BEDALES ASSOCIATION & OLD BEDALIAN NEWSLETTER 2016
The Lavenham Press, Water Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9RN
CONTENTS
WELCOME 2
HEAD’S REFLECTIONS ON 2015 3
REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS 5
UPCOMING REUNIONS 11
A YEAR AT BEDALES 12
MUSICAL MEMORIES 15
PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED 16
SHOWTIME CHALLENGE 17
BURSARIES EXPLAINED 18
OB PROFILES 21
ART & DESIGN 24
BEDALES ARTS 26
LEST WE FORGET 27
STAFF PROFILE 29
NEWS IN BRIEF 31
OBITUARIES 37 Abigail Browne 37 Alan Gent 38 Allan St John Dixon 40 Charles Ian Milward O’Brien 41 David Robinson 42 Hermione Cock (née Hawkins) 42 Jane Evans (née Brown) 44 John Gilmour Slater 45 Lyn Perry 46 Penelope Massey Stewart (née Lynex) 46 Shirley Guest 47 Sophy Tatchell 49
BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS 52
DEGREE RESULTS & DESTINATION OF LEAVERS 54
Contents • 1 WELCOME by Sylvia Kahn-Freund, Chair of the Bedales Association Steering Group
elcome to the Bedales W Association Newsletter 2016. Over the last year, the Association has again supported the Eckersley Lecture and we are now in the fourth year of the Association’s Global Awareness lecture series, this year given by Shami Chakrabarti. We marked the long service of four members of staff at the Association hosted drinks reception on Parents’ Day in June. Reunions flourished; the 10 and 25 year events took place on Parents’ Day and a 45/46 year reunion on the day after. Looking ahead, the changes to the Association’s constitution agreed at the AGM last June mean that membership includes former parents and staff as well as pupils without payment of a joining fee. The underlying purpose of the Association remains, as always, to provide support for and to advance the educational purposes of the Bedales Schools charity; to promote discussion on educational policy and related topics; to help fundraising for buildings, activities we plan to hold one of our a huge and heartfelt thanks to Tosh equipment and bursaries; and to two annual meetings in London. Denholm who, as Chairman, has foster extended relationships between The Steering Group aims to cast the guided the Committee so wisely parents, staff, Governors, former pupils Association net across all generations over the better part of ten years. and the wider Bedales community. of OBs, former staff, parents and the In spite of a stressful day job with the The Association will work more wider Bedales community to make it NHS Tosh has been most generous closely with the External Relations possible for many more members to with her time, supporting new Office and be directed by a Steering initiate or participate in our events initiatives, resolving differences with Group. It will encompass a number of programme. We hope that there will subtle diplomacy and keeping our related activities and committees, such as be many of you who find something of activities on track with unflagging the Events Committee and the growing interest in the list of upcoming events. enthusiasm. Finally, we’d love to hear OB input to the Professional Guidance We hope you will keep in touch, make your feedback on this Newsletter. programme. To encourage a wider suggestions and get involved. Thank you so much. representation on the Steering Group One behalf of the Association and participation in the Association’s Committee that was, I want to say Sylvia Kahn-Freund (1964-70)
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2 • Welcome HEAD’S REFLECTIONS ON 2015
ooking back on 2015, I see a year L which has been as colourful and engaging as any of the 14 since I have been in post. It is difficult to describe to those who do not know Bedales, the particular flavour that it, Dunhurst and Dunannie have. I sometimes try to illustrate this colourful distinctiveness by talking the curious visitor through a Bedales early morning notices – that (now) weekly event which provides such a medley of happenings – an invitation to buy freshly crushed apple juice can jostle against a heart-rending plea for a particular cause; a history lunch time lecture might be promulgated via a pantomime horse. As Dryden said of his hero Chaucer: “All God’s plenty is here.” Independent-mindedness, student initiative and zesty humour abound. So, if you are fearful of creeping greyness turning British education into a sludge of grim homogeneity in the post-Gove landscape, draw at least a little comfort from the continued strong flame of independence that positioning our students well for these school who come from overseas has burns on our little hill in Steep. Take a challenges. Let me allude here briefly to been an aim over recent years and I morsel of reflected glory in the fact two areas. Global Awareness – shortly am pleased that we are maintaining that Sevenoaks have decided to follow to be a BAC subject and supported a good geographical range, with China, our lead with courses that mirror our both by a thriving student involvement Russia, continental Europe (France Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs). and by a student exchange programme and Italy especially) being to the Relish the idea that, as the required whose focus is mainly on the USA and fore, as the number of overseas standard A Level diet drops to three India – is a strong thread that runs passport holders approaches 7% – A Levels, Bedalians are embracing through our daily lives. It is increasingly a very small proportion relative to the new set of enrichment courses difficult to feel that the ‘Bedales Bubble’ other UK boarding schools, but still that they do alongside their A Levels, is unpunctured. The Professional a welcome boost to the diversity enabling them to start a new language Guidance department, helped greatly of our community. Our bursary or even learn how to do oak-framing. by the enthusiastic response of OBs programme, a cause I know is very The increasingly competitive world to the call for those willing to guide dear to OBs’ hearts, as it is to mine, of work, where (we are told) a growing current students in their area of continues to expand. The combination number of previously safe middle class professional expertise, is making good of the 5% of fees committed to jobs are being automated, will require headway in organising events when financial support, plus the (now very) core skills of collaboration, flexibility of OBs and current students can meet significant amount given each year by mind and the ability to communicate and our youngsters can benefit from the Bedales Grants Trust Fund, the with a range of people from different your hard won experience. John Badley Foundation grants and cultures and backgrounds. Although all Diversity within the school body other educational grant-making trusts schools too often prepare people for is helped by increasing the number that we are in partnership with mean a world which has changed out of all of students and staff who go out, that approximately £1.1 million is recognition by the time they emerge, visit other places and return with being committed to financial support blinking nervously, into the world of the benefit of a changed perspective. this academic year – a figure that work, I think that we are increasingly Increasing the proportion of the I am very proud of. In this respect,
Head’s Reflections on 2015 • 3 HEAD’S REFLECTIONS ON 2015
as with our building programme, peculiar, demanding, all-consuming but class where his métier has been we have been greatly helped by the deeply fulfilling life of a boarding school most influential: an inspiration to the generosity of OBs, especially through educator. This year we said goodbye to followers of the dismal science, a much some significant legacies of late. The tax two teachers whose influence has been loved critical friend to his invariably incentives to give to charities remain particularly decisive for many of you. wayward tutees, the straight talker par strong, both for lifetime gifts and Michael Truss’s eight years at Bedales excellence and the zealous football legacies. Please see article by Alumni saw his gifts as a Maths teacher extend coach, his impact on generations of Officer, Philip Parsons on page 17 for beyond the classroom. We have much Bedalians has been a pervasive and more information. to be thankful for: his work as head of powerful one. Although John claims Happily, the energy and commitment academic enrichment, his leadership to be retiring from the front line of to the school’s founding ideals and the of the Maths department and his education, we know he will remain willingness of all students and staff to championing of Maths as a cool thing, engaged with schools as he moves to make their voices felt mean that we enabling, for example Block 5s who had Frensham Heights where his wife Becks can apply a great deal of heft in areas trembled at the prospect of the subject, (née Hobson) is deputy head. that are identified as being of crucial to go into the sixth form knowing If you visit, as I hope you will, on importance across the three schools. (in the words of his end of summer Parents’ Day (25 June 2016) you will This academic year two priorities reports) that the subject “need hold no be able to see our magnificent new have gained considerable traction: fear.” We wish Michael all good fortune Art & Design building opened. The student leadership has capitalised on in his new leadership role at Barnard end of year exhibitions will be in this the good work done by last year’s 6.2 Castle School. stunning new setting. The photos on with the dons initiative, whereby 6.2s John Scullion’s 26 years at Bedales page 24 give you an appetizer. I don’t with particular passions for individual incorporated many roles: joining as head think you will be disappointed. Planning subjects take a lead (under the quirky of Economics he was head of sixth is in full swing on how we can use the title of ‘don’) alongside teachers in form, day boys’ housemaster, assistant buildings vacated by Art and Design promoting that subject and mentoring head co-curricular and latterly deputy to fulfil some much needed functions younger students; wellbeing and mental managing head. In the latter role he – a sixth form centre, 6.1 studies, health has benefited tremendously proved to be a huge source of worldly Professional Guidance and OB offices from a student committee which has Bedalian wisdom to three managing and a drama and dance studio facing set the pace and which is already heads – Leo Winkley, Dominic Oliver the Olivier Theatre are all on the influencing attitudes and helping and now Louise Wilson. But, however shopping list. establish new systems. notable his contribution at that level has I look forward to welcoming you Nothing would be possible were the been, it is at the face to face, “fronting back in 2016. school not able to attract and retain up” (to use a well-worn Scullionism) teachers who are prepared to live the business of tutorial or Economics Keith Budge
Parents’ Day 2016 Saturday 25 June All Old Bedalians and members of the Bedales Association are welcome.
• Exhibitions • Afternoon Tea • Concert in the Quad • Dance & Drama performance • Opening Ceremony of the Art & Design building
Please reserve tickets well in advance for concert and performances to avoid disappointment. Free tickets available from the Box Office 01730 711 511 or [email protected]
4 • Head’s Reflections on 2015 REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
St Luke’s Concert 5 March 2015
Bedales students, some of which are now OBs, performed a lunchtime concert at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea. Many OBs attended the event, as well as parents, prep and primary school teachers and pupils. They enjoyed a rich variety of performances, preceded by lunch.
Visit from Peter Wright the Dining Hall, when he first realised into the police and were soon deposited 21 April 2015 he wanted to become a dancer – but back at Bedales. At 16, Peter managed to as the profession was not approved join German choreographer Kurt Jooss Sir Peter Wright (1938-40) returned of by his father, Peter absconded with on tour as an apprentice. This was the to Bedales to talk to students about friend Karin Antonini (née Barnsley, start of a glittering 70-year career on the his ballet career. Peter recalled that 1939-43). Following a freezing night in a stage and included the establishment of it was an improvised performance in Somerset field, they turned themselves the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Exeter Reunion (née Bird, 1977-82) Head 9 June 2015 of Geography at Exeter School and colleague of Nine OBs all connected Graham Banks (former with the University of Exeter Housemaster and Head of met in The Old Fire House, English, 1980-2013). It was a Exeter, with two former very pleasant evening, and a and two present members very useful way of updating of staff. The OBs included each other on developments Rebecca Langlands (1985-90) at Exeter and Bedales and Associate Professor of maintaining the extended Classics at Exeter, Helen Sail Bedales family.
Reviews of OB Events • 5 REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
Oxford Reunion with OB Oliver Jacobs 11 June 2015 (1946-52), Emeritus Fellow of Engineering at St John’s Nine OBs currently College. The eclectic mix studying at the University made for much interesting of Oxford met up at the conversation as school links Old Bank Hotel, Oxford. were renewed and the value First, second and third year of the Bedales network in undergraduates attended. offering shared experience, Also with them were four professional guidance and current and two former opportunities for mentoring members of staff together came to the fore.
Beyond Bedales Higher Education and Careers Fair 20 June 2015
Over 40 OBs (2012-14 6.1 students were able to leavers) currently studying talk to OBs about a wide or starting their careers, variety of university options attended the Beyond and career paths, and Bedales Higher Education enjoyed hearing about their and Careers Fair on 20 June. student/work lives.
6 • Reviews of OB Events REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
10 & 25 Year Reunions Special thanks to Stephen Davidson 27 June 2015 (2000-05), Alexandrina Hemsley (2000-05), Laura Greene (1985-90) The well-attended 10 and 25 year and Johanna Walker (1985-90) reunions for the classes of 2005 and for their excellent organisation of 1990 took place on Parents’ Day. the reunions.
44/45 Year Reunion 28 June 2015
The classes of 1970 and 1971 gathered for the combined 44 and 45 Year Reunion on the morning after Parents’ Day. The group enjoyed a drinks reception followed by lunch in the Dining Hall and guided tours.
A Level Results Day ever percentage of A* grades at 17%. 13 August 2015 They secured places at a range of prestigious universities, art colleges and The class of 2015 achieved strong A music colleges (see Destinations of Level results, with the school’s highest Leavers 2015 on page 54).
Reviews of OB Events • 7 REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
The Stansted Players 27-30 August 2015
The Stansted Players held their 25th annual production in the Olivier Theatre. The group of OBs (led by Alastair Langlands, former staff 1973-2001) put on a wonderful performance of Jerome K Jerome’s The Master of Mrs Chilvers over four nights.
OB Careers Talk Many thanks to Dominic 25 September 2015 Ashton, Josephine Beynon, Ben Endley, Charlotte Nine OBs from the class Gibson, Rose Grey, David of 2005 made a special Ivison, Katie Manning, visit to talk to 6.2s about Sophie Taylor-Gooby and their studies and careers Harry Walker for their since leaving Bedales. precious time.
OB Football Match 1st XI boys’ team. By the end 12 September 2015 of a great match, the OBs had managed to retain the trophy The mighty Stoner men’s with a 5-1 win. Many thanks to football team returned to the Jack Deane (2004-09) who Mem Pitch again last year for did an excellent job managing their match against the Bedales the OB footballers.
8 • Reviews of OB Events REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
Reunion 1963-67 27 September 2015
40 OBs who left between 1963 and 1967 returned to Bedales for a Sunday Lunch scheduled to coincide with the Badley Celebration Weekend. They enjoyed a music performance by current Bedalians in the Lupton Hall, a meal in the Dining Hall and tours by 6.2s.
Civics Talks from OBs education of prisoners 16 October 2015 through music. Emily and Robin gave an enlightening Emily Vermont (2004-06) Civics lecture which then and her colleague Robin prompted some in depth Harris visited Bedales questioning from current to discuss the charity, Bedalians. Many thanks to Finding Rhythms, which they Emily and Robin for their time co-founded to help the and enthusiasm that evening.
4 December 2015 breakdown of Enron and at the end of the lecture Robin Nuttall (1983-88) there was an in-depth returned to Bedales to question and answer give a Civics lecture on session covering topics corporate and social such as inequality and responsibility to Bedales wage difference. Robin also students. Robin is a leader generously brought copies in Public Sector Practice of his book, Connect, at McKinsey. He identified to hand out to students. areas of interest ranging Many thanks to Robin for from Unilever to the inspiring current Bedalians.
Reviews of OB Events • 9 REVIEWS OF OB EVENTS
EDINBURGH GATHERING had by all is certainly testimony to the mixed aged dormitory system that takes place from Block 3 through to 6.1. Thank you to John Badley for this. Speaking to my friends at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, I suddenly realised what a cool place Bedales really is, because they all seemed to think going for lunch with students from other years was an odd thing to do. I suppose at schools such as Marlborough College, Eton and Harrow (typical feeder schools for the RAU), Badley’s methods would certainly seem unorthodox. I like how this Edinburgh gathering illustrates that a splash of unorthodoxy is really how the real world works; every day involvement with people from other ages is a necessity. The waitress at Pizza Express was amazed by the amount of laughs that were had particularly over the hashtag #comebackatbreaktimedarling. Please get in touch with Reuben Thompson (reubenthompson1995@ splendid afternoon was had by probably because you are unaware gmail.com) or Philip Parsons (pparsons@ A13 OBs on Sunday 8 November, of the term ‘Netflix and Chill’ which bedales.org.uk) if a group of OBs would 2015. Approximately 435 miles from has recently become an international like assistance in organising a Reunion Bedales School, a large number of phenomenon with university students. similar to the Edinburgh one. OBs found themselves in Edinburgh The range of ages and great due to The British University Dry conversation (mostly reminiscent) Reuben Thompson (2008-13) Slope (BUDS) Championships that Edinburgh University hosted. This event also coincided with Reading Week for YEARLY GET TOGETHERS Bristol and St Andrews University. Pictured from left to right: Zara hen I was at Bedales (oh so many years ago), I remember OBs of Huband (2010-15), Jemima Viner W a certain age coming down to school to visit and thinking ‘oh! How (2009-14), Claudia Turner (2007-12), old they look’! Now I guess my classmates and I fall into that category. For Charlie Wetherill (2006-11), Angus the last few years we, ‘the girls’ have been having a yearly get together and Carey-Douglas (2009-14), Lara for the last couple of years have included ‘the boys’. Time seems to slip Johnson-Wheeler (2007-11), Rufus away, including the wrinkles, and what fun it has been to meet up again and Gooder (2010-15), Lily Wetherill catch up. A couple of years ago we managed to get people together from (2010-15), Emily Knight (2009-11), as far afield as Canada, US, Israel and Ireland. Memories of Bedales flowed, Reuben Thompson (2008-13), Laura some good and some not so good, which surprised me as I loved my time at Stewart (2007-12), Sarah Qandeel Bedales. Last year, for various reasons, we were a smaller number in my flat in London, but that did not stop the enjoyment and catching up and I supplied (20 09-11) and Lucy Duncan (2007-12). the lunch and they contributed to my charity of choice: Crisis. In this day and With 2/4 of the Wetherill Clan in age it is far easier to trace people who you may have lost touch with through attendance it was certainly a good the computer. Enjoyment reigns and a charity profits. Just do it! chance for a spot of Netflix and Wetherill. Apologies go to those OBs Serena Abrahams (née Pollak, 1952-54) who find this joke unfunny. This is most
10 • Reviews of OB Events UPCOMING REUNIONS
his year, the three summer reunions will be taking place on Parents’ Day, Class of 1991 Reunion T Saturday 25 June. All the usual events and entertainments will be available. The 25 year reunion for the class of 1991 will start late afternoon Class of 2006 Reunion and conclude with a Block Barbecue Party in and around the The 10 year reunion for the class of 2006 will start late afternoon and conclude Sotherington Barn. with a Block Barbecue Party by the Cricket Pavillion. Invitations were sent out Invitations were sent out in in March. If you should have received one but did not, please get in touch with March. If you should have received Jamie or Ipek: one but did not, please get in Jamie McInnes Ipek Genscu touch with Nicola or Leana: [email protected] [email protected] Nicola Lack 07711873784 07766352364 [email protected] 07956 429 857 Leana Seriau [email protected] 01730 711 572
Classes of 1980 and 1981 Reunion
The 35/36 year reunion for the classes of 1980 and 1981 will start late morning and conclude with a Marquee Lunch by the Cricket Pavillion. Invitations were sent out in March. If you should have received one but did not, please get in touch with Leana or Molly:
Leana Seriau [email protected] 01730 711 572
Molly Cross (née Scott) [email protected] 07979 604 367
Upcoming Reunions • 11 A YEAR AT BEDALES The below are examples from the school’s weekly bulletin, to give a flavour of life at Bedales in 2015.
