OA Bulletin December 2014

OA BULLETIN Old Albanian Club

December 2014

New Headmaster Jonathan Gillespie

Business as usual

OA CLUB www.oldalbanianclub.com President Alan Philpott

01992 584862

alanjphilpott@gmail.com Secretary David Buxton

01727 840499

d.buxton@virgin.net Treasurer Brian Sullman

01582 460317 bhsullman36@btinternet.com Membership Secretary Roger Cook

01727 836877

Rogercook@btinternet.co.uk OA SPORTS RUGBY www.oarugby.com President Richard Milnes

07940 255355 richard.milnes@oarugby.com Chairman Rory Davis

07748 146521

rory.davis@oarugby.com Treasurer Mike Curtis

01727 866848 mikecurtis509@hotmail.com Secretary Peter Lipscomb

01727 760466 peter.lipscomb@oarugby.com Mini Chairman Mike Fisher

mikefisher2001@hotmail.com Junior Chairman Ian Tomlins

07867 971585 juniorchairman.oarugby@yahoo.co.uk OA Saints Chairperson Maddy Gunnell maddy.gunnell@oarugby.com FOOTBALL www.oasoccer.co.uk Club President Simon Bates & Manager 07720 383600 01442 240247 Treasurer David Hughes & Club Secretary 07890 831315 01727 769237

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OA Bulletin december 2014

Sponsorship Secretary

dh@sherrards.com David Burrows 07841 431614

CRICKET www.oacc.org.uk President Tony Dalwood 07958 522261 adalwood@yahoo.com Chairman Richard Morgan

01727 843844 richard.morgan50@btinternet.com Treasurer Denis King

01727 859552 denis.king@btinternet.co.uk Secretary Alison Finley

01727 853985 ajfinley@ntlworld.com TENNIS Membership Enquiries Sue Barnes

07970 301345

susyb52@hotmail.co.uk OTHERS Rifle & Pistol

Angling

Golf

Andrew Wilkie 01202 424190 Andrew.Wilkie@ymail.com Geoff Cannon 01727 861622 /01582 792512 cannon.morgan@btconnect.com Peter Dredge 015827 834572 pjdredge42@aol.com

OA LODGE Assistant Secretary

John Williams 01438 715679 johntwilliams@talktalk.net

SCHOOL www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

OA COMMENT

O A C O N TA C T

OA Bulletin december 2014

Editorial

Lost and found

number of partition walls in the vast first floor dormitory. We made short work of the studwork walls, but the 1975 was an eventful year. In central dividing wall was made of February, Margaret Thatcher sterner stuff. defeated Edward Heath to become To cut a long story short, here’s the first female leader of the a free tip for all would-be builders: Conservative party. By June, if you’re going to remove a heavy while the nation was voting in wall with sledgehammers, don’t a referendum to continue its remove the bottom two feet first. membership of the EEC, myself and The result – and I the fellow members of speak from experience the 1968 intake were here – will be that ticking different boxes If you’re going the wall will hang in as we completed our A to remove a temporary limbo before Levels before leaving gravity takes over and St Albans School for heavy wall with it drops to the floor pastures new. in an explosion of Before taking up sledgehammers, noise. There will then my place at university be a brief pause as it in October, I spent don’t remove teeters on its vertical a hugely enjoyable edge before it begins summer working the bottom two to topple towards you. for Claridge & Hall If you’re quick you Brothers, a local firm of feet first can leg it to the end builders in Harpenden of the dormitory and who, coincidentally, press yourself against have kindly sponsored the wall as several tons of masonry this issue of the Bulletin. It was my crashes to within a few inches of second successive summer working your toes. The resulting rush of for the company, but my first neardisplaced air and dust in such an death experience. enclosed space is like taking snuff One of our sites was a on an industrial scale. I would like refurbishment of the girls’ boarding to offer a belated apology to all those house at St George’s School in pupils in the library below whose Harpenden. My colleague Phil and studies were so rudely interrupted, I were tasked with the removal of a

DIARY DATES

AGM – Tuesday 9th December 2014 School Carol Service – Wednesday 17th December 2014 3

OA COMMENT

OA Bulletin december 2014

Nick Chappin Editor Andy Chappin Design & Production Printing

OA Bulletin december 2014

President’s Notes and if Bruce Claridge is reading this, the hot news is that 2016 will see the it was all Phil’s idea. opening of a new St Albans School While any health and safety in the emirate state. officers among our readership reach It has a lot to live up to. In his for their smelling salts, on a less first Headmaster’s Notes, Jonathan dangerous note I’m pleased to report Gillespie reports on yet another that I have recently re-established record-breaking term for the contact with an old friend from School with sustained excellence in the class of 1975 who I’d lost track academic results and sporting and of several years ago. artistic achievement.

Steve Smith was head The President looks Forty years ago boy and captain of back on a busy rugby, and we shared schedule of social the School’s idea the unique honour events, including a (at the time, at least) farewell dinner for of international of being awarded our the departing Andrew First XV colours while Grant who did so much expansion was in the Lower Sixth. to strengthen the ties Together with another between the School and the purchase school friend, Colin the Old Albanian Club.

Wray, we attended Elsewhere we also of a dilapidated the lunch prior to say goodbye to several the Old Albanians v former pupils of all farmhouse over Richmond match at vintages, ranging from Woollams recently and a venerable 93 to a the border are planning to round tragically young 27, and up a few more of our include reports from in Wales classmates for another the sporting clubs. rugby lunch in the I will end with my New Year. usual request to all In 1975, Dubai was still a modest readers to continue to send in their fishing port and unrecognisable stories, anecdotes, memories and from today’s playground of the rich. views, either by post or e-mail to me And 40 years ago the School’s idea or to the School Development Office. of international expansion was the Thanks as always to the regular purchase of a dilapidated farmhouse contributors, and a merry Christmas over the border in Wales. Yet as to all our readers.

Chairman of the Board of Governors Nick Chappin (75) Stephen Eames reports on page 15, Editor

Changing of the guard n Alan Philpott reflects on his rare situation of holding the office of OA President during a change of headmaster

As I sit down to prepare my fourth set of notes, I am staggered that almost two years have flown by since I was elected. For any of you who aspire to the Presidency of this great club, I can certainly recommend it.

Looking back to my previous contribution, you will remember that we planned a farewell dinner for Andrew and Hilary Grant. This duly took place in June and is reported on page 12. It was a successful event, hopefully combining the appropriate levels of gravitas and humour.

It’s good to know that the farewell gift from the OA Club was spot on and is now suitably displayed in a Cambridgeshire garden (below).

Herts & Beds Printing 01923 234959

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Please send your contributions to: Nick Chappin, Editor Post: 18 The Pleasance, Harpenden, Herts AL5 3NA Email: nick@chappin.co.uk

The Grant’s armillary sphere in situ

OA President Alan Philpott It occurs to me that I have achieved the rare feat of being the OA President at the time of a change of Headmaster. This happens infrequently, as we all know.

