CALL OF THE WILD
Lucy Longbottom on the thrill of expedition medicine
SPACE TO FLOURISH
Musician Howard Moody on how Canford helped him thrive
Farmer Sophie Alexander on the creatures that keep her calm
PASSING THE BATON
Goodbye Ben Vessey, Welcome Chris Wheeler
PLUS
Canford shortlisted for major award
Leavers’ Ball in pictures
The Sixth Form Hub
What does it mean to be a Canfordian? Have you ever asked yourself what it means to you, personally? Has the answer changed over the years, from the time you spent at Canford, through your young adult life, or into the middle years, perhaps with a career and family, or during your retirement?
When I told my friends I was going to Canford for sixth form I was asked by some what I had done wrong for my parents to send me to boarding school. I told them I had chosen Canford. I visited several other schools across the country and Canford stood out because girls were offered places based on who they were, not their exam results. Canford showed me that education plays out in every aspect of life, and it taught me to enjoy learning and to share its fruits. I also learned to respect myself and others, to take responsibility for my actions and to be resilient – my personal three ‘R’s.
I had an opportunity earlier this year to visit the Sixth Form College Hub only a few days after it was opened for pupils. From the outside, little has changed since my days as one of only six girls in Beaufort House but once I stepped inside, I found myself searching for familiar features. I found the former Beaufort Housemaster’s Study opposite the main staircase on the first floor and turned to look for the lodge where Kate, Sophie and I spent our first term, only to find an empty space. With no floor, no walls and no ceiling, the small first floor room where we began our lives as Canfordians is now part of a bright, airy atrium at the centre of the lives of today’s Sixth Formers. The building, originally named Beaufort House, was purpose-built as a boarding house and was officially opened in 1930 by His Grace the Duke of Beaufort and his wife. The Canford Archives tell us that:
The name of that House was no casual choice, but was based on a long ancestry of association which was typified by the building they knew as John O’ Gaunt’s. Over 400 years ago, Canford Manor belonged to Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, who made that her home. She was the daughter of John Beaufort, the first Duke of Somerset, and was buried in Wimborne Minster. She had been described as one of the few worthy and high-minded people in a rather cruel and selfish age. Not only was she the lady of the manor, but she was an outstanding lady of her time also, and particularly interested in education.
With rapidly increasing pupil numbers, Monteacute House was formed and shared the building with Beaufort until the 1990s. In 1995, the two houses merged and Beaufort House ceased to exist. The House and the building became known as Monteacute. But, as we know, Beaufort was not consigned to history. Only a year later, the second dedicated girls’ boarding house was opened and named Beaufort. I am sure that Lady Margaret would have been delighted.
I believe she would also approve of the Sixth Form College concept of enhancing opportunities for academic study, personal development and preparation for the future for all Sixth Form pupils. As Canfordians, we enjoyed privileges that most young people don’t even dream of, and as Old Canfordians we have a responsibility to use the benefits of our education to do whatever we can, large or small, to help others achieve their own potential and to continue our own learning.
A few weeks ago, I was honoured to attend the funeral of Martin Marriott. We were reminded of his gentle, humorous nature and his dedication to widening access to a Canford education through Assisted Places and bursaries. For an
update on our proposed donation to the bursary fund set up in his name, the Martin Marriott Foundation, please see the articles on pages 51-58.
This will be my last President’s Welcome as I will be standing down as President of the Old Canfordian Society at the AGM in February 2026. I would like to thank the School, and particularly the Development Team, Rowena Gaston and Rachael Daniel, for all they do to welcome and support Old Canfordians. Overseas representatives and sports organisers know that the Development Team is there for advice and support, providing a contact hub for groups and individuals. Every OC is welcome to submit news for publication in the OC Newsletters, to use Canford Global Connect or contact the Development Team for information in order to connect with other OCs for careers advice, to offer to be a mentor, or to find out about social activities. Canford Global Connect and the newsletters can also be used to reach out to other OCs who might be willing to support a charitable endeavour. The School is committed to an ongoing partnership with OCs and the OC Society.
Finally, I would like to thank Ben Vessey and welcome him as an Honorary Old Canfordian. The support Ben has given me in this role has enabled me to step up to more than I thought possible. His dedicated efforts to include Old Canfordians and all members of the Canford Community in so many aspects of Canford life has set a high standard for his successors. I wish Ben all the best in his future adventures.
Sheila Way (née Morrison, B86)
Ben, Harriet and their three boys, Ned (L18), George( L21) and William (L25) arrived at Canford in September 2013 from Christ’s Hospital. From the outset, it was clear that Ben placed community at the heart of Canford life, working to create a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone connected to the School felt welcome. His remarkable memory for names quickly became legendary – he very quickly got to know everyone. Through a collaborative approach, Ben brought to life a clear vision for Canford, where pupils are ‘inspired to explore, empowered to express, and challenged to excel.’ This vision is anchored in the School’s core values of Gracious Leadership, Humble Ambition, Courageous Attitude, and Purposeful Engagement. He didn’t just promote these values – he lived them. An outstanding role model, Ben remained connected to the classroom, teaching Shell history each week, a hallmark of his hands-on leadership style. He took genuine interest in all aspects of School life – from academics to the arts to
sport – and could often be found attending plays, concerts, exhibitions and fixtures, despite his packed schedule. Canford’s 2019 Tatler Public School of the Year award was a proud moment during his tenure.
His care and compassion came to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Canford was delivering online lessons from day one. Ben led from the front, adapting quickly to life on screen to keep the School community connected, informed, and reassured. Thankfully by 2023, life had returned more or less to normal, enabling Ben to lead the Canford community in celebrating the School’s centenary celebrations. Harriet has been an equally valued presence in Canford life. From hosting informal drinks and Leavers’ dinners, to attending countless events, she has supported the School community with warmth and generosity. As a member of the Library team and mother to three Canfordians, she has also been a steady and familiar figure to parents and pupils alike.
are also a much better and stronger school for being truly co-educational with 55% boys and 45% girls.
The opening of the Sixth Form Hub, now named The Ben Vessey Building, was a fitting culmination to Ben’s leadership – a symbol of the forward-looking, inclusive Sixth Form culture he has helped to shape in the past few years.
To mark Ben’s departure, the Development Office created a farewell book filled with over 400 heartfelt messages from pupils, OCs, staff, governors and volunteers – each a testament to the profound impact the Vessey family has had on Canford:
Our founder’s vision was to place Canford amongst leading independent schools; a worthy aim which remained little more than an acorn for many years. Aside from the myriad achievements of our pupils across so many areas of school life, Mr Warrington would have been very pleased also to see the national recognition afforded to Canford over the past year where we have been recognised through a range of awards for academic excellence, wellbeing and mental health provision, originality of teaching in music and the arts and more.
I think he would be justifiably proud Canford acorn has emerged to become a strong and sturdy oak, well rooted and full of potential.
‘Ben and Harriet, you have been transformational across the board at Canford… You leave a lasting legacy in the form of all the Canfordians and OCs who have benefitted from what I think of as the Vessey approach to life – try your very best, do the right thing, help others and never stop learning.’
‘Wow, Ben! You leave such a wonderful legacy for the School – a School that I, and so many others, hold so dear.’
We are a warm, supportive, vibrant and dynamic community which draws strength both from the threads of continuity alongside the capacity to embrace change. This was so evident in the centenary events arranged over the past few months and my sincere and wholehearted thanks to all the OCs who supported those wonderful occasions. Almost a century later, those values which our founder set out endure and our school values of Purposeful Engagement, Courageous Attitude, Humble Ambition and Gracious Leadership shine through each and every day.
It has been a delight to experience a ‘normal’ school year after the disruption of Covid and the extraordinary array of educational experiences is certainly a testament to the quality of our teaching and coaching staff.
‘Your attention to detail, your knowledge of every student, and your infectious enthusiasm were appreciated by the whole School community.’
Many pupils have demonstrated their intellectual powers through the wide array of enrichment opportunities.
Ben and Harriet leave Canford with our deepest thanks and very best wishes for the next chapter. They have given their hearts and souls to this community – and their legacy will endure for many years to come.
Rowena Gaston Director of Development
We have seen 42 academic talks by Lower Sixth to Fourth Form pupils, 26 Shell Scholar talks, an amazing Festival of Ideas focused on ‘the importance of the individual in society’ and much more across over 25 academic enrichment societies. A significant number of individuals have earned recognition through considerable success in a wide range of highly competitive external academic competitions and Olympiads.
by more than 20 different ensembles over borne witness to the amazing music making here. Over 600 pupils were actively engaged house art and the house film competitions.
We have seen over 1,000 sports fixtures during the course of the year with almost every pupil representing the school in at least one of over 20 different sports. Individuals have hit heady heights with national, regional and performance academy involvement. Our sports teams, of which there are more than 100 for boys and girls, across a range of sports including cricket, rugby, rowing, football and netball, stages of national competitions and we have been dominant players in regional competitions.
Our CCF and Outward Bound Adventure provide significant challenge, leadership development and many wonderful ways. Take up for Duke very strong with 52 in the Sixth Form and CCF is viewed school sector secured significant competitions coming 2
As we look ahead to the next 100 storm clouds on the horizon but our excellent body and the school are making careful the challenges which Labour’s tax plans is a crucial part of our local economy and annual statistics might be of interest to total contribution to UK GDP is £38.9m, generated locally; we are just under 0.5% and support just over 0.5% of all jobs in 867 local jobs, just over half of which are tax supported by our activities is £12.4m, direct from the school; it would cost taxpayers eligible pupils went to state schools.
Our strategic plan is very much Canford in a way which will enable the dynamic and in a setting which prepares our pupils professionally personally for what is a rapidly changing that process, it is essential that our whole has a strong sense of social responsibility. engage actively with a wide range of social partnerships both locally and more widely. over 70 ongoing partnership projects, 16 partners of which the Bourne Academy (www.schoolstogether.org)
It has become a Canford tradition for departing Headmasters to sit for an official portrait. In keeping with this custom, a new portrait of Ben Vessey was unveiled on Family Day. Painted by former Head of Art Dylan Lloyd in collaboration with photographer Paul West, the piece offers a more contemporary interpretation than those of previous Heads. Reflecting a desire for a less formal approach, the portrait is fittingly displayed in the modern surroundings of the new Sixth Form Hub – The Ben Vessey Building.
The quality of our drama is outstanding and wonderfully diverse with six major productions and numerous smaller performances over the course of the year. Those of you who attended the Salisbury Cathedral centenary service, the Proms in the Park Garden Party or indeed any of the 60 or so concerts, big and small, performed
We remain fully committed to this just as we do to opening access more education through the Martin Marriott Bursaries. My thanks to all those OCs who to this crucial work.
I hope this article gives little flavour going on and I hope very much we will engaged actively with the Canford Community ahead. It is a special thing to be a part of!
What brought me to Canford? Wherever
I go in the School, I find myself in conversation. And in those conversations – whether in corridors, classrooms, or across the playing fields – there’s something unmistakable: a sense of compassion, empathy, and genuine engagement. It’s not abstract. It’s tangible. You can almost reach out and touch it.
That’s what drew me to Canford. I’ve known many Canfordians over the years, and they’ve always struck me as grounded, thoughtful, and endlessly curious. This is a community rich in character and full of fascinating stories. For me, it’s an exciting place to be.
When I speak with the teaching staff, what shines through isn’t just a passion for their subjects – it’s the joy they find in their pupils. “I’ve got a pupil who’s completely absorbed in Greek
literature,” one tells me. “Another is fascinated by tectonic plates.” But it’s never just about the plates or the poetry. It’s about people who care deeply about learning and about each other. That’s the heart of it.
I should probably confess: I was offered a job at Canford when I first qualified as a teacher. I was 21, and the lure of adventure took me to Hillcrest International School in Kenya instead. But even then, back in 2000, I fell for this place and its people.
There’s a lot of talk in education about what young people need today. My view? They need what they’ve always needed. They need to be explorers – curious about the world and how it’s changing. That includes AI. We shouldn’t fear it. It’s a tool – one that can take on the heavy lifting and free up space for young minds to question, to challenge, to think.
As educators, our job is to help children understand themselves better. That’s how they’ll shape their own journeys.
I trained as an English teacher, while my wife Georgie trained in Drama and English, and I’ve always loved poetry. Philip Larkin observed of journeys that too often we make the mistake of focusing on the destination, challenging us to recognise that it is what we notice along the way that changes us. That’s what we want for our pupils: the freedom to notice, to reflect, and to grow. Journeys aren’t always linear – and that’s where the magic lies.
We’re not here to shape worker bees. We want our pupils to succeed, yes – but also to become extraordinary people: parents, partners and friends. We want the next generation of Canfordians to be people others want to marry, people others are proud to know.
In recent years, people have asked: what’s the point of independent schools? For me, the answer lies in what we can do beyond our own gates. Independent schools have the trust of their communities, and that trust creates space –for innovation, for resilience, for compassion. It’s a place where ideas can be tested, where failure is part of the process, and where learning is alive.
That spirit of collaboration is already thriving in our partnership with The Bourne Academy. I’ve spent the last decade building a powerful schools’ partnership in Bath, and I’m excited to see how we can grow our work here – ensuring that pupils from all backgrounds learn from one another and shape a more connected world.
Teachers, I’ve found, tend to fall into two camps: those who loved school and want to return, and those who found it tough and want to make it better for others. I’m firmly in the latter group.
That’s the journey I care about: how we make tomorrow better than today, whatever world our pupils choose to step into.
Outside of school, I unwind by walking with Georgie and our three dogs – a Great Dane and two spaniels. I read, I snowboard, and I paramotor. There’s
something about lifting off from a field in the evening, leaving your worries behind, and soaring into the sky. As Gerard Manley Hopkins put it, ‘the steady air’ beneath me. It’s an extraordinary feeling.
At home, our three children – Tilly 18, Walter 15, and Aggie 12 – keep me grounded, as does Georgie, now a psychotherapeutic counsellor. Dinner is often a lively affair, full of debate about politics, faith, literature – and now, our new life at Canford. The whole family is excited for this next chapter. And I am, too.
Because this isn’t just about a new role. It’s about joining a community. It’s about shaping something together. And it’s about the ripple effects – within Canford and far beyond.
SIMON
Held in Los Angeles in February, the 67th annual Grammy Awards was a glamorous, star-studded affair, with live performances from the likes of Sheryl Crow and Lady Gaga and major awards handed out to Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and the Rolling Stones.
This year, among the prizewinners, was filmmaker, art director and multimedia creative Simon Hilton (M85) who was awarded a Grammy for his collaboration with Sean Ono Lennon – the musician son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono – in remixing and redesigning the former Beatle’s 1973 solo album Mind Games.
Their project, which took three years to complete, won the Grammy for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Packaging. It came about when Ono Lennon set out to completely transform the original album, which had been largely overlooked by critics at the time, and enlisted the services of London-based Simon, who has a long history of working with the Lennon estate.
Together, the pair produced a variety of stunning box sets, which they have described as a ‘love letter’ to John and Yoko, including a ‘super deluxe’ limited edition, priced at more than £1000. Set in a perspex cube based on a 1960s artwork by Yoko, it contains six CDs of remixes and out-takes along with more than 100 individual items, including hologram vinyl, a coffee-table book, I-Ching coins and the flag of Nutopia (the conceptual country founded by John and Yoko on the principles of peace and love).
‘We wanted to use the album’s title, Mind Games, to open up a wealth of things we could do, exploring John Lennon’s mind,’ Simon explained to reporters after the event. ‘But we started with the music, going all the way back to the original multi-tracks and massively upgrading the audio. We were very honoured because the original members of John’s band became involved in the project, and helped give advice on the different tones they would have liked to have achieved back in the day.’
Tabitha Tennant (B15) has made her first foray into the world of literature with historical novel, The Sons of Prophecy, a gripping saga begins in England in 1456, when the nation is on the brink of civil war.
The novel reimagines history through the eyes of Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke. The seed of the story began at Canford when Tabitha first explored the life of Jasper Tudor for her Baynham Essay in the Lower Sixth, encouraged by History teacher Keith Hay.
Connor Brown (W11) has authored a textbook designed for people starting out in anaesthetics and those interested in pursuing a career in the field. London-based Connor studied Medicine at the University of Birmingham and wrote the book – The Beginner’s Guide to Anaesthetics: A Handbook for Doctors in Training and Allied Professionals – while taking a year out from his anaesthetics training.
Robert Gardner (S59) is now practising as a KC in Vancouver. After leaving Canford, Robert studied at Trinity Hall Cambridge before becoming a barrister in London. His two daughters are currently at university and the family enjoys skiing and surfing.
Richard Dickins (SH82) has retired from Shell after close to 39 years at the energy company. As a keen contributor to the CCF RN Section whilst at Canford, he has kept in close contact with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. He is currently a Trustee of Poole Sea Cadets, a 60-strong unit of youngsters aged between 10 and 18. ‘They are a great inspiration, proving their excellence afloat, at drill and playing instruments in their awardwinning marching band,’ says Richard.
Daniel Fearon (C63) has been in touch, asking if any OCs are in a position to help Peter Reynolds (C63) who has been detained in Afghanistan with his wife Barbie since 1st February. The couple, who have lived in the country for 18 years, running education projects, were arrested by the Taliban in February for reasons unknown. Their plight has been highlighted in the news, with the United Nations expressing concern about their wellbeing and the Reynolds family doing everything they can to seek their release.
The Canford Arboretum has been enriched with the planting of two rare and unusual trees, generously donated by Ed and Fiona Marley, owners of Pinnacle Plants International. Their daughters, Tessa and Imi, former pupils in Marriotts House, left in 2020 and 2024.
The Marleys wanted to give back to the school where their daughters thrived, contributing a Large-winged Wingnut and a Chinese Red Birch. With guidance from resident arboriculturist Nathan Scheller, the trees were planted at the southern end of the Adby astro, where they will have the space and light to grow to their full potential. Ed Marley commented: ‘Tessa and Imi really enjoyed their time at Canford and, as parents, we also loved coming to the School, so we all wanted to give something back.’
We were thrilled to catch up with Reza Seewooruthun (L25) at Silverstone Circuit in August, where he’s making waves in the GB3 Championship at just 18 years old.
