ISSUE 14 2016
Culford’s New Library Opens
New Library Opens Kate Jackson Exhibition FOCu S on the Arts Upcoming Events Opera in the Park Returns
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New Developments Introduction
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to our latest edition of FOCu S. It has had something of a redesign and we hope that you enjoy it; there is certainly plenty of news. Please do let us know what you think! The last year proved to be one of our most eventful and exciting yet. It will soon be 50 years since I came to Culford and experienced something of the arts, drama and musical tradition of the School. On an introductory visit I arrived to hear the hymn-singing of the boys in an Old Hall Assembly. They
We have long been aware of the school’s need for a better located library for a whole host of reasons, and there have been a number of project iterations in the 12 years we have been at Culford, but the building that finally emerged has far exceeded all expectations. We have, of course, to thank our architects, Buttress, and our builders, Seamans, managed by OC Duncan Haydon (1977-1986). Most of all, we have to thank all those alumni and other friends of the school who helped to make it possible by raising some £850,000 to date, towards the project cost of £2.2million. Thank you for bringing the dream to reality. The new Library has transformed Culford, bringing a light, modern and, ultimately, rather beautiful space to the very heart of the school. It binds obviously enjoyed what were termed in those days – ‘boomers’ – tunes that demanded robust participation. I was informed that as Second English Master I was expected to be the Assistant Producer of school plays. So I assisted … with The Comedy of Errors. Alas, this had an apparently brilliant piece of casting which was a dramatic error. Two pairs of identical twins took the lead roles. Shakespearean comedy depends on audiences being able to detect when recognition issues on stage are happening. Unfortunately the similarities of the twins bamboozled everybody and many potentially humorous situations were lost.
Published since 2000, FOCu S is Culford’s magazine for alumni, friends and the staff of Culford and the East Anglian Schools. FOCu S ISSUE 14: 2016 Published by Culford School Foundation Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX Email: foundation@culford.co.uk Web: www.culford.co.uk/foundation Tel: +44 (0)1284 385310 Registered Charity No. 310486
together our much-loved Hastings & Skinner and William Miller Science buildings, yet does not jar with the stunning architecture of Culford Hall. The first time I walked up onto the mezzanine and looked out onto the King of the Park, the oak tree now in the last 100 years of its life, I was overwhelmed by how fortunate we are to have this amazing facility for our pupils, teachers and parents to enjoy. Do come and see it for yourself. We would be pleased to welcome you back to, what remains, your school. Keep in touch – we also love to hear your news!
Email: jjm@culford.co.uk A year later the regular producer fell ill and I found myself, with limited experience and no training, putting on the Emlyn Williams’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds. I felt so much out of my depth that I made serious enquiries about quitting as a teacher and working in business. Thankfully this dramatic urge left me and I continued … to enjoy many years of working in a Culford environment where talented people came to develop outstanding facilities for fine performances which give much pleasure, enhancing the lives of both participants and audiences. John Humphries, OC Liaison Officer
Send Us Your News! The Foundation always enjoys hearing about Old Culfordians or East Anglian Schools alumni. Even if you haven’t been back to your old school for years, we are always very pleased to welcome you to an event, reunion or for your own personal tour. This edition includes updates from many alumni of different ages and eras who have phoned, written to or emailed us with news. So, please keep in touch and send us your latest news; we look forward to hearing from you soon!
The Culford Foundation makes reasonable efforts to include current and accurate information in FOCu S but makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy of the published content. News of former pupils and colleagues is always welcome; please do keep in touch. Photo credits: Gavin Stewart (front cover image), Wendy Turner/Red Shed Photography, Warren Page, Adam Scott, Eric Gee, Mark Westley.
Kate Jackson’s British Road Movies Exhibition
Richard Bryson (1970-1976), Hannah Walker (Communications Officer) and Richard Poole (1974-1981)
Duncan (1977-1986) and Monica Haydon with Mark Savin and Aoife O’Gornan
Jo Johnson-Munday with Rosy Black née Ince (1953-1964) and her brother-in-law Robert Black (1941-1951)
Formerly lead singer with acclaimed indie rock band The Long Blondes, Kate Jackson is a painter and printmaker who works from her studio in Bury St Edmunds, creating acrylic paintings focusing on post-war brutalist architecture and walks taken in the British urban, suburban and rural landscapes. Her colourful and bold paintings filled the Foundation Gallery and slide images of other works and
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Kate with her mother Lizzie Jackson
The art department was like my second home when I was at school here, so there is a lovely synchronicity about being back here now, exhibiting my work in the place where it all began.
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More than 100 people came to the Foundation Gallery at Culford on Thursday 25 February 2016 for a private view of Old Culfordian Kate Jackson’s (1988-1998) new exhibition, entitled ‘British Road Movies’. We were pleased to see many local art lovers in attendance, including Old Culfordians and parents of current and past pupils.
photos of places that inspired her were projected at the event. There was also the opportunity for guests to listen to a sample of Kate’s music from her band Kate Jackson and The Wrong Moves. Their new album, ‘British Road Movies’, is coming out this spring and the
Katie Noorlander (Art Technician), Leigh Hoggar (Art Teacher) and Brenda Hunt (Head of Art) with Kate
album’s artwork is taken from her Culford exhibition pieces. Kate said, “Having the chance to exhibit in the Foundation Gallery is a real privilege for me. I left Culford 18 years ago but it still feels so familiar.” Pupils’ work was also on view, and all the workrooms were open for guests to explore. A presentation display showed the Foundation’s plans to develop the main studio space into a glass panelled, modern building, mirroring the design and functionality of the school’s new £2.2 million library that opened in September 2015. You can read more about the new plans for the Art Department on pages 24-25.
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New Developments
Culford Opens New Library
Susanne Kohl née Beckett (EASG 1949-1957), Robert (1941-1951) and Miriam Black
The Headmaster, Clare and James Taylor and Jo Johnson-Munday
Culford’s Campaign for Culford fundraising project reached a milestone on Tuesday 8 September 2015 when the new £2.2 million landmark library was officially opened. The library was built by Suffolk-based Seamans Builders, whose MD is Duncan Haydon OC (1977-1986), with the beautiful wooden bookcases designed, built and sponsored by local specialist joinery company TMJ Interiors, owned by Culford parents James and Clare Taylor. Almost exactly a year to the day that construction began, pupils, alumni, teachers and staff gathered outside the completed building to watch Old Culfordian and generous benefactor to the project, Professor Harry Watson (1949-1959) cut the ribbon and declare the library officially open. Professor Watson travelled from Australia with his wife, Adrienne, to attend the event. The School was also delighted to welcome special guests including: the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston; Patrick Chung, Mayor of St Edmundsbury; and the Reverend David Deeks, Chairman of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust.
Headmaster Julian Johnson-Munday was keen to promote the library as more than just a storage space for literature. He stressed that, “This stunning new building offers an inviting, light and open space for our pupils to go and study and a place where they can fulfil their potential as independent learners.” He praised the hard work of the Foundation team for overseeing the project and recognised the dedication shown by the alumni, parents and friends of the School who contributed more than
£850,000 in donations, making the venture possible.
Why Did Culford Need a New Library? The old library was too small and poorly located in Culford Hall, away from the classrooms; the new library is at the academic heart of the school, next to all the teaching facilities and nearer the boarding Houses. Almost everyone now walks past the library every day.
New Developments
Chairman of Governors, Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott looks on as Professor Harry Watson and his wife Adrienne cut the ribbon
A Vibrant Space for Interactive Learning Careful design and creative placement of furnishings means that the library can be zoned for different activities. Tablets, netbooks and bring-your-own-device capability combines with an excellent stock of some 10,000 books, plus DVDs, newspapers and magazines. In addition to the physical space and resources, Culford offers a 24/7 virtual library through subscription databases, websites, e-book and audio book lending, accessed through the library’s online catalogue.
The building includes a social learning foyer, an 80-seat lecture theatre and a galleried mezzanine area, with a coffee bar facility reserved for exclusive use by the Sixth Form. It is a vibrant and engaging space with flexibility to accommodate individual quiet study, collaborative work, class work, lectures, presentations, reading for pleasure and social learning.
Busy First Term for Library Since the opening, the Sixth Form have made great use of their mezzanine floor with coffee facilities, quiet study areas, and wi-fi. The Watson Lecture Theatre has hosted several talks including one
by Professor Simon Horobin, Oxford fellow and guest speaker for the Scholars’ Programme on the subject of ‘Language and History’; the foyer has been the location for many events including author visits, National Poetry Day Open Mic, careers lunches and parents’ evenings. Located centrally between the pastoral and academic hubs of the school, the library is firmly establishing itself at the heart of Culford’s academic life and is already exceeding expectations. According to School Librarian, Lesley Martin, footfall has more than doubled and book loans are at an all-time high.
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New Developments
Café Culture Comes to Culford Paddy & Scott’s Café Opens
L-R: Head Girl and Head Boy, Patrick Chung (Mayor of St Edmundsbury), Shirley Edwards (Co-Founder of Edwards & Blake), the Headmaster, Paddy Bishopp (Co-Founder of Paddy & Scott’s), Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott (Chairman of Governors), Deputy Head Boy and Girl
On the same day that the school’s new library opened there was another first for Culford: the popular Suffolk-based high street coffee company Paddy & Scott’s opened its newest coffee shop on site at Culford. The new café is located in the Sports Centre with exclusive use for the Sixth Form at morning break and lunchtimes, but is open to parents, pupils and Sports and Tennis Centre members at other times. Serving a selection of artisan coffees and other refreshments, together with pastries and cakes, this modern café is a partnership between the school, its caterers, Edwards & Blake, and the innovative Suffolk based coffee company, Paddy & Scott’s, who are known for their slow roasted coffee.
Funky New Coffee Shop for Sixth Formers In the style of a university campus, Sixth Formers use the café as a place for meeting socially, to discuss work projects and to enjoy a light
lunch, or for treating themselves to a coffee and slice of cake. In the evenings it has become a venue for pizza nights and themed parties and so this new funky café now brilliantly bridges a gap between Sixth Form and University.
Relaxing Meeting Place for Parents Culford School parents and guardians are able to visit Paddy & Scott’s coffee shop during drop off and pick up times and all day on Saturdays and on Sunday mornings, alongside members of the Sports and Tennis Centre.
Join us for a Coffee? The Foundation would be delighted to show any alumni visitors to the school the new coffee shop, perhaps followed by a tour of the new library and old haunts or classrooms. If you would like to return to your old school please contact the Foundation Office and we would be happy to show you around. Tel: 01284 385310 or email foundation@culford.co.uk
Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott, Chairman of Governors
CAFÉ OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday 8.00am-10.30am 10.30am-3.00pm (Sixth Form students and staff only) 3.00pm-8.00pm Saturday 8.00am-5.00pm Sunday 8.00am-1.00pm
Girls Return for Inaugural VIVA Lunch In September 2015, a group of Culford’s former female prefects came back to Culford to celebrate 35 years of VIVA, the Sixth Form girls’ dining club. VIVA was established in 1980, eight years after Culford became a co-educational school. Attended by around 40 Old Culfordians, as well as former and current staff, the Reunion Lunch was a great success in bringing together old friends and marked the beginning of a strong network of successful and supportive women. Current prefects especially enjoyed attending this event and were able to discuss their plans for the future and seek advice from older VIVA members, as well as get a taste of what attending a Foundation event or reunion is like. Head Girl, Maria Andrews, said “It was really interesting speaking to girls who were at Culford years ago. We actually seemed to have a lot in common and I can’t wait to attend the next VIVA reunion when I am at Uni”. Jo Anderton née Broadbridge (Head Girl 1988 and Vice Chair of the Board of Governors) was the guest speaker, reflecting upon her time at Culford and wearing the ring she was given as a VIVA member. Many found it inspiring to learn more about the girls’ history at Culford and there is a keen appetite to meet again in the future.
Are you a VIVA member? Our list of VIVA members is far from complete, so any help with adding names would be much appreciated. If you were a member of VIVA, which was normally reserved for former Head Girls, Deputy Head Girls and female Prefects, then please contact the Foundation Office on 01284 385310 or email foundation@culford.co.uk We hope to arrange a similar reunion in the near future.
Ruth Broadbridge, Kirsty Minton, Ellie Beckett, Sophie Balding and Hannah Head née Cousins
Caroline Byrne, Ellie Beckett and Sophie Balding
Jo Anderton née Broadbridge and Kirsty Minton
Hannah Ellis née Crooks, Sarah-Jane Flack née Auchincloss, Larissa Clark and Hannah Head née Cousins
Ellie Beckett, Lucy Kearney, Sophie Balding, Poppy Kearney and Kate Balding
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Newsbites
Newsbites At least twice a year, Pat Legerton née Goucher (EAS 1951-1959) meets several EAS friends including Marion Barker née Plume (1952-1959), Di Edwards (1953-1959), Sylvia Walker née Hogsbjerg (1952-1960), Pam Cole née Hitchcock (1954-1959) and Ann Underwood (1953-1959). They are all grandmothers, but feel that they have only just left school. Pat lives near St Albans with her husband, Sam, who remains busy with a livery yard. Their two daughters live nearby with five grandchildren, aged from 9 to 14.