6.2 physicists visited Geneva; exploring anti-matter, accelerating particles and peering into the past. We were so thrilled to have the opportunity to visit CERN, the largest laboratory in the world, where we were met by PhD students who were keen to show us just how far curiosity can take you! We ventured 100m underground to the CMS detector on the Large Hadron Collider. It’s a whopping 27km long ring, where particles whizz around, at close to the speed of light. We stood in awe at the site where the Higgs Boson was first observed. We made visits to the museums of the Red Cross and History of Science, and topped off our exciting adventure with lots of snow and laughter!
Exploring The Romantics By Ed Mason, Teacher of English and Day Boys’ Housemaster
Will Purkhardt (6.1) who won the Sixth Form category
OMG photography competition By Ellie Kleinlercher, 6.1
The student led Photojournalism activity created a photography competition for the students of Bedales. The aim of the competition was to encourage more people to A small group of 6.2 headed to the West Country to explore feel confident about taking photos and encourage them to the works of The Romantics, part of the A2 syllabus. On arrival submit photos that they may have just taken on their phones. in Bristol we walked across Clifton Down to the Camera The competition had two prize categories (Blocks and Sixth Obscura where there was a brief class on the ‘Sublime, Form), and the photos submitted ranged from self portraits Picturesque and Beautiful’ before we headed down inside the to nature to selfies. cave for a practical illustration of the sublime – and Brunel’s magnificent engineering. After a visit to the English Gothic Wills Building and City Museum, we headed to the ‘New 6.2 physicists visit world’s largest laboratory Lyrical Ballads’ poetry reading in the regenerated docklands By Oscar Braun-White and Aidan Bunce-Waters, 6.2 quarter. The Chair of the Arts Council, Antonia Byatt, introduced the evening and compère Ian McMillan whose pithy and enthusiastic introductions to each of the 23 poets showed the huge variety of contemporary writing in English.
First Bedales Earth Day By Tilly Driscoll-Smith, 6.1
Earth Day got everyone thinking about the environment and its issues, thanks to the Green Team. The afternoon started with the beautiful documentary Home, showing the progression of the Earth’s life, up to and including human input – good and bad.
12 • A Year at Bedales A YEAR AT BEDALES
After months of hard work drawing out, turning over (lots!) and eventually tending the allotments, different groups grew and harvested beetroot, lettuce, strawberries, potatoes, beans and much more. We prepared salads, vinaigrettes, and stir fries, before baking bread and cakes, making ice cream, and finally enjoying a feast in the sunshine by the Sotherington Barn. The celebrations were a chance for our parents to see the work we had done throughout the year in Outdoor Work and on the Badley projects. The final piece to the event was the hog roast; the piglets were reared throughout the year and then used as part of the final celebration. We hope this will become a new tradition at Bedales as it was great to see all of our efforts on display and in many cases ready to share with everyone.
‘Philosophy of…’ festival By Sam Harding, 6.1 Andrew Martin and Outdoor Work ran a sustainable building workshop, including the construction of a wattle and daub Bedales held its second annual ‘Philosophy of…’ festival; shed, and homemade vegetable soup and brown rolls. Maddy all sixth formers were able to attend talks on a wide range Harland gave us insight into the Sustainability Centre, as well as of topics tackled by six engaging and expressive speakers. her magazine Permaculture, while Katie Millward spoke about human/animal rights abuses all over the world, knowledge acquired through working as a journalist for EcoStorm and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. Beki Adam spoke about the dangers of Fracking and Adam Harper showed the links between politics/politicians and all of these environmental issues. Earth Day will hopefully become an annual tradition, and it is widely agreed that this was an excellent start.
Block 3 parents’ celebrations By Sam Pemberton, Ulee Berber, Emily Woolford and Meg Allin, Block 3
June 2015 saw the first Block 3 celebration lunches prepared completely by Block 3 and shared with staff and students. Olivia Fane and Rev. William Hughes spoke about the art of conversation and theology. Their insightful and thought-provoking lectures managed to easily hold the attention of at least a hundred sixth formers. After attending either Richard Burton’s ‘What ever happened to Seamus Heaney’ or Farhana Yamin’s ‘The wrongs and rights of climate change’, both passionate and inspirational seminars, the morning ended with ‘Burlesque, drag and woman in the media’ and ‘Reporting from the frontline’. Alice Boulton-Breeze involved the audience in a conversation about modern sexuality and Oggy Boytchev presented an honest and shocking insight into the life of an international journalist, providing an inspirational finish to the morning.
A Year at Bedales • 13 A YEAR AT BEDALES
Water supply installed by Bedalians in Swaziland By Eve Allin, 6.2
A team of 22 Bedalians and five teachers went to Swaziland in southern Africa to install a water supply in a rural primary school called Mafutseni. Bedales students and staff began the project by digging trenches to lay the pipe, and as the week progressed we were joined by the students from Mafutseni and the local community. By the end of the week we were able to see running water for the school, which was amazing. Both the kids and teachers at Mafutseni were incredibly giving, kind and welcoming – we were all so lucky to meet them. despite the chilly weather. For our two week stay we were given a regular Putney timetable and were shocked by there being only three lessons each day! However, in addition to these lessons we participated in activities such as gardening, landscaping, farm, meditation, yoga and fibre arts. We were also given barn duty – milking and cleaning out the cows – something we were told was all part of ‘the Putney experience’.
‘Earth to Paris’ plea from staff and students By Paul Turner, Head of Geography
With the immensely important United Nations Climate Conference – COP 21 running in Paris, Bedales students and staff felt they couldn’t stand by without showing their solidarity with the 195 world leaders. Seventy students
Living together in a removed situation from what we’re used to was surreal and really enjoyable. We had to cook, wash up, and shop for each other and that was great – I think it made us more willing to help each other out at the school, and that meant we could complete our project and give the school two new murals and a gate as well. Every student on the trip would agree it was incredibly fulfilling to be able to give back and continue our connection to the schools in Swaziland.
School in Vermont impresses Block 4s By Maisy Redmayne, Block 4
A fortunate group of Block 4 students spent two weeks at The Putney School, Vermont. Situated just outside the village of Putney, the school is surrounded by acres of woodland – and staff came together on the Memorial Pitch to send a which looked stunning in their ‘fall’ colours. Founded by educator message to the conference and spelled out the words ‘Earth Carmelita Hinton it holds similar values to Bedales and is to Paris’. The school quadcopter was used to take a suitable considered one of the most progressive schools in America. aerial photograph of the event and it was then tweeted using As students arriving there from a similarly regarded school in the hashtag #EarthToParis. Tutors have also taken a lead in England, it was interesting to see the differences but also the engaging students with some of the more contentious issues similarities. Putney had a constant buzzing, enthusiastic atmosphere arising from the conference. Follow @GBedales on Twitter.
14 • A Year at Bedales MUSICAL MEMORIES by Alastair Langlands
n the 1970s the choir was always I enormous, especially when it joined Winchester College in the Cathedral and sang Britten’s War Requiem with Bernard Levin in the congregation. This was characteristic of the admirable William Agnew: a large scale performance on the Friday and Saturday of Parents’ Day, rehearsals lasting one hour run at break-neck speed and full of humour, held in the Lupton Hall (William wearing always trousers of distracting pattern) where of course, in those days, all assemblies gathered. William would dominate the music Not a moment was wasted in choir Music school. Nicholas Gleed has, after school with his presence in practice practice and in orchestra rehearsal, decades of promise, seen additions to time, exhorting even the Middle too, it was a joy to be conducted by the building which now sparkles with School to be serious and attentive. Jonathan who knew the score to fresh paint and youthful zeal. He has Anyone who witnessed the wildly the last quaver and appreciated hugely encouraged students’ voices in attractive Phineas Finn has not forgotten what quality could be achieved by concerts and in evening Assemblies the memorable melodies (alas still students. We performed his students’ so that singers not only entertain locked in William’s head and never set compositions and toured abroad the school but leave possessed of a down in manuscript so that in the last where the sound of English choral confidence which fits their skill. Now 40 years no reprise has been possible). tradition is a rarity. He joined merrily in that Assembly is in the Quad, there is He was a pianist and I remember his our revues, Still Enthusiastic and Game an organ installed and a harpsichord Mozart concerto in the Quad. William to the End, always ready to encourage on hand. The variety can comprise a had a penchant for French music and, all musical activity. His choir was concert band (no strings attached) alas, after a dozen years of success, he robust and large and happily played and a Cecilia Consort and a Barbershop left us for that country. enthusiastic chorus to the professional Group. He enjoys setting for four part Could man in his mere twenties fill soloists he introduced in his concerts. songs widely broadcast as pop-music, the yawning space? Jonathan Willcocks His dozen years of joyful activity with often for the OB Stansted Players’ certainly did. He would cajole us ended with his move to head the annual production where he is an musicians at every break in the day and Junior Royal Academy of Music and his essential member. Orchestral tours to encourage to participate others who work as a composer. Italy have boasted a Bedales bursting had not yet realised their latent skill. Since 1990 the Parents’ Day concert with musicians. Does all this seem His energy was abundant and manifest, has presented a greater variety of forty years of serious activity? Well, not least when he played the cello. music from a fine supporting staff in the of course it is. Music is serious and immensely important. Everywhere. It is also tremendous fun. Growing out of the recently revived Merry Evening is the Rock Concert which sends the rhythm of this music department into the nervous system of everyone at Bedales, especially parents. Now that Art and Design is reaching architectural maturity how soon before the Music School explodes into a further exciting and infectious extension?
Alastair Langlands (Head of Middle School and Dunhurst 1973-83, William Agnew, Nick Gleed and Jonathan Willcocks at the Centenary Concert in January 1993 English Teacher 1983-2001)
Musical Memories • 15 PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED by Robert Booth
short stories or essays about Venice? Before I had thought of enough contributors I contacted two people who I thought would be ideal, Jennifer Paterson and Simon Raven. Jennifer I’d met through writing restaurant reviews and who I knew had spent a good chunk of her childhood in Venice. I rang her, but, happily for her, and sadly for my project she was just too busy finding fame and fortune as one of the Two Fat Ladies. At Cambridge, I had discovered the novelist Simon Raven. He had been, and as I then was, at King’s. My discovery was The Sabre Squadron, the third of what was to be his splendid 10 volume Alms for Oblivion series. Every year for the next seven years I eagerly awaited, and then s far as I can remember I first in the Autumn of 1906, and as a rapidly devoured and loved, the A became aware of the existence of result of his visit had written a series latest volume. What a treat that was! publishers in Block 3 having bought both of articles published in the Daily Mail. I rang him: The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley These were subsequently ‘melded “Will you write me a short story and The Later Work of Aubrey Beardsley together’ and in 1928 published in about Venice?” for the then colossal sum of thirty A Variety of Things, a collection of his “No.” Pause. “But I will write you shillings (£1.50), each. I was very essays. It has a first line to arouse a short novel.” soon smitten by the work of this anyone’s interest: ‘It may have been And so he did. Unusually, as I extraordinary, unique and precocious the sun that woke me; but I think it pleaded publicity deadlines, Simon genius (Beardsley died when he was was the silence’. produced a title for the book before just 25). From these two books of A Stranger had never been published he had finished it. Lawrence Toynbee treasures I soon became aware of as a separate volume. So I set to work, the artist who had done most of the a publisher by the name of Leonard and eventually with the help of a great cover designs for Alms for Oblivion, Smithers. It was he who had been book designer with connections in Italy, did one for me, and so was born responsible for publishing the majority out came my first publication. It sold my second publication, The Islands of Beardsley’s later, and greatest works. very well, this I believe was because of Sorrow. Smithers was to become very much a it appealed to nineties fans, Beerbohn What next? I’m writing books part of my life when I, for a good thirty collectors, Venetophiles and lovers of now and letting someone else worry years collected his publications, not beautiful books. about selling them. only because of Beardsley but because I had got the publishing bug, so all of his books were outstanding what next? What about a series of Robert Booth (1958-63) examples of beautiful books. It was my love of the 1890s that led to my first publishing venture. It all DO COME AND VISIT BEDALES began when a fellow nineties collector introduced me to A Stranger in Venice, edales students and staff love school; please therefore check-in an essay by Max Beerbohm which, B visits from OBs so do please with Wendy Hudson or one of somewhat to my surprise, I had never come and see us to catch up and her colleagues at Reception who heard of. Actually it was a double look around. As you are probably will be happy to see you back at surprise, as by this time I had fallen in aware, we have a legal requirement Bedales. Thank you – we hope you love with Venice as much as the 1890s. to register all visitors to the will understand. I learned that Max had been in Venice
16 • Publish and Be Damned SHOWTIME CHALLENGE
with nearly all of the cast being West End performers themselves. Once the shows are cast, the actors receive their scripts and scores and have to learn all of their material on their own, but no one is allowed to rehearse until 48 hours before the curtains come up! Each show is fully staged, fully choreographed, fully costumed and has a full live orchestra of WestEnd musicians. This year, Esther was directing. These shows began in 2004 with Sondheim’s Into The Woods, which JOHN HADEN was performed at the New Oxford Theatre in aid of the Oxford Children’s BADLEY SOCIETY Hospital. Showtime Challenge then moved to London with Sweet Charity Bedales has been very fortunate at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in to have benefitted from some ince leaving Bedales in 1999, 2006 for the British Heart Foundation, very generous and kind gifts over S Esther Biddle (1994-99) has been Showtime Challenge 3, Me and My Girl, the years, many of which have a professional actress and musician. at the London Palladium in 2008 for been offered to the school in Over the past thirteen years she has the Anthony Nolan Trust. Showtime memory of former Bedalians. specialised particularly in performing in Challenge 4, Crazy For You, at the The Sam Banks Pavilion and musicals and plays as an actor-musician, London Palladium in 2009 for Cecily’s the Kadian Observatory are two which has taken her all over the UK, Fund, and Showtime Challenge 5, The visible and impressible examples abroad and to the West End. Boy Friend, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in of this, but Bedales has also From Bedales, she went straight to 2011 for The Prince’s Foundation for been greatly helped by those the University of Bristol to read Music, Children and The Arts. who have been inspired by their and then onto Mountview Academy This year’s Showtime Challenge was school experience and choose to of Theatre Arts to train as an actress. Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Adelphi remember it in their will. Alongside her professional stage career, Theatre, London and was in support Legacies play a key part in Esther has been a producer and a of the charity, MIND. Please visit enabling Bedales to develop new director of a theatre company called www.showtimechallenge.co.uk to find facilities, improve existing ones Showtime Challenge, set up specifically out more about future performances. and fund bursaries to broaden to produce theatre for charity since she access to the school. All those who advise us of co-founded it in 2004. "Such wild bravery. It's impossibly exciting." Over the past eleven years, the Stephen Fry their intention to include the Showtime Challenge team have school in their will, are invited produced five full scale West End to join the ‘John Haden Badley shows and raised tens of thousands of Society’, which meets annually. pounds for charity. March 2016 saw the The Society is a good way of production of the sixth. And there’s a keeping members updated on Adelphi Theatre school developments and, above gimmick to these shows. They only have Sunday 20 March 2016 7.30pm all, of saying thank you for their 48 hours of rehearsals. Box Office: www.adelphitheatre.co.uk Showtime Challenge holds open 0203 725 7060 generous support. auditions months in advance, and Philip Parsons, Alumni Officer sees hundreds of actors over a few weekends. Most of the past casts are Please contact me professional musical theatre performers ([email protected]) if you themselves who are willing to give up would like to find out more about www.showtimechallenge.co.uk Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan New Music by Jeanine Tesori New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan leaving a legacy to Bedales. just one weekend to put on an entire Original Story and Screenplay by Richard Morris for the Universal Pictures Film - Originally Produced for Broadway by Michael Leavitt Fox Theatricals Hal Luftig Stewart F. Lane James L. Nederlander Independent Presenters Network L. Mages/M. Glick Berinstein/Manocherian/Dramatic Forces John York Noble & Whoopi Goldberg musical. And this year is no exception, This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.
