The OC Mitre 2023

THE OC MITRE ISSUE 19 – 2023

THE OC MITRE

Forthcoming Events School Carol Service Sunday 10th December 2023 OC Christmas Lunch with the Head Thursday 14th December 2023 Shrove Tuesday Supper Tuesday 20th February 2024 Chapel Centenary Celebration Sunday 28th April 2024 Chigwell Ball Saturday 6th July 2024 Class of 2014 - 10 Year Reunion Summer 2024 (TBC) Old Chigwellian Association AGM September 2024 (TBC)

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For more information about events, please scan the QR code below or visit www.chigwell-school.org/alumni-events

The OC Mitre

Editors

Contact us

Please enjoy this official annual magazine for the Old Chigwellian community. It aims to keep OCs informed of news from the School and of updates particular to OCs.

Mrs Lisa Mina, Philanthropy Officer Ms Maya Frampton, Archivist

Philanthropy Department Chigwell School High Road Chigwell Essex IG7 6QF

The opinions expressed within these pages are those of the writers and not necessarily those of Chigwell School.

+44 (0) 208 501 5748 philanthropy@chigwell-school.org

Cover photo: Chigwell School’s new Sport & Wellness Centre

THE OC MITRE

In this issue WELCOME

04

SCHOOL NEWS

10

OC NEWS IN BRIEF

15

OC VISITS & TOURS

16

OC PAST & PRESENT

17

OC CAREERS SUPPORT

32

OC EVENTS

33

OC LODGE

38

SUPPORTING PUPILS

39

OC SPORTS

42

BOOK CORNER

47

LIVES REMEMBERED

48

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34

SPEECH DAY 2023

FOLLOWING MY DREAMS

OC REUNIONS

With guest of honour, award-winning saxophonist, Ms YolanDa Brown.

Natasha’s journey, from Chigwell School to her dream job.

See what happened at our 10-year, 3-year and 1-year reunions.

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THE OC MITRE

BY ANUSHA BALASINGAM (2006-2013)

Welcome from the OCA President

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aving only left Chigwell in 2013, I am honoured to be elected as the President of the Old Chigwellian Association (OCA) for the 2023/2024 school year.

The primary aim of the OCA is to work in partnership with the School to reunite and engage past pupils. With that in mind, we are continuing old traditions such as the Shrove Tuesday event, encouraging engagement with our current initiatives, as well as launching new ones.

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When I left Chigwell, I took the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship scheme, rather than attend university like many of my peers. At the time, support and information about apprenticeships were limited, so I was thankful for the Old Chigwellians who were able to share their thoughts and experiences of the application process and apprenticeship pathway, helping me on my journey into the big wide world. I wish to take this opportunity to invite back as many OCs as possible to engage with current pupils and give back to the school community as much as we can through ‘Meet the Future’ talks offering pupils insight into career options and educational pathways. By sharing our experiences of our journeys, we can guide future generations of OCs. As my year group was split across the country and the world after school, though we cherished the memories that Chigwell gave us, not everyone was able to keep in touch. Last year, we saw the launch of the 10-year reunions, which was successfully attended by 2013 leavers this year - reuniting many that had not seen each other for a decade. We are looking forward to welcoming our 2014 leavers at the next event, in 2024, and are looking to launch more milestone year reunions as a regular feature of the OC calendar.

Anusha Balasingam OCA President

To keep new OCs in touch with the School, and help them on their transition to university life, we are very thankful to former Deputy Headmaster, David Gower: he will be embarking on a tour of the universities most attended by recent leavers. This will keep recent OCs in touch with Chigwell School as they start a new chapter in their lives, and assure them that the Chigwell community will be here to welcome them back, whether that be in a year’s, or ten years’, time.

In other good news for OCs: the School’s new Sport & Wellness Centre was opened this term, giving pupils, parents, alumni, and the community access to an amazing facility. It boasts a state-of-the-art gym (with fitness machines, weights, and cardio equipment), a 6 lane 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a climbing wall, an indoor sports hall, and external tennis courts. The centre offers swimming lessons and gym membership to all OCs at a discounted rate from January 2024. If you wish to have a tour of the facilities, or explore the membership options further, please do get in touch with the Centre Manager, Mike Twiggins (mtwiggins@chigwell-school. org).

Also upcoming is Shrove Tuesday: our most significant date in the OC calendar, gathering generations of OCs at the School to catch up and relive the former glory days. We will soon be seeking feedback and ideas on how we can reunite more and more OCs for this event in 2024. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome any feedback or suggestions.

2024 looks to be an exciting year. I look forward to meeting a large number of OCs in the coming months, as we find or make a way into an era of growth for the OCA and its members.

THE OC MITRE

Elected OCA Officers

Anusha Balasingam (2006-2013) President

Annalise Armitage (2002-2013) General Secretary

Miles Taylor (1971-1978) Vice President

Clive Garfield (1985-1995) Honorary Treasurer

Aegean Simpson (1985-1987) Ex Officio President

OCA Representatives

Ross Berndes (1969-1974) Tennis

James Houghton (1996-2002) Golf

Nigel Davies (1964-1970) Chair of OC Football Club

Katie Maxwell (2002-2012) Women’s Sport

Paul Garfield (1983-1990) President of OC Football Club

Malcolm Rogers (1950-1959) Wednesday Lunch Club

Richard Rosser (1955-1962) Wednesday Lunch Club

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THE OC MITRE

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Many positive changes

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t is a pleasure to write to you all for my second introduction to The OC Mitre. It has only been a year since I started at Chigwell, but I feel very settled both in the role, the school, and the wider community.

That in part has been due to the warm welcome that I have received especially from the alumni. It has been a pleasure to meet so many of you over the course of last year; I look forward to meeting many more of you in the days, weeks, and years to come.

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A lot of change has taken place at the school over the last year as we work towards delivering the 2029 Strategy (see page 12) ready for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the school. The most notable change is the opening of the new Sport & Wellness Centre. It is an amazing facility and I encourage you all to come and visit the facility and the school to see the development that has taken place on the site. We have offered alumni discounted fees, for you to use the facility yourself when it opens to the public in January 2024 (see page 14 for details). Along with this change to the site, last year we moved the school reception; renovated the Medical Centre to include a Wellbeing Centre; appointed 20 new staff; added a shuttle service from Buckhurst Hill to the school in new electric minibuses; and broadened our efforts to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.

Importantly, part of the strategy was also to strengthen alumni relationships. I hope you have felt improvements are taking place, not least with the messaging and

Mr Damian King Head

communications, but also with the number of events that have been hosted by the school. Last term we had the 10-year, 3-year and 1-year reunions. In 2024 we hope to promote other events aimed to engage OCs of all backgrounds.

OC relationships will also be strengthened with two new members that have joined the executive committee this year. I want to welcome Anusha Balasingam (OC 2006-2013), who is the new President of the OCA along with Annalise Armitage (OC 2002-2013) who is the new General Secretary. That also gives me the opportunity to thank those whom the new members have taken over from and who have given countless hours of service to the OCA. Thank you to Aegean Simpson who served as President and to Pat Ward for all his years of service as General Secretary.

I hope you enjoy this year’s OC Mitre. Of course, do also keep us posted of events as they happen so we are able to share those with other alumni and promote them through the school’s various communication channels.

The more we hear from OCs, the better we can create connections between alumni and provide support to like-minded individuals who have had the experience of being taught at Chigwell.

THE OC MITRE

BY THE PHILANTHROPY DEPARTMENT

Engaging with OCs

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his last year has seen great success and growth for the Philanthropy Department. Our focus has been on three key areas: increasing alumni engagement, particularly through events; fundraising for our new Sport & Wellness Centre, as well as bursaries; and, finally, celebrating the history of Chigwell School, through communications from the revived School Archives.

INCREASING ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT We held three separate reunion events for the Class of 2022, the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2013. See pages 34-36 for more information and photos. We have had a high number of Old Chigwellians joining our private LinkedIn group, as well as updating their contact details using our online Keep in Touch Form. These efforts resulted in engaging nearly 200 more OCs with whom we had lost touch.

FUNDRAISING Our main focus has been on raising funds for the newly built Sport & Wellness Centre. We received an influx of donations from alumni, current parents and former parents in response to our Spring appeal. A postcard was also sent to our community, giving those that wish to remember a loved one, the option to reserve a personalised plaque which will be displayed in the Sport & Wellness Centre. In September we held our first ever Giving Day, raising over £40,000. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all OCs who participated in fundraising campaigns.

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY We have also been sharing and preserving the history of Chigwell School as much as possible. Examples of this included a ‘Shrove Tuesday Supper: Through the Archives’ booklet at the annual Shrove Tuesday event, an email update on Speech Day 2023 with photographs from the history of the tradition, as well as continual contact with OCs: noting their recollections, and safely storing artefacts that have been donated to the archives.

Please do keep in contact with us if we can be of any assistance in your connection with Chigwell School.

Our email address is philanthropy@chigwell-school.org.

We are always delighted to hear from Old Chigwellians.

Mr Scott Franssen Director of Philanthropy 0208 501 5769

Mrs Lisa Mina Philanthropy Officer 0208 501 5748

Ms Maya Frampton Archivist 0208 501 5759

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THE OC MITRE

BY MAYA FRAMPTON (ARCHIVIST)

Chigwell School Archives

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year on since I last wrote in The OC Mitre, and just over a year since I joined the School as Archivist, there is a lot to reflect on so far from both the School and Archives.

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School Swimming Pool (c1930)

SPORTS AT CHIGWELL SCHOOL In September, the new Sport & Wellness Centre was opened. The process involved the relocation of around a hundred trophy cups, shields, and salvers from the former Sports Hall into Archives.

These awards range widely in size, shape, design, and material. The oldest trophy in the collection dates from 1890, and was awarded to ‘F. J. Allen’ for Athletic Sports.

Trophies awarded to pupils (1890s-2010s)

THE OC MITRE

SPEECH DAY In July, the School’s annual Speech Day was celebrated.

We sent out a communication that showed the development of the day ‘Through the Archives’, after the Archivist discovered the origins of the tradition. The first reference to Speech Day appears in 1868, and was established by Headmaster Robinson.

Invitation for Speech Day (1870)

09 Prize book awarded on Speech Day (1890)

SHROVE TUESDAY In February, the Old Chigwellian and School communities came together for the annual Shrove Tuesday supper. We sent out another ‘Through the Archives’ article, which showed the event over the years. Old Chigwellians have gathered at the School at this time since 1868 or earlier, in a tradition likely begun by Headmaster Robinson.

Shrove Tuesday in The Gazette (1979)

Shrove Tuesday in The OC Mitre (2009)

SCHOOL NEWS

Exam Results Days 2023

MVI Class of 2023

GCSE RESULTS

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higwell pupils celebrated a brilliant set of GCSE results. Highlights of these results include the following:

50% of all grades awarded were 9s and 8s 72% of all results achieved were awarded grades 9, 8 and 7 27% of all awarded grades were 9s

Two of our pupils achieved straight 9 grades in all subjects and ten pupils scored straight 9 and 8 grades.

These are remarkable achievements and are a testament to both the talent of the pupils and the hard work that they have put in over the course of the previous two years.

The Head, Damian King commented: “We are delighted with this year’s GCSE results. We are very proud of our pupils who have worked with commitment and dedication over the last two years. However, amongst these exceptional grades, there are also stories of pupils who have overcome their own challenges to achieve their personal goals. These results indicate that the year group was academically ambitious, they took their learning seriously, and they were well supported by some excellent teaching.”

SCHOOL NEWS

A LEVEL RESULTS

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ear 13 pupils at Chigwell School have once again risen to the occasion, demonstrating their resilience, determination, and academic prowess.

The hard work and dedication of both pupils and staff here have produced outstanding A Level results. Their accomplishments are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire school community, including the unwavering support of parents and the commitment of our exceptional teaching body.

Many pupils have obtained top grades, including the following:

50% attaining an A* or A 80% were awarded an A*, A or B 26 pupils achieved at least 3 A grades 5 pupils achieved at least 3 A* grades Others have met or even exceeded their own academic goals. This has resulted in the year group securing an impressive array of university places with the vast

majority going to their chosen university. The number of pupils successfully confirmed in degree apprenticeships has risen this year: areas include law, finance, and engineering.

The Head, Damian King, expressed his immense pride and congratulations to the pupils, saying, “We are thrilled with the outstanding A Level results achieved by our pupils this year. These results are a testament to their dedication and resilience. We are proud of their achievements and grateful to our teaching staff for their guidance and support throughout their educational journey.”

Many of these pupils joined the school 11 years ago and some as recently as 2 years ago, but all have contributed enormously to the school community during their time here. They have been a pleasure to work with and we are very proud of the impressive people they have become.

We are confident that they will go on to make a positive impact on the world, armed with the knowledge, skills, and values instilled during their time at Chigwell School.

We look forward to hearing of their many successes in the future and we hope they will stay in touch.

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

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e are delighted to share with you the university destinations of our 2023 Middle Sixth leavers. We have had 60% of those attending UK universities going to a Russell Group university, with 62% of pupils being placed at their first choice.

There has been an increase in those taking degree apprenticeships: there were 5 this year, with Jaguar, Land Rover, and UBS being the most popular. There have also been an increase in pupils moving on to non-UK universities: 10 this year, including France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and the USA.

The most popular university destinations were:

• Loughborough • Warwick • Birmingham • Nottingham

We also had 3 pupils go to Oxford; 3 to Imperial College London; 1 to LSE; 1 to Sciences Po in Paris (alumni include the last two French presidents and Marcel Proust); 1 to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Updates from the School INSPECTION REPORT

SCHOOL CLUBS

A full inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) was carried out in April 2023. This resulted in the best inspection report that the school has ever received. The headlines are that the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent, along with the quality of the pupils’ personal development - the highest possible grading.

Multiple societies have been set up to create safe spaces where pupils can voice their opinions and create a welcoming environment for all.

OUR SCHOOL STRATEGY 2029

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We are delighted to share with you Chigwell School’s strategy for the coming years. It is the product of conversations with staff, pupils, parents, alumni, feeder schools, and other members of the broader Chigwell community. There are lots of exciting plans which we are looking to implement over the coming years as we move towards our 400th anniversary in 2029.

assador mb equ it y a l a

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You can read the full report by visiting www.chigwell-school.org/about-us/ isi-inspection-reports or scanning the QR code.

EQUALITY SOCIETY

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SUSTAINABILITY SOCIETY

We encourage you to view the strategy by visiting www.chigwell-school.org/ about-us/headmasters-welcome or scan this QR code.

It is an exciting period for our school, and we very much look forward to sharing the journey with you.

