Ellesmere SPRING TERM 2012 news Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012

Ellesmere Students at Westminster Abbey

he College Choir and Orchestra had an for the rehearsal at 10am. The combined Senior Choir for outstanding Autumn Term performing at the the service consisted of nearly 200 singers from various usual annual events such as the Autumn Concert Woodard schools. They led the congregation in the Tand the Carol Services. However, in November the Music hymns and psalms and sang Parry’s famous anthem Scholars enjoyed a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience of being ‘I was glad’, which was sung at the Queen’s Coronation invited to travel down to London to sing at Westminster and the recent Royal Wedding. Abbey. This was for a special service to celebrate the life Lower School Choir members (also pictured on the front of Nathanial Woodard, the founder of all the Woodard cover) gave a confident performance of ‘Arise and Shine Schools like Ellesmere. Forth’ by Sally DeFord as an introit. It was an amazing Thirty-nine pupils attended from College, with an early musical experience for everyone involved. start of 5am to ensure they arrived at the Abbey in time

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Choir Members with Director of Music, Mr Roger Paul (left) and Head Master, Mr Brendan Wignall (right)

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In November a group of students from Year 11 and the Sixth Form took part in an international Model United Nations conference, this time in the beautiful city of Leiden in The Netherlands. We asked them to give us a flavour of the experience:

The view from the Press Room – by Alice Tow of Year 11

While the other Ellesmere College pupils participated as but also reported on the fun side of the weekend, such as delegates in various Committees at this year’s LEMUN 2011 the costume contest and the search for the LEMUN (lemon) in Leiden, I served as Press Officer instead, and may I say in the school. I loved the experience! Walking into a room full of unfamiliar Dutch-speaking The amazing press team at the Stedelijk Gymnasium students on my first morning was scary. But after two hours compiled, edited and printed off four newspapers known of writing my first article, I felt I had made friends. I soon as ‘Limes’ in the space of just three days. Everyone worked learned that there isn’t much time for the press team to to the best of their abilities and we also had great fun and produce each article. We usually had around two and a half a fair few lollipops, as the pictures prove. hours to write an article, and sometimes only two. The press team was responsible for writing about issues My three days as part of the press team definitely gave relevant to the MUN delegates. It featured interviews with me lots of experience as well as a true taste of journalism, the different committees and reports on the conference, which is what I hoped for in the first place.

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The view from the Committees – by Vicky Schaeff and Anne Bartels in the Upper Sixth

After several months of researching issues of global The day was not quite over, though, as the communal dinner importance such as nanotechnology and the protection of at the guest house had to be prepared – rustling up a starter, minority populations, the 17th of November 2011 finally main course and dessert for 16 people tested our culinary arrived: time to depart for this year’s Model United Nations skills. There were not many volunteers for the washing up Conference in Leiden. afterwards, but everybody enjoyed eating and talking together. After travelling first to Manchester airport and then by train Then it was time to get ready for the LEMUN party, themed from Amsterdam to Leiden, we arrived at our destination in ‘Brave New World’. Many different costumes were produced the early evening. Wes and Jan, our Dutch hosts, were on hand and Charlie Chaplin attended the party, too! to welcome us to their guesthouse and we immediately settled in. It was not long until our group of fourteen pupils and two teachers had completely taken over the whole guest house. Friday morning started with a historical tour of Leiden organised by the students from the Dutch Stedelijk Grammar School. Oisin, our guide, showed us several historic buildings, the many canals running through the town and the world- renowned University. He was happy to answer lots of questions, too. Upon return to the Stedelijk, it was time to collect our badges and attend the opening ceremonies. Then we met in our various committees for the first time. We acted as representatives for South Korea for the Human Rights Council and The General Assembly for Disarmament and National Security. We shared resolutions with delegates from many European countries Our final day was Sunday. Time to conclude the debates, swap and the US who in turn represented countries as diverse as e-mail addresses with new friends from all over the world and Malaysia, China, Cameroon and Gabon. Having successfully set off for Amsterdam’s airport. Fog delayed our evening flight passed several resolutions, these were sent to the approval to the UK but the resulting tiredness was nothing compared to panel for debate on the following day. the enormous benefits of the trip: numerous new friends from Saturday was by far the longest day, as the various committees all over the world, an improved confidence in public speaking, were in session from 9am to 6pm. An international atmosphere a heightened awareness of urgent global issues and a first pervaded everything. It was good to have an input into the taste of the Dutch language. We thoroughly enjoyed the MUN resolutions. Various delegates were asked to speak to the conference and would strongly encourage all Sixth Formers to whole committee, including both of us. A scary experience participate in future conferences if they are offered the chance at first, but one which you quickly become used to! as it’s an unforgettable experience.