Last October Tony Ericson (1952-1961) took part in the 50th Anniversary of the first Commonwealth Expedition to India, in which 200 students in five coaches made the ‘Build a Bridge of Friendship’ trip from London to Dehli. He had just graduated from Cambridge and was a driver on the gruelling 9,700-mile schedule that ended with 33 receptions, one with the President of India (pictured), when Tony wore his old school blazer.
John Bolden outside Culford
Cars and roads have long featured in John Bolden’s (1957-1962) life. Initially with his parents’ Ford dealership, he moved to 3M Reflective Product Group, eventually specialising in motorway signage through his own company. Enthusiasm for classic cars has involved both ownership and setting up a club in Woolpit, Suffolk. An interest in property has led to his now being a viewing guide for Jackson Stops & Staff.
Welcome to Newsbites, the section of FOCu S where we round up the latest news from Old Culfordians and East Anglian School alumni. News updates arrive with us in many different ways: from OC visits and tours, through reunions and events, telephone calls, emails, and feedback on our Facebook page or LinkedIn Group. Please do keep us posted! and New York, Laurence is a leading outside broadcast cameraman and Neil is an actor for film and television, soon to make his Bollywood film debut in Mumbai.
John Eason and The Barn Crowd
The rebuilding of classic cars in an old barn rented from a farmer was a hobby shared by John Eason (1958-1962) and some friends from Prep School days. This activity was revived in his memory when the Headmaster recently sent him a badge from the former Old Culfordians’ Motor Club. Although much appreciated, it did remind him that he would be disqualified from office in such an organisation now by driving… a Ford Focus!
Once in the Royal Air Force and now a photographer, David Betts (1956-1963) supplied this photograph set in Gilwell Park, a 108-acre woodland, part of Epping Forest close to the London – Essex boundary, used for Scouting activities. It was the venue for Queen Scouts in 1961, which included Culford Scouts (L-R) Robert Crawford (1954-1963), Keith Dowman (1957-1963), Graham Hilder (1955-1965), two unnamed scouts possibly from another troop, and David Betts. The Chief Scout was Sir Charles Maclean. Leadership qualities and a love of sport were exemplified in Gary Newbon (1954-1964) when a pupil. He continues to develop an already illustrious career and with his wife, Katie, a co-director of their television production company, Prime Ticket Productions. They head a real media family: Claire has been a top showbiz and features writer who has worked on national publications in both London
Gary Newbon
Gary has completed 48 years in broadcasting – as a sports presenter with ITV and now Sky and as Controller of Sport at ATV/Central Television for 22 years. He gave the speech at John Motson’s (1956-1961) special 70th birthday party last summer. ‘Retiring’ and ‘retirement’ are not words in the Newbon vocabulary!
Google ‘EDP 24 Penny Whyte’ and you will learn about the assignments, ventures and career of Penny Whyte née Chambers (EAS 1958-1963). She completed a BSc degree in Linguistics at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, aged 50 and taught English at Long Stratton High School, Norfolk, as well as with home-stay non-English speakers from all over the world. She and her husband, Roger, live at Saxlingham Nethergate, Norfolk where they have very successful holiday cottages. Penny would be delighted to hear from fellow EAS girls in her year. Damaris Perry (EAS 1958-1964) is a sessional counsellor/CBT therapist for MIND (Open Mind Psychological Therapies) in Middlesbrough and Redcar in the North East, working with clients with anxiety, depression,
Newsbites
bereavement issues, relationship problems and more. She enjoys solo travelling for five months of the year and over the last 5 years she has been on an overland trip from Nairobi in Kenya to Cape Town, visited India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Jordan, Marrakesh, Australia and New Zealand.
Jonathan Juby (1962-1968) left Culford to work at Bankes Ashton & Co (now Ashton KCJ), solicitors, where Richard Freeman (1943-1949) was one of the partners. In 1977, he married Jane, moved to Frinton-on-Sea and started working at Sparling Benham & Brough. Another former school captain at Culford, Robert Jacklin (1943-1953), was a partner at the firm’s Colchester office, and a third, Martyn Carr (1968-1975), later joined the partnership. Jonathan remained there for the next 38 years, becoming a partner in 1980. He retired in October 2015, and he and Jane have three children and three grandchildren.
taught English for sixteen years at Ardrossan Academy, a Scottish comprehensive school. In 1990 she switched to working in the voluntary sector and worked for four different charities before an illness in 2000/01 led to another change. Following a successful operation, Florence retrained to be a spiritual director. As well as doing that, she and her husband run Umbrian Retreats www.umbrianretreats.com, renting their villas and apartments as holiday accommodation, as well as hosting a range of retreats.
L-R: Sylvia Bluck, Simon Small, Mike Thorne, Allison Small (née Robertson), Richard Beaumont and Tim Mares
Chris Boughton and David Bartlett
In 2014, Edward Libbey (1958-1965) was appointed Chair of the Board of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. The 515 bed hospital, named after Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, serves a quarter of a million people in West Norfolk, South Lincolnshire and North-east Cambridgeshire, employing a staff of 2,400.
At first Brian Scott (1958-1966) gained practical farming experience local to Ipswich, then gained a National Diploma in Agricuture at Writtle College before working for Framlingham Farmers and Boots Farm Sales/ FBC/Schering Agriculture and then a mid-life change of career into Financial Services. In retirement he undertakes voluntary carpentry at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford, near Stowmarket.
David Bartlett (1961-1969) and Chris Boughton (1958-1968) had not met since after A Levels in 1968, but made contact a couple of years ago through LinkedIn. When Chris and Linds came over from their home in the Philippines last July, they met David and Cherry at the Methuen Arms, Corsham. Memories were revived and the ladies were treated, perhaps, ‘subjected’ to tales of school life. They realised this could be the catalyst for a Class of ‘68 Reunion in 2018 and plans are already afoot. If you would like to join this event, please email foundation@culford.co.uk After leaving school, Florence Morton née Knox (EAS 1963-1970), spent four years at Westminster College, training to be a teacher and then
Florence Morton and her husband, Clive
Emigration to Australia was Tim Mares (1969-1977) first major move after leaving school. He graduated in Business and Computer Science and enjoys a career based in Adelaide with the Government of South Australia as an economic advisor. He is married with three daughters, synchronising with the generation at the EAS for Girls that included his three sisters, Jane, Mary and Nicky.
Sue Pothecary and Jeff
New Zealand has been an attraction for the Pothecary family. Sue Pothecary (1976-1978) settled there 15 years ago, married Jeff Musgrave, living in Morrinsville, North Island, where her parents have emigrated from Woodbridge. Her sister, Sarah, and partner are in Hamilton, 30 minutes away, while her other sister, Frances, visits for at least two months a year on her way to or from work with the British Antarctic Survey Team.
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Some people consider that King’s College provides the epitome of the Christmas spirit, but consider a CD that was released last November by the Cambridge Backs Singers. Details and sound-bite samples can be explored at www.christmasrevival.co.uk Steve Brecken (1979-1981) is behind the venture, having written and produced the album. Acquire one early for the next festive season. George Hazell (1952-1958) got in touch to tell us about his son Peter (1972-1982), who was selected to represent Disaster Aid International in Nepal in early summer 2015 following their earthquake. He has just returned from Fiji following the devastation throughout the region after Tropical Cyclone Winston. Peter’s experience in international business and logistics gained through his career working world-wide as both a chartered surveyor and an industrial machine and plant valuer made his contribution to the trip invaluable. Find more information about the charity here www.disasteraiduk.org When Mark Robson (1974-1984) drove his family through the front gates of Culford, in an RV supplied by the Royal Marines, on 23 December 2015, he was reminded of 1971 when driven into the Park, by his mother and with his sister and brother. He was five years of age and about to become the youngest resident of the Headmaster’s Lodge. Over his school career, one experience stood out: when Lieutenant Woolsey, of the Royal Marines, took a group of pupils on a run that included going hand-over-hand under the Iron Bridge, across the ploughed field, crawling through the weir, getting a good soaking in the Lake before returning via the Rugby pitches. In 2004 he, as a Warrant Officer RM, met the now Colonel Woolsey in Southern Afghanistan and they laughed over the venture that encouraged him to join up. Now, 26 years of service – in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan – are over and Captain Mark Robson has retired. The CCF has developed enormously since he left Culford and he wishes members well, particularly in the grounds where he was recruited.
Following graduation in Chemistry from Nottingham in 1990, Bruce Martin (1979-1984) gained a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry four years later. After five challenging years of work of one type, he transferred to what he found to be more satisfying – work in historical records, archive cataloguing and dealing with people undertaking research at the Suffolk Record Office where the strong rooms have ten miles of shelving!
Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of OC Jewers & Sons Ltd, the grain experts. When Matthew Jewers (1980-1988) the fifth generation in the family company, took over in 2005 from his father, Clive (1952-1960), he supervised the move to new premises at Woolpit on the A14 with its state-of-art cleaning and drying equipment. Visit www.jewersgrain.co.uk for full details. Alicia Weston (1981-1988) trained as a Pharmacologist and then worked in venture capital and investment banking for 18 years. In this time she was heavily involved with charitable
and corporate social responsibility activities including education and Crisis, the homeless charity. She also founded Parkholme Supper Club in 2010 which has raised well over £60,000 to date for Médecins Sans Frontières. She has now set up a new not for profit, Bags of Taste www.bagsoftaste.org, which delivers hands-on cooking classes, teaching people who are struggling with food costs to eat better, for less than £1 per head.
Liz Nice (1984-1989) read History at Oxford, after Culford, and then went on to be a reporter for the East Anglian Times. She moved to London, where she worked on Take a Break and more! magazines, before becoming the editor of Bliss magazine. Liz subsequently took a more academic path, lecturing in Journalism at the University of Sheffield, while gaining a Master’s in Education. She has now returned to the EADT, where she is Managing Editor. Liz helped to publicise the recent ‘Wolf Trail’ around Bury St Edmunds, a project spearheaded by Melanie Lesser (1975-1977). Melanie was named ‘Citizen of the Year’ at the St Edmund’s Day awards in November 2015 and was listed as ‘one of the top 25 most influential women in West Suffolk’ in the Bury and West Suffolk Magazine. After a sky-jumping charity stunt for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust while at university in 2000, Catherine Frost née Harper (1989-1994) signed up for the marrow register. Nine years ago, after the birth of her third child, she was asked to donate blood for a close match. The successful transfusion led to her meeting the recipient with whom she will be participating and raising funds in the London to Paris Cycle Challenge later in 2016. Please visit www.justgiving.com/Catherine-Frost5 to donate.
Newsbites
Since graduating from Durham and enjoying the subsequent years backpacking, skiing and tending beach bars, Jeremy Sallis (1984-1994) has been working for the BBC in Cambridge. He’s presented his own radio show for the last 12 years and can also be seen each week presenting the evening regional TV news in the East. His highlights include interviewing Hollywood A-listers, rockstars and Peppa Pig. He’s launched charities on Downing Street, helped light the Olympic cauldron and created a new music show for burgeoning musicians which included a young Ed Sheeran. He lives in Cambridge with his wife Jude and their two children, Esmé (3) and Samuel (1). Larissa Clark (1996-1999) is the cofounder and Director of adventure travel specialists Another World Adventures (www.anotherworldadventures.com). She’s been on some incredible trips herself including sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, cycling from London to Paris and taking her 21 year old Nissan Patrol on a road trip across West Africa! After graduating from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology and the Warrington College of Business in Florida with a degree in International Management, Larissa has freelanced in marketing, communications and PR for a range of organisations on issues of environmental justice, human rights, social enterprise and sustainable development. See page 15 for news of Larissa’s wedding.
In January 2016, Jenny Benfield (former Deputy Head until 2005) became the first lady President in the 77 year history of the Rotary Club of Bury St Edmunds. Shown here with Vice-President, Cris Barlow (former parent), Jenny’s predecessor was Robert Davie (former Senior Master). Of the Club’s other 22 members, one is Richard Hopper (former Prep Deputy Head) and six are parents of Old Culfordians. Each year the Rotary Club sponsors six ‘Service Above Self’ Awards for individuals from each of the six Upper Schools and Colleges in and around Bury St Edmunds, including Culford. Tom and Ellie Folley
Jenny Benfield and Cris Barlow
Former Cornwallis House Captain Tom Folley (2002-2009) emigrated to Australia with his family on leaving Culford. He gained a Commonwealth place to study History at the University of Queensland, graduating with an MA in 2012. Tom’s focus was to become an infantry officer in the Australian Army and after 18 months at Royal Military College Duntroon, he graduated in June 2015. Lt Folley is now looking forward to future challenges serving with 7 Royal Australian Regiment, in Adelaide SA. He is pictured with his sister Ellie (2006-2009) at his Graduation Ball. His other sister Alice (2004-2009) is currently teaching English in Beijing.
