Reed's School: The Reeder 2021

REEDER THE

Nolan Lambroza Making Yourself Heard Riding the Waves Matt Turner tells his story

This Place Called Cobham A unique perspective by Sam Brandon

In Conversation... with Andy Billman

The Foundation The Generation Game

2021 edition

Dear Old Reedonian Welcome to the 2021 Reeder, albeit that this year’s edition will be dropping on doormats and arriving in inboxes a little later than usual. Sadly, like so much over the last 18 months, the impact of something called COVID played its part! Despite this, we’ve managed to pull together what we hope you will consider to be a publication that still continues to entertain and engage.

Even more importantly, we hope it helps entice you to be part of our growing OR community. The fascinating feature articles written by fellow ORs in this edition reflect how we’d like to see the magazine evolving as, after all, this is your publication.

With so many ORs doing so many wonderful things in the world, sharing experiences is such a great way to learn and to also remind ourselves of the vibrant, extended Reed’s community to which we all belong. So, please do keep your ideas and content coming!

Acknowledgements With many thanks to all those who helped with the production of this edition.

Contributors Nolan Lambroza, Sam Brandon, Angus Darroch-Warren, Andy Billman, Andy Wotton, Tom Hardiment Design Haime & Butler / haime-butler.com Print L&S Printing / ls-printing.com Proof reading Cerys Hart (Blathwayt 2018), Jen Hart, Kathryn Bartram

As you peruse the Reeder, I wonder if you might also pick up on the subtle theme of ‘generations’: how fond sentiments about Reed’s are similarly shared by young and old (see This Place Called Cobham), how memories of teachers span many different decades (see OR Memories and Valete) and how the positive impact of the Foundation flows down family lines (see Film for the Foundation and The Generation Game). We’re sure that Andrew Reed would be smiling benevolently at the generational legacy he has created.

It is also clear from this edition that that formidable OR spirit is as bright as ever, and long may it continue, wherever you are in the world. FIDE. With warmest regards Sharmaine, Editor smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk 07850 958600

networkreeds.org  facebook.com/ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni

reeds.surrey.sch.uk  facebook.com/ReedsSchool  @ReedsSchool  @reedsschool_cobham  youtube.com/user/reedsschoolofficial

andrewreedfoundation.org  facebook.com/ReedsFoundation  @ReedsFoundation  @AndrewReedFoundation

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Contents #COMMUNITYFORLIFE 04

Welcome from the OR President

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Meet Your OR Team

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A Word from the Headmaster

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Back to School

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Feature: The Making of This Place Called Cobham

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Lost & Found ORs

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Reed’s Yellow Pages ORs IN ACTION

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Feature: Security in an Insecure World

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Feature: In conversation with....

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Feature: Riding the Waves

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Feature: Making Yourself Heard OR NEWS

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Class Notes

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Congratulations & Celebrations

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OR Sport

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Valete

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In Memoriam

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Annual Calendar REED’S HERITAGE

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From the Archive

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Blathwayt House Photo 1980-81

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The Duke of Edinburgh Award

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OR Memories

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Feature: Spotlight on Arthur James Moxham

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Coffee Break THE FOUNDATION

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The Foundation: Overview

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New Film For The Foundation

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Feature: The Generation Game

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The Foundation in Numbers

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Circle of Support

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Royal Bursary Award

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Donation Form

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Welcome from the OR President Marcus (centre) with ORs at a Foundation Appeal Reception in London

it’s the same story each time: amazing humans who continue to uphold our Founder’s values. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have spent some of my formative years at Reed’s and look forward to bringing the School and the alumni even closer together in the future in my new role.

The readership of The Reeder is not just limited to our alumni; indeed, we receive many positive comments from across the wider Reed’s community, including former staff and parents, who love the content and news updates. So, I felt that it was important to address my ‘welcome’ to all of those who take the time to read this edition. Thank you.

Gathering material for this publication starts way back in late August but often articles are not able to be pulled together until well into the autumn, not least my own contribution as I tend to write it once I have reflected on all the content.

Having done so for this edition, I must say that the word ‘fellowship’ springs to mind, the definition of which is ‘a friendly association, especially with

people who share one’s interests’. That interest for all ORs (and other readers) is obviously Reed’s; it is the School – our shared recollections, memories, experiences and friends - that bind us all together. For me personally that bond has led to a much deeper involvement more recently.

Not only am I an Old Reedonian (part of the job specification) but I am also a former parent (my son Gus attended from 2015 to 2019) and, from September 2021, I was also honoured to accept the Chair of Governors position, overseeing the Foundation and the School. Perhaps this goes to the heart of another extraordinary feature of Reed’s: there are no end of possibilities that exist following an education at this establishment. I meet many people who have encountered pupils that have attended Reed’s and

I would also like to add that without the incredible teaching and support staff at the School, most of us as former pupils would not be where we are today. My appreciation for the work that the Reed’s cohort undertake has grown immensely over the past few months. Inspiring the next generation is a huge responsibility and I have been in the privileged position to see all that teachers have to do.

Regulation is having a much bigger impact on our lives generally but, in the teaching profession, this has become even more of a burden and we are blessed to have a team that continue to be passionate about what they do for the benefit of the pupils. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank all staff – both past and current – for all the time, dedication and devotion you have shown to Reed’s and its pupils which allows us now to proudly call ourselves Old Reedonians.

I mentioned the word “fellowship” above and there could be no better example than the article entitled ‘The making of This Place Called Cobham’ which I encourage you to read. The wonderful gentlemen and ORs who contributed to this film have enjoyed more than 70 years of friendship which started at School.

They really do inspire hope, resilience, compassion and humility, qualities that have been sorely tested over the last 18 months in particular. Some of the other articles in this publication, not least those

by Nolan Lambroza and Matt Turner,

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Marcus with some of the OR Golf Society members at Verulam Golf Club

also demonstrate how we have all had to pivot and adapt in our constantly shifting environments. But, as Winston Churchill said: ‘To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often’…by now we should all consider ourselves perfectionists!

I had hoped that by the time of writing, I would have been able to cease using the ‘COVID’ word but, sadly, it seems to be lingering and, indeed, stopped us from gathering together in the summer.

However, with a few sensible measures put in place, I am delighted that we are beginning to see the start of reunions which – I hope – will gather apace throughout 2022. That being said, we are grateful to all the ORs who continued to support school initiatives such as our online Careers and Higher Education programme, lectures, seminars and, of course, the much-needed donations to support the Foundation pupils who have been so badly affected by the pandemic.

The Foundation lies at the heart of

everything we do, shaping our culture, ethos and values. It is heartening to see, as the School continues to go from strength to strength, how highly regarded it is by a widening audience.

Despite record numbers wanting to join us and achieving successes across the board in the academic, sporting, cultural and creative arenas, the core philosophy of caring for each other and celebrating the individual still remains so strong.

It is that embedded sense of support, security and community that makes Reed’s so unique.

This was particularly obvious at a recent ORs lunch that I attended in the City of London with other ORs – both old and new – and organised by the irrepressible Richard Garrett. The aim of the lunch was to raise money for the Foundation which we did, achieving an incredible target but, in Richard’s words, always ‘friendship over finance’.

As ORs, the stronger the School’s reputation becomes, the better it is for us; Reed’s will always be on our CVs! So, I do hope that after perusing The Reeder, you might be inspired to reach out and become (even more) connected. We are always looking for new ideas and initiatives, as well as volunteers to help bring them to life, providing mutual benefits for everyone connected with the School, past, present and future.

Thank you again for your ongoing support and I look forward to keeping in touch.

Best wishes.

Marcus Baker OR President and Chair of Governors (Mullens 1980)

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Meet your OR Team The OR Committee as you’ve never seen them before!

For a bit of fun, try matching the baby photos with your OR Committee representatives. (Answers on inside back cover) We are always looking for volunteers to help suggest and organise new initiatives that benefit all ORs, so if you would like to get involved, please contact Sharmaine at smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

Marcus Baker (Mullens 1980) OR President marcusnbaker@yahoo.co.uk Justyn Herbert (Capel 1983) Vice President ORs jh@ahoyhoy.co.uk Roger Mew (Bristowe 1959) rogerdmew@aol.com Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975) andymwotton@outlook.com Jerry Syms (née Ross) (Mullens 2008) jross_89@live.co.uk

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Nick Gray (Blathwayt 1993) nick.gray@liveandbreathe.co.uk Rosie Pidgeon (Blathwayt 2015) rosie.pidgeon@hotmail.co.uk Sam Brandon (Capel 2008) sam@frissoncreativeagency.com Mark Hoskins Headmaster, Reed’s School headmaster@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

Kathryn Bartram Director of Development & External Relations, Reed’s School kbartram@reeds.surrey.sch.uk Sharmaine Matthews Head of Alumni & Community Relations, Reed’s School smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk Lucy Sadler Alumni & Development Officer, Reed’s School lsadler@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

Lucy Hurford Bursar, Reed’s School bursar@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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Even with all the disruption, there has been lots to celebrate

A word from the Headmaster Teaching has many great privileges but few are more satisfying than being inspired by, and learning from, young people. The last academic year has certainly been one of the most testing for all those in education but, as I looked out into the audience on both our Speech Days in July (more later), it was with incredible pride that I reflected on our pupils’ determination to thrive and our staff’s commitment to keep school life on an even keel despite some very choppy waters.

In particular, our 2021 leavers proved to be a special year group; they did not have an easy ride during their last two years but showed tremendous resilience and character. There are hugely gifted individuals in all academic, artistic and sporting arenas but, more importantly, collectively, we are very proud of the fine young Old Reedonians they have become.

Reflect To compose this letter to Old Reedonians, I reread the various communications I’d sent to parents, staff and pupils between September 2020 and August 2021.

Inevitably these were heavily punctuated with references to COVID and brought

back a range of emotions, from hopeful highs to devastating lows; so much so that I thought it worthwhile diarising extracts, both to share with you and to document for the future, when we look back at a year like no other! For those of you who would like to read these extracts, please see overleaf.

Review However, even with all the disruption, there has been lots to celebrate: watching our 1st XV finally run out on 12 Acre to play Felsted was a highlight, as was the live streaming of the girls’ hockey, Sports Day, the London Raleigh, the Summer Concert, seeing the 1st XI on Bigside again and, of course, two Leavers’ Balls in one week (2020 and 2021 leavers!).

In recognition of the work of the Reed’s Foundation, we were delighted to have won the Outreach/Partnership Award from AMCIS (Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools) and to be a finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year ‘Social Mobility Award’. Both acknowledge the impact the Foundation continues to have on thousands of children’s lives through our bursary and outreach programmes.

In 2021, with public examinations cancelled once more, Reed’s pupils, like those throughout the country, were awarded qualifications based on centre-assessed grades submitted by the School. This followed a lengthy and rigorous process, along with a series of robust checks and measures, to award the most likely grade that each student would have achieved had they been able to take the examinations.

It is testament to the professionalism of the teachers that none of the grades were amended following JCQ’s (Joint Council for Qualifications) external assurance processes.

At A Level, around three-quarters of grades were awarded at A*/A while at GCSE around two-thirds of grades were awarded at grades 9 or 8.

Renew Despite COVID restrictions, work around the site continued apace including the completion of two keys areas: the renovation of the Sixth Form Centre and the extension of the Bridgeman Building (which some ORs may remember as housing Science and Geography classrooms).

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...we are incredibly fortunate at Reed’s to have Governors who are passionate about the School and the Foundation...

These buildings now provide bright, imaginative learning spaces that inspire creativity and curiosity amongst our pupil body without detracting from the character of the School. ORs are more than welcome to visit and see the new developments for themselves.

Recognise As with any organisation, a change in staff is inevitable. However, I am so gratified that those teachers who left us at the end of the year were doing so for specific reasons: promotion, new location or new career path (see page 82). I would like to offer my thanks and best wishes to each one but, in particular, to Colin Sandison-Smith, who has spent 38 years in teaching, 32½ of them at Reed’s!

I would like to also pay special tribute to Mike Wheeler, who stepped down as Chair of Governors at the end of August.

Mike served on the Board for 14 years,

with the last five as the Chair. He has a forensic mind, unflappable demeanour and possesses the most elusive and highly prized of all attributes – wisdom.

I have been the beneficiary of his sage advice on many occasions. Indeed, we are incredibly fortunate at Reed’s to have Governors who are passionate about the School and the Foundation (several being Old Reedonians and former Foundationers); they are a body of exceptional people, with great skill and integrity.

My final thanks must, however, go to our ORs; you are a vital part of the wider School community and, as can be seen throughout this magazine, are an unstoppable force! Over the last year, your enthusiasm, commitment and unstinting financial support has been invaluable in ensuring the continued success of both the School and the Foundation – at a time when it really mattered. I am really looking forward

to being able to welcome all our donors and supporters back on site to thank each of you in person, and to see for yourselves the difference you are making.

With my warmest regards for a healthy, happy and hearty 2022.

Mark Hoskins Headmaster

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2020/21 DIARY OF A HEADMASTER September 2020 “We all returned safely in September and there is a buzz of excitement around the School, despite twice weekly testing for every single person on site, with strict segregation in place.”

“Yesterday we had our first confirmed COVID case but our ‘track and trace’ systems worked well and our blendedlearning systems mean that pupils will still be able to attend lessons if they feel well enough.”

October 2020 “We have all adapted well to the new systems in various aspects of school life; however, we are now looking forward to thinking of ways we can replicate some of the face-to-face occasions and events that we are missing. I am pleased to write that the pupils themselves are at the vanguard of this movement.”

November 2020 “It has been a very good first week back after half term and, despite the fact that we are entering a second lockdown, there is much to look forward to including our virtual Autumn Concert and Remembrance Day Service.”

“As we celebrate the work of our Founder, Andrew Reed, a social reformer who founded schools, hospitals and galvanised support to challenge slavery in the USA, I wonder what he would have made of the fact that the issues he was passionate about then still continue around the world to this day.”

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December 2020 “As we entered another lockdown, the words of Eeyore to Winnie the Pooh came to mind: ‘Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could be.’; and he wasn’t referring to COVID either! I am sure that Eeyore would have been impressed with the resilience shown by the Reed’s community and, as he also said after reflecting on his situation; ‘After all, one can’t complain.

I have my friends.’. How true that is, for all of us!”

January 2021 “It is not the return we wanted, but there is still a lot going on, not least in the mass testing centre that we set up in record time. I continue to be inspired and impressed by the ingenuity of our staff and pupils and the array of creative online pursuits that break the monotony of the day and get pupils away from screens.”

February 2021 “It has been a superb week with the announcement that pupils and staff will be back at Reed’s from Monday 8 March.

We will, in fact, be asking pupils to come in next week to have their first lateral flow test so that we can get everyone back, raring to go, on Monday.”

“We realise that although most pupils will be looking forward to returning, some will be anxious. We are sensitive to this very natural reaction, and so our primary aim will be to settle everyone back into the routine of school. Hopefully, by Friday, the memory of remote learning will be replaced by the vibrancy of being together again.”

March 2021 “It’s been a great week, everyone back and the buzz and bustle filling the air.

It was wonderful to see so many pupils playing sport again last Saturday and involved in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme too – what a testament to everyone’s enthusiasm for the co-curricular life of the School.”

“I am hoping that the Easter Assembly via Teams this afternoon is the last time we finish the term in a virtual way.”

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April 2021 “Tomorrow we have, I hope, our last remote Open Morning. As we move through May and into June all of us in the School community are looking forward to events with actual people present!”

May 2021 “From Monday (at the time of writing at least), pupils are able to take off their masks in class – this will be a welcome and visible sign that we are returning to a more normal school environment.

We must of course be guarded; there are cases in local schools and so the testing regime is very important to maintain.”

“I am delighted that we are inviting parents to watch the cricket fixtures tomorrow.

The sun is shining at last, and I know all the boys and girls are looking forward to the half-term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in June for the last stretch.”

June 2021 “It has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone over the last 15 months and, probably more than anyone in the Reed’s community, our Senior pupils have learnt the meaning of resilience, responsibility and independence.”

July 2021 “The Junior School and Senior School Speech Days were a superb way to finish the term. Our guest speakers, Major Mike Foster Van Der Elst (Mullens 2001) and Shahin Baghaei (Capel 2002), gave inspiring addresses which were all the more poignant for our pupils, coming from Old Reedonians. The boys and staff listened intently and I am sure they will reflect on the advice from both speakers on leadership, character and grasping opportunity.”

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BACK TO SCHOOL

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Even though we have had a disrupted year, it is great to see how many ORs visited and played an integral part in School life.

SEPTEMBER 2020 With no one really knowing how the pandemic was going to pan out, we got back Ollie Matthews (Capel 2016) and Christina Williams (Bristowe 2017) as our Graduate Teaching Assistants to help cover all aspects of School life which they did with aplomb!

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OCTOBER 2020 As part of the School’s initiatives around Black History Month, we were delighted to welcome Seyi Aiyegbusi (Mullens 1992) back on Zoom. Now living in New Orleans and working for a large American law firm, Seyi was able to share his thoughts via an interview with Chloe Gaisie and Charlie Hancock (who were in the Upper Sixth then, but are now ORs themselves) which was streamed to the whole School!

So many elements conspired against us this year and it seems that, just as we had an event planned, something (COVID) came along to scupper them. But we were determined to get out our leavers’ gifts to the Class of 2020.

So, over two days, we handed out their ‘goodie boxes’ with a quick meet and greet at the infamous pick-up point.

NOVEMBER 2020 We were incredibly grateful to Luke Wheeler (Capel 2016) for being our guest speaker during our Founder’s week celebrations. As a former Foundation pupil, Luke kindly shared his moving story via a short video. ‘You could hear a pin drop as the pupils listened in’ said one tutor.

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DECEMBER 2020

JANUARY 2021

Lauren Corbett (Bristowe 2020) ‘popped in’ on Teams to ask pupils and staff to support her Christmas Stocking Appeal by donating unwanted goodies to be gifted to those in local care homes and homeless shelters. We were blown away by the donations made by the whole Reed’s community which filled two minibuses!

We were delighted to have another opportunity to hear from Dr Keith Scholey (Bristowe 1975), Director of Silverback Films, the company responsible for the BBC’s breath-taking series, A Perfect Planet. Over 800 people from across the Reed’s community ‘tuned in’, both nationally and internationally, with one ingenious viewer even bringing along Sir David Attenborough!!

If you’ve not read Keith’s article in the 2020 Reeder magazine, please do; it is a must read for all generations (available on the Reed’s Heritage site: reedsschoolheritage.co.uk).

FEBRUARY 2021 As part of our always improving FutureCareers & Higher Education programme, Holly Brazier (Capel 2015) gave a wonderfully engaging (recorded) address to our Lower Sixth about her degree apprenticeship with Goldman Sachs, offering a balanced view of the apprenticeship route.

AI, VR, XR, AR...we had it all going on at our February FutureCareers seminar.

Four expert speakers – including OR Josh Southern (Capel 2014) – provided some fascinating presentations and insightful advice to over 180 attendees.

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MARCH 2021 One of our former successful Oxbridge entrants, Adam Shaffer (Bristowe 2019) gave an informative speech to pupils and parents about the admissions process and what to expect. It’s this insider knowledge that is so vital to inspire the next generation.

We are very lucky to have two great OR sporting professionals coaching at Reed’s. Long serving Ben Haran (Mullens 1994) featured in the news in March linked with British No 1, Dan Evans, while Theo Vukasinovic (Blathwayt 2014) was selected for the Wasps 1st XV.

APRIL 2021

MAY 2021

As the producer This Place called Cobham, we were delighted to welcome back Sam Brandon (Capel 2008) to be interviewed by Luke Michael. Sam was able to share with students and staff how he came to be involved with the project and what he learned from the experience, both professionally and as an OR (see page 18 for full article).

Thankfully the weather was beautiful on Leavers’ Day this year, so that all celebrations could be held outside. Rob Hurford (Mullens 2015) very kindly came back to share his positive thoughts and experience of our unique OR community and hand out those all-important ties and gifts!

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JULY 2021 In July, ORs played a big part in paying tribute to outgoing Housemaster of Blathwayt, Gareth Hart, whose energy, passion and dedication had a profound impact on many, not least with his drive behind fundraising for the Rainbow Trust.

His strapline was always ‘do something that makes you feel proud’, so how apt that legend music Heather Small, the voice of M People, should kindly make a guest appearance in the video along with ORs and pupils.

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JULY 2021 We could not have been more grateful to Major Mike Foster Vander Elst (Mullens 2001) and Shahin Baghaei (Capel 2002) for giving up their valuable time to be our guest speakers at our two Speech Days.

Mike addressed our First to Fourth Form, acknowledging how special the Foundation makes the School and paying tribute to the teachers who have dedicated their careers to investing in our pupils.

Shahin spoke to our Upper Sixth Form students – now our newest OR recruits – and their parents, congratulating them all on showing such grit and determination over the last two, difficult years and urging them to learn from mistakes, see opportunity in disappointment and remain adaptable in their life’s journey.

AUGUST 2021 As lockdown eased, we had a few ORs back over the summer. It was great to take Nick Gray (Blathwayt 1993) and his lovely family on a tour, with a bit of time dedicated to exploring the on-site vegetation!!

Adrian Blackman (Mullens 1992) also showed fellow OR, Lucas Kiely (Bristowe 1994), around with another guest many will recognise!

If you are interested in coming back for a visit, offering careers advice and/or work experience, donating prizes, organising a reunion or anything else you think will benefit the OR community and/or our pupils, we would love to hear from you.

Sharmaine smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk 01932 589490

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THE MAKING OF THIS PLACE CALLED COBHAM Sam Brandon (Capel 2008)

In April 2021, we celebrated 75 years of Reed’s moving from Totnes (where it had been evacuated during the War) to its present-day Sandy Lane site. In commemoration, we put together a docufilm which really brought the OR and School community together in so many ways. Here’s one perspective from Sam Brandon (Capel 2008) whose production company, Frisson Creative, worked expertly on the film to bring it to life.

This place called Cobham…Reed’s School… somewhere I was fortunate enough to attend for seven years. A School that taught me values, gave me confidence, and the place where I made friends for life.

I have always been thankful for what Reed’s provided me, both personally and professionally, so I was especially thrilled to be asked to stand on the Old Reedonian Committee in 2018, having always been keen to give back to the School wherever possible.

It was at the start of 2020 when the School’s 75thyear anniversary at Cobham was discussed, but it wasn’t until later that year, after COVID struck, that plans were put in place to make a documentary of four-to- five minutes. However, after meetings with, and guidance from Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975) and Sharmaine in pre-production, it soon became apparent that to capture the story properly, this would just not be long enough. Thinking back to those earlier sessions, this guidance was hugely important in the framing of the film.

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What a wonderful film! We are lucky enough to have a son in First Form at Reed’s and it’s fascinating to understand the School’s history in more depth. We are proud to be a part of the wonderful Reed’s family!

Current Parent

It’s funny, the first memory I have of Andy on the OR Committee was him producing an enormous book, which must have been 80-100 years old, thumping it down on the table, opening it, smelling the air, and declaring: ‘This just smells like history!’

Even if you’re not familiar with the smell of history, at the very least this probably gives you an idea of Andy’s passion. He knows everything, and I mean everything, about the history of the School, and we were so lucky to be working with him on the film.

Due to COVID restrictions, we were unable to interview all the ORs Sharmaine had identified, so sadly had to limit this to just seven. A mixture of face-to-face and Zoom interviews were held to document the 380-mile journey from Watford to Totnes to Cobham, with the ORs talking about their feelings and memories.

Both John Rogers (Bristowe 1946) and Bill Collins (Bristowe 1948) came to Cobham to be interviewed, using the backdrops of the library and Chapel.

Following them around the School grounds gave a fascinating insight into how Reed’s has changed

since they first started on their careers at the School.

However, one thing that hadn’t changed was their initials carved into a tree on the drive! Zoom interviews with Geoff Spinks (Blathwayt 1952), Stephen Beamish (Capel 1948) and Keith Miller (Bristowe 1951) followed before we set off on our trip to Totnes.

Having seen pictures of the town during the 1940s, it would be fair to say that Totnes had changed a lot, but there were still vivid reminders everywhere of what the boys had seen and experienced. The Seymour Hotel where they lived, the ticket offices where they had lessons, the church where they attended chapel, the shops where they bought sweets in – all still there, just in different guises.

In Totnes, we also met and filmed OR, Ken Sambrook (Mullens 1949) and his lovely wife who actually lived in Devon at the time the School was there and still do today. His personality shone through and, as we spoke, I could imagine him as a 14-year-old boy on the rugby pitch! We also travelled to Sandwich to interview Tony Wiggins (Bristowe 1947), the key

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instigator of the many reunions the gentlemen (and wives) have had back in Totnes after School…visits that have made them all mini celebrities in the town.

Some of the stories told were funny, others emotional, but one thing in particular stuck with me following our interviews: all of them had lost at least one parent during the War. I couldn’t fathom how it must have felt to have been aged seven and to have lost a loved one; to have been transported 200 miles away from home and to have attended school somewhere they’d never heard of. To their credit, they ‘just got on with it’ – it didn’t seem to faze them, but it did leave a mark.

Cutting down the film from the 11 hours of footage to the 35 minutes with which we ended up was challenging and time-consuming, but naming the film wasn’t the easiest of tasks either. We worked through what felt like an avalanche of different options, and it took right until the final interview to realise that the most obvious choice was there

the whole time. Both Bill and Stephen had actually said it in our Zoom calls with them: ‘we moved to this place called Cobham’. A perfect title: This Place Called Cobham, which reflected the end of these Old Reedonians’ long journey from Watford, via Totnes, and the beginning of the School’s life in its new home.

For me, the experience of interviewing all seven of these ORs was such a pleasure and a privilege.

During the process, it really struck me that there were two things that all the ORs had in common, and which echoed my feelings about Reed’s: that the School gave them confidence to succeed in life, and that the friendships they made have been unique.

Stephen Beamish’s words were particularly poignant: ‘It gave me the confidence to do what I wanted to do. We had no father to talk to or to guide us through, but we had each other’. It is our shared sentiments that reinforce my belief that Reed’s is such a special place, and something that I was happy to tell the current pupils when I visited the School to launch the film on 21st April 2021.

Really inspiring to hear the incredible stories of these ORs whose lives were struck by war and bereavement at such a young age, and to see how the Andrew Reed Foundation did then what it continues to do today – which is to provide those vulnerable young children with a life-changing education and pastoral care. An opportunity that changed my life and a privilege that I am proud to share with these incredible gentlemen.

OR Foundation Pupil, 2002

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I just want to say how absolutely wonderful this film is. My tutees found it fascinating and were riveted to hear from Old Reedonians about what life was like in their run up to coming to Cobham and when they got here. Thank you.

Head of Second Form It is important to say a huge thank you to Sharmaine Matthews and the aforementioned Andy Wotton for their knowledge, passion, and guidance on the project (and the many late nights!). Without them, it would not have been possible to create a documentary to do justice to all the ORs from that time and to capture their stories. Special thanks are also due to Ben Warwick (Bristowe 1992}, whose voiceover superbly guided us through the piece.

It was an absolute pleasure working on this docufilm and I hope those of you who have watched it were reminded of your time at Reed’s; maybe it even evoked fond memories you’d since forgotten.

Yet perhaps, more importantly, it will give you a sense of what we all have in common and, like me, leave you with a great sense of pride in being an Old Reedonian. ■

Where to find the film: reeds.surrey.sch.uk/2619/this-placecalled-cobham

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THE REEDER 2021

#COMMUNITYFORLIFE

Lost & Found

?

