Eagle News
Issue 116 June-December 2017 The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Farewell to two stalwarts of BMS Sport Inside:
Letter from the Head 4
125 Years of the OBM Club 6
News 10
The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club Founded 1892
Issue 116 June-December 2017 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
Nigel Chinneck and David Orton retired from teaching at the end of 2017. It’s not possible to put into words the positive impact these two gentlemen have had on the lives of so many young people.
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
Design by: The Answer Machine www.theAnswerMachine.co.uk Printed by: Merrys Limited www.merryprinters.co.uk
Contents 3
The London Lunch
21
Sports Roundup
4
Letter from the Head
26
Book Reviews
5
OBM Events Gallery
28
Memory Stir
6
OBM Club - Celebrating 125 years
36
Obituaries
10
School and OBM News
42
Directory of OBM Services
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
The London Lunch
The London Lunch will be held in the Members’ Dining Room at the House of Commons
on Friday 02 March 2018 at 12.15pm for 13.00pm with pre-lunch drinks (cash bar) in the Strangers' Dining Room
Cost: £85 (which includes a three course lunch, a glass of wine with the meal, coffee and petit fours) To reserve your place please complete the booking form on the reverse of the address sheet accompanying this magazine and send with a cheque made payable to Bedford Modern School. To pay by debit/credit card, please contact External Relations on 01234 332639. Eligibility: OBMs and current and former staff (no non-OBM guests). Reservations: to be made no later than Friday 23 February and must be accompanied by payment. Cancellations: cannot be accepted after Friday 23 February. Dress: Lounge suits and Club ties. Ladies (OBMs and staff) please dress accordingly. Sponsored places: OBMs in full time education are invited to apply for a limited number of free places at the Lunch. To register your interest please email externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk with your name and current place of study. Seating allocation: The Members' Dining room seats up to 170 and places will be reserved strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
The President, Richard Greenhalgh (1958-63) invites you to
128th Founder’s Commemoration Dinner This year's theme: Performing Arts Friday 15 June 2018 Rutherford Building Ticket price of £25 includes a pre-dinner drink and four course meal with a complimentary glass of wine. Cash bar. All OBMs are welcome together with spouses/partners as guests. Details on how to reserve your place can be found on the reverse of the address sheet accompanying this magazine.
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Letter from the Head Alex Tate
I am delighted to welcome you to this latest issue of Eagle News, the first in my role as Headmaster. It is both an honour and privilege to have been appointed as custodian of what I am already aware is a very special place and in the relatively short amount of time that I have been in post I have met many students, parents, staff and OBMs who have all emphasised the importance of the BMS community. It is undoubtedly a productive and supportive environment in which the students flourish and I could not have been made to feel more welcome. I have been amazed with the breadth of activities on offer and the willingness of the students to get involved and give so generously of their time. I have tried to get out and about to see as much of this as possible for myself, however I am conscious that I have only witnessed the tip of the iceberg and look forward to seeing more next term. I am grateful to the staff who run many of these sessions after school and at the weekends, and to the parents, many of whom spend numerous hours supporting the School, whether it be on the sideline, in the audience or simply acting as a taxi!
I want to get to know OBMs better, too. I have been rather humbled by the loyalty shown by former students of all age ranges to their alma mater, something I have not experienced in other schools in such strength. I have already had the pleasure of meeting a number of you on 09 December; the very day 125 years ago that the OBM Club was founded. The day included netball, rugby and the traditional OBM Club Christmas Lunch and it was both a pleasure and a privilege to speak to OBMs whose ages ranged from 18 to 100 years! I have enjoyed hearing stories about BMS in the past and made a number of fascinating visits to the School Archive. BMS plays a crucial role in educating and preparing our students for the wider world and in helping them to develop the skills they might need to flourish. We live in a period of unprecedented change which is driven by the continued development of technology. The World Economic Forum recently predicted that 65% of jobs that primary school students will be doing in the future do not yet exist! Such rapid change creates uncertainty and calls into question how we should provide a meaningful and relevant education. Harvard professor, Tony Wagner, has identified a number of skills that students will need to thrive in the future: critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to collaborate across networks which means working with others on a temporary basis and leading by influence. He also emphasises how important it is to be agile and quickly adapt in a world where technological changes require continual relearning together with effective oral and written communication including the ability to think clearly and inspire others. Finally he places great emphasis on the significance of curiosity and imagination in driving continued change.
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In my short time here I believe that we do teach these skills to our students. However, I am determined that we will continue to examine our academic offering to ensure that we really are delivering an education that will equip our students with the necessary skills to tackle the challenges of the future. That, for me, is a truly 'Modern' school.
With my very best wishes
Alex Tate Headmaster
OBM Events
OBM Events Gallery (June - December 2017)
Henley Royal Regatta Once again OBMs, parents and current students attended Henley Royal Regatta in good numbers and visited the BMS gazebo in Butler's Field on 28 June 2017. As ever, it was tremendous to see the BMS rowing community, past and present.
20/20 Cricket Another successful OBM T20 Cricket Tournament took place on 07 July. The OBM team captained by Jason Lockwood (199302) claimed victory with a little help from former England cricketer and OBM Monty Panesar (1998-2000). Jason's team beat the School XI to lift the Chinneck Trophy and current year 13 student, Advait Vaidya, won the Millman Cup for outstanding bowling in both matches.
To see more visit the picture gallery in the OBM section of the BMS website Eagle News
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Celebrating 125 years of the OBM Club More than 170 OBMs ranging in age from 18 to 100 years returned to school on Saturday 09 December to participate in a variety of events as we celebrated the founding of the OBM Club which took place on the very same day 125 years previously.
Girls’Sports Tournament There was a fantastic turnout for our fifth annual Girls' Sports Tournament comprising four OBM teams and current BMS students. The cold weather forced play indoors and we switched to just fast-paced netball matches. The 2016 OBM team players, captained by Amelia Hoppenbrouwers (2011-17) were impressive, winning all their games and claiming the Tournament Shield.
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OBM Club Celebrating 125 years
Bruce Willey Memorial Match It was another victory for OBMs in the annual Bruce Willey Memorial rugby match. The final score was 15-7 to last year's leavers who dominated possession against a valiant BMS current 1st XV. Year 13 student Tom Hartshorn received the Bruce Willey Memorial Trophy for a fine performance on the day, working tirelessly in the back row.
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OBM Club Celebrating 125 years
OBM Christmas Lunch We welcomed more than 120 OBMs, their guests, former and current staff back to school for a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings! Members of the school's Jazz band, The Groove Collective, started the event with a fantastic performance to celebrate the Club's anniversary. We also took the opportunity to thank retiring sports teachers Nigel Chinneck and David Orton, who joined us as our guests, and many OBMs attended specifically to wish them well. It was also tremendous that nine past OBM Club presidents and guests were present for this special occasion.
To see more visit the picture gallery in the OBM section of the BMS website
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
OBM Club Celebrating 125 years
See back cover for more informaton about the history of the OBM Club
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School and OBM News
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Welcoming Back OBMs as Guests of Honour Once again this year we welcomed back OBMs as Guests of Honour at three of our annual award ceremonies; Junior School Prizegiving, Artistic Achievement Awards and Academic Awards.
Andrew Mower (1997-2006) joined us on Thursday 29 June to congratulate our youngest prize winners on all their hard work at the annual Junior School Prizegiving. It is always a very special occasion and this year, after presenting the awards, Andrew entertainedthe audience with light-hearted memories of his own experience as a BMS Junior School student. Andrew was House Captain of Taylor in Year 6; they won that year, and he was also captain of the football team. He participated in a whole host of musical and sporting activities throughout senior school, including football, rugby and rowing as well as playing in various concerts. He said: “I remember getting the Year 6 prize for science - apt given that I then went on to do Chemistry at Imperial!” During his A Level year, Andrew was House Captain of Tilden; they won that year, too! He was a Junior School monitor and received the Outstanding Contribution to the Life of the School award.
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Following his degree, Andrew joined the Forensics team at PwC, undertaking financial investigations, before moving to Kaplan in 2013 where he is currently employed teaching ACCA, CIMA and ACA accounting qualifications to students aged from 18 up to 60.
School and OBM News
Celebrating Artistic Achievement On the following evening, Friday 30 June, we celebrated the wealth of artistic talent at BMS at the annual Artistic Achievement Awards evening. The prize winners were recognised for their achievements across a range of disciplines including drama, dance, art, creative writing, music and film studies. We welcomed OBM, actor and director Matt Cullum (1982-90) as our special guest on this occasion.
As well as numerous acting credits his TV and film work includes Women and Children (Canada International Film Festival), The Bill (ITV), Really (Day for Night Films), Ultimate Force (ITV), Murphy's Law (BBC1), Romans in Britain (BBC), A Touch of Frost (YTV), Almost (LA Film Festival), Doctors (BBC), Fourteen (Short Film LFS) and Gulliver's Travels (Jim Henson Productions). Matt also works extensively as a workshop leader and movement director for schools, youth theatres and colleges. He is very passionate about working with young people and was Artistic Director of the Bedfordshire Youth Theatre for 5 years during which time the company regularly toured the county, played the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and represented the UK internationally in both Italy and South Korea as part of the National Conference of Youth Theatres.
Academic Awards Finally Sarah Fallow BA VetMed MRCVS (2005-10) presented the awards which celebrate outstanding academic achievement at a special evening on Friday 22 September. She is the embodiment of what hard work and determination can achieve and gave a motivating and engaging address about her experiences while at school and life afterwards. Sarah started in Year 9 at BMS and became Head Girl in her final year. She began studying Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and qualified as a vet in 2016. She has since been working as a small animal vet locally at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital in Brickhill. Her main patients are the cats and dogs of Bedford, but she has a particular interest in exotic animal medicine and so also cares for rabbits, tortoises and the odd raccoon!
Matt started his acting career as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in the Howard Hall when he was just 10 years old! After school he went on to train at Rose Bruford College in London and at the Ce'lavy School in the south of France where he specialised in physical theatre, clowning and Commedia Del'Arte. His work as an actor has given him the opportunity to work extensively throughout the UK and internationally, particularly due to his ten year collaboration with Steven Berkoff as both an actor and associate director. These projects include: East (West End, Edinburgh Festival, UK No.1 Tour), Messiah - Scenes from a crucifixion (Edinburgh Festival, Old Vic), Richard II (Ludlow Festival), On The Waterfront (Nottingham Playhouse, Edinburgh Festival, West End and Hong Kong International Arts Festival) and Biblical Tales (New End Theatre). Other directing credits include: Ruby Wax: Losing It (as associate to Thea Sharrock) and King of the Gypsies (Escalator East to Edinburgh and UK Tour), Lark Rise to Candleford (as associate for Bill Kenwright).