Radek Luštický (2008-2010) recently graduated with a degree in Psychology & Media and is working as Head of Customer Support for a Forex Broker in the city of Brno, Czech Republic, a move which he describes as ‘completely out of my comfort zone’ but which he is enjoying. He is planning a visit to Culford in the coming year to meet up with his former Housemaster, Mr Arbuthnot, and others. St Andrew’s School, Turi, on the western slopes of the Rift Valley, north-west of Nairobi in Kenya, is an international, all-boarding school teaching the British curriculum to 550 pupils. Former Culford Headmaster John Richardson (1992-2004) is now the Director of this non-denominational Christian foundation that encourages ‘living and leading with integrity’ to prepare pupils for leadership roles in East Africa and beyond.
Following a degree in Electrical Engineering at Imperial College, London, Jack Farrant (2004-2011) had an internship at BBOXX and was offered a permanent job as a software developer. It’s an innovative company manufacturing, distributing and financing solar systems in the developing world, particularly Africa. He was in Rwanda earlier this year, which reminded him of his formative visit to Malawi with Culford.
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Newsbites Meanwhile, Jack’s sister Sophie Farrant (2006-2011) is in her third year of Veterinary Medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, studying physiology and development as part of the course. She has been a regular member of the Varsity 2nd XV and played for the 1st XV against Oxford, a match held for the first time on the same day as the men’s encounter. Cambridge won 52-0 and Sophie was awarded a Blue. A year away from graduating in Medicine from Magdalene College, Cambridge, Tom Hargreaves (2003-2011) looks back over his many extra-curricular activities: they include directing the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Charity Pantomime; front-manning a band with fellow medics; and undertaking his medical elective in an emergency department in Santiago, Chile, and with a UK Christian charity on board a floating hospital serving remote Amazon river communities. Former teacher Alison Parsons (2001-2012) is enjoying her retirement: running and cycling as well as skiing and sailing, with a move to the coast meaning that Alison can do more of the latter. Her daughter Lucie (2005-2010) is in her final year of an MEng at Durham, specialising in Civil Engineering and her son Harvey (2001-2013) is studying for BA in Business Management at Southampton Solent. Both have enjoyed two assignments on great summer jobs: Lucie at a Civil Engineering Consultancy and Harvey running a water taxi in Brightlingsea. Recent leaver Henry Patten (2012-2015) was named Big South Freshman of the Week in April 2015. Henry won a competitive Tennis scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Asheville and now boasts the top singles record (10-4) for the Bulldogs (the college’s athletics team) in 2016 so far.
Following graduation from the University of Worcester, Hannah Youngs (2007-2012) was engaged on placement assignments in a range of state and independent schools. Experience continued with supply teaching work before she took up an appointment as a Year 4 teacher at St Mary’s Church of England Academy at Mildenhall, Suffolk, in September 2015.
In 2015, Jessica Pilo-Beech (2002-2012) decided to help out an old friend to raise funds for their up and coming Atlantic row www.oceanreunion.co.uk Before she knew it she was rowing out of Levington Harbour with the Team, heading on a two day row around the coast of East Anglia and raising over £5,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The summer of 2015 saw Nick Ivory (2005-2012) graduate from Keele University with a 2:1 (Hons) in Business Management and Marketing. A few weeks later he started his career in Legal Recruitment and joined the specialist consultancy DMJ, based on Clerkenwell Road, London. DMJ specialise in the legal and company secretarial sectors at all levels.
Recent leaver Ross McKenzie (2005-2015) returned to school to compete in the Culford Triathlon with Austin Hall (2005-2015) and Ewan Evans (2010-2015). Ross is currently working with Matt Mahoney who owns More than Media, a creative production company that works in advertising, film, television and corporate video. Matt recently produced the school’s new promotional videos; visit www.youtube.co.uk/culfordschool to watch them now. India Thompson (2011-2014) had her first presenting job in spring 2016, conducting celebrity interviews with the Strictly Come Dancing cast at the BT tower. She has since interviewed the Only Way is Essex cast and for Sky Sports. India now has exciting work experience placements to look forward to with Good Morning Britain and The Jeremy Kyle Show and will start her degree in Broadcast Journalism in the autumn. Her brother, Hugo, is a current Culford pupil.
India Thompson with dancers from Strictly Come Dancing
Gap Years
Gap Years with a Difference Toby White Year of 2014 “I wanted to take a gap year but I was torn between doing a ski season in the Alps, or going to play rugby abroad. I chatted to Mr Arbuthnot, my Housemaster, in his office and he told me about the time he had spent in New Zealand and I decided, where better to go and play rugby than in a place which lives and breathes the game? Mr Arbuthnot put me in touch with some of his friends out there and they kindly agreed for me to stay with them. One of the benefits of rugby is the camaraderie of the team, and I was quickly made at home. I spent about five months playing rugby, working in an Italian restaurant and travelling the country. Highlights included: playing alongside many future All Black stars including Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who was in the World Cup winning team last year; a road trip down to the South Island of New Zealand visiting places such
as Queenstown; and beating my fear of heights with a canyon swing and a 132m bungee jump. I’m now in my first year at the University of Liverpool and looking back I know the experience is one I will never forget, friendships and memories which will last a lifetime. If you get the chance, go for it. Just watch out for the killer whales in Kaikoura, I had a pretty close call with them!”
Jess Beasant Year of 2015 “My gap year was a bit of a last minute decision; I always planned on attending university and completed all of my applications. I received my acceptances on results day, but instead of excitement I felt a bit hesitant, and decided that I’d spend a year working before thinking about more education.
Jess (left) with Miss Kaye and Emma Beardmore at the Leavers’ Ball
So I did a 180 degree turn and applied for work experience at a veterinary surgery. I enjoyed that so much that I’ve now decided to do a veterinary nursing apprenticeship in Newcastle. I think Culford helped so much because we weren’t just channelled into the university path; we were shown other options such as
gap years, apprenticeships and internships, so I knew that by not going to university, it wouldn’t mean that my education was over. I feel that doing this gap year, and earning my own money, has increased my independence and has helped me step away from the bubble that the education system can be. I would recommend anyone to take a gap year, but make clear plans for what you want to do. If you’re going to travel, then ensure that you’re prepared for all expenses and situations; and if you’re going to work and gain experience, don’t be surprised when things don’t happen immediately. Culford went to extreme lengths for us, giving us opportunities and experiences that in the real world you’ve got to be prepared to search for.”
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14 Gap We Celebrate Years Eleanor Weller-Poley Year of 2015
Will Dobell (far right)
Will Dobell Year of 2014 “My gap year started off with a modest week of unpaid work experience at a global satellite communications company in London. But after a week I was offered a full time paid post and worked there for four months. It was a great chance to learn how large companies operate. After this finished I set off for the French Alps to work in a chalet. The reality is very different from the glamorous image but it was great fun. Every Sunday we got up at 03:00 to see the guests off, and went straight into cleaning and preparing the rooms, serving the arriving guests lunch, and arranging ski hire, followed by supper that evening. By 23:00, after 20 hours solid work, we were ready for bed! I learnt some very valuable skills, from cooking and cleaning, to customer service and time management. I also had the chance to do a lot of great skiing. When the season ended I spent three months working on the Fugitives Drift game reserve in South Africa, the site of the battlefields in the Zulu War of 1879. This was the last and best part of my gap year. I loved delivering tours of the reserve for guests, talking about the battles and animals such as giraffe, zebra, kudu and wildebeest. I am now studying International Business Management at the Royal Agricultural University. I have also joined the Army Reserves as a Challenger 2 tank crewman. After this I intend to join the Army as an Officer.”
“Instead of going straight to university, I knew that I wanted to try and improve my Spanish during my gap year and I found an interesting course online. I spent five months in Madrid studying Spanish language, literature, art and history at the Complutense University. I lived with a wonderful Spanish family and had time to explore the city and travel a bit outside of Madrid as well, to other cities and to the mountains. It was a great opportunity to discover the Spanish culture and the country in general. I feel that I have become much more independent since moving to Spain. It was so different to anything I’ve done before and it was quite challenging to start with because I didn’t know anybody but after a month or so, I’d met lots of great people and was having a fantastic
Emma Beardmore Head Girl, Year of 2015 “I was so adamant in Upper Sixth that university was the only path for me that I hadn’t even considered a gap year. It was only after seeing pictures of friends overseas on their gap years that I started researching and I am so glad I did. So, after talking with my teachers I was put in contact with the Head of Boarding at Pymble who, following a Skype interview, offered me a job. While writing this I am still on my gap year, working at Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney. Primarily I work in a boarding House and having had the experience of boarding for 8 years at Culford, I feel as though I can relate to the girls.
time. I would really recommend taking a gap year because it’s an opportunity to try something different and challenge yourself. I am going to Bristol University in September 2016 to do a four year Master’s degree in Liberal Arts with a year abroad which I want to spend in South America and plan to do a law conversion after my degree.”
In addition, I found the transition of moving to the other side of the world was not nearly as hard as I had expected and I think that much of that can be put down to the independence I developed at Culford. It has changed me as a person though; living in a different country has enabled me to experience a whole new culture and way of life that I’ve had to adapt to quickly. I’ve also had to get used to 40°C heat, which was quite a shock after Suffolk! While out here I’ve travelled to New Zealand and will continue travelling around Australia, Fiji and parts of Asia before starting at university in the autumn. To anyone thinking about taking a gap year I would say consider all options and take any opportunity that comes your way.”
We Celebrate
We Celebrate Marriages
We are pleased to announce the following engagements, weddings and new babies. Please do get in touch to include your announcement in the next issue of FOCuS by emailing foundation@culford.co.uk
On 1 August 2015, Old Culfordians Ryan O’Connell (1997-2002) and Louisa Dixon (1994-2000) were married in St Mary’s Church, Culford, and held their reception on the South Front of Culford Hall. There were lots of Old Culfordians and relatives of OCs in attendance, with Kate McGowan (1993-2000), Lynn Aung (1990-2000) and Sarah Mitcham (1990-2000) the bridesmaids, Sam Stevens (1991-2001) and Tim Hide (1996-2001) both as best man, and James Reilly (1996-2001) and Sean O’Connell (1998-2003) acting as ushers. However, the star of the show was surely the special guest, miniature pony Jack, who distributed the confetti and the drinks to the guests! Former Head Girl Larissa Clark (1996-1999) married Duncan Copeland on the shores of Tofino, British Columbia, Canada on 16 May 2015. The couple met while working on ocean conservation issues for the Environmental Justice Foundation in London in 2006 and they are passionate about environment and social justice issues. OCs Joanna Hanlon (1991-1999) and Stephanie Roberson (1992-1999) made the journey from New York and Iraq to share the love on the West Coast.
Natalie Paul (1999-2003) married Patrick Rusby on 29 August 2015 at Culford. They enjoyed drinks on the lawn before moving into the hall for an afternoon tea style wedding breakfast, followed by a band in the evening. One of her bridesmaids was Jessica Gaddie (née Rush) (1991-2005). Their florist Claire Cowling (1984-1991) of Thrive Floristry is also an OC! Sophie Over (2003-2008) married Patrick Harrison in February 2016 at Ravenwood Hall near Bury St Edmunds. There were many OCs in attendance including her mother Davina Lofthouse (née Hart) (1970-1978), sister and maid of honour Victoria Over (2001-2006) and step brothers and sisters James (1993-2004), Charles and Georgina Long (1995-2010). Other OC guests included Polly Black (2000-2010), Tavia Black (2002-2012), Charlie Birrell (1995-2005) and Samantha Farmer (née Birrell) (1996-2003) with their parents Nigel (1969-1978) and Sue.
L-R: Maryanne Haggas, Lucy Auchincloss (2000-2008), Holly Williams (2003-2006), Sophie Over, Sophie Ryan (2003-2008), Caroline Pask (2001-2008), Kirsten Nielsen (2003-2006) and Hannah Fincham
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FOCCelebrate We u S on the Arts Sophie Burchett (1995-2002) was married to Philip Brown at Culford on 20 December 2015. They had their ceremony in St Mary’s Church at Culford, followed by a reception at Hintlesham Hall on an unseasonably warm day. The couple live in south west London where Sophie works as a solicitor specialising in childcare/ family law and Phil is an accountant. They met at university.
Richard Wilder (1996-2003) married Catherine Bellamy on the 6 November 2015 at Notley Abbey in Thame. They welcomed 100 guests and went on honeymoon to Vancouver in April. They met through their love of snowboarding in 2012. Rich works as a brand manager for a snowboard company and Cat works for a private family.
Nick Addy (1998-2006) married Craig Ford on 13 February 2016 in London. OCs attending included best man Charlie Watson (1998-2006), groomsmaid Lizzie Ellis (2000-2006), Jennifer Ray (1996-2004), Caroline Venner (1997-2006) and Laura Whaley (1996-2004). Craig is a filmmaker and Nick works in a Fundraising Manager role at Dogs Trust.
