Spring Summer 2019
the PERSE SCHOOL CAmbridge
OP
in this issue FLIGHT OPs IN THE AIR CAREERS ATTRACTING AND RECRUITING TALENT RESEARCH EYE MEDICATION FOR DOGS ARCHIVE JOSEPH BEHRMANN
Contents 03
From the Head
06 OPs in the air
04
School News
06
OPs in the air
11 Research and Response
14 Archivist’s Account
The OPs taking to the skies
11 Research and Response Optimising the delivery of topical opthalmic medication in dogs
15 Behrmann Lecture 2019
16 OP News
18 Careers Workshop
20 Obituaries
23
Recent Events
24
Upcoming Events
15 Behrmann Lecture 2019 The boy in the statue Sir Erich Reich
18 CareerS Workshop How to attract and recruit the
On the cover Sunset en route to London Heathrow, courtesy of Tom Perry (2010)
best talent
From school thenews Head
Callum Baylis (Upper Sixth) modelled Liam Hodges’ latest pieces at London Fashion Week. Photographs courtesy of Liam Hodges.
From the Head
I
n its 404 year history The Perse has seen some
costs of independent education to the point that
challenging times. The School navigated its way
many schools would be priced out of existence. Critics of the sector should be careful what they
through the English Civil War and the Restoration,
survived bubonic plague, endured years of economic
wish for. Independent schools currently educate around
mismanagement in the eighteenth century, took some
7% of the UK’s children at no direct cost to the state
direct hits from the Luftwaffe, and coped with the
thus saving the Exchequer about £4 billion each year.
loss of government funding with the end of Direct
At The Perse our public benefit programme sees the
Grant status. In doing so The Perse has shown itself
School spending over £1 million per annum on means
to be a great survivor because it is good at what
tested bursaries to 100 plus children who could not
it does. This is self-evident from the articles in this
otherwise access a Perse education. We also fund
edition of OP News which document the value of a
outreach work with 20 local primary schools who, short
Perse education and where it has taken alumni, from
of state funding, benefit from Perse assistance in the
fashion and medical research to cold war missions
form of maths, language, computing, music and science
and award winning natural history documentaries.
teaching and the loan of equipment and facilities. In an increasingly hostile media and political
Now in 2019 The Perse, along with other
environment, I hope that OPs will be willing to point
independent schools, faces a new wave of political
out the good that schools like The Perse
and economic threats. Politicians of all parties are
do. Inequality is a pressing issue in
turning against independent schools which are increasingly seen not as the centres of educational
Britain but its causes are many and
excellence which they are, but as engines of social
run far beyond the independent school sector. If schools like The Perse become
inequality and division in society. There is increasing talk of removing charitable status and the
a lightning rod for political anger,
tax reliefs that go with it, as well as
great damage will be done to worthy institutions for no real societal benefit.
charging VAT on school fees. This, on top of a government led 43% increase in
With best wishes, Ed Elliott
employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension scheme, would increase the 3
old perseans
School News Lambs debut for Perse rugby captain Matt Burson (Upper Sixth) made his debut for the Lambs – the England Independent Schools team – after being called up for their first game of the season in January. The Perse 1st XV rugby captain had been nominated for Lambs selection by the School’s Head of Rugby Liam St John and was named in the squad after impressing selectors during two development and trial days. He said: “It was a great surprise to be selected. You always have that moment of shock when you see your name on the team sheet, but after that it’s just really exciting because you know you’ve got the opportunity to go and represent the Lambs and play a really exciting brand of rugby.” Since his debut, Matt has played regularly for the Lambs and was named Man of the Match in their game against the Boys Club of Wales. Matt thanked The Perse for its part in helping him reach such a high standard in the sport, saying “It’s completely down to The Perse. You have to be nominated by your school’s Head of Rugby and there’s no way they’re going to put you forward for the Lambs unless they think you’re ready because there are over 300 boys trialling for it. Given I’ve not played any club rugby, all my rugby experience has come from playing for The Perse.”
Sir David Wright steps down as Chair of
Perse Pride returns
Governors at the end of 2018/19
for second year
Sir David’s career has seen him as UK
From 25 February – 1 March
Ambassador to both Japan and South Korea,
The Perse celebrated
Secretary to the Prince of Wales, first Chief
its second Pride week.
Executive of British Trade International, and
The week, which aims to
Vice-chairman of Barclays Capital.
celebrate diversity and
Famed for his swiftness of response by email
inclusive attitudes, featured
or telephone no matter what time of day or night
a number of lunchtime
in whatever time zone he found himself in, he has
activities including a
generously given of his vast experience and many
classics seminar on “Achilles
skills to The Perse.
and Patroclus: Friends and Lovers?”, music talk on
His decade long leadership has been marked by
“Same DNA but born this way: gender fluidity in pop
both growth and consolidation as pupil numbers
music” and a Biology Society session on “Nature vs.
have risen, new buildings been completed and
Nurture: is there a ‘gay gene’?”. The keynote speaker
further land been acquired.
for the week was Tim Ramsay, CEO of Just Like Us
He leaves the School in a strong position and, with
Foundation, who spoke to pupils and staff about his
the Upper Music School extension underway and
own experiences before holding a workshop with
overseas development discussions well advanced,
the Student Council, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and
better placed to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Keep Smiling members to discuss ways that we can
Gratias tibi agimus, Sir David.
promote a more inclusive community.
Chariots of Fire at The Perse In March the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre became the Stade Olympique as the Perse Players put on Chariots of Fire. Based on the classic film about real-life British athletes Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, the Perse Players took on the stage adaptation by Mike Bartlett, which was mounted to mark the 2012 Olympics in London. 4
school news
Perse plus maths AI = Blutick
Double success for Vikram
– maths with confidence
with digital currency project
The Perse has partnered with a
Vikram Singh (Year 11) has received a double
Cambridge-based technology
helping of success with his research into the
entrepreneur to create a new
digital currency bitcoin.
artificial intelligence platform for
He carried out an investigation into
maths learning – Blutick. Perse
whether bitcoin or other crypto (digital) forms
maths teachers have made videos
of currency could replace traditional money in the
to explain the syllabus and then
future as part of his Higher Project Qualification in Year 10. Vikram
Blutick uses AI to give line-by-line
went on to give a poster presentation of his findings at the Young
feedback on digital learning tasks. If
Scientists’ Journal Conference at Queens’ College last October. He
you would like to find out more about
has now earned a Gold CREST Award from the British Science
Blutick please visit blutick.com.
Association’s flagship scheme for young scientists for his project. On top of that, Vikram also entered his study into the Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers competition. Vikram’s work impressed
Perse pupil in vogue
judges enough for them to invite him to present his investigation
at London Fashion Week
at the Big Bang national finals, which took place at Birmingham’s
Callum Baylis (Upper Sixth) appeared
National Exhibition Centre in March.
on the catwalk at London Fashion Week and subsequently in Vogue. A career in couture is Callum’s dream and he was thrilled to be given the chance to take to the runway at one of the fashion world’s biggest events. He made his modelling debut in the London Fashion Week (LFW) spring/summer show of designer John Lawrence Sullivan last year and recently returned to LFW to model Liam Hodges’ latest pieces in the autumn/winter event. Both the John Lawrence Sullivan and Liam Hodges shows appeared in Vogue and Callum was elated to see his image appear in the iconic fashion
Perse Chamber Choir in fine voice
magazine. He said: “Being one of the
for Westminster Abbey Evensong
websites I often look at in terms of
On 4 January, The Perse Chamber Choir savoured the experience of
runway collections and stories, it was
performing Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The School’s singers
a shock to see myself in Vogue.”