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School and OBM News
News
Update from the School Archivist Jenny Ulph (julph@bedmod.co.uk) The past few months in the School Archive have brought several exciting discoveries as work continues to sort and catalogue the many boxes of material in School House. The majority of the School's archive collection was transferred to Bedfordshire Archives Service in the 1980s, including much of the photograph collection and many of the older records (although these are now all catalogued, searchable online and available to visiting researchers). It was particularly exciting, therefore, to find several boxes of these records, which appear to have been duplicates, returned to the School, including some fantastic early treasures. These are now all catalogued and newly boxed in the archive and will be interesting items for possible future displays. In addition to routine cataloguing and enquiry work, the new Headmaster is keen to increase awareness and use of the archive collection within School, so I am currently considering various possibilities for this going forward. A first step in raising the profile of the archive was hosting a drop-in archive exhibition for staff during national 'Explore your Archive' week in late November. Nearly 30 staff (and a small group of visiting OBMs) made it down the hill to the archive rooms in School House, resulting in some new donations from staff. The archive has also received some fantastic BMS-related material donated from OBMs, staff or relatives over the past year. Please do continue to send me any unwanted School items!
Starring role for OBM
OBM Lodge Award
Jeremy Irvine (2000-08) is starring in the film Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! as 'Young Sam', which is due for release in summer 2018.
On Friday 07 July, Gabriel Few-Wiegratz received The Old Bedford Modernians' Lodge Award for Personal Achievement for being an exceptional advocate for the School through his commendable contribution to the Centenary Anniversary events marking the death of OBM Edgar Mobbs, and for his overall involvement in life at BMS. Mr Richard Griffin (1965-70), Charity Steward of the OBM Lodge, presented Gabriel with the award to support him as he embarks on his Geography degree at the University of Exeter.
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School and OBM News
News
Talia wins place in National Youth Choir Following auditions in London in the Autumn Term, talented singer Talia Sanders has won a place with the prestigious National Youth Choir, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB)'s flagship ensemble. It is recognised as one of the greatest youth choirs in the world and is made up of 100 of the best young voices in the UK. Year 13 student, Talia, who is currently studying Music, Music Tech and Latin at A Level hopes to study music at university next year. She explains: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a singer. As well as national concert opportunities and advanced workshops to develop musicianship you also attend a residential course during the year which is full of other learning opportunities. It's scary but I'm really looking forward to it!� You can audition for the National Youth Choir from Year 12 and sing with the choir until the academic year in which you turn 22 years of age. All members prove their ongoing development and commitment through annual re-auditions. Talia, a soprano, sang with the National Youth Training Choir last year. John Mower, Director of Music at BMS said: "We are very proud and pleased for Talia that she has become a member of the National Youth Choir. This is the realisation of all her hard work and dedication to her singing".
DofE Gold On Thursday 09 November, James Waterfield (2005-16) collected his Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Gold Award from St James's Palace. James received his award from Arthur Williams, who previously presented Channel 4's Paralympics coverage in 2012. Vincent Rustill (2007-17) also received his award on the same day.
University Challenge Sam Hosegood (2006-15) captained the University of Bristol team to victory after beating Trinity College, Oxford in December with a score of 205-100 qualifying them for the quarter-finals of the long-running British Quiz Programme, University Challenge. They previously beat Trinity College, Cambridge in July with a significant 230-95 margin.
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BMS teachers meet OBM Coriolanus OBM and actor Sope Dirisu (2002-09), who played the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's recent production of Coriolanus, had the chance to catch up with BMS librarian Margaret Brown and former teachers Elva Sheldon (1995-2017), Monica Hetherington (1997-2011) and Pam Russell (1992-2015) after one of the show's previews in September.
BMJS student plays lead role in poetry video Poet and YouTube star Hussain Manawer has recently revealed his first official music poetry video 'Playground', featuring Bedford Modern Junior School Year 5 student Rajan Sangha in the lead role playing a young Hussain. Hussain, who is passionate about raising awareness of mental health, created the video in partnership with the charity Samaritans. It was filmed over two days in October, one in Hussain's former school in Ilford and the other in Croydon. It is a nostalgic reflection on the simple joys of childhood, reminding adults to reconnect with those values and focus on the small things when they feel overwhelmed. Rajan is a keen drama student at School and has achieved a distinction two years in a row in his 2016 and 2017 London Academy of Speech and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) examinations. He was encouraged to send an audition tape for the role by his BMS drama teacher, Mr Moss. Nine-year-old Rajan spoke of his experience, saying: “It was so much fun! I was a bit nervous at the start of filming but I really enjoyed it and would love the opportunity to be part of something similar in the future.
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“Everyone on set was amazing and Hussain was lovely. I also found it really interesting seeing how technology worked on a film set.” Mrs Rex, Head of Junior School, commented: “Rajan is a delightful young man and a true ambassador for Bedford
Modern Junior School. It was a real delight to see him make the very most of this unique opportunity at such a young age and the final film is particularly enjoyable. I am sure that Rajan is very proud to have been selected and of the final outcome.”
School and OBM News
Anti-Bullying Week BMS staff and students supported national Anti-Bullying Week from 13 to 17 November with a variety of activities ranging from cake sales, focused assemblies led by student anti-bullying ambassadors, conversations in tutor groups about how to tackle bullying, and the creation of a colourful mural in the school grounds giving a powerful message to us all.
in place at BMS and the activities planned for the week. There are now 20 anti-bullying ambassadors in Years 7 to 11, almost double the number in place a year ago. Cake sales across the Senior School raised some £250 which was donated to the Diana Award charity which aims to foster, develop and inspire positive change in the lives of young people.
Anti-Bullying Week aims to encourage children and young people to take individual and collective action to prevent bullying and create safe environments in schools.
However, it was the colourful mural that had the greatest impact. Heather Gilbert, BMS Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, said: “Designed with the help of staff in the BMS Art Department, this colourful wall painting shows two heads in profile facing each other which contain inspirational words chosen by students to raise awareness of
bullying and its prevention such as 'community', 'faith' and 'honesty'. The faces are surrounded by a large number of painted hands demonstrating a supportive environment.“We started creating the mural during our recent Open Day which meant that even more people had the opportunity to see how seriously we take this issue at our school.” On Thursday 16 November, Molly met HRH Prince William at the YouTube space in St Pancras for the launch of the 'Stop, Speak, Support' campaign designed to tackle the increasing problem of cyberbullying; when someone uses technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person.
Year 11 student Molly Kemble has taken a lead role in the school's anti-bullying group since it started in September 2015 and was named the Bedfordshire Anti-Bullying Ambassador for the National Anti-Bullying Ambassador Youth Board last year. She, together with fellow students Sophie Clare, Oliver Wyatt and Jadesayo Ajibola, delivered assemblies to both senior school and junior school students to raise awareness of the ambassador programme
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Lest We Forget We know that 165 OBMs fell in WWI, nearly 14% of those who joined up, and their names are recorded on the School's War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 in the Memorial Hall of the School's Harpur Street building, and in the Roll of Honour, published in the December issue of The Eagle; the school magazine at the time. A second memorial plaque was added at a later date to include additional names missing from the original memorial. Since 1974 the memorial tablets have been on the wall in the Quads on the Manton Lane site. Mr Smith, the BMS Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Contingent Commander, has recently created a digital memorial to these men on the Imperial War Museum website which can be found at https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/5155. So far this community group contains 161 of the OBMs who fell in the Great War and, along with their profiles, Mr Smith has added photographs from a trip he made in the summer of the headstones and memorials of those who are commemorated in the UK, France and Belgium. He now intends to add material from war time Eagle magazines to the relevant men to paint fuller pictures of these soldiers and to shine a light on them. As this is a national project, information is also being added by other users, who are not necessarily connected to BMS including photographs of the men and other information on their lives. A wonderful resource and a fitting tribute to these brave men.
Remembrance Day 2017 On Friday 10 November we welcomed some special guests to our Remembrance Service, including a family member of OBM Lieutenant Douglas A Simcox, who fell in the Korean War in February 1951. Ray Bailey, Lieutenant Simcox's nephew and a former member of the Sports Department at BMS, had previously loaned his uncle’s military knife and belt to the School.
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At a meeting of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Royal Anglian Association it was discussed that one of their branch members had visited the grave of Lieutenant Simcox whilst visiting Korea and had taken photographs of the site and headstone. CCF Contingent Commander, Alex Smith, confirmed that Lieutenant Simcox was an OBM. Copies of the photos were given to the School and Mr Bailey was presented with them before the service by the Headmaster.
Mr Bailey commented: “I was overcome with emotion when I was told about the photographs. Douglas is always in our minds. I would love to visit Korea myself one day and see where he is buried.” Alex Smith, added: “It was lovely to be involved reuniting the photographs with Ray. It is important to the family to know that someone has visited and cared for the grave.”
School and OBM News
Sustainability recognition for BMS The Police Community Clubs of Great Britain awarded the BMS Greenhouse Project second place in the Green Schools Sustainability category of their Community Education Awards on Tuesday 20 June. This year the Community Education Awards, a recognition of schools' efforts to help children and young people become responsible community members, received more than 6,500 entries. The Green Schools Sustainability accolade acknowledges projects which may lower a carbon footprint, promote renewable energy, encourage sustainability or improve the environment. The BMS greenhouse, which was built in 2016, is full size and made of 1705 recycled plastic bottles. It is now home to various plants which are growing in recycled yogurt pots. Ben Day, Head of Geography and Eco Club co-ordinator said: “This was a fantastic achievement by everyone involved and I am very proud of the BMS Eco Club and all of their efforts over the years.” Eco Club member and sixth form student Harry Schlote added: “I really enjoyed working on the Greenhouse Project; it was nice to be part of something different at BMS. It's great that we have received such great recognition for our work; I don't think any of us were expecting it!”
Manton Charitable Trust Award The annual Manton Charitable Trust Gap Year Award was awarded this year to Rohan Katargamwala who volunteered at the Utange Orphanage in Kenya where he helped make a difference to the lives of the children by helping with their schooling. The Manton Charitable Trust donates funds to individual students who commit to a minimum four week challenge to support the disadvantaged, preferably in another country, during a gap year between school and university.
