OA BULLETIN June 2010
Winter Wonderland: the scene at Woollams on January 7 2010
Old Albanian Club
DIARY DATES Founders’ Day – Saturday 3rd July 2010 London Drinks Party – Thursday 18th November 2010
O A C O N TA C T
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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.com OA SPORTS www.oasport.com RUGBY President Adrian Tominey 01727 830226 ajt@rudwickhall.fsnet.co.uk Chairman Rory Davis 01727 843538 rory.davis@oarugby.com Treasurer Bryan Short 01582 872112 bcbshort@hotmail.com Secretary Peter Lipscomb 01727 760466 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 & 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 www.oacc.org.uk President Aln 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 sbarnes@st-albans.herts.sch.uk Coaching Enquiries Diana Wilkinson 07767 237474 diana@kennett37.freeserve.co.uk OTHERS Rifle & Pistol Andrew Wilkie 01727 856857 Angling Geoff Cannon 01582 792512 Golf Peter Dredge 015827 834572 pjdredge42@aol.com OA LODGE John Williams
01438 715679 jtwilliams@onetel.net
SCHOOL WEB SITE www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Nick Chappin – Editor Andy Chappin – Design & Production Roger Cook – Membership Mike Highstead – Gazette 2
Printing - Herts & Beds Printing 01923 234959
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Editorial April would probably get my vote. Reflecting our continued reluctance to be part of Europe, work on the A country teetering on the verge of British end of the Channel Tunnel was bankruptcy, a rocky Coalition abandoned in January, and Margaret Government, and rising Trade Union Thatcher defeated Edward Heath to unrest. How times have changed since my schooldays were drawing to assume leadership of the Conservative party. Further afield, Japanese WW2 a close in 1974… soldier Teruo Nakamura finally Not that I was particularly surrendered on the Indonesian island concerned with such matters at the of Morota, while Communist forces time, of course. As I finished my ‘A’ took Saigon to signal the last days of levels in 1975 (including, irritatingly, the Vietnam conflict. an ‘S’ level English exam on my 18th On the domestic front, the 7th Earl birthday), I was looking forward to of Lucan was found guilty in absentia my holiday job with a local building for the murder of nanny firm to stave off personal Sandra Rivett, and Peter bankruptcy, and forming The Queen decided Sutcliffe, the notorious coalitions with my ‘Yorkshire Ripper’, girlfriend at every claimed his first victim. to knight Charlie available opportunity. The Government took The only industrial over the ailing British unrest to worry about on Chaplin – Leyland and, for reasons the building site was if best known to herself, the presumably for we ran out of condensed Queen decided to knight milk in the mess hut. Charlie Chaplin – University, and anything services to falling presumably for services beyond that, appeared a long way off. My only over unconvincingly to falling over unconvincingly. He was conscious brush with the one of my former history outside world was a mild master Mike Hudis’ great heroes – the frustration at being a month too others, I recall, were Duke Ellington young to vote in the referendum on and Stanley Baldwin – and Chaplin whether to stay in the EC, which sparked some lively debates in ‘A’ took place in June of that year. To Level classes. Batting for the ‘comedy remind myself what else was going genius’ side were Mike Hudis and one on out there at the time, I’ve had to rely on the Internet – rather aptly, as or two other deluded beings and it turns out, as January 1975 also saw sycophants, and in the ‘world’s most overrated so-called comedian’ camp the launch of the Altair 8800. was everyone else. According to Wikipedia (and when’s Looking back, I suppose we were that ever wrong?) this “sparked the being encouraged to develop strong era of the microcomputer,” but the founding of Microsoft by Bill Gates in opinions of our own in preparation
Plus ca change…
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for the outside world. Competition was actively encouraged at school, whether in sport or academic life. A near contemporary, Douglas Ponton (76), has submitted a poem on this theme (see page 26). I must confess I tend towards the Charles Bloxham view described in his obituary on page 20: “Now don’t go expecting life to be fair, cos it ent!” We live in a highly competitive world, and I am glad to see that during the school life of my two children this ethos has been making a welcome comeback. In this issue the Headmaster reports on a snow-interrupted winter for the school, and Club President Steve Burgess – who has been persuaded to extend his term by a further year – reflects on the community spirit displayed by the school and the club during these difficult economic times. In the
Notes for budding authors 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 below. Length There is no limit to length, but as a guide a page in the Bulletin is around 450 words. Please note
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letters section was have the latest instalment from ‘The Berts’ on their recollections of life at St Albans School in the 1950s, and some special memories of one of our oldest OAs, Arthur Lewis MBE, who writes from his home in Australia. My thanks as always to everyone who has contributed to this edition, and may I finish by congratulating the Old Albanian Rugby Club First XV on their promotion to the National Leagues for the first time. The only school old boys’ club to reach this elevated position, they will be playing in National 2 South next season against famous names such as Richmond and Rosslyn Park, and renewing old rivalries with Ealing, Shelford and Canterbury. We wish them well. Nick Chappin (75) Editor
that we reserve the right to edit the text as appropriate. Photos Photographs on any subject are always welcome. They can be submitted either digitally (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. Address 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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President’s Notes
Community spirit ■ Having agreed to extend his term of office for another year, Old Albanian Club President Stephen Burgess welcomes the spirit of self-reliance demonstrated by the School and the Club as the country faces some difficult spending cut decisions Self-Reliance I had not expected to be writing this edition of President’s Notes, but we have not had a volunteer to take over as President and I agreed to continue for one more year, my fourth, matching Andrew Mills-Baker. economic adjustment to recession have been The new government will have to deal entirely from the private sector so far. with a formidable deficit resulting from too I make these observations having had a much spending in the good times and a conversation with the recession which was always Headmaster at Woollams likely but made worse by a observing that the facilities The facilities banking crisis. The result has provided by the Old Albanians seen a sharp reduction in the and the School are now used by provided by the tax take, and further sharp large numbers of the rises in government spending, OAs and the School community of both OAs and partly intended to cushion the residents of St Albans and the recession, and partly to pay surrounding area. They learn are now used by greatly increased welfare and enjoy sport with the sense payments. of community this involves at Most political parties have large numbers of no expense to the tax-payer at avoided talking about the all. It is all funded by the the community necessary cuts, and some want School, the Old Albanian Club to positively protect and the Sports Clubs. I admire government spending. I suspect this self-reliance. We will need more of it the truth is that there will be little over the next few years as budgets will alternative but to make quite severe cuts in remain tight for some time yet. public spending as the electorate has little tolerance of further tax rises except Past and Forthcoming Events seemingly on the ‘rich’. Inevitably cuts will come in areas such as Since my last notes the Club has held a sport and recreation in the wide sense of the very successful London Drinks Party with around 140 people attending. For the past word. Such cuts will be met with cries of few years this has been held at the East despondency and regret as will job losses in India Club but this year it will be held on the public sector. Job losses and the
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Blazers on tour: some familiar rugby club faces among a party of 30 that visited Jersey in January to see the First XV take on the league leaders the 18th November at the Lansdowne Club just off Berkeley Square. Put the date the date in your diary! The dinner held in March was enjoyable but numbers, well up last year, fell back
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sharply this year. We will be looking at the format to see if we can get it to match the success of the London Drinks Party. Other events held under the auspices of the club have been a cocktail party in Hong
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Kong a Dinner in Vancouver and most recently a Social and Networking party in The City. These have been organised by local and regional representatives and more will follow. Details will be announced on the website so watch this space.
Saracens is of considerable economic benefit and has gone very well all round. Saracens strongly appreciate the facilities and they are enjoying their best season for several years.
The School As you will know the School contacted all Sports Clubs The Rugby Club has enjoyed an outstanding Old Albanians with the view to helping them on new projects and with bursary and season. The 1st XV gained promotion to scholarship funds. I am glad to say the National League 2 by winning a play-off response has been very good so far, well against the second placed team in National done and keep it up. 3 South West, Old Patesians. The success of the club is not, however, restricted to the The President’s Role 1st XV with all teams doing The role of the President has well down to the youngest been increased considerably The agreement minis – well done! over the last decade or so with A new cricket season has with Saracens is of Presidents providing continuity started with good overseas of three years – or more in the player, new captain of the club case of Andy Mills-Baker and and some new officers. There is considerable myself. We are looking at considerable confidence for the reducing the role as it is a lot economic benefit club’s 80th season, which is for a working OA to undertake. being celebrated with a dinner and has gone very The club is now more at Woollams on 30th April. integrated with the School. The Other clubs under the OA sports clubs are largely umbrella are thriving including well all round independent. I am looking to Tennis, Angling, Netball, Golf, further change the role so that Football and Shooting. The future Presidents will have less to do and active shooting is very small and had to the role can be more of an honour rather meet some high costs. The OA Club has therefore given them a grant to enable them than a chore. We are looking for a new President on this basis. to continue under the OA banner. Good wishes for the summer, and good We are still hoping to get floodlights for luck to the new government! the tennis courts. They would be a great Stephen Burgess boost. President, Old Albanian Club As has been mentioned before, we have had the Saracens Rugby Club as tenants since last July. The agreement is for 10 years with a break clause at five years. The tenancy also includes use of a purpose-built gym on the School’s part of the Woollams Playing Fields. The agreement with
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Headmaster’s Notes
Skating ahead
and U12 teams were also highly-ranked, so the future looks promising. Perhaps appropriately, however, given ■ Headmaster Andrew Grant looks back on the weather that was about to descend, it six months of sporting success, despite the was a dedicated team of skiers who took disruptions of the severe Winter weather sporting pride of place for the term in breaking the Scottish stranglehold on the It was, of course, the weather British Schools Artificial Slopes that made the headlines over Championships. They travelled to the Christmas period and for much of the spring term, with Pontypool in Wales having already won the English Schools Championships, but were Hockey, both pre-season in uncharted territory trying to win the training and early matches, succumbing to British competition. There was a full entry the snow, but we were able to look back on of 25 girls’ teams and 25 boys’ teams, a very successful autumn’s sport. producing races of exceptionally high It was a good rugby season, despite the quality through which the St Albans School First XV struggling to match the success of team of Gerard and Niall last year’s outstanding squad Flahive, Douglas Reid and Max whilst taking on some tough Greenfield performed new fixtures arranged partly in The Carol Services admirably on the day to response to last year’s become the first English school were the dominance. They nevertheless to win the competition. Team acquitted themselves very Captain Gerard Flahive was culmination of honourably and, in February, the fastest boy in the reconstituted themselves out of what has become a competition, winning the season, to take on, and defeat magnificent crystal trophy convincingly, a touring side donated by the Boyd Anderson from St Alban’s College Buenos de facto autumn Trust. This was a truly Aires. exceptional team and The rugby laurels, however, festival of music, individual achievement. go to the Second XV, who The first partial casualty of drama and poetry swept the board in the the arctic conditions was the www.schoolsrugby.co.uk CCF winter camp at Yardley leagues, topping the Chase, for which 100 cadets set off on the Performance; England; All Comers; London last day of term immediately after the and South East and Evening Standard morning Carol Service. After a good first competitions. How well the Second team day, in which everything went according to does is the true measure of a school’s plan, and a cold night under the stars, the strength in depth in a given sport and the weather closed in and there was a danger of point was reinforced by outstanding being caught out in atrocious conditions. performances from the U16 team, who This would have taken the realism of the headed their London and South East table; survival training a little too far so they and the U13s who saw off the opposition in came back to School, arriving as the snow their Evening Standard league. The U14
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started to fall heavily and bedded down for the night in the gym, over which, by morning, hung a very damp and distinctive aroma. The Carol Service referred to above was our second of the week. Following years of having to accommodate people in the Crossing to meet the demand for tickets, this year’s innovation of an evening service, largely for parents, guests and Upper Sixth, followed by a morning one to end the term for the rest of the School, proved a success, and the Choir, singing an impressively ambitious programme of music with supreme accomplishment, were, if anything, even more confident on the second day. The Carol Services were the culmination of what has become a de facto festival of music, drama and poetry that each year closes the autumn term, with the School Concert, the Christmas Show, Great Expectations and the Lower School Christmas Evening displaying a huge range of talent and skill of all ages in the School.
