The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club Old Ipswichian Journal

The Journal of the Old Ipswichian Club | Issue 7 Summer 2016

In this issue

Club news  Features  Members’ news  Births, marriages, deaths and obituaries    OI Club events School news From the archives Programme of events Page Content 01 Member Leavers 2015 Member Leavers 2015 The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Garnham Lauren Lo Thomas Patten Louis Life Members Gemmel Molly MacDonald Hamish Phillips Olivia Hewitt Edie Mahoney Elizabeth Raven Max

Year 13 Hacker Abby Rule Cameron Hopkins Connie Marfoh-Gillings Laurence Watkins Rupert Hare Beth Rumsey Megan James Henry Morgan Tom Wilson James Sonia Abbie Angel Fergus Head Christopher Seifert Henry Jamieson Parsons Aulsebrook Gigi Hopkins Sam Sexton Sophie Badman Harry Hoskyns Chandos Shaikly Jonathan Bailey Thomas Hoskyns Wilf Sinha Kanishk Barker Dominic Howlett Olivia Taylor Shannon Associate Members Beavan Harry Huang Jeremy Temple McCune Nicholas Betterton Moné Hughes Thomas Wagland Isaac Sam Year 11 Bolton William Keeble Tim Wainer Robert Anderson Hollie Bowditch Lily Lawson Oliver Ward Ollie Beeson Charlie Oliver Buckley Liam Lee Jackie White Tom Culley Bolton Will Polly Burn James Livingstone Angus Wilding Josh Dudley Chiddicks Thomas Juliette Cattermole Ben Lo Rebecca Woods Ballard Alexandra France Clarke Charlie Blake Chang Ho€ Louch Harry Wyer Emily Kenworthy Dean Oliver James Conway Alice Macdonald Lily Yap Krystal King Gray Christopher Vanessa Cowie Sam Marshall Jess Yeap Joo Yee Lee Leung Claude Bethan Cubitt Penny Martin Tom Yu Chu Chen Lynch Matthew Charlie Pastora Dade Megan Maser-Clarke Tabitha Zhang Jason Marven Morgan James Keshav Davey Alexander Robert McAllister Charlie Zhou Jack Owens Pandya Sam Zoe De Silva Meegahawatte Avishka McGuire Jamie Renshaw Parker George Oliver Dereve Matthew Mead James Year 12 Sarson Smith George Hector Dong Elaine Mercer Holly Turner Wheeler Toryn Dosanjh Amardev Mottershead Thomas Chamberlain Katie Whitehead Year 12 Edwards Will Mullholland Joe Clark Samuel Fairhead Emma Osman-Wiggan Ste€an Pescott Frost Oliver Matthew Farley Juliet Pace Sam LoeŒer Heather Farley Nick Parker Ben Year 11 McConnell James French Matthew Parry Edward Murrell Frost Barrett Phillips Jack Ayling George Gale Tom Powell Rhys Azarmi Anahita The Old Ipswichian Journal 2016 Gillott Isobel Prescott-Smith Sarah Bishop Charlotte The Old Ipswichian Journal is published annually by the Old Ipswichian Club as a summary of the previous year’s events Goble Tom Prior Piers Devlin Alfie and news. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the OI Club. Godfrey Tom Raymond Freddie Duley Elizabeth Editor: Clare Lock (oieditor@ipswich.school) For more information about the Old Ipswichians and to receive the twice-yearly OI news, please telephone 01473 298961 or email: [email protected] • Visit www.oldipswichians.org.uk, Follow us on Twitter Gurton William Regan Holly Eagle Sam @OldIpswichians and join the OI groups on LinkedIn and Facebook.

02 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Leavers 2015 03 Programme of Events O“cers & Committee Members / Contents The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

August 2016 In this issue... Tues 16th Golf Fynn Valley

September 2016 Club/Foundation News ...... 06

Mon 5th Golf Thetford OI Club 125th Anniversary Appeal ...... 10

Fri 30th Presidents Event House of Commons Features ...... 12 Book Review ...... 26 October 2016 Members’ News...... 28

Fri 7th Drinks in the City Obituaries ...... 32

Thurs 6th – Tues 11th School’s Festival of Music School School News ...... 46

Sat 8th – Sun 9th OI Fives 50th Anniversary Festival School Sta› Leavers...... 52 From the Archives ...... 56 November 2016 Club Events ...... 64

Sun 13th Remembrance Service School Chapel Old Ipswichian Club ...... 68

December 2016

Thurs 15th Sixth Form Centre ‘First Five Years Out’ Reunion (2011 – 2016 leavers) Professor Sat 17th Ipswich Dinner and AGM Great & Little Schools JM Blatchly Pg 32 – 37 Details of the above events can also be found on the Old Ipswichian Website: www.ipswich.school/old-ipswichians/ or contact [email protected]. In addition to these events the Club should be delighted to help in the setting up and running of milestone anniversary reunions such as 10th, 20th, 25th, 30th and 40th. If you would like to talk about this in general or specifically, please contact us [email protected] or telephone (01473) 298964.

President Vice-Chairman Governing Body Representative Committee Co-opted Club O¡cers Ling Stephens Vacancy John Caudle and Committee [email protected] Secretary [email protected] Vice-President Clare Lock To retire end 2016 OI Webmaster for 2016 John Graham [email protected] Tom Edwards Guy Main Benson Ho [email protected] Ex-o¡cio OI Sports Liaison Treasurer James Davey Junior President Steve Runnacles Richard Hudson To retire end 2017 George Finch [email protected] Headmaster Martin Holland me@gfinch.net Nick Weaver Social Secretary Chris Warnes Junior Vice President John Ward London Dinner Secretary Nick Ranson [email protected] To retire end 2018 James Mansfield Bob Clayton [email protected] OI News & Journal Editor Foundation Manager Florence Milner Chairman Clare Lock Lindy Hacker Trevor Woods Sally Webber [email protected] [email protected]

04 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Events / Officers & Committee Members / Contents 05 From the President From the Chairman / Foundation O“ce News The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Ling Stephens Sally Webber (OI 1982–1984) (OI 1993–1995)

I believe that the OI Club is about keeping in touch, reconnecting with old Being part of a school community is a real privilege. As I write this, I am friends and meeting new ones based on our ties with Ipswich School. We are preparing to attend Speech Day and to welcome a new set of Old Ipswichians connected by common memories of school and especially the people there: our to the Club, a Club that continues to be a vibrant and active body, much like network of friends, teachers and sta‘. It is with this objective in mind that the the school community it works with. OI Club works actively to make sure that we keep in touch, even years after we have left school. The last year has seen a mixture of reunions, sporting enhanced has moved us forward. He will continue to give his events and dinners, bringing together OIs from across the time in updating and maintaining the Club’s website, but in the generations, and culminated in a sell out Ipswich Dinner meantime, we thank him for his time and dedication. I’d like to start by thanking Bob Clayton, who was a really via the Careers’ Database on the school website, mentoring or in the Great School. The evening saw much laughter as OIs Detailed reports of all of the past year’s events can be found popular President in 2015 and a he is a hard act to follow. helping to provide work experience. This is a work in progress, enjoyed a wonderful meal, the after dinner speaker Simon in this publication, and as always, if you feel there is something In particular, his long-standing support of the OI Club as he but I can anticipate that we will be reaching out to OIs in Ballard, and honoured the memory of John Blatchly. your club should be doing, please do get in touch. remains central to the organisation of the many OI sports the future, for those who wish to volunteer and support this events that we hold across the year. Bob also hosted a worthwhile venture. We also thanked Guy Main for his time as Chairman. Guy – Sally Webber very successful wine-tasting President’s Event in October, has been an amazing person to work with, and his drive and OI Club Chairman 2016 raising valuable funds for The Alzheimer’s Society. Speaking Working with the OI Club this year has been determination that the role of the OI Club be recognised and to those who know or were taught by Bob, I know that he an eye-opener for me and I am impressed by is very widely known and with affection, for his warmth, the energy and commitment shown by the OI Club support and friendship. Committee, its supporting groups, as well as the sta€ from the school ... This year, I’d like to note a couple of developments that are Foundation O ce News remarkable and worth celebrating. Firstly, for the first time, we On the social front, I have also attended a couple of OI events have a Committee steered by women. Sally Webber and Clare this year. We had a record attendance at the lively, Ipswich Lock (our Chair and Secretary respectively) and I are delighted Dinner in December. I have also had the pleasure of meeting to be in our roles and thinking about this, it is an achievement many of our younger members at the City Drinks in London. 2015 was another busy year for the Foundation O•ce, supporting the OI Club for Ipswich School, which has been literally the “boys’ In April, we enjoyed a very social, London Dinner at the Oxford and also School projects including the Music School campaign, events with the school” until quite recently. I know the school is now fully, co- and Cambridge Club and Peter Florence, the Founder of the Hay educational and it is a milestone that we should reflect on, Festival inspired us with his insights on this famous Friends of Ipswich School, and helping organise the behind-the-scenes work of demonstrating the change and progress that has occurred and literary festival. countless events, dinners and reunions. something to be proud of. Working with the OI Club this year has been an eye-opener for me and I am impressed by the energy and commitment We had a record attendance at the lively, Ipswich shown by the OI Club Committee, its supporting groups, as well Also in the autumn it was good to see the Britten Faculty of There will be more about Heather in a future OI News, but she Dinner in December. I have also had the pleasure as the staff from the school (particularly the Foundation Office) Music move into the new Music School, thanks to the generous can be contacted at the school by email: [email protected] of meeting many of our younger members at the who work hard to make sure that we hold interesting events that support of the Ipswich School community, including of course, or by phone: 01473 408324. City Drinks in London. meet the needs of our membership. the many OIs who had donated to the campaign. The names of It’s been a privilege being President of the OI Club for 2016 all the donors are now inscribed on pebbles in a mural on the I also want to mention the work that we are beginning to do and I am looking forward to the rest of my year as President, main staircase of the school, spelling out the Playful Pizzicato on careers. Having worked in London since leaving school, I am getting to meet and know more of you and hearing of the from Britten’s Simple Symphony. keen that members of the OI Club should have a role to play in interesting lives that you have been leading since leaving school. As we write now in 2016, we have said farewell to both Peter supporting our younger members or current students at Ipswich Boughton and Lindy Hacker, who have both left the Foundation School, as they make their career choices for their working lives. – Ling Stephens Office, to retirement in Peter’s case, and a new part of the In the Committee, we are just beginning our journey to work out OI Club President 2016 country in Lindy’s. We wish them all the best for the future, and what is needed and how best to do this. We have many ideas, are delighted to welcome Heather Bush to the staff team as that include providing access to OIs who wish to volunteer, Development Director, joining Foundation Assistant Vicki Spray.

06 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 From the Chairman / Foundation Office News 07 Past Chairman’s Reflections Past Chairman’s Reflections The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

school field. Over 400 OIs and family Balancing a full time job with the role members, plus staff and former staff, of Chairman of the OI Club is interesting. enjoyed food, music (provided by the Especially when the job is based in School’s Big Band) and conversation long London and so much liaison needs to into the evening. take place in Ipswich. The role is time hungry, and yet to make a worthwhile Balancing a full time job with the contribution, which was my intention, it is role of Chairman of the OI Club difficult to cut corners. Even arranging the is interesting. Especially when regular eNews take time, although that the job is based in London... can be done on the move. Whilst I knew beforehand that the Club has a dedicated There are many other positive committee, I had not fully appreciated memories too, of course. The Drinks in just how much they give. Whilst the the City evenings started before I began committee changes to some extent every my term and have grown and remain year, I have been struck by the energy and popular. I’m pleased to say that, so far, I commitment of the vast majority of the have been able to attend every one. The committee members who have served London and Ipswich (formal) dinners during my time as Chairman. They do not between the Club and School is an continue to draw OIs. Last December’s take the easy option in seeking to serve interesting dynamic which has changed dinner at Great School was attended by OIs. I have expressed my thanks to them over the years. I am delighted that the over 180 guests: a logistical challenge, and record it again here. links are currently strong, with the School but what a good one to have. supporting the Club in many ways and It has been clear for a while that some The Club is in a good place. the Club and individual OIs helping the long-standing events were less appealing School. Both the School and the Club to OIs. As a result, the School v OIs tennis Service is at the heart of committee need to ensure that this continues by and rounders matches were pulled from work. This is why the focus of the Club’s working together realistically: there have the programme. I had hoped to include 125th anniversary was an appeal to raise been periods during the last 125 years both at the Sports Festival, but there has money for our alma mater. The service Past Chairman’s Reflections when it has not been the case. (so far) been no demand. The numbers given by many OIs to ensure that the The Sports Festival in 2014 saw for the OI rugby event are poor. And OI Club is active and relevant should some 200 OIs and School pupils playing last year the Sports Festival had fewer not be underestimated. Nor should the hockey, netball, five-a-side football participants. Reflection and controlled assistance of the School’s Development Three years is a short period of time. Or a long time. Rather, the journey can and table-tennis at the School’s Sports change is always necessary, as any Office. The Club is in a good place. seem fast or slow, depending on the smoothness or otherwise of the ride. Centre at Rushmere. This is a wonderful committee Chairman knows. Inevitably there is work to do to move facility with, now, three artificial hockey Some things were not possible it forward. This is as it should be: the pitches and much more besides. With dry during my Chairmanship. My intention OI Club like any other is made up of its My period as Chairman of the OI likely impacting negatively on the offering keep the Club relevant and contemporary weather, over 50 spectators, good food to organise an event for OI musicians to members, and they are all different. Club has at different times seemed to OIs. I never did think the role was going for its members, in line with the Objects and a huge dollop of goodwill, we had a take part in, as a trial to perhaps holding Nothing stays the same and one of the brief, and at others the opposite. to be a bed of roses, and I was right. Was stated in the Rules. memorable day. such an event regularly, did not happen reasons the OI Club is so active, effective Which is good, although it wasn’t I disappointed? Not at all. There were Most memorable was my “middle” The third highlight of 2014 was the despite some outline plans and plenty of and relevant is that it does not stand still. always comfortable. some wonderful times. Others were a year. This was 2014 and the 125th 125th anniversary Gaudy. A small sub- interest. Likewise, for an arts event. On There are many people who have little rough. As so often the better times anniversary year of the founding of the OI committee of OIs plus two members the plus side, music was a key feature for given me wonderful support during my To clarify: for much of the time the predominated, especially when looking Club. Whilst there were many highlights of the School’s Development Office two of the President’s events during my three years as Chairman. If I sought to path was smooth as the Club, with the back over the three-year term. of that notable year, three stand out. The worked hard to organise a fitting and term. Both were well supported, so this is name them all I would miss a few, which support and encouragement of many first was set in motion by James Davey, memorable event. They succeeded. It an area to explore further. would be wrong. Likewise, to mention OIs and a great committee, and help My aim, with the support of your my predecessor as Chairman and a wise was tremendous to work with such a In the area of careers, individual OIs just some would be difficult. I will repeat, from the School, went from strength to committee, has always been and constant counsel during my term. dedicated team. The regular planning and the Club have always supported and though, what I said at the last AGM and strength. There have though been bumpy to keep the Club relevant and The OI Club 125th Anniversary Appeal meetings were missed after the Gaudy helped each other and current pupils, Ipswich Dinner: without the support, periods. This may be a good thing if it contemporary. sought to raise £1,000,000 for the School was over. The Gaudy combined the via the School. The offering needs to be wisdom and encouragement of Sally happens occasionally as, with the Club and, although we didn’t achieve that traditional summer lunch, for OIs who left enhanced and freshened, and work on Webber, Club Secretary during my term challenged in various ways, I and your There have been changes during my figure during the anniversary year, we the school more years ago than most of this is well underway with a good team, as Chairman, and my wife, Helen, I would committee were obliged to test carefully Chairmanship. Some I introduced, and came pretty close (some £20,000 short) them believe let alone care to remember, but finalisation of some new plans has not have been able to fulfil my term as the appropriate way forward. some came through natural development by the time the appeal sort of closed (you with the School leavers’ Graduation been slower than I hoped. This is an Chairman of our Club. Big challenges should not happen and circumstances. I hope you will may still donate) last December. How Service and reception, the renaming of important area which I am optimistic too often as this would oblige the then agree that there has been no change for good and how appropriate to celebrate the cricket pavilion as the Cyril Perkins will be developed successfully in the – Guy Main current Chairman and committee to work change’s sake. My aim, with the support the Club’s anniversary with a significant Pavilion, and the main event on the near future. (OI 1969–1979) in a different and more cautious way, of your committee, has always been to gift to the School. The relationship

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a r 12YEARS5 s t r i 1889-2014 n u Anniversary Appeal g B M d u an sic, Sport My predecessor as Chairman of the OI Club, James Davey, launched an appeal in June 2012. The 125th anniversary of the founding of the Club was, at that time, two years hence and the appeal looked to mark the event by raising a significant sum from OIs for the School. The original idea as I understand it was to reach the target figure in the anniversary year.

The Club has always aimed to support present and past. Inevitably there are badly needed. It is now open and a fine the School. Indeed, that is one of the plenty of projects for which funds are and practical building it is too. A concert Objects of the Club. Due to hard work required or desired, and the School is hall will be added as phase two of the on the part of a number of people, the to be applauded on regularly looking project, just as soon as the money to School and Club currently have a good to improve the facilities available . Of complete the construction is available. rapport. Of course, as individual OIs we course, sports equipment is always As with many schools, there is an owe the School a great deal, and the Club needed, and sums have been donated increasing desire to assist with the any further donations will be and are and School continue to offer support to for this. funding of fees for appropriate pupils being accepted. Indeed, the donations each other. The Club and the School recognise who would otherwise not be able to join funding the paviours – stones with the OIs have given generously to the that buildings and equipment alone Ipswich School. This is an ongoing and names of OIs which will make a path to School over many years. In addition to do not constitute a good school. These long-term project, and the money so far the new music school – will go to the gifts of money – allowing, for example, resources, though, should allow excellent donated for bursaries is already being appeal, and they are still being sold. The the Cyril Perkins Pavilion to be built and, teaching and coaching to give pupils the used. first set of paviours should be laid within years later, modernised and refurbished maximum benefit. Your committee decided late in 2015 2016, and so if you would like to buy one – OIs have given their time and skills, and The most immediate requirement that as the new music school – albeit now would be a good time. made other resources available. One area for money during most of the period of without the concert hall – was built and I announced at the Ipswich Dinner in which this is particularly evident is in the OI Club 125th Anniversary Appeal in full operation, it was time to close the in December 2015 that the OI Club the careers service the School provides to has been for the new music school. The appeal. Deciding the appropriate time to had, for some years, been setting pupils. Many youngsters have benefitted School’s main music room and the music shut an appeal when, as with this one, it aside some funds in preparation for from the insight provided by OIs at talks practice rooms were, until November had not quite hit the target set, is difficult. making a donation just before the all keen to know if we have. Many, many campaign to OIs (and others). This has and forums, as well as in work experience 2015, in the older part of the Henley Road A (natural) inclination was to let the formal closing of the 125th appeal. thanks to all OIs who have donated so altered the landscape for a Club initiated opportunities set-up by OIs. buildings and were those that I used as appear run and run, especially as we were At the dinner your immediate past generously. Quite clearly, the appeal appeal. Whilst the OI Club is committed The 125th Anniversary Appeal’s aim a schoolboy. In an earlier times these optimistic of hitting the target, but appeal President, Bob Clayton, presented the would have failed without you. So thank to supporting and promoting the School was to raise £1,000,000 for the School. rooms were I think a boarding house fatigue (or something similar) had, we Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver, with a you very much. it is not simply a fundraising organisation. This is a large sum of money, and the task dormitory and part of the Headmaster’s felt, begun to appear. The view was taken cheque from the OI Club for £44,000. What of the future? The OI Club Your committee is committed to running of raising it was not made easier by the house. In any event a new purpose built that the end of 2015 was an appropriate This is a significant contribution to the OI Committee – either the present one or OI events, and providing a framework general state of the economy, and the music school with modern facilities was time to close the appear but, of course Club 125th Anniversary Appeal and is a another (or others) yet to be elected - will for OIs to meet and support each other, sentiment for the near future, at the time demonstration of the commitment of the have to consider whether or not a similar as well as the School. With the School of the launch. The sum raised was to be Club to the School. appeal, or a fundraising initiative on an currently seeking funds directly from OIs used for sport, bursaries and to assist in The total of money paid and pledged alternate or different basis, is appropriate it would in my view be inappropriate for building the new music school. Donors to the School under the appeal was, in and merited at some stage in the future. the Club to also seek to do so. were encouraged to nominate one of December 2015, a magnificent £982,201. Now of course is not the occasion for The OI Club’s 125th Anniversary these three areas for their donation, or Further paviours have been purchased another appeal as such events should, as Appeal has been a great success. Huge to leave the decision to the School on a since, and so the total is higher although the 125th appeal was, be exceptional. thanks to all who have donated. The “greatest need” basis. the exact figure is not yet available from The support of the Club for the School legacy of the appeal is real, in buildings As for many fixed assets, constant the Foundation Office. will not change although the approach of and lives. upgrading is necessary in various areas The total raised as at December 2015 the Club to raising money for the School of the School, and replacement of was therefore all but £1,000,000 which may. There are a number of reasons for – Guy Main equipment is often needed. After all, the is a fantastic achievement. By now, we saying this, of which key is the School’s (OI 1969–79) resources are well used by many pupils, may have reached the target, and we are recent (and (I think) first) telephone