Showtime Challenge • 17
BURSARIES EXPLAINED
How are Bursaries funded? financial support, through bursaries, to Match funding for the John Badley Whilst the application process is students whose family circumstances Foundation underway, work will be going on mean that an independent school Bedales Schools pledges to fund half behind the scenes to plan how education would normally be of every John Badley Foundation 100% to fund the bursary if it is far out of reach. bursary award. Therefore, every £1 awarded. The John Badley donated or raised for the Foundation There are several Bedales John Badley Foundation provides will be matched by the school. Schools Foundation different options: 100% bursaries Reg Charity No. Reg Charity No. and works closely I was so grateful for the opportunity 307332 1138332 Bedales Schools with partner to get off the beaten track. “ Bedales allocates Other Charities Bedales Grants charitable No one tried to judge me and 6% of fee income For example Trust Fund organisations such “there was no time to be nervous The SpringBoard every year to help Bursary Foundation, Reg Charity No. as The Springboard or introspective – there was fund bursaries. This The Rank 1036179 Bursary Foundation always far too much to do. Foundation, allocation of funds, Buttle UK and Buttle UK, to which is approximately provide boarding places Old Bedalian and £1 million per annum, supports for vulnerable children. John Badley Foundation bursary beneficiary students generally at bursary levels below 75% of the school fees. For more information about how to support the John Badley Foundation, please But, the school wants to do more contact Veryan Vere Hodge: [email protected] or 01730 711 697. to broaden access, increase diversity and offer full financial support, and has therefore established a separate charity – the John Badley Foundation, to help fulfil its ambitions. In addition, for existing Bedales families who suddenly find themselves facing financial difficulties, the school will provide means tested financial assistance when possible, to ensure that the student can continue with their education at Bedales.
The John Badley Foundation In founding Bedales, John Badley had the courage and vision to create a learning environment that still inspires teachers and parents today. Just five years after the school opened in 1893, it became fully co-educational. A boarding school for both boys and girls was seen as a highly a radical concept at that time. The John Badley Foundation (JBF) echoes Badley’s vision to create outstanding educational opportunities for more young people by offering
Bursaries Explained • 19 BURSARIES EXPLAINED
The Bedales Grants Trust Fund years as a trustee or board member Simon Latham (1993-98) The Bedales Grants Trust Fund (BGTF) of various Yorkshire-based charities. continues to chair the investment was founded in 1927 with the aim of Already, even before she has officially sub-committee of the trustees, providing financial support for students joined us, her expertise has been which includes Peter Hall (1975-80) at Bedales, with preference being given hugely useful as we deal with the and myself, and we are grateful for to children of Old Bedalians. This has legal intricacies of the Lilley bequest. his hard work and guidance. Peter, been extended over the years to cover Cathy replaces our departing in particular, has been instrumental children who have OB relatives, even Chair, Claudia Arney (née Jay, in the continuing strong financial if their parents are not OBs. Currently 1982-89), who steps down after six performance of the trust for which the BGTF are supporting just over a years on the board of trustees, most several young Bedalians should dozen students and the great majority of them as Chair. Claudia’s contribution be grateful. The board of trustees of them have strong OB connections. to the BGTF has been immense in is completed by Camilla Church providing steady, experienced and (1989-92). BGTF Update determined leadership, not least in The financial year 2014-15 has been carefully formalising our procedures Dennis Archer, Trustee another very successful one, with and structures. She has ensured that strong growth in our investments. At we are fully compliant with charity the time of writing, assets are around commission requirements, without Other Charities £4.5million, up from £3.2 million a ever being pressured into excessive There are many organisations year previously. These figures include formality. She has been a model of established specifically to support young only a very small contribution care and diplomacy in dealing with people and it is well worth exploring from the generous bequest of both a disparate bunch of trustees potential sources of bursary support. Jennifer Lilley OB, from which a and considerable external pressures. The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation; substantial amount is still expected. The occasion for Claudia’s decision Buttle UK; The Rank Foundation; Royal In accordance with our Investment to move on was her daughter’s National Children’s Foundation; The Strategy, we have again awarded arrival at Bedales in Block 1 (without Royal Pinner School Foundation; bursaries to the level of 4% of an award from the BGTF, I hasten to The Emmott Foundation and The assets, whilst substantially increasing add). Understandably, she would now Schools Fees Charitable Trust are just the fund’s reserves. Obviously this prefer to distance herself from the some examples of the organisations enables us to support an increasing disbursement of funds to Bedalians. established to provide assistance. Each number of worthy students. Her guidance to us has been foundation or trust has its own set of This has been a busy year enormously appreciated. We could guidelines and criteria which can be behind the scenes both in terms of not have wished for a better Chair. found on their respective websites. changes to the way our investments are managed and in handling the complexities of the Lilley bequest. The latter has involved a great deal of Professional Guidance work for Richard Lushington, Bursar ince the creation of the Bedales and Secretary to the BGTF, and the S Professional Guidance department, trustees are extremely grateful to him we have been busy linking OBs who for his great support in taking this are already established in their on. It will be some time yet before careers with current students and we see the fruits of these labours. recent leavers, to assist them with The most significant event of advice and support. We would like to the year has been the acceptance thank all the OBs who kindly signed up to the initiative and to those who by Cathy Baxandall (née Dwyer, have already donated their precious time – it is much appreciated. If you 1970-76) of the invitation to take over have not been contacted yet it is not because you have been forgotten. We as Chair of the trustees from March will be in touch if your experience matches what a student or recent leaver 2016. Cathy is a qualified solicitor is looking for. If you think that you can advise about a certain profession, or and has over 20 years of experience that your organisation may be able to offer work experience or internships, as a Company Secretary in Yorkshire. we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Leana Seriau: She has spent a similar number of [email protected]
20 • Bursaries Explained OB PROFILES
ver the last few years James Fairweather, husband of Kate Fairweather (née Day, 1980-85), has been interviewing O OBs for us to find out about their time at Bedales, and where life has taken them since. To give you a taster, we have compiled a selection of extracts from his most recent interviews. To find out more about the following OBs, their memories and achievements, you can read the full articles on the Bedales website.
Albie Waterton (2012-14) which offers bursary support for Product Design student talented youngsters who could not otherwise afford a Bedales education It wasn’t that Albie Waterton was and who display the strength of unappreciative of what state education character that the school’s founder had done for him – quite the reverse. would have admired. He said: “I sold The major stumbling block was always myself as best I could, mostly about likely to be finance. Private schools are my interest in sustainability and how increasingly beyond the reach of most I felt that I would value the school’s families and Albie’s was no exception. resources and the opportunities that it But Albie’s interest had been piqued offered more than most people.” the tireless efforts of Arthur Browne, by a video production from one Read more: bedales.org.uk/alumni/ Owen Thomas and the late Eion particular private school that offered albie-waterton Murdock, who would politely correct the possibility of bursaries to children me whenever I slipped up. I may have of potential who would not be able to been the only kid in this situation but afford the school’s fees in the ordinary Alexei Yavlinsky (1994-99) I never felt singled out by any of the course of events. “I saw a Bedales video Software Engineer and other children because of it.” that focused on the school’s desire to Founder of Behold Research As a small child in Russia, Alexei had develop the intelligence, initiative and always been interested in communication individuality of its students and it really It’s not an easy situation for a boy barely devices, whether they were radios, games spoke to me,” Albie remembers. “I could into his teens – you’ve done all your consoles or personal computers, and see that I wouldn’t be treated like one schooling in Moscow and suddenly, it was to the sciences that he naturally of so many cattle and that the teachers you’re whisked away to the leafy gravitated at Bedales. would approach the needs of their surroundings of Steep and a school Read more: bedales.org.uk/alumni/ students in a different, individual way.” where everyone else is thoroughly alexei-yavlinsky “My father was a chef, who gave up conversant with the English language. his job to look after my brother and Such was the difficulty that faced me when we were young,” he explains. Alexei Yavlinsky when he arrived at Janet Dwyer (1972-81) “Neither my mum or dad had ever been Bedales in 1994. “It was immediately Professor of Rural Policy to university and if I was going to get to clear that there was indeed a significant a fee-paying place of education, it would language barrier,” Alexei reflects. “Up and Director of the have to be via a scholarship or a bursary.” until that point, most of my English Countryside & Community Duly inspired, Albie approached the vocabulary had come from subtitled Research Institute John Badley Foundation at Bedales, Arnold Schwarzenegger films! The school decided to take the risk and Janet Dwyer was in a hurry to taste accept me on condition that I took a boarding school life at Bedales, nine years few short external English courses. That old or not. “As the third of three children, brought me up to speed somewhat, I was desperate to join my siblings,” she but what really helped was the small remembers. “My parents had put down circle of close friends that I built their oldest for Bedales almost at birth up immediately after I arrived. They and the family moved down from Hull understood my situation very well to be within striking range of school, so and helped me tremendously with the that we wouldn’t be too far away for language and the English cultural norms visits. My mother went into teaching that were so unfamiliar to me at the once I started school, and my father was time. I remember particularly fondly a lecturer in Education at Southampton
OB Profiles •21 OB PROFILES
young girl; it was the time of the horrific are there now, could have gone to any Biafran War and her father would school and been good at maths. What return to the country in the wake of they wouldn’t have gained from another that conflict to help in its reconstruction. school was the benefit of getting to Kemi herself has childhood memories know such a wide range of things that of seeing railcar after railcar passing by wouldn’t have come so naturally to at a railway crossing, full of amputees them. I’m a great believer in the BAC as bearing the scars of war. “I wondered an exam concept; if it were up to me, I’d what it was all about, of course,” she say that all children should keep all their says. “My parents split up when I was options open for as long as possible.” seven and I would shuttle between Maurice himself was already an University so they had a longstanding Gatwick and Lagos. The experience accomplished mathematician and interest in education and we knew that made me wonder in more than abstract scientist by the time he arrived in the they thought the school was special. terms about why things should be as Bedales Sixth Form in 1989. “Music was I found Dunhurst and Bedales to be pretty they were. How could some people important to me, my parents and my much as I had hoped and imagined, have so much and others so little?” siblings as well,” Maurice recalls. “I had based on what I knew from visits on played the cello and sang while attending occasions such as Parents’ Day.” a large secondary comprehensive near Enjoying a full spectrum of activities Brighton, which I had enjoyed at the from arts and crafts to outdoor work same time as realising that I was allowed and keeping guinea pigs (even if one to focus on the subjects that I enjoyed was unfortunately savaged by a local and almost to forget about those that Jack Russell), Janet became a particularly I wasn’t great at. Bedales would have keen contributor to musical life at allowed me to get much more out of Bedales: “I learned piano with Melanie myself in an all-round way.” Puckle and Dennis Lee and I persisted As was then the fashion, Maurice with the oboe up to Grade 8, but I also boarded for his first half-term at Bedales. joined the chamber choir after William As a pupil at a secondary modern With his family safely re-settled in Agnew heard me singing during hymn school near Brighton, Kemi had been Hampshire, he immediately made a small practice one day. Small-group choral one of only two black children from a number of close and lasting friendships. singing turned out to be the music that complement of 1200. It was not always “There were a few cliques, as there are in I enjoyed the most and that has stayed the happiest of experiences. “I certainly most schools,” Maurice notes, “but those with me, ever since. There was always a got used to bullying and the feeling of friends have for the most part been sense of encouragement to recognise being slightly marginalised,” she recalls. retained to this day. To some degree, our ability in whatever field it might be, “As the child of a white mother and a my choice of A Level subjects slightly and make the most of it.” Nigerian father, there has always been restricted my circle but as a day pupil, Read more: bedales.org.uk/alumni/ a little bit of a problem with being fully I found that I settled in pretty quickly.” janet-dwyer accepted as belonging to either culture. Read more: bedales.org.uk/alumni/ When I got to Bedales, though, I never maurice-snell once experienced racism in any form, Kemi Williams (1982-84) which was most unusual for Britain in International Development those days.” Read more: bedales.org.uk/alumni/ Professional kemi-williams It was perhaps Kemi Williams’s peripatetic childhood that made her the questioning soul that she always Maurice Snell (1989-91) was, well before Bedales appeared on Broadcast Engineer her radar. Born in Lagos to a Nigerian engineer father and a mother who “One of the things that I would say was an English nurse, Kemi left for the about Bedales,” observes Maurice Snell Sussex town of Brighton as a very judiciously, “is that my children, who
22 • OB Profiles
ART & DESIGN
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Opening on Parents’ Day 2016
Come and see inside…
All Old Bedalians, former parents and former staff are cordially invited to the Opening Ceremony of the new Bedales Art & Design building at 11.30am on Saturday 25 June 2016
The school will be bustling with activity as this is also the date for Parents’ Day and several OB reunions.
