Latymerian Winter 2023

WINTER 2023 NEWSLETTER FOR LATYMERIANS (ALUMNI OF LATYMER UPPER SCHOOL)

The Latymerian Council (UK) 1971 John Davidson 1973 Steve Faktor 1976 Paul Taylor 1976 James Graham 1979 Mike Cooper 1990 Harmeet Ahuja 1991 Rajesh Goyal 1992 Laurence Hopkins - Chair 1994 Kunwar Ahuja 2000 Alan Sendorek 2008 Suzanna du Plessis (née Rennie) Deputy Chair 2014 Connie Campbell 2016 Charlotte Collingwood The Asian Latymerian Council 1966 Victor Apps 1990 Mark Syn 1998 Raymond Shuai - Chair 2009 Archie Preston

Disclaimer: All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in our feature pages belong solely to the interviewee and/or author, and do not necessarily reflect that of Latymer.

The Australasian Latymer Council 1955 Clive Trotman 1970 John King 1976 Hank Kingman 1978 John Fisher 1994 Eddie Gapper 1995 Thomas Correia 2004 Aleco Lazaridis The Canadian Friends of Latymer Board of Directors 1955 David Havard 1957 Trevor Jones 1957 David Stiles 1960 C. Hugh Grant 1962 Jeffrey Simons - Chair 1963 Peter Basey 1964 Colin Steel The US Latymerian Council 1964 David Godfrey - Treasurer 1967 David Kendall 1968 Robert Stevens 1969 Simon Kisch 1976 Maciek Brzeski 1976 Jamie Grant 1980 Mark Bullimore - Chair 1989 Tony Hynes 1992 Anton Xavier 2004 Abi Ronan 2010 Josh Henderson

ALUMNI NEWS WEDDINGS Q Dominic WALDOUCK (2006) was married to Isabella in June at Newcastle Cathedral. Dom’s best man was his brother, Jack WALDOUCK (2007) Q Anna SHERRIFF (2006) held her wedding to Nick in July.

Latymerians who attended were Jo SMYTH, Anna BRADLEY, Helena ANTONIOU, Charlotte WESTON, Ben HAWTHORNE, Emily CHALLENOR, Joe MARKOWSKI, Amanda DARTFORD, Simon ANDERSON, Charlie OLIVER - all Class of 2006 Q In September, Polly ADAMS (2012) celebrated her marriage to her wife, Elena

Dominic Waldouck

Q Cedric BARDAWIL (2002) married his wife Isabel in July Q Celia RESTON (2011) and Anthony MASON (2010) were married on 17th June 2023 in Westfield, East Sussex. The Latymerians in attendance were Angus RESTON (2009), Laura SWEETING (2017), Kitty O’LEARY (2017), Rob O’LEARY (2013), Melissa HADDLETON (2011), Rehan AKHTAR (2010), Claudia MARTIN (2010), Harry VAN HORN (2010), Izzy GORMEZANO MARKS (2011), Hannah CURNOCK COOK (2011), Fran JACKSON (2011), Angelica HOPE (2011), Jesse FARRAGHER (2011), Shaefri SADEK (2011), Guy ANSAH-PALMER (2010), Danyal ALI KHAN (2010), Sushil THOMAS (2010), Charlie CONNER (2010), Tom ARDEN (2012)

Matthew SHAW (2012) of Sauveur was the event organiser

The Foundation Office Team: Amanda Scott Executive Director, Latymer Foundation ams@latymerfoundation.org Megan Bruns Director of Development mhb@latymerfoundation.org Siân Davis Alumni Relations Manager sdd@latymerfoundation.org Rhianna Williams Alumni and Communications Officer rpw@latymerfoundation.org

Celia Reston and Anthony Mason

Sally Markowska Independent Consultant (Alumni Relations) sjm@latymer-upper.org Johanna Ingram Events Manager jci@latymerfoundation.org Lisa Von Gehren Events Officer lkv@latymerfoundation.org Ruta Kurtinaityte EA to the Executive Director and Director of Development rlk@latymerfoundation.org Laiba Naveed Development Assistant lln@ltymerfoundation.org Verity Mynors Fundraising Assistant vem@latymerfoundation.org

Latymer Foundation Office Latymer Upper School 237 King Street, Hammersmith W6 9LR latymerians@latymerfoundation.org www.latymerfoundation.org 020 3004 0466

Anna Sheriff

Cedric Bardawil

Polly Adams

CAREER UPDATES Q Imogen ARZT-JONES (2013) is a paralegal at Bindmans LLP in London

CSR and Sustainable Consultant for EthiFinance in Paris Q Lucca HUE-WILLIAMS (2026) has opened her own London gallery, Albion Jeune, to exhibit works of emerging international artists

Q Katie BROWN (2011) has been promoted to Director of Business Development at Holland Mountain

Q Alice PAVESI (2014) has been promoted to Head of Year 7 at Colfe’s School in South East London

Q Sam CHALLENOR (2008) who is Deputy Head at Ravenscourt Park Prep School, is now also Site Lead and DPP Coach at England Rugby Q Charlie CONNER (2010) has joined Deloitte Digital, Amsterdam Q Daphne DE BEISTEGUI (2018) is now a Fellow at the Earth Law Center in Colorado, USA Q Gina DEGTYAREVA (2014) has been appointed to the post of Private Secretary to the Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Q Tom DOLPHIN (2016) is working towards his PhD in Advanced Therapies and Regenerative Medicine at Kings College London Q Toby DORMER (1994) has joined Blink49 studios in Toronto, Canada as Executive Vice President, Unscripted Television Q James DURNFORD (2002) has recently started a new post as Principal Consultant at Davies Talent Solutions

Q Ryan ROBINSON (2006) is winning awards as one of the co-founders of AEROPOWDER, a UK-based startup that has been inspired by the circular economy to create Pluumo, the world’s first featherbased thermal packaging material

NEWS

Q Mickey BOUKRAA (2008) is now working for the Boston Consulting Group in Amsterdam as the Tech and Digital Consultant

Q Cameron SELL (2014) will be joining the New York office of Calastone, where he will be Vice President of Global Market Money Services Q Jack SENNETT (2009) has been appointed to work on AI Policy at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology Q Sophie SHAPTER (2013) is a Clinical Psychologist Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust Q Arsenal Chief Executive Vinai VENKATESHAM (1999) is set to step down next summer after 14 years with the club. He says: “This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge. Now is not the time for goodbyes as I remain focused until my last day and supporting a seamless transition.”