After beginning his career as a Karting champion, Reza has progressed through Formula 4, and is now enjoying his debut season in the GB3 Championship, driving for Argenti Motorsport and PREMA Team. His performance at Silverstone proved why he’s been handpicked for the Rising Stars programme, run by the British Racing Drivers’ Club, as he completed the fastest lap of the weekend and clinched second place on the podium.
It was fantastic and inspiring to catch up with Reza, who took time out to chat and share a glimpse into his racing journey so far. We’re incredibly proud to see an OC achieving so much on the track and wish him continued success in the rest of the season and beyond.
If you want to follow Reza’s progress and cheer him on, head over to his Instagram @reza.seewooruthun
Congratulations to Matthew Butterfield (S21) who won the Dairy Student of the Year Award in February. Matthew, who recently graduated with a BSc Agriculture degree from Harper Adams University, defeated six other finalists in the highly competitive contest run by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.
We were delighted to welcome Mia Ashby-Rudd (D23) via a video call, to share her invaluable insights with the Global Connections group. Mia spoke about her journey of applying to and studying at Georgetown University, one of America’s most prestigious institutions.
She offered Upper Sixth pupils practical advice on navigating the application process, gave a fascinating glimpse into her life as an international student, and recounted the unforgettable experience of being in Washington DC on election night in November 2024.
Thank you Mia and good luck with the rest of your studies.
A further 49 stones that were kindly sponsored by OCs and parents have now been laid on Lady Charlotte’s Walk. The generosity of our donors not only supports the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries at Canford, but for every stone sponsored, Canford also provides a book to our partner school, The Bourne Academy. For more information and to sponsor a stone visit globalconnect.canford. com/pages/lady-charlottes-walk
Gridiron success
Congratulations to Mark Kosgei (F23), who represented Great Britain in an U19 American Football fixture against Northern Ireland in the 2024 Global Ireland Football Tournament. Great Britain defeated Northern Ireland 35-8. We look forward to following Mark’s American Football journey.
Eve Hewett (D21) was part of the Oxford team that took on Cambridge in a swim race across the English Channel in the Varsity Relay in July. The epic challenge of endurance and team spirit saw Eve and her five teammates take the prize, arriving on the shores of Cap Gris-Nez, France, 15 minutes ahead of their rivals, in a time of nine hours and 14 minutes.
HOW MASTER DISTILLER WILFRID SHON DRAWS ON HIS DORSET HERITAGE
Since leaving Canford, Wilfrid Shon (W15) has taken an unexpected but inspiring journey, from Politics and War Strategy student to self-taught master distiller. Based on a farmyard in rural Dorset, his business, Shroton Fair Gin, is now making waves in the global spirits market.
After studying Politics at the University of York and completing a Masters in War & Strategy at Leeds University, Wilfrid returned home during the Covid lockdowns and began experimenting with botanicals. What started as a kitchen hobby quickly evolved into a fully-fledged venture. In 2022, he officially launched Shroton Fair Gin, drawing both its name and inspiration from the historic Shroton Fair, and its logo from a Bengal tiger that was exhibited at the fair in 1767.
Operating what he describes as a ‘nano-distillery’ from a container unit at Ash Farm on Cranborne Chase, Wilfrid has combined traditional craft with modern sustainability. His approach includes refillable options, recyclable
pouches and bag-in-box formats in a conscious effort to reduce glass waste and promote local community engagement. Now stocked in 75 locations, the business has doubled its revenue since launch, and earned him numerous awards and accolades.
Wilfrid’s gin is known for its unique flavour profile, built around exotic botanicals such as cardamom, cinnamon, coriander and a secret weapon, Grains of Paradise. This West African pepper adds a citrusy zing that sets the gin apart. He recommends pairing it with Mediterranean tonic and a slice of frozen grapefruit for the perfect serve.
Wilfrid welcomes customers to the farm every Friday and Saturday morning for tastings and refills. His passion for flavour, hospitality and heritage runs through every bottle, and he continues to enjoy meeting new customers at events and markets. As he says, ‘Every day is a school day’ and with his current trajectory, Wilfrid is schooling the spirits world in how to blend creativity, history and sustainability into award-winning success. Shrotonfairgin.co.uk
As part of the legacy of the late Dr Donald Dean, Canford is proud to offer funding each year to support Old Canfordians undertaking their medical elective. This year, Lucy Chapple (Ma18) was a recipient of the award and spent her placement in Sri Lanka. Lucy travelled to Galle to take up her elective at the National Teaching Hospital, the third largest hospital in the country, mainly splitting her time between the general medical and paediatric wards.
‘We saw patients with many similar conditions to hospitals in the UK, like pneumonia and heart failure,’ says Lucy. ‘A significant difference between hospitals in the UK and Sri Lanka was the prevalence of tropical diseases like dengue, leptospirosis and malaria.’
During her two months in the country, Lucy also visited a community hospital, an elderly care home, a children’s home and a maternity hospital, along with an ayurvedic hospital, where traditional herbal medicines are given alongside massage and acupuncture therapy.
‘Outside of the hospital, we were able to explore the beautiful country. We went on safari, tried surfing, hiked, and ate delicious food! I am hugely grateful to the Dr Donald Dean Memorial Medical Award for helping me to fund a fantastic two months in Sri Lanka.’ For more information and to apply visit globalconnect.canford.com/pages/donald-dean-medics-award
Charlie Pothecary (C06) and Chris Miller (F06), have remained best friends since their days at Canford. Their shared adventures, from traveling the world together to attending university and living in London, have led them to co-found their own tech company, Becon.
Frustrated by the limitations of existing location-sharing apps, which they believe offered little more than a simple on/off feature with no real safety options, Charlie and Chris set out to create a versatile, family-focused live location and safety app that could adapt to the unique needs of each family member at any stage of their lives. If you’d like to support Charlie and Chris in their mission to deliver the best family location and safety app in the world, please reach out to Charlie directly at charlie@becontheapp.com
We are delighted to introduce Charlie Nairne (S93), Catherine Brookes (SH93) and Gerald Cooper-Key (F67) as our new overseas reps. Charlie is based in New Zealand, Catherine in Spain and Gerald in Canada. All of them would be pleased to hear from OCs who are either living or travelling to those countries. If you would like to make contact, please email community@canford.com and we will pass on their email addresses.
The Class of 2019 got together in London in March, with Matilda Hubble (D19) organising the gathering of former pupils. ‘Over five years had passed since the Canford gates closed on our school days, so I thought it was the perfect time to bring old friends back together and reminisce,’ says Matilda. ‘After a bit of detective work and some help from the Development Office at Canford, I managed to round up around 60 of us for a reunion in Clapham and what a night it was. Hearing everyone’s stories and seeing where life has taken them was truly special.’
This summer, Tommy Davies (C22) and Jude Organ (SH22) set off to cycle 5,000km from Istanbul to London and successfully raised £20,000 for World Bicycle Relief. The charity partners with local communities across the world to provide specially designed, locally produced, rugged bicycles for people in need, meeting the needs of students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs living in rural regions without access to reliable transportation.
Congratulations to Adam Phillips (L20) on his incredible achievement in winning the Music Teachers National Association’s Young Artist Performance competition in March. Hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the MTNA competitions are among the most prestigious student music competitions in the US, with thousands of entrants vying for top honours each year. While studying at Drake University in Iowa, bass-baritone Adam won in the voice category thanks to his performances of Mozart’s La Vendetta and the traditional Welsh song Ar Hyd y Nos, among others.
In May, OCs gathered for an exclusive evening and the chance to reunite and network in the Grand Saloon at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, an elegant and historic venue located in the heart of London’s theatre land. Prior to the drinks party, guests had the opportunity to take a special tour of the building, uncovering its fascinating history as the oldest theatre continuously operating on the same site in the world.
In March, Kerry Gunu (C24) took part in the Reading Half Marathon, raising more than £1,000 for Awutu-Winton School in Ghana, which provides free secondary education to students from underprivileged backgrounds. Having experienced the transformative power of education himself, Kerry is passionate about giving back and in July, he returned to Ghana to volunteer at the school, teaching Business and Economics and coaching football. Well done Kerry!
We are delightged to report that Sophia Whelan (D24) has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). At just 18, she became one of the youngest individuals ever to receive this prestigious honour. Since leaving Canford, Sophia has embraced university life at UCL. She was selected as the first-year Anthropology representative, leads the UCL Model United Nations programme, and has been promoted to a senior officer role in the University Royal Navy Unit (URNU) London. Congratulations Sophia, we look forward to seeing the impact you make.
Brothers Chris Cooper (S81) and Justin Cooper (B83) saw the fulfilment of their dreams when a real tennis court was opened in Sydney in February. After years of planning, fundraising and finding a site, the superb new facility is already drawing a new generation of players to the Cheltenham Recreation Club, on Sydney’s leafy north shore.
Chris and Justin developed a profound love for real tennis during their time at Canford, and were inspired to bring the sport to a broader audience in Australia. The brothers were assisted in their project by a New South Wales government grant, and support from the OC community, including Andrew Short (B81), plus former world champion Chris Ronaldson (brother of Steve Ronaldson who retired in 2021 after 30 years at Canford). The Coopers envision the court becoming a centre of excellence, where players of all ages, genders and abilities can enjoy the 800-year-old sport.
Jeremy Friend (B53) has been in touch with the news that he is about to become a grandfather, as his daughter Daniella is expecting. Jeremy founded Grumbles restaurant in Pimlico in 1964 before handing over the tiller in 2011. ‘I no longer run it but I love the fact it remains the same – it’s an image of the Sixties!’ says Jeremy, who has travelled widely over the years including a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express.
Historian Allan Ledger (W61) has let us know that he is available to give presentations on his published books, including works about the late Duke of Marlborough, the 1953 Coronation, Jane Austen’s Cotswold connections and many more. For further information, email community@ canford.com and we will put you in touch.
Mark Glasscock (SH79) has provided an update about his life since retiring after a long career as a financial services consultant. He lives with his wife, retired doctor Alison, in the Market Harborough area, along with Alison’s five horses which live on the land adjacent to their house. Mark has volunteered with the local Air Ambulance and enjoys skiing, aiming to get to the Alps at least once every winter season.
by Development Director Rowena Gaston
The Development Office exists to bring Old Canfordians together – to reunite, reminisce and connect – and we absolutely love doing it! I take great joy in seeing OCs reconnect after many years apart, and this year has been no exception.
We’ve hosted reunion lunches for the classes of 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005. Our young OC gathering in London, Clink & Connect – for those who left Canford less than ten years ago – returned for its second year with a fantastic turnout. It also provided a fitting opportunity for OCs from the Vessey era to say farewell to headmaster Ben Vessey.
Our OC sports programme continues to grow. This year we enjoyed a Real Tennis Day in February and hosted two OC Football matches. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to be hosting the OC Hockey Day again and we are introducing an OC Netball Day. (See Dates For Your Diary)
We rounded off the year with our annual Henley Royal Regatta Lunch Reception, where OCs, parents and Canfordian rowers gathered in celebration. It was a true highlight to see so many familiar faces amidst a sea of Canford blazers.
As has become tradition, we held our Nineveh Legacy Society Lunch in the autumn. This special event allows donors to connect, enjoy lunch together, and meet some of our current Canfordians. This year, we heard from Connor Elliot-Murray (L19) and Lucy Thorne (S22) about the impact their Canford bursary has had on their lives.
Leaving a gift to Canford in your will is one of the greatest legacies you can offer, reflecting your belief in the School’s values and leaving a lasting impact. If you would like more information regarding this, please contact Rowena Gaston (rjg@canford.com)
With the launch of the new-look Canford Global Connect last autumn, we introduced a dedicated e-newsletter just for Old Canfordians. Over the past year, we’ve sent 13 editions, achieving an impressive average open rate of 65% – well above the industry standard.
Each issue is tailored specifically for OCs, featuring alumni news and highlighting the events and opportunities we run for the community. The Canford Global Connect platform itself continues to grow, now with over 2,750 members.
Don’t forget to keep your profile up to date - it’s one of the most effective ways for OCs to connect, collaborate, and stay in touch.
Dates are correct at going to press. Further events may be added. Please check our Events Page on Canford Global Connect (globalconnect.canford.com/events) and regular Canford emails.
OCTOBER 2025
Saturday 11th 1976 Reunion Lunch, 12.30pm, Canford
Tuesday 14th Nineveh Legacy Society Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford
NOVEMBER 2025
Friday 14th Canford Online Auction starts
Saturday 29th Old Canfordian Society EGM, 10.00am, Canford
Sunday 30th Canford Online Auction closes
JANUARY 2026
Thursday 29th Clink & Connect (2015-2025), London, venue TBC
FEBRUARY 2026
Sunday 1st Celebration of Life for Martin Marriott, Canford 2.00pm
Saturday 7th Old Canfordian Society AGM, 10.00am, Canford
Saturday 28th 2006 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford
MARCH 2026
Friday 13th Careers Convention, Canford
Saturday 14th 1996 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford
Saturday 14th OC Netball, 14.00pm, Canford
Sunday 22nd OC Hockey, 10.30am, Canford
APRIL 2026
Saturday 18th 1986 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford
MAY 2026 OC London Drinks, date and venue TBC
JUNE 2026
Friday 12th Canford Arboretum Tour with Andrew Powell, 6.00pm, Canford
JULY 2026 Henley Royal Regatta Lunch Reception, date TBC
Canford allowed me to find the thing I was really into, even though it went against the prevailing winds. Music was what I loved, an interest many of my contemporaries did not share, and I suppose it made me something of an outsider. Canford was sporty and, as a musician tucked away in the Music School, I had a feeling of being one of the few, a bit like being a rugby player where no one played rugby. It is hard to pinpoint quite what I needed if I was to stick to music – for someone who is getting fired up by Maths, say, they might need an extra hour at the computer, but with music, what I needed was less obvious, I think.
Choices were binary back then: you were either sporty, or musical or ‘arty’. You had to choose. That did change once we all got into the Sixth Formteachers began to treat us, and teach us, as adults, as is often the way. They trusted us, they gave us the freedom to explore, and we had the space of the park, too – I remember the 5.30am runs on my own and then practising the violin before breakfast, overlooking the Mountjoy Oak. You can’t say that’s not inspiring. Nobody seemed to mind, or needed asking, I just felt a
Howard Moody(B82) has conducted around the world, composed for the London Symphony Orchestra and written operas for Glyndebourne. But it is in working with non-verbal special needs students, says Moody, that the magic can also happen. Here, he reflects on his innovative, inclusive approach to music-making - and how a Beaufort House Music Competition, eight milk bottles and a floor polisher set him on that path.
permission to discover music in my own way
I was also very lucky to have a mentor in conductor John Lubbock, brother of the late Judith Marriott, herself a singer and lover of music. It’s a relationship that has continued since I left Canford (43 years ago!) and I have lived a life completely immersed in music ever since, mainly in the ‘arts world’ as opposed to the ‘music business’.
‘I remember practising the violin overlooking the Mountjoy Oak: I felt a permission to discover music in my own way.’
My younger self never imagined what life could look like, one in which I conduct orchestras and singers, and maintain a concert schedule as a pianist, harpsichordist and organist, and compose, too – I’m now writing my eighth opera and have written twelve large-scale symphonic pieces for the London Symphony Orchestra that I conducted at the Barbican. The world of theatre and opera has been a large part of my work. What I love about
theatre is the opportunity it affords to express things freely through a story and music and that it can be so international; I always have my radar tuned for new stories that can be staged in a culturally non-specific way yet can clearly reflect the huge issues of our time.
Most recently, on a trip to the Outer Hebrides, I was attracted to the story of a community of crofters who, having been evicted in 1850, spent 70 years campaigning to be able to return to the land that their ancestors had farmed. Such stories of dispossession and displacement are everywhere, sometimes too dangerous to express literally, so taking an archetypal historical story can be a much more profound way of giving people a reason to sing. The language of music itself is the ultimate international language, crossing every boundary, and that’s never more apparent to me than when I’m making music with those with special needs.
In a recent project, ‘Birdsongs,’ I incorporated the music of Olivier Messiaen with songs uttered by completely non-verbal special needs students. For me, they sing the
ultimate human birdsongs – instinctive, repetitive and in one breath – but the difficulty can be persuading the adult world to listen. Within the privacy of a project, I transcribe their musical utterances and create new songs that they can respond to when they hear their own melodies reflected back to them. Put their musical ideas over a marimba with a few world class musicians and magic happens.
I suppose all of this points to the fact that I am, I realise, a musical self divided between the world of high art (that I am so lucky to be a part of) and the raw, unsophisticated expression of music. Put the two together and the results are phenomenal, as I first discovered through some especially groundbreaking work I was part of with special needs students as part of a project-based group called La Folia, which I started when I left Oxford.
For one project in 2016 the students participated in their own original version of an Evensong in Salisbury Cathedral. Called ‘Evening Songs,’ the Dean allowed us (for the first time in the Church’s history) to change the words of the liturgy. When the precentor sang “O Lord open thou our lips” the response was, “We shall if you sing our song”. And so it went on. The precentor described it as being “perhaps the most significant thing to happen in the building for 750 years”.
It was one of many very significant experiences for me in this aweinspiring Cathedral. Even more personal to me was the first
performance of a choral work I wrote, inspired by a dream OC Genevieve Fox (C82), a dear friend, had when she was critically ill in 2014. In the dream, she was falling headlong through the sky. At the very last minute a hand reached out and caught her, the feeling of safety instant. Genevieve’s dream came true. She sat next to me when the piece, ‘In The Hand of God,’ was performed as part of Southern Cathedrals Festival in 2015. Nine years later, it was a privilege to be invited to write the choral piece ‘Up’ that was sung at the service also in Salisbury Cathedral that marked the 100-year anniversary of the School.
‘Music can liberate those with special needs, including very deaf teenagers’
I feel that sense of privilege again and again as I tell other people’s stories through music, and never more so than when I told the story of Simon Gronowski, a Holocaust survivor, now aged 92, who was pushed off a train to Auschwitz by his mother in 1943. When he first told me what happened to him, he rounded off the story with the words, “Ma vie n’est que miracles”. I told him how incredible it was that he could be so positive about his life, given that most of his family had been
exterminated. I found his positive outlook extraordinary, and told him so. He reached for a scrap of paper and wrote down those words about his life being nothing but miracles on a scrap of paper and handed it to me.
In return for this memento, now among my most treasured possessions, I promised to write an opera about his story. ‘Push’ is its name and, since its first performance in 2016 it has been performed in many languages, from The Speakers Rooms in the House of Commons to theatres in the UK, Belgium, Norway and Spain. Simon has attended every production.
