oabulletin-jan 2013

OA BULLETIN December 2012

Jon Wedgbury with his father Richard OA Lodge – Page 11

Old Albanian Club

OA CLUB www.oldalbanianclub.com President Stephen Burgess

01727 867868

hawkeyeb59@btopenworld.com Secretary David Buxton

01727 840499

d.buxton@virgin.net Treasurer Brian Sullman

01582 460317 Membership Secretary Roger Cook

01727 836877

Rogercook@btinternet.co.uk OA SPORTS www.oarugby.com RUGBY President Robin Farrar

07985 347077 Email: robin.farrar@oarugby.com Chairman Rory Davis

01727 843538

rory.davis@oarugby.com Treasurer John King

07712 837473 john.king@oarugby.com Secretary Peter Lipscomb

peter.lipscombe@OARugby.com Mini Chairman Brian Clark

07764 682650

brianclark.home@yahoo.com Junior Chairman Chris Branagan

07810 180013

bran_cb@yahoo.co.uk OA Saints Chairwoman Tasha Saint-Smith

07971 849290 Tasha.saintsmith@club-concierge.com FOOTBALL www.oasoccer.co.uk Club President Simon Bates & Manager 07720 383600

Nick Chappin – Editor Andy Chappin – Design & Production Roger Cook – Membership 2

OA BULLETIN DECEMBER 2012

01442 240247 Treasurer David Hughes & Club Secretary 07890 831315 01727 769237

dh@sherrards.com Sponsorship Secretary David Burrows

07841 431614 CRICKET www.oacc.org.uk President Alan Philpott Chairman Andrew McCree

07890 831315 / 01727 769237

andrew@oacc.org.uk Treasurer Denis King

denis.king@btinternet.co.uk Fixture Secretary Julian baines

Jules_baines@msn.com TENNIS Membership Enquiries Sue Barnes

07970 301345

susyb52@hotmail.co.uk OTHERS Rifle & Pistol Andrew Wilkie

01727 856857 Angling Geoff Cannon

01582 792512 Golf Peter Dredge

015827 834572

pjdredge42@aol.com OA LODGE Assistant Secretary

John Williams 01438 715679 johntwilliams@talktalk.net

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

Kate Le Sueur – Gazette Printing - Herts & Beds Printing 01923 234959

OA COMMENT

O A C O N TA C T

OA BULLETIN DECEMBER 2012

Editorial

Tempus fugit

who opt for alternative methods of communication in this digital age.

With the festive season nearly upon What this might mean for the us – or perhaps even past, depending future of this fine organ – at least in on when you receive your printed printed form – is for others to decide, copy – my apologies to those who but as Membership Secretary Roger were expecting a bumper Christmas Cook warns in his notes, postage edition of the OA Bulletin. Rather costs have risen significantly than the plump-breasted bird you and the committee is considering were anticipating, I fear that this whether this will necessitate a rise edition will be more like the last in the subscription rate. turkey in the shop: still As the departing enjoyable, but without President observes much meat to go The School is in in his farewell notes, round. The sad truth another related is that, for whatever fine fettle, with challenge we face is reason, even fewer to encourage younger readers than usual fantastic new members to become have been spurred to actively involved in put pen to paper and sports and Sixth the club in a world provide their views so demanding of and reminiscences. As Form centres everyone’s time. This a result, the letters is reflected in the section in this issue is among the recent ability of our regular as thin as Ebeneezer contributors to deliver Scrooge’s Christmas additions to the their articles and card list. reports to a deadline This could be a facilities when faced with temporary blip, of a thousand other course, and my postbag priorities screaming for may be bulging again in a matter their attention. The club has always of weeks. However, I fear that it relied heavily on the goodwill and is more likely be a symptom of generosity of its unpaid volunteers, a long-term decline that we are yet this cannot always be provided powerless to arrest. Time waits to the club’s timetable. As a result, for no man, and the age profile of the publishing dates of the OA our correspondents is typically at Bulletin have slipped significantly the rather more mature end of the in recent years as we can only spectrum. As OAs of this vintage are proceed at the pace of the slowest less able to submit their letters, for contributor. whatever reasons, they are not being But it’s not all doom and gloom. replaced by younger club members As the President also points out,

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President’s Notes the club is in robust shape. Kate Le Sueur and her colleagues in the School Development Office are doing an excellent job in providing a seamless transition between leaving school and maintaining contact via the Old Albanian Club.

At the same time, records have improved dramatically as they have relentlessly tracked down fugitive OAs like Wild West bounty-hunters.

The School is in equally fine fettle, with fantastic new sports and Sixth Form centres among the recent additions to the facilities. As the roll hits an all-time high of 830 pupils, Headmaster Andrew Grant reports on another record-breaking year for A Level and GCSE results and the now customary levels of sporting excellence.

The OA sports clubs are OA 1st XV is settling comfortably into life among the country’s elite 40 clubs,

Notes for budding authors l Subject matter Absolutely anything you think would be of interest to fellow OAs, from anecdotes and recollections of your schooldays to the events and experiences over the intervening years. Your contribution can be in any form, from a letter or article to a snippet of news or a simple photo caption, and can be submitted electronically via e-mail or in hard copy format by post to the address on page 2.

and at the time of writing is nestling in a safe mid-table position. The cricket club is back on an upward curve after a difficult few years, although the season was largely a wash-out with the fewest number of matches completed since 1931.

By the time you read this, Alan Philpott will have stepped into the shoes so ably filled by Stephen Burgess in his record-breaking sixyear term as OA Club President.

I would like to welcome him as a contributor to the OA Bulletin, and look forward to receiving his first President’s Notes. In the meantime, I will end with my usual thanks to all the regular contributors, and a request to all readers to contact me with their stories, anecdotes, memories and views, either by post or e-mail.

Nick Chappin (75) Editor

l Length There is no limit to length, but as a guide a page in the ‘Bulletin’ is around 450 words. Please note that we reserve the right to edit the text as appropriate. l Photos Photographs on any subject are always welcome. They can be submitted either electronically (preferably in JPG format) or in hard copy format to the address below.

Once scanned, the originals will be returned to the sender. Both colour and black and white photos are acceptable, as the ‘Bulletin’ is printed in mono but appears online in full colour.

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

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Moving on n As OA Club President Stephen Burgess prepares to hand over to his successor, he looks back at a record six-year term in office

A Farewell As I write these notes, I now know that these will be my last as President after a six year stint. An exact contemporary of mine from school has agreed, subject to endorsement at the AGM, to take over from early December – so it is farewell from me and some occasionally times self-indulgent President’s Notes. Six years is the longest term for any President.

Previously Andrew Mills-Baker served for four years in two sessions but, of course, until about 15 years ago Presidents served for just a year at a time.

