Bedales Association & Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

BEDALES ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION & OLDand OLD BEDALIAN BEDALIAN NEWSLETTER 2014NEWSLETTER 2013 To Members of the Bedales Association BEDALES ASSOCIATION AGM

Notice is hereby given of the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Bedales Association

to be held at Bedales School on Sunday 29th June 2014

The details are as follows:

11.00 Bedales Association AGM in the Reading Room

12.30 Light lunch for Bedales Association members

Once the exact timings have been confirmed, they will be published on the school website, where the Bedales Association Annual Report will also be available.

Exact timings will also be available from: Helen McBrown by email ([email protected]) or phone (01730 711561) who will also send you a hard copy of the Annual Report if you prefer. Please give her the relevant address details.

Richard Lushington Bursar and Clerk to the Governors Bedales School Petersfield Hampshire GU32 2DG

Front cover image: Bedales Bee-keepers. Photo: Peter Coates

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CONTENTS Bedales Association AGM Invitation ...... 02 Editorial ...... 04 Head’s Reflections on 2013 ...... 06 Parents Day Invitation ...... 07 London Concert ...... 08 Memorial Services ...... 10 Global Awareness ...... 12 Badley Society ...... 13 The Ties That Bind Us ...... 14 A Year in the Archives ...... 15 Art & Design Centre News ...... 16 Bedales in the 1940s ...... 18 Bedales Farm in Wartime ...... 20 Avocados, Adversity & La Bonita Andalucia ...... 22 From Cyclones to a Grand Condom Challenge ...... 24 Judgemental? You Must Be Mad ...... 27 Some Plain Facts ...... 28 Class of 2004 Reunion ...... 29 Death of a Neighbour ...... 30 Class of 1989 Reunion ...... 31 Streets Alive ...... 32 Alumni Communications ...... 33 News in Brief...... 34 Senior Reunion ...... 43 Bedales Arts ...... 44 Classes of 1978 & 1979 Reunion ...... 45 Births, Engagements, Marriages, Deaths ...... 46 Recent Degree Results ...... 48 Destinations of Leavers 2013 ...... 48 Obituaries ...... 50 Tim Slack ...... 50 Jill Bright (née Mursell) ...... 52 Nicola Cleminson ...... 53 Brenda Gillingham (née Gimson) ...... 54 Bastien Gomperts ...... 55 Martin Nelstrop ...... 56 Christopher Thomas Inglis Rayson ...... 57 Martin Arthur Rackham Soper ...... 57 Peter Oswald Eric Trubshawe ...... 58

hy Bedales Bee-keepers on the BGTF trustee, Bedales Association receive will have the stamp of her Wfront cover? Just because it’s a Committee Member) said to me “When personality and will also, I hope, be lovely image? Because I like to emphasise Gonda (Stamford née Neale 1924–31, very different from the previous fifteen. the Bedales Difference and there can’t Head Girl, Bedales Librarian, Bedales She brings much needed new ideas and be many schools where you could do this? Association Committee Member) is expertise to the task and I am sure that Because it will remind many a recent gone there won’t be any such thing you will enjoy liaising with her as much student of Ashley Bray (2003–08), a as Bedalianism”. Apart from enjoying as I am already enjoying helping her lay bee fanatic, whose life was so tragically myself a lot, I have spent twenty years down the groundwork for the future. cut short recently and whose memorial trying to prove her wrong. Please help her now by completing her service takes place in March? But then request for information on the Newsletter why not something to remind us of Tim I have tried to give a distinctive flavour cover sheet if you can. Slack (Headmaster 1962–74), a major to alumni relations. To deal with them in figure in Bedales history, whose service a way which was sharply different from takes place two weeks later? Because Tim other schools. My approach has been to Leana Seriau attended the Lycée and I would surely have agreed that the treat the alumni as a rather large, loose, Français Charles de Gaulle in London young always take precedence. extended family and to avoid at all times and then Lancaster University, anything which felt corporate or formal. where she studied Geography. There are more reasons. Because it is a I like to think that Gonda would have She has worked in Marketing and photo taken by Peter Coates (staff 1989–), approved of this. It is certainly not in tune Admissions respectively at Southbank who has contributed so much to this with the modern way of running schools, International School and then North publication with his images over the but it hasn’t been hard for me – it felt Bridge House School, London. She years. As a ‘thank you’ to Peter you can a natural thing to do. moved to Hampshire at the end of see him with Hector, the school carthorse, 2013 and is very excited about her on this page. I don’t know who took this Everything that I have done has been new role picture. Peter has contributed hugely to motivated by the idea of offering a at Bedales. the Bedales Difference over many years service: helping OBs to keep in touch She looks as Head of Outdoor Work. with each other, helping them to achieve forward to things in their adult lives, making them getting to Something else: out in the Caribbean is an feel that their alma mater continues to be know the OB who has spent his professional life as actively interested in them and keeping school, staff a bee-keeper. He will be greatly pleased to them up to date with what is happening and students see these bee-keeping Bedalians. Perhaps at Bedales in a way which is not burden- (past and it is a little crazy to choose an image for some. Even occasionally offering some present!) a magazine with a circulation of 4,500 entertainment or provocation. copies with a few individuals in mind, but that illustrates an important principle So what of the future? I will still be Inside this one you will find much that to me. I have always liked to deal with alumni officer behind the scenes for is familiar. Five articles by OBs about Bedalians individually rather than en a couple of years yet, but in a gradually their present life are included, of which masse. That has seemed to be how they reducing role, so you can still find me at I draw special attention to Ben Strutt’s worked best. [email protected] but hitting the description of how his Bedales education ‘reply’ button on an eBulletin will not in general and in Design in particular Since this is to be the last Newsletter suffice for much longer. Over the next few has prepared him for a successful career. which I edit, I have thought a good deal months, my successor will gradually take This is pertinent at the moment as the about what I have been doing over the over the monthly eBulletins, the reunions school sets out to renew its facilities in years as alumni officer – well over twenty and these Newsletters, so it is very much this area. Other OB writings reflect on the years since I first took on the editorship time for you to meet her. trials and tribulations of middle age, offer of the Centenary Roll. At about that time, a pointer towards urban regeneration and Pennie Denton (née Player 1951–57, Leana Seriau joined the staff in explain how the lessons of Outdoor Work Head Girl, Bedales Librarian, Governor, November. The next Newsletter you remain the most valuable.

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Following the huge popularity of Alison Melville’s article last year about Dunhurst in the 1930s, I include her sequel about Bedales in the 1940s. This seems to fit admirably with Guy Oram’s recollections of life on the Bedales Farm in wartime.

On more general matters, I would like to encourage you to visit and ‘like’ the Bedales Facebook page and also to send us your email address so that we may include you in the monthly eBulletin circulation list if you are not already there. In any case, email is the cheapest and most efficient way for the school to communicate with OBs about Visit our Facebook Page. Please. most matters. picture researcher and the brains behind who continues to work with the younger Finally, all that remains is to thank the Bedales Facebook operation. I am end of the OB spectrum. all those who have helped me in the particularly grateful to Mary Hancox, production of the Newsletter and in all my assistant back at base, whilst I enjoy Special thanks are due to Lucy Holmes my other operations over the years. These myself working in more scenic locations. (OB 1980–87) for the design work on include, as ever, my faithful proof readers, Mention must also be made of Jane this Newsletter, for which she generously Anne Archer and Charlotte Bowdery, Kirby’s (1974–79) indefatigable work in waived her fee. who is also an extremely valuable the Bedales Archive and Philip Parsons, I hope that many OBs will want to keep in touch with me, as well as with the school, from time to time. Anne and I are always pleased to receive visitors if you are passing by PA21 2EJ, but a glance at the map will tell you that this is a place where people rarely pass by. Maybe more likely at Laroque des Albères 66740, even if it is further away. Several OBs have already found us there!

Dennis Archer [email protected]

Peter and Hector

All freedom possible in range of interests Tim had died peacefully at his home in and choice of work and self government; Steep. As well as presiding over Bedales

Monty Waldin during the tumultuous late sixties, it was Comradeship – the delight of sharing all Tim Slack who had the vision and the tasks and pleasure that life brings. determination to convince the school The feeling of equality ... that comes from community that it needed to expand from having a common work and ideals and about 240 students to 370 to provide the sharing a life in common; necessary range of sixth form subjects that would enable Bedalians to compete The habit of service; of work done ... in what was becoming a much more for the school’s good ... to leave it, in any demanding environment for university way we may, better than we found it. entry. Tim had to battle a good deal of innate conservatism in order to take these The first twenty years of the school’s time changes through, putting up North, South in Steep must have been as formative and Art blocks on and around the Orchard as they were vibrant – and full of hope and moving the Head’s house out of the before the community encountered the Wing (where 6.2 housestaff currently trauma of the terrible toll on young OBs’ live) into the newly built 50 Church Road, lives which started a few months after a surprisingly tranquil location Tim was Mr Badley’s Jaw of July 1914. instrumental in choosing. Not only have n the Bedales Reception, there is a Tim’s friendship and wise counsel been Icross-section of a hundred year old oak, Strolling forward, through the school’s important to me since before I started over marked with key events in the school’s passionate engagement with the high 12 years ago, but also Tim represented life. It serves as a reminder, not only of idealism of the formation of the League an extraordinary link with Mr Badley: the development of the school since John of Nations in the 20s to the further as a very young head, he oversaw Mr Badley brought it here in 1900, but also trauma of the Second World War, in my Badley’s birthday celebrations in 1965 of the connection between the idea and mind, the next highly formative time and adjudicated over the argument that the place, suitably enough memorialised in the school’s life was marked by the occurred on Badley’s death in 1967 over in wood. In the same way that, as Larkin headship of Tim Slack (1962–74). It was what should happen with the Chief’s describes it in his poem, The Trees, the with great sadness that we heard during remains, culminating in the scattering of oak’s experience “is written down in rings the course of Parents’ Day weekend that Mr Badley’s ashes over the Mem Pitch. of grain”, so the annual cycles of school life build year by year in order to create the inheritance that we have now: this annual letter gives me the opportunity to think out loud to you, products of past “rings of grain”, both about the past annual cycle and about the broader inheritance of the school. A good place to start, if we are talking in round numbers, is almost a hundred years ago and John Badley’s Jaw of July 1914 entitled What the School Stands For, which gives us some insight. Here are the key elements:

Freedom from all that has nothing but conventional tradition to commend it, and freedom, no less, to follow when reason and feeling together show the way;

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The vision, willingness to challenge for a cultural, social and technological established orthodoxies and high energy PARENTS DAY climate in which they can be themselves. of Tim Slack in the 1960s put the In such companies and cities, things school in a position to flourish along AND OLD like less formal dress, greater autonomy a distinctive, slightly different path than BEDALIAN over your time and independent thinking the one his predecessors envisaged; are highly regarded. developing along a comparable path has WEEKEND been very much my goal over the past It is interesting to take the bare bones of twelve and a bit years. There are all sorts Saturday 28th and these ideas and to apply them to a school, of ways in which we bring external bodies Sunday 29th June 2014 especially if that school has the benefit of in to provide a degree of objectivity on being close to a city like London which, how we are doing and in particular how All Old Bedalians and members of the along with San Francisco, Ottawa and we are meeting our stated aims. Although Bedales Association are welcome Amsterdam, is up there ranked amongst school inspections are extremely useful, the most creative cities in the world. they are as concerned with the regulatory Early evening Concert in The Quad So, exploring the idea of the creative as they are with other more significant school, we start with the three Ts. Talent – educational areas; so it was partly with Community Play in the adult world of city or company, this this in mind that in June 2012 we engaged means having a population that is highly researchers from the Harvard Graduate Dance Display educated and skilled. This translates School of Education, whom we asked to easily to a school context, where you research the degree to which our students Exhibitions have highly educated and inspirational were motivated to be inquisitive thinkers teachers, motivated strongly to instil and independent learners. The first Free tea and much more besides in their students the skills that those phase, which resulted in a stimulating innately talented and receptive students teaching staff Inset in September 2013 Please reserve tickets well in advance need. The second T is Technology: and has now led on to a second phase for concert and dance to avoid in a city this means the technological in the current academic year, concluded disappointment infrastructure necessary to fuel an that many of the distinctive features of innovative and entrepreneurial culture; Bedales life were instrumental in making Free tickets available from the in a school I suspect, as well as referring our students strongly motivated to learn. Box Office 01730 711511 or to hands-on access to digital media, In particular, the Harvard researchers [email protected] it needs a broader interpretation; so in my commented on the following: the range mind it also relates to the infrastructure of choice that students have over their turn of the century on the link between of opportunities available – both inside academic courses; the warm but mutually creativity and human development, in and outside the taught curriculum – respectful relationships between students particular through the work of Richard for example through the attitude to student and staff; the willingness of teachers Florida of the University of Toronto initiative. The third T is Tolerance, which to share academic enthusiasms with in his book, Rise of the Creative Class translates very easily from city, country students outside the classroom; and the (2002). In identifying a particular group or company to school: in the same way degree of independent study afforded of people who are becoming the drivers that creative cities are notable for their by the Bedales Assessed Courses. of economic growth in the USA, Florida’s tolerance of difference and diversity – All these were identified as key factors book spawned a range of indices, racial, cultural and sexual – so adolescent in student motivation. measuring the most creative countries communities (not generally known for and the most creative cities in the world. their tolerance of difference) need to work Unsurprisingly, the Harvard research At the heart of Florida’s thesis are the against such prevailing innate intolerance identified the culture of creativity within three Ts: talent, technology and tolerance. and inward-lookingness to promote the school as something which is central These are seen as the three hallmarks difference and celebrate the individual, to its success. I think it is not entirely idle and preconditions of, for example, rather than resigning themselves to the musing to connect a school like ours with a creative city. Creative workers are chameleon-like and shoaling tendencies the work that has been done since the drawn to such cities because they look of teenagers. I am certainly not saying

Contact us at: [email protected] 7 that Bedales is the finished article as a production embodies seems to be right at creative school, but I think that we have the heart of the best Bedales experience. as realistic an aspiration as any school in Closely connected and fresh in my mind the UK to get close to that destination. Let as well, is the concluding comment to the me try and articulate this further, initially 1966 cohort film (on the website under through dealing with the first T, talent. Alumni) when Gyles Brandreth describes how in his life he has taken “the Bedales Talent in a school will moulder unless experience for granted ... I think what it inspiration, rigour and active learning gave me was the opportunity to really are to the fore. Nowhere is the Badleian allow my enthusiasms to flourish; I was concept of learning through doing more free to do whatever I wanted; and I did alive than in areas such as Art and Design. LONDON it and it was accepted that you could do Particular music to my ears were the it; so I think, having been to Bedales, concluding words from Sir Terence CONCERT I assumed anything was possible.” Conran in the Theatre in September when he said in response to Matthew Musicians from Bedales School will Now to Tolerance, the area where I feel Rice’s question about advice to a young be giving a lunchtime concert of vocal schools have the most ground to make designer: “Learn how to make things and instrumental chamber music at up and where, although we are making because in my opinion you can’t design decent progress, we have yet much to do. a glass or a piece of furniture unless St Luke’s and Christ Church Whilst we may be, compared with other you understand the making process...”. in Chelsea, London SW3 6NH on teenage communities, relatively tolerant (A recording of the talk can be seen at Thursday 13th February 2014, and reasonably kind, we remain much www.bedales.org.uk/news/sir-terence- to which you are warmly invited. less outward looking and diverse than conran-talks-design-at-bedales). In the we should be. One of the most important hand-to-eye skills patiently taught in The concert begins at 1pm and lasts ways in which we are seeking to move Art and Design lie the basis of the talent for one hour. We very much hope to things on is the Global Awareness that then enables the creative process. see you there and please do join us initiative. The impact of the arrival of The rigour that lies behind Maths or the for refreshments from 12.15pm. our first Head of Global Awareness, learning of language also provides the Annabel Smith, who writes separately basis for all sorts of creative potential, If you would like to reserve a ticket, in this edition, has been strong, reminding not only at school but thereafter. It is please contact Jane Piper us of the need to work collaboratively a source of pride to me that Maths now on 01730 711569 or external with others and in particular to open jostles with English, History and Art as [email protected] ourselves up to new ways of seeing one of our biggest take-up subjects at others. In this respect, our first Global AS level. Seeing Maths taught well is Awareness Lecture by Dr Shahidul Alam, a reminder that the Humanities have no Peter, which pushed back the bounds Humanising the Other, made an enormous monopoly on creativity in the classroom. of the way in which the Theatre was impact on the community. Two important used physically and also transformed initiatives that relate to Shahidul’s talk Turning now to the idea of the school’s for the cast the experience of making are underway: one is a project involving infrastructure of opportunity or its climate a play. Cast and crew did this in two Panos pictures, (enabled by Harry Hardie of initiative, this is something which ways: they created the play effectively OB) which will see large scale outdoor needs to be there at every turn – whether from the original cautionary tales, photographic exhibitions (along the it is through being able to have an unusual adding songs composed and performed lines that Shahidul described in his talk) degree of choice over the philosopher by students; and they embraced a range become a feature of the school in ensuing whose work you choose to explore in of distinctive theatrical styles with a months; the other is our developing PRE or whether it is in the capacity to Vaudeville willingness to utilise dance, relationship with Charter Academy, create a play from your own creative mime, puppetry and music in pursuit an ARK school in a deprived area of devising. A topical example here is of our of the grotesque and nightmarish. The Southsea. Our first initiative with Charter, recent winter production Shockheaded sense of scope and possibility that this a project whereby sixth formers become

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reading mentors, is already underway. It has been heartening to see the way in which students have already quickly become engaged with the different strands of global awareness.

One of the ways in which current students are inspired to develop their skills and creative talents across such a broad range of potential careers is through the variety of talks and educational visits that they are exposed to. Many of the most stimulating encounters come through contact with members of the broader Bedales community, whether they be OBs or parents. In order to maximise the potential New observatory of this network and bring together various associated functions under one roof, I am we are deploying an existing resource and recent OBs through this initiative is creating a department called Professional – a former student network – in a mutu- in any way comparable to the success of Guidance. Situated initially in the unglam- ally beneficial way. Leana Seriau, our the annual After Bedales higher education orous environs of the academic village new Alumni Liaison Manager, will be fair which happens each June, then it will and led by our Higher Education Advisor, leading initially on setting up events and be a positive enhancement for OBs, as Vikki Alderson-Smart, Professional Guid- links between current students, Old Beda- well as current students. ance incorporates careers, higher educa- lians and parents in the world of Art and tion, university liaison and OB liaison. Design. I trust also that the name Profes- Given the creative hallmarks of the It seeks to develop what we currently do sional Guidance aptly mirrors the scope school, it is unsurprising that OBs pursue through the provision of higher education and ambition of the new department, such a diversity of careers and that you and careers advice, enabling current suggesting as it does both advice from have such a high expectation of doing students and recent leavers to have access the professional teachers and advice something which is both fulfilling and to the strong network provided by OBs from particular professions/careers. If the worthwhile. In this respect it would be and current parents. Through linking OB experience of the increasing number of wrong not to comment on the fact that liaison with Higher Education and Careers OBs who will engage with other students in 2013 OB, Daniel Day Lewis, became the first man ever to win three Oscars for Best Actor and also, again with an

Peter Coates American theme, another OB, Ben Polak, was appointed Provost of Yale University. I trust that an increasing number of you are availing yourselves of the section on the website which shows OB profiles. I know that the film about the leavers of 1966 was popular when I showed it to the school in November and it certainly looks as if it is gaining some traction with OBs. A number of current students have told me how much the values running through the film resonated with them.

