THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020

Iain Farrington Brian Hemingway REUNIFICATION ( C 95 ) on pop ( St A 70 ) writes On the tenth anniversary of the formal and jazz, Horrible about his father, unification of School and Laxton Histories, and Paddy, the last School, Philip Sloan ( LS 71 ) gives a making classical surviving Battle of historical perspective music accessible to all Britain fighter pilot OFFICERS The Old Oundelian Club PRESIDENT: Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 ) SECRETARY, TREASURER AND DINNER SECRETARY: Jane Fenton ADDRESS: The Stables, Cobthorne, West Street, Oundle PE8 4EF. TEL: 01832 277297. EMAIL: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENTS Mary Price ( K 94 ) Hon Sec OO Women’s Hockey Alastair Irvine ( Sc 81 ) Nina Rieck ( K 95 ) Alice Rockall ( W 12 ) Chris Piper ( Sc 71 ) Email: [email protected] SPORTS SECRETARIES LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS Hon Sec Oundle Rovers CC Hon Sec Netball Nick Cheatle ( G 63 ) Chris Piper ( Sc 71 ) Rachel Hawkesford ( W 08 ) John Crabbe ( G 55 ) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Shane Dodd ( Sn 74 ) Hon Sec OORUFC Robert Ellis ( D 65 ) Hon Sec OO Rifle Club Sam Cone ( St A 05 ) Sir Michael Pickard ( C 51 ) Charles Shelley ( S 18 ) Email: [email protected] Chris Piper ( Sc 71 ) Email: [email protected] Chris Walliker ( D 54 ) Hon Sec OO Golfing Society Hon Sec OO Rowing Club Harry Williamson ( St A 55 ) James Aston ( St A 92 ) Kristina Cowley ( L 13 ) Email: [email protected] FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE Email: [email protected] Alastair Irvine ( Sc 81 ), Chairman Hon Sec OO Badminton Hon Sec OO Sailing Club Richard Ellis ( Sn 86 ) Abby Wong ( N 14 ) Kate Robinson ( W 93 ) Harry Williamson ( St A 55 ) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] HONORARY LEGAL ADVISER Hon Sec Clay Pigeon Shooting Hon Sec OO Soccer Club Philip Sloan ( LS 71 ) Henry Johnstone ( C 07 ) Andrew Power ( L 07 ) Email: [email protected] REPORTING ACCOUNTANT Email: [email protected] David Meredith ( Lx 78 ) Hon Sec OO Cross Country Club Hon Sec OO Squash Club Jon Potts ( C 98 ) OLD OUNDELIAN EDITOR Maria Yukhnovich ( K 13 ) Email: [email protected] Megan Smedley ( Hon OO ) Email: [email protected] Hon Sec OO Fives Club OLD OUNDELIAN LODGE Hon Sec OO Tennis Alex Smith ( N 91 ) Paul Newsome ( St A 55 ) Lance Ashworth ( G 82 ) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] COMMITTEE Hon Sec OO Hockey Club Guy Beresford ( B 81 ) Hon Sec OO Waterpolo Stuart Morgan ( Lx 91 ) Richard Owen ( Sc 70 ) Sam Woodfield ( L 09 ) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

HONORARY Mr DE Butler Mr ST Forge Mr RF Kauffman Mr RB Oldfield The Rev AK OOs 2020: Mr A Butterworth Mrs V Gascoine Dr G Keeling Mr N Owens Thomson Mr RR Alford Mr PC Clark Mrs C Gent Mr PSC King Mrs A Page Mr MT Thyne Mr RM Andrews Mrs JMT Clay Mr J Gillings Mr JS Lee Mr CR Pendrill Mr C Towler Mr J Arkell Mr K Cobb Mr MJ Goatly Mrs J Levet Mr G Phillips Dr RD Townsend Mr MD Aubrey Mr TJ Cobner Mrs N Guise Mr P Lewins Mr IA Potts Mrs C Townsend Mr PH Barker Mr R Collard Mrs A Guy Mr J MacDonald Mr AG Rayden Mr JG Tregoning Mrs P Barr Mr MAR Collier Mr P Hanley Mr M Maconochie Mr D Robb Mr MR Turner Mr IC Bishop Mr P Couzens Mr R Hanlon Mr RN Mather Mr P Roberts Mr RW Veit Mr MA Bloxham Mr AJ Cowley Dr J Hewitson Dr B McDowell Mrs EP Rooms Mrs N Villette Mrs J Briggs Mrs D Davidson Mrs SJ Hipple Mr A Midgley Mr LP Rooms Mr JR Wake Mr R Briggs Mrs SJ Dow Dr WF Holmström Mrs A Mills Mr RW Rowe Mr DJ Warnes Mr N Brittain Mr R Dowd Mrs M Holmström Mr D Milsted Mrs M Rowlett Mr MN Wells Mr JF Bromley Mr MN Downes Mr T Howorth Mr KMB Morrison Mr D Sharp Mr GD Wood The Rev I Browne Mr DL Edsall Mr CD Humphreys Mr RB Newman Ms M Smedley Mr IR Worthington Mr CMP Bush Mr JW Flory Dr J Hunt Mr V Northwood Mr C Symes Mrs SR Worthington Mrs RM Bush Mr A Forbes Mr SD Johnston Mr J O'Kelly Mr JM Taylor

2 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 CONTENTS THE OLD OUNDELIAN

COLUMNS FEATURES

President 2 Reunification of the Schools 5

Secretary 3 The Class of 2010 15

Editor 4 Finding John Eldred 39

Head 66 Kiln Theatre 41

Director of Development 68 The Water House Project 42

Cypher 16 44 NEWS Keeping Music Alive 46

Sport 62 Conducting During Covid 48

Staff Farewell 69 New Fruits and Old Roots 50

Outreach and Partnerships 70 Co-education 52

Laxton Junior School 70 Let's Get Quizzical 56

Correspondents 72 Paddy Hemingway 59

News from Home 73 CREDITS News from Abroad 105 Editorial and advertising inquiries: Tel: 01832 277297 Obituaries 115 Email: [email protected] Opinion 129 Editor: Megan Smedley

Editorial Committee : Jane Fenton, Rachel Hodgson ( K 10 ), Page 49 Polly Irvine, Elspeth Langsdale, Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 ), Mark Moore ( Sc 68 ), John Oliver (G 73 ), Chris Piper ( Sc 71 ), Simon Redfern ( Sc 75 ), Philip Sloan ( LS 71 )

Design: Cherry Red Designs Website: www.cherryreddesigns.com

Printed and bound in the UK by: Lavenham Press Ltd, 47 Water Street, Lavenham, CO10 9RN Tel: 01787 247436

Cover image: JS Carr ( S 84 ) Website: www.stevecarrgolf.com Tel: 07941 348728

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook and Twitter https://www.facebook. https://twitter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/ are both @OldOundelian com/oldoundelian OldOundelian school/oundle-school

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 1 COLUMN The President Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 ) reflects on his extraordinary first year at the helm.

has been an fellowship amongst Old Oundelians of help with jobs and mentoring. extraordinary and to further the interests and I believe that most OOs are 2020 year for so prosperity of the School. I am part of altruistic and wish to make a many. The School adapted to the a long line of Presidents who have difference to the lives of others. online reality and education of the tried to ensure that the Club lives up Many young people have had their pupils continued, albeit in a very to those ideals. lives blighted by the consequences different format. Earlier this year, 900 of the global pandemic and the loss The Club remains strong and predominantly young OOs wrote of opportunity. Rather than trying to whilst most of its activities have to the School about its attitudes to solve all the problems, I would like to been either postponed or cancelled, the past in the light of the murder of suggest one small practical step in the we continue to look at how we George Floyd and the emergence of spirit of Good Fellowship. There are a can remain relevant to our 11,000 the Black Lives Matter movement. large number of OOs either with their members. The Club is inclusive and It raised serious points and caused own businesses or in senior positions the Committee are always looking many to examine their own views within various organisations. at ways of engaging with members and attitudes. Please would you consider offering and encouraging participation. Its It also shows a willingness internships, mentoring or other “inclusiveness” is naturally limited to consider others, and this is advice via the OO Network. by the fact that membership is only precisely what the Club should All has not been lost this year: open to former pupils of the School. be encouraging. In December, we Arthur Marment ( D 77 ) organised Its membership has therefore been launched the OO Network which the Multisports weekend just before set by the School admissions policy now has over 1,500 users. It is a lockdown, with over 100 OOs taking over many decades. forum for keeping in touch and part. I attended the Over 60s lunch The role of the Club is simple. It exchanging views with House and at The RAF Club with over 60 OOs was set up in 1883 to encourage good year group sections as well as offers including Bob and Jenny Briggs as my guests. Unfortunately we have had to cancel the London Dinner at the Institution of Civil Engineers in Great George Street but we have rescheduled it for Thursday 18th November 2021. The Institution of Civil Engineers is the senior engineering institution and its building is magnificent. The Dinner will be held in the Great Hall. It has been difficult managing the Club this year and I would particularly like to thank our Secretary, Jane Fenton, for all her hard work during this difficult time. I am also indebted to vice presidents, Alastair Irvine and Chris Piper. Please do get involved with the Club, whether by attending events, playing sport or helping other OOs. We are always looking for new ideas, new people and ways to engage with our membership. If you would like to become more involved, please speak to Jane or email me. ■

2 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 COLUMN The Secretary Jane Fenton encourages us to re-connect with OO Network friends

hen I was pondering what has, but his tenure has been more to write for this column I concerned with the administration W thought that there of the Club and agreeing how to wouldn’t be very much to report on manage all the various problems as the OO Club office has been closed and complications that this year since the middle of March due to has thrown up. Because of this, it you-know-what. Almost all the admin has been decided that Charles will staff at the School have been working continue as President for 2021 and from home, myself included, (see hopefully he will be able to enjoy a photo) and many of our usual OO more typical year than this year has and Oundle Society activities have been. Alastair Irvine and Chris Piper been put on hold. Thinking about it, ( Sc 71 ) have also agreed to serve a however, I realised that a lot actually further year as Vice Presidents. has happened since I last wrote to The Multisports weekend took you. place as planned during the first We held our usual convivial weekend of March and was very annual West Sussex dinner at the successfully organised by Arthur Squire and Horse in Bury, near Marment ( D 77 ) with able assistance Pulborough in November, followed from Al Gordon ( C 69 ). There are by the OO London Dinner at the so many moving parts to this event Honourable Artillery Company. This that it always seems impossible was the last event for 2019 that it will come together in any President, Alastair Irvine (Sc 81), and coherent form but it always does I’m sure he will agree that the HAC and it’s always very enjoyable. did us proud and enabled him to Unfortunately, the Coronavirus sign off his presidential year in style. restrictions were just coming into Also in November the dedication force over this weekend which meant of the bell donated to the Chapel that we weren’t able to take part One particularly timely and in memory of the centenary of the in the final lunch and presentation successful initiative that we have First World War took place at the of the trophy on Sunday but this instigated is the introduction of the Remembrance Sunday service. The didn’t detract from the fact that the OO Network as mentioned in the President unveiled a plaque on OOs won 7.5 to 3.5 after several President's column. This is an online which are inscribed the words 'The years of School triumphs. Thanks platform solely for Old Oundelians Bell of Peace; Donated by the Old to everyone who helped to organise that allows you to contact old Oundelian Club in memory of all teams and venues for both the OOs friends, offer or seek help with Old Oundelians and staff who have and the School. Particular thanks to careers and post and read OO news. given their life in the service of their the School’s Director of Sport, Nick Activity has increased hugely during country. Dedicated on Remembrance Beasant, as well as to Arthur and Al. the lockdown, suggesting that Day 2019. God grant grace.' Our last event before the world people are looking to reconnect with January 2020 saw the installation closed down was the Over 60s’ their schooldays and friends while of Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 ) as lunch, held on 9 March in the RAF they have the time and opportunity President. In normal circumstances Club as usual. Since then we have to do so. If you haven’t signed up yet Charles would have expected had to forego the OO Sports lunch, can I suggest that you give it a look a whirlwind twelve months of the June OO Committee meeting, the at oonetwork.org.uk OO social events, committee Oundle Society Henley reception and Finally, I hope that you and your meetings, travelling etc. In fact he Edinburgh drinks. Nor have we been loved ones have kept well during has participated in one committee able to celebrate the 30 Years of Co- this unusual time and I hope to meeting, one lunch and the education alongside the School but see you before too long at an OO Multisports weekend! Which is not it is planned that this will take place occasion. We’ll have a lot to make to say that he hasn’t been busy – he next year instead. up for! ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 3 COLUMN The Editor '2020 is the year for making the best of it....'

imon Redfern's ( Sc 75 ) photograph. intelligent editorship has, over While teaching here, I've come S the last five years, improved across many recent OOs, but the first the style and content of The Old time I met a senior branch in group Oundelian, but this year there's had to formation was one Sunday morning be a shift in balance. Kiln Theatre, The in 2015. Alerted by a noise from the Water House Project, Conducting under hallway, I apprehended some chaps Covid and Keeping Music Alive all have half-way up my staircase. On being important messages for these times. challenged in a not entirely friendly I'm sorry there's so little about sport, manner ( surely my house looks like because I know that's what so many a private residence? It has sofas and of you look for first, butArthur everything....) they weren't to be put Marment ( D 77 ), in his inimitable off. 'Oh, this is the Music School, style, has provided a Multisports isn't it? We had lessons here. Can round-up. OO golf matches were we look upstairs?' They had lots of another covid-casualty, though stories. reports of a -golf course in the Last Sunday, five years later grounds of St A were well-founded. I almost to the day, another group did spot four recent OOs on the came to the door. They knocked, Oundle course doing the 72-hole this time. They'd travelled from in next year's publication, so pages Macmillan challenge (p 65). After a Southampton on the off-chance that 62-65 are only a preview. Also to be little chat on the 9th, it emerged that ninety-year-old Rita, daughter of covered next year, with emphasis they had bigger plans. They finished Maude and Arthur Stafford, servants on the measures Oundle has put in 90 holes with panache. Typical of the school for sixty years, could place, is the ongoing campaign to Oundelians, making the best of it. look around. Lots more stories, and 'make Oundle an anti-racist school' Hearing so many of your voices she promised to write them down. whose importance to so many of you has been an absolute pleasure. It's That's what a publication like this is indicated by the fact that a tenth of touching to read in The Class of 2010 is, really - stories about people, all OOs signed up to it. that so many of you talk to - and places and events which have had an It hasn't been a stroll on the often, apparently, live with - each impact on us. Chapel lawns to put this edition other. There's no consistent 'voice' Discovering OO reticence has together. Editorial committee in this edition, though: it's a mixture been a bit of a surprise. I repeatedly meetings couldn't happen; no-one of young and old, female and male, asked for cheery photographs was particularly keen to 'zoom', few more music and, of necessity, less from correspondents, but few were advertisers wanted to commit to sport. In our lead article, Philip forthcoming, so some of the pages expenditure, and a lack of access to Sloan ( LS 71 ) chronicles the history are a little grey. Of those pictures technology wasn't ideal - so it has of the Schools on the anniversary which did emerge of OOs engaged been less of a team effort than we'd of their reunification, prompting in activity, as requested (grinning all have liked. I'm indebted to Mark reflection on the impact of the vision doesn't count) there's a neatly Moore ( Sc 68 ) for his amusingly of Sir William and Lady Laxton symbolic one of the President at irritated proofreading asides, and to on the town of Oundle and on the the helm. The picture above, by the Jane Fenton for her knowledge and lives of those educated here over way, isn't one of me masquerading good sense. Elspeth Langsdale, as the past 450 years. What more can as Old Spice or a UKIP aficionado. well as her excellent archive research, be said about dedication to the OO It was taken at the West Street VE has given us a charming, uplifting cause than that Philip has twice celebration organised by Hon OO story heard, by chance, on the radio read Walker's A History of the Oundle Douglas Butler - a lockdown making- in lockdown . Do tell me Schools? I'm very grateful, too, that the-best-of-it highlight. the stories you'd like to read about. Steve Carr ( S 84 ), well-known golf The thirtieth anniversary of co- Better still, write one for submission - course photographer, was generous education, in tune with the School's and send that picture. ■ enough to take our splendid cover postponed celebration, will feature Megan Smedley

4 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE The Editor

Reunification of the Schools Back to a Shared Tradition

Philip Sloan, Laxton Grammar School 1964-71, Head of School 1970 and President of the Old Oundelian Club 2017, gives a historical perspective of the relationship between the two Oundle schools.

UNIFICATION October 2010 there was only one. By October 2020 marks the tenth then the activities of the Schools had anniversary of the formal been fully integrated and, with the 5 unification of the two historic consent of the Charity Commission, Schools of Oundle - all of the assets of Laxton School and Laxton School. Until then had been transferred to Oundle there were two distinct entities, School. On that day the name of both charities registered under the Laxton School was removed from the Charities Acts. The first was ‘The Register of Charities and it ceased to Corporation of Oundle School exist as a legal entity. (Charity)’ (Oundle School), the From a practical point of view, charity that owned and ran Oundle in the day-to-day running of the School and continues to do so. The Schools, unification was more a second was ‘The Free Grammar process rather than a single event – a School of Sir William Laxton’ (Laxton long process that can be traced back School), which owned the historic to the early 1970s. Later on, this article  Watercolour by J Bringhurst (OO) – endowments left by Sir William sets out the milestones but, as the full 1799, showing the Schoolmaster’s House Laxton in 1556, most notably the significance of unification can only built in 1763 Laxton School building. After 5 properly be appreciated in the context

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of the historical origins of the two the seizure and squandering of Schools, these are explored first. their assets, Henry VIII went on to seize other religious establishments ORIGINS including many gilds, the Oundle The origins of Oundle School and Gild among them. Some schools, Laxton School lie in an earlier time including the Oundle Gild School, of disease - repeated visitations of were allowed to continue but, as bubonic plague in the 14th the rest of the assets of the Oundle including the Black Death of 1349 Gild were expropriated, it had no which are together reckoned to endowment or means of support. have caused the death of at least Sir William Laxton was born in half of the population of . Oundle, it is believed in 1500. He The intense suffering led to a strong was the son of an Oundle merchant religious revival expressed in the or tradesman and is believed to have building of many churches, and to the attended the Oundle Gild School and establishment of many religious gilds then to have been apprenticed to a (original spelling, used throughout), member of the Grocers’ Company. Sir co-operative ventures licensed by William pursued a successful career the Crown for establishing chantries in the . He was a where masses would be held and prominent Grocer – elected as Upper prayers given by a chantry priest Master of the Grocers’ Company eight for the souls of the founders and times - an Alderman and a sheriff. ‘brethren and sisters’ of the gild after In 1544 he was elected Mayor of the death. The priest was also a teacher City of London. In the mid-1530s with particular responsibility for he married Joan Luddington (née teaching Latin. Kirkeby) a widow and mother of One such gild, ‘the Gild or seven children. They had no children Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ of their own. (‘the Oundle Gild’) was formed in Sir William fell ill and died in July Oundle in around 1494 by Dame Joan 1556. Following the seizure of the Wyatt, the widow of Robert Wyatt, a assets of the Oundle Gild in 1546 the local merchant. The chantry chapel continued existence of the Gild School of the Oundle Gild was the chapel was in doubt. In the years before he then and now on the south side of became ill, Sir William laid plans for the chancel in the Oundle Parish its purchase and re-endowment and Church, the Church of St Peter. The for the Grocers’ Company to take over purpose of the Oundle Gild was to responsibility for running it after his celebrate mass’… for the healthy death. Shortly before he died he made estate of the King and … Queen in a will and, in a separate, unsigned, life and for their souls after death, codicil drawn up a few days later, and for the souls of their ancestors, gave directions for his wishes to be for the healthy estate of the brethren carried out. In a few simple words and sisters of the Gild in life and for he gave guidance for the ethos of the their souls after death, for the soul School going forwards, providing for The porch on the south of Robert Wyatt, for the good estate the appointment of a schoolmaster to side of the Oundle Parish of Joan Wyatt in life and for her soul run it, stating that he should be Church, known as the after death and for the souls of all the Wyatt porch, was built by faithful departed.’ ‘…. a Master of Arts, to teach Dame Joan Wyatt and her The Oundle Gild received Grammar freely within the said husband Robert substantial endowments of money, Schoolhouse to all such as shall come Wyatt, probably in the houses and arable land, among them thither to learn….’ 1480s. It was the Gildhouse – the ancient building traditional for chantry on the site of the present Laxton The codicil also provided for seven priests to teach Latin in building. The ground floor was used poor men of Oundle to be provided a room above a church to house a number of widows rent for and housed in the lower floor of porch. It is likely free, the upper floor as a schoolroom. the Schoolhouse. therefore that this served More trauma was to follow in From the beginning, Sir William’s as the schoolroom in the the 16th century. In 1546, following vision was of a school rooted in very early years of the dissolution of the monasteries and Oundle, existing for the benefit of Oundle Gild School.

6 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE

the local community but also open to and in the centuries that followed, others without geographic limitation. the Schoolhouse was its heart. In In the opening paragraphs of his accordance with Sir William’s wishes, codicil Sir William expressed the wish the ground floor was used to house that it be called ‘…. the free Grammar seven poor men of the town and the School of me the said William Laxton, upper floor was the schoolroom. The Knight, Alderman of London.’ Schoolhouse was already old, poorly After his death, Lady Laxton constructed and in frequent need bought the Schoolhouse (for £20). of repair. The religious needs of the Others had expressed interest and for School were met by attendance at a time it was by no means certain that services in the Oundle Parish Church. she would secure the purchase. In In a typical year in the early 1600s, the years that followed, the Grocers’ pupil numbers averaged around Company took over ownership of the 60. Some lived in Oundle, others School and its endowments which in surrounding areas and others included other land and buildings again boarded, residing either with in Oundle and elsewhere. There was the schoolmaster or other town a legal challenge to the validity of residents. It was a time of relative the codicil which was eventually social mobility and pupils included overcome. As for Sir William’s wishes the sons of local tradesmen, lawyers that the School be named after him, its and members of the clergy and the formal name was ‘The Free Grammar nobility both locally and from further School of Sir William Laxton’. It was afield. As the century progressed, the also known from an early stage, at Grocers’ Company and the School  Drawing by J Shillibeer, Headmaster least colloquially, as ‘Oundle School’. were again buffeted by winds of 1829-41, showing the new boarding house From the endowment of the School change - gales would be a better built in 1799

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description. The English Civil War, for Grocers’ Hall once restored to  Lithograph of the Old Gildhouse its consequences and the divisions it be rented to the Bank allowing the by Bradford Rudge – 1841 – before it caused as well as ‘loans’ demanded debts and liabilities eventually to be was rebuilt in 1855. Note the walnut both by King and Parliament, cleared, though not until the mid- trees, an historic feature of this part but often not repaid, all impacted 1730s. of the churchyard financially and in other respects on The 1700s saw a decline in the Grocers’ Company and the School. education in general and, reflecting Then, following the Restoration of the a lower regard for the studying monarchy in 1660, came the Plague of Latin, of grammar schools in in 1665 and, in 1666, the Great Fire particular. Nevertheless, by the of London which destroyed most of end of the century, pupil numbers, the London buildings owned by the particularly of boarders, were Grocers’ Company, including all the increasing and further investments London properties bequeathed by Sir were made in school buildings to William Laxton. The fire also severely accommodate them. In 1763 a new damaged Grocers’ Hall, leaving only schoolmaster’s house was built on its walls intact. the corner of Church Lane and the The debts and liabilities arising churchyard, and in 1799 an extension from these events could have been, was added to it as a dormitory for and nearly were, terminal for both the boarders. The outward appearance Grocers’ Company and the School. of these ‘new’ additions remains However, good fortune intervened. largely unchanged to this day, though The Bank of England was founded their internal layouts and the uses to in 1694, its first governor being which they have since been put are Sir John Houblon, a Grocer and of course very different. Once their Master of the Grocers’ Company original purposes are recalled, it will in 1690. Arrangements were made readily be appreciated that, in their

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 Drawing of ground floor of Old orientation around the churchyard, old Schoolhouse. Its spiritual home Gildhouse by J Gwilt, the Grocers' which also served as a playground, was the Oundle Parish Church. Pupils Company surveyor, in 1850 they were intended to complement attending the School included, as they the existing elements of the School. had for centuries before, day boys As time passed the condition of from Oundle and the surrounding area the old Schoolhouse continued to as well as boarders from further afield. deteriorate necessitating frequent By the mid-19th century, repairs. In 1816, the Grocers’ England was the centre of a large Company’s surveyor recommended and expanding empire and of an its demolition. Eventually a decision industrial revolution, symbolised in was taken to rebuild it in the style Oundle by the coming of the railway and substantially to the design of in 1845. Though many continued the original, the building work to follow traditional trades and being completed in 1855. Prior to its occupations such as farming, there commencement, drawings were made was a growing need for a university- of the original Schoolhouse. They educated elite. In schooling terms this show the layout of the ground floor, led to diverging aspirations. For those still used to house seven poor men of wishing to go to university - day boys Oundle, and the old Schoolroom on from Oundle and surrounding areas the upper floor. but for the most part boarders from In 1855, therefore, there was still further afield - it meant staying on at just one school – the ‘Free Grammar school to age 18 or 19 and learning School of Sir William Laxton’ known Latin and Greek (the grammar by then also as Oundle School and subjects) to a high level, as well as Oundle Grammar School. The heart maths and newer science subjects. For of the School was, and since 1556 the sons of farmers or tradesmen, a (arguably since 1494) had been, the more limited education to age 15 or

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16 was enough. For them, at a time ‘the Classical School’; the other, later Over the centuries, the of limited social mobility, there was known as Laxton Grammar School, School has often been little or no point in continuing Latin, was to be ‘the Modern School’. The closed temporarily Greek or indeed any other subject two schools began their separate because of epidemics of to university level. The Grocers’ existence in September 1876. disease. Contagions have Company began to consider ways of In the years leading up to 1876, the included bubonic plague, addressing these differing aspirations, Grocers’ Company had acquired more smallpox, diphtheria, including the possibility of separating property in Oundle including the dysentery, typhus, typhoid, the School into two parts. One, whole of the ‘island’ site on the north measles, mumps, scarlet a ‘Classical’ part, would provide side of Church Lane, later used for the fever, chicken pox and no education to university entrance construction of the Oundle Cloisters. doubt others. Some were level in subjects including Greek and The intention was for the Classical associated with the water Latin, maths and sciences. The other, School to move there once building supply which was drawn a ‘Modern’ part, would provide a was complete and for the Modern from wells located close to limited, more practical, education to School to take over the rebuilt old the churchyard at a time age 15 or 16. Schoolhouse. These arrangements when it was still being In 1876, a new Headmaster - Henry were completed in 1883. In the used for new burials. St John Reade - was appointed, intervening years, the Modern School taking over from Dr J.F. Stansbury. occupied temporary accommodation Believing (wrongly it seems) that a elsewhere in Oundle and the Classical decision to divide the School into School the rebuilt Schoolhouse. two had already been taken by the Although there was unanimous Grocers’ Company, he proceeded to agreement within the Grocers’ put it into effect. One part, later to be Company on the need for expansion, known as Oundle School, was to be and for the provision of both Classical

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and Modern levels of schooling, catchment area, catering especially unanimity was still lacking on how ‘for the sons of needy professional this was to be achieved. Proposals men’ with far fewer boarders. by Headmaster Reade in 1881 for Ultimately, given the expansion of increases to school fees led to the school facilities already underway by belief on the part of some Oundle 1882, the viability of the single school town residents that the interests alternative depended on a substantial of the local community were not increase in the number of suitable being properly respected. This was local pupils. The conclusion drawn a matter of concern to the Grocers’ at the time was that, as the town of Company and in 1882 consideration Oundle was not growing, such an was given to two alternative schemes. increase was unlikely to materialise. One involved retention of the two The Grocers’ Company therefore school system already introduced decided to reaffirm the two school by Headmaster Reade, the other a system, addressing the concerns single school system which would of Oundle townsfolk by making provide both Classical and Modern provision for locally born boys to education within the same school. pass into the Classical School on a The fundamental difference was that financially favourable basis the two school system was intended It is interesting to reflect for a to draw boarding pupils from a moment on how the decision of the  Photograph of Laxton House taken wide catchment area - effectively Grocers’ Company in 1882 might in July 2020. Note the remains of an the whole country and beyond. The have been different if girls as well as ancient walnut tree lying in front of single school alternative on the other boys had been eligible in 1876 to join the north entrance. hand would have a more localised a single school. The situation would

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then in some ways have been similar shared, something that worked to  Drawing of north wall and floor to that 125 years later when a single the advantage of Laxton Grammar plan first floor of Old Gildhouse by school solution was again adopted School and its pupils. Foremost J Gwilt - 1850 and the separation of 1876 reversed. among these was the arrangement The thought may not be entirely idle by which academically suited and could have crossed the minds pupils were integrated for teaching of the Grocers’ Company in its purposes into Oundle School forms deliberations at the time. By the late from age 16 onwards - and then often 19th century, increased attention was on to university in the same way as being given to girls’ education and in their Oundle School contemporaries. 1905 the Grocers’ Company actively Many friendships were made considered the possibility of opening between members of the two Schools a girls’ school in Oundle. The idea though there was, of course, also was eventually rejected because it plenty of ‘banter’. was thought likely to lead to co- Sport was integrated in 1992. Until education - a concept apparently then, Laxton Grammar School had its before its time. own sports teams and House sports From 1876, the two schools competition. There were three Laxton began their separate development. Houses: Ireland (named after the In 1877 there were 94 boys in the first Schoolmaster in the Oundle Gild Classical School, 70 of whom were School); Wyatt (no further explanation boarders, 24 dayboys. In the Modern needed) and Leech (SJ Leech was School, numbers totalled 34, 18 day Master in Charge of Laxton Grammar boys and 16 boarders. It is often School from 1919 to 1952). Though forgotten that Laxton Grammar lacking in numbers, Laxton Grammar School also had boarders drawn School sports teams had indomitable from towns in more distant parts of spirit and frequently overcame the such as Kettering representative teams of much larger and Wellingborough. At a time schools including Oundle School when travel was difficult and time itself. consuming, this made sense but, as One of Laxton Grammar School’s convenient motor transport became singular achievements after 1876 was more prevalent, the original purpose to preserve the historic traditions Sport, in its broad sense, of boarding was lost and the Laxton of the School as they had evolved has always been popular Grammar School boarding house over the preceding four centuries. at the Schools, though was closed in 1929. In terms of name and location, 'Games' only became Although outside the scope of dedication to the education of compulsory in 1876. Until this piece, the history of Laxton the local community, continued then, the traditional, Grammar School - Laxton School association with the Oundle Parish voluntary sports were as it later became - in the years Church and much more besides, the football (not rugby), between 1876 and 2010 is interesting Modern School, Laxton Grammar cricket and fives. The in its own right and should be told School, represented the continuation first recorded cricket and remembered. However, unlike of much, in reality most, of what had match against another Oundle School which could draw gone before. school was played on the students from far and wide, its A somewhat contentious question Milton Road pitch against principal and more limited purpose still posed from time to time is Uppingham on 30 August was to meet the needs of the town which of the two schools was the 1855. It would be nice to of Oundle and its immediate ‘original.’ Unsurprisingly, at the savour a victory, prescient surrounds. As Oundle School grew time of the separation of the Schools, for future generations in the 20th century, Laxton Grammar the Grocers’ Company viewed the of OOs – and OLs for School could only continue to plough Classical School, Oundle School, that matter, but, a steady course without the prospect as the new departure, the corollary despite a spirited battle, of significant expansion. being that Laxton Grammar School the School lost by the Left entirely to its own devices, continued as the original school. narrowest of margins…8 Laxton Grammar School might well There is, however, another possible ! Poaching in the have declined into insignificance. interpretation. In their different local woods, by boys However, despite the split in 1876, ways, both Schools represented armed with catapults the two schools were never totally the continuation of aspects of the and pistols, was also separate. Many facilities were School as it had been before 1876. commonplace.

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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 13 FEATURE

Laxton Grammar School in the What happened to the ways mentioned in the preceding 'seven poor men' of paragraph; Oundle School by Oundle, housed in the continuing the tradition of boarding, ground floor of Old an aspect anticipated in the codicil Schoolhouse? When the to Sir William Laxton’s will which Old Schoolhouse was had been an important aspect of the rebuilt in 1855 they were School from 1556 onwards. So, it may given accommodation in reasonably be said, neither School the almshouse at the was the original. Each was original South-East end of Church in its own way and each traces its Lane. The last almsman ultimate origins to the same places, left, and the almshouse was dates and events. closed, in 1934. The ‘originality’ debate does, however, obscure something of significance. The story of Oundle School since 1876 is one of extraordinary success and of its - has reconnected Oundle School confirmation as one of the great public with its historical heritage. As it has schools of England. The progression often proudly claimed, Oundle School of the School over the past 150 years is traces its origins back to 1556, to the TIMELINE physically represented by many of the endowment of the Free Grammar fine buildings and other facilities that School of Sir William Laxton. For 320 . 1971 - now grace the town of Oundle - of the 464 years since then, the Old opens, leading to the long- including the Cloisters, the Great Schoolhouse was the School. Now term end of state funding for Hall, the Memorial Chapel and more there is again only one school and its the pupils of Laxton Grammar recently the Pavilion, Sci-Tec and historic heart is once again the rebuilt School now the new Sports Centre. All make Old Schoolhouse, the Laxton Building. their own distinctive contributions 2020 is also the 30th anniversary of . 1988 - Decision that both to the life of the School and in many the introduction of co-education to the Schools become co-educational. cases also give considerable esoteric Schools and much more will no doubt Girls join Laxton Sixth Form and practical benefits to the people be said and written about that in the of Oundle. The older buildings coming months. Two women, whose . 1990 - Kirkeby and Wyatt nevertheless remain of great value. names are mentioned above, played Houses open; last state-assisted Pre-eminent among them is the ancient vital roles in the founding of the pupils join Laxton Grammar building, rebuilt in 1855 and known School. In establishing the Oundle Gild School; change of name from variously as the Old Gildhouse, the in 1494, Dame Joan Wyatt laid its very Laxton Grammar School to Schoolhouse, the Old Schoolhouse, first foundations. Sir William Laxton’s Laxton School Laxton and the Laxton Building. In widow, Lady Laxton, formerly Joan the modern era the idea that a single Luddington, née Kirkeby, played a . 1992 - Sport is integrated schoolroom could serve an entire key role in ensuring that Sir William’s throughout both Schools school is quaint to say the least, but the directions for the endowment of the Old Schoolroom provided space for as School were followed after his death in . 2000 - Unity of Schools and many as five classes simultaneously 1556. Both are fittingly memorialised Resolution 2000 made by the - and that is where Oundle School in the two girls’ Houses established in Governing Body to unify began. In all practical senses right up 1990 that bear their names. ■ Oundle School, Laxton School to 1876 it was the School. In all of that and Laxton Junior School time there was one School and one This article, together with the tradition. accompanying images, is published . 2009 - Trustees of Oundle In the period since the separation of with the co-operation and consent of School and of Laxton decide to the Schools in 1876, given the central the Corporation of Oundle School. transfer the assets of Laxton to role of the Old Schoolhouse in the life I also wish to acknowledge WG Oundle School of Laxton School it is inevitable that Walker’s book A History of the some Oundelians and Old Oundelians Oundle Schools, which I have relied . 2010 - Asset transfer takes will have forgotten, perhaps never upon as a reference source and to effect; 5 October: Laxton ceases even known of, its significance in the confirm factual information. to exist as a separate entity; context of the history and traditions name is changed from Laxton to of Oundle School. But unification – Philip Sloan, Laxton House reunification is a more apt description Laxton Grammar School 1964-71

14 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE Class of 2010 Jamie Budgett ( F ) and Sophie Harrison ( Sn ) reveal what the 2010 Leavers have been up to in the last ten years.

hilst in the depths of the scrambling for ways to stay is the incredible friendships forged country’s lockdown, we connected, to stay informed and to at Oundle, all of which remain so W received an email from stay sane. Strangely, collating the important to so many of us still Mrs Smedley reminding us that – entries for this article has done just today. Whilst with the numerous amidst the debate on whether a face that. engagements, weddings and even mask was going to be a fashion Piecing it together has been children that have been a part of the statement or medical protection – we the perfect excuse to reach out past ten years, what it does show is had reached the milestone of ten years and reconnect with our peers, to that we have all done a lot of growing since leaving Oundle, and, as such, be inspired and uplifted by their up! had the responsibility of coordinating achievements, and to find a huge It would be remiss to not also take the highly coveted ‘Class of…’ article amount of joy in reading (and re- a moment to acknowledge the tragic for the Old Oundelian. At this point, reading) the remarkable journeys, passing of Vadim Atroshenko, an Zoom had become the ‘normal’ way transformations and success integral member of the Grafton year to interact, flour was the most stories of the last ten years. The group, and our thoughts go out to his valuable commodity you could get accomplishments that follow are so family. your hands on, and everyone was varied for us to try and single out We are hugely grateful to our only a few – from entrepreneurs to cohort of Heads of House (and Pat doctors, artists to scientists, and even and Charlie!) for their support in a professional mountaineer. It really collecting everyone’s news and we do  Class of 2010 co-ordinators, Jamie has been a tremendous pleasure. hope you enjoy reading the stories of Budgett ( B ) and Sophie Harrison ( Sn ) What continues to strike us most Oundle’s 2010 Leavers.

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BRAMSTON make your life difficult, including recently shoot a movie with one of suicidal kangaroos on the rural my old Bramston housemates, Sam Bowers: I spent some time roads, bushfires everywhere which fourteen years after first mucking teaching in Nepal with Tom are probably started by Australian about with cameras in third form. Campbell-Moffat ( B 10 ) and tomb BBQs, and a limited Netflix library raiding in Cambodia with Ellie compounded with snail-speed Charlie Hill: After a year out and Hiskett ( K 10 ). I then moved to internet. Fortunately, having a couple of retakes, I went to sunny LA to attend the University of survived Bramston, I have developed Newcastle University to study Southern California, where I learned enough strength and tact to navigate Economics and Business. I then to longboard, joined a fraternity, got the more difficult corners in life. moved to London and am working a degree in International Relations, Reality aside, I have completed my as a reinsurance broker focusing and never saw the rain... ever. degree in Medicine and am currently on sports and entertainment. Since Post-college, I spent a couple of working as a Psychiatry trainee in leaving Oundle I have lived years in marketing, then completed . Truth be told, I never knew at various times with Ed Tweddle the Mongol Rally in 2017 which the skills I employed in dealing with ( S 10 ), Will Dugdale ( B 10 ), Fred spanned 24 countries, and about you lot in Bramston were so Elborne ( StA 10 ) and Fred Farmer 19,000 miles. I visited Phillip Begak transferrable to my current role! I ( F 10 ) so should really try and ( C 10 ) in on the way back hope everyone is having a great life branch out! I continue to before we finally jettisoned our and thank you all for being a part of and organise our Old Ramblers XI, noble steed in a Finnish scrap yard, my unforgettable time at Oundle. who have recently enjoyed tours to and now I’m back in NY working in Sri Lanka, , the Isle of Wight wealth management and hiding William Dugdale: After leaving and . from COVID. I’ve enjoyed visits Oundle, I took a gap year and then from a few Oundle folks including returned to education to study Gervas Lam: After Oundle, I went on Tom Markland ( S 10 ) and George History and Politics at Oundle to study Finance and Accounting at Bartlett ( StA 10 ), but I definitely University (otherwise known as the the and hope to see more of you by the University of Manchester). I had a luckily graduated with a 2:1. I then twenty-year mark and am excited to good three years there and really returned to Hong Kong and started hear what’s new. nearly graduated! After uni, I working for one of the big four worked for a while in the world of accounting firms and am now on my Aaron Chu: I cannot believe it has mortgages which oddly didn’t very seventh year. Now a certified almost been ten years since Oundle. much satisfy any of my hopes and accountant and fraud examiner, I Life has not been easy moving down dreams so I left. I have since started advise people on how to commit to where literally my current job of working in film fraud and launder money without everything seems to be designed to production and was thrilled to getting (jokes... umm). Due to the boring nature of my job, which completely contradicts my hyperactive personality, I do Muay Thai as a relaxation – mostly getting beat-up, but looking to turn the tables soon. That being said, it feels amazing to reconnect with the Bramston boys after ten years; it certainly brought back loads of memories and I hope I can go back to visit everyone in the near future!

Ben Langford: After leaving Oundle, I moved as far away as possible to study at Aberdeen University. After a few years there, I left because of a falling out with the admin over acceptable teaching standards and their handling of the sudden loss of both my brother and my flatmate. I came away with just a lifeguard qualification and a PADI divemaster Charlie Hill and fellow Old Ramblers XI certificate. Deciding not to waste these, I spent a season as an intern

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divemaster in before working as a lifeguard at a couple of pools in the UK including Oundle. In the last couple of years, I set up my own property development company and am currently managing a project in the New Forest.

Sambrooke Spurrier: After deciding to turn a disciplinary problem into a fully-fledged career, I caught a plane to a winery in Chile. I worked in the winery for a few months before starting a Wine Business degree at Plumpton College back in the UK. After completing my degree, I held Housemates Harriet Story ( Lx ), Pat Webster various roles in the drinks industry ( B ), Fred Risch ( G ) and Doug Anson ( F ) with companies such as Sipsmith, William Grant & Sons and The Dalmore before settling at Remy Cointreau, where I am currently enjoying my first leadership role. South America with Will Winterton Relations, I headed to London and I met my partner, Lucinda, at ( Sc 10 ) and Greg Whitaker ( Sc 10 ) have worked in healthcare university and we now live in taking us to Costa Rica, Panama, communications across public affairs Brixton with a demanding tenant Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and and relations ever since. These days I called Aurelia, our beautiful Uruguay where we found ourselves seem to spend a lot of time travelling daughter. and purchased overpriced alpaca to various medical conferences hoodies. On my return, I taught as a around the world to film and Patrick Webster: Having survived a sailing and windsurfing instructor in interview experts. fun but thoroughly unproductive Greece for the rest of the year. When not travelling, you can find three years at Manchester University, I then studied Law & French at me out and about filming wildlife I was faced with the challenge of Bristol University for four years, – underwater if possible, as scuba what to do with my 2:1 in which included a year abroad diving at school has translated into ‘Management & Leisure’. After very studying (drinking) in at trips around the world to see the little thought, I fell into the popular Sciences Politique, which I would creatures of the deeps. trap of Recruitment where I spent an highly recommend to any current unhappy three years placing data pupil reading this. James Duncalfe: After reading scientists without much success. After graduating in 2015, I took French and Italian at Bristol, I have From there I found a role with the up a random opportunity to fly to been living in London and working technology research house Gartner. and help deliver a yacht in finance. Having sailed at school, I Things turned a corner here as the across the North Atlantic to the UK. continued my nautical endeavours at training and brand set me up for Without reading the small print, I Bristol and now form part of the OO securing my current occupation as arrived to find a 55-year-old, 14-ton, team’s annual onslaught in the new business team lead with a wooden ketch with no autopilot to be Solent at the Arrow Trophy. rapidly growing IoT start up, sailed only by myself and two others. I’m a recent convert to cycling, Samsara. Aside from work, after After 27 days, two storms and plenty and am usually found trailing at the three years living as a four with Fred of whales and dolphins, we made it back of a weekend peloton and being Risch ( G 10 ) and Doug Anson ( F 10 ), back to Falmouth alive to tell the the keenest for the café stop. I’m in Harriet Story ( Lx 10 ) and I decided tale…just! regular contact with fellow OOs and to move in together. We still see a I am now living in London and am fortunate to have Serena large number of OOs and count them reading the small print as a lawyer at Pottinger ( N 10 ) as one of my among the kindest and warmest of international tech law firm, Bird & housemates. friends. Bird, where I have just qualified into the Corporate Venture Capital team. Benjamin Hewins: After graduating from UCL with an MSci in Physics in CROSBY Jonothan Blackbourn: Having 2014, I started working as a software studied Molecular and Cellular developer in London. In 2016, I got a William Alms: After leaving school I Biology at Newcastle and then a job at an asset management took a gap year where I travelled to Masters in Media and Public company. Although I loved living in

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London, I wanted to make the most Lumpur at a facultative reinsurance evaluate my options. After over a of the possibilities of the internet and broking firm in engineering and year working and living away from in 2019 got a remote job as a construction. After having had my home (including another stint in developer at a technology startup. fair dose of Southeast Asian travel, I ...) I started studying French & Since then I’ve been travelling in returned to the UK to complete my History of Art at UCL; the London and Italy with my partner of degree whilst securing a position on experience was certainly different seven years and am currently staying the Willis Re graduate programme. I and I have largely stayed there since, near Concarneau, Brittany, waiting moved to London and started work except for stints studying in Paris for the lockdown to end. in the Marine & Energy Specialty and working in New York. I started department in September 2014 and I working at what was then RBS Francis Kwong: Post Oundle, I have worked there ever since. I straight after graduation, and have studied Computer Science at the specialise in international marine been there for (gulp!) the past five University of Bristol, after which I treaty reinsurance business and this years in a variety of roles in both moved to London and worked at has involved regular travel to London & New York. After nine Credit Suisse (then Bluebay Asset Europe, Latin America and Southeast years in central London, I moved out Management) before taking a year Asia. I thoroughly enjoy working in to Hertfordshire three weeks before out as a proprietary futures trader. I the industry, have met some great lockdown, where I live with my am currently at Sculptor Capital people, and love the travel miniature dachshund puppy Bella. Management on Regents Street opportunities it brings. I met my I’m lucky to have made a few working in front office technology. boyfriend through the industry, and amazing friendships (special For a few years, James Collins we have now been living together for mention to my travel buddy ( St A 10 ) and I lived together in my a couple of years. Leonora) that have grown stronger flat in Southwark where we both since I left Oundle, and leave me shared a mutual liking for fine food Frances Denny: First to , then with very happy memories ten years and tech. Additionally I keep in close an intermittent selection of legal on. contact with Emily Twaite ( N 10 ) training and escaping to Latin America and her family. Lastly, in my spare to learn Spanish and find a way to Emily Heywood: After leaving time I enjoy going on track days on move there. Failing that, I’ve moved Oundle, I went to the University of my motorcycle, taking on a road trip, about a bit in jobs and landed inside Sheffield to study medicine, where hosting dinner parties and a touch of the TV/film production industry at my six years, incorporated a year of gardening. Warner Bros Film. All in all, I'm very research. I have stayed in Sheffield happy. since to continue my career working Adam Lee: I live in London with Izzi as a doctor and to climb and get Hudson ( Lx 10 ), more recently Leonora Forrest: After a gap year outdoors into the Peak District as moving away from the Brixton/ involving some work experience and much as possible. I am currently near Clapham heartland to Hackney, as travelling in Kenya, I went on to the start of surgical training, looking I’m sure Izzi will have proudly study English Literature followed by to specialise in ear, nose and throat mentioned. After graduating from a Masters in Real Estate surgery. Cambridge, I spent a double gap Development. I trained to become a year travelling, skiing, losing weight Chartered Surveyor at CBRE in Cliona Lewis: I took the scenic route and pondering my future. Seeking London and qualified in 2017. I now through a craic-filled six years at both exciting day-to-day work and work for Group as an Bristol University. Came out with a the opportunity to make a difference Asset Manager and live in medical degree and now do in the world, I settled on becoming with my boyfriend who luckily for Doctoring. Couldn’t bring myself to an accountant. I’m now mostly a me is a brilliant chef! I remain close leave the South West and currently strategy consultant, although I with a lot of Oundle friends, I have having a merry time working and dabble as a part-time emergency enjoyed some amazing trips with living in Bristol. Am planning on a reserve florist. I look back on my fellow OD Emma Greenlees, and move to at the tail end time in Oundle very fondly – I can’t happy stints living with Celia Scruby of the year (global pandemic believe it was only two years! ( W 10 ) and Jamie Ball ( Sc 10 ). allowing). Long term plan is Emergency Medicine of the Emma Greenlees: After Oundle, I paediatric variety. DRYDEN headed out to live in Italy before starting a Spanish & Italian degree at Angharad Marment: After studying Fiona Adams: After leaving Oundle, university, but after three weeks at English Literature at the University I studied Product Design Engineering my first choice I was confident it of , I took six months out to at . The really wasn’t for me (another four play polo in New Zealand. Following degree involved me spending one years in what felt like boarding that, real life beckoned and I moved fantastic year working in Kuala school...) and I took a year out to to London where I took up a position

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at PwC. I’ve met some great people Albert Museum as a Comms moving on to travel around Cuba at work, including my fiancé, who Manager focusing on the public and Mexico with Fred Risch ( G 10 ) first caught my eye across a karaoke programme. I live with my boyfriend and Oscar. I then studied Classical bar in Bloomsbury. I tried to escape in Brixton and am still close with a Studies at Exeter, where it took me his clutches by going travelling number of Oundle friends. all of 30 minutes to scout out Oli around the world for six months, but Bowley ( F 10 ), spending the rest of it didn’t work and we are now Heidi Trott: After spending an my time at uni living with him. planning our wedding next spring. indecisive summer back home in During second year summer, I Bermuda in 2010, toying between travelled to Thailand with Pat Zoë Rice: Since leaving Oundle, I’ve University in the UK or the US, I Webster ( B 10 ) and Harriet Story continued to yo-yo between the UK decided to take a leap across the ( Lx 10 ), later travelling to Nicaragua and , debating where to pond to attend the University of and Costa Rica with Fred, Harriet settle. Opting for university in Virginia. I loved my time in and Oscar after graduation. Bristol, I had an amazing three years Charlottesville and for a short time Pursuing my thirst for constant and made the fairly predictable move even developed a bit of a Southern holidays, I then took on a six-month to London for a financial PR twang. Following my studies at UVA, placement at ski travel agency graduate scheme. I later took a far where I majored in Global Wasteland Ski, coordinating less predictable career shift Development, I spent a year living university ski trips (I never slept). (temporarily) before travelling and working in Washington DC, but Living with Pat, Harriet and Fred in Central America and making my the island life eventually drew me Fulham, I then took an internship at way back to Canada where I’ve been back. For the last four and a half a luxury cosmetics PR agency (I living the past three years, working years I have been working as an smelt great and my hair was in content and loyalty marketing. Investment Analyst for a Fund fabulous) before moving on to start I have a great lifestyle in Toronto, Manager in Bermuda. In addition to the graduate scheme at tech PR balancing friends, adventures and work, I studied for and completed agency Brands2Life, where after a smoothie barista side hustle. That my CFA exams and earlier this year nearly five years I am now a Senior said, I’ll be moving back to the UK received my CFA designation. In Account Manager. I live in Brixton again next month and look forward most recent news, I got engaged with Oli, Fred having moved out not to seeing old school friends on the earlier this month to my fiancé who I too long ago. reg. met at his UVA fraternity (as one does). We hope to be married in 2021. Tom Bishop: Three studious years at Stephanie Smith: Since graduating Manchester University followed my with a degree in Sociology from Uzira Uzir: After Oundle, I spent a time at Oundle where I watched the Durham University, I took a year out gap year mainly in my home country curtains close on some great careers; travelling around Central America Malaysia with a volunteering stint in Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex and then drove to Istanbul and back. Tanzania, before studying medicine Ferguson. Sad times that were On returning, I completed the Teach at the University of Birmingham. I warmed by my 2:1 in History. First Graduate Scheme at a school in then worked for the NHS in various Having left Manchester, I decided Wellingborough, before moving to hospitals in the West Midlands, to step outside my comfort zone and teach in Brixton where I have been for but have since returned to Kuala moved to London to begin a career in the past three years, currently head of Lumpur. I have managed to finish the insurance industry. After a fun Year 6. I now live in Brixton with my a half Ironman last year, which was couple of years, I thought it was time fiancé and our dog, Binsey, with a an achievement since I did not know to settle into something a little more move out of London to the how to ride a bike previously. I still professional and serious, so I set up a countryside calling. I still enjoy keep in touch with some OOs, and tequila business – El Rayo Tequila. keeping active doing the occasional hope to continue my clinical practice Somewhere along the way we triathlon and am often in contact with here. decided that Tequila and tonic would the 3BY girls I met 15 years ago. be a good idea, so I now spend my days trying to convince people that Sophie Steel: After leaving Oundle, FISHER tequila is the new gin. It’s extremely I studied History of Art at Bristol rewarding. university and then moved to Doug Anson: I still see a lot of I am still involved with OO cricket London to do a Masters at the Oundle people, and have been lucky and enjoy my time out on the field Courtauld Institute of Art. I spent enough to live with them non-stop whether it be with the Rovers or the the next four years at an arts since leaving (maybe a sign to branch Ramblers. communications agency working out). with museums, galleries and art fairs After Oundle, I took a gap year, Oli Bowley: Happily, I still regularly and getting to travel a fair bit. Two doing a ski season in Verbier with see lots of Oundle and Fisher people. years ago, I joined the Victoria & Oscar Brooman White ( Lx 10 ), I find it hard to believe that the time

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that has passed since we left is now enough to grill the chicken, I am Aaron Chai: Upon leaving Oundle, twice the length of time we were pleased to say I was trusted with I went on to do an undergraduate there. microwaving mash potato and was degree in Medicine at Trinity College After leaving Oundle, I studied awarded employee of the month in . The five years of med Politics at Exeter, where I lived with November 2010 - which remains my school were tough, but I thoroughly Doug Anson ( F 10 ). I managed to proudest achievement over the last enjoyed myself – having some of the fit three ski seasons in and around ten years. most challenging and interesting uni (in France, the US and ) Following three months in South experiences. One involved a medical and after a short stint as a chef, America and three months in Kenya expedition into a Belize rainforest eventually moved to London where with various OOs, I then went to where I was taught some emergency I lived with Doug Anson and Fred Bristol University to study English medicine, expedition medicine and Risch ( G 10 ), and am still squatting Literature where, upon realising that bushcraft/basic survival skills specific in Doug’s flat in Brixton as a live-in the English course at Bristol had no to the region. butler. exams and no dissertation to write, I Following the completion of my After much reflection, I decided decided to pursue my passion for degree, I returned to Malaysia for that being really, really argumentative theatre to fill some of the time. This work. I was fortunate to be accepted might as well be career enhancing subsequently led to a desire for a to do my internship in one of the so I decided to become a lawyer. career in theatre management and, largest public hospitals in Malaysia, I am qualifying in September at after graduating, I went on to University of Malaya Medical Centre, Macfarlanes, specializing in white- complete a graduate scheme with the where I worked for two years. collar crime and civil fraud, where Ambassador Theatre Group. After Tiring as the hours were, and how I expect I will continue to spend moving around the organisation in frustrating it was to work seven days most of each working week trying various guises I found myself in the a week for two years, I could not have to explain to Freddie Farmer ( F 10 bright lights and dizzy heights of asked for better foundation training ) that his latest visionary idea is yet Milton Keynes as the Deputy General – having pushed myself to 36+ hour another pyramid scheme. Manager of the Milton Keynes shifts, to leading the deliveries of over Theatre. Although most would agree 200 babies. Jamie Budgett: After leaving Oundle, that MK is the cultural epicentre of I took a year off to travel after I wanted to earn some money to go the UK, a year later I was offered a finishing my stint in Malaysia, travelling and was fortunate to land job managing a theatre in the West hopping from China to the Americas a job at the prestigious restaurant End of London which was hard to and catching up with old friends in Nando’s (Cambridge Branch). refuse – and that is where I remain to various countries. Although I was never deemed skilled date. Currently, I am working back in Ireland at Cavan General Hospital as a Senior House Officer. I plan to take my membership exams sometime this Oli Bowley ( F ), Jamie Budgett ( F ), Doug Anson ( F ), year and progress further towards a Ed Tweddle ( S ), Pat Webster ( B ) and Jamie Ball ( Sc ) specialty of some sort. As of now, since I’m still unsure as to what path I’ll be taking. I shall ask the mystics of my village which path would best suit me.