had the honour of leading the service in the choir of the iconic abbey, which is the traditional setting for coronations of the British monarchy and has hosted many Royal weddings. In front of a congregation of around 400 people, including parents, donors to the School and Old Perseans, the choir sang Herbert Howells’ Westminster Service, featuring the canticles Magnificat (Song of Mary) and Nunc dimittis (Song of Simeon), and ended the service with a rendition of Charles Stanford’s work Beati quorum via. Perse Director of Music, Michael Holiday, felt the choir’s efforts in rehearsals had paid off in making sure they were fine-tuned for the occasion. He said: “Westminster Abbey has been the setting for a lot of major national events, so to go there and lead the service was really special. The pupils understood the significance and responded really well to it. It was lovely for them to have the opportunity to sing there. The choir had worked hard and prepared their music really well and they were on excellent form.” 5
old perseans
OPs in the air For over 100 years, Old Perseans have enjoyed taking to the skies. From national service with the RAF to flying commercially, leisure flights and aeronautical engineering, OPs have many stories of flight. Here are a few stories, spanning a century in the air. Sir Arthur Marshall (1918) Sir Arthur Marshall started his education at a small private infants’ school near his parents’ house in Milton Road before joining the Perse Prep in Bateman Street and then The Perse Upper School in 1915. He showed his prowess at athletics at a young age and won the 100 yards race at Fenners for which he received a silver spoon engraved with The Perse’s Pelican crest. Later, when at Jesus College, he represented the University of Cambridge at athletics and was 6
school Feature news
When I left The Perse I did research for about a year and
He was also delighted that a number of Perse pupils have been awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships, a scheme which Marshall has often supported.
joined the RAF in 1952 as a Cadet Pilot for my National Service. My first solo flight was in a Tiger Moth on November 5th – what a day to do a first solo! I was then promoted to Acting Pilot Officer and sent to Gimli, and then Moose Jaw, Canada to fly Harvards. After
maintained links with The Perse,
160 hours flying I graduated and
in particular with Stanley Stubbs
had my commission confirmed.
(Head 1945–1969), and was very
Photo: Alex Toff
Little did I know it but the
supportive of the Air Training
glory days had gone. I had an ear
Corps. He was also delighted that a
infection while swimming in Moose
number of Perse pupils have been
Jaw, caught a bad cold and then
awarded Arkwright Engineering
had problems doing aerobatics due
Scholarships, a scheme which
to changes in air pressure. I was
Marshall has often supported.
then sent back to Gimli, which had
Sir Arthur passed away in 2007,
been converted to jet training. The aircraft (the T33) was being used at
at the age of 103.
the time as an advanced trainer but I found that diving (at, I seem to remember, 15,000 feet per minute) reserve for Great Britain in its
Mike Payne (1951)
Olympics in Paris. After graduating from Jesus College with a First in Engineering, Sir Arthur joined the family business in 1926 and qualified as a pilot at the Norwich and Norfolk Flying Club. Combining his entrepreneurial flair and his engineering and flying skills along with his father’s belief that, after the First World War, there would be a sound future for aviation, he placed the company in pole position to profit from rearmament and wartime contracts in the 1930s and 1940s. Sir Arthur became Chair of Marshall of Cambridge in 1942, was appointed OBE in 1948, and knighted in 1974. Marshall has become a major employer in Cambridge, developing its own apprentice schemes which are still in place today. Sir Arthur remained chairman of the company until 1989, when he decided to step aside and hand over the reins to his elder son, Sir Michael. Despite leaving The Perse early to finish his education as a boarder at Tonbridge School, Sir Arthur
and an explosive decompression didn’t exactly help.
1600 yard relay team at the 1924
I attended The Perse from 1945 until 1951 and joined the school Combined Cadet Force RAF Section (previously the JTC) in the late ‘40s. The teacher in command was F/Lt V. Sederman who was my maths teacher. At the weekends I used to put on my Cadet uniform and cycle to Marshall’s Airport in Cambridge and try and scrounge a flight to anywhere. I wasn’t fussy about destinations! In those far-off days the aircraft were piston-engined, slow, reliable and always available. After collecting a parachute and buckling it on (advice; put it on at the aircraft and don’t try and walk with it “on” or you’ll resemble a pantomime horse), the types of aircraft I flew in were Chipmunks, Ansons, Oxfords, Harvards and Dakotas. As I grew older I was allowed to fly the aircraft under supervision and on one glorious occasion I was allowed to fly, unsupervised, a Dakota with about 15 School Air Cadets while the pilot went to talk with them (no, there was no autopilot in those days!). 7
After my time in the RAF I worked for over 40 years as a scientific photographer for Fisons, making short documentary films, aerial photography, high speed photography, electron microscopy, etc. I also played double bass in various jazz groups with Humphrey Lyttelton, Footlights, Dudley Moore and many more.
old perseans
Alistair Corden (1964)
private pilot licences, shortly before our last term at school.
I suppose it was inevitable, my
I blew my A Levels big time.
joining the RAF. My father was in
Guidance was minimal, so for
for the duration, a Boy Entrant
me it was a stab in the dark. So,
at 16 in 1923, a senior officer
without a scholarship to Cranwell
when he retired in the late 1950s.
and degreeless, I took the offer
Among many other duties he
of a 20-year flying career at Her
flew his Westland Wapiti in the
Majesty’s Pleasure. Turns out I
Middle Eastern deserts, dropping
actually had a place at St Andrews
bombs on insurgents in Iraq and
for the asking, something I only
Afghanistan in the early 1930s;
discovered a decade later – but
some things never seem to change.
that’s another story. After advance
This peripatetic lifestyle was less
training in the Gnat I was set to be
than ideal for education, so the late
Biggles reincarnate, but it was not
1950s saw a small, confused and
to be … Bomber Command wanted
very unhappy little boy delivered
jet pilots for the V Force, and off
to the hands of Keith Barry at the
to Vulcans I went. Turned out for
Junior Boarding House. It was
the best, I flew all over the world
not the happiest time of my life;
and had more fun at taxpayers’
escapism helped, so I devoured
expense than I believed possible. A
every book I could find on WW2
new career in offshore oil and gas
fighter and bomber pilots, and
beckoned on early retirement.
every book ever written about PoW
Well, that didn’t last long … It
camps and escaping the clutches
got me to the United States which
of the enemy.
has been home ever since. The
Time wore on and I moved to
collapse of the price of oil saw me
the Upper School. As I recall, the
back in aviation for the rest of my
third form was the first year of CCF,
career, ending up in Philadelphia as
initially the Army section, then the
Director of Training for the pilots
RAF section with Mr Billinghurst.
and flight attendants of an Airbus
A two-week course in gliding at
A320 Charter Company flying
RAF Swinderby (I think), gave
happy tourists to the Caribbean
me my first experience alone in a
and Central America.
flying machine – I survived! An RAF
Early retirement saw me back
Flying Scholarship saw me, along
in general aviation – single engine
with Bruce Manning and Andy
propeller aeroplanes, flying low
Thompson, report to Marshall’s
and slow – a whole different world.
of Cambridge
It is flying at its fundamentals –
where we flew
stick, rudder and a map. My wife
Tiger Moths
(a Captain at a major US airline)
and gained our
and I have an aeroplane each – a 1946 Stinson 108 for me, and a 2004 Citabria for her. I work on them both, and can usually be found in the hangar, covered in oil and bleeding copiously, having the time of my life.
8
Colin Froude (1972) I was at The Perse (Prep and Upper School) in the ‘60s. Being an active member of the 5th Cambridge Scouts at The Perse might explain why I joined the Army section of the CCF before winning a Flying Scholarship through the Royal Navy. Both the RN and the RAF then offered me a University Cadetship – I chose the RAF on the basis I was too tall for naval bunks! There followed three years at Southampton studying biological sciences and learning to fly Chipmunk and then Bulldog aircraft with the University Air Sqn. The training system to become a front line pilot is long and tortuous which meant that I did a French language course and adventurous activities before finally going to the RAF College at Cranwell for officer training. This led straight into basic jet training on the Jet Provost followed by more delays waiting for a Hunter slot at RAF Valley. When I finally arrived for my advanced training I was given a cockpit assessment and told I was too tall. Fortunately, there was a firemen’s strike to keep me occupied running a fire station at RAF Uxbridge. Eventually I passed through the multi-engine course on the Jetstream to arrive at the Lockheed Hercules as my operational type. There followed tours on 24 and LXX Sqns, including the Falklands
school Feature news
War, and then flying the air bridge
aircrew. With the announcement of
to California and Arizona for
to the islands for three years (with
a brand new two-pilot glass cockpit
high altitude parachuting. The
a couple of air-to-air refuellings
Hercules (the original version had
Andover and BAC 1-11 flying was
on the way down). There was
four crew on the flight deck), I
mostly ‘flying laboratory’ scientific
also famine relief in Ethiopia,
volunteered to join the programme
development, in particular radar
flying around quite a bit of the
at its inception with responsibility
and electronic intelligence systems.
world and air displays. I was then
for developing the new simulators.