Turning now back to the most recent cycle, although our A Level results,

Contact us at: [email protected] 9 in common with those of a number of all of us, his socially committed, humane, Road behind Outdoor Work. In addition comparable schools, were not as strong searching and deeply civilised values the Sam Banks Pavilion, built as a result as previous years, GCSE and BACs permeated so much of school life. I am of an admirable fundraising drive, boosted are up at the top of the range and our sure that many of you will be glad to by the Bedales Parents’ Association and parting 6.2s have generally found strong know that as well as being happily settled school funds, sits elegantly between university berths, as you can see from the in their new home in Lympstone, Graham the astro turf and the Dunhurst pitch. website listing the courses and universi- and Louise are both continuing to teach, Affording salaries and housing that will ties that they have been accepted by. albeit not full time, from this January. bring the best teachers to us is one thing, but we also need to develop our stock A recurring comment from OBs Although my initial image of the long of inspiring places where we can push at university is that they have not limbed oak and its rings of grain suggest the boundaries and where great work is subsequently had a teacher as inspiring annual, automatic renewal, schools like as a Bedales teacher, who nurtured their ours will only flourish if we can attract initial passion for their subject. Happily, the kinds of families who are drawn to TIMOTHY this also translates to prospective parents what our schools stand for and are willing WILLATT who now often comment to me, whether and able to afford the fees. At the same their tours be ones of Dunannie, Dunhurst time, we must also deploy our resources, SLACK or Bedales, that they have been struck in particular our finances, in such a way (1928–2013) be a degree of palpable enthusiasm and that we can enable the school to continue enjoyment of teaching which they pick to develop; in this respect, money is Bedales Headmaster 1962–74 up from their contact with teachers on as much the fuel as it is the lubricant. their tour. In saluting those long-serving Healthy student numbers and vigilant A Memorial Service for Tim will teachers who are leaving, our sadness at husbandry of resources have enabled us be held at Bedales in the Lupton their departure needs to be tempered with to generate surpluses that can be ploughed Hall at 4.30pm on Sunday plenty of gratitude for what they have back into some overdue improvements 23rd March, followed by given to many generations of students. to the fabric of the school. The three stage a Reception. refurbishment of Steephurst (at a cost of Please note the revised time, At Dunhurst, Louise Banks and Elaine over £1.5 million) is now complete and different from the one previously Hewitt concluded their 22 and 21 years has been well received; the replacement announced. of service respectively as inspiring of windows in 6.2 (formerly Boys’ Flat) forces within the Dunhurst Creative is now complete and three magnificent All friends of Tim, friends of Studies department. At Bedales Jane new staff houses sit alongside Church Bedales, and all Bedalians past Webster retired following 15 years and present are warmly invited. as an outstanding Maths teacher who cares deeply about her subject and has ASHLEY BRAY Tim’s family would welcome a remarkable ability to coax, josh and (1990 –2013) gifts to the Tim Slack Memorial inspire students to feel that they can do Fund, established to support Maths and do it well. Whether it was as Bedales 2003–08 the building of Bedales’ new boys’ housemaster, Head of English or Art & Design Centre. in the many other areas of involvement A Memorial Service for Ashley (The Chronicle, Outreach, curricular will be held at Bedales in the To discuss donations and naming reform and Civics) Graham Banks has Lupton Hall on Sunday 9th March. opportunities, please contact been at the centre of Bedales life for Veryan Vere Hodge on over three decades. A teacher who led Please contact the school for 01730 711697 or his department from the front and was further information on the timing. [email protected]. legendary for his passion about English and the high standards he expected from All are invited to attend. Thank you his students, Graham has had a powerful impact on so many of you. Happily for

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1928–33 and £50,000 from Richard Holder 1968–75) and others for use at Peter Coates the school’s discretion (£350,000 from Eve Woodyear 1941–44). Finally we received a legacy towards the Bedales Grants Trust Fund (£1.25 million from Brenda Binding 1924–32). Although the objects of the BGTF go beyond simply supporting children of OBs at the school, this legacy will, I am sure, have the effect of increasing the number of OB children who are able to attend Bedales. As you can imagine, such gifts are having a material effect on what we can do to improve the school and the opportunities it offers. Badley Weekend Celebrations

inspired. The impact the Olivier Theatre A much appreciated series of additions to 2014 should afford as many opportunities has had on dramatic innovation here is a the school’s resources have been through as there have been in recent years for OBs case in point. You will see elsewhere in a number of legacies and donations both to visit the school and for meetings the Newsletter that the plans for the Art in individuals’ memories over recent elsewhere. I look forward to seeing as and Design Centre have been modified as years – some for specific purposes: the many of you as possible, whether here a result of a consultation that occurred in John Badley Foundation (£2,000 from or elsewhere, during the course of 2014. the summer and that the revised design Susan Salaman 1952–54); the Memorial is now with the planners. Library (£53,480 from John Webster Keith Budge

eBulletin sample

Dear Old Bedalian

Welcome to what is likely to be the final Bulletin of 2013. Here you will find some remi- niscences and reflections to watch, a piece of old Bedales archival interest, some up and coming artists and another keeping the flame alive on the Celtic fringes. Oddly, all this comes from the very young and the somewhat more mature, whilst all in the 30–60 age range seem to have been busy doing things they do not wish to tell me about.

I also bring news of Tim Slack’s memorial service, which is to be held at Bedales at 5pm on Sunday 23rd March. All OBs and friends of the school are welcome.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and an enjoyable 2014

Dennis

Claerwen Onslow-Smith (2001–06) experienced a moment of revelation during her A Level history paper on Russian industrialisation from 1855–1956. From that moment, she knew that she wanted to be a painter, not an…

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chools were created to achieve ambi- “Who are the five biggest arms dealers in statesmen and women who cannot Stious civic purposes ... reconnecting the world?” prevent war. These are subjects worthy with those purposes can make education “The five permanent members of the UN of curricular space and also of collegial more relevant, engaging the imagination Security Council.” collaboration. One of the distinctive and energy of both students and teachers.1 qualities of Global Awareness is that The world looks different when you it works both vertically, as a distinct Global Awareness is about the urgent know that. subject, and horizontally, as connective issues of the day, both grand interconti- tissue linking and enhancing the existing nental narrative and the intimate detail Yet, despite universal agreement on the academic programme. It is not, as a of ordinary life. It encompasses the study vital role of global education – from colleague once suggested with a dreadful of poverty, global public health, complex academics, universities, employers and mime, just another thing you have to jam emergencies, human rights, gender, experts – and a cornucopia of fabulous into the great jar of learning. sustainability and the working of the resources, only a handful of schools have media and requires an appreciation of made more than a token commitment. As for starting the learning locally, the political, economic, social and cultural The norm is a ragtag and bobtail collec- it seems to me that this is where our forces which contain and define our lives. tion of assemblies, speakers, lunchtime integrity lies. We cannot speak with and afterschool activities – resulting in any authority about issues elsewhere if It is about learning how to look, under- bewildered students concerned this week we have no understanding of our own standing what you see and knowing what about child soldiers in Uganda, next week neighbourhood. As Kofi Annan wrote: to do. about micro–credit in Indonesia. We ‘I am often asked what can people do to wouldn’t teach any other subject this way. become a good global citizen? I reply that More than ten years after first jumping on it begins in your own community.’ my Global Awareness soapbox, the best At Bedales we are developing a clear argument for Global Awareness is still the rationale based on two central principles: This is a hugely exciting innovation and simplest – young people love it. My first making Global Awareness part of our one that I feel extremely lucky to be part class renamed our course Reality 101, progressive, mainstream curriculum and of. When fully realised, Global Awareness and that it exactly what it is. rooting it in our local community. is the ultimate expression of ‘Head, Heart, Hand’ – and ‘The Work of Each for Weal Consider for a moment this question There are, after all, many Nobel Laureates of All’ – and intrinsic to a lived awareness and answer: who cannot fix poverty and many brilliant that feels perfectly at home at Bedales.

Here are a few highlights from the want to find times and spaces for more first term: conversations, to bring in speakers and people with different life experiences, to The inaugural Global Awareness lecture, focus on photography and film, mental given by Dr Shahidul Alam. His theme, health and women’s rights, to connect Humanising the Other, made an enormous through social media and contribute to impact on the student body. Legacies the creation of a Global Awareness BAC. include an increase in the determination to fold ideas of visual literacy and story- Deepening the new partnership with telling into the curriculum and to create Charter Academy, Portsmouth, through digital spaces for students to continue a reading mentors/literacy project. Six discussion and debate beyond the class- Bedalians are working with Charter room and the school day. students and teachers on reading, writing and storytelling. The creation of a Global Awareness student group. This has over 30 members, Developing connections with international all of whom are full of ideas. Students Dr Shahidul Alam partner schools, including Woodstock and

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Vasant Valley Schools in India and Putney and Groton Schools in the US. Planning new exchanges with Putney and Woodstock for 2014, and integrating these into a progressive five year programme of international learning opportunities for all students at Bedales.

The Swaziland Project and trip. This was a great success. A thorough debrief produced a set of recommendations for future trips. Chief among these is a commitment to creating a learning strand that connects the before, during and after. Swaziland project

Auditing and mapping the existing Annabel Smith, Head of Global Awareness of Global Education and Director of the curriculum in preparation for building International Education Policy Program a five year, progressive curricular strand 1. Leading for Global Competency at Harvard University. that ensures that all students leave by Fernando Reimers. Educational Bedales with knowledge, skills Leadership, September 2009 | Volume 67 | and understanding of global issues, Number 1. Fernando M. Reimers is as well as opportunities for action and the Ford Foundation Professor of ‘lived awareness’. International Education, Director

JOHN HADEN BADLEY SOCIETY

n Friday May 3rd 2012 eleven building. There was plenty of opportunity would benefit greatly from a Bedales Omembers of the John Haden Badley for questions and discussion as well as education but who would otherwise not Society met to have lunch together at the reminiscing. Next year’s meeting will have access to one. Anything that OBs headmaster’s house at Bedales. Member- take place in London and members will feel that they can do to support the school ship of the Society is open to all those soon be advised of the date. in this way will be greatly appreciated. who have informed the school that they The school alumni officers, Philip Parsons intend to remember Bedales in their Building on the Legacy of John Badley and Dennis Archer, are happy to advise on Will, and is a way of saying thank you. legacies and can provide information on Members meet annually for lunch either In recent years Bedales has benefited the various projects here at Bedales that in London or at Bedales and are also substantially from the generosity of Old would benefit from your help. invited to other events at the school. Bedalians who have been inspired by their own experience of the school to further Philip Parsons The weather was perfect for the occasion, its work by means of a legacy in their [email protected] after which Keith Budge spoke about the Will. Such gifts have helped to build new 01730 711631 school and its latest development plans, facilities, maintain and improve existing in particular the proposed Art and Design ones and fund bursaries for students who

n 9th November 2012, Lucie Brenda Sadly, what she struggled OBinding OB died, leaving almost ashore with turned out to exactly £1.25 million to the Bedales be a body, but she was Grants Trust Fund (BGTF). This raised complimented on her a number of questions: Who was she? bravery by the coroner. Why did she leave so much to this particular charity? In turn, it made me After leaving Bedales, reflect on why I work as a trustee for she studied stage design the BGTF and why it matters. at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art, working First to give some details of Brenda, at the Old Vic and Sadlers born Brenda Graves on 3rd February Wells, before moving to 1914, who attended Bedales from 1924–32. Paris. Later, she travelled She apparently enjoyed her time at the extensively in the school, keeping loosely in touch over the Americas. When the war vicarious pleasure from helping children subsequent 80 years after she left, but came, she joined the First Aid Nursing of Bedalians whom I enjoyed teaching to never very closely so. Yeomanry (FANY) working, amongst benefit from the same experience. other things, as an ambulance driver. It is not clear why she came to Bedales, After the war, she married Roy Binding, It is worth examining another question. sent by a father who worked around the a former prisoner of war in Italy, but there One which I am asked more often than globe for Cable and Wireless, though were no children and the marriage did any other by OBs who visit the school: settling in Sheet at some point for a time. not last. Has it really changed? A silly question, We do know that she and her elder sister of course, since no school could stand Juliet pestered their father to let them After that, very little is known, apart from still, but OBs really want to know if that come to the school. Her sister married the fact that she became a carer for her indefinable essence, the thing which an OB, Fred Seyd, whose family were ageing father, settling in Salisbury, where makes them feel attached to the school, deeply involved in Bedales. I am grateful she eventually died. Communication is still there. This presupposes that such to their daughter, Nicola Seyd, for all my with Bedales in all these years was an ‘essence of Bedales’ exists in the information about Brenda. entirely carried out via Hugh Thomas OB, first place. Obviously I believe that or a fellow Salisbury resident some 14 years I wouldn’t have worked here for 40 years. She achieved fame but once in her life, her junior, but who sadly predeceased whilst she was still at school, bravely Brenda comfortably. Headmasters and others have expended attempting to rescue a boy in difficulties endless hours and reams of paper over swimming in the River Rother at Sheet. So why did she leave almost her entire the decades to try to identify and distil estate to the BGTF, a charity this spirit, so that they will know better that exists primarily to help how to cherish and preserve it, but that children of OBs attend is immensely difficult. An alternative the school? It’s not an approach is to let the Bedalian family, obvious move in the current parents and their children, do much of the political climate, appearing work for us. Those OBs who most valued to perpetuate privilege by and appreciated the ethos and atmosphere enabling fortunate children of the school will naturally be the ones to follow in their parents’ most likely to want their children to footsteps. I face the same enjoy the same experience. If sufficiently question myself, wondering many of them are in the school at any why I invest so much time given moment, they are likely to want and effort supporting this to support and nourish the more important process. It won’t do to say values and traditions in the context of the that I get a certain amount of modern school.

14 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Now many of these people are neither parents could not have even contemplated Peter Hall (OB 1975–79) back as a trustee privileged nor wealthy and the regrettably Bedales with the levels of funding after a short absence. We are delighted high costs of sending children to Bedales previously available. The trustees to have him back. are often prohibitive. Through help from hope to extend this level of assistance the BGTF, many more children of OBs to increasing numbers of pupils as We are supporting more students than are able to attend than would otherwise be funds permit. ever, most, but not all, of them children the case. The hope is that, in some sense, of OBs. We have high ambitions for the they are helping to keep the flame alive. The past year has been a good one for Fund, which we hope to achieve by good the BGTF in many ways. Funds invested investment. However we are always Brenda’s bequest has instantly doubled have now grown to a little over £2.8 pleased to receive further contributions the contribution that the BGTF is able to million. Simon Latham (OB 1993–98) from donors who sympathise with make. In particular, via the new Brenda has joined the trustees and chairs a small our aims. Binding Bursary, she has enabled the sub-committee who take responsibility for trustees to support a student whose the investments. We have also welcomed Dennis Archer (trustee)

A YEAR IN THE ARCHIVES

he Archive holdings now fill the Tback of the Library office and the room behind that was created from the storage area to the rear of the Lupton Hall. The theme this year has definitely been World War 1 as people are starting to think about writing articles or books for which they want information on Bedalians of the era. We were very touched that Jill and Biddy Trubshawe (OBs) have recently donated the letters their father Vyv had saved from the War and I’m sure that we will be using some extracts from these as we commemorate the centenary. Bedales is mentioned briefly in Anthony Seldon’s new book Public Schools and the Great War. Ruth Whiting spent a great deal of time collating our statistics in answer to his questionnaire, and we were slightly disappointed that he and his co-author did not explore in more depth the contribution made by Bedales women. Vyv Trubshawe in the Bedales Book of Remembrance

The other significant change over the to have these positive experiences with that will on display at Stoneywell past 12 months has been an increase in local arts and history societies. Another was originally made for Five Oaks. the number of visits by groups of people visitor, this time from the National Trust, interested in Arts & Crafts Architecture. was the curator appointed to prepare the Jane Kirby (née Williams, OB 1974–79 Alastair Langlands has led some of these, Gimson house Stoneywell for its public Librarian/Archivist) with great success, and there are more opening in 2014. He came with Hugh planned for next year. The School is Routh OB and thanks to the Bursar we currently focussed on increasing ‘Global were able to explore the architecture Awareness’ and we are reminded that of Five Oaks as well as the Library Global includes Local, so it is good and Lupton Hall. Some of the furniture

The first and ground floor layouts

Consultation Results

he school is grateful for feedback on Tthe Art & Design Centre plans and as a result, many aspects have changed. In keeping with Bedales’ reputation for creativity, the building will represent the best in arts education – and it will now be more compact, maximise teaching space, have lighter cladding and be set further from Steephurst. There will be a smaller Facilities building next to the Centre with the bulk of maintenance activities moved to a new yard elsewhere. An impression of what the new Art & Design Centre will look like

Image to show where the new Art & Design Centre will be situated on the Bedales Estate

16 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Student Opinion

“Bedales really helps me “I feel the way that Design “I’ve got this picture in my “There is a huge emphasis on to be creative. The Art is taught in the Bedales head that the new Art and not just the creative process teachers encourage you workshop is very much a Design Centre is going to be of designing in Fashion, to do things off your own teaching of the core craft. this building here you can but also the actual process initiative. When you get to As soon as you think of an just turn to your left or turn of making and technique, the second year of A Levels, idea, the teachers are very to your right, and there is this which in my view are the they say it is completely up good at helping you visualise amazing view that you can most important things to to you, you can do your own your design and actually see draw a picture of, or get some know if you want to design thing, make it what you like, it on paper or screen. inspiration for your new effectively. which is quite scary, but it textiles design or building is absolutely incredible. As a student committee, we a chair. Seeing as our syllabus is such looked at the initial designs a technical one involving The current Art classrooms of the new Art and Design It is going to be in the perfect a lot of pattern cutting and are really hectic and Centre from the architects location because it’s still rather large-scale work, it crammed. Having a bigger and we showed them what very much in the school is very important to have space would be great to work we really thought was a good area where all the main the space to work in really in; it would enable us to do move for the building as buildings are. effectively. I think one of pieces that are really huge, opposed to what didn’t need the lovely things about a as opposed to having to fold to be there. The teachers It is going to be an inspiring bigger Design Department them up on easels to try and have also had many different place that will really fit in would be the ability to come fit them in.” inputs. The initial designs well with the other buildings. in and work outside lesson now look nothing like the It’s like they’re all brothers times. I think it would be Imo Jeffes final plans. But that is a good and sisters and there’s just the brilliant if we could have lots thing; in the sense that now new kid that has been born!” more shared spaces so the the building has been adapted process of creating could be to what we really need.” Edie Ashley more interlinked.”

Albie Waterton Alexander Yetman

Keep up to date with the latest Art & Design Centre news by visiting: www.bedales.org.uk/art-design-project

A Personal Reminiscence We Melvilles, being day children, did not but he soon became an expert. Both our have to endure the bunkers at night. Our parents’ lives became hectic. Father took he year 1939 recalls two major neighbours in The Camp dug a great pit on the job of Billeting Officer and, having Tshocks: one personal, one global. for an air raid shelter and had the bright sold our car for a song, bicycled around idea of lining it with a huge rainwater persuading perhaps a single lady and her For me, going up to the big school was a tank. Needless to say it filled with housekeeper, in a ‘small country house’ great change. From the warm and always water, so they used to take shelter with with only 17 bedrooms, to take on one encouraging ambience of Dunhurst, Mrs Rollo Russell next up the hill. My or two snivelling Portsmouth slum brats. with its positive Montessori approach father stoutly refused to build a special Mother, apart from W.V.S., learnt to make (my grandmother had been a friend and shelter, so when a raid came close – and do and mend for six hungry children admirer of the Dottoressa and Aunt Amy frequently Portsmouth was attacked – (and occasionally for thirty unscheduled trained in her methods) to what seemed we would gather in the strongest part evacuees). They’d taken in two boys from like a hostile environment, was upsetting. of the house, at the foot of the stairs. Emanuel College (evacuated to our area) Bedales was going through a difficult I shivered and shivered, blaming the cold. who became like brothers to us four girls. patch and a negatively critical attitude But it was fear. (Was it worse for the One of them liked the area so much that infected the school. One or two of the boarders in the bunkers?) Towards the he stayed for good: Paul Townsend, at one teachers considered, perhaps time Head of Dunhurst, and with reason, that I had been husband to Molly, Bedales favoured by Aunt Amy, girls’ Housemistress. Head of Dunhurst, and took it out on me. But far worse As schoolchildren our war was the second shock: war. efforts were perhaps more a matter of endurance than How we had rejoiced, hectic activity: hungering in 1938, when Mr for butter, sugar and jam Chamberlain made peace (good training for later with Hitler! And what a times of recession!), Red horrible surprise hit when Cross, KIT (Keeping in war started. Poor Freddie Touch), knitting mittens Meier, new to his job as out of Elastoplast waste for Head, was faced with the the Merchant Navy, writing sudden loss of a number letters to lonely sailors. of pupils whose parents Workshop thought they would be Some favourite teachers left. safer in America. Some Latin had been fun, taught left for good – Wedgwoods for example end of the war Janey and I would huddle by an imaginative Welshman, Wyn Lewis. – some returned after the war. There in bed together for the most frightening We had Latin names, conversations, note- was some recompense when such as the thing: without warning you’d hear the books and the occasional Roman feast in de Peyers and Parsons came to Bedales hideous drone of a doodlebug. When it the Studio. When Wyn left for the army, to be safer from school in London. stopped your heart stopped: it was going some of us gave up Latin. Likewise we Nevertheless we faced the threat of air to dive. Nowadays the sound of a siren lost our Bio teacher, Jeff Spencer, whose raids. Hastily, trenches were dug along sends me all of a wobble. riotous parties at his home (The Lodge, the field below the top games pitch (near up the road from The Cricketers Inn) were the Church), and whenever the siren went Personnel were changing. Our gardener extremely popular. His lady replacement everyone had to trek up there. The great left to join up and my father learned to is remembered for having shown us how entertainment was to find the biggest slug Dig for Victory. His first plan, to grow the to get through a thorn hedge: backwards, (record 10 inches?). Soon new concrete most concentrated nourishment possible, ‘like a tramp would do’, and was torn to bunkers were built near Steephurst, was peanuts. This scheme was no more shreds. Not so brilliant in a time of severe and the trenches abandoned. successful than a later one in Africa, clothes rationing.

