Eagle News
Issue 117 January-June 2018 The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
New 1st VIII boat named after OBM Inside:
Letter from the Head 3
OBM President Election 4
Sports Roundup 20
The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club Founded 1892
Issue 117 January-June 2018 Bedford Modern School Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NT Telephone: 01234 332663 Email: externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk School telephone: 01234 332500 School fax: 01234 332550 Website: www.bedmod.co.uk President: Richard Greenhalgh (1958-63) Chairman: The Headmaster, Alex Tate
New 1st VIII boat named after OBM Mike Biggs.
Facebook: /BedfordModernSchool /Bedmod Twitter: @bedfordmodern @OBM_Club LinkedIn: Bedford Modern School Bedford Modern School is part of the Harpur Trust: a company limited by guarantee Registered in England: Company Number: 3475202 Registered Office: Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ Registered Charity Number: 1066861 The views of contributors are their own and not necessarily those of Bedford Modern School
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Contents 3
Letter from the Head
20
Sports Roundup
4
Election of a President
30
Memory Stir
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OBM Events Gallery
34
Obituaries
8
School and OBM News
46
Directory of OBM Services
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Letter from the Head Alex Tate
It has been a tremendous first year as Headmaster and undoubtedly one of the very best aspects has been the pleasure of getting to know the BMS community better and in particular meeting OBMs who span so many age groups. You have all made me feel so welcome and I have enjoyed hearing your memories of school life, what you liked and also, on occasion, what you didn’t necessarily like. I very much look forward to continuing this voyage of discovery in the coming weeks and months.
For a newcomer, then, I was intrigued that at OBM events it is expected that we still sing the School Song and, what’s more, we sing the original version even though an increasing number of younger OBMs are attending who have no knowledge of it. As a number of you have spoken to me about either singing or, indeed, not singing it I would very much like to canvas opinions on the matter. As a historian myself I can fully appreciate the tradition and respect we show to the past by singing it but as the Headmaster of a school which welcomes both girls and boys I am mindful that it is also rather exclusive. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk.
Currently the summer issue of Eagle News only covers news from January to June but I felt that the announcement in August of the death of OBM and former member of staff, Richard Wildman, was far too important not to be mentioned. We will of course include a full tribute to him in the next issue but on behalf of everyone at BMS I wanted to say how very sorry we all were to hear the news. Richard attended BMS as a student from 1956 to 1965 and subsequently returned to the school in 1997 assisting the previous archivist, Andrew Underwood, for two years before taking over the positon himself in 1999. He was also secretary to the OBM Club for 16 years before his retirement in 2016. Regrettably, I never met him in person but many staff and former students have spoken to me warmly of Richard and I understand that he was quite a character around school. He was the dedicated guardian of BMS history for some 18 years and I am indebted to him for leaving us with The School of the Black and Red and The BMS We Knew; books which I have found fascinating and informative in equal measure. He will be sorely missed by staff, students and the huge number of OBMs whose lives he touched in so many ways but his legacy will live on here at school.
On a final and somewhat practical note, the current timetable for production of Eagle News doesn’t fit naturally with the end of the academic year and so we intend to shift the timing slightly in future so that we can accommodate news from July and possibly August in the summer issues. In turn, the winter editions will be published slightly later, too. With my very best wishes I have found it rather interesting that during my conversations with OBMs one topic frequently crops up and appears to divide opinion and that is the matter of the School Song. Whilst it was sung on many occasions during the school year after its introduction in the 1920s it became less and less relevant in the early 2000s as the House System changed and the School became coeducational. As a result it was gradually phased out from school life and it hasn’t been sung at BMS now for many years. To celebrate the 250th anniversary new words were written which better reflected the BMS of today but it was only ever sung by the Chamber Choir at the Anniversary Concert.
Alex Tate Headmaster
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Exciting Opportunity to become the next OBM Club President When the School took over the management of the OBM Club in January 2016 it was agreed that the President would be elected for the first time from the OBM Club membership in its widest sense. In the Memorandum of Understanding, which was put into place at the time, certain criteria were stipulated regarding this appointment. They include the following: • The President, an honorary position, will act as the figurehead for the OBM Club and serve a maximum two year term of office. Upon appointment, the President will become a member of the BMS Foundation Board and will have the remit to engage or reengage OBMs and help to raise funds for bursary provision. • The President will have the necessary skills and attributes to act as a figurehead for the OBM Club; be comfortable speaking in public, and understand and accept the requirements of being a member of the Foundation Board so is likely to have left BMS at least ten years before successful election.
proposals on how you would personally be able to develop the OBM Club using your skills, expertise or connections by email to externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk or by post to Julie Ridge, Director of External Relations, Bedford Modern School, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7NT. Nominations must be received by midday on 12 October 2018. Nominations received after this date will not be valid. A shortlist will then be drawn up with help from the OBM Club Advisory Group based on the criteria outlined above. The shortlisted candidates will be featured in the winter issue of Eagle News and the voting process will commence. It is customary that the incoming President takes up post at the Founder’s Dinner in June so an announcement will be made in advance of that date.
Please contact Julie Ridge, Director of External Relations (jridge@bedmod.co.uk) if you have any questions on the nature of this position and the commitment it entails.
“Being President is hugely rewarding. Connecting OBMs together in different events, and thereby adding value to the school and its current pupils is great. Thanks to the effectiveness of the staff involved, the role does not take up much of my time. I do urge anyone interested to have a go - if selected you won’t regret it!” Current OBM Club President, Richard Greenhalgh
• The President is required to attend certain OBM Club events such as the Christmas Lunch, Founder’s Commemoration Dinner and the London Lunch and others, which could be School events, where appropriate. We are now inviting nominations from OBMs for this position for the period 2019 to 2021. If you wish to be considered please send a brief curriculum vitae and a supporting statement of no more than 500 words at this stage outlining your suitability for the post which should include
Dates for your Diary 4
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15 December 2018 • Girls’ Sport Festival,
• The Bruce Willey Memorial Match • OBM Club Christmas Lunch
01 March 2019
• OBM Club London Lunch
OBM Events
OBM Events Gallery (January - June 2018)
128th Founder’s Commemoration Dinner This year’s Founder’s Dinner celebrated Performance Arts at BMS with an evening full of surprises. Guests were treated to a show on arrival featuring some of our current students and we welcomed back OBMs Fergus Dale (2004-15), Simon Whitaker (2006-15) and Thomas Robinson (2005-15) to the BMS stage to perform a spellbinding rendition of Bring Him Home.
During the meal each course was followed by a performance from a current student coupled with an OBM covering dance, musical theatre and drama. Our thanks to Sara-Jayne Berrill (2006-11), Emily Carter (2015-17) and David Hall (2007-14) for making this so memorable.
Special thanks also to Hugh Dinsdale (1960-69) who helped put together a display by bringing in some programmes from shows performed during his time at school. It was also tremendous to welcome Helen Rees Bidder back to BMS as our Guest of Honour.
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OBM Events
OBM Events Gallery (January - June 2018)
Networking Event
Lots of new connections were made at our second networking event, hosted at the Lansdowne Club in London on 04 May. This event focused on the diverse world of finance and was aimed at those who are interested in pursuing a career in this area but equally those who are already established in their profession. We were delighted that more than 50 OBMs could join us.
Classical Showcase Another wonderful evening of music took place on Thursday 26 April as OBMs again joined the school choir and musicians to showcase the brilliant talent of the whole BMS community.
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OBM Events
To see more visit the picture gallery in the OBM section of the BMS website
London Lunch 2018
OBM Sporting Events
Despite the best efforts of the ‘Beast from the East’ to derail the London Lunch, more than 130 OBMs still managed to make it to the House of Commons and enjoy a three course meal with old friends.
As has become tradition three OBM teams returned for the annual OBM vs BMS football fixtures in March. The matches in the end proved fairly even, with a 7-0 win for the OBM first team, a 2-2 draw for the seconds, and a 3-2 BMS win against the thirds.
We also ran our first mixed hockey tournament alongside the football, with OBM and school teams facing each other.
Due to lower numbers than expected at the OBM Water Polo event this year there was only one official match, with the BMS side managing to beat the OBMs by one goal. After this, the teams were mixed up to play friendly games for the rest of the afternoon.
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Success for BMS at the First Lego League Regional Tournament On Tuesday 16 January, a group of 10 students from Years 7 to 9 competed in the First Lego League (FLL) regional tournament at Cambridge University. The BMS team were incredibly successful winning the Project round in which twelve teams identify, research and present a solution to the theme of this year’s tournament, Hydro Dynamics. The First Lego League is a global event spanning 80 countries. Now in its nineteenth year, this annual competition continues its exploration of real world problems. The team and the two coaches had been busy preparing since September. There are three rounds in the competition. In the Robot Game, the practical element of the tournament, teams design and programme a robot using Lego Mindstroms technology to complete a set of missions. The Project encourages teams to think about and improve how people find, transport and dispose of water culminating in a presentation at the end of the day. Finally, teams are expected to embody the Core Values by learning together and demonstrating friendly competition. The BMS team performed very well in the Core Values interview and at the end of the tournament were awarded a trophy for the best Project by Andrew Smythe from The Great British Bake Off. Ed Kerr, Team BMS coach, said: “First Lego League has enabled the students to develop a range of skills in a fun and engaging way. This year’s event has been a positive experience for all of those involved, we are enthused to continue the growth of FLL within BMS.” Despite their success, the BMS team was not chosen as the overall winners to progress to the national event. However the students had a fun day creating innovative solutions, gaining presentation and team-working skills and applying science, technology, engineering and maths concepts to solve a problem.
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School and OBM News
International Model United Nations On Saturday 03 February, 15 students in Years 9 to 13 attended John Warner School’s International Model United Nations event. Students took on the role of delegates from around the world and debated a broad range of international issues.
Joshua Forrester, Year 13, the student lead at the event, said: “Model UN never fails to be challenging and fun. While we all improve our debating skills at the competition, BMS students always enjoy themselves and meet new people.”
The annual event saw 11 schools take part representing more than 30 countries. BMS students acted as delegations from three: China, South Korea and Uruguay. The students spent the day lobbying for support for their country’s propositions and debating issues such as North Korea’s nuclear programme and the question of space weapons. After the debates the general assembly saw more than 100 students come together in an attempt to pass a resolution. The day ended with a ceremony in which BMS students won multiple personal awards. Year 12 students Caleb Savery and Natasha Hardaker won the title of distinguished delegates for South Korea and the Human Rights Committee respectively. Ed Forrester (Year 11) was highly commended as a South Korean delegate. In the team awards the BMS delegation of China came in second place in the competition.
Robert Luff Medical Essay Scholarship During assembly on Tuesday 06 February, Headmaster Alex Tate announced Sixth Form student Meera Kumar as the winner of this year’s Robert Luff Medical Essay Scholarship. The scholarship prize was set up by the late OBM Robert Luff who was significantly involved in supporting and progressing medical research and education, particularly at BMS. Year 12 students interested in a career in medicine were invited to write up to 1,500 words on a subject chosen by a guest adjudicator who this year was OBM and dentist Dr Anand Lakhani. In her essay entitled: Discuss the Health Risks of a High Sugar Diet and How Effective a Sugar Tax May Be, Meera concluded that although a sugar tax in itself might help to reduce sugar consumption, it is only one element of the medicines, equipment and techniques available to medical practitioners which are needed to tackle this issue.
Meera, who hopes to study medicine at university, said: “I was shocked when I discovered I had won. Writing the essay was a great opportunity to discover more about the topic and I feel like I learnt a great deal.”
The scholarship offers a prize of £1,000 deducted from the two years of Sixth Form school fees.
David Jenkins, Meera’s biology teacher, commented: “All the students who were presented with a certificate by the Headmaster today are outstanding members of the BMS community. They are very caring young people who will make great doctors in due course. They are all very bright, highly motivated and intensely academic. This year’s judge had a very tough time trying to separate them but in the end Meera’s work was extremely well referenced and she was a deserving winner.”