I also flew the Open Skies Andover
selected to be a flying instructor
This required monthly commuting
as part of the UK contribution to
(QFI) on the Jet Provost which
to the USA (Florida, Utah and
Joint Arms Control Implementation.
required yet another lengthy
Atlanta) and inevitably led to
The latter meant that I had come
course before posting back to
being directly involved in the
full circle from learning about
Cranwell as a QFI. I was short
development of the aircraft which I
Cold War threats when I joined
toured to become a Jetstream QFI
flew within a few months of its first
to now flying low level over
at RAF Finningley (now Doncaster
flight. It was a natural progression
Russia to verify the status of the
Sheffield International) where I was
to Heavy Aircraft Test Sqn at
weapons that had been the threat!
a Flight Commander and display
Boscombe Down where I became
A memorable and enjoyable 39
pilot. Promotion then saw me at
a test pilot and instructor on all
years in the RAF was followed by
MoD in London working in flight
models of the Hercules as well
part time working as a professional
safety. This was followed by a
as the Andover and BAC 1-11. The
photographer and being elected
partial return to flying the Hercules
Hercules flying involved clearances
as a Salisbury City Councillor.
as OC Simulator Sqn. I then
for the new aircraft as well as
became OC Hercules Training Sqn
continuing equipment development
with responsibility for providing
to support front line operations;
recurrent training to some 400
we had regular detachments
Tom Perry (2010) & James Richardson (2007)
flying, I took part in air experience flights, and encountered the thrill of aerobatics. I also took part
Tom Perry (2010) and James
in expeditions to Iceland and
Richardson (2007) are both pilots
Ladakh, and was an enthusiastic
with British Airways.
violinist and singer. I studied
Tom: “I started at the Prep in 1999
Cambridge, and then worked as an
and had always been interested in
aerodynamicist for the Mercedes
aeronautical engineering at
flying. Though hopeless at sport,
F1 Team for three years, before
I could just about hold my own
embarking on flying training.”
rowing down the Cam! I spent
By chance, we ended up
much of my extra-curricular time
on the same course at Oxford
with PES, and was fortunate to take
Aviation Academy, starting in
part in three expeditions, eventually
September 2015. Many of our
I started at the Prep in 1999 and had always been interested in flying.
helping to lead and plan the trips.
fellow course mates joined
our training at Oxford in busy
I went on to pursue a degree in
straight from school; however,
London airspace, more challenging
Geography at Durham, followed
our own feeling is that having
weather and more sophisticated
by a Masters in Cambridge at the
higher education qualifications
aircraft. Finally, we started at BA in
Scott Polar Research Institute.
to fall back on is valuable, given
November 2017 – Tom now flies the
At university I got involved with
the strict proficiency and medical
Airbus 320 out of Heathrow, whilst
gliding, an inexpensive and
assessments that follow us
James flies out of London City on
accessible means to learn to fly.”
throughout our career.
the Embraer 170/190.
The first six months were spent entirely in the classroom – we
Luckily we don’t just have to fly the same route every day. We’re
James: “I had a passion for flying
counted 42 exams in total! After
both fortunate that our fleets
from an early age, which I pursued
that we went to the US for five
service a wide variety of European
further at The Perse with the CCF’s
months, learning basic flying and
destinations, so there’s a lot of
RAF section. As well as learning
navigation skills in the Arizona
variability. We do a mixture of
about the technical aspects of
desert. Back in the UK, we finished
day-trips, where we’re back at
9
old perseans
base each night, and longer tours,
advertised in the Year 11 enrichment
spending several nights away,
programme, I decided to take a
usually finishing in a different city
shot at doing it for real. My training
every evening. The hours we work
started with 10 hours flying the
in a week can be variable, but are
classic Cessna 172 training aircraft
heavily regulated by flight time
from Cambridge Airport alongside
limitation legislation.
a few others from my year. I was positively shocked when, 10
Much like our passengers, we don’t like turbulence! We use
minutes after climbing into the
sophisticated tools to try and
aircraft, I was behind the controls
avoid the worst, but sometimes it’s
performing what would be my first
just not possible. While it can feel
take-off; by the end of our training I had achieved ‘solo-readiness’.
unpleasant, the aircraft we fly have been designed to cope with more
Alex Toff (2018)
I ended up transferring my flight training to the historic Duxford
severe turbulence than we ever encounter, and is an entirely safe
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at
Airfield, host to the impressive
and natural part of flying.
The Perse. During my time at the
Imperial War Museum where I also
Prep, my love of programming
worked during the summer to
autopilot does most of the flying,
and design was nurtured through
fund my flying, and by the start of
but that’s not quite true. Admittedly,
study of design & technology and
Lower Sixth had flown solo. Over
gone are the days of pilots manually
computing, and by the time I came
the next two years, I flew whenever
flying the aircraft for hours on
to start at the Upper I was hooked
possible. It was difficult balancing
end – these days, the job is about
on both.
my academic commitments with
People may think that the
I took maths, physics and
flight training, having to complete
environment. We consider fuel
design & technology all the way
10 self-taught exams and progress
and weather, think ahead to the
through to A Level, and some of
my flying proficiency, all the while
what-ifs, and make countless risk
my most memorable moments and
interrupted by academic exams
assessments in real time. And the
achievements have been in design
and bad weather. Despite this, I
autopilot can only do what we tell
& technology, be it my Pet Water
completed the course by the spring
it to do…
Fountain or “Gutter Bug” Gutter
of 2017, and passed my final skills
Cleaning Robot. By no coincidence,
test in August 2018.
managing a constantly changing
Every six months we go into the
Now, a little over three years
simulator for two days of intensive
I ended up leaving The Perse with
training to learn how to deal with
an offer to study Engineering Design
from my first flight, I am qualified to
things that might go wrong. Rather
at the University of Bristol, which is
fly as captain and carry passengers,
than analysing every possible
where I currently find myself.
and I continue to fly, alongside my
Aviation is in my blood; one
dad, when I return from university.
the bigger picture: fly the aircraft,
grandfather served with the RAF
Perhaps what attracts me the most
navigate safely and communicate
and the other with the Fleet Air
about flying is seeing the world
our intentions. Only then do we
Arm during WW2, and my dad has
from a different perspective and
dive into the specifics. By doing
enjoyed a varied career which has
the freedom to explore, and I find
failure, we focus on how to manage
this, we keep the aircraft in a safe
included flying as a captain with
that doing this thing that humans
state, and avoid impulsive (and
easyJet. My own first memorable
are so inherently unsuited to gives
often incorrect) actions.
encounter with aviation was
me that opportunity.
through Microsoft Flight Simulator
Recently, I have become
as a child. It allowed me to explore a
more interested in aeronautical
world that I hadn’t really considered
engineering and the air traffic
up to that point, and for good
control side of the aviation world.
portion of my time growing up I
I am looking forward to gaining
believed it would be my career path.
some more interesting experiences
As I grew older, I began to
and insights when I spend part of
take the concept a bit more
my summer this year on placement
seriously and, after seeing flying
at Babcock.
As I grew older, I began to take the concept a bit more seriously and, after seeing flying advertised in the Year 11 enrichment programme, I decided to take a shot at doing it for real. 10
school Feature news
Research Optimising the delivery of topical ophthalmic medication in dogs ranges up to 56.4μl. The amount of
Methodology
remaining eye drop after instillation
Two drop methods were compared.
is as high as 30.3μl. This could
The standard Minim (standard
lead to systemic side effects,
tip) was modified by attaching a
such as hypotension, bradycardia,
Gilson tip to the Minim (modified
and tremors after using a local
tip). Both studies were conducted
anaesthetic. A commonly used
in a laboratory at the University
drug, Tropicamide, causes pupil
of Cambridge Veterinary School. Stage 1: Tropicamide 1.0% in a
dilation as its main effect in order to Florence Clark (UPPER Sixth)
E
allow examination of the retina, but
standard and a modified Minim
this can last for many hours, giving
dispenser was dispensed one drop
side effects such as blurred vision,
at a time onto a weighing scales,
ye drops are commonly
meaning for example that patients
recording the weight in milligrams).
used worldwide in both
can’t drive for hours after its use.