Jonathan Gillespie was introduced to the Club at the excellent Annual Dinner in September (see page 14). It is a great evening of companionship for OAs of all vintages, and it was heartening to see the numbers back to former levels after a dip in 2013. May I thank all of you who attended the dinner and gave such a warm welcome to Jonathan.

Sandwiched between these celebrations, the Annual Garden Party hosted by the President took place on Sunday 22nd June 2014 at Woollams. This event is designed to thank those who give their time effort and energy to run the Sports Clubs, the OA Club, the OA Lodge and the OASA. More than 70 attended, the weather was kind, the bubbly flowed and the speech was kept to the minimum! Judging by the departure time of certain tables, one can say the guests were thoroughly enjoying themselves. There is a tentative date for

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OA Bulletin december 2014

The Annual Dinner in September next year of Sunday 21st June 2015, and this will be confirmed after the AGM in December (see page 16).

Early in July, I was delighted to welcome some 130 school leavers to the OA Club at their graduation evening. During the event I have the opportunity to tell the new members about the formation and history of the Club and all it can now offer.

Some new OAs have already attended the Annual Dinner and I look forward to their continuing contribution to the Club.

I was privileged to attend the Founders’ Day service in the Abbey followed by the reception and lunch at the School. My guest was once again my OA and eldest daughter, who on meeting a new member of staff and Head of Department (I will not mention names) exclaimed “I taught him at St George’s, he is only a teenager!” A striking example of the passage of time.

In September I attended the prizegiving in the Abbey, a well organised event

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and a successful ‘initiation’ for the new management team at the School, whose hospitality we subsequently enjoyed.

Sponsor the OA Bulletin Are there any OA-run local businesses out there that would like to sponsor the next issue in 2015 of the OA Bulletin?

We are very grateful to the two sponsors of the issues this year, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne and Claridge and Hall Bros, Builders of Harpenden. The cost is very affordable and the revenue is used to cover the extra expense of “upgrading” the Bulletin to a glossy colour format with as many photographs as possible.

Please contact me on 07939 287573 or alanjphilpott@gmail.com if you can help.

OA Bulletin december 2014

The OA Bulletin I do hope you enjoyed the June edition, the first time we tried the new look on glossy paper and with many (never enough) colour photographs. I have not received any negative comments so I am taking that as a sort of tacit approval! We could not have achieved this without the expertise of Nick and Andy Chappin, who continue to do a magnificent job, or without the sponsorship that is used to pay for the increased cost of production. I am very grateful to Paradise Wildlife Park (PWP) and am pleased to say that at the time of writing we also have a sponsor lined up for this current edition.

By the way, should any of you wish to visit PWP in Broxbourne, you would be very welcome.

By all means contact me before your visit.

OA Sport, not least to meeting the ever increasing rent demands that regrettably are necessary if we are to maintain Woollams to the high standards we all expect.

I do not wish to single out any one of the clubs, but I must congratulate the OA Cricket Club on its second consecutive promotion. Needing 16 points in the last game at Wheathampstead in order to ensure promotion, the win and maximum points were achieved in fine style, the hosts being 9 for 7 at one stage. Champion and champions. The OACC was finally looking forward to playing St Albans in a league match in 2015, only to be thwarted as St Albans were relegated. We now have the premier cricket club in the City for the first time.

The Committee I remain indebted to the members of the Committee Chain of Office for their hard work, often The original crest, doubling up as officers of together with all the The Presidential Chain of Office the constituent clubs. In inscribed tags up to and particular, I am guided by including my predecessor Steve Burgess, the Hon. Secretary, David Buxton, who has been ‘retired’ to the archives at the ensures we fulfil our technical obligations School (see photo, right). The new silver and also acts as photographer at our crest, beautifully designed by Robin events.

Ollington in 2012 to mark 120 years of friendship, is now attached to a new blue Invitation ribbon.

In the last edition, I promoted a visit to a unique centre for big cats in Kent. Should Sports Clubs anyone who missed this trip still want to The sports clubs file their own reports make the trip, please do not hesitate to for this Bulletin. Having ‘been there’ with contact me. the cricket club, I can only commend all Alan Philpott the clubs for their huge contribution to President, Old Albanian Club

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OA Bulletin december 2014

OA Bulletin december 2014

Headmaster’s Notes

Business as usual n In his first Headmaster’s Notes, Jonathan Gillespie reports on record-breaking academic results and outstanding sporting successes for the School

In addition to the arrival of a new Headmaster the second half of August brought news of much success in public examinations. Amongst many highlights and splendid individual achievements were: a record A* per centage (57%) at GCSE level; more than 25% of GCSE candidates achieved at least 8 A* grades, and 12 boys were awarded straight A*s; 10% of the A level cohort gained at least 3 A*s with all successful Oxbridge applicants (a record 19 this year) achieving the necessary grades to secure their places; 25% A*, 64% A*-A and 91% A*-B grades at A level overall with more than 40% of candidates gaining at least 1 A*.

In the current climate of downward pressure on examination results nationally it is very satisfying that the School’s results held up so well. The significant increase in the number of A* grades at GCSE level achieved by St Albans School boys this year stands in marked contrast to the slight national decrease in the award of the top grade (nationally A*s account for 6.7% of GCSEs compared to 57% here). These achievements are all the more noteworthy given the fact that the vast majority of examinations taken at the School are now the International GCSE (IGCSE). More demanding than the national GCSE, the IGCSE provides a much better preparation for A level courses in

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many subjects, and St Albans School boys clearly relish the greater challenges of IGCSE courses in many subjects. These results are a great credit not just to the individual pupils but also to their teachers whose expertise and dedication enabled our candidates to achieve so highly.

More important for A level candidates is the effect of their results on their university applications. This summer brought excellent news for many with the confirmation that they had met the terms of their first-choice offer. For some a ‘near miss’ fortunately resulted in a happy outcome. Overall 80% of last year’s Upper Sixth have been successful in securing a place at a Russell Group university with Oxford, Nottingham, Durham, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter (in that order) being the top destinations.

In September we extended a very warm welcome to 170 new pupils as well as to their parents. The School Roll stands at 826 pupils this year. Amongst the new arrivals in the Common Room was the new Second Master, Ms Melody Jones, who joined us from Magdalen College School, Oxford where she was Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Prizegiving Guest of Honour Sir Martin Smith OA

Headmaster Jonathan Gillespie delivers his speech at September’s Prizegiving and previously Head of Lower School.

Ms Jones has also taught at Wellington College, where she was Head of Physics.