A month or so earlier, we had been delighted to welcome back a large number of OAs for the School’s Annual Remembrance Service in the Abbey, followed by the very successful launch of St Albans School at War 1939-1945 edited by Robin Ollington, with whose 80th birthday the event happened to coincide. After lunch a number of former boarders enjoyed seeing what had become of their erstwhile home (literally in the case of one Geoffrey Marsh): School House. The Christmas holiday also brought news of the results of the annual competition for places at Oxford and Cambridge universities and it is pleasing to report that our students secured the usual number of places despite the clear evidence that 2010 will be the most intensely competitive year in history for university entrance. The reasons are largely of this Government’s making. Having spent 12 years encouraging 50% of the 18-30 cohort to apply to university, and whilst universities were still a long way short of
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“Henry’s” became the race to that figure and dutifully still win for the UK’s top crossstriving to reach it, the country schools. Our senior A Government has now team was notable for including responded to the recession by precociously talented Third capping recruitment, refusing Former Mark Pearce. to fund the increase in Meanwhile, 948 Scholar numbers necessary if Victoria Walker won the girls’ universities were to meet the race in a new course record, 50% target that has been an the only girl ever to have article of faith since 1997 and broken 13 minutes for the lap. threatening stringent fines for Victoria went on to win the every student accepted in South East Schools title at excess of the cap. Harrow on March 6th, while a However, what our students different Third Former, Joe do have going for them, if they Redwood, carried off the Junior take advice and work hard, is boys’ title, two places ahead of the exceptional track record of arch rival Pearce, so the St success at this School in Albans cross-country legacy An era in the students securing places at continues to look secure. their university of first choice In the middle of the term, an School’s history and as a corrective to some of era in the School’s history the alarmist nonsense you read closed when over 350 OAs closed when over in some newspapers about returned to the Abbey for the socially-engineering university 350 OAs returned Memorial Service for Frank admissions, you might like to Kilvington, a fitting reflection know that 82.8% of our of the affection and respect in to the Abbey for candidates last year got their which Frank was held. first-choice offer, of which 64% Frank’s widow, Jane, was went to Russell Group the Memorial delighted to be able to renew universities and 24% to so many old friendships and I Service for Frank universities in the 1994 Group do hope that some, who were (which includes Bath, Durham, finding their way back the Loughborough, St Andrews, Kilvington School for the first time in York etc). many decades, will keep in Apart from the rugby (and touch, an easy matter these days, thanks to mixed hockey) victories over our Southernthe excellent work of Kate Le Sueur and hemisphere namesakes, the sporting the miracle of modern communications highlight of the spring term was technology! undoubtedly the cross-country squad’s Andrew Grant triumph, against the odds, in the King Headmaster Henry VIII Relay in Coventry. In a year when snow caused the cancellation of the season’s other major race, the Knole Run,
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OA Lodge in comparison - it contained court rooms, dungeons for holding prisoners and living space for the ■ Having supported the Grand resident judges. The building, which Charity in 2009, lodges in now has a Grade 2 Star listing from Hertfordshire are now able to support English Heritage, ceased to function the local charities of their choice. as a court in 1920 and now serves as Assistant Secretary John Williams a conference and Masonic meeting describes how the OA Lodge is doing centre. its bit to keep the Herts Air Martin Straus, a joining member of Ambulance service flying the Lodge, was elected to serve as Master in 2009-2010 because our then The Lodge year commenced at the Senior Warden Chris Whiteside very Installation meeting on Saturday 8th sensibly decided to step aside – for May when the new Master of the the time being at least. Lodge, David Worden, was installed Chris, who already has an in the Chair by the outgoing extensive track record of Master, Martin Straus. David active involvement in public was initiated into the Lodge service, was standing for as far back as 1978, but his Parliament again as the other activities meant he was Conservative candidate in the very seldom able to attend Copeland constituency in Lodge meetings, although he West Cumbria – having Former Warden maintained his membership. contested, but to no avail – Chris Whiteside After a successful career in the previous Copeland the automotive industry, he constituency, on different boundaries latterly spent a number of years in the 2005 general election. Chris teaching, before recently retiring. now lives in Whitehaven with his During the intervening years David also joined an old London Lodge ‘The wife and young family and works in the constituency as a manager in the Royal and Loyal’ which meets at the telecommunications industry. He has Old Sessions House on Clerkenwell also been elected as a local Green where he was installed as councillor. The Copeland Master in 2002. constituency was held for 35 years by Interestingly, the Old Middlesex the former Labour Minister Jack Sessions House was once the largest Cunningham, now Lord Cunningham and busiest courthouse in England. of Felling. Sadly although Chris Built in the Grand Pantheon style managed to increase his vote in the favoured during the reign of King general election by more than 5,000 George III, the building has been and by about 50%, it was again not extensively restored to much of its enough. I would hastily add here that original style. In many ways similar although many individual members to the Abbey Gateway in later of the Lodge undoubtedly encouraged function – although of no great age
Flying high
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Chris in his endeavours to become an MP, Freemasonry is not a political organisation and indeed Freemasonry, as a body, will never express a view on politics or state policy. The discussion of politics – and indeed, religion - at Masonic meetings has always been strictly prohibited, a factor which has undoubtedly played a considerable part in the survival of Freemasonry since well before the English Civil War! Following his installation, our new Master appointed the Lodge Officers for the ensuing year. After the extensive changes last year, there were few except in those roles which are progressive. The 2009 Festival Appeal for the Grand Charity raised £3.15m, and in September the success of our previous Lodge Charity Steward and present Director of Ceremonies, Dick Knifton, was recognised by his appointment as Provincial Grand Charity Steward for Hertfordshire – looking after some two hundred plus Lodges! It was with great sadness that the Lodge learnt of the death in March of Charles Bloxham at the age of 94. A moving tribute was delivered by Nigel WoodSmith during the Installation meeting, after which the brethren stood in silent tribute to his memory. Charles was one of the most senior members of the Lodge and very recently, after he could no longer manage the stairs in the Gateway to attend meetings, he had been elected an Honorary Member, which he much appreciated. Charles was proposed as a member of the
Lodge in 1966 by Geoffrey Pryke, seconded by Sam Kilpatrick and initiated into the Lodge on 14th January 1967. After passing through the various offices in the Lodge, he was installed as Master in 1979. Thereafter he attended the Lodge – which is held on Saturday afternoons – whenever sports fixtures allowed, and indeed served for a number of years as Assistant Secretary. In recognition of his services to the Lodge, he received Provincial Honours in 1986. He was also assiduous in his attendance of the Lodge of Instruction - which meets on weekday evenings fortnightly during the ‘season’. And as might be expected, for over 25 years he was instrumental in guiding and helping many younger members to rehearse and refine the various ceremonies. He has already been sorely missed. After the end of the 2009 Festival in support of the Grand Charity, for a few years at least, Lodges in Hertfordshire can concentrate on supporting local charities which are dear to their hearts. Freemasons never ask the public to contribute to their charitable giving but rely entirely on members, supported of course by their families. Indeed, we are told that only the Lottery routinely gives more than we do – including to non-Masonic charities as well as those that are run to help our members and families in hard times. The Herts Air Ambulance service which was inaugurated a year and a half ago, has captured the imagination of many Lodges in Hertfordshire, encouraged by the
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The Herts Air Ambulance knowledge that the service nationwide has already been supported by the Grand Charity to the tune of £500,000. In the first 14 months of its existence it has flown more than 400 missions, enabling victims of road accidents or other medical emergencies to be whisked to hospital speedily. The crew always includes an emergency-qualified doctor and a paramedic. It costs £2,000 each time the helicopter takes to air and it can cover the whole of Hertfordshire within 15 minutes. Overall it costs around £120,000 per month to operate the aircraft five days a week. Very recent donations from Hertfordshire Lodges have already exceeded £10,000 and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Dick Knifton, said that he was delighted that Lodges were continuing their support for this vital emergency service to the community – and that the service was determined to keep flying despite increasing costs. 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 Assistant Secretary as below; or Nigel WoodSmith, Alan Smith 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 Assistant Secretary will be delighted to hear from them. The Lodge website address is: http://www.oalodge.co.uk/ John Williams Lodge Assistant Secretary johntwilliams@talktalk.net
4 Rollswood Road Welwyn Herts AL6 9TX 01438 715679
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Membership Secretary’s Notes
In memoriam ■ Membership Secretary Roger Cook remembers his former teacher Charles Bloxham, who passed away recently Charles Bloxham It is with personal regret that I hear of Charles’ death. He was the last surviving member of staff who taught me – he was an excellent teacher and an outstanding rugby coach. At his 90th birthday lunch he spoke, without notes, clearly and concisely of his memories.