FEMINIST SOCIETY

CULTURAL SOCIETY Images designed by Mr S Davis, Reprographics and Design Manager, Chigwell School.

SCHOOL NEWS

School Events SPEECH DAY 2023

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peech Day 2023 was a roaring success: Chigwell students, parents, Old Chigwellians, and staff enjoyed a day full of inspiration and celebration.

The day began with a service by the Reverend Malcolm Macdonald in St Mary’s Church, and was followed by the Art and Design and Technology showcase. Then came the speeches in the marquee: from the Chair of the Governing Body, Ms Ros Serrelli; the Head, Mr Damian King; the guest of honour, award-winning musician, Ms YolanDa Brown; and our Head Pupil, Molly. The Prize-Giving ceremony was a particular highlight, where the top accolades were presented by Ms Brown, and the proceedings were concluded with her and our Head Pupil’s excellent speeches. Afterwards, everyone moved to the grounds to enjoy afternoon tea and refreshments, where they had the opportunity to catch up and socialise.

Service in St Mary’s Church, Chigwell

A big well done to all prize-winners, our guests and families that attended, and thanks to everyone who contributed to making Speech Day 2023 so joyful and a special Chigwell School community event.

13 The Head and a 2023 prize-winner

UNDER 15S ISFA SHIELD FINAL

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n Thursday 20th April 2023 Chigwell School’s Under 15 Football Team set off to play Epsom College in the ISFA Shield Final at Burnham F.C. Chigwell were leading at half time, but by the end both teams were tiring, and Epsom were allowed back into the game.

With two minutes remaining, Epsom secured their comeback with a 3-2 win. Well done to our Chigwellians for coming runners up!

After the match, Jamie Redknapp, an English former professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Liverpool F.C. and is currently a pundit at Sky Sports, and Nigel Davies (OC 1964-1970), Chairman of the OC Football Club, met up for this photo opportunity – two football legends in their own right.

Left to right: Jamie Redknapp & Nigel Davies (OC 1964-1970)

TEACHERS LEAVING In July we wished a fond farewell to those who retired from School this year.

David Gower

Andrew Stubbs

Jeremy (Jerry) Morris

David Harston

(1991-2023)

(1993-2023)

(1993-2023)

(2000-2023)

Deputy Head, and Mathematics

Head of Junior School, and History

Geography

Economics

SCHOOL NEWS

NEW Sport & Wellness Centre

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higwell School’s NEW Sport & Wellness Centre opened to pupils in September 2023. This represents a new chapter in our commitment to provide a well-rounded education for our pupils.

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FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS

building on campus ~ 2,700 sq metres • Largest 25-metre 6-lane pool • 1,000-person • Climbing wall capacity multipurpose sports hall & auditorium • Community café • Cardiovascular studio • Fully equipped strength training gym • We are opening to the public in January 2024 and are thrilled to inform Old Chigwellians of our fantastic joining offer. Our competitive membership pricing for OCs is £50 per month, with a one-off £75 joining fee, which entitles you to an induction session and a workout programme, including reviews and a welcome pack.

LEARN MORE To learn more and sign up to the new Sport & Wellness Centre, visit: www.chigwellswc.org

TOUR If you are interested in a tour of the Sport & Wellness Centre, please email Scott Franssen and Lisa Mina using philanthropy@chigwell-school.org

DONATE Chigwell School welcomes donations at all levels for bursaries to buildings. To donate visit: www.chigwell-school.org/onlinedonations or scan the QR code.

OC NEWS IN BRIEF

University News

Weddings

Isabelle Nathan (2013-2020) graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in English and History from the University of Warwick. She will be continuing her studies in September at the University of Edinburgh to complete a masters in History.

Filip Novakovic (2018-2020) graduated from the University of Cambridge with a first class degree in Land Economy, achieving a distinction. He recently started his career in Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. Filip is also engaged in climate diplomacy, advising economic panels at the UN in Geneva and New York and spearheading SDG action and resource mobilisation at COP27 and COP28.

Adam Chaudhri (1995-2006) married Carly Morris on June 24th at their family home in High Beech with friends and family.

Richard Hume (Chigwell maths teacher) and his wife Alfa Hume welcomed their beautiful baby daughter, Amelia Ann-Maureen, into the world on 8th August 2023.

Aaron Thomas (Chigwell School groundsman) and his wife Chelsea welcomed Calia Belle on 28th July 2023, joining her older sister Adalee and brother Coben.

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Births

Emma Anderson (née Hollis: OC 2001-2010) and husband Chris welcomed Harry Arthur on 24th October 2022.

OC VISITS AND TOURS

School Visits

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t has been fantastic to see so many OCs visiting our school over the last year. If you would like to visit Chigwell School, we would be delighted to give you a tour. Please email us first so that we can be prepared for your arrival and can show you around properly. Contact us on philanthropy@chigwell-school.org

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John Carpenter (1985-1991)

Gerald Coleman (19541962) left, and Andrew Pearson (1969-1975) right

Elliot Colton (1981-1990) in the middle, with his wife and their three sons

John G. Hill (1953-1961)

Nikhil Mohindra (2008-2017)

Nick Pyle (1975-1982) with his wife, Jackie

Anna Sagoo (2012-2022)

Amrita Sandhu (2001-2012)

Lora Todorova (2020-2022)

Yitian Zhao (2012-2014) left, with teacher and fellow OC Chris Lord (1975-1982)

Change of details?

Moved house, new job, changed your email address?

Please let us know so that we can keep in touch.

Update your details by completing a short online form.

Visit www.chigwell-school.org/consent-form Or scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile. This will give you direct access to our online form to complete your details.

For any queries, or should you wish to contact us, please use the following: Email: Philanthropy@chigwell-school.org Phone: 020 8501 5748

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY NATASHA BUSJEET (2002-2013)

Following My Dreams

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hoosing your career is one the hardest decisions you will ever make in life. I know I struggled with it during my time at school. I distinctly remember doing the Cambridge Occupational Analysts Test in Year 11, to see which A Level choices and careers were best suited to me. Unsurprisingly, a biology-based career came out at a 100% interest level.

From a young age, I had always had a strong interest in the ocean. Being British Mauritian, I was very lucky to visit the beautiful island during my childhood. I have many fond memories of jumping in the ocean, and I was captivated and hooked by the entire experience. My first scuba dive was a feeling I would never forget: underwater, amongst the shoals of tropical fish, surrounded by colourful corals – it was magical. There, my love for the ocean was ignited. However, the experience was not everything I expected, since there were dead zones surrounding the marine parks that were completely lifeless. I remember feeling overwhelmed at the time, as I was so sad to see all the destruction caused by overfishing, ocean acidification, and warming. Upon my return to the UK, I decided I wanted to do something to help protect our oceans. After speaking to Mr Eardley (my Biology teacher at the time), he strongly suggested I pursue a career in marine biology, and I absolutely loved the idea!

My keen interest in the ocean developed more and more whilst watching various documentaries. BBC Oceans was one that particularly stood out to me, as I was inspired by watching Tooni Mahto exploring our oceans. From that moment, I firmly decided to pursue a career in marine biology, conservation, and production. I completed a masters degree in Marine Biology at the University of Southampton after leaving school. Once I had graduated, I found it very hard to find a job as most also required years of experience, which I did not have. I had to continue my part-time role in Southampton at the docks, loading and unloading new cars on and off ships not quite what I had in mind for a career.

However, after countless job applications, and feeling deflated, I found a dive company in the Azores that were willing to take me on as a volunteer shark dive guide.

I worked there for two years, taking people diving with incredible marine wildlife.

It was very hard work, but I have a lot of great memories from Pico Island. I also worked two feeding seasons in Norway with the same company, as a skipper and safety snorkeller with orcas and humpback whales.

At this point, I had lost hope that I would get into wildlife production. However, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a few people in the industry whilst in Pico, who said they would let me know if any opportunities arose. Towards the end of my time there, one of the cameramen shared a job opportunity at a wildlife production company called Wildstar and I got the job!

My dream job! I joined in October 2020 and since then have travelled all over the world on natural history shoots as a field director and dive supervisor for National Geographic and Disney+. I have been so fortunate, and seen some amazing wildlife spectacles. I even featured briefly in one of the series I’ve worked on - Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory! From seeing the largest gathering of fin whales ever recorded in Antarctica, to filming desert elephants in the Namibian desert, I am in constant awe of our natural world, and I love my job.

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OC PAST & PRESENT

BY GOPAL KAMBO (2008-2015)

The Coronation of King Charles III

Gopal is in the back row on the left and second from top in the choir

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I

often notice that things which are usually supposed to happen infrequently have a habit of turning up in twos or threes, rather like London buses. I suspect that, in reality, this doesn’t happen any more than chance dictates, and that I am in fact biased to remember all the times that I noticed an agglomeration of unusual happenings. The peculiar royal events of the last year, however, are by design statistically anomalous, since the passing of one monarch heralds the immediate (and usually unassailable) accession of another, which results in two events in relatively quick succession – events which, in recent history, have been exceptionally rare: I am, of course, talking about the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III, occasions which I was privileged to attend and sing at in my capacity as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.

As has been the case since its inception several hundred years ago, the Chapel Royal has been a central presence at many noteworthy episodes of British history. In its earliest days in the Middle Ages, the Chapel was not a physical institution but rather an itinerant body of musicians and clergy who followed a monarch on his or her travels. Its history stretches from its earliest days

under Henry I, through its arguable heyday (in musical terms) in the high renaissance under Elizabeth I, its revival and restoration following the Interregnum the following century, and beyond that to the present day.

(By far my favourite historical occasion at which the Chapel was present was at mass at dawn on the day of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, which must have been quite a service!) Over the years, the Chapel Royal has experienced perhaps the greatest concentration of musical talent than can be seen in any comparable institution; it has counted, at some point, almost all the great composers of this country amongst its ranks, including Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Purcell and Handel, to name but a few. As a current Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, in which capacity I sing regular services at St James’s Palace, it is rather awe-inspiring and humbling to consider myself a present custodian of this truly remarkable lineage. I must note also the personal fortuity of the timing of the recent State Funeral and Coronation given that, in September 2022, I had been a Gentleman for only a year: to have then found myself in the space of eight short months to be singing at both an historic State Funeral and a Coronation makes an extraordinary thing yet more extraordinary.

OC PAST & PRESENT

Upon reflecting on these two events, I have noticed something unusual about my relationship to them, which is that, rather than diminishing in significance as time passes, they are instead taking on greater meaning the more that it does. In our hyper-connected, relentlessly paced, and modern world, I find this kind of ‘slow burn’ an uncommon property, and perhaps a sign that events such as these still retain a form of collective and atavistic power that has otherwise all but disappeared. Given that I suspect that my reflections on the State Funeral and Coronation will continue to evolve over the coming years, it might be an interesting exercise if I were asked to pen another similar article for The OC Mitre in a few decades’ time!

Of course, whilst the two events were inherently connected by the passing of the Queen, they are largely otherwise characterised by their many differences, such as in their preparations, music, liturgies, and atmospheres, which form some of the other lenses of my cogitations here.

One of the great differences between them, from the perspective of preparation, is that whilst the timing of the Coronation was well-known and anticipated, that of the State Funeral was not. It was not until the news of Her Majesty’s passing was communicated to the public that the ten-day period began in which all preparations had to be made. This ten-day window had the unusual consequence of both compressing and rarefying my sense of time; now, when I watch back some of the broadcast footage from the services in September 2022, it feels almost as if that period was a fever dream.

Shortly after the Queen’s State Funeral, I watched a documentary which contained archive footage of the funeral of her father, George VI, and I was struck by the near-identical nature of much of the iconography, liturgy and structure of the day to the funeral which occurred seventy years later. In this way, it was as if the day of the Queen’s funeral engendered a kind of suspension or even reversal of time, reflecting a culmination of the past as if it were frozen in amber for posterity’s sake.

By contrast, the Coronation, given its anticipation over several months rather than days, felt more like an earthbound, tangible, and forward-looking event, and one which seemed in its contents to be reflexively aware of the fact that it was not only heralding a new age but doing so in a challenging landscape of increasing irreligiosity and a changing relationship between the public and monarchic institution.

From a musical perspective, both the services were marked by a plethora of new commissions which clearly demonstrated the abundant and healthy state of sacred music composition and performance in this country. I particularly enjoyed singing the commissions written for the State Funeral by Master of the King’s Music Judith Weir and James MacMillan, which I felt really cut to the heart of the matter in their reflections of their respective passages of Psalm 42 (‘Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks’) and the Epistle to the Romans (‘Who shall separate us?’). Above all, though, I relished singing the music of William Byrd, not least because he is surely the most distinguished of all my predecessors at the Chapel Royal. As a recusant Catholic, Byrd’s inclusion in the Coronation service was possibly the most subtle of nods to the complexity of the religious landscape of modern Britain, alongside the more obvious inclusion of various faith leaders in the presenting of the Regalia to the King.

For me, those moments which will, I think, live longest in the memory are the start of each service: the extraordinarily powerful text of Psalm 139 set to a chant

by James O’Donnell as the Queen’s coffin was processed into Westminster Hall at the start of her Lying-in-State; the elemental sounds and perfect text-setting of funeral sentences by William Croft and Henry Purcell at the opening of the State Funeral; and the grandeur of Parry’s ‘I was glad’, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, finally heard in its rightful place at the outset of the Coronation service. The latter was so impeccably timed that the choir sang the new acclamations ‘Vivat Regina Camilla’ and ‘Vivat Rex Carolus’ exactly as the Queen and then the King processed through the choir, in stark contrast to premiere at Edward VII’s Coronation in 1902, where, upon finishing before the arrival of the King, the piece had to be repeated in its entirety!

Perhaps without us even realising it, the events of the past year will serve as temporal landmarks in the process of memorialising both our personal and collective pasts. Our association with them is that of a palimpsest, being regularly rewritten as our perspective of the past evolves, and our ultimate view will be informed just as much by the future as the past; in this way, the State Funeral and Coronation, for a brief moment, have turned time in on itself in acts which allow us the possibility of communal evaluation. Even if I expect that my own reflections will develop over the coming years and decades, what I can say beyond doubt is that to have witnessed and sung at these occasions is truly a most unique privilege.

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OC PAST & PRESENT

BY CONNOR BAMFORD (2000-2011)

Notes From Rothera

T

he final Dash 7 cargo plane was the most relaxing flight I’d taken from the UK: I had room to stretch my legs out, resting against the boxes of vegetables that would keep the meals of the 120-strong base crunchy for the next few weeks. Arriving at Rothera, I was greeted by Ryder Bay and the bite of the Antarctic wind. The sub-zero temperatures tore straight through the flimsy joggers that had kept me comfortable on that four-day trip south.