School groups have travelled widely in recent months: Tanzania (CCF), Italy (DofE Gold Expedition in the Dolomites and U16 rugby pre-season tour to Venice), Wales (DofE Silver Expedition, DofE Gold Training, CCF Adventurous Training, Geography GCSE Fieldwork), Jersey (Shooting), Northern France and Belgium (Battlefields Trip), Northumberland (Religious Studies), Dorset (A level Biology Fieldwork), Stratford-upon-Avon (A level English and Drama) and the Lake District (DofE Gold Expedition).

We have enjoyed a number of visits by distinguished speakers during the first half of this term. It was a great pleasure to welcome Sir Martin Smith OA as the Guest of Honour at Prizegiving on 16th September. His excellent address, which concluded with his three rules for a welllived life (don’t fret, do; treat every setback

as an opportunity; and give back) will be published in the forthcoming edition of The Albanian together with the speeches made by the Chairman and me. Other visitors have included Professor John Salt, Emeritus Professor of Geography at UCL, who addressed GAIA (Geographical Society) on how migration within the EU has affected the UK in recent years; Dr Sujata Kundu from Imperial College who opened this year’s Stephen Hawking Society programme, speaking about the latest developments in research into the material world; and Dr Angus Bowie from Queen’s College, Oxford, who addressed the Hyclocomian Society on Heroditus and the Persians. Dr Joe Organ from Brasenose College, Oxford, visited in early September to lead an Oxbridge applications workshop which was also attended by groups from many local schools.

On the sporting front pre-season rugby training ran through much of August, culminating in the annual U18 pre-season

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OA Bulletin december 2014

OA Bulletin december 2014

Members of the CCF climbed Mount Kilimanjaro during their recent trip to Tanzania

tournament at Woollams at which the 1st XV showed some good early form, eventually finishing in third place.

Highlights for 1st XV in the first half of term include wins against Merchant Taylors’ (28-5), Verulam School in the Herts U18 cup (65-3), Haberdashers’ Aske’s (37-0), Haileybury (28-7) and St Columba’s (76-0). The U16s enjoyed their pre-season tour to Italy, winning their two matches 37-7 and 36-14. This trip proved to be good preparation for their opening fixtures, which included a hard-fought victory (21-19) over Hampton. The U15s made a convincing start to their NatWest cup campaign, beating Sandringham School 61-10, and the U14s were not to be outdone with a 62-0 victory over Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School in the Herts Cup. The U14s are shaping up to be a promising year group: the A and B teams in this age group have recorded victories over Merchant Taylors’, Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Haileybury

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and St Columba’s in the first half of this term.

Following a successful week of preseason training at Pen Arthur in August the Cross-Country team opened their season by defending their title at the King’s Trophy race on Wimbledon Common against many of the top CrossCountry schools in Southern England.

A Captain’s run from Robbie Lightowler saw him finish over one minute ahead of the field to take the individual honours for the third year in succession: he is only the second runner ever to do this. With six runners in the top 20, our score of 51 points put us a long way ahead of our nearest rivals the Judd School. Overall we entered a total of 24 runners, all of whom all finished inside the first 75. This augured well for the team’s October trip to the USA. As I write, word has just reached me from Washington that the Varsity race was won

by Robbie Lightowler who led his team

to victory against stiff competition. The Junior Varsity was won by Tom Fulton and with St Albans School monopolising the top four places, a second title of the day was secured.

A 10-strong team attended this year’s Ashburton meeting at Bisley. They battled through a week of strong head winds which challenged the coaching team to finish in third place in the Ashburton Fours. The squad also continued their success in the long distance competition, taking third place in the Cadet 1K. It was a busy summer on site too with various projects being completed within a tight timescale in readiness for the start of the new academic year. Most noticeably a significant refurbishment of the Physics Department has been made possible thanks to a very generous parental donation to the St Albans School Foundation for which we are very grateful. This has involved the creation of two new Physics labs and the relocation of the Physics Office. Elsewhere, a new classroom has also been created for the Religious Studies Department and there were significant upgrades of our IT infrastructure and fire alarm systems in addition to more routine summer maintenance tasks.

A particularly busy first half of the

U16 rugby pre-season trip to Venice

Autumn Term was concluded by a full inspection of the School conducted at five days’ notice by a nine-strong team from the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Their final report will be published in about six weeks’ time: until then I am not allowed to divulge the detail of their judgements, but suffice it to say at this stage that we expect their findings to be a very positive reflection on the wide-ranging strengths of the School.

In concluding my first report to you I wish to thank those OAs whom I have already met for their warm welcome. In particular the generous gesture by your President in presenting me with an OA blazer and tie at the OA dinner on 26th September was much appreciated. I am delighted to be here and beginning to get my feet under the Headmaster’s desk.

My grateful thanks also go to Andrew Grant for everything he did to facilitate the transition of responsibilities during the last 12 months. Whilst the School is under new leadership this term, it is certainly ‘business as usual’ in delivering an outstanding education, and I will be doing my utmost to ensure that the School continues to go from strength to strength over the coming years. One of my initial priorities is to get to know the School and the various constituencies of its community as well as I can over the course of the coming months. I therefore hope to have the opportunity to meet many more of you at OA events during the course of this year. In the meantime I hope that our website (www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk) will keep you updated with news and events from the Abbey Gateway.

Jonathan Gillespie Headmaster

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O A U P D AT E

OA Bulletin december 2014

OA Bulletin december 2014

News

Thank you and farewell n On Wednesday 4th June, the OA Club Committee bade farewell to Hilary and Andrew Grant by hosting a dinner at Woollams to mark the retirement of a Headmaster who had done so much for the Club

Towards the end of the meal the President made a speech in which he rightly noted the transformation of the OA Club during Andrew’s headship, including the provision of a membership office which now maintains the database and organises the events that we so much enjoy. The Club is unrecognisable from that of the early 1990s, not just in its administration but also its location

at Woollams, one of so many achievements during Andrew’s time at St Albans.

The President also referred to the expansion of the School during Andrew’s 21 years not only in numbers but also in buildings, of which the Sports Centre is just one magnificent example.

More lightheartedly, the President recalled that he had resigned as Club Secretary just after Andrew’s arrival and had returned as President just in time to witness his departure! At that point, the assembled guest were invited to take the stairs down to the main entrance. There, not really visible under layers of protective plastic and on a wooden pallet, was a garden plinth, which was much too heavy to be taken upstairs or indeed

The inscription on the arrmillary sphere anywhere. The purpose of the plinth was then revealed after the guests had returned to the dining room: on it would be placed the gift that the Club had commissioned, a suitably inscribed armillary.