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Roger Fisher brings the mighty Schulze to life

n November, Big School once again reverberated It was rescued and brought to its new home at to the voice of the historic Schulze Organ, the College after St Mary’s was made redundant in this time brought to life by the sure touch of 1981, and is in the care of the St Mary’s Tyne Dock international concert organist Roger Fisher. Schulze Organ Trust, who are currently raising I money to pay for a much needed scheme of repair Formerly Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chester Cathedral for twenty-nine years, Roger and cleaning. joined with the College’s Music Scholars’ Ensemble As well as being played by pupils and sounding out to inaugurate a series of concerts in aid of the the music of ‘Jerusalem’ for every Sixth Former’s Schulze Organ Appeal Fund. last moments in school at the annual Ball, the Schulze Organ is regularly visited and played by The Organ, which began its life in St Mary’s Church, organ enthusiasts from around the world, and Tyne Dock, South Shields, is one of only a handful will be the focus of further fundraising concerts of instruments remaining in this country which this year. are the work of the great German organ builder, If you would like to know more about the Schulze, Schulze, whose instruments became notable after or how you can contribute to the appeal, go to he exhibited in the Great Exhibition of 1851. www.schulzeorgan.co.uk Schulze Organ

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CCF Army Autumn Expedition

Ready to go with webbing, weapons and kit, the coaches With slick obstacle crossings and squeezing under hedge lines delivered us at Nesscliffe for another three days of little sleep where there were no crossings, our close target reconnaissance between late night patrols, platoon attacks, ambushes and lots missions found us within hearing range of the enemy’s briefing “of running and crawling around covered in cam cream. for later section attacks, but attempts at circling the area found Along field boundaries and across obstacles, patrolling gave all four of us diving over a fence to avoid being seen by passing us a chance to familiarise ourselves with the training area’s vehicles, climbing over swampy riverbanks to remain unseen, network of fields. After arriving at the bunker where we were and getting right up against the walls of the bunker where the to sleep for the next two nights, we were given radios before enemy were all gathered together. setting off on reconnaissance patrols to gather information That evening we were given the opportunity to be section on ‘terrorist activities’. commanders for the first time and lead the evening exercise – Co-ordinated as a platoon, one section would provide a a nerve-wracking experience that made me appreciate my running commentary of the enemy’s activities and give the section’s scout’s acute sense of direction! My section tried word go, when the other two would push forward from two approaching our target from three different directions, only to angles, arrest and disarm the terrorist groups. When the last run up against stationary sentries surrounding it in all directions enemy decided not to co-operate we had a chance to use and so we returned to the rendezvous to hear the heroic story of up the rest of our ammo in a final push to arrest, disarm and two of the third section section being separated and holding an clear the area. Still awake from the excitement, we patrolled officer at gunpoint to help them capture the ammunition stash. back to the bunker in the early hours of the morning where On the final day we played enemy to another platoon, and our sleeping bags waited. were supplied with endless rounds to make a lot of noise and The next morning found us playing hide and seek army-style, chaos. With no planned movement we slowly retreated back an exercise that made us approach the look out point as to the bunker where, firing off the last of our round, there were closely as possible in 30 minutes and made us creep and numerous epic deaths from our entire platoon. crawl slowly through the forest trying to remain undetected; After many ‘well dones’ and ‘thank yous’ (not forgetting the more of a challenge for some than others. chocolates from Sister Blister) we patrolled back to the coaches from the best CCF expeditions to date. Emily Palmer, Year 11 ” Page 07 Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012 Autumn