Jack Clancy: After Oundle, I headed to university in London with the intention of eventually doing medicine. I quickly realised this wasn’t actually what I wanted to do. I’ve been involved in a range of things in London, including working with my older brothers, former Fisher alumni Kieran ( F 03 ) and Danny ( F 99 ), organising music events and festivals in London and abroad. As well as working in web design, I currently run a small commercial drone business, filming at music events and surveying on large-scale construction projects. I am currently plotting my next

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venture. Fisher lockdown video call I am still very close with lots of my Fisher compatriots, and lived with Freddie Farmer ( F 10 ) in Primrose Hill before the mess became too unbearable and Jamie Budgett ( F 10 ) and Ben Hay ( S 10 ) moved in with me in Kennington.

Freddie Farmer: Thinking about my aspirational self ten years ago and taking the time to evaluate my leavers’ quote: “first learn the rules of the game, and then play better than everyone else” against my life today, I’m forced to reflect on what game I’ve been playing all this time. Having first studied Physics at UCL, living with Jack Clancy ( F 10 ) off Euston Road, Jack Oughtred ( F 10 ) in Angel, Islington and Thomas Johansen ( F 10 ) in Park Lane & Mayfair, I find myself just north of Old Kent Road and on the second lap of the Monopoly board. Having rolled the dice in traditional finance, I’ve moved into the relative career safety of crypto. Saving up my free parking and having just passed go, I’m building a company in the Decentralised Finance space, safe in the comfort that there will only ever be 21 million bitcoin and that I picked up a get out of jail free card in Oli Bowley ( F 10 ) very early in the game.

Thomas Johansen June 2010 – June 2020: 20 Countries, 4 Rehabs, 2 Hedge Funds, 2 Start-ups, 2 Cars, 1 Flat, 1 Dog, 1 Son, 1 Incredible Family and a Bullet-Proof Group of True Friends. In summary, lots of highs and lots of lows, with multiple successes and failures along the way. Learnt a lot, laughed a lot and also lost a lot, including myself at one point. A whirlwind ten years, underpinned by a battle against addiction. Grateful to be alive and grateful to have been shown the light. Still a chief rascal, spiritually imperfect and a scared little boy at times, but trying my best to do the next right thing and walk slowly with the Lord himself. And please, for anyone who reads this and is struggling or knows someone that is, please reach out. I

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almost definitely will not have the buyer, looking after all things from in 2018 and we are now residing in answer to your problems, but neither biscuits to beer to fruit. So, if you’ve Coventry, treasuring every moment will any rehab centre, this I am sure of. found yourself in your local Tesco together with leisure travels around the Do however know there is a way complaining about the bananas being world while planning for a career- out! too green or too yellow, I can only breakthrough and kids. Fortune favours the brave, and the apologise...although maybe I’m fairly power is in the space not the words. safe given the likely crossover between Sunny (Thanawat Pipathahanunth): Tesco shoppers and Old Oundelians. I’m currently very busy with my Written with love from Cheshire Over the last year and a bit, however, start-up over here in Thailand, I realised that that job was far too opening a gelato ice cream shop and Mike Kim: Since leaving Oundle, I interesting, so now find myself as a doing all the production processes, graduated from Oxford University in mergers and acquisitions consultant at ordering machines and monitoring 2015 with a Master’s Degree in PwC, focusing on retail and consumer the construction side. Engineering Science with a thesis businesses. I’m still trying to keep up centred around Bio-medical with as many Old Oundelians as engineering. While obtaining my possible, and hoping to see much more GRAFTON Masters, it dawned on me that this of them in 2021 than has been allowed was not something I wanted to pursue so far in 2020. Vadim Atroshenko: Grafton was as a career so I took two years off after truly saddened to hear about graduating to teach myself C, C++, Max Pullen: After leaving Oundle, Vadim’s passing. After receiving the and Java to get into a IT company as a I moved on to Durham University to news, several of us gathered at a pub software developer. While it took a study Chemistry. I decided Chemistry in London for a final toast and little longer than expected and there really was not for me so when I shared our favourite stories of him. were complications with mandatory graduated in 2013, I returned to We have such fond memories of our military service, all things worked out Harrogate to work within the family time growing up together at Oundle and I am currently working at an IT business; the import and distribution and send our love to his family. company in Seoul, South Korea for of pet products. Having started three years which will replace my picking orders in the warehouse I Jack Bannister: Completed an Art two-year mandatory military service. now operate as Operations Director. foundation course at Leeds in 2011 and As the mandatory three years at my Unfortunately, as things go, living 200 started painting portraits as soon as I’d current company is almost over, I am miles from most of the Oundle boys, finished. I went on to do this full-time currently trying to move careers again I have not stayed in touch particularly for the next seven years – highlights as a Data Analyst in the gaming well. Hopefully ten years on that will were regularly exhibiting with the industry as video games have been change. Royal Society of Portrait Painters and and will always be a massive part of being awarded the ‘Zee’s Claw’ for my life. Still an avid supporter of Marcus Tse: After leaving Oundle, excellence in 2017. After a bit, I decided Arsenal FC (as much as it hurts me I moved to London to study a career change was in order, so moved inside every day), I have started to Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial down to London in 2018 and worked in watch the NBA again to stay true to College London. Four years of student marketing and then landscaping. After my upbringing in the US prior to life in Zone 1 was eye-opening and a few months digging holes, I figured England. exciting, yet drowned in endless I’d really like to be an osteopath. So, I overnight studies for exams. During applied, and since September 2019 I’ve Jack Oughtred: Having arrived late to holiday times in Hong Kong, I met my been studying at the University College Oundle as a slightly uncouth future wife Monica and we entered into of Osteopathy and work a little sports northerner, I left to fulfil most of the a long-distance relationship. After massage on the side at the Oily Piece in more traditional stereotypes. After graduation I moved to Leamington Spa Camberwell. leaving school, I spent a year playing and joined the graduate scheme with cricket before going to Durham Uni. Jaguar and I have been Freddie Cornish: After leaving Like 72% of Durham graduates, this is climbing the career ladder since then. I Oundle, I moved to London for where I met my future wife, Izzy. Our was responsible for the quality Business Studies with Finance and then plan was (still is) to get married this management of the company and acted my WSET with the thought of going November, but, like a lot of things, that as a consultant to improve the into Wine Investment. However, after remains to be seen. After Durham I company’s effectiveness, as well as finding out my talents lay more in the headed for London, where I managed deploying quality management into entertaining of clients, I quickly fell into to survive living with Freddie Farmer new manufacturing plants. It was a AI technology sales where I have found (F 10) before moving to Pimlico where challenging role with frequent business myself working for a number of large I now live with my aforementioned trips to Europe, but I am delighted to American corporates. I got engaged in fiancée. I spent the first five years after see a new product launched where I October 2019 and am looking forward university working for Tesco as a was part of the team. I married my wife to getting married in April of 2021.

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Tom Markland (S) painted by Jack Bannister (G)

Fred Risch: After Oundle, I did a ski university club, where I organised London for the last six years, currently season in the French alps, followed by student trips to the mountains. living with my girlfriend in Fulham. a trip with Doug Anson ( F 10 ) and Post-graduation, I swapped my planks Oscar BW ( L 10 ) around Cuba and for a cheap suit and landed a job in Gwilym James: After Oundle, I spent Mexico. I then went on to the recruitment. After a few years, I moved my gap year working in a school on University of Southampton where I into business development in tech, the North Island of New Zealand studied Anthropology, and continued most recently drinking the Kool Aid at before heading to the University of my interest in skiing through the an American company. I’ve been in Nottingham to study Computer

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Science. After graduating, I worked as an IT Consultant with a focus on data engineering, mostly within banking. Showing brilliant timing, I left that role to seek a new one right as the world entered lockdown and hiring dried up massively.

James Cubitt: I spent a year working and travelling in Kenya with Alastair Humphreys ( G 10 ) and the Balkans with Serena Pottinger ( N 10 ), before studying History and International Relations at Oxford Brookes followed by a Masters in International Security at King’s College London. After graduating, I joined insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson as a political risk broker and lived with Harry Coulthard ( S 10 ) in London for three years. I transferred to JLT’s office in 2018 and have had a fantastic time exploring South East Asia with my fiancée El. We got engaged in February and are getting married next summer back in the UK. As for my siblings, Ed ( G 12 ) is an accountant for PwC in London and Charlotte ( K 09 ) teaches in Tower Hamlets and lives with her husband in St Albans.

Ben Collings: Following a gap year at Dean Close Prep School and Tewkesbury Abbey, I graduated from Bath Spa University with an MMus. During my time in Bath, I worked with the renowned chamber choirs Noctis and Bath Camerata. I performed as a guest soloist on tours to France, and China, as well as featuring at the English music festival and BBC Proms. It was also in Bath that I met my wife, India. We have been happily married now for three years. I have since turned my attention to teaching and in August 2018, we moved out to Thailand, where I took up the post of Assistant Director of Music at Thailand.

Rory Osmond: I spent some time in before heading to Loughborough University to study Politics. Since then I have spent five years in London working in Fintech where I am now specialising in Ben Collings conducting Financial Crime as a product

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manager. I am still in contact with a projects focused around adventures in SE Asia with Annabel, number of Oundelians across different organisational and cultural change. Laura Dobson ( K 10 ), Polly Hughes years with whom I often re-live stories Theatre continues to play a big role ( K 10 ) and Sam Bowers ( S 10 ). I of sports matches, boarding life, in my life and since joining PwC I read English at Cambridge and spent teachers and of course, the legendary have found time for acting, writing four uni summer holidays (two with Vadim Atroshenko ( G 10 ). and (soon to be) directing the PwC Polly) working as a villa host for the annual charity Pantomime. I still Peligoni Club in Greece. In my final keep up with the Kirkeby girls year at uni, I passed my driving test KIRKEBY through our 4-year-old book club on the eighth attempt, was a and I now live with Laura Dobson contestant on a TV cookery show, Millie Ashworth: Having left ( K 10 ) in London. and got a training contract with Oundle I fell into the hospitality Linklaters. After law school in world, working at a hotel to fund Annabel Cooke: During my gap London, I travelled around India. some travelling with Polly Hughes year, I embarked on a ski season in The yoga retreat in Goa celebrated (K 10) to India – resulting in me Verbier followed by travelling India spirituality and eschewing material cutting the trip short after realising and South East Asia with my fellow possessions, so returning to start my my hatred for rice and spice and Kirkeby ladies Ellie Hiskett ( K 10 ), training contract in the private equity that I missed home comforts. The Polly Hughes ( K 10 ), Laura Dobson department of Linklaters made quite gap year job made me realise that I ( K 10 ) and Olive Hart ( K 10 ). I then a contrast. At the end of my training wasn’t made for an overly academic spent three happy years at contract, in order to pursue a life of degree, switching to International Cambridge University studying adventure, I qualified as a corporate Hospitality at Oxford Brookes. Land Economy and playing lots of tax lawyer. Having lived with both University holidays, when not in the hockey. Annabel in Fulham and Laura in sun in a foreign country with Laura On graduating, I moved to Balham, I now live in Islington with Dobson ( K 10 ), were spent working London and have now worked at my boyfriend Hugh. I love seeing in the local pub. After university I Deloitte LLP for six years where Oundle friends and a highlight is took up pub life as a full-time I have qualified as a chartered Kirkeby book club (any excuse to lifestyle/job working for a pub accountant and chartered tax advisor. drink with the Kirkeby girls, group in the Home Counties. When I still keep very active by cycling, particularly as Millie Ashworth I manage to escape the pub world, I skiing and dabbling at triathlons. never reads the book…) often head to find the Kirkeby girls in London or jump on a plane to join Lucy Curzon: I moved to Rachel Hodgson: I have been back at them on a holiday in the sun – using after my MA in English at York, and, Oundle working as a Classics book club as an excuse to meet up following an intensive language teacher for six of the past ten years. frequently. As Ellie Hiskett ( K 10 ) course, got a job at the Berlin This was never something I planned, has pointed out, I never read the International Literature Festival, but lots of happy coincidences have book – I just go for the giggles and where I managed projects helping meant that I am still really enjoying glasses of wine. refugee authors find their feet life at the School and I am now a through publication opportunities deputy Housemistress in Wyatt and Kate Beckwith: Since leaving and mentorship schemes. I have now head of Gold D of E. Highlights of Oundle, I have sought to keep the worked in the cultural engagement being back at the School have been balance of work and theatre much team at the British Council in Berlin catching up with old friends when the same as I did at school. After a for three years, leading on the they come back to Oundle and most short run at the Edinburgh Fringe Germany operation’s diversity recently, catching up with Lucy Festival with fellow Oundelians, agenda. Volunteering with Curzon ( K 10 ) whilst on the Berlin I headed a little further north up the vulnerable communities has drawn Trip. Get in touch if you’re ever A1 to join the theatre and comedy me to learning Arabic, which I would passing through! societies at Newcastle University like to use in future work and for my (alongside an undergraduate degree research project as part of a distance- Polly Hughes: After leaving Oundle, in Spanish and Business Studies). learning MSc in Psychology starting I spent four months travelling After a quick stint in Madrid, this September. I also freelance as a around India and South East Asia enjoying the siesta and sangria way cellist when I can! with Annabel Cooke ( K 10 ), Millie of life, I returned to Newcastle to Ashworth ( K 10 ), Laura Dobson complete a Masters degree in Latin Ellie Hiskett: After Oundle, I baked ( K 10 ) and Ellie Hiskett ( K 10 ). American Interdisciplinary Studies. lots of cakes working as a chalet girl On my return, I attended the Since September 2015, I have worked during a ski season in Verbier with University of Nottingham with at PwC in London where I first Annabel Cooke ( K 10 ) and Olive Olive Hart ( K 10 ) and Issy Taverner qualified as a chartered accountant Hart ( K 10 ), and then crashed a ( K 10 ) to study a Psychology BSc before being seconded to work on motorbike in Vietnam during degree. After graduating, it was

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time for some more travelling, this Hipperson, who taught me English work globally. Throughout this time a four-month trip around South throughout my time at Oundle. journey I have prayed every day that America with university friends, Although initially a baptism of fire, God grants me grace in all that I do. followed by a summer working in I persevered and now work at an Greece with Ellie Hiskett. Taking international school in Hong Kong. Theo Cowper: Taking a year out to the seasonnaire lifestyle, this I’m looking forward to visits from after school to travel, I went to led to a winter season in Verbier, the Kirkeby girls when international Exeter University to study Ancient a two-month trip through Central travel resumes! History. From there, I found it America and another summer difficult to find purpose in any in Greece before finally making Isabella Taverner: At Nottingham graduate job and was drawn back to the move to London. After a year University I spent four years education, completing a PGCE in working in travel marketing, I am completing my Masters in Nursing Latin with Classics at King’s College now marketing manager for an Science. After this, I started working London. I have now been teaching independent hospitality company as a nurse at St Thomas’ hospital, for four years, first at Eastbourne based in Marylebone. London, in their cardiology College on the South Coast, where I department. Whilst living in London, worked with former teachers Cris Rosalind Martin: At Oxford we started a Kirkeby book club Symes and Alex Eadon, before University studying Biology, I spent which is still running five years on! moving back to London. I am now most of my spare time with the Although I loved nursing, there was living with my long-term girlfriend Officers Training Corps (OTC) where still a sense that something was and two cats and working at I discovered my love of endurance missing and having always wanted Townley Grammar School, as Head sports, particularly ski to be a doctor I decided to apply to of Latin. mountaineering. This led to me study Medicine. I was lucky enough representing the in the to gain a place at Keele University, Charles Emberson: After graduating Swiss Patrouilles des Glaciers and am now about to complete the from university, I travelled around a and Great Britain twice at the Ski fifth and final year of my course. bit before moving to Switzerland to Mountaineering World Championships work in materials science research. which consists of running up When I realised this wasn’t for me, I mountains on skis and then skiing LAUNDIMER moved back to London and worked back down, sometimes overnight and in a few bars and then in restaurant roped together with team mates over Zulfakir Ali Bhutto Jr: The last ten management. Last year I married my glaciers. After a summer of cycle years of my life has been an wife Helen and I am now mostly at touring and wild camping across unlearning of what Oundle School home with our two children, Otto Europe, I’ve spent six years at Bayer tried to grill into my brown Muslim and Isla, while doing some work Crop Science where I trained to head. I made valuable friends in with spirits companies and running become an agronomist, otherwise Oundle; however, it would weigh on cocktail classes on the side. known as a ‘crop doctor’. I’ve now my conscience not to say that racism taken on a more commercial role and and prejudice among the school’s David Frost: After leaving Oundle, I continue to love working in the teaching staff went entirely studied Computer Science at agricultural industry, occasionally unchecked. Teachers lauded imperial Durham, where I fell in with a bunch stomping around fields in my wellies projects in Asia and Africa and of similarly minded geeks whom I and avoiding the big smoke. When believed the British were entitled to remain in close contact with I’m not working, I can be found gratitude. There were also many today. After leaving university, I adventuring with friends or teachers who laboured to found a job making pensions competing in endurance events compensate for the errors of their software; four years later, I got tired including completing an Ironman colleagues and I thank them. of the two-hour door-to-door triathlon and various mountain Since Oundle, I have earned an MAH commute and found work a bit marathons. in History of Art at The University of closer to home. These days I’m Edinburgh and then an MFA at the working for Ocado, writing control Georgie Smith: After studying San Francisco Art Institute. I am a systems for automated English Literature at Exeter full-time visual artist, performer and warehouses. Unlike some people, I University, I took a year out and curator based in California – my haven’t gone through anything spent five months travelling across curatorial work and writing is for the particularly life-changing over these South America by myself. Highlights most part concerned with uplifting last ten years: I’m still the same include trekking the Inca to Muslim voices, specifically queer person I was when I left Oundle, but Machu Picchu and skydiving in and trans Muslim voices. I have had I have become more confident in Argentina. I then moved to London the privilege of speaking at NYU, myself. Oundle made me who I am. and trained to teach English through Columbia and Stanford and I And I’m fine with that. Until next Teach First, partly inspired by Tim continue to perform and show my time!

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Henry Gorst: After leaving Bristol University in 2014 with a BASc in Chemistry, I moved to London. After a brief stint in the Insurance industry, I realised a career in sales was more suited to my personality. I joined Darktrace, a leading AI and cyber security company in 2017. The combination of a healthy sales record and being part of a fast-growing tech company has since enabled me to reach the position of Commercial Director. I now head up the recently opened Munich office, and my time is split between Germany and the UK. I like to spend my spare time enjoying travel and live music.

Freddie Heathcote: After leaving school, I was keen to prove not all good education can be learnt from the classroom or lecture hall. In the ten years since, I have cut my teeth running a variety of different Henry Gorst rambling businesses across the hospitality, technology and horticulture industries, never craving the time at university many other friends had. I am now the Managing Director and unique experience to say the least! I Kaitlin and I married two years ago, Owner of Arnott & Mason, a am now happily back in London, still and thoroughly enjoy our life here. I wholesale tropical and pot plant with Deloitte, living with my work as a Firefighter and Paramedic distribution business based in the girlfriend in our flat in Vauxhall. in Aspen, and for the Crested Butte New Covent Garden flower market. Mountain Rescue team. Kaitlin and I As the market opens at 4am, my Mark Thomas: After leaving spend our winters here skiing and our working day is different to most, but Manchester with a Masters in summers hiking, mountain biking if you ever want to see one of Chemical Engineering, I subsequently and rafting. London’s hidden gems, come and wanted to follow in my father’s find me and I’ll give you a tour. footsteps and so decided to get a Boris Videnov: After leaving Oundle, further Masters degree in I lived in London, Barbados, Zurich Hamish Sandison: After leaving petroleum engineering. This then and I recently moved back to Sofia. I university with a degree in took me all over the world working in worked for a large blue chip (Rolls- Chemistry, I moved to London and the oil sector. Six months in the small Royce) and then tried out a start-up, joined Deloitte’s graduate program. I French town of Pau, followed by a again in the sphere of aviation. double-qualified as a chartered year living life to the max in Texas – it Having developed a passion for accountant and chartered tax advisor, was a rollercoaster from start to finish. engineering, I want to try my hand at specialising in the mergers and However, I found myself still wanting doing something on my own next. I acquisition sector. I also managed to more, so turned to a life of investment still find time for sports and would be keep playing a bit of rugby in my banking. I now work for Rothschild happy to play a game of tennis with early London days, including a very (ever heard of them?) living in my flat anyone who’s willing to. brief stint as captain of the Old in central London. Life is good. Oundelian Rugby team. I was Tom Zhang: Since my departure subsequently sent to the Middle East Max Lyall: After Oundle, I moved to from Laundimer house, I studied in late 2017 on a two-year Munich, where I studied Brewing and Mathematics at Cambridge. I met my secondment, primarily based in Beverage Technology and lived for future wife, Christine, who was a Dubai. However, in early 2019, I was five years. After Munich, I moved to Physics student also at Queens’, and sent on secondment again, this time Crested Butte, Colorado, five years we married in 2017 after a six-year to Saudi Arabia to work with Saudi ago to study Business and currently love marathon. However, the joy of Aramco as they prepared to live here with my wife Kaitlin, a new marriage was suddenly overrun undertake an IPO. It was a rather school teacher, and our cat, Archie. by the sadness of my father passing

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away in the same year due to cancer. of healthcare professional I wanted teach in a school in , where I The whole family was devastated. It to be (dentist or physio?), I left am now Head of English. My took us a long time to move on, but Oundle pursuing neither and went boyfriend and I recently moved to luckily, we stayed strong, and fully to KCL to study Neuroscience Surbiton where we have spent much supported each other as a family. In instead. I then fell into a medical of lockdown re-decorating our house. 2019, my wife and I moved to Hong communications job and worked for Kong. I am now working for Morgan several years at various healthcare Jacob Dillarstone: I opted for a gap Stanley as a quantitative strategist. comms agencies in central London. year / university / gap year Some say that time flies but for me it Following my mid-twenties ‘what sandwich after Oundle. My gap was ten years that felt like a lifetime. am I doing with my life’ awakening, years were spent travelling, and Looking back, I am glad to think that I went back to university in 2017 to match betting with Rob Stronach ( L we made it through, and are now finally do a Physiotherapy Masters 10 ) and Sebastien Goodall ( L 10 ). In better prepared for our future. and have been working at Guy’s and between, I headed to Oxford to study St Thomas’ as a physiotherapist since Economics & Management and spent I graduated. Lockdown activities most of my time playing sax in a LAXTON have included borrowing a bike and funk band and dating a rower. Since overcoming my fear of cycling to graduating, I’ve finished a three-year Jennifer Bath: After Oundle, I headed work (“I think I might buy a bike stint at BCG, and am now working to London to study Human Sciences now, I’m a bike person”), a love/hate for Ocado Technology, helping them at UCL. Ten years later, I’m yet to leave relationship with puzzles and ‘change the way the world shops’ and currently living in Dalston in East gaining an extensive knowledge of (though Coronavirus seems to have London. For the last five years I’ve all the parks in South London. that one taken care of). As for the been working in the tech industry at next ten years, if I can bring myself Depop, a fashion marketplace app. I Camilla Coates: I spent three years at to jump, my aspiration is to join or still meet up with quite a few of the Durham studying Anthropology. I found a startup – mainly so that I can Laxton girls, which is testament to what then moved to London and worked in say I didn’t peak aged 17 as a good bunch they are. recruitment for three years before Managing Director of Oundle changing careers. I began Teach First Monopoly. But for now, I’m happily Georgina Burrows: After spending in 2016 and taught in a school in living in Cambridge (with the rower, school trying to determine what kind Lewisham. After this, I moved to unbelievably she stuck around), have

Georgina Burrows ( L ), Mala Sood ( L ), Jess Taylor ( W ) and Hannah Page ( L ) at Sophie Wildman Thorn's ( L ) wedding

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swapped the sax for a barbell, and career I could have predicted! enjoyed as well as other activities am back in Oundle every month or I now live in North East London, including the Economics Society, so to visit my parents (and Beans). working for an insur-tech start up, 5-a-side football and cricket in the and have a little Cockapoo pup summer. A few years later, I dived Kara Earl: The last ten years seem to called Peanut. My Oundle friends into the world of Finance and joined have flown by. On leaving Oundle, I still mean a huge amount to me, I’m RBS in the sales & trading division went to Reading University to study very thankful to have you all. where I specialised in selling Maths (with some History thrown in corporate bonds to institutional – I’m still very indecisive!) and I Isabel Hudson: I now live in investors. I spent many long years have done further studies at both the Hackney with Adam Lee ( C 10 ) – studying for the CFA (finally passed University of Cambridge and UCL. still going a decade later! After last year!) and then decided I wanted All of this led to me becoming both a leaving Durham University, I went to do strategy consulting, so jumped qualified teacher and special travelling with Grace Buck ( N 10 ) ship to PwC where I currently educational needs coordinator. For and Ad, before moving to London consult for banks and insurance the past 12 months, I have run the with Bridget Hipwell ( L 10 ) and companies on strategic engagements. special needs division at a large becoming a florist. Things started Outside of work, I’m a fond cricketer, Cambridgeshire Village College slowly and mostly involved cleaning playing for Kensington & Chelsea which has been both an exciting and buckets and being sent to the flower CC every summer and have daunting adventure, especially with market at 4am. Although I do still (apparently) become more of a Covid-19 to manage, too. With occasionally get up at 4am, I now batsman than a bowler as I was back connections still in Oundle, I have my own floristry business at Oundle. I am fortunate to still stay regularly enjoy visiting and, who called Flower and Press – we mostly in touch with many of the Laxton knows, maybe one day my job will do weddings and events, with a boys since leaving school and it’s take me back there too! focus on sustainability. We also press safe to say that very little has lots of flowers and turn them into changed when we are together. Sebastien Goodall: After leaving floral artworks – a growing part of Oundle, I took a year's break to work the business in lockdown. Adele Meads: Just before finishing and travel, heading to Kenya under My friends from Oundle have my degree in Archaeology and the illusion that it would make me a been a constant source of joy in my Ancient Civilisations at Durham, good runner. I then spent three life and we see each other regularly I decided that I’d rather not spend fun-filled years in Leeds and one in in London. I am so proud of what the rest of my life digging holes, the US picking up my Economics and they are all accomplishing. and was going to run away and join Geography degree. After realising I I look back on Oundle with very the circus. Luckily, I was able to do lacked the attention span for a job in happy memories and still come back something less drastic; after helping banking, the talent to be an regularly as my parents live close by. backstage on almost every play in Olympian, and that Geography had sixth form, Mr Boag told me that if minimal use in the real world, I Rosie Illingworth: I worked in I ever wanted to work in theatre to joined a tech firm where I now work hospitality for a year after Oundle, get in touch with him and he’d give in sales. I’ve since spent the last few then studied Theology at Exeter, me advice and a reference. So years working my way around East, spending the summers working in I did. I then studied Stage and South and now West London, living Austria as a chalet host and activities Production Management in with friends and enjoying my life. manager. Edinburgh, after which I worked I’m hoping that this will continue. After uni, I worked for the Bishop in several theatres in Edinburgh, of Coventry for a year, but missed and Newcastle. I also – in Bridget Hipwell: A decade on from Exeter too much and returned to what will be a shock to any of my Oundle, it is hard to remember spend two years working in art or DT teachers – worked for a exactly how we felt as we left school administration for the NHS. For the set production company, where I for the wide world. I spent the first last three years, I have been in trained in Scenic Art. After moving four years studying Engineering at Durham, studying for two MAs in back to the Oundle area, I worked Cambridge University, packing in as Theology (apparently you can never in the theatre I much sport in my spare time as I have too many theology degrees), know, I’m sorry. This led to my could. Rugby continued to be my and hope to be ordained in the current job, Theatre Technician at passion and I narrowly missed out on in September The Leys School, Cambridge, where playing at Twickenham in the varsity 2020. I will serve my curacy in I create sets and teach students match against Oxford. Tavistock, back in Devon. Stage Management and other After uni, I moved into a tiny flat aspects of technical theatre. in London with Isabel Hudson (L 10). Asim Khalid: After Oundle, I While Iz learnt to be a florist, I spent studied Economics at Warwick Oliver Norman: I studied Economic my days selling coconut water, not a University, which I thoroughly History at LSE and somehow ended

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up in working for Deloitte Mala Sood: It is hard to believe that fish and chip shops. Miss Goatly will in audit. Three years later, as a newly ten years have passed since I was a be pleased to hear that I have kept qualified Chartered Accountant, I culottes-wearing, pink-card fearing, up some form of sport and I run for moved back to London into a sports-avoiding pupil. Safe to say I Wellington Harriers athletics club, flatshare with Rob Stronach ( L 10 ) still have an immense aversion to competing regularly and have even and internally transferred into team sports, but Oundle certainly had a go at a couple of triathlons. forensic accounting which I have prepared me for a lifetime of been doing for the last couple of studying. It was no secret that I had Harriet Story: Following school, I years. I was set to take a year out my sights set on medical school went on to complete an MSci degree from work to go travelling, but when I was at Oundle. In the ten in Natural Sciences, followed by a unfortunately a global years that have elapsed since PhD in Biological Chemistry, both at pandemic struck... Luckily, work let Leavers’ assembly in 2010, I have UCL. After all of that, I decided life me postpone this and, rather completed my Masters in Pharmacy in a lab wasn’t for me, but couldn’t bizarrely, I have instead spent the at UCL, lived on the Upper East Side bring myself to venture too far away last couple of months setting up in New York while carrying out from scientific discovery as I started drive-through testing sites for the research at Mount Sinai, School of my career commercialising Department of Health. Here’s hoping Medicine, and worked as a healthcare inventions at Imperial that things will return to normal Pharmacist whilst completing my Innovations. A year later, I landed soon and I can kick on with my Medical degree at Kings College my dream job; a 50/50 split role for travelling plans. London this year. It took me a while Cancer Research UK and UCL and the journey was somewhat Business, translating university/ Joanna Ormston: After leaving unexpected, but I got there! I am now NHS research into patient benefit Oundle, I took a working gap year working as a junior doctor in (it’s as broad as it sounds)! I can before swiftly moving to York and Peterborough City Hospital, and it STILL be found kicking about spending three wonderful years feels good to be home. London with my school sweetheart, studying Psychology. After getting Patrick Webster ( B 10 ), and dozens my BSc, I moved back to the Shire Miranda Spencer: I took a year out of OO friends made both during and and now work with a fantastic group to work and travel, visiting India and after school. Shortly after our ten-year of people. I am dating fellow OO, South Africa, before heading to The anniversary, Pat and I bought our first Jake Dunkley ( L 08 ) and we have a University of St Andrews to study flat together in Clapham Junction lovely house together and a little Biology, graduating in 2015. I then which we share with a familiar face, rescue dog called Lolly. I am still moved to London where I lived for Jamie Budgett ( F 10 )! very passionate about the just under three years working for environment, and am one of two Amazon's marketplace business. Robert Stronach: In summer 2010 environmental officers at work. I am While in London I met my partner, a I was asked to join the GB currently looking into how I can New Zealander, and in 2018 I moved Snowboarding Junior Team after explore this passion further to try to with him to Wellington. New some good competition results. I make a bigger difference. All in all, a Zealand was a place I had only been spent six months “training” in fabulous ten years and am to once before on the 2008 Oundle Whistler, then studied at Warwick thoroughly looking forward to the Hockey Tour. From this trip we all University. Fortunately, my grad job next ten! had vivid memories of the town of at Barclays in London started a year Rotorua with its pungent smell of after I graduated, so I squeezed in a Hannah Page: After school, I eggs from the geothermal activity second season at Whistler, before attended the University of surrounding the town, which funnily finally accepting I would never be a Nottingham where I had a wonderful enough turned out to be my professional snowboarder. After three years studying Classical partner’s home town. Here in threatening to start my own business Civilisation. Wellington, I worked for the New for several years, I successfully Following University, I moved to Zealand government for one and a applied to join a start-up incubator. It London and started working at a half years before moving to work for kicked off in March and my team has software company. I met my husband Ernst & Young as a Manager in their just received £120k of investment to Alex in 2014 and we travelled around consulting practice specialising in the build our product. Outside work, I’m Asia together in 2016. After government and public sector. I have grateful to still see the Laxton boys returning, I decided to switch careers loved exploring New Zealand with most weeks and I also finally sorted and started working in Marketing. I plenty of running, hiking and a decent haircut. now work as a marketing manager to camping. A highlight was Harry a small team in a French agency, Spencer’s ( L 10 ) visit when we Charlotte Travill: After graduating splitting my time between London toured the North Island in a caravan from Manchester with a degree in and Paris. ticking off many of New Zealand’s Chinese Studies, I took a brief tour incredibly scenic hikes and delicious back to the Orient working for an art

30 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE

gallery in Hong Kong. However, my culottes and Saturday lessons, I have Fox. Oh, and yes, he does have his heart belonged to the UK and after very happy memories of my time own Instagram page – for._fox._sake. moving back to London, I joined the there. NHS and have been working as an operational manager ever since. I am Todd Whitby: I spent three enjoyable NEW HOUSE currently working in a busy central years reading History and Politics at London A&E department which the University of Nottingham. Grace Buck: I graduated from Christ keeps me on my toes. I love seeing Despite devoting a huge amount of Church, Oxford in 2013 with a degree my Oundle and Laxton friends, and my time to the university library, I in History and subsequently spent a look forward to many more years of continued to enjoy playing football year trying to work out what to do, friendship! for both the University XI and a local travelling around Australia & non-league team. Following my time Indonesia with Izzi Hudson ( L 10 ). Holly Wake: After Oundle, I studied in Nottingham and a brief stint Amazingly, Izzi and I remain friends Psychology at Durham University. travelling around South America, after driving down the entire East Following this, I did a Masters in I moved to London to head to law Coast of Australia in a camper van Forensic Psychology at Kings College school. Currently, I am a lawyer at with just one Taylor Swift CD to listen London. I then worked for several Fieldfisher LLP specialising in to. I’ve spent the six years since years in mental health services derivatives, trading and structured marketing a more and less glamorous providing support to adults and finance. I also spend around half of array of products: from ice cream, young people involved in the criminal my working week on secondment at bleach, shampoo and hairspray at justice system. I am now in my second Citi, focusing on derivatives in Unilever to more recently football year of my doctorate degree and will emerging markets. Whilst I have boots at Nike where I am the Brand qualify as a Clinical Psychologist next managed to continue playing lots of Marketing Manager for UK Football. I Autumn. I live in South West London sport outside of the office, most of live in Pimlico with my boyfriend & with my fiancé Michael Outar ( L 06 ). my spare time is currently spent with now dress exclusively in sports kit. I We plan to get married in the School my fiancée, Marion, planning our still spend most of my time with chapel next summer. wedding in Normandy next year. friends from Oundle and am so very proud of the talented, kind, amazing Sophie Walker: On leaving school, Sophie Wildman Thorn: After people I found there. I will be forever I went to Cambridge University, Oundle, I travelled west to the grateful to Oundle for those ostensibly to study History, but I Cotswolds and attended the friendships. rather suspect a lot more time was University of Gloucestershire where spent on the sports pitches than in any I received a First in Marketing and Jess Eastwell: After a gap year library! After three blissful years, filled met my now-husband, Michael, playing at being a journalist in with tennis, punting and the odd during freshers’ week. Bolivia, I went to the University of lecture, I was struck by the malaise, On graduating, we bought our Leicester, where I gained a First in common among newly-graduated arts first house in Cheltenham and English. I now live on students, known as “how on earth can started renovating, and I jumped with my husband Kieran, who I I get a job with a humanities degree” straight into crazy agency life at married in 2019, and our cat, Morag. syndrome. Not yet ready to confront Havas. While being diagnosed with CFS/ the world of ‘real work’, I took a gap A few years later, I moved ME in 2015 was a significant setback, year. However, a month without hair in-house to work at GAME in trade I now work as a combination writer, straighteners, backpacking around marketing. I loved it and by the time actor, musician and occasional China swiftly affirmed that the life of I left I was looking after all three of translator, as symptoms permit. I the free spirit was not for me. Trading their big suppliers – Xbox, seem to spend most of my spare time in board shorts for the boardroom, I PlayStation and Nintendo – which working on various textile art, and gratefully entered the ordered world was pretty cool, with my biggest wondering if there’s any reason I of corporate law and have not looked achievement being the launch of the couldn’t have a small flock of sheep back. I am now a litigator at Allen & Xbox One X. in the back garden, despite the Overy, where Michael and I got married in council’s objections! I’ve worked for the past four and a September 2017 at Eastnor Castle in half years. Ledbury and we honeymooned in Montana Gerry: I went on to study I live in Hackney, but frequently the south of Italy. English Literature and French at the return to Oundle to visit my mum and I’ve now come full-circle and University of Exeter, and spent a year for OO Multisports weekends. Ten work for the University of abroad in Paris working for the years on, I still feel very connected to Gloucestershire in marketing – a job International New York Times. After the School through the lovely friends I that has allowed me to have a real graduating, I cut my teeth in PR at a made there and the various OO events, work-life balance, meaning we London-based PR agency for five particularly OO tennis. Apart from adopted a Finnish Lapphund puppy, years before becoming Head of PR at

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Beam, a social enterprise that try to drag Imi Harris ( N 10 ), Grace Juliet Ramsden: Since graduating supports homeless people into work. Buck ( N 10 ), Bridget Hipwell ( L 10) in 2013 (History of Art, Clare College I’m currently living in South West and Izzi Hudson ( L 10 ) and anyone Cambridge), I completed a Fine Art London with my fiancé David. We’d else I can persuade on long runs Foundation in London. I now work planned to get married in June this along the British coastline. for a rare book and print dealer in St year, but coronavirus has meant James’s which gives me the we’ve postponed until summer 2021. Zoe Kier: After Oundle, I went on to opportunity for exciting travel in the I’m still great friends with the study Sport and Exercise Science at US and elsewhere. wonderful Emily Twaite ( N 10 ) who Metropolitan University. I try to visit as much as possible in Following this I worked as a Emily Twaite: I studied Mechanical Bristol and who will be at our personal trainer and a sports Engineering at the University of wedding next year. massage therapist before starting a Bristol. After I graduated I qualified as job with Nuffield Health as a a Chartered Accountant at PwC, and I Hannah Gliksten: After graduating Physiologist. I escaped for a delayed now work as a Financial Accountant from Oxford University with a gap year at the age of 25 with my for Loungers PLC. I live in Bristol with degree in Classics, I worked as a boyfriend. We visited South East my partner Tom, and we recently teaching assistant and then trained Asia, travelled across Australia and bought a house in need of renovation with Teachfirst. Since then, I have followed the rugby British and Irish and have been working on that over been working as an English teacher Lions around New Zealand. Luckily the past year. I joined the modern jive in Wembley. It’s been an adventure for me, Nuffield Health took me back society at university and have been and I’m pleased to call this my when I returned a year later in need dancing competitively and socially vocation. In August, I plan to begin a of money. I ticked the London ever since, the highlight of which was Masters in Expert Teaching. I have Marathon off my bucket list in 2015 our team winning the World Modern remained close with my wonderful and now enjoy mixing running with Jive Championships in 2014! I also friends from school. travel, having completed Paris and keep in regular touch with Montana half marathons last Gerry ( N 10 ), and no year would be Imi Harris: After Oundle, I studied at year. Covid-19 has put a spanner in complete without a ski trip with Durham University followed by a the works for this year’s plans! I Francis Kwong ( C 10 ). Masters at Kings College London. have just finished my first year of Whilst at University, I competed in training to become a Physician Alice Wilson: Following an English Ironman UK twice, having very much Associate at the University of Surrey. literature degree at Trinity College caught the Ironman bug. I moved to This is not too far from where I now Dublin, I worked at a design Exeter and worked for a Surf and Ski live with my boyfriend - who I met consultancy in London, while company followed by a ski season in while studying in Cardiff - and our starting a youth program there to get the Alps. I have spent the last five three chickens Noodle, Nugget and young people into the creative years as a financial analyst with Joules Zazu. industries. I then had a bit of a career plc and live with my fiancé who I am change and worked as a chef at marrying next year. Kate Legh: After graduating from Hawksmoor Borough, before starting the in 2013 with my own place. I now run a takeaway Tilly Heggie: Leaving Oundle, I a degree in History, I taught History in South London funded by Guy’s went straight to the University of in South for two years on and St Thomas’s Charity as part of Leeds and spent a happy six years the Teach First programme. I now their Childhood Obesity Program. there studying a bit of Medicine, but work as a barrister in London and mostly playing rugby culminating in live in Hackney. representing and captaining SANDERSON Yorkshire. Having completed my Serena Pottinger: Having read medical degree (with an extra year of Spanish & French at Bristol, I moved Iona Darroch: I took a year out to Sports science thrown in for fun), I out to Singapore to work for an travel before starting at the moved down to Plymouth to Amazon-like start-up before settling University of Liverpool to study complete my foundation years and back in London to work as a Veterinary Science. Once qualified, I had a fantastic few years of BBQs on management consultant. My hobbies worked in mixed and equine practice the beaches and exploring Dartmoor haven’t changed much – I’m still a in the North of England before – when shifts allowed. I am now keen cook, love travelling and am returning to Liverpool to complete starting my career in Obstetrics and plotting my next adventure when an internship in Equine Medicine Gynaecology in Newcastle. When freedom is granted to us. I am living and Surgery at the University of not pulling babies out or looking with James Duncalfe ( C 10 ) and Liverpool Equine Hospital. Since down dark places, I love being curing meats together, as well as finishing there, I have been locum- outside. and since leaving school being regularly in touch with fellow ing up and down the country. have found a love for running and New House girls. When at home, I am based in

32 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE

Abigael Smith ( Sn ), Poppy McMullan ( Sn ), Laura Miles ( W ), Celia Scruby ( W ), George Lake ( St A ), Jack Napier ( Sc ), Harriet Wildgoose ( W ), Leonora Forrest ( D ) and Cosima Gibbs ( Sn ) on Georgia Mann ( Sn ) wedding day

Cheshire with a chicken-farming Sophie Harrison fiancé and our two dogs. We are ( Sn ), Leonora planning to get married in August – Forrest ( D ) and albeit with only 30 guests. Cheers Georgia Mann corona! ( Sn ) visiting Abigael Smith Sophie Harrison: After leaving ( Sn ) in Amsterdam school, I trundled north to Newcastle University – with half the cohort of 2009 Oundle leavers – to study French (and Linguistics – goodness knows why), spending a year in Paris. After graduating, I returned home to live with my (delighted) parents for three years, while working for an events management agency, where I further advanced my organisational and bossing-about capabilities. I finally made the move to London and temporarily moved in with my boyfriend of four months (again, delighted). Over three years later, I’ve never left and we’re patiently waiting for our postponed wedding date. I’m now working in Sports Sponsorship, primarily across Formula 1 and motorsport, as well as the Invictus Games – I like to think I figured out my career path all those years ago, spending hours on the cricket boundary rope or the Two the Sanderson gang dotted around Sarah Kemp: After leaving Oundle, Acre touchline. the world. Lucky to have met some Cosima Gibbs ( Sn 10 ) Abi Smith I love seeing my 3By girls as often of the most wonderful friends during ( Sn 10 ) and I travelled to South East as possible, and keep in touch with my Oundle years. Asia to ‘find ourselves’ before

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here living with my boyfriend Shane Sanderson Girls - Sophie Harrison, and working at an advertising Sarah Kemp, Amber Caplan, agency called 72andSunny where I Cosima Gibbs, Poppy McMullan and Georgia Mann work on clients such as Adidas, Axe and Google.

SCHOOL

Jamie Ball: “Ten years already? Pull the other one Brooky,” was my first thought when hearing the figure. Then upon reflection, I realised he wasn’t lying. I have fond memories of my time at Oundle. Spreading the gospel of rock with Xavier, Jiramate and Sam at Rocsoc springs to mind, as well as being a featured drummer for Mr Smith at the Oundle leg of his ‘guitar madness’ tour. Fortunately, my regrets are minimal. I mainly wish I hadn’t invested so much time into Fives. I haven’t found a team in Dalston yet. Also, Bronze DofE has yet to show its value. Otherwise, having worked in various jobs over the years (PR, catering, crypto broker) I found my feet in music (see why above). I have since been working at a production company. That being said, COVID threw a spanner in the works mid- April, but I will rise again.

Henry Brook: After leaving Oundle and finding myself in India, I somewhat sheep-like flocked to heading off to university. I spent four Sydney and an Aussie! We got Manchester University to read glorious years at Newcastle with married in Suffolk last year and are economics and politics. Working for an Poppy McMullan ( Sn 10 ) learning expecting our first baby in January. I MP in Yorkshire and a car the business theory that landed me a am an interior designer here in manufacturer in India led me to the job in consulting. I now specialise in Sydney. Whilst I miss my family and only logical place of reinsurance in retail consultancy and am working to friends so much, I see them as much the city which involves lots of try and improve the dire situation of as possible. Who knows where we travelling to the US. Still playing our much-loved retail brands in any will end up - Aus or England but the Ramblers cricket and keen on anything small way. I live in south west Oundle girls are still my closest with a bat or ball involved, lockdown London with friends and hope to friends. In January I climbed 2020 has got me very much into veg move abroad with my boyfriend at Kilimanjaro for charity and was growing – watch out Monty Don. some point, perhaps following in the pretty proud to get to the top. footsteps of Georgia Mann ( Sn 10 ) Matt Oliver: I went to study and ending up in Sydney. Abigail Smith: After leaving Oundle, Chemistry at Bristol, where I spent I took a year out to travel before three great years. Once I’d graduated, I Georgia Mann: After Oundle, I went going to the University of Kent to decided to stay in Bristol a little longer. on to Leeds to read Drama and freely study Theology where I spent three During this time, I’d go on to play admit to hating ‘unay’. Following a great years. Two weeks after regularly in the 16th tier of English couple of years living and working in graduation, I moved to Amsterdam football for little known local side London, I moved to Australia via a for what I thought was going to be a Horfield United – which is about as long overdue ‘gap year’ in Vietnam, two-month internship – however, six dire as it sounds. After three more Cambodia and Bali. I fell in love with years later I have now set up my life wonderful years in the South West, I

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finally moved on to London to pursue then moved to sunny LA to attend the Andi Leung: I went to University my dream of finding a girlfriend. Since University of Southern California, College London to study Economics. then I’ve been working for a French where I learned to longboard, joined a As with too many early student cycling clothing company, running fraternity, got a degree in International careers, I started my working life in their website, which allows me to Relations, and never saw the rain... the city at RBS. Alongside, I was enjoy three of my favourite things: ever. Post-college, I spent a couple of working part-time with a couple of my cycling, trips to France, and lycra. years in marketing, then completed the university friends on a new Mongol Rally in 2017 which spanned collaborative creative writing game, Will Street: What have I achieved 24 countries, and about 19,000 miles. I HaikuJAM. After two years in RBS, I since I left school? Ermm I’m a visited Phillip Begak ( C 10 ) in decided to ‘jump ship’ to work on the qualified accountant, which came after Moscow on the way back, before we start up full-time. As we had many studying agriculture and then doing a finally jettisoned our noble steed in a users in South East Asia, we decided to Masters in animal behaviour and Finnish scrap yard, and now I’m back relocate to Mumbai in 2017 and raised welfare at uni, which was an excuse in NY working in wealth management investment to grow. We’re now for four pleasant and quiet years in the and hiding from COVID. I’ve enjoyed working on a new product called North of England. I still play a load of visits from a few Oundle folks Inspo, a search engine for inspiration. cricket, and turn out for the Oundle including Tom Markland ( S 10 ) and Due to Covid-19, I’m now back in Rovers Cricket Club whenever I can. George Bartlett ( StA 10 ), but I Hong Kong. Once the pandemic Apart from that, I live in Sheffield and definitely hope to see more of you by subsides, I’ll be splitting my time since lockdown have developed an the twenty-year mark and am excited between India and Hong Kong. unhealthy obsession with baking. to hear what’s new. Tom Markland: Following on from Greg Whitaker: Following a gap year Harry Coulthard: Studied Oundle, I went on to Bristol in South America, I studied History at Archaeology and Anthropology at University, studying initially in Newcastle University. I then followed Manchester. Produced films and Biochemistry and then a Masters in the crowds down to London and commercials with Devilishly Economics, Accounting and Finance. completed a law conversion course. I Handsome Productions, made watches Like a great migration, everyone now work as a solicitor in Latham & with Ed Tweddle ( S 10 ), founded appeared to be moving to London and, Watkins’ Restructuring & Special Shorts Boy Distillery in Jersey making swept up by this, so did I. Initially Situations team, which has certainly The Tidal Rum, and running a creative living in Oval and Stockwell, before been an interesting place to be as the consultancy called Boulder with Ed making an adventurous move to COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded. I (Boulder). Living in the Outer Battersea last year – very slowly live in Putney with my girlfriend and Hebrides at the moment. meandering up the Thames. Having am neither engaged nor married! started work at the Bank of England, I When not at work, I spend my time Andy Fahrenheim: After a year out in am now a civil servant, focused most running, cycling and sailing. which I followed common gap year recently on public spending. tropes, I then branched out by going to Will Winterton: After leaving Oundle, university, law school, and am now a Will Marks: I spent a year working as I went to Exeter Uni to read History solicitor focusing on venture capital a language assistant in the North of and Politics. At Uni, I did lots of investment and start-up funding. I live France before attending the University part-time bar work at sports matches in north London with my girlfriend of East Anglia to study Modern and music festivals. I briefly ran my and, due to the lockdown, my hair is Foreign Languages. In this time, I own events business before joining the currently a throwback to my ‘08 continued my love of theatre by wine trade, and have been at Cru Oundelian perm. joining one of the only continuous World Wines for the last six years. I French Theatre troupes in the UK. spent a year and a half working in our Ben Hay : Since leaving, slightly before After UEA, I joined the teaching Singapore office, but I am now back my time, I have lived for stretches in community and began in living in South London. I am one of Brighton, Edinburgh and London. I Peterborough. In what little free time the main buyers, which is a great job work in a pretty fun if not slightly the state education system leaves, I that involves travelling to some arduous job in design, am still largely enjoy running, including half incredible places and drinking well. friends with the same people as when I marathons, and up-skilling in was 14 and my love of cricket is languages and digital media. I run unchanged; it has all been very podcasts and a language-based SIDNEY agreeable. YouTube channel.

