NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008

PRESIDENT: DAVID B STEVENS

Welcome to the spring newsletter of The Old Warwickian Association. With an exciting programme of forthcoming events and reunions, and the appointment of Warwick School's new Alumni Relations Officer, 2008 looks set to be a very promising year. We hope you enjoy reading this new style newsletter and would welcome your feedback.

Warwick School painted by Grahame Ward President-Elect John Cavanagh QC

John Cavanagh QC was elected 2009 President of the Old Warwickian Association at the December AGM.

John was at Warwick School from 1968 to 1978 and has very happy memories of his school days. His sporting record at school was mixed and while he News from Alumni Relations still talks of his second place in the three-legged and I am delighted to be Warwick School's first wheelbarrow races during Upper Alumni Relations Officer and look forward to Two, his proudest sporting helping you keep in touch with the school and achievement was that, during your fellow Old Warwickians. eight years as a rugby forward, he never completed a single I graduated from Nottingham University and began tackle. John Cavanagh QC - President-Elect my working life in a boys' prep school. There I taught French, served as a part time matron and John was on firmer ground in returning to England and spent Sunday nights cutting the toenails of 100 debating and acting. He teaching at New College, boarders. I spent the next five years in the enjoyed acting in a number of Oxford. hospitality industry and completed an Anne Douglas school plays but, tragically, was MSc in Tourism, Food and Hospitality the only boy to fail the singing John was called to the Bar in Management. Since then I have IN THIS EDITION audition of the school London in 1985 and has worked in marketing management, production of The Gondoliers. practised in London ever since. first promoting Kent Tourism and then 2008 Events The job suits his sense of Shakespeare Country. I am married to The latest news on recent theatre and penchant for Gordon and, with two young sons, we He thrived on the academic and forthcoming OW events. side of school life. There were dressing up. He became a QC enjoy weekends on the touchline. in 2001 and was appointed a Sixties Reunion some inspirational teachers at As Alumni Relations Officer I hope to Crown Court Recorder in 2004. A chance to meet up with old Warwick at the time, including develop our programme of Old friends from the 1960s. Robert Hudson, David Stooke In 2006-7 he was Chair of the Warwickian events and reunions. and the late Robert Heaton and Employment Law Bar Whether you'd enjoy a decade Summer Dinner Stephen Woodward. Association. reunion to meet up with old friends, a Book your tickets now. networking event for those in similar After a gap year spent as a John has been married to Suzie professions, or if you simply need to Tell us your story residential social worker, John since 1989, and they live in find and keep in touch with some of Were you at school during read a law degree at Oxford Harpenden with their four your contemporaries, I will try and the Strover years? University and then a school-age children. When he help. With events and reunions, these School News has time over from his practice postgraduate degree at newsletters and exciting plans for the From rugby victories to Cambridge. He spent a year and family, John likes to spend Old Warwickian website (watch this academic success... teaching at the University of time devising reasons why he space!), I hope to keep you in touch Illinois Law School, before shouldn't do any gardening. with each other and the school.

