OA Bulletin - Autumn 2006 Edition

OA BULLETIN

Royal benefactor: King James I. See Andrew Grant’s ‘Commemoration of Our Benefactors’, Page 12

Old Albanian Club

DIARY DATES

October 2006

London Drinks Party – Thursday 16th November 2006 Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 12th December 2006 School Carol Service – Wednesday 13th December 2006

OA CLUB www.oldalbanianclub.com President

Andrew Barnes 01582 712650 andysbarnes@hotmail.com Secretary David Buxton 01727 840499 d.buxton@virgin.net Treasurer Brian Sullman 01582 460317 Membership Secretary Roger Cook 01727 836877 Rogercook@btinternet.com OA SPORTS

www.oasport.com

RUGBY President

Ali Mills ali.mills@oarugby.com Chairman Richard Milnes richard.milnes@oarugby.com Commercial Director Simon Heath simon.heath@oarugby.com Finance Director Chris Walker chris.walker@oarugby.com Admin Director Peter Lipscomb peter.lipscomb@oarugby.com Fixture Secretary Darren Ead darren.ead@oarugby.com Director of Coaching Bruce Millar bruce.millar@oarugby.com Director of Rugby Steve Bedford steve.bedford@oarugby.com Mini & Junior Rugby Chairman

Rory Davis 01727 843538

Nick Chappin – Editor Andy Chappin – Design & Production Roger Cook – Membership Mike Highstead – Gazette Printing - Herts & Beds Printing 01923 234959 2

OA BULLETIN OCTOBER 2006

FOOTBALL www.oasoccer.co.uk Club President & Manager Simon Bates 07720 383600/01442 240247 Treasurer & Club Secretary David Hughes 07890 831315/01727 769237 dh@sherrards.com Sponsorship Secretary David Burrows 07841 431614 CRICKET President Chairman

www.oacc.org.uk Alan Philpott Andrew McCree 01727 845513 andrew@oacc.org.uk Secretary David Hughes 07890 831315/01727 769 237 Treasurer Denis King denis.king@btinternet.co.uk Fixture Secretary Julian Baines Jules_baines@msn.com OTHERS Rifle & Pistol

Andrew Wilkie 01727 856857 Geoff Cannon 01582 792512 Royce Bryant 01727 863130

Angling Golf

OA LODGE John Williams

www.oa-lodge.co.uk 01438 715679 jtwilliams@onetel.net

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

Address for correspondence: Nick Chappin 18 The Pleasance, Harpenden, Herts AL5 3NA Telephone: 01582 461674 (home) 07980 565645 (mobile) e-mail: nick@chappin.co.uk

OA COMMENT

O A C O N TA C T

OA BULLETIN OCTOBER 2006

Editorial

Eating your own dog food

so much as glanced at the site ever since.

Having rummaged through my inbox to find my log-in details, I finally took another look this week.

Every industry has the right to its A useful tip: don’t leave it five own jargon, but I find that the IT months between visits, as the e-mails sector abuses the privilege. A client of mine at a major software company tend to build up in your absence.

Having waded through various is particularly fluent in corporate promotional messages offering gobbledegook, and once bemoaned tickets to events that had the increasing use of ‘TLAs’ around unfortunately already taken place, I the organisation. “What are ‘TLAs’?” happened upon a welcome message I enquired politely. “Three Letter listing all the people from my year Acronyms,” he replied without the who were registered with OAconnect. faintest trace of irony. Anyway, Of the 1975 leavers, nearly a quarter while giving me “a heads up on a are registered so far – a higher paradigm shift in the DNA of the proportion, business” or something encouragingly, than are recently, he expressed currently registered with the opinion that the I have constantly Friends Reunited. Of company “had to learn these, around threeberated and to eat its own dog food”. quarters (including me) (At this point, have only posted their beseeched students of classic basic contact details – advertising campaigns members to sign up which is fair enough, like myself will considering that the immediately recall one prime role of the site is of the original and most to the OAconnect to provide a channel for famous TLAs of all, for networking and interthe well-known dog food database communication, and not brand PAL (‘Prolongs a platform for telling Active Life’), but I your life story. However, it would digress). The point I am endeavouring to make, in my normal have been nice to find out a little more about what some of these roundabout fashion, is that I really people are up to nowadays. Among should practice what I preach. In the the nuggets of information I did last few issues of the Bulletin, I have manage to unearth are that Ian constantly berated and beseeched Kemsey-Bourne (who also attended members to sign up to the the same Harpenden primary school OAconnect online membership as me) is now working as a database. I finally got round to consultant after 22 years with the registering in May, but am slightly embarrassed to confess that I haven’t Royal Artillery, Peter Land has spent

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President’s Notes his entire professional career in the London Stock Market, and Paul Norris is Assistant Headteacher at a large comprehensive school in Cheshire.

Yet while technology certainly has its place, I find that you can’t beat hanging around in pubs, clubs and bars to catch up with old acquaintances. Not as good for the waistline, perhaps, but infinitely more enjoyable. In the last few months I’ve run into Mark Waller while out for a drink with Gareth Thomas’ wife (a long story, and not what you’re thinking), Nick Harris at a golf club outside Bath, and John Nicol at the St Albans Beer Festival.

Mark has sold his family engineering business and is now dipping his toe in the property development market, Gareth’s teaching career is currently on hold as he recuperates from a serious illness, Nick is sales and marketing director for a Welsh DIY product manufacturer, and John is an associate with an architects’ practice in London.

Disciples of this more traditional style of networking will be delighted to hear that the London Drinks Party is the next organised opportunity to get together with fellow OAs from in and around the capital, while

technology fans will find a list of all forthcoming social events on OAconnect.

My usual thanks to all the contributors to this issue of the Bulletin, and especially the older members who have again taken the trouble to record their reminiscences for our enjoyment. Anthony Lane has supplied another selection of school memories from the immediate postwar years, and I was saddened to read of the death of regular correspondent Len Druce. Readers may recall his fascinating yet harrowing account of his involvement in the catastrophic Dieppe raid in 1942 and subsequent experiences as a PoW, which were published in the Bulletin a few years ago.

Finally, another plug: don’t forget that you can now contact me with your comments or letters via the OAconnect site.

Nick Chappin Editor

WHO TO CONTACT Please address your correspondence to the following people – you’ll find their contact details on page 2.

