THE PANGBOURNIAN The magazine of the OP Society No 51 2021 IN THIS ISSUE: • The College in the year of Covid • OPs and the pandemic • 25 years of co-education • Remembering World War 2 • News of OPs H1832-Pangbournian v4.indd 1 03/02/2021 10:49 THE TWO MESSAGES - FROM OUR 2020 AND 2021 CHAIRMEN AN HONOUR AND A long in the memories of those that PANGBOURNIAN were able to attend. I have no doubt The magazine of the OP Society No 51 2021 GREAT MEMORY that, when we are able to return to a form of normality, the planned Falklands weekend event will be every bit as enjoyable and memorable. It was unfortunate for me that the CONTENTS Covid-19 pandemic brought to an all- too early conclusion my participation OP Society fulfilling an increasingly 3 Welcome From the OP Society Chairmen, the in an array of events which had to be significant purpose for both the Chairmen of the Board of Governors, and the Headmaster cancelled but which usually I would College and especially younger OP’s have attended. We can only hope of both genders. Given that this latest The last few years acting as 7 News 9 14 that everything will return to as near edition of the OP Magazine marks the By and about Old Pangbournians in 2020 Chairman of the OP Society have to normal as possible before long. 25th Anniversary of co-education at been a privilege,” writes DAVID In the meantime, Phillip Plato has the College, I do hope more female 12 OP Clubs NICHOLSON (64-68). picked up the mantle, and I am more OPs will consider taking an active part Reports on OP yachting and golf in 2020 When first approached by Mark than confident that he will steer the in the life of the Society. Dumas and Merrick Rayner to take OP Society in a most effective and inclusive manner. This is a challenging time for the 14 The Covid Pandemic on the position, I was, to say the least, College which, out of unfortunate dubious but the support and friendship How some OPs responded to the challenge in 2020 16 20 To be Chairman of this Society of ours necessity, has had to make some provided by Thomas Garnier and his is an honour and it has been a period in difficult decisions including changes 16 Photo Essay wife Alex, Karen Hartshorn and my my life which I will remember, as with to the external relations staff on The Covid Year at the College fellow members of the Society assisted my time at the College between 1964 whom the OP Society relies so heavily. me greatly in my tasks. and 1968, with great fondness. Accordingly, my immediate objectives 20 From the Archives A number of events which took place December 2020 will be focused upon clarifying and Remembering the Nautical College, and OPs in WW2 during my tenure will remain in the establishing new procedures for managing the Society and establishing 31 44 memory – those that, in normal times, LOOKING AHEAD 22 The Female Impact occur with annual regularity such as WITH CONFIDENCE working relationships with personnel Founders’ Day and Remembrance who are new to both the College and A generation of co-education at Pangbourne assessed Credits & Contacts Sunday – but also our first OP event AND OPTIMISM our organisation. Editor: Robin Knight 27 Diary and Key Contacts in the USA so ably arranged for us by I feel hugely honoured to be elected Change is always challenging, but I Cover Image: Remembrance Day 2020 - Charlie Bown and his wife Anne in What's happening and who to contact as Chairman of the Old Pangbournian see this moment as an opportunity for the Upper Sixth and Marching Band take part in October 2017. A visit to Chicago is Society,” writes PHILLIP PLATO improving what the Society does and a parade and Act of Remembrance on the parade more than worthwhile at the best of (72-77) “even if it is a stark reminder of how it functions. I will always welcome 28 Campus Life ground – © Richard Follett times, but in the presence of fellow one’s advancing years! suggestions from any members, News and highlights from the College Design: Hyperbole Design & Marketing Ltd OPs, the HM and Karen Hartshorn, it whether former students or honorary made the visit doubly enjoyable. Although I am new to the OP Production and Distribution: NP Design & Print OPs, as to where the Society might 34 Committee, I have maintained close Books do better both for the benefit of the Submissions: [email protected] Another memorable event which took contact with the College since I left Reviews and Interviews College and for our global network of The editor wishes to thank Mrs Alexandra Garnier place was the impeccably