Thinking back to Canford days, it was Martin Marriott who gave me the music scholarship that enabled me to come to the school. It was Henry Baynham that allowed me the diplomatic immunity to miss almost all sport in favour of practising the violin sufficiently to get a coveted place in
the National Youth Orchestra with its opportunities to play at the Proms with some of the finest conductors. It was Beverley Manning who sat me down and showed me how harmony and counterpoint worked. It was Michael Pain who encouraged me to learn everything from memory.
I am sometimes quizzed about the work that I do that unleashes surprising creative outcomes for both myself and others. I think back to Beaufort House Music Competition in 1978. I was asked to write a piece for the instrumental category. I started by asking everyone face-to-face if they wanted to be involved, with no previous experience required. A surprising number said yes, so I composed a piece for those who could read music that still allowed everyone else to respond freely or learn a melody by ear. ‘The Beaufort Variations’ was my first attempt at this sort of music making.
I spent some of the Christmas holidays tuning milk bottles with water so that a group of eight could play Baa Baa Black Sheep on the eight notes that the tune requires. The rest of the piece was a set of variations on the tune in many different styles that surprised everyone.
My special memory was of the toughest rugby player playing the wax polisher. He loathed “classical” music as much as I loathed sport, so I told him just to walk on at a specific cue and turn it on. His polisher whirred a resonant low E flat as he made a spectacular entrance stage left for variation 5. His contribution was triumphant and we made a special, if brief, connection together afterwards. Now I realise that the whole experience opened me up to how music can bring all people together, providing the music can speak louder than anything else.
Every new composition has a different process of creation. In 2015 I played a sequence of virtuoso concerts with the incredible recorder player Piers Adams. When he started playing his newly designed ‘Eagle recorder’ I was knocked out by the colours of its sound. He asked if I would write a
concerto for it with a substantial modern orchestra. Ten years later some sponsorship came about that finally facilitated its composition. It was very touching that Martin Marriott came to its premiere in June 2025. He told his family afterwards “now I have heard Howard’s concert, I can die a happy man”.
Working with groups who haven’t had a chance to be part of performing live music before is very powerful. I’ve seen how music can liberate those with special needs, including profoundly deaf teenagers. When you hear their vocal expressions they are all incredibly melodic; they are expressing something from deep inside themselves. To witness that is yet another privilege.
Working with communities can have exactly the same musical value system as playing at the Southbank or at The Wigmore Hall providing arts organisations put high-level artists together; the music is the same. The only difference is that if you are playing in new contexts, you might have to play with more intention; it can be more demanding; some special needs performers are often more sensitive; they know what they like and dislike. Low sounds or high sounds can be challenging for some. Realising this stopped me presuming that people were hearing the same thing.
For me, working with a group in this way helps me feel that I am sharing what I was given when I was at school. I often think, why me? Why did I get that gift? And why have I been able to travel the world and play with the greatest musicians, or stay at home and write my next opera? That is an incredibly wonderful thing to be able to do.
howardmoody.co.uk
Beaufort Suite title page
The Canford community has lost one of its most beloved figures with the passing of Martin Marriott, who died peacefully on the morning of 30 July at the age of 93.
Martin served as Headmaster of Canford from 1976 to 1992, and remained a lifelong supporter and advocate of the School. He was deeply committed to broadening access to a Canford education, and it is in recognition of that passion that our bursary foundation bears his name – the Martin Marriott Foundation.
Many of us in the Canford community paid their respects to Martin at his funeral on Monday 18 August at St Thomas’s Church in Salisbury. His son Charles – an educator who lives in South Africa – has generously agreed to share an edited extract of the moving eulogy he gave at Martin’s funeral service.
Iam wearing a tie today. Not really my style, but I am wearing it for Dad. He loved to dress formally for occasions big and small. But he was equally comfortable in old corduroy trousers and holey jumpers… until my mother Judith threw them away. That was the simple, unpretentious side of him. The side of him that grew up in the simple, natural life of Newfoundland.
Dad would be chuffed to see you all gathered in his name. But a little jealous he isn’t here in person to chat with you all. Chuffed because, among his many skills, he was a convenor, a gatherer – whether as a family man, educator, someone who ran a Christian men’s group for 25-plus years, organised retreats, and convened this church’s restoration committee. His life has been a demonstration of the truth that
life, success, and fulfillment is a team exercise.
He had an inexhaustible enthusiasm for building relationships. Whether with a great-grandchild, a working colleague, a former student from 50 years ago, his own children or someone he met just a few days ago, he was consistently interested in you; he wanted to know you.
He was a master of the one-on-one. Although he was an enthusiast for sailing, books, wine, gardening, politics, education, travel and other cultures, his biggest love was for people – because being with people, getting to know and learning from them, filled his cup.
His ability to connect with you was because he was naturally comfortable in his own skin. From a place of confidence
and emotional abundance, he could be soft, curious, open, generous. And in this way he made so many of us feel safe and important, such that we flourished under his watch.
At heart he was a diehard optimist, a great believer in and enabler of human talent. It was just a natural part of him. Recently, a South African friend recounted a documentary about those who live to a hundred. Apparently, many centenarians believe that a key factor that has taken them so far is optimism.
Now, facing the truth of my loss, facing my own tears for him has helped me to see what real love for this man looks like. He was my father, a good man in so many ways, but in more recent times he had also become my chommie, a South African slang word for friend. I am going to miss my chommie.
DORSET FARMER SOPHIE ALEXANDER (S80) TALKS TO SOCIETY ABOUT GOING ORGANIC, KEEPING A COOL HEAD, AND HER BELOVED VIKINGRED COWS
Let’s join the dots. What was your path from Canford to farming?
Long and wiggly. I spent most of my time at Canford in the art block. It was a refuge and haven – you needed a sanctuary when you were one of only 25 girls out of a whole school of 600 boys, as the ratio was in 1978/79. I had no ambition to farm until an opportunity arose much later in life. It wasn’t in my sights at all.
After leaving school, I started a business delivering fresh flowers to restaurants, hotels and private homes all over London. It rapidly grew into doing decorative arrangements for weddings, parties and fashion shows. Early morning buying trips to Covent Garden flower market were a highlight. You had to be there by 5am to get the best blooms –so perhaps not an irrelevant training for a farming life. Later, an elementary grasp of Russian led me to become heavily involved in producing ballet and opera tours with the Kirov and Bolshoi. I also spent summer months touring with the Moscow State Circus. Organising mega tours of performing arts is not unlike orchestrating a farming enterprise. Both are very capital intensive, have multiple moving parts outside your control, and operate on miniscule margins.
How did you come to Hemsworth Farm in 2011?
I come from a farming background – my mother studied agriculture at Oxford University in the 1940s, which was quite unusual in those days. After my mother died, the tenants who had farmed Hemsworth for generations surrendered the tenancy, and as the only member of my family who wished to take it on, I started farming at Hemsworth in September 2011. I hasten to add, I have been on courses and consulted experts all along to compensate for my lack of experience
when starting out. Neighbouring farmers have been encouraging, supportive and generous with their knowledge and expertise.
‘Mooching about with the cows puts aggravation in perspective.’
Tell us about the farm…
Hemsworth is 1200 acres on the edge of the Cranborne Chase. It sits on a bedrock of chalk and is in the enviable position of having one of the world’s rarest ecological wonders – a chalk stream – the River Allen, trickling through it. We alternate the fields between establishing diverse grass and nitrogen-fixing legume mixtures for the dairy herd to graze (which is the mechanism we use to build soil fertility over five years), afterwards growing two years of cereal crops, notably organic porridge oats for Whites in Northern Ireland. The milk from our herd of 250 VikingRed cows is sold to Yeo Valley to make their delicious organic yoghurt.
Why did you decide to farm organically?
During the first three years at Hemsworth, we benchmarked an already converted organic area of the farm against land that was managed intensively with chemical inputs and artificial nitrogen fertiliser. It was a valuable opportunity to compare the two systems and helped me arrive at the choice to go all-out organic. One of the benefits of being organic is that you are slightly less exposed to global commodity markets, and we have a personalised relationship with everyone we supply. None of it goes to make ultra-processed junk, which is a plus. Organic certification provides a rigorous framework to operate within. There are no chemical additives
or fertilisers permitted to get you out of a fix. It relies on developing natural resilience and balance.
You brought in the VikingRed heifers from Sweden. How do they shape the farm? Without nitrogen fertiliser we must improve soil quality to optimise ecological functions and the productivity of the farm. That’s where the cows come in. They drive the whole ecological engine. The herd lives outside 24/7, which is only possible due to our light soils and the bedrock of chalk. Not only do the cows generate an income from sales of milk and meat but they also produce fertiliser and spread it themselves. As soil organic matter increases, it builds carbon reserves underground; it is improving the waterholding capacity and percolation rate at the same time, thereby increasing soil health and environmental resilience.
In every picture of you, you are standing very close to your VikingReds. Are they a friendly bunch?
They are a good-natured and easy-going herd. A very relaxing place to hang out is in a field with them. It’s well-known that dairy cows can be therapeutic company. It’s important to walk the farm frequently to observe things and mooching about with the cows in a field late in the evening puts lots of aggravation in perspective. I don’t
mooch with them as much when the bulls are in though!
And what of the wildlife at Hemsworth?
Building a holistic farm system enhances habitat and the abundance of wildlife. Soil is home to 90 per cent of fungi, 85 per cent of plant life and 50 per cent of bacteria, making it the world’s most species-rich habitat. The Dorset Wildlife Trust has been surveying the biodiversity at Hemsworth for several years. The proliferation of different species is a particular source of satisfaction and substantiates the effectiveness of a farming system that doesn’t use herbicides and pesticides.
There must have been moments that have been hard. Can you share any lows?
Running any complex business is exacting and demanding. Financial surprises and shortfalls make most people sweat at night. Farming works with life itself, so you are manipulating all the complexities and challenges of a living system combined with being at the mercy of global markets of supply and demand with many factors completely out of your control. The combination is a recipe for a turbulent ride. Throw political ineptitude into the mix and it can be a rollercoaster.
I used to be in a lather of anxiety a month before harvest was even expected to begin. A weed-infested patch of ground could keep me fretting all night. And if there was too much rain or not enough, I was fit to pop. That is the route to becoming a neurotic basket case. All the seasoned, knowledgeable farmers I admire are wise, measured and philosophical. You can only do your utmost to build financial and ecological resilience and prepare for the big bumps but ultimately, we are all pawns, and you just have to trust your judgement and try hard.
Are you in touch with any OCs?
‘Building a holistic farm system enhances habitat and the abundance of wildlife.’
Most of the OCs I know are farmers so are already converts to an outdoor life and have been farming much longer than me. Canford has educated quite a cohort of innovative farmers. Rob Shepherd (C81), a contemporary, is a local farming star. He and I took part in a panel discussion with Jayne Buxton, the author of The Great Plant-Based Con. For ten years I have worked with OC Peter Snell (SH97) who runs North Farm Contractors. Peter’s knowledge and expertise has been pivotal to progress at Hemsworth. I am a big fan.
do you do to kick back and relax?
My horse is elderly, and I empathise with his wish to be less fast and furious, so I enjoy a peaceful totter round the farm, which is soothing to my nervous system and enjoyable.
What would you say to OCs thinking of being farmers?
It is an amazing job. Probably one of the best. But for that privilege you must work hard, risk a lot and make some sacrifices. The process of producing food, improving ecosystem services and habitat, while investing in the business is creative – you are nurturing a living system, so it is a very worthwhile way to dedicate your time. The scale of satisfaction is high. You can also prioritise a work/life balance. You can go away. But you must find reliable and committed people to work with, so that you feel confident enough to leave the coal face.
The danger of not leaving the farm frequently enough is you live in a bubble and it’s hard to grasp the bigger picture and learn about what is taking place elsewhere. There is a huge array of qualities exhibited by different farmers so I don’t think I can be prescriptive about the attributes you need, but energy, resourcefulness and determination carry you a long way. The industry needs new blood and has opportunities for youth, energy and creativity.
When
Isn’t it...er...dangerous there? With a civil war going on?”” a friend asked when I mentioned I was going to South Sudan.
I wasn’t going to Sudan though, which is highly dangerous, but to South Sudan. Predominantly Christian, the south has long been at odds with the rest of largely Muslim Sudan and became independent in 2011. A civil war from 2013 to 2018 showed the strength of historic tribal divisions and, despite a provisional peace agreement agreed in 2018, its full implementation has been slow. The outbreak of an even more destructive civil conflict in Sudan in 2023 has had a terrible effect on South Sudan’s economy. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan, part of the Anglican communion, is one of the few institutions in the country which is widely respected everywhere – and I was fortunate enough to be part of a team going out to the city of Wau, 400 miles north-west of Juba, in February this year.
Not something I expected myself to be doing when I retired after 31 years teaching History and Politics at Canford in 2019 - but retirement is an opportunity to do different things and I was up for this adventure.
It all started in 2021 when, encouraged by friends in my church, I became a Trustee of the Poole-Wau Partnership
‘It all felt a bit different to teaching History at Canford’
(PWP), a charity linking churches in Poole with the Diocese of Wau, which has been funding St John’s College of Theology and Development since 2015. Founded in 2012 by Archbishop Moses Deng Bol, St John’s opened with just three students, initially to improve the standard of education of clergy in the diocese. Today the college, which sits within the cathedral and primary and secondary school compound, has 300 students, mostly aged from 18 to 21,
but with some mature students as well. Business Administration and Teacher training have been added, in addition to Theology, contributing to the economic and educational development of the country, as well as its spiritual growth. I had been doing my own studying, for a Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission at Salisbury’s Sarum College, and in 2023 I became a licensed lay minister.
In February, I set off with five fellow trustees and committee members to meet up with our PWP partners and to catch up on St John’s progress. Four years earlier, in 2021, the college authorities had dug the foundations
for a new building paid for from their own resources. In January 2022, PWP launched an appeal to continue its construction. Three years and £55,000 later, we were delighted to be there to witness the opening of this new building, honoured that the college has named it the Poole-Wau Partnership Building. It has been constructed to a high standard and the rooms are spacious, with suspended ceilings and electric fans.
Canford students, used to carpeted classrooms with interactive whiteboards, would no doubt think them spartan, but the four lecture rooms and three offices will be a transformative asset for St John’s College for many years to come.
During the three-hour ceremony on 8th February, there were numerous speeches, a choir sang and we were presented with certificates of appreciation and had specially made crosses put around our necks by leaders of the Diocese of Wau Mothers Union. The ribbon was cut by Bishop of Aweil, and acting Archbishop, Abraham Yel Nhial, who then walked around the building saying prayers of blessing and splashing the walls with holy water.
Earlier in the week, three of us, our Chair Jeff Neagle, Rev. Penny
Draper and I, led a three-day training conference for Theology students and church leaders based on St Luke’s gospel, including a day devoted to women’s role in the church. South Sudan remains a male-dominated society, but the church leadership is keen to encourage more women to train as lay ministers and clergy and had specifically asked us to cover this topic.
‘The church in South Sudan wants more women to train as lay ministers’
It all felt a bit different to teaching History GCSE or A-level at Canford, though I was essentially using the same skills. College Principal Philip Abiel commented, “For me and the College, the course was fantastic. You need to come here more!”
The next day, team members spoke at several local church services. I preached a sermon at Wau Cathedral, having never preached in a cathedral before, let alone to a congregation of 250.
I chose to preach from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, which serves as a reminder
that all Christians are dependent on an unbroken line of people stretching over two thousand years of history from St Paul and other apostles, and across the whole world to every nation on earth including South Sudan and Britain – all in their turn receiving, embracing firmly, and handing on the Word and the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
The two-hour service had plenty of singing and girls in bright yellow costumes dancing, as well as the confirmation of some fifteen young people. It was conducted in the Dinka language and my sermon was translated sentence by sentence as I spoke. The Dinka are the most numerous tribe in this part of South Sudan and are notable for their tall stature – at home, I am considered quite tall, at 6 feet 4 inches, but Archbishop Moses, a typical Dinka, is two inches taller than me!
The service was followed by another for the Luo tribal group, whose people are generally shorter and make up a minority of people in Wau, as evidenced by the congregation of around 25 for the service in their language. Meanwhile, in the old cathedral just across the compound, there were parallel services in English and Arabic.
The visit was not without its difficulties: when our cases appeared on the conveyor at Juba Airport, mine was not amongst them: Kenya Airways had left it in Nairobi. I was grateful to have the support of Archbishop Abraham who gave numerous Kenya Airways employees a difficult time on his mobile phone, and I was reunited with it – five days later, mindful that many people in Wau would consider themselves fortunate to possess the one pair of trousers and two shirts I had made do with up until then.
We were also told after we arrived in Wau that there was an error with our visas and we had to pay $230 each for new visas, for which we did not have enough cash. Archbishops Abraham and Moses are influential men, however, and were very helpful in resolving these issues on our behalf, both in Wau and Juba. The key to trouble-free travel in South Sudan is always to have at least one archbishop with you, preferably two!
We were thrilled to catch up on our way home with Archbishop Moses, who had flown from peace talks in Nairobi specifically to meet us in Juba. South Sudan’s capital is clearly a larger and more developed city than Wau. Although we only stayed one night there, the well-maintained tarmac streets from the airport to the recently built and well-appointed cathedral guest house were very different to the rough, heavily potholed roads in Wau, with goats wandering freely and cattle being herded through the city. In an email message to the team, Moses
later wrote, “It was really an exciting moment to meet my old friends with whom we have worked together for more than 10 years. Your visit to St John’s has encouraged everyone there and people are very excited that you came for the opening of the new building.”
While PWP provides £18,000 per year towards teaching staff salaries and other expenses, the college receives no money from the government and is dependent on income from students’ fees and grants from charities like ours and international development agencies. The United Nations Human Development Index ranks 193 countries in terms of human development, considering factors such as life expectancy, years of schooling and per capita income. South Sudan is currently rated 192nd; only Somalia is ranked below it. The United Kingdom is 15th. If there is one thing which has the power to raise South Sudan up out of poverty, corruption and conflict, it is the education of its people.