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Theatre success for BMS students
Year 13 students Thomas Mullan and Bertie Ensor-Clinch, and Charlie Barnett (Year 12) performed in national theatres during the summer holidays. Thomas and Bertie, who are actively involved in Performing Arts at BMS, were both selected from more than 1,000 hopefuls to join the world-leading youth arts organisation National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) following auditions in February. Thomas, who played the lead male role of 'Seymour' in last year's BMS production of Little Shop of Horrors said: “My time at NYMT was amazing; I worked with the most fantastic cast playing the part of Louis in the musical Sunday in the Park with George.” Bertie who played 'Jesus' in this year's BMS rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, said: “I had an absolutely incredible time performing with NYMT and was lucky enough to be given the role of Dustin in the production of Billy the Kid. It was fantastic to be part of such a unique opportunity.”
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16-year-old Charlie performed with the National Youth Theatre (NYT) in Zigger Zagger, whilst OBM Will Tillett (2008-17), who recently completed his studies at BMS, embarked on a three week acting course with the company.
Laura Coltman, Director of Performance Arts at Bedford Modern School added: “The staff in the Performance Arts Faculty at BMS are very proud of the achievement of these students and are pleased to see their continued success when auditioning for such prestigious companies.”
School and OBM News
BMS plays host to Alexander McCall Smith In early October Stephen Bywater, Head of English, interviewed the acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith at BMS at an event organised by Bedford International Writing Competition. The author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and more than eighty other bestselling novels, entertained those present for an hour before signing copies of his books. During the signing Red Bush tea and biscuits were served, just as one of his most famous characters, Precious Ramotswe, would have wanted. After the event, which was attended by more than 250 devoted readers, Stephen Bywater praised him for being one the easiest writers to interview. The Scottish author was brimming over with amusing anecdotes and his infectious laughter had everyone in stiches. Alexander, or Sandy as he prefers to be called, donated his fee for the evening to Book Aid International.
Amina joins Aldeburgh Young Musicians During the summer break, Amina Eldin won a place to perform and study with the prestigious Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM) based at the Snape Malting Concert Hall in Suffolk. Violinist Amina went through two intense rounds of auditions earlier this year before she was offered a 'Full Scheme' place on the programme.
Aldeburgh Young Musicians is an artist development programme for advanced young musicians and composers aged 8-18.
It is a year-round programme, which includes a combination of intensive weeklong residencies and weekends, individual lessons, professional advice, mentoring and performance opportunities. 14-year-old Amina, who takes her violin lessons at BMS, said: “I was so excited when I heard that I had been offered a place with the AYM. My older brother Tarek already plays with the musicians and told me how much he was enjoying it which was what made me want to audition. I'm really looking forward to working alongside such talented professionals.” Mary Perry, Assistant Director of Music at BMS, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Amina and it will really inform her playing both as a soloist and with the School Orchestra and String Quartet. We look forward to hearing how she gets on!”
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Voter turnout accomplishment for BMS politician At the end of the summer term Year 13 student Joshua Forrester was awarded the Silver Award for voter turnout in the Milton Keynes Youth Election. The Milton Keynes Youth Cabinet (MK YCAB) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change Milton Keynes for the better. Elections are held every two years in schools and colleges across Milton Keynes and anyone aged 11-19 can get involved. Joshua's campaign aims included helping young people's voices to be heard, working towards better transport for young people and raising awareness of young people's positive contribution to society. He said: “Having lived in the Milton Keynes area for most of my life I am interested in making a difference in my community and so really enjoyed campaigning for the youth election.” Head of Politics at BMS, Stuart Baker, commented on Joshua's achievement saying: “Josh had an outstanding campaign and was unlucky to not win the election. He received the The Ikey Smith Prize for Politics at the BMS academic awards in September.”
BMS student appointed Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet On Monday 02 October, Year 12 student Adam Wu was installed as one of six cadets selected to support Her Majesty's LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, at a formal ceremony hosted by BMS.
'outdoorsy' person and I like to get involved in community projects so I was incredibly happy when I found out I had been selected. I'm looking forward to performing the duties in my role; it's a real honour.”
Every year the Lord-Lieutenant appoints a small number of young people to support her in carrying out her duties. Their selection and appointment acknowledges their outstanding contribution to their cadet service and to the community.
Alex Smith, CCF Contingent Commander, read Adam's citation at the special occasion and commented: “It's absolutely fantastic news that Adam has been selected to be one of the Bedfordshire Lord-Lieutenant's cadets for 2017/18 and the fact that we are hosting the event is an honour in itself. I wish all the cadets every success for their year in office.”
Cadet Sergeant Adam Wu, who has been involved in the CCF since Year 9, reflected on his appointment saying: “I'm a very
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Speaking after the commissioning the Lord-Lieutenant said, “Cadet Adam Wu is an outstanding young man who is both a high achiever and committed to helping his community. I know that he will bring commitment and energy to the role.”
Sports Roundup
Sport Rugby Unbeaten record for Year 7 Rugby Squad
The Year 7 A and B rugby squads had a fantastic autumn term with both teams unbeaten across 18 fixtures, a remarkable achievement with only one other school in the country managing this feat at this age group. We haven't had a rugby team go unbeaten for at least 15 years let alone two teams in a single age group. With 14 of the 18 matches away from home, the A team scored 94 tries and only conceded two whilst the B team scored 98 tries and conceded 16. It would be wrong to single out any individual as the performances and subsequent success came about through an outstanding team effort and in particular their superb work rate and commitment both in training and on match days.
OBM plays in Oxford vs Cambridge varsity Michael Phillips (2007-14) pictured here scoring for BMS at Twickenham in 2012, played in this year's Oxford vs Cambridge varsity match. Michael's Cambridge side ran out 20-10 winners in a hard fought match.
Brett Richmond, BMS Head of Rugby, said: "The Under 12s have demonstrated great work ethic and character from the very start of the season. The desire of the players to improve week on week and push each other in training has led to a very tight-knit group and some very strong performances." The highlight of the term came at the end of the season with wins against very strong sides from King Henry VIII School who were also unbeaten and averaged more than eight tries per game. Both BMS teams defended magnificently to keep the opposition at bay without conceding any points. A Team: P9, W9. Points For 470, Points Against 10 B Team: P9, W9. Points For 490, Points Against 80
Water Polo BMS water polo teams have been enjoying success recently with the U15 team placing second overall at the ESSA regional qualifier on 22 November and the U18 boys' team crowned group winners after a nail-biting match against Brentwood School which went to penalties. This means that both teams have qualified for the championships.
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Sports Roundup
Sport Hockey BMS first for U14 girls' hockey team It has been a fantastic term for the U14A girls' hockey team as they complete an unbeaten season of regular scheduled fixtures; their first playing 11-a-side on a full-sized pitch.
Captained by Katie Garratt for the first time, the 17- strong squad have gained valuable experience and developed their skills and team play as the season has progressed. Their success has been acknowledged on social media by two hockey stars; Kate Richardson-Walsh, captain of the GB women's team at the Rio Olympics when they won their first gold medal and Alex Danson, current GB and England captain. Year 9 student, Katie said: “It's been an amazing term and I'm really proud of myself and the team. Kate (Richardson-Walsh) has been really supportive sending messages to me personally with advice on how to develop as a captain. It's inspirational.” Hockey Coach, Guy Marsh, added: “It is the first time for me as a BMS coach that girls in this age group have had such a run of success and I'm thrilled for them. It certainly bodes well for the future. Together with the Year 7 boys' A and B rugby teams on invincible form, it has been a tremendous term for BMS Sport.” P 12 W 10 D 2 L 0 GF 47 GA 5
On Friday 08 September GB Olympic gold medallists Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh came to BMS to give a hockey masterclass to budding young hockey players from across the county. The masterclass was organised by owner of hockey coaching company MT13 and ex-international hoc key player Matt Taylor.
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After winning gold with the Great Britain women's hockey squad at the Rio Olympics last year, Helen and Kate were more than qualified to share their expertise with the students.
Head of Girls' Sport, Rebecca Woodgate, commented on the class saying: “It was fantastic to see both Helen and Kate being very hands on with the children. I don't think they could have hoped for more inspirational coaches.”
Sports Roundup
However timing is crucial as you must ride no slower than 8km or faster than 12km per hour and it is even more complicated as you have to follow a map and specified route at the same time.
Equestrian Year 8 student, Suzie Todd, was named the Pony Club National Novice Endurance League Champion for 2017 in December .
Speaking about her achievement, Suzie said: “I was so happy to win as it is the first year I have entered the Endurance League and I was really proud of Echo as it was her first season, too. I travelled all over the country to take part but the hardest terrain was definitely in Wales.�
Suzie, who is a member of the Whaddon Chase branch of the Pony Club, successfully completed a distance of 277km between May and October, travelling to a number of venues around England and Wales. She won the league with a total of 228 points, a 28 point lead, on a New Forest pony called Crabbswood Zelma, known as Echo.
Suzie won the league not just because she passed the rides but also because she rode well technically and kept the pony fit by training throughout the season. She also gained more points for the pony having good vital signs after the ride. The grading system for Graded Endurance Rides is designed to reward both horse fitness and good horsemanship.
Endurance is long distance riding and for Suzie's category, which included 43 contestants, you are required to cover a distance of up 31km per ride increasing to 35km at the championships.
Golf OBMs Simon Pile (1986-93), Matthew Pile (1986-93), Ben Pile (1987-94), Steve Goddard (1976-79), Colin Matthews (1976-80) and Ian Willis (1989-96) once again qualified as a team for the finals of the Grafton Morrish golf event between 30 September and 02 October after navigating the pre-qualifiers held in May at Denham Golf Club.
strong and any errors were punished. Simon Pile and I went 4 up after 4 in the second match but the other two matches were not going as favourably for the OBMs, with Matt and Ian in the top match and Colin and Steve in their traditional anchor role, facing strong Sherborne pairings playing some good golf. Unfortunately, despite some valiant battling, the other two matches went to Sherborne and with the
match decided, Simon's and my match was declared a half on the 15th when all square. Many thanks to the team for their efforts and also to the OBM club for supporting the team. We look forward to challenging again next year. Any single figure handicap players should get in touch with me at benpile@hotmail.com.'