1 Pondwicks Close St Albans AL1 1DG 01727 836877
From the Archive: the School staff in an undated photo from the 1970s. Charles Bloxham is back row, second right
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John Francis Rooley One of John’s former friends asks if anyone can provide information about his last years. Our records show that he left school in 1955 and died about six years ago. Please let me know if you can help.
Postal copies Four years ago, I was distributing over 1,500 copies of the OA Bulletin by post. Today the number is less than 400; meanwhile the number of hits on the website has increased! We are continuing to provide this service (at a charge of £18 for three years) but we may have to discontinue it if the demand makes it uneconomical. OA ties I have just placed an order for more OA ties. I still have a small stock (silk @ £12.50, bow-tie @ £15, post free) but I may have to increase the cost for the next batch – first come, first served. Ties may also be ordered online via the website. Roger Cook Membership Secretary
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Waifs & Strays 1950 - 1969 If you can help with the current whereabouts of the following please contact Kate at the development 1950 Martin P. Davis J. W. Dunster H. K. Eden P. G. C. Edwards Terence W. Jowett J. A. C. Little K. G. Lund F. M. Moore J. Shepherd Patrick R. Thornton Frederick J. Timms Peter H. T. Wright 1951 J. Nigel Beckett Michael W. Bradshaw Christopher D. K. Cook G. A. D. Dolphin Christopher R. Dryhurst J. S. Harvey David J. Mackay R. Neil Page N. J. Potts M. W. A. Tayler Philip A. Wedgwood Martin C. Whitby E. W. Wood Michael J. C. Wood Michael H. Youngman 1952 Graham Adams Alistair J. M. Aikman G. J. Barnes D. B. C. Bennett David H. Bevan M. H. F. Bradsell A. J. F. Brockwell D. J. Cannon Terence A. R. Cox Brian R. Davies Richard P. Gardener Geoffrey Gould Michael J. Hammond J. R. Harrison Brian H. Hills G. H. Howard D. M. J. Ingram D. J. Jay M. A. Kemish A. Lister
Trevor S. Message Michael R. Milch Alistair J. Milroy N. R. Moore J. C. Phypers C. J. Porter John Price Alan N. Richardson David B. Rigby John A. B. Sewell Keith O. Shipley J. M. Whyte 1953 Roger K. Barnes Michael T. Bishop M. J. Bristow David R. Brooks B. R. Bubb P. J. Cook M. Cookson M. Cornwell M. S. Craddock R. J. Cull David J. Davey D. C. Hopcraft J. W. Howlett Gerald H. Johnson K. Leaney D. A. Pratt John C. Pritchard Andrew P. Stewart B. J. Sturgess J. M. Woodgate R. A. Wortley 1954 Michael J. S. Barnes David C. Bartholomew John R. Bate G. A. Daniels Paul Fletcher A. N. Godfrey B. D. Gowen Andrew H. Gregory David J. Hards Peter J. C. Harwood A. C. Holbrook Brian C. Macklin Michael Mercer M. A. E. Mills Eric J. Newman
office or myself. The full list of all waifs and strays is shown on the OA web site. Roger Cook John Phillips J. B. M. Piper D. R. Potter Sidney Ratledge D. B. Rogers M. H. Rowe R. D. H. Smith K. A. Stanfield E. J. Stedman D. I. Williams D. C. B. Woodward 1955 Michael B. Arnold Peter E. J. Ball Ronald H. Bingham Alan L. Bromley D. C. Dixon Peter R. Goodwin Charles E. Y. Hedges David Hobden C. J. Hutchinson B. A. Johnson J. V. Knight David G. Neal Anthony D. Procter Anthony P. Rogerson J. L. Sharp Roger J. Smith Richard J. Townshend Kenneth Ward A. B. Williams Stanley W. Young 1956 J. Max Alcock Richard E. Bartholomew J. A. Butcher Richard D. Connor J Dandy Owen A. Davies J. J. Day Roger J. Dewick J. R. Dunkley Michael C. Gilbert David Goldstraw A. J. Goodyear Rodney R. E. Griffith Christopher J. Hackett D. R. Holbrook Peter J. Hosking J. G. Hughes
Keith G. Hunt P. Ingram Richard P. C. Johnson J. N. King C. Kitchener D. B. C. Morris Hilary C. Newman C. Ractliffe John A. Simmons J. Chris S. Simpson A. C. F. Smith Peter D. K. Smith R. Smith J. D. S. SpillaneAlan S. Ward H. D. Watson M. Web R. W. Welton 1957 K. Ames Barry K. Arthur Timothy Ashby Robert G. M. Benson G. G. Booth Michael E. Burt Graham G. Chismon R. Coles Colin M. R. Dunn Michael D. East David R. Flint Michael J. Gore Neil Gowlland Alan R. Gray Ian D. Hampton J. G. Harris Martin Hester R. J. Holdom J. C. S. Jacques Clive E. Jaques Andrew M. Johnson Reginald G. Jones J. R. King Derek H. Levy J. W. Mackenzie Michael C. Macklin Brian Moore R. E. M. Moore P. D. Owen Brian Parsons Roger J. Powell R. Neil Purdie P. J. Roberts
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P. B. Rycroft Alan E. Smith B. D. Smith G. D. Smith Paul E. Stevens Richard B. I. Symes Martin R. Taylor R. L. Thomas P. A. Tricker John W. Vaughan David M. Walker E. S. Warner R. C. Warr J. Whiting Christopher J. Wood A. P. Wood Peter R. Woodcock 1958 Ian R. S. Barnes David R. Baylis J. M. Boon R. R. R. Brunskill C. R. R. Cain J. F. Card P. Chaffin J. D. Cooper J. S. David Alan M. Edis N. A. J. Fenton C. D. Gait R. J. Hignett Roger A. Hopkins J. A. Hudson K. D. Jenkins C. Jordan Alan J. King Richard Kingslake E. H. A. MacLean D. J. C. Martin E. H. A. McMillan Gordon McMillan K. J. Mills T. F. M. Nicholson John North P J O'Sullivan C. W. W. Read M. J. Reece Michael L. Richardson Ian R. R. Robinson C. J. Saunders P. C. Simpson J. J. Smyth N. J. Smyth A. C. Sparks R. G. Strong B. J. Taylor John M. G. Walker M. J. Walmsley
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Clive G. Woods 1959 Robin Ashby Roger J. Bailey David P. Bardon David J. Barratt Anthony C. T. Bigg Philip E. Booth Richard O. Burt R. A. Card R. M. Davies John Denman Roger M. Desborough M. J. Eden Martin J. Everett R. E. Ferneyhough Christopher J. Fletcher M. E. Green Peter R. Johnston H. C. Lamprell H. Lawson Christopher J. Maltby R. M. Mason Nicholas J. May Malcolm W. Mulhern David M. Newberry Raymond M. O'Connor Patrick L. Rawlins M. R. Richardson J. D. Roy J. M. Sparks John M. Thorn Rodney P. Wilson 1960 J. C. Allen B. M. Allen W. H. Cleghorn P. N. Clough Stephen Conn David J. Cousins John A. Crawford Martin Curl Philip de M Davies Hugh T. A. Davies Michael I. S. Dewick John Finch R. J. Freeman A. G. Griggs David N. Harding R. T. Harding Alan J. Hunt Peter W. Jackson T. J. Lloyd T. J. Miles D. B. Morrish J. R. Ollis B. W. Price
Stephen M. Prower James R. Reynolds D. M. Robertson J. M. Rogers Stephen L. Savage T. F. Smith J. G. Spencer John R. Treleaven R. A. Vernon Francis E. S. Vick E. P. Walker C. R. Wedgwood Anthony J. Wells 1961 Roger M. Allsop J. F. Bardon J. Broadhurst Philip R. Bunn James Burgess J. E. Carpenter J. M. Charlton P. E. W. Foley R. Gooderham David C. Green J. Griggs D. R. Holby M. R. Hornsby Roger E. Johnson Peter B. Jones A. I. King John K. Levitt David J. Litchfield R. G. Malcolm R. Martin C. J. Masters John R. Merrett Arne L. S. Moody B. Mortimer M. G. Newberry J. R. Oliver C. C. Phillips Michael R. Pilbeam C. L. Pooley C. A. Purdue David L. Sax David H. Shaw M. N. Smith Roger Stainforth Stephen G. Taylor John P. Tebbutt A. C. Walker A. R. C. Welch Michael A. Woodcock 1962 Michael Atkinson John K. Broadbent Paul R. Carnell
J Clarke Gareth A. Cook John D. Cooper Roger H. England Gordon R. Frost David J. Hall John E. Harbidge Esmond A. Harding P. S. Holmes Martin F. J. Johnson Keith A. Lyndsell Robert F. Manser J. W. Murphy Philip S. O'Hare Christopher R. R. Oliver Michael H. Parkinson Alan C. Perkins R. C. M. Peter Christopher M. Potts Robert W. Romer Richard M. Sharratt Peter J. Smith G. W. Smith John A. Stevenson Ian F. Tannock Stuart J. Thomas P. R. Vaughan Anthony V. Watkins 1963 John S. Attwood Graham L. Barlow John P. F. Broad P. M. Brookhouse R. W. Brown John W. Butcher Duncan B. Campbell P. N. R. Chadwick Andrew I. Crawford Michael J. Davies Keith L. Frost John Giddings John C. Gilling John R. H. Gott David M. Griffiths Roger E. Grimes Jonathan Hart Richard W. Haywood N. Hewitt Simon J. Holland John E. Jolly Alan D. Kenningham Nigel A. Lamm John R. Lawson Andrew M. Lister Peter H. May C. E. Metcalfe Christoper A Mitchell John O'Connor
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From the Archive: the School swimming team from 1962
Nigel C. Perrins Christopher C. Piening L. J. Sax A. J. Sheriff Anthony A. Skeat W. L. R. Smith C. R. Taylor C. J. Trevan Michael P. Walker A. N. C. Welch N. C. Williams 1964 Graham Bateman Gerald Bowers C. R. Brown John R. Chaplin Michael G. Clarke William J. G. Courtis John Crowther Chris P. Davis Nicholas Day David M. Finch Robert J. Green James R. Halsey Malcolm G. Hay Tim J Hunt Michael B. Jamison John C. Lee Guy M. Moore Brian E. Raynes John M. Rose Michael A. Sygrove David M. Waters A. S. Webb John G. Williamson 1965 Richard P. Balnaves John V. Bee Christopher Benham Christopher A. P. Bone John Brandish Christopher D. Craddock Philip M. Eckersley