One of the great outcomes of the trip was the way in which fellowship was strengthened with our friends in Wau, including Archbishop Abraham and Principal Philip. We were delighted to receive an invitation to dinner at Philip’s house on our final evening in Wau and to meet his family. We also had the opportunity to discuss future project ideas, including drilling a deep borehole in the cathedral compound to provide fresh water, ending dependence on expensive daily deliveries of water by donkey cart, and a proposal to register St John’s College with the government, so that it can offer degree courses.
There is plenty more to do in Wau. But when you watch or read news reports about civil war in Sudan and refugees and poverty in South Sudan, be assured that there are people of goodwill and integrity in South Sudan who are working hard, despite all the difficulties which confront them, to build a better future for the country.
Find out more about the Poole-Wau Partnership at www.poolewaupartnership.com and St John’s College, Wau at stjohnscollegewau.org. Mark Rathbone (S74) was on the teaching staff from 1988 to 2019.
Rob Hoey
2020-2025
Head of Adventure
Rob joined Canford in 2020 as a Maths teacher after 17 years in the British Army. He genuinely enjoyed a return to Maths! With a passion for the outdoors and expeditions, he became Head of Adventure, overseeing Canford’s extensive programme of expeditions and challenges, including Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Ten Tors, as well as tutoring in Salisbury House, running the Royal Marines CCF and helping with rowing.
Rikki Jackson
2020-2025
Director of Drama
Rikki studied at Warwick University and taught Drama in various schools, directing nearly 100 plays and musicals before joining Canford. He brought a real vibrancy to the drama department and pupils excelled under his leadership in the past ten years, taking part in numerous performances including One Man, Two Guvnors, Peter Pan, Just So and Brief Encounter
Nicola Hunter
2013-2025
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Nick brought a rare combination of professionalism, empathy, and quiet strength to her role at Canford. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, she was instrumental in shaping and leading all aspects of pastoral care at the school. When called upon to deputise for the Headmaster, she was a steady, trusted presence - the safest of hands - offering unwavering support to both staff and pupils. Her legacy of care and commitment will be felt for years to come.
Emma Bennett
2014-2025
Head of Tennis
Over her 11-year tenure, Emma successfully coached hundreds of Canfordians with great success at various levels. Alongside her sports role, Emma was an extremely popular Assistant House Mistress in de Lacy.
Monica Garcia
2011-2025
Spanish
Teaching is Monica’s passion. She moved permanently to the UK in 2004 before arriving at Canford in 2011. Alongside teaching Spanish, she was a dedicated tutor and will be much missed in the language department.
Fran Compan
2009-2025
Head of Modern Foreign Languages & Spanish
Fran joined Canford in 2009 as teacher of French and Spanish and was appointed Head of MFL in September 2018. During his time at Canford he ran the swimming programme, was a tutor in Salisbury and an Assistant House Master in Monteacute.
Richard Wilson
2009-2025
Head of German & other Languages
Whilst head of German, Richard also taught French and EFL and in the last few years was our International Pupil Co-ordinator. As a qualified Squash Coach, Richard played a significant role on the Canford squash courts and on occasion shared his passion for rock music with pupils!
Ian Dryden Director of Rowing
2005-2025
After 20 remarkable years at the helm, Ian Dryden has stepped down as Director of Rowing. Under his leadership, over 2,000 pupils have passed through the Boat Club, with many competing at national and international level - including 16 Junior GB internationals, and crews qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta 20 times. His dedication to developing rowers and coaches alike has left an extraordinary legacy, both on and off the water and the boys 1st VIII success at Henley this year provided a fitting conclusion to Ian’s time at Canford.
emergency doctor
Lucy Longbottom (D15) is saving lives across the world as an expedition and wilderness medic
When I packed up my trunk and left Canford ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined where the next decade would lead me. Standing on the riverbank for the last time as boathouse captain, I felt prepared for a challenge, but had no real plans, no place at university and no idea how far the lessons I’d learned in rowing – teamwork, grit, leadership – would carry me.
Today, I work as an emergency medicine doctor in A&E at Truro in Cornwall where staying calm under pressure and working as a tight-knit team are critical – skills that were first sharpened on the River Stour with my crew. But what makes my path slightly different is that about 20 per cent of my clinical work happens far beyond the hospital walls, in the field of expedition, wilderness and event medicine.
That direction took shape in my teenage summers, working as an RNLI surf lifeguard and volunteering as crew on an independent lifeboat, something I’ve now done for 12 years. Those roles showed me what emergency care looks like with no resus room, no fancy kit –just you, a first-aid bag, and a casualty. The same sense of improvisation and urgency lies at the heart of expedition and wilderness medicine where I deliver emergency care to trekkers, adventurers, athletes and explorers in unpredictable, limited-resource environments across the world.
Expedition medicine has taken me into some pretty wild scenarios. Take Mount Kilimanjaro: one morning at 4,000 metres, I unzipped my tent to find two of our strongest trekkers, usually upbeat and noisy, sitting greyfaced and silent in their tent. They had developed severe diarrhoea overnight but, too embarrassed, hadn’t woken me. By dawn, they were shockingly dehydrated, shivering and barely able to stand. We were about to tackle the most technically challenging day of the route, a long, exposed scramble with little margin for error. I had to move fast – get them rehydrated, stabilise their blood pressure, and decide whether they could rally enough for a summit push or if I would have to call a helicopter to evacuate them.
Their resilience, and a fair bit of rehydration with antibiotics and Imodium, meant we could continue safely – just. You don’t get those decisions in a hospital resus bay, with backup around every corner. This is medicine at its most raw and decisive.
Trail events have thrown up their own challenges. On the Scilly60 – a brutal ultramarathon covering every inhabited island of the Isles of Scilly in a single day – I carried everything I needed on my own two feet in a huge green rucksack stuffed with fluids, dressings, splints and medications. There was no ambulance to lean on, just me, chasing
runners around rocky coastal paths. One competitor went down hard: cuts on both legs from brambles, cramping up from dehydration, and confusion from electrolyte imbalance and sea sickness. Sorting that out while the event kept rolling on around us was like trying to run a field hospital from a rucksack.
Teaching these expedition skills has also become a big part of my life. I deliver marine medicine courses, wilderness medicine training, and leadership teaching, both overseas and in the UK, for Endeavour Medical and my local NHS trust. Standing in front of a group explaining how to improvise fracture management in a storm at sea, then putting those same skills into practice on a rescue just hours later, is incredibly satisfying. That constant learning and teaching is what keeps me hungry to keep improving.
‘Canford gave me the courage to pursue a path that is unconventional, sometimes chaotic, but deeply fulfilling.’
Working with the British Exploring Society has been particularly rewarding. Supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to discover the outdoors is as powerful as any summit or medal. Many of these kids have never slept in a tent, let alone shouldered a heavy pack into remote terrain. I remember one boy, Sam, who was terrified on the first day of an expedition. When asked if he would like to help navigate, he looked at me wideeyed. “I can’t,” he said, “everyone’s always told me I can’t learn anything. I’m too stupid.” But by day four, he was helping others to take a compass bearing and proudly telling them, “Look this is where we are and this is where we’ve walked today. Isn’t this cool!” That turnaround is why I do this work.
It was like trying to run a field hospital from a rucksack. ‘ ‘
We had another girl on a wet, miserable expedition. After three days of sideways rain, she stood in a puddle, tears of frustration rolling down her face, and demanded: “What’s the point of all this? Why are we even here?”
I paused. It’s a question I’ve asked myself in the depths of many a night shift. I told her, “Because when you’re tired, cold, and frustrated, you discover what really matters and who you can trust.” She thought for a moment, nodded, and got back to helping her tent partner. Watching that resilience develop is a privilege that sticks with me.
Even as a volunteer on the lifeboat, there are calls that leave a mark. I’ll never forget one shout: I’d just finished six back-to-back night shifts in A&E, handed in three essays for my diploma, and finally headed to the beach for some rest. The pager went off within minutes. A person in a mental health crisis had called to say they were going to jump from a cliff, and we were being scrambled to search for them. The thought that this was a rescue that might become a recovery – one that not everyone survives – was a hard burden to face after a week of exhaustion.
As we powered out of the harbour, the sea was a mirror-flat silver and the sun of the latest heatwave cooked us in our dry suits like a boil-in-the-bag camping
meal. Every wave against the hull seemed louder than usual, everyone unusually quiet, knowing what might lie ahead. We searched for hours, scanning the rocks, desperately hoping to spot a figure before it was too late. These are the calls that stay with you, a reminder that while medicine and rescues often save lives, sometimes the world delivers tragedies no one can undo.
And yet, even on the hardest days, I keep coming back. There have been moments of darkness – patients I could not save, friends I have seen break down under pressure, days where the burden felt too heavy. But then you get to see a child’s face lighting up after their first campfire or help someone to
their feet towards the finish line of an ultramarathon or return safely from a shout with your lifeboat crew – and the sense of purpose is renewed.
Being a teacher has helped me, too. Standing in front of a room of clinicians, explaining how to improvise a traction splint with a paddle and rope or treat hypothermia with a “hypothermic burrito” forces me to stay sharp. It reminds me why I started and why I keep studying – right now by undertaking the International Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine and the Diploma in Mountain Medicine. There is always more to learn, and I never want to take that for granted.
In my own time, I grab every chance to enjoy nature and gather headspace: surfing, swimming, cycling, sailing, skiing when I can get away from Cornwall, and occasionally guiding hikes or races with my Mountain Leader qualification. It’s a precious balance, a chance to pause, to reset whilst enjoying time with friends in the outdoors.
Looking to the next decade, I am excited by what still lies ahead. Supporting young explorers abroad with the British Exploring Society will be a huge part of it, and I am keen to continue developing my teaching skills to inspire the next generation of expedition medics.
Whatever the next chapter holds, I know the spirit of Canford will remain with me. The lessons I learned as Boathouse Captain still steer me every day, while the friendships forged at Canford, many of which I still treasure, have been a source of strength and joy. And the sense of possibility, nurtured by teachers who believed in me and peers who challenged me, gave me the courage to pursue a path that is unconventional, sometimes chaotic, but deeply fulfilling.
‘This is medicine at its most raw and decisive.’
Award-winning author Peter Parker on his literary inspirations, dream dinner party guests, and the magic of words
Peter Parker (SH73) is the author of two books about the First World War, The Old Lie and The Last Veteran, along with biographies of J.R. Ackerley and Christopher Isherwood. His most recent book, Some Men in London, a two-volume anthology of queer life in the capital, was chosen as the Times and Sunday Times History Book of the Year in 2024.
He is a permanent chair of the judges for the TLS Ackerley Prize for British memoir and autobiography, and is this year also a judge for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. He has written about people, books, art, architecture and gardening for a wide variety of newspapers and magazines.
Which book do you first remember reading? What effect did it have on you?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I loved – and still love – Beatrix Potter’s books and their beautiful illustrations. They introduced me to literary wit, and the word ‘soporific’, at a very early age.
Was there a book at Canford that fired your imagination or shaped you in some way?
One of my contemporaries, Nick Barnes (B72) recommended Christopher Isherwood’s Mr Norris Changes Trains. I was so fascinated by this portrait of Weimar Berlin that I went on to read all Isherwood’s other books – and ended up writing his biography.
What is the most enjoyable thing about being an author?
Either finding something wholly unexpected during your periods of research, or seeing the first finished copy of a book you have written.
And the least enjoyable?
Staring at a blank computer screen unable to start writing, even though your head is full of apparently promising ideas.
Which four writers, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?
E.M. Forster for his moral heft and sly humour; Ivy ComptonBurnett for her comically savage view of human behaviour; Elizabeth Bowen because she spoke in the same beautifully idiosyncratic way that she wrote; and Simon Raven, to lower the tone.
What would be on the menu?
I imagine a summer dinner and so: Chilled cucumber soup; roast chicken with herbs, olives and couscous; hazelnutmeringue cake with raspberries. And lots of wine.
Which of your own books has brought you most satisfaction?
I am never entirely satisfied and always feel I could have done better, but my 1989 biography of J.R. Ackerley has – for me, at any rate – stood the test of time.
You write about gardens and gardening. Are you an armchair gardener, or out there with a trowel and a trug with the best of them?
The wild card in my bibliography is A Little Book of Latin for Gardeners (2018) – a book that in particular would have astonished Leslie Gay, whose attempts to teach me Latin at Canford must have been very unrewarding. In fact the book combines my interest in both words and plants, and it is very therapeutic to leave my desk for a few hours in order to prune, weed and generally tend my garden in London.
Was there a teacher at Canford who inspired you?
Robin Noscoe, with whom I studied History of Art, always said he wanted to make us visually aware of our environment, and I still look at buildings and cityscapes through his eyes.
You write about architecture. What are your favourite buildings in the world?
I love Edwin Lutyens’ country houses, such as Munstead Wood, because of their attention to every detail, from chimney stacks to window latches, their use of local building materials, and their dramatic, low-sweeping roofs. I imagine Robin Noscoe might also have shared my admiration for the huge and unashamedly modern government headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh, designed by the American architect Louis Khan, because of its bold use of concrete and its spectacular handling of space, light and volume.
What essential (and non-essential) items do you have on your writing desk?
A fountain pen for notes and letters; an Indian clock set to Indian time; a sepia photograph of my paternal grandmother as a young girl.
And what brings you joy?
I can think of nothing more joyful than standing on a hill looking out over unspoilt English countryside.
What are you currently working on?
I’m in the early stages of planning an exhibition devoted to the painter, photographer and designer Humphrey Spender, about whom I hope also to write a book.
Which novel would you recommend everybody read?
Shirley Hazzard’s The Transit of Venus for its intricate prose and its sheer narrative daring.
What last made you cry?
I genuinely don’t recall, but probably some second-rate television drama with the kind of happy ending that reliably and shamefully reduces me to tears.
You’ve spent your life writing. Why words? What’s their magic or power over you?
Putting thoughts into words is a way of imposing some kind of order upon chaos, which is why I kept a diary for many years, trying to make sense of experience. But writing is also an aesthetic exercise, not merely recording events and ideas but (one hopes) bringing pleasure by the way those words are arranged. English is a marvellously rich language, full of quirks and ambiguities, and I like to see it being thoroughly exercised, surprising the reader and lighting up the imagination, not simply lying inert on the page.
Finally, what advice would you give your younger self – or any young OC who fancies a life in books?
Believe in what you are doing even if others are sceptical, and if you’re not enjoying writing a book then people probably won’t enjoy reading it.
For more information about Peter Parker, go to www.peterparkerwriter.com
In early May 1915, a low, persistent drone was reportedly heard in the skies above East Dorset. This sound was not the familiar hum of a summer insect or a passing cart on the gravel road. It was the mechanical thrum of what was feared to be a German Zeppelin. Eye witnesses – at least those recorded decades later in oral histories – spoke of a still evening broken by the sound. ‘We thought it might be thunder at first,’ one remembered, according to parish notes now preserved in the Canford Archives. ‘But it went on too long. And then someone said, “It’s one of theirs, a Zeppelin.”’
There was no official sighting over Canford itself, but the scare was not unfounded. Just days before, on the 4th of May, the German LZ 38 had launched an air raid over London, killing seven civilians. It was the first time that aerial warfare truly touched British soil. The fact that a Zeppelin could reach the capital and cause such damage shattered assumptions of rural safety. And so, when local newspapers
reported sightings over nearby Poole and Wimborne, communities in Dorset tensed.
The Canford estate in 1915 was not yet the School that it is today, but it was already a site of architectural and social significance. The main house – then the former seat of the Guest family – had entered a period of relative quiet, having passed from the height of its 19th-century grandeur. Yet even in this quieter phase, it remained a working estate with a network of labourers, domestic staff, gardeners, groundskeepers, and estate tenants, all woven into the rhythms of rural life.
It was within this context that the Zeppelin scare took root. Oral history accounts preserved in the Canford Archives speak to an evening when routines were suddenly upended. A scullery maid, one account recalls, ‘was in the yard at dusk and heard it – like a swarm of bees, but lower, heavier. She ran to fetch the steward.’ Others remembered being told to douse all the lights and stay away from the
windows. It is likely that the estate’s long corridors and wide windows, so effective at creating light, airy interiors, quickly became liabilities in a moment of perceived threat.
Estate staff gathered in the rear courtyard and a sense of controlled panic seems to have set in. Candles were lit sparingly. The great hall was darkened. Rumours circulated that the bell tower could serve as a lookout post and a young footman is said to have climbed the internal staircase in the hope of seeing something over the treetops. He saw nothing – but the gesture speaks to the fear felt by civilians at a time when aerial attacks were not commonplace. Unlike city dwellers, country estates were largely unprepared for this new form of warfare. There were no blackout curtains ready, no warning sirens, no formal air raid drills. The estate operated by instinct and rumour. It was, as one steward noted in a hastilywritten journal entry, ‘a curious thing: to feel under siege in one’s own field.’
Though no bombs ever fell on Canford, the First World War was already reshaping the estate. The Zeppelin scare was just one moment in a larger continuum of wartime adaptation and anxiety. Beginning in late 1914, country estates across Britain were called upon to support the national war effort. While many supplied men for military service, others were called upon to assist in the refugee crisis sparked by the German invasion of Belgium.
Canford was amongst those who gave refuge to families who fled their homes. Surviving correspondence between the estate steward and the Canford Magna parish council, archived in the Dorset History Centre, reveals how parts of the estate were rapidly repurposed to accommodate Belgian families fleeing the destruction of Louvain and other towns. In one letter dated 2nd March 1915, the steward writes:
‘We have agreed to take in two families. Stabling will be cleared for
living quarters; blankets and dry goods requisitioned from the store. Mr. Harman to see to wood for the stove.’
The families, one from Liège, one from Mechelen, were received with caution but compassion. Though the language barrier proved a challenge, local parishioners arranged lessons in English and clothing donations. Children from the village, and possibly from staff families on the estate, were said to have played with the young Belgian boys in the kitchen gardens and along the banks of the River Stour. There is no record of the Zeppelin scare directly affecting the refugee families but their presence at Canford Manor at the time of the event would have greatly reminded them of home as they heard the alarm in the voices of the household around them.
The war at Canford’s door was not just mechanical or material, it was emotional. It arrived in the form of news, of strangers in need, and of fears
previously unimaginable to a rural community. The war was also found in the changing of daily operations where blankets were redistributed, rooms rearranged, and meals rationed. The manor house, like Britain itself, was being remade under pressure.