Q Giles HARTGILL (1999) has become the 138th President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He has worked in the UK defence industry since 2003 and is currently Chief Technologist for AWE Q Flora HENDERSON (2012) has been appointed to the role of Senior

Giles Hartgill

Vinai is pictured on the far right

Looking for your next career move? Latymer Connects is the perfect place to network with Latymerians in different careers around the world.

Sign up at:

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LATYMERIAN CREATIVES

NEWS

Q Joss FLEMING (now Hooren - 2007) has published ‘My Adventure Journal’, a journal-style anxiety management resource that has been specifically designed with neurodivergent young people in mind.

Joss is a Clinical Psychologist who travels full-time with her husband and three children; she set out to create a book that would support all families who decide to get away from their familiar routines, particularly where anxiety may present a barrier Q Phil GRABSKY (1981) recently released through his company Seventh Art Productions, a successful film entitled ‘Vermeer – The Greatest Exhibition’.

Phil credits former Latymer history teacher, Robert Orme, for inspiring a love of art. Phil’s upcoming

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS Q Sabrine AHMED (2023) met Jeremy Hunt as part of the scholarship she won at the University of Cambridge

Sabrine was able to question Jeremy on some of his decisions as foreign secretary and his current role as Chancellor. She mentioned that in doing so, she enjoyed using things taught by Latymer Politics Teacher, Paul Goldsmith Q Jenny BASKERVILLE (now Roome - 2002) has been recognised as an Inspirational Diversity and Inclusion leader for 2023 at the D&I Awards. Jenny works at KPMG UK as their Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity and is also Chair of the Living Wage Advisory Council Q Sam LYTTON-COBBOLD, Antoine NIGOND, Will BOND, Daniel MYERS, Alex FASSONE, and Jed ALLEN (all 2016) have cycled from London to Paris in 24 hours in aid of Care4Calais

SOCIAL EVENTS Q In October, teachers Marcel LEWIS (Classics), Liz HANSFORD (Biology), and Amy CASE (Geography) met with Latymerians Josh DEVORE (1997) and Prashant RAO (2006) in Boston, USA

films are ‘Klimt and The Kiss’’, ‘My National Gallery London’, and ‘I, Vincent’ Q Sophia CHETIN-LEUNER (2012) has her play, This Might Not Be It, playing at the Bush Theatre in February Q Dr Mark WILLIAMS (1984) is the author of 16 fantasy books under the pen name of Mark Lawrence, the most recent of which was a Sunday Times bestseller

Q Peter READ (1953) has won a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sailing Australia. This award acknowledges Peter’s “outstanding contribution to sailing over an involvement of at least 20 years”

Although he describes himself Peter Read as “no more than a competent crewman”, Peter has sailed in several Australian Championships, represented Australia as a crew in the 1989 Dragon Worlds in Torquay, and competed in four Sydney-Hobart Races Peter also shared with us how much he enjoys his Latymerian magazine, and how he vividly remembers “the ferocious Major Stewart”

Q Simon LEE (1983), now living in New Zealand, recently visited London and met up with old friends Ashok ARORA (1985) and Martin SAUNDERS (1983) Q Congratulations to Alan PINNOCK (1945) and his wife, Janet, who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary with a special lunch at Ealing Golf Club, surrounded by family and friends. The photograph shows Alan and Janet with their daughter, son-inlaw, and grandsons

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Q There is a pocket of Latymerians living in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Andy DANIELS (1993), left, wrote to tell us of hosting a barbecue at home in Radlett with local Latymerians present - Greg CLIFFORD (1994) pictured centre, Neel MANDALIA (1997) on the right, and Andy’s brother, Jonathan DANIELS (1996)

What have you been up to?

Let us know your latest news: Latymerians@latymerfoundation.org

LATYMER SOCIAL ARCHIVE A Digital Archive

From scanned images of our Foundation’s original Minutes book, to photos of form groups, sports teams and school trips; and from the entire series of the Latymerian magazine, to audio interviews and video content – it will be a wonderful collection of historical documents and evocative personal memorabilia.

Alongside these anecdotes from former staff and students, the Latymer Social Archive carries the unabridged essays which have been contributed to our anniversary book, Latymer 400.

There will be many fascinating letters and anecdotes from later eras in the history of the Latymer Upper and Foundation schools which will be familiar to our current alumni. Some of the recollections of those at the School in the 1960s will also be familiar to Latymerians from the 1970s and ‘80s, a portion of whom will have shared the same teachers.

The beauty of this extraordinary digital archive is that it will grow and expand over the years to include more recent student stories. With the help of our Latymer community this will be an ongoing process in which, together, we will create a unique chronicle of Latymer life well beyond the 400 years we’re currently celebrating.

The Latymer Social Archive launches in January 2024. Keep your eyes peeled for more details and information on how to contribute!

LATYMER SOCIAL ARCHIVE

We’re excited to be launching Latymer’s online archive in our anniversary year. This dynamic space will be created by our archive team and of course Latymerians, and will focus on school life throughout the ages.

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ROD SPENCER (1958): MEMORIES FROM KING STREET AND BEYOND

MEMORY LANE

Evacuation to Wales

I was accidentally born in Wales. My mother (nee Powell), was of good Welsh stock, but my father was an out and out Londoner. He worked for the Ministry of Public Buildings & Works, so I was evacuated from the capital to Rhyl. I lived for about nine years by the seaside and also in the Snowdonian village of Llanfair Talhairn. Both idyllic places. When we returned to London, we lived in a basement flat in Fulham, in stark contrast to the previous scenery we had enjoyed. By that time, I had three siblings, Merle, Alastair and Elaine, and we all attended Melcombe Junior School in Fulham Palace Road, nearly opposite what was then Charing Cross Hospital. Our parents must have had a policy to send all of us to different secondary schools. Merle, to Godolphin & Latymer (where she became head girl), Alastair to Westminster City, Elaine to Greycoat Hospital, and me to Latymer Upper. We must have been a pretty bright lot! We are all still alive and very much in touch, at the ages of 82, 78, 74 and 73.

