1 ABOVE - 1957 Entry Reunion Adrienne McCormick (Chalkley), Jacquie Enk (West), Gillian Baines (Winter), Pamela Hu- lett (Sims), Dave Durston (late Gay Perkins` husband), Julie Jenkinson (Terrill), Nick Ho- ten, Sue Crane (Symes), Carolyn Morton (Belsey), Graham Morton, Dave Scott, John Gibson, Sandra Gibson (Ross), Roger Vernon. Also present but not in the picture was Pat Dibben (Heard). Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
NEWS FROM BISHOPSHALT
The December stage production of "Cabaret" was an outstanding success. The challenging subject was covered extremely well, and the acting and dancing were of a very high standard. Everyone involved deserves congratulations.
Tony Austin of NODA’s Show Report began: “After twenty years of attending the BODS pre-Christmas musicals at Bishopshalt and admiring the very special expertise put into each production by Staff and Pupils, there came something even more special on the Friday evening which I attended as your Reviewer together with the Head of NODA London keen to see what I have been raving about in my reports ……”
JACQUELINE KIRKPATRICK (1991-1998), who joined the staff as an RE teacher in 2003, left in December to take up a post at Holmer Green Senior School in Bucks.
In March a local resident came to the School reception desk with a copy of the 1932 long photograph. He had seen it in a used furniture store in Cowley, and bought it for the school. He has been recompensed for his generous gesture. KRP
Young Chef 2016 In January, two students competed in the prestigious annual “Hillingdon Young Chef of the Year” competition at the Harefield Academy. Second place overall was awarded to a Year Nine Student.
Adoptabot Competition - Brunel University Since October, students have been taking part in the International Adoptabot Competition. The final took place in March at the University. They were up against seven other school teams from Romania, Nigeria, Surrey, Ascot and local rivals Uxbridge High. Congratulations to the students, they were awarded ‘Overall Winners’.
In January, four high ability students from Year 7 were chosen to take part in an enterprise event at Brunel University. The event involved 15 teams from secondary schools across Hillingdon; the aim was to create a unique business idea and construct mini-vans to sell. At the end of the day each team had to develop a presentation of their business idea and share how much profit they had made overall. The Bishopshalt team aptly named 'Fidelis' came up with the concept of a mobile gym and named their business 'Gymtastic!'
Youth Travel Ambassador Project A group of students from Years Seven, Eight and Nine have been taking part in a joint initiative with Transport for London and the London Borough of Hillingdon to come up with ideas to promote safer travel amongst pupils. In March they attended the Civic Centre to pitch their ideas, Dragon’s Den style, to a panel of judges from Transport for London, London Borough of Hillingdon and the Metropolitan Police Service. They successfully won
Page 1 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016 their bid for £3,250 to organise a walking challenge, bike activities day and primary school workshops and assemblies for Year Six pupils joining Bishopshalt in September 2016.
Girls’ Rugby League is flourishing at Bishopshalt. The Year Seven team won their regional finals and now progress to the National Finals in May.
RAF Platinum Partner The school were delighted to receive an award from the Royal Air Force in recognition of the number of former students who have gone on to university and subsequently joined the RAF.
NEWS OF FORMER MEMBERS OF STAFF
Miss M. L. Hosking has been very unwell of late, and has now entered a care home near her nephew in Grange-over-Sands.
Mr. R. Denial, deputy head from 2003 to 2014, has been appointed head of the Chalfonts Community College.
MEET THE COMMITTEE
Those of you who have attended AGMs and reunions will have met us but for those who haven't, and indeed those who have but wish to know more about us, this is intended to enlighten you...
JANICE PLUMMER (CHAIRMAN)
I left Bishopshalt in 1975 and spent a year at Uxbridge Technical College. I worked as a PA for various companies until leaving to have my son. After maternity leave, I joined the office staff of a local primary school and have been there ever since. My husband and I live in Enfield, North London with our two dogs. Our leisure time is very much dominated by Southgate Hockey Club, where our son plays, my husband umpires and I manage one of the ladies’ teams. I have been on the Committee for over thirty years and Chair for seventeen years.
