but by no means least bed – and – bun – fights’. Starting teaching as a primary school teacher in Bridlington Monica had digs there during term time and came back to Nares Street during holidays. Her father Leonard died of cancer in 1954.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 35 She travelled quite a lot across the 50s and 60s, both at home and abroad. Travelling meant a car and she duly passed her test (taught by my father, Harold) and bought an old Austin Seven that was called Topsy. All the subsequent cars had names. As children, Scarborough was a regular summer holiday, us walking with the keys down the glen to Peasholm and grandma’s bungalow set above the promenade. The adults came down later. I remember one day we were treated to the recital of a family letter of the 1770s, amongst other things, memorable, for there was related an episode of extreme stomach cramps, along with its results, in a church during divine service. We could not stop laughing which was exactly what was intended. Monica helped at Nares Street as her mother got older, but one thing that could never be right were cakes. As the latest cake emerged from the oven with the centre dipping right down, there would be a long drawn out sigh, “Another wreck of the Hesperus”. Monica stopped teaching before retirement age and helped with her Auntie Winnie until she died aged 99, and then her mother who died aged 94. The Nares Street house was sold and Monica then house-shared with her great friend Phyll Dawson. Not a number 4, but 32 Red Scar Drive. Holidays, helping with the Hospice, blanket knitting and embroidery kept her busy. Also, a collection of spoons and china pigs being a favourite. Never one to think of being idle. She had an incredible memory, right back to when she was three. I drew upon that when I was doing family trees and history, a phenomenal recollection. My parents moved to Scarborough in 1987, Low Farm House in Throxenby, as Dad knew he had not long and wanted Mum near her sister. Another long lived Selfe, Mum died aged 94 a few years ago. Monica’s friend Phyll died, with Monica holding her hand, two years ago. Despite the health problems during the last years Monica never lost her sense of humour, nor her faith. Now finally the last survivor of my parent’s generation, Monica will be at rest with her parents.
1947-1949 This year the year representative has sent a list of those members of her year who have died. No other details are available at the moment of writing. Nancy Vokes died in 2016 Doreen Ryan (Bycroft) died in Nov 2014 Audrey Mould died in 2016 Sheila Johnston/Bryer (Pryke) died in 2010 Maggie Green (Smith) died in 2011 Diana Dijon (Savage) died in 2016 Eileen England (Green?)
1949-1951 Joy Carrell (Harmon) was born on 18th April 1931 and passed away peacefully on 8th October 2017 in Trenbaths Nursing Home, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, leaving behind three daughters, Jane, Judi and Sarah; she was a grandmother and a great-grandmother. Joy spent seven happy years teaching in Malta at Verdala School, lived in Letchworth for 47 years and taught at Pixore Junior School there for 20 years. She was Head Girl at school and County champion of hurdles. Joy was vivacious, always smiling, and loved amateur dramatics. She was in many productions over the years and a member of Bancroft Players in Hitchin for 25 years. Joy will be greatly missed. June Stone (Broadbridge) (19th June 1931–19th April 2017). (Editor: I am sorry but I have mislaid the name of the person who sent this in) My first memory of June was in September 1949, my first week at BOC when, whilst gazing idly at the general notice board a voice behind me said: “I’ve just signed you up to come on the dig with me on Saturday morning”. I looked round to see June, grinning widely! She pointed to the notice put up by our history lecturer (Miss Pilmer) asking for volunteers to excavate Roman remains in North Street, Chichester. That was the start of my lifelong fascination with archaeology (a word I had never heard before – I was only 18!) and for which I’m forever grateful to June. It was also the start of my lifelong friendship with June till her sad death just after Easter, 2017. On leaving BOC June went back to the primary school she had attended as a child, this time as a qualified teacher. June taught at St Nicolas School in Portslade until her retirement and was greatly valued for writing the Nativity play every Christmas with two casts, so every child played a part. June also took a group of children to Belgium (Blankenberge) every year for 25 years, where she became well known to the hotel where they stayed, as well as in various lace and chocolate shops, in which June managed to arrange 10% off the children’s purchases! So, a very full life of dedicated teaching and from whom so many benefited. After retirement June became an enthusiastic member of the Patchwork Quilt club in Hove and one of the quilts she worked on was sent to Rostov, Russia, and donated to a hospice there. June travelled the world with her husband, John, and fell in love with The Gambia, making several visits, becoming very involved with and very supportive of a Gambian family. June will be greatly missed by a very wide range of people, particularly in the Hove and Portslade area. Thelma Hayes (Sears) sadly died on 15th January 2018 (see 1949-1951 News).