I thought London a grim place and Hammersmith, in particular, has changed beyond all recognition. To get to the Metropolitan line station from the District & Piccadilly Station involved running the gauntlet of the traffic in the Broadway. There was no interchange under the Broadway as there is now. King Street seemed long and the only shops I can remember were the Co-op and Littlewoods.

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To get to school, I used either the 630 or the 628 trolleybus from the junction of Lillie Road and Fulham Palace Road, to the station in Hammersmith and then picked up the District line to Ravenscourt Park. The

magic moment came when the line rose out of the tunnel above the streets. We used to live dangerously, belting down the stairs of Ravenscourt Park and then crossing King Street.

My earliest memories of school are now quite hazy, but some still stick. I was very upset during my interview, but Wilkie was very kind and wrote a gentle letter, which I still have, 70 years on. My first experience of the playground, at that time undivided by the A4, included a tank. This was quite a fright, as despite rationing, we believed the war was over. My form teacher was Wally GRAUBERG (1941), another kind, thoughtful man, whom I met at the ‘57-58 reunion as recently as 2008.

That was the occasion when many friends, who had not met since our school days, carried on conversations as though the intervening years had simply not happened.

This was also the occasion that I met up with Basil SMITH (1958) and we have been in touch almost every day since. We have visited each other in Woodstock, Oxfordshire and Canterbury, Kent often.

Other favourite members of staff were Pop Wheelan who took the class over the road, to the shop on the corner, to treat us all on the day that sweets came off rationing.

Then there was Cliff Harman who opened my eyes to music. One morning, I caught up with him shaving in his office, with ‘never praise the Lord unshaven Spencer’.

Two other younger musicians were John Poole and John HURSEY (1952), both of whom became well known.

630 Trolleybus

MEMORY LANE

As for Percy Painting, he was a fine mathematician and ‘cellist, but poor Percy was often the butt of our jokes.

I used to help run the radio club, which operated inside a pink cupboard, just off the RAF room. This was in an upper room off the Hammersmith side of the long corridor. We contrived to wire the wind tunnel to the light switch, so when he put the lights on, his papers went everywhere. Poor Pers.

Wilkie’s MAD evening of entertainment

The chemists left their mark too. Dr John White, who was the organist of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, in the City, and Mr Cane who had just taken a sabbatical in Chicago. He took a group of us to the RFH to hear every concert of 20th century music that was available.

We used to sit in those seats behind the orchestra. I heard the first performances of the 10th Symphony

by Shostakovich. We used to get the bus to Barnes Station and travel up to Waterloo. Our first chemist was Dogsbody. The first thing I ever wrote was ‘Paper is scarce and you must not waste it’. I can still hear him talking.

The great times were the M.A.D. evenings in Hammersmith Town Hall, The Jantaculum - utterly mad, but with the embryonic talent that led to the Alan Rickmans of this world, and of course, The Hampshire Hog - one bar for us and one for the staff.

forward thinking at the time. Progressive and certainly not repressive, with a very caring staff.

What shaped us at Latymer? Well, we certainly were not drilled and we were encouraged to go our different ways. Wilkie was a very fine, humanitarian gentleman and he imparted a great amount of personal strength to each of us. The atmosphere was probably very

Later, when Colin Diggory was Head, we met several times on ISI inspections. It was extraordinary that many of our conversations were about people that we both knew, but 30 years apart. That was consistency.

Paulatim ergo certe

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Tom Roche is pictured (far right) during an industry panel discussion at Tottenham Hotspur stadium

CAREERS LESS ORDINARY

GAME ON: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF A CAREER IN SPORTS Tom ROCHE (1995) After leaving Latymer, Tom trained in Architecture before joining Skanska UK Construction as a Designer and Project/Planning Manager. In 2003, he took up his first role in sport, joining the Rugby World Cup in Australia as Ticketing Manager.

Sponsor ticketing. It was actually a really boring job six months counting seats, then tickets, then envelopes - but if something is worth doing it’s worth doing well, and I must have done an ok job because they hired me to run the whole operation at their next major event (which unfortunately meant moving to the Caribbean for two years!).

Tom has since held a number of positions across commercial sales and operations, event and venue planning, contract management and delivery, working on three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2015), two Olympic and Paralympic Games (2012 and 2015), two ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments (2007 and 2010) and the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He has lived and worked in Australia, France, the Caribbean and Azerbaijan.

How have you seen the sports industry change and evolve over the past 20 years, and what trends do you see emerging in the future?

Sport is now massive business, and any big business needs lots of people in lots of different roles. Right across the sector there are emerging and evolving jobs, and if you look at any major sports brand, club or association, they have people from most disciplines.

In 2018, Tom became a director of The Parker Company, the world’s largest sports event and hospitality procurement agent. He now advises major capital projects on the strategy and delivery of their procurement needs, currently working with Everton FC on their new stadium, Fulham FC on their new stand and hotel, and Chelsea FC on stadium upgrades and renovations. Next year he will be part of the venue development team for the ICC WT20 World Cup in the USA.

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What inspired you to pursue a career in the sports industry, and how did you get your start?

I didn’t actually actively pursue it. I think like lots of people, my career found me. After a few false starts at University, I had left and was working as a Project Manager in construction. I took a sabbatical to see the world a bit and I found myself in Sydney, Australia and in need of money. A friend of a friend of a friend was working on the Rugby World Cup 2003 and I ended up convincing him I could manage all the Corporate &

The future is definitely as much about technology and data as any other sector. That’s as true for player analysis as groundskeeping, from marketing to venue design and everything in between.