Looking Back I have found my time as President rewarding. It has reconfirmed my relationship with the School and I hope that I have helped persuade others to follow its fortunes and to facilitate the School’s success in the future. My presidency has ushered in the change whereby the School and its greater resources have taken on the main interface between itself and former pupils, and has also taken on the financing of the Old Albanian Club. In my view this has been very beneficial and I know that many of you agree.

During my time events

have on balance seen greater support, with the November Drinks Party increasing attendance appreciably.

The dinner has morphed into a more informal supper which has so far proved a great success, and informal meetings in the City arranged I have found my

by James Lambert have been very successful and have time as President attracted a good number of younger Old Albanians. rewarding. It has Your committee is open to other suggestions and if there reconfirmed my is proven support for a formal dinner this could again be relationship with considered.

the School and I hope that I have helped persuade others to follow its fortunes

Development Office The establishment of this office at the School has been a great positive in the relationship between OAs and their Alma Mater, and I would like to pay tribute to Kate Le Sueur who has headed the office since it started in 2007. Kate

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has massively improved OA records, play all year round, and to their great and developed the website and other credit the money for the new lights has modern means of communication such as nearly all been raised by the tennis section.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. She has Well Done. also done a wonderful job in keeping OAs The Golf Club under the guidance of in touch and persuading many of you to Secretary Peter Dredge has gone from keep in closer touch with the School. Kate strength to strength. They now play more will shortly be taking maternity leave but matches than ever before and have the Livia King, who joined just over a year biggest membership in the Club’s history. ago, will be the point of contact. Kate I’m told the age range of the members is assured me she will be returning in due wider than ever. course. You may like to know We have members who that the Development Office shoot and fish and play has raised nearly £800,000 The Rugby Club football in the name of the since 2008 and most of this is OAs and long may this from Old Albanians. Thank has been hugely continue. you for your generosity, it is As I write we have not most important. successful over been able to run a netball team. Several have married Sports Clubs recent seasons and a number of former Although our sports clubs players are now mothers so are open clubs we continue and the 1st team this activity is in abeyance to see good support from Old but it is hoped it can be Albanians and this is valuable. is now ranked renewed in due course.

The Rugby Club has been hugely successful over recent in the top 30 in Your Next President seasons and the 1st team is Your next President will be now ranked in the top 30 in England Alan Philpott. I have known England as they were in 5th Alan for well over 50 years place in National 1 at the end as we started at the School of November. Many observers think that together. Alan has played cricket for many they are among the most attractive sides years, working hard to make himself a to watch in the country, so come along and sound wicket-keeper and a stubborn lower see for yourself. order batsman. He has been President of After some difficult years, the Cricket the Cricket Club and was also Secretary of Club has stabilised and indeed improved. the Old Albanian Club in the early 1990s.

Tony Dalwood and his committee deserve He enjoyed a successful career in banking our thanks and I know they are working and spent several years in New York. The hard to climb back up the leagues.

Club will be in good hands.

The Tennis Club continues to thrive.

They should shortly be gaining new Thank Yous floodlights which will enable the club to Over the last six years I have relied on

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great support from both Club and School and so these notes give me an opportunity to thank the Headmaster Andrew Grant, Deputy Head Richard Laithwaite and the Bursar Derek Todd; the Ladies in the office (notably Jane Galloway and Sue Barnes), and last but not least our main contacts between Club and School, Kate Le Sueur and Livia King. You have all been very kind.

I would also like to thank those who have served on the OA committee and others who have given their time to the Club. In particular I would mention David Buxton, Brian Sullman and Nick Barnes for their sterling work, as well as Andy Mills-Baker and Craig Tallents for their work for OA Sport.

Lastly, I thank Nigel Cartwright and Jane Knighton for their excellent behindthe-scenes work which has so helped the Rugby and Cricket Clubs. And a final thank you to my daughter Sophie, who always helps me with these notes.

Looking Forward I believe that the Club is in good order but it inevitably needs new blood. The modern world is demanding of our time, but I would ask younger and even middleaged members to get involved so that your Club can continue to thrive and, of course, change with the times. With best wishes for the future.

Stephen Burgess President, Old Albanian Club

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Headmaster’s Notes

Building excellence

hit a new high of 95% and the percentage of A*/A grades was again over 70%. 62 n Headmaster Andrew Grant reports on the students achieved at least one A* grade welcome addition of the superb new Sports and 68 achieved 3 or more A grades. and Sixth Form Centres and additional For the fifth year in succession the Fifth classrooms as the School roll swells to a Form achieved more than 80% of all grades record 830 at A or A*, with 84% and, partly thanks to the increasing number of departments St Albans School this opting for IGCSE, we were largely summer was a scene of unscathed by the GCSE grading crisis. 19 frenetic activity to rival boys scored 10 or more A* grades and the Danny Boyle’s spectacular average grade remains halfway between an Olympic opening ceremony.

A* and an A. Even before the last brush stroke was dry In view of the gloomy prognoses of on the new sports centre, our contractors, UCAS meltdown in which the national SDC, were well into work to convert Aquis press were delighting in early August, it Court, the former KPMG headquarters in is particularly pleasing to report that 97% Fishpool Street, into what, of our Upper Sixth students as term opened, was an were successfully placed at absolutely superb Art School, Musical highlights the beginning of term, with Sixth Form Centre and suite the overwhelming majority of modern, light and airy of the last weeks of those securing their first classrooms, and SDC have choice offer. moved on to the rebirth, of term included Despite the appalling phoenix-like, of the old gym weather, which almost as a refectory and additional Founders’ Day but washed out the cricket classrooms for Languages. season, last term had its In due course, some of the also a bittersweet sporting successes, too. spaces formerly occupied by The 1st Football XI are to Art and the Sixth Form will Leavers’ concert be congratulated on carrying accommodate social spaces off the District Cup for the for the Lower and Middle and an evening of first time in my tenure as Schools, to take pressure off Headmaster, at the end of form rooms and reduce wear Seventies music a very long and successful and tear in teaching areas. season, seeing off Verulam The extra space will 3 - 0. certainly be welcome: we started the new The U14 tennis players, too, finished the academic year with another record school season as District Champions. roll of 830.

Our senior and U15 athletes retained A new record was set, too, at A level, their District championships and in the this summer, where the proportion of County championships, we had some grades at the traditional measure of A* - B individual winners: Mark Pearce won the

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3000m and George Rose the 400m, whilst Adam Thorpe ran inside the entry standard for the English Schools in the steeplechase despite appalling weather conditions.

Of the cricket that survived the weather, the 1st XI won their way through to the London Final of the National Twenty/20 Cup, where they met the highly-rated Whitgift School, from Surrey. A hardfought match was eventually tied, leading to a count-back on wickets lost, which, unfortunately, went in Whitgift’s favour.

Undeterred, we dominated our own Twenty/20 Tournament, the 1st XI winning all their group matches, and beating Abingdon School by 28 runs in the final.