Lost ORs Even though we are in touch with some 3,500 ORs, there are many that we are still looking for! Here are another 10 names, randomly selected from each decade. If you know where they might be or can put us in touch with OR friends or – indeed – have googled your name and found it here, please contact Sharmaine at smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

1950s

1970s

OR

OR

House

Ian Addy

House

Bradley Adams

Mullens

Leslie Baker

Nigel Ashworth

Mullens

Ralph Bromly

Bristowe

Christopher Bartlett

Mullens

Don Harrington

Blathwayt

Richard Bayton

Capel

Evan Meadows

Mullens

Andrew Camfield

Capel

Donald Pomphrey

Capel

Paul Dalmazzo-Auckland

Capel

Terence Smith

Capel

Duncan Grant

Bristowe

Mark Jackson

Capel

Christopher Tunley Bryan Wills

Bristowe

Dirk Luders

Blathwayt

Lesley Wills

Dogmersfield

Richard Simmonds

Blathwayt

1960s

1980s

OR

House

OR

House

Christopher Austin

Blathwayt

Sharif Adams

Capel

Earl Ayers

Capel

Nicholas Bond

Bristowe

Martyn Baker

Mullens

Adam Bourns

Bristowe

John Barsham

Mullens

Thomas Bowman

Blathwayt

Charles Blumenstein

Mullens

Mark Joshua

Capel

Peter Bowerman

Bristowe

James Nichols

Capel

Peter Brown

Blathwayt

Kevin Richards

Blathwayt

Peter Burbridge

Bristowe

Richard Smallwood

Blathwayt

Philip Lester

Bristowe

Geoffrey Tucker

Mullens

Chris Pafford

Capel

Vincent Wedgwood

Mullens

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1990s

Found ORs

OR Matthew Allan James Baker Paul Elliott Martyn Goody Titi Hatzmann Nick Jacques Rose-Anne Krijgsman Anne Mariette Lenselink Alistair Stevens David Ward

We are delighted to report that over the last year, we have reconnected with the following ORs who have sought us out, been put into contact by other ORs or we’ve found them!

House Mullens Blathwayt Capel Mullens Mullens Mullens Capel Blathwayt Capel Capel

2000s

OR

House

Maximilian Beretta

Capel

Thomas Higgins

Mullens

Joey Kokkelink

Capel

Adrian Malakouti-Heshjin

Blathwayt

Katherine Newens

Bristowe

Sophie Paulides

Blathwayt

Christopher Rimmer

Capel

Pascal Sweers

Capel

Emma Tilley

Mullens

Cheuk Wong

Blathwayt

OR

House

Left Reed’s

Michael Allibone

Capel

1977

Ben Butler

Mullens

1988

Robert Daly

Mullens

1983

Stephen Gill

Bristowe

1977

Simon Henderson

Mullens

1985

Richard Hurton

Capel

1979

David Lobb

Blathwayt

1963

Kevin Richards

Blathwayt

1981

Ken Robson

Bristowe

1967

Laurie Scott

Blathwayt

1971

Stephen Spark

Blathwayt

1976

Robert Stocken

Blathwayt

1978

William Tomalin

1957

Keith Vinycomb

Blathwayt

1961

John Waterman

Watford

1937

2010s

OR

House

Bilal Akhtar

Blathwayt

Zach Baker

Bristowe

Daniel Brown

Mullens

Casimir Cobben

Mullens

Sean Dawson

Bristowe

Joshua Gill

Blathwayt

Dominic Mellett

Blathwayt

Lawrence Mills

Bristowe

Alexander Taylor

Mullens

James Walford

Bristowe

How many times have you moved house since you left School?

5 times? 10 times? Even more?

If you think we might have an out-of-date postal or email address for you, please update on the OR website – networkreeds.org – or email Lucy at lsadler@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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THE REEDER 2021

#COMMUNITYFORLIFE

Reed’s Yellow Pages Education

Sport and Leisure

Jewellery

CJA Educational Consultancy educationchoices magazine.com

The Bike Club thebikeclub.co.uk

Mini Memento minimemento.co.uk

Bike Club is a kids bike subscription service. We ensure your child always has the perfect-sized bike as you can exchange it at anytime.

Choose between new and preloved bikes, all of them are conveniently delivered and picked up from your door.

Personalised jewellery, specialising in using fingerprints, handprints, footprints and even paw prints.

Chris Tong (Capel 1993)

Georgina Trestler Art & Design georginatrestler.com

Education Choices is an informed and unbiased magazine that explores the educational choices available to children, families and young people in the UK and across the globe.

Chloe Abbott (Blathwayt 1992)

Property Properly (Real Estate Group Ltd) weareproperly.com

Photography Andy Billman Photography andy-billman.com

Tanya Kelway (née Syrad) (Capel 2003)

Illustration, Design, Art

Specialised branding and illustration.

Georgina Trestler (née Alexander) (Bristowe 2003)

Properly is an office search consultancy based in London.

We help businesses find the right flexible solution at the right time and the right price by combining powerful tech with a human touch.

Andy Billman is a London-based photographer with a curiosity for built environments and the spaces we find ourselves in.

Andy Billman (Blathwayt 2010)

Live & Clicking jackwrevell.com

Nick Patterson (Bristowe 2004)

Entertainment

Confidence and marketing coach.

Technology Staffing & Recruitment

Tenors Unlimited tenorsunlimited.com

Tutoring

InfraView infraview.co.uk Helping technology leaders recruit and grow the best teams in the Cloud and IT Infrastructure Solution Provider channel whilst delivering exceptional service to candidates looking to build their careers. We are looking to grow the team so get in touch!

Tim Davey (Mullens 1994)

‘The Ratpack of Opera’! In addition to their numerous concerts, festivals and media appearances, Tenors Un Limited are also available to book for a range of corporate and private events.

MB Tutoring +44 7930 835741 Offering 11+ preparation, GCSE Maths & Science Tuition.

Maddie Barrow (Bristowe 2016)

Entertainment The Drunken Jockeys thedrunkenjockeys.co.uk

Clownfish Events clownfishevents.com Clownfish Events is the best creative event management company in the UK.

Will Isaacs (Bristowe 2012), Will Burchill (Mullens 2012), Zach Goodall (Blathwayt 2012)

Matt Turner (Mullens 2008)

Jack Revell (Mullens 2008)

Jem Sharples (Bristowe 1969)

We believe in outstanding cocktails and impeccable service by creating one-of- a-kind mobile bars that transport guests to a world of fun with a great drink in hand.

Events

Executive Coaching

If would like to feature in our next Yellow Pages listing, contact: thereeder@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

Reed’s School Corps of Drums If you are looking for a spectacular way to impress clients, friends or just your family, the Reed’s School Corps of Drums are available to perform at events and functions.

Email Sharmaine at: smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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THE REEDER 2021

OR & SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Overseas ORs

32

77 3

1

Over the last 18 months, the world has felt a bigger place with lockdown and restricted travel. However, as things begin to open up, we’d like to reintroduce you to our OR Overseas Ambassadors and thank them for agreeing to help bring us closer together.

Do reach out if you live in, are moving to or visiting these regions/countries.

1

1

1

If you would like to get in contact with one of our OR Overseas Ambassadors (see over) or offer to be one yourself, please contact Sharmaine smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk 1 ORs by continent Africa Asia Australasia Europe (excl. UK) Middle East North America Central & South America

17 137 83 187 17 115 2

27

1

3

2

5

1

7

3

3

17 1

14

88 10 1 2 1

11 6

1

1 1 1

1

2

1 1

1

1

15

4

7

4 1

1

1

65

1

11 1

2

2 1

1 4

15

1 1

2

9

1 75

7

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THE REEDER 2021

#COMMUNITYFORLIFE

Meet our OR Overseas Ambassadors

Australia/East Coast Darren Paterson (Bristowe 1985)

Australia/West Coast Max Reinhardt (Bristowe 2000)

USA/Washington State Mark Russell (Blathwayt 1997)

USA/California Niall Battson (Blathwayt 1996)

USA/California Giles House (Capel 2000)

Dubai Holly Woolston Castro (Blathwayt 2007)

Dubai Jonty Oldreive (Mullens 2009)

Singapore James Miles (Blathwayt 1999)

Hong Kong Brian Cheung (Bristowe 1987)

Taiwan Kevin Liu (Blathwayt 2002)

Malaysia Attila Emam (Bristowe 1988)

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OR Reunion in Dubai Jonty Oldreive (Mullens 2009) & Nick Whiteford (Capel 2009) We are delighted when Jonty and Nick offered to host an OR Dubai reunion.

A perfectly formed ‘rule of 6’ gathered at the Lah Lah Restaurant & Bar and, by all accounts, a fun night was had by all: Holly Woolston Castro (Blathwayt 2007), Graham Tooby (Bristowe 1991), Michael Makdisi (Capel 1990) and Jehad ‘James’ Makdisi (Capel 1994).

a ‘Pom’, even though I have resided in South Africa now for almost 50 years!

To say that life wasn’t easy in a run down house, in a usually cold, rainy and foggy environment is a huge understatement but, for all its faults, it was still home, where my mum and dad lived and loved me.

However, things change as we get older, when we see and want a broader life. Back in the 1950s, the challenge for me, and several of my OR friends, to better ourselves and to seek new opportunities often meant the option of becoming an expat loomed large.

An OR’s perspective on becoming an expat in the 1950s Jim Williams (Capel 1959) ‘Home is where the heart is’…so said Gaius Plinius Secundus approximately 2000 years ago. But the question needs to be asked: how many ‘homes’ do we have?

Ancestral, spiritual, emotional, financial, geographical, familial, etc. Being born in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire in 1942 during the height of the Second World War and moving back to London in 1946, means that I am undoubtedly

However, the pursuit of greener pastures and greater adventures, with the hope of more financially rewarding outcomes, came at a cost. Inevitably, we gave up the known for the unknown, the familiar for the unfamiliar, comfort zone for initial discomfort and friends and relationships were sometimes exchanged for work colleagues.

Then there were all the other issues we hadn’t even considered but which needed to be: renouncing UK citizenship, adopting local customs, being fluent in another language, getting on the voter’s roll, being a minority race immigrant and getting caught up in completely new

political ideologies to name a few.

Then one’s legal status got called into question sometimes along with residential insecurity. Passports, wills and property ownership all ran the gauntlet of other countries’ jurisdictions and bureaucracies.

Even now, tax and wealth positions continue to be under scrutiny as are pensions and investments with the suspicion that you might just be salting away a nest-egg somewhere and therefore guilty of an offence.

Sadly, your local and international loyalties get tested with sporting activities and old overseas contacts get fewer as folk pass on. Memories of important milestones in our ‘pre-expat’ situation…boarding school, Cobham, first loves…start to fade. Then our own new generation of families have their lives to lead and their ‘world’ to explore, thus starting the process all over again!

Inevitably one often asks oneself questions: I wonder what I would have finished up doing if I hadn’t left the UK. Should I have gone back? Does it matter where we are buried and/or cremated?

For me, home is where I’m warm and the sun shines (literally and figuratively) and where I am loved and valued. Would I have changed anything, I very much doubt it!

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THE REEDER 2021

ORs IN ACTION

SECURITY IN AN INSECURE WORLD As a security professional advising large corporates, OR Angus Darroch-Warren’s (Capel 1986) article makes us all think about our own personal safety and offers tips and advice…

My main role is to analyse the threats and risk to client organisations, their people and other assets, be they tangible, intangible or a bit of both. It is my role to understand the threats to operations, the vulnerabilities and the likelihood of an adverse incident taking place and the mitigation strategy that will, hopefully, prevent loss.

I hasten to point out that I am supported ably by a team of specialists, whether physical security practitioners, information professionals and those that have their credentials in the cyber world. Indeed, I would be almost certain that several of our ORs fit into one of these categories.

From the simple to the serious These experts work collaboratively to reduce risk to organisations – big, small, government or private – but yet, increasingly, we hear of incidents directed against individuals and property, from the rudimentary (bladed weapon attacks) to the more sophisticated (coordinated terror attacks) to organised criminal activity (kidnapping to extort money).

Sadly we, the public, have become used to the sight of armed police offers patrolling our streets, barriers and blockers to mitigate vehicle attacks and a host of other measures.

So, what do we do about these threats?

In reality, the chance of being involved in an incident is extremely low, but it is our perception of risk that skews the reality and perhaps makes us consider options, such a cycling to work to avoid public transport, even though the likelihood of being injured

on a bike is far greater than being affected by a terror incident. From a personal perspective, it’s important to try and be ‘security aware’ and pay attention to your surroundings. If something looks suspicious, it probably is.

Be prepared to act on your feelings and report to the nearest police officer or person of authority but take yourself away from the threat – a false alarm is always preferable to seeing the aftermath of an attack.

Cyber security However, those that are looking to harm us are increasingly diverse in their approach.

Terror groups (some state sponsored) use the internet for sophisticated publicity surrounding their cause and activist groups attack websites and deface homepages. It is known that nations spy on each other and some have publicly stated that they are looking to gain whatever competitive edge they can through espionage and covert operations. Similarly, criminals have realised that it is a lot safer, and far more effective, to use the internet as a way to steal, defraud and extort, particularly the unsuspecting and the vulnerable.

How do they do this? A combination of their skills and our ignorance of their tactics. Just recently, I received a text message purporting to be from my own bank, telling me to expect another text that would allow me to update my preferences with regards to paperless banking. Intriguingly, the first text came from a number that I know is used by the bank in question. The second email arrived with a link to change my preferences, however, the email address in the message was from an account

From a personal perspective, it’s important to try and be ‘security aware’ and pay attention to your surroundings.

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THE REEDER 2021

ORs IN ACTION

SECURITY IN AN INSECURE WORLD

I had closed in 2014. The unwary, less tech-savvy person may have followed the link, putting themselves at risk of losing their savings.

The examples of how we put ourselves at risk are numerous and varied, with threats that include: • Advance fee fraud – upfront fees are requested for goods or services that never materialise.

• Lotteries – you receive a letter from an overseas lottery company saying that you have won a prize (even though you never entered) but they require a fee or further personal details to release the prize.

• Online account scams – you receive an email or message from a bank or financial institution asking you to provide details, perhaps to unlock the account, which you do. It may be that they ask for the ‘1st and 3rd’ digits from your online PIN, which you provide. Unfortunately, there is a ‘system error’ and the caller asks for the ‘2nd and 4th’ digits. They now have all of your PIN number.

• LinkedIn and other business networking sites are riddled with fake profiles that can be traced back to hostile nation states and organised crime gangs looking to compromise users into divulging sensitive data regarding their organisation. Manage the information you put online and be prepared to check the profile of the person trying to make contact and block them if suspicious.

• Delivery scams – as the lockdown has required us to be more reliant on delivery services, this has given scammers a golden opportunity to send out messages that require you to follow a link, purportedly to collect a parcel, thereby giving out personal and/or financial details.

• WhatsApp continues to suffer from account hijacking, as does Facebook.

Criminals send out contact requests from a compromised account, asking for you to connect with them, and then they have access to your personal details.

These types of scam rely on social engineering; criminals knowing how people might think and react to a given scenario, thus making them susceptible and easily targeted.

Stealing personal data But the threats to our personal data extend beyond what most people imagine.

The ‘Internet of Things’ refers to the connectivity between physical objects, through various technologies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), in order to exchange data across the internet. Connectivity is increasing, making our lives ‘simpler’ but, potentially, this comes at a price as criminals look to exploit this connectivity to further their own ends.

We are vulnerable in so many ways, from not changing default passwords and codes on mobile phones or Wi-Fi routers, to inadvertently sharing personal data online.

For instance, on social media, you receive a post forwarded by a friend. It asks you to name your first car or best friend at school or first pet. A harmless piece of fun? In reality you have given away a potential security question for your bank account/credit card and the criminal can use these credentials to access your accounts, telling the bank they have forgotten their/your details.

Alternatively, there is a post for a house/ car/speedboat/holiday lottery as the company has had a sale fall through.

They ask you to register your details and now you have just provided a scammer with your email address, phone, sexual orientation etc.

You buy a new car and find the satellite navigation system so useful, and easy to use: press the button and up comes the route to your house. However, if the car is stolen, the thief knows where you live, and the locations of family and friends.

Alternatively, the in-car system may be easy prey to a hacker who can download all of the data. A simple solution is to input your ‘home’ address as a local supermarket, petrol station or other public location.

With lockdown restrictions easing, it may be that you decide to fly off to the sun, finding a great spot overlooking the beach, luckily the beach bar has free Wi-Fi so you logon and upload your pictures to Instagram.

However, the Wi-Fi hotspot is compromised and all your data, including your Apple Pay transaction, has been passing through a criminal’s network. ■

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Similarly, criminals have realised that it is a lot safer, and far more effective, to use the internet as a way to steal, defraud and extort, particularly the unsuspecting and the vulnerable.

Protect yourself So, what can you do to protect yourself?

Without sounding too paranoid, think before you do anything!

•D on’t go onto sites that you are unsure of – if in doubt, get out!

•D on’t click on links in emails or texts that you have received – check the source, check the sender details, check spelling and grammar as these are give-aways that a scammer is involved.

•T hink carefully – why am I being contacted? Why am I being asked to provide personal details?

•A sk for the caller’s name and contact details and say you will call them back – check with the purported organisation.

• I f the caller/email/text is demanding that you act quickly, pressurising you to make a decision on the ‘fantastic’ deal on offer, stop and think. If an offer appears too good to be true, then it probably is.

•R egularly change passwords to accounts – don’t use a single password for all your accounts.

• Where possible, set up your accounts to have ‘2 Factor Authentication’. This requires a unique, one-time passcode to be sent to your device which you enter on your account.

•C onsider using an Authenticator App, this generates passcodes for specific sites that you need access to.

• On all your devices, change the default password/PIN number.

• Consider the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your devices. A VPN protects your internet connection and enhances privacy through encryption and hiding your IP address (allowing you to use the beach bar Wi-Fi hotspot).

It sounds complicated, but in reality a couple of simple steps will enhance your personal security, both in the online world and on the streets of our cities.

Be ‘security aware’ and pay attention to your surroundings (physically and virtually): remove yourself from the threat; think before you act and consider your options; report suspicious activities and trust your instincts.

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THE REEDER 2021

ORs IN ACTION

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In conversation with...

Andy Billman (Blathwayt 2010) Leaving Reed’s in 2010, Andy started building a career in the advertising industry. Then in late 2020, he gave it all up and took a leap of faith to pursue photography as a living.

His passion has seen him become an up-and-coming London-based photographer with a curiosity for built environments and the spaces we find ourselves in.

Within six months of leaving the advertising industry, Andy announced his debut solo photo exhibition Daylight Robbery. We caught up with him to hear his story so far and where he’s heading.

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ORs IN ACTION

What was the catalyst for making you change direction?

Two years ago, I was having a conversation with my cousin and I told him that I wasn’t feeling motivated or curious in my role in advertising anymore. He responded by telling me I had told him the same thing exactly a year before.

That’s when the penny dropped; I had to change something. I couldn’t let another year pass doing something that I wasn’t finding rewarding anymore, so I made it my objective to actively work out my next steps, dedicating time each week to discovering what that journey might be!

Why photography?

I fell in love with photography at a young age and was able to explore it further as one of my A Level subjects at Reed’s, going on to study a Foundation Diploma in Photography at London College of Communication. It didn’t go beyond that, but it’s always been an important hobby for me.

After a business degree and five years in advertising, my job had quite simply taken over, leaving zero time for my photography. I came to the conclusion that instead of searching for a job that would have a better work-life balance, it was now or never to have a go at pursuing photography as a vocation.

How’s it been going?

My photography interest lies in the built environment. To propel myself into this world, I set myself a target of putting on an exhibition during the 2021 London Festival of Architecture; definitely throwing myself into the deep-end.

After an intense few months, I succeeded in putting on my debut solo exhibition, Daylight Robbery, in Bermondsey across five days this June. It was a photo series documenting the bricked-up windows of London originating from the Georgian-era Window Tax. The work examines the role that natural light and air play in the spaces we inhabit and on our wellbeing, something which has become even more important after the year we’ve all just experienced.

The hard work paid off as I had a constant flow of visitors in the gallery and secured features in some great publications. I’m currently organising the second run of print sales that followed the show.

What have been the highs and lows?

Getting to know people within the industry and the support I received from them has been the best part, such as receiving valuable advice about setting up the show and key figures in the industry attending the private view and admiring the work.

I was quite lucky in that through the fantastic support network in the industry, I avoided having many ‘low’ moments.

The hardest element was the tight turnaround of the project: shooting, producing and promoting the work all in a matter of months was a challenge.

The lessons learned I’ll take with me for future work.

What’s next?

Alongside this project, I’ve also been securing my first commissions which is exciting. It’s still early days but I’m hoping to focus as much of my efforts on personal projects as I can alongside commercial work to hopefully exhibit again in the near future.

What words of advice would you give to anyone who was feeling the same as you were two years ago?

I’m a big believer in learning by doing.

The truth is we don’t really progress when we get stuck in our thoughts or ideas in theory; we can only learn more about ourselves in practice. If that means carving out time to uncover the reasons for the feelings you’re having and/or trying things that you’re curious about, I’d advise spending less time thinking about it and more time doing it. You’ll be surprised how far each action you do in practice, however small, takes you.

Further info For further information on Andy’s projects please visit andy-billman.com or follow him on Instagram @andy_billman.

He is available for commissions in the UK and beyond. ■

I’m a big believer in learning by doing.

The truth is we don’t really progress when we get stuck in our thoughts or ideas in theory; we only learn more about ourselves in practice.

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THE REEDER 2021

OR EVENTS ORs IN ACTION & REUNIONS

RIDING THE WAVES A story of how the pandemic brought about the dilemma of ‘adapt or die’ for one particular OR-founded business.

Matt Turner (Mullens 2008) tells his story which might be familiar to many.

February 2020. I’m on top of the world. Well, on top of a ski slope anyway. I’m with nine of my colleagues on an all-expenses-paid company ski trip. We’ve smashed our end-of-year targets and we’re celebrating in style.

We’re top of the industry. We’ve just won the highly coveted Best Stand award at Confex, Britain’s largest events and production trade show, held at ExCel London. We’re the talk of the town and we’re planning further expansion.

March 2020. We’re decimated. 100% of our revenue from putting on corporate events and entertainment is now an illegal activity. We’re in lockdown. Every client is forced to cancel. We’re haemorrhaging money like I’ve never experienced before, and we’re running out of it. Fast.

I left Reed’s in 2008, surprisingly desperate to start a business. I didn’t have the university desires or travelling aspirations that my friends had; I just knew I wanted to create something. A little deeper than that, I actually just wanted to be something.

Looking back, it was surprising because I had no experience and no real understanding of business.

In fact, infamously, I was the only Reed’s student ever to gain 0 on a business studies A Level exam (or so Mr Atkins told me).

It was with a lot of hard work, some scary risk taking and a bit of luck that within a decade Clownfish Events became a multi-million-pound operation, employing twelve full-timers, running a fleet of vehicles, owning a warehouse in Chessington and running events for Google, Virgin, Amazon, Apple and British Airways. All with an unbeaten 5* ratings record. It was epic.

But for all its brilliance, the years of building Clownfish had taken a lot out of me. Trying to start and then sustain a business is isolating. The long and unsociable hours are lonely. The unrelenting imposter-syndrome. The ‘can I really do this?’ voice plays over and over. It’s important for me to admit

that, to balance the modern-day narrative that ‘being your own boss’ is everything. I’m a big advocate for entrepreneurship, but consciously so.

Perhaps that was why I was so willing to fight for business survival. I’d given too much of myself to let it collapse and, critically, my team are like family to me. They’re all major contributors to our success, and I felt I owed them.

So, despite the paradoxical challenge of running an events company that has ‘bringing people together’ at the core of its service in a global pandemic that lawfully demanded social distancing and lockdown, I got to work. I embodied the phrase ‘I can’t control the waves, but I can learn to surf’. I worked out three key things pretty fast: 1. E very company event, meeting, party or conference is now online. Adapt or die.

2. COVID is going to be in the air for some serious time to come. We have time.

3. No company wants to be the ‘Cheltenham Festival of March 2020’. The corporate market will stay online for the longest.

Fundamentally, that’s all I really needed to know.

I knew how to run a business and I trusted the team around me.

So, in April 2020, I borrowed £300,000 from the bank and, along with existing capital, spent £500,000 on two things. First, a three-story redevelopment that included a professional TV and film studio, a green room space and editing suites at Clownfish HQ. Second, we invested into the highest grade of cameras, drones and live broadcast equipment on the market. Over the summer of 2020, as Clownfish was being rebuilt (both literally and figuratively), our already expert technical team learnt and mastered the art of filming, editing and live streaming. We launched two brand new businesses (and revenue streams): Clownfish Studios and Clownfish Media. To coin a quintessentially 2020 business term, we pivoted. And if we hadn’t, none of us would have our jobs today.

I can’t control the waves, but I can learn to surf

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THE REEDER 2021

ORs IN ACTION

Our state-of-the-art TV studio has already hosted Vernon Kay, Davina McCall, Tim Vine, Britain’s Got Talent’s Magical Bones and the actual Basil Brush!

We’ve been using the studio to live stream company awards, Christmas parties, training days and team building events - all virtually. Our Media business (creating short videos for online content) has not stopped since April. We’ve filmed for schools, Buddhist temples, small business training courses and, just recently, New Wimbledon Theatre. All of them are new clients. These two new revenue streams have kept us afloat, whilst our events arm has continued to make a loss since February 2020.

After three days with the Clownfish team (now that it’s legal again), we reviewed the last 18 months with enormous pride and began to feel excited for the next chapter. We have ambitious plans including launching a record label, starting a foundation (aimed at helping young people get into film and media) and working out how and when we can achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Throughout the horror of COVID, I have looked for the positives. Never before has the corporate world paused for longer than 10 days and after the whirlwind years of building a business from scratch, I finally had some time to stop and think.

A few years ago, I had formed a long-term plan with my number two, Alasdair, for him to take over the general management of Clownfish. I had thought that I was ready to try something new, but the ‘new’ Clownfish, the process of becoming a venue and the challenges that the pandemic has brought have re-inspired me, re-energised me and, ultimately, kept me.

On the last day of November 2019, I lost my dad, aged only 59, to cancer. Perhaps strangely, this was the greatest motivator for getting through COVID. As the tsunami of cancellations came in March 2020, somewhere in my subconscious I knew I wasn’t willing to give up something that I did have control over, having just been forced to give something up that I had no control over. I still can’t control the waves, but I’ve learnt to surf. ■ Matt Turner Founder of The Clownfish Group clownfish.co

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... we pivoted. And if we hadn’t, none of us would have our jobs today.

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THE REEDER 2021

ORs IN ACTION

MAKING YOURSELF HEARD When you’re a multi-platinum, award-winning record producer, living in LA and working with some of the world’s biggest artists, fame could quite easily go to your head. Not for a Reed’s boy though! Instead, Nolan Lambroza (Bristowe 2008), aka Sir Nolan, remains grounded and independent minded. He has used the tumultuous pandemic year to refocus on what’s important by reflecting, reassessing and rediscovering himself. Not easy when you work in an industry that is all about the image you project.

We were delighted when Nolan agreed to be interviewed for The Reeder (sadly no flight out to LA for the Editor though!). His thoughts make for contemplative reading.

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What did you enjoy most at Reed’s and did it have an impact on what you are doing now?