Mean and standard deviations were
humans and animals in
Smaller drops may mean a faster
calculated for both sets of data,
healthy and diseased states.
recovery. Therefore, there is a need
and a 2-tailed Student’s t-test was
They are usually administered
to develop a suitable method of
applied to test for the significance
by the patient themselves or
delivering ophthalmic medication at
between the two means.
a carer and are a commonly
an appropriate volume.
used medication.
Stage 2: two healthy adult dogs were studied using three different
Previous studies have tried methods to reduce drop volume,
conditions, sham treatment
but these results in impractical
(n=1), then Tropicamide 1.0% was
such as glaucoma, dry eye, ocular
methods, such as the addition of a
administered by standard (n=3)
inflammation, infection and allergies
steel needle or glass capillary tube
and modified (n=5) tips into one
to name a few. As with all drugs,
to the dropper bottle.
or another eye. Pupil diameter
They deliver ophthalmic drugs for the treatment of various diseases
the dose of the active ingredient is important both for effectiveness
was recorded over 330 minutes.
The aim of my research was to develop a safe and practical
and safety of the patient. The dose
method to administer drops with a
Results
is determined through the volume
small and consistent volume. The
As part of the first stage of
and concentration of the drop, and
hypothesis was that by attaching
the research, n=28 drops were
the number of drops. There is a
a Gilson pipette tip to a Minim
weighed from the standard tip
huge variety of devices used to
dropper (a single-dose eye drop
and n=27 from the modified tip.
administer these drops. Generally,
dispenser), the drop weight (or
The mean drop weight with the
they come in multi- or single-
volume) will be significantly and
standard tip was 31.4mg and for
dose dispensers, with a variety
consistently reduced and associated
the modified tip it was 10.0mg
of different dropper tips which
with an identical Tropicamide
(see Table 1). The t-test showed
can have a substantial effect on
induced maximal pupil dilation, and
that these results were statistically
the volume and hence the dose
earlier recovery compared to a
significantly different, with a
of medication administered. It is
standard Minim dropper.
p value of less than 0.0001.
important manufacturers consider the design of the tips so that doses are administered easily, effectively
Table 1: Comparison of mean and median weights, and standard deviations of drops dispensed from modified (n=27) and standard tips (n=28) (mg weight)
and safely. Mean (mg)
Currently the volume of eye drops dispensed is too large for the eye to hold. The average drop volume from different preparations
Standard deviation (mg)
Median (mg)
Standard tip
31.4
15.1
33.0
Modified tip
10.0
3.42
10.0
11
P value
<0.0001
old perseans
Stage 2 was an in vivo pilot study
1.0% delivered by standard and
dispenser could be consistently
to determine the effectiveness
modified tip were not significantly
achieved using a minim modified
and duration of dilation using
different. Both increased
with a Gilson D200 pipette tip.
1.0% Tropicamide dispensed
significantly more than with sham
Furthermore, both methods were
from a standard Minim dispenser
treatment, and also to the same
equally effective in achieving
compared to Minim modified with
maximum diameter as each other
maximum pupil dilation, with equal
Gilson tip.
(see Table 2) and recovered to
time to resolution to baseline,
baseline in the same amount of
meaning a similar therapeutic
time (see Figure 1).
effect was achieved using a smaller
The mean maximal pupil diameters induced by Tropicamide
The study tested the hypothesis
1.0% delivered by standard and
drop size.
modified tip were not different.
that the drop weight, and hence
Both increased more than with
volume, would be significantly and
Acknowledgements
sham treatment, and also to the
consistently reduced by attaching
I would like to thank Dr David
same maximum diameter as each
a Gilson pipette tip to a standard
Williams from the University of
other (12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13mm) and recovered to
Minim dropper (a single-dose
Cambridge Veterinary School
baseline equally quickly (330m).
dispenser) and will be associated
for his guidance and support
with an identical Tropicamide
over many weeks, in performing
increase in pupil diameter for the
induced maximal pupil dilation,
the experiments, analyzing and
sham treatment over the first 15
and earlier recovery compared to
interpreting results. I am very
minutes, which then returned
a standard Minim dropper. It was
grateful also to my supervisor Mrs
to baseline for the remainder of
demonstrated that a drop size
Banks for support in helping me
the experiment. The mean pupil
approximately one third of the
frame the project, and Mrs Kemp
diameters induced by Tropicamide
size of that from a standard Minim
for her advice on ophthalmology.
The results showed a small
Figure 1: Graph of pupil diameter in millimeters over time (mean and standard deviation) in minutes after application of drop or sham treatment using modified and standard tips.
Pupil diameter in mm
16 12 8 4
0 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
150 180 200 210 220 240 270 300 330
Time in minutes after Tropicamide 1.0% application or sham treatment sham treatment
mean of standard tip results
mean of modified tip results
Table 2: Mean maximum pupil diameter and time to maximum for all conditions for n=2 subjects Maximum pupil diameter (mm)
Time to maximum dilation (minutes)
Time to recovery to baseline (minutes)
Sham treatment
7
5
20
Modified tip (mean)
12
60
>330
Standard tip (mean)
13
60
330
12
school Feature news
& Response
to 0.0616mls. The version I use
Sometimes changes to clinical
is actually 0.5mls but I like the
protocols can be cost sensitive
historical provenance of its name.
within veterinary practice but it
I really like this study and I
sounds like attaching a Gilson
can see the huge benefits of
pipette may not be too onerous
subsequent application. It has
both in terms of difficulty or cost.
confidently established that
It was interesting that the
the modified tip will deliver a
sham treatment appeared to
consistently reduced drop weight.
cause an increase in pupil size
This, I can see, could help both
in the first 10 mins. Presumably
animals and people.
the act of putting drops into the
Examining the Tropicamide
dogs’ eyes caused a sympathetic
data sheet in a little more detail,
nervous system response? I
the current recommendations
would be interested to know
are clear for adults but less
how the pupil diameter was
so for children. “The dose for
measured. Possibly the dog
children will be decided by the
needed a few minutes to get
doctor or eye specialist.” Could
used to the measurement
there be an application for a
process? Or their handler?
smaller drop size in paediatric
Or maybe the drops caused
ophthalmic medicine I wonder?
an unpleasant sensation?
Tropicamide can occasionally Dr. Becky Lowten
cause hypersalivation as a side
BVetMed MRCVS
effect in cats and it would be
Again, it would be interesting to see if this is repeatable. The hypothesis of maximal
interesting to see if this could
pupil dilation with a smaller
irstly, congratulations
be reduced or eliminated with a
volume has definitely been
to Florence Clark for
smaller drop size. It would also be
achieved which gives great hope
producing an excellent
useful to find out if any other side
in terms of reducing side effects
piece of research and winning
effects of different medications
for patients. I certainly think the
the Rouse Essay prize! An
could be reduced or eliminated by
preliminary results would enable
amazing achievement and very
using the smaller drop size too. It
us to start thinking about a more
well deserved. I am slightly
would be important to establish
practical application, particularly
overwhelmed and humbled at
that efficacy could be maintained.
in our smaller patients.
F
Unfortunately the recovery
being asked to write a response.
There can be species-specific
What is a Minim? I associate
variations in terms of physiological
times, irrespective of drop size,
the term with the little plastic,
response to a particular medicine.
do still seem to be the same.
single use eye drops that live in
The dose needed to produce the
Therapeutically the standard tip
the bottom of my consulting room
desired effect could vary between
and the modified tip produce the
fridge. I have to admit I haven’t
species irrespective of eye size.
same results. Dogs will still have fuzzy vision for some time after
given them very much thought.