36 | Guild Newsletter 2018 1951-1953 Avril Dacey (Bulmer) died in November 2017 having been nursed by her husband as she suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.
1952-1954 Maureen Janaway, a lifelong friend, from College days, of a group including Vivienne Henderson, Margaret Stentiford, Paddy (Pat) Dean and Maureen (Mo) Walton, died on 7th July 2017 in a Cheshire nursing home. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease for some time. Anne Morgan died in 2017.
1956-1958 Sally Thompson died unexpectedly in her home in Southampton on 31st October 2017. Approximately seventy people attended her funeral at Southampton Crematorium – former colleagues from the school she had attended; members of the Operatic Society of which she was an enthusiastic member; several retired headteachers and friends together with Yvonne Kellaway (Wilkins) (who wrote this report) and Sylvia Davis-Munro (Kelway Pope) from Bishop Otter. The service was followed by afternoon tea at a nearby hotel. Sally and Yvonne first met when they shared a room together in Randall (commonly called “The Horseboxes”). It was friendship that was to last until Sally’s sudden death – in fact a meeting was due to take place that very week. Sally was with Yvonne when she first met Tony (later to become her husband), she sang during their wedding service, was godmother to their daughter, Sarah, and attended many family parties and celebrations. She never married but dedication to teaching resulting in steady promotion and eventually a headship. Upon retirement she undertook the supervision of teacher training students in schools. During her years as a headteacher, Sally was so pleased and proud to be asked to represent Hampshire Education Authority at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. She loved music, particularly singing, and during her two years at college was a loyal and enthusiastic member of the college choir. She rarely missed the yearly reunions of ex-Otters for she had so much enjoyed her time there and loved to meet up again with friends. All of her friends will greatly miss her. Jane Manning died in 2017. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and had been in a care home for some time.
1960-1963 Brian Foster died suddenly on 18th January 2018 after a short illness.
1965-1968 Ian Hayler sadly, and totally unexpectedly, died on 23rd April 2017. He died at home and had not had any indication that he was unwell. It was a terrible shock that the family is still coming to terms with. Judith Ritchie (Burley) died during 2017 after a short illness.
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 37 38 | Guild Newsletter 2017 Your community, your University
The University’s mission is to be a community that inspires and enables individuals to exceed their expectations despite their backgrounds and personal finances.
Our Alumni and Friends play a vital role in supporting our present and future students, and enhancing their University experiences. With your help we will continue to provide the same exceptional and inspirational education you received during your time at Bishop Otter College.
There are many ways you can show your support
2 Stay in touch with the Alumni Community Team and share your news. You are always welcome back on MIN campus – let us know you are coming and we will treat you to tea in Otters
10 Make a donation to one of our campaigns on alumni.chi.ac.uk MIN
15 Support a student crowdfunding project on lovechichester.chi.ac.uk MIN
15 Join one of our regular giving or Friends schemes MIN
30 Ask us about legacies – let’s have a chat about how you can make a lasting impact MIN
1 Become a mentor and support one of our final year students in finding work after University HOUR
Website: www.alumni.chi.ac.uk Crowdfunding: www.lovechichester.chi.ac.uk Email: [email protected] Phone: 01243 812171
Guild Newsletter 2018 | 39 This Newsletter has been kindly produced by the University of Chichester Marketing department at Please recycle after use no extra cost to the Bishop Otter College Guild. 2 | Guild Newsletter 2018