The Headmaster replied very graciously, explaining the origins

of the gift and thanking the Club for its support throughout his time in office. Hilary was presented with a magnificent hanging basket of flowers and the evening ended too soon. Happily, the plinth was somehow transported to Cambridge! (see photo on page 5)

Membership Secretary’s Notes

School colours n Membership Secretary Roger Cook invites members to subscribe to the new colour version of the Bulletin

Andrew Grant admires his armillary sphere, presented to him at the farewell dinner in June

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I have received many congratulations on the previous issue of the OA Bulletin that was printed in colour – although this has, of course, increased the printing costs. Printed versions of the OA Bulletin are available for a subscription of £21 for three years.

How long we continue a printed

version of the Bulletin depends, of course, on members’ demands.

Anyone who wishes to be included please send me a cheque payable to the OA club. I notice that less than half of the existing subscribers have e-mail addresses!

I still have plenty of OA ties @£13, including postage.

I am sure you wish to join me in wishing Jonathan Gillespie success with our School.

Roger Cook Membership Secretary

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O A U P D AT E

OA Bulletin december 2014

Peppercorn on toast n The Annual Dinner was held on Friday 26th September at the School, and was the first OA event to be attended by the new headmaster

The dinner was preceded by tours of the premises for those who were not familiar with the many new developments, and a reception in the Library.

The Headmaster Jonathan Gillespie gave a warm welcoming introduction in the Library, before we headed to the Refectory. The Annual Dinner is mostly informal,

and long speeches are not the order of the day. All ages attended, which was very good to note. At the end of the meal, the President performed the now traditional duty of paying the Club’s peppercorn rent to the School by means of a toast to the School.

Finally, Alan Philpott remarked that Jonathan is now an ex officio member of the Club and in recognition of this presented Jonathan with a club tie and blazer.

All in all, a great evening, well organised by Chris Harbour, (many thanks Chris) and well attended by about 130 members.

OA Bulletin december 2014

Old Albanian Blazers l As usual, we maintain a stock of the OA blazers in the shop at Woollams and the price is still £120.00. These are quite unique and many members wear them with pride at OA events at Woollams and away fixtures. They are also popular with members around the world and are worn as “smart casual” at many different types of occasion. The shop is open on 1st XV home match days but if you are interested and are unable to visit the shop, we can offer mail order at a UK mainland surcharge of £12.50, overseas mail cost on application.

The sizes in stock will change, of course, and we can only afford to hold a limited number of sizes but if you would like to email your jacket size and fit (short, regular, long) we will let you know if we have stock. Where we do not have your size, we will look at adding it to the next manufacturing run.

For stock, ordering and payment details, please e-mail the Club Secretary, David Buxton, at d.buxton@virgin.net. If you already have a blazer, why not e-mail in a photo of you wearing it at an event other than those held at Woollams that we can publish in the Bulletin – especially those members overseas?

Chairman’s Notes

Hot news n Stephen Eames, Chairman of the Board of Governors, announces the latest exciting chapter in the School’s development: the opening of a new St Albans School in Dubai in September 2016

Headmaster Jonathan Gillespie was presented with his OA blazer by the President

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In a rapidly changing world, schools need continually to assess their

long-term relevance and adopt a broad and progressive strategy to meet the needs of a new generation of pupils and parents and respond to opportunities in a global environment.

One aspect of this is the development of an international strategy and I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has given its approval

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to the creation of an international school in Dubai, to be opened in September 2016. The new school will be developed in partnership with Knowledge Field Educational Services (KFES) – a company set up specifically to develop education in the Middle East – with KFES as the principal owner, funder and shareholder, and St Albans School International (SASI) providing the educational and operational management.

The creation of an international school shows St Albans continuing to innovate by exporting what is distinctive about its teaching, culture and ethos to a market

Notice of AGM On 9th December 2014, the 122nd Annual General Meeting of the Old Albanian Club will be held at 8.00pm in the ‘948’ room at the Woollams Sports Ground. All members are welcome to attend, and new members to the committee are always needed to fulfil the objectives of improving the links between the School and the Club.

Agenda 1. Apologies 2. Minutes of the 2013 AGM 3. President’s Review of 2014 4. Social Events Report 5. Clubs Reports 6. Bulletin, Development Office and Membership 7. Annual Accounts 8. Election of Officers 9. A.O.B.

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where those qualities are in high demand. It will create new revenue streams for the School to invest in further domestic projects as well as maintaining and enhancing existing standards. It will also provide opportunities for teaching staff to extend their teaching skills by bringing the best of international practice to St Albans. We also anticipate opportunities, including visits and exchanges, for pupils at this school to engage with pupils at the Dubai school.

We believe this is an exciting opportunity and that it is fitting that a school with as long and distinguished a history as St Albans should be in the vanguard of educational development in its third millennium.

I look forward to sharing more details with you about the Dubai school as it develops over the next two years.

Stephen Eames Chairman of the Board of Governors

OA Bulletin december 2014

OA GAZETTE

O A U P D AT E

OA Bulletin december 2014

De Fortunis Albanorum

Record-Breaking School Results This summer, the School celebrated a record number of A* grades at GCSE with 55.6% of entries being awarded the top grade (compared to a national figure of 6.7%). More than one quarter of candidates achieved at least 8 A* grades, and 15 boys were awarded straight A* grades.

A-Level students achieved equally outstanding results, with A* grades accounting for around a quarter of all grades and two-thirds at A* or A. For the fourth year in succession and the sixth in total, more than 90% of all results were graded from A*-B grade. In addition, all 19 students offered places at Oxford and Cambridge were successful in securing their places.

Congratulations to all!

Prizegiving Ceremony Sir Martin Smith (60) had key messages for the students he addressed at the Prizegiving Ceremony in St Albans Abbey on Tuesday 16th September: Get on with what you are good at; treat every setback as an opportunity; and give back.

Deaths It is with regret that the following deaths are announced:

l Ralph Winter (28) died on 13th March 2014. l Douglas Ireland (37) died very peacefully in his sleep at home with his family around l Jack Reynolds (38) died on 3rd May 2014. His daughter Angel Hunt writes: “He finished his career as manager of Coutt’s first provincial branch, having joined District Bank the day after finishing his schooling at St Albans School.” l John Hartley (39) died on 4th April 2014 aged 93. Roger Seymour (53) writes: “John was a resident of Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Incidentally, Bowral was at one time the home of Don Bradman which I think was very appropriate considering John Hartley’s prowess at cricket and other sports.” l Ken Saunders (41) died on 10th June 2014. l John Collins (42) died on 1st May 2014. l Tony Andrews (46) died on 4th February 2014. l Rear-Admiral Geoff Marsh (47), the second son of former headmaster WT Marsh, died peacefully at home on 24th October 2014.

An obituary, reproduced by kind permission of the Daily Telegraph, appears below.

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OA GAZETTE

OA Bulletin december 2014

l Ralph Hawkins (48) passed away suddenly on 22nd August 2014. He much enjoyed his renewed contact with the School and was very impressed with all that the School was doing. l E. Renton (48) died on 22nd August 2014. l Brian Davies (52) died on 4th October 2014. l Brian D. Davidson (53) passed away on 4th October 2014 after a mercifully short battle with cancer.