Peter J. Foley Christopher A. Green Brian M. Hubbard D. Johnstone N. G. Jones Henry W. Mares John O. McClenahan Michael J. Mead R. A. Mowbray Michael E. Norman John M. Pickering Philip J. Rollings Andrew W. Sharp G. S. Smith I. P. Smith David Waller M. P. Watson D. J. Webb John C. White Paul H. Winter 1966 Simon N. Bell Nigel H. Bradshaw Derek S. Burgess A. M. O. Butler Michael J. Collins R. J. A. Dyer William T. Earle John D. Hadley John S. Harrison Paul A. Hundy Christopher J. B. Ingoldby Louis P. G. Maison Brian A. Mayo Robert M. McFarlane Roger T. Moss Nicholas P. P. Quy Christopher J. M. Spillett John Ward C. C. Watkins R. D. C. West Graham J. H. White J. B. Willliams Laurence V. Wood
1967 David Aaron John P. Bannon Anthony C. Barlow Christopher C. Beck David M. Bloch I. G. Blyth Stephen J. Coles Rodney D. Cooke G. N. Davies Bryan P. Day David K. Dunn Chris A. Forster John M. Forster Geoff H. Foster Michael R. Gough John R. Groombridge William J. Hanford J. M. Hardey Ian C. Harris M. J. Henderson David J. Ilett Ashley T. Knights Richard H. Lee Stephen R. C. Maslen Richard A. McDonald David Northcott Andrew T. Pickering Roger M. Samuel David Saunders Nicholas R. Sears Philip G. Shepherd P. M. Smith Patrick R. Stevens Fraser R. Stewart Robert J. Stokes P. Tham Chris J. Veal Kenneth J. Webster Michael J. H. Whitworth 1968 Lindsey M. Barber Laurence D. Bishop John H. W. Burton
W. R. Copeland Richard L. Delderfield John M. Foster Peter W. Gibbs David R. Gill John D. Graham Ian J. Harding Richard J. L. Harris J. S. Howe Peter J. Hussey David Jeffs A. N. Johnson T. C. Johnson A. R. Lineham R. A. Lister Colin E. Marsh A. Marsh Terence A. J. Moore Robert S. Muir David J. Newell Michael S. O'Donnell Paul N. Roach Willie B. Seal Roger S. Sheldrake J. L. Sternick Colin D. Thomas Christopher M. Trotter S. M. Walker A. J. Welton 1969 Paul H. Atkin R. L. Aylmer J. S. Bacon Paul M. Baker N. P. Balnaves A. J. Berry M. R. Cave Peter J. Clarke C. J. Clegg M. J. Cooley T. J. Craddock R. G. K. Danter A. H. M. Davies N. M. Davies
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De fortunis Albanorum ● Cyril Mobbs (42) came over from Canada and attended the November Remembrance Service and the Robin Ollington book launch. He visited the Abbey and had a conversation with a lady Abbey Guide who denied that the School had ever been in the Lady Chapel despite all the evidence! The annuls of the Abbey suggest otherwise. ● Charles Crawford (72), former British Ambassador to Poland, gave a talk to the Sixth Form General Studies Group. ● John Muelkens (35) has been particularly busy. At the instigation of the Headmaster and several OAs he was persuaded to write an account of his years in Holland during the German Occupation. The result is a fascinating account which will be made available to OAs very soon, but it is too long to include in the Bulletin. We intend to make it available separately in three forms – on the OA website, as a hard copy available from the School Development Office, and as a CD also available from the same source. There would be a cost for the copies and CDs and John would like the receipts to go to the Gateway Foundation. He has also written The John and Joanna Collection (a copy of which is in the School Library) and a collection of limericks – not for general publication. In addition he has produced a much extended second edition, in hardback, of his book on his friend James Butler, who
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produced the portrait bust of Nicholas Bacon, now in the library. He sent a complementary copy of this book to the Queen because Butler was in the New Year’s Honours List, and had made a portrait bust of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Several of his busts have been unveiled by both the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. He also sent a copy to Queen Beatrice because she is an accomplished sculptor. Appropriate thanks were received from each Royal Household. Should you wish to have the new book, it can be purchased direct from: An Extended View of a Personal Collector James Butler, Valley Farm, Radway Warwickshire CV35 0NT Tel: 01926 641938. Email: info@jamesbutler-ra.com
Deaths It is with regret that we announce the following deaths. ● Charles Bloxham, teacher at the School for 46 years and much respected by boys and colleagues. A full obituary appears on page 20. ● Philip Alexander (37) Vice Admiral KBE, LVO, FIEE. Died on the 8th December 2009. ● John Adkinson (60) had been suffering from cancer and died in January 2009. He was always proud of the School, but living so far away,
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did not visit much. He had fond memories of his friends, especially Peter Murphy who pushed him out of a window on the first floor – incurring no injuries apart from a bill to his parents for a replacement window! ● John Lawson (51) died 30th October 2009. He was encouraged to develop his interest in art at the school and went on to design hundreds of stained glass windows, both here and abroad, including Westminster Abbey. There is an obituary in The Guardian (see below). ● Peter Steghart (55) born in Dusseldorf and came to England just before the Second World War. Joined St Albans School and then on to Jesus College, Cambridge. ● Brian Evans (49) died in January 2010. A full obituary appears on page 23. ● Philip Watson (37) Vice Admiral. Died 8th December 2009. He had been a very active member of the School Appeal in the 1980s, and an obituary appears on page 23. ● Pat Woodcock (51) died in May 2009. ● James Marsh (51), son of William Marsh, died unexpectedly whilst on a sailing holiday in France.
January 2010 after a long illness. ● Charles Levison (60) died on 7th July 2006 and this had not been previously recorded. An obituary in The Guardian at the time read: “Charles Levison, who has died aged 64 after a heart attack, was a generator of ideas who, as lawyer, entrepreneur, investor and sounding board, offered his experience, energy and warmth to a wide range of ventures. He worked primarily in media, but in the largest sense of the word. His career included the chairmanship of the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Friends of the Earth, deputy chairman of the Chrysalis Group and director of the Wasps rugby club.” ● John Timbers (50) died on 14th October 2006 and again this had not been previously recorded. According to his obituary in The Guardian, “John Timbers, who has died of cancer aged 73, was one of the most sympathetic and prolific photographers of theatrical events, great personalities, and not a few eccentrics. His gentle manner and infectious sense of humour allowed him to establish a rapport with even the most recalcitrant sitter, so that many of his subjects became friends.” ● Honor Conway, teacher of History from 1984 - 2002 died on the 16th March 2010.
● Don Wiseman (45) died on the 13th http:/www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2009/dec/08/john-lawson-obituary
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● Richard Hickman 1924–2009 Robin Ollington writes: “News has reached us of the death in December last of Richard Hickman. Richard joined the School in 1933 from Loreto College and his years at St Albans, some of which he happily recorded in the recent St Albans School at War, included a membership of the Rugby, Athletics, Swimming and Cricket teams and a NCO in the Corps involvement with the local Home Guard. Wartime saw his departure in 1942 to Sandhurst and thence service with the 16th/15th Lancers in Italy and Germany until 1946 when he returned to St Albans to take up a position with Mandley and Sparrow. He later went into private practice in the West Country where he qualified as a Quantity Surveyor. He retained his military connections as a member of the TA. In November 2009 he was delighted to make a return visit to the School for which he retained a great affection which has been generously acknowledged by his family, with amongst other things, is the defraying of the cost of the second edition of the book of wartime memories. Added to this, Ann Hickman is giving Richard’s Medals and Sword to the Museum and also funding the renewal of the War Memorial.” ● Max Alcock (J M Alcock) (55), who died peacefully at home in December 2009. His brother Robin has submitted the following note for the Bulletin: “After National Service and a short
period in the laboratories of ICI, Max joined the BBC. Over the subsequent 30 years, he worked as a Studio Manager in radio comedy, on programmes such as Week Ending and I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue. He was also one of the most prolific of the freelance comedy contributors. He is survived by his brother Robin, his widow Hazel, three daughters and six grandchildren.”
