The Cliftonian (OC Edition) 2022

The Cliftonian

Together, we are Clifton

Princess Elizabeth on her visit to Clifton College in 1950

Forthcoming Events 2022/23

11th November Old Cliftonian Society AGM

19th November     Bristol Dinner

25th November  Advent Service Clifton Chapel

5th May                    1862 Lunch

20th May               Reunion for those who left between 1986—1996

27th May Commem

8th June Golf Day, at the B&C with dinner at Clifton College

30th June Careers Fair

10-14th July Cricket Week

6th October   Cardiff Dinner

18th November

Development

Page 55

Book Reviews

Page 56—57

Letters

Page 58

OC Lodge

Page 60—61

Accounts

Page 62—63

Tiers of Donors

Page 64

OC Branches and Clubs

Editorial

In his address ‘from the steps of the South African War Memorial to a great audience’, on the occasion of the unveiling of the Memorial Arch in 1922, Earl Haig spoke as follows:

‘Courage, manliness and truth, clean living and honest dealing are the qualities that have made our nation great and must be preserved if that greatness is to last. Nothing can take their place. Cleverness and skill in arts and sciences are much, but they are not enough if the other qualities are absent.’ He was clearly convinced that such qualities were formed at Clifton, and he exhorted the boys at the end of his speech: ‘Let your actions and thoughts be worthy of the burden you will one day have to bear as

citizens of the greatest Empire that has ever taken manliness, liberty and justice for its purpose and ideals.’

In 2022, the world feels rather different, and talk of empires, courage, worthiness and liberty seems to be from another world, with which we share very little. The values of the school today, as articulated on the website, are Integrity, Spirit and Resilience. These qualities are understood as being the characteristics of individuals, which will nourish and sustain them throughout their lives. Meanwhile, Haig’s ideals seem to advocate the maintenance of a collective status quo, and his words are directed towards citizens who must learn the skills required to secure the future of an established social contract. But society really has changed in the last 100 years, not least because of wars that have been fought in order to break that contract.

Nevertheless, perhaps Haig’s words would mean rather more to a Ukrainian living in the Donbas than they would to the current residents of School House. If this is the case, then we must be alive to the possibility that there are other features of ‘times past’ that can fruitfully inform our present. Indeed, Haig’s wonderful remark about ‘cleverness’

resonates in today’s educational climate, both at Clifton and elsewhere. Brilliant academic performance is a sign of academic brilliance, and not much more; the empire may have disintegrated, but we can still have a sense of purpose.

This edition is full of stories about the past, both recent and more distant. Some contain a message for today, many do not; most are intended to be entertaining, a few are ‘information only’. I am especially grateful to those people who have written articles, it’s much appreciated. Some needed ‘persuasion’, others spontaneously contributed. I should also take this opportunity to apologize to those authors whose articles have been filed under ‘Magazine 2023’. I just didn’t have room for everything I received this year, but your time will come!

2022 will surely be remembered as the year in which Queen Elizabeth’s reign finally came to an end, just after her Platinum Jubilee, hence my choice of front cover. It’s also the centenary of Marcel Proust’s death, and it would be wise to reflect upon his magnum opus as we go ‘In Search of Lost Time’.

Jo Greenbury

Secretary’s Letter

My very Welsh-speaking Taid [grandfather] had the great pleasure of being President of the Singapore Cricket Club in the 1970s, and the great honour of hosting Queen Elizabeth II at a function in the clubhouse when she visited in 1972. He claimed that when Her Majesty asked to whom she was to be introduced in the receiving line, he replied: ‘They’re a rather mixed bag, Ma’am.’ I will not bore you with any other family anecdotes, but suffice it to say that ‘mixed bag’ has always been one of my favourite idioms, and it resonates for me as I look back on the past year, and on my 6-year tenure as Secretary.

2021/22 has witnessed a significant number of very good things for the OCS. There have been some excellent events, and the under 40s have been particularly well represented at many of them. There has been a great deal of sport, much of it successful, and the various clubs seem to be responding enthusiastically to ‘demand’ in the post Covid landscape. The new President has worked extremely hard to get the Careers’ Chapters off the ground, and these should prove to be very popular with OCs in the years ahead. Similarly, the Chair has some good ideas for new events, which should come to fruition in 2023. The CCEF has received a major boost from

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

As this is Jo’s last letter as Secretary, I want to add a few words of thanks on behalf of the Executive Committee for all he has done since he took on the role in 2016. Jo’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Old Cliftonians and all things Clifton, his wisdom and his dry wit will all be greatly missed.

He has calmly steered the OCS through a period that has seen unprecedented lockdowns and restrictions, which had a huge impact on OCS activities. Jo has ensured that the OCS, through the Executive Committee, has fulfilled its charitable purposes – broadly, to keep OCs in touch with each other and the School, and to assist the School with anything that the OCS believes affects the welfare and interests of the School. The long list of reunions, university

Geoffrey Hardyman’s legacy, and his quiet dedication to both the school and the OCS will not be forgotten. And then there is Lal Chellaram’s very substantial donation towards a new ‘Sport Complex’ at BB, which will raise the school’s provision in this area into the stratosphere. Finally, it’s worth recording here that the College announced in July that ELC Bristol had become part of the newly formed Clifton College Education Group, a new arrangement that presents the school with a number of very welcome opportunities.

Nevertheless, there have been some disappointments. My inability to make visits to some of ‘the regions’; an informal drinks reunion for relatively recent leavers being cancelled due to low interest; Mason Crane, of England, Hampshire & Lancing, knocking us out of the Cricketer Cup for the second year in a row; the value of the CCEF tanking since Easter – these are all sources of great frustration.

As I mentioned at the top, the ‘mixed bag’ assessment applies in equal measure to my tenure as a whole, though the passage of time does shift the emphasis from ‘particular items’ to ‘general themes’. My principal disappointment has been our inability to negotiate with the school a

drinks, dinners and sporting events taking place at Clifton, around the UK and abroad that Jo has overseen – with so many OCs attending and enjoying –is testament to this. Jo has also supervised what is perhaps our most important function – the management of the Endowment Fund – to ensure that many children, every year, benefit from financial assistance that enables them to access an education at Clifton.

We wish Jo all the best as he takes steps towards retirement but are delighted that, in addition to his parttime teaching role, he has offered to stay as editor of the magazine.

The Executive Committee is formed entirely of volunteer OCs and the body changes shape slightly every year. We are thrilled that Alex Turco has joined us as Treasurer this year; he has

new funding model for the OCS, one fit for the 21st century. This has constrained our capacity to plan as effectively as we would like for the future, and has been frustrating. A solution is tantalizingly close, but I will not be in post to get it over the line! And Covid was a real pain for an organization like the OCS.

On the other side of the ledger, it’s the people I’ve met who have made the last 6 years so much fun and so rewarding. Reunions, drinks, golf days, cricket matches, dinners, AGMs et al have all presented wonderful opportunities to meet interesting and stimulating OCs, all of whom have stories to tell and something to offer. I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s our relationships that make our lives worth living, and being OC Secretary has confirmed that view. Members of the Executive Committee have been especially good to work with, and the office at 32 College Road has also been great fun and hugely effective – thanks in particular to Jeremy Pickles and the inimitable Lucy Nash. And finally, the growth in value of the CCEF ‘on my watch’ is a source of considerable pride.

Jo Greenbury

already had an immensely positive impact. We have also said goodbye to a few members, one of whom, Charlie Newington-Bridges, deserves special mention. Charlie sat on the Exec. for over a decade and has been an invaluable member of the Finance Committee, holding our Investment Managers to account on a quarterly basis!

The enforced hiatus of activities due to Covid gave the OCS, like so many other organisations, a chance to reflect. We will be working with Lucy, Jeremy and the School to bring OCs all that they have come to expect from the OCS, whilst looking in particular to enhance our ‘careers proposition’; and to develop our events calendar to better serve and appeal to our alumni.

Kate Holland Smith

Careers & Business

The nature and structure of the OC Society is changing to enable and encourage the collective value of its constituent parts to deliver a proposition that is fit for a new era. 2022 marks the lifting of many of the world’s lock down rules and a shift towards new ways of working and interacting with each other in a post pandemic environment. We have not yet defined and found the “new normal” in terms of working practice and it will take a while longer to find the right balance. What is clear is that our attitudes and behaviours have changed; we utilise technology much more as a tool for communication; the structure and content of meetings has changed; we are more discerning with the allocation of our time; and we think more about the efficiency and cost involved with travel and commuting. In summary, it has polarised our thinking in terms of what we want more and less of.

After a two-year hiatus, we have reflected on the OC proposition, connected with the College’s Head of Careers [Amy Penney] and the Head of Sixth Form [Nick Mills] and galvanised around a new call to action. Careers advice and networking forms one very important aspect of OCS activity. We have started by identifying both popular/mainstream as well as emerging career verticals we call Chapters and appointing a lead or Chapter Head for a defined period of initially one year. Each Chapter Head is tasked with the following:

l To create a network of OC alumni members in a specific industry, product, or function in order to provide help, support and advice to both Clifton College students and the alumni to support career development.

l Gather and distribute knowledge and content through messaging and the publication of articles.

l Collect relevant information and data from the alumni community (to include professional career history, career interests, industry, product or functional expertise, interest in providing mentoring, coaching, internships, career opportunities or desire to receive the same, full contact details etc.).

l Organise physical and virtual events.

The five Chapters we are launching this year are Asset Management, Banking, Technology, Entrepreneurialism and Legal. We seek to launch another five next year, likely to include accountancy, healthcare, sports, HR and sustainability.

Very kindly, we have interviews with Ed Reeves, Entrepreneurial Chapter Head, and founder of the hugely successful international telephone answering service Moneypenny; and Ed Greig, Chapter Head for Technology, Chief Disruptor at Deloitte.

Chapter Heads

l Entrepreneurial Ed Reeves and Giles Palmer

l Asset Management Stephen Zimmerman

l Banking Ben Britz

l Technology Ed Greig

l Legal Simon Orton [tbc]

James Isaacs, President of the OCS

Interview with Ed Reeves, co-founder of Moneypenny

In August 2022, Exec committee member Seb Hoyle spoke with OC Entrepreneurship Chapter Head, Ed Reeves, to discuss his successful career, the lessons he has learned and how once a small pep talk from Mr. Gover allowed him to overcome a fear of failure...

1. “Ed, thank you for allowing the OC Society to interview you. Perhaps we could start with a brief introduction, of yourself and your business, Moneypenny?”

“I was at Clifton between ’78 and ’86, via Sharp’s, Hartnell’s and then School House. Loved the sport, not so much the academia. Moneypenny provides expert receptionists for businesses in the UK and US, recreating what would happen if their calls were handled in-house. It’s the world leader in terms of technology and scale, every month handling many millions of contacts for tens of thousands of companies.”

2. “What were you doing after you left Clifton and how did this lead you to identify the market opportunity for Moneypenny?”

“Despite enjoying my time there, I left Clifton with dismal results at A level and somewhat disappointed parents! I did a bit of growing up as a student, followed by a few years of the beach life whilst making a go of surviving off sponsorship from windsurfing, mostly in Australia (we used to windsurf at Clifton as part of the CCF activities on a small lake outside Bristol). Come my late 20s, I was tiring of the beach life and set upon starting the first of a string of businesses, from water sports retailing through to graphic design. Always knowing that I wanted to build up to a big win, in early 2000 the opportunity came in the guise of Moneypenny: replacing inhouse receptionists with a centrally provided service. It was a service I needed and my experiences of relevant suppliers had been very poor. The market was crying out for quality and my sister and I joined forces from there on.”

3. “How difficult was it to start the business from the ground up? Is it easier these days to access capital in the UK than elsewhere?”

“Mighty, mighty hard, but unbelievably exciting and enjoyable. It’s one thing working late at night because your boss wants you to, quite another when you work alone and have got to get something finished, or else you’re bankrupt in the morning. I knew I wanted to shoot for the stars yet we didn’t want to take on an equity investor. That meant using limited bank debt to fund growth through structuring the business to generate a lot of cash. It feels like bank debt is as available as it ever was; a good business

plan will get you some way, but they’ll want security to provide meaningful amounts. What has changed for start-ups is the number of Angel investors around and how accessible that has become. This is particularly so in the US, but here in the UK it’s a pretty well-trodden path too. Finding an Angel with deep pockets and relevant experience can really be a great launch pad. I think I’d have gone down that path if it had been more accessible when I started.”

4. “As a growing service-oriented business, what challenges do you face in attracting and retaining talent in your organization?”

“Any business is only ever as good as its people. Great staff make great businesses. And entrepreneurs who find people who are better than them at every single aspect of their business, they’re the ones who succeed the most. Finding great people is easy though: keeping them is a whole different ball game. Moneypenny’s taken this to an extreme by investing heavily in staff welfare, year after year being voted one of the top 5 large companies to work for in the UK. It’s something I’m extremely proud to have done and has paid dividends many times over for the business.”

5. “What does the future hold for Moneypenny?”

“We’re growing as fast as ever and will keep doing so. The biggest area of investment and growth is in technology solutions, adding efficiencies for our clients and ourselves. The US has the biggest potential for growth and that’s a major focus. We’ll double in size again over the next three years.”

6. “In your opinion, what are the top 3 traits required to become an entrepreneur?”

“You can be sure that anyone who starts a business will be taking a big risk, but hopefully a considered one. There’ll be people saying it’s a bad idea, others saying it’s good, the decision will come from your head, not your heart. And you’ll need all your people skills to create and carry your team alongside you on the journey. As such, traits required:

1. Considered risk taker; 2. Great leader; and 3. Above all else, loaded with oodles of

passion and drive.”

7. “What does a typical day look like for you?”

“I try not to spend too much time on Moneypenny as I’ve a great team there who drive the ship with plenty of vigour and determination. So, I’d start around 7.15 and spend the morning looking at other equity investments I’ve made, two of which are on a similar trajectory to Moneypenny and similar sizes now. A couple of Teams meetings would be normal. After a sandwich at my desk, I’ll pick up on the property side of things. Covid threw up some amazing opportunities with commercial property. I’m now trying to add as much value as possible to those. Come the evenings, I’ll keep an eye on my emails, especially from the US. But the main mission is to curl up in front of the TV with my children and hear the trials and tribulations of their school days.”

8. “Most entrepreneurs have frantic schedules. What do you like to do to relax away from the office?”

“I actually don’t think I am particularly frantic. And wouldn’t want my staff to feel that they are either. It’s about a balance and trying to ensure that our work is as enjoyable as it ever could possibly be. As such, I like to take work with me wherever I go. I enjoy it. Having said that, nothing can better a day of windsurfing, either Western Australia or South Western Barbados, away from the tourist areas. Aside from that, I love to race yachts and have recently taken to flying helicopters too.”

9. “Finally, what are the lasting memories of your time at Clifton College and do you feel it gave you an initial grounding to succeed?”

“Hopefully, it’s a sufficiently long time ago that I’m able to say that my time there wasn’t particularly focused on the academic side of life. I certainly fell under the radar if it was. But there’s a confidence that Clifton instilled in everyone, knowing that we could and would succeed. It’s not an arrogance, rather a self-belief that we have been taught to grab things harder, reach higher and hold for longer than we ever thought we could. I remember Tom

Gover refereeing a junior house rugby match at BB. I had a conversion and declined to take it as it was on the touch line and the wind was against me. He made me try it. Whether out of fear of failure in front of friends, fear of his wrath or my personal pride, I don’t know, but I gave it my all. It missed, but only by inches. It was only a tiny moment. Give everything you’ve got. That’s what Clifton taught me. It’s been a good lesson to learn.”

Interview with Ed Greig, Chief Disruptor, Deloitte

In August 2022, James Isaacs spoke with OC Technology Chapter Head Ed Greig to discuss his successful career, the lessons he has learned and how he got to where he is today.”

1. “Ed, thank you for allowing the OC Society to interview you. Perhaps we could start with a brief introduction, of yourself and your role at Deloitte? “

“Great to be here! I’m the Chief Disruptor at Deloitte, leading the X Lab team. Our role is to work with new technology and get it delivering tangible benefits to our clients, within Deloitte and to wider society, as quickly as possible. Our motto is ‘Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution’, meaning you need to truly understand what people need rather than implementing technology for technology’s sake, an easy trap to fall into when so many exciting new innovations are arriving every day.”

2. “What were you doing after you left Clifton and how did this ultimately lead you to what you do today?”

“At Clifton, my friends and I in Watson’s started programming, writing computer games (as well as playing quite a lot of them). The best one we made had wizards duelling using spells. After a year as a jungle guide in Thailand and [briefly] Borneo with OCs Brett King and James Molony, I came back on the Trans-Siberian Railway with my brother Will to study PPE at Warwick. While there I got involved in radio and started building websites, using the coding skills I’d learned at school. After uni I wanted to do radio so decided to make a programme about the Longest Railway Journey in the World, going from Portugal to Vietnam, interviewing passengers on the way (it was on this trip I met my wife Natasha). I funded this by building websites but I felt like I wasn’t learning as much as I could and really wanted to work in a team, so I applied to join Deloitte. From there the fact that I liked both design and programming meant I was good at prototyping, so got picked for new technology projects and that’s how I ended up as the Disruptor.”

3. “If you were to do anything differently in pursuit of your career ambition, what would it be? ”

“I’ve taken a pretty organic route, so I’m not really sure what I could have changed and still got here. I had a challenge early in my career that I would happily bypass next time around that stemmed from not getting permission in writing, always do this! I do think being able to prioritize and say no is important but at the same time some of the best opportunities I’ve had have come from being open to new possibilities. A lot of my role is about connecting people and ideas, so openness is key.”

4. “As a growing service-oriented business, what challenges do you face in attracting and retaining talent in your organization?”

“Young people who we are recruiting, both as apprentices at 18 and as graduates, see the challenges the world is facing and want to make a difference, so being clear on your organisational purpose is absolutely crucial. There is also a much better understanding of the importance of work-life balance, so organisations that

don’t offer the flexibility to do this properly are going to struggle. In-person collaboration is crucial for generating ideas and building trust but it does not need to happen every day in an office (and for some roles it needs to happen less than for others). Firms that are trying to mandate people back to the office without a clear reason are going to lose talent rapidly.”

5. “What does your future hold and what is your ambition?”

“Our team is currently focusing on the climate crisis and how we can help clients and wider society to mitigate that. We are looking at real estate and construction, especially modern methods of construction, and are also doing a lot of work around the immersive technologies and the Metaverse. I’m keen to see all the amazing innovation we are capable of being used responsibly and helping people live good lives. I’m a technology optimist but I know how much hard work change takes, there are no magic bullets, but my team and I will do our best to make sure it delivers on its promise.“

6. “In your opinion, what are the top 3 traits required to become successful in technology?”

“Most importantly, empathy and compassion, so that you can understand what your users need. Curiosity and a hunger to continually learn, to keep up with how things are changing and to keep improving. And finally, an ability to look at problems from different angles and connect the dots.”

7. “What does a typical day look like for you?”

“Not to use the ‘every day is different’ cliche, but every day really is different! They usually involve building, testing or experimenting with something (a robot dog, a new virtual or augmented reality experience, a new camera or drone perhaps), or speaking with people about the problems they’re trying to solve and showing them what the art of the possible is right now. This will often be in workshops that we've set up and are running, either online, in person or sometimes hybrid.

These involve a lot of Post It notes. We work on lots of projects (slightly too many at the same time to be honest) but I have a short attention span so I love the variety and don't mind context switching.”

8. “Working in a global firm, with a hectic internal and external customer base, what do you like to do to relax away from the office?”

“I like being in nature, it's great being able to go back to the farm in Devon. I like running and physical challenges out in nature too. The short attention span means if I’m on a beach I like to build dams or sea defences rather than lying in the sun! I really love watching films too, I actually proposed to my wife at a cinema. The best thing though is being Dad to our 4-year-old Osip. One of my favourite things recently was building a train track at Legoland and shooting a video from the perspective of the train. He loves watching it.”

9. “Finally, what are the lasting memories of your time at Clifton and do you feel it gave you an initial grounding to succeed?”

“I owe a lot to Clifton. As I said earlier, that was where I learned to code (that was admittedly not in the curriculum, but Clifton brought together a group of us who enjoyed that and we learnt from each other). It was undoubtedly the rich mix of experiences outside the curriculum that have been most useful for later life. Ten Tors training with Mick Scaife was tough but taught me resilience and perseverance, as did Cross Country with Simon Tait (especially the pre-season training at a snowy Dyffryn) and the mountain climbing trips to Pakistan and Ecuador with Martin Williams. I also learned a lot as president of the JCR, which was an amazing early experience of running a business. Ultimately, it was the group of people I was with and time spent with them, in class, on summer evenings on the Close or watching Neighbours in West Town (RIP Ramsey Street), that did the most to shape who I am today.”

Events 2021–2022

It has been a reassuringly busy year. A wide range of OCs have attended a variety of events in very different venues, and kept the flame alive! What follows is a reasonably full, though not totally comprehensive, list of things that have occurred this year. The subsequent photo gallery provides a further insight, and more pictures can be accessed on the website.

September New York informal

London Dinner

October 1970 unbeaten XV reunion

OCGS at the Berkshire

Cardiff Dinner

November 1991 & 2001 unbeaten XVs reunion

AGM

Bristol Dinner

OC Lodge

Advent Carol Service

February EGM

Oxford Dinner

March OCGS at BB and B&C

April New York Dinner

London U30s informal

May 1862 Lunch

Ontario informal Reunion [1976-1986]

Commem. Lunch for Hon. OCs

June Pickles’ Golf Day

Careers Fair

Cardiff informal

July Cricket Week

Telephone campaign

1970 Reunion

1991, 2001 Reunion

Bristol Dinner 2021

London Dinner 2021

Reunion 1976 —1986

Reunion 1976 —1986

Reunion 1976 —1986

Reunion 1976—1986

Cardiff Dinner 2021

1970 Rugby Reunion

1970 Rugby Reunion

Reunion 1976 —1986

1970 Rugby Reunion

OC RUGBY 7s Sport

OC7s have successfully completed our second season on the London circuit, this year’s biggest challenge certainly being the heat! Playing on bone dry grounds in scorching sunshine was definitely character building!

First up was the Chiswick 7s, in which we were placed in a tough group. We edged past Thamesians and managed to dominate a much larger Old Pauline team to a 35–7 victory. It was looking good, but a missed conversion and tired legs cost us the final group game against Rubix, 12–14. The hosts were up next in the 1/4 final, with huge support and an endless squad, and we struggled to perform at our best, losing 7–14.

The Wimbledon 7s required a show of real character and heart. We won our three group games, against PJF, Sparks and JHFTB, but these were physically very tough games, and the sun was definitely hot! We had momentum, but had picked up a few injuries on the way. We were pitted against PWC in the semi-final, but a performance of grit and passion took us to the final with a 28–12 victory.

A long, hot day, tired bodies, a few niggles and no subs at this point proved costly in the final, with a frustrating 14–0 defeat. Oliver Bowden [MH 2012] put his body on the line and his shoulder out of its socket, showing real commitment to the OC shirt — we wish him a speedy recovery.

We are proud of our performances and we very much look forward to next year. We invite all leavers to reach out to Will Watson or Oliver Bowden to discuss joining the club. Next up, the Christmas Social!

We would like to make a special mention of Michelle Bresnahan, who is running the London Marathon in October in memory of our good friend Ryan and the charity “A life for a cure”, something we are so proud to wear on our shirts.

Will Watson (NT 2012)

WATER POLO

The OC Water Polo fixture has been played regularly since its inception in 2001 and each year we compete for the Barnes Water Polo Trophy. The trophy was initiated by Floyd (DH 87) and Giles (DH 91) Barnes in memory of their late father Derrick. Derrick played water polo to a high standard, playing for Team GB on a regular basis. Derrick went to Tonbridge School but both his sons played water polo to a high standard at Clifton so Derrick was regularly found poolside to offer advice during training sessions. Inevitably, he ended up with a few guest appearances for the OCs and never lost a match!

Giles continues to play at his home in South Africa and his eldest daughter is continuing the water polo tradition in the Barnes family. We were delighted that Floyd and Giles’s mum Hilary were able to join us at Clifton this year to support the OCs.

This year’s fixture was played with mixed

teams and comprised  Clifton players from both 5th and 6th forms. Clifton’s star player was Philip Clarke. Unfortunately, the OCs will need to wait until 2024 to recruit Philip. The OCs star player was Andy Heywood (DH 87).

The match was played on May 28th as part of the Commem weekend celebrations and this year in front of a particularly large and loud group of spectators, both poolside and in the gallery. A great atmosphere ensued.