2025 marked a significant milestone in Canford’s history with the opening of the new College Hub, now officially named The Ben Vessey Building. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the Headmaster himself on Family Day in June, was a proud and memorable moment, celebrating both the completion of this transformative project and Ben Vessey’s visionary leadership. The name is a fitting tribute to Ben’s commitment to developing an innovative, forward-thinking environment that prepares Sixth Formers for life beyond school.
The Ben Vessey Building has been created through the transformation of the former Monteacute, Beaufort, and Wimborne House buildings. Now reimagined as a dedicated hub for all Sixth Formers, it houses the Careers and Future Life Centre, Wellbeing Centre, collaborative study spaces, and social areas. It also provides designated study areas for Upper Sixth day pupils who, from September 2025, will be based in the building full-time. In September 2026, two additional wings –College Residences – will open to offer separate Upper Sixth ensuite boarding
accommodation for boys and girls, completing the College vision.
The College programmes across Academic, Careers, Life and Experiences are designed to build on the Lower School years and equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in the modern world, whatever path they choose. This state-of-theart environment brings Sixth Form life at Canford closer to the university experience, and opens the door to new opportunities, collaboration, and independence.
We are most grateful to John Legat (M81) who has generously named the ground floor social area ‘Legat’. Further opportunities are available to name rooms in the building.
Please contact Rowena Gaston for information (rjg@canford.com)
The Lower Sixth gets networking at the Careers Convention 2025
We were delighted to welcome Old Canfordian and parent volunteers to our annual Canford Careers Convention, now in its 22nd year and proudly sponsored for the first time by Moore Barlow Lawyers. This flagship event gives Lower Sixth pupils the opportunity to build professional connections and gain insight into life
‘A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CALENDAR –SO WELL ORGANISED.’
In March, Canford’s combined choirs joined forces with Dumpton Prep School’s Senior Choir for a magnificent performance of Handel’s Messiah at the stunning Christchurch Priory. Widely regarded as the most performed choral work in history, the piece was brought to life in front of a packed audience of families, staff, and Friends of Canford Music.
beyond school. Over 70 volunteers from industries including engineering, business, finance, the creative arts, science, and the environment generously gave their time.
The day began with coffee in the new Sixth Form College Hub, followed by keynote sessions in the Music School. Three OCs – Pippa Howarth (B12), Technical Advisor (Marine Pollution) and newly appointed Canford Governor; Olivia Bracken (B12), Post-Doctoral Researcher in Immunology; and Mary Davenport (B12), A&R Manager at Ninja Tune –shared their inspiring career journeys in a lively Q&A panel.
‘THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS WERE AMAZING AND INSPIRATIONAL.’
Throughout the day, pupils engaged in industry panel discussions, a networking buffet lunch, and a fast-paced speed networking session, enabling one-toone conversations with professionals. A LinkedIn workshop also equipped pupils with practical tips for building their online professional presence.
Many pupils have already secured work experience or mentoring connections thanks to the day. We’re extremely grateful to all our OC and parent volunteers who always make this event such a success, and we look forward to continuing to build these valuable networks in years to come.
‘WHAT A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PUPILS.’
Over 120 pupils from both schools had been rehearsing since November, rising to the musical challenges of Messiah with dedication and enthusiasm. Their spellbinding performance raised the bar for what school music can achieve.
Solo movements were performed by a mix of Canford pupils and professional musicians, including Jemima Price and
Matt Rogers from The Queen’s College, Oxford, and Thomas Humphreys from the Royal Academy of Music, who also teaches at Canford.
The uplifting final Amen left the audience inspired and full of hope –a perfect close to an unforgettable evening of music and community spirit.
Canford unveils green plaque celebrating the National Plant Collection of Katsura (Cercidiphyllum) and Walnut (Juglans) trees
Canford School is set in 260 acres, which include parkland, a nationally recognised arboretum and a small area of ancient bluebell woodland. We are delighted to have received a plaque to celebrate Canford’s two National Plant Collections of Katsura (Cercidiphyllum) and Walnut (Juglans) trees. The oldest tree in the park is an ancient 12th century Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa). The foundations of the arboretum were laid by Lord and
Lady Wimborne, owners of the Manor House and estate in the 19th century, and since Canford’s Foundation in 1923, there has been ongoing planting and cultivating of the many rare and unique species of trees from the Americas and Asia. This includes a thriving Wollemi Pine, (Wollemi nobilis), and numerous examples of deciduous and evergreen, hybrid and champion trees, with heights reaching over one hundred and thirty-five feet.
JOIN US FOR AN ARBORETUM TOUR WITH MASTER IN CHARGE OF TREES, ANDREW POWELL IN JUNE – TO BOOK VISIT globalconnect.canford.com/events
Canford and The Bourne Academy Celebrate 15 Years of Partnership
INFebruary, Canford and The Bourne Academy proudly marked 15 years of one of the UK’s most successful independent-state school partnerships. Since 2010, the collaboration has grown into a dynamic and enriching relationship benefiting both communities.
The partnership has driven academic progress at The Bourne Academy, with improved exam results, a strong Ofsted rating, and pupils progressing to Russell Group universities. Joint initiatives have included Oxbridge and medical preparation, STEM challenges, theatre productions, and leadership development programmes.
Over 20 Bourne pupils have received Sixth Form bursaries at Canford, and all Sixth Formers benefit from business mentorships. The collaboration also extends beyond the classroom through sport, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, and the Greenpower F24 electric car project.
Nationally recognised in the Independent Schools Council’s Celebrating Partnerships report, the partnership has also been shortlisted for several community engagement awards.
Mark Avoth, Principal of The Bourne Academy, called the partnership “truly transformational.” Former Headmaster Ben Vessey added, “It has enriched lives at both schools.”
As they celebrated this milestone, both schools reaffirmed their commitment to widening opportunity, deepening collaboration, and inspiring the next generation.
Canford shortlisted for prestigious education award
Just as Society 2025 was going to press, The Tatler Schools Guide 2026 unveiled its shortlist for the ‘finest education in the country,’ asking ‘Where is the best public school in Britain?’ We are delighted to report that Canford has been shortlisted for ‘Best public school in the land’. Fellow nominees in this category are: Brighton College, Caterham, Gresham’s and Eton College.
Following the announcement of the shortlist, Tori Cadogan, Tatler’s Education Editor, says that its annual guide ‘lifts the curtain on the institutions that set the gold standard,’ promising to identify the schools that are ‘shaping the next generation of leaders, creatives, scientists and changemakers.’ The shortlist’, she continues, ‘represents the very pinnacle of British education.’
The winner will be announced at a ceremony on 29th September 2025 – when this magazine is on the printing presses. The nomination for ‘best public school in the land’ follows three other nominations this year: No.1 Independent School in the South of England – Independent School Parent Awards; Top 3 Independent Schools in the UK for Sixth Form – The Week Best of the Best; and Pastoral Care and Wellbeing – Finalist, Talk Education.
New Headmaster Chris Wheeler says: “These awards are a wonderful public demonstration of the strength and quality of our pupil outcomes. These are achieved through a powerful combination of aspiration, challenge and support that runs through Canford’s DNA.
“All in our school community should feel hugely proud to have received this recognition. Win or lose, the fact that we are in all these finals against top schools across the country is something we will all celebrate. Best of luck to all the schools in the coming weeks as the winners are announced!”
The 2024/25 season marked the second occasion that Old Canfordians Football Club competed in Division 5 of the Arthurian League, which was founded in 1902 and now comprises six divisions of old boys’ teams from across the country. This season was a marked improvement on the first as OCFC finished third in the division, winning 10 of our 16 matches, flirting with promotion, and prompting serious discussion about this side’s chances of a run at the title next season.
Highlights included a Toby Hett (F17) hat-trick in a magnificent second-half comeback from 0-2 down to win 5-2 against Old Cranleighans, and a 25-yard volley from our Young Player of the season, Freddie Peters (C21), sealing a 3-0 cup win against a side sitting in the top half of the division above, Old Amplefordians.
Max Johnson (C17) became the first OC to score four goals in a single match, as part of a 6-1 rout against Old Johnians II, another team from the division above. However, losing home and away to the top two teams in Division 5 was ultimately never going to be good enough to earn a top-two finish and promotion to Division 4.
As ever, the two trips to Canford were fiercely contested. The first ended with honours even as OCFC drew 2-2 with Canford 1st XI, in the midst of Storm
Darragh and in front of a crowd drawn to the only sporting fixture in Dorset that hadn’t been cancelled. The second clash, last March, saw the Canford 1st XI play some truly exceptional football, beating the OCs and providing real anticipation for the pipeline of talent soon to be heading our way.
Will Hutchings (F17) was voted our Player of the Season, while Louis James (C17) took home the Golden Boot with 12 goals. Toby Hett provided most assists (10), and social media sensation/long throw specialist Oliver Dunger (C17) deserves a special mention, winning the Vandvik Award for Clubman of the Year. Conceding 12 fewer goals than the previous season, despite playing three more games, speaks to the quality of Most Improved Player, goalkeeper Fruin Mackillop-Hall (SH19), and the backfour in front of him, led by our most
ill-disciplined player (6 yellow cards), Freddie Johnson (C19).
A special mention must go to the off-the-pitch work carried out by the club committee of club president Max Johnson; club captain and treasurer Louis James; welfare secretary Toby Hett; social secretary Max Mourgue (SH18); kit secretary Freddie Johnson; and pitch secretary Patrick Regan (SH17). They have overseen significant progress in our second season and there is real excitement for what the next campaign will bring. We would also like to thank the Development Office who assist us with funding each year.
For any OCs interested in getting involved in the club, please contact oldcanfordiansfc@gmail.com
Almost exactly a year after meeting for the first time at the OC Hockey Day at Canford in March 2024, James Vlasto (F96) and Rob Daubeney (M84), found themselves in Ilkley, North Yorkshire representing Teddington Hockey Club Over-35s in the semi-final of the National Cup competiton against Ben Rhydding Hockey Club.
After meeting at Canford, James and Rob kept in touch, and James helped Rob join Teddington at the beginning of this season. Sadly, the game was lost, 0-5, which both teams felt was not a fair reflection of the balance of play, and was scant reward for Teddington’s 10-hour round trip!
Thankfully, James had arranged a minibus for the Teddington team which resulted in a sociable trip up to Ilkley and a very lively trip back. It’s fair to say that sorrows were well and truly drowned by the time the team returned to Teddington very late on the Sunday evening.
For Rob, this was second time unlucky versus Ben Rhydding, having played, and lost, against them in the semi-final of the Over-50s National Cup competition in 2019, whilst playing for Jersey Hockey Club, along with another OC, his brother Ed Daubeney (M83).
James and Rob are among a number of Old Canfordians currently playing at Teddington (see picture: James is third from left in back row; Rob is second from right in back row), maintaining a strong connection between OCs and the oldest hockey club in the world that stretches back many years.
Hopefully, OCs of all ages will sign up for the next OC Hockey Day, scheduled for Sunday 22 March 2026. To book visit globalconnect.canford.com/events
ROB DAUBENEY
The OC golfing season is coming to an end after a successful year of fun and competitive fixtures that saw the society continue to grow with the arrival of five new recent leavers.
The season started with the Halford Hewitt in April where a strong team from both the UK and our international travellers defeated holders Eton in the first round in a most thrilling finish, with Nick Pomeroy (S94) – having flown in from Dubai – holing his second shot at the 17th to clinch the match 3-2 (see picture). The victory featured our new recent leaver, Felix Wigley (C22), who made his debut and also secured his first HH win.
Unfortunately, the team did not prevail in the second round, losing to Cheltenham, but the Eton result was without doubt the best-ever Canford victory and credit must go the team: Ollie Stocks (W14) and David Restall (C83); Matt Suggett (L03) and Phil Steen (F06); Chris Kerr (SH01) and Morgan Taylor (W19); Felix Wigley and Neil Gordon (W06); Richard Blacker (B93) and Nick Pomeroy.
The next competitive event was the over-50s Cyril Gray tournament where a team led by captain Richard Blacker defeated the current holders, Whitgift, before losing narrowly in extra holes in the semi-finals to Glenalmond. Meanwhile, there was great success in the over-70s combined competition where our president Stephen Moore (W68) and Peter Robinson (M77) – defended the trophy in a great Canford win.
Our Captain’s Day took place at Porters Park on a hot day in early July. Phil Effick (hon OC member of staff) won the Captain’s Salver with 36 points and Ollie Stocks claimed the ‘gross’ prize, shooting 73. In terms of matches, there have been wins against Radley and Stowe, plus the joys of making the Wimbledon putting finals and a narrow defeat against High Post GC at the school.
It has been a quieter year for the Old Canfordian Boat Club, but OC rowing continues to thrive thanks to the successes of our alumni across the country. Buzz Borneman (D22) (Oxford Brookes University) had a stellar season – winning Academic 8s at Henley Women’s Regatta, claiming bronze in Championship 8s at the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Regatta, and reaching the semi-final of the Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
Meanwhile, George Farthing (C20) (Leander Club) coxed in the Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, making it to the final.
Newcastle University continues to be home to a strong OC contingent.
Martha Warren-Barratt (D22), Imy Woodcock (D23), Olly Stuart (S23) and Dan Coupe (L24) were all part of Newcastle’s Victor Ludorumwinning campaign at BUCS Regatta. Imy added a gold medal in the Intermediate 4+, while both she and Dan raced in the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley, progressing to the Thursday.
Elsewhere, Henry Galbraith (SH14) raced in the Thames Challenge Cup for London RC ‘B’, reaching the Friday, and Henry Barham (L22) (Imperial College) competed in Championship 8 and 4+ at BUCS, narrowly missing
qualification for the Prince Albert Challenge Cup at Henley.
The OCBC also sends warm congratulations to Freya Coupe (L26) who was selected to race in the Great Britain Women’s 8 at the Junior World Championships in Lithuania in August, and went on to win the final! Archie Jones (L25) represented Wales at the Home International Regatta at Dorney Lake in July, bringing home two bronze medals and a silver across the JM8+ and JM4-.
Meanwhile, this year’s Henley Royal Regatta Lunch Reception was a fitting celebration of Canford rowing past and present. OCs gathered in their blue and white blazers to cheer on the school’s boys’ 1st VIII, who not only qualified for the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup but also won their opening heat, the first Canford win in a round at Henley since the Diamond Jubilee 4x and PE VIII of 2012.
The event also marked the farewell of Ian Dryden after
20 years as Director of Rowing. During his tenure, Ian coached over 2,000 pupils, with 16 earning junior GB international vests. He also qualified 17 Henley Royal crews (including the final of the Diamond Jubilee in 2012), 19 Henley Women’s crew, oversaw 81 Schools’ Head entries with four wins, and even set a course record in 2014, an extraordinary legacy for Canford rowing.
It is inspiring to see so many OCs not only achieving at a high level but also reconnecting with each other at events like Henley. With a steadily growing presence online and at regattas across the UK, the OCBC is becoming a vibrant link between Canford’s rowing past and present.
If you would like to join the OCBC, please connect on Facebook or via Canford Global Connect. If you have any OC rowing news, please share with me at oldcanfordianbc@gmail.com
Any cricket match which, without contrivance, reaches the last ball with all results possible can be deemed a success, and so it was as the Cygnets took on the School, who racked up 249-9 from their 40 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 152 by George Guirdham (M25) as the ageless Ken Mead (C81) (3-37) once again outbowled teammates four decades his junior.
Sam Martin (F98) led the Cygnets’ reply with 75, aided by Jacob Browning (W20) (51), while Harry Mitchell (SH19) (40) struck some lusty blows to take us tantalisingly close to victory only to fall lbw with 12 needed from four overs. As the Leavers turned the screw, three runs were needed from the final delivery, but none were scored and the School sneaked home.
An under-strength Cygnets team battled valiantly in the Twenty20 Stour Cup, but fell short twice in games we would surely have won with a full XI. Clayesmore made 201-6 in our semi-final, but despite 78 not out from Jordan Le Boutillier (C19), we were beaten by 29 runs. The third-place game against hosts Bryanston ran
along similar lines. The Butterflies were strangled by the spin of skipper Tom Hayward (SH07) (2-30) and Noah Le Boutillier (C20) (2-29) but clawed their way to 190-7. In reply, we were always behind the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 160.
Having won the toss at Clayesmore on Monday, the Cygnets proceeded to feast on the Cormorants’ bowling with aplomb, pausing only to feast on the impressive Clayesmore lunch. Cygnet of the Week Jordan Le Boutillier led the way with a swashbuckling 117 (above left), supported well by George Baugniet (L19) (48) and then sharing a century stand with Tom Kiff (L24), who was run out for 42. After we declared at 280-8, left-arm seamer Kiff (3-33) struck early, but the Cormorants proved a tough nut to crack. Losing two wickets in an over led them to call off the chase with eight overs left as the game petered out into a draw with Clayesmore on 211-8.
Back at Canford on Thursday, with Mountjoy unavailable, we decamped to LTs where Bryanston won the toss but found themselves skittled for 185
before lunch, with Rob Graham (F10), Baugniet and veteran spinner Simon Young (M93) capturing three wickets apiece, while a superb catch earned Will Hutchings (F17) the Champagne Moment of the Week award. It was then over to George Guirdham (M25) (see picture) who, having hit centuries for the School against the old boys in 2024 and 2025, marked his Cygnets debut with 122 not out to lead us to a superlative eight-wicket win against our old rivals. With Sherborne unable to raise a side for Friday’s game, our week ended on a high.
Our thanks go to tireless team organiser Rob Graham, the Canford ground staff and caterers, the OC Society Development Office, and the departing Headmaster for his consistent support over the years.
We welcome new players regardless of age or cricketing ability. Email cygnetscricket@yahoo.co.uk or contact us via the Canford Cygnets XI Facebook group if you want to play in 2026.
MARK MITCHENER (B93)
The OCs took on Hyde Tennis Club in the fourth year of the John Boys Challenge (see picture), which took place at Canford in October, spiced up by the presence of three Old Bryanstonians in the Hyde team. The OC team consisted of Barry Coupe (F70), Corin Fisher-Jenkins (C90), Cleeves Palmer (C80), Simon de Halpert (F64) and Rob Awford (M75). Here’s how it went…
Match 1 (doubles) In Cleeves’ own words, ‘the only thing close about this match was the weather…’ as The Hyde took an early lead, winning 6/2, 6/1.
Match 2 (singles) Cleeves redeemed himself spectacularly to level the contest, winning 6/4, 6/1.
