TITLE HERE 1 THE SALOPIAN Issue No. 157 - Winter 2015

he death on Friday 11th December of Michael Schützer- TWeissmann has formed a melancholy coda to the Michaelmas CONTENTS term. For his family, for the English faculty - which Mike headed Academic News 4 for 17 years from his arrival at the school in 1988 - for generations of former pupils, and for the whole current school community, the City on a Hill 6 loss of an extraordinary man, whose humanity, wit and wisdom Salvete 8 enriched so many lives will be irredeemable. Valete 9 Spanish Study visit to Argentina 12 In Mike were wedded harmoniously a towering moral strength Classics Trip to Greece 13 with the deepest humanity. Prodigiously well read, and a profound Drama 14 thinker on matters both spiritual and temporal, he combined Evensong at The Queen’s College 16 the scholarship of a don with a disdain for pretentiousness and Leavers concert 17 intellectual humbug. An innate respect for his fellow men – I House Singing 18 never heard him speak ill of anyone – was, perhaps ironically, Shrewsbury in Malawi 18 allied to a Swiftian sense of satire. Nowhere was this seen to better Expedition to Guyana 19 advantage than in his now rather poignantly named Shakespearian Pringle Trophy 23 pastiches As You Leave Us and Lots Leave us Lost written for private Old Salopians in WWI 24 performance at leaving parties for fellow English Faculty members Life beyond Shrewsbury 26 held at Marycourt, a frequently-used haven for so many of us from Relaunch of the Rovers 28 the hurly-burly of day-to-day Salopian life. Cricket 29 Tennis 37 Countless Salopians owe much of their ‘real’ education to time RSSBC 38 spent in his architectural seminars, the legendary Building Society, RSSH 41 tapping into his vast knowledge of French wine, or, in the case of Athletics 44 the School’s Roman Catholic contingent, simply chatting to him Equestrian Success 45 over lashings of bacon and eggs in Marycourt after early Sunday Hockey 46 Mass in the Cathedral. In so many ways Mike was paterfamilias to Shrewsbury School Foundation 47 the Common Room as well as to his extensive family, to whom we Director of the Salopian Club 48 send our warmest good wishes. Salopian Club Events 49 News of Old Salopians 51 David Gee’s City on a Hill, published in September and reviewed Arts & Activities Committee 55 by both Martin Knox and Professor Colin Leach in the following Old Salopian Biologists 55 pages, implicitly invites readers to reflect on change and constancy The Making of a Runner 56 in the Salopian scene. The idea that the “The One remains, the Sponsored charity row 57 many change and pass” - a spell well-known to anyone brought up Cycling across Europe 58 at the knees of Frank McEachran – lies at the heart of this portrait, Old Salopian Football 59 written by a man whose understanding of Shrewsbury is unrivalled. Old Salopian Yacht Club 61 Values held dear by Mike Schützer-Weissmann - decency, humanity Sabrina 62 and gratitude for the gift of life - are unchanging. Never indeed Old Salopian Hunt 64 have they seemed so important than today, when we consider the Old Salopian Golfing Society 66 wider world beyond the bounds of Shrewsbury School. Saracens 69 Publications 71 Within the Shrewsbury microcosm, we can see those values Obituaries 72 illustrated in the heartwarming tale accompanying the adjacent picture, which I feel Mike would have enjoyed. The first two are evident in the actions of the sheep’s rescuers, the last, one must assume, is being instinctively felt by the sheep himself, if only he were able to articulate it. Editor Richard Hudson I will leave readers to extract whatever symbolism they can from Churchill’s Hall, Shrewsbury School, the front cover photograph. The platform seems solid enough, but Shrewsbury SY3 7AT perhaps it might be better just to enjoy the view! 01743 280630 [email protected] Assistant Editor Annabel Warburg Obituaries Editor Front Cover: Guyana Expedition 2015, Kaieteur Falls. Martin Knox Salopian Club Inside Front cover: As members of the newly relaunched Rovers Club kayaked and canoed down Nick Jenkins (Director) the Severn on Field Day, a drowning sheep was spotted in the river standing neck deep in the water, Old Salopian Club, The Schools, which he looked as if he had been in for several hours, unable to climb up the steep bank to his Shrewsbury SY3 7BA home field. Manhandled into a canoe, he was released up a rather easier bank on the opposite side 01743 280891 (Director) of the river which he eventually scrambled up, gradually regaining strength in his legs. 01743 280892 (Administrator) mail to: [email protected] The farmer will wonder how his opposite-bank-neighbour’s sheep has ended up in his flock: there Design: www.grand-design.eu are no bridges between Montford Bridge and Welsh Bridge along this 17km stretch of the river! Print: www.lavenhampress.com 4 SCHOOL NEWS

Academic News

Exam results

This year, we celebrated our best ever A Level results, with Physics and Chinese. All 12 pupils with offers from 86.1% of the exams awarded the top A*, A or B grades and Oxford or Cambridge Universities achieved the required 25% of all exams gaining the top A* grade. There were grades to meet their offers. many individual success stories, not least the 19 pupils who gained at least three A* grades and the 55 pupils who The School’s AS results from the Lower Sixth pupils gained an A* or A in all their subjects. were also impressive, with 65% of grades achieved at A or B grades. 38 pupils gained A grades in all their Both last year’s joint Heads of School, James Plaut and subjects and 80 gained nothing less than a B. Esmé O’Keeffe, gained an A* in each of their subjects. James was studying English, Geography and History, whilst Esmé Lower Sixth Examination prizes were awarded to the studied French, History, Latin and Spanish. Impressive too following candidates who achieved outstanding scores was the performance of Ronald Chen who gained six A* in their AS subjects: grades, in Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry,

A. Arridge (Rb) S. Hazar (I) H.F. Partington (PH) T.C. Breese (PH) B.G. Jones (S) A. Pototskaya (G) G.W. Cabral (Ch) L.B. Kell (EDH) M.R. Pownall (MSH) N.J. Chen (I) T. Lam (MSH) B.E. Sansom (PH) X. Chen (MSH) K.L. Lee (M) V.U. Taujanskaite (MSH) A. Chumbala (SH) L.J. Mattinson (Rb) A. Vechamamontien (M) T.H. Dodd (Rb) H.A.P. Newbould (Ch) Y. Xu (EDH) F.T. Galbraith (EDH) O.C. Papaioannou (EDH) T. Zhou (EDH)

It was also another strong year for GCSE results, with a European gold medal as part of the GB eventing team. 64.3% of the exams awarded an A* or A grade and over (see page 45) a third of all exams (34.8%) awarded the top A* grade. Six pupils, Nicholas Davis, Mathew Hedges, Ben Jones, After the GCSE examinations, Honorary Scholarships Andrew Kim, Fintan Simmons and Thomas Tulloch, each were awarded to: R.W.A. Carter-Motley (Rt), M.W. Hedges gained 10 straight A* grades, and 30 pupils gained either (Rb) and A.D. Howells (MSH) and Honorary Exhibitions A* or A grades in all their subjects. Thomas Tulloch’s were awarded to: E.M.C. Plaut (S) and M.J.B. Yale (S). other major achievement during the summer was winning

GCSE Examination prizes were awarded to candidates with an outstanding number of A* grades: R.A. Arkwright (O) H. Kim (S) R.F. Smith-Langridge (EDH) A.J. Aslam-Baskeyfield (Rb) R. Lim (MSH) C.M. Speed (I) W.S. Bedson (Rb) J.J. Mattinson (Rb) A.K.C.O. Stock (I) J.S. Bray (Rb) M.H.J. Morris (Rb) J.S. Thevathasan (PH) E.L. Chapman (Rb) S.K. Randawa (MSH) A.J. Thomason (Rt) P. Cope (Ch) M.J.B. Redhead (MSH) T.A.W. Tulloch (Rt) N.W. Davis (PH) L.H.E. Robb (MSH) S. Williams (O) B.M.W. Jones (Rb) S.T.F. Russell (Ch) E.G. Kerr (EDH) F.J.J. Simmons (Ch) SCHOOL NEWS 5

Academic Extension Programme Cambridge Chemistry Challenge 2015 The Academic Extension Programme is intervention in Afghanistan, the rise of a new initiative, designed to challenge ISIS and the current migration crisis. At the end of the Summer academically ambitious pupils to think Each pupil in the group was given a term and after a busy AS exam beyond the confines of their studies copy of Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant schedule, a group of Lower and to broaden their horizons. It is Fundamentalist, which was the topic Sixth students entered the 2015 compulsory for Academic Scholars but of discussion in the second half of term. Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. it is also open to any pupil; we are They performed remarkably well, delighted that a considerable number In November we were delighted to amassing a total of eight Gold, of other intellectually curious boys and welcome Major General Richard Nugee, 20 Silver and 27 Copper medals girls have chosen to take part in this Assistant Chief of Defence Staff and – which topped even last year’s year’s programme, which focuses on the Defence Services Secretary, who gave excellent results. Middle East. a fascinating lecture on ‘Should Britain intervene against the Islamic State?’ Set by an experienced team of At the beginning of the Michaelmas teachers and university chemists, the term, a group of Fourth and Fifth Next term we look forward to a talk by paper is designed to be accessible Formers were given an overview of Tim Marshall, former Diplomatic Editor to Lower Sixth students but also to the complexity and diversity of the of Sky News, who will offer his unique take them significantly beyond the various modern conflicts in the region, viewpoint on the situation that the syllabus and encourage them to starting with the Iraq Wars, through to Middle East faces. think about science in the way they would at university. It is endorsed and sponsored by St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. Omnibus Gladstone Competition

Guy Cabral (Ch UVI) beat stiff Mathematics Challenge competition from Classics pupils Competitions across the country in September to come runner-up in the Omnibus Chloe Chen (MSH UVI), Tom Dodd Gladstone Competition - the (Rb UVI), David Gao (I LVI) and UK’s premier national Classics Evelyn Xiong (G LVI) triumphed in essay writing competition. His the Regional Final of the Senior Team essay was on the importance of Maths Challenge at Keele University on the Vindolanda Tablets, a set of 18th November. They now progress to wooden ‘booklets’ considered to be the National Final, which will be held the oldest surviving hand-written in London on 2nd February 2016. documents in Britain. They were discovered near Hadrian’s Wall and Chloe Chen also achieved the School’s give a unique insight into frontier top mark (115 out of a possible 125) life on the northernmost edges of in this year’s Senior Mathematical the Roman Empire. Challenge paper. A total of 126 Shrewsbury pupils across all five year On hearing the good news, Guy - groups sat the paper this year; 115 who is applying to read Classics at of them performed well enough to Oxford - said, “It was a complete place themselves in the top 60% of surprise and I am absolutely the country and receive a certificate. delighted to be runner-up. It was a A special mention should go to Tianci fascinating process to delve into the private and personal correspondence Wang (SH III) who was amongst the 19 between Roman soldiers and their families; it showed me that in many Gold certificate winners; an impressive ways, people have not changed that much over two millennia.” achievement for a Third Former.

International Young Physicists’ Tournament

Shrewsbury School represented the UK once again in the finals of the International Young Physicists’ Tournament in Thailand in July. Competing against 26 other teams from countries all over the world, they returned home with a bronze medal. 6 SCHOOL NEWS

CITY ON A HILL A Portrait of Shrewsbury School

by David Gee, with Foreword by Eric Anderson; Greenbank Press (2015); xv+316 pp. Hardback, £25.00. ISBN 978 - 0 - 9523699 - 8 - 1

Martin Knox David’s view that personal relations mystified ignorance of the topics of the (Staff 1971-2003) writes: grow in a richer soil on Kingsland day. In fact, he has his finger on the than elsewhere and that within the pulse like no-one else; were it not so, Everyone knows the story of David gates a bond of uncommon loyalty is he could not have written this book. Gee, who came to Shrewsbury in forged. Like him, I formed this opinion 1958 for a term’s teaching practice and early and have not since had cause to It might be supposed that a necessarily stayed for a lifetime. The headmaster, change it. Forty-five years ago, life at retrospective work would be smothered J.M.Peterson, impressed by the energy Shrewsbury was not like the fictitious in nostalgia, that the past would be and enthusiasm of the young History world of “If”, but it was no easy task preferred to the present at every turn. graduate, offered him a permanent to persuade the sceptical outsider. It is not like that. True, there are times position which he was only too We must be grateful to David Gee for when it can be discerned that the happy to accept. Nearly six decades producing such a well-researched, passing of one tradition or another is later, the fire still burns. In a Dayboys deeply considered account of how the lamented, but for the most part, David production of The Mikado, David once School has evolved in his time. Gee is content to record that at a certain played the part of Pooh-Bah, “Lord time, people spoke and behaved in a High Everything Else”, an apt term City on a Hill is a handsome volume, particular way. That they no longer do for one who has served the School in for the production of which so is not of itself a bad thing. In the many roles, all of them with success. congratulations go to Richard Hudson Wessex novels, Thomas Hardy depicted His latest triumph is this wide-ranging and his Greenbank Press. They have customs and crafts which had gone for survey of Shrewsbury School life in a provided a frame worthy of the portrait ever. His manner was wistful and yet period which he is uniquely qualified painted by the tireless historian. Many he was mindful of the hardship which to chronicle. As he points out in the Old Salopians and past and present had gone with them. So, too, do we preface, the second half of the twentieth members of the Common Room have find here a realistic appraisal of life at century has been erratically served made contributions, too, for, prodigious Shrewsbury. The Old Days were not all when it comes to maintaining detailed though David’s memory is, he does not “good” and this history is mercifully free records and he has spent many, many know everything and does not pretend of the attitude so readily adopted by hours piecing together a jigsaw puzzle to. His thoroughness and his humility Old Boys - of any school - that “it never of facts and opinions into a coherent have combined to give us an insight did me any harm”. picture. into just about every activity promoted by the School during the period. Of Many readers are likely to turn to the In the last edition of The Salopian, particular interest are the interviews with area of greatest interest to themselves David spoke of how the book came to all of the surviving Headmasters and it and the format allows this kind of be written and outlined the structure is only a pity that Donald Wright, who selective approach, but I caution he has adopted, treating each facet of was at the helm during the turbulent against neglecting any chapter, for school life under a different heading, sixties, died just before David started much of the pleasure to be had in rather than presenting a chronological work on his project. The reader is left in reading the whole lies in discovering narrative. With apologies to those who no doubt, however, about the value of unfamiliar aspects of the little world missed it, I will avoid repetition of what that great reformer’s contribution. that is Shrewsbury School. Inevitably, he had to say, other than to stress that the author’s preferences are reflected City on a Hill is not an autobiography. One does not have to have known in where the emphasis is placed. Indeed, in places the author even the men concerned to enjoy the Events which bring the whole school refers to himself in the third person. four sketches of Common Room together are especially admired, be they It is, however, unmistakeably David “characters”, chosen for their eccentric traditional or innovative. The Speech Gee’s book, imbued as it is on every approach to the profession on which Day tent is an example of the latter, but page with the values which he holds they made their highly individual the Call-over is a re-enactment of an dear and which he believes flourish at mark. Unorthodox, idiosyncratic, even ancient ritual (with the practical purpose Shrewsbury as nowhere else. subversive, they could scarcely be less of ensuring that everyone stays till the Well he would, wouldn’t he? An easy like the author, who nevertheless treats end). The Tucks, Sponsored Walks, the jibe, but one which does not hold, for them with admiration and affection. St Mary’s service are further instances of David is too much the historian to rely David is himself conservative in his ways of fostering the community spirit on his own uncorroborated opinion ways, a man who sees no reason why which is such a central theme of City on to make his point. In the chapter on today should not be like yesterday and a Hill. While it is true that they are all the ethos of Shrewsbury, he quotes a expects much the same of tomorrow - compulsory, it is worth noting that the number of distinguished witnesses, all or so he would have us believe. Behind last time Shrewsbury reached the final testifying to the qualities that make it the routines and the favourite sayings, of the Boodles ISFA Trophy, the turnout no ordinary school. Speaking for myself however, lies more than a hint of self- in support (a hundred miles away) was (and not claiming distinction), I share parody, as there is in his affectation of 90%. No other school comes near. SCHOOL NEWS 7

A glance at the index section (David is “The Public School Revolution” neatly which David himself played a major very fond of tables and indexes) will sums up what may be described as part; as for Music, Drama, Visual Arts, reveal just how thorough and how up “Before and After”. As the reviewer can Craft, Design and Technology, where to date is the coverage. Famous names vouch, a boy arriving at Shrewsbury would they have been fifty years ago? from the past are there, certainly, but in, say, 1950, would have found a David deals generously with Chapel, so, too, are the men and women, the school that was well-nigh identical to The Shewsy and Sports, less so with boys and girls who are responsible for the one that his father (shall we say) the Library (adequately dealt with in carrying on the Great Tradition. They had entered in 1920: but by 1980, that earlier histories): financial matters, too, will find their efforts appreciated and could no longer be said, and even less fall outside the author’s self-imposed their achievements applauded. could it be said by 2010, or today. It is remit. The many Appendices provide David’s achievement – and it could have enough information to satisfy the most The period under review has had its been done only by someone who was gluttonous fact-hunter (the Carmen moments of controversy and these are permanently on the Site – that he shows Salopiense is there, but not Mark dealt with even-handedly and with in riveting detail how the “old order” has Mortimer’s indecorous parody). And restraint, as one would expect from a been swept away, both in and out of the although the Contents page is helpfully writer sensitive to the feelings of others. classroom. “Douling”? The Pink Book? complete, your reviewer would have One would seek in vain for gossip and Compulsory Corps? The School’s arcane welcomed an Index. speculation in City on a Hill. vocabulary? Hall Crier? Hall Constable? De Salopia nil nisi bonum. Shrewsbury Colour Exams? All these, and much In his Preface, which is itself of the may have given the world “Private more, are gone, and have been replaced greatest interest, David tells us, among Eye”, but nothing could be further by a regimen more in keeping with our much else, that it has been his aim to from its ethos than this text, which times – especially with the introduction “focus on the visible, daily life of the is a celebration of common purpose of girls, a subject of the highest school” (and) “the personalities who carried out with goodwill. There have importance which is covered by Jeremy have created, sustained and transmitted inevitably been frustrations, tensions Goulding in his contribution to A View its distinctive ethos”: he has succeeded and disappointments along the way, from the Pentagon (see below). Here we triumphantly, while being fully and sometimes darker clouds have are taken, in no fewer than 33 chapters, conscious of how, in the world of the gathered; it could scarcely be otherwise into (eg) the expansion of the Site (new email, the “smartphone” , the internet in more than half a century of human buildings), The Bloxham Report, The – and long exeats - maintaining our endeavour, but Shrewsbury School has Basic Year, Academic changes (the reign ethos will be no easy matter: much time overwhelmingly been a happy and of classics ended long ago, but there has passed since the Bloxham Report successful example of its kind. With is very much more to it than that, as a (in which “Hartfield”, ie Shrewsbury, good cause has David Gee followed the full chapter shows), and Administrative featured so prominently), actually advice of St Paul to the Christians changes, largely brought on by the captured the School’s ethos with no at Philippi: “deluge” of government directives: the little acuteness. Again, “rolls” have to be maintained – and so do academic “… whatsoever things are pure, five admin staff of 1954 had become 60 by 2014 – and 43 members of standards (again, see the chapter on whatsoever things are lovely, Common Room had become 123: huge Academic Changes). All this and much more will be found here, and it is whatsoever things are of good changes, even allowing for a larger tempting, if irrelevant, to wonder how report, if there be any praise, school. Thus, it is unsurprising that fees have risen so sharply: hard to believe former Headmasters would view the and if there be any virtue, that, in 1945, fees were just £180 per huge changes of the latest 50 years: think on these things.” year! As to what the future will bring, the reviewer, without any mandate to David is, as ever, keenly aware of the speculate, suspects that John (Lord) Professor Colin Leach problems and challenges that may lie Wolfenden, at least, would be looking (O 1945-51) writes: ahead, not least with the demise of so upon them with a benign eye. many Preparatory Schools: the analysis Those with very long memories Of course, the natural “constituency” on page 107 is essential reading. may recall that, in 1932, a book was of the book’s readers will come from Will the School become ever more published under the title Shrewsbury: Salopians, whether present or past, but international? (The location of the The Last Fifty (later wisely changed I have no doubt that it will be studied Schools has many advantages, but also to “Recent”) Years, chronicling the keenly at many other schools as well. some disadvantages, especially with period since the momentous move to This book has clearly been a labour the number and lengths of “half-term” Kingsland in 1882. It was an important, of love, by a man who has devoted breaks). even crucial, move, amounting, indeed, his working life to the School, and to a new Foundation: but it was not a But this long (and superbly illustrated) where he has himself played a deeply “revolution”, and the school of Butler, book is far from being a mere assembly important and distinguished role. There Kennedy and Moss had changed its of facts: for example, we are given a is much more to be said: but I conclude location but not its modus operandi. By splendid chapter on “Four Salopian by congratulating him warmly on what now, of course, we are all familiar with Characters” – Hugh Brooke, Frank will surely be a lasting achievement. the phrase “Public Schools’ Revolution” McEachran, Mark Mortimer, and Michael – there has even been a book with Hall, all of course well known to the Floreat Salopia! virtually that title - and in this excellent author. Individual Headmasters are given book David Gee has shown how, at their say – including, rather bravely, Shrewsbury, the latest 50 years have the most recent ones (Simon Langdale, indeed constituted a “revolution “ rather Ted Maidment, and Jeremy Goulding) than a more decorous, Darwinesque, – or are assessed in A View from the “evolution”. Of course, even a revolution Pentagon (it is here that, rightly, David will be foreshadowed, and although It also pays tribute to that most Salopian of was with the arrival of Donald Wright Salopians, Michael Charlesworth, who in 1963 that the major changes were must himself have regretted many of the instituted, David shows that in the changes which surrounded him); there closing years of Peterson’s long reign is a shrewd chapter on the growing there were already harbingers of what importance of Dayboys, in terms of was to come; the early chapter called numbers, organisation and identity, in 8 SCHOOL NEWS

Salvete

Morgan Bird joins us as rowed for ten years, representing Great Science from Manchester teacher of Philosophy and Britain v France at the age of 16. He has Metropolitan University. Theology from the Royal a BSc in Sport, Coaching and PE from Lauren has been playing Grammar School Guildford Oxford Brookes University. football for Aston Villa’s where he was teacher of Women’s Super League Mai Le is the new Religious Studies and Head team and has been a Harvard Fellow for this of Young Enterprise. He county tennis player and academic year. Mai has has been heavily involved in playing a keen participator in athletics and a degree in Organismic rugby at a high level throughout his cross-country. Lauren has also been and Evolutionary Biology school and university life and has also working as a Sports Scientist at Stoke and spent ten months in coached and refereed the game. In City Football Club. Germany as part of the athletics, Morgan has been coaching Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange. Nicholas Welch comes long jump and javelin. Morgan still has Mai played division 1 Varsity soccer and to Shrewsbury as full-time a keen interest in the Arts (he has an Art for a semi-professional team whilst in teacher of Mathematics Foundation Diploma), and headed up Germany. She has also been involved in the Photographic Society at RGS. from the Abraham Derby coaching soccer as well as debating, Academy. He has a BSc in Andrea Bresso is our a cappella singing and ballroom dancing. Mathematics and a PGCE Hispanic Fellow for 2015- Harry Mackridge joins from Warwick University. 16. Andrea has a degree us as Head of History Nick was head of Key Stage 5 in his in Law and is a Junior from the Merchant Taylors’ previous post as well as the annual Associate at a law firm. School. He has a first class Maths challenge and is keen to be She has been working in MA in History from Corpus involved in Shrewsbury’s UKMT Maths Argentina as a Spanish- Christi College, Cambridge. challenge. He ran the badminton club English translator. In her spare time, she At Merchant Taylors’ and is an amateur astronomer. He also enjoys hockey and swimming. School, Harry was also Oxbridge and enjoys playing the trumpet. Emma Davis joins us as Enrichment Coordinator as well as i/c Stephen Wilderspin joins a new teacher of Girls’ Debating, in which he led the school to us as Head of Football Games. She holds a PGCE the national finals at Cambridge. He has and teacher of PE, from in Physical Education also been involved in coaching football Thomas Telford School and a BA Hons in up to 1st XI level, as well as cricket with where he was Director of Physical Education in the the juniors. He was also charity fund Football and BTEC Sport Community from St Mary’s raising co-ordinator. Programme Leader. He University College, Twickenham. She Kimberley Onions is one of our has a BEd. (Hons) in Physical Education was previously Head of Girls’ Physical Graduate Sports Coaches. and Geography. He was also teacher Education & Sport and Head of House at She has a BSc in Sport i/c Extra-Curricular Physical Education Bedstone College. She has participated & Exercise Science from Programme in his last post, as well as in hockey, netball, cross-country and Heriot-Watt University. She i/c Cricket. He is part of the England athletics to a high level and has a vast coaches netball and has Schools U18 International Football selection of coaching qualifications in a been involved in athletics, Management team and has coached at wide variety of sports and recreational running and gaelic football. Shrewsbury Town FC. activities. She has also been involved in charity David Wray joins us as Sara Fletcher joins us work and has formed a long-term teacher of Chemistry. He as part-time teacher of relationship with a mental health charity. has a 1st class MChem from Biology, from New College Ben Purser returns St John’s College, Oxford, Sixth Form in Wellington. where he completed a to Shrewsbury, from She has a BSc Dual Master’s project in organic Claremont Fan Court Honours in Neuroscience synthesis. He joins us from School in Surrey, as full- and English Literature from the University of Manchester following time teacher of Art. Ben the University of Keele and completed completion of a PGCE. David has taught in our Art faculty her PGCE at the University of Chester. extensive experience of working as a on a part-time basis from She enjoys running and competes in half private tutor and he has been a Program 2008-13. He has a MA in Fine Art from marathons regularly; she is also keen on Assistant for Oxbridge Academic the University of Wales and a PGCE netball, hockey and rounders. Programs. During his time at Oxford, from the University of Buckingham. David rowed, coxed and coached at the Patrick Graham is our He is a keen chess player and enjoys St John’s College Boat Club. He has also 2015-16 Graduate Sports mountaineering and football. Coach - Rowing. Patrick been a keen amateur boxer while at was M2 Rowing Coach at Lauren Walker is one of our Graduate university. He rose rapidly through the New College Oxford last Sports Coaches for this academic year, ranks of the Air Training Corps, which academic year. He has with a degree is in Sports & Exercise he attended up to the age of 19. SCHOOL NEWS 9

Valete

Struan Hellier invaluable in providing an additional As I think most of you know, Struan layer of support for pupils and has taken the decision to step away Struan has worked terrifically well to from teaching, for a year at least. He is encourage all members of the Sixth off to pursue a Masters based in both Form to greater independence and to Canterbury and Paris – messy job but manage the transition from school to someone’s got to do it! Struan will be higher education. In addition to all the a huge loss to the school but it is my above he has made time to support sincere hope that he finds his way the Outdoor Pursuits programme, back to the classroom or perhaps a umpire cricket and keep goal for the lecture theatre/seminar room at some staff football team. time in the not too distant future.’

You may not know this but Struan Laura Whittle has had a number of letters published in the Times. My personal favourite was his response to one individual, clearly a young earth creationist, who believed the world was only a few thousand years old. Struan’s letter reads thus;

‘Sir, Like Matthew Hyde I too have yet to read a well referenced and reasoned refutation of James Usher’s thesis that the world is only about 6,000 years old. Then again, I have yet to see a formal refutation of my son’s thesis that Noddy really did go to Toyland. The following is the text of the leaving Scientists always seem to avoid the tribute given by Second Master really important questions.’ Mike Tonks: I stood here two years ago and said ‘Struan has fulfilled a multitude of a few words by way of farewell to roles here at Shrewsbury. He joined Chris Conway. At that time I described the ‘Faculty of Fun’ way back in 1999 Chris as one of the standing stones as a raw recruit to teach ‘A’ Level. of Shrewsbury school, one who has provided strength and stability Three years later he was appointed to the community. In a very similar Head of Faculty where he guided way Struan too has been at the The following is the text of the leaving a disparate bunch of ‘philosophic very foundations of life here in the tribute given by Director of Studies wannabees’ with a firm but gentle Shrewsbury School of the 21st century. Martin Cropper: touch. During this time he brought his He has fulfilled many different and own personality and intellectual stamp highly significant roles and I suspect ‘Laura arrived at Shrewsbury School to the department and this included he possesses an almost unique insight aged 17 for her History interview with a move away from the traditional into Salopian life. Mike Morrogh. However, this wasn’t an New Testament studies toward a attempt to be Shrewsbury’s youngest combination of Philosophy of Religion Struan is the sort of person whose ever Head of Faculty, but rather a trial and Ethics. In 2005 he took the plunge glass is always half full. Whatever Oxbridge interview while she was into Housemastering at Churchill’s the situation he sees the positive, the at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. Hall. Here again his calm, methodical possible, the productive and how to She arrived for real in 2006, and in and measured approach was hugely move forward. Then again years of the subsequent nine years, a defining appreciated by pupils and parents being a Liverpool fan I guess you have feature of Laura’s commitment to the alike. In 2007 he moved across to Port to find some way of looking on the school has been the sheer quantity Hill where he was Housemaster until bright side of life. of different areas of Shrewsbury 2011. The challenges of running a day life that she has been involved in: house are different to those involved Nothing is ever too much trouble trips to the Battlefields, Italy, Berlin, in boarding but Struan’s easy manner for Struan. A genuinely rare breed. Paris; four visits to the Shewsy, the and openness of approach ensured the A compassionate gentleman with a Edinburgh Fringe, and Medic Malawi; House was hugely successful. powerful mind – quite simply, an ideal running Charities, staging the first two colleague. Ask his students and they fashion shows, helping to run Quod, Struan was then appointed Head will speak to his clarity of thought and involvement with Community Action; of Sixth Form, a role that he has his incisive mental faculties. His patient netball, boys’ rowing, girls’ rowing, undertaken for the last four years. approach that ensured every member playing the flute in the orchestra; Working closely with the other Heads of the class whatever their ability was running School Debating for five of Section, this initiative has been actively engaged in the process. years and editing the Public Nose; 10 SCHOOL NEWS

Professional Development mentor, writing and it was fun to do. Glad you incredible amount in his time, leaving Assistant Housemaster of School liked it!” football at Shrewsbury in very rude House and … Head of History. health indeed. Steve arrived with a In the past couple of years she has flourish and won the Boodles and I remember overhearing some of my extended her academic role, joining Dunthorne ISFA Cup in his first year in Fifth Form set talking a few years ago the Academic Committee and taking charge of the team. This was a squad about teachers. They were comparing a leading role in the Sixth Form and that played attractive attacking football notes on their most organised teacher, lower school essay competitions that and had a wonderful cup run including and alighted on Miss Whittle. But have been created in the past three a memorable semi-final victory away at let’s turn the clock back to 25th April years. Outside of school, she has been Millfield on penalties. The final was a 2007, in the week of Laura’s first involved with Pre-U examining. fine occasion; a magnificent 3-0 victory school inspection. Not surprisingly, over Repton at Milton Keynes Dons in she had a meticulously prepared Even though Laura was pretty much lesson for Period 1, and was lucky straight out of university when she front of the whole School. Those that enough that the inspector decided applied, perhaps it’s not surprising witnessed this knew that it was the to attend that very lesson. Less lucky that her CV was already very full. start of an exciting era for Shrewsbury was the fact that Laura, of all people, Amongst other things, she had been School football. Steve took great pride had overslept and didn’t turn up to involved with running her college in improving the technical abilities of the start of the lesson. She eventually May Ball. This should have given us a each player and instilling in them the arrived some time into the lesson to clear idea of how well she would be fundamentals of the game. His sides find the inspector sat at the back. But suited to working in the Shrewsbury were always composed on the ball and half the class were missing. A happy Common Room as she elaborated by understood their game plans. Steve was ending though – the pupils were so saying, “Worked closely with jugglers, a fine school master too and his teams astonished that she wasn’t there that magicians and comedians.” always played in the right spirit. He was they had gone off in search of her, I suspect we have each of those here! a calm but authoritative presence on and the inspector ended up forming the touchline (under the watchful eye a positive impression of how caring July 11th saw Laura’s marriage to of his ever present wife, Wendy) and Salopians were towards their teachers. Nick Wakeling, formerly of the English he had a knack of winning tight games Faculty at Shrewsbury. We were with the nous gained from a hugely In 2011 she was appointed Head disappointed when Nick left us for successful professional playing career of History in succession to Mike Charterhouse, where he is now Head with Shrewsbury Town, Derby County, Morrogh. Numbers taking History of English, and we are disappointed Oxford United and a spell in Sweden. have hit record numbers, and she has again to see Laura following in his Statistical analysis is now king in the successfully introduced the Pre-U. footsteps to join the Charterhouse modern professional sports era and The profile of the faculty has been History department. Steve’s “opta index” stats would rate high, with a strong series of trips and We wish Laura and Nick every very highly in terms of his “win ratio”. lectures, and plenty of pupils going on happiness in the future – and if it turns to study History at university. As Head out that Shrewsbury does a better line Coaching in schools is about more than of Faculty she has combined a passion in jugglers, magicians and comedians this though, and Steve had the gift of for the subject with a keen eye for than Charterhouse, we would be creating teams that were greater than detail on the administrative parts of the delighted to welcome them both back the sum of their parts and bringing job and a very supportive approach to here in the future. enjoyment and a sense of purpose to those working in her faculty. every training session. Steve Biggins We have enjoyed her own writing over Steve could only be described as the the years. When Mary Sidney Hall was consummate professional in terms of opened, Martin Humphreys asked her his attention to detail in preparation to write an article on Mary Sidney, of his teams, but also in his care and which was published in the Salopian. concern shown to colleagues and the And then there is the weekly bulletin way that they prepared their teams and for lower school tutorials this year. got their boys to play football. He was I had asked her to instigate this last always on hand in the common room September and had suggested that she to discuss the merits of 4 4 2 versus, 4 got her Public Nose team to write it. A 5 1 or 4 3 3 and ever ready to supply week into term, she sent me the draft coaching drills to enhance various of the first week’s article on Scottish aspects of performance. An innovator Independence, which was strikingly too, he introduced heart rate monitors impressive. The email correspondence in training, video analysis of matches, went as follows, and reflects Laura’s swimming pool cool downs after positive, can-do approach: games, the use of a sprint coach in pre- season training, improving nutritional Laura – “Is this the kind of thing you advice for players and helping boys imagined?” to pursue their dreams of football MC – “It’s terrific. Precisely what I Tom Taylor, Robin Moulsdale, Robin scholarships to the USA. Pre-season wanted. It’s very impressive for a Trimby, Mark Dickson, Mark Lascelles camps were successfully introduced pupil. Or did you write it yourself?” … all hard acts to follow, but Steve to rotate yearly with overseas tours Biggins had an outstanding five years that included Valencia, Villa Real, Laura – “…I wrote it myself. The as Master in Charge of football at Barcelona, Sweden and Qatar. Teams pupils wanted to write about other Shrewsbury School between September also got a chance to play on the indoor things, so I did it. To be honest I enjoy 2009 and June 2015, achieving an pitch at St George’s Park, a real thrill. SCHOOL NEWS 11

Steve was an excellent administrator, The following is the text of the leaving Reef, the Far East and the Red Sea. very able at organising the day to tribute given by Head of Mathematics His contribution here will also day detail that goes into running Jerome Armstrong: be greatly missed, as will that to a successful football programme hockey, a sport he has coached including the allocation of pitches ‘Mike arrived at Shrewsbury in regularly these last six years under for House matches, liaison with September 2009. He has been a huge the pseudonym groundsmen, the ordering of new kit, asset to the Maths Faculty with all “Darth Wader”. the sorting out of the very intricate year-groups and abilities, not only fixture list, liaising with KH over food, keeping the very brightest further Mike is moving to Surrey to care the organisation and payment of mathematicians on their toes - that’s for his father. We will miss him referees, plus dealing with parents and no mean feat - but also motivating enormously, and wish him all the their concerns over their sons’ progress his fair share of bottom sets to thrive very best for the future. in the football teams. at GCSE. He is a perfectionist in his work, deeply committed to both At all times Steve remained enthusiastic, his subject and his pupils, and very Angeles Martinez upbeat and positive in his dealings with highly regarded by both. I also am his colleagues, staff and boys and had very grateful to him for running the an infectious enthusiasm, evident even Powell Prize in Mathematics with such on a cold muddy day in November. enthusiasm for the last four years.