The OCs scored first through Simon Macfarlane (ET 91) and at the end of the first quarter it was 2–2. The second quarter saw the OCs score 3 goals in quick succession, mainly through Andy Heywood, who had a storming game. Clifton managed to keep their score steadily ticking over through the second & third quarters, however, there was a scoring drought by the OCs in the 3rd quarter not helped by some minor and major fouling, as is the norm for the OCs.

Heading into the final 7 minutes though, the score was 5–4 to the OCs.

The OCs managed 2 quick goals at the beginning of the 4th quarter and felt they had done enough to secure the win with a couple of minutes remaining. However, Clifton struck back with sixty seconds left on the clock. A tense final minute ensued, with a few blocked shots, tiring limbs, a little bit of ‘off the ball play’ (mainly by the OCs, again the norm for the team) and some fantastic end to end water polo. The OCs just held out for the win, their third on the bounce.

Many thanks go to Helen Evans (Head of Mathematics and Water Polo) and Tim La Touche (WiH 74) for refereeing.

The OCs are already looking forward to next year and invite any OCs wishing to play to contact Simon Macfarlane at simonmacf@hotmail.com.

OC Team Sheet:

Simon Macfarlane (ET 91)

David Grossbard (PH 87)

Andy Heywood (DH 87)

Charlotte Bjoroy (HH 17)

Fraser Burnside (ST 17)

Alby Sanigar (NT 20)

Giles Barnes (DH 91)

Amelia Macfarlane ('honorary' OC)

Gonz Trujillo ('honorary' OC)

Tim La Touche - referee (WiH 74)

It has been 22 years since the first Barnes Trophy was contested. The summary of results is as follows:

Not contested x 7

Draws x 2

Clifton wins x 3

OC wins x 10

REAL TENNIS

2021/22 has been a busy year for OC Real Tennis with some notable achievements by OCs playing this wonderful, compelling and ancient game.

In September 2021, Harry Swindon (PH 2014) and Nick Esses (PH 1979) played well to win their way through to the final of the Cattermull Cup, only to lose 5/8 to the Winchester pair who they had previously beaten in the earlier pool rounds. The Cattermull Cup is the prestigious Schools Alumni handicap competition which has been previously won by Clifton in 2010 (Jeff Avery ET 1964 and Miles Buckinghamshire OH 1963) and in 2011 (Johnny Beale ST 2005 and Will Greig WaH 2005). As I write, we are preparing for the October 2022 competition with Harry and Nick representing Clifton again with hopes of going one better!

In April 2022, Lea Van Der Zwalmen (WT 2015) lost to the formidable Claire Fahey in the Ladies World Championship held at Fontainebleau. Claire has held the Ladies World title since 2011 and will be defending her title in April 2023. Lea has the distinction of being the No1 World Rackets player and the Number 2 World Real Tennis player and I wish her well in her quest to hold both titles, which would be a first in these two racket sports.

In May 2022, The OCs fielded a team organised by Miles Buckinghamshire in the first ever match against the Bristol Real Tennis Club. The OC team was Charlie Bingham (NT 2001), Dan Brown (WiH 1992), Miles Buckinghamshire, Simon Hughes (DH 1979), Bruce Newman (WaH 1992), Tom Panto (SH 2019), plus Ryan Gibbs playing in memory of his late uncle, Alistair Hughes, and Trish Morris standing in for Peter Ashmead (NT 1964), who was injured. This was a highly successful and enjoyable family day of real tennis with the Bristol Club running out winners on the day by 6/4. Given the success of this match, OC matches in 2023 have been provisionally arranged against Leamington (12 March), Hatfield (30 April) and Bristol (28 May). It is hoped that a match against Queens can also be arranged for 2023.

In July 2022, Henry Mullan (ET 2015) was part of the victorious GB team captained by Robert Shenkman that won, in Australia, the Van Alen Cup against the USA 5 matches to 4, and against Australia in the George Limb Cup 9 matches to nil. These cups are the premier international competitions for the Under 26s of these three nations and are played every 2 years. The tour started in Hobart with the Australian under 26 Amateur and Doubles Championships. Henry performed well in

the singles quarter finals to beat his Washington opponent. He was unfortunate not to reach the final, narrowly losing in the third set 4/6 to Freddie Bristowe (NY), who then lost to Robert Shenkman in the final. In the doubles, Robert Shenkman and Henry narrowly lost to the US pair. So, then it was onto Ballarat where GB beat the USA in the Van Alen Cup in a closely fought match and then onto Melbourne where Henry (described in the match report as “the veteran”), despite nursing an injury to his arm, helped the GB team to beat the Australians in the George Limb. Congratulations to the GB team and to Henry Mullan for playing a key role in these wins.

As OC real tennis continues to develop, James Telling (ET 2007) has decided to hand over the role of OC Real Tennis Representative to Jonny Whitaker (ET 2012). This will leave James more time to develop OC Rackets where he has done an excellent job over many years. Jonny is a low handicap player and is a member of both Bristol and Queens. I am very grateful to James for his work for OC real tennis over many years, especially organising OC participation in the Cattermull and Henry Leaf cups.

Miles Buckinghamshire

Henry Mullan [2nd from left] played for GB U26 in Australia.

OC FOOTBALL

Season 2021/22 for the Old Cliftonians FC was entered with great anticipation, what with crowds returning to the Bristol Downs League post-Covid and with a raft of new summer signings! The Club welcomed the permanent signings of OCs Louie Shaw, Tom Paine, Vir Lakhani, and Josh Greenbury. These were further added to by the mid-season additions of Will Egerton, Oli Nicholas, Xav Plessier, and Tate Spurling. Together with several nonOC signings, the club had high hopes of challenging for promotion to Division 1 of the BDL. Unfortunately, we were sent down to earth with a bump initially, losing 2–4 to Evergreen in our opening league game, followed by 1–2 loss in our first Norman Hardy Cup group game. Having played well but not delivered, our first win

was a thumping 10–4 against Bengal Tigers, with Louie Shaw getting a goal and an assist, Josh Greenbury a goal and two assists, and Isaac Greenbury going one better with two goals and one assist. A further win, draw and loss followed and then in November the OCs performed a giant killing act by knocking Stoke Lane Athletic out of the Gloucestershire FA Cup with a 3–1 away win, Louie and Vir Lakhani scoring and Isaac getting an assist. December would see two losses and two wins, including a fiery 4–3 win against Bengal Tigers. Having gone 0–3 down in the first half, we scored four in the second half. This game preceded the club Christmas dinner at The Whitmore Tap, where the celebrations were more the merrier for the comeback win! 2022 was

littered with injuries and some unfortunate results, with games swinging from 4–0 wins to devastating 3–4 losses to the eventual league winners Sneyd Park Reserves (including their injury time handball winner!). Having sat one place outside the promotion positions at Christmas, the team eventually finished in 6th place with a W9–D2–L9 league record. The end of season awards were made at Racks in Clifton, with Neil Stovold (brother of OC Nick Stovold) winning Most Assists and Louie Shaw sweeping the rest of the board with Player of the Season and the Golden Boot award with 9 goals & 6 assists in 14 games. In season 2022/23 we will be looking to build on last season and the club calls upon any interested OCs to get in contact if you fancy a game!

CRICKET

After a couple of strange years affecting cricket fixtures, there was a lot of anticipation around getting back to normal in 2022.

The OCs were able to get together and take on the school 1st XI for a Friday afternoon 20/20 bash in May. The school batted first and amassed a daunting 187/4 in their 20 overs. The OCs only managed to reach 103/9. After losing by over 80 runs the OC discussion focused on how the game has changed and how many of the very skilful shots that were played by the school’s batsmen should not be allowed, even though they were indeed very impressive.

The OCs put out another side the following day [Commem] against the school and with news of the scores the night before circulating on social media the team arrived ready for the fight. This attitude proved successful, as this team defeated the school side (albeit a slightly different one) in a tense affair. The OCs managed to scrape to 111/9 and managed to keep the school to 105/5 in the 20 overs. It was great to tie the weekend series!

The focus of the club now turned towards the Cricketer Cup and the excitement that the first round was a home tie against Stowe Templars. What was incredible was that it transpired we had selected 12, what a luxury for a Cricketer Cup game! Rupert Swetman took the tough decision to watch from a deck chair.

The OCs won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a hard but used Close wicket. Z. Watson and B.Oduwole got off to a solid start with a partnership of 43 after which there was a steady stream of wickets that reduced the OCs to 157–9, B.Figueiredo top scoring with 31. With the OCs in trouble, B.Helps strode to the crease and together with R.Miller put on a superb rear-guard partnership, not only batting out the overs but dragging the OCs to 211–9.

With 211 feeling like a good score, H.Saleem and T.Probert took no time

getting their Cricketer Cup campaigns underway as they picked up early wickets, before a brilliant spin bowling partnership from R.Miller & W.Rudge collected 6 wickets in 16 overs, ending the match with the Stowe Templars all out for 92 (from 28 overs).

Man of the Match was undeniably R.Miller — stand out with both bat (22*) and ball (8-1-23-2).

2 weeks on and the OCs were back on the Close in the 2nd round to take on Lancing Rovers. The OCs again won the toss and elected to bat with runs on the board on a used wicket proving to be the recipe for success in round 1. F. Yates and O. Meadows created an early platform before another steady collapse ended the first innings early, with the OCs all out for a disappointing 130. B.Figueiredo top scored with 33 and M.Crane — yes, the Hampshire and England player - was the pick of the bowlers for Lancing, finishing with figures of 7-2-16-3.

In reply, Lancing wobbled early on due to a sublime spell of bowling from J.Millard that threatened to get us back in the game (10-1-23-4) but a measured innings from M.Crane steadied the ship for Lancing and got them over the line as they reached 133–6 from 42.4 overs, Crane finishing not out on 79* from 131 deliveries.

It was a shame to end the run but very encouraging to introduce a great bunch of new young players and, with Ben Figueiredo taking the reins, I know we will see the OCs reach later rounds in this competition in the not too distant future. Roll on 2023.

Once the disappointment subsided from our cup exit, the excitement started to build as we headed into July and Cricket Week.

As usual, we start the week with a very competitive 20/20 evening game against the Clifton Badgers. With players from both XIs being local rivals across lots of local cricket clubs, it is always an

enjoyable affair.

The Badgers batted first and set what was probably a par score of 117, the Harris brothers, George and Tom, taking 2 wickets a piece.

In reply, the OCs started steadily due to some tight bowling from the Badgers; Will Rudge added some middle order impetus with 26; and while Rupert Swetman’s late flurry for a quick 18 was handy, it was not enough and the OCs fell short, only reaching 99 in their 20 overs.

The Flaming Sambucas are welcomed to the Close on the Tuesday of Cricket Week and with 4 overseas professionals playing, and strong players on both sides, the match had much promise - and it delivered.

A mix of crafty slow bowling as well as some indifferent stuff enabled the OCs (bowling first) to hold the Sambucas to 230. The close was classically slow and low so this was not a total that was taken lightly.

The OC chase was held together by the enigmatic Chris Andrews, who copped several blows from the Sambucas Kiwi fast bowler but stuck around for a valuable fifty. The run chase was perfectly timed, and Shay Sainsbury upped the ante at the perfect time. Shaw threw his wicket away with the finish line in sight, causing slight concern, but Joe Millard steered us to a win in what was an enthralling game that ebbed and flowed throughout the day.

Wednesday always brings the Old Bristolians to the Close. The OCs won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Joe Millard (70) and Joel Barber (80) got the OCs off to a strong start. Plenty of youngsters getting opportunities in the middle order all made decent 30s, then captain Shay Sainsbury finished with 50 not out, then declared to try and set up a game. Opening the bowling was Ellis Davies and Harry Robbins, the former picking up 6 wickets on his OC debut. Old Bristolians were eventually bowled out

for 90 with the OCs winning by over 200 runs.

On an overcast day The Close was still looking immaculate as the OCs won the toss and elected to field first against the Gloucester Gypsies, our annual Thursday guests.

The Gypsies posted a score of 210 all out off 45 overs with some brutal hitting by Roger Sillence, nearly hitting The San multiple times, while Ash Lahkani’s impressive display of left arm spin restricted the scoring as he picked up a couple of wickets.

The OCs chased the total down with plenty of time left in the day with a solid platform from the top order leaving Tom Probert and Charlie Spink the opportunity to see the team over the line to win by 5 wickets.

The Old Cliftonians had the honour of taking on a new fixture on the Friday

fixture of Cricket Week and faced off against the Old Colstonians.

The weather was set for what would be a great day of cricket on the Close. The Old Colstonians chose to bat first and the OCs got off to a flying start with some outstanding fielding in the first couple of overs, picking up some early wickets. If only this could have continued throughout the afternoon’s play! Some outstanding batting from the Old Colstonians allowed them to set 210–7.

The OCs went into bat with a lot of confidence and started well with a brilliant partnership between King and Panto. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough and the Old Colstonians went on to win comfortably, bowling the OCs out and winning by over 70 runs. The standout bowling performance was from J Millard with 2 for 25. It was a great day’s play and we look forward to taking on the Old Colstonians again next year.

As always, the season would not have been such a success without the invaluable organisation and support from Lucy Nash and Jo Greenbury. I would also like to thank all the Match Managers for Cricket Week. It is not an easy task rounding up 11 Old Cliftonians but with a good young crop of keen leavers I hope this will become a much easier task. Thanks to all those who competed in the Cricketer Cup and thanks to Ben Figueiredo for taking over the captaincy, the club is very safe in your hands. Alex Turco must also be mentioned, not only for his supply of fresh fruit and veg but also his undying commitment to supporting the club and taking on the toughest role in the game – scoring.

As this was my last year as club captain, I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me and the club over the last 13 seasons, and special thanks to John Davies, Alex Turco, Lucy Nash, Jo Greenbury and Simon Reece for all their dedication. The memories will last a lifetime.

GOLF

Every year starts with the hope that we will win the Halford Hewitt, the Grafton Morrish and Bernard Darwin, and at the same time have some fun, meet new people and make new friends. Most years only the latter two come true, however 2022 will prove, happily, to be an outlier. For whilst we didn't win the Hewitt, we have qualified for the Grafton and won a new competition we were invited to, the Edward Harris Cup.

This has been played at Royal Porthcawl since 1938 and to reinvigorate it we were invited this year (as were a few other Hewitt schools). It is very satisfying to then win it particularly as the Society has strong links to Porthcawl through the Dyson and James families.

In the Hewitt we drew Repton who have a very similar long-term record to us but a slightly better short term one. It was nip and tuck throughout and whilst we looked as if we might squeeze over the line at the turn, in the end, we didn't quite make it.

The Bernard Darwin has three age categories and this year we were following in the footsteps of being defeated finalists in the Senior Darwin

(over 65s). However, anno domini got in the way of the Senior and Darwin (over 55s) teams and as a result we were a bit depleted. The Veterans (over 70s) were at full strength and had a good run. We did have a couple of new players this year, notably Chris Trembath, Michael Barry and Martin Lockyer. However, Woking Golf Club, and particularly its greens, are a challenge to everyone and particularly to those that have never played on them before. Which is a way of saying, there is always next year to look forward to!

Maybe the highlight of the year was the inaugural Annual Golf and Dinner we held in March. This coincided with the opening of the driving range, and some glorious spring sunshine. The whole day was a real joy, as was the dinner in the pavilion. The wine flowed and the bidding in the auction followed suit. The next morning was a bit challenging for some. We intend to repeat this each year.

We again ran a number of matches which fulfilled the objectives of having some fun and meeting new people. The more of these we can do the better.

We moved the Summer Meeting at the Berkshire to early October to see if this

proved a more popular date. Normally we struggle a bit for numbers and I'm happy to report that this year we have our full complement. As normal we have a few pupils playing and I hope they find the day memorable and that they will, in future, become integral to OC golf.

Last year we created a committee to run the Society as the burden had fallen recently pretty much totally on Geoff Clements and Lucy Nash. We have set ourselves the goal of trying to expand the number of members and the number of opportunities to play golf. This is very much work in progress, but we have moved from having circa 80 members to nearly 100; entering the Edward Harris Cup is also a step in the right direction. Our target is to try and reach 140. Much of the golf we offer is ideal for either the low handicap golfer or for those that are not working. I hope that with the development of golf at the school, we can find ways of making more golf available for those that have recently left. Obviously at a time when golf is getting more expensive and time is valuable this might be a challenge, but not one we should veer away from.

David Rowe, President OCGS

Then and Now: Memories from 31 Years in the Mathematics Department

(1990–2021) By Alexandra Tebay

After eight years teaching in Kent, including a year in Australia, I applied to join Clifton in the mathematics department, having heard that the school had embarked on co-education. I was also encouraged to apply by my father who was a Housemaster and maths teacher at Tonbridge, which had had strong links over the years with Clifton, most notably meeting regularly on the cricket pitch at Lord’s (a match that was revived in recent years). I must admit to being surprised to be appointed as I was up against a rugby player, but the Head of Department, John Barrett, took a chance and the rest is history. Twelve new schoolmasters /mistresses joined Clifton that year, as well as the Head Master, Hugh Monro. This list included three new members of the Maths Department: David Harrison (who sadly died in a walking accident in Alaska just after he took over as Head of Maths at Shrewsbury), Nigel Dixon and me, and we were all warmly welcomed by the Department and wider Common Room. There was a real sense of community and the social scene was very lively at that time as many teachers lived on site. We were encouraged to get fully involved in all aspects of life at the College and this meant we settled in quickly. Girls had started to be admitted in 1987 and were still finding their feet so it was an exciting time to be at the College but also a challenging one as many boys had not been taught by a woman before,

especially in the sciences. My early recollections are of Further Maths sets full of boys (this has changed over the years with many more girls taking the subject to a higher level) testing my knowledge in the classroom to the maximum, in an attempt to catch me out!

Throughout my time at the College the Maths Department has involved a range of personalities and has been a place of vibrancy, intellectual curiosity and activity run by a dedicated team of teachers who have always striven to inspire and enthuse students in the art of mathematics. This can be traced back to the team I joined in 1990. Christopher Bradley, a gentle mathematical giant was Director of Studies at that time. He could hold vast arrays of information and manipulate the timetable in his head and was a driving force in the National Olympiad teams, regularly producing new papers on Geometry. Despite how busy and able he was, he always found time to support and encourage younger colleagues and pupils of all ability levels, for which I was very

grateful. I was pleased when we named the new maths library in the Coulson Centre after him as he was a vital part of Clifton’s history. John Barrett led the department with gentle humour and great efficiency. He was ahead of his time in keeping tracking information on all pupils and was an unsung hero, as behind the scenes he contributed massively to the running of the school and the introduction of computers to help with the admin. The Department was pretty run down when I arrived and one summer early on, I remember painting my own classroom with John’s help. A top cricketer, the only time I remember seeing him truly angry was when discussing the Barmy Army’s behaviour at test matches. Mike West (Housemaster of Wiseman’s) and his family were renowned for their hospitality and Mike for his lively and informative lessons in which students learned as much history as they did maths. Bob Bailey, a real character and former racing driver once helped me pick out a new car, frightening the salesman to death during the test drive, but I did in fact buy the car and kept it for 10 years. Rory Gillespie was known for his support of the maths ‘strugglers’ and for his myriad of maths jokes such as “The Squaw on the Hippopotamus”. Chris (Digger) Gardiner and Gerard Coulson enjoyed their maths and contributed widely in the cocurriculum in RAF and sailing respectively,

Doctor Christopher Bradley

Bob Bailey teaching maths in the Coulson Centre

Alex Tebay

and Gerard delighted in insisting the building was named after him. Part time contributions were also made by Monica Coulson (Geography) and Kevin Bowring (Head of Boys’ Sport). I remember sitting in on Kevin’s Saturday lessons regularly when he was off at matches with the 1st XV.

Throughout my time the department has included a very large number of teachers and they have all been very active, contributing to all pastoral, academic and co-curricular aspects of College life, and the Senior Management has involved many mathematicians. More recently the 3rd Form camp has relied heavily on the maths department to staff it and the Quantocks became a good place for team bonding and planning the next year’s maths timetable.

Maths has been one of the most popular A-levels throughout Clifton’s history and there have always been a healthy number of Further Maths students, many of whom have gone on to study the subject at

:Rugby

university. I have worked with six different Heads of Department in my time (John Barrett, Mike West, David Cook, Gilbert Simmons, Christa Clark and Helen Evans), they have all been very different but have all had a common sense of purpose. Meetings have always been great fun and the sharing of ideas and methods has been strongly encouraged. All members of the department have had a chance to teach at all levels and top sets were shared out. Continued learning has also been a mantra of the Department. Regular maths socials have been great fun and have promoted a strong sense of unity. The Department has always been open to innovation whilst also allowing for those of us who preferred the traditional methods of delivery. Maths was the first to introduce regular clinics open to all and leading up to exams the department is buzzing with students eager to sort out confusions. Competition has always been encouraged and the interactive white boards have meant year group competitions have been a great addition to the end of term routine, along with

taking part in national and international challenges. During the pandemic, the Department continued to deliver effectively via Chromebooks, the introduction of which was masterminded by Gil Simmons.

It has been good to see ex-students from Clifton such as Matt Kendry, who was a student in my first 3rd Form when I arrived at the College, returning to teach maths. There have been at least three others I can remember who returned after leaving university which testifies to the affection in which the College and Department is held.

Over the course of my time in the College many things have changed but the friendliness and enthusiasm of those in the maths department have remained the same. I never expected to stay at Clifton until my retirement, but the excellent maths department had a great deal to do with it and I was proud to be a member of the team.

Kevin Bowring (Former Master 1986–1995 and Hon. OC) recalls his time in charge of rugby at Clifton.

Rugby at Clifton in the early 1980s flourished under Peter Knight (former Bristol and England wing) as Master i/c Rugby and Head of PE. However, there were still too many seasons when more games were lost than won. When he left Clifton in 1986, he had developed a fine 1st XV, of which Nick Denman and Charlie Colquhoun took charge. With Niven, Heywood and Watson playing particularly well for the 1st XV that year, they had a very good season.

I had succeeded Peter Knight as Head of PE, Master i/c Games and Master i/c Rugby that season and while Nick and Charlie coached the 1st XV, I was to look after the Junior Colts, who hadn’t won a match at Yearlings and had a number of reprobates in the team! They actually surprised themselves and won a few games, but more importantly played with spirit, pride and conviction.

I soon learnt that almost every pupil who

played rugby at Clifton wanted to be on Big Side, to run out onto the Close across the School House lawn and represent the 1st XV.

At this time, with girls entering the school, there was a fear of co-education causing the demise of rugby but this proved to be unfounded. Indeed, the girls very soon became loyal and vociferous supporters of the 1st XV games on the Close. Their enthusiasm for rugby soon resulted in the first girls’ inter-house rugby match between Oakeley’s and Worcester in 1990.

The first ever Rugby World Cup, staged in 1987 and won by New Zealand, highlighted the many qualities needed by the modern-day rugby player. Fitness, skill, discipline, pride and determination in individual and team performance were qualities that needed to be further developed at Clifton.

Also, that year the 125th Anniversary of the school was celebrated with a match on the Close between Mike Rafter’s England XV and Kevin Bowring’s Welsh XV,

which again highlighted the skills and qualities needing to be developed.

Clifton, like most other public schools, relied on academic members of staff to coach the teams and, fortunately, it was a time when the all-round schoolmaster could teach an academic subject and contribute to the sporting and pastoral life of the school. However, such all-round schoolmasters were getting harder to find.

A radical change to the organisation of games, introducing games sessions by year groups on different days of the week, rather than the entire school playing games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, was proposed. The rationale was simple: the best coaches should not be confined to the elite senior players; the more talented coaches should be deployed to coach the junior teams as well as coaching the senior squads.

From 1989 the new timetable and revised organisation of games undoubtedly helped to improve the performance of school rugby teams from then on. There

The Silver Fox

was less coaching time but more intense and effective use of coaching expertise across all the age-groups. Even Mike West, who was a winning coach, benefitted from a PE expert who was a qualified rugby coach helping him to solve coaching problems during year-group games sessions.

This approach helped to improve the skill levels of all the rugby teams. There were improvements in results but more importantly all teams showed more pride and responsibility in their performance on and off the pitch. More boys than ever before represented the school at rugby, with a 6th XV and ‘C’ teams being fielded. The prestige of playing 1st XV rugby at Clifton meant that pre-season training and pre-season tours started to take place. House rugby had previously dominated and continued to be ultracompetitive but school rugby showed increasing improvements.

The annual fixture versus Marlborough for the Governors’ Cup was always a big event for the boys, staff and school. The Cup was won by Clifton in five consecutive seasons in the early 1990s. In 1991, this fixture was the last game of the season and it was particularly pleasing to go to Marlborough, win the cup and finish the season unbeaten. The unbeaten 2nd XV of 1990 had transitioned very effectively into the 1st XV of 1991. Richard Moffat’s 1991 team have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy reunions to celebrate this rare success, and Nick Lloyd will always be remembered for the part he played in that unbeaten team.

