Old Pauline Club

Harold D Wicks

1946-50 Harold grew up in Kensington and attended Colet Court before moving up to St. Paul’s School in 1946. Academically Harold was in the Pauline science stream where he benefited greatly from the care of the gifted master Sidney Pask (Master 1928-66). Athletically Harold became a competitive fencer and with St Paul’s pre-eminent as public schools’ champions, Harold was a redoubtable member of the épée team.

Leaving school Harold served in the RAF where his linguistic knowledge took him to West Germany and many hours spent with headphones clamped to his ears listening Eastwards. Freed from the blue uniform he joined the major advertising agency Masius Wynne-Williams and later the prestigious London Press Exchange. Harold also worked for several years in London and Eindhoven marketing the products of Phillips Electronics.

In 1962 he married his wife Jill after a chance meeting on a boat the previous year, while returning from a trip to Russia. They have a daughter, Nancy. After marriage Harold eventually shifted the focus of his working life to reflect his and Jill’s lifelong commitment to natural health. Harold together with a leading Westminster Hospital consultant initiated an activity that became the Research Council for Complementary Medicine. Thirty years on it is established as an ongoing valuable contribution to the relationship of conventional and natural health therapies.

In his later years Harold moved with Jill to Lavenham in Suffolk where he became an active member of the local community. He volunteered his time and considerable communications experience to support the work of the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust at the unique Little Hall, Lavenham.

Throughout his life Harold held firm to his beliefs, followed a varied path and excelled in all that he did. He was truly a people person with always a great concern for helping others. He is sorely missed. Contributions from family and friends

Old Pauline Sport returns at Thames Ditton

Since the UK government announced the roadmap out of lockdown in late February, 29 March has been a date etched on the mind of all associated with Old Pauline sports. Cricket, football and rugby are set to resume playing at Colets this summer, ensuring a busy few months at Thames Ditton.

For the football club, their interrupted seasons are set to continue after The Amateur Football Combination member clubs voted to complete the remaining fixtures. The OPAFC finds itself in the unprecedented position of being unbeaten in the League heading into Easter. The 1st XI resume in second place, the 2nd XI, flying high at the top of their division, and the Vets, buoyed by their advanced position in the vaccination queue, play in the Vets Cup against Old Westminster Citizens on Sunday 11 April. If you would like to become involved with the OPAFC then please contact Ciaran Harries (ciaran.harries@btinternet.com) to find out more.

The rugby club also makes a playing return. Touch rugby sessions begin again in from the end of March with an additional session at Colets on Saturday 3 April. The big date for your diaries is 17 April when the OPFC hosts an invitational touch rugby tournament open to club regulars and newcomers alike. The club will be following the RFU’s ‘Return to Rugby Roadmap’ so will begin contact training in late April in anticipation for matches with adapted laws against other local clubs from 1 May. If you would like any more information or would like to be in touch with the rugby club then please email info@opfc.org.uk.

As for the cricket club, for a long while it did not look possible, but optimism is beginning to surge through the OPCC at the prospects of a full league season for both 1st and 2nd XIs, starting on 8 May. Both teams are looking to pick up from where they left off, as they continue to take the club to unprecedented levels of success. The 1st XI will resume their battle in the 1st XI division 4 of the Surrey Championship, while the 2nd XI will compete in the 2nd XI division 4 for the first time, having finished top of division 5 in 2019. As always, new playing members are welcome and if you are interested in representing OPCC, please contact Chris at berkettc@gmail.com. 

OPC Annual Dinner Save The Date: Thursday 8 July 2021

The Old Pauline Club invites all OPs to save the date for its Annual Dinner which this year will be held at St Paul's School. This event is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends and hear an update from the school. We are pleased to announce that foreign correspondent and world affairs editor of BBC News John Simpson (1957-62) will be the guest speaker for this year’s event.