OV on , OV bakers, an OV NHS Hero & More!

King's Heroes: Thank you to our OV NHS Workers

It has been so lovely each Thursday at 8pm to join in with neighbours across the country to cheer and clap for our amazing NHS workers. We would like especially like to thank NHS members of our OV community who are working incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances.

This week we especially thank OV and paramedic Ben Rean (Os 02-09).

OV Illustrations for COVID-19 charities Well done to OV Olivia Parson (Cr 07-11) who is using her spare time in lockdown to rediscover her creativity and raise money for charity.

Olivia was a keen art student at King's, being taught Art A-level by Chris Haywood (Hon OV), and has been learning to do illustrations thanks to a video on Skillshare.

She has created quite a following on Instagram already, undertaking commissions in exchange for donations to charities related to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Charities supported to date range from homeless shelters and food banks to new ventilator innovations.

Olivia says: "The response has been amazing. Two weeks in and I've sold eight illustrations, and raised £750 for charity, with the same amount again pledged for future commissions."

Coronavirus Diary with OV

Jeremy Thompson: Entry 4

Following on from last week, here is the beginning of the next entry in OV Jeremy Thompson (S 61-65)'s Virus Diaries for Sky news…

Monday 6th April

I catch myself whistling Busy Doing Nothing - a sharp reminder to myself to get a grip.

We're into week four of our lockdown and we've settled into an odd sort of rhythm.

My new five-a-day consists of exercising, cooking, reading, socialising online, and writing - with a side portion of TV viewing, if it's tasty and healthful.

Unlike Geldof's Boomtown Rats, we do like Mondays. They've become our designated walking and shopping days.

The parks are gloriously empty near us today in contrast with local food shops, which are fully stocked. One customer in, one out makes shopping a less risky pursuit.

Though Lynn still insists that I - the vulnerable one - stay outside while she buys.

Friends in Spain send a video of a large wild boar with her six piglets strolling nonchalantly down a local street. My journalist pal John in Barcelona wryly describes it as "a vision of the apocalypse".

You can read the rest of this week here.

OVs stories from around the world- France & Laos

Last week we were pleased to share OV stories from around the UK, USA, Austria and Japan about how OVs have been affected by Coronavirus. This week we have news from Alex in France and Michael in Laos.

We really enjoy reading these OV news updates so if you live abroad and would like to share your story please do let us know at [email protected]

France: Alex Humpage-Versavaud (S 94-03)

This week Emmanuel Macron announced that lock down measures would be in place until May 11th. Then we should start to see gradual easing. This will mean the country will have been confined for two months. It feels as though the response here has been fairly clear and consistent. Although the measures seem draconian, our close proximity to Northern Italy is a reminder of the effects this virus can have. Closer to home several relatives on my wife's side of the family have been struck down by COVID-19 for a thoroughly unpleasant time.

Professionally I'm quite lucky - my sector, video games, is enjoying something of a boom as everyone is playing more because there are fewer alternatives and everyone's at home. I have had several new business pitches and marketing strategies to develop since working from home was enforced. Projects vary from Destiny 2 to Candy Crush Saga! However for many others, my wife included, the French equivalent of the furlough (chômage technique) is in effect. I wonder about the economic impact on small and medium businesses particularly later this year.

Personally there are some challenges although my wife and I are lucky enough to have spent a long time travelling together with often only each other for company - so it's perhaps not as much of an adjustment as for some couples. Living centrally in a big city means there is plenty of human contact despite the distancing measures in place. We have neighbours' children playing in the courtyard next to our garden and on Saturday there was a music festival played from a nearby balcony, which the neighbourhood was involved in whether it wanted to be or not! To leave the house we have to have a signed letter (which we write and sign ourselves) and in theory can only go up to 1km from our residence to buy food or have a modicum of walking exercise. Despite this, queues at the supermarket (due to social distancing measures) often stretch all the way down the street.

Despite the monotony there's something exciting about knowing billions of people around the world are living a shared reality in ways perhaps not similarly experienced ever before. I hope all OVs, staff and current pupils and families are doing well in these strange times.

Laos: Michael Boddington MBE (S 55-58)

Laos continued for what seemed like a long time as a COVID-19-free country - I watched as the number of afflicted countries mounted through the 10s, and then through the 100s, until finally, on March 24th, it was announced that we had two cases. We were the 193rd country to join the ranks of that dubious club. Now (April 16th) we have 19 cases, of whom one has recovered. There was a certain symmetry about having 19 cases! Two of them have been students returning from UK!

Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University has prepared an index of countries according to how stringent or otherwise their response to the virus has been. The most stringent get a 100 score, and Laos is one of three such nations (along with Vietnam and New Zealand). A rare first for Laos PDR to come top of the class.