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Despite my rookie choice in attire, this wasn’t my first trip south. In 2018, I travelled to South Georgia to assess the recovery of humpback whales since the ban on commercial whaling. My fieldwork focuses on marine conservation, but this expedition is to investigate how climate change is impacting crabeater seals in the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s no easy task, studying polar seals during the lowest sea ice year on record, but it’s important. Crabeater seals feed exclusively on Antarctic krill, making them perfect proxies for monitoring the crustaceans underpinning Antarctica’s ecosystem.

Our first week involved gruelling safety training sessions.

One in particular was memorable: everything was going swimmingly – until our guide made us jump off a cliff. This exercise simulated falling into a crevasse and gave our partners practice with anchors and pulley systems. It’s vital for everyone’s safety, but acquiring it sure gets the heart pumping!

Crabeater seals are the most abundant, despite reduced numbers, of all Antarctic seals, the circumpolar population around 5-10 million. They live in the coastal pack ice, a region in constant flux. Historically, these seals have rested on ice flows by day and fed at depth at night; a perfect synergy. However, due to climate change, suitable ice is now further from food, meaning that seals must travel further to feed. On this expedition, ice levels were unprecedently low, and changing daily.

We spotted individuals on small bergs, making the best of a bad situation.

We used both traditional quadcopters and more advanced, autonomous fixed-wing drones to collect overhead imagery of seals. These new techniques mean that we can survey rapidly, and with a lower economic and environmental cost. From the images, we can assess the body condition of seals, which can indicate the state of the region: healthy, fat seals indicate that prey is abundant, whereas underweight seals suggest low availability, with individuals expending more energy searching for food than consuming it. Regrettably, the seals turned out to be few and far between. Perhaps because the ice conditions at Rothera were lower than normal.

Climate change is undoubtedly impacting the Antarctic Peninsula at a far greater rate and intensity than elsewhere on the continent. Comparing population estimates from next season to historical data will show the influence climate change has had so far, and predict its future impact. We expect that crabeater seals in the north of the Peninsula will already have shifted their behaviour in response to climate change compared to those in the south of the Peninsula, but this remains to be seen. Next season, we hope to conduct aerial surveys of Marguerite Bay and Crystal Sound to generate further population estimates. This data will be combined with automated counts from satellite imagery, which will offer much more precise and valuable insights.

Understanding regional population dynamics is a gap in our knowledge that we need to fill. This will inform ongoing conservation and management measures, and safeguard this highly-politicised region of Antarctica.

Our ongoing work aims to aid conservation in this region – a place that holds a special reverence in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to witness it.

Dr Connor Bamford is a marine ecologist based at the British Antarctic Survey.

OC PAST & PRESENT

Aerial view of Ryder Bay on the final approach to Rothera.

Connor Bamford ‘around the point’ at Rothera.

A juvenile crabeater seal with rake marks, likely caused by an unsuccessful leopard seal’s hunt.

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My partner holding on as I hang off the cliff during crevasse rescue training.

Photgrapher: Mark Chambers.

The ridgeline of South Stork, Adelaide Island, Antarctica

Crabeater seals (top) and an unidentified seal (bottom) on a medium-sized berg.

A very unfrozen Ryder Bay, and the peaks on Pourquoi Pas Island

A Weddell seal on a small berg

Sunrise over North Cove, Rothera.

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY NAVEED AKHTAR (1990-1997)

The Integrative Health Convention

I

n an era where wellness has taken centre stage, the pursuit of a longer and healthier life has become a shared goal for many. Longevity medicine, a field dedicated to understanding and enhancing human lifespan, has been gaining traction as scientists and health enthusiasts delve deeper into the science of aging. Coupled with the principles of Lifestyle medicine, which emphasises the impact of daily habits on overall health, the quest for longevity has never been more accessible.

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This growing field of integrative health is gaining traction among doctors and therapists who recognise the limitations of relying on just one modality of health and healing. Patients are now recognising the importance of being treated like an individual, and having doctors be aware of all the available modalities that are best for their particular problem.

“There is only so much conventional western medicine can do for someone,” states Dr Naveed Akhtar (OC 1990-1997), General Practitioner in Chigwell, Essex; “We need to employ a holistic, individualised approach to each patient, which may include complementary therapies, and almost always include self-care approaches like exercise and diet.”

Dr Toh Wong, General Practitioner in Exeter who also consults on Longevity, argues “There is enough data now to suggest ways to live longer and healthier, what we call increasing ‘healthspan’, by approaches that we should all embrace like nurturing our microbiome, fasting diets, increasing our muscle mass, and meditation.”

To many people, this all seems to make sense, considering that the use of complementary therapy is widespread in the U.K.: a 2015 survey suggests that 16% of the population have used it in the past 12 months.

Furthermore, interest in complementary therapies seems to be growing, with searches for yoga and meditation apps growing 65% year on year (Google Data, US, Mobile, Jan-Sep 2016 vs Jan-Sep 2017).

Dr Naveed Akhtar and Dr Toh Wong co-organise The Integrative Health Convention, an annual convention for doctors, health professionals, therapists, and anyone with an interest in living healthier. Both inspiring young doctors, who routinely use acupuncture, NLP and Hypnosis, state “in an age where our greatest commodity is our health, why wouldn’t you want to learn more?”

What makes the Integrative Health Convention truly exceptional is its commitment to bridging the gap between longevity medicine and lifestyle medicine. The event aims to demonstrate that these two fields are not separate entities, but rather integral components of a comprehensive approach to well-being.

The Integrative Health Convention, supported by the Countess of Devon and in association with the College of Medicine, was broadcast as an online event on 10th November 2023. There were over 1,000 delegates, logging in from all across the globe.

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY NICOLA LAMBRIANOS (2007-2009)

Performing at Eurovision

M

y time performing at Eurovision is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. I joined Chigwell School Sixth Form in 2007, where I studied Drama as well as contributing to the music department of Lambourne house. The School has played a large part of my family’s life for many years: my father (Paul Lambrianos), my brother, and my uncle all attended before me. Since then, I have gone on to a career in music and drama.

I am a Motown singer and an Adele tribute act, but my dream has always been to be a part of one of my favourite shows of all time. Eurovision has glamour, humour, and fun - and I remember watching it with my family from a very young age.

A twist of fate lead me to an open mic session at Troy Bar in Hoxton. While I was there, my friend Claire, who is a vocal coach, asked me if I knew of anywhere to take the Lithuanian artist Monika Linkytė, so I suggested they joined us.

Having been P. A. for the well-known singer-songwriter Anne-Marie for a number of years, I was not intimidated by the Lithuanian popstar, and we got on really well. She mentioned she had represented her country in Eurovision in 2015.

When I heard this, my eyes lit up.

I confessed to her what a huge fan of Eurovision I was, and cheekily asked if she knew anyone who could get me a ticket to Liverpool, where it was being hosted. She laughingly promised to find me one.

23 To my surprise, a week later, she messaged to tell me that she had written a song, and was entering the heats in Lithuania with ‘Stay’. I was so excited for her that I jumped on the plane to Lithuania with Claire, so I could see her perform. I hardly even knew where Lithuania was!

Monika did so well that she got through the first heat, and then asked me to perform backing vocals for the rest of the competition. It was really scary for me to perform on live television, especially in another country, but Monika was accepted to represent Lithuania, and it was ‘Liverpool, here we come!’

Suddenly, the BBC were interested in how an Essex girl had managed to be a backing singer for Lithuania. Social media exploded at the fact a Waitrose girl (my part-time job) was featuring in Eurovision.

As contestants, we were pampered, taken on tours of the city, and met many stars. The emotional rollercoaster started when the scores came in, and sitting in those famous pods was something I never thought would happen in my life. What started as a joke became a reality, and my free ticket became 11th place and part of history.

Nicola Lambrianos, OC (left) and Monika Linkytė (right)

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY CHRIS LORD (1975-1982)

Towards a ‘Climate Majority’

OCs Alex Sultoon (1986-1997) and Chris Lord (1975-1982)

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I

’ve always had a passion about animals. When I came to Chigwell in 1975, I became a moderate ‘green’ - abandoning my infant dream of becoming a zookeeper, but doing little things like volunteering in an eco-shop while at university, and going on the occasional climate change march.

But in 2018 this all changed, when I read the latest report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), which painted an absolutely terrible picture of the future that our son would have to live through. For the first time, I was genuinely scared. I went to one of the first actions of Extinction Rebellion (taking great care, of course, not to get arrested or annoy anyone), and got some people together to form Epping Forest Climate Action - which tries to work (non-annoyingly, of course) with local councils, schools, businesses and religious groups to make the changes which need to be made locally, for the future to be a little less awful. Chigwell Parish Council and Chigwell School are partners in this, and are beginning to make the right moves.

The work is often depressing, as most people (through no fault of their own) don’t get it: they haven’t yet been properly scared. The media and advertising industries, on the one hand, preach greenery, but then hard-sell long-haul flights and fossil-fuel-guzzling cars, with no health warnings. However, working with those who do get it does give me hope. In a recent lecture, a speaker described the climate emergency as being both a ‘horrible truth’ and a ‘wonderful truth’: while the facts we face are indeed terrible, we have before us a wonderful opportunity to give our lives some meaning - we are the generation who are called upon to step up and confront this challenge. We have a purpose. The lecturer also suggested that the turning-point will come when ‘those who do get it realise that everyone else gets it too’.

A ‘Climate Majority’ (www.climatemajorityproject.com) will help governments take the bigger decisions.

So, the quicker we all get scared and become part of this majority, and as soon as taking it seriously becomes the norm, the better our children’s futures will be.

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY TONY PORTER (1953-1960)

William Penn: Our Most Famous Old Chigwellian

I

write as a former Penn, proud to have been in the “set” (or house as it now is) named after Chigwell’s most famous Old Chigwellian, but wishing I had known then the fascinating details about him from the book William Penn: A Life. The 2018 OC Mitre contained an article by its author, the American Professor Andrew Murphy, following his visit to the school as part of his research.

William Penn, who gave his name to an American state, wasn’t the first son to disappoint his father, and won’t be the last, but he did so. His father was an Admiral, a good C of E man, and a personal friend of King Charles II. Family connections at Walthamstow led to his son’s enrolment at Chigwell. At the age of three, he got smallpox; fortunately, he recovered, but it left him bald.

Knowing how kind and thoughtful little boys are to each other, we can imagine that perhaps there lay the cause for hiding away in the upper levels of the school building, gazing out through the “Penn Window” and the religious experience that came to him which changed his life. You can keep things which happen to you at school from your family, and his father must have thought all was going well when his son entered Christ Church, Oxford, but been horrified when he left after just a year, took himself off to a religious house in France, and came back to England as a Quaker. Worse, William spent time in prison after being arrested for preaching in the street – on one occasion, in Gracechurch Street, well-known to OCs working in the City. He and his father were estranged for many years.

Clearly, religious persecution encouraged him to look toward the new colonies in America, and Penn’s aims were high-minded. From the outset, in America, Pennsylvania was regarded as enlightened. OCs of my vintage remember the Penn Elm, in its special location on the far side of Top Field. It was a gift from the State and was a sapling from the tree under which Penn signed a treaty with the indigenous group whose land he was invading, guaranteeing them rights to ownership. In the USA the treaty is lauded as a model of justice.

In all this, it remains shocking to us now that potential settlers were advised by Penn to make advance

William Penn Photo: Stock Montage / Getty Images

arrangements in Barbados for the shipping of slaves to Pennsylvania, so that they could make an immediate start with their farming. Worse, when another Quaker remonstrated with Penn about employing slaves, his complaints were dismissed.

To many Americans, though, Penn is special. Despite the fact that, for various reasons, he spent less than a year actually in “his” colony, and that the second Mrs Penn (his first wife died after many years of happy marriage) never went there at all, the couple are Honorary American Citizens, an accolade only eight people have received in all American history. Of the eight, they are unique in that they were both dead before America actually existed. This admiration extended to attempts by the USA government to have their bodies exhumed from the Quaker cemetery at Jordans in Buckinghamshire and re-interred in Philadelphia – a request that was refused.

It is possibly Benjamin Franklin who created this “Myth of William Penn” by his focus on the city and the colony in the setting up of the Declaration of Independence. As a young man he had met Penn and Philadelphia is a very evocative word.

Do please find time to read the book which opened my eyes to a fascinating Old Chigwellian’s life.

See this and other recommended reads in our Book Corner on page 47.

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OC PAST & PRESENT

BY JOHN EBORN (1962-1972)

The Medder Art Gallery

L

ife has been eventful since leaving Chigwell; a career in Estate Agency, starting at Harrods Estate Offices, and continuing on with Ambrose in Loughton and the offices all around. This was followed by a similar path in property development, property work for the Civil Service, and finally in Local Government.

I had a “mid-life crisis” during which for the best of reasons my parents and I sold our homes in Abridge and moved with my then partner to an idyllic Tudor Hall near Lavenham in Suffolk.

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Following the death of my parents and separation from my partner, I moved eventually to Lavenham which was perfect, as unbeknown to me at the time, I would be diagnosed twice with cancer. That caused me to retire early but thanks to the wonderful NHS I am able to write this article. I also returned to Chigwell for a wonderful tour.

I have concentrated on my passion for Art albeit on a relatively modest scale. For about seven years I have been collecting works by the young Ukrainian Artist, Mykhailo (Michael) Velychko from Poltava. He paints in oil on canvas and has a B.A. in Art from Ukraine. Trained in the Classical tradition, he selects the frames to suit the paintings in what he considers best sets off and complements the works. The frames are all wood and come from framing shops in Ukraine.

He has sold works all over Europe, Britain and America.

He is well known in Ukraine and designed two of their Christmas postage stamps in 2019 and 2022 and he has also painted Icons which are already considered part of national Ukrainian heritage.

Shortly after February 24th 2022 he asked me to receive his paintings for safekeeping and to sell them on his behalf. I then set up The Medder Gallery, initially on-line, to add professionalism to the selling and fundraising.

His paintings have been well received through sales in Lavenham, Long Melford and Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and also through friends in Hampstead and Clerkenwell.

On the page opposite you can see some of his paintings which were made into greetings cards. A changing selection of cards are available on-line via Fine Art America where other merchandise is also available.

During a rare blustery day I drove to the beautiful Gorleston Beach in Norfolk so that I could be photographed with Michael’s painting of ‘Sunrise at Gorleston Beach’ in front of the Groyne that inspired his painting which he envisioned through seeing it from the lens of Shaun Coomer. I sometimes think that Michael knows East Anglia better than I do despite never having been here!

In the early Summer 2023 I was privileged to host his first one-man exhibition in Bury St Edmunds where over one evening and one day a dozen paintings sold and much needed donations raised. The funds support him and his family and very importantly Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid UA24 and the Dam Breach victims. I thank everyone for their considerable support.