SAM JEPHCOTE (SECRETARY)
After leaving Bishopshalt in 1991 I went to University and achieved a BA (Hons) in Art & Design, became a professional film extra and stroked a seven month old tiger cub called Indigo. Having emerged unscathed I now work as a Project Coordinator for TMEIC Europe Limited, paint and live happily with my two cats.
KEN PEARCE (ARCHIVIST)
I was at Bishopshalt from 1942-1949. After university, and National Service in the RAF, I taught Mathematics for four years at Spring Grove GS in Isleworth. In 1959 I was the only applicant for a Maths teacher at Bishopshalt, and later took over the
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RE department. I retired in 1991, but have retained my links with the school. (I still have a pigeonhole in the staff room.) I have been chairman of the Uxbridge Local History Society since 1970, and have compiled seven books of old photographs of the district since retirement. In 1992 I was awarded an honorary Master's degree by Brunel University for services to local history. I am also a church organist, but with no permanent position, and an occasional lay preacher. I am married to the former PE teacher, Pamela East, and we celebrated our golden wedding last year. Our three daughters Judith, Gillian and Rebecca are all former Bishopshalt pupils.
PETER BUCKLAND (TREASURER) I was at Bishopshalt from 1960-1967. My working life - after trying forecourt attendant, court clerk's assistant, and town planning trainee was mainly 22 years in branch banking. In the bank I covered various roles from cashier to lending, marketing and debt recovery (not my loans, I hope), and worked in many different types of branches including Windsor, Cranford, Shepperton and West Drayton. I took redundancy in my early 40s.This was followed by about 15 years bookkeeping in a local employment agency. Now I do a little piano teaching, as well as this and another Treasurer position in the Local History Group. I have been Honorary Treasurer since 1999. I have not moved very far from Hillingdon and now live in Cowley with Juliet, the newsletter editor.
JULIET HUMPHREYS (NEWSLETTER EDITOR)
I grew up not that far from Hillingdon but until I met Peter Buckland I had never heard of Bishopshalt (brace yourselves: there are people for whom this is true). After an extended summer job in banking, I studied for a degree with the Open University, followed by a PGCE at Oxford. After training as a secondary English teacher I now work with special needs. In my spare time I write and I have recently started learning the violin. PETE UNDERWOOD (DEPUTY CHAIRMAN)
I joined Bishopshalt from Whitehall School in 1948 and travelled to school by bike and sometimes by trolleybus. I ended up in the Science Sixth – Physics, Chemistry, Pure and Applied Maths. I was very much involved in Cranmer and the school teams at all levels in football, cricket, athletics and swimming and sometimes cricket for Old Uxonians too. After Bishopshalt I studied Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University. In 1958 I took a Graduate Apprenticeship at Metrovicks in Manchester. After the first of 3 years in Manchester, Sally Hill and I were married at Hillingdon Church. I spent a year designing ship steam turbines before moving back to Hillingdon for a job in London with an Oil Refinery and Chemical Plant Contractor. Back home I played for the Old Uxonians cricket and football clubs. I captained one of the six teams and helped to run the clubhouse. In my job I was an Engineering Manager. I was office-based but did get to many parts of the world for short visits.
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Since retirement I have been a Governor of Bishopshalt for 16 years and am involved with the local University of the Third Age (U3A). I enjoy visits to places around London as well as National Trust and English Heritage properties.
BETTY SMITH
Betty lives in Chalfont St. Giles. Her two children, Mac (Malcolm) and Liz, both attended Bishopshalt.
As you can see there aren't many of us and any offers of help, however small, would be much appreciated!
CENTENARIAN
Congratulations to BASIL PLAYLE, who celebrated his 100th birthday on 6th December. When Basil became a pupil, our School was in the Greenway and was called Uxbridge County School. By the time he left in 1933, it was Bishopshalt School in Hillingdon village.
DIAMOND WEDDINGS
11th February DAVID KEEN & BETTY COCHRANE
30th March PHILIP SHERWOOD & MAUREEN HEANEY
OLD UXONIANS IN PRINT
A new book has appeared entitled ‘A Man for All Seasons’written by BRIAN OWEN (1955-1960). It is subtitled ‘A Six Decade Football Odyssey’ and is published by Apex Publishing.