18 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

My best subjects became German and The first few phrases were drowned Feeding the school must have been French. Miss Chapman, tiny and birdlike, in laughter. a nightmare. I don’t remember much: battled successfully against recalcitrant semolina pudding stuck on one’s uvula; pupils (‘I’m waiting, I’m looking at the As day children we were allowed to feel Brussels sprouts and kale recalling frozen clock’) and won. She would take some that we were almost pariahs (though fingers from having to pick them for of us across the fields to artist Paul Maze’s I must admit, our attempts to do as Outdoor Work, to be served with corned house which he had turned into a haven boarders did – morning run and cold bath beef for lunch; seeing hulking 14 year old for Free French sailors. Miss Chapman – were short lived). Even my sister Wen, boys stuffing four-tier peanut butter sand- married one of them later and went off the most popular girl in the school, once wiches at break; munching sweet chest- to live in the Channel Islands. Ken Keast told me that she felt we were second class nuts gathered under the trees along the top was great for German, a brilliant teacher. citizens. And this was not mitigated by games pitch, beyond Tom Holding’s wind These two were crucial in getting me into a few of the teachers. Strangely though, instrument hut. university, bless them. when Peggy Barnsley/Karen Antonini was made a boarder she became so Morals: boys and girls were Music was another ‘best’. Nancy Strudwick, unhappy that she and Peter Wright ran accommodated in separated buildings, who took over ‘cello, was tremendously away from school. unlike one or two more progressive encouraging. She even schools. If you had a special achieved the rare permission relationship, you were said to take me up to the Albert to be ‘going’ with so-and-so. Hall to hear Casals play the Only in one case did I Dvorak ‘Cello Concerto. learn of a couple ‘going Similarly, Harry Platt was the whole hog’ (there was a very positive influence. a barn down at Dunannie) Towards 5th/6th form and then for some reason days, Geoff Spencer and or other they went hand- Jan Fabricius got together in-hand to Freddie Meier a voluntary chamber and confronted him. But as orchestra. We started on they’d finished school there the Brandenburg Number was hardly anything he 2, they taking the solos could have done. For all on their flutes. With no his troubles, Freddie was a conductor things got a kindly fellow. He once gave bit out of hand. One after School Council Meeting a wonderful Magic Lantern another, players stood in Show (how Proust would front to conduct, but could have loved it!); and another not keep time! “Well Ali, you’ll have to Our English teacher, an ex-army time he booked all two carriages of do it.” Years later John Bush wrote to major, provoked mixed feelings. the Bluebell Express for the school to me from Australia, relating how, without The Shakespeare performances he go to Midhurst to see the film ofHenry a word, I broke a twig from the nearby produced in Lord Horder’s garden, the Fifth. flower arrangement, and waved it up and with the Steep Players, were outstanding, down – in time. Harry Platt heard of the his schoolwork enlivening. He liked to Entertainments: you could almost include enterprise and came to encourage. He fill in the expurgated passages in Hamlet Evening Assembly here, for each was lent me his own baton and gave me some and he thought teaching grammar was splendidly interdenominational. As was lessons. “To bring them in, lift your baton quite unnecessary – “You’ll pick it up Sunday Jaw, though that was occasionally with a strong upward sweep”. When it as you go along”. This was not popular rather long drawn. Besides our own came to our concert performance I did just with the language teachers, and School music, plays and Merry Evenings, we had that, caught Geoff’s music with the tip Cert questions about participles and some memorable visits: Stephen Spender, of my baton and sent it flapping over the constructions left us mystified. beautiful as a god, and the Griller Quartet. orchestra kerplonk onto the idle drums. They were in the R.A.F. and the cellist’s

Contact us at: [email protected] 19 uniform buttons rattled, so he called for and interesting replies. Some person in occurred through World War Two will a pair of scissors and chopped them off. Bedales administration replied demanding hold good. I hope that a basic requirement a banker’s written assurance that we could for acceptance will not be wealth; that My father had retired in 1930 on a afford the fees. My husband went through there will be a strong element of day fixed pension. By 1948 when he had the roof. pupils on equal footing – I believe there seen all four of his children through are excellent links with the locality. Bedales, his income was less than that When seven of my grandmother’s Finally, having had a long lifetime to of a farm labourer. Then university costs children went to Bedales it was situated make comparisons and see the influence meant extreme abstention. It must seem in Sussex. How was it that Mr Badley that Bedales has had on education ungrateful to be resentful of some of our found such a beautiful part of the world as nationally, acknowledging the excellence Bedales experience – especially when its present location? It leaves wonderful of the greater part of my education there, people like Mike Caine thought Bedales memories of bike rides with friends up and the intense appreciation it instilled, the happiest time of their lives. A few who into the Downs, for example, or walks most of my earlier bitterness has melted. could afford it, sent their children there. through Lord Horder’s beautiful Ashford John Badley was so right! We didn’t: when our oldest child was Chase and up Stoner, and skating on two we apparently needed to make early Peefee Lake. Alison Mallett (née Melville, OB 1939–46) bookings, so wrote to several independent schools asking for brochures and copies I suppose there will always be a caste of school magazines, with a view to system in some form or other but I picking the right place. Most sent kind sincerely hope that the erosion of it that

BEDALES FARM IN WARTIME

kale and marigolds for the stock and a found a dead toad and was about to drop bit of corn partly to provide straw for it in the milk but fortunately thought thatching and bedding. better of it. There might have been recriminations. When war came, a tractor appeared on the scene driven by Bob Ferguson, who was a Then there was haymaking. One year Priscilla Siebert (née Thornycroft) Priscilla Siebert (née bit of a hero of mine, as was anyone who some of us turned the whole of the San drove a tractor; like the engine drivers field with rakes. Hard-turning hay is fun who came puffing through our stations. in a small area and it smells lovely but How we longed to be like them! doing a whole field under a blazing sun made us grumble a bit. “Why doesn’t A few more fields were ploughed and the school buy a machine for this job?” potatoes were grown. In Outdoor Work Luckily for us the weather held dry or we made ourselves useful picking we would have had to do it again. I think he main purpose of the farm, I think, up the spuds lifted and scattered by they did get a rope-drawn swath turner Twas to provide milk for the school Bob’s machine. after that. and probably eggs and pork, though the last two were curtailed when war I wish we could have watched the milking When I first came to the school in 1939 broke out. sometimes. The nearest we got to that was there were riding horses down beyond the the daily chore in pairs when two boys Gym. My only memory of them is that Most of the fields were under permanent brought the milk down from the dairy to I was standing leaning against the fence grass for the cows to graze and to provide the school kitchen in a sort of churn on with my back to the field and one came hay for the winter. There was one field wheels. I remember this because one day up and bit me on the shoulder! When war under the plough if I remember right the boy I was working with, who later came the horses just disappeared. I hope (behind the swimming pool). They grew became famous in the world of ballet, they found good homes for them.

20 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

A wealthy benefactor paid for the creation of a riding ring with sand and fences. Of course this fell into disuse. One day the powers that be heard that this person was coming to visit, so a group of us was hurriedly dispatched to tidy up the ring. It was full of thistles. I never did discover if he or she actually got to inspect it. I hope the horses are back now. They had some lovely stables.

Some children had little garden plots I think and I myself was involved in breeding rabbits for meat (remember it is shining and that’s all. Same with the Today there is felt a need to reconnect was wartime), but this project came to a staff, though I think Miss Hobbs kept bees young people with earthly things and sudden end, probably because the rabbits somewhere. She liked talking about them. I’m sure the school is going along with multiplied so much during the summer that. I feel sorry for children brought up term. We could not cart them all home for But what an asset the farm is! I was in cities. No wonder some of them go the holidays and there was no one able or perhaps unusual in that I would go off the rails. Not many will grow up to willing to look after them at school. wandering off alone through the fields and become farmers these days but to learn to garden and grow a bit of food can be most satisfying.

And that’s about all I recall. Not very exciting. No stories about chasing German parachutists around haystacks! Thank God. In fact the War left us largely unscathed. We used to lie in bed at night and hear the doodle bugs trundling over on their way to London and wonder if they would cut out over us. If one had then I might not have been here to write this. One did land or get shot down one afternoon while we were in class, about two miles away. There was a mighty bang and the windows rattled.

Looking back, I wish we could have been woods, exploring and looking for birds’ Guy Oram (OB 1939–45) more involved with the farm but it was nests. There were so many then. I did not war time and such activities probably had take eggs. I was like Bill Oddy – allowed to be curtailed. We were useful for dull, one of each sort for my collection. back-aching jobs like potato-picking and But even if you weren’t interested in hoeing which would put some people off that sort of thing, the benign influence for life. of the countryside would help many.

Many of the pupils came from London One would lie in bed on spring mornings (“town” they called it) and may have when it began to get lighter and listen to had the urban attitude to the countryside rooks cawing round their nests and feel – a nice place to walk in when the sun the stirring of a new year. Bedales Farm today

It’s the unexpected in our education that it into a high class brothel and fly in rich often transforms into something more clients by helicopter. But as my luck many years later. And Bedales was would have it, they were all bundled off brilliant at this: we were all exposed to jail and the property was put back on to things that opened our minds and the market, helipad included. By then, hearts to a world that sadly so few seem everything had been stolen: the irrigation to value today. Having gone on to study pipes, the fencing, even some of the trees law, become a criminal defence barrister, had been pulled up or burnt and the rest then done a stint at the BBC, Time had died from lack of water, and the Out, ended up moving to Argentina, house was derelict. The local lads used a had three children ... the list goes on, large chunk of the land as a motor-cross I found myself, a few years ago, living circuit and the goatherd let his animals down in Andalucia, on the Costa del roam free across the terraces all the way Sol. El Dorado it was not. Spain had just down to the river. Squatters had been imploded, the property boom and endemic living in the house and the patio was rat corruption having taking its toll on an and scorpion infested. The minute I set otherwise healthy economy, and everyone, eyes on it, I was smitten. and I mean everyone, was getting out of euros and Spain as quickly as possible. Blinded by my recklessly adjusted rose- tinted specs my enthusiasm knew no I had some cash from the sale of my home bounds. La Bonita, as I decided it would in Switzerland, and because generally be named (which means the Beautiful ometimes things in life just creep up I am not risk averse, I decided to go One), was destined to be the most Son you. And looking back, it’s hard to against the tide and invest in agricultural spectacular and profitable farm in Spain, pinpoint exactly when or where a longing land. I reckoned that if the entire financial and the entire project would be achieved transformed itself into a possibility and system collapsed, then owning a primary and managed in an ethical and upstanding finally into a reality. food source, where the sun shines and manner. No corruption or nasty chemicals I speak the language, was not a bad bet. for me! Well, I do hereby confess, I spoke But John Rogers has much to answer for too soon. When in Rome… There is as I smile on remembering the hours spent So with absolutely no farming knowledge, absolutely no way the project would doing Outdoor Work, complaining even as except for the vague memories of have ever got off the ground had I not I volunteered in a masochistic sort of way. trudging around Stoner in wellies and become more Andalus in my approach. How l loved the soggy afternoons spent in dog walks in Hampshire, I began to look At times I had to empathise with Scarlett the outdoors, when I was part of a motley for a farm with a house to renovate and O’Hara when she dressed up in her crew of teenagers struggling with cutting that already had a well. Properties were, curtains to gain favour. I now have an back undergrowth or digging up potatoes. and still are, half price to what they had entire wardrobe of very low-cut dresses Long after everyone else had finished been in 2008 before the crash, and with and have learnt what discreet envelopes sports and disappeared from the Quad, luck, perseverance and tough negotiating, contain. I had too much invested for it not we would arrive back at school from an I finally bought the most idyllic Cortijo to work and am too headstrong to allow arduous, back-breaking job and tuck into (farmhouse) on 12 hectares of land that my dream to fail, but even I, who ‘gets’ the leftover jam sandwiches (that were had once been an avocado and citrus how Andalucia works and cut my teeth always somehow squashed) and hot cuppa farm. During the Franco years it had during Menem’s time in Argentina, was served at tea. There was something deeply belonged to one of his generals, and it ill-prepared for what awaited me. satisfying about being in nature, having was as if time had stood still. The finca only hours before studied Wordsworth had been abandoned for over 10 years: What I can say is that my learning or Hopkins whilst at the same time the previous owners had failed to get curve has not been boring. Two years avoiding P.E. and the dispirited, resigned planning permission for 80 houses so after signing the 56-page title deeds – atmosphere of a group of girls being eventually they had agreed to sell on to at which meeting there were only 11 forcibly made to play lacrosse. Russians whose intention it was to turn people including the mayor’s cousin

22 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

AVOCADOS, ADVERSITY & LA BONITA ANDALUCIA

– I am now able to call myself the only grafting. And I ask everyone I meet about to combat fungi and pests, and painting female avocado farmer in Spain. I not their small-holdings and how they deal of the trunks with whitewash to protect only grow three different varieties of with problems when they arise. In the against the sun. The land has to be kept avocado (Hass, Fuerte and Bacon), but main, most people are very kind and try grass free in case of fires, the paths I also produce the most extraordinary to be helpful in sharing their farming and terraces require constant rebuilding olive oil, oranges and tomatoes this experience, but I have had some nasty and the wells and pipe-system have side of the continent, and will next year surprises and more than once ended up to be checked regularly for blockages hopefully have my first lemon harvest. with the Guardia Civil at my gate, guns in and leaks. I have planted over 2000 trees, rebuilt their holsters and a cold look in their eye. the entire drip-feed irrigation system to This invariably happens when someone It’s not been easy dealing with the the point that we are bursting with the with an axe to grind makes a denuncia financials and misogyny, and at times latest technology and automated valves, (official complaint) about anything and I lie awake at night, eyes wide open, outbuildings have sprung like mushrooms everything. It is never clear who the wondering how I will get through the to house the farming paraphernalia and denunciante is or why the police have next 12 months seeing as most of last visiting Woofers, I have a fence and the been called out, but all working papers year’s avocado crop fell to the ground necessary permissions for it (which is no and licences are then pored over and in a hurricane and this year’s Clementine small thing), a fabulous gate, and a totally IDs checked. harvest has been sold at half-price to renovated house. That I haven’t had a the local jail just to get it off the trees. nervous breakdown in the process and am Agriculture in this part of the world is still financially solvent is rather strange financially precarious (for example, I get to be honest, because I have had to read 3 cents per kilo for oranges so I simply books and watch videos on everything let them drop to the ground), so I’ve from apricots, bees and fertilizers to decided to diversify and am now taking water-pumps, septic tanks and labour bookings for weddings under the stars law and had the joy of paying for it all. and holiday lets. The subsidies I was promised have yet to materialise, and all the problems that Once I have an up-and-running I was told I would never have, have website, I will do a blog. Woofers are materialised as if by magic. I am known always welcome, but you must have locally as La Terrateniente Suiza, an a sense of humour because you will affectionate term for a foreign military need it. I do have a Facebook page task-master who likes things done right. (LaBonitaAndalucia) that I run as a diary and where I upload photos of the latest I employ two farmhands part-time to chapter in what is turning out to be one cut back the trees, check the irrigation, of the most fulfilling projects I have help with the olive harvest and fruit ever undertaken. I love my farm and crops, plant new seedlings and deal I love what I do, and if I can survive the with the general maintenance of the economic crisis, I shall hopefully see out terraces and buildings. Twice a year a my days walking in moccasins around perito (agriculture specialist) drops by In the summer we start work at 6am, the finca in the company of my rescued for the princely sum of 200 euros, gives break at 9am for olive oil on bread with dogs and anyone who cares to join me in his opinion on what we are doing, and cucumber, tomato and chorizo, and stop getting their hands dirty before going for then, depending on whether or not what work by midday when the temperatures a dip in the pool. he says makes sense to me, I follow his hover around 40C. In winter we are busy advice or ignore it. I am also a member both in the morning and afternoon, with Katja Faber (OB 1976–81) of ASAJA (an agricultural association a big break for lunch and siesta. The trees in Malaga) that offers free advice on need constant care, not only twice daily anything from labour and tax law to watering, but also fertilizer (which we put feeding trees via the leaves and pecan-nut through the drip-feed system), spraying

How Bedales helped pave the way for a career in design

left Bedales for the ‘outside world’ in I 1996. It had been my home for over ten years, both parents teaching at the school since we arrived as a family in 1986, and for more than half of that time we’d been umbilically attached to one of the boys’ boarding houses. However, within days of my final summer term ending I was on a plane to Swaziland for a summer of teaching and travelling and a first real insight into ways of life that fortunate Europeans struggle to comprehend.

What’s all this got to do with cyclones or condoms I hear you ask? I am now Head of Design at Cambridge Design Partnership, one of the major Design and lives, wonder what elements contributed almost prerequisite to a successful career Technology Consultancies within the to steering our destinies. Was it Martin in design. ‘Cambridge Cluster’. Box’s penchant for automotive exotica, or (what seemed at the time pedantic) During my time at Bedales I actively Started 18 years ago, the team has attention to detail? Or David Butcher’s sought involvement with theatrical grown to sixty designers, engineers, dove-tail joints, or Mohammed’s easy productions, (from backstage sound and and scientists who provide core applied going ‘everything’s possible’ charm? lighting, to playing Hamlet’s scheming expertise, as well as more intriguing There is no doubt that the Design Depart- Uncle Claudius), the Orchestra (how skills such as ‘Usability’ (believe it or ment and these important characters made many people can say they’ve performed not, there are regulated Standards for positive lasting impressions on a certain using Roger Taylor’s percussion?!), Usability Engineering to support the creative teenager. However, pondering and thriving on other creative and intuitive, and ultimately safe, use of more deeply my feeling is that it was the competitive roles within the school from medical products), and Kansei (emotional cumulative effect of much, much more… Outdoor Work to hockey. or ‘affective’ design which focuses on connecting product attributes to the We use the word ‘holistic’ regularly at I was fortunate that design came naturally senses and emotions). We operate across Cambridge Design Partnership. Not with to me – I enjoyed the challenge of three consumer product, packaging, healthcare any desire to be seen as elaborate word- dimensional problems, of working with and increasingly ‘clean-tech’ sectors, and smiths, but because it is one of the few different materials; from a wooden chair are fortunate to work with clients ranging ways of accurately describing how such a with hand-turned legs and spindles, from global giants such as Unilever, deeply and broadly qualified team apply to a 4m diameter welded steel gazebo, Pfizer and Reckitt Benckiser, to rapidly themselves to the diverse challenges I developed a real appreciation of the growing VC funded start-ups. Perhaps the which come across our doorstep. We truly sensory quality and structural value best known of our products is the Dulux believe in the power of a multi-discipli- of different materials, and the school’s Paintpod, an automated painting device nary team, approaching a problem from strong art focus helped hone the skills including a self-cleaning roller! all angles, putting ourselves in the shoes to visualise my ideas effectively. As of users and other stakeholders. Having my main A-level project I went on to When offered the opportunity to write an empathetic hunger for insight into prototype and help specify the rotating this article, it was intriguing to reflect how people from all demographics and seating solution for the Olivier Theatre (as many of us probably do) on my time at cultures live and do things, and a broad which had to adjust to suit the variety Bedales and, regardless of the stage of our range of interests from travel to DIY are of alternative stage arrangements.