The U12s, U14s and U15s all won their respective District Cups and the U15s went one (or two) better, carrying off the County Shield, beating Richard Hale in the final, and then went on to a win in the Berkhamsted 6-a-side tournament.

Sadly, the Founders’ Day matches, including the traditional test against the

OAs, were washed out.

Musical highlights of the last weeks of term included Founders’ Day, of course, but also a bittersweet Leavers’ concert and an evening of Seventies music performed with sensational panache and professionalism by members of the Upper and Lower Sixth.

Quite apart from the constructional activity, the holiday was as busy as ever with the usual educational and extracurricular events, including a Geography trip to Iceland, this time mercifully untroubled by volcanic eruptions; a CCF camp at Wathgill and adventurous training in Wales, and an assessed Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition.

So far this term, the 1st XV have had a better season than might have been predicted, with, notably, wins over Merchant Taylors’, Haberdashers’ and Haileybury and the U16s returned undefeated from their half-term tour to southern France.

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The netball squad has proved fearsome they were entertained by their hosts to a to local opposition and, on tour to Belfast, traditional prom and made their escape saw off not only the Royal School, Armagh, before the next Atlantic Storm hit the east but also Coleraine University 1st VII. coast.

As so often, the cross-country team Not one to waste a half term, Robbie are sweeping all before them on both Lightowler then went off to Dubai and won sides of the Atlantic, their latest exploit, the world junior biathlon championship! at half term on their biennial visit to St The second half of term is hardly likely Albans School Washington DC, being to to be quieter, with what promises to be an win everything they entered in one of outstanding production of Les Miserables the oldest school races in the USA, the preceding the usual and enormously Georgetown Prep Classic. Our popular Carol Services.

English Schools Cup winning Finally, I am sure team, in England vests, As so often, you would wish to join carried off the Senior Varsity me in congratulating race, led home by Robbie the crossthe Second Master, Mr Lightowler in 4th place. Lizzie Richard Laithwaite, on his Bird was individual winner country team appointment, from September of the girls’ version, with 2013, as Headmaster of Eleanor Hunt close behind in are sweeping all Kirkham Grammar School. fourth place and Dan Myers He will be the third St Albans led home Harrison Pyrke and before them on Deputy in succession to move Ben Hemsi for St Albans UK on to Headship of an HMC to place 6 in the first 8 for a both sides of the school. crushing victory in the Junior Andrew Grant Varsity. Having done their bit Atlantic Headmaster for the Special Relationship,

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OA Lodge

Masonry repairs n As renovations to the ceiling plaster force the Lodge to move to another meeting room, OA Lodge Secretary John Williams reports on an unusual but successful November gathering

The Lodge meeting held in early November was unusual. The ongoing renovation of the ceiling plaster in the OA room over the Gateway meant that it was unavailable.

The Lodge has met elsewhere in the School in the past, in the Hall and the Library, but only for large meetings hosting gatherings of the Federation of School Lodges.

For the first time that anyone can remember, the November meeting was held in the Gateway classroom adjacent to the OA room. As most OAs will recall, this has three

timber columns across the centre which limited the normal layout of the Lodge furniture somewhat!

Nevertheless this more ‘intimate’ space proved entirely adequate, and indeed, the meeting was a great success!

It was with great sadness that the Lodge learnt of the death of James A Finch (OA 48) in London, Ontario on 7th October at the age of 80 years.

James was born in St Albans in 1932. He married his wife Ann on 4th June 1955 in St Albans Abbey, where he had been a choirboy and an altar boy in his early years. He served in the armed forces for two years and was a member of the reserve for many years thereafter. James had a love of history and archaeology and would go on digs with the St Albans Archaeological Society in the ruins of Verulamium. In 1967 James and

The somewhat compressed layout of the Lodge!

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his family emigrated to Canada and settled in London, Ontario where he lived the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Freemasons for 54 years commencing when he was initiated into the Old Albanian Lodge on Saturday 11th January 1958. In Canada he rose to high rank in many Masonic bodies, and was still very much involved up to his final year.

James was a great friend of Ted Bunn (OA 41), the present Senior Past Master of the Lodge, and they corresponded over the years. The following are extracts from James’ reminiscences in an oration given to members of the Ionic Lodge in London, Ontario in January 2008 when he was presented with a lapel pin to mark his 50 years in Masonry: “I was born in the City of St Albans on May 15th 1932. There is nothing remarkable in this but the place plays an important part in my later Masonic history for the City of St Albans is itself remarkable. The City, which is about 23 miles north of London, lies on a hill outside but overlooking a Roman City known as Verulamium from which a Roman Centurion, Alban, was led up the hill where he was beheaded for harbouring a Christian priest, St Amphibalus, from the persecution of the Emperor Septimius Severus. St Alban was the first Christian to die in England for the Christian faith, thereby becoming the first English martyr, and the Patron Saint of Freemasons.

On the spot where Alban was beheaded, the Saxon King Offa

established an Abbey and Monastery in about 793 AD. Building material was in short supply and Offa took the material he needed from the ruined Roman city in the valley below, constructing the tower with the large red roofing tiles which can still be seen to this day. The walled monastery had a large gateway which is - thanks to King Henry VIII – other than the Abbey, the only part of the monastery surviving today.

In 1942, during the occasional German bombing of the City, I was admitted into St Albans School. In England the Public School, like Eton and Harrow, is a top class Secondary School, above a grammar school.

St Albans School has existed since at least 948, being part of the monastery, and still incorporates the Monastic gateway which housed the school library in a large room with the arms of King Charles II in plaster over the fireplace. It was here that King Charles held court during the Black Death and it was here that the school Lodge met. This caused us schoolboys much mirth as four times a year we had to set up the ritualistic Lodge furniture amidst harrowing stories of what went on there on four Saturday afternoons in the year. We also set up the Royal Arch Chapter furniture three times a year. I left school in 1948 and was conscripted into the army in 1950, but that is another story.

Freemasonry In 1953 I was 21 years of age and my father, who was a Freemason, said

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The members were seated mainly to the side rather than around the Lodge room

to me “If you ever feel that you want to be a Freemason, let me know but I will never mention it again.” It took me almost five years to make that decision and by that time I was married with a young son. I think one of the ingredients that convinced me to become a mason happened when I was serving in the British Army Reserve. A friend and I had made a dinner reservation at a local hotel. We arrived dressed in our Second World War uniforms, which most reservists wore at that time, to be told that the hotel was very sorry but the dining room had been closed for a special function.

I think I must have made a little ‘noise’ because someone came out and asked what the problem was and I explained that we had reservations but were now told that we could not eat because the dining room was closed. The man from the dining room persuaded the staff to set up a small table, outside the dining room, and we were served.

After our meal was over we were told that our bill had been paid by the people in the dining room and that they were Freemasons who were there for their annual Ladies’ night. This was my first contact with Freemasons and I was most impressed. In late 1957 I told my father that I would like to become a Freemason.