By the mid-1990s Clifton had become a difficult team to beat at any age group with teams striving for continuous improvement, showing pride in performance, determination and skill. A stronger fixture list was organised and the improvement was recognised when Rugby World magazine awarded Clifton College, School of the Month, for January 1994.

Perhaps a measure of the success during this period is in how many pupils carried on playing rugby after school. I know many who carried on playing and enjoying their rugby after Clifton. Several went on to play at a very high level and

Andy Heywood, James Alvis, Danny Fox, Richard Moffat, Nick Lloyd, Tom Morgan and Ed Pearce are just a few names that deserve mention for their achievements on the rugby field.

Kevin is typically modest about his own role in the development of rugby at Clifton in this period. He left coaching Clifton to become the first National Coach of Wales in the professional era, and has subsequently been inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame. The gulf between him and the schoolmaster coaches (e.g. me with the 2nd XV) was simply vast! Ed

Matt Salter, current Director of Rugby, writes about rugby at Clifton in 2022.

Over the past seven years the College rugby programme and rugby in general have changed hugely.

Only 3 schools remain on the current fixture list from 2015, namely Sherborne, Marlborough and Sir Thomas Rich’s.

A number of schools over the last decade have made efforts to move their rugby programme from one of participation to performance, especially amongst A and B sides, and the College has made great strides to follow suit.

With many sides in 2015 having close to unbeaten seasons, it was clear that a gradual and measured revamp of the fixture list was needed. Over the past 7 years the additions of Wellington College, Millfield, Rugby and Kirkham have enabled pupils to have a much more balanced level of success, with the aim being to have as close to a 66%-win rate across the senior school as possible.

A move to have targeted recruitment at sixth form and a steady stream of quality sportsmen at years 7, 9 and 10 has allowed a drip feed approach to improving teams as they go through the school. Each year group is supported by an external professional rugby coach, who works with teaching staff and pupils to upskill the delivery of coaching and to disseminate, in small pieces, a style of play and game plan that builds as teams move through the College.

4 years ago, a formal link with the Bristol Bears was created through a joint role working within rugby in the College and with Academy players at the Bears. Danny Grewcock is the person in this role and his presence at Clifton has made us the preferred choice for most aspirational rugby players locally. The number of pupils at Clifton involved with the Bears has risen each year, with 9 of the 23-man squad that won the Academy league last year being from Clifton, including the captain.

As the school has become stronger, especially at 1st XV level, finding appropriate fixtures has become more challenging. The 1st XV now plays fixtures against AASE colleges such as Hartpury and hosts matches against touring sides, with Blackrock from Ireland visiting later this year. The necessity to find appropriate and challenging fixtures has led us to explore the possibility of joining a newly formed league of 8 schools that would mean the inclusion of Whitgift, Sedbergh and Warwick on our fixture list. It is a big step but one that will cement our position as one of the best rugby schools in the country.

Covid has had a significant impact on schools’ rugby and there has been a decline in the number of institutions and players willing to focus on rugby. Finding schools with quality sides and good playing numbers is becoming more challenging every year. The need to travel further or play multiple schools through the week has become much more common.

Years 9 and 10 all still participate in rugby but for those pupils with less experience, or who are nervous about contact, there are adapted forms of the game. We play many different varieties of non-contact rugby with other schools as we believe the values of the sport can still be replicated through these different forms of the game.

Our Senior Colts team are part of a new law trial to find ways to improve player safety, especially around concussion. All pupils in that year's A team are wearing impact gum shields to measure forces in normal games and also during law trial matches. We hope to be at the forefront of

any initiatives that will make the game as safe as possible whilst protecting the unique nature of rugby.

The school tours regularly, with a 50-person tour to Chile and Argentina completed prior to the pandemic; and this summer 40 senior boys went to Tignes in the French Alps to train alongside 3 other schools.

Currently, we have 9 pupils playing professionally and 6 of these are with the

(The) South Town

Bristol Bears. Harry Taylor [MH 2020] is currently the starting number 7 for Gloucester. Ioan Lloyd [SH 2019] was capped for Wales at the age of 19. At age group international level, Harry Taylor, Sam Worsley and current prop Louie Trevett have all represented England U18s, and Jac Lloyd also gained international honours with Wales U20s.

Girls rugby is going from strength to strength with U15 and U18 sides entered

Simon Reece (ST 1969) recalls a different era:

Maybe 5 of us joined South Town into the 4th form in January 1965, a function of entrance policies that presented us with O levels in 5 terms, A levels 6 terms later and then off we went, for some even before our 17th birthdays.

South Town, being semi-detached with North Town and the building not yet extended, was about a quarter of its current size. The Town Room had lockers at one end, notice boards and Honours Boards above a huge wooden mantlepiece with fender around a coal fire, the only heating. Only House Fifths were allowed to sit on the fender, toasting themselves and the bread, blocking us from the fire's warmth and often heating to red hot a huge cutlass used as the fire poker.

Through a side door there was a corridor to the Housemaster's Study, the Head of House's Study, the House Sixths’ room and a staircase to the Library. This had books at one end, but more usefully, tables where you could get your prep done. Drinking water was from a tap somewhere in the North Quad and changing rooms away near the Swimming Pool.

Such was the style of the times, we seemed to be left to our own devices quite a lot, relying on activities organised by older pupils or doing things of one's own volition. Even so, the two Housemasters, Dudley Fromant and Geoffrey Hardyman, often showed a quite astonishing knowledge of what was going on.

I remember quite a lot of standing around, wondering what to do. But the world of House Competitions soon swept up time –practices for singing, the play, athletics (endless hurdles, javelin, jumping, baton hand-overs), rugby, squash, cross-country or cricket nets which involved more heaving at guy ropes than bowling balls. Fortunes in competitions waxed and waned – we nearly won the House Unison with Erlkönig, won the Long Pen and boxing was taken incredibly seriously by the main participants with School House and Polack's being the rivals. Maybe it's no surprise that 3 'scrappers' ended up with Boxing Blues in later life. Music practice, debating, societies, caving, 'Night Ops' (pre-Health and Safety legislation) - it was all there if you searched it out. In more idle times, trying to traverse the Town Room without touching the floor was entertaining, as were darts tournaments against East Town during free periods.

into the Rosslyn Park Sevens. In March each year Clifton holds, arguably, the premier girls’ sevens festival in the South West. Tilly Edwards last year made history by scoring the first try by a girl on BS1. This year we hope to take three girls' sides to Rosslyn Park.

We hope to continue developing our rugby, not only to keep pace with other schools, but to be one of the leading lights in schools’ rugby.

A level choices involved signing up on a House list from a pre-defined selection. There was no mix and match because the timetable wasn't 'sectored', allowing the current essential diversity. My one 'must do' subject defined the other two, with no choice. That list was the first time I encountered 'The South Town'. We were told that historically as dayboy numbers increased, The Town House was split into two. A rugby match was played for entitlement to 'The' which South Town won, but it was only ever to be used on letterheads. I suspect general use of 'The South Town' in modern times is actually a misuse.

Anthony Newman (Hon. OC) recalls his Housemastership (1987-1996):

Long before I got there, South Town had a reputation for being bookish not boorish, genial not spiky, academic not gamesy –that kind of place. So, when Stuart Andrews, then Head Master, asked me to take over from my good friend Tony Williams (we still take ale together), I was delighted. I’d never had first-hand experience of a day house, either as schoolmaster or schoolboy, but I quickly saw what a stabilising effect the Town Houses have had on Clifton. Percival’s initial insistence on giving ‘town boys’ the same status as boarders went a long way towards limiting the ‘second class citizen’ status of day pupils which inevitably pertains in schools where they are in a small minority. I also think that, over the years, the Town House community has, thank goodness, prevented Clifton from becoming a ‘green-welly’ establishment, an isolated bastion of the upper class, divorced by wealth from reality… such

South Town 1968, Simon Reece as pupil

places existed and, alas, still do. Not Clifton though, and not South Town.

I was relieved and delighted to discover that my ST parents included a truly eclectic cross-section of Bristol residents who cared very much about what was going on and were able to stay in close touch, due to their proximity to the school. I remember them as being very supportive in general.

During my time, the closure of Dakyns’, controversial at the time of course, allowed a significant improvement in accommodation for day boys. The DH building was redeveloped, allowing the migration of East Town and, as it turned out, North Town (who were previously on the first floor of the Town House building, in equally cramped conditions to us downstairs). This meant that the size of the South Town accommodation suddenly doubled and we now occupied both floors of the original ‘Town House’ building. This expansion was accompanied by a welcome refurb including in-house changing rooms, shower and toilet facilities etc.

Many of our boys came from the Pre, also Tockington and The Downs, and standards of achievement in general,

James Hills, currently Director of Admissions, was Housemaster in the 21st century:

I was privileged to act as Housemaster from 2012 to 2017. The attraction to the role was immediately obvious: to help shape the lives of a group of talented and intellectually curious boys. The breadth of talent was arresting, spanning academia, sport, music, drama, debating, art and much more besides. In the academic sphere, there was particular excellence in maths (Jones) and chemistry (M Chivers), but

especially academically, were creditable (maybe I’m only recalling the good years though!). I suppose it was inevitable, since I am not a games player myself, that ST would always be seen as no good at games. This rather irritated our top sportsmen and me too! I have not verified the facts here, but I think we ended up winning ‘Cock House’ (is that ludicrous epithet still in currency?!) in everything along the way, except perhaps 1st XV House Rugby. We excelled particularly in cricket for a spell and I think in one season we supplied 3 if not 4 members of the 1st XI simultaneously. Which reminds me… one tradition which we maintained assiduously, inherited from Tony, was the annual Dads v Boys cricket match. This always took place on the pitch nearest the pavilion, so that the copious quantities of Pimm’s prepared by our guest barman (TCWG) were close at hand. There were one or two ST dads to whom I probably owe an apology, because the accent was always on frivolity and it was a foregone conclusion (due to rigged scoring) that the outcome would be a draw. One year our guest umpire was the late Dr Peter Scott, for many years a friend to the San,

perhaps ST was best known for Classics (A Chivers and M Coleclough), not unsurprising with Dr Patrick as Assistant HoM. The house, rather unfairly, was perceived as non-sporting, but Hackett, C Welsh and T Hargan were regulars in Big Side rugby and there was dominance in sailing (Elias, Down, Farnden) as well as racket sports (Lidington et al). Debating (Longman, O Gittings, Sayner, Dixey) was a strength, as was art (Stagg) and the boys were avidly involved in all manner of Percival library projects.

Music representation at a College level was memorable with boys involved in a wide range of groups; the jazz talents of Vaughan are still vivid in my mind. However, in house music competitions the ST displays were entirely forgettable: the individual talents of the boys never bonding to reach their group potential!

the school, and to me personally. His son Angus (ST) was also in attendance. He was just considering the need for another of Tom’s drinks (and a cigarette) when (I think) the tenth Dad in sent a ball to him at square leg. He caught it deftly with his left hand and declared ‘out’ with his right! Hilarity ensued all round, though I can’t remember if the Dad who was given out forgave us in the end.

This is a very brief and patchy set of recollections which cannot possibly do justice to the community of ST boys whom fate decided should pass through the house when I was there. Overwhelmingly, my memory is of positive vibes, plenty of fun, an opportunity for me (totally without qualification) to offer advice and counselling on occasion… mutual support. So, thanks to Jo Greenbury for this opportunity, about 25 years late, to say a sincere thank you to all the boys and their parents who so enriched that period of my life, long, long ago.

N.B. ‘The South Town’ – I guarded the ‘The’ jealously!

There was complete engagement in the co-curriculum offering and a memorable CCF achievement was Geeson’s appointment as Her Majesty’s LordLieutenant Cadet. Perhaps the house was best known in those years for its outstanding drama, both at College and House level: the commanding performances of Gordon, Salmon, O’Callaghan and others will stay long in the memory. The quality of talent and enthusiasm in the boys was not recognised in the ultimate House Drama award, but individual prizes (best actor etc) were plentiful and thoroughly deserved.

The conclusion of each term signalled the award of the Chafe Cup. It proved an immense challenge to pick recipients in each of my fifteen terms, such was the contribution of all the boys to life in ST.

James Hills

South Town 1994, Anthony Newman as housemaster

Century of Remembrance Century of Remembrance

As reported elsewhere, on 30 June we marked the centenary of the dedication of the Memorial Arch. Proposals for a Great War memorial were first aired at the OCS annual meeting in December 1916; in the following year a committee chaired by Sir Francis Younghusband began to explore the options. From the start the physical monument was conceived as a relatively minor charge on a Memorial Fund, the larger purposes of which were exhibitions for the sons of fallen officers, and augmentation of the existing Endowment Fund. Within an overall target of £100,000 only £5,000 was allocated to a

monument. Receipts reflected this order of priorities: by July 1918 almost £48,000 had been promised, of which only £633 was specifically for some physical memorial. In fact, most of the dead had been too young to marry, so the Exhibition Fund was over-subscribed. On the other hand, the casualty figures so far exceeded those on the South African War Memorial, itself sited in prime position, that the mere placing of the names would require larger scale and differing order. Suggestions included an obelisk on the Close, a remodelling of Big School, a gateway, and an extension of the Cloisters

(the last being the Committee's preference). In June 1919 the architect Charles Holden was engaged as consultant, without guarantee of any subsequent commission. Holden had established his reputation with work for the Imperial War Graves Commission; he had also designed two major buildings in Bristol, the Central Library and the extension to the Royal Infirmary. After visiting the College, he reported strongly in favour of an Arch, both as a traditional form of commemoration, and for its practical purpose. In an open competition adjudicated by the President of the RIBA Sir Aston Webb, Holden's design was selected. With the Committee's endorsement, this was adopted at a special meeting of the OCS at Caxton Hall in July 1921. There remained opposition, led by OC masters including R.P. Keigwin and E.J. Barff, who thought the Arch would 'spoil the Close', and preferred a simple gate. Thanks to the deft chairmanship of J.H. Whitley (newly elected Speaker of the Commons), the gate lobby capitulated, and after a further meeting in December the Arch project was finally commissioned. The contract was given to the Messrs Willcocks & Co of Wolverhampton and Bristol, whose tender (£7,640 for the Arch and £1,286 for landscaping) was by some way the lowest. It was still almost twice the original budget; however, prudent provision allowed increased costs to be siphoned from the general Memorial Fund. The eventual cost was just over £10,000.

It will be seen that the whole planning, execution and funding of the project was undertaken by the OCS. The College Council exercised only the constitutional rights to be informed, to encourage, and to warn. So, in October 1919, on being told of Holden's original recommendation, the Council was 'pleased .... to accept such a memorial', subject to their approval of the design. Successive plans were duly forwarded to the Council, and they gave permission for stone to be quarried from the Close. Yet only at a very late stage (September 1921) did they notice that the Arch would not quite match the existing buildings as they had understood would be the case. This intervention had no effect. In any case the essence of Holden's design was its duality: a functional modern structure enclosing a shrine in copybook perpendicular.

The Committee dismissed various embellishments, such as a clock and Haig's arms. Just before the names were to be carved, the SH Housemaster suggested that they would be better cast in bronze (as on the South African Memorial). This radical and costly modification was promptly dismissed, and the carving has proved durable. The lettering was designed by Eric Gill, the foremost artist in that medium of his or arguably of any other day. Gill came to

Clifton in May 1921 to discuss his work, for which (including carving and colouring the College arms) he would ask £257 5s. The actual cutting, begun in April 1922, was by Laurie Cribb, assisted when time pressed by his brother Joseph and another of Gill's craftsmen, Albert Leany. They finished just two days before the dedication. To set the 578 names into the available space was in itself a considerable feat of geometry. It was the limitation of space which determined that the names stand alone, without rank, unit or post-nominal letters.

The original heading was 'TO THE MEMORY OF / 3,063 CLIFTONIANS WHO SERVED / AND OF 578 WHO FELL / IN THE WAR OF 1914—1919' (an earlier version had 'Great War'). The phrasing is questionable, since most of the survivors were of course still living; but it is consistent with Newbolt's lines below, paying tribute to all Cliftonians engaged in the fight. The names inscribed were, as with the written Roll of Honour, supposedly restricted to those whose deaths were attributable to war service.

The Arch was dedicated at an impressive ceremony on 30 June 1922, in the presence of Field Marshal Earl Haig and a great assembly of those who had fought under his command and in other theatres. After making church in front of the South African Memorial, a ceremonial key was presented by Younghusband (as President of the OCS) to Haig (as President of the College), who in turn passed it to Sir

Herbert Warren (Chairman of the Council). The principals moved to the Arch, where the Last Post and Reveille were sounded. Haig then spoke from the Parapet, before taking the salute at a march-past of the OTC.

Despite the care taken with the names, some errors of commission and omission have come to light. The earliest death recorded on the Arch occurred in London early in August 1914, some days before any British soldier engaged the enemy. The first authentic casualty came on 19 August, yet the name is misplaced under 1918. At least six names should not be there at all, and perhaps five others ought to be. While the terminus a quo was clear, less so was the ad quem. The Admiralty and War Office advised that casualties in the Russian Civil War could be included up to 28 June 1919 (the signing of the Treaty of Versailles). The OCS chose to set its own time limit, and the last casualty on the Arch died of his wounds on 6 December 1919. By 1922 four more OC soldiers had been killed in action, on the North-West Frontier and in Iraq, but it was deemed inappropriate to add their names to the Great War Memorial.

No such reservation applied to the dead of the Second World War, and in extending its existing memorial Clifton followed widespread practice. By grim convenience the 275 additional names fitted exactly into the available space within. They were carved by George Mansell in careful following of Gill's design. A new heading

had to be made above the original names, giving only the combined total of casualties from the two wars (853). This implicitly altered the nature of the memorial; no longer did it commemorate those who served and survived. The new wording is therefore at odds with Newbolt's all-embracing inscription retained below. The Arch was re-dedicated on 3 October 1948, on this occasion after a service in Chapel.

Those named were OCs in the broad sense, not just those who had paid their dues to the OCS; and there were thirty-six who attended only the Preparatory and/or Junior Schools. Expulsion was no bar, and six of those commemorated had become OCs in this abrupt fashion. But there was no place for two masters killed in the Great War who were educated elsewhere (H.A. Butt and H.G. Bache) although they were ex officio Honorary OCs. The original inscription made service (meaning military service) an absolute qualification, though this was not restricted to the forces of the Crown: two of the Great War casualties were Belgian soldiers. Had civilian casualties been allowed, the only such name for the Great War would be G. Sita Ram (WaH), still at school when he died by enemy action in 1915. A more generous list might have included the name of R.W.G. Tapken (WiH 1911—15), who died while interned as an alien. In the

Second War six civilian OCs were killed by aerial bombing, of whom only one (an AirRaid Warden) qualified for the Arch.

In keeping with the decision of 1922, further casualties in local conflicts were not recorded on the Arch. Two of these were victims of political violence rather than military action: R.J. Story in the Irish Civil War, and Sir Lee Stack, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army; R.A.L. Marks was killed in Waziristan in 1937. Many World War memorials have been extended to embrace wider remembrance; at Clifton this was inhibited by practical as much as conceptual considerations. However, in 2001 this policy was altered by adding the name of Col K.O.N. Foster (NT, WiH 1921–4), the sole OC casualty of the Korean War. It is with no intention to slight the memory of a gallant officer that one

must regret this unprecedented accretion. Not only does the inclusion of rank, regiment and post-nominal letters distinguish this name from all the others, but by placing it on an exterior wall the whole balance of Holden's design is compromised, and precedent is set for further inscriptions randomly disposed. Indeed, other names might have been added since the Second World War: A.H. Lewis-Jones (SH 1939–43), murdered while serving in the Punjab (1947), and R.D. Owen (Pre: BH 1946–54), killed in action in Malaya (1956).

At least the Foster inscription was added with worthy intention. Much worse was to follow in more recent times, with the intrusion of metal barricades, which dishonour the dead and shame the living.

CSK

THE RESTORATION OF FIELD MARSHAL

THE RESTORATION OF FIELD MARSHAL

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S

STATUE

STATUE

215 Clifton College Register (January 1877)

Haig, D. Son of J. Haig, Cameronbridge, Windygates, Fife. School House. IV/3–V/5; Cap; left April 1879. Brasenose College, Oxford.

R.M.C. Sandhurst (passed out 1st). Captain. (late Adjutant) Queen's Own Hussars. Specially nominated to Staff College.

After leaving Sandhurst, Douglas Haig served as a cavalry officer for nine years, mainly in India. He later took part in the Sudan campaign (1897–1898) and the Boer War (1899–1902). In 1906, Haig went to the War Office as director of military training. His responsibilities included the organisation of a British Expeditionary Force (BEF) for deployment in the event of war with Germany. On the outbreak of war in 1914, Haig was commanding the BEF's 1st Army Corps. In December 1915 Haig was appointed commander-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force. In 1917 he was promoted to field marshal. Haig served as commander-in-chief of British Home Forces from 1918 until his retirement in 1921. He also helped establish the Royal British Legion and worked hard to raise funds for it. He was created an earl in 1919 and died on 28 January 1928.

In March 1916 Field Marshal Haig decided to relocate his G.H.Q. from Saint-Omer to Montreuil-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) where it remained until shortly after the Armistice in November 1918. This relocation brought much needed finance into Montreuil and surrounding districts thus ensuring a lasting legacy of the EntenteCordiale. For this reason, he was gratefully remembered by the inhabitants of Montreuil and following his death in 1928, they raised a fund for a fine statue

to be erected in his honour.

The commission for the statue was given to Paul Landowski, a French sculptor of Polish descent. His beautifully executed tribute – the only equestrian statue of a British military leader on French soil –dominates the Grande Place (Place du Général de Gaulle) in front of the town’s theatre in Montreuil. It was unveiled in June 1931 before a large crowd which included statesmen and military leaders from all over the world. Later, in the same year, Landowski saw his ‘Christ the Redeemer’ revealed to the world on the Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

When the German Second Panzer Division arrived in Montreuil on 22nd March 1940, the town was swiftly occupied by German troops. Because of its prominent position, the statue soon found itself the target for attacks by the occupying soldiers. It was eventually pulled off its plinth, taken away, and is thought to have been melted down.

In 1948, Montreuil’s mayor contacted Paul Landowski to see if he had any drawings for his old sculpture of the Field Marshal’s equestrian statue. The sculptor was able to confirm that not only had he kept the drawings, but he also had the original moulds. In due course, a subscription was raised by the Commune and the statue was recast using three tonnes of bronze ‘donated’ by the Germans at the request of the British Ambassador’s wife to the then German Ambassador based in

Paris. The new statue was reinstated on the original pedestal and was once more inaugurated with due pomp in June 1950.

There the statue should have remained gradually weathering and gaining the subtle patina of age. Unfortunately, many historians were critical of Haig’s role as commander-in-chief and the high casualties in British offensives. His reputation in France had also been affected by the publication of his diaries and his observations on the French Army. This resulted in the statue being subject to vandalism and deterioration due to reduced interest and attendant care.

It was thus that I found the statue on my first visit to Montreuil-sur-Mer in February 2008. Apart from being captivated by the charming walled town with its beautiful old houses and churches, its imposing ramparts and its cobbled streets – not to mention a good selection of restaurants, it was the discovery of a fine equestrian statue located in the main square of the town which caught my attention. Located between two flag poles, one flying the Union Jack and the other the Tricolour of France was a British military figure in full uniform mounted on a beautiful horse. The officer was instantly recognisable as being the same as the statue that stands in front of School House, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

It was a great disappointment to see that the statue was in a poor state with several parts broken or damaged (his sabre, scabbard, spurs, and reins for instance) and that something needed to be done to restore it to its 1950 condition. Bearing in mind that Haig was a Scottish freemason, it occurred to me that this might be a project which the Old Cliftonian Lodge might commission. The Lodge committee thought it to be too ambitious and so it remained until 2015. In that year, the Lodge was offered the opportunity to organise the annual Public Schools Lodges Council Festival at Clifton in 2018. The committee agreed to consider it as

one of the main objectives of the Festival. Research commenced to see what the cost would be to restore the statue. During the investigation, it was established that such a restoration had to be undertaken by an approved sculptor of the French Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles (DRAC). The cost of refurbishment to meet DRAC’s requirements was (then) €32,000 which was beyond the ambitions of the Lodge and the Festival committee. As a result, it was decided that it would not be included as part of the 2018 Festival.