Long before we had even one single case, the government started taking measures to ensure that Laos was not afflicted: borders were closed, flights to and from affected countries were stopped, pre-schools, kindergartens and primary schools were closed - a preliminary to closing all educational establishments - anyone coming from overseas was put into quarantine for 14 days - not an encouraging start to a fortnight's holiday! Lockdown started on April 1st and has just been extended from April 19th to May 3rd. These were draconian measures. But GoL made a promise in January 2020, that it would prevent COVID-19 from making landfall in Laos and it aimed to stand by that pledge.

For me, there are no hardships. I feel very sad for those in early and mid-careers, with families, mortgages and other responsibilities. Thirty or forty years ago something like this would have wiped me out - and I didn't need any help in that! In my retirement, I run a homestay in the middle of a jungle. Well, there have been no guests since March 24th. My continuing work with disabled people has been sorely interrupted and I just hope that those folk with whom I am directly involved can hang on out there.

Laos has a model for the world in these stricken times, working from grass-roots outwards: individual tolerance, familial ties, cohesive community and compassion for all. These are the way forward in a post- COVID-19 world.

OV Chris Tarrant played by Michael Sheen in QUIZ We have been absolutely transfixed watching QUIZ, ITV's latest three-part series on the coughing scandal on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" in 2001.

OV Chris Tarrant (Ch 60-64) is best known as host of the very successful original programme and is portrayed by the incredible Michael Sheen in this series. We contacted Chris to hear his take on QUIZ...

"The programme QUIZ, that airs over 3 nights on ITV just after Easter, is the story of the famous cheating Major and his coughing accomplice.

19 years ago, Major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and their sidekick Tecwen Whittock were all found guilty of conspiracy to fraud £1 million on the game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."

QUIZ is very well made, superbly acted, and with very high production values. However, my one tiny little problem with the programme is that they seem to have forgotten that the Major was found guilty of fraud, and all 3 of them were lucky not to go to prison.

Michael Sheen, a superb actor who has played David Frost, Brian Clough and Tony Blair amongst others, plays me as the host of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.

It was quite surreal watching him play me, because clearly, he has spent hours watching DVD's of me hosting the show and has really nailed lots of my physical mannerisms.

He has a blonde wig, but the rest of it is just down to his voice and his body movement. It was quite surreal watching him, but I'm rather flattered.

We met, quite bizarrely, at The Pride of Britain this year in London, he'd finished recording the programmes, and was on to something else, but he clearly had spent months watching DVD's of yours truly.

I said to my wife "There's Michael Sheen over there."

I'd never met him before, but I felt an irresistible urge to tap him on the shoulder, so I did! Bearing in mind he'd only seen me on little DVD sized screens for about the last 3 or 4 months, and suddenly this great gangling 6'2" thing is tapping him on the shoulder, it was no wonder that he jumped out of his skin with surprise.

We got on very well, had a huge laugh, and talked a lot about the series, wishing each other well. We were supposed to be meeting up again on various television programmes as QUIZ is transmitted in a couple of

weeks' time, but obviously with the complete shutdown of the UK at the moment, sadly that won't happen.

Hopefully we'll all meet up in much happier times.".

OV cyclists Baking! We were very inspired and very hungry after reading about OV professional cyclist Lizzy Banks (Ch 02-09) and her 'Bike Themed Bake' competition.

Lizzy explains, "As we are all spending a lot more time at home, it seems many people have rekindled their love for baking so I thought why not hold a 'Bike Themed Bake' competition to win a voucher for my team's clothing sponsor.

Participants were encouraged to use what they already had at home and so I kicked things off by making a Rhubarb Bakewell Tart using rhubarb from the garden to make rhubarb jam and some candied rhubarb to illustrate a bike on top of the tart, it was really delicious and a great combination!"

Lizzy also cooked up a bike cookie with icing details- very impressive!

OV professional cyclist Hayley Simmonds (Cr 99-06) also took part with an incredible entry featuring Chris Boardman's famous Olympic Gold medal winning Lotus Time Trial bike from the 1992 Olympics. It was made with vanilla biscuit and very topical Paris- Brest wheels sandwiched with hazelnut praline creme mousseline filling.

Lizzy remarked, "If that doesn't whet your appetite to get baking, I'm not sure what will!" We quite agree!

OV involved with Stay Safe Worcester Film

We were delighted that OV Sam McCarthy (Cl 99-06) reached out to us to share the Stay Safe Worcester film that she has been involved with as part of the Visit Worcester partnership that the Worcester BID (Business Improvement District) have with the city council.

It is a very powerful video which can be viewed here. See if you can spot some familiar King's landmarks!

The film was funded by the Worcester BID and was a joint collaboration with Worcester City Council who are behind the Visit Worcester brand. Sam is Projects and Marketing Manager at Worcester BID and said:

"We worked with multiple partners to release a strong message over social media platforms, empowering viewers to feel a sense of pride, love and that by being at home and putting social distancing into practice, they are not sitting out the fight, they are fighting for Worcester to win.