We discussed this at length and my father, always thinking, said ‘I belong to St Albans Lodge and your uncle belongs to Halsey Lodge and we invite each other as guests.’

And so it was determined that I would join the Old Albanian Lodge which was comprised of old boys and masters from my school. My father had a few words with some of the members of the Lodge, whom he knew, and I was summoned to appear before a Board of Installed Masters in the school library. This appearance is worthy of describing.

I was required to sit on a single chair in front of a long table, on

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the other side of which sat several Past Masters of the Lodge mostly known to me as prominent local businessmen. Behind the Masters was a stone fireplace on which were carved the coat of arms of King Charles of England, and the interview began. “Why do you wish to become a Mason?” Freemasons support several Masonic charities and you will be expected to contribute at least something – can you afford to do that?” This went on for probably half an hour, and I was told that my application was accepted. Looking back on the experience I am reminded of the famous nineteenth century picture

by W F Yeames entitled “When did you last see your father?” in which a young Royalist boy is being interrogated by the Roundheads.

He is all dressed up in his best suit and facing a board of inquisitors, as indeed was I. Because they normally initiated only one candidate a year there was a small waiting list of candidates in most Lodges, including the one that had accepted me.

However I had an advantage, I was a Lewis. That is to say, my father was a Mason and that gave me priority over any waiting candidates.

So I was told to report to the Old Albanian Lodge No 4999 on Saturday 11th January 1958, which I duly did.

I arrived at the school and was met at the door by a brother who led me up a winding stone staircase inside the 1000 year-old Abbey Gateway. At the top of the stairs I was shown into a small room

and told to wait. I did not see any Masonic aprons or regalia until during my initiation ceremony.

Anyway, I am sitting in that small room when the caretaker did his rounds and, seeing a light on and not knowing I was there, he turned out all the lights. Now I am sitting in total darkness with the wind howling up the stone staircase and, as I told my father afterwards, if I could have found my way down the staircase and out of the building the Masons would not have seen my feet for dust! And so I was initiated! Please bear in mind that as far as my recollections of English Freemasonry are concerned I am like a time capsule and most of my experience in an English Lodge occurred forty years ago and may well not be the norm today.

In due course I became a Steward, which in my Lodge was a seven year term. The lodge always concluded with a three or four course dinner with speeches and toasts. The dining table was laid out in the form of a letter ‘E’ with the long back of the ‘E’ being the top table. One Steward served wine at each leg of the ‘E’, two served at the top table and two served behind the bar.

Early in 1961 I was sitting down with my father when a member of my Lodge remarked that the school Royal Arch Chapter did not have a candidate to which my father replied that he thought that I would make a good candidate. The answer he got was ‘Well I am not sure because James has only been

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a Freemason for three years!’ As an explanation I should note that Royal Arch Chapters in England, although not governed by Grand Lodge, are considered to confer a fourth degree in Freemasonry and Chapters bear the same name and numbers as the Lodge to which they are associated. I subsequently became a member and thus my mother Royal Arch Chapter is the Old Albanian Chapter No 4999.

I will now jump forward four years to March 1965 in which month I joined Sua Tela Tonanti Lodge No 8003. This is a military Lodge with present and past members of my regiment who were Sergeants or higher. One of my reasons for joining was that it met in Freemasons Hall in Great Queen Street, London, the home of the Grand Lodge of England, because serving members in particular came from all over the world. My first meeting came as a surprise. The Master was a sergeant and towards the end of the meeting he addressed

James A Finch (bearded) on the occasion of the presentation to him at the meeting of Ionic Lodge in January 2008 to mark his 50 years in Freemasonry the two senior stewards, saying ‘Brother Stewards you may now retire and prepare the Dining Room.’

Nothing unusual in that except that one of the Stewards was a Brigadier!

By 1967 my work in England had taken a down turn and my wife and I decided to emigrate to Canada. We arrived in London, Ontario, in July where we had arranged to stay with a lifelong friend of my wife - and we have been here ever since. My first Masonic move in Canada was to attend a Chapter meeting. This was a new experience for me as I had always been used to having to be invited rather than just dropping in. I was welcomed to the Chapter and invited to attend the next Lodge meeting. I joined Ionic Lodge in July 1968 after fulfilling the required twelve month residency in London,

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Membership Secretary’s Notes Ontario. In 1980 I became Master of the Lodge after having held every progressive office in the Lodge, and of course I remain a member to this day.

James progressed rapidly in Masonry in Canada and he rose to the highest rank in many of the fifteen organizations in Canada and the United States to which he belonged. In the 70s James’ uncle, the Rev F J Finch had become the Grand Superintendant of the Royal Arch in the Province of Hertfordshire and not to be outdone; James became the Grand Superintendant of the Royal Arch in Ontario. He was also Grand Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees of Canada and Grand Recorder of the Order of the Secret Monitor. James very much enjoyed his Masonry and as he said at the end of his oration: “At least two of the titles I received required that I travel across Canada from British Columbia to the Maritimes, with visits to Washington and London, England, during which

Rededication of the pulpit by the Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John

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I met many prominent Masons and formed friendships, many of which have lasted to this day – and which is, I believe, one of the most important aspects of Freemasonry.”

On Sunday 15th July, Jon Wedgbury, the Master of the Lodge, and a number of members attended the Provincial Festival of Thanksgiving held at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban. The service, which was attended by a congregation of some 650 brethren, their families and friends, included the re-dedication of the pulpit by the Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John.

The pulpit was originally presented in 1883 by the then Provincial Grand Master, the Rt Hon Sir Thomas Frederick Halsey, Bt MP, on behalf of the Masonic Province of Hertfordshire.

The Lodge meets only five times a year on the second Saturdays in January, March, May and September and the first Saturday in November.

All those connected with the School, including fathers of past or present pupils are welcome to apply for membership, for which purpose the first approach should be to any Lodge member, the Secretary as below; or Nigel WoodSmith or Mark Pedroz at the School. Members of other Lodges, be they OAs, parents of past or present pupils, staff or Governors are encouraged to visit the Lodge whenever they wish, and the Secretary will be delighted to hear from them.

John Williams Lodge Assistant Secretary

Tightening school ties n Members buck the open-collar trend as Membership Secretary Roger Cook reports on steady sales of Old Albanian Club ties

A few received two copies of the last issue of the OA Bulletin: my apologies for the fault which was mine.

The postage bill as risen dramatically. We are considering whether the current rate of £18 for 3 years supply will have to be increased from next year. As usual,

the year when your subscription expires is printed on the address label.

I stated in the last issue that the sale of ties had risen; I have now enthusiastically over-ordered more ties and, as yet, have made no sales!

The price remains unchanged at £13 post-free.