Brian left school to join Watford FC, and remained at Vicarage Road from 1961 to 1970, firstly in the youth side, and then the first team. His playing career continued with Colchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since then he has travelled the country as coach, scout and physiotherapist, and in the latter capacity was for a time with the England team.
NEWS OF OLD UXONIANS
STEPHEN ASHBY (1966-73) My brother, Steve Ashby, has been appointed O.B.E. In the New Year’s Honours list, for services to protecting plant health. Frances Douglass
Pam and KEN PEARCE celebrated their golden wedding last year with a rail tour of Page 4 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
Central Italy. One of the highlights of their stay in Florence was a visit from ANN Micheli (PITT 1957-63) who came over from Livorno to spend a day with them.
In April, actress CARLA MENDONÇA (1973-1980) was on stage at the Nottingham Playhouse in Michael Frayn's backstage farce "Noises Off". She was playing the part of Dotty Otley. In May the production transfers to Newcastle, and in June will be at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. In February, Carla married the actor and writer Clive Mantle.
1974 / 1975: DETENTIONS
Here are some more of the interesting ways of getting a detention. Taken from Detention Book 1963 - 2008 - "To be returned to Room 57" ….
1974
· For turning in the most appalling piece of work I have yet seen. · After one warning for foolish behaviour in class followed by misuse of bucket of water belonging to gardeners. · Meeting friend [17 year old boy] on school premises. [3 alpha girl] · Ungentlemanly conduct. · Behaving like a monkey in the Boys' Changing Room [standing on benches - shaking clothing stands violently and screeching idiotic noises]. · Interfering with school bell system. · Exploiting ear inspection situation and missing French lesson. · Banging on glass partition outside Room 52 while class was in progress.
1975
· Taking away and wearing other people's property · Truancy for varying periods…and forgery. · Acrobatics on bus coming to school. · Smoking in toilets. · Running over cricket square. · Disgraceful behaviour in littering West Hut with grass from the field. · Interfering with the gas taps in the E.C.L. and causing temporary stoppage of gas. · Throwing a yoghurt into quad. · Throwing ink and not doing punishment essay. · Theft of a pupil's lunch. · Unseemly behaviour with a member of the opposite sex.
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· After warning throwing sticks into trees dangerously to get conkers. · Refusing to turn out during school hours for the U.14 rugby team. · Going out of school at lunch-time without permission, on borrowed bicycles and riding carelessly. · Taking a short cut past the graveyard after being told not to. · Disgraceful behaviour in relation to Abbotsfield’s "visitation" on November 26th.
PETER BUCKLAND
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER – 75ish YEARS ON
JANICE Plummer (HOWELL) writes: Following on from John Payne’s article in the Autumn Newsletter: ‘Father and Son – 75 Years On’, I have been nominated to write this. As Mum and I both attended Bishopshalt – Mum joining in 1941 and me in 1969, I guess that makes me wholly qualified to do so!
My mum, JUNE LUBBOCK, spent her primary years living in the East End of London, near the docks. When the Luftwaffe decided to make nightly house calls, her family moved out to Cherry Grove in Hillingdon, and she joined Bishopshalt in 1941. Her memories are considerably different to mine – years of austerity and make do and mend, and the desperately sad time of losing her own mum. After school, she worked in the accounts departments of Thermavent and Rank Studios before leaving to start her family.
As the youngest of three children, my older sister and brother attended The Greenway and Abbotsfield respectively, and Mum was delighted when I somehow managed to secure a place at Bishopshalt! My years at the school were positive and happy, although I don’t think I did a huge amount of work. I particularly remember meeting up with my friends en route before cycling up ‘Dirty Dick’s Lane’ alongside the now Brunel University campus, our imaginations running wild! My last year was spent with Mr. Lipton in Sixth Commerce before a year at Uxbridge Technical College and then a career as a secretary / PA.
The overriding thing that Mum and I both have in common from our time at Bishopshalt is the life-long friendships that we made: friends where we both know that no matter what, those friends will always be there for us; friends in whom we are privileged and blessed. In Mum’s case, she is still in touch with Sylvia Cracknell, Brenda Dobson, Sophie Davy and Anne Nolan, as well as occasional lunches at the Red Lion with extended members of their year group. I regularly see Judith Pearce and Sue Purvey, and once a year get together with the girls from Sixth Commerce: Stephanie Edgeworth, Sheila Green, Lynn Howes and Nicolette Slade.