The Lodge committee then decided that the 2018 (85th) PSLC Festival should focus on the centenary commemoration of the ending of the Great War. The Festival at Clifton was a great success due mainly to the support of the Headmaster and the school staff. The Haig exhibition organised by the school Archivist as part of the Festival provided a fresh stimulus to getting the statue in Montreuil restored to its 1950 condition. At the same time, I was organising a weekend visit to Montreuil in November 2018, to commemorate the Armistice. To mark our visit, the Mayor invited the Worshipful Master of the Lodge to lay the first wreath at the Montreuil cenotaph on 11th November. We were also invited to attend the Mayor’s Vin d’Honneur following the ceremony. During the festivities the attendees met a number of dignitaries who, it turned out, were also interested in seeing the Haig statue refurbished.

One such person was Ms Siobhán Stevens who had assisted in the translation into French of Sir Frank Fox’s book about Field

Marshall Haig entitled ‘G.H.Q. (Montreuilsur-Mer)’. Following this first meeting, Ms Stevens introduced me to Dr. Charles Goodson-Wickes, a lieutenant-colonel in the First Gulf War, the MP for Wimbledon between 1987 and 1997, and the greatgrandson of Sir Frank Fox.

Charles Goodson-Wickes then introduced me to his friend, Lord Astor of Hever, who is Haig’s grandson. At our first meeting, Lord Astor and I agreed that we would endeavour to get a working party together to advance the possible refurbishment of the statue. If successful, Lord Astor indicated that it would be possible to organise a major celebration in Montreuil. He anticipated that this would be well supported by a sizeable contingent from the Haig clan, the Military, and other dignitaries.

The big problem was how to raise the repair cost required to carry out the necessary work on the statue and to meet the requirements of the DRAC and the relevant French monument authorities in Paris. The cost had now risen to €38,000.

Lord Astor organised a working party which included Haig’s granddaughter, Xenia Dennen. Her mother was the FM’s eldest daughter and featured in the film clip of the 1931 inauguration in Montreuil. Her mother also unveiled the statue of her father at Clifton.

The working party also included Dr. Charles Goodson-Wickes, Siobhán Stevens, three members of the Douglas Haig Fellowship and a local representative (Michael Spriggs) from the Montreuil region. The working party was renamed the Haig Statue Restoration Fund and I was asked to be Treasurer. After two meetings hosted by Lord Astor in the House of Lords, the pandemic struck, and all activities stopped. This included the event planning and fund raising. However, it had been agreed that the target date for the inauguration of the restored statue should be the weekend of 13th June 2021, that being the date closest to Haig’s birthday.

During the lockdown and through the spring and early summer of 2020, Siobhán Stevens, Michael Spriggs and I worked on getting permission and support from the Mayor and the Montreuil Commune to get the statue restored. We also contacted potential ‘approved’ Sculptors, obtained quotes for the work, investigated possible banking arrangements and started preparing information leaflets and other fund-raising documents.

Weekly Zoom meetings of the Restoration Fund Committee commenced in June 2020 with the main effort being directed to the opening of a bank account and the preparation of a website. All the major banks appeared to have become Covid deaf during the pandemic. After much effort, an account was eventually opened with the NatWest Bank. This was after pointing out to the bank that the Field Marshal had been a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland until his death in 1928 and that a famous painting of him by Sir James Guthrie still hangs in the main staircase of the RBS head office in Edinburgh.

Donations commenced with the opening of the bank account in August 2020. Preliminary information from a potential

Lord Astor

sculptor suggested that a budget of €41,000 was likely to be the amount required to fund the restoration work. As treasurer, I agreed with the committee that a gala dinner would be held on the evening before the inauguration for all those who had made a major donation of at least £500.

In September 2020 I was able to visit Montreuil and to have a meeting with the newly elected Mayor, M. Pierre Ducrocq. This proved to be very fruitful in that the Mayor agreed that the Commune would employ the sculptor thus avoiding any French contractual difficulties. I was also able to visit several potential venues for the gala dinner, a number of churches to hold a memorial church service, and rooms suitable for lectures and other presentations. From my visit report, the committee approved my recommendation that the gala dinner should be held at the Château de Montreuil. This turned out to be an excellent choice.

Unfortunately, the pandemic restrictions were reintroduced at this time in both the UK and France. Weekly committee Zoom meetings had to be continued. However, donations received achieved the initial target of 20% sculptor projected fees. This enabled the Mayor to enter into a contract with Lise Bastardoz, the chosen DRAC approved sculptor.

Attention now turned to getting DRAC approval of the proposed restoration. This proved to be extremely difficult due to changes of personnel at DRAC and French Covid restrictions. Before approval could be given, DRAC insisted that Haig’s mount

should be internally examined to make sure there was no corrosion which could pose problems when the statue was being restored externally. An equine statue endoscopy was arranged which thankfully proved clear. This incurred an additional and unexpected cost of over €3,000. This survey could not be carried out until late March 2021 which meant that the restoration could not be commenced until the end of the year. The inauguration had to be postponed until June 2022.

On 17th June 2022, the Old Cliftonian party duly assembled in Montreuil and included the Headmaster and his wife together with eighteen OC Lodge members, wives, and friends. The weather for the inauguration weekend was lovely although rather hot on the Saturday afternoon.

The gala dinner was held in the Château de Montreuil on the Friday evening. It was such a warm evening that a candle lit dinner was able to be held in the garden of the château. It was a glorious spectacle with officers from Haig’s regiments in full mess kit with glistening medals and the ladies looking spectacular in their long evening dresses. An occasion which will long be remembered.

On the Saturday, the unveiling of the Restoration Plaque took place in front of

the restored statue which looked magnificent in the bright sunlight. It was attended by senior officers and representatives of the regiments with which Field Marshal Haig was associated. The Household Cavalry; The Queen's Royal Hussars; The Royal Lancers; The Royal Regiment of Scotland; and The London Scottish were present in full ceremonial uniform. Also attending were the Honourable Artillery Company and the Artists Rifles who guarded GHQ during WW1. The Royal British Legion and the Royal British Legion Scotland were present as well as the Mayor and other local dignitaries, Councillors, and representatives of Souvenir Français and the French Veterans Associations. The Montreuil Harmonie Town Band and the Chorale du Bras d’Or College choir played and sang during the ceremony.

A very poignant moment occurred when a Household Cavalry trooper and his French counterpart entered from behind the statue and saluted each other in a reenactment of the famous painting scene from the ceremony of the signing of the original Entente-Cordiale in 1904.

The ceremony was concluded by the unveiling of the Restoration Plaque by the Mayor of Montreuil and Lord Astor and the laying of wreaths by the descendants of those close to Douglas Haig.

A memorial service was held in the late afternoon in the Eglise Abbatiale SaintSaulve à Montreuil. The church ‘altar rail’ had been decorated with eight wreaths in the colours of the Regiments who were attending the service. The Diapason Choir provided delightful music throughout the service which concluded with a playing by the pipe sergeant of the London Scottish. The address was given by Lt. Gen. Sir Alistair Irwin, President of the Royal British Legion Scotland, and readings were by senior warrant officers of the regiments present. Many commented on what a beautiful service it had been.

After the service, Field Marshal Haig’s Own Pipes and Drums from Roeselare, Belgium, led the congregation through the town to the Arsenal in the Citadelle where the Mayor and Town Council held an official reception and Vin d’Honneur

The Old Cliftonian party then withdrew and concluded an excellent day by a very informal and rather liquid dinner at Froggy’s Restaurant in Montreuil. To be recommended!

On Sunday morning a wreath laying ceremony took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Etaples. The regimental colonels, the presidents of the Royal British Legion, the Royal British Legion Scotland, Lord Astor, Xenia Dennen, the Headmaster, and others including the author each laid a poppy wreath in due form. The ceremony was concluded by the glorious sound of the Last Post played by two Menin Gate Last Post Buglers making a rare visit away from their base in Ypres, Belgium.

Lord Astor and I then hosted a reception and lunch at La Chartreuse de Neuville. Jonathan Walker brought a most memorable weekend to a close with an excellent address worthy of the occasion.

Mission accomplished after fourteen plus years.

John Acton Clifton 1949–1958

Old Cliftonian Lodge 1995 to date

Lise Basterdos (Sculptor) at work

Polack’s House and the Cousinhood  Polack’s House and the Cousinhood

by Bernard Lever (PH 1969)

Polack’s House, a boarding house for Jewish pupils at an English public school, which had kosher food, Hebrew instruction and daily worship in synagogue instead of chapel, was a unique educational institution. It lasted for 127 years from 1878 until 2005 and it was the first Jewish house in the public school system. Harrow tried between 1881 and 1903 and Cheltenham between 1892 and 1923. Those two houses competed for the same pupils as Polack’s. What made Polack’s succeed when the others failed? It was for many years the largest house in the school with over 80 boys and required two annexes, ‘The Chateau’ next to the Redgrave Theatre and 5, College Fields to accommodate them.

Apart from Clifton’s liberal outlook which caused it to pioneer such a house, there were two factors. First, “the Cousinhood” and second, a unique “dynasty” of four Polack housemasters from 1890 to 1979, a staggering 89 years in the care of one family. Between 1878 and 1890, Bernard Heymann, the first housemaster, rented a semi-detached house in Percival Road. The house at that time consisted of a handful of boys rising to eleven. For school purposes the numbers were not viable, so the newcomers came under the umbrella of North Town, one of the day houses.

At the beginning of the “dynasty”, in 1890, Rev. Joseph Polack took over and the house expanded. He bought the attached house next door and built on extra rooms.

In 1906, the house had 40 boys and became viable in the school. It could field teams, have fagging, house VIths and a Praepostor as Head of House like the other houses. Before 1912, Polack’s 1st XI and XV played other houses’ 2nd teams.

In 1911 Polacks were cock house 2nds and thereafter their 1st team played other houses’ 1st teams.

Joseph Polack soldiered on for 33 years until, in 1923, his OC son Albert took over. By this time there were 50 boys. Albert was housemaster for 26 years, then his first cousin, Philip Polack, some 20 years younger, took over in 1949. After 15 years, Albert’s OC son Ernest, who had been his father’s last Head of House, was housemaster for another 15 years. Philip’s son Michael Polack was the Head of House

Joseph, the young Housemaster

Dynasty, Philip, (left), Albert, (centre) and Ernest (right) stand under the portrait of Joseph Polack, 1978.

Polack’s House. The original Hamburg House was the left-hand side of a building containing two semi-detached villas. After several alterations, including an additional storey, the House expanded to include the righthand villa in 1906.

in my first term. After Cambridge, he too became a schoolteacher but did not wish to become housemaster. A series of able housemasters, not from the family, followed.

A great factor in the House’s success was perhaps “the Cousinhood”. Levi Barent Cohen was born in Amsterdam in 1747 and became a wealthy merchant. He moved to London and was the lay leader of the Great Synagogue. He had a large number of children and grandchildren who intermarried with all the most influential Jewish families in London. The Montefiores, Sebag-Montefiores, Mocattas, Franklins, Samuels, Rothschilds, Waleys and their combination with the Cohens, the Waley-Cohens. This intermarriage started the Cousinhood.

Levi Barent Cohen’s grandson, Lionel Cohen MP, himself a strictly orthodox Jew, wanted a place where his extended family could have the benefits of an English public school education, whilst worshipping each day in synagogue, not chapel, adhering strictly to the Jewish dietary laws, with no work on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath. He went to Clifton to take the waters at Hotwells and met John Percival, Clifton’s legendary first Headmaster. Cohen eventually persuaded Percival and the Council to start a Jewish

House in 1878 to educate an English gentleman within the Jewish faith.

The first two pupils were Lionel Cohen’s two nephews, his sisters’ children, Albert Henry Jessel KC (his other uncle was Sir George Jessel, Master of the Rolls, the first Jewish Privy Councillor and holder of High Judicial Office), and Ferdinand SebagMontefiore. Ferdinand tragically died at Clifton aged 16. The family plainly did not hold the school responsible because he was followed by his younger brother Edmund, five Sebag-Montefiore nephews, three Montefiore and ten Cohen cousins, who all happily survived!

Abraham Lumbrozo de Mattas Mocatta, born in London 1734, came from the oldest English family of the Cousinhood. The Mocattas arrived in Oliver Cromwell’s day. His daughter Rachel, 1762–1844, was the matriarch of the Montefiore Family. Lt. Col. Sir Alan Mocatta was Head of House, a High Court Judge and the lay leader of Great Britain’s Sephardi Jews. David Alfred Mocatta was a famous Victorian architect who designed Brighton and six other railway stations, the ornate Ouse Valley Viaduct and his first cousin Sir Moses Montefiore’s private synagogue (the only synagogue with a chiming clock on it) and tomb in Ramsgate.

Polack’s House — Cock House Canada Trophy, 1921. This trophy was presented to the house which had performed best in the school Corps during the year, and Polack’s success in winning the trophy was a notable achievement

A ‘Vanity Fayre’ cartoon of Lionel Cohen by ‘Lib’, 1886

A glance at the family tree of the family tree shows that all of the sixty plus Cousinhood Old Cliftonians are descended from Abraham Mocatta or Levi Barent Cohen and many of them from both.

Albert Polack OC was friendly through school and Cambridge with two OC Cohen grandsons of Lionel MP. Their father, Frank Cohen, was not an OC but two of his brothers and two of his Waley wife’s brothers and one nephew were. Albert fell in love with the Cohen brother’s sister Beatrice and she with him. They were eventually allowed to marry although Albert was an impecunious schoolmaster. Beatrice was a superb housemaster’s wife for 26 years and the mother of Ernest, so the last Polack housemaster was a descendant of Levi Barent Cohen and great-grandson of Lionel Cohen MP, whose brainchild the House was. He was called Ernest Frank Polack after his Cohen grandfather.

It can be seen from the Tree that Frank’s two sons, Betty’s brothers, were Cliftonians. Both attended Cambridge and were friends of C P Snow, who used to come to dinner regularly at their home. He based his story, “The Conscience of the Rich”, upon the family.

So why did the Cousinhood have a beneficial effect on Clifton?  First, the Cousinhood’s attendance encouraged other successful Jewish families to follow their example. Second, they gave significant financial support to the Polacks to expand the house. Unlike other Clifton houses, the Polacks themselves owned the house at 1 Percival Road until 1954. Originally, Bernard Heymann rented half the house; Joseph Polack bought it and the adjoining house, followed by numerous costly extensions. The Polacks were impecunious schoolmasters but the Cousinhood helped them financially. The final massive gesture by the Cousinhood in 1954 was that Sir Bernard Waley-Cohen Bt.OC and his brother Matthew OC bought the house from the Polacks and donated it to Clifton in memory of their father Sir Robert Waley Cohen OC. Sir Robert’s father had been the brother of Lionel Cohen MP, the founder, so Sir Bernard and Matthew were his great nephews. Sir Robert and Sir Bernard served for many years on the Council and let their Exmoor estate be used every summer for the CCF Camp.

So why after two generations did the Cousinhood, except the Mocattas, abandon Polack’s and why after four generations did the Jewish Community

follow suit? It is said that the Cousinhood were frustrated at not being able to play for the XI and XV and other school teams on a Saturday, but I suspect this is not the whole story, particularly as in the early 1950s D.N Tarsh played for the XV for four years and was captain for two – he was also the first Polackian to be Head of School and Cadet Captain. I believe that the Cousinhood became assimilated and although they remained loyal Jews who faithfully supported Jewish charities, they were not as religiously observant as previous generations. The idea of chapel, or a bacon and egg breakfast, was not a problem for them as it had been for their forebears.

Also, successful Jewish parents were now attaching more importance to school being near enough to home for them to attend matches, plays and other events. Many were happier for their children to remain at home. England’s only remaining Jewish boarding school Carmel College succumbed to these issues and had to close in 1997, eight years before Polack’s.

Polack’s when I was there (1965–9) was much more friendly than my time in the Pre, where even brothers called each other “Eccles minor” and “Eccles tertius.”

Heymann's (later Polack's) House when it opened in 1878

Sir Alan Mocatta

Moses Montefiore’s Synagogue in Ramsgate

Everybody, including the housemaster and house tutor, called the boys by their first names. Ernest Polack was years ahead of his time. He was the first housemaster never to beat pupils and had two ethics and current affairs discussion groups, one for senior boys, the other for juniors, on Saturday morning after the Sabbath service. He was an active opponent of apartheid, and was in the front line of protest against a touring Springbok rugby team when he should probably have been on campus!

The house had a very self-deprecating sense of humour. We used to joke that when we put out a junior rugby team it had 16 captains, the players and touch judge all yelling instructions at each other. When the Beatles released “Yellow Submarine”, the song of choice in the showers was “We all live in a house in Golders Green.” And the house had a very strong tradition for boxing – the Captain would put up a notice: “Boxing Training. Come and get fit.” Some wag crossed out the ”F” and put an “H”!

The great Dr Arnold of Rugby and John Percival of Clifton made it their ambition for their schools to turn out “Christian Gentlemen”. I hope Polack’s and Clifton have played their part in turning out many Jewish “Christian Gentlemen.” I conclude with two verses of the long-forgotten House Song:

The numbers at first were few at Polack’s

But as time went on, they grew and grew at Polack’s

And Polack said “This beats all booms I’ll add some triple expansion rooms, to Polack’s.

Now past and present give three cheers for Polack’s

And may they be spared for many years, the Polacks

And may their boys all PLAY THE GAME

And add their names to the roll of fame of Polack’s.

Bibliography:

Dynasty, The Polack Family and the Jewish House at Clifton  by Derek Winterbottom

The Cousinhood: The Anglo-Jewish Gentry by Chaim Bermant

Reminiscences

One of the unexpected joys of lockdown was the correspondence, by air mail, between Peter Akerman [SH 1946] in Western Australia and the Editor. Always witty, heartfelt and idiosyncratic, here is one such letter.

Peter Akerman, Matthew’s, Poole’s and School House 1936–1946, now in his 90s and residing in the healthy climate of Busselton in Western Australia, describes an important and meaningful part of his memories of the good things that happened to him at Clifton:

It was 86 years ago when I was tucked into bed in Matthew’s House, listening to the big cats in the Zoo roaring at feeding time, which was enough to freeze the heart of any empire builder, let alone the heart of an eight-year old. E.G. (‘Egg’) Sharp was the Headmaster of the Preparatory School, Norman Whatley was the Head Master, and the war-battered Dr Douglas Fox was the Director of Music.

A fragment of music that I heard at that time still haunts me. I was in the Chapel alone for some reason, and I had what I could call a ‘light bulb moment’, when I heard a choral scholar practising the aria from Handel’s Messiah, ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’, from the organ loft. Ever since I have never ceased wondering at the power that music has, because I cannot remember much about anything else that happened during my ten-year stay at the school. I was not a scholar, and was not particularly enthusiastic about sport, and those who were my best friends at school are no more. Also, I was not an instrumentalist or a singer, just a listener, and I rejoiced in that.

Dr Douglas Fox, an Old Cliftonian, was a brilliant Director of Music, full of enthusiasm despite a wound that cost him an arm in ‘the war to end all wars’ of 1914–1918. What a price to pay for a topclass performing musician, a catastrophe almost too hard to bear. But with his remaining hand he managed to perform a special piano concerto composed for him by a famous composer of the day, and when he played the organ during chapel services, it was almost impossible to tell that it was not being played by an organist with two hands.

To continue in a lighter vein, I remember the ‘Heath Robinson’ trolley and record playing equipment that the Doctor had assembled to trundle his priceless wares from one classroom to another when the school was evacuated to Bude, in northwest Cornwall. No one but Dr Fox was allowed to touch this weird assembly, or give him a helping hand.

There was another musical moment, a

little absurd at that time, which came when, after I had left the school in 1946, I had applied for entry to the recently established Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Applicants had to give a short talk to a triumvirate of Brigadiers as a part of the process, and I chose a topic that I hoped would not be challenged, because the Brigadiers would not be likely to be well informed about it. So, I spoke about the place of one of Germany’s greatest composers, Ludwig van Beethoven, in the development of music. This worked, and I was accepted into the Academy.

More recently, a grandson near whom I am now living in Western Australia, a plumber, asked me for some help in fathoming the meaning of music. I thought that this was a surprising request from a very busy man who was engaged in starting his own business, but anyway, we plunged into the deep end straight away, discussing the Ninth Symphony of Antonín Dvořák, and the composer’s interest in native American and AfricanAmerican singing that influenced it.

To conclude my offering, I will borrow some words from something said by David Tunley, an Emeritus Professor at The University of Western Australia, in the country in which my wife and I now live, when he spoke of ‘music’s transforming power’ at a conference.

He said: ‘So many people have asked, “What is the meaning of music? Why do we respond to it?” One of its most wonderful aspects is its mystery. There is that aspect of music which some people probably never feel because they may be not sensitised to it, but it’s what Plato

Douglas Fox (pupil)

Matthew’s House in 1932

talked about – the ennobling aspect of music. And those of us who love music dearly, however many times we go to a concert or listen to a piece of music, for a moment we’re walking with the gods.’

Thank you, David.

In Memoriam Geoffrey Hardyman: The 1970 Clifton Trip to Greece

If one is to write an authoritative article about travel it is probably best not to wait over 50 years before setting fingers to keyboard. However, the 1970 school trip to Greece, memorable in many ways, made an appearance as a classic example of Geoffrey Hardyman’s sang-froid during his memorial service in the Chapel in October 2021. I believe I am the only OC who went on it to be in the Chapel that day and decided I could commemorate

Finally, I do have a vivid recall of my last day [at Clifton]. All the leavers were jostled into [Bertrand] Hallward’s study for farewells, I presumed, only to be told how vital it was to answer mail on the day

of receipt. We had all expected something more elevated from such a renowned academic! With this advice, I slithered into military service.

the voyage quite effectively still, although the expression “E & O E” has seldom been more apposite. Apologies to anyone who remembers differently and/or better than me.

The trip, in August 1970, led by Geoffrey who was ably assisted by CJEJ, was to be there and back by train, and by coach and ferries while we were there. This was before the age of mass tourism in Greece and Crete and we were to have the beaches to ourselves. The total cost was £98; inflation means it cost £1,555 at today’s values.

I was a bursary boy, having won exemption from paying any of the school’s dayboy fees in a Clifton scholarship exam for state primary school pupils when I was 10. My parents had a mortgage, lowish income white collar jobs and a long-term, crippling cigarette habit, which meant they could not afford a car or holidays when I was in my teens. They said that they couldn’t afford £98. They could offer £25; my godmother a further £25 plus £25 for spending money; the rest I had to find. I applied for a travel

grant from the school as I needed just short of £50. I remember cycling into school on a Sunday especially for an appointment with the then Head Master, Mr McWatters, who offered me £25 from a newly created charity budget. I said, “It’s not enough”; he said he could offer me no more; I told him “Well, I can’t go then”; he sat and looked at me and I slunk out. The following week I told Geoffrey, my housemaster, and he said he would try to sort it out. I asked him about it later as, if I was to go, we needed then to do paperwork, and he told me it was all dealt with and wrote me a cheque for £50. His face was expressionless as he did this and I guessed that the rest of the money was coming from his own account – I said, “You will claim it back, won’t you, sir?” (I remember this very clearly) and he assured me he would. But somehow I feel he was my benefactor.

We met on Temple Meads station. Our mothers came to see us off; we were mostly 14–17 and not all of us very selfsufficient. One of the other mothers confided in mine that she had supplied her son with disposable paper

Douglas Fox (master)

underpants, which I found encouraging. We set out for the long journey, due to take only three days or so; to start with, train to Paddington, tube to Victoria, train to Dover, ferry to Ostend and then an alarming walk through railway sidings to find our couchettes. Like beds on trains. It was by now late evening; we were conveyed horizontally through Belgium and Germany to Austria, where we were to change trains.

I was unprepared for Salzburg and have no clue as to what we visited in the few hours we were at liberty there; I kept no diary; I have a confused memory of a lot of very busy church interiors. It was all very interesting and I do not believe any of us got into any trouble. However, when we got back to our couchettes’ carriage we found that they were full of Austrian squaddies who sneered at us, for they had commandeered our couchettes and we were to travel as best we could. We headed for the luggage compartment, heaped up our bags and slept on them as the train headed off into what is now Slovenia but was than part of communist Yugoslavia.

A brief digression on the politics. The Cold War had another 20 years to go. Formed in 1918, Yugoslavia – Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Slovenia and North Macedonia – had elected after World War II a one-party communist government under the leadership of Marshal Tito, the wartime partisan leader. Yugoslavia was not aligned with Russia or China but was nonetheless not friendly to the West. Greece, however, Yugoslavia’s southern neighbour, was resolutely anticommunist; in 1967 a group of colonels had overthrown the democratic government and continued in control until 1974. It was an authoritarian farright regime that treated its opponents with very great violence and torture, and generally behaved as a fascist

encouraged tourism. Relations between Yugoslavia and Greece, regimes with such clearly opposing stances, were not exactly on a war footing but there had been border issues and neither side trusted the other.