Thein Autumn Termthe was an incredibly Theatre busy one for Drama at Ellesmere and, as usual, appreciative audiences of pupils, staff, parents and the local community were able to enjoy a rich diet of performances ranging from the emotional and provocative to the downright hilarious. Here is a lightening tour through some of the term’s highlights:

Senior House Plays This year’s Festival had no discernable theme, other than enthusiastic casts from each of the Competitive Houses throwing themselves into some challenging plays and pulling off some sterling performances. Wakeman-Lambart’s ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ by Tom Stoppard produced some of the best physical comedy of the two evenings, particularly from Vicky von Hoven as Mrs Drudge and Rory Maclean as Magnus, whereas Meynell’s ‘Abigail’s Party’ by Mike Leigh was a delightful period piece of verbal wit and frustrated middle class ambition. On the second evening Talbot’s ‘Ruckus in the Garden’ by David Farr gave a strong ensemble performance and revealed the previously unsuspected thespian talents of Mike Finnemore and Leroy Tonge as the arboreal ‘Fairies’. Finally Woodard’s moving production of ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ by Dennis Potter left the audience in a more reflective mood, and brought to a fitting conclusion what many agreed had been an outstanding House Play Festival.

The Importance of Being Earnest On Friday November 4th New Century Theatre Company presented their version of the much loved comedy of manners ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ in the Arts Centre. Penned by Oscar Wilde more than a century ago, this farcical tale of handbags, train stations, ‘Bunburying’ and blueberry muffins still enchants the audiences of today every time it is performed. New Century Theatre’s performance, which used minimalistic props and set, was full of fun and had the audience chuckling and laughing from almost as soon as it had begun until the curtain came down. Page 08 Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012

Lower School House Plays The Lower School House Plays began a new tradition this year, and each House was given a pantomime which could represent their house colour in some way. For example, Philips (green) Aladdin – the genie was the inspiration here, Heywood (yellow) made Cinderella’s magical transformation the hook and finally Brownlow (red), perhaps the hardest colour to match to a pantomime, ended up going for the Brothers’ Grimm tale of Rose Red and Snow White. All of the children involved in all three pantomimes worked hard Autumn to develop their performances throughout the term’s Survive and Thrive sessions. When the fateful day arrived for the performance to be judged each House definitely performed their very best and stand-out performances could be seen from all Houses. However there could only be one winner, and Heywood’s superior wit, timing and stellar cast pulled off a pantomime which won them the honour of performing again to a rapt in the Theatre audience at the Staff children’s Christmas Party. Reminiscence Theatre Towards the end of last term the A2 Theatre Studies group worked on a devised Reminiscence Theatre piece which they performed in the Arts Centre to the Ellemere Age UK group. The students conducted several interviews with Age UK members at their weekly meetings in the Town Hall, where the group recalled family memories and experiences to provide material for a piece of drama. Slowly but surely a plot line surrounding the friendship of two girls took shape. This was further structured by research by the students of both the local area and the periods of time the pensioners referred to in their interviews. The Sixth Formers were inspired in their ideas from live theatre they had watched over the course of the term and several last minute changes were made after a very helpful ‘dry run’ for the school a few days before the performance. The piece went down extremely well with the Age UK members who afterwards had a sing song of the tunes from bygone days and then a mince pie and cup of tea whilst they chatted to the students involved. The performance then went ‘on tour’ to the Boathouse Restaurant down by the Mere so that more local people could enjoy it. Well done to Upper Sixth students Sarah Richardson and Rebekah Dale for all their hard work and also to new Director of Drama, Mrs Pippa Bell. Thank you also to our new Theatre Manager and Technician, Mr Stuart Lord, who created some wonderful lighting and soundscapes for the performances.