When I was four years old, my family and I moved from the US (Virginia) to Stockholm, Sweden, then to Surrey a year later. Although I very much spoke the same language, I wasn’t familiar with English culture so, when I first started at Reed’s, I had trouble fitting in. The music building at Reed’s became my regular haunt as I could relate to my musically inclined peers and found common ground. It was the first time since living in the UK that I felt understood.

What I enjoyed most at Reed’s was spending time with my music school classmates and building relationships that would span the next 15 years. My best friends from Reed’s now live in Los Angeles and we are still close today: shout out to Jake Faun (Bristowe 2008) and his older brother Max (Bristowe 2007).

I learned a valuable lesson early on: find your people. Even now, I have a very small group of close friends, on whom I can count absolutely. My business is full of pretenders, opportunists and Machiavellian characters. It can be hard to decipher who has genuine intentions and who hasn’t. Reed’s is where I developed my gut instinct for people; today it’s my most useful tool.

If you had to do an ‘elevator pitch’ how would you describe what you do professionally?

Here’s the elevator pitch: I help write the best song possible, and then I begin the process of recording it.

I play and record most of the instruments on the track. I coach the artist as we ‘cut’ (industry term for record) the song. I weave dynamics and tension/release through different sections of the song and then I blend everything together in a program

called ProTools. I then ‘bounce’ (industry term for export) the song from ProTools into an MP3 format that can be shared with the artist and their label, almost ready for release.

But here’s another explanation of what I do: I interpret and present. The artist or songwriter communicates to me the type of emotion or story they’d like to convey in a song; I interpret their vision, then create something tangible. I’m a bit like a commissioned painter, equipped with a palette that has every colour, all the brushes and a blank canvas where my lyrics describes the picture they see in their mind and the instruments and recording equipment bring their vision to life.

I produce content for musical artists that can be shared, sold, exploited. Without a producer a song is just words and notes on a page.

Can you tell us about your journey from Reed’s into music production?

Did you always want to write?

No, not really. I’m a sucker for great song intros. Dire Straights (Money for Nothing), Bon Jovi (Living On A Prayer), Deep Purple (Smoke on the Water), Madonna (Like A Prayer), Van Halen (Jump). I always wanted to become the best guitar player there ever was and perform live in front of thousands, probably when I should have been paying more attention in Mrs Lawrence’s English class reading Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men… Whilst I completed my GCSEs and studied for A Levels, I practised non-stop.

My grades and my social life suffered significantly but it didn’t phase me. I was determined. Fast forward to Berklee College of Music in Boston, I was in my second year and in a band with my two dorm mates. We’d finished a show performing on a day cruise boat; it was

raining, the music gear was cumbersome and, to top it all off, we didn’t get paid. We went back to our dorm soaked through and despondent.

The band comprised Bryce Vine (the singer), Nick (the producer and coperformer) and me (the guitar player).

A couple of hours later, Nick and Bryce started writing a new song and I watched them completely transform from being dispirited to glowing with excitement.

That’s when I first realised the power of writing. It gets the endorphins going, serotonin and dopamine stream into your brain. That’s when I realised I wanted to stay behind the scenes; I wanted to write songs, not perform them in front of people.

Luckily for me, whilst at Reed’s, I had also taken Mr Jenkin’s music technology course which allowed me to soak up recording experience and develop a foundation in music technology and producing that I would build on for the rest of my life. This was invaluable.

I learned that the power of a good song can raise your spirits and infuse selfconfidence (which I was seriously lacking as teenager). Later I learned that the power of a great song can truly change your life.

For me that song is Jealous by Nick Jonas, my first No 1 hit.

Which comes first when writing: the song that’s matched to an artist, or the artist for whom you write the song?

It’s always different. Songs are usually best written from a true place, so whether I’m with an artist in a room or sitting with a songwriter, we try and write the most authentic song possible and then find the right home for it.

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THE REEDER 2021

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How do you keep your music fresh and new when there’s pressure to stick with what works and what gets the downloads?

Music moves quicker than ever now because of how easy it is to create and share songs. With a laptop and a simple program like GarageBand, anyone can create a record and self-publish it online; no record label necessary. This has drastically changed the landscape of how music is consumed. To really know what’s fresh you have to constantly be checking in with the younger community online. It’s easy to know what people my age will like because my generation came up listening to the same music, we grew up at the same time and experienced the world changing together. However, someone who has just turned 17 is living a different contextual life.

Teenagers make for great fans. They go to shows; they buy merchandise; they identify a piece of themselves in the song; they resonate with the music they listen to and they use it as an aid to get through some of the most challenging years. I have to tap into the platforms that teenagers use and spend time adjusting to how they see the world. A great way to do this is to work with young professionals, so I have a publishing company where I sign new talented writers and producers. My team nurtures their talent and helps them navigate the industry. My signees open my eyes to what younger generations care about and what they want from music. It’s a constant effort to stay in the know.

Every generation thinks their music is better but, funnily, music hasn’t changed all that much over time. It’s just repackaged and rebranded every few years. In the end my music is a compromise between what I love to make infused with something that’s current and relatable to what’s going on in the world.

How and where do you get into the right headspace to write?

Inspiration is everything to the writing process. On a good day it just flows.

On a bad one, it can be a difficult beast to wrangle because inspiration is incredibly sensitive. It folds under pressure; it hides when confronted and it disappears with any disturbance in your life. The most important thing when getting ready to create is to be honest with yourself about how you are feeling. Music is best when it is true, so I have found that it’s good to lean into whatever feelings you are having that day.

Finding balance in my life has been invaluable for recharging my creative fuel tank. New experiences and relationships open us up creatively, they break open the brain’s default neural pathways and create new ones. When music was a hobby, it was less pressure because I could pick and choose the times I was ready to write.

Today, I have multiple sessions with collaborators scheduled through the week.

It’s a job now. I have to do it even if I’m not feeling it.

I’d say the most important thing to do when writing – and perhaps as a general piece of advice – is to stay present. I put my phone away, I shut my door, and I engage with the artist or songwriter I’m working with that day. When you are present making music, you are truly in it.

Similar to a 500m sprint runner who’s just heard the starting pistol. You can’t be thinking about what your friends are doing, how your relationship is going, how well the other competitors are doing; you must focus only on what is in front of you, otherwise what you are trying to accomplish will be diluted. I fall victim to urgent text messages, incoming emails, knocks on my door all of the time. My mind will wander and I’ll start tuning out of the music I’m making, but that’s natural.

It takes discipline to stay connected and engaged. I’ve been working on managing my headspace for years now. It’s a never-ending process of checking on yourself and developing tools you can use to stay present, stay inspired and not fear failure. I recall Boris Becker famously saying he forgot about each shot he’d just taken and focused only on the next one.

What’s your relationship with your songs? Have you loved every song you have written?

My relationship with each song is different.

Some happen really quickly and some take forever and feel like an impossible task and drain all of your energy. Songs you think will be huge hits, die on the vine, and others you think won’t work become big hits. So this is a difficult question for me to answer – each song has its own life cycle.

I have not loved every song I have written.

A good story is Jealous (Nick Jonas, 2014).

It turned out to be a number one record, but I remember leaving the session the day we recorded it feeling that we had an ‘ok’ song. I look back to try to unlock what the magic was on that day. I am grateful as that song allowed me to alter and pivot to the way I hear and make music. It put me on the map and changed my career.

On the flip side, Cut To The Feeling (Carly Rae Jepsen, 2016) was a song I loved and had a really good feeling about. So I was really surprised when the record company didn’t want to put it on the album or the B side but instead it was put on sync, and was associated with a movie. However, when it came out, it did really well and I received high praise from the likes of John Mayer. Roll on to 2021 and I remember Cut To The Feeling was played at a wedding; everyone rushed to the dance floor and danced like crazy; I thought, this is what matters, not the red tape and bureaucracy.

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I am excited about the number of new artists that are getting the chance to break through the noise; I am excited to be working with them and to be at the start of their journey.

What are the high and low points of what you do?

The high point is when the song is on the radio, and you kind of get this humongous validation that everything you did was right: people text you, people rush to work with you and your bank account gets a huge bump!

However, self-confidence can be broken down by ego and pride which get bruised when you get rejected. The lows are crippling; not knowing if you are on an upward trajectory – it’s not like corporate jobs, there is no ladder to the top in music.

When you are in a low period, when you have written all these songs that haven’t gone anywhere, you get riddled with self-doubt, questioning whether you’ll ever write another successful song. It’s tough to believe in yourself, it’s the hardest thing.

The only way I get through it is by telling myself that it will only get better if I get back to work, that I need to get into the studio, that it’s a numbers game; that today is the day I can write my next big hit.

It helps because then success doesn’t seem that far away.

Most people would imagine you’d have to be an extrovert to work in music…is that how you describe yourself?

I would not describe myself as an extrovert. To my close friends I’d say I’m the loudest one of the group, but in professional circles I tend to be understated and quieter. The music industry is packed full of extroverts and A-type creatives who flaunt their idiosyncrasies.

As a producer, my job is to get the best performance out of the artist or songwriter.

A lot of times that means letting other people be the most important person in the room. If I’m the one talking the whole time, I’ll never be able to pull real content from the artist, and their brilliance will be shaded. Listening is such an important skill in songwriting. So, in short, I’m extroverted when I need to be: my job is all about getting the best from people which sometimes means mirroring their energy and, sometimes, it’s taking a backseat and just listening.

Did lockdown affected your creativity and workflow?

Lockdown definitely impacted my creativity and workflow. It’s hard to be inspired when there’s no change in routine and when there’s no in-person collaboration.

Reading people’s body language and being together at the genesis of an idea is paramount in song writing, relying on people being honest and open with each other.

COVID isolated everyone and Zoom was a huge barrier; some artists actually refused to work that way.

I was lucky because I have my own studio so I could control the number of people who entered and I actually got a lot of work from abroad too, however, this way of working impacted the energy of the process.

How has lockdown affected the music industry and how has it coped?

I think people wrote songs with slower tempo, more songs out of isolation.

On the pop side, it was more depressing style songs, with the music representing the angst, uncertainty and mental state of young people.

The industry suffered significantly, artists weren’t able to tour, which is how they make money and promote their music, and the music world went online completely for the first time ever. TikTok became the most important musical platform of 2020 and still is the biggest way to break songs.

Although not necessarily for new artists because people became fans of the song they were hearing, rather than of the person singing the song. Influencers also became more important than ever before for promoting music.

Are there any lessons you personally, and the music industry in general, will take forward after lockdown?

For sure. The biggest thing that happened is that music became a lot more democratised. It wasn’t the record executives choosing what people would hear. Instead, the public chose what they wanted to be the hits and executives had to follow suit.

Music has also become more fickle. It has become a matter of who can capture the audience in the first five seconds; people’s attention spans have gotten shorter and so songs have gotten significantly shorter.

They used to be between 3-3.5 minutes long, now it’s 2-2.5. It’s not good or bad,

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it’s just a shift. The pendulum always swings back though and, at another point, the songs will get longer.

Access to more home equipment has widened, which might mean more music coming from people creating it at home.

The music industry can sometimes be the canary in the coalmine, as it is a key element of the plunge pool of societal change. So it is usually the first entertainment business to innovate, with TikTok being a case in point because it was really the only way for artists to promote their music.

What do the next two years holds for you? What are you excited about?

I am excited about the number of new artists that are getting the chance to break through the noise; I am excited to be working with them and to be at the start of their journey. I am not trying to prove myself, what I really want to do is discover and sign and develop artists and songwriters and producers. I am looking forward to expanding my business and reuniting with artists who are ready to make new music again. I am excited for people to be able to go to live shows, I’m looking forward to seeing music being experienced in different contexts and environments.

What advice would you give to your 15-year-old self, sitting in a classroom in Sandy Lane?

Just be yourself, whoever that is and don’t let yourself succumb to peer pressure. It’s almost impossible to have a strong sense of self at such a young age, especially when there’s a hierarchy of who’s popular and who’s not. It’s easy to fit in, but it’s really hard to stand on your own two feet, especially during a time when being yourself draws a lot of attention. Other kids fear what they don’t know, all of us have insecurities. ■

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THE REEDER 2021

OR NEWS

Class Notes Enjoy reading about the exciting news and updates from ORs and former staff

Chloe Abbott (Blathwayt 1992) It has been another very exciting year for the family and work. Education Choices magazine has proven to be a very popular option for parents and schools and we are now a limited company.

degree at Exeter Penryn in International Relations and even has grown a moustache!

He is enjoying surfing and the beaches at Falmouth have kept him going throughout the pandemic.

We’ve built links and worked with both Reed’s and Ripley Court and it has been wonderful to be in touch with some of my old teachers, not to mention reconnecting with so many ORs, even featuring XULA, Tony Wild’s (Bristowe 1991) specialist face mask company.

Annabel Amodia-Bidakowska (Blathwayt 2009) I graduated from Girton College, Cambridge in July 2021, having completed my PhD ‘Disciplinary Dialogues: Examining the influence of subjects on classroom dialogue, activity type and learning outcomes in English primary schools.’

This followed on from my BSc and MA in Psychology, all brought about by my love for the subject at Reed’s!

I am delighted to have also recently published a paper, which was featured in The Guardian, looking at how fatherchild play can be linked to positive social, emotional and cognitive outcomes, impacting a child’s development.

I was honoured to be invited to join a ‘Reed’s Boys’ Facebook chat; we are attempting a reunion and look forward to it when it happens. We did agree to change the name, as I am actually a girl, to ‘Reed’s Boys and Girl’, which did cause some amusement!

(I was the only girl at Reed’s then.)

My son, Joe Barker (Blathwayt 2019), is now fast approaching the end of his

We love receiving your news and updates. Simply email snippets and those all-important photos to thereeder@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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Mike Beeley (Capel 1961) I left Reed’s in 1961 and, after a six-year spell in the banking industry, spent the next 33 years pursuing a successful career in Local Government working in various UK towns until taking early retirement in 2000.

Since 1972, I’ve lived in the beautiful historic town of Bewdley, Worcestershire, with my wonderful wife of 54 years, Sandra.

Our favourite pastime is holidaying in Europe and cruising and travelling, especially to the Moraira area of Spain.

When in the UK, and not labouring in our lovely Bewdley garden, we spread our time travelling Britain’s motorways between

Julian Boyden (Capel 1962) On 10th January 2020 in Shanghai, I met my former US history professor, his colleague and her friend; it could be described as the last day of the old world.

On the 11th, Chinese television made the first mention of a new virus disease in Wuhan. This sounded much like the short-lived SARs outbreak and caused little concern, however, it was interesting that that evening many of the major restaurants were closed. On the 14th, we moved to Su Zhou; news of virus outbreak continued but without a great sense of concern. On the 16th, we spent five days in Guilin where Chinese TV showed increased coverage of the outbreak with growing levels of concern. On the 21st, my friend and I travelled to Xi An and saw the Terra Cotta warriors. I texted my wife, Doris, saying that the outbreak did not look very serious since only 23 people had died but, that evening, the Chinese government announced that the city of Xi An, with a population of 6 million, would be closed from the next day for an indefinite period.

Urgent calls to several airlines found

Bristowe Boys Is there a collective term for a trio of ORs with their former teacher? Not sure, but what a lovely shot of Richard Garret with 1980s Bristowe boys: Jeremy Ovenden (Bristowe 1989), Marc Moreso (Bristowe 1991) and Tony Wild (Bristowe 1991) after a game of tennis at Oxshott Village Sports Club.

us on seats to Bangkok, putting us among the first COVID refugees. On landing at the old Don Mueang airport, we learned that Thailand had its first case. On the 24th, I texted my wife saying this virus was really serious, as the death rate in China had just doubled overnight! We travelled to Singapore where hygiene regulations were strictly adhered to. On 25th February, I entered the UK. There were no checks at Heathrow, little news coverage and no sign that a third of the world was fighting for its life. When I returned home to the USA the same lack of concern and lethargy prevailed.

As a prize-winning chemist who started his career in the pharmaceutical industry, I fear the virus will be with us for a very, very long time. Developing specific vaccinations against the major mutations is now underway but the financial costs will prove immense and longer lasting with even greater human costs in misery and despair.

Scotland (where son, Mark, and family live) and Hampshire (where daughter, Helen, and family live) with four grandchildren between the two families.

I last attended an OR Reunion in June 2013 and was pleased to be able to meet up with some of my contemporaries. I hope to attend many more in the years to come but would be pleased to hear from any ORs who can remember me.

Simon Bramwell I have now completed my ministerial training at Spurgeon’s College and will be ordained at New Malden Baptist Church, where I will be serving as Associate Pastor as of September.

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THE REEDER 2021

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Class Notes

Dominic Clark-Roberton (Mullens 2013) I am pleased to report that after gaining a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southampton in 2016, in July 2021, I graduated with a BSc in Dental Surgery from the University of Bristol and will commence a year of general dental practice in Snowdonia National Park in September. Thank you to all Reed’s School staff members who supported me along my journey.

Lucas Burton (Bristowe 2018) Like many others, the pandemic made half my time at university remote, so what a relief it was to have graduated this summer with a 2:1 in BSc Marketing and Management from Newcastle University.

I still remember my first day at Reed’s in The Close and walking into Mr Hart’s lab: it’s still surreal to think how far I’ve come from that day – it feels like yesterday!

networkreeds.org Larry Bush (Blathwayt 2018) Such is the bond you build with your Reed’s teachers, that when you leave they still remain supportive and connected! It was lovely to hear that, as London began to open up, Art teacher, Mark Farmer, attended an exhibition by Larry at the Square Gallery in Battersea.

 facebook.com/ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni

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Alex Corbisiero (Blathwayt 2007) It has been amazing to see how former England Rugby player and OR, Alex, has shown such great resilience in bravely undergoing treatment for cancer, whilst raising money for the British Urology Foundation. Great to see him back on form.

who was involved in a US insider dealing scandal and identified some unusual trades in Guinness which resulted in a DTI enquiry and subsequent court cases.

In 1989 I was head-hunted to lead the compliance function of a large firm of private client stockbrokers where I stayed in various roles for 14 years, spending most of the 1990s living and working in Glasgow.

Ian Cornwall (Blathwayt 1974) In response to Sharmaine’s email I thought I should provide a note for The Reeder; for those of you reading this, I hope you do not die from boredom. I left Reed’s in June 1974, inflation was running at 19.6%, the IRA had bombed the Houses of Parliament and shops had just started selling microwaves. I only took two A Levels but managed to get into Kingston ‘Poly’; Ian Stuart (Blathwayt 1972), Ade Ricks (Mullens 1972) and Richard Jefferies (Blathwayt 1975) were also at Kingston around the same time. I did an economics degree which I greatly enjoyed, graduated with a 2:1 and got a training contract with a medium sized firm of chartered accountants.

Following qualification, I joined Coopers & Lybrand where I spent five and a half years. I then joined the Surveillance Division of the London Stock Exchange, experiencing the abolition of the trading floor and the 1987 crash. I also investigated the activities of Ivan Boesky,

on various rugby tours but given the cardinal rule that ‘what happens on tour stays on tour’ I can add no further details!

I retired last October having spent the previous 14 years as Director of Regulation for a trade association which represents wealth managers, private client stockbrokers and financial advisers.

The work was technically demanding and entailed regular engagement with the UK and European regulators and various government departments. Luckily, I had a small team who were far brighter than me (not a particular high bar to reach) which meant that the quality of our technical input was carefully considered by the relevant bodies. I also spent a considerable amount of time speaking, presenting and meeting with firms across the UK.

I have been happily married to Katherine for over 30 years, we met at Cooper & Lybrand. She is also a Chartered Accountant and, before retirement, performed a number of accounting roles for a local wealthy family with an array of business interests. We have lived in West Clandon for the past 14 years about 10 minutes’ walk from the Onslow Arms which is handy. We have two daughters, who are both now living in their first homes of their own, Ellie and Francesca, who went to Guildford High School and Tormead respectively and then both went to Durham.

Ellie read Theology and then stayed on at the business school with my cheque book to do a Masters in Management specialising in HR. She is a senior people adviser, whatever that is, at Moonpig. Francesca read modern languages and speaks French, Spanish and Italian and she is Head of Marketing Events covering Europe, Middle East and Africa for Darktrace.

When I left School, a great OR, Ken Burbidge, encouraged me to join the Old Reedonians RFC (now Reeds Weybridge).

I played mainly in the 3rd XV for over a decade. The current team is at an all-time high and a wonderful time was had by many ORs at Twickenham following the clubs win of the RFU Junior Vase pre COVID. I continue to tip up to the occasional past players’ lunch which is always great fun.

Most of the times in my life when I have laughed so much my ribs hurt have been

Following my retirement, extensive travel plans have been put on hold due to COVID but trips to Greece, France, Australia and New Zealand are planned over the next 12 months. In the meantime, I have done more gardening in the past six months than the past decade. I have been a Rotarian for over 25 years and I am a member of the Bookham & Horsley Club.

I have no criminal convictions and still have my own teeth but a lot less hair.

Cheers!

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THE REEDER 2021

OR NEWS

Class Notes

Julian Ganio (Bristowe 1998) As a contributing editor and stylist, Julian’s work featured in the Financial Times How to Spend It magazine, but that’s just a snippet of what he has achieved in the fashion world this year in particular!

Roger Dipper (Blathwayt 2010) It has been great to see Roger back on stage this year in a variety of shows, but in particular the highly acclaimed production of Wonderful Town at the Opera Holland Park.

Allegra Gordon (Blathwayt 2015) We always knew that ‘Leggy’ was talented, but to get her work chosen by Grayson Perry from thousands of entries for Channel 4’s Grayson’s Art Club is just WOW!!

Olivia Hajialexandrou (Bristowe 2012) I changed career and qualified as an English Teacher; I’ll be moving to Surbiton High School this year.

Tom Hardy (Capel 1992) The speculation continues as to who will be the new Bond, with the name of our OR always on the list! Fingers crossed…

networkreeds.org  facebook.com/ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni

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Tim Henman (Blathwayt 1991) As part of his Foundation’s ‘Finding Your Spark’ camapign, it was inspiring to hear Tim talk about the impact our Founder, Andrew Reed, had on him personally, professionally and now, aligning the aims of his Tim Henman Charitable Foundation to help children who lack opportunities pursue their passions.

Chris Hawkins (Blathwayt 1962) Another quiet year, from which best to report that all is well with our family. The 1960s OR Lunch Club met again in Oxshott as soon as the restrictions ended and we have another one planned, anyone interested, please contact me. Attached is photo of three generations of the Hawkins family at the Ageas Bowl Southampton watching The Hundred game there in the summer.

Nick Hearle (Mullens 1997) I write with an amazing coincidence. Last year, we moved a couple of miles down the road to our new house near Perranporth, Cornwall. A short while after moving in I was talking to a neighbour, whose house we can see across the other side of the small valley in which we now live. As we got talking, it became clear not only did we both previously work as scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research but we also had gone to the same school, albeit more than 30 years apart!

David Lobb (Blathwayt 1963) joined Reed’s School in 1956 as a Foundationer and is the cousin of Frank Anstis, who taught physics at the time. He left in 1963, married Jan in 1966 and eventually moved back to the county of his birth, Cornwall, in 2004. Frank Anstis is now approaching his 96th birthday, and David and my father, Eric Hearle, reminisced about the many people they both knew from all those years ago. David and Jan have lived in the

peaceful valley of Cocks Hill, Perranporth for the last 15 or so years, and I find it incredible that, after all this time, another Old Reedonian has moved in not more than a hundred metres away.

I am still a GP in nearby Port Isaac and Wadebridge and my parents Eric and Barbara live not far away, are both well and are active in helping out with the kids, as well as in the local campanological

Ben Haran (Mullens 1994) Ben lent his support to Tim’s campaign, citing the Reed’s Tennis Programme as a great inspiration for him personally.

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Class Notes

John Hughes-Wilson (Mullens 1962)

Paul Kemp

I’m still in Turkish North Cyprus, in a villa between the Kyrenia mountains and the sea, along with a wife (Lynn), three cats, a pool to hide in when it gets too hot and a gardener to keep nature at bay.

To bring back some memories, here are some very familiar faces showing that our #communityforlife extends not only to former pupils, but former staff too! Many will now be on the Paul Kemp’s Instagram circulation list and able to share his posts about rambles with the likes of Paul Davies, Paul Millington, Ian Clapp and Mark Vernon.

Long may they continue.

It’s been a tricky year with hospitalisation for a lungful of blood, which all goes back to a gas chamber and 600 soldiers being instructed in gas warfare in 1967. To add insult to injury, I came back from hospital to find my computer hacked and every scrap of 25 years’ of emails ‘disappeared’.

Tanya Kelway (née Syrad) (Capel 2003)

The publication of my latest book, Eve of Destruction compensates, however. It is my 22nd book and a serious look at nuclear accidents, both admitted and concealed. Fingers crossed it will sell as well as JFK – An American Coup d’Etat, now on its seventh edition in the USA and Intelligence Blunders which, according to the CIA, was Osama bin Laden’s light bedside reading and passed the 100,000 sales this year.

#communityforlife

After leaving Reed’s in 2003, I gained a degree in Psychology and Music and then decided to follow this with a Primary PGCE. After teaching in London, Cheltenham and Gran Canaria, my husband and I were blessed with our son, Leo, who was born in 2017.

He now has a sister, little Emi. Toddlers and lockdown has been a glorious mix but, amidst the mayhem, I have managed to start my own business: Mini Memento. I now make personalised jewellery, specialising in using fingerprints, handprints, footprints and even paw prints. From my little studio in Surrey, I have made jewellery for customers from all over the world and I am greatly enjoying this new venture!

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Keith Miller (Bristowe 1951) This is being written from deep in the Somerset countryside where our ‘children’ have lived for some years and where we moved to in March 2021, following some stressful weeks negotiating the sale of our house in Crowborough in East Sussex.

Our ‘new’ house (built in about 1740 and half of a former farmhouse) is situated just outside the old village of Evercreech, between Castle Cary and Shepton Mallet.

Much neglected for years, we have lots of rebuilding and many improvements to organise. Unfortunately, it will be some time yet before we can offer guests a bed for the night.

Oliver & Alexander Kent-Braham (Mullens 2010) Anyone who reads the financial press, could not have missed the dozens of reports about our two ORs. In a competitive market, Oliver and Alexander found substantial funding for their start-up, fintech company, Marshmallow. As with many great business ideas, the premise for Marshmallow was borne out of a question posed by a friend: how do you find reasonably priced insurance if you don’t tick all the boxes? With their self-professed love for technology, the Kent-Brahams reinvented one of the most traditional areas of finance - insurance.

The company’s aim is to provide equal access for everyday services to everyone, regardless of status. In just two years, Marshmallow has gained over 100,000 customers and reached unicorn status – meaning it was valued at US$1bn (£727m) – making it the UK’s second black-founded unicorn firm.

I moved to Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry ending up as acting Chief Electrician. From 1985-1991, I was the Production Manager for the Tic Toc Theatre Company in Coventry who ran performance spaces at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival each year. The company also produced award-winning touring theatre shows and ran their own alternative comedy club in Coventry.

John Laidlaw MBE (Bristowe 1974) After Reed’s, I went on to study Estate Management, Geomorphology and Archaeology at Reading University, however, my love of student theatre led me to work as a stage manager, first at Butlins (Filey) and then at the De la Warr Pavilion in East Sussex.

In 1992, I led a performing arts rural touring scheme in Warwickshire, ultimately becoming Executive Director of Live & Local which is now the largest Rural Touring network within the UK. In a volunteer capacity, I served as Chair of the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) until July 2017. Through my work on this Board and as Director of Live & Local, I’ve helped to bring professional art to under-served rural communities in every

corner of the UK, as well as assisting other countries – including Australia and New Zealand – to develop their rural touring networks. I was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the arts, receiving the award at an investiture at Buckingham Place in January 2020.

