Old Olavian CONTENTS Editor’s Notes 155 Chairman’s Report Chris Harris 156 Annual General Meeting Chris Harris 157 One Hundred Not Out Bill Hawkes 159 Reunion Lunch Memories Various OOs 159 How would Dr Carrington have fared in the Roger Brown 161 modern world of education? StOGS in Wartime Torquay Walter Wilkinson 162 One Boy’s Blitz George Grant 163 Clubs and Societies Old Olavians’ Lodge No 5758 Peter Hudson 168 Former Choristers Graham Milne 168 Cricket Club Tour –2019 Lance Giles 168 Old Boys’ Notes 1969 -1976 Colin Woodward 173 1986 -1993 Brian Tookey 173 In Memoriam 174 154 –Old Olavian –Olavian 2019 Editor’s Notes Last year Iasked my readers –Iwonder howmanyOlavians actually take the trouble to read what Iwrite –tosend So another year has passed us by,ayear whichIhope contributions, especially if theywereable to write about willhavebrought allOlavians, whatevertheir age, their experience of moving with the School from Tooley morehappiness and fulfilment than disappointment or Street to Orpingtonjust fiftyyears ago. SadlyIreceived frustration. nothing on that memorable (?) event. But happilyIhave received contributions from severalmembers, and Iwould Thehighlight of my year came through my oft-mentioned recommend them all. GeorgeGrant’s memories of his years cricket scoring.Iwas able to scoretwo WorldCup matches, living near LondonBridgeStation during the wartime blitz oneatTrent Bridge, the second at OldTrafford, and it was should be compulsoryreading.Itwould be areal eye-opener wonderful to havebeen partofthe tournament which forthe younger ones among us, and areminder howlucky saw England victorious after so manyyears of trying.In the majorityofusare to havebeen bornafter therewas any additionmycounty, Derbyshire, managed to reachthe t20 chance of our lives being affected by the bombing and the Finals Dayfor the first time.Toscorefor my countyata fear that this must havebrought to residents in Londonand Final was an honour forwhichIhad been longing forafull other major cities. twentyyears, and the long wait made it seem even more special. It was with very mixed feelings that Iheardthat Jane Wells was moving on to the proverbial pastures new. Iwas, of Even though the daywas adisappointment from the result course,delighted that she was able to move to anew role, point-of-view, it was stillgood to havebeen associated with onewhichwillbring her newand welcome experiences, but, the young men who hadworked so hardand playedsowell from aselfish point of view, Iamverysorrythat she has left. that theyhad earned themselvestheir ownspecial dayin Shecould not havebeen morehelpful and efficient in all frontofafullhouse at Edgbastononahot sun-filled day that she did on our behalf,both as my editorial guide and in September. as general respondent to allsorts of queries from members. Iamsurethat we allwish her well.Weare very pleased to knowthat she is nowanOld Olavian herself. ChrisHarris Editor, Old Olavian Olavian 2019 –Old Olavian –155 OldOlavians Chairman’s Report evidence to me that the School is back on the right track, 2019 and it is great to see. Last year,asIwrote my report, Iwas looking forwardtothe TheGarden Partyatthe ‘Headmaster’s House’this year, launchofthe newwebsite.Well,itisupand running (www. at the end of the summer term, was blessed with good oldolavians.net) and Iknowmanyofyou haveenjoyed weather again. Everyone therewas in great spirits and exploring its delights, like the Photo Board, the News and looking forwardtoawell-earned summer break. the Reunions/Events. Thereissomuch moreand Ihope youwillcontinue to provide feedback to improveyourand Theyear was rounded off with not onebut twoReunion others’ experience. lunches. The first at middayinSouth Melbourne.Ithink this was also the first Reunionlunchoverseas. My thanks to TheServiceofRemembrance and laying of wreaths, in the TomParkinson(1959), who offered to organise this event. year marking 100 years since the end of WorldWar One On the daythree OldOlavians hadlunchinahotel and gavethose present the opportunitytoremember not just swapped memories. At least sevenhad expressed an interest OldOlavians, but allwho gavetheir lives or lived on with and next year Ifully expect theretobemoreattendees. physical and mental injuries, in allconflicts. Thewreaths were laid at the School WarMemorial by OldOlavian, TheReunions were about three weeks later than usual Graham Milne (1963) and School Captain, Shrishti (meaning Iamfortunate even to be able to include it in my Rentala.This annual service is oneofthe school assemblies reportasthe editorial deadline is usually about the end of when OldOlavians areverywelcome to attend. September). In the busy run-up to Christmas, Iwas lucky to be able TheReunionatthe School proved to be oneofthe best yet to take my seat at the