Steve has retired from teaching and He was a most caring tutor in running football, but is still very much Oldham’s Hall, offering countless part of the football fabric at Shrewsbury trips and meals along with regular as coach of the U14A team. It has academic guidance. He has given been a huge help to our new Master his time to many Talargerwyn trips in Charge of football, Steve Wilderspin and acted frequently as either the to have Steve on hand to help pass Oldham’s or school photographer over the admin, but also to know that at a number of events. Many of the key age group of the U14As is in you will have seen Mike’s stunning incredibly safe hands as Steve is acutely panoramic montage of the quarry aware of what “the end product should taken from the top of the main look like” in the 1st XI and therefore school building during the deep has been a huge boost to our coaching freeze of December 2010. structure.

There are exciting times ahead for During his first year as a live-in tutor, Shrewsbury School football, but the he put his ninja skills to good use foundation and the groundwork laid one night which has gone down in by Steve Biggins is there for all to legend. A certain little miscreant was see and he can leave the post with after his Assassins target at 2 am. his head held high, knowing that he Water-pistol in hand, he searched Angeles (Angie) was a first-rate made a huge difference to football at for an open window in Oldham’s Hispanic Fellow who made an Shrewsbury School. to climb through. He chose poorly. enormous contribution to the Spanish Within seconds, the intruder had Faculty and more widely in the School, Will Hughes been disarmed, defenestrated, not least as a dedicated tutor in MSH. depostored and stuck into a triple In her primary role of preparing the headmaster’s detention. Sixth Form students for their oral Mike Wade exams she remained cool, calm, Mike has been running the Silver collected, and above all cheerful even Duke of Edinburgh Award since when flogging the same old questions his arrival, running three or four and topic areas, and occasionally an expeditions a year. In addition, he ill-prepared if not quite dead horse. has helped on Outdoor week and Angie was a great help in other areas the Bronze weekends. Nick David of Faculty life and it was great fun and Jo Billington have greatly working with her, not least when valued his services; he has been videoing bespoke listening materials deeply committed to the award, and and watching her try to avoid the his support has been beyond the giggles. Angie will be sorely missed call of duty. when she returns to Argentina and we wish her all the very best for the On the diving front, he has been a future. I don’t think she’ll miss our very active instructor with Rhodri climate - in my mind’s eye I shall see Burke and the sub-aqua club, her shivering and asking me if the undertaking many dives at Stoney temperature will ever rise - though I’m Cove. He’s probably the most sure she’ll be back for a real ale or pint widely-travelled of any of the team, of Guinness at some point or other. and has been diving all over the world, including the Great Barrier Stuart Cowper 12 SCHOOL NEWS

Spanish Study Visit to Argentina

During recent years, we have built up a strong exchange partnership with San Bartolomé School in Rosario, Argentina. During half term, 15 pupils spent a week there enjoying warm hospitality from their host families and exchange partners, and a hectic schedule of linguistic, cultural and social activities.

by two days in Buenos Aires. In this generation of Spanish pupils has been fascinating capital the group enjoyed a inspired to consider Gap year work historical tour of the city, a tango show, at San Bartolomé School and Latin a visit to Eva Peron’s resting place and American travel. the national museum of fine art. Particular thanks to Grove Matron The partnership with San Bartolomé Maureen Donahue for accompanying has evolved into much more than and a huge well done to all pupils who an opportunity to perfect Spanish participated wholeheartedly. language skills. Lasting friendships have been formed and another Mike Wright

s well as bilingual lessons and Asports activities at the school, special highlights included an Argentinian football match at Rosario Central’s stadium, ‘cowboy’ horse riding at a country estancia, tango dancing lessons and an Argentinian empanada cooking class.

A day spent at the Desafio Foundation project, which helps children from shanty towns integrate better into society, was a valued addition to the party’s schedule during this fourth Argentina trip over the last six years. The week in Rosario was followed SCHOOL NEWS 13

Classics Trip to Greece

Despite the rigours of the Tucks and House Singing on the last day of the first half of term, 12 Classicists and two members of staff managed nevertheless to reach Athens by mid-morning the next day. There they enjoyed lunch by the Acropolis and a visit the Acropolis Museum in the afternoon.

From Delphi we travelled on to the Peloponnese and the advantage of visiting Olympia on a rather damp morning was that we had the running track to ourselves. It was also fascinating to find out about the use of the site over time and see where the Olympic Flame is lit in modern times.

The Parthenon in all its glory

The group then travelled to Delphi and the mysterious power of the place was felt by all. Its position nestled on the side of Mount Parnassus emphasised the effort undertaken by all, ancient and modern, who travelled to consult the Oracle, participate in the Games or merely visit the sites. The Temple of Apollo, Delphi

Exhausted, we returned home the following day having increased our knowledge of Greece, with our appetites whetted for more!

Sarah Latcham

Angus Kincaid trying out the acoustics at Epidauros

Warming up at Olympia As we travelled deeper in the Peloponnese, we travelled further back in time from the Classical to the Homeric period. This included visiting Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon, and Tiryns, where Diomedes lived. For a ‘modern’ slice of history we explored the Palamidi Fort (a Venetian fort built between 1711 and 1714). The final classical site we visited was Epidauros where we were treated to Angus Kincaid (Ch LVI) The group at Delphi - Back Row: Mr Matthew Clark, Lucas Paul (Rb V), Victor Scheibler (I V), Guy Cabral (Ch UVI), Sam Russell (Ch LVI), Lexi Bothamley Dakin (G IV), Livi Bothamley Dakin (G IV), Eric Myint- reciting ‘The Jabberwocky’ to test the Maung (Ch IV) - Front Row: Will Sturrock (M LVI), Fintan Simmons (Ch LVI), Jetty Russell (G IV), Rosie acoustics of the theatre. Smith-Langridge (EDH LVI), Angus Kincaid (Ch LVI) 14 SCHOOL NEWS

DNA Junior School Play

Dennis Kelly’s DNA is a hugely challenging play, both for the actors and for the audience. It tells the story of a group of teenagers whose lives are turned upside down the day that they accidently commit a murder. Part thriller, part comedy, part meditation on modern adolescence, it follows the group as they attempt to cover up what they have done, and ultimately, are led deeper and deeper into their deception.

Snapchat have become ubiquitous in Kelly borrows the convention of teenage lives. Director Helen Brown a chorus from Greek tragedy, and chose to reflect this in the screenshots provides a laconic commentary on the that were projected across the stage, action from the perspective of Mark he action takes place in a disused showing how the real world functions and Jack (Freddy Williams and Harry Tquarry, which has been colonised in parallel to the cyber world, and Wasdell), They provide the voice of by students from the nearby school. sometimes, what is recorded becomes the insiders, in contrast to the outsiders Niki Holmes’ extraordinary set, built more real than what actually happened. they victimise and eventually destroy. by Kieren Harding and painted The appeal of the play rests on the Otto Rothwell Hurley played Brian with by sixth form art students Erin realism of its characters: to anyone who endearing innocence and vulnerability, Leatherbarrow, Sarah Jackman and spends time with teenagers, each of while Aaron Clark’s brutalised Adam Meg Elliott, reflected the incipient the characters is instantly recognisable, was genuinely unnerving. violence of the play. Festooned from the glamorous ‘Mean Girls’ to the in broken dolls and daubed with geeky misfits. The core of the play is This was a convincing performance gothic graffiti, it provided the perfect the relationship between Leah (Tilly from a very talented young cast; the backdrop for the unfolding story. Reynolds) and Phil (Angus Warburg). senior actors should look to their Tilly captured Leah’s nervous insecurity laurels as this group progress through The play was written in 2007 – since perfectly, giving her speeches both the school. then, Facebook, Instagram and humour and pathos. Richard Hudson SCHOOL NEWS 15

POSH

chilling violence as Alistair. The characters outside the club were played with sympathy and understanding by Dan Iles, Emily Skelton and Tash Tudor. It is through their eyes that the audience see the club, and the growing contrast between the boys and their ‘honest, decent, hard-working’ counterparts.

The dinner is framed by the presence of Jeremy, an ex-member of the club, now in the House of Lords, who keeps an avuncular eye on the club’s doings. Played by James Fraser Andrews of ‘Posh’ by the British playwright Laura views – resulting in the murder of their the English Faculty, he reminds the Wade, is a controversial play to stage landlord and the rape of his daughter. audience that the club cannot be in a public school: after all, the object The characters are gradually exposed explained away as a group of silly little of its satire is us. Julian Chesshire’s as weak, shallow and utterly selfish; boys making mistakes: membership of production was brilliantly provocative, if the play is holding a mirror up to the club confers entry into the highest forcing its audience to question all of its audience, it is not a mirror that we echelons of the Establishment. it presumptions and prejudices. The want to look into. play is a thinly veiled fictionalisation This was one of the finest pieces of of Oxford’s Bullingdon Club, a student The production demonstrated some student theatre I have seen, made drinking society that counts some of incredible ensemble work from the all the more impressive by the fact the most powerful men in the country members of the club; all ten actors fully that it was directed and produced among its members. Re-imagined as the inhabited their characters throughout, by the students themselves. It did Riot Club in the play, the club hosts a and gave the piece real dynamism everything that good theatre is group of wealthy, entitled boys on the and energy. It is difficult, in such a supposed to do: it engaged us, verge of becoming Men Who Matter. production, to single out particular entertained us, and made us question Over the course of an evening, the actors for praise, but mention must be who we are and what we do. boys get drunk, expound their political made of Harry Lane Fox’s perfect comic views and eventually act on those timing as Toby, and Julian Chesshire’s Helen Brown

Rehearsing Great Expectations The musical - a challenging perseverance pays off and to our commitment? Yes. An adaptation own surprise we realise that we of a well known and well loved look like people who actually know depressing novel? You bet. A how to tap dance and I suppose production involving the best of now we do. Shrewsbury’s artistic and musical talent? Sure. What am I doing here? One of the greatest things about I’m in the mist of contemplating the musical is that it involves almost such questions when the shout of every artistic discipline; from the ‘No jazz hands!’ floats over the music creation of the set to the singing and curtails someone’s overzealous of a ballad. It is something which attempt at Las Vegas showmanship. not only many different people get We have been rehearsing hard involved in but also furnishes them for weeks and have just reached with a toolkit of new skills. Once the first tap number. If you are again, my contemplation of the reading this and can tap dance benefits of the musical increasing then congratulations; for you have our knowledge of useful things such reached a level of coordination that as tap dancing and consequential some of us can only aspire to. Yet, wondering about when and where in the face of adversity, the cast I could ever use this skill again, is are enthusiastic and determined; interrupted by the proclamation: slowly getting the hang of it while “We are going to learn a new Mr Moore, unperturbed by the number!” Learning a new song or apparent chaos on stage, jazzes his “number” is always a fun experience way through the ragtime rhythm. as people have to make a choice. After practising for a while our Whether to read the music or the 16 SCHOOL NEWS

helped navigate us through the busy achieve the most complicated musical preparations. It is not easy coordinating that Shrewsbury has ever put on in the a cast of 30 people through a complex shortest amount of time that we have theatrical production but we can have ever had. It is odd that even as he says no complaints in the way that they this that he sounds upbeat. Yet, as I have done it. Dr Brown sets the scenes look around I realise that the cast, far and helps us deepen our character’s from looking despondent, are just as individual personalities. Mr Moore upbeat as Mr Moore. I think to myself spends his waking hours working on ‘what a bunch of loonies’, but I am words. There are some talented one song or another and giving time one of them and what can I say? Tap people among us that can do both with those who need to grapple a new dancing is fun. and hats off to them but for most of ‘number’. Miss Archer walks through Fintan Simmons (Ch LVI) us the decision runs along the lines of her coordinated choreography while ‘I could mumble the tune’ or ‘I could people look on with expressions of sing a tune to the words’. This leads bemused anticipation. to some interesting results. Luckily this situation doesn’t last for long as the I snapped out of my daydream thinking tunes are memorable and soon we about the merits of having experienced are belting out the new song. members of staff leading rehearsals in general when it occurred to me that I Dr Brown, Mr Moore and Miss really should be concentrating on this Archer have more than matched one. Mr Moore, addressing the cast, is the cast’s enthusiasm and this has describing how we are attempting to

Evensong at The Queen’s College, Oxford On Wednesday 30th September, the Chapel Choir travelled to Oxford to sing Evensong in the beautiful chapel of The Queen’s College

The 70-strong choir was in very their former teachers who had pupils taking part. fine voice and the unaccompanied accompanied the choir to Oxford. Bogoroditsye Dyevo by Rachmaninov The Choir will sing Evensong in provided a wonderfully atmospheric After the service, the choir enjoyed Manchester Cathedral at 5.30pm on start to the service. The Magnificat a well-deserved meal in the college Friday 29th January with a reception and Nunc Dimittis by the 17th century dining hall, while the Headmaster and afterwards; there will be a Chamber English composer Adrian Batten senior staff hosted a reception in the concert in the Holywell Music Room showcased several of the School’s finest college. The fine early autumn evening in Oxford at 7.30pm on Friday 12th singers who took the solo parts, and meant that guests could enjoy their February, with a reception beforehand; when the congregation joined the choir refreshments in The Queen’s College and on Sunday 28th February at 7.30pm, in the final hymn, the body of sound Fellows’ Garden. the School Symphony Orchestra and was stunning. Choral Society will perform Verdi’s It is hoped that the wider Shrewsbury Requiem at Birmingham Town Hall. The service was attended by over community, to include Old Salopians, 120 of the wider Shrewsbury School parents and friends of the School, will For full details please see the School community who filled the chapel, wish to support other forthcoming website www.shrewsbury.org.uk/ and a dozen of the Old Salopians musical events, and the presence of a shrewsbury-music. who are currently studying at large audience or congregation really Martin Cropper Oxford University enjoyed meeting heightens the experience for the

The Queen’s College, Oxford SCHOOL NEWS 17

Leavers’ Concert 2015

for encouraging real singing. Harry is going on to take a leading role on the London stage, well deserved. In addition to the solo numbers, three of the performers came together for an extra item, in which Ed Carroll’s baritone was heard to particular advantage.

Dan Lo gave us a rare opportunity to hear the Maidment Building organ, before the leader of the school orchestra, Calvin Chan, stepped up for a solo item, a Chaconne by Tomaso Vitali. It was obviously composed as an opportunity for display and Calvin threw himself into it with all the confidence which he has developed over the year. One could even sense that he blossomed within the performance, as he became more animated with every trill brought off. The audience responded rapturously to Calvin’s bravura finale. He was to be heard again in the mellow composition for string ensemble with which the concert ended.

It was farewell, too, to one who may reasonably be described as the finest musician ever to have attended Shrewsbury. Much praise has been heaped on Galin Ganchev over the past five years, all of it merited. Great has been the sense of wonder in audiences large and small at his scintillating technique; his profound musicianship has brought tears to many an eye. He signed off with a Humoresque by a Calvin Chan (I) fellow Bulgarian, Pancho Vladigerov, which only the most accomplished could attempt. Much use was made of the top othing quite marks the passage of time like the end of the keyboard, with intermittent cascading to the other Nannual Leavers’ Concert, for the echoes of the New extreme. It sounded at times as if the composer had wilfully Boys’ evening (as it then was) have no sooner died created an obstacle course to trap the soloist. away than we find the same performers on stage to bid goodbye. In the case of Sixth Form entrants, they seem Galin emerged unscathed, effortlessly, it seemed, though to have been here but a matter of weeks. In that short it cannot have been. After the concert and the general time, however, they not only learn a great deal, but they congratulations which followed, Galin was presented with a perform – frequently and rewardingly, none more so than large portrait of himself by Jane Robbins, an unprecedented the ubiquitous Henrike Legner, whose singing and playing gesture by the Music Department, honouring a special have been such a feature of recent concerts. She led the talent. In time to come, people may read this and wonder way on Monday last with a reprise of her soprano solo what the fuss was about. To them I repeat what I wrote in in Bach’s “Jauchzet Gott”, first performed with the String 2011: “You will think that I exaggerate. You should have Ensemble at the Wigmore Hall in March. As before, in this been there”. Those fortunate enough to have been there in and two further Baroque items, there was some confident, the intervening years will know what I mean. stylish singing and playing. Martin Knox Charlie Davis and Finn MacCormack were joined by JFM for a pleasing example of chamber music, the sonata for clarinet, cello, and piano by Brahms, which was followed by a saxophone solo (about time we had one) from James Plaut, who has not let his year as Head of School stop him developing his musical talent. There was more saxophony in the second half, when a quartet (of whom only Alex Bird is leaving) played an arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The different moods of the piece were captured in a beautifully blended performance. The supply of wind groups of varying size, but uniform excellence, seems to be inexhaustible. We also heard Dominic Dootson at the piano in Beethoven’s “Moonlight” sonata, played with a delicate touch and a fine sense of the arching structure of the movement.

The rise of singing has often been noted in recent times and there were offerings from Harry Al-Adwani, Teddy Briggs, Ed Carroll, and Jess Walker, all of whom reached out to the audience and created a sense of theatre – and not a microphone to be seen! Full marks to the Music Department Galin Ganchev 18 SCHOOL NEWS

House Singing

This year’s House Singing Overall: Entertainment: Best Arrangement: Competition took place Emma Darwin Hall Mary Sidney Hall Alex Bennett and Angus Hay in front of the customary (Radbrook) packed House on Friday, Unison Song: Most Improved House: 16th October. Hopes and Emma Darwin Hall Ridgemount expectations were as high as ever, and the main prizes Part Song: Most Outstanding Soloist: were awarded as follows: School House James Fearn (Ingram’s Hall)

Shrewsbury and the Shewsy in Malawi, July 2016 Since 2010, Shrewsbury School are now treated here, two of the has been supporting the work of preventable eye problems which are Medic Malawi, a charity based in all too prevalent in Malawi. Patients Shrewsbury which supports a hospital arrive at the clinic unable to see and in Mtunthama, serving 100,000 leave with their sight restored. people in rural Malawi, a clinic and nutrition centre, two schools and an The next trip to Malawi takes place orphanage. in July 2016 and will be a joint venture between the School and In July 2012 and again in 2014, a Shrewsbury House in Liverpool. group from Shrewsbury travelled to Sixteen Salopians will be joined by Mtunthama to spend time working five young people and two members alongside staff in the projects, helping of staff from the Shewsy. with the daily routine tasks and making friends with many of the The Shewsy have been busy children who live there. fundraising for the trip, doing regular bag-packing at local supermarkets When they visited in 2012, the and running a tuck shop in the Shrewsbury students asked what Youth Centre. There are also plans to was needed next, and when told ‘an sell sweets around the doors in the eye clinic’, they stood in the space local community and to organise a where the walls would be. Two years ‘sleep in a box challenge’ during the later, the money for that clinic had winter, when the girls will sleep out been raised at the School, through overnight with cardboard boxes and an African Ball, non-uniform days, sleeping bags, gaining an insight into cookie sales and sponsored events. what it would be like to be homeless, When the next group arrived in raising awareness of homelessness 2014, they were proud to see that the and raising funds for the Malawi trip Shrewsbury School Eye Clinic had at the same time. been built. Trachoma and cataracts SCHOOL NEWS 19

Biology Department Expedition to Guyana

American Pygmy Flycatcher

uyana is the eighth least- to understand changes in abundance 60th birthday of the legendary Salopian Gpopulated country in the world and diversity of wildlife, as well as the Schoolmaster Michael Hall. The falls do with a population of just 735,554, 90 effects of “reduced impact logging”. not form part of the Operation Wallacea per cent of whom live on the coast. itinerary but having been inspired as a 85 per cent of Guyana is covered by The expedition started with a great member of that group of Salopians in natural rainforest which is contiguous adventure – a day trip to Kaieteur 1995, I was keen to return and ensure with the forests of Suriname, French Falls – one of the world’s greatest, that a new generation of Salopians Guyana and parts of Columbia, most unspoilt and least known had the same experience. The journey Venezuela and Brazil. This vast area, waterfalls. The falls are about 60km involved chartering three light aircraft the Guiana Shield, is the world’s largest from the Brazilian border and not far and flying from Georgetown for about tract of undisturbed tropical rainforest, from Mount Roraima, the inspiration an hour across an endless expanse of boasting very high biodiversity and behind Conan Doyle’s Lost World. At rainforest. The excitement was tangible holding 10-15% of the world’s fresh 251m they are four times higher than as we circled the falls and watched the water. Large numbers of species are Niagara Falls, twice as high as Victoria water tumbling as if in slow motion endemic (live nowhere else) and the Falls and about 100m wide. A group into a huge cloud of spray through area contains 278 species of mammal of Salopians visited the falls exactly 20 which rainbows arced. Once on terra (148 of which are bats), 1004 species years ago, where they celebrated the firma, we toured the falls taking in of bird, 269 species of amphibian, 2,200 species of fish and 15 – 20,000 species of vascular plants. Darwin said in his Voyage of the Beagle that “nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist than a journey in distant countries” and while Darwin never made it to Guyana, it is clear that few countries can offer more exciting opportunities to a biologist or adventures to a young traveller.

It was with this in mind that 22 Salopians and four staff members travelled to Guyana in July to contribute to conservation work in the protected Iwokrama Forest and in the area around Surama village. The objective was to work alongside Richard Case (PH 1991-96) at the Kaieteur Falls during the School’s 1995 expedition to Guyana. He is now a Biology teacher at Shrewsbury, Housemaster of Radbrook, leader of the School’s 2015 Guyana scientists to gather data contributing to Expedition and author of this article. The 2016 expedition group are pictured at Kaieteur Falls on the an annual monitoring programme used front cover of this magazine. 20 SCHOOL NEWS

different views as well as the unique flora and fauna which included giant bromeliads containing endemic golden frogs and carnivorous plants. There were no safety barriers, no shops and we were the only people there. It was such a privilege to see the falls as Charles Barrington Brown might have seen them when he discovered them in 1870 – that’s something none of the other great waterfalls can offer and an experience none of us will forget.

A further three-hour drive south in into the small hours and bats caught two Bedford four-tonne trucks took were bagged and taken back to camp the team to Surama, an Amerindian for identification, weighing, and wing- village belonging to the Makushi clipping with bat expert Stef Bonat. Tribe which has set up an award- The area has one of the highest levels winning ecotourism project to bring of bat biodiversity in the world and income to their remote community. one group was lucky to catch a rare We spent the following three days After returning to Georgetown, a ten- carrying out surveys for mammals, hour drive south took the group to bats and herpetofauna. The mammal Iwokrama Research Centre where three day involved walking along a transect days were spent training to gather the (a straight line through a habitat) skills to gather data accurately, sleep recording evidence of mammals safely in the forest in hammocks and including their tracks with jaguar use machetes (or cutlasses as they expert, Matt Hallett. Matt is studying are known). The health and safety for his PhD at the University of Florida presentation we had on arrival was and has built up an extensive network pretty sobering given the long list of camera traps to study the behaviour of incredibly scary things that could and distribution of jaguar. He had happen to us but ended with cheerful unbelievably sharp eyes and his reassurance from Scot Sveiven, a tracking skills were truly impressive. specialist on forestry and our superb Each group spent the afternoon setting expedition leader. An excellent series up camera traps with him, which of lectures by the resident scientists revealed the many details which need enabled us fully to appreciate the to be considered when locating a importance of the work we were trap. The work of the bat groups was doing. The Centre was situated in a nocturnal so their morning was spent clearing surrounded by rainforest on a hiking up Surama Mountain – a steep Hugo Moran counting dung beetles broad sweep of the mighty Essequibo climb in stifling conditions but well River which was 200m wide even worth it for an amazing view over the vampire bat, although it escaped from though we were 200km from the sea. forest and rare sightings of macaws at the mist net before it could be bagged. From the moment of our arrival, we eye height. In the evenings mist nets The herpetology groups walked along were surrounded by wildlife with were opened and checked every hour transects by day and night attempting woodpeckers, macaws, parrots, hawks, to catch any snakes, lizards and frogs giant cane toads, howler monkeys spotted. Peruvian herpetologist, Alfredo and agouti at the forest margins as Martin Beraún Rivera did most of the well as caiman in the river. Walking catching but he let us handle the non- at night revealed a different set of venomous species such as the Amazon organisms including a beautiful but tree boa, blunthead tree snake and very dangerous fer de lance snake well cat-eyed snake. During downtime in camouflaged on a tree trunk. the heat of the day, cool drinks and comfortable hammocks in the bar of Surama Ecolodge provided a chance to rest and rehydrate. The team then walked deeper into the jungle, spending a further three days at Carahaa Landing – a jungle camp on the banks of the Burro Burro River. As river levels had risen due to the daily torrential showers, we had to take to boats to make our way through the flooded forest. The camp had an open- Finn McCormack handling a cat-eyed snake sided wooden structure in which many SCHOOL NEWS 21

hung their hammocks. A few opted to frog with its striking black and yellow build bashas in the forest as we had aposematic colouration to warn off be taught, with a tarpaulin roof. At predators. Entomologist and genetics Carahaa Landing each group surveyed expert Dan Fitzpatrick led the day’s birds, forestry and dung beetles. The “poo crew” to catch and identify dung bird groups were up at 5:15am to open beetles. The beetles were caught in in mist nets and checked them every hour pitfall traps baited with human faeces. until 4pm. The birding was brilliantly Tom Sykes with a Manakin led by Guyanese ornithologist Meshach The final three days were spent Pierre who proved to be an excellent carrying out a survey of aquatic fauna Four species of Kingfisher darted ahead and engaging teacher. Each bird caught on the Burro Burro River, sleeping in of us, macaws flew above us in pairs (except hummingbirds which are primitive jungle camps. Drifting down squawking noisily, capuchin monkeys too fragile) was bagged and returned river was uncomfortable but a fantastic jumped up and down on their branches to camp for ringing. One of the experience. The boatmanship displayed glowering with rage at our intrusion highlights was catching the magnificent by our guides to negotiate fallen trees and at one point, giant river otters Amazonian royal flycatcher which, and navigate through the flooded forest glided across the river. Our stay at when captured, initiates a mesmerising was impressive, as was their ability Sandstone Camp proved eventful display, erecting its colourful crest and to spot wildlife. At times we had to when a fer de lance was spotted by slowly tilting its head from side to side. crouch down to pass under huge logs a guide in the camp, just metres from Scott Sveiven led the forestry surveys blocking our route and machetes and, where we had dined. Too dangerous to and took each group to find the at one point, a chainsaw had to be relocate, they sadly had to kill it using incredible yellow-banded poison dart deployed to overcome the obstacles. a long stick cut at one end into a sharp

Amazonian Royal Flycatcher 22 SCHOOL NEWS

Yellow-branded Poison Dart Frog

on their return with histoplasmosis, despite not being exposed to any obvious source of infection (it is usually encountered after visiting bat caves). Fortunately, all have now recovered. We encountered numerous hardships

Jess Moeran admiring a giant millipede ranging from heat rashes caused by the intense heat and heavy humidity wedge. The chief guide, famed for his particularly when salted and cooked on to insect bites, deep mud, dodgy unerring aim, aimed to hit just behind the fire. After a final night at Surama, tummies and grim long drop toilets. its head but missed, and the snake we returned to Georgetown for our With the exception of histoplamosis, struck three times in rapid succession flight home. I think all would agree that without covering a surprising amount of ground the challenges, the expedition would as it did so. Fortunately all were at a Such trips can never be 100% risk free, not have been nearly so rewarding safe distance and the guide didn’t miss despite exhaustive and meticulous risk and all those on the team endured the his second attempt. Minutes later a assessment and careful management hardships with dignity and patience. second snake was found at the edge to control risk. One boy managed to They really proved themselves to be of the camp which was also killed. fall into a septic tank when it collapsed worthy ambassadors and it was clear Everyone kept their eyes peeled after under his weight. Fortunately, he that they relished the opportunities they that, particularly when walking the managed to avoid complete immersion had to learn to gain new biological 20m trail to the long drop in the dark. or injury (apart from some grazes) and knowledge, memories for life, insights During the night, our guides set up nets recovered swiftly after a very thorough into a little known country and a new and caught some huge piranha and shower and disinfection of his grazes appreciation of the world and their payara which also known as a vampire by the expedition doctor. A few of the place in it. Where next? Galapagos and characin due to its fearsome fangs that party also became ill to varying degrees Ecuador 2017!

Brazilian Wandering Spider

can grow as long as six inches. Both made excellent eating. Our second camp was less eventful and we were able to bathe in the river and relax once our surveys had been completed. A number of the boys were shown huge beetle grubs living inside palm nuts by the guides who insisted that they were good to eat. The grubs were used to good effect by WMS as bait but they did taste surprisingly good, Joe Davies with a huge Black Piranha SCHOOL NEWS 23

Royal Marines win the Pringle Trophy

For the third time in 15 years the Shrewsbury School Royal Marines section has won the highly prestigious Sir Steuart Pringle Trophy. Last year they came second by just a few points.

The two-day competition is held each arrival, however, there was no stance endurance course, which would take year at the Royal Marines Commando to be found and valuable time was place on Sunday morning. Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, spent trying to locate it. (We were and aims to bring together all the later told that the Corporal hadn’t set it With a routine established the previous Royal Marine Detachments in the up in time.) We then moved on to the day, we rose and dressed into our country from 18 schools, including next one: Section Attacks. This went half lovats for our drill test at 0730hrs. Charterhouse, Harrow, Rugby, successfully, with the Corporal’s only In drill you are marked on unity and Winchester College, Pangbourne and pick-up point being that the FSG (fire precision, and we felt confident that we Canford. The teams are treated as if support group) hadn’t followed the were in a better state than in previous they are in their 28th week of recruit proven route taken by the assaulting years, as we had spent a minimum of training and are assessed across 12 fire team. We then settled into a good ten hours practising on Porthill tennis stances, including battle exercises, rhythm and the round robins of tasks courts. The Corporal seemed pleased section attacks, battle first aid, were swiftly over. with our efforts and also tested us on endurance and drill. our corps knowledge. We then moved With hindsight, we felt that the out onto Woodbury Common where The Shrewsbury team had worked very Leadership stance had gone poorly. we were timed as a team round two hard in preparation for this competition Having moved a casualty from our miles of the endurance course, which is and had put in many hours of early current location to Gibraltar rock a one of the four commando tests at the morning and late night work. Their kilometre away, the Corporal running end of a Marine’s training. If he fails, Commanding Officers Lt Tom Corbett the stance had debriefed us by saying he has to retake the whole course in and Captain Jonny Longfellow were that we had lacked urgency and he was a new batch of recruits. We overtook delighted at the news of the win. It surprised that our time had been so Sherborne School and were hot on the is worth pointing out that much of swift. On the other hand, in our debrief heels of Royal Hospital School and so the training is delivered by the senior after the First Aid stance we were told felt that we had posted a competitive cadets themselves, with CCF officers in that there were no pick-up points and time to retain the trophy that we had an oversight role. the Corporal was happy to mark us won last year. 20/20. On return to camp there was Sgt Ben Remnant, Senior Cadet in a brief interlude to shower and eat, Prize giving was at 1300hrs, when we charge of the Pringle Trophy team, and we turned our attention to our were awarded first place in both the describes the competition: half lovats and injuries (the majority of First Aid and Leadership stances, and Having risen at 0500hrs on the first day, which hadn’t been picked up during were placed first overall. After a quick we ate swiftly and then took transport the day, but had been caused by rather debrief and photo, we left Lympstone to our first checkpoint. We then had a violent glow stick war on Friday as a tired but immensely proud and a short march to our 0730 stance. On night) in preparation for drill and the pleased team.

Back Row L-R: Capt Longfellow, Cadet Craik, Cpl Hayward, Cpl Morris, Cadet Hardcastle, Lt Corbett. Front Row L-R: Sgt Bambridge, Sgt Gilliat-Smith, Sgt Remnant, Sgt Lechmere, Cpl Hartwell 24 SCHOOL NEWS

Old Salopians in World War 1

Each week on the School website we publish the names and short biographies of the Old Salopians killed 100 years ago during the First World War, and these are included in the weekly eNewsletter sent to all staff, pupils and current parents. This is part of a four-year project in collaboration with St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury. A short Service of Remembrance is held at St Chad’s every Wednesday at 5pm, when the OS names are included among others from Shropshire whose 100th anniversary of death falls that week.