Can you talk about some of the most memorable experiences or events you’ve worked on during your career, and what made them stand out?

They’re all special in their own way. You become attached to every event and every project and you fall in love with every sport you work on because you’re so closely involved in it.

I’ve seen an England team win two world championships (the rugby team in 2003 and the cricket team in 2010) and I’ve seen individuals make history and break records. Working on London 2012 was extra special because it was an event at home and everyone got so into it. Working with the athletes behind the scenes you get caught up in their journey, and I had the honour of celebrating with them when they won medals.

MATHEMATICS TO MEDICINE: EPIDEMIOLOGY IN PRACTICE I came across epidemiology – the study of health and diseases in populations – during my undergraduate mathematics degree at Oxford, as part of a course in mathematical biology and ecology. We learnt about how maths can be used to model natural systems, including the way infectious diseases spread through populations.

After a year teaching maths in New Zealand, I went to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to study for a masters in Control of Infectious Diseases. My original plan during my MSc had been to combine this training with my background in maths, and do a PhD on mathematical modelling of infectious diseases. In the end, I realised I found the modelling too abstract and computational, and preferred the more practical and applied aspects of epidemiology: designing studies, collecting data and then working with colleagues to figure out what it all means.

I decided to stay at LSHTM after my masters, and that’s where I’ve worked ever since! I was first hired on a project looking at how to improve the quality of care that patients receive in private health facilities in Tanzania. The private sector is often overlooked in global health, with attention focused on governmentrun facilities. However, in Tanzania, there are many hospitals run by churches, and private clinics funded by government health insurance, and we estimate that up to about a third of healthcare is provided through the private sector. Regulation can be particularly

For someone who is just starting out in the industry, what advice would you give them to help them succeed and advance in their career?

Someone once said ‘try everything in your 20s, focus on what you’re good at in your 30s and build a career in your 40s’. I said yes to every opportunity when it came along, moving countries, changing job types and specialism over and over. One thing I always did, and still do now, was stay in touch with people and network well. People I worked alongside years ago are now in very senior positions at the top of elite sport and I collaborate with lots of them because I kept in touch all that time.

Can you talk about some of the different roles and career paths that are available within the sports industry, and what someone might expect from each of them?

Sport is simply the ‘subject matter’ and you’ll find pretty much any job type or career within it. Lawyer, Doctor, Marketing, IT, Design, Analytics, you name it there’s a role in sport somewhere. It’s a great opportunity to take something you’re good at and combine it with something you love. If sport captures your imagination or is special to you as a fan or player, then it’s an opportunity to work within something of interest with whatever speciality you choose to pursue.

weak, which is why it’s important to ensure care is of a good quality. I also did my PhD on data I collected from this project, looking at unnecessary healthcare (for example, antibiotics for a cough or cold) in private clinics.

Last year I changed career direction, and moved from global health into working on the NHS. It’s different; we have access to incredibly rich (though anonymised) hospital data. My current work is on liver disease: many people don’t realise they have it until it’s at an advanced and irreversible stage, and will first be diagnosed after attending A&E. Our aim is to analyse the huge amount of existing data (around 10,000 patients a year have a first diagnosis of liver disease as an emergency in England) to identify if there are factors which improve survival: swift referral to a hepatologist, early admission to intensive care, or the support of an alcohol care team to help the patient give up drinking (the majority, though definitely not all, of chronic liver disease is alcohol-related).

Being a junior academic can be busy. I need to stay on top of the latest research in epidemiology, review papers by my colleagues and those sent to me by medical journals, write and publish my own work, present at conferences, and build collaborations to apply for grant funding for new projects. I also teach postgraduate students at LSHTM, many of whom go on to work for governments around the world shaping health policy. I feel lucky to be able to spend my working day asking questions which really matter, and coming up with fun (I am just a bit of a data nerd!) ways to answer them.

I’m going to be leaving LSHTM and starting a new adventure this autumn, as I join the Behavioural Insights Team in their international development department.

CAREERS LESS ORDINARY

Jess KING (2010)

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of accomplishing, and what are your goals for the future?

The beauty of sport, especially big events, is that everything culminates in some way. There’s always a start, a tournament, a final, a winner. It’s finite so you always get the accomplishment of simply making it happen, being part of it. You’re proud of it all really because it all takes the time, the effort and the commitment to make it happen so it’s deeply satisfying to see it come together.

The future? Right now I’m working on multiple projects and I’m just focused on making them a success first. We open the new training ground for QPR FC this year, the new stand and hotel for Fulham FC next year and then the new stadium for Everton FC the year after that. We have major projects in Africa and the Middle East and some longer term plans with major sports federations and events.

But, opportunity is always around the corner and I haven’t stopped saying yes to new things just yet. I could go overseas again or move roles, but right now I’m doing what I love and I know I’m lucky to have that so I’m probably not going anywhere too soon.

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75 YEARS OF THE GERMAN EXCHANGE 10

ORIGINS OF THE JOHANNEUM EXCHANGE Many of the best things about Latymer (such as the beloved Activities Week) began during the headship of Fred ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson (1937-1957). However, one of his most enduring acts was to establish the link with the Johanneum School in Hamburg.

1949 in Hamburg

Wilkie’s pro-European sentiments were well understood: he was quoted as saying “somehow we have got to enlarge our patriotism so that we may feel the same degree of loyalty to Europe as we do to our own country”. However, less well known is the very personal reason he had for reaching out the hand of friendship to Germany after the second world war.

It was 1916 and a young Wilkie had just arrived in the trenches of the First World War. Wilkie was only 19 and made a rookie’s mistake, lifting his head above the parapet to peer out – only to find himself staring straight at a German soldier’s rifle aimed at his head.

To his surprise, the German soldier, peering above the parapet of his own trench, lowered his rifle and made a peaceful gesture. Wilkie never forgot that debt, and sought to repay it when the opportunity presented itself in 1947 to form a link between Latymer and the Johanneum that he dubbed “an experiment in friendship”. This was a move that was visionary, humanitarian and – as all the best acts of visionary humanity are – controversial. It required special permission from the Home Office and it is worth noting that many Hammersmith residents felt uneasy about such an alliance.

