Reunions & Events

Reunions & Events A summary of OR events and reunions that took place over the academic year

SEPTEMBER 2017

2017 Leavers’ Drinks

It was a busy night, as straight after the OR Ladies hockey at School (see OR Sport section), we had the 2017 Recent Leavers reunion drink at The Running Mare. The garden was packed with what must have been around 80 of our former pupils, including a smattering from other years who just happened to be there too!

Totnes Reunion

Our former ‘OR Totnesians’ were on their best (and most entertaining) behaviour at this year’s reunion as they welcomed Headmaster, Mark Hoskins, for his first visit to the Devonshire town. Kathryn, Sharmaine, Pruw Boswell-Harper (the former Mayor of Totnes) and her husband Lionel, and the wonderful wives of the ORs were there too. Without giving any personal details away, the combined ages of these 10 gentlemen was 840 but their memories, stories and anecdotes of the School right back to 1940 had not dimmed one little bit! They – along with all absent friends who weren’t able to make the journey – represent the very bedrock of all what the School and its Foundation stands for!

OCTOBER 2017

Dirty Dancing charity film night

This event was all about the 3Fs: the film, the fun and the Foundation, a unique combination that allowed our guests from across the Reed’s community to sing, dance and enjoy Dirty Dancing on the big screen whilst at the same time helping to support the Reed’s Foundation.

It was wonderful that ORs Sian Rowland (Mullens 1986), Richard Pearson (Mullens 1980) and Emma Aird (Mullens 1988) were able to come along to support Charlotte Mocatta (Mullens 1988) and Jocelyn Mocatta (Bristowe 1987) for this charity film night in which all profits went to the Simon Church &

Jonathan Turner fund, a bursary in memory of Charlotte’s brother.

1960s at The Bear

On 25th October a group of ORs from the early 1960s met for their half yearly lunch at The Bear in Oxshott, albeit a slightly smaller number than usual: Ian Chate (Bristowe 1962), Geoff Levy (Mullens 1964), Dave Pafford (Capel 1965), Tony Turnbull (Bristowe 1964) and Chris Hawkins (Blathway 1962). However, there was a larger turnout for the March reunion which was held at the School (see over).

SA meet up

Our ORs get everywhere! Here’s a great photo of Medders with Grayson Stuckey (Capel 2012) out in South Africa on a School cricket tour meeting up with George Marais (Capel 2014) who is studying at Stellenbosch University.

DECEMBER 2017 1940s Reunion

It was an honour for those of us in the Development Office to be invited to join our ORs from the 1940s who have been meeting up each year for the last 70 years for their Christmas get together, proving that Reed’s friendships last a lifetime! #communityforlife

Recent Leavers’ XV v School XV

Sadly – due to injury and Christmas holidays – it was not possible for the School to put out a team to play against our recent leavers. Going forward, the plan for the OR game is to tweak it slightly so it becomes a Recent Leavers v ORs Invitational match (with players drawn from the previous five years). A date for September 2018 is in the planning.

Despite this, it was great seeing so many OR ties being worn with pride down at Reeds Weybridge RFC as the Club kindly let us

hold our 2017 Leavers drinks there.

‘ORBIT’ Reunion

The 1975 cohort are very good at regularly getting together for what they call ORBIT… OR Beer and Indian Team. Ground Controller, Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975) and his contemporaries gather thrice-yearly for their curry club, regular attendees include: Martin Anastasi (Mullens 1975), Carl Bjorkstrand (Capel 1976), Nick Blacoe (Mullens 1975), John Burnett (Bristowe 1975), Nick Deans (Mullens 1976), Ian Deans (Capel 1975), Richard Jefferies (Blathwayt 1975), Richard Johnson (Mullens 1975), Simon Moseley (Capel 1975), Roger Northwood (Capel 1973), Grahame Sitch (honorary OR) Chris Wilson (Mullens 1975), Nic Yellowlees (Capel 1975) and new honorary 1980s member, Justyn Herbert (Capel 1983), plus special guest Lucy Sadler.

DECEMBER 2017 contd

OR Tennis Reunion

This was our first attempt at holding an OR Tennis reunion, timed just before Christmas in order to get all our US scholars back from uni.

We thought it was going to be a casual knockabout, but with the likes of Reed’s staff Simon Bramwell, Ben Edwards, Ben Haran (Mullens 1994) and Adrian Blackman (Mullens 1992) to play against, the ORs rose to the competitive challenge! At the awards – held after a famous Reed’s curry supper and some light refreshments - Louis Newman (Capel 2017) picked up the overall winners prize. Thanks to everyone who came, especially those who had literally just returned from uni in the US: Ben Draper (Bristowe 2017), Julian Robinson (Capel 2017), Jack Molloy (Bristowe 2017), Alex Croker (Capel 2012), Harry Burley (Blathwayt 2012) and Barnaby Smith (Blathwayt 2017). Look forward to this becoming an annual fixture with more ORs joining us next year!