10 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 OI 125th Appeal 11 Features | School House 1955 – 58 Features | School House 1955 – 58 The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

often stuffed food he didn’t like into an House Tutor for School House assisted he and Headmaster (Patrick Mermagen) envelope concealed in his pocket. by Clissold. Saunders made three entered the room. A few weeks later School House (1955 – 1958) School assemblies took place in the resolutions before he left - to rub all occurred one of the greater moments quadrangle on Mondays and Fridays at the Latin names off Stonex’s detention in the School’s history when on the 1st about 4.20pm when the Headmaster blackboard, drive his car across the of May the Duke of Edinburgh laid the would address the boys. It was pretty ‘sacred’ turf of cricket square and throw foundation stone of the new School House was certainly a harsher regime and miserable in the cold winter months a brick through the window of the Great School. could not match the ‘homely’ feel of Westwood. especially as we would be standing there Headmaster’s garage. I understand that I remember the rehearsals before in semi-darkness. We were summoned, I he completed all three tasks although the big day which determined where we The old school buildings were rather cold with think, by the ringing of the manual bell. the garage window was open at the time! would all be sitting for the ceremony itself long dark Victorian passages and dormitories were The same bell that at the end of one term Thornbury was so called because of and on the day chasing here there and we strung a small thread from it across his bounce as he walked and upset the everywhere with my Brownie box camera freezing in the winter, no central heating in those the quad to middle dorm and rang it from Head for regularly wearing shorts when - what excitement! The camera was used days. It was not unknown for toothbrushes to freeze time to time during the night. teaching. I remember Clissold coming in again in the summer when visiting Paris round the walls. The table was used to Junior Dorm after lights out carrying a on a School trip led by Martin Shortland- in their cups in Junior Dorm. to apply blanco to our CCF kit of belts At one time I worked in the lighted candle to read to us ghost stories. Jones and Tony Badcock. and gaiters, a weekly chore, and trouser pavilion operating the small Academically I finally seemed to wake 1956/57 was at the beginnings of the pressing took place in a small room cricket scoreboard and can up and once in the 4th form reports rock and roll era and although frowned My bed was by the fire escape which was dished out by the headmaster most along the corridor. It was this room remember being flattened in improved term by term - “coming on well, upon by many Thornbury allowed us we regularly shinned down in the of which would be spent in the tuck that led up to a small attic where one the boxing ring. much improved”. Increased maturity to listen to the occasional r & r record evenings to go swimming-all well before shop or the bun queue. Mrs Clutterham of the more dangerous pastimes took and the realisation of the nearness of ‘O’ in between each classical record at his the days of health and safety. In Middle sold the buns and biscuits at break time place. Dabit Off cleaner was sprinkled During 1955 I received cricket Levels must have done the trick. German Sunday musical evenings. ‘Rock around Dorm, which consisted of two small through a school dining room window on to a handkerchief, the recipient spun coaching from Cyril Perkins and Ian and Maths remained the least impressive the Clock’ with Bill Haley and his Comets rooms separated by a short corridor, I and the half rounded holes gouged with violently round before the handkerchief Hammond; took up the trumpet before and O levels were to prove difficult failing and ‘Won’t you bring a Little Water Sylvie’ recall snow settling on the end of the a penny by us boys can still be seen to was placed on his nose. I recall it created changing to the piano which I was to once in English Language and it took by Lonnie Donegan spring to mind. Even beds as windows at both ends of the this day. quite a high with several boys passing abandon two years later; and was put on several attempts to pass in Maths. Initial the headmaster organised an annual dormitories had to remain open even Sats report by Martin Shortland-Jones for success was History, Geography and musical evening in his drawing room at in the coldest spells of weather. Unlike During 1955 I received cricket coaching from Cyril Perkins and Ian getting 0 out of 50 for a Latin test. A funny English Literature. which the house skiffle group performed. Junior Dorm, which had a row of wash Hammond; took up the trumpet before changing to the piano which I old world as we both now have one of the 1956 stands out for several reasons. Life in School House was good and by basins, washing in Middle Dorm was was to abandon two years later; and was put on Sats report by Martin School Eton Fives courts named after us! On 5th February the whole School visited then I had my own study sharing with rather primitive using Victorian bowls on Shortland-Jones for getting 0 out of 50 for a Latin test. Grandfather Fenn often came down to the Odeon cinema to see Sir Laurence two other boys and was resident in senior tables in the passageway, water being watch the 1st XI school cricket matches Olivier’s film version of Shakespeare’s dorm. The only hiccup was I slept through collected from downstairs. As a junior one of the roster duties out. Junior boys sat near the servers at against his old school Framlingham. In “Richard III’. On March 16th of that year a middle of the night fire drill and some Beatings by the prefects were a regular was to ring the bell for meals and another meal times and plates were passed down those days the whole school watched I was confirmed in the School Chapel. It wag answered for me in the roll call. occurrence and I was fortunate to only was to participate in the common room the table and back again when empty. the important matches and I used to was a big occasion with the Bishop of St suffer this fate once for misbehaving in fire lighting roster. The worst part of the Food was at times pretty awful and rarely get special permission to join him in Edmundsbury the Rt. Rev. Dr A H Morris On the worst day 178 prep. Juniors were expected to fag for latter was humping the heavy coals from seconds. We were however at weekends the avenue. At one time I worked in the conducting the service and tea and cake schoolboys and 7 masters them. Fagging consisted of making toast the bunkers behind the Headmaster’s allowed to use up the gravy with bread, pavilion operating the small cricket served in the School Dining Hall. were absent from school. on the study passage gas ring, cleaning garage up to the common room. We a habit that I still enjoy. One of my few scoreboard and can remember being I remember that mother and I and my shoes, making beds, tidying studies and were allowed to make toast and roasted dislikes is beetroot. The reason may flattened in the boxing ring. All School three godparents stood by the door from 1957 was the year of the Asian Flu running errands on request. If you were chestnuts. The common rooms with well go back to the time that one of the Houseboys were made to enter in order the Headmasters House and were the epidemic when almost half the school lucky you might receive 10 bob at the views to the Arboretum were sparse caterers, Mildred by name, was dishing to secure a standards point - School first to be presented to the Bishop when became ill. Junior Dorm was full of sick end of the term. Under the regime of containing a wooden table in the centre out the beetroot from a large cauldron House always won all the sports. boys and rooms in Mermagen’s private Senior Prefects the clock was turned back of the room and individual locker seats and her nose dripped into it. In 1955 I went to H.M.S. Ganges with quarters were brought in to use. On to Rugby School Days when a shout of a party of boys on the occasion of their the worst day 178 schoolboys and 7 ‘Fag’ was heard the nearest junior was ... the assistant housemaster, 50th Anniversary Celebrations. It was masters were absent from school. This expected to re-act. In many ways I was often stu€ed food he didn’t like also the year in which I first met my to be was the year that I ended up in hospital fairly lucky as I was allocated as fag to into an envelope concealed in life-long pal ‘Gaucho’ Jeffery. He was new to have a testicle lowered - all rather the housemaster ‘Sammy’ Saunders. his pocket. to boarding and like me had difficulty in embarrassing - I recall being visited I recall making his bed every day, relating to some of the harsher aspects in hospital by Matron Dixon wearing running errands to the town (always Another awful incident was the day of boarding house life. He and I on at her full nurses outfit. Geography trips a good excuse to escape from the that Mermagen, the Headmaster, noticed least two occasions road our bikes from with Spud Marsden were made on boarding house). that scraps of left over gristly meat from Ipswich along the A12 to my mother’s Saturday afternoons to the clay pits boys plates had been piled on to one bungalow at Dedham a journey that one around Claydon, Bawdsey and Dunwich Food was at times pretty awful plate at the end of a table. He made would not contemplate today. searching for sharks teeth. In August and rarely seconds.. each boy take a plate back and the meat At the end of the summer term I went to the Dordogne with Martin was divided between them. I recall that ‘Sammy’ Saunders left the school Shortland-Jones and Badcock staying Pocket money of one shilling a week Clissold, the assistant housemaster, and ‘Bounce’ Thornbury took over as in Souillac. Eric Shipton, of Everest fame

12 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 13 Features | School House 1955 – 58 Features | Carrot or Stick? The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

visited the School towards the end of Norfolk at Bodney involving a day/night game that was to play such an important the year. operation and the other at Catterick in part in my adult life. Fives, tennis, It was during my last few years at the Yorkshire where I had a reasonably cushy sailing, rugby and hockey were to be my Carrot or Stick? School encouraged by Spud Marsden number helping Norman, the quarter games options. It was also in 1958 that that I widen my interests from cinema master, with the stores, a job that I had my partner and I reached the second and stamp club to the Scientific Club; back at school. round of the Suffolk Hardcourt Tennis Puppet Club run by the Clark twins; 6th Championships in the Mixed Doubles Leigh Belcham reflects on past and present form film society; chess club; Literary & Being a 6th former somehow held at the Ipswich Lawn Tennis Club. approaches to discipline at Ipswich School Dramatic Society; Geographic Society (I gave a feeling of importance. Hockey was not considered a main was Treasurer in 1959); and the Farming sport and was played in a voluntary Association. Spud even persuaded me to Mother always did her best to attend capacity after rugby. A ‘privilege’ as a 6th Taking the Sherwood Block stairs two Approaches to discipline, in both take a small part in ‘Timon of Athens’. the Commemoration Services, Speech former was to patrol the touch line when at a time, I arrived at the bottom with my independent and state schools, have Chapel played an important part in my and Sports days and she was particularly the school were assembled to watch eyes fixed on the prefects’ noticeboard certainly changed over the past fifty school life with form and house services proud of me when I received the Senior important inter-school 1st XV rugby outside Room 3. And there it was, my years. And it seems to me that the each term, usually attended by mother. Geography Prize on Speech Day on the matches or 1st XI cricket matches. worst fears realised. “The following are change reflects differing approaches a caning to [X] for his unsatisfactory Masters always paraded in their gowns day of the official opening of the new One escapade that I got away with wanted in the Prefects’ Room today at to education. An independent school work in general (French and German) and sat at the end of the aisle facing the Great School. was that through a trapdoor in the 11.15am: ...” There were only two names, headmaster recently summed it up: “In and for slovenly work in his arithmetic, altar. Prayers in the Lower School were I was present when Tubby Clayton, passage near the new physics laboratory mine and that of a friend with whom I had those days the focus was on keeping wherein he makes no progress. I make held daily in Donachers and the Seniors the founder of TOC H, visited the School several of us were able to crawl under the been caught the previous day, bashing pupils under control,” he said. “Today we this request in the conviction that this in the Chapel. Woe betide any boy who in January 1958 and preached in the school library and then to gain access one another with knotted rugger socks. are more concerned with encouraging alone will wake him out of his apathy and went in to Chapel with dirty shoes or with Chapel; Oak Apple Day, an annual event to the area under the master’s common The dull pain in my stomach increased individual development.” indolence.” Another master wrote: “I have shoes without toe caps across the front of on Charles I’s birthday to celebrate his room. I still have a Victorian magazine as I walked the walk of the condemned The Ipswich School archives provide to report [Y] to the H M for gross idleness the shoe. I failed to get in to the choir but escape from the Roundheads by hiding in that had somehow found its way into the across to Donachers. fascinating glimpses of an earlier and mischievous conduct. I have caused was co-opted to pump the Willis organ, an oak tree, took place on 30th May and space below the library. disciplinary regime. Punishment books him to sit by himself to learn his Greek look after the choir library and often rang involved boys not wearing oak apples School reports were by now quite I have to report [Y] to the record all punishments meted out since grammar, of which he has not succeeded the chapel bell. being thrashed on their bare legs with positive and encouraging “Another H M for gross idleness and 1875, together with the offences to which in learning six anomalous verbs in two Life in the CCF was fun playing soldiers stinging nettles; and a School Fete was steady term. He is developing well as a mischievous conduct. I have they relate. “Lateness”, “idleness”, “absent entire days; and he has occupied himself with the Enfield rifles of the First War and held in the summer. reliable senior member of the House” caused him to sit by himself to without leave”, “disorder”, “cribbing”, during his exclusion in carving his name stripping and re-assembling bren guns. I learn his Greek grammar, of “disgraceful work”, and “damaging in deep letters on a new desk-lid, and in even got to fire a bren on one of the field which he has not succeeded in lockers” were all in evidence in days gone otherwise disfiguring the same.” With his kind, gentle and thoughtful manner he was a hit with trips. I managed to reach the dizzy height learning six anomalous verbs by, and not infrequently merited corporal several High School Girls and in particular Lesley Leader. of corporal and specialised in teaching in two entire days... punishment. That boy became Charles map reading. It was always great fun For many years canings were only Sherrington OM, GBE, marching the section up Henley Road to By then I was well into my A level (Thornbury). “Very good all round effort It was sometime in 1952, and shortly given by the headmaster. An entry for President of the Royal Society, the brick fields off Dale Hall Lane where History and Geography studies, two of my and progress” (Headmaster). afterwards the pain in my stomach was 1876 reads: “I must earnestly beg the and noted neurophysiologist various section activities took place. My favourite subjects. The April Geography Girls were about to appear on the replaced by one in my backside. A panel Revd the Head-Master to administer and Nobel Prizewinner. old pal John Nash was unable to control field trip to the Isle of Skye was to form an horizon thanks to my old pal Gaucho. With his kind, gentle and thoughtful his section and I can see them now important part of our A level necessitating Misbehaviour early last century was often recorded in rather manner he was a hit with several High marching down the Lime Avenue in quick the writing of a ‘thesis’ about the island. general terms such as “bunking o€”, “cribbing”, “fooling”... time and him chasing after them trying This was to lead to an epic journey in School Girls and in particular Lesley to catch up. We all undertook regular the summer when John Nash and I hitch Leader from the Northgate. He was shooting practice often in the School hiked back to Skye staying at Youth known on occasion to escape from top of three prefects determined that we were swimming baths and each term attended Hostels. The extra material that we dorm after lights out! I guess he was the guilty of fighting, and the prefect who had a Field Day and each year an gleaned not only helped to secure A level one who introduced me to Delia in July caught us in the act administered four Annual Inspection. passes but contributed to us receiving 1958 just before he left the School and strokes with a gym shoe. I attended two summer camps one in jointly the Senior Geography prize. my move back to Westwood. I recall Several years ago I bumped into that Being a 6th former somehow gave one that he, Lesley, Delia and I walked round prefect again. a feeling of importance. With 6 O Levels Christchurch Park and that it was the “You probably won’t remember,” I one was entitled to wear a gown, could third time round the park before I plucked said, “but you have the distinction of wear a boater rather than a cap and up enough courage to hold Delia’s hand! being the only prefect who beat me.” trusted with free study periods. I often We were never to become serious boy “Well, it didn’t do you any harm, did wore a gown when going down in to the and girlfriend but we remained good it?” was the quick reply. town thus avoiding the need to wear friends and I was always made welcome That set me thinking. Did it do me a boater. by her parents in Cotswold Avenue. any harm? How would I have turned out My diary of the time records that on without the strong discipline we received the 2nd of May 1958 I played my first Mike Fenn at school? Were others right in airily game of Fives. This was to be the start (OI 1948 – 59) dismissing it all as “okay for the time. Bates, Fenn, Hitchcock, Burch of my love of this wonderful game, a No-once questioned it.”? Punishment book

14 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 15 Features | Carrot or Stick? Features | Carrot or Stick? The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Writing details of an imposition activities. Some were described the righteous, but the way of the wicked ‘noughties’ than a them-and-us opportunity for reflection and a chance prefects more as authority figures than must sometimes have taken as long as euphemistically as “unauthorised leads to destruction.” atmosphere. to correct a pattern of unacceptable people who had our best interests at the imposition itself! During 1875, six experiments”, and included “using a Corporal punishment was maintained “Pupils will always nibble away at the behaviour. heart. The motivation for learning for pupils were required “to translate Livy pipette as a water pistol”, and “blowing until well after the Second World War, edges of some rules, with hair alternately “Where a pupil had appeared some was all too often keeping on the ix.xxxviii paras 2 – 8 inclusive by 2.30, air into the gas system”. Others were but seems to have dropped off steadily too long or too short, shirts not tucked frequently in punishment books in the right side of those in authority; for others and to conjugate at full in all tenses “attempting to take chemicals from during the late 1960s and very early in, and ties at half-mast being some of past, today we would be looking at a it was the challenge of getting away with and persons every verb in the lesson lab”, “carbide in inkwell”,“having 1970s. Prefects ceased beating boys on the favourites of this period. A consistent more general intervention, trying to as much as possible! Both hindered done this morning. The latter part of phosphorous in changing room”, and 21st October 1968, although a Prefects’ approach from teachers, who may understand why a pattern of behaviour our entering fully into the learning this imposition to be given up, half at 9 “stealing magnesium ribbon and firing it Punishment Book was maintained after naturally be at the firm or soft end of was not being corrected. This may well experience, acutely aware of its tomorrow and half at roll-call. Slovenly in changing room”. Other changing room that date with details of punishments the disciplinary spectrum, was a target, expose other issues,” said Nick, “such lifetime benefits. work or inaccuracy will be rewarded by a incidents were recorded as “indecency”, given and certified periodically by the but always with an understanding of as problems at home, self-esteem or similar imposition at roll-call “misbehaviour in changing room” and headmaster. After the late John Blatchly’s individual circumstances. Pupils respect peer group issues, which are working ...they were probably on Saturday.” “changing room offence”. One pupil was appointment as head in 1972, canings by sensible and fairly-applied rules, and themselves out in bad behaviour. expecting a caning. What impact – apart from the obvious discovered “reading filthy literature”; staff dwindled significantly. The last two respect teachers more if they feel this Through our pastoral care system, we – did these sanctions have on pupils? another was caught “reading Bible canings seem to have been in 1978, with respect is reciprocated. This is in marked have many ways of supporting our One thing I do know for sure: If we How many recognised the error of their in class”. the final entry for “repeated misconduct contrast to the dismissive way in which youngsters in getting back on an even saw someone standing outside the ways, applied themselves afresh to study, and dishonesty ...Three strokes of a cane teachers sometimes thought of (and keel. The approach is very much, ‘love the headmaster’s study in the 1950s, they and achieved success? How many were Pupils will always nibble were witnessed by another member of addressed) their pupils when I started in person, hate the sin’.” were probably expecting a caning. discouraged, becoming resentful and away at the edges of some staff and the culprit examined afterwards the profession in the 1970s.” So did that beating in 1952 do me any Today they would more likely anticipate uncooperative, and failed to achieve rules, with hair alternately by Matron.” “In the nineties, Headmaster’s harm? It’s hard to say. However, I suspect congratulation for academic or their potential? too long or too short. During John Blatchly’s headship the Detention on a Saturday morning was that the disciplinary regime at that time sporting achievement. We can never know for sure, although school further developed what might be the most severe sanction, other than led many of us to regard teachers and it was intriguing to read an entry for Several offences involved an element termed the liberalisation of its approach rarely used temporary or permanent 1876. A boy was expected to write out of danger: “climbing through window of to disciplinary matters. This continued exclusions,” said Ian, adding that the “the formula required for the solution of locked classroom”, “putting a red-hot under Ian Galbraith, who succeeded John most significant challenge during his time triangles without logarithms 100 times.” needle on someone’s neck”,“exploding in 1992. as head was probably the emergence Four days later, “the impositions for cartridge in Manual“, and “reported by “Self-discipline based on a desire of cyber-bullying, “an ongoing issue A Far Cry Tuesday last [were] doubled for neglect.” police for dangerous riding”. Finally, in to ‘do the right thing’ “, said Ian, “was for all schools.” But he was sure that That boy became Charles Sherrington January 1956, someone was punished for overwhelmingly more important at work-related sanctions for homework OM, GBE, President of the Royal Society, an “excessive number of pants worn to Ipswich School in the ‘nineties and not handed in and the like were far and noted neurophysiologist and the Prefects’ Room”, for which he received more common during that period Year 12 pupil Rupert Everett-Beecham finds some Nobel Prizewinner. a further three strokes of the cane. than sanctions for bad behaviour, and surprises in the school’s historic punishment books. Edmund Denham Spurrell, who Not all misdeeds led to beatings, paid tribute to “the very considerate arrived in 1874, had 81 entries between although boys on the receiving end of and sensible behaviour of Ipswich October 1875 and October 1876 and a some of the sanctions would probably School pupils”. He also explained that There were certainly a few ‘original’ readings and divinity papers. Other further 45 between then and March 1877. have preferred it if they had. One in an era of increased regulation, when punishments in the 19th Century, interesting entries, which included He was apparently no academic but entry required two boys, “who failed there apparently had to be a policy for which I think it’s fair to say we’re “throwing potatoes out of bus” and captained the school cricket 1st XI, and to show up their 200 lines at roll-call everything, the school drew up (and glad we don’t see today – “canings “driving my car,” along with “reading later became a member of the Norfolk on Wednesday, to show up 400 of the from time to time, amended) a Discipline administered for slovenly arithmetic,” the bible in lesson” would not appear Yeomanry, a local councillor viith book of the Aeneid tomorrow at 4 Policy. This list of prohibitions was “writing 70 lines of Shakespeare,” in a punishment book today. and magistrate. o’clock.” Another was given “100 lines for balanced, following consultation with “conjugating all tenses and persons for During the 1930s there were on Misbehaviour early last century talking; 100 lines for arguing the point,” staff and pupils, with a Code of Conduct every Latin verb in the previous lesson”. average 6 to 10 beatings per term, but was often recorded in rather general and another “300 lines of Homer’s Iliad setting out the good behaviour and In all honesty, late PSC [homework] it seems quite a number misbehaved terms such as “bunking off”, “cribbing”, 23rd Book for bullying by Saturday at 4 attitudes aspired to. seems a fairly rational reason for a in the Easter term of 1945 as 46 “fooling”, “slacking”, “bumptiousness” o’clock”. As for failing to treat spiritual Ian concluded, “One of the delights of punishment, when compared with beatings were given. Slowly, however, and “vulgarity”. More specific offences matters with suitable gravitas, the being a Headmaster at Ipswich School the terrible habit of “retiring to their beatings became less common, and included “pea-shooting”,“using catapult”, punishments would probably have was that, although serious disciplinary dormitories for the night without by the late 1960s there were very few. and “chalking master’s seat”, with a lot proved counter-productive. Seven boys, incidents inevitably occurred from time putting on slippers” by some in June So it remained until 1978 when the of throwing –“throwing sneezing powder “absent from Chapel” in December 1875, to time, the school’s friendly atmosphere 1876. Writing out bible readings was last entry was made for “repeated about in class”, “throwing explosive caps”, had to “write out Morning Psalms and meant that we could almost always focus the punishment for those who dared to misconduct and dishonesty” with “throwing wood about in Manual [the give them to me in person at 9.” Let’s on far more positive – and important – not put on the appropriate footwear! two strokes of the cane witnessed. carpentry workshop]”, and “preparing to hope the boy who, in 1875, had to “write matters.” For “gross idleness and mischievous It was all a far cry from the more throw wet blotting paper”. out Psalm 1” really did heed the last The school’s present head, Nick conduct,” instead of perhaps a red reasonable Ipswich School of today, Collection of canes Chemistry inspired several illicit verse: “...the Lord watches over the way of Weaver, agreed. “Sanctions today are card or a detention which would be where a Headmaster’s Detention on rather more humane than formerly,” he expected today, the unfortunate few a Saturday is reserved for the most said. “There is, of course, some element who behaved in such a way in June serious offences. Not all misdeeds led to beatings, although boys on the receiving end of of deterrent, but it is also important 1876 suffered through writing out bible some of the sanctions would probably have preferred it if they had. that we use any ‘punishment’ as an

16 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 17 Features | David Bowie Tribute Features | David Bowie Tribute The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