24 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

FROM CYCLONES TO A GRAND CONDOM CHALLENGE

There was no doubt about where to study they were happy to postpone my start. Black & Decker’s Global Innovation after school – Northumbria University Working in New York was as fast and Team at their UK office based just south was and remains world renowned for furious as you’d imagine it to be, and of Newcastle. Three fun years saw my Industrial Design; its most famous thankfully old school friend and NY time divided between design studio, alumnus, Jonathan Ive, is among many resident, Simon Hammerstein, showed workshop, various international offices other equally talented figureheads leading me round while I found my feet! and field research watching consumers global design businesses. During the maintain their gardens and repair their four year course which included ‘live’ Returning to Dyson in January 2001 was houses, and creating new ideas inspired briefs, and industry placements, I was like a dream coming true – straight into by the gathered insights. This intense also fortunate to win two prestigious a New Product development department focus on the colliding global business, Royal Society of Arts ‘Student Design where I was working ‘blank sheet’ on a technology and user needs persuaded me Awards’; one of these, a footwear brief set next generation of iconic products with to begin a parallel path of personal study by Reebok, included a prized opportunity my design hero. Responsibility came which resulted in achieving my Chartered to travel to their Boston design centre. quickly and during the four and a half Marketer status last year. years in Malmesbury, the pinnacle was Graduating in Summer of 2000, my final being on the team for the first ‘Ball’ The one thing I can guarantee is that year project (a concept Chainsaw, which vacuum. I designed the cyclone systems every designer you meet will have a was evaluated by Stihl) was on display for DC14 and DC15, and am named very different career story to tell – it at the Business Design Centre where inventor on numerous patents, including is the nature of the beast, and in 2008 I met one of the Directors of Dyson, a cyclone performance-improving feature I took a risk – I stepped away from who invited me for interview. I had the which has appeared on most of Dyson’s mainstream design into the public challenge of explaining that I was shortly vacuum cleaners since. sector. An experimental role was being leaving for a four month internship in created within the North East Regional New York, and hoped it wouldn’t affect From household products to power Development Agency – the Director my chances of employment – thankfully tools, I eventually moved on to join responsible for economic growth knew

Contact us at: [email protected] 25 that design could be an economic catalyst; Tommee Tippee’s new ‘360 Sealer’ diaper his challenge to me – can you create a disposal system was launched in the US multimillion pound portfolio of activities in Autumn 2013 and is chalked for global to help the region’s businesses use design roll-out in 2014. to grow? Five years on, the organisation I set up, ‘Design Network North’, is In November our team was successful going strong and a new design hub, the in securing a first stage grant from the ‘Northern Design Centre’, sits proudly Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and on the Gateshead quays, metres from their ‘Grand Challenge Explorations’ the Sage and Baltic Mill arts venues. to develop a Next Generation Condom. One of the lowest cost and accessible However the 2010 change of Government ways of preventing unwanted pregnancy sounded the death knell for RDAs, a sad and spread of disease, the class II medical day for the North East, but a blessing in product still faces problems of low adop- disguise for me – I had been out of the tion in many developing countries. Our design industry for two and a half years challenge is to tackle the issues with fresh and was getting the urge to sharpen my thinking and our new UK R&D centre, pencils again! Luck was smiling on me completed in January 2014, will play and I was offered the opportunity to join a key role. Cambridge Design Partnership. Three years on I am now one of the six members If you’re in the Cambridge area, of the Board of Partners. do drop by…

During my career, I have had the privilege Ben Strutt (OB 1991–96) of working on products that many of you www.cambridge-design.co.uk will have in your pockets and homes. www.gatesfoundation.org Our labs buzz with prototypes that range from new domestic heating technologies to potentially life-changing surgical equipment. Our most recent product,

26 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

JUDGEMENTAL? YOU MUST BE MAD

A personal view on the stigma this and is making brilliant neurological of mental health discoveries that will help the next wave of sufferers. In this regard, malfunctions he 25-year reunion approaches. Eek. of the mind are no longer taboo. However, THands up who remembers swigging this has yet to filter through to the public vodka out of barely-rinsed shampoo at large. Any form of mental imperfection bottles in the Sand Quarry? (I’ve not been is perceived as a weakness. While more able to touch Timotei or vodka since, after succumb to it, few are prepared to admit a nasty incident that left me foaming at to it for fear of being metaphorically the mouth.) Or hours in The Donkey Cart tarred and feathered. It’s only through with friends, gossip and a packet of Silk dialogue that we can help find Cut? What about Wednesday afternoons understanding on this debilitating set of in the back of Billy Bullpitt’s knackered illnesses and break down the stereotypes blue estate, on the way to see the school and barriers of what it actually means. shrink in Winchester? I always wondered how many of us were disappearing Anyone with a history of mental health for these mental MOTs, whilst others who has tried to get a job will tell you might be gorging on Hula Hoops and what a perverse game of Catch-22 it taramasalata in a nearby field. I felt part of is. If you don’t disclose any previous a secret tribe, so covert that the identity of NHS is reading this). So you’d think the episodes of illness and are then innocently fellow members was a mystery. For some, proof was in the Prozac, right? That these ‘outed’ by your GP, the chances are you these visits would be nothing but a phase pedestrians would take the hint that I’m won’t make your probation period. If you in the adolescent process; for others, they with Stephen. Weirdly though, this was do disclose your illness ... well, in truth I would come to signify what it means to the moment they chose to unleash their don’t know what would happen because live with a mental health issue. And the bigoted bile on anyone who’s a bit ‘funny I’ve never met anyone brave enough to added burden of the associated stigma, in the head’. I was as enraged as my test the system. As if stress in the work- of which I was rudely reminded recently SSRI-suppressed self allowed and offered place isn’t enough, the strain of trying to when my new neighbours came to supper. them another glass of apathy, vowing to maintain a healthy brain and conceal your do something about it tomorrow. condition can wreak havoc with cortisol My neighbours and I share nothing in levels. The constraints placed upon common other than a garden wall and Depressingly, mental health is on the managerial staff can often deny them bin collection day, so I scrabbled through increase. And social stigma and prejudice the opportunity to behave intuitively, the apple crumble for safe conversation are still a terrible blight on our society. and perhaps they lack sufficient guidance, topics. Current affairs ... literature ... Every sixth handshake at the end of Jaw training and authority to intervene and comedy ... Stephen Fry. Phew, I’d struck is a potential depressive, OCD sufferer, assist those in distress. According to the gold with Mr Fry. Or so I thought. anorexic, schizophrenic etc. So if one out charity Mind, 25% of workers consider How could this wonderfully funny man of every six is a likely candidate, how resigning from their employment due to possibly suffer from depression when he come it’s still such a hard conversation to stress. It’s why so many of us are free- not only earns a hefty income, but also have? (“Hey, what you been up to?” “Oh lance, when in fact the dodgy wiring in counts HRH Charles amongst his chums the usual suicidal ideation and a spot of our brains would really benefit from the and finds himself on everyone’s dinner self-harm. You?” “Oh, some Tourette’s camaraderie and sense of connection that party wish list? Pull yourself together tics and ARSE BISCUIT.”) Back in the an office can offer. When it comes to Stephen, you verbose solipsist. Get over 80s, Bipolar and other conditions such other life essentials such as mortgages, it, you self-indulgent and ungrateful as its junior sibling Cyclothymia were loans or insurance the slightest whiff of luvvie. All these comments after they’d classed as ‘personality’ rather than ‘mood black dog can deny you a product or leave been admiring a picture I’d made – the disorders’. Before public prejudice got you faced with an extortionate premium. word ‘JOY’ spelt out with those pretty a look in, it felt like medical science had Mental health is an equal opportunities green and cream happy capsules (past already pigeonholed you under P for illness, happy to hire anyone. Shame it their sell-by-date, in case anyone from the Problem. Medicine has moved on from doesn’t work the other way.

Contact us at: [email protected] 27 So here I am; a 42 year old mentalton/ from those who lend their voice to Emma Burgess (OB 1984–89) loony/freak/nutter, if you will. These are communicate that message (thank you labels that I happily bestow upon myself. Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax et al) but, until Emma is compiling a series of other After all, it’s my condition and I’ll self- EVERYONE is comfortable with joining people’s stories on depression and stigma deprecate if I want to (but woe betide in the conversation, any understanding for publication in 2014. If you want to anyone else who calls me cuckoo). If we will continue to be trumped by stigma. find out more or contribute, contact her are to look mental illness in the eye and And if we are unable to overcome this at [email protected] win the staring match, we must be able enduring malaise, I will definitely be to have open and honest conversations increasing my dose. across all levels. We can take our lead

SOME PLAIN FACTS

ear, Hear. I admire Emma’s bravery is huge. Many people manage their Habove, because sadly the reality is conditions alone, but for those that do that the majority of people with mental seek help a conservative estimate suggests health problems do continue to experience it accounts for over 30% of GP consulta- serious and frequent discrimination, tions, and 14% of the NHS budget2. The whether that is during their search for reduced life expectancy of those with work, accessing services or buying mental health problems is said to be as travel insurance1. great as 20 years for men and 15 years for women because of a host of associated We need the courage of people like Emma complications3. And the wider costs to to talk about their problems because it’s the national economy in terms of welfare by sharing and investigating experiences benefits and lost productivity at work that we can make the necessary progress amount to some £77 billion a year4. to improve lives. I believe there are three key challenges Mental health is a subject about which that need to be urgently addressed to I care passionately. For over 10 years lessen the devastating effect of mental I’ve been working alongside public ill health. health professionals to improve mental well-being. Then, in 2009, my work Firstly, we need much more significant and home life collided when my mother, and accelerated progress to improve our at the age of 61, developed severe scientific understanding of the issue. depression and tragically made the fateful Ultimately, we must hope that we might decision to end her own life. Since then learn how to prevent mental ill-health I have sought every opportunity to altogether; until then we need to find increase awareness, challenge attitudes more successful ways to cure or treat it and raise funds through a wide range and become much better at managing of initiatives with which I am now and mitigating the symptoms (including involved, including being the Founder reducing the often debilitating side-effects of the Judi Meadows Memorial Fund, of prescribed medication). mental health research5. This proportion a suicide prevention charity, a Trustee of has barely changed for years despite the McPin Foundation, a mental health We’re a long way off achieving the the growing incidence of the problem. research charity, and an advisor to various breakthroughs that are needed. Research Furthermore, even if more money were government programmes. into mental ill health is woefully under- to become available, there is a dearth in funded. For example, in 2009/10 the the quantity and quality of academics and As Emma notes, mental health problems Medical Research Council spent just clinicians dedicated to studying mental are surprisingly common and their impact 3.4% of their £758.2 million spend on health. We urgently need young people

28 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

to be attracted to developing their careers Third, probably the least glamorous of if we want to reduce suffering and help in this area of medical research. these challenges and by far and away the tackle the 6,000 lives that are currently most difficult, is the revolution of kind- lost each year to suicide7. Secondly, we need to take steps to ness that is required for us as individuals mitigate the scale of the problem that is and also as a society to show empathy, Amy Meadows (OB 1987–92) facing our children and future genera- understanding and inclusion of those tions. Currently, one in ten 5–16 year olds facing mental distress. Sadly, too many 1. In 2009, King’s College London’s have a diagnosable mental health-problem misconceptions abound about mental ill Institute of Psychiatry Viewpoint survey and more than half of all adults with health, such as that it is self-induced and found that 88% of people with mental mental health problems were diagnosed in that it results in violent behaviour that health problems have experienced childhood.6 To improve children’s well- means the public are at risk. This igno- discrimination. being, both whilst they are young and rance breeds misunderstanding and fear 2. Health of the Nation Index (2004) when they become adults, we need a wide and acts as a barrier preventing people 3. British Medical Journal (2013), range of organisations, including crucially from displaying basic compassion and Premature death among people with schools, to accept responsibility to build care. It’s to address this that the voice mental illness mental health resilience. Humans have the and experience of people like Emma is 4. National Mental Health Development capacity to face, overcome and ultimately so vital. By humanising and normalising Unit: The costs of mental ill-health be strengthened by life’s adversities and the experience of mental ill health it helps (Department of Health) challenges. These resilience techniques people to understand how the illnesses are 5. Medical Research Council (2012), are not something that you either have, manifested. It encourages social contact, personal communication to Amy or do not have; instead they are learnable and tackles stigma and discrimination. Meadows and teachable. Resilience building is not I hope too that it will reassure more indi- 6. Young Minds (2013) a quick fix to solving everyone’s mental viduals who are unwell that it is safe for 7. Office for National Statistics, suicides health problems, but it is a positive, them to talk about how they are feeling in the United Kingdom (2011) hopeful and increasingly evidence based and to seek help. We urgently have to approach to improving well-being. learn to be more open about mental illness

CLASS OF 2004 REUNION This year’s 10 year reunion will be held Invitations were sent out in January. Bella Mates over the weekend of Saturday June 28th If you should have received one and [email protected] and Sunday June 29th. All who belong did not, please get in touch with one 07766 135564 to the Class of 2004 are invited. of the following: Jeremy Walker Saturday June 28th is Bedales Parents Philip Parsons [email protected] Day and all the usual events and [email protected] 07747 637224 entertainments will be available. The day 01730 711631 will conclude with a Block Barbecue Party by the Cricket Pavilion.

Below is a list of those to whom we have been unable to send an invitation to the reunion due to lack of any kind of address. If you can help us to contact any of them, please get in touch.

Alexandra Becerra Nick Kinnegen Rupert Runewitsch Alexander Craig Alexander Logsdail Benjamin Scott Willem de Vries James McCreddie Jemima Scott Thomas Guinness-Taylor Ingrid Nelson Culum Simpson Byzantia Harlow David Robertson

ife moves so fast. Approximately His BMW would be loaded into a L30 years have gone by, but some container and shipped to South America, memories of Bedales seem as vivid as Africa, Russia, the Middle East or ever, while others have probably drifted wherever. He and his club friends would away for good. My time at school was fly out to meet their machines and spend all about 80s music, mullet hairdos, several weeks riding through the country. bad clothes, Miami Vice and Top of the This time it was to be New Zealand. Pops. In those days there were no social Chris had been looking forward to this one. networking sites, smartphones or internet providing the escape so many teenagers After collecting his motorcycle at the rely on today. According to my children dock, riding out onto the highway, Chris I’m now incredibly old, have bad taste in met a truck coming the other way. At music, often embarrass them and really the scene, he suffered only a broken to make a cup of coffee, he collapsed should sort out my wardrobe. I would leg. In the ambulance things took a turn and remained unconscious for several disagree. Surely flares and tank-tops will for the worse and Chris was airlifted minutes. Tim and I were peers, managing be back in fashion in only a month or to Auckland where he later died of a teams of specialist consultants providing two? Since those days, we’re all older, ruptured aorta. deep technical know-how. Frequently wiser and probably more critical of just we would compare notes and chat on the about everything. It’s the inevitable The pensioners were invited in. It turned phone. This helped dilute the stresses of slide towards a final destination of out Chris had no immediate family and the job. We would speak almost every Victor Meldrew. no living relatives. It had fallen to the day and Tim often reminded me ‘it’s just university friend to begin the laborious a job, Dave, don’t worry about it, there’s One thing I never really considered is how task of wills, solicitors and winding up the always a solution out there somewhere’. mid-life seems to creep up on you. As you estate. After they’d left, I went upstairs to And he was right. I just needed to hear move towards middle age, it seems the my small office and wept. Why? I barely him say it. only advice comes from a barrage of knew Chris. We would chat over the ‘funny’ birthday card quips. Its start and fence, in the local café, on the pavement Over the next six months, Tim fought finish is often difficult to pinpoint, making outside or in the driveway. When he was a familiar battle. This was brain cancer, it as elusive as a World Cup winning away I would keep an eye on his house the most aggressive of all. A tumour was England football team. More recently and and he would do the same for me. But removed from the right side of his brain as a result of the death of our neighbour, I didn’t know him that well. just above his ear. After several months my view on this peculiar point in life has ofradio and chemotherapy, Tim was better altered somewhat. I turned 45 this year and, looking back but still fragile and weak. The cancer and over the past few years, there have been its treatment had aged him incredibly. On a cold mid-Winter day in 2013 there similar cases of work colleagues, friends Although the tumour was treated success- was a knock at the door. Two 60-some- and relatives passing away. It seems as fully, it returned a few months later. This thing pensioners were standing in the you get older this is more commonplace. time, it was more aggressive than ever and gloom. Oh crikey, I thought, what’s the But until I experienced it first hand I the surgeons couldn’t wield their magic. cat done now? Has my wife left the car have remained in beautiful, ignorant Eighteen months after he first collapsed upside down in the village car park? bliss. Life surely goes on forever, doesn’t and only a week before his death, I visited “Hello, I’m a university friend of your it? Generally, it’s only the very old that Tim in a hospice near Leeds for the last neighbour, Chris, and this is my wife. die, right? time. He was just 45. As I left his room, We have some very bad news. Chris has he remained the same jovial Tim, insisting been killed in a motorcycle accident.” Three years ago a work friend of mine I shouldn’t worry about work. It’s just a Chris? I thought to myself. No, he’s in was at home working through the day’s job, Dave, just a job. I miss him. New Zealand on a motorcycle tour with usual mix of uncompromising customers his friends. Chris, a very active member and difficult problems. A typical working So what’s it all about? Why am I rattling of an international touring motorcycle day in the wonderful world of telecom- on about these rather depressing things? club, spent weeks away at a time. munications. Walking to the kitchen Well, I’ve come to the conclusion, there

30 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

is no such thing as a mid-life crisis. mid-life you begin to realise how of us just don’t experience that kind I recently bought a 1970 Triumph TR6. lucky most of us are to make it this far. of clarity. A car I’d wanted ever since I’d first seen The trials of life are merely a side show to one when I was about seven or eight. the big event and it takes some discipline So back to the original question: Why did A few years ago on a warm Sunday after- to continuously adjust your thinking with I get so upset over the news of Chris’s noon, I sneaked away from the family this in mind. Now really is the time to death? Well, as the old cliché goes, life to look at the classifieds online. Within do those things you always wanted to do. is brief. Live it as if every day was your a week it was sitting in our newly tidied Mid-life crisis is not a crisis at all. It’s a last. Chris died doing what he really loved and swept garage. My family and friends realisation that the most precious thing and it’s taken a dummy like me a while to laughed and looked at me in that strange you have is time. realise what it all means. Here’s to Chris, but ‘knowing’ way. My 10 year old son Tim and the others. On a warm summer’s asked if I was having a mid-life crisis A friend of ours was recently diagnosed evening we’ll drive the TR6 to our local (and what exactly was a mid-life crisis?). with breast cancer. Whenever we talk, one pub and raise a glass to them all. My daughter and wife rolled their eyes thing (among many) continues to amaze skyward. The accusations of a mid-life me. The knowledge that even though the David Randell (OB 1981–86) crisis came thick and fast. And I agreed. future may be extremely uncertain, there This is what it must be like to go slightly is a keenly focused sense of what must bonkers in your mid-forties. be done in the time left. A single-minded selfishness concentrating only on what’s On reflection and after the death of Chris, important and leaving out anything that I now think I was wrong. As you reach doesn’t fit into the ‘must do’ list. Most

CLASS OF 1989 REUNION This year’s 25 year reunion will be held a family picnic and some quiet enjoyment Chris Granier-Deferre over the weekend of Saturday 28th June of the school grounds. [email protected] and Sunday 29th June. All who belonged 020 7610 6909 to the Class of 1989 are invited. Invitations were sent out in January. If you should have received one and did Leana Seriau Saturday 28th June is Bedales Parents not, please get in touch with Georgia, [email protected] Day and all the usual events and enter- Chris or Leana as shown below: 01730 711572 tainments will be available. The day will conclude with a Block Barbecue party Georgia Cameron-Clarke in and around the Sotherington Barn. [email protected] Sunday 29th June is likely to involve 07801 672052

Below is a list of those whom we have been unable to send an invitation to due to lack of any kind of address. If you can help us to contact any of them, please get in touch:

Marco Arcaini Alexandra Johnston Oliver Scully Rodrigo Basave Tamsin Lion Mateo Solares Harry Benjamin Louisa Manisty Jemima Taylor Larissa Bennett Joanna McLeod Benjamin Duncan Annabel Oakley Aline Duriaud Bruno Quintavalle Rebecca Hardie Alexander Rawlins

ike many others with a young family power to really transform quality of life Land no love of the rat-race, we left for the better. London, moved out to Bristol, and didn’t look back. There’s more time. There’s Streets Alive has trained community more space. There’s more connection... workers and housing associations in less confident neighbourhoods; it has I know my neighbours: We have parties, supported local partners and kindred sing carols, chat, play and drink tea; organisations, such as Playing Out and we regularly engage, in passing, just London Play, to help promote positive outside our front doors. My neighbours social cohesion between neighbours. are my friends. Two weeks after we Across the country, its negotiations moved in, our road had its first, annual, with local councils and government street party – no royal birth, death or departments have minimised red-tape crowning – it just seemed like a good and barriers to neighbours’ integration idea, and eight years on they are still and participation, taking the sting out of getting better! insurance requirements, risk-assessments, food-standards, road signage, council This situation isn’t too unusual around charges and endless other paperwork. not necessarily need insurance, a licence here: Bristol is the UK’s street party or to pay your council for a road closure. capital and, along with other Set up in 2001, Streets Alive demonstrates You just need to open your door, start hotspots around the country such that these local events are a small but talking to your neighbours and see what as Oxford, Brighton and Streatham, powerful part of our culture, with real happens next... street parties have become an integral potential to build elusive community part of the local culture. Make Sunday spirit. It might sound like a cliché but Streets Alive operates on a shoe-string: Special brings life to the city centre I have very definitely found this to With just one, sometimes two, paid as parts of Bristol close to traffic be the case in my own life, so much members of staff, it makes waves. Have a during Summer Sundays and people, so that I became a trustee of the look at what we do, try it for yourself and performances, fun and games spill off organisation a few years ago. if you find it works we’d be very grateful the pavements and onto the roads. for any support or donation that you’d Focus is currently turned on a Neighbours like to give us. I feel sure that part of the Much of this has been made possible Campaign, working with Age UK, to reason that I value such a movement is through the work of a pioneering help combat loneliness and isolation, due to the communal way of life I enjoyed organisation called Streets Alive. It is the particularly amongst the elderly. In a during my years at Bedales, and why national group that supports neighbours’ world where it is increasingly easy I thought that writing this piece might street parties and car-free days. For 12 to stay indoors and avoid face-to- attract other like-minded people to join years people have beavered away behind face communication, Streets Alive the party! the scenes to help this quirky part of helps provide an impetus to make our culture grow, confronting needless our neighbourhoods more convivial, Gaby Solly (née Bendall, OB 1984–91) bureaucracy and ‘no one knows their welcoming places where we can all feel a neighbours nowadays’ cynicism. Streets sense of belonging – young and old alike. For more information: Alive quietly drills into the issue and Streets Alive www.streetparty.org.uk makes a real contribution to thousands So! This is a call to arms in support and www.streetsalive.org.uk of people’s lives, countrywide. According of a unique part of our culture, and an Playing Out www.playingout.net to after-party surveys, residents, on invitation to try a street party where London Play www.londonplay.org.uk average, meet eight new neighbours at you live. Our street party website such gatherings. These are relationships www.streetparty.org.uk is a font of that are sparked into life at a street party wisdom, pushing aside doubts that you and build over later months and years to can do it. Taking the best experience from become something meaningful, with the around the country, it shows that you do

