NEWS OF OLD BRUTONIANS
Jolyon HOLT (N94/99) is working in CID at the Metropolitan Police. Marc ROGERS (P94/99) is running the family business, specialising in sports and adventure holidays in East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Captain Hugo STANFORD-TUCK (B94/99) is serving with The Royal Gurkha Rifles (see Engagements list). Charles TALMAGE (N94/99) is based at RNAS Yeovilton as a pilot. Christopher DAVIS (L96/00) after four years in teaching, is to undertake Air Traffic Control training for the Armed Services. Captain Ben KENDALL (FP) (P96/97) is serving with the Coldstream Guards. He was on Queen’s Guard duty at St James’s Palace in March. Matthew KERTON (N96/01) completed his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology at the University of Birmingham. He was researching the transport and distribution of calcium within coriander in order to understand the causes and prevention of the foliar syndrome, tip burn. His wedding on April 4th, 2009 (see Marriages list) was in two counties – Somerset church and Dorset reception. Matt CROWCOMBE (P97/02) Little did Matt Crowcombe realise when he left King’s School, Bruton to set out for his gap year in South Africa in 2003 that this time was not only to have a huge influence on his future but it would also have a significant effect on the future of many South African township children. During his time on the staff of the International School of South Africa, his friend and mentor, Henry Matthews, introduced Matt to the local townships and he witnessed, at first hand, the poverty and lack of hope for the future of its numerous occupants. In these early days the seed was sown and before Matthew returned to England ‘SOS Africa’ had begun to develop. Since those early days the charity has grown from strength to 32
strength. Both Henry and Matthew realised that, in order to break the poverty cycle, the children of the townships needed a proper education. SOS Africa would empower through education. At present the township children found themselves in large classes of around 200 pupils. SOS would place their charges in local primary schools where they could benefit from classes of 20. The children would live at home, be collected for school, clothed and supported in every way. And so SOS Africa was born and in the last seven years it has slowly grown into a small but very effective charity. All money donated goes straight to the children. No money is taken by way of expenses. Matt’s sister has opened a charity shop in Ilfracombe and Matt himself continues to head the charity whilst completing a PhD at Swansea University. In recent months there has been an exciting new development for SOS Africa. During his lunch hour, Matt’s father designed a logo for the charity and this has been chosen from many
Kalebo Keleb Jnr and Matt Crowcombe
to be placed on the supporters’ shirts for eight of the African Nations football teams. These shirts will also be available for the World Cup. This is a major breakthrough and it will make a huge difference to SOS. sosafrica.com Charlie WHITE (B97/02) is due to complete his training at solicitors
Edwin Coe LLP in Lincoln’s Inn, in Sept. 2010, when he will qualify into the Corporate team. Rob BAILWARD (B98/00) and Tristan LARK (N98/00) plan to compete in the Indian Ocean race in 2011. Rory EDWARDS (O98/03) is currently working as a Design and Product Development Engineer for Cooper Bline, a division of the American company, Cooper Industries, manufacturing high technology enclosure solutions for the IT, banking, pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. Polina OBOLENSKAYA (W98/00) completed her Ph.D. in 2009. Christopher STEVENSON (N99/04) passed out of Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. 2000s Edward MARSH (B00/05) returned to School to take part in the farewell concert for Dr Glynn Jenkins in December 2009, singing Non piu andrai by Mozart and The trumpet shall sound by Handel. Richard TELFER (O00/05) is completing a Master’s degree in International Relations at Swansea University, focusing on USA defence issues. Richard TREVIS (O00/05) passed out of Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, Chris PIDSLEY (O00/05) attended the ceremony. Tom HEAL (L01/06) and Will SMITH (01/06) in the Heritage Explorer team, are the youngest competitors rowing 2931 miles from La Gomera to Antigua! We have been following their progress on www. atlanticrowyt.co.uk and hope that they will be writing about their adventures in next year’s Old Brutonian! Edward BARNFIELD (O03/08) returned to play in the Big Band Concert held in Wanstrow Church in February 2010 to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the Wanstrow Church Window Fund. THE OLD BRUTONIAN 2010