The OCA Newsletter

The OCA Newsletter OCA in CRISIS! Can you help save the day?

We make no apology for the dramatic headline.

The very future of the Association, which only a few years ago celebrated its 75th Anniversary, is hanging in the balance. The reason is simply that your committee cannot recruit sufficient members to do the work necessary to keep the association going. For a number of years - yes, years - your committee has been appealing for new blood' but has had only limited success.

The achievements and smooth running of the organisation during that time are testament to the dedication and efforts of the present officers, some of whom have had to "double up" with more than one task. Successes like Piano 2000 the Newsletters and our various reunions, particularly the Winter Dinner, do not just happen on their own. They require time and effort. When we have a full committee, the time commitment and the effort required is shared out, so no one person is over burdened and committee works as a team. It can even be fun for those involved!

It seems ironic that our association whose membership consists of such a large proportion of retired people, should need to rely on an overstretched committee comprising mainly younger members already juggling the demands of busy careers and for some, young families. With no one apparently waiting in the wings to take over, the pressure to stay on for 'just another year' is difficult to resist. But being on the OCA Committee was never meant to be a job for life, and people need to move on without feeling they are letting their old school chums down.

So can you help? Serving on the OCA Committee has been, and, hopefully, will be again, both rewarding and fun. As well as 'ordinary' committee members, we are looking for someone with some financial expertise for the Hon. Treasurer role, another with good organisational skills to be Social Secretary and someone with writing, editing and Desktop Publishing skills to help us keep this newsletter running.

So could one of these people be you? With a full committee the commitment is not onerous: One AGM and six committee meetings a year on Wednesday evenings.

If you are interested please contact the Hon. Secretary as soon as possible and please come to the AGM on the 18th November. If we don't receive the support we are seeking this year's Reunion Dinner could be the last and you could be reading the final OCA Newsletter. It's up to you.

Your Committee

President's Message Those of you who do not receive regular news from Horsham may be saddened to learn that the King & Barnes brewery closed in August. It is a great shock to lose an industry that has been at the heart of Horsham for even longer than Collyer's has; indeed, generations of Collyerians from the age of 14 (sorry, Officer, 18) have learned about C2H5OH not only in Dan Twidle's lab but also in the Dog & Bacon.

Moreover, the closure of Horsham's last brewery is a sharp reminder that being in existence for as long as anyone can remember is no guarantee of permanence. That applies as much to the OCA as it does to King & Barnes, which is why we are appealing for your help to ensure that the OCA not only continues, but continues to be successful.

For despite the disturbing headline of this Newsletter, I am looking back on an eventful year for the OCA. The Piano 2000 appeal was launched at the 1999 Reunion Dinner and has now raised enough to buy a good piano for the College in memory of my predecessor, John Chivers. We now have a web site through which Old Boys and former College students can renew friendships from all over the world. There is more about both the web site and Piano 2000 in this Newsletter. Personally, I have been pleased and honoured to represent the OCA at the Old Mercers' Club, the Civic Guild and the Mercers' Company Dinners, where I have had the pleasure of meeting some of my counterparts from the other schools supported by the Mercers' Company.

As my year as President comes to an end, I would like to record my thanks to Bill Thomson, who created the website, and to Richard Richards, the treasurer for the past 13 years, and Malcolm Gates, the Newsletter editor, for their hard work and dedication. Richard and Malcolm are stepping down from your committee at the AGM on November 18th.

Next year, 2001, will mark the College's 25th anniversary. I hope that the OCA will be in a position to make (or remake) contact with past students who were at Collyer's during the transition, who started as pupils and pupated into students. They will know that the OCA is more relevant to them than more recent students do, since they will have at least some of the experience (merit marks, Pondtails and so on) that is shared whenever Old Boys meet, especially at the Annual Dinner. Long may it continue. Nick Rose

Committee Meetings

Subject to being able to field a committee for next year, meetings will be held at the College on the 22nd November, and in 2002 on the following Wednesdays: 7th February - 14th March - 16th May - 11th July - 26th September and 21st November. Meetings begin at 7.30 pm.