I would like to see the second
A quick scan through my trusty
part of this study repeated with
their test. Happily dogs rely very
Saunders veterinary dictionary
a larger sample size. This would
much on their sense of smell.
revealed, quite charmingly, that it is
give us more confidence in
They don’t need to drive cars
a unit of volume of liquids used in
implementing changes to clinical
or read the newspaper and so, I
the apothecary system equivalent
protocols in dogs.
suspect, the dogs won’t mind!
The hypothesis of maximal pupil dilation with a smaller volume has definitely been achieved which gives great hope in terms of reducing side effects for patients.
13
old perseans
Archivist’s Account David Jones
Joseph Behrmann Joseph Behrmann and the Behrmann Lecture Joseph Behrmann (1939) was a remarkable personality, never forgotten once met. His friend, actor Edward Fox, described him as a soul locked into a childhood hell.
J
oseph joined Hillel House in 1938 and returned to Riga for the summer holidays in 1939. When war broke out in September 1939, Joseph remained in the apparent safety of neutral Latvia. But in
1941 the Nazis overran the country on their march into Russia. Jews were rounded up and later sent to extermination camps. Between 1941 and 1945 Joseph passed through 14 camps, surviving them all by astonishing luck, yet remaining scarred for life by what he had seen. He had witnessed his mother shot dead for not displaying her Star of David – it was on the coat she had removed on a hot day. After the war Joseph worked for nine years in U.S. intelligence, and was a key witness at the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals. He then followed a career in acting, appearing in over a hundred films, even playing a brutal SS officer in Carve Her Name with Pride. He was an advisor for The Odessa File and Schindler’s List. His stage name, Joscik Barbarossa, was an ironic reference to Hitler’s Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Eastern Europe that shattered his teenage years. Though he had been at The Perse for just one year, it stayed in his thoughts. In July 1951 he visited the School playing fields, where War Memorial gates were to be built (our present gates), saying that to do so was like a dream and a miracle. In 1954 he wrote to the treasurer of the War Memorial Fund that these recently completed gates were an appropriate tribute to the war dead. In the camps, his mind had often gone back to the playing fields and the training in prowess and endurance that they represented. It was fitting that he should revisit the School on a perfect summer’s day in 1995, just a few months before his death. Accompanied by Edward Fox he spoke to the Sixth Form in sight of those fields, the memory of which had meant so much to him. He knew his health was failing and he was anxious to leave some lasting testimony to his experiences. He donated his books on the Holocaust which are now housed in the Barry Room, and the annual Behrmann Lecture is now established on that same theme. In 1984 he had argued that the 90-year-old Rudolph Hess, Hitler’s one-time deputy, should be released from prison to tell his story “for the sake of history and the generations unborn.” The Soviet Russians
From top: Joseph Behrmann as a schoolboy; Envelope addressed by Behrmann in 1966 to West
vetoed the proposal. But the Behrmann Lecture ensures that the stories of the Holocaust, and Joseph’s own story, continue to be told to the generations who never knew him.
Germany’s Bureau for the Prosecution of National Socialist
David Jones joined The Perse in 1974 as a history teacher and was
Crimes; Behrmann with famous
House Tutor at School House until 1982. He retired from teaching in
mime artist Marcel Marceau.
2008, but has continued at the School in his role as Archivist.
14
Archivist’s school news Account
Behrmann Lecture 2019: The Boy in the Statue The 2019 Behrmann Lecture was delivered by Sir Erich Reich on the topic ‘The Boy in the Statue’, talking about his life experiences and how his photograph was used by Frank Meisler when designing the Kindertransport sculpture at Liverpool Street Station. Upper Sixth pupils Blythe White,
Following on from his childhood, he discussed his life and how from Dorking, he was moved to London, and
Colin Tuchel and Pavan Tanna give
eventually ended up living in a Kibbutz in Israel, where he
their thoughts on the lecture:
E
volunteered for the Israeli army. Eventually, however, he came back to Britain as a result of his brother becoming
very year since 2011, the School has held
unwell and eventually dying of cancer. He succeeded
the Behrmann Lecture around Holocaust
in Britain, becoming a director of Thomas Cook and
Memorial Day, in honour of Old Persean Joseph
working with multiple charities. When he was offered a
Behrmann (1939), who survived 14 concentration camps
knighthood in 2010, Sir Erich spoke of real hesitancy in
and went on to be a key witness at the Nuremberg
accepting, but, in the end, decided that it was the right
trials. This year, the lecture was given by Sir Erich Reich
thing to do as the award wasn’t just for him, but for all
who, in 1939, at the age of four, was rescued from
those strangers who had played a vital role in his life. This same kindness of strangers was implied near the
Austria as part of the Kindertransport scheme; he is now himself a chairman of the Association of Jewish
end of his talk when responding to a question about
Refugees’ Kindertransport group. He spoke about the
what should be taken away from the talk. Although the
importance of the kindness of strangers and, more
Kindertransport was organised, ‘there have always been
specifically, the role that it has played in his life.
refugees,’ he commented. Recently, with those coming from Syria, there is a need for a response, and especially
Beginning with detailed and harrowing context, Sir Erich told how he was deported first from Vienna
organisation, to this constant necessity, he said.
to Poland, and then escaped to Britain less than a year
Critiquing the fact that only hundreds of refugees have
after Kristallnacht. He pronounced that his family gave
been admitted to this country as a result of the Syrian
life to him twice: once at birth and once when they let
refugee crisis, he called for more to be done. Maybe,
him go. Despite the abnormality of his circumstances,
as a country, we need to display more of this ever-vital
his childhood involved the same foolish moments as
kindness of strangers that occurred throughout Sir
us all: disagreeing with our parents, injuries caused
Erich’s life, and is so needed today.
by pushing a cart too fast, and getting into trouble by not telling our parents where we are. It was because of anecdotes such as these that Sir Erich was able to both provoke laughter from the audience and inspire awe at his extraordinary life story. Sir Erich was brought up by a German-speaking family in Dorking, Surrey. He recalled how his brother walked by him searching for his foster parents and Sir Erich did not recognise him nor did he even know that he had a brother. Although he was a self-confessed ‘difficult child’ to bring up, his foster parents looked after him, valued him, and he said that they became his parents, showing how important a role the kindness
Head Ed Elliott and Upper Sixth pupils Pavan Tanna,
of strangers played in his life.
Eve Meakin and Colin Tuchel with Sir Erich Reich.
Maybe, as a country, we need to display more of this ever-vital kindness of strangers that occurred throughout Sir Erich’s life, and is so needed today. 15
old perseans
OP NEWS Old Perseans have recently had a lot of success at university
Colin McFarlane (1970) played
level sport:
in Pinter Five as part of the
In December, Tim Harrison (2017) was selected for the Oxford Cross Country team in their varsity match against Cambridge.
Pinter at the Pinter season. Pinter at the Pinter was part of the
Both Zoe Durbin (2016) and Jasper Dix (2017) took to the turf
Pinter 10 partnership with the
at Twickenham for the varsity Rugby Matches on 6 December,
BFI, The Harold Pinter Estate
playing for the Dark Blues. Jasper also played in the U20s varsity
and Faber & Faber, which are
match in March (pictured), where he was joined by Henry Hackett
all marking the 10th anniversary
(2017) for Oxford and Hasan Cuthbert (2017) and George Laing
of Pinter’s death with a series
(2017) for Cambridge. Zoe was chosen to play in the 2nd team
of events celebrating the life of
match in March and was awarded Forward of the Match.
the playwright. Pinter Five was a
A record number of Old Perseans were selected for
triple bill including Harold Pinter’s
the Oxford and Cambridge teams in this year’s varsity
first play, The Room, as well as
hockey matches. Ellie Harrison (2017), Sofia Baldelli (2018),
the hilarious Victoria Station and
Rachael Harrison (2015), Conor Magowan (2015) and Nick
the reflective Family Voices.
Leach (2014) were awarded blues for Oxford. A further nine OPs competed in the 2nds/3rds/4ths matches – Libby Gower Isaac (2018), Tommy Goldberg (2017), Dilip Goyal (2015), Bradley Young (2016) and Will Woods (2015) for Oxford, and Fraser
Tess Howard (2017) has had
Allen (2018), Annabel Follows (2018), Anthony Kattuman (2016)
another successful hockey season.
and Ciaran Flaherty (2016) for Cambridge.