Back to the train. We lived on the train for the next day or so, sitting on the edge of the open-sided luggage compartment during the day with our legs dangling over the side as the train chugged very, very slowly on. We could see ox-carts and barefoot women walking to work in the early morning along the tracks. At some point we were told there was a restaurant car; I don’t think I had actually eaten anything like a proper meal since leaving home; what we ate then seemed to have mostly been pickled cabbage but it was very welcome. The masters in charge of the trip were mostly elsewhere, I imagine in greater, more conventional comfort.

All went serenely until we got to Belgrade. We had plenty of time to get to know the station well. Five hours, in fact. If one walked to the very end of the station one could see that the high-rise buildings behind it were not buildings at all; they were structures like stage scenery with no real depth, only height and width, designed solely for effect. It was at this point that the political realities began to emerge. No one in the party spoke SerboCroat. In the hope that someone in the station would speak Greek and be able to tell us when, if ever, a train would appear, our leaders decided to take our Greekspeaker, Savvas Michaelides of East Town, to find someone to ask the question. A Greek-speaker there at that time meant just one thing to the Serbian authorities and so Savvas was arrested as a Greek spy. We continued without him; after much embassy action, he reappeared and re-joined the group some days late, looking chastened and thoughtful.

and we piled into the luggage compartment and settled down again for many more hours. As we approached Idomeni where the border controls were based late at night, we were again asleep on our luggage. I was the nearest to the luggage compartment door and was the first to be woken by the border guard. He had been drinking heavily and had a slick of alcoholic sweat on his forehead, and was not well trained in welcoming tourists. His task was to work his red ink passport stamp with his free hand. In his other was the handgun that he produced and pointed at my forehead. I looked at the black circle at the business end of the gun-barrel and said to myself (this I remember very clearly) that if I survived I was never going to tell my mother about this. And I never did. The guard said, “Passport?” Not daring to move my head in case he shot me I pointed at my case and said, “It’s in there. Can I get it?” He held his fire, and said yes, so I did. He looked through it, sneered, opened his red ink pad, stuck his thumb on it, grasped my passport – I have the red ink thumbmark on the old passport still; I checked – stamped the passport, sneered at me again and moved on to point his gun at the next boy.

We did eventually arrive and were finally able to spend a few hours in bed in Thessalonika. It was August and the heat of the Greek summer hit me for the first time. Much of the rest of the trip was less eventful, apart from the free evening in Athens. We went to a lot of archaeological sites – in those days you could wander round the Parthenon, before they closed it to general tourism. We drank the water from the spring at Delphi, and one or two of us raced round the athletics track there. We crossed to the Peloponnese and visited Olympia (more running for some) and Mycenae, and Nauplion and Epidaurus and Corinth and Athens.

Whenever there was seaside we swam, from largely empty beaches. We got some rather unkind amusement out of the intense frustration of our archaeological site guides who found how uninterested we were in what they had to say and how we would just wander off while they were in mid-flow.

Our next set of troubles came when we were allowed out into what passed for nightlife in Athens. I was in a group of four wandering aimlessly when we were seized on by a stout little man who insisted we come into his club for a while and that we didn’t have to buy anything. This club was what was known as a clip joint. Each of us was assigned a lady of dubious virtue and mature years; they ordered beers for us and champagne for themselves; mine looked at me disapprovingly and asked why I wore my hair like that as she didn’t like it. Then the bill came, £35. £550 in today’s money. We were aghast. One of us seemed to have a wallet full of drachmas but we did not want to pay. One of us (I think Roger Bigland) suggested we take off our watches and strapped them round our ankles so they wouldn’t get taken in lieu of money. I can’t believe we actually did this but we did. We refused to pay. They were outraged and called the police, who came at once and took us to the nearest police station all sitting on the back seat of a vast

American police car. At the police station they showed us the cells and their inhabitants, who all appeared to be drunks with immoral intentions. Our policeman then offered to arbitrate. We got away with £10 between us and were let out to walk back to the hotel where Geoffrey and CJEJ were waiting to count us in. They looked remarkably calm; in their situation I would have been mentally composing letters like WWI officers did to the parents of the missing or dead of the party, but they seemed utterly unconcerned. We were among the first back; as far as I could tell virtually all the boys had been obliged to visit a police station during the evening for some reason.

The rest was easy. We took the ferry to Aegina and swam there, and then the overnight ferry to Crete where we went to the Iraklion Museum and to Knossos, and swam, and the ferry back to Athens, and a coach to Patras and a ferry across the Adriatic to Ancona in eastern Italy. Some of us went sightseeing while those who had had enough by now (including me) hid in the station buffet, and I spent the last of my money on a packet of crisps. The train we got on then had couchettes again, a great luxury, but I was envious of the lad who still had some money to buy a basket of lunch with red wine passed through the

train window at Milan station. I did not eat again till we got home.

The final event for me was arriving at Temple Meads at about 1 a.m., rather later than expected, to find other boys’ parents there to pick them up and hear their carefully edited stories. Mine, carless, were not. I rang home; my father suggested I hang around till the first bus and told me he could not afford a taxi. Roger’s father put my luggage and me in his car, took Roger home and then drove me on to where I lived. I have never forgotten this kindness.

Actually visiting Greece is inspirational, especially to classicists. At the end of the Upper Fifth I was plumb bottom of my Greek A level set. In the exams in the Lower Sixth, in the term after this trip, I had risen to the top. I went on to read Classics at Oxford with an open scholarship. I have been back to Greece and Crete several times since, taking my own children to Crete when they were old enough. The 1970 Clifton visit, though, was the trip of a lifetime in more ways than we expected. And I continue to be most impressed how Geoffrey and CJEJ coped with everything so apparently calmly.

Jonathan Hulme ST(Pre); ST 1965–72

Richard Gliddon (Former Master 1969–1985, Hon. OC) recalls three great Clifton characters:

Peter Brook (Former Master 1936–1971) Priest and Player

This is an account of a remarkable man who played rugby for England but also was responsible for the care and education of many Cliftonians, whether as Housemaster or Chaplain!

Peter Brook was born in 1906. He was a Surrey county athlete (hurdles and pole vault), played rugby for Cambridge and Harlequins, and then was ordained as a priest in the late 1920s. He was first capped for England in 1930 and still holds the unique distinction of being the only rugby international to play for England while a priest! One other England rugby international entered the church later in his life: Peter Knight, an Old Cathedralian and Director of Physical Education at Clifton College. Inevitably, there are a number of anecdotes about Peter Brook’s rugby career including the incident when he collapsed on the pitch in Paris. The England captain went across to Peter and said “Brook, get up man, you can’t die on French soil”!

Peter Brook arrived at Clifton College in 1936 to teach History and become school Chaplain.

He played cricket for Gloucestershire 2nd XI. Also, he was a regular prison visitor at Horfield for many years and an Army Chaplain during the war. He organised a major charity rugby match on the Close in 1940 for a team of English players against a Welsh team with a crowd of several thousand raising funds for the Red Cross. After the war, Peter became Housemaster of Wiseman’s. His experience with prisons meant that he was well able to deal with any reprobates in the house! Pupils remembered how men released from Horfield prison would call at Wiseman’s, where Peter would welcome them, provide a meal, overnight accommodation

Peter Brook

and some money to help them on their way. This kindness partly explains how Peter Brook could possibly be chosen as the Conservative City Councillor for Southmead for many years. At election

Trevor Howard (DH 1932) “A Brief Encounter”

Trevor Howard-Smith arrived at the back door of Dakyns’ House in Clifton College at about the time Michael Redgrave was departing through the front door in 1926. These two Dakyns’ boys were to become leading British actors for some 40 years, but playing very different roles. Trevor Howard featured in such films as “The Third Man”, “Mutiny on the Bounty”, “Ryan’s Daughter”, “Gandhi” and “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, while Michael Redgrave is particularly remembered for his Shakespeare roles on stage as well as films such as “The Browning Version”, “The Importance of Being Ernest” and “1984”. In 1984, Rita and I entertained Trevor Howard and his actress wife, Helen Cherry, to lunch in Dakyns’ and to meet some Dakyns’ boys. They enjoyed meeting everybody and had a fine time perusing the House Books of his period as they contained a full account

time, the ex-prisoners, living on the Southmead estate, would instruct family and friends to vote for “The Rev”!

Peter served as a councillor and later an

of Trevor’s exploits in athletics, boxing, cricket and rugby. Not much evidence of acting or school work but photographs of the rugby XV with Trevor proudly wearing his colours cap and sporting a moustache! Evidence of his sporting interests was further confirmed by his claim that all his film contracts excused him from work whenever a Test match was being played! He was impressed to read in the house book that Michael Redgrave had achieved earlier acclaim for his portrayal of Lady Macbeth in the school play. Michael had also won the major school music award (the Kadoorie Cup) playing a piano solo.

The highlight for Trevor was, accompanied

Alderman until his death in 1992. He was also a Governor at QEH and Colston’s, and served the people of Bristol with distinction.

by boys, finding his study with a large peg on the back of the door. He remembered how he had kept his raincoat and trilby hat on that very peg to aid his disguise when making regular nocturnal visits to a Clifton bar for a stiff gin or three! “Nothing much has changed” he declared with a twinkle in his eye, and we were all amused at this deliberately ambiguous statement! He was a household name for so many years, playing strong characters in films, and we suspect that he used that same trilby hat and coat to launch his famous career when he played opposite Celia Johnson in David Lean’s 1945 classic, “Brief Encounter”.

Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter and Mutiny on the Bounty

Trevor Howard

Rodney Gee

(Former Master 1922–1968)

Major “Jumper” Gee

Rodney Gee was born in 1897, educated at Durham School, and joined the Durham Light Infantry in the First World War. He then went to Cambridge University, obtaining first class honours in Classics and English, before arriving at Clifton College to teach in 1922. He remained at Clifton as a teacher and Housemaster for a further 46 years, only interrupted by war service from 1939 –1945! He was boarding Housemaster to two famous actors, Michael Redgrave and

Trevor Howard. He also coached very successful Clifton rugby teams.

The fact that Rodney Gee was captured in BOTH wars led to one wit adapting Oscar Wilde’s words (Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of being Ernest”): “To be captured in one war is most unfortunate, to be captured in both wars suggests carelessness”! In fact, Rodney Gee served with distinction in both wars, being awarded the Military Cross, and maintained morale in his POW camp.

I have seen a small photograph showing Rodney Gee producing Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” in the prison camp!

Inevitably, pupils detect mannerisms and identify favourite words used by teachers in their lessons.

Rodney Gee had a habit of frequently describing characters in books and plays as either “Corkers” or “Rotters”! This led to a class taking bets on which of the two words would be used most often in a lesson. The boys paid unusually close attention and the “score” was eight all as

the lesson came to a close. Rodney ended the lesson with: “Next time we will be looking at the text of “The Merchant of Venice” and Shylock was an absolute... (dramatic pause) … “ROTTER”! Half the class groaned inwardly while the remainder had difficulty in stifling a muffled cheer! Rodney Gee departed from the classroom probably well aware of the game and had played his part in ensuring a close finish!

Very fit in retirement, and living to the age of one hundred, Rodney Gee was a familiar figure in Clifton at various social events, all sporting fixtures on the Close, and a regular at Clifton chapel. For many years he ran the Clifton Reading Society. In 1992, a spritely 95 year old Rodney was interviewed, outside Clifton College, on national television, when Trevor Howard died. He was, as usual, coherent, concise and commented in his customary military manner: “Howard? Yes, I remember him well: not much of an academic, little evidence of being an actor, but useful at athletics, boxing, cricket and rugby”!

Rodney Gee was a truly remarkable man.

Rodney Gee

Durham Light Infantry WW1

Death Notices and Obituaries

Syed Ali ST 1959

Christopher Ashcroft WiH 1952

Heath Baines WaH 1984

Christopher Bascombe ET   1965

Anthony Birley OH 1955

Chris Bromhead NT 1953

John Budgen OH 1950

Roger Bugler DH 1942

James Burkitt BH 1957

Robert Cave ET 1992

Graham Cochrane BH 1950

Anthony Cole WiH 1955

Tony Crowe NT 1952

Roderick Davidson SH 1956

Robert Davies WaH 1975

Stephen Dembski WiH 1968

David Dyson WiH 1956

John Fry WaH 1948

Jonathan Gluck PH 1966

John Gould NT 1958

Robert Hall WiH 1952

Tom Hancock SH 1946

Geoffrey Hardyman OH 1950

Roger Harris ST 1954

Simon Hartnell SH 1984

Jonathan Haward SH 1976

Douglas Henderson Honorary OC

Wyndam Heyring WiH 1962

Jim Hood SH 1951

Henry Hughes Davies MH 2000

John Jackson WiH 1960

Tim Lalonde DH 1955

Jeremy Lang DH 1954

Stewart Lang ST 1966

David Lea WiH 1957

Mike Learoyd WaH 1950

Michael Lee OH 1961

Lisa Lermon WT 1996

Martin Levinson PH 1968

David Lindsay ST 1949

Charles Courtenay Lloyd NT 1935

Kit Maitland SH 1948

R Neil Marshman DH 1979

Alastair Merry DH 1960

Mirah Mosely Former Governor

Garth Mumford SH 1950

Angus Murray DH 1949

Robert Neill SH 1951

Stephen Perrott SH 1945

Peter (PJ) Probyn DH 1964

Mike Pyper NT 1975

Mike Robson DH 1978

Ian Rose ST 1950

Brian Sherriff  Pre 1940

Richard Sidwell ST 1947

Peter Spencer WiH 1951

Ion Stamboulieh  ST 1967

Donald Stradling ST 1948

David Thirlwall SH 1967

Ian Walker SH 1940

John Wilkins ST 1955

David Yarr ST 1976

Chris Bromhead NT 1953

John Hartland Bromhead was born in Bristol on 4th April 1935. Both his Father and Grandfather were prominent Bristol photographers and

John David Budgen

OH 1950

Chris was destined to follow in the family footsteps.

Chris (‘Kit’ at school but never after!) was in North Town from 1944–1953 and the College was to remain a central part of his life both professionally and personally.

At school, Chris represented the College at rugby and rowing (the latter being a sport he continued for many years with both Clifton and Redcliffe Rowing Clubs) but his favourite sporting moment was as part of the victorious NT water polo team against the ‘rest of the school’ in ‘52.

Forgoing a Commission, Chris did his National Service with the Marines, graduated from London Polytechnic and joined the family firm. Thus began a near 50 year career with Bromhead Bristol Photography and many an OC can attest to his professional skills from school and house photos to many of their wonderful

1932–2021: at Clifton 1946–1950. John very much enjoyed his time at Clifton and was inspired by the organ master and Director of Music, Douglas Fox, to pursue a career in church organ building.

John’s life-long passion for church organs, their upkeep and restoration, was instilled in him from his days at Clifton, and was followed with interest by Douglas Fox until his death.

It was an unusual career path that saw many parish church and cathedral organs brought back to their former glory, to be enjoyed by many for years to come.

‘An Organ Builder Looks Back’, John

manufacture and sales, he was also interested in railway signalling and safety.

Roger was born in Kingsbridge, Devon, to Albert Bugler, a Lloyd’s bank manager, and Isabel (nee Harris), a homemaker. In 1942, after attending Clifton College in Bristol, he went to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, to study engineering. He expected to join the army after graduating but was instead seconded to industry and became a traction engineer. He had a single employer throughout his career, though it changed names: BTH (British Thomson-Houston), then AEI (Associated Electrical Industries), then GEC (the General Electric Company). Until 1960 he worked in Rugby, thereafter at Trafford Park, Manchester, until his retirement in 1989.

He met Doreen Harris in Rugby, when he was an apprentice and she was working

weddings he efficiently captured on film.

Outside of work, Chris was a renowned after dinner speaker; past Chairman of both Round Table and 41 Club; a long time ‘Savage’ and latterly a regular at the Clifton Club. He was a lasting feature in the OC Golf calendar and, at the time of his death, was proudly the longest serving member of Bristol & Clifton Golf Club.

After snapping over 3000 weddings, Chris retired to spend more time in his beloved Salcombe as well as enjoying many rounds (and lunches) with the ‘Oxymorons’ at B&C and he continued to be involved in the Bristol Branch of the OC Society and OC Golf right up until his untimely illness.

Chris died on 6th April 2022 after a mercifully short Alzheimer’s-associated malady and is survived by his wife Sue and son Matt (also a NT OC).

Budgen, published in 2017, refers to his career.

on the shop floor, and they married in 1950, having spent months saving sugar and egg coupons for their wedding cake. By the time they moved to Wilmslow in Cheshire in 1960, the family was complete with two children, Hilary and Julian.

As a younger man Roger spent his spare time in signal boxes, and as an adult was a member of the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE). He and Doreen made many European friends through IRSE, as a result of much-enjoyed train travel around Europe.

Aged 50, he became a bellringer, the delight of his later life. He rang at his local church, St Bartholomew’s in Wilmslow, across the UK and abroad, wherever ringing took place. If he heard bells somewhere he would set off to find the tower and join in.

Christopher

Roger Bugler

DH 1942

My grandfather, Roger Bugler, who has died aged 98, was an engineer and lifelong railway enthusiast. Although his career was in locomotive traction motor

Roger was an avid reader — mostly the Guardian, daily, and technical papers related to his special interests, although he also loved detective stories. He was a singer and, as a bass baritone with perfect pitch and immaculate rhythm, he was an asset to many choirs.

He made wonderful marmalade and a

James Burkitt

BH 1957

James Kent Burkitt, former curator of the Grundy Art Gallery and Blackpool librarian, has died aged 81. He served as

Anthony Cole WiH 1955

Anthony Cole [Tony] was the first of 3 generations of Cliftonian to attend the College, with both his son and two grandsons also attending the school. He enjoyed a full and rounded Clifton career, although it was interrupted briefly by the need for him to step in to run the family business for a time, whilst his Father was unwell.

Tony went on to enter the world of accounting and once qualified as a Chartered Accountant, ran his practice in

mean roast dinner (as long as it was lamb), loved a sweet sherry; indeed, he had an extremely sweet tooth. He adored maps and map-reading and made sure his children did, too. He was pleased to contribute to the running of various organisations, including the Wilmslow Trust, his masonic lodge, and his parish church.

Blackpool District Librarian for nearly two decades and also supported arts and literature societies across the Fylde.

Born in Liverpool, James was educated at Clifton College, Bristol and Leeds Polytechnic, where he studied librarianship. In 1966 James volunteered with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) where he provided travelling library services in Zambia. It was on the runway before departure that he met Iola Bari Adams, who would become his future wife and mother of his children.

The couple married in October 1967 and later settled on the Fylde coast when James became District Librarian of Blackpool Libraries and part time curator of the Grundy Art Gallery in 1977. He introduced weekday lunchtime classical performances and very successfully revived the fortunes of the Grundy. James

Bristol for many years, a mere stone’s throw away from the College, before actually selling it to a firm where another Old Cliftonian was leading the management team.

After his time at Clifton, he was still very much involved in Clifton life, as an avid watcher of his son Alistair, where no rugby or cricket match, away or home, was missed and was always accompanied by his wife of 60 years, Janet. Along with many other parents, with whom lifelong friendships were made, there were few schools in the country where the most convenient pub was not known and communicated to all, as the place to meet prior to any match. The love of watching and the effort made to ensure attendance at every game was exemplified when in 1987, he helped organise for all the parents to go and watch their children play cricket in Barbados at the inaugural Sir Garfield Sobers tournament, which created memories never to be forgotten.

In later years, this same dedication and insistence on never missing a rugby, hockey or cricket game was carried through by watching his two grandchildren, Fergus and Willem, where once again, both home and away and in all weathers, he could be found on the

Doreen died in 1996, after which Roger travelled widely throughout his 70s and 80s, maintaining contact with family and old friends while making many new ones. He is survived by Hilary and Julian, and two grandchildren, Euan and me.

continued in his role as District Librarian until 1996 when he retired and immersed himself in the local arts.

He became an active member of the Lytham St Annes Art Society and also helped to organise exhibitions at the Booths Art Gallery in Lytham.

Following Iola’s death in October 2009, James was lucky enough to find love again and married Brenda Grierson. They spent many happy years together first in Ribchester and subsequently in Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire.

James died in Dumfries and Galloway Hospital on April 20 following an injury sustained in a fall at home. He leaves his wife Brenda, his older sister Carys, daughters Ann and Lucy, his son Tom and eight grandchildren.

side of the pitch supporting them and the wider team, with usually a picnic in the car for the journey home.

Tony died on the 23rd August 2022 peacefully at home with his wife,and will be very much missed as a Husband, Father and Grandfather.

Sir Garfield Sobers statue at Kensington Oval Cricket Ground in Barbados

Tony Crowe

NT 1952

The Rev Anthony (Tony) Crowe was a progressive and sometimes controversial priest, who was committed to an inclusive Church. He came to national prominence for blessing gay partnerships in church as early as 1978, and he was a longstanding campaigner for the ordination of women, for the marriage of divorcees in church, and for Palestinian rights.

His main ministry was at St Luke’s, Charlton, in Southwark diocese, where he was Rector from 1973 to 1994. Under his leadership, St Luke’s became a very distinctive church community; his legacy of inclusivity remains embedded. His commitments to radical causes were sincere and principled, but Tony also enjoyed sticking his head above the parapet, and very visibly breaking the rules.

Tony was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, and, after National Service with the Gloucestershire Regiment, he studied theology at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Tony first felt his calling as a schoolboy in Bristol, and his views about the nature of the priesthood were shaped by Mervyn Stockwood’s ministry there. Later, Stockwood, as Bishop of Southwark, appointed him to parishes in Clapham and Charlton. While Tony’s attitudes to homosexuality and Christian Socialism were influenced by him, he was more critical of Stockwood’s gender politics.

Tony trained for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge, between 1957 and 1959, a time of heated theological debate. He was a direct contemporary of Don Cupitt, and Tony’s sermons were informed by Sea of Faith ideas, as well as a recurrent theme that explored relationships between the Bible, tradition, and reason.

One source of pride for Tony was that he was the first deacon to be ordained in the crypt of the new Coventry Cathedral in

1959, three years before its consecration. He served his title at St Paul’s, Stockingford, a mining village outside Nuneaton, where he met Ailsa Wood, a health visitor. They married in 1962, moving to Eltham, in south London.

Tony became Vicar of St John’s, Clapham, in 1966. He plunged into the politics of 1960s inner London, aligning the church with local groups campaigning for racial justice. For a time, the Black Panthers used the church hall.

It was at St Luke’s, Charlton, that Tony’s ministry had its fullest expression. Tony was forever grateful that the parish was willing to come with him, even at the cost of criticism and attacks from the wider Church, local community, and national press. Tony was physically assaulted, and his family were verbally abused, primarily because of his support for gay rights.

In November 1978, Tony was the celebrant for the blessing of the partnership of Rodney Madden and Saxon Lucas. The “gay wedding” was widely covered, in the national tabloid press and elsewhere. It was indicative of Tony’s commitment to the cause (and eye for publicity) that these vows were reaffirmed in 1988 for a BBC Panorama programme about Church of England divisions.

Tony’s support for the ordination of women was also expressed through action. He mentored Liz Canham, who travelled to Newark, New Jersey, in 1981 and was ordained priest in the Episcopal Church by Bishop Stockwood and Bishop Jack Spong. Three weeks later, she celebrated the eucharist in the rectory at St Luke’s; the service was covered on BBC’s Newsnight that evening. In 1986, at the invitation of the PCC, she celebrated the eucharist in the church.

Tony’s ministry was marked by careful, compassionate support for women who were training for ordination as deacons and then priests during the late 1980s and 1990s. His work was particularly important in quietly supporting those who were knocked back by selection processes that he saw as marked by ingrained sexism.

The third cause central to Tony’s ministry was the Palestinian struggle. He visited the Middle East in a Labour Party delegation in 1970, crystallising his sense of injustice about the Occupation. He later met Yasser Arafat, and regularly wore a keffiyeh (Palestinian scarf), sometimes over his vestments. He was a trustee for Bible Lands (now Embrace the Middle East) for 34 years.

What linked these issues for Tony was injustice. He was prepared not just to have opinions, but to act upon them even at personal cost.

Tony and Ailsa had six children, three of whom were adopted or fostered into what became a happy multi-racial family. In 1994, they retired to Whitstable, in Kent, and acquired a beach hut that they named St Luke’s. Tony became a parttime prison chaplain at Swaleside and Emley in the late 1990s, and worked as a counsellor for Cruse.

Ailsa strongly supported Tony’s values and provided emotional stability for the family. Although she disliked the term “vicar’s wife”, theirs was a shared social ministry. Ailsa died in 2020. They are fondly remembered in Charlton and beyond for their community work, radicalism, humour, and open house.

Tony died on 27 January, aged 87. He is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and a greatgranddaughter.