Ben Pile writes: 'We were fortunate to be given a bye through the first round and faced a good Bradfield side on Friday morning. Despite an ominous weather forecast of gusty winds and heavy showers, the weather was unseasonably mild and stayed dry. This seemed to suit the OBM team over our opposition and despite all the matches being close around the turn, with only a hole in it either way, the OBM team turned the screw on the back nine with some fine play and eventually won all three foursomes matches pretty comfortably, with the closest game in the second match with Matthew Pile and Ian Willis, making his debut, closing out their game at the 17th. The win put us through to the last 16 where we would face Sherborne, a winner in recent years, on Saturday morning. The weather was again kind but the opposition were
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Sports Roundup
Sport Skiing Following good performances, attendance and discipline during the recent English Schools' Ski Association (ESSKIA) Dry Slope Races, Edward Forrester (Year 11) and Alexander Smith (Year 9) have been selected to join the Squad Training Camps in Geilo, Norway in February. ESSKIA promotes ski-racing competitions between school teams and the training camps provide students with a unique and valuable experience in developing their skills, ability and teamwork. The annual week-long camps are aimed at building teams for the biennial International School Sport Federation (ISF) Schools' World Championships. Slalom, Giant Slalom, “fast” Giant Slalom will all be part of the programme, as well as fitness testing and video analysis.
16-year-old Edward will be joining Squad I (under 18s), whilst Alexander, 14, will be in Squad II (under 16s). Edward, who has been skiing since Year 4 with the BMS Ski Club, commented: “It's really exciting but nerve-racking to have been chosen to attend the training camp next year. I do find it fun but very competitive so will have to work hard in the lead-up.” Alex began skiing at the age of four whilst on family holidays in France and was introduced to race skiing when he joined BMS in Year 3. He added: “I love skiing so it's great to have this opportunity to take my passion further.” Andrew Slater, Head of BMS Ski Club said: “Both Edward and Alex have worked very hard so I'm really proud that they have been selected for ESSKIA training camps. I wish them the very best of luck.”
Rugby 7s An OBM team captained by Theo Cassell (2004-15) won five out of six matches and lifted the vase at the Sparkle 7s Rugby Tournament at Felsted School on Sunday 10 September. This year was the second time the tournament has been held but the first time BMS has entered a team. The Sparkle Foundation is a charity that provides education, nutrition and medical supplies to orphans in Malawi.
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Sports Roundup
Rotary Wheelchair Challenge On Sunday 08 October five teams of BMS Sixth Form students took to the track in the sixth annual 'Rotary Wheelchair Challenge - Push4it' charity event at Bedford International Athletic Stadium, organised by Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Rotary Club's Charity Trust. The Wheelchair Challenge allows able-bodied and disabled people to experience what it is like to race 50m along the track in a wheelchair. During the past six years the event has raised more than £30,000 split between Whizz-Kids, Wheelpower, Sport Bedford and Herts Sport and Wellbeing Foundation. The charities all support disabled children and young adults from initial mobility to local sport and to potentially becoming a future Paralympian. John White, Director of Sixth Form at BMS, said: “'We are really pleased that so many of our Sixth Form students chose to be involved with the wheelchair challenge by both participating and raising money. It is a fantastic initiative that we as a School will continue to support moving forward.” Year 13 student, Naveen Basra, added: “I was surprised how much hard work it takes to compete in a wheelchair but it was so much fun. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was great to be able to raise money for some worthwhile charities at the same time.”
Club Sporting Contacts Cricket Kevin Appleton kevin.appleton@hotmail.com
Fives Chris Ryan chris@standrewscarehome.co.uk 01234 352890
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
Notification of forthcoming OBM Club sports events OBM Football Friday 23 March 2018
OBM Hockey
Henk Kroon kroonhenk96@gmail.com Lewis Cleaver lewiscleaver@hotmail.com
Rugby Theo Cassell theocassell23@googlemail.com James Pollard jamespollard5@gmail.com
Friday 23 March 2018
Water Polo
OBM Waterpolo
Mark Bullerwell 1999bars@gmail.com
Saturday 24 March 2018
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Book Reviews
OBM Christopher Wilson Releases Second Novel
"Highly amusing" (Evening Standard), while the Daily Mail wrote "TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character."
Christopher Wilson's (1957-65) second novel in the Miss Dimont Mysteries series, Resort To Murder, was published in November under his pen-name TP Fielden. The first book received acclaim from a wide range of reviewers: "Gentle humour... pleasingly eccentric" said the Guardian. "Tremendous fun" wrote the Independent. "Fabulously satisfying" (Daily Express),
The books are set in the 1950s but recall Wilson's career in local newspapers in the late 60s. After leaving BMS he worked on the Bedfordshire Times before going to Fleet Street. A third book, A Quarter Past Dead, will be published by HarperCollins in 2018, and Wilson is currently engaged in writing a fourth.
Paul Middleton (1950-61) writes: 'In about 1970 my wife inherited a huge archive of her grandfather, John Seymour Lindsay, a few years after his death. Neither of us had the time to closely examine the documents and artwork in the wooden trunks which looked like treasure chests. When we moved to Spain in 1999 we took the archive with us meaning to have a closer look. In 2011, I was diagnosed with cancer and there followed six years of chemotherapy. As a displacement activity I decided to sort out the archive and immerse myself in the project. I soon realised that we had a goldmine of original prime sources of material from the trenches; hundreds of letters and documents and artwork. I had to tell the story. Tracing Lindsay's movements over the years was difficult but eventually I pieced it all together and the result is this book. I am publishing a second volume entitled Lindsay's War Letters and am working on a third volume about the rest of his life. He was a prolific artist, model maker, metallurgist, cartoonist; a fascinating man.'
Lindsay's War: A Personal History Sept 1914 - May 1919 John Seymour Lindsay was my wife's grandfather who survived 16 months on the Front Line and sent back hundreds of letters detailing the daily life of his unit. The ten chapters deal with the story of Lindsay volunteering to join the London Rifle Brigade, training in London during the autumn of 1914, the journey down to Southampton and the embarkation for France. This is followed by a vivid description of the shock of a winter spent under canvas, more training and the journey up to the Front Line at Ploegsteert. The story continues with his moving description of the Second Battle of Ypres, the death of his best friend in his arms and his removal to hospital. Then follow letters detailing his recuperation, quick marriage in London, and the award of his DCM for conspicuous gallantry. Lindsay then returns to his Brigade, receives a number of promotions, and transfers to the Somme to participate in the Battle of Gommecourt where he is injured once again. He then transfers to the Isle of Wight, the Pioneer School Reading and Blackdown Camp to become an instructor in trench warfare.
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Order now direct from me the author at pmiddleton@mac.com Only ÂŁ17.50 including UK postage and packaging. You can download a free sample chapter at www.greatousebooks.com
Book Reviews
It Started at the Savoy By Bill Pullen (1946-53) Paramaribo, Suriname is a long way from Bedford; in fact many people probably couldn't find it on a map. However, in 1966, that is where Bill Pullen (School House, 194653) found himself managing the Suriname Torarica Hotel and Casino, the only hotel in the country, surrounded by the tropical rain forest. Suriname, formerly Dutch Guiana, is situated on the northeast coast of South America, southeast of Venezuela and north of Brazil. Now a retired 52-year career hotelier, this assignment provided him with many fascinating and unusual challenges, several of which are related in his recently published book. Reflecting on his school days, Pullen shines a light on some of the pranks and Victorian standards existing in School House soon after the end of the Second World War and, after graduating from Bedford Modern in the summer of 1953, he deferred his National Service to attend what is now the Westminster Kingsway College Hotel School in London for a two-year course in hotel operations. Following his obligatory two years of National Service, during which he served as the personal chef to a senior Army officer, he then began his career at the world class Savoy Hotel in London. Always one to take advantage of opportunities presented to him, he accepted the challenge of spending a year at the renowned Plaza Athenee Hotel in Paris, where he met the American hotel owner who eventually sponsored him by offering an enviable position at his exclusive Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. From there, his career took many exciting twists and turns including meeting the love of his life, Anita.
Working for a premium restaurant operation in New York, he managed the most exclusive restaurant at the 1964-65 World's Fair, meeting many celebrities in the process. His travels then led him to the resort community of Scottsdale, Arizona, which served as a stepping-stone for the challenges he faced in Suriname in the mid-1960s. After a little more than two years in the tropics, his company transferred him back to Arizona, which, in turn, led to his taking over the management of Playboy's newest jewel in their portfolio, the 1300-acre Lake Geneva Playboy Resort in Wisconsin. Having a 450-seat Las Vegastype showroom featuring many of the top entertainers of the day, brought about several interesting behind-the-scenes situations. This assignment also brought about the unenviable biggest crisis of his career.
Pullen ends his story with the unexpected experience he had during a conference he attended in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1990, which led to the creation of a foundation set up to support some of that island's poorest children. While the book should have considerable interest for anyone contemplating a career in the hospitality industry, it is easy reading and provides fascinating behind-the-scenes insight for those outside the hotel business. The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.
His last 29 years were spent in resort operations in Florida and included hosting the state's annual PGA golf tournament for several years, an attempt by the Teamsters Union to organize his employees, sharing a multi-million dollar rollover win of the Florida lottery with several employees and bar patrons, enduring an anonymous bomb threat and handling the damaging effects of two of Florida's hurricanes, which permanently closed one of his hotels.
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir He dedicated all his time and effort into pushing the limits and practicing new routines which won him first place at events as far afield as New Zealand.
Matt and Jonathan (Jono) Jones 2007-12
After promoting himself at home and abroad on social media and at suppliers' and manufacturers' events, Matt steadily gained sponsorship based on results, appearing in magazines, videos, and writing articles.
Their father, Peter, writes: 'Both the Jones boys had an early start in competitive bike riding from the age of eight competing in regional BMX races and then national Four-Cross races. At around 16, they went their separate ways with Jono focussing on Downhill Mountain Bike racing and Matt focussing on Slopestyle Mountain Biking, which is more acrobatic than speed-orientated racing. Jonathan (Jono) Jono competed in Downhill MTB Mountain Biking for two years on the World Cup MTB Circuit, breaking bones in both years while racing which scuppered his chances, but nonetheless having a great experience of individual competitive sport and world travel. He then took up his offer from Nottingham University to study Mechanical Engineering which he had deferred for two years and graduated this year with a First. During his 3 years at University Jono won gold in the BUCS Nationals at Downhill Cycling for three consecutive years which gained him a scholarship award as a Sports Scholar for the last two years.