School Christmas Concert, where during my termasChairman, with 120 diners. the musical talent of St Olave’sstudents is showcased. Of course,therewerecarols to sing,and the particular OurhonoraryPresident and Headteacher,Andy Rees, highlights formewerethe Sixth Form Band’s wonderful brought us up to date with the School’s academic renditionofBohemian Rhapsody,and the brilliant St achievements, the OFSTED inspection’s confirmationof Olave’sJazz Band. the School’s status as ‘Outstanding’and the manyextra- curricular activities that youwillhavereadabout earlier in At the Society’sAGM in March we donated another £9,000 this magazine.Hethen proposed the toast to the Society. to the School. Those in attendance were also apprised of the planned development of the newFivescourts at the In response,our guest, OldOlavian Squadron Leader school (see the minutes). HowardWiseman (1987) has Mike Ling MBE RAeSRAF (Ret’d), who leftthe school since passed on the fantastic news that work is due to in 1997, entertained us with some memories of school, and startonthe SouthwayFives project, whichthe Societyhas film and pictures to accompanythe relating of his career already donated over £43,000 towards. Iunderstand from highlights. Notleast of whichduring his wonderful career Howardthat virtually allofthe £250,000+ raised so far with the RAFhebecame the longest-serving Red Arrows has come from OldOlavians and the Society. These new team member.Mike was supported by alargenumber of courts willallow the School and OldOlaviansFives to host his Peer Year,whichhad to be spreadacross twotables. competitions and willprovide afacilityfor EtonFives for the communities in South London, with the fullsupportof 1997 were not the only year group not to fitonone table. the EtonFives Association. Peer Year 1989 hadtwelvemembers present. ‘Father of the TheCommemorationServiceinMayatSouthwark House’was SirRoger Sims who leftthe School in 1948, Cathedral was well attended and Iwas introduced to the seventy-two years beforethe Senior Prefects who joined us School Prayer.Ido not recall having aSchool Prayer in my that afternoonwillleave! days at the School although Imay havesimplyforgotten. I tooknote of it and hereitis: If youhaven’t been to aReunionand arethinking of getting atable together,dolet me knowasImay be able to put you Eternal God, help us through our dutytoyou to love our in contact with others from your year group. neighbour,tocarefor others, to do our best forand in school, to work forthe commongoodofour community, And finally,please remember that allthe school events are and to care forourselvesasweserve youAmen. usually publicised in the Headmaster’s newsletters, which canbeaccessed via the ‘News’ on our ownwebsite.Please ThePrayerand ‘What is an Olavian’(just Google it) are let me knowifyou wish to attend anyofthem and Iwill 156 –Old Olavian –Olavian 2019 arrangetickets. •Update on SouthwayFives Project from Howard Wiseman. Howardreported that about £270k Ihope to see as manyofyou as possible at the AGM, has been raised and the school has morethan this Commemoration, or our next Reunion. Thedates forthese available in total (about £330k). Thecosts of the work willbegiven in futureFacebookposts and Newsletters. in tenders received were unfortunatelymuchhigher, but Howardhas found alocal builder who could build Chris Harris (1970-77) the fivescourts within the budget available. Thework [email protected] could begin at Easter and take four months. This howeverneeds further approval from anew Board of Governors. Adiscussiontookplace about the VATand procurement position, checks by structural engineers whichHowardadvised were included in the costs and insurance coverfor any faultyworkmanship. Howardwould be having further discussions with the newGovernors. Howardleftthe meeting. Minutes of Last Meeting: These were agreed. Matters Arising: Thenew website is up and running. Potentialityare the hosts, and it is relativelysimple to administer,howeverthe Chairman has yettofind avolunteer tohelp and would welcome anyfeedback that willimprove its attractiontoyounger members. Reunion in Melbourne -L-R Tom Parkinson, Chairman’s Report: Gillen Kirkwood &Rory Manchee Membership: 2711 names on database.Weremovedthose MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL wherewehad neither email nor postal address. However, MEETING OF THE OLDOLAVIANS we willkeep the complete recordofnames outside of the SOCIETY website forchecking futurerequests to join only.2369 with 20 March 2019 an email address. Whilst this is another smallreductionon the number given last year,moreemail addresses havebeen Attending: Committee Members: Chris Harris (1977), removedastheywerenolongervalid and were bouncing Chairman, Paul Ouseley(1977), BillProuse (1977), Rajiv back undelivered.