Peter Sherring, on being shown the photograph, sent by Ron Duncan, of the 1954/5 rugby group at Beech Bottom, was able, with a little help, to name nearly everyone. Can anyone identify the three unnamed people?

Roger Cook Membership Secretary

Beech Bottom, 1955 Back Row: R Bacon, C Nicholls, B Ellis, D Dickinson, W Franklin, S Anderson, Wiggs, Cameron Front: D Harper, PD Smith, J Corble, D Fox, (?), H Harvey, J Giffen, A Swinson, D Kiff, G Wells, P van Horne Back standing: A Hedge, R Cook, J Bebb, N Bennett, P Sherring, D Sutcliffe, D Lancaster, R Thrale, D Coombs, J Smith, S Neal, R Smith, H Lyall, R Goodspeed, (?) Seated: J Josling, J Thorpe, M Cain, J Goodspeed, P Myhill, G Giffen, N Cartwright, W Garrett, J Barnett, J Chandler, M Knee Squatting: M Kenningham, F Deamer, J Goddard, R Wortley, B Cooper, A Ward, A Goddard, B Ward, M Burr, (?)

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De Fortunis Albanorum Deaths It is with regret that the following deaths are announced: l Charles E. Y. Hedges (55) died on 16th June 2012. He was a dance and film critic, and former chair of the dance section of The Critics’ Circle.

He was also chairman of the longestablished St Albans Ballet Club.

He died peacefully on following a long illness. l Alan G. Bowers (45) died on 8th August 2012, aged 84, after a long fight with dementia. His daughter Pip Bowers writes: “Alan’s family would like to thank all the St Albans School staff and old boys who have re-established contact with the family over the past year or so. Even very recently he remembered and had a lot a respect for ‘Stoker Bill’ and his friends from school. One topic which never failed to bring him to tears is how W T Marsh assisted Dad by ‘pulling strings’, so that he could cut short his National Service in order to be back in England prior to the beginning of the university year to study medicine at Liverpool Medical School. In 1957 my father emigrated to New Zealand where he lived for the rest of his life.” l Liz Gilham (former staff) who was Deputy Bursar from 1994 – 2006, died on 22nd September 2012. l David Blaylock (OA 1964), a

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former manager of The Zombies, died on 10th October 2012 after an 18-month fight against cancer. l Karlo Miklasic, husband of former geography teacher Sheila, died peacefully at home in Gloucester on 15th September 2012 with his wife at his side. Many OAs of the 1970s vintage will have fond memories of both. Although Karlo was not a member of staff, he became heavily involved with the School through his tennis and, in particular, accompanying groups of boys abroad – most notably to his homeland of Jugoslavia. He was a very active person, so it was a great sadness that he fell foul of a debilitating illness which lasted many years. Our sympathies go to Sheila and their three sons.

Obituary l Barry Corbet I first met Barry when he joined the School in 1944. Barry’s family had moved to Wheathampstead from Southend-on-Sea. After a while they moved to Gustard Wood. I think it was the mutual interest in model aeroplanes that brought us together as friends.

Whilst at School Barry was generally a quiet unassuming scholar except when he blew the bugle in the Cadet Corps Band.

One of the masters, I forget his name, rather upset Barry as he made him wear a red fez in class.

This is something Barry denied but

unfortunately is true.

Barry showed a penchant for languages and took French and German. His skill with these languages stood him well in his later life. On leaving School he joined the RAF for his two-year National Service and went to Canada for flight training. On his return to the UK he undertook conversion to jets on Gloster Meteors. He wanted to make the RAF his career as his brother had, but unfortunately he was caught in the RAF’s change from encouraging all National Service aircrew to sign on as regulars to taking very few as Korea stopped requiring cannon fodder in the air.

On his return to civilian life he became a buyer for the clothing store C&A and was stationed in London. I believe he met his future wife at that time. He stayed with C&A until 1959 when joined the firm of Viyella, a manufacturer of clothing material, as Export Manager. His office at that time was in Handel’s House in Brook St, off Bond St in London. He stayed with them until 1969 although in 1962 he was moved to Scotland where the material was made. He married his wife Esme in August 1962 in Kinross, Perthshire and whilst in Scotland they lives at Brookfield by Johnstone, Renfrewshire.

I recall one of his stories whilst with Viyella; he would collect overseas visitors from London Airport and regale them with breakfast at a very famous hotel in

Piccadilly. On one occasion he had to complain that the toast that had been served for breakfast was cold and leathery. He was told by the waiter that “Unfortunately Sir, that was yesterday’s. Today’s has not yet come up”!

In 1969 he left Viyella and joined Associated Sprayers in Birmingham and he was with them until 1975, from there to Wigan in Lancashire with Bulldog Tools. In 1978 he joined Thermos as Export Manager and lived in Essex. He left Thermos in 1988 and worked for himself as an Export Consultant. He retired to St Lawrence on the River Blackwater in 1997 where he was able to continue to indulge in one of his hobbies, sailing.

Barry had a number of interests besides sailing; he owned his own yacht. Singing in a local choir, classical music, gliding and water colour painting as well as oils and pastels were also some of his many interests.

In the last six years of his life he had a number of illnesses, prostate problems that terminated in a prostatectomy, diabetes and finally a collapsed lung for which he had an operation on the 6th December 2011. He came out of hospital on the 21st December in what seemed fairly good order although his mobility was confined to a zimmer frame.

Over the month following his “op” he improved. However on the 4th of February he fell in the bathroom and hit his head. He managed to recover from that but in the

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One of Chris Wilkinson’s original sketches for the building evening he complained of a vicious headache and began to decline. He was whisked of to hospital where he went into a coma and died in the early hours of Sunday the 5th.

Barry leaves a wife, Esme, a son, David, a daughter, Rhona and six grandchildren.

Towering presence n Robin Ollington reports on an Old Albanian making a spectacular mark in China with the design of the iconic Guangzhou West Tower

London celebrated the inauguration of

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the tallest building in Western Europe on 5th July this year. The Shard reaches upwards 310m, but in Guangzhou in Southern China (formerly known as Canton) stands a building 127m higher at 437m, designed by the Wilkinson Eyre Partnership founded by the architect and OA Chris Wilkinson OBE RA (63).

The Guangzhou West Tower was built not only to celebrate the Asian Games in 2010, but also to provide the city with an iconic building to equal the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Opera House. Wilkinson Eyre were awarded the The Guangzhou West Tower commission as winners

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of an international competition and the result stands today as testimony to their design and creative skills.

The building contains a hotel complex of 350 rooms on the top 35 floors, and the 69th floor boasts a swimming pool. There are 71 lifts and the centre core of the building is ventilated and lit by a 32 floor high atrium open to the sky.

Wilkinson’s work is, of course, well known in the UK – the only double Stirling Prize winner for the MAGNA Science Centre in Rotherham and the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge. Olympic year will see thousands of visitors passing through their Jubilee Line station at Stratford to sit in the Basketball Arena – also one of Wilkinson Eyre’s designs. Other current projects and nearing completion include the Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth.