Obituary ● Charles Bloxham, 1915-2010 Is there any man alive who knew Charles Bloxham, in his pomp? He must have been awesome figure in the 1930s. Three years head boy of King Edward VI School, Nuneaton. Captain of rugby, Captain of cricket, Captain of athletics, swimming and water polo. He was the first in his school to go to Oxford where he was ‘the man’ in 1934. Selected to play rugby for the University in his second week, he was still only eighteen. He had previously played for Nuneaton, Hinkley and Leicester. Against Cambridge in 1934 he was playing against one of the best ever University sides and Oxford lost 28-3. The Universities then provided most of the original thinking on rugby and Charles Bloxham had an immense knowledge of the techniques of game. One of his best games was against Blackheath, whom he later joined. “Blackheath were unable to hold the fast Oxford University team, which gained a decisive victory at the Rectory Field by three placed goals, a penalty goal and a try, to a
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Four years a ‘blue’ and 62 games for varsity: Charles Bloxham in his youth
dropped goal. The man of the match was unquestionably Bloxham, the Oxford forward, who revealing both pace and anticipation obtained 15 of his side’s points. Renwick paved the way for Marshall to go over for an unconverted try, and Bloxham increased Oxford’s lead before half time, landing a penalty goal. Skilful running by Watts resulted in Bloxham obtaining two great tries, both of which Bloxham converted. Tallent dropped a clever goal for Blackheath, and Marshall added a further try for Oxford. Bloxham again adding the goal points.” Four years a ‘blue’ and 62 games for varsity, Bloxham had to wait until his final game for Oxford, on the 7th December 1937, to have the satisfaction of a win against Cambridge. “Almond, Bloxham and Pennington tore into it as though their lives were at stake.” He came down from university and won the county championship with Warwickshire, England selection
seemed a foregone conclusion for 1939 or 1940 even though he was exceptionally young for an international forward. He made reserve for the England Ireland game in 1939 and then came the war. In schoolboy fiction he probably should have died with a VC in some heroic action, along with the seven members of the Oxford team, who did not make it through the war. Instead he came back to St Albans from the Far East only a little broken. In all he spent 43 years in relative obscurity as a schoolmaster at St Albans, preparing rugby teams and trying to persuade the likes of Stephen Hawking to be a little neater in their work. He was President of the Old Albanian Football Club in the early fifties and on the Herts Schools Rugby Committee for 40 years. One of the senior staff at King Edward VI, a friend of W T Marsh, had written of Bloxham “I think he will make a rattling good
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Schoolmaster and a magnificent Rugger coach.” Frank Kilvington before his death picked out one of his favourite phrases, he was “agin mollycoddling and spoon feeding”. Chris Whiteside took time out from electioneering in Copeland to write in his Blog: “Charles was a very charming and compassionate man, and he was also a man of massive integrity, in which he would have stood out in any generation but particularly so in the present age.” This evoked an immediate response from Tim “Here, here! A truly wonderful, warm, compassionate human being with a wicked sense of humour.” “Remember his best observation? ‘Now don’t go expecting life to be fair, cos it ent!’?” Dr Roderick Chuck, a pupil from the 50s, writing from Switzerland, “I look back on him as a stern but fair master, whose praise was praise indeed, but his training and teaching methods were above reproach. His attitude to the game and school life in general was an example to us boys in those days – scholastic, sports and as a foundation for life after school.” Kieran Kilmartin, a pupil from the 70s wrote, “I always remember him being a very fair and caring man who took immense pride in the school, especially the Lower School which he presided over with a very protective eye. He was a wonderful man who helped shape a lot of lives he will be sorely missed.” The many other tributes can be read in the school archives together with more detail on his early days. One final tribute from Robert
Matthewman. “I remember Mr Bloxham (but never Charles) as an inspirational teacher and rugby master. He helped our young Colts under 16 rugby team to two unbeaten years and then promoted eight of us under 16s directly into the St Albans School 1st XV. I also remember being caned with six of the best across the palm with six others of my year for once trying to encourage a boy known as Fifi to participate in our games in the Orchard at lunchtime as his mother, who delivered him in a Rolls Royce every morning, decided he was too delicate to go outside. We were only trying to help him get a bit fitter and be more inclusive at school, but his mother complained of bullying. I offered no self-justification or defence, which Mr Bloxham respected, and I took my punishment like a man, but he was a big bloke and it hurt! St Albans was a wonderful school to have the privilege to attend (through a scholarship) and I have great memories of all the friends and people at the school that made our school years such fun and so rewarding. Charles Bloxham gave a huge amount of his personal time, particularly after hours for training and on Saturday afternoons for match days, to develop the rugby and games at St Albans School.” He played his last cricket match at 65 but was well into his seventies when he took his last rugby rugby practice, helping Dalwood and Dill (later Cambridge ‘blues’) to an unbeaten school season! In the words of Robert Matthewman again: “He has had a good innings.”
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Charles Bloxham was born on 23rd of November 1915 and died on 24th March 2010, peacefully at home, the last gentleman in Hertfordshire.
Obituary ● Brian Evans 1939 - 2010 Those of the wartime generation will be saddened to heard of Brian’s death in early January this year. At School from 1941-1949, Brian as the younger brother of Michael Evans, Head of School, High Jump record holder and so on, and had quote a reputation to follow. However, this he succeeded in doing by becoming a Prefect, Vice Captain 1st XV, Band Sergeant, member of the Choir, Athletics & Swimming Teams, Head of Debenham and in the athletics field, the best shot putter of his age group in the County and fourth nationally. Leaving School he took articles with Giffards of St Albans, and qualified as a solicitor in his early 20s. National Service followed in the RAF, with fame in Cyprus where as a radio mechanic deployed to block anti-British radio messages, he succeeded in blocking the signals to every TV set in England. Civilian life saw a return to the law as a partner with an expanding practice on the south coast, eventually the largest, with responsibilities including Chairman of the Hampshire Trust, Chair of Trustees of Wickham House School, and as an inspector of the Lord Chancellor’s Department. One post which gave him the greatest pleasure was as legal advisor to the Sail Training Trust where his love of the
sea, knowledge of languages and mediating skills were much valued abroad. Eventual retirement saw no let-up, with Chairmanship of the Titchfield Village Trust Round Table, plus his love of music as a pianist and organist often playing at local churches during his caravan holidays with his wife Betty. At his funeral, the order of service had typically been drawn up by him, and he numbers that attended bore evidence of the affection and respect in which he was held locally. Those of us who knew Brian, and indeed remember him at Founders’ Day last year, will carry the memory of his still boyish charm and humour, typified by his contribution to the recent book of wartime memoirs.
Obituary ● Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Watson Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Watson, who has died aged 90, rose from apprentice railway engineer to flag rank, and his career charted the development of electrical engineering in the modern Royal Navy. To Watson, his latest appointment in the Navy – whether to ship or shore – was always the best in the service to be had. But undoubtedly the highlight of his career was his time in command from 1967 to 1969 of the electrical school HMS Collingwood at Gosport. During his command the Queen Mother presented the school with the White Ensign which had been flown at the Battle of Jutland by the battleship Collingwood, in which her
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future husband, Prince Albert, served as a sub-lieutenant. Philip Alexander Watson was born in Belfast on October 7 1919 into a family of engineers. He was educated at St Albans school and started as an apprentice electrical engineer with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, hoping to work on the railways in India. On the outbreak of war he joined the Admiralty Compass Observatory, Slough, and in March 1940 was commissioned as an electrical sub-lieutenant RNR. Watson saw action in the minesweeper Hebe on Arctic convoys to Archangel and Murmansk, escorting seven convoys in the winter of 1941-42, when storms at sea proved a greater hazard than the attentions of the enemy. In December and January Hebe was based in Russian waters, and close acquaintance with the Russians moved Watson to think that they were somewhat ungrateful for the risks which he and his companions were taking on their behalf. In March, appalling weather forced 16 of the 24 ships in convoy PQ14 to turn back to Iceland, and Hebe was damaged by ice; she was sent to Hull for repairs. Watson was then appointed assistant torpedo officer in the battleship Nelson, and later torpedo officer in the cruiser Berwick, witnessing the surrender of the Germans at Trondheim in April 1945. After the war he accepted a full career commission in the Royal Navy, and became assistant to RearAdmiral SL Bateson, who was responsible for forming the Navy's
electrical branch. In 1950 Watson had the pleasure of welcoming his older brother, Garth, who was an electrical engineer in the Admiralty civil service, into the new electrical branch – as a commander, Garth was in a rank higher than Philip. After completing the long radio course, Philip Watson served with the 5th Destroyer Flotilla in the Battleclass destroyers Solebay and Gabbard. Three shore appointments in London were followed by his appointment as assistant to the training commander at Collingwood and a spell in the radio workshops at Malta. He then returned to sea as electrical officer in the destroyer Decoy. Following his promotion to commander in 1955, Watson was electrical officer in the Royal Yacht Britannia on her maiden circumnavigation of the globe, and her visit to the Great Lakes. His principal task was to ensure daily that there were voice communications between the yacht and London, no mean achievement in the days before satellites. He also played a full part in the social activities on board, and was appointed MVO. At Chatham Dockyard between 1959 and 1961 he was in charge of the electrical shops and weapons section, before becoming weapon electrical engineer officer in the cruiser Lion. His various titles were a reflection of the growing specialisation in the modern Navy. On promotion to captain, Watson began a series of appointments to the ship department
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at Bath: he was involved in the design of submarines, aircraft carriers and commando ships; was deputy director of engineering (Electrical); and, as an admiral, director-general weapons (Naval). He was appointed KBE in 1974. After leaving the service in 1977, he became chairman of Marconi Radar Systems (1981-85). Watson finally retired to Oxfordshire, where he was a fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, lifting the branch contribution from hundreds to thousands of pounds. He was also a leading member of the City of Oxford Society of Model Engineers, building a five-inch gauge model of the steam locomotive Edward Thomas and carriages which he used to exhibit. He and his brother, who also reached flag rank, were members of the Smeatonian Society, the first society for civil engineers when it was founded in 1771, and nowadays a dining club of around 50 senior engineers and 12 gentlemen members, who include the Duke of Edinburgh. Philip Watson, who died on December 8, married, in 1948, Jennifer Tanner, who survives him with their two daughters and one son.
Museum We have had a plethora of donations to the museum over the last few months. ● Robin Ollington has found an autograph album originally belonging to Rex Leaver which has in it Prefects’ and other autographs and a Battle of Britain poem. Also a
certificate for his 660 yard race run in 1 minute 40 seconds. He had also picked up in a charity shop a Rod Argent disc. ● David Roques and others have provided book plates, Founders’ Day celebrations 1958, 1951 Seven-a-side programme, The Corps Shows of 1937, 1946, 1949, 1948 Carol Service. ● Jim Putterill has given pictures of the Corps in its ascendancy in 1949 – also the 1949 Rugby XV. We have also had a photo copy of the Herts Advertiser’s report of W T M ’s retirement dinner. ● Charles Crawford (72) has given his school blazer, which is in A1 condition, to the museum. I am, of course, very grateful for all the items donated to the Museum. Keep them coming! Mike Highstead
Can Anyone Help? Robin Ollington asks, “Who was the last Silver Bugler?” The Silver Bugle was awarded to the Corps Senior Bugler. It was presented by Major R O Saunders and engraved with the name of the holder. “Where is it?” Please send all items for inclusion in the Gazette to: Mike Highstead, 33 Cornwall Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4TQ
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A Poem ■ Douglas Ponton (76) sent this poem to the Headmaster, who has given us permission to publish it in the Bulletin. The poem is a comment on the competitive ethos of the School in the 1970s Dear Headmaster Thirteenth, I came, in Poetry in my class. Yes! – thirteenth, behind Bryant, Bing and Clinch. In Biology that year I came in last, Though Watkins took the wooden spoon in French. As cream to the top of the milk jug rises, So does competition produce glittering prizes! In Geography the class descended Smoothly from the peak of Haywood’s pride. At the thick woods in the valley ended, The stream worn out, its mighty current dried. A mere number, why not love Maths and Stats? Where some wore crowns, and others dunce’s hats. Haywood, once more, the apex of the isosceles, And me, with Cameron, crawling round its knees. When this happened, not how or why, we know, An ancien régime passed on to us
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its woe. Revolution quelled in dusty clouds of chalk, And rough-books, crammed with notes of teacher talk. Twenty-five, than me, in Physics came in higher. I did the maths; found little to inspire. Yet Newton’s rays, taught in a gentler school, Will shine alike for genius and for fool. Pupils, being numbers, not minds or hearts, Rose or fell on yearly Economic charts; In fiscal cramming, intellectual inflation, The School expressed a sense of its vocation. Thus prepared to jostle for position, And dog eat dog is what – Nutrition? Our wings were never gently taught to fly, Where rainbows shoot ideas across the sky. As cream to the top of the milk jug rises, So does competition produce glittering prizes!