He was a pupil at St Albans from 1945–53, and an assistant master from 1959–62. He thought very highly of the school, and valued his time there immensely. He and his wife Ilse lived in the Gatehouse of the Fleet, Dumfries, and a memorial service was held at the Gatehouse Parish Church on 10th October. l David Rogers (54) died on 30th April 2014.

l Terry Landsbert (54) died on 23rd October 2014. He had thoroughly enjoyed attending Founders’ Day for his Gaudy Reunion in July. l Beverley Heath (55) died on 8th May 2014. l The Right Reverend Monsignor Graham Adams (57) died on 20th September 2014. l Robert Dymond (59) died from a sudden heart attack on 14th April 2014. l Neil Jones (66) died on 17th September 2014. l Joseph Paul (05) was killed in a road traffic accident on 11th June 2014. l Philip Rayner (05) died on 1st September 2014 at the age of 27.

Obituary l Rear-Admiral Geoff Marsh

Monsignor Graham Adams

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OA Bulletin december 2014

Rear-Admiral Geoff Marsh, who has died aged 85, attempted the impossible – achieving economies of scale in NATO procurement – and later became an environmentalist.

From 1988 to 1990 Marsh was based in Hamburg as director of a project known as the NATO Frigate Replacement for the 90s, or NFR90. Faced by the rising costs of shipbuilding, NFR90 was begun in 1985 and intended to produce a

Rear-Admiral Geoff Marsh common frigate for several Nato nations.

Marsh’s challenge was to reconcile the competing interests of NATO partners. The Americans wanted a large multipurpose ship to take their highly sophisticated Aegis radar to sea and Harpoon surface-tosurface missiles, and hoped to make savings from a long production run if NATO standardised on the US design. The Europeans wanted a cheap, single-role ship which they could build themselves - though the French wanted to sell ships armed with their Exocet missiles, while the British, with their experience of war at sea, wanted plenty of close-in weapons to shoot down Exocets and Harpoons.

For three years Marsh chaired a seven-nation steering committee attended by senior representatives of governments and industry.

Observers thought that the prospect of obtaining any agreement to anything was impossible. Marsh joked that his chances of success were inversely proportional to the number of participating nations; yet

he persisted, and that he found any common ground at all was due to his superior intellect and consummate diplomacy.

Eventually the US Navy achieved its own economies of scale by building more than 60 destroyers of the Arleigh Burke class, but still at such a cost that none were sold abroad; many years later the Dutch, Germans and Spaniards built the trilateral frigate; and in 1992 France, the UK and Italy issued a requirement for a ship which was briefly known as the FUKIT, until the name was changed to Project Horizon, and from which the British withdrew in 1999.

Geoffrey Gordon Ward Marsh was born on 4th February 1929 at Hertford, where his father was headmaster of the local grammar school, and educated at St Albans School, Hertfordshire, where his father was headmaster from 1932 to 1964.

He entered Dartmouth in 1947 in an era when the Navy’s brightest engineers were educated at Cambridge, and he read Mechanical Sciences at Queens’ College, graduating in 1951.

Subsequently he served in the carrier Indefatigable and the destroyer Carron. In the 1950s he was a weapons engineer in the trials ship Girdle Ness when the first generation anti-aircraft missile, Seaslug, was under test, and in 197273 in the guided missile destroyer Norfolk in which Seaslug was first deployed.

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Meanwhile, as a commander from 1966 to 1971, Marsh headed the project to develop a successor system, the Seadart missile, which performed so well during the Falklands conflict and the Gulf Wars, and he conducted the first live firings from the Type 82 destroyer Bristol. Marsh (who would be appointed CB in 1985) was especially proud of the OBE which he received for this service in 1969 “because it was devoid of any Buggin’s turn”.

Marsh’s most enjoyable appointment, by his own account, was as captain, from 1980 to 1982, of the Royal Naval Engineering College at Manadon, Plymouth, where he was responsible for the training and education of a future generation of naval engineer officers to design and develop new ships and weapons.

Promoted to rear-admiral in 1982, Marsh was successively Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operational Requirements), Deputy Controller of the Navy, and Chief Naval Engineer Officer. Many thought that he would be promoted to the Board of Admiralty, but in 1987 he accepted the poisoned chalice of NFR90.

Marsh had a penchant for flowery shirts, played the guitar, and took his family on holidays in Europe in a VW camper van. He believed that it was better to travel than to arrive and once jumped on to the rising ramp of a car ferry to the island of Elba and refused to move until his family were embarked.

Later he became interested in the environment, and in order to

make his own home carbon-neutral he installed solar panels and dug a lake in the grounds where he immersed a heat pump, concepts which were then very innovative. A DIY enthusiast, he did much of the installation himself.

Geoff Marsh married Mary Millington-Limb, who predeceased him in 2008. He is survived by their son and their daughter, the animal sculptress Suzie Marsh.

OA Bulletin december 2014

Village Probus Club, the Abbey Guides (twice), the City Guides, and soon to come are St Mary’s Church, Redbourn Mothers Union.

Any person or organisation

wanting a tour should contact me on 01582 760446, e-mail mchighstead@ gmail.com or contact the School Development Office.

From the Archive

Archive, Museum and Gateway Thanks to Nigel Woodsmith, the displays in the museum are well organised and developing in scope.

At present the focus in the outer room of the East Gate is substantially given over to the World War One Centenary, which contains much moving material.

Michael Hollins’ efforts have been crucial in getting The Albanian magazines digitised and these should soon be more readily available. He has worked very hard at this project during his university vacations.

The Swinnerton Room is to be available to OAs in the near future for them to browse/research information now housed in box files which are organised by years.

It is, of course, paramount that all material is replaced accurately.

Gateway tours are being offered to organisations and clubs. So far, as well as the Heritage Days, we have had the Waltham Cross History Society, Highgate School, Harpenden

A Brief History of Time: Stephen Hawking OA visited the school in 2002

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Blondel bombshell

“And... action!