OA Bulletin Nick Chappin, Editor Comments, letters, photos Subscription/membership enquiries Roger Cook, Membership Secretary Change of address, notification of deaths OA Gazette Mike Highstead, Archivist Member news, obituaries, School archive and museum

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The last word n Andrew Barnes reflects on a glorious summer of successful social activities in his last report before handing over the reins to a new OA Club President There is a danger that the President’s notes become repetitive and at the end of three years there is little new to mention. I will try hard to give you something of interest here.

The Old Albanian Club has now been in its new home at Woollams for four years.

Sunday 18th September saw the ground at its glorious best. Lexus sponsored an ambitious nationwide junior rugby tournament, run simultaneously at four venues across the country. At each venue 1,200 youngsters were involved in a day’s competition. It marked the first occasion on which we were able to use our newly prepared overflow car park, and subsequently the stubble field beyond it. We accommodated hundreds of private cars and 16 coaches. The Rugby Club Vice Chairman, Rory Davies, oversaw a brilliantly organised day. Ian Jennings, Chairman of School Governors, provided an excellent public address service with clarity and humour.

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, the tennis courts were in use, the School’s artificial hockey surface was occupied by some 50 boys and girls, and in the School pavilion, a formal lunch for 160 friends of the Abbey Choir was being served. The immediate relevance of all this may not be apparent to Old Albanians who live away from St Albans, but as reported some editions ago, the Old Albanian Sports Association Ltd is a registered charity, as is St Albans School. Both entities have stated aims which justify their charitable status.

Old Albanian: a page from the 1957 vintage school magazine refers to 8,000 people attending a fete!

Sharing these marvellous facilities with other not-for-profit organisations is important for both School and Club.

D W ‘Flossie’ Holman During March it was a pleasure to welcome Dennis Holman as my guest at the Rugby Club Vice President’s lunch when OARFC were hosts to Richmond. I believe many of you will remember Dennis as a master at the School during the Fifties and early Sixties, after which he was appointed headmaster of Dr Challoners, Amersham.

He combined English and rugby as areas of expertise. W T Marsh allowed him a Saturday afternoon pass to play for Richmond, where he was vice-captain. At the end of an extremely well contested match, in which the Old Albanian RFC was not victorious, I was presented with several yellowing copies of The Albanian and a copy of the Spring Term 1959 school roll

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with numerous pencilled comments. During that term Dennis directed the school play, Julius Caesar. The cast was large and included many members of the upper and lower 6th form. The director’s notes on the cast are illuminating. Notable performances included M C Newell, who “gave a moving and polished performance as Mark Anthony,” S W Hawking (“a vigorous Cinna”), R Park, who “was confident and powerful in his betrayal of Julius Caesar,” and J R Lake, “a robust commoner in the crowd scenes.”

The Presidents’ Garden Party This summer, the club has been blessed with wonderful weather for its important social occasions. The Presidents’ Garden Party has turned into a reception and lunch.

At £12.50 per ticket for a champagne reception, Sunday lunch and table wine, 110 club members and guests enjoyed a real bargain. Once again, this event was an opportunity for all sports clubs, and the Old Albanian Club, to invite those who have contributed with time and effort during the last year. The Headmaster and Mrs Grant were our guests and this moment was chosen to present Andrew Grant with a club blazer, secretly made-to-measure with his wife Hilary’s help.

Founders’ Day Founders’ Day was spectacular. The Service in the Abbey was an opportunity to appreciate the strength and quality of the school choir and refocus on the headmaster’s beautifully crafted ‘Commemoration of Our Benefactors’ (see page 12).

The gaudy this year was for those Old Albanians who left the school during the Nineties. The response was disappointing.

Clearly, nostalgia that grows with time had

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involved. Some progress has been made. We have found David Press in California, Tony Quance in Canada, David Preston in Stafford and most recently, Roland Harding in Harrogate. He has been out of contact for over 40 years. For all those who recognise these names, and were part of the September 1957 intake, please make an entry in your 2007 year planner, Wednesday 19th September 2007: “OA Lunch, Woollams, St Albans.”

In a similar vein, Dr Daniel Gibbons (97) is trying hard to collect contact information for the whole of his year. This was touched on in the last Bulletin. How is he getting on?

Look out for his article in the May Bulletin.

developed insufficiently. It is a fact that the response to gaudy invitations from those who left the school in earlier decades has consistently been more enthusiastic. During the afternoon several games of cricket and tennis matches between School and Old Albanians took place at Woollams. The Headmaster was conspicuous in his new, familiarly striped blazer.

London Drinks Party, 16th November 2006, East India Club, St James’s This enjoyable event is so different from our gatherings at Woollams. There is no sport in sight. Please try to make it. You may know of friends and acquaintances who could join you for a couple of convivial hours in the early evening. Give them a ring and bring them along. Tickets are available from Nick Barnes.

Charles and Mary Woollam A year ago an estimate was agreed for the repair and refurbishment of the Woollam grave in the cathedral precinct. The cost of this work has been split between the Club and the School. There will be a re-dedication ceremony before evensong on Sunday 3rd December. Interested OAs are invited to attend.

Millennium Pageant Richard Thrale (49), has presented an oil painting of the 1948 St Albans Millennium Pageant to the Old Albanian Club. The painting by Maurice Blockley, some four feet by three feet, is of the epilogue. The cast of several hundred are drawn up, forming a grand tableau by the lake, with the cathedral in the background. The Pageant was attended by Her Majesty the Queen (Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother). It is felt that the old school hall,

Brian Sullman with the engraved silver tankard presented to him on the occasion of his 70th birthday now the library, may provide the more sympathetic architectural environment in which it should be hung, in contrast to the stark modernity of the OA clubhouse at Woollams. Once the site has been chosen it will become a subject of interest for visiting OAs, and current and future pupils.

Getting together According to my black book Tuesday 19th September 2006 is the date of the 49th anniversary of the School’s September 1957 intake of which I was one. On the 50th anniversary we plan to hold a jubilee lunch at Woollams. We are still a long way short of having the ability to contact all 96 people

Brian Sullman Brian Sullman recently celebrated his 70th birthday at Woollams. Many of you will be aware of the debt of gratitude the OA Club, the rugby club and cricket club owe him.