Match 3 (singles) Corin took an early lead only for a ‘sweaty court’ to call proceedings to a halt. Some additional
In July, the OCs met at the National Shooting Centre in Bisley, Surrey to take part in the Public Schools Veterans match. The weather was warm and sunny and the usual group of OCs had made the trip – Richard Dyball (S82), Rod Philpott (M80), Julian Williams (M80), Johnny Reed (W70) and Simon Hughes (B86) (see picture).
Richard shot first and scored 49.6. The rest of the team, coached by Richard, shot the following scores – Julian 41, Johnny 22, Rod 38.1 and Simon 22. As usual, given the typical gentlemanly lack of practice by the majority of the team, everyone acquitted themselves very
ventilation later and Corin cemented his lead to win 6/2, 6/1 and put Canford back ahead.
Match 4 (doubles) A thrilling and tightly fought contest, which went into a short (from 3/3) third set, with The Hyde clinching it 6/5 to level the tie.
Match 5 (singles) Simon produced a master class to put Canford back in the lead winning 6/1, 6/2.
Match 6 (doubles) The Hyde dominated this contest winning 6/3, 6/0 to level the encounter once again and bring the match to a decider.
Match 7 (singles) This was effectively a Canford v Bryanston tie and was extremely close with the OCs just edging it 6/5, 6/4 and winning the cup for Canford!
Talking to John Boys, my former Housemaster, who presented the trophy (see below), I was amazed at his recall of past matches and personalities. Thanks to everyone who attended and to Cleeves for organising.
ROB AWFORD
well – but as expected we ended in our usual spot near the bottom of the scoreboard.
More importantly, however, everyone hit the target most of the time and, after finishing shooting, we retired to the
LMRA for some refreshment. Richard then stayed on at Bisley to shoot the annual Imperial meeting and was a firer in the Scottish rifle team that won the prestigious Mackinnon long range rifle match – a feat they last achieved 31 years ago.
REMEMBERED BY NICK
COOPER (C78)
I became friends with Christopher Logan Turner, affectionately known to all as Logan, when we found a common mission for school life –doing as little as possible to get by, something which we both excelled at.
Logan, having become a day pupil part way through, remained at Court House with us but, turning seventeen, drove himself to school and back each day, secretly returning at the weekend to take me off for adventures in a car he positively hated, a Morris 1100 automatic. No wonder the cars he owned subsequently he skilfully took apart to make them better.
We remained friends after leaving Canford and he went off to the University of East Anglia to do a useless degree, putting all his efforts into repairing his car engines in his student house kitchen. At his 21st birthday party, we fumbled for the dips amongst the carburettor parts.
Logan then came to join us here in Bristol and after many fun years married my little sister’s best friend, Victoria. He regularly looked at his two children with astonishment. After a while they all took off to the furthest reaches of Cornwall (‘Go to Land’s End, turn around and drive back for 500m, then turn right’ were the directions).
Logan continued taking pride in succeeding in life without putting in much effort and enjoyed having little good to say about anyone in a senior position of public service. The arrival of Boris Johnson gave him much ammunition.
Victoria pre-deceased him, and with his boys safely impressing the girls with their surf dude talents, he and the lovely Debs got into a Transit campervan for a trip to Portugal eight years ago and never returned to the UK. I think he found a slow life there to suit what he wanted. He and Debs married in 2022.
Logan passed away in June, with cancer being the culprit. This is a photo I took of him at school, most likely experimenting to see whether a fire extinguisher can be set off by altitude. We will miss him.
Born in 1940, John enjoyed his time at Canford. In the sixth form he was head of School House and CSM in the cadets. In later life, he recognised how much he benefited from these responsibilities. He loved all sports and played for the first teams.
On leaving Candford, he qualified as a chartered accountant, and became a partner in a London firm at the age of 30. We married young, and, as a family man, he was greatly loved by all of us – myself, his three children and five grandchildren. He is sorely missed.
We were grateful for 61 years of an interesting and very happy married life. He was a friend to many. Generous and always enjoying challenges, he was full of ideas, and had the ability to carry them out. He was a founder member of our village tennis club, organising many fundraising events.
In retirement, he was a hard-working volunteer. He bore his final lengthy neurological illness with great courage.
Barker (F72)
REMEMBERED BY PETER HOPKINSON (F71)
Charles enjoyed his years at Canford. A stalwart of the school theatre, he was often cast in a leading role, and also represented both house and School at rugby and cricket. He was an enthusiastic participant in Adventure Training and I remember, with absolutely no fondness but with some admiration, his successful leadership of a group of near-mutinous slackers (of which I was one), yomping across Dartmoor in the middle of a night when it poured with rain for the whole four or five hours of our trek.
After leaving Canford, Charles forged a career in the hospitality industry. While still in his 20s, he became general manager of the Intercontinental Hotel at London’s Hyde Park Corner and then The Mayfair, after which he went overseas to run high-end hotels and clubs all over the world, only returning to the UK for a couple of years when he ran the Leander Club at Henley.
Charles lived life to the full and after he retired to Islamabad, Pakistan with his wife Shahnaz, it was no surprise to hear that he had turned his hand to motivational speaking and that he was delivering university lectures on a variety of subjects including climate change, leadership and the development of tourism and hospitality.
Charles had long been passionate about the ocean and the animals that lived in it and he was an advisory board member of the Hong Kong Shark Foundation. His passion for the safeguarding of animals was not limited to marine life and he became CEO of Second Chance Wildlife which rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes injured and traumatised animals. Despite these responsibilities, Charles found time to write four published novels.
I met Charles at prep school, we were in the same house at Canford, and were each other’s best man at our respective weddings. Our friendship endured for 60 years until he died in Islamabad on Boxing Day 2024 after a short illness. Charles was a kind, fun-loving, generous man. He was interested in people and the countries that he lived in. He is survived by his wife Shahnaz and daughters from his first marriage, Grace and Rose.
Robert, who passed away in August 2024, came to the Old Canfordian Golfing Society quite late, having been ‘unearthed’ as an OC at the Halford Hewitt in 1983 when, as a member of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, he was carrying out starter duties on the first tee.
Robert went on to become an integral member of the OCGS for many years. He took on the roles of Captain (1991-92) and then President (1994-2003) and played in the Halford Hewitt team a number of times, where his technical knowledge of the links was most valuable to the team.
In 2003, Robert masterminded the 50th anniversary celebrations of the OCGS with a wonderful tour to Le Touquet in France, taking in excellent golf as well as wonderful gastronomic experiences.
Robert’s time with the society was marked by his unstinting and enthusiastic commitment. He fostered a close working relationship with the School, so that young golfers could not only benefit from OC support while at Canford, but were encouraged and motivated to join the OCGS when leaving.
Robert was renowned for serving a nine-course dinner at his home in Walmer in Kent on the Monday of Halford Hewitt week – just to get the team into shape for the challenges ahead! His generosity did not end there, as he constantly contributed to the youngsters to make them feel part of the society.
An honest, generous and thoroughly likeable man, Robert took his interest in Canford golf through into his 90s – and always kept in touch with genuine interest. He will be sorely missed.
Geoff was a very competent all rounder at Canford. He was a keen rugby player, and claimed to have been relegated from the 1st XV squad only due to his hair being too long!
He was a creative student, and was particularly keen on pottery, spending many happy hours in the art building. This was a hobby he continued to pursue as he got older. Geoff had an iconoclastic, rebellious streak which fitted in with the 1960s zeitgeist. This included having various radical opinions in politics and other areas – most of which got substantially watered down as he mellowed in later life.
After A-Levels, he obtained a place at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating in Arabic History and Language. After Oxford, he was keen to work in the Middle East and was taken on by the British Bank of the Middle East, which was later bought by HSBC. In a productive career, he worked for the bank in various far-flung locations, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Oman and Jordan, and was awarded the OBE for promoting British business.
One of Geoff’s most admirable strengths was his ability to network, and this extended to keeping in touch with several Canford contemporaries. Additionally, he had a long-standing friendship with Andrew Davis, his charismatic Housemaster.
Following his retirement from the bank, Geoff divided his time between a flat in London and his farmhouse in Céret, France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. He will be much missed by his many friends and is survived by his wife and daughter, plus dog, cats and several hundred bees in their hives in France!
Born in Chidham, near Chichester, in 1961, Michael spent his life in the world of music. While at Canford – where he was popular, enhusiastic and occasionally rebellious – he started writing music and played the trumpet.
He formed a band with Chris Broom (C79), Nigel Vargeson (B80) and Crispin Thomas (SH80) called The Cast, which was well-known and supported throughout the School. When they played a gig in the Gisborough Hall, complete with lights and dry ice, we thought they might be the next Genesis. In 1981, the band released an album, In Order of Appearance, which was recorded at Arny’s Shack in Bournemouth and featured Steve Booker (now a well-known producer) on bass guitar.
On leaving Canford, Michael recorded as a solo artist for several years, and signed to manager Patrick Williams from Hit & Run Music. In 1983, he performed and recorded with duo Small Talk, while he also represented the UK at the Yamaha Song Festival in Tokyo, where he won a performance award. A member of the Performing Rights Society and the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, he wrote a song cycle, Rag Doll, as well as writing and performing with the band Ltd Company. Between 1988 and 2007, he wrote music for TV, film and video projects, with clients including Channel 4, Hourglass Pictures, Oxford University Press, and the Queen’s tennis tournament, with some of his compositions still being used around the world.
In 1998, Michael won the Radio Victory song competition and gained a certificate of achievement in the Unisong World Song competition with his song River, performed by Clare Begley. Between 1991 and 2007 he wrote for and recorded with the band U.K. Heights, together with his wife Claire and drummer Nigel Vargeson, releasing five albums and a clutch of singles and EPs over 15 years. They were one of the first bands to release music on the internet, reaching the Top 20 in early MP3.com charts. A particular passion of Michael’s was teaching music to adults with learning difficulties, using technology to give people a joyful way to express themselves. In recent years, he reconnected with a group of Canford peers, enjoying the reunions, reminiscences and banter. Michael passed away at home in Hampshire in January and is survived by his wife Claire and son Will.
Richard Lovatt (F55)
REMEMBERED BY HIS BROTHER OC DAVID LOVATT (F61)
Born in Barlaston, near Stoke-on-Trent, the second of five children, Richard attended Yarlet School in Staffordshire for his early education before moving on to Canford where he excelled at academic studies and sports alike. After completing his national service in Germany, he studied Geology and Physics at Cambridge University, graduating in 1960.
He married his first wife, Hilary, in 1960 and had three children – Alison (1961), Amanda (1963), and Andrew (1966). The family lived in the Potteries where Richard worked for the family business, Acme Marls, making kiln furniture, before emigrating to Canada in 1968 where he worked in the Toronto area as a manager at Domtar and the Toronto Brick Company.
An avid outdoorsman, he introduced his children to cross-country skiing, and the family spent weekends hiking and holidays exploring North America in a tent. The family was active at Trinity Anglican Church where Richard was a sidesman, the churchwarden’s assistant.
In 1973, the family moved to Ottawa where Richard began a long and dedicated career in the Canadian federal government, focusing on Canadian investment abroad as part of the Department of Industry, Trade & Commerce, and working as a senior policy advisor at the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade. As well as becoming a member of the American Ceramics Society, he started a Scout troop in his local neighbourhood and was a Scout leader for many years.
In 1980, while posted at the Canadian embassy in Japan, he met his second wife, Masako, on a hiking trip. They were married in 1981 and had 43 happy years together in Ottawa as Richard embraced fatherhood again when Sachi came along in 1987.
Richard and Masako loved entertaining at their home, throwing countless dinner parties, as well as hosting many international guests for extended periods of time, including four Syrian refugees. He played tennis all his life and would regularly go cross-country skiing through the woods behind his home in Ottawa.
Like his father before him, Richard enjoyed his garden. But above all, he loved nothing more than to canoecamp in the back country of Algonquin Provincial Park with anyone who would agree to go accompany him. He introduced many people from around the world to this wilderness treasure in Ontario and it was his wish to have his ashes scattered there. He was a kind, gentle, loving, adventurous man and is survived by Masako, his four children, eight grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren, as well as his four siblings.
REMEMBERED BY OC IAN SLATER (B57)
At Canford, Robin’s attributes were mainly athletic. He threw the javelin for the School, became boxing captain, and played 1st XI cricket as a fast bowler.
After Canford, he worked for a prestige car showroom in Knightsbridge selling Jaguars and Bentleys. Once, he was selling one of the first E-type Jaguars and as I was living in Ealing at the time he brought it across for me to have a look at and then let me drive it back. Good man!
After reuniting a few years ago, we kept in touch and met from time to time as I live in Polegate, near Eastbourne, and he was living with his sister, Pippa, near Chichester, not far away. We last spoke shortly before his death and I was shocked to be told that he had passed away from pneumonia. He leaves three children and will be much missed by his family.
REMEMBERED BY HIS DAUGHTER, SUE CUCKSEY
After leaving Canford, John became a chartered accountant, working for accountancy firm Spicer and Pegler in London, before becoming a partner at Robson Rhodes. He then joined Neotronics, an international engineering company as financial director.
Ever since his days at Canford, he had a passion for photography. For many years, he was a member of his local camera club and the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), and travelled the world taking pictures, notably in Africa where he was drawn to the wide-open spaces and abundance of wildlife in countries such as Kenya, Namibia and Botswana. He visited the most remote corners of the Earth, including the Falklands, Farne Islands and the Galapagos, and also travelled to Svalbard in the Arctic and Elephant Island in Antarctica, where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s stricken crew spent several months waiting to be rescued. Some of his trips were with the RPS Travel Group of which he was secretary for many years, inspiring others to pursue their own photographic journeys.
He was an avid sportsman, developing skills he’d learnt at School. He played hockey, tennis and squash and enjoyed watching many games of Test cricket at Lord’s as a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). John was a man who loved books, maths, politics, nature and wildlife, and his sense of morality, integrity, kindness and selflessness were qualities that defined him. John, who passed away in January, had two children with his wife, Jean, and will be missed terribly by his family and friends.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1945, Nick attended schools in Delaware and New Jersey before spending a year in the UK at Canford. Upon his return to the US, he studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he rowed on the varsity heavyweight crew, winning the 1968 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships and competed in the US Olympic trials.
Drafted into the US Army, he served with honour in the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) during the Vietnam War where he earned a Bronze Star for acts of heroism in ground combat and two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Following his tour in Vietnam, Nick enrolled in graduate school at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, earning his MBA in 1972. In 1987, he founded employee benefits consulting firm Integrated Benefit Services with a mission to develop, manage, and improve employee benefit programmes so businesses could focus on their core business. He served as the company’s CEO until the firm was acquired by the Alera Group in 2016. Known for his warmth and strength, Nick was a devoted husband to Susan, selfless father to children Whitney and Gardner, and a proud grandfather.
REMEMBERED BY OC BRIAN LANGER (S66)
We were saddened to learn that Roger passed away in Truro in November 2023 at the age of 75. Raised in Bournemouth, Roger joined Salisbury House in January 1962, and later studied at Cambridge University. After qualifying from Guy’s Hospital, he worked in registrar posts in London at the Maudsley and St George’s hospitals before settling in Cornwall where he continued to work in the medical professional as a consultant child psychiatrist
His funeral took place at Trelawny Chapel, Penmount Crematorium, Truro, with donations in memory of Roger to benefit the RSPC. Many thanks to Brian Langer (S66) for contacting us about Roger’s passing, and deepest condolences to his loving nephew Russell.
Just before going to press, Society learned that the following Old Canfordians have passed away.
Steven Burns (C71), Denis Clarke (F50), John Clevely (SH45), David Curle (S53), Andrew T Dowding (B49), Henry Ellis (W56), Angus Geikie (C58), Stewart Geikie (C60), Neil Hopkinson (F71), Harvey James (B57), David Lancashire (M57), Michael Lane (M42), Nick Leaning (C51), Peter Libby (SH58), Richard Dorset McKenzie (M52), Richard Parsons (S60), Colin Read (S59), Paul Henry Robinson (S74), Antony Sammons (W54), John Slow (S48), Grahame Timmis (W53), Colin Withers (SH60).
If you would like to provide an obituary for any of the above, please email community@canford.com
In November 2024, 74% of the members who voted gave the committee a mandate to donate the funds of the Old Canfordian Society (the Society) to the Martin Marriott Foundation and the Committee wishes to carry this through. However, a small, vocal group of Old Canfordians (the Opponents) has sought to prevent this donation from being made and have threatened to bring legal action if the Committee carries out the wishes of the significant majority who voted in favour. The Committee has taken legal advice in preparing this article and the Notice of the EGM to ensure the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Society and the proposed donation are legally sound.
We ask that you take the time to read this article and the Notice of the EGM, and to attend the EGM to be held at Canford in November or vote online or by post. Please also read the article on pages 56-58 of this magazine setting out the views of the Opponents.
A year ago, almost 500 Old Canfordians (OCs) voted on a proposal to donate the funds of the Society to the Martin Marriott Foundation, to be invested to provide transformational bursaries to deserving pupils who would otherwise be unable to enjoy the benefits that we as OCs value highly. At the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in November, the votes were counted and 74% were in favour of the donation. Thank you to everyone who gave their time to consider this proposal and vote.
I was hoping to tell you now that the donation has been made, but we have been advised to amend the Constitution before making the donation. I have explained this in more detail below. So here we go again, this time asking you to vote to approve the amendments and the donation.
Why we remain committed to making the donation that 74% of our voting members supported in November 2024 The Opponents to the proposed donation claim that the article presented in the 2024 edition of this magazine was misleading and that those who voted in favour did not understand what they were voting for. The Committee’s proposal was and remains to
donate the Society’s funds to the Martin Marriott Foundation. The Opponents claim that this would result in the dissolution of the Society because it would lose its independence from the School and be unable to achieve its Objectives as set out in the Constitution.
Their claim is unfounded. All the existing Objectives can be fulfilled without the expenditure of funds and the Committee opposes “independence from the School”. On the contrary, the Committee’s vision is for a thriving Society that continues to work closely with the School. The Society is already fully dependent on the School for delivering most of the events and activities that bring OCs together – the relationship between the School and the Society is a mutually dependent and beneficial one Suggesting that the Society should forge a relationship with OCs independent from the School therefore makes no sense and reflects an out-of-date view of what the Society should be.