ORS ATTENDED OUR EVENTS THIS YEAR

JANUARY 2018

Jarrett Cricket Centre Opening

It was great to see David Jarrett back (with Anne and Delphi) for the opening of the cricket centre named in his honour, along with other former members of staff, Old Reedonians, Reed’s School, current and former parents, staff, Governors, Vice-Presidents, contractors, suppliers and friends of Reed’s, all of whom had donated to and/or supported the Jarrett Cricket Centre in some way. We were delighted to welcome our guest of honour, Alec Stewart OBE who told the 200 guests:

“The new Indoor Cricket facility at Reed’s School is the best I have seen in England and that includes all the 1st class counties too. It’s of the highest order! Congratulations to you all; these worldclass facilities have the potential to produce top quality players for Surrey and also for England.”

No pressure Medders & Mr Dunn! To top off an excellent afternoon, we were also delighted to be joined by cricketing legend, Bob

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Willis, who definitely was ‘bowled over’ by the Centre too!

Alec Stewart OBE, Toby Tarrant & Medders

Sonny Cott, David Atkins & Harry Cott

MARCH 2018

Reeds Weybridge RFC city lunch

It was an honour to join the OR President, Nigel Taunt, at the Reeds Weybridge RFC City Lunch with special guest Jason Leonard OBE. The support from the many affiliated to the Club – which we are delighted to say includes lots of ORs – was very special. The funds raised from the silent and main auction prizes will go towards the exciting redevelopment of the Whiteley Village clubhouse. If you haven’t been down recently, either as a player or for a social visit, they would be delighted to see you.

Richard Plank & Andy Wotton Jes Isaacs & John Rogers

1960s Reunion

The early 1960s leavers are very good at getting together regularly, but it was wonderful to welcome some of them back to School for one of their regular gatherings. After an extensive tour of the School – including the Jarrett Cricket Centre which took their breath away – the Headmaster kindly hosted lunch in the Andrew Reed room. Memories, stories and anecdotes all flowed and it was an honour to be part of the conversation.

APRIL 2018

London Marathon

We saw some truly breath-taking achievements by all our Old Reedonians, staff, friends of Reed’s and affiliated runners in the Marathon raising money for our Foundation and other great causes. Congratulations to all ORs who ran, including: Tim Davey, Ben Blackledge, Harry Back, Lily Back, Laura Johnson, Toby Tarrant, Josie Inverdale, Alex Wilton, Chuck Adolphy, Alex Bull and the many others who we know were out there in the record-breaking heat.

Foundationers & Benefactors’ Chapel Service

At the April Foundationers & Benefactorss Service - when we celebrate the work of our Founder, Andrew Reed, the successes of our Foundation pupils and the support of our benefactors – we were able to snap these two wonderful ORs. Bill Pickering (Blathwayt 1947) and Bill Collins (Bristowe 1948) attended Reed’s both at Cobham but also in Totnes where the School was evacuated during World War Two. The gentlemen were very chuffed to learn that one of our new meeting rooms (which used to be the Headmaster’s office in their time) was now called the ‘Totnes Room’ in honour of all the pupils who attended the

School there.

2017 Leavers’ Tea

What better way to spend a drizzly Thursday afternoon than having tea and cake back at your old school! That’s what some of our 2017 leavers did, whilst collecting their copy of the 2017 Reedonian bumper edition. It was wonderful watching them examine every page, scruntinise every photo and read every report, bringing back some great memories.

MAY 2018

Hylke van Slooten Memorial Service

On a beautiful spring afternoon, ORs, former and current staff, former parents, hockey club representatives and teachers from our partner Dutch School, the Rijnlands Lyceum Wassenaar, gathered to pay their respects at School to OR, Hylke van Slooten (Bristowe 2005) who sadly passed away in November 2017 after a short illness.

Gathered in the Chapel for a special memorial service, Director of Sport, Ben Edwards, gave a touching eulogy (see extract in In Memoriam section) that told of how Hylke’s inspiration continues to live on at Reed’s.

We were so delighted that Hylke’s parents, Marieke and Dirk van Slooten, were with us and that Marieke felt able to speak at the service about her loving son. Hylke’s sisters, Ymkje (Bristowe 2002) and Sieuwke (Bristowe 1998) and his partner, Marijn, were also able to be there, for what was a fitting tribute to a Reed’s legend, who was admired, respected and loved by all who knew him.

In his memory, Dirk & Marieke have kindly set up the Hylke van Slooten Memorial Fund, to support future Foundation pupils. Please read about this special initiative in The Foundation section.