From the Secretary

It's easy to forget that the Piano 2000 appeal basically came about because of a couple of references in this newsletter in recent Winter Reunion reports to the School Song being sung unaccompanied. Personally, I rather like the au naturel sound of the massed OCs and their partners and guests, but I can understand how others feel that singing on Collyers' premises is missing something if there are no robust chords and assorted twiddly bits from the hands of a Jim Hodgson, Stanley Sutton or favoured pupil. Hence the desire for a real steam-powered (i.e. non-electronic) piano.

Alongside the debate on type, cost and funding of a suitable instrument another discussion has been running - on the subject of the song itself. The words were originally penned when Collyer's was a single-sex grammar school, and although the historical references are still valid, certain passages are inappropriate to a 21st century co- educational sixth-form college. Should the verse be left as it is, or should it be updated to meet the needs of the current College of Richard Collyer?

There is a strong case for the latter, but I would stress that we, as an Association, do not know if the college has any need, or even a desire, for a song. Suggestions that the English department might like to suggest a suitable revision bore no fruit. Perhaps somebody could enlighten us?

In the meantime the OCA, which does find a need for the song at least once per year, is divided on the issue. Some are strongly against any tampering with the lyrics; others feel we should reflect the changing times.

Following the 1999 reunion Derek Santer came up with a suggested revision. Derek says that at first he thought the idea of tampering with the song seemed sacrilegious, but found that it would be possible to make it meet today's needs with minimal alterations. It seems he was in fact so enthused by this that he wrote an additional verse, which he thinks would fit best between the original two.

In the hope of encouraging further debate and canvassing additional opinion, I reproduce Derek's revised version below.

1. In Collyer's School twas e'er the rule To sing our worthy founders praise. Who faring forth from Horsham town In London City won renown, An honest Mercer all his days.

Refrain From North to South, from East to west, On land and sea, in honour, quest, We've kept the lamp he lighted burning. And Old Collyerans ne'er forget The noble lesson Collyer set Of piety and learning.

2. As the times change, we rearrange Methods of our education Students of all creeds and grounding Still benefit from Collyer's founding All prepared for each vocation.

Repeat refrain

3. Through life's long race, God grant us grace To carry on the noble story And let us show to those who follow That still our motto is 'Honor Deo' To whom we render thanks and glory.

Repeat refrain

The Secretary continues... We have noticed that a small, but gradually increasing amount of enquiries about the OCA are being received by e-mail - particularly from prospective members now overseas. For a couple of years we have had a page on the College website, ably written by Alistair Inglis-Taylor, which gives the Secretary's e-mail address at the bottom. As even those of more advancing years, like myself, discover the delights of surfing the Internet and add our presence on the Web to that of the younger generation who have grown up with e-mail as a prime means of communication we can see that the new media can offer us many advantages.

With this in mind, the OCA has launched its own website, designed to give up-to-date information about the Association and its events, and to enable prospective members to print off the relevant forms and join us. Unfortunately we are never likely to grow big enough to become enabled for e-commerce so the whole joining process cannot be completed on-line. We have also included a discussion and message forum to enable members to share memories and ask questions about their time at Collyer's.

Although the site is now live and fully functional it is still under development; I hope to be able to redesign it shortly to look more attractive and make navigation easier, also to ensure that it works properly on all computers and with all web browser programs.

We needed to find a suitable domain name - with these being snapped up at a great rate of knots it's not surprising that all the variations of OCA have been taken, but we managed to register an appropriate title. The OCA Website can be found at http://www.oldcollyerians.org. With the domain name we get a number of e-mail addresses, so you can contact me at [email protected] the treasurer at [email protected] and so on. Bill Thomson

Interested in that Treasurer's Role?

Our outgoing Treasurer, Richard Richards has kindly put together this summary of duties to help anyone wanting to be considered for the role. If you want to know more, please contact Richard.

Purpose To act as the Association's financial controller and to account for all monies and property belonging to the Association.

Duties

 To formulate and advise Committee on financial strategy  To prepare annual report and accounts  To set, subject to AGM approval, adequate reserves for Life and Long Term members' funds  To prepare budgets for events  To receive monies and make payments  To manage the bank accounts and balances  To maintain an up to date inventory of property  To liaise with Trustees as regards the Association's investments  To prepare tax returns  To submit records for annual audit Annual Winter Reunion Dinner 2000 This years Winter Re-union Dinner will take place on Saturday 18th November and will, we hope, be the first of many to be enjoyed in the 21st Century. So please join us with your partners and guests - to help us make it a night to remember. Ticket prices are just £18.00 (the same price as last year) and you can apply for them here.