St Luke’s Church, Charlton

Roderick Davidson SH 1956

My father was not born in Bristol, but he has as much right as any man to be called a son of Bristol. His involvement in the city was extensive and diverse. He was a Justice of the Peace, a tax commissioner, a Bristol City councillor, and the High Sheriff of Avon. He was on the Council of Clifton High School for Girls, a Governor and a Council member of Clifton College, and – crossing to the other side of Guthrie Road – on the Council of Bristol & Clifton Zoological Society. He was President of the Dolphin Society, President of Canynges Society, President of the Colston Society and of the Colston Research Society, a Member of the Society of Merchant Venturers, Master of the Antient Society of St. Stephens Ringers, Chairman of Clifton Club and the Clifton Club Company, Chairman of SSAFA Avon & Severnside, and Chairman of the Bristol Cathedral Council. Further afield, he was a Freeman of the City of London, and a Liveryman with the Worshipful Company of Curriers. My father also found time to be a stockbroker – becoming Chairman of Stock Beech and then of the Stock Group, in addition to holding senior positions with various charitable foundations and venture capital trusts.

My father’s motivation for public service was neither advancement nor glory. He became involved because he was one of life’s enthusiasts, a man of infinite curiosity and energy, of extraordinary generosity, who revelled in every opportunity that came his way simply because it satisfied his social spirit – his love of meeting people, of sharing with people, of taking pleasure in the company of strangers and of friends. His wasn’t a fear of missing out, it was a delight of joining in; of always being in the middle of an enterprise or a party, or of spontaneously creating one if there wasn’t one close to hand.

My father enjoyed the big formal occasions, but it was the intimate groups

of kindred spirits that he treasured more. The Social Book Club, the Avon Works Band, the Leatherjackets, the Stocks Group, and other social and sporting societies. These did more than play to his gregarious nature, they played to his passions. And he was a man of tremendous passion.

There are four passions in particular that stand out. He had a passion for wine. His garage was converted into his wine cellar, where he stored not just his wine but that of the Avon Works Band, at precisely the right temperature. Come rain or shine, he would make a daily pilgrimage at approximately 5.30 in the afternoon to select an appropriate accompaniment to my mother’s cooking. In the final days of life, my father lost his powers of speech. The last two articulate words I heard spoken were ‘champagne’, and – about 10 minutes later – the word ‘empty’. Towards the end, he started giving his treasured bottles away to others he knew would appreciate them. In doing so, he was demonstrating a trait that lasted a lifetime, of being effortlessly and instinctively generous.

My father’s second passion was music. When he moved to The Coach House he installed speakers in every room so he could blast out opera at an excessive volume as he marched around the house. I don’t think he missed a single season at Glyndebourne for over 50 years. He would conduct Wagner to himself when he thought that no one was watching. On long car journeys he would rehearse his Desert Island Discs, and agonise over the short list. He took a young Jane Kent to Covent Garden to watch Verdi’s Don Carlo, and surprised her by being unable to suppress his tears.

His third passion was sport. I have countless memories of golf courses, first as his caddie, and then as his partner or his adversary, getting to know the rough in intimate detail. As one of his fellow Leatherjackets described him, ‘he was not always the dream draw’, while another friend noted ‘he could hit the ball further in the wrong direction than most of us.’ Indeed, he was wild off the tee; but I have witnessed him on many occasions taking inventive shots from bushes, private gardens, car parks, paths, tops of walls, puddles, and even beaches, in order to salvage a par. He was a cricket enthusiast, becoming a member of the MCC in 1962, and visiting the pavilion thereafter at least once a year. Meanwhile, as a manytimes - removed Scotsman, he would infuriate his friends by insisting on supporting Scotland at Twickenham during the Calcutta Cup. His choice of

sport befitted his age – from being a halfblue at rackets at Cambridge University, through to playing bridge at the Clifton Club on weekday afternoons.

My father’s final passion was a universal one. He loved life. He loved to find the good in things, and the best in people. He woke up seeing each day as a fresh challenge, a new opportunity. He loved to see other people happy, to do what he could to make them so. He was a true gentleman, a man of manners and integrity, a gentle man.

Devoted, dependable, and kind. He made people feel comfortable. He lived his life surrounded by others, and more than all he loved to laugh.

Beyond Bristol, there were two places close to my father’s heart. The summers at Thurlestone in Devon were special. His beach barbeques were legendary, often held in a driving gale, and attracted guests from afar. Each morning, his children, nephews and nieces would be left to roam on the golf course, the tennis courts or by the sea, knowing that by midday he could always be found on the golf club patio, in the heart of a crowd, telling stories and buying rounds of drinks.

His other sanctuary was Scotland. Introduced to fishing only in his forties by Jim Hood, he adored his trips to the Helmsdale, and then – with Nick Hood and the Costains – to the Oykel. The fishing was fun. But he took as much pleasure in watching others catch fish as in the thrill of catching them himself. During the day, he felt the exhilaration of being on the moor; during the evening he delighted in the intimacy of close friends.

My father was an extraordinarily outgoing person, but he forayed out from the certainty, the bastion of his home. His wife and family always came first, and he cherished them keenly. Roderick, or Puggy as he was affectionately known, was married to my mother, Jane, for 60 years. They were very different types of people, but they drew upon each other’s strengths and brought out the very best in each other, creating a warm and loving home where everyone was welcome. For his children, he was the haven where we could shelter; the anchor we knew we could always rely on; the buoy that could keep us afloat. As a father he was straighttalking, approachable, fair. He was tirelessly positive, relentlessly supportive. A mentor, a guide, a constant companion, and – ultimately – a friend.

My father was educated at Clifton College. Every Sunday night, Martin Hardcastle, the Housemaster of School House, would read the following prayer –

Remember, O Lord, what Thou hast wrought in us, And not what we deserve;

And, as Thou hast called us to Thy service, Make us worthy of Thy calling

Tom Hancock

SH 1946

Born – 28 Jan 1928 [Dorset]; died – 8 Feb 2022 [Gloucestershire]. Clifton – 1942–46 –School House [Bude] following his father and another 15 or so family members. Married – Hong Kong 1955 – Rosemary Swabey, who survives him, as do 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

What follows is one of several tributes to Tom received by the Editor:

Tom was a lovely chap! He was nearly 10 weeks older than me and I have been trying to catch up ever since. I recall him always with a collar and tie, highly polished shoes and a crease in his trousers. He was the model of an English gentleman and I never heard him speak ill of anyone. He was not always like that! He and I first met in 1934, before even his young sister Mary was born. He joined me at an all-boys Prep School in Dorset after escaping from a kindergarten where he was the only boy amongst a bevy of little girls. He told me that whenever anything happened, he got the blame!

The headmaster was a worthy man called Gilbert. We played team sports and a large “Big School” building was for roller skating, meetings of Cub Scouts and for putting on the occasional entertainment for long suffering parents.

By 1940, when Tom and I were both aged 12, World War 2 had reached a low point. German troops had reached the channel ports, we had Dunkirk and the invasion of Britain appeared imminent. We both left

I like to believe that through his life – in the way he lived it, in what he achieved, and in the pleasure he gave to all those that he met – my father has indeed proved himself worthy.

Prep School: Tom went to Clifton College which had been relocated to Cornwall, whilst I was evacuated to Sedbergh in Yorkshire.

Tom and I met up in the holidays. We cycled the 7 miles between our homes. Tom’s parents had built up the largest poultry farm in Dorset and he and I lent a hand by shutting up the hen houses at night to keep the foxes out.

Particularly with petrol rationing, in those days there was little traffic. Tom and I did a lot of cycling round the country lanes and swooping up and down Badbury Rings, the Roman Earthworks a few miles north of Wimborne. When we were both called up, in 1946, I guess we would have been selected for – had it existed – the Army Corps of Cyclists.

In due course we were both commissioned: Tom in the Royal Artillery (the Gunners) and I in the Royal Engineers (the Sappers). Our careers then diverged as Tom obtained a regular commission whilst I came out of the army for a career in Engineering. Tom became a professional soldier, leaving after 26 years of service with the rank of Major.

Whilst stationed in Hong Kong, Tom met a lovely young lady called Rosemary. In those days the army regarded it as indecently young to get married below

the age of 25. So, Tom had to seek permission from the Brigadier. Happily permission was granted, they were married and in due course produced 4 children.

On leaving the army, Tom joined the British Leyland Motor Corporation in their Personnel Department. But despite his efforts – remember “Red Robbo”? – the Company foundered and Tom joined in this country’s transition from being a Manufacturing economy to a Service one. He acquired his first bookshop in Winchcombe.

I will leave others to describe his life that followed but there is a more recent episode that gives an insight into Tom’s character.

Just 8 years ago, Tom arranged for us both to revisit the site of our old Prep School. The school itself had long since closed but the buildings, which had been greatly extended, were occupied by the District Council offices. We were met by the chairman and senior councillors, entertained with coffee and biscuits (on the Dorset Rates!) and given a tour of the premises. What struck me was how Tom naturally took charge of the conversations, illustrating why he had become the go-to person in Winchcombe if a worthy cause was to be championed.

Clifton College evacuating to Cornwall in WW2

Geoffrey Hardyman

OH 1950

Geoffrey Vernon Hardyman was born in 1932 in Fianarantsoa, in Southern Madagascar, where his parents were missionaries. His early childhood was spent there and then in Torbay. The fifth of five children, he followed his brother Norman (BH 1943–48) to Clifton in 1945, as a member of Oakeley’s House and one of the first generation to enter the school after the return from Bude. An entrance scholar, he excelled academically, was a praepostor and Editor of The Cliftonian, winning an exhibition to Clare College Cambridge where he read Classics.

Apart from two of years National Service and a brief period teaching in a prep school, Geoffrey spent his entire career teaching at Clifton. He was recruited in 1955 by Nicholas Hammond, appointed permanently in 1957 and retired in 1995 under Hugh Monro. He served as both head of Classics (1965–70) and controller of The Cliftonian, and eight years as live-in house tutor in BH and OH, before becoming House Master of South Town (1968–74) and then Wiseman’s (1974–84).

Universally known by pupils as ‘Guv’, Geoffrey was held in high esteem by those he taught for his painstaking and effective instruction in Latin and Greek. I recall the dismay of my A level Latin set when they

were informed that Geoffrey would not be taking us because he preferred not to teach me!

Former members of Wiseman’s in particular remember him for his personal interest in them. The more academic found a ready encourager for their ambitions. Those who inclined in other directions appreciated his understanding and even the way he would stretch the rules to get them out of unwelcome restrictions or tight spots, one remarking ‘a more kind and fair man would be hard to find’. Geoffrey had ‘a singular focus on the development of the individual. He supported his charges in following their interests, passions, and ambitions, however diverse they were. He saw them as part of an extended family which was demonstrated in the way he kept in touch with so many.’

‘He didn’t go in for obvious humour.’ One OC remembers the time GVH ‘commented that names ending in “-cles” were a common feature of Greek heroes: Pericles, Heracles... “Testicles?” said a boy. “Out!” said GVH.’ On the other hand, those with a more subtle sense of humour found great delight in Geoffrey’s dry wit and gentle sense of the ridiculous.

After relinquishing WiH, Geoffrey became Percival Librarian (1984–91) and then Senior Master (1991–95). He brought to both tasks his characteristic exacting attention to detail. This was also to the fore in his proof reading of The Cliftonian and the OC magazine for many years. Indeed his ‘proof reading prowess was much sought after and generously given. Geoffrey’s crowning achievement was his editorship of the 1979–1994 Clifton College Register, a huge task, bravely undertaken and superbly accomplished.’

Colleagues appreciated many things about Geoffrey. He was kind and helpful

to new teachers, informally advising and guiding them in early days in post, an ‘entertaining and very well informed conversationalist but also a good and sympathetic listener’.

Single throughout his life, Geoffrey liked his privacy but also greatly appreciated good company. He stayed in touch with many pupils, one of whom wrote: ‘He had more friends than he probably ever knew’. Many of these friends enjoyed sharing classical concerts, adventurous foreign holidays and trips to country houses with him. He ‘was a very considerable gardener – creating gardens in several places including Wiseman's, the prominent flower bed by the Chapel Portal, and his cottage at Clearwell in the Forest of Dean’.

‘Geoffrey refused to use the internet, preferring to consult his large library of reference books. In later life he spent a lot of time re-reading his favourite novels. He loved driving round the country and reckoned to have visited, at some point in the past 60+ years almost every place one of his nephews ever mentioned – usually to have a look at the church’. ‘Though not a great sportsman himself, Geoffrey much enjoyed watching and talking about cricket (Test cricket not the T20 variety!), with a detailed memory for the history of the game.’

In the last years of his life, he benefited greatly from the dedicated help of former colleagues, an OC and a family member who frequently travelled some distance to care for him.

A Cliftonian, man and boy, Geoffrey’s ‘constant service to the school over more than seven decades is perhaps unrivalled’. In his quiet unassuming way, he was one of Clifton’s great schoolmasters.

Julian Hardyman [BH 1981] et al

Douglas Henderson

Hon. O.C.

Douglas Henderson arrived at Clifton College in 1968 from Trinity College, Dublin (via Cambridge, where he had completed his PGCE). He had been scouted to run the Cricket and teach English and Latin (in that order, he was keen to point out). On arrival he was greeted with a report suggesting that cricket at Clifton had pretty much had its day, and should be relegated to a minor sport. Douglas spent much of his career at Clifton, and afterwards, fighting to keep cricket centre stage under the constant pressure of exams in the summer term. Popularity for hockey was also dwindling at Clifton until Douglas reinstated it to its proper place.

During his time at Clifton he was, while not overtly showy, particularly proud to produce, along with Jim Andrew, the school’s superb Cricket Professional for many years, a stream of very strong XIs, including many cricketers who would go on to play professionally. Douglas was also delighted that “his boys” had gone on to take the Old Cliftonians to three Cricketer Cup finals, winning the trophy in 1993. Countless hours on the bowling machine and a no- nonsense approach to teaching the basics of the game bore fruit; it was perhaps his own playing days as a bowler that made him a particularly effective batting coach. It would be a great legacy if the Old Cliftonians could

consistently be a meaningful force in this competition once again.

Douglas took the XI on tours to Jersey and Bermuda. In the 80’s, he also took them to Barbados, which, with other schools, would evolve to become the Gary Sobers’ International tournament.

Douglas will also be remembered for his enormous contribution to drama at Clifton. He directed many remarkable school plays including: Richard II, A Small Family Business, The Cherry Orchard, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story. Many of his starring pupils went on to work in the professional theatre. He became well known for his full scale productions at the beginning of the January term with staff, pupils, family and friends, switching between Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies and West End musicals. He had an extraordinary ability to engineer the schedule so rehearsals could be squeezed in to the 10 days before the Lent Term started. Douglas loved the theatre and understood every aspect of it. As well as the more serious roles of directing and production, he was also willing to tread the boards. Some may remember his rumbustious performances as Ugly Sister in Cinderella and Widow Twanky in Aladdin, both written and directed by Tony Cottrell.

For the cast, Douglas’ Director’s notes after the dress rehearsals were as entertaining as the shows themselves; no notes were complete without a mention of singing out to the fictional deaf old lady in the back row. Many now-famous actors and directors have credited Douglas as being one of their most influential and inspiring teachers.

Douglas became Housemaster of Brown’s at the young age of 34. There were certainly some challenges that came with that responsibility, but he relished it, and, by all accounts, so did his charges. The House notice board was always alight with the Housemaster’s disciplinary summonses, delivered with Douglas’s

typical good humour. Although there are too many to mention, few can forget the time he posted a note for a girls’ social event on which one item read “no horizontal dancing”. It is rumoured that a collection of these notices is still in existence somewhere! Many OCs remembered him for his kindness, humanity, and ability to communicate on a level with all students.

Douglas was a central figure in the Senior Common Room, becoming Senior Master, putting his considerable organisational and diplomatic skills to great use. He kept in touch with other staff members, who had become close friends, whom he had supported, and who had supported him, in many ways during and after his time at Clifton.

On retirement Douglas continued his central involvement in schools’ cricket. He became The Times schools’ cricket correspondent, which would go on to become Schools Cricket Online; he was the editor of the Schools Cricket section of Wisden, from 2006, and he was still in office when he died. Douglas was on the committee that selected the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year, which he relished; given his love of the game this was a perfect sphere to encourage cricketing talent, from any school or background.

It should not go without mention that Douglas also made notable contributions as a rugby referee (where he drew criticism from a parent for being “too fair”), for the award winning lighting project in the College Chapel, and for playing the organ there too, when required. Along with many other supporting roles.

Douglas Henderson, Master in Charge of Cricket, Housemaster, Senior Master, died on 8 February 2022.

Tom and Rusty Henderson

A Clifton College production of Guys and Dolls

David Lea

WiH 1957

David was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham on 9th August 1939. His early life was not very settled as he hardly knew his father, as he was away at war. As a result, he and his mother Betty (nee Rosher) travelled about the country taking rented accommodation. On his return, his father re-established his job as a stockbroker in Birmingham and his life in Edgbaston became steady and conventional.

David came to Clifton in 1953, following in his father’s footsteps – he had also been in Wiseman’s [from 1928] and both went on to Pembroke College, Cambridge.

From an early age, David excelled in art and model making. His love of wild landscapes and nature ‘in the raw’ was expressed in his paintings. But he also painted aeroplanes flying through clouds and inspired others for House Art competitions. At Clifton he had a very

Lisa

Lermon WT 1996

Lisa Lermon died in April aged 44, after nearly 9 years of surgery and cancer treatment. During this time, she showed extreme determination to understand and research her condition.

good teacher in Bill Leadbetter who suggested he become an architect. During this time David started questioning the ‘status quo’ which tended to conflict with his family’s conventional life. But he moved on to Cambridge to study architecture in 1959 and there he was influenced by Leslie Martin and Sir Colin ‘Sandy’ Wilson.

David moved to London in 1966 where he designed housing for the London borough of Merton. It was around this time that he became increasingly restless with his London life and holiday trips to a stone cottage in Snowdonia and the rise of the 'back-to-earth' movement convinced him he should move. He bought a smallholding in the hills above Porthmadog, North Wales, called ‘Ogoronwy’, in 1976. This he sensitively transformed into an architectural studio in 1981 where he worked, brought up his family and often invited students to stay.

As a character David was gentle, kind and thoughtful with an attractive sense of humour. He was also very conscientious with deep and strong convictions below the surface.

David’s ideas developed and, to quote from an obituary for the Guardian by Adam Voelker, ‘building beautiful places in a way that takes advantage of all that nature provides which at the same time causes minimal harm to the environment’ is what propelled David'. Adam has written an excellent book entitled: 'DAVID LEA: An Architect of Principle’ which illustrates his work, philosophy and outlook on design. It also demonstrates

This period of our lives has been difficult at times, but there have been many compensatory rewards for Val and me.

We have been greatly helped by our lovely family, Lisa’s twin sister Sophie, and her elder sister Anna, with their families.

Her friends have been wonderfully supportive throughout this time.

Lisa made many lasting friendships at Clifton; she enjoyed her time at York where she took a first in Music (this included a few happy terms in Finland); after this she obtained an MPhil in ethnomusicology from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. For this, she spent time in Nepal recording the working songs of Tibetan refugees. She then worked in a refugee assessment centre near Cambridge, taking testimonies from asylum seekers, after which she had a few pleasurable years at BBC Radio 3. She then trained and qualified as a solicitor

his meticulous drawings and presentations. It features his most influential projects such as the sheltered housing at Churt in Surrey; new buildings at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester and Pembroke College, Oxford; and the Wise Building at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, which was his last major project and one which epitomised his philosophy and was the crowning glory of his distinguished career.

Throughout his life David was passionate about sailing and one of his most exciting and profound experiences was crossing the Atlantic on a yacht in between his degree and diploma at Cambridge. In 2001 he bought his own boat, of which he was extremely proud. It was a 28ft Tumlare designed by Knud Reimers in 1936 and was one of the most advanced and beautiful yachts of its type. David felt that its form and proportions seemed natural, harmonious and strong. This coincided with David’s approach to architecture. He wrote: ‘To imbue matter with spirit is one definition of art’.

David died on 8th April 2022 aged 82 after suffering a stroke. He is survived by his partner Sylvia Harris, his children, Trystan and Teleri from his marriage to Awel Irene and by his sister, Fiona.

It was fitting that his memorial event was held on 24th April at the Centre for Alternative Technology where in recent years David taught architecture. Friends and associates had a chance to pay tribute and celebrate his remarkable life.

with Morgan Cole in Cardiff and Oxford, after which she worked in the legal department of Oxfordshire County Council, from which in 2013 she took retirement because of ill health.

We will miss her hugely.

David Lermon [PH 1963]

Martin Levinson

PH 1968

Martin was born in Hartlepool on 19 June 1950 to parents Sol and Betty Levinson. Martin arrived at Polack's House in January 1964 where he was promptly renamed "Bernie" after Bernard Levin of "That Was the Week That Was". The name stuck and reflected a serious side to Martin’s infectious sense of humour. His sudden death on 11th November 2021 left a hole in all our lives.

Typical of Martin himself his academic career at Clifton was modest and understated, exemplified by his comment that while he may have lacked a little focus, he had “a bloody good time”. Martin studied Law at Liverpool

David Lindsay ST 1949

David was born in Bristol in February 1933 to Charles Leonard and Dorothy Lindsay. He joined Clifton College on a Clothworker’s Scholarship and was in South Town from 1944–49. He was for ever grateful to his parents for the sacrifices they made in order to send him to his beloved Clifton.

He remained in touch with the school by

University, where he met his future wife Brenda, followed by Guildford and Chester Law Schools. A memorable story of Martin’s fifty-year marriage with Brenda was being told in no uncertain terms by his father that unless he passed his exams he would not be getting married. After qualifying with distinction, he and Brenda began their long and happy married life in Sunderland, raising their children Antony and Gina in what was still a thriving Jewish community. But by 1985, with no Jewish school or playmates of Gina’s age in Sunderland, they moved to Newcastle even though this meant a longer daily commute for Martin down the A19 to Hartlepool.

Martin began his professional work articled to his father’s law firm, Levinsons, Walker and Lister. In 1990 he moved to Tilly, Bailey and Irvine where, in time, he became a senior partner, a position he held for many years. Martin enjoyed being a lawyer and helping people, and long after retirement continued to assist old clients and colleagues where he could. A lawyer without ego or arrogance, people would always say that Martin got on with everyone. He was a larger than life personality with a generous spirit and genuine warmth. He always gave pragmatic advice.

Martin was deeply involved in the Jewish community in Newcastle, particularly with the Jewish Players for whom he

attending Commemorations for many years after leaving. His last visit was in 2018 when, with his wife, he was very interested to view the newly refurbished Music and Science Schools.

After leaving school, David did National Service in the RAF. He became an articled clerk at Watling and Partners, Small Street, Bristol and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1955.

As a fourth generation Methodist he met his Wife, Dotty, at the local Methodist Church and they were married in 1963. They had two children, Serena and Fraser, and they now have two wonderful grandchildren, Harrison and Annabel.

His career began at Pountneys, the Bristol Pottery and then he went on to become a Management Accountant with RMC (Ready Mixed Concrete) from 1961–95. During this time, he became a Justice of the Peace, and a founder Member of the Thames Valley Society of Chartered Accountants. He served on the Board of Methodist Homes for the Aged, the Lay Employees’ Pension Scheme and the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church.

performed many leading roles, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, a step up from his performance as the prison guard in the Polack's House production of Jean Genet's "Deathwatch" directed by John Sinclair (now Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair of Jerusalem). One of his leading roles in the community was Chairman of The Philip Cussins House Care Home. Martin was a very present chairman helping to steer the home safely through Covid.

Martin enjoyed walking and was a font of local knowledge. He regularly gave advice on walks in Northumbria and led walks himself for a group of friends in the countryside around Newcastle and in the Negev desert in Israel. He was also an enthusiastic and lifelong supporter of Hartlepool United FC and loved taking his friends to their home games.

In May 2018 Martin and Brenda were both honoured with an invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of their services to the community.

Martin is remembered with love and affection and is survived by his wife Brenda, sister Sue, children Antony (also a solicitor) and Gina and his five granddaughters, Tali, Bailee, Sophie, Izzy and Heidi.

Antony Gostyn & Bernard Roberts

David was Chairman of the Thames Valley Society of Chartered Accountants twice which led on to Annual Reunions, which took the couple the length and breadth of England and Wales. David was Secretary to CARDS (Chartered Accountants Rival Dining Society) for seventeen years. During this time he lost his sight so most of the administration was done by his wife.

He became a Freeman of the City of London and a very keen Liveryman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, which meant even more dinners! In his retirement David gained a History degree from the Open University.