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Our man in Vancouver ■ Dr Ian Gray (53), the Old Albanian ‘Overseas Rep’ in Vancouver, Canada reports on his great work in reconnecting OAs in that part of the world I have managed to contact three OAs in Vancouver, and last week I managed to meet with all of them. First, Anne and I had a pleasant dinner with Catharine and James Woodfield (OA 46). We have both travelled widely - to many of the same places - and were able to compare many travel experiences around the world. Unfortunately, Jim could not join David Thompson (58), David Press (64) and myself for lunch later in the week. This turned out to be a delightful and extended ‘miners’ lunch as all three of us have had careers in the international mining industry. Inevitably, in the mining business our paths had crossed and we found we had many mutual contacts and similar experiences. We also resurrected many memories and laughs about our school days – particularly our headmaster, W T Marsh – and his obsession with getting students only to Oxford or Cambridge; in this regard, the three of us were ‘rebels’ – myself to Imperial College, David Thompson to LSE and David Press to Nottingham. We couldn’t help noting that we all had had really interesting careers in our chosen fields without any career advice or counselling whatsoever at school. Other memories and laughs were about Sgt.
Major Kilpatrick or “Killer”, the numerous ‘incidents’ on the 84 bus and the ‘brutal’ discipline of those days; evidently it hadn’t done any of us any harm! We agreed to meet again later in the year – hopefully with Jim – and ensure that we had a photographic record for the Bulletin!
Eastern Promise ■ Stephen Finley (81) reports on a recent gathering of some of the Old Albanians resident in Hong Kong On Monday, 7th December 2009, some of the Old Albanians in Hong Kong gathered at the Hong Kong Club for a cocktail evening. Stephen Finley of Finley & Co organised the event, which David Connolly hosted by kindly lending his Club membership to the occasion. It was an informal evening in which Old Albanians spanning many generations from 1958 to 1995 regaled each other of stories from past and present. The proceeds from the event will help fund future Old Albanian gatherings in Hong Kong. And since the budget for the event was overestimated, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the St Mungo’s Community Housing Association of London in tribute to the recent passing of Mr Frank Kilvington, the former St Albans headmaster of distinguished reputation. It was clear from the success of the evening that the Old Albanians Club in Hong Kong is now alive and kicking, and future events,
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From left: David Connolly (1951–58), Jeremy Simpson (1977–84), Justin Davidson (1981–88), Stephen Finley (1974-81), Vivek Chatrath (1993–95), Simon McNamara including a sail in Hong Kong’s world renowned harbour, are on the horizon.
No offence intended… ■ In the latest in their series of recollections, ‘The Berts’ take an affectionate look at their fellow pupils from 1951-59 Please take these memories in the light-hearted and affectionate way in which they were intended, and forgive any unintentional inaccuracies which are due to the passage of time. Please understand that no criticism or slight is intended in anything we have said. Rather than write a dull and dusty account we have tried to entertain and amuse, but above all we have tried to remember our friends. Introduction In 1951 St Albans School was a Direct
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Grant Maintained school although represented at The Headmasters Conference. This meant that some 30 places a year were paid for by the Local Authority, subject to the applicant passing the 11 Plus exam. The rest of the places, some 60, were fee-paying. When we joined after sitting the 11 plus, depending in part on the result, we were put into the A, B, or C stream. Lower School consisted of years 1, 2 & 3. Upper School started in year 4 and continued through year 5, Lower 6th and Upper 6th and part of an additional year for Oxbridge Scholarship exams. It didn't seem to matter very much about the three streams in the Lower School, although there was some movement up and down, but it was a very different matter when it came to the Upper School. Here we were preparing for the external exams – ‘O’ levels (Ordinary Certificate of Education) in the 5th form and ‘A’ levels in the Upper 6th form. There were specialist groups - the Classics set (Greek & Latin) and, in our last
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few years, the Upper Maths set under Mr Tahta. We were allowed to join the CCF (the Combined Cadet Force) in the Upper School (some might say subtly pressurised by the contemporary ethos, and the writer certainly cannot remember anyone objecting on conscientious grounds), to which there is an interesting contemporary footnote perhaps not in the history books. This was the mutiny by some elements of the Guards Regiment at the 1956 CCF Camp at Pirbright, during our attendance there, as a political protest at the order to take part in the invasion of Suez. Many of us were promoted to Prefect in the 6th form and ponced around wearing Oxbridge black undergraduate gowns looking very important, having considerable delegated powers and being generally pompous. Although we had our Classics set which was expected to take Latin and Greek at ‘A’ level, everyone in the school was encouraged to take Latin at ‘O’ level, because that was a mandatory requirement for entrance into Oxbridge. The writer remembers the Headmaster, W T Marsh’s Latin classes, which his boxer dog named Jason also attended, whose contribution to the lesson was to walk up and down between the desks snorting and snuffling and dribbling all over our trouser legs. In our years the school was boys only (girls were a strange, unknown species) and the boarders had almost disappeared. (Why, I wonder?) The last ones were in School House; the
rest of us – day-boys - were in Abbey, Breakspeare, Pemberton, Debenham and Shirley, which were allocated according to our home address. There were no first names used in the school and therefore we tend to remember many of our fellow pupils by their surnames only, unless they were particular friends. Our Fellow Pupils The following is a random selection of pupils that we remember: ● Iain Barnes: A good athlete whose father would have run the 400 metre hurdles at the 1936 Olympic Games but for a last-minute injury. ● Mike Boon: Good at rugby and a wiry centre whose tackling was foolhardy. Used to go fishing before school and turned up one morning with his pyjamas on under his clothes with the cord hanging out over his trousers. Taught Alan Bridgman how to control shivering. His list of eccentricities is endless but included shouting “please don't hit me any more, Dad” for the neighbours to hear, and riding round Ireland with a pony and trap after he left school. Believed to have pursued a career in potholing after that, for which he prepared whilst still at school by rigging his bedroom up as a caving system. The objective was to complete the traverse by means of the furniture without touching the floor, which was assumed to be flooded. ● Ian Brannam: Also a good athlete, mainly cross-country. Went on to a career in the Navy, which sent him to Kings College, Cambridge.
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● JGC Brown: A discus thrower with slightly crooked front teeth. A cheerful character. ● Roger Clutterbuck: A very good rugby player, large and heavy and captain of the First XV. Totally fearless, which put the fear of God into everyone else. Wanted to become a doctor. ● Pat Coker: Had a folding ‘CORGI’ motor scooter as issued to WW2 paratroops. ● John Curtis: The tallest pupil in the first year at 5ft 8ins. Now runs an estate agency in Harpenden. The son of a farmer and nicknamed “Cow”. ● Chris Cain: Became an English teacher. ● Frank & Joe Douse: Good athletes. Non-identical twins. ● David Ellis: Gave a wonderful illustrated talk on the Dambusters Raid. Went into the RAF. Sadly, now deceased. ● Roger Dyer: Also went into the RAF and is believed to have become a civil pilot. ● Ken Evans: A year ahead of us. A fast and agile three-quarter. ● Martin Evans: A destructive wing forward. ● NAJ Fenton: Left the school early to do O Levels somewhere else. ● Chris Fewkes: A year or two ahead of us. Another iconic personality. Once led a number of boys home after their bus broke down. He got them marching like a section in the CCF. ● AJ Freeman: Keen on the CCF. Became an Accountant. ● Gait (Goober): The inventor of the infinitely stretchable, infinitely
strong, invisible, Super Duper Goober Chewing Gum. His antics with this gum were hilarious, particularly if it was behind the back of some authority figure. ● A Gore: Became a journalist/sound recordist. Once hung his microphone out of a plane to get the sound of the parachutes opening. ● R Gregory: An excellent shot and a leading light in the school shooting eight. Rumoured to have hunted polar bears with a telescopic sight. ● S Hall: A very good rugby centre. Caught after games one day with another pupil by a master in a town pub who bought them both another drink. Went into the Navy as an officer and according to later newspaper reports had been thrown off the quay at Rosyth one night by some ratings during a dispute in the queue for the dinghy to take them all back to the ship. Duncan Bannatyne (of Dragon's Den fame) told this story quite recently during a television interview without naming the officer concerned and confessed to having been court martialled for the alleged mutinous offence. A coincidence? ● Stephen Hawking: An early member of the higher maths set, as might have been expected. Now Professor Stephen Hawking, of course. ● M Heath: Whilst drilling a section in the CCF he was heard to shout “don’t turn like an old bus”. Obviously destined for higher things as he went on to become a Major General. ● DJ (John) Heather: Son of one of the masters. Made miniature cannons
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that fired ball bearings. Studied architecture after school. ● ACC Hedge: Head Boy when we arrived. Had a leader’s personality and was good at games. An idol to which we aspired. ● Tony Hendra: Went to Queens’ College Cambridge and joined the Cambridge Footlights. Made the spoof/cult Rock’n’Roll film Spinal Tap as the manager of the rock group. Also involved in the Spitting Image series. ● David Heselton: Used to come to school in a Messerschmidt bubble car, and subsequently in a MGTF. We were all very jealous! ● WG (William) Hill: A good rugby player and brilliant academically. The school tried to persuade him to sit the Oxbridge exams but he was determined to go to Agricultural College before joining his father’s farm. ● M Hodgkinson: A very good tennis player. One half of the school's first pair. Gave up tennis aged about 23 after losing to Roger Taylor 7-5 in the last set. Now deceased. ● Alec Holt: Another good rugby player. Now deceased. ● JA Hudson: A good mathematician and tennis player. ● Mike James: A very good swimmer. Became a solicitor. ● Basil King: Open Scholarship to Cambridge. Played hockey. Visited Russia and gave a talk afterwards in which he described a monumental statue in honour of the workers of which the female was twice as big and muscular as the male. Musical played the organ.