GCSE Devised Performances At the very end of a long term, and proving that Ellesmere students certainly do have stamina, the Year 11 Drama classes staged their own devised work in a series of performances which entertained and impressed those who saw them with both the quality of drama skills and the depth of thought which had gone into them. Ranging from Brechtian interpretations of last summer’s London riots, to physical theatre exploration of the psychology of serial killers, there was both entertainment and food for thought, and a timely reminder of how much young people have to contribute to important debates in society. Page 09 Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012

House Mother, Liz Embrey (left), with House Mistress, Jan Purcell (right). EXTENDING

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ast summer saw St Oswald’s Sixth Form Mrs Jan Purcell and House Mother, Mrs Liz Girls’ House taken over by builders who Embrey, it was clear to see how much the worked tirelessly through holidays to students appreciate both the practical facilities extend the existing facilities and create and the warm family ethos of St Oswald’s. L As Jan commented: ‘We like to think of ourselves some fabulous new ones. Girls returning to Ellesmere in September were thrilled to find an as a big multicultural family where all fourteen additional seventeen new en-suite single study nationalities live happily together, and we are bedrooms, as well as a beautiful new kitchen and especially pleased with our new kitchen, which conservatory dining area to add to St Oswald’s has made it possible for some very adventurous cooking and entertaining to take place. traditionally warm and friendly atmosphere. From small-scale dining to our Christmas tapas St Oswald’s is currently home to 65 girls, evening, this superb facility has added a of whom 56 are boarders, with many local welcome dimension to life here. students opting to board to make the most of St Oswald’s life is a busy one, and throughout opportunities here and to maximise their study the day the huge common room is a bustle of time at a crucial period of their school life. activity, but some of the most pleasant times are Touring the House at the end of the Autumn evenings and weekends when the atmosphere Term in the company of House Mistress, is relaxed but full of fun.’

ST OSWALD’S HOUSE

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Parents’ Society Christmas Ball 2011 Parents’ Society News new Chairperson has been elected Academies saw a number of new parents annual Parents’ Society KS2 Christmas to the parents’ committee that being introduced to the role of the Party. This year had a Harry Potter theme, supports social functions at the Parents’ Society and volunteers being which was a huge success, with pupils ASchool. After a busy and successful year, recruited to boost the School’s weekly having a most exciting time as they former Chairperson, Sena Parry, has flower-arranging rota. travelled to Hogwarts and eagerly relinquished the reigns of the Parents’ Then, at the beginning of December, anticipated a visit by Father Christmas. Society Committee to Helen Ainge. thirty parents enjoyed three creative The end of Michaelmas Term concluded Under Helen’s leadership the new workshops and made an array of beautiful with the annual Parents’ Society Ball, Executive Committee laid on an excellent Christmas decorations at a Creative Day. which attracted 200 guests. With a programme of events last term which gave This finished with the lighting of the traditional theme to the evening, much parents the opportunity to support the Christmas Tree and refreshments being care and time was invested in the decoration College as well as to get to know each served during a Christmas market in the for the Dining Hall and surrounding area other better. At the end of September Arts Centre which was enjoyed by many and guests were wowed by the traditional an afternoon of champagne tasting Lower School pupils and their families. festive atmosphere that was so successfully and presentations about the School’s One of the term’s highlights is always the created around the School.

Old Ellesmerians College Weekend

Tables are being booked and dorms are being requested for the Big College Weekend 20-22 April 2012. To reserve your place, at what promises to be the largest gathering of OEs and their partners since the Centenary Celebrations, fill in the enclosed registration form or contact the Development Office. We guarantee some superb music and great food within the fabulous setting of Big School. You will be entertained all weekend with the Golf Master Class, Archery and Clay Shooting, with the Champagne Reception and a Black Tie Gala Dinner with a guest speaker, with a Lecture and Wine Tasting through to the Sunday Morning Eucharist and our guest preacher, and lots of opportunities to chat and catch up with old friends. Spaces are limited so book now on 01691 626541 or e-mail [email protected] Page 12 Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012 Congratulations to Becky Orr

talented young historian at Ellesmere College has reached the finals of a national History competition. Rebecca Orr, who lives in Ellesmere and is a former Apupil of Lakelands School, joined the Sixth Form to study the International Baccalaureate. She took part in the National Debating Competition, organised by the Historical Association, on the topic ‘Why History matters to you’. Louise Paton, Head of History, explained, ‘Becky talked about the Brixton Riots of 1981 and was commended for her Parents’ Society News intelligent and well researched speech and consequently won the regional heat’. Rebecca now goes through to the National Finals which are to be held in Merton College Oxford in March this year.