After featuring for Great Britain
We are always delighted to hear of alumni successes in
in every game during the 2018
university sport. If you have been awarded sporting colours by your
Women’s Champions Trophy,
university, please let us know by emailing perseado@perse.co.uk
and scoring against Japan, Tess was named as part of the GB team that faced New Zealand in the women’s first FIH Pro League match in February 2019.
After stepping down as Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017, Thomas Campbell
In December, OP Humphrey Jennings (1924) was
(1980) was named as the new
the subject of BBC Radio 4’s Great Lives. If you
Director and CEO of the Fine
missed the Eden Project’s Tim Smit talking about
Arts Museum of San Francisco,
Humphrey you can catch up with BBC Sounds!
California, in October 2018.
Ash Ogden’s (2008) short film Toby is now available to stream online after an international festival run that took it to the US, Canada and Ireland. It was screened at 13 festivals (including the BAFTA-affiliated London Short Film Festival) and took home three awards: ‘Best Cult/Weird/Experimental Film’, ‘Best Low Budget’ and ‘Best Humour’. Starring Old Perseans Josh Swarbrick (2008) and Tim Japp (2009), the film is a surreal and darkly comic take on social acceptance. Ash has just finished writing his next project, which he describes as ‘violently colourful’. You can watch Toby at www.professorstamen.com.
16
school OP News news
Midé Adenaike (2013) returned to The Perse in January with his a cappella vocal group The Sons of Pitches. The group held afternoon workshops with Perse pupils in the Perse Voices choir and Acappelicans group, teaching them about harmonies, chords and beatboxing, before performing a concert in the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre. Midé, who began beatboxing at 16, said it was a pleasure to return to The Perse and give a workshop with his colleagues. He said: “I feel quite honoured to be giving something back to The Perse after what the School gave me for so many years. The new performing arts centre feels like a serious venue as well and it’s great to be able to play here.”
Alex Coles (2018) made his rugby debut with the England U20s in Miles Pattenden (2000) was
their Six Nations opener against
a guest on BBC Radio 4’s In
Ireland on 1 February. This has
Our Time with Melvyn Bragg in
been a season of firsts for Alex,
January. He writes: “Our subject
who made his Euro debut for the
was Papal Infallibility – not the
Northampton Saints in January,
kind of thing you want to be
and his Premiership Rugby debut
wrong about live on air! – and
on 16 February, where the Saints
it was very nerve-wracking, but
won 67–17 against the Sale Sharks.
highly enjoyable, experience. As an academic, I’m always trying to find ways to reach wider audiences to share my research and ideas – I’m so glad I had the chance to do
Year Group Reps wanted!
this. We discussed how papal
We are currently looking for volunteers
authority developed, medieval
to be Year Group Reps. YGRs provide an
debates about its nature, and
indispensable service to The Perse by
how Infallibility emerged as a
helping and encouraging contact among
doctrine to constrain it. Later
alumni, as well as between the alumni
we explored the question
and the School, and providing feedback
of why Infallibility became
on the School’s programme of alumni
official Catholic teaching in the
events and communications. If you would
nineteenth century and how
like to be a YGR for your year please
modern popes have dealt with
contact Erin Charles at echarles@perse.
it. I hope the podcast proves
co.uk to find out more.
informative and entertaining for everyone who listens.”
Old Perseans John Hale (2006), Rory Munday (2012), Simon Sampson (2005) and Hugh Chatfield (2013) took part in the 2018 Thames Hare and Hounds Alumni Race in December. The team came an impressive 8th overall, despite the wet conditions on the 5 mile course. This is the second time The Perse has entered a team in the alumni race, and we are grateful to Simon Sampson for organising the event. The provisional date for the 2019 race is Saturday 14 December – do save the date and register your interest by emailing perseado@perse.co.uk
17
old perseans
ers w e r Ca o
rk sho p Attracting and Recruiting Talent The war for top talent has reached fever pitch â&#x20AC;Ś the issue, when it comes to recruiting, is that the vast majority of these potential employees are already employed. Often by your competition. So as an employer, what can be done to not only attract these hard-to-find employees to your cause, but to keep them there? Marcus Granville (1993), Director at Heat Recruitment, has detailed his four top tips.
18
school Careers news
Be clear about what you offer
The best employees are, by definition, unable to
Being transparent is a key way to generate employee
meet for an interview at 3pm on a Tuesday – no matter
buy-in. Transparency is perhaps the most powerful tool
how well it fits in with your schedule. Instead, arrange
a business leader has in their arsenal.
for an initial discussion via Skype outside the usual 9–5
So what does it mean to be transparent?
hours. Arrange for interviews during lunch hours, or
Communication, honesty, regular feedback, respect
perhaps even after work, and most importantly, create
and admitting wrongs are key and the benefits cannot
a succinct process with momentum. Nothing kills the
be overestimated, resulting in improved employee
excitement for a potential new employee as much as
engagement where your staff feel connected to the
an elongated interview process of many stages with
organisation, problems are solved more efficiently,
1–2 week gaps between each stage. More often than
accountability becomes a shared value, and employees
not your potential new candidate has interviewed twice
are easier to manage, work with, and most importantly,
elsewhere and accepted before you have managed to
retain. However, when targeting a passive employment
book in the third interview!
market, many of whom are already happy in their roles, Be prepared to pay for it
different strategies are required. Employers first need to look at their job descriptions.
Looking for the best deal is a part of business – no-one
Salaries described as “competitive” can, to be blunt, be
would reach the top of their field without getting the
off-putting. Many see it as synonymous with “as little
most for their investment. When it comes to hiring,
as we can get away with paying”, despite employers
however, investment talks. It doesn’t have to be strictly
actually offering a good remuneration package.
monetary – it can include training budgets, flexible
Tell candidates what it is you actually do. Share
working hours, the option to work from home and a
your company vision with them and paint a picture
host of other additions.
of how this potential candidate can be a part of
Many employers are, possibly as a remnant of
it. Ambitious candidates want to know how their
the last financial crisis, still looking for champagne
day-to-day activities will make a difference. If
candidates on a lemonade budget. If employers
you can define this in the job description, you’re
aren’t prepared to make a comparable offer for these
well on the way to a compelling offer. There’s
top tier candidates, they’re going to be at a strong
nothing worse for a top-tier employee than
disadvantage compared to the competition and
reading a job description about a “market leading”
remember, the talent-tug-of-war is increasingly tough.
company with “strong corporate culture”.
If you’ve got your eye on a particularly attractive
In today’s saturated market, it means nothing.
candidate, the chances are you’re not alone.
Employers need not only to be clear about what they offer but also to actually demonstrate it.
... top performers are built, not grown.