● Alan King: Read English at King’s College Cambridge but switched later to medicine. ● Richard Kingslake: Experimented with chemicals at home and knew a lot about radio communications as his father was a Radio HAM. ● Kenny Mills: A classics scholar. Believed to have gone to Lincoln College Oxford. ● Mike Knapp: Went to Keele University and then, possibly, into advertising. ● Kevin Lampard: He infiltrated a CCF scheme dressed as a girl and walked straight through a defended area – the make up and the walk being particularly convincing. ● M Lamprell: The other half of the school’s first tennis pair. ● Alan MacRae: Once, on being about to be caned he said “I haven't booked my seat yet Sir”. Went into the RAF. ● Geoff Martin: Believed to have studied Instrument Engineering after school. ● Lindsay McLennan: Son of one of the masters. Left before A- Levels. ● Gordon McMillan: A drummer in the CCF band. Took three attempts to pass ‘O’ Level maths before becoming a Navigating Officer in the Merchant Navy with BP. ● Tim Nicholson: Played the piano and was sometimes allowed to play the organ in the Abbey. Wanted to be a dentist. Left before A Levels. ● Mike Newell: Famous, amongst other things, for being the director of the film, Four Weddings and a Funeral. The writer met him, quite by chance, one summer at Mont
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Saint Michel. OAs get everywhere. ● Mike Norris: Went to Imperial College, London to study Chemical Engineering. ● Giles Orr: Head Boy during our time and a natural leader. Good rugby player. ● Mike Pattison: A keen all-round sportsman. One of nature's enthusiasts. Good at athletics, particularly the shot putt. ● Tony Peach: Keen on trad jazz. Very quiet and charming. Became a social worker. ● Malcolm Reece: First XV scrum half. ● Mike Plant: Deputy School Armourer. ● Dick Shepherd: Good, fast and well balanced rugby player. Sadly, also deceased. ● Martin (Fish) Simmons: A great swimmer, especially the back stroke. ● CDF Smith: A good scrum half but not being large, got clobbered a lot. ● Geoff Stanforth: Direct descendant of one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia for forming an agricultural workers’ trade union. ● Geoff Ward: A great mimic, he would recall large quantities of the Goon Show the day after it had been broadcast. The masters never knew what we were laughing at. ● Chris Yetton: Spent a year at the Sorbonne before going up to Cambridge. Some Final Words We hope you have enjoyed our view through the wrong end of the telescope back to the 1950s, a past
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which really does seem like another country now, not only smaller, but less colourful somehow and quieter than today. Were Sundays in St Albans really that quiet then, not to say boring? Was it really an England of cricket on the village green and old ladies bicycling to evensong, to say nothing of the warm beer? Of course, in those days the beer was real, before it was ruined by the brewers in the 1970s, who then had to be persuaded to make real ale again by CAMRA, founded of course, in The Farriers Arms, virtually in the School’s back yard. Did we really touch the peak of our caps when greeting ladies? (Yes, we wore school caps!) Yes, it was a quiet time with the country holding its breath, waiting for something, anything, to happen, waiting for protest movements, (was the Guards’ mutiny in 1956 a forerunner of this?), such as Ban The Bomb, No To The Poll Tax, and the 1968 riots. Admittedly, there was no political revolution, but at least, allegedly, we had the sexual revolution starting with the Lady Chatterley trial at the Old Bailey – “Would you want your wife or servants to read this?” (Mervyn Rees Jones for the prosecution) – and culminating according to Philip Larkin, in 1963 when wonderful things started to happen brought about by the introduction of the pill. When did the mood of the times, or the zeitgeist, change (why do the Germans even have a more efficient word for this than us?) One thing is certain - the 1951-59 generation of OAs was well equipped for the future
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with the old-fashioned virtues of hard work, competition, and achievement on merit, as well as creative flair and healthy doses of eccentricity.
Lifetime influence ■ Arthur Lewis MBE, one of our most venerable OAs at the age of 93, writes to us from Melbourne, Australia with some happy memories of his time at School between the wars Ah, memories! I must be one of the oldest OAs around, being of the 1936 vintage. Then we had Edgar Montague-Jones as Headmaster, and a very formidable figure he was too, a WW1 Colonel I gather. But the most memorable character, was “Charlie” Argent, also ex-WW1, who rejoiced in the title of Sergeant Major. His jobs were to ‘call the roll’ in classroom times, take PT, and organise the OTC on Friday afternoons. I do wonder if the emphasis on military training was a relic of the general attitude in the UK after WW1 of “we must be prepared”. Four of the masters at that time, on OTC parade, were 2nd Lieutenants and the Bursar, Mr Baumgartner, who in spite of his German name, was our Captain. We all qualified, after an exam, for ‘Certificate A’, giving us in the Army, in the event of another war, an infantry commission. So on Friday afternoons we put on our WW1 uniforms, complete with puttees, and collected our Lee-Enfield .303 rifles from the Armoury under the Gateway. I joined the OTC band and because I was tall,
used to don a leopard-skin and play the big drum. Our band did well in the annual OTC camps and was often voted the best. (For the younger generation, OTC meant Officer Training Corps) and those route marches round the nearby country lanes, all gone now no doubt or made into freeways … and band practice in a small room under the Gateway called the Armoury – it’s a wonder that our hearing survived. Ah! Boyhood memories of post-First World War Britain. Reading the school highlights today I would not understand much that I remember, except perhaps some of the buildings, but then I am seeing it from far away Australia where we now live. (Sixth form young ladies! Goodness me!). When Monty disappeared, WT, Marsh took over, a retired, always coughing, Royal Navy Commander. He said he would soon have us all “ship-shape” and we did notice a lot of changes. He announced that the school was falling behind in athletics and told us Tommy Hampson, a half-miler Olympic Gold Medallist would join the school as a teacher. I soon found myself on the Belmont Hill Sports ground, running behind him, watching his powerful legs. He told me he would turn me into a halfmiler, but I must learn tactics. I wonder if Belmont Hill is now a housing estate, after the development of Woollams? Anyhow, Tommy’s hopes were in vain because I was no good at athletics. Thanks to dear old Bob Tanner, our Arts master, I always did excel in his subject, while
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I recall my friends fooling about in his lessons. As I eventually became an Architect in later years, maybe Bob was my mentor. Prefects – do they still exist, I wonder? Maybe in a different form, because then, we were responsible for some discipline in the school and used to cane. “Assault” in now undisciplined times, no doubt. Monday lunchtime was “up pres” time and offenders would have to appear on the upper hall landing. The head prefect ran the meeting and sentenced the offender to the cane if found guilty. Did it do harm? I don’t think so. I was caned and caned but it never seemed to harm anyone psychologically, or in any other way. Very serious offences were reported to the headmaster and he might wield the cane. How times have changed! I have a photo of a group of prefects, including me, circa 1935, which is reproduced below. In 1936 I finished school and went to Pembroke College, Oxford, to read English, which I enjoyed, but after Pass Moderations I decided I wanted to do Architecture (shades of Bob Tanner?) and found there was no school of Architecture in Oxford. So eventually I was accepted at the very avant-garde AA School of Architecture in London. Founded in 1857, it had always been run by the students, and I was in two revolutions and sacked the Principals! We were all very ‘left’ thinking. A five year course, but in my third year, rumblings of a coming war appeared. So, back to my days of being ‘soldiers’ in the OTC.
A group of my friends and I decided to help a peaceful GB to show a strong face and joined the Territorial Army, obviously the Royal Engineers as future Architects. We were called up and entered WW2, which lasted five years, followed by two years Army of Occupation, in Italy for me. The policy of the Allied Military Government was to get the country back to normality as quickly as possible, and I learned a lot about building construction. I was then a Staff Major. Released, I went back to the AA. We were a strange mixture of ex-military students and those from schools. Graduated as ARIBA, my task was to find a job in a bankrupt Britain. Eventually I got a job in Northern Rhodesia and did some interesting buildings, such as the guest-house for HM Queen Elizabeth’s visit. She did not come, however, due to some Royal crisis and the lovely Queen Mum came instead. I was presented to her and had a long chat with her and her Army Aide. Then came a worrying period with independence, when we became Zambia, under our first Dictator, Kenneth Kaunda. I got to know him well and he tried to persuade me to enter parliament. Needless to say, I declined. Kaunda wanted to build a non-race society, but local ‘colour’ was strong and dangerous. We lived and worked in Zambia for 27 happy years, during which I built a little theatre which became very active in Kitwe, the copper mining town where we were based. In 1960 I was awarded the MBE for cultural services to the community.
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The School Prefects in 1936. Back row (left to right): Eastcott, Moody, Lewis (me), Owen, Griffiths, Morten Front row (left to right): Macdonald, Whitworth, Abbott, Davey, Ashley, Eagleton, Owen DG Unfortunately we were so busy that I had to forego a visit to Buckingham Palace to receive it, so the Governor General pinned it on me. The time came, at the end of the colonial period around the world, when it was obvious that we should have to move because of our colour, and this was difficult because of ‘exchange control’, meaning that funds were frozen. On emigration we were allowed a small capital allowance, but not really enough to settle somewhere else. Following advice, we eventually moved to Andorra, an historic independent Principality high in the Pyrenees, a good place to go with money problems, because there were no income taxes. A varying small value-added tax is put on all imports, according to luxury value. Tourism was very big business. We found we did not need a Residencia to live there, only a valid
passport of any country. Nevertheless, my wife and I felt we should try to get one, so we found a Gestoria (a fix-it man who knew whom to bribe), but all he said was “Oh you English people, all you want is a piece of paper saying you can do something. It doesn’t matter!” All very well, but the powers that be could deport you instantly if you did something wrong and while we were there a man was deported in 12 hours for drunken driving. He had no Residencia. We eventually got them. After six European exploring years, with a motor caravan in Andorra, we decided we should join our three, by now grown-up daughters, who had all gone to Australia for different reasons. After two attempts we were accepted and are now Australian citizens. In Melbourne, where we live, is a suburb called St Albans, but they haven’t got a school like my old school! It was a wonderful experience, which influenced me greatly in my long life. I would love to revisit, but at nearly 93 I can’t see it happening. I am proud to be an antique OA.