Needless to say, Chris Wilkinson’s work has also been recognised with numerous other architectural awards plus the OBE and his election as a Royal Academician.

A life in law n A look back at the distinguished legal career of District Judge John Merrick (OA 58), abridged from the Law Bulletin

Senior District Judge at Brighton, retired in March after a career in the law spanning 50 years. Judge John was appointed a Deputy District Judge on the South East Circuit in 1982 and a full time District Judge

sitting at Brighton in March 1992.

He served articles in London from 1959 to 1964 with a small but extremely busy firm of West End Solicitors. “In those days articled clerks didn’t get paid, and we were lucky not to be charged a premium.

I didn’t have a bean, and it was

pretty tough but I didn’t know any different and we certainly enjoyed ourselves. How lucky are the privileged of today who were able to stay on in the sixth form at school and go on to University”. He recalls, “most of my time was spent in the Masters Chambers in the Bear Garden and dealing with taxation of bills before the taxing Masters and mountains of civil litigation and conveyancing, queuing up in Bush House to stamp documents and deal with Company Searches – no chance of reading The Times. There

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was nowhere to sit down. I used the top of a filing cabinet as a desk and had to wait for lunchtime when the secretary went out and I could borrow her chair. Lunch in the BBC staff canteen was 9d for a salad. If challenged I worked in the Arab Talks Department! Also the Daily Mail Staff Canteen in their offices in Holborn Circus where a good lunch could be had for 1/6d provided one had enough money to pay the 3/deposit on the knife, fork & spoon.”

Qualified at the age of 21 and admitted in July 1964, Judge John worked as an assistant Solicitor with a posh old firm of Solicitors in Great Queen Street acting for Lords and Ladies and landed gentry dealing with Trusts and Probates, before returning to Tunbridge Wells to join a well-known High Street Practice “earning £1,100 per annum plus the office flat and a car”. In those days Solicitors didn’t specialise. We worked extremely hard carrying heavy workloads. We were in Court and on our feet most days and had to catch up with the conveyancing and other work after Court and on Saturday and Sunday. We didn’t realise how lucky we were – they were the ‘halcyon days’. At lunch time we would take a stroll across the common with the babies in the prams and have a quick bite to eat and a game of chess before returning to work”.

Judge John began his education at Rosehill Preparatory School in Tunbridge Wells – “in comparison to having grown up in a highly

A young John Merrick sporting the distinctive St Albans School blazer dysfunctional family the austerity of an old Victorian boarding school seemed luxury beyond measure”, and went on to board in School House at St Albans School.

“Conditions were very spartan and austere, but we didn’t know any different – if anyone thinks that cold showers in the morning are good for you I can assure you they are not. We attended Abbey three or four times a week. Long and erudite sermons by budding young aspirant Bishops kindled a lasting interest in architecture. The awesome plain early Norman Gothic arches on the left, the magnificent long nave and neo-Gothic arches on the right. School House sat in the old choir stalls. During the holidays I worked at Motor Car Spares shop in Archway Road. There was a time when I knew every single part of every single Austin 7. Useful knowledge for hearing cases relating to car repairs.”

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“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times! The emerging fifties and sixties, on the road – travelling light and sleeping rough through Europe, Eastern Europe, Turkey, North Africa, Canada, North America and Mexico. The age of all night parties and jazz hops and more, and CND marches. It’s exhausting to think about all those days gone by”.

Judge John has been a member of Rotary for over 30 years, “it is an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and engage in projects to help the community”.

A scout leader for 20 years, and holding the Long Service Award and Chief Scouts Commendation, a hill walking instructor for 10 years – “have you ever tried traversing across a nevee snow slope high up in the hills in a blizzard and backward somersaults, and to practice ice axe breaking techniques”! For many years Judge John ran evening classes in hill walking and advanced navigation at Tunbridge Wells Adult Education Centre and took groups of adults and scouts on hill walking expeditions to Snowdonia. “For two or three years I had the unlikely honour of being the leader of the Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School Duke of Edinburgh Award trip to the Lake District and the Brecon Beacons”.

“There have been tremendous changes over the years almost beyond belief when you pause to reflect that when I first started in 1959 we still engrossed documents

by hand on parchment in elegant copper plate writing and there were no photocopying machines – yes no photocopying machines! And changes in the law, fundamental changes, many of which were long overdue, but looking back the greatest change of all has been the devolution of the Administration of Justice from the Lord Chancellor to the Senior Judges.”

“I have enjoyed my humble and insignificant career in the law enormously, especially the opportunity to serve and help people, but I must confess I have been looking forward to retirement ever since I started work way back in 1959. It came as a great shock leaving school and leisurely long vacations to have to go to work every day and only have two weeks holiday.”

“It will be nice to have more time to be with my wife and family and the four grandchildren, and to have time to read a book and listen to music and toil on the allotment and daydream. There have been seven generations of Merrick Solicitors in my family. Sebastian, my eldest son is a Solicitor but doesn’t practice – he recently hired the Albert Hall and put on a concert for a famous Turkish singer – he is a linguist and expert on Balkan music, and prefers to be an entrepreneur. Ethan is a musician, ‘cello teacher and conductor. My daughter Katya is also a Solicitor and practices with a well-known firm in Tunbridge Wells.”

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Written in stone

The worst ever?

n Robin Ollington uncovers a mystery in the memorial for former master Christopher Bradley-Payne

n Former School First XV wing-threequarter John Billington (54) expresses his mild chagrin at the description of his 1952 side as ‘the worst ever’

I was recently at Brookwood Military Cemetary where former master Christopher Bradley-Payne is buried in the RAF section and was pleased to see that the whole section is being restored, including all the memorials. This will of course, include Bradley-Payne’s memorial which I photographed for the ‘School at War’ I produced.

Interestingly, I was told by one of the workman his stone is unique as for some reason his Christian name is given, whereas the rule is that only initials are used except in the case of female casualties. So this must have slipped through – or was the name Christopher Bradley-Payne somehow confusing?

I greatly enjoyed your latest issue of the OA Bulletin with its many interesting reminiscences, including Gerald Robinson’s alarming account (Blot on the landscape) of the architectural drawing in the Abbey Treasury.

I was mildly chagrined by Brian Davidson’s confident claim that the First XV of Autumn 1952 was the “worst ever” though I expect he has evidence to support this. I was the youngest member of this XV and had the good fortune to play three full seasons for the First XV under three captains: Richard Whortley in 1952, Peter Hosking in 1953 (both my seniors) and Peter Hill (my

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contemporary) in 1954.

I suppose I should have guessed that my being catapulted into the First XV from nowhere – I had not played for the Colts or the Second XV – was an indicator of the poverty of rugby talent in the Upper and Upper Upper Sixth in that year.