OR Guest List

Deji Alli (Blathwayt 2006) Benjamin Clarfelt (Blathwayt 2005) Leo Coates (Bristowe 2005) Simon Cole (Mullens 2005) Rick de Jager (Bristowe 2004) Caroline Dols (Blathwayt 2002) Paul Dufourné (Mullens 2007) Robert Dunn (Blathwayt 1974) Jamie Feaver (Mullens 2005) Liberty Harper (Capel 2005) Jack Hawkes (Bristowe 2006) Ali Hitch (Bristowe 2006) David Kelly (Bristowe 2004) Mark Marijnen (Mullens 2005) Stephanie Nieuwenhoff (Mullens 2003) Stuart Piercey (Blathwayt 2005) Jeremy Stephens (Capel 2005) Mark Stiles (Capel 2005) Tom Streatfeild-Moore (Bristowe 2005) Nigel Taunt (Mullens 1971) Alex van Holk (Blathwayt 2002) Michael Wakefield (Mullens 2005) Tom Watson (Bristowe 2006) Jamie Woodward (Blathwayt 2005)

Alan Bott Jane Bott Martin Cole Maggie Cole Brit Deckers-Beckers Nicky Dunn Nichola Edwards Michael Harvey Lucia Harvey Anne Jarrett David Jarrett Els Kwantes Geoff Martin Val McKenna Paul Reeves Margie Richardson Gill Rye Sam Rye Andy Sheridan Tom Sheridan Karl Stagno Marion van der Giezen Bart van Holk Elske van Holk Derek Wakefield Johanneke Werner

Bournemouth 7s Festival

The May Bank Holiday is usually a good time to meet up with friends and this was the case for George Robbins, Ed Scott, George Orme, Bryan Shiells, Alex Stephen, William Stephen, Taylor Rice-Burnett and Alec O’Connor who competed in the Bournemouth Rugby 7s festival. Despite being considerably smaller in stature and having a much reduced squad, they managed to top their group, progressing through to the knock-out stages, only being beaten by the eventual winners of the Cup. To cap a great weekend, they also bumped into teacher Jono Douthwaite who was playing for an SA team! So good to see you OR community in such fine fettle!

JUNE 2018

Reunion Day 2018 (written by Jerry Ross, Mullens 2008)

As always, ORs Day was a huge success and for two year groups in particular: the 2008 ORs celebrating their 10 year anniversary and the 1998 ORs celebrating 20 years since leaving this incredible School.

Both year groups turned out en masse and, it is safe to say, that the Andrew Reed legacy, ethos and heart still remained within all who attended. The joy and excitement of returning to this amazing institution and the development and progress of the School dumb-founded the majority who returned, in some cases, for the first time since leaving. Despite the vast changes to the grounds, it was incredible to see that the spirit of the School is unchanged. It was a fabulous day spent in the sunshine with good friends, old and new, reminiscing and updating on the ‘days of our lives’, celebrating life’s milestones together and meeting the generations of ORs before us.

The new Jarrett Cricket Centre was quite a feature and the boys loved having a play in the nets, as did the girls! I’ve been to many a Reunion Day over the years to welcome new generations into the OR family and I can honestly say what a fabulous day this was, with by far the greatest turnout of OR ladies. It’s fabulous to see that even with just two years under our belts as Reedonians, the ‘girls’ adopted the Reed’s spirit and mentality instantaneously and it’s remained a part of us ever since. Seeing Steve Matthews was also a treat worth showing up for!

Thank you to Sharmaine for her endless efforts with the OR network, the icing on the cake would have been her presence at this year’s event, however, she had an important family wedding in Australia to go to. Thank you to Lucy and the Development Office who ran the day seamlessly, it was so fabulous that we continued our entertainment in the sun well into the evening at the infamous Running Mare.

What are the chances…

…of two ORs with more than 20 years since leaving School between them and living several thousand miles apart, would meet up at a conference in Singapore. But that is exactly what happened when Attila Emam (Bristowe 1988) attended an @WorkplacebyFB conference with his team from AirAsia and who was giving the talk but Georgina Sheedy-Collier (Mullens 2009) – a rising star at Facebook. However, the pair did not work out they were both from Reed’s until they found themselves sitting next to each other at the conference dinner. As we said, what are the chances!?

JULY 2018 A drink with Mike & Susie Jaggard

Whilst in Sydney for just one day, it was impossible to resist Mike Jaggard’s (Mullens 1970) invitation to join him at his boat club for a drink. We were delighted to meet his charming wife Susie as well but were sad not to be able to enjoy their excellent company for longer due to another engagement! Next time Mike!

Singapore Reunion

Courtesy of Luke Jones (Bristowe 1986), we were able to hold a rather special OR Reunion at his breath-taking club, 1880, in Singapore. It was absolutely great to get together Thura SoePaing (Bristowe 1992), Tim Klimcke (Mullens 1999), James Miles (Blathwayt 1999), Matt Winstanley (Capel 1994), Logendran Doraipandian (Mullens 1986), Brian Cheung (Bristowe 1987), Attila Emam (Bristowe 1988) and David Barnett (Bristowe 1986). Thank you gentlemen (and your guests)

for making it such a special night and here’s to the next time.

T20 at The Oval

Another great evening was had at The Oval to watch Surrey v Somerset. It was meant to be a T20 match, but as the heavens opened at 6pm, this reverted to an exciting 10 over game. Our guests tucked into a delicious meal with drinks in the lovely setting of the Prince of Wales Room, giving enough time for our balcony seats to dry off before enjoying a summer’s evening of entertaining cricket. Thanks to our friends at Surrey CCC for enabling this to take place again this year.