TITLE HERE 1 THE SALOPIAN Issue No. 156 - Summer 2015

he front cover photograph, showing the first frantic seconds of the CONTENTS TBumps Division II final on Speech Day, taken from the by departing member of staff Dr Mike Wade of the Mathematics Academic News 4 Faculty, should provide even the most traditional of Old Salopians with Hodgson Hall 6 a reassuring image of traditions respected and upheld in the context of International School 7 School Prize Winners 8 a wider world which is becoming increasingly unstable in whichever Scholarships 9 direction one looks. At the head of this division, with Churchill’s, Moser’s Hall 10 having bumped up for the three nights in a row making its final bid to Heads of School 10 catch Rigg’s - unsuccessfully as it turned out, with Rigg’s retaining its Chapel Interviews 11 Careers Education at Shrewsbury 14 pole position in all three divisions - are boys, but further downstream Shrewsbury House 16 the world is changing, with the three girls’ Houses working their way up Old Salopians in the First World War 18 the Division, no longer sitting on the bottom where new Houses have Thomas Pryce VC Memorial Lecture 22 traditionally had to start. So here is both continuity and change, the yin Poetry 22 PSHE 23 and yang of any healthy organism, not excepted. The Rovers reborn 24 House Play Season 25 Seven years after the first Sixth Form girls arrived at Shrewsbury, and Music 26 a year on from the institution of full co-education, the girls are playing Art 29 Euroscola trip to Strasbourg 30 the fullest possible part in School life, with their own traditions and General Election Hustings 31 history starting to form and coalesce. This past year the School has had RSSH 32 joint boy and girl Heads of School, and Esmé O’Keeffe’s chapel talk Football 35 (reproduced on page 11) and her reflections on her time in office (on Rugby 39 RSSBC 41 page 10) qualify her to stand at the head of a long line of distinguished 44 Salopians stretching back over centuries. Girls Sport 46 School Sports Awards 47 Two other examples of this changed and changing face of Shrewsbury Shrewsbury School Foundation 49 From the Director 50 stand out from the past two weeks. The centrepiece of the traditional Salopian Connect 50 Eve of Speech Day concert consisted of a sizeable extract from Salopian Club Events 51 Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro, first performed earlier this term A round-up of OS Representatives 52 (reviewed on page 26). In last week’s concert Henrike Legner (MSH) News of Old Salopians 55 Old Salopian Golfing Society 62 conducted the overture, the first girl ever to conduct the orchestra, The Old Salopian Hunt 65 sang (in the role of Susanna) an aria and participated in the heavenly Sabrina 67 sextet which closed this section of the concert. At more or less the OS Squash 68 Saracens 69 same time, the Senior Girls’ Quad were qualifying as the first ever OS Football Club 69 Shrewsbury girls’ crew to compete at , where they OS Fives 70 will race in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. So the girls are now OS Yacht Club 71 firmly in the Salopian DNA, and, most significantly, welcomed as equal Salopian Club Arts Activities 72 Brigadier RHS Popham 73 partners in endeavour by the boys. The School has indeed come a very City on a Hill 74 long way since 2008. OS Publications 75 Obituaries 76 A vast amount of work has of course gone on behind the scenes to make the transition to full co-education as painless as possible. For one thing, the bumps charts, which date back to 1867, have had Editor Richard Hudson to be amended to accommodate the three new girls’ houses. Churchill’s Hall, Shrewsbury School, This has formed part of a much wider project as Ed Carroll (Ch) Shrewsbury SY3 7AT 01743 280630 [email protected] has completed, at the end his Upper Sixth year, a project conceived Assistant Editor when he was in the Third Form to replace the hand-drawn charts Annabel Warburg which adorn the walls of the Boat House with electronically Obituaries Editor Martin Knox generated charts. A more detailed account of this extraordinary Salopian Club project, a fitting legacy bequeathed by young man who has made a Nick Jenkins (Director) Old Salopian Club, The Schools, huge mark on the Salopian stage as an academic, operatic bass, cox Shrewsbury SY3 7BA and computer genius, can be found on the School Website at 01743 280891 (Director) 01743 280892 (Administrator) www.shrewsbury.org.uk/news/bumps-charts-online mail to: [email protected] Front cover: Bumps 2015 (photo: Dr Mike Wade) Design: www.grand-design.eu Inside Front Cover: Oscar Dickins (R), Joint Huntsman elect (photo: Peter Middleton) Print: www.lavenhampress.com 4 SCHOOL NEWS

Academic News

Aue Angpanitcharoen (Ch) Engineering Science at St Catherine’s College, Oxford Edward Carroll (Ch) Computer Science at Oriel College, Oxford Rory Fraser (Ch) (post A level) English at Trinity College, Oxford Sonny Koh (Ch) Economics at Downing College, Cambridge Miranda Woods (EDH) Arabic & Islamic Studies at Pembroke College, Oxford Charis Virgo (G) Medicine at St Hugh’s College, Oxford Dominic Dootson (M) Physics at Keble College, Oxford Esmé O’Keeffe (MSH) & French at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Tom Lloyd (Rt) (post-A level) English at University College, Oxford Dan Edwards (S) History at Girton College, Cambridge Dan Lo (SH) German at St Hilda’s College, Oxford Congratulations to the 12 pupils who have been offered places at Oxford and Merrick Wong (SH) Mathematics Cambridge Universities. Once again this year, it is notable that the successes are at Emmanuel College, Cambridge spread across a very broad range of subjects.

School Essay Prizes Medical School applications In the past three years, we have introduced two new essay competitions, designed Our ‘Class of 2015’ has been a vintage to provide pupils with the challenge of responding under time pressure to an one for producing future medics. So unseen title. far nine of our pupils have successfully negotiated the hugely competitive The Richard Hillary Essay competition provides an opportunity for Sixth Formers Medical School application process and to spend two hours pitting their wits against a one-word essay title. The event have received offers. was modelled on the historic competition undertaken to select fellows of All Souls College, Oxford. This year’s essay title was ‘Power’. Sabrina Chu (MSH) – Brighton & Sussex The competition was judged by Dr Mark Wormald, Old Salopian and Senior Tutor Millie Dean (MSH) – St George’s of Pembroke College, Cambridge. The winner was Loren Kell (EDH LVI), with Jane Fan (MSH) – Bristol Olivia Bradley (EDH UVI), Dan Edwards (S UVI) and Jonathan Trenchard (S UVI) Oliver Hope (Ch) – Southampton all highly commended. Yutaro Sato (SH) – Sheffield Ben Smith (Rt) – Lancaster Seventy pupils from the Third and Fourth Forms took part in the Junior Essay Prize. Rishi Trivedi (Rb) – Bristol They had to choose one title from a range of over 20, covering all subjects. The Charis Virgo (G) – Oxford choice included ‘Should we believe in life after death?’, ‘What makes Great Art?’, Tom Miller (Rb) (post A-level) ‘Are renewable fuels worth the investment?’ and ‘What makes a great hero – Cardiff in literature?’ The winner was Charlie Johns (I IV).

Chemistry Olympiad Twenty-four Sixth Form students took part in Round 1 of the International Chemistry Olympiad. This year there were 23 students from the Lower Sixth and one from the Upper Sixth. The results were outstanding: gold medals were awarded to Chloe Chen (MSH LVI), Tom Dodd (Rb LVI) and Merrick Wong (SH UVI); a further ten pupils won silver and five pupils won bronze medals.

Loren Kell Charlie Johns SCHOOL NEWS 5

Headmaster’s Commendations

Each term a small number of pupils are nominated for Headmaster’s Commendations based on consistent excellence within the classroom. Pictured below are some of the Third and Fourth Form winners.

School Mathematics Prizes National Mathematics Competitions Jonathan Cheng (I, UVI) and Sophie Zhou (EDH UVI), national The Arnold Hagger Prize – a 90-minute paper open to finalists in last year’s Senior Team Maths Challenge, were the whole School – was won this year by Aki Tamai accompanied this time around by Chloe Chen and Tom Dodd. (MSH LVI) with a near record-breaking score of 82% After a solid start in the first two rounds, they finished in 3rd in in a seriously difficult paper. Chloe Chen (MSH LVI) place in the regional heat of this year’s competition, organised by finished in second place. the UK Maths Trust and Further Maths Support Programme.

The David Harrison Prize is also open to the whole The UK Senior Mathematical Challenge took place in November. School, and takes the form of a mathematical Twenty-seven gold, 40 silver and 41 bronze certificates were presentation. Tom Dodd (Rb UVI), runner-up in awarded to pupils across the school. Jonathan Cheng, Sophie the last two years, won in style with a hugely Zhou, Chloe Chen and Tom Dodd were joined by Fiona Wang entertaining talk on the mathematics and peculiarities (MSH UVI), Aki Tamai (MSH LVI) and Sherry Xu (EDH LVI) for of Special Relativity. Huda Hasan (EDH UVI), a the British Mathematical Olympiad. Chloe and Aki both obtained finalist last year, came second with an endearing talk certificates of distinction, with Chloe finishing in the top 130 on the application of probability theory to “Finding nationally out of over 1500 candidates. The two girls went on to Mr/Miss Right”. participate in the even more gruelling second round.

Linda Zhao (G), a new entrant in the Fourth Form, The first round of the UK Intermediate Mathematical Challenge was held in February, with 18 gold, 17 silver and 6 bronze wasted no time in winning this year’s Powell Prize. certificates awarded to pupils in the Lower School. Of the Naveen Hari (PH IV) – last year’s winner – and Suky seventeen pupils qualifying for the next round, Linda Zhao (G IV) OuYang (MSH III) finished in second and third place and Betty Zhao (G IV) were awarded a certificate of distinction in respectively. This competition, open to Third and the Intermediate Maths Olympiad; Boris Kwok (Ch IV) obtained a Fourth Formers only, consists of a series of weekly certificate of merit. problems of a puzzling .

International Young Physicists’ Tournament Following the excitement of hosting the 27th International Young Physicists’ Tournament at the School last summer, this July the competition takes place in Thailand. For the 8th time in the last 11 years, a team from Shrewsbury School is representing Dom Dootson (M UVI), captain of the UK team, carrying the at the Opening Ceremony of the IYPT the UK. in Thailand, June 2015. 6 SCHOOL NEWS

Hodgson Hall

Just a few hours after the cutting of the first ceremonial turf on Speech Day, June 2014, and as the final marquees and House tepees were still being packed away, the building contractors for Shrewsbury’s new academic block moved in, the protective fencing went up and the serious digging work began. By the time the began, a massive crane had taken up residence in the space between Ridgemount and Oldham’s, dominating the skyline, and the giant framework of the building was already visible.

and within budget. He has also been a dramatic impact on the vistas of working closely with the contractors Shrewsbury and the Conservation and the architect, Old Salopian Adrian Area. Over the last few years we have Over the next few weeks, the skeleton James (S 1976-80), to ensure that the seen a number of high profile building of the building grew dramatically. building not only provides state-of- projects: the Shrewsbury School Boat Then gradually the gaping spaces the-art teaching facilities but also that House Extension, the New Teaching were filled in, outlines of walls and it fits and blends well with the other Block, Replacement of Stained Glass windows appeared, detail and colour buildings on the site. Windows in the Chapel, a new were added – until in late spring, the accommodation block for the girls, building emerged resplendent from He is very conscious of the fact that to name a few. All have been carried behind its scaffolding. the School site is not only historic but out in a very respectful manner, also sits in a wider Conservation Area. slotting new next to old whilst Adrian James - Architect “We are the custodians of the site for maintaining the character of the area.” a short period of time, so it’s really t was announced in May that the important that everything we During the summer holiday, the Ibuilding would be named in honour History, Geography, Philosophy of the Hodgson family, who had and Theology, Business Studies and been the generous lead contributors Economics Faculties will take up to the funding of its construction (see residence in Hodgson Hall and lessons Shrewsbury School Foundation on will begin there on the first day of the page 49). Michaelmas Term. The official opening will take place on Old Salopian Day, The School’s Head of Estates, Jon Saturday 3rd October. Taylor, has had responsibility for the project management of the construction of Hodgson Hall. He is responsible for the management of all the School’s building projects, overseeing the works from initial design and planning stages, through every phase of the building, to the time when the doors are finally Lecture theatre opened to pupils and staff – and indeed beyond, as he also oversees the work of the School’s Estates and do to it while it is in our care is an Maintenance Teams, who look after enhancement rather than detrimental. the ongoing day-to-day running of all We work closely with the the School’s buildings and grounds. Council Planning Committee and there is lots of discussion from the very early stages of our new building projects with all interested parties.”

Jon was therefore delighted when the School was given a Built Heritage Award by Shrewsbury’s Mayor, Councillor Beverley Baker, at this year’s Mayor’s Awards ceremony, held in May. The Mayor’s awards are presented to organisations, groups, individuals and businesses whose achievements have benefitted the town of Shrewsbury. Jon Taylor - Head of Estates In introducing the award, the Mayor With at least three or four site visits paid tribute to the School for the way a week since building began and in which its recent building projects daily consultations with the building have enhanced the town: “It goes contractors Paveaways, even on details without saying that Shrewsbury School like the length of screws being used, has one of the most visually prominent Jon has ensured that the building sites in the town and any development has been completed on schedule on the site has the potential of having SCHOOL NEWS 7

Shrewsbury International School to open in 2018

Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong has been selected by the Hong Kong Education Bureau to open a new primary school in Tseung Kwan O (Siu Chik Sha) in August 2018. Shrewsbury UK Governor Richard Burbidge, who led the working party responsible for bringing this project to fruition, writes:

here is insatiable demand similar schools around the world. input, Shrewsbury in the UK will Tworldwide for UK style private Over the past ten years, much effort benefit with the receipt of royalty education. This is particularly strong has been expended by UK Governors income. This will add to the already in the Far East and the Middle East, on trying to open further schools in substantial charitable sums raised by where the rapid growth of their Asia in partnership with City Realty the Foundation and from other school economies leads the emerging, local, of Bangkok. This has now been commercial activities. middle classes to seek the very rewarded with the grant of a license best education for their children - from the Hong Kong Education The opening of the school in invariably in the English language. Bureau to open a primary school Hong Kong will further enhance The UK Government has recognised on a green field site in the New Shrewsbury’s international credentials the need to encourage this important Territories in September 2018. The in an increasingly global economy. contribution to the country’s invisible construction of the school will be It will provide career opportunities earnings by establishing a specialist financed by City Realty and its local for members of staff and gap department within the DTI to partners. Shrewsbury will make no year students. It will open up the promote such ventures. financial contribution to the cost. Its possibility of cultural exchanges role will be to play an active part and information sharing on best Shrewsbury was an early pioneer in in the governance of the school - practice in teaching and learning. this trend with the establishment of concentrating on the protection of the Our relationship with Shrewsbury its own school in Bangkok in 2003. reputation of the Shrewsbury name, in Bangkok is already mutually Since its opening, this school has been monitoring educational standards beneficial and it is expected that a huge success - now boasting over and ensuring strict adherence to similar benefits will flow from the 1,600 pupils. Currently, over thirty child protection and health and relationship with Shrewsbury in UK private schools have established safety protocols. In return for this Hong Kong in the years ahead.

L-R: Matthew Collins (Chairman of Shrewsbury School’s Governing Body), Chali Sophonpanich (Chairman of City Realty Company Ltd and founding investor in Shrewsbury International School Bangkok), Sir David Lees (Chairman of Shrewsbury Hong Kong’s School’s Management Committee), Richard Burbidge (Chairman of the Governors’ International Development Sub-Committee) 8 SCHOOL NEWS

SCHOOL PRIZE WINNERS 2015

The Sidney Gold Medal The Robertson-Eustace Prize for The Hawksley Burbury Prize T.R.B. Lloyd (Rt, O.S) Geography C.J. Virgo (G) The Harvard Prize O.C.E. Russell (MSH) Fifth Form Academic Prizes V.U. Taujanskaite (MSH) The Lower Sixth Geography Prize E.L. Chapman (Rb), M.W. Hedges (Rb), The Noneley Exhibition H.L. Yeung (G) B.M.W. Jones (Rb), H.Kim (S), A. Angpanitcharoen (Ch) The Bentley Prize for German J.J. Mattinson (Rb), M.H.J. Morris (Rb), D.K.H. Lo (SH) The Richard Hillary Essay Medal E.J. Owen (Rt), E.M.C. Plaut (S), L.B. Kell (EDH) The Global Perspectives and S.T.F. Russell (Ch), T.A.W Tulloch (Rt) Independent Research Prize The Junior School Essay Prize – The Goulding Family Prize for Drama D.R. Edwards (S) Third Form H.R.R. Al-Adwani (SH) W.B.B. Hope (Ch) and F.H Morris (O) The Extended Project Qualification Prize The Junior Drama Prize L.J. Mattinson (Rb) The Junior School Essay Prize – T.L. Reynolds (MSH) The Bright Prize for History Fourth Form The Ashton Theatre Prize D.R. Edwards (S) C.M.R. Johns (I) W.J. Allott (Ch) The Murray Senior Prize for History The Darwin Science Prize R. Marsden (Rt) The Guyer Prize for Music C.J Virgo (G) C.T.K Chan (I), G Ganchev (M) and The Computing Prize The Hill Art Prize H.E. Legner (MSH) E.D. Carroll (Ch) F.W.B Thomson (R) The Lower Sixth The Gordon Riley Prize for Music The Arnold Hagger Prize for L.B. Kell (EDH) Art Prize Mathematics C.A.W. Morson (R) A. Tamai (MSH) The Woollam Family Prize for Music The History of Art Prize The Upper Sixth Mathematics Prize B.C.P. Higgins (S) E.B.J Whittingham (MSH) K.Y. Wong (SH) The Russell Prize for Music The Arnold Matthews Science Prize The Music Prize H.M. Mayhew (Ch) for Biology C.J. Virgo (G) The Third Form Music Prize O.H.B. Hope (Ch) The Photography Prize H.L.A. Cramsie (SH) The Lower Sixth Biology Prize S.V.B. Rissbrook (EDH) The Senior Debating Prize T.W. Edwards (S) The James Meikle Prize for Physical A.K.Z. Koh (Ch) The Ramsbotham Prize for Education The Junior Debating Prize Business Studies V.A. Mobley (EDH) A.C. Moore (S) A.W.C. Bird (S) The Arnold Matthews Science Prize The David Spencer Memorial Trophy for The Lower Sixth Business Studies Prize for Physics Outstanding Contribution M.J. White (S) D.A. Dootson (M) to Boys Sport The Arnold Matthews Science Prize The Lower Sixth Physics Prize T.P. Thomas (SH) for Chemistry T.H. Dodd (Rb) The Elle Gurden Trophy for Outstanding Z.E. Yeo (EDH) The Dorothy David Prize for Contribution to Girls Sport Religious Studies The Lower Sixth Chemistry Prize A.L. Attenborough (MSH) A Chumbala (SH) and L.B Kell (EDH) T.A. Hunt (EDH) The Sportsman of the Year The Moss Prize for Classics The Lower Sixth Philosophy and J.O. Humes (I) H.C. Sanderson (G) Theology Prize B.G. Jones (S) The Sportswoman of the Year The Cross Prize for Classics L.N. Tay (MSH) H.F. Partington (PH) The Bain Prize for Spanish E.K.B. O’Keefe (MSH) The Barker Triple First Award The Classical Civilisation Prize G.P.G. Lewis (I) M.R. Pownall (MSH) The Lower Sixth Spanish Prize A. Pototskaya (G) The Charities Prize The Marshall Travel Prize for Classics The Theatre Studies Prize E.K.B. O’Keefe (MSH) H.A.A.J. Hasan (MSH) J.M. Walker (G) The Design and Technology Prize The West Family Prize The Bentley Elocution Sixth Form Prize R.B. Kirkby (Rb) J.R. Harris (PH) and H.P Lane Fox (Rt) J.T. Nugent (SH) The Upper Sixth Economics Prize The Guy Lovett Award The Bentley Elocution Fifth Form Prize C.H.R. Chiu (SH) A.K.Z. Koh (Ch) C.A.A. Cowan-Taylor (Ch) The Lower Sixth Economics Prize The Haynes Cup The Bentley Elocution Fourth T.N.H. Creamer (S) N.J. Chen (I) Form Prize The Prize for English H.M. Mayhew (Ch) The Societies Leadership Award C.H. Thomas (M) O.A. Bradley (EDH) The Bentley Elocution Third form Prize The Kitson-Clark Prize for English F.A.R. Williams (Rt) The Duke of Edinburgh Completion A. Arridge (Rb) The McEachran Senior Prize Award The Dukes Prize for French E.K.B. O’Keefe (MSH) G.P. Birt (PH) D.R. Edwards (S) The McEachran Junior Prize The Headmaster’s Prize The Lower Sixth French Prize O.C.J. Rothwell Hurley (Ch) E.K.B. O’Keefe (MSH) and J.R.C Plaut (S) O.C. Papaioannou (EDH) and V.U The David Harrison Prize The Headmaster’s Leadership Prize Taujanskaite (MSH) T.H. Dodd (Rb) H.J. Irvine (EDH) SCHOOL NEWS 9

SCHOLARSHIPS

Sixth Form Entrant Scholarships

Amelia Binns Downe House Academic Scholar Joshua Bray , Baschurch Academic Scholar Glory Sze Long Chan Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School Academic Scholar Callum Espley-Clegg Sundorne School and Sports College Academic Scholar Ryan Harman Bishop Heber High School Sports Scholar Poppy Holbrook Academic Scholar Xingzi Huang Shantou Jinshan Middle School Academic Scholar Rumi Itakura St Christopher’s School, Bahrain Music Scholar Imogen Luczyc-Wyhowska Downe House Art Scholar George Newton Cassidy Sports Scholarship Lauren Powell Merchant Taylor’s School, Crosby Sports Scholar Jemima Price Shrewsbury High School Music Scholar Lucy Robb Godolphin School Academic Scholar Rosanna Smith-Langridge Moreton Hall Academic Scholar Alfredo Stock Painsley Catholic College Academic Scholar

Third Form Scholarships

Butler Academic Scholarships: Mary Lees (Prestfelde) Burney Music Scholarship: Connor Hickey (Northcote Lodge) Alexander Powell Lucie Fletcher (Winterfold House) Thomas Castling (Prestfelde) (Merchant Taylors School) Tommy Price (Prestfelde) Lillian Wilcox (Birchfield) Music Scholarships: Anna Cowan (Packwood Haugh) Frank Coughlan (Winterfold House) Art Scholarships: Archie Eyre (Prestfelde) Kennedy Academic Scholarships: Ruaraidh Lockett (Abberley Hall) Anna Cowan (Packwood Haugh) Annabel Naylor (Ashdown House) Marcus van Wyk (Prestfelde) Music Exhibitions: Florence Crew () Drama Scholarships: George Clowes (Packwood Haugh) Thomas Tarlton (Prestfelde) Rider Hartley (Pembroke House, Kenya) Suguru Gotoh (Packwood Haugh) Alvin Jim (Locker’s Park School) Alington Scholarships: Eleanor Niblett (Abberley Hall) Louis Street (S. Anselm’s) Ben Hulme (Prestfelde) Thomas Wright (S. Anselm’s) Design & Technology Frank Coughlan (Winterfold House) Scholarships: Louisa Jarvis (Packwood Haugh) Alex Bowman (Aysgarth) Amelia Cox (Birchfield School) Francis McLaughlin (Packwood) George Clowes (Packwood Haugh) Thomas Jackson (St Richard’s)

Sports Scholarships: Eve Baker-Wilbraham (Terra Nova) Luke Bourne-Arton (Cundall Manor) Peter Clark (Prestfelde) Nathan Day (Birchfield) Isabelle Lewis (Shrewsbury High School) Jasper Linley-Adams (Hereford Cathedral School) Zara Vickers (Packwood Haugh)

All-Rounder Scholarships: Thomas Castling (Prestfelde) Poppy Collingwood-Cameron (Mowden Hall) Frank Coughlan (Winterfold) Florence Crew (Moor Park) Lucie Fletcher (Winterfold) Louisa Jarvis (Packwood Haugh) Frank Kelly (Doha College) 10 SCHOOL NEWS

MOSER’S HALL

oser’s Hall is to re-open as a girls’ boarding house in M2017 in furtherance of the Governors’ plan to achieve a 65:35 boy:girl ratio by 2020 whilst maintaining the overall school roll at its current level.

Moser’s Hall was built in 1884 at the expense of its first housemaster, Edward Branthwaite Moser. It was designed by William White, who was also the architect of Rigg’s and Churchill’s. Moser bequeathed both his House as well as his remarkable collection of watercolours to the Governing Body, the latter housed in the Library which bears his name.

Moser’s has enjoyed a proud history as a boys’ house, and numbers amongst its many famous alumni Olympic athlete Bob Tisdall and former cabinet minister . Its current housemaster, Dr Paul Pattenden, who has been in post since 2010, is the tenth in the history of the House.

Heads of School For the first time in the School’s history joint Heads of School were appointed last year.

James Plaut (S) writes: Esmé O’Keeffe (MSH) writes:

I feel very fortunate to have spent my final year as Head As I write this on the Queen’s Terrace, looking out over of School. the and the soaring spires of Shrewsbury, I realise I am leaving here a Salopian. Over my two Aside from the usual dose of nostalgia and excitement, years here the Salopian wit and spirit has shaped my I leave having grown increasingly mindful of just how experience of Shrewsbury School, and me as a person. privileged we all are to attend such an excellent school. The first time I visited Shrewsbury School on an Open I have no doubt that there are many of my fellow school Day, mischievous boys had switched the signposts leavers this year across the country who have at least around to fox prospective parents and scatter them as much ability as any of us but who – consigned by in opposite directions. I thought this showed great the lottery of circumstance to schools not half of what character, showed that the school had more ‘about it’ Shrewsbury is - have been unable to thrive as we have than you can glean from glossy prospectuses, and I have here. In parting I hope I will be forgiven for urging never looked back. Five years ago a parting Head of current Salopians to fully appreciate just how fortunate School referred to the ‘indefinable Salopian Spirit’ in their you are, and to bear this in mind as you choose how to final word; it remains something which touches us all as spend your precious time at The Schools. we pass through.

There are too many people to thank here for making As I mentioned in my Chapel Interview, in my mind the my experience so special but I would like to publically sun has always shone during my time here as I have express particular gratitude to Matron Linda, Julie, Mary, benefited from much of the best which Shrewsbury has Caroline, Michelle, had to offer: Model United Nations trips far and wide, Sandra, Wendy, eccentric rambles in the countryside and black tie dinners Vicky, Gemma, Mark, to name but a few. It is very true that Shrewsbury is Carlos, Sam, Cai, Val, what you make of it, and it has afforded me countless Ali, Theresa, Lou, opportunities and experiences which have prepared me Amy and the rest for the next chapter of my life. of the support staff, whose cheeriness and Whilst I do envy the third form girls now joining for a kindness has made full five years here, I feel that I have seen enough of such an impact on me Shrewsbury’s many facets in a manic five terms to be over the last leaving fulfilled, satisfied and without regrets. A member five years. of staff once said to me that if we are not ready to leave by the end of the U6th then they have not done their job My very best wishes properly. I look forward to moving on, and to stepping to all of you returning out of the ‘Shrewsbury Bubble’, after a brilliant two years in September. at Shrewsbury.

The full text of a talk given by Esmé in Chapel appears on Floreat Salopia the opposite page where she is also pictured. SCHOOL NEWS 11

Chapel Interviews 2015 Each summer term, a number of leavers are interviewed by members of staff in the weekday Chapel Services. Two of the most memorable are included here.

Esmé O’Keeffe (MSH) Interviewed by her tutor Thane Warburg

Tell me a bit about your life before lesson and so on. I have been told before Whilst in Britain we may look down on Shrewsbury and how you found your that this is a very ‘old person’ philosophy, these characteristics, what I love about way here. but I believe that since we have such the Italians is their human side. The men little time here on Earth, it is vital for me are not afraid to cry, to kiss their mothers, As a child, I was brought up in a to make the most of it. I do not want to their sons, their best friends when they triangle – Yorkshire, Rome and Corsica waste, or regret, a second. But perhaps greet them in the street. I don’t need to and we split all our time between the what drives me the most is a desire for tell you about the English character, about three, meaning that I never consistently knowledge, and experience. Simply, I their international reputation for being remained in any one place or education want to acquire knowledge, to know reserved. Personally, I prefer somewhre system. We would leave for the everything, and try spinning as many in between. For me, honesty in a person Mediterranean in the spring, where I plates as I can. I believe that you come to is paramount. Honesty to oneself, would attend the village school in Corsica know yourself best and most deeply by personal integrity. I need to be able to and return to my state primary school in experiencing as many things as you can. trust someone. I need to know their life is the UK for the winter months. I settled in not a show. the UK in Year 7, for five blissful years at Esmé, you live much of the time in Casterton School, a tiny all-girls’ school Rome. How do the Italian and English Some people have called you feisty. in Cumbria. I came upon Shrewsbury characters compare? Do you take that as a compliment by accident. Wanting a larger school or an insult? with more opportunities, Shrewsbury Obviously, it will be difficult to avoid was recommended by my Headmaster’s generalisations here, especially due to A compliment. The OED definition of wife. We never even really discussed the differences between the North and the word feisty is ‘adjective (of a person, the decision as a family; it was just one the South. But a close family friend, an typically one who is relatively small) of those things which happen, like Italian, once said to my father ‘You know lively, determined, and courageous’. accidentally whiling away the whole of John, the difference between us is that in There have been times where standing Top Schools in idle chatter, without ever your culture, you are taught to be honest. up for my own beliefs and views has put really being conscious of making the In my culture, we are taught never to me in a very difficult situation, but if I feel decision to do so. When I am here, I miss lose face’. My experience of Italians is my principles are being compromised, Rome unbelievably. one of ‘bella figura’, of exquisite outer I will stand up for myself. I will do appearances. You only have to look at everything I can to be true to myself. You are the first female Head of School their Easter eggs, beautifully packaged I am not a feminist, but I believe that, in the School’s history. How have you but terrible quality chocolate. It is also as a female, to be described as feisty is found it? Have you enjoyed it? ‘fantasia’, a spark of creativity to bypass a wonderful thing; it suggests you are the system. It is being ‘furbo’, which holding your own. But on the other I remember being asked in my Postor translates best as cunning, sly almost. The hand, I do hate conflict. Perhaps it comes interview how I took banter. Perhaps men seem to have less shame, their gazes from being an only child. they thought it would take a very strong, wander, they are more brazen with their thick-skinned person to cope as the first appreciation of beauty, they stare. ever female Head of School. But as it happens, I don’t think my experience has been any different to James Plaut’s. It has been challenging at times, but equally very rewarding. I hate gender distinctions, the practice of defining people according to their gender. We’re all the same under the skin. I want to be treated as a person, not a girl.

Turning to your own character, you seem fairly driven. Driven by what?

One of the things I have learnt about myself during my time at Shrewsbury is that I am happiest when I am busy. This doesn’t mean that I hate my own company, and can’t bear to be relaxing alone in my study for example. In fact on the contrary, I love my own company, and am a bit of a natural loner in this respect at times. But I am happiest when I am dashing around, jumping from one society to the next, on to a meeting, to a debate, to a sports session, to a music 12 SCHOOL NEWS

Would you describe yourself as tolerant? laziness and self-delusion. But really lazy, When you look back at the two years self-deluded people make me sad; it’s you’ve spent at Shrewsbury, what will Tolerance is something I often remind themselves that they’re letting down. As stand out most for you? myself of the need for. I think that if to what makes me laugh, the unexpected one considers a classroom situation, it is things in life, and being tickled. The incredible support from some of actually an excellent snapshot of the real the staff, and the wonderful people I world. A small room where up to twenty You have an offer to study French and have met, some of whom have become individuals of different backgrounds Latin at Cambridge University. But my closest friends. I feel so lucky. and beliefs are forced to interact, work where do you think you might be in Experiencing things I didn’t know I was together, and tolerate each other. And, ten years’ time? And in twenty years’ signing up to when I arrived: lemonade in society, the same as in a classroom, time? at the Chaplain’s and walking Freddie, you do not know what is happening in dinner with the ex-Head of MI5, Sir the lives of those around you, you do From where I stand at the moment, Colin McColl, the incredible MUN trips, not know what they are suffering, what I think the most likely answer to this chairing the hustings debates, being Head they are longing for, what their individual question is: abroad. It may be working of School even. In my mind, the sun experience of life is. in the field of global development has always been shining in Shrewsbury, in Paris, or slumming it in a refugee and the cherry blossom has always been I know you are highly intelligent. Are camp in Palestine. I like to think that out. Perhaps most noticeable though, is there different forms of intelligence I may have done an MA by then, the way I have changed and grown as a though in your opinion? maybe in something along the lines of person, albeit maybe not in stature. Human Conflict Studies, and spent time Personally, I find Gardner’s theory of volunteering with an NGO. Hopefully, in And feel free to end by offering a pearl multiple intelligences very interesting. He twenty years, I’ll be happily married with of wisdom to those in front of you! divides the concept of intelligence into children. What I do know about myself nine different kinds, ranging from bodily- is that whilst money obviously matters There are the clichés of try everything, kinaesthetic to verbal-linguistic. In my to me, I think people are so much more seize all the opportunities Shrewsbury view, perhaps the most interesting, and important. Sometimes I think to myself, has to offer etc. But frankly I believe important form of intelligence though ‘How can you sit there discussing tax and that you’re either that kind of person or is what Gardner labels ‘intrapersonal’. assets when an estimated 300,000 people you’re not. So instead I would say: know This is what many of us would know have already been killed in the conflict in yourself. And not just know yourself, but, as being ‘emotionally intelligent’, Syria?’ The selflessness of people like the actually, if you can, seek that inner peace being self-reflective and having a deep War Surgeon David Nott inspires me. He where you know your own worth. After understanding of oneself, one’s strengths describes, during his last stint in Aleppo, all, in the words of Hanif Kureishi, wisdom and one’s weaknesses. I think it is a a young boy with his legs blown off. On is knowing the value of what we have. very important quality: you need to his face were mysterious blobs of white. understand and reflect upon yourself These blobs were the brains of his baby before you can properly interact on the sister. It’s so easy for us to sit here and deepest level with others. forget this is happening. So in answer to the question, in ten, twenty years’ time What makes you angry and what I would like to have seen not only the makes you laugh? wonders of the world, but also something of its horrors. This way, I hope that I will It is rare that I am ever truly angry. But never overlook the true value of life, love, I am frustrated to the point of anger by or happiness. people wasting my time, and by injustice,

Will Allott (Ch) Interviewed by Careers Fellow Dr Kate Daubney

Apart from being called William Allott, how would you describe yourself?

I felt the best way to answer this would be to look at the way my actions are perceived by others, so I have looked back over my discipline record. According to a pupil comment of 7th March 2014 from Mr Parsons, I am immature and petulant. He went on to explain that I may disagree but was becoming disagreeable. Despite this, the only school sanction I have received was in Fourth Form from Dr Samworth; causing an interview with Mr Tonks where I had to explain why I had been, and I quote, ‘pretending to be a cat’. According to the comments on my yearbook profile I am the most likely to say something inappropriate and my lowest depths include being caught singing ‘Let it go’ from Frozen alone in my bedsit. SCHOOL NEWS 13

The writer Jeanette Winterson wrote in Chapel is a simple gift we can give to at themselves is in a healthy state. a book entitled ‘Why be happy, when others: space for personal reflection in you can be normal?’ Where does that the comfort of a community: friendship Well then, assuming you are sane, how leave you? through silence. do you keep yourself that way?

Normal is subject to situation. To attempt What makes you tick? Laughing. Well, sanity can be defined to be normal is to attempt to conform. as a sense of proportion meaning that In our lives we will inevitably change I love doing things well. I like the by the end of most terms I am literally between differing environments where fact that as a technician in theatre or insane! It is very easy to lose this sense the expectation of what is the norm will broadcasting if you do everything exactly of the relative importance of things but also change. If our ability to be happy is right you should go entirely unnoticed. based on our ability to conform to ever Quietly and often without recognition can also be easy to regain it. I have spent varying expectations we will struggle to technicians help others to inform, educate a great deal of time in the school theatre ever be true to ourselves. I would suggest or entertain. Whenever you listen to the helping out as a technician. In it I have that the only constant in our lives is the radio I doubt you have ever given a found my niche. I’ve often said that very relationship we have with ourselves. thought to the person mixing the show. few people end up in the theatre because Therefore we should strive to be happy I’d love to end up as a Studio Manager they like theatre; it is just because it’s a at a personal level as that stays regardless for the BBC, they mix the audio for radio nice place to hide! Getting away from of situation. If you are at one with programmes, devoting their working it all is the best way to keep a sense of yourself being normal is an irrelevance. lives to making the audience experience perspective and remain sane. That, after all, is the school motto: intus si seamless. There is a great merit in not recte, ne labora always doing things conspicuously well. What of the future?