The actions of the School over more than a decade and discussions between the Society and both the Headmaster at the time and successive Chairs of the Governing Body make it clear that meaningful and long-term engagement with OCs lies at the core of Canford’s purpose and that OCs are an essential and continuing part of the Canford community. In further support of this, in September 2025 the School governors approved a Memorandum of Understanding setting out their commitment to the OC community. This can be found on the OCS page of Canford Global Connect (globalconnect. canford.com) or you can request a copy from the Development Office.
Extracts from the Memorandum of Understanding
This document reaffirms Canford School’s commitment to support and engage with the Old Canfordian (OC) community, in alignment with the agreements made in 2019 and in the spirit of our ongoing partnership.
In exchange for the Society accepting that it would no longer receive any income from subscriptions, the Governors of Canford School committed to funding alumni relations and supporting Old Canfordians through a professional team funded from school fees.
The Society itself no longer needs its own funds. Its funds were raised though subscriptions and prudent investment to enable the Society to publish the OC Magazine, communicate with members, and to organise and support OC activities. The Committee also made occasional donations to the OC Bursary Fund and the School. Since 2019, when subscriptions ceased, the School has committed to fully funding communication with and between OCs through this magazine, e-Newsletters, Canford Global Connect and the OC database. Via the Development Office, the School also makes arrangements and provides financial support for networking events, reunions, sporting and other activities, with no contribution requested from the Society. The School is now funding the Objectives of the Society for which subscriptions were paid and the number and variety of reunions and other OC activities has increased significantly in the past decade.
Since the School committed to funding the Objectives of the Society in perpetuity, the Committee has spent several years considering what should be done with the Society’s accumulated funds, which were valued on 30 June 2025 at just over £300,000. Current and former Committee members as well as other OCs, young and old, have been involved in conversations about how the funds should be used since 2016, prior to the School’s decision to end the subscription.
The Committee considered donating the funds to the Old Canfordian Bursary Fund, which provides small bursaries, with preference to the children of OCs. This option was rejected because only a very small number of OCs would be eligible to
benefit. We also considered donating the funds, either as a single donation or spread over ten years, to the School to be used only for OC activities in addition to the School’s existing budget. But such donations would not be eligible for charitable tax relief to offset an estimated £30,000 tax bill arising from capital gains. Other options considered included retaining and investing the funds and donating the income to the School; or funding a specific project for the School.
It was accepted at the 2023 AGM, attended by many of the Opponents named on page 56 of this magazine that the donation should be made in a tax efficient way, which meant there could be no planned significant benefit to OCs, either individually or as a group. The conclusion was that the most appropriate and deserving use for the funds would be to donate them to the Martin Marriott Foundation, where they will be invested to provide transformational bursaries to deserving pupils who would otherwise be unable to access all that a Canford education has to offer. OC parents may apply and will be treated equally with other applicants for these bursaries.
Why are we now proposing an amendment to the Constitution?
The Aims of the Society as set out in its Constitution are:
1 The promotion of good fellowship between Old Canfordians of all generations.
2 The introduction to all current pupils of the School to the aims, objectives and benefits of the Society.
3 The furtherance of the interests of Canford School.
Consistent with the third Aim, many donations have been made to the School over the years. Donations have included the cricket and hockey scoreboards, archiving software, a buggy and defibrillator to enable a quick response around the school site. However, at the EGM in November 2024 concern was raised that Rule 7a of the Constitution restricts expenditure from the Society’s funds to purposes solely consistent with the Objectives, all of which require some benefit to Old Canfordians and none of which is consistent with the third Aim. Despite the 74% majority, the Committee was advised that five of the Opponents
The Martin Marriott Foundation was established in 2016 to support Canford’s bursary programme.
The late Martin Marriott, Headmaster of Canford from 1976 to 1993, was a passionate advocate for widening access through bursaries. He was honoured to lend his name to the Foundation, which reflects his lifelong commitment to opening up opportunities for young people.
Today, it is with pride and genuine pleasure that we celebrate a bursary programme that continues to grow - supporting children who are thriving, embracing every opportunity, and making the most of all that a Canford education offers. This is made possible through the school’s own financial investment, alongside the generosity of donors who choose to support the Martin Marriott Foundation.
A bursary transforms the life of an individual pupil, but its impact extends far beyond that. These young people enrich the Canford community and, in turn, their own home communities. The true power of the Martin Marriott Foundation lies in its ripple effect: by supporting one pupil, we help shape a future in which they will go on to support others. Together, we can continue to make that vision a reality.
were willing to fund legal action against the Committee if we made the donation to the Martin Marriott Foundation. Therefore, to carry out the wishes of the majority of members who voted last year, the Committee is now asking members to vote again to approve amendments to the Constitution and then to approve the making of the donation.
What amendments to the Constitution are we proposing?
The amendments will add a further Objective permitting the donation of funds for the provision of bursaries for pupils of Canford School, and an additional Rule setting out how such donations are to be approved. This gives the Committee specific authority to donate funds to the charity known as the Canford School Scholarship Bursary and Prize Fund on condition that the proposed donation is approved by the members. The Canford School Scholarship Bursary and Prize Fund is a subsidiary charity of Canford School for which the Martin Marriott Foundation is used as a fundraising vehicle and which holds funds raised for bursaries. The proposed new Objective and Rule are set out under Resolution 1 in the Notice on page 55.
‘The opportunity to come to Canford, and the support I’ve received, has completely changed my life. I’m the first in my family to go to university - and now my little sister sees me as a role model.’
‘Without the bursary programme and everything Canford has offered me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.’
‘The last few years have been truly transformative and I owe everything to Canford.’
‘Having the opportunity to attend Canford has unlocked my character and allowed me to excel.’
Extracts from the Constitution of The Old Canfordian Society:
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
a. Aims:
(i) The promotion of good fellowship between Old Canfordians of all generations.
(ii) The introduction to all current pupils of the School to the aims, objectives and benefits of the Society.
(iii) The furtherance of the interests of Canford School.
b. Objectives:
(i) The making of such arrangements as will draw together Old Canfordians by social gatherings or otherwise.
(ii) The communication of matters of interest amongst Old Canfordians and Associate Members.
(iii) The promotion of career and networking support among Old Canfordians.
(iv) The provision of financial or other assistance to Old Canfordians for worthwhile endeavours having a public benefit. Such provision to be at the discretion of the Committee.
(v) The giving of assistance to the School Development Office in organising Old Canfordian events.
7. FINANCE
a. The funds of the Society shall be managed by the Committee with the guidance and assistance of the Hon. Treasurer, who shall be included in any discussions. The investment policy and expenditure of such funds shall be at the direction and in the discretion of the Committee consistent with the Society’s primary purposes and objectives for its members set out in Rule 3(b).
The full Constitution can be found on the OCS page of Canford Global Connect (globalconnect.canford.com).
If Resolution 1 to amend the Constitution is approved, the new Objective and new Rule will enable donations to be made to the Martin Mariott Foundation and any other fund for Canford School bursaries both now and in the future, as long as the members vote to approve each donation.
Why do members need to vote again to approve the donation?
Once the new Objective and Rule have been approved and the Constitution amended, the Committee is required under this new Rule to ask the members’ permission to make the donation.
What proportion of the funds should be donated? Your choice
As members will recall, 74% of those who voted last year were in favour of the full amount of the Society’s funds being donated to the Martin Mariott Foundation. The view of the Committee remains that this is the right decision for the Society for the reasons outlined above. The Society no longer needs to hold funds and should the Committee wish to raise funds for the Society in the future, this can be done.
However, some members made representations at the EGM in November 2024 for a portion of the funds to be
retained by the Society. They argued that the Society should remain financially independent of the School, suggesting that 15% of the current funds would be sufficient. They also argued that to divest the Society of all its funds was a change to its Constitution and as such requires the approval of two-thirds of votes cast. Whilst the Committee disagrees with this view, it has decided to give members the choice: to donate the entire funds of the Society or to donate only 85% of those funds to the Martin Marriott Foundation. Resolutions 2 and 3, as set out in the Notice on page 55, enable you to vote on this. Firstly, after voting on Resolution 1 to amend the Constitution, we ask you to vote on Resolution 2 to donate all of the Society’s funds. If more than two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour of this proposal, the entire funds of the Society will be donated to the Martin Marriott Foundation. However, if less than two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour of Resolution 2, we will then consider Resolution 3, the proposal to donate 85% of the Society’s funds. This Resolution will be passed if 50% of the votes cast are in favour. Please see How the Voting Works, overleaf.
The Society will continue to work closely with the School, retaining its key focus of bringing OCs together to support one another and the School. We will continue to play a key role in the annual Careers Convention; through Canford Global Connect we will make ourselves available to provide advice, guidance and work experience to all Canfordians, both current pupils and OCs; and we will support the Development Office in promoting engagement and developing new initiatives, ensuring the School fulfils its commitment to OCs and the Society. The Committee, in consultation with other OCs and the School, will carry out a full review of the existing Constitution to ensure it reflects the needs and aspirations of OCs.
We are currently recruiting Committee members and plan to have representatives spanning the age groups – from the 1940s to those who have left as recently as the 2020s to ensure the Society remains relevant to OCs of all ages. We already have representatives for several sports and overseas countries and would like to extend this to other interests such as music, arts and career paths. As well as supporting one another, the School and current pupils, the OC community has an important role to play in promoting Canford School as one of the UK’s top independent schools. Once a Canfordian, always a Canfordian.
Sheila Way on behalf of the Committee of the Old Canfordian Society
Committee’s Response to the Opponents’ article on page 56-58
The members of the Committee respect our responsibilities under the Constitution. We have volunteered due to our love of Canford and our commitment to supporting Old Canfordians and the School. Over the years, the Committee has comprised many School governors and staff, including some of the Opponents. On occasion, there have been conflicts of interest and those involved have chosen not to vote. There are often differences of opinion within the Committee and challenge is welcomed. However, once a matter has been voted upon, all members support the outcome.
Since the AGM in 2022 when the Committee first presented its proposals, the Opponents have sought to prevent any donation from being made. They agreed not to write an article for the 2024 edition of this magazine opposing the proposed donation of the entire funds to the Martin Marriott Foundation. However at the EGM in November 2024 they argued that a two-thirds majority was required and, when this was achieved, they then claimed the Resolution was unlawful under the Constitution as funds could only be spent in accordance with the Objectives and for OC benefit. This, despite the fact that donations were made to the School on many occasions in the past, when some of the Opponents were Committee members, on projects where there was no discernible benefit for OCs. To resolve this, we agreed to propose amendments to the Constitution and ask members to vote again to confirm their approval of the donation to the Martin Marriott Foundation.
At the EGM in 2024 the Opponents asked us to consider retaining 15% of the funds and making the donation to the Old Canfordian Bursary Fund, instead of the Martin Marriott Foundation. We agreed to offer members the option of retaining 15% but not to change the destination of the funds, for the reasons explained in our main article. They continued to put pressure on the Committee to change the proposed destination and eventually put together the proposal set out in their article, delivering it to the Editor two weeks after the original magazine deadline. They seek to represent “the 120 OCs” who voted against the proposed donation to the Martin Marriott Foundation last November. We would like to assure you that although the 81 comments, submitted by members who chose to explain why they had voted “No”, were shared anonymously with the Opponents, no other information was shared.
If you are voting by post or online please follow the voting guidance below:
• Donate 100%: if you support the proposal to donate the entire funds, you should vote “Yes” to Resolutions 1, 2 and 3
• Donate 85%: if you support the proposal to donate only 85% of the funds and retain 15%, you should vote “Yes” to Resolution 1, “No” to Resolution 2 and “Yes” to Resolution 3
• Do not Donate: if you do not want any funds to be donated, you should vote “No” to Resolution 2 and “No” to Resolution 3
• If you support the alternative proposal set out on pages 56-58 you should vote “No” to Resolution 1. There will be an election of Officers and Committee members at the AGM in February 2026 at which there will be an opportunity to elect a new committee.
Please ensure that you vote on all three Resolutions
The Committee reduced from 11 members to 7 at the AGM in February 2024, including one new member. Appeals for volunteers to join the Committee were made at the London Drinks Parties in 2023 and 2024 without success. Following the 2024 EGM one of the Opponents volunteered to join the committee and was invited to attend a meeting in April but did not join the committee. At the AGM earlier this year, attended by ten of the Opponents, we asked for volunteers to join the Committee. No-one volunteered. At that same meeting it was proposed that our President be re-elected for one more year and this was seconded by one of the Opponents. All present, including all but one of the Opponents (who abstained) voted in favour of Sheila Way continuing as President. In June, we advertised for new committee members and again none of the Opponents volunteered. And yet now they claim to be ready and willing to form a new committee.
We ask all OCs to ignore any personal bias and to think about the merits of the proposals put forward in this magazine. In the past, parents paid subscriptions to
ensure you could remain in touch with the School and other OCs. With the School now funding everything the subscriptions paid for, which do you believe is more in line with the culture and ethos of being a Canfordian? To help ourselves, or to help others to benefit from a Canford education?
If you have questions for the Committee regarding the proposal or the vote, please email presidentoc@live.co.uk with the subject “EGM 2025” or write to OCS President, The Development Office, Canford School, Dorset, BH21 3AD.
Notice is hereby given that the
will be held at Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset ON SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2025 AT 10AM
The purpose of this meeting will be to consider and vote on the following three resolutions:
RESOLUTION 1
Pursuant to Rule 16 of the Constitution, it is resolved to add to the Constitution a new Objective at Rule 3. b. (vi) and a new Rule by inserting it after Rule 16, as a new Rule 17: “3. b. (vi) The donation of funds to the charity for the provision of bursaries for pupils of Canford School (as defined in Rule 17 d.) in accordance with Rule 17.”
“17 SPECIAL POWER OF THE COMMITTEE TO DISPOSE OF FUNDS
a. The Committee shall be empowered to donate funds to the charity under the Objective set out in Rule 3. b. (vi) in accordance with this Rule.
b. This power may be exercised:
(i) On one or multiple occasions; and, (ii) In respect of some, any, or all funds belonging to the Society.
c. The Committee may make a donation in accordance with this Rule only if:
(i) The Committee has given notice in accordance with Rule 5c, in advance of a General Meeting, that it proposes to make such a donation; and,
(ii) A simple majority of those voting at the General Meeting in accordance with Rules 5e and 5f vote in favour of the donation except that if the Committee proposes to donate more than 85% of the Society’s remaining funds a two-thirds majority will be required.
d. In this Rule:
(i) “charity” means the “Canford School Scholarship Bursary and Prize Fund”, charity number 306315-6; and any successor charity for the provision of bursaries for pupils of Canford School (including but not limited to the “Martin Marriott Foundation” and any other fundraising vehicle used by Canford School to raise funds for bursaries).
(ii) “funds” means any asset belonging to the Society of any description whatsoever.
(iii) “notice” includes notice given before this Rule 17 comes into effect.”
The Constitution is amended accordingly.
Pursuant to Rule 17 of the Constitution, should it come into force, it is resolved that the Committee may make a donation to the Martin Marriott Foundation of all funds held by The Old Canfordian Society at the time of the transfer less any expenses and tax that might be applicable.
Pursuant to Rule 17 of the Constitution, should it come into force, it is resolved that the Committee may make a donation to the Martin Marriott Foundation of 85% of all funds held by The Old Canfordian Society at the time of the transfer less any expenses and tax that might be applicable.
Notes
1 Resolution 1 will be passed if two-thirds or more of the votes cast are in favour. If Resolution 1 fails, Resolutions 2 and 3 will be withdrawn and all online votes relating to Resolutions 2 and 3 will be disregarded.
2. If Resolution 1 passes, Resolution 2 will be voted on. Resolution 2 will be passed if two-thirds or more of the votes cast are in favour. If Resolution 2 passes, Resolution 3 will be withdrawn and all online votes relating to Resolution 3 will be disregarded.
3. If Resolution 2 fails, Resolution 3 will be voted on. Resolution 3 will be passed if a simple majority of the votes cast are in favour.
4. This Notice is also published on the Old Canfordian Society (OCS) page of Canford Global Connect. globalconnect.canford.com/pages/ocs
5. Members unable to attend the EGM in person will be able to attend and vote online.
6. Members wishing to attend the EGM in person or online must register online at https://forms.office.com/e/ xZ6mL9SCLB or via the Development Office (01202 841254).
7. Members unable to attend the EGM should cast their vote in one of the following ways: Online via Jotform at: https://form.jotform.com/presidentoc/ocs-vote-2025
By post to: OCS 2025, The Development Office, Canford School, Wimborne BH21 3AD
When voting by post, please state your full name and address, date of birth, house and year of leaving Canford. If you have changed your name, please also state your name when you were at Canford. Please vote on all three resolutions by stating:
“RESOLUTION 1: I vote FOR/AGAINST [delete as applicable] the proposal to insert new Rule 17 into the Constitution
RESOLUTION 2: Assuming Resolution 1 passes, I vote FOR/AGAINST [delete as applicable] the proposal to donate all of the Society’s funds to the Martin Marriott Foundation.
RESOLUTION 3: Assuming Resolution 1 passes and Resolution 2 fails, I vote FOR/AGAINST [delete as applicable] the proposal to donate 85% of the Society’s funds to the Martin Marriott Foundation”
Votes cast online or by post must be received no later than midnight on Friday 21 November 2025.
We, the undersigned, feel compelled to write this article to say NO to the proposed Resolution, set the record straight and outline an alternative way forward for our Society after 99 years.
Bob Pierson (SH 58), Colin ChalklyMaber (S73), Colin Patrick (F52), Cleeves Palmer (C80), Michael Goodliff (W50), Mike Lerwill (SH 62), Paul Newton (SH 57), Rachel Holland (Nee Thwaites W87), Robin Wright (SH69), Roy Baylis (F67), R.H. Palin (SH57), Simon de Halpert (F64), Stephen Goodliff (W78).
This admittedly small group of OCs has given many decades of service to the School and the OC Society – as governors, committee members, sports captains etc. We also represent those 120 OCs who voted NO at last year’s EGM, given their powerful written reasons for doing so.
The present Committee wants to amend the Constitution to allow them to give away all our funds. We sincerely believe that goes against the spirit and the letter of our Constitution as well as creating an existential threat for our Society.