Sam Bowers: I spent some time Rory O’Kelly-Lynch: Ten years on I Ed Tweddle: After school, I studied teaching in Nepal with Tom Campbell- have found love, a great job and a in Leeds and Newcastle. Fell into a Moffat ( B 10 ); and tomb raiding in happy life. However, I am yet to find a job in the Lloyds Insurance market. Cambodia with Ellie Hiskett ( K 10 ). I better doner kebab than Spices. Got very bored. Started a watch

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brand. Sold one or two (maybe three) at Exeter, spending my year abroad now European General Counsel at watches. Joined Ogilvy as a Creative. in Cairo where I funded desert trips Virtu Financial, a global financial Made some ads. I now head up and hot air balloon rides over the services firm. In light of a certain creative for a made-to-measure Valley of the Kings by singing in a pandemic, I won’t be getting married menswear brand and am launching a 70s themed Egyptian wedding band. to Andrew in Italy until June next creative consultancy called Boulder From there I clambered onto the year (thanks COVID!) with Harry Coulthard ( S 10 ). Teach First bandwagon, moving to I currently live in south London Leeds for two years to “teach” Tabitha Luxmoore-Styles: After with my girlfriend, Lisa. Still looking Spanish and French (my pupils school with Leonora Forrest ( D 10 ) for a bloody band. Jack Doolan - can taught me more than I taught them). Jamie Budgett ( F 10 ) and Alice you please answer your phone? Deciding I hadn’t spent enough time Wilson ( N 10 ) we travelled to Gilgil, at uni or enough of my parents’ Kenya – collecting our fair share of money on education, I moved to unpredictable adventures: those WYATT London to do an MA in social work. featuring Class of 2010ers include I’m now living and working in south being stranded in a monsoon with Alice Burns: Despite being adamant London as a children’s social worker, Ali Humphries ( G 10 ), Hamish I wouldn’t fall into the ‘gap yah’ which is fascinating and exhausting Sandison and Theo Cowper ( Ldr 10), trap, I left Oundle to embark on a in equal measure; consequently, I and bumping into Sam Waterhouse year of travel before joining the haven’t given much thought yet to ( StA 10 ) watching the Royal University of Leeds. Up north, I what the next ten years will bring! Wedding coverage. I moved to Exeter spent three years clubbing in edgy University for the open-minded venues, but did manage to leave with Izzy Gray: After leaving Oundle, Theology dept – covering topics like a degree in History of Art and a I went to Newcastle University – my the role of women in the Bible, refreshed perspective on life. I time at both of these institutions was disability in the gospels, and was moved home to London, pursuing fine, although some might argue I Jesus gay? Learnings from these photography initially – working at could’ve worked harder. Despite my lecturers and Exeter’s innovation London Fashion Week – followed by slight apathy towards education, I centre have informed a number of a bit of writing for the likes of Time very luckily found my niche when my career decisions to date. I spent a Out magazine. I then fell into the PR I started working for TJX Europe year after graduation working in world and am currently working on (TKMaxx). I started out in Nancy and Paris only to be enticed Bacardi Ltd. brands at Ogilvy UK. merchandise planning, but after a back to the UK to work for a third Wine is one of my biggest passions few years moved into the buying start-up, a food company – let’s (not just drinking it) and I hold function where I am currently a pretend it was the allure of the several WSET tasting qualifications. womenswear buyer. In 2016, my business not the free ice-cream that I live with my boyfriend in Peckham, passion for fashion (at 60% off RRP) clinched it. I now work near St Paul’s which is the perfect location for the caught the eye of a colleague and Cathedral at Smith & Williamson in wine bar I dream of opening. Will since then we’ve split our time the Entrepreneurial Services team, report back on that in ten years’ between London and Düsseldorf specialising in Fintech, as well as time… (where he is from). We’ve recently running S&W’s Female Founder bought our first home together in program, which I love. Highlights Rachel Dobbs: After Oundle, I took Maida Vale however, so will now be from last summer include being not-one-but-two gap years before putting down more permanent roots bridesmaid to sister Lily ( W 09 ) & reading PPE at Oxford, where I was a in London. maid of honour to Georgia Mann truly terrible student. After a series ( Sn 10 )! of uninspiring jobs, I became a Victoria Lee: Wanting the most journalist, mostly writing for The practical degree I could get, naturally Georgie Mason: After leaving school, Economist. I love it. I spent the last I opted for Classics at Cambridge. As I did an Art Foundation followed by year as a foreign correspondent I flipped through the torn edges of an English, Art & Art History covering the Baltics, based in the Homeric texts in the Girton degree. Since then I have been making . I’m now nominally back in College library, I laid eyes on and selling art relatively full-time, the UK, working on a book on the Andrew Stone whilst he laughed at injected with sporadic work as a humanitarian impact of climate YouTube clips of dogs dining like copy-editor, PR person, envelope change. I am broke, single, and humans – and I thought, “I’m going stuffer and covers band singer. I have mainly live out of a suitcase. to marry that man.” After university, had work exhibited at the Royal the need for a profession hit me and I Academy, the Museum of Goa, and Rachel Fleming: I travelled to South took a training contract with been a guest lecturer at Queen Mary America to teach English and drink Slaughter and May in London, University. I’m fortunate and Fernet in small-town Argentina. I qualifying as a lawyer into the unfortunate to spend much of my time went on to read Spanish and Arabic Financial Regulation Group. I am alone, amongst animals, foliage and

36 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE

Victoria Lee ( W ), Jennifer Bath ( L ), Georgina Burrows ( L ), Izzi Hudson ( L ), Harriet Story ( L ), Hannah Page ( L ) and Charlotte Travill ( L )

poly tunnels, as my studio is on a run the newly-founded Original Audio somehow, wangling a dissertation on London city farm. I enjoy teaching art and Podcast Department. When not the tourism industry of Bali into my workshops from here as well as at reading manuscripts or searching for degree. I’ve lived, until very recently, various festivals and events. Last year, the next true crime podcast sensation, I with aforementioned OO and original I co-founded MasterPeace Creative side hustle as a wedding invitation travel buddy, Pops, and am still loving Studios, a mindful art venture in designer and pop art portraitist. Rather life in the sweet safety net that is south Belgravia offering guests of any unoriginally, I am also working on my London. experience level the opportunity to first novel, in the hope that I can create beautiful works of art, taught by become a writer and leave London for Faye Priestley: I returned to the professionals. Other hobbies/ the country way of life… where I homeland (the north) to read English obsessions include Forro, a Brazilian started. and Philosophy at York. When the dance, which I do with fellow OO Fran drinks tokens ran out, the realisation Denny ( D 10 ), and making shiny Laura Miles: After travelling in South set in that there was no obvious path mudballs. I am happily married to one America with OO, Poppy McMullan to employment with my newly of the farm goats. (Sn 10), the so-called ‘bug’ certainly hit acquired ‘soft’ skills. The Erin Insta: @georgiesmason and three years on I was still hassling Brockovich movie had been stuck in Web: georgiemason.co.uk anybody with the misfortune of my laptop for all of second year and mentioning an interest to let me have things snowballed from there. I ended Sophia MacAskill: After studying at fun creating overly-detailed and up converting to Law and taking up a Oxford, I followed the path reserved extensive travel itineraries for them. training contract in the city. On my for most English Literature graduates Realising you can be paid to do so, I first day in 2015, I sat next to a very and became an English teacher – with headed to London and after a first visit handsome man with whom I still work a slice of Latin on the side for good to Africa, became unequivocally but also now live, in south London. measure. Deciding that job security obsessed – so have worked as an Life is good – but nothing like Erin and lengthy holidays were not Africa travel specialist ever since. Brockovich! I still rate a mid-morning enough, I briefly sojourned as a I pinch myself that work constitutes crisp bun and feel slightly nervous deputy housemistress at an all-girls spending a month every year ‘on when walking on a well-kept lawn. school in Harrogate, before moving to research’ in Africa and I now work for Thanks, Oundle. London to seek my fortune. I The Ultimate (by name and nature, of eventually got a position at Literary course) Travel Company... where I look Clare Robertson: Like many before Agency Ed Victor Ltd. where I worked forward to getting all of your me, I took a year out to travel and for six months. I now work at Literary honeymoon enquiries soon! Before ‘find myself’. I then went on to study and Talent Agency, Curtis Brown coming to London, I studied Sociology Music at Durham before moving where I assist a book agent and help at Manchester University – even, down to London. After six months of

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 37 FEATURE

part-timing and wondering if that different roles in hospitality and social Harriet Wildgoose: I spent three Harry Potter module had been the best care, I eventually found something I years at Durham University studying use of my time, I started working at an love working for South West Economics. I then went to music publisher. Four Ambulance in their frequent caller Sorbonne in Paris to study French speedy years later, I made the move to team where I contribute to the before travelling around the world Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful support of vulnerable patients. with four friends. For six years now Group where I now work on all things I still volunteer every summer for I’ve lived in London, working as an business development and can the Oundle Mencap Holiday and am equity research analyst in the City. I legitimately chat about musicals all excited to take on the role of Epilepsy happily live in Stoke Newington day and call it work! A year south of Lead in the medical team next year. with my boyfriend where we have the river was long enough for me and I’m looking forward to moving recently bought our first home. We I’m now happy to call myself a cinema- from Exeter to Bristol soon, and are in the market for a blue staffy loving, piano-playing North Londoner. seeing where I’ll be in another pup, if anyone knows a good decade’s time. breeder! ■ Celia Scruby: Rocking up for my first term at York was a bit of a surprise. York had simply been UCAS fodder – I had no intention of actually going. And then hello! there I was one sunny October morning. I had fun, read books, made friends and left with no idea of what I wanted to do. University completed. Then I did what any good Oundelian would...used nepotism. I successfully hit up some PR and journalism ‘internships’ to pad out my C.V. and this gave me enough credibility to blag myself a job in Santiago, Chile as a news reporter which was weird, wonderful and everything in between. Eventually, I moved back to London to get a ‘real’ job in... (wait for it…) advertising. The years passed, I ran a few marathons, became a yoga teacher on the side and now I work for The British Red Cross as a product development manager in its fundraising innovation team, essentially a charity incubator program.

Jess Taylor: I took a gap year and spent my time getting lost in India. Finally finding myself, I returned to study at Exeter. I did a BSc in Psychology and went on to do an MA in Special Educational Needs. Having never really displayed any sporting prowess at school whatsoever, I joined ultimate frisbee on a whim at uni and I now regularly compete at international level. I'm creator and captain of the women’s alumni team and we’ve won two national gold medals and competed at European Championships. Unfortunately, I don’t get paid to play so I’ve had to do some “adulting” Georgie Mason (W) and get a real job. Having had a few

38 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 1951 Dryden Gymnastics Team FEATURE with JAW Eldred seated right.

Finding John Eldred

Elspeth Langsdale is very Oundelian has a story and her life trying to find John again after for the past six years it has been that summer but was unsuccessful and touched by a story E my privilege as the School sadly, she passed away in 2016. Mary which shows the Archivist to listen, read and record then took up the quest and wanted to long-lasting impact of these stories. What I have also learned see if any of the listeners could help. is that wherever you are in the world, As it happened, an old family an act of bravery it seems an Old Oundelian can turn up friend of John’s heard the show and out of the blue. immediately telephoned John to tell Last December when I was in Cork him about it. John was completely visiting my family, my sister phoned surprised as it happened such a long and very excitedly told me, “Hurry up, time ago. He wrote to the Archive, “ turn on the radio and listen to RTE That phone call resulted in my being Live with Joe Duffy. He’s talking about on the radio program the next day and an Oundelian”. For the next half an introduced to Mary on air - which hour I sat quietly, listening to “Looking completely bowled her over. “Since for John Eldred” and was once more then, John has written about what touched by an Old Oundelian’s story. happened on that fortunate Summer’s Mary Thompstone had phoned in day: to the radio programme wanting to It was late afternoon and we were find a man called John Eldred, who in my parents’ room when we heard a had saved her mother, Anastacia girl outside shouting for help. Her O’Donoghue, from drowning off the sister was drowning and she was beach at Cahore, Co. Wexford. Not extremely distressed. My father said, only had he saved her life, but his “Run down to the beach and see if bravery went on to have a long-lasting there’s anything you can do”, so I ran impact on her. She went on to spend down as fast as I could, got to the

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 39 FEATURE

beach and saw three chaps who I took celebratory drink. It was a typical Irish to be young farmers. They were country pub and the Guinness was standing together by the water’s edge flowing. It was full of local people and looking out to sea at someone maybe some started looking my way. Then 200 or 300 yards out. It was a girl one came over and said, ‘Are you the throwing up her arms and crying out young man who saved Ana from for help. When I reached the lads, they drowning? I’d like to shake you by the said “Can you swim?” I said “Yes”. hand’. Then one by one all the others “Can you save her?” I replied, “Yes” followed. I was hugely touched, and started to strip off. They set to, flattered and proud. Ana had been taking off my shoes, socks, shirt, taken to a local farmhouse to recover trousers down to my underpants, and and still had my father’s jacket which said, ‘Go, GO!’ In I went and struck he had put over her to keep her warm, out. I was fit and a good swimmer, so and we needed to retrieve his wallet. it didn’t take me long to reach her. I The farmhouse was packed with locals wasn’t sure what to expect, thinking in full Irish party mode. We collected she might be panicky and try to climb the wallet and left.’ “ onto me, but in fact she was quite Since they ‘met’ over the airwaves, calm. Remembering my life saving Mary and John have kept in contact lessons at Oundle, I turned her around and John hopes to visit Ireland when it to put her back to me with my back to is safe and possible to do so. John says, the beach and started leg kicking with “My appearance out of the blue has her in tow. It surprised me how calm given the family much pleasure and she was, considering what she had they are very keen for a meeting and a been through. joint visit to the scene of the rescue.” I learned later that she was Anastasia During her first appearance on the Donahue, 24, a nurse; her sister was radio show, Mary had said that their Rita,17. They had decided to go for a whole family had grown up knowing dip in the sea, not realising how steeply the story of John’s life-saving heroics. it shelved down, and Rita got out of her She was keen to talk about how his depth. Ana rushed in and pushed her brave action had such a positive and to the shore, but then the strong current long-lasting effect on Ana and all her took hold and Ana could do nothing family. It had influenced the way they about it. The two sisters were country were brought up and how they have girls who had never been taught to gone about their lives. She felt it was swim, just like the three farm lads who important to remember that acts of couldn’t swim either. While I was kindness often have a lasting impact. ■  School Gymnastics team, 1951 rescuing her, she asked if I was drowning and if so to leave her and save myself. I found this quite remarkable as she must have been desperate, cold and probably expecting to die. I told her not to worry, that we would be all right. Then she started to paddle and that got us along much faster - so fast that the current whipped my underpants off! But I remember telling myself that I had more important things to worry about and kept kicking. Eventually we were in breakers and I knew we had arrived at the beach when my feet touched sand. Many hands came forward and lifted Ana out. I left them and went looking for my clothes which I saw were about 100 yards away, such was the strength of the current. Back at the hotel, my father suggested we go to the local pub for a

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Kiln Tessa Stanley Price ( N 04 ), Director of Fundraising at Kiln Theatre, tells us about its mission to Theatre challenge and provoke March 2020 might be the Kiln Theatre’s Director of Fundraising, together again, to grieve, to heal, to strangest day that British I am painfully aware of how every challenge what has happened in 2020. 17 theatres have ever day matters in the race to secure the And challenge we must. The Office for collectively experienced. Following funds that will ensure our survival. National Statistics calculates that our the Prime Minister’s afternoon And survive we must, for the sake Greater London Borough of Brent is statement that ‘public venues such as of our mission: to bring unheard the area worst affected by COVID-19 theatres should no longer be visited’, voices into the mainstream, to show in the entire country. Recent Trust for front-of-house managers across the the world through different lenses and London statistics show that 69% of country found themselves moving to be a place where everyone feels Brent’s residents are Black, Asian or through bustling foyers at 7pm telling welcomed and entitled. This mission Minority Ethnic (BAME) and we all surprised patrons that the building statement is the reason I applied to know how these communities have would be closing indefinitely and they work at Kiln Theatre, formerly known been disproportionately affected by would have to go home. as the Tricycle. The productions we the virus. As our Artistic Director At Kiln Theatre in North-West stage, almost all of them new writing, Indhu Rubasingham explains, London, we had already pressed shine a spotlight on fundamental, COVID-19 is exacerbating the existing pause on our run of Pass Over by often challenging issues within fault lines within our society. Antoinette Nwandu. Two days earlier, society. Pass Over, our production cut Events of 2020 make us more one of our cast had developed a cough short by COVID-19, is a prophetic determined in our mission than ever and a fever and we closed our doors case in point. The play, about two before. We will not retreat, to the public for what we imagined young black men ‘in a world that programming less risky productions would be 14 days. Little did we know! refuses to see them’, deals for the sake of selling more tickets, nor I write this (from home) on a hot July unflinchingly with racism and police will we choose more conservative, day nearly four months later and we brutality. The set – an American street ‘safer’ plays purely to entice people are still a long way from reopening for corner – now stands in a ghostly back into our auditorium. We will public performances. It will likely be a auditorium just as our cast and crew continue to produce new work that full year before theatres are able to left it in March, while Black Lives challenges and provokes, by writers operate under any semblance of Matter protests rage across the world. and directors with diverse voices and normality. Stories like this need to be told. lived experiences. These are dangerous, febrile times This is why theatre matters, even There is hope for the UK arts and for performing arts organisations. more so in times like these. The arts culture sector. For some, it is top Complete hibernation until 2021 have a crucial role to play, both in down, in the form of the £1.57bn simply isn’t possible; the closure of terms of society’s recovery from a government bailout. Given just how our theatre doesn’t mean all our pandemic and also in addressing much it will take to ensure that our expenditure stops too. Even with systemic inequality and racial large, national institutions stay afloat, maximum use of the furlough scheme injustice within that society. The two it’s hard to imagine smaller and diligent cost control, we have are interlinked. We want Kiln Theatre organisations like ours receiving any unavoidable monthly outgoings. As to be a place for people to come significant portion of these funds. Instead, my hope is bottom up, in the form of grassroots support. It’s in the members of our local community sending £10 as they wait patiently for our doors to reopen. It’s in our loyal audience members choosing to give their ticket refund back to us as a donation and eagerly booking new In an area where tickets when we go back on sale. It’s 84% of young people have English as their in the groundswell of people believing in the power of the arts to process second language, Kiln has a cross- what is happening in today’s world cultural vision and to push for a fairer, more equal society. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 41 FEATURE The Water House Project

he Water House Project restaurant work and the supper club began in 2015 when I left was too much for me, so I decided to T Michelin starred Galvin La focus solely on supper clubs. Chapelle with the aim of making fine A year later I assembled a team of dining more accessible. It started as a 5 and we moved into a tile and 14 seat supper club from my Bethnal kitchen design studio by the towpath Green home. On Friday canal in Hackney, East London. We and Saturday evenings shared the space - a stunning - in between gruelling 16 Victorian warehouse - with design hour shifts - I’d welcome studio Bert and May who would guests into my home for a occupy it during the day. My team more informal experience. would transform it into a restaurant I made an agreement with Jeff at night, hosting an 8 course tasting Galvin, one half of the Galvin menu complete with wine pairing. Brothers, to work Monday to The model was the same in the Thursday clocking up around 60 new premises as the previous supper hours each week, and on Friday and club format. Our 36 guests would Saturday evenings I’d prepare a 6 arrive at 7pm, settle into the space course tasting menu from home. Word and mingle with others over an soon got around and we had a 6 week aperitif and canapés. I would chink a long waiting list. After 6 months of glass, introduce myself and the team juggling the two, maintaining both and ask people to take a seat on one of the three long tables. As the evenings got underway I would speak about each course, explaining the preparation method and where I sourced the ingredients. Our sommelier Renato would likewise introduce his wines. Our menu changed each month, complete with new wines. We sold out every night for the next 18 months. This year, with nervous excitement, I opened The Water House Project’s first permanent premises on Mare Street in Hackney. Having begun work on the space in October, we moved in at the start of January. The Mare Street premises were now equipped with a stunning kitchen from our collaborators Hi-Spec design and two beautiful communal tables. Strangers would sit across from each other and share a meal; 9 courses with 6 glasses of carefully paired wines. In this intimate environment, they would talk, shake hands and sometimes even more (we’ve had marriages stem from our evenings!) Then all of a sudden coronavirus struck, bookings stopped and we closed.

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Unsure of a way forward, I stayed The UK restaurant average profit in London contemplating a fine dining margin is between 3-5%, therefore t service. It sounded great, but operating at half capacity isn’t usually the practicalities of delivering 9 a viable option. For now we will delicate courses with wine and continue to adapt, as all businesses canapés were complicated. must, to the changing landscape. I In the end, I headed to my parents’ envisage that we will open for smaller home in Northumberland where my gatherings, showcasing what we love partner Trish had already been to do with our menus changing isolating for several weeks. It’s the monthly while continuing with our longest break I’ve had since I started Water House Project At Home delivery working in restaurants at the age of 21 service. - I’m now 30. A lot like the army, Coronavirus has laid bare and restaurants are made up of brigades exposed the frailties of our industry. If with a strict hierarchy (which my the old ways aren’t fit for purpose, then school reports suggest I never found change is required. Staff are all too often easy) but they do provide structure. overworked and underpaid, and Long days, little sleep, but importantly contracts conceal the realities of their a daily routine. This daily routine work. Chefs and waiting staff are often taught me a lot, but people need time paid for shifts as opposed to hours. This and space to think as well as develop. means that whilst someone may be After 3 years of pushing my own contracted to work for 48 hours a week, business and getting it so far, time and in reality this could be as many as 70-80 space is what I needed to take stock. hours. Once an hourly rate is Throughout lockdown I developed calculated, the take home pay can be new recipes as well as filming existing alarmingly far below minimum wage. ones for viewing consumption on The Job Retention or Furlough instagram. Then I began to wonder if Scheme has further highlighted the my idea at the beginning of lockdown failure of our broken system. Many was such a bad one: to deliver tasting restaurants pay a proportion of staff menu kits to London homes. wages using the money generated by I returned to London with Trish in that ‘discretionary’ 12.5% gratuity May and set about developing The that’s often added to your bill. The Water House Project ‘At Home’. We’ve result of this has meant that many in partnered with an ethical courier our industry have received up to 80% service, Pedal Me, and we’ve striven to of only a portion of their wages. With use compostable containers to transport London rents often around 40-50% of courses 1 to 6, all labelled with salary, this leaves little to live off. corresponding wines that we decant My own staff have fortunately not and bottle up on the day to be sent out been affected in this way; we use tips across London. The response to our ‘At as an added bonus and not as a Home’ menu has been overwhelming. means of making up basic pay. It was an instant success. Coronavirus has presented The further easing of restrictions opportunities for some. Despite the provides added pressures for obvious difficulties, I am in some businesses like mine. Whilst coming to ways grateful for the challenges this terms with lockdown was difficult, at experience has given me. Without it, least the rules were clear, and we all my goals would have been the same, knew where we stood. Restaurants to grow as a restaurant and hope to have now begun to re-open but, for us, receive recognition for the work we this could prove a greater challenge do. But coronavirus has forced us to Coronavirus has than lockdown. The Water House rethink, to adapt to a changing world, laid bare and exposed Project began out of a desire to make and importantly to do things the frailties of our fine dining less stuffy and to promote differently. The restaurant industry in industry. If the old communication between strangers. this country needed a shake up and Our intimate home once hosted 32 perhaps coronavirus will be the ways aren’t fit for people. However with the 1 metre plus catalyst for that change. ■ purpose, then change rule, we estimate we would have to is required. halve this number. Gabriel Waterhouse ( StA 08 )

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 43 FEATURE

Cypher 16

British rockers Cypher16 have been described as “one of metal’s truly pioneering bands” by the music press. Simon Redfern ( Sc 75 ) hears about their progress from founder Jack Doolan ( C 07 ) and fellow guitarist Will Cass ( Sc 07 ).

here can’t be many rock bands we will be gradually releasing who found themselves well throughout 2020,’ Jack explained. T prepared when lockdown hit These tracks, which were mastered at the music world due to Covid-19, but London’s famous Abbey Road studios, Cypher16 – formed by OOs Jack Doolan will form Cypher16’s second full-length ( C 07 ) and Will Cass ( Sc 07 ) in 2007 album, It’s A Long Way Back (From This – were one of the fortunate few. Road). ‘The band found itself in a good The first – entitled The Great Surveyor place at the beginning of the pandemic, – received excellent reviews from the because we had lots of new music that music press when it was released in was finished in December 2019, which 2015. Produced by Romesh Dodangoda

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– who has worked with the likes of bands to tour in India and they have Motörhead – it was described by Metal been such a success there that they Hammer Magazine as ‘a crushing joy have toured the country five times. from one of metal’s truly pioneering Altogether, they have now bands’ and received 10/10 from performed in 17 countries, 10 in Powerplay Magazine. ‘The March Of Nations’ run in Jack and Will travelled a long road 2014, including China, which they to reach that stage. ‘The idea for have toured twice, and performed Cypher16 was formed when I was at numerous festivals around around 15,’ Jack recalled. ‘I was still at the globe. ‘Every tour we did is school.’ His interest in rock music was memorable for different reasons,’ Jack sparked in 2000, when he received a commented. ‘Touring in countries like CD Walkman and Iron Maiden’s Brave just works. It’s a pleasure all New World album. He remembered: ‘I the time to be there. Touring in the would stand up in the choir stalls in UK and US is not always as much front of about 300 people in church, fun, because things just don’t work as sing the hymn and then sit down and well. However, the fans everywhere plug into Iron Maiden. It was a are great and that’s why we do it. We revelation and everything changed had some issues with the police in from that day onwards.’ China in Xinjiang province. It was a As for Will, his interest came via his pretty dangerous part of the world parents, who listened to a lot of rock and we probably shouldn’t have been and roll, country and blues. ‘My Dad there, but it all worked out eventually. played guitar and I think there was It’s funny what a bribe and a bit of always an inclination towards any attitude will do for you! In America, music that was guitar-driven,’ he our tour buses kept breaking down. recalled. ‘I discovered rockier bands We ended up doing 1,000-mile-plus while at Oundle. Jack and I found we drives almost every night and when shared an interest in the heavier styles there are 13 of you living on a bus, it of music that were outside the takes a toll on your mental health.’ day-to-day listening of the time.’ Will agreed with Jack on the last They both enjoyed ROCSOC and point. ‘Going on the road is tough, praised the Music Department for socially, physically, mentally, being highly supportive. ‘Jack, myself logistically,’ he said. ‘You adapt to the and one of our peers, Julian Shiu (Sc situation and your energy comes from 07), were all enthusiastic about electric your purpose. Once the intrepid guitar,’ said Will. ‘The Music instincts are awakened and the Department catered for our interest creative juices start flowing, the and brought in rock school guitar biggest challenge is to overcome the grades. That acknowledgement was moments when that reality is not very validating and stepped away present.’ from the more traditional routes of After touring the US and Canada musical education.’ with Swedish heavy-metal band After Oundle, Jack and Will Amaranthe in 2017, Cypher16 made attended The Institute of rock history when they shot their Contemporary Music Performance video for Open The Dark Door at (ICMP). Jack recruited musicians he London’s Natural History Museum, had played with in cover bands at the the only band to be allowed to make  In 2017 Cypher16 became the first rock time to help record and play such a video. A year later, Cypher16 band to shoot a video at the National Cypher16’s earliest shows. ‘I had no played their biggest headline show History Museum. experience about being in a band, or to date, at London’s Islington about the music industry, so it was all Academy. There won’t be any tours in trial and error,’ he told the ICMP 2020, of course, but Jack pointed out: website. Then, in 2009 and still in their ‘We’re taking this time to prepare for teens, the band was invited to play at a strong 2021. There is some interest Locofest in Florida, around which coming out of Brazil at the moment, so they constructed their first tour of it’s a shame things are getting serious America. Later that year, Cypher16 over there right now. I’d like to try became one of the first British metal and get us there next year.’ ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 45 FEATURE Keeping Music Alive

Iain Farrington ( C 95 ) talks to Megan Smedley about his aims as a musician and the need to make classical music accessible to all.

ain Farrington comes from half of my work involves composing Hitchin, with its strong musical and arranging, using a wide range of I tradition. Although not from styles. I’ve composed pieces for large a family of professional musicians, symphony orchestra right down to his father is ‘an avid music solo piano. I like to use a lot of jazz enthusiast and an excellent choral styles: swing, funk, blues and others, singer.’ They had an old upright mixed with classical structures and piano that had belonged to his colourful tonal harmonies.’ Clear grandparents, which he and his two melodies and strong rhythms play a elder brothers played - generally the big part in his music, too, reflecting latest pop hits and TV tunes. All the life experiences and emotions. As an children went to local state schools arranger, he continues to work with and sang in St Mary’s Church choir, many types of music: traditional where Iain also began to play the African songs, Berlin cabaret, folk, organ. On an Oundle organ course, he klezmer, jazz, musicals, pop and showed such promise that he ended opera. up with a music scholarship - after a As General Editor of ‘bewildering and gruelling weekend’ the Elgar Complete Edition, which of entrance interviews. Coming to publishes definitive Elgar scores, he Oundle was a major upheaval, he aims to increase performances and remembers, and although he realised widen knowledge of Elgar’s music that the musical opportunities were around the world. As a lifelong terrific and the facilities outstanding, Wolves fan, I was keen to ask if Elgar boarding was definitely ‘not my really was responsible for writing thing.’ The cultural differences the first ever football chant. After all, seemed to him enormous. However, there is evidence that Elgar cycled Iain believes that his time at Oundle the 40 miles or so from his home in shaped his awareness of why Malvern to watch matches. There’s classical music should be made more a plaque to him at The Molineux, accessible. and ‘Nimrod’ is regularly played Before becoming a freelance at the ground. Sadly for me, Iain musician, he read music says not. He Banged the Leather for at Cambridge University and Goal is ‘just a few bars based on a  Iain and Rowan Atkinson at the 2012 was organ scholar at St John’s phrase from a match report sent by London Olympics opening ceremony College. Later, as Organ Scholar at St his friend Dora Penny.‘ George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, he Highlights of Iain’s career are the played for many royal events. He also orchestral pieces he writes for the BBC spent two years studying piano at the Proms. Wing It (2012) is a jazz guide Royal Academy of Music. to the orchestra, and Gershwinicity About half of his work today (2018) was composed for five former involves performing on the BBC Young Musician winners. This piano or the organ - solo recitals, year, Beethoveniana - inspired by accompanying singers, choirs or Beethoven‘s nine symphonies - was instrumentalists and playing in small commissioned to celebrate the ensembles or with big orchestras: ‘ opening of the virtual First Night of I’ve been lucky to perform all over the the Proms played by a BBC Virtual world in some amazing venues with Orchestra made up of over 300 some brilliant musicians. The other musicians with performers recorded

46 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 FEATURE

 The world premiere of Iain and filmed separately. Stunning singer Sam Lee, playing jazz songs Farrington's Beethoveniana, with the editing has created a startling with Jacqui Dankworth, recording BBC's Grand Virtual Orchestra, in a performance along with a very Elgar’s 2nd Symphony on the piano, virtual concert hall recording for the First beautiful film of two dancers in their accompanying Bryn Terfel and Night of the Proms 2020 own lockdown bubble. Iain describes Willard White, and playing on one of this work as ‘putting Beethoven‘s the latest Star Wars soundtracks. work in a musical washing machine ‘One of my goals is to bring live to see which colours run.‘ Designed music to as wide an audience as to celebrate Beethoven‘s 250th possible, while keeping musical anniversary, as well as reflecting integrity and quality.’ Iain’s concert the turmoil and sadness of today›s programmes often include his pop pandemic, ‘it was challenging but and jazz arrangements alongside the enjoyable, and I‘m very proud of the traditional classical repertoire, so resulting piece.‘ there’s a wide stylistic breadth. His His organ arrangement of many arrangements of large-scale Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March pieces reduced to chamber orchestra No.5 was performed at the 2011 Royal size allow them to be performed on Wedding in Westminster Abbey. At an affordable smaller scale in smaller the London 2012 Olympics Opening venues all over the world. ‘This Ceremony, his playing the piano with enables us to bring orchestral music Rowan Atkinson and the London out of the big cities and into town Symphony Orchestra under Sir halls, village churches and outdoor Simon Rattle, which was broadcast spaces,’ he says. ‘Younger players to a global audience of about a and conductors often have their first billion, was a perfect musical-comedy chance to perform.’ sketch. Purely by accident, these ‘Over the last few years I’ve arrangements are now used in also had fun composing the Scary socially-distanced concerts, where Fairy orchestral fairytale series, as well numbers of people able to perform and as the score for the Horrible Histories attend are severely limited. ‘This is an Movie - a real thrill.‘ Another enormously challenging time for the example of his versatility is the music cultural sector and anyone involved for Peppa Pig: My First Concert, which in live performance, of course. Many has toured all the major concert halls of us are doing our best to keep music in the UK. With audiences mostly alive. It’s proving very hard, but we’re under five years old, he enjoyed the determined to survive.’ ■ opportunity to make music accessible to children. Other highlights Read more about Iain here: include a concert of orchestral www.iainfarrington.com folk song arrangements with the www.ariaeditions.org

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 47 FEATURE

Gabriella Teychenné ( N 10 ) considers Conducting the philosophy of conducting, and her concern about the During Covid classical music industry

he question of ‘what’ a sounds, and I discovered a natural conductor is, is harder to affinity for the conductor’s gestures T answer than ‘why’, even and movements. Moving out of the though the ‘why’ needs more violinist’s seat, the podium felt like a consideration, as it deals with the natural environment, where I was delicate question of power. both active and passive, leader and The profession stems from listener. I’ve come the ‘long-way wanting to share the gift and joy of round’ - but perhaps my broad music - and to create art - with other background gave me a way to people. Conductors begin as skilled incorporate all the aspects of life that musicians of some kind on some interest me into a form of expression instrument. Pianists usually have that I loved. experience in accompanying; Musical intuition and a trained orchestral players have worked with ear are perhaps the most others from an early age, from summer courses to school orchestras and ensembles. This was certainly the case for me. Trained as a violinist from the age of four, I was fortunate to play in just about any musical setting possible - solo, chamber and orchestral - when I was growing up and at university. Going to Oundle rather than a specialised music school wasn’t a traditional career path. I wanted the sort of well-rounded education which Oundle offered. I was able to continue to study music and while it was mainly considered to be an 'extra-curricular' activity, I had the space to flourish. Then, instead of music conservatoire, I studied Human, Social and Political Science at Cambridge University. Only after that did I decide to pursue music as a career - at the Royal College of Music (RCM), followed by St Petersburg Conservatoire. Conducting, as a vocation, occurred to me during my time at the RCM partly through curiosity and partly through necessity. I’d always been interested in all instruments, not one; in the twenty lines of a full score, not just one of them. I was in love with orchestral colours and

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 Lockenhaus, Austria, fundamental aspect of the job - the managing a group of musicians, as August 2020. With Art House ability to listen, analyse and absorb well as being firm and demanding. Opera doing Mozart’s (socially the sound around you. Physical Mental exhaustion and physical distanced) Cosi fan Tutte motor skills, strength and flexibility injury are commonplace, and of are necessary in how clearly and course time management is efficiently you can express your ideas necessary, rehearsal time being through gesture and command in limited and intense. using your entire body to provide a As a young conductor, it is musical incentive. daunting to carry what can feel like But there is also a complex set of an insurmountable list of skills beyond this that are necessary expectations. But this is also the joy to succeed and survive. of the profession, and the reason why An understanding of poetry, it gives me and my colleagues so metre and dramatic narrative are much inspiration - because at its core, crucial in opera and concert. History it’s a constant and never-ending path provides a context for musical of discovery. Leadership is essential, works, in terms of political setting but the tropes of ego and power are and the cultural and artistic less important than the ability to background of any period. create joy and musical memories. Understanding German, Italian, This is a strange time to be French and Russian is essential for discussing conducting, as Covid-19 opera - as is an appreciation of has created chaos within the linguistics and phonetics. classical music industry, Philosophy is integral to any jeopardising the livelihood and understanding of culture, while career prospects of hundreds of UK mathematics allows an analysis of musicians. But without orchestras, the logic at the base of any musical opera houses and live music, the work. Understanding physical world would be diminished, losing Without orchestras, acoustics is necessary in order to be not only an irreplaceable form of opera houses and able to adjust the balance of art, intellect and expression, but instruments in a concert hall. also its only universal language. live music, the Leadership and psychology are And this is the language that, as a world would be also crucial. There is an equilibrium conductor, I am privileged to speak diminished. between being sensitive when on a daily basis. ■

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New Fruits and Old Roots

he San Francisco International Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate for An Old Oundelian Wine Competition is one of the the 2013 and 2014 Somerston Estate family looking for T largest and most influential label vintages. Top Marks (in your contests of its kind. In November 2019, Allan and his daughter, Kristina over 3,150 wines from around the Chapman ( W 08 ) are looking wine cellar) globe were blind-tasted by arguably to challenge the French cultural the most prestigious sommeliers imperialism in the European market and wine experts ever assembled for with Priest Ranch Wines UK, launching this type of competition. Forty-nine their first sales through the newly judges spent three days searching for established OO online network. OOs the top wines in each category. While will have the unique opportunity to the French label ‘Collet’ classically place orders for the first UK shipment took the top spot in the Champagne of the Californian wines, arriving in category, a new champion was September 2020 with specific Oundle crowned “Best in Class” for Cabernet discounts for leavers and families Sauvignon. as well as free membership to the The winner, a 2016 vintage aptly California Connoisseur Wine Club, named “Snake Oil”, was grown, offering access to limited edition library harvested, crafted, barrelled and wines and single-block vintages. bottled at the Somerston Estate, a boutique, family-owned vineyard in The History of Napa Valley, California. The Somerston Estate flagship Oundle and Somerston label, Priest Ranch Wines, was The Chapmans are a third generation founded in 2007 by Allan Chapman Oundle family, beginning with Ralph ( St. A 69 ) and local winemaker Chapman ( S 28 ). Ralph was a keen Craig Becker. Their goal is to create member of the Oundle cricket and one of the top estates for Cabernet shooting teams and was best known Sauvignon in the world by combining for his avid interests in racing cars, agricultural excellence with high home-made radios, and stunt planes. quality craftsmanship to reflect the After leaving Oundle, Ralph diversity and distinctive character joined the family business, Somerston of the land itself. The fruits of their Shipping Company. The company labour have so far been received with originally operated clipper ships out  From top to bottom: high praise from US collectors and of Newcastle-upon-Tyne but later Three generations of OO winemakers: critics, including several 95+ scores modernised to steam ships by the Ralph Chapman ( S 28 ) from Decanter magazine for the 2018 late 1920s. During the and 40s, Allan Chapman ( St A 69 ) Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and Ralph was contracted by the British Kristina Chapman ( W 08 )

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athletics teams. He moved to the US in 1977, several years after his degree at Cambridge University, and pioneered several successful residential and commercial real estate developments in Northern California. In 2004, he founded the Somerston Estate and later established the Somerston Wine Company and Priest Ranch Winery. Allan’s favourite is the Priest Ranch flagship red blend 2014 ‘Coachgun’. Like him, the wine can often be found with a lightly seared ribeye steak and Dijon mushroom sauce. Kristina Chapman lives and works in the Kentish countryside as an emergency equine veterinarian and serves as Director for Priest Ranch Wines UK. Despite growing up in California, Kristina was so excited by the prospect of attending Oundle that she sent an enquiry to the school about attending sixth form without the knowledge of her parents. She was one of the first to captain the Oundle women’s 1st XV rugby team and helped introduce the annual charity rugby match (now known as the Thommy Purbrook Charity Rugby Match). Kristina is a traditionalist and loyally recommends the 2018 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, but the rest of the family know she secretly prefers a glass of Priest Ranch Sparkling Brut Rosé on a ‘warm’ British summer day. John ( Sc 11 ) and Stephen ( F 14 ) Chapman both returned to the US after Oundle. John studied Ministry of War Transport to manage engineering at Purdue University a subset of their cargo fleet, carrying and works as a civil engineer near vital supplies for the war effort San Francisco. Stephen graduated and doing his best to avoid deadly from the University of Notre Dame German U-boats. and lives in Chicago, Illinois, where Ralph enjoyed a good bottle of he works in property valuation French Savagnin blanc, but the family finance. will forgive him and believes if he John heartily recommends the were here today, true to his daring upcoming 2018 vintage of Priest nature, he would be partial to the Ranch ‘Snake Oil’, while his brother Somerston XCVI Celestial block Stephen, a true classicist at heart, is library vintage. partial to a glass of 2010 Priest Ranch The family diversified out of Port particularly when combined shipping into real estate investment by with a large selection of cheeses. 1975 under Allan’s guidance. Like his The family hopes to bring the father, Allan was an avid sportsman best that Napa Valley has to offer during his time at Oundle, playing to your doorstep. Please visit us at rugby, squash and fives as well as www.priestranchwines.co.uk or participating in the shooting and on the OO network for more details. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 51 FEATURE Co-education Oundle has had to postpone its celebration of co-education. We look forward to a lengthier feature in next year's edition Oundle prides itself on being a forward-looking, open minded School, hese were some of the a School which takes words written by David note of the nature of life T McMurray and read by all outside its walls and not members of the teaching staff on only responds to it but Friday, 13 May 1988 in a paper that announced Oundle’s future lay in anticipates its further full co-education. The Governors had development so that the decided to build two new boarding School provides for its houses to accommodate girls from the pupils sound and good age of thirteen. They were to open in preparation for later life. September 1990. Some of the staff had already David McMurray, taught girls, as Laxton School had Headmaster, 1988 girls in the Sixth Form in 1986 and was to welcome the first entry of girls aged eleven and twelve in 1989.

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 Oundle's first female rowing squad David McMurray went on to say that girl relationships, and a long time there would be many advantages, was spent on working out the social one of the most important being protocols. Some hilarious rules were the undoubted raising of academic discussed - for example, that study standards. He accepted that there doors must be left open at all times, or would be challenges; however he the famous (but never promulgated) - saw Oundle as the pioneer of a first- four feet on the floor at all times rule! class, fully co-educational academic One other crucial problem that the boarding school. Co-Education committee discovered Alan Rayden, Second Master at the was the severe lack of WCs around time, has some memories about this the School for the current pupils major change. He is keen to point out not to mention the future intake. that these are personal reminiscences: Apparently, there were some complex ‘After the announcement, it was negotiations, but eventually things then that the serious work began were improved for everyone. Co-education is with a series of committees set up I must pay tribute to Norman therefore a wise move with many different staff involved. and Elizabeth Brittain (Housemaster and absolutely in I chaired a Co-education committee and Matron of Kirkeby) and keeping with Oundle’s and was joined by eight other staff. Denise Davidson (Housemistress of Wyatt) and her husband Neil. reputation - earned in It was a fascinating time. There were visits to other schools, visiting They were wise, imaginative and Sanderson’s day and speakers, staff training days and a inspirational ‘house parents’ who jealously maintained recruitment drive. All were critical to generated disciplined, stylish but - for providing an the success of the project. very different communities. Viv education which is fully The choice of the girls’ uniform Moore was appointed to be in-charge relevant to the world was inspirational; it really did point of girls’ games and this was critical to the success of the whole project. outside its walls. to the future. The fact that it has changed little seems to confirm this. She brought enthusiasm, skill and David McMurray, There was of course concern about dedication to produce a vibrant girls’ Headmaster, 1988 the potential problems with boy/ games programme suitable for all. ‘

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form a small minority within the  Boys from Dryden House in a CO-ED 30TH school. We took great care, therefore, good-natured protest against a takeover to do our best to ensure that our by women Norman Brittain, Kirkeby Hsm, chosen pupils were not only up to the remembers that it all began in the best academic mark but also that they had possible way. At that time when many the confidence and the spirit to thrive. similar schools were forced to turn to We interviewed every applicant co-education as a means of filling their carefully. books, Oundle was in a position to Girls soon began to get fully make a choice based wholly on what involved with and to make a big was believed to be best for the future impact on School activities, not only of the school. in the Stahl and music and sports but This enabled us to spend more than also in CCF (thirty of them signed up two years planning for the move… from the start for the one-term express and didn’t we just! In addition to squad introduction) and in what was Open Days and Training Days, six then still ‘Workshops’. committees were set up, each with When it came to gauging how the a clear brief to provide practical boys would react, we were not wrong advice to be translated into action, to remind ourselves that Oundle covering everything from Curriculum is a school which, far from being to Buildings to Uniform. Then, there hidebound by rigid tradition, still were our visits to learn from schools thrives on Sanderson’s belief in open- that had already made the move: from mindedness. Of course, there were Strathallan to Bryanston, from Clifton bound to be some who reacted with to Gresham’s we quartered the country! suspicion and unease - but the vast Some might say that one of the most majority were friendly, welcoming important outcomes of these visits was and natural in their response. We the choice of girls’ uniform: that is, that found ourselves reflecting upon how, it should be something with a bit more in our concern to get everything style than the standard-issue blazer spot-on at the planning stage, we had and pleated kilt. Well, culottes were in underestimated the cheerful common fashion and culottes it was, therefore. sense of most boys and girls and their In their original form, they were cut to natural tendency to want to mix in an mid-calf but as time went by the pupils easy and companionable fashion. As themselves drove the fashion that one young one put it in response to an brought them down to their present enquiry about how she was getting on striking length. with the boys, “Oh fine, sir, but I’m not We were most conscious that, even interested in them, you know, as boys”. after co-education had been up and What a pleasure it was to have been running for some years, girls would involved with it all. ■

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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 55 FEATURE Let's Get Quizzical

’m sure that many of you will in the afternoon and I gathered in OO Club Secretary Jane have sat in front of the TV the waiting room with eleven other Fenton, seen below in I screen shouting the answers participants, three of whom were the famous black chair, at the contestants taking part in my opponents and the rest of whom various quiz programmes and said were in different episodes. The three writes about OO to yourself ‘I could do better than others on my ‘team’; Jethro, John and experiences in Quiz that – I ought to apply‘. I was one Shelley, were delightful – all were of those people too. I had watched younger than me but we got on very Shows Mastermind since its inception in the well and we had a good chat and a early 1970s when it was originally laugh between ourselves before going hosted by Magnus Magnusson down to the studio. and again in the 2000s when John Once in the studio it was down to Humphreys took over. business; the audience was already In 2018 I finally decided that the seated and John Humphreys came time had come to put my money in shortly after us. He chatted with where my mouth was and I applied audience members and was very to take part. After a general interview kind and encouraging. I was first up and a couple of general knowledge but by this time I wasn’t particularly rounds on the telephone I was nervous. After the first couple of chosen as a standby contestant. I questions I relaxed and was pleased went up to Media City in Salford that it was going well. I got a couple for a day to sit in the green room of questions wrong – one of which and graze on the refreshments I was cross about because I knew waiting to hear if I would be needed the answer but my mouth and my for any of the five programmes brain had a disconnect. After the that were being recorded that day. specialist round I was lying second When all the contestants turned I with 10 points and that was how wasn’t sure whether to be relieved the order remained. I didn’t do as or disappointed but I did get to sit well as I had hoped in the general in the audience to watch the last knowledge round. I found that if the programme being recorded and answer didn’t come into my head this prompted me to reapply the straight away there was no time to following year. cast around for the correct one. Jethro This time I got through as a fully- came first by one point: he scored 19 fledged contestant and settled down and I scored 18, and he went on to the to research my chosen specialist semi-final and ultimately, the final. subject, the composer Johannes There were a few re-takes for Brahms. The company that produced continuity issues and then we were Mastermind had changed between free to go. The relief that it was all 2018 and 2019 and recordings were over was palpable. We wished good now taking place in , so in July luck to the next group going in after 2019 I was flown over and put up us and then we went back to the hotel in a nice hotel just round the corner and had what we felt was a well- from the studio. The hotel was full deserved drink! of Mastermind contestants quite a I’m glad that I’ve done it – I don’t number of whom were obviously have to wonder any more how I on the television quiz circuit and would get on. Having said that, I’m had taken part in other programmes not going to make a career of it. Once such as Only Connect, University was enough! Challenge, Fifteen to One and others. Besides Mastermind, there are It was quite intimidating. plenty of other quizzes to test My programme was recorded one’s mettle and an appeal for Old

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Oundelians who had taken part not as loud as I had expected from in similar programmes threw up a watching TV, so it wasn’t as daunting variety of shows and experiences. as I’d feared. We were introduced to One was The Chase which James Bradley, who was professional but Let's Get Quizzical Bolland ( S 13 ) took part in last year. not quite as warm as I’d expected - I James writes: ‘ I’ve always been a guess a consequence of having to film fan of quiz shows, and one day when three episodes a day. watching The Chase my flatmate said My performance in the actual I should give it a shot and see if I show was good and I couldn’t have got on - what’s the worst that could hoped for too much better. I got six happen? So I applied. I was invited right in the cashbuilder - the last to the audition, with six others in my question I really should’ve got but slot, in a hotel in Birmingham. The was conscious I was running out of audition involved essentially a ‘mini’ time. The Chaser I faced was Jenny Chase, where we played each round, the Vixen, who was funny and not more to test how we engaged rather too intimidating compared to some than our knowledge I’m sure. Their of the others. I went for the middle main test, I think, was where we option and was breezing through, each gave a two minute introduction getting four in a row correct. In my of ourselves while being filmed, head I was already assuming I would including our interests/hobbies and make it to the Final Chase - three what we’d do with the money if we chances to get through. But sadly I won. Tip: having a diverse set of was by all three questions. interests helps! In the end, I made it My biggest regret in life is now never through with one other person. having learned French in School, On the day, there were about otherwise I would’ve known that two hours of preparation - going cheveux means hair! All in all a through the show format step by tremendous experience, though, and step. including how best to interact a lot of fun’. with Bradley and to talk through our Adrian Colledge (Lx 72) has done thought process for each answer; a tour of television quiz shows as a then picking out what we were going contestant, including Today’s the Day to wear (we were asked to bring with Martyn Lewis in 1996. Adrian 5 different options!); then going reports that his father, who was his through to make-up; all while being co-contestant, whispered to him as shepherded around carefully so they went into the studio, “You do that we wouldn’t bump into any of know you’re on your own here, don’t the Chasers. So in those two hours, you?” Colledge Senior never said there were various moments of calm, a word during the programme and, excitement, as well as nervousness despite Adrian’s best efforts, they and sweaty palms! When we were lost. brought into the studio I was feeling Adrian was also a contender on  Adrian Colledge ( Lx 72 ), left, with his pretty relaxed actually. It was bigger Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 2003. father and host Martyn Lewis on Today's and airier than I’d thought, the Unfortunately he didn’t get past the the Day lights weren’t as bright and music Fastest Finger First stage. Apparently the secret to getting through that stage is to decide which order you are going to press the ABCD buttons beforehand and then if you pick the right order you will get through. In the same year, Adrian took part in the first series ofEggheads ’ and his team was playing for £13,000 against an unbeaten Eggheads team. He played CJ in his head-to-head and won on a tie-break. Three of them got through to the final and it went to the third tie-break, when they had a sport question, which is the subject they

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I had nothing would have chosen if they could. asking for signed photographs. He exciting to wow the Chris says, ‘Unfortunately, it was on was also invited to lunch by his bank audience with, so I boxing: who knocked out Lennox manager! falsely claimed to be Lewis in a 2001 upset? We couldn’t Finally, I heard from Hugo a collector of WWII think of Hasim Rahman and we lost Butterworth ( D 91 ) who took part, respirators. (never forgotten that name since!). All while at School, in a series entitled the Eggheads were really nice, as was Paperchase. [the host] Dermot Murnaghan’. Paperchase tested sixth-formers I’m sure you won’t be surprised to from the East of England on their learn that Adrian has been running local, as well as general, knowledge. pub quizzes as a hobby for the past Oundle School was invited to send 30 years and continues to do so. a team to the Anglia TV Studios in Sam Herring ( L 17 ) appeared to participate. on Blockbusters in January 2019. The Hugo writes: ‘There was a highly show was very popular in the 1980s competitive selection process and 90s and was revived by the TV organised by the Geography channel Comedy Central, with Dara Department which involved at least O’Briain as host. Against his better four pupils. We were asked a series judgement, Sam decided to give it of geographical-based questions and a go. Despite a promising start, he the field was whittled down to three lost on the tiebreak question about a participants; me, Richard Kunzer Drake album and missed his chance ( G 90 ) and Rosie Sisson ( K 91 ) who to play the “Gold Run”. He says it was the sub. was a fun day out, but he somehow We all set off to Norwich (the doubts the St Andrews’ University Geography teachers had abandoned Challenge team will be calling him up us at this stage) with a small group of anytime soon. supporters. Some people would argue that We were asked what our hobbies The Krypton Factor was the ultimate were. I recall that Richard was show for participants from the restoring a Land Rover to take him general public. This show ran from on a race through the Sahara (or 1977 to 1995 and involved tough something similar). I had nothing physical and mental challenges as exciting like that to wow the audience well as a general knowledge round. with so I falsely claimed to be a Chris Topham ( G 74 ) took part in collector of World War II respirators. 1983 when he was an RAF Flying There were frequent cheesy Instructor – his colleagues sent an references to this hobby throughout application in for him! Chris was the show when things got tense. sent a long questionnaire to complete The quiz involved teams from - he says his mum did half of it – and schools across the Anglia region and he was invited for an interview in the idea was you started from your Leeds, after which he was accepted as home town (Oundle) and had to a contestant. reach your opponents’ home town On the day itself he was up against by answering questions on the places others who were all very fit and that you passed through. If you training for marathons. He got off to knew the answer to a question then a bad start in the first round but made you pressed your buzzer which was up ground after that. Despite this he on the end of a pogo stick. All very didn’t win his heat but he eventually Alan Partridge. made it through to the semi-final by We started off well but eventually becoming the highest scoring runner- lost to a school from Harlow who up. He then won the semi-final, knew far more about East Anglia than making it through to the series final. either Richard or me’. Chris came into his own during There are probably many other the Grand Final and won by one OOs who have taken part in TV point becoming the 1983 series shows but my thanks go to those champion. He says that after he won, who volunteered their experiences. If his popularity rose and he received we’ve inspired you to give it a go let a mountain of fan mail with people me know – it really is a lot of fun! ■

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Paddy Hemingway, left, Squadron Leader Peter Townsend is kneeling, front, with mascot Kim Paddy Hemingway

Brian Hemingway, recently asked my father why visited, he had an immediate and ( St A 70 ) writes about he chose Oundle to educate my strong empathy with it. He looked no I brother and myself. further. his father, Paddy - the He said he was looking for a My father was born in Dublin, last surviving Battle of modern school that had a similar Ireland on 17 July 1919. He had a ethos to the RAF which valued the good education and was a keen Britain pilot individual within a common culture sportsman. He was granted an RAF that equipped students for a post war short service commission on 7 March society. Above all, it was egalitarian, 1939 and posted to 85 Squadron in proud of its history but not bound Debden flying Hurricanes. He stayed by it. Like the RAF, it attracted a with the 85 throughout the Battle of large and diverse group of people France and the Battle of Britain. from across the UK and abroad. As war broke out, the squadron And, of course, given that I was of was sent (with 87 Squadron) to average intelligence, it would give Rouen, France as part of No 60 me a solid start to life. He liked the Fighter Wing, providing air support idea of a school integrated within to the BEF. During the war, my father a small market town in a stunning destroyed or severely damaged seven environment and with a reputation enemy aircraft, the first a He111 at the for sports, particularly rugby and start of the Battle of France on 10 May squash. He says he knew it was 1940. On 11 May he was shot down by a great school, but when he first flak and crash landed near Maastricht;

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it took him three days to return to the drowning before being rescued. A squadron, eating refugee stews along lucky escape. Just eight days later, on the way and walking on a wounded 26 August, twelve Hurricanes from 85 leg. Over the next two days, his Squadron engaged 250 Dorniers head logbook says he flew four sorties each on. Again he was shot down in his day but he cannot remember them. Hurricane P3966, crashing in Pitsea On 17 May, Dickie Lee, Sammy Allard Marshes and parachuting to safety and he were sent to London to rest. unhurt. Two days later he was back 85 Squadron was the hardest on operational duties. hit squadron in France, losing 25 By early September, 85 Squadron Hurricanes. Seven pilots were killed, was devastated again: just seven pilots five wounded and one taken prisoner out of eighteen remained. He recalls in ten days. During June and July suffering from extreme exhaustion. 1940, 85 Squadron was re-formed The seven were withdrawn and and brought back to full operational became a “C” squadron training strength under Squadron Leader inexperienced pilots. In November Peter Townsend, based at Debden. 1940, 85 Squadron became night On 18 August, known as the fighters, pioneering tactics and Hardest Day, Paddy Townsend’s combat. Paddy mainly flew Havocs Hurricane V7249 was shot down with some success, shooting down over the channel twelve miles east several He111s. On 11 April 1941 he  Paddy, second left, with fellow 85 of Clacton. He narrowly avoided was mentioned in Despatches and squadron members

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 Paddy Hemingway, aged 100, with a awarded the DFC on 1 July 1941. German lines to safety. war-time photograph of himself From 1942 he spent time as CO Paddy Hemingway stayed in the of an Offensive radar station as a RAF after the war and retired in 1969 Squadron Leader. He got his wish in as a Group Captain. He currently lives 1945 to return to operational duties, in Wicklow and is very mindful that taking command of 43 Squadron flying he was just one of those 3000 pilots Spitfires in Italy, 'helping the Germans and 300,000 RAF personnel who won with their retreat.' the Battle of Britain and brought him On 23 April 1945, while strafing, he through safely. was hit by ground fire over Ravenna He feels privileged to have met all and bailed out. The brave Italian those amazing young men and pilots, partisans hid him and disguised him so many of whom perished in the in peasant clothing and, holding hands war. As he says, he is indeed a lucky with a little girl, he was guided past Irishman. ■

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Multisports Weekend 2020

ith the Multisports trophy squash) . However, the OOs hit back, Arthur Marment languishing in the Head’s snaffling fives ( always a pedigree ( D 77 ) , Multisports W study and the 'scythe of scrap ), the rowing ergo ( go Kristina! co-ordinator, leaves no Covid' hanging over the build-up, it ) and clay shooting (nailing 123/200 was vital that the trophy be wrestled of the blighters - that’s clays not sports cliché unturned. from the pupils and returned to The pupils). Cross country was off-site but Stables where it rightly belongs. In some heroic OOs threw themselves sports journalism terms 'it could into the fray and we agreed a draw. have gone either way' right up to the Meanwhile, on the 2-Acre, the moment the OOs 'ran away with it' silky skills of the OO Vets put 7.5 to 3.5! It's nigh on impossible to Peterborough Vets to the sword 45-17 single out any spectacular individual performances ( apart from my own, of course ) but let’s just say it was a weekend of two halves and we won both of them. School got off to a flyer, bagging rifle shooting ( pupils not in the least fazed by experienced OOs and their arsenal of state-of-the-art weaponry ), water polo ( not for the faint hearted ) and squash 2-4 (plucky OOs crushed by the weight of the unforgiving machine which is Oundle School

62 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 SPORT

despite not having Guy Simmonds' Alastair Irvine (clay and target bro reffing! Ok, so this doesn’t count shooting). If I’ve missed out anyone in the overall score but to purists in this roll of honour, I will buy the skill level brought to mind the them a pint next year! Also, sincere Welsh Wizards of the 70s. If Warren kudos to the two oldest OO players: Gatland’s got any Lion-sized holes David McFetrich (B 56) who romped to fill next year he’d do well to away with his match in the squash ignore age and focus on the sort and looked younger than me, and of athleticism and skill which our Bev Boag (St A 60) in the Fives who lads had in spades. Additional full skipped around the court like a young marks to the Team for focusing on the gazelle. The OO Club presented a importance of rehydration chez The bottle of quality Port to both of them Ship where everyone ( bar me and for their application and inspiration. my son ) enjoyed watching England v Massive thanks to Jane Fenton Wales in the Six Nations Rugby (alas ( OO Sec ) and Al Gordon ( OO sports I can’t recall how that match panned Czar ) for support; el presidente out.) Charles Miller for being there Sunday dawned clear but breezy throughout; the OO sports secretaries; and a tide of slightly hungover and the long-suffering OO partners, maroon and dark blue swept the parents and friends who turned up plucky pupils away as we recorded to cheer. Why pay for Sky? Ditto the wins in netball ( 30-19 - a much OO Club for divvying up for the grub tougher sport than blokes imagine); & grog at The Ship ( plus shout out men’s hockey ( 2-1 with a sort of to Robert and his team for hosting Euro-hit-'em-on-the-break approach us ). Not to mention all the School ) and football (5-2 ). May have sports staff, particularly Alistair muddled men’s hockey and football Sherwin and Nick Beasant, plus the scores but let’s not get fussy! Finally, Oundle rugby coach who reffed the stand-in skip the evergreen Sophie Vets game ( sorry - forgotten his Walker (L 10) led the charge as a name - hey I’m over 60 for heaven’s massive contingent of OO racketeers sake ). Well done the pupils for overwhelmed the pupils 12-4 to managing to be both charming and record the biggest winning margin competitive and Sarah Kerr Dineen in years. Next door, on the hallowed for accepting the result with both 2- ( soon to be one- ) Acre, yet another grace and stoicism and for making festival of honed athleticism was in us all feel so welcome. Hopefully the evidence as the U-21 OOs played the school can take away the positives O-21 OOs in a high-quality, fast- etc etc from their defeat. The newly moving match. I can’t remember the re-named Mike Spragg Cup was due score but Sport was definitely the to be presented at the sports lunch winner. to a fanfare of praise followed by me  Back - Maria Yukhnovich ( K 13 ) Big Up to those who 'double- making a tedious and lengthy speech flanked by Marments senior and junior sported', including George Marment whilst fighting back Oscar-worthy Front - youthful School squash winners (B 12) (tennis and squash - wonder tears ( maybe the only benefit of the where he got his brilliance from?); virus cancellations ). Final thanks to Bella Ellis (tennis and netball - the 'Happy Few' ( Field House folk definitely got her skills from mum); - it’s from Shakespeare ) who flung Chris Piper (rugby and tennis) and themselves into the fray with a vigour which belied their years! Let’s do it all again next year on 6 and 7 March 2021. We have no age limits. We welcome men and women alike and we require only a vague understanding of the game in order to take part. Come as a group or come on your own - cliques not allowed, not even if they went to School House. ■ Floreat Oundelia Arthur

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 63 SPORT Tennis Weekend

Sophie Walker ( L 10 ) is unapologetic about the brutality of OO tennis

’m delighted to report a resounding OO tennis victory I against the school on Sunday. A whopping 12-4 to the oldies! Despite the score margin, the matches were of a very high quality (yes – even some of Arthur’s!) with some lovely tennis being played and us clinching many of the matches on a tiebreak. This was a particularly impressive feat given that we were playing in even stronger gale force winds than usual. We had some excellent performances from our newcomers: Tom, Michael, Georges Hughes and Marment with an MVP award to Michael for winning 4/4 rubbers. We  OO tennis group including Jacky Yu, George Hughes, George Marment, Chris Piper, very much hope that you won’t be put Tom Lloyd, Sophie Walker, Arthur Marment, Bella Ellis, Michael Doherty, Gordon Lin, off by the horrendous conditions (I Tim Judge and School players. wish I could say that it isn’t always like that but 2 Acre does seem to sit in its own wind tunnel…) and will come back next year. stole the crown this year for the with which that drop shot serve came Some equally stellar performances slowest ace – a prize which normally about. He’d also have been very proud came from OO regulars Bella, Chris, goes to Arthur. I think Kyrgios himself of the brutalising forehand which Bella Arthur, Jacky, Gordon and Tim. Bella would have been proud of the stealth hit straight into her opponent’s leg. No mercy from the OOs. It’s well known that an army marches on its stomach so big thanks to Arthur for the delicious brekky of sausage sarnies and millionaire shortbreads washed down with much coffee, and to our (p)resident chef, Charles! Finally a big thank you to all who played and those who came along to support and of course to el capitano, Lance, for organising (you were much missed). Those who were unable able to attend, hopefully we can prevail upon Lance to organise another bash at Lincoln’s Inn Fields over the summer. ■

 JF Alcock and tennis group outside the Berrystead. A more tranquil time.