What happened next still replays n Actor Bill Homewood (65) itself in slow motion in my head. remembers filming ‘The Talisman’ for Camera tilted down from the BBC Television “canary” to the python, then across and up to the eagle. For the tenth I was playing Blondel, musician time the hidden trainer stabbed to Richard Coeur de Lion. I wore the wretched beast with a cane. All a blonde wig and looked awfully of a sudden something snapped in like Marianne Faithfull. I think the the abused eagle’s brain. He rose director had an idea Blondel and from his perch and took off for the his master shared rather more than three feet his chain allowed, beating mournful songs and wine in leather his great wings violently and bottles. screaming like a banshee, his claws We had been trying to get this hovering and swiping just a few feet scene in the can for hours. It from my face. The chain rattled, involved leeches, a the perch rocked budgie which had been noisily. Feathers flew sprayed yellow to look everywhere, settling like a canary, a huge on Stephan’s chest python in an openamong the leeches. topped cage, a black We were all quite eagle on a perch and frightened. Utterly some very tired actors. terrified, the little We were running late budgerigar careered owing to a camel’s round and round in his having defecated on a flimsy cage. He bashed camera in the studio. into the door, which “OK studio! One opened – and Budgie last time! Sound OK? Actor Bill Homewood dropped stunned into Lights? Smoke?” A the python’s cage. loud puff, and a choking billow of One gulp and Budgie was history. fresh smoke wafted across the tent.

A squirming lump travelled slowly “Actors – ready? Make this a good down the python’s throat. The one!” I stood, Marianne Faith-fully, crazed director was mouthing and preparing to utter my deathless waving wildly at me to go on. line. Stephan Chase as Richard “Sire,” I managed croakily, as was motionless on his bed, leeches one might talk to an ambulance wriggling on his chest and arms. man trying to extricate one from Patrick Ryecart, as the evil enemy the wreckage of a car crash, “He is Vizir, clasped the stopper on a a double-dyed villain steeped in the phial... blackest abominations of treachery.”

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The camera careened over my right shoulder, crawled across Stephan’s gaunt and sickly face – an eagle feather on his brow adding to the effect - and closed in on the vizir’s phial. Patrick, who had never actually had a chance to unscrew the stopper, seized it. It would not budge. It was jammed tight. With a final, massive, knuckle-whitening effort, he made some kind of a go of it.

“And cut! That’s a wrap, folks!”

Bill Homewood Biography As an actor Bill Homewood has worked extensively with the RSC, in the West End and on television.

His most recent work is a recording of Les Miserables unabridged, for Naxos Audiobooks, to be released in May 2015. Bill is also a published poet and his work may be followed on www.facebook.com/ billhomewoodspoemaweekbymeforyou

More Sharpe comments

n Bob Sharpe (53) sends us a note about the photo which appeared on page 25 of the last Bulletin

I was amazed to see the photo that Geoff Cannon had produced ‘From the Archive’!

It was taken in the old cockpit at The Fighting Cocks where we assembled for an ad hoc Christmas lunch, one of the regular occasions that we met.

The grouping was formed around three businesses in St Albans at the time: Giffens (electrical contractors in Chequer Street – now part of the Maltings), Cannon Morgan (architects in Holywell Hill) and John Corble’s firm (John Zinc, if I remember right, on one of the trading estates). We met most Saturday lunchtimes for refreshment together, mainly in the Wellington pub. The other four, including myself, regularly joined with them. Sadly, five of the number are no longer with us, but it was nearly 60 years ago.

Shedding light on the past

n John Billington (55) unearths a fascinating document in his shed that reveals the high level of preparation required for Oxbridge candidates in the 1950s

I was sorry not to be able to make it to OA dinner on 26th September, but I was already booked to give a talk here on Dylan Thomas – one of a series of Welsh poets!

I found a scruffy piece of paper in my field shed yesterday while going through papers. It is an early missive from a young Mr Sawyer (was it Derek?) to four of us – all boarders in School House – in 1954.

The four were JV Knight, JWE Blackford, RJ Jarrett and myself, who were all staying on post A Level to do Oxbridge. We all got

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in, although, sadly, Knight decided not to take up his place at Oxford after doing his National Service (in Nigeria I think). There was no such exam as a lower sixth AS Level in those days and Mr Sawyer’s use of AS Level in the first line stands for A or Scholarship Level.

I’m sorry to say I read very few of his recommendations - but then I wanted to read English, not modern languages, at Oxford.

I wonder how it compares with recommendations today? It seems to me to be quite an ambitious list more first year university than post A-level. DJS might be interested.

I hope he is still going strong and will be sorry not to see him - the last remaining member of staff I can remember – if he is at the OA dinner.

Trailblazer n Mike Hodge (65) sends us a photo of his marathon busking session – adorned in his fine OA blazer

I was reading the OA Bulletin yesterday and I see that you would like to see unusual uses for the OA blazer. Well – here’s one.

I did a 4 hour (yes – 4 hour) nonstop busking session at Harpenden Farmers Market in the summer of 2013. I raised £1200 for Grove House Hospice, although I suspect some of the donors just wanted me to stop….

I taught myself to play the guitar at School rather than join the CCF. Make from that what you will.

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Beauty pageant n Roger Seymour (53) fondly recalls the novelty of fraternising with young ladies for the first time at the St Albans Millennium Pageant of 1948

Having read the latest edition of the OA Bulletin, I am very pleased to learn that it is the intention to continue printing this document. I am sure that those of us who live in the far corners of the world like me will be happy they will be able keep our copies so we can refer to them from time to time and reminisce about past events.

Taking heed of the comments of Alan Philpott, Nick Chappin and Roger Cook regarding the paucity of contributions to the OA Bulletin, I tried to think of some events and activities at the School that took place during my time there.

After a while I remembered one event that has seldom been commented upon and introduced us to a group of the human race of which we had no knowledge other than within our own families.

I refer, of course, to GIRLS. The event was the St Albans Millennium Pageant of 1948.

The young ladies of whom I speak were from Oaklands College, St Albans Girls High School, Loreto College, the Girls Grammar School, and many others from the surrounding area. All took some part in the pageant that was choreographed by Arthur Swinson, Old Albanian and the Pageant

Mike Hodge busking in his OA blazer Master. The pageant presented many of the historical aspects of the town and School commencing with the Martyrdom of St Alban. Those taking part in the pageant, but not required for a particular episode, spent time offstage fraternising with this unknown species!

My contemporaries and I played the parts of heralds. We cavorted about in a somewhat military style at the beginning of each performance and at the interval, but we had no trumpets. The School Archives hold a picture of the heralds marching through the Abbey Gateway on their way to a performance at the pageant.

The highlight of the week of festivities was the visit by the Queen. There is a video conversion of an 8 or 16mm cine film that can be found on the Internet that shows

this visit.

I do not, after all these years, remember much about each individual component of the pageant, but one does come to mind that of a solo performance on the cello by a school member named Dalziel. What became of him?

Another place where my contemporaries and I met members of the opposite sex was at the annual Christmas postal delivery service that we undertook around St Albans. Each of us was allocated a postman who did all the sorting for his “walk”. On the first day he accompanied us and showed us all the “nooks and crannies” of the walk and then left us to carry on for the rest of the Christmas week I have tried to remember other events of 1948, and one comes to mind. I joined the Combined Cadet

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Rugby Force, and found myself somewhat early on selected by Charlie Argent to try my hand at shooting. I went on to become a member of the shooting team with excursions to practise with .303 rifles at the ranges at Sandridge and Piccotts End. At that time, the School .22 shooting range was housed in the top level of the Old Factory building. Later on it was to be found in a wooden hut in the School orchard. The Old Factory building, besides housing two classrooms on the top level, also housed the Bursar’s Office. On the ground floor were the School dining hall and the CCF armoury.