MEMORIES OF BISHOPSHALT
I was very pleased to read the article "Remembering Mr Church " in the Autumn
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2015 edition of the Newsletter. I too remember him very well; he was one of a (small!) number of teachers whose lessons I enjoyed to the extent that they inspired me, and I have continued throughout my life to enjoy the fact that I learned Latin, and remember enough to be able to translate the odd phrase (not much more than phrases, sadly) from time to time. I also remember all of the four fellow pupils whose names were appended to the article: Angela McKerral went to Exeter university at the same time as I did, and I also remember very clearly the names Jenny Russell, Kiwi (Jennifer nee Key), and Mavis Mason (May Youett ) - and would take this opportunity to send them my best regards. FRANK SMITH (1956-1963)
JOHN PRICE writes: I have meant to send you some schools boy’s memories but have failed. The latest issue prompts a number of thoughts:
· Bob Symes was great friend at school and afterwards. He attended last year’s year reunion and Jill and I had lunch with him in the summer in Sidmouth. Also Bob was playing the Trumpet in the Bishops Jazzmen Band picture that appeared in Issue No 99 – Spring 2010. · Parents - as I have mentioned previously my mother, her brother and Jill’s father were at the Uxbridge County School and I found out recently that the mother in law of one of my cousins, a daughter of my mother’s brother, was also there. Ken Pearce kindly looked up all their records which were interesting, particularly as they left. · Teachers - Joey Allen, Chips Capron, Bert Barrow and of course Aggie Black, Squibs and Wacker Davis who taught our parents and were still there when we arrived - must have been under 65 but we thought they were ancient!
FURTHER MEMORIES OF THE CLASS OF 1971
Stop Press: Change in Selection Policy and Tactics for England ODIs!
Summer 1971: Bishopshalt School in the County Cup Cricket Competition (unfortunately drawn away to one of the favourites). The school's selection policy was summed up by us only having ten players. Truly dispirited, we set off by car but somewhere on Royal Lane we espied Dave Talbot. Spirits soared: we might be able to turn out a full team after all. We pulled up and enquired whether or not he had his trainers. He replied in the affirmative and was immediately pulled into the car/kidnapped in order to turn out for the cricket team. Now Dave was a little nervous as it was to be his debut in any sporting team for the school. Muj's response when he arrived at Harrow County Boys' School was, "Good heavens, Talbot, what on earth are you doing here?" It was a fair question. Despite our bravado of having a full team we were fairly trounced....the Harrow press said: “outclassed”. NIGEL HEXT
Termly reports were sometimes disarmingly frank! My 2A Autumn Term report
Page 7 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016 included the following from Muj: "No ability, but very keen." Perfectly accurate but I kept trying, despite reducing him to tears of laughter at my attempts to throw a javelin. In my final report - 6A2 Summer Term - Muj acknowledged my efforts with an A grade and the comment: "What a great pleasure it has been having David as a student." It probably meant more than those subjects where I'd enjoyed some success.
Commencement Forms! Inevitably, some of us forgot to bring our commencement forms back at the start of the next term. In September 1965, Mr. Honan was less than impressed, so I thought I'd put it right by getting the 207 bus home at lunch- time. The flaw in the plan was that I forgot that both my parents were at work, so I couldn't get it signed anyway. I rushed back to school, without the form, only to arrive late to afternoon registration, simply making matters worse. "Is this the way things are going to be?" was Mr Honan's question. "No sir" was the only available answer.
We always looked forward to publication of the school magazine, The Mitre, but especially to Thirmeet, the less reverent school publication. Towards the end of the 1960s, one edition included a small folded red insert: Thoughts of Chairman Doc (this was the time of the Cultural Revolution in China and the little red book: Thoughts of Chairman Mao). Two 'thoughts' stick in the memory: • "Thank goodness it's Thursday." We all assumed that was something to do with golf • "Oh no!, not that orchestra again!" I may have paraphrased! DAVE TALBOT
School choir and school productions: many of us have very fond memories of being in the choir and appearing in productions. Rehearsals were Friday evenings and staged productions were at the end of the Autumn Term. We appeared in Trial by Jury, Yeoman of the Guard, Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Pirates of Penzance, when Judith Stoddart and Derek Bownds took the leading roles. We also sang part of Handel's Messiah and Britten's St. Nicholas. There was normally local press coverage, one of the best being in December 1969, following performances of part of The Messiah and Amahl and the Night Visitors: "My Astonishing Evening at Bishopshalt School" was the headline.