Maths Beyond the Classroom

aths enrichment has taken a variety of forms this year, with able students being given the opportunity to challenge and stretch themselves in a variety of ways. MYear 11 students from Set 1 have volunteered to study an extended GCSE in Maths called the Free standing Maths Qualification. It takes some of the topics beyond GCSE A★ standard and introduces the topic of calculus. In Lower School pupils were involved in a Code Breaking LEFT to RIGHT are: Chelsea Watson, Elinor Haworth, Event, sponsored by Southampton University. Able Mrs Susan Bogue, Luke Parker and Andrew Nehlans mathematicians Chelsea Watson, Andrew Nelhans, Ben Palmer, Luke Parker and Elinor Haworth were given During the Autumn Term four lucky Year 8 and 9 a written message to decode and various techniques students were specially selected to participate in were explained to them to enable them to crack it. fortnightly Maths Masterclasses at Liverpool University: The hidden message told them the story of Alan Turing James Bateman, Sebastian McCarthy, Georgina and the wartime decoders at Bletchley Park. Mrs Elaine Freer-Carmichael and Jake Thomas. Philips also runs a regular Maths Club where Lower Finally, students across the School are busy preparing School pupils can stretch their computational and for this year’s UK Maths Challenge competition problem solving skills in a fun way. with weekly workouts on challenge questions.

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Hockey Highlights

The College first XI had a particularly At representative level, county trials are good season, especially in tournaments. still in progress, but Jess Martin-Jones and HOCKEY COLOURS They were runners up in the Wrekin 7’s Tilly Walker in Year 9 have been successful Senior Full - No Senior Full competition and then winners of the in being selected for the U14 Shropshire Senior Half - Kate Norman, Marina Sieber Shropshire County Tournament, where County Squad. Junior Full - Rebecca Neary they beat Wrekin College 3-2 in the final, The term ended with an exciting Senior Junior Half - Molly Broster, Sam Williams and went on to represent Shropshire in the House Hockey event, which went to a Midlands Zonal Tournament at Oakham dramatic penalty flick competition which School. The Under 14s also won the was eventually won by Talbot. Winners of County Tournament in convincing fashion the Junior House Hockey were Wakeman- and also represented Shropshire in the AWARDS Lambart. However, all College hockey Midlands Zonal Tournament, where they players are very much looking forward to Best Player - Ellie Halstead finished third. The Under 12s XI have had the installation of the new Astro Turf this Most Improved - Sam Williams an unbeaten season in fixtures and were year, which will certainly usher in a new Players’ Player - Ellie Halstead runners up in the North Shropshire U13 7s era for the game at Ellesmere. Tournament.

World Champion Returns in Triumph

om Rylands, Ellesmere’s Senior Minister for Sport and the Olympics, stated, Shooting Academy Coach, returned ‘Results such as this are not only great news recently from Australia as part of the for the team but also reflect enormously well victorious Great Britain Rifle Team on sport in general – particularly in the build Twhich retained the World Long Range Rifle up to a home Olympics’. Championship in Brisbane. Target Rifle shooting is one of the oldest Tom explained, ‘The Championships, called recognised sports, the UK national body being the Palma Trophy, represents the culmination formed in 1859 and the first Queen’s prize of nearly two years of practice and training held in 1860. The Palma Trophy (originally and the British team set several records on the the Creedmoor Match) was first competed way, including achieving a third successive for in 1876 and is now held every four years. Palma victory. It is always an honour to Ellesmere College Shooting Academy provides represent one’s country in your chosen an opportunity for aspiring elite athletes sport, particularly in a sport which is open to train and develop their abilities towards to all ages at the highest levels’. In a letter of gaining representative honours and congratulation to Tom, Hugh Robertson MP, ultimately a potential Olympic place.

