RSMA Committee:
A word from the Editor
Chair:
Peter Warner
Secretary: Trish Maude
Membership Secretary: Anne Thwaites
Treasurer:
Stephen Grounds
Events and visits coordinator: Pauline Curtis
Almonry: Judy Barham
Newsletter editor: Philip Rundall
Contributors:
John Ball, John Chapman, Jenny Carr, Roger Green, Pat Cooper, Trish Maude, Philip Rundall, Tom Simms, Stephen Tomkins, Geoff Ward, Peter Warner, Margaret Whitehead.
Design and layout: Patti Rundall
Please email articles in plain text or Word with illustrations to: Philip Rundall, 34 Blinco Grove, CB1 7TS. Tel:01223 240483 philipjohnrundall@gmail.com
E
very year I start off thinking we’ll end up with a two page leaflet and then, all of a sudden, pieces arrive and we end up with something special. Thank you to all those of you who have contributed to this issue. I’m sure in most members’ minds, as they read this issue, will be an awareness of something missing, and that is, pieces by John Axon and John Murrell. We were all shocked to hear that they share the same illness and I’d like to thank both for all they have done for us over the years. Peter Warner has gamely stepped in as temporary Chair and Anne Thwaites has also been co-opted on to the Committee and has taken on a new role, that of Membership Secretary. Trish Maude has also returned as Secretary, taking the place of the splendid Charlotte Jenner, who has now retired from the post. Judith Witt has also stepped in and given invaluable administrative help behind the scenes. As a member of the Committee I feel very positive about the future of our Association. Members may be interested to hear that I attended a luncheon on 21st November 2015 at which we celebrated the life of Mike Bibby, the Head of Art when I first arrived at Homerton in 1973. It was held in the village hall in Birlingham, below Bredon Hill in Worcestershire, a painting haunt of Mike’s. There I had the pleasure of meeting Jill Hamilton again, a former domestic bursar (who took over from Westy). I selected a landscape oil painting entitled “Malvern,” (See photo on Page 3) which is now in possession of the College, along with a magnificent set of Japanese woodblock prints. For those of you who knew Patrick Heffernan, who taught philosophy in the Education Department in the 80s, we learned that his dear wife, Karin, died on New Year’s Day. Patti and I will be staying with Patrick in his Virginia home this August. I’d like to thank Professor Geoff Ward, the Principal, for his contribution to this issue and Patti for all the work involved in producing this newsletter. Finally, ‘sometimes it’s safer to stay in the dark’ ... Victor Watson’s latest book ‘Operation Blackout’ is a jolly good yarn and I’m jolly well going to plug it here! With best wishes (and keep sending in articles, updates etc). Philip Rundall
Cover: John and Jean Ball's
Wedding Day, 3rd April 1956. Norton in-the-Moors, Stoke-onTrent. John is wearing a grey wool waistcoat made by Jean, with grey and mother-of-pearl buttons. Shame Jean didn't tidy his hair!
CONTENTS
Alice Havergal Skillicorn by Tom Simms
Chairman's letter 3 by Peter Warner
Liz Edwards 13 by Jenny Carr and Patricia Coope
Keeping Bees at Homerton by Stephen Tomkins
Conference in Malta 14 by Margaret Whitehead
Principal's message by Geoff Ward The Olden Days by John Chapman Together in harmony by Roger Green How I came to Homerton by John Ball
rsm newsletter, may 2016, page 2
4-5
6-7 8-9 10 11
12
A journey from Leeds to Stapleford via Luatala, Mtwara, Newala, and Nachingwe by Trish Maude
14
2015 Mandolin Symposium by Philip Rundall
15
Roundup 16