Remember those lessons when we just sat in the library and read anything off the shelf? Dave Talbot recommended that I try "1066 And All That". It was the first book I'd ever come across that made me laugh out loud. I was completely unaware, until nudged by Dave, that everyone had stopped reading and was staring at me, enjoying my enjoyment. And of course playing for the 1st XI football team with Nigel Hext, an England school boy, no less, as our captain, Keith Ludford playing alongside me at left back and two (almost) certainties:
Ÿ Nigel would not miss a penalty Ÿ If any of us could centre the ball into the goal area, either Keith Hammond or Dave Matthews would rise majestically into the air to head it home.
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I somehow managed to throw a stone through one of the small window panes of the Geography Room. I can't think for the life of me why I even picked up the stone, let alone throw it. The amazing thing was that Min let me off with a quick "humph" and a fine of the price of the repair (about 3/6d I think, which was a heck of a lot of money for me in those days!) DEREK BOWNDS
Thanks to Dave Talbot for coercing his schoolmates into giving us these insights to their life at Bishopshalt.
QUESTIONS
ANNETTE WADDINGHAM writes: I attended Sixth form from September 1976 to July 1978. I attended a reunion (class of 1978 ish) back in 2001-2003, I cannot remember exactly, (organised through Friends Reunited) and some photographs were taken. I am trying to trace these photos and have lost the link I had to find them online. It's a bit of a long shot, but I wondered if anyone could help me to find them. Thank you. Email: [email protected]
ANSWERS
My old school friend has passed on to me the Autumn 2015 newsletter (a rare treat!) and I would like to suggest a correction to the list of names for the people in the photos on page 9.
The people are titled 'the class of 1971' (which most of them were), but two are from the class of '72 - Barbara Slade (who is correctly listed), and then I would like to suggest that the person listed as 'Derek Bownds' is, in fact, Brian Nutchey, who with Barbara, was from the year below.
We think that these photos may have been 'prefects' mug shots from the 2nd Year Sixth, but Barbara and Brian were unusual in being appointed prefects in the 1st Year Sixth, which is why they are both hob-nobbing with dignitaries from the year above.
If Brian is a member of the Old Uxonians, he might like to come clean, and identify himself! JULIE DAWICK (Class of 72)
FROM HILLINGDON TO SOUTH AFRICA
I left Bishopshalt in 1960 with three O-levels and two RSA certificates. In 1962 I married a man with less education than I had (and would like to warn girls not to do that). In 1964, at six months pregnant, I flew to South Africa with my husband. We settled in Germiston, about 10 miles east of Johannesburg. After my son, I gave birth to two daughters, one in 1966 and one in 1971. I have four grandchildren, one boy and three girls. The boy has a talent for cricket, just like his grandmother!
Page 9 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
In 1972 the family returned to England to ostensibly look after my father as my brother was getting married. I hated living in England, so much so that I took a job at the newly opened Post House Hotel peeling a pocket of potatoes every night and shelling six dozen eggs in the staff restaurant, and serving the staff. I worked from 6 pm-10 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays I changed my name to Katrina Labuschagne and gave a false address. I worked from 6 pm to midnight and this enabled me to save towards my return to South Africa. When the chef found out that Kathleen Panter and Katrina Labuschagne were one and the same person, he said I could continue working but not at the casual rate. I left the hotel and went to WH Smith at Heathrow Airport (I lived opposite the airport) as a security officer and relieved at the till. The hours were also 6 pm-10 pm. Working in the evenings allowed me to be at home for my children.