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Festival success for BMS speech and drama students BMS students took part in the Milton Keynes Festival of the Arts on the 17 and 18 February in which more than 500 students in the local area compete for prizes in various dramatic classes. Our students were placed in every class entered and won four out of the seven. Four Year 12 students performed exceptionally well in the duologue classes. Lilys Templeman and Holly Sullivan formed one pair and Alasdair McGlashan and Karthik Baiju another and both claimed first place. Year 13 students Thomas Mullan and Bertie Ensor-Clinch both won their classes and achieved the only ‘outstanding’ awards of the competition. Shelly Leather, Head of Speech and Drama, said: “I am thrilled by this set of results. It is testament to all the students’ hard work.” Just a couple of weeks later, from 03 to 10 March, our talented students performed at the Bedfordshire Festival of Speech, Drama and Music. More than 200 students entered with pieces from a variety of disciplines. We were awarded the most placings ever across the board; more than 60 students, including our highest amount of first places. In addition five performers were marked as ‘outstanding’. Miriam Templeman and Georgina Williams won the George Cups for their Shakespeare duologue for the third year in a row and Thomas Mullan, Emily Daw and Jess Prior were invited to perform at the Gala Concert representing the very best of the festival. In the case of Emily and Jess this is particularly notable as it is the first time we have had Junior School performers invited for Speech and Drama.
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Unfortunately Thomas was unable to attend as he was playing Riff, one of the lead characters, in BMS’s sell-out production of West Side Story on the same evening.
School and OBM News
Junior School library turns 20 This year World Book Day was particularly significant as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Junior School library. A celebration was held in the library with selected students from each class together with the Year 6 librarians who enjoyed hearing extracts from some of the teachers’ favourite children’s books read by the teachers themselves. The books included The Folk of the Faraway Tree, Swallows and Amazons, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and even a story read in French, Une Histoire Sombre. The Junior School library was opened in 1998 by the then Headmaster of the Middle School, Christopher Nicholson. In 2003 Prince Edward visited BMS to open the Christopher Fry Hall and spent some time in the library. Since then the room has been refurbished thanks to a donation from the Parents’ Association.
They funded multiple items such as colourful mats and the popular floor cushions ‘Harry the Hedgehog’ and ‘Cressida the Crocodile’. Jane Simmons, who runs the Junior School library, said: “It is great to see the facility as popular as ever. It is a fantastic resource enjoyed by the students and fosters a love of books from an early age. I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this such a memorable day. Here’s to the next 20 years!”
House Boards There was an impressive new display in the Robert Luff Foyer in March with the arrival of the new BMS House Boards. Each year students battle it out to produce the most striking panel and this year the boards needed to feature students enjoying house competitions and activities. Students were encouraged to be as creative as possible and think about aesthetics as well as content. They worked hard on their boards during the term and the results were fantastic! The judges had a difficult job but the joint winners this year were Farrar and Rose.
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CCF visit to Sandhurst A group of cadets from BMS CCF took part in a two-day visit to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 14 and 15 December. The visit coincided with the Sovereign’s Parade hosted by HRH Prince Harry, representing Her Majesty The Queen, who inspected the Army’s newest batch of officer recruits graduating from the prestigious military academy. The cadets enjoyed a tour of the Academy on the first day and helped to seat parents and guests before the Sovereign’s Parade on the Friday. On Thursday afternoon the party visited the Military Chapel at Sandhurst. There are seven OBMs from the School WW1 Roll of Honour who were trained at Sandhurst
pre-war and thus are commemorated on the WW1 regimental memorial panels in the Church. The students managed to track down six of the seven names. In addition, two OBMs who are currently on their commissioning courses at the Academy took time out to speak with the cadets. Ed Munno (2001-12) is part way through his training and Ben Ramsden (2003-13) passed out during the Sovereign’s Parade marking the completion of a year’s intensive training. Both spoke to the group about their experiences of life following school, university, the University Officers’ Training Corps and their time on the commissioning course.
BMS Contingent Commander, Alex Smith, said: “I am extremely grateful that these gentlemen gave up their time to support the cadet forces and their former school; the night before the parade is extremely busy for the officer cadets. This was a valuable opportunity for our students, and something we do not normally have access to.”
Certificate of Meritorious Service for BMS Contingent Commander On 05 March, the Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at BMS, Major Alexander Smith, received Her Majesty Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Service at an awards ceremony held at the Sculpture Gallery in Woburn. Certificates of Meritorious Service are intended to supplement Honours bestowed by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists and, in precedence, ranks immediately after such awards. Major Alexander Smith took the post of School Staff Instructor in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) in 2012 after a successful career as a regular Royal Signals Soldier. His enthusiasm and professionalism have led to a broadening of the opportunities available to the cadets in school, especially since his appointment as Commanding Officer. Cadets have benefitted from periods of time at sea on HMS Ocean, successful nominations for Lord-Lieutenant Cadet positions, a reestablishment of flying training for the RAF section and his liaison with the Defence
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Helicopter Training School to provide acquaint flights during training periods. The number of cadets on roll has risen, retention has been bolstered and the morale of both cadets and adult volunteers has improved. As a direct result of the efforts of Major Smith, the cadet experience has been improved considerably.
Within the community, Major Smith is a keen amateur historian and is actively involved in research into the history of the Great War, particularly that of the involvement of OBMs. In his civilian role, Major Smith is responsible for the Outdoor Education department at BMS.
School and OBM News
1st VIII boat named after OBM Mike Biggs BMS rowers were out in force on Sunday 11 February for the 22nd Bedford Eights and Fours Head, a 2000m rowing course downstream on the Great River Ouse. The occasion was particularly significant this year as we used the opportunity to hold a ceremony to christen the school's new 1st VIII after OBM Mike Biggs. We were joined by current parents, staff and students as well as Mike’s family and friends. Mike attended BMS between 1991 and 2001 and was fully involved in the life of the School. He was Senior Cadet of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) 2000-1 as part of the RAF section and rowed until 2000.
He is, however, better known for starting the annual OBM vs BMS boat race in 2005 with the then Director of Rowing, Richard Follett. He also re-founded Lady Rohesia Boat Club, the official rowing club for BMS alumni with help from OBM and former school archivist, Richard Wildman. Year 13 student Glen Mulkerrins, current BMS Captain of Boats, spoke warmly of Mike as he introduced our guest of honour after which Mike christened the boat in the traditional way. He said: “This is one of my proudest moments as an OBM. Naming a boat is the most prestigious thing that an oarsman may be asked to do, the name on the bow is also a one off! It is also such a wonderful thing to share the moment with family and friends.
"Since joining BMS in the September of 1991, I have not really left. I always thoroughly enjoyed my time at the top of the hill and down at the river. Even after leaving school, rowing at Bedford Rowing Club post-university, was always a pleasure. I have always enjoyed seeing the school crews progress whilst umpiring, which led me to start the Captain of Boats Award.” Mark Bavington, BMS Director of Rowing added: “Biggsy has been a huge supporter of BMSBC for as long as I can remember and is always a pleasure to have around. His commitment to OBM rowing has made him hugely popular with both current and former BMS rowers.”
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Students excel in British Biology Olympiad The British Biology Olympiad is a national competition consisting of two multiple choice papers based on a broad biological knowledge beyond the A Level specification and set by the Royal Society of Biology. This year 7,800 students took part between 23 and 31 January including 12 from BMS of which nine achieved a medal, placing them in the top 35% of entrants.
Two of our students won certificates from the Olympiad; Lamisha Ahmed won a commended certificate and Lauryn Mayson won a highly commended certificate. Six students achieved the bronze medal: Matteo Carraturo, Oliver Colbert, Dan Criveanu, George Larrington,
OBM returns as AGI Inspecting Officer On Saturday 19 May we welcomed Wing Commander Jack Matthews of the Royal Air Force (RAF), as the Inspecting Officer at our Annual General Inspection (AGI). As well as the parade our students showcased a variety of the leadership and military skills they have learned during the past year to friends, family and the wider BMS community. Wing Commander Matthews, who was a student at BMS from 1988 to 1995, put all the staff and cadets at their ease as he toured all three sections of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) in turn, accompanied by Headmaster, Alex Tate, and CCF Contingent Commander, Major Alex Smith. He commended students in all year groups, describing them as impressive.
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The Corps Supper in the Rutherford Building later in the evening was attended by the Year 13 leavers and the Year 12 cadets, who now become Section Heads, as well as parents, school and military staff who have supported the CCF during the last 12 months. Wing Commander Matthews gave an inspiring address which highlighted the long relationship between the School and the Forces. It was also an opportunity for outgoing Senior Cadet, Sam Hodgkiss, to handover responsibility to Thomas Van Der Sande for the coming year.
Ayaz Mehmood and Emily Waterfield. Marcus Nielson and Joseph Sumner both took home silver medals and Mohammed Akbor excelled and gained a gold medal, placing him in the top 6.7% of entrants.
School and OBM News
Combat Cadet Competition First for BMS
From 23 to 25 March, a group of nine BMS students took part in the annual Combat Cadet Competition held at Thetford military training area. The students demonstrated their military and leadership skills in a very demanding two-day series of challenges against 18 other Army Sections of Eastern Region Cadet Forces.
stamina and fast evaluation of their surroundings. Each team conducted building clearances and then had to provide fire support for the other sections in their platoon. At the end of this phase the BMS team were announced winners of the whole competition; a first for the School.
The weekend competition comprised several different phases, beginning with training on the Saturday. They completed drills as a section, worked on weapon handling, causality evacuation and room clearances.
Sam Hodgkiss, the BMS team captain and Corps Senior Cadet, said: “This is a really big achievement for BMS Combined Cadet Force (CCF), the Combat Cadet Competition is the pinnacle of all the competitions we take part in. This is the first time BMS has ever won and I feel honoured to have led the team. Everyone worked so well over the weekend, showing the highest standard of military skill; I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the team.”
On the second day the cadets took part in a village attack which required enormous amounts of proficiency including leadership,
Art and Design Technology Exhibition On 20 June the Art and Design Technology Departments (ADIT) hosted a Private View of the work produced by A Level, GCSE and Year 9 students in the last year. This is the first year where the exhibition has combined work from students in all of these year groups.
More than 250 friends and family members attended the viewing, which spanned multiple rooms in the ADIT department. The exhibition featured a stunning collection of paintings, sculptures and prints showcasing some incredible artistic talent. Design Technology products from this years’ A Level students were also on show. Many of these products aim to offer a solution to real-life problems, from promoting physical and mental health in children to helping paramedics in an emergency situation to creating shelter for the homeless.
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BMS musicians shine Two students in our music department have recently been celebrating success in different fields. Year 13 cellist Tarek Eldin has been accepted into the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, a youth orchestra formed of black and minority ethnic (BaME) musicians. Tarek, who is already a member of Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Britten Sinfonia Academy, auditioned for Chineke! Junior Orchestra over the Easter holidays. To audition Tarek had to be playing at a Grade 8 standard.
Meanwhile, Greg May (Year 11) recently sat his Grade 8 theory exam and scored an incredible 97%. Greg is an accomplished piano and saxophone player having achieved a Grade 8 in both and is currently studying composition as part of his scholarship at The Royal Academy of Music. He hopes to continue studying music at A Level and continuing it through to University. Greg said: “I am so delighted with this outcome! I feel like I can breathe now that all the hard work has paid off.”
Chineke! was founded by Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE to provide more career opportunities for BaME classical musicians. The orchestra performs in grand concert halls across the country and recently released their debut album. Tarek said: “The audition was different to other auditions as there was no pianist to accompany me; it puts you on the spot. I am so excited and honoured about this opportunity and I look forward to what it could have in store for me.”
Outreach Awards An assembly on 15 May, we acknowledged more than 100 senior school students for their dedication to outreach initiatives across the school and, more broadly, across the county. Throughout the year, these students have dedicated thousands of hours of their time, care, expertise and assistance into helping others. The student-led Charities Committee ran many events this year, including a curry evening which raised £500 for the Tibbs Dementia Foundation, a sponsored silence raising £180 for the Ellen McArthur Trust and the staff vs student dodgeball match raising money for Child Bereavement UK. Last year the committee raised more than £13,000 which they are hoping to match this year. 62 Sixth Form students have volunteered approximately 1335 hours in a range of community service settings, including care homes, Bedford Foodbank, hospices and schools. 37 students volunteered at Edith Cavell Lower School as part of ‘Youth Action’, dedicating up to two weeks of their school holidays to listening to the children read and helping on sports day. For Science Outreach, Sixth Form students visited local primary schools to carry out experiments and flammable demonstrations. Local schools also visited us in the new BMS Science Centre.
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Students took part in BedPop Science Labs, a day in the Higgins Museum where they shared their passion for science with members of the public. Those involved in the Science Outreach Programme have seen nearly 3,000 people this year. John White, Director of Sixth Form, said: “As a school, but moreover as a sixth form, we are hugely proud of the support for outreach. I am humbled by the attitude and approach of so many of our students. The awards represent a significant number of hours that have been given but they are just the tip of the iceberg; many other students have supported numerous individual events and for that we are also extremely grateful.”