The occasion was marked with the presentation of an engraved silver tankard (see photograph left).

New President It has been a privilege to serve the Club as President and at the Annual General Meeting in December another member will take the reins. I will be nominating the Club Vice-President, Stephen Burgess, to be the new President. After a career as a stockbroker in the City of London, Stephen has retired and is now focusing upon OA affairs as well as continuing with his lifelong interest in cycling.

Andrew Barnes President

Visit OAconnect the OA online database follow the link on www.oldalbanianclub.com

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Headmaster’s Notes

Summer highs

Tutor and helicopter flights in Gazelles and Griffins as well as outdoor exercises, command tasks and weapons training. n A 100% record in Ultimate Frisbee, four of The Army section of 6 Officers and 60 the country’s five top Maths GCSE results Cadets meanwhile deployed to Catterick and entertaining the Charlton Athletic FC’s and, during the week, took part in the Ladies Team at a barbecue – Headmaster March and Shoot and Drill Competitions Andrew Grant reviews on a another rich and both of which are extremely prestigious. In varied summer of success for the School the former, our A team led by Under Officer Oliver Skelly won the overall competition At the start of the summer term it was a great pleasure to from 65 other teams with our B team in 13th position. welcome Old Albanian Ted The drill Competition was on the last Flint, now a Brigadier, as our night of camp and with excellent Inspecting Officer at the CCF instruction and organisation from former Annual General Inspection. It was the first CUO Ashley Bryant, we won time he had visited Woollams this too, ahead of some 30 and he was clearly impressed schools that had attended over He was clearly by a sense that the School had the three weeks of camp. taken a step into a different The highlight of the CCF league. Also illuminating, given impressed by a summer, however, was the the current situation, were his annual adventurous training views on what was then an sense that the fortnight in Norway. 24 Cadets imminent deployment in Afghanistan. Ted observed that School had taken a and 5 officers took part in overnight canoe and walking where Governments think in expeditions; a survival exercise; terms of campaigns lasting step into a white water rafting; go-karting; years, the army thinks in mountain biking; abseiling and decades; where Governments different league climbing, not to mention think in terms of Afghan hosting the Charlton Athletic campaigns lasting decades, the Football Club Ladies Team at a barbecue army thinks in centuries. (don’t ask).

The CCF sections also had a very busy Looking back on last term’s sport, we find summer: the RAF section were at RAF the most extensive Athletics programme we Benson in tented accommodation on a very have ever undertaken, with almost every age busy working station but in glorious group competing every week whether in weather and were pleased to discover that major inter-school weekend fixtures, such as their Air Cadet Liaison Officer for the camp the Harrow invitationals, or the Hertfordshire was former member of staff Flight Second and Fourth Form League and the Lieutenant Andy Rylatt. Highlights of the District First and Third Form matches at trip included a visit to the Royal Westminster Lodge. The Senior team were International Airshow at RAF Fairford; second in the District Championships, the another to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Fourth Form team reached the County Final RAF Uxbridge; flying lessons in the Grob

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including two tennis professionals from the (on the same day as the County Cricket Batchwood Club teaching at Woollams and Final!), and the Third Form showed high staff INSET training. We reached the semipromise in their league. Jethro Lee went on final of the Aberdare Cup, had equal success to win the Hertfordshire 800m title and Jay in senior matches against other Independent Johnson-Crooks made the English Championships for the long jump. Among the schools and the Middle and Lower Schools performed well in both Cup and the new and seniors, Mark Stichbury was particularly more extensive list of friendly fixtures. outstanding, his three wins at Harrow on the There are now a number of county players same day, in the 400m, the 800m and the in the School and additional resources are to 1500m being one of his finest exploits! be applied to the benefit and development of In Cricket, the School recorded another this rapidly growing sport, including a good season, winning 61% of all matches permanent girls’ team. played. The U15s won both the District and Away from the main line sports, the the County Cup and were unbeaten except in introduction of Ultimate Frisbee caused the National Cup and by a cricket academy some interest. St Albans was from Australia. The U14s also victorious in its first (and so far won their District Cup. At the only) trial fixture, against Mill top of the School the 1st XI won In Cricket, the Hill, and with a consequent 50% of their games, recovering 100% record both to brag of and well from an unlucky start.

School recorded to defend, it is expected that Both the Cricketer of the Year interest will grow. and the Sportsman of the Year another good As you may already have awards went to Simon Gregory seen, our candidates again who ended his school career in season, winning recorded some excellent results fifth place in the School’s alltime Batting Records. After four 61% of all matches in public examinations. At A level, the proportion of A and B years in the 1st XI and an grades achieved by the Upper average of 48.8 he has earned played Sixth, at 85% was a significant his place in our cricketing improvement on our previous pantheon. Ravi Vijh was best and markedly above the marginal excellent behind the stumps and contributed upward drift nationally. Once again, the hugely with the bat, as well as with his rallying cries of “come on fellas”. There were girls led the way, with 91% A/B grades, the second year in succession they have topped three centurions, the last being Jack 90%, achieving results better than all but a Reynolds, an U15 playing for the 1st XI, handful of the most selective girls’ schools achieving his feat and winning the in the country and well above the High President’s match off the same ball. The U14 School, who were ahead of us in only one squad enjoyed their annual tour to Dorset, league table this year. recording some excellent wins.

Newspaper league tables are no more Tennis benefited greatly from the new than an annual summer sport, but, against initiative of the Windmill Hill training camp a background of steadily-rising grades at Easter, which will be repeated next year. nationally, what they can usefully reveal There were other new developmental steps

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equivalences. Any who did, would, I are trends in a school’s performance over suspect, swiftly find themselves time, relative to other similar schools. This disappointed with the academic quality of is more significant when the methodology the students they recruited. used to compile the table has been The Lower Sixth, meanwhile, improved consistent, as with the Financial Times or by a massive 5% on the previous best at AS the Telegraph, than when it has been level, breaking the 80% barrier for the first repeatedly changed, as with the Times. Of time for results at the top two grades, and all of them, the most sophisticated and the this, remember, with each student taking least open to manipulation is that in the four subjects.

