Old Decanian News Summer 2010

Featured in this issue : PAGE 4

New cricket pavillion takes shape for summer 2010

PAGE 10

Amadeus storms to success at Edinburgh Festival 2009

PAGE 14

News from the decades: Rebecca Browne “Hello from Chile”

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society Newsletter

Old Decanian Summer 2010 News no~ 86

New marquee for Commemoration 2009 Jeremy Winter, Lucy Smith, Ian Bassett-Smith & Nick Akerman by the new marquee purchased in time for Commemoration 2009.

Website | www.olddecanians.co.uk

Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

Cameron Chapman impresses as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables

Les Miserables receives plaudits ODN

SEE THE DRAMA ROUND UP ON PAGE 10

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Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

Welcome to our new Old Decanian Newsletter It is some while since the Newsletter had a new look. This year we have taken the opportunity to include news on a wider range of information from the Old Decanians.

Several methods of communication are already in use such as the LinkedIn group and the Facebook Group (still needing work on this). I would be very glad of volunteers to come and help with the on-going work whether that is assisting in event management or working with us on the website or just a pair of extra hands when we are exceptionally busy. Please get in touch if you can help.

I am endeavouring to ask you all to sign a declaration saying that you agree for us to hold your name, address and contact details on our database. At present we do not give people’s personal information without contacting them for permission, but there are times when it would be easier if we knew whether you would be happy for me

IAN BASSETT-SMITH -

OLD DECANIAN REGISTRAR Ian is very familiar with Dean Close School having been a pupil from 1952 to 1960 and he has remained in close contact with the School to this day. He has been Hon. Treasurer of the Society for almost 20 years. Having recently retired from his Electrical Engineering Company he was in a position to take the reins from Richard Padfield to become our new Registrar. Richard has been a stalwart and much respected champion of the Old Decanian Society and his dedicated contribution over many years has been much appreciated. Ian has seen many changes take place at the School

to give them to Old Decanians if they request them without contacting you first. Please email me to that effect so that I have a record of this.

Most people already have the understanding that we have your details, but not that we can pass them on without our contacting you first.

We are hoping that you will let the OD office know if you would like something included each year to allow more time to prepare for Re-unions and Gatherings for ODs. This means if you have an interesting item you would like to share it will be incumbent for you to tell me. I will always try to get to hear about school activities and changes occurring that might affect you.

Are you involved in a life-challenging occupation? Have you any helpful suggestions for our younger ODs? Did something amazing happen to you this past year? Did you meet up with an OD from your past?

under the auspicious eyes of successive headmasters, each contributing to the excellence of the School as it is today and he will endeavour to keep the spirit of the School alive in the continuing success of the Old Decanian Society.

LUCY SMITH

OLD DECANIAN ADMINISTRATOR If you managed to read the E-news you will see that Mrs Lucy Smith has taken over from Mrs Sylvia Klemz in the Old Decanian office. Sylvia has moved to the Music School as their Administrator. Our thanks go to Sylvia for her unstinting work over the 4 years she has been the Old Decanian Secretary.

Â

Lucy Smith OLD DECANIAN ADMINISTRATOR

It is so good to be able to check with her for any information she would know about. Lucy has moved across the room from working with the Reverend Charles Whitney in the Archive Department to be the Old Decanian Administrator. Lucy is married to Philip and they have 3 adult sons and they live, very conveniently, across the road from Dean Close School.

Please contact Lucy with any news or to update your details so that you can be kept aware of any activities that are being arranged.

Email: ods@deanclose.org.uk ODN

Some facts are always needed to keep you informed such as Dates and Reports but any suggestions and ideas to help me in the OD office will be gratefully received.

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Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

New cricket pavilion - update The former cricket pavilion was burnt to the ground on 29th Dec 2006.

During the following years funds, donations and insurance have now allowed the plans and rebuilding to commence. The completion of this is due this summer 2010.

The final details are not shown on these plans such as the landscaping and position of the scoreboard.

The clock will be over the glass doorway.

Grateful thanks for all the gifts and thoughts concerning the rebuilding. We hope you will enjoy the new surroundings when you visit.

OD Cricket week 2009 George Lane (T 98) reports that the cricket week, once again, brought ODs from all generations together, and despite the weather not being as kind to us as in previous years, some exciting cricket took place.

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twenty20: For the fifth consecutive year the twenty20 fixture kicked the week off in style on the Monday evening, with Jonty Strachan’s youthful U25 side looking to close the gap on CJT’s experienced seasoned pros!

Batting first, the Over 25s got off to a useful start through the Mears brothers, and J. Mears in particular looked to be brimming with confidence off the back of his fine unbeaten hundred against the school 1st X1 earlier in the summer.

Having built a strong position P. Nicholson rolled back the years with some flamboyant stroke play (37), and set the stage for Ben “the heed” Davis to come in and play with a free license. Ben didn’t disappoint and

attacked from the outset, hitting some magnificent blows to all parts of the field like a man possessed (53). 167 was a daunting prospect for Strachan’s side and particularly after the fall of early wickets.

J. Denley bowled a tight line and length coming on first change, and despite some resistance in the middle order from S. Slabbert and a fine knock from the Skipper (53) it was to be the Over 25s’ year again, stretching their lead to a commanding 4-1.

As has become tradition, players and spectators alike enjoyed a fantastic BBQ next to the temporary pavilion (as they did also after the Saturday fixture), and our utmost thanks go to Dorothy Odell, Sarah Kenyon, Judy Lane and Sue Marchand for providing such a wonderful feast.

Kings Gloucester: On the Tuesday morning ODs travelled down the road to Kings Gloucester in an attempt to reverse our fortunes of the two previous years. Deciding to bat first, some useful contributions from N. Mucadam (29) and L.Brignall gave us a platform from which to build after lunch.

C.Townsend (61) came in and played a fine knock in the middle order with some audacious reverse sweeps, and was joined by B.Davis who carried on from where he left off the day before, increasing his 6s tally for the week.

J. Strachan too batted well for 33 and ODCC declared for 242.

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

Masterful Mears guides ODs to victory

by Jeremy Winter

Great efforts were made this year to raise the profile and status of this game to make it a cricketing occasion worthy of Commemoration Day.

After a quiet start the ball was soon finding the middle of his bat with regular frequency and in stands with Matt Strachan (20), veteran David Lawson (20), Nick Hume (23) and Jonty Strachan his splendid century was reached on declaration time at 232-8.

The school unfortunately was again missing a couple of injured/ill senior players and lost early wickets to the quality bowlers Jonty Strachan and Barney Knights-Johnson collapsing to 23-4.

Enter then the school’s star U18 hockey captain Ben Andrew who undertook the Mears’ role of revival of the school’s fortunes. He had useful stands with Mike Penny, Ali Parker and Josh Drewett and ended with a defiant 47. However, aided by some fine catching the ODs ample additional bowling reserves namely John Nicholson, Benjie Knights-Johnson, James Mears, David Lawson and Les Gaylard all held too many aces for the school and the ODs swept to an impressive 95 run victory.