www.warwickschool.org/old-warwickians EVENTS AND REUNIONS

St Mary's is one of the finest SUMMER mediaeval guildhalls in England. It served as the centre of King Henry VI's court during the Wars SIXTIES DINNER AT of the Roses and as a prison to Mary, Queen of Scots. Its kitchens have prepared banquets ST MARY'S for visiting monarchs and have REUNION fed starving weavers! Our mouth- watering menu will comprise GUILDHALL roulade of salmon and crab Assembly, 1966 We're delighted to confirm followed by leg cushion of lamb Former pupils of Warwick School will be flying in from that the President's Summer with Dutch chunky apple flan as around the world for a Sixties Reunion on 3 May 2008. The Dinner will take place on dessert. Reunion is open to everyone who left the school during the 1960s - and the masters who taught them. Saturday 5 July 2008. Sir John Egan, our guest speaker, was born in Coventry, Organiser Nigel Robinson, Activities on the day will range The evening will start with a the son of the owner of a small Chairman of the OWA, said old from tours of the school and a guided tour of Coventry garage. He read petroleum boys would be attending from Chapel Service with Brian Cathedral, followed by a engineering at Imperial College as far a field as Japan, South Newman as organist, to drinks reception and dinner and his outstanding contribution Africa and Hong Kong, as well opportunities for swimming and in St Mary's Guildhall, to British business includes six as from Malta and mainland rifle shooting, plus a chance to Coventry. We are especially years at Massey Ferguson, ten Europe. watch school cricket and tennis pleased to announce that Sir years as Chief Executive of “It should be an incredible day,” matches. A film show of 1960s John Egan, one of the most Jaguar Cars, nine years as Chief said Nigel. “Many of them won't cine, taken at the school during influential industrialists and Executive of British Airports have seen one another for 40 that decade, will bring back a businessmen of his Authority and two years as years or more! The last time we few memories. generation, has agreed to be President of the CBI. He is did this was ten years ago, with Anyone wishing to attend the our guest speaker. currently the Chairman of a reunion for those of us who reunion should E-mail Nigel on were turning 50 years of age.” [email protected] Alumni Warwicensis at The Athenaeum On 31 October 2007 an eclectic 'melange' of old boys met in the comfortable surroundings of The Whistler Room at The Athenaeum Club, an imposingly classical building on the corner of Pall Mall and Waterloo Place. St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry OWs enjoyed good wine and canapés Our evening will begin, at 18.15, Severn Trent Water, Chancellor of About 40 Old Warwickians completed. In recognition of with the guided tour of Coventry Coventry University and non- gathered under the watchful eye Ralph Thornton's immense Cathedral, a dynamic centre of Executive Chairman of Inchcape of the surrounding portraits to contribution to the school, it will worship and mission, a place of plc (motor distributors). hear the Head Master report on be known as the Thornton pilgrimage and a focus for an unprecedented year of school Tickets for the Summer Dinner Building. international reconciliation. success. In total some 19 are priced at £50 per person. “To walk from the ruins of the old national awards or titles were Mark Wilkins, the campaign To book your tickets please Cathedral into the splendour of won, one of the highlights being manager for the school Science send a cheque, made payable the new is to walk from Good the school's victory at under 18 Project, thanked the OWs for to “OWA”, to Geoff Thorpe, Friday to Easter, from the ravages level in the National Daily Mail the support they have given to Highcroft, Butt Lane, Harbury, of human self-destruction to the Cup Rugby Competition. the fundraising activities. He Leamington Spa, CV33 9JL. glorious hope of resurrection. revealed that, through their Tel: 01926 613801, E-mail: The Head Master confirmed that Your heart is lifted, your spirit is generosity and that of others, [email protected] the new Science Building was up renewed and you feel that there and running and emphasized the some £380,000 had been is hope for the world”. Please include a SAE. Details of strong link that was developing raised since January 2007. He John Irvine, hotels, car parking and the between the school and Warwick hoped the OWs would continue Dean of Coventry Cathedral. possibility of organised transport University, allowing boys to to support the campaign and are also available from Geoff on undertake proper scientific reach the target of £500,000. From the Cathedral we will be request. research at postgraduate level. escorted to St Mary's Guildhall We look forward to meeting again Dress: Dinner Jacket. Partners He also expected that in June for a drinks reception at 19.00 on 6 November 2008. Venue and guests are most welcome. 2008 a new teaching block, and sit down dinner at 19.30. confirmation and details will Booking deadline: 16 June. mainly for Mathematics, would be appear in the next newsletter.