64 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 Longest Day Golf Challenge

Four recent OOs on the Fairway to Heaven

n Thursday 10 September, at Oundle golf course, George O Fordy ( B 18 ), William Richardson ( S 18 ), Oliver Preece ( B 18 ) and Peter Langsdale ( L 18 ) took part in the Longest Day Golf Challenge. Wearing shirts in Macmillan green, supplied by @thefreshstuff, and lively scrubs trousers, they took on the challenge to raise funds and awareness for Macmillan Cancer Support. Their original aim was to complete four rounds of golf - a distance of about 40 km. But the team - Fairway to Heaven 7 - actually went on to complete ninety holes in just under fourteen hours, raising over £2,600.

 Will Richardson, George Fordy, Oli Preece, Peter Langsdale COLUMN The Head Sarah Kerr-Dineen considers lockdown challenges and disappointments and looks forward with optimism.

ear OOs, Further to my learning happening across the world message to you in May, and a sense of Oundle stronger than DI hope that you are and ever. The Fifth Form in particular remain well and that your life have soared ahead into their A level is emerging happily from the studies – and beyond – in a way restrictions of the last months. that would not have been possible Oundle School remained fully had the GCSE exams gone ahead as online during the lockdown period, usual. We have held a virtual Speech with the most wonderfully exciting Day and planned our start to the

66 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 COLUMN

Pressure Michaelmas Term. and prejudices that inform our view experienced as I believe that we will look back of the world. This may in the end challenge often on 2020 as a year when something be the most enduring legacy of the brings out the best important changed. pandemic: I hope so. Life is precious; The past months have reminded every life is precious. in people us of our need for human contact. Meanwhile the newest recruits There is a reason why we are not to the great OO community – this hermits. In April, we translated year’s Upper Sixth – have been Oundle into Oundle Online, as fully denied all the leaving rites of passage as we possibly could, but Oundle is to which they will have been looking more than anything about people: forward, in some cases since they about conversations in passing, about joined the School, and with these unspoken communication, about the sense of an ending. You will Pressure braving the elements or breathing remember your own leaving rituals, experienced in the sunshine as you move about whatever they looked like at the point when you left Oundle, and as anxiety can the School and town with your friends, about enjoying each other’s what they meant to you. This year’s often bring out company. leavers go onto the next stage of the worst.... The period of lockdown has their lives having already shown the also exposed the ways in which resilience to succeed when things humans react to pressure. Pressure don’t go to plan and the optimism experienced as challenge often brings to look for the good in a challenging out the best in people. Across the situation. It has been hard on them, pupil and staff body, different people nonetheless. have had different experiences of Our pupils returned in September. lockdown, and the resilience of many Who knows what the longer term has been simply extraordinary. In effects of a period of virtual school all sorts of important ways, Oundle might be for them, and indeed for School as a whole has flourished their generation? I remain optimistic and the qualities of resourcefulness, in that they will have learned things optimism and kindness we associate they would not otherwise have with Oundelians have shone learned, but there is work to be done through. over a sustained period of time if Pressure experienced as anxiety they are to be able to move ahead and unaccustomed powerlessness, confidently. however, can often bring out the In the midst of so much that has worst in people. We know that. But been difficult, the finished Sports when it is an entire community – an Centre is a delight to behold: it is entire country – affected, the fragility magnificent and such a positive of human behaviour under strain is statement with which to reopen the writ large. Remote communication School. We hope that we will be able is by its nature unsatisfactory: the to incorporate its formal opening intention of the message sent is not within the postponed celebrations always the inference drawn from the scheduled to mark 30 years of message received; venting spleen and coeducation at Oundle. frustration into the apparent void Once travel and gatherings are results in things being written that again allowed, I hope to see as would never be said face-to-face. many of you as possible before The global nature of the too long. I value your company experience has shone a spotlight and your interest in the School of on world-wide issues of injustice, today enormously, as you know. discrimination and social division. I look forward both in hope and With the heightened emotional expectation to future dinners, and to charge of life in lockdown, and the many other opportunities across without the distractions of normal the year to see you in person. life to cocoon us in intellectual and moral autopilot, we have all been For now, this comes with my forced to look deep within ourselves, warmest best wishes, to acknowledge the assumptions Sarah ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 67 COLUMN The Director Matthew Dear reflects on engaging with the Oundle Society

his year was always going It is encouraging that as we to be a kairos moment in the contemplate and plan for this new T School’s development. The reality, we look back on a year which final piece of the 2020 development has seen the generosity of the Oundle plan, the Sports Centre, was to be community play a fundamental part completed, and we were to turn our in enabling us to achieve that mission. attention to what would come next. Some £2.4m in voluntary funding was Running the risk of sounding like a received by the Foundation during politician caught on the hop, nothing the year - the second highest total has changed. The Sports Centre is ever. This included a large donation very nearly finished as I sit down to to fund a five-year Bursary for a child write, thanks to our contractors and from a particularly disadvantaged the School’s own project manager, background, who will have full access Amy Scott, having done a quite not only to an Oundle education tremendous job of adapting to the and the uniform, equipment and challenges posed by the pandemic. trips which form a part of it, but, When it fully opens, it will be the carefully and under the tutelage of boon for Oundle’s young sportsmen both senior staff and the donor, to social media, as we’ve shared stories, and women that we always hoped it other opportunities which reduce anecdotes, and material from our would be, and the sense of excitement the risk of their feeling marginalised, Archive - filling in some gaps and in the town is palpable too. such as the ability to visit peers in clarifying some old folklore as we’ve We will, however, be facing a new their homes during exeats, or join done so! It’s also been lovely that reality. Thanks to incredible work by them on holiday. Schemes such as some musical activities at the School the Governors, the Leadership Team, this can only be sustained through were able to continue remotely, and and the Bursary in particular, we voluntary funding, and we are at once that we were able to stream them live will face that reality with confidence both proud and humbled to be in a around the world for the first time. despite the enormous upheavals position to offer such bursaries. I was particularly touched that of recent months. No-one can yet It has been a particular shame not an email to donors early in the assess fully the medium- and long- to have been able to see so many of lockdown period prompted a flurry term impact of the pandemic on you at events for the major part of this of friendly telephone calls, enquiring the economy, nor on society in its year. In May, we were to have hosted how we all were, and it was lovely widest sense. Two things, however, a reunion for School House boys to know that those who called were are incontrovertible. Firstly, that our from the late 1950s and early 1960s, well and coping, too. As pivotal as constitutionally-mandated mission to which all concerned were thoroughly it is, fundraising is just one part of provide an education of the highest looking forward to. And, as much our efforts to build community and quality remains as relevant as ever; as all of our social calendars have connect people with one another: and secondly that our pursuit of that been thoroughly disrupted, it felt with the School at our heart and an mission will focus squarely on how particularly disconcerting not to be eye on doing our best for the next we relate to the world around us, and standing in a field in Henley in early generation. I hope that you will ensure that promising children from July. continue to engage with us online, all backgrounds are able to access We have, however, increased and also that in the coming year it what we have to offer. Whilst many our online offering in ways which will be possible to see you at events people will sadly struggle with the will surely continue, even when we once again. Whether it’s enjoying world as it now is, the opportunity begin to gather face-to-face once each other’s company, mentoring and to redouble our efforts to be relevant again. It’s been wonderful to see so advising one another, supporting each and accessible presents itself many familiar faces joining www. other’s businesses, or funding futures compellingly. It follows that, as never oonetwork.org.uk and making use of at Oundle School, we are enormously before, our charitable mission - and the opportunities that it presents. grateful for your continued our fundraising for it - will be at the We’ve also thoroughly enjoyed our engagement with Oundle and look forefront of everybody’s minds. interactions with many of you on forward to the year ahead. ■

68 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 STAFF DEPARTURES Staff Farewell JOHN ARKELL

John was organ scholar of St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Warwick and the University of Warwick where he read for a joint degree in Music and English. He taught in several schools before being appointed Head of Academic Music at Oundle in September 1997. In early 1999 John was appointed School Organist and began his long and devoted service to the life of the Chapel. He holds Fellowship diplomas in organ performance from the Royal College of Organists, Trinity College London and the London College of Music. In 2000, John was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and in 2009 he received a Fellowship of the Guild of Musicians and Singers for his work in choral music. On sabbatical in 2006, he was appointed Fellow Commoner at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Laxton as Head of Middle Years (or the organ of St Paul’s cathedral for the He has written a number of books, ‘Middle Earth’ as he called it). 2006 service for the 450th Anniversary including the latest textbook for When pupils or staff roll up for of the School. He was always modest Music GCSE, arranged numerous Chapel they rarely know how much about his own recitals - but how works for pipe organ and published preparation goes on. John was one of many people could play programme notes for BBC Radio 3. the few who understood the demands Messiaen’s La Nativité? From 2003-2018 he was the Musical on a Chaplain. Like the Chaplain, he There are surprises, too. Who Director of the Oundle and District was there an hour before the service would have guessed his love of exotic Choral Society. and frequently an hour after. He fast cars? Or his guilty pleasure in In the classroom, John’s knowledge would often be found practising on the Coronation Street? I feel fortunate of the exam syllabus gave pupils a Chapel organs and delighted in having that twenty of my Oundle years have real understanding of how to answer the world famous Frobenius at his coincided with John’s twenty-two. I a question the way the examiner disposal. He was eager to introduce will always be grateful to have known wanted. He spent every holiday either the canon of good church music to all. him – a great listener, a great story- writing a new book or chairing He went with the Chapel Choir to teller, a friendly and easy-going meetings of examiners, and indeed various cathedrals to play for Choral personality who was great fun. this is how he met his wife Elizabeth. Evensong and helped on choir tours. John’s career was tragically cut Pupils enjoyed his no-nonsense He was generous with prospective OO short two years ago in August 2018 approach, his warmth, his razor-sharp brides and grooms wishing to get when he suffered a stroke. Thanks to wit and his wise tutelage. Well-read married in the Chapel, giving his time Elizabeth’s dedication, he has made a and with a particular passion for to talk through various musical miraculous recovery. We miss John’s Graham Greene, John shared his love options with them. He did not have an company; we miss him in the Music of the arts with a humility and agenda, nothing was off limits and he Department and we miss him in the restraint that belied his wisdom and was flexible and open to suggestions. Chapel. He is blessed to have a loving astuteness. Elizabeth and he asked Rev Brian and dedicated wife in Elizabeth, and On the pastoral side, John was Cunningham to conduct their two children - Old Oundelians Fleur Deputy Housemaster in Sanderson marriage in the School Chapel in ( L 14 ) and Miles ( L 17 ) - of whom from 1999-2003, helping David Turner August 2016 a beautiful occasion. he is very proud. We wish him a long when Sanderson became a girls’ As an organ teacher, he schooled and happy retirement. ■ House in 2000. He later tutored in those pupils lucky enough to play on Sarah Johnson

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 69 SCHOOL NEWS Laxton Junior School

019/2020 began with provide a strong sense of continuity were prioritised every step of the way. momentum and positivity, as for our children; this included lessons, As the year concludes, we say 2 LJS launched a number of new assemblies, afterschool clubs, House farewell to a number of our staff: Mrs projects. In particular, ‘responsive competitions, online galleries, video R Cornwell, Director of Music; Mrs teaching’ would empower teaching blogs from the Head Boy and Girl, L Taylor, Admissions and Business staff to understand with precision music tuition and live sessions. Manager; Mrs C Donaldson, Griffin each child’s learning journey Alongside this, staff from both Schools Club Leader; and Miss C Randeria, and respond to this through the provided care and learning to the Key Stage 1 Teaching Assistant. They adaptation of subsequent lessons. The children of key workers. will all be very much missed. We development of a woodland garden The year concluded with primary are, however, excited to welcome also began, as we looked to create an schools being asked to reopen and Miss J Freeman, Head of Educational engaging ‘forest school’ space with a the LJS staff, superbly supported Support; and Miss H Tatler, Year 1 strong community focus. The project by departments from across the Teacher. wouldcombine with an outdoor organisation, rose to the challenge, Whilst further challenges may learning programme that would bringing Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 await us in September, we look facilitate adventurous learning across back to School whilst simultaneously forward to bringing LJS back together and beyond the curriculum. delivering quality online provision to in its entirety. There are exciting In March, the landscape shifted Years 2 to 5. It was a magnificent effort plans for further development on significantly as all schools were asked by all involved and our sincere thanks the horizon and much for us to be to close. Thanks to the extraordinary go to all the staff who gave absolutely optimistic about in 2020/2021. ■ efforts of LJS staff, every aspect of LJS everything to ensure the children’s Mr Sam Robertson, life was transferred online in order to health, safety, wellbeing and learning Head of Laxton Junior School Outreach and Partnerships

eeking opportunities to College for the Lecture, Bear’ by Isabella Haidar ( L ) was the forge relationships and to this year given by Helen Sharman, eventual winner. S have an impact upon the Britain’s first astronaut. In March, Steve Adams, a highly experienced wider community is the focus of we were also pleased to hear from Head of Science, joined Oundle our Outreach and Partnerships the Department for Education that in September to lead our Science programme and our work through the OPEN Learning Partnership has outreach work and to add his the Oundle, Peterborough and secured funding of £20,000 to be used expertise to the Oundle Physics East Northants (OPEN) Learning in creating a STEM resource library department. Miss Dory Polos, our first Partnership remains fundamental to to share with local schools and to Imperial College London Outreach realising our vision. In September provide teacher training in Physics. Fellow, has also brought a strong 2019, Imperial College London Relationships between our local academic background to both her formally joined as the first university schools remain strong and Oundle teaching of Biology and Chemistry, partner and has added considerable has benefitted from facilities shared in addition to the Science clubs that resource. The College focuses upon by both Oundle CE Primary School she leads each week at TDA, KBA outreach to disadvantaged children and PWS. New this year was a and Oundle CE Primary School and the Oundle programme offers Creative Writing competition through as part of our agreement with the an ability to increase the College’s which over 1000 children in Year 5 College. Thanks to the contributions ‘reach’ in our locality, particularly and Third Form wrote entries. Year 5 of staff and pupils in English, in schools serving low-income work was judged by a panel of Sixth Mathematics, Science, DET, Careers, communities. Twenty Oundelians Form pupils from Oundle and PWS, Art, PE, Classics, Debating and others, joined pupils from Prince William whilst shortlisted pieces by the Third outreach programmes in the last year School (PWS), Thomas Deacon Form, written for a younger audience, provided opportunities for over 2500 Academy (TDA) and Kettering were read to Year 5 children who pupils from partner schools. ■ Buccleuch Academy (KBA) at the voted for their favourites. ‘Gummi Gordon Montgomery

70 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 SCHOOL NEWS Archive Report 2019-2020 Elspeth Langsdale reports from The Archive's new home

t has, of course, been an unusual on one side and that of the Grocers’ close to the academic year for the Company on the other. Earlier in the I Archive. Not only were we in the year, it was removed and restored by middle of a relocation from Cripps a specialist conservation company, Library to Cobthorne Stables, but then and in September it will be re-hung in like everybody else, we had to cope Laxton Cloisters. with lockdown. Our thanks go to the Old Oundelian For the past six months, the Club for continued support, to all our focus in the Archive has been on the contributors, and those who connected pandemic and how best to record the with us via letter, email and social School’s reaction to this extraordinary media. The long awaited Archive situation and how it has affected the relocation is nearly finished and we School community. Official School look forward to welcoming you to our communications have been chronicled new home in the recently renovated and will form part of the permanent Stables on West Street. ■ archival record. Added to this will be other initiatives such as a diary that one of our pupil volunteers kept during the summer term and any letters or emails that have been sent in to the Archives. The normal day-to-day business of research enquiries has continued and this year the Archive has received each and Partnerships hundreds of research enquiries on topics such as former pupils, staff, uniform, traditions, sport, agriculture and general social history. The Archive is a rich source of information and is freely available to all interested parties. The Oundle Museum and members of local history groups are regular users and requests for lectures and tours on areas of School history are becoming increasingly popular. Radio has recently featured in the Archive diary with the Archivist being interviewed by BBC Northamptonshire for its Virtual Heritage Trail. It has also been highlighted with a regular slot on Oscar Radio featuring ‘Poems from the Past’, archive musical recordings and an archive quiz. One of the oldest artefacts in the School is the brass plate (pictured, right) that was unveiled in 1593 by William Pamphlon (Headmaster 1583 – 1596). Its inscriptions are in Latin, Greek and Hebrew with the Arms and Crest of Sir William Laxton, the Coat of Arms of the City of London

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 71 OFFICERS Corresponding Members

NEWS FROM HOME

BIRMINGHAM AND WEST MIDLANDS LONDON SOUTH WEST Jon Terry ( G 93 ) Matt Simmonds ( StA 97 ) Anthony Parsons ( S 65 ) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] BUCKS, BERKS AND OXON NORTH YORKSHIRE SOUTH YORKSHIRE, Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 ) Tim Waring ( Ldr 76 ), DERBYSHIRE AND E: [email protected] Chris Waring ( Ldr 12 ) NOTTINGHAMSHIRE E: [email protected] Richard Ellis ( Sn 86 ) EAST ANGLIA E: [email protected] Matt Payne ( St A 82 ) NORTH EAST E: [email protected] Charlie Hoult ( Sc 85 ) WEST YORKSHIRE E: [email protected] Richard Ellis ( Sn 86 ) EAST MIDLANDS E: [email protected] Chris Piper ( Sc 71 ) NORTH WEST E: [email protected] Peter Pentecost ( St A 73 ) IRELAND, NORTH AND SOUTH E: [email protected] Anna Syme ( K 02 ) EAST YORKSHIRE E: [email protected] AND LINCOLNSHIRE Stephen Francis ( C 80 ) Guy Bainbridge ( Sn 78 ) E: [email protected] KENT, SUSSEX, SURREY AND HAMPSHIRE SOUTH WALES Peter Owen ( Lx 63 ) Peter Moore ( Ldr 88 ) E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

NEWS FROM ABROAD

SOUTH AFRICA AND ASIA AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Charles Salem ( C 78 ) China Charles Salem ( C 78 ) E: [email protected] Xi Zhu ( Ldr 05 ) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] AMERICAS EUROPE Hong Kong Canada Northern and Eastern Europe Mark Reeves ( C 80 ) James Clayton ( G 68 ) Jan Julius Kluk ( LS 56 ) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Indonesia Caribbean E: [email protected] Si Reynolds ( Sn 02 ) Will Peckett ( St A 85 ) Southern Europe E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Jim Bennett ( N 77 ) Japan E: [email protected] USA Dominic Al-Badri ( N 88 ) Richard Kunzer ( G 90 ) E: [email protected] MIDDLE EAST E: [email protected] Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Cameron Wake ( L 04 ) Daniel Yong ( C 90 ) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Thailand Idtitorn Israsena ( B 06 ) E: [email protected]

SPECIAL GROUPS

ARMED SERVICES: Dominic Titcomb ( G 11 ) E: [email protected] OLD OUNDELIAN LODGE NO 5682: Howard Allen ( Sn 75 ) E: [email protected] CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY: Mhairi McLay ( K 17) E: [email protected] OXFORD UNIVERSITY: Position open

72 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM HOME

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Charles Miller ( Ldr 76 )

ather like most of the Charles Inchbald ( G 91 ) met country, most of my regular Andy Salmon ( G 91 ) on one of his R contributors seemed to have trips back from Auckland where gone to ground. 2020 has not been he now lives with his wife and two a vintage year for Bucks, Berks and children. His brother Tom Salmon Oxon. ( G 94 ) has taken up cycling. However, many OOs have been Charles continues to live in active, including Beaconsfield, working in finance at ( Ldr 59 ). The paperback version Tate & Lyle and cycling, golfing and of his latest book, Outgrowing God, gardening at weekends. His brother is being published by Penguin in Alex Salmon ( G 92 ) has moved to September. He is working on Flights Switzerland with his wife and two close to completion in Bangkok. of Fancy, the evolution of flying in young children where they love living Mike continues to move between his animals and human technology. on Lake Geneva. houses in Amersham and Siesta Key In addition, his autobiography, Michael Ballard ( G 88 ) met which is close to Mike and his family. An Appetite for Wonder, has a whole up with Chris Williams ( Ldr 88 ), He has not seen any other OOs apart chapter about Oundle during his Marcus Lieberman ( LS 88 ), Brynmor from James Crockett ( G 91 ) and Hon schooldays. Lloyd-Evans ( D 88 ) and Vikram OO Norman Brittain. Angharad Marment ( D 10 ) is Sachdeva ( LS 88 ) for their annual Matthew Perowne ( Ldr 01 ) has a busy planning her wedding next pre-Christmas meal. young family, which does not allow Spring after her fiancé proposed on Will Smith ( C 19 ) is halfway for much free time. He met up with Valentine’s Day. She continues to keep through his training contract at Tom Earnshaw ( Ldr 01 ), Henry in touch with Leonora Forrest, Emma Linklaters. He has been working Bryers ( Lx 96 ), JJ Harris ( Lx 91 ) and Greenlees and Zoe Rice (all Dryden from home and hasn’t physically met Alex Deacon ( Lx 90 ) last summer at 2010) and is still enjoying working at anyone in his new department. He the bi annual Wargrave Festival. PwC. sees plenty of George Mennem Peter Colville ( Ldr 92 ) met up Henry Bryers ( Lx 96 ) stayed with ( Ldr 13 ). with James Rennie ( Ldr 92 ) who Sam Coates ( Lx 96 ) as part of a John Meighan ( Ldr 55 ) reports splits his time between Hong Kong family holiday in France last summer. that his son, Mike Meighan and Switzerland, Davin Mole ( Ldr 92 He hopes to continue with his annual ( Ldr 90 ), is having a difficult time ) who also lives in Switzerland with salmon fishing trip to the Tyne this with his courses as a result of the his family, Richard Teverson ( Ldr year with Olly Hallam ( Sc 96 ) pandemic. His new schooner is 92 ) who is based in London with his amongst others. Douglas Oppenheim ( C 94 ) lives in West Berkshire with his wife Maryn and children Lucas (8), Freya (5) and Marcus (4). Doug founded Palladian Investment Partners, a private equity firm, just over a year ago and is busy building the business. He retired as chairman of the British Exploring Society in late 2019 having served on its board for over a decade. He still sees plenty of Sarah Gill - née Logan ( K 94 ) and has reconnected with Mike Laing ( Ldr 94 ) with whom he enjoys comparing notes on vinous matters.

 Left to right, James Rennie, Davin, Me, James Roe, Richard)

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 73 NEWS FROM HOME

husband and splits his time between Andy Gordon-Stewart ( Sc 57 ) has first part of the academic year from acting and corporate training, and been unwell since last summer and is October to December in Venice, James Roe ( Ldr 92 ) who is a partner now in a care home in Banbury. Brian learning about the Renaissance at Allen and Overy. He also sees managed to visit him in hospital and along with the Italian language. Paul Roebuck ( Ldr 92) who has the care home before the lockdown. After Calum’s return to the UK, he just moved to Michigan and Greg Simon Gordon ( Lx 85 ) shoots graduated from Warwick University Thomas ( Ldr 92 ) who is a partner at regularly with Francois Austin and now has a place at BPP in London Allen and Overy and lives in Oxford ( D 84 ) and Richard Wilson ( C 84 ) on their PGDL Law Conversion with his partner, Ian. as well as skiing with Francois and course. Gavin Bisdee ( St A 85 ) has been Craig Lockhart ( Sc 82 ). Earlier this year, Jay was in contact playing darts via Zoom with Matt Jay Cartwright ( S 71 ) reports with John Granger ( C 71 ). Jay Kennett’s ( Lx 86 ) family and fielding that daughter Jo Cartwright ( W 05 ) and Julia were all set to visit John WhatsApp messages from Phil and husband Tom Draper, having and husband Tim for lunch but Massey ( St A 85 ). He has also had been locked down in Suffolk and were thwarted by the coronavirus socially distanced conversations in both working remotely during the lockdown. John and Tim lead the back of Simon Gordon’s ( Lx 85 ) coronavirus pandemic, are now a very busy social life in their garden. He also ran into Will Massey back in London where further work Cambridgeshire village and will ( B 82 ) and his sons, bodyboarding on their house has started. Jo and doubtless reinstate their extensive and playing golf in Devon last Tom are expecting their first baby travel plans to visit friends when summer. in September and, meanwhile, Government restrictions allow. Arthur Marment ( D 87 ) followed having been promoted to Head of Jay and Julia visited Japan back in Wales in Japan with his son George Decorating by Nina Campbell, Jo has November and had a very memorable Marment ( B 12 ) and met up with been managing international projects holiday. They linked up with Jo and Marcus Everard ( B 77 ) and Dominic online from home. Kate Quinn Tom who were also there combining a Al-Badri ( N 88 ) who both live in ( D 05 ) and husband Ed Cranfield holiday with attendance at the Rugby Japan. welcomed their first baby, William, World Cup. Everyone was extremely Arthur is a great supporter of in January this year. Kate and Ed friendly and the bullet trains were as the OO MultiSports weekend and continue to work in Paris. fast and clean as expected. The food thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many Over the last 12 months, Jay’s varied considerably and Jay drew the there just before the lockdown. Since brother Philip Cartwright ( S 69 ) line at ‘meat colon skewers’! then he has had to make do with and wife Susie have visited both Peter Sutcliffe ( N 54 ) is locked moaning about the lack of sport to Australia and Canada to visit two of down in Cape Town and not in Lance Ashworth ( St A 79 ) and Guy Susie’s daughters. Phil is still working any great hurry to return to the UK Beresford ( B 81 ). on his golf handicap and is now a despite having a new car project – a Brian Trent ( Sc 58 ) attended parish councillor. He recently saw 1907 Brasier Voiture Course. Christopher Pocock’s ( Sc 60 ) near neighbour, Chunks Bowden Edward West ( C 88 ) is coaching memorial service in October last year. ( Sc 68 ) although, as for so many of the world to perfect their virtual Christopher died in May 2019. The us, social contact has been severely Zoom communications. One client service was held at The Wren Chapel, curtailed. Ian Hodgson ( Sc 78 ) and is Hugo James ( Sc 88 ) and he has Royal Hospital Chelsea and was Al Gordon ( C 69 ) have overseen shared a Zoom drink with Ed Stone followed by a drinks reception held a major reorganisation at Denham ( St A 88 ). He also spoke with Dan in the State Apartments. There were Golf Club as Chairman and Treasurer Burman ( Lx 88 ) who has just become a dozen or so OOs present. It was respectively. The changes are very CEO of the advertising company, during this sad event that the idea of welcome and clearly demonstrate Chapter. Edward’s brother Philip a School House reunion for leavers OO decisiveness! Jay has been in West ( C 86 ) is busier than ever and between the years 1955 and 1965 was touch with Roger Page ( S 71 ). Roger thriving during lockdown at his IT suggested. Under the organising skills and Alison’s daughter Hannah was firm. of Richard Bailey ( Sc 60 ), Nigel planning to marry fiance Alexander JJ Harris ( Lx 91 ) still managed to Napier-Andrews ( Sc 59 ) and Alistair in France in August of this year, meet up with lots of OOs over the last Shaw ( Sc 59 ) this was arranged to but plans have been necessarily 12 months. take place at Oundle on 6 May 2020. postponed until May of next year The Mostyns cricket team had By the time the lockdown came it when we shall hopefully all be free to another great tour in September, this looked as if attendances would hit travel. time starting at the Oval Ashes test about two dozen. It would be good Alan Biggar ( S 71 ) has remarried and finishing with a great game at if it could be held next year when and is still involved with charity Barley in Cambridgeshire. OOs in perhaps more School House OOs of work. He and new wife Alison live the team were Oliver Thain ( Lx 90 ), that period can be found to swell the in Bo’ness, between Edinburgh and Alex Deacon, David Ffoulkes-Jones numbers. Glasgow. ( Lx 90 ), David Robinson ( Lx 90 ), Brian is also sorry to report that Calum Stewart ( S 17 ) spent the Dan Anslow ( S 90 ), James Spragg

74 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM HOME

 Left to right, Andrew Davidson Hogg, Paul AJ Clark and David A Richards

( Sch 90 ), Leckie Waterhouse ( Sn 90 ), Phil Dobson ( Sn 90 ). The Wargrave OO team of Alex Deacon, Matt Perowne and Henry Bryers have all managed to meet up on numerous occasions, even by Zoom during lockdown. Unfortunately the Halford Hewitt was cancelled this year, but last year the OO team under JJ’s captaincy did make the finals at Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk, although a first round close defeat to the Leys was not the required result. They have qualified for the finals again this year in Norfolk. Chair of Motocaddy, the electric golf- app. Here’s a photo of the old codgers Andrew Kerr ( Sc 73 ) is still very trolley firm, and MYCS a Berlin-based in January. much enjoying retirement - walking, eCommerce furniture business. He The boys who entered School golf, travelling, watching football remains CEO of cleantech toilet firm, House in September 1955 had a and charity work. His eldest son Propelair. sudden spell of activity this year. delivered his second grandchild John Chadwick ( St A 71 ) is There were twelve, and six were (first granddaughter) in Toronto in enjoying his retirement with trips to the traced by Richard Bailey ( Sc 60 ), January. He saw his brother Mark Verdi Opera Festival in Parma and the still survive and have email Kerr ( Sc 74 ) in November at their Languedoc with a Master of Wine. He addresses. Three met for the first time step-mother’s 90th birthday party, also greatly enjoyed the Over 60s lunch in 60 years. They are Richard Bailey, with his father Ian Kerr ( S 46 ). just before lockdown. He was in touch Nigel Napier-Andrews ( Sc 59 ) Andrew has been supporting his with Malcolm Walters ( D 72 ) and Alistair Shaw ( Sc 59 ) Mike Ross father and stepmother in Winchester Timothy Tebbs ( D 72 ) during the year. ( Sc 60 ) and Malcolm Llewellyn since lockdown, visiting when and Jonathan Andrews ( Sc 84 ) is ( Sc 60 ). Guy Sinclair ( Sc 60 ) is the where allowed. The big event for missing the cricket at Lords but still other survivor. Andrew from an OO perspective sees many OOs at Denham Golf Club, We found 33 others, and partners, was a get-together for School House including the chairman, Ian Hodgson who were at School House within a leavers of 1972, brilliantly organised ( Sc 78 ) and the treasurer Al Gordon span of five years, and who wanted to by Simon Turner at Grocers Hall last ( C 69 ). Jonathan continues to work attend a reunion. They had planned October. In the attached pictures, you with Rupert Harris ( Ldr 87 ). to meet at Oundle on 6 June 2020, can see Andrew, Dave Kidd, Andrew David A Richards ( S 78 ) is stay mainly in the Talbot Inn, and Sharpley, Simon Turner, Simon pleased to report that his request co-ordinated tours with the School, Redfern, Geordie Mcl Hayward, in last year’s OO magazine to track but, unfortunately, the event was William Bagshaw, David Robinson, down Andrew Davidson Hogg postponed. They hope to reorganise it Peter Edwards - all of whom left at ( S 78 ) was successful, following a for 2021. the end of 1972 timely tip-off fromShane Dodd I keep busy, am still working and After seven years in post, David ( Sn 74 ). In fact, in honour of ITV’s I have taken over as chairman of the Hollander ( Sn 77 ) stepped down Long Lost Family programme, a Governors at The Beacon School in as Chair of the Governors at Beacon reunion did take place at the Talbot Amersham. My daughter Rebecca Prep School in Amersham (a long- Inn, Oundle in January, but without Miller ( K 09 ) has been staying time feeder school for Oundle), last Nicky Campbell or Davina McCall with us during lockdown and has Summer and I am pleased to report in attendance. Paul AJ Clark ( S 78 ) moved jobs within Sainsbury from that your correspondent has now also attended the lunchtime soiree; Commercial Strategy to bringing taken the role. David has expressed the three of them hadn’t been face- in new distinctive brands. Tom delight that another Old Oundelian to-face together for over 40 years so Miller ( Ldr 07 ) continues to work has ‘taken over’. David reports there was a lot of ground to cover. in restructuring complex businesses that his time as Chair has helped to Today, David is pleased to confirm and debt. He is in the middle of a prepare him for new commercial roles that the three are still in contact via a major refurbishment of his house in that he has started in the last year as well-known 21st Century computer London.

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Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South & West Yorkshire Richard Ellis ( Sn 86 )

irstly my thanks all the people ( S 81 ), Ian Lane ( Ldr 77 ) and Mike who have responded to the call Haigh ( Sc 87 ) in various public F for news, a smaller number houses around and about. He enjoyed than usual sadly. bumping into Nick Bloom ( Sn 92 ) at The call to action prompted some the OO London dinner establishing very quick responses. One respondent that they had both been at the RWC was very chuffed with himself as final in Japan a couple of weeks to being the first to reply, until I before – Nick in fine form as a Hackforth ( N 64 ) who of recent informed my cousin in the office next Springbok supporter. As to any years has been touring the inns of door that someone had beaten him by requests for advertising revenue (a Yorkshire as mentioned in columns 13 minutes. standard part of the call to all OOs) in previous years. Being more The first responderRobin Johnson came back with the polite decline of a adventurous and taking advantage ( St A 81 ) reports life and work response that his new kitchen would of senior rail cards his wife and he coming to a shuddering halt. Having take priority in the funding pile! I had been travelling to London for set up an office in Chicago in June last have a sneaking suspicion I know four days per month for the last year he had been spending most of where that will be coming from! 14 months to stay with family and his time there but has not been since Bob Harrap ( B 68 ) replied that friends, visiting museums, galleries February and is unlikely to get back like the rest of us it had been pretty and theatre and reliving their youth there until 2021. difficult in recent times to have much as London was their home in the late He does report that the unintended on the go; however he was present 60’s/early 70’s. Alas Covid 19 and the consequence of this is that he has seen late last year at the wedding of his national lock down has put paid to his wife more in the last four months son Jon (B 05 ) in Manhatten to wife that, so they now content themselves than it seems in the last 28 years and Emily. His daughter Bryony Harrap with keeping in touch with family he reports to having really enjoyed ( N 08 ), Chris Nicholls ( G 69 ) and and friends using the wonders of the experience! The opening of golf Ian Lane. He also recalls being present Skype, Zoom and Facetime. courses has allowed sanity to return at Bryony’s 30th birthday party at a John Bagnall ( Sn 59 ) replied that and as well as being a member at night club in London but fails to recall he, Michael Humphrey ( G 49 ) and Alwoodley, he is now also a member its name. He sees many OOs in the Alick Whittle ( N 52 ) had all been at Ganton, feeling fortunate to play at field during the shooting season, and Presidents of the National Federation two of the best courses in Yorkshire. was part of a group attending a long of Painting Contractors, the three He reports of contact with Bill Simms lunch during the test match recently of them also being trustees of funds ( C 81 ), Jonathan Turner ( S 84 ) and where half were OOs. that provide for the cost of an annual Ian Young ( Sn 81 ). Martin Monnickendam ( N 77 ) lunch at the RAF Club in Piccadilly. Returning to the silver medallist reports that he met up for an evening John’s son Stephen Bagnall ( Sn 86 ) responder, Tom Ellis ( Sn 91 ), he meal at the Talbot Hotel in January now heads up the family painting continues in the family business with 2020 with Roger and Christine contracting business based in Shipley yours truly. He keeps his cycling Freebairn. Joining them were although operating nationally (having going wearing the appropriately Roderick McGillvary ( N 77 ), done an excellent job on our factories entitled cycling brand “Fat Lad at the Dave Holliday ( N 77 ), Dave a couple of years ago). He reports the Back” lycra. Contact with other OOs Anderson ( N 76 ), Royston Beldam sad passing of Alick who died last is heavily weighted around family ( N 78 ), Jim Bennett ( N 77 ), Tim year, a member of the 1st X1 cricket meetings having been in contact with Bass ( N 74 ), Anthony Wright ( N 77 ), team for three years and also in later Roger Ellis ( Sn 56 ) and James Ellis Jonathan Darnell ( N 76 ) and Chris life being a keen golfer. ( Sn 63 ), Isobel Ellis ( Sn 14 ) and also Johnstone ( N 76 ). For some it was Roger Ellis ( Sn 56 ), my father, with his father in law Peter Cole the first time they had been together was fortunate to have enjoyed ( Sn 54 ) and his brother Antony Cole for 44 years but as expected it seemed pre-lockdown four weeks in South ( Sn 56 ). Other interactions have been as if no time had passed at all. Martin America in February, travelling north with fellow “Yorkshire Players” Guy continues to work in the care sector to south in Argentina with brief Ackernley ( Sc 94 ) and Will Roberts which has been challenging. forays into Uruguay and Brazil. ( N 94 ). He also sees reasonably One of the regular respondents to Whilst in Argentina, much to the regularly the likes of Adam Shaw the call for information is Anthony amusement of family members

76 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM HOME

present, he found himself riding a festival. Sarah Gothard (née Southby as enjoying the golf. Richard is a polo pony and even playing in a , W 94) is in high demand as a keen supporter of OO Golf in the short friendly match. Returning private educational psychologist in Northern region and once again is home, the garden was knocked into Gloucestershire while studying for looking forward to the Luffenham shape and latterly he has found a doctorate. Keen to prove that the weekend later this year. himself playing a lot of golf. He Oundle connections endure, Alan Ian Lane’s ( Ldr 77 ) news is continues with his duties as Vice Midgley and Robin Veit (respectively somewhat stinted by the complete President of Woodsome Hall GC. his History and French teachers in lack of travel where he tends to see His grandson George Kaye ( S 08 ) the 1980s) were lined up to attend his OOs outside God’s only County. continues to live and work in silver wedding celebrations in France OO President Charles Miller Monaco where he is a lawyer. He is this summer, but Covid 19 has put ( Ldr 76 ) did manage to text him still in contact with Paul Gardner paid to this gathering. Pete continues recently to tell him that his Croatian ( Sn 56 ), Graham Yorke ( Sn 56 ) and to earn a crust at EMIS Group sailing trip with the family was Christopher England ( Lx 54 ) and and is still working hard with the going well and although he missed was an attendee at the earlier challenges of sorting out the mess our Lords annual re-union, he felt mentioned OO over-populated test that is software in the NHS where much healthier for it! His own trips match lunch. he reports there are encouraging to the Balearics where we always Pete Southby ( Lx 91 ) was kind signs of progress. He continues to meet Dominic Shapiro ( Sn 81 ) have enough to send an essay’s worth spend, according to his wife, far also been curtailed this year but he is of news. He enjoyed a delightfully too much time on his bike, riding keeping well and managing to cope sunny skiing holiday at his French mostly virtually this year but getting with the sun and sangria life there! retreat along with Jason Koenig ( LS increasingly excited by prospects of Ian hasn’t seen Tim Waring 91 ) and his family at the start of the actually cycling properly and lists ( Ldr 76 ) since he fled back to North year. Jason is enjoying a break from amongst his recent achievements Yorkshire but knows where to find leading the Classics department at St being king of the mountains on a few him! He sees plenty of Ben Jones Andrews in order to undertake some Strava segments. ( C 95 ) on the shoot up in the Dales. research and writing; apparently Gary Bosworth ( LS 98 ) Business, he reports, is very busy as the next bestseller is on its way! commented that after twelve years farmers returned to their land after Stuart Morgan ( Lx 91 ) made the at the University of Lincoln he five months of weather misery and remarkably far-sighted decision to recently started a new position as a fortunately managed to keep going move on from Easyjet before the Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship all the way through lockdown. Ian is recent pandemic hit, and apparently at Northumbria University. Trying to also a very happy grandfather as son life in investor relations at Capita relocate the family in these times has Tom had a baby girl in December. is just as challenging. We should be been stressful but he hopes they will Mike Haigh ( Sc 87 ) reports from patient as the share price does not as all be settled in the North East by the the beach in Sandsend that he is yet reflect all his good work. time this magazine is published. enjoying a glass or two. Pete stays in touch with George David Thorpe ( Ldr 53 ) replied As for me - the business world Hammon ( Sn 91 ) who is based in that after 30 years with British has been a challenge of late but Geneva, having had a tough year Airways he returned to the 140 normality is starting to return, or with a health scare but on the road year old family store and is now a the 'new normal' as people refer to to recovery now. However, he claims shopkeeper selling furniture, prams it. Lockdown came at the conclusion that the loss of what little of his hair and nursery goods - seriously old of the shooting season, which was a remained has been as a result of fashioned with hand written receipt blessing, having shot over the season spending more time at home with his books et al. He very much prefers with many of the aforementioned young family. to meet customers face to face with names in this column. I see around James Southby ( St A 02 ) has had the strap line of “Meet the Boss and town Stephen Bagnall ( Sn 86 ) and a particularly difficult few months do a Deal” which, as he says, you Mark Elliott ( Ldr 83 ) amongst with the marketplace for his event can’t do at John Lewis. Having been others at various social gatherings. I management business effectively in the 1952 unbeaten rugby side he did have a great last minute weekend closing down overnight. Fortunately still enjoys going out in the company trip to Japan for the RWC Final in he was well prepared for the delivery van. November with Tom (as mentioned downturn following an extremely Richard Law ( Sn 79 ) replied earlier) and daughter Isobel Ellis) busy 2019 that included delivering from the Algarve where he was who conscientiously flew back pop up theatres in the round for a busy playing lockdown golf, he that night straight after the match season of Shakespeare plays in York described it as “Millionaires' Golf” in order to be at her blackboard and at Blenheim, supporting artists as the courses were deserted. He teaching on the Monday morning. including Bjork and providing full was playing a group of his pals from Isobel has qualified as a teacher and audio production for the acoustic prep school and with his son Charlie is now deputy head of sixth form at stage at last year’s Glastonbury Law ( S 16 ) – who he also reports her south London school where she

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has been working non-stop through and is now sharing a flat withPhoebe lockdown. She is in regular touch Alexander ( L 15 ) in Balham or, as with the Sanderson cohort of 2014 they call it, The Balhamas. leavers, Mimi Montieth ( Sn 14 ), Leo Ford ( S 2001 ) says travel Polly Duggan ( Sn 14 ) and Hannah agency business is bit on the rocks Day ( Sn 14 ). She shared a flat for at the moment, but he hopes there some time with Emily Bainbridge will be a bounce back soon. He is ( K 14 ) – well, crashed at Emily’s still living in Nottingham with his during lockdown courtesy of father wife Lisa and daughter Camilla,now Guy Bainbridge’s ( Sn 78 ) hospitality, 6, and wonders if there are any and regularly sees Fleur Arkell anniversary parties planned for the  OO Rugby supporters in Japan ( L 14 ), David Bolle-Jones ( St A 14 ) 2001 leavers.

East Midlands Chris Piper ( Sc 71 )

he lack of news this year can issue on the go which you may feel be put down to the pandemic rates some space in the magazine. T – I imagine many OOs have I get the Old Master catalogues been in lockdown so therefore it from a fabulous auction house in follows that any news would be Vienna called Dorotheum. In a sale rather mundane! I hope you have all I noticed there is a painting entitled taken the opportunity to do all those “The Temptation of Saint Anthony”, jobs in the home that had fallen by the Lot 141. It was painted around 1550, wayside. mid 16th Century anyway, and I love Some of you were very much on the image. ( Lx 00 ) and Tom Goodley ( G 99 ). the ball as no sooner than I sent my You can see where this is going, I Piers is now full-time at a PR agency, e-mail out asking for news, I got an would love to see that picture (not the Samuelson Wylie Associates, and has immediate reply from Louisa Hotson real thing!) either in the Chapel (of just managed to get his old 1955 Jeep ( D 07 ) who wrote about births in the Saint Anthony) or maybe also in St A registered for the road for the first family: itself. time in 20 years. It’s regularly Anthony Hotson ( Lx 72 ) and his I have got a friend in Vienna who wheeled out for Archie and Hector. wife Louann became grandparents is trying to persuade Dorotheum to Richard Maddison ( Sc 55 ) twice over in early 2020. let me have a high resolution image writes: My son, his wife, and three Louisa Hotson ( D 07 ) and which we can reproduce and if that granddaughters all live in New York; husband Huw David welcomed fails, the School has probably got the and my daughter, her husband and Joseph Anthony Rhys David on equipment to pick up the image from two granddaughters who live near January 24th 2020. my catalogue. Oxford are all in lockdown and all Chris Hotson ( C 05 ) and partner The idea is of course to be able to well. I have phone calls with them Alex Vargas welcomed Sofia Lily de display that image in the Chapel. every week. Vargas Hotson on February 19th 2020. It is early days but if you want Richard sent his usual Christmas Many congratulations to the to look at the image go on to letter and card to John Atkin Hotson family. Dorotheum.com click on today’s ( Sc 55 ), John Carroll (C 52), Hamish It was good to hear from Harry Old Master auction, then type Saint Donaldson ( Ldr 54 ), Roland Williamson ( St A 55 ), a valued Anthony in the description box and Harries ( Lx 53 ), and Ian Wainwright member of the OO Committee and Lot 141 should come up. ( Ldr 54 ). His reminiscences in a generous benefactor to the School. Thank you for this Harry, and do birthday email to Hamish triggered Harry wrote the following (which I please let me know how it progresses. many emails between them and Ian, shall quote verbatim): Piers Ward ( Lx 99 ) is enjoying his including about their A-levels. “You ask for material for the time in Lincolnshire having moved Richard had noticed that the magazine. I can’t replicate the up there a couple of years ago with A-Levels listed in The Review 2019 page wonderful opportunity I had two his wife Joanna and children Archie 9 hadn’t any STEM subjects. He years ago to replace the Chapel Cross and Hector, although it is dangerously remembered huge numbers of 1954 but right now I have got a smaller close to fellow OOs James Nicholls A-Level STEM passes. The archivist

78 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM HOME

sent him copies of archive pages, Phil Atkins ( C 88 ), Chris Skelton when not working as digital editorial which he analysed – Mathematics 137 ( Sc 88 ), Alex Hendry ( Sc 88 ), director at Bauer Media, the UK’s passes including distinctions, Physics Jules McAlpine ( Lx 88 ), and Simon biggest magazine publisher. 68, Applied Mechanics 66. Entering Bingham ( S 88 ). Sadly Matt Forde William Butler ( L 08 ) and wife students in Removes, Lower and ( Sc 88 ) and Mike Ragg ( S 88 ) were Wendy were delighted to welcome Upper VI, i.e. Years 11, 12, 13, boosted too busy to join, one working for the the birth of Callum William Butler on total passes. Richard’s parents had BBC, the other making wine in February 22 2020. found that in the Public Schools Yearbook Burgundy. Equally sadly Graham Arnab Datta ( L 05 ) continues 1947 Oundle had the top percentage Testo ( St A 86 ) managed to find us to work as a Chartered Accountant at for A-Level Maths passes divided by and joined for the duration. Graham a Big Four firm in London, specialising total students over 13, so entered him divides his time between Los Angeles in the audits of technology and media for Oundle. and Newcastle. How this happened is companies. This has involved working John Boon ( L 01 ) e-mailed his a complete mystery to anyone who with international firms and a trip to news: I am pleased to hear that, knows him. I would like to report that Turkey before the COVID-19 outbreak. notwithstanding the chaos that everyone was thriving in their He has enjoyed facilitating training surrounds us, work for the OO business and personal lives, but courses and writing articles for Magazine continues. It is always nice conversations seemed to miss these ICAEW careers publications, as well to read it and see what everyone has two areas. as recently being involved in an been up to, as well as find out what Janna Goodwille ( K 95 ) writes: interesting project assessing the impact has been happening at the school. In the singing world, we’re facing of climate change upon companies. In terms of news, my wife, Abbie, the fact that singing face-to-face is As for my news, I was gearing up and I welcomed our second child, unlikely to become a reality before to be President of the Club in 2021 but Eliza Grace Boon, into the world on September (at the earliest), so - like as Charles Miller’s ( Ldr 76 ) tenure 25th February 2020. We have very everyone - adjust we do... Here has been somewhat ruined due to the much enjoyed getting to know her, are quick links to my latest online Coronavirus situation, he will serve and she is adored by both of us and singing-and-connection offerings: another year as President. So in 2022 her big brother, Zachary. Lockdown . I have a new group course called (51 years after leaving Oundle!), I has not been without its challenges, Reconnect & Sing - starting end June shall take office and hope to do as but it has allowed us to spend more I’m delighted to now be holding 1-1 good a job as he has done. time together as a family (though Voice & Expression Sessions and my OOs I keep in touch with include we are very much looking forward Sessions with Children are very Peter Scaife ( B 71 ), Robert Morton to Zachary going back to nursery!). joyful! ( Sc 71 ), Nigel Youngman ( Sc 71 ), I continue to practise as a family I’ve also made a start on recording Jonathan Jones ( B 71 ) and of course solicitor, although, like much of the vocals for my upcoming album There’s my ex-colleague at Oundle, Richard rest the country, I have been working a beautiful video at Harmony Live. Owen ( Sc 70 ). Richard and I meet from home since March. Please get in touch if I can support, on the tennis courts in Bedford quite David Ramply ( Sc 62 ) says it has or just to say hi. Sending hugs to you regularly. Unfortunately I need more been a strange year but living on a all. back surgery so my exercise has been farm social distancing has not been Tom Allen ( Sn 78 ) writes: My wife, severely curtailed, but I am hoping difficult. The lockdown has given him Angie, and I have had a couple of to be back in action by June 2021. the impetus to write his memoirs lockdown virtual cocktail parties with Whether I shall be able to maintain which will be published in the Mark Jackson ( Sn 78 ) and his wife, my appearances in the OO rugby autumn for friends and family only! It Christine, who live in Bristol. I recently during the Multi-Sports weekend has been a most enjoyable exercise for became a grandfather as my daughter, remains to be seen. I think I must be him reminiscing about some very who lives in Holland, gave birth to the oldest OO to appear on the 2 Acre happy fun times and also some very Adeline on 14th March. We haven’t – the previous record holder being sad times as well. Guy Spragg ( Sc 88 been able to see her yet but plan to my father (D.J. ‘Peter’ Piper Ldr 40) ) writes: Our annual lunch in when travel is permitted again. I am pleased to report that I won a December 2019 was organised this Tim Pollard ( Sc 93 ) continues to few tennis games this year during the year by Justin Yeaman ( S 88 ) who live a stone’s throw from Oundle, Multi-Sports weekend – probably due selected a pub in Shoreditch thinking and has enjoyed playing in various to my doubles partners. Other news is that a bunch of 50 year old public sports fixtures against the School that my wife Tina retired as secretary schoolboys would blend in with the common room in the past year - to the Music School having done 22 internet hipsters. Dom Brady ( Sc 87 ) before lockdown put paid to all that. years there. She is looking forward to arrived in his usual Rupert Bear He’s also encountered OOs including more gardening! ensemble and was joined by the usual Charlie Underwood, James Hicks My thanks to those who have suspects including Tom Baldock ( S (both Sc 93) and Will Davies ( Ldr provided news, and my best wishes 88 ), Paul Chatterton ( S 88 ), Andrew 93 ) in what could just about pass to all East Midlands OOs. Stay safe Skinner ( S 88 ), Tim Pasco ( LS 88 ), for extreme village cricket matches, and well!