Johanneum Exchange: A Timeline 1946

1947

1949

First contact between Latymer Headmaster, Frederick Wilkinson, and Senator Landahl in Hamburg.

Walter Grauberg (1939), Latymerian language teacher, visits the Johanneum.

5 Johanniter and Herr von Allworden visit London. Nigel Spearing travelled to Hamburg in September 1949 and stayed with his exchange partner Karl-Erich at the Korte family home on the first visit to Hamburg by Latymer and they remained life-long friends.

1949 Return visit of the English group. An unbroken exchange ever since. e.

The Latymerian, Autumn 1949 “The Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums and Latymer Upper School, both seve old, have at last found one ral centuries another. Now that they are together, they are trying experiment whose success out an depends upon us all and upon how long we can mak e it last.

“Let me tell you what our experiment signifies to me.

I like to call it ‘an experim friendship.’ and in the use ent in of the word ‘friendship’ I hope that we shall achieve deeper meaning than just a much the periodical enjoyment of one another’s society. succeed permanently, it seem For it to s to me that our experim ent will need to grow into association of individuals a personal whose feelings for one ano ther will be so firmly root will be unaffected either ed that they by political passion or eco nomic necessity. The time in are so fraught with strif s we live e that any lesser meaning could not stand the test of circumstances. modern …No matter however man y paper contracts may be signed by statesmen on our matter how ingeniously con m behalf, no trived may be the articles of their clever constitution unio u n will be still-born unti s, European l it has become the natural and passionate practice of man to make his friendsh m the common ips where-ever he likes.”

1950 The exchange continues

1954

X Latymerian Magazine,

425th anniversary of founding of the Johanneum. Mr Wilkinson visits Hamburg and speaks on the radio.

Autumn 1950

S Hamburg Airport, 1954 - Mr. Wilkinson is

(alongside Swedish Exchange Students)

greeted by Professor Hans Opperman

1955

1965

Memories of Latymerian John MacMillan (Class of 1958).

Latymer School hosts international BBC quiz programme.

“The weather was gloriously sunny for our whole stay. There were several organised outings, including one to Lübeck and to a beach on the Baltic, the Timmendorfer Strand, not far from the DDR border. We swam in the sea and the strongest swimmer was Dr Russland, the Johanneum English teacher in charge of our trip. This was remarkable because he had only one arm and only the forefinger of his right hand. He unstrapped his artificial arm, plunged in and swam like a fish.

In fact I was struck by the number of men I saw with fingers or limbs missing. The most shocking was a man begging in the street; he had no legs at all and was ‘sitting’ on a little tray with wheels. It made one think.”

Top of the Form was a popular BBC Radio Programme that ran for decades on the Light Programme and Radio 2. Schools queued up to take part. An invitation was as prized as to a Buckingham Palace tea party, so when approacheded to host the first – and only – International Quiz, Latymer Upper School was duly flattered.

1978

1979

First Exchange with Godolphin & Shillerschule, Frankfurt.

450th Anniversary celebrations at the Johanneum. Mr Isaac (Head), Mr Terry (Second Master) and Mr Perkins attend.

X Memorial service for Mr Wilkinson at Latymer Upper School.

X 1979 - Photo taken during 450th Anniversary

1981

1988

1993

First Exchange including Godolphin er and Latymer School & First Orchestra Exchange.

40th Anniversary of the exchange celebrations at Latymer Upper School.

Dr Bornitz, Headmaster of the Johanneum, opens the new extension of Latymer Prep School and is Guest of Honour at Prize Giving.

X 1988 - Letter from Gunther von Allworden, Senior Language Master, for the 40th Anniversary S 1993 - Johanneum reception in the

main hall. Ms. Rudland, Mr. Diggory & the Mayor of Hammersmith

1995

1998

Centenary of Latymer Upper School. The Johanneum Orchestra joins in the celebrations.

50th Anniversary of Latymer Upper and 20th Anniversary of Godolphin and Latymer exchange.

The Latymer Orchestra visits Hamburg in April. 194 pupils and teachers attend the concert, and the Mayor of Hamburg, Ortwin Rundr, welcomes the schools to the Rathaus. A celebration dinner is hosted at the Anglo-German Club.

2008 60th Anniversary of the LatymerJohanneum Exchange and 30th Anniversary for Godolphin & Latymer.

W Latymerian Magazine

2008 - Group photo, Hamburg

W Nigel Spearing & Karl-Erich Korte, 50th and 20th Anniversary, Rathaus Hamburg

75 YEARS OF THE GERMAN EXCHANGE

S 1950 Johanneum Exchange Pupils at Latymer

2023 75th Anniversary of Latymer Upper School and 45th Anniversary of Godolphin & Latymer School Exchange.

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75 YEARS OF THE GERMAN EXCHANGE 12

2023 marks 75 years since Latymer Upper School’s inspiring Head, Frederick ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson launched a revolutionary ‘experiment in friendship’ – a school exchange with the Johanneum in Germany.

In 1948, London and Hamburg still bore the scars of war and organising such an exchange would have taken great persistence from all at Latymer and the Johanneum. We have these early pioneers to thank for helping to create the longest running Anglo-German school exchange – and of course the life-long friendships which have formed over the years, between our pupils and staff.

In 1978, Godolphin & Latymer joined forces with us, and all three schools continue to maintain strong and active links. For over 35 years there has also been an active music exchange. All these contacts bring incalculable benefits to everyone involved.

To mark the 75th anniversary of this remarkable exchange, and to celebrate the partnership between our three schools, a celebratory Dinner was held on 12 October 2023 at Latymer.

Head of German, Charlotte Healy and Deputy Head - Academic, Ian Emerson

Graham SANSOM (1966) and Johanneum exchange partner, Werner Vogel

At this celebration, we enjoyed hearing about the past, present and future of the exchange from representatives of our three schools. It is striking how the brave origins of the exchange in 1948 still have so much relevance today. The highlight of the evening was hearing how our Latymerians’ experiences have ranged widely over the years, but still share the same core values.