It is certainly true that Richard Whortley was more a scholar than a rugby player. There were two of us whom Charles Bloxham promoted immediately after O Levels – myself and Tommy Symes. Tommy Symes was a compact and excellent scrum half. I was there, like your Editor, as an unflinching tackler who – while lacking real speed as wing threequarter – was hard to stop once got going! Unlike your Editor I managed to escape serious injury and cannot remember missing a match in three years. The XV of 1953 had the best record of my time, winning 8 matches, drawing 2 and losing one.

I enclose photographs of the 1952 and 1953 XVs, with as many names as I recorded. I note I spell Whortley with an ‘h’ but that may be my error at the time. I have lost a photograph of the 1954 team but you reproduced it in your May 2004 issue where I am the sole survivor of the – apparently – inglorious team of 1952!

1952 1st XV (left): Standing left to right – Brockwell, ‘Sally’ Sharpe, Brian ‘Boggy’ Davidson, Beckett, John Billington, Thorne ‘Pip’ Hailstone, Bill Bailey Seated – Kev Burt, Pete Hosking, Streve Neal, Richard A Whortley (C), King, ??, Sander, (Tommy Symes absent for photo) 1953 1st XV (below): Standing left to right – Arnold, Brian Gowen, Barry Brown, Phil Scribbins, Gus Langley, John V ‘Taff’ Knight, Smithson Seated – John Billington, Kevin Hayward, ‘Uncle’ McMullen, Pete Hosking (C), Pete Hill, ‘Chunky’ Newman, Pete Harwood At front – Tommy Symes, B.K. Williams

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OA SPORT

Rugby

Top 40 hits n Press Officer Brian Quinn reports on a solid start to life among the top 40 clubs in England for OA Rugby

Every report on the activities of a Rugby Club starts with news of the First XV and Old Albanian RFC can be forgiven for almost stepping back and drawing breath whilst considering where we are now as opposed to even a few short months ago.

A monumental run of 19 consecutive wins from Guy Fawkes day 2011 until the last game of the 2011/12 season brought automatic promotion as League winners to National One. This puts the club in the top 40 out of the thousands in the land and it has taken a while for

The OAs take on Tynedale in National One

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the ramifications of this to be fully appreciated.

We rose to these dizzy heights along with Richmond, a club with a long and distinguished history. We have joined the likes of Blackheath, the second oldest club in the world.

We now count Fylde, Coventry and Rosslyn Park as playing equals and when one remembers (especially those of us with memories stretching back half a century or so) the dozens of International honours earned by our new colleagues it is a matter of great pride to be ranked deservedly alongside them.

We are also the most senior Old Boys’ club in the country even though we have been an ‘open club’ for decades. No other Hertfordshire outfit has ever risen so high in rugby rankings and we take with

us the congratulations and, in some cases, the envy of those around us.

Thus far we have had to learn fast in our new, exalted surroundings.

Fylde and Richmond now know we are not in this league just to make up the numbers. Blackheath taught us the necessary lesson that the match isn’t over until the final whistle. Coventry and Rosslyn Park are soon to be met.

Player/Coach James Shanahan is one of only a few squad members who have played at this level before.

His experience, with the help of those around him, got us where we are; the party is still in full swing!

The season is one third over at the time of writing. We are just in the top half of the table and our account reads five wins, five losses and a draw and, amongst others, we have beaten two of the top five sides.

For the future the only thing we can be certain of is that there will be no easy fixture till season’s end. We have started splendidly; so may it continue.

From seconds to fifths is a story of hard work and, for the most part, fine achievement. The reserve side has handsomely beaten most of their opponents whilst providing a string of worthy recruits to the senior side. It should be stressed that this teamwork between ‘firsts’ and ‘seconds’ will be crucial to the club’s progress in National One as the playing demands take their toll on incredibly dedicated players.

The Thirds and Fourths have similarly prospered and are

benefitting from the new coaching initiative instigated this season.

David Griffiths is working like a demon to ensure the lower sides are not left behind. The Fifths (Grizzlies) have suffered an astonishing injury count but are on the road to recovery and will emerge strong as ever.

The Saints have won five of their The Saints in action against Richmond six games to date and we are the only club in Herts to be able to offer Ladies Rugby from age six to sixty!

The Colts are fielding two sides for the first time in the club’s history.

The talent being developed here will stand the Old Albanians in good stead for years to come. Finally, the Mini/Junior section forms virtually a new village every Sunday, the 850 inhabitants of which are a credit to their coaches, their parents and themselves. This incredible resource is being carefully husbanded by the section’s dedicated management team to ensure the laws of the game are properly instilled, alongside an indescribable sense of fun. Our future awaits us!

Brian Quinn

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Cricket

Weather beaten n David Rourke looks back on a soggy season in which the 1st XI achieved the unwanted record of playing the fewest matches since 1931

Three facts regarding Saturday 8th September 2012, when Old Albanian Cricket Club played its final matches of the Hertfordshire League season. Firstly, the 1st XI game against Southgate Adelaide at Woollams (a high-scoring victory for the visitors, longstanding opponents who first played OAs in 1950) was the 3,000th 1st XI game in the club’s history; secondly, it was apparent by this stage that the 1st XI would play the least games in a season (eventually 24) since 1931, courtesy of a rain-soaked summer which claimed 15 scheduled fixtures; and thirdly, it was the first time since 2001 that none of the club’s senior XIs entered the final day of the league season with nothing at stake.

One is cautiously optimistic that a decade of relegation dogfights, with occasional promotion challenges and too-frequent dressing-room upheaval, has now been consigned to OACC history. However, the constant vicissitudes of sports clubs and the twenty-first century challenges that face such institutions dictate that such optimism must not lead to complacency.

The excessively damp summer of 2012 saw a small OAs squad arguably over-perform across all three XIs. For the 1st XI, a lack of

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strength in depth and concomitant inability to prevail in a number of close matches saw its promotion challenge falter during August.

A collection of high-class players formed the core of the league side – skipper Jimmy Hayat, player of the year Ahsan Ali (who took 48 league wickets with his left-arm spin), Chris Dobson, Alf Rehman, Zahid Karim and Zahid Ali Khan. On Sundays, a programme of late-season friendlies produced some encouraging performances, including a notable victory at Stanmore by a very young side featuring numerous recent School players. In 2013, re-entry to the Chess Valley Sunday League should help with the development of a younger squad.

In the 2nd and 3rd XIs, skippers Julian Baines and Simon Wakeling demonstrated the tenacity and leadership necessary to get the most out of scarce resources and inconsistent circumstances. Rarely did they have more than 22 players available for their sides, yet both XIs did enough to finish in mid-table of their respective divisions. An earlyseason 5-wicket victory at Radlett, comfortably chasing 250, was the highlight of the 2nd XI year; while a 15-run victory at Langleybury was epochal for the 3rd XI’s season.