I have memories of knocking together a set for a house play for John Osborne’s Luther at the back of Bristowe. The then housemaster took a dim view of the mess!

However, I was given the space to explore my interest and I think that my house colours were awarded as a result.

I was initially flabbergasted about the MBE, and then honoured, and then hugely grateful to all the people and places who had supported my journey.

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Sean Murray (Capel 1963) In May of this extraordinary year I turned 75 and at the end of 2020, out of the blue, I was invited to join a ‘junior’ Australian mining company as their non-executive chairman. This was a new venture in Serbia exploring for lithium/borates, copper/gold and zinc/lead/silver bearing minerals. The company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 14 July. I spent eight days in Serbia at the end of June to meet the CEO (who had flown out from Perth), local geologists and the Serbian State Secretary for Mining and Energy; it was an invigorating experience and my first trip outside the UK since lockdown.

Ron Obbard (Mullens 1969) & Chris Simmonds (Blathwayt 1968)

Harry Mason (Blathwayt 2018) After graduating from Lincoln university with a 2:1, I movied to Naples in Italy to teach English at schools, hotels and businesses along with work as a translator for scientific papers.

I was delighted to have met up with Chris Simmonds (Blathwayt 1968) when he was over from St Angus in the Scilly Isles, where he lives with his wife Louise, to visit their son in Brighton who was about to have a second baby. They came for one night but, because of late baby arrival and bad weather for crossing, they stayed four! Everyone was on very good form and so lovely to see them on the mainland at long last.

Tim Mather (Blathwayt 1995) I am still living and working down on the south coast for Sussex Police in Chichester.

Loving every minute of life away from London. The last year has seen our family grow with little Tristan born on the 27th December. Family life is amazing and a wedding is next on the list.

One of my other highlights of the year was the discovery of an almost deserted shingle beach east of Selsey on the south coast where I got one month closer to achieving my ambition to swim in the English Channel without a wetsuit every month of the year. I have now managed eight, just missing the worst months of November, December, January and February. I think an experience at Reed’s in April 1961 prepared me psychologically for this when the open-air pool, which had been originally dug out by the boys, was opened for the summer term. We took a dip when the water temperature was 44F = 7.5 C. At Selsey in March, the sea temperature was 8C. The past foretells the future and Reed’s is ever present.

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Mike Ransome (Mullens1968) I saw the road to riches in the world of accountancy and took Articles with the eminent firm of Thomson McLintock.

Five years later, a switch to tax beckoned, initially with KPMG and then, latterly, with a move into the commercial world with John Swire & Co. I married Yasmin in 1979 and we have three daughters, and four grandchildren. One daughter is a physiotherapist, following in her mother’s footsteps; a second is an A&E doctor; the third is a linguist. My adventures, all for charity, have included scaling Kilimanjaro and running the London Marathon, 2013-19. I’m also still in touch with Mike Dewing (Bristowe1968).

Nick Patterson (Bristowe 2004)

Zeid Raad Al Hussein (Capel 1981)

I live happily with my wife and two young boys in Cobham and am still in touch with lots of other ORs.

Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders are an esteemed group of independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

They include members such as Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon and our own Zeid.

As a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and current President of the International Peace Institute, Zeid took part in The Elders State of Hope lecture series focusing on the global fight to defend and promote human rights in the face of growing authoritarianism.

In June 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I took the plunge to set up my own company, Properly, and am now enjoying the second year of running the business. Properly is an office search consultancy based in London with a focus on finding flexible office space.

We help businesses find their place in the world by combining powerful tech with a human touch. We make it easy for firms to find the right flexible solution at the right time and the right price.

Giving back is also an important part of our ethos and we are aware of the profound impact that businesses like Properly can have. In 2020 Properly made a pledge that every completed transaction will lead to a donation to Street Child, to provide classroom desks and chairs to schools in Africa. In May 2021 Properly were able to donate enough money to completely furnish the The Agnes Thompson Public School in Liberia, giving the children immediate access to a better learning environment.

I would love for anyone to get in touch either for professional reasons or just to say hello: np@weareproperly.com

Jack Revell (Mullens 2008) In March, I ran 100km around London in 12 hours to raise money for mental health as a result of the pandemic, all while hosting a room on the app, Clubhouse, where people around the world come together to talk, listen and learn from each other in real-time. In total, £2522 was raised for MIND.

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Simon Sherwood (Blathwayt 1972) During the most serious and depressing part of lockdown, we managed to spend time away from the UK, mostly in the Caribbean. As business owners in Antigua, we were able to travel on empty aircraft when so many people had to tough it out in the bleak English winter. So, it hasn’t been too bad for us.

Our daughter had a baby, our first grandchild, so we’ve also spent a good amount of time in Switzerland, where they live. Lots of business interests to keep my brain functioning including being invited to be Chairman of a very interesting PR/ Advertising start up (BoldSpace) which has had an astonishingly good first year, despite all the madness!

Geoff Scales (Bristowe 1959) I moved back to the UK in March, ostensibly to be nearer more of the grandchildren, eight in the UK and three in the Paris region with a great grandchild due in January 2022!

I am already missing the weather, French bread and wine and the French health system; I could see my doctor anytime I wished in France, not seen one here since arriving, just a phone consultation.

The photo is me with one of my 11 grandchildren taken last year at my home in France.

Most photos of me are on or near a bike (I was the Norton Owners Club France Secretary for 21 years!).

Fred Shepherd (Bristowe 2016) BlueDiamond Pumps Ltd is a family business for which I run new business development. We are currently developing a refrigeration condensate solution to replace the existing and very energy inefficient systems.

I’ve led a team through a research, design and prototyping operation which has resulted in a fully patented solution, and we’re now looking to push on with our first

mass production batch having been delivered to our USA facility. Our new system results in a huge energy cost saving and, as such, a significantly reduced carbon footprint per fridge. We’re working with several of the largest US superstores as well as numerous gas stations in the sampling and pre-production stage of the product.

If the new product goes as planned and is adopted by such large brands, we would estimate there to be in the region of 10-15 million tonnes of CO2 reduction per year from the US market by 2030. My personal goal is to push for the offset of a billion trees-worth across the US and European market. A big dream maybe, but you have to shoot for the stars right?!

Alex Stacey (née Kemp) (Capel 2005) I am still living in Walton-on-Thames with my husband Gavin, who ran the astronomy club at Reed’s, and our three boys William, Jack and George. We had a tough few months, during which we lost mum to cancer, and Gavin was hospitalised with COVID. However, the most joyous moment came when I gave birth to my first surrogate baby, Luna. Luna’s parents had lost their previous baby at 37 weeks and were unable to have another without a surrogate, which is where I stepped in.

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Tony Stocken (Blathwayt 1976) I emigrated to Australia in 1990. In 2001, I was watching a hockey game at the Olympic site in Homebush (south of Sydney) and a motorbike helmeted person shouted out: “Hello Stocken, how you going?”. I did not recognise the voice but when he removed his helmet, I instantly recognised my Reed’s classmate, Douglas Smyth (Bristowe 1976), who I had last seen 25 years before.

At Reed’s, we were in the same year, had some classes in common and played for the School tennis team together. Meeting in this way was a remarkable coincidence but in the ensuing 15 minutes conversation, we not only discovered that we lived in the same small village in the northern beaches of Sydney, but our children were at the same primary school!

Since that meeting and roll on many family barbecues and beers later, Dougie and I have become the best of friends, as have our wives and children. Over the last 20 years, we have also played men’s tennis doubles for the local club, played in the local soccer side, the Rusty Nails, and been on many mountain biking adventures together! Call it fate or coincidence, we look forward to many more fun times ahead, and welcome contact from any other ORs who are living near or in Allambie Heights.

As part of the organisation SUK, I was able to help them achieve their dream of having a family and am now hoping to do this again in the next few months for another couple.

Daniel Stent (Capel 2004) I moved back to Surrey in the summer of 2020 as I was appointed Vice Principal of Fullbrook School, in charge of student conduct and pastoral care. The school has undergone some major changes leading to great success despite an especially challenging year.

My wife Lauren and I also welcomed our second son Jackson in February.

Toby Tarrant (Blathwayt 2010) Always with their fingers on the pulse, our Reed’s Cricket gurus spotted 2010 cricket captain, Toby, in the March edition of premier cricket magazine, The Cricketer, talking about his new podcast #zeroducksgiven.

And if anyone doubted Mr Tarrant’s passion for the game or, indeed, his captaincy, here’s the photo to prove it!

#communityforlife

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Class Notes

Chris Tong (Capel 1991) I’m married with two children and now living just a stone’s throw from Reed’s.

In December of last year, I started a new role as Chief Marketing Officer at the Bike Club, a pay monthly kids bike subscription service. In August of this year, my team and I had two action-packed days back at Reed’s creating video and photography content around the Bike Club members which was great.

Bruce Taylor (Blathwayt 1966) I continue to live with my Spanish wife, Mary Carmen, in the cultural heart of Madrid, a stone´s throw from The Prado.

I’m now in my 6th year as President of the Senior Student & Alumni Association at Madrid’s famous Jesuit University, Universidad Pontificia Comillas-ICADE-ICAI (somewhat unusual for a Reed’s-educated Anglican!).

Previous to this role, I worked as a marketing consultant for the likes of O2, England Rugby, Gray Nicholls and a number of other top sports brands. One particular highlight was organising a national tour to encourage more adults to play touch rugby with Jonny Wilkinson as its star ambassador. From April 2008 to the end of 2012, I was Head of Sport and Events at Red Bull, working with a team responsible

for some huge events including Red Bull X-Fighters – a freestyle motocross event at Battersea Power Station - and the Cliff Diving World Series, which I brought to the UK for the very first time. We were also tasked with creating unique projects around the brand’s elite athletes including Freddie Flintoff, Mark Webber, Jamie Roberts, Danny MacAskill and Dai Greene.

One such project was an F1 pitstop in Parliament Square.

Away from work, I still love to play hockey and joined Old Cranleighians in 2016, playing for their over 40s Masters team.

This year we won the National Plate Final after narrowly losing in the National Cup Final last year. On Sunday mornings, I also coach the Junior Teams where both my children are showing promising signs of enjoying the sport as much as I do.

I work as hard as I did before retirement and am also responsible for all the Association’s communication (in Spanish learnt at Reed’s) which has been particularly challenging during the pandemic; keeping people’s spirits up while classes moved online with the subsequent loss of that precious personal contact, one of the main motivators for going back to university as a senior student. Luckily on the communication front, I have a good proof-reader at home!

The Totnes Boys!

So lovely to receive a photo of the ‘lads’ at a recent reunion, hosted by John & Daphne Rogers. Left to right: Bill Collins (Bristowe 1948), John Rogers (Bristowe 1946), Ralph Pomphrey (Capel 1948), Bill Pickering (Blathwayt 1947) and Ivor Nash (Bristowe 1948).

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Georgina Trestler (née Alexander) (Bristowe 2003) I live and work in south east London with my husband and two sons. After I left Reed’s (where I enjoyed studying Art, Economics, History and English at A Level), I worked for a shoe designer in Italy and London, then went on to study BA History of Art at UCL. Once I graduated, I worked in brand extension for the Victoria & Albert Museum for five years. I then launched my design company ‘Georgina Trestler Illustration’ in 2014 whilst completing an MA in Communication Design at Central

St Martin’s, as well as running creativity workshops at The Wallace Collection and The British Museum.

My current clients include the property company PThree, candle brand Grey Gate Candles, various restaurants and jewellery brand, A Short Story, who I also exhibited with at Stylist Live to name a few. My business covers branding and illustration, and I also sell my prints via Trouva and other stockists. Another facet of my business supports other artists and designers as I buy and sell art to be hung

Alex Tenenbaum (Blathwayt 2015)

Alex Truelove (Blathwayt 2013)

I moved back to London from LA having attended university in Connecticut, and completed a Masters in Digital Anthropology at UCL. I now work as an Investment Analyst at SGCM LLP with responsibility for the crypto-currency division.

Having spent some amazing years back at Reed’s as the SSI for the CCF, I moved to St Dunstan’s College to take on a similar role of SSI in June 2019. In December 2019, I moved to The City of London Freemen’s School to become the Contingent Commander of their CCF. Three months in and the first lockdown hit with virtual training on Teams, so it was great to still interact with them. I was re-rolled to conduct lateral flow testing for key workers for three months in 2021, but are now getting back to normal.

The most exciting news for me, however, is that I became an uncle in June to my Nephew, Miller.

on walls in homes and restaurants.

I recently completed a gallery wall for a residential interiors project in Clapham and delivered a wall of art for a new London restaurant called ‘Tai’.

I can consult/deliver art in person in London and Surrey or via Zoom and courier. I’m also happy to hear from artists who are looking to sell their work, currently on my roster are graduates from the Princes Drawing School, Camberwell, St Martin’s and Brighton Art School.

We love receiving your news and updates. Simply email snippets and all important photos to thereeder@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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Class Notes

Matt Ussher (Mullens 2020) Whilst settling in at Exeter University, I decided to take on the enormous challenge of running 60 kms per week for four weeks to raise money for the National Autistic Society, a charity close to my heart.

the year being mine, immediately putting the qualification ‘suitable’ into question.

I was sad to see the report of the death of Rev Challis which reminded me of his last greeting: “Ah, David. Still a heathen”.

Despite that accurate inference, I have enjoyed the ‘webcasts’ provided by Reed’s during the year including those from Chapel! I continue to be impressed by how much the School is doing both by way of keeping to the usual as much as possible, as well as the unusual, extra miles indeed.

Hans Ulrik von Bulow (Mullens 1989) After 22 years of working for Audi in Ingolstadt, Germany, in February 2017, I moved to Mexico for two years to work at the brand new Audi Mexico factory. Upon my return to Germany in March 2019, I transitioned to Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. In September 2020 I celebrated my quarter century working for the VW Group; 25 years of mostly ups with very few downs.

My wife and I now live near Braunschweig in Lower Saxony.

David Varley (Blathwayt 1969) The low population density and a strictly policed border on the Isle of Man has allowed our governors easier success in ‘virus management’.

My annual March blow-out in London was again cancelled but, between freedoms, we took to Peter Verstage’s (Capel 1965) zoom calls for Friday cocktails. The continued strange times shook a few more ‘long silent’ friends into emailing, some even with threats of visits when allowed.

These were mainly from my times at sea and ashore in Glasgow rather than from Reed’s but Mark Buxton (Bristowe 1969) and Ian Carmichael (Blathwayt 1969) remain occasional correspondents.

I continue with my interest in the marine industry and remnants of the Merchant Navy, remaining a committeeman of the local Joint Branch of RINA/IMarEST. As our border restrictions prevented visiting speakers, we have been recruiting suitable locals to give us presentations. The first of

Chuggs Wallis (Bristowe 2016)

Peter Verstage (Capel 1965) We’ve been comparatively unaffected by the lockdown here in the Isle of Man, but at the expense of our movements off the island being severely curtailed by the closure of the border until July. But I did manage a glamping trip to Lemnos for what was to be a week of kitesurfing; unfortunately, there was a 36 degree heatwave and no wind.

As can be read above, I still see David Varley (Blathwayt 1969) on a weekly basis, but my croquet skills are such that I decline his invitations to go and play as I think I’m a bit of an embarrassment.

If anyone happens to be passing through the Isle of Man, I’d be happy to hear from them.

Probably one of the best kept secrets, it came as a surprise to see Chuggs on our screens as one of the Love Island contestants in the summer. Chuggs certainly held his own and got some great exposure for his Booby Buckets business; very clever!

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Guy Warwick (Blathwayt 1968) On a grey late August morning last year in Puy en Velay, south France, my wife – Chantal – and I finally set off on our back-packing walk of 1700 km along the Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago de Compostella (north-western tip of Spain). We enjoyed picturesque villages and wonderful scenery of rolling hills and fields on the French leg of the journey, up and over the Pyrenees. Things got slightly more complicated on the Spanish side due to COVID restrictions but, luckily, we had reserved our accommodation in advance, often being the only guests being hosted by proprietors who were always friendly and helpful.

Initially, the scenery along the route was a bit monotonous with very little shade but fortunately the October sunshine was timid. As we neared our goal, the

countryside became more interesting with hills and valleys and remote granitic villages. In many ways, the restrictions were a blessing in disguise as there were fewer pilgrims than usual which helped us to forge stronger friendships. On the downside, we often passed through deserted villages where everything was closed (grocers, cafés, churches) so, when we found somewhere open, we stocked up. We were practically alone on the square in front of the Cathedral when we arrived after 72 days walking – in ‘normal’ times, it is packed solid with pilgrims.

In all an amazing experience and challenge which we were thrilled to complete. The whole adventure brought out the best in people, at times when we were in a bit of a fix there always seemed to be someone to give us a helping hand. We still can’t quite believe that we did it and will definitely take to the road again!

Robert Wilmot (Bristowe 1969)

Nathalie Webb (Bristowe 2002) I married former Reed’s DT teacher, Tom Webb, in 2011 and we lived together on the school campus until the summer of 2019, at which point I left my role as matron at St John’s Leatherhead and Tom and I moved to take up a position at Gordon’s School (co-ed boarding school) in West End, Woking. We are now Housemaster and Housemistress of a senior boys’ boarding house where we share our life with 65 teenage boys, as well as our own two children Charlie (9) and Hector (6) who attend Hall Grove School!

I also head up the service and volunteering programme at Gordon’s working closely with all year groups. I still work on my website This Surrey Mummy which has enabled me to have some wonderful experiences with the family.

It’s been quite a memorable year thus far!

My first grandson, Hugo, was born on 12th January – two days before my 70th birthday and my full knee replacement finally went ahead on 12th March. This was 56 years after I was allowed to walk through the front door at Reed’s because I wore a calliper after my condition of Osteochondritis dissecans was diagnosed!

Apart from that I have enjoyed reestablishing contact with Mark Buxton (also Bristowe 1969) with whom I spent a very enjoyable and memorable summer working on a farm in Norway in 1969!

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Class Notes

Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975) COVID has been a challenge for everyone, but many/most appear to have adjusted to a new rhythm of life and my wife, Judy, and I are no different. We have been lucky to see our youngest two grandsons on a regular basis but have only managed fleetingly to catch up with our oldest two as they live further away. This year is our 40th Wedding Anniversary and the hope is we can all get together for one day in the summer.

We love receiving your news and updates. Simply email snippets and all important photos to thereeder@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

I have been fortunate to be able to spend time researching aspects of the School’s history for eventual inclusion on the Heritage website. I know such things are not for everyone, but I find the events, places and especially people from the School’s past to be very interesting.

Our heritage is the glue that binds all the generations of Reedonians together and their stories show no sign of petering out so far! Other than that, my garden is looking fairly good with all the attention

it has been getting and I watched the Euro 2020 football avidly. My team (Tottenham) continue to test my levels of joy and despair in equal measure and whilst I keep threatening I will change allegiance and support someone like Wycombe Wanderers, it will never happen!

Finally, it seems that the pandemic has spawned a great many words and phrases which hitherto had rarely, if ever, been in our everyday language but given our current circumstances here are just a few that struck me in no particular order: working from home – jab – double jab – ramped up – bubble – do whatever it takes – social distancing – face masks – pinged by the NHS App – isolation – next slide please – lockdown – traffic light system – mental health – asymptomatic.

Nil desperandum!

(Note from Editor: think you may have missed one Andy: ‘you’re on mute’!

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Luke Wheeler (Capel 2016) All those opportunities to take part in School Debating Society discussions, House talks, Chapel addresses and various public speaking engagements at School really came into their own as Luke took part in a Royal National SpringBoard webinar in the presence of the charity’s Patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

Peter Yates (Capel 1968) I am a playwright and have been involved in all aspects of theatre, including teaching and critic. I’ve been a cricket writer and was recently in Uganda, coaching cricket in schools and raising awareness of HIV with the charity Cricket Without Boundaries.

I’m married to Rosemary, a musician, and have a son, Dominic, who grew up working with his Dad on many theatre and music projects and is now an Events Producer.

Our daughter, Lucy, who lives in Portland, Oregon, is the former UK U23 800m champion and won the 4 x 4 relay at the New York Diamond League in 2015.

Paul Whelan (Bristowe 1968) After Reed’s, I found I had to give up my preferred profession of circus performer and worked as a computer nerd and remain a computer nerd (but much nearer retirement). My love of hockey and cricket left me with a shortage of front teeth but a wealth of friends and partly forgotten anecdotes.

Along the way I met and married Jill; we have two children Maria, soon to be married, and George who fits in a bit of work between trekking.

Interestingly, Dominic lives in Watford and you can spot the old Reed’s building – The Orphanage - from his garden.

Do get a copy of the excellent 150 Year Anniversary brochure put together by Sharmaine Mathews and Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975) if you haven’t seen it yet.

networkreeds.org  facebook.com/ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni  @ReedsAlumni

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CONGRATULATIONS & CELEBRATIONS Matt Armstrong (Capel 2007) Delighted to introduce Elodie Lily Armstrong, born on 19th August 2021, weighing 8lb 7oz. Mum and baby both doing very well and we are looking forward to the next chapter as a family of three!

Delighted to share the happiness and joy of our ORs

Toby Ashbee (Capel 2005) Miles Ashbee was born on 10th September 2020 in St George’s Hospital, Tooting weighing 8lbs 3oz. A very happy and healthy baby, and the first of the next generation in the Ashbee family which Rebekah and I are delighted about.

To share your good news, email Sharmaine at: smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

Jonathan Edwards (Capel 2012) & Emma Rich (Mullens 2013) We got married on 17th July 2021 in Braunston, Northamptonshire. Andrew Clarke (Capel 2012) was our photographer and Max Horn (Capel 2013) was in attendance as a bridesmaid. As some may recall, Emma and I first met at Reed’s; we both had the same boarding scholarship via the Smallpeice Trust in Maths and Physics, a year apart.

Sam Brandon (Capel 2008) On 21st August, I married Emilie at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne with a host of ORs present: Ali Rowley, Jony Pool, Charlie Broadbent, Joe Carvahlo, Will Hitchcock, Chris Rowley, Scarlett Rowley, Jake Ramsden, Ashanti George-Faure, Nick Hodson, Charlie Lansdale and Harry Balfour was photographer!

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Michael Kemp (Capel 2009) On Saturday, 24th July, Gabriella and I got married at Hartsfield Manor in Betchworth, a special place in our hearts as it is where we celebrated Mum’s 60th and final birthday bash before she sadly passed away.

It was the perfect celebration with Mum even doing her work to ensure the forecasted thunderstorms missed us and sent us sunshine instead. Obviously, Dad acted as our minute-byminute weatherman, keeping us updated on the skies above. We had a magical day and felt so fortunate to be able to spend it with all our loved ones and friends.

The Reed’s contingent present were: Paul Kemp, Alex Stacey (of course!), Will Clapp, Harry Robinson, Rob McManus, Alex Robinson, Ian and Clare Clapp, Becky Mills and her husband Andrew.

Unfortunately, our honeymoon in the Maldives has had to be postponed but we managed to spend a week in Somerset. Otherwise, it was back to our new home in Horsham for the summer before returning to work as teachers. Gabriella teaches Year 6 in a primary school in Whyteleafe and I teach Year 3 in a prep school in Oxted.

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Congratulations & Celebrations

Barbara la Gro-Dufourné (Mullens 2004) What a year it has been. Luckily, we had something to look forward to during the COVID pandemic. On 16th May 2021, we welcomed a baby boy, James, into our family, making both Josephine and Liselotte big sisters!

We still live in Nuenen, The Netherlands, where I work at Jibe, an e-business solutions company as Scale Up & Operations Manager, and my husband, Laurens, is in his final months of MD Radiology specialisation.

Very much hoping to show the girls, and James, Reed’s soon!

Matt Plummer (Blathwayt 2001) In July 2021 my wife and I welcomed our second child, Frankie Jett Plummer, into our family. He joins his older sister Everly Belle Plummer. Very happy to share this precious news with you all as my Reed’s school days also hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for reading, Matt.

Matthew Rose (Capel 2008) In September 2019 I married Irina. It was a very Reed’s wedding with best men Chris Markham (Mullens 2006) and James Thomas (Blathwayt 2008), and the reception just down the road in Stoke D’Abernon. We were very lucky to get married before lockdown!

Jerry Syms (née Ross) (Mullens 2008] & Jack Syms (Blathwayt 2007), Bobbie Broadbent (née Syms) (Mullens 2009) & Jack Broadbent We are delighted to introduce cousins Rae Florence Broadbent and Kit William Syms, born eight and a half weeks apart: 16th March 2021 and 15th May 2021 respectively. Interesting that both dads are called Jack!

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Katie Lock (née Skilton) (Mullens 2008) On Saturday 7th August, I married Michael at The Hurlingham Club in Fulham.

ORs present were Annie Ward, Jerry Syms, Joscelin Erskine-Thomas, Sophie Alexander - all my bridesmaids! Also, Nick Hodson & Toby Humphreys joined us in the evening with their partners.

To share your good news, email Sharmaine at: smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

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Congratulations & Celebrations

Peter Verstage (Capel 1965) On on a cruise around Sicily, I got engaged to Olga Stone whilst we were in Syracuse.

The wedding will be held in Peel Cathedral on the Isle of Man on 9th April 2022.

Annie Ward (Mullens 2008) Tim and I had a baby girl: Nina Grace Ward, born 26th November 2020.

Not exactly the start we’d expected with lockdown, but we’re all doing really well!

Matt Whittle (Capel 2001) On 9th July 2021, we were delighted to welcome our daughter, Connie Jean Victoria, into the world. Our other child, Oliver, is proving (so far!) to be a very kind and caring older brother. I continue to teach PE and sport across a couple of primary schools and coach tennis part time at a local community club.

Tom Woolston (Blathwayt 2006) & Tasha Woolston-Banks (Blathwayt 2007) Delighted by the safe arrival of Axzel Lux Woolston-Banks who was born on March 1st at 00.34am, weighing 5lb 13oz. It’s been lovely for Tom and Charlie Magoye (Mullens 2006) to become dads together.

Ben Warwick (Bristowe 1992) Delighted to announce that I married Emilia Williams in July 2021. Reed’s boys present at the wedding were: Tom Nichols, James Parkins and Rupert Ruding-Bryan. The various stages of the Bond-themed stag event(s) included surprise appearances by Nathan Close, Chris Clarke and Richard Garrett who was commissioned to unexpectedly accost me in the National Gallery.

I also completed filming Season 5 of Netflix’s The Crown in which I have major guest role and was delighted to be asked to voice-over the anniversary film, This Place Called Cobham.

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OR SPORT A quick round-up of some of the amazing achievements of our ORs.

OR GOLF OR Golf Society May 2021 In between lockdowns, we managed to get one OR Golf Society Day in this year, kindly hosted by John Armstrong (Blathwayt 1979) at Verulam Golf Club in May. A good turn out from across the decades: John Armstrong (Blathwayt 1979), Marcus Baker (Mullens 1980), Jack Bownes (Mullens 2013), Adam Jones (Mullens 1977), Alex Keefe (Blathwayt 2011), James Manning (Mullens 2013), Nick Meldram (Blathwayt 2013), Ed Peters (Bristowe 1979), George Peters (Bristowe 2012), Charlie Saunders (Bristowe 2013), Jeremy Sherwood (Blathwayt 1975), Nigel Taunt (Mullens 1971) and Nic Yellowlees (Capel 1975).