Create a talent pipeline Top talent has to start somewhere. If you, as a business leader, can identify top performers early in their careers, bring them on board with your company and help mentor them through the industry, then loyalty will have been truly earned. Get in touch with your local colleges and universities – visit jobs fairs. There are a huge range of options available for the discerning employer, options that too few businesses are taking advantage of. It’s a myth that top talent falls into the jobs market fully formed – top performers are built, not grown. Offer flexible interviews It’s no secret that we’re in the midst of a skills shortage. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t always mean the talent isn’t out there … in many cases it’s because the best talent is already happily working elsewhere. With such high levels of employment in the UK and a skills shortage particularly within niche sectors,
If you would like to find out more about bringing
employers are having to become more flexible with
the right talent on board, please get in touch:
how they actually interview the people they want on
marcus.granville@heatrecruitment.co.uk
their team. 19
old perseans
Obituaries Brian Drake (1944)
Laurence Drake (1981) writes: Father won a scholarship to The Perse, thus costing his father the princely sum of £1 per term. Academically he did well, earning school prizes with monotonous regularity every year in maths and sciences. During the war The Perse was one of the few Cambridge buildings to be bombed, and he recalled arriving one morning when the Headmaster, unaffectionately nicknamed “Gob”, told them, “No school today, boys”, whilst behind him the smoking remnants of the school hall dripped with water from the fire hoses. Bearing in mind how few bombs fell on Cambridge, it was an extraordinary coincidence that not only was the school hit, but so also was Gob’s house on Barrow Road … so he moved to Huntingdon Road – where he was promptly bombed out again! These events inspired him in his retirement to research an article on the Bombing of Cambridge, which is now in the archives of the London Imperial War Museum. He won a scholarship to St John’s College, Cambridge in 1944 to read Natural Sciences, thereby starting a family tradition there with his sons Laurence (1981) and Marcus (1984) reading Medicine, and grandson William (2015) studying Physics. After national service, in 1948 he switched to Preclinical Medicine. These students were allocated to the same body for dissection: Swallow, Swift, Swan, Drake and Pond! At Cambridge he foolishly risked everything in night climbing over the colleges. He marvelled at the nocturnal beauty and peace of those medieval courts viewed from the roofs. He managed to jump from the College gardens and climb over the Bridge of Sighs. He and three others, in peril from the feared University Proctor,
accessed the roof of the College’s Gatehouse tower, and hoisted a toilet to the top of the flagpole! The Cambridge Daily News published a photo and the rhyme they’d been urgently sent: “Come and see what you never did see – a WC where the flag ought to be!” In 1951 he defected to Oxford to study Clinical Medicine at Balliol and the Radcliffe Infirmary, and at 31, he became Histon’s GP, on call day and night, until retirement in 1990. He usually visited patients by bicycle, which they loved. He was extremely popular and a kind, respected doctor. In the appalling winter of 1963 he attempted to skate from Cambridge to Ely. At Clayhithe, the ice gave way under the bridge near a sewage outlet. A photo appeared in the Cambridge News under a heading of “A ducking for Dr Drake”. Retirement began in 1990, with his partner Janet (he had divorced from his Danish wife in 1974). A Histon road was named in his honour: Drake Way. He had tremendous talent in playing the piano and organ, passing the LRAM and LRCM exams. He gave recitals – even sometimes after morning surgeries to drug reps, if they were attractive enough! With a violinist friend (or son Laurence) he performed successfully in the Cambridge Competitive Music Festival. He learnt the organ in King’s College Chapel and also St John’s, filling these wonderful buildings with fabulous music, usually Bach. Occasionally whilst practising on 20
the Histon organ he’d leave a notice on his surgery door: ‘If you need a doctor urgently please rattle the church vestry door!’ In 1988 he gave an impressive recital on King’s Chapel organ. He was a kind, good humoured, gentle and generous man and father. He had considerable talent, but selfdoubt and modesty would always prevent any hint of arrogance. At the age of 90 he was still cycling into Cambridge, having been blessed with excellent health. Over the last year, cerebrovascular disease necessitated spending his last months in a nursing home, where he showed gratitude and politeness throughout. He passed away peacefully and before he’d lost much dignity or suffered unduly. There is a great deal to be thankful for in all that.
Benjamin Moore (1950)
John Harris (1950) writes: Ben Moore died last year aged 86, after an undiagnosed debilitating illness. We were contemporaries throughout our school days, and in fact we must have met even before school, as our fathers were founding members of the Dunn Nutritional Laboratory, and our families firm friends. I think it would be fair to say that already at school Ben showed that adventurous spirit that shaped his
school Obituaries news
later life. He was usually the one to suggest a new, daring escapade. A keen sportsman (perhaps rugby above all), he became captain of most of what were then referred to as “minor sports” – tennis, fives (in that unique court at the old Gonville Place site) – and boxing too, I think. I also have to thank him for introducing me to the pleasures of rowing on the Cam with the now defunct Cambridge Scouts Boat Club. Though not an outstanding academic he won an Exhibition to Christ’s. But before going up he did national service. During Officer training he fell 90 feet while climbing Tryfan in North Wales. In 1952 he was in Korea, where, aged 20, he was severely injured when leading a patrol in the demilitarised zone between South and North. At Christ’s he read geology and rowed bow in the College eight. Then after several years prospecting for oil in Canada and Brazil (which he later wrote up in Alberta to the Amazon), he surprised us all by retraining as a doctor, all paid for from his earnings in geology. He went on to a very successful career, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Consultant in Hereford. Before that, while working in Birmingham, he helped establish the country’s first menopause clinic. This work led to the award of the Cambridge MD. Both before and after retirement from the NHS he worked extensively overseas, including Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia and more. He is survived by his wife Veronica (who I have to thank for much of the detail here), four children and five grandchildren. It was a pleasure to meet him and a few other contemporaries several times in the last ten years or so, thanks to the initiative of another contemporary, the late Richard Dent (1950). Although physically impaired Ben’s spirit and great sense of humour were as robust as ever.
Michael George Rhodes (1953)
Peter Goodchild writes: Mick (as he was known throughout his career) was born in Wye, Kent on 6 August 1935, to Frederick and Norah (née Collier) Rhodes. After WW2, the family settled near Cambridge. Mick joined The Perse, where he excelled in cross-country, rugby and sailing, the last of which became an enduring passion. After national service with the army in Germany and in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising, he studied Zoology at Bangor University. He was tempted away from PhD studies in 1964, sailing to Greenland and Baffin Island on a 60-year-old pilot cutter with the explorer Bill Tilman. Mick made a film about their journey, which he used as a passport to a job in the BBC Radio science department. One of his programmes there, Mr Blake, on the treatment of schizophrenia, won a Prix Italia and, in 1968, he was offered a job on Horizon. Over the next three years Mick produced films on everything from rheumatism to rail crashes but soon made his first natural history film, The Wood (1971), about Wytham Woods. This led Mick to The Making of a Natural History Film (1972), about a group of scientist-filmmakers at Oxford Scientific Films. With great natural history filming and a surprisingly dramatic storyline, this modest film won not only a BAFTA and a Prix Italia, but an Emmy as well. In autumn 1972, Mick arrived in Bristol to take over as head of the BBC’s Natural History Unit. The staff were sceptical of Mick and his limited natural history filming experience, but David Attenborough, who was just standing down from the BBC’s senior 21
management to return to programme making, thought well of him. The two met and soon were talking about the crucial additional outside funding needed for a major series. Attenborough had contacts at Warner Bros and Mick followed them up – successfully. Over the next three years, he negotiated the funding, staffing and planning of Life on Earth, which was broadcast in 1979, as the first of the BBC’s blockbuster natural history series fronted by Attenborough and seen all over the world. In 1977 Mick launched Wildlife on One, which ran for 28 years, as well as Badger Watch, the first show to use infrared cameras to show how animals live in the wild. By the time Mick resigned in 1978, the Natural History Unit was well under way to becoming the internationally renowned production centre it is now. Mick moved to the US, partly to set up a US version of Wildlife on One, and partly to be with Barbara Benedek, a New York researcher for the BBC whom he had met while she was on secondment in London, and whom he was to marry in 1986. In 1981, Mick returned to the BBC and in 1984 took over as Head of BBC Science Features, spending five years managing Tomorrow’s World, Horizon, QED and Your Life in Their Hands. In 1989, he went back to producing programmes. Among numerous other projects, he thoroughly enjoyed making segments for Gardeners’ World and Countryfile. In 1996, Mick and Barbara bought a house in France, where Mick spent his time working on the property, watching birds and gardening. For the next 12 years he divided his time between France and the UK. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2008. Mick passed away on 1 September 2018 and is survived by Barbara; and by Nori, the daughter from his first marriage, and two grandsons. This is an abridged version of the obituary published in The Guardian, and is reproduced here with kind permission of Peter Goodchild and Barbara Rhodes.
old perseans
as a Reserve for a further 10 years. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and only resigned in 1970 when work and family commitments prevented him fulfilling his regular training duties. Hugh continued to play hockey and cricket regularly. A weekend hockey match took him to Oxted in Surrey where he and Patricia later settled to bring up their family. Hugh began working as a qualified chartered accountant at Allan Charlesworth & Co in 1964, just a year before Sarah, his first daughter, was born. By 1969, soon after his second daughter Anna was born, he had already made it to the ranks of Partner. Hugh remained
with the same firm, which merged to become Hays Allan, until his retirement in 1996. Hugh had never been one for idleness, and after ‘retiring’ took on consultancy work, continuing even after a cancer diagnosis. Despite this ongoing determination to keep working Hugh continued to spend much of his spare time with his five grandchildren, for whom he was a trusted and much-loved role model. Retirement also gave Hugh the chance to indulge his passion for cricket. He got his long-awaited Membership of the MCC in 2008 and attended matches at Lord’s with friends whenever he could. If there was a theme to Hugh’s life it would surely be that he was liked and respected wherever he went. He had an easy friendly way about him, and a genuine interest in others. He was witty, intelligent and a good conversationalist. Hugh sadly lost his long-fought battle with cancer on Christmas Day 2018. His ashes were scattered by his family at The Harris Memorial Garden at Lord’s cricket ground.