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East Yorks and Lincolnshire Stephen Francis ( L 80 )

eoff Mackrill( B 76 ) reports Dick ( C 53 ) is also in Lincoln and is that this year was a ‘bit still in regular touch with Dick Gkyboshed’ by the Virus but Marshall ( C 53 ). Peter’s son Charlie he made the OO Over 60s’ lunch in ( C 08 ) is married and living in New London early in March which was York where he earns a living as a about the last social trip out before digital marketeer. lockdown. Michael Brown ( Sc 51 ) reports His specialist paint business has from the Brown bunker in been open throughout and is now Quarrington that lockdown has in the same village as James Sardeson licensed to make skin sanitiser. limited his social contact but prior to ( Lx 82 ) who farms next door. He is He continues to take every lockdown he was able to enjoy a catch also working with Stephen Francis opportunity to catch a few waves up with John Francis ( D 48 ) at ( C 80 ) in ensuring the nation has a near Scarborough and is continuing to Sleaford Rugby Club at the annual regular supply of frozen peas. He is restore a TR4 for racing although he Vice-Presidents luncheon. Michael’s in a farm benchmarking group with says it’s taking him forever! son James Brown ( Sc 76 ) missed his Matthew Mountain ( StA 96 ) so they One of the unexpected effects of annual reunion with Nick Redmayne talk regularly, although Matthew the crisis is that he has a house full of ( Sc 76 ) and Tony Murley ( G 76 ) in spends half the year in Australia and large children again, but having the the Tavern Bar at Lords where the the other half on his farm in Great opportunity to see them has been one tales get taller as the day goes on. His Hale. Despite that, a few pints are benefit of these times. He says the reflections are that the older he gets managed. Tim Brooks ( Lx 95 ) has downside is the fridge always seems the better he was. He also bumped the heady responsibility for Nick’s to be empty. into David Beamish ( Sc 77 ) at a son’s religious education. Nick finds Charles Gillett ( St A 79 ) continues mutual friend’s 60th birthday weekend it a little unsettling that it is a quarter to recover from his traumatic brain on the Isle of Isla where they both of a century since he left Oundle so injury suffered two years ago at Spa found the local malt more than suggests that a reunion is due which Francorchamps, crashing his historic acceptable. The biggest disappointment he will gladly leave to his head of car in the Six Hours endurance race. for the Brown family was the House, Ed Reynolds ( Lx 95 ) to He says, “It’s a slow path, but I guess cancellation of Robert’s ( Sc 79 ) 60th organise. I’m getting there”. birthday celebrations. Peter Allen-Williams ( N 66 ) got Brian Pettifer ( S 54 ) is still A Lincolnshire expat, Robert Covell in just before the deadline to say that working as a notary from home and ( L 80 ) was locked down in southern his brother John Allen-Williams taking full Covid-19 precautions but has now moved back to ( N 64 ), his wife and youngest son and manages to play 18 holes of Moscow running and developing a visited him for a month last golf with John Mollet ( G 51 ) most significant agricultural business. September. Peter himself was two weeks. Plans for a trip to Columbia Simon Grantham ( B 71) continues months into an eleven month road and Tahiti were cancelled but he is to provide affordable student trip around Australia and had to hopeful that his train trip from Cape accommodation in Lincoln as well as return abruptly on 26th March to Town to Dar es Salaam will go ahead. farming. He continues to organise the avoid being locked down in his After four fabulous years as Head of unofficial OO field sports team during sister’s holiday flat in Western Financial Operations of Laxton and the shooting season with James Australia. Oundle Schools Victoria Cropley Brown, Ian Grant ( C 80 ) and David Other OOs in Lincs I have crossed (N 01) left her position in October Beamish in attendance. Simon’s paths with who are fit and well 2019, spending a few months living brother William ( B 75 ) is fit and well include Steven Padley ( B 79 ), James in London with her husband before and farming in Lincs, unfortunately, Grant ( N 73 ) and Toby Fowler moving out to their vineyard in the their father Geoffrey ( B 42 ) has ( S 19 ) the most recent leaver. The Chiltern Hills where she is now recently passed away. modern forms of electronic enjoying country life. Nick Scott ( Lx 95 ) continues communication also allow me to There are several threegenerational running the family farms in remain in contact with Dominic Reid Lincolnshire OO families and Peter Lincolnshire. Ten years has flown ( B 80 ), who is facing some challenges Denby ( C 79 ) reports that he is still by, he says, and the eldest of his in these strange times with the living in Lincoln and running the three children is down for starting at organisation of various ceremonial family haulage business. His father Oundle in September 2021. He lives matters. Another OO who keeps

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himself busy in the farming industry the age of 90 in June. He is still fit and sees Rupert Monroe ( G 09 ) on a is Duncan Worth ( S 83 ) who runs the well, albeit a little deaf - conveniently more than regular basis. family business as well as being a at times - and much busier since As for me, it has been an extremely driving force on the local drainage sporting fixtures have been reinstated challenging year with all that mother board and is the current chairman of to Sky. Amy Francis ( K 11 ) moved nature has thrown at us but I can the Royal Agricultural Societies. from CBRE, where she worked with report that the quality of the peas this As for our three generational family several OOs, to work with another year is exceptional, if a little low in my father John Francis ( D 48 ) reached OO, Richard Black ( S 03 ). She still yield. So, get them while you can.

Ireland Anna Syme ( née Gaymer K 02 )

im Simpson ( C 81 ) had a fishing licence for the local Mulkear busy year here in Ireland. River over the summer months also. T Their family focus has been On a side note, Tim’s brother-in- their older son, Ben, a Leaving Cert law makes Gin called ‘Loch Measc’ student, who has been navigating which he highly recommends, and it the uncertainty of exams, traditional is available for mail order. It is floral, foreign travel and a virtual school rounded, and very very good! graduation. That is all complete now All is well with Alistair Yarrow and he is looking forward to going to ( D 63 ) after a busy year. He is Scott’s, where he worked his way up UCD in October hopefully, and doing still active with the homoeopathic to become chief designer of Electric Engineering like his father! practice, although C19 forced him Motors; some of his patents are still Tim went back to study - to close the clinic in Arklow and in production worldwide today. specifically a Diploma in Strategy & continue to work from home. This He represented the School at Innovation at the IMI and recently has resulted in a steep learning curve Shooting, the Inter Schools Sailing completed that, with graduation in in skype etc for them. Alistair was Cup and was an avid photographer late July. introduced to homoeopathy at welly of Oundle events, which continued Otherwise, he continues to adapt, level...working with vets and farmers throughout his life. A keen sailor, manage the home working balance and he finds it all very interesting, so he mainly cruised the West Coast of with effectively 4 grown ups in the he hopes it can keep going. Living in Scotland, but sailed to the Faroes and house, and keeps as active as possible the country means he can get out and St Kilda and in the Mediterranean. He with tennis and a bit of running. He about and Avondale is near by, so he also crossed the Atlantic in 1995 and has actually done more volunteering runs around there to keep active. raced Dragons. than running at parkrun in the last Robert Henshall ( LX 75 ) enjoyed Jock was a gregarious man with a year , but really enjoys both. Tim is his time in lockdown, spending long zest for life and an inquiring mind. He hoping go to London in October and periods in his garden. He has been was also a prolific reader - interested run the original Bushy Park Parkrun landscaping, developing a poly- in everything scientific and global. which is ironic as he lived across the tunnel and vegetable garden so was He died on 17th April 2020 just before road from it for his last 4 years in too busy to miss being afloat. At his 85th birthday and leaves Barbara, London. the time of communication he was his wife of 57 years, children Sacha, Tim corresponds with Andy looking forward to getting back on Caroline, Guy and Kate and three Boucher ( Lx 84 ) via Facebook, as he the water soon. grandchildren. is in Portland, Oregon and is fairly It is with great sadness that, having 2020 has been an interesting one vocal regarding the current local been unwell for several months, Jock so far for my family, like so many. challenges in the US! Workman ( D 53 ) passed away. His Unfortunately, we had to close The Ben Siddle ( St A 90 ) recently wife Barbara told me that his best Stables - our Fitness & Wellbeing moved back to Limerick after two memories of Oundle were his friends business for 3 months due to Covid years in Malawi and is happy to be and time spent in the Workshops and 19, but we managed to continue in home. He is also happy to still be a Science labs, which stood him in good some form via online classes and grey civil servant (!) and is looking stead for his chosen profession. After events. We are delighted to be back up forward to switching responsibilities School he studied Electrical and running now and we are lucky to climate change from July. Ben Engineering at Queens Belfast and in the fact that our unique setting hopes to be able to use his new then joined the family firm of Hugh J allows us to run a lot of our classes

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and events outside in the fresh air. and retail markets throughout Katie Gaymer ( K 04 ) at the start of Fortunately, the farm kept ticking Ireland, UK and Eurpoe with high the summer which was a huge relief. away throughout lockdown, as it was quality Christmas trees. It was lovely to meet my new nephew deemed an essential business. After My family in Essex are all well too – Freddie Savage, who is the another year of hard work, we are too and although we missed some second child for my sister Rebecca now busy labelling all our Christmas special family gatherings this year, I Gaymer ( K 06 ) and her husband Trees ready for harvest starting in did manage to get together with my Henry, born during lockdown in November. We supply the whoelsale sisters Rebecca Gaymer ( K 06 ) and March.

London Matthew Simmonds ( St A 97 )

our correspondent Matthew Hospital in North London, where he Simmonds ( St A 97 ) has had specialises in maternal medicine. Y a fairly busy year catching up Norman Shelley ( Ldr 71 ) went with OOs at the end of 2019, however to New York early in March 2020 to as I’m sure is the theme throughout attend the birth of his Daughter’s the magazine, this came to a rather twin boys. Joining him alongside abrupt end in March this year. Before his wife and other daughter was son that the annual Round Norfolk John Shelley ( S 14 ) who arrived Relay took place and he caught up directly from Milan. With him came with Andrew Coulthurst ( St A 97), the dreaded Covid-19 and soon the designed travel bags. Guy Simmonds ( St A 95 ), James entire household of eight people Jules Mountain ( S 84 ) saw the Vickers ( C 97 ), Jonathan Cope ( B were afflicted. Norman was happy New Year in, in Morzine, France 97 ), Matthew Mountain ( St A 96 ), to report all made a good recovery with Nigel Trafford( S 85 ) Philip Thurstan Guthrie-Brown ( St A 98 ) though a somewhat difficult start in Trafford ( S 87 ) & Joe Trafford and Matthew Unwin ( S 94 ). Despite life for mother and premature twins. ( S 89 ). Jules has also regularly seen the postponement of the OO Sports Jason Gissing ( Lx 84 ) continues his brother Richard Mountain ( S 82 ) Lunch in April your correspondent to enjoy spending his time at home in London and they have managed did manage a reunion organised with Katinka and their four children. two cheeky ski trips to Morzine by Tom Wansborough-Jones ( Sch Ocado goes from strength to strength together prior to lock down but had 97 ) and John Pennington ( N 97 ) now that he has left! He remains in to forgo the Easter ski jolly – hoping where a number of OOs congregated touch with Oliver Pykett ( Sn 89 ), there will be a chance to go next year! including Leo Barker ( S 97 ), Alex Alex Baldock ( S 89 ) and Jeremy Ng Henry Faulkner ( G 53 ) writes to Kemp ( S 97 ), Joe Sharratt ( S 97 ), ( L 91 ) in the U.K. He also caught up tell me he is now fully retired now, Rick Muir ( Sch 97 ), Chris Godfrey with Ben Gotto Smith ( Sn 89 ) who and is convalescing after a spell in (N 97), Jake Sanders ( St A 97 ) and lives in Sydney and Rupert Baird hospital. We wish him well a full and Jonathan Cope ( B 97 ) among others. Murray ( Sc 90 ) in Ibiza. speedy recovery. Edmund Greaves ( Sc 07 ) Alex Davies ( Ldr 05 ) Julian Sturdy-Morton ( Sn 71 ) contacted me to let me know has volunteered for several months at emailed me to say that he could embarked upon a new career, NHS Nightingale in London as the remember the last time he had leaving journalism in January to St John Ambulance manager. He updated his correspondent but that become a media consultant for was joined by Chris Monk ( Sc 04 ) he agreed that 2020 has been MRM, a financial communications who supported in several roles. The extraordinary and testing. However consultancy. In January he also photograph below shows them just Julian has taken on two new careers moved in with his girlfriend Ellyn before they transported the first fully in 18 months just when he should Megicks, a pediatric nurse, who recovered patient out of the hospital. have retired after decades in the City. has worked valiantly on the NHS Patrick Tatham ( D 82 ) writes to In 2018 he and his wife, Maria, frontline during the coronavirus report that the day before lockdown launched A Bit of TLC, a virtual pandemic. his business venture was featured London club that regularly accounts Harry Gibson ( S 02 ) writes to on Dragons Den and he would for more than 10% of a West End pass on the good news that he was encourage all OOs to take a look audience. That stopped abruptly in appointed as a consultant in obstetrics at his website: www.pliqobag.com March 2020 so they launched a and gynaecology at the Whittington and take a look at his innovatively not-for-profit online grocery with

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 Alex Davies ( Ldr 05 ) and Chris Monk ( Sc 04 ) volunteering at NHS Nightingale in London. The photograph right shows them just before they transported the first fully recovered patient out of the hospital.

home deliveries, operated by 150 volunteers. For four months TLC during COVID supported 500 households with 12 tonnes of excellent food from wholesalers that had been destined for top restaurants. Julian felt it was the sort of thing that comes naturally from the breadth and community commitment that Oundle taught and still teaches. He describes it as having fun doing some good. He regularly sees Hugh Carlisle ( Sn 55 ) playing croquet at The Hurlingham He is still active in the town planning down, he has seen less of Matthew Club and is in close contact with world. Sargaison ( B 87 ) and Gavin Allen Benjamin Rhodes ( St A 70 ) who has John was due to meet up with his ( B 87 ), but both seemed well when earned an enviable reputation as a brother, Colin Story ( B 70 ) in early they met up a while ago. Shortly dealer in contemporary art. April. Colin lives in South Fremantle before Christmas, James Ginns Andrew Barraclough ( N 84) in Western Australia and the plan was ( Sch 87 ) was over from Hong and Dominic ( N 84 ) & Chris to link up in Japan. However, we both Kong which resulted in a most Barraclough ( N 86 ) report that their came to the same conclusion in early enjoyable impromptu drink with fathers Mark ( N 53 ) and David March that with Coronavirus affecting Charles Hammond ( Sn 87 ) and ( N 52 ) both passed away in 2019. much of the region, it was best to James Holland ( N 87 ). Richard has Charlotte Wiseman ( K 00 ) writes cancel our respective trips. This was also enjoyed working with Jeremy to tell me that Following a long- just as well as John contracted Covid Richardson ( G 88 ) as the Four standing career in fashion she has 19 on March 23rd and was in hospital Seasons Health Care Group (where recently retrained in Applied positive for eight weeks, five of which were in Jeremy is Chief Executive) has been organisational psychology and intensive care. He is delighted to be working with Freshfields (where Mental Health First Aid. Charlotte back home, regaining strength and Richard is a partner). A rowing now works as a consultant and trainer mobility. He says that he received photo of the Oundle 1st VIII from helping organisations to optimise marvellous treatment from the NHS 1987, featuring a somewhat younger engagement, boost staff satisfaction and its medical staff. When not in Jeremy and Richard, was much and enhance wellbeing through the hands of the medics, John is fully enjoyed by several Board members positive leadership and mental fitness engaged with a local charity, with before one of the Board meetings! in the workplace. She is working with the chairmanship of the Board of George Johnson ( C 04 ) and his organisations such as Accenture, Soho Governors of an independent senior family relocated back to Hertfordshire House, TSB, Innocent and Amazon. boys’ school in Surrey, and attending from Jersey in July 2020. Last summer John Story ( B 65 ) writes from classes in watercolour painting and he organised a Ramblers cricket Barnes in London where he sees, and philosophy. Sport has had to take a tour to Jersey which saw them lose catches up with Chris Reilly ( St A back seat in recent times. all three games convincingly along 65 ), from time to time. Chris is a near John also caught up with a number with 14 dropped catches in typical neighbour. Another near neighbour is of contemporaries at the OO over 60s Ramblers style. They did however Charlie Hiscocks ( StA 80 ) who has lunch at the RAF Club in early March. drink the bar dry and have been come round for a chat in the garden They included John Craggs ( S 61 ), invited back anytime! Philip Pedley (in accordance with government Ben Leggate ( D 65 ), Richard was in attendance along with Rick guidelines!) on a couple of occasions Matthews ( D 66 ), and Bob Ellis Legget ( St A 04 ), Seb Goldsmith in the recent past. John has also been ( D 65 ). ( S 03 ), Toby Saul ( C 2003 ), Luke in touch with Nick Chrimes ( Sc 69 ) Richard Tett ( B 87 ) reports Canvin ( F 05 ), Rupert Rowe and with Jeremy Clark-Lowes another year has slipped by in the ( G 05 ), Tim Elborne ( St A 05 ), ( B 65 ). Jeremy has recently moved blink of an eye, but with a good James Davies ( F 03 ), Will Chrimes from Sussex to near Tenbury Wells. number of OO encounters. With lock- ( Sch 04 ) and Dan Potts ( C 02 ).

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Charlotte Charlesworth (née not like the idea, nor did his father; William Pickard ( Sanderson 1980) Cubitt, K 09) writes to report that so, in effect, he was expelled. His and Ed Pickard ( Grafton 1982 ) she still teaches in Tower Hamlets, Housemaster, B. V. Kingham, later are all in good heart – the family East London and lives with her referred to him as: “the boy who left has now expanded to us having 12 husband Edward in St Albans. They with a cloud on his name”. (“under a grandchildren and having cancelled had been due to marry in Norfolk in cloud” is the more usual phraseology, two holidays because of Covid all the April but, with a ban on weddings but BVK’s words are remembered.) family are assembling at their home imminent, they made a dash for the Walter Mills was one of the 12,000 in August. altar two weeks early. Two days later, troops in the Arnhem disaster; better Adam Grint ( Lx 93 ) has had the lockdown came into force and they known as: “a bridge too far”. 4,000 pleasure of catching up with several spent a wonderful couple of months were killed, 6,000 were captured; but 1993 OOs over the past year. He ‘on honeymoon’ in Norfolk with Mills, although wounded, was one of joined Mark Waters ( B 93 ) who Charlotte’s parents and brother Ed the 2,000 who escaped. Sadly, he was Chairs the Mensa London meet-up Cubitt ( G 12 )! They regularly catch killed later in the war where Oliver Pugh ( B 93 ) and up with James Cubitt ( G 10 ), who Trevor Ramsey moved to France Donald Alcorn ( Ldr 93 ) are also lives with his fiancée El in Singapore, after his wife died, as his only regulars. and can’t wait for their wedding next daughter had married a Frenchman. Donald Alcorn has been keeping summer. Trevor and Francis were still himself trim with his insatiable Francis Goode ( S 42 ) sent a remembering Oundle’s extraordinary appetite for a physical challenge report detailing life in Oundle during attitude to girls when talking on the alongside running his business the war. He writes to report that phone shortly before Trevor’s death building eco-homes. To highlight eighty years ago, in the summer of on 22 January 2017. the impact of methane on the 1940, Oundle School organized boy Francis Goode was informed environment, not only from cattle volunteers to help on local farms by the AMBASSADE DE FRANCE but from humans too, he recently to replace the men who had joined that the President of the Republic completed the challenge for an the wartime army. Three boys, had appointed him to the rank of upcoming TV series of wearing a from the January 1938 intake to Chevalier in the Ordre national de la methane collection rucksack, (much Sidney, volunteered: Walter Mills, Legion d’Honneur. Francis received like the bovine equivalent), whilst Trevor Ramsey, and Francis Goode. the medal last September, just in time on a strict diet of 3 roast dinners a Ramsey cycled to York (80 miles), for his visit to Arnhem with the Royal day for a week. He found he was joined Goode; together to Grantham British Legion. The award was with able to power his house for a month! (80 miles) and on to Oundle. All reference to the Incredible. volunteers were accommodated in a and the Liberation of France during Oliver Pugh meanwhile has dormitory in St. Anthony’s. The boys the Second World War. been riding the wave of the were employed for 3 weeks on local Sir Michael Pickard ( C 51 ) change in culinary culture during farms to do such things as stooking has sent in a Pickard family update lockdown. After leaving Mr Kipling wheat and barley. to report that he and his two sons confectioners, he exchanged a lifetime On the last evening, Walter Mills was seen, in the village of Oundle, with a girl. Also that evening, somebody asked: “Where is Ramsey?” The reply: “out with a girl”; was overheard by a master the other side of a wall. The parents of Mills and Ramsey each received a letter from the School to say that their son would b epunished when they returned to school. Walter Mills was duely given “six of the best” by the Head Master, Bud Fisher, for having been seen walking with a girl during the holidays! Trevor Ramsey did

 From left to right: Oliver Pugh ( B 93 ), Adam Grint ( Lx 93 ), Mark Waters ( B 93 ) and Donald Alcorn ( Ldr 93 )

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 OO Hockey Team vs School XI – March 2020

supply of Viennese Whirls to pursue his dreams of making the perfect chocolate finger. He now has nearly one million YouTube followers as he reinterprets old fashioned confectionary into new products such as his ‘Custard Dodgers Avec Wasabi’, and flogs them to Gen-Z hipsters. I’m told a pilot for a C4 series entitled ‘Is That Your Finger In My Chocolate?’ with Carol Vordermann is also also in production. Exciting times! He also caught up with Simon Clark ( S 93 ), over from Australia for a short period. Since the rise in the culture of working from home, from Oundle but also from business and a few drinks in The Ship. He also he has seen an uptick in demand for school, where it was good see a strong reports that he is living in Strawberry his smart-enabled office products OO contingent, including Simon Hill, working in entertainment brand as people attempt to create an office Yun-Farmborough ( B 75 ), Richard licensing and remains in touch with environment in the home. To help Newboult, Jonathan Douglas Dudley Moor Radford ( B 85 ), people gain separation between ( B 80 ), Peter Ahm ( St A 80 ), Jerry James Riggs ( Sn 85 ), Karl Volz work and home life, one of his Sampson ( St A 80 ), David Orr ( Lx 85 ), Adam Covell ( S 85 ) and most popular items has been the ( St A 80 ) and Mike Docherty Phil Massey ( St A 85). ‘Elevator-Immitator’; an 8ftx3ft box ( St A 80). Guy reports that business Philip De Sa ( S 71 ) dropped me a delivered flat-packed, that resembles has been good and his head-hunting note to say he is afraid he has nothing the interior of a lift. Complete with firm, Independent Search Partnership, to report apart from being alive and pinging sounds effects and a digital continues to grow, now having 4 well and overall unprecedented display. As you shuttle through Partners. situation accepted, ‘is enjoying a the floors, your smart-enabled 2nd Lieutenant Sebastian Tusa good lockdown’, a seemingly strange inflatable colleague asks you a series ( S 13 ) graduated from Durham sentiment that he has heard others of mundane questions about your University in June 2018, before claiming as well! weekend. starting at the Royal Military Alan Moore ( C 62 ) is writing Joe Hubback ( Lx Sch 95 ) tells me Academy Sandhurst in May 2019, another book, following publication that as a result of the pandemic he has commissioning a year later in of his ecological thriller Bitten two nothing to report other than bumping April 2020 amid the height of the years ago. The book in progress is a into Ben Barnes ( Sch 95 ) at a BBQ coronavirus crisis. After some time semi-autobiographical novel, which (post-lockdown!) after not seeing him spent running COVID-19 mobile includes a section based on his time for 25 years and having a great catch testing units in London, Seb has at Oundle. His distinction at the up. been at the Infantry Battle School, School was not for any academic or Peter Kunzler ( N 71 ) penned a Brecon for phase 2 training and is sporting ability, but for the fact that very brief update to tell me that he is looking forward to starting life at in the same term he was beaten, with continuing his house building project the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards a short run-up, by both the Head and on a Thames island. He hopes to this September. In November he is Second Head of School and then two finish it in the next couple of years! due to deploy to the weeks later given six of the best by Guy Beresford ( B 81 ) reports for three months with the Queen’s the Headman. Fortunately, on both another busy year of OO activities Company, as part of the UK’s ongoing occasions he had a wallet in his back up until the OO Committee meeting military commitment to the islands. pocket, which remained unnoticed by in March, which was the last densely Dom Wheeler ( S 85 ) writes to tell his chastisers, so the pain of the cane populated event he attended before his correspondent that he thoroughly was minimal! Nowadays, when he lockdown. OO-related activity enjoyed playing in the OOs v School is not tapping away at his keyboard, has often centred around golf. He hockey match this year. Sadly just he is trying to keep pace with his five attended the very sad but uplifting before lock down so post match grandchildren or, correctly masked, funeral of William Hodson ( St A celebrations somewhat curtailed helping his wife Amber with the 80 ) in September, a friend not only although memorable win for the OOs shopping or falling asleep in front of

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the TV. surgeon working in south Wales 10 years ago as chairman of a diverse Ross Kemp ( S 95 ) wrote to me and says he’s “saving the world, one optical group, which included the providing a fantastic update on all knee at a time!” and Andy is a Senior company which pioneered the use of the family and tells me that he still Director at restructuring firm Alvarez the intra-occular lens, used to restore lives and works in London, and finds and Marsal in London. Andy and wife sight in hundreds of millions of it somewhat hard to believe he’s still Rekha welcomed their daughter Coco operations throughout the world. working away for his first employer, Elizabeth into the world last year. Although never having progressed the BBC. Ross meets up with Billy Rachel Kemp ( W 07 ) took beyond being house captain of Day ( S 95 ) and Chris Goff( S 95 ) up a school-teaching role at the rowing and afterwards gaining an oar fairly regularly, although lockdown beginning of the last academic year in the Lady Margaret 5th May Boat has interfered with a few plans, at Victoria College in Jersey. Despite in 1957, he took up rowing in his 50’s in particular a small reunion also the challenges posed in the role, in and still shares ownership of a double including Piers Millett ( S 95 ) and the months that have followed she scull and a quad kept near Barnes Roger Rande ( S 95 ). has become highly skilled in paddle Bridge. A planned meet-up at a poetry boarding and is very much enjoying He has been involved with the reading at which Ed Ragg ( S 95 ) the Channel Islands life. Rachel has local Barnes Music Society for many would be reading from his new recently caught up (virtually) with years and is now relieved to have collection ‘Exploring Rights’ Libby Tunbridge ( K 07 ), Faye handed on the chairmanship. As a (Cinnamon Press) moved on-line but Walters ( K 07 ), Jo Thomson ( K 07 ) winner of the Hepburn music prize it was still great to see and hear him and Ben Wyse ( S 07 ). at Oundle (he says this was only albeit on a screen. This format After an eclectic few years roaming because a violinist named Tomalin enabled the pleasant surprise of London as a private tutor, while couldn’t be awarded this for a second allowing Ross to re-connect with volunteering for legal charities such time!), he has continued to have Chris Yates ( S 95 ), who was also in as Liberty, Reprieve and the Bar Pro regular piano lessons, though at the virtual audience from his home in Bono Unit, Oliver Jackson ( Ldr present these have to be conducted Athens! 12 ) was called to the Bar at Middle through Facetime. It’s been a busy year indeed for Temple and completed pupillage at Both he and Pamela have travelled Alex Kemp ( S 97 ). His business, Monckton Chambers. He is spending widely in the Middle East and for The Eye Place, commands much the next year as the Judicial Assistant the last 20 years have been regular of his time as it continues to to Lord Burrows at the Supreme visitors to Egypt. Working with a grow. Do mention you’re an OO Court. local partner, and using craftsmen when you book your eye exam in Pat Dobson ( Ldr 06 ) writes to from local villages, they have built London, Bakewell, Sheffield, Hull or let me know he and Emily ( K 06 ) two large domed villas on the West Towcester. The last few are locations are due to have a baby in September Bank of the River Nile at Luxor. These into which he’s expanded in the last of this year and boy or girl he hopes provide glorious opportunities to visit few years. In case that wasn’t enough, they will be gracing 2 Acre in the not the Kings Valley and other antiquities Alex got married to Jess in 2019 and too distant future. In the meantime in this land of the Pharoes. One villa he also caught up with Karis Abbas they are riding out the lockdown not only faces the famous Old Winter (St. A 97 ), Al Lai ( G 97 ), Pete between Islington and Essex. Pat is Palace and Luxor temple, but also the Byworth ( St A 97 ) and Al Herd also disappointed to report that he well-appointed Luxor Rowing Club. ( S 97 ). 2019 also saw the birth of had to postpone Ed Bury’s ( Ldr 06 ) Cameron Hunt ( S 91 ) reports that Alex’s second son Oscar, a younger stag do in Ibiza until 2021. Likewise he is still in the commodities industry brother for Oliver. Alex and his family Ed had to postpone his wedding in and has returned to London after a live in Sheffield. Bordeaux by a year. number of years in Singapore. He has Despite Mark Kemp ( S 99 ) living Dan Jenkins ( Ldr 97 ) is still enjoyed the full cycle of seasons since in Bristol and Andy Kemp ( S 99 ) regularly in touch with Tom Playford returning, but is missing the regular living in London, golf (amongst other ( B 97 ) and very occasionally cycle touring trips into Malaysia things) provides a regular opportunity Andrew Bain ( LS 97 ) and Andrew and Indonesia. His brother William for them to catch up with one another. Foster ( B 97 ) and Rick Muir ( Sch Luttrell-Hunt ( S 95 ) is dividing his Lockdown has forced some of the 97 ) and been trying to arrange a meet time between Oxfordshire, the SW meet-ups to be online, but that’s also up with Jon Cope ( B 97 ) for ages! and commuting into London, while allowed George Unwin ( S 99 ) and Christopher Morgan ( B 51 ) has youngest brother Rod Hunt ( S 01 ) Adam Bosman ( S 99 ) to join them. been living in Barnes, South-West has recently seen his family size Along with a few cases of George’s London for the last 40 years, with increase while remodelling his new fabulous wines (Baythorne Wines) his wife Pamela. After undergoing house in Cheshire. Edward Hunt shipped in advance, the catch-up also a series of mergers as a London ( S 58 ) is enjoying battling the included a guided (Zoom-powered) partner in what is now PwC, he has golf courses of NW England, and wine-tasting session. had a variety of non-executive and maintaining an edge, or perhaps Mark is a consultant orthopaedic charitable directorships. He retired a slice, over his sons. They are all

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 Seated left to right - Blackburn, Gray, Hodgson, Harrison, Jeremy Burgess ( all C 72 )

looking forward to restarting their regular lunches in London. Simon Hinshelwood ( St A 81 ) is sheltering from the virus in Hong Kong where, until recently, things have been pretty safe on that front. Politics a different matter and not to be discussed. Like everybody else his travel has been severely curtailed and he has gone be from flying about every 3 weeks to only 2 trips this year so far. One to Sydney in early February to see his son Campbell and one to London in June to see his mother, brother Nigel ( St A 82 ) and his other two sons, Will and Euan. When social distancing rules allowed, he has enjoyed a few days out sailing also recently started hosting the and planning of large commercial with Jonathon Zeal ( St A 84 ) in Football Ramble - the world’s biggest and residential buildings taking Hong Kong. independent football podcast - which place across the internet. Strangely Andrew Worth ( Sc 87 ) reports would certainly welcome new OO this has led to some good efficiencies that he moved out of London in listeners. and many of these new practices will August last year to Sussex which James Holmes-Siedle ( C 80 ) probably make their way into projects (with a 9 and 7 year old) was good has had an interesting 2019/20. In in the future! timing for lockdown. He still keeps September he became Lead Rowing Richard Wilson ( N 66 ), Strahan in regular contact with Andrew Coach (Voluntary) for the Putney Wilson ( Lx 93 ), Chris Wilson Chappell ( S 87 ). Town Rowing Club’s Masters ( Lx 95 ) and Nick Wilson ( Lx 99) Jeremy Burgess ( C 72 ) wrote me Women’s Squad. He discovered that attended the wedding of James a short note to say he had found the Laura Peck ( N 00 ) was a member of Wilson (Lx 01) to Georgie Muir- old photo above, believed to be the his squad. An emphasis on pushing Mackenzie on Friday 31st July in 1st eleven hockey team from 1971. hard produced some impressive Aldeburgh, Suffolk. The wedding James Leadbeater ( Sn 93 ) early results; a 3rd and 2nd place in was a great success, despite the need writes that theThe Sanderson 1993 the Vet4s head of the river and then for social distancing. cohort had a COVID inspired Zoom a win in Quintin Head. This looked Your correspondent’s brother, get together on 2 May 2020: James like it was going to be a good season, Guy Simmonds ( St A 95 ) and Leabeater, Joe Goyder, Joe Henry, but then racing was completely his family made their move Nigel Kirk, Oliver Quarmby, Alex curtailed by 6 weeks of dreadful out of town over the summer, Smith, Colin McInnes, George weather and then lockdown. Moving exchanging Battersea for village Jeffreys, Harry Shelley, Xavier coaching from water, to land, to life in Buckinghamshire. As luck McDonald and Fuad Abdullah (all Zoom was a strange affair, but has would have it the annual OO Vets SN 93) spent a few hours catching up led to strong increases in fitness, and rugby game in Oundle was able from their various homes (from north a strengthened squad. Now back on to go ahead just a couple of weeks to south: Northumberland, Yorkshire, the river at last and things are feeling before lockdown, which may have Oxfordshire, London, Belgium, a bit more normal, though we are all been the last live sport many were Marseilles, and still in small boats. able to play/watch. Always leave ). George’s dressing gown Work has been similarly busy and them wanting (quite a lot) more.... was excused by the fact it was 6am James has been fortunate enough His first few steps toward normality in Queensland. They plan to meet in to have clients who are delivering were getting out on the golf course person when possible, though who two new London neighbourhoods; with Messrs Ben Barnes ( Sc 95 ) and knows then that will be. King’s Cross Central and Brent Wilson ( Lx 95 ). Kate Mason ( L 06 ) returned Cross South. It seemed like only a Peter Haselden tells me he has from Doha last year to take up a job couple of days and large teams were little to report except that he met up as a presenter for Sky Sports. She’s working remotely, with the design with Dom Parker, Ben Cocke, Andy

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Jay late last year, up in London. David Kunzer failed to make it (all Georgina McGrath G 85 except Andy Jay as he left after (née Lewis, D 03) marrying Patrick 5th form… and bizarrely none of us McGrath in Ireland remembered that!). Peter reports a 9 March 2019 fantastic evening and struggles to recall the end of it… Benjamin Lane ( B 06 ) reports that he and his wife Daniella are expecting their first child in September, and are very excited to start this new adventure. Ben has also recently set up Acumen Academy UK, a charitable organisation focused on finding and empowering leaders who are tackling the UK’s toughest social and environmental issues.

MARRIAGES Victoria Cropley ( N 01 ) married 1 October 2019 Duncan Thomson on 18th May 2019 in Caroline Chamberlain (née Holroyde Sutterton, Lincolnshire. Sn 05) and her husband Andrew, a James East ( B 05 ) married Sophie son, Ferdinand George Alexander, Watt on 25 July 2020. BIRTHS born on 29 January 2020 Will East ( Sn 02 ) married Miriam William Chapman ( Sch 95 ) and his Orcutt on 18 July 2020 at St wife Georgina (née Le Grice), a son, Bartholomew the Great, London. Harry Gibson ( S 02 ) and his wife Ralph Valentine, on 1 September 2019 Charlotte Cubitt ( K 09 ) married Hannah, a son, Laurie Andrew, was Alex Kemp ( S 97 ) and his wife Jess, Edward Charlesworth on 21 March born on 18 August 2019 a son, Oscar Edward Kemp, on 10 2020 Edward Dyson ( B 05 ) and his wife June 2019 Georgina Lewis ( D 03 ) married Constance, a son, Edward Pelham Andrew Kemp ( S 99 ) and his wife Patrick McGrath on 9 March 2019 in Henry, born on 30 December 2019, a Rekha, a daughter, Coco Elizabeth Ireland brother for Frank and Finetta and a Kemp, on 19 July 2019 Alex Kemp ( S 97 ) married Jess godson for James East ( B 05 ) Daniel Jenkins ( Ldr 97 ) and his wife Wintour on Saturday 28 September Lucy McLaren (née Tusting, Sn 06) and Emma, a daughter, Anwen Nansi, on 2019 her husband Angus, a son, Kit, born on 23 June 2020 James Wilson ( Lx 01 ) married 26 September 2019, a brother for Rose James Leabeater ( Sn 93 ) and his wife Georgie Muir-Mackenzie on Friday 31 Andrew Mackay ( G 04 ) and his wife, Melissa, a son, Joe, brother to Max, July 2020 in Aldeburgh, Suffolk Caron, a son, Angus Joseph Ruairi, on born 11 July 2019

North East By Charlie Hoult ( Sc 85 )

nce again, the wires those gad-about young OOs stayed are white hot trawling home. Thomas Dodd ( S ) was doing O our glorious region for post-grad at Oxford, which mainly OO news. It’s been trickier with involved clay pigeon shooting, when Lockdown, though Northumberland he caught Covid and was whisked was the UK’s Staycation County of back North. He’s been hanging out the Year – glorious in May/June! All with brother Nikolai, studying for

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retakes. Ollie Mills had year-off plans nearby Sedbergh rather than his alma all those phishing emails come from!? curtailed on Matfen Golf Course mater and we shared a Dad Dance- Charlie Bennett ( N 84 ) recently though George Gibson managed off in front of them at Christmas to, ventured ‘doon sooth’ to a dinner to get away to New Zealand. And basically, everyone’s horror. Ralph hosted by Adam Hartley in Oxford several Oundelians slipped into recently stayed with Phil Alcock ( C for a cohort of New House 84 with OO status from the confines of their 90 ) in Bath as part of a post Covid Jimmy Burton, Jerry Epton, Harry perches in the county via the misery road trip, returning via Oundle to see Clayton and Robin Hollands – to of Zoom, instead of the fanfare of the Deputy Head Alistair Sherwin and his raise a glass for Bob Brandler, who Leavers’ Ball. NE-born wife Camilla for a socially sadly passed away this year. Photos Georgina ‘Gee’ Elliott ( D 05 ) was distanced beer on Bramston Close. were shared of an illicit 18th birthday quick off the blocks with news of her If OOs aren’t visiting to drop party for Bob in a hostelry near charity in Uganda, Eco Brix, which their family at Uni in Toon, the Oundle. is now recycling plastic to make classic winter staycation can involve David Simpson-Brass is also visors for frontline covid workers, firearms.James Rainbow ( Sn 85 ) crossing borders after three years up providing 2500 jobs in marginalised caught up with my old room-mate, North and says ‘saludos’. To avoid communities. Back in London with Mark Dixon ( Sn 85 ), in January the staycation hoards (and what time on her hands and a collection of when he brought friends including he calls ‘daft Brexit’), he’s returned African fabrics, she’s also started a Dominic Parker ( G 85 ) for a few to Spain where his daughter has business making facemasks: vibrant, days shooting in the Borders. Dixon taken nationality. He’s been helping sustainable and machine washable at was back with son Fred for a cycling Angus Murphy ( Ldr 13 ) find a www.namatovu.com – with every set, tour of Northumberland, Borders, position in Iberia after his stint a visor is donated to Uganda’s largest Cumbria and County Durham. with KPMG in London. David says hospital. They’ll be passing through Emily playing golf every morning at Club Thea Scott (née Oliver D 04 ) Trevelyan’s (19) manor as she de Golf Escorpion will keep him fit. had plans to travel to take her Old prepares for Edinburgh Uni. He’s given up my memberships of Uppinghamian husband to East I would point any OO cyclists to Bamburgh and Seahouses GC, but Africa this year, but that’s been a Tour de Yorkshire. One of the most will be back in Autumn to see his curtailed by Lockdown. Displaying prolific Facebookers in my inbox is Ed mother, aged 98, at Bamburgh. Oundelian tenacity and resolute Caudwell ( C 84). He has mellowed While up the coast, brothers John attitude, she’s now a director of over the years from frantic 50s parties and Simon Bevan are both doing Footprints Consulting, which helps to home baking, wild swimming and their best to pop Northumberland’s tech companies understand their bbq steak photos that go alongside staycation bubble so they can have marketing functions. She’s spoken money-shots of gorgeous Dales peace and quiet at their retirement to both Will Chrimes ( Sch 04 ) and manor houses that he sells as a pukka spot on Holy Island. It’s famed as Bridie Muir (nee Layden L 04) about estate agent. It’s all documented in the first place Christianity came to businesses they plan to launch. Thea technicolour, often with a glinting England and for the causeway road reports that D04 are regulars on her sundowner of Cider from Sean that floods on a rising tide – but the WhatApp and she’s been zooming McFetrich’s ( B 84 ) cider service, tourism boom means it now receives both is Emily Frenay (née Wainright Fetch the Drinks, from Bournemouth. 880,000 visitors per year. The Bevans Lee K 04) and Jon Beeby ( StA 04 ) To mention my own vintage, I’ve have served long on the Parish who lives in St Louis, MO. Jon was seen my usual clutch of OOs cider Council, but withhold budget to over in Edinburgh for his sister’s maker Rory Souter ( G 86 ) and stage renovate the loos every year! engagement and asked Thea to read star Bill Ward ( G 84 ), X-rated Speaking of nonagenarians, it’s sad at his wedding in 2021 in the US – publisher James Robertson ( Lx 85 ) to report that Tubby Booth declared they expect to catch others from the and TV’s Vera producer Will at 93, and is off to the fairways in the 2004 vintage. Nicholson. It was amazing to sail sky. I will miss his frequent emails From words to music, Rupert Holy Island with Chris Stephenson of terrible jokes and pictures, though Bradbury ( Sch 89 ) reports that he’s ( Sn 85 ) who came visiting our feel lucky to have heard his tales of taken a new role with Roland Europe glorious coast for, you guessed it, a Oundle privations during WW2. to open ‘stores within stores’ to sell family staycation – 32 years after we Nick Rowell ( C 63 ) isn’t their their electronic instruments. set off from there on our year off to slouching in his retirement on the golf The travel may give him respite from sail to St Tropez with crew that greens. He’s on the river. Late news juggling his five kids at home in included Sean Brunton, Gary Jones, from the year didn’t make my Hexham. Richard Emmott, Steve Kunzer. previous letter and I promised to A couple of fields away,Ralph Chris is beating McKinsey at their make amends. Nick was at Henley Charlton ( S 90 ) is also putting the own game as a strategy consultant in Royal Regatta with a gathering of miles in (and putting on the pounds?), Nigeria with his business partner, some members of the OSBC 1963 VIII. as Interim Comms Chief for Just Eat. Nigeria’s answer to Mark Whilst meandering down the towpath His daughters are going through Zuckerberg… now we know where to OO Drinks at Butler’s Field, he was

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accosted by a tall American for the very modest and gave full authority to is advanced engineering business second time in about 25 years in the ignore it if other OOs offer something Spincraft, which made parts for the same spot - Steve Brown ( D 63 ), who sensational. He started to explain his aviation industry before meltdown in rowed in the 63 crew whilst on an ESU golf and settled life with wife Helen in lockdown. However, prior turbulence exchange scholarship from Tabor Newcastle. Then he went into detail had already led them to diversify Academy, MA. Also in attendance was about his Boys Own story of visit his and Spincraft has closed a good year Nigel Shepherd ( G 63 ), cox Chris Gill son in Australia just as the pandemic providing parts for spacecraft, the ( G 64 ) and Nick’s former study mate, hit and having the most complicated nuclear industry and to enable MRI Andrew Anderson ( C 62 ) from the adventure to get back to Geordieland scanners to function. But, mostly, OSBC 1962 VIII. There was talk of 1962 with airlifts and switching planes while Christopher talks about fishing. OSBC cox Robin Greenfield ( C 62 ), all around were losing their heads. Very Another sideline for the local staycation who went to Newcastle University to tense. sector. Last September fishing on the read Chemical Engineering – never to Charles Escritt takes the prize for Tyne at Farnley he saw Ken Harrison be seen since. It still happens in The news and fully turned on the taps on excellent form. Ken had a bit of a Toon’s Golden Triangle!? Nick’s sons of info. His guilt is that he’s hardly health scare in March but is now fit Robin Rowell ( C 98 ) and Sandy engaged since Oundle with only one and thriving. He is 90 this year. He Rowell ( C 04 ) are extending their visit since 1968 – an OO rugby match. tells me his grand-daughter Juliet Army careers, Regular and Reserve He reports that he trained terribly hard Rothera is working in New York but respectively. He says: ‘They continue to only to get thwacked on the backside came back to work from home in the fall out of aircraft occasionally, rather mid-match by Frank Spragg’s son with UK during lockdown. Nick Rothera than my preference for remaining in the loud exhortation ‘get a bloody is involved in Drone safety in the control’. move on, you lazy bugger!’ aviation sector. David and Christopher The observant of my readers may Charles has moved North to be near Rothera continue to work providing have spotted that I’m loosely running daughter Louise but bemoans his son greenhouses to solve food production down the region in chronological order. Oliver works in London for ‘Leaders issues in the Middle East. The middle rankers have nowhere in Sport’ – earning more in a year Andrew Bywater demonstrated near the chat that I got from Tubby than Charles has over his career. Time his fish landing skills last September Booth. Ian Gilthorpe admits he’s spent in the area, after years in Czech with Christopher on the Tyne –landing moving ‘towards the senior end of Republic, have led him to discover an 18lb salmon. He continues as a your correspondents’. He’s no slouch, his grandfather was ordained by the GP near Worcester. Retirement is mind, building up Newcastle’s best Bishop of Durham in 1911 and used to beckoning. Cousin Daniel Porter was corporate legal firm in the past few bring boys up to summer camp near his due to fish the Tyne in March but years and restoring the fortunes of current home. stayed in Beijing where he has been South Northumberland Cricket Club. Charles reports that brother living for the last 3 years working both He kindly wrote to me to say he had Anthony Escritt ( StA 60 ), who was in the hospital and at the University. nothing to report. Likewise, Iain Head of Geography at Harrow until Brother Matthew Porter is Vicar at St Stewart-Fergusson ( Lx 58 ) who wrote retirement, combined this with a love of Michael le Belfry in York and currently with mild embarrassment: ‘I feel guilty the outdoors. He recalls both brothers taking a sabbatical for his Doctorate. over the cumulative lack of input over went to Iceland in 1966 to study glacial Another brother, James Porter, after a the years from my end: Imagination/ stone polygons but they arrived to see period as a Vicar in Cromer, has moved inspiration deficit’. the volcano on Surtsey erupting. to be Assistant Curate at St Heliers, Roger Dargue wrote that his news is Christopher Porter talks me through Jersey. He is loving it!