Grafton Morrish October 2021 #TeamReeds started well in the Grafton Morrish two-day, match play Finals beating Canford 2-1. They went on to win against Woodbridge 2-1 but, sadly, their journey ended in the quarter finals losing 2-1 to Marlborough in the pouring rain.

Thanks to a great team who gave up a weekend to represent Old Reedonians: Josh Lawson (Mullens 2012), Angus Lewis (Mullens 2014), Stuart Robinson (Capel 2002), James Davey (Bristowe 1996), Adam Lawson (Mullens 2012) and Stephen Hobson (Bristowe 2013) (in order of picture).

James Morrison (Mullens 2003) November 2021 James shot a fabulous 63 (-8) in the European Tour at Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus in November 2020 and went on to have a great year, competing in a huge range of competitions, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Austrian Open and the BMW International Open.

More great things to come!

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CRICKET

Precision Golf Ltd (sponsor of Reed’s Golf Academy) We are immensely grateful to James Davey (Bristowe 1996) and his company, Precision Golf Ltd (PGL), for sponsoring the Reed’s Golf Academy, helping to ensure that the next generation of OR golfers is nurtured. The Reed’s squad proudly sport the PGL logo on their kit and very kindly use the PGL state-of-theart indoor golf performance studio in Weybridge for their winter training.

Dan Douthwaite (Capel 2015) It was great to read Dan’s interview in The Cricketer about living the dream and his re-signing with Glamorgan for another great season. As the Club’s leading wicket-taker during the 2021 T20 Blast with 15 victims at an average of 19.6 and an economy rate of 8.48, as well as averaging 20 with the bat at an impressive strike-rate of 153 runs per 100 balls, it was no wonder that he got called-up to join the Manchester Originals to play in the new format, The Hundred.

Chuck Adolphy (Blathwayt 2015) As a Content Producer at The Barmy Army, it is no wonder that we see Chuck at all the big games, but the Sussex v Glamorgan T20 match in the summer was a special one!

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THE REEDER 2021

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OR HOCKEY Catherine Ledesma (Mullens 2017) and Ymkje van Slooten (Bristowe 2002) Not only did OR, Catherine, make her England Hockey debut in the Euro Hockey Championships, but she had the confidence to score a goal, adding to the 4-0 win over Italy.

However, how’s this for a coincidence… fellow OR, Ymkje van Slooten (Bristowe 2002) was at the same tournament as a Euro umpire (but they sadly did not meet), proving that our ORs get everywhere!

Sophie Newton (Capel 2014) and Meg Dowthwaite (Capel 2016) Great to see not one, but two ORs, feature in top tier, Surbiton Hockey Club magazine.

In awe of Sophie taking on an Ironman to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young and delighted that Meg continues to share all her skill and talent to develop the next generation of top hockey players.

Marcus Jones (Capel 2019) Following in the footsteps of some illustrious ORs, we were delighted for Marcus and his Cambridge Uni HC team members on their win in the JMAN Group Varsity Hockey Match this year. What a great way to gain his Blue, perhaps on a par with winning the U18 Nationals during his time at School!

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TENNIS Jack Draper (Bristowe 2020) What a year for Jack! As if making it to the quarter finals of Queen’s (facing Cameron Norrie) wasn’t enough, he then went on to be drawn against Novak Djokovic in the first round of Wimbledon, taking the first set off the World No.1 and setting the tennis world alight!

As tennis legend, Boris Becker, put it, ‘a heroic and inspiring performance by Draper’, making us look forward to seeing what he goes on to achieve in 2022. #GoJack

Evan Hoyt (Blathwayt 2013) It was wonderful to see and read the fascinating article in The Times & Sunday Times featuring Evan who has shown such great resilience and strength of character in coming back from injury to pursue his dreams as well as juggling the financial demands of being on tour. We wish him continued success.

Tim Henman (Blathwayt 1991) Tim, once again, was a key commentator on all the Grand Slam tennis championships covered by both television and radio over the year. It is his first-hand knowledge combined with a deep sense of respect for the game and players, that shines through and is probably the reason why UK No 1, Emma Raducanu, acknowledged him so warmly after her US Open win.

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THE REEDER 2021

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OR RUGBY Jack Kenningham (Bristowe 2018) Across this year’s rugby season, we’ve seen Jack go from earning a well-deserved start for Harlequins Rugby to him being an integral part of the team, often recognised for helping them to win the Premiership. But somebody else must have had their eye on him too, as in September 2021, Jack was called up to the senior England squad. A meteoric rise to fame driven by his passion and determination.

Reeds Weybridge RFC This community-based Club, based at Whiteley Village, goes from strength to strength at every level, with current and past pupils as members, both on and off the pitch. If you are interested in finding out more, visit their website: reedsweybridgerfc.co.uk

#TheHitSquad There’ll be several familiar faces in this line-up of the Reed’s coaching team still putting pupils through their paces to be the best they can, whilst staying safe and having fun! Who do you recognise ORs?

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Live.Love.Bleed.

RUGBY Casual apparel for the more discerning rugby fan

L I V E L O V e B L E E D R U G B Y. C O M

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THE REEDER 2021

OR NEWS

VALETE CLASS OF 2021 Even though it is sad to see them leave School, we welcomed our 2020 leavers into the ever-growing OR community, with this message…

“Every one of you deserve enormous credit for the way in which you acquitted yourselves, in such exceptional circumstances, during the course of your last two years of study. You showed resilience, compassion and independence throughout the significant challenges faced during the pandemic. We wish you good luck, good wishes and good health in all you do to make this world a better place in the future! Believe it or not, when you look back in years to come at the photo, you will remember it as one of the best times of your life, a time of expanding horizons when the world feels full of possibility. So, enjoy the journey, go on to have big dreams and big ambitions, and please carry a piece of Reed’s with you.”

Class of 2021 Lower Sixth photo (sadly, no Upper Sixth version taken due to COVID)

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THE REEDER 2021

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2021 Leavers’ destinations Adam Afzal King’s College London, University of London Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Yusuf Ali University of Bristol Aerospace Engineering James Allen University of Exeter English Amaan Arif University of Warwick Modern Languages and Economics

Callum Cobb University of Manchester History

Henry Farmer Nottingham Trent University Architecture

Charlie Hancock University of Cambridge Geography

Charlotte Cole University of Exeter English

Peter Faulks University of Nottingham Geography

Louie Cole Nottingham Trent University Business

Phoebe Fennell University of Leeds Art and Design

Ben Hart King’s College London, University of London Biomedical Science

Ethan Cox University of Nottingham Medicine

Edmund Fortescue University of Bristol Mathematics with Modern Languages

Olivia Ballard Cardiff University Civil and Environmental Engineering

Simone Crawford-Brunt University of Nottingham Architecture and Environmental Design

Maya Barton University of Exeter Marketing and Management

Joshua Craze University of Warwick History and Politics

Chloe Gaisie University of Manchester Law

Amani Bates University of Manchester Drama and English Literature

Sasha Creese GAP year

Matthew Garner University of Nottingham Economics

Charlie Behan University of Birmingham Law with Business Studies Emily Bell Durham University Finance Myles Billington University of Leeds Music with Enterprise Luke Bloom University of Bath Computer Science Toby Bradbury University of Leeds Environment and Business Liam Bryan Bristol, University of the West of England Business and Management Molly Burns University of Birmingham Geography Bradley Carty University of Southampton Geography Marcus Cheung University of Sheffield General Engineering Jessica Clay University of Liverpool Communication and Media

Rosie Dalton Durham University Psychology Louis Davies Lancaster University History Rafaella de Pommes GAP year Victor Doublet University of Nottingham Architecture and Environmental Design Kiki Douwes University of Bath Biomedical Sciences Mack Downey University of Bath Management with Marketing

Christian Gadd University of Liverpool Business Management

Joshua Garner Loughborough University Finance and Management Elizabeth Gelder University of Leeds Asia Pacific Studies Christian Giardina Royal Holloway, University of London Business and Management Oscar Gleghorn University of Bristol Biomedical Sciences Ollie Gottlieb Durham University Modern Languages and Cultures

Ishmael Harvey GAP year Matthew Haworth Newcastle University Combined Honours Alexander Hjorthol University of Oxford French Olivia Hogben University of Nottingham Veterinary Medicine Edward Holmes Loughborough University Graphic Design Ollie Hoskins GAP year Will Hurford GAP year Luke Hutchinson Bristol, University of the West of England Business Management and Marketing Sebastian Hyde University of Leeds Law Matthew Illsley University of Manchester Physics with Theoretical Physics

Edward Granshaw GAP year

Ella Jessop Queen Mary University of London Psychology

Madeline Drought Arts University Bournemouth Animation Production

Chloe Gravestock University of Leeds Environment and Business

Braden Keaney University of Portsmouth Business and Management

Maxwell Dunn GAP year

Harry Gray University of Nottingham Geography

Hamish Kerr University of Leeds Geography

Leo Greenwood University of Nottingham Geography

Olivier Khan University of Leeds Business Management

Joseph Greenwood University of Liverpool Music and Technology

Aidan Kidney University of Nottingham Philosophy

Drew Grobler University of Reading Quantity Surveying

Alex Kilby Durham University Archaeology

Sienna Edginton Newcastle University Sociology Isla Edozien University of Manchester Management (Marketing) Henry Eyre-Varnier University of Exeter Business Economics

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Robert Muir University of Exeter Economics and Politics

Miles Robinson Swansea University Geography

Ram Nagarasa University of Warwick Biomedical Science

Elliot Rousseau St George’s, University of London Biomedical Science

Danyal Najib Imperial College London Chemical Engineering

Sam Rowe Durham University Classics

Ellie Nandhra University of Exeter Flexible Combined Honours

Francesca Rye Blakey University of Birmingham Political Economy

Alex Lewis University of Nottingham Economics

Georgina Newbold University of Exeter Flexible Combined Honours

Lizzie Sanderson GAP year

Robert Lewis University of Bristol History

Jonathan Ng University of Bath Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science

Dhylan Kumar GAP year Lloyd La Ronde University of St Andrews Theoretical Physics Riley Leake Royal Holloway, University of London Economics with Political Studies Rory Lee Loughborough University Information Technology Management for Business

Magnus Line Durham University General Engineering Mia Lobo London School of Economics Geography Jude Madden University of Plymouth Medicine Cyrus Mafy Royal Holloway, University of London Management with Digital Innovation Kirstin Malcolm University of Edinburgh Russian Studies and Spanish Mark Martin Loughborough University Finance and Management Conor Mather University of Manchester English Literature Gigi McDermott KLC School of Design Interior Design Kayleigh Mengers Imperial College London Computing Daan Mhajan GAP year Isabel Morgan University of Birmingham History of Art Ronnie Moth Swansea University Computer Science

Jasmine Vigar University of Leeds Business Management with Marketing Louis Viner University of Bath Computer Science Sami Virk University of East Anglia UEA International Development with Economics Jed Voysey University of Nottingham Mathematics (International Study)

Louis Schofield University of Exeter Biochemistry

Christabel Walker University of Edinburgh History of Art and Architectural History

Finlay Scott University of Exeter Business and Management

Ian Ward University of Warwick Mathematics

Kai Sheasby University of Exeter Engineering

Tristan Warnock Norwich University of the Arts Graphic Design

Joseph Sheridan GAP year

Zach Washington GAP year

Adam Siddeeq University of Bristol Mechanical Engineering

Zach Waugh University of Leeds Business Management

Grace Pavlou GAP year

Emma Smith University of Bristol Biology

Jana Weber University of Exeter Film & Television Studies

Luke Pearson Durham University Geography

Alice Spalding University of Leeds Environment and Business

Toby Wilkins University of Bristol Mechanical Engineering

Owen Price Pearson College London The Art of Visual Effects

Adam Spencer GAP year

Elena Wilshire University of Leeds Physics with Astrophysics

Alex O’Connell University of Westminster, London Music: Production, Performance and Enterprise Olivia Orman Loughborough University Business Economics and Finance (with placement year) Roko Ostrolucanin University of Sheffield Biomedical Science

Louis Putt University of Leeds Graphic and Communication Design Millie Ractliff University of Exeter Geography Christopher Reay Newcastle University Geography Anya Redstone GAP year Ben Rees University of Exeter Flexible Combined Honours Lexie Robertson GAP year

Max Spooner GAP year Emma Stewart University of Nottingham Philosophy, Politics and Economics Henry Sutton University of Exeter History Heston Tang Imperial College London Medical Biosciences Dylan Thomas GAP year Jasper Venzelaar-Pelly University of Nottingham Geography

James Wong The University of Edinburgh Civil Engineering Toby Woodward University of Bath Computer Science Jack Wotherspoon Durham University Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations Sophia Zografakis University of Leeds Environment and Business

GAP years will be updated in the next edition.

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2020 Leavers’ update

Staff We also said a fond farewell to the following members of staff. We would like to thank them for their dedication to Reed’s and wish them all the very best for the future.

Brydie Ault St Mary’s University, Twickenham Primary Education with QTS Thomas Hurford King’s College London, University of London Computer Science Ameila Le Cluse Graduate Apprenticeship Remi Moussarie University of Nottingham Chemistry

Ollie Greenhill Teacher of Maths / Digital Learning Moves to become Deputy Head of Maths at Cheltenham College

Grace Miller Teacher of Classics / Toastmasters Returns to Stratford Grammar School

Freddie Kerr-Dineen Teacher of MFL / Co-curricular Moves to Perse School, Cambridge

Hannah Hawkins Estates and Facilities Director

Sophie Speed Graduate Sports Assistant

Christina Williams (Bristowe 2017) Graduate Teaching Assistant

Oliver Matthews (Capel 2016) Graduate Teaching Assistant

Emma Chalmers Teacher of Science

Hannah Higgins Teacher of Science

Christiane Wagner-Tree Teacher of MFL

Kimberley Chan Assistant Music Director

Maya Pendrill-Adams University of Sussex Anthropology Isabella Richardson University of Nottingham Biochemistry Emily Strong University of Exeter Business and Management Maya Walter University of Bristol Psychology with Innovation

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Special recognition must also go to these long-serving members of staff…

John Allison (Blathwayt 2001) Capel Housemaster / Teacher of Science Since coming back to Reed’s in September 2011, there were not many positions John did not take on, such was his commitment to teaching. This included being Teacher of Physics, CCF Contingent Commander, Capel Housemaster, Head of Year and Coaching Supremo of Rugby, Hockey and Cricket. He will be sorely missed by everyone but we wish John and his lovely family all the very best with their new life in Somerset as he moves to be Canford School’s Head of Physics.

Brian Dale Estates & Facilities Director Brian arrived at Reed’s in June 1998 and, over the ensuing 23 years, played a pivotal role in transforming the School into the great campus we all love today. Not only responsible for the maintenance and safety of a rapidly expanding school, Brian was also key in developing the new infrastructure required to accommodate that growth. There is hardly a building which does not owe something to his talent in shaping its form and function.

Stephen Whiteley Teacher of Economics and Business During his 14 years at Reed’s, Stephen demonstrated many brilliant attributes: dedication, generosity, creativity, organisation and his infamous sense of humour. He headed up the Economics and Business Department for several years and led the Higher Education and Careers function, not to mention his legendary saxophone playing in the School orchestra.

We wish Stephen well in his semi-retirement as he takes up a part-time position at Dunnottar School.

Colin Sandison-Smith Teacher of MFL Dedication and longevity are definitely words that can be used to describe Colin’s 38 years of teaching, 32½ of those at Reed’s (April 1989 to July 2021). He served 21 years as Head of the MFL Department, 11 years as Head of German, 12 years as Bristowe Housemaster and 10 years as Head of Third Form (some of them concurrently of course).

Dean Zaltsman Estates & Facilities Manager Starting in June 1999, Dean became Brian’s right-hand man and integral to School life over his 22 years. You could rely on Dean to get things done, always with his warm smile.

As well as being great at his job, there was nothing more Dean loved than a social occasion with family, friends and colleagues.

We are glad that he decided not to go to another school but, instead, took a different path in running an online publishing company.

Tracy Millington Teacher of Philosophy and Religion With her youthful looks, it is hard to believe that Tracy leaves us to retire but, in doing so, leaves a legacy of not just being a remarkable teacher and former Head of Department, but a mentor to many. Pupils and colleagues alike have benefited from her listening ear, wise counsel and kindness during 17 years of outstanding service. Always willing to step into the breach to help anyone out, we shall truly miss Tracy but wish her all the very best as she joins another Reed’s legend and husband, Paul, in their retirement.

He organised and accompanied 80 school trips and exchanges to France, Germany, Spain and Holland and introduced the first exchanges at Reed’s (three different German schools, two French schools and helped with the Dutch School in Wassenaar). We mustn’t forget to mention the wonderful ginger-bread house-making workshops he ran with younger pupils that marked the start of the School’s Christmas festivities.

Colin is semi-retiring to the beautiful town of Wells in Somerset but taking on a part-time role at Wells Cathedral School; we wish him and his wife all the very best.

Grayson Stuckey (Capel 2012) Teacher of Science We were delighted to see Grayson return to the classroom in September 2016, but this time on the ‘other side’. As a Teacher of Science, Head of Swimming and Close Resident Boarding Tutor, he earned great respect from colleagues and pupils alike.

The teaching profession and Reed’s will miss Grayson hugely as he retrains to become a lawyer.

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In Memoriam

Tributes to ORs and friends whose deaths we have sadly learned about this year.

William (Bill) English (1948) December 1931 to January 2020 We were saddened to receive news from Bill’s daughter, Sarah, informing us that he had sadly passed away in January 2020.

Here are a few words of tribute from the family.

Bill was born in County Durham in 1931 and, due the loss of his father when he was aged two, started at Reed’s in 1942, leaving in 1948. At School, he inherited the nickname ‘Joe’, the moniker which his older brother – Derek – had also held.

Even in his early teens during the War years, he knew he wanted to be an artist. He got his diploma in painting at Sunderland College of Art in 1952 which was followed by four years at the Royal Academy Schools where he was awarded the silver medal for painting. He then taught at Leeds College of Art before new horizons were opened up by a year travelling on the continent courtesy of a Travelling Scholarship awarded from the Royal College of Art. Bill was an able draughtsman, equally at home with portraiture, still life and landscape subjects.

Bill regularly exhibited in mixed exhibitions in London and around the country, and had solo exhibitions throughout his life.

After Leeds and travelling, for five years Bill was Head of Pre-Diploma Studies at Harrogate School of Art. He was Head of Fine Art at Derby College of Art and Design (1964 to 1967) and at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham (1967 to 1972). He completed his professional career with 16 years as Principal of the then Norwich School of Art from 1972 to 1988.

To all these posts, he brought openness to the specific needs

of the place. He was an everencouraging enabler rather than a manager, and involved in all the School’s creative areas; not just fine art, but complementary studies, graphic design, sculpture, the Foundation course. At the same time, he immersed himself with terrific energy in the local art scene. Only two years after joining the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society, he was elected its Chair.

Further afield, Bill was always an active member of the Chelsea Arts Club, becoming its Chairman in 1989-90.

After retiring from Norwich School of Art in 1988, Bill and Helen’s time was divided between their home in Norwich and their Spanish retreat near Figueres in the north east of Spain. They were married for over 54 years until her death in 2013 and have four children, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Robert Davies (Capel 2008) December 1989 to May 2020 We are indebted to Robert’s mother, Ann, for this heart-warming tribute to her son. Our deepest condolences are extended to her and the whole family.

Robert was born on Christmas Eve 1989, absolutely the best Christmas present ever! As a young boy he set his heart on going to Reed’s. At his entrance interview, Mr Jarrett, the Headmaster at the time, asked him why he wanted to come to the school. Robert didn’t hesitate: ‘For the long holidays.’ Fortunately this honesty didn’t count against him and Robert went on to enjoy life at Reed’s and always remained proud of, and interested, in the School.

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After completing his A Levels, Robert read History at Brunel University. He also worked as a freelance writer, writing live football online commentaries which were published on websites including those of The Sun, The Times, NBC and Fox. He continued this freelance work for a further four years after graduating in 2011, also supervising and editing the work of other freelancers.

Whilst Robert enjoyed writing, teaching had always appealed to him, so he decided to spend a year or two teaching abroad to see if it was something he’d enjoy doing long-term. He completed his TEFL qualification and in 2015 went to teach English at Muan High School in Mokpo, a city located at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Here he also edited a bi-monthly online magazine/newsletter aimed at English teachers in the region.

Robert loved life in South Korea and spent much of his free time hiking and exploring the area and nearby islands.

The following year he moved to north eastern China where he taught at a school in Cangzhou before returning to South Korea for a further two years to teach at Pagoda One, the largest adult language institute in the country.

Based in Seoul, it was early on during his time here that Robert met his girlfriend, Youngah.

Working hours in Asia are extremely long and holiday leave is very restricted, but Robert still found time to travel and explore parts of Thailand (where he volunteered at an elephant sanctuary), Hawaii, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

After an enjoyable and fulfilling four years, Robert decided to

concentrate on his writing and editing. He returned to the UK at the end of December 2019 to continue his freelance work, with Youngah due to follow in April on a two-year visa although the lockdown in March meant her visit had to be postponed. Robert was due to begin a Masters in International Journalism at City University in September 2020 and had plans to maybe return to Asia to work at some point after its completion. One of the articles he wrote during the lockdown was about how COVID had brought a spotlight to the prevalence of cults in South Korea during the time of the pandemic. This was published in The Diplomat, a leading foreign affairs magazine.

Outside of work and travel, Robert loved reading, sport, politics, history and music. He was a keen runner and cyclist. He was also an avid follower of boxing, setting his alarm for the very early hours of the morning to coincide with the televising of bouts in the US. It was absolutely wonderful to have had Robert in our lives.

He was honest, loyal, kind, gentle, thoughtful, had a great sense of humour and was superb at buying presents! He also had a formidable memory and was a fascinating source of knowledge about a wide range of topics. We will all miss him desperately.

Robert chose to leave an endowment gift to the Andrew Reed Foundation so that other children can benefit from Reed’s in perpetuity.

Simon de Lannoy Holden (Blathwayt 1957) June 1941 to October 2020 With our deepest condolences to Simon’s family on the tragic and unexpected loss of their father; thank you for providing us with this fitting tribute.

Simon was born in the midst of the Second World War; second child to Raymond (a bank manager) and Monica (an elocution teacher) and he lived his early years in Mobberley in Cheshire.

He had a happy childhood, although his father went off to war and sadly never returned, having been based in the Seychelles, working in signals and intelligence for the RAF. Simon’s early schooling was in Knutsford, at Yorsten Lodge School. His secondary education was at Reed’s, funded partly by the Reed’s Foundation and partly by the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Both foundations were very close to his heart and he was an avid supporter of them throughout his life. He was (in his own words) academically ‘OK’, but he was very good at sport, later becoming Victor Ladorum during his time at Reed’s.

He returned to Cheshire following his education and enjoyed life in South West Manchester in the ‘swinging sixties’. He had a passion for motorbikes and attended technical college studying and receiving a HND in engineering.

He went on to work as a civil engineer for Cheshire County Council, based in Runcorn, and was involved in building parts of the M6 motorway. During his time here, he met Joyce Proffit, a departmental secretary. They courted, married in 1966 and lived in Hartford, Cheshire. Marcus was

born in January 1969 and Clive followed in November 1971.

They moved from Hartford back to Mobberley in 1973 and in 1975, Simon and the family emigrated to Botswana. Sadly, he separated from Joyce in 1976, and she and the boys returned to England.

Simon later met and married Wendy in April 1986 and they enjoyed a long marriage spanning nearly 35 years.

Botswana began Simon’s love affair with Africa. Despite some periods in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and back in the UK, his heart lay in Africa: Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, a brief time in Ghana, and then nearly 25 years in Zambia. He was proud to call Africa home.

An engineer throughout, most of his career was involved with building roads. Following a period building the Luanshya to Mpongwe road in Zambia, he remained in the country and established Holden Rigs in 2006, which was a drilling and blasting company for the copper mines.

Simon was lots of things to lots of people. Father, husband, grandfather, friend, boss. He was kind and generous, made huge efforts to keep in touch with friends and family, he was funny and he was a true gentleman. The community in Zambia described him as the ‘gentleman of Luanshya’.

He was gregarious, the life and soul of the party; he often commented that he was born one beer under par.

It is with great sadness that we reported Simon’s untimely death in hospital in Lusaka on 29th October 2020. He will be forever remembered in the hearts of his family, friends and those who were lucky enough to meet him.

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Steven (J S D) Nicholson (Bristowe 1976) January 1957 to October 2020 We are indebted to OR, Robert Andrews (Bristowe 1976), for passing on the sad news about Steven and for putting together this touching tribute.

Steven joined Bristowe in September 1970 and left in 1976, having stayed on for a third year in Sixth Form to try, I believe, for the Oxbridge exams. However, this must have been unsuccessful as he studied music at Bristol University and then took a PGCE at Reading. He played clarinet, piano, viola and bassoon and was a wealth of knowledge on all matters musical, and in the world of literature too.

His first job was at Feltonfleet School in Cobham and then St Edmund’s College in Ware. He owned a flat in Cobham for many years but decided to travel, living and teaching in France, Denmark, Turkey and Portugal to name but four countries that I can be sure of!

He returned to the UK after Brexit to help organise care for his mother (who died in February 2018), but at the end of 2016 he was sadly diagnosed with cancer with a prognosis of two to five years. That he lived to have nearly four of those was a blessing, but the impact of the COVID pandemic caused much of his medical and social support to collapse, and he tragically passed away in October 2020.

He last visited me in October 2019 when this picture was taken, and I visited him at the end of August 2020 when we managed some clarinet and piano playing, although sadly no piano duets on that occasion.

Barrie Tyler (Blathwayt 1954) October 1937 to December 2020 We were incredibly saddened to hear the news about Barrie’s death from his wife, Jacqui, both loyal supporters of the Foundation.

We send condolences to the family and thanks to his daughter, Alison, for this tribute.

Barrie, and his older brother, Douglas, who also attended Reed’s, were born in Watford after the death of their father, soon after the Barrie’s birth. On leaving School, Barrie went into the army and became a dental hygienist, but left to get a job in banking near his mother so that he could support her.

Barrie met his wife, Jacqui, on a blind date at the local tennis club; they married in 1963 and had a son, Angus in 1967 and myself three years later.

Barrie’s passion had always been gardening so, when he was 40, he and Jacqui opened a small garden centre in West Wycombe using his banking knowledge to quickly develop it to its maximum potential. He moved on to build a much bigger garden centre on a plot of land near St Albans which,

with a lot of hard work, became very successful and was even seen on BBC television a couple of times (once for creating a black rose which caused a huge amount of interest as it was very convincing, but was actually an April Fool’s hoax!). Even the Royal Households had put in an order of the famous black rose!

Barrie decided to retire early from the hard graft and sold the garden centre 20 years later. He set up a couple of other small businesses, one of which was his other passion, art. He was a keen painter using oils and he painted some lovely paintings, particularly the family dogs.

Education was very important to him and he was so pleased to be able to not only send his own children to private school but also his three grandchildren: Amelia, Harry and Toby. Recently, 13-year-old Harry said: ‘I want to do well at school so that I can get a good job and be able to send my children and grandchildren to a private school, just like Grandad did for me’. Harry also said that he would be proud to wear his Grandad’s old school tie in honour of him for what he achieved and did for all of us, for which we will always be grateful.

Barrie said numerous times that he had had a good life; he looked back on his school life with fond memories and often remarked how grateful he was to the Reed’s Foundation as without it, he wouldn’t have otherwise achieved what he did.