This year the event will include the formal presentation of the piano that our Piano 2000 appeal has allowed us to purchase for the College. It is planned that students will also give a short recital at the beginning of the evening in the Duckering Hall where the bar will be.

So the timetable, as we go to press, looks like this: 4.00 pm: AGM (for those who wish to attend and we hope that given the critical situation we find ourselves In, many of you will) in the Duckering Room. Please note 4.00 pm is earlier than usual. 5.15 pm: The College buildings (both old and not so old) will be open so that members may wander around without the fear of challenge by diligent prefects. 5.30 pm: Licensed Bar Opens in the Duckering Hall. This early part of the evening also provides an opportunity to look over selected memorabilia from the OCA archives that will be displayed in the Duckering Hall, as well as meet and greet old friends in an informal atmosphere over a drink or two. It's also a good idea to purchase your wine from the bar now to avoid the last minute rush! 6.15 pm: Piano 2000 presentation. Piano recital Duckering Hall (Bar closes temporarily) 6.30 pm: Bar re-opens (have you bought that wine yet?) 7.00 pm: Take seats for Dinner in the Students' Common Room 10.00 pm: After dinner there is usually time to return to the bar! It closes at 11.00 pm.

We can't predict who may be there looking forward to meeting you but we can share with you the names of some of those who have attended recent dinners! So, if you spot the names below of people that you would like to see again, why not get in touch with them now and make a date to meet at the Dinner. You'll find their addresses and telephone numbers on your copy of the Membership List.

Alan Gorringe; Alan Hawksworth; Alistair Inglis-Taylor; Andy Kynoch; B B Jones; Barry Clark; Barry Peay; Bill Thomson; Bob Smith; Brian Jones; Brian Sturt; C W Flack; Celia Jarratt; Chris Winckworth; Colin Stockford; Don Standen; Dave Picknell ;Dave Ware ;David Gillett; David Griffiths; David Limbrick; David Sawyer; David Tourle; David Worthington; Dennis Redford; Derek Fosberry; Derek Hill; Derek Senior; Dick Beckwith; Dick Tidey; Geoff Denny; Geoff Miller; George Naldrett; Gordon Kempson; Graham Ripley; Harold Blackman; Hartley Bishop; Howard Matthews; Hugo Miller; Ian Saunders; Jack Puttock; James Pullen; Jeffrey Smith; John Brooks; John Fruin; John Leppard; John Mann; John Speed; Keith Streeter; Ken Holmes; Lawrence Windwood; M A Brown; Malcolm Bailey; Malcolm Gates; Margery Lee; Mark Collins; Mark Gripper; Martin Brown; Michael Barnard; Michael Collins; Michael Parsons; Nicholas Tidey; Nicholas Weller; Nick Rose; Mick Polley; Nick Weller; Paul Baker; Paul Gripper; Paul Jefford; Paul Smith; Peter Ticehurst; Phil Day; R T Cook; Reg Napper; Richard Beckwith; Richard Hackett; Richard Jordan; Richard Richards; Robert Smith; Roger Hawksworth; Rob Worsfold; Roger Peay; Ron Glaysher; Sam Piggott; Simon Van Der Borgh; Stephen Avery; Steve Cottingham; Steve Hurry; Steve Pocock; Stuart Ritchie; Tim Walker; Tim Wooden; Tom Tidy; Tony Collins; Tony Davy; Tony Dickson; Tony Routley; Tony Webb. Piano 2000

I am delighted to report that Piano 2000 has reached a sum of £2,881. To all those members who contributed to Piano 2000 - thank you very much for your kind and generous donations. In addition to members' contributions, funds raised in memory of Jack Denman (1930- 36), who died earlier this year, were added to Piano 2000 together with a donation received from the Civic Guild of Old Mercers. A generous bequest left to the Association by John Chivers was also added to Piano 2000.

We are pleased to report that with this amount, Collyer's has been able to purchase a new quality upright piano - a Yamaha E116 - befitting the memory of John Chivers and worthy of the donations made to Piano 2000. The OCA thanks Robin Tebbs who has played a key role in identifying a suitable purchase, together with a friend of his who is a piano specialist.