Do you feel at one with the universe? Do you see life so far as a tragedy I’ve spent quite a while finding the future or a comedy? scary. I have this idea of fixed goals and The universe is incomprehensively points in the future after which things massive; it is entirely outside our I am thought of as a notorious pessimist. will change but I’ve found this doesn’t everyday frame of reference. The But I don’t think I really am pessimistic. comedian Tim Minchin introduces I love to laugh and I appreciate satire. actually reflect reality. There is no sudden himself in his Twitter biography as a There are, without doubt, elements of life moment when you realise you’ve ended ‘Musician with a swollen sense of my that are deeply tragic but there are also up at that point in the future you’ve ability to articulate my insignificance.’ It is many reasons to feel great joy. So there is been envisaging. It seems obvious but important to have a sense of perspective: a balance, both are necessary. it has taken me by surprise that we are we are one tiny part of something constantly drifting into the future and unimaginably awesome. If education What makes you angry? there are no fixed points. Life goes on. should teach us only one thing, it is an You finished your GCSEs and then you appreciation of just how little we know. I think we can all agree that injustice just carry on; term ends, you just go But, at a personal level our lives are and inequality makes us angry in all of home and I guess it will be the same with very significant. It is the mission of a their many horrible forms. Inequality leaving the school. On Sunday the 28th lifetime to get to know yourself; you can be shown through seemingly small of June I will have left Shrewsbury but I’ll are more than your blazer or your actions. If you knowingly leave a cup on probably feel pretty similar. This is quite uniform. The School has spoken of the the table in KH then you are wrongly scary but I’m lucky in that I’m already ‘progressive individuality’ granted to suggesting that it is not your place to doing things that I’ll be able to do in the pupils as they progress through their clear up after yourself. It is your place future. For the last 2 years I have been time at Shrewsbury. But you are always to take responsibility for yourself. But I working at BBC Radio Shropshire as a an individual with a strong and unique think, and I would include myself in this, personality, it is only your ability to it is all too easy to recognise injustice and Broadcast Assistant on the Sunday Folk understand yourself that will vary. inequality but it takes serious courage to Show and I’ll be able to carry this on after flag it up. Ultimately there is no use in I’ve left. So are you a man with a mission and if recognising something as wrong but not so what is it? acting upon it. It can take a great deal of And is there one thing in conclusion courage, but I personally believe that to you would like to say to those in front My parents are both Quakers, which chose to stick up for what you believe, of you? means that they are Members of the regardless of the personal consequences Religious Society of Friends, a low- is the most honourable thing you can About five years ago I remember having church sect of Christianity. I am not do in any situation. It is wrong that it a sudden moment of realisation that a practising Quaker but I share many can take extreme actions to flag up some people actually work for the BBC. Quaker values. I believe that all people serious failings. Therefore, when we are I know it isn’t much of a revelation are born equal and should remain to be the perpetrators of the failings it is our but it had never occurred to me that I treated as equals throughout their lives. responsibility to be receptive to the voice actually could. And here I am, aged 17, I am not an Anglican but I have gained of others. There are few things I respect freelancing for the BBC and I haven’t a huge amount from my time spent as much as the ability to openly admit even left school. Not what you’d expect. here, in Chapel. Quakers believe in the personal wrongdoing and failings. I find power of silence; whilst they feel that our it very hard, I imagine we all do. But So I guess that’s the point. Who cares relationship with God is personal, there having said all that, we have the wonders what’s expected. I’m quite dyslexic, yet I is a great value in shared experience. If of satire as an antidote. The best email do A-Level English. I don’t do Maths yet God means anything to me it is a sense I have ever received is one from Mrs I do Physics, despite popular belief that of the value of human life and the power Drew with the following quote: ‘Satire this is unwise. Do what you do because of love and kindness, the qualities of should comfort the afflicted and afflict the you want to do it, not because others friendship, so I guess my mission is to be comfortable.’ Laughter keeps us sane. A expect you to do it. In other words, Be a friend. Sitting in silence as others pray person or institution that is able to laugh yourself … Become yourself. 14 SCHOOL NEWS

PREPARING FOR AN UNCERTAIN WORLD: CAREERS EDUCATION AT SHREWSBURY In the Summer 2014 edition of The Salopian, I wrote an afterword to Chris Conway’s article about the history of careers work at Shrewsbury, observing that the only way to prepare pupils for the huge and uncertain landscape of future professions was ‘to enable pupils to be as self-aware and alert as possible to the demands of the working world’. While we can barely predict the types of jobs that will be available in five years time, we can use the themes that employers are working with to help students become flexible and adaptable, themes such as those outlined with great clarity by Liz Bingham, professional services giant EY’s Managing Partner for Talent. Employers want IQ, PQ and EQ.

OS and parent entrepreneurs with Kate Daubney and members of her Sixth Form Entrepreneurs Group

IQ is now much more than just prepare students to meet these new to think about the different jobs that intellectual intelligence and academic requirements? they are aware of is key to making sure achievements, and includes creativity they have the widest possible view and innovation. PQ is practical Although EQ is third on that list, it of their future horizons. A surprising intelligence, the ability to step up is the foundation of good careers number of pupils at Shrewsbury don’t to solve a problem, understanding decision-making. Knowing yourself actually know what their parents or teamwork and leadership, and the well, understanding why some careers other close relatives do! practical application of what students appeal over others, and understanding know. EQ is emotional awareness: your aptitudes and abilities are key to We start exploring PQ in the Fourth does the student know themselves being effective in the workplace, as Form, thinking about the transferable well, do they understand how they well as to getting jobs in the first place. skills that employers are looking for fit culturally in an organisation? So while it might seem extraordinary and want to develop, the bones of Only then might one add Expertise: that we are asking Third Formers to a CV as it were. That is the process specialist information that helps them think about future careers, at that stage of connecting academic and extra- do a job, such as work experience, it’s all about beginning the process of curricular experiences to the currency internships or vocational learning. getting to know yourself. employers deal in, and we spend time helping pupils understand how their For many of us, this does not “Who are you? What do you enjoy? experiences of teamwork, persuasion, resemble the world of work we Why do you enjoy it? What are you problem-solving, creativity and so entered even five years ago, let good at? What sorts of qualities do you on might also be useful in different alone twenty-five. So how does the have? What combination of passions professions. From supermodel to vet, Careers Education Programme that and abilities do you think are useful to from racing car driver to actuary, we I have developed with Dympna do different kinds of jobs?” Building a see how some skills are common and Nightingale over the last year help foundation of awareness, getting pupils others are different. We also help pupils SCHOOL NEWS 15

comfort zone. They need to learn and experience outside the narrowing channel to the next academic stage.

Their Sixth Form becomes therefore not merely the platform to university entrance, but also a time to research and explore, to imagine and test ambitions, to dream and to challenge their perceptions.

Some of the most rewarding conversations I have had with sixth form students at Shrewsbury have been those where a student has come in feeling clueless, and has left with a better understanding of how all the tiny pieces of their subject choices, hobbies, passions, summer jobs, family influences and personal goals can be carefully slotted together in Photos from the Lower Sixth Careers Fair, June 2015 different ways to show a number of possible futures, often quite varied. In understand which skills they already same significance as their academic my experience of working with mid- have, and which ones they might want achievements. A student’s ability to career professionals, undergraduates to develop further if they have express their passion to set up and and postgraduates and now school a particular goal in mind. run a charity event, for example, is students, the people who become most exciting and interesting to employers. successful are those who genuinely IQ becomes more important in the They want to see how students have understand what they enjoy and Fifth Form, when pupils have a lot stepped outside the structure of the succeed at – and why. Whether they of decisions to make about A Levels academic process to take responsibility stay in one career or evolve through a with a view to university or school for developing themselves. number of roles across different sectors, leaver programmes, and future career successful people have a theme that choices. The A Level choice process is John Cridland, Director General of draws everything together, inspires dovetailed with careers profiling the CBI, has been a strong advocate them, motivates them. Employers like of revising our focus on STEM to students who understand that they are become STEAM: Science, Technology, more than just their choice of degree or Engineering, Art, Mathematics. In a their list of A Levels. culture where academic rigour is a basic expectation of employers, and And so that first question we ask the where 75% of graduate employers do Third Form becomes all the more not stipulate a particular degree subject, important: Who are you? young people need to demonstrate diverse curiosity about the world Dr Kate Daubney beyond their academic experience and Careers Fellow tests delivered by an external provider, and every student is interviewed individually during the Fifth Form to make sure that they are making well- informed, well-supported decisions. Key to this is making sure they have access to work experience during the summer holidays after GCSE, and the year ends with a visit day at a university, so that pupils can get their first insight into what it would be like to study in higher education.

But given that Shrewsbury educates in the round, it is essential to help pupils understand that they can succeed in the round, and that those extra-curricular physical, creative, cerebral and collaborative activities that fill out their timetables are going to be as measured externally with much the 16 SCHOOL NEWS

SHREWSBURY HOUSE The Mish The Shewsy

Chris Conway (Staff 1979 - 2014) and a member of the Board of Management of the Shewsy, reflects on 122 years of history.

alopians all know the story of end, organising the annual visit of into socially responsible adults and SShrewsbury House. Founded in St Peter’s Church to the School and steered them away from the potentially 1903 by Digby Kittermaster, then ongoing involvement on the Board of damaging influences besetting them. teaching at Shrewsbury, its history Management, it is obvious that whilst Shrewsbury House is expensive to is intimately linked with that of the we live in a more affluent society, run: approximately £200,000 is needed School since then. Generations of the division of wealth in society is each year, but that is a fraction of the Salopians have been connected with not equal, and the relative poverty cost to society of dealing with the the Club through visits to , in Everton is clearly visible for those consequences of increased numbers the Club weekend at the School, willing to see. This point is not new, of disaffected and antisocial young Sponsored Walks and other events. however. The age of austerity in which people if places like the Shewsy did we currently live, has exacerbated not exist. Traditionally the funding for It is uniquely supported by the School, the inequalities of opportunity and Shrewsbury House has come from a and as such it has a genuine long- thrown them up into sharp relief. The combination of Liverpool City Council standing claim to be the School’s rise in the number of food banks, the grants, entrance fees for the children, charity. In 1903, the level of poverty dislocating effects of the ‘bedroom regular generous donations from in Everton was clear: one of the initial tax’, the level of unemployment and several Old Salopians, donations from acts of charity at the School was the youth unemployment in particular, and events such as the Sponsored Walk, collection of second-hand shoes to the poverty-related drugs and crime grants for specific projects, earning from send up to Liverpool, as so many of problems are all evidence of this. the rental of Club premises, and regular the children were then barefooted. giving from former Club members. 112 years later on, with the welfare Through the decades, the Shewsy Austerity has hit local councils hard, state and all the other social changes, has been a beacon of hope for so and Liverpool in particular. As a result, what is the picture now? many in Everton, providing a safe its financial support for the Shewsy has haven, originally for teenagers and fallen from around £65,000 per year I have now been involved with the now also for younger children as in 2005, to only £18,000 in 2015-16. Shewsy for about 35 years - almost a well. It has, through the inspirational With the Youth Service no longer part third of its lifetime. From initially taking youth workers, guided by its Christian of the statutory provision that councils students on Social Studies visits, to ethos and humane principles, helped must provide, the demise in funding is organising those visits from the School countless young people develop set to continue. Other Youth Clubs are SCHOOL NEWS 17 closing; it’s even more important that contact you directly and let you have ours survives. up-to-date information. I hope you feel you are still interested, and will be As long as I have been on the Board able to help. Don’t hesitate to contact of Management, funding has always me yourself. been a challenge, and the Shewsy has often been bailed out by the donations The Shewsy has been a vital part of from the Salopian community - many Shrewsbury School for so long that of whom have been incredibly it is part of the DNA. It plays a vital generous over a long period of time. part in grounding school students in Unfortunately as time has passed, humanitarian values and in making the years have taken their toll and them aware of the divisions in society the number of donors has gradually and the problems faced by so many, reduced. The bald facts are that out and the privileged position in which of the huge number of Old Salopians they find themselves. Many of you (around 8,000), only 150 are now have benefitted from this experience currently making regular donations to - and so many have said that it was the Shewsy. The support that has been the best and most valuable part of given by the regular donors has been their time at Shrewsbury School. fantastic, but the Shewsy cannot survive Paraphrasing Lord Kitchener in the by the support of so few - however famous World War 1 recruitment poster: generous they may be. I, with the help “Your school charity - Shrewsbury of the Salopian Club have recently House - needs you” - and this time, done some work in recovering the we will keep in touch. list of Salopian Leavers who stated they wanted to keep linked with the Chris Conway (Staff 1979 - 2014) Shewsy, and we will now be able to [email protected].

Visit of the Shewsy to Shrewsbury School, April 2015 18 SCHOOL NEWS

Old Salopians in the First World War August 1914 – August 1915

A full list of OS who died in WW1 is appearing week by week on the school website, and in due course a database will be available. Here, though, is a small selection, chosen to illustrate some typical Salopian values.

Lieutenant Wilmsdorff George Mansergh, splendour and recognition”. – The Salopian. 2nd Bn. Manchester Regiment. Killed in Gallipoli 12th June 1915, aged 19. Dayboys, left in 1896. While serving in the South African Buried at Landing Cemetery, Turkey. Grave A. 19. War (including the action at Wittebergen), he received the Queen’s Medal with 3 clasps. In the battle at Le Cateau, after Sergeant Philip Heacock Baynes, being wounded, he met his end gallantly giving shelter to Z/421, 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade. another wounded man. Another OS, RT Miller, was also School House, left in 1897. He was Capt. of Boats, and rowed present and writes: “He was hit in the leg…and chanced to in the crew of 1897, the first Eight to represent Shrewsbury fall near an enemy trench and managed to crawl in to it… against another school (and in which were six members who Shortly after another man, also in the regiment, crawled afterwards served in the South African War, three of whom up, whereupon Mansergh pulled him in and got the fellow have now passed away-viz., MARTEN, killed in action in underneath him. It was a shallow trench, for kneeling. South Africa ; HALHED, fatally mauled by a lion in Soudan; Mansergh was now exposed. A shell burst just in front of the and BAYNES). He served with the Shropshire I.Y. in the Boer trench and Mansergh was killed on the spot.” War, being offered a commission but declining it, and gaining Killed in action in France, 26th August 1914, aged 33. the Medal with three Clasps. On returning from active service La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. Baynes, as an artist “won a wide reputation and his strong fresh work was familiar in Punch” (Punch Roll of Honour, Lieutenant Colonel John William Jessop, Oct. 6, 1915.) He enlisted in the Rifle Brigade as a Private, Cdg. 1st/4th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment. went to the front in October, 1914. The Salopian records that “oddly enough he was acting as a Lance Corporal in School House, left in 1879. He stroked what would have the Rifle Brigade under Bernard Gibbs (and they died on been the School crew, had there been a race, in 1878 and the same day) who though much his junior in years, was his 1879; he won the School Pairs; was in the Football XI; and Lieutenant. Discovering their common ties of mutual friends, won the Up-river Cup three years in succession; they went out together by nights on many a hazardous being also in the 2nd XI. He left to study medicine exploit and in one of his last letters Gibbs describes how they at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, , where he was in fell on their faces when the German flares went up laughing the Rugby XV, and also played for the South of XV to think what their Shrewsbury friends would think of them against the North. He had for many years a medical practice in that position, and added ‘we are coming to see you at Horncastle, and went out to France in command of the together at the end of the War.’ It will remain a lasting sorrow 1st/4th Lincolns. that that visit of two gallant light-hearted heroes can never be paid. A fellow of infinite jest and merriment, he found a The Salopian adds “There are some boys so striking, so kindly caricature the best method of expressing himself and thoroughly a head and shoulders above their fellows that drawings by Baynes were considered even in his school days they seem to mark the period of school history to which they a priceless possession. The writer has in his possession the belong: such as one was Jessop in the later 70s.” Tall and Illustrated Book of Masters, a friendly satire on the foibles singularly handsome, with crisp curly hair and the face and and individualities of the masters dedicated with characteristic figure of a Greek statue he might have stood as the model for good humour.” the Narcissus of Pompeii and was the ideal hero of a lady’s novel. In a comment from one of the men in his regiment Killed in action in Belgium, 6th July 1915, aged 37. following Jessop’s death it was said, “The battalion does not Remembered on (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. seem complete without him, and I have heard more than one Grave Panel 46 - 48 and 50. man say he would have given his own life in return for the Colonel’s.” He was killed by a stray shell “from a distant and Major George Rudolf Fielding, random gun that the foe was sullenly firing,” while in a Rest 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Camp far behind the lines. Moser’s, left in 1898. The Salopian writes: “He was a happy, light hearted specimen of a School-boy, sound at heart Killed in action in Belgium. 4th June 1915 aged 54. but taking life somewhat easily and, as the army was his Buried at Dranouter Churchyard, Belgium. Grave VI. 5. destination, he left school in December 1898, to read with a private tutor. Deemed a true soldier and Salopian.” Lieutenant Samuel O’Neill, He was gazetted from the Militia as 2nd Lieut. in the 6th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers. Sherwood Foresters in May, 1902, and served with the West Moser’s, left in 1911. He was a tube merchant at Castleton, African regiment, 1911-14. Rochdale. He “lived the life of a good, honest Salopian…with a sunny Killed in action in Gallipoli 24th July 1915, aged 33. cheeriness. …Though his school career was quite ordinary Buried at Skew Bridge Cemetery, Turkey. Grave II. D. 3. … he is the prime example of those who wait quietly for opportunities to arise on which they can come into full SCHOOL NEWS 19

Captain Frederic Marriner Aston, profession but enlisted with other Salopians. 6th Bn. Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. A ‘favourite’ of the Colonel, other privates and men. School House, left in 1886. Promoted to a Lance-Corporal just prior to leaving England. He won the Senior Steeplechase, the Half-Mile and the Two One Salopian remarks “He was a man whom we admired Miles in 1885, and the Quarter Mile and Cricket Ball in 1886; very much…chiefly, I think, because he was one of those was in the Cricket XI in 1885 and 1886, and the Football few who can be an important person in the place, and still in 1883, 84 and 85, being Capt. in the Easter term of 1886. be decent and nice to everyone great or small’. A letter from Going up to Pembroke College, Cambridge, Aston gained his Mr Woodroffe describes one of the several occasions in “Soccer” Blue and was in his College Cricket XI. After taking which he encountered Stuart after be left Shrewsbury: ‘I said: his degree he played for the Crusaders when they won the “Well, Stuart, how are you getting on?” and he answered, London Charity Cup, and, coming to Shrewsbury to study “Awfully well. It’s hard work, but I’m thoroughly enjoying Law, he captained the Shrewsbury Town Football Team it”. This was after a severe winter, roughing it in the ranks.’ which won the Welsh and Shropshire Cups. He had one son, Woodroffe recalls that - on their third meeting, after ten days Lieutenant R.M Aston, 2nd Duke of Cornwall’s Light infantry in the trenches with a long march before them, on the back who, in this edition, is reported by as “Missing, of having not slept for 24 hours – he was met with exactly believed killed” since March 12, 1915. (Not an OS – Ed.) the same response, before having “a few minutes talk about Killed in action in Belgium 30th July 1915, aged 46. Shrewsbury”. Buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium. Grave I. C. 4. Died of wounds in France, 11th August 1915, aged 20. Buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. Plot 1. Row H. Private Cyril Adolphus Stuart, 13043, Grave 1A. 5th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Ingram’s, left in 1914. Praepostor. A ‘keen’ Salopian with a Philip Lapage, Martha Pownall (MSH), talent for running. Senior Whip. Won 48 cups during his time George Young (O) at school, an abundance of medals and he killed in the chief cross country race against Aldershot. Entered the medical 20 SCHOOL NEWS

REMEMBRANCE The first year: August 1914 – August 1915

Boney was a warrior. And on 18th June 1815, Boney went to Waterloo. A strange place, perhaps, to begin, when commemorating the dead of , but bear with me. Wellington, recently back from the Peninsular War, aided by von Bulow of Prussia and the Prince of Orange, commanding 68,000 men, fought Napoleon, aided by Marshall Ney, commanding 73,000 men. The result, after an intense day of combat and a combined total of around 65,000 casualties and losses was, in the words of the shanty, that “Boney, he was sent away, (way, ay, ah), Away to St Helena”, and Europe enjoyed years of comparative peace. But wait; of course a number of other named Commanders of Battalions and Regiments and so forth also took part, but here is the rub: where are the mass graves of the fallen soldiers? Where is the memorial list of their names? Who remembers the dead of Waterloo?

ittle did either Wellington or The first year of WW1 must have optimism in the spring but stuttering LNapoleon think about expending been hard to swallow for the British through the summer and autumn to manpower in war. It is rumoured that High Command. With the memory an undignified halt in the winter. A Napoleon, overhearing a comment at of Wellington’s successes not only at sea bombardment of the peninsula some battle or other on the number Waterloo but in the Iberian Peninsula, preceded Allied invasion in order of dead, muttered “one night in and with Nelson’s triumphs at the Nile, to secure the passage through the Paris will replace these men”. But Copenhagen and of course, Trafalgar, Dardanelles (now called the Bosporus) worse, they are unremembered. the appetite for decisive victories was to the Russian Empire, but the stalwart Worst of all, they were treated strong in the minds of the public. On resistance by opposition commanders, with great indignity. One reads of the back of the national mood through among them a vibrant young Attaturk, ‘Waterloo Teeth’: the boom industry the 19th century, Victorian Britain with who was later to carve and govern in dentures following the battle. its role in the Empire was pretty much modern Turkey out of the crumbling The context was that healthy teeth at the top of its game, although the remains of the Ottoman Empire, was were at a premium as replacements, first restlessness was perhaps starting an unwelcome surprise. Many more in fashionable circles in the days to appear in some parts in the decade Salopians perished in the Dardanelles. before fluoride and spearmint, for before WW1 started. But then the By January 1916, the Gallipoli blackened and rotting ones. With stifling stalemate settled over the daily campaign would end in ignominy, such disregard were the battle-dead grind of trench warfare in northern forces withdrawn, Churchill demoted held that their gums were stripped of France and Belgium, taking an ever and the government destabilised. their teeth for this gruesome service, increasing number of lives for little as were their bodies stripped of and diminishing return: many Old Now picture, if you will, this scene uniforms for recycling, before being Salopians met their end at Mons, the at the outbreak of war: a platoon of piled unceremoniously, disfigured Marne, the Aisne, the Battles for Ypres recent Old Salopians forms up at the and naked, into mass unmarked and on Hill 60. Moss Gates to proceed in step to the graves. Some accounts say that the barracks, to volunteer. The current ground surrounding Hougoumont Then in May 1915, the Lusitania was boys look on, many with pride and Farm (a key location at Waterloo sunk, going down in 18 minutes to a envy, a few perhaps more sanguine held by the British despite fierce single torpedo with the loss of 1,153 with wonder and dread. Several times onslaught all day) remained springy civilians. Not surprisingly the energy in the obituaries comes the telling to walk on for years after the battle for combat was somewhat re-kindled, line: “he was one of the gallant band due to the decaying remains of since the news caused a national who, on the declaration of war, came unknown soldiers of all nationalities outrage, prompted by the press and back to Kingsland and marched from underneath, though other accounts fuelled by the propaganda machine, the school gates to the Depot of the tell of a final indignity in which the the latter of which conveniently K.S.L.I. to serve in the ranks.” bones were later dug up and crushed omitted the fact that munitions were for fertiliser. Perhaps both are right; secretly being transported on board. A year later, by August 1915, over 60 the current archaeological dig at Old Salopians had died of the 330 or the farmhouse may further inform It was not until two years later that so recorded in the four years. Alington, the debate. Lots of things changed, America declared war on Germany, who had written the obituary of the of course, from Waterloo to WW1: turning what had been a European first to die, and had had a poignant France and ‘Germany’ swapped roles affair into a Global conflict and poem1 published in The Times, could - the old enemy became an ally and helping first to stem the flow of war not possibly keep up the flow from his vice versa; also muskets and infantry and then reverse it. But as much pen. On a weekly basis Housemasters squares gave way to machine guns energy as was generated by the read out the names of the fallen to and trenches, for example. But other Lusitania’s plunge to the sea-bed was the remaining boys2. The mood in things remained the same: there were more than absorbed in the Gallipoli the School must have been sombre many thousands of casualties. campaign, gloriously started with indeed, yet for the next three years, SCHOOL NEWS 21

Upper Sixth leavers would forgo their place at Oxbridge and elsewhere, go straight to Sandhurst or equivalent, get their commission, and go out to do their bit: many never returned. There are some outstanding records of soldiering, flying, and medal winning actions. There are also many who were simply good friends with everyone. Typical Salopian characteristics are not hard to spot as one reads the obituaries and citations. Several Members of Staff and one Governor also went to war and lost their lives. From well before Wellington right through to the present day, courage and leadership, fear and death, service and sacrifice, and comradeship remain unchanged in war. The difference now is that it is a privilege to be able to remember those who have more recently shaped our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

A selection of OS dead from the first year of WW1 is included in this issue, and for further details and the full list to date, please see http://www. shrewsbury.org.uk/osww1 My thanks go to Martha Pownall (MSH LVI) and George Young (O LVI) for helping in the research, taken from The Salopian of the day, from Shrewsbury School Roll of Service published in 1922, and from St Chad’s Church Roll of Honour for Shropshire. Also to Matthew Clark (History) and Robin Brooke- Smith (School Archivist) for advice, information and invaluable assistance.

Phil Lapage

1 “To the School at War”. It is on the website. 2 By the end of August 1915 the numbers were: Ch:7, DB:5, I:7, M:11, R:4, S:10, SH:17, Staff:2 22 SCHOOL NEWS

Thomas Pryce VC Poetry Memorial Lecture Olivia Bradley’s poem Heartsong was runner-up for the We were delighted and Anne Pierson Award for Cumbrian Young Writers. The honoured to welcome Sir Colin Awards were presented by Melvyn Bragg at the ‘Words by the McColl (SH 1946-50), Head of Water Literature Festival’ in April and Olivia’s poem will be MI6 from 1989-94, to give the published in an anthology – the third of inaugural Thomas Pryce VC her poems to be published. Memorial Lecture. Heartsong ir Colin held his audience in thrall Morning has come and I still have not found my heart. as he described his recruitment to S I have looked for it MI6 and gave a brief glimpse of some in the corners of the night, aspects of his fascinating career and rifling through the pockets of skyscrapers the world of Secret Intelligence. in joyride city, searched the red smile of a fire gorging on The event was conceived and rum and newspaper, organised by Heads of School, James smoked with angels, the fire escape angels who took Plaut and Esmé O’Keeffe, who have a fleshy bite from the Big Apple and were condemned now established a new Salopian accordingly, tradition: a centrepiece lecture in the but when I had eaten down to the core, School’s annual Lecture Programme, my heart was not in it, to be delivered by a high-profile public not tucked among the sore and stale pips. figure and organised each year by the Still I have not found my heart. Head of School. I walk through the blood-rusted bones of my feet, sift through the stars and shake out the constellations, The lecture is in memory of Thomas empty the ocean in handfuls to seek it Pryce, one of two Salopians who won in the sea-bed mountains. the during the First I walk until the road staggers to its end World War. Pryce was at Shrewsbury to open the palace of your flesh, from 1900-04 (in Chance’s, now Severn to unclasp your ribcage like the arches of a purse, and there at last Hill) and joined the Honorary Artillery find my heart; at home. Company in August 1914, transferring to the Grenadier Guards in October Olivia Bradley (EDH UVI) 1915. He received the MC in November 1915 and was awarded an added bar for further acts of bravery, having been We were delighted to welcome Jeremy Goulding as judge of the Bentley twice wounded. He was reported Elocution Prizes this year. The Sixth Form prize was won by Jamie missing on the Western Front on 13th Nugent, who recited his own poem. April 1918, but is now known to have been killed on that date. He was Composition posthumously awarded the VC in May Words are just symbols. 1918 “for most conspicuous bravery, Marks on a page. devotion to duty and self-sacrifice”. The writer, hunched as if hooking a worm, In a letter to his widow, his Colonel Cannot make her words fly like doves from their cage. wrote: “Your husband was perfectly A trapped animal, her days are lonely. splendid and his company did The nights, an agony of regret. wonderfully. Its record will be one Her words as bitter and twisted as her anguish of the finest episodes in the war.” At the world she made of them, her haven to forget. God will not come. Introducing the lecture, James Plaut Only the landlord, knocking like death for rent. commented that the School’s other The banging goes after a while like pain after drink: VC winner, Harold Ackroyd, already She sinks into sightless stupor. has a memorial lecture as well as a Eyes blind to the world she wants no part of; scholarship in his name at Gonville and Ears deaf to the needs of other who mean nothing to her; Caius College, Cambridge. The Harold She makes a joke even she finds humourless Ackroyd Lecture has been delivered by And curses her own creations. no fewer than five Nobel Prize winners. For we, not others, are to blame for our own apprehensions “Although Pryce is somewhat playing That force us to live as we do. catch-up,” said James, “it is a satisfying And remorse can trap us in its coils thought that the set is now completed Or slither silently away into shadow - and an especial honour that another To return and feed again. great Old Salopian should deliver the first lecture in his memory.” Jamie Nugent (SH UVI) SCHOOL NEWS 23

Personal Social and Heath Education - It’s more than sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll PSHE involves very little Top Schools, unstructured seating, an emphasis on discussion in a relaxed environment and no final exam. What’s not to like?

ersonal Social and Health Education, or PSHE, can have education, digital citizenship and mental health are built Pan image problem as a taught subject. There are those on year after year to inform and educate by a drip-feed who think it’s all a bit “woolly” or, to use Shrewsbury School’s approach. slang word, view it as a “beef”. But whatever you currently think, there is no doubting that it is becoming an increasingly Many PSHE lessons will have unplanned follow-ups when important part of the whole education a 21st century school pupils find themselves in situations they have been taught provides. To see PSHE as unimportant means you are about. How they react at that point shows us the true success woefully out of touch. Predictions suggest that we will see of a PSHE programme. And of course it is not always centred statutory PSHE education implemented across UK schools on an individual; pupils are also taught how to support each within the next five years. Recent parliamentary debates have other too. Shrewsbury will launch a peer-mentoring system shown high levels of cross-party support for making PSHE a from September 2015, with the opportunity for pupils from statutory subject in the National Curriculum. each House to receive a qualification enabling them to help support each other. There are those of us who would say that we survived being a teenager without PSHE lessons; we just got on with it all. As well as the teacher-led delivery of topics, the PSHE However, there are many issues faced by teenagers today that programme also incorporates key speakers – experts in their need serious discussion: the rise of teenage mental health fields – to deliver material. We have been lucky enough over issues, with one in five students being affected; anxiety and the past year to have had a variety of visitors. Highlights in stress are all too familiar, driven by exam pressures; family 2014-15 have been two visits by the Loudmouth Theatre complexities; and the competitive nature of life. The familiar Company, whose young, vibrant and unique style of delivery sexual pressures of being an adolescent still exist, of course, engages the junior years. Their Bully 4 U production was but so too do new ones; not to mention male and female particularly effective. body image obsessions. A teenage attitude to risk needs guidance, and the increasing inhabitation of parallel virtual Further up the School we have enjoyed the company of worlds, in which self-branding and image are increasingly Natasha Devon and Alex Fryer. Natasha Devon is a writer, important, plays on most teenagers’ minds. There are all these television pundit and founder of the Self Esteem Team. minefields before we even start talking about the ‘traditional’ Natasha has co-authored a number of books on body image teenage adversaries: drugs, alcohol, road safety and bullying. and eating disorders in collaboration with psychologists There are certainly huge areas of life that young adults need and celebrities. Her lectures and workshops aim to help educating in separately from the more traditional academic young people navigate the worlds of fashion, beauty, media core subjects. and the Internet on their own terms, making their own body rules and “rocking their own brand of gorgeous”. Furthermore PSHE educates the whole person; topics covered Programmes such as hers have been shown to help students encompass citizenship issues, tackle homophobia, racism and both academically and emotionally, by conquering their discrimination. It gives pupils a chance to learn more widely self-esteem and body image issues. Natasha works alongside about life outside the classroom – and, perhaps importantly, the All Parties Parliamentary Group on Body Image and is outside Shrewsbury. It touches on manners, etiquette and the petitioning the Education Secretary to give more priority and importance of first impressions, embraces careers education, funding to Personal, Health and Social Education. She was teaches basic personal finance and reinforces school values. named a Mental Health Association ‘Hero’ and Cosmopolitan What PSHE doesn’t involve would probably make a much Magazine’s ‘Ultimate Woman of the Year’ in 2012, and was shorter list. also one of Ernst & Young’s top 50 Social Entrepreneurs in 2013. We hope to attract more speakers like Natasha in A good PSHE education should equip young people with the future. knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive, fulfilled, capable and Plans for next year’s programme include a Mental Health responsible lives. It should encourage them to be enterprising Awareness Week in November with key-note speaker and support them in making effective transitions, and positive Dick Moore. The suicide of Dick Moore’s 21-year-old son learning and career choices. PSHE education also enables Barney led the former headmaster to immerse himself in the children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own emotional well-being of adolescents. We are also keen to give values and attitudes, and explore the complex and sometimes parents access to our key speakers and a variety of parental conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now seminars planned over the year. More details of these events and in the future. One could argue that this is as important as can be found in the termly Fasti. We have aimed to include any GCSE. one such event a term.

However, alarmingly Ofsted’s PSHE subject report was PSHE might not have a final exam, but unlike any public entitled ‘Not Good Enough Yet’. Not all schools have exam the consequences of life decisions can’t be retaken. embraced its importance properly; most schools teach an Furthermore, employers are looking not only for practical element of PSHE, but how you teach it is more important. talents but for emotional intelligence. Hopefully the training It needs to be built into a wider school ethos, be supported given through our PSHE lessons at Shrewsbury School is by senior leadership teams, the parental body and, most helping pupils navigate decisions they will face, some of importantly, it needs to be taught in a relevant way to those which will be crucial to them in school life and beyond. on the receiving end. PSHE deserves respect. It is much more than sex, drugs and rock’n roll. Here at Shrewsbury, the Third, Fourth and Fifth Form pupils have three years of taught PSHE provision: each year builds Anna Peak, on the next. Important themes such as sex and relationship Head of PSHE 24 SCHOOL NEWS

The Rovers Reborn

It is at least a dozen years since the last Rovers trip to Scotland. I strongly recall climbing Ben Lui, that very beautiful mountain near Crianlarich, and discovering one of our party, a young Stuart Cowper, walking his dog up one of the gullies! It was also a formative experience for a young Adam Booth (OS PH 1995-2000) who climbed to the summit of Everest last May.

or a while now I have felt it was Although we went in February, we Day 3 – Lochnagar. Circuit walk from Ftime to attempt to reinvigorate did not issue whisky to our group. Glen Muick visitor centre via the col the essence of the Rovers, which as However, all team members were able at Meikle Pap on the east side. Gained the School’s Mountaineering Club to access high quality clothing and the high plateaux at 1060m into a has been dormant for some time equipment, most of it coming from our 50mph gusting head wind, plunging now. Rather naff I know, but I toyed own stores but some being borrowed temperatures well into the minus with expedition names such as ‘The from the Army. numbers with severe wind chill. We Rovers Return’ and so on, but all with covered the plateaux with difficulty to the aim of keeping the Shrewsbury Our lead instructor was Matt Craig regroup and descend via Glas-alt to mountaineering heritage alive and from local Shrewsbury firm Gateway ’s hunting lodge on getting it back onto the lips of pupils. Outdoors. He was assisted by Beci Loch Muick. Amos and between us we planned the So I started planning a trip with the week in terms of what we set out to Day 4 – Bothy Day. A more gentle modest aim of introducing pupils to achieve. The programme was run as last day up the Linn of Dee to Quoich. winter mountaineering. We chose the a course, in effect an introduction to Lunch at Derry Lodge round the fire in area first; the Cairngorms features the winter mountaineering. Essentially we a shared bothy and gentle walk back highest, coldest and snowiest plateau planned forays out on a daily basis stopping for pictures on timber bridge. in the British Isles, and is home to with no technical climbing as such. five of the six highest mountains in Perhaps the best description of events I am pleased to say that the trip was a Scotland. These mountains are all comes from Matt’s day log of events: great success. Only half the pupils had Munros (over 3,000 feet) and there are ever travelled to Scotland, so in various a further thirteen mountains with this Day 1 – Glenshee ski area skills day. ways it was an eye-opener. Thanks categorisation across the area, of which Issue kit and fit, boot technique and must go to our two brilliant instructors another five are among the twenty cutting ice steps, ice axe arrest practice. Matt and Beci, who both have that real highest peaks in the country. After she knack of maintaining a professional had climbed to the top of Ben Macdui Day 2 – Two Munros. Circuit walk approach in providing challenge, on 7 October 1859, Queen Victoria heading south east from our parking yet still creating a fun and flexible wrote: “It had a sublime and solemn area on A93 to plateaux via Sion na programme. effect, so wild, so solitary – no one but Gaoithe (814m) to the Cairn of Claise ourselves and our little party there . . . (1064m). Then north to Bealach Also worthy of a mention in despatches I had a little whisky and water, as the turning west to Cairn an Tuirc is our School Chef Mark Johnson, people declared pure water would be (1019m), descend west to the van who spent the week providing the too chilling.” and back to our bunkhouse. brilliant food that kept all happy (and going!) I am also grateful to the other staff members, Jo Billington and Tom Corbett, who came along to assist.