Your Wedding at Culford For information about holding your wedding ceremony at St Mary’s Church and the reception at Culford, please contact Jason Goodall at Culford on 01284 385370 or email jason.goodall@culford.co.uk You can also find a brochure online, please visit www.culford.co.uk/weddings
Engagements Jess Ferrari (2000-2006) is engaged to Matthew Wells and they are to be married in July 2016. The wedding will take place at the Village Church in Assington, with a reception in the garden at the family home. They met at Balliol College, University of Oxford and Matthew works for Citibank as an Investment Advisor while Jess is a lawyer at a top London firm. Three of Jessica’s bridesmaids to be are Becky Mortlock (1997-2006), who is also getting married this year, Catherine Shepperson (2002-2006) and Laura Ellis (2006-2008).
Anniversary Congratulations to Brian and June Peck (Librarian from 1996-2001) who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 2 April 2016.
Nick Sawyer (1986-1996) and his wife Liz had a baby girl, Eleanor Heather Grace, on 13 June 2015 weighing 9lbs 4oz. She was born with a wonderful view, as you can see from the photograph!
The family of Emily Knowles (1999-2004) are delighted to announce her engagement to Royal Navy submarine officer Jack Herbert. Emily made great friends during her time at Culford Prep, moving to South Africa for senior school and attending Rhodes University. Emily is now back and a business woman, working in marketing in Plymouth, where she and Jack will marry in 2017.
Births Katherine Nunn née Robinson (2002-2004) and her husband Thomas are delighted to announce the birth of their second child, a beautiful daughter and adored sister to Theodore, Matilda Sophia Lily, on 11 July 2015. She was born three weeks early at Ipswich Hospital and weighed 6lb 2oz.
Georgina Ames-Waller (1993-2003) and her husband are pleased to announce the birth of their son Tobias Richard Michael Ames-Waller on 20 December. He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire and weighed 8lb 8oz.
Creative Culford It was fitting that the newest building on the estate should also allow users to appreciate its beauty. The next goal of the Campaign for Culford is to refurbish our Art department. Our pupils’ standard of work is outstanding, but the building lets them down. The Library has shown the way, and we intend to replace a small window in a large brick wall with a much larger use of glass and wood to open views to the park and allow light to flood the space. Culford’s new Library is a huge success. The building has, as predicted, become the hub of the academic life of the school over the past two terms. It is a wonderful place to read the paper quietly, to hold a thoughtful conversation with others, or to undertake deep reading and focused essay writing.
The performing and creative arts offer us insights into what it means to be truly human as we seek to express both our individuality and our connections to others. I am intensely excited, therefore, by the next stage in our journey to redevelop the teaching heart of Culford.
The design of the building reflected our desire to invite the beauty of Culford into it. Culford Hall is full of double and triple height windows allowing sweeping views of the park.
Julian Johnson-Munday MA Headmaster
MBA
Art Makes Children Powerful Last autumn on a visit to the Sculpture Park in Yorkshire I viewed some of Patrick Brill’s, aka Bob and Roberta Smith, keynote pieces, based on the place of the creative arts in education and the concern that, with the introduction of the eBACC qualification, the creative arts will become increasingly marginalised within the curriculum. Like him, I believe art makes children powerful. Art enables our young people to develop their thoughts and feelings, research and discover new things, respond, listen and experiment. They learn independence, free thinking and original opinion; real power and authority that can carry their ideas forward to you never know where. How exciting is that? I cannot wait to see the main Art Studio at Culford redeveloped into an inspirational place for creative expression. That too will be truly powerful! Brenda Hunt, Head of Art
Creative Old Culfordians As we plan to further develop the Art department’s facilities, part of the next phase of The Campaign for Culford, here we focus on alumni who work in the creative or performing arts sectors. dancers and conductors. Michael says “Music has enabled me to see the world, visiting Milan, Japan and Korea, and Los Angeles with the R.O.H.” Unfortunately, a health condition prevents Michael playing any longer, but he is still a very active listener.
After attending the Royal College of Music, Michael Storey (1957-1967) began his professional career freelancing as a cellist before accepting a permanent job with the Royal Opera House. He worked there for fifteen years, playing for some of the world’s greatest singers,
Trevor St John Hacker (1956-1963) is one of the longest established teachers of open ballet classes in London. After leaving Culford, he was awarded a scholarship at Rambert Ballet School and then studied in Paris under French and Russian teachers. Trevor was a former dancer with Le Grand Ballet Classique de France; the National Ballet of Iran; and the Royal Opera Ballet, Covent Garden. He also danced at the world’s most celebrated cabaret – Le Lido, Paris – and has
appeared in many films, fashion shows and television programmes both as an actor and as a dancer. Trevor has choreographed for theatre and has taught at many vocational dance schools in London, including the Arts Educational School and the Laban Centre.
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FOCu S on the Arts
Writer Lucy Popescu (1979-1983) works closely with refugees as a volunteer mentor with Freedom from Torture’s creative writing programme. Freedom from Torture provides refugees and asylum seekers with medical treatment, counselling and therapy. She has recently put together an anthology about asylum seekers using the work of celebrated writers, A Country of Refuge, due to be published in June 2016. Lucy also reviews books, theatre and film and has contributed to various publications in the UK and abroad including The Financial Times, The Independent, Independent on Sunday, TLS, Literary Review and Huffington Post. She is also a Trustee of the JMK Award for Theatre Directors, a co-director of the Sri Lanka Campaign and a member of the Authors’ Club and on the judging panel for The Best First Novel Award.
Some of Jon Rowe’s ceramics
After leaving Culford, Jonathan Rowe (1976-1985) attended horological college in London and then did an advanced training in Switzerland. After working in America, Jon started his own business in the early 1990s and now runs a watch service centre handling high grade and antique watches. Jon is also a self-taught potter who makes stoneware ceramics, often digging for his own clay with his uncle, also a potter, in France.
An Old Culfordian who became a household name was actor Ian Hendry (1945-1948), who passed away in 1984 aged 53. After attending the Central School for Speech and Drama, alongside contemporaries Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, who went on say of him “I think he was the first student I had ever seen whom I believed had been born an actor”. Ian went on to star in several British television series of the 1960s and 1970s, including the lead in the first series of The Avengers and The Lotus Eaters, as well as for his roles in films such as Live Now, Pay Later (1962), The Hill (1965), Repulsion (1965), Get Carter (1971) and Theatre of Blood (1973).
Sam Ornbo (1987-1997) is a Television Series Producer, currently working on Long Lost Family for ITV. However, before getting to this position, Sam worked his way up through the ranks (Runner, Researcher, Assistant Producer, DV Director, Producer/Director and Senior Producer). Sam has worked on a wide range of programmes including Come Dine with Me, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners and the BAFTA winning series of Young Apprentice. Sam says “As I have grown older, and progressed in my career, I have realised what an important role my time at Culford has played and I’m sure the current students will be thankful for their education at Culford”.
Penelope El-Dalati with her daugher Olivia
Artist Penelope El-Dalati née Deyhle (1995-1997) has put painting to one side for the time being, as she has an 18 month old and is expecting her second child. However, as she is a creative soul, Penelope started a clothing line, Henry John Jailer, named after her grandfather. Most of the pieces are cotton or silk and each is hand-dyed and can be bought on Etsy.
After Culford Mike Tyka (1998-2000) studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Bristol, stayed on to get his PhD in the same field and continued to work as a research fellow at the University of Washington, working on the structure and dynamics of protein molecules. In 2009, Mike and a team of artists created Groovik’s Cube, a 35 foot tall, functional, multi-player Rubik’s cube. Since then, he co-founded ATLSpace, an artists’ studio in Seattle and has been creating metal and glass sculptures of protein molecules. Since 2013 Mike has been working at Google, studying neural networks, both artificial and biological. This work naturally spilled over to his artistic interests, exploring the possibilities of artificial neural networks for creating art with new techniques such as DeepDream.
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An architectural visualisation of New York building produced by Hayes Davidson
Hayden Brinkley (1993-2000) went to Art College after Culford, before graduating in Computer Animation from University. Initially he worked as an artist in the computer games industry, before he returned to University. A Master’s degree led to a job at Hayes Davidson (www.hayesdavidson.com), an architectural visualisation studio in London who work with some of the world’s leading architects and designers. Using the latest technology in digital arts, they produce photorealistic illustrations which are used for planning and marketing purposes. Hayden says “It’s a very rewarding career and I am grateful for my Culford education which led me to where I am now. I would recommend my career path to anyone who has an interest in art, design and technology.”
Annalise Smith née Pask (1999-2004) learned through her early jobs in Politics that telling a story and engaging different audiences was something she was good at. Annalise now works as an independent consultant to arts organisations including orchestras, ballet companies and theatres, advising them on marketing and fundraising strategies to raise profile and income. Annalise says “I would definitely encourage others to look behind the scenes in the sector they are passionate about, especially if that happens to be the arts – it’s hard graft but can be incredibly rewarding.”
After Culford, Samuel Hunt (1992-2007) went on to study Drama Foundation at Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts, and then on to study Acting & Contemporary Theatre at East 15 Acting School in London, graduating in 2011 as a professional actor. Since then Samuel has toured up and down the country with various theatre companies, including Kinetic Theatre and Ten Ten Theatre, and over the last few years has worked mainly in Immersive Theatre, including RIFT’s overnight production of Macbeth, set in Balfron Tower. Samuel now works with RIFT full time as a Junior Producer and performer, and also runs his own theatre company, Secret Passage Theatre. He is currently working as Movement Director for Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, an immersive production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
out run of Simon Gray’s Butley, and will be bringing Anthony Shaffer’s acclaimed thriller Sleuth to Leicester’s Little Theatre in 2017. Max Mason (2007-2012) recently spent a year working in Los Angeles for a film and television production company. The company’s main focus was producing and directing a full length feature film called Mother’s Day starring a number of interesting actors, Sharon Stone for one! Max says “It was a long and gruelling process but more than worth it and hopefully all goes well when it is released this spring”. Max was also involved in producing television chat shows with the hypnotist Paul McKenna. He has now returned to the UK, doing some work in London for the Weinstein Company.
Since graduating from the University of Kent in Multimedia Technology and Design, William Ward (2002-2009) has pursued a freelance career working for multiple creative design studios throughout London and gaining more experience in his industry. He is currently living in London and involved in a long term deal with a client managing social media accounts. Alongside this, Will is developing a new social media platform. Graduating from De Monfort University two years ago with a degree in Creative Writing & Film Studies, Edward Spence (2003-2010) has since been pursuing a career in acting. Working in theatre and film, notable productions include Richard III, performed at the Curve Theatre in Leicester – the recently discovered king’s final resting place – Journey’s End, and upcoming short film Felt Up. Additionally, he has started to foray into directing, having just finished a production of Rope, an entirely sold
Pip Shepherd (2004-2013) is soon to graduate from Leeds College of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Music composition for Film and Media. Pip recently set up AOVO (Acoustic Ostentatious Virtual Orchestration) Music for the Motion Picture. His music is available to listen to online here: https://soundcloud.com/mountcleverest Pip says that none of his work ‘would be possible if it weren’t for the exceptional standards Culford raises us to’.
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Through the Decades
Creative Culford
We have sifted through copies of the annual school magazine, The Culfordian, to bring you an overview of some of Culford’s creative highlights from the 1950s until the present day.
1950s During this decade the Culford dramatic society used its all-male cast to tackle an impressive selection of plays which, as reported in The Culfordian of 1955, ‘ranged from Shakespeare via Goldsmith and Sheridan to Barrie, Priestly, Sellars and Yeatman’ with masters Felix White and Alan Stokes directing many of them. Musically, a highlight included the East Anglian School for Girls and Culford joining forces for a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah and forming a choir to perform at the St Edmundsbury Cathedral. It was also in this decade that the Camera Club started an annual exhibition for the pupils’ best photographic work.
The Lady’s Not for Burning 1956
The Rivals 1950
Henry IV Part 1 1953
1960s In the 1960s the choir continued to perform at the St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Culford also experienced their first mixed production, alongside Hengrave Girls’ School, of The Mikado in 1965. The Sixth Form decided to form their own dramatic company; Sixth Dimension. Other productions included Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid, Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, many of which were led by Freddie Legg. A regular feature of The Culfordian from 1967 is the striking work of pupil Harvey Lee, who won a photographic competition in that year. During this decade the Contemporary Music Society was formed.
Mikado 1965
Pygmalion 1960
Harvey Lee’s First Prize in Photographic Exhibition 1967
FOCu S on the Arts
Next Time I’ll Sing to You, Sixth Form Production 1974
East Anglian School for Girl’s perform The Mikado, 1971
Andrew Lloyd-Webber with the cast of Joseph, 1976
Orchestra performing in 1974
1970s In this decade an Art Club formed with pupils enjoying time spent with ceramics and sculpture, as well as traditional art lessons. The merger with the East Anglian Girls’ School in 1974 was a gift for dramatists, and large scale ambitious performances were put on including:
Joseph, one of the first amateur performances of this musical and attended by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself; and Oliver! which was performed at The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds. Geoff Harvey led many productions in this decade. There was also a Spring Festival for the Arts, and in 1972 the BBC recorded the Culford Choir in the Cathedral.