We would be most grateful therefore if you could confirm your attendance as soon as possible by registering at: art-and-design-opening. eventbrite.com
Thank you
24 • Art & Design ART & DESIGN
Art & Design • 25 BEDALES ARTS
Bedales Selective the talent and commitment of the composers and performers. Highlights of the visiting programme for the remainder of the academic year are Walrus Theatre (fresh from their success at the National Student Drama Festival), the Tom Green Septet and the Theo Travis Quartet in the jazz series, solo theatre performers Jamie Wood (Beating McEnroe) and Victoria Melody (Hair Peace), ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, and – in the Wilfred Brown Recital Series – the immensely impressive young English soprano, Elizabeth Watts, accompanied by our visiting piano teacher, James Cheung. utumn 2015 was a busy and Our students will perform in BAC, A successful term for the arts AS and A2 examined theatre pieces, programme. The Gallery’s three both scripted and devised, and in exhibitions featured student work, the newly revived Student Directed sculpture by Sue Freeborough (a Bedales strand. Dancers will participate in grandmother by now) and a stunning our annual Youth Dance Platform array of fifty small carvings by Alison alongside other youth companies and Crowther (Design teacher 1992-98). in the department’s showcase evening, The new year has opened with Bedales Dance Performs. our final Hayward Touring Exhibition – On Parents’ Day, our younger Bedales Drawing with Scissors, comprising original students will perform an abridged lithographic prints of the late works of version of As You Like It (repeated on Henri Matisse. From 29 February – the following Monday and Tuesday 19 March we exhibit a wide selection evenings) and the traditional Summer of paintings, drawings, prints and wood Concert will start in the Quad at the engravings by the late Gyula Sajó, whose new time of 5pm. great-grandchildren are at Dunhurst. On 11 October, the Rosamunde Poet Gillian Clarke, Edward Hall’s Trio, featuring distinguished pianist Woman standing by Gyula Sajó Propeller Theatre Company, Turtle Key Martino Tirimo (1956-59) will give Arts, and the John Law jazz quartet a public recital at the school. all made their distinctive impacts on our visiting professional programme. John Barker, Bedales Arts The Drama department staged three separate productions, culminating with another devised Winter Production in the final week of term, featuring puppetry, live music and an inventive re-casting of the auditorium. The Cecilia Concert was an excellent platform for a wide range of school ensembles and raised yet more by way of generous audience contributions to Cecily’s Fund. In January 2016, Dunhurst presented three performances of The Snow Queen in the Theatre and the Bedales Rock Bedales Dance Performs Show has stunned us all again with Elizabeth Watts
26 • Bedales Arts LEST WE FORGET
his year I have added fourteen T more members of the Bedalian Community to our roll of War Dead: I find three of them particularly interesting. I believe Bedales is unique in having commemorated members of its community who fought on the “wrong” side during and in the immediate aftermath of the war. We know very little about Herr Heinrich Hinne though Jane Kirby has found a possibility that he was born Herr Heinrich Hinne Ferenc Békássy Ronald Wilson in Recklinghausen in Westphalia. In 1913 he came from ‘La Châtaigneraie’ sympathy and patience soon spread to England the day before Austria-Hungary (whose founders had spent a brief time the prefects.” Mr Badley made a similar declared war on Britain. He was teaching at Bedales before opening comment in his ‘In Memoriam’ account wounded on the Eastern Front fighting “the Swiss Bedales” on Lake Geneva in in 1916 concluding, “though he died with the 5th Honved Hussars and died 1908): originally he intended to stay for fighting in the ranks of our enemies, in a Russian hospital on 25 June 1915. a year. He ended up remaining for two none of us will think of him as anything Benjamin Vidler was a more or three years in all before returning to but a true Bedalian.” We believe he was humble man and is not commemorated Germany to found his own school along killed on 21 September 1915. in the Library. He was born in Steep in Bedalian lines but the crisis in Europe Ferenc was the eldest surviving 1890 and attended Steep Village School spoiled his plans. Having completed his son of Count Istvăn Békássy and before moving to Langrish in 1900 military service as a young man he was his wife Emma who sent their three when his father obtained a job in the bound to return to his regiment when sons and three daughters to Bedales local brickworks. His parents both died the German army was mobilised late between 1905 and 1915. Great things within the next few years and in the in July 1914. At that time he would not were expected of him as a poet 1911 Census, twenty year old Benjamin have expected to be on the enemy and a philosopher. At school from was described as a ‘Domestic Servant side; a considerable percentage in the beginning he was an active and at Bedales School’. He was living in the Britain, including Cabinet members, effective debater and in his last year Dunhill hamlet with three other young thought neutrality in the forthcoming edited The Bedales Chronicle. At King’s men and boys on the domestic staff conflict would be the best policy. College, Cambridge he was a star, being under the care of the Farm Manager, Heinrich had been a positive influence elected in January 1912 the youngest Arthur Girdlestone. Shortly afterwards in his short time at Bedales. He was and first non-British member of The he exchanged domestic work at a passionate opponent of corporal Apostles. The anonymous author of the Bedales for employment as a steward punishment and had a pre-emptive Cambridge OBs letter to The Chronicle on a merchant ship. attitude to wrong-doing; better to in July 1912 wrote: “To tell the truth we In November 1914 the passenger persuade someone not to commit are rather in awe of Békássy as he has and cargo ship, HMS Clan McNaughton, an offence rather than punish them been eagerly taken to the bosom of returned to Tilbury from India and was afterwards. He gained support amongst the intellectually elect of King’s.” immediately requisitioned and re-fitted staff and pupils and after an active Whilst at Cambridge he was writing as an armed cruiser. It was probably the debate in the School, and especially poetry in Hungarian and in English, some introduction of heavy guns to upper in the School Parliament, much of the of which was published in Cambridge decks that contributed to the disaster Bedalian system of punishment was in 1913. Ferenc was passionate in his that took the lives of Benjamin (number reformed. Writing for the Bedales devotion to Hungary and his fear of 678400 of the Merchant Marine Reserve) Record in 1915 the Head Boy, Lancelot Russian expansionism. When news of and all his fellow crew members. The Whyte, commented, “Our debt to Herr the assassination of the Archduke Franz armed cruiser HMS Clan McNaughton Hinne must not be forgotten, especially Ferdinand reached him in July 1914 he was lost off the coast of Ireland on as he is probably now fighting against declared “there will be war”. Deprived 3 February 1915 during a severe storm us, and is for the time being an ‘enemy’. of money through bank closures, he and no bodies were recovered. His hatred of the ordinary punishments borrowed from Maynard Keynes Of the other 11 victims, two; Ronald and enthusiasm for the methods of to finance his return home and left Wilson and George Cohen, died in
Lest We Forget • 27 LEST WE FORGET
George Cohen Denis Barnett Raymond Lodge Eric Simon
Cyril Holland Gilbert Mapplebeck George Clairmonte Ralph Strauss
England whilst in training. I believe there The letters from the Front of two the Lancashire Fusiliers. He died of his was an epidemic of cerebral meningitis other OBs were later published by wounds on 17 August 1915. His story in the army camps in early 1915 and their families. Denis Barnett who is too long to tell here but his life is both of these young men were victims died serving as Lieutenant with the commemorated through his two sons of it. Ronald, who had been a hero Leinsters on 16 August 1915, aged 20, and three grandchildren who attended at school, a brilliant swimmer and had written 150 letters from France Bedales and the generosity of Winifred talented artist destined for a career as and Flanders and they give vivid in 1962 which made possible the an architect, died in his last weeks of insight into the transformation of a building of the Simon Lecture Theatre, training with the Royal Army Medical brilliant but rather callow schoolboy in daily use at Bedales. Corps on 28 February 1915, one day into an experienced and hardened The remaining OBs who died in short of his 19th birthday. George had junior officer over his few months at 1915 are: Henry Kelleher died 24 April; spent a year studying in Switzerland the Front. Raymond Lodge was 25 Cyril Holland (son of Oscar Wilde) after he left Bedales but when war broke when he died on 14 September 1915 died 9 May; Gilbert Mapplebeck died out volunteered for the 18th Battalion near ‘Hell’s Corner’. Some of his testing a new French aeroplane on of the Royal Fusiliers (known as the letters are published in the book 24 August; George Clairmonte died University and Public Schools Battalion). written by his famous scientist father 26 September; Ralph Strauss died He had been in training at Epsom Sir Oliver Lodge (Raymond or Life 13 November and Colin Christie when he fell ill and died in hospital and Death) chronicling the family died 15 December. in London on 3 April 1915: he was a attempts to contact Raymond’s spirit For a brief account of the background month short of his 19th birthday. in the afterlife. and service of all of these visit Mr Badley wrote, “we can feel that their At 27, Eric Simon was the oldest www.bedales.org.uk and click on ‘About lives were no less given in the service of those OBs who had spent several Bedales’ where you will find a section of their country, though to both of years at the school. He was married on the ‘History of Bedales’. them it was denied to carry out the (to Winifred Levy OB) and they had task for which they were training and two sons by the time he left his farm Ruth Whiting (Head of History to fall on active service.” near Haslemere and volunteered for 1963-2000)
28 • Lest We Forget STAFF PROFILE
Dave Greenman
efore he arrived at Bedales, Dave B Greenman’s only substantial connection with the catering industry had been a spell managing a fish and chip shop in Weymouth in his native Dorset. Today, after nearly 35 years with the catering team at Bedales, most of it heading the drive to keep the school’s students well fed, Dave still seems slightly surprised at the turn that his career took in the early 1980s. “I was living in Sherborne, working in a textile factory and when my first marriage folded and I came down to Gosport to stay with my brother, who was in the Navy, I only meant to be in Hampshire for about a year before I headed back to Dorset” he says. An advertisement for a catering assistant at Bedales was the catalyst that changed Dave’s life forever. “I got the job, which basically involved helping out with anything that needed to be done in and around the kitchens,” he remembers. “About three years later, I was promoted to become the evening dining-room supervisor and another year after that I got the responsibility for the whole dining-room throughout the day.” It wasn’t long before Dave had graduated to the role of catering supervisor, at which started to change only when we went more choices,” he says. “In came a salad point he took himself off to Highbury in-house after a lot of complaining bar, a pasta bar and a healthy meat College to gain the qualifications about the processed food.” course. We got rid of the processed required by his new status. A personality clash with the ex-RAF stuff and I knew that we were on the Private school catering standards catering manager who preceded Dave right lines when students and teachers thirty years ago were a far cry from threatened briefly to derail his new from other schools would visit and today’s more enlightened nutritional career but when the top job fell vacant, comment about how good the food regime. “When I came here, it was there was only one obvious candidate. was at Bedales by comparison with the usual school fare,” Dave reflects. “Alison Willcocks told me to hang on in their own places.” “Portion-controlled, a lot of processed there and she was right,” Dave chuckles. Today, Dave heads a team that stuff, more of the same if you were a “I said to Bruce Moore, the Bursar at includes five full-time and one part-time boarder and there was no provision the time, whether he thought it might chef at Bedales, plus another three at at all for allergies or vegetarians. These be a good idea if I applied for the Dunhurst. “We work to a three-weekly days we encourage students to take catering manager’s job and he replied menu cycle across the three terms and as much as they like, as long as they’re that he had been hoping that I’d say it’s a big part of my job to check and going to finish it, but back then, nothing exactly that to him!” see what is being eaten and what isn’t was done in-house. We were basically Changing the menus was to be and to make my plans for the next year contract caterers and you could only Dave’s first priority. “We needed depending on what I find,” he explains. buy from certain suppliers. Things fresher ingredients; healthier options; It may be a big part of Dave’s job but
Staff Profile •29 STAFF PROFILE
it is far from the only one. Thinking Dave has managed to extend concedes. “Schools reflect society, and about how best to organise the an already busy workload by taking the culture of the place has changed school’s numerous external functions responsibility for evening lock-up and over the years just like society has,” also occupies a large slice of his time. security at Bedales. “You’ve got to he observes. “I suppose you could “There’s the staff Christmas party, get your exercise of an evening,” he say that it was a bit more of a Bedales parents’ dos in the marquee reasons. There was a time when at least community in the old days and more and I’ve also organised parents’ part of that exercise was provided by of a business now but that’s the way evenings a couple of times a term with the six-a-side soccer matches that life in general has gone. It’s still a great Matthew Rice,” Dave begins. “I really Dave used to organise between the place to work. I’m up for retirement like to get things as perfect as possible catering department and the Bedales in April 2017 and as that day draws and I probably worry about that kind students. “They used to build a proper closer, I keep wondering to myself: of thing more than I ever used to. rapport between everyone, get a bit ‘Will I really?’ Like everyone who You’ve got to be organised in this job, of banter going and an atmosphere works, I have days when I wonder of course, which I’m not bad at. That’s of proper respect,” he says warmly why I’m doing it but this has been my ironic, considering that my wife will tell of those days. “Health and safety life and I put my soul into it 24/7. I’m you that I’m completely disorganised had to put a stop to that, though.” not exactly sure about the emotions at home! I guess that I’ve learned on Dave pauses and tries to keep the that I’ll feel when I do leave. I just the job, but the key is to have good irritation out of his voice: “For a lot of hope that people will remember staff working with you. Nothing else is us throughout the school, Health and me as a caring person and a good as important as that and I’ve still got Safety is the bane of our lives. Red tape bloke to work for who helped out a couple of people here who have always has and always will make our where I could.” been at the school since the early 80s, lives much harder, not easier.” the same as me. The staff members at Changes will always be a fundamental James Fairweather, husband of Bedales are incredibly loyal.” part of any 35-year career, as Dave Kate Fairweather (née Day, 1980-85)
30 • Staff Profile NEWS IN BRIEF
*An asterisk indicates a direct link to a Steve Gooder (1976-81) co-produced website in the electronic version of the and directed an episode of Natural World, Newsletter, a pdf of which is available Africa’s Fishing Leopards, in which David on the Old Bedalian section of the main Attenborough narrated the intimate story school website, bedales.org.uk/alumni. of a leopard mother and her two cubs. Readers of our monthly electronic Bulletins will inevitably feel a certain Ali Ostroumoff (née Hartley, 1987-92) sense of déjà vu in parts of the following, and her husband Piers have re-opened which is designed to give a thorough a Jersey beach restaurant, which had service to those who prefer paper. been closed for 15 years. Portelet Bay Café specialises in wood-fired pizza and Juliette Butcher (1988-93) began a local fish. They have customers arriving new job for Cambridge University at by boat and even paddle board! Sofia Larsson* (2001-06) appeared the beginning of March in the post of as Calisto in Handel’s Giove in Argo in Manager of Business Information for the London Handel Festival in March the Estates Department. and in Handel’s Messiah in Chichester Cathedral. Johanna Walker (1985-90) is a member of the independent advisory Kirstie Macleod* (1995-98) had her group, The Open Data User Group, first UK solo exhibition in London, which advises the transparency team including her decade-long embroidery at the Cabinet Office on which public piece Barocco, centred round a single sector information data sets to make red dress. Since 2009, the dress has public and accessible. travelled around the world being continuously embroidered and added to. Sophie Waring (1999-2004) has been Much more about this fascinating project appointed curator, Modern Collection, on the exhibition website*. at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford.
Martino Tirimo* (1956-59) continues to enjoy a thriving career as a concert pianist. In 2015, his Schubert cycle featured at King’s Place, London. In 2016 he will be appearing with his Rosamunde Trio in the Bedales Theatre. Marika Hackman’s (2005-10) debut album We Slept At Last was released Monty Waldin’s (1980-85) new English in 2015. “A subtle, understated debut sparkling wine, Monty’s Pet Nat, was that takes its time, but lands its blows.” tasted on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch (Guardian review)*. Available on iTunes*. show which also featured film clips* from the video series made of the project. Award-winning playwright, screenwriter Roxi Csaky (1990-95) works at the and director Zinnie Harris (née Shaw, Robin Nuttall (1983-88), partner at Chiltern Dog Rescue Society, which 1985-90) has written a new play called McKinsey and co-author of Connect: cares for stray dogs from as far afield How to Hold Your Breath*. This darkly How companies succeed by engaging as Romania – refugees or immigrants, witty and magical thriller dives into our radically with society, recently returned I wonder. If you are thinking of a new recent European history and premiered to give Civics talk on the subject of dog for the family, please adopt one* at the Royal Court in London. corporate and social responsibility. from her.
News in Brief • 31 NEWS IN BRIEF
Ian Ripper’s (1974-79) Wheatlands Farm Eco Lodges* have won Gold in the Sustainable Tourism category at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2014-15, following a similar award for Devon in 2014. This award was in particular for the farm’s new-build ecolodge, Balebarn, which includes an impressive array of green technologies.
Anna Dickerson* (1986-91) has two major exhibitions coming up in the Autumn, at the Barbican and All Hallows church by the Tower. Details will be announced in a Bulletin nearer the time.
Cara Delevingne (2003-09) starred Alexis Rowell (1978-83) worked as After nearly two years of independent in a new film, The Face of an Angel. a volunteer for Coalition Climat 21, development work, Alexei Yavlinsky The British psychological thriller was coordinating the international climate (1994-99) has launched a beta-version inspired by the killing of student movement in the run-up to COP21 of Memantic*, his vast and impressive Meredith Kercher in Italy. Beyond that, in Paris. His responsibilities included search engine designed to help medical it has been hardly possible to open a visa support for international activists professionals in their diagnostic work. newspaper or walk down a town-centre and translating written texts from street without seeing a picture of Cara. French to English.
Tasha Leith-Smith (1987-90) was highly Rebecca Harris (1980-85) was re-elected commended in the Fashion Accessory as Tory MP for Castle Point in Essex with of the Year 2015 Awards for her Allumer a handsome majority. She was appointed Match Firework range of jewellery. Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Oli Holmes (1999-2004) is now staff reporter for The Guardian in South-East Asia, recently extensively covering the elections in Myanmar.
Miraphora Mina (1980-85), of graphic design duo MinaLima, has had an exhibition The Graphic Art of the Harry After two successful novels, doctor Potter Films showcasing artworks from Gabs Weston (1984-89) has turned ten years working on Harry Potter films. TV presenter, fronting the BBC4 series She has also been in production on the on forensic science. film of J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts.
32 • News in Brief NEWS IN BRIEF
William Topley (1977-80) hosted a song-writing retreat at Prospect Plantation in Jamaica in April. The event was attended by fellow OBs Luke Brighty (1981-86), Will Cover (2009-14), Paddy Ewart Kennedy (2005-10) and James Topley (2009-14).
Producer and Director Victoria Lydia Leonard (1995-99) was Bridges (1977-79) has recently made nominated for a Tony award for Best a short film* for the BBC about Supporting Actress in Wolf Hall on a Buddhist monk from north-east Broadway. More recently, she starred Thailand. She also runs Lotus Films*, as Virginia Woolf in Life in Squares a documentary production company. on BBC2. Lately she has appeared in Ibsen’s Little Eyolf at the Almeida. Ben Russell* (1972-74) is based in West Cork, Ireland and runs woodcarving Johnny Flynn (1996-2001) recently and photography workshops. Dani Trew* (2005-10) was selected starred in Hangmen at the Royal to exhibit in the National Gallery’s Court. The run was so successful that annual BP Portrait Award, the world’s the production has now transferred most prestigious competition of its across to Wyndham’s Theatre in the kind. Since graduating Dani has been West End. Hangmen was nominated a multimedia intern at the Clinton for ‘Best Play’ at the Evening Standard Foundation. Pictured here is her Theatre Awards. portrait of Chloe Sisson (2005-10).
Louise Glanville (1975-76) recently Dan Ellis (1976-83) is now a Research undertook a US concert tour with her Scientist for Google, whilst continuing trio www.vocali3e.com* performing as Professor of Electrical Engineering at their Scottish/American programme Columbia University. entitled Atlantic Crossings. Her summer flute course Flutes du Soleil* in the French Alps is now in its sixth Patricia Duncker (1964-69) published successful year. her latest novel, Sophie and the Sibyl. Well reviewed in The Guardian* and available from Bloomsbury*. Master craftsman William Hardie (1993-95) and architect/presenter George Clarke are launching their new Andy Chastney (1981-83) spent a year Infragreen*, by poet Kate Bingham company, Amazing Sheds*. They do in Iceland making a documentary film (née Thomas, 1984-89) has just been indeed make sheds, just like it says on for the BBC Natural History Unit. After published by Seren Books – her third the tin. much adventure and hard work, Iceland: collection. She had a reading at The Land of Ice and Fire* was screened in May. Poetry Book Fair in London.
Tim Howarth (1993-98) is now CEO of United World Schools*, who continue to do amazing work in Southeast Asia. His role is to lead and manage the organisation, reporting to the Chairman of the Board.
News in Brief • 33 NEWS IN BRIEF
Matt Naylor (2003-08) has qualified Catriona Ward* (1996-98) had her as a doctor, completing his training at first novel published last year. Rawblood St George’s Hospital, London and is is a chilling ghost story set on Dartmoor, working at the Princess Royal University where eleven-year-old Iris Villarca lives Hospital, Bromley. an isolated life with her father. Scary!