An obvious challenge for 2013 and beyond is to have a larger squad of players at the captains’ disposal, yet considering the large number of players who left OACC during the turmoil between 2007 and 2011, it is in many ways a triumph that three

The Sussex touring squad: Back row (left to right) – Perry Hall, Simon Wakeling, David Hughes, Julian Baines, Matthew Newby, Harley Stairmand, Chris Dobson, Andrew McCree, Richard Morgan.

Front row (left to right) – Andrew Dewhurst, Victor Stairmand, Tom Preest, Alf Rehman, Simon Bates, Alex Belton, David Rourke sides prevail.

Lack of numbers was not a problem in the club’s increasingly successful Junior section in 2012, as only Knebworth Park among Hertfordshire clubs had a better overall record than OAs across all age groups. The U10s lost their county final, the U9s, U11s and U12s all reached the semi-finals, and Sunday mornings in the summer saw Woollams packed with Junior players. Alison Curran, the Director of Junior Cricket, was a deserved winner of the Ellis Cup for her achievements in organising 300+ Junior players and a platoon of

helpers, resources which are vital for the club’s future.

Alison aside, the usual suspects of Richard Morgan (Chairman), Tony Dalwood (President), Denis King (Treasurer, 1st XI Scorer and Website Factotum), Nigel Cartwright (Commercial), Alison Finley (Secretary) and Simon Bates (Social Events) kept the show on the road.

Ian Smith’s team produced good pitches all season, which became batting paradises as the sun finally shone in August and September, while relationships between the club and Woollams benefitted from a fresh approach.

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Finally, mention of a wet week in Sussex during July, when just two of the five scheduled fixtures were played on what was nonetheless a very enjoyable 60th OACC Annual Tour. Chris Dobson and Harley Stairmand broke the club 8thwicket record partnership during the victory at East Preston, adding an undefeated 205 and both scoring maiden centuries for the club. The ensuing celebrations continued

until dawn, featured one lost and one broken mobile phone, meant that there was huge relief when the next day’s game was rained off, and seemed to still be affecting Harley’s brother Victor two days later when he left his jeans and iPod at Forest Row! In short, it was the kind of victory celebration that OACC needs to see and justify more of, in 2013 and beyond.

David Rourke

Golf

Inspiring Medinah n A fantastic year for the Great Britain & Ireland Ryder Cup team – inspired, no doubt, by the performances of the OA Golf Society!

Secretary Peter Dredge reports on another excellent season

An interesting year weatherwise!

Following the heat wave at the end of March when the ‘winter’ warm up event was held at Hadley Wood (previously reported) an abnormal amount of rain fell during the ensuing period up to the middle of July pleasing only greenkeepers and the water companies. Fortunately, the rain ceased in time for the London Olympics – we will be discussing next year’s programme with Boris!

In hurricane conditions 32 intrepid members turned up at Brocket Hall and the winner of the OA Cup

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was John Cox with a magnificent 34 stableford points playing off a handicap of 5. Rick Drakard and Ian McKenzie were runners up. Mike Nash won the Dockree Tankard (the Antelopes trophy).

The Captain’s Away Day took place at Calcot Park, Reading on an afternoon of continuous rain. Our Captain, Tony Bolton presented the Pop Rush trophy to the secretary who narrowly splashed out the best score of 34 points, on a countback with John Cox. The weather improved for the OA matches, and inspired by the achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic teams, we produced some stunning performances and achieved positive results from all four matches against Mid-Herts GC, Fullerians, Haberdashers and Cholmeleians. The OAs were represented by a number of different players for these matches – a sign

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of strength in depth – and the overall grit and determination to succeed was replicated later in the summer by the Ryder Cup players in Medinah. Well done, chaps.

Fourteen members attended the annual trip to Thorpeness when three days of glorious weather were enjoyed by all. The big winners were Tony Bolton, Kevin O’Donoghue and John Cox. The usual evening bridge sessions were forsaken this year for the more athletic sport of snooker we now know of the misspent youth

by Messrs Tate, Clarke, Spurr and Murray.

The final major and playing event of the season was held at Mid-Herts at the end of October.

The Briggs Goblets were won with a tremendous score of 44 points (4 ball better ball) by Simon and Paul Cooper. Jim Putterill and Ross Murray were runners-up with David Browne and Martin Bennet in third place. Both pairs scoring 39 points.

We look forward to the end of season dinner being held at Woollams. This is the last formal event as Captain for Tony Bolton.

Tony has officiated in this capacity for the past two years and has attended most of our events and all the matches. He has donated generously to winners’ prizes and played some great golf. The OAGS values very highly Tony’s contribution during this period.

We are delighted and honoured that John H Smith, a distinguished OA, Past President of the OA Club and a member of the Gog Magog

Golf Club in Cambridge, has accepted the invitation to succeed Tony.

The programme for 2013 as arranged at the time of writing is: Monday 25 March 2013 – winter warm up at Hadley Wood Saturday 27 April 2013 – match v Mid-Herts Thursday 27 June 2013 – OA Cup at Sandy Lodge Friday 19 July 2013 – Captain’s Day at Gog Magog Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 2/3/4 September 2013 – Thorpeness trip Friday 20 September 2013 – London OB Foursomes at Highgate Friday 11 October 2013 – Briggs Goblets at Mid-Herts The OB matches are still to be confirmed.

All OAs are warmly invited to attend any of these events. Our aim is to enjoy some friendly occasions, to meet up with contemporaries and to play some decent golf courses.

Please contact Peter Dredge on 01582 834572 or e-mail pjdredge42@aol.com Peter Dredge Secretary OA Golf

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Angling

The man in the Mask n Honorary Secretary Geoff Cannon reports on a successful trip to Ireland to fish for trout and salmon in Loch Mask

The game fishing season has now drawn to a close and winter activities are about to commence.

In the summer, members visited the west coast of Ireland and fished for trout and salmon on Lochs Melvin, Carrimore and Mask.

Two of our members returned in August to fish in a competition on Loch Mask. Alan Bennett managed to get into the finals and narrowly missed the award for an International Angler.

Members fished also in the Herefordshire and Derbyshire River

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From the Archive Wye, the Norfolk Broads and local rivers and lakes.

At the Club’s Annual General Meeting, Brian Ward was elected President to succeed David Morgan who died last winter.

We all look forward to the winter season and would welcome any new members, all you have to do is contact Geoff Cannon whose details are below.

Geoff Cannon Honorary Secretary, OA Angling Club 14-16 Church End Redbourn AL3 7DU Tel: 01727 861622 (daytime) 01582 792512 (evening) Fax: 01727 861623 E-Mail: cannon.morgan@btconnect.com

The School 1st XI, above, and the Hockey team, below, from 1964. How many can you name?

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From the Archive

1960: Can anyone name any of these School prefects posing in front of the Abbey Gateway?

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