Michael’s style exudes his skill, passion, depth of feeling and love of life. This is true of his landscapes in the tradition of Gainsborough, his animals, his iconic fashion pieces and his still life paintings to name just a few. Painting through the severe difficulties of 2022 and 2023 is more than challenging and yet his works bring joy to the viewer.

In addition to my own on-line gallery I aim to promote his works through other physical galleries and especially in London including the Affordable Art Fairs in Hampstead and Battersea.

Do contact me at the Medder Gallery Website, or via Facebook, email or by telephone should you be interested in any of his paintings or just wish to donate to Ukraine through me. You are also welcome to see his paintings by appointment which I hold at my home, or are on display locally.

OC PAST & PRESENT

John Eborn at Gorleston Beach with Michael Velychko’s painting ‘Sunrise at Gorleston Beach’

‘Percherska Lavra Monastery (Kyiv) in the Morning Mist’

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‘Poppies in the Field’

‘Giant Panda’

‘Scandinavian Landscape’

‘Kalinka Fruits’

“A must-have to be happy” 07818 402837 themeddergallery@gmail.com @themeddergallery themeddergallery.co.uk

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY MICHAEL CLARK (1954-1961)

Life after Chigwell

H

aving now read OC Mitre articles by two of my contemporary friends, I decided to add my tuppence worth to their experiences. The good points of Chigwell in the ‘50s and early ‘60s were the openness of mind and fairness most of the teachers displayed.

Being the son of an Old Chigwellian (who, flying as coastal command aircrew during WW2, had married a Scots girl), I was destined for Chigwell and duly arrived in the Third Form.

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Luckily for me, I found the teachers in my favourite subjects interesting to listen to, keeping me engrossed in the learning process. However, mistakes can be made.

My biggest was in a Hainault House French lesson when I looked out of the window, assessed the value of learning French, and concluded it was a waste of time. I have now had a house in France for 33 years, so a head start in the language would have been very useful indeed.

I did not have conventional goals at school. These goals were to visit as much of the world as possible: to see the sights, learn the history, enjoy the culture and cuisine, and admire the scenery. I remember sitting in Room 4 looking at a poster for Jenolan Caves and thinking ‘one day I’ll go there’. When I migrated to Australia in 1968, I achieved this aim within two weeks. Within a year, I decided that the laid-back style was for me, and accordingly acquired Australian citizenship.

Conventional aspirations, such as prestige/power/vast wealth, were not overly important for me, only that my goals could be realized with adequate comfort, adequate wealth, and plenty of quality leisure time.

Lately, I have been catching up with some friends from school, and it is interesting to see how things have turned out for us all. My first great decision was emigrating

to Australia. This resulted in a much better climate, a good job with the government (which also funded my university studies), a wife, home, various cars, and most importantly - the opportunity to travel, and view the marvels of the world. The pyramids, the Temple of Diana, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Forum, the Colosseum, and Aspendos Theatre have all been explored. I have seen the great medieval cathedrals - the Mosque at Cordoba, Charlemagne’s church at Aachen, the buildings of the Moghul emperors, and the Cambodian and Indonesian temples. In fact, I have seen everything from the frozen wastes of the Antarctic to the terraces of Banaue in the Philippines.

Travelling with my wife, we have witnessed the migration of animals in the Serengeti, of wildebeest (with a surprising number of zebras amongst them); seen the Big 5 in the Ngorongoro Crater, the wild gorillas at Bwindi (Uganda); crossed the Sahara, Gobi, Silk Road, followed Darwin to the Galapagos; and seen the moa of Easter Island, as well as hundreds of castles, and drunk in the history and culture of all.

We have been richly rewarded, living in Australia for the Australian summer and France for the French summer.

Both houses are in the countryside, with beautiful outlooks - the French with its superb views over the Dordou Valley being particularly splendid.

So, although not a conventional life, the interests I developed and the roads I travelled were the right ones for me. I believe the most important thing is to have an interesting ambition - then fulfill it.

OC PAST & PRESENT

Awaiting Tour de France

Kyrgyz - Karakol - Altyn Arashan

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Awaiting the boat down the Three Gorges, China

Walking in Karst, China

Michael and wife Margaret visiting OC Ian Roberts (1954-1961)

Michael Clark and Peter Walling at Chigwell c. 1958

OC PAST & PRESENT

BY SERENA DENCH (2010-2017)

Everything Happens for a Reason

D

o you believe that everything happens for a reason? Have you ever thought about how every small thing you do in your life paves the way for your future? Without even realising it, our childhood experiences help shape us into who we become as adults and the paths we go down.

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Here is how it happened to me. Ever since I can remember, I have been music-mad: from a young age, I would put on ‘shows’ for my family, friends, or whoever was willing to watch me sing and dance to my favourite songs (a fond memory is performing a four-year-old’s version of Beyonce’s Crazy in Love in the back garden of my first home in Loughton). Like many children, when asked what I wanted to be I would answer a singer, but not because it sounded the most glamourous...I really knew that was what I was born to do - it sounds cliché, I know!

My parents signed me up for dance, acting, cello, violin and piano lessons. I tried everything centred around music and performance. I didn’t realise it at the time, but all of those experiences were so valuable. I didn’t look forward to playing classical pieces on the piano, because I just wanted to let loose and belt out a Justin Bieber song whilst playing simple chord progressions.

However, in hindsight, learning the fundamentals about music gave me the skills I needed to compose my own.

I adored drama at Chigwell, it was my favourite subject. I believe every performance made me grow in confidence even though I would be crumbling with nerves (I remember being almost unable to breathe before going onstage as ‘Tallulah’ in Bugsy Malone). To this day, I use breathing techniques Mr. Maingot taught us to calm myself down before performing.

When I refer to performing now, I am pursuing a career in singing and have recently started gigging regularly.

One of my first gigs was in a - how do I word this nicely – not-so-pleasant bar in east London and hardly anyone turned up. I remember feeling embarrassed and thinking ‘How am I ever going to make it?’. I was no stranger to rejection after not hearing back from singing competitions including The X Factor, The Voice, and Little Mix The Search. I questioned whether I actually

was ‘born to do this’ like I once thought. However, thanks to the support of my family and friends that evening, I ended up letting go and loving every second of my performance. Though there were few people, the energy in the room was immense. I promised my loved ones who had come to see me, including dear friend and fellow OC drama student Justin Morse (see how everything links in?), that they would see me in a big venue one day.

I continued posting singing videos on Instagram, did as many gigs as possible, and pushed my music until one day it caught the attention of the event owner of Espuma Ibiza at Amnesia Ibiza. They asked me to sing at one of the biggest clubs in the world for the Summer ‘23 season - not only that, but on the very island that my mum is from and that means so much to me. I felt like I had come full circle, and that every ballet class, piano lesson, drama rehearsal, supportive friend, family member and knockback had led me to this very moment where I was meant to be. I felt like I had made the four-year-old in that garden in Loughton proud.

Again, I really don’t want to sound cliché but DO NOT give up. If you love something, just keep on at it. Worst case scenario, nothing comes of it, but at least you are doing what you love. I have a long way to go, but I am loving every second of the journey. My most recent single Lemon Lime is available on all major music platforms. Another funny link – OC Maddie Prior (who is now an up-and-coming graphic designer) shot and edited the artwork.

God gives you all the ingredients, you just need to bake the cake!

OC PAST & PRESENT

Playing Hockey for Wales

C

harlotte James-Pajwani (2012-2019) made her debut for the Wales Senior Women National Team at the EuroHockey5s tournament in Walcz, Poland, from 28 June to 1 July 2023. This was a culmination of years of hard work training with ISCA Hockey Club, Exeter University, and Wales on top of her medical degree.

Charlotte had a good tournament, and it was a proud moment when she sang the Welsh national anthem.

BY JIM SURGUY (1952-1960)

Golden Oldies This photograph was taken at a lunch get-together in September 2023 where everyone in the picture is eighty or shortly will be. There were going to be fourteen of us but three had to drop out at the last minute so only eleven of us sat down to eat. It was a very convivial lunch in a private room at the Bleeding Heart in London, which went on for several hours.

Perhaps this is a demonstration that friendships formed in one’s formative years at school endure for life.

From left to right the dramatis personae are: Jim Surguy (1952-1960), Richard Rosser (1955-1962), Peter Nash (1954-1962), Chis Packford (1955-1961), Peter Bentley (1952-1960), Jon Wilson (1951-1961), Martin Muers (1954-1962), Jonathan Wood (1953-1963), Graham Olliffe (1953-1962), Peter Gordon (1953-1962), John Turner (1955-1962)

Reconnecting OC Friends Should you wish to get in touch with any former school friends, we would be happy to pass on your message. Please complete the ‘Find a Friend’ form on our website www.chigwellschool.org/visit-us and we will try our best to reconnect you.

You can also email us on philanthropy@chigwell-school.org or scan the QR code to access the form directly.

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OC CAREERS SUPPORT

Helping Chigwellians Find Their Way CAREERS AT CHIGWELL Chigwell offers a varied careers programme with sessions taking place throughout the term during lessons, PHSE sessions, lunchtimes and after school.

With a varied schedule of events including talks, presentations, workshops, curriculum activities and assemblies we are always very keen to hear from volunteers who may want to contribute their time and expertise.

March 2023 saw the return of our annual Careers Convention, with representatives from local and national businesses and organisations, as well as many higher education institutes and education providers and advisors.

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The Careers Convention is one of the highlights of our careers calendar, and it helps our pupils to make informed choices when choosing their GCSE and A Level subjects and planning for university and a career beyond.

The event provides you with a chance to showcase your company or organisation and network with other professionals, as we invite back OCs as well as new connections, institutions and industries. So if you would like to represent your area of work at the next event, please do get in touch.

For information on careers or apprenticeships, or if your company wants to offer apprenticeships, please contact Roxanne Darkin, Head of Careers: rdarkin@chigwell-school.org

DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (DAAS) This November saw the return of our programme designed to help our MVI students interested in applying for Degree Apprenticeships. These apprenticeships are growing in popularity and allow students to gain a university degree whilst earning a living and gaining valuable professional work experience without the student debt. This means competition for places is high, and we want to give our students the best start when applying for these opportunities.

Some sessions will be run by the AIM Group, who are funded by the government to support schools and students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship at post-16 and 18. Sessions will include CV, cover letter and application support, assessment centre preparation and interview techniques. If your company runs apprenticeships, if you work with apprentices or if you have completed an apprenticeship and want to talk about your experiences, please contact us.

MEET THE FUTURE This series of informal talks between OCs and current pupils focuses on topics such as university, first jobs, and changes of plan; in short, advice to their younger selves.

Such advice is invaluable to pupils deciding upon their future and we encourage Old Chigwellians like Poppy and Sophie to get involved.

Poppy Bradley (OC 2012-2019)

Sophie Strong (OC 2007-2009)

THE WILLIAMS PROJECT Named after OC Sir Bernard Williams, a late 20th century British philosopher, the Williams Project speaker society covers topics for all pupils aged 11-18 and staff. This venture provides opportunities for all at Chigwell to broaden and deepen their intellectual life outside the classroom in an informal environment.

Are you interested in being a speaker for the Williams Project? Please contact Ms T. Kwiecinska, Williams Project Coordinator: tkwiecinska@chigwell-school.org

OC EVENTS

BY RICHARD ROSSER (1955-1962)

OC Wednesday Lunch Club

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s a general rule, the members meet at the OC Clubhouse in Roding Lane on the first Wednesday of each month. All OCs, whether retired or not, and their wives, husbands, and partners are very welcome to attend these lunches. If you would like to join the mailing list, just send a message to Malcolm Rogers or Richard Rosser. Their e-mail addresses are: malcolm@themusickecompanye.com and richard.rosser@hotmail.co.uk One of the exceptions to the Wednesday rule is the Headmaster’s Invitation Lunch in July.

This year, Damian and Carrie King kindly entertained us in the Dining Hall on the day after the summer term ended. More than fifty members were treated to an excellent meal provided by Chartwells, the School’s catering team.

The other exception to the Wednesday rule is the Christmas Lunch, to be held this year on Thursday 14th December in the Dining Hall at School, allowing us to cater for greater numbers than at the Clubhouse. Last December, our Christmas lunch was attended by more than seventy.

On behalf of the members, Malcolm and I would like to express our thanks to Chartwells for providing exceedingly good lunches. We also want to give a heartfelt thank you for the hard work put in by the Chef, and the other members of Chartwells staff who run the bar, lay the tables and serve the lunches, all with the greatest efficiency and good humour.

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BY LISA MINA (PHILANTHROPY OFFICER)

155th Shrove Tuesday Event

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his year we celebrated the Old Chigwellians’ 155th Shrove Tuesday supper. It started with a service led by our new Chaplain, Rev David Wilson, together with readings by Rayn Ismail-Ahluwalia, Deputy Head of School and Jordan Erratt, Harsnett Praefect.

The evening continued with a prosecco reception where many OCs from the Class of 1951 to the Class of 2022 were chatting away and reconnecting. This was followed by a superb high quality three-course meal catered by Chartwells, including pancakes of course!

This year we created an archive booklet which went on every table, looking at Shrove Tuesday through the ages. I know myself, along with other staff members and governors, found it fascinating hearing stories of Old Chigwellians remembering their youth here. It was also great to meet some recent alumni and find out how they are doing at university.

Speeches were given by Aegean Simpson, the then President of the OCA, Damian King, Head and Molly Moloney, Head of School.

As with tradition, current school news was shared, including an update on the new Sport & Wellness Centre. Everyone then enjoyed tea and coffee with delicious chocolate truffles.

Thank you to all the organisers, FOC, Chartwells and our guests for coming and making it such an enjoyable event.

OC EVENTS

BY LISA MINA (PHILANTHROPY OFFICER)

Old Chigwellian Reunions

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n September, Chigwell School held three reunion events, a 1-year reunion for the Class of 2022, a 3-year reunion for the Class of 2020 and a 10year reunion for the Class of 2013. Around fifty Old Chigwellians were in attendance at each event, enjoying the food, a catch-up and a tour of the Houses. It was amazing to see everyone reconnecting and “feeling at home” during the visit to the school. Old Chigwellians looked at photos of themselves in their younger years at

CLASS OF 2013, 10-YEAR REUNION

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school, telling stories of how they had grown since their time here and what they had achieved thanks to their education in this special place. I do hope many more OCs join us for future events in 2024.

Please keep an eye on our Events webpage www.chigwell-school.org/alumni-events or email us on philanthropy@chigwell-school.org if you would like to support us in organising OC events.