Scotland Guy Bainbridge ( Sn 78 )

he Edinburgh OO drinks at Sciences at Edinburgh University. The New Club were a casualty He recently marked 56 postgraduate T of lockdown, but nevertheless assignments on “Global Health” it has been good to hear from several - which he found educational for OOs across the country and across the himself. He was due to play bagpipes age range, so, starting with the oldest: for dancing at 20 ceilidhs at the David Stevenson ( N 51 ) is still an Edinburgh Festival Fringe but COVID Honorary Fellow in Population Health put paid to that and any other ceilidhs

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wife Annie and two children, Sophie Sanderson House and Hugh and their families. Charles 1955 Rugby team continues to enjoy retirement doing all the things that he was unable to do when flying all over the place and never being home at the right time. He has found grandchildren a great substitute for missed events. Mike Edge ( C 68 ) writes that surprisingly, at his time in life, he took on a new inspection role in 2018 working for a large national engineering manufacturer which has taken him all over the country from Shetland to Ireland to the Isle of Wight. Usually at weekends he has been flying back to Aberdeen so in his travels he has met up with a as their dancing is almost as far from and time have ceased to have any number of OOs, all former shooting social distancing as it is possible to get. meaning at all. He went on to say acquaintances, Richard Beeby Archie Burdon-Cooper ( C 55 ) it has been a blissfully quiet and ( Lx 68 ), David Habershon ( Ld 68), splits his time between Scotland and peaceful place to spend the lockdown Jonathan Dodd ( Sn 69 ), and more North Yorkshire. He appears to be months, although the boats are locally to himself Charlie Coulson very active reporting that in the last starting to fill up the bay once more, ( Lx 67 ). Following a period of year he has made several trips to and the caravans and campers are furlough he has now accepted VR and Cambridge, a music tour to , about again, but he has not seen any will in future be working on a contract fishing on the Tamar in Devon, and OOs this year. basis that given the new risk climate is writing a book on his experiences Roger White ( Sc 60) claims to have will allow him to work mainly closer as a national serviceman after leaving missed the deadline for news last year to home but for a range of companies. Oundle, including the Suez landings. as he was recovering from Ceòlas, Hamish Wallace ( G 74 ) reports He keeps in touch with his many South Uist Summer School. He had that life in North Berwick during OO relatives including his cousin attended Ioan Thomas’ memorial in lockdown continues at a very slow Richard Burdon-Cooper ( C 58 ) Oundle Parish Church with his pace and he has usually had a six living in Radlett who had to postpone youngest brother Simon White carriage train to himself whilst his 80th party this year, cousin Alick ( S 68) which he thought was a commuting. He modestly omitted Nicholson splendid tribute and he enjoyed to say he is a Professor of Paediatric ( C 62 ) living in Cumbria and nephew catching up with Roger Page ( S 71 ) Oncology at the University of Andrew Pope ( N 87 ) who lives and others. In 2019 he also took his Edinburgh and Royal Hospital for nearby and still works for Network wood-fired ’Fossil-Free ’ Land-Rover Sick Children. Hamish missed Henley Rail. He also speaks to Iain Smith to Blair Atholl Horse Trials. Royal Regatta as it was cancelled but ( C 56 ) who lives in Vernon, British Adrian Grant ( N 65 ) tells me his hopes to see friends and OOs there Columbia but they both thought even latest project - broadly an overview next year. He has developed a passion before COVID that transatlantic travel of the history of Fife over the period for bridge and plays at The Marmion may now be beyond them. 75AD-1130AD - has spawned club with Tony Lewin, who many David Stembridge ( Snc 56 ) several papers which OOs with will remember as a teacher at Oundle. reported that he had little news but an interest in the matter can see at Hamish’s marginally younger brother instead sent me a wonderful photo https://independent.academia.edu/ Malcom Wallace ( G 76 ) is settled of the Sanderson House 1955 Rugby AdrianGrant1. and successful in Sydney Australia. XV he captained striding out arm-in- Charles Coulson ( Lx 67 ) reports Hamish sees his great friend Timothy arm to the inter-house final. He also the sad news that his brother Cowan ( Ldr 76 ) quite often. remembers study cooking with flames Francis Archer Coulson ( Lx 65 ) Timothy lives in Tooting and in leaping to the ceiling – all well before died on 15 March 2020, his birthday, France and has a successful medical anyone had heard of Health & Safety. overwhelmed by a multitude of insurance business. Neil Cameron ( C 58 ) just made ailments from a life well lived and Michael Beamish ( Sc 75 ) had his my deadline for reporting with the enjoyed. COVID isolation meant he second hip replaced last August; he explanation that up in the north was seen on his way only by close puts the damage down to floundering west they don’t have a word for family and friends but at some time around the squash court when anything as urgent as ’manana’, and in the future it is hoped to be able to overweight all those years ago. The the lockdown has meant that date celebrate him. He leaves behind his good news is he is now completely

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extremely active with the Worshipful Company of Farmers, advising and running the local cricket club and keeping track of his grandchildren. Roger continues his success as an entrepreneur and investor in York where he is well known for running a portfolio of businesses. Nick Turberville ( St A 93 ) met up with Maurits Van Wijk ( Ldr 93 ) for a long overdue round of golf at Merchants of Edinburgh within a week of the courses reopening in Scotland post lockdown. They calculated that the last time they played together was as 2nd pair for the golf team at school and promised From L to R: Max Barraclough, Sam that they won’t wait 27 years for their Cates, Nick Ohly, Jimmy Goddard, next round! The round complied with James Morriss, Charles Ashby social distancing guidelines as Nick’s enduring aggressive fade made sure they were more than 20 metres apart from tee to green. pain free and easily able to play 36 Mull; just residents and no tourists! Nick Ohly ( Lx 96 ) reports that he holes of golf again. He has eventually Christopher Slater ( St A 86 ) is very settled in Glasgow, replacing managed to meet up with Duncan reports that, whilst 2020 has not been hips and knees. In September 2019 Monroe ( G 75 ) for golf as he now a very exciting year for achievements a group of Lx 96 (see photo) cycled lives in Fife. The Borders distillery is and experiences, he can say he is from Newcastle to Glasgow over going from strength to strength and surviving and so is his business. 2.5 days in support of Nick’s family they have recently launched their This is a small miracle as his business, fund Project GO and Duchenne UK, Puffing Billy steam vodka which supplying retailers with Scottish raising more than £10,000. Hugely has won many accolades as the gifts and Harris Tweed products, impressive was the effort by Jimmy perfect vodka for vodka martinis and relies heavily on the tourist sector. Goddard who managed the entire Michael encourages all OOs to try it! Obviously things are very reduced distance on his handbike, and they Duncan Monroe ( G 75 ) retired when compared to previous years were accompanied by Sam Cates, in September 2019 having spent the but orders are coming in from all James Morriss, Charles Ashby and last three years of his working life in over the world and each week he is Max Barraclough. Nick never thought Kirkcaldy. He now lives in the lovely seeing a steady improvement. His he’d be sharing a dormitory again Elie, Fife, plays golf poorly and cycles four children have all been home near with these individuals, but wasn’t slowly. He has enrolled on a part- Gifford in East Lothian for lockdown, surprised how after 23 years neither time degree course at St Andrews either with redundancy, difficulty the banter nor personal hygiene had University and reports that at his completing a degree or not knowing changed. Nick’s sisters Geraldine current rate of progress he should if a new university course will start. Grob (née Ohly, K 98) and Christina graduate in 2028. In the last year the only OO Chris Gibbins (née Ohly, K 02) are based James Dracup ( Sc 76 ) is currently has seen is his brother Mark Slater in Malmesbury and Witney - both working in for Macnaughton ( St A 87 ), who continues to run his admirably juggling careers whilst Holdings Ltd., manufacturers and fund management business and lives raising young families. wholesalers of Highland wear between London and the Cotswolds Jamie Goodhart ( Ldr 01 ) reports (www.houseofedgar.com) and also with his wife and three boys. that he and his wife, Andrea, had furnishing fabrics (www.islemill. Mike Thorpe ( Lx 87 ) no longer their first child Elspeth on 30th April, com). The company is one of lives in Scotland. Since returning from and all are fit and well. However, Scotland’s oldest family companies the Middle East 18 months ago he has their house is unliveable as its having been founded in 1873. James now been relocated to Brussels for 12 redevelopment is delayed by COVID lives outside of Perth, and enjoys months to change and run an office. so they are living with his in-laws. playing golf at Blairgowrie golf club. He spends as much time as possible Mark Robson ( G 12 ) married Paul Hilton ( B 78 ) is well and with his father ( John Thorpe Lx 56 ) Bronte Johnston on 14 December living on the Isle of Mull where he and brother ( Roger Thorpe Lx 92 ) 2019. In typical fashion, Cumbria has been on and off for 25 years. and also his children aged 21 and 19. provided its full repertoire of weather Lockdown has had its benefits on Even at the age of 80, John remains conditions. This however had little

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impact on what was a fantastic day. Many OOs were in attendance at the service and later at Lowther Castle for some extensive celebrations. Earlier in the year, a group consisting of a number of OOs led Mark on a successful skirmish of Cork, Ireland in advance of marriage. All were accounted for and made it home safely. Mark and Bronte now reside in Edinburgh’s New Town and would love to nab a drink with visiting OOs. Emily Gladstone ( W 13 ) graduated from the University of St. Charlie Bainbridge’s 21st. All St A 17. Left to right, back row first: Tim Yang, Charlie Bainbridge, Hugo Winnett, Fergus Anderson, Toshi Oshima, Andrews in 2017, and is now working Lochie Payne, Harry Stansfeld, AJ Hayes-Powell, John Philips, Charlie Groves as an economist for the Department for International Trade. Covid-19 means she has had to spend the last few months working from home with triplet brother, James Gladstone writing skills in the film industry, Emily, my brother James Bainbridge ( C 13 ) who has been doing a lot of Angus ( G 14 ) is working for Rafa ( Sn 82 ), Emma Wakeford ( D 16 ), cycling and is active on Strava. in Spitalfield including leading early Olly Parker ( B 17) and Coco Brown Jonathan Britton ( Ldr 00 ) moved morning cycling tours, and Rory ( W 17 ). Charlie is still at Leeds as a pub manager with JD ( B 17 ) who is enjoying Oxford University, enjoying hockey and Wetherspoon from York to Fort Brookes. In February my son Charlie social life more than engineering William three weeks before lockdown Bainbridge ( St A 17 ) squeezed his lectures. Emily Bainbridge ( K 14 ) began. He had been holidaying in the 21st party in a month before lockdown. graduated from Leeds University in area for 10 years and has a sister All but three of his St A year group paediatric nursing last September and living at Ballachulish and decided it were there (see photo) and they led a started work in neo-natal intensive was the place he wanted to live. He somewhat out of tune but very loud care at Chelsea & Westminster so spent lockdown furloughed but rendition of “Jerusalem” at 4am – I has been on the front line including walked over 350km exploring Glen don’t think the alcohol made their treating premature babies who have Nevis and the Manmore mountains singing any better or worse than it coronavirus. She has seen a lot of whilst also providing shopping and had been for five years in chapel. Zac Bella Ellis ( Sn 14 ) who is teaching medication runs for people who could Berrill and Angus Wight ( both St A music in London and they play netball not go out. Thankfully his pub has 17 ) only failed to make it on the day together; she also sees Alex Hodgson, been very busy in the two weeks since due to Storm Dennis; Zac made it as Freddie Martin and Emma Morse they were allowed to reopen. far as the M74 where he aquaplaned ( all K 14 ), Charlotte Cundall ( D 14 ), Finally my family’s news. Pre- into the central reservation, writing Fleur Arkell ( L 14 ), Charlie Bowkett COVID I had settled into a balanced off his mother’s car but thankfully and Tom Daniels (both G 14 ), Oli life of non-executive roles, holidays, emerging unhurt. Other OOs Wood ( C 14 ), and David Bolle-Jones sports, hobbies and time at home attending included Charlie’s sister ( St A 14 ) regularly. which was varied, interesting and busy. Now all work is from home and skiing and holidays to Peru/Galapagos and France have been cancelled, but some of those retirement jobs have started to be done. Last August I was in a Wakeford party of 24 for the Oban Ball of which 15 were OOs (see photo) and, as often, bumped into Alastair Irvine ( Sc 81) and his son Angus Irvine ( Sc 12 ) who was at Sandhurst. Dave Bevin (Sn 79), Robert Yeo ( Sn 78 ) and I managed to have our annual evening out before COVID arrived. We regularly see the McCool Duncan Fifteen OOs ready for the Oban Ball family – Connie ( Sn 13 ) is using her

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South West Anthony Parsons ( S 65 )

hope that all Southwest OOs and Mattinson’s ( N 78 ) landmark their families are negotiating this birthday at the famed Soho watering I unprecedented period in good hole “The French House”, where health and without suffering undue he met up with contemporary hardship. In spite (perhaps because) Novarians Charles Major ( N 79 ), of the forced inactivity, I am delighted still dentisting in Cornwall and an to have received many contributions early Covid survivor having been and the good news is that, amongst hospitalised soon after the party, them, only a handful have reported John Higham ( N 79 ), illustrating, anyone contracting Covid 19, and designing, lecturing and living in Dorset apart from the cancellation those have all recovered well. We are Sussex, and Andrew Myers ( N 79 ) of many holidays and trips. In fortunate to be in a region that has not influential in the software world in common with most of us, he has been badly affected. However, it was Kew, S.W. London. been uplifted by occasional distanced less fortunate that the virus arrived Another Poole resident David meetings with family and friends, just too soon and necessitated the McFetrich ( B 56 ) is a welcome but deprived of contact with his cancellation of our Southwest lunch at contributor after some years of wonderfully huggable grandchildren. Taunton racecourse in March. We will silence! Whilst he considers staying Elder son Peter Bambury ( LS 92 ), reschedule when protocols permit. alive to be an achievement, it is in , is heavily involved with This isn’t the first year that several interesting to hear that his father rugby development and has joined contributors have expressed a desire sent him to Oundle thinking his the Swedish RFU board. He is also and enthusiasm to supplement the son had the makings of an engineer. taking his golf seriously as chairman biennial lunch with smaller, more This proved correct as, having of the Sigtuna Hackers Amateur Golf ad hoc, localized gatherings. GDPR been given a book on bridges for and Guzzling Enthusiasts Recreation prevents us circulating everyone’s his 15th birthday, and making full Society (Sh….rs)!! Younger son Bernie details, but I am keen to help and use of the opportunities available Bambury ( N 93 ) apparently makes have ordered this year’s report by at Oundle, David concluded that wonderful bread as well as managing county to facilitate this. Anyone civil engineering was the career for his business crafting bespoke pieces wishing for specific contact details him. Still active in retirement, the in wood and has regular contact can request this from me or Jane 2nd edition of his book An Encyclopedia with Stuart Kidd ( LS 93 ) who has Fenton in the O.O. office. of British Bridges was published last been shouldering personal difficulties I hope you will forgive me for September and, during lockdown, this year. Philip was impacted by starting this year’s report with he has put a lot of time into a sister the inevitable postponement of the news that my father, Derek volume about world bridges, due the 60 year School House reunion Parsons ( S 38 ), probably the oldest for publication in 2022. He hopes masterminded by Richard Bailey O.O., died peacefully in April. Not that these books may inspire some ( Sc 60 ) and Nigel Napier-Andrews before we were able to celebrate his of today’s pupils to pursue similar ( Sc 59 ) and hopes it may be 100th birthday with a party for 40 challenging and worthwhile rearranged for next year. A positive family and close friends when he was opportunities. David also made his spinoff from Coronavirus restrictions on great form and the event leaves us way to Oundle to play squash at the is that the energetic team of John with many cherished memories. He Multisports weekend and enjoyed Richardson ( StA 61 ) and his wife spent over 30 happy years retired in the social gathering in The Ship and Susi had some spare time enabling Dorset so I will continue the report meeting the O.O. President, a fellow Susi to produce the definitive set of with Dorset based OOs. civil engineer! The McFetrich clan papers to equip those who have to An early respondent was Stephen is thriving, son Sean McFetrich deal with affairs after one’s death. Allen ( N 78 ) who says lockdown ( B 84 ) has a business selling craft Philip commends her carpediemplan. life in Poole and working from home cider, ‘Fetch the Drinks’ which is co.uk wholeheartedly. He concludes has not been a hardship, but he growing successfully and James by recounting a chance encounter sympathises with the many starting McFetrich ( B 92 ), an A & E almost two years ago at a service out in their careers for whom the consultant in Northumberland, has centre on the M20 when he parked pandemic has led to a faltering been on the Covid 19 frontline. close to a smart car with “Oundle start. With Coronavirus looming in Philip Bambury ( Sc 61 ) writes School” printed on the back. As he February, Stephen joined Michael to say that all is well in his corner of was about to drive off an elegant

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couple approached the car so Philip exhibition in the Yarrow Gallery in ( N 79 ), Simon Bullock ( Ldr 80 ) introduced himself. He, of the spring 2019. He has found the period and Jim Keyes ( B 81 ). couple, exclaimed “you are an old since March 2020 most engaging Chris Higman ( N 62 ) continues Oundelian” and turned towards as, with time to spend and a lack of to enjoy ‘retirement’ in Chippenham, his wife and said “Please meet the galleries to visit, people have gone running his energy consultancy at Head”! A delightful chat with Sarah online and discovered what he does. a reduced tempo, whilst regularly Kerr-Dineen ensued and Philip His studio is based in Pewsey and he meeting his daughter Victoria appreciated receiving a generous note would welcome anyone interested in Davies (nee Higman) ( D 96 ) and her from her later. buying or commissioning a sculpture children who live in Bristol. We haven’t heard from Rodney for home or garden to visit by Paul Horrell ( S 51 ) has had Dodd ( Sn 75 ) for some time but he arrangement. Tom enjoyed meeting some heart trouble but says the says he and the family are still here. some old friends at the London prescribed pills have done the trick He is busy on a renovation project, dinner in November including Adam and he is again playing two rounds the architect of which is Richard Dixon-Smith ( Sc 80 ), Chris Knight of golf a week, walking the course. Hall ( StA 86 ) who is doing a great He claims to still have his mental job. Rodney’s children have kept him faculties but leaves it to others to occupied too: youngest son Ollie is judge! Paul reports a less adventurous purchasing his first house, daughter year because of coronavirus but, Steph is starting her dog grooming Drinking Horse more importantly, no virus related business near Blandford Forum and in stainless by problems. Some travel plans were eldest son Alex moved in for 12 weeks Tom Hiscocks cancelled but the annual two weeks ( StA 81 ) during lockdown with his wife Emma in were enjoyed in superb and their daughter Isla. Rodney weather before lockdown where he enjoyed the opportunity to get to met up again with Rod Alexander know his granddaughter. His elder ( Sc 61 ). His brother Martin Horrell brother Shane Dodd ( Sn 74 ), having ( S 53 ) still lives near Exeter but his recovered from a recent illness, usual continental motoring trips had helped on the renovation project to be put on hold. and his children Henry Dodd Although Oundle became co- ( B 07 ) and Georgie Dodd ( D 07 ) educational 30 years ago we still do are progressing well in their careers. not have many women OOs in the Rodney’s eldest brother Jonathan Southwest so it is particularly good Dodd ( Sn 71 ) runs his boat to hear from Wiltshire based Nina maintenance business in spite of Weatherill (née Alton) ( W 97 ) who attempts to retire and his children has just completed a three year William and Emily are forging out diploma in nutritional therapy at the into the world. Rodney reports Institute for Optimum Nutrition in contact with Mark Stone ( Sn 75 ) London. This included the challenge and Roland Franklin ( S 44 ) who, at 95, can claim with his wife Nina an immediate family of 65 including great great grand-daughters! Rearing Horse in acrylic Another we haven’t heard from by Tom Hiscocks ( StA 81 ) for some time is Simon Mennell ( StA 69 ) who I think has a base in Wimborne but says he is still living in Ecuador in semi-retirement and assisting in the opening of bilateral trade opportunities between UK and Ecuador. Jonathan Mennell ( G 72 ) is still in Italy and, as a prominent Art Consultant, would be happy to hear from anyone interested in his expertise and knowledge of historical art. Progressing into Wiltshire, first to report was our sculptor Tom Hiscocks ( StA 81 ) who showed a selection of his work at the O.O.

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of home schooling Ralph,7 and three OO siblings survived lockdown A new is Martin Lean Laurie,5 during finals! Nina has been without drama. ( B 70 ) who lives between Bristol, enjoying a brief respite building Jonathan Duckworth ( Sc 75 ) where he has just moved into a vegetable beds with husband Charlie has passed an interesting lockdown harbourside house, and Southwest before starting her own nutritional with daughter gaining her history France where he lived and worked therapy business. She regularly degree from Edinburgh remotely permanently for many years. Their sees Tom Wilson ( B 97 ) and his and son moving house in Exeter. son works in Paris and daughter family who live nearby. His role as Mayor of Nailsworth is about to start her final year at Ian Orr ( StA 76 ), still working required a reaction to the pandemic Leeds University having completed in crisis management and as a and a recovery plan after lockdown, an internship also in Paris. Martin consultant with NATO, updates us a challenge due to the hit taken regularly sees Poole-based James on his children. Sophie Orr ( D 11 ) by retailing and shopping centres. Pride ( B 70 ) and intends to visit works in London for an insurance Jonathan continues with his interest Oundle when practicable having company and expects to be back in in photography and saw Chris regrettably missed a few reunions. He town shortly, William Orr ( StA 13 ) Rudolph ( Sn 75 ) again late last year wishes health and happiness to any has continued work with a renewable at their cottage near Ullapool where OOs reading this. energy company despite Covid 19, he enjoyed showing Chris and Gale Although based in Bristol, Adrian and Katie Orr ( D 16) has successfully the highlights of the N.W. Highlands. Phillips ( StA 82 ) locked down completed her geography degree at Last year Hugh Brass ( D 67 ) in Dubai to deal with the double Durham University but sadly was moved to the Southwest after 38 years whammy of Covid and collapsing deprived of graduation ceremonies in Switzerland and has been so global energy prices. His son John and parties. involved with builders (taking longer Phillips ( StA 17 ) is studying Moving to the Gloucestershire and costing more than anticipated) Chemistry at Edinburgh but became contingent, first to respond was regular that they have had little time for more interested in DJ-ing from home contributor Rod Alexander (Sc anything else. He joined Gloucester in Bristol during the lockdown. 61) whose pre-pandemic activities Rowing Club but admits to being too Brother Justin Phillips (StA included the annual Amps wine busy to go near a boat as yet. OOs 83 ) is fighting Coronavirus as festival in November, with hospitality seen have been limited to family, Medical Director at Musgrove Park courtesy of the parents Nathan son Jeremy Brass ( B 09 ) who had to Hospital in Taunton whilst his Bland ( LS 94 ) and Edward postpone his May wedding to Beth daughter Charlotte Phillips ( W 18 ) Bland ( LS 97), Madeira in January until next year, daughter Olivia is about to go to Newcastle to study with Paull Horrell ( S 51 ) and the Brass ( D 03 ) who is still living in finance and accounting after time in over 60s lunch at the RAF Club, Hamburg and Naomi Brass ( D 06 ). Paris studying French. Son Edward sitting between Gavin Choice (N A trip to the Outer Hebrides was Phillips ( Sc 13 ) is crowdfunding 61) and Iain Laird ( Lx 62 ). Rod Covid-postponed and several skiing his private equity fund in London was disappointed that the pandemic and summer trips to the Alps were looking for and his other put paid to the Southwest lunch at cancelled. Nevertheless Hugh still son Harry Phillips ( B 14 ), a year the Taunton Racecourse, Richard looks forward to meeting local OOs at away from graduating in medicine Bailey’s ( Sc 60 ) reunion of the School the to be rearranged Southwest lunch. from Manchester, has been doing his House septuagenarians and also a Peter Dickenson ( Ldr 59 ) has bit on the Covid wards. possible Nigel Sudborough ( N 65 ) just moved from Tewkesbury to William Wykes ( Lx 71 ) retired inspired history trip to Berlin. On a Denmead, Hants to be in the same to Bristol from his consultant positive note he was looking forward village as their middle daughter ophthalmologist post in Glasgow to the first village cricket match on but, with downsizing and 60 boxes in 2017 and was happily enjoying July 12th on the square he has been to unpack, says never again! The retirement until the onset of Covid 19. carefully tending to in hope for the move means he left behind Dru However, in spite of volunteering, the last three months. ( Sch 59 ) and Rodney NHS has not yet required his services. Last year William Reddaway Bellamy ( Ldr 58 ) who he used Fortunately major works to the house ( Lx 66 ) reported his move into a to see at the Birmingham dinner were completed two weeks before house east of Stroud with space for in earlier years, and alsoAndrew lockdown enabling he and Rachel to three generations, need for decoration Crowther (Ldr 60). The move to leave a rented flat and lockdown with and some building works, plus a long Hampshire puts him into Peter sanity. Prior to this they enjoyed a trip neglected 0.75 acre garden. Much Owen’s ( Lx 63 ) Weald Region where to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in work later, and the removal of over I am sure he will be welcomed. 2019 but Covid forced the cancellation thirty trees, they now have more There are four contributors from of further trips abroad and a planned gardening than they will ever keep the Bristol area who I am bringing talk to Bristol University 4th year up with but a sense of gratitude that together to save myself from medical students. On a brighter note they were ‘one household’ in time identifying if they are Somerset or William reports that his guitar lessons for lockdown. He also reports that Gloucestershire! continued apace – on Zoom.

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Oliver Simmonds ( L 03 ) John Allwood ( Ldr 70 ) tells us 70 years ago. lives nearer Bath than Bristol and that his son Jonathan Allwood Progressing west brings us to the works with BMT, an engineering ( Sn 00 ) and his wife had a baby boy Devonians and first to respond was consultancy, and has been looking at in February, whom they only saw another reliable contributor Piers national infrastructure requirements a couple of times before lockdown, Pepperell ( Lx 90 ) who has busied for the future electrification of but had just enjoyed a July weekend himself converting a lovely barn which vehicles, as well as coping with two with the family in Cornwall. John he will move into in August, whilst young children. He is also having to also enjoyed his regular Doncaster still working throughout the lockdown learn about old building techniques Knights vs. Bedford Blues lunch in as a farm vet helping farmers keep the during major renovation work on November when he was joined by Al nation supplied with milk and meat. their early Victorian property. Gordon ( C 69 ), Dave Gunner (Sc He found time for Zoom catch ups Moving South to my patch, 69 ), Chris Nicholls ( G 69 ), Bob with Jimmy Greenwood ( S 90) from Somerset, Hilary and I haven’t Harrap ( B 68 ) and Martin Jenkins Kenya, Jeremy Paxman ( Ldr 9 0) travelled too far owing to the needs of ( SC 70 ). A narrow win for Doncaster from Kent, Aydon Yeaman ( S 90 ) aged parents, but we did enjoy a stay was followed by a good thrashing from London, Dom Turner ( S 90 ) in the Peak District in September in at the return fixture! John reports and Jeremy Dutta ( G 90 ) who are a remarkable old converted sawmill. bumping into Richard Habershon all well and looking forward to their In November I enjoyed an inaugural ( Ldr 71 ) in Bruton and looks forward next walking trek across the UK and lunch with my near neighbours John to a repeat of the lunch that he, hopefully Nepal. His brother Justin Allwood ( Ldr 70 ), Nigel Engert Richard, Nigel Engert and I enjoyed Pepperell ( Lx 84 ) has managed to ( G 67 ) and Richard Habershon last November. cycle round the Scottish Coast, build (Ldr 71), an event we will repeat. A Judge Smith ( Sn 66 ) relocated a pizza oven and also cope on the highlight in early February was my to Somerset in 2014 and makes his front line of the Covid outbreak as a father’s 100th birthday party. In March welcome first contribution saying that respiratory medicine consultant in I was in Oundle and had a preview he continues to write and record rock Taunton along with his wife who is tour of the not yet finished, but highly music albums, although performances a local GP. He meets regularly with impressive, new Sports Centre. This with his latest combo ‘Towers Piers to either lose at squash or win at was followed by the over 60s lunch at Open Fire’ have been curtailed by golf. Elder brother Giles Pepperell the RAF Club, a highly recommended the lockdown. He presents radio ( Lx 82 ) is still in North Wales ‘selling event for those of the required vintage shows on the local internet station all sorts of rubbish on the internet’ and a last hurrah before lockdown. Glastonburyradio432 and labours and travelling the country supporting Our household has been increased joyfully in his garden under the the Maritime Volunteer Service. by the presence of our younger direction of his girlfriend. He is in David Stogdale ( D 68 ) is still daughter Sarah, who works for a regular touch with Nick Lucas enjoying retired life near Salcombe bank in London, working from home ( Sc 65 ), Rev. and continues to meet the informal for four months but about to be called ( D 65 ) and David Mitchell ( Ldr 66 ). ‘Study 5’ group for an annual lunch in back with mixed feelings. Our elder John Clark ( N 67 ) should have London. He would welcome any OOs daughter Alice, a physiotherapist, retired 11 years ago, but is enjoying visiting Salcombe to contact him and has been on the front line at the Royal being in charge of Economic I am delighted to assist, as to meet Berks Hospital in Reading. Otherwise Development for South Somerset GDPR protocols, anyone wishing to I have missed cricket and meeting District Council, Hon treasurer for do so should contact either myself or likeminded O.O.’s at Lord’s. Bath Opera, and Secretary of South Jane Fenton and we will give David’s A regular contributor is Nigel Somerset Community Energy, which details. Engert ( G 67 ) who still chairs his he founded in 2015. Brother Robin Richard Keith ( D 57 ) is surviving local Patient Participation Group, Clark ( N 62 ), who lives near Bath, is lockdown with little news as his wife representing patients’ interests and well and still graces the tennis court if is in the vulnerable category. In the being the ‘critical friend’ of the GP not the ski slopes. meantime three of his grandchildren practice. He expresses satisfaction The final Somerset contributor have been keeping his Hallberg Rassy that they successfully negotiated is Stewart Hamilton ( G 55 ) 31 yacht ‘Grebe’ in full sail cruising the challenges in the last few who was prevented by Covid 19 round the North of Scotland. months. Nigel also continues as a from celebrating his 60th wedding Last but far from least we come Director of a not-for-profit Sports & anniversary in July with his wife to Cornwall - without risking too Leisure company which faced major Susan and 3 children, their spouses many complaints, arguably the challenges during the lockdown and 8 grandchildren. Stewart speaks most delightful county in our period, and reports keeping in regularly with Susan’s brother Sir region. Quentin Haigh ( N 73 ), a touch with Richard Peaver ( G 67 ) John Lilleyman ( B 64 ) and also John regular contributor to these columns and George Marshall ( G 67 ), the Crabbe ( G 55 ), Duncan Dormer and steam railway stalwart, attended latter having caught Covid but ( G 55 ) and Sir John Waters ( G 54 ) the London dinner in November, the recovered. and cherishes these friendships from over 60s lunch in March and intended

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to include the Southwest lunch until Veterinary Army, and Rory Whitaker over but he has enjoyed outings in it was cancelled. His non-Oundle ( Sc 14 ) who continues his his recently recommissioned BMW activities included a visit to the Great accountancy career with KPMG in the 2002. Now 94 and living on his own Electric Train show in Milton Keynes City. Their father Tim Whitaker ( Sn for the past 14 years is Ian’s 94 year in October but he was disappointed 83 ) has been enjoying some sailing old father Dick James ( G 44 ), the sole about the cancellation of the Helston while Stan Billington ( F 14 ), having survivor of the WW2 Reconnaissance & Falmouth Model Railway Club graduated from Oxford, is considering Group, whose exploits are now meetings, the famous Flora Day a switch to bio-chemistry. Andrew recorded on DVD at the Tank in Helston and the English Haydn Whitaker ( Sn 84 ) and Robert Museum in Bovingdon. Festival in Bridgenorth which he Whitaker ( Sn 90 ) are well and visit Lockdown hasn’t caused any regularly attends. regularly. Brian has spoken to Mike difficulties forNeil Campbell Brian Whitaker ( Sn 58 ) reports Whittall ( Ldr 55 ) who has been ( N 71 ) other than bringing forward from St. Mawes, the upcoming haven housebound for three months in a his final withdrawal from work but for OOs and recently named Best Value nearby village and Dick Orchard ( Sn he has missed the camaraderie and British Seaside resort by ‘Which’, where 58 ) who is in good spirits and back competition of golf. life is gradually returning to normal out on the golf course. Once again my thanks to all for enabling them to see their OO family. I believe Ian James ( G 70 ) is a St. contributing; we must hope that any Four grandchildren include Gregory Mawes resident but tells us he locked new Covid spikes do not become Whitaker ( Sc 10), Bryony Whitaker down for three months in Wiltshire second waves and that we can all meet ( Sn 12 ), now a Lieutenant in the with family. His motorsport days are again soon.

Wales Peter Moore ( Ldr 88 )

hilst 2019-2020 started as me very busy. The company I work normal, when lockdown for has been involved in checking the W arrived, OOs in Wales had efficacy of COVID-19 testing, but as an to adapt to the slightly differing, and engineer and metallurgist I leave that often harsher, lockdown rules applied to the biologists. by the Senedd. However, that did not Even so, I still found time to stop us achieving things in either our volunteer as an NHS responder, have work or personal lives. become a (part time) home-schooler, Speaking personally, I had a and managed to break a bone in my fascinating end to 2019 and start to foot whilst taking part in a treasure and manufacture of PPE. He helped a 2020 with work taking me to the USA hunt over Zoom! team that made 3D printed face masks and China - to investigate damage to Performing functions directly more and found travelling around a locked- merchant vessels - and the South of useful to the current crisis, Chris down city and university a surreal France for super-yachts. The super- Williams (Ldr 88) was very busy experience. Swansea University’s yachts are definitely cleaner vessels, with the public health response to School of Engineering also began but the below stairs areas are just as COVID-19 in his Public Health Wales to manufacture hand sanitiser (a small as on merchant vessels. A very role in surveillance and . remarkably large amount), and senior member of the legal profession As part of this, he led the Wales site started research on UV sterilisation of had to go for a lie-down after trying for the Oxford Group trial ambulances, as well as other projects. to squeeze into a small space for an recruiting participants to be vaccinated For anyone interested there is a inspection. Hopefully that will give in a randomised controlled trial. He press release for the face shields at: him more respect in future for the told me it was a good experience to go https://www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/ engineering experts. back to some clinical work. We hope news-events/news/2020/06/face-shields- I closed out my free time before for a positive result. designed-by-university-team-get-ce-mark- lockdown with two weeks in the sun Staying with the medical theme, for-safety-for-nhs-to-use.php in South Africa on another engineering Dr Alexander Holder ( L 06 ) who Whilst not his area he tells me that project, escaping just a few days works at Swansea University, tells me Swansea University’s medical school before flights ceased. Luckily this job that during the height of the crisis the also did a great deal, the final year has continued throughout lockdown, university put a great deal of effort medical students joined the NHS early solely document-based, and has kept into refocusing on COVID research and medical supplies were given to the

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local hospitals. “…truly the response produced a son, Bryn William. He this year as Chairman of the local by colleagues as well as students here has become a delight. Tim and his Environmental Group after five years has been extraordinary” he says. wife left for Argentina, the Antarctic, of woodland management, charcoal- I received a brief bulletin from South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha and making, traditional craft courses and our Honorary OO in West Wales, St Helena on March 12th. However, lobbying the Welsh Government to Robert Briggs: “We much enjoyed as soon as they arrived, President take litter prevention more seriously... the OO Over 60’s lunch, and followed Fernadez issued a decree stating the latter without much success, I’m it immediately by a six day trip all foreign visitors should have 14 afraid. to Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, days quarantine. They managed an Our five children are all now in just beating lockdown. Thereafter afternoon in the beautiful Recoleta their 20s and 30s and (to our surprise) we gardened and painted most Cemetery and the surrounding all living and working relatively close, of the exterior of the house. The area before being confined to an Air and we now have two grandchildren, Pembrokeshire Coast Path may have B&B. Luckily local friends provided who keep us very busy. I “pre-tired” been out of bounds but Jenny and tremendous support and on March about five years ago and now just I found our favourite beach near St 15th they joined hundreds of British do a bit of gardening and property Davids largely deserted most days COVID-19 refugees retreating home management for various locals - keeps and in the extended lovely weather via Madrid. me fit and working outdoors in this explored, on foot, lanes, paths and Since then they have been enjoying beautiful countryside. In 2019 we features we’d never seen before in 30+ the strict Welsh lockdown, making finally closed the doors on our Bed years here. Having the crowds back silly films for grandchildren via and Breakfast - a great stop-gap here now seems rather odd. A pity WhatsApp, maintaining the garden between professional working life we’ve had to miss a Rhine/Danube and putting order into 60 years of and retirement; I’d recommend it cruise, but we’ve been lucky out here films and photographs. Having been to anyone who’s had enough of the on the fringes.” to Tim’s house I can only imagine the rat-race and wants to escape to the Back in Cardiff, Abi Carter scale of work that simple statement country. ( K 01 ) informed me that she has implies. Our life here is close to self- kept her company going throughout Last year, Tim became Chair sufficiency, with Andrea growing most lockdown which (she says) is of the Montgomeryshire Wildlife of our food and us both trying very impressive considering the state of the Trust and this period has been an hard to minimise our negative impact criminal justice system. enormous challenge. Due to the skill on nature. Lockdown has actually As co-chair of the Welsh board of a small management team they been a good experience for us because of Remembering Srebrenica, she have survived lockdown strong and we’ve seen more people start to commemorated the 25th anniversary intact, and now need to work out respect the quiet beauty of the natural of the Srebrenica genocide. Instead what the “new normal” will look like. environment around us. Let’s hope it of a planned event at the Senedd, The Trust were due to open the new continues. they created a collaboration between Dyfi Wildlife Centre in April but this Paul Eadie ( Sn 61 ) is also lucky Cardiff Ardwyn Singers (a choir Abi has been put off until March 1st next to live in a beautiful part of the world sings in) and the opera chorus of the year. Meanwhile their Osprey nest and has been enjoying lockdown in the Sarajevo National Theatre in Bosnia - a has received great interest as live- lovely hills of Oswestry. The timing of lockdown remembrance performance streaming has let people watch them lockdown was quite fortuitous as his of ‘White Flower’, composed by a return, breed, lay, hatch and fledge: wife had a hip replacement on 16th survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo that https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/live- March, enabling them to stay home started the Bosnian war. It involved streaming, The ospreys are magnificent. and recuperate with beautiful views. nearly 140 volunteers from both Hannah bought a wide-beam On the 5 June they quietly celebrated countries, including 116 musicians all boat last year, and their expanded their 55th wedding anniversary. Paul performing on one screen. Outreach family has enjoyed the time together, tells me that it has been hard only has been global and reactions have watching Bryn grow. Her employer, seeing family online until recently, a been overwhelmingly lovely to The Country Trust, has been heavily position I wholeheartedly agree with. receive. involved in the Agriculture Bill that Paul is a Governor at a primary school Here’s a link to the video https://www. has been going through parliament. in London, so Zoom has made it easier .com/watch?v=2LSuRJspr1I The Trust is heavily involved with to attend meetings. He feels the same Abi was also on ITV news: https://www. education so there are considerable about doctors surgery visits, which .com/news/wales/2020-07-07/welsh- challenges due to the disappearance of must be a more economic NHS model choir-marks-25-years-since-genocide-in- funding from school visits. for the future. bosnia-with-beautiful-song David Jackman ( S 79 ) reports: Jim Hindmarsh ( Ldr 61 ) tells me Tim McVey ( Ldr 73 ) provided my wife Andrea and I are still living that during lockdown he enjoyed his usual update for both himself near Abergavenny, just within the both abstract and concrete activities, and his daughter, Hannah McVey boundary of the Brecon Beacons the concrete simply mixing several ( Sn 04 ). On January 2nd Hannah National Park. Handing over the reins tons of it and laying a similar weight

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of concrete blocks, and the abstract artificial leg - number 24! After his trying to prove an attractive conjecture wife’s bad fall, Richard had to perform about the location of the zeros of as a one legged carer; however, they polynomials coming from Mellin soon discovered that his care skills transforms of Legendre polynomials. were somewhat short of what was He wonders if an OO with a needed and they had to give in and mathematical brain 50 years younger employ a carer. All in all, it leads him Richard than his would like to help…. He also to conclude ‘You never know what is Beeby told me that if I used that news I must around the next corner.‘ ( L 67 ) be truly desperate. Badgering away at the small, Steven Thomas ( G 69 ) told me but high quality, pool of Welsh OOs that he has an absence of news, but over my years as a correspondent, instead sent me a photo of his friend I am always pleased to hear from Richard Beeby ( L 67 ) who should be someone who writes in using the a Grandad could be so much fun? recognised as the de facto founder of words “I haven’t sent in any news Mike pointed out that he would have the Troubleshooters (OO Rifle Club) before, but here goes…”. This year felt completely isolated from them if in 1969, and whose two sons (and that person was Mike Polson ( G 72 ) not for technology - thank goodness some nephews) have been pupils at who, after the normal disclaimer that for Facetime, Zoom, Houseparty and Oundle until recently. Richard, a great he never thought anybody would Skype. all-round supporter of the school, was be very interested, gave me a good Steve Fletcher ( S 69 ) tells me that photographed at Steven’s wedding in summary of his current condition: “I it is now eight years since he and August 2018 at Fonmon Castle. live just outside Narberth in beautiful his wife started their little B&B in Richard Baxter ( L 61 ) was precise Pembrokeshire in an old farm house Pembrokeshire. Last year, they were in responding to my email by stating that we acquired as a derelict shell totally run off their feet; however they it had been 135 days since he last went back in 1990. I retired last summer ended up Number 1 on TripAdvisor shopping. Both he and his wife are in after 30+ years working in the field for the whole of Wales in October. Last the high risk category and have been of medical electronics. I know it is year Steve finished building a car port diligent in following government a cliché, but since then I have never for their two vintage cars (1955 MG advice. Luckily, the 135 day count was been so busy with projects around the Magnette and 1969 Morris Traveller). not generated from chalk marks on house; battling to keep the lovely 2 ½ Last year they enjoyed holding an the wall of their small cell, as they are acre garden that my late wife created NGS open garden day, which blocked lucky to have a 1½ acre garden which from reverting to jungle; maintaining the whole village with traffic as they needs their constant attention. As a my classic car; photography; refreshing had about 200 visitors. However, after result, whilst they have always grown my meagre guitar skills; cataloguing a such a busy year they decided that at their own vegetables, this year they trunk full of old photographs inherited their age, they really wanted to have have an even more impressive array. from my parents which has morphed more time for themselves and would Richard Morris ( Ldr 54 ) has had into a full blown genealogy research not take so many bookings. This year, to scratch his head when reflecting project and still finding time to do a they closed the B&B in March and on what news he might generate. little consulting. cancelled the NGS open day, visits by The COVID-19 lockdown really I am lucky that Covid-19 has not appointment only. Currently they are was difficult for him and his wife had a huge impact on my life other not at all sure if they will open again, who, between them, had six hospital than being unable to see my four so they might have even more time appointments cancelled, including grandchildren - who I absolutely for the car workshop, gardening and the final fitting of his most recent adore - for months. Who knew being perhaps another open garden day.

The Weald Peter Owen ( Lx 63 )

im Gummer ( Lx 00 ) is Owen. still working as a Partner at Hamish Donaldson ( Ldr 54 ) went T Ashurst LLP in London and with his wife on a French Polynesian recently moved to Peaslake in the cruise from Tahiti to Sydney on his Surrey Hills with his wife, Frances, way to visit a daughter in Auckland, and two young boys, Henry and before COVID hit. On their return, he

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was busy organising Haslemere’s VE in Cape Town. As well as meeting with motorcycles, and he has recently Day 75th Anniversary Celebrations Megan’s South African family, and completed two trips to their operations (including a Carnival and full-size visiting local attractions, David also in Lesotho - the Roof of Africa. Spitfire replica) – but it all had to be found time to watch a provincial Andrew is also a volunteer at Chatham cancelled. He was also due to direct cricket match at Newlands. An Historic Dockyard - restoring vehicles the musical Salad Days in June, to be evening safari and a trip up Table and exhibits - which allows him to performed by the Haslemere Players, Mountain will live long in the memory, indulge his mechanical tendencies but that has had to be cancelled as and at the same time, David and using tools as varied as scalpels and well. Since lockdown his daughters, Kirstie looked after granddaughter, lump hammers. Jo continues her work including Catherine Broadley ( W 92 ) Mila whilst Harry and Megan enjoyed for the Ministry of Justice. have been making sure he and his wife some time with the many friends Harry and Megan have not rested have been obeying all the ‘rules’. and family who made the trip. In all, on their laurels, post wedding. Very Before COVID, OO Weald Walkers over 100 attended the ceremony, of recently, they were straight out of John Richardson ( St A 61 ) Bev Boag whom 70+ had come from the UK and the blocks when house viewing was ( St A 60 ), Martin Boag ( St A 62 ) elsewhere in the world. permitted post-lockdown and have Boag, and John Williams ( St A 62) over Will Meredith ( F 14) was a suitably now completed the purchase of a from Haifa, joined by John Templeton irreverent master of ceremonies for house in Chilworth, just south of and John Sedgwick, enjoyed walks his brother, and Harry’s old Fisher Guildford. Lockdown has meant that to Waverley Abbey, the New Forest roommate, Digby Morse ( F 11 ) Harry now works almost exclusively and Stansted Park, and pub lunches. was one of the joint best men. Digby, from home for U-Switch, and that is May and June walks were nixed. All George Biggs (Harry’s best friend from anticipated to continue, as he will be OOs welcome to join future walks Bath University) delivered a highly one of many that will no longer need (email: [email protected]). entertaining speech that was loosely to commute daily to London. Harry Howard Macnamara ( Sc 49 ), who based on Harry’s alleged diaries and Megan have been busy on another founded the West Sussex OO Dinners, from his school and university days. front too – a son is due to be born in is well and relaxed in retirement. Harry sees Digby pretty frequently, December. DadDad (as David is called In March John Richardson ( St and he has now moved to a flat in by Mila) is thrilled that the Meredith A 61 ) was leading a Caribbean tour Wandsworth, whilst continuing to name is secure for another generation. on board MV Braemar when cases work for Fisher Investments. Both Unfortunately, lockdown has not of Covid were found on board. The Will and Digby attended an excellent favoured Will. He has again endured ship was put into quarantine and was stag weekend in York in October 2019, a frustrating year trying to join the stranded in the Bermuda Triangle until as did Greg Wilkinson ( St A 11 ). world of work, and job prospects are a port was found that would allow David joined them for the Day at the very much thinner on the ground now. the ship to berth. It was Cuba and Races and was pleased/relieved to So he has embarked on training for then passengers were repatriated by break even with the bookies. the AAT qualification (Association of a Government flight. He went into To complete the OO representation Accounting Technicians), which he quarantine at home in the UK and at the wedding, Andrew Pincott can do remotely, and whilst he has no then into lock down. He started to ( Lx 78 ) and his wife, Jo, were there great desire to follow his father into sort through cupboards, found lots of to see Andrew’s godson deliver his the world of accountancy practice, the things related to Oundle and decided vows. Two months earlier, Andrew qualification will hopefully aid his to write down memories of his life. had celebrated his 60th birthday in longer-term prospects. However that He has based seven “Chapters” on December, as well as his release from has meant that he has the time to play the Seven Ages of Man, each of which hospital after removal of prostate cricket for the Kent based travelling is headed by a photograph of the cancer, with a party at Shepherd side, Band of Brothers, and has also windows in the School Chapel. He Neame brewery, at which David was turned out for a couple of other teams, fears that he has now reached the also present, and able to confirm that now that cricket is happening again. seventh, so must continue writing Andrew can organise a ‘piss up in a Will has recently seen James Campbell before the second childishness takes brewery‘. After Harry’s wedding, ( F 14 ) and he also keeps in touch hold. Andrew and Jo went on a safari with many of his OO contemporaries The highlight of the last year for holiday to celebrate his recovery, (remotely, at present), including David Meredith ( Lx 78 ) was the which was a truly memorable trip Ashley Cuthbert ( S 14 ), who has just wedding of his eldest son, Harry before lockdown. Andrew will be secured a place at Sandhurst. Others Meredith ( F 11 ) to his fiancé, retiring as Business Development and who have been in touch include Megan Sapseid, in South Africa on Marketing Director for the accountants Alexander (AJ) Johnson ( F 14 ), 15 February 2020. The marriage Kreston Reeves in mid-2021, but will Ben Richmond ( G 14 ), and recently itself took place at a lovely vineyard have plenty to keep him occupied: he engaged Jake Walker ( F 14 ). near Stellenbosch, and either side is a trustee of Two Wheels for Life, David reports that his cousin, Col of the main event, David and his which raises funds to equip and train (Retd) William English, CBE ( Lx wife, Kirstie, had a brilliant fortnight Sub-Saharan African health workers 80 ) continues on his journey from

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‘Tank man to Business man’, having the most vulnerable people in society. experience for him, sitting in the car left regular service in 2017. William It was a privilege for Paul to be able with his wife, Jo, eating their packed is chair of his family business in to thank these people on behalf of all lunch outside the hospital in London Kent, an ambassador for the Institute of us. He was delighted to have met so as to avoid contact with anyone. He of Directors (IoD) (Kent), and a several members of the Royal Family had previously planned to lunch at a Non-Executive Director of OSTC on their official visits, including the very nice restaurant nearby. Group, and he chairs their strategy Queen, when she visited the Royal Richard has become very busy committee. William continues British Legion Industries and village in working on phone mast letting as a distant learner with Heriot Aylesford. renewals for a couple of national Watt University, studying brewing The advent of lockdown meant that firms. As he has worked from home and distilling; he looks forward Paul’s year ended very suddenly and for nearly 30 years, it is business as to continuing on his new journey without formality. His High Sheriff’s usual, except that he sees more of towards becoming an effective diary went from 24 engagements in his colleagues via Teams etc. than businessman. March to zero overnight. But he is previously. He hadn’t physically David has also exchanged emails still active in the family business, and been into the office for three years. with Phil Yarrow ( Lx 79 ), who was pleased that they were able to However, he still manages the continues to live near West Malling reopen fully on 1 June, although their family farm, and although he was in Kent with his wife, Julie, a reiki service and parts operations remained unable to visit for three months, practitioner. open at a lower capacity to look after it survived without his physical Paul Barrett ( Lx 78 ) completed his key workers’ vehicles throughout presence. Richard’s father (now year in office as High Sheriff of Kent at lockdown. 94) still lives next to the farm, has the end of March this year and reports Paul had to conclude by reporting excellent live-in carers and has kept that it was an amazing experience, that, sadly, his Mother passed away in safe. Home school for Richard’s and he met so many interesting a care home on 5 June with a COVID daughter, Julia (13) has been relatively people. One lasting memory for Paul related illness. easy as her school made them stick to was to see how much we rely on the Richard Kemsley ( C 78 ) was the timetable, thus putting structure work done by the voluntary sector in able to tell David that he had fully in their day. In fact, they worked very ensuring that life in the county goes recovered from his brain tumour. He hard. It seems to Richard that every on. Many of these volunteers work was scanned just before lockdown and teenager now has a ‘TikTok’ twitch! tirelessly day after day looking after given the all clear. It was a strange David has also heard from Jeremy

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Sankey ( Lx 78 ) who continues to this year. David has also continued to Allen ( N 78 ) and Andrew Myers live and work in . Jes felt enjoy his role as Honorary Reporting ( N 79 ) with their respective partners that it was probably easiest to call this Accountant to the OO Club, which and families. By the time this is read year “Gap Year 2.0” - as in not visiting provided the opportunity to revisit Jon will have completed his Masters the UK for another year. Given that Oundle twice in the last year and catch at the University of Brighton where Jes had flights booked a year ago, up with all those who are involved in he also lectures on the Design for and his brother had arranged test the Club. Digital Media degree course. For his match tickets for the WI test, Jes used George Duncan ( D 72 ) reports MA Jon produced a book called ‘A unreportable expletives! that he is safe and well as is his Life in Objects’ in which recounts Even before bush fires, and well younger brother Andrew Duncan the memories of an 89-year-old before Covid, the retail climate in ( D 74 ). George retired as a partner clock maker, John Strevett, as he Australia was facing tough times. So in Charles Russell Speechlys LLP at looks back on his life using his own when you’re working in a retail-centric the end of April but is still working words, illustrated with curated media agency with clients who are part time as a consultant for the time photographs of his life’s possessions squeezing their budgets, it’s no fun. being. He had plans to spend some in a square format artistic book. Jes left the agency towards the back of his new free time in archaeological During the lockdown Jon set up end of 2019 and thought it would be a activities amongst other things but alas a photo studio in his basement to nice idea to have a bit of a sabbatical these have had to be postponed. capture all the photographs needed over summer/Christmas and get back David Northcroft ( B 58 ) has used for the book. It can be viewed on his to work in the new year once the kids lockdown to improve his fitness, website jonhigham.co.uk had gone back to school. despite calls from his extensive family Suzanne Korff ( K 00 ) and her That plan was going well with a to temper his competitive streak, husband, Alexander, continue to number of opportunities in the pipeline which he’s sure he developed at enjoy living in the New Forest with until March and WFH and home Oundle and has carried for 60+ years. their two young children, Maximilian schooling became the new normal. So Malcolm Walters ( D 72 ) writes and Audrey, plus Newfoundland Jes took the opportunity to help the that he has been back to Oundle far dog Keats. It’s been over six years kids with their work - and sharpen up more frequently over the last twelve now since Suzanne left London his maths skills and French accent. He months than for many a long year. and she is still at Princess Cruises has had some freelance projects, but His 26-year-old son, Richard, has been as their Director of Marketing with Melbourne back in lockdown, based there during the last academic Communications. If anyone happens with no certainty about an end date, year doing teacher training in the to be passing through the New Forest, it is back to teaching. There are still Modern Languages department. please do get in touch! options on the work front, but timings Malcolm has seen the school through Peter Owen ( Lx 63 ) is well into are dependent on how the business totally different eyes than 50 years ago, retirement from the hospitality climate looks after this wave passes. because he himself taught Modern industry giving time last year for a Jes’ wife, Chantelle, also started a new Languages throughout his career. cruise with Seabourn to Alaska; time job in the week of lockdown in March, Unsurprisingly, Modern Languages at was also found for a splendid week which means that she has spent the Oundle are in fine fettle, particularly in the Maldives. This year he has four entire time working out of the spare with Sara Davidson at the helm. on-line singing lessons each week and, room. Fun times down under! She, alongside the Head of German, when choirs are reinstated in churches, Finally, David concludes with Emily Wagstaffe, has been a tower of singing again in St John’s Boldre in his own news, and apart from the strength to Richard, who has learned the New Forest and also with a group wonderful South African wedding such a great deal through them both of singers visiting cathedrals when trip, things have been much the over the year. Like all the teaching resident choirs are on holiday. Before same as previous years. Invariably staff, Richard was allocated a House, the pandemic restrictions, he managed this revolves around work (in which and of all the Houses, he ended up in two days in Coventry Cathedral in context, David has also seen Richard Dryden! It was only right at the end of January. He has a continuing interest in Piper ( Lx 66 ) and has discovered the summer term that he let out that pipe organs and looks forward to visits the joys of Zoom meetings) which his father had been in the House all once travelling becomes easier. His has been reassuringly busy during those years ago. wife Marianne continues as a financial lockdown, but he continues to persist Jon Higham ( N 79 ) writes that accountant with Travelopia now with golf, and enjoys fly-fishing, February 2020 saw a thoroughly working most of the time from home. cricket scoring and rugby watching. enjoyable evening celebrating Michael His daughter Suzanne Korff ( K 00 ) has He also continues to chair his local Mattinson’s ( N 78 ) 60th birthday written above. His son David Owen parish council in Nettlestead. The held at the French House pub Soho ( F 03 ) remains based in Abu Dhabi annual carp and catfishing trip to London. Fellow New House OOs as a senior first officer with Etihad on France has been cancelled for the first from back in the day were present too the A380 and hopes to resume flying time in 16 years, but the vegetable including Tom Mattinson ( N 80 ), as soon as restrictions are lifted, with patch has gained additional attention Charles Major ( N 79 ), Stephen perhaps a move onto the A350.