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Rugby
Going up ■ Robin Farrar looks back on a fantastic season for the Old Albanian Rugby Club, crowned with the promotion of the First XV to the National Leagues for the first time Old Albanian RFC has just completed a brilliant season, probably its best ever. Highlights include: ● 3 league titles, Saints (Women’s) Firsts, Men’s Seconds and Men’s Thirds ● League runners’-up position for our Men’s Firsts ● 7 Senior sides that take the field each week ● Colts and Development squads strength in depth and huge potential ● OA Saints on the verge of possible Premiership rugby ● International recognition for a
clutch of their players ● Rugby World’s Team of the Month Award for November ● A County Cup triumph against the ‘old enemy’ Bishops Stortford ● OAs players set to form the backbone of the Herts squad The pinnacle of their success has got to be the Firsts winning promotion to the National Leagues after seven steady years of progress in London One. The OA First XV’s record in all competitions was: P
W
L
Pts For
Pts Against Pts Diff
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26
3
933
278
The foundation of a brilliant season, their most successful in a proud 86-year history, has been an irresistible mix of attacking flair coupled with the meanest defence at this level in the whole country.
The OAs pictured before the Herts Presidents Cup Final on 2 May 2010…
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The adventure began in earnest with a convincing away victory against Tring, at their Chilterns stronghold in early September. As mid-December approached, OAs had not conceded a try since Bishops Stortford crossed their line in October, and in this spell they had recorded big scores to nil, in three consecutive games against highly rated opposition, experiencing some appalling conditions along the way; notably the horizontal rain at Basingstoke on November 14th. These performances served to impress not only those who had witnessed them but also the judges at Rugby World when the leading magazine made The Old Albanian RFC its ‘Team of the Month’ for November. The big freeze either side of the festive season then rendered the Woollams Men out of action for
nearly four weeks, but after their visit to Jersey, where they earned a losing bonus point against the ultimate champions, they were soon back to winning ways, including a vital away victory at Bracknell, who, at the time, were snapping at their heels in the league chasing the elusive play-off place. In a perfect record over their last 14 games, the Firsts averaged 42 points per match with 9 against, their biggest (and Club record) win being the drubbing of ‘bogey side’ Portsmouth by 90 points to 12 in early March. Another big win, 55 unanswered points against North Walsham in the previous game at Woollams, delighted home fans as their favourites demonstrated once again their ability to combine slick handling with ruthless finishing. Their closest wins have come in the driving rain and surface slime at
…and afterwards
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mid-table Dorking on 20th March, and in their last league match, on a ‘dry ski slope’ at Hertford. Such performances served to demonstrate a potent mix of discipline, controlled aggression and a collective determination to prevail, whatever the conditions. OAs also beat Hertford on their way to the final of the Herts Presidents Cup where they triumphed over holders Bishops Stortford, 37 points to 19, to lift the trophy for the first time in 12 years. Etched in their supporters’ memories will be their performance in the play-off showdown with Cheltenham side Old Patesians, which was witnessed by hundreds of spectators on a beautiful spring afternoon at Woollams. Old Pats showed why they had performed so well in South West One but on the day simply could not penetrate OAs famous defensive wall. The final score of 15 points to nil serves well to illustrate OAs’ best qualities. Centre Terry Adams and prop James Ellershaw ended the league season as top try scorers for the Firsts with 90 points and 50 points respectively. Also making regular appearances on the score sheet are County scrum half Mark Evans (40 points), Ross Hamilton and Chris Lombaard. The free scoring South African winger was signed from Cambridge in February together with his highly rated colleagues, James Shanahan and Stefanes Liebenberg, giving a crucial boost to The Woollams Men in the run-in, which secured home advantage in the play-
off, with one match in hand. Once again, top points scorer overall has been Richard Gregg who has enjoyed a dazzling season and whose reliable boot has propelled the in-form fly half into the top two kickers bracket in London and South East One with 247 points. Congratulations go to Director of Rugby Bruce Millar and every single member of his team notably, Coach Mark Langley and Team Managers Steve Wyre and Charlie Johnson. OARFC starts next season in National 2 South where famous names like Richmond and Rosslyn Park play their rugby. We look forward to locking horns once again with the likes of Ealing, Canterbury, Worthing and Shelford who have all managed to make the big step up from London One in recent years. New fixtures will include Clifton, Taunton, Lydney, Henley and Dings Crusaders (Bristol). The management and players at the Club wish to thank everyone who has supported them in any way during 2009/10. There is much hard work to do in preparation for our new adventure which starts in September and we very much look forward to the benefit of your ongoing support. Robin Farrar
Keep in touch Keep in touch with the latest news and match reports at the Rugby and Cricket Club web sites: www.oarugby.com www.oacc.org.uk
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Angling
Cannon and pike ■ OA Angling Society Secretary Geoff Cannon looks back on a successful few months – including his feat of landing six large pike in less than two hours The OA Angling Club continued with its programme of activities following the finish of the game fishing season. Several members spent a week in Ireland near Carrick on Shannon and fished many loughs in the vicinity. A visit to the Norfolk Broads in September produced an excellent weekend's fishing and included sighting an otter. Geoff Cannon fished later in the year on Barton Broad and he and his fellow fisher caught six pike over 10lbs in two hours.
The Fishwives Supper was held in November and was well attended and enjoyed by all. Fishing after Christmas was curtailed by the inclement weather. The coarse fishing season has now finished and we are looking forward to fishing for trout and salmon this summer. As usual any fishers who would like to join in our activities would be welcome and should contact Geoff Cannon. Geoff Cannon Honorary Secretary, OA Angling Club cannonmorgan@btconnect.com
14-16 Church End Redbourn AL3 7DU 01727 861622 01582 792512 01727 861623 (f)
Golf
On course ■ Don Carnell looks forward to a full diary of events during 2010 – and invites OAs of all abilities to join in the fun There are approximately 70 golfers playing one or more events arranged by the OAGS. Handicaps range from 3 to 28 and all OAs are most welcome to attend these meetings. The object is to enjoy the camaraderie and have some fun along the way. The 2010 programme is: 8 May: OA v Mid-Herts GC 16 May: Grafton Morrish qualifier
at The Leicestershire GC (Scratch Foursomes Competition) 23 June: OA Cup at South Beds GC 28 July: Captains Away Day at Flackwell Heath GC 13 August: OA v Old Haberdashers at Mid-Herts GC 20 August: OA v Old Cholmeleians at Highgate GC 5/6 September: Thorpeness trip 10 September: Old Boys Foursomes at Highgate GC 1 October: Briggs Goblets at MidHers GC 26 November: Annual Dinner at Harpenden Common GC Don Carnell
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Tennis
Hitting winners ■OA Tennis Club Membership Secretary Sue Barnes reports on an excellent season, and invites players of all ages and levels to join the club After their sixth season of competing in the Watford District League, the OA Tennis Club are proud to announce that they have gained promotion in all three of their divisions. The Men’s, Ladies and Mixed A teams all won their divisions this season and will now play in Div, 3, Div 4 and Div 3 respectively. It is now up to our new Mixed B team to get off the ladder! If, while reading this, you feel you would like to play for any of the above teams, we would be delighted to have you on board. Many congratulations to all members who have played for any of the teams and contributed towards our current success. We are very proud of our recent collection of silver cups, on display in the Clubhouse. The OA Tennis Club is situated at the OA Sports Ground on the Harpenden Road. The tennis members are privileged to play on four fantastic astro-turf courts, set within the magnificent grounds of Woollams. We are a relatively small but friendly tennis club with roughly 100 members, but we are looking forward to increasing our membership and have managed to keep our annual subscription lower than most other Tennis Clubs in the St Albans area. The current members are made up of a combination of
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Juniors, Coaching, Social and team members. We are fortunate to have two LTA-trained coaches at the Club and we will be pleased to welcome all new players, whether they be beginners, Juniors, Seniors and of course, those who would be interested to play in our successful teams. At the moment we are applying for floodlights, which would make it possible to play during the evenings, all the year round. If you would like more information on joining OA Tennis, please contact Sue Barnes on 07970 301345 or at home in the evenings on 01727 868857. Sue Barnes Membership Secretary
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Shooting
Aiming high ■ Club Captain Andrew Wilkie reports on a rollercoaster small bore season – and the mysterious case of the targets that were lost in the post! The shooting cognoscenti among you may recall that we won Division 4 of the Herts Summer Rifle League in 2009, followed by the inter-divisional shoot off for the league winners Ladies of Ware Trophy. Well, the team of Andy Moore, Moray McMillin, Martin Warr and yours truly did it again over the 2009/2010 Winter Rifle League, winning Division 4. We have yet to shoot the inter-divisional shoot-off but the average that our handicap will be based on will have risen significantly, making it more of a challenge! Keep the fingers crossed that there are no mishaps. We’ll let you know the outcome. And, the reward for our success: promotion to Division 3 for the 2010 Herts Summer Rifle League! Now it gets tougher. Just to show how well we performed over the two seasons, Summer 2009 and Winter 2009/2010, I carried out a simple team analysis. The maximum score on each ten bull target is 100. Each of the four team members shoots ten rounds, one target per round. For the team that’s forty scores out of 100 for a full season (However, because the scores for round 1 in the winter league were lost in the post, I have omitted round 1 of the summer results for comparison giving nine rounds or 36
scores). This is the analysis: Score ex 100 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 Total Scores
Summer 2009 0 0 1 3 4 7 5 4 3 2 3 0 3 1 0 0 36
Winter 09/10 0 1 5 3 10 3 4 4 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 36
The Winter 2010 scores show a distinct improvement over Summer 2009 with the distribution peak moving from “95” to “96”. As well as club shooting, Andy Moore, Moray McMillin and yours truly continue to shoot in Herts County leagues over the winter but with somewhat mixed results. I blame it on snow in the sights when shooting the county cards! For the 2010 Full bore season we have the usual four competitions to look forward to namely, old Lawrentians Match, Q Match, Long Range Match and Alleynians Match concluding with our annual dinner at Bisley. Let’s hope for continuing small bore success over summer 2010 and we need to win the Arnold Cup back from the Alleynians to balance the results again. Here’s wishing everyone good shooting for summer 2010. Andrew Wilkie Captain
Hon Secretary O L Simmons 2, Honeymead, Welwyn AL6 0EG 01438 840674 Hon Treasurer A Q S Moore 69, Long Fallow, St Albans AL2 3ED 01727 830344 Captain A W B Wilkie 5, Batchwood Drive, St Albans AL3 5RZ 01727 856857
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Caption Competition â– Send in your suggestions for a witty or amusing caption for either of these images to: Nick Chappin, Editor 18 The Pleasance, Harpenden, Herts AL5 3NA Email: nick@chappin.co.uk
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