In March 1974 my family returned to South Africa. I quickly found a job as a secretary to the Managing Director of Dorman Long, now known as Dorbyl. I was there for nearly ten years. One day, after I had remarried, I took a half-day job as secretary to the General Manager – Rolling Stock and was so bored. I thought to myself “You had a darned good education at Bishopshalt and here you are solving crossword puzzles to pass the time.” So I went for an aptitude test at the Department of Labour (at the age of 39). The results showed that I should have been an electrical engineer, but was told I was too old for such a drastic change, and personnel work or social work was suggested. To become a personnel manager (now called Human Resources) I was advised to study for a BA degree. I divorced my first husband in 1979 and married a wonderful man, Stephen Whiteley, in 1982. In 1986 I registered at the University of South Africa (UNISA) after first passing a Higher Grade Matriculation exam in Geography. My three O-levels did not qualify me! By now I had changed jobs and was working for the Managing Director of Albany Bakeries. I applied for a study grant and was told by the MD that I was not going to be anything other than his secretary. I then decided that I would study what really interested me, and dropped Communications which was required for personnel work and decided to study Classical Greek. After ten years, passing one subject a year, I achieved my BA, majoring in English and Classical Greek. I then gained Honours in Greek and went on to a structured MA,passingCumLaude,andbeing the only person to have translated BookOne of Hippocrates’ Diseases of Women. It had been translated into French in the late 1800s by Emile Littre, but because of the straitlaced Victorians it was never translated into English. My translations of Books 1, 2 and 3 are now at Cambridge University for the help of students.
In 2008, my husband, Stephen, and I retired and moved to Sabie, Mpumalanga (formerly Eastern Transvaal). Sabie is a small town about 65 kms from Nelspruit. Its main economy is forestry, followed by tourism. We have wonderful waterfalls and mountains. Stephen is working at the local attorney’s office, administering Deceased Estates. I became honorary secretary of the Sabie Ratepayers’ Association. We both attend St Peter’s Anglican Church in Sabie. I became honorary treasurer for the church.
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In 2009, I was sponsored to attend the Emmaus Walk – a spiritual retreat in which it is hoped you will meet Jesus as did Cleopas and the unnamed disciple when they were walking to Emmaus.
It was on this ‘walk’ that I received the call to serve God. I had been asked three times, at three different churches, if I would like to become a lay minister and each time my answer was the same “No thanks, I’m not good enough.” This voice said to me “You will serve me.” I told my priest and he said “Thank Goodness”. I became a lay minister and started theological studies through the Theological Education by Extension College. I had no intention of going further; after all I was nearly 70! The Bishop had other ideas and in September 2012 I was ordained as a deacon and in February 2013 I was ordained as a priest. I was made Priest-in-Charge of Sabie Parish in January 2014. The parish consists of four churches – one in Sabie, one in Simile (a black township outside Sabie), one in Graskop (30 kms from Sabie) and one in Moremela (60 kms from Sabie). I take two Eucharist services every Sunday at either Sabie and Simile or Grasko and Moremela. The congregations address me as “Fathermother”. Never let anyone say the job of a priest (vicar) is an easy one. It’s a 24/7 job.
Revd KATHLEEN (ADBY) Whiteley (1954 – 1960)
OBITUARIES
ALMA Armstrong (DUNSFORD) (1941-1948)
I am sorry to inform you of the death of Alma Armstrong on 22nd December, 2015 in Canberra Hospital. Alma was a pupil at Bishopshalt from 1941-1948, where she met her future husband Robert (Bob) Armstrong. Alma had a strong interest in Science and Maths, and gained a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry at Bedford College, University of London. After graduating, Alma and Bob were married and had three children. Alma worked for a time as a Research Chemist, developing plastics for use in aircraft. Later, she qualified as a teacher, and returned to Bishopshalt as a member of staff for several years, among other teaching posts. Alma continued to teach when she and Bob moved to Canberra in 1978. After retiring, Alma kept busy in voluntary roles particularly interfaith and ecumenical activities. After Bob’s death in 1996, she moved to a retirement village and was active in village life. Despite periods of ill health, she continued to be active until she became seriously ill in November 2015. She took great pride in her five grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
One of the last items she was reading was the Old Uxonian, and among her books we discovered her old school Hymn Book.