School and OBM News
Junior School students take part in Primary Maths Challenge 2018 During November our Year 5 and 6 students took part in the national Primary Maths Challenge 2018 which is aimed at students who want to get involved in interesting and stimulating mathematics. It is a multiplechoice test aimed at the top 60% of Year 5 and 6 students in the UK. Out of the 68,000 children nationally who took part, only 3,288 were invited to complete the bonus round in February. This included talented Year 5 students Lucain Cox, Lorcan Hegarty and Soren Knuffel and Year 6 students Dominic Khan, Alex Priestley and Sofia Murray. Dominic and Lorcan were among the 1033 students who were awarded a bronze certificate. Lucain did exceptionally well and was awarded a silver certificate, one of just 657 students from across the country. Mrs Rex, Head of the Junior School said: “With just 167 children gaining a gold certificate this puts the achievement of the BMS children into perspective. They have all performed remarkably for children of such a young age; the questions are very, very difficult in this national test and they took them in their stride. Many, many congratulations to them all.”
BMS Careers Event 2018 The annual BMS Careers Event, held on Thursday 14 June, offered Sixth Form students at BMS and other local schools a unique insight into a huge variety of future career opportunities. The speakers, primarily former students, were all industry specialists or current university students. More than 50 speakers gave up their time to support the event, offering specialist insight and advice on a wide-range of topics from banking, medicine and acting to sessions focusing on where certain degrees could lead, how to write CVs and tips on preparing for interviews. The students were able to choose sessions that would most benefit them personally and there really was something for everyone.
Director of Sixth Form, John White, was delighted with the occasion saying: “This year’s event was the best one yet. The mix of practical advice and first-hand knowledge of working in such a broad spectrum of professional areas is invaluable for students who are now preparing for life after school. A huge thank you to the numerous OBMs and friends of BMS for their superb advice and powerful messages.” If anyone is interested in being involved next year please contact Sharon Burns, Head of Careers at BMS, on sburns@bedmod.co.uk
The keynote speech was given by OBM Giles Witheat (1990-95) who spoke about his position as a Director of MAC Construction Consultants. He shared advice on what employers are looking for as well as what students should look for in an employer.
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Cambridge Professor Visits BMS On Tuesday 30 January, distinguished historian Professor Richard Rex delivered a stimulating lecture to all BMS A-Level History students. The lecture focussed on the causes of the English Reformation and emphasised the key role Anne Boleyn played in triggering the Reformation in England, both in terms of her being the reason for Henry’s desire for a divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon and
being responsible for introducing him to the key Protestant political ideas with regards to who should have authority over the Church. This lecture formed part of a wider school programme where university lecturers visit BMS to deliver sessions to help students consolidate and extend key topics from their A-level studies.
BMS Student makes UK Young Scientist of the Year Final During British Science Week this year, talented Year 13 student Mohammed Akbor competed at The Big Bang Fair 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham. He secured his place as a finalist as a result of his potentially ground-breaking research into DNA recovery from fingerprints, a technique which could ultimately be used at crime scenes. In March 2017 Mohammed applied for a Nuffield Research Placement, a scheme allowing students interested in STEM subjects to carry out novel research and gain experience working in professional settings. He successfully gained a placement which allowed him to work alongside researchers in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Bedfordshire for four weeks during the summer holidays in 2017. There he carried out investigations into the important topic of DNA recovery from the surface of BVDA Gellifters, a forensic product used by scene of crime officers. Mohammed had to complete a minimum of 70 hours on his project, write a project report and contribute something new to the scientific community. Following a celebration event where he shared his findings, he put his work forward to be considered for a Gold CREST Award and was successful. He then had the opportunity to apply for The Big Bang Fair, an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK. The event is a stage for national competitions and Mohammed reached the finals for the UK Young Scientist of the Year which is a fantastic personal achievement. Speaking about his project, Mohammed explained: “BVDA Gellifters are used to lift prints, traces, marks, and - in particular fingerprints at the scene of a crime. Scene of crime officers can recover fingerprints from multiple surface types using these Gellifters. These fingerprints may also contain DNA that
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can be used to identify an offender. However, the quantity of DNA that can be recovered from a fingerprint is typically very low. The aim of this project was to determine whether DNA recovery from the surface of Gellifters was possible, and the optimum method that would recover high amounts of DNA.” Rob Brand, Head of Biology, said: “Mohammed should be extremely proud of this achievement. His commitment and drive to develop and execute this outstanding project is exemplary and it has provided him with valuable experience outside of the classroom. I am delighted that his hard work and determination has paid off and that he has been recognised in this way.”
School and OBM News
Art and Sustainability Local artist Jo Atherton ran three days of art and sustainability workshops for our Year 7 students from Wednesday 04 to Friday 06 June. Students from BMS and Ursula Taylor School worked with Jo and Head of Art, James McGregor, to produce art made with objects taken directly from the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall. The students each created a piece of work by placing the ocean plastic from Jo’s vast collection on paper coated in light sensitive solution and harnessed the renewable energy of the sun. The coated paper reacted to the sun’s light, darkening the areas that did not have plastic on them and leaving the covered areas unaffected.
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Sports Roundup
Sport Table Tennis
Rowing
Year 6 student Ben Dunkley is the new U11 boys’ singles table tennis national champion. He won his title at the IAPS National Table Tennis Championships, held at Edge Grove School on Saturday 28 April. More than 120 players took part in the competition across four different classes.
It has been a busy summer of rowing securing two wins at Bedford Regatta for the WJ14 4+ and the op.4+ in May followed by five wins at Star Regatta from our Year 10 and 11 girls in June. Most recently the J15 8+ claimed gold by half a length at the Peterborough Junior Championships regatta in what ended up being a local derby. Mark Bavington, Director of Rowing at BMS, said: “Bedford Regatta is one of the major highlights of our fixture list; racing one-onone on home waters is a great experience for our students, which is made better by picking up a win or two.
The BMS rowing squad put in substantial hours of training throughout the year alongside their academic studies, all of which is made possible by their determination and great time management.” BMS rowers reflected on an excellent year at the annual rowing dinner on 08 June. The guest of honour was GB rower, Jack Beaumont, one of the country’s best scullers. He gave an inspirational address describing his recovery from a major injury to ultimately competing in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
The initial stage placed Ben in a group of five players with only the top two going forward into the main draw. Ben played consistently, winning his four matches to finish top of his group gaining him entry into the quarter finals. Ben maintained his composure to win both his quarter and semi-final matches without dropping a single set. The final proved more of a challenge. Ben took the first set 11-9 and despite a confident start to the second set, he lost it 11-6, placing a lot of pressure on the final set. In the decider, Ben was down 10-5 with five match points against him however he managed to hold himself together and continue fighting for every last point. With good concentration and fighting spirit, Ben evened the score to 10-10 then claimed a 13-11 victory. Mick Harper, Ben’s table tennis coach, said: “The standard of table tennis that Ben and his final opponent were showing was quite remarkable for players so young. At the end of the match, the parents, players and spectators surrounding the court gave both players a well-deserved standing ovation and Ben duly collected his winner’s salver.”
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OBM Rowing Race Day and Dinner Lewis Cleaver (2000-11) writes: ‘As is traditional with the OBM v BMSBC match and supper, the day started with OBMs, students and parents meeting at the School’s Boat Club to prepare the tea, food, boats and equipment for a morning of racing. We were fortunate enough to have Headmaster, Mr Tate attend the racing, and catch a glimpse of the OBM v BMSBC match and the important place it holds in both the school and OBM Club’s
calendar. The day was bitterly cold and gusty, but no amount of adverse weather was to deter the men and boys from boating and preparing for a thrash down the Great Ouse to decide who would be the winner of the Rex Willsher trophy. I am always delighted to see so many generations of OBMs coming together with such strong camaraderie and companionship. There is an unwavering and timeless bond that the sport and indeed the Boat Club forms and nurtures, and it is refreshing to see that it still remains strong. Particular mention must go to Mike Skipp and Ian Harlow who came from
Sports Roundup
Wales and Sheffield to attend the supper and show support for the School; this certainly sets a precedent for future OBMs, and serves as a perfect example of the lasting impression our school has on its students. The race was, as always, a rousing success. The OBMs dusted off their old school rowing kit while the School’s 1st VIII limbered up to give us, what would transpire to be, a thorough ‘seeing to’. Despite being confident that the two OBM VIIIs would steal a victory for the first time in five years, the Rex Willsher trophy was awarded to the boys’ VIII, as neither of the two OBM VIIIs managed to secure a victory this time round (despite the usual tradition of the OBM VIIIs jumping the start before Mr Bavington even had chance to say: “go!”); it was an excellent morning of racing and the boys put on a very strong show. Special mention must also go to the Parents’ Rowing Association who provided muchneeded tea and refreshments; your hard work is always greatly appreciated, and standing out in the cold for hours on end is no easy task!
We all soon retired back to our homes to prepare for the evening’s entertainment as the mood shifted from a morning of adrenaline-fuelled racing, to a night of reflection and celebration of the Boat Club’s continued successes and of the illustrious history of the OBM club. We were fortunate enough to have fellow OBM
Johnny Luk (2003-09) as guest speaker this year. Being an old school friend of mine and an incredible inspiration to BMS students and OBMs alike, there was no one more fitting to give a speech to the school’s current rowers on the skills and abilities the sport of rowing furnishes one with, both in a professional and sporting capacity. With the annual match and supper at an end once more, I look immediately to the future, and indeed my overarching aims for Lady Rohesia and how we might better help the School, its Boat Club and the OBM network more generally. Following on from my previous announcement in the e-news bulletin, I implore anyone who rowed at school, regardless of age or brevity in the sport, to ensure your details with the school are kept up to date. Everyone who rowed under the BMS name is always welcomed back with open arms. Likewise, with those of you soon to become OBMs and wish to find out how you can be an active part in the OBM rowing network, please do not hesitate to get in touch. For those about to leave the School, I leave you with a brief summation of what the OBM Club is, at its heart: a club is a club, a place of sociability in which to relax and be affable and friendly. Respect the views of your fellow members and ensure that any guests do the same; let amiability and charm be your watchwords.’
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Sports Roundup
Sport Cross Country On 06 January Year 9 student Alex Alston won the Under 15 Bedfordshire Cross Country Championships in the boys’ group and Sofia Perusko, also in Year 9, placed first in the girls, both as representatives of Bedford and County Athletic Club. Alex started running competitively at BMS in Year 6. He trains three times a week and completes the park run every Saturday. He ran the four kilometre race in an excellent 15 minutes and 10 seconds. Sofia achieved an equally impressive time of 17 minutes and two seconds. Alex said: “I didn’t expect to win against such experienced team mates but it was a really nice surprise. After running for the county for two years it’s exciting to be number one and I’m looking forward to the experience of my first London Mini Marathon.” The Virgin Money Giving London Mini Marathon is the official British Athletics threemile road race for young athletes aged between 11 and 17, stretching from London’s Old Billingsgate to The Mall.
Sofia Perusko BMS cross country teams have also achieved outstanding results in other competitions. Boys and girls from Years 5 to 8 took part in the Bedfordia Championships on 16 January and the Beds and District Middle School Championships on 25 January. For both events BMS took a group of eight runners, of which, six counted towards a team competition. The Bedfordia Championships, held at Lincroft Academy, saw upwards of 200 students from Bedfordshire take part in each race. The course was a base distance of 2km with an increase of 400m as the year groups progressed in age. All BMS teams ran very well but particular mention should go to the Year 8 boys’ team who took home third place. The efforts of every runner meant that overall BMS came in third at the championships against 25 other schools.
Charlie Bramwell
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At the Beds and District Middle School Championships the students completed a run at Priory Country Park. Once again, our students were up to the challenge and took home some very good results.
The Year 5 and 6 girls’ team won first place and the Year 7 boys’ team took home third. Two students from Year 7, Charlie Bramwell and Eve Barnes, performed particularly well and placed first and second, respectively, in their races. Adam Higgens, Head of Athletics at BMS, said: “All the results from the two Cross Country events are very pleasing to see and reflect the effort put in by all the girls and boys in their respective age group races. The most pleasing thing was the improvement made by all runners between the Bedfordia Championships and the Beds and Districts Middle Schools Championships. Well done to all those who ran in the muddy, wet and cold conditions.’ Our students then did us proud once again at the North Beds Cross Country Championships held at Sharnbrook Academy in February. Of our 18 runners, 12 qualified for the County Championships, including 11 top 10 finishes which is our best return since BMS became a co-educational school in 2003.