Who remembers those School dinners at the cost of one shilling?

Tickets available in book form from the Bursar, Mr Baumgartner.

School dinners came into being at the School, if I remember correctly, not long after the end of the War. During the Second World War dinners could be had at the British Restaurant in Verulam Road. This enabled some of us to escape the School at lunchtime and venture along Spicer Street to Verulam Road for dinner. I recall that returning to School took a lot longer than going.

Another incident at School also comes to mind. I was 12 years old at the time but had been a pupil at the School for some years, but even then W.T. Marsh – “Stoker Bill” – was a fearsome presence. At the beginning of the academic year of 1946 I was late in attending School by about a week. The first period of the day I started that term was, I remember,

physical education. At the end of the period I was told by the master in charge that my presence was required in the Headmaster’s study.

With a great deal of trepidation I knocked on the study door and was bade to enter. My thoughts were such that was prepared for at least thorough ear bashing or maybe corporal punishment for being absent at the beginning of term. I was told to sit down and recount in some detail the events of the previous week. It became obvious early on the WTM already knew I had been weather bound at sea off the Norfolk coast in a Thames sailing barge and he just wanted to learn from me what had happened.

He listened with interest to my tale of events and when finished I was thanked and sent back to classes highly relieved that there had been no further outcome.

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Looking up n After a worrying start to the season, the Old Albanians are finally beginning to climb the table, reports Press Officer Brian Quinn

At the time of writing we are one third of the way through our third season in National League 1 and things have not gone strictly to plan since the first week in September. In fact it has been the worst start to a rugby season in living memory since the first eight games have been lost.

It is even sadder to note that many of these matches could so easily have been won starting with the opening game at Tynedale when

more opportunities were ignored and more mistakes made than supporters are used to seeing in a month!

This one point loss somewhat set the scene for the next eight weeks yet there were in all this misery many areas of hope. Not the least of these came in the second fixture at home to Ealing when, 33 points down, the team struck back with a near perfect fifteen minute spell scoring an unanswered 30 points.

The tie may have been lost but there was still something to cling on to.

It took until the start of November for the mists to clear and a good Wharfedale side were brushed aside 31-7. Albanians had amassed 5 league points and had produced a

Action from the home match against league leaders Ealing Trailfinders

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OA Sport Woollams home of: - Old Albanian RFC - Saracens RFC training ground - Old Albanian CC - OA Tennis LTC Regular venue for representative rugby fixtures at both county and international levels

Our nationally recognised state of the art pitches and pavilion facilities are also available for: - Corporate sports and social events - Private weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other social functions - Fundraising events for local charities www.oasport.com The place to meet, relax and have fun! www.oasport.com For more information please contact one of the events team on 01727 864 476 Or email barbara@oasport.com Woollams Playing Fields 160 Harpenden Road St. Albans Herts AL3 6BB Phone:01727 864 476 Fax: 01727 737 644 E-mail :barbara@oasport.com OA Sport is a registered charity

OA Rugby 1st XV scored 30 unanswered points in 15 minutes against Ealing Trailfinders but lost 30-47 at Woollams

disciplined, thrusting performance against powerful opponents.

A determined Cinderford were overcome in the Forest of Dean in testing conditions and Richmond dealt with similarly in the latest contest.

There is a very testing time to come in the run-up to Christmas but at least this may be approached with confidence rather than nervousness as the squad fights its way out of the relegation zone.

The halfbacks have changed since last year but the backbone of the team remains the same and we have all seen what these guys have achieved in the past. Now, with three consecutive wins under the belt, Billy Johnson’s men can concentrate on ferocious defence and professional ball retention to ratchet our way back up the League table.

Brian Quinn Press Officer, OARFC

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Cricket

Rising to the challenge n Chairman Richard Morgan reports on a second successive promotion for the 1st XI and relishes the prospect of Division 1 cricket next season for the first time since 1999

OACC are currently riding the crest of a wave as our 1st XI were crowned as Champions of Saracens Herts League Division 2 this summer and enjoying our second successive league promotion.

It is a turnaround that few could have foreseen in May 2011 when we found ourselves at the foot of Division 3 having been relegated the previous season. A 2009 1st XI that our experienced former captain Graham Dill had described as the most dysfunctional team he had ever played in had imploded spectacularly and we were staring down the barrel of demotion again.

At that point several players came to join us from a Bedfordshire club, Clifton CC, and we were also bolstered by a few up and coming young local players from St Albans.

We consolidated our Div 3 place in 2011 and came in the top half of that division in the following summer.

In 2013 we started winning regularly and the last day of that season saw us victorious in the last League game, in an agonisingly tense finish on Harpenden common versus Harpenden IIs, winning by one wicket, chasing a mere 126

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to win, just as a thunderstorm broke over the ground, to achieve promotion by a single point in third place into division 2.

Jimmy Hayat had been captain in 2012 as we consolidated and he was succeeded by Zahid ‘Babs’ Karim who shared the captaincy with Jimmy this summer as we surpassed the 2013 performance by topping Div 2 as champions.

This time the last League game on 6th September saw our 1st XI crush a hapless Wheathampstead team on Nomansland common by 168 runs. We needed 200+ runs and 6 wickets to guarantee promotion and an hour after tea we had reduced Wheathampstead to 9 runs for 7 wickets after we had scored 235 for 7 batting first and the celebrations began.

The outstanding player of the season was seasoned veteran leftarm seamer Naseer Ahmed, who broke the club’s record for league wickets in a season, taking a total of 56 wickets in 19 games. He beat Mike Thomas’ long-standing record of 55 wickets, averaging just 9.8 runs per wicket and bowling a total of 235 overs.

Our leading batsmen were Jack Reynolds, who held the middle order together on many occasions, scoring 312 runs, and Zahid Ali Khan with over 500 league runs. Other star performers included 15-year old Joe Regan who scored significant runs opening the batting; Chris Dobson who consistently scored runs and took wickets throughout the

Champions! The OA 1st XI celebrate promotion to Division 1 of the Herts League season; and the Goldstone brothers, Alex and Robbie, who both made important contributions in the second half of the season.

Our 2nd XI had a good season too, finishing in the top half of Division 7 under the excellent captaincy of Victor Stairmand. The 3rd XI under Simon Wakeling had their most successful season for many years, ending in the top half of Div 11 West with six league victories, introducing some very good Under 13 and Under 14s from our very successful Junior section to senior cricket in the process.