1980s The 1980s were a great decade for the arts at Culford with bequests and legacies making a large impact. Centenary Hall opened in 1981, providing a large space for school productions and concerts with teachers Tony Fullwood, and later Gillian Grinham, directing many productions there. Teacher John Humphries also directed many plays during this decade. In the mid-eighties the David Anderson Memorial Fund started awarding musical scholarships and the first David Anderson Memorial concert in October 1987 featured world-renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. Finally in 1989 the Pringle Centre for Creative Arts and Technology opened, thanks in part to a legacy from Kenneth Pringle (1927-1931).
Pringle Centre Opening 1989
Pirates of Penzance 1989
She Stoops to Conquer 1985
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The Tempest 1997
Artwork from 1995
1990s During this decade the Pringle Centre really came into its own with artists-in-residence and a dedicated ceramics teacher. In 1996, Brenda Hunt took the helm as Head of Art from Elizabeth Edwards. The Culfordian started a new arts gallery section in 1995, some of which are shown here, while full school Arts Colours started being awarded in Art, Drama and Music in 1999. James Recknell took the Chapel Choir on a US Tour in October 1994, performing in Methodist services over two weeks. Meanwhile, performances led by teacher John Byrne included The Real Inspector Hound, Cabaret, The Tempest and a particularly ambitious staging of Britten’s Noyes Fludde in 1997, with some Pre-Prep pupils playing animals, which was performed in Centenary Hall and at Orford Church.
Noyes’s Fludde 1997
Artwork from 1999
A Midsummer’s Night Dream 1993
Textile work from 1999
Junior School Production of Peter Pan 1994
Ceramics from 1999
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Into the Woods 2008
2000s to now Musicians played alongside Julian Lloyd-Webber for a charity concert in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 2000. The breadth of music was seen in the 2003/04 Culfordian, with a Senior Orchestra, Wind Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir and Girls’ Singing Group all mentioned, alongside the newly created Rock Society. There were an ambitious array of productions, under the direction of teachers John Byrne and Nick Hopton, including Twelfth Night, The Crucible and My Fair Lady. New developments came mid-way into the decade, with the opening of The Studio Theatre, thanks to a significant donation from
Little Shop of Horrors 2015
Find Me 2011
Harry Reidy’s Award Winning Artwork
David Beech (1947-1951) and his wife, Judy. Then, in 2009, the East Wing of Culford Hall was refurbished to establish the Beech Centre for Music and Performing Arts with music classrooms, practice rooms and the Billiard Room for formal recitals. In 2006, Culford welcomed its first Director of Drama, Annalisa Reith who led productions such as The Threepenny Opera and Into the Woods. Maria Kane took up the reins in 2010 and championed two Culford plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Find Me in 2011 and The Press-Ganged Fool in 2014. The Drama department is now under the leadership of Maria Jackson, an actress with an impressive CV of performances on stage and in television, whose productions this year included L’Atelier and Les Misérables. Brenda Hunt was appointed as Head of Art in 1996, and since then has led a cultural trip to New York, celebrated Harry Reidy (2011-2013) winning the Saatchi/Deutsch Bank Art Prize for Schools in 2014 and the opening of The Foundation Gallery in 2013. Peter Burge took over as Director of Music in 2013 from James Recknell, who joined Culford in 1979. Peter launched a new annual programme of music events at Culford, including the House Singing Competition as well as Spring Gala concerts, in conjunction with the Prep School and Culford Choral Society.
Artwork from 2002
My Fair Lady in 2003
Artwork from 2011
The Chamber Choir in 2009
Opening of the Beech Centre
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A New Outlook for Culford Art Campaign for Culford Update The Campaign for Culford launched in 2012 and has already achieved so much for the School. We are enormously grateful to all those who have helped us; we simply could not have done it without you. In 2013, we unveiled the remodelled Foundation Gallery; the first phase in the redevelopment of the art department’s facilities at Culford. The new gallery provides a professionally-lit, creative space for displays of pupils’ and other artists’ work; a far cry from the dark storage room and photocopier space that it used to be. The redevelopment was largely funded by a gift from the Old Culfordian Association and this fantastic new space has already proved a boon to the creative arts at Culford. That year, we also succeeded in transforming the Workman Library
Refurbished Workman Library
into a stunning reception space to welcome visitors and guests to Culford and host small receptions. This was funded by the Old Culfordian Association and other generous gifts from friends and alumni. The original bookcases have been restored, the lighting improved and the room completely redecorated and furnished; it is a truly beautiful room to be proud of. The most exciting and transforming development saw us begin to build a new library at the academic heart of the School in the autumn of 2014. Almost a year to the day, in September 2015, this landmark building was officially opened. The old library (which older OCs will remember as the former dining room in the Hall), though charming, was dark and poorly located, not the light, bright and dynamic learning space which the new library has proved to be (see pages 4-5). The project cost £2.3million, including landscaping and remodelling the rear of Hastings & Skinner; it has truly transformed the School. Governors charged the Foundation with raising at least £750,000 before the project could commence and we are delighted to report that we exceeded this target, and have raised over £850,000 to date.
Culford’s new library from the side elevation
What’s Next for the Campaign? With these projects complete, we are now turning our attention to the remaining projects within the Campaign for Culford: n A redeveloped main Art Studio, with a new glass roof and large sliding doors opening out onto a garden space, as pictured opposite. n Refurbishing Large Hartley in Culford Hall as The Culford Archive Collection Room. Remembered by many as a large dormitory, this is the last major space in the Hall which needs significant attention. Once the roof area is made good, our intention is to open it up for The Culford Archive Collection where we can house and display some of the wonderful memorabilia and records from both Culford and the East Anglian Schools’ 135 year history. n The Ashby Dining Room refurbishment to offer a better eating and social space. With over 1,250 meals served daily and more than 250 boarders at Culford, we are keen to upgrade and improve this important facility for pupils and their teachers.
The former library has now been refurbished and is the new Staff Common Room at the Senior School
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A computer generated image of what the new Art Studio might look like from the outside
The Art Department Studio in 1953
The Art department is a special place at the heart of Culford. Pupils produce outstanding works of art and deliver some of the best exam results in the School. In 2014, Sixth Former Harry Reidy (2011-2013) won the prestigious Saatchi Gallery/Deutsch Bank Art Prize for Schools from a field of 16,000 entrants from all over the world. At the start of 2016, talented pupils Hadley Butler, Jono Le Grice, Raul Rutnam and Ophelia Yannaghas, all exhibited their artwork in Culford’s first Pupil Showcase Event in the Foundation Gallery. This was soon followed by the impressive British Road Movies Exhibition from OC Kate Jackson (1988-1998) – see page 3 for the story.
Our aim now is to complete the Art department with a re-modelling of the main Art Studio – which has little changed since the 1950s (see above) and now requires structural improvements as well as a new roof. Our vision is to create a stunning new studio space that will be an inspirational environment for Culford pupils to work in. We plan that the new Studio will mirror the frontage of the Library with a sweeping arched roof, glass panels and sliding doors. Just as the new Library is at the heart of academic life at Culford, the new studio is sure to be at the heart of the creative arts here and will serve as a springboard for outstanding and talented artists of the future.
‘‘
“I think improving the art department is a great idea because it is much more inspiring to work in a nice environment. You will be able to look out at the beautiful Culford landscape while you are working, and even draw the park itself!”
‘‘
A New Art Studio
Ophelia Yannaghas (L5), Art Scholar and founder of Foofster Designs www.foofsterdesigns.com
For more information about any of the projects within The Campaign for Culford, please contact Jo Johnson-Munday jjm@culford.co.uk or Samantha Salisbury S.Salisbury@culford.co.uk in The Foundation Office or telephone 01284 385310.
26 News from the Foundation
Acknowledgements and Thanks The Culford Foundation wishes to thank all those individuals, families, funds and trusts whose help through donations and other gifts enables Culford to thrive. We are, and continue to be, grateful for all the support we receive. We would also like to express our special thanks to anonymous donors, to those who have made pledges for the future through legacies and other means, and to all our supporters who give of their time and friendship to the School. Names in italics indicate a legacy or a gift from a donor who has since passed away.
Recent OC and OEA Donors (April 2015 to March 2016) 1940s
1960s
Staff, Governors, Parents and Friends*
Mr Ken Green (1938-1945)
Mr David Keall (1949-1960)
Mr & Mrs John Bridges
Dr Ian McFeeters (1938-1946)
Mr Martin Slater (1950-1960)
Mr Alan Tenneson (1942-1946)
Mr John Eason (1958-1962)
Mr David Bruce
Mr Dick Starling (1939-1947)
Mr Bill Hudson (1955-1963)
Mr Michael Platten (1941-1947)
Mr John Gorst (1954-1961)
Mr Irwin Warrell (1942-1947)
Mr Robin Appel (1956-1963)
Mr Julian Johnson-Munday
Mr Don Dorling (1941-1948)
Professor Stephen Challacombe (1958-1969)
Mrs Jo Johnson-Munday
Mr Tony Childs (1944-1949) Mr Geoffrey Doubleday (1943-1949) Mr Richard Freeman (1943-1949) 1950s Mr Michael Taylor (1944-1950) Mr Michael Wright (1944-1950) Mr Keith Flack (1943-1951) Mr Peter Scates (1945-1951) Mr Robert Jacklin (1943-1953) Mr Ian Newton (1945-1953) Mr Bryon Pettet (1945-1953)
Mr Nicholas Greenwood (1958-1965) Mr Graham Hilder (1955-1965) Mr Jon Bond (1957-1966) Mr Simon Bolt (1964-1969)
Mr Harry Davie Mr E Hubbard
Mr & Mrs Smart Kemiki Mrs Lindsay Keswick and Mr Simon Keswick Mr Michael King Mrs Aleca Lucy
1970s
Major & Mrs Ian Mosedale
Mr Arthur Diaper (1962-1970)
Mr S K Asiama & Mrs Okuneye-Asiama
Mr Stephen Musgrave (1964-1972)
Mr Rowland Beaney (1964-1973) Mr Michael Bennett (1969-1976) Mr James Black (1967-1977)
Dr & Mrs Rudolf Pachmann Mrs Dorothy Powell Mrs Lesley Robinson
Mr Jeremy Nunn (1967-1977)
Mrs Samantha Salisbury
Mr Simon Small (1968-1979)
Group Captain Jason Sutton and Mrs Nana Sutton
Mr Mike Emery (1949-1955)
1980s onwards
Mr Richard Gee (1952-1957)
Mr Bill Farrant (1974-1981)
Professor Roy & Mrs Doreen Swanston
Mrs Susanne Kohl (1949-1957)
Mr Richard Poole (1974-1981)
Mr Trevor Goodwin (1950-1958)
Mrs Sarah Westbrooke (1976-1985)
Mr Andrew Gowen (1953-1959)
Mr Matthew Stewart (1983-1986)
Edwards & Blake Ltd
Mr Chris Lewis (1951-1959)
Mr Amin Taha (1981-1989)
Lacy Scott and Knight
Mrs Daphne Ten-Hove (1954-1959)
Miss Liz Edwards (1982-1996)
Mr Fothergill’s
Mr David Bannister (1951-1954) Mrs Anne Hutchinson (1942-1954)
The OCA We would like to thank all former pupils who continue to donate to the School’s Old Culfordian Association fund which sponsors Speech Day School prizes and supports other important projects around the school.
Anonymous Family Trust All anonymous donors
Mr & Mrs James Taylor Audi Bury St Edmunds
*Who are not also alumni
Our sincere thanks also goes to everyone who made a donation to the Campaign for Culford when purchasing their event tickets. Thank you to all those who have made valuable contributions to our archive and in particular we would like to thank David Betts (1956-1963) and Liz Baker (1976-1986) for their knowledge and support over the last year.
News from the Foundation 27
Please Keep in Touch We Need Your Email Address! Owing to rising postage costs and the desire to cut down on our paper usage, the Foundation’s communications with our alumni and friends of Culford is increasingly moving online. Although we will continue to send all our OCs and OEAs in the UK a copy of this magazine, we would like to reduce other postal mailings to a minimum. To that end we need
your email address. Via email you will receive our jam-packed bi-monthly enewsletter, Hartley News, which contains the latest news and information about reunions and other events. To give us your email address or to update it please login or register for Culford Online by visiting www.culford.co.uk/culfordonline or email foundation@culford.co.uk
Online Booking Now Available We are delighted to announce that you can now book for Foundation events online using your credit or debit card. Visit www.culford.co.uk/foundation and click the button for ‘Event Booking’ to access our online booking hub.
Can You Sponsor a Studio Theatre Seat? Every year the theatrical performances at Culford contribute hugely to the cultural life of the School. The ability to stage school shows to such professional standards is, in part, due to the generosity of parents and Old Culfordians. Sponsoring a seat in the Studio Theatre costs just £250 and in return your seat will be marked by a plaque and you may receive 2 complimentary tickets to a school production each year. All donations go towards the continuing development of Drama at Culford and specifically for a new lighting system in Centenary Hall, where all our musicals are performed.