Love. Liebe. Lyubov.

We would love to see you at the premiere of Love.

Liebe. Lyubov. - a play by Latymerian Playwright Ruby THOMAS (2009) to tell the origin story of the LatymerJohanneum exchange. Bookings open soon.

Find out more on the back page of this edition of the Latymerian.

SCHOOL NEWS SPORT:

COMMUNITY: Q In July the BRAY family, including Max (2023) and Bella (2021), climbed Mount Kilmanjaro raising £6000 for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of Christian WHITE (2023). They said, “It was a tough climb but Christian was with us every step of the way.”

exams (except for Maths and English Language) with our own internally-assessed courses for students in Year 10 from 2027. This will be the year group joining us in September 2024. The coming four years give us the time and opportunity to develop further the work that has begun on our enriching and exciting new curriculum.

Students will still follow a scholarly curriculum which will stretch all learners to their full potential and in which traditional subjects such as Science, Geography, History, Classics, Modern Languages, etc are taught to the highest levels in long courses (a little like the time we currently give to a GCSE subject). In addition, we will also be developing short courses, like the electives that we currently run in the Sixth Form, which will be interdisciplinary, dynamic, and creative.

DRAMA: Latymer’s tradition for putting on excellent plays continues. In October, the Middle School play, Moliere’s The Hypochondriac was a huge success, followed in December by the Whole School play, the musical Chicago.

Q In October half term, as part of our membership of the Round Square organisation, a group of Latymer students went to Kenya to take part in the latest International Conference. Round Square connects 230 schools in 50 countries to collaborate on world class programmes and experiences that develop global competence, character, and confidence in young people.

ACADEMIA: Q In August 93% of our Upper Sixth students were awarded grades A*-B in their A Levels and 77% were grades A/A*. Most leavers headed off to their first choice of university including Yale, Brown, Oxbridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Imperial, LSE, St Andrew’s and UCL. Q The GCSE results were similarly spectacular: 94% of all grades were 7-9 (A* equivalent) with over half (57%) grade 9s.

Q In October, 10 students qualified for the British Mathematical Olympiad- the School’s best ever resultwhich means they are amongst the country’s top 1000 young mathematicians.

LATYMER WINS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY We are absolutely delighted to have been named the Winner at the Independent School of the Year Awards, in the category of ‘Contribution to Social Mobility.’ At the ceremony at The Law Society on Tuesday 10th October, the Chair of Judges Dr Helen Wright spoke of Latymer’s long-standing commitment to social mobility and bursaries, stretching back throughout our 400 years and permeating the culture in every aspect of the School.

Our Inspiring Minds campaign has more than doubled the number of students supported by bursaries, surpassing its original fundraising target of £40 million, a year ahead of schedule. From 115 students in 2014, to 274 in 2023-24, over 1 in 5 students are studying at Latymer thanks to a means-tested bursary, at an average of 83% of fees. Our goal remains for that to increase to 1 in 4 by the end of the Latymer Foundation’s 400th anniversary year in 2024.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM REFORM

ACTIVITIES WEEK

As you know, Latymer has always been at the forefront and vanguard of educational thinking. We are sharing some exciting news about the reform we are planning for our middle school curriculum (Years 9-11), and in particular our proposals to provide something better than the current national GCSE provision.

For over 60 years, Latymer’s Activities Week has been one of the highlights in the School calendar – a week of adventure where students immerse themselves in exciting activities, forge new friendships and tackle thrilling challenges together.

For the past four years we have been researching and consulting at the highest educational levels (universities, employers, fellow educationalists, colleagues, parents and students themselves) on how best to provide a more robust and relevant educational offering in our middle school (Years 9-11). As a consequence of this rigorous research we have taken the decision to replace GCSE

SCHOOL NEWS

Over the summer, Latymer rowers, Alec and Leopold, raced for GB in the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Amsterdam.

They won Gold and Silver medals, allowing the team to win the overall Team Trophy.

This year, students from Years 7-10 and 12 set out on over 30 trips both in the UK and abroad. Our students had the time of their lives, horse riding, hiking, exploring iconic landmarks & museums, bowling, cruising the river, zooming down zip wires and so much more.

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PREVIOUS EVENTS

EVENTS ROUNDUP

Henley Royal Regatta 2023 27 June - 2 July 2023 We were delighted to have both Latymer’s Boys and Girls crews qualify for the Henley Royal Regatta again this year. We hosted a series of events from a Brunch, kindly hosted at the home of Adam TOOP (1984), our annual Henley Afternoon Tea, organised by Olympian and Henley Chair Elect, Richard PHELPS (1983), to a Lunch for the parents of our Girls 1st VIII, concluding the week with the annual Henley BBQ for our young alumni. The Girls 1st VIII competed in Latymer’s boat named after former Team Captain, Martin WADE (1961).

Former Head, David Goodhew’s Leaving Reception 28 June 2023 Around 300 guests gathered in the Piazza for The Parents’ Gild’s farewell party in honour of former head, David Goodhew. Latymer Upper School achieved many successes over the past decade under David’s leadership.

He will be remembered fondly and sorely missed.

Join us in the Archive 15 November 2023 We were thrilled to be joined once again by our much treasured Latymerians for a trip down memory lane. We so enjoy the opportunity to hold these Archive Teas to share and add to our Archive. These events provide us with the chance to learn more about Latymer’s rich, long history from those who know it best, our very own alumni.

AI Panel Debate – Realities, Risks and Opportunities 21 November 2023 Over 200 guests gathered in Latymer’s Theatre to hear three of the UK’s leading experts in Artificial Intelligence - Sir Nick Clegg (President, Global Affairs, Meta), Jimmy Wales (CoFounder, Wikipedia and Mark Holden, moderated

by Lily COLE (2006) (Actor & Entrepreneur), for a fascinating discussion on this thought-provoking, and often contentious subject. The event raised over £1700 for the Upper School Bursaries Appeal!