32 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

ALUMNI COMMUNICATIONS

here are a number of reasons why a you to respond to the questionnaire on Art & Design, Bedales Grants Trust Tschool would want the relationship accompanying this newsletter to offer Fund and the Legacy Society), but I with its students to prosper after they help with this, or to get in touch with would like to mention the John Badley leave: advocacy, role models, potential Leana directly ([email protected]; Foundation (JBF) which was established speakers, source of advice for current tel: 01730 711572). Leana has also set in 2010 to widen access to Bedales students and to provide the next gener- up a LinkedIn group for Old Bedalians through full bursaries. There are currently ation of parents, governors, and donors. (‘Bedales Alumni’ – do please join if five JBF beneficiaries spread from Alumni too can find it useful to turn to you are social media savvy). As Dennis Dunhurst Block 1 through to Bedales their alma mater for information, social mentions in his editorial, he will be 6.2 and contributing to the full life of the events, networking and career support. handing over the running of the OB school. Many OBs continue to support electronic bulletins and future newsletters this cause for which the school is most In most cases, the longer people are to Leana, although Dennis, Philip, OBs grateful. The JBF initiative has also exposed to life at Bedales, the stronger and colleagues will still be providing the opened up opportunities for collaboration the sense of positive feeling about the content. I would like to thank Dennis for with other organisations that share the school. A recurring theme is the strength all he has done in communicating with aim of transforming the lives of children, of relationships between staff and students. the OB community and for sharing his in particular the Buttle Trust, Rank Fortunately, by their very nature, encyclopaedic knowledge with colleagues Foundation and Springboard. Bedalians are not shy of expressing their – he has worked tirelessly, usually from views, and have a good track record in his out-posts in Scotland and France (with wanting to help the school. their associated IT gremlins), showing huge commitment to Bedalians and the school. It is too early for a fuller thank you, as we are delighted that he will continue to as Alumni Officer for those Bedalians who left the school before 1995 (with Philip Parsons picking up the more recent leavers) and to advise the school on all matters Bedalian.

A recent innovation has been the Class of 1966 video formation of the OB Events Committee to

Oxford reunion help the school identify and respond to the Finally readers will be interested to know needs of OBs. One significant output has that the school continues to attract a great As our students move into adulthood, been the film of the 1966 cohort – we are deal of interest in its innovative approach we are very keen to maintain those very grateful to the OBs who participated to education, particularly the Bedales relationships and keep in touch. Hence to provide wonderfully inspirational and Assessed Courses. We have created a all the good work by Dennis Archer witty insights into the Bedales culture section on the Bedales website to capture and more recently Philip Parsons, in (see www.bedales.org.uk/alumni.html). recent media coverage (www.bedales. communicating with so many Bedales Whilst on the subject of film, do take a org.uk/media-coverage), and I would alumni. As Keith Budge outlined in his look at a new video about the musical particularly draw your attention to the Head’s Reflections, we want to do more, life of the school (www.bedales.org.uk/ recent coverage in The Independent and particularly for OBs at the earlier phase bedales-music.html). The idea of sector- ITV Meridian. in their careers. I am very pleased that specific events also came from the new Leana Seriau has joined the alumni team committee. Will Wollen has initiated a Thank you for your interest in and support of Dennis and Philip. One of Leana’s theatre day with Mira Mina at Bedales of Bedales. tasks is to link up younger Bedalians on 16 March. seeking information on particular Rob Reynolds, professions and sectors with people The area of development has received Director of External Relations with sector experience. I encourage column inches elsewhere (see articles [email protected]

*An asterisk indicates a direct link to a website in the electronic version of the Newsletter, a pdf of which is available on the Old Bedalian section of the main school website, www.bedales.org.uk/alumni.html. Readers of my monthly electronic Bulletins will inevitably feel a certain sense of déjà vu in parts of the following, which is designed to give a thorough service to those who prefer paper.

Pride of place must go to Cara Extensive extracts were played on Anna Craven (1953–59) travelled Delevingne (2003–09) who, at the tender Radio 3’s Early Music Show. to northern Nigeria with members of age of 21, has surely become the world’s the Africa Healthcare Development Trust*. She is a patron of the trust and most influential OB of the moment. Her was there to record work carried out face beamed down on me even from the by NHS practitioners on one of their billboards of Moscow and St Petersburg. annual projects. I guess it must be the same the world over. Fi Godlee (1972–77), as editor of the Andrew BMJ, has been commenting in the press Graham- on the failure of drug companies to Brown’s report on clinical trials even-handedly (1978–85) regardless of whether they are favourable company or otherwise to their drugs. Good for her. AGB Films* makes high Olivia Harrisson (1995–2000) was quality documentaries for British and part of a Guardian panel discussing the international TV. A highlight of the past problems arising from employees using year was a two-part BBC Natural World their own IT devices at work. Special called Kangaroo Dundee. Juno Temple (2005–07) won the Rising Charley Henley (1986–89) was nomi- Star BAFTA award, voted for by the nated for an Oscar for the special effects public, in 2013. She will be appearing in on Ridley Scott’s film Prometheus*. Far From The Madding Crowd in 2014.

Naughty boy Sebastian Bergne* (1977–84) Tomas Graves (1965–71) spent the has designed Bandit, a rubber band first sacred bathing day of the Kumbh shooting ruler. A snip at £18. Ideal present Mela (the largest gathering of humanity, for all those OBs who never grew up. held every 12 years since pre-Christian times) and his 60th birthday bathing at It takes something really special to get the confluence of the Ganges and the Mick Csaky’s* (1958–63) film Sister into News in Brief posthumously, but Yamuna. He asked for blessings for all his Rosetta Tharpe: Godmother of Rock and Professor Douglas Hartree (1910–15) family and friends past and present, so if Roll was part of the American Masters deserves it. In memory of his work, the that includes any of you, you may win a series. Mick was also director of the very computing centre at the new Science ticket to nirvana! first One World Media Festival at Univer- and Technology Facilities Centre* at sity College with a diverse range of events Daresbury, Cheshire has been named Mark Kidel’s for all those interested in media and their The Hartree Centre. (1960–65) relation to human rights, development and film subjects international affairs. Harpsichordist David Pollock (1976–78) this year have released a new CD, The Unknown included Will Wollen (1985–92) commissioned Purcell*, part of an ongoing series composer John a new book for children while he was at exploring the little-known English Adams and Theatre Royal Margate, The Positively Baroque. These are not unknown singer Elvis Last Performance*, by Whitbread award- pieces by Henry Purcell, but works Costello. Lots winning author Geraldine McCaughrean. by the less familiar Daniel Purcell. of information on his Calliope* website. It’s set in a town uncannily like Margate,

34 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

where an old theatre is under threat. If any OBs are interested in what he has been up to for the last five years this should give Ward Lizzie them an idea.

Good to hear the suggestion on Radio 3 that Roxanna Panufnik (1982–86) might follow Sir Peter Maxwell Davies as Master of the Queen’s Music.

Jackie Abrahams (1984–86) has been earning praise for her work as production designer, in particular for King of Soho*, Michael Winterbottom’s film about Paul Raymond, and Top Boy* on Channel 4.

Robert Zamenhof (1959–63) has a new scientific blog, Dr Simple Science. She continues to work in the NHS and the Lakes. It follows Winter in the Lake Its aim is to has also found Quakerism, which she District and A Year in the Life of the Eden explain scien- discovers shares many of the values of Valley, all published by Frances Lincoln. tific matters of the Bedales that she remembers. current interest Kate Bulman in the media at the ‘intelligent layperson’ Lizzie Ward (2001–03) is living in (née Harper level. He describes it as ‘a notch below Brazil where she has set up an interior 1978–83) won Wikipedia’ in technical complexity and design business*. the Sexual a good deal more compact. Health Profes- Sam Henham-Barrow (1985–92) has sional of the Charles Devenish (1952–58) is returned to TV, working at NBC Universal Year award. involved in the Australian Indian Rural International Television Production as She won it for Development Foundation* and is running their Vice President of Production. developing a a number of Mineral Exploration Fatherhood Companies in India that he hopes one day Simon Aldrich (1975–82) has recently course for teenage boys in custody. She will help bring prosperity to rural India. been appointed by Parliament (House of is a nurse in a Secure Training Centre, Commons and House of Lords) to be the Oakhill STC. Emma-Lee Moss (1998–2002), aka independent Assessor of Environmental Emmy the Great, has four titles from Impact for a proposed new High Speed Artist Emma Hartley (1967–72) has had the film Austenland in the longlist of Railway Line between London and exhibitions in The Gallery, Redchurch nominations for the Best Original Song Birmingham. Street, London and Gallery Muse, Oscar in 2014. Petersfield. Val Corbett* (née Poole 1961–67) is Iona Brown (1969–75) is practising a freelance photographer whose latest Remy Blumenfeld (1977–82) has psychotherapy and hopes to run a book, Rainy Days in the Lake District, written and produced a film which was psychodrama/psychotherapy group for the is a humorous look at that subject most shown on BBC2, The Man Who Shot inmates at HMP Long Lartin in Evesham. commonly associated with holidaying in Beautiful Women, about his grandfather

Contact us at: [email protected] 35 the photographer Erwin Blumenfeld*. Nicola Dudgeon (1990–95) is an interior It had a cameo performance by Alastair and garden designer. Recent projects Langlands (former staff 1973–??), as Luey Graves include a group of restaurants and a Cecil Beaton! luxury country house hotel just outside London, at Lord Beaverbrook’s former family seat. Her work has been featured in the Sunday Times Style magazine, Stella Nic Dunlop (Sunday Telegraph), Elle Deco and How To Spend It (FT).

London postgraduate painters, awarded Simon Firth (1977–82) has been by the Worshipful Company of Painters appointed Principal of Salisbury Sixth and Stainers. Form College.

Peter Draper (1955–60) is currently Paul Simmons Visiting Professor in the School of History (1988–93) of Art and Visual Media at Birkbeck, is Head of University of London. His work has Marketing

Brave New Burma focussed on English medieval architecture at Marwell and he was appointed a Commissioner Wildlife* Nic Dunlop (1986–88) spent 20 years of English Heritage in 2011. in Hampshire photographing Burma under military rule. and Emma His new book, Brave New Burma*, is an Becky Saer (née Slack 1983–88) runs Simmons* intimate portrait in words and pictures of an IVF service called Your IVF Journey* (née Dinnage 1989–92) continues to a country finally emerging from decades with her husband Ben. They help couples further her work as a spiritual healer of dictatorship, isolation and fear. access affordable fertility treatment specialising in horses, an animal intuitive, abroad, supporting them throughout the equine reiki teacher and equine Sirio Quintavalle (1987–92) has been in process. They act as the clinic’s UK agent facilitated therapist. the visual effects industry for the past 15 and offer any OB family and friends years working on films such as Where the a discount. Alice Hush (2002–07) has been at Wild Things Are, Warhorse and Sherlock Sotheby’s for over three years working in Holmes 2, as well as travelling the world the Contemporary department for almost in search of prehistoric landscapes for all that time. She works directly for the Walking with Dinosaurs and other related Chairman of Contemporary Art in Europe TV series. on proposals for individual works or larger collections, building relationships Andrew Sofer’s (1977–82) little book and producing valuations. of poems Wave* is going down well with readers and critics. More recently Charis Reid (1981–85) has been a his Dark Matter*, a study of invisible Mother Angie McLachlan primary school teacher in a deprived area things in theatre, has been published of Newcastle for many years now, work by University of Michigan Press. In October, Angie McLachlan (née which she loves, most of the time. She Illingworth 1970–74) was ordained describes herself as ‘still stroppy, I do not Luey Graves* (2000–05) graduated Priest in the Liberal Catholic Church suffer fools gladly and I often get into last year from the Royal Academy International. Her ministry obligations trouble at work’. These are the qualities Schools with a postgraduate diploma in include daily Mass and a continuation of we like to hear about! Fine Art. She also won a year’s studio her educational work in the field of death. residency at the Bow Arts Trust in East She is no longer Reverend Angie, but has After six years as Fashion Editor at Harper’s London and the Gordon Luton prize for become Mother Angie. Bazaar, Nathalie Riddle (1990–95)

36 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

spent the last year as Fashion Director students at Civics about feminism and her of The Evening Standard ES magazine. job at the BBC. She now freelances as a stylist, but Miraphora Mina remains a Contributing Fashion Editor to Charles Cecil ES magazine, travelling the globe styling (1975–80) all manner of celebrities and supermodels MBE was for fashion shoots and the Oscars. She is appointed to married to Daniel Daukes (1987–90) who the board of is the Picture Director for Sky News. governors of the British Film Institute in May. Peter Hall (1975–79) Greg Penoyre (1970–75) continues spoke on to design buildings, ranging across Australian latest project by Mira and Eduardo Lima, the public estate, including education, radio about collectively known as MinaLima, the healthcare, housing and performing arts his support London-based graphic design duo of the projects. Penoyre & Prasad* have just for efforts to save the rhino in SE Asia. Harry Potter film series. completed the new UCL Academy and He is director of the International Rhino Swiss Cottage Special School in Camden, Foundation* as well as being involved in a Until recently, Tom Jenkins (1972–77) along with a new building for Ruskin number of other environmental initiatives. worked at Bangor University but is now College, Oxford and London’s first Zero with Forest Research working mainly Carbon school in Islington. Nigel Horsfield (1962–69) retired from home in an idyllic setting in from his post of Consultant Physician Ynys Mon. Lydia Leonard (1995–99) has been cast (Respiratory Medicine) at Blackburn, as Anne Boleyn in the RSC adaptations of after 29 years. Having climbed all of the Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring Up 282 Scottish Munros, he has taken to road The Bodies. cycling, as well as playing tenor sax in

Clitheroe Town Band. Miranda Richmond

Ian Sheeler (1981–88) runs wideaware*, Richard Gibson an organisation whose mission is to promote equality and the inclusion of disabled people in society by offering support, in the form of training and Miranda Richmond, better known advice, to organisations that also share to Bedalian contemporaries as Kate these goals. O’Sullivan (1966–70) had an exhibition of landscapes and portraits at The North

Guy Griffin (2001–06) is working incred- Wall Art Centre, Oxford in June. ODW Toolshed ibly hard in marketing and has bought a tiny flat in Bexley, Kent last year. Sister Elliot Theis’s (2005–10) company Richard Gibson (1948–54) has retired Piper (1999–2004) is working in paedi- MileWise was bought out by Yahoo! from Richard Gibson Architects and left atric community mental health in Oxford- Milewise was a technology startup the practice in good hands. His personal shire whilst Rowena (1997–2000) lives based in New York, designed to help final project, Da Vadill*, won a Saltire in the wilds of Scotland with her New frequent fliers to book flights, using their Housing Design Award. This made him Zealand boyfriend, doing various jobs. accumulated airmiles to best advantage. think of the Outdoor Work Toolshed (pictured) at Bedales, which was his first! Miraphora Mina (1978–85), has a new Lucinda Sebag-Montefiore (1975–77), We would be interested to hear from venture, The Printorium*. Launched in producer of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, anyone who can date it and remembers September 2012, The Printorium is the revisited Bedales last year to talk to its demise.

Contact us at: [email protected] 37 Zinnie Harris (née Shaw 1985–90) Stephen Gooder* (1974–81), ‘versatile, has bravely written a new version of BAFTA-nominated, multi award-winning

Ibsen’s Doll’s House, setting it in London Aylieff Felicity freelance film director and producer’, in 1910, performed at the Donmar wrote and directed Leopards: 21st Warehouse and in Edinburgh. Century Cats*, shown on BBC2 in May.

Gabs Weston (1983–88) published her second book: DirtyWork. It was novel of the week in the Daily Mail and has good reviews elsewhere*. Writing Eric Lawrie (1970–77), still with the is her second career as she is also an British Council, has moved to Dubai ENT surgeon. Martino Tirimo* (1956–59) continues where he is Regional Head of English to enthral audiences at venues as Language Programmes for the Middle Charlie McVeigh (1979–83) has bought disparate as the Barbican and Bedales East and North Africa, covering an old Post Office near to the entrance of Olivier Theatre, where he appeared in 17 countries. the Tower of London on Seething Lane September. At present he is recording and has turned it into a Draft House*. the complete works of Chopin at the Sophie Hauptfuhrer (2000–05) has There is a massive range of beer, a short Leipzig Gewandhaus. Recently, Musical joined advertising agency Anomaly in but pertinent wine list and sensational Opinion described him as “a true giant New York, where she is in the Account hamburgers, steaks and other health- of the keyboard”. Management team for Budweiser. Her food items. company are main sponsors for the Super- Ben Cockrell (1993–98) is working bowl and the World Cup in Brazil, two in London as Group Strategy Director, events she looks forward to working on. Global Solutions for MEC, who are a global Media planning and buying agency. Alex (aka Ali) Harwood’s* (1977–84) new ballet score, Automatic Flesh, for Jennifer Davidson* (1973–76) has Rambert Dance Company, premiered at written a novel, intriguingly entitled the QEH, London in May and her film Virtual Fidelity*. She is also an score First Light had its world premiere experienced EFT practitioner (Emotional at the Edinburgh Film Festival, getting Freedom Techniques, aka “tapping”) selected for the prestigious Oscar- now moving into working with actors qualifying Anima Mundi Film Festival and performers – helping with audition/ in Brazil. onstage nerves, concentration, learning lines and anything else that might enhance Mark Hanson (1977–84) has been their performance. appointed Deputy Chair* of the UK Sport Board. He will now work with a focus Alison Berman* (née Press 1958–63) firmly on delivering medal success at the has been developing a career in sculpture Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Olympic and in recent years and she exhibits work at Paralympic Games. the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden* in Ockley Surrey. Also on view there is Oli Holmes (1999–2004) has been in recent work by Felicity Aylieff* (1971–72 Syria for ten days, reporting for Reuters and former staff 1978–82) and Alison from Aleppo in June with a three-part Crowther (staff 1992–??). Special Report called Inside Rebel Syria*.

38 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Charlie Hughes (2003–08) continues Alexis Marina (née Wheeler 1976–82), (Boris) as a choral scholar at Exeter cathedral Housden Johnson made it in a very decent eight and has been touring Austria with the (2000–05) hours ten minutes, including several “long cathedral choir. He also sang the role of won and liquid breaks”. Not clear whether she Sir Arthur Sullivan in a new play about Collection was actually riding as well. G and S at the Edinburgh Fringe before of the Year heading back to sing plainsong at the award at David Blishen (1983–90) was the IT Edington Festival in Wiltshire. the London expert for The Guardian who super- College of Fashion BA graduate show vised the infamous destruction of their with his menswear designs. incriminating hard drives and memory chips containing information ‘dangerous Victoria Pike (1976–83) is still working to the nation’. Probably a Bedalian Steuart Padwick in the architecture-related world, being is best equipped to cope with such a most involved with the Aga Khan bizarre event. Development Network who are building three projects in King’s Cross, including Georgina Lee (1977–82), out of touch a cultural centre for Islamic Arts. with Bedales for a good 30 years or so, has been rediscovered working as Georgia Glynn-Smith (1980–85) has a graphic designer in California. been prominently credited for her food illustrations in recent editions of The

Horseshoe Chair Guardian Weekend magazine.