Resolutions 1 and 2, if passed by a two-thirds majority, will fundamentally change the nature of the OCS from an independent entity, with executive powers and responsibilities and the means to fulfil its constitutional Aims and Objectives, into an advisory group with no powers and totally dependent on a third party, the school, for the achievement of those aims and objectives.
In order to achieve this, they need increasingly contorted legal arguments; their Counsel recently proposed a device which, effectively, said “notwithstanding” the Constitution, this is what we are determined to do.
We suggest there is a better way forward and we set out, below, a proposed Plan for
2025-2030 that builds on the excellent work carried out by the Development Office and enhances their work with our own efforts as OC volunteers – each doing what only they can do.
Members now have two stark choices:
1. Support the Committee in divesting the Society of all its funds and responsibilities. OR
2. Choose our Plan – to keep the OCS independent, with its funds intact for a positive, realistic way forward, under experienced, dynamic and capable new leadership and a new Committee
We hope you will vote
to Resolution 1 and save the future of our Society and funds.
Let us start by acknowledging that we can all agree that …
• The OCS was formed in 1926. We, the Members have 99 years of fruitful history behind us - thanks to all who have served the OCS so faithfully, so constantly and so voluntarily.
• The OCS is governed by its Constitution; its members own the funds individually. Ultimately, we, the (9000+) Members decide about our funds and our Society.
• As individuals, we have a common affiliation, but unity does not mean no challenge or debate.
• The School and the OCS are different, separate entities (legally), with different constitutions, Aims and Objectives, responsibilities, priorities, and vested interests.
• We recognise the enormous value and great work of the Development Office in supporting the OCS.
How did we get here?
From 2010 to 2020, while the Development Office was going from strength to strength, the OCS Committee became, admittedly, somewhat supine. The dynamic between the School and the Society was changing.
In 2019 the Chairman of School Governors wrote to the OCS President explaining the School’s ambitions for the OCS. He said:
‘Parents have high expectations of the alumni benefits of all independent schools.As such we have been investing heavily in the Development Office so that we can provide an exceptional service to all of our alumni. We wish to make improvements to the OC Society to make it ‘best in class’. For this to happen, we wish to have a greater control of how this money is spent.’ (NB “we” is the School, not the OCS.)
In 2019, the former President of the OCS resigned and the new (current) President immediately proposed to the Committee that the entire OCS funds held on behalf of the members should be handed over to the School and invited discussion about how this might be done.
From 2020, we believe the Committee became increasingly School-focused and the President was determined to keep it that way. The Minutes of the Committee meeting of 18 January 2020 record the following decision: “No new members until this (the future of the OCS) is decided”. At that time, the Committee included two school governors, an ex-school employee and was regularly and quite rightly attended by the Headmaster and Development Office Director. We suggest that real and potential conflicts of interest – between the OCS and the School - were neither recognised nor managed.
We politely suggest that the necessary objectivity between the different interests of the School and the Society were overtaken by a determined agenda – to
divest the OCS of its funds and give them to the School.
The role of the Development Office is fundamentally fundraising through developing long-term relationships with the wider Canford community within which the OCS is a key element. However, the OCS is not a fundraising organisation, nor should it be seen as such. We believe that failure to recognise this distinction has not only run up costs for Legal and Accountancy fees (to a total of about £10,000) but also has run the risk of doing what was ultra vires. That, in turn, eventually led the Committee’s Counsel to advise that they should not proceed with the transfer voted on at the 2024 EGM. Indeed, we say that 74% majority vote was effectively null and void as a result. Rather, they were advised that the Committee should first alter the Constitution in order to be able to properly proceed with another vote to confirm the Transfer. And that is why this Resolution is now needed.
A retrospective, fundamental amendment to the Constitution is not the Canford way of doing things, is it?
What’s next?
We are advised that
• 3 of the 5 members of the Committee, including the President, will resign at the next AGM
We asked the Committee to add the following resolution to the EGM, so Members had a clear choice, but they declined.
Proposed Resolution 4
“We seek the approval of members for the OCS Plan 2025-2030. This Plan retains all present funds within the OCS and utilises them in line with the existing Constitution for the benefit of all members. This Plan, with experienced new leadership and an annual budget of £30,000 for the next 5 years, honours the past, and secures the future of our Society.
So, we now encourage you to vote
‘NO’
to Resolution 1. There is a better way.
A better way forward after 99 years. We propose and seek support for a different strategic way forward for the Old Canfordian Society (OCS).
Our Plan offers a renewed commitment to member engagement, democratic principles, and dynamic leadershipall underpinned by faithfulness to the Constitution and responsible stewardship of the Society’s assets, which are in excess of £300,000.
1. A New Committee:
A new Committee will operate within a framework of Values, Vision, Goals, and a SMART Plan, all deeply rooted in the OCS Constitution, to deliver its ambitious objectives by 2030.
Values:
• Remaining faithful to the Constitution and its members
• Ensuring open, transparent, and inclusive engagement with all members
• Providing valuable and useful service to all members
Vision:
• Acting on behalf of members’ interests across all age groups through support, encouragement and enabling Goals:
• Reconsidering the original benefits of OCS membership in a changing world
• Strengthening successful initiatives and discontinuing ineffective ones
• Leveraging all individual and collective strengths within the Society
SMART Plan:
• Leadership Transition: Appointing a new Committee
• Foundational Review: Completing a comprehensive foundational review, including a “Discovery” phase, within six months, with quarterly reports provided to members
• Strategic Proposals: Outlining concrete proposals for the future direction of the OCS by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026
• Member Endorsement: Seeking and securing members’ support before implementing any significant changes
• Annual Planning / Reporting Cycle: Developing an annual plan with clearly defined goals, to be measured and reviewed at each subsequent AGM
2. New Leadership: Rule 9c of the OCS Constitution clearly states:
“The role of the President shall be… to use best endeavours to promote the interests of the Society and its members.”
A new President will embody this mandate by:
• Acting as a visionary leader who ensures that key objectives are met efficiently, on time, and within budget – by encouraging fresh volunteer participation, fostering new ideas, and piloting innovative initiatives. Demonstrating energy, competence and unwavering commitment to the OCS.
• Being a naturally effective, articulate communicator with strong social skills. Being a skilled relationshipbuilder, socially adept, and a natural team builder, encourager, and enabler. Enhancing support for existing volunteers and actively recruiting, developing new ones.
• Maintaining a strong working relationship with the Headmaster, Chair of Governors, Director of Development, and other key School personnel.
• Bringing members together in alignment with the OCS’s core Aim and Objective by
i. Focusing on the primary Aim: “The promotion of good fellowship between Old Canfordians of all generations” and
ii. Emphasising Objective number one: “The making of such arrangements as will draw together Old Canfordians by social gatherings or otherwise.”
We are fortunate to have an Old Canfordian who is ready, willing, and able to lead us forward: a Deputy Lieutenant of his county, a widely experienced leader and successful director of various companies and organisations in the UK and overseas, who has raised millions in fundraising for diverse charitable causes, beginning his efforts during his time at Canford.
The OCS members are the true custodians of the Society, its Constitution and substantial assets. It is therefore crucial that they are routinely involved in all critical decision-making, voting processes, and idea generation.
With the proactive support of the Development Office, we plan to engage all three distinct segments of Old Canfordians, ensuring their vital representation on the new Committee:
• Younger Leavers (Under 30): includes those navigating university life, vocational training, early career stages, marriage, and establishing their homes.
• Mid-Career Professionals (30-60): typically engaged in career development, raising families, and managing mortgages.
• Retired Members (60+): often possess greater availability of time and resources, offering invaluable experience and support.
A successful OCS, five years from now and for the next 100 years will, hopefully, be a Society that consistently delivers increasing value and benefits to its members, while steadfastly adhering to the spirit and letter of its history and Constitution.
By 2030 the OCS will be better positioned to focus on its unique and essential functions, while fully leveraging the benefits of the Development Office (DO), which possesses full-time staff, dedicated offices, and extensive resources.
The new OCS leadership will work optimally with the School and DO by establishing clear lines of responsibility, allowing the DO to manage operational aspects while the OCS concentrates on its core constitutional aims of fostering fellowship and deep member engagement.
Any queries?
Please feel free to contact Simon de Halpert simonandkay@dehalpert.com or Roy Baylis r.e.baylis@outlook.com
Assuming funds of £300,000, we propose annual expenditure of at least 10% (£30,000): Area Annual Allocation
Increased funding for all Games Sections (6 x £500)
Increased funding for all Country / Area Representatives (10 x £500)
Funding for expert, independent Questionnaire and Report
Free day Golf passes for all OCs (one per OC per year)
Creation of Business / Professional Sectors (e.g., mentoring, shadowing)
Provision of Funds for 5 charitable efforts by OCs (5 x £500)
Arrangement of Regional Representatives and Get-togethers (4 x £250)
Consideration of annual Residential Weekend (including families)
Development of Reciprocal arrangements with other Alumni
Overnight Dinner and Accommodation for all Volunteer Leads
(pre-AGM) (20 x £100)
Donation to OCBF
TOTAL ANNUAL ALLOCATION
£3,000
£5,000
£5,000
£1,000
£5,000
£2,500
£1,000
£2,500
£1,000
£2,000
£5,000
£33,000
An annual review should report on financial results and adjust budgets accordingly for the subsequent year.
CANFORD GREATLY VALUES ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH OLD CANFORDIANS AND THE OCS COMMITTEE.
It is important to note that neither the School nor the Development Office was given the opportunity to review or discuss the above proposal prior to it being submitted to the editor for inclusion in the magazine. Without a clear understanding of its scope and implications, we are not currently in a position to confirm how the proposed strategy might impact the Development Office’s remit or whether we would have the resources required to support its implementation.
However, we remain committed to continuing the strong and collaborative work we have built with Old Canfordians over the years - connecting alumni through a wide range of initiatives including regular e-newsletters, the OC magazine, Canford Global Connect and an ongoing calendar of events and communications.
Rowena J Gaston Development Director
Committee
Committee
(née Morrison) (B86)
(née Morrison) (B86)
President Sheila Way (née Morrison) (B86)
Committee
President Sheila Way (née Morrison) (B86)
Committee
Richard Dyball (S82)
Richard Dyball (S82)
Honorary Secretar y Richard Dyball (S82)
Honorary Secretary Richard Dyball (S82)
Simon Young (M93)
Simon Young (M93)
Honorary Treasurer Simon Young (M93)
Honorary Treasurer Simon Young (M93)
(née Morrison) (B86)
(née Morrison) (B86)
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Committee Barry Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Committee
Richard Dyball (S82)
Committee
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Committee Barry Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Richard Dyball (S82)
President Sheila Way (née Morrison) (B86)
Society Editor Genevieve Fox (C82)
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the
Simon Young (M93)
Honorary Secretar y Richard Dyball (S82)
(née Morrison) (B86)
Simon Young (M93)
(née Morrison) (B86)
Genevieve Fox (C82)
Genevieve Fox (C82)
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Society Editor Genevieve Fox (C82)
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Honorary Treasurer Simon Young (M93)
Richard Dyball (S82)
Richard Dyball (S82)
Committee Barry Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
To comply with GDPR regulation and to protect OC’s personal details, contact details can be found on Canford Global Connect or by contacting community@canford.com
Simon Young (M93)
Simon Young (M93)
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
Genevieve Fox (C82)
Coupe (F70), Matt Keats (S89)
(C82)
Genevieve Fox (C82)
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
Society is printed on paper from sustainable forests; the printing plates are processed without chemicals; printing inks are vegetable-based.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
Society Editor Genevieve Fox (C82)
To comply with GDPR regulation and to protect OC’s personal details, contact details can be found on Canford Global Connect or by contacting community@canford.com
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
regulation and to protect OC’s details can be found on Canford contacting community@canford.com on paper from sustainable forests; the processed without chemicals; printing inks
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
To comply with GDPR regulation and to protect OC’s personal details, contact details can be found on Canford Global Connect or by contacting community@canford.com
Society is now published annually for Old Canfordians in the autumn. If you would like to receive more copies, register a change of address or elect to receive your magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, community@canford.com or write to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
Society is printed on paper from sustainable forests; the printing plates are processed without chemicals; printing inks are vegetable-based.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy. If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
magazine electronically, please contact the Development Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or wr ite to the Development Office Canford,Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD.
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
will be held at Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset ON SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2026 AT 10 AM
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Society is now published annually for Old Canfordians in the autumn. If you would like to receive more copies, register a change of address or elect to receive your
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy. If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@canford.com
Society is printed on paper from sustainable forests; the printing plates are processed without chemicals; printing inks are vegetable-based.
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com
published annually for Old Canfordians would like to receive more copies, address or elect to receive your contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com Front and back cover image: TBC
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com Front and back cover image: TBC
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy. If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com Front and back cover image: TBC
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com
Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com
Society is now published annually for Old Canfordians in the autumn. If you would like to receive more copies, register a change of address or elect to receive your
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com
Front and back cover image: TBC
Front and back cover image: TBC
Front cover image: OC London Drinks, Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com
Front and back cover image: TBC
Contributions to the 2026 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2026 at: oceditor@canford.com Front and back cover image: TBC
Front and back cover image: TBC
The full agenda will be published on the OCS page of Canford Global Connect (globalconnect.canford.com/pages/ ocs) at least 10 days before the meeting. Any Other Business should be submitted to presidentoc@live.co.uk at least 7 days before the meeting.
To make contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect or email community@canford.com
To make contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect or email community@canford.com
Included on the Agenda will be an election of officers and committee members including the President and Honorary Secretary.
Victoria
Australia
Australia
Luxembourg
contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com
John Marshall (SH67) Victoria
John Marshall (SH67) Victoria
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
To make contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect or email community@canford.com
Jason Rea (W81)
Jason Rea (W81)
Jason Rea (W81)
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Jason Rea (W81)
Australia
Middle East & UAE
(B78)
Silvio de Denaro (B78) New South Wales
John Marshall (SH67) Victoria
Middle East & UAE
Silvio de Denaro (B78) New South Wales
contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com
contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com (SH67) Victoria
Jason Rea (W81)
Middle East & UAE
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Jason Rea (W81)
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Luxembourg
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Luxembourg
Members wishing to stand for election should send an e-mail to presidentoc@live.co.uk including the role they are standing for, their reason for standing and a brief resumé, which will be published on the OCS members only section of Canford Global Connect in January 2026. For more information please contact the President at presidentoc@live.co.uk
Middle East & UAE
Luxembourg
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Jason Rea (W81)
Middle East & UAE
contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect community@canford.com (SH67) Victoria
Andrew Short (B81) New South Wales
Canada
Germany
Andrew Short (B81) New South Wales
New Zealand
Middle East & UAE
Jason Rea (W81)
Jason Rea (W81)
Silvio de Denaro (B78) New South Wales
Gerald Cooper-Key (F67)
Tatjana Konïg (SH84)
Germany
Portugal
The timetable for this election will be:
Germany
Ireland
Tatjana Konïg (SH84)
Tatjana Konïg (SH84)
John McFarlane (S67)
Ireland
Ireland
Israel
John McFarlane (S67)
John McFarlane (S67)
Dan Diamant (M88)
Israel
Italy
Israel
Dan Diamant (M88)
Jessima Timberlake (S91)
Dan Diamant (M88)
Italy
Kenya
Italy Jessima Timberlake (S91)
Jessima Timberlake (S91)
Kenya
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Portugal
Charlie Nairne (SH82)
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
John Rowe (W57)
Middle East & UAE
John Rowe (W57)
Middle East & UAE
Andrew Short (B81) New South Wales
Portugal
Middle East & UAE
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
John Rowe (W57)
• Volunteers for election to notify the President by Monday 5 January 2026
Kenya Natasha Di Cangio (née Tundo Ma97)
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
South Africa
Nick Pomeroy (S94)
South Africa
John Rowe (W57)
John Rowe (W57)
John Rowe (W57)
David Ralph (SH67)
Portugal
David Ralph (SH67)
Portugal
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
John Rowe (W57)
Portugal
South Africa
• Notification of the election to be sent by e-mail and posted on the OCS page of Canford Global Connect, with a link to details of those standing for election, by Friday 9 January 2026
John Rowe (W57)
David Ralph (SH67)
David Ralph (SH67)
John Rowe (W57)
Switzerland
Switzerland
David Ralph (SH67)
David Ralph (SH67)
Jonny Rea (W86)
South Africa
Jonny Rea (W86)
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
David Ralph (SH67)
Switzerland
Catherine Brookes (S93)
USA
David Ralph (SH67)
USA
Jonny Rea (W86)
Jonny Rea (W86)
South Africa
Switzerland
• Voting opens Friday 9 January 2026
David Ralph (SH67)
Jonny Rea (W86)
• Voting closes Friday 30 January 2026 at midnight By order of the Committee of the Old Canfordian Society.
Switzerland
USA
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Switzerland
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Switzerland
Switzerland
USA
Jonny Rea (W86)
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
USA
Jonny Rea (W86)
Jonny Rea (W86)
Jonny Rea (W86)
USA
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Members wishing to attend the AGM in person or online must register at: https://forms.office.com/e/eukj2yyfYK or through the Development Office.
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
USA
USA
USA
Jeremy Fergusson (F64)
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Natasha Di Cangio (née Tundo Ma97)
Pennsylvania
Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Richard Gowar (C73)
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Florida
Richard Gowar (C73) Flor ida
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Natasha Di Cangio (née Tundo Ma97)
Tom Coombes (B88)
If you wish to receive details of how to attend either in person or online, or to vote by post, but do not currently have internet access, please contact the Development Office by post or on 01202 841254.
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles
Los Angeles
A Celebration of Life will be held at Canford on Sunday 1st February at 2.00pm All are welcome. If you would like to attend, please book via globalconnect.canford.com/events or email community@canford.com or telephone 01202 847506
It is the family’s wish that if you would like to make a donation in memory of Martin, they would be delighted if you could do so to the Martin Marriott Foundation, via globalconnect.canford.com/pages/make-a-donation
‘In the 1980s, I was given a place under the Assisted Places Scheme. When I attended my 30-year reunion, which my then 12-year-old son asked to attend, I lost him fairly quickly to the crowd. A few minutes later he reappeared with Ben Vessey (Headmaster), who would then introduce him to Martin and Judith Marriott. On the journey home, he asked if he could go to Canford. After successfully applying, he was given a place, and he has just finished five incredible years as a direct result of the support he received from the Martin Marriott Foundation.’
Old Canfordian