Cheque for East Anglian Air Ambulance Culford’s Head Boy and Head Girl were proud to present a cheque for £1,386 to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. The money was raised through a raffle at our 2015 Opera in the Park event. We were especially pleased that James Perks (2003-2008), who works as a Communications Officer for the EAAA, accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity. Tickets for Opera in the Park 2016 are now available; see pages 32 and 33 to find out more.
Connect with the Foundation We have a thriving Facebook page and LinkedIn Group where we post the latest news and photographs from events, reunions and other OC news. Just search ‘Culford School Alumni’ on LinkedIn and request to join or like the page ‘Culford School OCs’ on Facebook.
28 Social Calendar
Social Calendar Events and Reunions
Year of 1984-1987 Reunion
Why I Enjoy Your Reunions L-R: Richard Collier, Sarah, Paul Greenwood, Amanda Shaw, Helen Johnston, Juliet Coleman, Jo Winsland, Sally Johnston
On 20 November 2015 over 50 former pupils from 1984-1987 met up at Davy’s Wine Bar in London. Organisers Sarah Westbrooke née Pilkington (1976-1985) and Nick Kirby (1983-1986) did a sterling job bringing together four year groups in the end, rekindling old friendships and sharing many long forgotten stories. Sarah said “All I can say is it was worth it. There just wasn’t enough time to spend with everyone but it was an incredible evening, enlightening on so many levels! We cannot thank Samantha Salisbury and her team in the office enough
Sarah Westbrooke née Pilkington and Robert Russell
for their encouragement and wise words when we initially thought it was going to be a party for four and for all the tricky admin they dealt with for us.”
Fifth Form Remove Reunion
John Seward (1948-1952) and Len Battell (1947-1953)
With the help of the Foundation Team, George Langley (1946-1954) organised a reunion of the boys from the Fifth Form Remove for their 61st anniversary on 19 November 2015 at Culford. After a guided tour of the school, including some old haunts and the fantastic new library building, the group enjoyed a four course lunch in the old Common Room.
People often thank me for organising reunions but the truth is that I really do enjoy going to them: witnessing people’s initial emotions when the reunion starts is amazing. For some, it’s as if you have never been away, unfinished conversations and old jokes get picked straight back up again. And, while most of us start to get a few grey hairs or creaky knees, there is always one person who seems not to have changed at all! I often get asked what my year dates at Culford were but sadly I never attended the school, although my two boys will one day become Old Culfordians. However, I have been privileged to hear enough stories that mean I could write a compilation of anecdotes and misdemeanours: from the items buried under the floorboards; sneaking out of the Sanatorium whilst ill to skate on the river; unauthorised bicycle trips back from Felixstowe and Flempton; through to making ‘bombs’ in the Estate Yard. It simply would not happen now. Don’t worry though, I won’t mention any names! If you would like help with a reunion for your year group, please let me know. These things take at least a year to organise and the earlier you can get a date in the diary, the better. You can email us: foundation@culford.co.uk or telephone me on 01284 385310. Samantha Salisbury, Foundation Manager
Social Calendar 29
Culford Gains Its Wings! London Drinks Reception 2015 at The RAF Club The Foundation were delighted to welcome alumni, friends and staff to a new venue for Culford’s annual London Drinks Reception at The RAF Club, Piccadilly on Wednesday 11 March 2015. All were welcomed by the Chairman of Governors, Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott CBE, father to OCs James (2000-2008) and Jenny Abbott (2000-2010). His wife, fellow governor Patricia Abbott, drew the winning card for the champagne draw and presented David Thorne (1963-1973) with his prize. David seemed a particularly fitting winner as his father is the late Air Commodore Peter Thorne (1931-1940). His brother Michael Thorne (1969-1979) was also there along with a number of other OCs with familial RAF connections,
including Miles Pooley (1979-1982) who recently started working for the RAF club as Chief Executive and Club Secretary. The Headmaster, Julian Johnson-Munday and his wife, Jo, Foundation Director, also welcomed the guests, who included new faces to this event Guy Parkes (1976-1986), Helen Hudson (1984-1986), Christopher Bolam (1975-1984), Sarah Westbrooke née Pilkington (1976-1985), Justin Lau (1994-1999), Jane Ewing née Bennett (1971-1979) and David Hope (1959-1964). We were also pleased to welcome back Pete Langman (1983-1984) who brought his book The Country House Cricketer, all profits from which are going to Parkinson’s UK and the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
Guy Parkes, Liz Baker, Helen Hudson and Lee Presland
Chris Bollam, Sarah Westbrooke née Pilkington, Zamir Borg-Mirza and Miles Pooley
Brenda Hunt, Sam Hunt and Pip Kirby-Smith
David Thorne with Trisha Abbott
Mike Schofield (Prep School Head) and Alex Macfarlane with partner
Samantha Salisbury with Lesley Shaw née Eve
30 Social Calendar
Next Crop of Old Culfordians In June 2015, the Year of 2015 celebrated their time at Culford with a Summer Ball. With live music and a three-course dinner, this was a fittingly grand event to mark their last days at Culford. We welcome these leavers to the Old Culfordian community and hope to see them at events and reunions in the coming years.
Life after Culford Each year, a few recent leavers return to Culford for a Q&A with current Sixth Formers to answer questions about university and degree course choices, living in halls of residence, writing a personal statement and CVs. This is part of the week-long Life after Culford event held for Sixth Formers in June every year. In 2015, Sophie (2006-2011) and Kate Balding (2006-2014) returned along with Josh Gifford (2004-2010) and Jack Beaumont (2005-2014). If you are 25 or under and would like to help out with this event in the future please email foundation@culford.co.uk
Headmaster’s Visit to Hong Kong and China In February 2016 the Headmaster, Julian Johnson-Munday, travelled to Hong Kong and China to attend school exhibition events and meet up with Old Culfordians and friends of the school. He was particularly pleased to spend some time with Ian Grenville Cross SBS QC SC JP (1959-1969) and Stephen Shen
(1976-1981). Grenville is the former Director of Public Prosecutions of Hong Kong and although he has officially retired, he is still busy as a Visiting Professor in the Law Faculty at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Stephen still works in property but is looking to relocate to the UK in 2016.
Stephen Shen and the Headmaster
Act of Remembrance Culford’s Act of Remembrance Culford held their traditional Act of Remembrance at 11.00am on Wednesday 11 November. More than 700 people including Culford’s Combined Cadet Force, pupils, staff, Old Culfordians, parents and friends assembled on the North Front outside Culford Hall to hear the Headmaster read out the 145 names of those connected to the School or the Culford Estate who died in combat. A two-minute silence was then observed after a trumpet salute. Wreaths were laid by the Headmaster, Julian Johnson-Munday, the Head Boy and Head Girl and former Culford pupil, Major Jo Maitland née Hollins (1992-1997), who is a Company Commander with 5 Force Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). Afterwards, guests made their way to the Garden of Remembrance, which was first blessed by the school’s chaplain, Revd Simon Crompton-Battersby. Old Culfordians, Governors, parents and visitors were able to pay their respects and plant their own cross in memory of a loved one. The Culford Combined Cadet Force play a key role in the school’s Act of Remembrance. A new video has been made about the CCF’s Inspection Day in March 2016. Logon to www.youtube.co.uk/ culfordschool to view it.
The Culford Combined Cadet Force
Head Groundsman, Tom Atkinson, Prep School Head Boy and Head Girl, Major Jo Maitland, Headmaster, School Chaplain, Rev Crompton-Battersby and the Head Girl and Head Boy
David Ford and Peter Scates
Michael Platten, David Ford and Neville Hibberd
31
32 Opera Social Calendar in the Park
Culford’s Opera in the Park
Joseph Dodd and Florence Taylor
Culford’s second Opera in the Park took place on Saturday 20 June 2015 and the collective opinion of the 550 music lovers, including many Old Culfordians and current parents, who attended was that it was an absolute triumph.
Despite a rather rainy day, the skies cleared just an hour before the opera was due to start so that everyone enjoyed their picnics under sunny skies in the glorious gardens and watched the mist roll up from the river towards the Hall.
Staged on Culford’s majestic South Front, Opera in the Park 2015 saw the acclaimed London Festival Opera perform highlights from Bizet’s Carmen in addition to other operatic favourites. A particular highlight for many was seeing OCs Florence Taylor (1997-2011) and Joseph Dodd (2004-2011) perform.
Guests also had the chance to test drive a range of new Audis courtesy of Opera in the Park’s lead sponsor, Bury St Edmunds Audi, who had created a pop-up dealership on the North Front. A raffle held in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance raised over £1,300, and funds were also raised for The Campaign for Culford. Culford’s Foundation Director, Jo Johnson-Munday, commented: ‘It was a stunning evening. The sun came out just at the right time, London Festival Opera’s performance was exhilarating and it was especially wonderful to hear Old Culfordians Florence and Joe perform on the night. We’re already looking to next year’s event and hope we can raise even more for charity.’ Culford’s Opera in the Park returns on Saturday 18 June 2016, with highlights from Mozart’s famous opera The Magic Flute. Tickets are £37 and picnic hampers for two are £45. Tickets and hampers are available to book online: please visit www.culford.co.uk/ foundation and click event booking.
Opera in the Park 33
Melanie Lesser (1975-1977)
Event Calendar President’s Cricket v 1st XI Saturday 28 May, Culford School OC Tennis Saturday 18 June, Indoor Tennis Centre Opera in the Park Saturday 18 June, Culford Hall, South Front OC Golf Summer Meeting Thursday 30 June, Gog Magog Golf Course, Cambridge Black Tie Leavers’ Ball Saturday 2 July, Culford Hall Fifth Dinner Club 90th Anniversary Reunion (by invitation) Saturday 3 September OC Golf Norfolk and Suffolk School Trophy Monday 5 September, Thetford Golf Course London Festival Opera singers
New Hockey Pitch Opening and OC Girls’ Hockey Saturday 10 September, Culford School Heritage Open Day Saturday 10 September, Culford Hall and Park OC Golf Autumn Meeting Thursday 13 October, Flempton Golf Club Act of Remembrance Friday 11 November, Culford School
L-R: Kate Balding (2006-2014), Alex Spark (2003-2014), Jo Johnson-Munday and Peter Welch (2007-2014)
OC Reunion: Year of 2006 December tbc
34 News from the School
News from the School Speech Days to Celebrate Summer sunshine blessed Culford Senior School’s annual Speech Day in May 2015 when the Guest of Honour was Old Culfordian, Mark Lowcock (1972-1981), Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Development. There was plenty for pupils and their families to see and do after the prize giving and speeches, including tours of the then almost finished new Library, as well as a musical concert, a play, art and design exhibitions, and tennis and cricket fixtures. The Prep School’s Prize Giving followed in July, on the last day of term, when the Guest of Honour was another Old Culfordian, successful children’s author Sarah Mathias (1970-1976). After leaving Oxford University, Sarah worked at the BBC and then trained as a barrister. Sarah now writes historical mystery stories and says that “When I was young I always had my nose in a book and still do now. My advice to anyone who wants to become a writer is to read, read, read!”
Sarah Mathias and Mike Schofield (Prep School Head)
Mark Lowcock
Plays and Productions
L’Atelier
Culford’s Director of Drama, Maria Jackson, has produced some spectacular shows this year. In November 2015 came L’Atelier, a play set in post-war France by Jean-Claude Grumberg. The young performers gave a skilled and naturalistic performance in the Studio Theatre to an audience of over 100 each night. This was followed by the annual Senior
Les Misérables
The Witches
Les Misérables
School Musical, Les Misérables, in March 2016. Strong singing and emotive performances brought tears and cheers from the Centenary Hall audience in equal measure. Meanwhile, the Prep School put on some fantastic shows including Run Rabbit Run set in wartime England and a scary adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches.
News from the School 35 Charitable Visit to Malawi In 2015, Culford Sixth Formers visited Malawi for the seventh summer running to complete life-changing charity work. During the two week trip, Culford’s team of 11 pupils and four members of staff worked to support and educate children at local schools and orphanages around Malawi.
garden along with distributing much needed blankets, clothes and games to the 120 orphans and volunteers. The pupils are now supporting those participating in the trip during summer 2016.
Andy Deane, Head of Languages at Culford Senior School, was incredibly impressed by the way the Sixth Formers delivered their lessons. He said “Many of the youngsters taught by our students had little to no accurate knowledge of these topics and displayed superstitious, sometimes mythical beliefs. It was to the Culford pupils’ immense credit that they were able to present the facts in an interesting and compassionate way.” The team also visited the Good News Orphanage, a regular stop for Culford. Whilst here, the pupils worked on updating the library and
Culford Team Win Rugby 7s Cup
Culford’s winning rugby team at London Irish’s training grounds
Culford School’s U18 Rugby 7s team travelled to London Irish’s Hazelwood Centre to compete at the Halliford School Floodlit 7s event in March 2016. They not only won the Cup, but one of their number, Michael Kimwele (U6), was deservedly awarded player of the competition for his performance. Culford came up against LVS Ascot, Hampton School and Gordon’s School, with convincing wins in all matches. The final game of the competition, against City of London Freemen’s School, went into sudden-death extra time; whoever scored first would win. After a tense few minutes, Kimwele spotted a space in the corner and produced a stunning hand off and dive to win the competition 17-12.