Sports Roundup
Swimming Over two weekends, 26-28 January and 03-04 February, swimmers from across the county competed in the annual Bedfordshire County ASA Championships at Luton Sports Village. Five BMS students achieved outstanding results, with three Year 8 students, Ben Ashdown, Henry Jones and Jessica Watson, Year 10 student Emily Jones and Year 6 student Oliver McCulloch winning multiple golds. Oliver’s efforts gained him a gold in the 100m butterfly. Henry, Jessica and Emily secured two golds each across individual and team swims. An excellent performance from Emily won her a new Junior County record in the 50m freestyle which she swam in just 27.88 seconds. Ben took home an impressive eight golds and was awarded top 13 year-old boy. He is currently ranked fifth in Britain for the 50m freestyle for his age group. All the swimmers were part of the Modernian team who mainly train at Bedford Modern School’s pool. The Modernians took home first place overall from the County Championships, more than 500 points ahead of second place.
Gymnastics On Saturday 28 April, Year 5 student Callum Inkson won a silver medal at the National Elite Spring Qualifiers in tumbling gymnastics. His success here qualifies him for the Elite British Championships at the NIA Birmingham in September and for the English Championships in Sheffield in October. Callum competes at the National FIG (Federation International Gymnastique) Elite Level in the 9/10 age group, the first age group that can compete at elite level. He will take part in the second spring qualifier in June to try and improve his score and practise doing more difficult runs. Callum trains at Milton Keynes Gymnastics centre for an average of 15 hours a week.
He trains under High Performance coach Mikey French, who has accompanied the GB team at national squad training. Callum has recently been selected as one of just two boys from his age group for the British Gymnastics National Performance Pathway squad and will be attending training camp at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre with all the GB coaches. Callum is also on the BMS sports performance programme. Patrick Jerram, Director of Sport at BMS, said: “For someone so young, Callum’s commitment to his sport is exceptional and you only have to watch him perform to realise the hours he must have dedicated to get to the level he is competing at.”
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Sports Roundup
Sport Rugby On 18 April, the BMS U17 rugby team visited Franklin’s Gardens, home of Northampton Saints, to play Welbeck College. This one-off match preceded the annual Mobbs Memorial Match, in which Northampton Saints played the British Army. OBM and England rugby legend Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Mobbs DSO was a notable former Northampton Saints rugby player.He was killed in action on 29 July 1917 during the First World War at the Third Battle of Ypres, while attacking a machine gun post. The BMS U17 squad, a combined team of current Year 11 and Year 12 players, watched the Northampton Saints 1st XV train. This included many rugby players from international teams. Following this, they had a warm up session and then took to the field to play Welbeck. Although the match was played in very hot conditions, both teams played with great intensity. BMS were able to score two tries in the first half and going into half time the match was evenly balanced.
The BMS side should be very proud of their efforts, in particular captain Tom Saunders and Rhys Evans, who both had outstanding games.
After the match, our students were treated to excellent hospitality in the players’ lounge before taking their seats to watch the game between Northampton Saints and the British Army.
Lee Dickson, the former England scrum-half who now plays for Bedford Blues, has been training three to four BMS students in Years 7 to 13 one-on-one every week during the spring term and we are also hosting the Bedford Blues Pre-Training Programme offering our younger students the opportunity to see professional rugby in action
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Sports Roundup
Football The Under 14 A football players had an outstanding season remaining unbeaten in all their games, a significant achievement given that they played schools who play football for two terms rather than one. Throughout games afternoons and training they have worked incredibly well, listening to personal advice as well as understanding high level tactics which they then employed in games. However, the U14 squad’s real success was their ability to play as a team. In addition, Fin Johnson, the squad captain, showed excellent leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.
later stages of the ISFA Boodles Cup. Our boys stepped up and all their hard work paid off.” Out of school, there was a good deal of personal success for these talented young players, too. In particular, Jamie Box secured a two year contract at the elite
Milton Keynes (MK) Dons Academy, playing regularly for them and at a county level. Fin Johnson, Louis Tapper and Alfred Dawson are also within the umbrella of academy players at MK Dons with several others also seeming to be sparking interest from the Academy coaches.
Michael Park, Head of Football at BMS, said; “The cohesion in this team was evident in their 3-2 stand-out victory over Brentwood School. Going into that game in late January, Brentwood had been unbeaten since September and were making advances to the
BMS hosts launch event for FA Girls’ Football Week On 23 April, BMS hosted the flagship event celebrating the launch of The Football Association’s (FA) Girls’ Football Week 2018 which ran until 29 April with events being held across the country. Girls from Years 5 and 6 were joined by students from other local schools and England Lioness, Laura Bassett, to take part in an afternoon of training sessions and football fun. Alex Tate, Bedford Modern School’s Headmaster, said: “Last year we introduced girls’ football as a trial for a small number of year groups in the games curriculum for the summer term. This year we have extended our trial by launching girls’ football and girls’ cricket across both Senior and Junior Schools. They are two of the fastest growing professional women’s sports in the country and players like Laura Bassett are excellent role models.” Girls’ Football Week is a key initiative in The FA’s Gameplan for Growth which aims to double participation of girls in the sport by 2020.
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Sports Roundup
Sport Cricket Former England cricketer, Lydia Greenway, visited BMS as part of our launch of girls’ cricket. She held cricket sessions with our Year 7 and 8 students, presented the Junior School cross country medals and spoke to our Junior School girls and their parents. In the discussion Lydia described her journey to becoming a professional cricketer in what was a male-dominated sport.
'
Lydia played international cricket for England for thirteen years, taking home the Ashes in 2008 and winning both the World Cup and World Twenty20 Championships in 2009. Since her retirement from international cricket in 2016 she has announced the launch of her all-female cricket academy aimed at coaching women of all abilities and ages.
Water Polo It has been a tremendous season for water polo at BMS. Eda Colliver (Year 11) took bronze as part of the England team at the EU Nations Junior Women’s Tournament in Brno, Czech Republic. Closer to home, on 16 March, the U15 and U18 girls’ teams travelled to Northampton Boys School for the English Schools Finals where they played in the Championships; the elite level at which schools compete for the national title. The U18 girls were awarded a fifth place and the U15 girls achieved an impressive second place. The U15 girls had a difficult start to their tournament with their semi-final match ending in a draw, leading to a tight set of penalties. However the BMS team made it through to the final where they only just missed out on first place. This is a significant achievement as it places them as the second best U15 girls’ water polo team in the country. The U18 captain, Abbie Turner who has herself represented England, pulled together a new team as they started the year with only three players. Astonishingly they had just one training session before the regional qualification round. Many of these girls had never played water polo before so to reach the Championship finals was an impressive achievement indeed. It was then the turn of the U13 girls on 01 May. Despite a loss in the semi-finals, the team pulled it back with a convincing win in the third
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place play-offs. This fantastic achievement sets them up well for next year. Finally, the U16 boys have been playing in the London league against 15 other schools. In the qualifying rounds they took part in six games before securing their spot in the finals. They placed fourth in the final league, the second year in a row that BMS has placed so well. Ashley Bygraves, who runs BMS water polo, said: “I am incredibly proud of what all the teams have achieved this year, particularly the U18s some of whom had to learn a new sport. Their hard work and dedication to train for the championships at all levels has really paid off.”
Sports Roundup
Rugby Fives Bedford Modern School students have been enjoying success in both national and regional Rugby Fives tournaments recently with wins in both singles and doubles. On 22 April, Year 11 student Katie Sumner became the U16 Rugby Fives national singles champion after competing at the ninth National Schoolgirls’ Championship at Marlborough College and together with Maddie Kent took silver in the U16 doubles competition. Katie and Maddie, who have been playing together for about three years, comfortably won all of their matches in the lead up to the final for the U16 doubles title. In a nail-biting match, which could have gone either way, they narrowly missed out on victory, with a final score of 15-12. Both girls competed for the U16 singles title. Katie played outstandingly well, winning all her qualifying games throughout the day without conceding a single point. She was crowned the new U16 national champion after winning the final match 15-3. Maddie also did herself proud, making it to the semifinals and taking home third place. At a regional level Year 13 students Joe Sumner and Ollie Colbert swept the board on home ground in both the U18 doubles and singles tournaments at the Midlands Schools Regional Championships on Sunday 29 April. The pair took home first place in the U18 doubles tournament, competing against fellow BMS students George Larrington and Nishant Pradhan, who claimed second place. In the U18 singles tournament final, Joe scooped first place with Ollie coming second.
Netball On the netball court, the Year 8 team were crowned district and county champions and both the Year 9 and Year 11 teams qualified for the regional finals. In addition the Year 9 team went undefeated in their regular season of fixtures.
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Sports Roundup
Sport Sailing Congratulations to OBM Joe Mullan (201216) who won gold in the Youth Sailing National Championships Men's Under 21 Laser Standard class in April. The trophy has previously been won by Sir Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and Nick Thompson who all went on to be World Champions and Olympians. Joe, who left BMS in 2016, originally learnt to sail at Priory Sailing Club through the RYA OnBoard scheme. He attended race training at Stewartby Water Sailing Club with the Topper Zone Squad and finally moved to Grafham Water Sailing Club to train in the laser. Currently studying Maritime Engineering at the University of Southampton, Joe now sails on the South Coast. During his time at BMS Joe was put on the Performance Programme for sport which helped him become physically fitter, teaching him the importance of nutrition and how to train safely and effectively in the gym.
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Joe pays tribute to the many people who have supported him over the years, who have all played a part in helping him become the Youth National Champion. He said: “So many people have helped me along the way. Although I am out on the water on my own, it has been a team effort that enabled me to compete.”
We wish him good luck in the Under 21 World Championships in Poland and the Under 21 European Championships in Sweden this summer. To follow his progress visit www.joemullan.com.
Sports Roundup
Equestrian Year 8 student, Suzie Todd, has been talent spotted as a star of the future by Endurance GB, the affiliated body for endurance horse riding in the UK. She has been selected as one of ten young riders this year for their national talent development pathway called The Spotlight Programme.
league this year and is aiming to increase the distances she rides gradually during the season. Endurance GB will support Suzie, providing her with top-level training from a UK Coaching (UKCC) registered instructor and work with her to refine her goals over the course of three years.
The programme supports development in endurance riding, providing coaching, training and financial support. It will bring promising young riders into the ‘spotlight’ from the start of the 2018 season. Those on the programme are expected to uphold excellent horse welfare standards and will attend training courses on horse nutrition and psychology.
Miss Woodgate, Head of Girls’ Sport at BMS said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Suzie for her outstanding achievements this year. Her passion and dedication to the sport are clear and she is a role model for other aspiring sportswomen in the School. We wish her every success on the programme and look forward to hearing about her exciting journey.”
Suzie has put together a training and ride plan for both herself and her pony, Spot, for this season. She has moved up from the pony club novice to the intermediate
Suzie was also invited to attend Endurance GB’s stand as an ambassador for the sport of endurance riding at the Royal Windsor Horse Show which took place in May.
Club Sporting Contacts Cricket Kevin Appleton kevin.appleton@hotmail.com
Fives Chris Ryan chris@standrewscarehomes.co.uk 01234 325890
Football Jack Leadbetter jack.leadbetter@btinternet.com
Golf Richard Ebbs 63 Days Lane, Biddenham, Bedford 01234 344100
Hockey Mike Carter 5 Clarendon Street, Bedford 01234 215441
Rowing Henk Kroon kroonhenk96@gmail.com Lewis Cleaver lewiscleaver@hotmail.com
Rugby Theo Cassell theocassell23@googlemail.com James Pollard jamespollard5@gmail.com
Water Polo Mark Bullerwell 1999bars@gmail.com
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir Leon Parris
Ernest Carwithen
wrote and staged the Bananaman Musical at Southwark Playhouse, London from Dec 2017 – Jan 2018. Bananaman is one of the flagship characters in the world’s longest running comic, The Beano and was also the subject of the hugely popular TV cartoon that ran on the BBC during the 1980s. If you’d like to know more, please visit: www.bananamanlive.com/
had dinner in Hong Kong in February where Ernest was promoting Carwithen English, a company that offers online English teaching to Chinese schools. Ken was in Ernest’s GCSE class at BMS and managed to attain an A grade in English Literature thanks to his thorough knowledge of Macbeth. After the dinner Ernest presented him with a copy of Carol Ann Duffy’s Rapture.