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Armed Forces Dominic Titcomb ( G 11 )

his year has seen OOs coordinate the response across the conduct a wide range of country as well as Down Under. A T tasks across the globe in particular highlight in writing the command of our soldiers, sailors and piece this year was the automatic airmen. From leading our people on response I received from one operations abroad, to training roles individual notifying me that my email and capability development, the OO “would not be monitored, forwarded contribution to defence is as broad or actioned.” Whilst I believe he has as ever. Perhaps most unusual for been deployed somewhere hot and to Norway for Winter Deployment 20 these pages is the contribution made sandy rather than gardening at home, (Jan-Mar). He re-did his Cold Weather towards the COVID-19 response. it certainly made me chuckle! Warfare Course (which included Uniformed OOs have helped Brig Matt Jackson ( G 90 ) re-conducting his ice-breaking drills!) continues to command 3 Commando and then acted as Commander Brigade. Since he last wrote, he Land Forces for Ex Cold Response deployed on Ex Baltic Protector (big (Norwegian INVITEX). Since March,  Capt Adam Smith ( F 06 ) trying to Joint Expeditionary Force exercise in his brigade has helped the NHS blend in to the local environment the Baltic) in the summer, and then during C-19, deployed small numbers

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on Op Broadshare to the Caribbean week in March to refit before he had with fellow Lx 96 leavers in support to support to the Overseas Territories to focus on supporting the federal of another OO whose children have in the event of C-19 overmatch, and and state governments respond a debilitating illness; together they prepared for Op Caribbean - HADR to COVID19. As CO of 16 Royal raised over £5,000. support to the Caribbean OTs in the Australian Artillery Regiment, Mark Lt Col James Cullinan ( G 92 ) event of Hurricane strike. He hands reflects on a mixed year; regret for is currently working in the Land over to his successor on 2 Sep (sad the host of things in his second year Warfare Centre (LWC) in Warminster days) and then heads off to RCDS. of command that they will not be leading the LWC Transformation He bumps into Brig Tony Turner able to achieve, but also pride in the Programme and coordinating 2 (N 94) and Col Jon Dowd ( Lx 90 ) tenacity of the men and women he legs of the Army Ex Transglobe occasionally. serves with. He hands over command 21-23 - an offshore sailing global Col Giles Harris DSO OBE ( Ldr in December and then will most likely circumnavigation expedition. He lives 91 ) has returned from commanding move to Canberra for some staff locally in Crockerton, with Rosie, OP CABRIT in Estonia – a happy officer time. 3 children, 2 dogs, 2 ponies and 10 but challenging two years. He was Lt Col Sam Cates ( Lx 96 ) remains chickens! Maj Harry Wallace ( St A 98) honoured to get an OBE on Nov 19 in command of 2 Rifles, a light role commands 148 Commando Forward Op Honours list. He is now working infantry battalion based in Northern Observation Battery, 29 Commando as the Chief of Staff in the directorate Ireland. He is currently deployed in Regiment, Royal Artillery. for Euro-Atlantic Security in the on Operation TORAL Maj Will Wade, ( St A 07 ) MOD, which is responsible for our 10 where his unit is responsible for continues to manage Capt Tom Arkell contribution to HMG policy on providing security for NATO forces ( St A 07 ), who has transferred from Russia, NATO, EU, and all European across Kabul. He returns home at the the Royal Marines to the RAF Reg bi-lateral relations. end of the year and will then, sadly, early this year. He is at Staff College Lt Col Mark Mankowski ( Sn relinquish command. Who knows for 6 months before taking over as 94 ) found himself commanding an what comes next? Hopefully some SO2 ISTAR in 12 Brigade. Lt Col Emergency Support Force assisting leave and an opportunity to catch Will Robinson ( G 92 ) relinquished the community in the Hills up with family and friends! One of command in August last year and in recover from the the pre-deployment highlights, in deployed to Iraq for six months, devastating bushfires. He had about a Sept 19, was a charitable bike ride returning just before lockdown. He

Lt Col Mark Mankowski ( Sn 94 ) leads his Regiment in support of the Australian federal Covid 19 effort

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has now moved to a new job in the Saudi Arabia in support of the Royal Lancers. Guy has returned to Personnel Directorate in Army HQ. Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) as Catterick as the Regimental Signals Flight Lt Ed Arkell ( St A 06 ) has a Liaison Officer (LO) to help them Officer following a stint as Aide-de- had a busy year. After finishing his develop as an army. He was based Camp to the Deputy Supreme Allied tour with 3 (Fighter) Sqn, he passed mostly out of the Defence Section in Commander of Europe in Brussels, the Qualified Weapons Instructor the British Embassy in Riyadh but a fascinating experience that he Course (QWIC) in October and was also travelled extensively around the thoroughly enjoyed. Dom continues posted to 6 Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth. country, spending a significant period as a troop leader in command of an He and Zoe left Yorkshire to live in of time on the Saudi southern border anti-tank troop and was mobilised quarters in Elgin and while they were with Yemen, experiencing first-hand as part of the Loo Roll Protection there Frederick Arkell arrived two the nightly drone and rocket attacks Force (LRPF) during Op RESCRIPT days before Christmas! Deployments conducted by the Houthi rebels – the military’s contribution to the have been pretty busy recently and in Yemen into Saudi Arabia. Since COVID-19 response. He deployed since Freddie arrived he has been returning to the UK, he has taken to Lidl for his second operational deployed 3 out of 7 months but part in the Army telemark skiing tour and was lucky to survive. In reports that Zoe has been amazing. championships in France, gained the coming months he looks look He has just finished Baltic Air selection for the Army team and forward to deploying abroad on Policing and is looking forward to a competed at the Inter Services Snow operations. Capt Tom Wythe ( Lx Spring Exercise in the USA to prepare Sports Championships in Meribel. He 06) continues as a Group Leader at for operations in the summer, but is now the Adjutant at the Army the Army Officer Selection Board in most importantly spending more time Training Regiment Grantham. Westbury and led the Army team at home with Zoe and Freddie! Capt Dom Titcomb ( G 11 ) and to a magnificent victory during the Capt Adam Smith ( F 06 ) has Capt Guy Parker ( B 09 ) have been Inter-Services Cresta Competition in deployed on Op CROSSWAYS to reunited at Regimental Duty with the St Moritz.

Old Oundelian Lodge Howard Allen ( Sn 75 )

or our meeting in October 2019, affable character but was unable to the outgoing Master, Graham attend the Lodge. Michael was elected F Solari ( G 65 ) installed Iain an Honorary Member in April 2010 Wadie ( Sn 87 ) as Master of the and Gill brought him to our Oundle Lodge. In November we had the news meeting in May 2010, the last occasion that Philip de Voil ( G 86 ) had been he was able to be with us. The service promoted to London Grand Rank of celebration of his life was very with his appointment to the active well attended (well over 200) and rank of Metropolitan Junior Grand there was a lot of laughter and love in Deacon within London Freemasonry. celebration of the life of a lovely man. This is a great honour and reflects Soon after the February meeting, Philip’s work both in Freemasonry all Masonic activity in England Appeal. With the coronavirus and the community. In February 2020, was suspended so we were not pandemic continuing to challenge Ross Murray ( Lx 10 ) took his third able to have our April meeting nor all of us in our everyday lives, the step in his Masonic career at a very go to the Public Schools Lodges Masonic Charitable Foundation interesting meeting. Festival at Tonbridge in July. The (MCF) is working in partnership with Early in 2020 Gill Spragg gave us Old Tonbridgian Lodge is planning the United Grand Lodge of England the news that her beloved husband, to hold a joint Festival with the Old (UGLE). Donations from members Michael Spragg ( Lx 51 ) had died Cheltonian Lodge in Cheltenham in of the Craft have exceeded £1m and on New Years Day, peacefully in 2021. the MCF has matched this funding hospital. Michael was initiated into During the year the Old Oundelian and has allocated £2.75m to support the Old Oundelian Lodge in June Lodge made charitable contributions Freemasonry’s charitable response. 1984. He took an active part in the for the Old Oundelian Lodge This money is already being used to Lodge but an accident on his farm Bursary, The Oundle Foodbank, fund local projects across the country in 1987 resulted in permanent brain The Alzheimer’s Society, The Stroke identified by UGLE’s ten Regional damage. He remained a charming and Association and the Masonic COVID Communication Groups. Projects

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supported include the provision Brown ( Lx 66 ), Graham Solari ( G organizations (The Order of Women of Personal Protective Equipment 65), Charles Kilner (StA 59), Michael Freemasons owf.org.uk and The to NHS and care workers; funding Hammon ( Sn 56 ), Michael Tomalin Honourable Fraternity of Ancient meals prepared at masonic halls ( N 56 ), Michael Turnbull ( Sc 55 ), Freemasons hfaf.org) but not an for isolated and vulnerable people, Paul Newsome Old Oundelian Women’s Lodge and supporting the recruitment of ( StA 55 ), Alan Holmes ( G 55) , - yet! Should you be interested in volunteers for local Age UK branches David Thorpe ( Ldr 53 ), Bill Whittall joining the Old Oundelian Lodge and other services. ( Ldr 52 ), Tom Blackburn ( Sn 50 ), then please have a look at www. The Old Oundelian Lodge gives John Brooke ( C 47 ), Kevin Chawner oundelianfreemasons.org, facebook: Old its members a great deal of pleasure ( B 47 ), and David Collins ( S 45 ). Oundelian Lodge 5682, follow us on both in terms of its Masonic fraternity We would be pleased to hear from Twitter: @ool5682 or contact me by and also the spirit and community anyone wanting to become a joining phone on 01785 713981 (home) or by that arises from the fact that we have member or a candidate new to e-mail [email protected] all experienced life at Oundle School Freemasonry. Freemasonry has moved to a new in its various aspects and over many Our regular meetings are held and welcome phase of increased years. Our members include Matthew in London at Freemasons Hall, openness, with our charitable aims Dear, Development Director, Great Queen Street on the fourth and activities being publicised Matthew Lim ( B 11 ), Ross Murray Thursday in February, April and through traditional and new media. ( Lx 10 ), Sandy Rowell ( C 04 ), Peter October. Members of the Craft are The Craft’s aims and objectives are Seebohm ( Sc 02 ), Rob Shaw ( S 92 ), most welcome to join us, as are male available to a worldwide audience Chris Tovey ( Sc 91 ), Iain Wadie Old Oundelians, their fathers and via the website of The United Grand ( Sn 87 ), Philip de Voil ( G 86 ), members of staff, both past and Lodge of England (www.ugle.org.uk). Dom Vincent (Lx 82), Howard Allen present who may be interested in This website provides insight into ( Sn 75 ), Nigel Hewitt ( B 75 ), Peter becoming involved in Freemasonry. our history and our contribution to Hotchin ( C 72) Geoffrey Woolsey- There are also women’s Freemasonry today’s society.

The Master, Iain Wadie, collecting donated PPE visors

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Africa Charles Salem ( C 78 )

aving survived one of the swimming!! Harriet my eldest world’s strictest initial daughter, (22) has just completed H lockdowns, ‘life just pedals her second year at Nottingham along,’ for David Leishman, University where she is studying ( Sc 65 ), ‘with much time outdoors civil engineering and playing hockey on the slopes of Table Mountain, for the first team. Middle daughter, dealing with nasty invasive tree Gemma, (20) is studying Business species, mainly wattles from Oz, at Stellenbosch University and has to allow the fynbos to flourish, and also just successfully completed that's something that could be done her second year as a Golden Key Rowan Watt-Pringle ( St A 00 ) is in all but the hardest initial five Student. She still plays hockey but entering the final year of his PhD, weeks of shutdown, when we were in the social teams. Isabella, (16), focusing on various aspects of coral confined utterly to our homes save our youngest, is now studying at restoration. He and his partner were for shopping and surgery!’ Collegiate School, playing first based on a remote island in The same can be said of James team hockey and enjoying life. Indonesia and were forced to leave Bisdee ( St A 83 ) who writes, ‘life She would be happier being back when COVID hit. ‘I returned to in South Africa at the moment is at school rather than having to South Africa, making it back to the somewhat challenging, if you put be taught online. Sarah, wife and country 12 hours before the borders together COVID 19, corruption, mother, keeps us all together and were locked down. My partner had borrowing from the IMF and under control! She is still, when the to return to France and I will join her only 16% of taxpayers actually opportunity arises, doing interior there as soon as international travel paying tax!! I am still involved in decorating.’ reopens, while I finish the write-up construction with Randcivils Pty Ltd, John Knight ( Sn 76 ) reports of my final thesis.’ based in Port Elizabet. No change that he has only one more year of Thank you to all who wrote in and in pastimes, either, with mountain teaching, at Bishops School, before I look forward to hearing from more biking on a regular basis and ocean he retires. of you next year.

Australasia Charles Salem

AUSTRALIA

nthony Milne Stoughton Adelaide and James Blunt back in would have been a lot better had we ( S 81 ) has finally been Sydney. I topped that up with The Book not been becalmed on Storm Bay on A able to conquer the chronic of Mormon and a 5 Seconds of Summer the last night!’ sciatica from which he has been concert in Melbourne and the Bolshoi From a semi-retiree to Simon suffering for the last couple of years, Ballet’s Spartacus in Brisbane. What an Corlett, ( G 77 ), who reports, “being a and ‘become a contributor, once more!’ adventure.’ retiree allows one to spend one’s time Working with a personal trainer Mike Selbie ( Ldr 79 ) is enjoying gracefully! Following the motorcycle has meant that he was able to avoid semi-retirement, which seems to trip to Kashmir last year, I walked two surgery, which pleased him no end. ‘I include regular sailing while writing Camino routes, (the Norte and the couldn’t work during that time, so I a second online sailing RYA theory Primitivo), in northern Spain, between went on an interstate ‘Invasion of The course. He took part in the iconic August and October. A visit to the UK Poms Concert Tour’ beginning with Sydney to Hobart, as navigator on a followed, to catch up with remaining Robbie Williams in Sydney then Salona 38, one of the smaller yachts family and friends, including Messrs Queen in Perth, Ed Sheeran in in the fleet. ‘Mid-fleet result, which Mark Parrish ( G 77 ) and Mark

108 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM ABROAD ‘become a contributor, once more!’

Boomla ( G 77 ). December through area of both Scotland and Wales. On imperturbable OO colleague and to the end of March, was spent in Sao New Year’s Eve I stood, together with friend, your notable correspondent, we Paulo, Brazil, with my partner, looking three family members, looking at a set forth for Canberra. After hearing after her elderly parents. I managed to wall of fire three kilometres away, her maiden speech, I remember get Qantas’ last scheduled 747 flight advancing towards us across the flood nothing for the next two months! After from Santiago, Chile, only to spend plain of the Snowy River. Once it a further month of recovery in the two weeks of mandatory quarantine in crossed that, my property and, indeed, hospital I have been slowly returning a Harbourside Sydney hotel, courtesy the whole town of Orbost was at its to this troubled world. Septicaemia of the NSW government. The food and mercy. At 2.30am, we were about to is a hard task master. What came out view were excellent, though!’ evacuate when the wind changed, was alive but set on a long road to Harvey Jones ( S 88 ) reports from blowing the fire back on itself. It had recovery.’ And as if this were not bad Adelaide that he is, ‘still working at the been a very close call and many were enough, his wife decided to do some Submarine Corp and still on council, not as lucky. The fires had barely aerobatics in the bathroom and broke debating such weighty issues as whether died down when COVID hit and I her wrist, leaving Charles as ‘chief we need a by-law to register cats.’ am writing this from a position of cook and bottle washer.’ Like many others, Rob Bramley lockdown. On a brighter note, I did With his father Chris Sutcliffe ( St ( C 82 ) has been working from home, manage a trip to UK in 2019 to see my A 53 ) so often contributing the news ‘I have been pre-occupied with mid- brother Mike Hollands ( N 54 ), and up until his passing in 2015, Neil season (grains) fieldwork and my catch up with my old friend David Sutcliffe( StA 85 ) has not, until now, son’s 21st, successfully held within the Boddington ( St A 50 ). I also saw written in himself. ‘It’s amazing what COVID rules, last weekend. I have Mike’s son Robin Hollands ( N 84 ). I the Melbourne lockdown can achieve!’ missed out on a trip to UK, which am now working on an autobiography After graduating from Durham, Neil would have occupied much of July, and have thoroughly enjoyed turning met Annie, his Australian wife-to-be, and now wonder when/if a trip to the my thoughts back to of by chance in London. They emigrated UK may ever be possible, or at least Graham Stainforth, Bill Coulson, Rolf to Australia in 1994, first to Perth, then straightforward. With an 85yr old Barber and others.’ Melbourne. Since 2003, they have father still there, this is a somewhat Also in and out of lockdown is both been advisers and partners of confronting issue. I have otherwise Anthony Bayley ( S 63 ) ‘but luckily their own family wealth management been focussing on various projects I have the comfort of glorious views franchise. He catches up with Harry dealing with wine terroir (in the over Westernport Bay and long walks Corsham ( F 84 ), for a local drink, Barossa and Margaret River regions along the beach, along with some and with James Carlisle ( StA 85 ) of Australia and Marlborough area of golf. Still working part time for the occasionally, when he visits from NZ) and sensor-based management major development banks on trade Sydney. ‘Daughter Grace, ( K 13 ), of fertilizers for cereals, and will be facilitation and river port projects in and son Austin, ( StA 15 ), capped off speaking about the former as a plenary South Asia and Myanmar, although four Sutcliffe generations attending speaker at the International Terroir field trips have been cancelled. Oundle from 1918. Both, of course, are Congress. These are now being held Expecting our first grandchild in spending the COVID lockdown, at virtually, instead of face-to-face – a October, and hope to be able to travel home, with M & D.’ pity, as past conferences have involved up to Queensland by then.’ With 9 and 6 year olds, Tim some very good dinners.’ Charles Allen ( B 54 ) writes Hamlyn, ( C 96 ), has spent most For David Hollands ( N 51 ) this from Melbourne, ‘The last year was of his year home schooling, while has been a year to remember, for all somewhat confused for me as it started partner Helen brings in the bacon. the wrong reasons. ‘After three years well with my annual crop of scholars ‘I’ve enjoyed the company of Charles of severe drought, south-eastern being processed and my daughter-in- Salem ( C 78 ), often, and Sarah Australia, where I live, was hit by law elected to parliament and plans Hampton ( D 95 ) whose girls are at devastating bushfires. The total area of to attend her first speech firmly in the same school as my two. Other than forest, farmland, houses and property place. Unfortunately, I had a sore hip that, little has happened this year and I burned was greater than the combined at the time but, accompanied by our suspect, little more will.’

NEW ZEALAND

ordon Waddie ( Sn 87 ) has London University in Veterinary to population health and very much a new role as a veterinarian Epidemiology and Public Health. built on what I learnt in those years. G with NZ's Ministry of One outcome of COVID is that no On the back of that I also passed my Primary Industries, working with the one needs to ask what epidemiology membership exam to the Australian meat industry. ‘This complements is anymore! I enjoyed statistics at New Zealand College of Veterinary my finishing a Masters degree with Oundle and this is applying statistics Scientists (Epidemiology Chapter).

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Oh, and we moved house AGAIN, trip to UK and France, leaving in April of the South Island, (redwoods, (although still near Christchurch), so as where he was going to catch up with cypresses and Douglas-fir), and in to combine our households - we have his old study mate and friend Mike his arboretum in the foothills of the enough girls for a whole netball team Hellier ( S 60 ). But Covid-19 blocked Southern Alps in Canterbury, where and reserves.’ our trip. ‘Six weeks of lockdown he is foolishly attempting to establish Tim Rogers ( Lx 79 ) moved from followed with only door deliveries, the most complete collection of conifer Mumbai, India to Nelson NZ. ‘With but as we live at the beach and with no species on the planet. ‘Sadly my the pending arrival of COVID, it traffic, enjoyed pleasant and rigorous younger brother Charlie Heffernan seemed the most prudent step to take walks. Zoomed brother John ( S 62 ) ( Sn 87 ), died in late 2018. Those and I have returned home with family and relations around the world.’ at a celebration of Charlie’s life, in where we are enjoying the freedoms of Bill Heffernan( Sn 81 ), continues Bradford-on-Avon, included Matt elimination, (for now at least). I was to research in electrical engineering Hensher ( Sn 87 ), and Richard Page sad to say goodbye to the pulse and at the University of Canterbury in ( S 80 ). I maintain regular contact pace of India, and to the colours and Christchurch. Now living in Lyttelton, with Richard and also Mark Reeves the warm people.’ Bill is still growing trees in his spare ( C 80 ) – long-lasting friendships Mack Morum, ( S 59 ), had booked a time, both commercially in the north forged at Oundle.’

Canada James Clayton ( G 68 )

reetings to all from YEBRITISHHOMECHILDREN-v.2- Canada. We are managing JUNE2020.pdf G the Covid-19 pandemic Maria Rye was the first of many reasonably well, despite our (including Dr. Barnardo’s) to build a neighbour to the south. I am pleased huge programme of pauper child- to have received news from a number removal from the urban slums and of OOs living in Canada. workhouses of Britain - the Victorian David Radcliffe( B 54 ) writes underworld of the 19th century - to “This week I moved to a retirement farms and homes in Eastern Canada. home, FoxHollow, here in London I am the current President of the (Ontario) - a new home which just Niagara Historical Society and have opened. Otherwise Covid-19 has published eight books on topics than that, projects around the house, made life so flat so far, but I had not related to Niagara-on-the-Lake. A inside and out have been a main focus been getting out anyway, so for me few challenges to keep my retirement since the lockdown. Communication there has been little change. Just a years productive! with fellow OOs back in the east of change of view. I read a lot and play Dave Brentnall ( Sn 76 ) is England has been reduced to social music a lot and otherwise stay put. I still living in Laval, Montreal and media although he did see David wonder what my father Walter, one working for the same company MMC Sutton ( Sn 74 ) during a business trip of the original Bramstonians, would Packaging - now in the ownership to the UK back in February. have made of the pandemic, since of Tekniplex having been sold by the nothing quite like it came along in his family owners last year. Fortunately, medical career.” as a supplier to “essential businesses”  David Hemmings News from David Hemmings they have remained open and very ( Sn 64 ): in late 2018 I published a busy during the pandemic. He has spreadsheet of 5,300 British Home got used to working remotely but Children (mostly young girls) brought international globetrotting has been to Eastern Canada by Maria Rye completely curtailed. Erratic golf and the Church of England Waifs & from near brilliance to complete Strays Society between 1869 and 1914, disaster is still a main pastime during administered from Avenue House the somewhat short season but the  Dave Brentnall in Peckham, South London and Our annual fishing trip was exceptional Western Home in Niagara-on-the- this year and hopefully the Maritimes Lake, Ontario. It can be found at: will open their borders to Quebecois http://www.nhsm.ca/collection/ soon so that the salmon fishing trip to documents/DATABASEOFMARIAR New Brunswick can go ahead. Other

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being able to spend more time in the virus free, touch wood. My two John Foster garage working on older motorcycles main activities are golf and bridge, and as most of Ontario moves into although competitive bridge is on Phase 3 of the return to “normalcy,” hold because of the virus. Golf is I shall shortly be able to return to back but at the ripe old age of 76 I volunteer aircraft restoration activities find that my scores tend to be closer at Canadian Warplane Heritage to 100 than 90. It is now nine years Museum in Hamilton. Travel plans to since I retired from my Engineering Europe made for spring this year had profession and I cannot say I miss it. to be cancelled and I suspect it will I still have fond memories of being be some time before we decide to risk the Oundle team captain under the the crowded conditions that prevail guidance of ‘Jas’ Sharmon, who on air transport today. passed away some time ago. Hi from Donald Mertens ( G 57 ). Iain Smith ( C 56 ), a former area My wife Susan and I are currently correspondent writes: my response living in a rented townhouse while to the request for news is that I fall our home is being rebuilt from a two into the “still alive” category, with storey to a bungalow. I realize that no major achievements beyond that. this is the opposite to what most Still spending my winters living people do, but we wanted something up the mountain at Silver Star, and that was environmentally friendly skiing almost every day. In the with minimal upkeep and in which summer we overlook picturesque John Foster ( Sc 51 ) writes that his we could live out the rest of our lives. Kalamalka Lake, golfing (walking) major activity these past 12 months Given the current situation with the three times a week and riding my has been following up on his book, Covid-19 pandemic, this decision E- bike on the other days. Getting Oil and World Politics (2018), with appears to be a timely one, especially somewhat concerned that the skiing articles and (until the pandemic) talks considering the catastrophic results may be curtailed next winter by the across Canada. He and his wife Millie seen as a result of underfunding threatened resurgence of Covid-19, enjoy living in Kingston, Ontario. Last and staffing of long term care and and the fact that most of the winter year, they visited family in Toronto, retirement homes in Canada: a staff are young Aussies and Euros on Vancouver and London, including his national disgrace. gap years who may not be allowed brother Robert Foster ( Sc 61 ). Since Our new home will exceed the to travel. I pity my three university the pandemic, they have cancelled all building standards for sustainability grandchildren who may end up living travel but enjoy reading books long- in almost all respects, with infloor at home and working online. That forgotten on the bookshelves, take- heating, exceptional insulation, metal would have been impossible in our out meals from favourite Indian and siding and a metal roof to name a few. day and makes me wonder how we Italian restaurants, and walking in the We are expecting to be able to move would have handled it then. I guess local conservation area. He reported back in by October. present-day Oundle is faced with the with regret that Michael Bell ( Lx 48) We are fortunate in being able to same problem. Strange times indeed. passed away in May. Michael was meet outdoors with our family on a I had some interesting Head of School during John’s first daily basis while observing physical correspondence from Nigel Napier- year at Oundle. In recent years, they distancing, and having a daughter-in- Andrews ( Sc 59 ) regarding the met annually for lunch in Brockville, law who insists on doing our grocery perfect Pavlova parfait. This halfway between Ottawa and shopping. I also cycle on a regular meringue concoction may have been Kingston. Michael and his wife Anne basis and am using free weights named after the famous ballerina Burnett were enthusiastic participants at home in order to stay sane and Anna Pavlova, who toured Australia at OO Dinners in Ontario. healthy. and New Zealand in the 1920s; both Bob Freeman ( LS 69 ) writes: Chris Sones ( S 62 ) sends in these countries claim to have invented the Sadly, I have nothing much to notes: my wife of 53 years and I are dessert, still popular there. I have a contribute apart from the fact we still alive and managing to cope with deeper interest, because a few years are surviving thus far, but my wife all the inconveniences of Covid-19. ago at a school reunion in Toronto, I and I miss the close contact with Our four children, three girls and wanted to create something unique our grandchildren. Thank goodness one boy, are also doing very well and for the menu to impress the new for video chat software on the managing to stay virus free, despite Head of Oundle School. Together computer. I maintain contact with two being in the USA in Phoenix with the chef of the Albany Club, last Richard Akroyd ( LS 1969 ) who and Seattle. The other two are in bastion of the conservative elements resides in the Leicester area in the Vancouver and Toronto. Between in Toronto, we came up with a parfait UK; he too is surviving COVID-19. them they have given us five grand- based on the Pavlova and the similar Social distancing has resulted in my daughters, all of whom are also Eton Mess. It may sound messy, but

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mess is just an old English word used featuring the now-famed Oundle a few days and made two trips to to describe a dish of food, from the Mess. Sadly it had to be postponed Oxford. old French mes, now mets. Eton Mess until 2021. One of the fascinating In January we went to Mexico for has red berries whereas our Oundle outcomes was a great collection of three weeks returning just before the Mess has blue berries and, because photos of contemporaries at School start of the pandemic. it is served to adults not children, a which we will put into a souvenir Since I can work at home - which touch of booze. It was well received. programme. Another is that many is what I normally do anyway - Nigel added: I am still an active OOs, formerly friends at School, who being confined to home has not been member of the Oundle community. I had not been in touch for decades are that problematic. The summer is am also the inaugural donor in Alan now regularly corresponding with progressing well with gardening and Willis’ new Public Schools North each other. Personally, I am happy to golf but it has been a bit isolated with American donation scheme by which have renewed friendship with many very few visitors outside of family. Canadians can get a tax receipt for old chums. Your correspondent and wife Julie donations to Oundle. I encourage Peter Leighsmith ( G 61 ) writes: are still living in Calgary, Alberta, other OOs to participate. In 2019 my wife and I went to the with some skiing in the winter at Several UK based OOs and I came Cinque Terre in Italy and then on by nearby Banff and high-handicap up with the idea of a School House train to stay in a villa outside Perugia, golf during our brief summer. Work reunion and plans were well advanced one of the ancient hill towns. Umbria continues completing two property for a May 2020 gathering, including is full of architectural interest and developments, despite Covid-19 and a dinner in the old Tuck Shop, now much less touristy than Tuscany. We low oil prices, and we hope to have the Common Room Dining Room, returned via Rome to London for all finished by the end of the year.

1962 First VI Oundle Tennis team Front row, l to r: EC Sones ( S 62 ), JA Sharman, coach, IPM Payne ( G 62 ). Back row, l to r : ? ? M Douce ( S 62 ) ? Hunter

112 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 NEWS FROM ABROAD

Continental Europe Jim Bennett ( N 77 )

obin Apthorpe ( S 59 ) ( D 03 ). Sadly due to Covid they attended the OO Sunshine haven’t managed a get-together R Club lunch held at the RAC this year. Her brother Jeremy Brass in December. He reports that Gavin ( B 09 ) is still working for Grant Choyce ( N 61 ) is doing a sterling job Thornton in Cambridge. He was due running it, although with illness and to be married this May but Covid the passing of some of the original has delayed it for a year, which attendees, the event has lost some unfortunately means he will have to of its original zest. In March, Robin have a second stag party - not all bad attended the over 60s lunch at the news! Olivia’s sister Naomi Wilson RAF Club where he met Philip Hall (née Brass D 06) and her husband ( S 58 ) for the first time in 63 years, Freddie had a daughter, Roberta, last before fleeing back to Portugal as May, who has been keeping them Covid was just breaking out. Jeremy both on their toes during lockdown. managed to hide from COVID by Cross ( Sn 63 ) reports from Brittany Peter Hallewell ( N 76 ) has stayed living on the isle of Ibiza. He says where the lockdown has been strictly in Les Gets for most of lockdown with that things are starting to return to enforced. Miles Davies ( G 71 ) just a brief trip to London to check on normal on the island with beach bars replies in a similar vein. He and his their flat. Their son George Hallewell reopening so they can go out for family live on the coast about an ( G 09 ) is working in Whistler and meals like the old times. He has also hour North East of and he their daughter Rachael is next door enjoyed making contact with his old seems to be keeping his head down. in Morzine. Peter attended lunch housemate Kasem Visuth Visuthi Rupert Elderkin ( N 94 ) continues at the RAF Club last year and was ( StA 61 ) who is apparently very his work as a war crimes prosecutor accompanied by Messrs Alfred Rose well. Simon Volkwein ( Lx 06 ) in the Hague. However, with funding ( B 74 ) , David Letten ( Sn 76 ) and started a new job whilst working from tied in to the Brexit negotiations, Geoff Mackrill ( B 76 ). Florian Henn home which was tricky, however his future is slightly uncertain. Like (Sn 99) is still working for Lufthansa video conferencing and a stable Miles, Rupert lives within walking as the company’s HR strategist. Times internet connection meant he made distance of the coast with his wife and are tough with more than 700 aircraft the best of a tough situation. All in all three boys – ideal for beachcombing. grounded, but Florian manages to the extra time at home with his wife He and Alex Goldsmith ( N 94 ) unwind by sailing his yacht and and daughter has been a godsend as started to organise a New House playing the violin. David Hutchinson they prepare for the arrival of the next reunion but were thwarted by Covid. ( N 61 ) contacted me to say he is addition to the family - a daughter At least they have the contacts spending the lockdown on his farm in due in August. gathered together ready for brighter the hills of Colombia. His day is spent Percy Kirkman ( Sn 94 ) has spent times. David Griffith ( B 72 ) is an tending his crops of coffee, oranges, the lockdown with his family in the international design consultant, cardamom and orchids along with chalet in La Tzoumaz. They used the normally based in South East Asia. Zoom conferences to keep in touch time to plan the expansion of their However he has been working on with world economics and politics. real estate business into construction, the project via web meetings from My fellow Old Novarian Cord which they are bringing to life now the Black Forest. Webinars are Matthies ( N 77 ) writes from that Switzerland and France are accompanied with views of pastoral Düsseldorf where he now lives opening up. Malcolm Llewellyn ( Sc scenes and red kites from his new after spending many years based 60 ) has been trying to arrange a 60s office window, but David is looking in Brussels working as a Chemical reunion with Nigel Napier Andrews forward to heading back East. Engineer. He is still in close contact ( Sc 59 ), Alistair Shaw ( Sc 59 ), his Olivia Gross ( née Brass D 03 ) with Malcolm Brown ( N 79 ) and brother Angus Shaw (Sc 61), Richard moved to Hamburg in March 2019 occasionally sees his brother Duncan Bailey ( Sc 60 ) and others whilst on with her husband Nick and daughter Brown ( N 77 ), unfortunately the last lockdown in the Dordogne. He is Heidi. She reports that Pippa Rivero- time being at a family funeral. Cord also in regular contact with Roger Bosch ( D 03 ) paid her a visit in also sees his brother Peter Matthies Bamborough ( D 60 ) with whom he December last year and prior to that, ( N 81 ) when he jets in twice a year worked for over 30 years. they spent a weekend in the South of from Santa Barbara, CA. Mirosevic Sorgo ( N 49 ) spent France with Annabel Denham John MacDonald ( StA 61 ) is Christmas in Sweden visiting his ( D 03 ) and Alexandra Baggallay another OO who seems to have daughter Isabell and her family,

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blissfully unaware of the imminent Heinz in London but decided to books in print – Welcome Home, pandemic - so much so that he and return home to Bulgaria for the Beaver! and All Along the River, both his daughter travelled on to Bangkok lockdown.This has been his longest available in the UK and selling well for ten days and only just got home stint at home for 15 years. He says internationally - not a spare minute in before the lockdown. Peter Suddards it has been wonderful reconnecting the day, I suspect. ( S 52 ) reports that he has lost two with friends and family, however This summer Peter Winnington close friends in the last year, Gerald he is missing his local London pub ( S 63 ) brought out another book Dent, an ex- School Governor, and and pints of Norfolk Wherry Ale. Love in the Revolution, recounting love Neil Slingsby ( D 53 ). Luckily Peter Magnus Weightman ( S 92 ) is living affairs between Russians and Anglo and his wife managed to spend two and working in Rotterdam with his Saxons at the time of the Russian happy days with Neil and his wife German girlfriend and three young revolution, which seems to have been Penny during their visit in January. children (9,7 and 4). Home schooling well received by the critics. Lastly Peter has also managed to reactivate has been more of a challenge for him as always Giles Woodbridge ( B 84 ) his friendship with the Revd Clive and his partner as the children have writes from the Alps to say their Boddington ( S 54 ) and Rab Peck apparently been exemplary. Magnus chalet business has been hit hard this ( S 53 ). is an architect and urban designer, spring by Corona but that they are Ivo Videnov ( Ldr 13 ) writes who also teaches at the Wageningen hopeful that next season won’t be as to say he is still working for Kraft University and has two children’s badly affected.

Hong Kong Mark Reeves ( C 80 )

ndrew Nicholson ( StA 99 ) forced me to postpone everything. writes: having welcomed Perhaps that will happen in 2021 A baby Monty in November, when hopefully the world, especially to join siblings Alfie and Beatrice, London, will be a safer place. During my wife Victoria and I also the year, I was very pleased to hear recently celebrated our 10th wedding from Julian Brown ( C 89 ) who anniversary in June. I still work at finally got round to using Facebook PAG in Hong Kong, and also bumped Messenger - I had sent him a bunch into Robbie Lawson (StA 99) at the of old photos taken during our first RWC semi-finals in Japan. year at Oundle through that app. Jerry Yao ( C 89 ) writes: for Julian had been busy working in Ho the whole world, 2020 will forever Chi Minh City for the whole of March be remembered as the Year of before returning to the UK. Coronavirus. For me, though, it was a Ben Dickinson ( N 93 ) remains in year of a life-changing experience not Hong Kong with his family. Despite out from, and back to, Sydney. It must on a dissimilar level. Out of nowhere, the lockdown Ben is in regular have been one of the last ‘normal’ I was diagnosed with necrotizing touch with Fuad Abdullah, Oliver cruises before the shut down. Our fasciitis (something I had known very Quarmby, Andy Appleby ( All Sdn second cruise, down the Danube, for little about) just before Chinese New 93 ) and Dave Williams ( Ldr 93 ) later in the year has been postponed Year. It was such a terrible ordeal who have had semi regular Zoom until next year. We have opted to stay that the only consolation was that calls to catch up. He’s also been in in Hong Kong during the hot summer it felt like I was living in a parallel touch with Angus Slater ( N91 ) and where we have felt much safer and universe where I didn’t have to Tim Robinson ( St A 95 ) in Hong under fewer restrictions than had fight for facemasks and toilet rolls. Kong as well as reconnecting with we been, as planned, in England at Luckily, after being hospitalized for Mark Steed (ex New House tutor!) our second home. A milestone will five weeks and several operations who is now based in the city. be marked later this year when our and physiotherapy sessions later, Ronald Taylor ( Sn 62 ) writes: eldest grandchild starts at St Anthony. I am almost as good as new. I was as for all of us, 2020 has not been as Jeremy Pong ( Ldr 83 ) has a planning on catching up with old expected at the beginning of the year. relatively quiet year, partially due Crosbians Guy Hodgson ( C 89 ) and However, before the turmoil, we to not being able to travel due to the Kar-Binh Ong ( C 89 ) in London in celebrated our golden wedding on an pandemic. He exchanged Chinese late January but my sudden illness enjoyable cruise of the South Pacific New Year’s greeting with Faisal

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Ibrabim ( Ldr 84 ) and found out he just outside Washington DC after course in March during one of Hong is now a proud grandfather! Jeremy spending a number of years in Hong Kong’s partial lockdowns. I clocked a passed his module 4 exam at the Kong, Beijing and Thailand. He was 4 mins 46 sec 1500 m in the Malaysian Chartered Institute of Arbitrators staying with Jeremy Bolland ( D 79 ) Veterans Championships in June 2019 before Christmas 2019 and is now a whom I regularly see and with whom before my own knee injuries took me fellow of the Institute. I had a golf day with Tim Linton out. With COVID, the athletics tracks I met up with Mark Stevenson ( N ( Sn 63 ) earlier in 2019. Tim continues in Hong Kong have been closed 81 ) for several beers in November last to fanatically play golf (having and we are now supposed to run year during the brief visit he made deliberately bought a retirement outside with masks on, an impractical to Hong Kong. Among other things, house near to the Fanling Golf Club) challenge both for the mask and your we bemoaned running injuries. He is and competed in this year’s Captain, lungs. Let’s hope by this time next undergoing knee surgery in 2020 to Lady Captain and Pro competition year things will be a little bit more get back on track. Mark is now living in June after being kept off the golf normal.

Japan Dominic Al-Badri ( N 88 )

ames Reynolds ( C 01 ) writes Arthur Marment ( D 77 ) got in touch to say that he has been living in ahead of his visit to Japan for the J since December 2016 Rugby World Cup and we met up with his wife and two boys for a tremendous dinner along with (aged 4 and 6) where he continues to his son George ( B 12 ) and Arthur’s run a video licensing business with friend Kevin Hadley; a great outcome a focus on major natural events. He thanks to the OO network. says this has meant traveling around Away from the office, I have the Asia Pacific and to the US filming enjoyed the shift to a partial hurricanes, typhoons and volcanic teleworking environment following eruptions. James is enjoying life in the COVID-19 outbreak. Not having Tokyo, especially the challenge of to commute by bicycle everyday other safety precautions, was not learning Japanese, and plans to be freed up evening time that I was the risky venture it might have been here for the foreseeable future. unexpectedly able to use DJing elsewhere, and helped justify my Despite Brexit, which had no direct at a pop-up café Japanese friends ever expanding record collection. I effect on my position, I remain busy started operating at around the time keep in regular contact with Charlie working for the Delegation of the the disease flared up. Given the Brookes, Adrian Corker and Marko European Union to Japan. Last year disease outbreak was at the time Wilkinson ( all N 88 ), who are in was hectic but extremely fulfilling comparatively less severe in Japan good spirits and health, with lengthy overseeing the EU’s participation than in many parts of the world, Skype sessions during the lockdown in many parts of the G-20 process, helping out in a café, while observing and in person meet-ups when back in which Japan hosted. In the autumn, social distancing and undertaking the UK.

Thailand Iditorn Israsena ( B 06 )

e are happy to announce ( G 06 ), which many Old Oundelians that two Old Oundelians from the region and a few from the W from the class of 2006 got UK attended. Next, in February, married at the beginning of the year. there was an equally warm reception In January we enjoyed a wonderful from Sakaruth Sangkaew ( L 06 ). ceremony from Kanate Ratapipat, The event was attended by many

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local Old Oundelians in Thailand. were not able to attend, but many OO members in Thailand are safe and Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 were able to send Sakaruth their best hoping to arrange a local gathering situation, many overseas guests wishes through VDO clips. All of the once the situation improves.

USA Region Richard Kunzer ( G 90 )

s I am sure has been DC, happily with his wife Betsy and works in family medicine and he will mentioned numerous times they have four children and seven be retired after 20 years in the service A this year we have been living grandchildren. as of this autumn. Lindy has fallen out in very strange times, and none more David Weeks ( C 83 ) has been of touch with friends from Oundle, than here in the USA where initially living in the Atlanta, GA metro area but would love to hear from any of in the spring the North East was hit for six years in Milton. His youngest them (she is Lindy Kew Womack on hard, and then sadly the rest of the son is about to leave the nest and Facebook). country was stricken. go to Iowa State University (near Charles Edward Stewart Patrick It is 16 years now that I have been where they used to live), and his two ( Sc 56 ) is now retired, and living in living in Manhattan, but since early other children are doing well. This Walnut Creek, CA in the East Bay Area March we have been living out on year he made contact with OO Andy of San Francisco. He has been married the east end of Long Island where McCartney who lives nearby, and to his second wife for over 30 years my wife and I have been enjoying they hope to get together at some now. One of his sons also lives on the the trials and tribulations of home point soon having discovered they are West ‘Left’ coast and was formerly schooling an 11-year old and a 7-year both in the Tech/IT Industry. He is an astronaut with NASA and flew to old! We cannot complain at all, but it keen to connect with other OOs in the the Space Station twice. His son now has meant that we are not undertaking southeast USA, or to be a contact for works for the private space company, our annual summer trip to the UK OOs looking to come to the US from Blue Origin, set up in Seattle by Jeff to see family up in Northumberland, the UK into either the IT or Healthcare Bezos of Amazon and they expect to and not really sure when travel might industry. Finally, at the Oundle ‘Day do their first manned suborbital flight resume. Instead we have been keeping at the Races’ in Newmarket last year soon. Both of his wife’s daughters up with family and friends by social he connected with John Wilkinson live in Oregon, including the mother media and calls and this has included ( N 82 ) of 8-year-old boy/girl twins. She is brothers Stephen Kunzer ( G 84 ) and Rosalind “Lindy” Kew Womack married to an Oxonian she met in David Kunzer ( G 85 ), cousin Charlie ( D 94 ) - Lindy hasn’t updated her London while on assignment with BP Hoult ( Sch 85 ) and friends Jonnie status with Oundle School in a while. and Charles plays online chess with Davis ( S 90 ), James Shannon ( G 90 ) She was only there for a year from his grandson who is good! Despite and Huw Thomas ( G 90 ). Huw has 1993-1994, as a gap year between high being in a wheelchair now Charles been right in the thick of it as a doctor school in the US and university in just got an electric scooter for outdoor at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. Scotland and was in Dryden the first work which has a top speed of about Across the USA the feedback from year the house was open as a girls’ 6 mph, and a range of 12 miles, so he the OOs has been that they are all house. Previously she had stayed on scoots to most of his appointments. waiting to the end of the crisis to see the housemaster’s side as a guest of Whilst at Oundle he sang and a few what the new normal will be. the Florys who were good friends of years ago he joined Valley Concert Derek Osborne ( Sn 60 ) has her grandmother (the matron in the Concert Chorale in the East Bay of nothing new to report from Austin, TX Berrystead in the 1970s). San Francisco which sings some fine these days, other than wishing the rest Since leaving Oundle, she got music, both classical and modern. of the stateside OOs the best of British a degree in biochemistry at the Greg Diltz ( S 69 ) – is now 70, as we all outwait the virus. University of St Andrews, then retired 17 years from his emergency Peter Reddaway ( Lx 57 ) – has medicine at the University of paramedic occupation of 28 years been keeping in touch with his good Glasgow, then moved back to the US and he also just reached his 30th year friend from Laxton, Duncan Noel- for postgraduate medical training. selling cellular phones and 2-way Paton ( Lx 57 ) and they were set to Her husband is an army officer, so radios and pagers. His children are meet up for a few days this summer they have lived all over the US. They grown and he has five grandchildren... in Sussex but obviously that has been recently moved back to his hometown all living close by, which is a joy put on hold. He lives at home in of Nashville, Tennessee to be near and blessing. He still likes going McLean, VA, a suburb of Washington family and raise their two girls. She to their store each day...mostly for

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paperwork, while his wife, Julie, has ( Ldr 83 ) and Paul Fenby ( Ldr on doing the same for a couple more her own store a few blocks away. 82 ) and hopes to see them in their years. Luckily neither has been devastated respective countries in the very near John Seidler ( Ldr 53 ) had a by COVID, although they live in a future when travel re-opens. His kidney transplant last October tourist destination (Door County, WI). youngest child, Josephine, will be a and the donor was his wife, Jane - He still takes a 5-6 mile morning bike fresher at TCU in Fort Worth, Tx. and what a fantastic token of love. He ride each day and, boat on the waters is 18. Son Peter is 21 and living and is doing quite a bit of writing and of Green Bay afternoons, evenings, working in Beaufort spending quality thanks Oundle for nurturing his and weekends, as weather permits. time in the woods and waters of the creative abilities. He has written a Normally they spend time in a SC Lowcountry with John. Isabelle, comprehensive memoir, including his warmer climate in February or March 26, is making her way through the time at Oundle in the early 1950s and going to Florida or Arizona, but, corporate world in Denver but still is currently writing a novel, based this year will remain at home. He is managing to get outside for some on genetics, covering a family over enjoying the “throw back” pictures hiking and rock climbing. John 500 years or 15 generations. An avid people are posting, and intends to do has plenty of room at his house on reader, he has read 50 books in the the same from his exchange year in 68- Chowan Creek near Beaufort and past year, plays the piano daily and 69 (Sydney). He tells his children that would welcome visitors. Beaufort is still has weekly lessons! He is looking school was somewhat like Downton where “Forest Gump” was filmed so forward to a USA OO dinner when Abbey and he would be keen to hear that gives you an idea of its natural coronavirus allows. from all his housemates. beauty and it is only about an hour Richard Horner ( Ldr 04 ) and his Timothy Fenderson ( Sn 80 ) is a from both Charleston and Savannah. family are well, and he opened a principal at Maranatha High School, Rob Johnson ( N 95 ). He and his restaurant in New Orleans in January Pasadena CA in the Los Angeles area family have been living in Boston, MA this year called Blue Giant. It has been and considers his time at Oundle to be for eight years, but it’s soon time to successful and well received, although the most influential in his life. move back to the UK as his children like all restaurants, it is challenging Chris Close ( D 82 ) continued are starting at Oundle in September, right now. to develop his real estate business. all being well and they will be living Alex Filhol ( B 11 ) is living on the After he sold his company he became close by. Eastern Shore of Maryland with his General Manager of Sears Home Another Robert Johnson (Bob) wife and two children and their dog. Improvement and continued his ( LS 64 ) like everyone else over here, They just finished nine months or so construction career which is his first especially in the South, is hunkered of renovations on their house and so love. With the demise of large retail down trying to avoid the pandemic are glad to be back in. stores in the US, Chris moved back to and happily retired and living in Robert Nicholls ( D 91 ) is starting owning his own business and created South Carolina. The enforced break his twenty-fifth year as Director of a home improvement company and has given him the chance to get his Music at First Presbyterian Church in is happily working building homes novel published. There are plenty Evansville, Indiana. Since 26 March in San Antonio, Texas. Christian, his of Oundle area scenes in the book he has performed weekly concerts eldest son, graduated from UT Austin whose title is On the Road to Midnight – on the church’s instruments. These and has spent the last two years available on Amazon! can be found on the YouTube channel teaching in Alaska. Sarah graduated Nick Menzies ( St A 71 ) moved First Presbyterian Evansville. His from Univ of Incarnate Word and is to Southern California 17 years wife, Emma D. Nicholls, continues working on her doctorate - and got ago when his wife Melinda took her work as a paediatric Clinical married and had a baby too - so they up a tenured position teaching Psychologist and with her colleagues are finally grandparents. Cameron is environmental studies at one of the oversees an accredited Psychology in his third year at Boston University Claremont colleges near LA. He found intern program in Evansville. Their studying medicine and David is a job as Executive Director of the Asia children Elena (15) and William (12) in his second year at UT studying Institute at UCLA, managing the are entering 10th and 7th Grades at Law. Chris’ wife, Betty, continues to university’s non-curricular exchanges school. run the Project Management division with Asia, mostly with China. He Finally, the oldest corresponding for Andersen Windows and loves officially retired at the end of 2014, but OO in the USA, Hugh Bowen ( S 43 ). working from home, and his parents, has been active as a research fellow He just had his 95th birthday on July Tony and Rosemary, whom many with the East Asian Gardens Research 17th, and although his legs are not OOs will remember, are alive and Center at the Huntington Library, Art very good and he uses a pusher, kicking and fully retired in Princes Museum and Botanical Gardens just everything else is still in good shape. Risborough, Bucks. down the road in Pasadena. During He is presently writing another book John Trask III ( Ldr 82 ) still that time he has been writing a book but is sad that the Oxford and resides in Beaufort, SC and is in the on the history of Chinese botany, has Cambridge Club in Denver, CO where real estate business. He has been organized several conferences on he lives is no longer holding their communicating with Kazim Gurel botany and China and expects to keep usual dinners. ■

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debating politics. He hated the school him by the absence of shoes. Leaping DAI BARNES phone rules. He walked barefoot. This forward at the sound of the whistle, man was Mr Barnes. he viciously engaged the enemy. He Charles Aldous Some of my favourite memories go was rather perturbed not to find us ( G 5 ) gives a back to Third Form. I had the great engaged in quite the same spirit. He pupil's view of 'a honour of having him as my Deputy even found me hiding in the toilet! hero for the many': Housemaster for two years, and once, When I heard the news of his Two years ago a he was even kind enough not to give passing - shock, disbelief and sadness timid, insecure me back my exam grade. A friend gripped me. My friends did not and irrelevant of mine was once caught out of bed; believe me. Crying inside, I told them. child ventured into instead of turning him in, he made Mr Barnes was a hero for the many. Grafton. As I quietly stepped up the him come round and say good-night He cared for everyone. From his stairs, parents in pursuit, a narrow to all the Sixth Form. bright demeanour to his funny jokes, man of short stature enthusiastically Mr Barnes was a motivator: a true he will be sorely missed. However, embraced me. Attired in a colourful intellectual force in a non-conformist's his acts of kindness will live on. He waistcoat, double-cuff white shirt, body. Another fond memory was loved, and understood. He respected, flannel trousers and a jolly jacket, he our House paintball trip. With the not disrespected. He taught: he started leading me down the corridor. shrieking wind flying over the snow- explained, not confused. He led and Immediately I began to notice the clad battlements, there was only one never followed. He helped others peculiar absence of his footwear. He man whose veins were bursting with when some dared not. He was and played the guitar outside. He loved excitement. I could only recognise will forever be Mr Barnes.

illness that embrace the challenge. Even towards MARIANNE KERR caused her to the end of her illness, she still made throw up almost exercise her priority. Following her From Caitriona O'Brien's eulogy at every mile. second course of chemotherapy, she Marianne's memorial service in the She completed cycled everyone into the dust. Chapel: the event I was lucky that Marianne was It's impossible to distill the life but was both my friend. Her kindness, support of someone as active and energetic disappointed and humour have been a source of as Marianne. Instead, I’m going to and puzzled by her failure to run the joy for twenty years. Since her death, talk about three strands in her life: race she had trained for. The reason I have been touched by the number education, sport and love. was Bridie! Marianne had no idea of people in the town who have Education was in the family that she was pregnant. spoken about her with such warmth genes. Her older brother was a She arrived at Oundle in 1997 and feeling: she was deeply loved school Inspector and her sister a as Head of Girls’ Games at a time and respected. Teaching colleagues, headmistress. Not content just to when PE teachers were on a lower New House staff, grounds staff, educate children, Marianne was keen pay scale, and she fought to ensure former pupils, current pupils, the to expand her own understanding, that sport was properly regarded. local community - anyone who knew and gained a Masters in Child As Housemistress, woe betide any Marianne genuinely loved her. She Development while Housemistress girl who tried to pull a sickie on a was one big infectious smile who of New House. Towards the end of Games afternoon! Marianne was brought joy to everyone. her career, she looked beyond the terrier-like in encouraging every Bridie and Jack ( both OOs ) curriculum at the importance of well- girl to enjoy competitive sport - and were a huge source of pride. That being and happiness, and devised a she led by example: her own fitness she got to know her two delightful new approach aptly called Learning was legendary. Her death seems so grandchildren, Cormac and Skye, for Life. Her career ended with a new unfair: as well as being so fit, she was a bonus. She was comforted, initiative. was a non-smoker and determined both physically and emotionally, in Marianne exuded energy. Always vegetarian. the last stages of her illness by her a respectable middle distance runner, Never missing an opportunity to children - and how they looked after she then turned to long distance, go skiing, she persuaded less talented her was an affirmation that she was a winning the Bristol half marathon in friends and colleagues to join her. fantastic mother. 1985. That year she also entered the She loved cycling, and when I railed As I look across the Chapel at New York marathon with the realistic against the pace she set on a 480-mile you all, it is clear that Marianne ambition of achieving a sub 3 hour cycle from Mizzen Head to Malin, she was loved. That was her best time, but succumbed to a strange gave me a verbal slap and told me to accomplishment.