Steuart Padwick’s* (1973–78) Louise Rowntree (1988–93) had a Horseshoe Chair was awarded a Design scholarly letter published in the Financial Guild Mark in April. He was asked to Times in August on the subject of China, submit a number of items for the Best trade and Europe’s vision for its future. British Design awards. Some of his pieces also featured in an extraordinary promotional film for Made.com*.

Nicolas Lefebvre-Cavallier (1976–78) made his debut at La Scala, Milan in Berlioz’ Romeo and Juliet, becoming, to the best of my knowledge, the second OB to appear there. Brother Sylvain Lefebvre (1978–80) had his first London Jonathan Hugh-Jones (1966–72) writes exhibition at the Hossack Gallery. Hartley Tree Seat under the pseudonym of Jonathan Falla and has just had his fourth novel, The Alex Hemmings (2003–08) graduated Alexandra Oustromoff (née Hartley Physician of Sanlucar*, published by from the University of Chicago with 1987–92) has been busy, serving up 6000 Aurora Metro Books. It is described as a degree in Near Eastern Languages pizzas at Glastonbury – from ovens made ‘a beautifully written and absorbing story and Civilizations including a thesis by husband Piers’ engineering firm. They of addiction, cruelty and repressed desire on the legal aspects of archaeological also built the restaurant and make tree set against the starkness of Chile and practice. He has since been working with seats (very Bedalian). Argentina circa 1915’. lawyers knowledgeable about antiquities affairs, illegal object trafficking and Of a London cycle ride, The Guardian Carlo Gebler (1968–72) was interviewed heritage ownership and is now studying reported: In the end, supported by a on Radio 3 by his former dorm boss International Law at SOAS. mini-peloton of officials and his wife, Martin Handley (1964–69), talking

Contact us at: [email protected] 39 about Carlo’s Enniskillen International was thrilled to be working with Gyles of the National Theatre in Nice. It is Beckett Festival. Brandreth (1961–66) on his brand certainly in her blood. new Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Hannah Keenan (2007–12) has been Quotations. Gautam Lewis (1990–95) has been elected as the President of OULRC, the working with tve and Al Jazeera to Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Jo Seth-Smith (1996–99) lives in produce a series of educational films and Club (the men’s club only) for whom Malawi, where she is project manager for other resources as part of tve’s Reframing she is cox. a charity called Theatre for a Change. Rio* project, which is an ambitious multi- media initiative that aims to reignite the Susie Hopkinson (1992–97) is working global debate about the need to re-set the at Great Ormond Street Hospital as head world on more sustainable pathways. of their arts programme, Go Create! She pointed out to me a video* about the work Alison Allwright (née Kerlogue 1963–68) which happened also to feature another achieved fame in the Bournemouth OB, Molly Russell (1992–97). Echo for her work in saving the Corfe Castle Community Library from threatened closure. Philippa Rowland (1979–81), trekked to Everest base camp with a bunch of David Walsh Peter Australian youths to raise funds for Grimsdale ongoing climate change work by the (1968–73) and Australian Youth Climate Coalition* Paul Unwin She was also recently invited to Oslo to (1971–76) present an Australian paper at a Transfor- together mation in a Changing Climate conference. Tuscan Landscape created the David Walsh* (1971–75), exhibited at new ITV series Simon Vickers (1973–76), Head of Shepherd Market Gallery, London in Breathless*, Books at Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon September, showing landscapes from Peter Grimsdale with Paul and Turnbull, managed to sell a copy the UK, France, Italy and Switzerland. directing and being executive producer. of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations for Breathless is a 1960s medical drama. an impressive £50K. Peter Harris (1960–65) has been visiting Meanwhile Peter has been busy on his professor at the University of Nanjing, next book Battlefield 4 – Countdown to Professor Nick Fox* (1976–78) appeared China, where he is researching a couple War*. It is a prequel to the videogame. recently on TV being interviewed about of book projects and teaching English the government’s increased commitment graduates a course on translating classical Olivia Lacey (1981–88) is an event to research into dementia. Chinese poetry into English, as well as organiser and cook who runs The Feast co-teaching an undergraduate course on of Reason, a supper club with interesting Kate classical Chinese philosophy. speakers, from her home in South Farquhar- London. New members welcome. Thomson My agents (1980–82) on the Dominic Price (1973–77) continues as heads up the Riviera Headmaster of Merton Court prep school publicity team report in Sidcup, whilst brother Chris (1973–77) for Oxford that Irina takes charge of the IT and finances. The University Brook school has been in the family for 35 Press in the (1975–80) years now. UK (and has been Europe and appointed Will Hardie (1993–95) has been rest of world outside the Americas) and Director appearing again in George Clarke’s

40 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Amazing Spaces, Channel 4. This time (Imprint Academic). The book argues stars of the theatre. Full details are on he was designing tree houses for Kielder that in order to create a wiser world, it is her website*. National Park in Northumberland (and is essential that we bring about a revolution just as scruffy as he was in the last series). in universities around the world, so that Tim Johnston (1954–59) is working for they become rationally devoted to helping two international courts in The Hague us solve problems of living. and would be happy to make contact with any past or present Bedalians working Sasha White (1980–85) is a barrister and or living in the vicinity – email was appointed Queen’s Counsel in March. [email protected]. He specialises in planning law and spends his spare time watching Arsenal FC, Laurance Goldsmith (1963–69) has London Scottish RFC, Kent CCC and recently been driving across the USA and Rangers FC. He also runs his own cricket visiting Uzbekistan. A keen cricketer, team, Primrose Hill Elephants. he is still a regular participant at Stoner Cricket week in July. Being virtually the Louise Burnet (née Glanville 1975–76) oldest playing member at Stoner, he is is re-emerging as a professional flautist frequently in line for the Band Aid award and her trio Vocali3e *(flute, soprano, for the most impressive injury incurred piano) performed at the Edinburgh during the week. Simon Perks’ (1972–75) company, Fringe in August and on the strength of Unicorn Press, published a monograph* this has plans to tour USA next Autumn. Miranda on Sarah Raphael (1971–77). In connec- She runs the successful Flutes du Soleil Hamilton (née tion with this there was a major exhibition International Flute Course in the Haute Boughey of Sarah’s work at Marlborough Fine Art. Savoie and would be delighted to 1967–72) has welcome any past or present Bedalian co-authored the Jack Graves (1999–2004) has a new job flautists onto the course. Puffer Cook- as Press Officer for the Royal College book*. As a of Nursing. Jill Pearcy (1975–80) and her husband fellow Scottish are running an artisan foods business in west coaster, Having their spare time, Jake’s Artisan Foods, I support her exhortations to OBs to buy performed which makes fabulous pork pies from this. All proceeds to The Puffer. Probably and presented Hampshire free range pork. Considering you don’t understand, but please look it up! music by her day job is Head of Communications women for the for HS2, I am slightly surprised she Rosie Craggs (née Greenwood 2000–05) last 25 years needs another one. You can find them* now has her own architectural practice, and created the on Facebook. SS4 Architects*. “We work all over the information country, but focus is in London and the site Women Lucy home counties, and would be more than of Note*, Parham happy to help out with any projects old Diana Ambache (1960–66) has used (1977–82) Bedalians may have in mind!” funds from the sale of a Del Gesu violin has series to set up the Ambache Charitable Trust*, of Sunday Charissa Shearer (2002–07) appeared dedicated to raising the profile of music Coffee in the part of Peg in the excellent new by women composers. Concerts film Philomena. at King’s Nicholas Maxwell (1952–56) has Place and An extensive article about Mella Shaw recently published How Universities matinées (1991–96) appeared in a recent edition Can Help Create a Wiser World*: The at St John’s, Smith Square under way. of Crafts magazine, featuring her Urgent Need for an Academic Revolution As always she appears with one or more latest ceramics.

Contact us at: [email protected] 41 Claerwen Onslow-Smith* (2001–06) skills with an MA Literacy Programme George Alldridge (2001–06) passed has had the first solo exhibition of her Planning at Gloucestershire University. out from Dartmouth Naval College last portraits, having worked for four years at She hopes to return to Indonesia for October and is now a sub lieutenant the studio of Charles Cecil (not the OB further adventure in March. serving on HMS Daring which visited one) in Florence. Brother Kit (2003–08) the Philippines in November as part of the has been Deborah Harwood (1974–79) has international aid effort. working in expanded her business The Textile Space* Shanghai for into retail, with its own online haber- Camilla Hall (1998–2001), US banking a bilingual dashery and fabric shop. correspondent of the FT, was joint winner

Claerwen Onslow-Smith magazine for of the Foreign Press Association’s 2013 the past three Edward Print and Web Feature Story of the Year: years as well Impey Qatar: From Emirate to Empire. as studying (1975–80) has for an Open been appointed University Director-

degree. General of James Morris Kit Onslow-Smith the Royal Armouries*, Marcus Alexander (née Ebelthite Britain’s oldest 1988–93) will be publishing part three public museum. He is in charge of their of his Keeper of the Realms* series in three British sites at the Tower of London, February 2014 as a Puffin paperback. a purpose-built museum in Leeds and at He has also been working with a tours Fort Nelson in Hampshire. agency Authors Abroad giving him a On the Celtic fringes, James Morris* platform to push literacy in the UK and Dan Wheeler (1995–2000) has again (1974–81) had an exhibition, Time and overseas including Dubai and Muscat. been appearing for Propeller* – as Remains, of his photography at the Helena in Midsummer Night’s Dream Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Alison Lu Flux (2000–02) has a new website* and Antipholeus in Comedy of Errors. Lochhead* (1966–68) likewise of her to display her collections of womenswear Now on tour, probably near you. sculptures at the Rhyader Museum. and childrenswear. Incredibly, no fewer than three Richard Harrisson (1997–2002) has independent OBs live in their tiny Simon Anholt given up his regular job to make a motor- hamlet in west Wales. (1974–79) has bike trip the length of Africa. Currently he been made a is in Nairobi where he has been delayed Molotov Jukebox, with lead singer Professor honoris for many months using his professional Natalie Gastiain-Tena (1998–2003) causa in political skills on various solar power projects. and manager Sirius Flatz (1996–99), science by the have a UK tour in April. University of East Claire Morris* Anglia. (1985–90) is Peter Farrell (1959–64) has recently Deputy Director retired as Professor of Special Needs Alice Eastwood (1985–90) works for of International and Educational Psychology at the Christian charity SIL International*, Programmes for University of Manchester. He is a former Indonesia with minority language groups, the Marie Stopes President of the International School helping them to develop educational Foundation Psychology Association and still speaks curricula. 750 children from the Moma providing vital at conferences and runs workshops and Tado language groups in Sulawesi strategic and in countries such as India, Palestine, are now learning to read and write their operational support to reproductive health Slovakia, Hong Kong and Malta. own languages, which were unwritten programmes in 18 countries across Africa until 2008. She spent 2013 sharpening her and Latin America.

42 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

SENIOR REUNION

n the 22nd September 2013 Bedales Ohosted its first reunion lunch for former students aged 75 and over. In response to the 413 invitations sent out 78 attended, which, considering some of us are now well dispersed throughout the world was a pretty good showing.

The reunion began at 10.45 on what was a cloudy and cool day. After collecting our name badges from the smart reception area in the Orchard building (the award winning teaching and administration block built in 2005) we were met by sixth formers who, as our hosts for the day, accompanied us to the Pigeonhole Café situated in what We were then treated to a classical duet the school and charitable causes outside most of us will remember as the girls’ by two present Bedalians, Olivia Brett it. Such an activity was going on in changing rooms. and Imogen Welch, accompanied on the the workshop, where a team was busy piano by Nick Gleed, director of music. renovating old garden tools for sending I arrived shortly after the appointed time The girls’ voices were outstanding and, to Africa. There was also much activity to find the café already packed with a sea judging by the applause they received, in the Outdoor Work area, located close of faces, none of whom I immediately generated an emotional experience too. to the old dairy buildings (remember the recognized. This was a problem I had half I’m sure I was not alone in my thoughts early morning milk run?), where students expected, but let’s face it, at 75 years plus of being carried back to those evening were having a messy time with coloured we are not all going to be replicas of our assembly recitals that ended the day with paper, bamboo and copious amounts of teenage youth. Added to this there was the the staff line-up of goodnight handshakes; PVA glue, making lanterns for the evening problem of remembering which names a Bedales tradition which continues today. Badley event. went with which faces. Name badges had now, sadly, become a welcome prop for We then headed to the dining hall where As we visited the fabulous new buildings old friends and helped to reduce those four rows of attractively laid tables were around the perimeter of the orchard we ‘senior moments’. set out the length of the hall. After an had no doubt that Bedales students today excellent lunch and toasts of thanks, we enjoy facilities way beyond those we At 11.45 we left our coffee and biscuits to were partnered up in small groups with experienced in our time. Has the increase assemble in the Lupton Hall (New Hall to our sixth form hosts who took us for a in student numbers and the many new those over 80!) to hear from Keith Budge, tour of the school. It was an excellent sophisticated facilities taken away the the headmaster. Both the Lupton Hall and opportunity to exchange our experiences informality and small family community the library have, thankfully, remained and to talk about the changes that had that we associate with those earlier days at fixed in time where so many of the taken place over an historical time span Bedales? Keith Budge thinks not; further- buildings around them have undergone stretching from the early 50s to the early more we’ll never know, though I for one change. The seating capacity in the 30s. Mary Henderson who attended would love to have the experience again Lupton Hall is insufficient for over 400 Bedales between 1933 and 1939 was, at to find out. students and staff, but it was the obvious the age of 92, the oldest of several OBs and perfect place for our assembly. Keith attending from those far off years. Our thanks go to Philip Parsons for what gave a short address on how Bedales had was a seamlessly organised occasion expanded since we were students and Our reunion coincided with the annual to remember. how the school held on to the values and Badley weekend, when all students close community spirit that had been the remain at the school and take part in founding ethos. various activities and projects to benefit Richard Fenwick (OB 1948–52)

Michael Minas – a former Bedales parent (Miraphora), now a Bedales grandparent (Luca) – exhibits his paintings, studies and life-drawings in the Gallery from 11 January to 8 February.

Towards the end of the year we plan a major Barnsley Workshop exhibition in the Gallery, celebrating not only fine furniture-making and design, but also the Barnsley family’s strong ties to Bedales. A brief hiatus in gallery planning delayed this exhibition from 2013 but has given us the opportunity to extend its scope to View From Delft, courtesy of the Jill George Gallery include complementary landscape paintings of Hampshire and the South Downs. Performs (4th March) sees the stage The lecture is titled The Science Delusion: given over entirely to the senior school’s Freeing the Spirit of Enquiry. In March we benefit, again, from the great dance students. generosity of William Jackson in bringing The Spring programme in the Theatre works by some of the world’s finest Bedales Jazz brings another exciting also includes a generous selection of work printmakers to our gallery. The Vigorous group of top UK professionals to Steep produced on the Theatre Studies Courses Image 2 (28 February – 29 March) features on 18 March with a varied octet led by at BAC, AS and A2 levels and performed Christiane Baumgartner, Dexter Dalwood, pianist Ivo Neame. publicly as part of the examination Jim Dine, Howard Hodgkin, Lisa Milroy, process (A2 30, 31 January, BAC 12, Julian Opie, Mimmo Paladino, Frank The Eckersley Lecture, on 21 March, 13 March, AS 2, 3 April). Stella, Joe Tilson and Paul Winstanley will be given by Dr Rupert Sheldrake. (all through the kind co-operation of the The Bedales Spring Concert will take Alan Cristea Gallery) and Dale Devereus place in the Quad on Friday 28 March Barker, Alison Lambert, Jock McFadyen and the traditional Summer Concert on RA, Bruce McLean, Chris Orr RA Parents’ Day, Saturday 28 June. and Thomas Watson (all with the kind © Bruce McLean co-operation of the Jill George Gallery). The Gallery’s Summer programme opens There is an opening reception (at which all with what promises to be a charming are welcome) on Saturday 1st March from exhibition of creative work by Dunannie’s 11.30am – 2.30pm. pupils, entitled It All Starts Here.

More visiting professional work comes The Wilfred Brown Recital Series claims to the stage of Olivier Theatre on something of a coup by presenting the 11 February in C-12 Dance Theatre’s leading tenor Ian Bostridge (accompanied recently created piece Shhh!, an by James Cheung of the Bedales visiting entertaining contemporary dance story music staff). Booking is already open for of a library under threat. this concert on Tuesday 6 May.

The Youth Dance Platform continues to Garden Blue Toronto, courtesy of the The Summer Production, featuring flourish (2nd March) and Bedales Dance Jill George Gallery performers from Blocks 3 & 4, will be

44 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

be given in the Theatre on the evenings year with Bedales Selective followed by of 23, 24 & 25 June. A community another in Paul Martin’s excellent Head/ performance project – Elegies for Angels, Hand/Heart series of exhibitions in late Punks and Raging Queens – has evening September/early October. Credit: Ben Ealovega performances on 26 & 27 June and a lunchtime performance for Parents’ Please check the website or telephone to Day guests. check before visiting the Gallery, in case of unanticipated changes, and remember The Art and Design Summer Exhibition to book in good time for drama and music

Ian Bostridge will be open in the Gallery and performances. surrounding studios on 28 and 29 June. given in the Theatre on the evenings of 20, 21 & 22 May. Performances of new The Autumn programme is still partially John Barker writing, created by students from Bedales under development but the Poetry Series Bedales Arts box office: and Portsmouth’s Charter Academy will present the increasingly celebrated 01730 711511 under the auspices of the National Daljit Nagra on 23 September and the [email protected] Theatre’s New Views programme, will Gallery will open the new academic www.bedales.org.uk/bedales-arts.html

CLASSES OF 1978 & 1979 REUNION A reunion lunch will be held on Sunday 29th June for all members of the Classes of 1978 and 1979. Reception will be in the Pigeonhole Café (formerly the Girls Changing Rooms) from 11.00, followed by lunch in the Main Dining Hall.

Invitations were sent out in January. If you belong to one of these Blocks and did not receive one, please get in touch.

Saturday 28th June is Bedales Parents Day and all Old Bedalians are invited to that. There will be the usual performances, exhibitions, concerts and tea parties. The main exhibitions will remain Below is a list of those to whom we have been unable to send an invitation open on Sunday 29th June. to the reunion due to lack of any kind of address. If you can help us to contact any of them, please get in touch. Leana Seriau 01730 711572 Helen Beecroft Charles Farnell Tina Potter [email protected] Victoria Bridges Eve Halley Marc Reuben Catherine Brooks Charlotte Jones Jonathan Simons Julia Munyard Linda Kemp Susan Smout Alison White Jane Wright Jacqueline Strand Thomas Creighton Andrew Nisbet Lucinda Woolrych Mainardo de Nardis Stephen Paul Thomas Young

Contact us at: [email protected] 45 BIRTHS Anjali (née Krishnadasan) and Adam Rod and Rosie Williams, a son, Orlando Walker, a daughter, Indigo Poppy, on George Tancred, on 27th March 2013 Francesca (née Bonner) and 8th July 2013 Fraser Birt, a daughter, Caroline, Ben and Clem Wilmot, a son, on 6th September 2013 Sofi (née Longhurst) and Simon Arlo, on 28th May 2012 Chabowski, a daughter, Kaya, Lisa (née Bowles) and Simon Lewis, on 27th December 2012 Holly (née Wilmot) and David Beck, a daughter, Penelope Jean, on a son, Sasha, on 9th March 2013 15th March 2013 Abigail Martin and Kevin Fraser, a daughter, Lilly Rose Alexandra, Lora (née Wood) and Kevin Luton, Olivia Boyd and Mark Fell, a daughter, on 18th June 2013 a daughter, Bowen Robin Olwen, on Edie June, on 5th July 2013 2nd September 2013 Emma (née Oakman) and Daniel Lucy (née Carp) and Mathew Gapper, Cushworth, a daughter, Holly Rose, Bob Yeo and Sandra Collins, a son, a daughter, Eliza Hineani Macie, on on 4th December 2012 Francis William, on 2nd July 2013 12th May 2013 Alysen (née Miller) and James Cork, Claire (née Cochrane) and Tom Sewell, a son, Raphael Isaac Miller, ENGAGEMENTS a son, Alfie, on 9th April 2013 on 20th August 2013 Nico Ball and Nadine Hawa Helen (née Cogan) and Paul Martin, Ruth (née Pearse) and Antoine a son, Montgomery Charles Henry, Edgcumbe, a daughter, Amelie Arles Alexandra Brown and Henry Danowski on 21st September 2013 Rose, on 14th May 2012 Becky Byrne and David Gallagher Charlotte Dellal and Maxim Jonnie and Catriona Reed, a son, Crewe, a son, Rio Solomon, on Lachlan William, on 21st June 2012 Anna Case and Simon Heesom-Green 12th September 2013 Tim and Ciara Rowe, a son, Bertie Justin Etzin and Lana Zakocela Kim (née Graves) and Taz Babiker, Spencer Jack, on 12th December 2012 a daughter, Sofia Joan, on Maddy Garcia and Ed Jenner 11th October 2012 Robin and Caroline Sjoholm, a son, Tor, on 18th November 2012 Ipek Gencsu and Alex Voorhoeve Rosie (née Greenwood) and Daniel Craggs, a son, Oscar Blake, on Becky (née Slack) and Ben Saer, Stefan Hardy and Olga Makiievska 27th December 2012 a daughter, Ida Ellen Kate, on 15th July 2013 Laura Hickman and Simon Wheeler Daniel and Tory Harris, a son, Jack James William, on 27th June 2013 Dom and Lucy Strutt, a son, Peter Hutt and Kay Norton Rory, in July 2013 Jess (née Harris) and Ian Ashbridge, Jo Long and Andrew Dewar a daughter, Emmeline Rachel Ann, Jenny Weaver and Duncan Stacey, on 25th May 2013 a daughter, Matilda on 13th July 2013 Alastair Mackeown and Joanna Kelly

Laura Hickman and Simon Wheeler, Kate Willcocks and Joey Gardiner, Charles Maybanks and Sophia Sidney a daughter, Posey Irene Elsie, on a daughter, Ella Alison, on 25th 11th September 2013 January 2013 Shoo Pick and Matthew Larson

Tamera Howard, a daughter, Alex and Clare Williams, a son, Matthew, Anna Searight and Robbie Hookins Maya Agnes, on 3rd August 2013 on 21st January 2013

46 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Nick Shorvon and Kate McEnery Bill Rigg and Clare Colvin on Peter Herbert McCarthy on 10th August 2013 30th April 2012. Bedales 1971–72. Gary Skinner and Heather Carré Alex Robinson and Katie Misselbrook *Jill Bright (née Mursell) on Rosslyn Stewart and Elias Kulukundis on 17th May 2013 19th September 2012. Bedales 1954–56.