Carol Vella (Alma’s daughter)
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JONATHAN KEITH MORGAN (1959-1965)
I am sorry to announce that my best friend Jonny Morgan has died, several months after a devastating attack of meningitis. After Bishopshalt, Jon studied drama at Rose Bruford, while I went to Bristol University. Because our birthdays were only a couple of days apart, we had a combined 21st birthday party at Ickenham Hall in 1969, my friendly but diffident working-class parents meeting his brilliant and delightful family for the first time. (I spent more time in their house than in my own.) Jon ended up teaching drama in Builth Wells in Wales, and after Bristol and Manchester Universities I spent the next twenty years in Cornwall and the following fifteen years in the USA, before finally settling in Scotland, so our contact was infrequent, but superbly funny, familiar and comfortable whenever it did occur. Jon became mayor of Builth Wells, and something of a local legend after he established the Wyeside there as a vibrant theatre, arts and community centre, which it still is to this day.
The last quality time I spent with him was in 2008, when he held a massive 60th party birthday bash in Builth Wells, which I think every citizen attended. It filled the town hall. Jon sang and played (and drank and smoked incorrigibly) on stage with his brother Bob and his sons Adam and Chris, and the town (and I) cheered him to the rafters. We managed to have dinner together and find some quiet whisky drinking and talking time the following day.
Not punctilious about keeping in touch, Jon had randomly sent me a birthday card in 1983 with the handwritten addendum, 'Thirty-five – halfway with luck.' I'm truly disappointed that, for him, it was already a little over halfway, but I also celebrate the love, the fun and the admiration which he has generated for so many people in his creative and energetic life.
Yowann Byghan (formerly JOHN KING 1959-1966)
RICHARD DAVID (1955-60) I am very sorry to inform you that Richard (Dick) David passed away suddenly on 2nd April.
BILL SCHOLES LESLIE CLARK (1941-46)
On leaving school, Les joined the timetable planning department of the Great Western Railway at Paddington, and remained in that section through nationalisation and other changes until his retirement. In Uxbridge he was a prominent member of the Methodist Central Hall and later Christ Church. For a long period he was connected with the Torchbearers’ Cricket Club as player and later umpire. We send our condolences to his widow, DOREEN WORSLEY, and his sons BRIAN and Derek.
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Professor PAUL WEBLEY CBE (1965-72)
Paul gained his doctorate at LSE before moving briefly to Southampton University. He spent the next 26 years at Exeter University, rising from lecturer to Professor of Economic Psychology. He was also deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2003 to 2006. He was then appointed Director and Principal of the School of Oriental and African Studies, and became deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of London in 2010. Illness caused Paul to retire last year, and he lost his battle with cancer in March. Paul was a prolific writer, being the author of ten books and many other essays and articles. He was awarded the CBE in 2015 for services to Higher Education. Our sympathy is extended to his widow, JULIE DAWICK.
DON BILLINGHURST ( 1959 - 1966)
Don sadly passed away on 22nd December, 2015 after a long battle with Parkinson's and dementia. He had been in a care home near Tunbridge Wells for the past two and a half years.
Don thoroughly enjoyed his time at Bishopshalt, playing an active role in the school football, cricket and basketball teams. Don was the archetypal 'mod' of the day with his boyish looks and mod haircut and made a memorable performance on 'Top of the Pops' where the cameras seemed to follow him around throughout. Don appeared to his friends as a knight in shining armour when spending all breaks and lunchtimes - when not involved in sporting activities - chaperoning his sister JEAN (who pre-deceased Don on Boxing Day 2012). Little did we realise that far from looking after his sister, Don was the pin-up catch for all Jean's 4th form friends! He loved all the attention! Don owned a Vespa scooter in those days and regularly fell off it when performing stunts for his 4th form admirers!
Don had a successful business career becoming Sales Manager for Vista Computer Services - later Publishing Technology plc - and lived locally in Hayes, Strawberry Hill and Teddington. He leaves a partner, Val, daughter Kym and son Daniel.
IAN BATH
We also learn with regret of the death of ANTHONY WILLOUGHBY(1960-1961). WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Newsletters have been returned for the following:
Previously living at
M. Webster Bedford W. Priestley Taylor Windsor R. S. Greengrass Beaconsfield B. Milne Uxbridge Page 13 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 7th May – 1973 to 1980
A reunion is being held on for people who were in the year that started at Bishopshalt in 1973.
We'll be in the old part of the school from 2.00 – 6.00 pm, then afterwards in the Red Lion, and it will be very informal: just drop in anytime!