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Year 11 pupils, George Beal from Sandbach, Ali Miller from Tarporley and James Slater from Malpas were recently selected to play for the Cheshire Under 16 Squad.

Rugby Roundup

Scott Leckie in against Bromsgrove.

ast term saw some tremendous rugby played with The College U16 side finished first in the league tables in the nearly 100 fixtures and many boys going forward to Midlands at the end of their season and tenth in the country. representative rugby at County, North Midlands and The U13’s finished their season in style by beating Packwood above. Colin Dickson has been selected in the final in a close game and the U15 A had a fantastic run in the Lgroup of Midlands players so will trial for England again next Daily Mail Cup and were very unlucky to lose to Bromsgrove term. Adam King is still involved with the Irish U18 side and 0-7 in the Midlands semi-final. They did, however, finish is hoping for a start and Ted Parker has been selected in the third in the Midlands League table. final trial group for the Midlands U16’s. Page 15 Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012

Ellesmere Connect OE Geoffrey Ellis inspiring today’s students

Ellesmere Connect is the new online community for Old Ellesmerians, Parents, Upper Sixth Students, Staff and Friends of the College. As a member of the Ellesmere College Community, you now have access to our private Online Community which allows you to:

■ stay in touch with friends from College and search for those that you have lost touch with ■ hear about upcoming dinners, reunions and events – book and pay online ■ keep up-to-date with important information via our newsletters and news alerts ■ post and share your news and photos with the Ellesmere community ■ participate in various competitions with great prizes up for grabs ■ add your company details to our Business Directory and attend professional networking events ■ offer mentoring to our students or receive professional mentoring yourself Simply go to www.ellesmereconnect.com enter your email address, create a password and you’ll be up and running. We really look forward to hearing from you and sharing your latest news with our community. If you have any problems logging on or have any queries, contact the Development Office on01691 626541 or email [email protected]

We hope you enjoy the Ellesmere Connect experience! Only those details that you choose will be visible to other members of the Ellesmere Community and none of them can be seen by the general public.

Old Ellesmerians CITY DRINKS The second informal gathering of London based OEs and current parents who work or live in the City will be held at The Antelope, Eaton Terrace, close to Sloane Square Tube Station, at 6.30pm on Thursday 9th February 2012. Our special guests on the evening will be Terry Howitt-Dring and his wife Andrea. Terry taught at the College for 40 years from 1970, only retiring in 2010 and is credited with starting the Design and Technology Department at Ellesmere. Many will remember his passion for building and restoring old cars and even trying to float one or two on the Mere. Terry will no doubt have many amusing stories to tell us over a beer or two. Our other guest will be Malcolm Howe, who was Head of Chemistry from 1962 to 1969 and was Ian Beer’s first appointment. Let us know if you are able to make it, so that we can help the pub with catering – call Doris Taylor on 01691 626541 or e-mail: [email protected] Page 16 The next date for your diary at The Antelope is Thursday, 17th May. Ellesmere College Newsletter - SPRING TERM 2012 The Science of Success A Sixth Form lecture by The Times journalist, Matthew Syed Wednesday 29th February 2012 at 7.00pm

Matthew graduated from Oxford University in 1995 with Matthew was one of the a prize-winning first class degree in philosophy, politics co-founders of TTK Greenhouse, and economics. a charity which “empowers His first book ‘Bounce’, published in April 2010, has been youngsters through sport” described as “one of the most intelligent and thought-provoking and which currently supports books about sport ever written”. Matthew is currently a columnist more than 10,000 young and feature writer for The Times. He has won numerous prizes people on 31 full-time for his writing including Sports Journalist of the Year and Sports school programmes. Feature Writer of the Year. Sixth Form students are encouraged to prepare questions for Before becoming a writer Matthew was the England table tennis Matthew who will answer them whilst giving a red hot table number one for almost a decade and three-times Commonwealth tennis demonstration. Champion. In addition to writing, Matthew also commentates on This event is open to staff, parents, Old Ellesmerians and to sport for the BBC and Eurosport. His film for the BBC, China and the members of the Ellesmere community. To book your Table Tennis, won a bronze medal at the Olympic Golden Rings tickets please contact Doris Taylor on 01691 626541 or ceremony in Lausanne. e-mail [email protected]