The following Old Salopians will be was a born leader of men the memory a science scholarship and was there remembered at School and in St Chad’s of whom should ever be a source of awarded the Careswell Scholarship. between January and June 2015. inspiration to all who knew him”. Along with many other OS he enlisted Killed in action by the explosion of in the ranks of the 5th Bn. K.S.L.I. Corporal Harold Garnock Potts, a shell while encouraging his men in but after a few weeks he obtained M2/098045, Army Service Corps. Belgium, 19th February 1916, aged 24. a commission to the 14th Cheshires. Churchill’s, left in 1901 and was Buried at Reninghelst New Military “Unassuming and quite regardless of admitted solicitor to a practice in Cemetery, Belgium. Grave I. B. 8. himself, he gained the sincere esteem Broseley, Salop. Died in the United of his contemporaries” – The Salopian. Kingdom, 6th February 1916, aged 32. Lieutenant Gilbert Kingsley Lloyd, He took part in the fighting on the Buried at Broseley Cemetery, England. 2nd Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Tigris front on 5th and 9th April Grave C.E. I. 433. Infantry and died of wounds received, in School House, left in 1889. Served Mesopotamia, 14th April 1916, aged 21. Lieutenant John Frith Sidebotham, through the South African War with Remembered on Basra Memorial, Iraq. 6th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light the Shropshire Imperial Yeomanry as Panel 14 and 62. Infantry Lance-Corporal in charge of a machine School House, Praepostor, Cricket XI gun (Medal, 3 clasps) before going Lieutenant David Henry Carmichael and Fives VI, left in 1910 and was on to Saskatchewan, N.W.T. Canada. Monro, 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry the staff of Messrs. James Greaves, Commissioned into the K.S.L.I. and (British Columbia Regiment) East India Merchants, of Manchester gazetted to 2nd Lieutenant, he saw School House, left in 1903 for Oriel and Bombay. He went up to Hertford much fighting in France. Died in College, Oxford. He was called to the College, Oxford and twice captained Salonika, Greece, of appendicitis, 21st Bar in Lincoln’s Inn, and then joined the lacrosse team against Cambridge. February 1916, aged 35. Buried at the Nigerian Civil Service. Retiring He enlisted in 5th K.S.L.I. and was Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, after three years due to ill health, he gazetted to the 6th in January 1916. Greece. Grave 1804. then joined the Canadian Army in The Salopian remembers him as “one 1914, going with them to the front in of the most modest boys and men. Captain Alfred Henry Parsons, September 1915. Died of wounds in But his friends here and the staff of 2nd Bn. 9th Gurkha Rifles. Belgium, 4th May 1916, aged 31. the School House and the boys at the School House, left in 1900. B.A., Keble Buried at Reninghelst New Military Mission in Liverpool* knew his value College, Oxford. Present with his Cemetery, Belgium. Grave I. B. 18. better than he knew himself”. He was Regiment at Festubert and Givenchy “a very loyal Salopian, who taught, Wood. He was severely wounded Captain Victor Eustace Reynolds, without knowing it, the power and the in January but returned to his duty; 10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment honour of an entirely unselfish life”. and then was killed in action in (Prince of Wales’s Own) Killed in action by a shell explosion Mesopotamia 8th March 1916, aged 33. School House, left in 1896 to enter during a bombardment in Belgium, Remembered on Basra Memorial, Iraq. Slade School of Art and then worked 12th February 1916, aged 24. Buried Panel 51. for some years painting in Paris and at White House Cemetery, St. Jean-Les- Florence. He took the post of Art Ypres, Belgium. Grave III. Q. 4. Second Lieutenant Richard Arthur Master at Haberdashers’ Aske’s and * Shrewsbury House, inaugurated only Maurice Lutener, 6th Bn. King’s Life Master at evening classes in a few years earlier by the Revd Digby Shropshire Light Infantry Lambeth Art School. He enlisted on the Kittermaster School House, left in 1914 for Keble outbreak of war and obtained his 2nd College, Oxford. Commissioned in Lieutenancy in May 1915, gaining rapid Captain John Arthur Walker, December 1914, he went to the front in promotion. “He married a daughter of 10th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers July 1915 and was shot by a sniper in the Late Frank Holl, R.A., and leaves a Moser’s, “a quiet, unobtrusive boy”, left Belgium, 6th April 1916, aged 20. little son” – The Times. Killed in action in 1909 for Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and Buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, in France 4th May 1916 aged 36. at the outbreak of war at once joined Belgium. Grave I. B. 4. Buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, the O.T.C; he was gazetted November Armentieres, France. Grave IX. G. 2. 1914 and promoted Captain July 1915. Lieutenant Arnold Mathews, His Commanding Officer said, “He 14th Bn. Cheshire Regiment. Second Lieutenant Edward Pitcairn was beloved by both officers and men. Baker’s (now Severn Hill), Huntsman, Jones, 5th Bn. attd. 9th Bn. His was one of those rare natures Football XI, one of the best runners Rifle Brigade. that one could not help loving”. His the school has seen and Head of School House, Head of House, left in Chaplin also wrote, “As a friend his the Science Side. He left in 1913 for 1915; exhibitioner to Oriel College, loss is inestimable and as a soldier he Corpus Christi College, Cambridge with Oxford. SCHOOL NEWS 25

The OTC in 1916

From The Salopian: “Initially he and a 2nd in Lit. Hum. from University an enormous mine, followed by a showed talent as a rower but this was College, Oxford. He took a keen terrific bombardment. They lifted the swiftly cut short for medical reasons; interest in the OTC (Captain) and had barrage and made a strong infantry he narrowly missed out getting his been a considerable time at the front, attack. They got a real bad beating. School Colours for football which was gaining the MC at Hooge. From The Your son had his platoon up and went a shame due to his ‘natural activity’. Salopian: “Few men of his age had a for them. He had killed four Germans …He was entirely fearless and larger circle of acquaintances, and it himself before he was killed, and they unselfish and there was no one whose may truly be said of him that all his were all lying together. I have reported respect he did not win… He died of acquaintances were friends… It is no his gallant conduct to my Brigadier.” a very painful wound, but he found surprise to us that at Hooge, where he Killed in action in France 22nd June time to think of everyone but himself, won the Military Cross, he was as calm 1916. Buried at Gorre British and making light of his own sufferings and as if on parade in the stress of that Indian Cemetery, France. facing death with perfect readiness disastrous day… His keen interest in Grave II. A. 1. and absolute faith.” all that concerned the life of others… Died of wounds in France 13th May won for him his unique place in our Captain Edward Maurice Gregson, 1916 aged 20. Buried at Avesnes-Le- affections. It is impossible to imagine 4th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Comte Communal Cemetery Extension, a better friend, or a more loyal servant Regiment. France. Grave I. A. 19. to this School, and the thought of how Moser’s, left in 1906 to become well he was known and loved here a Surveyor and Mining Engineer. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander cannot but be some consolidation to Gazetted to 2nd Lt in 1914 and George Stuart, 40th Pathans, I.A. a family which has to mourn for three promoted rapidly, he took part in the and G.S.O.I sons whose lives have been given fighting at Festubert and he met his Churchill’s, left in 1890 for Trinity for their country.” Died of wounds in death leading a reconnaissance party College, Dublin. The Salopian France 4th June 1916. near Rivière, Arras. A message to his comments: “His contemporaries will Buried at Barlin Communal Cemetery father from his fellow officers read, remember him, somewhat frail in Extension, France. Grave I. J. 66. “We are all very proud of him and of body, but with the spirit and qualities all that he did on that night”. Killed in of a true Irishman and deservedly Private John Furlow McConnell action in France 28th June 1916 popular with all who knew him.” Sergeant, 20660, 10th Bn. Canadian aged 27. He received his first appointment Infantry. Remembered on Arras Memorial, to the Royal Scots in 1893, was Ingram’s, 2nd VIII colours, a nephew France. Bay 7. gazetted Captain in 1900, transferred of the Housemaster, he left in 1910 to the Indian Army in 1904 and was to go to Canada. He enlisted at the For more details about the School’s promoted Captain in 1912. outbreak of war. Killed in action commemorative project, which He held Staff appointments in India in Belgium 5th June 1916 aged 23. includes a link to the St Chad’s (Medal and clasp), and after the Remembered on Ypres (Menin Gate) website, please see outbreak of war was mentioned Memorial, Belgium. Panel 24 - 28 - 30. www.shrewsbury.org.uk/osww1 in dispatches for gallant and distinguished service. Killed in action Second Lieutenant Arthur Chaplin in Belgium 4th June 1916 aged 43. Banks, 2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried at Westouter Churchyard And Pickering’s (now Churchill’s) Head Extension, Belgium. Grave II. F. 6. of House and Football 1st XI. He left in 1914 for Sandhurst. His Captain Leslie Woodroffe MC, commanding officer wrote, “I have 14th Bn. attd. 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade. lost one of my most gallant officers, Master from 1909, with a 1st in Mods. and a born soldier. The enemy blew 26 SCHOOL NEWS

Life beyond Shrewsbury

Dympna Nightingale, Higher Education and GAP year adviser, talks about her demanding role in guiding Shrewsbury School pupils to the next stage of their education.

many parents, university decisions There is, however, a growing trend can be a minefield. It doesn’t matter of applications for Psychology, whether you have already had older Sports Science, Fashion, International children going through the process – Relations, Politics and Music every case is different and we have Technology. The ‘newish’ disciplines all got to remember who is actually are degrees in Events Management, going to university! It is the students Renewable Energy, 3D Product who must take on the responsibility Design, Hospitality and Creative Arts. and be proactive about what they want to do when they leave school The top ten university choices by our and get excited. So much information students in 2014 were Bristol, Oxford, is available, and so many careers Manchester, UCL, Durham, Oxford events and talks organised for them; Brookes, Exeter, Leeds, Warwick fortunately, I have to say the majority and Kings College, London. Other of students are aware and on board. university acceptances were Bristol UWE, Cardiff, Imperial College, Over the last two years, the Reading, Edinburgh, Southampton typical day in the life of Higher proportion of Shrewsbury School and York. AEducation Adviser… Hold on, students going on to Higher there isn’t a typical day! Education in the UK has been about As part of the Careers programme 94%. For many pupils, making a at School, I invite speakers from What I love about my role in the decision about which course to study different universities and institutions Careers Department is the variety: is the difficult one. If they get this to speak on a wide range of the challenges, the highs and lows – right, the university choice will fall disciplines; this usually works out and the stress! Employed as a music into place with purposeful research, at an average of 16-18 talks during teacher many moons ago meant that I Open Days, and use of our latest a pupil’s Sixth Form. I feel it is only came into contact with musicians resource Unifrog, to which all our important for pupils to attend as and never got the chance to meet the Sixth Form have access. many of these talks as possible: even rest of the School. Since taking on the if they are interested in only one role of Higher Education Adviser, a lot I encourage the pupils to understand course, they may at least use these of my work now is dealing with the the higher education ‘jargon’ and talks as a way of finding out more pupils, sometimes as year groups but know the difference between about what a particular university mostly on a one-to-one basis. It is so single honours, joint honours and is like and what it can offer them. enjoyable to have these conversations sandwich courses and the thousands There’s always a chance to ask that and get to know the pupils better and of variations of modules as well. It is burning question. understand their decision-making in also important to know what kind of the process. I also get to meet lots of universities there are. Russell Group The first talk in the Careers parents which I very much value. (24), for example, are the traditional programme is usually a general one red-brick, while the 1994 Group (11) on university and what is it really like. Leaving school and finding that are research-intensive universities, For Michaelmas 2015 I invited James ‘next step’ is a worrying, exciting, and the Million+ Group (19) tend Seymour from Aston University, an frustrating time for all concerned. to be the former polytechnics from Admissions Tutor with many years of There are no right or wrong answers, before 1992, which have a more experience. I have also invited back but in the Careers Department we hands-on approach. Old Salopians to review their first hope that pupils and parents alike year at university and speak about feel that we are approachable and The top ten choices of courses among the ‘ups and downs’ of it all, what that they can ask us at any time for Shrewsbury School pupils applying tips and hints they would give to the help and guidance. through UCAS in 2014 were: History, present Sixth Form. Human and Social Geography, Most of my work is UCAS-based. combinations within Business and It is amazing how quite a number (UCAS stands for Universities and Admin Studies, Classical Studies, Law, of pupils have concerns and Colleges Admissions Service; and this Management Studies, combinations wobbles about the practicalities is the central organisation through of Social Studies/Business/Law of going away to university, how which all applications are processed with languages, English Studies, they are going to manage their time for entry to higher education in Chemistry, combinations of three effectively and responsibly and the UK.) So attending conferences, subjects, or other general courses. be successful. Obviously it is not visiting universities, keeping in touch Many Shrewsbury School pupils also ‘cool’ to discuss this with their peer with Old Salopians and getting their apply for traditional disciplines like group, but in a one-to-one chat I up-to-date perspectives on courses Medicine, Law, History, English hear it all. So I hope that by listening and institutions is important. For and Languages. and encouraging, I can dispel the SCHOOL NEWS 27 fears. University is not for everyone value to be gained from international are on the campus tours, and it was though; so having the Careers Fellow experience. The UK needs graduates wonderful to have the opportunity to in place to seek guidance and look who have the skills and confidence network with Admissions Tutors and at all the alternative options is to compete globally and can compete make good contacts. If pupils are paramount and vital. against foreign talent that may speak even remotely thinking about going more languages and have wider to university in the USA, we run a I try and visit as many UK universities international experience.” We ran our SAT programme at School during as I can and one question I ask is first European Conference in June 2015 the Michaelmas and Lent terms, why students occasionally leave with representatives from Holland, which is delivered by the Harvard before completing their courses. Bulgaria, Switzerland and Spain. Fellow. (SAT stands for Scholastic The two main reasons seem to be Aptitude Test; the SAT is one of two that they are not enjoying the course One of the most popular destinations admissions tests – the ACT (American and homesickness. Pupils need to is Maastricht University in the College Testing) being the other – investigate all areas of the course Netherlands, and the five most required for admission to most US before they list it as one of their five popular USA universities are Harvard, universities.) choices on their UCAS forms: the Columbia, New York, University modules and how they are delivered of California Berkeley and Yale. Finally, every university has a Careers and examined; the opportunities Maastricht charges fees of around service and it is important that pupils to link to other disciplines; the £1,500 a year, whilst Trinity College, check this out early. When I was chance to learn something new; Dublin levies a service charge of at university, the norm was to start the opportunity to study abroad. £2,500 a year and is ranked as one thinking about a job in the third year, Homesickness was not an answer I of the most prestigious universities in but now many employers make job expected, but I do understand that the world. offers to their second year summer pupils need to feel as if they belong vacation interns. So pupils need to and fit in. I have visited a number of institutions get ahead of the game in terms of in Europe, looking at international networking, work experience and In addition to the Michaelmas term courses taught in English. They are internships from their first year at Careers talks, I also run two major worth considering: the positives are university. Those opportunities will conferences on ‘Studying in the lower grade entry requirements, make all the difference on a CV. USA’ and ‘Studying in Europe’; lower costs and more contact time these take place in alternate years. with lecturers. The negatives: they As I write, I would like to take this There is a growing interest in both kick more students out at the end opportunity to bid farewell to Dr the USA and Europe because of of first year and there is sometimes Kate Daubney, the Careers Fellow, possible scholarships (USA) and less a greater bout of homesickness, as as she leaves to start a new chapter expense (Europe). Last year 28,640 Dutch students go home at weekends of her life. She has been a fantastic UK students went abroad, either to and therefore there are fewer and tremendous colleague to Karen study or take up an internship as part students around. Scimia and me in the Careers of their course. They include 15,566 Department and an absolute fountain students on the Erasmus Project. I also did a tour of nine USA of knowledge, guidance and wisdom Professor Rebecca Hughes, the British universities and colleges last October on preparing pupils for the world of Council’s Director of Education, to get a feel for different American work. She will be missed and leaves said: “This latest evidence confirms campuses. I was very impressed with huge boots to fill. that a growing number of the UK’s the student ambassadors I met there, students are recognising the huge how enthusiastic and informative they Dympna Nightingale 28 SCHOOL NEWS

Relaunch of the Rovers

In May 2013, when we proudly reported the news that Adam Booth (PH 1995-2000) had reached the top of Mount Everest, Adam responded by thanking the members of staff who led the Rovers, the School’s mountaineering and adventuring club, for ‘lighting the flame’. On 3rd November, we were delighted to welcome Adam back to Shrewsbury to kindle that flame in a new generation of Salopians, as the historic Rovers - first formed in 1934 - was officially relaunched to the whole School.

the 1953 Expedition, who formed the first summit pair with Tom Bourdillon. They got to within 300 feet of the summit of Everest before faulty oxygen equipment forced them to withdraw. A few days later, second pair Hillary and Tenzing made history.

Adam spoke of his sense of connection with those other Old Salopians and their experiences on Everest, and in a few brief sentences and images he was able to convey something of the scale of their achievements. He spoke about his own experiences entirely modestly, however. So it was perhaps not until the end of his talk, when he Martin Hansen and Adam Booth showed a five-minute film of his final dam recalled his own sense of In 2013, Adam climbed Mount Everest, gruelling hours of climbing Everest Aexcitement when, at the age of reaching the summit on 13th May, sixty and euphoric arrival on the roof of 15, he attended a similar relaunch years almost to the day after the first the world, that his audience caught a of the Rovers. Inspired by Master-in- successful ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary proper sense of the sheer enormity of Charge Mr Hansen’s vivid descriptions and Tenzing Norgay. On hearing the his own achievement. of climbing Ben Nevis, he signed up news, Mr Hansen expressed the utter immediately for the Rovers and spent delight and pride of the staff who had Current Salopians keen to follow the next few months learning the been part of the Rovers. “The news in Adam’s footsteps and join the basics of climbing and mountain safety, that he’s summitted Everest has quite relaunched Rovers have some exciting leading up to his first Rovers Expedition stunned us. The pupil has certainly expeditions to choose from later this – the climbing of the Three Peaks, exceeded the Master.” At the Rovers year, including an introduction to winter Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. relaunch on Monday, Adam paid mountaineering in the Cairngorm A new and life-changing passion had special tribute to Mr Hansen, who Mountains during February half term for been born. still teaches at the School, for the role Fifth and Sixth Formers; a Junior Rovers he and the Rovers had played in first Adventure in North Wales for Third and Further trips followed during what inspiring him with a love of mountains Fourth Formers in March; and an 11-day became one of the golden period and mountaineering. expedition in July called ‘Land, Sea and for the Rovers, travelling to remote Skye’ - sailing, hillwalking, mountain locations to take on challenging Some of Adam’s inspiration has also biking and climbing in the Cuillin mountains, typically camping at a come from two Old Salopians: Sandy Mountains on Skye. high altitude on the way to a summit. Irvine (S 1916-21), who famously took They scaled the highest mountain in part in the 1924 Everest Expedition with Annabel Warburg the Picos De Europa, Spain and the George Mallory; and Sir Charles Evans following year climbed Galdhøpiggen, (DB 1932-37), Deputy Leader of the highest mountain in Norway. SCHOOL NEWS 29

Cricket

Following our winter tour to the UAE and South Africa (see summary below) the 2015 season ended on a very high note, when we beat Eton College on the final day thereby retaining the Silk Trophy for a record-breaking third year running, after what may be best described as a mixed season. But whilst we did not fare well in cup competitions, elsewhere we played consistently well. (A more comprehensive report can be found on the Sports section of the school website).

Shrewsbury School Cricket Tour to UAE & South Africa-December 2014

1st XI Played 12 won 11 Lost 1 Drew 0 U15 XI Played 12 won 6 Lost 6 Drew 0 The School’s cricketers had a highly successful tour of the United Arab Emirates and South Africa in December 2014. It was the second time they had visited the UAE and the fifth time the School had visited South Africa. It was the longest tour (6th to 23rd Dec) undertaken to date and included some 24 matches in total. All matches were played in perfect conditions and none lost to the weather. In all, 29 boys travelled and the group was comprised of a 1st XI and a U 15 team who had been practising at least twice a week in the Neville Cardus Indoor Cricket Centre since October 2014 to prepare for the tour. The 1st XI won 11 of their 12 games during their two and half weeks away. The U15s, being less experienced and much more of a developmental squad, still managed to win half of their 12 games, with 3 of those losses going down to the last over.

1st XI 26th April Shrewsbury v M.C.C LOST by 10 runs ALL MATCHES Played 27 WON 18 Lost 6 Drawn 2 / MCC 218 for 6 Cancelled 1 Shrewsbury 208 for 8 (Adair 77) • 50/40 over Matches Played 16 Won 12 Lost 4 Drawn 2 / Cancelled 1 29th April Shrewsbury v Free Foresters WON by 64 runs • T 20 Matches Played 4 Won 3 Lost 1 Shrewsbury 212 for 7 (Hargrave 51) • U17 Cup Played 4 Won 3 Lost 1 Free Foresters 148 all out (Adams 3 for 18, Westbury 4 for 20) 9th April Shrewsbury v St Edward’s WON by 3 wickets St Edwards 207 for 5 (C. Cooke 3 for 27) 2nd May Bromsgrove v Shrewsbury WON by 100 runs Shrewsbury 208 for 7 (G. Hargrave 100 n.o.) Shrewsbury 229 for 6 (Adair 83 n.o. Home 55) Bromsgrove 129 (Home 4 for 39) Pre-Season Festival (Shrewsbury) 10th April Shrewsbury v Worksop WON by 94 runs 3rd May Shrewsbury v St Mary’s Walsall HMC T20 Shrewsbury 220 for 8 (Panayi 48 Lewis 45) WON by 9 wkts Worksop 126 (Home 5 for 21) Mary’s 75 for 6 (Cooke 3 for 8 including a hatrick) Shrewsbury 76 for 1 11th April Shrewsbury v Worcestershire Academy LOST by 9 wkts 6th May Shrewsbury v Denstone Match Cancelled Shrewsbury 186 for 9 (Adair 48 Lewis 42) Worcestershire Academy 190 for 1 8th May Shrewsbury v Ellesmere U17 Cup WON by 9 wkts Ellesmere 107 for 8 (Cooke 5 for 22) 12th April Shrewsbury V Millfield Match Abandoned Shrewsbury 108 for 1 (C.Home 45 n.o.) Shrewsbury 218 for 8 (Westbury 106) Millfield 189 for 3 9th May Shrewsbury v Repton WON by 42 runs Shrewsbury 227 for 3 (Westbury 111) 15th April Shrewsbury v Myerscough Old Trafford Repton 185 all out (Lloyd 3 for 30, Home 4 for 40) WON by 77 runs Shrewsbury 239 for 9 (Home 49, Adair 70) 13th May Wrekin v Shrewsbury U17 Cup WON by 8 wkts Myerscough 162 all out (Westbury 3 for 18, Home 3 for 34) Wrekin 103 for 6 Shrewsbury 104 for 2 18th April Bloxham v Shrewsbury T20 WON by 128 runs Shrewsbury 190 for 6 (Westbury 66, Humes 37 not) 16th May Shrewsbury v Sedbergh WON by 10 wkts Bloxham 62 all out (Lloyd 2 for 2, Home 4 for 9, Sedbergh 153 (Brunskill 3 for 26) Durman 3 for 2) Shrewsbury 154 for 0 (Westbury 101 n.o. Lewis 51 n.o.)

19th April Shrewsbury v Warwickshire CB XI 20th May Shrewsbury v Denstone HMC T20 WON WON by 30 runs by 6 wkts Shrewsbury 219 for 3 (Westbury 108, Lewis 44 n.o.) Denstone 97 for 8 (Jacob 4 for 16) Warwickshire 189 for 9 Shrewsbury 100 for 4

22nd April Shrewsbury v Shropshire CB Development 22nd May Shrewsbury v Saracens XI XI WON by 8 wkts LOST by 3 runs Shropshire 158 for 7 (Jacob 3 for 24) Saracens 222 for 5 (Panayi 3 for 33) Shrewsbury 160 for 2 (Adair 68 n.o. Hargrave 57) Shrewsbury 219 for 6 (Hargrave 76 n.o.) 30 SCHOOL NEWS

3rd June Shrewsbury v Myerscough Preston U17 Cup 24th & 25th June v Uppingham (Two innings) WON by 7 wkts Match Drawn Myerscough 160 for 7 Shrewsbury 299 for 7 dec (Westbury 112 Hargrave Shrewsbury 163 for 3 (Garrett 63 n.o. Panayi 56 n.o.) 41 Lewis 40) Uppingham 161 (Panayi 3 for 47) 5th June Shrewsbury v Malvern HMC T20 LOST by 29 runs Uppingham (Following on) 316 (Lloyd 3 for 43) Malvern 149 for 4 Shrewsbury 120 for 4 Shrewsbury 120 27th June v Brighton GS Melbourne T20 WON by 24 runs 6th June Shrewsbury v Malvern WON by 80 runs Shrewsbury 137 for 8 (Westbury 57) Shrewsbury 222 for 3 (Hargrave 59, Lewis 80 n.o.) Brighton 127 all out (Lloyd 3 for 19) Malvern 142 all out (Home 3 for 27, Westbury 4 for 22) SILK TROPHY 13th June Manchester GS v Shrewsbury WON by 1 run Shrewsbury 207 for 3 (Westbury 100 Adair 58) 29th June v Oundle WON by 106 runs Manchester GS 206 for 6 Shrewsbury 233 for 7 (Westbury 57, Hargrave 73) Oundle 127 all out (Panayi 4 for 13) 19th June Shrewsbury v Sedbergh U17 Cup LOST by 3 runs Sedbergh 236 for 9 30th June v Hilton College Durban LOST by 84 runs Shrewsbury 233 for 4 (Adair 60 Panayi 54 n.o. Hargrave 53) Hilton 257 for 9 (Lloyd 4 for 42) Shrewsbury 173 all out (Hargrave 48) 20th June Shrewsbury v Bedford LOST by 8wkts Shrewsbury 107 all out 1st July v Eton College WON by 6 wkts Bedford 110 for 2 Eton 238 for 9 (Durman 3 for 23 Lloyd 3 for 25) Shrewsbury 239 for 4 (Lewis 74 Hargrave 68 Panayi 39 n.o.) WISDEN STATS 2015 40 & 50 over Matches

Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Best Bowling C. E. Home 104 10 413 28 5-21 G. D. Panayi 155 20 554 29 4-13 O. E. Westbury 139.1 21 569 28 4-20 D. J. Lloyd 199 28 663 31 4-42 P. J. Jacob 69 3 311 12 3-24 D. L. Durman 67 6 282 10 3-2 C. E. Cooke 106 8 512 12 3-27

Batting & Av Inns NO Runs Highest 100s

O. E. Westbury 55.15 21 2 1048 112 6 G. P. Hargrave 49.46 17 2 742 100* 1 G. P. G. Lewis* 35.64 21 4 606 80* H. R. D. Adair 34.00 22 3 646 83* G. D. Panayi 26.69 16 3 347 48 C. E. Home 26.44 13 4 238 55

1st XI Player Reports

George Lewis (Captain) had a good tour of South Africa in December and grew into his job as Captain as well as improving his batting throughout the 2015 season. His final innings against Eton helped us retain the Silk Trophy and will live long in the memory of those present that day. Batting more at 4, he illustrated greater consistency and adaptability than in previous seasons. George’s presence was vital and he cemented together any cracks that appeared. He leaves us with the distinction of winning three Silk Trophies and a HMC T20 National title. The contribution made by George and his elder brother Henry has been outstanding during the past six years. SCHOOL NEWS 31

Oliver Westbury (Vice Captain), who bowled with greater control than measure of penetration, but I will be our leading run scorer, has played for in previous seasons. His selection for looking for far more this time around. the Shrewsbury School 1st XI for two the Silk Trophy campaign was as much He is an experienced campaigner and seasons. In that time he has scored about his potential as about his results. he must seek to influence matches at nearly 1900 runs. In the current season, He certainly gave his all during the this level with the ball, bat, and in the he scored 1124 runs in all forms of season and was rewarded with a Silk field. With 31 wickets in the longer cricket including six centuries (scored Trophy title. format matches, his contribution was against Millfield, Manchester GS, telling and I would ask that he continue Repton, Sedbergh, Uppingham and to delight us with his very positive yet Warwickshire Academy) at an average relaxed application. of nearly 47. Charlie Cooke did extremely well in He has also taken 30 wickets with South Africa and started the season his off spin at an average of 22 this well. He supported Panayi and often season and was selected to play for out bowled him when the ball swung. the MCC Schools XI v ESCA XI at His contribution in the early part of Lord’s and now moves on to a winter the season was very important but in Perth and a year in the Worcester communication issues and firmer Academy where he will try to secure a grounds reduced his impact. He will professional contract. need to be even more committed if he is to make the team this summer with Jamie Humes had a challenging much more competition around for the season after a slip in a warm-up seam bowling slots. curtailed his contributions and although not at his best, did much to bolster George Hargrave illustrated his class the final push towards the Silk Trophy with bat in hand, time and time again triumph. At his best, for us, he was a throughout the season. His final innings first class wicketkeeper and batsman for the school against Eton highlighted (one of the very best we had at school his growing strength, excellent since I have been in charge) but with technique, mental strength and a preparation schedule that was too increasing authority. He certainly built relaxed and disjointed throughout on his Bunbury reputation and looked the summer he rarely produced what George Panayi, already in his like a professional in the waiting. Asked he was capable of. Nevertheless, his third season in the 1st X1, took on to do more wicket keeping in 2015 contribution to our successes over more responsibility than before and than he, or we, thought, he coped well recent years is noted and respected. produced a number of all round with the work load, but further work performances to attract the attention of on his technique and communication Dan Durman, after a very positive national selectors. A great winter tour will help him become a better all round winter tour, was not the ever present in South Africa with us was followed batsman wicketkeeper this year. We player we had hoped for last season by another one for the England U17s look forward to more of the same. but still made an impact and can be in the UAE where he gained even proud of his contribution to the 1st XI more admirers. His batting came to the Charlie Home performed over two years. He is a skilful cricketer fore this season and I look forward to exceptionally well with the ball and who batted, bowled, fielded and kept much more of the same this coming looked very accomplished with bat in wicket well during his career. I hope summer. His role as Captain will put hand. Much more was to be expected that he continues to apply himself and more pressure on him but I am sure from him over the coming two thereby achieve the sort of bowling he will thrive on it and prosper as seasons but his unforeseen departure performance that kept us on track in he did in the final day of the season to Wrekin College has robbed us of the Silk Trophy this past summer. victory over Eton. seeing him develop even further here at Shrewsbury School and reduced Charlie Adams had an outstanding Harry Adair started the season very our options for a future captain. winter tour and brought stability to the well indeed, but became less influential Nevertheless, his tireless work ethic team’s lower order. He often played as the sun appeared higher in the sky. and passion should drive him along a vital batting role in ensuring we got We missed his dynamic input after the his cricketing pathway if he can gain a total or slowed down the progress initial sprint and I hope that he can greater independence and learn to of the opposition. Strong and reliable, return next season with greater maturity plough his own furrow. Charlie always gave of his best and and plenty of fast and exciting runs despite his lack of real opportunities as throughout the summer. As in previous Patrick Jacob returned from South the season drew on, he was always a years, I know he will put in the hours Africa well ahead and despite a season key player in the team and a resolute of preparation required and I truly on the fringes he has proved to be character. hope that he will he deliver from April one of the most committed cricketers to July both with bat in hand and in the at school. His fielding is ungainly but Fred Earlam did not travel on tour field where he has the athleticism to incredibly effective, but he really does but found the zeal to compete for influence a match. need to offer greater control with his a place in the spring. He added to bowling and work hard to be mentally our fire power and from time to time Dan Lloyd continued where he had stronger when asked to bat. showed us what he was capable of. left over in December. With the ball in Fred proved to be a gifted stroke player hand he offered us control and some Andy Barnard 32 SCHOOL NEWS

SILK TROPHY SUCCESS

The 1st XI won the Silk Trophy for the third year running and and scored a single to secure the historic win. It was our best also became the only school to do so in the 25 years of the batting performance of the season and the team, depleted by competition. some late withdrawals, must be roundly congratulated on a magnificent win. Following a good win over Oundle on the first day by 106 runs, we then lost to Hilton College, Durban on day two by 84 runs. Consequently, we needed to beat Eton well on The Silk Trophy Winners day three. 1990 Radley College Eton batted first and looked set for a large total after a good 1991 The Antipodeans, Australia start by our bowlers, particularly Dan Lloyd. A good Eton 1992 Eton College partnership in the middle overs was curtailed by some good 1993 Eton College bowling (Dan Durman and George Panayi) and catching 1994 Queen’s College, South Africa towards the end of their innings. Nevertheless they finished 1995 Eton College with a fairly healthy 238. A steady start by George Hargrave 1996 Eton College and Oliver Westbury was brought to an early end when 1997 Festival Cancelled (Rain) Westbury (1124 runs this season) was caught behind. Harry 1998 Eton College Adair gave the innings some momentum and Hargrave 1999 Eton College moved the ball around well, but when Adair was out there 2000 Maritzburg College, South Africa was still much to do. George Lewis (captain and winner 2001 Kearsney College, South Africa of two Silk Trophies) came in and immediately took the 2002 Eton College initiative against all bowlers, playing strong shots as well 2003 Eton College as late cuts and sweeps. Hargrave continued to prosper, 2004 Oundle particularly against the quicker bowlers, but one too many 2005 Eton College pulls saw him caught off a skier. George Panayi joined Lewis 2006 Shrewsbury School and consolidated for a while and saw the run rate rise from 2007 Eton College 5s to 7s with some 7 overs to go. All of a sudden Panayi 2008 Eton College found the measure of the Eton bowlers and, in the flash of 2009 Shrewsbury School his bat, he took 20 off an over and the game swung our 2010 Eton College way. Both batsmen relaxed a little and with 3 overs to go we 2011 Eton College only required 2 runs. The ball, having been smashed to the 2012 Festival Cancelled (Rain) boundary was lost, so a new ball arrived. Unfortunately, it 2013 Shrewsbury School was a nearly new ball and George Lewis edged to slips to be 2014 Shrewsbury School out for a fantastic captain’s knock on 78. Fred Earlam came in 2015 Shrewsbury School

From L to R - BACK ROW Mr A Barnard (Master i/c Cricket), Daniel Lloyd, Dan Durman, Jamie Humes, Charlie Adams, Charlie Cooke, Mr P Pridgeon (Cricket Professional) FRONT ROW Harry Adair, Oliver Westbury, George Lewis (Capt.), Fred Earlam, George Panayi, George Hargrave. SCHOOL NEWS 33

2nd XI Further rain meant the cancellation of the match against Played 8 Won 3 Lost 3 Abandoned 2 Wrekin, so the next visitors to Senior were Repton. Again the opposition won the toss and elected to bat. Repton were in a commanding position at 69 for 2 after 17 overs, This year’s 2nd XI shaped up to be another strong team at but once the number 1 and 3 batsmen were dismissed, the the start of the season, with Freddie Adair as captain and innings capitulated. Repton finished on 126 all out after 35.1 many of the bowlers from last year returning to the side. overs with two wickets each for Henry Craig, Rishi Trivedi, However, it was the batting that was likely to make or break Freddie Rowley and George Birt. In response Shrewsbury the season, especially with Reiss Rashid injured and with the suffered their own collapse as the top order misfired badly, loss of Freddie Earlam to the 1st XI early on. Unfortunately only Henry Newbould making any impression on the score the fixture list was curtailed by the proliferation of exams with 20. With the score at 50 for 7 the game seemed to and by some cancellations for weather, so only six out of be irretrievable, but just as they had done at Millfield, Pat eight matches were completed. Six boys represented the side Jacob (33) and Nick Pearce (34) saved the innings, while on six or more occasions, including Nick Pearce, Freddie Rishi Trivedi and Antony Koch de Gooreynd saw the side Rowley, Paul Sharpe, Henry Newbould, James Harris and home with one wicket to spare. So Shrewsbury claimed an Antony Koch de Gooreynd. improbable win by 1 wicket.