Ralph Wyatt (Bristowe 1942) March 1926 to December 2020 We send grateful thanks to Stephanie, Ralph’s daughter, for this charming obituary and wish her, his wife, Isobel, and younger

daughter, Sally, all the very best.

Ralph was born in 1926 in Axminster, Devon. His father was a tenant farmer who died, suddenly, in his 40s leaving three young children and his wife virtually penniless once the debts had been paid. It was 1932 during the Depression years and Ralph was just six-years-old, the youngest of the family. His mother, Dorothy, had a very hard time finding enough money to make ends meet.

Someone told Dorothy about the London Orphan School and the system of taking in boys by the number of votes they received from subscribers. Dorothy wrote many letters and succeeded in sending Roy, my father’s older brother, to the School in 1933.

Ralph was able to follow him in 1934 at the age of eight. This must have been an enormous relief to Dorothy as it meant the boys were not only educated but accommodated, fed and clothed for free.

When WWII broke out, Ralph was lucky enough to be one of the boys evacuated to Totnes and had many good memories of his time spent there. He remembered that, although the accommodation was cramped, outside they were free and able to wander far and wide.

He must have been rather a handful as he had the distinction of being made Prefect, demoted and reinstated three times – surely a School record!

My father remained grateful to the School, for the education and strict upbringing he received, and for the good it did for his whole family at such a hard time.

After Reed’s, Ralph studied agriculture at Reading University and, having graduated, was offered a job working for the Department of Agriculture as an advisor. So, there he was, driving

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around the farms of Sussex at the age of 22 giving farmers of many, many years’ experience, the benefit of his vast knowledge! He must have made a hit as he was soon offered the managership of a large farm based at Bosham, near Chichester in West Sussex. He met and married my mother, Jean, in 1953 and had two daughters, my sister Sally and me.

Sadly, our parents divorced and life was very different as Ralph married for a second time.

Many years later, after the death of his second wife, Ralph had the good fortune to meet Isobel. They married when Dad was 70 years old and had a really good life together in and around Wimborne and also enjoyed many interesting cruises. They were able to catch up with Dad’s fellow students from his time as an evacuee in Totnes, reunions that he loved to attend.

Dad enjoyed table tennis, he was part of a local club and still playing until recently. He was a keen member of the U3A (the University of the Third Age) and he was an enthusiastic supporter of Wimborne in Bloom. His bottom became well known around the town as he weeded and gardened!

He will be remembered with much love and many smiles as a mischievous and beloved younger brother, a fun-loving uncle, and as a much loved and loving husband and our very dear father.

John Waterman (Watford 1937) March 1921 to September 2020 We are grateful to Jane Waterman, daughter of John, for allowing us to publish this special obituary of her father; her ‘PS’ also made us smile!

With great sorrow and tender memories, we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, John Richard Waterman, in his 100th year. John was born in Tunbridge Wells to Edward and Gertrude (née Butler).

His father died when he was five, leaving his mother to care for him and his sister, June. He went to Reed’s at age seven and then to Leeds Polytechnic to study

Gordon Denholm (Bristowe 1943) October 1927 to September 2019 In January this year, we were sad to learn from the new owner of Gordon’s Brackely home that he passed away in 2019. Despite attempts to contact his family, we have no more information. However, we are pleased to have found this lovely picture of Gordon with Ralph Wyatt (see previous tribute) taken at Reunion Day in 2009.

engineering in 1937. In 1939, he joined the Territorial Army and transferred to the Royal Artillery in the fall; he said the Army was easy after a British boarding school.

In 1941 he went overseas to India and then to Iraq, where the highlight of his visit was spending his 21st birthday in Bagdad and having a bath! He fought in the battle of El Alamein and, in 1942, joined the Special Air Service (SAS) in Egypt, with parachute training in Lebanon and signals training in Cairo. In 1943, the Special Boat Squadron (SBS, a unit within the SAS) was formed under Lord Jellicoe and John became his signals sergeant.

He spent the rest of the war in the Middle East and the Aegean region having all sorts of adventures.

On August 15 (VJ Day) he flew home from Italy in the glass nose of an RAF bomber to the green fields of England.

In 1946, John joined the British Foreign Office and went with the Control Commission to Germany, where he met the love of his life, Beryl Blackett (also in the Control Commission). They were married in September 1947 and were partners in love and life, living in Germany for eight years and travelling through Europe in their little car, Maybe. They had two daughters in Germany (Susan and Michèle), a son (Anthony) after they returned to England in 1955, and another daughter (Jane) after they emigrated to Canada in 1957. John worked for NCR Corp for 31 years, travelling all over North America, and retired in 1986. John and Beryl spent a month in Hawaii every year for 27 years, and also visited Europe,

Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia, celebrating their 73rd wedding anniversary last year.

He was the last survivor of the WWII SBS, or as the current soldiers say, the last of the ‘old and the bold.’

We will miss his sense of humour, the twinkle in his eye, and watching him enjoy his ‘wee droppie’ every evening. His spirit will live on in our hearts and our memories forever.

PS: The third photo is one of my favourite photos of Dad as a teenager. In the mid 1930s, the test of any good Reed’s boy was to sneak out, go to town and get back into the School, without getting caught. But one had to prove to the other boys that they had successfully made it to town.

So they would get a photo taken.

But in those days, that meant they had to sneak out twice: once to get the photo taken and once to go pick it up when it was developed! This third photo is proof that my Dad passed the test and was never caught!! Note he is in his overcoat and school uniform.

No wonder he became such a good commando in the war.

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Sanjay Patel (Capel 1984) September 1968 to March 2021 We are saddened to report the death of Sanjay in March 2021, whose father, Bipin, called to let us know that his son had had a heart attack. At the time of printing, we were waiting for a full obituary but know that after being very active at Reed’s, he went on to work for Morgan Grenfell, then as a commodity broker with bases in the UK and UAE.

Ian Cockwill (Bristowe 1939) July 1923 to March 2021 Despite missing her husband terribly, his widow, Margaret, was kindly able to let us have a few words of tribute.

Bill Crawforth OBE (Blathwayt 1948) February 1931 to December 2020 We send grateful thanks to Emma Crawforth and David Crawforth, Bill’s daughter and son, for this tribute to their father.

William Crawforth was born in Paris to English parents, but left aged two. We remember our grandmother telling us that he was mute until they got to England, apart from a time when she caught him speaking French to a man who was painting their home. This story seems completely appropriate as our father didn’t waste words but he did enjoy company and formed strong friendships throughout his life.

The tragedy of our grandfather’s death in World War Two marked our father’s childhood and resulted in him moving from his Yorkshire home to Reed’s, then based in Totnes. Taking him to their reunions in his eighties was a pleasure as the ‘boys’ recalled their early days.

Rationing meant they were often hungry, but they were still prepared to walk several miles to the sea and back just for fun.

This kind of endurance and stamina continued throughout his life. Friends remember his determination while walking around Paris and London once he’d lost power in his legs; this probably delayed the onset of his muscle-wasting disease. Once he could no longer walk, our father took to speeding around on powered wheelchairs. It was sometimes terrifying to watch him charging down a road in the face of traffic because he thought

a pavement wasn’t adequate.

Family was at the centre of our father’s life. He loved spoiling our grandmother and was deeply fond of his only cousin, Janet. There was such a tight bond between our warm and patient mother, Felicity, and him that he was devasted when he lost her to brain cancer less than five months after diagnosis.

Our father had a brilliant eye for design. Between school and National Service in the Royal Engineers, he trained to be an architect. It was the perfect career for him, marrying his artistic ability and understanding of the physical world. He also got to boss a lot of people around, which suited him too! He was thrilled to be awarded an OBE in recognition of his work towards the end of his career.

On retirement, he trained as a lighting designer and set up a not-for-profit business designing schemes for churches. He couldn’t stop designing interiors, drawing out plans for all of our homes. On my final visit to him in hospital, he told me he’d solved a problem with a hospital bed curtain that fell off its rail every day. On that visit he also told me he’d been dreaming of good food and going out walking in beautiful countryside, both pleasures he could no longer enjoy. He also told me a very dark and funny joke, which ties in with another thing said by more than one about our father: he had a very naughty sense of humour.

We will miss his wise counsel, both on life in general and how to be.

Ian was born an only child in July 1923 to parents Gladys and James. Very sadly, his father passed away when he was only seven-years-old, and so his mother had to send him to Reed’s as a boarder, where he remained until he was 16.

After leaving School, he went to work at an accountants before joining the Navy at the age of 17.

He was based on a destroyer in the North Sea and on minesweepers clearing the channel; he loved his six years in the Navy.

During that time, he met his first wife Sylvia. Unfortunately, the marriage broke down and it wasn’t until recently that he found that they had a son together called Leonard. With this second wife, Jacqueline, he lived in Hove and they were blessed with two

children, Alan and Tina.

Ian became interested in estate agency, and at one point set up his own business, Cockwill & Son. When he moved on to run an estate agency called Meecroft in 1956, he met me. Our friendship and romance was to span 64 years and we truly were soul mates. We were blessed with a daughter, Joanna and, as a family, moved around following Ian’s career, even living in Paris and Versailles for some eight years before returning to the UK. We married on 7th June 2002 and our fascination for world travel soon developed, taking us to Canada, Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok, as well as cruising. We travelled extensively for ten years until ill health meant that Ian was confined to a wheelchair and so, instead, we stayed at the same hotel every year in Gran Canaria where we got to know all of the staff.

Ian’s example of generosity and kindness and, of course, his amazing dry sense of humour remains an inspiration to his family.

The way he lived his life, with dignity and kindness will be remembered forever. Through his dedication to his family, he was a loving inspiration who was deeply proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We were totally committed to each other and I miss him profoundly.

Christina Ward (Dogmersfield 1948) January 1932 to April 2021 This tribute was kindly sent by long-standing friend, Loraine Nagioff, with the blessing of Christina’s niece, Bryony Dickens.

I met Christina 35 years ago and we became very close friends when we worked on a flower project at our church. We found we had so much in common: we are both very committed Christians and both worked in the music profession. At that time, Christina was working at Trinity College of Music in London and had worked at the London Opera Centre.

At other times, she accompanied singers and instrumentalists all throughout the year. She also did her ‘One Woman’ shows which were enjoyed by so many audiences; she could play absolutely anything that was put in front of her on the piano.

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Christina loved the simple pleasures of life: her garden brought her endless joy; she was an avid reader; knitted a lot and did endless crosswords. She loved travelling and also did a lot of voluntary work for St Helier Hospital and Age UK on a weekly basis.

Housework was never a top priority, but if her sister Betty was coming, boy, did the house get spruced up.

She also loved meeting up with her friends of whom she had many from all walks of life.

My wonderful friend taught me what was most important; she was very content and had her priorities right, and she lived life to the full.

Even after a car accident in her 70s when she was in a neck brace, she was determined to take her gold tap dancing award! Well into her 80s she went to weekly health and beauty classes, tap dancing classes and played the piano as much as possible. She also got a part to play Mrs Frazer in the show Stepping Out which she had seen many times.

There was no stopping her; she had amazing energy. She also really loved the Lord. Her whole life was centred on Him. I shall miss my dear friend so much but she has left me with so many wonderful memories and these will keep me going until we meet again.

Celia Alvey (née Marson) (Watford 1943) March 1927 to June 2021 With thanks to Celia’s son, David, informing us of her death and providing this tribute to his mother, one of our most revered Old Reedonians.

Celia Edmed Alvey was the daughter of Claudia Edmed and Cecil Brittan Marson, born on 8th March 1927. She attended Reed’s School with her sister Ros, but never came across her OR husband-to-be, John, whilst at school.

Celia became a nurse at Charing Cross Hospital in London around 1945 and remembered seeing some of the first V1s land in London from the hospital window.

She met John, a good-looking rugby player, who, apparently, after Saturday rugby matches, used to stand under her window in the nursing home and serenade her until she let him in! They married on 28th December 1955 and had three sons: David, Peter and Stephen.

Celia adored being with her six grandchildren: Katie, Charlie, Simon, Claire, Ben and Harry, but also found time to swim most days in the sea at Emsworth beach, well into her early 70s. However, beach is a misnomer; no sand, just mud, lots of weed and, of course, very cold. It took years for dad to persuade her that swimming in the pool at the hotel in Hayling might be a better choice!

Kevin Fuller (Capel 1977) June 1969 to July 2021 Kevin was well-known to many ORs and we are grateful to John Raquet and Trevor Firth, in particular, for sharing their tribute to a dear friend.

Kevin sadly passed away on 28th July 2021, following a 20-year brave fight against progressive MS. Our first recollection of him was joining Capel in the third form in 1972, Kevin having had the advantage of two years in the Close. He was this slight built chap who was more at home in studying and music and less involved in sport – certainly in the early days.

Despite a few altercations with Housemaster, Tom Stedman, in his final year, Kevin and Noel Brown were appointed Deputy and House Captain respectively. Kevin excelled at studies, gaining both excellent O and A Level grades. He also became a very accomplished cross-country and 800m runner, benefitting from his lanky gait.

Those at Reed’s at the time will remember in our final year, when the whole of the Capel crosscountry team, took nine of the top ten places, Kevin at the fore.

Kevin decided upon a career in law and went to the Law College in Guildford. Remaining local, he also joined the OR Rugby Club and, unlike his less notable performances at School, developed

into a very competent and fast winger and became a regular in the 1st XV. We all remember him, though, as someone with the good looks that always seemed to end up with a girl somewhere. Very quickly after becoming a fully qualified lawyer, Kevin decided to set up his own law firm in Esher (Fuller & Co), and many of us have fond memories of him acting on our behalf. His business took off and it led to him driving around in sports cars, especially, his beloved Porsche.

Sadly, his unexpected marriage to Tracey did not last, but he became even more involved with the ORs, sitting for a number of years on the ORs Committee and, we believe, was invited to be a Governor at the School. He also moved from rugby to hockey where Trevor Firth and a number of former Reed’s players joined Surbiton Hockey Club and participated at all levels within the club.

MS, as an illness, is still very much an unknown medical condition despite years of research.

We have total admiration for Kevin on how he faced up to the illness.

He was so positive and upbeat, determined there would be a cure.

He adored opera and continued to go to London to see his favourite performances, and even met up with Simon Keenlyside (now Sir Simon). However, slowly he became less active, less able to drive and, as always, many friends

found his decline in health difficult to address and understand and so he saw less of them.

For his 50th birthday, by then wheelchair bound, his friend Graham Smith invited the Tenors Unlimited to his party with many ORs present too. His bravery in his fight with MS was there for all to see when he was determined to stand and thank everyone for a wonderful evening.

Naturally, his parents and family were devastated by his death and we know that many ORs were saddened to hear the news; a number gathered for his funeral in Cobham and toasted his life as he would have wanted. The one common theme in the many photos shown was that Kevin was always smiling. We will never forget his bravery, his positivity in the latter years and his enthusiasm for living life to the full in his earlier years, and we can rest easy knowing that he will be smiling down on us every day.

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Chris Methold (Bristowe 1970) August 1953 to August 2021 With many thanks to Diana, wife of Chris, for finding the time to write this touching tribute.

Chris passed away peacefully on 2nd August 2021 having eventually been diagnosed with terminal cancer in January. We were able to hold a wonderful thanksgiving service for Chris’ life later in the month which was attended by nearly 100 family members and friends plus further receiving over 300 hits on the YouTube channel where the service was streamed.

Chris had been involved in planning most of the service, particularly the music. One of the many condolence cards we received was from Louise and her husband Peter Maple (Bristowe 1976) in New Zealand!

Chris joined The Close as a boarder and soon became part of the musical life of the School and Chapel. He enjoyed singing, became Head Chorister before his voice broke, and so learned to play the French horn. He was later involved in organising joint ventures with the Yehudi Menuhin pupils in concerts and other musical activities and often enjoyed school visits to London to attend recitals.

Chris got on well with Graham Hoskins, his Reed’s music master, who was persuaded to play Widor’s Toccata from Symphony for Organ No 5 at our wedding in September 1974. We were very pleased to have had dinner with Graham and his wife Jane last year during a visit to the Norfolk Broads.

Chris spent most of his working life in the family garage business, Methold Engineering, in Ripley, Surrey, with his elder brother David (Bristowe 1961). They opened a second garage in Middleton-onSea, West Sussex, where he had

a Seat franchise and later enjoyed selling classic sports cars. He ended his working life as a chauffeur, where his love of people and doing what he could to help them was very much in evidence.

Chris was a people person through and through and is hugely missed by me, his two daughters and sons-in-law, Claire and David and Louise and Andrew, plus his four adored grandchildren: Daniel, Edward, Sophie and Alex. He had over 750 contacts in his phone and was very popular and well respected by all those who knew him, not least his many church friends whose love and support have been invaluable this year.

Roger Smalley (Capel 1955) July 1940 to August 2021 We were notified by Ann Dean, Roger’s sister and fellow OR, of his death and are grateful to her for these kind words.

Roger died aged 81 after a long illness. During his years at Cobham, he attained many interests. The School did not have a swimming pool in those days, and so he was one of the boys who dug out their own pool!

As a member of the School Choir, he sang in many of the cathedrals in the south of England, and when Guildford Cathedral was first inaugurated, he was the first to sing a solo there. After this, choirs and music in general were always an important part of his life. He was also a keen chess player.

Roger had four children, all successful in their own field. He was kind and courteous, intelligent and funny, and at times could be infuriating! He is sadly missed.

Chris Last (Capel 1959) August 1942 to August 2021 Fellow OR, Roger Mew (Bristowe 1959) informed us of his passing and, with Chris having no known family, kindly put this tribute together.

Chris came from Bengeo in Hertfordshire and was a good athlete, with an interest in classical music.

I believe after leaving Reed’s in July 1959, he went on a teacher’s training course possibly at Alsager College. We believe he taught at Buckhurst Hill County High School for boys which closed in 1989 and so transferred to Roding Valley High School in Loughton where he stayed until he retired.

At a Reunion Day marquee lunch around 2007, he mentioned that he had retired from teaching and had started as a freelance landscape gardener. He lived in Loughton, Essex, only a few miles from my current home but I sadly never bumped into him. His interests were Morris Dancing, and as other ORs have discovered, he was a member of two Essex groups in Chingford and Blackmore. He also had an interest in Lithuanian folk music and visited that country many times.

Sadly, Chris was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2018 and developed pneumonia in the last week of his life.

Eddie Trinder (1939) November 1923 to September 2021 We are very grateful to the wider Trinder family for allowing us to represent Reed’s at Eddie’s funeral and giving permission to include an edited version of the touching eulogy given by Bob Stephenson.

Eddie was a man of his generation, a private man who was always interested in the lives of others but spoke little about his own past.

He was the youngest son of Thomas William Trinder and Eveline Hobbs who married in 1914 in Hitchin. They had Eveline in 1917 and Thomas in 1919. Sadly, after a distinguished career as a Company Sergeant Major in the Cambridgeshire Regiment, Eddie’s father died in 1926 at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Maghull Liverpool, an insitution that cared for patients who had suffered from shell shock and/or epilepsy.

He was 44.

Following their father’s death, Thomas and Eddie spent their formative years as Foundation students at the London Orphan School in Watford. Eddie left school at 16 in 1939 and, by then, Thomas was a wireless operator in 48 Squadron. Aged 22, his plane, a Hudson V Light Bomber, was shot down on 7th January 1942 during a bombing raid over Bergen in Norway; his war grave is located at the Mollendals Cemetery in Bergen.

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Sadly, we know little of Eddie’s early adult years, other than the fact that after the War, he had a daughter Anne, who emigrated to Australia.

We do know, however, that Eddie spent much of his professional career working as a hearing technician, latterly as Chief Research Officer at the Medical Research Council Neuro-Otological Research Unit at the National Hospital, London. This clearly fitted well with his lifelong fascination with how things worked, and his preference for trying to dismantle and fix things rather than replace them. As part of his work, Eddie and his brother-in-law were involved in installing a hearing loop in St Albans Abbey.

It was during this period of his life that he met and married Doreen.

They were a devoted and inseparable couple who always welcomed the visits of family and friends and loved to travel. They led a happy and independent life together in retirement for many years in St Neots until Doreen sadly passed away in 2017, after being well cared for by Eddie during her years of suffering with Alzheimer’s.

In his 90s, Eddie spent his final years being well cared for by the kind staff at Hill House in Ellington.

Eddie’s was a long life well lived and, in closing this tribute, I can think of no better words than those of his friend Patrick in a recent message: ‘Eddie was a private man with that quiet dignity and politeness that marks out a true gentleman. He cared deeply for his Doreen and did everything he could to bring contentment and happiness to both their lives.’

Norman Morris (Capel 1949) September 1932 to September 2021 Norman was born in Drumcondra, a suburb on the north side of Dublin. He was the youngest of seven children but, sadly, never knew his father who died when he was just six months old. His mother, a seamstress, who found it difficult to make ends meet, sent Norman and his closest brother, Ronald, to Reed’s in Totnes. They were aged only five and seven respectively.

Times were tough during the War years but, despite this, Norman wrote several articles and letters years later about his time spent there, which held many fond memories of larking about in the countryside and having a massive amount of freedom.

On leaving Reed’s, aged 17, Norman joined the 31st East Surrey Regiment. Even though he was off-duty, it was on an army mission in Tripoli that he lost the sight of his left eye due to stray shrapnel – at a football match, of all places. As luck would have it, this injury meant he did not take part in the Regiment’s next mission to Korea, from which few of his comrades returned.

Back in the UK, Norman took to working on farms in Somerset and was part of a team that dry stoned walled a number of field boundaries. He was a very capable gardener and grew a wide range of fruit and vegetables during the early family years in the countryside.

This led to him study at Newton Park College, now part of Bath Spa University, qualifying as an agricultural teacher. He spent many years teaching this subject along with Science at Ladymead School in Taunton, and was very proud of his teaching skills.

Norman loved to play bridge with his friends, and sang in several choirs, including the Rural Church singers, delighting congregations and audiences with a wide range of classical styles and, of course, beautiful renditions of some ancient Christmas Carols. His musical interest also extended to playing the recorder, which he did for many years. Somewhere amongst all this, Norman took up golf and, as a feisty independent kind of man, it was a great sport for him to let off steam.

After a number of years living in the beautiful grounds of Tetton House in Kingston St Mary, Norman came to Cotford St Luke 11 years ago; he could often be seen whizzing around the village on his electric buggy getting his shopping. He was happy with his independent ways and spent a lot of time indulging in his passion for crime thrillers.

Many of his neighbours helped him towards the latter part of his life, as he became less able, for which Jane, Clare and Ben, his surviving children, are incredibly grateful.

Our condolences to all families and friends of loved ones who have sadly passed away this year. #FIDE

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Annual Calendar Each year, there is a packed calendar of events to which all ORs are welcome.

Brief details of some of these events are shown below, but if you want to find out more, please email Sharmaine at smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

    

OR Sport OR Reunions Careers & HE School events Fundraising

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

‘Totnesian’ New Year’s Lunch Recent Leavers’ Drinks FutureUni Seminar

OR Committee meeting Reed’s Musician of the Year: Grand Final OR Golf Society Day OR Five-Year Anniversary Drinks Reception

FutureCareers Seminar FORS Quiz Night Affordable Art Charity Fair Music Concert: Cadogan Hall Stephen Shiells Memorial Hockey Match v School & Staff OR Ladies v School Netball Match Annual Foundation Appeal Launch

OR LTA Tennis qualifying round OR Golf Society Day Foundationers & Benefactors Chapel Service & Reception Spring Music Concert OR NetworkReeds Presentation to U6th Leavers Annual Science Lecture FutureTech Lecture

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

School Open Morning Sports Dinner Grafton Morrish Old Boys’ Golf Leavers’ Day Leavers’ Ball RideLondon Surrey-100 FutureCareers Fair Donor Thank You Reception Jubilee Chapel Service

Art, Graphics & Design Exhibition OR PSOBLTA Tennis quarter-final FutureUni Day OR Committee meeting FORS School Summer Party Sports Day CCF Regimental Dinner OR 1st XI Cricket v School OR Dylan Paris XI v School OR Reunion Day Primary Schools Olympiad

Speech Day OR LTA Tennis semi-finals OR Cricket Reunion T20

OR Cricket Reunion Test match

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Girls’ 1st XI v OR Girls’ Hockey OR Recent Leavers’ XV v OR Invitation XV Recent Leavers’ Drinks Totnes Reunion OR LTA Tennis Final Oxbridge & US Universities Preparation Evening FutureCareers Seminar OR Golf Society Day

OR Committee meeting Grafton Morrish Old Boys’ Golf Final Film for the Foundation London Marathon NetworkReeds City Reception

FORS Fireworks Evening School Open Morning Service of Remembrance Autumn Concert Founders’ Week Chapel Services Oxbridge Mock Interviews FORS Christmas Fair Giving Tuesday

OR Tennis Reunion OR Hockey Reunion Carol Service at Guildford Cathedral

REED’S HERITAGE

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FROM THE ARCHIVE

WATFORD 150TH ANNIVERSARY In 2021, as well as celebrating 75 years since the School took up residency at the Cobham site, on 20th July 20th, we also marked the 150th anniversary of the official move from Clapton to Watford of Reed’s, or rather the London Orphan Asylum, as we were known then.

A special booklet was published to commemorate the move, highlighting some of the key individuals who supported the School at this transformative time in its history.

It is thanks to their support that Reed’s remains a thriving school today with a strong charitable Foundation at its heart, whose purpose is as important now as it was when it was founded over 200 years ago.

A copy of the brochure can be found on the Reeder’s Heritage site: reedsschoolheritage.co.uk

Visit the Reed’s Heritage online archive

reedsschoolheritage.co.uk

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REED’S HERITAGE

Roll call for Blathwayt House photos

1980-1981

We are incredibly grateful to all ORs involved in identifying everyone who appears in the 1981 and 1982 Blathwayt House photos.

Blathwayt: September 1980 – July 1981 Names from left to right

Back Row Chris A Potts (3rd) Dave J Edwards (4th) Michael D Coupland (3rd) Joe P Statham (4th) Byron R Eyre-Varnier (3rd) David C ‘Nobby’ Clarke (5th) C Rupert Hartley (3rd) Farivar N Tabrizi (3rd) Martin R Light (3rd) Steve J Gates (4th) Michael R Nunan (4th) Peter J Potts (4th) Bradley Sidey (3rd) Andrew J Parker Tweedale (3rd)

Fourth Row James Eason (4th) Parry E T Lim-Low (4th) James N R Grist (4th) Phil J Hardy (4th) Ian A Leonard (3rd) Roger J Attwell (4th) R M Brown (5th) Simon O Lea (5th) B N Roth (4th) Chris R Notton (4th) James B Woodfield (5th) Simon J B Remnant (3rd) Tahir I Khan (5th)

Middle Row Jeremy E Cox (3rd) Ian Ross (5th) Richard V Smallwood (3rd) David Cantoni (5th Jolyon P Spence (5th) Geoffrey R D Edmead (5th) Louay M Al-Samarrai (5th) Martin S Leonard (5th) Mark D S Foulsham (4th) Russell A P Maddock (5th) Peter D Milne (5th) R Lewis Jepson (5th) Simon J Edwards (L6th) David P Lampen (5th)

Please do get in touch if you have any old school photographs that we can add to our Reed’s Heritage site and, even better, are prepared to help put names to faces! Who is going to step up to the mark next time…?