36 News from the School New Golf Academy at Culford Launched in September 2015, Culford’s new Golf Academy is designed to offer golfers aged 8-18 the opportunity to combine an excellent education with first class golf coaching from PGA Professional and new Director of Golf, Lawrence Dodd. Culford’s bespoke golf programmes give young golfers of all abilities the opportunity to develop their golf skills, and use four nearby clubs, including the renowned Royal Worlington & Newmarket Golf Club. Lawrence Dodd said “What excites me most about the Culford Golf Academy is the opportunity to develop a player pathway for children from 8 to 18. I wish there had been such an opportunity when I was a schoolboy.”
Tennis Team National Champions
Culford School’s Year 10 Boys’ team were crowned National Tennis Champions after a fantastic performance at the AEGON Team Tennis Schools competition in December 2015. This victory means that Culford ended 2015 ranked by the LTA as one of the top three schools nationwide for boys’ tennis and as one of the top five for girls’. The boys’ success is the most prestigious National tennis title ever won by Culford. David Hall, Director of Tennis, said, “It has been an incredible journey and I am so pleased for the team of Oscar Cutting (U5), Karim Najia (L5), Charlie James (U5), Ed Pomeroy (U5) and Clemens Rathmanner (U5). The Culford players were magnificent all weekend.”
Millie-Mae Matthews meets Andy Murray Prep School Tennis Scholar Millie-Mae Matthews (U3) was lucky enough to be invited by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to attend the Davis Cup training day in the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham in March 2016. Millie was able to watch all the members of the GB Davis Cup squad train and have her photo taken with members of the team, including Andy Murray. Andrew Richardson, former Davis Cup tennis player and Millie’s coach at Culford, said: “It was a fantastic day for Millie and an amazing opportunity for her to see how the very top players in the game prepare for competition. I’m sure that all she has learned today will help Millie towards her ambitions of becoming a top class tennis player.”
News from the School 37
Comings and Goings We wish the members of staff who moved on to pastures new in 2015/16 all the best in their retirement or in their future careers.
Goings
Cassia Alfaro taught at Culford for nine years during which she led the Spanish department with enthusiasm and panache. She enjoyed great popularity as a French and Spanish teacher and was equally appreciated by her Sixth Form tutees in Jocelyn House. We wish her well with her new teaching position at Chesterton Community College in Cambridge. John Bauer, Head of Physics since 2013, was a highly respected teacher at Culford and established an excellent environment within the physics department, resulting in some outstanding exam results in recent years. He also arranged a Sixth Form trip to CERN in Geneva, so that pupils could benefit from seeing a particle accelerator up close and was a stalwart of the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh programmes. We wish him well in his new role at Woodbridge School. Jessica Kaye came to Culford in 2012 as Housemistress of Jocelyn House and a teacher in the history department.
Andy Marsh joined Culford in 1988 as a teacher of Physical Education. He worked in four Houses during his time at Culford: Cadogan, Robson, Edwards and Cornwallis. Andy became Head of Hockey in 1991 and continued in this role for twenty years. During this time he coached several players who progressed to National League and international status, led teams on several tours and to National Finals.
Andy was also Head of Cricket and the 2015 season saw him complete his tenth year in this role. He enjoyed coaching some very successful cricket sides and helped his squad members achieve their potential, both as individuals and as part of a team. We wish him the very best in his retirement and thank him sincerely for his contribution to sport at Culford over the last 27 years.
One notable achievement was co-writing the comedy musical The Press-Ganged Fool which was taken to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014. She heads over the border once more to be Housemistress at Glenalmond College in Perthshire.
Peter Massey first started teaching mathematics at Culford in September 2010. He was in charge of running both the individual and team maths competitions and Assistant Housemaster of Edwards House. He leaves to be head of mathematics at Harrogate Ladies’ College.
Janet Loco was a feature of Culford School for twelve years and provided the Spanish department with excellent subject knowledge and background cultural experience. Ms Loco was responsible for bringing Spanish as a foreign language into the Culford School curriculum and the success of the first few years paved the way to an increasing take-up at GCSE as the years went by. She is now teaching foreign languages at King Edward VII Academy in King’s Lynn.
Peter Massey teaching
Regina Stevens joined Culford in April 2010 as a Learning Development teacher. She was highly respected by parents and colleagues and her pupils regarded her as a teacher in a million. We wish her well in her new challenge: running a holiday letting company with her husband and son in Cornwall. Joss Williams arrived at Culford in September 2011 from Abingdon School. His role as Joint Deputy Head involved working alongside Dr Guntrip on both the academic and pastoral aspects of the School. Beyond teaching and his role as Deputy Head, Mr Williams used his experience as a black belt in karate to run a karate club. Being an ex-marine, he also often helped out with the CCF. He moves on to Gresham’s School.
38 News We Remember from the School
We are pleased to welcome the following new staff to Culford, two of whom are former pupils: Sarah Jane Flack née Auchincloss and Pip Kirby-Smith.
Comings Blake Burrows joined Culford as Head of Hockey in January 2016. An experienced sports teacher and professional hockey coach, Blake coached at various colleges and worked with many of the current Hockeyroos and Kookaburas in Club and state league hockey teams in his native Australia, before spending a year working in Japan for GlaxoSmithKline. In this role he also did research work on energy and resilience levels for performance and was Director of Hockey for the GSK Orange United Hockey Team in the Japanese National League. PGA Professional Lawrence Dodd joined in September 2015 as Director of Golf and was pivotal in launching our new Golf Academy. Lawrence played on the European and Challenge Tours from 2007 to 2011 and he is also a regular Suffolk PGA tournament winner and England Elite squad member. His coaching skills have already become evident with early victories for young players on the programme. New physics teacher, Douglas Edwards, has a degree in Science and Education, and has taught in schools in London, New Zealand and Italy. A keen mountaineer and expedition leader, Douglas will also be leading the Duke of Edinburgh programme at Culford. He is a member of the British Mountaineering Council, and has climbed Mont Blanc twice. Old Culfordian, Sarah-Jane Flack née Auchincloss (1990-1999) took a degree in Business Management. She then worked providing cruise charter holidays across the world. Sarah retrained as a teacher and worked in a local school before returning to Culford as a mathematics teacher in September 2015.
Blake is joined at Culford by his fiancée Helen Grant who comes to Culford as High Performance Sport Co-ordinator. Helen played Hockey for England from the age of 13 and went on to score 33 goals in 110 England caps and Commonwealth silver and bronze medals. She also played in the hockey World Cups of 2002 and 2006, emerging as England’s top goal scorer in both. Retiring from international hockey in 2008, she has since played for hockey clubs in the Netherlands, Australia and Japan before relocating to Culford. Sarah Haughey joined Culford as Jocelyn’s Housemistress in January 2016. She has been a Housemistress for a number of years, most recently at Wymondham College, as well as teaching History, Religious Studies and PSCHE. Sarah has a master’s degree in Theology from her native US. Another Old Culfordian, Pip Kirby-Smith (2005-2010), joined Culford in November 2014 as a resident tutor for Jocelyn House. In September 2015 Pip started her (French) PGCE, and will qualify in July. As a pupil she enjoyed being involved with music and drama performances, both on stage and behind the scenes. Pip then went on to study French and English Language at York St John University before returning to Culford. Kerry McCarthy joined Culford in September 2015 as Head of Spanish, teacher of French and a Lower Fifth Tutor in Jocelyn House. She also helps to run the Duke
of Edinburgh Bronze Award and coaches netball in the Prep School. Before coming to Culford Kerry taught Spanish and French at Port Regis Prep School, Dorset. She lived in Spain for many years teaching English as a Foreign Language and working in sales and marketing for an international food distributor. Nick Murray joined Culford in September 2015 to lead the new International Study Programme, bespoke GCSE curriculums for overseas pupils. He is also a member of the English department and Assistant Housemaster in Edwards House. Before teaching, Nick worked in the film business and international sales. Andrew Northcote joined as Director of Cricket in September 2015. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he played club cricket in England and Ireland before being selected to play for the Italian National Team in 2007, for which he is still the vice-captain. His coaching roles outside of school include Head Coach for the Suffolk Men’s 1st XI, Suffolk Youth Cricket Batting Consultant for all age groups, SYC U15 Lead Coach and Woolpit CC Head Coach. After a successful career in IT, working mainly in the public sector, Dr Brian O’Riordan retrained as a teacher. He joined Culford as secondin-command of the mathematics department in September 2015 from Lancing College in Sussex. Dan Pilbrow took up the post of Head of Performance Swimming in September 2015 and is also Head Coach for West Suffolk Swimming Club. Dan was a junior International swimmer representing both England and Great Britain before he started his coaching career.
We Remember 39
We Remember It is with great sadness that we bring you the following obituaries of former pupils, Common Room members and other staff.
Former Pupils
Dennis Hall (1930-1940) with one of his granddaughters, Alexandra
From Vice-Captaincy at School, Dennis Hall (1922-2015) went to King’s College, London to study Engineering, but was evacuated to Bristol where he obtained First Class Honours. Then it was war service for him – as an engineering officer in the Fleet Air Arm and an assignment to the Far East on HMS Glory, the ship on which the Japanese surrender was taken. Civilian life saw him in the Civil Service with, at first, responsibilities for post-war airfield restoration and major infrastructure projects. He became Director of Highways at the Welsh Office with the supervision of road-building, including the M4, A55, A465, A470 and the Head of the Valleys Road. His retirement was active with consultation work, time in Cornwall and, eventually, caring for his wife. Dennis was technically and politically astute and saw many changes in public life, but remained a private man, economical with words. He loved a challenge and none more so than in his endeavours
John Bennett (1941-1948) with his wife Mary and granddaughter Katie Ewing (2005-2010)
in later years to remain mobile – an obvious urge for a man who enabled millions to use his network of prestigious roads. The Bennetts are a four-generation Culford family – with John Bennett (1922-2015), who boarded from 1936-1939 following his father, a former pupil of the EAS. He became an agricultural engineer apprentice with Cornish & Lloyds in Bury St Edmunds, a reserved occupation, served in the Home Guard before, in 1947, joining the family firm in Downham Market, R S Bennett & Co. In 1954 he married Mary Newton, a former-pupil of the East Anglian School for Girls which was evacuated to Culford in the war-years. Their children, Michael and Jane, were boarders during the amalgamation of the schools and grandchildren, Kate and William Ewing, were pupils until 2010 and 2012 respectively. John much enjoyed returning, with Mary, to take part in events that provided pleasure and pride as well as memories of their days in the Park. Derrick Fenning (1924-2015) joined as a day-pupil on the first day of the School’s new existence in the Park in September 1935. His father farmed at Walsham-le-Willows and he continued the tradition in the locality with a mainly arable farm at Stanton. When family, including his wife, Cecily, a son and daughter, his brothers and friends came to Culford to celebrate his 90th birthday they could understand his enthusiasm and attachment to the place. Retirement years were spent fruitfully at Barningham.
Richard Starling
Richard Starling (1928-2015) left Culford to work for Miles Aircraft and then in 1949 went up to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to study Engineering. Dick’s career took him as an aeronautical engineer with de Havilland and then to Ferranti, in Edinburgh, on airborne radar and laser systems from 1960 until retirement in 1990. He married Mary in 1953 and they had five children. She died in 2001 and he spent the rest of his life in Portobello in a house overlooking the Firth of Forth.
Don Dorling (1941-1948) in the old Library and formerly The Dining Room
On leaving Culford in 1948, Don Dorling (1930-2016) served in Army intelligence in Trieste, Italy, before joining the accounts department of
L-R: Jim Fenning, Cecila Fenning, Derrick Fenning (1941-1948) and David Fenning
40 We Remember A Tribute to Wendy Spencer née Skinner graduating. However, it was family life that attracted her at this stage.
Wendy Spencer
Margaret Laura Spencer (1926-2015), the daughter of Dr John and Marjorie Skinner, was born in Bury St Edmunds and, owing to the affection of her sister, Mary, for the J M Barrie character, became known as Wendy. When her father Dr John Skinner, the Headmaster of the East Anglian School for Boys, took his school to Culford in 1935, he brought his family to an idyllic home, a residence on the South Front of a mansion in a park. She and her sister, Barbara, were sent during the Second World War to board at Hunmanby Hall, Filey, in Yorkshire. Then Wendy followed her father by reading French and Spanish at the University of London and went one step further, in taking a secretarial course after
Wendy married Blair Boyle and had three daughters, Sally, Sue and Tina Whitfield née Boyle (1970-1978), by him, although he died of meningitis, aged 36, and never saw their youngest. With the characteristic fortitude of that generation and her own style of perseverance, she pressed on, helped by Barbara. At the christening of a mutual god-daughter, she met a tall, dashing RAF officer who possessed a yellow Rolls Royce. Christopher came into her life and they enjoyed 50 years of marriage despite the initial disappointment to her of his exchanging the car for a white van. The needs of an already established young family motivated his pragmatic decision. They travelled widely throughout his RAF career and subsequent work as a pilot for Zambian Air Cargo. Sarah Mobbs née Spencer (1976-1983) and Jeremy (1976-1986) came along as members of the next generation. Her husband flew aircraft; she navigated a number of work assignments. These included language teaching, secretarial
They regularly visited the British Virgin Islands, where Sarah lived until her untimely death. Again fortitude was required, but, as ever, the family rallied with Wendy being a pillar of strength. This quality – together with her many engaging personal attributes and winning smile – were acknowledged at her funeral which both mourned and celebrated the life of a remarkable person. Wendy did not live in the shadow of her headmasterly father, but certainly inherited his dynamic and creative ways. He developed a large school; she founded a family dynasty, with five children, thirteen grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Here was no fictitious Peter Pan character, but an inspirational figure of real life – much loved and missed.
working happily together in their own business, the appropriately named Powell Partnership. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two granddaughters.