The first fixture saw the team make the epic journey to The final match of the first half of term saw Shrewsbury Millfield on the second Saturday of term. It was a damp day host Sedbergh, who had not lost a game since we last beat with a dubious forecast, so the match was shortened to a them in 2012! Unfortunately the fixture coincided with the T20 format on arrival. Shrewsbury won the toss and elected beginning of AS exams and a significant loss of players to to bat. Making a disappointing start, the team slumped to 64 the 1st XI, which meant the 2nd XI lost captain and top run- for 7 after 11 overs, with only Freddie Adair and ‘on-loan’ scorer Freddie Adair, as well as wicketkeeper and opening Charlie Adams making it to double figures. However, positive batsman, Henry Newbould and our saviour from the Millfield batting from Nick Pearce (17 from 13 balls) and Pat Jacob (30 and Repton games, Pat Jacob. On a damp day, stand-in from 16 balls), able supported by Antony Koch de Gooreynd captain, Freddie Rowley lost the toss and Shrewsbury was (9 from 16 balls) took the score to a respectable 137 for 9 asked to bat. As usual Sedbergh bowled tightly and there after 20 overs. With the weather closing in, Shrewsbury took were few loose deliveries to capitalise on. Scoring was slow to the field in buoyant mood, which improved significantly and the Shrewsbury batsmen failed to apply themselves on when Harry Schofield took a sharp slip catch fourth ball of a slow wicket. When Harry Schofield was narrowly run out, the Millfield innings off the bowling of Nick Pearce, who then after looking in good touch and Charlie Cooke played a wild bowled the number 3 with the last ball of the over to leave stroke and was caught, the score was 56 for 7. A low score Millfield on 2 for 2. Unfortunately at this point the heavens looked inevitable, but a final wicket stand of 41 between opened and rain put an end to the match. Ben Sansom (6) and Paul Sharpe (30), helped Shrewsbury to a modest total of 109. Sedbergh were positive in reply and, In the second match, Shrewsbury faced a XL Club side once the opening batsmen had established a partnership, that boasted two ex-international cricketers. The XL Club took only 18 overs to reach their target. won the toss and elected to bat on a fine, if chilly day, on Chances. Shrewsbury started well bowling tightly and fielding On the Saturday after Exeat, the 2nd XI travelled to Malvern superbly. The XL club were restricted to 69 for 3 after 20 to contest what always proves to be a close fixture. Bolstered overs of the only declaration game of the season. However, by the inclusion of Fred Earlam, but without a few of the Shrewsbury were unable to get the breakthrough they need more experienced senior players due to Exam Leave, the to remove the ex-professionals and as the innings wore on, young team batted well, posting a huge target of 275 for 4 the concentration of the fielding side waned, allowing the after 40 overs. Fred Earlam, opening the batting, scored 113 batsmen to capitalise on some loose bowling and progress from 62 balls and was ably supported by Harry Gregson who to 216 for 3 after 38 overs, when they declared at tea. Paul scored 74 from 66 balls. James Harris posted a useful 34 from Sharpe was the stand-out bowler with 1 for 30 off his 8 overs. 27 and Antony Koch de Gooreynd chipped in with 15*. In In response, Shrewsbury made a positive start reaching 64 for reply Malvern made a strong start, getting to 97 after 12 overs, 1 after 10 overs. Several batsmen had starts, Freddie Rowley before losing their first wicket. But three wickets apiece for (30), George Birt (23) Harry Gregson (22) and Freddie Adair the spinners, Ed Moore and Fred Earlam helped Shrewsbury was perhaps unlucky to be given out LBW for 30. However, to dismiss the home side for 220 in 30 overs. wickets fell regularly and although the run rate was fine, Shrewsbury fell short, ending up 184 all out after 31.1 overs Rain put paid to the following match against Manchester and losing by 32 runs. Grammar, so next up was a long journey to Bedford. On a grey and showery afternoon it was a desperate shame that In the next match, Shrewsbury welcomed Bromsgrove on we were not blessed with clement weather, as a potentially another very dark and wet Saturday. Again, the match format competitive match was abandoned after only 12 overs. was reduced to T20. Bromsgrove won the toss and put The final match of the season saw the visit of several familiar Shrewsbury into the field on Senior. Having got to 47 for faces in a strong Saracens team, led by George Thomason. 1 after 6 overs, Bromsgrove were in a strong position, but The 2nd XI made a good start with Antony Koch de excellent bowling from Freddie Rowley 4 for 15 from 4 overs Gooreynd leading the way with two catches in the first few and George Birt 2 for 2 from 2 overs, reduced them to 127 all overs to dismiss Jamie Bird and the dangerous Matt Gregson. out in 19.5 overs. Shrewsbury made light work of the chase, Then Harry Croft and George Hanmer pushed the score on with captain Freddie Adair in ebullient mood, smashing a to 85 before the next wicket fell. With the score on 132 for 6 powerful 63 not out from 44 balls, ably supported by Henry after 21 overs, Shrewsbury had a good chance to contain the Newbould 18 from 35 balls and Freddie Rowley finishing a Saracens innings. However, a 150-run partnership between good day on 31 not out from 21 balls. Shrewsbury won by 9 Steve Barnard (94 from 59 balls) and Henry Blofield (50* wickets with 4 overs to spare. from 51 balls) helped the visitors to 301 for 7 from their 40 34 SCHOOL NEWS

overs. Chasing such a large score was always going to be group of boys and testament to their commitment that, challenging against such a strong side. The opening pair despite the increasing pressure of exams, they were keen of Paul Sharpe (37) and Harry Schofield (16) made a good to pull on their whites for the team. Leading batsmen were start, but when Fred Adair and Fred Earlam failed to make Fred Earlam with 124 runs at 41.3, Fred Adair with 109 runs and impact, the score slumped to 79 for 4 before a flurry of at 27.3 and Paul Sharpe, who started the season at number wickets left the 2nd XI 101 all out. 11 but finished with 86 runs at an average of 43! Leading bowlers included George Birt with 7 wickets at an average So it was a disappointing end to a season which was blighted of 8.4 and Freddie Rowley also with 7 wickets, at an average by weather and exams. Cricket is a game which tests skill of 14. Many of the Lower Sixth worked hard to improve in and concentration and it was not easy to get any momentum the second half of the season and with more maturity and with such a staccato rhythm to the season. Yet there were the lessons learned from this year, they will provide a sound highlights to savour; Fred Earlam’s excellent performance at foundation for senior cricket at Shrewsbury next season. Malvern stands out, but the recovery to win against Repton was also sweet. It was a pleasure to work with such a willing Matthew Barrett

U17 XI this provided good opportunities for 20 balls, Tom Atkin 17 from 14, U17s School Sports Cup others to come in take their chance. George Chaplin 16 from 18. The side was well captained by Harry 1st Round Shrewsbury v Ellesmere Gregson who proved to be a force We started to defend this total with (Home) with both bat and ball. Other notable energy, not giving width. But, unlike Ellesmere 107 for 8 (Cooke 5 for 22) batting performances came from Dan us, Bedstone’s numbers 2 & 3 hung on Shrewsbury 108 for 1 (Home 45 n.o.) Orchard, Josh Malyon and Oliver Dixon (George Pearce bowled their #1 for 1 who all played some quality innings run). Bertie Calvert came into the attack 2nd Round Shrewsbury v Wrekin at times. The pick of the bowlers was and was the pick of the bowlers (his (Away) won by 8 wkts Ross Orchard who bowled with pace first over was a maiden) but it was too Wrekin 103 for 6 (Lloyd 2 for 18) and accuracy. Arthur Price produced late as Bedstone were already 74 off 13 Shrewsbury 104 for 2 (Hargrave 37 n.o. some decent spells of off-spin and overs. Bedstone won by 9 wickets with Panayi 35 n.o.) George Pearce and Joe Thevathasan more than 4 overs to spare. George probed away with their seamers. The Pearce 4 overs 15-1. Bertie Calvert 1.2 3rd Round Shrewsbury v Myerscough team fielded very well as a unit and overs 6-0. (Home) won by 7 wkts there were some excellent run outs and Myerscough 160 for 8 catches. It is hoped that this group of After exams a hybrid As/Bs team Shrewsbury 163 for 3 (Garrett 63 n.o. players will continue to train hard and headed down to South Shropshire Panayi 56 n.o.) enjoy their cricket as a number of them again, to play a mixed Lucton/Ludlow could play at a good level in the Sixth team. It soon became clear that we 19th June Shrewsbury v Sedbergh U17 Form. were rather strong for them, so Harry Cup lost by 3 runs Gregson was retired for scoring too Sedbergh 236 for 9 U16B XI fast while Dan Orchard remained, Shrewsbury 233 for 4 (Adair 60 Panayi Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1 aiming to make his first 50 playing 54 n.o. Hargrave 53) for Shrewsbury School. Sadly on 44 The first was a (by now) traditional he tried to get there in one shot and U16A XI T20 fixture at Bedstone. We were never was bowled. Having reduced the Played 6 Won 4 Lost 2 sure what a good total was on this match to 16 overs each way we scored A most encouraging season with a ground; while our run rate was always 141. Gregson 35 (ret). D.Orchard hard-working and committed group of sound, we did lose wickets rather too 44. G.Pearce 21*.We then kept the boys. Paddy Jacob, George Hargrave regularly, particularly of our potentially opposition to 76. T.Atkin 2-0-8-3. and Charlie Home spent much of destructive batsmen, and slowed down J.Malyon 2-0-6-0. A.Price 2-0-15-2. the time playing in the 1st X1, but in the final overs as a result. We ended J.Thevathasan 3-1-17-1. up getting to 91. George Pearce 20 off B.Calvert 3-0-11-1.

U15A XI Played 21 Won 15 Lost 6

I have never before started a review of a cricket season by defeating a strong Ellesmere College side that had beaten with a quote from G. K. Chesterton. Until today. them in the County Final 12 months previously. We were “There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to caught in a three-way tie at the end of season festival at accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” Uppingham, eventually missing out on the trophy due to In today’s materialistic society, there may well be some run rate, and lost to Malvern College in the semi-final at the truth in that statement. However, in the quest for sporting Midlands T20 Finals day. satisfaction, our desires this year were left, in some senses, unfulfilled. I often despair at football managers blaming their most recent defeat on everything from the fixture schedule to the Let us get the disappointments out of the way early in the alignment of the planets, but in this case there are some piece. The U15s finished the season with a sole trophy to significant mitigating circumstances. The 12-man squad we show for their efforts – the Shropshire ESCA T20 title, won took to the U15 festival at Uppingham contained seven SCHOOL NEWS 35

by the experience of a Christmas tour to Dubai and South Africa, they are now a group containing some high quality cricketers.

The bowling group had relied heavily on Garrett last year, and his absence presented an opportunity for others to seize. Tom Brunskill emerged as the leader of the attack, taking 33 wickets at 11.79. He was economical, penetrative and dependable, and was one of several who deservedly earned a call up to the 1st XI later in the season. Lucien Whitworth improved immeasurably and deserved more than his still impressive tally of 14 wickets at 12.29. He has good control, moves the ball both ways, and will gain more pace as he matures. Rob Ford was the definition of endeavour, working hard on all aspects of his game, and finished with 24 wickets at 22.75. His commitment in the field was exceptional. Ed Stapleton possesses real pace, and if he is prepared to work hard then he can improve significantly. U14s (who will benefit hugely from the experience), and contained only one of our first choice seam bowlers. Had As far as the batsmen go, it is very pleasing to report that no we had just one of the six first choice players who were fewer than nine players recorded scores of 50 or more – an absent available to us, our defeat by Eton (they chased our impressive achievement. Jordan Zaza (528 @ 31), George total 9 wickets down from the last ball of the game) would Garrett (468 @ 36), and Lysander Adair (403 @ 31) were surely have been reversed, and we would have returned the heaviest scorers over the season, but special mention home as comfortable champions. must also go to Daniel Humes (352 @ 27 as an U14, as well as some top quality work behind the stumps), and Jamie Having worked so hard to reach the Midlands T20 Finals Crawley (344 @ 43 in only 11 innings). Tom Brunskill also day, it was, in all honesty, galling to be forced to contest the added 320 runs @ 27 to go with his efforts with the ball. title with a side shorn of a further three players from earlier I must also take time to write about our captain George in the week in Uppingham. Huge thanks goes to those who Garrett. During what was an incredibly frustrating time stepped in at the last minute to enable us to field a side. for him personally, he scored runs consistently, captained The fact that we reached 149-9 in response to 174, set by intelligently, and was an absolute pleasure to be around - as a Malvern College side featuring three Midlands batsmen, were all the boys. In his final game on tour before injury whilst missing an incredible EIGHT first choice players, is a struck, he knocked over the top order of a top quality South credit to the boys involved, as it is to the quality of cricket African side, taking 5-10. It does not take much to imagine at Shrewsbury. The scheduling of the latter stages of this what he would have done against far lesser batsmen had he competition needs to be looked at in future, as with a full been fit this summer. strength side, and without a whiff of arrogance, we could have been national champions. While the issue of availability eventually robbed us of more silverware, it did afford me a chance to see more of next The 15/6 win loss ratio was in itself impressive, given that year’s squad in action. While there is plenty of work to do, injury deprived us of the services of our best batsman and there is also much to look forward to. our best bowler for virtually the entire season. Jamie Crawley missed eight weeks due to a hamstring injury, while a stress Despite my mentions of disappointment for not finishing fracture of the back limited George Garrett to a solitary spell the season with more trophies, the primary aim will always of three overs during the whole campaign. I am not sure how be player development. We will often rotate the batting many school sides could have coped with that sort of loss as order in order to give chances to other players, and we will well as we did. regularly expose bowlers to bowling at different stages of the innings. As a result we will occasionally lose matches, but this is all part of the learning process. In terms of their progression this season, there is an enormous amount for the boys to be proud of, and the lessons they have learned over the past few months will stand them in good stead for the future. There is every chance that as many as eight of this squad can now press on and look for a 1st XI place.I would like to finish by thanking Andy Barnard and Paul Pridgeon for all their support during the season, as well as Andy Richards and his team for providing facilities that are absolutely deserving of the term “First Class”. Our young cricketers really do have the privilege of playing on some fantastic pitches.

Going back to G. K. Chesterton – in a sporting sense, while we must accept that sometimes we do not get all we want The fact that we did was down to a huge amount of skill, or deserve, the fire will always burn within, and we will commitment and hard work from the boys. Huge strides were never desire less. made by many of them, and their attitude and application during what was a long, hard summer, was faultless. Buoyed Adam Shantry 36 SCHOOL NEWS

U15B XI Meole Brace: 43-4 (8 overs) Played 10 Won 8 Lost 2 Emma Graham 2 wickets, Sophia Breese 1 wicket, Will Shawe-Taylor (O) and James Argyle (M) were our Rosie Davis 1 wicket opening batsmen and were consistent across the term, Shrewsbury School v Mary Webb starting innings off with patient productivity. Harry Wasdell Mary Webb: 62-5 (8 overs) (Rt) contributed plenty of runs as well as proving to be an Emma Graham 1 wicket, Sophia Breese 3 wickets, Phoebe organised and methodical captain. Matt Clay (I) and Zak Wasdell 1 wicket Nicholas (R) were our mid-order big-hitters. Humphreys Shrewsbury School: 63-4 (6.2 overs) (Rt), Sykes (Rt) and Wasdell (Rt) provided the seam bowling, Emma Graham 10, Sophia Breese 14 not out, with varied success, and Greetham brought some beguiling Mimi Ashworth 8 spin to the attack. A very successful term overall and some especially impressive wins over the likes of Bedford, Millfield Including the two tournaments, the girls played a total of 14 and Malvern. Sedbergh was our only ‘block’ defeat when the matches and won 11. team was much weakened by depletions to the teams above. The most exciting match played was when the girls lost to Moreton in the School Sports National Cup in a closely fought contest. The game started well enough with the U15 Girls XI Cricket opening bowler Emma Graham (MSH) taking two wickets Played 14 Won 11 Lost 3 Drew 0 in the first over. Millie Home of Moreton then put on 63 The U15 Girls had a brilliant first season. It started at the n.o. and Moreton’s final score was 151-6. The heavens end of the Lent Term with the Lady Taverner’s Indoor opened during Shrewsbury School’s innings and while Tournament where the girls progressed to the County Final. Sophia Breese (EDH) made an excellent 52 n.o., we Unfortunately, the very busy end of term logistics unsettled could only manage 144 in reply. The conditions really any decent preparation and the girls were narrowly defeated did work against us on the day. After this loss, there were in the group stage. As the summer arrived the girls played substantial victories against Charlton School, Bromsgrove five school fixtures and finished the year by competing in the School, Malvern College (U16) and Shrewsbury High Shropshire Cricket Board U15 Tournament. School. Special mention goes to Sophia Breese (EDH) who scored 103 in 4 innings and Nina Lange (G) who Qualifying Tournament Results scored 40 off 12 balls against SHS. With the ball, Phoebe Shrewsbury School v Meole Brace Wasdell (MSH) had figures of 38-6 and Rosie Davis (EDH) Shrewsbury School: 86-3 (8 overs) 40-6. Nina Lange also took some rather special, athletic Lizzy Ware 15 retired, Mimi Ashworth 15 retired, catches and she will be sorely missed next season. This Phoebe Wasdell 17 retired all bodes well for the future of girls’ cricket at the school.

Shrewsbury School Girls XI - From L-R Back Row: Tilly Reynolds, Sophia Dixon, Nina Lange, Libby Hedges, Lizzy Ware, From L-R Front Row: Sophia Breese, Katie Oswald, Mimi Ashworth, Emma Graham, Phoebe Wasdell, Rosie Davis SCHOOL NEWS 37

Tennis

This term was the first term of tennis and Henry Clay were unable to where we integrated the new junior produce the good form of their lower girls into mixed squads at U15 level sixth year and struggled to contribute based on standard of play. This was of enough set wins. Close losses against mutual benefit to both the boys and Warwick, Cheltenham and Uppingham girls and allowed for more competition resulted against very beatable in squads. opposition.

The most successful pair for the The best school tennis team this year first VI this year were Charlie Davis were the U15A team who registered (O UVI) and Ollie Pumphrey (O, U6). excellent wins against Ellesmere, This pair started the season as 1st pair Uppingham, Malvern, Warwick and of the second team but progressed Cheltenham. The seven 4th formers dramatically and fully merited their who played so well for the team 1st pair status by the end of the were Lucas Paul (c), Tom Bromley- term. Deserving of a special mention Davenport, Jom Umpujh, James is Alex Loumidis (Rt III) who won Gisbourne, Ally Harris, Mungo both the U15 and U18 school tennis Hargreaves and James Powell. Great tournaments beating Lucas Paul (Rb things are hoped for from this group of IV) in one final and Charlie Davis players who make up the best seven Player of the year was Charlie Davis in the other (see photos). Alex has players from a single year group in my (PH UVI) who played with tenacity and played a lot of competitive tennis and eight years in charge of tennis. full commitment. Next year’s captain his shot selection and range of shots of tennis is Jack Fox (PH LVI). A Junior are well beyond what you would On the girls’ side Nina Lange (G III) first was awarded to Alex Webb for his expect from a 14-year-old. Alex has and Tilly Reynolds deserve a mention superb play in third and fourth form. also played in all the 1st VI matches for winning the Rugby Tournament this year. The team as a whole did not U15 and for getting to the semi finals Ridgemount won both senior and perform as well as anticipated. The of the Midlands U18 girls tournament. junior tennis competitions beating team was massively weakened by the The final of the Rugby Tournament Port Hill and Rigg’s in the finals long term injury of Alex Webb and was very memorable as Nina and Tilly respectively. Ridgemount were also were further weakened by the loss saved four consecutive match points House squash champions, beating of Jack Fox for most of the term with and six consecutive points in total to a wrist injury. This meant that Alex win the trophy. They showed a terrific Severn Hill in the final. Loumidis lacked a regular partner. mental strength that all the boys could Unfortunately Captain Tom Robinson learn from. Myles Harding 38 SCHOOL NEWS

RSSBC

The Summer term provided the usual frenzy of racing and training for the Boat Club, with crews from various age groups racing every weekend. After productive training camps in France for the Seniors and J16s and Pangbourne for the J15s, the boats got their first taste of sprint racing at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham in a private fixture with King’s Chester. With two coach loads of pupils and two fully laden trailers, the match provided a great opportunity for our novice oarsmen to get acquainted with the venue and the logistics of getting attached onto stake boats and racing six abreast. The crews raced in a time trial over 1750m, followed by seeded 2000m side by side finals. To finish off, the crews raced six abreast in two 500m races, which produced some exciting finishes.

he second weekend of the term the event, Elite Eights, and the J18 fastest eight, coxed four, pair and scull Tsaw crews competing at both the Eights event. at the Regatta to claim the Senior Victor national Junior Inter Regional Regatta Ludorum, alongside wins for the 2nd (JIRR) and the Birmingham Regatta. On the second May Bank Holiday VIII and J15 Four. Highlights included a medal-winning weekend the Boat Club had 14 crews performance by the J14 boys’ quad at competing at the National Schools’ JIRR and the first-ever win for the J14 Regatta. There was a strong showing girls at Birmingham. across all of the age groups, with 12 crews reaching semi-finals and seven crews going on to make the finals of their events and claim a spot in the top six in the country. The best result came from the J14A Octuple, who won a tremendous bronze medal in what is always a tightly contested event. Congratulations to the crew of: Ben Holehouse, Petr Rostokin, Elliot 1st VIII Chester Regatta Crossley, Alexander Davies, Josh Evans, Edward Hart, Jack Lockett, Adam Girls’ Quad Birmingham Regatta Pattenden and Boss Lertthundorn.

J15 Four Chester Regatta

J14 Quad JIRR Henley Women’s Regatta The Senior Girls’ Quad took part in the The first May Bank holiday weekend time trial from which 19 entrants would saw five Shrewsbury crews race at be reduced to 16. The crew was the the Wallingford Regatta. The pick J14 A Octuple National Schools third fastest down the track, putting of the results came from the 1st VIII them in strong contention in the event. who won their heat in an impressive The 1st VIII put in a strong showing Their first side by side race was against fashion, beating Abingdon’s, Radley’s with a gutsy row that saw them sitting a composite crew from Doncaster, and Hampton’s 1st VIIIs in the process. in 2nd place for most of the race in a Bradford and Lincoln Rowing Clubs. Unfortunately weather conditions very competitive field. Unfortunately The girls stormed down the first deteriorated through the day, which they slipped down to 5th in the closing 500 metres of the course, putting meant the finals were unable to be stages of the race. Results in brief: J14A themselves in a strong position and raced and prizes were awarded based Octuple 3rd, J14B Octuple 3rd in Semi- enabling them to lower the rate and on times. So the crew didn’t get to race final, Girls J14A Octuple 6th in Semi- control the remainder of the race and the final and lost out on time to the Final, Girls’ J15 Scull 26th out of 45 in secure an ‘easily’ verdict. As the crew winners of the other heat, St Paul’s, by Time trial, J15A VIII 5th in Final, J15B boated for their second round against three seconds. The 1st Girls’ Quad also VIII 6th in Semi-final, J16A VIII 4th in Staines Rowing Club the heavens had an excellent result, coming in third Semi Final, J16B VIII 5th in Final, 3rd opened, drenching the course in a overall in their event. VIII 5th in Final, 2nd VIII 6th in Final, heavy rain storm. The girls were not 1st VIII 5th in Final, Girls’ Quad 4th in deterred by the soggy conditions and The 1st VIII continued their promising Semi Final, 1st Four 4th in Final. once again put on a display of strong form at the Bedford Regatta where The second half of term saw a oarswoman-ship, leading the race from they recorded two encouraging wins successful day’s racing at the Chester start to finish and winning with a lead by winning both the premier race of Regatta. The School produced the of three and a half lengths. SCHOOL NEWS 39

2nd VIII at Henley

The win against Staines saw the crew when needed and were sluggish out take their place in the semi-final against of the starting blocks, with Hampton Surbiton High School, bronze medallists creating clear water between them from National Schools. The girls knew through the first timing marker. The this would be their toughest race of crew held their rhythm and closed the weekend and charged out of the the gap through the middle of the stake boats level with Surbiton. At the race but struggled to overhaul the barrier Surbiton took a length on the Hampton crew that were growing Shrewsbury crew and despite holding with confidence as the race drew on. them at this length throughout the race, Hampton held on to win by three- they were not able to take back the quarters of a length. The result was distance and lost to Surbiton by one bitterly disappointing for the 1st VIII and a third lengths. who had covered a significant number of miles on the water and time in the gym in preparation for the Regatta. Henley Royal Regatta St Paul’s School, 2nd at Schools’ Head The Senior Girls’ squad has continued and National Schools, produced a to grow in strength and performance storming final to turn over the Schools’ over the past three years and the Girls’ Quad at Henley Head, and National Schools winners Girls’ Quad made history this summer Westminster in the final. by becoming Shrewsbury’s first ever The boys’ 1st VIII were drawn against girls’ crew to qualify for the Henley Hampton School for their first round Home Countries Regatta Royal Regatta. They faced a crew race at Henley, having been knocked Paddy George, George Patterson, from Henley Rowing Club in their first out by Hampton in the second round Toby Thomas, Charlie Johnston, round race in the event and although in 2014. The crew had had the better Freddie Bonthrone, Abigail Reynolds they put up a good show, they were of Hampton throughout the season and and Lettie Tay were all selected to unable to turn over the well-drilled were hoping to repeat their positive represent Wales at the Home Countries Henley crew. Despite the loss, their run on the hot and humid Wednesday Regatta held at Strathclyde Country Park qualification for the final was a afternoon of 1st July. in Scotland in the summer holidays. tremendous result that provided an extremely positive end to the season, Despite some very encouraging speed along with the crew’s result at Henley shown in the lead up to the event, the Women’s Regatta. crew did not manage to reproduce it Athol Hundermark 40 SCHOOL NEWS

Victoria, Sabrina and Williams *** we are currently researching the Sculls 2015 history of the VSW Sculls, so if any OS remember what the course was This annual early season tester from the in their time, or have any old results Greyfriar’s Bridge to the Priory Stone sheets lurking at the back of the saw competitive racing at all levels, and wardrobe, please could they contact a chance for those who had trained the master i/c House Rowing, well over the summer to show the Rob Wilson ([email protected]) improvements they had made. Tessa Scott-Bell

Patrick George (M) earned the Victoria Sculls (J18) title, ahead of Lower Sixth entrant Matt Rowe (SH) in second and Henry Thomas (Ch) in third. In the equivalent girls’ competition, Lower Sixth Former Alys Howells (MSH) won ahead of Sian Hinton (G) and Abi Reynolds (G), who both raced in the RSSBC quad at Henley Royal Regatta in Eleanor Fox Alys Howells the summer.

The Sabrina Sculls (J16) was won by Ed Lewis (Rb), second placed Max Craik (PH) and third placed Bryce Rutter (PH) were mere seconds behind him. Eleanor Fox (G) was the fastest Fifth Form girl in a time that placed her 4th amongst the Sixth Form. Izzy Lewis Ed Lewis Adam Pattenden (S) and Tessa Scott-Bell (MSH) won the Williams Sculls (J15). Adam’s impressive performance placed him 8th overall.

Louis Nares (Rb) and Issy Lewis (EDH) won the Junior Williams crowns. Moser’s Hall and The Grove took the team Senior Challenge Sculls titles. Patrick George Adam Pattenden

Bumps 2015

The ongoing domination of the Bumping Races by Rigg’s Hall in recent years continued this year with Rigg’s I claiming the Head of the River trophy for the seventh year in a row (another new record). They also claimed the headship in divisions two and three. Whispers on the towpath suggest that this run may end next year, but these rumours have been flying around for at least five years now! Emma Darwin Hall finished as the highest girls’ house, but The Grove will be hot on their heels next year. Rigg’s also claimed the Leadbitter Cup, and The Grove the Birt Trophy – both awarded for points earned in rowing competitions throughout the year. SCHOOL NEWS 41

RSSH

“That has to be one of the best days of my life,” says Henry as we sit around a campfire under an African starlit sky. That morning we had been up at first light for a 10km run in a remote corner of Kenya, a herd of zebra and antelopes cantering alongside us as we’d moved as a pack across the Laikipia plains, giraffe and elephants looking on inquisitively as we crossed the finish line. It was breathtaking - not least because we were running at 8,000ft altitude - and for each of us a truly memorable experience. Later that afternoon we had hopped on the back of pickup vehicles and travelled to a nearby conservancy where cameras had clicked enthusiastically as a vast array of impressive African beasts passed before us, culminating in the rare sighting of a cheetah kill right in front of the group. A quick dip in the swimming pool of Shrewsbury parents Aidan and Claire Hartley at their home- Palagalan Farm- and then down to the campfire for T-Bone steaks and boerewors. What a day indeed.

he Hunt had initially travelled the training base for the likes of Mo drop down into the Great Rift Valley Tto East Africa in October 2013 Farah and Paula Radcliffe in the past, with views across the escarpment for following an invitation from the club’s and in fact, the week after we left, hundreds of miles. We were challenged first Coach in Residence, Ethiopian over a dozen of the UK athletics team in our running, taking on some long legend Sentayehu Eshetu, who had moved in for their three-month training distance runs through the forests of Iten spent a week at Shrewsbury the block in Kenya. It is an inspiring place, and in speedwork sessions, and indeed previous year. He had suggested that and has been the breeding ground for some quite tortuous core sessions led we follow up his visit with the ‘return countless Olympic gold medalists and by top Kenyan 800m runner Timo Limo. leg’ and stay with him in the famous world record holders, not least 800m Similarly, when we travelled north to ‘Town of Runners’: Bekoji in Ethiopia. world record holder David Rudisha Ethiopia, we were put through our paces The inaugural trip had proved such a who went to the local St Patrick’s in the town of Bekoji where we were success that we felt compelled to offer school. The school has more Olympic reunited with Coach Sentayehu Eshetu. the experience once again, this time to medalists than most western nations! A track session just about killed me as a new group of Salopian runners eager I was cruelly placed in the elite men’s to embrace new challenges and reach The self-proclaimed ‘Town of marathon group by Coach (was it new heights in their running. Champions’ is home to literally something I had said?) and, without even thousands of full-time athletes, and time to question the sanity of the decision If it was heights they were looking there is a unique thrill in training in was forced into embarking upon the for, it was heights they got, with the same small town as so many of session of 5 sets of 5 laps run at 3min/ much of our time spent running the world’s best athletes. One morning km pace. I managed one set before at an altitude ranging from 8,000ft during our stay we were able to meet genuinely believing my lungs were about in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley to the one such athlete following his morning to explode. I quietly drifted down into lung-bursting 10,000ft in Ethiopia. gym session at the Lornah Kiplagat a more realistic group and hoped that The impact of training at this height Centre- Emmanuel Mutai. With a time nobody had noticed. is quite significant, and it is not easy of 2.03.13, Mutai is the second fastest running in those conditions. We were man ever over the marathon distance Our runners were hugely impressive in asking a lot from our young up-and- yet took the time to speak to our young the way in which they coped with the coming runners, but it is to their great runners and was remarkably humble in demands placed upon them. credit that they rose to the challenge. describing his career. They earned the respect of the Bekoji The majority of our time in Kenya was Amongst the highlights of our time in athletes (approximately 100-150 turn up spent in Iten to the west of the country, Kenya would be training on the for every session) when they completed staying at the internationally-acclaimed famous Kamariny track that has as its Coach’s grueling endurance run in the Lornah Kiplagat Centre. This has been backdrop a good few thousand-foot eucalyptus forest, and in turn, we were 42 SCHOOL NEWS

hugely grateful for the warm welcome something of a ‘vintage’ year group, and we received from the Ethiopian athletes we weren’t to be disappointed. and the town itself. Greeted with cheers of ‘Farangi!’ wherever we went At the Huntsman’s rallying cry of “All (‘foreigner’) there was sheer delight Hounds who wish to run - run hard, in the faces of the town’s residents run well, and may the Devil take the (especially the children) whenever we hindmost!” there was a stampede of ran past them. This is a rarely-visited runners sprinting towards the Moss At the Restart Centre part of Africa where foreigners are very Gates in an attempt to establish an rarely seen. Yet there was no hostility, violence and abuse, many have had that early lead. With Huntsman Oscar only hospitality of the very best sort. most basic need - a mother and father Dickins (joint Huntsman this year with It was an eye-opener for our students who love them - taken from them. Yet Ben Remnant) running as ‘hare’, it to see a town where horse and cart is these are some of the happiest, vibrant, was Severn Hill’s Sam Western who the main form of transport, and where and resilient young boys and girls you unsurprisingly emerged at the front of electricity cannot be relied upon (one are ever likely to meet. Now housed in the pack by the Maidment Building. In of my favourite memories of the tour an impressive new facility in Langalanga, the chasing pack, amongst others, was was eating a version of what we might somebody has made sure that the Sam’s former classmate from Birchfield call ‘pizza’ in candlelight following Centre’s motto has been repainted on Lilian Wilcox who was comfortably a whole-town blackout, listening to the walls of the new building - “Think leading the girls’ race. These were leads the mellifluous jazz of Charlie Parker Not What You Are, But What You Can that both Sam and Lilian held for the from one of the boy’s iPods). We saw Become”. It was a message that our entire race with Sam coming home for - both in Ethiopia and Kenya - a level Hunt runners took to heart, and I have his first ‘kill’ in a swift time of 8.16 over of ambition and determination that is no doubt that their experiences in East the Benjies course, nearly 30 seconds rarely seen in the western world. They Africa over half-term will not only stay ahead of Thomas Jackson (Rigg’s) in have so little, yet dream big. There is with them for a lifetime, but impact 2nd with a time of 8.44 and Severn an incredible belief that anything is upon who they will become. The eleven Hill’s Leo Walton in 3rd (8.48). Lilian’s possible. That hunger to succeed is boys and two girls who travelled with winning time of 9.29 placed her 13th contagious and the young Salopians on us were a great credit to the School and overall in the field - an outstanding our tour were moved and inspired by were terrific company throughout the achievement - with Laura Elliot of The the people who they met. trip. It was an absolute privilege to take Grove in 2nd (10.28) and Mary Lees of them there. Emma Darwin Hall just behind in 3rd Perhaps most memorable and inspiring with a time of 10.34. The team event of all was our visit to the Restart Centre Third Form Race was won by Rigg’s Hall for the second in Gilgil, home to just over 100 orphans year in a row with Emma Darwin Hall and street children from the surrounding Looking further back to the start of being crowned victors in the girls’ event. area. Set up by Mary Coulson in 2008 the School year, the Michaelmas term The times across the board were very in the aftermath of horrific post-election got off to a flying start with the annual swift indeed, and compared to previous violence, this is a quite remarkable Third Form Race on the first weekend years suggests that the years ahead for place. It was the third time I had in September. This year’s race was set to the Hunt look very promising indeed. personally visited the Centre and each be a cracker with many assembling on We are beginning to see the fruits of the time I have left feeling humbled and the startline having already shown their Prep Schools’ Championships where inspired in equal measure by both Mary mettle in Shrewsbury’s Prep Schools’ many who compete in our event are and the Restart children. Many have Cross-Country Championships. We were keen to join the School and our special been subjected to the most appalling quietly optimistic that this could be running club. SCHOOL NEWS 43

Behind Dickins and Huxley- Fielding was perhaps the surprise of the day, with Ridgemount runner Harry Adair completing the podium and narrowly edging out last year’s winner Charlie Tait-Harris. Like the leading Riggites, Severn Hill seemed to opt for ‘coupling up’, with Scott Hatton coming home alongside Tait-Harris in 5th place.