Thanks must go to the pupils as well. The group was super, always positive and ready to have a go at anything. Most importantly they all came back having had an excellent experience but with a healthy respect for this beautiful and wild area. The intrepid volunteers were: Sophie Heinrich, Archie David, George Lechmere, Ben Remnant, Bertie Gilliat-Smith, Omar Massoud, Oliver Pope, Ruchi Scott, Louie Stewart, Susie Watts and Pascale Goddard.

Nick David Expedition Organiser SCHOOL NEWS 25

House Play Season 2014 - 2015

The House Play Season opened this year with Tom Stoppard’s well-loved comedy ‘On the Razzle’, performed with verve and evident enjoyment by members of Severn Hill and Emma Darwin Hall. Many congratulations to Dan Edwards (UVI) for managing such an ambitious project.

Sixth Form Thespians Congratulations to Jessica Walker (G UVI) who has been awarded a place to study acting at Drama Centre next year. Jess is also awaiting her final round audition for the Royal of Dramatic Art. Congratulations also to Teddy Briggs (EDH UVI), who was awarded Distinction in her Silver LAMDA exam and has now reached the final round of auditions at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Harry Al-Adwani (SH UVI) has Billed as ‘Hamlet meets League of Gentlemen meets Benny Hill’, the boys of been cast as the male lead in the Moser’s injected The House of Fog with characteristic Moserite verve, industrial National Youth Music Theatre amounts of dry ice and impeccable comic timing. (NYMT) summer production at the St James Theatre in London (12th – 15th August). The musical is a newly commissioned work called Prodigy, written by the team who created The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. It focuses on a group of finalists in the Young Musician of the Year competition. An added challenge for Harry is that not only must he act, sing and dance, he must also learn and play the vibraphone. Harry has had leading roles in a number of plays during his years at Shrewsbury, including the title role in this year’s Senior School Play, Cyrano de Bergerac. A series of classic British comedy sketches were entertainingly re-enacted by the boys of Oldham’s Hall. 26 SCHOOL NEWS

MUSIC

The Marriage of Figaro, 25th & 26th April

For this reviewer, convinced that job as the androgynous Cherubino, was provided by Antonio’s no doubt most of the music of Mozart’s doing full justice to some of the most long-suffering daughter Barberina, memorable tunes in the opera. sung by Third Former Kitty Cook Marriage of Figaro was dictated (MSH), whose search for a missing by God himself - even if the Da Nor was the production in any way let pin introduces the miraculous finale Ponte libretto which provides the down by the minor roles: Ed Carroll’s of Act 4. story is rather more earthbound (Ch) improbably powerful bass voice - nothing is likely going to be gave real gravitas to his part as the wily In the end it was the large ensembles, in particular the finales to Acts 2 good enough. But I have never and cynical lawyer Bartolo, providing, en route, one of the most memorable and 4 which really marked out this been more captivated than I moments in the production as he production as special: the superb was by this quite outstanding alternately yawned and tried to look intonation, meticulous ensemble and youthful performance - a interested while fellow Churchillian sheer enjoyment of the music, which perfectly judged hybrid between Rob Shone, as the tedious music the singers could not conceal, were electrifying. concert and stage, with just master Basilio sang (beautifully) his interminable aria, normally – and enough acting to bring the mercifully – cut, but very wittily So much to carry away from a magical delightfully preposterous story included in this production. production which owes everything to to life, helped by a witty and singing teachers, Jonathan May and colloquial translation and the Katie Elcock (EDH) as Marcellina, Kathryn Turpin, Head of Drama Helen Brown and of course the indefatigable superb diction of all the singers a disappointed former girlfriend of Figaro, who, in one of the most accompanist, Director of Music without exception. gloriously ludicrous ensembles in the John Moore. opera, realises she is in fact his mother, Richard Hudson Alfred Mitchell (SH) made a wry and was yet another from this cornucopia charismatic Figaro, sensitively sung of superb sopranos currently at and intelligently acted, his love for Shrewsbury. Ben Higgins (S) with Susanna, frustration with the Count another fine baritone voice, was a and manipulation of Cherubino suitably pompous and self-satisfied all convincingly communicated. judge. The drunken gardener Antonio Henry Craig (M) was magnificently (Rory Dootson (M)) (why on earth supercilious as the hypocritical and hasn’t the Count sacked him long odious Count Almaviva. Henrike ago?) staggering about the stage, or Legner (MSH) brought a girlish slumped at the back, gulping down freshness to her role with a voice which schnapps, contributed to the humour would not have been out of place which characterised this performance at Glyndebourne. Loren Kell (EDH) throughout, humour which never brought great dignity to her part as devalued the sublime music by the neglected and nostalgic Countess. descending into slapstick; and last but Antonia Wordie (EDH) did a superb by no means least, an engaging cameo Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart SCHOOL NEWS 27

Galin Ganchev Piano Recital, paid tribute to Peter Bradley-Fulgoni, who has guided his 1st May 2015 precocious pupil through an ever more demanding repertoire. It has been a fruitful partnership.

Haydn’s Sonata No 62 is a late work, full of surprises, its range of colour and dynamic contrasts presented here with all the resources of a modern concert grand. Galin gave a performance which was brilliant in execution and fascinating in its insight. He may take the stage with the solemn demeanour of an undertaker, but at the keyboard he is a free spirit, dancing, soaring, penetrating to the heart of the music. Needless to say, he was in his element in Chopin’s Polonaise Fantaisie. We could have done with more Chopin. After the interval came Prokofiev’s “Visions Fugitives”, strange, fragmented pieces, sounding almost like improvisation, conjuring up an image of leaves drifting past a window, occasionally stirred by the breeze. Stylistically, they are at the watershed of European music, their dissonances telling of things to come, the mellower among them looking back to gentler times. Ephemeral though they are, they were presented with such rapt attention to detail, such lingering contemplation, as to persuade one of their significance, temporarily at least.

No doubting the emotional depth of Beethoven’s “Appassionata”, however, for if the “Waldstein” is an assertion of C major triumph over adversity, its successor is fiery, tragic, rebellious, the composer raging against dark forces. Much of Galin and proud mum his middle period work reflects an artist finding consolation t was four years ago, at a sparsely attended lunchtime in creativity, defying the onset of deafness, not yet total, and Iconcert, that I was first alerted to the extraordinary talent the curse of ill health which pursued him throughout his of Galin Ganchev, whose daring, dazzling performance of adult life. The Opus 23 sonata, if not despairing, is an outlet Beethoven’s “Waldstein” sonata is still fresh in the memory. for the frustration he must have felt. Galin Ganchev is so Other achievements have followed, most recently the accomplished a pianist, so eloquent in the language of music, conquest of Rachmaninov’s third piano concerto, and over that on this memorable evening, the “Passionate” sonata was the years Galin’s reputation has grown to such an extent that given a hearing worthy of its title. his recital last Friday filled the Alington Hall. By any standards Martin Knox it was a triumphant occasion, though tinged with the sadness of farewell. At the conclusion, the audience were on their feet at once, repeatedly calling the soloist back to receive their acclaim. As he left the hall for the sixth time, there was just a hint of a smile from this least demonstrative of artists.

In his introduction to the concert, John Moore welcomed the Ganchev family, who had come from Bulgaria for the event, a round trip of more than four thousand miles which was richly rewarded. He thanked Gareth and Liz Jenkins for having brought Galin to Shrewsbury in the first place and providing so much support for him over the past five years and he The Ganchev and Jenkins families

Big Band win National Festival Gold Medal

Shrewsbury Big Band won their fourth Gold Award in achievement in gaining yet another Gold Award and this year’s National Concert Band Festival Finals at the some very positive comments on stage from veteran Big Royal Northern College of Music. Band leader and Judge, Ian Darrington.

On Saturday 11th April, with Director of Music John As well as getting the Gold Award, the Band also picked Moore directing in Maria McKenzie’s absence*, up two awards for outstanding solo contributions: one Shrewsbury’s Big Band played a great set of four to Brooke Plumptre for his terrific drumming in the numbers, including one with guest vocalist Ben Higgins, band, and also Henry Newbould for his alto sax playing, in the Opera Theatre at Manchester’s Royal Northern particularly in the feature, Harlem Nocturne. College of Music. (* Maria went on maternity leave at the end of the The Band had all come back also the day before to and we are now delighted to report the safe arrival of Ethan.) rehearse at the School and can be hugely proud of their 28 SCHOOL NEWS

made the trip more than worth the Newbould, who has been winning the journey. Senior Wind Prize since he was in the Third Form, also chose a fiendishly After the service we were all, difficult number, producing an understandably, quite tired and walked astonishing range of sounds from his back to the bus after being thanked by soprano saxophone Regular attenders the Dean of the Cathedral and invited of the lunchtime concerts could be to come again, which is always a good forgiven for thinking that half the school sign. The Choir are looking forward to played the saxophone, so it was not a good rest after a short but jam-packed surprising that Henry went on to play © Clive Thompson term and there can be no doubt that in a quartet of the same. Proportional they deserve one. representation? They were all very good Evensong at Worcester Cathedral Fintan Simmons (Ch V) and, believe me, they are only the tip of On Thursday 12th March the Chapel a considerable iceberg. Choir set out to sing Evensong at Shrewsbury musicians in concert in Worcester Cathedral. When we arrived the Wigmore Hall Shrewsbury has been fortunate to have we were welcomed into the Cathedral This year there was no mass migration had Galin Ganchev in its ranks for a by a team of vergers and went through of the Music Department to London or full five years and readers of the school the Cathedral to the cloisters to arrive , but instead a select group website will be familiar with glowing at the large octagonal Chapter House of performers set off very early one reports of his accomplishments. He is a where we deposited our belongings. We Thursday in March, bound for an 11am superb pianist and his “high definition” were then given about an hour to look start at the Wigmore Hall, the capital’s playing of a Chopin Polonaise-Fantaisie around both the Cathedral and the town. premier recital venue. Awaiting them, in saw him at his very best, a lyrical, I took the opportunity to learn a bit addition to parents and friends, was an emotionally-charged performance, more about the history of the cathedral impressive turnout of , loyal worthy of the venerable surroundings in and have a look at the organ. men who rally round the Salopian flag which it took place. He moves on to the wherever it is raised. They love their Royal Academy in September. Catch him The town of Worcester is highly historic school and they love their music, too, while you can. and the Cathedral is no different, with as witness their generous support over Martin Knox the current building being the third on the years. It was also good to see a that site since 680. It is also the burial few recent leavers, who were taking a Massed choirs sing ‘Ahoy!’ place of King John and the unlucky couple of hours off from their studies. On a dark and chilly Sunday evening Prince Arthur - Henry VIII’s older Happily for all, the concert was an in February, more than 200 singers brother. The architecture is Gothic, occasion for joy and pride in equal of all ages took to the stage in the though the Cathedral was begun in the measure. If there has been a better Alington Hall for a rousing and uplifting heavily Romanesque times of the early show these forty years, I must have performance of Alexander L’Estrange’s Norman rule (1084), on account of the missed it. ‘Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose’. numerous restorations that were needed after the damage that the building The ninety-minute programme began Shrewsbury’s Chapel Choir and incurred after the civil war. The organ is with Bach’s cantata, ‘Jauchzet Gott’, Community Choir were joined by singers just eight years old, courtesy of Kenneth in which the versatile Henrike Legner from Birchfield, Prestfelde, S. Anselm’s, Tickell, and sounded incredible in such (soprano) was the impressive soloist, Shrewsbury High Prep and Oxon a space. Many of my companions, joined in the outer movements by the Primary Schools, who had all clearly however, used their time to go out into glittering trumpet of Henry Thomas. worked extremely hard learning songs Worcester and do productive things David Joyce stepped forward from the and actions and performed with huge such buy donuts and have a coffee, accompanying string ensemble to lead enthusiasm and great accomplishment freed temporarily from the bubble that is a movement from the 4th Brandenburg on the night. Shrewsbury School. Concerto, in which John Dempsey (flute) and Hannah Sanderson (recorder) ‘Ahoy!’ was written in 2013 for the After the hour was up, we had a also made a lively contribution. opening of the Mary Rose Museum in rehearsal in the Chapter House and then Portsmouth and celebrates the salvage later moved to the Quire to rehearse in Rich tone and a sure sense of Mozartian of King Henry VIII’s warship from the the choir stalls. After a quick cup of tea style was evident in Loren Kell’s seabed of the Solent, 450 years after and a biscuit, kindly provided by the presentation of an aria from ‘Don she sank. It fuses together a wonderful Cathedral staff, we robed up and Giovanni’. I trust she will feature in the medley of sea shanties with music from got in line. production of ‘Figaro’ scheduled for Tudor times and was performed with next term. great gusto by the assembled choirs, The congregation was gratifyingly large directed by Alex Mason. They were with a mixture of parents and locals and The leader of the strings, Calvin Chang, accompanied by Alexander L’Estrange the music itself was very good. I can teamed up with Galin Ganchev in a himself on keyboard with his Call Me honestly say that it was one of the best sonata for violin and piano by Brahms, Al Quintet. outings that the Choir has had since I a performance notable for the unity and have been here. Everyone sang with balance which they have developed enthusiasm and the canticles to a setting over the time they have been playing of Stanford in B flat and the anthem, together. They pulled off one explosive Johannes Brahms’s ‘Geistliches Lied’, entry with immaculate timing and the resonated beautifully around the vast hushed ending was perfectly judged. acoustic. It is a truly great experience to perform and hear choral music in Ursule Taujanskaite has only recently the type of space for which it was joined the Sixth Form and has already written and that, coupled with the great made an impact as an exceptionally composers, such as Elgar, Vaughan fine flautist. Her technique was equal Williams and Thomas Tomkins, who to the very demanding piece which have performed there over the centuries, she offered on this occasion. Henry SCHOOL NEWS 29

ART The visual arts are an integral part of everyday life, permeating all levels of human creativity, expression, communication and understanding. Yet many believe that being good at Art is a gift you either have, or you don’t. Although some seem to have a natural ability to draw, it is possible for anyone to learn to draw well. It’s just a question of persistence, like playing the piano or kicking a football. If you keep doing it again and again, you get really good at it. 1 2

3 4

5 6 Researchers at University College, to remember simple relationships in 1. Tom McHugh, Untitled London believe those unable to draw an object, such as an angle between (oil on board) are not seeing the world as it really two lines. The work displayed here is 2. Rory Free, Clee Hill is, and simply need to work on their a sample of the work of current Sixth (acrylic on board) visual skills. Our preconceptions often Form artists, whose visual memory has cloud the way we perceive objects, been sharpened by long hours in the 3. Theo Clarke Urban Landscape leading us to distort them when we put Art Bs, many of whom will continue (graphite & watercolour on paper) pencil to paper. Good visual memory to make work at Art School, University 4. Emily Milverton, Yorkshire is the key to producing good art. and beyond. It has been a privilege to Landscape (oil on board) Rebecca Chamberlain, a psychologist work with them this year and to watch who led the research at UCL, said: them find their own artistic voice. 5. Jacob Rumble, Portrait ‘Most people probably don’t become (oil on canvas) proficient because they don’t practise 6. Freddie Thomson, Untitled enough, and also they are put off by (oil on unprimed canvas) early failure”. Her research showed Rose Shawe-Taylor that skill results in part from an ability Head of Art 30 SCHOOL NEWS

Euroscola trip to Strasbourg

The plenary debate among the 500 student delegates, in which four of the six working groups selected Salopians to present their conclusions: Koby Ferdinand-Okpala (far left, a Third Former and at his first major MUN Conference), Dan Edwards (2nd from left), Ed Plaut (3rd from left) and Guy Cabral (2nd from right) In the final week of the spring e arrived at Strasbourg station on which consisted of twenty general term the Shrewsbury MUN team Wthe Wednesday afternoon after knowledge questions in the different first an unpopular six o’ clock start from languages of the member states. Teams went on a visit to meet cousins Shrewsbury, a flight from Birmingham had to consist of four persons, each in the European Parliament to Paris and multiple train journeys. representing different countries. After in Strasbourg. As we had been However spirits were boosted as the submitting our quizzes to be marked, team were refreshed with the warm we went off into six different practising only MUN topics at weather of Alsace. Once checked into ‘Working groups’. the weekly meetings during the our conveniently placed hotel (opposite term, debating in the European the train station), the party went first Our task was to debate and come and foremost for a small pilgrimage to up with solutions for the problem Parliament was a new and the Cathedral and then on to various areas within our Working Groups. exciting experience. Topics up cafés, markets and patisseries within These solutions were then presented, for debate ranged over six key Strasbourg, which was followed by questioned and debated in the an excellent evening meal. main hemicycle with all the other problems that the EU faces and representatives. For each Working the Salopians involved prepared On the Thursday we travelled by tram to Group report conclusions were made fine arguments and solutions. the Louise Weiss building, the home of and we voted on each one. the European Parliament. Immediately on arrival we met and mingled with Finally there was the final of the Euro the Greek representatives and took Quiz where the best four teams from many photos with them. However the the previous round were dressed up Parliament called and we entered. Once as “Pizza boys”. My ‘White’ team was through security the mingling continued one of the four finalists, but after a with more than 500 other students from gruelling final, the Red team (which the 27 other member states until we included Salopian Dan Edwards) came were summoned into the overwhelming out victorious. Overall there was an hemicycle and sat down for a question impressive display of Salopian MUN and answer session with EU officials. power and the trip was a great success.

Next we went for lunch and the first round of the ‘Euro quiz’ commenced Rob Hartwell (R V) SCHOOL NEWS 31

GENERAL ELECTION HUSTINGS

The start of the Summer Term saw the General Election at the top of the agenda, and the School hosted a hustings event attended by all five local parliamentary candidates. With Sixth Form co-chairs Dan Edwards and Esmé O’Keeffe adroitly facilitating fair opportunity for all the candidates to respond to the questions put to them by the students in the audience, we were treated to a serious and high quality debate.

The major turn-up for the books was the unlikely alliance of UKIP’s Pip Moulson and Plaid Cymru’s Leo Sartain, who having sparred in the hustings announced their partnership in their closing remarks. Leo’s proudest moment, however, was his ability to reveal his true Welsh accent, something he admitted in an interview afterwards had been supressed for years.

Best policy of the evening went to James Ollerhead’s Monster Raving Loonies, who announced that he would create growth by abolishing tax on stamps. The following week, nine candidates put themselves forward for election in the lesser-known seat of Shrewsbury School.

The DUP, Plaid Cymru and Scottish National Party all took a vested interest in the diverse nature of the student body, alongside the six standing in the town; the Monster Raving Loonies saw an equally strong opportunity to tap the individuality ticket on which the School prides itself.

At a packed hustings, the candidates were subjected to a barrage of serious questions, covering tax, immigration, devolution and justice. The Conservatives’ Charlie Duckworth, research folder in hand, offered on-message responses that certainly kept Lynton Crosby happy, though he seemed to irk the chairs with the length of his answers.

In the election itself, it was the nationalist rhetoric of Plaid Cymru that prevailed, pipping the Conservatives to victory. Mr Sartain will take up his seat in the chamber (well, his bedsit) imminently.

Our thanks go to Mr Peach and Mrs Drew for their organisation and to Returning Officer Will Allott for overseeing the election process.

Toby Percival

Sasha Arridge (Labour) exuded a calm and incisive air, up to the point where the weight of his argument caused the table in front of him to collapse. Betwixt the two was the DUP’s Ed Plaut, who had abandoned his Welsh roots and took up the Irish mantle in an attack on the establishment. Rhys Trevor (Liberal Democrats) offered a heart to the Conservatives, declaring that he would prefer to be stuck on a desert island with the Tories than any of the other parties.

Chetan Popat (Green) and Chad Usher (SNP) both impressed their audience with a clear, consistent and researched message that avoided cliché and soundbite. 32 SCHOOL NEWS

RSSH Get out strong; commit.

These were the words Scottish 800m athlete Lynsey Sharp wrote on her wrist before taking to the startline of the Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow last summer. Just a matter of hours before, Sharp had been on a drip, spending a sleepless night in the athlete’s medical centre and enduring further heartache following a traumatic year of injury.

The Hunt pick up the silverware at the Spring Relays,

harp only just scraped into the final national Knole Run in Sevenoaks, Kent. considerable jubilation in the girls’ Sas a fastest loser and went into Yet with three key athletes out injured, squad with a team 5th place, our best the race with an open wound on her we knew that we would have to run ever performance in the race (with our calf. It was incredible that she even hard, get out strong, and commit. previous best coming the year before made that startline, but something more In the boys’ race over the gruelling where we came home in 10th). Central astonishing was to come. For despite 9.5km undulating course, Oscar to this assault on the top places was the injury, and despite the debilitating Dickins (R) managed to break into the form of new recruits Tati Watt (G) and illness of the night before, Sharp went top 20 out of 300 runners, with good Olivia Papaioannou (EDH) who both onto that track determined to give it support from Huntsman Theo Clarke placed inside the top 20, with Olivia in her all. Her performance that day must and Charlie Tait-Harris (both Severn 20th and Tati in 12th, hugely impressive surely go down as one of the bravest Hill) in 24th and 25th respectively. results and encouraging for the year runs of all time. Sharp herself described Perhaps the most remarkable run ahead with both runners still in the the race as a ‘miracle’, and indeed she came from Charlie Rogers (Rb) who Lower Sixth. Also returning next year defied the odds by not only being able had the previous summer been named will be The Grove’s Sally Joyce whose to go out and race, but in fact powering as the very first recipient of the Will 48th - alongside captain Tory Mobley’s through the field in the final bend of Ramsbotham Award. The award was 49th place - ensured all counters came the race to run a blistering last 100m the initiative of a former Huntsman through in the top third of the field. and take the Commonwealth silver who sought to help support an up-and- Both the boys’ and girls’ ‘B’ teams also medal in a time of 2.01.34. It was an coming younger runner and enable recorded excellent results with the boys astonishing and inspiring performance. them to make the step up to the top coming through in 12th/36, beating level. Charlie benefited hugely from ‘A’ teams from the likes of Wellington Such grit and resilience is the mark this award and his 40th place at the College, Tonbridge and Charterhouse. of a true athlete, and The Hunt had Knole as a Lower Sixth Former was The girls’ ‘B’ team (including Third the privilege of welcoming one such an impressive advance on his 115th Former Sophia Dixon of running great to Shrewsbury School in the previous year, clear evidence of Hall) also beat ‘A’ teams from these Kenyan distance legend John Ngugi the progress he had made in just 12 schools and others including Norwich who spent a week here as our second months. Our final two counters both School and King’s Canterbury. Coach in Residence. Gold medalist nearly came home in the top 50 with in the 5,000m at the Seoul Olympics Fifth Former Will Hayward (R) in 49th The key test of the season - as ever in ’88 and the first athlete to win and Senior Whip Charlie Godman (M) - would be the KHVIII Relays in four consecutive world cross-country in 53rd. A team total of 210 points was Coventry, effectively a national schools’ titles (and five in total), Ngugi was an alas only good enough for 5th place relay event with the very top teams inspiring figure to learn from as we this year, with The Hunt off the podium in the country on the startline of this embarked upon the competitive season. for the first time in four years behind a prestigious and historic race. As with A pre-season training camp based on resurgent home team from Sevenoaks The Knole, we would be without the shore of Derwentwater in the Lake and our old adversaries Abingdon the key figures of Ben Remnant and District further ensured that our squad dipping ahead of us for the first time Freddie Huxley-Fielding, but the was in good shape going into the first in a number of years. Despite the strength in the depth of the club is such of our major races of the year: the disappointment, there was nevertheless that we were able to put together a SCHOOL NEWS 33

Little to separate Olivia Papaioannou and Tati Watt at the County Championships strong leading sestet even without these 55 teams, ahead of the two likely two. Speedwork having gone well on challengers for the title: Judd and St the track and in interval training on the Alban’s. In the mid-section of the banks of the River Severn, the Hunt race we were able to remain in the squads went in to the races feeling reckoning with Charlie Rogers debut race sharp, and with the words ‘Get in the ‘A’ squad producing a very out strong; Commit’ penned on their respectable 12.46 before the top time wrists with Lynsey Sharp’s mantra as of the day for The Hunt with Oscar our inspiration, The Hunt did indeed Dickins’s 12.03, the 8th fastest time get out strong with Huntsman Theo on the day out of over 300 runners. Clarke putting the team in a strong 5th Former Scott Hatton (S) showed position after the first of the six legs his potential with a time of 13.03 with an impressive time of 12.13 over before handing over to fellow 5th the 2.3mile course. We knew that former Will Hayward (R) who despite without Remnant and Huxley-Fiedling running 12.39 was unable to hold off we’d be unlikely to challenge the likes Loughborough ’s Ben of Judd and St Alban’s, but we were Djikstra, though there was no shame keen to get our revenge on the likes in that given Djikstra has been virtually of Sevenoaks and local rivals Thomas unbeatable on the national scene Third Form newcomer Harry Remnant powers up the hill at the Midlands & Northern Championships, , alongside other schools in the for the past two years, and was last held this year at Shrewsbury ascendency such as Sedbergh, Harrow summer crowned world junior triathlon and Loughborough. In the second leg, champion! The Hunt came home in Tucks winner Charlie Tait-Harris ran 4th place, just outside the medals, but a similarly swift time of 12.21, all the a clear minute ahead of rivals Sedergh more remarkable not just due to the in 5th, and well clear of Sevenoaks in fact that he is only a Fifth Former, but 8th. It was a gutsy performance and also given that his right shoe came off the guys did us all proud. Likewise, the in the mud and he ran half of the race ‘B’ team once again impressed with a with only one shoe, his bloodied toe superb 12th place out of 54 teams and (see photo on page 34) bearing witness just five seconds behind the top ‘B’ to this on the finish line. By this point, team from Judd. Next year looks very having gone out hard, the Hunt were promising indeed. in fact leading the race out of nearly Knole Run, Charlie Tait-Harris 34 SCHOOL NEWS

Similar encouragement came in the since 2010) with an individual bronze boys were not quite able to match the girls’ race where the lead quartet of for Huntsman Theo Clarke, the girls set strength of the Sedbergh squad and had Passi Goddard, Tati Watt, Sally Joyce (all out to match their male counterparts to settle for the runners-up spot, with Grove) and Olivia Papaioannou (EDH) knowing they’d have to overturn a the Girls’ team coming in just outside cemented The Hunt’s reputation as one decent team who’d be the medals in 4th. of the leading teams in the country with hot on our heels. However, with our another top 10 performance, this time four counters coming home inside the At the close of the season in The Hunt coming home in 7th place and dipping top ten the victory was never in doubt, Club Championships, Oscar Dickins under the hour with a team time of led home by Olivia Papaioannou (R) ran bravely to claim the Birley Cup, 59.46. Papaioannou’s time of 14.23 in 2nd place individually just seven silverware that he later added to with was just outside the top 10 times of seconds behind the victor. The Junior the fastest lap trophy in the Inter-House the day, and to put it into context, this boys, too, also brought home the Steeplechases, an event won by his time was quicker than two members of county trophy (again, last won in house Rigg’s Hall. Junior Hunt Club ’s boys’ team! Crucially, 2012), with the team effort led by Harry Champion and winner of the Mark all four members of our ‘A’ squad will Remnant (Ch) in 2nd place overall, Mortimer Cup was Monty Hardcastle return next year, and having missed Toby Pegge (PH) in 8th, Will Barton (I) with Olivia Papaioannou (EDH) out on a national team medal by just a (PH) in 10th and Charlie Ockleston (O) well clear of the competition to take minute, they will have their sights set in 12th. There is considerable talent in the Willie Jones Cup, with all three on a podium spot next year. Credit is the younger years and these are names trophies presented to our winners by also due to the ‘B’ team who placed we expect to be hearing more from in Olympic medalist Lorraine Moeller from in the top 20 (out of 38 teams) beating the near future. New Zealand. At the subsequent end of ‘A’ teams from Rugby, Haileybury and season awards night, Scott Hatton (S) Ampleforth among others. For the Our final major competition of the year was named as the second recipient of first time we also were able to put is always the Midlands & Northern the Will Ramsbotham Award following out a ‘C’ team, and in fact they too Independent Schools’ Cross-Country his breakthrough season that saw him beat Ampleforth’s ‘A’ team. Watch this Championships (MANISCCC) which compete in our national relays ‘A’ space… Shrewsbury hosted this year as the squad and make huge strides forwards competition entered its 55th year into the top level. Olivia Papaioannou Other highlights of the season included of competition. In extremely wet was named as Girls’ Captain, with Tati the retaining of the Colts league title conditions, the runners battled through Watt (G) and Martha Pownall (MSH) in the Midlands Independent Schools’ the course, with an impressive victory as her deputies. The role of Huntsman League and a dominant performance in the Junior Boys competition led has only ever been shared half a dozen in the Spring Relays at Attingham Park home by Monty Hardcastle (I) in 3rd times before in the 183-year history where the Seniors comfortably won place overall backed up by Harry of the club; this coming season sees the title and our Juniors held off a very Remnant, Toby Pegge and Ben the position awarded jointly to Oscar strong Thomas Telford outfit to retain Henderson (S). In fact, our ‘B’ team Dickins (R) and Ben Remnant (Ch) with the junior title for the fifth year in a placed 2nd, five points ahead of Charlie Rogers (Rb) elected as Senior row. The girls had to settle for bronze, in 3rd. This was only Whip and Henry Newbould (Ch) as but at the Shropshire Schools’ County the third time The Hunt had won this Junior Whip. As ever, we are already Championships there was silverware title, and the first time that we had eagerly looking forward to next season won for the first time in this event since retained the title having won it last year and once again, will endeavor to get 2012. Following a championship trophy up in Sedbergh, so this was certainly out strong and commit. win in the Senior Boys (now unbeaten a highlight of the season. The Senior Peter Middleton

Huntsman Theo Clarke at the Spring Relays, Charlie Tait-Harris minus a shoe, A bloody-footed Charlie Tait-Harris at the finish Attingham Park KHVIII Relays, Coventry line, KHVIII Relays, Coventry SCHOOL NEWS 35

FOOTBALL

1st XI and Bryncrug, who normally play in Nine wins from 11 matches, a 0-0 draw the Spar Mid- League. This was against the Old Salopians and one Following the Football Tournament a physically tough game, mainly as defeat; 40 goals scored, 12 conceded. in Qatar in December 2013 and the it was our third game in three days. Good victories against King’s Chester, cricket tour to Dubai and South Africa One or two players were starting to Harrow in the ISFA Boodles, Millfield in December 2014, it was decided that feel tired and picked up little niggling and Bolton really did mean we were the School would not go abroad on injuries. Perhaps it was a game too far firing on all cylinders. tour this year for pre-season but travel but we battled through, losing 1-3. The alternate years with the cricketers. plan to make the players train hard Then came the two-week half term! It There are several boys who are in both was working and they were getting is becoming one of the toughest factors squads and with the cost of travelling the benefit of playing a lot of matches. we face. We played on 15th October becoming more and more expensive, The next afternoon was their fourth and then didn’t play again until 7th a decision was taken to stay at home. and last match in less than four days November – 23 days between matches The 1st XI squad was quite large (17 – a home fixture to Shrewsbury Town is becoming a real problem. We do players were invited to attend the under 16s….What a performance! We ask the players to keep up with their training camp) so it was decided to drew the game 1-1, in spite of not fitness levels and to play football at work at school but play four matches having a full squad. We worked hard home with their previous clubs, but it in less than four days. Being able to roll however and ended the game looking cannot bridge that 23-day gap. After the substitutes on and off at any time was fitter and stronger than our opponents. break we went out of both Cups in five useful in a successful and enjoyable The pre-season helped us develop a days. A 2-4 defeat at home to Thomas pre-season. good pattern of play which was to Telford in the ESFA Cup and a 3-4 loss stand us in good stead for the first half at Highgate in the ISFA Boodles put The first match was against Shrewsbury of the season. paid to our Cup exploits for another Up and Comers – a local Sunday year. After half term we won 3 out of League team. The match was tough, The regular School season began on 7 matches, a poor return following the but played in the right spirit and was the Saturday after term started, our fabulous start we had had. just the sort of fixture we needed after training continuing throughout the first having not played an 11v11 competitive week of term until Liverpool Ramblers Captain Max McClure needs a special match for over five months – we won came to town. This is arguably the mention. He is the first to benefit from 4-2. The following day we travelled to oldest amateur club in the world and the Alex Wilson Scholarship, set up by Wrexham FC to play their under 16s. they regularly bring five teams to the Wilson family in memory of their This was the toughest match during our Shrewsbury on the first Saturday of son Alex who attended Shrewsbury pre-season get-together as they were the term. We won a very good game School 2003-08. Max is a ball-playing very professional, very fit and a good against the men by 4 goals to 2, a centre-half, he has pace, he is strong in team. We lost 1-4 but it was another tough game but a well deserved win. the tackle and he is commanding in the excellent work-out. The following Prospects were encouraging. air. He attended ISFA trials but was not day we trained for a short period after selected into the final squad though I breakfast and then travelled to Tywyn This started what was the most am not sure I have seen a better centre on the Mid-Wales coast where we successful first half of term by the 1st half on the circuit this year. played against an adult team – Tywyn XI since I arrived at Shrewsbury School. 36 SCHOOL NEWS

Jamie Humes’ record is one we must to improve her English, she has been Ollie deserves particular congratulations talk about. He played in the 1st XI as a delight to work with and I am very for his performances in the Lent term, a L6th pupil but he had to play on the hopeful she will return for her Sixth when he had to lead a less experienced left hand side of midfield. This season Form education. side, as a number of Michaelmas term he played as a lone striker having 2nd XI players moved to Fives or wide players alongside him supplying Lent Term football became very Rugby. The other outstanding player crosses and two central midfield recreational as many Fifth and Sixth over the full two terms was Freddie players supporting him from behind. Form boys still wanted to play football. Rowley who was the most improved As a centre forward, Jamie started all Over 40 players trained regularly, 2nd XI player over his two years in 22 matches in the Michaelmas Term. the 2nd XI were still competing in the Sixth Form and his creativity and He did not miss any part of any game the Shropshire League and 39 happy enthusiasm ensured that we always through injury and he scored 27 goals. players represented the A XI on Senior carried an attacking threat even against His high level of fitness is much to his throughout the term. A lovely way to the strongest sides. credit and he is physically and mentally end a busy and enjoyable season. strong. He survived some unsavoury Steve Biggins tackles in the course of the season. 2nd XI

One unique feature this year was the The statistics bear witness to a first female footballer at Shrewsbury competitive and enjoyable season. School in Nina Lange (pictured Among the highlights in the above), who arrived at Shrewsbury Michaelmas term were a 4-0 home in September from Munich. We had victory over Millfield and a 5-2 victory seen Nina once before as she trained against the Old Salopian 2nd XI. We with us when she came to visit ended up 5th in the competitive top Shrewsbury - she is exceptionally division of the Shropshire Schools and talented. She played in the under 15 Colleges Under 19 League. Our best boys’ team and scored many goals. She performance in this competition was is quick, tall, athletic and two-footed a 1-0 away victory against the Sixth and she has scored goals of every Form College 2nd XI in the Lent Term, description in the 15 matches played. which ensured that we steered clear of She played for the Shropshire under relegation. 16 girls’ team and she trained with the Wolverhampton Wanderers under 15 Ollie Westbury was 2nd XI Captain girls; in both arenas she looked one and Player of the Year. His determined of the best players on show. Nina performances in midfield ensured that came to Shrewsbury for just one year we were always competitive. SCHOOL NEWS 37

Player of the Year Awards 1st XI Max McClure (Rb) & Jamie Humes (I) 2nd XI Ollie Westbury (S) Under 16 Alex Walton (M) Under 15 Matthew Clay Under 14 Charlie Harpin

House Winners 1st House Radbrook 2nd House Severn Hill U15 House Severn Hill

League Winners 1st Leagues Oldhams 2nd Leagues Moser’s A Leagues Radbrook B Leagues Ingram’s

Jamie Humes Max McClure

Team P W D L Goals for Goals against Goal difference 1st XI 31 15 4 12 90 56 34 2nd XI 30 11 7 12 60 60 0 3rd XI 17 5 1 11 44 47 -3 4th XI 17 9 1 7 50 33 17 5th XI 11 1 2 8 14 32 -18 6th XI 5 0 0 5 2 30 -28 7th XI 2 0 0 2 2 12 -10 U16A 14 8 1 5 31 16 15 U16B 13 5 2 6 38 36 2 U16C 3 0 0 3 5 16 -11 U16D 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 U15A 15 6 1 8 35 42 -7 U15B 16 11 4 1 69 18 51 U15C 6 4 0 2 41 22 19 U14A 14 7 2 5 39 31 8 U14B 12 9 2 1 46 24 22 U14C 9 1 2 6 13 37 -24 U14D 5 4 0 1 25 7 18 U14E 1 1 0 0 7 0 7 Totals 223 98 29 96 614 522 92 38 SCHOOL NEWS

RUGBY

This has been a successful season for rugby both at 15- and 7-a-side. The School continues to compete with and be successful against leading Midlands rugby schools such as Loughborough Grammar School, KES Birmingham and Old Swinford Hospital.