Antony Taylor and Kelly Dixon Jeremy Walker and Mai Noman *George Martin Nelstrop on on 29th June 2013 4th June 2013. Bedales 1923–28. Rebecca Willoughby and Ben Bradley Michael Wilding and Holly Blair Veronica Muriel Farrington (née Pease) on 27th July 2013 in October 2013. MARRIAGES *Christopher Thomas Inglis Rayson Bianca Blum and Alastair Gudgeon DEATHS on 6th February 2013. Bedales 1947–53. on 3rd May 2013 Eric Ashley Bray on 26th October 2013. Cecil (Bob) Robert on 20th November Yolanda Carslaw and Peter Guthrie Bedales 2003–08. 2013. Bedales staff 1943–48. on 31st August 2012 Vivien Pritchett (née Brothers) on *Timothy Willatt Slack on 29th June Christianna Coates and Liam Vandooren 8th April 2013. Bedales 1955–59. 2013. Bedales Headmaster 1962–74. on 31st August 2013 Keith Martin Clayton on 12th February *Martin Arthur Rackham Soper Lalage Damerell and Stephen Rales 2013. Bedales 1941–46. on 9th January 2013. Bedales 1950–57. in 2012 *Nicola Corinna Cleminson on Susan Caroline Salaman on Joanna Evershed and Nick Hodges 7th June 2013. Bedales 1961–66. 27th October 2012. Bedales 1952–54. on 20th April 2013 Alan Barry Dakers on 22nd May 2013. Daphne Powell (née Stevens) on Iain Fairley and Sarah Vine on Bedales 1938–41. 25th July 2012. Bedales 1943–47. 6th July 2013 Gillian Mary Davies on *Peter Oswald Eric Trubshawe Stefan Hardy and Olga Makiievska 24th September 2013. Bedales 1987–90. on 20th March 2013. Bedales 1935–42. on 7th December 2013 Barbara Ann Thorpe (née Forrester) Elizabeth Ann Foster (née Wheeler) Rebecca Heathcote and Owain Blakje on 19th February 2013. Bedales 1940–43. on 27th February 2012. Bedales 1930–36. on 17th August 2013 Patrick Pearse Freyer in June 2013. Peter Grahame Woolf on 19th August Anna Howarth and Paul Smuts Bedales 1930–36. 2013. Bedales 1939–40. on 17th August 2012 *Brenda W Gillingham (née Gimson) Brenda Wright on 16th February 2013. Ellie Keenan and Ed Yeo on on 5th March 2013. Bedales 1929–35. Bedales 1942–43. 20th July 2013 *Bastien David Gomperts on Those marked with an asterisk have an Vicky Keene and Alex MacDonald 13th October 2013. Bedales 1947–53. obituary elsewhere in the Newsletter. on 9th August 2013 Bertel E L Gripenberg on Klaus Moller and Shelle Mannion 5th April 2013. Bedales 1935. on 22nd September 2013

Stephanie Carey Charlie Hughes Sophie Musgrave Accounting from Otago University, Mechanical Engineering (Lower second) French with International Studies New Zealand from Exeter University (Upper second) from Warwick University

Richard Draeger Josephine Jonathan Harvey Patchett-Joyce Medicine (MB, BS) from University Mathematics (Upper second) Mathematical Physics (Upper second) of East Anglia from Edinburgh University from Warwick University

Alexandra Harwood Rhonwen Lally Mella Shaw Film Composition (MA) from the Geography (First class) Glass and Ceramics (MA) from National Film and Television School from Nottingham University the Royal College of Art

Sophie Hill Julia Langdon Rebecca Willoughby Mathematics and Philosophy (First class) Psychology (Upper second) Osteopathy (Upper second) from from Balliol College, Oxford from Warwick University the European School of Osteopathy

Harry Hopkins Anne-Katrin Loos Mathematics and Philosophy (Upper Orthodontics (M.Sc., Distinction) second) from Glasgow University from Danube University, Krems

DESTINATION OF LEAVERS 2013

Name Destination Course Year

Piper Anderson-Klotz Applications to Art Colleges Art Foundation 2014 Jo Arrowsmith Tailoring Apprenticeship Tom Austin University College, Falmouth Art Foundation 2013 Sebi Bacon University College, London Economics 2013 Patrick Baigrie University of West London Music Technology 2014 Jack Barton Applications to Drama Schools Drama 2014 Eddy Bassett Gap Year Work Experience Emily Bonsor Plumpton College Wine Production 2014 Georgie Brand UCAS Philosopy and Psychology 2014 Anna Brown UCAS Biology 2014 Sasha Bruml Brunel University Product Design Engineering 2014 Jonny Campbell Leicester University Ancient History and History 2013 Clara Carminger City College, Brighton Art Foundation 2013 Talia Chin UCAS Media Studies 2014 Louis Church Gap Year Work Experience Bibi Collins Applications to Art Colleges Art Foundation 2014 Felix Conran University of the Arts, London Product Design 2013 Oscar Cooper UCAS Economics 2014 Nick Crane University of Chichester Music Performance 2013 Evie Cullingworth New York University Drama 2013 James de Courcey Gap Year Work Experience Pippa Duncan University College, Falmouth Art Foundation 2013 Kris Fisher TU Delft – Netherlands Aerospace Engineering 2014 Angus Grant Goldsmiths College, London History 2013 Georgia Green UCAS English and Drama 2014 Maddy Green Murray Edwards College, Cambridge Medicine 2014

48 www.bedales.org.uk Tel: 01730 300100 Bedales Association and Old Bedalian Newsletter 2014

Name Destination Course Year

Benny Grey Finishing Art A level Sophie Grierson Leeds University English Literature 2013 Katie Griffiths UCAS Acting 2014 Georgie Gulliver Manchester University Architecture 2013 Chihiro Hoddinott University College, London Linguistics 2014 Leah Hemmings Gap Year Work Experience Zach Hobbs In USA teaching Guitar Archie Howes Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester Agriculture 2014 Anna Jacobs UCAS History 2014 Tim Jones Imperial College, London Mathematics 2013 Cecily King UCAS Acting 2014 Charlie Laughton Chippendale School of Furniture Furniture Making 2013 Elize Layton UCAS Acting 2014 Lilly Lewis Gap Year Work Experience Angus MacLeod Swansea University Materials Science & Engineering 2013 Felix Manley UCAS Product Design Engineering 2014 Beth Maskall Sheffield University Biochemistry 2013 Ed Mason University College, Falmouth Sustainable Product Design 2014 Toby Matimong UCAS Music 2014 Ollie May Applications to USA Liberal Arts 2014 Matilda McCann Gap Year Work Experience Katie Millard Keble College, Oxford French and Linguistics 2013 Charlotte Mills York University Mathematics 2013 Paul Nethercott-Garabet UCAS Film production 2014 Mo Pechuho St Andrews University Classical Studies 2013 Year Peers Peel Gap Year Work Experience Jo Pemberton Warwick University Mathematics 2013 2014 George Perry Gap Year Work Experience Talia Pick UCAS Acting 2014 2013 Egor Platon Southampton University Law 2013 2013 Neal Raithatha Loughborough University Mathematics 2013 2014 Aliya Raphael Le Cordon Bleu, London Patisserie Diploma 2013 2014 Poppy Riddell Leeds College of Art Art Foundation 2013 Charlotte Robins Exeter University Natural Sciences 2014 2014 Molly Rogerson Royal Veterinary College Veterinary nursing 2013 2014 Kristopher Rolt Gap Year Work Experience 2014 Dougal Russell Gap Year Work Experience 2014 Jess Sankey Sussex University English 2013 2013 Katie Shannon Edinburgh University Architecture 2013 2013 Sam Shuckburgh UCAS History 2014 2014 Arran Stamper Edinburgh University Illustration 2013 Isabela Swiderska University College, Falmouth Art Foundation 2013 2014 Barney Taylor University of Chichester Sports Coaching Science 2014 2013 Reuben Thompson Exeter University Geography 2013 2014 Max Turner UCAS Theatre Arts 2014 2013 George Veys SAE Institute Audio Production 2014 2013 Korel Walley Gap Year Work Experience Lucy Waterhouse Bristol University History of Art 2014 2013 Scarlet Watney Kingston University Art Foundation 2013 2014 Nell Whittaker Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge English 2014 2013 Sam Wilkinson Oriel College, Oxford Physics 2013 2014 Tom Wilshire Aberdeen University History 2013 2014 Eleana Wilson-Smith Bournemouth Arts University Art Foundation 2013

to the vision of its founder, John Haden went up, and the sixth form was enlarged. Tim Slack Badley, and to prosper in an age where This meant that Bedales was opened up im Slack was headmaster of university applications were becoming to families who could not afford to pay TBedales from 1962 to 1974. He more competitive. In his own words, for more than two years’ fees, while at the was appointed at the early age of 34, written in 1963: “At long last Education same time the school was better placed making him perhaps the youngest head is getting the national prominence it to secure university admissions. The of an independent school in the United deserves; the future of all types and stages school gained wider recognition, and the Kingdom at the time. of school is under review; Bedales has not application figures rose. The expansion stood still and cannot stand still likewise, also involved the “Development Plan”, Tim brought to his appointment consid- and we must prepare to look at our future, a major programme of building works erable energy, a strong sense of purpose, determined to hold on to the best of the which included the replacement of most a spirit of duty and obligation to those present, but not fearing to think radically of the old classrooms. Tim was at the less well off than himself but who shared about everything else ... our determination heart of all these events, as The Chronicle his desire for a better life and world, and to avoid early specialisation must not cut recorded in 1974: “Despite the pres- a real depth of understanding of people across the need for sound results in ‘A’ sures on his time he remained open and from different cultures. These qualities levels, so that the channels to as many receptive to opinions from all quarters, can be traced back to his ancestry of branches of further education as possible, seemingly undisturbed by organisational Methodist missionaries and Yorkshire as well as direct entry into the professions concerns, and could often be seen striding businessmen, his Wykehamist upbringing, and industry, should be kept open”. In across the Orchard, red clip-board in and his experiences of teaching: at a the Headmaster’s Report of 1965 he hand, occasionally stooping to retrieve a Lycée in France, at a school in Germany, stated: “Any school in which no change Mars wrapper dropped by a somnambu- at Repton School, and, most recently or experiment takes place becomes dead lant Bedalian”. before coming to Bedales, as headmaster – or at any rate deadly dull”. Tim ensured of Kambawsa College in Burma. that Bedales avoided this fate. The greatest changes in the character of the school since its foundation had other Tim considered that Bedales needed to Tim’s main legacy was to increase the manifestations. Prefects gave way to change, and, in particular, to expand, if it size of the school from 240 to 370. In the “Collective Responsibility”, and school was to be truly “progressive”, to live up process, the intake of international pupils uniforms to jeans. This was, perhaps, the least the school could do to keep up with the times. As Patricia Duncker (OB 1969) said recently of Bedales in the 1960s: “It was all about the rock‘n’roll. Not the Beatles, who always struck me as a bit too clean-cut, but the Stones, the Animals, the Kinks”.

Not everyone was in favour of these radical changes, but they stood the test of time. In due course, although not until long after their intended life span had expired, the pre-fabricated structures which covered part of the much-loved Orchard were replaced with a prize-winning building, and the school thrives today in large part because it has followed a course which Tim had the vision to set.

Badley was born in 1865, founded Bedales in 1893, in 1899 moved the

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school to its present location on a 120 coached the First Eleven, rode in the acre country estate near Steep which he annual Le Mans cycle race, and played a purchased with family money derived weekly tennis match with another member from coal mining, retired as headmaster of staff against two members of the in 1935, and lived in a house in the school. Kate taught Speech and Drama, school grounds until his death at the age produced and acted in staff plays, and as of 102. Accordingly, not only Badley’s The Chronicle records: “As the Headmas- 100th birthday but also his death in 1967 ter’s wife her charm and patience shone took place during Tim Slack’s time as through when, after a Jaw or during a 6.2 headmaster, and Tim presided over the Social, she catered for marauding hordes arrangements for both events. as if they were welcome guests”.

Although he inevitably grew frailer over Family life was of great importance to time, Badley maintained his strength of Tim, and not least because of the support spirit and his mental acuity throughout which he received from his family, and his life: until very shortly before he died, especially from Kate. As Ruth Whiting he did the Times crossword every day, recalled in her address at Tim’s funeral: and he played chess with one of the pupils “Those of us who were part of the school each Sunday morning. Tim Slack made in those years did not think just of Tim by Michael Portillo with 16,684 votes. a point of visiting and spending time as Headmaster but ‘Tim and Kate’ as the Tim came second with 11,973 votes. with Badley every week, and he gained driving force in the school. The example This represented over 35% of the votes a great deal from these meetings. As Tim of a strong, loving and supportive family cast, and an increase of more than 12% said in an interview which he gave in the at the heart of the community was a valu- in the Liberal party’s share of the votes. Autumn of 2011 “It was not an act of able lesson for those Bedalians who were charity. It was an act of great pleasure. less fortunate in their own family circum- Timothy Willatt Slack was born on 18th He was interesting and interested in the stances. Kate’s infectious laugh and great April 1928 and educated at Winchester school”. Importantly for Tim, Badley sense of fun enlivened the atmosphere and New College, Oxford, where he read supported him, saying “Go ahead and do and prevented Tim from taking himself PPE. From 1968 to 1970, during part of what you think is right”. That interview too seriously”. His family, in particular, his time as headmaster of Bedales, he was and a memorable Jaw which Tim gave brought out Tim’s more personal qualities: Chairman of the Society of Headmasters in May 2010 can still be viewed on You his boundless enthusiasm, his Tiggerish of Independent Schools. After leaving Tube, and they are a remarkable testament attitude to life, his kindness, and his good Bedales, Tim held a large number of to Tim’s resistance to the ageing process: nature. Tim and Kate had four children posts. From 1975 to 1983, he was Deputy at school reunions held many years after – Caroline, Henry, Louisa, and Becky – Director and later Director of Wilton he left Bedales, Tim neither looked nor all of whom went to Bedales. Park FCO Conference Centre, from behaved as if he was any older than when 1983 to 1984 he was headmaster of the he retired as headmaster, and – as this Tim left Bedales in 1974 in order to Hellenic College of London, from 1985 to footage shows – well into his eighties contest the Petersfield constituency 1995 he was Principal of St Catherine’s his mental and physical vigour and his as the Liberal candidate. He stood for Foundation at Cumberland Lodge, powers of recollection were such as to Petersfield in February and again in from 1988 to 1995 he was chairman of enable him to talk engagingly for minutes October 1974, for Enfield Southgate governors of the Royal School, Windsor at a time without notes. in December 1984, and (as a Liberal Great Park, from 1993 he was director Alliance candidate) for Fareham in 1987. of the National Tenants Resource Centre, Both Tim and his first wife, Kate, took an Although never elected as an MP, he had and from 1994 he was chairman of the active part in school life, living initially in a measure of success. In particular, the Round Table Moot. He was made LVO the Wing and later in the new house which Enfield Southgate by-election of 1984 in 1995. Tim died peacefully at home on was purpose built for future heads of resulted from the IRA’s killing of the 29th June 2013. school as part of the Development Plan. incumbent Conservative, Sir Anthony Tim acted in staff plays, sang in the choir, Berry MP, in October 1984. It was won Richard Spearman (OB 1965–73)

Contact us at: [email protected] 51 Jill Bright e will all have our own unique Wmemories of Jill; but let me invite you, at the family’s suggestion, to see her in two different but complementary ways. The first is as someone breaking out, partly from a very particular kind of background but more generally from established conventions. Jill’s home background in rural Sussex was loving and supportive, in many ways privileged, but with clear guidelines and boundaries, for example about the role of women. To step from that background into the world of urban America in the late 1950s, which is what Jill did when she got a job in the domestic service of the British consul-general in Washington, was to enter an utterly different world. Before long she was meeting all kinds of exotic people through International House in Washington, among them a Tunisian prince – an incredibly different world from late 1950s Wisborough Green. Phoebe and Adam, drove all round Ireland Watts on TV, talking about how reality looking for a home, and the moment is “inside out” – what you see on the America in the late 50s and early 60s they saw the house at Cooragannive surface is rarely the real thing. It deeply was a turbulent place: there was the death they knew it was where they wanted to influenced Jill: as a girl at private schools of JFK and the rise of the civil rights live. Ned didn’t find out until the place in southern England she’d been fed a movement, the protest songs of Woody was bought. The southwest of Ireland at rather arid version of Christianity. Alan Guthrie and Pete and Peggy Seeger. It was that time was utterly different both from Watts, and perhaps her own “inner rebel”, in that kind of world that Jill met Ned Washington and from Wisborough Green led her to question all that, as she would Bright, at a YWCA dance in Washington. – which was part of its attraction. It was question all kinds of established authority They were married in 1961 back in also a place where “blow-ins” were few; – when she got cancer a few years ago Wisborough Green – however different yet the young family felt welcomed right she endured the trauma of chemotherapy, their background, Jill’s parents Peter and from the start. And ever since the terrible but when it returned she rejected Dil welcomed Ned warmly into their tragedy of Adam’s death in an accident conventional medical treatment and opted family – and Jill and Ned set up home and subsequent relocations in London and for alternative medicine instead. It was in Constitution Avenue, Washington DC, America, the house at Cooragannive has important for her to be in control of her where in the following years Phoebe and been home. own life, and she gave those around Adam were born. her the space and the confidence to do “Breaking out” remained characteristic the same. A few years later, this “breaking out” of Jill through the rest of her life. She was from the world of rural Sussex took an never an institution person. She was not That theme, of seeing reality from even more surprising turn. They moved conventionally religious, but she was the “inside-out” was prevalent in to Ireland. Washington in the late 1960s profoundly spiritual: in fact she had a her life. It made her an outstanding became a dangerous place to bring up a wonderfully rich inner life. While ironing psychotherapist with an exceptional family, and, pursuing a dream of self-suf- one day, before they left Washington, gift for listening rather than rushing ficiency in a rural setting, Jill, with she heard the Buddhist guru Alan to judgement, making people safe and