Next summer OACC’s 1st XI will be the leading St Albans cricket

team – as St Albans CC’s 1st XI was relegated into Division 2 at the end of this summer. It will be a tougher challenge for us which will be embraced by a committed squad who are relishing the prospect of Division 1 cricket for the first time since 1999.

Richard Morgan Chairman, OACC

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Golf

Gog Magog agog n OA Golfing Society Secretary Peter Dredge reports on one of the finest rounds in the club’s history

The 2014 golfing season experienced the most favourable weather in memory. The OAGS enjoyed fine and sunny conditions for all the matches and competitions staged.

However, the dry and firm fairways did not suit the OAs in the matches against Old Cholmeleians and Old Berkhamstedians where defeats were sustained at Highgate GC and Berkhamsted GC. An honourable half was achieved in the match with Old Haberdashers at Mid-Herts GC. Post mortems revealed that OAs generally perform better in adverse weather conditions! Nevertheless, golf days are always great fun and enjoyed by all participants.

Our major events, the OA Cup and Rush Trophy (Captain’s Day) were held at Harpenden GC and Gog Magog GC respectively, and were well attended. Peter Dredge won the OA Cup with Alistair Buchanan and John Cash runners up. The Dockree Tankard, played for by the Antelopes, was won by Brian Bysouth. Captain John Smith kindly arranged for us to play for the Rush Trophy on the Old Course at his home club Gog Magog and it was on this occasion that John Cox produced one of the finest round of golf in OAGS history. John scored 43 stableford points, playing off a handicap of 5, which equated to a

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Angling gross score of 68 and a clear winner of the Rush Trophy. Peter Dew and Graham Tate were runners up with scores which, in other years, would have been winning ones.

Nine members attended the annual trip to Thorpeness and enjoyed three days of glorious weather with the golf course in very good order. Archie McDonald, being a member of the winning team on each of the three days, achieved top financial standing. An impressive result for Archie who had to contend with the added pressure of the Scottish vote later in the month! In the week after the Referendum the GB and European golfers achieved a magnificent victory over the USA team at Gleneagles.

The final playing event of the season, held at Mid-Herts GC, was for the prestigious Briggs Goblets, a four ball better ball competition.

In brilliant sunshine on 3rd October and excellent scores from a good turnout the winners being Mike Lamprell and Alan Green on a count back from Rick Drakard and Simon Cooper, both pairs scoring 42 stableford points.

The programme for 2015 is being arranged but our aim is to play some decent courses and to meet up with old friends and contemporaries. All OAs are most welcome to attend any of our events and anyone interested in receiving a copy of the programme please contact Peter Dredge.

Peter Dredge Secretary, OA Golfing Society

Coarse and game n Honorary Secretary Geoff Cannon reports on a busy season of coarse and game fishing and looks forward to a special celebration for the Old Albanian Angling Society in 2015

During the summer our members participated in the usual club activities which included trout fishing in Ireland, the Derbyshire Wye and north Norfolk. Coarse fishing outings took place to the Norfolk Broads and several local venues with the Verulam Angling Club, to which some members

belong.

Given clement weather we look forward to the winter season. The club held its AGM in April at the White Hart, Sopwell Lane followed by a club dinner. Next year will be the anniversary of the founding of the Old Albanian Angling Society and we hope to celebrate in a suitable manner.

However, we are all getting older and would welcome younger fisherman to join the club. If anybody is interested in joining, please contact Geoff Cannon.

Geoff Cannon Honorary Secretary

Shooting

On target n As the full bore 2014 season draws to a close, Captain Andrew Wilkie sets his sights on an equally positive 2015 for the OA Rifle & Pistol Club

Set out below are the scores for all shooters who took part in the OAs v Old Alleynians “Arnold Cup” Match on 11th October 2014 together with the match result, ranking and ranking points that count towards the Briggs Cup. The course of shooting was 2 sighters + 10 scoring shots at each range; best four scores in each team to count. Totals for team and team members are marked “*”.

Congratulations to the team on a

resounding victory and our thanks to the Alleynians for booking the targets (in spite of the best efforts of the NRA to reduce us to a single target at each range)!

With five scores of 47.4 it is tempting to think that this is the new “universal answer” replacing “42” made famous in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Not so, I’m sure, but what the scores do show is that there is life in the old boys yet – plus strength in depth. For the first time since 2011 everyone scored a total in the nineties.

The weather leading up to the morning of the match was pretty wet and windy, but as luck would have it the rain stopped at Bisley around midday, the skies cleared and the

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Owen Simmons, President & Secretary: 01438 840674 Andy Moore, Treasurer: 01643 851 694 Andrew Wilkie, Captain: 01202 424190

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300yds 500yds OL Simmons 43.2 48.6 AWB Wilkie 49.3 47.3 AQS Moore 48.2 46.3 MC Warr 47.4 47.4 RN Cluff 47.4 47.4 JW Simmons 47.4 46.2 Team (*) Totals 191.13 187.20 Alleynians match was shot in bright sunshine.

The wind was light to moderate from the west but remained sufficiently variable to take shot fall across the bull a variation of some two minutes. Again wind coaching benefited the scores but until we change ammunition we won’t know if we are also benefitting from the use of Lapua, a better quality ammunition than we have used in previous years.

It is a pleasant change to record that marking was of a good standard with only a couple of “message fours” and disappearing targets all afternoon. Our thanks to the markers.

I had thought that this year’s winning margin of 32.10 was better than in 2013, but in fact this is not the case as on that occasion we won by 40.5. On that basis we can’t afford to relax.

Disappointingly, from conversations during the match and at dinner, it would appear that the Alleynians Club is on the brink of collapse, a consequence of little or no interest from the school and an ageing team. And this despite their new headmaster hailing from Oakham, a prominent shooting school. We are acutely aware that this is the position we were in a few

Total 91.8 96.6* 94.5* 94.8* 94.8* 93.6 378.27* 346.17

Ranking 6 1 4 2= 2= 5

Points 1 6 3 5 5 2

years back prior to the resurgence of shooting at St Albans School, something for which we are very grateful. Having said that, it would have been nice to see some of the recent leavers at the match. We know that timing is not good in relation to the university year and this is something we are trying to overcome if only we could move annual leave and other functions that seem to be getting in the way.

With younger OAs now appearing on the scene perhaps now is the opportunity to move the match back to, say, late September on the basis that Chris Oats was able to get to our practice day in September this year. Food for thought.

On the subject of food, our annual dinner and presentation followed that evening in the North London Club. The carvery was well received by all and our thanks go to the Alleynians for organising the event.

Our turn in 2015. All things being equal, battle will be re-joined again next year.

Well, that concludes our full bore calendar for 2014. It has been a very positive year and sets us a sound base on which to build in 2015. Good shooting to all for the winter season.

Andrew Wilkie Captain, OA Shooting