1988-99
1983-2005
Lizzie Adam
Dom Dalton
who left BMS last year, has been playing all season in the Ladies Rugby Premiership for Loughborough Lightning. She started her sporting career in athletics but her interest moved to rugby after an introductory session for girls at BMS.
not only completed the London Marathon in April, but did so dressed in a 7ft bear suit! Dom was running to raise money for the Scouts Charity, and completed the course in six hours and eight minutes.
2012-17
and
Ken Lin
1997-2002
2003-06
When Ken joined the boarding house in 1997 it was the first time he had lived away from home. He remembered having to walk up the slope to the Middle School for prep on cold winter evenings, a world away from his life in Hong Kong. He still misses the hot tea prepared by the Laverys for the boarders. When he reached the Sixth Form Ken really came into his own, building at A Level on his fine GCSE results. He proceeded to Manchester University where he took a degree in Accounting and Finance before joining Ernst and Young. Today he is an Internal Audit Specialist based in Hong Kong.
Lizzie moved up to regional level playing for the Midlands U18 side in only her second year of rugby and played touch rugby for England U18s. At BMS she trained with the first XV and helped coach Year 3 and Year 4 boys as part of the Year 13 enrichment programme. In May, Lizzie was picked in the 12-player squad for the opening round of the 2018 Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Grand Prix Series, and faced Italy, Portugal and France in the tournament, which took place in Marcoussis, France at the beginning of June.
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Katy Kennedy 2004-06
was named as Young Business Person of the Year at the SME Buckinghamshire Business Awards. Katy is the Director of Bid and Tender Support LTD and won the award not just for her own business, but also for the support she provides to the local business community.
Memory Stir
Matt Rawlings 1974-84
‘Olney Rugby Club has a strong tradition of players from BMS and as part of our 140-year anniversary OBMs at the club put on an OBM Lunch on Saturday 13 January. It was a great day attended by more than 40 old boys and teachers George Cullen (1954-89), Richard Chadwick (1971-09) and Tim Whitwam, with a curry lunch followed by an Olney 1st team game (which Olney won beating the league leaders). Speeches were made by Stuart Parkin (1966-77) and response by George Cullen. Much reminiscing and story-telling was had and much merriment into the evening with I’m sure a few sore heads the following day.’
It was a pleasure to see all three Stanbridge brothers Tim (1971-80), Jamie (1973-83) and Little Stanbridge (1979-88) (6 years younger than Tim) on the touch line cheering Olney to another win. Following this, there was another OBM reunion on Saturday 24 March as the ‘Class of 82’ got together to watch the Bedford Blues grind out a 41-32 win over Doncaster Knights. (L-R) Dave Hurley, Simon Diffey, (1973-82), Shaun Clarkson (1973-82), Chris Pollard (1978-82).
Wedding Congratulations Sally Whitney 2003-05
one of the first girls to join BMS, married Ed on 04 August 2017 and sent us these fantastic pictures. We included Sally’s story about Ethan, a black Labrador cross golden retriever assistance dog, who transformed her life following her ongoing battle with serious illness in issue 114 of Eagle News. Sally has been featured in the media discussing her experience with the charity Canine Partners who provided Ethan. You can read the article from the Sunday Express Magazine online.
Simon Diffey (1977-80) continues: ’Dave Hurley (1972-82) organised a ‘Class of 82’ meet at the Olney vs Oadby Wyggs match and in attendance along with Dave Hurley were, Simon Diffey (1977-80), Barrie Norman (197782) and Russell Beard (1971-80). Also present among the 45 OBMs were Jonathan Brook (1981-92) (Aston Martin Sales Manager at D J Smail who sponsor Olney RFC) and Blakemore.
Billy Leung
1995-2005 In June, prospective medical and dental students in Years 11 and 12 visited the Medical School in King’s College London. OBM, Dr Billy Leung, ran an anatomy and dissection taster day in the Dissection Room at Guy’s Campus, where the students saw human cadaveric specimens.
(L-R) Rob Barker (1972-82), Max Cornish (1975-82), Dave Hurley, Barrie Norman.
Segun Akinola 2003-10
will score the new series of Doctor Who and also provide a brand new take on the legendary theme tune. Last year Segun composed the music for Black and British: A Forgotten History for the BBC, which we featured in issue 115 of Eagle News. We now look forward to seeing what he does for this show.
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir
Welcome Back Nathan Reed 1984-94
Stuart Smith
returned to BMS in January. OBM and former teacher, Nathan, now lives in Kenya and originally continued teaching before opening CrossFit Kwetu; a gym that combines weightlifting, gymnastics and cardiovascular training - the first CrossFit box in East Africa.
After 15 years in Australia Stuart came back to BMS for the first time this year since he finished studying at the school. Stuart now works in Construction Management and is looking to move back to the UK in the future.
Keith Hawkins
Mankit Lau 2005-16 and Stephen Kwan 1994-99 Sasha Kasyanov-Ward
1969-79
was welcomed back for a tour of the school in April. After leaving BMS in 1979, he initially pursued a career in engineering before deciding to focus on digital marketing. Keith now lives in London and was back in Bedford to attend the 40th anniversary of the President’s debate in which he participated back in 1978. It was great to see another OBM reminisce on their time at BMS, and Keith even remembered to wear his school tie.
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1981-88
2011-16 came back to school for a quick tour of the Science Centre and to catch up with their old teachers including Mr Harvey and Mrs Sumal. Mankit is currently studying Accounting and Finance at the University of Surrey but is preparing to start a placement year in Audit at Mazars, Milton Keynes, whilst Sasha has recently accepted an offer to study at Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth.
Ollie Croker
2006-16
returned to BMS on Monday 12 March and spoke to Year 10 Classical Civilisation students about the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Oliver is currently studying Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and said that the Classics department inspired him to continue his studies in this area after leaving school.
returned to BMS for the first time in twenty years earlier in May and was welcomed back to school by Neale Else, his Chemistry A Level teacher and former boarding housemasters John White and Ashley Tapper. After leaving BMS, Stephen studied Chemistry in Manchester before moving back to Hong Kong and is now a qualified physiotherapist and married to his wife, Joy.
Josh Smart
2007-16
was invited to give a talk regarding apprenticeships to Sixth Form students here at BMS. Josh took a year out to consider his options after leaving school before deciding to accept an offer from Ernst and Young to join their programme. He offered helpful hints and tips to current students who might be considering an application within the industry.
Stefan Simonyi 1982-89 and his family visited in June. Stefan is now working in Real Estate and living in Canada and wanted to show his children where he went to school and also treated them to a BMS lunch! Stefan has previously organised OBM reunions in Canada and if anyone would like to be involved with the next one email externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk so that we can put you in touch.
Memory Stir
Ian Preston 1974-79
writes: ‘I thought some of you from the seventies would like this. I’m afraid I don’t remember the name of the metalwork teacher but he was a fine tutor and all round nice chap. He also had a son in my year (1974-79). He got us to make a garden rake and I am still using it 43 years later. It has the original handle and screws. In fact, nothing has been replaced. It has been left out in the rain and thoroughly abused for decades. Amazingly, it is as good as new. I wonder if the present day imports would last as long. I think not. Happy fettling.’
MJ Morris
Emma Baxter 2005-16
was part of the Loughborough University ladies hockey team that won the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) cup after defeating the University of Nottingham 3-2 in March.
1946-56
contacted us recalling some memories from his time at BMS and writes: ‘as an eight year-old I was terrified of the number one school rule: ‘conduct detrimental to the good name of the school will be punishable as such.’ I also remember the white button stitched on to the school cap, indicating that you had not passed the swimming test of two lengths at the pool at Clarendon Road, together with term time daily and weekend lock up times – which now seem Dickensian!’ Michal also sent in a school photograph of the steeplechase from 1954. If you have any photographs of your time at school we would love to see them.
WW1 1918/2018 Centenary Project: we need your help We have established an electronic community of alumni who served in WW1 on the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Lives of WW1 Digital Memorial in order to mark this year’s Centenary. The digital memorial is aimed at capturing as much information on those who served and preserving it for future generations. We are seeking any photographs, memories and information that families may have of their WW1 OBM relatives to upload against the profiles. Please contact the School Archivist, Jenny Ulph or Alex Smith, CCF Contingent Commander, in the first instance. Links to the two main BMS IWM communities: List of OBMs serving in HM Forces 1914 –1918: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/5183 Roll of Honour: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/5155
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries Charles Clayson 1962-72
County House, died 17 April 2017 after a battle with cancer. His wife, Veronica, writes: ‘Charles’ illness was swift and unexpected - he had retired in June 2016 and was diagnosed in July 2016. His sudden death shocked friends and work colleagues and this was evident at his funeral in May 2017 with the massive turnout and the many tributes paid to him.
In 1983, Charles and his wife went to Hong Kong to live and he worked as a Structural Engineer on the completion of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. At the time it was one of the largest structures in South East Asia. After its completion, he returned to Bedford with his family and shortly afterwards became a Director of a local Civil and Structural Engineering Consultancy, BCAL, where he remained until he retired in June 2016. Charles was always and will be remembered in his professional capacity as being a ‘people person’, quietly effective and a safe pair of hands and people felt confident in outcomes when he was dealing with matters - construction or otherwise. Charles was a great family man. He enjoyed France, vineyards and red wine and was a keen river and lake fisherman. He had a great sense of humour and was master of the ‘one liners’. He had strong links with the British Olympic Sailing Team who valued his sound advice. His family remembers him every day, as a truly amazing man.’
David Michael Hebblethwaite 1942-52
West House, died 25 December 2018.
Charles was a BMS boy from 1962 to 1972. He left BMS and went on to study for a BSc in Civil Engineering at Birmingham University from 1972 to 1975. He gained membership to the Institute of Structural Engineers and the Institute of Civil Engineers soon after graduating. On leaving University, he worked for a consulting company called Redpath Dorman and Long, a company who were involved in the design of large steel structures, notably bridges. He worked on large structures such as Kilroot Power Station, the Humber Bridge and smaller projects both nationally and internationally.
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His wife, Sandy, writes: ‘David followed his two younger brothers, Kenneth and Ronald, into the old school in the town centre. He was quickly absorbed into school life, excelling at all sports; his greatest love being the game of Rugby Fives. He was a fine rugby player, an excellent swimmer and he became captain of the swimming team and water polo too. He had his colours for all these sports and his mother had the clever idea of creating different pockets with press studs for his blazer with winter and summer colours – a little tribute to wartime servings! David was head of West House and a very committed member of the OBM Club.
On leaving school David did his National Service with the RAF – he had always wanted to experience flying – indeed he was one of the few to be trained as a pilot, learning to fly in a Tiger Moth and finishing his two years flying Meteors. Those were happy days. During his life David continued playing fives for the OBMs and was a member of the Rugby Fives Association (RFA) Club for all of his adult life, being made President of this illustrious association from 1981-83. His greatest success was playing doubles: from National Doubles runner up in the finals, winner twice in the Scottish Open, winning West of England and in later years Veterans Vintage and Masters doubles tournaments. The RFA said of him: “Partners and opponents recall David as an ample presence on a Fives court but also as a considerable personality off it, full of stories and jokes with an unforgettable laugh. He will be remembered as one of the great characters of the Fives world.” David is survived by his wife Sandy and two sons Richard and Edward. Sadly his middle son William died in 1993. All three sons attended Bedford Modern School between the years 1970-84.’
OBM Obituaries
In 1988, Graham and Carol moved to live in Redditch, an area which meant much to them both. The last 17 years of Graham’s working life were spent working in the Loss Prevention Department at Halfords Head Office and Distribution Centre. He retired in 2007.Wishing to live nearer to their daughter, Helen and her family, they moved in 2009 to Cranfield. This gave them opportunities to see more of their beloved grandchildren Lucy, Hannah and Joe. In 2017, Graham was delighted to become the great grandfather to a beautiful baby girl, Millie.