Financial Times, which combines both At GCSE, again, two thirds of all entries quantity and quality of results. Fifteen were passed at A* or A grade, equalling last years ago in the first full season of this year’s record. There were some exceptional sport, St Albans languished in 335th individual performances: Paul Harris’s position in the FT’s and in the Fourth marks in Double Award Science put him in Division of the Telegraph’s table of top the top ten of the 12,602 independent schools. Since candidates who sat the exam then, there have been only four nationally, while Adam There have been years in which we have not Wagenfield was in the top ten improved on our previous best.

This year brought our only four years in of the 2,492 candidates who sat his Design Technology syllabus. highest-ever rankings in the FT Not to be outdone, the Fourth (53rd: the same rank as which we have not form, all of whom take Charterhouse; Radley; King’s Mathematics a year before their Canterbury; UCS and other improved on our other GCSEs, improved even on respectable company); in the last year’s record with 46% of Telegraph First Division (75th), previous best their results graded A* and 87% in the Evening Standard (59th) graded A* or A. Better still, and even in the Times, despite ranking Nathaniel Samson, Nick that newspaper’s eager embrace Rawlins, Mark Edwardes-Jones of a new tariff that showers and David McLeod were each awarded marks UCAS points like confetti on the among the top five in the country. You will International Baccalaureate. An interesting note that there are four of them and I will outcome of this was that some IB institutions (e.g. Haileybury) that inhabit the leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Over the summer holiday, the Duke of lower reaches of other tables surged to the Edinburgh Award Gold expedition took head of affairs in the Times and were to be place in the Picos de Europa mountains in found above, for example, St Paul’s Girls’ Northern Spain – in spite of the disruption School and Manchester Grammar. to flights from the terrorist alert the The better universities all make offers previous weekend – while the Silver based on grades rather than points and I expedition was based at Pen Arthur, in the doubt that many admissions tutors will be most extreme heat of the summer, which unwise enough to repose any confidence in made for an unusually demanding three what is clearly a deeply flawed set of

days of walking and self-sufficiency and two from Chris Hudson fairly frequently when he needs a referee or umpire and, knowing nights of camping for the twenty-three Robin, I suspect he will respond. Another students, all of whom passed.

The cross country squad had their annual exceptional colleague retiring, at least from teaching, is Dr Stan Dolan, outstanding training camp at Pen Arthur towards the mathematician and Director of Studies, who end of the holiday and rugby training for has played a key role in the recent academic the new season culminated in the Saracens progress of the School referred to above, Invitational Rugby Festival hosted by us at whilst developing a career as an extreme Woollam’s on Sunday 3rd September. 12 distance runner of some note. teams, including specialist élite sports In a desperate attempt to rediscover how to academies from as far away as Devon and beat us on the rugby field or hockey pitch Lincolnshire, competed, with our First XV Haberdashers’ have recruited our Deputy coming an honourable second among the Director of PE and Games, Ryan McIntosh, to non-specialist schools. be their Games supremo. Meanwhile, Second The Choir’s superb CD, Magnificat, Master, Simon Corns has been recorded earlier this year in the appointed Headmaster of Queen Abbey, is now available.

Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Directed by Grayson Jones and At GCSE, again, Blackburn, an HMC school of produced by David McCord, it is some note in his native North testimony to the outstanding two thirds of all West. We congratulate both on quality of our choir. Copies can their promotion. be obtained from the Music entries were A School event of which you Department, price £10, and will might like to be aware, since it make an excellent Christmas passed at A* or A is directly OA-related, is the present. rededication of the Woollam For those of you with an grade, equalling grave and memorial in the interest in Art and, in particular, sculpture, who may last year’s record North Churchyard of the Abbey on 3rd November, following have admired the fine bronze of which, the School Choir will be Sir Nicholas Bacon in the singing Evensong. See the web site for library, or other works by James Butler, precise detail of this and other events and if RA, such as the Fleet Air Arm Memorial on any of you wished to attend, I’m sure we Victoria Embankment, a superb, full-colour appreciation of the sculptor’s work has been could squeeze you in.

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing many recently published by John Meulkens OA, of you at the London Drinks Party and/or at who presented the bust of Sir Nicholas to the Carol Service at 2.30pm on Wednesday the School. Copies are available from the 13th December. library, price £12.50.

Among a number of staffing changes, Mr Andrew Grant and Mrs Scase have retired simultaneously Headmaster after many years of outstanding service to the School and both will be much missed, though I suspect Robin will be getting a call

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was beginning. Not in his wildest imaginings could he have conceived of a school community such as this, in regular and instant contact at the touch of a button, by satellite, radio waves and fibre optics with a n We are delighted to reproduce here the Headmaster’s Commemoration of Benefactors global brotherhood of other schools commemorating his name on other continents address from the Founders’ Day service in of whose existence he knew nothing, across a July world he probably didn’t know was round.

But he was active in doing good; and in his What is a Benefactor? The martyrdom he gave all a man can give. In so word has its origins in two doing, he made the fundamental gift of his Latin words Bene, meaning name to city, church and School. “good” and Facere, meaning We remember next the Abbots and “do”. So Benefactors are Masters of the School before the those who do good. The essential quality of Reformation, and chief among them Abbot benefaction is that it is active. “Action” is in the second half of the word. Those we Wulsin, according to tradition, the School’s commemorate today were, and are, active in original founder.

With him we commemorate Abbot doing good by bestowing their gifts in the widest sense of that word.

Geoffrey de Gorham, himself a scholar of So today, we, the living School renown, from whose family the School’s community, are gathered in this ancient present motto derives. Abbot Hugh de Eversden and Archdeacon John Passevant, Cathedral and Abbey church, whose history together with Alexander Neckham, fosterwe have so long shared, to remember before brother of King Richard God with grateful the Lionheart, and hearts all those who Master Warin, Masters have in their generation of the School. By their and in diverse ways good offices, the School been active in using grew and prospered, their gifts for the good such that, in the words of this School. of the Abbey chronicler, Is it possible to do “there would hardly be good to that which does found in England a not yet exist? Manifestly better or more fruitful yes. Indeed, the school, or more useful Christian faith is or giving greater founded on such a opportunity to its proposition. So let us scholars.” begin our Let us remember Commemoration by remembering Alban. He Richard de Nantes, could not, of course, Master in the late have known what he Royal benefactor: King Edward VI thirteenth century, and

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Commemoration of Our Benefactors

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John de Langley for their gifts of property “chiefly for the use of poor scholars for a grammar school there to be held and kept freely and quietly for ever,” and with them, Master John Haule for his gift to the School of its first Latin Grammar.