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1937 Marrying in 1946, three children 1938 followed but the marriage broke down JB Watson ( D ) died on 3 July 2019 in 1955; he remarried in 1963. He DJ Parsons ( S ) died on 10 April 2020 was elected chairman of the Yorkshire Branch of Chartered Surveyors in 1964 and was a respected member of the business community. The firm opened an office in London and he led a staff of 60 in four branches. In 1969 he sought a more creative career in property development and they moved to North Yorkshire buying a large house with 30 acres in the village of Thornton-le-Beans. He designed and built houses there and in nearby Thirsk. Retiring in 1985, they moved to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, from whence his wife came. His son Malcolm ( D 66 ) writes: Taking up painting as a hobby in John Watson has died, aged 99; retirement, he became a student in he was one of the last to have 1992 of the late Robert Lenkiewicz, completed his schooling in Old the West Country’s most celebrated Dryden. Keeping in touch through artist in modern times, travelling reunions over the years, he was a frequently to his studio in Plymouth. His son Anthony ( S 65 ) writes: great supporter of the Over 60s lunch. He painted over 400 pictures in Born in Leicester, my father Derek Attending five of the first six held oils, many of yachting and island entered Sidney in 1934 and recalled with his son Malcolm, they remain scenes, some of which were made enjoying his time at Oundle, taught the only father and son to have into prints and sold widely, others by celebrated members of staff done so. he made into cards, of which 60,000 including Arthur “Cabby” Marshall Born in Durban, South Africa, were sold over a ten year period. His and R.B. Cordukes. Sporting he returned with his parents to the proudest achievement was to see his potential was curtailed early on when East Riding of Yorkshire, aged four oil painting of the Queen Mother’s he contracted iritis and lost his sight and a half. After school he joined lying-in-State when guarded by her in one eye. This did not prevent him his grandfather’s firm of chartered four grandsons, hanging in Black representing the House at shooting. surveyors in Kingston upon Hull Rod’s Office in the House of Lords. A Derek was an enthusiastic member and, on his nineteenth birthday the print hangs in the School along with of the OTC and, before leaving Territorial Army, Royal Artillery. one of Johnny Wilkinson dropping Oundle, was commissioned into Called up in June 1939, he never the winning goal in the Rugby Union the Territorial Army (Leicestershire spent a night at home for the next six World Cup in 2003. Regiment). On leaving Oundle in years. Employed initially in Home He had a golf handicap of five at 1938, he joined the family law firm in defence, he also served in the North the age of 18 and won the East Riding Leicester. When war was declared, he Africa and Italian campaigns. He was of Yorkshire squash championship in was initially deployed to a Territorial discharged as a captain in December 1953. Later in life he took easily to Searchlight unit defending air 1945 to rejoin his grandfather’s firm, computers and the internet, extolling stations in Lincolnshire. In 1942 he helping to deal with the war damage their virtues to any of the elderly who was transferred to 2nd Field Regiment, in Hull, the second most bombed city would listen. Royal Artillery and, after training in the country after London. He is survived by his second wife, at Larkhill, joined the 2nd Survey In due course, he qualified as a two sons (the other, David ( D 69 )) Regiment, engaged in locating enemy member of the Royal Institution of and a daughter. A granddaughter artillery fire. Chartered Surveyors, later becoming was also at the School: Victoria Gale In January 1943, Derek married a fellow, and a partner in the firm. ( N 02 ). Valerie Shipp, also from a Leicester

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family, but married life came to an JR Sturgis ( Ldr ) the next two weeks besieged the abrupt halt when he embarked from died on 24 September 2019 fortifications around a German radar Liverpool in April on MV Britannic, station at Douvres-la-Délivrande. destination Bombay. After crossing Finally, early in the evening of June 17, India, and jungle training in Ranchi, Sturgis, supported by tanks and smoke, the final destination was Imphal led his troop through the barbed wire. where, between March and June 1944, By 18:30, the Germans – dazed, the 14th Army found themselves cut shocked or frightened into surrender off and surrounded by three Japanese – came out with their hands up: the Divisions. They held their own “bag” totalled five officers and 222 thanks to RAF air superiority and other ranks. Roaring with laughter, supplies by air. The famous Allied Sturgis recalled finding “deep in the success at Kohima prevented a fourth emplacement a wardrobe containing Japanese division from approaching a row of dresses together with high- Imphal, which was eventually heeled shoes. How kinky can you get?” secured and relieved. Derek always The following obituary is taken Two days later Sturgis crossed the felt he probably owed his life to those from The Telegraph: Orne and then, on August 17, the who had secured Kohima. Major John Sturgis, of the Royal Seine. He took part in much of the At the conclusion of war in Marines, who has died aged 99, was fighting of that winter, including, in the Far East, Derek returned to promoted in the field on D-Day, June November, being deafened during the England in March 1946 with no 6 1944. storming of the strategically significant qualifications and no idea what to At 06:45 on June 6, the “diabolical island of Walcheren, when a mortar do except that, after years in the little boats”, the landing craft carrying bomb exploded 10 yards away, killing open, he did not want to pursue 41 Commando, Royal Marines, slewed his quartermaster sergeant and badly his law career! Instead, he accepted by the rising tide, grounded some wounding his batman. an opportunity to join the Bowater 200 yards out to sea on Red Sector of Sturgis was awarded the MC and Paper Corporation, headquartered in Sword Beach, 300 yards from their Mentioned in Despatches. London, and this led to a successful designated landfall. John Russell Sturgis was born career. He concluded as Director of Wading ashore under fire, the in London on August 2 1920 and PR before retiring to Dorset in 1982. marines were off the beach within 10 educated at Oundle before joining Derek’s life in retirement was minutes when a mortar bomb landed the Royal Marines on the outbreak active, with responsibilities as among a group of officers convened of war. After training, his first Treasurer of both his church PCC, for orders, killing or injuring them all. seagoing appointment was as “Joe” and the local Conservative branch. Aged only 24, Sturgis suddenly (the junior RM officer) in the cruiser He was a committee member, then found himself promoted to acting Manchester during the hunt for the Chairman, of the Golden centre captain and took over B Troop. As a Bismarck in May 1941, and later in of the National Trust. Arriving at hailstorm of bullets rained down, he the Mediterranean for Operation one of the Golden Cap committee was ordered to lead an attack on a Substance, the first of the relief meetings, sporting his O.O. tie, a heavily defended château. convoys to Malta. fellow committee member (now Under fire from snipers and On July 23 he was stationed high in President), Chris Walliker ( Sn 54 ), machine-guns, Sturgis led his marines the superstructure, with a grandstand was delighted to note their shared in a flanking movement. Soon after view as Italian torpedo-bombers history! Derek also took up golf and 10:20 he sent the codeword, Trout, “came in quite low. I saw these two painting in retirement and was a meaning that he had contacted the torpedoes coming towards us; they regular attendee at the Southwest OO adjacent South Lancashire regiment. produced a little stream of bubbles so I lunches. By 11:40 he had pushed ahead to a could follow them exactly. Valerie predeceased him in 2016 crossroads, where B Troop came under “One was clearly a miss but the and Derek spent his last three years more heavy fire from mortars and a other, I thought, was just going to miss happily in a Dorset care home. mobile gun. Then his own mortars ran the stern, when suddenly wroooom He celebrated his 100th birthday out of ammunition and he was pinned – it was a pretty desperate situation.” with 40 family and close friends in down. A stalemate persisted until the Manchester, hit in an engine room and Poundbury village hall and was on Germans counter-attacked on Sturgis’s with only one propeller, withdrew to great form. Soon after, his health left flank. By 13:30, 41 Commando , while Sturgis helped to pull failed and he died peacefully, withdrew to the road, which was more from the wreckage some of the men fortunately spared from Covid 19. easily defensible. Some 140 men were who had been killed: many of them Derek is survived by his son killed, wounded or missing, including were marines he knew. Anthony, daughter Jane, half-brother seven officers. He celebrated his 21st birthday Peter, three granddaughters and three The next day, 41 Commando in Gibraltar while Manchester was great grandchildren. occupied Lion-sur-Mer, and over undergoing temporary repairs.

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Next, he served two years in the use of a Sunderland to survey suitable the fine age of 95. Born in 1923, into battleship HMS Warspite, joining landing water inlets, (hopefully mine a family of textile manufacturers her in the US and witnessing fierce free) up the West and East coast of near Huddersfield, west Yorkshire, fighting in the Indian Ocean, the Malaya. On many occasions his crew he arrived in St Anthony in 1937, capture of Madagascar, and the Allied were the visitors after the Japanese left. the days of ‘Bud’ Fisher, ‘Tub’ Shaw landings in Italy, before joining the Len returned home in 1946. and headmaster Sammy Squire. He Royal Marines Special Service Group After leaving the Air Force, Len left Oundle in 1941, having enjoyed in April 1944. rejoined British Oxygen Company for playing cricket and rugby for the Postwar he served in , nine years, then decided the future School, and taken part in enough Malta, South Africa and Malaya before for his wife and their two boys was scrapes and antics to regale us with leaving the Royal Marines in 1962. in Canada. Luckily, he filled a need stories for many years. The Sturgises moved to South Africa, and was transferred to the Canadian At the age of 18, he enlisted in the where in 1964 in Cape Town they company. RAF and trained as a pilot. During developed CapeScot Developments. Over the next 15 years, Len had the the war, he flew Bristol Beaufighters, They were keen sailors, owning task of managing three companies, a cross between a bomber and fighter a Hobie Cat in South Africa, and, (Ottawa, Vancouver and Belleville, plane. Active service took him to the after they returned to England, a Ontario) that had been bought out by Middle East, the Adriatic, the jungles Westerly at Aldeburgh. They were his parent company. He also became of Burma (now Myanmar) and to also enthusiastic skiers, and Sturgis involved with a group developing the north Africa, where he regularly flew fished the Itchen in Hampshire: at 96 latest techniques in the manufacturing up and down the length of the river he was pictured in Trout and Salmon and insertion of medical implants. Nile. magazine as Britain’s oldest angler. (hips, shoulders, etc.) When demobbed, he returned Sturgis married, in 1953, the After five years of operation, his home to study textiles at Leeds sculptor Rosie Wilks, who survives division was bought out by a USA University. He then joined the him with their two sons. company but he was not included! Len family firm, Field & Bottrill, in Like many others, Sturgis, a man was then appointed Director of Human Skelmanthorpe, making ‘plush’ cloth of modesty and good humour, was Resources for the Canadian operation. for teddy bears and the fashion trade. appointed to the Légion d'honneur He retired in 1986 and was recognised He married Shirley Kaye, daughter for his actions on D-Day; he accepted for 44 years of service with the group. of a Huddersfield solicitor, and reluctantly, as he felt he had done Len is survived by his loving settled down to a busy yet peaceful nothing special to deserve it. wife, Brenda and son Mike, and family life. My brother Edward predeceased by son Peter and their ( St A 70 ) was born in 1952; myself, mother, Olive. Andrew ( St A 73 ), in 1955. 1940 Len was active, mentally and By the late 1960s, competition physically, until the end of his life. from cheaper imported cloths made AL Shacklock ( St A ) business very tough and, like many died on 21 July 2019 RA Sladden ( Sc ) other Yorkshire mills at that time, Len had many happy memories of died on 8 September 2019 the family was forced to sell the his time at Oundle from 1936 through company. 1940. He enjoyed many sports but only Following a trip to Australia to got his house colours for rugby! 1941 visit friends and relations, he then After leaving school, Len had started his own business, acting as training for six months at British DAF Jackson (St A) an agent, exporting textile cloth and Oxygen Company. He then died on 12 June 2019 other various products Down Under. volunteered for the During this period, his marriage however was declared unfit for air ended in divorce and his regular crew. He settled for as close as he visits to Australia resulted in his could get, a Flying Control Officer at meeting and eventually marrying his operational training units both with second wife, Felicity. When he retired, Wellingtons and Mosquitos. Len was they moved from Huddersfield able to arrange many flights, official to Red Hill, on the Mornington and not, with both of these aircraft. Peninsula, south of Melbourne. He served overseas through In retirement, he was far from Australia, ending at Balikpapan in idle. Prior to leaving Yorkshire, Dutch Borneo, immediately after he’d begun a project to research the the last major battle of WWII. He history of the Jackson family, before completed his service with a number internet ancestry sites made such of projects based both in Singapore and His son Andrew ( St A 73 ) writes: things easier. The result was a book Kuala Lumpur. One task included the Our father, Donald, died recently at detailing the lives of our ancestors,

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about the history of the mill in Florence and Norman. Educated of Michael’s many practical and Skelmanthorpe and the wider context initially in Coventry; his mother technical skills, seeing him design of the textile industry in the West wrote in her diary on Michael’s and commission new equipment that Riding of Yorkshire. first day at school, “hated it!” More aided the manufacturing processes At the age of 90, he was delighted advanced challenges followed with undertaken by various departments and honoured to become an increasing vigour at Oundle, where of the business at the time. Australian citizen. He always retained he excelled in science, and then to After Michael retired from a great affection for Australia, the university, where Michael attended business, he was able to dedicate country and its people. For all that, he Hertford College, Oxford and himself to transforming his remained a proud Yorkshireman. He latterly, Cambridge. prized gardens, taking on their was a keen supporter of Huddersfield War interceded and Michael maintenance, single-handed, well Town FC, and whenever spent time with the Royal Corps of into his nineties. His keen interest were being played for, it could only Signals in Burma. Recuperating from in wildlife took him into expanding ever be England. dysentery at the end of the war, he his study of moths, photographing learnt to sail at the Nainital Yacht and cataloguing many hundreds of Club in India. species and their distribution, before 1942 Sailing would become a massive releasing the insects. passion. Initially Michael sailed in Following hospitalisation for SY Dawbarn ( Sc ) Merlins before moving into the Finn sepsis at the end of 2018, Michael’s died on 29 June 2019 class. The family house is littered last year was a gradual decline, with various trophies won in races during which time he was able to do all over the world. Sadly, despite less. 1943 securing a place as part of the two He is survived by Jeannette, his man Finn Olympic team, a knee wife of 55 years, his three sons and CM Astley ( St A ) ligament injury prevented him five grandchildren. died on 12 December 2019 from competing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Instead he played his part PJ Bell ( S ) died on 1 June 2019 as one of the team managers. Gliding was the next dedication. JC Hanscomb ( S ) The technical aspects of this sport died on 14 February 2019 appealed greatly and led to Michael aspiring to become the best pilot he could be. Not satisfied with the limitations of gravity, and the inevitability of ‘landing-out’, he studied for and gained his private pilot’s licence. This allowed him to spend many hours aloft in his glider with an engine. Ever concerned for others, Michael used his engineering skills to invent and manufacture a safety device used when launching gliders. This device is still used in gliding clubs throughout the world. Florence, his mother, had been an accomplished concert pianist and violinist, and this rubbed off on Michael. Classical music was a huge part of his life. He was an excellent His daughter Lindsay writes: His son, Jonathan, writes: pianist and played oboe for a time John Collins Hanscomb CBE MA Michael Astley died peacefully in in the Warwickshire Symphony Cantab, a true gentleman, kind, his sleep, five days short of his 95th Orchestra. Later in life, chamber stoic and thoroughly decent, was birthday. He was unused not to music would be a regular obsession born in Bolton in 1924. Educated achieving goals, but his disinterest with various groups put together at Bolton School and Oundle before in the celebration of personal and new friendships made. joining the RAF where he served achievements means that this too Michael took over the family as a Spitfire fighter pilot during the was a success. business after his father’s unexpected war. He graduated from Emmanuel Michael was born on the 17th death in 1958. The business College Cambridge in 1949 with an December 1924, in Coventry, to benefitted from many aspects MA in modern languages, achieved

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a half-blue in athletics (pole-vault) 1944 and played rugby and cricket to the highest level for his college. His successful career in the steel foundry HF Booth ( N ) died on 15 June 2019 business was complemented by his tireless local authority involvement and he was first elected as Councillor in the borough of Bolton in 1964 becoming leader of the Conservative Group and the Council Leader in 1972. As chairman of the ‘shadow’ Authority he went on to become chairman of the re-organised Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in 1973 and transitional mayor the following year. He was a leading member of the Town twinning committee where his linguistic skills came to the fore. He joyously took up flying for pleasure again, gaining his private pilot’s licence in 1981. Whilst Mayor in 1982, he undertook a series of aerial photographs of Bolton, saving the Council considerable money when the pictures were used in the 4th edition of the town This death was recorded in last year’s closed in 1968. He then became a guide. Other achievements include magazine without an obituary. We very successful salesman and was serving as part-time chairman of are pleased to include one this year. well regarded across the professional the North West Gas Consumers’ His daughters, Jill and Sally write: world in which he operated. Tubby Council for three years from 1982. He Harold Fred Booth, known as Tubby and Liz had three children and in continued until 1994 as leader of the from the age of 15, was a truly their later years moved to be nearer to Conservative group and retired when wonderful, inspiring family man, an them, their grandchildren and great boundary changes took place in 2004 honourable gentleman and a dear grandchildren. becoming, and being recognised for friend to many that he met along the He was proud to be a member his service as an honorary Alderman. journey of his 92 years. of the Old Oundelians and in 2016 He was awarded a CBE in December Tubby was born on 13 May 1927. we had the pleasure of joining him 1980 for his tireless work in politics His parents lived in Manchester, at a gathering in Newcastle hosted and in 1982 became the ceremonial where he grew up with his older by Charlie Hoult ( Sc 85 ). He was Mayor of Bolton. At leisure he brother Clifford. His father opened fascinated to meet the young people enjoyed hugely spending time fishing a family business ‘Booth’s Borough there and regaled them with stories in the highlands of Scotland with his Bakery’ which became very successful of how, during his time at Oundle, son and daughter. and enabled his parents to send him they had to break the ice on their He had two children, daughter to Oundle. Essentially a working baths before washing – helped on by a Lindsay who has a successful career class lad, he didn’t actually enjoy his master who would ‘dunk’ them under in marketing and advertising, and time at school where he was bullied to make sure they got totally wet! a son, Dr Nicholas Hanscomb, who by other boys because of his accent. Tubby became ill in the winter was a gifted scientist and helped to However, after he left and in his later of 2018 and had a mercifully short discover and develop DNA testing. years he became incredibly proud illness but he kept his sense of fun He followed him to both Oundle of his time there and recognised throughout and all the medical School and Emmanuel College where its role in making him a successful staff took a shine to him – even his he achieved an Honours degree. entrepreneur. consultant who gave him a bottle of Tragically he was murdered while Whilst at Oundle he took his whisky! innocently walking home after ‘School Certificate’ – and failed it! He died on 15th June 2019 and attending the Notting Hill Carnival This meant he then had to go on is very much missed by both of us in 1991, aged just 38. A fund was to Technical College to play catch and everyone who knew him. His instigated at Emmanuel College, up, whilst there he met the woman Oundle experiences, of which he was Cambridge his memory which who became his wife – Liz. He so proud, helped make him the man continues to this day to help others subsequently became a master baker he became, who always made such a less fortunate. joining the family bakery until it lasting impression on people.

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1946

CT Heinlein ( Sn ) died on 19 November 2019

His son, Carl Heinlein (Sn 83) writes: television development. He was a very from the Institution of Sound and Carl Trevor Heinlein passed away accomplished man and, while there, Communication Engineers. at 91 years young. He was peaceful, was granted several design patents, Wynne and Carl met while they and surrounded by family. Carl was and also started working with those were both working for Cosmocord born in Sheffield, to Regina and Carl new-fangled things called transistors! and were married in 1951. It was Heinrich Heinlein. Then, in 1957, he and his wife, a wonderful match, as they were He went to Oundle from 1941 to Wynne, started their own company, married for just four days shy of 68 1946. He loved his time at the school. CTH Electronics. They were initially years. They had two children, Caryn The focus on hands-on learning and in Hoddesdon, but their growth and and Carl. the school workshops truly satisfied success soon meant that they had to Family and friends have lost the his inquisitive mind. At our family move to a bigger, new facility in St. most wonderful husband, father, dinner table, he would frequently Ives, Cambridgeshire. grandfather and friend – the kindest, recount stories of Oundle with great Over the next thirty years, he most caring and loving man. He fondness. He looked back very fondly designed, developed and built a was always calm in a drama, full of on his years at the School, and would range of cutting-edge electronic humour, totally non-judgemental, always take an opportunity to drive communications equipment that had and nothing was too much trouble for via Oundle on a journey home, or drop not been seen before – and much of him, where encouraging, supporting in to remember old days. CTH equipment can still be seen in or helping others was concerned. He After Oundle, Carl spent several use some fifty years later – it was went through the last few months years working at Cosmocord, built to last! He was an early member with complete strength and courage; manufacturing microphones and and President of the Association of never a complaint or grumble was pick-up cartridges. He then attended Public Address Engineers and, in heard. Rest in peace, Carl, we miss Cambridge University, before joining 2001, he was honoured to receive you, remember you and love you Fergusson for a few years, working on a Lifetime Achievement Award always.

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AR Morris ( Sn ) smog until the recession in the 80s got toyshop in Regent Street. died on 2 August 2019 hold and business was sold. Like many British businesses, When times got tough the Lines struggled to live with US company expanded into body competition in the 1950s and 1960s. 1947 building equipment to support Richard, son of one of the three flagging turnover. Richard was no original Lines brothers, bore the CR Clarke ( Sc ) marketeer but did have a sense brunt of the family’s frenetic efforts died on 8 February 2020 of adventure (a great Oundelian to keep up. trait), and my wife Pam and I found To overcome postwar RS Hill ( Sn ) died on 11 August 2019 ourselves alongside Richard and protectionism, the three brothers Carole at Mr Nottingham body fatefully decided to build factories building contest selling barbell in their main markets, Canada, New weights to well oiled bodies. Just Zealand, South Africa and Australia. for clarity Richard did not enter the By 1961 Richard also had the Seniors competition as he didn’t have uncommon job title “head of dolls” any suitable trunks. at Hamleys, to develop a UK rival to Even in his later years he was the American Barbie doll, which had always in his element as the life revolutionised the market since its and soul of the people around him launch two years earlier. He walked wherever he was. He had the ability down Regent Street asking girls to to keep everyone entertained. suggest a name and the winner was He will be sorely missed by family Sindy, “the doll you love to dress”. and friends alike. The next year he moved back to run the main factory in Merton, RH Lench ( Sn ) Surrey, but kept travelling to died on 22 January 2020 Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Japan, as well as the yearly HR Lines ( Sc ) Nuremberg Toy Fair. died on 28 January 2020 Lines Brothers went into receivership in 1971, defeated by the constant US pressure. Hugh Richard Lines was born in 1929 in Purley, near Croydon, son of His son Philip ( Sn 75 ) writes: Richard Marjory and Arthur Lines. In 1937 he had a great education at Oundle went to school at Rottingdean, near which he always had fond memories Brighton on the Sussex coast, which of, so much so that he attended was evacuated to a bat-infested hotel a number of reunions including in Padstow, Cornwall. a Berrystead one a few years The headmaster taught Lines ago where he said he recognised a golf, which would become a lifelong number of faces but whether that passion. was due to the number of bottles of With doodlebugs flying over wine consumed or that they were all the family home in Purley, Arthur wearing shorts, we shall never know. and Marjory sent their son north to Richard was a 1st team rugby Oundle School. On leaving in 1947, player and golfer and continued both he fulfilled an ambition to join the through his life and golf well into his Royal Navy, but asthma led to his 80s at Little Aston Golf Club Sutton discharge after only a few weeks. Coldfield where he is still recognised His parents tried to make up for the as their longest playing member and The following obituary is taken disappointment by giving him a played in a number of OO Golf Days from The Times: sailing boat for his 21st birthday. held there. Richard Lines … was the last When they threw a birthday He was a dedicated and successful survivor of Lines Brothers, which party for Lines’s sister Mary at the businessman and along with his from 1919 made Tri-ang , Savoy Hotel, Rosemary Truscott brother John ( Sn 44 ) they ran a Rovex and Hornby trains, Scalextric was invited to make up numbers. very successful iron foundry in West racing cars, Meccano kits, Dinky At the end of the evening Rosemary, Bromwich. I was also proud to have Toys and Sindy dolls, at one time the daughter of a lord mayor of worked with them for a few years in adding up to the world’s biggest toy London, left her nursing uniform their land of molten metal, sand and firm. In the 1930s it bought Hamleys behind in a suitcase that Richard

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rescued. They married in 1959 and then entered the family business. 1948 their honeymoon was a tour of Lines A natural salesman, he built up a factories in the antipodes. Rosemary client base of chocolatiers, including A Alvarez ( C ) and Richard had five children. Rowntree’s and Terry’s of York. He died on 23 September 2019 In 1970 he had tuberculosis did his National Service in the Royal diagnosed and stepped down from Artillery in 1948-49, but not before the board of Lines Brothers. He went he had formed a motorcycle display back to Margate and was Hornby’s team during his officer training at public relations face until retiring Aldershot. in 1994. He contributed to several In the best traditions of amateur collectors’ books and magazines. sport, Schellenberg segued from family skiing holidays in Switzerland CKW Schellenberg ( St A ) to captaining the Britain bobsleigh died on 28 October 2019 team at the Winter Olympics in The following obituary is taken Cortina d’Ampezzo. Between high from The Times: jinks in the evenings, he competed in When Keith Schellenberg woke the two-man and four-man events, up one morning in 1994 to find his finishing 11th and 12th. He would go prized 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom on to compete in the men’s singles, burnt to a cinder, he realised that his in the luge, at the 1964 Winter dream of being the benevolent laird Olympics, finishing 25th, captain of Eigg had also gone up in smoke. the Yorkshire rugby team and race The Inner Hebridean island was put powerboats. up for sale, to the delight of most of In 1961 Schellenberg bought its inhabitants. Nesham’s, which operated The following obituary is taken Schellenberg’s mission on Eigg dealerships for Ford in the north of from The Times: was to create a thriving economy as a England, and employed more than Al Alvarez lived dangerously. Not triumph of free enterprise. He began 250 people. only did he take risks with poetry, restoring buildings, attracted young In the general elections of 1964 introducing into his verse audacious families, established a ferry service to and 1966 he stood as a Liberal rhymes and daring vocabulary, but the mainland, 14 miles away, opened candidate in Richmondshire, one of he also gambled with his money, his shops and boosted tourism. The the country’s safest Conservative career and his life. He played poker population doubled to about 80. seats, driving around the rural for high stakes, walked away from Schellenberg had approached the constituency in his Bentley and the security of academic tenure and venture with big-heartedness and towing a caravan in which to meet turned his own suicide attempt into a romanticism. He claimed that he the voters. bestselling study of the subject. had invested heavily in it, but the Schellenberg’s first wife was Jan Alfred Alvarez was born in dream turned sour. Tenants started Hagenbach, whom he married in Bloomsbury, central London, in 1929, complaining that promises to restore 1957 and with whom he had two the youngest of three children of their cottages and issue long-term daughters: Sophie and Serena. The Bertie Alvarez, a Sephardic-Jewish leases had been broken. Others couple separated in 1962. dressmaker of declining fortunes, and described him as having undergone His second marriage, two years his wife, Katie. His sisters were Anne a King Lear-esque transformation, later, was to Margaret Udny- and Sally. The family soon moved to increasingly autocratic and Hamilton, with whom he had a Hampstead “because it was full of capricious in the way that he ran the son, Nicholas and two daughters: their kind of Jews — comfortably off affairs of the island. Amy and Rosie, a documentary and thoroughly anglicised”, he wrote. Clifford Keith Wain Schellenberg film-maker. They divorced in 1979. At Oundle School in was born in Marton, Middlesbrough, His third wife was Susan (Suki) Northamptonshire he acquired a taste in 1929 into a family with German Urquhart, whom he married in 1981 for languages, boxing, rugby (he once roots; his ancestors settled in Britain and divorced in 1994. played scrum half for ), in the 1860s. His grandfather had He is survived by his fourth wife, cold baths and, after a trip to north made a fortune from glue-making Jilly, whom he married in 2001 and Wales, climbing. To his dismay, but on Teesside, before his father, who looked after him in his final his mother’s delight, he was spared Clifford Robertshaw Schellenberg, years when he was suffering with National Service because of a gammy brought more prosperity by Alzheimer’s. He is also survived ankle. producing gelatine needed for vital by two nephews, Charles and He had been writing poetry reconnaissance photography during Alexander, whom he helped to raise since 16 and as an undergraduate the Second World War. after the early death of his sister, published poems in several Keith attended Oundle School, Joan. periodicals. He took a first in English

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at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, MW Payne ( S ) PM Wilson ( Sc ) died on 19 April 2020 where he founded the Critical Society, died on 10 February 2020 explaining why criticism at Oxford 1950 was no good. JEC Perry ( S ) died in November 2019 A prestigious Procter fellowship took him to Princeton University PWM Brettell ( B ) in New Jersey, where he became 1949 died on 22 November 2018 the youngest person to deliver the Christian Gauss lectures on literature. RA Cadman ( Sc ) JA Rubens ( Sn ) He settled well into the literary died on 20 October 2019 died in 2019 culture, discovering the strength of the American-Jewish community. JD Nathan ( Sn ) died on 17 April 2020 1951 Back in Britain Alvarez rejected His son, Rod ( Sn 73 ) writes: academia in favour of hell-raising My father, John Nathan, died peacefully and hedonism. For two “disastrous in April aged 88. From the moment he JC Athron ( Lx ) died on 25 June 2019 and improbable” years he was theatre arrived, immediately after World War critic of the New Statesman and in 1956 II, to his dying day, he loved Oundle AJ Baden-Fuller ( S ) he began a ten-year stint as poetry School and its people. He kept many died on 12 August 2017 editor of The Observer. friends from those days; of those closest In 1956, after a seven-week to him he is survived by Peter How RM Finn ( Lx ) romance, he had married Ursula ( Sn 49 ) and Nigel Warshaw ( Sn 49 ); died on 20 September 2019 Barr, the granddaughter of DH and two who only recently went before Lawrence’s widow, Frieda. Four years him, James Rubens ( Sn 50 ) and Bob G Gargiulo ( Ldr ) later Alvarez tried to take his own Mason ( Sn 50 ), his best man. died on 2 December 2019 life. The marriage was a disaster and Of the teachers, he remained close, was dissolved in 1961, providing to his Housemaster John “Hector” MF Spragg ( Lx ) fertile material for Life After Marriage: Matthews and his wife Win. Of his died on 1 January 2020. An obituary Scenes from Divorce (1982). He was many memories of School the frozen will appear in next year’s magazine. predeceased in 2016 by their son, winters of ‘46 and ‘47 and the peculiar Adam, a colourist and painter. bathing practices required were oft His second marriage, in 1966, was retold, however the crowning glory 1952 to Anne Adams, a Canadian child was taking the lead in the school play psychotherapist who as Anne Alvarez as Richard III. GA Hamburger ( C ) died in 2018 became a leading figure in her Following Oundle he was awarded field. Anne survives him with their a scholarship by the English Speaking RE Jarrold ( D ) daughter, Kate, a creative director, Union and spent a year at Choate died on 18 November 2019 and their son, Luke, a businessman. school in Connecticut. He returned to In time, Alvarez, who for more do National Service in Vienna whilst it R Potter ( D ) died in 2019 than 30 years would walk, talk and was still under four party control. On giggle with his pianist neighbour demob he took up a place at Trinity AL Thompson ( Lx ) died in 2016 Alfred Brendel, came to view his Hall, Cambridge but found that he had youthful brush with death as a outgrown academia. 1953 catharsis, purging part of his past He started to work in the family to enable him to live the rest of his textile business which he developed life. “As for suicide, it is not for me,” from being the representative of JM Barraclough ( N ) he wrote. “Perhaps I am no longer Yorkshire and Lancashire mills to the died on 26 September 2019 optimistic enough. I assume now that London trade into a global business death, when it finally comes, will from which he only finally retired aged CDT Minton ( Lx ) probably be nastier than suicide, and 85. died on 6 November 2019 a great deal less convenient.” An intrepid traveller who was visiting Ethiopia and Mongolia well HV Blake ( B ) into his 80s, a committed gastronome died on 23 December 2019 and theatrephile, we were still going out to theatres and wonderful dinners JB Fenton ( Sn ) in February; he lived life for all it was died on 13 April 2020 worth. However, in this magazine I must finish with his lifelong connection NJ Hudson ( Ldr ) to the School and its alumni. He lived died on 30 May 2019 and died a proud OO.

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Charles Allen ( B 54 ) writes: high tide in lightweight fixed nets RSE Llewellyn ( Sc ) Clive Minton arrived in Laxton set like a wall across the mudflats. died 1 September 2019 in September 1947, as an Elected Particularly effective at night, the Scholar, shortly before his nets had to be cleared every few thirteenth birthday. Clive was not hours, not the easiest task just a scholar but an active rugby especially in winter. Then also player in winter and tennis player around that time, Clive approached and cricketer in summer, sporting another old Oundelian, Sir Peter interests which he retained for the Scott (1928?) at his Wildfowl and rest of his life. He was also already Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, a keen birdwatcher, an early riser Gloucestershire. Sir Peter was using meticulously recording the birds rockets to propel nets to catch geese and nests around the school and for his studies. Smaller, lighter by the river. He was notorious for nets were becoming available and rescuing a damaged heron which WWRG developed small cannons to he was permitted to keep for a propel the nets over waders roosting while in the Old Chapel opposite on seaweed or debris on the mud Laxton which would ride around flats. This remains the primary perched on the handlebars of his catching method for waders today. bike. His passion for birds and Among many honours, he particularly coastal wading birds was awarded the Bernard Tucker was to become the driving force of Medal, the John Hobbs Medal for his life. Ornithology and in 2001 elected a On leaving Oundle, Clive went Member of the Order of Australia. In to Queens College, Cambridge to 2012 he was awarded the Eisenmann read Metallurgy. Having completed medal by the Linnaean Society of his PhD in 1959, he joined IMI, the New York. metals component of ICI. Clive leaves his wife, Pat, of 60 He was transferred to years (still recovering from injuries Melbourne in 1978 as Managing received in the accident in which he Director of IMI Australia. In 1983, died), two sons, Roger and Nigel IMI decided to close their Australian and three grandsons. His brother Malcolm ( Sc 60 ) writes: business but Clive and his wife Pat Roger died after several years chose to remain in Australia. He 1954 struggling with health. held several significant business Christened Roger Stewart Ewart positions before retiring from the half Scots and Welsh to remind him of executive world to concentrate on DH Barraclough ( N ) his ancestry, he was born in London in his primary calling, ornithology and died on 4 April 2019 1939 and went immediately to Malaya specifically coastal wader research, at the start of our father's, Alun Ewart a decision not only of lasting benefit J Davis ( Sc ) ( Ldr 24 ) second 5-year tour as a to ornithology but to my wife and died on 25 October 2019 mining manager/engineer. me, his best man. Two years later with the Japanese During his time at Oundle, PJW Humpidge ( G ) invasion, mother and Roger with me perhaps due to the strong science died on 18 August 2019 in embryo escaped on a Dutch hospital tradition in the school, bird ringing ship and stopped off in South Africa or banding became a major interest. for the duration of the war. Father was Clive was the focus of a small team 1955 incarcerated in Changi prison for the that banded birds around the school next four years while his brother Hugh grounds and in the orchard behind RJ Hewlett ( Sn ) ( Ldr 32 ) working with Borneo Shell the Old Chapel, banding as many died on 8 October 2019 was sent to Burma to build a railway. birds as any team in Europe at that Roger never lived with his parents time. again and in fact his only return to In 1959 after completing his PhD 1956 Malaya until the parents retired in and commencing his professional 1967 was for his 21st. Holidays were life in industrial research, Clive MJ Allen ( C ) spent at a holiday home in Hampshire. initiated his wader research, died 8 January 2020 After Oundle, Roger did five years founding the Wash Wader Research apprenticeship at Vickers Armstrong Group (WWRG). At that time the RB Charlton ( S ) working on the SS Oriana, Hermes waders on the Wash were caught at died on 23 May 2019 aircraft carrier and Dreadnought

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nuclear subs followed by five years MR Underwood ( Sn ) After he left in 1962 Alex joined at Blue Circle Cement leaving as died on 15 September 2019 the family business, PMG (Patrick manager when the company closed Motors Group), as the third Penarth factory. He disliked the poor DL Wood ( S ) generation to be involved with the attitude of group management and died on 22 September 2019 business. He was a driving force and went off to run his own ‘tube bending’ oversaw successful ventures such companies until his death. For the last as PMG Forecourts Ltd, the Patrick 40 years he with his wife Anne and 1961 Motor Museum and the Lombard two daughters lived at an old farm he Room Restaurant. He later managed was permanently restoring at Croxall AN Herald ( N ) the consolidation within the motor close by the Arboretum where the lych died on 24 February 2019 trade, and thereafter maintained gate from Changi prison now stands. the property portfolio within PMG. Oundle workshops, his guardian NI Lesmoir-Gordon ( B ) He followed his father in becoming an R.E. Brigadier, VA were all died on 10 January 2020 Chairman of The Patrick Trust, a considerable influences on a life of role he continued until his death. long hours of hard work, dedication to The Patrick Trust was created in engineering and high standards. His 1962 memory of his brother Andrew, who interest in everything did mean some sadly died of Duchenne Muscular things had to wait. His main hobby WJ Howard ( D ) Dystrophy when he was 13. was vintage cars which he had been died on 1 October 2019 He was a Deputy Lieutenant for collecting, mainly as boxes of parts, the West Midlands, a Governor of since he left school. Apart from the JA Patrick ( Ldr ) died on 18 April 2020 the Royal Shakespeare Company house, some car rebuilds he started and a committee member for The on in the 1960s still wait completion. Stonehouse Gang. His charitable club tours (even as far as work includes acting as chairman the Dordogne) with Anne were a of the Patrick Trust, Chairman of favourite pastime. the Joseph Patrick Trust (Muscular His contributions to School House Dystrophy Equipment Fund) and were two years of House and School Honorary Life President of The rowing crews, rugby second 15 and Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. He the high hurdles school record. The was also an Honorary Visiting Fellow reason all four of us went to Oundle of Green Templeton College Oxford. was that Captain Robert Falcon Scott Alex never forgot his time at suggested it to my grandfather in Oundle and became one of the the Admiralty as his son Peter was School’s most generous and loyal destined for there. benefactors. The engineering workshops, part of the School’s GR Pike ( N ) died on 9 December 2019 SciTec development, are named after Alex who was a passionate supporter of teaching engineering in schools. 1957 He also made substantial donations to bursaries, the Music Department, GA Jones ( C ) died in December 2019 Joseph Alexander Patrick was born the Chapel and the Library. in Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, At the time of his passing, Alex 1958 the third child, after Heather and had been married to his beloved Andrew, of Joseph and Ruth Patrick, wife, Valerie, for 47 years. Although a prominent and well-known family they were not fortunate enough to GB Rawlings ( B ) in the Midlands. With the confusion have children, they ensured that the died on 30 April 2020 of sharing the same first name as cares and needs of children were his father, he soon became known prominent in all their charitable 1960 by his middle name, Alexander, or activities. A kind and gentle man more commonly, “Alex”. The family who will be sorely missed. business was in the motor trade, CR Buckley ( D ) died in October 2019 enjoying considerable success as both 1963 a main dealer and distributor for TV Higgins ( Ldr ) various marques. died on 13 September 2019 He joined Oundle in 1958 as a PR Barnes ( N ) died on 29 July 2019 member of Laundimer House under RJ Parnham ( LS ) died in 2019 Peter Ling. P Hodson ( S ) died on 20 August 2019

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1964 This death was recorded in last 2020, aged 60. year’s magazine without an FA Coulson ( Lx ) obituary. We are pleased to include NC Wilson ( S ) died on 4th June 2020 died on 15 March 2020 one this year. His brother Gavin ( S 76 ) writes: Alan Midgely (Honorary OO) Neil died of a brain tumour at the age JK Dargue ( G ) died on 14 July 2019 writes: of 59. After leaving Oundle, where he A bright and sporting boy, 1965 was Head of House, played Rugby he followed his brother Gavin for the 1st XV and, in his capacity from Edge Grove prep school to as Head of the School’s Social Oundle, where he was placed in an AC Howard ( D ) Service, ran a camp on behalf accelerated stream. At Oundle, Neil died on 10 September 2019 of Leeds Children’s Dept. in the took A-levels in Maths, French and summer holidays in 1970 (they were German, afterwards realising that 1967 accommodated in the old San), his interests lay more in computation Martin went on to read Classics at than in linguistics. He took an Bristol. A-level in Statistics before studying RHW Wills ( S ) died on 4 July 2019 After a spell as a management for a degree in Applied Maths at trainee with Marks and Spencer, Exeter. Upon graduation he took an 1968 he went on to run a number IT job with Dickinson Robinson in of companies in Belgium, the Bristol, which was the start of his and the UK, finally career in programming and systems RWH Curtis ( Lx ) settling in the North-East. Martin analysis. Exeter brought Neil to the died on 18 October 2019 maintained links with Oundle by West Country, and he never left, speaking at a number of Higher marrying Jane, a music teacher at a SJ Wood ( B ) died on 29 August 2019 Education conferences for the nearby comprehensive, and living in Lower 6th and, with his Dutch wife Horfield, Temple Cloud and finally 1971 Charlotte, accompanied and helped Hallatrow. Two daughters, Grace and control a History study visit to Ellie, arrived, becoming the focus of a Berlin in the mid-1980s. close-knit and happy family. Martin Kellaway ( Ldr ) In July 1975 he co-drove a Besides working for a number of died on 28 August 2018. mini-bus servicing a non-stop financial and legal firms, Neil always Oundle relay round England cycle maintained a healthy balance with ride, beginning and ending in his other interests, which included Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast. boardgaming, electronic music The cyclists included Richard Usher creation, and the outdoor wood- ( C 75 ), Simon Byford ( C 75 ) and throwing game known as Kubb. Neil Bill Fisher ( B 75 ). Charlotte died was a central figure in the adoption tragically young in 2008. They had of this Nordic game in England, three children, Alex, Maaike and organising frequent competitions and Robert. Martin died in 2018 after a a website. short illness. He had been planning to retire at 60, but this goal was destroyed 1972 by the diagnosis of brain cancer last December. A major operation removed some of the tumour, but the DJ Miles ( Sc ) doctors made it clear that the family died on 28 September 2019 should make the most of the months he was likely to have left. With Jane, he organised a celebratory lunch for 1976 family and relatives at a countryside pub in early March, just days RG Polson ( G ) before the coronavirus lockdown. died on 30 July 2020 His parents, who are still alive and living in Radlett, were too unwell themselves to attend. 1978 Neil died at home with Jane, Grace and Ellie after a happy day. He will MAP Ashworth ( Sn ) lost his battle be dearly missed by all who knew with cancer on Sunday 13 September him.

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Martin Ward-Platt ( Sn 72 ) interested in paediatrics while a student Scythian history to etymology to died on 27 July 2019 and did senior house officer posts in veterinary science to Maori cultural paediatrics in Bristol, as well as a year practices. in pathology. It was during the latter Babies and their families were at post that he started his lifelong interest the centre of Martin’s clinical work, to in perinatal morbidity and mortality which he brought warmth, kindness, and indeed research in general. A move and compassion. He challenged to the north east followed,and it was existing dogma through a combination here he remained for the rest of his of research to provide evidence where career. On completing his training in none existed and also by making 1990 he was appointed as a consultant people feel that their opinions were to the neonatal unit at the Princess valued where evidence clashed with Mary Maternity Hospital until the two the way things “had always been maternity services in Newcastle were done.” amalgamated on the Royal Victoria The north east region had a well Infirmary site in 1993. established system for the collection The following is taken from an His knowledge [extended] well and analysis of perinatal data, based obituary published in the British beyond medicine, and he was a at the regional maternity survey office. Medical Journal. polymath in the broadest sense. He Martin was the lead for this service After attending Oundle school, Martin had a passion for classics and history for many years and was approached Peter Ward Platt studied medicine and one invariably learned something by the team in the south-west to at Bristol University, where he met new from him, with subjects typically collaborate in the CESDI research his future wife, Anne. He became ranging from those as diverse as programme into unexpected infant

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deaths. This collaboration produced Jeremy Firth (Honorary OO) died on 31 March 2020 a succession of research projects into Alan Rayden (Honorary OO) writes: unexpected deaths in infancy and From his time as a pupil at Blundell’s School, Jeremy childhood. More recently he was the knew that he wanted to teach - and that desire to lead in the establishment and running nurture young people remained a central feature of of the national register of congenital his life. On leaving school he served two years as an anomalies and rare diseases. officer in the Royal Artillery (seeing active service At Archives of Disease in Childhood, in Cyprus during the ) and then went to Martin was described by colleagues as Pembroke College, Cambridge to pursue his passion a colossus. In the course of his 20 years for English Literature and poetry. As a teacher, one of there, he came to, literally, bestride his maxims was ‘poetry begins in pleasure and ends the journal, first as an associate editor, in wisdom’ and his humour and scholarship enabled subsequently as edition editor for the him to inspire and enlighten all ages and abilities. His pupils remember him fetal and neonatal edition, senior editor, with huge affection and respect. and interim editor in chief. He was an outstanding sportsman and coached sport every term for most Outside work Martin had a wide of his career. But it was a deep passion for cricket that dominated his life. range of interests and carried through Perhaps it is the game which encapsulates the combination of skill, intelligence, his sense of caring in everything he elegance, athleticism and fair play which are so characteristic of Jeremy undertook. Throughout his final himself. He played whenever possible (still representing Ashton Village when illness he made light of the challenges over 70) and ran the School first XI for eight extremely successful years; at least he faced and strove to protect those six of his protege’s gained Blues. around him. He leaves his wife, Anne; When Jeremy took over School House in 1977, he continued its successful two sons; and a grandson. sporting tradition. House teams could rely on his anxious and competitive support on the touch-line. Individuals could also rely on a compassionate and 1980 understanding Housemaster, encouraging them to develop their particular talents within the firmly defined boundaries of the House family. He always saw potential and believed in the possibility of reformation. As a Housemaster WL Hodson ( St A ) the pressures are immense; the trivial, the important, and the vital vie died on 25 September 2019 for immediate attention, and unexpected crises can arise at any moment. That Jeremy was able to sustain this for 15 years is a tribute not only to his dedication and stamina, but to his ability to see things in a wider context. Jeremy was a versatile actor, always sensitive, subtle and with the most inventive sense of humour. He found time to escape the pressures of teaching to perform regularly at the Stahl Theatre in many of John Harrison’s productions. After they both retired, John’s Open Stage Company provided, over the next twenty years, a perfect outlet for his talents. Before he came to Oundle, a deep desire to go where his skills might most be needed led him to two years teaching in a missionary school at Mussoorie, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Once at Oundle he encouraged pupils to become involved in Community Service, and later formed the link with St.Basil’s, a charity for young homeless people in Birmingham. His sponsored ‘sleep outs’ for L6 pupils, where they experienced the realities of a night under cardboard, remain an annual event today. For eleven years he joined Jonathan Lee’s adventure training camps in Scotland and also his epic 1984 Hindu Kush expedition. Hearing Jeremy recounting, in his inimitable way, his experiences of such times left his listeners always entertained and often in helpless hysterics. Jeremy’s marriage to Jenny delighted everyone. Not only did he gain a wife, but also three step-children, who adored him. Their home in North Street was relaxed and welcoming and together they enjoyed happy hours creating their garden. Retirement provided the opportunity for Jeremy to train as a Reader, leading services in local churches and sharing insights into the faith that was fundamental to his own life. His sermons were always accessible, peppered with anecdotes and humour, and for many years he also led several 2012 study groups with the same quietly spoken conviction. Jeremy was a person of great integrity, generous and kind with a winsome smile. He was always meticulously prepared but admirably versatile. He has SJT Scammell ( L ) influenced for good many generations of pupils and staff, and continues to be died on 23 November 2019 an inspiration to all who knew him.

132 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 OPINION The Liberty Club Olivia Groom ( N 18 ) encourages us to preserve our endangered free speech

any of us OOs only appreciate Oundle School M after we have left. In the two years since leaving, I have had time to reflect on the value of a place which encourages people to engage in intellectual debate, to challenge each other, and to strive for a better, fairer world. I am currently entering my second year at the University of St Andrews and have just launched The Liberty Club, a platform to share - through a journal, social media, and events - thoughts about Science, Culture, History, Politics, Economics, and International Affairs in an attempt to preserve our endangered free speech. Based in St Andrews, we aim to spread our mission around the globe. One of my fondest memories of Oundle is sitting and chatting over surprisingly delicious meals in my House dining room. You can’t live with eleven people for five years many choose to enforce their views without talking about politics, on others. Too often, people shout out particularly as 2016 occurred mid- an opinion that supposedly promotes way through my time at school. My equality while stating that anyone views may have differed from many who opposes them - or even questions others’ about Brexit, but I always their argument - must be wrong. In felt able to engage in debate. We such cases it can be tempting to avoid were offered countless opportunities conflict by not speaking out. to express our ideas - in debating Having experienced a world at competitions, in subject journals, or Oundle where we listened to one on OSCAR radio. We were privileged another and allowed others’ ideas to to hear from hundreds of great flourish, I hope to encourage change speakers on countless topics. Our in our university bubbles. Some teachers encouraged us to robustly weeks ago, I set out to gather a multi- analyse facts and opinions. There’s national group of young people with always room for improvement, but an array of opinions and stances. We on the whole we were free to express began writing, and then launched our ourselves with integrity, responsibility, website and journal. We look forward and accountability. to hosting debates in person once On social media and This is sadly not the case in most social-distancing allows. in universities, echo places around the world. On social In a world where intolerance can chambers are formed media and in universities, echo seem to overwhelm reason, we need chambers are formed and reasoned all the support we can get. If you are and reasoned debate debate is drowned out by emotional interested in finding out more about is drowned out by outcry. the club, please contact: oliviagroom@ emotional outcry. Rather than exchanging ideas, icloud.com ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 133 OPINION A View from the Lost Generation

t seems to me that the OO to be enmeshed in a time loop stuck Mark Moore ( Sc 68 ) generation that has least to do somewhere around 1864. wonders why Oundle I with the school is the mid-1960s As well as being stuck a hundred group. That’s the group that came to years in the past, the school in the 1960s esteemed Oundle around 1963 and left before appeared to promote and sustain the conformity and stifled 1970. deference culture above all things. invention What are the reasons for this lack The school was run by conventional of contact between the school and traditionalists on conventional that generation? As a member of it traditionalist lines to turn out ( Sc 1968 ) I’ll give a personal view of conventional traditionalists. the reasons why. The school appeared to The short answer is contrast. The esteem conformity most of all. It contrast between the world of the dulled creativity; it undermined school at the time and the real world individualism; it stifled invention; outside was too great. While the it attacked difference; it stamped on school looked back to the great days dissent; it fostered and prioritised of Sanderson, out in the real world the conventional; and its entire idea there were pirate radio stations of excellence seemed to be modelled and the Rolling Stones. The world on the social structure of termites was changing but the school was and ants. chained to the past. It was a time Above all, there was no when in the wider world the age-old questioning of the system by deference culture of England was anyone in authority within the being questioned, eroded and swept system. Few questioned whether this away. Yet at Oundle the deference methodology was good or could culture was preserved, promoted be better. There was no striving and institutionalised. to improve, and no promotion of The school had become set in its a questioning mentality. This is ways. Not only was it convinced that indefensible. It really isn’t good its ways were correct, it believed enough for an education system to they were the only possible route to believe that the way things were a good education. To my generation, done in the past is sound for all time. the school’s philosophy was totally Even 13 year old new boys wrong; its methodology was smug could see that the way the school and self-satisfied; its institutions worked was not only morally wrong were backward-looking. Every pupil because of its dumb adherence to the at Oundle in the mid-1960s was institutionalised system of bullying obliged to carry the dead weight of known as fagging. It was also the concrete overshoes of deference, practically wrong because it affected convention, tradition and smug self- the education of many in that Generations before satisfaction. generation. Many in my generation and after mine have It should have been obvious in felt that our time at Oundle did not great respect and the 1960s that this was no way to run equip us well for our emergence into regard for the school. a school. Obvious to any thinking the world. person. The trouble was the school At Oundle I learnt to mistrust, Some of the generation gave the impression that it was not distrust and despise all kinds of of the mid-1960s run by thinking persons. It appeared authority. At Oundle I learnt to loathe does not.

134 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 OPINION

unthinking traditionalism. At Oundle I close and deaden the mind.  Mark Moore, captain of School House's learnt to beware office and position. At This view into a former time is 1965 cup-winning junior rugby team Oundle I learnt to detest and disregard intended as a lesson from the past. received opinion and official wisdom. Oundle has always successfully These were hard and inappropriate adapted to the wider cultural lessons. environment and evolved. For Generations before and after mine Oundle, evolution has also become have great respect and regard for the progression. It has become a much school. Some of the generation of the better place. It has been on a long and mid-1960s do not. Yet I enjoyed my sometimes hard journey. The journey time at Oundle. I had a happy and is ongoing and has no destination. But exciting time. It was purely down the lesson from the past says it must to the people, the friends, I met and keep moving. It can never stand still made there. and assume that what works best now Whatever else it may be, a school will always work best. The school will should be a liberating place. A school maintain its success only if it keeps should be a place that frees and adapting now and into the future. kindles the mind. Oundle in the mid- The danger of not evolving and not 1960s was a place that attempted to adapting is inevitable extinction. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020 135 OPINION Covid 19 – Brian Cunningham, School Chaplain, A Chaplain’s believes that a pastoral response is called for, Response not a philosophical one.

longside the personal such a crisis, where everybody’s the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus concerns that people have individual response matters hugely. show us that God knows exactly what Afor the health and safety of Consequently, the need to observe it means to suffer and, so is able to their loved ones, the current crisis the protocols of social distancing stand alongside and support us in caused by Covid 19 has brought and confinement will not just have times of personal and national crisis. with it enormous disruption to clipped the wings of the young but These are the roots of our faith and the life of our schools both in this also perhaps undermined confidence must inform the pastoral approach country and around the world. The in the perceived stability of the world we adopt in our contact with pupils normal rhythms of school life have around them. Potential questions and staff alike. It lies in the ability to been suspended, public exams have surrounding personal wellbeing and communicate and reassure people. In been cancelled, teachers and pupils faith develop naturally from this. the words of St Paul to the Romans alike are having to learn how to For Chaplains, when faced we need to emphasise, ‘that neither study online, and the normal school with questions of this nature death, not life, nor angels, nor conventions and rituals associated within a School environment, a rulers, nor things present, nor things with the Summer Term look like they pastoral response is called for, not to come, nor powers, nor height, will not take place. It is particularly a philosophical one. It is important nor depth, nor anything else in all hard for those leaving School this initially to acknowledge the gravity creation, will be able to separate us year, for whom it seems, at the of the situation, there is a sense of from the love of God in Christ Jesus moment, there may not be any proper ‘exile’ about where we are. Although our Lord.’ sense of closure. we are not physically separated from How does this work out in Simultaneously, the Covid 19 our homes, quite the contrary actually, practical terms when a School is emergency has also resulted in we are separated from our School physically closed? At Oundle, we questions that challenge people of communities and the regular rhythms have relied, firstly, on the Chaplaincy religious faith and perhaps harden of life. We have become hugely reliant Pages on the School intranet. Here, further the views of people of no on the ‘virtual’ world rather than the pupils and staff are able to access religious faith. At the core of this ‘real’ world and there is a sense of daily Biblical readings, submit challenge, is the question of ‘where alienation about this. So, the words of prayer requests, and to contact a is God in all this’? To this could be Psalm 137, ‘how do we sing the Lord’s School Chaplain. There is also the added the supplementary questions, song in a strange land?’ opportunity for Staff to be part of ‘has God abandoned his people’ and In these circumstances, we need an online prayer group. Secondly, even, ‘is Covid 19 God’s doing’? to return to the fundamentals of our we are making use of Microsoft These questions have been raised faith. We need to remember that we Teams, as many schools are, in order many times before when considering believe in a loving God who neither to post in the School channels, a the extent of human suffering and wills nor orchestrates the suffering midweek spiritual reflection and tragedy in the aftermath of natural of his people; indeed, we believe an abridged ‘Sunday Service’. Our disasters like the recent volcano the opposite to be true. We have just future plans include seeking more eruptions in the Philippines or on celebrated the great Christian festival pupil involvement online and also White Island in New Zealand, the of Easter, although with the Churches arranging ‘meetings’ with those Tsunami in Indonesia or, going being closed, in a radically different pupils who would normally attend much further back, the Spanish Flu way. Nevertheless, as we followed our Christian discussion group and pandemic at the end of the First the events of Holy Week towards Bible study. In these strange and World War 1918-20. The difference Easter Day itself, we are shown that testing times, it is more important now for many in our schools is our God does not abandon us to the than ever that we encourage people in that this is perhaps the first time suffering and challenging situations their faith, and to seek the support of they have been at the sharp end of we confront in life. On the contrary, our loving God. ■

136 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2019-2020