Joseph Graham Odell 1951-59
County House, died 26 January 2018. His brother, Stuart, writes: ‘Graham’s early education was at Upper Shelton Primary School, Marston Moretaine. However, he passed the entrance examination to go to Bedford Modern Junior School, and eventually the then eleven-plus examination to move onto the main school. Graham rowed for the school in the 2nd Eight, but he will be best remembered as an enthusiastic member of the prize-winning school army cadet force band rising eventually to become solo bugler and bandmaster. In his early teens, he began to play the trumpet, at which he became very proficient, and contributed to school concerts and plays. After leaving school, at the age of 18, he enlisted into the ranks of the Coldstream Guards, and underwent the five months of demanding training at the Brigade of Guards depot in Pirbright, Surrey. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion which was stationed at Windsor, performing ceremonial duties in Windsor and London. His qualities as a soldier and leader were soon recognised and, within 15 months, he was a member of the Sergeants’ Mess. In October 1962, the Battalion was rushed out to quell the civil disorder and violence which had broken out in Britain’s only colony on the South American mainland – British Guiana (now known as Guyana). After nine months of peace keeping, they returned to London and ceremonial duties. Soon after his return to the UK, Graham met and married Carol who came from the Worcestershire town of Redditch.
Whenever possible, Graham attended OBM dinners and was particularly delighted to attend a CCF Founder’s Dinner a few years ago and to meet up and reminisce with some fellow bandmates!’
After three years in the army, he joined the uniformed branch of HM Customs and Excise. He was trained at the Customs and Excise school in Southend-on-Sea, and was posted to the then mighty Port of London. He also served as a Customs Officer at Gatwick Airport and was posted to Great Yarmouth to deal with shipping there, and also the British and American military airfields in East Anglia. As a child, Graham had attended Marston parish church. He sang in the choir until he left home for the armed forces. This had given him a great love for the ancient building of St Mary’s, the traditional Anglican ritual, and its music. He served on the Parochial Church Council as its Treasurer and eventually as Secretary. He was instrumental in raising funds to have the organ rebuilt in 1981. He did much to raise finances when the fixed pews were replaced by more adaptable seating. He also wrote a guide book which helped to inform the many visitors to that unique and wonderful building.
David Bunney 1955-62
County House, died in his sleep on 27 December 2017.
Gordon Neville Ian (Bill) Ibbott 1935-40
East House, died 07 December. Jane Meadows writes: ‘Ian, until he acquired the nickname ‘Bill’ at BMS, was in East House in the 1930s. He played rugby and rowed for the School. He worked at W H Allen as a steam turbine draughtsman. Bill’s interests included vintage vehicles and for many years he was the commentator at local tractor rallies.’
In later life, he developed a great and knowledgeable love for Anglican Church music. His musical abilities resulted in him being asked to play the organ in various churches around Bedfordshire.
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries John Scrivener
Roy Dalton
1947-55
East House, died on 08 June 2018 in hospital. His wife, Valerie, writes: ‘John was born on 28 May 1937 and spent most of his life living here in Bedford. His education began at Goldington Road School, which he attended until becoming a pupil at Bedford Modern School. He left school to follow teacher training at Trent Park Training College in North London and it was in Southgate that his teaching life began until he moved to Bedford in 1962 to begin his married life and to teach in Bedford. He spent most of his teaching career teaching Mathematics and Music at Stewartby Middle School until the option to take early retirement saw him satisfy his lifetime wish to drive buses, which he continued to do until the age of 76.
1935-43 His prime lifetime interest was music and this interest led him to become organist at St Mary’s Church in Goldington, a position which he held for almost 40 years, and for much of this time he was also choirmaster. He continued as organist until shortly before his 80th birthday. During his years of retirement he became a member of the Bedford Gallery Quire, which gave him the opportunity to renew his acquaintance with the violin and he also encouraged others in their music making by leading the Bedford U3A Choir and the U3A Recorder Group. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.’
County House, died 01 January 2018 at the age of 92. This address was read at Roy’s funeral by Revd. Robert Evans: ‘Roy George Dalton was educated at Bedford Modern School. He lived in Biggleswade and caught the bus to Bedford each day with a young Barbara. She knew him from the age of 11, she recalls, but was not specific, that they got up to all sorts of mischief. On leaving school in what we think was 1943 he joined the Army and was involved in the first Normandy landing and for this he was awarded the legion d'honneur for his help in liberating France. After being de-mobbed at the very young age of 20, he returned to education, studying civil engineering at Imperial College. After graduating he took a job, but found working with civilians unsatisfactory. They didn’t do as they were told and kept disappearing for tea breaks or lunch instead of getting on with the job. Barbara and Roy married in 1951 and Roy re-joined the Army as a professional. Barbara and Roy then started to travel the world and there follows some memories from Barbara at the time. Domestic life in the Army was, she said, characterised by alternated squalor and luxury. We began by living in an old American camp in Malvern – a brick hut with a corrugated iron roof. This was comparative luxury compared to what was to follow. Next posting was to Malaya to fight the Chinese communists in the rubber jungle in Johore. There were only six family quarters. We found a disused house on brick stilts, a
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
OBM Obituaries
mile from the centre of Kluang, Johore. We built up the bottom to make two flats and we had the bottom concrete floor with a primitive kitchen, oil stove and water from a well we had to boil. Baby Michael was born in the military hospital there. As Roy described it “born to the sound of the guns” firing in the jungle. Roy slept with a pistol under his pillow. The situation was becoming more dangerous and the police had ordered a wire round the town, but left us outside it. We had to have a guard round the house every night. One night we were returning from the Planters Club, and the two Malay guards let us through the gate. About an hour later in bed I heard shots uncomfortably close. In the morning the two Malay guards were found dead at the gate where we had gone through. I won’t describe anymore, save to say after a year we were able to move into a quarter in the town with Chinese amah and cookie, and a Tamil gardener. Luxury indeed! In Aden we lived in a flat in Crater Bay. To get to our flat on the top floor we had to wade through the municipal rubbish dump. We had the essential Arab cook who couldn’t cook. One afternoon, the boys, now five and seven, came in stinking badly, saying “we’ve found a lovely place to sail our yachts!” – it turned out to the sewage outlet. Thereafter we moved to some wooden flats on a spit of sand, with air conditioning that actually worked. The Army were persuaded to build these in the hope of being able to move them. As the Army started work early, we had the afternoons free to go down to the beach and swim (within the shark net), have lunch and see the evening cinema on the beach. Then on to Cyprus, a popular posting again with afternoons free to go sailing at the Sailing Club. Roy was the commodore and with that experience we were able to form a crew of five later from England to hire an Army boat and go round the Channel Islands, Western Scottish Isles, Copenhagen and Kiel Canal. We left Cyprus with two and a half months free (due to a glitch in the system) to travel to Turkey in a Renault 4L with Kate aged two and all our
worldly goods. We camped in BP mocamps (camps with amenities and a space for motor vehicles etc) round the coast, with hot showers and a few mod cons. We saw Istanbul and then on to Athens, then sped on to Barcelona where we miraculously met the boys from school in England just as planned. Two postings in North Germany followed enabling us to have enjoyable camping in the South of France and Italy. After leaving the Army, Roy applied for and got the job of Bridge Master looking after Tower Bridge. His engineering skills were paramount, but he also tackled the issue of finance and he created new revenue streams through advertising and increasing the bridge’s use as a tourist destination. Roy seems to have had two offices at this time, one at the bridge and possibly one at a local wine bar. He seemed to schedule meetings to finish at about 12:00 and then off to the wine bar. He was responsible for a staff of about 50 and it was on the bridge that Kate had her engagement party. The children remember Roy’s love of English history and the Bridge enabled him to combine this with his engineering skills. They remember the bascule chambers, the chambers deep underground where you could see the huge weights which counterbalanced the rising parts of the bridge enabling them to open. It was something out of the hammer house of horror.
of distant churches, the words of hymns, the Book of Common Prayer and many more subjects were analysed and digested. Beagles were for the winter and the summer brought the mink hounds and for a number of years Roy was the Chairman of the Northamptonshire Mink Hounds - a job he did with tact and understanding, but with a firm hand. Kate was telling me that only when after Roy’s death and when they were sorting out his affairs did they find that he had been supporting charities, some for thirty years or more, that even Barbara didn’t know about for many years. He was a case worker for SAFA, helping people in difficulties getting what they were entitled to. Apart from being wonderfully witty and wise, he was a man of wide interests. He took a keen interest in engineering, military matters, history (his knowledge was vast) and nature and countryside preservation. He was also very fond of dogs but above all he was kind and compassionate. Kate was clearing out some of Roy’s papers when she came across the following ‘to do’ list in Roy’s handwriting: 1. Bank – pay electricity bill. 2. Railway station – buy tickets. 3. Collect suit. 4. Gin and tonic.’
I first met Roy about thirty years ago. We were both out with the North Bucks Beagles. He was one of what we referred to as the three wise men. Roy, Dick Stops and Tony Pye had a huge knowledge of the countryside and whether they followed hounds from the meet or set off in apparently the wrong direction, they could be guaranteed to have found the best viewing spot and could watch the hounds working with minimum effort. It was during the time that followed that I got to know Roy. Our discussions were far reaching. When I started my training for the ministry he took an interest. Out with the beagles, views
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries NJR Empson 1943-48
County House, died 13 October 2017. His son, David, wrote the following for Martlesham Flying Association: ‘N J R Empson, or Jim to his many friends, was born at Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire in 1932 and spent his teenage years watching Wellingtons and Mosquitos flying over East Anglia. Too young to serve in WW2 (in which two of his brothers and a future brother-inlaw) served in Dunkirk, D-Day, Burma and Africa he followed his father (RNAS and an early RAF member in WW1) by joining the RAF in the early 1950s for his National Service. He wanted to go to the Korean War, but much to his annoyance, ended up at Bassingbourne, nearly back home! On leaving the RAF in which he specialised in aerial photography, he returned to the family Garage at Gamlingay, before starting work in a photographic shop in Cambridge. Deciding after a year or two to do his own thing, he looked for a location to open a shop and found in 1964 the premises of 15 St. Matthew's Street in Ipswich, which became Anglia Cameras for four decades. Jim was very well known to real photographers for his knowledgeable and professional service. The business did well enough for him to take up what had always been a passion; aeroplanes, learning to fly from Ipswich Airport in the late 1960s. He took a part share in a few aeroplanes before acquiring his first Piper Cub, which he spent a summer restoring back to its wartime colours, winning a prize for best restoration, and it still flies locally. He flew as often as many people drove their car; nearly every weekend and many summer evenings.
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Many will remember the 'Fly-Ins' he organised at Ipswich, and even the very last flights/'FlyIn' at Martlesham itself. Even on the demise of flying from Ipswich, he carried on with arranging flying events, pilots' dinners, trips out for MHAS members, of which he was one of the originals -and other events through Anglia Cameras or flying. Perhaps the most notable was his involvement with so many American veterans who returned to their local fields, and many Piper Cub fly-bys happened during these visits. Jim recalled many a tear with these wonderful old men who knew it would probably be their last visit to remember those incredibly dangerous but comradely days.
Although many could find him difficult at times, he came from the 'Old School', his heart was well and truly not only local, but local flying - and there were few who made such an impact on aviation in the area. Dad asked for some of his ashes to be scattered on the Bank at Martlesham, where he spent many happy hours with members of the Aviation Society. But overall, local aviation would have been much the poorer without his five decades of input, which it must be said, he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Jim Empson - Gone Flying’
Horace William Maxfield “Bill” Holmes 1942-47
East House, died 26 April 2018. His son, John, writes: ‘In his time at school he excelled at sports while school reports from the time suggest that his academic prowess was not quite as high. He represented the school at all levels in both Rugby and Rowing, programmes from the 1946 Bedford Regatta reveal he was rowing with the 3rd VIII and they won by 3.5 lengths. When he left school Horace successfully completed an apprenticeship as an electrician and then did his National Service, joining the RAF for two years working on the early warning radar systems in Norfolk. His love of radar and radio communications saw him volunteer for the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) in 1952 and he continued in that service until it was stood down in 1995.
His service to the ROC was recognised by the Lord Lt of Norfolk and he was invited to the Queen’s Birthday celebrations both at Buckingham Palace and later at Sandringham in honour of his service.
OBM Obituaries
In 1954 Horace joined HJ Heinz company and worked for them until his retirement in 1991 at age 50. He decided he wanted to see the world with his lifelong partner Shelagh and they set off every year going to new places or just simply cruising the world’s oceans. Horace's interests were mainly focused around electronics and radio and he was involved in Amateur Radio from the early 50s. He worked as a volunteer repairing talking book machines for the blind for 15 years until the machines got overtaken by technology.
Keith Morton 1966-73
County House, died 20 May 2018, after a short battle with cancer. Pat Furr (1969-75) writes: ‘It was only six months ago that I wrote an article in Eagle News about our years working together in the UK brick industry.