The last abbot, Richard Borman, is to some, an ambiguous figure, who appears to have done rather well financially out of the Dissolution of his monastery. But in his determination that the School should continue he proved a great benefactor, active in doing good to the School.After 1539, it was only through his strenuous and successful efforts in petitioning King Edward VI, that the spirit of the School survived at all. Borman was granted authority to maintain a free school for 144 scholars in St Albans, and, for the sum of £100, obtained possession of the Lady Chapel of the Abbey, which was to be the School’s home for 300 years.

Thus began a new phase in the School’s history.

“Free” at this time, meant independent and of open access; the school was no longer subject to the authority of the Abbey – there was no Abbey – nor of the Church.

The word did not then carry its secondary modern meaning of “without charge”. The last of the Abbots and the boy King had given the School the fundamentally independent status it retains to this day and it is proper at this point to remember those successive generations of parents from the School’s earliest beginnings down to our own day, whose fees have sustained the School throughout the centuries.

We commemorate today our royal benefactors: King Edward VI, who in his grant of the city charter of 1553, made provision for the Mayor and Burgesses to receive an endowment of £40 for the maintenance of the grammar school.

Queen Elizabeth I, and with her, the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, our chief benefactor, Sir Nicholas Bacon. It was at his petition that the Queen granted to the Mayor and Burgesses the right to appoint “two discreet and honest persons dwelling within the borough of St Albans” to sell wine and each keep a tavern, in return for which right, they must pay £20 per year for the relief of the Master of the School – a grant that was subsequently enlarged by King James I.

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Bacon foreshadowed Sir Nicholas deserves later educational a word or two more: by reformers such as Dr all accounts, in his Arnold and bequeathed capacity as a judge, he to us an ethos that was remarkably fairendures in our School minded, though his to this day. sense of humour could From this time we be questionable. The remember also Richard story is told of his trying a man called Raynshaw, Sergeant at Hogg, who asked for Arms, Thomas Hall, clemency on the Doctor of Medicine and grounds of his wife, Margaret and consanguinity (being Richard Platt, master related to) Bacon. “A brewer and later Hog becomes Bacon founder of Aldenham only once it is well School for their gifts of hanged,” was the Chief benefactor: Sir Nicholas Bacon land and property. alleged retort, as the The importance with hapless prisoner was led away. The product which gifts to the library were regarded himself of a meritocratic system and deeply reflects the cost and value of books at that committed to education, Bacon gave the time, and we remember Francis, son of Sir School statutes that were, by the standards Nicholas Bacon, Sir Ralph Rowlett and of the day, liberal and enlightened. His Ursula Garrett for their benefactions, insistence that no pupil should come into together with Sir Samuel Grimston; school with his hair uncombed, his hands or Benjamin Mott, Citizen of London, Joseph face unwashed, with dirty boots or Marsh; Dr Evans; Stephen Adams, stockings, or with torn or unbuttoned Alderman of this Borough; John Cole, clothes seems positively contemporary to Rector of the Abbey and Charles, identified this headmaster. His curriculum, too, again only as “Gent” who are recorded as by the standards of the day, reflected a benefactors on the library board. renaissance humanist outlook and was It is fitting that on this day we remember distinctive in the stress it laid not only on two great Headmasters: John Harmer, later the Classics and Mathematics, but also on Regius professor of Greek at Oxford the value of modern languages as well as University, and John Thomas Hylocomius, physical exercise. In this, in his famous grammarian, to whom a memorial commitment to seeking out the ablest in this Abbey was erected by his former people and educating them as well as pupils and of whom the mayoral records possible, expecting in return that they speak thus: “We have had and still enjoy a would pay the community back by engaging singular jewel whereby the School hath in public service and in his belief in flourished and become famous and we hope education as a great liberator, enabling the still to enjoy him”. underprivileged to achieve their potential, For want of any better evidence, it has

long been supposed that the School, too, since the latter was the first the verdict rerecipient of the revenue established the School’s from the wine right to the revenues licences.However, and secured its income. recent new research How Ann Marks felt that has revealed that about her protégé’s Hylocomius came to St behaviour, having been Albans from a previous Nicholson’s chief appointment at the sponsor in his newly – founded Queen appointment as Elizabeth’s School in Headmaster three years Barnet, has brought to earlier, is not recorded. light the name of But let us commemorate them Thomas Holden, native both today, as of Lancashire and thoroughly human fellow of Brasenose emblems of a farFrancis Bacon: son of Sir Nicholas Bacon College Oxford. Holden, sighted endowment that it appears, was the first endured for 300 years.

Master appointed by Sir Nicholas Bacon; he By the middle of the nineteenth century, remained in St Albans after resigning the however, the School’s fortunes had waned Mastership and he later became vicar of St to the point where its very survival was Peter’s. threatened. For its revival, we Under the scholarly leadership of such commemorate with gratitude the Rev Dr men the school flourished and rose to Nicholson, Rector of the Abbey, G W eminence through the sixteenth and Lydekker, H J Toulmin, the Rev W J seventeenth centuries.

Lawrence and the Headmaster Henry Hall, At this point, let us give due credit to the contribution made to the School’s survival who were responsible for the purchase of across the centuries through the gift of the the Abbey Gatehouse and the Governor’s wine licences, by the tavernkeepers of the House with the garden and field adjoining, city, even if we acknowledge the circuitous which are now the Upper Yard. By public paths that benefaction took until the rights subscription in the town and county, they under the licences were finally surrendered raised money for repairs and alterations to the Treasury in 1922. which began to bring into being the School It was sometimes an uneasy relationship. we know today.

In 1800, Ann Marks, landlady of the Peahen, From this more recent period, we found herself in Chancery, facing a private remember particularly Charles Woollam prosecution by the Headmaster, John Payler and his wife Mary, for their bequest of the Nicholson, for selling wine without a Causeway field, the Tennis court at Belmont Hill and the Belmont playing field, licence. It was fortunate for Nicholson, who the later sale of which ultimately made had given up his salary to pay the costs of possible the purchase of Cheapside Farm, the test case, that he won, but fortunate for

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the site of the new Woollam Playing Fields and pavilion.