The following morning, I awoke to By the time that I logged onto Facebook to find my phone bombarded by Facebook ‘It’s the Freakiest Show…’ look at the video, it had already been viewed messages. Some were from Bowie over 11,000 times. fans who had wanted to get in touch with me personally to thank me for the – the David Bowie tribute morning chorister practice, I heard the tribute, whilst many others were from news break on the radio that David Bowie journalists who wanted an interview. had died. I immediately recognised the The video was now a news story, part that went viral significance of this news: Bowie was a of the Bowie tributes that were leading musician who had transcended genre, the news cycle. ITV News came to the pushed all artistic boundaries and written Cathedral to film me playing the piece some of the best songs that would ever live on the lunchtime news. I gave a “What does it feel like to go viral?” be written. number of interviews to BBC Local Later that morning, in conversation Radio stations, including one package A question that I never thought I with a couple of colleagues, the idea was that was played out nationally as part would have the experience to answer. raised that we could put on a musical of BBC Local’s religious programming. tribute to David Bowie. This would be The video was featured on all the a reflection of the mood of the local major British newspaper websites Yet, following the passing of David Bowie in January, community that St Albans (uniquely and the BBC website. A search on a video of me performing Life on Mars on the organ in his responsibility for rehearsing, directing placed as both a Cathedral and parish Google News proved staggering – memory, filmed by a colleague at St Albans Cathedral, was and accompanying the choirs and church) serves. Our very talented media outlets on no fewer than four viewed millions of times across the world on social media. playing for all the chapel services (four marketing department suggested continents were reporting on the video. The video became a global news story, appearing in Australia, each week during term time). There are that it would be a good idea to film New Zealand, Singapore, India, America and across Europe. very few places where an undergraduate the performance and share it on the My phone was lit up with The entire affair led me to reflect on how fortunate I am to be is given responsibility for training a choir Cathedral’s social media channels. With notifications from Facebook, pursuing a career as an organist, following a passion for church of boy trebles, and I was very grateful for the relevant permissions sought (I would Twitter... music that began at Ipswich School. the opportunity to do this at Worcester. not have wanted to play David Bowie on My final year (when I was Senior Organ the Cathedral organ without permission So, what does it feel like to go viral? I I am very grateful to Andrew this – making music in a liturgical choral set-up: the choir school is Scholar and thus had responsibility from the Dean and the Master of the found that events moved so quickly that Leach and William Saunders for context, inside a wonderful Cathedral located over ten miles away from the for administrating the choir’s year) Music!), the performance was planned: the enormity of the reaction did not sink all the opportunities they gave building and as part of a centuries-old Abbey, in Cheltenham. My job involved coincided with the college’s tercentenary, at 4pm I would play Life on Mars in this in. Within hours of recording the video, me during my time at school. tradition – was something that I would working in the Dean Close School which led to a number of very exciting most unusual context. The performance it had been viewed thousands of times love to consider my profession. I am very music department during the day, projects: tours to Germany and Italy, two was attended by a number of cathedral and been shared by the likes of Classic I started to learn the organ with grateful to Andrew Leach and William before travelling with the choristers to CD recordings (one of which received staff and visitors around the building FM, the Associated Board of the Royal William Saunders in Year 8. I quickly fell Saunders for all the opportunities they Tewkesbury for Evensong. I played for the accolade of BBC Music Magazine stopped in their tracks to listen to the School of Music and Channel 4 News. in love with the instrument, and William gave me during my time at school. services in Tewkesbury Abbey and Dean Christmas Choice), a broadcast on BBC music emanating from the organ. My phone was lit up with notifications gave me much encouragement. His Their encouragement to me gave me a Close School Chapel, took chorister Radio 4 and a celebratory concert in St It was only when I got home after from Facebook, Twitter and personal first piece of advice for me was to join platform for all that I have experienced in rehearsals and took on many other duties John’s Smith Square. Evensong that I had any idea what was messages for days on end. The entire the Chapel Choir, and it is there that I the last six years. within the thriving music department. I have continued to work in cathedral transpiring on social media. By the week was incredibly surreal and I feel that encountered the Anglican choral tradition Upon leaving school in the summer music since graduating, first as Senior time that I logged onto Facebook to I won’t truly recognise its significance for for the first time. It was an unknown of 2010, I took up the gap-year position There are very few places where Organ Scholar at Wells Cathedral and look at the video, it had already been some time yet. language to me at first: the concept of the of Organ Scholar at Tewkesbury Abbey. an undergraduate is given now at St Albans Cathedral. My current viewed over 11,000 times. It was rapidly But right from the start, I felt honoured many different settings of the canticles, Tewkesbury Abbey has a unique responsibility for training a role in St Albans sees me accompany being shared and there were many and humbled that so many people saw beginning to understand Anglican chant choir of boy trebles, and I was the Abbey Girls Choir and assist in the appreciative comments. Amongst a the video and felt it a suitable tribute and becoming used to the structure of very grateful for the opportunity accompaniment of the Cathedral Choir. number of comments asking the identity for such an important artist. It makes the service of Choral Evensong. Two years to do this at Worcester. I also accompany the Parish Singers of the organist, I left a comment from my me incredibly grateful to be working in later, I joined the choir at St Mary-le- and direct the Abbey Singers, a choir of personal Facebook account identifying such an inspiring place with talented Tower, which continued to broaden my I was next appointed to the Organ teenage former choristers. myself. By the end of the week, that and passionate colleagues. It also makes knowledge of music within the liturgy. Scholarship at Worcester College, Oxford, comment would have over 7,000 likes me reflect on the career I have had since Throughout my time at Ipswich School, where I read for a degree in music ... the idea was raised that we and over 900 replies. It quickly became leaving Ipswich School and my gratitude I was given a number of opportunities between 2011 and 2014. Alongside the could put on a musical tribute apparent that our tribute was being to all I encountered there who gave me to develop my skills: playing for weekly rigour of the Oxford music course, which to David Bowie. appreciated by David Bowie fans across the best possible start to what has been a chapel services, accompanying the brought me a great deal of knowledge in the globe and had touched a chord wonderful journey. Chapel Choir on a regular basis and many different areas, the college organ When I woke up on the morning of with many people grieving the loss of a taking sectional rehearsals. The annual scholarship gave me the opportunity to Monday 11th January, the first week of musical icon. The video was eventually – Nicholas Freestone Chapel Choir tour, especially week-long work very closely with two choirs: one of a new Cathedral term, I had no hint of viewed over 4 million times across (OI 2003 – 2010) residencies at Winchester and Salisbury boy trebles and one of undergraduates. how the week ahead would turn out. As Facebook and YouTube, and the ‘reach’ of Cathedrals, cemented the feeling that The three organ scholars took complete I was about to leave the house for the the Facebook video was over 12 million.

18 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 19 Features | Marathon des Sables Features | Marathon des Sables The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

day, but to save weight we only had Crossing the line was a mixture of 2,700 or so in food supplies. exhilaration and relief. We ran the last 2016 Marathon des Sables The downside was that our health few km and while we could see the suffered. It’s one thing to run a marathon; finish from 8km away, it seemed to take it’s another to get up after four hours’ an age to get there. Both my feet were sleep in a sandstorm and do it all over agony, Ossy and I were slurring our words 257km is a long way. Or, to put it in again. And, despite all the preparation, from a combination of sleep and energy context, Ipswich to Bath as the crow customised shoes, foot strapping and deprivation, and we’d had to down all sand repelling gators, the blisters still our remaining painkillers to get us across flies. To drive 257km takes a while, came. Mine started on Day Two and I the line. A live webcam meant friends to cycle it takes absolutely ages and suffered badly. My right knee and left and family could see us stagger across ankle also started to give up halfway the finish after more than 53 hours of to run it…well, it’s about six-and-a-half through and became progressively more running, we embraced and I think we marathons. painful and debilitating, and I’d had a both shed a small tear. I don’t know desert thorn punch straight through the if it was relief, pride or something sole of my right trainer and puncture my else entirely. The Marathon des Sables (MdS) – billed as the toughest foot on Day 2. So we made it. In the top 600 of the footrace on earth – is 257km. And it is six-and-a-half marathons, Then there was the ultimate test: the 1150 starters, which was beyond our back-to-back, over six-and-a-half days. It’s also through the ‘Ultra’. On Day Four we were doing two wildest dreams. Would I recommend it? Sahara desert, up and down sand dunes, carrying all your marathons back to back – a distance As an experience, a resounding ‘Yes’, but food and equipment. 4,000 people have climbed Everest; 11,000 of 85km, with 1000m of vertical climb - you need to go into it with your eyes wide have made it to the finish of the MdS. And, despite my other us, we’re both reasonably fit and very basically climbing to the top of Snowdon open which we did. For fun? Definitely career in the GBR Speed Ski team, I don’t fancy Everest. But the determined. We knew we weren’t going from sea level. Starting at 9am, we arrived not. Would I do it again? No chance. MdS, for some reason, did appeal as a challenge. to challenge for the lead, our priority at 5am the next day, and it was brutal. was to finish. We were raising money for Some people were still arriving at 5pm And finally - the one question Each day starts with Patrick Macmillan Cancer Nurses, as both our that day. The final marathon and a half everyone asks is: ‘What’s next?’. dancing on top of a Land Rover, fathers have suffered with cancer, and my almost felt like an afterthought, and Watch this space... while AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’ dad was going through chemotherapy for my worsening injuries meant they were pumps out of the PA system. a particularly aggressive case while I was particularly painful, but once we had – Ben Hedley running. The huge generosity of friends done the Ultra, the finish was in sight. (OI 1983 – 95) Started in 1984 by a French concert and family (including many OIs) meant promoter called Patrick Bauer who we didn’t want to let anyone down by wandered off into the desert (one not finishing. suspects as a very extreme form of cold turkey), the race has grown, with 1250 Ossy and I were slurring our people being accepted for the 2016 water to get you to the first checkpoint. words from a combination of edition. Only 1150 made it to the start line Water management is key to the race sleep and energy deprivation, and 973 made it to the finish line. This – it is strictly rationed - and there is a and we’d had to down all our edition was also the longest-ever run, fine line to getting it right. If you run too remaining painkillers to get and had a particularly uncomfortable fast, there’s a chance of overcooking us across the line. combination of sandstorms with 50mph and getting your body temperature so and after 200m I tended to run out of puff. winds and 43C temperatures. high that it spirals out of control and But since school, I’ve got into triathlons While not distance runners, both Ossy Despite being started by a Frenchman, you’re out of the race, with the hefty as a typical mid-life crisis response. When and I could knock out a flat UK marathon run by a French company, located in entry fee and a year of training wasted. I found I started enjoying them, in about 3 hours 45 min or so, but the Morocco, and open to competitors Too slow, and you will either not make I began to increase the challenge. reality in the desert is very different. In from all around the world, the UK is the checkpoint cut-off deadlines and be Olympic triathlon: check. Half-Ironman the heat of the Sahara, each marathon massively over-represented. I’m told retired, or you’ll spend too much time in (a double Olympic): check. Full Ironman was taking us around eight hours. To put that the number of Brits is artificially the baking sun and use up all your water (4km swim, 180km cycle then a it in context, the time limit per day was capped, otherwise we’d crowd out all the before the next checkpoint. marathon): double check. The danger around thirteen hours, and the winners other nations. A tribute to the particular of upping the stakes continually on these were doing them in an incredible British psyche, and an endorsement of The huge generosity of friends events is that there is always one harder. four hours. Englishmen being Mad Dogs. and family (including many And for me, the ultimate challenge was One benefit each successive day was Each day starts with Patrick dancing OIs) meant we didn’t want to let the MdS. weight, or the reduction thereof. While on top of a Land Rover, while AC/DC’s anyone down by not finishing. Standing on the start line in April, our packs started off weighing 10kg, they ‘Highway to Hell’ pumps out of the I was confident that Ossy, my running got lighter as we ate through the food we PA system. Then the gun, and off you I’ve never been much of a runner. I partner, and I could make it to the end. had to carry with us. And we were also disappear into the unforgiving desert always suffered through the Fynn Valley While we were far from the sinewy frames losing body weight fast: the effort meant carrying your rucksack and three litres of cross-country at school. I was a sprinter, of the pro ultra-runners surrounding we were burning around 7000 calories a

20 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 21 Features | 2016 London Marathon Features | 2016 London Marathon The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

so supportive, runners, ex-runners and top was the noise of singers and bands non-runners alike. The tips I received down the route of the course. The run 2016 London Marathon saved pain and effort: many thanks to was one thing and yet despite all the you all. A frequently asked question training the carnival atmosphere and was: “Who are you running for”. When support was at a much higher level. For I explained that I wanted to know if I both runners and those watching, the could get round the course, the usual London Marathon transformed people response was: “Yes, but which charity into kind, encouraging and supportive are you supporting”. I therefore changed people. It was uplifting to experience. my initial plan and instead raised some money for Colchester Street Pastors, with ...marathon running could whom I am involved and which is a great be addictive... but I have not event. I have worked in London for most local cause. Many thanks to all those who fallen for it. of my life. I lived there for a long time. generously donated. You have funded The attraction of the legendary crowd a huge chunk of a year’s activities of You will have gathered that I support and carnival atmosphere meant Colchester Street Pastors. finished the course and so became that for my first marathon I was not going In advance, the publicity for the #oneinamillion. That was my aim, and so to contemplate anywhere else. 2016 London Marathon was greater I was (and am) quite happy. My running Every year some quarter of a million than usual. The organisers knew that time is not important. Really. And yet, people apply for a place via the ballot. the one millionth finisher since the first I now know that if I had trained a little When, after some 6 years of seeking one, London Marathon in 1981 would cross differently I could have completed the I was given such a place there was plenty the finish line on 24 April this year. So course 20 to 30 minutes quicker. But that of motivation to use it well. Which was why not push the publicity under the would demand a huge number of hours necessary. My first two mile run 6 months hashtag #oneinamillion? I wasn’t the one running the non-flat roads and lanes before the “big day” hurt a good deal. The millionth finisher: that person finished an of Constable country and its environs. I build up to being able to run a far enough hour after me. persuaded myself not to enter the ballot distance that allowed me to think that I What of the day itself? The for the 2017 London Marathon, but my might actually be able to get round the organisation of the event is exceptionally younger son is now inspired to run the marathon course took time. A long time. good. My fellow runners were friendly, course when he hits the minimum age Everyone has a I’m not as young as I was. Winter early understanding when bumped into, and allowed, so that might (only might) be di‘erent motive for mornings were cold, dark and uninviting. encouraging. Those (me included) who the time for me to have another go. Or it The ground was too hard, soft or mud. at times found the going tough received might not. running their first But as my daughter kindly reminded me kind words and an entreaty to push on I can see that marathon running could marathon. Indeed, once in a while: “no pain, no gain”. There from other runners. Towards the end be addictive. It’s quite a good addiction, was pain. of the course I saw people who could but I have not fallen for it. Yes, I have kept any subsequent barely stand gathered firmly between running, but not so frequently now there marathon too. Towards the end of the course two other runners, who ensured that is no target. So I need another challenge, I saw people who could barely the sufferer completed the course. perhaps. stand gathered firmly between And the supporting crowds were just During the past few months I have The London Marathon perhaps two other runners, who ensured magnificent. From the start to the finish learned a great deal and perhaps been attracts more people who would not that the su€erer completed people lined the route, often several reminded of a number of things I had usually consider themselves runners. the course. deep. In Greenwich, for example, there not thought about for a while. Such as, The event is shamelessly one of the was just small “tunnel” left for the things that initially seem daunting, if biggest charity fundraising days of the There is a rumour that Suffolk is flat. runners: it was almost overwhelming. not impossible, are achievable with the year. That is reason enough to take Much of it isn’t. This rumour sometimes right approach and training. That the part for many people, some of whom extends to the area of the Essex/Suffolk ...the London Marathon support of family is crucial. That the have amazing stories which explain borders, where we live. The rumour is transformed people into right footwear is essential. And that over their motivation. For others the just that. Still, the hills are useful for kind, encouraging and 39,000 runners plus countless thousands challenge is completing the course, or endurance training, or so I was told. The supportive people. supporting them can give each other a beating a certain time. And there are London Marathon course is largely flat, huge lift by their positive, encouraging other reasons too. and on the day that came as a welcome The sweets, drinks and above all the and noisy (or quiet) vocal support. I ran the London Marathon relief to the inclines of some of my noise of the huge vocal support provided in 2016. My reason was simple. I training runs. The endurance comment over 26.2 miles was phenomenal. That, above all, is my London wanted to know if I could. For quite turned out to be true. Especially the noise. Support for Marathon memory to run with. a number of years I have wanted What else did I learn in preparation individual runners was amazing. to run or, rather, attempt to run, a and training? That the need for proper I received a great deal, helped entirely – Guy Main marathon, and it had to be London’s running shoes is real. Wow, they help. by my shirt which named me as “The (OI 1969–1979) I also discovered that people are so, Main Guy”. The crowd liked that! And on

22 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 23 Features | Etched in Eternity, Part 1 Features | Etched in Eternity, Part 1 The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

play makeshift cricket on the roof in the were considerable, and according to I visit School, Cloisters is almost always shadow of the three big chimneys, now Clissold, the manual instructor who inaccessible and locked, but a brief Richard Staines recalls life, school alas demolished? taught it to the lower set, the subject indulgence in private quasi-Proustian In front of me are my school reports remained ‘a great burden to him’. Even time-travelling is just possible if one for those years I spent in Upper School, my performance in music, when only 12.7 can muster enough courage to stare and otherwise, in the Fifties. whilst those pertaining to the years spent years old, left something to be desired, westwards in wonderment along the in the Preparatory Department were John Ince, the then Director of Music entire length of the ground corridor donated to Archives some time ago. What opining: ‘he really must make an effort through the window of the door by the is aphoristically written on these surviving to breathe properly and develop more Ivry Street entrance. The allocation of Peter Boughton, Development Director, nodded encouragingly. relics conveys an unmistakeable tone, a tone. Quality must come before quantity, rooms – who taught what, and where – period style. They are very much of their but this can be overdone’. Brian Mills in seems to have been etched in eternity: time. In having remained the principal Geography noted that ‘he travels along classrooms 1 to 5 on the ground floor In a weak moment and over a drink or alternative social groupings, remained the time there was spent enjoyably and I pedagogical mainstay of traditional with us, but too often seems to get left were occupied, in numerical order, by two at Bob Duncan’s President’s Party I normative. Particularly noticeable, and remain grateful to those who taught me classrooms and traditional teachers, the behind by the way’. ‘I have,’ noted Pegg ‘Cabby’ Stonex (Latin and Classics); suggested offering some written personal for the most part also unquestioned, was and for what I learnt. Main School fees didactic teacher-centered model was in the Lent Term, 1958,’ seen him putting Peter Hill (History and Broke House); reminiscences of School in the 1950s. the sharp division existing between high in 1953 were £75 per annum. Later, and the dominant mode of instruction: a up a performance on the Athletics track the Chaplain, ‘Taffy’ R. Jones, then Bill Later, having arrived home, I privately culture and mass culture, a disjunction coinciding with entry to upper school in pedagogy of immutable facts, of right and much better than he would have led me Hussey (Divinity and History); James demurred; the task would demand which tended to reflect class-based September 1955, the termly outlay for wrong answers, embodying a disciplined to expect,’ and: ‘he is to be congratulated Young and Martin Shortland-Jones (Latin, patient trawling through obscure corners differences. It was only by the late 1950s tuition amounted to £52. A small mental approach to knowledge and enquiry on his effort in the Athletics Standards’. Classics and Rigaud House) and finally of personal long-term memory banks. and 1960s that these features came under gallery of disconnected static images, that was to be found in every classoom Why do I keep these ancient period Donald Pegg (History, Current Affairs and Moreover, others had written on the critical scrutiny. mostly recurring flash-backs of trivia, have and always with the balance of agency pieces whose various scripts stare back Holden House). On the first floor were 6 area so what could I contribute to this Who would want to re-live that proved stubbornly imperishable: Form weighing heavily towards the man [sic] accusingly with a mixture of reproach and to 10, ruled over by ‘Spud’ Peter Marsden overworked genre that had not been decade? Open any fashion magazine B2’s inspection of catkins in Christchurch in the front. irrelevance? Documents of remoteness, (Geography), Brian Mills (Geography), previously stated? of the time and somewhere there will Park in Miss Mitten’s 1951 Prep school Reports for the first three years in they bespeak a world and a set of ‘Poppa’ T.B. Job (French and Sherrington People tell me I possess a very good be a certain sinister silhouette: men Nature Study classes; the telephone bell History say it all: ‘He has done quite well experiences antipodean and wholly House), ‘Narky’ Sullivan (French memory. Being a musician by training with unbelievable hair like that of the obtrusively disturbing the peace of Mr. in his quiet way’, a verdict followed in the unallied to the life that was to come. In and Felaw House) and lastly Martin and education – I have worked in eight younger Kingsley Amis, crimped in Gleave’s morning prayers in the main hall next term by ‘fair progress; I think he could their way, of course, they were intended Southwood, followed later by the urbane different schools, all highly variegated in tight waves across their skulls; gigantic of 35 Henley Road; the imperturbable do a little better’, and then for Michaelmas at the time to be well-meaning sources Trevor Stratford (English). An obscure, atmosphere, aspiration and temperament adults, wide thick trousers, bumpy feet in brown-coated caretaker, Mr. Clutterham, 1957, when I was 13.7 years old, the of advice and encouragement as well little-visited and intriguing corridor, out - might well, of itself, have helped to wide open-work sandals, women of the who rang another bell punctuating the appearance of Holden Housemaster as of criticism, and they do contain of bounds to boys, structurally connected promote this capability. Although not decade, with their New Look skirts and day into lesson times, and whose wife Donald Pegg’s devastating broadsides favourable comments. But styles of Room 10 to the gymnasium (George primarily a performing pianist there were perky accessories – little hat, matching dispensed cream buns in break and after : ‘poor results generally, unless he has school reporting have undoubtedly vastly Notcutt and John Nicholson), the place numerous occasions that did demand gloves - their existence on a par with school; Mr. Grice in 1956 at the Sports Day unlimited time; tests during term on work changed, certainly for the better. These where, on the final lesson of the term, the memorising of specific pieces some cats: attractive, silent, unsuited to public heats repeatedly calling out ‘no jump’ supposed to have been learnt have been terse, elliptical vignettes that my parents we played ‘Shipwrecks’, an activity technically easy, others less so. Maybe life. These fragmentary, infantile and to first and second formers by the long bad. One detention’, together with the received and over which they puzzled presented as a treat and involving the these junctures helped to develop the panic-inducing images as I remember of jump pit at the top of School Field; playing observation relating to time spent in Form three times a year were snap-shots – and use of everyitem of apparatus around memorising capacity. I can’t be sure about a fifties Britain inevitably recall a miasma rugby, admittedly half-heartedly, in a IIIE1: ‘he showed considerable inventive like all snap-shots they quickly dated: and over which we tore around, trying that. But recall operates highly selectively, of tedium emanating almost from team called ‘Spartans’ on the ‘Top Field’ in talent of an unhistorical nature in his the hasty, reactive, possibly insufficiently to eschew both touching the floor and for while it’s easy to bring to mind the the pavement. It was a decade whose blizzards and horizontal hail; the sudden examination’. Seeing this comment again thought-out quip commenting on, or even physical contact with two ‘pirates’ both of content and details of lectures and lessons restoration one does not pine for. Others, appearance of the reflecting telescope over fifty-seven years later reminds me of dismissing a pupil’s work has become, whom wore sashes and no doubt selected given at the Royal Academy of Music in the finding today’s bewildering incertitude carried out from the Physics department the report the actor Peter Ustinov received I suspect, a thing of the past. for their mercurial qualities. Otherwise 1960s and subsequently at the Middlesex hard to stomach, will disagree. to the Quad by ‘Puffy’ Briden to observe in 1939 from Westminster: ‘He shows great Sherwood Block, which became fully there was much accent on obedience Polytechnic and the Institute of Education My life at Ipswich School lasted from the partial solar eclipse of February 15, originality, which must be curbed at all operational in January, 1934, was where and drill – ‘running on the spot’ - with in the 1980s and 1990s and later, I am 1951 to 1963. Twelve years is a long time 1961; the stifling heat of Speech Day and costs’. My problems with Mathematics most of it happened. These days, when disciplined team line-outs, and then ashamed to admit I have only the haziest to spend in any one school, and to some the red-faced Chairman of the Governors, later, from the Fourth Form upwards, of recollections of the lessons personally such a span might appear excessive, Sir Frank Mason tapping and testing the on ‘high gymnastics’. More generally the given for over three decades to pupils. perhaps, to use the word pejoratively, an microphone on the Great School stage underlying principle of these lessons was Memories of the 1950s fade only ‘eternity’. To me it did seem very long, but with the timorously posed inquiry put the need for all boys to overcome reserve reluctantly, if at all. As those who lived to a child, half a decade feels like half a to the audience: ‘Can you hear me?’; the in the use of ropes and wall-bars and to through it will tell, the era possessed a century. I knew little else in those days Annual CCF Inspection and the juvenile relish immersions in basketball, volleyball singular quality. By the early part of the but the twin micro worlds of school and paltriness of a hastily manufactured reply and boxing. Whatever might have been decade the rationing of food, clothing and home, and it never occurred to me at the to the somewhat disarming question the theoretical aspects of these and other other luxury goods had become a way of time to ‘assess’ the merit or otherwise of unexpectedly posed whilst on parade physical activities, they certainly never life, and to some extent the cultural values what School was offering as lacking were by Field-Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck: came our way. of a pre-War society remained intact. any available and applicable criteria with ‘Do you enjoy being in the CCF?’, ‘Well, A social and cultural hierarchy, mostly which to do so; no objective, externally I like camp’; an afternoon visit to Cliff The Sherwood building – not quite as Richard would have – Richard Staines self-policed with members of different based measuring yardstick was readily at Quay generating station, then only in its known it, with the modern library and glass bridge (OI 1951 – 63) classes rarely willing or able to move into hand, no Archimedean point. In the main, fourteenth year of operation – did we Part Two will be published in next year’s edition.