Antonia Ward (1996-98) lives in Los Angeles at the moment, working as an art and cultural heritage specialist, having previously been a Deputy Director at Sotheby’s in London.
Michael Crick (1953-58) is helping to Daisy Bevan (2005-10) starred in raise $1 billion for The Francis Crick the BBC’s adaptation of Sadie Jones’s Institute* opening in London next year to prize-winning bestseller The Outcast. research cancer and other major diseases. She has also played a supporting role in the film adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel The Two Faces of January, and starred in a Richard Tomlinson (1971-76) has stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s written a new, ‘meticulous and absorbing’ The Picture of Dorian Gray. (Guardian review*) biography of W G Grace, Amazing Grace. Angie McLachlan* (1970-74) has been nominated for the Good Funeral Lally Chetwynd (1986-87) (aka ‘Marvin Awards. Angie has reached the long-list Gaye’ Chetwynd) was apparently for the ‘Major Contribution to the nominated for the Turner Prize in 2012. Understanding of Death’ award. Sad that we missed that. A full resumé of Tellison (including Henry Danowski her career* makes interesting reading. (1998-2003), Stephen Davidson Esther Biddle (1994-99) is directing (2000-05) and Pete Phillips a massive production for charity of (1999-2004)) released a new album, Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Adelphi Eliza Riddell (1993-98) won a gold Hope Fading Nightly*, and undertook on March 20th. The gimmick of the award at the FreeFrom Skin Care an extensive UK tour in September. show is that they only have 48 hours’ Awards. She is the founder of All ‘A truly great album’ (The Independent*). rehearsal. This year’s charity is Mind. Natural Soaps Co* and creates good looking, great smelling, natural soaps made from ingredients such as olive oil Alastair Langlands’ (staff 1973-2001) Kate Miller* (1968-72) has recently and wild shea butter. sumptuous and beautiful tome, published a poetry collection, The Robert Kime*, about the work of that Observances*. Kate’s début collection eponymous former Bedales parent explores perception and the poet’s (1987-92) and interior designer was eye and ear trained on distances that published recently. stretch beyond comfort zones.
Adam Hemmings (2003-08) completed his graduate degree in International Law at SOAS and has been admitted to the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation. Topically, he is continuing advocacy for heritage preservation and protection, especially in the Middle East.
34 • News in Brief NEWS IN BRIEF
Tom Wolseley (1981-88) has been hard at work filming and interviewing people for his project exploring life in London against the background of changes symbolised by the Shard. He did this as part of his Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the UCL Urban Lab. He hopes to release the film in Spring 2016.
Nathalie Riddle* (1990-95) is an Tasha Archdale* (1990-92) had a internationally renowned freelance retrospective exhibition All Shook Up fashion stylist and Art Director as well at the Roberta Moore Gallery, Mayfair as a magazine fashion editor. She has in the Spring. most recently worked with Salma Hayek, Composer Alex (Ali) Harwood* Jessica Brown Findlay and Florence Welch. (1979-84) recently scored a short film, Dancing in Circles*, which won the Aida Alonzo (2006-11) is working BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Short for a social enterprise called Pepal in Film. Lately she has been scoring a Kampala, improving the Ugandan health documentary series You’ve Been a Lovely care system, and in Tanzania with a Audience for BBC Four, with Executive specific focus on cervical cancer. Producer Claire Whalley (1980-85).
Natalie Gastiain-Tena (1998-2003) Frieda Hughes* (1973-78) has starred in SuperBob as an “abrasive brought together her poetry and cleaner and eventual love interest”. paintings in her new book Alternative “The star of the show” according to Values. Published by Bloodaxe Books* The Guardian*. whose Publicity Manager is Christine Macgregor (1980-82). Christine Bea Bathe (2005-07) is seen here with has worked with Frieda on all five Archie, whom she has reared/trained from of her books. a colt all through her University years. She has been made a partner of Turpins, the riding school where she teaches. Her proud husband, Daniel Daukes (1987-90) is Picture Editor for Sky News – now in charge of all photos used across every platform – TV, Website, mobile phone and social media.
Michael Bloch (1964-70) has been representing the son of Lord Lucan in his attempts to get a death certificate for his father, 41 years after his mysterious disappearance. Liz Bichard (1996-98) continues to work in TV, film and theatre casting. In recent Dan Wheeler (1995-2000) has recently John Gale (1957-61), working as years, she has been part of the casting been appearing at the RSC in Wendy Brooks Aerhon*, continues to enjoy a team behind Mission Impossible 5, Legend, and Peter Pan. Prior to that he played thriving career as a pianist, particularly Straight Outta Compton, Kenneth Branagh’s the Mad Hatter over the summer in a on cruise ships and with his Music at Cinderella and the TV series River. production of Alice Underground at the Sea programme. Vaults in Waterloo.
News in Brief • 35 NEWS IN BRIEF
monologue by Lela, about her journey from the mountains into a warzone. The Guardian* reviewed it as a “harrowing but surprisingly playful look at conflict and capitalism”.
Nick Emsley (1981-88) is now housemaster of Grafton house at King Edward’s School, Witley, as well as teaching GCSE, A level and IB Physics. Michael Evans (1947-52) had paintings His proud wife Rachael Emsley (née and drawings on show in two parallel Knott, 1982-89) is lead clinician working Hertford exhibitions during 2015. for STARS* (Sexual Trauma Assessment, Recovery and Support), a specialist Robin Doble (1996-99) has recently Surrey CAMHS Team providing therapy launched Vallie*, the city of London’s for children and young people who first on-demand valet parking app. Vallie have been affected by sexual abuse. operates in the Square Mile and will meet customers kerb-side anywhere in Eva Faber (1974-79) has been Jonathan Miller (1965-68) has written a that zone. Remarkably cheap it is too. appointed Head of Ullapool Primary book: France, a Nation on the Verge of a School, where she has been teaching Nervous Breakdown*. Jonathan explains Alice Sedgwick (1994-99) is currently for many years. She is in need of how the French are a delusional people on maternity leave from her job as an additional teacher. Lovely school, careering to a complete state of Project Manager for the development beautiful area, excellent boss. madness. I am expecting a sequel about of the new Mathematics Gallery at the British soon. the Science Museum. Good to have another of my former pupils working in Arabella Dorman* (1991-93), better the mathematics business. known to us as a portraitist and war artist, created an installation*, Flight, in St James Henry Milward (1963-68) is a Guild Church, Piccadilly to draw attention to Member of the Shrewsbury Drapers the plight of refugees. It included an Company and is responsible for the eight metre dinghy salvaged from Lesbos financing of a project to build 25 social which had been used by 65 refugees. housing Almshouses on a site near the abbey in Shrewsbury. He is also Alexandrina Hemsley (2000-05) Gautam Lewis (1990-95) was treasurer and trustee of the biannual co-runs a dance company, Project O*. interviewed on Sky News* taking Much Wenlock Arts Festival. They are supported by Arts Council about the canonisation of Mother England and The British Council. Project Teresa. Gautam was cared for by her in Writer Cordelia Lynn (2005-07) O explores race and femininity, and her orphanage for several years after made her Royal Court debut with her tries to talk about, and make visible, the being abandoned aged two with polio. play Lela & Co. It sold out and gained awkward stuff of everyday oppression many positive reviews. Lela & Co. is a and to move on from this. Diana Armfield (1933-37) has a joint exhibition with her husband Bernard Dan Nichols (1979-81) stars on the Dunstan running at the Royal Academy new album Pigs Might Fly* by his group until 24 April. A fine achievement, let Railroad Bill. Dan features on washboard alone for someone who is still working in and vocals and the disc includes seven her 96th year. Full details and an interview of his own songs. If you are a child of with Diana on the RA website*. the fifties this could be made for you. Absolute retro. Compiled by Dennis Archer
36 • News in Brief OBITUARIES
Abigail Browne
bigail tragically passed away at the A age of 38 years in Brussels on the 7th May 2015 following the birth of her son Edward. We were engaged and planning to get married in 2016. Abigail was fond of travelling, visiting over seventy countries. After graduating from Bedales, she went to Kenya and Tanzania, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro without preparation. Along with her friend Lillian Zwarts (OB 1990-95), she travelled by rail from London to Hong Kong, touring extensively around Russia and China. In 2011, they visited Uganda, spotting mountain gorillas in the wild. Abigail gained her first degree in Philosophy and Politics from Leeds University and then subsequently an M.A. in Russian and Eastern European languages, and she inspired and still Abigail’s death leaves everyone Studies at the University of Birmingham. does inspire me with how clearly who knew her with great sadness She worked in London at Informa, she could analyse and deconstruct but also with fond memories of her where she became an expert on subjects. I couldn’t rest on my laurels love and life. She was already a loving the Russian mobile communications when I shared my thoughts with and devoted mother to Edward, even market. Abigail moved to Brussels in Abigail on what I was studying – and before he was born. 2010, joining Cullen International as a I always respected and admired her Martin Schraa telecoms regulation specialist, focussing because she made me think. on Turkey and the Baltic region. I looked up to her at Bedales Abigail’s kindness will always be because I can’t think of many other I met Abigail at Dunhurst and she remembered by her family and friends. people who would be interested quickly became one of my best Her brother Arthur recalls: in subjects as diverse as Chemistry friends. During her time at Bedales, and French – at an advanced level Abigail made sure that she made “Abigail was exactly the kind of big – and be extremely talented at the best of all the opportunities sister you would want to have. I have both. She had a breadth of curiosity that the school had to offer. She a vivid memory of her coming to which is remarkable when you look played her clarinet in the wind meet me where Dunhurst meets back at it. band and she loved her lessons Bedales (the top of Cobb’s Field) But Abigail also loved to laugh. with Keir Rowe. She sang in the to deliver some biscuits when I was I particularly enjoyed throwing out choir and volunteered at the feeling especially homesick in Block 1. a line and getting a creased up face local old people’s home. She was This kind act summed her up: she from her in response. We shared incredibly bright academically would always look out for people some really special times together and excelled in a wide range and show how much she cared for as brother and sister, from hours of subjects including maths, art, them without making a fuss about it. spent preparing mix tapes before history and languages. Abigail was also a truly considerate going on holiday to the ultimate I feel so lucky that after school person: she never forgot cards at road trip when we travelled in a Abby and I lived together in special occasions and every present van together to help her start her London for six years. As friends she got for me always had a lot of new life in Brussels. Her life was so we travelled extensively together thought behind it. much shorter than it should have including visiting China, Mongolia, Abigail was genuinely interested been but she knew how to make Russia and Uganda. She was a in subjects from politics to modern the most of everything she did.” marvellous travelling companion.
Obituaries • 37 OBITUARIES
She had a wonderful attitude to travel and she was always explaining things or willing to give people and situations and threw herself whole-heartedly teaching new things to me. However a chance. Therefore she saw the into each unusual and new experience, at the same time she was genuinely best in people and the world. I wish whether it be trekking through Uganda interested and cared deeply about that she had had the opportunity to see mountain gorillas, travelling people and situations. I could happily to meet her son. I know that she for days in a tiny train compartment chat to her for hours and we often was very excited at the prospect of through Russia with an army general did. I found Abby very funny and witty being a mother. or choosing and then eating her own and we always spent lots of time Abby was a wonderful best friend fried snake in China. laughing together. Abigail was one and I will miss her very much. Abby was a marvellous person. of the most non-judgmental people She was so bright and knowledgeable that I have ever met. She was always Lillian Zwarts (1990-95)
Alan Gent A county scholarship in 1948 a state comprehensive where he loved took him to Dauntsey’s School, often teaching but found himself astonished had not met Alan for more than about regarded as having strong similarities at the size of the classes and the fact I a minute when he threw me my first to Bedales. Here his housemaster was that even the staff didn’t know each number puzzle. The first of many, it was Bernard Wates, who was to become other. After a year he moved back very easy – the easiest he ever gave a lifelong friend and who, by sending to the North as Head of House and me. I thought it odd behaviour from a his four children to Bedales, provided a Mathematics teacher at Heversham man who had come to be interviewed first link to the school. Bernard’s wife, Grammar School. for a job as mathematics teacher. Later, Joanna was destined to play an even It was here that Alan and Mary I came to realise that it was just Alan, more significant role in Alan’s life. were married in 1972 shortly after typically, openly sharing one of his Another scholarship took him to Freda’s death and Austin’s departure many enthusiasms. I suspect the ease Bristol University, where he studied for mission work in Sri Lanka. Four of the problem was a demonstration electrical engineering and lodged in the daughters quickly arrived – Emily, Tessa, of more of his characteristics – an vicarage of Austin and Freda Harkness. Sarah and Chloe – each of whom was innate kindness and a wish not to Here he met Mary, aged two, and destined to spend some time in the put me in a difficult spot. subsequently spent much of his leisure various stages of a Bedalian education. Alan was a man of many time joining Harkness family trips at A devoted father, he shared his brilliant parts – mathematician, teacher home and abroad. sense of adventure with his girls (and extraordinaire, horn-player, bass singer, A spell at Dungeness in nuclear energy his maths puzzles, whether they liked walker, mountaineer, camper, caver, with Metropolitan Vickers convinced it or not). For the Gent clan the great calligrapher, Father Christmas, builder him that engineering was not for him. outdoors was a playground for kite of bonfires, stone-waller, purveyor of It was Freda who now persuaded him flying, wild swimming, long-distance fun to children of all ages, husband, to cut his salary in half and take up the walking, climbing, canoeing, picnicking father, grandfather. The list could love of his life – teaching. and so much more. continue, but I have tried to keep It is an astonishing fact that this The next move, in 1983, was to most of it down to activities that most gifted and inspirational of teachers Bedales, where he brought the same Bedalians will recognise from their had no formal teaching qualification wild enthusiasm and sense of fun. own experience of him. or, for that matter, any university-level Many OBs recall the expeditions he He was born in 1937 into a qualification in mathematics. He taught led to Dartmoor or the Lake District working-class family in Accrington. His first at Kingswood School in Bath, before, as he would say, “Health and mother Hilda worked in a Lancashire a well-endowed Methodist school. Safety went mad”. He would invite mill. Early on, the family moved to A colleague there was Don Spivey. pupils to stay during the holidays Wiltshire, where his father worked in Neither of them can have realised and combine maths revision with a dairy. This formative period of his life that they would be reunited years excursions into the hills, or playing gave him his love of the outdoors. Here later at Bedales. music; plenty have good exam results also his musical talents were developed After half a dozen years, Alan to show for it. early and he came to respect the followed his social conscience and Many a lonely child will recall the principles of Methodism. moved to Ifield School in Crawley – support and kindness he showed them.