Second Row Ashley P R Ames (5th) Richard J Chamberlain (L6th) Mark Morris (U6th) Kevin G Richards (U6th) Jan-Willem O Alkema (L6th) David N J Syms (U6th) Mike A Worsfold (U6th) Jonathan D L ‘Harry’ Rawle (L6th) Donald F Brown (U6th) Simon W Woodfield (L6th) Robert N Hughes (L6th) Alex ‘Sandy’ Milne (L6th) Robert J New (L6th) Angus C D Eason (L6th)

Front Row Nicholas J Hardy (U6th) Anthony G B Robbins (L6th) James W Hartley (L6th) Malcolm R Dunn (L6th) Nigel R T Jones (U6th) Mr Eric Hearle (Assistant Housemaster) Mr John Savage (Housemaster) Mrs Everall (Matron) Chris Nehring (U6th) David T Henfrey (U6th) Phil J McDuell (U6th) Michael E Powell (U6th) Paddy G Steele (U6th)

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1981-1982

Blathwayt: September 1981 – July 1982 Names from left to right

Back Row James N R Grist (5th) Sebastian A R Mullin (3rd) B N Roth (5th) John H K Chan (3rd) Richard V Smallwood (4th) Peter D Milne (5th) Mark D S Foulsham (5th) Neill W Harkness-Brown (5th) Roger J Attwell (5th) Ian A Leonard (4th) Simon J B Remnant (4th) Adrian Lobidra (3rd) Farivar N Tabrizi (4th) Chris R Notton (5th)

Fourth Row Bradley Sidey (4th) Michael D Coupland (4th) Martin R Light (4th) James Eason (5th) Parry E T Lim-Low (5th) James W Engewell (3rd) C Rupert Hartley (4th) Michael F Collins (3rd) Phil J Hardy (5th) Jeremy E Cox (4th) Jason L Messervey (3rd) Barry J Bartlett (3rd) Dominic P Reading (4th) Steve J Gates (5th)

Middle Row Gary J J Notton (3rd) Mark V Smallman (3rd) Paul J Toner(3rd) Stuart Maddock (3rd) A `Tony’ G Kingswell (3rd) Chris A Potts (4th) Byron R Eyre-Varnier (4th) Patrick Oliver (3rd) Michael R Nunan (5th) Peter J Potts (5th) Martin L Roberts (3rd) Rupert A H Barnes (3rd) Joe P Statham (5th) Dave J Edwards (5th) Andrew J Parker Tweedale (4th) John A Svatins (3rd) William Thomas-Davies (3rd) John P Roberts (3rd) Timothy A Smith (3rd)

Second Row Tahir I Khan (L6th) David P Lampen (L6th) Simon O Lea (L6th) R Lewis Jepson (L6th) Jolyon P Spence (L6th) Russell A P Maddock (6th) Martin S Leonard (L6th) Louay M Al-Samarrai (L6th) Simon J Edwards (6th) Ashley P R Ames (L6th) Ian Ross (L6th) Jan-Willem O Alkema (6th) James B Woodfield (L6th)

Front Row Richard P Edwards (6th) Robert J New (6th) Simon W Woodfield (6th) Richard J Chamberlain (6th) Anthony G B Robbins (6th) Mrs Everall (Matron) Mr Mike Hewitt (Housemaster) Mr Eric Hearle (Assistant Housemaster) Robert N Hughes (6th) James W Hartley (6th) Malcolm R Dunn (6th) Jonathan D L ‘Harry’ Rawle (6th) Angus C D Eason (6th)

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THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

With many Old Reedonians having taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards over the years, we thought a short article about the life-work of His Royal Highness Prince Philip might be an appropriate tribute. We’re sure it will be bring back lots of fun and challenging memories…it certainly did for one OR, Tom Hardiment (Mullens 1984).

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Prince Philip and Nick Woollard at Reed’s 40 years ago

History of the Awards The Duke of Edinburgh Award was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Philip on 1st September 1956. Originally, the Scheme was aimed at boys between the ages of 15 and 18, but two years later girls were given their own Awards and, over a period of time, a single programme was adopted for all young people between 14 and 24 years of age.

The purpose and principles of the Awards were best outlined by the Prince himself in the introduction to the International Handbook for Award Leaders, published at the beginning of the 21st Century.

‘Young people growing up in this modern and complicated world have many difficulties to face, and opportunities for personal achievement are often limited.

At the same time, parents, teachers, voluntary organisation leaders and employers who recognise their responsibilities towards young people also have their challenges. The Award is intended to help both the young as well as those concerned for their welfare. The object is to provide an introduction to worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service, as a challenge to the individual to discover the satisfaction of achievement, and as a guide those people and organisations who would like to encourage the development of their young fellow citizens.’

Throughout its existence, the programmes have helped young people develop new skills, build confidence, improve their community and environment, train for and complete an expedition and, in the case of the Gold Award, work with a team on a residential activity.

Reed’s School and the Awards Twenty-one years after the launch of the Awards in September 1977, the School started to offer the opportunity for boys in the Fourth Form to take part, as an alternative to joining the Combined Cadet Force. Under the leadership of Bristowe Housemaster, Basil Green, 33 boys took part in the first year working towards the Bronze Award. The first cohort had the added highlight of meeting the Duke during his visit to Surrey to observe the award scheme in action.

including the attainment of the St John’s Ambulance First Aid Certificate, a 15-mile journey along the North Downs including a one night camp, a fifty mile cycle ride to and from Horsham by two participants and a range of other endeavours from shooting to the construction of a radio.

A year later and Basil Green was able to report on a full twelve months of activities

1978 saw a new Headmaster, John Baird Tyson, join the School. Although not

In the early years of the Awards, it proved difficult sometimes to find individuals with the necessary skills and experience to teach the boys but support from parents and teachers helped bridge the gap.

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Tom Hardiment 1982

Tom Hardiment 2021

mentioned specifically in the pages of the Reedonian magazine, it seems highly likely that Tyson took a keen interest in the fledgling Award Scheme activities.

He had studied Geography at Magdalen College, Oxford, was a very keen and experienced mountaineer and between 1952 and 1969 had led five scientific expeditions to the Himalayas.

The benefits of the programme were seen a year later when 18 Bronze Awards were handed out, not to mention the two night, 30-mile hike in the New Forest when one group of boys was the first on the scene of a fire, which they helped to contain while the Fire Brigade was called.

Arguably, the high point for the School’s programme in its early years came in 1984 when it was announced that Peter Potts (Blathwayt 1985), Robert Lee (Mullens 1984), Nicholas Haigh (Mullens 1984) and Tom Hardiment (Mullens 1984) had achieved the Gold Award following an expedition in the Black Mountains of Wales. We’re lucky to have Tom tell us about this in his own words.

My Part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Tom Hardiment (Mullens 1984) Please forgive the cliché but participating in the DofE Gold Award was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s given me a full and rich memory bank to draw on; from seeing the sunrise above the summer mist on Dartmoor to crisp November sunsets over the Black Mountains.

I will never forget the generosity of the farmer and the taste of the cool water drawn from his well when we desperately needed to refill our empty canteens in the 1983 July heat wave on Dartmoor, or, with the help of the Headcorn Parachute Club, the sensation of jumping out of an Islander aircraft at 2000 feet over the Kent countryside. I’d always wanted to make a parachute jump and there I was realising my lifelong wish, looking down at my feet dangling above the fields below.

It certainly put me in places I would not have found myself in if left to my own

teenage devices and it was only made possible with the well organised structure in place at Reed’s and the help of the teachers who gave up their spare time selflessly; amongst them Basil Green, Keith Youde and Alan Hickman.

I was also lucky to have a solid group of friends to hike with on the four-day, 50-mile expedition: Rob Lee (Mullens), Pascal Shaw (Mullens), James Grist (Blathwayt) and Mark Foulsham (Blathwayt). Thirtyyear reunion trek from Hay Bluff to the Llanthony Abbey bar anyone?

After starting in the autumn of 1982 and completing the five required elements, it culminated in meeting the Duke of Edinburgh at St James’s Palace for the award ceremony. I was fortunate enough to chat with him for a few minutes; I put it down to achieving the School Arts, Music & Drama Colours in the Upper Sixth. As he approached our crescent of a dozen Gold Award holders, my unusual grey and gold embroidered tie must have caught his eye:

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Sunrise on Dartmoor

‘That’s an interesting tie young man, what’s your name?’ he asked.

‘My name is Tom, Your Royal Highness,’ I replied, ‘and this tie is the School Arts, Music and Drama Colours.’

‘Ah yes, a very important piece. Well, Tom, you must come and play it for us at the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall next November,’ he said and, with a sideways glance and a subtle smile, he moved on to the next crescent of recipients.

‘And which one did you do then Tom?’ ‘I did all three Sir.’ ‘I see, and which was your favourite?’

‘Music Sir. I played trumpet in the School orchestra and wind band.’

‘Very good and what was the last thing you played?’

“It was The Last Post at the School Remembrance Service in November, Sir.’ Art, Music and Drama Colours tie

We both knew I would not be receiving that invite but, I saw, in his easy-going sense of humour, a kind way of putting my nerves at ease. It was certainly his room and he clearly enjoyed the occasion as much as we did.

The scheme he created is life changing – with no hidden agenda – just simply to help young people to take part and test themselves. If I may add another cliché: I’d highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance, whether at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, they will certainly make positive, lifelong memories.

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OR MEMORIES

It’s good to take a trip down memory lane…

Jonathan West (Bristowe 1971) The invitation to Reunion Day and the notification of the death of John Leach earlier in the year brought back a few memories which I wanted to share.

John Leach was Assistant Housemaster of Bristowe, my piano teacher and a very kind man with whom we kept in touch for a while after he left Reed’s.

I left Reed’s in 1971 at the age of 19 having been School Captain for the Autumn Term and Head of Bristowe for the previous year. On leaving, I was the oldest boy in the school and, since I was the second youngest when I joined as a Foundationer boarding in The Close, it’s possible I may have some sort of record as the slowest developer in the School’s history! The then head, Robert Drayson, put me straight into the Third Form as I’d gained a scholarship but I performed miserably in a class who were all at least a year older, but did a little better when kept back a year.

One of the most significant things that happened was a surprise call with a small group of fellow pupils to the study of the Head of Music, John Smith. He asked each of us to indicate which musical instrument we would like to take up for a free trial term of lessons. With no time to think about it, I opted for a brass instrument I had seen in comics that starts in front, coils all the way around and ends up behind you. I mistakenly thought it was called a trombone (later I learned it was a sousaphone) but was reasonably satisfied when presented with something just as shiny with a long slide. My teacher was Laurie Monk who was principal trombonist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and was unfailingly positive! As luck would have it, the Surrey Youth Orchestra was looking for trombonists. After an audition I was sponsored by Surrey County Council as

a Junior Exhibitioner to have music lessons at the Royal Academy of Music on Saturday mornings. This meant I was able to get away with travel expenses paid to London every week and also to Guildford for Surrey Youth Orchestra rehearsals every Sunday.

I didn’t shine academically and had quite poor O Level results. Things took a turn for the better in the Sixth Form. Having lost my way somewhat, the School sent me to an experimental careers advisory day in London where I completed a series of tests and interviews. A career in medicine/surgery was (unexpectedly for me) suggested and I switched subjects to Biology, Physics and Chemistry. I was lucky that this coincided with the start of Howard Robinson’s teaching career at the School since I went on to get a distinction in the ‘Special’ paper at A Level Biology.

The change of subjects and a new direction brought with it a new attitude on my part and I threw myself into every opportunity that came my way. Bristowe, in particular, hadn’t won any inter-house competitions for so many years that Rodney Exton suggested that our motto should be: ‘Never run when you can walk.

Never walk when you can sit down. Never sit down when you can lie down!’

In my first Sixth Form year, I was made House Captain of Music and, when Bristowe won its first cup since Basil Green had become Housemaster, I had never seen anyone look so happy and was made a prefect on the spot. Other opportunities, such as being offered the lead in the school play (Ross by Terence Rattigan) and becoming, captain of athletics and cross-country. With some decent A Level results, I earned a place at St John’s College Cambridge to study medicine.

Two others from Bristowe (Andy Cairns and Barry Auld) subsequently followed

this identical route.

I went on to have quite a conventional medical career training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. In 1990, I was appointed as a consultant in O&G with a special interest in helping infertile couples at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. I was fortunate to be involved in the development of various keyhole surgery techniques; was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England; a teacher and examiner for the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists; a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s Licensed Centres’ Panel and founded the Peninsular Centre for Reproductive Medicine, which was the first IVF Clinic in the south-west of England.

Now retired, and still happily married after 42 years with two children and one grandchild, I would hesitate to give any advice. If pressed, I would say to teachers (as someone who has taught many medical students and trainee doctors) that despite every effort in the interests of equality to take the teacher out of teaching, this can’t be done. It’s contrary to human nature. I have been gratified by believing in, giving opportunities to and teaching many budding medics, several of whom were initially thought not to be up to the task by colleagues. I would tell students to try to believe in themselves even if it seems irrational and unwarranted at times, to seek out and take every opportunity that comes your way, to believe you can do it, and to hope that you have the good fortune to have someone who believes in and supports you against all expectations. However, you also need a bit of extra luck as well.

I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out if the School had had a sousaphone!

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From Oxshott to Charlottetown Peter Yates (Capel 1968) Back in 1966, the Derby was run on a Wednesday. An excited Paul Whelan (Bristowe 1968) accosted me in the ‘Noticeboard Room’ with a letter just received from his Dad in Canada. It was post-marked ‘Charlottetown’.

‘A horse called Charlottetown is running in the Derby!’ announced Paul.

‘It’s a sign’ I said. ‘It’s obviously gonna win!’

‘We must go!’ Paul exclaimed.

So we bunked off games. Hitched to Epsom. And five (yes, five) lifts later we were climbing over the fence, running past the fun-fair and making for the rails just past Tattenham Corner in the straight.

We were late, but the start has been delayed so we stared wide-eyed as Charlottetown led the field past us and on

to a famous victory. We had a fantastic view and, having only watched racing on TV, I hadn’t realised you got spattered with mud as the horses raced past. All-in-all a great day out!

We hitched back (one lift!). Missed tea and got a ‘Blue’. They were a long sheet of lined blue paper which were handed out

by Prefects. They sheets had to be filled with writing; 10 words a line minimum.

As a Third Former, I once copied out from a book about the South Downs which started with the words ‘The village of Clayton…’ I double-inked those words to make them stand out because the prefect who gave me the Blue was called Clayton.

I thought I was being very clever. I got another Blue for my troubles!

After O Levels, Paul and I travelled to Swanage (nice – but not quite Magaluf) and watched the World Cup in Mrs

Bomfield’s sitting room (B&B without the Air.) After Sixth Form, Paul and I went our separate ways and lost touch until mutual friend, Mike Ransome (Mullens1968), with whom I had kept in regular contact since School, met Paul at the 1968 Gaudy resulting in us having a reunion lunch at Tattons in Covent Garden. He’d been dining out on the Derby story all those 50 years and had never mentioned me – the cad. Our latest haunt is The Mudlark on the Thames next to Borough Market though circumstances have prevented meeting for a while.

(See updates about Paul, Mike and Peter in the Class Notes section).

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OR MEMORIES

Memories of Frank Anstis Munawar Ali Khan (Capel 1966) It was when I progressed to Fifth Form science that I came under the tutelage of Frank Anstis as our Physics teacher. It was here we came to know each other; an association which was to remain through the Lower & Upper Sixth Form years, right up to the time I left School.

I became a member of the Science and Astronomy Clubs, eventually running the latter & co-running the former. As Frank was the ‘Chairman’, I was able to spend more time with him discussing and planning the termly programmes for these clubs; this was in a more relaxed non-academic atmosphere, so, I would say, I came to know him better than my other mentors. Although group trips out would often give rise to conversations far removed from institutional

restriction, an easy flow of casual wit between him and our entire group.

More than half a century on, while going through the Reeder, I came to know that Frank had settled in the West Country, taking up painting as a pastime, having been semi-tutored by a past Reed’s art teacher, Mr Pickersgill. My association with the latter was through the various School plays he produced; also, perhaps, peripherally with the photography club.

Learning of Frank’s interest in painting, I forwarded an article from a scientific magazine to Sharmaine, regarding a lady artist who uses concepts and discoveries found in Physics as the basis for her artwork. Very kindly Sharmaine forwarded my mail to Frank, which – at last – led to the incredible revival of our networking after a gap of 55 years.

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I owe a lot to Reed’s for giving me such a sound education and confidence to live a good life.

Tony Rigg (Mullens 1951) My father, Lt Cpl James Rigg RAMC, died at Dunkirk in May 1940, meaning that three of us, sister Sheila (aged seven), brother Howard (aged two) and I (aged five) had lost our beloved parent.

Applications for us to be pupils at Reed’s School were made with the assistance of my godfather, who had connections with the City of London.

In February 1943, Sheila was accepted to attend at Greens Norton and subsequently moved to Dogmersfield and I was accepted to Tile House. Our mother found it hard to send her children away, especially to different locations from different train stations all on the same day with the return from holiday being no easier. However, she did very well.

The change from home to boarding was hard to start with but this soon became easier as we were in the company of many other children who were in the same situation. Many friendships were made and teamwork helped us to get through everything that came our way.

Tile House was a mansion house with a large garden which was our play area. We had bedrooms on the first floor and meals were eaten in the dining room on the ground floor. I cannot remember where we had our lessons but we had the senior girls help look after us as well as the staff.

I was moved to Totnes in early 1945, where things were different as I was now with the senior boys. This was my home until Reed’s arrived at Cobham in 1946 where all pupils came together. That year

Howard also joined in The Close at the age of seven. A lot of detail has been written about Tile House and Totnes in various Reeder magazines as have the changes about the Girls’ School bringing them all back to a permanent location at Dogmersfield Park.

I owe a lot to Reed’s for giving me such a sound education and confidence to live a good life. Taking part in Cubs, Scouts and Cadets was great, helping to show us different ways of doing things. Sport required good teamwork and brought out the best in all of us. I enjoyed rugby most with my school report often making the comment that if I did as well with my schooling as I did with rugby, I would be a first-class scholar. In my last year at school 1951, I was made a prefect to look after the juniors in the Close, walking them up to the main school for meals; this gave me confidence to accept responsibility which was a great help in later life.

One other piece of invaluable advice was given to me by the Headmaster, Mr Axton, in my last term at School when he called me into his study. He counselled that when called for an interview, you create an impression as soon as you enter a room so always have a firm handshake, introduce yourself and keep eye contact; do not try to answer a question to which you do not know the answer and, at the end of the interview, shake hands and give thanks to those that called the interview.

This advice most definitely helped me in my working life.

Each of my siblings moved on from

School to do well: Sheila left in 1949 to a job in the City. She married and had two daughters but sadly she has died. Howard left in 1954 to also work in the City and married; his a son, Christopher, joined Reed’s 1983 and left in 1990.

I left to work on a farm and carried on playing rugby for the ORs until 1954 when I was called up to do National Service with the Army. I trained to be a radar operator and spent 18 months in Hong Kong, leaving in February 1956 having managed to play rugby for the Regiment.

On my return, I went back to work on the farm and, during this period, married my lovely wife, Maureen in 1959. Rugby continued with the ORs until 1961, when our son, Simon, was born. I have good memories of everyone I played with, including one OR, John Alvey (Blathwayt 1940), who was the first team captain and became a director of British Telecom.

Farm life also came to an end in 1961 when I joined the GPO telephone service.

The days were spent working and the evenings at ‘night school’ to obtain a City & Guilds qualification in telephony. This training, with the support and backing from Maureen, helped me through 35 years with the company in different departments and several promotions into management.

Maureen and I have two children and celebrated 61 years of wonderful marriage which sadly ended when she passed away in May 2020, a great loss to all of us. It is the family (including four grandchildren – all girls – and four great grandsons) that has kept me going.

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Spotlight on...

Arthur James Moxham A Life of Endeavour and Achievement

Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975)

Arthur James Moxham was born in Neath on 19th September 1854. His life would take him from South Wales to Belgium to East London, then Kentucky, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Nova Scotia, back to Kentucky and, eventually, New York State. During his 76 years, he was a model pupil at the London Orphan Asylum, a leading ironmaster and designer of wrought iron processes, a significant figure during one of America’s worst peacetime disasters, all alongside jointly raising a family. He also never forgot about the key influence his old School had on his life, something he happily acknowledged in later years.

Arthur’s journey to the London Orphan Asylum In 1851, Arthur’s father, Egbert Moxham, eloped with a spinster from Neath seven years his senior called Catherine Morgan. At various times in his life Egbert was described as an apprentice builder, an architect, a landscape artist and a sometime inventor.

No paintings of his seem to have survived, but there are references to him designing religious chapels, extensions to school buildings and, perhaps most notably, remodelling work for Dunraven Castle in South Wales. Egbert and Catherine had five children between 1852 and 1859. Elizabeth, Arthur and Evangeline were born in Neath and then, when Egbert decided to follow his landscape painting interests, he moved his family to Bruges where Evan and Edgar were born. Sadly, Evan died a year later and the Moxham family settled in Maze Hill, part of Greenwich. Egbert died on 4th September 1864, leaving Catherine a widow with four children under the age of 12 and less than £100 from his estate.

An unmarried uncle of Egbert’s assisted Catherine in her plight to stave off the spectre of the workhouse by supporting her in obtaining a place at the London Orphan Asylum for her son, Arthur, in 1865, where he remained until 1869. His younger sister, Evangeline, was also admitted to the School two years later.

Arthur’s arrival at the School must have been a shock to him, not just because of the need to adapt to his new surroundings and routines, but also because of the event that occurred at Clapton in November that year. An outbreak of typhoid swept through the institution causing 216 of the 461 pupils to fall ill with the fever, of whom 15 died.

At the time Arthur was admitted to the School, it was overseen

by Reverend Henry Beattie, a rather stern disciplinarian, but in

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1867 Beattie died to be replaced by a more progressive and kindly Headmaster, Reverend Alexander Houliston. He was young, energetic and caring, and was very well liked by everyone. Very unusually for the era, Houliston abolished corporal punishment which, no doubt, endeared him still further to his pupils!

Little is known about Arthur during his time at Clapton, but family history research suggests he approached his studies in a very diligent manner, a fact that can be confirmed from the School’s records.

Along with three other boys who left in 1869, the name of Arthur James Moxham was added to the Tablets of Honour boards, which hung in the main School room at Clapton. The boards recorded the names of those who had distinguished themselves throughout their time at the School by their exemplary approach to their education. To have your name on the Boards was the highest honour the School could bestow on a pupil.

New career In the summer of 1869, Catherine Moxham was visited by her sister and niece from America, Dora and Bessie Coleman.

During the trip, it was suggested that Catherine’s two eldest children, Florence

and Arthur, should go to America; Florence for a visit and Arthur to begin a career in the iron mills of Louisville, Kentucky owned by the Coleman family. There had been a massive expansion in railroad construction in the immediate years following the American Civil War, hence the need for more iron mill workers.

Arthur had just turned 15 and initially he worked in the iron mill office, but it was not long before he became involved in the activities of the mill floor, and he immersed himself in the very arduous and skilful processes of puddling and rolling.

Puddling was the process of converting pig iron into wrought iron and needed strength and a deft touch to get the moment of conversion just right, before sending through the rollers to turn it into standard sizes of iron.

By the end of 1871, Arthur was earning US$28 a month, much of which he sent to his mother in Neath and, in June the following year, he managed a trip back to South Wales to visit his family. By August he was back in Louisville and continuing with his ironmaster apprenticeship, which lasted a total of seven years. It was around this time that Arthur fell in love with the 16-year-old daughter of Thomas Patrick Cooper, Helen, but it would be another

three years before they became engaged and a further two before they were married.

In the early Spring of 1876, Arthur once more made the trip back to Neath to see his mother who was seriously ill. Sadly, whilst on route, Catherine Moxham died on the 16th March, and Arthur spent the next few months dealing with the family’s affairs. He returned to America and on 3rd July 1876 and married Helen Coleman.

The following summer, their first born child, Thomas Coleman Moxham, was born.

By the time of Thomas’s birth, Arthur Moxham was an accomplished ironmaster with a great ingenuity for design and a pragmatic approach to the different compositions of wrought iron. He designed and patented new methods of wrought iron work and through his new processes managed to save on production costs.

These were, however, very challenging times; across Europe and the United States a depression had descended upon the economic landscape. The railroad construction in America had expanded too far and too fast to be financially sustainable and two huge fires, one in Chicago and another in Boston, had depleted the cash reserves of the Federal Bank to a critically low level.

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Spotlight on...

Making his mark All economic depressions eventually come to an end and the one of 1873-1879 was no different. In 1879 a wealthy businessman, Bidermann du Pont, decided to build an iron rolling mill in Birmingham, Alabama, and he asked Arthur Moxham to help design the new plant. Bidermann du Pont was a member of the Du Pont business empire and had married into the Coleman family. He was well aware of Moxham’s ironmaking skills and business acumen and was happy to invest large sums of money over the next four years to build and sustain the Birmingham plant. In 1880, Moxham became the superintendent for the Birmingham construction and moved his wife and son close to the mill to oversee its completion. In August 1881, a second son, Egbert, was born.

It was about this time that Arthur Moxham was reacquainted with Tom Johnson, a very shrewd businessman.

Arthur and Tom had spent some time with each other during the first few months of Moxham’s move to America but, then from

a business perspective, had gone their separate ways. Tom was more interested in street railway design and was not an engineer and ironmaster like Arthur. Their new collaboration led to a successful rail design, backed by du Pont money, and was incorporated into the Johnson Steel Street Rail Company in 1883. In that same year, Arthur moved his family to the Pennsylvania town of Johnstown where he established a finishing yard near to the Cambria Iron Works to design and lay out the trackwork for horse-drawn cable systems.

Following a successful collaboration with Cambria Iron, demand for rail and trackwork increased, necessitating an expansion of the Johnson Company and, in June 1886, a site was purchased in nearby Woodvale to facilitate offices, a layout yard, railway connections and other sundry plant requirements. The new site was fully operational by January 1887.

Yet, six months later, a further expansion was necessary and another site covering 60 acres was occupied just south of Johnstown.

The alliance between Johnson and Moxham brought together two of the most dynamic and innovative individuals in America and, with the backing of capital

from the du Pont family, the Johnson Steel Street Rail Company came to dominate the American street railway market for the next 15 years or more. This dominance can be measured by the scale and geographical spread of its street railways and associated products. During the mid-to-late 1890s, over 94 complete street cable railways were designed and built by the company in major cities such as Pittsburgh, St Louis, Baltimore and Ottawa in Canada. Over 370 other projects of varying sizes were completed at this same time and in 1894 it was estimated that over 70% of all street railway track material in use in the US had been produced by the Johnson Company.

Catastrophe strikes On the night of the 31st May 1889, a catastrophe struck Johnstown and its surrounding neighbours, the result of which brought Moxham very much into the spotlight, and all his business and organisational skills to the fore.

For several days unusually heavy rain had fallen in the area saturating the ground and, more concerning, causing the South Fork Dam, some 14 miles upstream, to fill almost to the top. The lake was about two-miles long and 60-feet wide and was held in place by an earth bank which, for

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were cut from tomato tins for the new deputies and a cordon was thrown around the two main banks to avoid any robberies.

Two weeks after the disaster the local newspaper, The Johnstown Tribune, had this piece in its editorial:

a long time, had caused concern locally but, because there was no regulatory body responsible for its safety, nothing was done to maintain it properly. That night, however, the pressure became too great and the Dam burst, releasing over 20 million tons of water which surged down the valley moving at 40 miles an hour and a height of nearly 40 feet. Within 30 minutes the town of Johnstown was engulfed by smashed trees, building debris, dead animals, every conceivable type of household item and dead bodies.