arranged visit in 1977 and just hope I can do half members. I look forward to meeting (Hon OP) for her ongoing contributions. to the RY Britannia in June of 2019. as good a job as my two immediate 36 Obituaries Robin Paine (assisted and facilitated many of you in the next few years as Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, Reading, predecessors, David Nicholson & Requiescat in pace so ably by Tony Morrow), is the most well as welcoming into the Society all Berkshire RG8 8LA Merrick Rayner, who I must thank for accomplished of planners. The event, leavers at the College as they finish their respective efforts in the role. 46 OP Society Reception: +44 (0)118 984 2101 which was aided by beautiful weather, their time at Pangbourne. Officers; Other Information www.pangbourne.com was a delight and one which will last As I take over, I really want to see the January 2021 2 The Pangbournian Issue 51 2021 3 H1832-Pangbournian v4.indd 2 03/02/2021 10:49 H1832-Pangbournian v4.indd 3 03/02/2021 10:49 TWO MESSAGES TO OPs FROM THE LOOKING AHEAD WITH CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD RENEWED OPTIMISM WHAT A YEAR! magazine, but suffice to say the In his own words, the new Chairman of the Board, College is in good heart at present. But PATRICK ROBERTS (71-76), “arrived at Pangbourne in 2020 has been a year like no other, we are not complacent, and we are January 1971 for a largely unspectacular five years, although writes ROGER LANE-NOTT (58- all working towards the future. There I managed to climb to heights of Chief Cadet Captain 63), and we can only hope that the are many issues we need to consider. of Harbinger, more through luck than good judgement. pandemic will be beaten, and we can get Affordability, changing demographics, Sandhurst and the Army followed, where I realised that drill back to some form of normal in 2021. and our recruitment area are just three outside Devitt had not been totally in vain, and then I was of many. The College has been through an commissioned into the 13th/18th Royal Hussars where I extremely challenging time and it has The OP Society Committee is joined a number of fellow OPs. been exceedingly difficult for both important to us, and we need to keep all My regimental service was standard for those days: staff and pupils alike. We cut the Lent OPs as close as possible to the College. swimming pool including new Germany, Northern Ireland and fun in Cyprus. I attended the term short, lowered the fees by 25% I hope Old Pangbournians will always changing rooms, floodlights on the Staff College, Camberley, followed shortly afterwards by an for the Summer term and started an feel that they are part of our legacy and Astro pitch and the recruitment of an extraordinary period of providing be proud of what has been achieved excellent new Bursar and several new exciting tour as Chief of Staff British Forces in Bosnia during home learning online every day. The over the last 100+ years. I certainly am! Governors to improve the gender and a troubled 1993. I then commanded 1st Battalion the Green Staff did a tremendous job, and it also I must pay tribute to David Nicholson skill balance. Howards, an armoured infantry battalion based in Germany, reflected well that we had updated our who has stood down as Chairman of Warminster and West Belfast. IT to such an extent that we were able the OP Society and wish his successor The highlight of my years, however, to cope with the demand. I left the Army after command in early 2003 to become Phillip Plato every success. will be the Centenary and the visit of time I sail (dinghies at Itchenor, and a yacht currently in the Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Bursar at Cranleigh School. The School today has about Baltic) and was one of the original members of the OPYC. Despite all this we did very well at I have been on the Board for ten years Highness the Duke of Edinburgh for 1,000 pupils, 420 staff, and schools in Abu Dhabi and I also shoot, enjoy Lakeland walks, read history whenever both A levels and GCSE – all based, – seven years as Chairman – and it is the Centenary Service in 2017. China. I am a Trustee and Treasurer of West Horsley Place of course, on Teachers’ assessments time allows and still just about manage a reasonable game time for me to stand down. At the Trust. I live south of Chichester and have been married to after the Government hiatus. We end of November, I handed over to I made the decision to stand down of squash.” Hetty for 37 years and have three daughters.