38 • Obituaries OBITUARIES
Alan’s natural sympathy for the unhappy the best maths teachers a struggling that Alan’s warmth, generosity of spirit was perhaps enhanced by his own child could hope to meet. He was and sense of joy were appreciated struggles with depression, which simply brilliant – at making sense of fully by those lucky enough to have dogged periods of his life and made him the incomprehensible, at turning maths experienced them. seriously ill at times. It was during one dunces into mathematicians, even at His spirit held up until almost the of these periods that he re-established convincing the sceptical that maths very end. But then that is all you would contact with Joanna Wates, who was could be fun. expect if you knew Alan. You see him in incredibly supportive of the whole family. Alan was not without his flaws and the picture swimming in a Lake District Mary and Alan having been divorced personal troubles and it would be pool a few months before he died. The and Bernard having died a decade wrong to deny his humanity. ‘thumbs-up’ became a signature gesture earlier, he and Joanna were married in But he shared the joy of life with as he lost the power of speech. 1992. To the end of his life, they shared great generosity and enthusiasm. He The fascination with numbers their home at High Above Park, enjoying reached out to help without a thought. also remained. He watched over his loving companionship and nourishing He was a very committed Christian daughters planning a fund-raising and nurturing the plants, wildlife and who recognised that others did not challenge in aid of the hospice which people who were blessed with their share his faith; he was careful not to cared for him in his last days. They were attentions. Whiteside Pike became his impose his own beliefs whilst striving to walk 37 miles (he was born in 1937), happy hunting ground, with Bess the dog to encourage the kindness that for him climb seven summits and take seven at his side on so many walks. was the heart of his spirituality. swims on the way (he was 77 when In one of those occasional moments At the diagnosis of the devastating he died). Sadly, he wasn’t there to see of crisis when Bedales found itself and debilitating motor neurone disease them do it… unexpectedly short of a mathematics and following his death, the vast stream teacher, my thoughts turned quickly of messages from former pupils, Dennis Archer (with huge indebtedness to Alan and he responded generously colleagues and friends demonstrated to Alan’s family) to the call. In 1996 he tore himself away from his Lake District idyll and threw himself whole-heartedly back into the fray. A whole new generation of Bedalians had reason to thank him. From this period I recall his impromptu founding of ‘Friends of the Orchard’ – it looked a mess and this was his inspirational way of getting it cared for by hordes of otherwise reluctant students. And then there was the infamous Alan’s Game which seemed to involve hundreds of Bedalians running amok in the Sand Quarry. I believe there were rules and I am sure untold damage was done to the environment. I am equally sure that at difficult times the game would have prevented many a student from getting up to something much worse. Alan understood children and had good ways of managing them. The legacy of his teaching lives on in many a successful career, not just from his days as a schoolteacher but from his later years coaching individual pupils. It is fair to say, without hyperbole or exaggeration, that Alan was one of
Obituaries • 39 OBITUARIES
Allan St John Dixon
meritus consultant rheumatologist E Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath (b 1921; OBE, MD Lond, FRCP Lond), d 19 June 2014. In his time as a consultant in Bath from 1966 to 1986, Allan St John Dixon, one of the major figures in British rheumatology, helped raise the reputation of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases to that of one of the premier rheumatology centres in the world, with an outstanding research programme and a reputation for postgraduate training that attracted young doctors, nurses, and therapists from around the globe. These activities were based on the excellent clinical care that drew patients from all over Britain and abroad. Dixon was born in east London, within the sound of Bow Bells, to Percival Dixon, a mining engineer, and Florence, who was a member of the Devonian Lidstone family, who were prominent in the humanism movement. It was from this branch of the family that he developed two important interests of his life: humanism and carpentry. He went to Bedales School on a violin scholarship and then to the Regent Street Polytechnic to study physics and organic chemistry. He then moved to Chelsea Polytechnic before attending Guy’s Hospital, where he qualified in medicine. The Second World War was drawing to an end, and registrar at the Canadian Red Cross then Manchester University Hospital, he joined the British Red Cross. He Hospital in Taplow. This was the site and Hammersmith Hospital again. In was sent to China to care for Japanese of the National Research Centre for 1966 he was invited to join George prisoners of war. However, while in Rheumatism in Children, and some of Kersley in the newly refurbished Royal transit the war came to an abrupt end the greatest names in rheumatology National Hospital for Rheumatic after the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima were at Taplow at the time. These Diseases in Bath, which had been and Nagasaki. Dixon was therefore included Eric Bywaters, Barbara Ansell, badly damaged in one of the Baedeker redirected to a Chinese General and Philip Wood. Not only did this bombing raids. For the next 20 years Hospital in Shanghai. appointment set Dixon on his final Dixon was to work tirelessly to When his secondment came to an career choice, but it was at Taplow that establish the reputation of the hospital. end, he moved on to the Hutt Hospital, he met his future wife, Sheila. His medical interests were very near Wellington, in New Zealand. His As was the custom at that time, broad. He established a treatment next move was to the Hammersmith Dixon took up an appointment in programme for patients with ankylosing Hospital for postgraduate training. America, at the Massachusetts General spondylitis, an inflammatory disease of He then was appointed as a research Hospital, only to return to Taplow and the back, which still attracts patients
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from across the country. He helped the hospital developed close links with for them and what they should do. to develop comfortable footwear for the University of Bath. Dixon helped This led him to establishing a number patients with arthritis. He developed a to establish the Bath Institute for of national charities, most notably the clinical drug study programme that led Rheumatic Disease and the Research National Osteoporosis Society and to the introduction of many effective Institute for the Care of Elderly the National Ankylosing Spondylitis and safe medicines for arthritis. He was People as part of the university, Society. He was awarded the OBE one of the first doctors in Britain to as well as the Medical Research and for his work in this area. recognise the burden of osteoporosis, Rehabilitation Trust, later renamed On retirement, Dixon moved to which led to the purchase of a bone Remedi, which raised money to Cornwall. He did not retire in the scanner by the hospital, which was to provide funding for new lines of conventional sense. He remained on become the busiest in the NHS. He research, particularly to help people many committees, kept his medical was also a consultant general physician with long term conditions. In the knowledge up to date by attending at St Martin’s Hospital in Bath. 1970s, when he was an adviser to medical meetings, writing a novel, as He was particularly keen to spread the Department of Health and well as a history of rheumatology, the practice of rheumatology and Social Security, he helped to secure working in his lovely garden provided facilities for the training of funding for a network of rehabilitation overlooking the sea, working in his junior doctors, from Britain as well centres throughout the UK to workshop, restoring furniture, and as from abroad. The hospital had 100 improve rehabilitation provision and creating all kind of items from wood. inpatient beds and the vast number of to undertake research that led to He leaves Sheila, his wife of 53 years, patients who were admitted and came the identification of the best forms their two children, Steven and Nadia, as outpatients offered an unrivalled of rehabilitation treatment. and four grandchildren. source for clinical research, backed up Dixon recognised the importance by laboratory and diagnostic facilities. of patients’ involvement in their own Anthony Clarke These included thermography and treatment, at a time when most © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2015 a dedicated endoscopy unit. Inevitably doctors told patients what was good (reprinted with permission)
Charles Ian Milward O’Brien Milward Family home in Alvechurch. was president in 1980. He was also In 1938 he was sent away to Dunhurst a founder member of the Charles and in 1939 he entered Bedales Close Society, devoted to the study following his uncle John Frederic of Ordinance Survey maps, a Fellow Milward (OB 1922-26). In 1942, his of the Royal Geographical Society sister Mary Clare Milward O’Brien and author of numerous papers. He joined him at Bedales. was also, not surprisingly, an avid His main interest was geography, not collector of maps. being too keen on sport. On leaving He never learnt to drive, so in 1945 he did military service with travelled this country and the the Royal Engineers before going to world by foot and trains, the latter St. John’s College, Cambridge to study of which he had a considerable Geography. He joined the Colonial Bradshaw-type knowledge. He was Office in the Directorate of Overseas married to Marian, a librarian in his Surveys in 1953, eventually becoming department, a Welsh girl who was Assistant Director (Mapping) in charge voluble and enthusiastic in contrast of mapping and aerial photography. to Ian’s quiet demeanour. They an’s father was in the Colonial In 1984 he became a consultant for were married for 36 years and IService. His mother returned to the Food and Agriculture Organisation had no children. Worcestershire from Tanganyika for of the United Nations in Rome. his birth in 1927, shortly to return, Ian was a founder member of the John Barney and Henry Milward leaving him with a nanny at the British Cartographical Society and (1963-68)
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David Robinson stores, grocery shops and a building He received many accolades, being company involved in house building honoured with Eminent Citizen of y brother died on 20th December and security. He enjoyed hard work. Woking in 1981, the Scouts Silver M 2015. He had been ill for some After the army he was soon involved Acorn in 1993 and was made a time and leaves behind Joy, his wife, in Woking life, joining the Young Serving Brother of the Venerable four children and nine grandchildren. Conservatives, and became Branch Order of the Hospital of St John of He went to Bedales in 1944 and took Treasurer and then Chairman of the Jerusalem with four bars and a Deputy part in many of Rachel Cary Field’s local branch. It wasn’t long before he Lieutenant of Surrey. Because of productions. He spent happy hours joined Woking Urban District Council David’s involvement in so many local doing woodwork, playing football and and under his Chairmanship the UDC activities, he was given the nickname hockey. He enjoyed his time at Bedales became a Borough which gave more of ‘Mr Woking’. and was soon involved in activities such financial authority to the Council. David was honoured with an MBE as fire brigade, ‘room-doers’ and serving He was at one time or another in 1997 for Services to Woking and on in the dining room. He quickly became President, Chairman or committee becoming a Freeman of the Borough form representative on School Council member of nearly all the major local in 2000 asked with tongue in cheek: and perhaps it was then that he became organisations – Boy Scouts, St John “May I drive my flock over the bridge?” interested in being part of the wider Ambulance, the Woking Probation However, perhaps none of these community which later formed so Liaison Committee, Rotary Club things matter as much as the fact that many of his interests. ‘Work of Each (where he received the Paul Harris he was a kind and generous man, for Weal of All’ was his ethic. Fellowship in 2009), Chamber of Trade, honest and as straight in business as On leaving school he did National Woking Post Office and Telephone he was with his friends. He always Service with the Queen’s Royal Advisory Committee, Hockey, Boxing managed to find time to help anyone in Regiment and the King’s African Rifles and Athletic clubs and many others. need. He was popular and admired but in Tanganyika. On being demobbed he He also added General Commissioner never tried to be anyone other than continued with his army interests as a for Income Tax to his duties and became a considerate and gentle member of Major in the territorials and received the a JP and subsequently Chairman of the society. His wife and his children were Territorial Decoration in 1965. He was Bench. He was a Governor of Woking his rock and he will be missed by all vice-chairman of the Surrey Committee Sixth Form College and the local County who were fortunate enough to have of the Army Benevolent Fund, organising First School. He sent his children to known, loved and worked with him. events and raising much needed funds Bryanston and helped set up their Just after he died the Woking for veterans. He was later a Trustee of Education Trust in 1975. Town flag was lowered and flown the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment David initiated an annual Woking at half-mast. Had he known this, he Association and their Museum. Bikeathon in aid of cancer charities. would have grinned shyly and been David became a Master Draper and This was a ‘take’ on the Marathon but really chuffed! ran the family business which he later on bicycles, with a shorter loop for expanded into a chain of departmental young children. Isobel Willis (née Robinson, 1946-51)
Hermione Cock were only just poised to develop the years and 237 days, she was the second (née Hawkins) first fixed-wing aircraft. She grew up oldest person in Britain and one of in an English countryside where the the world’s 50 or so authenticated entenarians are less of a rarity horse was still dominant, recalled the ‘supercentenarians’. C than they used to be, but there shock of the Titanic disaster as if it were She was born Hermione Hawkins on are believed to be only eleven people yesterday and experienced the terror 1 March 1904, to a family of prominent in the UK who have survived their of a Zeppelin raid. She took the jet-age Dorset farmers. Their holdings were at 110th birthday, witnesses to one of in her stride, but felt that credit cards one time considerable, stretching from the most transformative periods in the were only useful as ice-scrapers. the outskirts of Dorchester almost whole history of mankind. A certain disdain for the pace of to Chesil Beach. A relative, Catherine When Hermione Cock came into innovation could be forgiven someone Hawkins of Waddon, had been Hardy’s the world, the motor-car was still a of her seniority. At the time of her inspiration for Bathsheba Everdene in rich man’s toy and the Wright brothers recent death at Shrewsbury, aged 111 Far From the Madding Crowd.
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Hermione’s father, John (‘Jack’) Hawkins, England”. Its founder-headmaster, John was dashing, romantic and unconventional. Badley, had been Reddie’s right-hand A landless younger son, he had been man at Abbotsholme, but had not recruited by Dr Cecil Reddie, founder shared his aversion to women, and of the ‘New School’, Abbotsholme, indeed had left in order to marry. as its Gardening and Farming Master. Unlike Abbotsholme, Bedales was a The autocratic Reddie abhorred co-educational school, a concept that womankind in general, and refused to was deeply shocking to most people. employ married men. With a newly Despite its liberal reputation, Hermione acquired wife and son, Jack became remembered that boys and girls were agent to his cousin, John Ward, on his strictly segregated and that Badley, ‘the 3,800-acre Red Lodge estate at Braydon, Chief’, imposed iron discipline. Wiltshire. It was in the agent’s suitably As at Abbotsholme, the aim was to home-spun residence, ‘The Bungalow’, re-create a pre-industrial idyll, albeit at that Hermione was born. the expense of modern convenience The couple resided for a while with Her mother died a year later from the and comfort. There was an insistence Jim Cock’s mother (Shrewsbury’s first effects of a complicated birth. Hermione on daily cold baths, on keeping windows woman mayor) at Cruckton Hall. The and her elder brother John, known open in all weathers, on earth closets presence there of Jim’s ‘Uncle Ted’, the as ‘Buster’, were brought up by their and, notoriously, on naked bathing in monocled former Home Secretary kindly maternal grandmother and their open cold water. The masters commonly Sir Edward Shortt, guaranteed a two maiden aunts, Madge and Blanche wore beards and sandals, and a typical permanent police guard. However, by Whicher, in a cottage in nearby Purton. meal might consist of a banana. the late 1930s they were settled with Hermione recalled a blissful rural Many, however, found the their three children in a large country childhood, the aunts reluctantly environment liberating and Hermione’s house called The Grange, adjacent to complying with Jack’s progressive distinguished contemporaries included the ruined Roman city at Wroxeter. views. On one occasion, he summarily Frances Partridge, John Wyndham and During the Second World War, while removed from the person of his Sir John Rothenstein. Her closest friend Jim served as an army officer in Africa, daughter several layers of petticoat from Bedales was the Hampstead Hermione volunteered as a St John that he deemed unnecessary. thinker, Margaret Gardiner. Ambulance nurse at the Shrewsbury He insisted, too, on their running Staying with the Gardiners in Infirmary. The couple were married for around barefoot, though this was Kensington in 1917, Hermione was nearly 57 years and lived in and around considered shameful by conventional caught in a daylight Zeppelin raid and, Shrewsbury for the rest of their lives. Edwardians. In elementary schools at underestimating the danger, hurried Hermione relished her regular trips to the time, a child turning up without home with the younger children. Their America to see their son. shoes could expect to be caned; angry father, Sir Alan Gardiner (the Hermione had a remarkably calm, poverty was no excuse. Hermione Egyptologist who later assisted Howard gentle and kindly nature and an artistic vividly remembered an encounter with Carter in the opening of Tutankhamen’s temperament, and was sustained by a an angry passer-by, who denounced tomb), instructed her in future to make deep faith. She spent her last years in a her negligent parenting and declared for the nearest air-raid shelter. nursing home, piling up royal telegrams, her blameless aunt Madge to be a In 1919, Jack Hawkins installed his but her longevity had become a curse, “very wicked woman”. family at Broom Hall, Shrewsbury, and especially as her failing eyesight and Jack, meanwhile, had returned to in 1927, aged 23, Hermione married hearing had left her increasingly isolated. Abbotsholme, but his remarriage in 1914 James Cock, whose family (originally She came from a family of long-lived obliged him again to resign. Installed Koch) ran a centuries-old tannery in women, including her beloved aunt on a farm in Derbyshire, he was in a Barker Street. The bridegroom wore Madge, who died aged 99. Curiously, her position to reclaim his children, whose spats, while Hermione had swathed a fellow Bedalians, Frances Partridge and removal from the cottage in Purton was family veil round her face and “looked Margaret Gardiner, lived to 103 and 100 described by Hermione as “traumatic”. like a 14th-century nun. The most respectively. She is survived by her two Whilst Buster had proceeded from beautiful bride I ever saw,” wrote daughters, and by many grandchildren Abbotsholme to the Royal Naval her aunt. “She looked like an angel.” and great-grandchildren. Her son and a College, Osborne, Hermione was The honeymoon was spent skiing in granddaughter predeceased her. sent to Bedales, “the noted school for Chamonix, which in 1924 had hosted the children of all the worst cranks in the first Winter Olympic Games. Rupert Willoughby (great-nephew)