The 1st XV captained by Charlie Adams with 125 points; Nick Pearce was the two of their games and those by a total built on the foundations and success of leading try scorer with 13. Tom Bibb of only 12 points. Along with the U15 the Michaelmas term during which there was the Coach’s player of the year and U14 they reached the County Cup had been notable wins against Rugby and the players’ player was George final where they beat , Stowe and Christ College Brecon. Lechmere. School 22 – 0 in a tense and exciting game. Players’ player of the year is the The School also made its debut in The 1st VII have enjoyed a good captain Oliver Dixon and the Coaches’ the NatWest Schools Cup, a National season. They got through to the final player is Fergus David. competition with over 750 schools of the Stratford Sevens, were quarter taking part. After a walkover in the finalists at the Stonyhurst Sevens The U15s had something of a mixed first round, the School was narrowly and reached the plate semi finals season and blew a little hot and cold. defeated by RGS Worcester. In the vase at both The Marches and Solihull Even so, they finished with a winning competition Shrewsbury hosted local tournaments. At the National Schools’ record and clearly have the potential rivals Wrekin College and with the Sevens at Rosslyn a slightly depleted to become an even more successful score at 20-all Wrekin went through by squad couldn’t quite follow up these team in the future. They narrowly lost outscoring Shrewsbury by 3 tries to 2. performances but managed to beat in the final of the County Cup and After Christmas Shrewsbury continued Eton in their group. with a few less errors could easily to play an open expansive game, even have won the game. The coaches against more physically dominant The U16s benefited from having had picked out Tom Hua, Prachaya opposition. Roan Kirkby was the player six of their squad playing with the 1st Chotayathiwat and Robert Ford as of the year and leading points scorer XV before Christmas by winning all but their players of the season.

The overall playing record for the school is

TEAM Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference 1ST (SEASON) 22 11 1 10 475 433 42 U16 8 6 0 2 205 47 158 U15 11 6 1 4 354 242 112 U14A 11 11 0 0 447 81 366 U14B 6 2 1 3 120 113 7 58 36 2 19

U14A to look at the final tally of the season: every member of the team, space With an astonishing record of 11 Played 11, won 11, Points For 452, permits me to only mention a few boys. matches played and won, proud coach Points Against 79. First of all captain Ludo Litchfield, who Chris Cook writes as follows: has developed his leadership over the “I can imagine the feeling of Clive What was great about this season’s season, whilst always giving 100%. Woodward in Sydney, 2003 as he sat performance was that that this success Tom Plaut, the player of the season as contemplating the success of a long was not bound around one huge voted by both coaches and players, was campaign that had culminated in the superstar who could run around the a tremendous asset to the side – his Rugby World Cup – emotional relief opposition, but through a tremendous speed across the pitch in defence and and complete elation. Now the U14s team effort. Over 30 boys represented support play kept us on the front foot did not win the World Cup, but as far the A team this season, and that throughout the season. Arron Lewis as Shrewsbury rugby goes, this squad demonstrates the huge strength in moved from centre to fullback, and fulfilled their promise, to produce some depth that this year group has. This showed his superb offensive capabilities, of the most exciting displays witnessed character was encapsulated in the scoring 17 tries over the season. in Shrewsbury sport. Completing an Loughborough Grammar School match, unbeaten season when your fixture where the boys protected their own try It really has been a pleasure to have list contains heavy-weights such as line for the entire second half, putting such a fantastic group of boys over Loughborough Grammar School their bodies on the line to prevent the season, both on the pitch and in (played 21, won 18) and Stowe School the Loughborough side building any training. The support from parents has is one heck of an achievement, and this momentum. also been great, and I am very much squad of boys deserves the praise that looking forward to taking them on they have received. It is a great feeling Though I would love to report through throughout next year.”

Duncan Kirkby SCHOOL NEWS 39

Ist VII invitational tournament on beating all included England U18 players and The 1st VII had a varied and sides in the group (RGS Worcester, which wen to on the win the Festival challenging fixture list of five Bloxham, Magdalen College). They Tournament at Rosslyn Park. Our tournaments this year. The School then defeated a strong home KES special thanks to WAH for his additional was represented at King Edward’s Stratford side in the semi-final but lost staffing of this event. Stratford, The Marches in Hereford, to an exceptional Stowe outfit in the Solihull School, Stonyhurst College final. This was one of the best rugby The Marches then followed. This and of course, the National Schools’ sevens result to date for Shrewsbury is another high calibre tournament Tournament at Rosslyn Park. with Max McClure’s reclaiming of the with all the top teams from Southern Shrewsbury kick-off being crucial England and Wales represented. The The 1st VII got off to a blistering start, throughout. It should be noted that biggest factor on the day was the wind reaching the final of the KES Stratford Stowe drew from a large squad that and rain which put completion of the 40 SCHOOL NEWS

competition in jeopardy and did not Schofield’s skill and play-making were satisfaction and a fitting end to the make for attractive rugby sevens at becoming evident. Shrewsbury rugby careers of our Upper all! After beating RGS Worcester the Sixth players. Particular thanks to the weather took its toll and with bigger The sevens season inevitably takes four U16 players, Olly Dixon, Fergus sides resorting to a short rucking game, its physical toll on players, but David, Josh Malyon and Rory Davies Shrewsbury bowed out to Old Swinford this year, for the first time, players who agreed to stay on the extra day to Hospital School, 12-24 in the Bowl were in addition being lost to other provide some depth to the squad. Quarter Final. Captain Charlie Adams School commitments. As a result, a Great thanks go to Shaun Perry for his and Roan Kirkby played every second squad of nine not twelve travelled to coaching expertise, wise words, less of every game in this tournament and Stonyhurst. These players acquitted wise words, gags, energy and support. together as senior players they led the themselves quite superbly with wins The final word goes to skipper Adams squad superbly. over Cheadle Hulme, Hutton Grammar and vc Kirkby who, with the other and Liverpool College in the group. senior Upper Sixth players, were the On to the Solihull School Tournament A loss to the Oratory School set up a backbone of the squad this year. which kicked off with a big win over quarter final against a well balanced Bablake before a slender defeat to Stonyhurst seven whose pace and The following players have represented Pate’s by just three points, with Pate’s power were too great, as Shrewsbury’s the 1st VII this season: going on to reach the final of the day ended against the eventual main competition. Satisfying wins tournament winners. Charlie Adams (Captain), Roan Kirkby followed against King Henry VII (Vice-Captain), Sam Hill, Max McClure, Coventry and Malvern College before And finally to Rosslyn Park. Term Nick Pearce, George Lechmere, Rufus Shrewsbury lost in the Bowl Semi-final had ended the previous week creating Litchfield, Ben Smith, George Birt, to Adams’ Grammar School, whose even greater selection difficulties. On George Lechmere, Harry Schofield, fierce press in defence was particularly the day Shrewsbury started slowly and Tom Barthen, Sam Mitchell, Guy impressive. During the course of these recording early losses before the last Balogun, Leo Sartain, James Plaut, games, George Lechmere and Nick pool game against . Given Bertie Gilliat-Smith, John Dempsey. Pearce were beginning to show their the size of their year groups, Eton will remarkable natural strength, pace and always be highly competitive and so athleticism and Ben Smith and Harry for Shrewsbury to win 21-14 gave great Marcus Johnson

(Back row L-R) MDBJ, Sam Hill, Rufus Litchfield, Max McClure, Charlie Adams, Mr Shaun Perry (Front row L-R) George Lechmere, Roan Kirkby, Nick Pearce, Tom Barthen SCHOOL NEWS 41

RSSBC

The Michaelmas term saw the arrival of a new cohort of oarsmen and oarswomen, taking the Boat Club to beyond two hundred pupils training on a regular basis. The welcome arrival of Third Form girls provided its own challenge with provision of coaches, boats and launches but was handled fantastically under Mr Fox’s experienced hand.

strong influence on her development when she was at school.

The Head Race season kicked off in small boats with the traditional Victoria, Sabrina and Williams Sculls and it was fantastic to see so many Shrewsbury pupils showing off their skills in sculls. The Victoria Sculls boys’ winner was a repeat of 2013 with George Patterson, this year’s Boys’ Quad at the Head of the Charles Regatta Captain of Boats, coming in first. Claudia Kimpton-Smith broke the Regatta, the biggest festival of in Katherine Copeland at the Boat Club dinner record on her way to victory. The the world. The boys competed in the Sabrina Sculls was won by Harry Junior Men’s Eight event and moved up he Boat Club held its annual Boat Marshall. The Williams Sculls were the rankings to record a credible 11th TClub Dinner earlier than usual, at won by Ed Lewis and Eleanor Fox, place out of the 85 crews on display. the end of September, to enable our with Adam Pattenden the winner of The remainder of the squad broke up guest speaker to attend and inspire the Junior Williams Sculls. in to a coxed four and two quads, all crews for the year ahead. London producing solid results in their events. Olympic Gold Medallist, Katherine Small boats were the theme for the The crews were once again generously Copeland, provided great inspiration next two races at the Chester Long hosted by the Salopian community of the for all of those in attendance. Her Distance Sculls and Bedford Small Kerrs, Hodgsons, Lymans and Cabots. diminutive frame as a lightweight Boats Head. Strong showings were While the training and racing provided woman made a stark contrast with made by all the VSW winners and a the focus, the boys were also treated that of heavyweight Will Satch in 2013 one two finish for the J15 fours to some tremendous opportunities to and allowed pupils to realise that they at Bedford. visit Harvard, Northeastern and Yale needn’t be a hulking giant to dream Universities. The later saw two equal big. Katherine’s speech was all the The Boat Club took 21 pupils and three Shrewsbury crews take to the water and more personal as it was our Boatman staff to Boston USA over half term to go stroke for stroke in a three-mile race Andy Clark who had played such a compete in the Head of the Charles on the Housatonic River.

RSSBC at Yale 42 SCHOOL NEWS

The end of the Half Term saw four crews compete at the Fours Head of the River. The pick of the results came from the boys’ junior coxed four, who came 3rd in their event out of 17 crews, and from the girls’ quad who recorded an impressive 4th place out of 28 crews.

Seven Shrewsbury crews took to the water at the Wallingford Head at the end of the Michaelmas term. It was a good opportunity to get crews out in Eights and get a rough idea of standings in a competitive field.

Wycliffe Head was the first race in the Lent term and provided encouraging results across the board. The J15 VIIIs came 2nd and 4th. The J16 VIIIs came 1st and 3rd. The Senior VIIIs came 1st and 3rd and there were wins for the girls’ quad and the 3rd four.

Senior girls’ and boys’ quads

Winning J16 VIII

Final selections for the 1st and 2nd VIII were made at Lake Vyrnwy over half term and set the crews up well as they travelled to London for the Hammersmith Head and Chester for the North of England Head in preparation for Schools’ Head. The 1st VIII recorded two strong wins at both events, with the 2nd VIII also showing good speed. The School had a fleet of eight Shrewsbury crews at the 1st VIII – 5th of 42, Girls’ 1st Quad – 7th of 23, Schools’ Head of the River. The crews raced the four and a 2nd VIII – 7th of 18, 3rd VIII – 5th of 10 quarter-mile course on the Thames from Chiswick Bridge to J16A – 9th of 21, J16B – 5th of 6, the Putney Embankment along with 339 other crews from J15A – 3rd of 31, J15B – 12th of 22 around the country and some from abroad. The relatively calm and dry conditions made for an excellent day’s racing, with all eight crews acquitting themselves well.

Vyrnwy & North of England Head SCHOOL NEWS 43

The National Junior Head is the equivalent sculling event to the Schools Head and saw our J14 boys and girls take to the water in their first national event.

A girls’ J14 quad finished in 17th position in the WJ14 4x event, their time of 16’28” being faster than no fewer than 32 other crews from around the country. The girls’ octuple also recorded an encouraging result.

The boys’ J14 squad entered three octuples into the final event of the day. Like the girls’ squad, the majority of those competing at this event had never sculled before the start of the academic year. So to have 27 boys able to compete at the highest level is a real testament to their hard work and dedication. All crews completed the two 1800m legs of the race without any issues and performed brilliantly against the competition. The A octo achieved a very impressive 3rd J14A octo - bronze medallists place overall out of 51 crews. The B octo achieved 22nd overall, placing them 6th against other B octos. And Over the April holidays a team of four distance in a time of just 8’44.2”, beating the C crew, who had never rowed J16 oarsmen won the English Indoor Trentham Boat Club into second place together before, placed 46th overall and Rowing Championships held in the by over 12 seconds, and setting a new 8th against other C boats, even beating velodrome at the National Cycling Centre, Championship Record in the process. some schools’ A crews! Manchester. They covered the 3000m

Easter Rowing Training Camps

Senior Rowing Camp The excited group of oarsmen and oarswomen departed on Easter Monday for the seven-day trip and were pleased to arrive to a beautiful calm lake at Lissac-sur-Couze near Brive-la-Gaillarde in France. The gîtes overlooking the course provided excellent accommodation for 1st VIII the group and all meals were provided the bends and stream provided by the for in both quantity and quality for Severn. We were treated to calm warm hungry rowers. The daily training regime weather throughout the week which saw most crews getting in three water made the mill pond conditions ideal. The sessions a day with time for revision technical progress made in one week of training camp is the equivalent to that made in two months during term time, as the athletes get detailed feedback between sessions and are able to go out and hone their skills from one session to the next with few distractions. J15 Rowing Camp was streamed live An enthusiastic group of 21 Fourth during dinner on Saturday evening Form rowers travelled to Pangbourne J16B, 2nd and 1st VIIIs on the course providing great entertainment and College Boat Club in Berkshire for in the morning and afternoon. Crew motivation for the boys and girls alike. their annual training camp. The squad selection took place over the first half of were treated to fantastic conditions and the camp, allowing crews to settle into some tough sessions. The group travel formation during the latter half. to Oxford and had a tour of Hertford College by Mr Peach and a chance to The opportunity to get training done on go punting on the Cherwell. a buoyed course was put to good use with plenty of work done in small boats, which often proves challenging on Girls’ quad Athol Hundermark 44 SCHOOL NEWS

FIVES This was, for the senior fives team, a season of great promise; for the junior team it was an historic year with the introduction of girls. As such the season was set to be exciting from the very start and there was indeed something of a buzz around the courts at the beginning of January.

Final in March and 3-2 here definitely is such that we had a team more than made the season’s prospects exciting. capable of winning the event. It’s a Fixtures on either side of half term tournament that forgives no slip-ups so continued for seniors, juniors and all matches are crucial, but we knew girls, with the girls also travelling that Eton and Highgate were the big down for various Sunday tournaments matches which would settle the result. and getting fully involved with the Eton was our third match and they had commitment and travelling that fives dropped a point to Highgate so we requires. Berkhamsted hosted a festival had more breathing room than they in February and Eton the Ladies’ Open did and we did the business at 3rd pair. Nationals at the start of March: in the However, our first and second pairs here were the usual calculations to latter our Third Formers in particular both missed out on game-winning T do: how do you fit 160 bodies into stood out: Emma Graham and Katie opportunities that would have given 14 courts, 4 to a court, with 2 hours Oswald won the Festival and Nina us a 4-2 win; the consequence was a available? It is akin to fitting an elephant Lange and Tilly Reynolds left with the 2-4 loss. Sadly that effectively meant into a giraffe and then popping the main Plate. All gained much important the tournament was over unless Eton combined creature into a mini without experience and impressed some of our slipped up again. When we dropped a sunroof. Fortunately we have a team former Ladies’ fives players, Rosie Parr points against St Olave’s and Highgate of coaches well accustomed to bending and Hannah Pritchard, now playing for the deal was sealed: with the time fast the space-time continuum slightly. With Oxford University. approaching 7pm and a full match judicious use of a spreadsheet, all was still to play, we decided to scrap that perfectly clear to everyone: life made The Williams Cup, the 3-pair team Westminster fixture in favour of getting sense. Those who wanted to carry event, is our biggest target outside of back to Shrewsbury before midnight. on playing beyond their allotted time the National Championships. At the Eton deserved their win, having disregarded it altogether, everything still start of the year we had 12 players (6 defended game points and closed out seemed to work and that seemed to Upper 6th, 6 Lower) vying for places in matches when they had their chance. make sense too. the side; by March 8th we were down On the same day, our girls enjoyed to 7 players, the reduction being mostly considerably greater success in the Our usual January weekend down to down to injuries. Tom Breese was the Schools’ U15 Nationals. Despite all Highgate, Harrow and Eton was, as highest profile loss, the recurrence being beginners, our four pairs all made ever, the ideal early boost to the season at the Northern of a back problem it through their groups into quarter with lots of court time and several very demanding further investigation and finals. Top pair, Nina Lange and Tilly close, competitive matches. We lost the diagnosis. As it transpired, he would Reynolds, won the whole competition, first pair match vs Eton 3-2 to put down not play again for the rest of the beating a more experienced Ipswich a marker for the term – these were the season and is still off sport as I write. pair in the final while our second pair, pairs anticipated to be in the Schools’ Nonetheless, the depth of our squad Phoebe Wasdell and Lizzie Ware, SCHOOL NEWS 45

Daniel Humes and Nina Lange Phoebe Wasdell, Tilly Reynolds, Sophia Breese, Lizzie Ware having reached semis, overcame The U16 competition largely went to Meanwhile, the girls were back at Highgate in the 3rd place play-off the script, though Ed Chapman and Eton and competing in two further to claim 3rd in the competition. Our Adam Aslam-Baskeyfield would have competitions: the Ladies’ Open and the 3rd & 4th Pair played off in the Plate reached the quarter-finals with a kinder Ladies’ Festival. The Third Form were Final with Emma Graham & Katie draw: many of our players in that year also involved in the U14 Beginners, Oswald (3rd Pair) beating Sophia group are beginning to step up and which has been a competition we’ve Breese and Libby Hedges (4th pair – convert their athleticism and ability dominated in the past but not won for most improved on the day) in a close into quality, sharp play and I foresee a couple of years. All three were to encounter. some good results for them over the bring us success. next two years. We got five pairs into So we went into the Nationals week the last 16 (including Chapman & Dan Humes and Nina Lange were at the end of term knowing that Alsam-Baskeyfield) and our top two our top Third Form pair in the U14 at senior level, only our very best senior pairs progressed to quarters: beginners. They won through their pool performances would be good enough here Jamie Humes and Samson Yick easily and had their first real test in the to bring silverware. Through the week met top seeds Eton and didn’t have semi-final, which did indeed become there was probably less than the enough to trouble them. George Lewis a real test. They went 1-0 up but Eton usual drama, though Tom Bromley- and George Panayi made it through rallied to 1-1. Nina and Dan responded Davenport and Lysander Adair showed to the the final (despite losing the first to go 2-1 up, the fourth was terrifically tenacity and character to retrieve a game 13-14 to Westminster in their close but Eton pinched it 11-12: two match from 2-0 down against Eton. semi). The first game of the final was all! Characters held and passed the They lived to play another round and hard-fought and close throughout: Eton test: Nina’s calm under pressure was tried the same tactic against Highgate, won it 13-12. The rest of the match key as Dan’s expectations of himself losing two then winning the third, might have been very different had it threatened to cause an implosion. In but this time it was just too great a gone the other way, but the opposition the final Nina and Dan were stronger challenge. They nonetheless showed got more confident and more effective having been tested and knowing better they have the ability to apply what they whilst George and George, though they how to deal with the pressure. They pick up in training to the big games, so got stuck in, were not setting up and won this match 3-1, including a critical I have high hopes for them – and the then executing a plan with the same 15-14 to go 2-1 ahead. rest of the year group – over the next confidence and fluidity they can. We few years. lost 3-0. In the Ladies’ Festival our Third and Fourth Form girls really got stuck in. Our top two pairs (Sophia Breese & Tilly Reynolds; Phoebe Wasdell & Lizzie Ware) got through their pools and never looked back, meeting each other in the competition final. Sophia and Tilly won this 3-0 (although again, a very close 3rd game finished 13-12). It is very impressive indeed that the girls have reached this standard in their first year playing the game. This is in no small part due to the excellent technical coaching and hard work of Andy Barnard.

My thanks go to the players for their hard work and commitment throughout the season and to all of the staff for the same!

Seb Cooley Nina Lange and Tilly Reynolds 46 SCHOOL NEWS

Girls’ Sport (Hockey, , )

It was an exciting start to Michaelmas term fixtures this year with junior girls representing the School for the first time.

the Monday night league, girls are playing against experienced adult teams to try and develop different skills and improve their reading of the game. Selection has been difficult at times with injuries, academic clashes, lost dresses, forgetfulness and too many pre-match burgers, but the team have performed well generally, finishing in 6th place.

In the county tournament this year, we were keen to repeat last year’s performance of reaching the final. The team played well through the group stages, but unfortunately we were just In Hockey, the U14s had an amazing Chester and drawing with Malvern pipped at the post, losing the semi-final first season, remaining unbeaten in St James. 15-16 after extra time. all School fixtures. This included a 10-0 win against Wrekin College, Lacrosse continued into the Lent term, On top of this, there is a full programme an 8-0 win against Shrewsbury High which included the North Schools of fixtures for the seniors and juniors in School and a 2-0 win against Moreton Tournament for the juniors. The girls the Lent term. The 1st team recorded Hall. Unfortunately for the squad, the won three out of the four games in wins over King’s Chester, Adams’ county tournament fell during October their group, resulting in a place in the Grammar, Shrewsbury Sixth Form half term, but the nine-man team still semi-finals. After a close match they College and . Not to managed to make it to the semi-finals. won 5-2 moving them into the finals be outdone, the junior girls were also A fantastic first season, looking ahead against Moreton Hall. After a back and victorious against Oswestry and King’s to more success in the future. forth battle Shrewsbury lost 2-9, but this and with such a great depth in the was a great result for our first year in squad, we are looking forward to more The senior girls’ hockey team have the competition. The senior girls were fixtures and more wins next year. been less successful this year. There also involved in more fixtures against were strong performances home Cheltenham and Birmingham University This year the 1st team has been led and away against King’s Chester and and recorded an impressive win over well by captain Immy Hill, and it is a narrow 1-0 defeat against Wrekin Lucton School. Captain of lacrosse this leadership along with her strong College. A good win against Bedstone Abby Attenborough was selected to determination and high level of skill was the highlight of the season and the represent Wales U19 at the Home and accuracy that sees her being team finished positively with a 4-0 win Internationals Tournament and is also awarded player of the year. Our 2nd against Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. part of the U19 World Cup this summer. team have improved greatly throughout We wish her well. the season. This has been due to There have been more Lacrosse developed skills in both circles, which fixtures for Shrewsbury this year than were lacking at the start of the season. ever before, including matches against A special mention has to go to Gladys Moreton Hall, Queen’s Chester and Lam, who has developed into a strong Birkenhead School in the Michalemas shooter, but this year’s 2nd team player term. Again the U14s were outstanding of the year is Laura Cooke. and won all but one of their games before Christmas, with a particularly Nicola Bradburne impressive victory over Birkenhead School 13-5. Senior lacrosse has also been successful, beating Queen’s

More fixtures, more teams, more bibs and more balls meant 2015 has been an exciting year for Netball. There are a handful of fixtures in the Michaelmas term for the senior girls to get some pre-season training in, which includes regular Monday evening matches in the Shrewsbury and District league as well as their county tournament. In SCHOOL NEWS 47

School Sports Awards

Forty of the School’s most talented and committed sportsmen and women were honoured at the Sports Awards Lunch for Upper Sixth students on Sunday 19th April, hosted by the Salopian Club.

The celebratory lunch was attended by Sixth Form students, parents, staff and representatives of OS sports clubs, who enjoyed a fascinating and inspiring speech by Guest of Honour Tony Barker (DB 1968-73). Tony was an outstanding sportsman at Shrewsbury and has continued to play sport - particularly football and - at an elite level. He has also combined his passion for sport with his business knowledge as a chartered accountant to set up a sports management company, with four other Old Salopians, which has been fundamental in the establishment and development of world class cricket in Dubai.

During the presentation ceremony, Head of Girls’ Sport Nicola Bradburne paid tribute to each of the Sports Awards winners for their achievements and contributions to school sport during their years at Shrewsbury.

Abby Attenborough, winner of the Eleanor Gurden Award for Outstanding Contribution to Girls’ Sport presented by Elle Gurden (MSH 08-10) Toby Thomas, winner of The David Spencer Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Boys’ Sport presented by Sara Spencer, daughter of David Spencer Outstanding Contribution to Girls’ Sport Award: Abby Attenborough Outstanding Contribution to Boys’ Abby has been School Lacrosse Captain for the last two years Sport Award: Toby Thomas and is an international lacrosse player, representing Wales Toby has been a committed member of the Boat Club U19 for the past few years. She has recently competed throughout his time at the School. He has made a huge in the Home Countries Tournament and will be part of contribution to some excellent results in all the crews he has the U19 World Championship squad this July. Abby has been part of. In 2013 he was selected to represent Great been involved in other school sports such as netball, tennis Britain in the VIII at the annual J16 GB France match and and most recently has been an integral part of the Hunt, they went on to win their race. In 2014 he narrowly missed competing in national events. Her desire to be the best at out on selection for the GB Junior team but did represent everything she does has resulted in Abby using her free time Wales in the Home International Regatta, helping to lead the to complete extra training sessions and this demonstrates her coxless four to a significant victory. high level of motivation and determination.

Sportsman of the Year: Jamie Humes Jamie has had an outstanding season as a 1st XI footballer, scoring goals regularly whilst playing in a difficult role as the lone striker. He was a real handful for all opposition. In cricket, Jamie is a very talented wicketkeeper and middle order batsman. He scores runs at an attractive rate, hitting the ball very hard. Jamie has also represented the School at Fives and recently competed in the Williams Team Cup and at the National Open Championships, after reaching the U15 final three years ago. Jamie Humes with Guest of Honour, Tony Barker (DB 1968-73) 48 SCHOOL NEWS

Sportswoman of the Year: Lettie Tay

Lettie has made an important contribution to girls’ rowing at Shrewsbury. Her most impressive result to date was a place in the final in the sculls at last year’s Henley Women’s Regatta. She was selected to represent Wales in the Junior Single and the Senior Women’s Four at the Home Countries Regatta in July. She is taking part in GB trials this year and is working towards gaining selection to represent Great Britain at the Junior World Championships. (Lettie was not present at the lunch, as she was competing in the Birmingham Regatta. Her parents accepted the trophy on her behalf.)

Barker Triple First Award: George Lewis

This is a new award, generously donated by Guest of Honour Tony Barker, and presented for the first time this year. It recognises those who have achieved sporting firsts in at least three sports.

George Lewis is the only member of this year’s Upper Sixth to have achieved this feat - which demonstrates how difficult it is. George is a central midfield player for the 1st XI football team; he is the current 1st XI cricket captain, leading from the front as an opening batsman; and he is also Captain of Fives and part of the 1st Pair. George Lewis with Guest of Honour, Tony Barker (DB 1968-73)

The following pupils were nominated to the following pupils, who have Esmé O’Keeffe for Sportsman of the Year and the all made special contributions to Mary Parrott David Spencer Memorial Award one or more sports in their time at Nick Pearce for Outstanding Contribution Shrewsbury. James Pollard to Sport: Elliott Robinson-Bolton Alex Bird Jake Samuel Charlie Adams George Birt Hannah Sanderson Roan Kirkby Nick Cabot Alex Shaw George Lewis Ulrik Cappelen Ross Viljoen George Patterson Theo Clarke Edie Whittingham James Plaut Laura Cooke Charlie Davis Special mention was also given to the The following pupils were nominated Millie Dean two Sixth Form Sports Scholars, Max for Sportswoman of the Year and Dan Durman the Eleanor Gurden Award for McClure (Alex Wilson Scholar) and Fred Earlam Outstanding Contribution to Oliver Westbury (Cassidy Scholar), Katie Elcock Girls’ Sport: whose achievements and commitment Charlie Godman to Shrewsbury School Sport over the Immy Hill Sam Hill last two years have been tremendous Cecy Price Tatty Hunt and who have both proved themselves Claudia Kimpton-Smith Charlie Johnston to be very deserving of their Sam Kandi scholarships. Service to Sports Awards Tory Mobley Hugo Morgan Service to Sports Awards were given Ciara Murphy SCHOOL NEWS 49

Shrewsbury School Foundation

Shrewsbury School is pleased When asked to comment Howard is to continue to offer the same world to announce that Howard Hodgson said, “The Hodgsons are class education they or their children Hodgson and his family have delighted to have the honour of received we need investment. Fees naming Shrewsbury School’s new alone do not cover the costs of the made a substantial gift in Humanities Building. During our developments we have seen over the support of Shrewsbury School’s daughter Eliza’s time at Shrewsbury last ten years. That is why we rely on new 19-classroom Humanities considerable works took place all our supporters, both parents and Building. As such Shrewsbury throughout the School but I was Old Salopians, to help us remain at the School has asked that Howard acutely aware of the need for new forefront of education in the UK”. state of the art humanities facilities. accept the honour of naming We are delighted to join other Old The Foundation thanks all those large the building. The name will be Salopians and parents in the support or small donors who see the value in Hodgson Hall. of this important project. We hope that investing in Shrewsbury School’s future. the faculties of Economics, Geography, Shrewsbury’s new state of the art Religious Studies, and particularly The opening of the Hodgson Hall will Humanities Building is the first phase History and Business Studies will be take place on Old Salopian Day, 3rd of Shrewsbury School’s five-phase happy in their new home and that October 2015 which coincides with the development plans. Each project has the pupils of Shrewsbury School year of the Foundation’s been agreed and prioritised by School will take full advantage of this 50th anniversary. Governors. All of our projects provide tremendous facility.” Shrewsbury with the ability to continue to provide a world class education to The Foundation is so very pleased that our boys and girls whilst strengthening Howard and his family have become our academic rigour. This is consistent the lead contributors to the new with the Headmaster’s 2020 Vision Hodgson Hall. The Headmaster, Mark approved by our School Governors Turner, said, “As all parents and Old in 2012. Salopians know, if Shrewsbury School 50 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

From the Director of the Salopian Club

Observant Salopians will have Janet’s eye (as a qualified architect) careers programme for current noticed a change in staff at will no doubt have been caught by pupils at the School, Kate has the Salopian Club office. Janet the fast-rising new academic block established an extraordinary rapport Scholes has taken up the post of being built between Oldham’s and with Old Salopians as well – Administrator, on the retirement of Ridgemount. Boasting nineteen creating a network of professional Miriam Walton. The Administrator’s classrooms, many of them named groups within the Old Salopian job is an exceptionally busy one after legendary teachers from community able to offer work – updating the Club website, the past, five faculty offices and experience, advice and expertise, administering events, assembling a sunken lecture hall, this latest and mentoring an increasing the newsletters and the OS addition to the site will be officially number of young Old Salopians, section of the Salopian Magazine, opened on Old Salopian Day on particularly at the start of their maintaining the accounts, not to Saturday 3rd October. All Old careers. In her short time here she mention keeping the Director on Salopians are warmly encouraged has won the respect and admiration the straight and narrow, but few to attend the opening ceremony of pupils, staff, parents and Old details seem to pass Janet by. and reception, followed by lunch Salopians alike, for her infectious Janet is joined by a new in Kingsland Hall, but please enthusiasm, efficiency and Administrative Assistant, Adam complete the Old Salopian Day perception. Thanks to her efforts, Randles, whose main responsibility booking form. Shrewsbury can now offer one of lies in maintaining and updating the best school careers services in a burgeoning Club database, and On a sadder note, we say farewell the land; her legacy will live on. to this Adam brings a youthful to Kate Daubney, our first Careers dimension and technological Fellow. Apart from organising a Floreat Salopia awareness. comprehensive Nick Jenkins

Salopian Connect

Salopian Connect is the new secure online community to share and find out what your fellow OS have been doing. open to all OS. We are currently uploading content onto the site and testing it with a small group but, once it is up and It will also help us to develop our careers service by running, we will be inviting you to sign in and try it out. including a business directory, mentoring contacts, job search Amongst other things, Salopian Connect will enable you to: and other useful information.