Back row: Nick Hume; Les Gaylard; Matt Strachan; John Nicholson; David Lawson.

Front row: Jeremy Winter; Brad Mears; Jonty Strachan (Captain); Matt Shayle; James Mears; Nick Akerman.

Oxford Blue Jonty Strachan captained the team and the last 10 years’ school captains were invited to play. With the weather cooperating and although we had a couple of late casualties a highly enjoyable and competitive contest resulted.

Despite one early breakthrough, our opening pace attack of Strachan and Davis bowled without much luck, beating the outside edge on a number of occasions.

King’s batsmen began to look settled as time went on and with 10 overs to go needed a run a ball with wickets in hand. In a game that came down to the wire, the KGS batsmen knocked off the winning runs in the last over (A straight 6 back over the Heeds head off his bowling!). We look forward to hosting KGS at our ground next year.

Gypsies: For the third year running silverware was at stake for the Gypsies encounter in the form of the Dr Andrews trophy. A strong OD side under the Captaincy of B. Mears were determined to post a big score, and after a promising opening stand between C.Tasker-Grindley and G.Lane, N. Mucadam took to the Gypsy bowlers, contributing a quick-fire 79. Skipper Mears (27) and B.Davis (34) saw us up to a total of 266 which felt like a potential winning score. J.Nicholson

The OD side with their school leaving dates and House:Jonty Strachan (Capt.) (F 2006); Brad Mears (V. Capt.) (B 1999); David Lawson (B 1978); James Mears (B 1997); John Nicholson (G 1984); Matt Shayle (D 1999); Matt Strachan (D 2004); Leslie Gaylard (B 2005); Nick Hume (D 2006); Barney Knights-Johnson (B 2007); Benjie Knights-Johnson (B 2008).

opened the bowling for the ODs with an inspired spell of leg-break wizardry, taking 4 for 63 in his 14 overs.

After an early collapse, it was always going to be a struggle for the Gypsies to get back into the game, and despite a fine hundred from E. Richardson, ODs triumphed by 81 runs and retained the all-important silverware.

Exeter Casuals: Despite starts in both the Shipton and Bourton fixtures, rain prevented much action on both Thursday and Friday, and so it was all to play for in the final fixture of the week against the Exeter Casuals.

The Casuals made early breakthroughs, though S.Gilbert played a sensible knock at the top of the order (25), and after a slow start M.Shayle (33) and De Winton (40) accelerated the run rate. J Lawrence (29) also impressed down the order, helping to post a competitive 183 in 40 overs.

In a nail-biting final hour that tilted one way, then the next, R. Kinder led the ODs to a tremendous victory with an inspired spell of accurate fast bowling at the death.

A big thank-you to all captains (C. Townsend, G. Lane, B. Mears, J. Strachan, R.Kinder and W. Odell) for their raising of sides, and also to the school for their excellent catering.

A superb evening was had by OD cricketers and golfers once again at the Suffolk Arms on the Wednesday evening – many thanks to Tim Lawrence for organising what is always a happy occasion.

So, another excellent week of competitive cricket, in which 28 ODs participated on the field. As always however, it would be great to see some more ODs available for selection, as well as supporters to enjoy one of the most successful OD traditions. (Please get in touch with Jeremy Winter jeremy.winterdar@blueyonder.co.uk)

ODN

Batting first and despite a stylish 25 from Les Gaylard the ODs lost vital early wickets to the school’s swing bowlers Rob French and Rob Bamforth and at 75-6 looked in danger of setting a fairly modest total for the school to chase; however the entry of the steadying influence of Brad Mears to the crease started an excellent revival of fortunes.

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Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

OD Hockey 2010

Monday 15 march 2010

OD Veterans XI Score: 3-3 An exciting game against the School 2nd XI. The late equaliser for the ODs came in the last minutes of the game. There was good end-to-end play throughout the match which was enjoyed by all taking part.

Back row: Adrian Barrett ; Dave Holdaway; Steven Odell; John Postlethwaite (Capt.); Alistair Brown; Martin Fowke; Tim Postlethwaite Front row: Chris Hooper; James Mears; Phil Sidey; Chris Billington; Bradley Mears; Pete Holdaway

OD 1st XI team Score: 1-0 to ODs Dynamic game against the School 1st XI. A highly competitive game enjoyed by all participants with the ODs winning goal scored in the second half of the game.

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Back row: Adam Williams; Nick Hume; Sam Tasker-Grindley; Jeremy Gillman; Ben Andrew (Capt.); Richard Baker; Ben Marsden; Andy Scrase Front row: James Gough; Charlie Tupper; Chris Tasker-Grindley: Jonty Strachan; Andrew Newiss

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Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

OD Golf 2009

by Robert Reed

ODs Cup - Runners Up The ODs defence of the TV Edward Harris Trophy, won last year at Royal St David’s Golf Club, Harlech was led by Huw Davies-Thomas and David Carpenter this year at the superb Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club – host School Monmouth.

AROPS 2009 Conference

by Ian Bassett-Smith

A group of five members from Dean Close School attended the Conference at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield on the 8th and 9th May 2009. Andrew Marquand, Quentin Seymour-Smith, John Denley and Ian Bassett-Smith representing the Old Decanian Society and Mrs. Annelise Nunn representing Dean Close School.

Dean Close has long been a member of the Association of Representatives of Old Pupils Societies (AROPS ) with Quentin SeymourSmith being our representative on their committee. Our membership has been valuable in the past as we have gained useful information on other schools’ alumni activities and it was suggested that Dean Close School should host the event in 2010.

Because of this proposal it was decided that members of the Society and School should attend the Conference to obtain first-hand information on the structure of the event.

teams were from Christ’s College Brecon; Llandovery; Ruthin and Cheltenham College (1st year).

Huw Davies-Thomas won the prize for longest drive at the 12th (and narrowly missed bagging the closet to the pin at the 18th). Cod Carroll, sadly having to play without a partner, scored a most creditable 33 points, which was the OD team’s discard score.

A bad A40 traffic hold-up and another unassociated problem resulted in three

The Conference dinner was on the Friday evening and four members of our party attended braving a torrential rain storm just before the event! The dinner was well attended with the guest speaker, Mr. Paul Whittaker OBE giving a very entertaining address on ‘Music for the Deaf’.

The main Conference occupied the whole of Saturday 9th starting with an introduction from the Headmaster, Mr. Michael Gibbons, followed by enlightening talks by Nick Gibb M.P. (Shadow Minister of State for Schools) and Mrs. Pat Langham (Principal, Wakefield Grammar School Foundation).

of the four pairings being incomplete at their due tee-off times and in view of these handicaps a runners-up in the competition was most creditable.

Mention should also be made that John Barker won the Reed Trophy for ODs competing in the Stroke a Hole G.S. held at The Rolls the previous week.