The cost in human life was truly dreadful: 2,209 people lost their lives; 99 entire families died including 396 children; 99 children lost both parents; 124 women lost their husbands and 198 men lost their wives. More than 800 victims were never identified. Four square miles of central

Johnstown were completely destroyed, and a pile of debris prevented from travelling further by the town’s stone bridge covered an area of thirty acres.

Moxham takes charge The unimaginable horror of the flood and immediate aftermath must have seemed insurmountable to those who had survived, but it was at this moment that Arthur Moxham stepped forward. He took charge immediately and organised Citizens’ Committees to look after the most pressing and obvious problems. Morgues were established, dead animals and wreckage began to be cleared immediately to prevent disease, temporary hospitals were set up and 75 of Moxham’s employees were deputised to supplement the overstretched police force. Tin stars

‘Arthur James Moxham made the first movement to obtain help and inspire hope. He sent messengers to distant telegraph stations to give the world the dreadful news and to call for assistance, and he drew together the citizens for organised work under his direction to protect property and to open a way to aid the suffering. Nor did he hesitate to give pledges for the payment of the preliminary and indispensable expenses and, under his leadership, the first efforts were made to restore order and systematize relief.

It is an especial day to testify to the great services rendered to the suffering and disorganised community by Arthur James Moxham.’

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I am only glad to do what little I can to help the School along; there is nothing that I can do that will repay the debt of gratitude that I owe it.

Moxham subsequently wrote to the School, explaining what had happened at Johnstown and enclosing a cheque for £20 (about £2,500 today). He ended his letter, ‘I am only glad to do what little I can to help the School along; there is nothing that I can do that will repay the debt of gratitude that I owe it.’

Recognition Moxham’s direct and active involvement in the relief effort at Johnstown lasted four days, after which the Federal resources of the US took over, but without his initial intervention it would have taken considerably longer for the news to have reached the necessary quarters and many more would have suffered in the interim.

Such was the catastrophic impact of the flood that bodies were still being found as late as 1911 and as far away as Cincinnati, 350 miles from Johnstown.

It took five years to rebuild the shattered town of Johnstown and the surrounding districts and, here too, Moxham involved himself in making the area a better place.

A new district was created, mainly for

the Johnson Company employees, appropriately named by Tom Johnson as Moxham Town. It survives to this day and is called The Moxham Historic District in which many houses of character can be found.

Arthur Moxham created a number of companies designed to benefit the community; the Somerset Water Company, the Moxham Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company and arranging a natural gas service for private use and street lighting being his most prominent enterprises.

In addition, he built a rail link between Johnstown and the huge Johnson Company Works, three miles away, to enable his employees a quick and easy way of getting to and from work. Moxham thought of everything!

Forging ahead Moxham continued in his role as President of the Johnson Company. The everincreasing competition from large steel companies meant he had to look continuously for greater production efficiency. Through Moxham, the company

had established a skilled labour force, proper financing and state-of-the-art equipment. To develop the business still further he purchased 3,700 acres of land in Lorain, Ohio, at the mouth of the Black River with the purpose of creating a totally integrated steel plant. With the exception of Pierre du Pont, the major shareholders backed the plan and, following various mergers and changes of ownership, the Lorain Steel Company came into existence in 1895. The iron foundries and trackwork finishing mill remained in Johnstown.

In 1898 Moxham, retired with the intention of visiting England before embarking on a world cruise with his wife and family. Before that became a reality, he was persuaded out of retirement by the American industrialist, Henry Melville Whitney, to set up and run the Dominion Iron and Steel Company in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia - the first modern, totally integrated blast furnace complex in Canada. It appears that Moxham’s wife, Helen, was less than impressed. For years she had followed her husband from one major venture to another, uprooting the family as they went, and by now Arthur had built her a grand mansion in Lorain where she wanted to see out her days. The stories of how Arthur Moxham dealt with the issue seem to vary. One version suggests he moved the house, brick by brick, from Lorain to Sydney, whilst another

109

suggests he built a duplicate in their new location. Whatever the truth of how he did it, the house in Cape Breton became locally known as Moxham Castle.

A large stone-pillared porch opened into a grand hall with a winding staircase leading to 30 bedrooms. Next to the kitchen was a butler’s pantry and additional rooms included a sewing room, billiard room, small and large dining rooms, a living room, a library, various other snug rooms and a tower. Outside the grounds were lavishly landscaped with groves of birch, elm, maple and walnut trees imported from Europe. A gatehouse s tood adjacent to the main house.

Personal tragedy strikes Arthur and Helen Moxham had five children; two sons and three daughters.

Sadly, their first born daughter, Florence, died within a week of her birth, but their other four children all reached adulthood.

In 1900 their eldest son, Thomas Coleman Moxham, married Ellen Huston. Thomas was working as a Superintendent at the Dominion Works and clearly inherited his father’s diligence and work ethic – it was usual for him to arrive at work early and busy himself in all aspects of the plant’s construction. His brother, Egbert, was

studying electrical engineering at Cornell University at the time.

On 5th June 1901, Thomas left for the plant as usual leaving Ellen, who was seven months pregnant, to rest ahead of the impending birth of Arthur and Helen’s first grandchild. At about 4pm Thomas was in the marshalling yard where the locomotives were busy moving large wagons of heavy material around the site. He signalled the driver of one of the engines that he wished to board and as he approached to grab the handrail to climb aboard, he slipped beneath the wheels and was killed instantly. There was nothing anyone could do. At the time, Arthur Moxham was visiting Henry Whitney in New York and hurried messages were sent to him and Egbert at Cornell to return home immediately. If the loss of Thomas was not tragic enough, two months later Ellen died in childbirth as did her stillborn son. The deaths of their son, daughter-inlaw and first grandchild within the space of two months was too much for Arthur and Helen Moxham to bear. Arthur lost interest in the Dominion site and returned to Louisville where Ellen and her son had been taken back to the family plot and laid to rest alongside Thomas.

During subsequent summer months,

Arthur and Helen returned to Moxham Castle, but the visits must have brought back very sad memories and in 1914 it was donated to the Canadian Government to be used as a rehabilitation hospital for those wounded during the First World War. After the War it was sold and changed hands and, eventually, having been vandalised and left derelict for several years, it was destroyed by a fire in 1966.

Although Arthur Moxham continued to work, his great endeavours were behind him. He joined the Board of Directors of the new Du Pont Company, invited by its President, Coleman du Pont, as Director of Product Development. He gradually became less active and by the late 1920s had retired. He died at the age of 76 on 16th May 1931 in Great Neck, Nassau County, New York State. He was buried in the family plot at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky, where just over one year later Helen Moxham was laid to rest.

Role model Today the School encourages all its pupils to live by and actively embrace its values: resilience, responsibility, independence, integrity, compassion and curiosity. Long before these principles were defined, Arthur Moxham demonstrated them throughout his life and even now might be considered a role model for others to emulate.

If you’d like to learn more about the School’s history register on the Reed’s Heritage website and explore...

If you would like to contribute an article or a memoir or an artefact, please contact heritage@reeds. surrey.sch.uk for more details.

We’d love to hear from you.

reedsschoolheritage.co.uk

REED’S HERITAGE

110 THE REEDER 2021

Coffee Break We hope you are enjoying this year’s Reeder with all its news and articles, but now for something different! Take a break and have a go at these…

(Solutions on inside back cover)

Word Search Can you find these words hidden in the grid which all appear in our main feature, Making Yourself Heard. Words can go in the following directions:   Word clues artist audience creativity ego guitar

technology tiktok track zoom

record songs songwriter stockholm studio

mice music nurture perform producer

jealous jenkins listen lyrics madonna

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111

Maths Crossword

Word Polygon

Legendary teacher of Maths & Blathwayt Housemaster, Terry Ha, sets us another of his favourite puzzles from UK Maths Challenge 1

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Across 1. 75% of 4 Down (3) 3. A seventh power (4) 5. An angle of an isosceles triangle that has 68° as one of its angles (2) 6. A multiple of the sum of its digits (3) 7. A square number multiplied by 24 Across (3) 9. The largest three-digit Fibonacci number (3) 12. The sum of its digits is 15 Down (3) 14. The product of an even square and a prime (2) 16. Twenty less than 5 Across (2) 17. A multiple of 15 Down (3) 19. The product of 28 and the previous triangular number (3) 21. A square number (3) 23. Its digits sum to ten (3) 24. Half of 9 Down (2) 25. The number of minutes in four days (4) 26. The mean of 1 Down and 9 Across (3) Down 1. The product of all the primes in the twenties (3) 2. Six more than 1 Across (3) 3. A factor of 3 Across (2) 4. The product of an even cube and a prime (3) 8. The next prime after 24 Across (2) 9. Twice a prime number (2) 10. 11 Down minus 3 Across (4) 11. The product of two consecutive triangular numbers (4) 13. The sum of all the factors of 28 (2) 15. The sum of the fourth powers of two different numbers (2) 17. Half of 5 Across (2) 18. A square number that is also a triangular number (2) 20. The remainder when 11 Down is divided by 3 Across (3) 21. A power of two (3) 22. 9 Across minus 40 (3) 23. 13 Down minus 16 Across (2)

24 words = average 32 words = good 40 words = excellent 60+ words = genius!

Classroom Teaser A room contains a group of Minions. Each Minion has either one eye or two eyes.

In the room, there are three times as many Minions with two eyes as there are with one eye.

In total there are 329 eyes in the room.

How many Minions in the room have two eyes?

112 THE REEDER 2021

THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation Overview from Kathryn Bartram Director of Development & External Relations As a former Mathematician and Economist, I have always been intrigued by Edward Lorenz’s concept of the Butterfly Effect and subsequently general Chaos Theory.

Namely, how seemingly small occurrences can have a disproportionally large impact on systems and society.

As you read through this addition of the Reeder, you will see so many variations on this. Whether it is grand actions such as Arthur Moxham’s clear thinking and presence of mind in the immediate aftermath of the Johnstone flood or simply the recollections of an OR on a life well lived, not only for them but for their children and grandchildren.

This often comes to mind when speaking with our Foundation pupils, both past and present. We love hearing their stories about how they came to be Foundation pupils, their time at Reed’s, and how it has fundamentally changed, not only their lives but those of their family and friends. What often comes out is that “chance” happenstance which made it all possible: someone mentioning Reed’s to their mother when she felt all hope was lost, coming across a mention of Reed’s in a publication, or even just stumbling across the Foundation website. Whether it was 200 years ago or last month, the story is the same; one small event changed their lives, their families’ lives, and, ultimately, our collective society forever.

Everyday in our office we are privileged to hear these stories. Just recently one of our new Foundation mums wrote to let us know that after a series of terrible events over the past few years, when she was constantly worried for her son’s future, a last-minute Foundation place restored her faith in the world and gave her the confidence to apply for a new role (which she got!). On the other side, we often get contacted by the grandchildren or even great-grandchildren of ORs who are doing genealogical research. It is humbling to hear about not only the tragic circumstances that started it all, the story behind their admission to Reed’s (one notably involved Queen Mary showing up at their Great-Grandmother’s cottage

door to tell her about the School), and subsequently what their descendants have gone on to do.

Trying to capture all these stories is virtually impossible but in our new Foundation film, we do try to capture one. The multigenerational tale behind Shahin’s journey from war torn Iran to the upper echelons of Britain’s legal world truly embodies the spirit of the Foundation. I would encourage you all to watch it.

Whether it is mentioning the Foundation and the School to a family you know of in need, helping with careers advice for pupils and younger ORs, or financially supporting the Foundation each of us has the capacity to be a butterfly – helping to change the world in our own way.

Thank you for all your support!

Kathryn Bartram

113

NEW FILM FOR THE FOUNDATION How do you bring to life the long-term impact of the Andrew Reed Foundation?

Many know, either by experience or from a vested interest, that our Reed’s Foundation offers unique bursaries that provide the care, support and education to change young lives. But what is harder and less tangible to convey is the long-term impact it has, not only on the children who receive the bursaries, but their families across generations.

So, who better to talk about that long-term impact than a former Foundation bursary recipient?

We were delighted when Shahin (School Captain in 2002) agreed to let us capture his Foundation journey on film. Shahin’s touching and inspiring account is just one from the thousands of children we have supported which so succinctly explains the transformational work we do as a Foundation.

Please take a moment to watch this moving film which can be found on the Andrew Reed Foundation website (andrewreedfoundation.org).

Overleaf, you’ll also be able to read the charming stories of two other Old Reedonians, whose lives were impacted by the Foundation in providing those unique opportunities to their predecessors!

Call out to other former Foundation bursary recipients We plan to make a series of Foundation films to help build awareness of the work of the Foundation, to promote the positive impact it has and to bring in new supporters. We are therefore reaching out to the wonderful OR community to ask for help.

Were you a Foundationer at the School and would you be willing to share your positive story on film, perhaps with your family involved too? By doing so, you could help give another child the chance of a life-changing education at Reed’s School?

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, without any commitment, please email Sharmaine Matthews smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk.

To keep up-to-date with news from the Foundation, you may wish to follow our dedicated social media channels  @ReedsFoundation  @ReedsFoundation  @AndrewReedFoundation

114 THE REEDER 2021

THE FOUNDATION

We often say that the Reed’s Foundation changes not only the lives of the child it supports, but also their immediate and future families.

These two short articles from ORs proves that our theory is spot on!

The Generation Game Simon Molesey

VERBENA ANNE MERCER / SIMON MOSELEY Lady Anne Moseley, with an “e” as she always introduced herself, was enormously grateful to Reed’s School and what it did for her and her family.

being treated at St Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth, with a new cure that involved excruciating pain by wearing a helmet of Cobalt pins. Sadly, he died in 1932 leaving Anne and her mother all but destitute and the latter went into service to make ends meet.

She was born Verbena Anne Mercer in Slough in 1921. Her family owned a successful grain business and were well off but, by the late twenties, the money had gone and her father, an accomplished oarsman, had advanced cancer. He was

Fortunately St Thomas’ were very supportive after her father’s death and had a relationship with The London Orphan School. Anne was sent to Watford and then to Dogmersfield during the War where she flourished and made lifelong friends.

Lady Anne Molesey

She became a successful primary school teacher and married George, a civil servant who would go on to the top of his profession and be knighted by Her Majesty. When it was time for Anne’s son to go to secondary school, she had no hesitation in considering Reed’s for him, by then located at Cobham and only 15 miles away from the family home in Hampton.

It was a long journey for Anne from very humble beginnings but one that Reed’s featured largely in and she was always grateful for the friends she made and her association with the school.

As for that son, Simon, his time at Reed’s was more successful on the sports field than in the classroom, though his role as Susannah in the Marriage of Figaro was a highlight! He served in the British Army in the Inniskilling Dragoons for 18 years in some weird and wonderful places and then spent 22 years building infrastructure for Goldman Sachs through Europe and Asia Pacific.

Yes, the Moseley family have a lot to thank Reed’s for!

Simon Moseley (Capel 1975)

115 Joan Andrews (née Venus) at Watford, 1939

Joan Venus & Cliff Andrews at OR Dance, 1950

Muriel Anderson (née Andrews)

Cliff Andrews, Marion Venus, Robert Andrews, Joan Andrews (née Venus)

CLIFF & JOAN ANDREWS / MURIEL ANDREWS / MARION VENUS / ROBERT ANDREWS When I joined Reed’s in September 1969, I believe it was as the first pupil of two Old Reedonians. However, as well as my father and mother being ORs, so too were two of my aunts.

My father Cliff Andrews was born in August 1921. His father had died in July 1929, and Cliff joined the London Orphan School (LOS) in Watford in February 1930. Here he stayed until the end of July 1937. His sister Muriel, born in December 1923, joined him at the LOS in September 1932 after first being sent to Spurgeon’s School in Stockwell. The boys’ and girls’ schools were separate, with brothers and sisters only being allowed to see each other on Sunday afternoons.

My mother, Joan Venus, was born in April 1926 and her sister, Marion, was born three years later; they lost their father in October 1934. Mother joined Rosebud House (the same one as Muriel Andrews) as soon as January 1935, and Marion joined her as a ‘little bud’ in 1937.

All four had lost a father who had died in his 30s. On my father’s side, their mother had been left with four children under twelve. His older two siblings were already at their ‘senior’ schools and I believe his mother saw sending her younger two children away to school as preferable to them being farmed out to relatives on a permanent basis. On my mother’s side, their mother was secretary to a company director in London, and maybe it was he who suggested the LOS through his City connections.

After the War, the boys’ school moved to Cobham, and Reed’s School formally adopted its new name at an AGM in March 1946. Despite many being unhappy at the loss of the Watford name so quickly, it was also agreed that past pupils be known as Old Reedonians, and it was at an Old Reedonians’ dance at the Russell Hotel in London on 25th November 1950 that my father first met my mother. They married in April 1952 on my mother’s birthday. I was born in April 1958.

My aunt, Muriel Andrews, became a nurse at Epsom County Hospital. An Old Watfordians’ Association newssheet records her as being on its staff in 1944,

saying sorry that she had lost touch and was looking forward to a reunion after the War. However, this was not to be, as one of her patients was Ray Anderson of the Royal Canadian Engineers who was being nursed for a shrapnel injury. They married as the War ended and she emigrated to Canada the following year where they settled in Edmonton Alberta and had six children. Ray died in 1991 and Muriel passed away in April 2018.

My other aunt (my Mother’s sister), Marion, trained as a primary teacher after the war, and remained single. In later years she moved to Devon, and is presently in a care home in Exmouth, where in August 2021 she turned 92.

My parents lived in Epsom, then Eastbourne, and finally outside of Salisbury.

Mother passed away in 2005 and father the following year. I currently live near Bristol, having retired from music teaching, and have two teenage daughters.

I am proud to have come from a long line of Old Reedonians!

Robert Andrews (Bristowe 1976)

116 THE REEDER 2021

THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation in numbers Academic year 2020/21

70 65% 35% Foundation pupils in the School

have been exposed to either neglect, abandonment, abuse, mental health or chronic illness

have been adopted/raised by relatives, bereaved or are young carers

These are just three of their stories…

 Due to emotional and physical abuse, social services got involved in our family.

My parents divorced and I now live with my mum and younger siblings. There is a lot of knife crime in the area so mum is frightened to take us out.

 My dad died when I was six, I miss him a lot and like to talk about him often. I have a sibling with special needs who takes a lot of my mum’s time. I feel very anxious at times and worry that my mum will get sick too.

 My mum suffers from severe mental health issues, so I often take care of my younger siblings. Dad left the family home and I don’t have a particularly good relationship with him.

£1,790,772 total donated and pledged in 2020/21

£340,645 Annual Foundation Appeal

£405,038

£64,210

£11,923

£60,956

donated by trusts, charities and foundations, plus an additional £908,000 pledged for future Foundation pupil support.

donated to legacies and endowments

donated by Old Reedonians (via Decade Syndicates, Annual Foundation Appeal, RMG Fund, Hylke’s Fund, Simon & Jonathan’s Fund.

donated by parents and staff

We were incredibly grateful for the response to our COVID Emergency Appeal by ORs, many of whom had not donated previously. However, overall regular giving from ORs was down from last year’s total of £112,000. We know that this pandemic is impacting people in many ways, but if you have found yourself amongst those fortunate enough to be safe and secure and would like to change the futures of vulnerable Foundation pupils like those profiled above, please contact Sharmaine or visit the website, andrewreedfoundation.org

747 117

If every Old Reedonian gave £7 per month for 7 years we would be able to fund 7 more Foundation pupils

for their 7 years at the School

The School donates 4% of Gross Fee Income to the Foundation. This amount donated by the School fully covers all the operating and fundraising costs of the Foundation with the remainder going to direct Foundation pupil costs. This means that every donation gifted goes directly to changing the course of children’s lives now and in the future.

For more information contact Sharmaine Matthews smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk 01932 589490

118 THE REEDER 2021

THE FOUNDATION

CIRCLE OF SUPPORT Our Foundation’s core differentiation comes from the unique combination of bursaries and also, most importantly, the pastoral structure we have in place.

While every boarding school offers pastoral care, it is the holistic approach that Reed’s provides to all pupils which is different, especially for Foundation pupils to help them integrate into everyday school life and have opportunities to shine and flourish.

The ‘circle of support’ means that no child ‘falls through the net’. Every member of staff is empowered to take on a duty of care that complements the outstanding education on offer to ensure that the child’s time at Reed’s is as fulfilled as it can be.

Tutors

Housemasters and Matron

Peer Group

Circle of support

Other staff including sports coaches, subject teachers and Academic Support

Foundation Office Medical Centre

Counsellors

119

YOUR LEGACY A GIFT WITHOUT END

Everyone wants to make their mark on the world and to have their lives remembered and celebrated; leaving a legacy to the Reed’s Foundation does exactly that in a way that will last forever.

How? Well, only the income generated from legacy donations within our Andrew Reed Foundation Fund is drawn down each year ensuring that your gift is one that lasts in perpetuity. You will continue to provide life-changing opportunities to Foundation pupils for generations to come.

Making a bequest allows donors to do more than they might be able to do in their lifetime. For those with ongoing financial commitments, pledging a legacy is the ideal way to support the Foundation whilst at the same time ensuring favourable tax benefits for your family and the remainder of your estate. It is also offers a wonderful opportunity to perhaps remember a particular loved one or to give thanks for a good education received at Reed’s School.

To discuss further in confidence, please contact Sharmaine (01932 589490).

Building our Andrew Reed Growth Fund is vital to the long-term viability of the Foundation. If you would like to talk – in confidence – about making a legacy pledge, please contact Sharmaine.

Everyone wants to make their mark on the world and to have their life remembered; leaving a legacy to the Reed’s Foundation does exactly that by ensuring future generations of Foundation pupils can call themselves Old Reedonians.

120 THE REEDER 2021

THE FOUNDATION

Two Foundations are better than one!

The Tim Henman Foundation (THF) was established by fellow OR, Tim (Blathwayt 1991) in June 2015. Tim, a Reed’s tennis scholar alumnus, asked Richard Garrett to head up his Foundation. Over the next six years, THF raised over £2.25m to help thousands of disadvantaged children and, indeed, many Reed’s Foundation scholars have benefited from THF-funded bursaries, a cause very dear to Tim personally.

Calling all OR recipients of a Royal Bursary Award

In 2022, the Nation (and beyond) will be paying tribute to HM The Queen as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee. As our Patron, Reed’s will be joining the celebrations with a special Commemorative Chapel Service on Thursday 26th May 2022.

In honour of her marriage to HRH Prince Philip, Her Majesty initiated a special Royal Bursary Award to support Foundation pupils each year at Reed’s which continues to this day. We would very much like to invite as many of our OR recipients of this Award to join us at the May Chapel Service.

Richard’s passion for THF’s charitable work and his unique skills in networking and fundraising ensured the THF was in a strong position to keep helping the most vulnerable children in our society.

In the summer of 2021, Richard handed over the reins to a new CEO, another Reed’s alumni, Jamie Feaver (Mullens 2005). With his own experience working in the sports charity sector and shared values with Tim, Jamie is ideally suited to lead the THF on the next exciting phase of its development.

Jamie said: ‘It is a great honour to have been offered this position at the Tim Henman Foundation and it is a lovely story where Tim, Richard and I have such a close connection to the School. I feel a great sense of responsibility to continue the work that has already been done with Reed’s and the Foundation which has done so much for me over the years.’

We have a list of those who received the Royal Bursary but only from around 1980; records prior to this are somewhat sketchy but we know there are definitely more of you out there! If you have a letter or card like Roger Metcalf’s below with your details on, then please do get in touch with Sharmaine (01932 589490, smatthews@reeds. surrey.sch.uk) so we can include you in our celebrations.

For all other ORs, we shall be live streaming the Service, so you are more than welcome to join us on the day too. We look forward to hearing from you.

You and your data We are incredibly grateful for your support and for undertaking to be part of our special extended Reed’s community. As such we would like to stay in touch for a variety of reasons such as to provide opportunities to network, offer employment opportunities, find old friends and invite you to help with School initiatives. But most of all, we enjoy engaging with all our ORs on a regular basis to build a sense of community.

We are committed to protecting your personal information and will never sell your contact information or personal details onto a third party. Any information held will be used solely for the purpose that it was intended and all financial information will be destroyed securely.

Our ‘Privacy Notice for Alumni & Supporters’ can be found on the OR website: networkreeds.org This explains how and why we collect the data we have for you and how we store and process it. There is nothing you need to do unless, of course, you wish us to change the way we communicate with you in the future; to do this please email: development@reeds.surrey.sch.uk or call Sharmaine on 01932 589490.

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Old Reedonians Donation Form I would like to support the Reed’s Foundation by donating to one of the following OR funds (please tick): Annual Foundation Appeal

OR Decade Syndicate

Legacy Fund (see over)

Simon Church & Jonathan Turner Bursary Fund

Richard Garrett Scholarship Fund

Hylke van Slooten Memorial Fund

Unrestricted

Other

YOUR DETAILS Name: (including title, first name and surname)

Address: (please provide your residential address if completing the Gift Aid Declaration overleaf)

Postcode: Email:

Telephone:

I would like to make a REGULAR GIFT and have set up a Standing Order using online banking to: Account Name: Sort Code: Account Number: Reference: to make a gift of:

OR

networkreeds.org/supportthefoundation

Reed’s School Charity Account 30-99-55 22883568 please use your surname and initial £

set up a Direct Debit via the donation page at:

every:

Month

Quarter

Year

Payments will be made until further notice OR Payments will be for a period of

years starting on:

/

/

I would like to make a SINGLE GIFT I enclose a cheque (payable to ‘Reed’s School Charity Account’) for:

£

I have made a transfer of:

using my online banking facility, paid to:

OR

Account Name: Account Number:

£

Reed’s School Charity Account (London Orphan Asylum) 22883568 Sort Code: 30-99-55

OR I have made a payment via the donation page at: networkreeds.org/supportthefoundation OR I wish to donate by credit/debit card and agree that a member of the Development Office Team can contact me on: Telephone:



Signature:

Date:

(please turn over to complete form)

122 THE REEDER 2021

LEAVING A LEGACY I am interested in leaving a Legacy gift in my Will to the Reed’s Foundation (the Foundation Office will follow up) I have already included a Legacy gift in my Will to the Reed’s Foundation

GIFT AID DECLARATION I want to Gift Aid this donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past four years to Reed’s School Foundation.

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

Please notify the Reed’s Foundation if you: • want to cancel this declaration; • change your name or home address; or • no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

Signature:

Date:

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

YOUR DATA We are committed to protecting your personal information and will never sell your contact information or personal details onto a third party. Any information held will be used solely for the purpose that it was intended and all financial information will be destroyed securely.

Thank you Your support will help transform the lives of vulnerable children now and in the future.

Please return this form to:

Registered Charity No. 312008



Development Office Reed’s School Sandy Lane Cobham Surrey KT11 2ESreeds.surrey.sch.u

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1) Lucy Hurford 2) Mark Hoskins 3) Justyn Herbert 4) Rosie Pidgeon 5) Kathryn Bartram 6) Roger Mew 7) Nick Gray 8) Jerry Syms (née Ross) 9) Andy Wotton 10) Lucy Sadler 11) Marcus Baker 12) Sharmaine Matthews 13) Sam Brandon

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Development Office Reed’s School Sandy Lane Cobham Surrey KT11 2ES Kathryn Bartram Director of Development & External Relations 01932 869025 kbartram@reeds.surrey.sch.uk Sharmaine Matthews Head of Alumni & Community Relations and Editor of The Reeder 01932 589490 smatthews@reeds.surrey.sch.uk

reeds.surrey.sch.uk Registered Charity No. 312008