Search for and get in touch with other OS, without having to You will be able to access Salopian Connect via the main go through our office. Salopian Club section of the School website. All the information will be secure, visible only to other OS, and you Update your own details on our database, for example a can choose what you would like them to be able to see. change of address or email. This is an exciting new development, which we hope you Find out about and book tickets online for OS events. will sign up to and make use of. Please look out for the details coming out shortly by email, on our website and in Upload news, announcements and photographs you would like the next copy of The Salopian magazine. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 51

SALOPIAN CLUB EVENTS

29th January - Chester Club Dinner Speakers, including Sir Eldryd Parry, have not attended such events before. The Chester City Club provided a Anna Peak and Peter Stewart, were It was particularly notable that we were magnificent backdrop to the Old on good form and the food (which joined by a number of recent leavers Salopian Chester Dinner which filled included the now infamous rice pudding who contributed greatly to the pleasant the dining room to full capacity. with Walsall Sauce) went down a treat. conversation and positive atmosphere. After a word of welcome from Nick After dinner Professor Michael Proctor Jenkins (M 1974-78), the President of Once members and friends had (O 1963-67), of King’s College, the Chester City Club and organiser sufficiently recovered the next day, the gave his speech, which included of the event, over 40 Old Salopians compliments started flowing, with one a celebration of the historical links (including the President of the member describing the evening as the between the School and the University. Salopian Club, Sir Eldryd Parry (SH best OS dinner he had attended. The Headmaster then spoke about 1944-48), the Chairman, Peter Stewart some of the recent developments at the (Ch 1958-63), and the Headmaster, 16th April - The President’s Dinner School, including the very successful Mark Turner) enjoyed a gastronomic The President of the Salopian Club, Sir move to co-education and the new feast cooked and served by the Club Eldryd Parry, hosted a Salopian Club buildings on the site. staff. The toast to the Salopian Club dinner on 16th April in the Old Library was proposed by John Evans, the sole at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where And finally guests were treated to a Carthusian present, who revelled in his he is a Fellow. medley of song by a small group of role of Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and very talented OS singers, Henry the reply was given by the Headmaster The reception and drinks were held Southern (G 2003-08), Chris Cox who updated those present on current in the Upper Hall, where Sir Eldryd (M 2004-09), Chris Jamieson (G 2004-09) events at the School, as well as gave his welcome speech, before the and Sam Grainger (SH 2004-09). engaging in some light-hearted banter assembled guests moved to the Old This was so enjoyable that there about Salopian/Carthusian rivalry. Library via the cloisters of New Court. were calls for an encore, resulting Dinner itself was a very convivial in a splendid acapella version of 5th March - Birmingham Dinner occasion, with OS from across the age ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ which range sharing stories and enjoying the had guests clapping along. delicious food and good company. It was lovely to see some familiar faces It was a very special occasion, which but also a number of members who will prove memorable in years to come.

Birmingham Dinner

A wonderful evening was had by those who attended the Birmingham Dinner on 5th March. The event was organised by Richard Woodgate, Chairman of the Birmingham branch of the Salopian Club, and was held in the St Paul’s Private Members Club.The attendees were treated to entertainment by some of Shrewsbury School’s most talented young singers, Ed Carroll, James Ollerhead and Loren Kell, led by John Moore. The assembled guests then proved to be in good voice themselves, as they joined in with a hearty rendition of Carmen. President’s Dinner, Emmanuel College, Cambridge

16th January - Salopian Club Committee, Supper and Presentation

A special celebratory supper in Kingsland Hall followed the January meeting of the Salopian Club Committee. This was a lovely opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the notable efforts of some recent members.

Following speeches from the Headmaster, Mark Turner, and the Club Director, Nick Jenkins, House colours, in the form of scarves, were presented to Old Salopians Paul Nichols, Peter Worth, Nick Randall, Richard Barber and David Thomas in recognition of their hard work for and commitment to the Club over many years. Salopian Club colours were given to Miriam Walton, retiring Administrator, with thanks for all her efforts whilst in post.

With delicious food provided by the in-house team and wine flowing, there was a relaxed and enthusiastic atmosphere, reflecting the positive position the Club finds itself in moving forward. 52 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

A Round-up of OS Representatives

Old Salopians can be found in the furthest flung corners of the globe. The Club stays in touch with OS overseas, via our regular e-News and this magazine amongst other things, but we also have a hardworking group of OS Representatives who use local knowledge and contacts to build networks, keep us up to date with news and even host visiting OS on occasions. We also have some UK representatives, who do valuable work organising regional events and activities.

Chris Buckley (I 1964-68) OS John Davies (R 1956 – 61) I am still working at a leisurely pace Representative for The Maritime OS Representative for Ontario just to keep the brain functioning. My Provinces of hobbies, like many people my age, are bridge and golf.

Kit Childs (SH 1954-58) in Nova Scotia writes: My wife and I have lived here for 45 years. I have been through three careers in medicine in that time: family practice, emergency psychiatry and now (for five years) sleep medicine. The latter has been and continues to be the most interesting and fun.

Outside medical practice we have produced three children, one of whom was on the Canadian Olympic sailing team and all of whom are enjoying successful careers. Our other consuming passion has been and is grape growing. We started one of Nova Scotia’s first commercial vineyards (in 1986) and after selling our share in that we have run a small non-commercial vineyard which annually garners a The photograph is of my last outing in collection of medals for wine made the rowing world. It was in 2002 in the from our grapes. ‘Head of the Gorge’ in Victoria BC. I used to row out there with Brentwood So, in my 75th year, there is still no College Masters. The stroke is Harold time to sit down and reflect! It’s been Backer, an ex-Olympian, who now After graduating as a CA I came to a good ride but we often wonder how works in admissions at Brentwood Canada in 1968 for a couple of years, to things might have been if the Canada College. The two in the middle are see the world and grow up a bit, and bug hadn’t bitten and we had stayed in college staff - under our tutelage, and I am still here. I have two daughters, the UK. We visit the Site every year as there’s me in the bow! We won the one living in Toronto and the other we are both from Shropshire and we quad sculls event by quite a margin currently lives in with my still think it’s the most beautiful of the on ‘masters handicap’. other two grandchildren. English counties.

Nikhil Sampat (M 1991-96) OS Representative for Oman

I decided to take on the position of OS representative in Oman because I believe that one of my core values is actually being a Salopian, and it would be a shame for that identity to fade. Kindly contact me if you happen to live in Oman. Aiden Whytock (SH 1996-2001) OS I would also like help Representative for South Africa facilitate OSs visiting Oman sent us this lovely picture taken at a or planning to do any form braii after one of the games during the of business in the country. School’s South African cricket tour. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 53

Rupert Connor (S 1992-97) through or new to living in the region. witnessed on the championship course OS Representative for Dubai These events are not possible without of Jumeirah Golf Estates. the support and attendance of the There are some things in life that are Salopian community – thank you to all As it was a weekend, the holes were for certain, one of them being that no those who continue to take part and getting rather backed up, and with matter where you are in the world keep the spirit of the school alive here Edward Gallagher’s careful research you’re never very far away from a in the Middle East. and due diligence before each shot, Salopian! I have lived in Dubai since we had to let through a number 2007 but it was only in 2013 that I It was a pleasant day in Dubai for of players. However, records were truly picked up the mantle of Salopian the second annual Dubai Salopian broken and I think we managed to get Club representative by fielding a Club get together, which in this year’s around in just over six hours. It was 100% Salopian cricket team against a incarnation was golf. Numbers had great to catch up with some fellow well-known expatriate club out here. somewhat dwindled from three 4-balls Salopians for a beer afterwards. The It was a truly memorable day for all to two 3-balls but still a good turn out Salopian Club kindly donated two sets involved and their families and served nevertheless. Nick Green displayed of Shrewsbury School cuff links as the as a reminder of the bond those who true commitment by flying in especially prizes. Unfortunately, the prizes were attended the School will always share. from Bahrain the same morning for the not based on performance, going to Since then I have hosted the touring occasion. Edward Gallagher took the Nick Green for travelling so far and Nik cricket team for dinner, which was also short trip from his apartment in Dubai Tryggvason for causing actual bodily attended by a number of Old Salopians, Marina to collect Nick and myself and harm on his person and for losing his a wine tasting and the golf day already take us to the course. We ended up keys. As always we hope to build on mentioned this year. There is now a splitting into a “junior” and “senior” 3 the connections made this day and look Facebook group called the “Middle East ball – and the juniors headed off first. forward to another event in 2016. Salopian Club”, so please feel free to With none of us being actual golfers, join or get in touch if you are passing the standard wasn’t the best they’d

my friends and this stood me in good recent years had six consecutive Old stead in my early days as a naval rating Salopian dinners at the St Paul’s Club and beyond. I was fortunate enough in Birmingham. The Club takes up to to have some remarkable friends at a maximum of 50 diners at one long Shrewsbury who had qualities I did not table so the occasion is open solely to possess and I admired and respected Old Salopians, male or female but not them. I hope it was mutual. partners, and we usually manage to fill the table. The age range of attendees If I had not become a chartered is from eighty to eighteen and it is accountant and a stockbroker I always pleasing to welcome recent OS, should very much like to have been particularly those working in the City a schoolmaster, teaching economics of Birmingham. The Headmaster has and commerce. So now I enjoy my always been kind enough to attend and return visits to the Schools to meet respond to the toast to the Schools and and observe the pupils of today and John Moore with current pupils, once to see how the School has developed. replete, has provided some excellent To my delight none of the true musical entertainment after dinner. Salopian values, which I believed in, I have a vibrant committee of varying seem to have been lost, whilst the ages which meets twice a year. lifestyle has become now much more Through the committee we have adult and enlightened. I would say arranged a curry supper, a day at Richard Woodgate (Rt 1954-59) I somewhat regret the demise of the the Edgbaston Test, ladies’ tennis at OS Representative for the Salopian language (do the pupils still The Priory, golf at Blackwell, and a Birmingham Area “waz” before exams or “groize” to dinner at the Lord Leycester Hospital attain attention?) and the practice of in , with direct connections to Shrewsbury School transformed me; “capping”, that is touching behind the Sir Philip Sidney. For these functions I arrived as an extremely homesick ear in respectful salute to masters as there have been varying numbers new scum and I finished up as Head of one passed by. Although not naturally of attendees but our staple diet will House. The old public school regime musical myself, the music department remain the annual dinner and Christmas of fagging, beating, cold showers and of today under the direction of John drinks. There is a close relationship and the like, which was present in my day, Moore is quite exceptional and I have a real affinity amongst Birmingham OS has gone, which is very much to the been fortunate to have attended many both with the School and each other good, although it had its place at the quite outstanding concerts both at the and we wish to foster that relationship time and did not really hurt me. There Schools and further afield. for old time’s sake. is now a much closer relationship between staff and pupils; they work With that background, it is not If you live in Birmingham or the wider together as a team in the pursuit of surprising that I was pleased to take on Midlands area and have not been to excellence. The hardship of earlier the chairmanship of the Birmingham one of our functions, then do give us a years, however, taught me to value Branch as part of the Salopian Club in try; we should love to see you. the support and companionship of its new structure. We have in 54 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Malcolm Davies (R 1951-56) OS Representative for South Yorkshire

I live in South Yorkshire. My time at Shrewsbury (1951-56) was shared between Rigg’s Hall in the halcyon days when Hugh Brooke (Brookie) was Housemaster, the river and sundry other sporting activities (running, shooting, swimming, etc) with an occasional spell in the classroom! My son followed me at Rigg’s in 1983 - 88 where he was far more successful than I.

After school, I joined The United Steel Companies (one of the main parts of British Steel) who sent me to Newcastle (King’s College within the University of Durham) to read metallurgy. Metallurgy could be hard work so I transferred to the softer life of sales where I was one time export manager for two mills in Rotherham and a further two mills in Newport.

In my spare time, I was a member of Junior Chamber and commanded a squadron of Royal Engineers (TA).I have always maintained close links with the School and was Secretary of Sabrina and a member of the main OS Committee. I organised the ‘Rigg’s 150’ celebrations in May 2011 and would be interested in helping or organising social events in Yorkshire – please send any ideas to [email protected]

In the photograph, taken in 2012, I am the one with the pink flower.

Michael Peacock (Ch 1950-55) Agriculture. I have been Chairman of our Parish Council and OS Representative for the South West Region have just served four years as a District Councillor.

I am chairman of the South West Events Group which is My daughter Laura is also an Old Salopian (MSH 2010 - 12). comprised of four people with outside input as necessary. We have organised events at Wells in 2012 and near Taunton I am looking to kick start the North Yorkshire Old Salopian in 2014. Both were successful but short in numbers. I feel contingent with an event in the near future and would very strongly that these sorts of events are the best way of welcome any input from Old Salopians in the area. keeping in touch with other OS in the wide area. We plan to do another event in May 2016 and we shall start planning for I can be contacted: this in October. We hope to get more people to come to this by post: High Barn, Carlton in Coverdale, Leyburn, event, as it is a very wide area. North Yorkshire DL8 4BD by phone: 01969 640566 by email: [email protected] Matthew Wilkes (I 1974-79) OS Representative for North Yorkshire We also have representatives in other countries as follows: At school I was average at my academic studies, but took part in a wide range of sports from the river to the RSSH. Australia, New South Wales – Nic Andrews (M 1970-75) I had the privilege of being Team Leader of the Invashrew Hong Kong – Komei Ogiyama (M 2002-07) Car Project which won ‘The Young Engineer of Britain Malaysia – Hugh Mainwaring (SH 1986-90) Competition 1979’. I live in the Yorkshire Dales and work in OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 55

News of Old Salopians

1940 - 1959 ALZHEIMER’S

Sir John Lea (Rt 1937-41) has sent us My love is leaving, slowly going away, a photograph of his first (and only) Memory and mind, stealthily, day by day. great granddaughter, Mira Morton, born 27th June 2014. She is the (Alzheimer’s.) daughter of his daughter, Isobel Morton (née Mackintosh) . They talk of Amyloid beta and plaque, Macrophages, neurons and genes. But for trying to get my loved one back They’re not coming up with the means.

Then the Amyloid beta is found in clumps And peptides poke holes in membranes. But for killing bad proteins they’re finding no trumps. Those proteins keep killing our brains.

Doctor Alzheimer it was who first spotted Those neurofibrillary tangles. But they only can tell if you’ve got it. For a cure they aren’t finding new angles. Keith Ferris (R 1944-48) has just found out that there is an anecdote (Alzheimer’s) featuring him in Anne Widdecombe’s autobiography! The caregiver learns, slowly, that the role Needs character and love and strength of soul. David Mitchell (Rt 1947-52) writes: My generation is a shrinking number, David Mitchell (Rt 1947-52) but some others may be going through the same experience as me - taking care of an ailing spouse. In my case, John Cooke (M 1948-53) writes: It was with no little surprise that I recently Kathy, my wife of 56 years, is suffering realized I had lived fifty years past the self-imposed sell-by date I had predicted from advanced Alzheimer’s disease. while at Shrewsbury. At that time 30 seemed a ripe and improbable age almost I am fortunate that my son and family beyond reach. Although I had no clear vision of what life might hold in the years to have brought us into their home, so come, the fact that I did indeed survive to thirty — and well beyond — seems, with we have a team of helpers. the wisdom of hindsight, even more improbable today, given the challenges and adventures that followed. Not long ago I composed a poem (above right) about this horrible illness. I never craved either fame or fortune, and do not hold it against the Fates that Apart from that subject, I continue both eluded me. I am content to have passed a life that I would not wish to to play bridge, though not up to the exchange with any other. I am put in mind of an elderly maid in my parents’ standard that my late brother Malcolm house who expressed her philosophy of life thus: “’Appy? Who wants to be enjoyed. That plus (lousy) golf and ’appy? Comfortable is all I ask.” Many of my most rewarding experiences have crossword puzzles keep me mentally been marked by physical discomfort, and I would not have had it any other way. and physically active. This photograph Wherever the tectonic plates of fate have carried me, one constant has been my illustrates one of the different hazards fascination with spiders and their arachnid relatives, an addiction that flourished at we have on our golf courses! Shrewsbury and contributed to my perceived marginalisation. Spiders contributed to a successful academic career in Zoology at Oxford, which in time led to a career in wildlife filming, and provided excuses for travel to remote and beautiful places. Among my varied incarnations I have also started an educational non-profit organisation in Bali, developed a special interest in disability and outsider art, and restored an XIth century château in France. I have long thought it fortunate not to have been born a cat, for nine lives would have been totally inadequate, whether tempting gravity on crags and buildings, trekking on foot in Africa or confronting hostile tribesmen in the highlands of eastern Anatolia.

The delight that my eighty years have brought may in large measure be traced back to the education so painfully imparted at Shrewsbury long ago, and I am now happy to acknowledge the debt owed to those dedicated masters whose classrooms I tarnished and whose lives I must have blighted. 56 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Robert Raikes (I 1949-53) is still Athel Cornish-Bowden (SH 1956- Tim Butchard (SH 1958-63) writes: active in business with his two sons 61) has been living in Marseilles since “Some Salopians deep into retirement (see Patrick Raikes (I 1973-78) and 1987, as Directeur de Recherche at the end up, as I have done, managing George Raikes (I 1976-81 below). CNRS until 2009, and as Directeur de a charity. My trusts (www.wallace- Recherche Émérite since then. He has trusts.org.uk) award scholarships and Patrick Raikes (I 1973-78) is a partner been married since 1982 to María de fellowships in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Sales Manager of the company la Luz Cárdenas Cerda and has three and Burma, three countries low on Raikes Fonseca SAS, distributing daughters. He has written several books good governance but well stocked machinery for the Metal Working of an academic nature, most recently with natural beauty and political industry in Colombia & Ecuador the 4th edition of “Fundamentals of mayhem. Friends praise my ‘courage’ South America. Enzyme Kinetics”, published by for visiting Pakistan regularly, but they Wiley-Blackwell in 2012. needn’t. Low-profile visitors sneak George Raikes (I 1976-81) is a partner about with impunity and are cosseted and the Sales Manager in Raikes y Cia Francis Clark-Lowes (S 1958-61) at night in lavish, blast-proof hotels. SAS which sells steel from throughout writes: “I am now retired, having had The best of these even have discreet the World for use by local industry/ a number of careers through my life, bars for non-Muslim ‘alcoholics’, commerce in Colombia. the most important being the Civil serving lagers brewed in the Murree Service (1968-75, Executive Officer in Hills near Islamabad. Also in Murree, David Pearson (R 1953-57) has been the Crown Estate Office, Immigration defended by high fences and armed awarded the OBE for his services Officer at Heathrow Terminal 3), guards, is Lawrence College, seedbed to charity. Saudi Arabian Airlines (1979-89, of Pakistan’s elite, where my former English Language Instructor & Senior Housemaster, Michael Charlesworth, Richard Moxon (SH 1955-59) Instructor in Jeddah; Training Specialist was once the acclaimed Headmaster, trained as a medical doctor (St John’s in Dhahran) and Self-Employed and where some Salopian traditions College, Cambridge and St Thomas’s Psychotherapist and Counsellor are still observed. Hospital, London.) After a long sojourn (1990-2007, NHS and Private). From (www.lawrencecollege.edu.pk). in the United States (1970 - 84) he 1975 to 1977 I walked from London returned to the UK to take up the Chair to Cairo, after which I married an The founder of our trusts, Charles of Paediatrics at Oxford University. Austrian woman I had met in Vienna Wallace, was a nabob of British India The Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and on the way, Annemarie. By her I have whose fortune he donated to the people Tropical Medicine (CCVTM) marked its two children, Philip and Julia. The of India at his death in 1916. It was later tenth Anniversary on 13th September latter at the time of writing is about to divided between the four independent 2015 with the unveiling of a plaque produce my first grandchild. In 1999 territories of the subcontinent. Our honouring Professor Moxon, who I was awarded a doctorate for my fellowship candidates are physicians, founded the Centre. research on Wilhelm Stekel, an early scientists, teacher educators, historians, psychoanalyst. This fills a significant civil servants, artists, writers, and lacuna in the history of psychoanalysis, candlestick makers. They compete and is published as Freud’s Apostle: for short, professional visits to the UK Wilhelm Stekel and the Early History funded by us, and are impressive, of Psychoanalysis. In 2009 I married engaging people, as horrified by political again, to Christine. I am at present violence and the rise of extremism as writing a book which seeks to explain anyone. The picture (below) shows the changes in the way the First World my charity receiving a trophy from the War has been regarded over the past UK Alumni Association of Islamabad. century; for the time being the title is Hammad Sheikh is my chief British Blaming the Germans.” Council contact, and his boss, the Council’s Education Director, Nishat 1960 - 1969 David Bailey (I 1958-63) writes: Riaz, is second from left. They received “We spend as much time as we can trophies too. Almost ten years on, my with our daughters and their husbands. trustees are surprisingly tolerant of my Michael Johnson (S 1955-60) One lives near Monmouth with our two continuation, even if, behind the scenes, recently competed in the European grandsons and the other in London. they are probably researching foolproof Veterans’ M70 5km Cross-Country I have written a book: “The English ways of easing me into retirement. Championships, in Torun, Poland. Woman and C.G. Jung” which is a Michael ran a time of 20.32.5, helping fictional biography of my Great Aunt, the GB team to a gold medal. Ruth Bailey and her 36-year friendship with the world famous psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung and his wife. All principal events and plot in the book are true but I have added some fictional dialogue, to glue the facts together.

My other spare time is taken up with photography and I take an active role in my local Photography Society. I also enter various International Photography salons, recently gaining a couple of acceptances but so far no prizes. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 57

Roger Pitts-Tucker (SH 1959-64) responsibility for the finances of one has been asked by the Runnymede of the country’s largest dioceses. In 1970 - 1979 River Thames Magna Carta Pageant to January 2014 he also became Chair put together a ten-man boat crew for of the Gibraltar Financial Services Richard Thomson (R 1966-70) 14th June this year. Further, his boat Commission. Later last year, he became writes: “I have been Watson Gordon has been selected to lead the Royal Chair of Retail Charity Bonds plc, a Professor of Fine Art at the University Barge “Gloriana” in the finale towards company set up with the backing of of Edinburgh since 1996. In 2009, I Runnymede Meadow. The boat is a the Cabinet Office to permit charities to was visiting Slade Professor of Fine fixed seat “invasion boat” of the kind raise finance through retail bonds listed Art at the (back often seen in TV films, two oarsmen on the London Stock Exchange. to where I started as an art historian), to each thwart. The crew will include the lectures being published as Art four OS: Roger himself, Peter Hunter Changez Sultan (M 1966-68) writes: of the Actual (Yale University Press) (S 1964-69), Grahame Hunter (S 1967- “I would like to share a poem that I in 2012. Much of my work involves 72) and Miles Preston (DB 1963-68). have written about a most distinguished exhibitions. I came up with the concept Salopian who, in his time, made and selected the Monet retrospective a phenomenal contribution to the held in Paris in 2010-11, the most Kim Marshall (S 1961-65) writes: School - and indeed to the lives of successful art exhibition staged at the “After four terrifically enriching years at many students there, including mine. Grand Palais, with over 910,000 visitors. Shrewsbury (a rarity for an American), In a sense, I could claim a bit more of Currently I am working on Splendeurs I went to Harvard and graduated in the him as he had also been my Principal et Misères, Images de la prostitution middle of the Vietnam War. This led to back in Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, en France, 1850-1910, to be seen at the a job as an inner-city teacher - not my Pakistan, before I ended up at Musée d’Orsay from September 2015 intended career but a deferment from a in Shrewsbury.” and then at the Van Gogh Museum war I had no intention of taking part in. in Amsterdam in early 2016. The next I didn’t expect to be in the classroom project is a Seurat exhibition of the for more than a couple of years, but I AN ELEGY FOR MICHAEL Metropolitan Museum in New York, for got hooked and am still in the business CHARLESWORTH by February 2017. The French Government - nine years as a Boston sixth-grade CHANGEZ SULTAN appointed me Officier dans l’Ordre des teacher, six in the central office as Arts et des Lettres in 2012.” curriculum and planning director, 15 as an elementary school principal (in No less the father I left behind. Clive Bonny (M 1966-71) has America’s oldest elementary school, At times a mentor who honed my been running student employability established in 1639), and now a coach mind; programmes endorsed by the Royal of principals, consultant, and author, Always a friend who shared my pain; Society of Arts Manufacturers and including the weekly Marshall Memo, Always my shelter Commerce. The initial pilot scheme a widely read digest of the best In the rain, set out to promote clothes-recycling to thinking and research in K-12 education students, graduates and educationalists. www.marshallmemo.com. No wonder then a part of me Achievements included obtaining 1.5 Wants to scream till eternity tonnes of used clothes for Brighton I’ve had the great good fortune to be Why I made so little time Fashion Week’s ten textile design happily married for 42 years, and our To learn by heart graduates, a world record 1.5-tonne two children are both amazing teachers, That one rhyme ‘pom-pom’, and involving local one in a public school, the other in a schools in holding fashion shows, private school. I’ve made three return Of one walking up the stair making garments and raising money trips to Shrewsbury and have stayed in To meet a man who wasn’t there - for wildlife projects. The project has touch with Alan Laurie, my wise and But you were always there for me created the opportunity to design an nurturing housemaster, and recently Guiding my dreams, entrepreneurship course for students saw David Gee, who is as sharp and My destiny! around recycling and the next stage funny as ever. I have an aerial photo of the project centres around creating of The Schools above my desk to The other part of me is you a toolkit for others to apply similar remind me of the absolutely first-rate Telling me I have reason to practices. education Shrewsbury gave me so Think I’m still a silly boy many years ago.” Who knows not why John Carnegie (M 1969-74) reports Good men die! the following: “I left Moser’s in 1974, Andrew Eddy (O 1964-69) writes with great Salopian pride (thanks to that he will be sailing in Cuba, Haiti, Revered by those whom you taught Dad, Graham FM Carnegie). I have Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico And those who stood by you and had a wide career after A levels until May and is looking forward to the fought and have now totally settled into a Henley Royal Regatta in July. In real wars - or of the mind - nursing career specialising in strokes I’ve never known in the West Suffolk Hospital Bury St John Tattersall (O 1965-69), in A man as kind. Edmunds Suffolk. I have two wonderful semi-retirement after a career as a daughters. I spent many years with partner at professional services firm Rest in peace knowing you’ll live Bertie Fowler (1971-74) in the Biology PwC, continues to become rather In the hearts of those who give Bs. I did ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels with him, but less retired: he was ordained in the On your account and now bear will always remember him setting us in 2007, and was Your mantle of questions in class - and whilst we were made Chair of the Oxford Diocesan Love and care! ruminating and answering on paper, Board of Finance in January 2014, with he would go and smoke a couple of 58 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

his purple eliptical Passing Cloud Alex Brown (O 1978-82) is relocating Tour de France route into Paris. They cigarettes in his teachers’ room! And to the in June, after hope to raise more than £5k and can then at ‘O’ level we would be asked to spending 27 years in the United States. be supported via Just Giving on the dissect a frog!” He is about to release a YouTube following pages: documentary called ‘Horses: Sports, https://www.justgiving.com/Peter- Ewen Robertson (Ch 1972-77) was Culture and Slaughter’. It examines the Hebblethwaite https://www.justgiving. awarded a PhD on 29th October 2015 plight of horses in the United States. com/Andrew-BarrL2P/ from the University of Wales. The title of his PhD is ‘The Distinctive Missiology Jonathan Crown (M 1978-82) is John Hesling (SH 1984-89) is now of the New Churches: an Analysis and once again planning the annual two- senior Vice President of programming Evaluation’. week trip to Ethiopia for his London- at Shed Media, part of Warner Bros based charity Project Harar. Heading Television, and has now been based in a team of 25 volunteer NHS Surgeons Los Angeles, California for eight years. and support staff from all over the He is married to Simona and they have UK, they will undertake complex two daughters aged four and seven. facial rebuilding surgery on over 50 impoverished rural people with severe 1990 - 1999 facial disfigurements in the most challenging of environments in Addis Ababa. Jonathan set up Project Harar 15 Ben Hebblethwaite (R 1986-91) gave years ago and in that time has operated us the following update: “I qualified on around 4,500 patients, changing as an architect in 2001; it takes a lives one by one. www.projectharar.org surprisingly long time to qualify and Simon Pelly (Rt 1973-78) has just often for most architects even longer completed 13 and a half years selling Warwick Hawkins (S 1978-83) to actually build something of any into government with BT, focussing on was awarded the MBE in the 2014 personal design merit. Having worked networks and cyber security. Birthday Honours list, for services to for larger practices for most of my inter-faith relations. career so far, since 2009 I have been practising with one other architect 1980 - 1989 The Revd Steve Davies (R 1979-83) whose business I share. Working in the has announced his engagement to capacity of Godsmark Architecture, this Nick Barnett (I 1977-82) writes: Miss Julia Briggs. year sees the completion of a new “All three children are now finally build house that is of my own design out of their teens and beginning Simon Frew (PH 1982-87) trained from first sketch to signing off the to strike out into the world. I have with the Bank of England. He spent finished product on site: a new build bought a project property in France five years as Head of Banking & three-bedroom single-storey house which will be completed in 2017 Trust Regulation in Bermuda, and raised on stilts. The construction and will have a sedum roof to help the last nine years working in Qatar is almost entirely timber from its maintain house temperature in all as an Associate Director in banking insulation and performs in an eco kind seasons. I am currently working on regulation. He will be leaving Doha of a way very respectably. two projects for the Oil & Gas sector, soon and taking a break in Shrewsbury, having won almost £3million UK and then South America, while he Fellow Salopians may be interested to funding last year. One of the projects decides what to do next. follow the story of this build on the could provide a safe and improved forthcoming series of Grand Designs alternative to fracking technology. No starting in September/October this more earthquakes! Meanwhile, odd year. They may be proud to watch weekends spent teaching people to fly it knowing that its seeds of design microlights helps to keep me sane.” integrity were born on Top Common (not literally, obviously), but I studied Angus Mackenzie (M 1977-82) got Art under Philip Woolley and so my married on 25th October 2014 to Sylvia, first interests in Architecture evolved whom he describes as his “lovely Dutch from the Art Bs. wife”, at Chateau St Gerlach (very close to Maastricht) in Limburg, The Netherlands.

Nigel Davies (R 1983-88) became engaged to Ms Tasnim Iqbal on 14th March 2015. Their wedding will take place in Greenwich, London on 12th September 2015.

Andrew Barr (S 1984-89) and Peter Hebblethwaite (R 1984-88) are raising money for Cure Leukaemia by riding the 500km from London to Paris over four days in June, following the OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 59

Christian Swaab (PH 1986-91) and his James Shortridge (PH 1992-97) has wife Melonie are delighted to announe become a father again, after his wife 2000 - 2014 the birth of their daughter, Isabella Annabelle gave birth to a fourth son Clementina, on 6th August 2014. – Thomas Jack Deacon Shortridge – Charlie Gifford (Ch 1995-2000) is on 7th April 2014, a brother for Sam, married to Tessa Henderson and they Benjamin and Freddie. have one son, Harry, with another on the way. He is now running the Fulham office of John D Wood.

Matthew Nichols (O 1995-2000) and Gemma Clayton are happy to announce their engagement. Matthew has been in the family business for over seven years and has been working in Africa for the past few years (although based in Manchester). He has now moved to manage the Middle East region, which is their biggest market outside UK.

Daniel Davies (SH 1989-94) now lives Phil Wood (M 1992-97) has become in Cardiff. He is married to Leyla and engaged to Kathryn Ann Holloway, the they have two children, Ella (8) and daughter of John Holloway who taught Sebastian (2). He recently started a new in the School’s Design & Technology job with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water as department until he retired at the end Head of Regulatory Strategy. of last summer. Phil proposed whilst they were diving in a shark tank in Matt Randall (SH 1989-94) has been Dubai. They plan to get married in married to Lucie since 2009 and they September 2016 in Spain. have two children George (2) and Phoebe (1). He is a managing director Tom Graham (Rt 1996-2001) got at Deutsche Bank, equities division. married on 30th August 2014 to Alexandra Sandbach; they are expecting Andrew Zino (M 1989-94) was their first baby in September. appointed Honorary Norwegian Consul in Madeira, officially taking up his post in February 2014. He is married, with three children (8,6 and 4), and is managing partner of Nature Meetings Madeira, as well as a board member of Quinta Do Furao and Fundação Cecilia Zino, a not-for-profit foundation which looks after girls up to the age of 12. He is also taking over his father´s organic Richard Goulding (I 1992-97) was farm, Quinta Das Comleias, where nominated for an Olivier Award for they also rent out two holiday homes, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his as well as being the owner of a small part in King Charles III, written by management consultancy firm Mike Bartlett. in Madeira. Alessio Dyfnallt (PH 1993-98) has Alex Gattas (Ch 1992-97) was been appointed as a Director of the recently appointed as Finance Director Commercial Property Department at of Cobalt Health, a leading medical Cooper Green Pooks in Shrewsbury. charity which operates a state-of-the- Alessio is a fully qualified member John McFarlane (SH 1996-2001) ran art MRI, PET and CT imaging clinic in of the Royal Institution of Chartered the Pyongyang Marathon, North Korea Cheltenham, as well as running a fleet Surveyors and has gathered 9 years on 12th April 2014. John not only of six mobile MRI scanners that offer experience working mainly within the managed to visit the most closed nation services to 18 NHS Trusts. Alex writes: Shropshire and Mid Wales areas. on earth, but also rubbed shoulders “I am passionate about the organisation with everyone from soldiers to mothers I am now a part of, and am enjoying Brad Hyett (S 1993-98) is married and fathers in Pyongyang. He high- using my skills alongside a clinical to Nikhita and they have a two year fived children along the route, visited operation that takes me straight back old son, Ronnie. He has just accepted a water park and spent time visiting a to my Darwin-inspired Biology days the role of Country Manager, UK and school, before playing an improvised at Shrewsbury, and my love of human Ireland, for SlimPay, an automated pan- game of football with the local children. anatomy, physiology and health.” European direct debit business. John said: “The reality was so far from 60 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

the printed truth that I feel honoured Theater Festival, and staged at the ‘The Island’, broadcast on television and privileged, having had the chance Seattle Repertory Theater as winner during April and May. He was one of to interact with the supposed ‘hermit of the Northwest Playwrights Alliance 14 men and 14 women who spent six people’. Maybe there was nothing but Award. He recently got engaged to weeks living in isolation on uninhabited propaganda everywhere, but I would Tracie, who is a fashion designer from Pacific islands. like to think that while sweating it Vancouver, British Columbia. They have out, with only a towel to cover one’s spent much of the last year travelling privates in a sauna with the locals, and skiing and are planning on settling I got a fairly intimate sense that they somewhere in Western Canada soon. are people just like us, only with no material possessions.”

Charlie Hawker (R 1999-2004) married Emily Chalmers at St Margaret’s Church, Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk on 14th March 2014. His brother Roly Joe Schützer-Weissmann (PH 1997- (also a fellow Riggite 01-06) was the 2002) writes: “I have been living in best man. Aditya Vazirani (SH 1996-2001) Cape Town, South Africa for the last recently became engaged to Shilpa five years. I am working for an amazing Hardasan; they are to be married in architectural company called SAOTA November 2015. He would like to let which has been rapidly expanding his former school friends know that to become a globally recognised they always have a contact in Hong name. I was recently promoted to the Kong (where he currently lives) and position of Senior Architect and have in India, his family home and base. projects all over the world (except the The photo is from their engagement UK – sadly!). I am married to my wife ceremony, which took place in Mumbai of seven years – Rose – and have a on the 2nd of April 2015. beautiful daughter, Raphalea, who is 18 months old.”