The team event was therefore in the balance and with three runners in the top ten, Rigg’s were hopeful of bringing home the Mallett Team Trophy as well as the Hector Rose Bowl. However, it wasn’t to be, for in a very close affair it was Severn Hill who emerged top by just 6 points, with all of their eight ‘counters’ coming home in the top The Tucks Olivia was the ever-improving 40. Churchill’s completed the team Passy Goddard of The Grove and, podium in the boys’ race, whilst Of course, the major focus of the impressively, Third Former Lilian in the girls’ event The Grove were term is the annual Tucks race, which Wilcox in the bronze medal position. crowned team champions for the once again proved a high-octane This is an outstanding effort from second year in a row. affair with the top athletes in the someone so young and bodes well School competing for the laurels. for the future. It has been a busy and exciting Uniquely, of course, the whole term of running and with The School take part in the race, with In the boys’ race, the Rigg’s duo of Paperchases, the Old Salopian both pupils and staff toeing the line Oscar Dickins and Freddie Huxley- Race and the Shrewsbury Relays and tackling the mud, stiles and Fielding worked well as a pair to come, there is plenty more still tarmac of the three-mile course. together to break up the field and to come. There is an optimism in Dr Gee was first out of the blocks ensure that a Rigg’s runner would the air about the season ahead an hour or so before the official line, bring home the Hector Rose Bowl and with a depth of talent that but given this was his 55th time he for the first time since 1998. In the surpasses all previous seasons, this had run in the Tucks, we allowed end, it was Huntsman Oscar Dickins is perhaps the most exciting Hunt him this concession! who broke the tape first for the squad for a generation. There is ‘kill’ in a very quick time of 17.41 a shared sense of belief, a shared As the hooter sounded for the start (the fastest time in the modern era sense of ambition, and we are all of the official race, the anticipated was George Mallett’s 17.20 in 2011), committed to our goals. Watch this frenetic sprint start was once again with Huxley-Fielding just behind space… seen, with all 130 of the 1st Wave him. After a year of injury, it was runners bidding to get out quickly wonderful to see this talented runner and squeeze through the small gap back in form, and this bodes well for Peter Middleton at the end of the field first. There the Hunt’s season ahead. were a few fallers at this stage in scenes reminiscent of the Grand National, but thankfully no injuries.

The big hitters amongst The Hunt were out in force in a bid to bring home the Hector Rose Bowl for the winner of the boys’ race and the newly-gifted Mobley Cup for the girls. The first winner of the latter was - appropriately enough - this year’s Captain of Girls’ Running Olivia Papaioannou. Despite a niggling Achilles injury the week before, she put in a commanding performance and ensured that her name will be etched on to this new trophy, which has kindly been donated by the Mobley family in recognition of the achievements of their daughter Tory, last year’s L-R: Lillian Wilcox, Pascale Goddard, Olivia Papaioannou, Oscar Dickins, Harry Adair, Captain of Girls’ Running. Behind Freddie Huxley-Fielding 44 SCHOOL NEWS

Athletics

With temperatures climbing into the mid-20s at times on Tuesday 23rd June, conditions were very pleasant for spectators but not necessarily ideal for the competitors in the School’s fourth Sports Day since it was resurrected in 2012. Nevertheless, the performances on the day were very impressive indeed, and a number of School records were broken. The atmosphere of cheerful enthusiasm and a general ethos of ‘pitching in’ for the team made for an extremely enjoyable event.

The main trophy winners are and her part in The Grove’s winning The Senior Boys’ Victor Ludorum listed below. 4 x 100m team. went to Gene Ratanadaros for his two golds in the Long and Triple Jumps, In the Junior Boys’ event, School House The Inters Victor Ludorum went to his 4th place in the High Jump, and took the Junior House Trophy just one Angus Drummond for his Long Jump his part in achieving a 4th place for point ahead of Rigg’s Hall. gold, his High Jump silver and his part Oldham’s in the 4 x 100m relay. in the Oldham’s 4 x 100m bronze- The Junior Victor Ludorum – medal-winning team. The Senior Boys’ House Trophy calculated according to the individual went to Radbrook, winning by 15 who managed to score the most points The Inters House Trophy was points ahead of Severn Hill. for his house – was deservedly won by claimed by Severn Hill, just one point Severn Hill had the last laugh, however, Matthew Brinkley (SH) for gold medals ahead of Oldham’s. as they claimed the Tisdall Trophy in the 100m, 200m and Javelin (with – signalling their victory across all age a record-breaking distance of 33.25m) Pascale Goddard’s three gold medals groups with the highest combined and a silver in the 4 x 100m. on the track (200m, 800m – setting points total of 329, 16 points ahead of a new Senior Girls’ record – and School House in second. The Junior Victrix Ludorum went to 1500m) earned her the Senior Girls’ Claire Richards (G) for her three gold Victrix Ludorum, which made a huge medals in the 100m (joint with Daisy contribution to The Grove’s overall McMullen), 200m and the Long Jump House win. Ian Haworth SCHOOL NEWS 45

Equestrian success

Shrewsbury School’s horse riders have been achieving success on a national platform in recent months, both as a school team and as individuals.

Championship on a collective score of 138.7, 16 penalty points ahead of silver medallists France. In the individual competition, Thomas finished in 4th place, less than one penalty point behind the bronze medal winner.

Thomas was kept very busy competing throughout the 2015 season, successfully juggling his training and competitions alongside his GCSE exams and his other sporting commitments as a member of the School’s Football and Rugby U16A

Scott Walker, Jack Ashworth, Lily Freeman-Attwood and Thomas Tulloch teams. In June, he won the Charles Owen National Pony Championships for t the National Schools’ Equestrian Thomas Tulloch finished 2nd on the second year running. AChampionships in October, Kildun Marathon from 32 individual Jack Ashworth (S LVI), Lily Freeman- competitors. He then went on to claim He is currently at the very top of his Attwood (EDH III), Scott Walker (M V) the national title in the 1m 10 Jumping sport and has been selected as one and Thomas Tulloch (Rt LVI) beat 17 with Style ‘Special’ class on Spirit VI, of 50 ‘Rising Stars’ for the prestigious other school teams in the 1m 10 Team which showcased the top 20 who had Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport Showjumping Championship – the qualified in the previous classes. 2015. This is a special mentoring and biggest class of the first day of the education programme for young competition – to claim the national Two weeks earlier, Lily Freeman- athletes aged between 12 and 25 title. Scott Walker also jumped in the Attwood came fourth in the 138cm who have reached an elite level in Individual 1m 10 Championship and event at the Horse of the Year Show. their sport. The Academy’s aim is “to only narrowly failed to make it into recognise, celebrate and inspire the next the Final. During the summer, Thomas Tulloch generation of British sporting heroes by led the British eventing team to gold giving them the opportunity to work In the 1m Jumping with Style at the European Pony Championships with and learn from the best British Championship class the next day, in Sweden. The GB team finished the sportsmen and women”. It also brings with it a SportsAid Bursary to help with equipment, competition and training expenses. Former SportsAid recipients include Sir Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis Hill, Tom Daley and Ellie Simmonds.

Thomas also achieved the notable distinction of gaining ten straight A* grades in his GCSE exams.

Thomas Tulloch (on right) proudly displaying his Thomas Tulloch European Pony Championships gold medal. 46 SCHOOL NEWS

Hockey

Sixth will have the opportunity to train and compete in Valkenburg, Holland in the week.

1st XI Hockey Squad 2015: Amy Mobley, Jess Moeran, Imogen Evans, Sophie Cormack, Emily Skelton, Sarah Jackman, Jemima Price, Nell Kirkby, Poppy Holbrook, Katie Edwards, Morgan Butler, Amelia Binns, Molly Beharrell, Sasha Lo, Caroline Reid, Maddie Phillips, Ruchi Scott.

Junior Hockey During the October half term exeat, Lilleshall National Sports Centre hosted the Shropshire County Hockey Tournaments for U14 and U16 teams. 1st XI They played well as a squad and A number of our regular players were supported play when required. The 1st XI squad have made steady unavailable to play, so we fielded just progress all season with their new one mixed Third and Fourth Form in Their final game versus Nottingham coach, Emma Davis. At the beginning the U16 tournament. Despite only High School resulted in a win for of term, she introduced a new playing having 11 players and all the girls Shrewsbury (2-0). They found their formation and set of tactics which playing at a higher age group, the team rhythm and the hockey on display was the girls took some time to adjust to. performed exceptionally well, winning great to watch. However, things have really started through to the final, where they just lost to click with the 1st XI and they have out 0-1 to a strong Moreton Hall side. The girls have gone from strength to certainly started to work well together This meant that Shrewsbury qualified strength this season and with wins over as a unit and produce some great for the Regional Midlands round at this Oswestry School (5-0) and Bedstone performances. age group for the first time. College (3-0), the girls are in high The U16 Midlands tournament spirits. There are some very strong and There are a number of new faces in this took place at Repton School on 5th talented U15s and U14s developing year 1st XI and a few of them are new November. We drew our first game through the School – it is an exciting to hockey. Yet they have worked hard against Leek High School, won the time for hockey at Shrewsbury. With all season to refine their skills and earn second game against Nottingham High the new hockey astro due to be their place in the team. This season School 1-0 and lost the final one against complete and in use by September the squad has been captained by Amy Repton 0-2. Although we just missed 2016, this will mean that we will be Mobley (EDH) and Jess Moeran (G). out on qualifying for the next round able to provide more specialised The girls have worked closely with Miss on goal difference, this was a solid training and matches. Davis to push the squad. performance from our young team. All the girls involved are still eligible for In August 2016 the School’s first full On 9th November the girls travelled this tournament next year, when Hockey Tour will take place. Girls to King’s High School for Girls in we hope to go one step further. Nottingham for the Midlands Regionals. between Third Form and the Lower In their first match against Oakham, they started slowly and although they picked up the pace, at half time they were down 2-1. This was a frustrating game as the girls managed to get within their attacking D but struggled to convert goals. The final score was 1-3 to Oakham. A slow start but the girls were determined and playing well.

Their second match versus King’s High was a dip in the day, with the final score 5-0 to King’s. But their third game versus Solihull was much better – the final score being 2-0 to Solihull. There were a strong side but the girls raised their game and played their hockey. The Shrewsbury defence put in a strong performance to survive a number of short corners. Even though the girls lost this game they were in high spirits. SCHOOL NEWS 47

Shrewsbury School Foundation

Shrewsbury School Foundation is grateful for your tremendous support.

Hodgson Hall

Hodgson Hall was officially opened by the Hodgson Family on 3rd October 2015, Old Salopian Day, following over two years of fundraising by the Foundation in support of the Headmaster’s ‘2020 Vision’ School Development Plan. Joining the Foundation were donors from far and wide who supported the building of Hodgson Hall.

On behalf of the School, the Headmaster formally thanked the Hodgson family for the generous donation that had made the building possible. Howard Hodgson’s warm and amusing speech centred on the wonderful time his daughter Eliza (EDH 2011-13) had while she was at Shrewsbury. He also expressed his delight at having discovered that he is a descendant of the first Earl of Shrewsbury, Roger de Montgomery (d. 1094). The Hodgson Family This was followed by the unveiling of an impressive board where the names of donors to Hodgson Hall are Grateful thanks were given to all the donors to Hodgson Hall, recorded (pictured below left) and a cornerstone (below and in particular those who had sponsored the classrooms right) dedicating the building “to all the teachers who have that have been named in honour of former masters of the inspired and all the pupils who have been inspired at School: Richard Raven, Reverend Hugh Brooke, Laurence Shrewsbury School”. Le Quesne, Dr David Gee, Lyndon Duffield, Mark Mortimer, Robin Moulsdale and Gordon Woods. .

“This building is dedicated to all the teachers who have inspired and all the pupils who have been inspired at Shrewsbury School.”

Telephone Campaign

We are delighted to report that this summer’s Telephone Campaign raised £120,000. During the course of three weeks in July, a team of eleven Sixth Formers and recent leavers spoke to almost 550 Old Salopians and parents. The telephone campaign is a great way for us to stay in touch with the Salopian Community and makes a significant contribution to Shrewsbury’s Annual Fund, helping to support Chatri Design Centre bursaries for boys and girls who could not otherwise afford to attend Shrewsbury School, and projects that The Foundation is pleased to report that the second phase of the 2020 Vision plan will benefit all pupils at the School. (which includes five phases) is currently being built on the site of the former Lyle Building to house the faculty of Computer Design and Technology. The Foundation would like to thank all of those who spoke to our callers, and The Foundation would like to thank all parents and Salopians who have already in particular those who chose to make contributed to the essential works being carried out which will undoubtedly have a a gift to the Annual Fund. great impact on teaching and learning at Shrewsbury School. 48 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

From the Director of the Salopian Club Salopian outreach continues Meanwhile, as our Sports Clubs work of her predecessor, Kate continue to play an encouragingly Daubney, in helping young OS with apace and across the globe active role, the Salopian Arts and careers advice and assistance through Salopians have been gathering, Activities Committee is embarking the Salopian professional networks. or planning to gather, in places on an ambitious winter programme of events involving Salopians in the Finally, we welcome Sir Peter Davis as as far afield as Bangkok and arts – theatre, opera, choral singing, President of the Salopian Club in 2016; Hong Kong in the East and an orchestral concert with the School, he takes over from Sir Eldryd Parry. and a repeat of the Young OS Open Sir Eldryd has been indefatigable this New York in the West. Closer Mic Night. Another activity planned is year in his support and representation to home, Britain has been well a World War Two Battlefield Tour to of the Club at both the School and OS covered this year, with dinners Normandy from 15th to 19th September occasions, culminating fittingly with 2016. All these events will be publicised an OS dinner in the place of his birth, in Chester, Birmingham, on our website. Cardiff. He departs with our admiration Cambridge and Cardiff, and enormous gratitude. Our careers programme will be Eldryd, diolch yn fawr. and there have been record invigorated with the arrival at the attendances at Henley and School of the new Careers Fellow, Floreat Salopia London events. Catriona Dry, to carry on the good Nick Jenkins

Tom Lloyd (Rt 2009-14) has been awarded the Sidney Gold Medal, the School’s highest academic prize. The presentation ceremony took place at City Drinks in London on 19th November.

SIR PETER DAVIS Peter Davis was born in the Wirral and Committee, the Welfare to Work New annual Gold Medal by the Chartered brought up there and in Denbighshire. Deal Task Force (1997-2000), and the Management Institute. He was made a He was educated at Shrewsbury School Government’s Employer Task Force Fellow of City & Guilds in 2004 and (O 55-59), and for many years he was on Pensions. is also a Fellow of the Royal Society a Trustee of the Shrewsbury School of Arts. Foundation. He is to be President of the Outside the world of business, Salopian Club in 2016. Sir Peter has been Chairman of Marie Sir Peter is married to Sue and has two Curie Cancer Care (2006-2011), sons and a daughter. After starting work at 17 in Lancashire, (where he is now Life Vice President), in sales and marketing, he ultimately Pro Chancellor of Bangor University became Chief Executive of three major (where he is now Deputy Chair of FTSE companies – Reed International/ Bangor University Council), a Trustee of Reed Elsevier (1986-1994), Prudential the Royal Opera House and Chairman (1995-2000), and J Sainsbury plc of the Royal Opera House Foundation, (2000-2004). He has also been a non- a Trustee of the V and A, and on the executive director of a large number board of Welsh National Opera (until of major companies and an investor recently chairing their Advisory Board). in a wide range of young businesses. He has been Chairman of Business In 2000 he was awarded an honorary in the Community (1996-2001), the LLD (Doctor of Laws) degree by the CBI Finance and General Purposes University of Exeter, and in 2003 the OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 49

Salopian Club Events

Old Salopian Day 2015 Chairman of the Salopian Club, Peter The OS team just came out on top, Old Salopian Day on 3rd October was Stewart, gave the welcome speech but there were a few controversial another great success, with around 150 and introduced The President of the umpiring decisions! The netball was Salopian Club members and guests Salopian Club, Sir Eldryd Parry. Sir won by the OS team who were solid coming along to enjoy the programme Eldryd treated the gathered guests from defence through to attack. of events and take a stroll around the to one of his inspiring and heartfelt site on what turned into a beautiful speeches, thanking the Club staff for We were fortunate that the world autumn day. their work over the year and also renowned choir Tenebrae were taking an amusing look at an old rule performing that same evening in the The main focus of this year’s event was book and some of the punishments Chapel. Tenebrae are managed by the opening of Hodgson Hall, the new given out in the past. How things Henry Southern (G 2003-08) and the academic block, designed by Adrian have changed! event was sponsored by Richard Baker James (S 1976-80). Champagne and (DB 1953-58). A number of OS stayed canapés were served and speeches The buzz of chatter dispersed slowly on to watch the performance, which were made by the Headmaster, Mark as people walked out into what had was truly sublime and was set off Turner, and by Howie Hodgson, whose turned into a glorious afternoon. The perfectly by the Chapel’s candelit and generous donation made the building houses were open for visits, as was the atmospheric backdrop. possible. A number of the classrooms Ancient Library and the Art Department, are sponsored by Old Salopians in and there was also a great turnout for For some Old Salopians this had honour of some of the most inspiring the OS football matches. Dr Gee was been their first visit to the School teachers in the School’s recent history, signing copies of his book ‘City on a since leaving and for others this is an some of whom were present. The Hill’ in the Moser Library. event they look forward to year on guests all welcomed the opportunity to year. We love having the opportunity explore the building, which is bright, All the football matches were to entertain so many of the School’s airy and spacious. tightly contested encounters and it alumni at one time, and the smiling was heartening to see so many OS faces, the obvious affection between Later on in the afternoon, the lecture footballers returning. Meanwhile the OS friends and the glimpses into new theatre at Hodgson Hall was put to girls played a 9-a-side hockey match, associations and connections being excellent use for a talk on ‘Rowing the followed by a netball match. It was made make the event so very Atlantic’ by Alex Bland (Rt 2000-05). nice to see more girls back as they are worthwhile. We also welcome ideas Alex was half of a duo (the other half starting to finish university so are more and constructive feedback, if anyone being Harry Martin-Dreyer (also Rt able to attend. The hockey was a close would like to offer any for next 2000-05), who spent 50 days rowing game, with some flowing hockey. year’s planning. across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Barbados, completing the challenge on 1st February 2014. They raised over £200,000 split between the charities JDRF, which supports research into curing type 1 diabetes, and Cure Leukaemia. A number of OS described his illustrated talk as the highlight of the day.

There was a wonderful atmosphere over lunch in KH, where everyone enjoyed a carvery buffet. The 50 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Henley

The Henley Royal Regatta, one of the highlights of the sporting summer, was blessed with beautiful sunshine this year and the Sabrina gathering on Saturday 4th July saw record numbers of Old Salopians turn out to soak up the atmosphere. The venison burgers went down a treat and the fizz was flowing, enabling some 240 guests to relax and enjoy the occasion. Unfortunately the Sabrina boat, rowing for the first time ever as an VIII in the Henley Royal Regatta, had been narrowly edged out in qualifying (by less than a second). However the spectators were treated to a demonstration of rowing at its finest, with a ‘row past’ by the 1st VIII of 1960 - the self styled ‘Old Men’s Boat’. The 1960 1st VIII (pictured right) have had a commemorative medal struck, which will be displayed in the Sabrina cabinet in the Pentagon at the Schools. The 1955 1st VIII also attended the lunch gathering.

OS Summer Party On Saturday 5th September the young OS gathered for a summer party at the Grand Union Pleasure Garden in Brixton. There was a good turnout of around 80 young OS (plus the odd young at heart guest) and by all accounts a great evening was enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to Hugh Faith (O 1997-2002), Felicity Davies (MSH 2008-10) and Henry Unwin (Rt 2001-06) for organising the event, and to Kit Oates (PH 2000-05) for the great photograph. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 51

News of Old Salopians

some 300 schools nationwide and 1930 - 1949 with its growth accelerating, it aims to double this over the next two Raymond Worrall (SH 1938-42) was years and then reach 1000 schools appointed to the rank of Chevalier by 2020. Its start-up grants go to in the Ordre National de la Légion schools which undertake to make d’Honneur at a ceremony held in York Classics permanent after the two- on 8th November 2015. year grant period and they are spent Brian Fawcett (DB 1943-47) wrote on retraining non-Classicist teachers to tell us his family news. His three to enable them to teach Classics as children all graduated with first well as their regular subject. Modern class honours in Physics from UCL textbooks and teaching styles are a far cry from the grammar-intensive days or Imperial College. Of his nine Richard is Chairman of the Friends of yore, and pupils have been taking grandchildren, one is at Oxford of Lord Hill’s Column – a superb to it with impressive enthusiasm; reading Chemistry and one has just Doric monument (43m) surmounted second year cohorts are frequently been accepted for Oxford Medical by a statue of Wellington’s friend much larger than the first. School. One more is studying medicine and most trusted general, Rowland at Sheffield and another is already Hill of Hawkstone (5m), which is CFA is a ‘Robin Hood organisation’, qualified and working as an A & E now needing to be replaced. Richard raising funds from the better off and Registrar in Bristol. So one-third of proposes to walk in April 2016 with awarding them to those in need. Its his grandchildren will be medics. His one or two others from Lord Anglesey’s supporters enjoy themselves; recent youngest granddaughter is a talented Column in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll in fundraising events have included musician and dancer and his other Anglesey along Telford’s A5 Holyhead a gala dinner addressed by Boris grandchildren are either at university to Shrewsbury road (it has a pavement) Johnson and a retrial of Socrates in or have already graduated. He has four ending at Lord Hill’s Column, which the Supreme Court with one of the great-grandsons. was completed in June 1816. They will Law Lords presiding. wear the uniforms of the period of

1950 - 1969 regiments commanded by Hill, and the The charity may be of interest to OS intention is to raise public awareness whether as potential donors or, for Tony Duerr OBE (Rt 1951-56) and cash to assist Shropshire Council writes: erstwhile Classicists, as mentors to in the work of replicating the statue in “Apart from a short spell at Cambridge CFA’s teachers. To learn more please Coade artificial stone. ‘Retirement’ is and an even shorter time in National write to [email protected].” Service, I have spent my entire working proving to be most fulfilling. life in our family food manufacturing business, of which I am still Chairman (duerrs.co.uk). The business is now Peter John Robertson (Ch 1953-58) unbelievably 135 years old, thanks to 80 and his wife, Rosalind, are living an years with an Old Salopian managing hour and a half south of Ottawa, director! in the village of Morrisburg, where they look across the St Lawrence I retired at 60, leaving my two sons River towards upstate New York. to deal with the demands of the He retired from university teaching supermarkets. We now produce around (English Literature) and is now in 400,000 units per day of jam, peanut semi-retirement estate planning as a butter and cranberry sauce. Chartered Life Underwriter.

Happily Mark (Rt 1977-82) and brother Richard (Malvern) have done really well Nicholas Barber (SH 1954-58) and I am so proud of them. Sadly there is wrote to tell us about a national charity not enough money in the food industry he chairs. for the fourth generation of Duerrs to “For anyone interested in raising attend Ridgemount! I have sadly had educational standards in Britain’s Charles I G S Edwards (R 1955-60) to give up golf due to a back problem schools, you may like to know about married Miss J J Boston on 9th and have recently been diagnosed with Classics for All. Founded by Dr Peter September 2015 at Chelsea Registry Parkinson’s, but life goes on. Jones, familiar to some as author of Office. the Spectator’s Ancient & Modern Richard Hayes (M 1952-57) is now column, CFA provides grants to living in Shrewsbury having ‘retired’ state schools to introduce Classics, in 1999 from parochial ministry in typically Latin, and so address the Michael Clower (Rt 1957-61) London, ending with two churches in fact that only 20% of state schools was named South Africa’s Racing Lombard Street in the City. He is now offer Classics compared with 80% of Journalist of the Year at the Equus enjoying assisting in three villages in independents. Although only five years Awards Ceremony in Johannesburg deepest rural north Shropshire. old, CFA has already grant-aided in August 2015. 52 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

David Wynn Millward (Rt 1957-62) Timothy Bigland (Rt 1960-64) Richard Stone (O 1977-82) lives in Llangynyw, mid-Wales and has emailed to tell us that since he retired had the very good fortune to be been included in a new Welsh Arts in 2005 he has developed an interest married to Yuliya Teplyuk on 16th Council publication, ‘Post-War to Post- in bird watching. “Earlier this year 99 April in the Seychelles. Modern: A Dictionary of Artists Little Terns fledged in an enclosure on in Wales’. Gronant Dunes, which is adjacent to He studied Law at Queen’s College, a LNRR on the Dee Estuary. 135 pairs Dundee, University of St Andrews of Little Terns scraped 135 nests in the 1963-66 and went on the Royal sand, with 424 Little Terns there at a Academy Schools, London 1971-74, given time. It is believed that Sand Eels where he won the Griffin Prize 1972, were plentiful this spring in the Dee Print Prize 1972, 1973, Connoisseur because the colony thrived to become Prize (Oil Painting) and the Landseer the biggest in the UK. At Point of Ayr Scholarship 1973. After some years there were two additional Little Tern spent working as a copywriter/ Sternula Albifrons fledglings.” visualiser for an advertising agency in Mark Williams (Staff 1977-86) London and then as a freelance artist Dr Robin Brooke-Smith (S 1961-66) Former Mathematics Master & Master- and cartoonist, he arrived in Wales writes that the Kindle and Hardcover in-Charge of Cricket and Fives at in 1980. In 1982 he set up summer Editions of Storm Warning: Riding the Shrewsbury, Mark has recently retired schools in painting, with permission Crosswinds in the Pakistan-Afghan from Eton College and has taken up the of the Secretary of State for Wales and Borderlands are available on Amazon position of Laws of Cricket Advisor with Peter Greenham, then Keeper of the and through the publisher I.B. Tauris. the MCC at Lord’s. Royal Academy Schools. Commissions include Deri Woods Park, Llanfair 1970 - 1979 Caereinion 2000; Welshpool High 1980 - 1989 School 2003-04. Group exhibitions include Summer Exhibition, Royal Matthew Bowcock (Ch 1970-74) Academy, London 1985; Royal West of was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Revd Steve Davies (R 1979-83) England Academy, Bristol 1985, 1986. Birthday Honours 2014 for Services followed up news of his engagement One-person exhibitions: Oriel Davies, to Community Philanthropy. He was in the last edition of The Salopian: Newtown 1976; Oriel Ty Cornel, also recently appointed as a member “Please find photographic proof of two Meifod 2000, 2001; Screenprints: of the Governing Body of Arts Council astonishing events in July, the wonder Caereinion Leisure Centre 2003- England for a five-year term. His wife that Miss Julia Briggs was willing to 06; Montgomery Landscapes and Helen was awarded the OBE. marry me and the fact that there was a Faces 1969-2006. The first book he day last summer when the sun shone gloriously throughout.” Now living in wrote and illustrated was The Feast Nick Randall (O 1972-76) saw his Royal Leamington Spa, Steve continues of the Balloon Fish King (1971). He daughter Victoria married on 16th May to combine working as a teacher has subsequently illustrated a great 2015. The couple’s “go away” vehicle with being Academy Chaplain at many children’s books. Collections was PER65 – Michael Hall’s old 1955 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. include Brecknock Museum and Land Rover. It was driven by Andrew Art Gallery, Brecon; Royal Gwent Racz (G 1992-97) and Victoria was Hospital, Newport. His work has been accompanied by her OS brothers, Philip purchased by the Welsh Arts Council. (O 1999-2002) and Christian (O 2007- 12), so it was a truly Salopian event.

Robert Crabtree (I 1957-61) writes: “After thirty-something years, I retired in 2007 from being a full-time vigneron and winemaker here in South Australia. I then moved to the city and went back to university. Working in the Department of International Politics, I was awarded my MA at the University of Adelaide for a thesis on self-determination in Abkhazia. I then Charles Hill (SH 1980-84) writes: went on to work for a PhD on the self- “On 1st September I was given a determination of the island of Mayotte new posting as Chief Superintendent and its becoming a département of for Local Policing West - giving France. This was awarded to me last me responsibility for policing in month, so I have joined at 71 the ranks Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford of older Old Salopian Doctors. I was in & Wrekin. On almost the same date my Ingram’s from 1957 to 1961 (with little Paul Vlissidis (Rt 1974-79) writes eldest daughter, Jenny, joined the Sixth distinction or enjoyment, I have to say). that “it may interest my fellow OSs to Form at Shrewsbury, in Mary Sidney I owe a huge and continuing debt, know that I am currently appearing Hall. So once again I will be paying however, to two great teachers who in the Channel 4 show Hunted. I lead regular visits to Shrewsbury - both awakened intellectual curiosity and the cyber team (I have been doing to see Jenny and to ensure that West academic interest: Michael Hart and cyber security for 20 years) tracking Mercia Police continues to look after Arnold Ellis.” the ‘fugitives’.” everyone in Shropshire.” OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 53

Rob Barber (SH 1995-97) announces Freddie Mason (O 1997-2002) his engagement to Charlotte Bennett- proposed to Sophia Hargreaves in Diver on 16th December 2014 in Kalk October and is delighted to be able to Bay, Cape Town. He and Charlotte announce their engagement. have run Golden Africa in Botswana for the last 12 years, a company Siôn Charlesworth-Jones (SH 1998- running bespoke safaris throughout 2003) and his wife Kathryn welcomed Botswana. The website is www. their first child, Olivia Rose, on 18th July golden-africa.com and they would 2015, weighing 8lbs 6oz. be happy to extend discounts to Old Salopians and their families wishing to Simon Frew (PH 1982-87) continues come on safari with them. his travels. He is now in Thailand and visited Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok while there. His role as an Ambassador for Four Seasons Hotels continued, with him helping to open their employees’ Sports Day in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He plans to visit Hong Kong, Perth and Bali next and to be back in Shrewsbury at Christmas. You can follows his travels on his blog: http://www.sifrew.com/

Justin Bayliss (O 1985-90) reports that he completed a bicycle ride from Jonathan Beeston (Rb 1995-00) Paris to Nice in order to raise funds for was married on 13th June 2015 in the a breast cancer charity. Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster. He and his new wife Fiona held their reception in the 1990 - 1999 House of Lords. They are now living in Corfu. Dr James William Brooke-Smith (Rb 1992-95) is now Assistant Professor of English Literature at the Richard Nichols (S 1998-2003) was University of Ottawa. married to Sarah Lagar on 20th June 2015. He is now working as a lawyer James ‘Bomber’ Ashcroft (SH 1992- for Clyde and Co. in Manchester. 97) and his wife Anna celebrated the birth of their second son Guy Mallory Ralfe Ashcroft on 23rd March 2015. After a number of years working as the News Editor on Shooting Times magazine, James went into the art world and worked on Bond Street in London for a leading contemporary gallery. He now runs his own art consultancy business in London, Ashcroft Art.

Jack Fanning (O 1997-2002) is assistant professor in Micro-Economics at Brown University, Providence, USA. He was married to Courtney Sanks on 4th July 2015.

Jon Pendergast (PH 1993-98) and his wife Jen welcomed their second child into the world over the summer. 2000 Dominic Rilian Pendergast was born on 31st May 2015, a little brother for Sebastian. Jon and Jen are still Will Bannister (Rt 2000-05) is living in Toronto Canada, where delighted to announce that he is due to they moved five years ago as part of marry Jennifer Lawrence early in 2016 Jon’s work assignment for SunGard and that they are expecting a baby boy Data Systems. Jon has recently been at a similar time. He is working in the promoted to head up SunGard’s wine trade and is always happy to help global professional services business any Salopians with any requirements for trading book risk management. that they might have. 54 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Kit Oates (PH 2000-05) has a new exhibition running from 18th Remembering the Queen’s visit to November until 6th January at Gallery 101, Salvation Army International Shrewsbury, October 1952 Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4V 4EH. Re:Generation is an exhibition of portraits of tenants from the South Kilburn housing estate, North West London. The estate is undergoing regeneration, placing its residents and the area in a transitional period. The images were originally installed on tower blocks in the area, which are due for demolition. This striking series of portraits captures the different generations living on the estate.

ust before the beginning of the has particularly strong memories of the JMichaelmas term, the Marketing occasion and was deeply impressed by office at Shrewsbury was contacted the Queen’s bearing during the occasion by Gareth Owen, a journalist working – her sense of humour, her evident for ITV Central News, asking for help enjoyment of the day and the interest with a feature he was putting together she took in the people she met. She to mark the day on which the Queen was touched that, on being introduced became the longest reigning monarch to her, the Queen immediately realised in British history. Searching for a the connection with another young Midlands focus, he had come across member of staff she had met earlier in some evocative Pathé news footage the morning – Jane’s fiancé, the Revd of the Queen’s visit to Shrewsbury Michael Tupper (whose obituary is School in October 1952 – her first published on page 82). visit to the region as Queen. Might the School be able to find someone The recording of the ITV Central who was there that day, and could he interview may be viewed on the School Max Emmerich (Rt 2008-10) is in his come and film an interview with them website: http://www.shrewsbury. third and final year of clinical medicine on the Queen’s Terrace? org.uk/news/remembering-queens- at Oxford University, having spent his visit-shrewsbury-school-october-1952. three pre-clinical years at Trinity College, We were hugely grateful to David It includes extracts from the Pathé Cambridge. He has just been awarded Longrigg (Ch 1949-54), Adrian Struvé newsreel that captures some of the the Peter Fan Senior Scholarship by St and Jane Tupper, all of whom agreed excitement of the Queen’s visit: http:// John’s College for academic excellence at very short notice to come and be www.britishpathe.com/video/queen-at- throughout his time at medical school. interviewed – David Longrigg even shrewsbury He has also just won a £2,000 grant travelling all the way from Oxford. from the Oxford University Clinical He was 16 years old at the time of the Also on the School website is a gallery Academic Graduate School to fund a Queen’s visit and recalled taking part in of photos of the Queen’s visit and a ten-week stint as a visiting researcher at the whole school PE display on Central series of accounts of the day, including Harvard Medical School, where he will and playing football with the 1st XI on one written by David Longrigg: http:// be working on melanoma cancer stem Top Common. Adrian Struvé had just www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/queens- cells (and see p55). begun his third year as a master at the visit-shrewsbury-1952 School (he would remain here until his retirement in 1986) and recalled the Ali Webb (S Hill 2008-13) writes: “I’m excitement and sense of honour felt by currently working as a freelance film- the entire school community. maker with Fulwell 73, a production company in Camden. I recently filmed Jane Tupper is the daughter of A.E. a cycling documentary in the Canadian Taylor, who was Housemaster of Rockies with some friends, raising School House until his sudden death money for two hospices. Three guys in March 1952, one month after the cycled 2000km from Calgary to Tofino death of the Queen’s own father. Jane and I’m currently editing the film which had returned from university to help we hope will inspire others to live a life her mother organise the lunch for the of adventure. Our website is Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, www.tofino2015.com.” which was served in School House. She L-R: Jane Tupper, David Longrigg, Adrian Struvé OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 55

OS Arts and Activities Committee

The first full meeting of the recently old are encouraged to return to this Salopians attending this performance formed Arts and Activities Committee friendly venue, either to participate will be invited to an after-show took place on Saturday 3rd September, musically or simply to enjoy the music gathering (location tbc) to meet Fergus at The Curtains Up in London. The provided by others. Anyone who is and to discuss the production. Wives, meeting was well attended by some interested and willing to participate partners and children are all welcome. of our most artistically gifted and should contact Ali Webb knowledgeable OS and was organised ([email protected]). Saturday 12th March: and chaired by Peter Fanning. A Concert performed by a joint number of interesting and exciting Wednesday 3rd February 2016 orchestra and choir of Old ideas were discussed, from a joint 5pm: Evensong at St Paul’s Salopians and pupils from School/OS ‘scratch’ orchestral concert Cathedral Shrewsbury School, in the Alington to a possible arts bursary fund for OS. Two Old Salopians are currently Hall, Shrewsbury members of the Choir of St Paul’s Old Salopians will be warmly Details of some of the planned events (Patrick Craig and Martin Oxenham), welcomed to come and play with are listed below. Further details whilst Mark Oakley is a Canon at the pupils from the School in a concert of many of these projects will be Cathedral. The service will be followed for choir and orchestra. A rehearsal available shortly. by a tour of the Cathedral and a will take place in the afternoon, gathering at a nearby hostelry. followed by a concert in the evening. Friday 15th January 2016 7.30pm Accommodation may be available for for 8.00pm: An open mic evening Saturday 6th February 2.30pm: participants. Further details to follow. at The Horse & Stables, 124 ‘The Mikado’ – English National Westminster Bridge Road, London Opera SE1 7RW Fergus Macleod will conduct a revival Following this year’s very successful of this much loved Gilbert & Sullivan gathering, Old Salopians young and production by Jonathan Miller. Old

Darwin Society Biology Research Evening hree Old Salopians returned on He conveyed very convincingly the discovered about gradients of T 18th September to Shrewsbury to excitement of research into ecological signalling molecules and how they give talks to the Darwin Society on and evolutionary processes where cause plants in the Asteraceae (daisy the theme of research in biology. there are many unanswered questions family) to produce three types of and where human influences on structure in their inflorescences. His Max Emmerich (Rt 2008-10) is close climate are having marked effects. research now concerns how genes to completing his clinical training are switched on and off as a result after studying Medicine at both Nick Zoulias (PH 2000-05) completed of these gradients to cause observed Cambridge and Oxford Universities. his first degree and PhD at the patterns of development. He spoke about his experiences of University of Manchester and is now research projects and internships at doing post-doctoral research at the A capacity audience of Sixth Form every stage in his education, from University of Sheffield. He explained pupils and teachers listened with school holidays and Sixth Form the bifurcation in careers after a rapt interest to all three of talks, so options through to vacations during doctorate, with some moving away we hope to hold another Biology university and the intercalated courses from university and into commercial Research evening in the future. Any that are on offer to those enterprising or other applications of science and Old Salopians who would be willing enough to search them out. Max others wanting to stay at the cutting to contribute are encouraged to get in stressed the role of luck in hitting on edge of pure research. He has chosen touch with the Head of Biology - areas of biology that turn out to be the latter path. His field is the control [email protected]. significant - in his case this was a type of plant development. Nick spoke of membrane-bound pigment that has eloquently about what he has Andrew Allott become an important research tool. He also stressed that to a large extent one makes one’s own luck by being persistent and resilient.