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He still spends most weekends and holidays travelling to the hills and mountains to pursue his sport, and ironically, whilst not pursuing a career which is 'going-downhill fast' he is working in a slightly more sedate role for Santander in risk management. Matthew Despite the offer from Nottingham and his parents' trepidation about why's and wherefores of making a living from sport, Matt saw definite career opportunities from his chosen sport through sponsorship deals and prize money, providing he could win in competitions, and remained determined.
A big breakthrough then came with a sponsorship offer from Redbull to join their list of professional athletes, and a recent highlight of this relationship has been the production of a 'mind-blowing' video film of Matt's skills which includes five world's first tricks. The video can be found on Redbull TV or by searching 'Matt Jones Frames of Mind'. (https://www.redbull.com/gben/projects/frames-of-mind) It was filmed in August at a course which Matt designed in the woods at Rushmere Park near Leighton Buzzard and was just recently released at a premier event in London. The video production techniques used by the production team conjure up the thought processes and visualisation which is involved in a creative physical sport, and if you've never seen someone ride a bike vertically down a tree before, it's definitely worth a watch.'
Memory Stir
James Broach
Stuart Buxton
1996-2005
1978-83
has been elected as the Mayor of Hatfield for 2017/18 following Hatfield Town Council's annual meeting in May. James has lived in Hatfield since 2005 and became a councillor for the town in 2015. Alongside his mayoral duties, James also works at the University of Hertfordshire as a Careers Officer and helps students find 12 month placements as an accredited part of their course.
writes: 'In 2013 I retired after 27 years in the Army, 15 spent as an NCO in the Intelligence Corps before being Commissioned into the
Graham Marsh 1974-79 returned to BMS on 26 July 2017 for the first time since leaving some 38 years ago! Graham enjoyed a tour of the main school, reminiscing about his school days and was particularly pleased to see all our talented students' artwork as this was a favourite subject of his. He was also impressed by the new Science Centre and gym facilities. Graham lives in Jersey with his family and, after training as an underwriter and working in investment, now works for an international professional services firm. Do get in touch if you'd like to come back and visit: externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk
Adjutant General's Corps as an Education and Training Officer, reaching the rank of Major. I saw service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq as well as postings in Germany and the UK. Once back in 'civvie street' I taught maths part-time at my local FE college and returned to uniform by becoming a Special Constable, one of the many thousands of volunteer Police officers who support the regular ranks. Discovering that I preferred policing to teaching I applied for a full-time post and in December 2016 started as a constable with Dyfed-Powys Police. I am now a front-line Response Officer in Carmarthen, not too far from my home in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. I have been married to Toni for almost 25 years and we have two daughters aged 19 and 21. I am still in regular contact with a number of OBMs, most notably Bob Daisley (1974-84) and last autumn attended his retirement dinner after 30 years of service in the RAF. The photo shows me at my Pass Out Parade with the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police.'
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir Roy Scott 2001-10 writes; 'I left Bedford Modern School in 2010 to study product design and technology at Loughborough University with several fellow students after thoroughly enjoying studying the creative subjects of Design and Technology and Art, as well as the mechanical theory in Physics and Maths. I spent the first two years of my degree learning career-specific skills including; market research concept generation, user centred design and computer aided design before putting these skills to the test in a placement year as an industrial designer for the award-winning design consultancy HJC Design in Sheffield. My skills and knowledge expanded exponentially during my time with HJC, where I worked on bringing concepts to market for clients in various market sectors such as automotive, medical and consumer electronics. Returning to Loughborough for my final year, I put this experience to good use in my final year major project developing a modular prosthetic system for lower limb amputees; a first in the industry and an extremely rewarding major project. Working alongside injured serviceman and world class rehabilitation staff at Headley Court (the national rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen), I conceptualised, developed, prototyped and proved the design for a radical modular based prosthetic system that addressed key and fundamental flaws in modern prosthetic design. Following graduation, I returned to design consultancy, this time for G2 Design, a product design and structural packaging firm based just outside London in rural Buckinghamshire. Here I contributed to the development of products and packaging for both start-ups and international clients. I spent two years at G2 honing and developing all manner of skills necessary to take ideas to market resulting in successful award-winning products, before accepting a role at a medical device start-up company with huge aspirations.
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Located just outside Cambridge city centre, Cambridge Medical Robotics (CMR) is developing the next generation of surgical robotic equipment. Its mission is to create universal robotically assisted laparoscopic systems, accessible to all healthcare providers that will disrupt and compete with the current market leader Intuitive Surgical and their Da Vinci robot, as well as other start-ups backed by giants such as Google, Johnson and Johnson and Medtronic. I was hired by CMR as a mechanical engineer to develop our first product offering, Versius, a robotically assisted laparoscopic system from a prototype to a market leading product and to develop the industrial design of future CMR systems. Since joining CMR, it has been a whirlwind experience, working with a range of fellow engineers and incredibly talented individuals with broad experiences from defence and science-based industries as well as fellow consultants and recent graduates. I have spent the last year developing the exterior appearance parts and user interfaces of the system in anticipation of CE mark approval and release of the system for use in UK hospitals. Since I joined the company in November 2016, CMR has doubled in size to over 120 employees to help support product development and to continue to push the boundaries in both laparoscopic surgery and medical device technology.
It is an extremely exciting time seeing everyone's hard work move from a proof of concept through to a fully functioning system in the hands of the world's top surgeons and very fulfilling to be working on projects that will have meaningful and positive impacts on a huge number of people in the coming years. I have no doubt that my time at Bedford Modern was hugely instrumental in placing me on the career path that I took, and I am hugely grateful for the education and opportunities I received in my time at BMS. I would encourage anyone looking at a career in product/industrial design or engineering to get in touch with me if they have any questions about future career paths and opportunities. I would be more than happy to share my experiences, advice and knowledge in more detail.'
Memory Stir
Pat Furr
1986-93
1969-75 writes: 'I read with interest the article by David Szymanski (1966-72) in Issue 115 of Eagle News and it has prompted me to put pen to paper for the first time in the school magazine. I grew up in Stewartby with David, indeed we lived in the same street (Pillinge Road) - he at number 27 and me at 6. We went to the village primary school and then BMS. Our parents and relations worked for London Brick Company, with Stewartby being the largest brickworks in the world, producing at its peak more than 17 million bricks per week during the 1970s.
Jack Bridge
Pat Furr
2005-16
Before Carlton I was UK Operations Director of Wienerberger, the world's biggest brickmaker. What struck me when I read David's article was that there is a third OBM, Keith Morton (196673), who was another key figure in the brick industry. Now retired, Keith is also a former director of London Brick and was for many years Production Director at Ibstock, the largest brick manufacturer in the UK. For several years during the noughties David was MD of Hanson UK, I was Operations Director of Wienerberger, and Keith was Production Director of Ibstock all at the same time.
In November Jack Bridge came back to BMS to share his career experience with current sixth form students. Jack works for Soaring Falcon Accountancy and discussed such topics as the changes in technology in his profession and the opportunities available for students when they leave school other than going to university.
David Szymanski
returned to BMS in September to talk to students about his Conservative Party candidate nomination for the 2019 Bedford Borough Mayoral Election.
I started my working life there in 1975, eventually reaching the position of Managing Director, Hanson Desimpel, which was Hanson's mainland European brickmaking arm. I have since worked for several other brickmakers, most latterly Managing Director of Carlton Brick in Yorkshire, although I have just taken early retirement in December 2017.
So three OBMs (all County House incidentally) were running the UK's three largest brick manufacturers which represented over 90% of the industry! Having spent many years living out of the Bedford area (Peterborough, Belgium, Cheshire) I returned five years ago and have since enjoyed many reunions with my old school mates, normally consisting of a few beers and a curry either in Bedford or London. I now live just a few minutes from the school and drive past it most days. I have fond memories of the place - although to be honest I remember more about the old school than the new one! I did have a brief flirtation with higher education, (Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry), in 1976/77, but left after a year 'by mutual consent'. Other than that nine month period I have spent the whole of my working life in bricks - possibly not the sexiest of industries, but it has certainly given David, Keith and I a rewarding career!’
Keith Morton
Gianni Carafano
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir John 'Stan' Stanbridge 1957-62 writes: 'At the start of the year I joined a small group of OBMs who are assisting Jenny Ulph, the School Archivist, to put the School collections into order. This was the spur I needed to write this article. My father died when I was four and my mother when I was eight. In the family reshuffle I went to live with my married sister. She was one of the very few members of my family that had gone to a grammar school and when I passed the 11 Plus exam, she was determined that I too should have that chance. I started at BMS in September 1957 and with my family having had little experience of this level of education I found Modern School life to be a considerable 'culture shock'. It took probably a year and a half for me to really settle in. The remainder of my five years were fairly routine but BMS truly had a major influence on my life. There was never any question of my staying at school beyond age 16 and I left BMS in September 1962. I had a good education but only three 'O' Levels. However, what the Modern School gave me and for which I have always been grateful was a sense of belonging and a fierce determination to do well. It also gave me a love of competitive sports that remains to this day.
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I was the third member of my family to attend BMS, following my two cousins Roland (194045) and Michael (1950-58). I am now on my second 'New Science Block'! I had lessons in the New Science Block on the Midland Road site in 1958 on its first day of use. Fifty nine years later I have contributed to the present new Science Centre at Manton Lane via the 'Buy A Leaf for Science!' scheme. Many of my memories of the school are centred on friendships established there. In the school holidays a group of us used to meet regularly in Russell Park. On most days there would be about a dozen of us. Regulars who formed the 'core' included Eric Walke, Ed Parsons, Steve Chambers, 'Taz' Taylor, David Walker, John Williams and 'Benji' Britton. Ed Glass, Clive Dolan and Graham Lilley were also 'regulars'. Girls (mainly from Dame Alice) were also an important part of the group and included Margaret Simco, Janet Ruff, Deirdre (Truscott?), Janet (Coyne?) and Jill Arger. My favourite Masters included 'Percy' Hetherington, 'Dobbo' Dobinson, 'Bob' Clear, George Cullen, 'Dan' Dickey and Mr Deveson (strange he never had a nickname). In 1962, just one week after leaving BMS, I joined the Civil Service (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications - later became BT). I worked in various branches of the service including Sales, Customer Service, Defence Planning and Computer Services. During that time I rose from Clerical Assistant to Middle Management rank. It was here that I met my lovely wife Penny and we celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary in early October. I owe her a great deal for her support over the years. I left BT on voluntary redundancy terms in 1990. During my time there I passed several more 'O' Levels and started a BA degree in Science and Technology with the Open University. I graduated in 1991.