110th Latymerians’ Dinner 30 November 2023

Inspiring Minds Launch Reception 28 September 2023 It was fabulous to see so many attendees at the Inspiring Minds Launch this September! We welcomed our new Head, Susan Wijeratna and celebrated how far the Inspiring Minds Campaign has come since its initial launch in 2014. As well as hearing from the new Head and Amanda Scott, Executive Director of the Latymer Foundation, we heard two very moving journeys from recent leavers, Ghaith AL NAJJAR (2020) and Barfin HASSANI KARBASI (2023) about their life-changing Latymer education – not a dry eye in the room.

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A fabulous time was had by Latymerians of all generations at one of the longest-running Latymerian traditions, the Latymerians’ Annual Dinner. This traditional event began 110 years ago and barring two world wars and a covid-induced lockdown, our alumni have returned to the School each year to enjoy good food and great company in Latymer’s iconic Main Hall.

Jan BIEGALA (2022) was the youngest Latymerian in attendance, and our Father of the House was John FREEMAN (1953).

Festive Wreathmaking Masterclass 09 December 2023 The festive season once again got off to a great start with floral expert, Latymer Prep parent, and sister of Ben HANDS-WICKS (2002), Becky Hands-Wicks hosting our annual wreathmaking masterclasses. Attendees learned the history and technique of wreath-making while sipping on bubbly and crafting their own traditional wreath to adorn their door!

The masterclasses raised £2,700 for the Prep Bursary Fund!

DATES FOR THE DIARY

You are invited to visit and view the gallery through the daytime and to join us on Wednesday 7 February for the launch party, please visit the Latymer Foundation website to sign up.

Peter Pan – The Staff Pantomime 17-20 January 2024 The staff wrote another panto? Oh yes they did!

Our anniversary year gets off to a rollicking start with a firm family favourite, the staff panto – this year a special Latymer rendition of Peter Pan. Join us in Neverland (aka the Edward Latymer Theatre) for this very special run of performances.

400th Anniversary Launch 25 January 2024 Join us as we celebrate a remarkable milestone – the 400th Anniversary of the Latymer Foundation and tribute to the past, present and future of Latymer.

We’ll also be showcasing ‘Latymer 400’, our incredible history book celebrating the Latymer Foundation’s 400th anniversary.

Latymerians, including leading historians, along with staff members past and present, have all contributed to writing and researching the book.

As part of the events at Cromwell Place, we’re having a special reunion for all our alumni under 40 - with a particular focus on key anniversary years. Join your former classmates and teachers at our reunion drinks reception from 6.308.30pm – and let all your school friends know too - we may not have their contact details. We look forward to seeing you all and hearing your news!

On the Road: Bristol 26 February2023 Attention all alumni studying, working and living around Bristol! We will be heading to Bristol during a series of regional alumni events and we hope you will join us to rekindle your old school connections or network with fellow Latymerians. We would love to see you for a catch up and to share our plans for the upcoming 400th anniversary of the Latymer Foundation. To register your interest please email events@latymerfoundation.org.

On the Road: Manchester 27 February 2023 We will be heading to Manchester in February during a series of regional alumni events!

We hope you will join us to rekindle your old school connections or network with fellow Latymerians studying, working and living around Manchester. We would love to see you for a catch up and to share our plans for the upcoming 400th anniversary of the Latymer Foundation. To register your interest please email events@latymerfoundation.org.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Under 40s Reunion Reception Cromwell Place, South Kensington 08 February 2024

400th Commemorative School Play Premiere of Love, Liebe, Lyubov 08 and 09 March 2024 Written by Latymerian and Playwright Ruby THOMAS (2009), this newlycommissioned play tells the story of how the first student exchange between Latymer Upper School and the Johanneum in Hamburg came about.

Celebration of Art Cromwell Place, South Kensington 6-10 February 2024 The Latymer Foundation and Head of Art, David Mumby invite you to a reunion of artistic talents at our alumni celebration of art exhibition. The exhibition will celebrate the achievements of the many Latymer alumni who have progressed into careers in the Creative Industries in London and beyond.

Exclusive Guided Tour of the Imperial War Museum with Taylor Downing 16 March 2024 Join us for a guided tour of the Imperial War Museum and gain a unique perspective on the history of warfare and hear fascinating stories brought to life by historian and Latymerian, Taylor DOWNING’s (1971) expertise. After the tour we will gather for a friendly drink and chat at a nearby pub!

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400th Anniversary Concert at Cadogan Hall 21 March 2024

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Join us for a monumental evening at one of London’s most prestigious concert venues, Cadogan Hall.

You’ll be captivated by a special performance from our student musicians and Latymerian Raphael WALLFISCH (1971) in honour of the Latymer Foundation’s 400th Anniversary.

If you can’t wait until then, Raphael will also be playing in a concert at school in February, please get in touch for more information and to come along.

The Boat Race & 60th Anniversary of the LUSBC Boathouse 30 March 2024 Latymer’s Boathouse is 60 years old! What better way to celebrate than with a bird’s eye view of the annual Boat Race from our newly refurbished and iconic boathouse on the bank of the River Thames.

Whether you are supporting Oxford or Cambridge, the Latymer Boathouse offers an unrivalled vantage point as the two teams race the 4.2 miles along the River Thames. By invitation only - please contact events@ latymerfoundation.org if you were a Latymer rower and would like to attend.

1624 Legacy Society Afternoon Tea Reception 09 May 2024 Always a wonderful event, our legators are at the heart of Latymer’s community.

This annual event is hosted by the President of the 1624 Society, James GRAHAM (1976) and Latymer’s Head, Susan Wijeratna, for those who have included a legacy to the Latymer Foundation in their will. The afternoon sees legators of all ages come together to enjoy each other’s company over a delicious afternoon tea.

Leaving a ‘Latymer Legacy of Learning’ as a gift in your will can help future generations of young people achieve their dream of a Latymer education. It is straightforward, tax efficient, and free of Inheritance Tax, so your gift can reduce the amount of tax your estate would otherwise have to pay. To find out more, please get in touch with Megan Bruns on mhb@latymerfoundation.org.