Dean Close is the host school next year at The Manor House Golf and Country Club, Castle Combe, Wiltshire on 8th October 2010.

An excellent buffet lunch was served in the dining hall. During the afternoon there followed a choice of four workshops, the most popular of which was an overview of Facebook!

The Conference closed at around 5 p.m. with optional tours of the school.

We all felt that it was a most enjoyable visit and that we gained much useful information to assist with organising the 2010 Conference at Dean Close.

Quentin Seymour-Smith; Andrew Marquand; Mrs Margaret Carter-Pegg; Bill Gillen; Mrs Annelise Nunn; Ian Bassett-Smith

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Their final score of 39 points was topped however by John Barker and the Society’s conscientious and enthusiastic Secretary, Robert Reed, whose stunning 43 points won them the prize for best score of the day. However, even with a useful third score of 37 points from Chris Dyer and Rupert Lane, this was not quite good enough to outscore Monmouth’s best three pairings score of an excellent 122 points; third place went to Rydal, 116 points.

Other competing schools’ old boy

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Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

The Treasurer’s Report

by Ian Bassett-Smith, June 2009

Presented at the 2009 AGM I am pleased to report that our Society continues to be in a strong financial position. Our combined bank and building society account balances increased by over £5,000 during the year in spite of the recession and our investing £4,500 in our new website. We have also made new investments during the year totalling £6,000.

Subscriptions have been maintained for new members of the O.D. Society at £200. This is paid by parents, in £50 instalments, during the first four terms after admission. As far as I can ascertain this should be more than adequate for our needs for the near future.

We continue to offer Travel Scholarships to Old Decanians who have worthwhile projects and have given over £1,500 in donations during the last year.

Henry Hodgkins continues to provide valuable help with our investment portfolio. Finally, I would like to thank Richard Padfield and Sylvia Klemz for their invaluable help that they have given to me over the past years. They will be sadly missed.

Robert Reed (Secretary of OD Golf Society) congratulating Mike Bawden (OD) on his retirement from his position as secretary of the Walton Heath Golf Club in October 2009.

OD Travel Scholarships

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Many ODs have been travelling to places around the world gaining insights and experience.

Richard Bolton went to Mozambique; Holly Kirwin to a hospital in Malawi; Peter Workman working on a Mission Ship in the Caribbean; Michael Dawson spent a term in Australia; John Holdsworth to Russia; Rebecca Browne working with Latin Link in Chile; Michael Strachan visited Uganda; Alice Williams is off to South India in August with a group from the Diocese of Gloucester to work with street children, children with special needs and other underprivileged children.

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Chelsie Finlay-Notman (Fa 2000) went to do research in Australia and writes: For my MSc Social Anthropology dissertation I chose to look at the relationship between the construction of indigenous identity (and how it is presented) and indigenous tourism.

Within the relatively under-studied area of Australian Aboriginal tours, my study considered three primary questions; who is involved in the construction of Australian Aboriginal tours, for what purpose, and with what consequences on Australian Aboriginality? Beginning by looking at wider anthropological work on the effect of indigenous tourism on the construction of identity, the study compared existing anthropological theories on indigenous tourism with my own research and other case studies of indigenous tourism in Australia.

For my own research I spent a month in South Australia, interviewing tourism officials, such as members of Tourism Australia and the South Australia Tourism Industry Council, who handle the marketing of Aboriginal tours. I also undertook a tour with Bookabee Tours (an Aboriginal owned and operated business) and interviewed the operators. In addition to my interviews, I performed questionnaires on tourists who would be/ had just taken an indigenous tour, in order to see what role they had (overtly or subconsciously) in the construction of Aboriginal tours. Results showed that although external factors cannot influence indigenous identity per se, they can influence the way in which it is presented in Aboriginal tours, and therefore can influence others’ perceptions of indigenous identity.

I hope that my study might be used as a pilot, inspiring further, more in depth study on the relationship between indigenous identity, tourism and native title in Australia.

I believe that Aboriginal tours have the potential to bring a new approach to native title claims, by bridging political and economic concerns with academic knowledge and the lived experience, so further research could have vital legal and political ramifications.

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

Headmaster’s Notes

We had Sixth Formers in uniforms straight out of Daisy Pulls It Off chatting to exHeadmasters who could give them sixty years’ start, and Mrs Jean Reeve who was at the School during the war.

As every reader of this newsletter will know, this warmth and depth of interest stems from our central values, and the more I reflect, the more I see the maintenance of this ethos as my main responsibility. One of the consequences of this has been the truly exceptional support from ODs and staff for Lt. Garth Banks (OD) who was severely injured in an explosion in Afghanistan earlier in the year. His fortitude has been an example to all of us and I know how much he has appreciated contact from old friends.

As a School, we continue to go well.

Since December we have put on a professional quality production of Hamlet, got through to three national finals, sung

Verdi’s Requiem to a full Town Hall, achieved five Oxbridge offers and helped one of our Prep School boys to win BBC Chorister of the Year.

A couple of highlights: The CCF Centenary day saw over 200 cadets on parade for an excellent day of activities including the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, the Rifles Band and a tense gunrun competition. The mess dinner in the evening with our guest of honour, Brigadier Steve Hodder, was a showcase for the CCF and was done with great style.

It seems a long time ago now but since the last newsletter went to press our under 18 boys won the National Schools’ Hockey Tournament beating Worksop 3-2 in a tense and not entirely good-natured (from them) final. This has of course made us the side that every school wants to beat and the boys have had to work hard this season.

Our Africa links have continued to be active. I joined the School group that visited Uganda in the summer of 2009.

There was much speech-making, dancing and celebration meals and the Decanians who went threw themselves into the classroom, sports and music for the whole of our stay. Since then, three ODs, Mike Penny, Mike Strachan and Emily Watkiss

Bursar’s Notes Having joined Dean Close as Bursar in June of last year and, at the time of writing, having navigated the learning curve for some nine months, I feel that I’m starting to know the School moderately well.

Whilst having one’s predecessor as Bursar now filling the role of Headmaster could be thought by some as ‘daunting’, I can at least comfort myself with the thought that I’ll know exactly where to turn when the corporate memory needs to be trawled. Thus far, however, the assistance of the School’s excellent support team and experience gained over a full Army career followed by a short sojourn with a national charity seem to be carrying me through.

Time will doubtless tell!

have returned for an extended stay as gap year assistants.

It has been a year of significant change in the senior staff of the School. We have a new Deputy Head, Bradley Salisbury, whose career has included Head of Middle School at Bristol Cathedral School, Head of RS and Boarding Housemaster at Wells Cathedral School, where he also ran the 1st XI hockey in 2008/09. He has to follow some hard acts, including such illustrious names as Taylor, Reid and Wilson, and has made a very successful start in his first two terms.

Having lost a Bursar in the reshuffle, we have appointed John Ewbank to the post.