He hugely enjoyed dinners at the Mansion House, London, Leander Club, Henley and, of course, evenings at the Institute of Chartered Accountants Hall in the City. David enjoyed ‘the ceremonial’ whilst wearing the burgundy velvet livery jacket, and also always loved meeting new people.

David had a stroke in 2000 and there followed a series of health problems one of which left him blind but he was quite

undeterred and found ways to continue his activities, principally the dinners.

Charles Courtenay Lloyd

NT

1935

Born Amington, Staffordshire, 1st May, 1919. Died Madrid, 8th November, 2021, aged 102. Son of Rev. John Collins Lloyd and Dorothy Gertrude Scull, an accomplished pianist.

Charles Courtenay Lloyd died peacefully at his home in Madrid surrounded by his loving family. His journey in life was remarkable, a life lived to the full. He was a WW2 Royal Naval officer who contributed to the Liberation of Norway. He fought for peace in Europe and was one of the very few left to do so. For that alone his life is remarkable. He spent a year after the war attached to the British Admiralty in Oslo where he worked for naval disarmament. He was part of the

He is survived and much missed, although happily remembered, by his wife, Dotty, his daughter, son and daughter-in-law,

mission to supervise the surrender of the German forces in Norway and restore law and order. There began his love of Norway and the language which he learned to speak as a native. He was awarded the King Haakon VII “Liberty Medal” for “outstanding services in connection with the liberation of Norway”.

From Oslo he was recruited as an Intelligence officer for the Allied Control Commission in Germany.  There he helped the country back on its feet but also caught Nazis on the run.

My father’s education was of the best. He was an Old Cliftonian and graduate of Selwyn College, Cambridge.  After the war and upon graduating in German and Scandinavian languages and doing a post grad course in the Russian language, he was recruited as a teacher of Russian to spies at the rather secret Joint Services School of Languages in Cambridge.  He was a phenomenal polyglot, always interested in languages and the origin of words. He married a Russian princess, Her Serene Highness Elena Von Lieven, to whom he was a loving husband. Their first kiss happened at the library of the spy school in Salisbury Villas in Cambridge. Typical it would be in a library - they were both book mad. He was an inspirational teacher of languages at Bradford Grammar School from 1964-1983. He made an amazing mark on many of his pupils, who went on to study languages at Oxford and Cambridge and to have successful careers. He was a wonderful grandfather and was amazed to become

their two children and his brother, Grahame, and his wife, Betty.

the great grandfather of Elliot and Juliet.

He was all of these things yet he never blew his own trumpet. Above all, he was the most remarkable father anyone could have had. He had an amazingly positive attitude, glimpsing beauty even in the ugliest places and finding happiness in the small things in life.

My father’s greatest pleasures in life were reading, learning languages, geography and modern history and he always kept up with world affairs.  He was very knowledgeable but also very humble. He never thought much of his own academic abilities but had an innate ability to pass on his knowledge in such a way to his pupils that they never forgot him or what he taught. Even at the end he was still reading in various languages.

His other great passions in life were nature and walking. He was an enthusiastic walker but never drove a car and he was never happier than walking on Ilkley Moor during his years living in Yorkshire.

He was obsessed with the weather and weather reports and listening to “foreign stations” on his short wave radios. His other more hidden pleasures were chocolates and cakes. He also liked the occasional tipple, especially a glass of vodka.

As a man, he was extremely shy and modest. As a child he had a picture of a fawn above his bed with the words “Be a good boy, suffer in silence” and that was his motto in life.

Whenever tragedy struck, he just went on with life. His last school report from Clifton includes the comments “unable to express his feelings”, “dreamy” but a “perfectly reliable boy”. That he certainly was. He only came into his own in the classroom; an inspirational teacher, somewhat eccentric but who passed on his knowledge in such a way as to make his lessons unforgettable.

On his desk there is a book about his beloved Shetland Islands, where he was stationed for a while during the war, and the Oxford Dictionary of First names. He was fascinated by words. I hope these words do him justice.

Masha Lloyd

Liberation Day in Norway

Neil Marshman DH

1979

Robert Neill

SH 1951

Born 22/06/1933; died 06/06/2021.

Bob was a general surgeon in Macclesfield from 1973 to 1995 where he was well respected by his patients and colleagues.

He was the eldest of four children born to Scottish parents, Dorothy and Robert, who was a General Practitioner in Middlewich, Cheshire.

He was educated at Sandbach School and Clifton, where his love for sport, including rugby, was first kindled. He played rugby and rowed for both Clifton and Manchester University, where he entered the Medical School in 1951 and qualified in 1957.

Bob then took up his first appointments as House Surgeon and then House Physician at Crumpsall Hospital Manchester, after which he received his call-up papers for national service and signed on for 3 years in the Royal Navy.

Roger Neil Marshman, known as Neil, was born on 5th August 1960 in Northampton, the eldest son of architect Arthur A. J. Marshman and June Marshman. In 1977 Neil joined Clifton (Dakyns’ House) from Millfield, for 6th form. Clifton College is something of a family affair with his brother Ian (Dakyns’ 1975-79) and his son Toby (Watson’s 2007-09) also attending.

He went on to study Philosophy at Southampton University before joining accountancy firm Coopers and Lybrand, where he qualified as an insolvency practitioner. He became a partner at Pannel Kerr Forster and then set up his own Insolvency firm, Marshman & Co in Northamptonshire in 1999. In 2007 his firm merged with another to form Marshman Price which was sold in 2014

Starting in Portsmouth, he learned how to deal with the Sailors’ medical problems in the isolation of a ship, and how to act as the officer in charge of the rum ration, taking care to throw anything left over the side. Bob also had to familiarise himself with the Queen’s Regulations and Admiralty instructions, including how to hold a cutlass at a brother officer’s wedding.

After 3 months, he was assigned to HMS Resolution, the name given to the shorebased personnel on Christmas Island, now Kiritimati. A highlight was the arrival of the Royal Yacht Britannia and being invited on board for a reception with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Bob next joined HMS Apollo, supporting trawler men in the Icelandic “Cod wars”. Not surprisingly, being winched across to a trawler in rough seas by Breeches buoy to a sailor in agony with toothache stayed in his memory. For the rest of his time in the navy Bob was based in Singapore.

He then began studying for his Surgical Fellowship examinations whilst in Edinburgh.

His publications included treatment of snake bite complications with streptokinase and a study of urinary tract infections in paraplegics. His registrar and senior registrar posts were at Manchester Royal Infirmary, following which he was appointed Consultant Surgeon at Macclesfield Infirmary and Congleton War Memorial Hospital in 1973, where he was one of two surgeons.

He was responsible for the introduction of a gastroscope, and a stapling instrument for bowel surgery.

allowing him to retire.

Neil looked back on his time at Clifton fondly and would regularly tell stories of his antics while at the school (such as sneaking into the college pool after exams). He was a keen fives player at school and gave his gloves to his son to play with when he attended 30 years later. Neil was an active OC alumnus, regularly attending OC events in Bristol, Cambridge and London.

He will be remembered for his wicked sense of humour and zest for life, as well as being a deeply sociable and loyal friend and loving father and husband.

Neil died on 22nd December 2021 at the age of 61.

In 1994 Bob became President of the Surgical section of the Manchester Medical Society and his Presidential address described the history of silk, for which Macclesfield is famous.

In 1995 he took well-earned retirement. Time was spent on the golf course and in the garden. Music was a great joy throughout his life; he played the piano, liked Jazz, Opera and attended Northern Chamber Orchestra and Halle Orchestra concerts. Bob was also a member of Macclesfield Rugby Club.

He was made a Trustee of the Lyme Green Settlement, Macclesfield, a charity which provides accommodation for disabled residents. He became Chairman, and was awarded the Order of St John.

Bob is survived by Grace, whom he married in 1965; they had four children and have eight grandchildren.

HMS Resolution

Mike Pyper

Michael “Mike”

Pyper passed away on 28th April 2022 aged 65 in Bristol, England.

He was born in Belfast on the 7th January 1957 to Hugh and Doris Pyper.

Mike is survived by his loving partner Susie, two children Miriam and Jonathan, along with his two grandchildren, three sisters, step children, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike spent the first few years of his life in Belfast with his parents and his three sisters Willma, Hillary and Avril. They

Brian Sherriff

Pre 1940

Sad news about a beekeeping legendthe innovator Brian Sherriff has passed away at the age of 94.

Celebrated for the protective beekeeping clothing which bears his name, Brian Sherriff was born into a family of British corset-manufacturers, his grandfather having set up his first factory in Bristol in the late 1800s. Brian was apprenticed into

eventually moved to Bristol where he attended XIV Preparatory School and then Clifton College until he was 18.

Mike had very happy times at Clifton. He was a keen sportsman and excelled at rugby and cricket. He’ll be remembered for his exceptional fast bowling and competitiveness on the field. During those years he was a fun loving, boisterous, and competitive character.

In 1978 Mike married his wife Jane and they spent many happy years with their children Miriam and Jonathan.

Mike joined Scottish Windows and quickly became an outstanding salesman, eventually becoming top salesperson in the South West. He eventually achieved managerial status, proving to be a strong leader and formidable boss.

In the late 90’s Mike and Jane divorced. However, he went on to meet his new partner, Susie Lincoln. He retired at 53 and enjoyed travelling and spending time in his Cornwall home. Admirably, he also helped set up a charity in Zambia along with some OC friends.

Mike’s love of the College was always paramount with his two children following him into the school. Mike later served on the Executive Committee of the

the family business, starting out in the cutting room. As fashions morphed from full-length corsets into the modern bra, so Brian’s career also took shape. In the 1950s, under his father’s guidance, he became director of a bra factory in Cornwall.

Brian created his own calling card. When asked to explain his line of business, this could be brought out with a flourish. “The Bra-kerchief” was a miniature replica bra which could be tucked into a gentleman’s top pocket with just a starched peak emerging, resembling a handkerchief. The presentation pack read: ‘Size 15 inch. Guaranteed to fit … as long as you’re the right size!’

The bra factory enjoyed success. However, as market forces changed in the late 1960s, Brian acquired his first beehives, intending to set himself up as a bee-farmer. This was not to be his future, however.

It was a bee sting which took his career in a new direction. Brian always credited his beloved wife Patricia with the invention of the BJ Sherriff beekeeping hood. Unlike a

OC Society from 2013-2019.

Mike battled his lymphoma for many years, without complaint, and with great courage, finally passing away in April of this year. Despite enduring great pain, he never let illness dictate his life – he was a colossus to the end.

Mike was fiercely loyal, good fun and hardworking. Life and soul of the party, a fantastic host, great company, and well read.  He was never afraid to pull up his sleeves and get stuck in, to lead by example and he never shied away when life got a bit gritty. He prided himself on his perseverance and work ethic. His integrity as a man and father was faultless, always supportive and caring.

For the people that knew and loved Mike there is a huge amount to celebrate about him. Great fun to be around, playful, crazy but also sensible, responsible and wise.

It was testament to his popularity and the extent of his friendships that so many people gathered for his Memorial service at Clifton College Chapel on May 31st.

A real ‘character’. Full of life and love.  He will be well remembered and sorely missed.

Jonathan and Miriam Pyper

traditional hat and veil, which he had found not to be sting-proof, the structured hood she designed was very effective and revolutionized beekeeping. The first prototype was made using materials they had to hand in the bra factory: boning and net intended for bras, and fabric reserved for swimming costume gussets. A full-length bee-suit soon followed, featuring a sheriff’s star and the brand BJ Sherriff was born.

Brian’s early life was spent in Bristol, and he attended the Pre until the evacuation. As a teenager he experienced bombing raids, later recalling the smoke and the sound of the lions roaring in Bristol Zoo. He fully expected to go into active service when he left school and was trained in the use of a Sten gun. To his relief, he never went to war; peace was declared just weeks before his seventeenth birthday.

Hugh

Hall

Ian Miles Walker

SH 1940

Ian Miles Walker, 98, born in Cornwall, UK, long-time resident of Hudson, Quebec, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 1st in Okotoks, Alberta, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Ian grew up in Devon, UK, and attended Clifton College in Bristol, after which he joined the British army and served in WWII, surviving the first wave of D Day landings, June 6th, on Gold Beach (adjacent to Juno), and receiving the

John Wilkins ST 1955

John Wilkins, who died after a short illness on April 26th at the age of 85, came from an Anglican background in Bristol and was a scholar at both Clifton and Clare College, Cambridge. Our families were friends from those days, including his brother Brian, also a Cliftonian, and sister Angela, and John was godfather to our son Andrew. At University, his interest changed from Classics to Theology and Philosophy.

After leaving Cambridge and a job with Esso Petroleum and a period as assistant

French Legion of Honour for his actions. After the war, Ian emigrated to Canada and settled in Quebec where he worked and lived until his retirement. Ian loved his life and was cheerful to the end: he summed it up as follows: “I made a good group. Our team is strong and we need to stay together always.”

Ian was predeceased by his wife, Wynona Field, from his first marriage in the UK, and by Mary Isabel Runnells, his beloved wife of 56 years, and his daughter Cheryl Runnells; Ian is survived by Vern Runnells, Rob Walker (Emily), Miles Walker (Suzanne), Laurie Rogers (Steve), five grandchildren (Ian Paul, Ingrid, Miles, Brett, Travis) and three great grandchildren (Avery, Grace and Emmalynn) and by his close friend and companion, Audrey Abbot.

Ian was universally known for being a ‘character’ with boundless energy with which he faced even the most mundane tasks. He was a renowned collector – of everything, but particularly chocolate bar wrappers (having tasted the wares first), stamps, and pewter things, not to forget nails, screws and dead appliances he was

editor of Frontier, an ecumenical quarterly, he was received into the Catholic Church in 1965 and soon started to write for the Tablet, while he spent several years as a feature writer for the BBC World Service. In 1982 he became Editor of the Tablet and this soon resulted in a great increase in its circulation and worldwide interest. He received a lot of honours (including a knighthood awarded by the Pope) and was reluctant to retire after 21 years in the job. He continued his full involvement with the Catholic community in Pimlico where he had lived for many years. He had numerous friends including well known figures such as Shirley Williams and her family. He was noted for his sympathy to

always determined to fix.

By the time he moved to Alberta he had amassed an enormous collection of movies too, with a particular predilection for pirates and cowboys (occasionally cowgirls). He was a fencer (in his early days), a dancer (particularly in costume), a boat builder (Costalot was his baby), a rug hooker, and an expert in joie de vivre in any form! His cooking always attracted excitement and many people to the table. He looked great in a uniform but greater in a Beatle wig, grass skirt and a coconut shell bra!

One of his most favourite activities was being on the water and he was a proud member of the Hudson Yacht Club (Commodore in 1985) and taught water safety with the Canadian Power Squadron for over 40 years.

Heartfelt thanks to all at the Heartland Retirement Home in Okotoks where he was compassionately tended to by staff through his last days.

those in difficulty, and truthfulness was foremost in his work ethic. He did not hesitate to condemn clerical abuses such as those that occurred in the Catholic community in Ireland.

John enjoyed travel and in particular liked to visit Rome, often in connection with his work and to see friends. He said that he liked to buy ties in Rome! All his life he had a passion for bird-watching. But what he enjoyed most was service to his community in Pimlico and meeting his friends. His death has left the world a lesser place.

David Carter ST 1957

Equality InclusionDiversityBelonging

We wrote to all members of our community two years ago to introduce the EDIB vision and mission.

In other words, what we want to achieve and how we are going to achieve it. A clear vision for a clear purpose: to become a fully inclusive organisation. As the two-year EDIB action plan comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting the EDIB initiative.

Now it is time to reflect on our progress and celebrate our successes.

EDIB achievements so far:

l EDIB Committee with Representatives from Council, OCs, Teaching & Support Staff, Pupils

l Parent Focus Group (Pre-Prep & Pre)  EDIB drop-in sessions (for staff and pupils) – an opportunity to ask any questions and learn about EDIB in general

l Whole school survey via Flair Impactwe are hoping to conduct the second survey in the next academic year

l Staff CPD: Anti-Racism Journey; Conscious/Unconscious Bias; The Use of Pronouns

l EDIB website

l Gender-neutral uniform (CrossCollege)

l APP–Anti Prejudice Programme (a programme to tackle prejudice through education)

l Whisper (anonymous platform to report incidents)

l EDIB entry on the school system to clearly identify EDIB incidents (e.g. homophobia, sexual harassment, racism, lack of inclusion and belonging)

l Diversified curriculum (work in progress)

l Increased Cross-College collaboration

l Partnerships with Bristol City Council for the Stepping Up Programme

l Collaboration with EDI experts (Diverse Educators, Representation Matters, Flair)

l Celebrations of key events (Black History Month, Stephen Lawrence Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, International Women’s Day, Ramadan, Diwali, etc.)

l Creation of an “EDIB Environment” (boards and displays in most areas of the College)

Mrs Geraldine Maringo Assistant Head EDIB Cross-College

EDIB Committee 21–22

Development

It is my pleasure to address our Old Cliftonian Community in this my second year in the post as your Development Director. The last few years have been very productive for the Clifton College Development Trust (CCDT) despite nearly two years of COVID that limited traditional fundraising methods. We are now able to revert back to meetings in person, which is much more preferable.

Bursaries for qualified means tested pupils is a priority of the College. Over the last two fiscal years we have raised in excess of £1,000,000 in bursarial funding for our pupils and parents who cannot

afford full fees at Clifton. In fact, the need for bursarial funding at Clifton continues to grow and shows no sign of letting up. As such the CCDT will continue to fundraise for what parents and OCs believe is a very worthwhile charitable cause.

In addition to our traditional bursarial request, the CCDT has been working closely with the Polack's House Educational Trust (PHET) in the creation of a bursarial appeal focussing support for Jewish pupils. Initial support has been strong.

Over the summer Clifton conducted its first calling programme in a number of years. Twelve recent leavers and 6th formers spoke to parents and OCs over a two week calling programme. The majority of the charitable funding was attracted towards our bursary scheme through the CCDT's matching gift fund. The CCDT would like to thank all those parents and OCs who generously contributed to our calling programme.

It gives me great pleasure to report a significant individual gift to Clifton. Since the publication of the last Old Cliftonian magazine, Clifton has received one of the largest single gifts from a single benefactor in recent independent school history. Mr Lal Chellaram [OH 1961] has funded the (soon to be constructed)

New Field Pavilion refurbished, new cricket nets installed

We are very grateful to the President of the College, Stephen Zimmerman (PH 1967), for a generous gift towards the enhancement of the facilities on New Field, in memory of his late uncle, Gary Zimmerman (PH 1948).

Gary was a very keen cricketer and, as a boarder in Polack’s, he was very well acquainted with New Field!

The Pavilion has been updated and new cricket nets installed to complement

those on the Close. In addition, a new award (accompanied by a splendid cup) has been created for the season’s best bowler. This year's recipient, Ryan Kilmister, is a member of the Gloucestershire Cricket Club academy.

The opening ceremony was attended by family members including Michael Zimmerman (PH 1978).

Chellaram Sport Complex and grounds located on Clifton's Beggar’s Bush site. Clifton is so very grateful to Mr. Chellaram for his charitable leadership. Our new Sports Complex will undoubtedly put Clifton at the forefront of sport provision amongst our peers.

Speaking of tremendous benefaction, I am continually amazed at the generosity of our 1862 Club and its members. In the past year, once again we have received outstanding support from those who have remembered Clifton in their will. The combined might of these gifts is very important to Clifton for which we are, and will remain, eternally grateful. In honour of this growing group of supporters, the Head Master has approved a donor board to be erected in support of the contributions received from members of the 1862 Club.

In conclusion, the CCDT and our Chairman Simon Brewer wish to thank all those who are currently supporting Clifton charitably. We would also like to ask those considering a gift to please contact the CCDT so we can discuss the merits of supporting your alma mater. Your support, regardless of its size, is essential to keeping Clifton at the forefront of education in the UK and abroad.

John Rolfe

Book Reviews

Peter Hankins [DH 1964] wrote to me in July 2021 about a number of books which he thought merited reviews, and I promised to do something constructive in response. Unfortunately, this amounted to filing his email in the wrong place, and not realizing my mistake

The Suitcase

by Frances Stonor Saunders (Penguin)

A fascinating memoir about her father Donald Saunders [OH 1949]. It tells the story of his Romanian family and their escape from both Nazi and Russian occupations, accompanied by Donald's letters, written from Clifton to his father while he was held in captivity. The book received many favourable reviews.

Second, there are a series of war time and Cold War historical novels by David Willington [DH 1964]. They are all beautifully written and real page turners, based on excellent research of the period. His most recent novel is entitled A Polish Adventure, published by Ashgrove Press in London.

David Willington books

until the 2022 publication date was fast approaching. My apologies to Peter, but here are his thoughts on a couple of publications relevant to this section of the Magazine.

Editor

The story starts with a girl who has recently graduated from Oxford looking for a job in publishing and then finding herself picked up by the Secret Service. She is posted under cover to Poland behind the Iron Curtain, where she becomes involved with a young Polish couple who are part of an anti-communist group who need to escape to the West. Needless to say, there are many exciting twists and turns before the reader knows whether or not the couple reach safety.

His first three novels are In Search of the General, George’s War and A Palestine Affair.

Editor’s note: David has published again this year, namely An African Romance, set at the time of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya.

Know Bristol:

A Compendium of 365

Bristolian Facts, by Ashley Coates (NT 2008)

Great Spotted Books 2022; £16.50 hardback, £11.50 paperback

This must be one of the more substantial assemblies of Bristol trivia, manifestly the work of a loyal citizen of broad and curious mind. Trivia is indeed an inappropriate term, since much worthy achievement is recorded here. But these 365 entries are not associated with successive days of the year, and few readers will follow the suggested regime of digesting one Bristolian Fact every 24 hours. Indeed, many of the BFs will be distasteful to the sensitive, and those not wishing to learn about (e.g.) sewage, sodomy, and Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn would be short of their monthly quota.

An Immigrant's Love Letter to the West

by Konstantin Kisin (SH 2001), (Little, Brown Book Group)

For all of the West's failings - terrible food, cold weather, and questionable politicians with funny hair to name a few – it has its upsides. Konstantin would know. Growing up in the Soviet Union, he experienced first-hand the horrors of a socialist paradise gone wrong, having lived in extreme poverty with little access to even the most basic of necessities. It wasn't until he moved to the UK that Kisin found himself thriving in an open and tolerant society, receiving countless opportunities he would never have had otherwise.

Funny, provocative and unswervingly perceptive, An Immigrant's Love letter to the West interrogates the developing sense of self-loathing the Western sphere has adopted and offers an alternative perspective. Exploring race politics, free speech, immigration and more, Kisin argues that wrongdoing and guilt need not pervade how we feel about the West –and Britain – today, and that despite all its ups and downs, it remains one of the best

Inevitably some of the Facts will be found banal or strained. Even those who do not follow the Indie charts could probably guess that Portishead is named after Portishead. Thomas the Tank Engine can hardly be claimed as a Bristolian because his creator once lived near Box tunnel. On the other hand, the information is so varied that all readers will find something of instruction and delight. The only illustrations are dotted randomly over the covers, providing a supplementary game of identification. Another witty touch is the unexplained use of Eric Gill's famous sans-serif typeface in the entry about itself. Surprisingly only five of the Bristolian Facts are also Cliftonian Facts, and none of them (it is hoped) will be unfamiliar to reasonably well-briefed Cliftonians. It would spoil the effect to reveal them here; but one of them is most appropriately shown in pole position.

James Montague

places to live in the world.

After all, if an immigrant can't publicly profess their appreciation for this country, who can?

Letters

Dear Editor

I have read with interest the letter from Allen Edwards in the 2010 edition of The Cliftonian. I too was in South Town, a few years after Allen. Allen writes of Douglas Fox (known to us as Duggie Foo) and the House Music Competition. I played the violin in the House Music Competition that he writes about. Yes, we did win it, 1946 probably. Attached is a photo of the winning ST team. I think Allen may be on the left at the back. The strings played some Mozart and the pianists probably played the arrangement as stated while my friend Tom Malkin played the clarinet.

I too remember Dr Fox clutching at the stump of his right arm in rage. He always seemed to be about to tear his hair out at our incompetence. I played in the orchestra and also sang in the choir and choral society. When I was quite young, the highlight was singing Beethoven’s Mass in D in Bristol Cathedral. I seem to remember that because of excessively long, very high notes in the last movement, this ended up as Mass in C thanks to arrangement by Douglas. I also remember Douglas' successor Mr Prentice. He had amazing piano skills — I remember he could take a full orchestral score with instruments in different staves and sight read it straight away on the piano. I too used to use piano practice time to play other things. I could play by ear so my music could not be taken away!

Yours

Rodney Bryant (ST

1951)

Dear Editor

In the 2021 OC Cliftonian I read the reviews of the books about Lt Gen Sir Frederick Morgan with some interest because there is a story to be told about his son.