Lawrence Wong (PH 2000-05) writes: “This summer, I will be going on expedition to Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. My brother Jonny Wong (PH 1998-2003) and I lost our mother to cancer early last year, and the care and support provided by Macmillan was truly invaluable, especially during Mum’s final weeks with us. I will be attempting to summit the 5,642m peak at the end of July, Andrew Lyness (Rb 1996-2002) and am hoping to raise £5,000 for the received his PhD from the Ohio State charity in the process. Our fundraising University in December 2014. His Fergus Argyle (O 1998-2003) is page can be found at: http://j.mp/ dissertation examined homelessness currently enjoying working for a small ElbrusDonate, and our Facebook event services, transient youth and urban investment firm in London, having page is: http://j.mp/ElbrusUpdates policy in Boulder, Colorado. This work spent five years at BlackRock, a large included a year living in Boulder, American company. After leaving Alex Darroch (M 2001-06) has, in the during which time he conducted Oxford he worked as a journalist in the last year, set up a business ‘Cumbrian interviews on the streets and in an Middle East for a year (predominantly Adventures’, hosting a range of group emergency shelter. Prior to this he in Yemen). In the run up to the election activities including paintball, clay pigeon worked as a university lecturer for five he was working with Jacob Rees-Mogg, shooting, zorbs and archery. years, received a Masters degree from with perhaps some political inclination the University of Wyoming and the for later in life. David Shipley (M 2001-2006) has University of Sheffield, and his BA at been awarded a place on the Jette the University of East Anglia and the Piers Dixey (O 1999-2004),who Parker Young Artists Scheme at the University of New Mexico. He had works as a doctor in London, has been Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Later his first one-act play produced in the a contestant in the second series of the this year, David will also be singing solos Kennedy Center American College survival show Bear Grylls’ in Bach’s B Minor Mass with John Eliot OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 61

Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir on Chris Williams (I 2007-12) is tour, with whom there are also plans to currently in his second year at Oxford make a new recording of the work, as University and has been recently well as in Claudio Monteverdi’s Opera elected President of Raise & Give, ‘Orfeo’, with performances in America where he will be working to ensure including Carnegie Hall and at the that the Student Union raises over Aldeburgh Festival. £200,000 for Student Minds, Oxford Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Centre, Jacari and Against Malaria Foundation Matt Lim (SH 2002-07) is producing over the next 12 months. He has and starring in 2 Complicated, a also been appointed President of romantic comedy. Shortlisted for the TEDxOxford 2016, a non-profit Cambridge Footlights’ 2012 “Best Comic organisation that aims to spread ideas Play” Award, it is being performed in throughout the local community; he London and the South East of England premières of recent commissions and hopes to invite a number of influential and has been reviewed by Broadway other rarely recorded works as well as speakers to talk on a number of global Baby as “Wonderfully amusing... a truly some more classic repertoire. issues during the year. enjoyable piece of theatre, you won’t be disappointed!” Philipp Legner’s (O 2007-09) website Anna Olerinyova (MSH 2011-13) is www.mathigon.org was nominated for studying at St. John’s College, Oxford, a 2015 Webby Award in the education reading Biomedical Sciences. She is currently in her second year and last category. Previous Webby winners year ranked 1st in her exams and include Google, BBC, received the Gibbs Prize and Capsberd and TED. Scholarship. Anna was also awarded a summer studentship with the National David Sharpe (G 2004-09) has Institute for Medical Research in 2014 taken over from his Grandfather Dave and won a place at the prestigious Whelan as Chairman of Wigan Athletic EPFL summer research programme in Football Club. This is thought to make Lausanne, Switzerland. him the youngest ever Chairman of a Rhys Bevan (SH 2003-08) joined the professional football team in the UK. Rory Fraser (Ch 2010-14), Ralph cast of The Archers on 6th May 2014. Wade (Rb 2009-14) and friends are His character’s name is Toby, who used taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe. to work in the City and is moving to It is a comedy sketch show which they Ambridge from London to start a farm have written themselves and will be with his older brother Rex. performing between the 9th and 15th August, 12.00 – 1.00pm at Jury’s Inn, 43 Jeffrey Street. The troupe name is Josh Williams (R 2003-08) has been ‘Flightless Birds’ and the show is called on the Swire Management Trainee ‘Kind Hearts and Cormorants’ which is Programme for the past three years, described as: “A snappy, intelligent, and rotating to various positions around Frank Collings (SH 2005-10) set up at times surreal sketch show that readily Asia. Last year he was based in Mumbai Regency Tuition (www.regencytuition. mocks itself, its members and the and he is now half way through his com) while he was a student at Oxford meaning of life. This original comedy latest posting in Hong Kong, working University. Based in South Kensington, is written and performed by five and for Cathay Pacific Airways. He is the business employs only Oxford, a half eclectic students combining the learning Mandarin and playing regular Cambridge and UCL graduates as tutors out-of-date with the up-to-date in a squash in the hope of one day being and offers face-to-face tuition and refreshingly idiotic way. With minimal able to make it back to the UK to beat online Skype lessons in most school use of props and unpredictable musical Myles Harding in the OS fixture! subjects. Frank has steadily grown the elements, our quick-fire line-up will business since moving to London and is take you from the bizarre or the sublime in a whirlwind of cutting looking forward to expanding it further. edge comedy.”

James Warburg and Toby Lansdell (both PH 2009-14) are cycling the west coast of France during June/July, raising funds for Build It International. Their fundraising page is www. justgiving.com/jamesandtobycyclefrance and they also have a blog: http:// jamesandtobycyclefrance.blogspot.co.uk

Sam Grainger (SH 2004-09) has released the first album on his new record label Chancel Records. “Oh Laurence Harris (Rb 2005-10) How Glorious” is a CD of The Choir gained a 2.1 M. Eng in July 2014 from of St Matthew’s Church, Northampton Plymouth University and has since been singing British choral music from the employed full-time as a Product Design last two centuries, including some Engineer. 62 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Old Salopian Golfing Society

Succession planning is in earnest at the Old Salopian Golfing Society. Honorary Secretary Tim Lewis, now in his 80th year, with 20 of those years on duty, is working with the President Anthony Smith for a smooth transition to his successor. An outstanding heir apparent has been pinpointed and is being groomed, but there will be a three-year period of waiting for his coronation. The challenge is to get the current holder over his finishing line before he re-enacts the tottering of the marathon runner Jim Peters in the Empire Games in Vancouver in 1954.

Old Salopian Golf Meeting

ny reader who would like to help “What a match I had yesterday with 65), Sam Twiston-Davies (O 1961-66) Athe Hon Sec to the tape and who Will! He declared a handicap of 14 and John Rowlinson (S 1962-66), the enjoys organising Old Salopians (aka which resulted in him receiving 11 distinguished author of a forthcoming “herding jelly fish”) should write to shots. I was 1 over par after 6 holes book in 2016, to commemorate the [email protected] and the match see-sawed until the 50th anniversary of England’s win over 15th where I lost to a par, followed by West Germany, in extra time, in July One part of the job description of a winning birdie on the 16th and him 1966. The afternoon foursomes were the Hon Sec is to organise the annual missing a 3ft putt on the 17th to leave won by Richard Bevan (DB 1973-78) National Matchplay Championship. This me 1 up with 1 to play. I hit my drive and Stanley Phillips (R 1970-73). How was inaugurated in 2009 as the Campion into the trees on the right – fatigue was good it was to see Stanley again. Trophy – a claret jug, presented by our beginning to bite and I gave him the late and much loved former President, hole. A deal was struck that should we As usual, our thanks go to Anthony Ian Campion (M 1953-57), on behalf of halve the 19th, he would progress to Parsons (R 1959-64) for his sturdy hold his talented family. the next round as I had no intention of on all arrangements to spoon-feed all heading down the 2nd in my condition. OSGS visitors, including a sumptuous Running the Campion presents a He hit his tee shot to 15 feet and I missed luncheon for which Denham GC is delightful opportunity for any organiser, a hole in 1 by inches finishing 6 feet rightly renowned. golfer or not, to make contact and from the hole. He missed his putt as I did keep contact and control of up to 70 and we retired to the club house for tea Meanwhile up north, our second meeting competitors and their progress through and cakes having had a brilliant time. of the season took place on 27th March the knock-out rounds. Deadlines are A great concept this Campion Trophy at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at not a concept understood within the and I look forward to playing next year. Hoylake, scene of the Open in 2014. Salopian DNA. Patience, guile and Thanks for putting it all together.” flattery are skills that work wonders. An illustrious field of 28 entrants ranged The final is always played at the Royal Our first meeting of 2015 took place from the President of OSGS, Anthony Birkdale Golf Club. in testing conditions at Denham Smith, the President of Saracens, Nicko on 26th March. Ed Lowes (R 1998- Williams, “Senior” Robin This year’s entry came to 64. To catch 2003) was tournament winner with Moulsdale, Moser’s Housemaster the spirit of the Campion, hearken to 34 points: runner-up with 33 points Paul Pattenden, Alex Haspel (School the unedited words of School Governor was Michael Cox (DB 1961-66). The Captain of Golf) with three other Peter Worth (M 1965-70) on his second field of 14 players included stars current Salopians to young and old round match against Will Hawksley from Robin Trimby’s 1966 1st XI in alphabetical order: Ben Alderson (SH 1990-95). footballers - James Butler (S 1960- (2000), Patrick Booth (1975), local OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 63

Hittite Michael Brabner (1963), Ben 3x2 to Jonty Robinson & Jake Samuel Runners-up: Cooke (2000), Chris Dickson (1972), Will Hughes & Spencer Gunnell lost William Backhouse, Michael Brabner, James Lowes (1998), James Matthias 2 down to Jack Fox & George Birt Andy Pollock & Pauline Smith (81 pts). (2000), Michael Roberts (1956), Chris Chris Conway & John Upton lost 4x3 White (1974) and two sons Charlie and to James Walker & Stephane Cotty Muirfield: Winners of the Bell- Matt, to name but a few - an example Paul Pattenden & David Joyce won 5x4 Lewis Quaich: Charles Hill & Stefan of the inclusive family nature of OSGS. against James Harris & Rishi Trivedi Hindmarsh (30 pts), redeemed by 19 Richard Auger & Peter Stewart lost 1 pts on the return half with magnificent Unsurprisingly, the winner was last down to Mark Schofield & Paul Sharpe birdie 2s at the 13th and 16th holes. year’s winner Mark Schofield, Master Result: Schools win Match 4-2. Runners-up: Andy Pollock & Angus in Charge of Golf, who amassed 42 Pollock (Holders) (28 pts) points (LY 40 points). Mark has done The Grand Scottish Tour, now in its 19th wonders for golf at The Schools. He Winners: AM: was presented with a painting of the year, took place over three dry days in East Lothian. How sorely we missed our Michael Brabner, Alick Hay (guest), Royal Liverpool GC Clubhouse by Charles Hill & Simon Shepherd (83 James Lowes (R 1998-2003). James’s Founder Sandy Bell, who was laid low pts) Runners-up: Simon Cullingworth, painting of the Tower of London with the removal of a wisdom tooth. Peter McMullen, Angus Pollock & Hugh with the 888,246 ceramic poppies has Sadly, too, Humphry & Hilary Ward, Teacher (guest) (81 pts) received acclaim. Reuben Johnson III & Mary Watkins, Peter Broad and Fraser Higson were Luffness New: Winners: Charles Hill commanded the detail of unable to be with us this year. Peter Ambler & Angus Pollock (42 pts) this meeting with authority, tolerance Runners-up: Deborah Backhouse & and good humour, assisted by the long- On the brighter side, it was a pleasure Chris Conway. serving Robert Lanyon, who has done to have the President Anthony Smith so much to encourage golfers at The and his wife Pauline on tour as well Schools over so many years. The 20th Grand Scottish Tour is as a galaxy of newcomers, including already booked for 18th to 20th Michael Brabner, Chris Conway, Andrew Next, on 30th April, we went down May2016, thanks to the incomparable Cross, Jonty Godfrey & Peter Stewart. memory lane to Hawkstone Park competence of the Lister bothers, As an HCEG member Struan Robertson for the Match against The Schools, Andrew & Robert, whose hospitality at (Ch 50-55) joined us at Muirfield. David organised immaculately with close their home Kaimend is ‘boundless as Smout (DB 50-54) joined us at North attention to costs for almost the 20th ocean’s tide’. Book now! time by Gerald Smith (R 1956-61). Berwick but did not bat. Tim Lewis – Honorary Secretary, Anthony Smith & Charles Hill won 4x3 North Berwick: Winners: Old Salopian Golfing Society – against Ben Oswald & Alex Haspel Chris Conway, Peter McMullen, [email protected] Gerald Smith & Michael Roberts lost Angus Pollock & Peter Stewart (87 pts) Tel: 01491 641651 64 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Forthcoming OS Golfing Society events/fixtures

JULY Fri 3 Match v. Old Cholmeleians Hadley Wood Simon Shepherd Thurs 9-Sat 11 Peter Burles Salver (65 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth Thurs 9-Sat 11 Bunny Millard Salver (75 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth Fri 10-Sat 11 G.L.Mellin Salver (55 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth AUGUST Thurs 6 Yorkshire Meeting The Alwoodley Peter Ambler Sun pm 9 West Country Tour Westward Ho! Paul Nichols Mon am 10 West Country Tour Saunton Paul Nichols Tues am 11 West Country Tour Saunton Paul Nichols Sat 15 Match v. Old Reptonians (OR)(South) Worplesdon Tim Lewis Sun 23 Match v. ORs & OMs Little Aston David Warmington CANCELLED Mon 24 Old Schools’ Competition Trevose Bill Higson SEPTEMBER Fri 11 Tony Duerr Silver Salver Worplesdon Tim Lewis Sun 20 55th Anniversary Meeting Trentham Robert Bennett Fri 25- Sun 27 Grafton Morrish Finals* Hunstanton/Brancaster Andy Pollock OCTOBER Fri 2 Shropshire Meeting and AGM Worfield Charles Hill Sun 11 Match v. Old Malvernians (OM) Blackwell Angus Pollock Fri 30 Guests' Invitation Meeting Ashridge Dan Graham NOVEMBER Sat am 7 Robert Walker Foursomes Cup New Zealand Tim Lewis

KEY* By Invitation only Members are asked to contact the Organiser for any event in which they may wish to play.

HALFORD HEWITT 2015 Salopians don’t want to meet! Even we went 1 down on the 16th, Will hit worse, we were the last match of the a brilliant pitch on 17 to four feet and The Halford Hewitt has been described day with the last pair teeing off at Jonty holed the putt to win the hole. by the golf writer Nick Tremayne 16.00! Ninety minutes later a sea fog Neither side managed to hit the 18th in as “the greatest of all truly amateur had covered the course and all play was two but both chipped to three feet and tournaments”. Founded in 1924, it is suspended, with everyone having to both holed to go down 19. competed for today by the old boys of be back on the hole they were playing Two arrow straight drives left pitching 64 English and Scottish public schools when the suspension was made by wedges to the green, Winchester 20 which each field five foursomes pairs, 8.00am. An early breakfast required! feet Shrewsbury five feet but not an making 640 competitors in all. The sheer The necessary three points were secured easy putt; advantage just to Shrewsbury. size of the “field” - plus the hundreds with Richard Roberts and Jon Howse Winchester miss but this time Jonty’s of supporters who routinely turn up at 1, James Skelton and Andy Pollock putt just shaves the hole so down the - is part of what makes the “Hewitt” a at 2 and the Campion brothers at 5 all 20th we go. unique sporting event. The tournament winning comfortably, with the other Two more arrow straight drives, a has a rich history, frequently pits average matches heading our way when the cleverly played shot from Jonty to golfers against famous internationals, match was concluded. twenty feet on the lower part of the and produces moments of golfing green, whereas Winchester are slightly At 12.20 on Friday Winchester were pressure simply not experienced by closer but with a down hill right to left our opponents, having brushed aside amateur players elsewhere. putt. Will’s putt just misses on the right Glenalmond 5-0. We played the same Shrewsbury has done well over the edge and the holder of the President’s Glenalmond side two years ago and years and had a purple patch in the Putter aptly drives in the putt for a birdie won 3-2 in a very tight match, so 1980s and 1990s when we were able to to win the match. Had the ball not gone Winchester were firm favourites. field a team that included at least half a in it would have been ten feet past! Convincing wins by James Skelton and dozen county golfers. We don’t appear A magnificent match played in an Andy Pollock at 2, and Angus Pollock to know of any at the moment, so if you excellent sprint, epitomising the Halford and James Pollock at 3 set the scene. are a low handicap golfer and keen to Hewitt. match yourself against some of the best Richard and Jon out top lost on the 17th Sadly therefore we fell at the second amateur golfers in the land let us know; in a very close match, with Alex Stewart hurdle, but a lot of positives came don’t be typically Salopian! and Will Painter also losing. from the two days. We nearly beat This year’s preparations started with The scene was set for a shoot out a side who had destroyed a side we a practice round over the Marquess between our most experienced pair, only just beaten two years ago. So Championship course at Woburn in Will and Jonty Campion with over thirty we are definitely stronger. Everyone March, with a dozen players looking years experience each and both former played well and the result could easily to impress the President and the winners against the Winchester top two, have gone the other way. We are Captain with their credentials. Seven who had been deliberately put at 5 to getting stronger and continue to search experienced players were already play against the Campions. for Salopian golfers playing good available so three places were up for One of their pair is the current holder of competitive golf who would like to pit grabs, which made for some good the President’s Putter, played for every themselves against some of the best competitive golf and made sure that the year at Rye by former Oxbridge golf amateur golfers in the country. three in best form made the team. blues, and who has also won the Italian Thanks go to our solid support of Messrs Our first round opponents were and German Amateur Championships! Smith, Parsons, Moulsdale and Lewis Framlingham who do not have a His partner plays off scratch! with telephonic support from Williams, particularly good record, which is In one of the most exciting matches Ramsbotham, Edwards and Bell, for probably the type of banana skin any of the spectators could remember, which many thanks. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 65

THE OLD SALOPIAN HUNT

Visitors to the Hunt Gym, inside the Stott Pavilion, always make a beeline for the RSSH Huntsman Honours Boards. This is no surprise really, because they are a great source of School History for anyone who was in the Hunt, or a Huntsman, or just remembers some of the names on the Boards.

In November, 2014, it was a pleasure Pack took The Team Trophy. (Huntsman for the 1957-58 season), to welcome two 1960s Huntsmen Amongst our 12 runners were Pete Stuart Morgan (1960-61), Oli Mott (2002- back to Shrewsbury. On 17th Beer (Ch 1991-96) and Julian Smout 03), Peter Birch (1970-71), Tim Bedell November, David Vernon and his (PH 1984-89), who found out what (1977-78), Adam Booth (1999-2000). wife Barbara met Edmund Palmer, they had been missing for too many There is a full report and photos to be Peter Middleton (Master in charge of years! This year’s Huntsmen photo found on the OSH news website page the Hunt & Housemaster of Rigg’s) below shows a wide range of Hunt www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-hunt- and myself in the Hunt Gym, to view History, with, from left, Richard Baker news.19 his name on the Huntsman Honours Boards for the season of 1961-62.

David Vernon

We then walked up to Rigg’s to see the photographs in the corridors of his old House. Twelve days later, I greeted David Gale walking from Severn Hill to the Stott, on 29th November. Inside he was surprised to find his old tutor, Dr David Gee,

Then, a week later, a good team of six Salopians entered the Alumni Race at Roehampton, organised by the Thames Hare & Hound Running Club, which attracted 21 Schools’ Alumni this year, with 146 runners completing the five-mile course. It was good to have the legs of Rupert Lougee (O 1971-76), finishing 1st for the OSH at 71st, Nick Jeffrey (SH 1988-93) at 96th and his brother Justin (SH 1985-90) at 97th. Our results improved this year, which just goes to show that the 100% increase in team size does work! Do have a look at my report (as above) and also check out the TH & H website for the full results on www.thameshareandhounds.org.uk/alumni_2014.php . David Gee and David Gale there to remind him of his time in the School. David had travelled from his home in Florida, not only to see his name on the Boards in 1964-65, and his father, W. Gale for 1935-36, but also to attend the 50th Reunion of the 1964 1st XI Football Team.

On Saturday 6th December 2014, the RSSH welcomed the OSH to the Annual Run, which was well attended by runners and spectators. Our Captain, Oli Mott, ran a fast 19-minute course to Kill, but the Hunt’s strong Members of the OSH Alumni Race team 66 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

It was sad to report that Ian Fraser, Then, in November, came the inter- Towards the end of a happy life, who was one of the founders of the House Paperchase. The weather was reasonably successful in business, Old Salopian Hunt in 1953, passed wet and the fields were muddy. away on Tuesday 30th December I ran happily near the front with the happily married for 55 years, many 2014. Please see the obituary in Huntsman, D.P. Bion, and the Whips years involved with charities and this publication. Our next run, on and Gentlemen. The finish was across service as a Justice of te Peace, I still December 5th will be dedicated to the By-Pass (there was no traffic in think back to that gauche 16-year-old his memory. those days of rationing) and up to under achiever who, bounding happily the School Gates. To my surprise and over the Shropshire fields, had that one I recently received an interesting everyone’s disbelief, I left them all moment of glory that changed his life.” letter from Bob Dowty (SH 1945-50), for dead and killed comfortably. The who was the 110th Huntsman for the crowd outside the School Gates greeted Bob’s memories demonstrate how he 1949-50 season. Bob lives on the Isle my arrival in stunned disbelief. After found inspiration from his experiences of Man and has kept in touch over Bion had come in second he assured of being a Hunt runner. I should also the last few years, recalling some everyone that I had not taken a short mention Michael Johnson (S 1955-60), of his memories. He remembered cut. Then before anyone else finished, who has been an OSH supporter and runner for many years. In December taking part in the last run over the I was ordered back to the House for he ran with the OSH and the RSSH, last of the Old School courses, then a hot bath. It was a large communal “running-in” his new hip, which was named “The Long” Run. This involved bath, but I had the luxury of having merely a warm-up for his next event crossing the river by ferry to the it to myself until the rest of the School in March, at the 10th European Masters start. It was a flat-bottomed barge, House runners returned. To begin Championships, held in Torun, Poland. pulled by the ferryman with a rope. with, no one believed I had won, but He successfully competed in the 5Km Shortly afterwards, the ferryman died then the congratulations began and Cross-Country M70 Championships, and the ferry and the course were I had the honour of bringing the cup where his GB Team won Gold medals. abandoned. Bob also recalls “a chap into the dining room with the House called MacInnes, who was our best Monitors, while everyone banged on The next Hunt season sees a new and sprinter, would leave Moser’s with his the tables. For the first time I felt I had unique Captaincy, with Ben Remnant books in one arm, as the School clock achieved something and my self-esteem (Ch) and Oscar Dickins (R) becoming started to chime 7 am for first lesson, blossomed. My confidence soared the first Joint Huntsmen, along with and sprint down Central, to be seated and from that day I faced life with a Olivia Papaioannou (EDH) becoming in his form room before the clock positive attitude. the 3rd Captain of The Girls’ Hunt. The finished chiming … Chariots of Fire?” OSH wishes them and all of the Hunt Bob remembered Steeplechases started At the next inter-school event I was the very best of luck for next season. by the Boat House, went up and down awarded my Gentleman’s Cap and We look forward to meeting up with the School Bank and finished on the shortly after became a Whip and then them for our next Annual Run on Common. Every entrant had to be Huntsman in 1949 to 1950. I had Saturday 5th December 2015. Please “owned” by a House Colour. Special mixed success but never recaptured mark your diary and consider coming mention was made to he who broke that magic moment of being the along to that and possibly our Annual the first fence! outsider who defied the odds. After Dinner that evening. A week later, school came National Service and I on Saturday 12th December, we field Bob also sent a personal recollection, have several medals for cross-country a team at the Thames Hare & Hound which he entitled:- RAMBLINGS OF and middle-distance track events. Annual Alumni Race, in Roehampton, AN ANCIENT HUNTSMAN Then followed 20 years of increasing where more runners of all ages are by R. Dowty (SH 1945-1950). pain, with an arthritic hip, until I needed to make a better impression! “In 1945, the war in Europe ended and could have an artificial one fitted. As ever, do contact me by email I entered Shrewsbury School. I failed I never got back to running but still [email protected] for more information. to distinguish myself academically or enjoy hill and coastal walks. Peter Birch (DB 1966-71) at any sport. In the Lent Term of 1946, I finished 3rd in the Junior 440 and 3rd in The Junior Mile. In the Lent Term of 1947, I was 5th in The Junior Steeplechase.

“It was in the Michaelmas Term of 1947, aged 16, I developed a real love of cross-country running and I went on all the Hunt Runs, including the Bog, the Redhill, the Horton, the Bomere Pool and the Tucks, finishing 3rd to 11th. I really loved bounding over the Shropshire fields and could not have cared less where I finished. Despite that, I killed on the Shelton and the New Runs. The Huntsman, Whips and Gentlemen of the Runs did not compete in any of these. Bob Dowty is pictured on the left OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 67

SABRINA

Our Sabrina VIII has been very active over the winter period, competing at various heads around the circuit and training hard on the River Severn, with a trip to Lake Vyrnwy as well.

he crew raced at Worcester, Chester place in the B final where they led Dart Totnes from the week before taking 6 Tand Runcorn Heads. The first win Totnes until the closing 100m and were seconds off them. The squad would came at Runcorn in the IM3 category pipped by half a canvas at the finish to certainly like another crack and will be and finishing 6th overall in the general second place. in a strong position to qualify next year classification. Then off to the gruelling with more training and a full season annual on the Being the first entry by a Sabrina VIII under their belt. Watch this space… Tideway as the first ever Sabrina crew into Henley and with many of the crew to compete in this event. Spirits were never having rowed before on the The squad has been: high after the win at Runcorn, but after famous Henley water, the pressure was the weather took a turn for the worse on to qualify. Long delays travelling A Hagger they endured a tough row in very down led to a shortened practice outing J Russell difficult conditions. However, they still in high wind. Conditions improved R Shropshire finished a respectable 180th – a valiant over the course of the afternoon and I Dick effort which they would like to better in the crew went out strong over the M Walker the future… course for the time trial. Agonizingly, J Kynaston they missed out despite clocking a fast W Dodson-Wells Since the Head season finished they time of 6.45.9, which over many of P Wood have been training extremely hard, with the last ten years would have meant R Homden at least three outings a week along with certain qualification and was just 0.9s C Randall ergo sessions and 2k tests thrown in slower than the fastest non-qualifier – J Lambie (Cox) along the way! The crew then moved desperately close! It was just not meant P Manser (Coach) forward to regatta season, firstly at to be, particularly with a high number Dorney for Wallingford and the first of foreign and London club crews A big thank you to Athol Hundermark taste of lane racing for some of the entered this year. However, the crew and all at School for enabling this to crew for 20 years! Unfortunately it was rowed extremely well and beat many happen. a wind hit regatta which was eventually crews that had previously been in front called off mid-afternoon, but the crew of them, including revenge on Dart Paul Manser managed to get a race, initially finishing 4th in a tough heat which included London ‘A’ and two Oxford colleges. However, they had their revenge on Cambridge 99 ‘A’ and Bewdley who had both beaten them on the Tideway. It was then on to Pengwern Regatta on our home stretch of water. However, it was disappointingly cancelled due to the recent high river levels.

Next up was a very early start in Chester for a time trial over 1800m. The competing VIIIs were then grouped on time, with the Sabrina VIII finding themselves in group B along with King’s Chester 2nd VIII, Royal Chester and Grosvenor. We were drawn against Royal Chester who we knew were a very fast crew. The Sabrina VIII had a slow start, losing a length, but fought back to close to ¾ length by the end.

On to Marlow and Dorney Lake for the last big test before Henley. After a solid row in the time trial, the crew were 68 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

David Christie Reunion Lunch, 9th May 2015

The reunion was held in the Bowring Room for Sabrina between contemporary Salopian oarsmen, members who rowed at the School between 1969 and 1973, with the Guest of Honour, with David Gee (Master 1958- the period in which David Christie was River Master and 1st 2012 and long-serving rowing coach) and with Peter Owen VIII coach. A splendid three-course lunch was served to forty (Master and rowing coach 1970-83). members and guests. After enjoyable years of school rowing, many had progressed All were able to marvel at the refurbished Clubroom: the to university rowing and some had been members of the plaques recording the membership of so many school Boat Race crews: for them their apprenticeship on the Severn crews and the many crew photographs stimulated much had led on to distinguished rowing careers. fond reminiscing and exchange of happy memories

Presentation to A P Lorrimer (SH 1959-64) Racing was held up in the middle of the day as the Regatta Committee wished to present Tony Lorrimer with an antique rowing plaque in recognition of his 50 years of service to the sport of rowing. He started on the Leicester RC committee in 1964 as the junior representative and had been treasurer to the Nottingham Regatta Committee for 20 years before become Chairman seven years ago. Since then he and his team have made the Regatta into one of the top club regattas in the country.

OS Squash

I am very pleased to announce that once again the Old Salopian Squash Club is alive once more after a lengthy lay-off period. Under the much needed encouragement of Paul Nichols (former head of OS Sports), the helpful guidance of Bill Higson (former OS Squash Captain who has secured continued access to the prestigious MCC courts at Lord’s), direct access to new leavers and former school squash players through Myles Harding (current Master in Charge of Squash) and continued promotion from Nick Jenkins, we have been able to re-launch – and with some success too.

Following a succession of promotion was nothing like going straight in for to achieve a solitary win through Ben emails we were able to hold an some tough competition to kick us Stirk, despite some battling efforts inaugural club night to gauge off. However, hard fought victories for again from Jonny Williams and popularity and standard of playing William Briggs, Ben Stirk and Jonny Rupert Parry. ability, and it was quite clear that there Williams ensured a fantastic 3-2 result were some passionate youthful players to the Old Salopians. Whilst the season was short, it was who were very keen to see the club a great success and there have been up and running again. Off the back of Our second match was a friendly encouraging signs that we will be able this we have so far been able to select against a group of players called the to hold our own against some of the from an active playing group of seven MB5, who tour around London squash more established sides on the circuit. players and have played three matches clubs. Again there was a resounding More games in London, home and for this season (season running from result for the Old Salopians, who away, have been put in the diary for September to end of April every year) achieved a 5-0 victory, and there were the new season already, plus our first which has been encouraging, given notable performances from Jonny inclusion into the Londonderry Cup, that we only started in late January of Williams and Rupert Parry at numbers so there are exciting times ahead. this year. 1 and 2 respectively. We are keen to expand our playing We opened our account with a home Our third and last game was against squad. So if you are interested in game against the RAC in early March. an Eton side who had got to the final playing, please do get in touch with For those who aren’t aware, the RAC of the Londonderry Cup (Old Schools Ben Stirk on [email protected]; all (based in London) reportedly has knock- out competition) the previous standards are very much welcome. the biggest group of squash playing month and had narrowly lost to members in the world. So as they Millfield. Ultimately they proved too have over 40 active leagues, there strong for us and we were only able Ben Stirk OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 69

Saracens

The Saracens progressed through to the Supported by Rishton and then It was a fascinating game of ebbs and quarter finals of the Cricketer Cup after Gaffney, Riazuddin rebuilt the innings flows and skipper Tom Cox managed a tense match against a strong Bradfield but when he was 7th out for 40 after his meagre bowling resources well, Waifs side on Sunday 28th June. having a rush of blood to the head by but he hopes that he can call upon a charging down the wicket to Henry stronger side at St Edwards, Oxford on Saracens batted first after winning the Blofield, 38 runs were still need from July 12th. toss and the opening pair of Henry 27 balls. Lewis and Jack Brydon scored at a run Shrewsbury Saracens XI: H. Lewis, a ball in an opening partnership of Two more wickets went quickly but the J. Brydon (wk), E. Pollock, I Massey, 56. Ed Pollock, fresh from his 227 not last pair had other thoughts, adding 21 B. Chapman, T. Cox, M. Gregson, out scored for Herefordshire against for the final wicket. When Lezaic holed W. Cook, H. Blofield, J. Kidson, J. Aston Shropshire the previous week, made 57 out to Blofield off the bowling of in quick time and was ably supported Lewis, only 12 runs were needed by a watchful Lewis who made 64. and 3 balls remained. Rob Morris Brief cameos from Chapman (23), Cox (17) and Gregson (19) pushed the Saracens towards a challenging total and at 227/5 they seemed well poised, but a flurry of wickets saw them bowled out for 250 with 4 balls to spare.

In reply, Bradfield lost their first wicket off a run out on the first legitimate ball of the innings, before Darby and the dangerous Gumbs added 72 in double quick time. When Darby fell for 57 in the 21st over with the score on 119, Bradfield were well placed especially with Hampshire professional Hamza Riazuddin at the crease. Saracens 2nd Round Cricketer Cup

Old Salopian Football Club The Old Salopian Football Club had a in a similar vein until a post-Christmas the field (for the 1st XI) as a high- stellar 2014/2015 season. Remaining dip saw them lose crucial games class centre back, and off the field for in both the 1st XI and 2nd XIs’ against Millfield and Berkhamsted. keeping the Club in sound financial respective leagues was the priority They have consolidated their squad health. A final mention to Andrew and this was achieved with the 2nd with a strong core that has made Saunders who capped off two decades XI finishing 5th (of 10) in Division selection difficult at times for skipper playing for the 1st and 2nd team with 3 and the 1st XI holding on to their Nick Corlett. Their player of the season a goal that can only be described berth (just) in the Premier Division award went to George Blakemore for as sensational – a dipping volley by finishing 7th (of 10). The 1st XI his versatility and commitment to the into the top corner in his final game had to avoid defeat against Eton in cause. A special mention must go to was a fitting end to his invaluable the final game of the season to avoid recent leaver Guy Williams who made contribution. The Vets will no doubt relegation; this was achieved in style the transition from Schoolboy to Men’s challenge for all that is up for grabs with a superb 3-2 victory and sent football with great aplomb and will over the coming years. Old Brentwoods down. continue to run left-backs ragged for many years to come. The annual Club Dinner was held In the 1st XI there has once again on Friday 2nd May at which there been a superb influx in youth The Vets team toured to Paris in April was a 40-strong contingent present including those who are currently at this year. Parisian resident, Jonathan to celebrate another great season. university and travel to games (Jamie Jones, skilfully arranged the logistics This year was the first year in which Bradshaw, Alex Blofield and Pat White for the weekend. Ensuring 15 OSFC the event included a number of Old deserve specific mention here) and veterans arrived at the appointed Salopian girls – a tradition that will be those who have recently moved to venues on the agreed schedule was continued in years to come. London – George Wade-Smith made no easy task and overall was managed a telling contribution at the end of the successfully. The Vets played 4 games The Club continues to recruit all Old season in this regard. The 1st XI player during the season but unfortunately Salopians. If you would like to get of the season was Campbell Naylor there was to be no cup success this involved then please get in touch with with an impressive haul of 20 games year. Thanks must go to Hugh Raven Richard McGarry, details are available and two absolutely crucial goals in for captaining the vets for the last on the website: www.oldsalopian. decisive fixtures in what was his first three seasons. The poisoned chalice secure-club.com. The annual fixture full season for the Club. has now been handed to father of two, against The Schools is on Saturday 3rd Phil Westerman. Phil is stepping down October 2015 and we hope to replicate The 2nd XI started their season in the as Club Treasurer after 15 years of the five teams turned out last year. best possible way with a 6-0 thrashing service in this role. The Club is hugely of bitter rivals Malvern and continued grateful for his contributions both on Richard McGarry 70 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Old Salopian Fives Club

League EFA trophy Northern Trophy We have continued to play in the 2nd The Salopians have been the dominant It was in last year’s Kinnaird Cup that Division this year, as the current plan force in this competition for the last Chris Hughes and Tom Welti first is to establish a core base of Division couple of years, with a tried and served notice that they were ready to 2 players so that we can launch our trusted formula of combining some break through into the higher echelons Division 1 team in the next year or two. of their best school players with more of the game, losing a five-game epic Guy Williams, Al Taylor, Marc Quinn experienced old boys. Mike Hughes to Brock and Rose and going on to and Ben Jones have been ever present and Sansom Yick gave a great example win the Pepperpot Trophy. Further in a side that plays with characteristic of this at second pair, dovetailing improvement - with the added flare and abandon. We have players superbly to recover from the loss of the advantage of playing on their home such as Ed Taylor, Chris Hughes and first game and beat Andrew Rennie and courts - meant that they were ready Rex Worth who whilst playing for the James Cobb, with the added ingredient to follow up their impressive group OS team are also honing their skills as stage performance with a hard-fought of James wanting to put one over his Division 1 ringers in anticipation of the quarter-final win over their tough former school coach and Mike being top-flight Salopian juggernaut to come. Wulfrunian opponents Yates and even keener not to let it happen. Simmons. The younger Salopian pair First blood to the Old Salopians. The COMPETITIONS were feeling the physical effects of the Aldenham third pair of Pulsford and day’s efforts more than their opponents, Richard Barber Cup: Patel offered a similar blend of youth especially when losing the third game At the risk of sounding like a broken and experience and having been the having won the first two, but their record, the tide really is turning in Aldenham banker pair in the semi-final, typically Salopian game of fast volleying this, the most illustrious of team they managed to reproduce the same and pushing forward relentlessly from competitions. Whilst we lost another magic to see off Al Taylor and Harry the back court was extremely effective Barber Cup final to the Olavians, these Turnbull, despite some defiant third in denying Yates and Simmons time two squads are now so evenly matched game resistance from the Salopian pair and space and they came back to win that the whole match hinges on one or that took it to four. the fourth in fine style and deservedly two key points. We came up just short make it through to their first major this year, but the squad is large and With the match poised at 1-1, all came semi-final. deep and I am full of confidence about down to the first pair match, which was the period of dominance to come. incredibly tight and fiercely contested Kinnaird right from the start. School players The premier tournament of the Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 2-1 Tommy Weld and George Lewis are calendar saw a Salopian make it to the familiar foes on the schools’ circuit; final 4. Ed Taylor played brilliantly well J. Toop & M. Wiseman beat H. Lewis & George was partnering Grant Williams, to progress so far. He eventually came G. Thomason 3-0 (12-5, 12-5, 12-5) bringing his usual passion and huge unstuck to the formidable second seed will to win to the court. Weld and pairing of Toop and Wiseman. S. Cooley & P. White beat I. Hutchinson Rennie made the brighter start, winning & G. Williams 3-1 (7-12, 12-8, 12-10, the first game to 6, but a typical Salopian Fives weekend 12-6) Williams fightback got the Salopian pair on top, taking the next two games to 9 With huge effort on the part of Grant and 6 to go 2-1 ahead. The Aldenham Williams, we hosted the inaugural H. Wiseman & T. Gallagher lost to C. Salopian Fives Festival on the pair had it all to do at this point and it Hughes & T. Welti 0-3 (5-12, 12-14, weekend of 13/14th September at is greatly to their credit that they kept 6-12) Eton which saw both current and old fighting and began to turn the tide in Salopians enjoy some great Fives and the fourth game, always keeping their great company. Twenty-five Salopians In the first pair, Toop and Wiseman noses ahead to take it 12-10 and force had too much know-how for Lewis gathered for a full day of Fives at a decider. Eton followed by a dinner and AGM and Thomason, but the Salopians in Windsor, and we had the first OS fought gamely. The Fives was of a very high standard; girls playing, which will be a huge inevitably there were mistakes, but boost to the Club. I look forward to In the third pair Hughes and Welti the fast reflexes and volleying of Weld that branch of the Club going from played very well to outmanoeuvre and Lewis, the left-handed angles strength to strength. Wiseman and Gallagher, who is still of Williams and the precision and at school. coolness under pressure of Rennie produced some scintillating rallies. In Rex Worth The match hinged on the second pair, the end, the Aldenham pair - as in the where Hutchinson and Williams won fourth - got ahead and then just about the first game convincingly. Thereafter managed to stay there, eventually Cooley’s class and White’s experience winning it 12-7 to clinch the EFA Trophy, which was presented to Carl just held the day, but it was a close run Rennie by EFA Chairman Richard Black. thing on the third game. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 71

OS Yacht Club

Emerging from winter hibernation, the competitive Saturday night dinner in the 2015 season, enabling several of Yacht Club will soon be firming up the Royal Ocean Racing Club Cowes our members to gain offshore racing the Salopian crew for this year’s Arrow (Royal Corinthian) clubhouse. We race experience. Trophy regatta, to be raced at Cowes in Sunsail Beneteau 40-footers with over the weekend 2nd - 4th October a crew of up to 12, so there is room Off the water, our main social event is 2015. This event becomes ever more for sailors of all levels of experience. the combined annual dinner and AGM, popular and this year we expect boats Enthusiasm and the ability to hold a to be held this year on Tuesday 29th from a record 25 schools on the start steady pint in all weathers remain the September in the Royal Ocean Racing line. This surge in popularity now key qualifications. Club’s London Clubhouse. This is a sadly means that it is less easy for us very informal event to which all are to enter a second crew, as we have in In addition to the Arrow, we continue welcome – whether already members previous years. We are however still to offer a crew/skipper matching or merely interested in finding out keen to offer places to new members, service and are keen to hear from any more about Salopian sailing. especially those who have left the boat owners, racing or cruising, willing School recently. The Arrow is an to offer berths to Salopian sailors. We For more details on our activities, or enjoyable weekend, both on and off are especially grateful to Will Collins to express an interest in joining this the water, with highly competitive who has once again generously offered year’s Arrow crew, contact the Secretary racing during the day, and an equally places on his yacht, Dogmatix, during ([email protected]). 72 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Salopian Club Arts Activities

The Salopian Arts Committee Aims are largely those stated previously remains in a transitional stage – following changes in personnel, • To arrange broadly artistic events to which members of the Club are invited • To provide information about the activities of Club members both on the Committee and • To support members’ activities (both professional and amateur) within the Club itself.