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Jane Evans (née Brown) as well as around 70 more families, visiting each one at home once a ane Evans was born in 1933. She was week. Overseeing this under-budgeted J the middle sister, between Ann and enterprise, writing reports, responding Bridget, all of whom went to Bedales. to the various demands from the Jane joined Bedales in 1945 where she Education Authority, liaising with other played the viola in the orchestra, edited professionals, supporting families and the Bedales Chronicle, became Head staff, and running meetings, get-togethers Girl and had a reputation for being both and fun days she felt, as she said later, clever and good. And so she was, but “both a spearhead and a backstop in the goodness was relieved by a wicked the enterprise”. sense of humour and a critical honesty Jane’s family was always her priority. that could sometimes take you aback. Yet her huge talent for friendships In 1953 Jane passed her Oxbridge and relationships of all sorts and her entrance exams and when interviewed had four children, Jessica, Conrad, Cleo commitment to the disadvantaged at Newnham College, Cambridge the and Helen. In 1962 they bought Old small people and families encountered Professor remarked that she very much White Horse, an old pub in Ware, throughout her work were extremely hoped that Jane “would not go down Hertfordshire, where they lived and important in her life. the social drain”. This was perhaps brought up the family for over 50 years. In spite of the time-consuming a reflection of the reputation that During this time they bought a ruined commitments, of family and work, she Bedales, as a ‘progressive’ school, had at barn in the south of France which never lost an active interest in music the time. But Jane could not work out they gradually converted into a simple and poetry. For many years she played what the comment might mean, so she holiday home for future generations. the viola for the Hertford Sinfonia went to Somerville College, Oxford In 1967 Jane started working Orchestra and in various quartets, and to read Medieval History instead. This part-time for the Hertfordshire continued to write poems. She joined a put her off religion and any kind of Education Authority, first as Advisory local poetry group and had five books faith, and she remained an atheist all Teacher to the Deaf (which involved published over the past 20 years. Her her life. Her first job was as assistant visiting children and advising teachers poetry, like herself, went straight to the secretary to the Boyd Neel Orchestra and parents), then as Advisory Teacher core of things and reflected day to day (now Philomusica of London) and her for Parents and Schools of Handicapped life (and death) with honesty and wit. Jane second, after a period of training in Children and finally in 1984, as Head of and Michael’s beloved son Conrad died Manchester, a taxing period of teaching Pre-School Support Services in in 2015. She is survived by Michael, her deaf children to read in London. Enfield. For this last job, with a staff of three daughters and five grandchildren. In 1960 she married artist Michael ten including nursery nurses, nursery Evans, also an Old Bedalian and son of teachers and home visit teachers, she Michael Evans (1946-52) and teachers at Bedales. Jane and Michael dealt with the nursery school itself, Barty Phillips (née Brereton, 1946-50)
If, on the day in September 1945 that keep separate, and my only contact with the same subjects: History, French Jane and I both started at Bedales Jane was in class. We were, I think, in the and Latin. This meant that we were (when we were both nearly 12), same groups for all subjects, and it was lucky enough to be taught by superb someone had pointed her out to me obvious that Jane was highly intelligent teachers: the unsurpassable Roy and said that, 70 years later, I would be and good at academic work. She was a Wake for History, Denys and Ada drafting memories of a dear and valued gifted musician, good at the piano, violin John for French, and Hector Jacks friend, I might have been surprised. and later the viola. It was also clear that for Latin. It was not surprising that At that stage, Jane did not stand out she was good at games. Boys and girls we all thrived under such teaching among our group. She was very quietly watched each other’s matches and she and Jane’s clarity and originality of spoken and gave the impression of was a doughty lacrosse player. But at this thought became obvious in the being shy and retiring, although, having stage, we were not at all close, although class discussions which took place at read her autobiography, I am not sure we were good school friends. Roy’s home on Monday afternoons. that this was entirely accurate. At that I came to know Jane better once we I remember one matter where Jane time, Bedales boys and girls tended to reached Block 6. We were both doing asserted herself was that she did not
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see the need to do A levels (and in fact did not do them) when she was taking the Oxford entrance exams the following term: that showed a justified self-confidence which the rest of us did not have. She became an editor of the Bedales Chronicle and was properly intolerant of lazy drafting: “don’t we always say this about Margaret McNamee’s piano playing?” – to my relief, she accepted my redraft. Nor would she stand intellectual sloppiness. I remember a trip to Chartres Cathedral where she was cross with me for what she regarded as my frivolously phrased criticism of the organ playing – she may have been right. At the end of our seven terms in Block 6, we had certainly become good friends. John Gilmour Slater After Bedales, we went in y friend John Slater, who has discovered a love of Renaissance art. different directions: she to Oxford died aged 87, was an educator In late 1948, John went to study history and I to National Service and then M and historian of art who made at Pembroke College, Oxford, and was to Cambridge and the Law. To significant contributions to the cultural social secretary of the Oxford Labour my regret, I saw very little of her, life of both the UK and Australia. In club, when Rupert Murdoch and Bob and even less once we were both the UK, he advised eight secretaries Hawke were members. married and pursuing our own of state for education and science, In 1952 he went to work as a family and professional concerns. including Margaret Thatcher, Shirley housemaster at Bedales School, then I knew that she kept up her musical Williams and Sir Keith Joseph, and became a schools inspector for Her activity, but it was not until the contributed to the national curriculum Majesty’s Inspectorate (1968-87). In mid-’90s that I discovered that she for history in 1991. 1988, John became visiting professor of had developed into a remarkable In Australia, he published education at the Institute of Education, poet, whose poetry reflected her groundbreaking doctoral research London. In 1995, Cassell published his admirable values. I think particularly in an analysis of urban and suburban Teaching History in the New Europe, of Right-On in Crosswords, where images in fine art and photography for the Council of Europe. she rebukes the radio weatherman from the period 1920-45, a period John took many holidays and for assuming that all his listeners will when Australians’ view of themselves extended visits to Australia, and in have windscreens and lawns and evolved dramatically. 2004 the Miegunyah Press (Melbourne) then concludes with the self-rebuke John was born in Hampstead, north published his Through Artists’ Eyes: “Oh, I am right-on today”. And, as London, the son of William Ebeneezer Australian Suburbs and their Cities Michael pointed out at her funeral, (Bill) Slater, a sales manager for 1919-1945. In 2006, at the age of 79, she continued to write until the Cambridge University Press, and Helen he emigrated to Melbourne. end of her life, which was our good Salton Slater (née Wilson), a nurse. His His life, in effect, spanned four careers: fortune. And it was my good fortune uncle, Sir Charles Wilson (1909-2002), a teacher, policy initiator and adviser, to know that Jane was always my vice-chancellor at the universities of schools inspector, and historical researcher friend, even during those lengthy Leicester and Glasgow in the 1960s, in a previously unploughed field. periods when we hardly saw each was a great influence on him. He is survived by his brother, Andrew, other. I am just one of the many John attended Rutlish School in his niece, Katharine, his nephew, Barnaby, friends who will miss her. Merton, London. In 1945, he was and his great nephew, Jacob. David E (Buster) de Saxe (1945-51) conscripted into the UK Intelligence Corps in Austria. On trips to Italy he Richard Peterson
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Penelope Massey Stewart (neé Lynex)
orn to very musical parents up teaching for health reasons. She B (her father was passionate was devastated by his later death. about opera, her mother an opera Back in England, she taught at singer at Sadler’s Wells, singing all several schools, gave recitals and made the soubrette parts) Penelope first her debut in 1962 at the Wigmore heard the cello at the age of eight in Hall, which won a Times critical Torquay on holiday and immediately headline ‘Brilliant Cello Recital’. In 1964 fell in love with it. But it was not until she married John Massey Stewart, Bedales, aged 13, that she began to then journalist and photographer, play it under the inspired teaching beginning a very happy marriage of Nancy Strudwick. She made up which was to last for over 50 years for this very late start by intense and produce a daughter, who also practice, and her excellent memory went to Bedales, and then a son. was to stand her in very good stead Equally devoted to her family, in her professional life, as she always her cello and her pupils, she was to played from memory. perform in the years ahead many Lyn Perry She was soon seen to be recitals with Alexander Wells and yn trained as teacher of crafts, already exceptionally gifted as well as totally Christopher Roberts, as well as L with a reputation for not liking formality dedicated and Nancy took her in concertos. She taught at the RAM and authoritarianism, but was diverted the middle of one term to hear junior department for 28 years and from pursuing her career by marriage and Casals, acknowledged as the finest privately and made tours to Hong overseas travel. Only after separation did she cellist ever, play at the Prades festival Kong, Holland, Germany, Australia, find her way to Dunhurst, a school which, in the Pyrenees. She became quite New Zealand (perhaps five times) of course, strongly valued her specialism a star at Bedales, and Dame Ruth and the USA. and suited her temperament well. Railton on a talent quest chose her Her particularly wide repertoire However, Dunhurstians of the 1980s and a few other Bedales pupils to included Kodaly’s monumental will think of her first and foremost as the join the National Youth Orchestra. sonata for unaccompanied cello friendly face in the stock cupboard and At one Edinburgh Festival she was which she played as usual without a then, shortly after, as a helpful influence chosen at some eight days’ notice score. She composed cadenzas for on their private study: ‘Library Lyn’. To to deputise for another NYO cellist the classical concertos in the cello quote a pupil of the period: “She had this in the Haydn Sinfonia Concertante, repertoire and gave lively and in-between status as a grown-up who was to be performed in the Usher Hall much-appreciated verbal introductions around and part of the school community, and was told she was not expected at selected recitals. Four composers but without being a strict, serious teacher, to learn it by heart. Being her, of – C.W. Orr, Peter Dickinson, Simon and so she could be a bit more fun and course, she did. Speare and Simon Filippo – dedicated subversive – and perhaps comforting She went with a scholarship to the works to her. Twenty Carols for sometimes – than the other grown-ups.” Royal Academy of Music (1954-58) Her first CD was a Cellist and Friends (other instruments Eventually, inevitably, her talents as a craft – and played in two summers’ can play too) teacher were utilised by the school. She successive Casals’ master classes . She recorded three Cello loved the process of creativity, and loved the in Zermatt. A string player present more with Alexander Wells: Elegies and Romances way children always enjoyed it, interpreting said that Casals obviously enjoyed (Vols 1 and 2) and creating something new and surprising. teaching her. At the RAM she won and, well reviewed under the Somm The Complete Music for Cello She continued teaching, eventually all the cello prizes and the Suggia label, and Piano part-time, until just a few years ago when Award and used them to study in by Frank Bridge (whom the onset of Parkinson’s disease forced Paris with Paul Tortelier, the famous she considered under-estimated). Twenty Carols her to retire. French cellist, whom she revered She published … greatly all her life. He came to regard and, more importantly, Cello Ideas: A Practical Guide Dennis Archer, with help from Lyn’s her as a ‘faithful friend and brilliant , which went into a daughter Ruth Allen (1985-90) colleague’ and kept her and one revised edition. One further work other pupil on when he had to give remains to be published.
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Penelope and I were close friends soloist rather than team player, and for 65 years, starting from her first in this she certainly succeeded. Later, week at Bedales. From day one, following her marriage and successful her motivation, self-confidence and upbringing of a lovely family she still exuberant personality marked her managed to “get back to the platform” out as someone to be noticed as she put it. and remembered. Penelope had her own unique She was always determined to sense of humour which never faded. become a musician and took part in At school she saw the funny side of every opportunity Bedales offered. everything and everyone, especially An early occasion involved playing teachers. On my engagement to descant recorder in Rachel Field’s a mathematician her next letter production of Romeo and Juliet, when was addressed to Dame Pythagoras we wore hired white shirts allegedly Mathcap Brown, sending her worn by Michael Redgrave as “congratulations, felicitations, Hamlet. Later there was the School’s pythagorations and all that (cubed, Her energy, hard work and talent production of Let’s Make an Opera in of course by Tate & Lyle)”. lasted her to the end and she gave her which she sang a leading part. Then Penelope was an extremely kind last two recitals in February, in very came the enthusiasm with which and generous person, always offering good form, only six months before her we sang in the St Matthew Passion help and advice when asked. She untimely death from cancer, fortunately ripieno chorus at the Albert Hall gave a memorable performance peaceful and painless. She didn’t even and summer outings led by Anthony of unaccompanied Bach at mine look ill during her last days. Gillingham to sing madrigals under and my husband’s Golden Wedding She was widely loved and the many Stopham Bridge. party and we, in turn, enjoyed letters stress her warmth, her caring Meanwhile her cello playing her Golden Wedding celebrations. nature, her verve and her ever-present progressed at enormous speed and I shall particularly miss her smile. To which one could add her she was soon regarded as one of emails and phone conversations, courage and her keen (and certainly Nancy Strudwick’s most gifted pupils. including the voicemail messages original) sense of humour and fun. She Together with violinists Nigel Finzi suggesting a multiple choice of loved all nature and kept a very basic and Prunella Sedgwick, we learnt to reasons for my having been absent ‘spider transporter’ in the kitchen. When play string quartets and started on when she phoned. asked why she needed her spectacles for early Beethoven and then Schubert Her beautiful funeral service a walk on Hampstead Heath, she replied, – what a thrill that was! Later on at included a breathtaking recording “In case I meet any beetles in distress”. the RAM, along with oboist Susan of Schubert’s An die Musik sung by Leipzig’s Mendelsohn Haus described Hill (OB 1949-54), we performed the Christa Ludwig – an appropriate her playing there (twice) as “mit Herz Mozart oboe quartet; but Penelope epitaph to a wonderful person und Seele” (with heart and soul). Perhaps didn’t want to do too much chamber and musician. that sums her up. music or orchestra at the Academy, preferring to go all out for being a Mary Eadie (née Brown, 1949-54) John Massey Stewart
Shirley Guest She attended Francis Holland School certificates and then Chelsea Art and was friends for a time with the School and a beauty therapy course. hirley was born as Shirley With Collins sisters and remembered being She married Cecil North-Coombes S in London in 1934 and in a play, with Joan, of course, taking in 1954 at the Brompton Oratory. remembered being evacuated with the lead. After a year in Oxford, where he her brother Stefan and mother In 1949, her father became doctor was studying law at Exeter College, Susannah to South Molton in to an oil company in Trinidad and they they moved to London for a year. Devon, before rejoining her doctor enjoyed two wonderful years there David was born in October 1955. father back in London when safer. before returning to Higher School Soon after, they set off to Cecil’s
Obituaries • 47 OBITUARIES
home in Mauritius staying with the then the Gilbert and Ellice Islands On retirement from Dunhurst, in-laws at the manager’s house on (now Kiribati and Tuvalu) before the she moved to live at Brentford Dock the Union Flacq sugar estate. She marriage dissolved. and joined the staff at Syon Park assimilated well and was soon fluent After this Shirley had to find – introducing tours in French and in French. Simon was born in 1957. full-time employment, which she did managing the house and guides until In 1958 they embarked for the at a prep school in Wokingham, ill-health in 2009 forced her to finally Seychelles as Cecil had joined the as a matron, before remarrying retire at the age of 74. She moved colonial service and was to be Brian Guest and moving to to Chertsey in Surrey for the last assistant attorney general there. Newnham-on-Severn, where she two years of her life. When asked She had hoped that her third child worked as an auxiliary nurse. She in hospital whether she felt she had would be a daughter, but Philip obtained a post as housemistress and had a good and fulfilling life she was duly arrived in 1960. As well as art mistress at Dean Close School unhesitating in her affirmation. being a wife and mother, Shirley in Cheltenham in the mid-1970s. Shirley died peacefully at 81 after found time to paint a hotel mural, On the dissolution of her second six weeks in hospital with pneumonia. teach part-time and run a Girl marriage she became Housemistress She leaves three sons David, Simon Guides group. The Seychelles at Dunhurst, where she was happily and Philip, five grandsons and a great were even more idyllic in those to stay for about 14 years. After granddaughter. pre-airport days. There followed obtaining her Open University degree, a few years in Hong Kong and she also began teaching history. David North-Coombes (son)
Shirley arrived at Dunhurst in the early numerous French trips and ski trips, 1980s to take on the role of Girls’ cutting a dash on the slopes in a vivid Housemistress. Her enthusiasm for purple onesie that was decades ahead life and her many and varied talents of mainstream fashion. quickly established her as a central She was an enthusiastic, if somewhat figure in the lives of her charges. She erratic, driver – helped by the fact was warm and compassionate, with that, for reasons unclear, she had a a great understanding of those in left hand drive car. On the night of her care. She was always calm and 15th October 1987, this vehicle was reassuring when sharing their woes, crushed by a branch blown from a but could be impressively fierce when larch which caused much amusement she felt it necessary to defend a girl – even to Shirley! against colleagues or parents. Her willingness to listen and offer Her “At Homes” were legendary. words of wisdom was not confined to Few girls failed to be captivated by the children but extended to all the the winning combination of excellent Dunhurst community, making her a cooking, sparkling conversation much valued colleague. and a chance to stay up way past Shortly after her death, tributes normal bedtime. began to stream into an OB Facebook She was a wonderful teacher of page from women who were Dunhurst Art and History, who gave many of boarders under Shirley’s care some her students the skills and enthusiasm thirty years ago. The huge affection to go on to explore those subjects expressed in the messages after all more fully at Bedales and beyond. She also ran the Dunhurst library – these years is a powerful illustration She had a real knack for capturing a bright, welcoming space housing a of the profound effect that she had the interest of young learners, large collection of books whose on all who knew and loved her. for example, her encyclopaedic dog-eared condition was clear She will be missed. knowledge of lavatory arrangements testament to Shirley’s ability to buy down the centuries and across the exactly the sort of stuff that children Chris and Andy Perrins globe kept her classes spellbound. would want to read. She accompanied (former Dunhurst staff)