William Jones (Rt 2003-08) is currently working towards his PhD in the Department of Ecology and Genetics at Uppsala University, Sweden. He spoke about the classic route into a career in scientific research and teaching through a Masters degree followed by a doctorate. Not surprisingly given WIlliam’s lifetime interest in ornithology, his research field is the evolution of flycatchers, with summers spent collecting data on an island in the Baltic. L-R: William Jones, Nicholas Zoulias, Max Emmerich and their Biology teacher Andrew Allott 56 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

James Humpish - the making of a runner

hen joining Shrewsbury School to relieve the tension I was building in Win 2008, I was far from the fittest tackling A-levels. As I developed and Third Former. Coming 103rd in the grew older, I tried to deal with running New Boys’ Race and 500th in my first and how to get to grips with it. I think Tucks run, the original plan was not to the trick to it was that it wasn’t really involve myself with the Hunt. I think a physical challenge. It was obviously at the time the feeling was mutual; physically demanding, and my current the Hunt probably didn’t want too physique is incredibly grateful for that. much to do with me either. The Benjy But it was a challenge of character. course is about 2.25km and at the It required as much emotional and age of 13 I could take that on in just intellectual strength as it did physical. about 16 minutes – the length of time The final time I ran a Benjy, it felt it would take most to do the course surreal because I didn’t have to think in a brisk walk. about my direction in the slightest, only my speed, because the reactions By the time I had to the route were second nature. I’ve left Shrewsbury worked out I must have done the in 2013, I had route near enough 500 times in my brought my five years at Shrewsbury. Benjy time down to 8 minutes and I really loved the Hunt and the spirit out into the countryside and following 12 seconds (I of it and I’d really love to be able to the Ouse has taken me on sights not can remember give a full account of why I joined unlike the ones the Severn took me every one of and why I grew to love it, but I don’t once upon a time. But there was those seconds feel I can. It just happened. I felt something missing in the way I was vividly) and I better about myself after a run and running; I wasn’t pushing myself the had participated more so when I had improved my way I used to. in Shrewsbury’s time. I liked the effects of running first ever half marathon, finishing in much quicker than I liked running Quite late into the game – about two the top 100 out of approximately 3,000 in itself. I think it might not have months in advance – I decided to run (a position better than my New Boys’ been until Lower Sixth that I enjoyed the Yorkshire Marathon. The most Race!) in 94 minutes. running for the sake of running. I’d really ever run before registering was about 25 kilometres – and that What had happened? Then I don’t think it was until Upper was only because I had got lost The answer to that question is Sixth that I actually realised I’d actually once. Supporting the Jane Tomlinson incredibly hard to pinpoint. I can gained some competence in running. Appeal, in October 2015 I ran the full remember towards the end of my first In January 2013, Mr Middleton took 42.2 kilometres (or as I prefer to think term signing up to do regular sessions me aside and I thought he was going of it – 19 Benjies!) in 4 hours and 12 with the RSSH, who were just about to give me a target for my final minutes. The speed it took me to do to begin their reformation under the running season; something relatively the full marathon was in fact, I think, newly-arrived Mr Middleton. But I’m straightforward like a sub-9 minute run consistently at a speed above my not exactly sure why I did. I can just Benjy. In actuality, he had taken me New Boys’ Race. remember the first session having to aside to tell me that he was making run 4 kilometres continuously, with Mr me the captain of the 2nd VIII. I was Seven years since joining the RSSH, Middleton there to make sure I didn’t no longer a distant follower in the a few people have taken an interest lag, and finding it incredibly painful Hunt, but I was actually taking a lead in my journey as a runner. I think my and rather embarrassing. But for some in it! determination to run stemmed from a reason I didn’t give up. It was also hope to be a little healthier and a little before the time when sport was made As months became years in the Hunt, fitter, but as I got into it, it became compulsory in autumn 2009. If I had strangely I had learnt to love cross- more of a race. Every week I wanted wanted to, I could have dodged sport country running and it had learnt to to race the person I was the previous for just a little longer. The inspirational love me. I was never going to be the week and not worry about what tutelage from Mr Middleton must have greatest runner in the world, but to everyone else was up to. had a lot to do with it. The feeling of make it something I could do when I going just a little bit faster than last had once been its antithesis had been The Hunt has allowed me to go from week must have had something to do something that transformed my whole the Third Former who barely finished with it as well. Having the support of attitude to sport. the New Boys’ Race to a passable my friend and the 2013-14 Huntsman, marathon runner who’s at a quandary Ed Mallett, must also have helped a I ran the half marathon in my last as to where to great deal too. week at Shrewsbury – a fitting take his running conclusion to my time at the School. career next. The Some improvement came quickly, I had thought then that that would Hunt let me look which in retrospect isn’t too surprising probably be my final formal running at my past record as it couldn’t have got a lot worse! By event and from then on I could on running and Fourth Form I could run for a nice comfortably retire from competitive has prompted little while, having learned some routes running and keep it casual. me to always run that would later become symbolic of Since leaving Shrewsbury, I’ve been hard, and run my time at Shrewsbury – the Berwick, a student at the University of York, well, and may the route to Haughmond Hill and Lyth studying Philosophy, Politics and the devil take the Hill all became routes I could do in my Economics. It’s a fantastic city for hindmost! own spare time by the end and served running – there are some great routes OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 57

Robin Hope’s Sponsored Charity Row

In June this year, Robin Hope (Ch 1956-60), assisted by a hand-picked group of maturing oars-people, rowed the 1895 double skiff ‘Tara’ from Cookham to Oxford and back to Henley – a distance of 110 miles and 33 locks – to raise funds for the Felix Fund.

he Felix Fund exists to support Whitchurch to Goring Reach being friends, and the chance to experience Tany military personnel who particularly attractive in my view. different parts of the river from our have conducted or assisted with Coming into Oxford by river is also base in Cookham.” Explosive Ordnance Disposal duties. quite special, with the gracious towers This includes ammunition technical to the right as one approaches Folly “So far we have raised some £8,500 officers, ammunition technicians, ECM Bridge. The weather was reasonably – and with reservations about operators, drivers, infantry escorts, kind with some drizzle and short Scull, Pole and Paddle being used weapons intelligence specialists, dog sharp showers, but no stair-rods in for personal charitable efforts - if handlers, searchers or other military midstream. On three upstream days we anyone wishes to increase the total, personnel involved in EOD duties. experienced stiff headwinds and, such this can be achieved through the The charity also supports their families. are the perversities of British weather, JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/ those same reaches downstream had CharityRow2015.” “Cookham to Oxford includes many an average headwind. All in all an lovely parts of our river, with the enjoyable few days with good boating 58 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Cycling across Europe in a superhero costume Will Hodson (Rt 1990-95)

Yes, I have just spent the last four and half months of my life cycling over 8,000km from London right the way across Europe to Istanbul…in a superhero costume. I’ve also been carrying a cuddly toy worm with me. He even has a name. His name is Dave the Worm and he is in fact the mascot of the charity Parkinson’s UK. My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s shortly after I left school and part of my world cycle is about raising £100,000 to help them and a number of other charities continue their life-changing work.

stanbul is not the finishing line for and pose a threat to any visiting few repairs and upgrades to my bike Ime though. In fact, I’ve got around foreigners. Sure, there are some bad - appropriately called a KOGA World another 92,000km, six more continents guys everywhere in the world, but the Traveller. I’ve also got to buy some and five more years of pedalling to go. vast majority of people in every single warmer clothes for what I’m calling this So this really is just the beginning. country (that I have been to so far ‘hilly and chilly’ next section across Asia anyway) are kind, helpful and tolerant from Turkey to Tokyo that will start This first leg of my – hopefully like you and me. towards the end of November. A pair of #7ContinentsWorldCycle (everything thermal superhero pants are top of the has to have its own hashtag nowadays, I regularly post stories and pictures shopping list. doesn’t it?) has been a complete blast. online featuring the kind people (or From the moment I left Tower Bridge at everyday heroes as I call them) I have Stay tuned via my SuperWebsite the end of May to the day I touched the met in each country I have visited. www.supercyclingman.com to see water of the Bosporus river in Istanbul Most recently in Turkey I have been how the ride across Continent No.2 in the middle of October, this has been given a house to stay in for a few days (Asia) goes. There is a live map on a whole lot of fun. A dream trip in fact. after just a 30-minute conversation the website which shows exactly And if this trip is about anything, it’s with a guy on a ferry boat across the where I am in the world. that with a bit of hard work, you can Bosporus. I was also given a Toblerone achieve incredible things. and a can of RedBull by another guy You can also follow the round in a car through his car window later the world cycling adventure on This is the main message I talk on that same day. This is the kind of Facebook and Twitter. And if you about when I visit different schools stuff that happens pretty well every would like to donate to help me on my travels; the idea that day in my strange world. The best way towards my fundraising goal of #WeCanAllBeHeroes (there’s that I can describe it is that it kind of feels £100,000 for Parkinson’s UK and hashtag again!) - whether it’s not giving like it’s my birthday every day. It really several other charities, my website up when things get tough, or a simple is amazing how kind people are… includes a link to my Virgin Money act of kindness. Heroes come in many everywhere. This is what I experience Giving donations page. shapes and forms. anyway as I cycle from A to B each day. Maybe it’s the bike, as I think Stay super and remember… I used to be a primary school teacher people appreciate the effort you are #WeCanAllBeHeroes! in London and engaging children from going to. Maybe it’s the superhero all over the world with the journey is costume, which is undoubtedly a Will / SuperCyclingMan really important for me. At the very good ice-breaker, especially with any and Dave the Worm least, by the end of the five years of slightly moody border guards. But the adventure I hope children will have I like to think that anyone visiting learned the names and locations of the these countries would get this kind of seven continents. I also hope they’ll treatment. Just learning a few words (I have picked up some confidence and try and learn at least ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ see that if I can make my own personal and ‘please’ in each language) goes dream come true, then they can in turn a long way, and a smile… everyone realise their own dreams if they put the understands a smile! effort in. I also hope people might see that the world is not primarily full of So, I’ve now got a couple of weeks dangerous people who are ‘different’ off the bike in Istanbul. I am doing a OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 59

Old Salopian Football Club

Pictured: OSFC 2nd XI - front row, left to right: Charlie Parry, Mark Tomley, Luke Gerrard, Guy Williams, Jack Brydon, Ben Cooke, Will Speer. Back row, left to right: William Alexander, Oliver Black, Ed Taylor, Nick Corlett (c), George Blakemore, Tom Cox, Freddie Young.

n what is the 1st XI’s third upcoming matches against Old formation. We found ourselves in Iconsecutive season in the top flight Harrovians and Old Haberdashers. total control of the game as both of the Arthurian League, the team has Inspired by precocious new signing momentum and the score sheet tilted made a robust start to the season, Oliver Black, and having secured in our favour: 1-2 to the Salops after at the time of writing sitting in the a lucrative sponsorship with Vimto 60 minutes, with credit to Adam comfort of mid-table and with it all (see photo for the squad’s new kit), Parker and Tom Kelly for saving to play for heading into the winter the squad are still aiming to finish in Salopian blushes. Wave after wave of months of November and December. the top two positions that would see Salopian aggression proved too much The team has registered wins against them promoted to 2nd Division of the for the Old Malvernians, who could King’s College Wimbledon (x2) and Arthurian League. consider themselves lucky to have Chigwell, whilst also registering a only conceded three OSFC goals in the surprising win in the AFA Cup with Unfortunately the Cup run was all second half. 1-3 to the Old Salopians only ten men on the day (and with the too brief; the side fought well but was the final score, with Tom Kelly fixture, rather exhaustingly, going all were ultimately undone by a moment completing a brace for the final goal. the way to penalties). Turning up with of individual brilliance from the With Charterhouse already out of the ten men doesn’t happen all that often, opposition in the dying minutes of the competition, the door is ajar for a but it is no coincidence that the steely game to snatch a 3-2 victory in what Salopian push for the famous Cup. Salopian determination never fails to was an excellent game of football. manifest itself in these fixtures. The The Vets continue to put in impressive If you are interested in playing for the squad is arguably more settled than in displays and will look to go deep into Old Salopian FC in London, there are previous years as younger members the later stages of the Derrick Moore two teams that train on Tuesdays and of the squad - Messrs Blofield, White, Veterans Cup. play on Saturdays at our home ground Bradshaw and Pilkington spring to in Barnes Bridge. Please contact mind - are able to turn out more Hot off the press for this report is the [email protected]. consistently and undoubtedly add news that the 1st XI are through to the a great deal to the squad’s overall second round of the prestigious Arthur The end of season OSFC dinner will performance. Dunn Cup. We were drawn against be held on Friday 13th May 2016 in old foes Malvern and summoned to Maida Vale, London; always a fantastic It has been a solid but not spectacular ‘their place’ for the mouth-watering evening. Please get in touch with start to the season for the 2nd XI. encounter on Saturday 31st October. [email protected] if you would Having amassed six points in their 1-0 down at half time to a, shall we like to attend any of the Club’s social opening five matches, the side is say, fortuitous goal, the side emerged events – all welcome. looking up not down and will look for the second half revitalised and to turn draws into wins in their having adopted an attacking 4-3-3 Richard McGarry 60 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Tour Report - Berlin 2015

discontent from the locals to an OSFC 1st/2nd finish, a hasty retreat by the victorious touring party was quick to follow.

After an evening celebrating the first silverware of the year, the 8.30am coach journey to our 2nd Tour game on the Sunday morning was a little muted. Back playing in their first 11-a-side game for over four months and sore from over six hours of football the previous day, the Old Salops were understandably a little rusty. We soon found ourselves 3-0 down by half time. However, after half time, the dramatic turnaround was complete, with Rory Griffiths (who arrived at the ground a Salopian-esque 90 minutes late) running rings around the previously formidable opponents and turning a deficit into a 4-3 victory – his week’s worth of tardy book was waived on this occasion.

Staying true to absorbing as much local culture as possible, the afternoon was spent celebrating another Tour win in a traditional German Beer Garden, with inevitably yet again more Bratwurst. Indeed, as well as the football, over the three days in Berlin the team took in the fallen Wall, the Brandenburg Gate and were particularly fascinated by resident local guide Oliver Heywood’s uch like the fields of Glastonbury with each team playing a total of lessons on ‘queuing etiquette’. The being laid to fallow every 10x15 minute games in a league- M victory on Sunday capped off a few years, the tradition of the Old style format. Conditions were not thoroughly enjoyable tour and that Salopian Football Club’s annual tour favourable to the British tourists, as we evening the whole squad relaxed on to mainland Europe had been put on were faced with an uncharacteristically the banks of the River Spree, mixing hold for the previous three seasons. German 30 degree sun, some less with the locals and enjoying some This year the OSFC Tour was very than objective refereeing and, more light music and dancing. much back on the agenda. On the worryingly, a tempting German August Bank Holiday a spirited touring barbeque catching more than one As a proud former winner, it was my party of 19 Old Salopians left Gatwick hungry Salopian’s attention. However, honour to present Alistair Hutchinson bound for Berlin, looking forward to fuelled by Bratwurst and Diet Coke, with this Year’s TC award; in the shaking off the cobwebs of a wedding the two teams did themselves proud, future I am sure he won’t forget to -and-stag-laden off-season - and swatting aside every team that they pack his razor. Rory Griffiths was the getting some much needed pre-season came up against, with the likes of unanimous choice for Player of the fitness under their (strained) belts. George Wade-Smith, as ever, light Tour, scoring wherever he went. Well on his feet and returning veteran done to both of those players. After spending the first evening Hamish McKenzie tickling the onion following the advice of talismanic Nick bag with regularity. The crunch game What was especially pleasing was Corlett, the Salops were well and truly arrived when the two OS teams met bringing together six different year acclimatised to the local conditions by one another, with the inevitable result groups of Old Salopians. Everyone is the time the team bus departed the being a nervy 1-1 draw with chances already counting down the days until hotel at 8am the following morning. for both sides. In the final two games the next tour in August 2016! The squad were looking forward to Team 2 - perhaps weighed down by their first taste of German opposition, the impressive intake of processed Floreat! with only a couple of the touring party meat - found results harder to come suffering from any serious jet-lag. by. Team 1 took advantage by winning their final two games and in Two OS teams had been entered into doing so secured the famous ‘Golden a 7-a-side tournament that Saturday, Ananas’ Trophy. Given the burgeoning Rob Hawkin OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 61

Old Salopian Yacht Club

L-R: Mark Telfer, Matthias Borstell, Will Collins, Johnny Moulsdale, John Newton, Tim Becker, Kurt de Freitas, George Hall, James Pitt, Rupert Tildesley - and photographer James Heaven (out of shot)

nce again, the highlight of the large picnic and full fridge of cold beer crew, but we echo his exhortation O OSYC’s year was participation may not have helped, but it did soothe to Salopians who would like to take in the annual Boarding Schools Arrow our concerns, along with the excellent part next year to contact the Secretary Trophy regatta at Cowes in October. company and glorious sunshine we ([email protected]). Always a popular event, both on and enjoyed for the whole weekend. Experienced racing yachties are of off the water, Shrewsbury has entered course especially welcome but we have at least one crew for the past ten Relaxing later that evening, we room for enthusiastic sailors with any years and will take over running the observed the leading crews frantically level of experience. As ever, a cheery event in 2019. polishing their hulls of weed and spirit, well-formed winch-grinding considered how distasteful it was muscles, and an ability to hold a steady The weekend started as usual with to be seen to be taking these things glass are the core qualifications for a late evening passage from Port too seriously, whilst at the same time Salopian yachting. Solent to Cowes, and an impressive plotting to do the same next year. It but futile effort to leave Tim Becker seems things are getting quite serious Beyond the Arrow, we continue to on the dockside, followed by dinner and we came away this year agreed encourage yacht-owning Salopians in a local curry house allowing crew that it was far more amusing being in to offer cruising and racing places members ranging in age from their the top 5 rather the bottom 5 at the end on their boats to our members. Will early twenties to an undisclosed of the day. Your old school needs you! Collins deserves special mention for upper limit to form close bonds Please contact David Richards and join his generosity in offering crew places ahead of the next day’s racing. We us next year, when we will try to enter on his yacht Dogmatix in the JOG hand over at this point to our match- two boats and make at least one of racing series. Several club members day commentator and enthusiastic these quietly, distastefully, competitive. have joined Will during the season, crew member, James Heaven, to All welcome.” even including the Secretary who took report on the weekend’s racing. part in a bruising but enjoyable race to James modestly declines to Alderney in June. “This year saw the return of Rupert acknowledge his lead contribution in Tildesley to the helm, alongside James the stocking of the beer fridge, and We remain very grateful to the Salopian Pitt as Skipper and Tactician, the neglects to mention the enjoyable Club for their financial support, dream team that had delivered the Saturday evening dinner in the enabling us to sponsor participation Charterhouse Trophy in recent years. RORC’s Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, by our younger members to a very With only one boat entered into the enthusiastically supported by our considerable extent. competition this year, consolidating experienced crew drawn from previous years’ racing, as well as a number of new members, confidence was high going into the weekend. In the first race, despite a disastrous start, a gamble to the opposite side of the course saw us fight back from last place up to 8th.

Unfortunately this impressive recovery turned out to be our best result of the series. Despite determined teamwork and some superb starts, we found ourselves simply overhauled on boat speed, despite our best efforts to rectify the situation. We suspected that the L- R: James Pitt, Rupert Tildesley, Johnny Moulsdale, Tim Becker, Kurt de Freitas, David Richards 62 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

SABRINA

Sabrina Club AGM Election of new President

Rowing news

After missing out at Henley Royal Regatta by such a small margin, the majority of the crew are back in training for another crack at the Thames Cup in 2016. It is so important that the basic training is done now in preparation for next year. Circuits are taking place on Tuesday evenings at school, with a personal trainer giving the guys (plus Lettie and Sonya!) a great workout, and outings are arranged for most weekends.

The first Head race took place on 31st October at Chester, where our boat came in 2nd and 4th overall in the two divisions, so certainly a step up on where we were last year – especially with having to pull their coxing coach down the Dee! Onwards now to Wallingford Head at the end of The Sabrina AGM was held in the Pugh Boathouse Club on Saturday 3rd October. November. Many Sabrina members attended. The Club presented Martin Slocock with a special oar blade in thanks for the huge contribution made during his Presidency between Many thanks to RSSBC for their 2011 and 2015. support; also thanks to our new Sabrina President, Miles Preston, for his input. The Club elected Miles Preston as the new President. Miles was a member of the 1st VIII in 1967 and 1968, the latter year as Captain of Boats. Also coached by Roger Blomfield, Miles was a member of the School’s coxless four that was selected as the GB entry for the 1968 FISA International Youth Regatta (fore-runner to the World Junior Championships), winning a Bronze medal. Miles subsequently rowed for Leander Club, where he was a member of their 1969 and 1970 Thames Cup winning crews at Henley Royal Regatta.

Sabrina Competitors in their Varsity Lightweight Eight, to Boston, Lincs, where she came 9th out A Hagger, J Russell, R Shropshire, train at Caversham with the Senior GB of the U20s group. Lettie is also training J Kynaston, P Wood, R Homden, P Lightweight Squad. At the recent British with the Welsh squad in Cardiff. She Randall, Miss L Tay, P Graham (Staff), Rowing Championships he won a silver won in her single at Chester, making Miss S Milanova (Cox, Staff), P Manser medal representing Molesey BC in her the first female Sabrina winner! (Coach) Open coxless fours alongside Mo Sibhi and George Nash (both from the World Future Racing (TBC) Championship winning GB 8). They 20th February Worcester HOR were beaten to the gold medal by a 27th Feb Runcorn HOR Leander 4, crewed by the likes of Pete 12th March North of England (Chester) Reed and Stan Louloudis (also from the 19th March Head of River (London GB 8). Bronze was won by another Tideway) Leander 4 featuring Will Satch and Alex Gregory (also from the GB 8!). Not bad Other Sabrina News for a lightweight! Tom Marshall (SH 2007-12) is taking a year out from his studies at Lettie Tay (MSH 2013-15) competed in Harvard, where he has been rowing the most recent Senior Women’s trials in OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 63

Bevan Crew Reunion an eight, a pair and single scull. The competitive at the highest level. 1978 crew were the most organised, Nick’s widow Annabel Bevan, At noon on Saturday 30th May, with the majority taking to the water. together with their children Emily and Sabrina Club members and their With many attending having gone Oliver and Edward Bevan, attended, families assembled on the banks on after school to row at university, catching up with many familiar of the River Severn at the School clubs and even the Olympics, the faces, all of whom had a soft spot boathouse to celebrate Nick Bevan’s standard of rowing for scratch crews for Nick - NVB. The President Martin outstanding contribution to rowing at on the day was pretty impressive and Slocock said a few words and Oliver Shrewsbury between the years 1973 certainly received rapturous applause displayed fantastic vintage footage and 1988. Blessed with sunshine and from families and friends on the bank. recently found of NVB as a pupil at no wind, around 60 (many more school at Shrewsbury. wrote letters of support but were Many had not been back in recent unable to attend) gathered for a times to see the impressive Ergo The day passed far too quickly, with picnic supplemented by traditional Room where much of the hard many staying on late to make the Pimms and other refreshments and work is now done in training and most of the occasion, idyllic setting food provided by Sabrina Club in the the quality of boats and equipment and familiar company. Nick would Bowring Clubroom. in the Boathouse needed to remain have thoroughly enjoyed the day!

As President of the Salopian Club and past President of the Sabrina Club for many years, it had been Nick Bevan’s wish to bring together immediately after his Presidency all those whom he had coached during his long stint in charge of RSSBC’s top crew. Nick Bevan’s highly successful record and huge contribution to rowing at Shrewsbury has been acknowledged in many ways, but this was the way he wished to celebrate those years, gathering together crew members he coached and their families in a relaxed familiar environment.

He was also keen for those wishing to do so to take to the water again and many took up this opportunity in 64 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Old Salopian Hunt

ome of us have our names engraved Son RSSH silverware, which I sometimes get to present to today’s winners. For instance, in the middle of March, Steeplechases involve a large number of girls and boys who run hard for the best time and to be winning House. I have had the pleasure of pointing out the engraved names, which have all become members of The Old Salopian Hunt.

In September I witnessed Sam Western year), followed by one of this year’s and ladies’ OSH running vests and the (S) win The Third Form Race and was Joint Huntsmen, Oscar Dickins (R) at new silk OSH scarf. able to congratulate him as he starts 30th and then our own Tom Cousins his progression through the years, (PH 2007-12) at 36th. The team of In the last edition of The Salopian undoubtedly as an important new about 30 boys and girls of all ages (Summer 2015, Issue No.156), I had member of The Hunt. Consequently, completed the course, amongst some the pleasure of including recollections I would lay bets that he will join the 1,092 finishers. Photos can be seen on from Bob Dowty (SH 1945-50), OSH in five years’ time! Even when the the Old Salopian Hunt Facebook page which everyone I have spoken to OSH meet the RSSH on Saturday 5th and all the results can be found on the has enjoyed reading. Sadly, I have December this year, it is apparent that ‘In The Running’ website. to report that Bob passed away on this annual interaction is as important as the Isle of Man on Tuesday 28th ever and shows that the Hunt becomes With regards to the OSH Facebook July 2015, after a short illness. As a part of your life for life. page, photos and comments are always Huntsman for the 1949-50 season, he welcome and anyone can join the will be remembered by the Hunt. (see On Sunday 21st June 2015, the third group to keep in touch with the Club. obituary on page 73) Shrewsbury Half Marathon was held In addition, the updated OSH website and Team Shrewsbury once again put page can be found by going to Every generation of Shrewsbury School in a superb performance, with Peter www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-hunt, pupils will recall that great test of Middleton (Master in Charge of the where all details and news of the OSH ‘athleticism’ known as THE TUCKS. Hunt) finishing 2nd (for the second are listed, including the OSH tie, men’s Some will tell stories of how they OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 65

avoided it or found short-cuts or even many others on the Staff and beyond, ran all five in their time! Dr David amongst the whole School in this Gee has completed 56 of them and I exciting and colourful spectacle. Even have just done my 6th, albeit 45 years though my distinctive OSH running since my previous, but was pleased vest was the only one in a sea of 700 to be in good company, including or so runners, it did get round Pulley Richard Hudson (pictured above), Common and back to Meole Brace, who will remember that in 1970 we with me still inside it. I can highly started off through the Moss Gates recommend that my fellow Club and had three All-Ups before the members consider coming along next Run-In from Tucks Bridge. October to join in this event and to increase the presence of our colours The Tucks has evolved so that all now of Green & Gold. compete, including the Headmaster and the Chaplain (above right) and Peter Birch (DB 1966-71) 66 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Old Salopian Golfing Society

“Let us now praise famous men…” At and won the 18th when the opponents the AGM on 2nd October, the following tugged their second shot into the were elected Vice-Presidents of OSGS: rhododendrons on the left. Down the Sandy Bell, Robert Lanyon, William 19th they went - 2 good drives but both Painter and Anthony Parsons. This second shots were short of the green foursome join the celebrated company leaving a chipping and putting contest. of Tony Duerr, former President of the Our President played a wonderful shot Society, who has just presented the to 4 feet. Loretto were a little further Duerr Tankard, for the winners of the away with a very makeable uphill annual match that is played against putt. Loretto missed and Andy Pollock Malvern at Blackwell. sunk a brilliant putt for the win. West Hill looked after us extremely well It is with enormous disappointment as always but we did miss Anthony Our photo of John Parker sandwiched that I report a defeat by one point in Parsons who was paying a short visit to between Charles Shaw and James Shaw the match on 11th October. The pain hospital. We look forward to his return is an indication of the revelry enjoyed is all the more excruciating, as after next year”. after lunch. 15 years of fierce rivalry, Shrewsbury lead the series 12-3. With silverware at The 4th Annual Triangular Challenge The main Senior team event in our stake, we were defeated 4.5 to 5.5. The took place at Tandridge GC on Fasti is the G L ‘Susie’ Mellin Salver, tankard is beautifully engraved with the 24th April. where Shrewsbury has an excellent names of the two Societies and Tony’s recent record. initials – and to which we should add OSGS side came an illustrious third, by OBE, awarded for services for eating a narrowing margin. We have won the Salver six times for England. The actual aggregate scores for the four in the last 13 years as well as being pairs in each team were:- losing finalists on two other occasions, The OSGS team, with points won in Old Alleynians 163 pts mostly under the captaincy of Peter brackets, was as follows: Old Tonbridgians 162 pts Worth’s redoubtable predecessor, Angus Pollock (2): Harry Lewis (1.5): OSGS 158 pts (this would have merited Christopher Wallace. Charles Hill (1.5): Bill Russell (1.5): a win in the last two years) Tom Price (1): Martin Cars (1): Andy The OSGS side was Peter Renshaw, Peter Worth reports: ”I thought you Pollock (0.5): James Skelton (0): Donald Shaw, Michael Smart, would like to know we won the Rupert Haines (0): Stephen Shaw, James Shaw, Peter Mellin, lost in the second round of the Charlie Stockbridge (0) Jeffrey, Ian Falconer and Adrian Cooper Burles (for over 65s) losing a play off Battle will be resumed on Sunday, (the OT non playing Captain who on the 19th and Tim Lewis and John 9th October 2016. stepped in for us in view of an OS Parker qualified in the Bunny Millard withdrawal that morning). (for over 75s) but lost on the 19th after a great tussle against Downside who In the Schools Putting competition were holders. on 3rd June at Royal Wimbledon, a tiger team of Will Hawksley, Simon Shepherd, Jonathan Howse and James Pollock (Captain) came 3rd on our qualifying day with 30 pts. This is our best ever performance and marked a fitting swansong for James Pollock, Our photo shows OSGS Captain Angus who has assembled our teams in recent Pollock smiling through gritted teeth at years, with a marked blend of patience the winning Malvern Captain. and competence, intrinsic to the Pollock clan. On 11th September, Charles Tustain snatched the Tony Duerr Silver Salver Manfully, David Warmington raised (presented in 1997) from the grasp of a team of 8 Salopians to play in the Nicky Renton, on a count back on the Public Schools Meeting at Little Aston We played well to get through to the last 3 holes at Worplesdon. The course on 24th June. Although we were the Mellin final against Loretto where and the weather gods were smiling, lowest handicapped team, we came in James Shaw and Will Painter, who were as well they might at the venerable on 11th place with a score of 83 points unbeaten having played superbly, won company that assembled: three scions against Uppingham’s winning 110 (3 yet again in the country. Allan Wright of the incomparable Shaw dynasty, pairs counting). and I ran out of steam and shook aided and abetted by Nick Oldham and hands on the 16th. This left Pollock and Julian Sterck, Mellin winner in 2014 but Our President, Anthony Smith and Mark Smith who had won all their matches NFI for the winning team in 2015: Nick Ferguson won the best gross score so far, to recover from 1 down with 2 Renton and his father Tony from Royal prize with a magnificent 78. A case of to play. They halved the 17th in par Mid-Surrey. class will out for our President even OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 67 paired with a fiery partner, whose email Simon Shepherd. There were strong and the 2006 President of the Welsh address is Fergmonster. performances from John Godby and Ladies Golf Union. the most improved golfer, Leigh Team scores were;- Whittingham who has gone from a The final is always at risk of the Antony Smith & 24 handicap to being worthy of 15. weather, but fortunately, although Mark Ferguson 34 points The length of his driving was much cloudy and cool, the match was Richard Bevan & admired though we haven’t yet been played in dry conditions, with the Neil Crawford 24 points able to find out his secret! The other breeze increasing as the round Martin Cars & team players were Robin Humble, progressed. Both finalists have single James Mainwaring 25 points Patrick Carr and Charles Shaw. figure handicaps (nine and eight), so Jonathon Hope & there was only one stroke to be given Robin Sharp 21 points Worfield: Winner of the Todwick – by Malcom. Tankard: Dan Durman, on his OSGS OSGS Match versus Old debut spread-eagled a very select field, He did not get off to the best of starts, Cholmeleians on Friday 3th July with 38 points. Runner-up was Michael and his ball found steep bunkers with At Hadley Wood: OSGS Team Captain Roberts with 34 points. Jonathan unerring accuracy on all the even Simon Shepherd (O 77-82) writes: Perkins struck his 6 iron at the 3rd numbered holes on the front nine. Not I am pleased to report a resounding hole (145 yards) to within six inches surprisingly, Geoff playing steadily was success for OSGS, by quite a large of the flag for Nearest the Pin prize three up at the turn. score, to not very many; we now stand with Robert Lanyon closest to the hole 2 – 1 in the series, in our favour. John with his second shot at the 18th (320 Perhaps Malcom’s fortunes can best Bolton and I will chase the OCs a yards). Meetings Organiser Charles Hill be demonstrated at the short 12th little harder next year to put out some won the prize for the longest drive hole. Here he hit a glorious tee shot stronger opponents. on the fairway. Mark Davies provided into the wind, straight at the distant five bottles of wine for prizes, with flag. Unfortunately he hit it so well the generosity of a Riggite, where that it cleared the green and pitched else? One of these went to Gaby into the grassy bank at the back of Byrne (EDH 2012-14) who travelled the green, never to be seen again. A down with her father Jim from Royal hole that might have been won was Birkdale to sample the delights of inextricably lost. Worfield. Another prize for outstanding effort went to Hugh Ramsbotham, Congratulations go to Geoff Thomas, former President of The Salopian a first time winner by the margin of 4 Club. The open-handedness of the + 3, and commiserations to Malcom, proprietor of Worfield Oliver Eaton who has promised to try and make it (Rt 85-91), was, as usual, magnifico. third time lucky in the future.