24 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Features 25 Book Review | Gareth Jones Book Review | Continued... The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Beethoven’s Third Reviews

– by Gareth Jones Anja Seaton | Former parent at School

Kindle Book It’s not often one meets a novelist! I bought a copy through Amazon completely mesmerised. – available from Amazon Quite by chance I came across and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It Every time she walks past this ‘Dr Jones’ whom I recognised as is centred on a young mother going house the same piece is being having been head of chemistry in through a mid-life crisis who hears practiced and she becomes obsessed Biography and background the days that our three boys were at with wanting to find out more about to the novel: Ipswich School. My relationship with Carefully crafted and full the music and who the stranger playing our sons’ teachers had always felt of the chemistry of human it so beautifully could be? Eventually Dr Gareth Jones was head of rather uncomfortable. However Dr relationships. she plucks up the courage to ring Chemistry at Ipswich School from 1982 Jones, who I now dare to address as the doorbell. to 2006. He was born in Bristol and Gareth, was retired and to my surprise somebody playing the piano from one Carefully crafted and full of the brought up in Cardiff. His interest in told me that he’s just finished writing the houses in her neighbourhood. She chemistry of human relationships. chemistry started early since his father a novel! stops walking to listen and becomes was a chemistry teacher and brought occasional chemicals home from school to experiment with. At grammar school his chemistry teacher’s eccentric Meryl Smith enthusiasm – pools of concentrated but at the end of it all she knows her life has changed hydrochloric acid and ammonia fuming for the better. together on the lab floor – helped steer aware of someone standing outside his This is a well observed and thoughtful study of him towards a chemistry degree at Bristol Nothing happened for a couple house, possibly listening to the music. ....a well observed and thoughtful study of temptation and human relationships with a musical followed by research for a doctorate. He of years but the idea would Or perhaps not – but in that moment temptation and human relationships, with a accompaniment which will please musicians and always sensed that he would become a not go away and on holiday in the idea of a story, perhaps a novel, musical accompaniment... non-musicians alike. teacher and never regretted his career Lanzarote the writing began. was born. Nothing happened for a choice - ‘it was a lot of fun - a chemistry couple of years but the idea would not Love strikes when we least expect it and that’s laboratory is a wonderful intellectual playground.’ His first teaching post was go away and on holiday in Lanzarote certainly what happened to the lead character, Sarah, at Merchant Taylors’ School in north the writing began. Perhaps surprisingly, in this emotionally intelligent exploration of a suburban Christine Pestell London, followed by five years as head of for someone with no experience of woman’s midlife crisis after a chance exposure to the department at a comprehensive school extended writing, the novel proceeded opening chords of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony turns in Newcastle-on-Tyne. He then moved to relatively smoothly, though not quickly, her safe and predictable life upside down. An enjoyable and thought-provoking read. a similar post at Ipswich School before but within two years it was finished. But is she in love with the music or the musician? enjoying four years free of managerial Or is she simply craving a release from the mundanities The story is delightful and believable, with characters responsibility in London prior to retiring ...the chances of getting of her everyday life with her sensible but rather dull who come to life. The incidental, bit-part players provide in 2010. Both his sons were educated at anywhere near publication in husband and her unfulfilling work? Will she follow her interesting comment on some current attitudes and the Ipswich and his wife was Headteacher of the traditional sense were heart or her head? reader can feel the enjoyment and embarrassments of Ipswich Prep from 1999 to 2009. virtually nil but there was, of This is a gentle and intriguing read, not a rip roaring the characters. An enjoyable and thought-provoking Gareth’s main hobby was (and still is) course, Amazon and Kindle. bonk buster, but like the music which inspired it, read - but not at all heavy or pompous! classical music but books and theatre this book has a lyricism to it which keeps the pages continue to be important. Thomas Hardy A little research made it clear that turning as Sarah’s growing discovery of the joy of music was a favourite at Bristol but the writer the chances of getting anywhere near awakens other passions she had long suppressed. who has consistently provided pleasure publication in the traditional sense were Torn between the responsibilities of family life and the on many levels is Graham Greene. virtually nil but there was, of course, thrill of the unknown she wrestles with these long lost John Shea In retirement, and with no particular Amazon and Kindle. Amazon’s tax affairs emotions as her relationship with the widowed pianist thought of writing a novel, Gareth may be one thing but being able to put quickly deepens. Clearly written by a music lover, the was working his way through piano one’s novel in the public domain is to book is like a symphony itself with the changes of Well written and holds your attention. reductions of Beethoven’s symphonies their considerable credit. And they pay rhythm and pace building to a crescendo of expectation – something of a Himalayan task. At royalties! and then a sudden change of key as Sarah’s careful Interesting tale about suburban mid-life crisis. An enjoyable read least the first few bars of the third, Sales have been modest so far but plans go awry leads to an unexpected finale and all Excellent read. Well written and holds your attention. the Eroica, weren’t too difficult – two feedback much more encouraging. A sorts of complications for Sarah to try to resolve, Couldn’t wait to see how the story would unfold. ...keeps you interested. big Eflat chords followed by a gently recurring theme has been ‘an enjoyable rocking arpeggio. Suddenly he became read … keeps you interested’.

26 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Book Review 27 Members News Members News The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Mike Fenn Charlie Harpur (OI 1948 – 59) (OI 2001 – 08) Leigh Belcham

Mike Fenn has recently been from Shrewsbury, Lancing, Westminster, 2015 was a successful trail-running (OI 1951 – 58) presented with a lifetime achievement Wolverhampton, Harrow, Stowe, year for Charlie Harpur. Charlie won award from the Eton Fives Association Berkhamsted, Charterhouse, Repton, the 27-mile Stour Valley Marathon in Having retired to Felixstowe from very much an accolade for the School City of London and Highgate. June, setting a new course record by 17 Coventry in 2002, Jill and I moved back and Club. As you can see from the At the end of April after ten years minutes, and then continued his record to the Midlands in March this year to certificate Gareth Hoskins OI continues as President of the Old Ipswichian breaking streak in August by winning the be nearer to family. We’re presently to play a very important role in the Eton Eton Fives Club I have handed over 100km SVP Ultramarathon (running from staying in Ludlow, enjoying the beautiful Fives Association as Secretary. At the EFA this responsibility to Peter Boughton. Newmarket to Manningtree) taking 11 Shropshire hills, and waiting to complete AGM in October Simon Woolfries OI is to Peter has been a stalwart of the Fives minutes off of the previous course record the purchase of a property in Warwick. be elected as a Director of the Association Club for some 40 years. 2016 is also the in a time of 9hrs and 27min. We miss the Suffolk coast, sailing and and with three OIs then attending Board 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Charlie also competed in the easy access to OI events, as well as meetings the Old Ipswichians join the Old Ipswichian Eton Fives Club. John international Marathon du Mont-Blanc friends in the school archives and the Old Etonians as the two Eton Fives Clubs Caudle is our Treasurer and Tom Fletcher in Chamonix where he was 10th British Foundation Office. But we are looking with most representatives at Board Secretary – slight guess but serving for athlete, and the CTS Dorset Coastal forward to exploring the ancient town Level. Other Directors/Vice Presidents are about 40 and 10 years respectively. Ultramarathon where he came in 3rd and its castle, as well as the Cotswolds. place, qualifying him for the 101km Having downtown Birmingham on our Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix doorstep is a plus, too. We did youth work ultramarathon in the Alps this August. there in the 1960s, and are thinking of This April he swapped the trail for flat arranging a 50-year reunion of youth club tarmac for the London Marathon finishing members next year. in a time of 2hrs 43min.’ At the moment, Charlie is a landscape designer at Tom Stuart-Smith Ltd. in London. Nicholas Professor Bowman-Scargill Michael Beaney (OI 1997 – 05) (OI 1966 – 77)

Following five years of training at I have recently moved to Berlin, Rolex as a watchmaker I am now working where my wife Sharon Macdonald and Mike Fenn, who was unable to receive his lifetime achievement award on re-starting my family’s 170-year-old I have taken up Professorships at the at the EFA Dinner recently, has now been presented it in person by EFA watch company, FEARS. As the great- Humboldt University (in the Institutes for President Richard Barber and EFA Chairman Richard Black great-great-grandson of the original European Ethnology and for Philosophy, founder, Edwin Fear, I have been busy respectively). I also have a part-time post over the past year designing the new at King’s College London, however, so watch, which is now being manufactured have not altogether severed my links with in Switzerland. The business hasn’t been the UK. The British Journal for the History trading for 60 years and the re-launch of Philosophy, which I edit, is based at is set to take place in late 2016 at the King’s College London. SalonQP watch show in London. Mark Bailey (OI 1972 – 79)

Currently High Master of St Paul’s School, London, but retains links with the University of East Anglia as Professor of Late Medieval History. He has been invited to deliver the Ford Lectures in British History at the University of Oxford in 2019.

28 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Members News 29 Members News Members News | Births & Marriages The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Philip Marshall Tom Rash Richard Prentice (OI 1957 – 67) (OI 1994 – 01) (OI 1985 – 96)

I am still working as a Chartered Accountant. I was a founding Copdock and Old Ipswichian Cricket players at test match grounds. We play I am living in Battisford with my and managing partner at a small accountancy partnership in Club’s EAPL Vice captain Tom Rash has kwazulu natal on NY eve at kings ear so wife Sally and my three children Alice, Gloucester until I sold up in 2001, since then I have been working been selected to tour SA with the MCC. there is a good chance I could end up George and Hattie. I still work as a from home as a sole trader. It keeps me off the streets and out of Tom mentions that the opportunity came playing against Cody! Not only that but Chartered Surveyor for Durrants in Diss my wife’s hair! about after showing good early season getting the chance to learn from them, specialising in Agricultural Property My younger brother Tim Marshall (OI 1958-68) was made a form last year, I was taking wicket and seeing how they go about their business and Auctioneering. I am lucky to work Professor of Planning at Oxford Brookes University last year, scoring runs in the league about the time and how they prepare for cricket. throughout Norfolk and Suffolk and I at the tender age of 64 (perhaps there’s hope for us all). He the tour was selected in May (the less bump into a few OIs during my travels. had been a Reader at that University for some years before. He said about the second half of the season Editor – we will catch up with Tom next I am playing hockey for Bury St Edmunds Lady Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Simon would not thank me for writing to you disapproving as he does the better). I have also done reasonably year to find out how he got on. and am involved with the junior training Jarrold, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. of private education and being generally far-left politically. He when playing for MCC in some of the on a Sunday morning. David Lord (OI) hopes to continue working well into grey old age. higher level fixtures (against Ireland A, and I recently went to watch England in Loughborough MCCU, Wales etc) that European Hockey action at Lea Valley, Simon Jarrold combined with doing pretty well on my which gave us a good chance to catch (OI 1981 – 88) last tour to Thailand. I was selected from up on life and ponder where some of our the members that had applied to go on school colleagues were now! the tour, all bar two or three going are full Simon was presented with the British MCC members. Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant I am really excited about playing with, Daren Wilding of West Yorkshire in October 2014. His and against first class and international citation states that he raised around (OI 1988 – 95) £52.000 by spending time organising, arranging and promoting charities in the Daniel Brooks Congratulations to Daren Wilding (OI Leeds area for which he volunteers such 1988 – 95) who has recently got engaged as Candle Lighters, a Childrens Cancer (OI 1984 – 95) to Jen Hare in Varenna, Lake Como. We Charity , the NSPCC and Macmillan. look forward to following up with some To Daniel and Melanie on 8th wedding pictures in a future journal. March 2016 a daughter, Evie Alexandra Lee Paul Abrahams Elizabeth, a welcome baby sister for twins Isobel and Myla now all living (OI 1999 – 06) in Cheshire.

Recently qualified from dental school. Practicing general dentistry in Cornwall, after spending some time in the US. Best regards to old friends. Matthew Brooks Piers Stennett-Howard (OI 1982 – 93) (OI 2006 – 10) Matthew Brooks completed the • Position 700th out of 2600 Ironman UK challenge in Bolton Lancs on competitors. I have just passed my Bachelors in the 19th July 2015. His entire family turned up to cheer Dental Surgery (BDS) at the University After a really early morning start, he him along, including his wife, Rachel of Bristol, with merits in Oral Medicine/ completed the challenge as follows: and their two young children, Jasper Charlotte Mulock Surgery/Pathology/Microbiology and • 2.4 mile swim in 1.13 hours and Tess. (OI 1993 – 95) Restorative Dentistry. • Followed by a 112 mile cycle in Matthew wanted to complete the It has been 6 years since I left my 6.45 hours challenge before his 40th birthday and alma mater, and the requirements of the was successful in doing so by exactly Charlotte Mulock (née Spencer) (OI • And finally a marathon of 24 miles degree has prevented me from attending one month! 1993 – 95) and her husband Ben are in 4.58 hours many OI events. I look forward to Matthew and family now live in pleased to announce the arrival of Mabel catching up with old school chums at • His overall time was 13 hours and Esher Surrey. Isabella Constance Mulock, born on 8th a reunion soon. 15 minutes December 2015 weighing 7lb 12oz.

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to the building stock of Ipswich School, enthusiastic and regular presence on the Common Room’, a publication renowned while significant, forms only a small part boundary and the touchline. Never bored for being both informative, learned and A tribute to Professor of his legacy. His sketch provided the himself, he found boredom in other amusing. He was made an Honorary inspiration for the school’s octagonal people incomprehensible and once, in a Life Member of HMC for his dedicated library, built on stilts to provide a useful school assembly, threatened to impose a service as Treasurer, supporting JM Blatchly MBE, sheltered space beneath. The library 50p fine on any pupil who was overheard three successive chairmen. John was was enhanced, at John’s insistence, by saying that he or she was bored. energetically involved in the early work of stained glass windows commissioned the Independent Schools Inspectorate, PhD, LittD, FSA from John Piper. His encouragement of young leading many inspections both as a A sports hall and a laboratory block, scholars, together with his own serving head and in the early years of later named the Blatchly Laboratories, extensive publications led to him his retirement. His inspection reports 1932 – 2015 were to follow, together with a major being appointed as a Fellow of were always a joy to read and were refurbishment of the Great School and the Society of Antiquaries. characterised by their vivid language the building of the new Little School. before ‘educational bleak-speak’ The school took its first step towards As Headmaster, John was happy to drowned out individuality. “If punctuality A Personal Tribute by Nicholas Allen, co- education with the admission of girls put his trust in others and was a most is the courtesy of kings, there’s not much Headmaster, Ipswich Preparatory School, to the sixth form, and the far-sighted effective delegator; once a responsibility royalty at School X” was one remark that purchase by the school governors of had been passed on, he did not interfere, made it to the final draft of one his 1987 – 1994 and Revd David Warnes, Third part of the site of the former Anglesea but was always ready with sage advice inspection reports. Master, Chaplain and Head of History, Road Hospital made possible the move when asked. John was instrumental in In retirement, John continued to to full co-education under his successor, advancing the careers of younger staff contribute to the educational scene Ipswich School 1980 – 2010 Ian Galbraith, and the construction of who showed promise. He taught them through his work as a governor at modern buildings to house the Nursery, many good habits: the frequent thanking Oakham, Norwich, Chigwell and the John Blatchly died on 3rd September John was, without question, an to be Head of Chemistry at Charterhouse Pre-preparatory and Preparatory and praise of colleagues, in writing, for British School in Paris. He had long 2015 at the age of 82 after a short illness. intellectual of the highest intelligence. A where he came under the influence of Schools. At the centre of the school services rendered; the prompt reply to been involved in the Suffolk Institute He had led a rich life in which idleness product of the grammar school system Oliver Van Oss, one of the outstanding was the Headmaster’s Study, lined with questions asked and memos sent (before of Archaeology and History, whose played no part. His many interests and (where one of his contemporaries at headmasters of his generation. the ancient volumes of The Old Town the days of email) and enthusiasm for President he was, the Suffolk Records enthusiasms crossed the disciplines Sutton Grammar School was Dr David Library, founded in the 17th Century by and encouragement of good ideas. Society, which he chaired for a quarter of art and science and included, Bellamy), Christ’s College, Cambridge, John never ceased teaching and one of John’s predecessors and which in Many went on to become heads of a century, and the Ipswich Historic chemistry, music, history, the Church of where he read for the Natural Sciences always took a Year 7 chemistry the 1980s John had found languishing themselves. He had a great knowledge Churches Trust, which he also chaired. England, ecclesiastical architecture and Tripos, was followed by National Service class each of which would be in a strong room beneath the Borough and understanding of his pupils and His encouragement of young scholars, ex libris (the study of bookplates, ancient as an Instructor Lieutenant in the Royal thrilled by his spectacular Library. This collection of rare books was a driving ambition for their progress together with his own extensive and modern), to name but a few. Navy at HMS Ganges, an opportunity practical demonstrations... lovingly catalogued by John in one of and success. Few colleagues will forget publications led to him being appointed which fuelled his enthusiasm for and his many publications, and made fully John’s energetic chairing of the monthly as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. To this list could be added his growing love of Suffolk and its historic In 1972, John became Headmaster of accessible to scholars from around meeting at which each pupil’s effort and In retirement his attention became skills as an oboist of professional county town, Ipswich. At HMS Ganges Ipswich School. John’s 21 year tenure was the world. achievement were regularly reviewed, a increasingly focused on local history and standard, choral and orchestral he was unafraid to climb the mast and characterised by a significant rise in the gathering characterised by John’s acerbic higher education. conductor, singer, actor and, to stand on the ‘button’ at its top. Young school’s status, academic focus, cultural John was happy to but nevertheless sympathetic comments. In 1993 he was awarded the honorary above all, prolific author. seamen were taken to concerts in the breadth and richness of opportunity put his trust in others... John played his part too in the degree of Doctor of Letters by the Corn Exchange to broaden their cultural for generations of pupils. Headmasters wider field of education. Through the University of East Anglia for services John was many things in his life: experience, though John was not so are often remembered by their building John never ceased teaching and project ‘Education 2000’ in the 1980s to history and education in the region, devoted husband, father and grandfather; naive as to think that all of those in the works, but in John’s case, his contribution always took a Year 7 chemistry class and 1990s, he worked hard to bring and for six years he chaired the good friend to many; mentor and concert party devoted their attention each of which would be thrilled by his maintained and independent schools advisory committee of Medallist of the example to many more; a gifted teacher solely to the music when the other spectacular practical demonstrations: a in Ipswich closer together through the International Federation of Ex Libris and a headmaster who inspired loyalty attractions of the town were made gas and air explosion which fired a tin lid sharing of expertise and building of Societies for outstanding contributions to and hard work in those privileged to work accessible on Sunday afternoons. at great speed without warning up to the relationships between the heads of the bookplate scholarship. closely with him, and not a little awe in John’s civilian teaching career began ceiling being a particular favourite. The fifteen or so schools involved. Within John was appointed MBE for services those whose professional dedication and at the King’s School, Bruton, where he pupil quick enough to catch the lid before HMC, he was a leading light of the East to local history and his work with the appetite for work did not match his own. was Head of Science. He then moved it hit the floor was recommended to the Anglian Division and for many years Heritage Lottery Fund in the East of To this list could be added his skills as to Eastbourne College, where he also cricket master as a potential slip fielder in edited HMC’s journal, ‘Conference and England. His enthusiasm and abilities as an oboist of professional standard, choral served as Acting Director of Music during the First XI. Each Sunday evening in term and orchestral conductor, singer, actor an interregnum. It was during his years time, the most talented musicians in the We owe John a huge debt of gratitude for all that he did for Ipswich and, above all, prolific author. Polymath there that, in 1965, he became the first school gathered in the Blatchlys’ drawing School, and indeed, Ipswich. His wisdom as a Headmaster, his is a word hardly strong and rich enough chemist to be awarded a Cambridge PhD room to rehearse baroque chamber extensive knowledge as our Archivist Emeritus and his unbridled in meaning to describe John’s range of on submission of a dozen publications With the Duke of Edinburgh music to be performed under John’s enthusiasm for life will live long in all of our memories. interests and his profound understanding of original work in organic chemistry on his visit to open the baton in a concert in an historic church and knowledge of many of life’s carried out with the assistance of his sixth Leggett Technical Studies towards the end of term. He took a lively – Nicholas Weaver, Headmaster finer things. form students. He was soon promoted Centre in 1973 interest in school sport and was an