We've managed to track down more than 100 old classmates so far, but a few have remained elusive... If you know anything about any of the following, please contact Andrea Chapman asap: [email protected], 07887 522050. Many thanks!
Stephen Barber Darryll Grant Ann Power Mark Belfield Michael Harris Bernadette Smyth Kevin Conroy Jane Hughes John Watson Stephen Dawson Christine Irving Andrew Whitney Neil Dodds Philippa Knapp Elizabeth Windibank Tracey Dove Guy Oldfield Andrew Wright Marie Finch
Saturday, 3rd September, 2016 - 1956
A reunion to celebrate the 1956 intake’s 60th Anniversary of joining Bishopshalt. MICK ASH 1955 -1963 Email: [email protected]
December 2016
The School’s Christmas Production will take place the first week in December and tickets will go on sale from September 2016. Full details will be put on the School’s website from September 2016 and can be found in News and Events/Shows and Performances. www.bishopshalt.hillingdon.sch.uk/
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Subscriptions and changes of address should be sent to:
Mrs B. Smith, 25 Ellwood Rise Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4SU
Life membership is £40.00. Annual membership is £5.00. Cheques payable to Old Uxonians' Association please. Alternatively you can join the Association and renew your subscriptions online at www.olduxonians.co.uk
Page 14 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
EDITORIAL
Thanks, as always, to everyone who contributed words and pictures to this issue and thanks too to Judy for putting together the cover. This time we have the second instalment of the Class of 71's memories of life at Bishopshalt. If any other year groups wish to submit a similar piece we would love to hear from you. Also, if you have arranged a year group reunion, please don’t forget to let us have news of how it went for the next issue of the Newsletter.
Please note the dates of the AGM and our annual general reunion in your diaries - we look forward to seeing you hopefully at both!
EDITORIAL CONTACT DETAILS
Chairman and Editor: JANICE Plummer (HOWELL) 22a Abbey Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 2QL Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0208 366 2721
Editor: Juliet Humphreys 43 Clammas Way, Cowley, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3AN Email: [email protected] Telephone 01895 238136
The Association‛s Annual Reunion 2016
takes place at School on
Saturday, 25th June, 2016
2.00 to 5.00 pm
The Theme: ‘The Tunnel, the Ghost, the Moose and the Moat‛
Page 15 Old Uxonians’ Association – Newsletter No. 111 – Spring 2016
OLD UXONIANS’ ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, 8th June, 2016 – 7.30 pm In the Mansion House, Bishopshalt
A G E N D A
1. Apologies for absence. 2. To confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting, held on 3rd June, 2015 and to consider matters arising therefrom. 3. To receive and adopt the Honorary Secretary’s report on the work of the Executive Committee. 4. To receive and adopt the Honorary Treasurer’s report and Accounts. 5. To elect: The President Honorary Vice Presidents The Chair The Vice Chair Honorary Treasurer Two Honorary Secretaries Committee Members 6. In accordance with Rule 11, to decide the membership subscriptions for the year 2016 / 2017. 7. Any other business. By order of the Executive Committee
NB Copies of the Minutes and Accounts will be circulated at the Annual General Meeting, or may be obtained from the Chairman on request. Refreshments will be served on completion of the business.
Note from Chairman: Last year, not a single member attended the AGM – this is very demoralising for the Committee. If you live locally (and 124 of you still do), please try to come along. You will not be coerced into doing anything you do not want to do, we would just like your support and affirmation of what we are doing for the Association.
Page 16 Forthcoming Events
Annual General Meeting Wednesday 8th June 2016 at 7.30pm Mansion Library General Reunion Saturday 25th June 2016 between 2pm - 5pm 1973 Reunion Saturday 7 May between 2pm - 6pm Mansion building 1959 Intake Reunion Saturday 2nd July 2016 12 noon 1956 Intake (60th anniversary of joining) Saturday 3rd September 2016
Keep in Touch Web Site www.olduxonians.co.uk
School Website www.bishopshalt.hillingdon.sch.uk
Twitter @OldUxonians
Linked In
Your Committee
Left to right: Ken Pearce, Peter Underwood, Juliet Humphreys, Peter Buckland, Janice Plummer (Howell), Sam Jephcote (Betty Smith absent for photo) Aerial photographs of the school from 1951