We remember A H Debenham, for his many acts of generosity, and Reginald Kent and Colonel A B Cliff who left to the School bequests from their estates.

For their endowments of bursaries and prizes, we commemorate Alderman Arthur Faulkner, Mr N W Swinnerton and Mrs Lily Swinnerton, and for his gifts of money for the establishment of the Pen Arthur Field Centre, we remember Alderman James Baum.

Of the many others who gave smaller sums for the endowment of prizes, or to improve the School’s facilities, we remember A J Eastcott, E P Debenham, R O Sanders, E Hamilton, Mrs Sarah Turnham, A Renfrew, the Rev E A B Royds, Mrs Dorothy Morris, L T Young, George Wishart, E W Tanner, Norman and Evelyn Parkins and Ernest Nightingale.

To these must be added that large company of parents, Old Boys and friends of the School, through whose generosity in subscribing to the Development Fund the School has been enabled to enhance still further its buildings and facilities, and those individuals, trusts and companies who have given no less generously for the endowment of bursaries. Among these, special mention must be made of H J Joel, Dr J R Goody in memory of Lilian Goody; the Old Albanian Club, and of those who brought into being the John Clough and Tom Thornton Memorial Funds.

Of more recent date we remember with affection and gratitude, Geoffrey Pryke, Old Albanian and Schoolmaster, the generosity of whose will founded the School’s first academic scholarships. We remember too, for their generous bequests to the School, the late Peter Cox OA; the late Miss Agnes

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Walker, for her bequest in memory of her brother, Leonard G Walker, OA; the family of former chairman of Governors, the late Douggie Owen, OA and the trustees of the Charles Palmer Trust in memory of the late Charles Palmer, OA. Former Chairman of Governors, Donald Urry, OA, we commemorate for his many services to the School, and for the generosity of his bequest.

Nor should we omit from this commemoration the generosity of those benefactors mercifully still with us. Among these I include, for his benefactions towards bursaries and his gift of the bronze bust of Sir Nicholas Bacon, John Meulkens, OA; former Chairman of Governors, Robert Sharpe, OA, as much for his many years of dedicated service to the School, as for his parting gift of the library grand piano and his benefactions to the Scholarship and Bursary Trust, and the trustees of the 948 Foundation for their award of a sports bursary.

And if in this our act of Commemoration, we make particular mention of those who have been the School’s material benefactors, yet it is right that we remember those many men and women, their names now long forgotten, who down the centuries have devoted their energies to its service as Governors, Headmasters and teachers and by whose benefaction of wisdom, scholarship and guidance, successive generations of pupils have been brought up in godliness and good learning.

Let us commemorate them in the words of Ecclesiasticus: “There be of them that have left a name behind them that their praises might be reported/ And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished as though

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they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them./ But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten/ The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will show forth their praise.”

It is right and fitting that we should remember all these our benefactors; we are the heirs of their benefaction and the School is their living memorial. It is incumbent on us neither through negligence nor folly to squander our inheritance, but to pass it on to our successors enriched by our own generosity and service.

Andrew Grant Headmaster

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Membership Secretary’s Notes

Membership milestone n The online membership service OAconnect has nearly reached the milestone of 1,000 registered members – but now we need everyone to keep spreading the word, says OA Club Membership Secretary Roger Cook OAConnect We have nearly reached 1,000 registrations on the OAconnect site.

If you have not yet registered, do so now!

We continue to evaluate the site and recently issued a survey to gather users views. The survey questionnaire can be found on the OA web site. The results of this survey will contribute to our discussion on the best way forward with OAconnect.

Disturbingly, over 100 of the last bulk email sent to OAconnect registrants were returned as ‘unknown email address’. Neither we nor your friends can contact you unless your contact details are correct! Please check your contact details on the site and amend them if they are wrong OA Website This Bulletin is published on the OA Website, and previous copies are also available on the site. You will note that I have removed the need for a password. If anyone feels that this should have been retained please let me know. You will also find the Bulletin on the OAconnect site.

Regretfully, I have had no photographs or items of personal

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news for inclusion on the Website.

There must be many short notes or photographs that would be of interest to other OAs. It is up to you!

Waifs and strays As reported in the last Bulletin, I have divided the waifs and strays into two. This issue contains the names of those who left School in 1985 and later.

Waifs and strays We have lost contact with the following OAs – can anyone help?

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Year

Name

1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986

David ANDREWS J BANKS Laurence FINLAY Adam GRESSWELL Tim JACKSON Darryl JENKINS N LAWSON-SMITH Tim MONOD Bruce J W POTTS

Last known location Harpenden Harpenden High Wycombe Wheathampstead London St Albans St Albans St Albans

Antoine SCHEMBRI WISMAYER USA

Adrian SMART D J SOMERVILLE Andrew TURNER Tim WALSH Simon WALSH J M WENT G WILLIAMS Andrew BALLARD Thomas BENDING John BLADEN Adrian COOK M C DAVIS Martin DEWHIRST Andrew GRANT Martin HARTLEY Richard M HEAP Francis H HUNT Timothy JONES Kevin MOXHAM Steve NEILL P L NEWMAN Shankar VELUPILLAI

Brookmans Park St Albans Cambridge Harpenden Enfield Luton Harpenden Leverstock Green St Albans St Albans Luton St Albans St Albans St Albans Luton Sedburgh Redbourn Redbourn Harpenden Radlett Radlett

If you received this Bulletin by post, please check your address label for accuracy and advise me of any change. The year when your Bulletin subscription expires precedes your name on the address label. The subscription for three years’ mailing of the Bulletin remains at £18.

I still have a stock of OA ties (£12.50, silk or £15, bowtie; post free).