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a fund-raiser played a considerable part in the commissioning Eulogy of Dr John Blatchly himself a talented instrumentalist). His doctorate also came of a statue of Cardinal Wolsey, Ipswich’s and Ipswich School’s John at a community event by Diarmaid MacCulloch and given from the University of Cambridge, and he worked on it while most famous son, now situated close to site of the great man’s he was teaching at the King’s School, Bruton. This was the first birthplace. He worked closely with the distinguished sculptor at the Memorial Service held on 21st chemistry doctorate which Cambridge had awarded on the basis David Annand to bring this project to fruition in 2011. November 2015 of published work: he had made a clutch of original discoveries From its inception, John was a strong supporter and in organic chemistry, in which his sixth-formers helped him in advocate of University Campus Suffolk and, in particular, of the school laboratories. It was the first of many collaborative the History department, to whose staff and students he made John Blatchly was a man of exceptional vision who had a works in his long career. Later John taught at Eastbourne and himself generously available. He was delighted to be elected genius for getting things done. He was one of those rare people Charterhouse, where the family connection happily continues as Honorary Wolsey Professor and Visiting Professor of History who not only seem to relish chairing committees, but who are through his son Mark. and to welcome distinguished scholars and musicians, some of also absolutely the right choice to do so. He was for twenty- Two talents might be enough for most people, but there whom were his former pupils or protégés, to deliver the annual six years President of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and was also a third strand in his remarkable breadth of interest, Wolsey Lecture. History, President of the Suffolk Records Society for nearly that passion for history, which led him at first particularly to half the Society’s existence to 2013, was involved in the Suffolk active membership of the Monumental Brass Society. It was His faith and trust in God brought him comfort Historic Churches Trust almost from its foundation in 1973 (for in this connection that I first met him soon after his arrival at always and especially at the end of his life and many years as Vice-President), from 1993 was Chairman of the Headmaster of Ipswich School in 1972, when we collaborated in his final illness. He did not fear death. Ipswich Historic Churches Trust and for the last three years of his in finishing a mammoth listing of all Suffolk brasses and brass life was President of the Bookplate Society. This by no means indents sponsored by the MBS, which revised a much earlier Throughout John’s long and energetic career, he was loyally exhausts his contribution to history. It is safe to say no one national survey. Straight away on arrival in Ipswich, he had supported by his devoted wife, Pam, who herself contributed individual has ever equalled his part in the preservation of East involved himself in county archaeological and historical circles, Anglia’s historic heritage. and his talent for leadership was welcomed and soon put to John was an adopted son of Suffolk, for he was born in good use. John pro€ered... wise words and encouragement... quietly and without Newport, in Gwent, in 1932, and went to Sutton Grammar Looking back over John’s historical work, I realise how fuss at just the right time to numerous students and OIs.. School in Surrey. The influence of inspired teachers at school important those other founding interests, chemistry and music, – Guy Main, Past OI Chairman had nurtured John’s lasting enthusiasm for both science and were in what he achieved. From science came the rigour, the music, and in 1951 he went up to Christ’s College, Cambridge concern for exact evidence and the cutting through lazy or an enormous amount to the school and wider community, to read chemistry. Three years followed in the Royal Navy imprecise thinking, that every historian needs. From music came particularly through her work as a JP on the Ipswich Bench. instructor branch, but at the same time he was teaching musical the creativity, the imagination, the ability to make conceptual John and Pam’s daughter Janet lives and works in Ipswich and appreciation to junior musicians of the Royal Marines (he was leaps and make unexpected connections. Unlike some their son Mark is a musician and housemaster at Charterhouse. historians, John understood fully that archaeology, architecture John enjoyed the finer things in life: opera, chamber and visual evidence are all part of the historical canvas; he had music and the theatre; cultivating the great and good to the a rare visual sense, and delighted in old pictures as a mosaic benefit of Ipswich School; good food and fine wines (ABC - of windows on lost worlds. His memory was phenomenal, Anything But Chardonnay); the company of family and friends; particularly for the handwriting of a host of previous East holidays in Crete and, latterly, some adventurous cruises in the Anglian historians stretching back to the sixteenth century. Only Mediterranean and the Baltic. ten days before he died, when illness had sapped much of his Central to John’s life was his religion. A devout Anglican who old energy, he was able instantly to identify the artist of an early found solace in the dignity of the traditional liturgy, for many nineteenth-century drawing and thus restore a richer meaning years he attended Ipswich’s civic church, St Mary-le-Tower. to this little fragment of the past. He was very supportive of a succession of incumbents, and It was a natural recognition of his energies that John was delighted when they achieved preferment. His faith and trust in elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in God brought him comfort always and especially at the end of his 1975, and there have been further signs of public esteem: his life and in his final illness. He did not fear death. Doctorate of Letters from the University of East Anglia in 1993, a tribute to his benevolent involvement in its work, his MBE in “I don’t like to let anyone down,” he remarked, 2007, and an honour which I think particularly pleased him, his despite the fatigue and physical weakness Honorary Wolsey Professorship at University College Suffolk brought on by his condition. (2014). That was a mark of gratitude for the way in which he encouraged the teaching of history to flourish in a university Shortly before he was overcome by his final illness, John setting in the county. The Wolsey Lectures which he founded will asked to be driven into Ipswich so that he could photograph continue as a very appropriate memorial to him at UCS. some architectural details of the Captains’ Houses for what he John’s years of achievement at Ipswich School, as must have known would be his final weekly article for Headmaster until 1993, were marked by institutional expansion The East Anglian Daily Times. “I don’t like to let anyone down,” and encouragement of a vigorous cultural life. During that time, he remarked, despite the fatigue and physical weakness he was also making a contribution to national education as an brought on by his condition. The article, and its accompanying inspector at Headmasters’ Conference schools and as treasurer photographs, reached the paper well before the final deadline, of the HMC for several years. In retirement, retaining a role as as was only to be expected. With the Princess Royal on her visit in 1990 Ipswich School’s Archivist, he wrote A Famous Antient Seed-plot of Learning (2003), an honest and artfully-illustrated history

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of the School, and he could also enjoy record danced out of the academic A common theme runs through all his and which he cherished and supported the continued safe retirement of the world, to delight all those who read the various good works for the borough of through difficult times, the magnificent Memories of Dr Blatchly: This is a small ancient Town Library, rescued from decay East Anglian Daily Times. His series It Ipswich: a prophetic ability to see value in collection of ancient manuscripts John made a difference to many and neglect, in its natural home the Happened When … has summed up what has been neglected, and convince from Elveden Hall is now permanently people’s lives for many different reasons. selection of the Headmaster’s study. so much out-of-the-way or excitingly the rest of the world. Where John found preserved for the county, thanks to his I for one will always remember him for many tributes John loved books as much as he important facets of our region’s history. neglect or the possibility of ruin or fund-raising efforts. the very great and positive effect he had loved pictures. Books are so fragile and John had decided to call that enterprise a dispersal, he galvanised campaigns to All this could have been done by a on mine by being open minded, such an we received for vulnerable, and a collection of books day after 400 issues, but in fact he and the put things right. In later years, this would man fleeing from the world and from important attribute for a headmaster and Dr Blatchly loses all its meaning if it is split up. John paper could not resist continuing it, and have spectacular results: the restoration human society by a pedantic immersion at that time almost revolutionary. did not just rescue the books, but by some of the last appeared only this year. of the bells of the church of St Lawrence in antiquities. All those who know John exercise of that rigorous scientific mind, I have already mentioned a special within sight of this church, the oldest can witness how far that is from the truth. – Kate Kincaid he picked up the visual clues which ability which is not as common as it peal of bells in all England. It was a He was one of the sanest people I have (OI 1975 – 77) Most of my time at the school was showed just how they had originally been might be among historians: John’s zest delightful tribute to his efforts when those known, because he knew how to laugh, under Mermagen, but John Blatchly displayed on their shelves according to for collaboration. He and I hugely enjoyed bells rang out for the whole country on at the glorious idiocy of everyday life. He arrived in time for my Oxbridge Entrance the seventeenth-century painted design ourselves producing a long run of the ‘Today Programme’ one week-day who was so precise and competent in his At my brief time at the School, after my term, and I stayed for the rest of the year, uniting the fore-edges of the collection. historical articles from 1978 onwards; at morning. The future Cardinal Wolsey had scholarship and professional life could more ordinary Secondary education, partly to take an additional A-level in Now they proudly sit safe and sound first we worked by phone-call and chatty heard those same bells as a boy, and relax by delighting in incompetence. Mark I barely troubled him, apart from one Music, and to take Grade 8 on the piano. in the headmaster’s study at Ipswich letter, but really we were waiting for email soon after the St Lawrence achievement, his son tells me fondly of his taste for occasion when I was ordered to his office The Blatchlys very generously allowed School, restoring the relationship which to be invented. One of the latest of these John made sure that Wolsey was given what he called ‘bad telly’. His favourite after one particularly ignominious end of me to practise on their grand piano had been part of their origins back in collaborations was conceived as a few proper honour in his home town with a example was that truly dreadful 1970s Summer term evening gatecrashing the rather than the rather weary uprights in the seventeenth century. Not only that, paragraphs for his It Happened When statue. It has become a great favourite soap series Crossroads, where he would School grounds - I think we had been a the practice rooms, and I was one of the but John inspired a catalogue which series, but characteristically for him, with festive young folk in the later stages sit ‘howling with laughter when the little naughty! In his usually kind but firm group invited round on Sunday’s to play is far more than a list of what is in the after many a cheerful email exchange, of their evenings out: perhaps it is the actors forgot their lines and the scenery way, I was very gently put in my place- chamber music. I know some regarded library holdings; it’s a commentary on it ended up as a book of more than 100 Cardinal’s cat which attracts them. wobbled’. Those who have only known and learned my lesson. this group as rather a clique, but for me the national significance of this ancient pages, Miracles in Lady Lane: the Ipswich The project was a gleam in John’s eye him chairing a committee with straight- I remember bumping into John and it was the introduction to much music collection. Shrine at the Westgate (2013). The final from 1999, but once he started actively faced dispatch may find it a revelation his wife on the train to London and that I had never before encountered, Out of John’s intense scrutiny of handsome form of this book owed much promoting the Cardinal’s statue, it was to learn that the telly character with spending one of the most informative some of which pieces remain among those precious volumes came a new to another fruitful collaboration, with an astonishingly short time before in whom he most identified was the cartoon journeys learning so much history from my favourites: it also made me work enthusiasm: the bookplates which Martin Sanford. That brought John great 2011 David Annand’s inspired image was dog Muttley from The Whacky Races. him, making me rather regret some of at learning to act as an accompanist, he found in them from their original satisfaction in later years, and produced gracing the street where Wolsey’s family In private, he could do a fine imitation the advantages and opportunities he and not an easy skill, which has stood me owners, some of them among the earliest inter alia last year his charming and had lived and where he was born. of Muttley’s unforgettable sly and the School gave me and which I may not in good stead over the years. He also bookplates ever made in this country. learned Isaac Johnson of Woodbridge: There is so much more. Besides the mischievous snigger. Sanity is often best have fully grasped. started a concert band (who played, Really this united his two interests, books Georgian Surveyor and Artist. Here was ancient Ipswich Town Library lovingly attained by inner silliness. But above all He was a great man and leaves a great among other times, on the occasion of and pictures, for the best bookplates an Indian Summer celebration of another restored, the surplus medieval churches I remember a kind, witty and generous legacy. His loss will be felt by many. the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit on 1973) are deeply satisfying miniature pictures. of his talents as an antiquary: a keen of the borough are still cared for and will friend: shrewd in his judgements of in which I played: there were girls from Behind all of them lurked people from eye and the discriminating instinct of a go on being loved because they continue people and slow to anger, while along – Ewan Dodds the High School in it, too, and thus he the past, and John revelled in teasing collector. The lovely house to which he serving their community in various with Pam, unfailingly generous and (OI 1976 – 78) was indirectly responsible for an early out these personal stories from his and Pam retired in central Ipswich was a helpful ways. In the Suffolk Record Office, hospitable. John was a Renaissance romance! encounters with long-dead book- treasure-house of beautiful things. where he spent so many happy hours, Man who gave an example of how it was He was pleased that I applied to owners in this little works of art. In his possible to make the world a better and He was a great man and I have Christ’s, Cambridge, as that was his old eightieth year, he was elected President more beautiful place. He was tremendous extremely fond memories of the college, and both during my time there of the Bookplate Society, and among fun to be with, because of his zest for life. chemistry lessons we had. The best and over the years afterwards we often his many honours was a Udo Ivask I suspect that words he chose to adorn ones were certainly the ones we had coincided at college dinners and other Certificate of Honour and Medal from the statue of Cardinal Wolsey apply to when games were cancelled due to bad functions, and he would always insist the International Federation of Ex-Libris himself rather more accurately than to weather. We were all taught stuff not on my joining him and asking about my Societies. Naturally he took great delight that pleasure-loving Prince of the Church: quite on the curriculum! family and career. The last time I met in the design of successive bookplates for ‘A teacher who believed that pleasure him was at the 2012 concert in Nacton himself. should mingle with study so that the child – Iain Faulds Church, when he seemed the same as I’ve mentioned in passing some of may think learning an amusement rather (OI 1985 – 93) ever. I shall always be grateful to him John’s publications, but when I turned to than a toil’. Not long before his death, he for the encouragement (sometimes the catalogue of the Bodleian Library, I wrote to me ‘I wake daily to the thrill of accompanied by brutal criticism!) he identified no fewer than sixteen separate another day of interest and discovery, One of the most influential figures in gave me in my musical development, items involving his name, not counting and long may that continue.’ It is a fine my life. Pleasure to have known him and I am very saddened by his passing. reprints. To that we must add a swathe epitaph. Our deep sympathy goes out of articles in journals, and more than to Pam and to their children Janet and – Andy Waters – Andrew Turner fifty individual articles on East Anglian The unveiling of the statue of Mark; and all of us who knew him share (OI 1968 – 75) (OI 1960 – 72) worthies in the Oxford Dictionary of Thomas Wolsey in Ipswich in 2011 keenly in their loss. May he rest in peace National Biography. And the publication and rise in glory.

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Melvin Sullivan (OI 1956 – 68) Died 22nd April 2015 Eric William Gale (OI 1988 – 95) Born 1924, died June 2016, aged 92 Eric was at Ipswich School from 1937-1939, and held very fond memories of his time at School, and often talked about Melvin Sullivan, died on Friday 9th keeping them out of the reach of the Memories of Melvin: them to his wife Rosemary. October 2015 following a near-decade- gang culture. Some of the lads have even I am very sorry to hear this although I After school, he joined the RAF, and trained as a navigator. long battle with leukaemia. Melvin was progressed into professional academies. knew that Melvin had been in poor health He then joined Bomber Command, and flew numerous a Town fan since the Ramsey era, and for some years since he contacted me missions across occupied Europe. As well as dropping bombs, remembered playing rugby for Ipswich Although he had to hand out of the blue a few years back -I think he was involved in the legendary food drops over occupied School on a Saturday, then cycling over responsibilities, he still when he had been diagnosed. We were Holland. After wartime service, Eric studied accountancy, and furiously down to Portman Road, received progress reports every in a school play together - The Emperor’s joined Exxon-Mobil, where he was involved in motorsports throwing his bike down on Alderman rec, week, and had constant calls Nightingale - and he was of course the sponsorship. His leisure passion was sailing, and he kept a yacht and sneaking in through the exit gates for advice and help as he lay son of Noel Sullivan - the School’s French in Lymington, from where he would explore the English Channel. as soon as they opened. Later he ran in his bed. Master all those years ago. In retirement, Eric and wife Rosemary moved from Sway the youth set-up at Bedford Town FC, I believe he lived in London. in Hampshire to Brixham where Eric continued to enjoy his and had an amazing career in theatre It’s fair to say that, having LVFC as Melvin told me he taught football to yachting exploits. management, in Cambridge (where he a focus truly helped Melvin following youngsters as part of his recreation and 1940s assembly in the old Big He is survived by Rosemary and daughter Antonia. ran the Footlights show in its glory years) his leukaemia diagnosis, giving him thoroughly enjoyed it; at the time he got School, Martin Squirrel and then in the West End. Typically, I had purpose to direct his energies. Although in touch his team were doing quite well known him for years before I had any he had to hand over responsibilities (the and despite his illness I know he carried sense of how well connected he was with club is in good hands), he still received on with that for some while; I invited Evan Davies the stars of the stage. progress reports every week, and had him to a re-union which we were having constant calls for advice and help as of some OIs at the time - but sadly he (OI 1939 – 46) The idea was simple – give he lay in his bed. He had also done couldn’t make it. Hackney kids something great work with the regional Football Evan passed away on 8th May 2016 before the outbreak of war -possibly positive to do, to keep them Association, organising leagues, sorting Melvin told me he taught following a sudden illness aged 86. He September 1938. He was a member of o€ the streets. our disciplinary issues, and all entirely football to youngsters as part was the beloved husband of Ann and Form A when it was displaced by the voluntary. A world away from the Blatters of his recreation and thoroughly father to Sally, Gillian and Michael and requisition of the Preparatory School His retirement project, started in and Platinis. enjoyed it; at the time he got in grandfather to Dominic who died in and so spent the bitter winter of 1939-40 2006, was a little football club called touch his team were doing quite 2014. Evan was well known for his 30 in the unheated Victorian gymnasium Lea Valley FC. Sounds rural, but was The measure of a life worth well and despite his illness I year career as a pharmacist in Ipswich ( now demolished) which was used as based in Hackney, where Melvin lived. lived is that you improve the know he carried on with that until his retirement in 1986. He was a very a classroom. With adult and junior sides, LVFC are lives of others, in whatever for some while. keen golfer and member at Woodbridge, Evan joined the Main School in an established part of London amateur way you can. Purdis Heath and Felixstowe golf clubs. September 1940 and enjoyed playing football, the adults progressing well in He was a good bloke and although Evan was the second of three rugby where he became a proficient the Amateur Football Combination, and The measure of a life worth lived is we had not seen each other since school children. His father was a pharmacist scrum half. He was a member of the year. He progressed through the School the youth sides (mostly) in the Cheshunt that you improve the lives of others, in he was great friends then with me and who owned a chemist’s shop in Ipswich. outstanding Colts XV which admirably and left in 1947. On leaving School he did Youth League. The idea was simple - give whatever way you can. Melvin epitomised others like Rick Phillips and Michael His older brother John (now deceased) coached by Mr Stonex, won every National Service in the Army and later Hackney kids something positive to do, to this. I’m proud to have been a friend. Hatch. also attended Ipswich School while his match in the season 1943-44. He trained as a pharmacist. He then worked keep them off the streets. Many hundreds younger sister Mary attended Ipswich was a successful boxer in the annual for his father eventually taking over the of kids have passed through the club, and – Linhdi TWDI – Mike Simpson High School for Girls. competitions and also won several business which expanded by taking over their parents (mostly mums, of course), (OI 1943 - 53) (OI 1957 – 68) Evan joined the Preparatory School events in the in the swimming pool each shops in the town. have repeatedly credited the club with

Anthony Wardell Lyon (OI 1939 – 47) Died 08.04.2016 but they did not. Our paths drifted Memories of Anthony: On one evening we invited him to apart with all credit a brutally cruelly Anthony Lyon, or Tony as I knew him, dinner after which he gave us a slide traumatised African boy was adopted was in my class throughout my time in show of photographs taken on his various Tony Lyon attended Ipswich School He was proud of his very slightly frost bitten and very much loving care and attention the “Upper School”, as it was then known, trips, which I recall amounted to some during the war years and was a member ear after traversing the Lairig Ghru from was lavished on the child. He became a I was “called up” in 1945 but we still saw 100 or more scenes! Tony moved away of the Officer Cadet Training Unit. Two Aviemore to Braemar. In turn later we met in teacher, headmaster and now a group each other from time to time. from Ipswich shortly after and we years of National Service was spent as a Chamonix and spent most of our time Gran headmaster. Tony’s wife died and Tony I cannot remember any particular lost touch. private in the army. Paradiso with the three glaciers and we have spent many years involved with Evesham incidents occurring during this period, Tony attended college in London prior both been back several times. Council work and holidays worldwide. since it is some 70 years ago, but Tony was – John Northfield to becoming a teacher and spent a while in Tony was my best man at our London a keen photographer and cyclist, touring (OI 1938 – 45) Round Table. I introduced him to camping wedding and we attended his wedding – By William Patrick much of Western Europe on his own. and the highlands of Scotland in mid-winter. also in London. We had many children

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Bernard Rozier Rosemary Le Mare (1932 – 2015) (OI 1944 – 52) help out – ask Bob Clayton. Bernard Rozier sadly passed away on In her latter years she still couldn’t 21st December 2015. From the archives leave the School behind and became an we have found a picture of him as a Invigilator for the external exams well into prefect in 1952. We have also learned that her seventies. he was in Sherrington House, Captain Rosemary always had time for of Athletics. Additionally, a review of the everybody – whether a pupil, parent, ‘Christmas Term’ school production of member of staff, cleaner, cook or the HMS Pinafore in the school magazine of other Matrons. Over her half a century’s March 1952 wrote: ‘The most efficient involvement in the life of Ipswich School, performance was that of JR Catchpole she witnessed many changes from the and BJ Rozier as the two marines, who introduction of girls to the expansion and never on one occasion failed to salute in development of the buildings. time.’ Rosemary always supported the School and what it stood for: helping out at Teas for various sporting events Dr Robert Henry Gooding (OI 1941 – 50) Rosemary Le Mare died on 9th the boarders to always eat their in the Cricket Pavilion or Great School; September 2015 at the age of 83 after a vegetables, write weekly letters home, creating various floral displays and short illness. She was never idle and had wash behind their ears and generally table decorations for different functions; Robert as a prefect in 1950 Robert (15/9/1931- 06/5/2016) grew about 8 boys per year, not paying fees many interests which she participated in make the most of their boarding lives. supporting all the Arts events, plays, up in Ipswich, winning a Scholarship to like the rest of us. I knew Robert was right up until the final weeks; including When John got promotion at the concerts, recitals; attending Speech Days Ipswich School. He won a Scholarship Scholarship standard for Cambridge being a keen season ticket holder and School, Junior House was no longer and Commemoration Services to name to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. and he stayed a third year in the sixth supporter of ITFC. an option, but Rosemary just moved a few. She sang in various Staff choirs Graduating in 1953 with a First Class form to achieve this. He and I shared Mr Rosemary was a dedicated wife, boarding houses and became Matron at throughout her years at the School and Honours degree in Pure Mathematics Grice, an excellent Mathematics teacher mother, sister, grandmother and great Highwood, encouraging the older boys thoroughly enjoyed John Nicholson’s and later obtained a PhD in 1967. and Mr Grimwade from whom I learned grandmother; good friend to many and in exactly the same way. After Highwood fitness sessions in the Gym. He was a researcher at Orford Ness a lot of Physics but also a lot about life. I played a part in the lives of countless closed, she moved across the road Throughout Rosemary’s long and Research Station initially 1954-1958. would have liked to go to Cambridge and students both as house mother and to Westwood. active association with Ipswich School, Then transferred to the Royal Aerospace could do the Physics and Mathematics matron and in the CCF. After leaving Westwood, Rosemary she loyally supported her husband John, Establishment, Farnborough, Hampshire but failed the Latin, which was obligatory Rosemary began her illustrious career helped out the day students’ matron as who also contributed a vast amount to in 1958 until he retired in 1992. His last then, so was excluded and joined London at Ipswich School in Junior House, the relief mainly at lunch times. She was a the school and wider community, and position was as Visiting Research Fellow University in 1948. My parents, having boarding house for the young boys in keen and eager member of the CCF: she to the raising of their five children. She is at the University of Surrey, Centre of lived in Ipswich all through the war, had 1963, when her husband John took over enjoyed the Camps and her flight in a sorely missed by all who knew and loved Satellite Engineering. to move back to London afterwards and the boarding house. She was a spirited helicopter from the School field and rose her for who she was and what she Robert’s achievements included I joined School House in January 1947. and enthusiastic “mother” encouraging to rank of Captain, always on hand to stood for. research on Orbit Dynamics and Orbit As I left Ipswich when I left School in July Determination. The Solution of the Kepler 1948 I lost contact with the School and and Lambert problems in particular. my fellow students. Memories of Rosemary: rest in peace. My deepest condolences Nothing but fond memories of my time He contributed papers to a variety of I wondered how Robert got on at I attended Ipswich School from 1967 to her family and loved ones. in Junior House. After 40 plus years, I am Scientific Journals and continued writing Cambridge and by chance we met to 1972 as a boarder, first at Junior House – Hani Bibi so glad that I was able to meet up with until ill health prevented him in 2012. in the 1980’s so I asked him. He said and then at Highwood before moving to (OI 1967 - 72) Rosemary and to have a few minutes to Robert married Sylvia in 1955 and had he regretted spending so much time the U.S. in the summer of 1972. Mrs.Le reminisce. three daughters, Jennie, Caroline and playing Bridge rather than studying. Mare was the one who taught me how I was fortunate enough to meet up – Michael Spivey Rosemary. After her death, he married He was working at the Royal Aircraft to tie a tie. I still remember that morning with Rosemary and John Le Mare at the (OI 1967 – 74) Marian and had a son, Jeremy. He lived in Establishment, Farnborough, calculating after I put on my new school uniform CCF anniversary last year. Rosemary Farnham from 1958 until his death. satellite orbits.’ for the first time, her standing before remembered my mother and spoke In my first term with Highwood (also – Tony Belk me instructing me on how to tie the kindly of her. Not too surprising I suppose my first term in England for that matter), Memories of Robert: (OI 1940 – 48) four-in-hand knot. Then she put my new for Rosemary to remember, as she and Mrs Le Mare was the house matron at ‘Robert and I were the youngest two school cap on my head to ensure that it John had the unenviable task of being Highwood. At first I was rather in awe of of our “Sixth Form, Science” group from Rod Cadman (OI 1943 – 50) kindly fit properly, adjusted my tie, stood back, house parents to four Spivey brothers; her because of her somewhat imposing September 1946 with his expertise in sent an extract of Robert as a prefect looked at me and said “very smart.” For from 1967 to 1977. Then; so I understand, demeanour. But she turned out to be the Mathematics and mine in Physics. As in 1950. some reason this memory has remained they lived just round the corner from kindest person I knew at Ipswich School. a boy I was impressed by his being a indelibly etched in my mind. I always our Ipswich home on Dale Hall Lane. A She was extremely kind to me and nursed “Scholar” coming from the town, as did remember her as a kind person. May she lovely lady, a wonderful couple actually. me to health when I was bedridden for