I then took a job with Bedfordshire County Council, initially working in the clerical/computing sections and minerals and waste enforcement. I gained my second degree, in Town Planning, at the University of Westminster in 1995 and this enabled me to move, on promotion, into long term planning. Here, my main work areas were the County Structure Plan and the East of England Plan. Final retirement came in 2009. Leisure wise, after leaving BMS, I continued playing rugby for about five years. I then became an athletics field judge in 1978 and rose to the top rank which involved mainly senior-level domestic competitions and international matches. Many were televised. I 'retired' from judging in 2013. My wife and I are both volunteers at the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough. Together, we run one section of their archive collection and I act as a tour guide for visiting schools and other groups. I also assist at Galas and on the Santa Trains. I have been a member of the Open University Geological Society for about forty years. We have monthly meetings at Walton Hall and also many field trips both at home and abroad. I am also a member of the Bedford Astronomical Society.
Memory Stir
1965-69
Andrew Wilson (1968-99), and Monica Hetherington (1977-2011), as well as by former students Tom Deveson (1957-66) and Martyn Coles (1960-69).
Has released two poetry books, one a collection of his own original poems written between 1975 and 2017 and the other a collection of translations he has made of poems written in other languages, including Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish and French.
In the course of his welcoming speech, John paid particular tribute to Peter Hetherington, Kenneth Pearce and Chris Carmell, as well as to the memory of Hugh Proudfoot (1945-70), for their inspirational influence upon him during his years at Bedford Modern School.
John Richmond
Former member of staff, Peter Hetherington (1958-77), attended the launch night and writes: 'Throughout the course of his working life as a teacher, an educational advisor, and a commissioning editor for both Channel 4 and Teachers TV, John has dedicated 'his proper life' to the writing and translation of poetry. In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation, and in October 2017 two collections of his verse, My Proper Life (Poems 1975-2017) and Bring Me the Sunflower (Translations and Imitations), were published by Chalkface Press. The launch, in the upstairs room of The Prince Albert, Camden Town, was attended by six former members of BMS staff, Kenneth Pearce (1957-67), Peter Hetherington, Chris Carmell (1966-72), Richard Claridge (1967-2000),
Mark Heard 1999-2008
Each of them features as a dedicatee in one or other of the newly published books, which can be purchased from Chalkface Press (Email: chalkface@icloud.com) at a
cost, per volume, of £10 plus £2 postage and packing throughout the world. Readings of all the poems, by John and Peter, can be listened to on John's website, www.myproperlife.com The photograph, with its curiously appetising backcloth, shows John Richmond and Martyn Coles at the back, with Andrew Wilson, Richard Claridge, Chris Carmell, Tom Deveson, Kate Leigh (née Hetherington), Peter Hetherington and Kenneth Pearce in front. Monica Hetherington was, unfortunately, just out of shot, but is represented by her daughter, who currently teaches cello and piano at BMS.'
After completing his studies at Bedford Modern School in 2008, Mark went on to study at Loughborough University Design School. After graduating in 2014 from Loughborough University with a degree in Industrial Design and Technology, Mark joined Dyson as a Design Engineer where he has been working for more than three years. Until recently, Mark was based in the UK innovating and designing for the Environmental Control (EC) Category, most notably on their range of bladeless fans, heaters and purifiers.
expert teams which include acoustics, fluid dynamics and robotics to turn technology and ideas into feasible products.
Dyson continues to invest seven million pounds a week on Research and Development into new and innovative technologies with the direct aim of 'solving the problems others ignore'.
In September of this year he was also selected as part of the 'Dyson Pioneers' programme as a recognition of future Dyson leaders which is directly headed up by the CEO.
On a day to day basis engineers are expected to drive ideas forward from ideation to manufacture and production with an iterative approach, utilising Dyson's extensive
In February of this year Mark moved out to China as a Category Intelligence Engineer for the Asia Pacific region based at Dyson's brand new Shanghai Tech Lab to better understand China and the eastern markets and provide insight back to the 3500-strong global engineering team to inform future technology for the EC category.
Mark will return to the UK in 2018 to continue to drive exciting technology that will reach a retail outlet near you very soon!
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Memory Stir
Memory Stir Kunle Barker 1982-91 Kunle Barker joined BMS in 1982 in what was then the Middle School. He wasn't to know that the friendships that he would make over the first few weeks at BMS would last a lifetime. As he progressed through the school Kunle, a keen sportsman represented the school at Rugby, Football, Fives, and Rowing.
He commented: “My time at BMS gave me the confidence to believe in my own abilities and so I didn't find it hard to set up my own business at 22 managing people who were almost twice my age. It didn't feel strange to me or particularly risky, I just focused on the positives and cracked on.” In 2001, Kunle moved to London and worked for three years at an Internet start-up and then a TV production company. Three years later, Kunle set up Illustrious Homes, an award winning Construction Company which worked on local government contracts renovating schools and social housing and high end residential developments. In the autumn of 2016, Kunle was approached by a production company to audition for a part in a new primetime show called Love Your Home and Garden alongside national treasure Alan Titchmarsh. After months of auditioning Kunle was offered the role of co-host and began shooting in March 2017, two weeks after the birth of his second child. Illustrious Homes was also charged with delivering the three builds for the TV show so it was a busy and stressful time for both Kunle and his company.
Kunle said: “I just loved my time at BMS, I didn't want to leave. I had to make a round trip of over 40 miles to school, 5 days a week (we went to school on Saturdays back then) but loved every minute of my time there and made friendships that have lasted my entire life. However, I have always regretted not studying harder and making the most of the amazing educational facilities and teachers available to me.” On leaving the Sixth Form Kunle won a place at Leeds Beckett University to study a B Eng in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and after the four-year course he went on to study for an MA in Human Resource Management at the University of Leeds. It was at University that Kunle set up his first company, which hosted branded events for youth brands.
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The show, Love Your Home and Garden, took three months to shoot with Kunle personally overseeing all three building projects, and was aired for three episodes in August and September of 2017. The show was well received and Kunle was praised for his jovial yet credible performance on the show. The ratings for the show tipped 3m and ITV have since commissioned a new series for 2018 and asked Kunle to reprise his role both behind and in front of camera. Shooting for the second series starts in February 2018.
Kunle has also been signed up as a resident expert for Media 10 working alongside fellow OBM Giles Perry (1980-91) who is Show Director at the company. Giles was the first friend Kunle made at BMS and they have remained close ever since. 2017 also saw Kunle appear at the Ideal Home Show and also sit on a panel with Kevin McCloud discussing social housing and its impact on the UKs housing problem. Watch out for Kunle on ITV in 2018 and at the Ideal Home Show and Grand Design Show 2018.
Robert 'Bob' Meadows 1968-77
Bob reports travelling to Brisbane, Australia following selection as an International Shooting Judge at both the 2017 Oceania/ Commonwealth Shooting Federation Games and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Bob met up with Tony Lincoln (198389) who was shooting rifle for England and currently living in Norway. Bob is making a habit of judging shooting events internationally, having held similar posts at the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Nordic Championships.
Sound and Music
Spotlight on OBM and Composer Richard Bullen
British composer Richard Bullen (1993-02) was born in Bedfordshire in 1984 and currently lives in London. His works, which have been described as 'audacious' and 'astounding', often make creative use of a performance space to heighten perception of sound and thrill the senses. He recently completed a PhD at the Royal Academy of Music. He is a three-time BASCA British Composer Awards finalist and in 2011 became one of the youngest winners of an award. He first came to public attention in 2007 when, as a Masters student at the University of Birmingham, his prize-winning work was premiered by BCMG. The Guardian wrote: 'Bullen's sonorities are striking... there's a real musical imagination at work'. The following year he won a scholarship to study with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queen's Music, at Dartington International Summer School. Firewire, the work written during the course, later won the Royal Academy's prestigious Alan Bush Composition prize. During a 'Soundhub' residency with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) Richard developed a site-reactive spatial clarinet trio, premiered at LSO St Luke's and performed since at venues around the country and in Ireland. Elemental Songs and Dances, a large-scale cantata commissioned by Spitalfields Music and the Royal Academy of Music for baritone Omar Ebrahim, large ensemble and 120 school children (ages 7-9), was nominated for a 2013 British Composer Award.
Richard has recently been writing a sitespecific brass and percussion work to be performed by East Sussex Brass Academy outdoors in Furnace Wood, Sussex, with funds from Arts Council England. His latest high profile commission was a carol for the choir of St Paul's Cathedral, premiered during the cathedral's 'A Celebration of Christmas' in December 2016, conducted by Andrew Carwood, with guests including Benedict Cumberbatch and Vanessa Redgrave. Richard's most ambitious work to date, The House of Asteria, for renowned mezzo soprano Lore Lixenberg, eight clarinets and strings, video and the entire building of LSO St Luke's, involved musicians placed around the space and on different levels. Video was also a key ingredient in Theatre of Resonance performed by the brilliant young pianist Christina McMaster. Having completed a Trumpet Concerto for members of the LSO, Richard developed a revolutionary work Steradian for 12 trombones and torch beams that fused sound, light, space, choreography and ritual in a unique immersive experience.
Richard's music is increasingly performed internationally, most notably around the USA - Florida, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. He teaches privately and is a Deputy Teacher in Composition at the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire junior departments. Richard was invited by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors to adjudicate the 2017 BASCA British Composer Awards and is currently writing a French horn concerto for the leading new music ensemble Psappha, supported by The Garrick Charitable Foundation, RVW Trust, PRS for Music Foundation and Arts Council England.
In 2014 clarinettist Anna Hashimoto commissioned a new work for clarinet, CD and large building for the Tokyo City Opera Recital Hall, Japan. Anna gave the UK premiere at St John Smith's Square, London, and played extracts live on BBC Radio 3 in an interview with the composer. Christina McMaster has professionally recorded Bullen's ghostly Scenes from a Deserted Jazz Club with trumpeter Jay Phelps on her debut album Pinks & Blues, available on iTunes. At the same time his choral work The Seven Arches was published by Stainer & Bell Ltd.