Open Mic night

Events in the past year have included: Plans to set up a database of Old Salopians involved in the • a very well attended Concert at Wigmore Hall in February, arts world will be developed during the coming year, so that which featured outstanding performances by members of members of the Club can be kept in touch with one another’s the School activities. • an ‘Open Mic’ evening at The Horse and Stables Pub in North Lambeth in May, arranged by Henry Southern for Examples will include: younger members of the Club ‘King Lear’ at the Minnack Theatre, Land’s End – starring • visits to ‘Charles III’ in the West End, (starring Richard Peter Broad (OS) (17th - 21st August) Goulding (OS)), and to the musical ‘Top Hat’ (starring ‘Kind Hearts and Cormorants’ – Rory Fraser and Ralph Wade Clive Hayward (OS)) (both OS) at the Edinburgh Fringe (from 9th August) • a cabaret performance at the President’s Dinner in ‘Charles III’ on Broadway, New York - starring Richard Emmanuel College, Cambridge in April (Henry Southern, Goulding (OS) Chris Jamieson, Chris Cox and Sam Grainger). The committee will be holding a meeting on Saturday 5th Events planned for 2015/16: September at The Curtains Up, 28a Comeragh Road, London It is hoped that the four or five events will take place during W14 9HR. Everyone is welcome to attend and offer ideas for 2015/16. Dates and details are still to be confirmed, but it is future activities of Salopian Arts. Lunch is available but please hoped that these will include: contact Peter Fanning or the Salopian Club office if you • an exhibition of Old Salopian photographs (Then and would like to attend. Now) by Kit Oates (OS) • Evensong at the Inner Temple followed by a reception (Richard Eteson (OS) – autumn date).

OS Awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Three Old Salopians were recognised for their public service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2015.

Dr (SH 1963-67), who retires this summer as Director of the National Gallery, received a knighthood for services to the Arts.

Dr Philip Montgomery-Campbell (Rt 1964-69), Editor-in-Chief of Nature magazine, received a knighthood for services to Science.

Rear Admiral Clive Johnstone (SH 1977-81) was made a Companion of the Most Honourable (CB).

Henry Southern, Chris Jamieson, Chris Cox and Sam Grainger performing at the President’s Dinner OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 73

Brigadier R H S Popham (M 1923-27) Winston Churchill and Henry Cartier-Bresson

Mike Popham (M 1956-61) writes: to Magnum in Paris explaining returned home find a brown paper that his wife was the daughter of packet lying outside their front One evening early in 1998, the subject of the photograph, door. Postmarked Paris, inside was I received an excited call from my captioned ‘Winston Churchill’s a print of the photo of my father sister who said: funeral London England 1965’, who inscribed “For Miss Popham. “Mike, turn on the television, there had died in 1993, never having Henri Cartier-Bresson”. is a picture of father on BBC 1”. known he had been photographed. I did, and sure enough a photograph Cartier-Bresson famously did A few weeks later, the great man came up on the screen of my father, not sign photographs. One day, died, just short of his 96th birthday. a photo I had never seen before . however, my sister and brother-in-law It turned out that Omnibus, the main BBC arts programme of the day, was devoted that week to the work of the legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, the subject of four major exhibitions in London in 1998, the year he celebrated his 90th birthday.

Amazingly, my father was one of the subjects in a Cartier-Bresson exhibition called “Europeans” at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank. Working then for the BBC World Service, I was going abroad the next day to make some programmes but, realising I would miss the exhibition if I didn’t go at once, I arrived at the Hayward early the next morning, paid my admission fee, dashed up the stairs, found a large photograph of my father on a wall and gazed in admiration, along with some other patrons, at Cartier-Bresson’s skill in capturing a lasting image in a split second.

A short while later, I dashed back down the stairs, pausing only to buy the hefty book of photographs in the exhibition and made my way home to pick up my luggage and leave for the airport. On the train back I studied the photograph. It was a close-up taken of my father on the steps of St Paul’s at the final rehearsal on the morning of Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral on January 30th 1965. A retired Brigadier, he was then Swordbearer to the .

You can see why Cartier-Bresson is a genius when you look at the photo. My brother-in-law has more initiative than me. Some years later he wrote 74 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

City on a Hill: A portrait of Shrewsbury School

Annabel Warburg interviews David Gee about his forthcoming book

How did the book come to be written? deserves to be recorded, remembered What kind of book is it? and appreciated. It all started during Jeremy Goulding’s My original intention of writing a last year as Headmaster, when he My second motive was to discharge conventional chronological history commissioned me to produce a new an obligation. I have been in close, soon gave way to a rather different edition of the School Register. The last continuous association with the School objective of attempting to convey what edition (the third) had only covered up for all but the first seven of the years the School is like – in other words, a to 1975. I worked on that assignment since 1950, and I joined the Common portrait rather than a history. The first for the first half of the time which has half of the book is essentially historical Room before these dramatic changes intervened and began with the list of and seeks to examine the people, began to gain momentum. Over these members of the Common Room, which processes and circumstances which has prefaced the two previous volumes. years the record-keeping in the School have made it what it is. The second This work has certainly not been has sometimes been haphazard, half aims to convey the remarkable wasted, for I am now in a position to inconsistent and incomplete. I range, variety and quality of its produce a biographical dictionary of therefore felt that I should do what I activities, which are the product both the Salopian careers of the members could to repair and restore the record. of its history and its ethos. For me, the of the Common Room who served School’s remarkable ethos is a subject with me over more than half a century, My strongest motive was a different of great fascination and the key both (there are over six hundred of them) kind of obligation – in one sense of to its identity and its achievement. In and I hope to complete that in due the word as an act of ‘piety’, that the latter section of the book I have course. The project was interrupted is ‘giving what is due’. Participation in abandoned chronological constraints because it was decided that computer the Salopian community has given me and have tried to present a picture records were sufficient in themselves. much happiness for nearly sixty years. which is as recent and contemporary as This was not my decision; indeed my The School has been peopled by a possible, extending into the first half of own opinion is that books have an great number of staff and pupils who the present year. important part to play, together with have served it with a degree of ability computers, in best practice and greatest Although the book contains occasional and commitment which also deserves usefulness in keeping records. However reminiscences, appropriate, I hope, record and recognition, who have the change gave me the opportunity from someone who has witnessed to seek the present Headmaster’s preserved its quality and reinforced much of what the book records, it agreement that I should turn my its character. The book is therefore is decidedly not intended to be in attention to the book which is now intended as part-payment of a great any sense autobiographical: nor is it being produced. I was happy about debt of gratitude. intended to stimulate the controversies this change as it offered the prospect which arise from the expression of a more creative activity, whereas How did you set about writing it? of strong opinions. Where such compiling the Register, though in my controversies have arisen during view it constitutes a very important It has really been a mixture of research the course of these last sixty years, source for researchers, was essentially and interviews. By far my most my aim has simply been to state the only an administrative task. This new important source has been more than different views, as I have understood project has taken three years. 140 editions of The Salopian Newsletter, them, in as balanced and objective more recently called The Salopian, manner as I can. Underlying the Why did you want to write it? which cover the period since 1950. This whole enterprise has been my research has been specifically focussed conviction that the maintenance and Firstly to provide a written record, a nourishment of a clear memory is an on the visible daily life and activity of ‘hard copy’ account of the sixty years essential prerequisite, if the identity of the School, on its communal life and on between 1950 and 2010. It was a period institutions, as well as of individuals, of very great change, from a traditional, the people who have shaped it. There is to be preserved. hierarchical, cloistered, single-sex are many other aspects which might school boarding school, to a much have been considered and I realize that more liberal and outward -looking a voluminous amount of material in the David Gee institution.It was also a period of great minutes of a hierarchy of governors’, expansion, not only numerically, but housemasters’ and heads of faculty’s CITY ON A HILL in every aspect of Salopian activity meetings, together with many complex – in academic, sporting and a wide financial issues still awaits full and variety of extra-curricular enterprises proper attention. I have interviewed alike. It was remarkable that this the four surviving headmasters of revolutionary change was accomplished my chosen period together with so quickly but with comparatively little my colleagues (and some of their disturbance. This was due not only predecessors) in charge of every school to strong and responsive leadership, activity which is mentioned in this but also to an equally strong sense of book, academic, cultural, and sporting community at all levels of the staff and together with extra-mural ventures of school, to an excellent (and similarly many kinds. I am deeply grateful to all expanding ) system of pastoral care and to an exceptionally positive and of them for their generous and willing co-operation. This part of the book, in A Portrait of harmonious relationship between Shrewsbury School the staff and the pupils. For all these particular, constitutes a collaborative GREENBANK PRESS reasons I feel it is a period which and community effort. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 75

OS Publications

Peter Caddick-Adams (Ch 1974-78) Adam Morgan (I 1972-77) and Mark Barden Snow and Steel: Battle of the Bulge A Beautiful Constraint: How to Transform Your Published by Oxford University Press Limitations into Advantages, and Why It’s Everyone’s Business Dedicated to Roger Blomfield, Housemaster of Churchill’s Published by John Wiley & Sons 1967-77, Snow and Steel is a huge reassessment of Hitler’s last great throw of the dice: ‘The Battle of the Bulge’, the battle A practical handbook about everyday inventiveness, designed for the Ardennes, 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945. for the constrained times in which we live. Underpinned by This was a fascinating five weeks when for a time it looked the latest research from social science, the authors interviewed as though Hitler had outflanked the allied armies pushing individuals and teams in disciplines as varied as marketing, toward the Rhine and might just throw them back to the supply chain, race car engineering, design, agronomy and Normandy beaches. It is also the context for the catastrophic education, all of whom had turned apparent constraints into events at Bastogne depicted graphically in Band of Brothers. sources of possibility and advantage. “Caddick-Adams is probably the best military historian of his generation, and Snow and Steel is the definitive account David Osbourne (O 56 – 61) of one of the key punctuation marks in history, when the Order in Court western Allies thwarted Germany’s last attempt to turn the Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform tide of the Second Word War. Caddick-Adams combines a sweeping command of politics and strategy with authoritative David Osbourne is a barrister, author, public performer detail worthy of Ian Fleming, and deep empathy for the and public speaker. Some years ago, he hit the headlines individual characters in the story. His opening portrait nationwide and made legal history when he delivered of Hitler, turning in a moment from a ‘broken man’ to a his final speech to the jury entirely in verse. He was passionate orator as he outlines the plans for Operation subsequently dubbed ‘The Barrister Bard’ by the popular Autumn Mist, is a masterly opening to a work combining press. Order in Court is the second of two humorous books scholarship and readability in perfect balance.” (Review by he has written on the law. Professor Chris Bellamy) Toby Potts, fresh from Bar School and clutching his graduation diploma, is a young, aspiring barrister, full of Francis Clark-Lowes (S 1958-61) hopes and dreams and intent on becoming the leading Freud’s Apostle: Wilhelm Stekel and the Early History criminal advocate of his time. He can hardly wait to impress of Psychoanalysis the jury with his incisive cross-examination, his mastery of all Publisher: New Generation Publishing things legal and his spellbinding final speeches. Sadly, reality Wilhelm Stekel was one of the first adherents of Sigmund kicks in, and Toby finds the path to fame and fortune far from Freud’s psychoanalytic movement and played an important smooth and uneventful. part in the popularisation of psychoanalysis. Freud Christopher Penn (M 1950-55) acknowledged Stekel’s originality, particularly in the area The Nicholas Brothers & A. T. W. Penn: Photographers of symbolism. Despite this, historians of the psychoanalytic of South India 1855 - 1885 movement have tended to marginalise or even ignore completely Stekel’s contribution. This study sets out to Published by Bernard Quaritch Limited reassess Stekel’s significance in the early history of the An examination of the successful studios established by John psychoanalytic movement and evaluate his importance in the and James Perratt Nicholas and Albert Penn in Madras and history of psychotherapy in general. Ootacamund. The majority of the photographs are published for the first time. The book begins with the early years of the Peter Curtis (SH 1950-55) Nicholas studios in Madras and Ootacamund and concludes The Dragon Tail Buttonhole with the introduction of the Kodak, the rise of the amateur This is the first volume of a fictional trilogy telling the story of photographer, and the inevitable decline in the studios’ the devastating impact of the Nazi occupation of Prague on a profitability that followed. young family. It is based on the experiences of Peter Curtis’ family in World War 2, who escaped from Prague in 1939 and eventually arrived in England just before the start of the Blitz. Somehow, and happily according to Peter, they ended up in Jonathan Russell (O 1959-64): a request for contributions Shrewsbury. to ‘The Origins of Football in the 19th Century’ Willy Kohut, married to beautiful Sophie and father to two- Three years ago I wrote to readers of The Salopian asking year-old Pavel, sells luxury British suit fabrics. After his arrest for help on a book I was writing on the history of Liverpool and release by the Gestapo, they abandon their home, risking Ramblers, the oldest existing true amateur football club that has a journey through Nazi Germany to find freedom in the west. never played in a league. Their route is uncertain and erratic, marked by violence, despair, courage and quirks of fate. I am now researching for a book on the origins of football in the 19th century, which will be a joint publication with the Nick Garlick (SH 1967-72) National Football Museum. The book will cover the pivotal role Storm Horse of each of the public schools, including Shrewsbury, that were Published by Chicken House Ltd instrumental in helping to reach agreement on the first set of Association rules in 1863. Storm Horse is the third children’s story written by Nick Garlick. It is about a young boy recently orphaned who goes If anyone has anything from the 19th century period which might to live on a remote Dutch island. Lost and confused, his be tucked away in an attic, a drawer or an old box, whether it whole life changes the day he rescues a drowning stallion is an old photo, scrapbook, or letter relating to the amateur or professional game, I would be extremely grateful to be contacted. that has escaped from a sinking ship. From that moment on, ([email protected]). In any event, the book will a friendship begins that will lead to all kinds of problems - for recognise the role of Shrewsbury School in the development of the horse and boy - and climax in a second rescue in the cold, beautiful game that this country gave to the world. pounding seas off the island’s coast. 76 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Obituary

Dr J C S Ainley-Walker SH 1938-42 J Gillespie SH 1943-47 D E Peckett DB 1946-52 J D Allpass SH 1948-52 M G D Graham I 1943-48 J M Pitts Rt 1943-46 A W Anderson S 1944-48 W J C Grant SH 1961-65 J P R Plowright I 1956-58 J M J Andrews O 1943-47 S O Hargreave I 1956-60 Mr W E Rhys Ch 1937-42 J H Beattie SH 1941-45 J J H Harrison R 1944-49 Mr J H Sabin S 1964-68 T A Bell JHT 1939-42 Dr P C Heal R 1946-51 R H Senior O 1945-49 H I Boston R 1952-57 J P R Holt SH 1943-48 M Shaw Rt 1952-56 M J Bullen DB 1954-58 D Haughton-Jones DB 1942-46 Professor A N Skinner R 1935-40 Sir F Catherwood SH 1938-43 Professor E P Hibbert R 1951-56 S E W Smith SH 1943-47 G O Davies DB 1939-43 C D Horton I 1942-47 C R Thompson O 1941-46 F L Duffield Staff 1950-86 C B Hubbard R 1942-46 J A B Townsend I 1946-50 C F Dumbell JHT 1940-44 C F Lepper Staff 1987 The Rev M H Tupper Staff 1948-80 R J W Franklin Ch 1965-67 R E J Leslie Rt 1940-44 M R B Way Ch 1949-53 I G K Fraser O 1950-55 A G McFarland Rt 1946-51 E C R Williams SH 1933-38 I H Fraser Staff 1982-97 J M Nicolson R 1951-56 C E N Wilson SH 1946-50 D R Gallaher JHT 1941-46 H B Oxenham Ch 1943-47 G L Yeoward I 1944-48

OBITUARIES

by six months spent working on a cattle-breeding farm at Cluny Castle in Aberdeenshire. He then returned to manage the family farm at Drumbeg.

By 1950 Allen had met Caroline. They married in 1955, settling in the house they built on the farm, where they continued to live for their entire married life of almost 60 years. They had three children Jack (S 1971-75), Jane & Thomas (S 1975-1980) and later seven grandchildren.

Moving from farming to retailing in 1957 Allen joined his brother Colin (JHT and S 1942-46) and uncle David in the family business, Anderson & McAuley, a department store in Belfast. Recognizing that the lack of car parking was curtailing growth of city centre retailing in the early 1960s Allen travelled to America to study developments there. On his return he was instrumental in planning the first “out-of- town” shopping centre in the UK, on a site in South Belfast. As part of this development the company opened a 20,000 square foot store which traded under the name Supermac, incorporating both food and non-food departments. The retail trade press at the time showed considerable interest, reporting on several store visits during the months following the opening.

After Colin retired in 1987 Allen became Chairman of Anderson & McAuley and oversaw a major refit of the store. It was initially very successful, having a cosmetics department with the highest turnover in the UK outside London. However better times in Belfast heralded the arrival Allen Anderson (S 1944-48) of additional competition and this led to the demise of the last few independent department stores in Belfast. Anderson & McAuley finally closed in 1994. Born in Belfast in December 1930, Allen began his education at Brackenber House and Elm Park prep schools before Meanwhile Supermac had gone from strength to strength and crossing the Irish Sea for his first term at Shrewsbury in 1944. begun to outgrow its premises. However plans to redevelop After leaving school he took up a scholarship at Greenmount the site were put on hold when it became clear that the Agricultural College in County Antrim, which was followed major national multiples were coming to Northern Ireland. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 77

Supermac, with its prime site, was taken over by Sainsburys Allen inherited a love of gardening from his mother, as and Allen retired from day to day retailing in 1996. well as her magnificent collection of rhododendrons. So the once bare field around the house has over the years One of Allen’s passions was the Royal Ulster Agricultural become a mature garden. And his passion for planting trees Society. His interest in showing cattle started at a young age, gradually ensured the complete privacy of the house. It was culminating in having Champion and Reserve Champion a wonderful garden for children with tree houses constructed Bulls at the 1953 summer show. Over a period of 30 years by Allen and a swimming pool, which was kept warm by a he served on many of the Society’s committees, leading to his home built solar heating system. chairmanship of the Finance Committee and then his election as the Society’s President. After clearing a relative’s house in England Allen developed an enthusiasm for family history. Embracing the computer era Following his retirement he volunteered to help oversee he mastered the use of genealogy programs researching both the running of the Church of Ireland Bookshop in Belfast, sides of his own family and those of many friends as well. He which he continued to do for 10 years during its extensive was frequently to be found in the Public Records Office in restructuring. Belfast and regularly corresponded with relations and others across the globe. Outside his working life Allen had many interests, giving time to charitable committees and he was a member of the select His family was the mainstay of Allen’s life. He took a vestry for the local Parish and as a lay member of the Church keen interest and was always available with advice and of Ireland Synod he attended the annual General Synod for encouragement when members of the family embarked on many years. new ventures. His welcome to the seven grandchildren was legendary. His thoughtfulness was also evident beyond As a JP he was asked to become a Prison Visitor in Crumlin home, in the good relationships he had with his work Road Gaol. It gave him a real insight into prison life, especially colleagues and those he met in every sphere of his life. on the occasion when the prison officers forgot he was there and left him locked in a cell with one of the prisoners!

John Andrews (O 1943-47) Mill and Farm workers and this extended to their families. He was a familiar figure in the town and always greeted those he knew with genuine courtesy and made time John Maynard James Andrews was born in Comber on for conversation. 25th September 1929, the eldest son of Sir John and Lady Andrews of Maxwell Court, Comber. He was educated John was a keen reader and had a great breadth of at Elm Park School Killylea, County Armagh and then knowledge; he enjoyed conversation and had a good sense Shrewsbury School in Shropshire. While he was at school of humour. He had a wide circle and range of friends and he excelled at both shooting and boxing, contributing to the capacity to impress those who met him on even the an excellent Team result at a competition at The National briefest meeting. Sailing was an important part of John’s Shooting Centre at Bisley, Surrey. He maintained a lifelong life. He enjoyed his time on Strangford Lough in the Shimna interest in the former and in 1964 won the Ulster Special and also the motor launch Eileenmore. The Lough gave Constabulary Bennett Trophy for best individual rifle shot. him ample opportunity to indulge in his passion for bird In 1947 upon leaving school he entered the family business watching and he took his binoculars with him on an annual John Andrews & Co. Ltd., Flax Spinners a major employer in basis to Rathlin, Donegal and to far-flung parts of the world the town of Comber. Having ‘served his time’ and trained including Andalusia, USA and even the Hungarian-Ukrainian at Belfast Technical College he became Managing Director border. He had a keen interest in Jazz & Blues music and in his late twenties when his father entered politics. He in particular the career of Ottilie Patterson whose father had excelled as a salesman and presided with his brother Tom been employed by the Andrews family and who herself had in directing the Mill through difficult and changing times been born in Comber in a house owned by John Andrews with employment peaking in the 1980s at three hundred. & Co. John recently arranged a celebration of her life and The company had a world class reputation for fine linen for a plaque in her memory to be erected at the house. yarn and John travelled widely in Europe as a salesman. Along with Erskine Willis he helped co-ordinate the deposit of her records in PRONI and the National Jazz Archives The Andrews family had been important in the commercial in London. and educational development of the town and also in its social and religious life. Prior to establishment of the John’s energy belied his years and he was able to take Welfare State the family had made provision for housing on duties and travel that few in their eighties could and health care, and supported a number of benevolent contemplate. In later life he accepted the position of funds. The Mill was a lynch-pin in this work and beyond President of the Belfast Titanic Society and this extended its closure in 1997 John Andrews & Co. continued to play his contacts at a time when the Centenary of the loss of a part in the social fabric of the town. John remained the Titanic was approaching. John’s contribution to the active in raising funds for the Comber Coal Fund in his commemorative events was considerable. He worked retirement. Those who were employed in the Mill and on very hard in preparation for those occasions when he was the farms picked up the family ethos of the business and invited to speak, endeavouring to remind people of the this is evident in the respect shown to the family and the huge industrial and engineering achievements in Belfast of affectionate way he was addressed as “Mr. John”. To the Titanic and her sister ships and that credit was also given to end of his life John took a keen interest in the lives of the the workers of Harland and Wolff. For John a particularly 78 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

important aspect of those commemorations was honouring the many circles in which he moved and the high regard the memory of those who had been lost in the tragedy, in which he was held in each of these. His son Robert one which had impacted on his own family directly. The paid a moving tribute, painting a vivid picture of a family last occasion he spoke publicly on the subject was in the man and a much loved father. The scripture reading was Church and Church Hall in Comber in April of last year, read by his eldest son Johnny whose son Tommie read the addressing an International group drawn from the USA, poem ‘Unknown Shore’ by Elizabeth Hardy which fittingly Europe and Australasia. He spoke with both feeling and combined the love of sailing with a message of hope. authority and his words were warmly received by a most appreciative audience. John was a true gentleman and the warmth of the tributes paid to him is an indication of the affection in which he was held. In July John suffered a stroke and passed away on 8th October having faced this last illness with courage and But I shall have peacefully furled my sail fortitude. He is survived by his second wife, the artist Carol In mooring sheltered from the storm and gale Crozier, sons Johnnie and Robert, daughter Elaine and And greeted friends who had sailed before grandchildren Morna, Tommie, David, Daniel, Anna and O’er the Unknown Sea Orla. The Funeral Service on Saturday 11th October, held in To the Unknown Shore Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, was attended by a large congregation from many walks of life, reflecting Ian and Sandra Gilpin

Tony Bell (S 1936-42) different walks of life. He also had a great love for dogs, having many canine special companions throughout his life. Thomas Anthony Bell, known to all as “Tony”, passed away in Australia on January 12th this year aged 89. Tony Tony went on to have a wonderfully happy marriage to attended Shrewsbury School for several years as a teenager his beloved wife Joyce , a marriage which endured some and boarder (1936-1942). He always held Shrewsbury 63 years and brought two dearly loved daughters and later School very close to his heart. He spoke often of his time special sons-in-law and four grandchildren of whom he there, of his Salopian friends – several of whom sadly died was especially proud. When in their eighties, Tony and in the second world war – and of his sporting achievements. Joyce courageously migrated over to Australia to be with He was a great cricketer, athlete and rugby player during his their younger daughter and her family, following the sad time at the school. and untimely death of their elder daughter. Tony continued however to feel his strong connection to his country of birth, He went on to serve in the army, spending 3 years in India, England, and he looked forward always to receiving his and then worked for his family brewery, Bells Brewery in copies of the Old Salopian magazine. He was a wonderful Stockport. After the war the brewery moved into different story teller, a great host at dinner parties, and never lost his hands but he worked diligently as a Licensed Trade Stock- quick mind and his incredible memory for anything to do Taker until retirement, running his own business in his later with numbers! years. He worked well into his seventies and was very highly regarded by all his clients who valued his work ethic, his Tony is greatly missed by his families on both sides of the accuracy and his honesty, all values he would say he learned world: in Australia, Penny and Martyn and his grandchildren through his schooling. He also took with him through the Ben and Hannah; and his remaining family in the England, years his special valuing of friendship, which began at Jonty, grandchildren Charlotte and Rob and his great Shrewsbury School and carried on through the army and grandchildren, Anna and Lily. his life and which meant he had many friends from many

Sir H Fred R Catherwood (SH 1938-43) His parents believed that getting a good education was important and that after the local schools in Co Derry an Few Salopians can have had such a widely distinguished English Public School with a Christian ethos would be best, career as Sir Fred Catherwood; Chief Executive of major and Fred entered School House in 1938. He enjoyed his British companies, Director-General of NEDC, one of the first schooldays, though he wrote later that “the independence of British Members of the European Parliament, deeply involved my Ulster background made me a non-conformist in a Public in the Northern Ireland peace process, and a full time School system, and I resisted the pressure to conform to the President of the UK Evangelical Alliance. mindset of such schools”; he much looked forward to the holidays spent in Donegal where his parents now ran a hotel. Fred was born in 1925 in Castledawson and brought up in Shrewsbury was followed by Clare College Cambridge, first Belfast. His earliest parental influences were strongly Christian reading history but switching to law. He then qualified with and non-sectarian – his mother’s godly character and his Price Waterhouse as a Chartered Accountant but moved to father’s astute business skills both coming out of a pietistic industry, first with Law’s Stores in Gateshead and then in church context. He was brought up in a strongly Evangelical 1954 with the construction company Costains and within a Protestant community – a definite minority in a primarily year was made Chief Executive at the age of 31. Much of his Catholic part of the country -– but his upbringing, which was work involved duties overseas where his sharp brain and in no way sectarian or bigoted, gave him a living faith that strong sense of rectitude alerted him to potentially corrupt was to be the guiding force throughout his life. business deals and saved the company from potential OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 79 embarrassment. He then moved to British Aluminium as his father in law, the redoubtable Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones had managing director, and he steered the company through the been minister. He was an active member of the Eden Baptist industry’s worst crisis since the 1930s. He built a formidable Church in Cambridge and a dedicated supporter of Christian network of business contacts, putting forward radical ideas initiatives to combat injustice and meet what he described as through the Federation of British Industry and the British the ‘pressing needs of the poor and the deprived’. Institute of Management. He was also called to give advice on industrial policy to James Callaghan, then Labour’s The strength and influence of his Christian belief had always Shadow and three days after Harold Wilson’s been a powerful force in his industrial and political career – election he joined the Department of Economic Affairs under expressed in his writings The Christian in Industrial Society, George Brown and in April 1966 became Director General of The Christian Citizen, At the Cutting Edge and God’s Time, the National Economic Development Council (Neddy). For God’s Money. Throughout these he expressed the need for five years he was at the centre of historic developments as dynamism and efficiency in business while insisting that unions and businesses and government learned to cooperate moral basics must be adhered to, and stressed the importance on reforming prices and incomes. He campaigned for more of the social responsibilities of industrial leaders. He had investment in industry, for the speedier application of new been treasurer to Lord Longford’s investigation into the technologies, for the best graduates to move into industry as porn industry in the 1970s which challenged the view of the much as into the professions. He urged Edward Heath and permissive society that pornography did no harm; he was the new Conservative Government to move fast before being forthright about what he regarded as a decline in late 20th swamped by the new Europe. century values and the “human wreckage of today’s society”.

Fred was knighted in 1971 and moved back to the private Less well known were Fred’s activities with regard to sector with Laing as managing director and chief executive Northern Ireland. He never lost his sense of affinity with but gave up the executive role to concentrate on chairing the the Province in which he grew up and at the height of BIM, and in 1975 was appointed to chair the British Overseas the troubles he embarked on a quiet course of personal Trade Board, He urged exporters to copy the Japanese and diplomacy founded on the insight that a settlement could adopt a more aggressive approach to Europe and predicted only be reached through a compromise involving great an export boom fuelled by the undervaluation of sterling and sacrifices of principle by both Republicans and Unionists. He membership of the EC. Although everyone wanted British was one of the few people who could talk with equal facility goods ‘we seemed unable to supply them’ and his frustration to Ian Paisley and John Hume (both fellow MEPs) and was increased as the pound strengthened and the Winter of respected and trusted by both. There were to be no quick Discontent – which he had foreseen – took effect. or easy solutions but Fred’s pioneering work for four years shuttling between government and parties, ultimately found In June 1979 he was the first Conservative selected for the expression in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. inaugural direct elections for the European Parliament and was elected for Cambridgeshire with a 50,000 majority. Fred came to know Donald Wright when Headmaster of He remained a member for fifteen years, chairing the Shrewsbury and was an enthusiastic supporter of the School’s parliament’s external economic relations committee and introduction of Business Studies into the curriculum and deputy leader of the European Democratic group, and the building of links between the school and industry. In then vice-president of the parliament in 1989, as Margaret a famous speech to the Headmasters Conference he urged Thatcher’s Bruges speech, membership of the Exchange Rate Headmasters “to make the same effort to turn out front- Mechanism, Black Wednesday and Mastricht made life for a line management for industry as you turned out front-line Conservative industrialist very difficult. At first a supporter management for the British Empire”. He was delighted to of the single currency he finally agreed that John Major had be President of the Old Salopian Club in 1975 when Donald been right to opt out, but he condemned the European Wright was encouraging such activities. attitude to Russia, preferring to encourage that country’s economic growth instead of spending billions on new Fred leaves his wife Elizabeth and his children Christopher armaments pointing at the former Soviet Union. a historian and involved in evangelical activities, Bethan a He resigned in 1994. university lecturer in English, and Jonathan a financier.

Moving back to England his life changed totally, leaving At his memorial service at Eden Chapel an apt summary politics and industry and devoting his life to evangelical was given: “Fred Catherwood was a dedicated and gifted work in inner cities, serving as president of the Fellowship public servant; but he did not just serve the public. of Independent Evangelical Churches, the Universities and He served his country, he served his continent and his Colleges Christian Fellowship, the UK Evangelical Alliance, province, he served his constituents, his colleagues and his and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. . friends, he served his Church, he served his family, and For more than two decades he led Sunday afternoon Bible above all he served his God”. discussions at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate where 80 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Andrew McFarland (Rt 1946-51) in the early 1970s, retiring as Divisional Veterinary Officer of Wiltshire. Andrew McFarland was born in Liverpool, the middle of three boys. Together they The highlight of his professional career was his successful were evacuated to Anglesey during the war, application for a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 1968, which where they all attended Trearddur House saw him travel around Europe studying the management and School before moving on to Shrewsbury disease of pigs and other animals in large intensive units, and (and Ridgemount) one by one; John (1944-48), followed by depart Prague just days before the Russian tanks moved into Andrew and then James (1948-53). In addition to performing the city. Retirement allowed him more time to pursue his great well academically, Andrew proved to be a very keen and love of fly fishing in addition to developing his skill as a potter, competitive sportsman, playing for the 1st XI Football team whilst also serving as a National Trust volunteer at Stourhead. in 1950. He was discharged early from his National Service In his final years he battled various illnesses, including in the Navy, following a walking accident during time off in lymphoma, diabetes and kidney failure; he was determined Malta, in which he fell and was in a coma for three weeks. that he would not be defeated by them and for ten years he Fully recovered he went to the University of Liverpool to study proved true to his word, but in March 2015 he finally lost veterinary science, after turning down a place at Oxford to his battle. read Zoology, having decided to follow a more vocational route. On graduation he went into private practice in He is survived by his second wife, Hilary, whom he married in Wickham, followed by Oundle and Shrewsbury, before joining 1974 following the death from cancer of his first wife, Audrey, the Ministry of Agriculture in 1964. He was to serve for the and his four children, including Mark (Rt 1975-80) and eight next 30 years, except for a brief period of time in business grandchildren.