Although born in Derbyshire, Keith was brought up in Ampthill. Music was in his family from the start, his father was a brass band conductor. Keith was a euphonium player, playing both for the school orchestra, and the Bedfordshire Youth Concert Band/Brass Band. Keith and I were on the inaugural Brass Band tour of The Netherlands in 1973.
He was a fully licensed Amateur (call sign G4TWT) and also worked within the community to provide the emergency services with backup radio communications in the event of disasters under the umbrella of RAYNET. He ended up as Group Controller for Norfolk and North Suffolk until well into his 70s when a succession of hip replacements affected his mobility. Horace never lost touch with the school even maintaining contact with one of his school friends until days before his passing. He was rightfully proud of his OBM heritage, in fact the very first car he bought was a 1950s Ford Consul with registration OBM 7. He always said he regretted selling that car with its memorable number! Horace left behind a son, and two grandchildren who live in Texas and Nottingham.’
William Little 1972-76
Culver House, died in Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, 27 April 2018. Revd Jeff Harvey (1956-63) conducted the funeral for William (Jon) Little on 14 May 2018 and writes: ‘Present at the funeral
were Michael Barber (1969-76) and Mark Buckle (1969-76). All three of us Old Boys took part in the famous move from Harper Street to Manton Lane on 23 April 1974, headed by Headmaster Brian Kemball– Cooke and Head Boy Ian Wylie (1968-74).
At the Wake afterwards, Michael, Mark and I exchanged our memories of BMS. They were fascinated by my tales of life under the Headship of JET! Jon sadly died of cancer aged 59 years.’
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries Through his involvement with the Bedfordshire County music scene, he met his future wife Moyra, (née Lewis), a clarinettist, who attended Dame Alice School. Keith spent the rest of his life with Moyra, producing two children; Laura and Bryn.
Keith George Rootham 1951-53
County House, died 23 March 2018. Like me, Keith started working for London Brick at Stewartby. Initially a research assistant in the technical department, he soon became a geologist. Whilst in this role Keith embarked on a field trip to Swaziland. As well as various technical reports, he also brought back with him West African Tick Typhus, his case being noted in the British Medical Journal as ‘one of particular interest’. He worked for 37 years in the brick industry, spending 18 years with London Brick/Hanson Brick, four years with Tarmac Brick, and 15 years with Ibstock Brick. During this time he worked at various locations across the UK, achieving the positions of Production Director, Technical Director, Manufacturing Development Director and Health and Safety Director. In addition he was very active in the national sector: Institute of Clay Technology, Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, Brick Development Association and the British Ceramic Confederation. He won several awards for his services to the industry, in particular in the areas of health, safety, and training. Keith was forced to take ill health retirement in 2010 due to a heart condition, but in his typical style remained active in the industry until the end, as Chair of the Education and Training Trust. Keith will be remembered for his fantastic memory, attention to detail, confidence to challenge even the most eminent experts, and most of all his sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, and our thoughts are with Moyra and his family.’
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
His wife, Anne, writes: ‘Keith was born in Potters Bar on 12 May 1937 and moved to Redmile in the Vale of Belvoir before he started at the local school, where his father was appointed Station Master at Redmile Station. At 11 he went to the Melton Mowbray Grammar School and it was there that he won a scholarship to Bedford Modern School. His father by then had become the Station Master of Potton Station, Bedfordshire. Keith spent his national service in the Army (The Royal Engineers) with some of his time in Egypt and Aden and returned to his parent’s home in Stevenage and back into Civvy Street after completing his service. After a few years he joined the RAF as a radar fitter and trained at RAF Locking, Western-SuperMare and served in Cyprus. When on a training course at RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire he met Anne, his future wife. They were married in 1965 and went to live in Stevenage and their daughter Caroline was born in 1967. In 1973 the family moved to Nottingham and Keith had a change of career, training as a Psychiatric Nurse at Mapperley Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre. Caroline gained a place at St Hilda’s College Oxford studying Pure and Applied Biology and in 1993 Anne and Keith moved to Cheltenham where they stayed before Keith’s death. Keith was always interested in anything historical, enjoyed visiting Malta, cruising and participating in 1940s re-enactment events. Keith was also a keen philatelist, collecting George VI stamps and was a member of Cheltenham Philately Society. Anne and Keith enjoyed spending time with their two grandchildren Elizabeth and William. Keith will be greatly missed by his family and friends.’
OBM Obituaries
Francis Alan Batt 1951-56
County House, died in St John’s Hospice, 03 November 2017. His sister, Margaret, writes: ‘Born in Luton on 25 January 1938, Frank joined St Matthew’s Infants School in 1943, where he returned to teach in later life. His father returned from the war in 1945 and Frank started to attend Luton Town football matches with him. Frank became a lifelong fan, and often wrote articles for the Supporters’ Club magazine. In 1948, the family moved to Ampthill. Frank attended St Andrew’s C of E School and became involved in the Church Choir and Amateur Dramatic Society, often singing solo parts in Ampthill and the surrounding villages. Frank came to BMS in 1950 where he joined the School Musical Society and the School Choir. Again, he sang solo parts in performances of some great works such as Handel’s Messiah. By 1956, Frank was quite a sportsman and had gained his School Colours for Cross Country running. In this year, he came 5th in the Under 19s County Championships race. Frank was School Champion in the ¾ mile Steeplechase, played for the 3rd XV and was Cox for one of the School Eights. On leaving BMS in 1956, Frank was called up for National Service. He served in Goslar and Dortmund in Germany. His athletic prowess was advantageous during this episode in his life and saved him from some of the more onerous and mundane tasks. However, there was no exemption from certain manoeuvres, including survival courses in sub-zero temperatures in the Hertz Mountains!
teaching profession. He took a post as a pupil teacher at Hart Hill School in Luton until the start of the academic year, at which point he started his formal teacher training at Avery Hill Training College in London, specialising in Geography and Physical Education. 1961 saw Frank start his teaching career in Luton, working at William Austin School and St Matthew’s before a move to Brixton and Santley School in 1968, where he later became Acting Head for almost two years during the incumbent’s absence. In 1979, Frank took a year’s secondment as an internal student at the University of London, and was awarded a Diploma in Education before he was appointed Acting Head at Allen Edward’s School for one year in 1982. He then returned to Santley School for a short period leaving this role to work as a tutor at Lewisham Academic College and also as a private tutor in homes in London, preparing children for GCEs.
As Frank’s love for poetry developed, he wrote and published three books of poetry mainly concerning Bedfordshire villages and culture. He was a leading light in the Toddington Poetry Society and a founder member of the Bedford Poetry Company. Frank’s last poetry contribution was the publication of poems written by members of ‘The Poetry Café’ which meets at Frescoes Coffee House. He worked assiduously to complete it in spite of being so ill and gained a real sense of satisfaction from this. He gave readings of his poetry throughout the County and was very much in demand – and would usually cycle to these performances!
In 1991, Frank returned to Bedford and continued providing private tuition long past his ‘retirement’. He had an enduring interest and concern for children and their educational needs and was regarded with respect and fondness by parents and their offspring. He would frequently give tuition free of charge, such was his love of teaching. A keen cyclist, Frank cycled frequently and covered long distances, using the opportunity to absorb the countryside he so loved and about which he wrote in his poetry. He found beauty in places that were (he felt) sadly overlooked.
In 2004, Frank was awarded his MA from De Montfort University. Frank’s love of music never left him either, and he became a member of the OBM Choir. A well-loved and highly respected man who regarded and treated everyone equally. He never married (although he confided that ‘it was a close-run thing’!) but he was devoted to his family and was always there for anyone who needed help and support.’
Returning home in 1959, Frank set about achieving a long-held ambition to enter the
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries Ian McIver (1960–67) adds the following comments: ‘I met Frank very late in his life in my role as a volunteer driver for the St John’s Hospice at Moggerhanger. Frank was receiving day care at the Hospice for lymphodaema which resulted from his advancing cancer. We immediately ‘hit it off’ and chatted about all manner of things, including his life in Ampthill. Having grown up in nearby Houghton Conquest, I could relate to many of the yarns and recollections we shared. Very quickly, I learned that Frank was a wellknown local amateur poet. Next trip, he presented me with a copy of his first volume: ‘Bedfordshire Verse’. Imagine, when on opening the book, I read:
“Please treat the language as a tool,” Old ‘Toots’ cajoled at the Modern School, “Just give me English I can read, Simplicity, boy, is all I need, No esoteric eccentricity; Simplicity, boy, simplicity.” Well, of course, our friendship was sealed! We spent many hours comparing notes about the masters we both knew, albeit I was 10 years behind him at BMS. Throughout the many months I drove Frank to and from Moggerhanger, I became more and more fascinated and delighted by this erudite yet very modest man. I was truly saddened when I learned Frank had been admitted to the Hospice. I was nevertheless delighted to be able to meet his sister, Margaret, and to enjoy an hour or so with Frank the afternoon before he passed away. He is now out of pain and gone, but he truly left a mark. He was a true gentleman, and proud and grateful to have been a BMS boy.’
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William ‘Bill’ Chandler 1939-45
West House, died 13 December 2017. His son, Peter and brother, Richard write: ‘Bill was the middle child of the family with two older sisters and two younger brothers living in Queen’s Park, Bedford. Their father was away at sea in the Royal Navy for much of their childhood and all the children spent much of their leisure time in, on and around the river and Honey Hills area. In 1940, to the surprise of his parents, Bill passed the 11+ exam and joined BMS. A year later he was followed by his brother, Richard, and both were in West House. Although he never excelled in either his studies or on the sports field (probably due to the distractions of the river) his days at BMS had a positive effect and he often talked about those times and in his later years attended some of the OBM events. BMS during the years of the war was a very different place. Bill remembered half day schooling when Owen’s School descended on the town and Owen’s shared the school facilities and farming breaks to help bring in the harvest – particularly potatoes. Bill left school at 16 and joined the Army on a 10 year commission. He served with the Royal Engineers in Gibraltar and was involved in building the tunnel through the peninsular. The tunnel was started from both ends and should have met in the middle. Taking his own measurements, Bill realised that the official ones were wrong but his ideas were dismissed by his superiors. Hence there is a dogleg in the middle of the tunnel. On leaving the Army, Bill married Brenda Robinson, also from Queen’s Park, and the couple set up home in London where Bill had secured a post with a large, well known printing company. After some years and using the skills learned in the Army, he set up his own successful poster reproduction
business which he managed for 35 years until his retirement. His commitment was total and holidays few. But with old cars bought at auction, as they were much more fun, I [Peter] remember travelling, with my head stuck out of the sunroof, down the poplar tree lined roads of France to the southern beaches. During the 1970s Bill discovered that, in England, the gold sovereign was still legal tender for £1. He decided to pay his staff in sovereigns thus reducing their tax bills to zero. This enterprise caught the imagination of the national papers and TV and he carried on through various courts for three years until he lost his case in the High Court. Bill and Brenda divorced but on retirement Bill travelled extensively overseas often with his partner Hazel who died some years ago. They embarked on multiple trips to Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Singapore and America. In his 70s Bill travelled round Britain on a Sunbeam motorcycle on one trip visiting brother Richard and family who were on holiday in Cornwall and then proceeded to see old friends in Inverness. Bill was a great conversationalist and loved nothing more than a heated debate with anyone who would challenge him. For all his strength of independence he did not feel the need to impose his view on others. Life for Bill was interesting as were the people in it; it was fun and a great adventure. Bill’s partner, Maureen, became his companion and cared for him in his last few years and he leaves three children and eight grandchildren.’
OBM Obituaries
County House, died peacefully on the evening of 4th April, 2018 having succumbed to the health issues that he had been battling with in recent months. Importantly for Peter and his family, he was comfortable; he was at his home of 55 years in Woburn Sands in the place he most wanted to be and with the people he most wanted to be with.
Peter is survived by his wife, Joanna, to whom he was married in 1961. They maintained a strong and loving relationship with family coming first above all other things. He was very proud to send his three sons to BMS – Paul (1974-84), David (1976-86) and James ‘Buzz’ (1984-95) – as well as his daughters Linda Jane and Jennifer Claire to Dame Alice. Fittingly, the last edition of Eagle News that Peter read featured an article about his great niece, Katie Garratt, who had successfully led the U14 Girl’s Hockey Team to an undefeated season. Girls at BMS? Different times indeed but he could not have been more proud!