OC EVENTS

Old Chigwellian Reunions CLASS OF 2020, 3-YEAR REUNION

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OC EVENTS

Old Chigwellian Reunions CLASS OF 2022, 1-YEAR REUNION

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OC EVENTS

BY MAYA FRAMPTON (ARCHIVIST)

Our New Old Chigwellians

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n April, an assembly for Chigwell School’s Middle Sixth pupils (upcoming 2023 leavers) was held, to guide them on their journey towards becoming Old Chigwellians.

Mr Scott Franssen explained how former pupils can keep in touch with Chigwell School once they leave through the Philanthropy Department, and outlined the kind of events hosted at School each year for Old Chigwellians.

Mrs Aegean Simpson (OC 1985-1987), then President of the OCA, met the pupils via videocall, and described the range of opportunities available to them through the Old Chigwellian network. Miss Gabriella Erratt (OC 20032013 and teacher at Chigwell School) shared similar feelings about the alumni community, and told of her experience meeting a fellow OC whilst on a university year abroad in Spain.

Pupils took away with them a booklet put together by the Philanthropy Department which linked them to: a keeping in touch form for the School, the OCA, social media groups for OCs, ways to be involved, and upcoming events.

OCA Annual General Meeting 2023

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n Tuesday 12th September, OCs from around the world and Chigwell School staff came together for the OCA Annual General Meeting. The Head, Damian King, updated everyone on the developments at School over the past year. Aegean Simpson followed with the President’s report on the many activities that have taken place since the last AGM, including Shrove Tuesday, reunions, and sporting matches. New officers were elected, and you can see who is in each role on page 5.

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OC LODGE

BY GRAHAM RICHARDSON (1969-1975)

Old Chigwellian Lodge

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his year, the Old Chigwellian Lodge celebrated its 75th Anniversary, having been formed as a school lodge in 1948. The highlight of the year’s celebrations was a 75th anniversary dinner held at Mark Masons Hall, St James’ Place, on 16th November. This was attended by officers from United Grand Lodge, other old school lodges, and the many friends of the lodge members.

The founding Worshipful Master was Old Chigwellian, B. L. Oxley, and today the lodge continues to thrive and attract new members from the OC community who wish to embark on a masonic journey and learn about Freemasonry.

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Following lodge tradition, our new Worshipful Master, Anil Sharad, a former Chigwell School parent, was installed to lead the lodge at our February meeting. This was followed by the annual school meeting held on 13th May in New Hall, finishing with a very enjoyable dinner with our partners in the School Dining Hall.

One of the principal moral virtues in all Masonic Lodges is charity and supporting worthy causes. As part of our Masters’ Charitable List, the Lodge sponsored the inaugural annual Bursary for a Sixth Form pupil at the school from September 2022. In addition, through a fun walk held in June 2023 at High Beach, funds were raised to support St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and a donation was made to the London Air Ambulance Appeal.

The Lodge meets in the evening four times a year, in February and May at Chigwell School, then in September and November at Mark Masons’ Hall in St James’s Place, London SW1.

Worshipful Master Anil Sharad on his Installation in February 2023

Are you curious about Freemasonry or the charitable work undertaken by the Lodge? New members are the life-blood of our Lodge and we are remarkably successful in bringing on new candidates every year.

If you would like to learn more about the School Lodge, please contact: membership@oclodge.co.uk or visit www.oclodge.co.uk

SUPPORTING PUPILS

Ways to get involved JOIN THE OC LINKEDIN GROUP

MEET THE FUTURE

The Old Chigwellians’ professional networking group on LinkedIn continues to grow as an important resource for alumni to communicate with each other as professionals.

You may find a valuable OC contact in your chosen sector amongst our LinkedIn membership.

This series of informal talks between OCs and current students focuses on issues such as university, first jobs, and changes of plan; in short, advice to their younger selves.

Such advice is invaluable to pupils deciding upon their future. Would you like to share your experiences in a ‘Meet the Future’ programme? Please contact Roxanne Darkin, Head of Careers: rdarkin@chigwell-school.org

Scan the QR code to join the Old Chigwellians’ private LinkedIn group.

DONATE Donate by phone: +44 (0)20 8501 5748 Donate online: www.chigwell-school.org/online-donations Donate by post: FREEPOST CHIGWELL SCHOOL

Or scan this QR code using the camera on your mobile phone to make an online donation today.

✃ Complete this form, cut it out, and send it to us: FREEPOST CHIGWELL SCHOOL Name: Address: Postcode:

Email:

£20

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£50

£150

or my own choice £ I enclose a cheque made payable to Chigwell School Please debit my Mastercard/Visa Card Number Expiry

Please read the statement below and tick the box if you are eligible for Gift Aid. By ticking this box I confirm that I would like Chigwell School to treat this donation and any donations in the future or made in the past 4 years as Gift Aid Donations.

I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay the difference.

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Please let us know if your tax circumstances or name and address details change so we can amend our records.

Signature Todays date

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Charity Number: 1115098

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SUPPORTING PUPILS

Chigwell School Bursary Fund Helping the Next Generation Bursaries provide financial support for children who show great promise in the entrance exam process, but whose families could not otherwise afford to send them to Chigwell School.

In addition, the Chigwell School Bursary Fund provides financial support to families whose children did not join the School with an assisted place, but whose circumstances have since changed. “ I hope that there will be more students, from backgrounds similar to mine, who will be sitting in the classrooms at Chigwell School feeling the way I did and getting the most out of the brilliant education the school offers.”

SHEHAB KHAN (2005-2012) BURSARY RECIPIENT

Bursary Recipients

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KAVINDU DE SILVA (2011-2018)

GURMINDER K. BHOGAL (1990-1992)

Kavindu received a First in Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree classification from Imperial in 2022

Gurminder is the Catherine Mills Davis Chair in Music at Wellesley College near Boston, U.S.A.

“ My time at Chigwell undoubtedly changed my life and has set me on my current path, allowing me to attend a top tier university and establish my career. The school provided me with a first class education, and more importantly the environment forged me into a well rounded person and allowed me to develop skills and relationships I will have for life. For this I will be eternally grateful to Chigwell School, and hope that the bursary scheme will be able to benefit many future students to come as it did me.”

“ Chigwell School helped me to identify my path and then gave me the tools to forge it. I will always be grateful to Chigwell, and I hope that current students will, when they are ready, reflect on their good fortune and find ways to help others thrive, as many generations of Old Chigwellians have done before them.”

Could you help us change a life?

Chigwell School’s mission to support those children who possess talent, ability and dedication, but who lack the financial means to benefit from the educational experience that we offer, remains as true today as it did for Samuel Harsnett nearly 400 years ago.

Our Bursary Fund campaign offers life-changing opportunities for young people whose parents would not otherwise be able to afford our fees.

To find out more about it and how you can help to support such an important cause please contact the Department of Philanthropy on 020 8501 5748, philanthropy@chigwell-school.org or visit www.chigwell-school.org/support-us/bursary-fund

“ We cannot thank you enough for giving my daughter this opportunity. Her life has almost certainly been changed by the hard work, time, effort and attention from your wonderful teachers. Chigwell really is a special place.”

BURSARY RECIPIENT PARENT CLASS OF 2019

SUPPORTING PUPILS

Leave a gift in your Will and change a life

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ince 1629, Chigwell School has been changing lives. It was founded by Archbishop Samuel Harsnett with a mission – to provide free or heavily subsidised places for local ‘poorer Scholars’. Four centuries later, the school has been through a number of changes, but our ethos and values remains the same: to be able to educate any child based on merit, no matter their family’s circumstances.

Legacies are vital to impact lives of young people for generations to come. As Chigwell School approaches its quadricentennial in 2029, please consider the school in your Will.

Legacy bequests are free from inheritance tax and gifts of shares and property are exempt from capital gains tax.

Making a Will is an important step and it is recommended that you seek independent professional legacy advice.

When making a bequest in your Will, please note that the beneficiary should be Chigwell School, registered charity number 1115098.

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THE 1629 SOCIETY

Legacies are vital to the lives of young people for generations to come.

We appreciate that making a bequest to Chigwell is a very personal decision. We understand that and, of course, would guarantee anonymity and respect privacy. However, we hope that you will inform us of your intentions so that we can thank you for your kindness and generosity during your lifetime.

In order that we can recognise the kindness of those who have remembered Chigwell in their Will we have created the 1629 Society, marking the year our School was founded. Everybody who has made us aware of their intention to include the School in their Will automatically becomes a member.

For further information please contact Mr Scott Franssen on 020 8501 5769 or email sfranssen@chigwell-school.org

OC SPORTS

BY RORY TAYLOR (2003-2014) - 1ST XI CAPTAIN

1st XI Football

42 Back Row (L-R): Matt Rutherford (VC), Joffe Bradley, Rory Taylor (C), Daniel Whitehead, Jasper Carr, Jamie Parman, Chris Kay Front Row (L-R): Dylan Bregman, Joe Klein, Jordan Erratt, Joshua Banfield, Ryan Farrant, Ben Alexander

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ff the back of a disappointing end to the 2021/22 season, the 1s were on a mission this year to gain that sought-after promotion back to the premier division that we couldn’t quite secure the season prior.

We started the season extremely strong, winning 7 out of our first 7 games, scoring a staggering total of 35 goals including a 13-0 win in our first round of the Arthur Dunn and a 4-0 win in our first round of the AFA. We had our eyes on one thing this season, and that was winning the league.

Unfortunately, the only team showing any chance of standing in our way was Chigwell’s biggest rivals, Forest, who managed to get off to an even better start to the season. Alongside this, we began to take our foot off the gas before the Christmas break with 2 losses in the league and 2nd round exits in both Cups.

Into the new year, sitting top of the table, it was still all to play for in the league. We started well with 3 wins from 3, but this was followed by 3 losses out of our next 4.

However, importantly, we were still yet to play you-knowwho! With two games against Forest to play at the back end of the season, we knew it would come down to these fixtures to decide who would win the league.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be: we fell at the final hurdle, losing the important first fixture against Forest, which meant that they went on to win the league. However, our hard work and determination throughout meant that we had finally secured promotion back to the premier division after 4 years. Oh, and we also ruined Forest’s unbeaten season by securing a victory in our final game of the season. A bittersweet ending!

Top GS and player of the season went to Joshua Hart, with an extremely impressive first year of Chigs 1st XI Football.

OC SPORTS

BY TOM STANDEN (2013-2020) - 2ND XI CAPTAIN

2nd XI Football

43 Back Row (L-R): Tommy Stolar, Ben Alexander, Tom Standen (C), Nikhil Deol, Charlie Carter, Amo Pawar, Hiran Solanki Front Row (L-R): Jack Redmond, Joe Williams, Jack Kelly, Scott Davidson, Anthony Koczan, Jake David

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he 2022/23 season was already a special one for me personally, as I had been asked to Captain the 2nd XI, with the assistance of Anthony Koczan who had been doing the job so well in years prior. It’s fair to say that being made Captain at such a young age, I needed the help!

When the group came back for pre-season, I could see we had a great crop of players with a good mix of experience and youth, and everyone was putting in the effort in preparation for the long season ahead.

Game week 1 saw us take all the points back after a hardfought 1-0 win away from home and - with confidence soaring - we felt we could push on and have a great season. In classic Old Chigs’ fashion, we then suffered two big defeats, missing some key players, and still working on integrating the new boys with the system we were playing. However, once it did click, we went on a great run of form from November to the start of April, playing 11 times, winning 6, and drawing 3.

It was during this impressive run that the most memorable games were played. A favourite moment of mine was playing Old Etonians, who finished as champions in this season, in back-to-back weekends and taking 4 points. Another would be one of the new lads, Dylan Moore, scoring two late goals to rescue a point in a 4-4 thriller at home. We finished the season in 7th place in what was a very competitive league, with only 3 points splitting us and 4th place.

I was very proud to take on the Captaincy this season and look forward to next year in my new role. On behalf of the whole club, I would like to give a huge thanks to Anthony who has served as 2nd XI captain now for many years. Additional thanks go to Club Captain Rory Taylor and Vice-Captain Matt Rutherford, but most importantly to all the players who helped us along the way in what was a great season for both sides.

OC SPORTS

BY MILES TAYLOR (1971-1978)

Golf Society

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his year has been a quieter year for the OCGS. The other schools in the Essex Public School Golf Society (Bancrofts, Brentwood, Felsted, Forest & Chigwell) have struggled to get teams out for our regular inter school alumni fixtures and so not all have been played. It was also decided to end the annual EPSGS Spring Meeting. This seems to be an ongoing problem for all the schools in all the sports, tennis, golf & even football.

The Halford Hewitt team lost in the first round in April at Royal St George’s GC to Taunton, but the Grafton Morrish team qualified brilliantly at the west area qualifying day at Denham GC for the finals in Hunstanton in mid October.

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Our annual Past Captain’s and Spring Meetings were combined this year and held at Royal Worlington and Newmarket GC (the home of Cambridge University golf) in glorious weather. We are now looking forward to our Yuletide Meeting at Chigwell GC on 17th December.

Four of our members about to tee off, L-R: Antony Robson (our brilliant Autumn Weekend organiser), David Oxley, Ross Berndes & Martin Brett

We really would love to have some new members, male, female, young or old, join the Society. The Yuletide Meeting on 17th December is a great day to join us and see what great fun and camaraderie can be had playing with the Society. Get a couple of OC friends from your year at school to join you. ALL standards are welcome.

If you would just like to be added to the Society’s email list so you get the year’s info, golf days and fixtures, just email me at milestaylor@btinternet.com and there will be no pressure to join but you will know what’s available if you so wish.

This year’s trophy winners. L-R: Rory Taylor, Will Taylor, Nad Kala, Buster Oxley & Matt Hutchin

OC SPORTS

BY HOWARD BERNDES (1967 – 1974)

OC Tennis Report

Back row L-R: Ross Berndes, Shakil Chaudhary, Richard Potter, Rory Taylor Front row L-R: Mike Bond, Howard Berndes

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ince the formation of the club in the 1980s, when the clubhouse was built, we have played in the South West Essex Summer Men’s Doubles League with varying degrees of success. We are currently in Division 4, competing home and away in fixtures against 8 local teams, and with 3 pairs playing 4 sets 2 against 2 of the opposing pairs.

The season started full of enthusiasm: with a strong side for our first match home to Epping, we came out winners 7-5. We were full of confidence to take on Avenue, the best side in the league, on the following Monday – only for it to be cancelled due to ‘clerical error’, as their home matches are scheduled to be played on Fridays! This was followed with an away win at Whitehall, running out winners 9.5-2.5. However, Connaught then cried off next match and Theydon Bois conceded the next match. With some key players away, we lost the return match with Epping, but it was an enjoyable evening as always, and we were made very welcome by OC Andrew Larkin, who now is their non-playing captain. Our next fixture was against Ongar, who only joined the league this year, and was where Barrie Sydenham, (father of Chris Sydenham OC, and much-missed maths teacher and tennis master), used to play. However, they were a younger, talented side and ran out comfortable winners of the league.