Formerly a Colonel in The Royal Corps of Signals, he spent two years working for a national charity before coming to us. Things are moving fast and work began on the repair of the Shelburne Road tennis courts and the new pavilion during the Lent Term.

Despite difficult economic circumstances in the country as a whole the School is in very good heart. Pupil numbers remain strong and we are blessed with a truly exceptional Common Room, to whom I am undyingly grateful.

You are very welcome to any or all of our matches, performances and events and I hope to see many of you at Dean Close in the year ahead.

by John Ewbank

My arrival coincided with a flurry of major refurbishment works that have made a significant and very welcome impact across the School. Double glazing, new bathrooms and a host of other works have improved Fawley House beyond measure, whilst a well planned ‘makeover’ for the Langhorne Hall and the Junior Dining Room and Kitchens have given both buildings a new lease of life and significantly improved both their feel and functionality. I’m also delighted to report that real progress has been made with the Sports Pavilion project and that by the time Old Decanian News hits your doorsteps the new building, which will echo the design of the new Sports Hall, should be approaching completion. Major ground works have also been carried out to extend the life of the Shelburne Road tennis and netball courts and a planning application to illuminate one of the Astro pitches should also have been resolved by the summer.

Work planned for the coming year is likely to include the start of a three year programme to replace the main school roof and refurbishment of parts of Brook Court House, which after a decade of hard use is now starting to show its age. I’m also hopeful that we’ll be making significant progress in assembling a long term estates plan that will address the major areas of capital expenditure on residential and teaching facilities that we know will be necessary in the next decade.

There can’t be many areas of the UK economy that have been untouched by the recession and the independent schools sector seems to be no exception. However, whilst there is certainly no room for complacency, and Dean Close belts may have to remain tightened for a little while longer, I’m pleased to be able to report that the School’s finances remain healthy and Trustees’ plans for the development of the School are very much on track.

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At the launch of At Close Quarters in November I was struck again, as I have been many times since I came to the School in 2000, at the strength of the extended Dean Close community and how well the generations mix.

by Jonathan Lancashire

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Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

DRAMA & The Edinburgh Festival 2009

by Lloyd Allington, Director of Drama

Drama at school Trinity Term 09 to Lent Term 10

Alex Carden as Salieri in Amadeus 2009

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James Evans as Hamlet

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Three Sisters by Anton Checkov – Beatrice Lawrence, Ellie Williams and Claudia Stebbings

Close Up Theatre had a storming success with AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer at Greenside venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in summer 2009, when audiences of up to 90 per day (it is worth remembering the average Fringe audience is around 9) flocked to see us. Yet again the Fringe authorities awarded us Sell-Out Status.

We now have a loyal and strong following there. Drama at school has grown in strength: there are now 5 members of the department, a sixth form Head of Drama, and 23 Drama Scholars in the school, as well as 150 pupils studying Speech and Drama.

In the Academic year 2008-9 there were 14 productions, crowned with mammoth performances of Les Miserables on the Bacon stage, to immense acclaim. Since the start of the academic year 2009/10, we have seen 7 productions so far, including an extraordinarily powerful cast, led by experienced and senior Drama Scholars, of Hamlet, plus Three Sisters by the Juniors, and Fawley House Play The Real Inspector Hound. Studio productions included The Memory of Water, Steel Magnolias and Dancing at Lughnasa. The end of Lent 2010 will see the school’s first production of The History Boys by Alan Bennett, plus all the AS and A2 Theatre Studies practical exams. ODs may be interested to note that for the last two years, at GCSE Drama, 4 out of the top 10 candidates nationwide are in the Upper 6, and 8 out of the top 10 in the Lower 6 out of approximately 60,000 people. We have been commended strongly by the examination board for this achievement.

In August 2010, any ODs near Edinburgh are warmly invited to Greenside (usually venue 231) to see The History Boys between 23 to 28 August, 11am. Please book tickets through the Fringe Box Office when it opens. We also welcome any ODs to any production at school – please see the school website for details: Drama is under Co-curricular. Any other enquiries to the Director of Drama, lsallington@deanclose.org.uk.

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

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Les Miserables 2008

Lachlan Bond as Dakin in The History Boys 2010

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Old Decanian News

n~o 86 | Summer 2010

News

from the s 0 5 9 1 DAW Richardson (51-54) called in at the school with his wife on their holiday in the UK. He recalled his time spent at Dean Close and noticed the numerous changes since his last visit.

s 0 6 9 1

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Timothy Brown (B 65) directed The Chamber Choir when they visited Clare College to sing Evensong with some choral scholars from the internationally famous Clare College Chapel Choir in November. Tim Brown is in his final year as Director of Music at Clare. Tim was thrilled that a Dean Close choir was able to visit Clare - something he’d been trying to arrange for 30 years! He also thought the singing of the Chamber Choir was ‘fantastic’. He seemed very proud of the standard of the Chamber Choir from his old school; those who know Tim, and he has the reputation of being the most demanding and successful choirmaster in the University, said that the choir received very high praise indeed from him.

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CAG Kidd (B 61) was briefly interviewed in his role as Editor of Debrett on Saturday 28th November by Tony Robinson, on a programme called Britain’s Real Monarch.

Robert Fitzsimmons (T 63) has been busy writing a book, ‘Arthur O’Leary and Arthur Sullivan; Musical journeys from Kerry to the heart of Victorian England’, published in 2008 by Doghouse Books.

s 0 7 9 1 Deryn Addington neé Brown (M 1976) was trying to get in contact with Jane Scott (M) and Louise Croker (M). If anyone has their details please contact the OD office.

s 0 8 9 1 Samir Abbas (B 82) would like to renew contact with those in Brook House whilst he was there in the 1970s/80s. Please contact the OD office (ods@deanclose.org. uk) for his contact details.

De

John Nicholson (G 82) writes to inform us of a growing number of Dry Stone Wallers who have been working along side him at Traditional Boundaries, namely; David Kenyon, Brad Mears, Ashley Kilminster and Piers Chapman.

A highly educated bunch of walling folk we are thinking of starting the OD Walling Society!

s 0 9 19 Simon Kenworthy (B 90) enjoyed a return visit to DCS on 22nd February as organiser of Banda School’s Hockey Tour,(Nairobi,Kenya).

He has been on the staff there for a few years. DCPS won the 1st X1 Boys match 3-0 and DCPS Girls were victors 1-0.

Mark Simmons (C 91) Congratulations to Mark & Katherine on the birth of their 4th child born in February 2010.

The family live and work in Khartoum where Mark holds a senior position in an organisation negotiating with terrorists in Sudan. His job takes him all over the world & keeps him immensely busy.

Bradley Mears (B 94) ran the London Marathon last April 2009, for the charity Children with Leukaemia.