Lyndon Duffield (Staff 1950-86) United and the county cricket team, and following Rugby League. He also remained for many years a director of the Lyn Duffield, who has died at the age of 88, came to family printing firm. After boarding school at St Peter’s, York, Shrewsbury in 1950 to teach Modern Languages and stayed he went up to 0xford, but his studies were to be interrupted, until his retirement in 1986, by which time he had served as for it was war-time and conscription beckoned. Lyn was to Head of Department and finally as Director of Studies. A man miss out on the Forces, however, for by 1944, a shortage of of culture and an able administrator, he gave distinguished coal-miners had led the Minister of Labour, Ernest Bevin, to service in both roles, as well as – in his younger days – compel a quota of those called up to serve in the mines, like contributing to sport in the school. His strong personality it or not, and Lyn’s number came up. It is hard to imagine that and dedication to high standards earned him respect in the he did like it. Few did. He may have disliked it so much that classroom, but the image of a stern disciplinarian can mislead. he chose not to speak about it. Certainly it came as a surprise Lyn was no harsh and humourless pedant, but rather a kind to many at his funeral to hear for the first time of Duffield, the and supportive member of the community, with a quick and “Bevin Boy”. It may just be, however, that this was but one often irreverent sense of humour. His speech to the Common example of Lyn’s lack of self-advertisement. He was not a shy Room on the occasion of his retirement was on the one hand man, but he tended to let others set the ball rolling. Thus, his witty and self-deprecating, while on the other, he regretted interest in music or politics or sport could lead to stimulating some of the trends in education that were such a feature of conversation, but you had to fire the first shot. the 1980s. It could be said that he got out just in time, for he would not have been in sympathy with much that was In all that he did, Lyn was a fierce competitor, never more to happen in language teaching in particular. In the same so than on an Election Day. Picture the scene: Lyn is out speech, he reflected critically on aspects of the Shrewsbury canvassing in the Conservative interest, when a colleague, School which he had joined all those years ago, notably the known to be a Labour voter, waves from the side of the road. notorious First Lesson (for which he slept in soon after he Lyn grips the wheel tightly, stares straight ahead, and mutters arrived) and he was critical, too, of the insularity he found in that he is not going to acknowledge that (unparliamentary the Salopian way of life. It was something he took seriously expression) on this of all days. He would laugh at himself later, and throughout his career he maintained contacts in the but at the time, he minded, as he minded about many things, “outside world”, representing the county at hockey, regularly including careless work and shallow thought. meeting friends after school in the Boat House pub, serving as a county councillor, and keeping up hobbies that would Though not a believer, Lyn could be said to have found his stand him in good stead in retirement. own brand of faith in culture, in music, literature, architecture, and all that is best in European tradition. Respect for the Frederick Lyndon Duffield was born in Leeds in 1926 and precise and sensitive use of language was part of that heritage; although the move to Shropshire was to prove permanent, he to pass it on to the next generation was a duty, one that he never lost his sense of Yorkshire “nationality”, supporting Leeds performed assiduously throughout his professional life.

Ian Fraser (Ch 1944-49) to North Wales where he and his brother spent the rest of the war including the holidays. Teaching resources were scarce Ian Fraser (Churchill’s) died on 30th December 2014 at the age so Ian chipped in as a riding instructor to the younger boys of 84. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. in his spare time.

Ian was born in Putney on 23rd July 1930. At the age of Ian arrived at Shrewsbury in the Michaelmas term of 1944 eight he went to Cottesmore School in Hove, Sussex. At the and joined Churchill’s under A.E. Taylor. He had a particular outbreak of the Second World War, the whole school moved talent for Modern Languages. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 81

Running was a life-long passion. He rose to prominence he served on the Dorking Urban Council and was Chairman in cross-country, running in the Hunt in 1947, when, after in 1971/72. The Dorking Advertiser called his opening success in the picked run, The Longden, on which he ‘killed’ address the ‘most vigorous it had witnessed for many years’. (26th November 1947), he was awarded his Gentleman of the He also ran the campaign to save the Mickleham Village Run colours. The following season he was Junior Whip and Shop, raised the money required to buy all the fields between ‘killed’ on The Long (20th December 1948). Westhumble and Ranmore for the National Trust and ran the finances of St Faith’s, the local charity for disadvantaged While at Shrewsbury, he joined Thames Hare and Hounds, mothers. There were few organisations and events in the world’s oldest running club, then based in Roehampton, Westhumble in which he was not active participant. He loved London. The club organised an old boys’ match and it was at nothing better than to get a group of people together, do Ian’s instigation that some Old Salopians entered a team. By something good and have a good time doing it. then Ian was Club Secretary and, in 1954, with Nigel Miller (S 1947-52) and Adrian Struve (Staff 1950-86), founded the Ian married Diana, sister of Old Salopian Christopher Deakin, Old Salopian Hunt to give greater opportunity to those in 1960 having met her when they both worked at Unilever. leaving the school to continue the sport. He was always keen They have two sons – Giles and Simon. to encourage younger runners at school and he helped many Salopians to join Thames when they had left school. In the last ten years of his life Ian suffered from Parkinson’s He was heavily involved in Thames Hare and Hounds all which hampered his lifestyle progressively. In October 2014 his life and was a key member of the group who ensured he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and it was this that Thames survived when it hit a difficult patch in the late 50’s. caused his death at the end of the year. He remained stoic In 1987 he was awarded the club’s prestigious Harry Hall and good-humoured to the very end, describing his illness as Trophy in recognition of his life-long contribution to the club. a ‘nuisance’ to anyone who asked. Ian had some bad luck after Shrewsbury. He had a place at St John’s Cambridge which he deferred to do National Service. Ian’s funeral was held on 9th January at St Michael’s and All Unfortunately he was rejected for National Service as he Angels, Mickleham, Surrey. There were over 200 mourners. suffered from unilateral deafness. When he reverted back to Many of those there recalled, in particular, his infectious Cambridge the place was no longer available so he decided sense of humour and fun. He is buried in the churchyard at to go to the Sorbonne in Paris for two years where, by all St Michael’s. accounts, he had an extremely good time. His decision to go to the Sorbonne was no doubt helped by his fluent French. He always remembered Shrewsbury with the greatest of After the Sorbonne he started his articles and qualified affection. In 1999 he came back with his son Giles to run the as a Chartered Accountant. His working career took in school course (on which he had ‘killed’ twice). Unfortunately spells at Unilever, WHSmith, Hambros Bank and Orion there had been considerable building work on the course Royal Canadian Bank. At the age of 50 he decided to leave over fifty years and the pair had to run almost double the permanent employment and set up his own consultancy. His distance to get round. Despite having retired from running activities included organising the move of The Royal School a number of years previously and being nearly 70, Ian got of Church Music to Westhumble, Surrey where he lived most round the course without mishap and still had the energy to of his adult life. sink several beers on the train back!

Ian was a tireless champion of good causes all his life especially those local to his home in Dorking. In the 1970s

Douglas Graham (I 1943-48) But for his injury we might well have seen a record broken on Sports Day”. Douglas Graham, who has died at the age of 85, was a well-known and respected figure in the newspaper After Shrewsbury came National Service in the Marines, industry, having been Chairman of the Claverley Group, not a soft option, but one he took on for the sake of his owners of the Midland News Association. Among the titles stepfather, a Colonel in the Royal Marines. When the two for which he was responsible is the Shropshire Star, one of years were up, he was sent to Australia, where he was to the most successful regional newspapers in the country. gain experience in newspapers. His appointment as Deputy Religious Affairs correspondent caused some amusement Coming to Shrewsbury in 1943 from The Elms, Colwall, in his circle. On his return, he joined the family firm, living he distinguished himself in athletics, a talent which was in a small company flat in Tettenhall. This “temporary” developed by accident. Habitually late in leaving the House measure was to last for nineteen years. for morning chapel, he ran so fast to make up time that Marriage came relatively late, but his thirty-five years with his pace attracted the attention of a school coach. His Sara brought happiness to them both and to his stepsons, performances in the Sports Heats were described in “The Colin and James. Family and friends had cause to appreciate Salopian” as “brilliant” and it was regretted that a sprained much high-class hospitality at Roughton, his home in the ankle prevented him from running in the subsequent Shropshire countryside. Malvern match. A day or two later, the injury is upgraded in this report: “The standard of the sprinting was marred by Douglas Graham was not only a very successful businessman; the absence, through a broken ankle, of Graham, whose he was also a much loved employer, whose concern form in the 220 and 440 yards heats was quite outstanding. for his staff earned him their gratitude and their loyalty, 82 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

his generosity extending to giving every employee a Wolverhampton was always regarded as the finest example Christmas present. Of his contribution to his profession, a of a newspaper proprietor. Everyone I have ever known in former managing director wrote: “Douglas was respected my 67 years in this wonderful industry spoke highly of him.” throughout the whole newspaper industry and was the Away from business, he was a keen participant in motor sport most marvellous figurehead for the group, with his own and was proud to be a member of the British Racing Drivers style, but certainly in the tradition of his father. His sense Club. He was also an expert shot, a hobby he kept up until of humour was a very attractive quality for a man in his late in life. As a deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, he position and during life’s lower moments that rather roguish gave valuable service to the community, stretching beyond skill saw us all through many a challenge. His steady the already considerable role of the Shropshire Star. At his hand on the tiller brought a common sense approach to Memorial Service in April, a large congregation gathered to everyday tasks and he guided us carefully with a soft touch honour a man who got much out of life and who gave much to achieve what we often thought was unachievable.” in return. Sir Ray Tindle paid this tribute: “Douglas Graham at

Edgar Hibbert (R 1951-56) Edinburgh University to Nairobi University and it was in Nairobi he met his wife Heather. On his return to Edgar Hibbert was in Riggs from 1951 to 1956, two years Edinburgh he obtained his Ph.D in Marketing. behind his elder brother Randal and to be followed by his nephew Nigel. Three of Edgar’s grandparent’s families In 1976 he was appointed Director of Education and had been involved in the cotton industry, his father up to Training at the Institute of Marketing at Cookham, the war being a member of Liverpool Cotton Exchange. Berkshire. Here he found a real challenge when he, the However it was through his maternal grandfather Reginald Head and the Secretary of the Institute, set about vastly Le Neve Foster that the long family connection with Riggs improving the College and its facilities. A large building started. Reginald (known as Rex) was followed by his scheme was undertaken replacing wooden huts with brother Basil, son Peter and first cousin Fermian (a School purpose built permanent buildings and improvements Governor in the 1950s) and his sons and grandsons. Edgar were made to the syllabus and its status. They also did the was born in Prenton Birkenhead and came to Shrewsbury groundwork which resulted in the Institute being awarded from Kingsmead School Hoylake, where he was head Chartered Status. He left in 1984 and it is a tribute to his boy. His career at Shrewsbury followed a normal pattern, work that it was still being recognised 30 years later by the although he had the misfortune to find that several of his current Head of the Institute. exact contempories achieved outstanding sporting success, playing football and cricket for the school for two or He then joined the staff of Business three years (whether this was simply a coincidence or the School, but after a while decided to join the staff at deliberate policy of Hugh Brooke isn’t clear, but almost Middlesex University Business School. This was partly certainly the latter!). After Shrewsbury School he joined because since their return to England he and Heather Randal at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Apart from his had lived in Godalming, Surrey (their garden adjoined social life, he took up amateur dramatics appearing in both the playing fields of Charterhouse) and the distance from college and university plays. He was also first pair at tennis Durham could hardly be greater. At Middlesex Edgar for the college and led in two debates at the Cambridge obtained a Chair – his professorship and retired in 2002. Union. He obtained a 2:1 in History. Edgar specialised in International Marketing and was the Director of the Centre for European Marketing for a During his time at Magdalene, Edgar decided to join the period. He was an Examiner and Lecturer all over the Colonial Office and spent a fourth year at Magdalene world including Merton College, Oxford. He wrote six studying for and passing the Colonial Office Exam. Having books and numerous articles. He was a member of the joined, he was posted as a District officer to Tanganyika, in Worshipful Company of Marketers, a Fellow of the Institute what is today Tanzania. Being responsible for Africans in a of Export and of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a vast area mostly of bush in this area gave Edgar immense Liveryman of the City of London. He was also a Fellow of job satisfaction and he got on extremely well with the the Royal Society of Art, maintaining a family connection Africans in his jurisdiction, and had great admiration for of over 200 years. Julius Nyerere, the then President of Tanganyika. On the arrival of independence Edgar, along with most of his Outside his career he continued to play good tennis contempories, decided to leave and return home, where but gave up after two hip operations. He continued his he joined Harvey’s of Bristol, the wine merchants. Here acting which he greatly enjoyed, even continuing after Edgar became interested in marketing, and this became he became deaf. He enjoyed bridge and keeping up with his career. his worldwide circle of friends from Harvey’s, Tanganyika and his Universities, but the corner stone of his life He obtained a Marketing Degree, the first such degree was his family, Heather and their two boys Dudley and in the UK at Lancaster University and thereafter joined Hayden, and in recent years their grandchildren. He died the staff at Edinburgh University. He was seconded by unexpectedly of complications after an operation. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 83

Peter Holt (SH 1943-48) years, becoming totally involved in the local community. And throughout his life Peter remained a keen and loyal Peter Holt entered Shrewsbury and School House in 1943 Salopian, particularly when his sons Edward (SH 1970-75) and after a full career at school entered the College of Estate and Richard (SH 1979-1984 ) were at school. Weekend visits Management, leading to a career in the Chartered Surveying in the summer to their house in Borth when they were still profession. His early years were spent in Aberystwyth at Sheffield invariable meant stopping at Shrewsbury on where his family had significant property business but, Saturday afternoon where co-incidentally Richard would be when marrying Celia, they decided to move to England and bowling at the Scoreboard End and taking many wickets for to Sheffield where he eventually became Senior Partner of the 1st X1. And in retirement few Old Salopian events on Eaden Lockwood and Riddle, and particularly recognised as a Kingsland were missed. senior and much respected auctioneer and valuer. Inevitably he became involved in many areas of Sheffield life; as a JP His last years were spent first caring for Celia and, when for twenty five years, as a Tax Commissioner, as a Church a widower, eventually being constricted by his own poor Burgesses Trustee, as Chairman of the Yorkshire Regional health but he remained his own cheerful and involved self, Board of the TSB, as Chairman of Governors of Westbourne with as usual close friends around him. He was such a very School, and as a devoted Sheffield United supporter. good friend to all with whom he came into contact; and he was always held in great affection and respect as a man of On retirement he and Celia decided to return to Ceredigion principle and a true gentleman. and moved to Borth where they lived for many happy

David Horton (I 1942-47) The combination of a Classics degree with a successful school career points one way - to the teaching profession and for Christopher David Horton was a product of the age when David this was to be for life. Appointed to teach Latin, Greek, bright boys were encouraged to study Classics – and little and Ancient History at Chigwell School, he did so for an else, the fruit of which endeavour can be seen on the astonishing sixty years. He made a gesture towards retirement darkening honours boards that still adorn the central staircase in 1991, but as the school magazine records, he was back in of the Main School Building. Having left Shrewsbury with September “on a voluntary basis”. He is remembered with an Open Exhibition to Magdalen College, Oxford, where gratitude and admiration by former pupils. he achieved First Class Honours in Mods and Greats, David Horton was well qualified to stand in such distinguished By happy coincidence, at about the same time as he joined company. He was not just a scholar, however, for the record Chigwell, a community choir was founded, of which he was shows that he participated fully in school life. A praepostor a long-serving member. Shortly before his death, he wrote and Head of House (under Col J.M.West), he was prominent a memoir of the choir’s development from small beginnings in the Corps, captained the 2nd XI at cricket and the 4th and it is possible to detect the part it played in his life, a life XI at football, and demonstrated what was to be a lifelong spent in sharing with others what was dearest to him. enthusiasm for music. Choregus in his final year, President of the Music Society, and winner of senior prizes for piano and organ, his contribution was considerable.

John Nicolson (R 1951-56) whereupon he set up on his own in Ledbury, gradually expanding both locally and further afield in South Wales. In John Nicolson entered Shrewsbury 1987 he moved to Cornwall, again running his own show School in September 1951 and in with conspicuous success, for which he was recognised by the following summer, amid all the Retailer of the Year Award in 1996. In a celebrations of the School’s 400th moving tribute, his son Mark spoke of his father’s courage anniversary, quickly made his mark as and resilience in setting up against the competing retail a cricketer of exceptional promise. He giants, saying that “he built his life and business round established himself in the Under-16 XI community and local relationships. In the three places in and the following season made his 1st which he lived, , Ledbury, and Cornwall, he XI debut in the Malvern match, though it created a life that was deeply rooted in the place where he was to be another year before he became was. When he won the award for his store in St Austell, it a regular. Still, it was a considerable feat was exactly the right recognition for a career spent serving a to hold down a place in the second team at his age. Three community where he knew most of the customers’ names, years as an all-rounder in the first XI followed, setting him on where he knew all of his suppliers. His independence a sporting path from which he never deviated. After National was the counterpoint to the forces of “bigger is better” that Service in the RAF in Cyprus (more cricket!), he joined the threaten the existence of a life based not in consumption, Birmingham League club, Knowle and Dorridge, eventually but in community.” becoming their longest-serving captain. As a member of the MCC, he was a well-known figure in the Pavilion on Mark also paid tribute to his father’s generosity and example, Test match days and when his playing days were over, he which had given to him and to his brother and sister the best remained a keen supporter of the Saracens, of which club he possible start in life, as well as a lasting example to follow. was a life vice-president. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Elizabeth, his three children, Mark, Edward, and Joanna, and by his three After National Service, he joined the family wholesale grandchildren, Amando, Ned, and Laura. business, for which he worked until it was taken over, 84 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

David Peckett (DB 1946-52) Albanian. He was also very proud to have played a part in the bringing down of the Iron Curtain and was delighted David Eaton Peckett was born on 26 June 1933 in Co Armagh. to be able to visit Hungary not long afterwards. In his spare time, David coached opera singers. He After Shrewsbury he went as a scholar to King’s College accompanied them at their performances at both the Cambridge for his classics from 1952 to 1955, gaining First Cheltenham and Bath Competitive Music Festivals and Class Honours and being awarded the Browne Medals was always pleased with the results they achieved. David for Greek and Latin verse. He also won a William Rann introduced his elder daughter Liz to an eclectic mix of Kennedy Prize Fund Award for his proficiency in classical interests which she still enjoys to this day, including studies in both his exams and his college work. After a the composers Chopin and Strauss (father and son), the spell in the army on National Service (in the Intelligence Goons, ballet, Dorothy L Sayers, Flanders & Swann, Corps) he was awarded his MA in 1959. JRR Tolkien and PG Wodehouse.

When David’s father, Cyril was approached about his son He introduced his younger daughter, Victoria, to the working for GCHQ, he replied that he would do whatever joys of language, logic and dreadful puns – and she his country required of him. Shortly afterwards David acquired her love of wildlife and travel from looking at started at GCHQ, working as a Department Specialist in all the stamps he had collected from round the world languages. and from the family holidays in the mountains and lakes of Switzerland. In retirement he enjoyed travelling with David had been taught to play the piano by his mother Jo, especially around Europe, and gardening (particularly Mitzi and both he and his younger sister, Mary, gained tending his roses).He continued his work with his singing their deep and abiding interest in music from their parents pupils and completing the translation of Homer’s Iliad that and shortly after his arrival in Cheltenham he started his father Cyril had started. He also enjoyed regular trips playing the piano as accompanist for the local Scottish to either the opera or the ballet at the Royal Opera House Country Dancing Association classes. At these, he met his with his family – preceded either by dinner at a nearby future wife, Jo. Scottish country dance was an interest they restaurant or by high tea at Fortnum’s. continued to pursue when they married, and they enjoyed participating in many dancing demonstrations around When diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia, he faced it the county. Jo and David married in 1965 and had two with determination to fight. He was able to undergo each daughters – Liz and Victoria. treatment with scientific detachment and always hoped for a successful outcome. He charmed all who met him and David remained as a language specialist at GCHQ all retained his quirky sense of humour even during the most his working life. He took great pride in his knowledge difficult of times in the last years. When asked recently of Russian, German, Italian, Greek, Arabic – and even about his chief value in life, his answer was: “Family love”.

Michael Pitts (Rt 1943-46) sailing, and travel, venturing to China when it was still a fairly closed destination. Michael Pitts was born in Barnt Green, where he shared a happy childhood with his four sisters. He died on 11th After almost forty years of married life, Jean lost the battle January 2015, fondly remembered by family and friends for with cancer, and Michael was to find himself alone for a his generosity, energy, and loyalty. His motto “Work hard, time, though by now there were grandchildren in the family. play hard” permeated all he did in professional and private Eventually he found a new partner in José, whom he married life – and he found time to contribute to public bodies, of in 1997. Further moves followed, to Ablington (involving which more below. more garden development) and finally to Stow-in-the-Wold in Gloucestershire. In his last years, Michael suffered from On leaving Shrewsbury, he went straight to National Parkinson’s disease and was resident in a nursing home. Service, which he enjoyed, before following his father into At the service of thanksgiving for his life, tribute was paid to accountancy. He married his first wife, Jean, in 1954, and a gentle man, a conciliator and peacemaker, and one who their early years were spent in Dorridge, where they brought had worked hard for the good of others. up their three children, Rodney, Richard, and Hilarie. In 1971 they moved to Hickecroft in , a house which was to be not only a home, but also a hobby, for Michael involved himself in the maintenance of the property and the garden, the latter being periodically open to the public. His hospitality was famous in the area, often taking the form of a themed party. He enjoyed playing away, too – “Never refuse an invitation!”

Hard-working and respected, he rose in his profession to become Senior Partner at the firm of Chalmers Impey and President of the West Midland Society of Chartered Accountants. In the voluntary sector, he was treasurer of the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham, and locally he was a Church Warden, later Church Treasurer and Trustee to the Parish Charity. Amid all this activity, he found time for golf, OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 85

Bill Rhys (Ch 1937-42) he was Captain in 1974 and President from 1991 to 2001, which coincided with the 1995 Walker Cup when Tiger Bill Rhys was born in 1924 and brought up in Eltham in Woods was in the US team. south-east London, conveniently opposite the entrance to Blackheath Golf Club, where he started playing golf at the In 1971, he became Chairman of Brains, a role he fulfilled age of seven; a lifetime’s love of the game (and most other with distinction until 1989, always finding time for people sports) lay ahead. and conducting himself with great integrity. As Chairman, he took an active role in Brewers’ Society and very much After spending time at schools in Mottingham and enjoyed his trips to London, the city of his birth. Blackheath, in 1937 he entered Shrewsbury, following his father and elder brother and ahead of his younger brother Having retired from the Chairmanship of Brains in 1989, he and spent five very happy years of which he always spoke continued to play a lot of golf for many years at Porthcawl, extremely fondly. He excelled in all sporting arenas - three at Cardiff Golf Club and all over the country. He was a years in both the Cricket and Football X1s – but also in particularly enthusiastic member of the Old Salopian Golf the Fives and Rugby teams. All four members of the Rhys Club, hosting an annual meeting at Porthcawl, and in family were members of the Cricket and Football XIs 1995 he was delighted to accept the Presidency of the Old with a combined total of many years. And Bill’s sport was Salopian Club, a post he held extremely happily and with accompanied by some music as he became a talented vigour, bringing fun and laughter to functions throughout drummer in a jazz band. the country and visiting the School as much as possible. He was one of a very few Presidents asked to continue for His talents as a goalkeeper led to his being offered terms a second year - which was equally full and enjoyable. by Blackburn Rovers prior to leaving school in 1942. But His son John had followed the family into Churchill’s it was of course wartime and duty called. He joined the (1971-76). In 2010 he and Yvette celebrated their Diamond Royal Navy instead, where at the age of 19, he found Wedding Anniversary, but sadly she died at the end of himself in charge as Commanding Officer of the 192-foot that year. landing craft 7092, which played its part in the D-Day landings of June 1944. He celebrated his 90th birthday in July 2014, an event He remained in the Navy till the end of the war, where marked by a proliferation of goodwill messages from his he was stationed off the coast near Bristol. By February very many friends. His death soon afterwards brought 1946, 9 months after the end of the war in Europe, he and an equal number of letters of condolence, and so many his men were getting a bit impatient to be de-mobbed, carried the same thoughts – what a total gentleman he but on calling Royal Navy HQ to enquire when that might was, what charisma he brought to everything he did – happen, they were surprisingly told….. “We don’t have any and how broad was his smile and infectious his laughter. landing craft in that location!” He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

On leaving the Navy, he returned to live in his family home in Penarth and he joined the family business, S.A. Brain & Company Ltd, in 1946 as a pupil brewer, initially working out of Brains’ New Brewery in Helen Street in Splott. Over the next decade or so, he learnt his trade inside out, so much so that in 1958 he was involved in the creation of Brains Special Ale, the legendary SA, which also paid tribute to his great grandfather, the Company’s co-founder Samuel Arthur or S.A. Brain. In 1965, he became Head Brewer. By then of course, he was married with three children – a journey that had begun in 1947, when he met Yvette Box, whom he married in 1950.

By that stage, rugby for Glamorgan Wanderers had replaced football as his winter team sport.

He was also of course a very talented cricketer for many years. In the late 1940s, he played a few matches for Glamorgan 2nds who were keen for him to play more, but he prioritised his career as a brewer over county cricket, but went on to play weekend cricket for many years for St Fagan’s. And if he wasn’t playing cricket, he was more than likely spending his time on the fairways and greens of the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. His golfing prowess was considerable, reaching a low handicap of 2 and winning the Club Championship at Glamorganshire in 1954, where he was also club captain in 1964. At Royal Porthcawl, 86 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Jeremy Sabin (S 1964-69)

Jeremy Sabin embraced a wide range of academic Nevertheless, the urge to study, gather more information, opportunities on offer at Shrewsbury: languages, English read and learn continued throughout his life. He translated literature and especially history. He rowed, walked, climbed books, walked when he could, worked in libraries and mountains in Wales and Scotland and debated. He went on completed a post graduate at Birkbeck College. He bore his to Bristol University to read history but tragically ill health illness in later years with great fortitude and never lost his frustrated the bright future that was ahead for him. concern for others, kindness and selfless spirit.

Professor Alexander Skinner (R 1935-40)

Alexander Neil Skinner was born in Hankou, China on Shortly before Nigerian independence in 1960, the Skinners November 13, 1921 to Dr. Alexander Hugh Skinner and moved to Dunedin, NZ, where Neil taught adult education Winifred Mary (Beney) Skinner. He was sent back to England classes for Otago University, including teaching Maori to for schooling, including five years at Shrewsbury School. He Maoris, and served as a radio commentator on foreign was awarded the Styring Fellowship for excellence in Ancient affairs for NZBC. He maintained his fluency in Hausa by Greek and Latin to Trinity College, Cambridge, on condition translating three volumes (over 1200 pages) of Hausa Tales that he did not study classics there. After achieving a First and Traditions originally collected by Frank Edgar. He also during his only year at Cambridge (1941), he was conscripted compiled the first English Hausa Dictionary, the first of three into the Royal Artillery, for which he was manifestly ill-suited. dictionaries he published in his lifetime. In 1963-64, he was The Colonial Office gave him the option of colonial service invited to teach Hausa at UCLA, and then in 1966, U.W. and he requested placement in Fiji, whereupon the colonial Madison’s African Languages and Literature Department hired secretary posted him to Northern Nigeria. With a few weeks him. His wife and children declined to be uprooted yet again, notice, and given his facility with language, Neil took a few and remained in New Zealand. lessons in Hausa at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. At U.W.-Madison, Neil taught Hausa, Fufulde, and Arabic language and literature. He published dictionaries, After arriving in Nigeria by convoy, Neil served as assistant translations, and teaching materials still in use today. He District Officer in Kano, before being appointed private also taught in the Hausa and Nigerian Languages Depts. secretary to the Chief Commissioner of the Northern of Abdullahi Bayero College, Kano, and Ahmadu Bello Provinces, Sir John Patterson, who insisted that he learn University, Zaria, Nigeria. In 1983, he assisted scholars Arabic and the fundamentals of Islam. Sir John recommended compiling a dictionary of Hausa-Chinese at the First Foreign that Neil be seconded to the Aden Protectorate (now south Language Institute, Beijing. He married Margaret (Meg) Yemen) and he spent 1945-47 in Aden and Mukalla, during Gardner in 1970, and their son Ben was born in 1976. which time he became fed up with the British bureaucracy, and asked to return to Nigeria. Having served as District Neil was a resident of Capitol Lakes Terraces for the last two Officer in Gombe and Bauchi, he asked to be seconded years, with supplemental care provided by Agrace Hospice to the Northern Region Literature Agency (NORLA) which Care, after 13 years of post-stroke TLC provided by his wife published educational books, a newspaper, and novels by and son. During his lifetime, Neil gave emergency support to Nigerian authors in their own languages. He also became several African students to complete their UW degree program. known as an accomplished polo player. In March 1950, he married Philippa (Pip) Goldsmith to whom a daughter Evelyn Neil was laid to rest on March 9th at the Natural Path Margaret was born in 1951, and Simon Alexander was born Sanctuary of the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and in 1953. Sustainability.

John Townsend (I 1946-50) noteworthy that he was School Librarian. After National Service, John read English at Oriel College, Oxford, before John Townsend, who has died aged 82, was a distinguished going to University College, London to train as a librarian. librarian, who made a lasting contribution to Viking studies. Having qualified, he held posts at the Universities of Leeds The first child of Marjorie and Cecil Townsend, John was and of Sheffield. born in Shanghai, where his father, a Captain in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was stationed. He grew up at the In April 1966, John joined the staff of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, where in 1936 his father was as an assistant keeper in the Department of Printed Books, made Captain of Invalids, responsible for the welfare of the serving part of the time in the subjects index. His last full- Pensioners. time role was as Scandinavian librarian at University College, London, where he continued to work part-time in retirement. A useful footballer, John was also a strong cross-country He made an outstanding contribution to the Viking Society runner, representing the RSSH during his time at Shrewsbury. for Northern research, a group dedicated to the promotion In the light of his subsequent career, it is particularly of, and research into ancient Scandinavian culture, which OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 87 meets at UCL. In the early 1960s, he became firstly assistant and wrote The Viking Society, a Centenary History (1992). secretary of the society, then treasurer, and eventually He funded the Townsend Viking Society prize, awarded President, in which capacity he was host to Vigdis annually to a student at UCL and was one of the Society’s Finnbogadottir, President of Iceland. vice-presidents in council up to the time of his death.

As editor of the Society’s Saga-Book Notes and Reviews, John compiled a very useful index to the Saga-Book volumes 1-23

Martin Way (Ch 1949-53) He also played fives, ran the Photographic Club, and repaired bicycles which he had found on scrap heaps, selling them Martin was born on 25 November 1935 and was brought on to other boys for pocket money. At one time he shared up at the family home, Garthmyl Hall, a beautiful Georgian a study with and William Rushton, who, house in the Severn Valley near Welshpool. Here Martin according to Martin, never stopped laughing. When they met enjoyed an idyllic childhood, building dens and treehouses, many years later, Rushton exclaimed “Clocks!”, a reference to boating on the lake, tobogganing in snow on tea trays and another of Martin’s hobbies, restoring clocks. The story goes sliding down the huge bannister rails. Martin’s intense love of that at the age of 16, he stepped in to repair the Shrewsbury the Welsh Countryside stems from this time. When he and his town clock, using a spring from his dormitory mattress. By all wife Joanna were looking for their marital home, it had to be accounts, Martin was very popular at school. in Wales. Despite all these distractions, Martin did well in his final exams and gained a place at Loughborough to study His early education was taken care of by a Governess who, Engineering, but first he decided to do his National Service. in Martin’s own words, “had an aversion to children”. But Martin was posted to Germany where he was nearly demoted when a Prep School evacuated from Broadstairs to an old for riding a motorbike, which was strictly taboo for British house nearby, Martin attended school for the first time. At officers. prep school, Martin started to develop interests that were to stay with him for the rest of his life. He devoured books and Back in civvy street Martin needed transport and a friend magazines on everything mechanical and technical, from persuaded him to look out for a scrapped Bentley to restore. traction engines and cars to aviation. Aged nine, he built No shortage of choice in those days! Within months, Martin his first radio from a biscuit tin and a transformer, the first had a 1920’s 3-litre Bentley fully restored and on the road. It of many with increasing complexity. This allowed Martin was the start of a lifelong love affair with the Bentley marque. to listen to radio broadcasts in his bedroom and further his His favourites were the late 1930’s 4 ¼ Overdrive cars built knowledge. at Crewe and he owned many examples of this model at different times in his life. Aged thirteen, Martin sat the common entrance exam for Shrewsbury School. He looked at the paper with despair, Martin was acknowledged as a leading expert on Bentley until he spotted his dream question: “Write a brief description cars. The telephone would ring at all hours of the day and of the workings of the jet engine”. Martin filled every page of night with calls from other enthusiasts needing advice, which the exercise book laid in front of him and was offered a place Martin was always pleased to give. His other interests, on in the middle fourth. which he was very well informed, included clocks, railways, traction engines, butterflies and moths, stamps and antique Without doubt, Martin’s schooldays at Shrewsbury School collectables. He was also famous for his 1950’s Harris tweed were the happiest days of his early life. It is noteworthy that jackets, which still fitted him, and his wonderful mashed the stammer which afflicted him in early years disappeared potato – once tasted, never forgotten. during his time at Shrewsbury, never to return. He was a keen oarsman and his proudest achievement was being a After his death his kindness and generosity were widely member of the1953 Churchill’s crew that went Head of the recognised by friends who had valued his acquaintance, “We River for the first time in sixteen years. On his last visit to the have lost a great man”, “a real one-off”, “a remarkable man”, School, Martin was thrilled to be able to have a turn on the and much more. Let one final tribute stand for many: “It was recently installed rowing tank. an absolute joy to have known Martin.” SALOPIAN CLUB COMING EVENTS

More details on the Salopian Club website: www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-events-0 Sporting fixtures at: www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-sport (Click on individual sport) All Shrewsbury School parents (including former parents) and guests of members are most welcome at the majority of our events. It is our policy to include in invitations all former parents for whom we have contact details. The exception is any event marked ‘Old Salopian’ which, for reasons of space, is restricted to Club members only (e.g. Birmingham Dinner). Supporters or guests are always very welcome at Salopian Club sporting or arts events.

Date Event Venue

Sunday 9th – Thursday 13th August 2015 Saracens Devon Tour Devon (Various) (Cricket and golf)

Saturday 5th September 2015 Young OS Summer Party and BBQ Grand Union Pleasure Garden Brixton

Saturday 19th September 2015 Open Day for prospective pupils (16+) Shrewsbury School For online booking form, please visit www.shrewsbury.org.uk/open-days-and- booking-form

Wednesday 30th September 2015 Chapel Choir Evensong and Reception The Queen’s College, Oxford

Saturday 3rd October 2015 Old Salopian Day Shrewsbury School All members and their guests are welcome (Please see the magazine insert for detailed information and booking form) Old Salopians v School Football matches

Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th October 2015 OSYC competing in Arrow Trophy Cowes

Friday 6th November 2015 Old Salopian Wales & West of England Dinner Cardiff and County Club

Saturday 7th November 2015 Open Day for prospective pupils Shrewsbury School (13+ and 14+) For online booking form, please visit www.shrewsbury.org.uk/ open-days-and-booking-form

Thursday 19th November 2015 City Drinks The Travellers Club Dinner and canapés from 6pm Pall Mall

Thursday 26th November 2015 Birmingham Drinks All Bar One Drinks and canapés from 6pm 43 Newhall Street B3 3NY

Friday 4th December 2015 Shrewsbury Christmas Drinks Alington Hall Drinks and canapés from 6pm Shrewsbury School (a chance to book the subsequent Carol Service tickets will be available nearer the time)

Friday 24th January 2016 Chapel Choir Evensong Manchester Cathedral

Sunday 28th February 2016 School Orchestral Concert Birmingham Town Hall

Thursday 14th April 2016 Old Salopian Birmingham Dinner St Paul’s Club

More details of all these events may be found on the Salopian Club website: www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-events-0 Sporting fixtures at: www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-sport (Click on individual sport)