Our thanks go to the Council of The 4th August marked a special The Royal Birkdale Golf Club for pilgrimage to Crawford Country, generously allowing the Society to otherwise known as The Alwoodley play the final on their magnificent GC, lying tranquilly on Lord Links. Also thanks to Jonty Campion Harewood’s Wigton Moor, nobbut for representing the family at the final. a pitch and a putt from the hum of traffic in the city centre of Leeds. The members had the nous to anoint Neil Crawford as this year’s Captain, in the footsteps of his illustrious father Michael, who was Club President. The members have shown additional nous to elect John Smith to succeed Michael as President.

The course was in magnificent STOP PRESS: The Campion Trophy condition. The company was glorious Final 2015. including Neil Crawford, James Crawford, Henry Crawford (son of Anthony Smith, President of OSGS James Crawford) and the prizes were writes: awarded by Hazel Crawford. This year, by dint of the Secretary’s hard work, it was possible to play the Jonathan Russell, non-playing final before the clocks went ‘back’ on Captain, reports in all modesty on the 23rd October. The Fasti for 2016 is available on the whitewash of the Old Reptonians at next page Worplesdon on 15th August. Malcom McMullan, who was a losing “We won the match 8-0, thus retaining finalist in 2012, and Geoff Thomas Tim Lewis – Honorary Secretary – our bragging rights having won by a were the protagonists. The latter was Old Salopian Golfing Society point last year. The stars for us were accompanied by his mother Chris, a [email protected] Nick Renton and, making his debut, former Welsh Ladies International, Tel: 01491 641651 68 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

OS Golf Fasti 2016

DATE EVENT COURSE ORGANISER

JANUARY Wed 13 6pm Halford Hewitt Draw East India Club Andy Pollock MARCH Sun 13 Halford Hewitt Get-Together* Woburn Andy Pollock Thurs 17 Spring Meeting (South) Denham Anthony Parsons APRIL Fri 1 Spring Meeting (North) Hoylake Robert Lanyon Thurs 7 -Sun 10 Halford Hewitt Cup* Sandwich/Deal Andy Pollock Fri 22 Triangular Match Tandridge Stephen Shaw Thur 28 Match v The Schools Hawkstone Park Gerald Smith MAY Sat 14 Grafton Morrish Qualifying* Olton (Solihull) Andy Pollock Wed 18 Scottish Tour Luffness New Tim Lewis Thurs 19 Scottish Tour Muirfield Tim Lewis Fri 20 Scottish Tour Gullane No 1 Tim Lewis JULY Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Peter Burles Salver (65 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Bunny Millard Salver (75 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth Fri 8 - Sat 9 G.L.Mellin Salver (55 and over)* West Hill Peter Worth Fri 22 Match v. Old Cholmeleians Hadley Wood Simon Shepherd AUGUST Thurs 4 Yorkshire Meeting The Alwoodley Peter Ambler Sun pm 7 West Country Tour Westward Ho! Paul Nichols Mon am 8 West Country Tour Saunton Paul Nichols Tues am 9 West Country Tour Saunton Paul Nichols Sat 13 Match v. Old Reptonians Worplesdon Jonathan Russell Sun 21 Match v.ORs & OMs Little Aston Charles Tustain Mon 22 Old Schools’ Competition Trevose Bill Higson SEPTEMBER Fri 7 - Sun 9 Tony Duerr Silver Salver Worplesdon Tim Lewis Sun 25 Midlands Meeting and AGM Blackwell Charles Hill OCTOBER Fri 7 - Sun 9 Grafton Morrish Finals* Hunstanton/Brancaster Andy Pollock Sun 9 Match v. Old Malvernians Blackwell Angus Pollock Fri 28 Guests’ Invitation Meeting Ashridge Dan Graham NOVEMBER Sat am 5 Robert Walker Foursomes Cup New Zealand Tim Lewis

* By Invitation only - Members are asked to contact the Organiser for any event in which they may wish to play. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 69

Saracens

he Saracens enjoyed another catches from Ian Massey (one of which lead the Saracens into the semi-finals Tsuccessful year in the Cricketer Cup, would be amongst the finest ever seen with over 16 overs to spare. reaching a third semi-final in four years. on Senior) seized back some crucial initiative in the middle overs, and when Sadly for the Saracens, the semi-final The campaign began in early June with the pressure ramped up in the final was, much like the previous year’s a comfortable victory at home to the ten overs James Aston and in particular fixture against the old enemy, ultimately Haileybury Hermits. Batting first, the Henry Blofield (3-37) kept their nerve a one-sided affair. After rain had Saracens posted an enormous 312-7. to see the side home by 11 runs. postponed the fixture by a week and Ben Williams crashed a magnificent caused the venue to be changed to 122 and was ably supported by Steve The quarter-final tie, away to the St Malvern, a somewhat depleted side lost Leach (61) and Ben Chapman (47). The Edward’s Martyrs, was no less closely the toss and were invited to field. The Hermits never got going in reply and, fought. The home side had first Saracens acquitted themselves well in tied down by spinners Henry Lewis, use of a very dry wicket, and had the first hour, despite being hampered Matt Gregson and Henry Dawson, fell progressed relatively serenely to 116-2, by the early loss of wicketkeeper 191 runs short. until spinners Matt Gregson (2-39) Jack Brydon, who injured himself in and Henry Blofield (3-22) turned the appealing for a leg before decision A much sterner test awaited in Round game decisively, helped by a fiery (given not out); and having reduced the 2, when the 2014 beaten finalists, the spell in the middle of the innings Old Malvernians to 68-3, were well in Bradfield Waifs, travelled to Shrewsbury from Steve Barnard (2-52). Gregson the game. However, we were unable intent on exacting revenge after an in particular was very tough to play, to split the fourth wicket pair of Craig agonising last over defeat in the 2012 as he extracted exaggerated turn out Wood (90) and Will Gifford (101), who semi-final. On this occasion, the of the fast-deteriorating wicket. The built a match-winning partnership of 135 Saracens batted first and began well. Martyrs were bowled out for 190 in and put some tired Saracens’ bowling to Henry Lewis (64) laid the groundwork 43 overs. The Saracens’ reply began in the sword in the final overs, as the Old for a big Saracens’ total with a spectacular fashion, with a succession Malvernians finished on 260-7 (despite composed opener’s knock, building a of boundaries from Steve Leach (29 Ali Pollock returning well-deserved threatening second wicket partnership from 13), Jack Brydon (a comparatively figures of 4-53). This was to prove too with the expansive Ed Pollock (57). sedate 10 from 11) and Ed Pollock (17 many for the Saracens, who despite at Indeed it was a mark of how well these from 9). When Pollock was out to the drinks being exactly level with the Old two had played that the boundaries first ball of the 8th over, the scoreboard Malvernian score (99-3) collapsed soon dried up almost altogether when they read 76-3, and the nervous tension afterwards, to finish on 146-9 (with both departed, such that the Saracens amongst the Saracens’ support was Brydon incapacitated). ultimately had to settle for a total of 250. palpable. The President was pacing! For much of a hot afternoon this looked Thankfully, after the storm came the My thanks to all who played and as if it might not be enough, as the high- calm in the form of Ben Williams (64) supported the team this year (and in quality Waifs batting line-up kept wickets and Henry Lewis (28), who together particular to the two more experienced in hand whilst scoring with relative ease. with Ben Chapman (17*) showed great Saracens, Harry Lewis and Angus However, a pair of remarkable slip skill and poise on a turning wicket to Pollock, who did both in the same 70 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

day at Malvern when injury struck!). Parry back in Instow. North Devon veteran Ben Chapman showed his A document recently circulated by the CC kindly played host to 50 Saracens experience and, batting with the tail, Cricketer Cup committee detailing the young and old. guided the Saracens to a competitive records of the 32 schools over the past 165. Despite Valley of the Rock being 5 years shows the Saracens currently After the euphoria of Monday’s win, an immensely fast-scoring ground, we sitting 2nd in the league table. This and the celebrations to boot, there was felt early wickets could bring us right reflects the consistency of the present a certain lull in the camp on Tuesday into contention. George Thomason squad of players and the quality of morning. North Devon fielded a slightly obliged! He took 4 wickets in 5 overs cricketers presently being produced. weaker side but it still included Craig in what was a superb spell of bowling. On that basis, hopefully another win Overton and the club pro. North Devon The Stragglers responded well and cannot be too far away… batted first in the scheduled 40-over dominated from then on, making game and after some effective new great use of some mediocre bowling Saracens’ Devon Tour 2015 ball bowling from Will Mason and Sam and extremely short boundaries. The Welti, at lunch the game was delicately Stragglers won, having lost 7 wickets The annual cricket tour to North poised at 100-4. Two more quick and with 2 overs to spare. Devon was yet again an overwhelming wickets followed, with Mark Prescott success. In keeping with trends from and Matt Gregson bowling well. This, After a long week and two close the previous few years, we were however, brought the North Devon defeats, it could perhaps be said delighted to welcome back a strong combo of Craig Overton and the South that the wet and gloomy Thursday group of recent leavers and that was African pro together. It was the pivotal morning that greeted us reflected the bolstered by debutant tourists Sam part of the game, but the less time mood in the team. The usual Thursday Welti, George Hamner and last year’s spent discussing it the better. It only arrangement is the T20 day played captain of cricket, George Lewis. This, has to be said that the final 17 overs between the Saracens, North Devon combined with the key ingredient saw North Devon reach 335-6, leaving and the Brasenose Strollers. However, of ‘senior pros’ who between them the Saracens a mountain to climb. The in light of the bad weather, the decision boast an extraordinary wealth of tour charge was led by Will Mason, who was made for the Saracens and the experience, meant that 2015 truly was batted beautifully for 119, and he was Strollers to play a straight 40-over game. an unforgettable tour. supported with an extremely mature 50 The Strollers batted first and it did not from Steve Barnard. However, needing take them long to take advantage of The first game of tour was on Monday 120 from the last 10 overs and despite the weary unit that was the Saracens. with the first of two consecutive one- a late flurry from Matt Gregson and Despite some good spin bowling from day games against North Devon CC. George Lewis, the Saracens finished 20 Steve Barnard, the Strollers amassed a On a damp wicket the Saracens were runs short. Despite the disappointment total of 255 which was an enormous asked to bat first against a formidable of our well-documented winning streak feat in the conditions. The Saracens put North Devon XI which included Craig against North Devon coming to an end, up a brave fight and although finishing and Jamie Overton, who have both it was a fantastic game of cricket with 30 runs short, there were notable just played a full season for Somerset. well over 600 runs scored in the day. batting performances from George Despite debutant George Hanmer Lewis and George Thomason, who being dismissed first ball, by lunch the With Wednesday comes the fixture both played exceptionally well in the Saracens were in control at 110-2 with against the Somerset Stragglers at the circumstances. Sam Welti batting nicely and Richard picturesque ground, Valley of the Rock. McKay, who was dismissed just before The Saracens won the toss and elected Overall on a results basis it was a lunch, getting the tour off to a flyer! to bat first in a 30-over game. Mark slightly disappointing week, with 1 Some good bowling meant it was slow Prescott got the team off to a flyer with win and 3 defeats. However, every going after lunch and the Saracens lost a fluent 63 and he was ably supported game was extremely competitive and it quick wickets. A partnership between by the in form Mason. However, some was a week enjoyed by all who came. Henry Lewis and George Thomason good spin bowling combined with The Saracens openly welcome anyone steadied the ship and, with some good some careless shot selection meant who would like to come to Devon hitting as the time for a declaration the Saracens stuttered in the middle on the 2016 tour (week beginning approached, the Saracens finished on overs and lost a flurry of wickets in Monday 8th August). 225-9 declared. quick succession. Fortunately tour

Enter Steve Barnard with some extremely hostile fast bowling, reducing North Devon to 20-3. The Sarries were on a roll. The game then went through a slow phase, but when the Saracens struck at 110-5 it brought the Overton brothers together. When they quickly put on a stand of 60 the game looked over; but when George Lewis bowled a leg-stump full toss that Jamie Overton hit straight into the safe hands of Scott Corbett, it was back in the balance. Some quality fast bowling from Barnard backed up by wily spin bowling from Scott Corbett and George Lewis did what was required and North Devon were bowled out 5 runs short.

The Monday evening was a fantastic affair and buoyed by our win the tour was delighted to welcome back many an old face. Most notably it was an absolute privilege to see Sir Eldryd OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 71

Old Salopian Freemasons The Old Salopian Lodge has had a very happy year, under very little in over 200 years. The Lodge supports a special the Mastership of W.Bro. Nick Randall (O 1972-76). He bursary fund, incorporated into the Salopian Foundation. has now handed over the Mastership to W.Bro. David Our next meeting is on Wednesday 17th February 2016, Westwood (Ph 1978-83). The Installation meeting was a at our usual venue, the City University Club, 50 Cornhill, memorable occasion. London EC3V 3PD. We continue to have four meetings per year, three in London, Alternatively, please see details of our governing body, and one at the Schools. Last summer’s gathering was in the United Grand Lodge of England at www.ugle.org.uk - @ clubroom of the School Boathouse, and open to all. Dr Gee UGLE_GrandLodge gave a very fine presentation of his now-published book. This was followed by an excellent lunch. The view over the Also - www.londonmasons.org.uk - http://shropshiremasons. river was greatly enjoyed by all, including visitors from the org.uk - @MetGrandLodge - @ShropshireMason Masonic Province of Shropshire. Likewise, the Order of Women Freemasons - OS Lodge is undoubtedly an interesting and alternative way www.owf.org.uk of keeping in touch with Old Salopians, and supporting the If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Schools at the same time. Charity, as well as Fraternity, is a Secretary, Chris Williams (R 1978-83) on 07956 964937 or at fundamental tenet of what we do, the principles of which are [email protected] illustrated in the various ceremonies, which have changed

Publications

Adam Baldwin (S 2001-06) British Government and has over 100 suggested as a ‘good read’ by the Heroes and Villains of Finance publications in scientific journals and London-based Travellers Club. It is Published by Wiley textbooks. In the 1960s he worked as available on Amazon. Paperback and e-book ISBN: a professional clarinet and saxophone 9781119038993 player, touring, broadcasting and recording with Charlie Galbraith’s All People both inside and outside the Star Jazz Band, Mick Mulligan and Forthcoming Publication world of finance are perpetually curious George Melly, and the London City about the larger-than-life characters that Stompers. This is his third novel, set in The Divided Self by Peter built, shaped and continue to populate a world of drug crime and tangled love Fanning the industry. Heroes and Villains of affairs in the corridors of Whitehall. Published by Greenbank Press Finance is a fascinating dive into the Available from the Salopian Club history of money as an institution, Sir John Stuttard (SH 1958-1963) from June 2016 (Price £20.00) highlighting the 50 most significant Travels in a Lifetime figures who, rightly or wrongly, are ISBN-10: 0993374905 Peter Fanning’s account of life at responsible for the financial landscape Shrewsbury School is a personal we live in today. The book reveals how This autobiographical work records tale. Moving from his early days their impact reaches far beyond the Sir John Stuttard’s experience of travel as Head of English, ‘The Divided financial system itself and has helped in the 50 years from 1964 to 2014. Self’ goes on to chart the changing shape the course of human history. His experience was typical of many fortunes of the School under the of his generation: few countries and leadership of four distinguished and “This book is a marvellous introduction geographical areas were too dangerous diverse Headmasters. to a gallery of fascinating figures from or out of bounds, and travel was, The creation of the Grove, the world of Big Money. The author relatively, much safer than it seems Shrewsbury’s first new Boarding has chosen a brilliant collection of to be 50 years on when this book House for 70 years, features both crooks, entrepreneurs, philosophers, was written. Sir John’s accounts of his the trials and triumphs equally. economists and bankers. These foreign journeys provide a picture of Then from the Senior Master’s highly readable short lives provide an the environment in which adventurous viewpoint comes an intimate excellent education to any reader who travel in the second half of the 20th account of the tense and dramatic wants to understand the personalities Century could take place. They period when Governors first who shaped today’s world of include descriptions of performing admitted girls, thus ending a investment.” - Luke Johnson, Chairman Shakespeare in Soweto, hitch-hiking 450-year tradition of boys only of Risk Capital Partners, former from Johannesburg to Salisbury (now education. chairman of Pizza Express and Channel Harare), a year in Borneo, travelling 4 Television, Financial Times columnist on Kitchener’s train from Khartoum to Dramatic tales of the high and lows and author of Start it Up. Wadi Halfa across the Nubian Desert, of life on the Edinburgh Fringe travels in Ethiopia, East Africa, India, highlight the author’s ‘Other Self’, Emeritus Professor Martin Craig- Burma, Malaysia, Jordan, Russia, as a director of theatre, placing Downer (DB 1944-49) Estonia, Finland, Romania, China Shrewsbury’s reputation firmly The Scenes Behind the Power (where he spent five years) and a on the national stage. Above all, Published by Mardi Books www. 10,000-mile journey in a vintage Rolls- ‘The Divided Self’ is a warm and mardibooks.com and ebook available Royce from Peking to Paris, through entertaining portrait of what it was from Amazon Tibet, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. like to live and work at Shrewsbury from 1980 up to the present decade. Martin Craig-Downer made his name Sir John says that the book was written as a distinguished scientist for the for his grandchildren, but it has been 72 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Obituaries

Professor J H Appleton (SH 1933-38) Vice-Admiral Sir J S C Lea (Rt 1937-41) Mr J C Chavasse (SH 1938-43) Mr J E Levetus (Ch 1938-42) Mr R Dowty (SH 1945-50) Mr G D Lovett (I 1950-53) Mr J H C Edwards (SH 1949-54) Mr A Metcalfe-Brown (SH 1948-52) The Reverend R L Edwards (DB 1936-40) Mr R J Moore (R 1947-51) Mr J Egerton-Williams (I 1929-32) Mr B B Overy (DB 1939-43) Mr R W Foster-Pegg (Rt 1933-37) Dr P Owen-Lloyd (S 1944-49) Mr J P France (Rb 1984-89) Dr A M M Plumptre (SH 1942-46) Mr H S Gibson (R 1963-68) Mr D H Roberts (Rt 1958-62) Mr A J A Gillan (Rt 1938-42) Mr M A Schützer-Weissmann (Staff 1988-2015) Mr N P B Green-Price (I 1941-44) Dr V Simons (JHT 1939-43) Mr W R Grey (SH 1934-38) Mr C H Smith (Rt 1949-52) Mr W B Hill (SH 1946-51) Mr C Vaughan (S 1953-58) Mr D R Howl (S 1950-54) Mr E J Warburton (I 1951-55) Mr C R P Jones (S 1966-69) Rev J R V Woods (R 1945-50) Mr P J Lawn (G 1988-93)

Professor Jay Appleton (SH 1933-38) In 1942, Jay met his future wife, Iris, and they were married the following year. Leaving the Army in 1946, Jay Appleton was born in 1919 in Headingly, Leeds. His he sought an outdoor life and turned his hand to fruit- father was a Curate in the Church of England, who had growing. Soon, however, he was struck by the symptoms returned from service as an Army Chaplain in poor health, of severe arthritis, which forced him to abandon life on the as a result of which he was transferred to a rural parish land and return to academic life. He applied for a course in Norfolk. Remote as it was, their new home presented in Geology at Newcastle University, but before he could challenges for the family, but Jay was to learn to cope, take up the place, the course was discontinued, and he whatever the situation, a quality that stood him in good enrolled on the Geography course. In the meantime, a stead at various times in his life. That his clergyman remarkable thing had occurred; the extraction of a tooth parent was a more than useful amateur engineer and had cured his ‘arthritis’ for good! By such an accident inventor meant that some of the developments of the of fate did the potential farmer become a distinguished early 20th century came to the village of Stibbard sooner geographer. than they might have done. On journeys across England from Norfolk to Lancashire, Jay showed an interest in his He made such a favourable impression that he was offered surroundings which marked him out as the geographer he a post at the University College of Hull, where he was to eventually became. remain for thirty-five years. He was a popular lecturer and an able administrator, acting for many years as Admissions A scholarship for the sons of clergy made possible Jay’s Officer. He was an early advocate of what has come entry to Shrewsbury as a boarder, where he joined his to be known as the Gap Year, believing as he did that cousins from Wigan. The journey to school and back was prospective students would benefit from seeing something long and arduous, but far from being put off, the young of the world they intended to study. His interest in Jay developed a life-long enthusiasm for railways. He did railways came into play in a report on the use of disused well enough at Shrewsbury to win a place at Oxford, but lines (of which, post-Beeching, there were many). His not before he had accomplished the remarkable feat of proposals became government policy. teaching himself enough Greek in six weeks to enable him to qualify for a pass in School Certificate, in those days an In 1975 Jay published a book, ‘The Experience of essential requirement. Landscape’, in which he propounded the theory that people have an innate desire to live in an environment When war broke out, Jay was confronted by the moral where they can observe without being seen. This he dilemma of one who wanted to fight against the enemy, traced back to early man in the ‘hunter-gatherer’ stage. It but who could see the possibility of receiving an order was at once a novel idea and an influential one, and his that in conscience he could not carry out. Assigned to subsequent writings on landscape aesthetics were widely a non-combatant unit (and therefore not armed), he taken up by landscape architects. demonstrated the extraordinary courage required in Bomb Disposal. There could hardly have been a more dangerous Retiring from Hull, where he had become a Professor, he posting in 1940. took up writing poetry, though very late in life. He was OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 73 involved in a project started by Simon Warner, a landscape Kensington. It was a triumphant occasion at the end of architect, which culminated in an exhibition at the Royal a long career. Jay Appleton is remembered both for his Geographical Society. In a final demonstration of the academic distinction and for his devotion to the family for ‘can do’ mentality, he managed to attend the opening in which he did so much.

Ian Boston (R 1952-57) things made of wood or leather, but his main passions were birds, the countryside and nature conservation, and music. Ian Boston was born in Liverpool in February 1939 and Appreciative of anything from the early Renaissance through brought up in Cheshire. He left Rigg’s as Praepostor and to Gilbert and Sullivan, Ian sang in choirs throughout his Head of House, and then went to the Leather Sellers’ life. He became much involved in running the local Wildlife College in London. He spent several years in the West Trust and Choral Society, and was Church Warden at his Country working for a glove manufacturer in Yeovil, where church in South Cockerington for many years. he met his future wife Margaret, before joining the family tanning business in Liverpool. In 1975 he moved to Louth He was a selfless, humble, gentle man with a wry sense in Lincolnshire, to manage another tannery in the group, of humour and a gift for being able to get on with anyone and subsequently bought it when the parent company went and everyone he met, being genuinely interested in them. into liquidation in the late 1990s. This is now one the few He was liked and respected by all and much loved by his tanneries still in operation in the UK. large extended family. He died just before Christmas 2014, leaving behind his wife Margaret, daughter Mary, son and Ian was an enthusiastic cricketer in his early days and daughter-in-law Adam and Anitha, and grandson Akil. He maintained that interest all his life. He also enjoyed good will be very sadly missed by family and friends alike. art and loved the visual and tactile qualities of beautiful

Robert (Bob) Dowty (SH 1945-50) Busy and generous with his time though he was, Bob Dowty never neglected his family and he is remembered Robert (Bob) Dowty, who died on 28th July 2015 at the with the warmest affection. Holidays in France brought age of 85, was a well-known figure in the Isle of Man, particular joy, as he could combine his love of the where he had a long-standing connection with the sport of countryside with uninterrupted family time. motorcycling. Born in Douglas in 1931, he was educated at the High School in the island’s capital, before moving to He lived long, he achieved much, he enjoyed life. These Shrewsbury just after the end of the war. He enjoyed his were the words with which his son John opened his funeral time in Shropshire and right at the end of his life he spoke address. That this life was of benefit to others is abundantly with fondness of the Hunt runs through the countryside. clear from what has been written and said about him. “Sad After Shrewsbury, he did the statutory two years of National passing of a good friend to motorcycling,” ran the headline Service in the Royal Artillery, a connection he maintained in the ‘Isle of Man Examiner’. Not only motorcycling has with a further voluntary 12 years in the Territorial Army, just cause to mourn. one example of his public-spirited contribution.

On leaving the Army, he spent two years learning the motor trade with Humber in Coventry, prior to returning to the Isle of Man to start up his own business, the Island Garages group, which he was to run for the next 30 years. Even before he had left school, he had fallen for the sport of motorcycle racing, a day at the Manx Grand Prix having cast its spell. When he was old enough, he bought a Douglas 90 plus model, which he raced for the first time in 1951. He then invested in a more powerful machine, a Manx Norton, which he named ‘Sally’, on which he competed, with some success, as an amateur rider, both in the Island and in mainland UK. In 1959, the combination of an accident in a race and the responsibility of impending marriage brought his career as a competitor to an end, but he remained an active supporter as an administrator. President of the Manx Grand Prix Riders Association and of the Southern 100 MCRC, at his death he was honoured with a page of tributes in a local paper.

On selling his garage business, he took on a number of directorships, working well into his seventies and finding time to do much charitable work. He was also a Justice of the Peace and for a time was Chairman of the Isle of Man Magistrates Association. 74 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Chris Dumbell (JHT 1940-44) Retirement from Dana released Chris’s energies for his other interests and activities. In Public Service he was for a His cousin writes: number of years a Magistrate and Chairman of the Bench. There must have been something very special in the gene With Donna he travelled more and enjoyed many happy pool of the Dumbell family. Many of the finest attributes holidays with his family at their house in the Algarve. of Chris’s father, Philip Dumbell and his mother Marjorie, Photography was one of his many pleasures and trips a creator of beautiful things, particularly needlepoint, were were always well researched and recorded in albums. manifest in Chris. Philip Dumbell had a long and fruitful life, surviving well beyond his three score years and ten, Chris, Donna and family moved to Lower Hall in Worfield and Chris equally had a splendid innings, which sadly in 1964. The house was in need of some repair and the ended on 18th August 2015. garden mainly grass, open space and a virtual wilderness. Whilst it took vision and some professional input to create It could all have been very different. A cutting from The the structure and planting, the garden is essentially the Times dated 10th July 1956 reads: life’s work of Chris and Donna.

A propeller tore loose from a Trans Canada Airline’s The garden was for Chris one of the great loves of his life. Vickers Viscount on the way from Chicago to Toronto Whereas some home owners cannot wait to sell off the yesterday, killing a woman passenger and injuring five excess garden or tennis court for a building plot, Chris others. The pilot made a safe emergency landing at continued to add acreage to his pride and joy. Using his Windsor, Ontario airport. knowledge of engineering, maximum use was made of the Worf and river vistas. The garden has been visited and Like a soldier returning wounded from the battlefield, enjoyed by literally thousands of people from the UK and Chris was reluctant to talk about the accident. Suffice it to abroad. During the the weekend of 14th/15th June 2015, say that the lady who perished was seated in the row in 1,400 people came to celebrate a World War 1 display and front. Chris and his pregnant wife Donna were amongst other artefacts in the Garden Room at Lower Hall. Before the injured. Both had poor chances of survival and were any visit, Chris would be out early, making sure that the on life support. Recovery and convalescence took some garden was looking its pristine best. He and Donna were time and Chris was left with a leg injury which necessitated perfectionists. long-term changes to his life. He gave up skiing, played more golf and bridge and took up gardening seriously. Chris was, over many years, a generous and silent Never did Chris complain about his condition; he accepted benefactor to the village of Worfield. The Church, where it and got on with life. Chris worshipped, benefitted usefully from events, including garden openings at Lower Hall. He was a long- It was in the summer of 1951 at a large party at the serving Vice President of the Worfield Cricket Club, life Dubuque Golf and Country Club that Chris first set eyes on member of the Bowling Club and Vice President of the the pretty young lady who subsequently became his wife. Royal British Legion. All of these received his generous Chris and Donna became engaged after two months and financial support. were married on 29th December. Chris took particular pleasure in allowing couples married Dubuque became virtually a second home to Chris and in the church to be photographed in his garden. He also Donna. They built a home on the outskirts of the city liked to receive children from the school on to the lawn overlooking a gorgeous piece of the Upper Mississippi to be taught and to sketch. On special occasions the River and made probably over 200 round trips to the City. Dumbells shared their good fortune exclusively with the Through Donna’s family connections and involvement inhabitants of Worfield, including a memorable Millenium with the University, Chris and Donna were well known in party held on New Year’s Eve 1999 with a spectacular Dubuque. They were good friends of the Arboretum and firework display, and a few years later a special event to designed an exquisite garden for it. celebrate 50 years of Dumbells in Worfield.

Chris’ father sent him to Iowa to work as an apprentice More recently Chris was outstanding in his support and at a John Deere plant. Here he was tasked with learning devotion to Donna. Nothing was too much trouble for a about US manufacturing technique and practices, man, of whom his Commanding Officer in the Navy wrote experiences which later contributed most usefully to his in 1947: “He is very keen and conscientious, cheerful working life at Turner Manufacturing. and capable and has conducted himself to my entire satisfaction.” The family firm had been created in the 1890s by Chris’s grandfather. It started out making rather unreliable motor Quite regularly he would power up his trusty Jaguar and cars. When Chris joined it was a more broadly based set off for London SW3. He was a fast driver and to be a engineering company. With Philip Dumbell as Chairman, passenger in the back of his car was a testing experience. Chris and his brother Roy steered Turner Manufacturing to He and Donna both derived much pleasure from their a very successful stock market flotation in 1968. London life, which included regular visits to Cadogan Hall for concerts. The company sadly is no more. Having once been one of Wolverhampton’s finest employers, when full control Chris was devoted to his children, grandchildren and passed to Dana Corporation, conditions changed. Not enlarged family and they have been lucky to have wanted as a hands-on manager, Roy did not stay long. benefitted from his zest for life wisdom and generosity. Chris relocated to another office, travelled extensively for A great life well lived. a short period and was then happy to leave. Dana itself subsequently failed. OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 75

John Edwards (SH 1949-54) autumn ewe sales to the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd. Each of these sales took several days to set up John entered School House Shrewsbury from Packwood on different sites on the showground, involving extra staff to Haugh in 1949 and clearly enjoyed his time there. His erect sheep pens, co-ordination of catalogues and so on. passion for rowing was paramount, especially the days away rowing at regattas. These weeks heaped a large amount of strain on John, but he also took some pride in knowing that at one time they John possessed a special wit and humour much enjoyed by were the largest sheep sales in Europe. his school mates and even prompted his House Master, Mr Anthony Chenevix-Trench, on one occasion to remark to In 1965 his father retired and Campbell & Edwards merged his parents that if all else failed, their son would find work with Russell, Baldwin & Bright across the border in on the stage. As it turned out, he became an auctioneer and Herefordshire. John became a director and at boardroom was never happier than on the rostrum with an appreciative meetings became famous for his ‘one liners’, as well as audience. ‘adding enthusiasm and inspiration to his colleagues’.

Sight problems prevented him doing National Service, so John helped create the auctions at the Royal Welsh Winter he went to London College of Estate Management followed Fayre which was on a par with Smithfield’s Christmas by a year’s practical with Russell, Baldwin and Bright, Fatstock. Yet some of John’s happiest working moments auctioneers in Leominster. Eventually he joined his father in were conducting furniture sales in the local Church Hall, the family firm Campbell & Edwards in Llandrindod Wells. which were for many regular attendees a social occasion. John soon settled in with the way of local farmers and They didn’t come to bid, but to enjoy John’s kindly banter. buyers at weekly livestock markets in Builth Wells, Rhayader and Penybont and in his prime would carry a ‘poor trade’ He was much missed by the farming community and which would be admired by all. buyers from many parts of the country when he took early retirement, and he had always been a much loved and “He appeared to have complete mastery and control over respected employer. the auction, an incredible memory for names and kind words, or the occasional ‘put down’ for those who deserve John died in March 2015 and is survived by his wife Brenda. it, always with his special sense of humour.” They lost their beloved only child, Caroline, in 1978 when she was only 13½, leaving a gap in their lives that could As new sheep breed societies developed and sheep never be filled. numbers increased, John decided to move the large annual

Richard Foster-Pegg (Rt 1933-37) consultant and lecturer on power generation, as well as working for the Department of Energy as a designer. Richard Foster-Pegg was born in Derbyshire, son of the chaplain to the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth. He was a member of the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Energy and the American Society During the Second World War he worked as an apprentice of Mechanical Engineers and had numerous patents in the engineer at Rolls-Royce and was involved in the design of turbines for electric power generation. development of the Merlin engine for the Spitfire and of early jet engines and turbines. In the 1950s he worked as He died on 20th April 2015 aged 95 and is survived by a mechanical engineer for the Canadian Government on Frances, his beloved wife of 67 years, his daughter, Perri, coal-fired gas turbines at McGill University and later for the five grandchildren and one great-grandson. His son Timothy Bechtel Corporation and for Westinghouse as a designer pre-deceased him. of advanced power plants. He acted world-wide as a

Keith Fraser (O 1950-55) the Channel Islands. Before embarking on the last boat to leave, his father drove the family car into the sea to avoid its A tribute written by John Lavelle (DB 1950-56): capture by the Germans. Ian Grant Keith Fraser; four very Scottish names. His family, luckily for us, decided to settle in Shrewsbury, moving from We were at Prestfelde Prep School together and then at The the Scottish borders where they had been evacuated, and Schools. Although Keith’s home, Red Roofs, overlooked thus began a friendship which endured more than 70 years. the School Site, he was a boarder in Oldham’s. An above Keith was born in Guernsey, but the family had to abandon average wing half, he played for the School 1st X1. I their home and all their belongings, bar one suitcase, to flee don’t remember him as a serious cricketer but he was a 76 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

challenging opponent at beach cricket in Anglesey, ably Keith had two great passions in his life other than his family supported by the Coopers. He was also an above average and his professional career: golf and Shrewsbury Town FC. squash and fives player. Keith was involved in the Golf Club’s move to Condover, but before that, in 1970, he had been Club Captain. He National Service followed in the Royal Navy and he saw was President in 1983. Playing in the final of the Club active service in the Suez Canal aboard HMS Theseus. Championship in 1969, which he won, his opponent’s A return to academia found Keith studying history at caddy was one Jane Hindley – who later became his wife. Christchurch, Oxford. He also won the President’s Putter three times and played county golf for Shropshire on many occasions. Father and When my father retired from dental practice, he decided to son are to be found on many of the honours boards. downsize from the Town Centre. We moved to The Rocks Ian McIntosh tells me that he and Keith were about to overlooking the old Shrewsbury Golf Club. Who were our celebrate 70 years of continuous support of The Town. next-door neighbours? Keith and his delightful father, Ian, We certainly all went together to the two Wembley play-offs who had recently retired from his ophthalmic practice on St against Bristol Rovers and Gillingham. We lost both. At least John’s Hill, where we had also lived. in the season we have just finished, we gained automatic promotion. Keith was delighted. Qualifying as a solicitor via a firm in Liverpool and the Guildford Law School, Keith joined Dennis Salt, the oldest Our thoughts are very much with Jane, Rachel and Jason, firm of solicitors in the town. They eventually merged with Simon and Leyla and their respective children, Jo, Harry, Wace Morgan, which involved an office move from 10 Ben and Zahra. The numbers attending the funeral service Belmont to 2 Belmont to become Wace Morgan Salt and were a tribute to Keith as a husband, as a father, grandfather subsequently Wace Morgan. Keith was Senior Partner from and as a friend. He was indeed a pillar of the community 1995 until his retirement in 2002. He had been President he served and he leaves it enriched in so many ways. For of the Shropshire Law Society, was extremely popular and myself – my thanks for 70 years of wonderful friendship. in consequence had a vast array of clients; in every way a solicitor of the old school. Upon retirement he was actively involved in witness support at Shrewsbury Crown Court and also on the Alms House Committee of the Drapers’ Company.