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

ecades Elena Levon née Melnikova (Fa 96) has been making a film in USA and writes ’I’m proud to say, that our film “BOUNTIFUL” which was filmed at CBS studios has made it to TOP 20 and will be eligible for awards this year at 168 hour film festival 2010. I had such a pleasure working with my amazing TEAM, they are all phenomenal artists and I’m honoured to say that I was a part of this circle of people each with their own unique story, talent, passion and artistic vision!‘

s 0 0 20 John Foster (D-2000) was part of a team awarded a BAFTA for their award-winning comedy The Armstrong and Miller Show, in the category Best Comedy Programme.

Joseph Moor (G 2003) is working in the House of Commons in the office of Simon Burns MP.

Jeremy Smith (T 2005) has finished his degree in drama and has been accepted at the prestigious Drama Studio to study for an acting career.

James Townsend (T 2005) graduated with a 1st from York in History. He is now teaching in Manchester.

Harriet Colley (S 2006), a senior choral scholar at Clare, sang with the choir. Harriet is in her third year reading Theology. She was on very good form. The Clare choir is on tour in the United States at the end of the year (2009), including a prestigious engagement in New York’s Empire State Building, and singing in Israel. Unfortunately, the Palestinian authorities, under pressure from pro-Palestinian groups in the UK, refused the choir permission to sing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in Bethlehem.

Edward Coram-James (T 2006) Eddie graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Art and is now doing filming work in China, amongst other projects.

Ashok Gupta (D 2006) hosted the choir on their visit to Clare College in November.

Ashok is now in his third year at Clare and the College’s Senior Organ Scholar. It was clear from what both his peers and Tim Brown (B 65) said that Ashok is an outstanding Organ Scholar by any standards. Ashok accompanied Evensong, playing Fauré’s Pavanne before the service and Gigout’s Toccata at the end.

In the previous week, Ashok had been the organist for the Chapel Royal of St James for Choral Evensong on Radio 3; at the end of that service, the nation was treated to a full performance of a Buxtehude Prelude. He then made it back to Cambridge in very quick time to conduct the Clare College Orchestra in concert! In February, Ashok played Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto in concert in Cambridge.

Rosie Coombs (M 2007) a choral scholar at Girton where she is reading Classics, popped in to listen to the Chamber Choir concert at Clare College in November.

Henry Neill (BC 2007), Choral Scholar at St John’s, sang the title role (Noye) in Britten’s Noye’s Fludde when it was staged in Great St Mary’s, the University Church in Cambridge, in November 2009.

Jeremy Smith (T 2005) has won a place (after university at Warwick) at the prestigious Drama Studio in London to study acting.

His potential was first spotted here when he played an impressive Governor Danforth in Tower House’s The Crucible in 2003.

Tom Sword (F 2007) having gained 2 prestigious scholarships (including the Spencer Tracy Scholarship) at the American Academy of Dramatic Art in Los Angeles (scoring the highest marks in the Academy’s history!) has been summoned back to Hollywood to take a lead role in an independent film. We wish him well.

James Savage (T 2008) who is reading Medicine at Pembroke attended the Chamber Choir Concert at Clare College.

We were glad to hear that James has made a full recovery from a road accident and is playing rugby again.

Christa Shaw (Fa 2009) has been awarded a place at Central School of Speech and Drama to study acting. She was Head of Drama in her Sixth Form time.

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Anthony Bird (B 94) continues as the helicopter pilot to the Royal Family, and is also a member of the Council of DCS. He finds most of his time is taken up by his two sons aged 2½ and 5 months!

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Hello from Chile!

by Rebecca Browne (2009)

Time has flown by and we only have 1 week left here in Gorbea - I have loved it here and am going to miss it so much, we´ve made such good friends with the pastors family and church members especially.

Weather has been interesting! Some very hot days, some rainy days, but mainly freeeeezing cold nights!! My four season sleeping bag is struggling to keep me warm!

The building of the church has gone really well - we are well above ground level now!! a couple of weeks ago saw the arrival of 3500 bricks which was very exciting we were able to get them for a good price which was an answer to prayer.

Brick laying has gone really well, we´ve done one of the big walls in the last 3 weeks, and hope to make a decent start to another wall next week.

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Church services have been good - although we don´t necessarily understand what is being said, we really do feel like part of the congregation and love seeing everyone each week and catching up. 2 weeks ago, Orfilia, who is the wife of another local pastor, made a seriously impressive cake

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for us which said “Dios les bendigas hijos les amamos” which means God bless you children, we love you. We were so touched by this - they really don´t want us to leave, and nor do we! - And just today we went to Orfilia´s house for lunch and were presented with another amazing cake! We have learnt so much from the Chileans about hospitality - on so many occasions we have been invited to peoples house for food - in the last 2 days we have been to 4 different people´s houses and presented with HUGE amounts of food - it shows how generous they are as feeding 11 of us can´t be cheap at all.

Two weeks ago saw us leading the service at church. A lot of preparation went into this and God was so good in guiding and helping write and translate it all. Pete (a team member) did a great job preaching on living sacrifices, and everyone had some sort of part to play in it. We think the congregation enjoyed it.

We had John, who is in Santiago with Latin Link as a Strider, stay for 4 days a few weeks ago. He joined in all our usual activities - we really enjoyed having him stay and miss him now! He witnessed and joined in our attempts of catching and killing the rats (which unfortunately we have a few of). To our despair none of these attempts have worked (not even one team member chasing it around the attic hitting it with a stick!), but we have poison now, so it should be a piece of cake!

Today we went to a poorer part of Gorbea to do outreach - it went really well, we played games with kids in the streets and chatted to them. Next Sunday we are heading to Bariloche in Argentina for 5 days for our team holiday – it will be an amazing time to unwind and relax in preparation for our 2nd project which is (I think) going to be much more challenging – we are (almost 100% certain) going to a place called Talcahuano which is a coastal town that was hit very badly in the earthquake and the tsunami (it´s very close to Concepción where the epicentre was) and helping to rebuild a church which was completely destroyed, as well as helping with a feeding program for children and in the local community. Prayers would be hugely appreciated for this as it is going to be very different to Gorbea – we aren´t entirely sure what to expect, but understand it is going to be much more emotionally challenging as so many of the people we will be around have been through so much and lost so much.’

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

Reunions – Formal and Informal Tower Honours’ Boards unveiling: A small number of folk gathered for afternoon tea on Tower lawn on Sunday 21 June before the main evening celebrations for both Richard Taylor and Tony Marchand.

Richard and Anne Taylor were the guests of honour as Richard unveiled boards to commemorate the previous Tower Housemasters and Heads of House.

They were both honoured by Berian Williams-Jones (current housemaster) for their invaluable contribution to life in the House along with previous Houseparents, Mike Girling, Brian Wilson and Richard and Sue Padfield, who were all present.

Tower Honours’ Boards unveiling.

Left to right: Berian Williams-Jones; Brian Wilson; Mike Girling; Richard Taylor; Richard Padfield

Other OD guests included Edward Taylor (F 98) and Sonia Cave (M 94) (née Taylor), Richard’s son and daughter, along with Tom Gower (Head of House T 95) and Richard Akenhead, a previous member of staff.