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more than a week in my first term. I also stern face was much loved by many an have fond memory of her taking us boys O.I. Pupils would often say to me “you John Elton Aubertin to the doctors/dentists in her car with can never read Mrs Le Mare” ...she liked her toddler son Christopher sitting in to keep them on their toes. Rosemary (OI 1940 – 47) the backseat. was well able to pick out the “skivers” the – Raymond Tang pupils trying to get “off games” on a cold Died 25th November 2015 (OI 1976 – 80) winters day. However, when a child was John first attended St Matthew’s ill or in pain they were treated with great School for six years. On winning a When Rosemary finally retired after empathy Rosemary had a dry wicked scholarship, he moved to Ipswich many years of loyal service (in many sense of humour...and so very kind...in School in September 1940. John was different roles) from Ipswich School, Mike the Summer months she would often keen on sporting activities, particularly Scogin Head of Art (retired) drew /painted bring me a bunch of sweet peas from her gymnastics and these interests helped a leaving card for us all to sign .....it was garden tomatoes from the greenhouse guide him to his subsequent career. On a picture of Rosemary “ Superwomen and wind fall apples...”don’t you waste leaving school in 1947 he was called “flying through the air along with her those ...make chutney” up for National Service and joined the beloved screwdriver pliers and mini One of my lasting memories of Army Education Corps. He was posted hammer ...Rosemary could fix and Rosemary as Matron at Westwood was to Austria and enjoyed his time there mend anything. on the occasion I had driven up to drop because of the opportunities for hiking I was told by a reliable source that off the Surgery bedding ...and there she and climbing. On leaving the Army, John one day when they went up to Westwood was surrounded by dozens and dozens of studied for two years at Goldsmith’s they encountered Rosemary carrying rugby boots , trainers ,school shoes...she College, London followed by three years a large wardrobe on her back as she had scrubbed and polished them all and at Carnegie College, Leeds to become a staggered downstairs ...Rosemary never had left them in the sun to dry! physical fitness teacher. His first teaching asked for help she just got on with it! Rosemary was an unsung hero a hard post was at a school in Crawley where I got to know Rosemary when I started working Matron...and I for one will miss he met his future wife Marjorie, who was at Ipswich School...she was a breath of her wisdom. also a physical fitness teacher. They fresh air...she would come down to the – Jean L Masser married in 1956 and a year later moved Surgery to cover for me as I had a lunch (OI 1996 – 12) to Hull where they joined the staff of Hull break. Her professionalism kindness and Teacher Training College as lecturers. Tony Jaques (OI 1929 – 38) John was later promoted to principal Died 22nd April 2015 lecturer. While there he became involved Robert Emuss (OI 1946 – 56) in training members of the local Police Force to become Life Saving Instructors In the cricket pavilion is a picture of In 1939, Tony could have avoided with 60 tanks and ended it with just 8 Died 14th September 2015 and through this was invited to lunch the school first XV dated 1937, its most military service on either of two grounds functioning. He fought alongside Ted with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. successful and unbeaten rugby team. working in a reserved occupation – Forrest, one of his rugby backs. To his extreme embarrassment, it was What you cannot see is the story behind agriculture – or education - he gave up In Easter 1943, he was asked to take Robert died on Monday 14th or two ago (in the back row). Robert’s noticed that he was wearing odd socks! a remarkable generation of boys who a place at Cambridge to sign up. He three tanks to defend an advanced September 2015. He had developed yet father was of course very involved with were soon to be young men at war. joined up because he felt not to would position in the mountains east of Tunis, another chest infection and it was just Ipswich RFC (Secretary) and his sister and John spent one very enjoyable Their achievements on the rugby field be letting down his pals in the Territorial protecting the infantry of the Lancashire too much for him. He had said many husband were next door neighbours of New Year’s Eve on Snowdon were a harbinger of something much Army. Twice wounded, mentioned in fusiliers. His tank disabled and facing a times in recent weeks that he had had ours in Felixstowe in the 1970s. with Sir John Hunt. more remarkable - of this small group of despatches, the war saw one great large German formation including some enough now that the pulmonary fibrosis boys one died during the second world benefit of meeting Dinah, his future wife, Tiger tanks, he walked at night through had got worse, but he kept going for me. – Jeremy Barr In 1978 John retired from lecturing war and incredibly four won gallantry who was a WRAF plotter he met in Sussex, German lines to get further orders, We were very lucky that we were all able (OI 1946 – 56) and together with his wife bought a hotel awards – three military crosses and one and again later when she was stationed inconveniently forgetting his revolver, to say goodbye to him and he died with (sitting in the middle holding the ball) on the north Yorkshire Moors. Here they distinguished flying cross. It is sometimes at Darsham in Suffolk. and then back. His three-tank troop held us holding his hand. were able to indulge their love of walking said that our grandparents’ generation He began six years’ war service and the position for three days and nights were the most remarkable in our history joined the Suffolk regiment, which soon under constant fire. Although no infantry – Marian Emuss and climbing. On another occasion, John spent one very enjoyable New Year’s Eve as a nation, and certainly the thirties converted to tanks, the Royal Armoured reinforcements could be spared to help on Snowdon with Sir John Hunt. generation of pupils deserve a special Corps 142 Regiment. He was part of protect him, the three tanks held the Sad to hear this news. Robert was a In 1987 they sold the hotel and he place in the history of Ipswich school. the first Allied landings in North Africa, position to protect the front line troops. couple of years younger than I and I have finally retired. John leaves a widow, a Scrum half Tony Jaques was born travelling by troop ship from Scotland A remarkable part of this story is that had no contact since leaving school. daughter Judy and two grandsons. at home on 7th November 1919 at Red to Canada, down the East Coast of the when he announced he was staying to However he was in the Holden House House Farm in Westerfield. Going to United States and then to Morocco, fight he offered each of the 14 men under XV that won the House cup in 1956 and school in a trap drawn by Peter the pony, the route to avoid German U-boats. his command the opportunity to leave or is sitting on the ground, right hand side – Margaret Watson he recalled the first time a master arrived He fought in Churchill tanks that were stay without prejudice. All but one chose holding the house flag in the attached (née Aubertin) in a car in the 1920s, bringing the school outgunned and less well armoured than to do so, the position held, and all the photo. I had previously sent in this picture to a standstill as everyone trooped out the feared German Tiger tanks. On Easter men survived. For this action King George following the death of J.D Ballam a year to view it! Friday 1943 the regiment began the day VI awarded him his Military Cross.

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Later in Tunis a picket of a few German to the Free Polish corps in the Middle 19th century. He continued framing until Christopher Akester (OI 1941 – 53) officer on the road and asked to surrender East, visiting the sites of Egypt and the retirement in 1984. His connection with Died 25th February 2016 aged 81 Peter Graham Shaw to his troop of three tanks, he agreed at Holy land. Ipswich School continued, his son Richard which point they then waved on another The return to England was followed by Jaques (left 1980) and grandson Tom (OI 1964 – 68) 2000 heavily armed Italian and German his marriage in December 1945 in Wales Godfrey (left 2015) also playing for the After initial education in the After training in Aldershot, he was soldiers from around a corner to do the to Dinah whose 48 year long marriage first fifteen. All three members of Holden kindergarten of Ipswich High School, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Died aged 64. He was a Westwood same! Tony’s trepidation and amazement began inauspiciously with a three-month House. joined Ipswich Prep School in September in April 1954. He was appointed to an Air Boarder at the time of Peter Hill. He was was quickly mitigated by the fact that he “honeymoon” – Tony in the hospital The war history of Ted Forrest 1941, then moved into the ‘Upper School’ Despatch training unit at joint Army / RAF born in 1951 and left the School c1966 got to swank around Tunis in the German in Edinburgh Castle military hospital has previously been described in the in 1944. As a day boy, he was placed in Corps in Watchfield in Wiltshire. in the 4th or 5th form when his father’s officers’ staff car he commandeered suffering from double pneumonia! He had magazine. Tony Jaques also maintained Sherrington house. “Poppa” Job with his In October 1955 he went up to Corpus business in Sheffield collapsed. He never – pinched - until the Military Police flown back to the UK from Italy in an open a lifelong friendship with Duncan Sutor, House Master and his French master up Christi College, Oxford, and obtained a joined the O.I. Club spending much of his confiscated it. turret of a British bomber! another teammate in the picture, who to School Certificate level in 1949. degree (second) in 1958. He stayed up for adulthood in France. In Italy, he joined some of the bitterest Married life coincided with a new served in the Far East and suffered terrible He was never a games player, but he a fourth year to take a Dip. Ed. in 1959. fighting of the war, at Monte Casino. Like partnership with Leonard Pipe, moving privations as a prisoner of war of the was a member of the Scouts Group Wolf He taught oral English for a year at the most of his generation, he only spoke to the remote and often bleak marshes Japanese. Club (with Miss Affleck), Scouts (“Poppa” Lycee Victor Hugo at Besançon in Eastern willingly about the lighter side of his war at Boyton to farm. Farming in the decade Wouldn’t it be great if some of the Job was his Scout Master in the Junior France. From 1960 he taught French in Derek Ryder experiences, loving that his regiment after the war was hard, cut off for weeks current generation could research the Troop) and finally a Senior Scout (under England, initially a public school level, smuggled a stolen pig past the Military by snowfall in the 1949 winter, the sea histories of the entire team? “Cubby” Stonex). He became a King’s / then, after five years, he taught at prep (School Chaplain police inside the regimental piano, and reaching the house in the great floods Tony Jaques died on 22nd April at later Queen’s scout in 1951 and attended school level; most of his career was spent 1972 – 77) later being billeted inside a winery! of 1953. Tony continued a great family his son Richard’s home in Coddenham, the World Jamboree in Austria that at Dover College Junior School. Promoted to major and commanding a tradition of Suffolk agriculture, his own Suffolk. summer. He was also a member of the After redundancy and injury in a squadron of 18 tanks, he was wounded grandfather being the largest breeder of Combined Cadet Force, ending with the house fire in 1987, he taught for a year School Chaplain, ‘72-’77), and later in 1944, withdrawn from combat and the Suffolk Trinity – Suffolk punch, Red – Steve Godfrey rank of CQMS (under Jimmy Young, Bill at St Edmund’s School Hindhead. Canon and Prebendary of Salisbury attached as military intelligence officer Poll and black face sheep back in the Dodd and Peter Hill). He then took early retirement in 1989 and Cathedral died on 6th September 2015 He was appointed a School Prefect remained living in Hampshire until he at the age of 78. Tim Briden (OI 1958 – by Headmaster Patrick Mermagen, then returned to Suffolk in 1994. He lived at the 70) writes “He was Chaplain during my James (Jim) Sanders (OI 1946 – 54) he was Head of School in his last year family home at Hundon in West Suffolk father’s later years as a Master, which is (1952/1953). and became a churchwarden until he how I came to know him. A truly delightful He acquired a lifelong enjoyment of had to retire in 2002, following the onset man, married to the sister of an OI (but Passed away peacefully on April to most people) which I cherish. I was classical music, largely thanks to “Spud” of Parkinson’s Disease and osteoporosis sadly I cannot remember the name of 24, 2016 in Ipswich Hospital aged 80 at the School 1944 to 1955 so I was a Peter Marsden who played gramophone in 2001. After a major stroke in October his brother-in-law).” years. Loving husband of Sheila, much contemporary of him and we were both records (78s) to a group of sixth formers 2015, he spent a few months in hospital loved dad to Caroline and Mark, Sally selected for the rugby1st XV with Jim as on Sunday evenings. and a nursing home before dying and John, David and Alan and grandad loose head prop and me as hooker and From 1953 to 1955 he did National peacefully on 25 February 2016. to six grandchildren and eight great this was the start of a relationship playing Service in the Royal Army Service Corps. granddaughters. in the same positions for almost 20 years going from the School to the Army It is with great sadness that I have just (Suffolk Regt, national service), Ipswich John Snowball heard that Jim Sanders has died. He was Rugby Club, Suffolk and Eastern Counties (OI 1950 – 61) Death Announcements younger than me at school, but in the and I can honestly say that he was by far same rugby XV and later, we both played the best prop I ever played with. We are sad to learn of the following: together for Ipswich, Suffolk & the Eastern I remember JSP (Paul) Snowball quite Counties. He was an extremely strong He was awarded the Eastern well, but never really knew him as he front row forward & a stalwart playing the Counties honours cap. was a couple of years ahead of me. I’d sport he loved. like to make a couple of corrections to James Alec Williamson (OI 1950 – 60) Julia Woodcraft (former registrar 1980 – 94) Jim was a lovely man, with a great In the mid ‘60’s he was awarded the John Berry’s addition to his obituary; on Died 23rd June 2015 Died September 2015 sense of humour & he epitomised the Eastern Counties honours cap and at adoption by Peter & Margaret Hill, Paul word “gentleman”. Even though I haven’t that time only 4 other Suffolk players had became known as Snowball-Hill, and of Maurice Gribble (OI 1931 – 39) Peter Cropper (OI 1953 – 59) seen him for quite a few years, he looks received this honour since the start of course Peter Hill was Housemaster of down on me from my photos, on my the awards in 1921 with one of the others Westwood then, not Broke, as Westwood Died 25th March 2016 aged 93 years Died May 2015 office wall. He will be sadly missed. being his elder brother Don (Sandy) was at that time, still, very proudly, a Sanders. Away from the pitches he could separate house. “Spud” Marsden was the Terry Paul English (OI 1938 – 45) Gerald Cooper (OI 1940 – 45) – Brian Rolph be found at the club bar relating stories & Housemaster when I went there from Died 10th September 2015 Died 26th January 2015 (OI 1943 - 53) anecdotes keeping all around him in fits. Junior House, and Peter Hill took over a couple of years later. Frank Gower (OI 1932 – 39) I have so many happy and amusing – Mike Wootton – RGW (Dixie) Hughes Died April 2016 memories of Jim (as he was known (OI 1944 - 55) (OI 1956-63)

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who have contributed to this outstanding The inspection team found that the report. The inspectors spent a lot of school “has made significant progress time investigating all aspects of Ipswich since the previous inspection” with School, and to have such a positive all recommendations being met. The report really is excellent news.” inspectors said: “Pupils leave the school with highly developed person skills, as confident, emotionally mature young people, able to respond to the challenges In addition they made the of the modern world.” following judgements: There was one area recommended for further improvement – ensuring “Pupils consistently achieve at all consistency of practice across all levels well beyond those expected of departments – an area which is already their age.” in the school’s development plan.

“Pupils make excellent progress in response to the particularly vibrant curriculum which includes an exciting and extensive array of activities and sports.”

“Pupils demonstrate excellent levels of knowledge, skills and understanding across all subject areas” Ipswich School provides a “learning environment which is characterised by thorough enjoyment and good humour.”

“The curriculum provides very effectively for all areas of learning Ipswich School is They found that the following key and contributes significantly to the areas were all excellent: pupils’ achievements.” excellent in all areas • The quality of the pupils’ “The pupils’ personal development is achievements and learning excellent, supported by an extremely • The contribution of the curriculum effective and well-organised pastoral Ipswich School • The provision of extra-curricular care system.” Ipswich School was judged as ‘excellent’ – the activities highest possible grading - in all areas by the team • The contribution of teaching “Pupils show high levels of Sports Centre • The personal development of pupils confidence, are thoroughly articulate, from the Independent Schools Inspectorate after • The contribution of arrangements and demonstrate very strong moral they visited the school in November 2014. for pastoral care and cultural awareness.” o cial opening • The arrangements to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils “Pupils show a generosity of spirit and • The quality of boarding appreciate the circumstances of those The report on their findings was to reach their full potential. As a school • The quality of governance less fortunate than themselves. Their Former Ipswich School pupils, including England published in January 2015, and the inspector myself I know how rare it is • The quality of leadership and strong commitment to community and GB hockey internationals Harry Martin and inspectors found that: “Pupils to get such excellent results across the management, including links with service is evident with high levels of demonstrate excellent levels of board, and I am extremely proud of what parents, carers and guardians participation in volunteering and George Pinner, and a host of other top England knowledge, skills and understanding we have achieved.” charitable fundraising.” hockey players took centre stage, or rather centre across all subject areas, in response to an ambitious curriculum and excellent Pupils leave the school with “Boarding makes an excellent pitch on Friday 13 March 2015, to celebrate the teaching.” highly developed person skills, contribution to boarders’ personal inauguration of the new Ipswich School Sports In response to the report, Headmaster as confident, emotionally Excellent development.” IN ALL AREAS

Nicholas Weaver said: “We are absolutely mature young people. Independent SchoolsSUMMARY Inspectorate BOOKLET Report 2014 Centre facilities at Rushmere. delighted that all aspects of Ipswich “Pupils demonstrate excellent levels of knowledge, skills “Leadership, management and and understanding across all subject areas, in response to School have been rated as excellent. Karl Daniels, Chairman of Governors, an ambitious curriculum and excellent teaching.” governance are excellent, promoting This is a wonderful endorsement of all added: “I would like to pay tribute to the the school’s aims very strongly.” The grand opening of these new state-of-the-art pitches and netball courts was that we do here to enthuse young people hard work and dedication of all members sponsored by Seven Group and Medpac, and saw hundreds of spectators and over with a passion for learning, helping them of staff, governors, parents and pupils 40 elite sportsmen and women in attendance. There were coaching sessions and “Pupils leave the school with highly developed personal skills, as confident, emotionally mature young people,

able to respond to the challenges of the modern world.” 05/01/2015 09:55

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exhibition matches, and Harry Martin and XI and the International XI. Before this Hacker, who showed he definitely still 50 pupils accompanied by staff The Chapel Choir performed four songs behaviour and to all the staff who George Pinner were given the honour began, the recent indoor hockey national has it with a cheeky dummy and a reverse performed at a number of churches and for the dinner guests, who were a very accompanied them to make the tour of revealing the inaugural plaque and winners and runners up, the U18 girls aerial which he won’t be forgetting in cathedrals in the city, giving concerts appreciative audience. a real success.” officially opening Rushmere, signalling and U16 boys, were presented to the a hurry! of choral music and singing as part of Sion Parry, Director of Music and Headmaster Nicholas Weaver added: the start of a rich and hopefully long vein crowd. There was also an emotional the services there. The Chapel Choir the tour leader said that there had “The Chapel Choir is one of Ipswich of sporting history at Ipswich School. presentation to long serving maths To see Ipswichians go toe to performed in venues including the been considerable excitement from the School’s flagship music ensembles. During the afternoon, sporting teacher and hockey inspiration David toe with professionals was a modern St Peter’s Lutheran Church and students from the moment they boarded I was able to listen to them perform in masterclasses were held, run by Surrey Walsh, who was due to retire in the pleasure for all involved. St John the Divine Cathedral, which is the coach at 4am in Ipswich to travel New York, and it was very pleasing to Storm netball professionals and the summer, with Harry Martin and George the longest cathedral in the world. They to New York. Mr Parry said: “We had so see the choir sing with such passion, hockey internationals. Year 5 pupils from Pinner presented him with their The atmosphere all evening was sang a mixed repertoire including Faure’s much praise after the events, and were and to experience the positive reaction local primary schools and Ipswich Prep Commonwealth Games playing shirts, as electric, despite the cold weather. Cantique de Jean Racine, Wood’s O even followed to the different concerts by of the audiences and congregations School were given the opportunity to take a tribute to the work that he has done to Around 400 spectators turned out to Thou the Central Orb and Lennon and Harry the dog and his owner! The choir to our young people. They were great part and around 100 pupils seized the drive hockey at the school. witness this wonderful event and to McCartney’s Back in the USSR. were a credit to the school and thanks ambassadors for the school and chance to find inspiration in the excellent The OI XI, coached by David Walsh and experience sport played at an extremely The choir also enjoyed sight-seeing must go to them all for their immaculate for Ipswich.” coaching. Steve Godfrey, then proceeded to earn a high level by masters of their disciplines. tours to the Empire State Building, glorious victory in the match, triumphing To see Ipswichians go toe to toe with Central Park and the Guggenheim I was able to listen to them perform in New York, and it was very The atmosphere all evening 10-7 against school first team players professionals was a pleasure for Museum and saw Les Miserables on pleasing to see the choir sing with such passion. was electric, despite the cold alongside the likes of Ashley Jackson and all involved. Broadway. They also paid a moving visit weather. crowd favourite, Director of Sport David to the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Following this, Ipswich School first We had so much praise after the team netball players joined forces with England and GB hockey players take to the ‘smurf turf’ events, and were even followed the Surrey Storm professionals to play a to the di€erent concerts by top quality, fast-paced netball game. With Harry the dog and his owner! a mix of pupils and pros on each team, the match resulted in a 44-19 scoreline. While in New York, Ipswich School A number of hockey players of all hosted a dinner at the Penn Club for ages then had the opportunity to watch School parents, staff and Old Ipswichians as the England and GB hockey players, who are now based in the New York area. including Ashley Jackson, took to the brilliant ‘smurf turf’ to show off their skills and give pointers to the pupils as they tested England and GB goalkeeper George Pinner. National champions! The final spectacle to end the night of all nights was a showdown of epic proportions between the Old Ipswichian The indoor hockey campaign of 2014-2015 saw four Ipswich School Chapel Choir carries out teams reach the national finals, with the U18 girls first tour of New York victorious as national champions, and the U16 boys taking the Members of Ipswich U18 girls with the national indoor hockey championship trophy. School’s Chapel Choir runners-up spot in their competition. from taking the U18 girls indoor title in the final seconds, which could have took part in the choir’s for the sixth consecutive year, a great seen them level the score and force a achievement for Ipswich. penalty shoot-out. first tour of New York The 11-strong U18 girls’ team won five The U16 boys battled through to the Ipswich School was the only school during the October half games, losing only one game in the pool semi-final, where they beat a strong in the country to have four teams in the matches to Repton. Ipswich then went on Whitgift side 3-2. In the final they were indoor finals, in each of the competitions. term break. to beat Repton in the final, winning 2-1. unlucky to lose to Trent College, after Against tough opposition, the U16 girls 50 pupils accompanied by sta€ performed at a number of churches This stopped Derbyshire team Repton unsuccessfully appealing for a penalty came fourth in their group, having won

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one game and lost three and the U18 events. A special mention must go to the Their performance improved with boys came third in their group, winning U16 boys who finished runners-up in their every game and they showed great two games and losing two games. competition and our U18 girls who were mental strength in the final. This was Ipswich Prep School raises Stu Field, Head of Hockey, said: “We crowned national indoor champions. I’m tournament play at its best! A huge thank are very proud of all four of our teams so pleased for the girls that they reached you to all the coaches involved and to that made it to the national finals and their potential and under incredible parents for their support.” money to open doors proud of their achievements at the circumstances.