Partners behind supporting the release were: Visit Worcester, Worcester BID, Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, LEP, One Worcestershire, Cathedral Square, Crowngate Shopping Centre, Royal Porcelain Works and Worcester's Big Parade.

Government guidelines were followed and social distancing was observed throughout the making of this film. Filming was captured by one designer, local to the city from 773c Creative. Over four days while walking the dog the footage was captured during daily exercise. The voice audio was recorded by Felicity Regent from Anja Potze Fine Jewellery, one of our many independent Worcester BID businesses, who recorded voice memos on her phone, in her own home.

Worcester BID and Visit Worcester have been consistently promoting stay at home, follow the government guidance and shop locally online. Worcester's Independents have adapted their business models efficiently allowing for online/phone orders with contact free delivery. This is what sets Worcester apart. True community spirit.

Visit Worcester hopes that this inspirational film will remind viewers of our beautiful city and that we will come back again.

Stay at home. Order online. Shop independent. Keep Strong. Stay Safe."

OV poem to mark historic time

We were very moved by this poem written by OV Jonathan Haydn- Williams (S 70-75) which expresses the atmosphere of lockdown and the essence of good-will that is emerging in these strange times.

It could be Christmas Day

It could be Christmas Day: streets deserted, people in their homes. But the holly berries are gone and daffodils shine yellow in the grass. The air doesn't crackle with December frost, but with foreboding.

Those who greet each other keep their distance. Hands remain unshaken: no hugs or Christmas kisses under mistletoe. The virus has cleared the pubs.

There's been no tinsel or celebration. No shoppers seeking fripperies, but only bread and toilet rolls. No lusty carols sung or lessons read about goodwill to fellow men.

Instead there's real goodwill, expressed by acts of kindness and concern. People help each other: goodness is revealed by common cause of being human.

Viruses do not discriminate on grounds of race or creed: to them we are one tribe.

This day, more than any Christmastide, the message of goodwill to all rings clear.

From the Archives: A History of Hostel House

1902: Establishment of Hostel House

Hostel's first Housemaster was Reginald Castley, a bachelor aged 28 and engaged to be married. "The Hostel" was the name given to a house in College Green when William Haighton Chappel (Headmaster 1896-1918) rented it from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1899 and put bachelor masters in it, with the elderly Miss. Bates as housekeeper. At the end of 1902 Miss. Bates left The Hostel and the house was opened for 15 boarders. To begin with, Mr. Castley's mother kept house for her son. Mr. Castley took his first boys in the summer term and married in the Christmas holidays. Husband and wife moved in during January 1904. King's celebrated the occasion of their marriage with a half holiday.

Mr. Chappel was very pleased with himself when he brought Mr. Castley on to the staff in January 1903. Mr. Castley had been educated at the King's School, Canterbury, where he was captain of cricket for three seasons. He had gained a Second in Classics from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and was teaching at Galway Grammar School in Ireland. Mr. Castley for his part was delighted to return to a cathedral close.

By 1899 King's had eight assistant masters, mainly bachelors, and the problem of their accommodation was becoming acute. A house on the south side of College Green happened to fall vacant, and was rented from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and opened as a Masters' Hostel under the charge of Miss. Bates. In 1901 School House had begun to overflow, and as a temporary measure a few boys were boarded out here with the masters.

In the winter of 1902 the King's School numbered 109. After recording this fact with pride, The Vigornian went on to remark: "We understand that Miss. Bates is vacating the Hostel in College Green and that it will be opened as a new boarding-house next term." The new house, The Hostel, was opened by Mr. Castley, who had recently joined the staff, in the summer term of 1903. Mr. Castley married a few months later, and in the Easter term of 1904 Mrs. Castley came to join him in the House which for 30 years was to be their life work and their home.

College Hall was the scene of the annual House PT Competition that had replaced the old Gymnastics. The Hostel VI made this cup their speciality and practised for months in their big dormitory before Lights Out. In terms of showmanship it was a help that there were six letters in "Hostel". Each boy wore one in green on his singlet and the six paraded as H O S T E L.

In the summer of 1906, Mr. Castley erected behind the Hostel what the editors of the Vigornian called "an external structure to be inhabited as a study" and the Head Master, with less gravity, described as "a temporary tabernacle in the garden". In the following year the Dean and Chapter took over this house from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and this "structure" was replaced by a permanent enlargement of the house, incorporating part of the Canons' stables.

Mr. Castley handed The Hostel over to Mr. Franklin at the end of thirty years in January 1934 and moved to 3 College Yard. But Mr. Castley had inherited a cousin's estate in Bampton, Westmorland; he retired and went north in July 1934. Formal goodbyes were said on successive days on Speech Day and at the OV

Dinner. For 30 years the Hostel had been Mr. and Mrs. Castley's home and constant care, and it was with great regret that the King's School said goodbye to them.

The Hostel and College Green, as shown in the c.1935 King's School prospectus.

17/04/2020