Rupert Lane (G 62) an OD and former parent of 3 ODs was accompanied by his wife Judy.

Birthday Celebrations for Mike Girling Mike Girling was presented with a splendid oak bench for his 90th birthday for him to enjoy all the events on the Big Field. A light tea was held in his honour after the OD matches in March 2010.

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Hollywood Road London: Paul Tipper managed to organise a few ODs for lunch at Riva, Hollywood Rd, Chelsea on Friday 27th November 2009.

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Obituaries Peter Badger (B 65) on July 22nd 2009, aged 57. Peter, son of a Cotswold farmer, followed his older brother Chris into Brook.

His school career could scarcely have been more distinguished, rising through the ranks to become Senior Prefect and a triple colour. At the same time he was a loyal member of the choir. He captained the hockey XI and finally left us at Christmas 1969 to join Mansfield College, Oxford to read Geography.

He quickly won a place in the University hockey XI, which he eventually captained; he also played for England at U23 level, captaining them also. After gaining a Dip.Ed. he started his career teaching at St Edward’s, Oxford, so we frequently found ourselves up against his wellcoached sides.

Peter kept involved in OD activities, particularly Cricket Week, where he was an extremely useful all-rounder, who never knew when he was beaten! In due course he moved to Gresham’s in north Norfolk, so we saw rather less of him, but he was the type of all-round schoolmaster whom Independent Headmasters dream of! Not only did he run the hockey there from 1980-2001, but he also took junior cricket sides. He ran a House from 1990-2004 and, when he finally handed over the top hockey job, he coached the Gresham’s U14 hockey XI to the National Finals, which they duly won.

Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Chris and their two children at their untimely loss.

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Ian Barnett (W 38) on January 1st 2010, aged 80. Ian was a talented sportsman at school playing in all 3 major teams and becoming a School Prefect. Leaving in 1947 he did National Service with the RA in Benghazi, before moving back to the Cotswolds, where he resumed his sport with Cheltenham Town HC and became a garage proprietor with some connection with National Benzole. At some point in his early days he attended Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.

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Andrew Baylis (B 59) in September 2009, aged 63. Andrew followed his father Robert to DCS. It is reliably reported

The Society sends its sincere condolences to the families of all Old Decanians who have died. Those we know about are listed below. Our thanks to family members for supplying the information for these obituaries.

that he presented the headmaster’s wife (Mrs Graham) with a brace of trout, thus convincing the HM that he should be allowed to go fishing rather than play sport.

But it was in his subsequent career that he really made his mark. From the LSE Andrew moved to a career in the City with Baring Securities, which he helped transform into one of the most successful companies of the 1980s. He was described as ‘a perfectionist, but never pedantic’.

He was passionate about Atlantic salmon, wine, furniture, cricket, shooting and general country matters. In 1994 he and his wife Darcie moved to Cornwall where, with great care and determination they began the restoration of the Newton Ferrers estate and gardens. His interests led him to an involvement with the CLA (Countryside Landowners), first in Cornwall, then in the South West and finally on the Board in 2003.

His energy was undimmed despite a prolonged battle with cancer over the final 15 years of his life. He is survived by Darcie and their daughter Loelia. (My grateful thanks to Barney Gowar for this information; he and Robert Farnes attended the Memorial Service at St George, Hanover Square).

Ian Blair (G 42) on July 31st 2009, aged 76. Ian had a distinguished school career, rising to Senior Prefect, captaining the swimming team and playing for the rugby XV. He won an Exhibition to Manchester University and embarked on a career as a metallurgist with his BSc. By 1968 he had become Director of metallurgy ZLLM Ltd, Zambia. At some point in his career he also worked for Hatch Associates in Hull.

His string of professional qualifications included: FIMC.Eng; FIMM, MCIMM and MTMS. His 3 sons – Andrew, Neill and Keith - all joined Tower during the 1970s.

Brian Bleaney (G 40) on January 12th 2010, aged 80. Brian was the younger of two brothers to join Gate in the early 1940s; his brother Alan died long ago.

Both were mechanically minded and Brian’s career was chiefly with Dowty Rotol and Rolls Royce.

Colin Foss-Smith (1934) in May 2009.

During the Second War he served with the Indian Army as a Transport Officer on the Burma Rd. Our records suggest he rose to the rank of Captain or possibly even Major with the RIASC. He was a student apprentice with British Thompson-Houston Ltd and later in life he started and ran, with his brother Lester (also DCS) a small factory in Southampton, called Howard Foss Ltd and another called Tapley Meters Ltd. He retired in 1969 and lived with his wife, Gay, in Spain. (Thanks to his son Patrick who notified us of his father’s passing and who commented that “he loved the school and often spoke about it.”).

Michael Foster (T 1932) on 30th December 2009 aged 85. Whilst Michael was at school he had been the Cricket Captain and Prefect. He then went on to be a farmer in Shefford, Bedfordshire. We send sympathies and thoughts to his family.

Richard Hatchwell (T 40) on July 30th 2009, aged 82. Richard served in the Royal Navy during the War and then established himself as an Antiquarian bookseller. For many years he had a shop in Malmesbury, in which I (Richard Padfield) spent many a happy hour without any idea that he was an OD. Later he closed the shop and moved his most precious remaining stock to his home in Great Somerford, where I also visited and made a purchase – and had a good ‘Decanian’ chat as I had placed him by then. Latterly he had a long battle with cancer, but was sustained by a large and loving family.

Anthony Powell (B 37) during 2009.

Anthony was the youngest of 3 brothers to attend the school during the 1930s.

Kenneth, the eldest, died in action and David, now living in Devon, sent me the gist of what follows: Anthony left in 1939 and immediately developed his interest in Electronics and Radar. He worked with GEC during the War doing Radar research, later joining Devon Shipyards and working for PK Harris

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

started the TEFL Department at the school (Teaching English as a Foreign Language); but was also a benign and kindly fathersubstitute for generations of lonely children far from home.

Tony Simms (B 33) on March 15th 2009, aged 84. Arriving in the Junior School in the Summer term of 1933 Tony spent 9 years here, latterly in Brook under Edward Ellam. He was a School Prefect and gained his hockey colours. Leaving in 1942 he joined the TA Reserve. His career revolved round farming, agricultural engineering and Plant Hire, his bent being very mechanical.

His wise contributions in Common Room meetings reflected one side of what he brought to the job; his patient cultivation of chess and other board games, particularly in the Monday afternoon slot, showed another. Ever full of enthusiasm his avowed intent on retirement was to start serious writing.

Living locally Tony sent both his children, Anna (M 76) and Jonathan (F 78) to DCS and, with his wife Diana was a regular attender at the OD Summer lunches for a good few years.

Ben Chapman on September 3rd 2009, aged 93. Ben joined the Staff in 1960 to run the Gymnasium following Stanley Hoare’s retirement. He could hardly have provided a greater contrast! His army background stretched at least as far as 1936, when he had a security role at the Berlin Olympics.