As always, the away game at Connaught is the highlight of the year. It was a closely fought contest with Will and Rory Taylor, watched by their dad Miles, helping us

to come out the top of a draw with more games won.

Champagne moment awarded to Miles for all the tennis lessons he paid for and we are benefiting from now, followed by celebratory drinks with some very good inexpensive Rioja, as it was the last match of the season with us ending up third.

Despite the cancellations, it was an enjoyable season with some good competitive tennis played against familiar old foes, with the customary tea and refreshments afterwards.

Thanks once again to Ross Berndes, affectionately known as El Captain, for all his hard work organising the team. Even with WhatsApp and a large squad, varied in age and talent, it is not an easy job with holidays, work commitments, injuries, new baby arrivals, and not forgetting late cry-offs.

I can never conclude a report without mentioning how blessed we are with the excellent facilities and the school’s invaluable contribution in maintaining the grounds and clubhouse, and without appealing to younger OCs to come and play next year. If you would like to, please contact Ross (Ross@rossmotors.co.uk), as it would be lovely to strengthen our squad further, particularly with some newer members.

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OC SPORTS

BY KATIE MAXWELL (2002 - 2012)

Ladies Sport

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fter some successful fixtures in the past, I am delighted to announce the OC Ladies have organised a Hockey fixture against the school’s 1st XI on Saturday 9th December 2023 on the newly laid Senior Astro. The game is starting at 9:30am and we hope to see many of you there, either playing or in a supporting capacity.

It is hoped that we can get more fixtures throughout the year, and in other sports too; if you are at all interested in getting involved, please do contact the Department of Philanthropy who will be happy to provide more information.

You can reach them by email at philanthropy@chigwell-school.org or by calling 020 8501 5748.

BOOK CORNER

Recommended Reads The Missing Musk Bob Gilbert’s The Missing Musk (2023) is a book about the mysteries of the natural world. Chapter 5 features a trip to Chigwell School, including the Science Preparation Room (‘a kind of curiosity shop of the sciences’; ‘if Dr Frankenstein had run out of equipment mid-experiment, this would have been his first port of call’). School staff, Chris Lord, Nicole Benjamin and Derek Wyatt-Barrett, and the ‘school caretaker’ are key to the discovery of a tardigrade – the micro-animal also known as a water bear.

The author describes this sighting at the School as ‘a moment as magnificent as any of my other significant encounters with wildlife, whether nesting sea eagles on Mull, wild bison in the Carpathian Mountains or alpine plants on the slopes of Ben Lawers’.

Mad About Shakespeare Jonathan Bate is a British academic and scholar who specializes in Shakespeare.

Mad About Shakespeare (2022) suggests the continual relevance of Shakespeare in modern life, and also describes the author’s personal journey with literature. Bate was taught English by Old Chigwellian Alan Hurd (1949-1956) at Sevenoaks School in Kent, whom he remembers fondly in this recent book as having a ‘Forsterian’ and ‘probing’ teaching style: he names Hurd as one of the inspirations who brought the Bard ‘alive’ for him.

William Penn: A Life Professor Andrew Murphy’s William Penn: A Life (2018) provides an in-depth study of one of Chigwell School’s most famous (or indeed legendary) alumni. The book has been named the ‘first major biography of Penn in more than forty years’.

The author visited the School as part of his research, in a trip that included a stop at ‘Penn’s’, the Senior School day house, as well as what is known as the ‘Penn Window’, where in 1656 the Quaker supposedly had his first spiritual experience.

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY CHRIS LORD (1975-1982)

Peter Clayton (Former Teacher)

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upils have no idea that their teachers aren’t just permanent parts of the place: the comic creation Nigel Molesworth thought that every morning the Headmaster went down to the dungeons below the school to release the masters from their cells. Joining the Third Form in 1975, some of us, particularly those who came from state primary schools, did indeed feel that we were entering a new and dangerous world. However, we later learnt that Dr Clayton was a new boy alongside us, and nothing like the intimidating professor we expected.

In those days we called our teachers various nicknames: Peter, though young, dynamic, and blessed with allround jet black hair, was known as ‘Action Man’ - ‘with realistic hair and beard’, as the advert used to say. But he was in fact so kind, unscary, and reassuring that, in one of the most embarrassing moments of my childhood (and there were many), I called out to him in class with ‘Grandma!’

Dr Clayton taught me for five years: Science in the Third and Fourth Forms, and then Physics up to O Level; my friends and I have fond memories of his clear, patient teaching, but more so of his witty answers to our adolescent ‘humour’. I was also surprised and delighted when he shattered our Molesworthian view of teachers by confessing a liking for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.

Dr Clayton was the teacher who brought in COMPUTERS, particularly the BBC Micro, of which there was one in each day house. There was also a particularly fine machine - the ‘380Z’ - in the Science Library. We spent a lot of our free time at these machines, learning,

under Dr Clayton’s guidance, to programme.

This was the beginning of a new direction for him…

Moving on to 1991, when I started work at Chigwell, Peter (for now I could call him this) was the doyen of computers. Working from ‘Doc’s Box’ (part of what is now Biology lab S3), he single-handedly ran the array of Acorn Archimedes computers which pervaded the School.

When, around 1998, the time had come to handle a newfangled thing called ‘The Internet’, Peter ran the new Apple network, as well as configuring and managing the coloured clamshell iBooks given to teachers. Peter later served for many years on the ICT Committee: always a voice of reason and principle, cautioning against some of the more wild-eyed ideas aired, focusing on what actually worked.

The new ‘Doc’s box’ was the little office in between the current Mac room and the smaller D&T classroom, and many-a-time did staff knock for Peter’s help with their computers. Entering that office brought calm - Peter had constant classical music playing, and always had time for everyone. Pupils felt this too. Our boarders in Sandon frequently told us how excellent a teacher Peter was ‘kind’ and ‘patient’ being the adjectives used most, just as when we first met him, in 1975.

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY ANNE-MARIE SHAER, NÉE DE BOER (1981–1991)

Clive Pieter de Boer (1951-1957)

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live was born in April 1940 to Edith and Pieter (a Dutchman) and grew up in Woodford Green alongside his older sister Sonia.

Inquisitive and spirited from an early age, Clive wanted to know about everything. As a child, he would take his mother’s watches apart to see how they worked; he forayed into taxidermy, dissecting dead birds and small animals found in Epping Forest; he made his own fireworks and drove his mother to distraction with his constant questioning. This thirst for knowledge was cultivated first at Woodford Green Prep School and then at Chigwell School, which he joined at age 11; he did not know then that this establishment would be a constant throughout his life.

During his time at Chigwell, Clive made lifelong friends: David Edwards, Tony Regan, Joe Boreham and Brian Woods were a force to be reckoned with. These firm friends played sport, socialised, travelled and generally caused mischief wherever they went. He loved his time at Chigwell and used to say “Once a Chigwellian, always a Chigwellian!”. He embraced all aspects of school life, both in and out of the classroom. A keen sportsman, he broke the javelin record and was an integral member of the football and cricket teams. He later became a Governor, then Chairman of the Governors, a role he took very seriously. He was behind the building of the Pre-Prep, two new boarding houses, catering facilities and a new classroom block. Former Headmaster Michael Punt said that Clive really believed in a school that offered a broad holistic education, one that didn’t just measure success in terms of exam results but by the people it produced. It was inevitable that his three daughters would all attend Chigwell’s Sixth Form.

Leaving school in 1959, Clive relocated to Devon to work on a dairy farm: he was happiest when outside tending the land, he had dreams of becoming a farmer.

Learning he would never earn enough there, though, he moved back to Woodford Green to a job at the Midland Bank. In 1964, he applied for a position at Harrods on the shop floor - to his mother’s dismay! His Harrods journey began in the China Department, then he worked his way through most departments to become a buyer,

and then divisional manager. In 1988, he became Merchandise Director and by 1994 was Managing Director.

Like Chigwell, Harrods was hugely important in Clive’s life, but when asked what he did for a living, he would say that he worked in a corner shop. He was forever modest of his achievements.

Clive retired in 1999 and was excited at the prospect of having freedom to pursue his hobbies. He relished in nurturing his vegetable patch, took up printing, painting and pottery once again and joined Loughton Probus where old friendships were rekindled. He continued to give much of his time to Chigwell School. Tragically, it was during this time that his adored wife Deanna, became ill with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Throughout her long illness he never wavered in his attention, care and devotion towards her and visited her daily when she eventually went into a nursing home in 2005. He supported his three daughters, Anne-Marie, MarieClaire and Colette and their families, demonstrating true strength, stoicism and love by taking on the role of both parents and maintaining a sense of calm for his family. Throughout his life, he was always grateful for what he had and did not shy away from adversity.

When interviewed on his retirement from Harrods, he was asked about his philosophy on life. He answered, “Probably my old school motto, which was ‘Aut Viam Invenium Aut Facium’ which translates as ‘Find a way or make a way’. As a boy I thought nothing of it, but with the passage of time it has become more applicable to life.”

The lessons he learnt as a child at Chigwell, he carried with him throughout his life.

Clive passed away surrounded by his daughters on the 29th September 2022, shortly after a much cherished family holiday to Tuscany. He is missed unspeakably by his family and friends, but his legacy lives on.

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY VALERIE ELLIS (WIFE)

Howard William Hancock Ellis (1943-1952)

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oward died on 2nd July 2023 after a long period of ill health which he bore with great fortitude and patience. His family supported him throughout this very trying period, particularly the time he was admitted to a nursing home because of his acute physical weakness.

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Howard was born in Abridge, Essex on the 29th of August 1934 where he lived with his parents and brother Richard (OC 1945-1955). His father was the local GP, and his mother ran the surgery, patients, and home. Both boys attended Chigwell School, Howard as a boarder.

Throughout his life many of his oldest and dearest friends were those whom he met at Chigwell School. On leaving school, he continued his studies, being articled to Carnaby, Harrower & Barham in the City on 10 shillings a week. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1960.

Howard then served as a National Serviceman. He joined the Royal Artillery, training firstly on a field gun and later on an anti-aircraft gun. He was finally posted to the Thunder Bird 36 Guided Weapon Regiment. He completed an extended period of two and a half years as a full Lieutenant, due to extra service required following the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961. During a lot of this time he lived in Duisburg, Germany with his wife, Val. They first met in 1958 and enjoyed a lifelong loving partnership together. They married in 1961 and were blessed with three children: Julia, Penny and Jonathan (OC 1982-1990), all of whom brought him great joy with their many accomplishments, and their five delightful and much loved granddaughters.

On leaving the Army, he joined Chartered Accountants Spicer and Pegler in the City for two years, then moved to Coubro and Scrutton, Lifting Gear experts in Barking. In 1974, he worked briefly in the secondary banking sector and then moved to join Harris Carpets in Orpington - having been interviewed in the dark due to electricity blackouts during the three-day week period.

He held various positions within Harris Carpets, Harris Queensway, Carpet Right, and Harris Ventures where he stayed with Lord Harris until he retired in the 1990s, to concentrate on his City Livery work.

In 1969, Howard became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and, following an offer ‘to help stick on the stamps’, he was appointed to the part-time job of Clerk to the Company in 1982, retiring in 1997. He was also made Registrar to the Examinations Board, from which he retired in 1999.

In 1995, Howard also became Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters. On retirement in 2003, both he and Val were made Honorary Liverymen of that Company. During his time undertaking City work he joined two Ward Clubs as well as The City Livery Club.

In his downtime and retirement, he spent many hours mending and fixing anything (from electrical items, to repairing antique furniture and carpentry), driving his narrow boat, collecting his stamps, visiting France to taste the wine, visiting Switzerland to see his first two granddaughters, watching and scoring cricket matches, and watching documentaries or comedy on the TV. Val and the whole family have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support given to them by friends and work colleagues and the enduring respect shown to Howard for his unassuming but very precise work ethic.

They would thank all those who have written, called in or phoned, sent wonderful flowers and/or attended his funeral. This has lifted them and helped them to remember Howard with love and happiness.

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY DAVID SIMPSON (1962–1968)

Paul Stephen Farmer MBE (1961-1968)

T

he Walde Music School opened the year after Paul arrived at Chigwell. It was there that Paul’s already evident musical talents blossomed. His instruments of choice were the notoriously difficult French horn and of course the organ which he played in the chapel and which remained a passion for the rest of his life. He was a brilliant pianist, able to play anything by ear from first hearing.

Paul went on to the Royal College of Music graduating in 1972. It was after this that Paul’s long career in the field of education began.

He studied for a Diploma and MA in Education while teaching at Holland Park School – one of the earliest comprehensives in London. He became Head of Music and, eager to find ways of motivating his pupils to get involved in music, developed a course in pop music which evolved into a fully-fledged CSE in the subject.

A Year 4 pupil of his went on to form the famous reggae band Aswad and one of Paul’s books written around that time ‘Music in the Comprehensive School’ became a definitive source on the subject.

Paul moved on to Dick Sheppard School in Lambeth as Deputy Head, later becoming Head Teacher – at 33 years old the youngest Head Teacher within the Inner London Education Authority. Challenging political activism amongst the teaching staff at that school was a factor in Paul later going into local politics.

Another headship in Lewisham followed after which Paul decided to return to classroom teaching. He moved to Walsham le Willows in Suffolk teaching music as well as being a choirmaster and church organist and an examiner in music for Trinity College London. Paul also found time to start up The Men’s Health Trust, the UK’s first men’s health charity.

In Suffolk Paul got involved in local politics, elected as a county councillor in 1992. He subsequently became a very committed and popular borough and town councillor for St Edmundsbury. For his services to the local community he was awarded the MBE by HM the Queen in 2013 Paul was characteristically modest about the awards and plaudits he received – he never brought them up in conversation. His rapier wit was legendary: assuming Paul’s wife was also a musician, someone asked him what she played. Paul’s answer was “Havoc”. Even after lifechanging complications from Parkinson’s Disease in 2018 (11 years after diagnosis) Paul could still be funny and mischievous – his humour somehow percolating through the adversity.

Paul died at home on 28th April 2023. His wife Angela, his sister, four daughters, fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive him.

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY SCOTT FRANSSEN (DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY)

Sir Robert Gerken (1943-1948)

S

ir Robert “Bob” William Frank Gerken died on 20 December 2022, at the age of 90. Bob was born in Tottenham and grew up in Newbury Park, Ilford. He and his older brother, Michael attended Chigwell School after receiving scholarships. A lifelong relationship with Chigwell ensued, with Bob serving on the Board of Governors during the 1980s and 1990s, during which time Tony Little was appointed as Headmaster.