A suitable plaque will be added to the piano as a reminder to those who enjoy using it in the future of the generosity of members of the Association. The proposed inscription will read: "Presented to Collyer's by The Old Collyerians' Association to mark the new millennium and in memory of John Chivers, President 1998/9."

If all goes according to plan, we shall be able to see the new piano at the Winter Reunion in November and hear it being played. The intention is that one of the older pianos will be moved to the Student Common Room so that, hopefully, John Leppard can play the School Song on the ivories.

Following the Spring Newsletter, some more letters were received in support of Piano 2000 and some of the comments are reproduced below.

Derek Paice (1937-1946) wrote to give his support to the 'wonderful idea' of Piano 2000, having played for 20 years after being taught by a lady who lived next door to his father's house in Cambridge Road. She was able to count the minutes he played each day! So noisy neighbours have been a problem for a lot longer than one would think!

Jack Coombes (Hurst oh dear 1929-1936) wrote to tell us that he was one of Stanley Sutton's piano and organ students and he used to have lessons in the old Boarders' Room (where was that?). The piano there was a semitone below pitch so when impromptu 'jam sessions' were held during the lunch hour, to be in tune with other instruments, he used to transpose everything up accordingly! So did jamming, short for a cacophony of munchtime noise, originate at Collyer's?

Jack still plays the organ on a regular basis at St Maurice Parish Church, Plympton. I bet the jamming days are over, though.

Richard Richards The OCA - bringing people together Malcolm Gates

When I sat in Horsham's Art's Centre (the Ritz to you) waiting for Pearl & Dean to make way for "Shakespeare in Love" a year - or was it two? - ago, I had no idea how that would lead me to spending a happy afternoon with one of my heroes, but thanks to the OCA it did.

The film, or rather its reference to Christopher Marlowe prompted me to write a piece for this newsletter about Collyers' 1967 production of his Dr. Faustus - you may recall it. My writing was subsequently "marked" out of ten by one of our members - the producer of that wonderful piece of theatre, my former English master, Frank Whitbourn. His unexpected letter has led to regular correspondence between us and earlier this year I was delighted to meet him again at his home in Winchester. Approaching his ninetieth birthday, I am happy to report that in the thirty years since I last saw him, Frank has lost none of his wit and enthusiasm for life, literature and the theatre with which he inspired me and many others.

I was therefore highly delighted to be passed a letter for inclusion in the newsletter from another Frank fan, former Collyers' pupil, Richard Hirst (1967 -1973). This letter was prompted by the piece in the Spring Newsletter entitled "School Plays - the importance of being honest".

Richard wrote: "I was an enthusiastic member of the cast of several Collyer's productions under the expert direction of Frank Whitbourn, beginning with Macbeth in 1971, the last in your list, but continuing with St. Joan in 1972 and Gawain and the Green Knight in 1973. (Actually these dates are a little out as, from memory, each of these productions was performed in the November of the previous year to those cited above).

My primary memory is, of course, the amazing work which Frank Whitbourn undertook in directing such large casts in such demanding pieces with such success. In addition Gawain and the Green Knight was written by him. It was also always tremendous fun - Sunday afternoon rehearsals in the Duckering Hall from I pm to 7pm with only one break to dive into Frank's famous boxes of Fox's biscuits.

The other member of staff who also made an outstanding contribution was Rose Davies, whose fiery Celtic emotions tempered with great sensitivity of performance made for excellent renditions of Lady Macbeth and St. Joan, both hugely demanding roles.

There was also "fun" during the performances themselves, which I suspect your column was really trying to get at. My own favourite, which involved myself as Merlin in Gawain, occurred at the end of a short piece I had to deliver on the apron before the curtain want up in the proscenium to reveal the Green Knight's castle. Or at least that's what should have happened.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Frank emerge from the gloom of the orchestra pit -during a brief pause he announced, in the greatest of stage whispers "Keep going, the bloody curtain's stuck!".

I gibbered on, probably incoherently (not difficult for me), for what seemed like an eternity, mindful of the increasing grunts and groans as unseen stage-hands laboured with whatever device was stuck behind me. After what seemed like an eternity, the curtain went up, and Chris Smith and Mark Butler, respectively a mirthful Green Knight and Gawain - carried on as if nothing had happened.