teaching diploma from Loughborough Teacher Training College. Derek spent all of his working life as head of PE at Abbotsholme School where he was appointed in 1960 and remained until his retirement in 1998. He left a very significant mark there taking on roles including Riversholme housemaster and head of Outdoor Education, leading many skiing and mountaineering trips and overseeing the design and building of Reddie Hall sports complex. He remained very much involved with Abbotsholme School after retirement, being on the school council until 2018. Away from school, Derek had a very important role in the development of youth cricket in England. He was passionate about cricket and was instrumental in the formation and development of the England Under 19 National Cricket Team (now called the Young
Lions) in the 1970s, ’80s, and, ’90s. He was Chairman of Selectors for England Under 19 for over 20 years (1976–1997) and chaired the National Cricket Junior and Youth Committee over the same period. He was on the County Cricket Club Committee of both Staffordshire (1973–1998) and Derbyshire (1999–2006). Derek had a number of other interests to which he devoted much time. In particular, he loved music and was a founder member of the Abbotsholme Arts Society and was on the committee since its inception in 1968. Derek loved the great outdoors and especially loved visiting Golan in North Wales and Saas Fee – the “Pearl of the Alps”. Derek died peacefully in Royal Stoke University Hospital on 1 November after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children and six grandchildren.
Hugh Thomas (1954)
Luke Lordon writes: Hugh was born in Salisbury in 1936 but in 1938 the family left for Africa and Hugh didn’t return ‘home’ until he started at The Perse in 1947. With his family still in Nairobi, The Perse became very much a second home for Hugh and his time there clearly made a huge impression on him. He was proud to have been a prefect, head of his boarding house, vice-captain of the hockey team and earn cricket colours. Recalling intricate details, he loved to regale his family with tales of his school days. The Perse lifestyle clearly suited his personality and made a significant contribution to his personal development and the disciplined approach he took to life long after he left school in 1954. After The Perse Hugh undertook national service with the Navy and during a training exercise met Patricia who was serving with the WRNS. He took articles with Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants and married Patricia in September 1961, continuing his Royal Naval Service
Derek Sederman (1956)
Andy Sederman writes: Derek Sederman was a pupil at The Perse School from 1945–1956 (including four years in the Perse Preparatory School) – he particularly enjoyed mathematics, no doubt encouraged by the head of maths there – his father, Vic Sederman. After leaving The Perse he obtained his
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school Obituaries news
Louis Carr (2018)
Sara Carr writes: “One of a kind” was how Henry Tully (2018) described Louis, speaking at his funeral. We lost our beloved Louis on 21 November 2018. He was the funniest, most handsome and clever boy (and naughty). Louis joined The Perse in Year 8 and soon made the most lovely, lifelong friends. He adored the School and met such amazing young people who we are all still in touch with and regale us with hilarious antics both in and out of school (some of which I’m not sure I should know!). Louis suffered from anxiety and mental health issues but one would never pick up on this, despite how close we were. He reminds me of Robin Williams, whose friends said “He was always happy. Everyone adored him.” Anthony Bourdain’s best friend also said “He loved his life and had this extraordinary ability to just connect with people.” Louis had such fun being part of PES even though we’d wait on a Friday night in the car park to see what injury had occurred! A highlight of his life was the South Africa Rugby tour. I missed him so much and never saw anyone devouring bacon sandwiches the way he did when I picked him up from school! He was awarded “Bloke of the Tour” – I did remind him that this wasn’t “player of the tour”... After his death Colesy (Alex Coles, 2018), as Captain, told me that the vote was pretty much unanimous – we had a cry together, and yes, I had to climb on to a chair to give Colesy a hug!
He also loved the football tour to Porto and had a fabulous time. Louis got incredible marks in his history, classics and politics A Levels and I’m so, so proud of him. He played hard, but worked hard too. It is a testament to The Perse that his friends are still constantly in our house, which I adore. So polite but so, so loving and funny. Louis was there for all of them 24/7 and they adored him. Some of the videos that they’ve shown me, filmed in the Sixth Form Common Room shouldn’t really be mentioned though (sorry Mr Morgan). Paul Gething has lovingly planted a tree in the grounds, which I can’t wait to see in the spring, and I thank The Perse for their support and for the lovely tribute at the rugby match back in December. In memory of Louis, I would like to thank you all – I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of pupils, staff and parents – and just to remind you that sometimes, the biggest lie we tell is the smile on our face.
Recent Events
Perse Players Gala Dinner: Saturday 9 February In February we held a gala dinner celebration of the performing arts at The Perse, 70 years to the day since Peter Hall took to the stage in the title role of the Perse Players’ production of Hamlet. We were joined by 100 guests, including some members of the original 1949 cast. After touring the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre, guests enjoyed an exclusive production
In Memoriam
in the auditorium, where OPs
Colin Whitworth Allen (1945)
and current pupils reprised their
died 5 February 2019, aged 89 years
roles from past Perse Players
Thomas John Bartaby Russell (1951)
died November 2018, aged 84 years
shows. Guests then enjoyed a three-course dinner in the main hall before Kenneth Tharp
John Hardman Baxter (1949)
(1978) took to the stage as guest
died 2018, aged 88 years
speaker, reminding the audience
Ralph George Birch (1958)
died October 2018, aged 78 years David Tullideph Birnie (1961)
about the wide-ranging benefits of the arts in education. OP Sports Festival:
died 5 September 2018, aged 75 years
Saturday 30 March
John Lester Clayson (1950)
current pupils took part in
died 7 December 2018, aged 87 years Michael Peter Cliff (1986)
Over 200 Old Perseans and fixtures as part of our 2019 Old Persean Sports Festival. The sun
died 22 October 2018, aged 50 years
was shining as OPs competed in
Colin William Grommet Darkin (1964)
Run, tennis, basketball, netball,
died 8 May 2018, aged 72 years Kenneth Harwood (1957)
seven sports: the Roman Road football, hockey and touch rugby. We were delighted to see OPs
died September 2018, aged 77 years
from the Classes of 1987–2018
This list was up-to-date when we went to print. Obituaries may be read in full on our website: perse.co.uk/obituaries
an even bigger event in 2020! For
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competing and look forward to match reports and photos please visit perse.co.uk/recent-events.
old perseans
Upcoming Events Upcoming Reunion Dinners 2019/20: Classes of 2005–2010 2020/21: Classes of 1980s 2021/22: Classes of 1990s Benefactors’ Reception Saturday 15 June 2019 12.30pm, The Perse. By invitation. OP Cricket Friday 21 June 2019 Play from 2pm, The Perse. Open to all. Community Lecture: Bridget Kendall MBE Wednesday 25 September 2019 7.30pm, The Perse. Open to all. 2005–2010 Reunion Dinner Saturday 25 April 2020 6.45 for 7.30pm, The Perse Open to the Classes of 2005–2010. OP Sports Festival Saturday 21 March 2020 Timings TBC, The Perse Open to all. Half Century Club Lunch Saturday 16 May 2020 12.00 for 12.30pm, The Perse. Open to those who left in 1970 or before. For more information Please visit perse.co.uk/alumni/events or contact the Alumni & Development Office by telephone on +44 (0)1223 403 808 or email PerseADO@perse.co.uk. Old Perseans and Friends
Alumni & Development Office www.perse.co.uk/alumni
@OldPerseans
The Perse School Hills Road Cambridge, UK, CB2 8QF
Old Perseans
Tel: +44(0)1223 403 808 PerseADO@perse.co.uk
The Perse School is a registered charity no. 1120654 24