48 • Obituaries OBITUARIES
Sophy Tatchell I were enjoying cakes and tea I was used to enjoy the fact that she and I surprised to see Sophy Tatchell coming shared that other close link. ophy Tatchell, or ‘Tids’ as my family towards us. I was even more surprised In 1995 my husband and I retired S knew her, was a distant cousin of when she told us that she had been to Swanage and I got to know Sophy my mother’s and we had got to know appointed Head of Dunannie, the much better. She was kind and warm her well when holidaying at Peveril planned new pre-preparatory school and fun to be with. Although she was Point in Swanage, where she lived with for children from four to seven and a now 80 years old and could no longer her father at Rockleigh Cottage. We half. The new nursery school was to be dance or sail, two of her favourite used to meet for picnics on the rocks, in the large, rambling old house that the activities, she was still enjoying her for tea in the sun-drenched garden at school had acquired, along with land weekly painting class. She liked to visit her cottage and on expeditions to for playing fields, at Dunannie across the WI market in Swanage and we got see birds and butterflies with Sophy’s the road from the other schools. in the habit of going together. After she father, Leonard, who loved nature and As I went on up the school, I became had bought the delicious cakes that she wrote a regular column in the local rather proud of the fact that I was always had ready at Rockleigh Cottage newspaper under the sobriquet related to Sophy Tatchell, for her for the many friends, old colleagues ‘Our Local Naturalist’. work at Dunannie was much admired from Dunannie, nephews and nieces I had only recently come up to Bedales by the Bedales community. I didn’t and great nephews and nieces who from Dunhurst when the Diamond see much of her at school except visited her we would sit and drink Jubilee of the school was celebrated on at the weekends when she used to coffee and exchange news. She would 4 July 1953; speeches were made, songs come up to Jaw and to concerts and often reminisce about her life and the were sung and later tea was served on entertainments. In the holidays I would time in the war when she and her the lacrosse pitch. As my parents and still see her on picnics and outings and school had had to move at short notice
Obituaries • 49 OBITUARIES
out of London. I was rather intrigued accommodation, work out the financial evacuation. A modest gift of three by her stories and, after she died, I did implications and submit a scheme to pounds and three shillings was enclosed. some research into her early career. the London County Council. At the The various moves and disruption I discovered that in June 1937 end of August 1939 the situation must have been immensely stressful; Miss Sophy Tatchell had been appointed was thought sufficiently dangerous little wonder that setting up a new Assistant to Miss Berryman, the for the school to be evacuated to school in peace time was seen as a Headmistress of the Rommany Budd’s Farm, a house belonging to welcome challenge by Sophy. Road Nursery School. This school Sir William and Lady Jowett at At our Friday meetings at the was attached to Gipsy Hill College, Wittersham in Kent. WI market Sophy would also reminisce which had been founded in 1917 and Unfortunately in June 1940 there about Rockleigh Cottage which her provided the first two year course for was more disruption when the school father had bought some time in the those planning to teach very young had to leave Budd’s Farm. They stayed 1930s. Rockleigh Cottage was the children. Her salary was to be £80 a for three weeks in a residential school centre of her life even when she was year, rising by increments to £100 a on the outskirts of London before away teaching, and it was a tremendous year. Miss Berryman was a friend going to Gloucestershire and then, wrench for her when she eventually of Mrs Fish, the Headmistress of in the autumn of 1941, to Nanhurst, had to leave it in the winters and Dunhurst from 1917 to 1939, and a mansion near Cranleigh in Surrey. then, about a year before she died her admiration for that school was Here they remained for the rest of aged 99, for ever. At her memorial probably a factor in Sophy’s much the war. Sophy Tatchell’s nephew, John service in Swanage one of her great later decision to apply for the post of Bannister, was sent to Nanhurst for nieces reminisced that her earliest Headmistress of Dunannie. a few weeks and remembered being memories of her great aunt were of In September 1938 Miss Berryman lined up in a row in the early morning, making daisy chains on the lawn of the was summoned by the Rommany sitting on potties, and not being garden at Rockleigh Cottage. Sophy School’s Board to discuss a confidential allowed to move until there was, as he never lost her love of children and her document outlining plans for the put it, ‘evidence of the required activity.’ ability to bring happiness into their evacuation of the whole school from In 1946, when the school was still young lives and, indeed, into the lives London in the event of a national at Nanhurst, Sophy resigned and of all who knew her. emergency. A sub-committee was was sent a letter of thanks for her set up to arrange transport, plan the services both before and during the Pennie Denton (née Player, 1952-57)
Sophy Tatchell died peacefully shortly It was later described as “an outpost of – rather to her embarrassment but after Christmas 2014; she would heaven down the road”, a well-earned well deserved. have been one hundred years old in tribute that owed everything to Sophy’s She earns her place among the August. She was appointed as the first caring hand. formidable array of remarkable women Headteacher of Dunannie by Hector Froebel trained, she had clear who punctuate the pioneering years Jacks, after the school had purchased educational principles, believing in of primary education at Bedales and the beautiful rambling old Queen structured freedom for her pupils; work played the key part in establishing the Anne/Georgian building as part of and play were skilfully integrated and unique and flourishing school we know a deal to extend the school playing often indistinguishable, but Miss Tatchell today. She was proud to see how her fields. It was a happy accident and (never Sophy to any but close friends) earlier vision had progressed although, fitted in well with plans to encourage was the spirit that guided all that took like many of her original charges young staff to the main school by place. Her influence was profound perhaps, one felt her heart was still in providing an education for their young; and lasting on generations of her the old Dunannie with its milk floats the first intake in 1953 included a high colleagues and pupils. in the playground, its paddling pool proportion of staff children. When the cost of maintaining the and Sappho the Labrador at her side. The fact that the school was, crumbling old building became too much, An ‘outpost of heaven’ indeed! during term time at least, also she and her school were moved onto the Sophy’s home added greatly to the Dunhurst campus and when the present Rollo Wicksteed (1948-54) feeling of family, with her faithful site was developed the Sophy Tatchell and Gill Wicksteed (former Labrador and lovingly tended garden. library was dedicated in her memory Dunannie staff)
50 • Obituaries
BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS
Births Rosie (née Greenwood) and Becky (née Slack) and Ben Saer, Ben Craggs, a son, Auden Joshua a daughter, Coral Josephine, on 13 November 2014 7 December 2015 Shakira (née Akabusi) and Tom Martin, a son, Rio, on 31 December 2014 Jessica (née Harris) and Ian Ashbridge, Ben and Helen Strutt, a daughter, a daughter, Beatrice Frances Alice on Imogen, in March 2015 Alice Ballantine Dykes and Jerry Birch, 5 February 2016 a daughter, Betty Bel, on 12 December Dom and Lucy Strutt, a son, Hugo, on 2014 Laura (née Hickman) and Simon 1 June 2015 Wheeler, a son, Gilbert Rhobert on Esther Biddle and Ben Scriven, a son, 20 August 2015 Zoe Weston and Martin Latham, Ernest, on 25 May 2015 a daughter Florence, and a son, Charles, Tim and Lou Hiller, a son, Finley Ivan, on 4 June 2015 Laura (née Biddle) and Rob Garlick, on 2 August 2015 a daughter, Camilla Mary, on 25 March Kate Willcocks and Joey Gardiner, 2015 Ellie (née Keenan) and Ed Yeo, a daughter, Molly Beth, on 21 April a son, Henry Charles George, on 2015 Francesca (née Bonner) and Fraser 10 December 2015 Birt, a daughter, Imogen Sophia Taylor, Matthew and Rosanna Wise, a son, on 2 September 2015 Kitty Logsdail and Luke Hughes, Jack Henry Brandon, on 3 June 2015 a daughter, Gaia Grace, on 1 October Lisa (née Bowles) and Simon Lewis, 2015 a daughter, Rosa, on 27 December 2014 Sasha Nixon and Davo McConville, a son, Zachary, on 16 December 2014 Henry and Gilly Box, a daughter, Dora Engagements Cecilia, on 5 September 2015 Emily Ray and Hithame Elkhodry, a son, Sami Magdi Hithame, on 15 July 2015 Claire (née Cochrane) and Tom Sewell, Josephine Beynon and Blair Dunlop a daughter, Isla, on 13 February 2015 William Rigg and Clare Colvin, a daughter, Sylvia Rose May, in May 2015 Mark Bromley and Kwan Wendy Isobel Cohen and Ewan Campbell, a son, Arran Henry Jack, on 20 October Lucy Roberts, a daughter, Echo Honor, Carmela Corbett and Jon Caren 2015 on 25 January 2016 Alice Clark and Dan Wheeler Eliza (née Dickie) and Paul Wylie, Tim and Ciara Rowe, a daughter, a daughter, Olivia Ruby, on 1 December Clementine Grace Harriet, on Mimi Gordon and Richard Fish 2015 20 February 2015 Mainardo di Nardis and Nicola Lewis Amy Drot-Troha and Stefano Amorosi, Alice (née Sedgwick) and Alec Shaw, a daughter, Bluebell Violet Sophia, on a son, Ruben, on 9 September 2015 Henrique Dolabella and Janira Borja 14 June 2015 Anna (née Sharples) and Adam Kate Foley David and Nicky Easton, a daughter, Carroll-Smith, a son, Kipling Rafferty and Max Osterweis Hollie Grace, on 19 March 2015 Rex, on 5 February 2015 Rose Grey and Sam Thompson Jo Evershed and Nick Hodges, a son, Matthew and Jessica Shave, a son, Joshua Xavier, on 10 May 2015 Rufus Percy Molnar, on 5 February 2015 Jess Illsley and Moses van den Bogaerde
Josie (née Greening) and James Louise (née Skinner) and James Ed Simmons and Mathilda Holland Dayment, a son, Noah, in September Gillham, a son, Andrew Alfred, on 2015 31 December 2014 Antonia Ward and Sam Enoch
52 • Births, Engagements, Marriages & Deaths BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS
Marriages Deaths
Rodger Abey-Parris and Leticia de Robert Marshall Adam on *Charles Ian Milward O’Brien on Rosselló on 1 August 2015 15 February 2015. Bedales 1940-44 2 June 2015. Bedales 1939-46
Lucy Bargioni and Keith Lawless on Margaret Hilda Emery (née Barber) *Jane Prudence Penton Evans 7 March 2015 on 9 November 2015. Bedales 1951-58 (née Brown) on 30 November 2015. Bedales 1945-51 Jack Closs and Victoria Elliot on Patricia Sonia Briggs (née Bateman) 25 July 2015 *Lyn Perry on 20 September 2015. on 17 October 2015. Bedales 1940-43 Dunhurst staff 1983-2012 Henrique Dolabella and Janira Borja Valerie Christina on 12 December 2015 Owen-Hughes Agnes Mary Black (née Rayner) on Bentley (formerly Chance, née ) on 19 February 2015. Bedales 1921-28 Justin Etzin and Lana Zakocela on 23 July 2015. Bedales 1943-50 22 August 2015 *David Allan Robinson on *Abigail Mary Browne on 7 May 2015. 20 December 2015. Bedales 1944-49 Tristan Fuller and Silvia Röll on Bedales 1990-95 10 October 2015 Derek John Rudd on 21 June 2014. Nigel Scott Dick in December 2014. Bedales 1942-46 Olivia Harrisson and Robert Shirville, Bedales 1932-37 on 6 June 2015 Christine Olive Udale Brander (formely Bartlett, née Shore) on Paul Hutt *Allan St John Dixon on 19 June 2014. and Jacquie Ansell on 4 December 2015. Bedales 1938-43 4 July 2015 Bedales 1935-38 *John Gilmour Slater on 27 May 2015. Cathy Moehrle and Francis McKeeve Alan Fitzgerald Donaghy on Bedales staff 1952-67 on 5 December 2015 12 September 2014. Bedales 1967-70 Ray Grant Theriault (née Speight) Angus More Gordon and Katharine Susan Margaret Gordon (née Goodland) on 21 September 2015. Bedales Dent on 10 October 2015 on 15 March 2015. Bedales 1936-38 1927-28
Susie Reddick and Thibaud Chassagne *Shirley Guest Paul Hovey Sykes in December 2014. on 23 September 2015 on 22 October 2015. Dunhurst staff 1982-99 Bedales 1944-50 Clare Richards and Rhydian Francis James Wadeson on Sandbrook on 27 April 2015 Nesta Margaret Booth (née Hartree) 27 January 2015. Bedales 1976-83 on 29 October 2015. Bedales 1944-50 Charlotte Roberts and Andy Taylor on Philip Daniel Wicksteed on 4 July 2015 *Hermione Hawkins Cock (née ) on 27 September 2015. Bedales 1950-56 24 October 2015. Bedales 1918-20 Gary Skinner and Heather Carré on 9 May 2015 Charlotte Averill Preston (formerly Ivan Christopher David Juritz on Wilson, née Wheatcroft) on 12 May 2015. Bedales 2002-07 Andy Steed and Aideen Coleman on 18 January 2016. Bedales 1947-53 23 May 2015 *Penelope Norah Massey-Stewart Lynex Sophie Waring and Jonathan Roberts (née ) on 26 August 2015. Those marked with an asterisk have an obituary on 12 September 2015 Bedales 1949-54 elsewhere in the Newsletter, as do Alan Gent and Sophy Tatchell, whose deaths were reported last year.
Births, Engagements, Marriages & Deaths • 53 DEGREE RESULTS & DESTINATION OF LEAVERS
Degree Results
Kate Banks Titus Buckworth Imogen Kirby English and Religious Studies Mathematics and Philosophy (First class) Materials Science (Upper second) (First class) from Edinburgh University from Nottingham University from Newnham College, Cambridge
Eleri Barker Victoria Fox Natalie Mares Fine Art (Upper second) from Mathematics (First class) from Divinity (First class) from Brighton University Leeds University Aberdeen University
Bea Bathe Harry Hopkins Tara Shaw Biomechanics (M.Phil.) from Global Politics (M.A., merit) Environmental Science (First class) Oxford Brookes from L.S.E. from Trinity College, Dublin
Destination of 2015 Leavers
Name Destination Course Year
Eleanor Adams Plymouth University Primary (Early Childhood Studies) 2015 Esme Allman The University of Edinburgh History 2015 Leo Arisco-Corrado 2016 Application Modern Languages with Business 2016 Isabelle Binney University of Bristol History of Art 2015 Emily Blackley The University of Kent Biological Anthropology 2015 Natasha Blackley University of the Arts London Costume for Performance 2015 Rosheen Bond Gap Year Harry Bonham Carter Bournemouth Art College Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Roly Botha Royal Holloway, University of London Drama and Theatre Studies 2016 Sam Brady Anglia Ruskin University Psychology 2015 Oscar Braun-White Durham University Natural Sciences 2015 Lily Brown 2016 Application Music 2016 Aidan Bunce-Waters The Academy of Contemporary Music Music 2016 Tor-Tor Burnell University of St Andrews History 2015 Saskia Church Gap Year Lizzie Compton University of Bristol Law 2016 Gabriel Curry University of York Law 2015 Ella Dallaglio Kingston University Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Rupert Dix University of Winchester Business Management and Law 2015 Poppy Duncan Oxford University Medicine 2015 Taty Eastap-Johnson Falmouth University Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015
54 • Degree Results & Destination of Leavers DEGREE RESULTS & DESTINATION OF LEAVERS
Name Destination Course Year
Ruan Evans 2016 Application Drama and Acting 2016 Mim Evison Bristol Old Vic Technical Theatre 2015 Sophia Falkner London School of Economics Economics and Economic History 2015 Lola Fried University of Sussex English 2015 Mona Fu University College London Architecture 2015 George Gardner Leeds College of Music Music 2015 Pace Gebbett 2016 Application Mechanical Engineering 2016 Louis Giannamore Berklee, Boston Music 2015 Rufus Gooder The University of Edinburgh Archaeology and Social Anthropology 2015 Leonardo Graziosi City and Guilds, London Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Chloe Green Oxford University Chemistry 2015 Kitty Hall City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Foxey Hardman Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Drama 2015 Lucy Hewett University of the Creative Arts Farnham Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Thomas Higginson The Place Dance 2015 James Holt The Royal College of Music Singing 2015 Zara Huband University of Bristol Spanish and Russian 2015 Miles Hudson The Architectural Association Architecture Foundation 2015 Evie Jacobs City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Arun Jayaseela Gorna City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Bella Kinghorn Glauca Rossi School of Make Up Make Up 2015 Sofie Kitts University College London Scandinavian Studies 2016 Calum Knight Parsons Paris Fashion 2015 Radheka Kumari 2016 Application Anthropology 2016 Phoebe Landers 2016 Application French and Russian 2016 Enrico Luo City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Alice May 2016 Application Fine Art 2016 Harry McWhirter 2016 Application Anthropology 2016 Jack Merrett University College London Philosophy 2016 Rob Miller 2016 Application Medicine 2016 Sophie Mills The University of Warwick Chemistry 2015 George Morony City & Guilds, London Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Jojo Mosely University of Bristol History of Art and French 2015
Degree Results & Destination of Leavers • 55 DEGREE RESULTS & DESTINATION OF LEAVERS
Name Destination Course Year
Robbie Murray University of Surrey Computer Science 2016 Lydia Nethercott-Garabet 2016 Application Classics 2016
Sofia Palm SOAS, University of London Social Anthropology 2016 Tony Pang City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Jack Paxman 2016 Application Computer Science 2016 Juliette Perry Oxford University Philosophy, Politics and Economics 2015 Poppy Poulter Kingston University Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Peter Price University of Cambridge English 2015 Diggy Priestly Oxford Brookes University Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Joe Purefoy University of the Arts London Film and Television 2016 Tilda Raphael 2016 Application Sociology 2016 Sanzhar Rashidov Kingston University Business Management 2015 Claudia Rea Norland College Early Years Development and Learning 2015 Margaret Rice The University of Edinburgh Classics 2016 Maddie Rodbert 2016 Application Archaeology and Anthropology 2016 Ochre Seagrim City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Jack Shannon University of Southampton Marine Biology 2015 Rose Shuckburgh City and Guilds, London Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Elle Soper The University of Edinburgh Chemistry with Industrial Experience 2015 Xav Stamper Manchester Metropolitan University Three Dimensional Design 2015 Ally Swain Gap Year James Sweet University of Reading Economics 2016 Henry Thomas-Aldridge Kingston University Economics 2015 Christiana van Clarke City and Guilds, London Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Lydia Walker Gap Year Bella Watts Middlesex University Dance Studies 2015 Freya Wentworth-Stanley City College Brighton and Hove Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2015 Lily Wetherill University of Bristol History of Art 2015 Olivia Wilkinson 2016 Application Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 2016 Alice Wilson 2016 Application English and Drama 2016 Maya Wilson 2016 Application English and Film 2016 Laura Wise The University of Edinburgh Philosophy and English Literature 2015 Alex Yetman 2016 Application Music 2016 Joey Zhou The University of Liverpool Architecture 2015
56 • Degree Results & Destination of Leavers
BEDALES ASSOCIATION & OLD BEDALIAN NEWSLETTER 2016
The Lavenham Press, Water Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9RN