1986 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992

Andrew WILKINS Welwyn Garden City Peter J BARRANCE Harpenden Richard BROWN St Albans Christopher BROWNE St Albans David MCQUIGGAN Redbourn Mark W MEESPM Nicholas D PAYNE Winchmore Hill Gregory GARRARD London Duncan GRIFFITHS St Albans Salva MALBASKI Welwyn Garden City James MAYO Redbourn Matthew O’REGAN Redbourn Stuart PRYOR Tewin Water Iain ROBSON Brookmans Park Richard WALKER Graham WITHERS James AUFENFAST Charles COHEN Wheathampstead Damian HOLLINGSWORTH Bushey Heath Justin HOSKINS Hadley Wood Christopher JONES Winchmore Hill Mark LAWRENCE St Albans Robin MUNRO Hatfield Alexander C BELTON Huw CATLING Pepperstock Eric DIAMOND Harpenden Michael STAPLES David VINCENT Welwyn Garden City Darren BENNETT-VOCI New Barnet James N HAMILTON Derek SAWYER David WORCESTER St Albans Nicholas R BURRAGE New Milton Alexander T GREEN New Milton Daniel S HARRIS Radlett Matthew B HAYES Potters Bar Jonathan JAMES Jonathan B LAWRENCE London St Albans Anthony LIOW Neil A LUPIN St Albans Philip R MCLAUGHLIN

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1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997

Stephen R H MITCHELL Bristol Jonathan W MOSS St Albans Radley L MOSS Borehamwood Michael PHILIPPIDES Brookmans Park Stuart B SCRIVENS Jonathan E SIKMMONS Ley Green Daniel J STEVENS France Jonathan M STEWART St Albans Kieran WALSH Michael J WOODS Mill Hill Andrew J BRIAN Wheathampstead Benjamin JM CAMPBELL Wheathampstead Elliot C CHALMERS London Richard P CLARKE Harpenden Matieu J CULVERHOUSE Sutton Benjamin FREDRIKSEN Daniel B GODFREY St Albans Bradley A HART Simon D IVES London Caroline M KING Bushey Mark J MELZACK Hemel Hempstead Suman PAL Radlett Seth A WHEELER Radlett Thomas CLAYTON Enfield Jonathan HAFFERTY Witney George HAMILTON Hadley Wood Thomas LAND Hampstead Miles LESTER Brookmans Park Rory LUMSDEN St Albans Matt SIMMONDS Manchester Matthew SIMMONS Matthew TRUDGILL St Albans Adam BUCK Jamie O CHALMERS Palmers Green Geoffrey COATES St Albans Richard HOLT Norwich Thomas JENNINGS St Albans James MELZACK Elstree Nicholas NEW Elstree Benjamin SAVAGE Welwyn John-Nicholas SMITH Welwyn Joseph THORNTON Cole Green Marc TOPPER Radlett Alex WOOD St Albans Matthew BARCLAY James BAREHAM Garston Ken C CHAN Barnet Ben COLLINS Radlett Pascal CULVERHOUSE Slip End Jonathan HINDLEY-COOKE Domonic MARTIN Barnet Paul D MICHAELIDES Adam PINKERFIELD Michael J RAWLINGS Wing-Guy TANG New Barnet Ben WHITE St Albans Daren WOOD London Beth AKERS St Albans Claire HESLIN Hadley Wood

1997 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005

Dean C MORGAN Robert SOLOMONS Paul R SUMMERS Catherine TOONE Thomas E BOWMAN Benjamin R BYFIELD Andrew CHANDRARAJ Jessica CRISP Andrew FINE Alison F FORRESTER Timothy M JAMES Gemma JONES Nicholas KARAYIANNIS Samuel A MICHAELIDES Clinton B MITCHELL Thomas G PERRIN Craig E PRESCOTT Sophie WATERS Nicholas S AKERS Mark E BENTLEY Daniel R GILSON Daniel GRAVES Chris JOY Richard B P MYERS Matthew D W THOMPSON Gary WALTERS Michael J CASTON Simon P CASTON Noor DRUMMOND Adrian C FORD Christopher HUDSON Philip J LONG David NEVILLE Thomas K BUTLER Kevin S COULSON Abigail E HUGHES Marlon H MCCASKILL Oliver OVERTON-MORGAN Daniel W EVANS Hannah L STOCKHAM Michael P WRIGHT Robert S JACOBS Felix PICKLES HARVEY Daniel N KORN Orion MODEBE Kabir SHARAN Tom BARNES Nicholas BATT Chris BHANTOA Richard BLOCK Michael DOBSON

St Albans Welwyn Garden City Totteridge St Albans Shenley Australia Barnet Hatfield Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn Garden City Harpenden Totteridge Common Flamstead Brighton Borehamwood Edgware Hemel Hempstead Harpenden Welwyn Garden City Welwyn Garden City Harpenden New Southgate Harpenden Nomansland London Stanmore St Albans Swindon Felden Harpenden Plymouth Harpenden Potters Bar Spain USA Berkhamstead St Albans St Albans Luton Radlett Redbourn 1 Pondwicks

If anyone can help with the present address of any of the above, please contact me.

Roger Cook Membership Secretary

Close St Albans AL1 1DG Telephone: 01727 836877

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De fortunis Albanorum l Stephen Hawking has been given the 275 year-old Copley Medal in honour of his contribution to the understanding of the universe.

Previous holders include Einstein and Faraday. Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, described it as “a fitting recognition of an astonishing research career spanning more than forty years.” l David Frearson (97) has been awarded a PhD from Reading University this summer, having completed his thesis at Rothamsted Experimental Station in Harpenden on finding strategies, other than pesticides, to control the pests of oil seed rape. He has now started his teacher training programme. l Anna Wrottesley (98) gained a First Class Degree in English and Education at Reading University in 2005. l John Hooley (01) has been awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Politics and French by the University of Nottingham, with a distinction in spoken French. He goes on to postgraduate study in economics at Darwin College, Cambridge.

First Class Degree in Economics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. l Andrew Wigmore (03) achieved a First Class Degree in Mathematics at the University of Warwick. l Phillip Harrisberg (03) was awarded a First Class Degree in Economics by University College, London. l Matthew Grant (05) represented Cambridge University at first string in the Varsity match steeplechase (for which he has won a half-blue), finishing in third place. The event was won by Fraser Thompson of Oxford University, who represented Australia in that event in the Commonwealth Games, so there was no disgrace in finishing behind him!