John Venn (F 57) on 24th December 2009, aged 65. So much of what made John special is simply not reflected in a bald summary of his career. He started as a diligent book-keeper at the Accountants – Anderson & Co. and quickly became a popular figure in Cheltenham, both in the Promenade and at various sports pitches.

He was a skilled DJ and many evenings were passed in various Cotswold venues.

Family visits to Devon led to his first purchase of a boat and a move to Torquay followed. From book-keeping he moved into hospitality, especially at the Crabshell Motel (The Capstan’s Bar). His gentle humour, warm welcome and familiarity with the likes and dislikes of his regulars made him very popular. After that closed he bought into the Miles Tea and Coffee company, doing deliveries all over the county. Dogs were his other great love.

Staff: John Butler on 26th February 2010, aged 89. John joined the Staff in 1981 after what had already been a full and widely-travelled life. He had taught English in at least 9 countries, from South America across to Iraq and in the process had acquired a working knowledge of 5 or so languages.

He was a most cultured man who baulked at nothing despite his problems getting about with paralysed legs. He virtually

For some years he and Evelyn, who survives him, took on the role of Houseparents in Fawley Lodge, as many girls will remember. His brash exterior really did conceal a friendly heart – if you stayed around long enough to find out.

Following his retirement in 1978 to Norfolk he ran the County branch of St John Ambulance for some years.

Iolo (Dai) Davis on April 5th 2009, aged 89. Dai joined the Classics Department in 1981 having previously risen to Headship at Cowbridge Grammar School. He was a considerable scholar (though meeting deadlines was sometimes beneath his notice!), but he launched Decus, an internal magazine, mostly written by himself, and he was an avid photographer of all that went on in the school. But perhaps it was as a House Tutor that he had the greatest effect on some groups of boys, with his endless patience and willingness to listen.

More information is available online at http://cowbridge400.org/iolodavies.aspx

Bridget Gibson. During the whole of David’s time on the Staff (1968-86) Bridget was an active part of the school community. But it would probably have

been during David’s Housemastership of Court, 1975-84, that boys would have got to know her best. Likewise friends of her 3 children, Tim, Jenny and Mary-Anne might have met her in a parental way. She was a delightful Christian person, not without a lovely – some would say ‘wicked’ - sense of humour. Our sympathies go to them all.

Mike Hawkins on March 11th, 2010, aged 77. Mike was born and brought up in the Forest of Dean, going to school at Monmouth on a scholarship. Boxing, rugby and scouting were early interests.

After National Service, and now married, he helped replant the Forest before embarking on an apprenticeship with Dowty Rotol, where he gained an HND, and then worked for another local firm specialising in fuel injection. Almost by chance he discovered an aptitude for teaching and was offered a post in 1969 to teach metalwork and technical drawing.

His other involvements were coaching Rugby, helping with the CCF, sailing and scouting. He was quiet but determined in all he did – including his late work for the Liberal Party locally.

He left, probably, in 1992; if this seems odd it is because he continued to come in to help with the shooting for several years after his actual retirement. To his daughter Lesley (Stone) and to her 2 children, (all ODs) we offer sincere condolences.

Benefactors: Nils Jørgen Philip-Sørensen CBE MA on January 20th 2010. Our thoughts are with ODs Nette, Tia, Louisa and Mark following the death of their father Mr. J Philip-Sørensen CBE earlier this year after a long illness. Apart from being a parent and grandparent of present (and future ODs, ‘JPS’ was also an extremely successful businessman who spent a lifetime building Group 4 and, more recently, Ecover, into household names.

He was a great friend and generous benefactor to Dean Close over the past 4 decades and will be missed greatly. You can find a link to the speech he gave to School at Commemoration 2007 by visiting www.jpsmemorial.co.uk

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at Appledore up till retirement – and beyond! He was a devoted family man and leaves a widow, Nina, 4 children and numerous grandchildren.

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OD Authors & CDs The Longest Climb

by Dominic Faulkner Dominic Faulkner’s (F 86) book ‘The Longest Climb’ recounts the story of the first ever expedition from the lowest point on Earth to the highest. It was recently short listed for the Boardman Tasker Award for mountain literature.

There are two links - one to his professional website and another to the main website for the book: http://www.thelongestclimb.com http://www.domfaulkner.com

AT CLOSE QUARTERS Dean Close School 1884-2009

by Charles Whitney, School Archivist

DID YOU KNOW? It may be of interest to you to know that Tim John Hawkins (C 73) is now an award winning furniture designer-maker. This image of him taken with his main exhibition piece for the 2009 ‘Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design Exhibition’, an annual event that takes place in Cheltenham each August and to which Tim has been an invited exhibitor in recent years.

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New album from Dean Close Chapel Choir

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O Be Joyful - Music by Elgar, Howells, Walton and Britten.

Cost £15 each. Available from the Music Department, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, GL51 3NY. Please make cheques payable to Dean Close School.

Absorb yourself in 19 rich chapters, interspersed with over 300 photographs, tracing the history of Dean Close School from the laying of the cornerstone(foundation) on 11th November 1884 through to the present day.

Available from:- The School Shop, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 3NY. Tel: 01242 258016 Cost: £27 Hardback p&p £5

£19 Paperback p&p £5

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

ur to Italy 1996 r School Chapel To Dean Close Junio

Archives 2009-2010

by C. E. Whitney

First, there have been personnel moves. Mrs Lucy Smith, who was Assistant Archivist, became OD Secretary when Mrs Sylvia Klemz became Music Department Administrator. The gap thus created in the Archives Department has been filled by Mrs Grace Pritchard-Woods.

She has had archival and research experience at the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Archives and at The National Trust’s Croome Park. She is settling in well and looks forward to welcoming ODs to the Archives Room on Wednesdays and Thursdays in term-time.

We have been very grateful to ODs Nick Akerman, Andrew Marquand and

J.H. Lewis for presenting a variety of useful documents and books over the last few months. Several other people who have had relatives at or connections with the School have also kindly donated to our collections. Major DD Evans and SSI Brian Lloyd of Dean Close CCF also gave us much information together with a centenary medal from the CCF centenary celebrations last term. We are always very interested in items in from the School’s past.

We have completed a number of research projects on behalf of families of ODs during the year and as a result several ODs have happily reconnected with the School and through that with the OD Society.

In common with most other archive collections, we are preparing to catalogue every item in the archives – roughly between 20,000 and 25,000 items – and a sizeable number of them are photographic.

Unfortunately, in many cases we do not know who is featured, the occasion in question and/or the date.

We would be immensely grateful if ODs would look at the photos on these pages and, should they identify names, occasions and/or dates, get in touch with us to tell us.

We very much look forward to hearing from them.

If you read this via the Old Decanian website you can see them more closely.