When I was commissioned from RMA Sandhurst in 1964 I was posted to 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery based in Aldershot.  On arrival I was ushered into the Adjutant’s office to be given the ground rules of my membership of the Regiment. The Adjutant was Captain George Morgan, Sir Frederick’s son. I believe his initials were STG.  He really only told me not to get caught, particularly with young ladies in the Mess. Some months later George moved within the regiment to G Parachute Battery (Mercer’s Troop) Royal Horse Artillery in which I also was.

In early 1965, the battery was preparing to deploy with 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment for operations in Bahrain

and other neighbouring theatres.  George was already a muchrespected operational soldier after a previous tour in the SAS and he played a big part in that process.  We had a very interesting tour in Bahrain, Aden, Oman, and what is now the United Arab Emirates, and returned to the UK in early 1966.

As the battery was reacclimatising to soldiering in the UK we went on an exercise and parachuted into Salisbury Plain.  Despite his background George hated parachuting other than as a way of getting to the battlefield.  On this occasion he jumped from the aircraft and was killed by a parachute malfunction.  Some days later, as the junior officer in the battery, I was sent to the mortuary formally to identify him.  A sad end to a great prospect taken far too young.

Yours

Robert Symonds

(SH 1962)

Dear Editor

I am pleased to say that the six oak memorial panels to the 6th Gloucestershire Regiment were rededicated in a special ceremony at The Mount Without held on 25 November, 2021. We were joined by six relatives of men named on the panels and a further two whose relatives served and survived. The rededication service was led by The Venerable Archdeacon of Bristol, Neil Warwick, and was a great success.

A full write up of the day with photos can be found here: https://westernfrontfootsteps.com/rededication-of-6thbattalion-gloucestershire-regiment-first-world-war-memorialat-the-mount-without-bristol-on-25-november-2021/

My colleague Clive and I created six interpretation panels that hang alongside the memorial, telling the stories of some of the men. One of the panels covers the three Nott brothers [all NT] whilst one of the 2/6th Battalion panels has a biography of Harold Rudman [NT 1901], another Old Cliftonian. You can view them all here: https://westernfrontfootsteps.com/info-panels/

Yours

Jeremy Banning

OC Lodge

With the ending of lockdown and the opening up of buildings and restaurants, like many groups and organisations the Old Cliftonian Lodge was once again able to meet and catch up with friends in person. With the encouragement and support of Grand Lodge, the Brethren have continued to embrace the technology available to us, with Zoom conference calls enabling us to keep in touch and ensure we maintain friendships.

Each year in early Summer, the PSLC lodges celebrate their association and fellowship with a festival which is hosted on rotation by the member Lodges (generally at their associated school). The Public School Lodges Council Festival is a great opportunity for the various school Lodges to showcase their schools, their history and their membership to the wider Masonic community. It is also an opportunity for wives, partners and families to get involved and share in the experience.

In the summer of 2021, the Old Cheltonian Lodge held the PSLC festival and this was the fourth time they have hosted it at Cheltenham College, the previous years being 1913, 1965 and 1991. Henry Peters (WaH 1980–82) is the Secretary of the Old Cheltonian Lodge and was instrumental in organising the event; he is also a member of the Old Cliftonian Lodge, thereby being an OC twice! As the first PSLC festival since lockdown, the event proved very popular as the Brethren were keen to return to some form of normality and the Old Cheltonian Lodge made the most of the impressive buildings and grounds. The PSLC choir also made a well-received return to showcase their musical talent.

At our October meeting, W.Bro Timothy Neil Freeman was once again installed as Worshipful Master. At the meeting the Lodge welcomed our Met Grand Inspector W.Bro Sunil Devalia PJGD for a formal visit. He enjoyed his time with us both during the ceremony and during the festive board as we had taken to dining in house at Freemasons Hall. In addition, W.Bro David Peters presented a talk to mark the

Centenary of the gifting of a rough Ashlar to the Lodge. This gift, of a large rough-hewn stone taken from the temple at Karnak, housed in a wooden presentation box, was given to the Old Cliftonian Lodge by the Old Pauline Lodge in October 1921. With agreement from the Brethren, the Ashlar was then placed on loan at Freemasons Hall in Bristol where it is on display.

For our November meeting we made our annual trip to Bristol where we had lunch at the Alma Tavern, tea in the Newbolt Room and a fraternal visit to Robert Thorne Lodge at Freemasons Hall on Park Street. The Brethren appreciate the connection to Bristol and the warm welcome we receive at the school. Sadly, we learnt of the passing of Edgar Sheriff Harborne PJGD [NT 1944–52]. He had been initiated on 27th February 1969 into Caius Lodge 3355, and he joined the Old Cliftonian Lodge in 1971, and was Worshipful Master in 1979 & 1996. He was a Governor of the School and also served on the Council. He was a City Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and had a real passion for rowing. He was a very gregarious, determined, able man with a strong character who also encouraged all those around him to achieve their aims. He was a great supporter of the Lodge and will be greatly missed.

The Installation meeting in April 2022 saw W.Bro Nigel Deacon [LS,WTP, STP, OH 197382] finally be installed as Worshipful Master. The Lodge was informed of the sad passing of W.Bro Peter John Probyn PProvJGD (Bristol) on 05/01/2022. He joined the Lodge on 23/04/1987. Although Peter left the Lodge a few years ago, he was still an active Bristol Mason and a stalwart of the Bristol Real Tennis Club as Club President. Peter was one of the very first players to join the Club after its formation in 1985, and was active as both a player and as an enthusiastic recruiter of new members in the years leading up to the building of our court in 1997. He served as a member of the Club committee and as a Director of the Limited Company (which owns the court building) for many years.

The Lodge was also saddened to hear that Cdr. MBS Higham, CVO, RN, PSGW passed on 04/03/2022. He was a long-standing Honorary Member of the Lodge. Bro. Michael was invited to become an Honorary Member in 1979 just before being invested as Grand Secretary in 1980. He attended the PSLC Festival hosted at Clifton College in 1997.

Members of the Lodge showed their support to W.Bro John Acton [MH, HH, OH 1949–58] who organised the restoration and rededication of the Haig memorial statue situated in Montreuil-sur-Mer. The statue of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig is the only British military figure to be commemorated in France with an equestrian statue. He organised this June event through the Haig Statue Restoration Fund Committee. The weekend saw a number of events take place in and around Montreuil-sur-Mer. The dedication itself saw service personnel in full uniform, mounted units and a number of banners as well as a large selection of dignitaries celebrating the entente cordiale.

The provisional dates of our meetings for the current year are: Thursday 22nd September 2022, Saturday 12th November 2022 (Freemasons Hall, Park Street, Bristol), Thursday 19th January 2023 and Thursday 27th April 2023 (Installation Meeting), both of which will be held at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London. OC Masons are always most welcome as visitors – please contact the Secretary if you would like to attend. Membership of the Lodge is open to any male OC, any Master who has served on the teaching staff for at least five years, and the father of any present or past boy or girl pupil.

If you are interested in Masonry and would like further information please contact: The Lodge Secretary, David Peters, 4 The Woodbine, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1JE; Tel: 07709 630036; email: davidanpeters@aol.com.

AGM

Minutes of the 124th AGM of the Old Cliftonian Society and the Old Cliftonian Society Endowment Fund Trustees, held on Friday 12th November 2021, at 3.00pm

Present: Simon Reece, Stephen Zimmerman, Myles Watkins, Jez Walters, John Davies, Luke Fromant, Derek Bevan, Myles Watkins, Matt Scott, AJ Rivlin, Fiona Hallworth, George Harris

In person: Mark Eldridge, James Isaacs, Kate Holland Smith, Seb Hoyle, Brioney Denner, Andy Rudge, Jo Greenbury, Lucy Nash, Alan Bailey

1. Confirmation and approval of the minutes of the 123rd AGM 2020 These were approved.

2. Confirmation and adoption of the 123rd Annual Financial Report and Accounts 2020

We do not currently have a set of audited accounts, because of multiple postponements by Bishop Fleming. This has had a knock-on effect on the printing of the Magazine, which has had to be delayed until the accounts are ready to print. There will be an EGM in the new year, when the accounts are complete and the Magazine has been posted, hopefully in early February.

Seb Hoyle asked that we request a reduction in the Bishop Fleming fee; all agreed with his proposal.

3. The President’s remarks

Mark Eldridge thanked the Committee for their efforts, making special mention of the Chair and the Treasurer. He also thanked the previous Chairman, Ali Cole, who had resigned at the end of 2020. It had been an odd year, very quiet for a long period, but with events starting up again. Sport had resumed in July, and this term had brought two rugby reunions and two branch dinners so far. This was encouraging and was expected to continue.

£5.6m was the current value of the CCEF, which was another source of satisfaction. He explained that he was now at the end of his second and final term as President, a role he had ‘unexpectedly enjoyed’! He concluded by thanking the OC ‘office team’ for all their hard work.

4. The Chairman’s review of the year

Kate Holland Smith agreed that it had been another strange year for the OCS. Another lockdown had eventually given way to a resumption of OC activity, most notably the London Dinner in September and the Cardiff Dinner in October. There had been cricket and golf, real tennis and shooting, football and rugby 7s, and the Bristol Dinner was still to come. She hoped that events in 2022 would be equally popular and well attended.

She thanked Charlie NewingtonBridges, Matt Howard Cairns and Myles Watkins for their splendid stewardship of the CCEF, and close scrutiny of Smith & Williamson, the investment managers. She was able to report that Clive Smith continued to make significant donations to his scholarship fund, and that we had also benefitted from a substantial legacy from Anthony Gwilliam [NT 1948], at just over £220,000. The CCEF was currently supporting 14 scholarships and 8 bursaries, and she thanked all those OCs who had donated during 2021.

She regretted that the Magazine had been delayed, but thanked Jo Greenbury for taking on the Editorship and looked forward to his first edition being published in the new year.

5. Elections of officers

The Chair explained that Mark Eldridge, although at the end of his Presidential term, would remain on the Executive by assuming the role of ‘Immediate Past President’, as laid out in the Society’s Rules. She also expressed her gratitude to ME for his invaluable support and advice.

The following elections then took place:

James Isaacs – President: proposed by Kate Holland Smith, seconded by Seb Hoyle.

Andy Rudge – Committee member: proposed by James Isaacs, seconded by Alan Bailey.

by

Denner.

Matt Howard Cairns – Committee member: proposed by Mark Eldridge, seconded by James Isaacs.

Charlie Newington-Bridges – Vice President: proposed by James Isaacs, seconded by Alan Bailey.

Jez Walters – Vice President: proposed by Kate Holland Smith, seconded by Brioney Denner.

6. Appointment of auditors and the 2020 accounts

The problems with the auditing of the 2020 accounts meant that the Society should definitely seek to appoint new auditors in the first quarter of 2022. The new auditors would then start work on the 2021 accounts.

The College Finance Director had suggested to JHG that the Society may not need to be audited, and this would be investigated.

7. AOB

l Simon Reece asked if Myles Watkins was staying on as Treasurer following his promotion/re-location. The answer was ‘Yes’, in the short term.

l Luke Fromant asked how many Honorary OCs there were and what were the criteria for selection. The list is very long and consists almost entirely of former staff. The convention is to invite those who have done more than 10 years of employment when they leave the College. The Rules provide for up to 12 Honorary OCs who have not been members of staff. It was agreed that these numbers and the criteria would be reviewed when the Rules are finally re-visited.

George Harris – Committee member: proposed by James Isaacs, seconded

Brioney

l Stephen Zimmerman thanked all the Executive Committee members for all the work they do for the school.

l Fiona Hallworth asked that the Committee seeks to ensure that it is a diverse and representative body. This observation was made with issues of gender and ethnicity in mind, but also ‘Clifton background’ e.g. day,

boarding, Bristol, wider UK, international et al. The Secretary agreed that diversity must be a consideration in the make-up of the Executive Committee.

Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Old Cliftonian Society, held on February 17th, 2022, at 3.00 pm in the Pavilion, and by Zoom.

1. Approval of the 2020 accounts. These were approved.

2. Appointment of a new Treasurer. KHS thanked Myles Watkins for his work as Treasurer. BD proposed Alex Turco to be his successor, seconded by KHS. Alex’s appointment was approved nem. con.

3. Appointment of auditors. It seemed inconceivable to the meeting that Bishop Fleming would be appointed to carry out the 2021 audit. AT was charged with identifying new auditors, and it was recommended that he consult Matt Howard-Cairns as he weighed up the possibilities.

Present: Kate Holland Smith, Alex Turco, Jo Greenbury and Brioney Denner

Accounts

HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT

Myles Watkins retired from this position and was replaced by Alex Turco at the Extraordinary General Meeting in February 2022. AC Mole has been appointed as new Accountants and Auditors for the financial year ending 31 December 2021 covered by this report.

As usual, this report is made up of two parts. First, the summary accounts of the Old Cliftonian Society. As a private members’ club, accounts are not published elsewhere. The full financial statements and Auditor’s report are available from the Old Cliftonian Society office and on the website, and a summary is outlined here.

Secondly, the summary accounts of registered charity 1113320, the Clifton College Endowment Fund. The full accounts are available from the Charity Commission website. The Trustees of the Charity are all members of the Old Cliftonian Society Executive Committee.

OLD CLIFTONIAN SOCIETY

THE OLD CLIFTONIAN SOCIETY

The Society receives life membership subscription income and voluntary contributions from past and present members of the school. These cover the majority of running costs including subsidy for OC reunions, events and dinners, the magazine and sports. Funds can be applied for the benefit of the school and in 2021 Covid Award funding started in 2020 was completed.

OLD CLIFTONIAN SOCIETY

THE CLIFTON COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND

In the 2021/22 academic year the Clifton College Endowment Fund supported financially 22 Clifton College pupils. All applications for financial assistance should be directed to the School Finance Department. The Trustees and School work together to ensure that awards are provided to those in financial need, and in line with the stated wishes or legal requirements of financial contributors to the Charity.

In 2010 the Charity Commission authorised the Trustees to use total return accounting, which allows the Charity to use a wider range of investments with the expectation generating a greater overall return. The portfolio continues to be managed by Evelyn Partners (formerly Smith & Williamson) and its mandate excludes investments in areas that might be considered as harmful to the environment or society more generally.

THE CLIFTON COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2021

Ongoing gifts are welcome and for UK taxpayers qualify for gift aid, which increases the net value of the gift by 25%. Legacies are most welcome and in 2021 the Clifton College Endowment Fund received a large contribution from the Estate of the late Anthony Gwilliam, and received notification that it would be the recipient of a substantial legacy from the Estate of the late Geoffrey Hardyman. Donations to Charity on death are highly effective in saving Inheritance Tax for UK domiciled individuals.

Those who choose to remember the Clifton College Endowment Fund in their Will are welcome to be members of the 1862 club, administered via Jeremy Pickles and the Old Cliftonian Society office. Typically, there is an annual lunch in the Summer term in recognition during life of the future gift on death.

Tiers of Donors

The main focus for CCDT fundraising has been for means tested bursarial support. Many thanks to all these donors who have supported us:

Percival Benefactors

(£250k plus)

The Old Cliftonian Society

Joseph Cooper (NT 1931) [ Jonathan Glassberg (PH 1983)

Mildred Tomlinson [ David Jones (BH 1955) [ John James Bristol Foundation Polack's House Educational Trust

Anonymous x 1

Michael R W Eames [ Anthony Gwilliam (NT 1948) [ Geoffrey Hardyman (OH 1950) [

Guthrie Benefactors

(£50k - £250k)

Nicholas Porter (ET 1986)

Jacqueline Pullinger [

Mr D & Mrs H Stevens

Trevor Howard (DH 1932) [ Edgar Harborne (NT 1952) [ Roger Cooper (DH 1952)

Alan Morgan (NT 1969)

Isidore Grossman [ Sir Hector Sants (BH 1973)

Simon Brewer (ET 1981)

HSWJ Trust

Stephen Zimmerman (PH 1967)

Ian Lane (ST 1950)

Anne Futter Lomeli

Peter Tasker (NT 1973)

Sir Trevor Chinn (PH 1953)

Gillian Blakeman [

Anonymous x 3

Wilson Benefactors

(£10k - £50k)

John Pocock

Hugh Harper (WiH 1986) [

Christopher Trembath (ST 1980)

Robin Bowie (WiH 1980)

Marc Futter (OH 1939) [ Friends of Clifton

Graeme McEvoy (SH 1987)

Tim Greene

Sir David Willcocks Music Trust Fund

Sandy Hett (DH 1946)

OC Masonic Lodge

Granville Davis (NT 1939) [

The J & M Britton Charitable Trust

Piotr Holysz (SH 2003)

A. Frank Petrosky

Davidson Charitable Trust

Arbi Gayrabekov

Halid Musayev

The Harry Crook Charitable Trust

Bob Frampton (WiH 1942) [

Lin & Judith Wilson (NT 1954)

David Forbes-Nixon (NT 1983)

Andrew Thornhill (NT 1962)

Milan Morjaria (SH 1985)

Simon Makinson (WaH 1976)

David Killick (OH 1956)

Arron Banks

Tim Ross

Michael Brooks (NT 1951)

Sir Peter Job (DH 1959)

David Jenkins (SH 1940) [

Keasbey Memorial Foundation

Sir Martin Franklin (PH 1983)

Colin Hallward (ST 1953)

Rick Saunders (DH 1981)

Peter George (BH 1990)

John Dayer (NT 1948)

Neil Constable (WiH 1983)

Peter Greenaway (NT 1950)

Christopher Dale (BH 1988)

Agnes Weighell [

Thomas Elliott (OH 1982)

Pat Howe (ST 1955)

John Barron (DH 1952) [ Matthew Kemp (PH 1985)

Peter Bartrum (DH 1926) [

Geoffrey Mowat (ST 1936) [ Davy Pain (SH 1936) [

David Peck (OH 1939) [

Dorota Lyszkowska-Becher (OH 1998)

Julian Tayler [ Kadoorie Charitable Foundation

Richard Farrimond (WaH 1965)

Neal Foster (PH 1984)

Adrian Palmer (SH 1967)

Neil Jordan (ST 1987)

Anonymous x 3

The Close Benefactors

(£1k - £10k)

384

The Commemoration Benefactors (up to 1k) 1139

Some donors choose to remain anonymous and their wishes are respected.

The list shows donations received since 1st January 2000. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your name has been inadvertently omitted please accept our apologies and deepest gratitude for your support.

Please contact us and we will rectify this as soon as we can.

[ Deceased

OC Contacts & Sports Clubs

If you want to contact other OCs in your area, please email the OC office to be put in touch. Here are some contacts in certain areas in the UK:

United Kingdom

Bristol Seb Hoyle sebhoyle@btinternet.com 07850 766368

Jezz Grainger jezzsterboy@yahoo.co.uk 07785345111

Isle of Man

Derek Winterbottom derekw@manx.net 01624 670 732

Northumberland & Co Durham

David Penny davidspenny2003@yahoo.co.uk 07855 430 811

Yorkshire Christopher Gibbs christopher.gibbs@cantab.net 07886 202901

Scotland

Douglas Findlay-Shirras douglas@kinellanlodge.co.uk 07785 277387

Wales

Nick Jones nick.jones500@gmail.com 07968 042542

Irish Republic and Northern Ireland

Richard Holdsworth richardholdsworth@hotmail.com +353 860 222759 +353 1 8947916

If you are living in, moving to, or travelling around the globe, the following OCs have offered to be a point of contact:

Australasia

Australia - Queensland

Roger Griffiths +61 7-32662794 +61 (0)42 880 1000 grifo@optusnet.com.au

Australia – New South Wales

Piers Hogarth-Scott +61 405 151 971 piers@hogarth-scott.com

Australia – Western Australia John Melville-Jones +61 8-64882164 john.melville-jones@uwa.edu.au

New Zealand

Clive Weston +64 21 905 565 clivejrweston@gmail.com

Europe

Belgium

Richard Lewis +322 767 8153 richard.lewis@telenet.be

France

Colin Yeandle +33 2 3328 1037 colalyeandle@orange.fr

Gibraltar

Bruno Callaghan +34 956 615 160 +350 200 43636 bruno@callaghaninsurance.com

The Netherlands

Charles Mander +31 652844090 charles.mander@live.com

Poland

Marcin Szala +48 693 964 717 marcin@szala.net

Russia and CIS

Boris Yaryshevskiy +79851831313 yaryshevskiy@gmail.com

Switzerland

Damian Budd +41 78 658 2469 damianbudd@hotmail.com

Central & Middle East

Israel

Simon Jaffa sjaffa@barlaw.co.il +972544986650

Qatar

Chris Barnard Jones (BeeJay) beej320@gmail.com +974 33697546

India

Rajeev Chaurasia (Mumbai) rajeev.chaurasia@gmail.com +919821517777

North America

Canada – Atlantic Provinces David Baird drbaird@nl.rogers.com +1 709 726 9093

Canada – British Columbia Kenneth Fok zedbadeemc@gmail.com +1 604 266 8578

Canada – Ontario/Quebec Richard Musson rjgmusson@gmail.com +1 416-557-2560

USA – New York / East Coast Graeme McEvoy graeme@mcevoysusa.com +1 908 723 1685

USA California / Northern Stephen Wares stephenwares@gmail.com +1 650 690 0508

USA California / Southern Izzie Pick izziepickash@gmail.com +1 323 632 2812

USA – South West States Alexander Watson alexanderwatsoninslc@gmail.com +1 385 282 3200

Africa

East Africa

Kiuri Mburathi kiurim@gmail.com +254 726 971961 and Vivian Lagat vlagat@gmail.com +254 723 547 648

South Africa

Nigel Drury - Cape Town n.h.drury@gmail.com +27 79 165 8824 and David Williams - Johannesburg davidwilliams.rsa@gmail.com +27 72 597 3792

South East Asia

Hong Kong Vincent Law vkmlaw@gmail.com +852 9840 0096

Japan Masa Usui usuim21@hotmail.com +81 90 12597800

Singapore Colin Jarraw cjarraw@gmail.com +65 9795 0025

South Korea Jane Lee jane_lee16@hotmail.com +852 5372 6347

Taiwan

Simon Wong no5354@hotmail.com +886 953288522

Thailand Simon Makinson makinsos@allenovery.com +85297393691

Old Cliftonian Society Sports Clubs 2022

Cricket Club

Jem Brooks - President 07966 264405 jbrooks@brookswm.co.uk

Ben Figueiredo - Captain 07377 921240 Ben.figueiredo@hawkeyeinnov ations.com

Cross Country Ed Greig edgreig@gmail.com 07825263408

Football Club

Jon Temperley 07977 149 553 oldcliftoniansfc@gmail.com

Hockey Club Josh Barnes 07766088056 jbarnes92.jb@googlemail.com

Saskia Barnes 07532207157 saskia.barnes@yahoo.com

Golf Society Andy Rudge 0779595630 arudge2@cliftoncollege.com

David Rowe 07766 333301 dha.rowe@btinternet.com

Rackets Club

James Telling 07817 421 985 telling9@hotmail.com

Real Tennis Club Jonny Whitaker 07883227119 jdlwhitaker@hotmail.co.uk

Rugby 7s Will Watson 07967993351 wjw10@hotmail.co.uk

Ollie Bowden 07951056575 obowden1@hotmail.co.uk

Shooting Club Daniel Odutola 07984018040 danielodutola@yahoo.co.uk

John Evans 07973777252 jcev39@gmail.com

Waterpolo Simon Macfarlane 07896860559 Simonmacf@hotmail.com

THE OLD CLIFTONIAN SOCIETY – 2022

OFFICERS

President – James Isaacs

Immediate Past President – Mark Eldridge

Vice Presidents – Charlie Newington-Bridges Jez Walters

Chair – Kate Holland Smith

Secretary – Jo Greenbury

Treasurer – Alex Turco

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

John Davies

Tamsin Robertson

Brioney Denner

Seb Hoyle

Alan Bailey

Matt Howard-Cairns

Andy Rudge

George Harris

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Jo Greenbury

Charlie Newington-Bridges

Matt Howard-Cairns

Alex Turco

Clifton College

32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3JH

T. +44 (0) 117 315 7000 E. info@cliftoncollege.com

CLIFTON COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND (Registered Charity No. 1113320)

TRUSTEES

All members of the Executive Committee

Assets held by OC (Clifton College) Nominees Ltd

DIRECTORS of OC (Clifton College) Nominees Ltd

Kate Holland Smith (Chair)

Jo Greenbury (Secretary) Alex Turco (Treasurer)

Editor of the Cliftonian Magazine (OC Edition) Jo Greenbury

The Old Cliftonian Society 32 College Road

Bristol BS8 3JH 0117 315 7665

Email: cliftoniansociety@cliftoncollege.com Website: www.oc-online.co.uk

Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ocsociety

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