Bill Grant (SH 1962-66) Bill loved sailing and achieved his day skipper and coastal skipper qualifications. On a sailing course in Salcombe Bill Grant, who died suddenly while in 1987 he met Jenny. They conducted a three-year coaching rowing on the River Wear, relationship 350 miles apart and Bill spent many hours in was born in Sunderland in 1947 his BMW on the M1 and M5. Never one to make life easy, and spent most of his life in the he drove south to meet Jenny’s parents the day after the North East. He was brought up in hurricane in 1987. Whitburn, where he lived with his younger brother and sister, Jim and Bill and Jenny married in 1990 when Bill was 42. They Jann. He went as a boarder to prep had three children, Richard, Catherine and Emma, and school at Knaresbrough in North Bill delighted in their progress through school. All three Yorkshire. A school report from this time shows that while children became Sea Scouts and Bill became District he achieved 95% in maths (a trait inherited by all three of Treasurer for the Scouts for a while. his children), in English he only scored 33%. Apparently there were problems deciphering his writing even then! The The church was always important to Bill. He served on rest of his school days were spent at Shrewsbury, where he the PCC in Whitburn, became Churchwarden there and started to row and also coach. Bill was extremely short- was pivotal in building a meeting room within the church. sighted and a sport in which someone else tells you where Not satisfied with this, when he moved to the church in to go was probably beneficial. Cleadon, he joined the PCC and became involved in the design and building of the Chapter House here. Bill went He did an engineering degree at Durham followed by a on to join Deanery and then Diocesan Synod and finally master’s in Business Studies. He continued his rowing both Bishop’s Council. He was also Chair of the Redundant for the college and the university, competing at Henley Churches Committee. twice and thus becoming eligible to join the Leander Club, a membership of which he was very proud. During the Once in charge of the family business, Bill had no time to summers he worked for Brathay Outdoor Centre and took row himself but he maintained an interest and attended surveying expeditions to Norway, Iceland and Greenland. Henley regularly. In fact we believe he only missed 1990 when he was on his honeymoon and 1994 when, with a Bill ran the family jewellery business after his father’s death child of 23 months and another of one month, permission until he retired in 2007. From 2000-02 he was Chairman was refused! After retiring, he again became an active of the National Association of Goldsmiths, a role which member of Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC) his father had also held. He was a member of two livery and bought a sculling boat. He obtained his umpire’s companies and enjoyed attending their formal functions qualifications and more recently was working towards his in London and as a Freeman of the City of London was level 3 coaching. These activities involved power boat and entitled to attend the election of the Lord Mayor. first aid courses which he enthusiastically organised for OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 77 other members of the Club as well. After the death of his But Bill had a constant optimism that people would benefit friend he took over the job of Boat Warden. Bill spent many from knowing how to do things properly, and it is a mark hours in Durham each week and was very happy cycling up of the huge generosity of his character that he would pour and down the towpath, shouting at people. so much energy into helping people without ever worrying too much about whether they would appreciate it as much Bill was a kind, funny and very gentle man. He was easily as they should. moved to tears but renowned for his unmistakeable, infectious laugh. He was also very frustrating - there can’t His memorial service was attended by more than 300 be anyone who knew him well who hasn’t asked a simple friends, including Michael Wright and other Salopians with question requiring a yes or no answer and five minutes whom he had maintained a lifelong friendship. later, after an explanation of the theory and possible At a well attended ceremony in September at DARC, his consequences of various actions, still had no idea whether sculling boat was presented to the Club by his family and the answer had been yes or no! formally named after him by one of his long-term rowing and mountaineering friends, Nigel van Zwanenberg (S He was meticulous in everything he did, very much an “If a 1962-66). Bill was a very kind and loving husband, an job’s worth doing it’s worth doing properly” sort of person inspirational father and a true and loyal friend. and many of us have benefitted from this attention to detail.

Robin Grey (SH 1934-38) Once the war ended he married his sweetheart Margaret, left her with his family and went off to scout around Robin Grey grew up in Cornwall, messing around on boats. Southern Africa, then sent for her once he had chosen The reason he went to Shrewsbury was that his family where to settle. She travelled on one of the last commercial home bordered on to Clement Attlee’s estate and he was flying boats to make the trip, mooring overnight off the friendly with the Atlee boys who attended Shrewsbury. coast of Italy, then on the Aswan Dam, then Lake Victoria Remarkably, fast forwarding to Cape Town 60 years later, and finally arriving on the Vaal Dam near Johannesburg. where Robin’s teenage grandson was living, a family by the They subsequently settled in Cape Town where Robin name of Attlee moved in next door with their teenage son. started a successful small business which he ran until he They were apparently related to the same Attlee family and was into his late seventies. the two boys became firm friends. Having retained his love for the sea, he sailed his yacht A year or so after Robin finished school, World War 2 broke Swansong in Table Bay and further afield several times a out and he enlisted in the Royal Navy. By the end of the week for many years. He and Margaret always felt England war he was second in command of a small submarine called was their home and returned to visit friends and family HMSub Shakespeare and had seen some exciting action in annually in their last 40 years together. the Far East. Although he had some positive experiences during the war, such as shore leave in Ceylon which was a At the age of 94 he became very frail and having put all his place he loved, he was a pacifist and abhorred the idea of affairs in good order, took the step of ending his own life, the war. two years after his beloved Margaret had passed away.

Denys Haughton Jones (DB 1942-46) father. In due course he took on the practice from his father and branched out to run practices in Welshpool, Newtown Denys was the middle child of William and Gertrude Jones. and Bishop’s Castle in addition to the Shrewsbury practice His father was a pharmacist and ophthalmic optician with at 108, Abbey Foregate. He served on the Shropshire a number of chemist shops and ophthalmic practices in Ophthalmic Committee, including a period as its secretary. Shrewsbury, including on High Street and Pride Hill. Denys had a love of travel and much enjoyed driving During National Service, Denys was stationed at through Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Italy where he Lossiemouth where he was a photographer with the Royal made many friends. With his wife, Hazel, they visited their Navy. His recollection was of being warned that to lose friends on the continent throughout their married life and his camera out of the aircraft whilst on flying missions was continued to enjoy these trips during retirement. In their even more serious an offence than that of a rifleman soldier earlier years Hazel and Denys were members of Shrewsbury losing his rifle. He had a lifelong interest in and love for Operatic Society, Hazel as a performer and Denys working photography. Of Lossiemouth all he would ever say was backstage. Denys had a love of music and over the years that it was the only place he could remember where the built up an extensive and wide collection of music. wind could blow you back uphill on a bicycle! He died on 6th January 2015, one week short of his 86th Following National Service, and after qualifying as an birthday. He is survived by his wife, Hazel. ophthalmic optician, he entered into partnership with his 78 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

Dr Philip Heal (R 1946-51) their families and 11 grandchildren. He was also a much devoted lover of boxer dogs! He died suddenly at home on Philip Heal was born on 21st July 1932 in Exeter, where 7th April 2015, sitting in his chair after driving home from both his parents were GPs. He went to Twyford Prep Hereford following a happy family Easter weekend. School in Hampshire aged eight and then on to Shrewsbury. He was a keen cross-country runner and rower at school and was House Captain of Cross-Country and Athletics. He was made a Praepostor and was a member of a number of societies and committees. After leaving Shrewsbury, he went on to St John’s College, Cambridge to read Medicine, where he met and married his wife, Diana.

After house jobs in St Thomas’, Exeter, he did three years colonial service in Uganda, running an up-country hospital in Masindi. On return to England in 1962, he joined his parents’ practice before doing courses in anaesthetics and obstetrics. He was then a founder member of a large GP group practice in St Thomas’, Exeter until he retired in 1992.

His hobbies were sailing, walking and painting. He made expeditions to Everest Base Camp, the Ruwenzories and Atlas Mountains. He was a very proud father of his sons and

David Howl (S 1950-54) with a determination not to be defeated. He learned to draw and travelled all over the West Midlands and Shropshire David Howl’s life is an example of triumph over adversity, recording buildings and local scenes of interest. He of turning misfortune to advantage. As a result of a road wrote prodigious letters and diaries and most pages were accident when he was 22, David had his left leg amputated embellished with one of his sketches or cartoons. above the knee. Despite this he became an excellent skier and eventually a guide for blind skiers. He was one of He also wrote a history of Parkdale in Wolverhampton, the four people at the inaugural meeting of the British Ski where he lived most of his life. Parkdale was planned in Club for the Disabled on 23rd October 1974 and was at the nineteenth century as a recreational area away from the the Second Olympic Winter Games for Disabled in Oslo pollution of the many factories, and it was largely David’s in 1980. He also rode regularly and loved walking and, persistent efforts and research that prevented the large when terrain allowed, driving in Snowdonia and over Victorian houses being demolished and the destruction of the Shropshire hills. He was a great promoter of sport the central gardens and sports area by developers. It is now for disabled people, making the most of his abilities and a conservation area and may be considered a memorial to encouraging others to do the same. the strength of character that David displayed during his life.

As if one setback was not enough, he became ill with Hodgkins Lymphoma, but again he faced pain and hardship

Vice-Admiral Sir John Lea (Rt 1937-41) Vice-Admiral Sir John Stuart Crosbie Lea, who has died at the age of 91, had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, stretching from active service in the Second World War to retirement in 1980. He was born in 1923, in India, where his father was an officer in the Indian Army, and where his education began. After a few months in Australia, a country which was later to win a place in his heart, his parents separated, his father returning to India and his mother taking the children to England and prep school. From Boxgrove School in Guildford, where he found stability at a turbulent time, he went to Shrewsbury, where he initially followed the traditional Salopian Classical syllabus. When war broke out, however, he was determined to join the Royal Navy, and therefore switched to Science, Maths and Mechanics. He won a place at the Naval Engineering College in Plymouth from where, in only his second year as a student, he was sent to sea for training. Aboard HMS Sheffield, he saw action off Italy and subsequently visited the severely damaged island of Malta. Later in the year, he was on the cruiser Glasgow in the Bay of Biscay when OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 79 it engaged a number of German destroyers. It was, he family environment that had been lacking in his youth. A admitted, a frightening experience. Unfortunately for him, practical man, he loved to create or mend artefacts, he was his period of service was too short to qualify him for a a keen gardener, and when his wife suffered a stroke, he campaign medal. applied himself to cooking. Involvement in the Hayling Island community included work for the local church and In 1946, he emerged from college as a qualified submarine membership of the Hayling Horticultural Society, of which engineer, in which capacity he served in a number of he became President. vessels. Graduating from the naval staff college, he was steadily promoted to posts of greater responsibility including An avid cricket enthusiast, he was a member of the MCC a spell in Whitehall in the Operations Division of Naval and followed England on tour, was elected President of Staff. Here, as elsewhere, he proved to be a successful team Navy Boxing, and followed rugby on television with an player, a man who got on with people and who retained ardour that was just short of participation. a sense of humour under pressure. His personal qualities were to be of particular value when, in the rank of Captain, Invited to become a liveryman of the Worshipful Company he had the task of preparing the Faslane Nuclear Submarine of Plumbers, he was to serve a term as Master, just one Base, which involved negotiating with the representatives more example of his natural gift of leadership. of the civilian workforce which was operating along with Naval personnel. The project was completed in time. In spite of the many demands of his career in public life, Sir John found time for his family, and was a most devoted He later became Commodore of the Barracks in Portsmouth, father and grandfather. The collection of tributes from his re-named HMS Nelson at his suggestion. From there he grandchildren, published at his memorial service, is a very moved through various Ministry posts, before retiring in the moving record of the contribution to their lives of a man of rank of Vice-Admiral and with a knighthood. many talents. With justifiable pride, his eldest son spoke of “a life truly well lived”. Springfield, his home from 1951 on, was a very happy place, where Sir John was determined to create the stable

Charles Lepper (Staff 1987) appointed Head of English. A notably sparkling teacher, he enhanced the role with his many widely acclaimed Although Charles Lepper taught English for just two productions of Shakespeare and later with the celebrated terms at Shrewsbury, from January 1987, he made an Bradfield Greek Plays. On reaching retirement, Charles unforgettable mark, both in the Common Room and with Lepper continued to perform his own one-man adaptation his pupils. Cheerful, humorous and scholarly, he acted as of Charles Dickens’ novels. an interim between the departure of David Smith and the arrival of Stephen Holroyd. A dedicated freemason, Charles happily joined the Salopian Lodge, continuing as a member for many years. Charles had been a professional actor, performing at The coat of arms of Shrewsbury School remained on a Stratford with John Gielgud, before losing much of his shield in Charles’ rooms until his dying day. No one who hearing and being obliged to leave the stage. But the encountered him will ever forget his joie de vivre, his theatre’s loss was undoubtedly a gain for the world of generosity and love of theatre and literature. He died on education. There followed a stay at the Crypt School in 27th January 2015, aged 92. Gloucester and later at Bradfield College, where he was

John Levetus (Ch 1938-42)

The youngest of three, John Levetus was born on 22nd July 1924 to Edward, an import-export merchant, and Gertrude (née Ashton), a former schoolteacher. The family lived in Hampstead Garden Suburb and made many enduring friendships with neighbours who shared their interest in the arts.

John performed well at Shrewsbury School, leaving in 1942 with Higher Certificates in Latin, Greek, and History and Ancient Literature, and a distinction in Scripture Knowledge (Greek Text). After a year in the Territorial Army, he served in the Army Intelligence Corps in Britain, India and Ceylon from 1944 to 1946, learning Mandarin at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

John then took a two-year History degree course at New College, Oxford, graduating in 1950. After qualifying as 80 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

a solicitor in 1954, he spent the next thirty years as a the company of his brother’s family nearby. He became a conveyancing solicitor for the General Post Office and, stalwart of the North Oxford Association community centre, after the split, British Telecom, commuting from Hampstead serving on the management committee for more than Garden Suburb (he could do a first-class impression of a twenty years and cheering up dull meetings with apt quotes Northern Line train) and later Colchester. He was respected from the masters of comic verse, and staffing the reception as a hard-working and competent colleague. desk with characteristic patience and courtesy.

John Levetus spent his working life as a solicitor in In December 2014, John was admitted to hospital with London before retiring to Oxford. He never married but problems walking, associated with sarcoma. He moved into had strong ties with family and friends who remember a nursing home but became ill a few weeks later and died him with much affection for his courtesy, quiet humour on 9th February 2015. and remarkable memory.

Retirement at the age of 60 brought John a new lease of life. He moved to Oxford to enjoy the cultural life of the city and

Henry Oxenham (Ch 1943-47) interest with my mother, was their involvement in the Birmingham Ramblers Association. Almost every week of A family tribute read at his funeral by his son, Hugh. the year, for many years, whatever the weather, they would travel with 50 or so other people by coach to a ramble and My father was born on 13th April 1929 in Northfield, then walk ten or twelve miles. He was the treasurer of the group a Worcestershire village not yet engulfed by Birmingham. for many years and led many walks, often recruiting me to Both his parents came from Wales, his mother Gwyneth help him carry out the reconnaissance of a new route. from the Vale of Clwyd and his father Bert from Aberdare. His father worked for a firm of Chartered Accountants in When his wife’s health declined and she had to have full Birmingham. His sister Jane was born two years after him. time nursing care, she went to Horfield Lodge (nursing home) in Bristol so as to be near my sister Helen. My father At the outset of war he and his sister were evacuated to sold the family home and moved to a flat in Bristol. He north Wales to live with their grandparents to escape the had been diagnosed with cancer but he then had a few bombing of Birmingham. With the war still on and reaching good years in Bristol while the cancer was in remission. He the age of 13, his parents did not want him to return to became a volunteer helper at Horfield Lodge and engaged Birmingham so he was sent as a boarder to Shrewsbury in various groups and activities with the University of the School. He enjoyed his time at Shrewsbury for he was a Third Age. He continued to pursue his great interest in keen and talented sportsman, playing soccer, cricket and history. athletics. He was good enough at soccer to be selected for Public Schools soccer matches in London. When he became more unwell, he too moved into Horfield Lodge and finally into St Peter’s Hospice. My sisters and I After school he was called up for National Service in 1948 would like to thank the staff at both places for the great and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal kindness and care they gave to Henry in his final months. Artillery. He had the good fortune to spend some of the We believe he could not have been anywhere better. time stationed in Gibraltar; it was an experience that made a big impression on him and in later life he would mention his time there, including hitch-hiking trips through Spain with friends.

He had an offer of a place at Clare College, Cambridge and after National Service he went there to read Economics in 1949. After University he became an articled clerk in Birmingham, training to be a Chartered Accountant. He worked at various clients on audits – I remember him mentioning the big BSA factory in Small Heath and the British Rail works in Derby, then making the last the steam engines.

In 1956 he married my mother Joan and they settled in a house in Selly Oak, Birmingham. They had three children in the next few years – first my sister Susan, then me (Hugh) then my sister Helen. With a family he needed a less itinerant job, so in 1963 he took a job with a small manufacturing and civil engineering company at Tipton in the Black Country. He worked from then on for the same firm until he retired, not unusual in those days.

In retirement Henry became involved in the Housing Association movement. Another activity he loved, a shared OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 81

Julian Plowright (I 1956-58) would delve deeply into all aspects of whatever caught his attention – he was in constant contemplation of many Julian Plowright was born in Youlgreave, Derbyshire and subjects – always ‘working out’ something in his very active attended Shrewsbury School for two years from 1956. and creative brain. The following obituary was published in the Newport (Rhode Island) Daily News: Julian loved people, his family, and all categories of music. He was a parishioner at St John the Evangelist Julian had lived in many towns throughout the counties of and thoroughly enjoyed their choir music and Father England before moving permanently to the U.S. in 1990. Humphrey’s sermons. He loved his movie nights with Clare He had visited Newport a few times prior while working and jaunts to Ft. Adams and Glenn Park with their two four- with the BOC ‘Around the World Alone’ yacht race as their legged kids, Mirabelle and Maximus. He cherished his visits film director. He was a crackerjack electrical engineer and from his daughter Sophie and his long chats on the phone mechanic, who worked for a number of years at KVH with his brother and younger sister, all of whom he adored. Industries as an International Sales Manager and then as His personal reflection was – “I am not a complex person as Estate Manager with his wife, Clare, at ‘Miramar’ on Bellevue some seem to think, I am a simple man with simple wants Avenue and most recently as owner with his wife of the and needs, but always good music, good food, and drink”. Newport retail garden shop, ‘mini-SCAPES’. Julian passed away on 19th August 2014, from the effects of cancer. He was the husband for 23 years of Clare Cooke He was an avid licensed amateur radio operator and Plowright, who survives him. He is also survived by his member of the ARRL Radio Club of Newport County. daughter, Sophie Calder Plowright, recently of South He just recently passed his second examination, which Carolina, his brother, Chris Plowright of Ottawa, Canada, gave him an important License Upgrade. This ‘hobby’ was and his sister, Georgina Plowright of England. just one example of Julian’s many interests and talents. He

Richard Senior (O 1944-49) could sing in tune, sight-read and had a good treble voice; in the course of time, he was appointed Vice Choregus. Richard had begun piano studies aged four, and had already passed Grade Four by the time he arrived at Shrewsbury. His ongoing piano lessons took place in Alington Hall, where he could hear the School Brass Band working nearby. Attracted by the big brass sound, Richard knocked on the door and tentatively asked if he could join the Band. When F.W. Allsebrook found that Richard mastered the correct lip and tongue technique quickly on the tenor horn, produced a lovely tone and could play anything put in front of him, he was promoted to playing cornet. By the age of 15, Richard was the School’s youngest leading cornet, winning the Silver Bugle title. He also was lead and solo trumpet with the School Orchestra, culminating in him soloing in Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto at the End of School Concert in summer 1949. It could be during this same concert that Richard Richard was born in June 1931 in Alderley Edge. When he memorably played the Posthorn Galop, using Allsebrook’s was two, the family moved to the outskirts of Llandudno. own real posthorn and wearing hunting pink, though this Richard was sent to what seemed to be the best choice of item is not listed on the official programme. prep school in the region, Woodlands, where, sadly, bullying made him deeply unhappy. In spite of this, he did well Friendship with N.L. Williams in Mosers, who played the academically and Richard passed on to Shrewsbury, but with accordion, led to Richard’s fascination with this versatile no expectation that his life would be any pleasanter. but rather neglected instrument, from which he picked up Richard‘s first term at Shrewsbury began late: in May 1945, a thorough grounding in harmony. The accordion offered Hitler’s generals had just capitulated, and the School let Richard a totally new view of music, as it separated the everyone celebrate at home. When term did start, to Richard’s melody line, played by the right hand on a short keyboard, astonishment, he found life at Shrewsbury fulfilling and from the rest, which is played on a series of buttons with the enjoyable; no sign whatsoever of bullying, so he could relax other hand, a brilliant training for Richard’s professional life and enjoy what the School had to offer. Richard looked back to come. on his four years at Shrewsbury and Oldham’s as among the happiest of his life. J. Barham Johnson, Richard’s piano tutor, wisely realised that Richard was destined for what was then considered an Except for Maths, which always remained a closed book to unconventional career in music. This came about following Richard, he enjoyed learning, especially languages. Richard a visit by the legendary pianist Alfred Cortot. Richard, as knew that cricket was not for him, so for the summer he the School’s star pianist, was invited to sit in on Cortot’s opted for the ‘tub club’, starting out as cox, and graduating, rehearsal and at the end was called over to be introduced as he grew, to being an oarsman. He rowed bow for two to the great man. Inspired, Richard began to cultivate his seasons, then bow in the School third eight. He was part of own style, in Cortot’s mould. The following term, JBJ heard the School shooting team, was awarded School Colours, then Richard sight-reading the Chopin second scherzo in B flat trumped this by coming sixteenth in the Ashburton Shield at minor that Richard had heard Cortot perform; JBJ recognised Bisley. He finally shot his last pheasants at Christmas 2006. that Richard had an innate understanding of the music. Richard was taken immediately into the School Choir, as he Improvisation was officially considered unscholarly, however, 82 OLD SALOPIAN NEWS

so music lessons were moved off the school campus by the subsequently made it big on TV: Sandie Shaw, Georgie unconventional JBJ to his home, out of authoritarian earshot, Fame, Ken Dodd, Roy Castle, Faith Brown, Danny Williams, and now entailed improvisation and modern (jazz) chord Nancy Whisky and many more. This life-style lasted till the progressions. late 1980s: by then it became clear that the end was in sight, as stars who didn’t know Richard had taken to travelling On leaving school, Richard was accepted by the British with their own backing tapes. They had learned from bitter Schools Exploring Society for the summer trip to Arctic experience that there were few musicians of Richard’s calibre Norway. Call-up for National Service came next and he who could give them decent support. Finally Richard gave successfully made his way through to a commission in the notice he would quit the next time an artist came with a Queen’s Bays, and served his time with tanks on Lüneburg backing tape; this life-style was now over. Heath. This was followed with a spell in the family firm, Arnold Clayton, in Manchester, and then a move to London To supplement his income over these decades, Richard on his first marriage, where he was employed by his father- ‘daylighted’ at various jobs. These were usually selling, a skill in-law as an insurance underwriter. But Richard’s real calling he had discovered he had a knack for during his brief trial was still a few years away. in the family firm, Arnold Clayton. Later, came buying and selling pianos for Dawsons of Warrington. Shrewsbury and JBJ in particular had already given Richard the background he needed for his future career as a Richard was an enthusiastic and competitive bridge player, professional musician, but his niche did not appear until and wherever he lived, he sought out bridge clubs to play the pop music scene underwent its transformation at the duplicate. Living in the Home Counties in the 1980s, he beginning of the sixties. Richard was introduced to an agent, founded two new clubs, one of which is still known as who told him that the electronic organ was now the thing. Richard’s Bridge Club. He authored a book on ‘How to Start Richard did not need telling twice; as a child he’d fallen and Run a Bridge Club’ for the English Bridge Union. in love with the sound of the theatre organ, which he’d first heard live in a Llandudno cinema, whilst waiting for a In his later years, Richard set up online self-help groups showing of Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’. Thereafter he had avidly for people world-wide who suffer from CFS/ME, a much- scanned the Radio Times for all broadcasts labelled ‘Theatre misunderstood illness, with a separate group for their Organ’, and sat, ear glued to the radiogram’s speaker, till he carers. This grew out of his caring for his wife, Annabel, knew the names of every player, and could recognise the who eventually died of her illness, the first official death in individual sound of each and every theatre organ in the UK. the UK from CFS/ME. She died, harrowingly, by starving herself to death at home, ignored by the NHS. Richard As his career took off, Richard was being paid good money went on to counsel CFS/ME sufferers and their carers right to play the modern electronic version of these theatre organs, up to his last days. which he boosted with the new Moog synthesiser. Richard became one of a small but significant number of public- Following the trauma of Annabel’s death, Richard, aged 72, school-educated musicians in the new, swinging pop world decided to take a year-long round-the-world trip, on his of the sixties. His background was neither a handicap nor a own. He spent six months in Christchurch, New Zealand, help in this egalitarian milieu; what mattered was being able where there was a thriving duplicate bridge club, and to play the dots at sight, to meld with the other musicians, he was offered a number of residencies playing piano. and to showcase the lead-artists to best advantage. He had Returning from this voyage, Richard spent his final ten years the gift of conjuring up the music on the spot, with never a in Glastonbury with two pianos and a modern Hammond rehearsal or run through. It was always live, exciting, with the organ. Here he was able to explore the piano duet and high voltage energy of walking a tight rope, which is what two-piano repertoire with his second wife Susanna and, at thrilled the audiences. last, to relax into jazz improvisation on the Hammond for his own pleasure. Richard is survived by Susanna, by his For the next thirty years, Richard’s life revolved around his five children and eleven grandchildren, and by his younger evening job as resident backing-organist at various different brother Michael. venues, as he was head-hunted by one club after another. Mostly the duo of Richard and his drummer were backing Susanna van Rose young artists who were on their way up, many of whom

The Revd and undaunted advocate for Christianity in a time of Michael Tupper great change. (Staff 1948-79) Michael Heathfield Tupper was born in April 1920 in East Michael Tupper, who died Sheen, Surrey, where his father was the vicar. His mother, on 10th December 2014 unusually for a woman of her generation, was an Oxford aged 94, was one of the graduate. Both parents were progressive for their time stalwarts of the staff for on social issues, and their strong religious faith meant that 31 years, from September Michael and his two sisters grew up in an active Christian 1948 to December 1979, environment. for ten of which he was Housemaster of Oldham’s. Michael was only 11 when his father died; but thanks to a Already ordained when he Clergy Bursary he was able to go to Marlborough College. came to the School, he was He then read Theology at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and after also in fact if not in name graduating trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Assistant Chaplain, a firm After a curacy and three years as Chaplain at Monkton Combe, OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 83 he was appointed to Shrewsbury by Wolfenden in 1948. House rowing coach, he sang regularly in the Concert Choir, It is his work in Chapel and religious teaching that should be he was in demand as a football referee who could be relied recorded first: it was a contribution of the utmost importance on to keep a firm grip on the game, and he was a major link to the life of the School Community. There was in that between the School and Shrewsbury House in Everton, where sphere of School life more change in his time than perhaps he was a familiar and much respected figure. in any other: there was uncertainty and experiment, and the On retirement Michael and Jane moved to Bayston Hill, where ministries of four successive Chaplains differed in their styles he had already become involved in parish affairs. His energy and emphases. Throughout that time Michael stood firm was still undiminished, and in retirement as a non-stipendiary and resolute. His faith was clearly proclaimed; the standards curate he joined the vicar in fostering a flourishing parish. by which he lived were plain for all to see; and he did not The congregation outgrew the small village church, and they hesitate to speak up for what he believed to be right, even if raised the money to build a large new church more central sometimes unpopular. to the modern housing. Those were happy and fruitful years. As he wrote at the time: “We are trying to combine For ten years he was Housemaster of Oldham’s, not the easiest faithfulness to the unchanging truths of the Gospel with of years – 1962 to 1972 – when the School was experiencing courage to experiment with contemporary ways of worship both the difficulties caused by the changing mores of British and communication.” Society in the 1960s and also the force of the reforming energy of Donald Wright. Many old members of the House will testify Also in retirement, he and Jane went regularly to Jerusalem to his pastoral care and thoroughness, and perhaps above all for two or three months at a time to take his turn as chaplain to the security of knowing that there was a steady hand at the at the Garden Tomb, ministering to the many pilgrims and helm. One of his Heads of House was Michael Proctor, now tourists who visit. In total they did thirteen spells of duty Provost of King’s College, Cambridge. His boys will remember there. When Michael died, Jane received a phone call from an too with gratitude all the work done by his wife Jane in those Arab street vendor in Jerusalem who spoke to her for twenty final years of House catering, when Housemasters’ wives minutes in tribute: Michael’s influence extended beyond the were still hotel keepers at a time when hotel staff had become bounds of the Garden Tomb itself. almost extinct. He had met Jane Taylor when in his earlier days he was resident House Tutor in School House, where In his last years he became increasingly frail and was cared her father Tom Taylor was Housemaster from 1948 until his for and nursed with unstinting devotion by Jane, so that with sudden untimely death in 1952. He and Jane married in 1953. the help of visiting professional carers he spent almost all that time in his own home rather than in hospital. He leaves his In other ways too Michael played his full part in School life. widow Jane, two daughters, a son, five grandchildren and In the Sixth Form his Divinity teaching pointed a path for three great-grandchildren. many to follow into an understanding of the Christian faith, and below the Sixth his teaching as a form master raised the Luther’s words spoken at the Diet of Worms in 1521 could morale of the strugglers and brought results which surprised aptly be applied to Michael: Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht even the boys themselves. Michael was also an energetic anders. Gott helfe mir.

Glynn Yeoward (I 1944-48) In 1953, he married Susan Isobel Garbett, niece of the then Archbishop of York, and is survived by three children, Glynn was one of the more senior members of an Robin, Andrew and Sarah, and three grandchildren, extended ‘Salopian’ family. He followed his father Cyril Georgina, James and Christopher. Herbert and cousins Michael and Richard Ainsworth to Shrewsbury. Michael was one of Shrewsbury’s more prominent cricketers, and Glynn felt it was a hard act to follow. Subsequently, he was joined by younger brother John Cyril (later High Sheriff of Shropshire c.1982), sons Robin (I 1968-73) and Andrew (I 1970-75), and grandson Christopher (O 2007-09).

Glynn’s main loves and achievements at school were football and cricket. He was in the 2nd XI football and was in the 1st House final winning team one year, playing in the forward line with Robin Moulsdale. He claimed on the same evening to have fought in the 1st House boxing final, losing against Brian Hutton, later Lord Hutton (of Iraq Inquiry fame).

After achieving his School Certificate, he joined the Coldstream Guards for National Service, including guarding Windsor Castle at the time of HRH Prince Charles’ birth. Following a brief spell working in Canada, he became a cub reporter on the Hereford Times, and subsequently became the news editor in the Birmingham Post. In latter years, he took to writing, completing a number of books mixing fact with fiction on subjects such as the Roman occupation of Shropshire. He continued to play football and cricket (with Ludlow Cricket Club) for as long as possible, and was a regular on the Shropshire cricket scene. SALOPIAN CLUB COMING EVENTS More details can 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) Except where stated, email: [email protected] 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 all 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. Emails containing further details are sent out prior to all events, so please make sure that we have your up to date contact details.

Date Event Venue Friday 15th January, 7.30pm for 8.00pm Young OS Open Mic Night The Horse & Stables, 124 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7RW *Wednesday 20th January 5.30pm Salopian Club Committee Meeting London Friday 29th January, 5.30pm Chapel Choir Evensong at Manchester Manchester Cathedral M3 1SX Cathedral, followed by a reception at Contact: [email protected] the National Football Museum.

Wednesday 3rd February, 5.00pm Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral, London followed by a tour of the Cathedral and a reception Saturday 6th February, 2.30pm OS Fergus Macleod conducts “The London Coliseum WC2N 4ES Mikado” at the ENO, followed by an after-show gathering and a chance to meet him.

Friday 12th February, 7.30pm School Concert at the Holywell Holywell Music Room, Oxford Music Room, Oxford, preceded by a Contact: [email protected] reception at the Randolph Hotel *Tuesday 23rd February, 6.00pm Salopian Club Sports Committee Meeting London Sunday 28th February, 7.30pm Shrewsbury School performs Birmingham Town Hall B3 3DQ Verdi’s Requiem. Contact [email protected]

Saturday 12th March Joint OS/School Concert Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School Rehearsal in the afternoon, followed by an evening concert. Thursday 17th March Schools’ Head of the River Race gathering The Blue Anchor, Hammersmith W6 9DJ Friday 18th March Shrewsbury School Parents’ Shrewsbury School Association Ball *Thursday 14th April OS Birmingham Dinner. Tickets will St Paul’s Club, Birmingham B3 1QZ be available via the website in the New Year. Friday 13th May OS Football Club Dinner London *Sunday 26th June Moser’s Reunion Garden BBQ Shrewsbury School Saturday 2nd July Speech Day/Henley Royal Regatta Shrewsbury/Henley *Thursday 15th – Monday 19th World War Two Battlefield Tour Normandy September *Saturday 1st October Old Salopian Day Shrewsbury School

* Salopian Club sponsored events

RSSH, Kenya, October 2015