He attended Chigwell during WWII. He was active in the CCF and was responsible for watching for bombers. If any were spotted, Bob was instructed to alert pupils by ringing the school bell directing them to go to air raid shelters. The only incident of concern occurred on a Saturday in which he spotted a plane that went down near Buckhurst Hill.

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At age 16, Bob left Chigwell School and entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, which led to him to joining the Royal Navy in 1948. His esteemed Naval career included serving as Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Andromeda as well as Captain of the 6th Frigate Squadron in 1974. He went on to become Captain of the Fleet in 1978, Flag Officer, Second Flotilla in 1981 with promotion to rear-admiral from 7 July 1981, and Director-General, Naval Manpower and Training in 1983.

Promoted to vice-admiral on 15 November 1984, his last appointment was as Flag Officer Plymouth and Port Admiral, HMNB Devonport in 1985 before he retired in April 1987.

Upon his retirement, the first sea lord, Admiral Sir William Staveley wrote to Bob on behalf of the Admiralty Board saying, “you will long be remembered for the leadership, immense skill and depth of wisdom you brought to your many and varied appointments.” He is fondly remembered by countless numbers of people.

In 1966, he married Christine Stephenson; and they had two daughters, Charlotte and Victoria. Following the death of his first wife, he married Ann Fermor (née Blythe) in 1983.

Sir Robert was a sunny soul, a loving and beloved husband and father.

For a more thorough history of his life, please view his obituary in The Telegraph.

www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2023/01/12/ vice-admiral-sir-robert-gerken-distinguished-navalofficer-who

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY MAYA FRAMPTON (ARCHIVIST)

Doug Harryman (Former Teacher)

D

oug joined Chigwell School in 1972 as Teacher of Mathematics, after working at a school in Stevenage, and dedicated thirty-six years to the service of the School.

Old Chigwellians taught by Doug recall how he helped so many of his students achieve results well beyond expectation, and even go on to pursue maths in further education and careers. Alongside teaching, he was Housemaster of Lambourne for 10 years, as well as an enthusiastic sporting coach and first aider. He encouraged students to look out for each other’s safety, and ensured that everyone of them gained a Red Cross certificate by the time they left school. In 1996, he became Examinations Officer, and guided generations of pupils through GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels for over a decade. Many Heads of Department, too, were indebted to his approachability and problem-solving when they needed help with exam-related matters.

Outside his ‘official’ duties, Doug participated widely in school life - always willing to be included in House Music festivals, and always there to lend support whenever needed.

He was a devout man, and is remembered for his singing at Chapel services as well as his guitar playing. He was a founding member and leader of the Christian Union, which flourished under him, and provided a refreshing forum for students at lunchtime. Doug was responsible for organising a range of visiting speakers to attend

the school, and inspire students to challenge received wisdom and think for themselves. He was also passionate about fitness and was often seen striding across the grounds in his weight belt and kit – or impressing students with his bench-pressing abilities in the gym.

Staff and pupils alike describe Doug as kind, caring, and fair, with a patience that was legendary. He forged strong connections to the School: despite retiring in 2008, he returned to Chigwell to teach Maths in the Sixth Form.

He will be very much missed.

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY DAVID BALLANCE (FORMER TEACHER)

Louis Hodgson (Former Teacher)

L

ouis Hodgson, who taught Biology at Chigwell School from 1969 to 1980, died in hospital on 24 March 2022 after a short illness, aged 86.

Louis was born at Market Harborough on 24 October 1935. He attended Stamford School, where he developed interest in chemistry and biology. After A Levels, he gained a place at Durham University, graduated with a 2:1 in Botany, and stayed for an Education year, during which he taught at Rossall, Lancashire. His first post after that was at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Blackburn; he then moved to Adams’ Grammar School in Newport, where among his pupils were the Corbyn boys. At this time, he drove the first of a series of distinctive cars – an Armstrong-Siddeley, then the widest car in British production.

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In 1968, Louis decided to move to the south-east, and in January 1969 he took over the Biology Department at Chigwell. His car, by now a heavyweight Rover threelitre, raised the standard of Front Quad machinery. Its owner soon became a notable figure around the school, flourishing one of a variety of walking sticks, invariably smartly dressed, and often teaching in a gown, which was unusual in a scientist.

For the first half of his ten-year stint at Chigwell, his biology lab was in the ex-Army hut opposite the Music School - generally known as Room Nine. At the time, Biology O Level was chosen by those looking towards medicine. Among these, he taught Paul Marks, eventually a Professor of neurosurgery and now a coroner. His older students (who would include some of the first girls in the Sixth Form) were soon being taught about the chemical mysteries of brewing, and when the new Monday Scheme of activities replaced the CCF in 1976, liquids of varying colour and potency were concocted.

Louis also introduced masters and senior boarders to croquet, which occupied us for many hours on the Library lawn. These were the Seventies: the aftermath of the Pop explosion, Heath’s triumph and failure, inflation, long hair and flares, Reggie Perrin’s world of

business failure (Louis’ favourite TV series), and the retirements of the Chigwell Old Guard and coming of the House System. Louis moved his lab into the new Science Block extension, and took refuge in music: he played the violin, clarinet, and taught himself the bagpipes. He knew The Importance and Zuleika Dobson almost by heart.

One thinks of him, perhaps, as Edwardian, but if he had been one, he would have found his ideal world further back, with Peel or Palmerston.

From early on at Chigwell, he would take his car out on Saturday afternoons (latterly an Austin Princess, with its walnut fascia) to see his parents, returning on Sunday evening. In 1980, he left Chigwell, and accepted a job in a preparatory school in Neville Holt, which allowed him to be nearer his father. He passed much time as a member of a local radio club (to which Paul Marks also belonged), and made many worldwide contacts. Eventually he had to give up driving, but he was looked after by a devoted carer. Later on, he moved into a care home, where he suffered a heart attack, and died peacefully in a Leicester hospital. He was buried in Market Harborough cemetery, near his parents, and close to their old home south of the Welland Bridge. Flowers were sent on behalf of the School.

In compiling this account, I have been greatly helped by his younger brother Brian, his niece Vicky, his friend Simon Day, as well as by Paul Marks (OC 1969-1974).

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY DOROTHY INWARDS (WIFE)

Michael Anthony Inwards (1950-1956)

I

n 1950, Michael gained a scholarship to Chigwell School, where he spent happy years making lifelong friends, and participating in all the aspects of school life. He represented the School in tennis, cricket, swimming and football. He enjoyed break time activities like acorn fighting and marbles. He often proudly displayed his huge spiral “36 er” he had won, wearing out a great many trouser knee in doing so!

After Chigwell, he took a course on bookkeeping and accountancy, law and economics at Walthamstow Technical College, before becoming an Articled Clerk with a firm of Chartered Accountants in London. After five years studying in the evenings, he passed his exams to become a Financial Chartered Accountant. During this time, he met Dorothy, and they married in 1960. Their first home was in Buckhurst Hill where they had two children, Danny and Kerry.

Michael then joined the Dutch company, Philips, who offered him a post in Buenos Aires, Argentina, so with two small children they set off on a two-year adventure.

Their third child, Toby, was born there. Philips had taken over Pye of Cambridge and in 1968 Michael joined the managing team. They bought a thatched house in Cottenham where they spent eight happy years, and Michael enjoyed playing tennis and captained the Cambridgeshire team.

In 1988 he was sent to Stamford University for a Senior Management Programme - an incredible experience all round. In 1994, they returned to London, where Michael spent over two years as Financial Director of Philips UK, then Chairman of Philips Interactive Media Europe until retiring at 55 in 1989. His retirement was long and wonderful: taking on non-exec roles, playing golf, seeing friends and family, especially his adored granddaughters. Season tickets at Chelsea FC were a highlight, and other passions included music, cinema, theatre, and a huge appetite for reading. Each year, several months were spent in The Lot, France, in their rustic village house whose boules pitch was the setting for many a competition with the French neighbours, who loved their victories over “les Anglais”!

His sudden death on January 16th 2023 on the first tee of the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf course leaves an enormous void for all those that loved him. His infectious smile, wit, intelligence and caring ways will be missed by so many.

In 1976, he was promoted to Director of Administration, Philips UK, so the family moved to Twickenham. Michael took a post in Madrid, then Barcelona – with fluent Spanish from Argentina – and to Karachi, Pakistan in 1982. Karachi equalled two marvellous years of new experiences, visits from family and friends, holidays to India, the Philippines, and the Far East. In 1984, Michael became a Financial Director at Philips in Holland, and they lived in Oirschott with their dogs for five years.

Michael learned to speak Dutch fluently, much to the amazement of his colleagues. He was invited to join a select club of Philips Financial Directors, the Heren 17, the only British member to be bestowed this honour.

1953 Football Team Top row (L-R): Mike Hutchin, Mike Inwards, Stuart Brewer, Jack Porter, Dennis Bloomfield Second row (L-R): Jeff Aldridge, Rod Gill, Geoffrey Benton, Chris Joslin, Ed Hutton Front left: Tim Norris Front right: Tim Milbank

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY TONY PORTER (1953-1960)

Steve Mattick (1950-1960)

S

teve spent as long as a pupil could at Chigwell School in that era. He was always a boarder, moving from Grange Court, through Harsnett’s, to School House, as one did then. The younger Steve had been a (very good) Patrol Leader and dormitory captain, whereas the older Steve became more of a rebel. At the same time, his artistic nature was always evident - nurtured perhaps from the start by the superb gallery Arnold Fellows had, and finding its expression not just in Art classes but also in scene-painting, and even appearing in a Ken Campbell production, The Man in the Bowler Hat.

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It came as no surprise when contemporaries learned that Steve and his best friend Dave Meredith had taken themselves off to Australia as soon as they were able, where, it was said, they used real guns to control the dingoes. What perhaps was surprising was learning later of Steve’s burgeoning career as an architect, not as the result of studying for a professional qualification, but something that grew out of renovations done with friends. It became a profession, one in which he became highly respected – involving a commission at Poundbury, for example. The then Prince of Wales liked the way Mattick buildings fitted into their surroundings so well that they might have been there for hundreds of years.

Other commissions naturally followed, with similarly delighted customers.

Mattick Architectural Design has a near fiftyyear history, mostly in East Anglia - and all the while never used a computer, just Steve’s meticulous freehand drawings. He won several awards and was working right up to his death, albeit on selected projects. He enjoyed living in some of those renovated houses.

He never lost interest in Chigwell, either, keeping his perceptive eye on the recent renovation of the main school building for example, and he never lost his love of his close family. He died at home on March 9th 2023, and our thoughts and prayers are with his widow, Roseanne, and his daughters, Olivia and Chloe.

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY GERALDINE MILBANK (WIFE)

Timothy Milbank (1950-1957)

T

im spoke often, and fondly, of his time at Chigwell, and his formative years there made a profound impression on him. At the School, he really enjoyed his sporting activities of football and cricket - he was very upset when he was banned from the cricket team after losing his temper and throwing a ball through the Library window! However, perhaps it was a good thing in the end, because he then joined the swimming team, eventually becoming Captain and the proud winner of several medals when competing against other school teams.

He joined the Scouts and the CCF and took part in all their events with great enthusiasm. He particularly remembered one Summer expedition when he went with the Kember twins, among others, and they took disadvantaged children on an adventure for a few days. He became a Sergeant in the CCF and was allowed to visit a Regiment in Germany to discover life in a tank. This experience whetted his appetite for Army life when it was time to do National Service.

Tim took great pride in the fact that Mrs. Thompson, the Headmaster’s wife, taught him to dance in his senior years. When Tim went back for a school reunion, about 50 years later, she was there as a guest, and she spoke to Tim and said she remembered dancing with him. I accompanied him to a reunion lunch in 2009, when he and his classmates were 70, and I was impressed by the delight they took in each other’s company and how they chatted away as if all the years between hadn’t happened.

After Tim died, a friend - who knew him well through his lifelong activities with Round Table and various Army charities – wrote: “Tim was a lovely, kind man with a strong desire to serve others”. I am sure that spending those years at Chigwell School helped to shape and develop that aspect of him, and taught him values that lasted the rest of his life.

Tim’s (centre) final year at Chigwell, including classmate Harvey Crush and the Kember twins

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Tim’s mother, father, older sister Shirley and younger brother Jeremy on Jeremy’s first day at Chigwell, with Tim in his Scout uniform

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY TONY PORTER (1953-1960)

Malcolm Pfaff (1953-1960)

M

alcolm was a modern linguist, musician (Essex Youth Orchestra), thespian (Algernon Moncrieff), tennis player (captain of lst VI), lst XI centre-half (for three years, unique). At sixteen, he toured Germany by bike with Ken Campbell. Schooled to know that Bradford is the centre of the woollen industry, and fluent in Head of Maths Graham Jones’ idiosyncratic vocabulary, Malcolm left Chigwell on a Choral Scholarship to Queen’s College, Oxford. The College wanted him to read music and learn to play the piano (strange they hadn’t realised he didn’t) and work; Malcolm wanted to read PPE and preferred soccer, tennis and bridge.

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Malcolm left Oxford after a year, found a job with Lloyds of London (and appeared to be heading for a career in the City), when he suddenly announced to his parents that he wanted to play the French horn professionally and was entering the RCM. They were themselves musical but were shocked, especially when on qualifying Malcolm did not find a job. After a few months freelancing, he was asked by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra if he was available to fill in for five days. Five days turned into the rest of his professional life: he filled every position in the horn section, became Union Steward and ended up in management, as well as playing in concert halls all over the world. (The writer, memorably, heard the BSO at The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam).

Malcolm married Christine, with whom he had three children, Rupert, Eleanor and Madeleine. After they divorced, he met his second wife, Jane, at a concert in Bristol. He settled in Dorset, and after retirement became a school governor, continued his travelling (not only through Europe, as in his youth, but also to far-off places such as Bhutan), was always a most generous host, and remained dedicated to his family. The diagnosis of terminal illness came almost out of the blue. He dealt with it stoically and died on September 23rd 2022, at home, nursed by Jane and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY IAN ROBERTS (1954-1961)

Gordon Ernest John Roberts (1950-1960)

G

ordon, the first of three sons, was born on 11th July 1937. We all went to Oaklands a local Prep school in Buckhurst Hill, before migrating to Chigwell. Gordon first joined as a border at Haylands, then moved to Harsnetts but later he and younger brother Stephen became day boys. Their teenage years were happy and lively, a time many enduring school friendships were established. Like the majority of pupils Gordon joined the Cadet Corps, a foretaste of National Service. However, he strived to avoid sport!