His son, Dave, writes: ‘Peter was a well-known and respected figure in the local community having been actively involved in many community initiatives and especially through his close links with Ridgmont Church and Eversholt Cricket Club.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Peter’s life was held on Friday 11 May at All Saints Church Ridgmont. It was standing room only with representatives from the School present plus, of course, Eddie Rutt (1943-53) and his wife.’
Peter John Norcott Garratt 1943-52
Peter described his time at BMS as ‘a privilege’ and was a staunch supporter of the OBMs maintaining strong links with the School and regularly attending various functions right up until the time of his passing. His parents were tenant farmers on the Duke of Bedford’s estate and could not possibly afford to pay for education but Peter won a Harpur Trust Scholarship and was joined by his brother, Colin, four years later. They travelled to Bedford together via train on the ‘notorious’ Bletchley Line. At that time this formed part of the cross-country link between Oxford and Cambridge and Peter would later share tales of delays home often caused by Troop Trains and Hospital Trains that rightly took priority. Other stories would be about sharing BMS’s facilities with Owen’s School during the war years and of the fearsome power wielded by School Monitors at that time (as he would joyfully prove by producing an original copy of the School Rules that he had kept as evidence should any doubter require it!) On his first day at BMS, Peter met Eddie Rutt who shared his love of cricket and became a lifelong friend.
Robert ‘Bob’ Gale 1943-53 After leaving BMS, Peter studied Zoology with Botany and Chemistry at Birmingham University (1952-55) followed by National Service with the Royal Signals. Upon leaving the Army he was not able to find work in his preferred field and embarked upon a very successful career in Industry. Firstly with 3M (the large American mining corporation) and latterly with Lucas Aerospace in roles that took him all over the world.
County House, died 20 April 2018. The following has been taken from the Middlesex Cricket Club website: ‘Bob had been in retirement in Pevensey Bay for some years, but was hindered by being in a wheelchair in later life, which had limited his long and close involvement with Middlesex.
It was not possible to know Peter and not be aware of his passion for the game of cricket and, in particular, his 60+ year association with Eversholt Cricket Club where he served in many different capacities; scorer, umpire, ‘tea lady’ and very occasional player. He simply loved the game and the friendships and camaraderie that came with it. One of his proudest moments was seeing Eversholt appear in the National Village Cup Final at Lord’s in 2000 with no less than three Garratts (two sons and a nephew) in the side.
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries He was born in Old Warden, Bedfordshire in 1933 where his cricketing ability was soon recognised by Old Warden Cricket Club and Bedford Modern School, where he had an unprecedented five years in the First XI. In his time with Middlesex he became a reliable opening batsman, forging a solid partnership with his good friend Eric Russell. He was also a useful change slow bowler, often brought on by the captain to break a stubborn stand. Whilst he never obtained international recognition he must been under consideration throughout large parts of his career. He was a popular character in a Middlesex playing career which spanned the years 1956 to 1966, in which he played 219 first-class matches for the club, scoring 11,234 runs. He also played nine List-A matches for the county in the latter stages of his career, between 1963 and 1966. After his playing career ended, he accepted a job as a gilt-edge broker in the City, just a year before he was due for a Benefit. Later in life he once again returned to Middlesex, to take responsibility for team selection, and later became the club’s President between the years of 2001 and 2003.’
Sir Keith Speed 1942-47
North and County House, died 12 January 2018 aged 83. The following information was sourced from The Daily Telegraph and The Times: ‘Herbert Keith Speed was born at Evesham on March 11 1934, the son of Herbert Speed, a company director, and Dorothy (née Mumford). Despite there being no naval tradition in his family, he enrolled at Dartmouth after leaving Bedford Modern School, completing his training at Greenwich and served in the carrier Ocean during the Korean War. Sir Keith Speed was Margaret Thatcher’s minister for the Royal Navy until he was sacked in 1981 after protesting against cuts to the service, months before Argentina invaded the Falklands. A formal naval officer who, while at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) designed a uniform for the First Lord of the Admiralty, Speed served on the Conservative benches for 29 years, representing first Meriden and then Ashford. His resignation, and other protests from both sides of the Commons, led to the cuts being deferred, though deeper reductions were implemented after the recapture of the islands. It also led Mrs Thatcher to abolish ministerial posts specifically for each service. Instead, the MoD was allocated two junior ministers, for the armed services and for procurement. But the campaigning continued and from the backbenches, Speed kept up his crusade against naval cuts, came out against the Trident nuclear deterrent, and was a leading opponent of privatising the railways and Royal Mail.
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
It was in March 1968 that Speed took the Meriden seat (by 15,263 votes) following a by-election caused by the death of its Labour MP. He lost his seat at the snap February 1974 election but, with a second election likely, he tried for Altrincham and Sale and Chichester before selected at Ashford and elected that October. When Mrs Thatcher became Tory leader in February 1975, she appointed Speed a local government spokesman before moving him to Home Affairs under Willie Whitelaw two years later. In 1979, as Mrs Thatcher came to power, Speed was sent to MoD as Parliamentary Under-secretary for the Royal Navy. Knighted after the 1992 election, Speed became, with Robert Adley, a leading Tory critic of rail privatisation. After Adley’s sudden death, Speed took the campaign forward. The transport secretary stood his ground, but Speed did force the government to continue concessionary railcards for pensioners and students. Sir Keith left the Commons at the 1997 election, Damian Green seeing off David Cameron to take his place. In 1961 he married Peggy Clarke. She survives him with two sons and a daughter. Another son died aged 17 months.’
OBM Obituaries
Richard Churchill
Robert Leask
County House, died peacefully at Willen Hospice on 14 August 2017. Richard kept in touch with many OBMs and often attended lunches. The following was written on the Ampthill RUFC website by Dave Williams:
School House, died 09 May 2018.
1947-53
‘Richard was a pillar of Ampthill rugby for much of the club’s history, as a player where he played for the 1st XV for a decade, administrator, volunteer and supporter where he continued to attend home games despite recent health issues. He played one game for the Club as a school boy in 1951, and then joined Bedford for four seasons where he played some games for the 1st XV.
1966-74
His wife, Maureen, writes: ‘Better known as ‘Bob’ to family and friends, Bob was born in Kuwait where his father worked as an Engineer for Kuwait Oil Company. Bob joined Bedfordshire Police and attained the rank of Sergeant. After working in the Police for 30 years Bob moved on to use his skills as a Licensing Compliance Officer for Bedford Borough Council until he retired in October 2016.
A very active Amateur Radio operator (call signs G4CEO/G3XNG) he was renowned for his exceptional Morse code skills and the work he put into teaching and encouraging the use of Morse code. He communicated widely and had friends on many continents. Bob became a Morse examiner and a member of the select First Class Officers' Club, a worldwide organisation of only 500 members. Bob recalled his school days at Bedford Modern with great affection and pride. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Maureen, and all who knew him.’
He re-joined Ampthill in 1956 where he played at outside half for the 1st XV for ten years, so his rugby talent was self- evident. He continued to play for the second XV, but at the same time he became fixture secretary for nine years, before taking on the onerous task of Club Treasurer in 1968 for thirty (30) years! When Richard retired from the post of Treasurer he continued to support the Club by painting the club fences and many other jobs that few would undertake including travelling from his home in Milton Keynes every Monday to collect the rubbish from around the pitches.’
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Directory of OBM Services Business Consultant
Land and Property Consultants
Tree Surgeon
Andrew Penn (1961-70), Leyhill Solutions, 40 Whitehall, Lidlington, Bedford, MK43 0RS, 07775 426355, 01525 403232, andrew.penn@leyhill.com, www.leyhill.com
Jeremy Clayson (1964-71), Fisher German LLP, Unit 8, Stephenson Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford, MK44 3WJ, 01234 823661 bedford@fishergerman.co.uk www.fishergerman.co.uk
Neil Smith BSc (Hons) (1988-96), Heritage Arboriculture Ltd, Harrold, Bedfordshire, MK43 7BU 01234 720801, neil@heritagearboriculture.co.uk www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk
Improving your business using internationally recognised standards e.g. ISO,EFQM,IIP& CSE.
Chartered and Certified Financial Planner Josh Butten (2002-10), boosst Limited, Church View, Hulcote, Bedfordshire, MK17 8BW, 01908 584925, josh@boosst.financial www.boosst.financial Experienced and highly respected firm of Independent Lifestyle Financial Planners providing services which add tremendous value for Private Individuals, Families and Enterprise. We learn everything about you and answer life’s biggest financial questions.
Digital and Litho Printer Simon Diffey (1977-80), Merry Printers, Unit 10, Langley Terrace Industrial Park, Latimer Road, Luton, LU13XQ, 01582 726959, www.merryprinters.co.uk Printers and designers of quality product literature, report and accounts, manuals and business stationery.
Engineer (Civil and Structural) Neil Johnson (1964-71), Neil Johnson Associates, The Brunel Centre, 19 Glebe Road, Perry, Huntingdon PE28 0DG, 01480 811186, neil@nja-group.co.uk www.nja-group.co.uk Consulting civil and structural engineers and building design consultants.
Fisher German LLP is a leading national firm of Chartered Surveyors and Specialist Property Consultants. 15 offices nationwide covering 6 sectors: Commercial/ Planning & Construction/ Property Agency/ Renewable Energy/ Rural Consultancy/ Utilities & Infrastructure.
Optometrist Simon Browning (1970-78), Simon Browning Optometrist, 55 Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 2SR, 01234 353454, sbrowning@eye1.co.uk NHS and private eye examinations, contact lens consultations, and optomap peripheral and central retinal examinations carried out.
Pest Control and Environmental Services
An ARB Association Approved Contractor with Trustmark accreditation providing all aspects of tree care. From Tree-related advice: planning applications; hazardous removals; veteran tree management; crown hinning and reductions; hedge work; orchard management; tree planting; to stump grinding.
Veterinary Surgeon Sarah Fallow (2005-10), Acorn House Veterinary Hospital, Linnet Way, Bedford, MK41 7HN, 01234 261839 www.acornhousevets.com Fully equipped purpose built veterinary hospital for companion animals.
Matt Wheeler (1985-90), Professional Pest Management Ltd., Unit 7A, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5HQ, 01462 811818, 01908 761761 matt@ppmlimited.co.uk Nationwide pest control and environmental services.
Solicitor Simon Parrott (1975-80), Sharmans, 1 Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1PF, 01234 303030, www.sharmanlaw.co.uk simon.parrott@sharmanlaw.co.uk. Office also in Ampthill.
If you are an OBM with a business or service to promote, and would like to appear in this listing, please email externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk for business rates.
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Update from the School Archivist Jenny Ulph (julph@bedmod.co.uk) It has been another busy year in the School Archive, which is currently based in School House. The School Archivist, assisted by the team of regular OBM volunteers, has continued to sort and catalogue the huge number of boxes of papers, photographs, plans and artefacts already stored there. One photograph shows John Stanbridge (1957-62) bravely tackling a box of assorted photographs showing various building projects since the School’s move to the current site in 1974. This year, volunteers have box-listed the whole of the collection of BMS Master F F W Kuhlicke, including some great albums of 1930’s European school trips, and 11 large boxes of previously unlisted archive material and donations. This work has uncovered some real historical gems, such as the letter written by a young J E Taylor (Headmaster, 1946-65) to his parents in 1918, when he was helping out at Harvest Camp during WW1. Possibly the best discovery, though, has been two wooden desk tops covered in the carved names of OBMs from the 1890s. These early graffiti artists helpfully etched their names and years at the School, so it can only be assumed that this was fully authorised vandalism! If anyone knows any more about the background to these, please contact the School Archivist. In addition to day-to-day archive work, this year has seen many new donations to the Archive. This photograph (bottom left) shows just some of the recent items taken in for the Archive in only two weeks! All BMS-related items are very gratefully received, so please do keep them coming in. As our collection – and catalogue – grows, it is hoped to be able to increase the use of the Archive across the school community. Plans are currently focussed on commemoration of the forthcoming centenary of the end of the First World War; more on that in the next issue.
Eagle News
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Thank You.
W
e are extremely grateful to everyone who has, over the years, pledged their support to the School, and would like to express our thanks to everyone who has made a donation for their generosity. Every gift we receive really does make a difference.
If you have left a gift for Bedford Modern School in your will, please let us know so that we can thank you in your lifetime. Write to: Tel: Email:
Julie Ridge, Director of External Relations Bedford Modern School, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7NT 01234 332500 jridge@bedmod.co.uk