Norwich Union, the forerunner of Aviva. He became Assistant Company Secretary. He and his wife, Mary, had a passion for conservation and were closely involved with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, of which he became President. He oversaw the expansion of the Trust’s funding and operation and they catalogued the extensive archives to produce Wild & Wonderful Norfolk for its 90th Anniversary. This complemented his co-authorship of Birds of Norfolk. In later years Don was thrilled to rekindle his friendship with former pupil, who started at Culford on the same day, Neville Hibberd (1941-1947). John Cushing Powell (1933-2014) enjoyed many aspects of boardingschool life from 1940-1951 and gained a lifelong love of music and cricket, after which he left to read PPE at University College, Oxford. He became a Rhodes Scholar and researched race relations in the USA. Although he decided against joining the family grocery business, he was interested
employment, the management of a playgroup, the co-ownership of a dress agency and duties as a Governor of Culford. They found time to enjoy holiday homes in Cornwall and the Vendee, teaching children and grandchildren to surf.
John Powell
in marketing, and chose to spend his working life in market research, the great majority of it with Marplan, where he became an associate director, and met his future wife, Dorothy. Both ended their careers
Kingsley Curtis (1937-2015) joined Culford in 1945, then went on to complete his engineering apprenticeship, at just 22. He followed in the family footsteps by joining HRP in 1959 and became managing director in 1964 following the death of his father in 1963. A true gentlemen of the industry, he built HRP into one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Kingsley bought his first classic car in 1963 following a chance sighting outside a pub in Richmond and he purchased it on the spot; his enthusiasm for classic cars grew from there. In 2014 Kingsley returned to Culford for an impromptu visit with fellow pupils from the 1954 Fifth Remove Club, after a reunion lunch at the Farmers’ Club. Kingsley leaves his wife, Yvonne, and their family.
We Remember 41 Former Common Room Members and Colleagues Ronald Wolsey (1927-2016) came to teach Physics in 1953 from Charterhouse School and moved on three years later. He became Headmaster at Callington Grammar School, Cornwall, and then, in January 1971, was appointed Warden of Wymondham College, Norfolk. Within a few months he presided over the amalgamation of this state boarding school with the County Grammar School. He died on 31 January 2016, husband of Stephanie and father of Debbie, Mark and Simon. Renate Wetherall (1923-2015) grew up in the Midlands, attended schools in Solihull and became a graduate of the University of Durham. In 1962 she came to teach History at the East Anglian School for Girls. Her previous appointments had been in St Helen’s, Lancashire, and in Ipswich. Mrs Wetherall was resident for a relatively brief time and Housemistress of Abbott Sampson, but became a member of the day-staff and lived at Wattisfield. On the amalgamation of the Schools, she worked with Fred Watson and took charge of the Debating Society from him.
taught at the village school; lived at Eastfield and moved to a house at West Stow on what had been part of the Estate. She was born in Budleigh Salterton, attended Torquay Grammar School for Girls, trained as a teacher and met Bill (former Head of Games) when he was at St Luke’s College, Exeter. They married in 1955, lived in Peterborough before coming to live close to Culford in 1957. Her funeral was at West Stow Parish Church. Robbie Hamilton (1950-2015) joined Culford in September 2012 from Gordonstoun, where he had been a Housemaster for five years. Prior to his teaching career he had been a pilot in the RAF, being Chief Navigator for all Tornado aircraft. In his time at Culford he became a valued member of the mathematics department. He was an excellent classroom teacher and his groups valued his guidance and caring approach to their mathematical
education. Mr Hamilton was also an excellent raconteur and often had pupils enthralled by his stories about his time in the RAF. He was a committed family man and his family always came first. He was an example to us all of how to live life to the full; he is greatly missed and will always have a place in our memories.
Robbie Hamilton
We also remember the following alumni and friends who passed away in 2015/16. Obituaries from 1935 onwards are available to view through Culford Online, which can be found by going to www.culford.co.uk/culfordonline Renate Wetherall
Her cheerfulness, perceptiveness, innovative teaching methods and impish humour were appreciated by pupils and colleagues until retirement from Culford in 1985. She then worked for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at its headquarters in a building vacated by the East Anglian School for Girls. Sheila Murray (1928-2016) had numerous connections with Culford – for she was the mother of two pupils, David (1967-1972) and Julia (1974-1976);
James Biggin, former Assistant Bursar
Richard Hayward (1939-1945)
Ian Black (1937-1947)
Michael Hawkins (1943-1947)
Nicholas Burgess (1947-1954)
Warwick Housden (1942-1949)
Jean Gillian Caukwell (1936-1942)
Eric Middleton (former staff)
Margaret Clifford Trussell (former staff)
Irene Miller
David Craig (1943-1949)
John Page (1950-1960)
Christine Dean (1935-1937)
Roy Parker (1958-1965)
Andrew Ferguson (1944-1954)
Noel Rainbird (1936-1943)
Leslie Gammer (1936-1939)
Adrian Sheppard (1966-1976)
Bernard Gibbs (1939-1946)
Kenneth Towers (1939-1948)
Doreen Graves
Rebecca Valler (1992-1997)
42 OC Sport
Old Culfordian Sporting News We are thrilled to have such an active and vibrant OC Sporting community. Many former pupils return again and again to play against the school’s teams and we are also pleased to now have regular Golf Society meetings in the calendar. If you are interested in playing at any of the forthcoming events we would be very pleased to hear from you, please email foundation@culford.co.uk or telephone 01284 385310.
The OC Golf Society
Tim Hide, Jason Evans and Ed Hirst
The Foundation and the Old Culfordians’ Golf Society were pleased to welcome many OCs, both playing and spectating, at Flempton Golf Course on Friday 27 June 2015 for the OC Golf Summer Meeting. A record 25 OCs played for the Gould Salver (Scratch) which was won by David Slater (1954-1961) Gross 81, the Rose Cup (Net) was won by Chris Ringrose (1954-1963) Gross 81 less 12 = Net 69 and the Edward’s Jigger (Stableford) was won by Sally Price née Hoyland (1970-1975) with 38 points.
David Slater, Peter and Alan Fairs
2 October 2015 for the OC Golf Autumn Meeting. The match against the school, for the Greene Bowl and Edwards Challenge Cup were scored on the Stableford scoring basis while the Robbins Shield was a Bogey competition. The day saw a whitewash by the School with Jude Everitt highest scorer with 42 points and William Kibbler getting a hole in one, his first!
For the OCs, where tradition has it that one person can only win one prize, Tim Bonnett (1966-1973) was the winner of the Greene Bowl, for the best aggregate Stableford score over our two golf days. Sue Edwards née Mann (EAGS 1957-1963) won the Edwards Challenge Cup and Jeremy Nunn (1967-1977) won the Bogey competition for the Robbins Shield.
Everyone was pleased with the turn out, and we were especially delighted to see Edward Hirst (1990-2001) who had travelled from Oslo to play with friend Tim Hide (1996-2001) from his year group. Tim Gredley (1993-2004) was due to play but unfortunately had to pull out due to overseas equestrian commitments. Eleven Old Culfordians assembled at Flempton Golf Club on Friday
Richard Tofts, Mike Schofield (Prep School Head), Jon Herd (Cadogan Housemaster), Bill Hudson, Sue Edwards and Jeremy Nunn
Girls’ Hockey On a gloriously hot, sunny day in September 2015, the school’s 1st XI played against the Old Culfordians. The 1st XI started off well, keeping possession of the ball and pressuring the OCs. The OCs responded by using their experience to draw the 1st XI out of position and they launched several counter attacks which stretched the defence. Former Captain Katie Andrews (2009-2014) and Issy Davies (2001-2014) pressed forward as Bex Selway (2006-2011) and
Annabel Muir (2012-2014) controlled the midfield well, however, the school took charge in the second half, making the final score line 6-1.
Many thanks must also go to Lottie Ingleton (2008-2015) for organising the OC team and to all of those who kindly offered to play.
OC Sport 43 Cricket
On Saturday 27 June 2015, recent leavers returned to play the current 1st team. The School batted first and scored 245 for 7 wickets from 30 overs. Pupils Kieran Pask (2013-2015) took an excellent 65 and Andrew Devoy (2007-2015) and Matt Mitcham (U6) also did very well, scoring 52 and 41. The OCs replied with 131 with Dom Absolon (2008-2013) scoring 30 and Jonty Rawcliffe (2008-2013) 33. The School’s Cricket Captain Kieran Pask took five wickets in his final game.
Netball On Saturday 9 January 2016 the OC Netball team returned for their annual match against the School. The game was excellently supported and the crowd enjoyed seeing a total of 49 goals! The OCs, captained by Jess Pilo-Beech (2002-2012), fielded a very strong team. The game was even to start with, but excellent shooting from current pupils could not be matched by the OC team. The final score was 31-18 to the School. Mrs Reynolds, Netball teacher, said, “Thank you to all of the returning OC players. It was especially nice to have three sets of siblings playing on the court, which just shows what talented families we have at Culford!”
Back row: Kate Balding, Natasha McCaffrey, Katie Andrews, Annabel Muir, Ellie Keswick, Ellie Weller-Poley. Front row: Jess Pilo-Beech, Jade Rackham, Poppy Kearney and Becky Hatwell
Boys’ Hockey
A fantastic crowd of parents, staff and pupils were treated to an excellent display of attacking hockey on the same day as the OC Netball match. A lively OC team, led by Elliot Smith (2004-2013) started the game in high spirits, and although the Headmaster’s XI were the more attacking of the two sides in the first quarter, it didn’t take long for the OCs to get into their stride. The half time score was 3-2 to the OCs, however, with five minutes remaining on the clock the School put two quick goals away to seal a great win at 6-3.
Bury Hockey Club Comes to Culford
Artist’s impression of the new pitch
Club History The Bury Hockey Club was formed at the Victory Ground on the outskirts
Culford Gardens before 1883
Dr Bill Tasker (Hockey Club Chairman), David Hall (Culford’s Director of Tennis) and Tony Bass (Hockey Club Development Project Manager)
of the town in 1912, with, until the final decade of the century, its pitches on the outfields of the Cricket Club. In 2011 it arranged with Culford to use its existing artificial pitch on four evenings each week in order to assist training for members of its nine adult teams and for some of its 260 junior players. Nine senior players of the Club represent England and other Home Nations at Over 45, 50, 65, 70 and 75 year levels.
Culford’s Notable Hockey Players Culford has supplied some of its illustrious members over the years, including: Ken Green (1938-1945), President of the Suffolk County Hockey Association for the past
The Culford Team at the U18 National Hockey Finals at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London in March 2016
13 years, the Wooten brothers, who played internationally, George Hazell (1952-1958), Robert Long (1937-1944) and Basil Ambrose (1934-1942). It was also a passion for the late Rowland Beaney (1964-1973). Rev Stephen Macdonald (1946-1953) captained the Cambridge University team and went on to represent Scotland. Involvement has been long-standing; the Black family, from Bacton, has had a presence for generations; as have the Slater and Stennett families, Richard Pineo (1991-1993) and Tim Hollins (1994-1999) have returned to the School to teach and coach. The talented offspring of members of staff include Rachel (1984-1994) and Matthew Grinham (1986-1996), Emma (1999-2013) and Kieran Devlin (2001-2015) and Richard Hobley (1991-2004). While former Head of History, Alan Dures (1977-1992), who was first introduced to the sport when he joined the staff, played for England as a goalkeeper at various veteran stages. They, and many others, will be supporting the £600,000 transformation of the former Gardens which are scheduled to be officially opened in September 2016.
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The walled gardens at Culford will be recalled by a few as being productive, but by many as being a haven between the Sports Centre and the San Field. Initiated by Bury St Edmunds Hockey Club, plans are now coming to fruition to give them a new lease of life with the exciting addition of a state-of-the-art, sand-dressed, flood-lit hockey pitch with tiered standing for spectators. The project is being funded by the Club and its members, England Hockey, The National Hockey Foundation, Sport England and with support from the School. Building on the existing partnership between the Club and the School, both parties will benefit from the new facility which will strengthen and improve their sporting links. The addition of the new artificial turf pitch will be ready for the beginning of the new season, alongside two new tennis courts that will be seasonally covered to enable year round play.