There were many fine individual performances in all these productions. The most memorable for my money was that of my old friend Jim Driver as the Porter in Macbeth - his portrayal of lascivious drunkenness was both as convincing as it was remote from his own off-stage persona.

I carried on my enthusiasm for acting at Oxford University where I appeared in many productions at different Colleges and at the Oxford Playhouse as well as at the Edinburgh Festival and touring the US and Canada for three months with A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1977.

For these memorable experiences, I have Frank and my fellow cast members both on and off-stage at Collyer's ultimately to thank". JOTTINGS

Jack Coombes (Hurst l929-1936) appreciates that the School Song does not reflect the current position but feels the second verse "Through life's long race, God grant us grace..." is as relevant as it ever was and should not be changed. He goes on to say " I have always considered Stanley Sutton's tune to be first class and very stirring when sung with enthusiasm and I feel strongly that this should not be changed in any way. I feel very honoured to have been taught to play it by the composer"... Ian Morrin (1937 - 45) writes: With regard to school plays I was in Bony [sic] 1944 playing a yokel together with Eric Thompson. I don't recall any great mishaps on this. However I remember when we did excerpts from 'Merchant of Venice' for school consumption only, there were several things 'not quite right'. Shylock's plastic nose came to pieces amongst other things as I am sure Margery Lee will remember, she was almost hitting her head against the wall with frustration....On another track, how many people remember the Young Farmers Club we had? It started in the early 40s with Philip Codd as chairman and myself as secretary. The highlight in my time was the YFC show at Arundel Castle where we gathered and some took part in a cow judging contest. We had trained for this at Christ Hospital Estate where Philip Codd's father was the agent. I am sorry to say we didn't win any prizes but a good day was had by all. OCA Noticeboard

4th Centenary Fund

This is our own registered charity, established at the 4th Centenary of the founding of Collyer's, used to assist anyone who is or has been at Collyer's in the furtherance of their education. The only source of income is from Old Collyerians. A collection is made at the Annual Dinner and Fund Treasurer, Roger Peay is always pleased to receive donations: Roger Peay, 34 Forestfield, Horsham, Sussex, RH13 6DR (Tel: 01403 258605)

Civic Guild of Old Mercers

The Installation Dinner of the new Guildmaster, Old Mercer Professor B.L. Jacobs, was held at Tallow Chandlers Hall on 6th June, 2000. Nlnetysix Gulldmen and their guests, the largest number ever except for the 50th Anniversary dinner, were welcomed by the Master, Wardens and their Ladies in the Courtyard of the Hall on one this summer's rare sunny and warm evenings. Musical entertainment was provided by students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, who performed a program me of popular songs from favourite post war musicals. The Guildmaster is planing an interesting series of social events for his year of office. At the time writing, Guildmen and guests have attended a concert at the Royal Academy of Music, have visited the Salomon Centre near Tunbridge Wells and a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Opera House. There are plans for a visit to the newly reopened Guildhall Art Gallery. Anyone who is interested in joining the Guild, can obtain details from the Guild's Old Collyerian representative: Bob Smith, 95 Whitebeam Ave. Bromley, Kent, BR 2 BDN (Tel 0181 417 5217).

Richard Collyer Lodge and Chapter

The Richard Collyer Masonic Lodge is almost as old as the OCA having been formed in 1927, while the Chapter is a mere junior having been formed in 1958. Both are very active organisations and meet regularly at Horsham Masonic Hall. The Lodge members would be delighted to hear from any old Collyerians who would like further details or who might be interested in joining. Full details may be obtained from the Secretary of the Lodge: Robert Phillips, Lodge Farm Cottage, Chesterton, Oxon, OX6 8XA.

Annual Members are reminded that their 2000/2001 Membership Subscriptions (£2.OO) fell due on 1st September. Please send outstanding subs. to the membership secretary as soon as possible He is Nick Rose, 16 Purton Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RHI2 2HA.

Collyerian Colours Single motif design OCA ties are available from Roger Peay - price £5.50 (or £5.00 if you include a SAE with your order).

The full newsletter also includes membership details, which because of data protection regulations, we cannot publish online in a publicly