Fundraising e‘orts by The total raised by the Prep School young pupils at Ipswich through a number of charity events for Portrait of Benjamin Thomas Wolsey School’s “Open Doors” Preparatory School have campaign was £7,490. This money will boosted a local school’s help to fund their campaign for modern, Britten unveiled automatic doors to allow the campaign for their children with physical disabilities full pupils to move more access around the school without the need for constant helpers. “ties and tights for Thomas Wolsey” day, independently around The Prep School pupils raised their where pupils paid to wear a “wacky tie or school. money through events including a non- wacky tights” with collection pots being stop sponsored line dance event and a replaced with woolly tights.

Unveiling the portrait of Benjamin Britten speakers from Suffolk Refugee Support, and English classes writing poems about Ipswich School refugees in response to the issues raised. In the week commemorating the birth In the Prep School, food was collected for of Su‘olk composer Benjamin Britten, the local charity Families in Need (FIND) Green Team’s raises over £11,000 for who provide a food bank for families Ipswich School celebrated its links with in Ipswich. The children have also the musician by unveiling a portrait learnt about older people in the local new noticeboard charity in one term community who live in residential homes of him in the foyer of the school’s new and how lonely this can be for them. The Music School, home of the Britten school regularly goes to visit to entertain with singing or poetry reading, or just to Faculty of Music. Ipswich School’s Green Team took part Thanks to the generosity of the whole Ipswich have a chat. in the unveiling of the noticeboard School community, over £11,000 was raised during Head of Ipswich Prep Amanda Childs added: “We are very lucky to be part of The portrait, by Mariusz Kaldowski, was unveiled on for Christchurch Park’s David Mapus- the Michaelmas Term for local, national and such a generous community, but our Friday 20 November 2015 by Alan Britten, one of the Smith Orchard in April 2015. international charities. charity work is not just about the amount composer’s nephews. of money raised, it is also about helping The school’s senior brass ensemble performed Fanfare by our pupils understand that there are John Jermy to herald the unveiling, and one of the school’s The orchard was planted in 2013 in memory of David Mapus- Events such as a Refugee Week is very pleasing to see this embodied in many people in the world who need string quartets performed Playful Pizzicato from Benjamin Smith, a worker in Ipswich Borough Council’s Property Services Campaign and a Christmas Hamper all our pupils and staff, and those in the our support. Raising awareness of what Britten’s Simple Symphony to celebrate Ipswich School’s Department, who passed away in 2009. It is recreated in the style Raffle in the Senior School, and wider school family, who have given so happens in the wider world and how links with Britten. of a typical eighteenth century Suffolk orchard, similar to the collections for the Prep School’s appeal generously to our fundraising efforts. pupils can help now and in the future is original orchard on the Christchurch Mansion estate, and has to raise money for an orphanage in Africa, I know that this will make a difference an important part of the education we The school’s senior brass ensemble performed trees planted in diagonals and surrounded by a hedgerow. brought in a total of £11,574. to so many people for whom life is offer here.” Fanfare by John Jermy to herald the unveiling, The Green Team helped to produce the noticeboard, which This has now been distributed to challenging in one way or another.” and one of the school’s string quartets performed was sponsored by Landex Living. It is on show in Christchurch charities including the Red Cross, Unicef As well as raising money for various Playful Pizzicato. Park, and includes a history of Suffolk orchards and details of and East Anglia Children’s Hospices, with charities, the Ipswich School campaigns the Fonnereau Tree Nursery which featured many of the fruit representatives from EACH and the Red have provided opportunities for pupils In May 2013 the music department at Ipswich School trees found around the Park area, as well as information on the Cross coming into the school last week to to learn more about some of the issues became the Britten Faculty of Music at Ipswich School - in plants and wildlife that can typically be found in orchards. take part in a photocall to celebrate the facing the people supported by the honour of the Suffolk composer’s centenary year. The new Members of Ipswich Borough Council, Landex and the charity total. charities. The Refugee Week in the Senior portrait displays this link for all visitors to see. Mapus-Smith family were present at the unveiling and were able Headmaster Nicholas Weaver said: School included swapping lunch choices to see the development of the orchard and the plants within it. “Care for the community outside Ipswich for a simpler lunch of rice, lentils and School is one of our core values, and it vegetables, special assemblies with

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great challenges, David’s classroom craft has been inspirational over the years. With so many other interests in Inaugural Young Musician David Walsh school life, David takes his teaching very seriously, and has always made time for Maths Teacher (and so much more!) his pupils. of the Year competition As a pupil at the school, David was a keen sportsman. As a member of staff, many pupils found David to be an inspiration on the hockey field, not just In March 2015, Ipswich School crowned its first Young Musician as a coach, but also as a manager of the School News | Cont... News School of the Year, in a new twist to the annual music competition. players. Whilst he went on to be a Suffolk David’s retirement from Ipswich School this and East of England hockey coach, summer really does mark the end of an era. His initially David had virtually no coaching background at all in hockey. Keen to The Grand Final event saw the advanced class winners first association with Ipswich School started in the build up a new sport in the school, he and those who were highly commended in a range of second half of the seventies, when he was a pupil started coaching hockey at the school in musical disciplines including strings, piano, singing, the absence of football. In his opening woodwind and brass, battle it out for the chance to win the in Broke House. season, with hockey as very much the prestigious title of Young Musician of the Year. ‘third’ boys’ sport, his team lost every The adjudicator Julian Broughton, an accomplished match, scoring one goal. Yet it is true pianist and composer, said to the Grand Final audience In 1992, David was appointed by John here, being the very public face of Ipswich to say that Ipswich School’s illustrious that he was seriously impressed by the remarkably Blatchly as the Lower School Master, and School as pupils start the Senior School. hockey pedigree was built on David’s successful performances which had been a delight to listen much of what we take for granted as the In this role he was an expert in managing work, and the school’s current reputation to, and that it had been very difficult to choose between the cornerstone of our pastoral work here parental expectations, inculcating on the national stage comes, in a large finalists. He singled out four of the finalists for particular in the school was introduced by David, in his pupils a love of the school, part, as a result of his work, with Steve note - Max Raven, Finn Collinson, Ollie Ward and Oliver including chairing the school’s first Anti- whilst establishing himself as a most Godfrey and others, over the years. David Musician of the Year finalists Pigram - before awarding the title to Finn from Year 12 for Bullying Committee and introducing distinguished ‘all-rounder’ schoolmaster. encouraged an ethos where everyone his outstanding performances on the recorder. PSHE into the curriculum for pupils in In this role, David established his had a chance, developing not just A and Years 7 to 9. David was also a key figure in formidable reputation as someone who B team fixtures, but also the C, D and modernising the school’s pastoral routines would regularly go above and beyond, for E teams. with the introduction of tutor time, and the pupils, the parents, the staff, and the extending the induction programme school, instilling in pupils a confidence in David was the coach who started for Year 7 pupils. He had a brief in 1995 themselves. He evidently cared about the Ipswich School’s participation in Departing sta‘ during the 2014/15 school year included: to restructure the school’s assessment, quality of school life for all those pupils the Gresham’s Festival... recording and reporting policy, which he knew, and he made a real difference is a job he returned to in 2010. In 1997, for them. It is revealing that Ipswich School’s the introduction of girls into Year 7 was David’s daily bread at school was of two favourite hockey sons, George Pinner Chris Boucher James Hutchinson Annika Wieckowska another major change for the school in course as a gifted Maths teacher. Adept at and Harry Martin, listed in their 2012 Maths Teacher Art Teacher Deputy Head – Prep which David played a central part. getting the best out of all those he taught, Olympics match-day programmes that David served as Head of Lower School from stretching the most able further David was the person who encouraged until 2010, a stint of eighteen years, in mathematicians at A level, to nurturing them to keep playing hockey. Whilst at Alexandra Davis Sue Kennedy Rev Andrew Winter what has to be one of the key positions those for whom Maths was one of life’s Ipswich, David’s U13s were county finalists English Teacher Prep teacher Chaplain for 20 consecutive seasons, winning 16 county championships. Clearly David Gill Dodd Lyn Parker had a winning formation, and so why Mary Winter change it? His teams were East of England Prep Teacher Chemistry Technician Prep Teacher champions five times, reaching the national finals nine times, and winning Ray East Malcolm Saunders them three times. David was the coach who started Ipswich School’s participation Grounds Manager Chemistry Technician in the Gresham’s Festival, an annual event which the pupils looked forward to almost David Hacker David Walsh as much as they did to the Cumbria trip. Director of Sport Maths Teacher He has coached cricket to A and B teams for 23 years, again ensuring that everyone George Pinner and Harry Martin present gets to go home happy, having had a bat their players’ shirts to David Walsh or a bowl.

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Of course David’s keen passion for Annika Wieckowska a Christmas elf or some book character. pupils’ fitness and help prevent sports birding has been something he has been She would always go that extra mile, injuries, with the results of the screening more than happy to share with Ipswich Deputy Head, Prep School and it would seem that she rather enjoys tests fed into the development of PE School pupils over the years. He has dressing up! lessons. He also oversaw the launch James Hutchinson continued to inspire a generation of It would always be Annika who would of the Ipswich School Sports Centre pupils at the school with his expertise, Annika joined Ipswich Prep School as be the last at events, helping clear up, at Rushmere, working with OIs George Art Teacher and a couple of his former pupils have Director of Studies in September 2001 locking the gates and making sure the Pinner and Harry Martin to cajole a gone on to conservation jobs. More and was appointed to the role of Deputy child who had been forgotten was safe. number of Team GB hockey players and recently in an evening lecture at the Head when Amanda Childs joined in It would always be Annika who sent OIs to take part in the exhibition hockey school, David shared his experiences 2009. But before her life at the Prep she the funny illustrations to de-stress tired match with the promise of a souvenir whilst on sabbatical in Vietnam of his had been busy in various roles in state teachers and it would always be Annika shirt and a curry afterwards. Of course search for the white-eared night heron. schools including working with the who remembered the little things that he took to the pitch himself to show that When we asked Year 8 pupils to think combination has made him a true asset county advisory team in RE and PSE. could sometimes go unnoticed – like the he could still mix it with the best of a word to describe James Hutchinson, to the Art department and to the school. As David retires from Ipswich Annika has been highly respected need for extra biscuits in the staff room. of them! a few they came up with were: fun, School, he faces the exciting amongst the Prep staff, showing enthusiastic, experimental, thoughtful, He has the rare talent of prospect of leading occasional sensitivity to everyone’s needs and Annika has been an integral part We wish David all the best for kind, generous, understanding, artistic, balancing his own creative bird tours across the world, yet still challenging what was not of helping Ipswich Prep become his new school – and perhaps inspirational, helpful, relaxed, friendly, needs as an artist with his unconstrained by school necessarily right and supporting an excellent school. we’ll see him coaching his special, legendary, patient, calm and teaching commitments. term dates. everyone to move forward. Nothing new teams in a national supportive. has ever been too much trouble for her, Annika has been an integral part hockey final... He has the rare talent of balancing David has also made an invaluable even if she had many things to deal with of helping Ipswich Prep become The environment that James his own creative needs as an artist with contribution to the musical side herself. Even being stuck in Sweden an excellent school which is truly David also enjoys his golf and was creates oozes creativity, his teaching commitments, allowing of the school. As an excellent and when the ash cloud stopped planes exceptional in many ways. Being the quoted trying to convince certain organisation and passion. him to share with the students both very experienced singer, and also a flying, she continued to work remotely. Deputy is an extremely tough job, trying members of PE that it was the ‘greatest his wealth of knowledge experience conductor of note, David has been a It is rare to find someone who has to be all things to all people, but she has game in the world’, although we’re James is a truly inspirational teacher, and his artistic style. This, coupled with member of the School’s Chapel Choir worked as hard as Annika and with such done this in an extraordinary way. She is not sure how this ranks alongside his he is calm and patient and can instil the exceptional quality of his teaching, for over twenty years; he adopted the dedication. a very special person and we will really beloved hockey! We wish David all the confidence within our students to have enables him to inspire the students. informal role of Master in Charge of Annika has been a great colleague miss her. best for his new school – and perhaps a go and be creative. The environment Processions and Seating, at St Mary to work with and she could easily put we’ll see him coaching his new teams in that James creates oozes creativity, Maggie Davis le Tower and elsewhere. He quickly a smile on both children’s and adults’ Amanda Childs a national hockey final… organisation and passion. This Director of Art became a vital member of the choir, faces alike, especially when dressed as Head of Ipswich Prep not only as “shepherd of the basses”, but also as a mentor, demonstrating the ability to combine sporting and musical the country and the cricket square at the achievement for the pupils. Not only a school would not look out of place at a faithful supporter of Sunday services Ray East test match. at the school, David also accompanied David Hacker a number of choir tours, where he Grounds Manager and Cricket Coach Legend is a term bandied about narrowly avoided floods in Siena, and Director of Sport far too often in particular when introduced pupils to peregrine falcons it comes to sport – but there is high up in the tower of Exeter Cathedral. no doubt that Ray is not only an As David retires from Ipswich School, Essex legend, an East Bergholt he faces the exciting prospect of leading legend, but also an Ipswich occasional bird tours across the world, Ray East was one of the old school, who have represented the Suffolk minor School legend. unconstrained by school term dates. David Hacker joined us in 2011 from they know. He is able to offer calming an immensely popular cricketer county side must now be well over His retirement leaves a huge gap on the Millfield School, with a background in words in frantic times. He is a talented who always conveyed a sense of three figures. You will be hard pressed Legend is a term bandied about far School’s staff as a mathematician, sports playing sport at the highest level, sportsman playing a high level of cricket fun whenever he played. That often to find a Suffolk side over the last 15 too often in particular when it comes coach, chorister, expert in assembly coaching and inspiring young people as well as hockey. David is very modest overshadowed his ability - he took over years that has turned out without an to sport – but there is no doubt that bingo, much-loved colleague and friend, to achieve their best, and generally about his Olympic background and 1000 wickets in his 19 seasons whilst OI coached and mentored by Ray in Ray is not only an Essex legend, an East and general go-to person by whom encouraging sport and fitness in all. playing days, except on tour when he he was serving Essex. These are the the team. Bergholt legend, but also an Ipswich ‘unknown unknowns’ should be checked. rolls out his GB backpack and sandals words of one of the greatest cricket But it’s not just cricket; Ray has School legend. We may praise him for We will miss David hugely, but it may take David is very modest about from Sydney 2000 and pretends they commentators of all time – John Arlott. helped with hockey, football, tennis coaching those who have played county some time for us to appreciate quite how his Olympic background are still in fashion. He is also very good John also described Ray as one of the and even fives! Away from coaching he cricket but a far greater achievement much we do miss him. #gonewell and playing days, except at haggling with beach vendors to buy game’s spontaneously funny men and has looked after both Notcutts and the should be the fact that thousands of on tour... essential items like panama hats, which the same could be said of his time at main school field with unbridled love pupils have left this school with a great Andrew Bradshaw are needed to finish the look. the school. Pupils coached by Ray have – he may describe himself as just an love for the glorious summer sport Head of Middle School His colleagues say he is one of the Here at Ipswich School he introduced gone on to a cricket career with first ‘elementary weed puller’ but he is one of of cricket. most relaxed and laid back people sports testing sessions to help improve class counties, and the number of OIs the most respected head groundsmen in

54 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Staff Leavers 55 From the Archives From the Archives The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

What are Letters Patent or itterae patentes?

The purpose of Letters Patent, always plural, was to proclaim publicly the granting of rights or status to an individual or body. Initially the royal seal might have been attached to the open document so that the contents were public, not private. It is possible that such Letters were displayed for courtiers to see and the news would spread thence throughout the country by word of mouth.

450 Our Letters Patent 1200 - 1566 - 2016 Our Letters served a number of purposes for the school. Most importantly for some, the foundation ‘of our most dear father, On the 18th of March 1566, Queen Elizabeth I, by Letters Patent, rea•rmed Henry VIII’ was recognised and its links to the Crown confirmed, the royal charter granted to the school by her father, Henry VIII. despite Henry’s break with Cardinal Wolsey and the fall of the grand home he had built for his old school. Our education today is anchored in the year 1200, when the Guild The royal annuity for the salaries of the Master and Usher, Merchant of Ipswich was licensed by the civic charter granted to the town granted by Henry’s charter, was also safeguarded to ensure ‘their diligence in instructing such boys in learning’ as was ‘the pious by King John. The chaplains of the Guild, later to become the Guild of and good intention of the aforesaid founder’. Future Masters, to Corpus Christi, are believed to have been entrusted with the education be chosen by ‘our beloved subjects the Bailiffs and Corporation’, were to be ratified by the Bishop of Norwich rather than by the of the sons of the leading townsmen. Crown, as the delays had meant pupils ‘have spent the time aforesaid idly’. The Borough was also empowered to ‘make fit and wholesome statutes and ordinances’ for the governance and running of the school, these to be approved by the Bishop of Norwich. These statutes and ordinances were to be ‘inviolably observed for ever’! Today, the reigning monarch, as the school’s The Story of the Letters Patent ‘Visitor’, is the ultimate arbiter of disputes. Our chapel choir wear red cassocks as a sign of this royal connection.

In 1566, our school, which has had many homes over the centuries, was located on Foundation Street, not far from the bustling docks, in a house willed to it by Richard Felaw, a town worthy, about 70 years earlier. The headmaster, unusually for those days, was a Where are they now? layman, John Scott. No copy of Henry VIII’s charter is known to exist today and we no longer have our copy of Elizabeth’s Letters Patent. By this time, the delays caused by confirmation of the charter given to We do know that when headmaster John King retired in waiting for the monarch to approve the school by her father, Henry VIII and 1798, for reasons now, and perhaps then, unknown he made the appointment of headmasters were undertook the legal negotiations in an enormous pile of books and papers in the schoolyard and becoming a major frustration for the London. The Queen assented and on the burned them. Perhaps thus they were lost. Happily, the Patent town bailiffs and corporation, as it meant 18th of March, the royal Letters Patent Rolls of 1566 are preserved today in the National Archives. the boys were often left untaught. Late were issued and a copy of the vellum All Queen Elizabeth’s Letters Patent of that year, including her Copy of our Letters Patent payment by the Crown of stipends to the manuscript was dispatched to Ipswich. copy of our own, were stitched together to make one long roll (head) Master and Usher (deputy master) of vellum. Held in the National Archives, written in ‘Neo-Latin’ in chancery was also affecting their reliability and The sixteenth century Latin is rather different from the script. The stitching above and below joins our vellum to other attendance. Classical Latin studied today and is written in a difficult and letters patent of that year. Some words are fairly easy to pick It is possible that the subject had heavily abbreviated chancery script, something that is typical out, such as Gipisvic or Gipiswic (Ipswich) been raised during the visit of Good for Letters Patent. Queen Bess to Ipswich in 1561. Now, the town clerk, one John Hawys, made an application to the monarch for

56 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Archives 57 From the Archives From the Archives The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

patience, Make much of modestie, Harbour a harmlesse hart’ and ‘Be always one’. The latter, which might be translated into William Camden’s 1597 biography of Translation of Letters Patent Latin as semper eadem, could be taken to imply constancy. Elizabeth mentions both of the above: Another theory is that the Queen took the motto from her mother, Anne Boleyn, who, like Elizabeth, had been a Protestant ‘The Protestant Religion being now by authority - Henry VIII had broken with Catholicism and the Pope, creating of Parliament established, Queene Elizabeths the Church of England, over the annulment of his first marriage first and chieftest care was for the most constant and his second marriage to Anne. It is possible that Elizabeth defence thereof, against all the practises of all saw herself as upholding the religion of her mother or perhaps men amidst the enemies in that behalf, neither she simply wished to link herself to Anne, who was executed when her daughter was just two years old. indeed did she ever su€er the least innovation The motto was later used by Queen Anne, who reigned from therein. Her second care was to hold an even 1702-1714 and who liked to compare herself with Elizabeth . In course in her whole life, and all her actions; more recent years, the school has chosen to translate semper whereupon she tooke for her Motto, SEMPER eadem as ‘always constant’, which, as Headmaster Nicholas EADEM, that is ALWAYS THE SAME’. Weaver notes, is felt to reflect the spirit of this motto as applied to Ipswich School.

The Bard & The School

Four hundred years ago, on the 25th of April 1616, William Shakespeare was laid to rest in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. GRIFFITH ‘Semper Eadem’ This Cardinal, The great Bard (poet), as he is often called, wrote during Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and both she and he shared a Was fashion’d to much honour from his cradle. Our motto - what’s familiarity with our school. The Queen issued Letters Patent He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; in 1566 to reaffirm the royal charter given to us by Henry VIII, Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading: while Shakespeare went much further and put our school on Lofty and sour to them that loved him not; it all about? the world stage, even though today most people are unlikely But, to those men that sought him, sweet as summer. to recognise it. His play Henry VIII immortalises Ipswich And though he were unsatisfied in getting, School thus: (Which was a sin) yet in bestowing, madam, He was most princely: ever witness for him For years, ‘always the same’ has rolled o‘ the Those twins of Learning that he raised in you, Those twins of Learning that he raised in you, tongues of pupils asked to translate our motto. Ipswich and Oxford. Ipswich and Oxford: one of which fell with him, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it; The reference in Henry VIII to Wolsey and his colleges The other, though unfinish’d, yet so famous, But what does it really mean and how by her father, Henry VIII. philosopher whose influence on Latin comes in Act IV, Scene ii, when the former queen, Catherine, So excellent in art, and still so rising, did it come to be part of the school’s coat The Latin translation of semper is and European languages was profound. or Katherine, of Aragon is speaking of Wolsey’s death with her That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue. of arms? As with much of our history, always, while eadem is the feminine One theory as to why Queen Elizabeth attendant Griffith in her apartments at Kenilworth. Katherine His overthrow heap’d happiness upon him; accounts differ but we do know that form of idem, meaning the same. We took this as her motto is that as a young describes what she sees as the corruption of the man For then, and not till then, he felt himself, semper eadem was the motto of Queen often see idem in texts, referring back to princess she had a governess named responsible for her divorce from the King. Griffith, however, And found the blessedness of being little: Elizabeth I, who in 1566 renewed the a word or concept mentioned earlier on. Lady Elizabeth Tyrwhit who taught her speaks well of Wolsey and describes his commitment And, to add greater honours to his age school’s royal charter, previously granted It is a phrase used by Cicero, the Roman various sayings, such as ‘Kill anger with to education: Than man could give him, he died, fearing God.

58 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Archives 59 From the Archives From the Archives The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

the entrance interview I had had with him in his study, nor was I aware he knew far too many details about boyfriends playing Tribute to a Headmaster truant and who did what and with whom at the Sixth Form party. I can’t imagine the school today would dare allow Sixth Formers, loud music and alcohol late into the night in the Sixth Form centre, with no restrictions on trips to and from the Greyhound. Dr Blatchly was my headmaster for Maybe that was the only such party and that was enough as far as the school was concerned. But JMB knew things! And while two years in the 1980s, when I was one he didn’t spill the beans on my peers - don’t worry! - it was plain of the few girls in the Sixth Form. he knew just as much about them as he did about me. It must be said of course that he also remembered the good things I didn’t know him well then, although I pupils did, not just their questionable behaviour, but also details knew of him as my brother had been at about performance in academics, music and sport. But if he was John, second from left, as Kaspar as laid back then as he was in his latter years, then we really had in Amahl and the night visitors the school since sometime in the Prep. nothing to worry about.