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valued and affirmed in the midst of fear Guarannes, using her loom and the wool exceptionally widely. She loved people, and stress. She loved gardening, but here from the nearby Dripsey woollen mill. and although she could come over as too she began from the inside out: she She took a course at West Dean in Sussex reserved or even intimidating, she had an planted things and let the wider landscape in tapestry making, and later won first amazing gift for affirming and enabling grow from there: her view of nature, prize at the Royal Dublin Show for one people to be themselves; and her interest and of the Irish landscape she loved so of her tapestries. She made a tapestry for in people was, like everything else, much, was earthed, not just romantic. Bothar, the Irish organisation that sends inclusive, never cliquey. In all these areas Phoebe remembers being sent out to in-calf heifers to Africa: the tapestry she had this intuitive ability to see from gather lichens for her mother to make depicts the life of a heifer from birth the inside out, to see the reality beneath dyes from. She was a wonderful cook, until it was flown out there. She was also the surface. Most of all, she loved family: and she inspired Ned and Phoebe to be a very gifted artist: she began drawing she and Ned were kayaking on Lough creative cooks too. Between them, they when the family first moved here, and Ine until near the end of her life, and it made the house at Cooraganaive not just was taught by Brian Alderidge in his own seemed utterly right that Ned and Phoebe a hospitable place but a place of beauty – very individual way: for Jill, drawing and Jill’s sister Ann were with her when not the formal beauty of the conventional was a meditative, spiritual activity – as she died at home. and the ordered but a beauty that grew was her love of music. She grew up from within. playing the piano but gave it up when her Rev. Gordon Mursell (cousin) teacher insisted on her cutting her nails Beauty feels a key word to associate and she refused: the rebel in her again. with Jill: both an external and an interior She loved folk music as well as classical: beauty, a beauty of soul. She was always she was one of the earliest supporters of beautifully turned out. She was a gifted the West Cork Music Festival, and until weaver, and for years made clothes and very recently played in a recorder group rugs and other things in her workshop at on Fridays. She loved reading, and read

to play both violin and viola. She went Nicola Cleminson on to have a successful career of many icola Cleminson has died from years performing with groups such as Ncancer at the St John’s Hospice, The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, The St John’s Wood. She was 65. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Sixteen. She also played under Nicola was talented both as a musician the baton of John Eliot Gardiner, Roger and an artist. Fellow Bedalians from Norrington and Christopher Hogwood the 60s may remember her lyrical solo amongst others. viola playing, for a performance in the Quad, of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante Sadly Nicola was so deeply affected for violin and viola, with Ali Hyland by the sudden death of her brother in on the fiddle. 2004 that she was forced to retire early, although her love of music and art never Nicola went to St Martin’s College of left her. She was much missed by her Art from school but after a year left fellow musicians. and won a place at the Royal College of Music to study the violin. After her She is survived by her father Antony left wrist was damaged she took up the Cleminson, 92, and by her cousins viol instead and joined the Baines Early Rosalind Bleach and Melanie Musman, Music Consort. Later, having broken both OBs. the same wrist in a skating accident, she the Royal Ballet. He reset the fracture so sought help from a surgeon working for expertly that Nicola was once again able Melanie Musman (OB 1960–65)

Contact us at: [email protected] 53 poverty at the time of the Depression of Brenda Gillingham the early 1930s. edales was the ever-present Bbackdrop to the life of Brenda Brenda went up to St Hugh’s College, Gillingham for her first 53 years, until she Oxford in 1936 to read Maths, switching left the area in 1970. after Part I to PPE. Among fellow students was Edna Edmonds, later Mrs Denis Healey. She joined the Labour Club and was active in their campaigns, collecting money for Spain, discussing Communism and organising against Fascism. In her first term the Hunger Marchers were due to pass through Oxford, and Labour Club members got involved in feeding them. Next to her peeling potatoes was Anthony Gillingham, fellow Maths student (her golden hair had already attracted his admiration in lectures) and U boats. The cardioid shape appeared fellow Communist. He started chatting, in Admiralty manuals but was never and was to become the love of her life. acknowledged. The Bedales ideal strongly appealed to him, in contrast to the coercion, mili- Brenda returned to Five Oaks for Jane’s tarism and corporal punishment of his birth in 1943, then taught half time at public school education. Bedales with her mother doing the other half of a ‘job share’ before the term was Her father Basil Gimson was an They married immediately after her invented. Basil was responsible for the enthusiastic pupil from 1896 (aged 8) graduation in July 1940, but spent most timetable, and infant feeding in those days to 1904; The Chief (Mr Badley) was like of the next 22 months apart as he was was on a regular 4-hour schedule, so no his second father. Basil persuaded his in training and then active combat in problems arose. Somehow (I assume actual father of his vocation for teaching, the Fleet Air Arm. Brenda briefly taught through Basil’s intervention) a post and taught maths at Bedales from 1911 Maths at a teacher training college in was created for Anthony when he was until his retirement in 1947, being second Durham, but the college closed when demobbed, to teach Maths at Bedales, master from 1933. Five Oaks, designed all the students were called up. She then which he did successfully for 25 years. by his brother Humphrey, was built for his worked at the Admiralty, which had been marriage to Muriel in 1913. Here Brenda evacuated to Bath, preparing statistics on When Basil and Muriel retired to was born in 1917, with an older sister shipping losses which went to Churchill. Stoneywell, Leicestershire (see below) Janet and later a younger brother Donald. In summer 1942 Anthony returned after in 1947, Anthony, Brenda and their several months in Malta, and was posted children moved into Five Oaks. Here Brenda was a pupil at Dunhurst from to Scotland. Brenda eventually won the they completed their family: after Jane age 2, then at Bedales until 1935, right to join him, having had her resigna- came Sarah, Stephen, Angela, Naomi and ending her time as head girl. At home tion refused because she was indispen- Rachel. All but Rachel went to Bedales. as at school there was an atmosphere of sible. At last they could start married life In many ways Anthony stepped into intellectual curiosity, as well as music- – and a family. Basil’s shoes: conducting Steep Choir, making, love and laughter. Brenda was a producing and taking leading roles in happy child, but aware of social injustice Brenda was still contributing to the war the Gilbert and Sullivan production in particularly through the camps organised effort: using calculus, she and Anthony Petersfield, actively participating in music by housemaster Fred Seyd which brought worked out how planes flying from an making at Bedales. Brenda taught part together young people from contrasting aircraft carrier escorting a convoy could time when the opportunity arose, but was backgrounds, including some in serious conduct an efficient search for predatory rather eclipsed by Anthony’s hyperactivity.

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Unfortunately for Brenda, she became holidays walking, sailing and visiting She is survived by her six children, somewhat swamped by domesticity children abroad. fifteen grandchildren and (to date) twenty and Anthony was irritated by this. By great-grandchildren, as well as by her the end of the 1960s he was disengaging Just before her 90th birthday Brenda had brother Donald (OB), who recently and in 1970 left to teach sailing. Brenda a fall while visiting her daughter Angela moved from the family home Stoneywell never really understood why her marriage in Hamble. After a spell in hospital she in Leicestershire, designed for his and ended, and took several years to recover. moved into sheltered housing in Bristol Brenda’s grandfather Sydney Gimson She moved to Nailsea, Somerset, where run by the Monica Wills Trust, where by his brother Ernest. This Grade II* her youngest child, Rachel, attended she spent over five years. Although her listed house, where Brenda and later the local comprehensive, run by a health was deteriorating due to vascular her children spent happy summers with former teacher at Bedales. When Rachel dementia she enjoyed life, particularly grandparents, has now been acquired by left school Brenda moved into a flat when visited by members of her ever the National Trust. Those wishing to make in Clifton, Bristol, near her daughter expanding extended family. Her death a donation in Brenda’s memory are asked Sarah, by then a teacher with a young came (thankfully) before she had lost the to contribute to the associated appeal. family. In her 60s, 70s and 80s Brenda capacity to be mostly independent, albeit regained her energy and led an eventful with drop-in carers. She died in Bristol Jane Darke (OB 1955–61, daughter) life, with various jobs interspersed by Royal Infirmary on March 4th 2013.

Bastien Gomperts question authority. Unimpressed by y colleague and friend Bastien hierarchies, he was invariably generous MGomperts, who has died to and supportive of those around him, aged 77 from respiratory failure, was a always listening, always ready with world-renowned research scientist in advice, invited or uninvited. His other biochemistry and cell biology. As a attributes were his energy, curiosity and professor at University College London, sheer virtuosity, which he directed into he studied cellular signalling mechanisms. an endless series of unusual projects, in He was best known for his work on the retirement setting up a cabinet maker’s regulation of secretion, a fundamental workshop in his basement where he biological process, showing that its crafted elegant furniture and boxes of mechanism in cells associated with unique design, often with complex, allergy and inflammation is mediated by mathematically derived patterns. changes in cell calcium concentration and by proteins that bind the nucleotide GTP. psychoanalyst. Bastien’s mother, Barbara Bastien hosted concerts in his home Bastien was a memorable teacher and the Singer, a descendant of Rabbi Simeon with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, and author of two textbooks. Singer, was a musician, painter and supported visual artists through the Juliet photographer. She was a great friend of Gomperts Trust, set up in memory of The Gomperts name, with its various the ceramicist Lucie Rie (née Gomperz, his youngest daughter, who died in an spellings, derives from a community orig- therefore related to Bastien, although accident on the Khyber Pass in 1989. inating in the Lower Rhine around 1600, their most recent common ancestor died which then expanded across Europe and in 1647). This colourful background was He is survived by Zerin, their daughters beyond. As with many other Jewish fami- enriched further by Bastien’s marriage Natasha and Miranda, and five lies, this entailed a degree of suffering, in 1960 to Zerin Ismail, who was born in grandchildren. but on the way they acquired a reputation Madagascar, with connections in Pakistan for – according to one chronicle of the and a family that also has a presence in Peter Tatham family – “outstanding intellectual gifts London and Paris. Reprinted with permission from and noble virtues of the heart”. The Guardian Intellectually confident and with a firm Bastien’s father, Coenraad, a Dutchman independence of mind, Bastien had from Surinam, was a violinist and later a a tendency to shun convention and

Contact us at: [email protected] 55 Martin Nelstrop hat a marvellous achievement he was 75. He loved the Lake District Wto live 103 years! Although he and regularly made walking trips there. became increasingly frail, he could hardly He also continued to travel well into see, and his hearing was poor; his mind his nineties, to South Africa, Spain and was still as sharp as a button. France. When he came to France with me at 95, he couldn’t get travel insurance, Martin was born in Heaton Norris, and said then: “If I die over there, just sit Stockport, and for most of his adult life me in the car and drive me back”. stayed in the area. He moved into the family home in Bramhall in 1939 and Martin had five children, 18 grandchildren stayed there until soon after Joan, his and 22 great-grand-children. Until he wife, died in 1992. was 100 years old he sent birthday cards to everyone. Until he died he continued At the age of 13, Martin followed to know all their names and whereabouts his brothers, Francis and Bernard, to and welcomed any news. Bedales, where he used to help with stage management of the school plays. a horse and cart to the vet, who then Martin was a modest man of strong One of his tales he liked to tell, (usually manipulated his shoulder back in place! character; he was very moral and believed prefaced by: “I may have told you this strongly in fairness, truthfulness and before”), concerned an incident after At home he liked to have the latest doing right. He felt there was good in helping dismantle the theatre set late on gadget, and although he never got into all people. He was upset by suffering and a Saturday night. He took a shower in computers, he astounded hospital staff at cruelty. He was always willing to help the theatre dressing rooms and ran stark the age of 100 with texting his orders to others and did not seek recognition for it. naked over the quadrangle, to be met by us on his mobile. He also took to reading He supported a lot of charities and until one of the female teachers, who ignored books on his Kindle when his sight was he was 90 he used to drive ‘the elderly’ the 17 year old’s embarrassed state and too poor to read large print books. to hospital. wished him a curt: “Goodnight Nelstrop”. He found plenty of time for his family. Peter Nelstrop (son) Martin was a very practical person. We have particular memory of lots of He took delight in knowing how things caravanning holidays. Etched in our worked. In his work as mill manager he memory was one particular incident. loved solving problems when things broke It was decided not to stop at a rather down and finding new ways of doing muddy and wet site, so we drove with the things with new materials and technology. Wolseley and a pretty heavy caravan up I can remember when I was young boy, ever steeper and narrower mountain roads father getting excited about small samples with a precipice on the side. Eventually of conveyor belt material. Martin also was father decided we had no choice but to very involved in his work. We remember retrace our steps. There was nowhere to many phone calls in the middle of the turn round, so mother held five frightened night, followed by a rush to the mill to children, while father unhitched the sort out some kind of emergency. caravan and single-handedly turned it around, with the deep drop on one When he left school, Martin decided to side and a mountainside on the other. study Agriculture at University. He spent We returned gingerly down the hill and a year on a farm in Lincolnshire, before camped up in the safety of the village his two years at Leeds University. On one school playground. occasion he fell off a horse at the farm and dislocated his shoulder. He was Martin continued to be very active into promptly dispatched by the farmer in old age. He worked at the mill until

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Christopher Thomas Inglis Rayson y dear brother Chris died very he qualified in 1965. He was particularly of repairs Msuddenly on February 6th 2013. known for his conservation and historical and mainte- It was unexpected and surprised all the interests which probably dated from his nance of its family and friends. teens, by going around with father looking Abbey, also at buildings and gleaning information for numbers He left his devoted partner Eleanor at an early age. His students found this 28 and 41/42 and three of his sons, Jake, Saul and information not only informative but very Cornmarket, Sam and his dog Jack. Seth, the eldest, special. He developed a particular interest Oxford and died of cancer in July 2006, a tragedy in and expertise on old and listed build- more recently for everyone. ings, being involved in their repair and work on Saint maintenance, conversion, alteration and Giles Church, Oxford. Chris was born in Oxford and we had a change of use. very happy childhood living on Shotover As far as Chris’s capability as an archi- Hill, a wild environment where we built Continually involved in an advisory tect goes, my husband, a musician with tree houses and could roam freely. Our capacity to various interested groups no particular DIY skills, really enjoyed architect father built several houses for and committees, he served most recently building an extension to our one room L.P. Jacks, father of Hector Jacks, Bedales on the judging panel for the 2007 RIBA cottage via Chris’s drawings and practical headmaster from 1946–62. Both Chris South competition for the reuse of instructions, with basically only a hammer and I went there. existing buildings. For many years he and countless nails in his hand! The taught part-time at the School of Architec- result? A wonderful four roomed cottage At Bedales, Chris was probably best ture in Oxford at both undergraduate and which has kept us happy for over 35 years known as a fanatical cyclist, also for postgraduate level, his knowledge serving without complaints. running the mile. He enjoyed acting: the Built Resources course well. Falstaff in the Merry Wives of Windsor I miss Chris greatly. He was such a kind and Noah in an outside production on He took over from our father as architect and supportive brother. Steephurst lawn. to the fabric of Blenheim Palace, 1966– 2002. He was Adviser on listed buildings Julia von Hauenschold (née Rayson, He studied at the A.A. in London where for Abingdon Borough and in charge OB 1950–56)

Martin Arthur Rackham Soper artin was the eldest son of Phil Development Corporation and also as that Martin had worked for. MSoper and Barbara Edwards, a geological consultant. daughter of Arthur Rackham. Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Martin’s expertise recently came to disease in 1993. The family continued After leaving Bedales, Martin qualified as light when his brother Paul happened to live and work in Zimbabwe until his a geologist, specialising in Palaeontology, to meet Victor, another geologist who health deteriorated. Eventually they at Chelsea College, University of London had worked in Ghana some years moved back to England where he lived in 1960. Geology led him to work in after Martin was there. Victor knew of in Weymouth, Dorset. He died peacefully Africa where he became an expert in Martin by reputation and had used the after a long battle with Parkinson’s. mineral exploration. Martin’s professional geological maps and reports that Martin life was very successful, and he worked had produced. Victor told Paul that these Martin was a very much loved husband, in many different countries including maps were very useful in demonstrating father, brother and uncle. He was always Liberia, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. the commercial success of the Ghanaian amusing, often joking at his own expense, Finally he, his wife Margaret and their mines, and played an important role in and he made many life-long friends. two children, Mark and Barbara, settled Victor becoming a director in Goldfields, We will all miss him. in Zimbabwe where he worked for the the Australian mining company that took government at Zimbabwe Mining and over the Ghanaian government company Viv Peto (OB 1958–63, sister)

eter’s parents were both at of science and maths was strong at we all had to stop what we were PBedales: Vyv Trubshawe and Bedales before WW1 but by the 30s doing and go up to these trenches. Pamela (née Clerke) as also uncles, it had declined, so Vyv considered At night a “blackout” was imposed, aunts and cousins. His middle names Rugby as a school for his son where i.e. no lights were allowed to shine were Eric after Vyv’s brother, and there was a fine scientist teaching. But outside because it was thought that Oswald after Vyv’s great friend when this teacher, “Freddy” Meier, enemy bombers might see them and Oswald Horsley – both OBs and both was appointed Headmaster of Bedales drop bombs. This made going up to killed in WW1. Peter and his sisters, the dilemma was resolved and Peter the trenches quite an expedition at Biddy and Jill, grew up hearing about happily followed family tradition. night. In fact, although Portsmouth early days at Bedales with vivid which was only about 20 miles away memories of so many lost friends. Peter wrote in 1998 memories for his was heavily bombed, no bombs were The family often visited the area, granddaughter Naomi aged 12 – and dropped near the school. particularly seeing the Gimson and included some experiences of being Barnsley families. Many holidays at Bedales in WW2: In the summer of 1940, after the fall were spent on the nearby Sussex coast of France, it was thought that Hitler where Peter loved “messing about in At the start of the war, the school would try to invade England. It was boats” and quickly learnt to sail. created air raid shelters by digging expected that any such invasion a series of covered trenches in a field would start at dawn. The top floor Peter early showed mechanical and about 200 yards away from the school. of the school building had a balcony mathematical ability. The teaching Whenever the air raid siren sounded, facing south which gave an excellent

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view toward the South Downs. So a Constructor Commander POE to take their grandchildren and visitors “dawn watch” was set up which meant Trubshawe: “An able officer with for trips round the harbour for bird getting out of bed before sunrise, going an alert and inquiring mind and a watching, picnics and swimming. He out onto this balcony and keeping delightful personality. A very able naval was Sailing Secretary at the Bosham a lookout for any signs of such an constructor and a good staff officer. Club, organising all the racing for many invasion. We had a rota of the older An excellent companion, he has fitted in years, and became a Vice President pupils for this job. well with his naval surroundings and has there. Peter was always prepared to do been a real asset. I trust he will go far the work required – not just sit around Peter was Head Boy for a year from in the RCNC.” talking about it! In later years he was autumn 1941. In the long term the aspect given honorary Life Membership in of Bedales most important to him was During his whole career, Peter worked recognition of his service. He served on his long friendship with Jean Mckinnon on a range of ships, from submarines the committee of the Chichester Harbour Wood – who became his wife. to aircraft carriers, from repair and Trust and was a very well liked and maintenance vessels to depot ships, respected figure in the whole harbour In 1942 he went to Clare College, with his particular skills being used in sailing community. Cambridge, to study engineering. There refits and modernisations, rather than he was also able to develop his love of designing new vessels. He considered In their very last years Peter and Jean dinghy sailing and became team captain. his greatest achievement was the major were afflicted by illnesses and moved In wartime his course was crammed refit of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, to Dorset to be nearer their children. into only two years and he graduated for which he was project manager. in mechanical sciences in 1944. He took the option of retirement in 1980, Peter is survived by his wife Jean, his having been a manager of Planning and four children: Anne, Brian, Caroline Peter then joined the Royal Corps of Production Departments at Chatham and & Diana, ten grandchildren, and, so far, Naval Constructors. He had four years Management Services and Productivity seven great-grandchildren. training with them based at Greenwich Departments at Devonport. He always Naval College, but also spent time at thought of himself as an engineer Jill Trubshawe (OB 1940–46 sister) sea and at Devonport. He qualified rather than a manager and rarely looked and Diana Tilsley (daughter) as an Assistant Constructor in 1948 forward to promotion, as it meant the job and was posted to Bath (Admiralty was less practical and had more to do HQ). His career then followed a with management of people. series of postings (varying in length from eighteen months to five years) Several of Peter and Jean’s homes had including Devonport (three times), access to sailing nearby – but during Malta, Chatham, and Bath (four times). some postings when they lived inland He also had work trips to Australia and he successfully took up gliding and Pearl Harbour. powered flight. In retirement they spent many happy years at Bosham in Sussex Peter and Jean had married in 1947. – and were active in the community, Throughout his many moves Jean was founding the Bosham Forum and very supportive, coping efficiently helping to run the village hall. Peter and charmingly with all the different had an extensive home workshop and circumstances. Despite these frequent hoarded all sorts of odds and ends, but changes they kept their four children always seemed able to find just the right with them, forming a particularly piece required for mending something. close unit. Perhaps remembered most However, sailing was Peter’s most happily was the time spent in Malta. beloved activity; he owned several His daughter Diana has found a report sailing dinghies in succession and finally written in 1962 by the Commander- a 20ft day sailing keelboat. He also had in-Chief of the Mediterranean on a motorboat used for rescue duties and

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