THE O.D.CHRONICLE 1 Roger came to Denstone in the Lent term from Grosven- or School in Nottingham. He was not academically inclined but entered into the life of the school playing in the 1st XV in 58-59 and 59-60. He also ran the 440 and 880 yards and was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team for 3 years. Half way through his time at Denstone the family moved to Stirling and it was therefore in Scotland that he started his career. Initially he trained in the textile industry before joining the UK subsidiary of the Dayco Corporation of Dayton Ohio based in Dundee. He moved into International Sales and Marketing Division and after training in the States he embarked on 12 years of regular travel on three continents. In 1969 the Division moved to Manchester where he remained until 1976 when he moved to the West Midlands to join Tufnol Industries Ltd. a small group of privately owned com- panies. His main role was Managing Director of the main company Tufnol Ltd. but as time progressed he became involved in the management of the rest of the group. He was on the management board of the Engineering Employer Federation in the West Midlands for over 20 years and was President in 1992 – 94. He was also in- volved with B.E.A.M.A and chaired their International Conferences in 1986 and 1998. In 2000 he took early retirement and became the EEF representative on the West Midlands Regional Assembly. In 2002 he joined the Board of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust where he served until 2012 as a Non Executive Direc- tor and Vice Chairman. He lives in Sutton Coldfield with his wife Wendy, who taught at Edgbaston High School for girls. He has a daughter who lives in Sutton with her partner and son and a married son who lives in Pinner. Dear Fellow ODs , When Richard Lewis first approached me to put my name for- ward as a candidate for President I was surprised and interested. I did not really know what was involved and after talking to Chris Walker I agreed to let my name go forward. It was a great pleasure for me to be elected and I looked forward to par- ticipating in the various events during my year of office. To my bitter disappoint- ment I fell at the first hurdle having succumbed to a dreaded “lurgy” which prohibited any sane individual venturing out of doors. My thanks to Tim Venner for 2 THE O.D.CHRONICLE stepping into the breach when I had to miss the London OD dinner. I also missed the very successful 60’s reunion the following day. I was glad to offer my services as a Trustee, having been Chairman of my company’s occupa- tional pension scheme for a long time and Chairman of the Sand- well and West Birming- ham NHS Trust Charitable Funds Com- mittee for 10 years. Hopefully this will ena- ble me to continue my involvement with the club after my year as President. At the Remembrance Day Service I felt hon- oured to place a wreath at the memorial to the fallen in the two world wars on behalf of the club. My thanks to Richard Barrington for his support on that day. Like many OD’s who have not visited Coll for many years I was amazed at the transformation and by all the new buildings. Walking round I reflected on the role of the OD club in the 21st century, having been formed in 1879. I therefore looked up the objective of the club which seems to be as appropriate today as it was when it was written. The object of the Club is to promote good fellowship amongst Old Denstonians, to strengthen ties between past and present and to further the interests and prosperity of the School in whatever ways may seem appropriate. Whilst the objective may still be the same the School has changed dramatically and we should continue to look at ways to engage younger OD’s who will doubtless have very valid views on the future of the club. I look forward to attending many of the events in the coming months and meet- ing some “old” and new faces. Best wishes, Roger Trotman It has been a very OD oriented year during which many ODs have enjoyed several reunions with the inevitable reminiscences as we walked the cloisters albeit now carpeted! We thank Judy Teather for organising these in her usual efficient manner. THE O.D.CHRONICLE 3 Roger Trotman was appointed President for 2017-18 with Alan Fox and Andy Heath appointed Joint Vice Presidents. The Regional Clubs have continued to meet and at the London Dinner it was especially good to hear a few words from the current Head Boy and Head Girl whose enthusiasm for Coll showed that it is still a place for pupils to enjoy and to leave with happy memories. The new Headmaster, Mr Miles Norris, has been appointed and will assume full responsibility in September 2018 but in the meantime, Mr David Derbyshire continues to inspire the School and we wish him well in his retirement. The OD Club Council and Executive Committees have met regularly and they continue to guide the Club under the Chairman, Dr Chris Walker. All ODs are eligible to stand for the Committee and anyone interested in the Club should contact the Secretary on the email shown below. The Club would benefit greatly from ODs , both male and female, who have left in more recent years as this has been a time of considerable change for the better and therefore ODs’ experiences during this time will be much appreciated. The Trustees have maintained our financial situation in good health. All leavers are invited to complete a mini questionnaire which details their life at Coll and this information is held on the Association database under the careful scrutiny of Judy Teather, to be used to promote the OD Clubs throughout the Country and to inform ODs of events and reunions being held at Coll. It may also be used by ODs wishing to contact other ODs; any such request must be made by email or in writing to The Association office at Coll. Any information which ODs wish to give regarding themselves may be sent to me for either forwarding to the next Chronicle or for adding to the Association database. Hon Sec: Mr Richard Lewis (Meynell 1956-61) Email [email protected] Covering the audited accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016 and the forecast accounts for the year ending on 31st December 2017. The Club’s financial position remains strong, driven by impressive investment returns in both 2016 and 2017, albeit recent changes in UK tax rules have had an adverse impact on our dividend income with an increased tax charge in both 2016 and 2017 adding c£700 to our expenses. 11851 13519 14000 -9914 -10926 -12000 -2028 36882 12000 -91 39475 14000 319062 358537 372000 4 THE O.D.CHRONICLE The current expense base excluding tax remains generally stable. Chronicle postage and printing costs continue to rise by 9% per annum driven by postage and account for 60% of our cost base. Investment management charges are the next largest expenditure with c£3,500 in 2017 rising 23% from the previous year but only in line with gains made through the investment portfolio. Discretionary spend fell over both years with support for the Wanderers falling from £800 in 2015, to £300 in 2016 and nil in 2017 as the tour did not take place. In 2016, though, we did provide £200 support for the running club for new vests and I expect a similar amount this year across all the sporting sections. Overall our net asset position is very healthy with £372,000 of which 92% is invested and the balance held on deposit.The investment portfolio continues to be well managed by Charles Stanley & Co under the direction of the trustees. In June we saw Tim Page retire as a Trustee and our current President, Roger Trotman, take on the role. I would like to thank Tim, not only for his contribution to the Club as past President, Treasurer and Trustee, but also for the time he has spent with me providing all the details required to manage the Club’s finances. As always anyone wanting to find out more or to receive a copy of the most recent accounts is welcome to contact me by email. Andy Heath The Friends continues to be active. The Summer ball last year raised a substan- tial sum of money for a local children’s charity, as well publicity for the College. It was followed by the autumn Fair which took place as usual on the third Saturday in November in the Drill Hall, with an emphasis on ‘Food and Drink’. There were over twenty stalls and it was well attended again; being on an afternoon when there were many parents (including O.D.s) who were supporting our event alongside the various games matches taking place at the College that afternoon. Again, a profit was made which will help pay preparation costs for the next ball due to take place in the sum- mer of 2019. These will be supplemented by any surplus made at our next function in January 2018, a social event to be held at the College entitled ‘Fiesta Mexicana’. All events are organised and run by the dozen or so parent members of the Friends Committee to whom much credit is due for the hard work and commitment involved.