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The launching of a new history of the School (At Close Quarters, published November 2009, available from the School Shop, £19 softback, £27 hardback, plus postage and packing) has kept the Archives Department busy, (400 pages, 160,000 words and 320 photos). While it certainly took a sizeable chunk out of the year, there have been other things happening too.

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Basketball Team 1986

Grease, 2000

If you recognise any of these people please contact the archives department at archivist@deanclose.org.uk or telephone Dean Close School on 01242 258000.

Combined Cadet Force 1976

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Fawley House Valentines Day 1995

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ge School Third XV vs Magdalen Colle

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

2000 Christmas dinner,

1969

Hockey supporters

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Circa 1984

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Forthcoming dates 2010 ODs are warmly invited to come along to any of these events

Cronk Cunis Tournament The Cronk-Cunis National Under 21 XVs Rugby Festival is taking place at the KCSOBs/Old Blues Ground, near Wimbledon on Monday 30th August (Bank Holiday Monday). This is the first year a team from Dean Close is being entered.

Summer Lunch & AGM This year’s Summer Lunch will be held on Sunday, 4th July (1pm for 1.30pm) in the Senior School Dining Room, preceded by the AGM at 12 noon. Tours of the school will be arranged after lunch. There will be no charge for lunch.

Welsh Dinner This isn’t just for golfers!!

– all ODs are very warmly welcome.

Robert Reed is organising a Dinner at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in South Wales on Monday 13th July, 7pm for 7.15pm at a cost of £30 for a four course meal.

Dress code: Jacket & Tie. A cash bar will be available. Contact Robert at: reed_rd@hotmail.com to book your place.

OD Summer Lunch/AGM

Sunday 4th July

OD Cricket & Golf Weeks start

Monday 12th July

OD Welsh Dinner

Monday 12th July

Supper at The Suffolk Arms, Cheltenham

Wednesday 14th July

London Event TBA

November 2010

Commemoration 2011

Saturday 28th May 2011

Cricket Fixtures 2010 Monday 12th July Tuesday 13th July

Twenty/20 Match, U25s v O25s v Gloucester King’s School Society Old Boys Wednesday 14th July v Gloucestershire Gypsies Thursday 15th July v South Oxford Amateurs Friday 16th July v Bourton Vale Saturday 17th July v Exeter University Casuals

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Various clothing and other items are available from the OD Office – see the website for details of prices.

Blazers are available (made to measure) from The Famous, 208 High St, Cheltenham, GL50 3FA (tel: 01242 260471); if you’d like one, please contact The Famous direct, and ask for Richard Grierson.

11.30am 11.30am 2.00pm 12 noon 1.30pm

DCS DCS Shipton-u-Wychwood Bourton on the Water DCS

Please contact: Jeremy Winter - jeremy.winterdar@blueyonder.co.uk

Golf Meetings 2010 Monday 12th July Royal Porthcawl GC Tuesday 13th July The Manor, Castle Combe GC Wednesday 14th July Cotswold Hills GC Thursday 15th July Wychwood GC Friday 16th July Broadway GC Thursday 29th July Denham GC Friday 17th Sept Rolls of Monmouth GC 1st-3rd October Hunstanton GC &

Royal West Norfolk Wed 6th October Walton Heath GC Friday 8th October Monmouth GC (Welsh Public School Comp.)

Summer Tour Summer Tour Summer Tour Summer Tour Summer Tour ODGS v Old Cheltonian GS Watts Cup/ Reed Cup Public Schools Knockout Competition Autumn Meeting Harris Trophy

Please contact: Robert Reed – reed_rd@hotmail.com

Notices Clothing

5.00pm DCS

Internet Networking Sites We know that there are many networking sites on the internet and that there are groups for ODs on many of them, including LinkedIn, Facebook. There simply isn’t enough time in the day for the OD office to check all these sites to pick up OD contacts we may have lost, so if you are a member of any of these sites, please do encourage other members to make sure the OD office has their electronic contact details – we know there are many ODs in contact with each other, but no longer on our database.

Dean Close School | Old Decanian Society

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Strawberries and cream at the 2009 Commemoration

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n~o 86 | Summer 2010

Old Decanian Society OFFICERS FOR 2009-2010 President Chairman Vice Chairman Hon Treasurer OD Secretary Hon Auditor

JM Postlethwaite (48-51) (also a Trustee) NR Akerman (75-80) NA Marquand (67-71) (also a Trustee) IM Bassett-Smith (57-60) (also Registrar) Mrs Lucy Smith Eric Atherton

COMMITTEE RW Bayliss (80-83) JV Denley (83-88) Mrs R Frett (77-82) HJ Hodgkins (73-78) AJ Judge (DCPS Rep) RD Lane (57-62)

CP Lynam (42-46) DBW Marsh (93-98) RC Padfield (55-61) (also a Trustee) Mrs C Sorensen-Lotter (78-83) QD Seymour-Smith (56-61) JCB Winter (57-61)

CONSULS If you are willing to become an OD Consul in any country not currently represented, please get in touch with the OD office. It isn’t an onerous task; it involves being a point of

OD Committee

contact and a friendly face for visiting ODs, especially Gappers, supporting touring Dean Close teams if possible, and organising the occasional reunion if you wish.

London

Hong Kong

South Africa

Miss Charlie Forbes (88-93) forbescharlie@yahoo.co.uk 07711 212842

DCC Ho (82-85) david.ho@mottmac.com.hk 8A Mandarin Villa, 10 Shiu Fai Terrace, Hong Kong

Mrs Tia Lotter (78-83) christina@sponsormax.com 1 Boulters Close, The Green, Kingham, Oxon, OX7 7YD

Australia

India

USA – California

John Stanley-Smith (41-51) 18 Annesley Ave, Bowral, NSW 2576

Sam Pickering-Pick (92-97) sampickeringpick@gmail.com 4145 Central Avenue, Fair Oaks, California 95628

Canada – Western

Middle East

USA – New York

Lynn Burrough (72-76) slburrough@telus.net 13 Newbury Court, St Albert, Alberta, T8N 7C1

Dr M Eaton (64-68) markweaton@hotmail.com PO Box 30987, Dubai, UAE

Kirsten Spalholz (95-97) rsvpkirsten@hotmail.com 138 Cove Road, Huntington, New York 11743

Canada – Eastern

New Zealand

USA – Washington

Charles Kennedy (81-86) charles.kennedy@mbna.com 25 Oakhurst Crescent Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 4A5

GN Brackenbury (60-63) G-C-R-Brackenbury@xtra.co.nz 166 Kiripaka Road, Whangarei

DAW Richardson (51-54) daver@nwlink.com 21625 NE 4th Street, Sammamish, Washington 98074-3706

CONTACT US AT

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Old Decanian Society, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6HE Telephone 01242 258048 E-mail ods@deanclose.org.uk Website www.olddecanians.co.uk

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Editors of NewSletter Lucy Smith – Old Decanian Secretary Richard Padfield – Editor of Obituaries

Ian Bassett-Smith – Old Decanian Registrar James Ford – Designer