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries Geoffrey Arthur Spencer
He married Kathleen Mary Routledge in 1953 (formerly a student at Bedford Girls School) and they had two children. He joined the civil service and became Inspector of Taxes for Bedford, then Stafford and Newcastle under Lyne before being asked to form a special unit to tackle serious tax evasion, based in the Kingsway in London. The family then lived in Chorley Wood.
top performers recouping millions of pounds for the Exchequer. There was more publicity when after years of confrontations he got top jockey Lester Piggott to court (and a prison sentence) and Ken Dodd to a trial where a jury failed to convict him. Dodd has often boasted on stage since then that when he started his career income tax was just 2p in the pound; "I thought it still was!"
He had considerable success in his new role, agreeing a deal with the Beatles and other
In retirement Geoff and his wife (who died two years ago) moved to Beaconsfield.'
1939-45 West House, died on 13 September 2017. His brother Bill (David), writes: 'When the Second World War started Geoffrey was living in Aldershot where his father was a career soldier. The family were told to evacuate at once and they travelled back to Bedford where his mother had grown up. Geoff was transferred from Farnborough Grammar School to BMS and spent all of the war years there. He enjoyed the period when school was only in the morning to allow the evacuated Owen School, Islington, to use it in the afternoon. His brothers John and David followed in due course. Geoff recalled the morning he was on the school roof as a Dornier came out of the clouds and dropped four bombs on the Theatre and Midland Road railway yards. He was an opening bat for the school team and even played for the Old Boys when they turned up for a game with ten men! He reckoned he had the greatest span between his first knock for the Old Boys and his last many years later. He spent his National Service in the RAF mostly in Egypt and Greece then came home to study at Queen Mary College in London commuting each day by train. He played cricket, hockey and chess for London University.
John Davis 1941-48 North House, died on 08 June 2017. His daughter, Hilary Davis, writes: 'John was born at 43 Bromham Road, Bedford and attended Bedford Modern School where he was a day boy under his house master Charlie Deveson. He was a keen sportsman and played cricket for the 1st XI team in 1947/1948/1949 and rugby in the 1st XV team and also Rugby Fives. When moving house he discovered a pair of Rugby Fives gloves and a ball which he sent to the school. They are now in the entrance to the King Room together with a framed photograph of the club playing the staff donated by friend and fellow pupil Richard Graves. His favourite subject was geography under the master Tich Prothero but it is true that his academic career was not particularly distinguished. However, he was successful in gaining a place to study Physical Education at Bede College, Durham and went on to become a PE teacher in his early career. In 1949 he did his National Service in Malaya taking six weeks to arrive by ship via the Suez Canal. He played a lot of cricket there. In 1951 he also organised the Pilgrims' Tour, a cricket tour in Gloucestershire with his father as the scorer with a number of school chums and the Martlets' Tour in Kent.
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He met his wife, Joan (also a PE teacher who sadly pre-deceased him in December 2008), at the Licensed Victuallers' School in Slough where they were both briefly working and they married on 21 December 1954. Neither pursued careers as teachers. Together they had four children: Kim who sadly died aged 6 months, Hilary, Greg and Miles who all live in London.' John had numerous jobs in the City before settling on becoming a manufacturer's agent for a shirt firm (in order to get a car) which led to a long and enjoyable life selling gentlemen's clothing. His territory covered London and the south east and he was much loved by the many friends he made during his working life. He remained firm friends with his school contemporaries including Richard Graves, Stuart Houghton, Dick Glynne-Jones and Trevor Fitt. His sister survives him as well as his children and two grandsons, Freddy and Sandy.
OBM Obituaries
David Ball 1937-45 Former OBM Club President, East House, died on 29 April 2017. His wife, Janet, writes: 'David spent the formative years of his life in Bedford, a city he loved particularly for the river and embankment. While at school he was a talented all-rounder both academically and in sport (Rugby 1st XV, Rowing first V111, Gymnast silver medallist, sergeant in the cadet RAF section) and he became Head Boy. Leisure time in winter was spent as much as possible ice skating on Longholme Lake and at Goldington while in summer he was swimming in the river and diving in the swimming pool. Before the war he spent most of the school holidays with his family at his grandmother's house in Walton-on-theNaze. As a teenager he was a keen cyclist, riding to North Wales and other destinations where he and his companions would overnight in youth hostels or barns!
airstrip which he said was quite a challenge on an island only the size of a football pitch. Towards the end of his career he worked for the UK government, often with the Council of Europe and concentrating on European issues. During retirement David continued to travel overseas with his friend and partner of 50 years. They took several trips to the USA where they explored using trains and ships where possible, sailed to Rio before the Olympics, struggled along part of the Great Wall of China before sailing around the Far East to Singapore.
Throughout his adult life, David spent as much time as possible by or on the sea. He was an accomplished skipper and had sailed extensively around Britain and in the South Pacific. With his partner he spent many holidays in Menorca where they had a small apartment by a tiny cove in Mahon Harbour from which they swam off the rocks. He was a fine musician and loved the piano which he played often, especially by ear. Throughout his life he astounded friends and acquaintances with his amazing memory.'
When David left school he joined the Royal Navy just when the war ended and travelled much of the world picking up troops in HMS Indefatigable. He returned to Bedford where he worked in the County Planning department before going to read Town and Planning at Kings College, Newcastle in the University of Durham. With his pioneering degree he worked briefly in Hull before becoming a town planner in Northern Nigeria (1956-62). He loved Nigeria and its people spending much of his time in the bush with only Audu, his cook steward for company. Audu was a vital part of his life in Nigeria and was much admired and respected by David who immortalised him in some of his later writings. He then worked briefly in the UK before becoming an adviser to developing countries. He travelled widely, working in Botswana, the New Hebrides, St. Helena and Ascension Island. When tiny Funafuti - one of the Gilbert and Ellis islands was destroyed by a hurricane he had an enjoyable time planning it to include an
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries John Peter Mears 1935-41 JP Mears (known as Peter) East House died on 14 June 2017, just a week away from his 93rd birthday. He enjoyed a very active retirement and it was only in the last two years of his life that the wide range of activities he had always enjoyed diminished.
Peter was particularly engaged with the sporting aspects of school life. He was keen at athletics and showed some promise as a cross country runner and as a boxer. He represented the school in both rugby and cricket. Sport remained a passion throughout his life. He played rugby for Bedford Athletic club for twelve seasons and remained a life-long member of the club. He elected to hold his wake in the clubhouse. Upon moving to Ampthill he played for the newly founded rugby club and was captain from 1964-65. In the summer months he played cricket for the club in Ampthill. During the 1970s his twin son and daughter were running for Bedford's athletic club and he soon became involved with the club, qualifying as a track judge. He served on numerous committees including that of Bedford amateur athletics and the eastern region of the sports council. After leaving school Peter worked as a telephone engineer in Bedford but then signed up for active duty, joining the Royal Marines, 42 command, where he saw active service in Burma.
His daughter, Karen, writes: 'He was born in Bedford, living in George Street and then in Goldington Road. He attended Goldington Road Primary School and then gained a scholarship to Bedford Modern School, where he joined his older brother Ray in 1935. He enjoyed his time at BMS immensely and made many life-long friends there. He was a long standing member of the OBM club and was elected a fellow in respect of his long service in 2010.
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Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
On returning to Bedford he began training in public health and whilst engaged in temporary work at Dudeney and Johnson, Bedford, he met his future wife Jean Pateman. They were married in 1952 and for several years after their marriage they enjoyed surfing holidays in Cornwall, returning throughout the 1960s with their young children, Karen and the twins Claire and Neil.
Peter enjoyed a long career in local government initially in St Neots and then with Ampthill urban council. In 1975 he became the Director of Community Services for mid Bedfordshire, a post he retained until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement he continued to take an active part in the local community volunteering for several organisations including Hanover housing. He was the founder secretary of Ampthill Rotary Club and was involved with their fundraising activities into his 90th year. He also enjoyed travelling and holidays with his family and a wide group of long standing friends. Peter lived life to the full and will be sadly missed. He is survived by his son, Neil and daughters Karen and Claire. Jean predeceased him, in the year following their 60th wedding anniversary.'
OBM Obituaries
Gary Payne 1948-53 East House, died on 10 June 2017. Russell Beard (1971-80) writes: 'Despite the fact that Gary left BMS some ten years before I was born, our lives in Bedford crossed over in so many different ways. Gary was raised in Fairfax Road, just a few doors up from my father, and both enjoyed living in the Queens Park community. They would take the walk each morning over Allen's bridge, along Midland Road where father would walk through the gates of Harpur Central School and Gary a few paces further into BMS. I know that BMS meant a great deal to Gary, he was less forthcoming about his academic success and preferred to discuss his love of sport, especially rugby and cricket.
Like many, Gary gave me my first mortgage and if the criteria did not always fit then he took a view on the person and their background - a policy that clearly worked as the society never had cause to repossess a property, a fine testament to Gary's shrewd mind. Gary gave plenty of time back to the community as a founding member of the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle, trustee on the Gale Family Trust (which funds bursaries at BMS), served on The Manton Trust as well as being one of the team that created the Bedford Daycare Hospice. In later life, we used to take lunch at The Bedford Club in De Parys Avenue. Always holding centre stage, Gary would bemoan the value of his pension (very tongue in cheek), the state of the nation and debate whose turn it was to pay for the wine.
He was always the most acceptable of company. In private, his life was struck by tragedy when his wife, Jill, died in 1981 at the tender age of 44. Thankfully, he met Angie, fell in love again and they were married in 1983. As Gary's health deteriorated in later years, Angie was always there for him and a greater friend one could never find. Tall and proud, Gary had an easy smile and spoke glowingly of his four children, Karen, Alan, Peter and David plus his seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Whilst it is a trite expression, in his case it is nevertheless true; I will miss him. Through business, sport, charity and as a man, the town of Bedford has lost a muchloved son.'
Without doubt, his proudest achievement was playing in the undefeated 1953 1st X1, possibly the finest team to ever represent the school. In typically modest fashion, Gary understated his efforts by saying that when you batted below Bob Gale (Middlesex) and Geoff Millman (Notts and England) you didn't get in very often. That golden summer was a special time for him. It was through our mutual love of cricket that I first met Gary. A tall, left-handed opening batsman, he favoured the leg side and played for Bromham Nomads and Bedford Thursday with distinction. Moreover, his service to Bromham off the field was without equal. In business, he started out working for Barclays Bank in Bedford High Street branch before joining the Bedford Building Society where he progressed to Managing Director.