My memories are few and mixed. A tall begowned figure Perhaps though, age softened him. I began to dread him bringing up some and academic fields. It wasn’t that I didn’t sweeping down Lime Avenue. A stern face. The same stern face I don’t know; as I said, I didn’t know very specific event or person and having notice this with JMB, but rather that I with a glimpse of hidden (but probably huge) amusement at him well back then. But certainly when to choose between trying to conceal noticed clearly that it simply didn’t seem goings on around him. JMB certainly considered himself lucky I reconnected with him these few years my ignorance or come clean and feel to exist. This is something I absolutely to have been a headmaster in those days before health, safety ago, he seemed content, cheerful and somewhat of an idiot. loved about him and which has to be and oversight regulated every move. His was a more leisurely for the most part relaxed. Having said One thing I noticed about JMB was his mentioned in this piece. It stood out time, of indulgence in the school and its pupils, immersion in the this, John could be highly dismissive of seeming absolute lack of any patronizing and was completely refreshing. school community, without the unending chain of obligations what he considered low standards. For attitude at all towards women. I have, not Another thing I feel compelled to tell and regulations involved in running a school today. Today’s example, I learnt a great deal about the surprisingly, while working in the school here is what I saw of John after Pam/Mrs demands, he felt, must surely sap a large proportion of a school’s history during the time I came archives and museum, met many men Blatchly had a bad fall. Looking back this headteacher’s lifeblood and he was full of admiration for those in to the archives just to help out, things of his generation and even in my own seems a significant moment. Pam was who could manage them. about which I had previously had no idea. generation, like it or not, there can still be in hospital for some time and when she It was a little odd when a few years ago Peter Boughton But I hadn’t learned all 800-years-plus differences in the way we look or estimate came out she needed a great deal of care. suggested I pop up to the archives to meet Dr Blatchly. of it quite fast enough, apparently and at women and men in the professional For a while it seemed as if there might be little improvement. I am sure it comes as no surprise that John maintained a very brave face and, at least in my presence, didn’t complain but rather told me From ‘Conference and Common Room interesting things regarding doctors and hospital staff. I returned his greeting with ‘Hello Dr Blatchly, it’s lovely to see you’ or something like that. He replied ‘Oh don’t call me that, Not an ounce of frustration, call me John’, and I followed stupidly with, ‘Oh, alright, Sir! It got just encouragement and an easier though and soon it was hard to think of him as anything appreciation of every small other than John. measure of progress.

I never expected to become friends with my What really got me though and which old headmaster but life takes strange turns. brings tears to my eyes now writing about it was what I saw when I went to visit I didn’t realise until I had lunch with John, Pam (Mrs Blatchly) them. I’m sure it must have been horribly and son Mark at the Greyhound a couple of years ago, that John hard for John and yet when I was there had known so much about all the pupils during his tenure. Be in Plantation House, he was so incredibly warned, OIs of that generation. Your lurkings and skulkings, kind and patient with Pam. Not an ounce trysts and misdemeanours were not as secret as you thought. of frustration, just encouragement and an John, Mark and I had just been in the headmaster’s study to appreciation of every small measure of make a DVD about the Old Town Library housed there. It had progress. He appeared to have adapted been fun to watch the interaction between father and son. I himself to the changed circumstances in think John was desperately proud. As we sat in the sun with the the most incredible way. He was gentle geraniums, I began to feel that my every Sixth Form move had and patient in his care and attention and been observed and noted. I knew JMB had written to my mother when we took hesitant walks around the A begowned figure – in his element saying there was no need for quite such flamboyant clothes Chamber group used to meet in garden with Pam, his joy at her recovery with Princess Anne, 1990 and hairstyle (it was the Eighties), but I myself didn’t remember JMB’s house on St Edmund’s Road was visible. I was simply overwhelmed

60 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Archives 61 From the Archives From the Archives The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

by what I saw; it really was the most beautiful insight into a that I couldn’t go to the memorial service at St Mary-le-Tower, love, support and devotion that many never experience to but then I was glad. He was such a very public figure and I had that degree. a friendship with him which didn’t fit into any box and which I realised I was more comfortable in remembering by myself. He was gentle and patient in his care and attention Had I had any doubts about attendance at the event, I would and when we took hesitant walks around the garden certainly have gone, but I was (obviously!) right in expecting that with Pam, his joy at her recovery was visible. it would be packed. I was also a coward – I didn’t really know how to deal with the enormous sadness I was feeling at the What else? What can I say? I never expected to become loss of someone I realised I had come to rely on so much and in friends with my old headmaster but life takes strange turns. so many unexpected ways. I don’t think he’d mind though. He I did get frustrated when John didn’t understand that unlike wasn’t that kind of a person. him, I couldn’t answer emails immediately because I had piles of laundry or too many children’s things to do. But he sat happily As some of John on his eightieth – Melissa Joralemon on the sofa in our house next to a pile of washing, told me that us knew him birthday, so recent! (OI 1982 – 84) the latest concern I had about my children was normal, spoke to them happily and wasn’t in the slightest put out by the fact that they weren’t as affable as he was. A man who loved his school

He simply carried on talking and it was lovely to have someone around who had obviously seen so many children grow up and pass through so many phases. I used to get annoyed that John often seemed to focus on the aristocracy of British history, the lords and ladies, the barons and nobles, the monarchy. And even this! We had a little to-do about an article in the East Anglian which I liked and he didn’t, more of a social history piece from either World War One or Two. He didn’t back down and I didn’t either. He was fine with that, there was no preaching whatsoever. But that was pretty much it on disagreements. I’m sure he had his opinions on how I had run my life but he kept Loyalty and dedication – these to himself. John’s love for his adopted As we all are, I am so very sorry for all John’s family. As for the County never waned rest of us, everyone has their stories about him. I was sad at first farewell to the Belchams

The Belchams. Leigh and Jill. What a wonderful couple to work with over the past few years!

Regarding Leigh, a colleague eyes would often sparkle with humour if described him as being like a stick of she, being from a generation of far better rock, the ones we used to get at the manners and decorum, was not quite seaside or other holiday places, with the willing to voice comments or thoughts school arms running right through him. which came to mind. Jill praised and As OI Secretary, Leigh would come in with encouraged, fussed like a hen if one was his briefcase and OI tie once a week on a ill and remembered what was important Thursday. Jill, however, has no Ipswich to those around her. She and Leigh have schooldays in her past, yet came in for moved on to what we all hope will be the same period every fortnight and gave a more relaxing and, maybe, possibly herself for several hours entirely to the - although not very likely - a more self- task of cataloguing, researching, anything centred life in Warwick. They go and leave and everything to enhance the school a void behind them. Thank you to both of Thank you to both of you and museum and its collection. I miss her you and we wish you every happiness in we wish you every happiness Enjoying things immensely, Prince Philip’s visit, 1973 terribly. Her insights were sharp and her your new home. in your new home. – X –

62 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Archives 63 Club Events Club Events The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

hosted a dinner at the Penn Club for wonderful opportunity to hear about the hearts out for us, a clear sign that they School parents and staff and kindly current activities at the School from the had thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of Ipswich Dinner invited OI’s to join as well. It was a Headmaster as well as relive memories the stay in New York City. pleasure to meet the Headmaster, Guy about my time at the school in the A big thank you from this New York th Main and Sally Webber. Several other 1960’s. Having been fed delightful food based OI to everyone involved in making Saturday 19 OI’s from the New York area attended and excellent wine, the highlight of the the Ipswich School Chapel Choir tour as well as some parents who had evening was the re-appearance of the such a success. taken advantage of the School Choir school choir who performed 4 songs for December 2015 tour to come to New York during half the dinner guests. Ably led by Director of – Alastair Merrick term. The evening turned out to be a Music Sion Parry, the children sang their OI (1962 – 71)

One of the key events in the OI year is the Ipswich Dinner. London Dinner at the East This year on the allocated day of the 176 (yes, really) enjoyed a particularly dinner the weather was warm and dry delicious meal - it really was good - which was good news as, only a few conversation and speeches. For those India Club, St James’s Square years ago, attendance at the dinner was who were too late to book a seat, sorry severely hit by icy conditions. there was no more room. Particularly nd One of the key events in the OI year pleasing was the wide generation range Wednesday 22 April 2015 is the Ipswich Dinner. This year on the of OIs present at the dinner: truly an allocated day of the dinner the weather event with appeal across the generations. was warm and dry which was good news We were joined by the Year 13 Heads of as, only a few years ago, attendance School and Heads of each House, who On 22 April we returned to the East India Club at the dinner was severely hit by icy were excellent guests. to pupils. The President spoke about his for the London Dinner. As in 2014, we were conditions. In 2015 OIs, partners, and The Club President, Bob Clayton, time at Ipswich School before handing guests assembled in the school’s Great hosted the evening and his guest speaker the chain of office and the “chief’s seal” to treated extremely well. School for pre-dinner drinks, followed was Simon Ballard (OI 81-89). Simon, a his successor as President, Ling Stephens. by dinner. In addition to the usual tables Training Captain on long-haul routes with This was an enjoyable and memorable in the main body of Great School, three British Airway’s 777 fleet, had plenty of evening. What a great event to complete Dinner was delicious, and the venue time at Ipswich School. He was keen to tables were set-up on the stage as stories from his experiences with which the OI Club year. Congratulations and was as bright this year as it had been dull mention that he had outlasted several the numbers attending this year were to entertain everyone present. The many, many thanks to John Ward a decade or so ago. headmasters, and he was pleased to considerably higher than they have been Headmaster then spoke about aspects for organising and running such an Your President, Bob Clayton, hosted toast the health of the OI Club. for some time. A logistical challenge, of the school, and emphasized the enjoyable evening for so many. an enthusiastic group of OIs. His guest The (current) Headmaster, Nick but what a good one to have! A total of wonderful all round education offered speaker, Ray East, cricketer, groundsman Weaver, responded and gave a report on and legend, entertained us all with events at the school. For many OIs, the appropriate stories of his cricketing evening continued after the formal event, New York Dinner life, as well as reminiscences of his with friendships enhanced or developed. Wednesday 21st OI Summer Lunch at School

October 2015 What used to be the Diamond Lunch has become the Summer Lunch. My wife and I were Truly a first for the School’s choir and famous Episcopal church on Park Ave. in delighted to hear that the a delight for me, having lived in New York the heart of mid-town Manhattan. The This incorporated the celebrations of the Class of 65 (see below). OIs who left City for 35 years and seen little Ipswich choir sang during the Eucharist service the school at least 50 years ago, plus their partners, toured parts of the school and Ipswich School Chapel School activity or OI activity this side of at 6pm. The local congregation and the lunched together. This is always a convivial and enthusiastic gathering, made more Choir was coming to the Atlantic. presiding minister gave the school choir a so by a special archives display arranged and hosted by Melissa Joralemon, Leigh We were able to attend one of their warm welcome and a standing ovation at Belcham and Jill Belcham. This was very well received: our thanks to the three New York City. concerts at St Bartholomew’s Church. the end of the service. of them. The Chairman of the school governors, the Headmaster and the Club “St. Bart’s” as it is known locally, is a Later the same evening, the School Chairman spoke.

64 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Club Events 65 Club Events | In Pictures Club Events | In Pictures The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

th th Sports Festival – 29 March 2015 Ipswich Dinner Remembrance Service, 8 November 2015 19th December 2015

th 50 Anniversary for the 1965 leavers Drinks in the City – 6th March 2015 OI v School Cross Country, 12th March 2015

th rd July 2015 nd Rugby 7s – 6th School v MCC, 19 May 2015 Leavers Service and Reception, 3 Drinks in the City, 2 October 2015 September 2015

66 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 Club Events 67 OI Club Minutes OI Club Minutes The journal of the Old Ipswichian Club

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting all their work [adopted by the Members present]. Peter Boughton their innings), rugby (a sevens tournament at Notcutt’s (the old Top to raise more interest. The interest could then be used to subsidise held in Little School at Ipswich School at has just completed his role as Foundation Director. In that capacity Field), which was good but with few OI teams, and so we will try a the Ipswich Dinner next year. The Treasurer agreed to take the issue and as bursar of the School before Peter has done much to help new format next year), and golf. I am delighted to report that, earlier back to the Committee. Proposed by Karl Daniels and Seconded by 6.30pm on Saturday 19th December 2015. the Club. My thanks, and that of the Club, to Peter. [Adopted by the today, the OIs beat the School in the annual Fives match. The Sports Trevor Woods, the Annual Accounts and Treasurer’s Report for the Members present. Festival was again held at the fantastic School facilities at Rushmere. year ended 31st July 2015 were received and approved. Links with the school: The OI Club has once again communicated The weather was appalling and perhaps due to this the atmosphere 1.0 Apologies for absence: well with OIs and the Club has produced some excellent publication. was upbeat and everyone was in great spirits. OIs and School 5.0 Election of President for 2015 Apologies for absence were received from: Mike Fenn, Julian Fenn, Significant help has been provided by Moira Bryan, the School’s teams competed in hockey, football and netball. I formally record Proposed by Guy Main and Seconded by John Ward, Ling Stephens Lewis Tyler, Terry Cracknall, Chris Fallon. Members were welcomed press and public relations manager to the OI News and OI my thanks and I hope yours to many who have made this year so was elected President for 2016. This was approved by the AGM. to the AGM by the President, Bob Clayton. Journal. The star for these publication is the OI Club Editor, Clare successful for the OI Club. Lock, who puts in a huge amount of work, time, energy and overall Conclusion – My particular thanks to those on the committee who 6.0 Election of Vice President for 2015 2.0 Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting: commitment to make these publication so appealing and widely have completed their term of service and contributed so much: Proposed by Mike Graham and Seconded by Eddie Alcock, John Minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record read. My grateful thanks to her. This year’s OI Journal had a fresh President Bob Clayton (who I hope will be voted back on as a Graham was elected Vice President for 2016. This was approved Proposed by Trevor Woods and Seconded by James Davey. approach, all down to Clare’s initiative and work, and it has, rightly committee member), Junior President Liz Pope, committee member by the AGM. Matters Arising: There were no matters arising. received much praise. Be ready to receive the next edition of the Richard Hudson (who the committee plan to co-opt back on to OI News, which is about to be delivered to all OIs for whom we continue his fine sports liaison role), and committee member Clare 7.0 Election of Junior President for 2015 have postal addresses. The Club continues to send an eNews most Lock (who will remain OI Editor and take on the Secretary role). As 3.0 Chairman’s report Proposed by Ian Galbraith and seconded by Clare Lock, George months, and Tweet once in a while. I hope you follow the Club on Chairman, I see early on news of OIs who have died. This year there Guy Main presented his Chairman’s Report for 2015 as follows: Finch was elected Junior President for 2016. This was approved Twitter, and are signed up to the Facebook page (no run by Vicki have been many of these, and we remember with gratitude OIs we Mr President, Headmaster, fellow OIs. In 2014 we celebrated the by the AGM. 125th anniversary of the founding of the OI Club. It was a year of Spray) and the LinkedIn page. knew who have died in the last year, as well as their families. We celebration, culminating in the Gaudy (held at School) which saw Highlights of Events 2015 pay special tribute to those who have given so much to pupils of 8.0 Election of Junior Vice President for 2015 over 400 OIs and their families partying together. That was an London dinner – his was again held at the East India Club, largely Ipswich School and to OIs. This year there are two names that stand Proposed by Steve Runnacles and seconded by Guy Main, Nick achievement and a great event. So, has 2015 been a let-down? Not due to the food last year being so good. The President’s guest out amongst those who have died. They are Rosemary Le Mare, and Ransome was elected as Junior Vice President for 2016. This was at all. The impetus provided by the 125th anniversary has been a speaker was Ray East, on the staff at Ipswich School for over 20 John Blatchly. John arrived as Headmaster as I entered the senior approved by the AGM. springboard for the further development of the OI Club. As I come to years and before that an Essex County cricketer of note. OIs were school, so I see him as my Headmaster. Many people help the Club. the end of my 3 year term as Chairman, the firm foundations of the entertained by Ray who had a cricket story for every occasion. My thanks to the School, the Headmaster in particular as well as many of his staff including the majority of the Sports Department. 9.0 Appointment of Officers Club are more evident than ever. The Club has a strong heritage, an Drinks in the City – We held two sets of London drinks, one at The As I have already said, the Club owes so much to the Foundation Proposed by Karl Daniels and seconded by John Skeets. Sally active core membership, and a dedicated committee. The Club is Water Poet in Spitalfields and the other at The Habit in the City. Office. My thanks to the officers and committee of the Club. This Webber was elected as Chairman, Clare Lock was elected as financially sound, and it has a clear purpose. Both venues were full, which underlines the popularity of year’s President, Bob Clayton, has been a dream to work with. But Secretary, and Steve Runnacles as Treasurer. This was approved Membership: On membership, 85% of the year 13 school leavers these gatherings. over the past 3 years all the appointed officers and committee have by the AGM. (88/105) joined the Club. This sits well with recent years: in 2014 it Diamond Lunch – Renamed the Summer Lunch – this took place at given time and service and been hugely supportive. I am grateful. I was 80%, 2013 89% and in 2012 it was 81%. Fewer year 11 leavers School and also included a reunion of those who left 50 years ago, want you all to know that running the OI Club is a team effort. If you joined the Club, and this is somewhat of a trait for those leaving at 10.0 Election of New Committee Members and the Speech Day reunion. We learnt from the Gaudy last year have liked what your committee has done, it is due to them. If not, this stage. This year it was 60% (23/39) and in the previous few years Proposed by Bob Clayton and seconded by Sally Webber, Florence that one big event was a better dynamic, with a great atmosphere. it means I have not led them well. And apologies for that. No-one it was: 76% in 2014 (39 leavers), 84% in 2013 (45 leavers) and 81% in Milner was elected as a Committee member for the three years The dining hall was again full, but not quite bursting. As we have for should be singled out – but I am going to mention two people. They 2012. I am grateful to the Headmaster and the Head of Sixth Form 2016 to 2018. Proposed by James Davey and seconded by Steve many years, the Club sponsored one night of the School’s Festival have made the last three years possible. They are Sally Webber, the for inviting me to speak, respectively, at the new parents evening Runnacles, Trevor Woods was elected as a Committee member for of Music. The Club did not, this year, hold a reception beforehand Club Secretary, who has been unstinting in her wise advice - which and to the sixth form. These events, and others, introduce the Club the three years 2016 to 2018. Proposed by Guy Main and seconded as the evening was arranged in a cafe style, with food and drink at has been straight and direct – as well as her support and friendship. to parents and pupils at an early stage, which is helpful. Awareness by Martin Holland, Bob Clayton was elected as a Committee tables whilst those assembled were entertained with some beautiful And Helen, my wonderful wife. My involvement would have been of the Club, its role and what is does is rising in the School, and member for the three years 2016 to 2018. These were approved by music. On the music theme, the School’s Chapel Choir toured New impossible without her support, encouragement, understanding we are working for more opportunities to show the benefits of the AGM. York in October and the Headmaster hosted a dinner for Parents and love – thank you. The OI Club is about, in part, fellowship, membership of the OI Club. of the choristers and OIs now based in the USA. The Club were staying in contact with OIs and building new friendship with other 11.0 Approval of amendments to the Club Rules Links with the school: The Club’s link with the School has represented and this was a really positive event, reaching out OIs, links with and supporting the School (and at the dinner we The amendments to the Club Rules to allow for the recent changes developed positively during my term as Chairman. One of my aims to part of the worldwide community of OIs, in tandem with are about to enjoy I will update you with exciting news on the OI in the Development Office were proposed by the Prof Wyatt and was to improve it. We now have a better understanding of how the School. Club’s 125th Anniversary Appeal), and running functions to enable Seconded by Richard Hudson. This was approved by the AGM. we can help each other and, importantly, how to approach and President’s Event – Bob Clayton, for his President’s Event, arranged a OIs to meet. The Club has momentum, excellent events, good achieve this. Important and major discussions recently have been hugely enjoyable wine and food tasting evening. This was supported communications, and ambition to be better. The future is bright. on data sharing, and a letter is en-route to all OIs on this subject, by OIs of all generations. The evening raised over £1,000 for the 12.0 Any other business and the Club’s role is proposing a governor to serve on the School’s Alzheimer’s Society. The Remembrance Service in Chapel was well It being their last AGM in their current roles, a vote of thanks was 4.0 Treasurer’s report governing body. In my opinion the relationship was reasonably attended by the School’s CCF and OIs, with a reception in the dining recorded to Guy Main, Sally Webber and Bob Clayton, for their Steve Runnacles circulated copies of the Annual Accounts for the strong, and it much stronger now. For the future, I am optimistic that hall afterwards. The gathering of OIs who left School during the past work over the last year. year ended July 31st 2015, noting that these had been published we can build on the work done, the understanding gained, and the 5 years – First Five Years Out – was held in the Sixth Form Centre All business being concluded the meeting closed at 7.05pm on the Club’s website for over two weeks prior to the meeting. A relationships forged. The Foundation Office of the School, which last week. started the year as the Development Office, has once again assisted copy is attached to these minutes. The Treasurer reported that the Sport: 2015 was another busy year for the Club sports-wise with the Club greatly. Much of what the Club does, certainly the bigger Club’s finances were in a healthy state, with a good surplus. John We are lucky as a Club that our link with the School cross country, cricket (the school won the match against the OIs events, would be difficult without the assistance of the office and its Skeets was pleased with the Club’s financial position, and suggested is strong, and we are aiming for it to be stronger. on a beautiful June day, despite the high target set by the OIs in team. I propose a vote of thanks to Lindy Hacker and Vicki Spray for that a chunk of the surplus be put into a fixed term bank account

68 Issue 7 – A Journal of 2015 OI Club Minutes 69 Club Accounts IPSWICH SCHOOL Income & expenditure account for the year ended 31st July 2015

Income 2015 2014 Subscriptions Received 26,824 27,262 FESTIVAL OF Interest on Investments and other income 145 107

Total Income 26,969 27,369 Less Expenditure MUSIC 2016 Social Expenditure – –

Friday Night Socials and reunions 4,682 8,651

President’s Event 1,500 1,500 Subsidies for Ipswich, London & Regional Dinners 736 706 Joe Stilgoe 6,919 10,857 Thurs 6 Oct Other Expenditure

Postage – – 7.30pm Miscellaneous Expenditure & Admin support costs 3,357 1,065 Great School, Ivry St Website expenditure 2,000 2,000

Chairman’s Honorarium 800 800 Tickets: £18/ £15/ £5 Additional Colour Printing Costs for magazine 3,200 3,200 “Songs at the piano don’t get Purchase and engraving of Trophies 320 320 much sharper than this”

Total Expenditure 16,595 18,242 The Observer

Surplus/(Deficit) of Income over Expenditure for Period £10,374 £9,127 FESTIVAL ALSO INCLUDES: st Balance sheet as at 31 July 2015 The Swingles - Fri 7 Oct, 7.30pm

Assets 31/07/2015 31/07/2014 Family Concert - Sun 9 Oct, 2pm - bring your teddy bear!

Bank and Building Society Accounts 99,175 81,502 Ipswich School Big Band and Ipswich Musicians’ Union Big Band - Mon 10 Oct, 7.30pm

Books – 279 Royal College of Music Strings - Tues 11 Oct, 7.30pm

Total 99,175 81,781 Less Creditors www.ipswichschoolfestival.org.uk 28,749 21,729

Total £70,426 £60,052

Accumulated Reserves Festival sponsor Education sponsor TICKETS

Brought Forward 60,052 50,925 Ipswich Regent Box Offi ce

Surplus of Income over Expenditure for Period 10,374 9,127 01473 433100

Total £70,426 £60,052 www.ipswichregent.com

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