Deaths It is with regret that the following deaths are announced: l Oliver Hunter (28) died on 24th June 2006, aged 95 years. l Len Druce (36) died on 1st March 2005.

l David Wrottesley (01) gained a 2:1 Degree in French at Kings College, London.

l Leslie Francis ‘Dickie’ Deekes (40) died on 28th September 2006 at Horning in Norfolk.

l Christopher Johnson (01) gained a 2:1 Degree in Music at City University, London.

l David Freeman (55) died on 23rd June 2006.

l Jamie Wheeler (02) achieved a

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l Peter Andrew, who taught physics at the School from 1960 to 1966, died

on 28th July 2006 aged 85 years. l Roger G Cockbain died on 6th May 2006. Peter Dredge writes: “After leaving St Albans School, Roger attended University College Hospital and qualified as a doctor in 1967. His first job was as a GP in Banbury. He returned to St Albans and joined the Russell Avenue surgery in 1973, and when the practice moved to the Lodge Surgery in Normandy Road he became Senior Partner. During his time as a GP he dealt with patients in a most compassionate and empathetic way.

He was a popular member of the team and showed diplomacy and understanding in his dealings with colleagues and patients alike. He had a natural propensity for problem solving, especially where human relationships were concerned, and he always found time to listen to anyone with a problem, displaying kindness and generosity of spirit always.

Roger was also, for many years, mainly involved in GP training and this phase of his career gave him particular pleasure. In 1997, being dissatisfied with the many drastic changes in the NHS, he became a full-time Forensic Medical Examiner for the Police, working mainly in Hertfordshire. By this time he had contracted Parkinson’s Disease but he continued to practise despite physical difficulties and pain. His infectious sense of humour and his medical skills won admiration from the Custody Unit staff.

Roger lectured for the Acupuncture Association, was a

member of the Lions Club and of Ashwell Lodge. He maintained contact with contemporary OAs through the 948 Society and attended the annual reunion dinner. Other interests included the collection of trade tokens and reading political history.

Roger married Heather in 1966 when they both attended UCH. A wonderfully happy marriage for a family man devoted to Heather who gave him every support and four children.

Roger Cockbain recalled his interview for School entry as follows: “In 1953 I had attended for the interview to gain entry to St Albans School and this entailed a crossexamination by the Headmaster, William T Marsh, and several of the School Governors. Bill Marsh was a man of fearsome reputation and not given to spontaneous jollity. My father was keen that I should create the right impression and tutored me on some of the questions that I might face. One of the questions that was expected was: ‘what did I want to do when I left school?’ I had no idea at this stage, so my father suggested, after deep thought, that I should say ‘an economist’. Come the big day, I presented myself in a dark room in the gatehouse adjoining the School, feeling rather apprehensive and overwhelmed. Bill Marsh fired most of the questions and, in my state of anxiety, this man looked rather like

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Nikita Kruschev on one of his worse days, and sure enough, the fateful question was put to me. Ha! For this I was ready and stuttered the response ‘a Communist, Sir’, little realising at that point the significance of my reply. To my astonishment they all roared with laughter and I was perplexed that such a simple answer could have given rise to so much mirth. ‘Do you mean an economist?’ said Marsh.

‘Indeed I do,’ I said. The rest of the interview was uneventful and despite this mishap, or possibly because of it, I was granted a place and the next eight years at St Albans School were an important time for me in several ways, perhaps most significantly, seeing myself evolve from a rather shy lad to becoming a Head Boy”.” l Cliff Lavin (76) died on 28th July 2005. His brother Cam writes: “Cliff was born on 16th June 1958 at Potters Bar to George and Caryl Lavin - the youngest of four boys. He attended St Albans School from 1969 to 1976 and was head chorister of the School choir. Subsequently he studied history at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

On leaving university he made his home in Norwich and started work at Reckitt & Colman in the marketing department.

Cliff had a keen interest in local politics and was a founder member of the SDP, and subsequently a committed member of the Liberal Democrats. He served as a City Councillor for Eaton Ward Norwich from 1987 to 1991.

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He married Rosalind Chadwick in 1987 and moved to Great Ellingham.

After his sons James, Thomas and Andrew arrived the family moved to a larger house in Redgrave, Suffolk.

In 1998 he and Ros were divorced and Cliff took on the responsibility of bringing up the children. He was a devoted father who encouraged his children to express their abilities both academically and recreationally.

In 1992 he started his own marketing consultancy from which he eventually created ‘Marketing Decisions’. Among his clients were Government Departments, international companies and local businesses. He worked hard to establish himself and the business continued to expand eventually moving to larger premises in Attleborough.

Cliff’s principal pastimes were music, walking, cycling, motor biking and sport. One of his more memorable holidays was motor biking through India. He also went on walking holidays to the Lake District, Sierras of Northern Spain and Sardinia. He was an enthusiastic 5-a-side footballer, playing regularly for Thetford Magistrates for a number of years. Last summer he realised his ambition to play 11-a-side football as a member of the Wymondham College veterans team.

Cliff suffered from an inherited kidney disease but, following a successful kidney transplant, regained good health and fitness.

Last year he competed in the British Transplant Games in Norwich and gained a silver in the 200 metres and

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a bronze in the cycling and had aimed to do better in the 2005 Loughborough Games.

Sadly, he died after a short illness on 28th July 2005.

Archive and Museum Material slowly accumulates - a notable addition being a 1923 School photograph which belonged to Brian Henry Beauchamp St John was born in about 1908. He came from Yarmouth and was a boarder. In addition to this Colin Campbell (47) has given various documents including some Dramatic Society programmes from 1944 and a prize list from 1939-40.

David Morgan has drawn up plans

for the museum development and it is hoped to get further advice from Robin Ollington as we proceed with the project. Display cases have bee selected. It is hoped, therefore, that we can see great progress with the major works by mid-2007.

Betty Scammell has been for so long an archivist and has kept our material in order in the most systematic and painstaking way. Her contribution has been invaluable.

She has now decided that she now wishes to retire from the archive work and concentrate on her painting and gardening. Without her tireless cataloguing, research and advice we would have been the poorer. Many thanks and much appreciation are due to her.

Notice of the 114th Annual General Meting of the Old Albanian Club to be held in the '948' room at Woollams at 20:00 on Tuesday 12 December 2006 Agenda 1. Apologies 2. Minutes of the previous meeting 3. President's review of 2006 4. Social events report 5. Membership Report 6. Sports Clubs reports 7. Bulletin and Wesite report 8. Annual Accounts 9. Election of Officers 10. A.O.B.

Please send all items for inclusion in the Gazette to: Mike Highstead, 33, Cornwall Road,

David Buxton Secretary Old Albanian Club

Harpenden, Herts AL5 4TQ

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