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries John Ryan Staff 1980-2015 Teacher of Economics and Business Studies and UCAS coordinator. (1980 -2015), died on 02 September 2017. Former BMS teachers 'Doc' Richards (1985 2002) and Angela Pollard (1997 - 2016) write: 'John Ryan; 'JR' (an ironic nickname after a 1980s black-hearted villain called JR Ewing in an American blockbuster soap “Dallas”); nothing could be further from the truth by the way was a kind-hearted and considerate guy who always was prepared to go the extra mile for his pupils, colleagues and friends; he hadn't an ounce of malice in his body. He joined BMS in 1980 from Wymondham College, Norfolk (joined by 'Hilary', 'Hil', his wife to be who had found employment to teach Science in a local Middle School) and joined a department of three led by Andy Curtis (ADC) with Rob Haworth in support. In 1985 John became Head of Economics with the departure of ADC to Millfield and then took a massive gamble in appointing 'Doc' Richards (his first break in teaching and one for which he will always be eternally grateful) who had no senior school, all boys teaching experience. This was most unlike JR, typically he was risk averse and usually played safe. He loved his Head of Economics role and was supremely well-organised; we taught A Level Economics, A level Politics and 'O' level Commerce that, thankfully, was replaced by Business Studies. In the mid1980s and early 1990s computers were just about breaking into the world of education, GCSE replaced 'O' level and coursework was king. John managed all these changes admirably to the extent that he coauthored a GCSE textbook 'Business Studies Today' that sold 30,000 copies worldwide (and was written on an Acorn Archimedes computer with 5” floppy discs!).
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Seems incredible looking back but he was driven and was immensely proud of this achievement. Rob Haworth moved on to become Headmaster of Hull Grammar School and was replaced by Graeme Beddell; a supremely gifted economist who fell victim to stress. John handled this very delicate situation very well and ensured, most of all, that the boys taking Economics didn't suffer. Burdening himself with an additional teaching load (on an already full-looking timetable) was typical. John then appointed a whole succession of economists; John Slingo, Caroline Medley and Angela Pollard. Eventually 'JR' moved into a very senior Pastoral role when he became Head of Sixth Form (having relinquished Head of Economics) and held that position when the new Sixth Form Centre became a reality.
He loved teaching Politics (more than Economics?) and eventually found a place on the local council as a Lib Dem Councillor (Harpur Ward). He loved reading Politics and Economics books (especially autobiographies and is one of the few people who has read Skidelsky's biography of John Maynard Keynes). He loved the news and Radio 4 was a constant companion especially, the News Quiz, Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Mornington Crescent) and Just a Minute. Although not a sportsman himself he ran the 3rd XI cricket, umpired for the Staff Cricket team and was an avid listener to Test Match Special. He loved political satire and was a big fan of the original 'Have I got News for you'. John had an incredible memory for quotes and could recite whole sketches from programmes such as 'Monty Python' amongst others. He liked Alan Bennet books and loved the 'Talking Heads' series; again remembering scenes and lines so easily. He was a tutor (non-residential) in the new Boarding House (run by the Simmonds' with whom they were great friends) and would do regular duties. It was impossible to do anything but like 'JR'. He had a wide circle of good friends at school and was a participating member of the 'Smokers' End' (latterly Smokers' Room) of the Common Room. He loved the banter with 'Digger', 'Sampo', 'Ganters', 'Clinton', 'Chads', 'Chopper', 'Claridge' and 'Whits'. Many a break/lunchtime was whiled away with outlandish stories about high jinx, pupil (mis) behaviour and intrigue at the school. 'JR' loved these sessions and it was an integral part of the fun of working at BMS. He was a great supporter of the Common Room and everything it did; socials, staff plays (Kevin in 'Our Day Out'), dinners and the London Lunch (back to Politics again). He loved socialising and would frequently suggest going out for a drink and a chat.
OBM Obituaries
He was also a fantastically and warmhearted supportive friend. On one occasion our water tank could not be isolated and the valve just kept turning round in my hand. It was 5.30 pm on a cold, dark and windy Saturday in late November. Quick as a flash a phone call to 'JR' saw him come round within 10 minutes, diagnose the problem and accompany me to B&Q to get the necessary part. Two hours later, the header tank having been emptied and the valve replaced we were sat in the Ryan's kitchen at 47 Devon Road tucking into a take away and a bottle (or two) of red wine. He loved DIY and was great with plumbing and electrics. The mid/late 1990s was a defining time in the Ryans' life; Emily joined the family and Anna swiftly followed. He proved to be a very caring, devoted and proud father with both Hil and John's lives being transformed in a thrice. John was a reliable, supportive and utterly conscientious colleague. He was good fun, good value, and highly respected within the faculty and department for his good humour and work ethic. John was a safe pair of hands, shared a wealth of experience, and was totally and utterly dependable. John's pupils had the utmost respect for his knowledge and professionalism and were in total awe of his seemingly unlimited memory for dates, names, politicians and current affairs; he enjoyed randomly testing his pupils when they least expected it and expressed faux horror when they did not know the answer. What it revealed was the fact that he was intensely interested in the world around him and wanted to share this fascination with his pupils. While they often didn't know the answer they never felt belittled - his mild manner ensured this and they would vow to learn more in the future.
His technical knowledge of his subject (Economics) was phenomenal and he was always willing to discuss material with students and colleagues alike outside, as well as inside the classroom showing a demonstrable passion for his subject. He was ever comfortable with all the Economic theory required. He would frequently spend time explaining a topical Economics issue to a colleague while they ate their lunch! John didn't like a fuss being made but was very proud of a birthday cake that his pupils bought him during his last few years at BMS. They presented the cake to him in an Economics lesson and they duly lit all the candles. Bearing in mind that it was a late fifties birthday celebration, and that there therefore seemed to have been a prolific number of candles on the cake, inevitably, the fire alarm was activated and the whole school had to evacuate. He loved telling that story and seemed unfittingly proud of it. In John's role as UCAS and Higher Education Coordinator, he had an enormous wealth of experience, not only of various disciplines and universities, and of the technicalities of the application system, but also a remarkable memory of OBMs and which university they had gone to and for what subject. His eagle eye on personal statements and on UCAS references revealed an astonishing precision and attention to detail that many sixth form tutors found extraordinary. Indeed many OBMs owe it to John that their UCAS applications were articulate, well written and, largely thanks to his input, very successful!
John's health was never robust after his stroke in 2000. He was taken to the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford where he stayed for a long time recovering before being moved to Bedford South Wing (at the time of the first MRSA bug being found in hospitals). His recovery was amazing and the fact that he returned to BMS and led, to all intents and purposes, as normal a life as possible was nothing short of miraculous. He rarely complained about his health- except sometimes in the confines of the Faculty office! What he did get from it, however, was a wonderful assembly when he told the whole school about his experience of having a stroke. The pupils were mesmerised and moved in equal measure. JR's funeral was, inevitably, a contrasting series of emotions. Immense sadness at the thought of a cherished and well-loved friend now departed (too early) from us but an opportunity to swap tales, stir memories and trade anecdotes of how JR had affected our lives. The turnout from the BMS Old Common Room was phenomenal and many people had travelled very long distances to make the Bedford Crematorium service. It was standing room only in the Chapel; a testimony to the high regard in which he was held by such a wide cross section of people whose lives John had touched in his all too brief 64 years. A man of great integrity with a great sense of humour‌‌. he will be sorely missed by us all.
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Directory of OBM Services Business Consultant
Digital and Litho Printer
Andrew Penn (1961-70), Leyhill Solutions, 40 Whitehall, Lidlington, Bedford, MK43 0RS, 07775 426355, 01525 403232, andrew.penn@leyhill.com, www.leyhill.com
Simon Diffey (1977-80), Merry Printers, Unit 10, Langley Terrace Industrial Park, Latimer Road, Luton, LU13XQ, 01582 726959, www.merryprinters.co.uk
Improving your business using internationally recognised standards e.g. ISO,EFQM,IIP& CSE.
Printers and designers of quality product literature, report and accounts, manuals and business stationery.
Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
Engineer (Civil and Structural)
Josh Butten (2002-10), Myers Davison Ginger Ltd, Church View, Hulcote, Bedfordshire, MK17 8BW, 01908 584925, joshbutten@mdgifa.com www.mdgmk.com
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
Experienced and highly respected firm of Independent Lifestyle Financial Planners providing services which add tremendous value for private individuals, families and businesses. We learn everything about you and answer life's biggest financial questions.
Chartered Surveyors Giles Ferris (1982-91) BSc (Hons) MRICS, Stimpsons Eves Chartered Surveyors, 1 Lurke Street, Bedford, MK40 3TN, 01234 341311, www.stimpsonseves.co.uk Stimpsons Eves is an expanding firm of Chartered Surveyors and Specialist Property Consultants with 3 offices in Bedford, Milton Keynes and Bicester. We offer a variety of professional services including Commercial Agency Disposal & Acquisition, Property Management, Rent Reviews, Lease Renewals, Landlord & Tenant Advice, Schedules of Dilapidation, Investment & Development Advice, Red Book Valuations, Condition Surveys, Rating Appeals, EPC and Asbestos Reports.
Consulting civil and structural engineers and building design consultants.
Pest Control and Environmental Services 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.
Land and Property Consultants
Tree Surgeon
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
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.
Tree-related advice: planning applications; hazardous removals; veteran tree management; crown thinning and reductions; hedge work; orchard management; tree planting; 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.
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
2018 Classical Showcase Concert Once again all OBMs are warmly invited to join the school choir and orchestra in this concert to be held on Thursday 26 April in the Howard Hall. Both singers and instrumentalists are welcome. The format will be similar to previous years with music sent out in advance, a rehearsal in the afternoon of 26 April and the concert itself in the evening.
This year's programme will include Karl Jenkins' Armed Man Mass for the combined choir. Some singers and players will know this piece already from school performances. It was written since some of us left school!
OBMs who have not taken part before are assured of a warm welcome; please provide an address to which the music can be sent. Previous participants need only provide this if they have changed their address since last year.
Former pupils, especially girls, who have left more recently are particularly welcome so that we can increase OBM participation across all the age groups in this event. It is a good chance to catch up with friends from school days, meet other like-minded OBMs and to support the school's music making. If you wish to take part please respond by e-mail, marking it Classical Showcase Concert - OBM, to robinwills@hotmail.co.uk with a copy to dburrows@bedmod.co.uk
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History of the OBM Club, continued from page 9.