Nevertheless, Mike Hutchin, a lifelong school friend, recalls how, one day, unexpectedly and without any training, Gordon entered the 3-mile road race from Abridge to the School gates. Astonishingly he led the field, so was catapulted into the cross-country and athletics teams!

The premature death of our father meant that Gordon and Stephen had to leave school. Gordon was called up, joining the Military Police in Munster, Germany. By repute a case of poacher turned gamekeeper! There he met Mady his first wife and his only child Angela was born. Sadly, there was to be a separation, following which Gordon met and married Paula, known as “Stupps”. Gordon left the army and returned to the UK joining Freeman, Hardy and Willis. This proved a time for catching up and renewing old friendships.

Then, tragically, Stupps died which led Gordon to leave for California to begin afresh. There he qualified as an Estate Agent, met and married Roberta, who had two adopted children, Samantha and Walter.

They moved north to live and work in Cobb, Lake County, for many years. Wider family considerations prompted a move to Kansas which proved challenging. Gordon and Roberta divorced, and he returned to the UK, finally settling in Norfolk with his partner Pauline, a widow he had known many years before.

Gordon, always busy, enhanced every home and garden with his D.I.Y. skills, latterly crafting bespoke bird tables.

We miss him, not least for his humour, generosity, and viewing his American classic car on his driveway. He died suddenly on 14th December 2022.

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LIVES REMEMBERED

BY GLEN BLAKE (1959-1966)

Jim Retter (Former Teacher)

A

s reported in last year’s edition of The OC Mitre, Jim Retter - Physics Master at Chigwell from 1951 until his retirement in 1989, Head of Science from 1965, and Deputy Head from 1975 - died in Winchester in January 2022.

Jim was born in 1927 in the village of Talbot Green, a few miles outside Cardiff, where his father and grandfather were the village bakers. Although his speech showed no detectable trace of a Welsh accent, years later, in his 90s, he was still able to perfectly recite the Lord’s Prayer in Welsh to Christine and myself when we visited him in his retirement home.

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In 1944, Jim won a scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, and - too young to be conscripted - he went up to read Physics. After graduation in 1948, his first teaching post was at St. Alban’s School, an ancient foundation where daily morning prayers were held in the Abbey.

There he met Jean Trounce, the school Matron. In 1951, Jim moved to Chigwell, and in the following summer he and Jean were married at Southwark Cathedral.

Jean’s father and older brothers were doctors who had trained at Guy’s Hospital. Jean did her nursing training at Guy’s too and likely worshipped across the road at the Cathedral, which would explain the choice for their wedding. After their marriage, she and Jim settled into a flat in Loughton. From here, they moved to a house on Roundmead Avenue, near St. John’s Church, where Jim later became churchwarden. Had he stayed at St. Alban’s, he would have taught physics to Stephen Hawking, who started at the school in 1952.

When Jim arrived at Chigwell in September 1951, Donald Thompson had recently taken over as Headmaster. The hub of the school was Chapel Quad, where Jim would have stood duly gowned on his first morning awaiting the Head’s arrival for Callover, after which staff filed into Chapel and turned right into the choir stalls. All his working life, he drew strength from the short chapel

service. Among his new colleagues in his first five years were four others whose whole careers were devoted to the School. In 1954, Jim was joined by Fred Baguley, who taught physics, mathematics, and divinity. “Bags” had taught at a missionary school in Wuhan, China, during the 1930s but returned to the UK with his Malayanborn Chinese wife, Ming Te, when China was closed to foreigners in 1952.

For the first ten years after the war, no new buildings could be contemplated. Physics was taught in a somewhat dilapidated wooden double-classroom located opposite the present site of the Walde Music School. Back then, there was little beyond the New Hall classrooms apart from playing fields and a single classroom in Hainault House. But with a steady flow of dayboys who had passed their eleven-plus and received a free education at Chigwell, better science facilities were clearly required. A new Science Block was opened in 1958, and the wooden hut was handed over to the school’s first full-time biology teacher, John Pollack. In 1965, Bill Thurston, then Chemistry Master, retired, and Jim took over as Head of Science. In 1975, he succeeded Ken Dales as Second Master.

LIVES REMEMBERED

In September 1959, Form 3A first met Jim when he refereed our Saturday afternoon soccer games. For many years, he was in charge of the Under-12 cricket team. In Loughton, he was a keen long-distance walker with a local club. After the overnight sponsored walks were introduced, he always took part with Alan Reeder, and they always finished. Famously, in 1973, in a story that made the local press, ten out of ninety-three starters finished a 53-mile walk along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, including Jim, his son David, and Classics Master Michael Brandon. Later, in his 80s, on our visits to Roundmead Avenue, he would tell Christine and myself about his long walks with the Ramblers’ Association in the Essex countryside.

resident. He took up new interests, including starting a poetry reading group, painting, and attending the Friday morning services held by Revd. Geordie. The Care Home made Jim their Ambassador, helping new residents settle in and talking to visitors looking for a place for an elderly relative. One Christmas, one of his paintings was chosen for the Mayor of Winchester’s Christmas card. On our visits, we always found him alert and full of conversation.

After Jim retired in 1988, he and Jean stayed in Loughton, and they celebrated their Golden Wedding in the School Chapel in 2002. On our annual visits each summer, he and Jean were unfailingly kind and welcoming. He always made a kind offer to pick us up at Loughton Station, which we always refused, not wanting to put him to any trouble. He kept an immaculate garden and, as we sat in the shade in the afternoon, he would tell us of his activities with the local Probus Club, St. John’s Church, his recent walks, and about their many grandchildren.

When Jean’s health deteriorated in 2017, they moved to a residential care home in Winchester, close to their son David and to Simon, one of their grandchildren. For Christine and myself, this welcome proximity meant that we were able to visit them every fortnight instead of once a year. In the care home, Jim was an outstanding

I am indebted to David Ballance, David Retter, and Alan Reeder for their important contributions to this account.

Unfortunately, Jean died in March 2019. Jim, now frail, caught COVID after a hospital visit and died on 9 January 2022. A Thanksgiving Service was held in the little Norman church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Littleton, near Winchester, on 10 February.

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Jim and his wife Jean

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY MICHAEL WILCOCKSON (SON)

Colin Wilcockson (1942-1951)

C

olin was born in 1932 in Leytonstone and brought up in Loughton, Essex. He joined Chigwell School in 1942, became a Praefect in 1950, and Head Boy in 1951. One of his close friends was David Stevens (who returned to Chigwell in 1976 as chaplain and later boarding housemaster). Whilst at school, he was much inspired by the Welsh chaplain Parry Davenport and this influence, alongside Colin’s evacuation during the war to his uncle in Brecon, sealed his love of all things Welsh.

Fittingly, he died on St David’s Day.

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From Chigwell he went up to study English Literature at Merton College, Oxford where he was made a Choral Exhibitioner and sung regularly in the college chapel choir.

Music, especially Mozart and Haydn were very important to him, and his three sons have benefitted enormously from his love of it. He had played the trumpet at school and performed in various university groups, but it was his academic love of medieval literature, in particular, which he pursued.

After finals he thought about a doctorate, but his mother felt it time he did something useful, so he completed a fourth year doing the Diploma in Education. His old Headmaster at Chigwell, Dr James, was now Headmaster of Harrow School and invited Colin to do his teaching practice term at Harrow; his vocation as a teacher never left him.

From Oxford, Colin went to teach English and some O Level Latin at Campbell College, Belfast. Shortly afterwards, he married Pam and after four years they moved to The Leys School in 1959. Colin found a kindred academic spirit in the Headmaster, Alan Barker, who appointed him Head of English and later Deputy Headmaster - posts he did concurrently. He was an officer in the CCF, but his particular interest was full-bore shooting which he had learnt in the Chigwell CCF, and he coached the 1st VIII Shooting team for many years.

Colin was an all-round schoolmaster. He gave of his time generously to all his pupils, pastorally and academically.

But it was his love for English literature which absorbed him intellectually and he wanted all his pupils to feel the same whether it was the lowest Third Form set or Oxbridge high-flyers. He taught a one-year fast track

English A Level course especially designed for bright boys who might otherwise have never studied English.

Christopher Hitchens was just one of many who was inspired by these lessons to go on and develop a love of words, literature and poetry.

Colin might have pursued his schoolmaster life, but in 1973 he was elected to a fellowship at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He had already informally been asked to carry out some supervisions at the college so the transition to the academic world was a natural progression. He had written his first academic book, Selections from Piers Plowman (1965), at The Leys. He also became a Governor for Chigwell School in 1979, a role he held for over 20 years (during this time he was one of the interviewing governors for the appointment of Tony Little as Headmaster; they remained good friends). Meanwhile, Colin’s students at Pembroke benefitted from a don who took endless care to actually teach them, and he cared particularly for those who found Cambridge pressures stressful or daunting.

He was also appointed Tutor for Admissions and was instrumental in preparing the College’s admission of women undergraduates in 1983. During his time at Pembroke until his retirement, he was also Director of Studies in English (and also Anglo Saxon, Norse and Celtic). He loved Choral Evensong at the College, but it is through his poetry that we can see his spiritual sensitivity - he won the University’s Seatonian Prize (for an English poem on a sacred subject) four times.

At his funeral in Pembroke College Chapel, I ended my sermon with the following stanza from his 2017 prizewinning poem Jubilate Agno: I offer up these symbols to Christ’s bride The Church, that holds creation in its care: Let David be the psalmist who will guide, For his harp sings anthems sanctified.

LIVES REMEMBERED

BY JOHN TURNER (1955-1962)

John Wood (1955-1962)

J

ohn Michael Alderton Wood was the younger son of Stan and Margaret Wood (of Stanwood Radio fame).

His older brother, Brian, also attended Chigwell School (1951-1959).

After attending the Red School in Woodford, John joined Chigwell at the age of eleven. A brilliant academic, John concentrated on Classics, under the guidance of Colin Horton and Claude Salmon, and won a scholarship to St Johns, Cambridge to read Classics – but he was persuaded to switch to Economics instead. Whilst at Chigwell, John also excelled at sport, being an accomplished centre-half and Captain of the 1st XI Football as well as playing for the Public Schools South Side. He was also a fine fast bowling cricketer and a member of the School Tennis team. In his final year at school, John was Captain of Top Field (Deputy Head Praefect).

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After graduating from Cambridge, John achieved a MBA from the renowned Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania, followed by a very successful career as an Investment Banker. Amongst others, he worked for Shroders, Rothschilds, Mitsubishi and Bank of America, all involving extensive overseas travel, whilst maintaining his interest in playing squash and tennis throughout his career.

John was truly talented in so many ways but remained a loyal friend and a real “gentleman” to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He lived with his wife Janet in Wimbledon for many years, but subsequently moved to Farnham. In his retirement, he also enjoyed their holiday home in the Cotswolds as well as many trips to their beloved Fowey.

More recently, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia, and after two difficult years, sadly succumbed to Covid in May 2022 at the age of 77, leaving Janet, his daughter Rebecca and two grandchildren.

John’s brother Brian Wood (1951-1959) died three days before John, also from Alzheimer’s and Covid.

XI Football 1960/61 Team: Standing l/r: Peter Venn, Richard Collins, Graham Olliffe, Henry Hodge, Martin Peck, Rod Fryer, Nigel Green Seated l/r: John Turner, David Read, Howard Sherman, John Wood, David Stevenson.

Established in 1629, Chigwell is a top co-educational day and boarding school for 4–18 year olds situated on an extensive 100-acre campus, close to London.

For more information about our lovely school go to www.chigwell-school.org or contact us: admissions@chigwell-school.org 64

FREE TAILOR-MADE WALKING TOURS OF CAMBRIDGE BY A LOCAL RESIDENT Maximum 4 people - Different tour lengths available Text Jerry: 07904 029172 or Email: mjerry1965@gmail.com

WORK AT CHIGWELL SCHOOL

Job Opportunities Our staff are important in supporting pupils to fulfil their full potential. We have a diverse range of teaching staff and support staff, including some Old Chigwellians, which creates a strong sense of community.

Benefits Some benefits of working with us include: Competitive salaries and pension scheme membership A supportive community of highly motivated pupils and staff Commitment to professional development Free lunch and refreshments during term time Use of our Medical Centre, Sport & Wellness Centre and Library Employee Assistance Support Programme Free parking, cycle racks and good public transport links

• • • • • • •

Contact Us For more information, or to discuss available roles, please visit our website or contact us using the details below or scan the QR code.

Website: www.chigwell-school.org/vacancies Email: hr@chigwell-school.org Phone: 0208 501 5700

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Weddings at Chigwell School

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When not in use during term-time, the School is proud to share its excellent facilities and private rooms with Old Chigwellians and the community.

Set in the heart of Chigwell Village, only seven miles from central London and close to Epping and Hainault forests’, the School enjoys its own beautiful grounds of nearly 100 acres and offers a private, unique and historical venue, which can be tailored to specific individual requirements for celebrating important events.

DINING HALL The Dining Hall can cater for sit-down luncheons for up to 150 guests. The School in-house caterers offer bespoke menus and our highly experienced staff will discuss your requirements and advise on options for your special day. The Chapel Quad provides an attractive setting for a drinks reception and a beautiful backdrop for photographs.

The Swallow Room is also available for hire.

NEW HALL A stunning wood panelled hall with a stage area for your band or DJ, again with a stunning vista over the School playing fields.

THE OLD CHIGWELLIANS’ CLUB The Old Chigwellians’ Club boasts magnificent private grounds and a fully licenced bar which is ideal for a variety of events and available for hire.

For details please contact Mrs Tina Page 020 8501 5711 or email tpage@chigwell-school.org

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BASILDON SHOWROOM Bentalls, Basildon, Essex SS14 3BY OPENING TIMES: Mon to Sat-9:00am til 6:00pm Sun-Closed

* If you find the same product cheaper within 3 days of purchase supplied by an authorised dealer, brand new, boxed and in stock, we will refund the difference plus 1% of the difference. Proof of pricing required by an official quotation. Price promise valid till 31.12.23. All trademarks are acknowledged. E&OE. Images are for illustration purposes only. Offers available while stocks last and subject to change.

Would you like to visit Chigwell School and go on a tour with us?

Come and see how the School has changed since you were last here and what is still the same.

Contact us to book your visit.

@chigwellschool

@OldChigwellians

ChigwellSchool1629

@chigwell_school

The Old Chigwellians’ Association

+44 (0) 20 8501 5700 philanthropy@chigwell-school.org www.chigwell-school.org High Road, Chigwell, Essex IG7 6QF, United Kingdom Incorporated Charity No. 1115098