www.warwickschool.org/old-warwickians DIARY OF EVENTS

The Sixties Reunion on 3 May and Summer Dinner on 5 July SCHOOL are some of many forthcoming events. LEAVERS' OW Weekends RECEPTION OW Weekend, 4-6 July 2008 Friday 4 July On 14 September 2007 we DVD footage of the 2007 Annual Dinner 14.00 OW Cricket - OWs play Wellesbourne CC (away). invited the 2007 leavers back OLD WARWICKIAN DVD 18.00 Open Evening at Warwick School. to the Sixth Form Centre at Installation Meeting, Schola Warwicensis Lodge. school to watch the opening A DVD featuring footage from Saturday 5 July match in England's Rugby the eight main OW events in 11.30 OW Cricket - OWs play school 1st XI, Warwick School. World Cup campaign - 2007 has been produced by Also 2nd XI game or 20/20 competition and tennis matches. England v South Africa. George Hooper. Sunday 6 July Nearly 50 young OWs swapped Unfortunately illness prevented 10.00 Foundation Service in the Chapel. stories about their summer filming of the September holidays and discussed their Weekend, Leavers' Reception OW Weekend, 6-7 September 2008 plans for university or taking a and London OW event at the Squash, hockey, bridge and chess matches against the school. gap year. They enjoyed their free Athenaeum Club. If you were Saturday 6 September beer and tucked into the food present at the Lord's Dinner, 12.30 Old Warwickians rugby. provided by the catering staff. AGM and Annual Dinner then this 14.30 1st XV rugby v Bedford Modern. is the DVD for you! There was much cheering for Sunday 7 September England and, although the The DVD, which runs for 48 10.00 Holy Communion Service in the Chapel. leavers were disappointed by the minutes, is available for £10 result, it did not detract from their including p&p. Profits will go enjoyment of getting together towards the proposed school/OW OW Golf before going their separate ways. museum. Applications with Join fellow Old Warwickians for 18 or 36 holes on 20 May at remittance payable to “OWA”, Tadmarton Golf Club and on 19 September at Broadway Golf Many thanks to Mr Cooper for the should be sent to Peter Bailey, Club. All OW golfers very welcome. Further information from audio visual arrangements and to 24 Park Road, Leamington Spa, the school for hosting this event. CV32 6LG. Alan Alderman, Tel: 01926 651643, E-mail: [email protected] En Route to Le Mans Charity Cricket Match This painting, depicting the the Summer Dinner and A Lord's Taverners charity cricket match is being held at Warwick Jaguar team passing Warwick promoted in the Michaelmas School on 13 July 2008. Organised by OW Neil Smith, a Lord's School en route to victory at newsletter. Taverners team of cricketers and local celebrities will take on a Le Mans in 1951, was Warwick side. If you are interested in playing, or supporting the presented to the OWA charity by taking a table in the marquee for lunch and tea, please Committee on 10 March 2008. contact [email protected]

Commissioned by OW Peter Johnston, the painting will be Inaugural Oxford Reunion used to raise funds for the Plans are underway for the first reunion of OWs with Oxford proposed school/OW museum. University connections. All OWs who are studying or teaching, or Details about the promotion, who studied or taught at Oxford, are warmly invited to this inaugural dinner. For further details please contact Alumni limited edition prints and tickets David Stevens, Peter Johnston for the raffle will be announced at and the Head Master Relations: [email protected] OW TIES, BOW TIES AND SCARVES Chapel Services Available from the School Clothing Shop, Warwick School, Warwick, Summer 2008 (all services start at 10.00) CV34 6PP. Cheques payable to “Warwick Schools Enterprises Ltd”. 27 April Joint Service with KHS Crested Tie £8.70 11 May Morning Worship and Baptism Maroon, Blue, Silver Striped Tie £6.65 18 May Upper Sixth Sunday Blue and Gold Tie £4.70 8 June Songs of Praise Bow Tie £13.05 15 June First Year's Sunday Letter Opener £19.95 29 June Third Year's Sunday Cufflinks £34.95 6 July Foundation Sunday Plaque £34.95 Michaelmas 2008 Mug £9.65 7 Sept Holy Communion Whisky Tumblers (Royal Worcester, box of two) £37.10 14 Sept Chapel Choir Reunion Service Glass Photo Frame £15.90. Later Chapel Services will appear in the Michaelmas newsletter.