From Ellesmere to Outer Space How do you get from selling vinyl LPs to fellow students at Ellesmere in the early 70’s to being a leading exponent of the emerging private space industry? Ask Richard Godwin, Old Ellesmerian, who visited us in December to chat to the Sixth Form. Captivated by his inspirational presentation, students surrounded Richard at the end of his talk, so much so that Marietta, Richard’s wife had to eventually drag him away to get something to eat. Since he was seven years old, Richard has been a space enthusiast. He used to organize trips from school to Jodrell Bank and started the School’s first Astronomy Club. He has served as a Director of the US based Space Frontier Foundation and has also been a Board member of National Space Society from 2003 to 2010. He would have loved to have been an astronaut but says he was ‘born in the wrong country’. A serial entrepreneur, he opened a small chain of restaurants in 1979, and then bought a country hotel. After a profitable sale, he started a Restaurant Design and Supply Company in London, which grew to become an international trading company, eventually shipping commodities around the world. Remembering his Ellesmere days and realising that the trading of CDs was very lucrative, Richard set up a company in the US and by 1995 this was the largest importer of CDs in the States with a turnover in excess of $30M. He also founded the Griffin Record label and CG Publishing (with his brother Robert, also an OE) which is known worldwide as THE space book company. At the end of the evening, Richard commented: ‘What a great group of students! It makes me think that there’s hope for us all yet. I’ll be in contact ASAP about the satellite idea, see if we can get that one off the ground both metaphorically and literally.’ …More on that later!

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Ellesmere Art Exhibition 6th to 10th 2012

Eva Dutton

In June 2012 College will launch Ellesmerian, Martin Aitchison, its inaugural Ellesmere Art as guest of honour and exhibiting Exhibition and Sale of Works. with us. Martin attended the All the artists and sculptors College in 1935. After training exhibiting are full time at the Birmingham School of Art professionals, and many are and a short spell at the Slade, members of, or exhibitors at, Martin exhibited at the Royal the Royal Cambrian Academy Academy and then joined Vickers of Arts. We will feature the works Armstrong as a technical artist. of David Lloyd Griffiths RCA and Here he was recruited by Barnes Sally Matthews RCA as well as Wallis who needed a ‘good many other nationally known illustrator’ to work with him artists and sculptors. on the development of the We are delighted to have an Old Bouncing Bomb, as epitomised

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Ellesmere Art Exhibition 6th to 10th June 2012

Barbara Goolden

in the 1955 film The Dam We look forward to seeing you If you would like to be the Busters. In 1952 he joined at The Ellesmere Art Exhibition Headline Sponsor of this event, another boyhood classic, the during this exciting four day or sponsor of one of the evenings comic, where he drew the event. We have invited a wide with refreshments, wine and ‘Luck of the Legion’ stories each range of nationally renowned canapés, inviting and entertaining week. In 1963 he joined Ladybird artists to give you a wide and your own guests and displaying books, illustrating more than 70 varied selection of paintings and your company literature in Big editions, which sold worldwide. sculptures to experience and to School, please contact the Development Office to discuss Our patron is The Lord Lieutenant purchase. The exhibition will be further details. of Shropshire, Mr Algernon open to the public, parents, staff Heber-Percy, who will host the and friends and the aim is to Phone 01691 626541 or email headline sponsors’ champagne raise the profile of the Arts within [email protected] reception on Friday, 8 June 2012. the College and the region.

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Congratulations to everyone who supported the Christmas Bazaar which raised nearly £500 for the College’s conservation and development projects in Monduli Green, Tanzania.