www.warwickschool.org/old-warwickians Tell us your story... The Strover Years

While we have school records and archives, it is the experiences, expressions and anecdotes of those who were at the school that give depth and life to our recollections. In each of these newsletters we plan to select a different era or aspect of school life and gather details of OW experiences, to share on our OW website and in The Portcullis. In 1977 John Strover became Warwick School Staff, 1977 The First Computer Room,1986 Head Master at Warwick School. Do you have pictures of any We would love to gather your His 11 years as Head coincided annual trips or exchanges such memories and share your with significant changes in as the Hovercraft competition in anecdotes and images in The education and politics and the former Czechoslovakia or the Portcullis and on our Old affected many aspects of school Sailing Club's participation in the Warwickian website. life and traditions. Tall Ships Race? Please send any material to Were you at school during the Did you go on the 1985 rugby Anne Douglas, Warwick Strover years, 1977 to 1988? Enoch Powell’s Visit, 1984 tour of Zimbabwe or the Canada School, Warwick CV34 6PP. How did you feel about the Do you remember Enoch Powell's tour in 1987? E-mail: abolition of corporal punishment powerful defence of the classics Do you remember the [email protected] in the school? speech in 1984? introduction of computers in Articles in MS Word and images 1980? Were you affected by the (then) What are your recollections of the as jpegs are preferred but not radical step of abolishing threatened closure of the What other memories do you essential. We will return all Saturday morning school from boarding house? have of your time at school? photographs. September 1982? SCHOOL AND OW NEWS SPRING 2008 This term started well with The Upper 6th boarders, many of OW Achievements the confirmation of twelve whom live in Hong Kong, recently Oxford and Cambridge offers launched a fund raising initiative Congratulations to OW Harry plus conditional offers from to support the Lions Kidney Greenway for his admission as prestigious universities up Educational Centre and Research an Honorary Freeman of the and down the country for Foundation in Hong Kong. The London Borough of Ealing on 19 almost all of our remaining school has strong links with its February 2008. many Hong Kong OWs, meeting Upper 6th boys. OW Mike Wardle's commitment them each September in Hong and enthusiasm for sport was Other successes have come in Kong. recognized when he was the form of pupils winning Once again our rugby players presented with the Service to awards and competitions and have been heading for national Sport award at the Stratford stirring concerts, including the success. We are very proud of District Council Sports Awards. inaugural performance of our 1st XV who reached the Canticum, our Foundation choir. Daily Mail Cup Semi-Final These and other OW semi-final of the Daily Mail Cup The Little Big Band has again reach our target. If you do feel achievements will be reported and our U10 and U11 Junior qualified for the National Concert able to help, please contact more fully in The Portcullis and School rugby teams who won Band Festival. This event, to be Anne Douglas, on the new OW website later this their regional finals. They took held at Warwick School for the [email protected] year. If you have news of any part in the National IAPS finals, first time, takes place on 19 and Your support is, as always, much other OW achievements, please where the U10 team won the 20 April. All are welcome. appreciated. let Alumni Relations know. competition and are now national Our Sir Ben Kingsley lecture champions. programme continues to attract Tell us your news The new Thornton Building is some of the country's most taking shape and soon Where are you now? Please let us have news of births, marriages, eminent public figures, including Mathematics, Classics, Religion weddings, achievements, awards, or any other news that you would Lord Hurd and Justin King, CEO and Philosophy will have like to share with your fellow Old Warwickians. News stories and Sainsburys. If you have any accommodation of the highest images will be featured in The Portcullis and Old Warwickian contacts for future speakers, we order. The fundraising campaign website. Please send any items for inclusion to: Alumni Relations, would be very grateful if you to support this second phase of Warwick School, Warwick CV34 6PP. E-mail: [email protected] could let Ginny Gretton know. the project is drawing to a close, We would be grateful to receive any items and images by 1 June for E-mail: [email protected] but we still require support to inclusion in The Portcullis 2008.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct at time of printing. www.warwickschool.org/old-warwickians

© Warwick School 2008