AUTUMN TERM 2024 Festival of Sport 28 September 2024 This Festival is all about esprit de corps. Sporting prowess is not a requirement, but joining in and having fun very much is! The classic 2Bridges run known to alumni as the Briault/Round the River run, will be followed by tag rugby, football, netball and a finale of rounders. Bring your own lunch, or sample the delights from our food trucks and BBQ. Whether you’re a picnicker or a participator, all ages and abilities are welcome to this family-friendly festival, which will take place at, and coincide with the official opening of Latymer’s new sports ground in Chiswick.

111th Latymerians’ Dinner 10 October 2024 On the eve of the 400th Anniversary Founder’s Day Service, Latymerians are invited to join their fellow alumni at one of our longest-running traditions – the 111th Annual Dinner. With special guest speaker David CRESSY (1963), Humanities Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University, USA - we look forward to seeing Latymerians of all generations join together for good food and great company. We do hope you can join us in October 2024 for both the Latymerians’ Dinner and then Founder’s Day on the following day.

Founder’s Day St. Paul’s Cathedral 11 October 2024 In honour of the Latymer Foundation’s 400th anniversary, we will gather in St Paul’s Cathedral for our special 2024 Founder’s Day celebrations.

Old Latymerians’ Cricket 02, 09, & 16 June 2024 Calling all fans of the wicket for Old Latymerians’ Cricket!

We’d love you to join the Old Latymerians Cricket Club for tea and cricket at the Wood Lane sports grounds. Old Latymerians Cricket should appeal if you wish to continue playing but don’t want to tie yourself to the demands of week-in, week-out club cricket.

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Find further details in the Latymerians’ cricket group on www.LatymerConnects.com

To register for any of our events please visit ‘Events’ on our website www.latymerfoundation.org or email events@latymerfoundation.org for more information.

FONDLY REMEMBERED Q Robert BENBOW (1955) Q Derek MORATH (1950) Q Ian PETTIFER (1953) Q Michael CLARKE (1975) Q Geoffrey HARRIS (1962) Q Stuart DERWENT (1962) Q Derek GADD (1950) Q Charles NEWMAN (1954) Q Dave MAY (1953) Q Mark PITELEN (1973) Q John Victor GEORGE (1943) Q Michael MESSENGER (1951)

Q Reverend Peter SIMPSON We are grateful to Malcolm Smith, former teacher and archivist, for the following tribute.

Peter Simpson, formerly Latymer’s Head of Economics and Chaplain, died in September at the age of 70 after a lengthy illness.

Educated at Leeds Grammar School and University College London, Peter was appointed as Head of Economics in 1990, coming from a lectureship at Queen’s University in Belfast. The then Headmaster, Martin Pavey, also appointed him to lead the 34th Hammersmith (Latymer Upper School) Scout Group, something Peter particularly delighted in.

A man of profound faith, on moving to London he was received into the Roman Catholic Church, was ordained as a Permanent Deacon (the Latymer Scouts playing an especially significant role in his ordination service) and served in the parish of St Thomas Aquinas, Ham, as well as at Westminster Cathedral where he served as Deacon at Cardinal Hume’s funeral. He was Chaplain to the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and even composed an ‘acrostic’ hymn, the initial letters of each line of which spelled out ‘Latymer Upper School’.

When appointed as School Chaplain in 2000, he quickly arranged the refurbishment of the Chapel, revitalising it considerably. Many in the Latymer community will have been grateful for his calm and kindly pastoral care. Alongside his Economics teaching, Peter took on responsibility for Religious Studies in the Preparatory School. He also led cooking sessions for the Saturday School programme, and Activities Week courses on food and cookery. His barbecues may well be especially remembered, and it was Peter who successfully nominated Marcia, the School Chef, for the award of ‘School Chef of the Year’. He also organised sixth form visits to Northern Ireland to study Ulster’s intricate politico-economic situation, and meet significant figures at Stormont. Peter was Chief A Level Examiner in Economics for the Northern Ireland Examinations Board.

Following his retirement from Latymer in 2008 he moved to Scotland; he taught at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness, studied at the Highland School of Theology, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, as well as an MPhil Degree in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at Leeds University. He continued his church work, firstly in St Columba’s church in Culloden, and then at the Scottish Episcopal Cathedral of St Andrew in Inverness. He moved to York in 2018.

Peter used to introduce the subject of Economics with the concept that ‘a lighthouse is a shining example of a public good’. This seems to sum up Peter’s teaching and ministry rather well.

As he himself would have said when conducting others’ funerals, ‘May he rest in peace and rise in glory.’

Q Roger GILLETT (1952) We are grateful to Roger’s son, Stephen, for the following tribute.

Roger was understated, humorous, and worrying as always about everyone and everything until the end a few weeks ago at 89. Roger was very proud of his Latymer experience and often mentioned that the Latymerian had arrived.

He took early retirement after many decades as an Auditor for London Transport, and enjoyed many long weekends away exploring the farflung corners of the United Kingdom, never happier than off the beaten track miles from anywhere after a very full breakfast in a good hotel.

OBITUARIES

We mark the following Latymerians who have sadly passed away recently.

Roger spent his National Service in the Royal Navy as a Radar Operator. He met his wife and many friends in the Cyclists Touring Club, and was a devoted family man who was always happy to help anyone. He loved crosswords, football and Formula 1, with a great deal of discretely kept knowledge inside that head.

Q Philip GROSSE (1952) We are grateful to Philip’s brother, Gerald GROSSE (1954), for the following tribute.

Philip enjoyed languages at Latymer and went on to study German and Russian at St Catherine’s College Cambridge. After teaching English in Germany, where he met his future wife Maisie, he returned to the UK to join IBM and later transferred to their Belfast office. Later he worked for the Northern Ireland Education Board and, on retirement, moved to Maisie’s home town of Clogher in County Tyrone where he became a well known figure. He was a passionate bird watcher and ringer, regularly submitting data to the BTO. He also became treasurer to the local agricultural show and was sometimes asked to make announcements over the loudspeakers in his London accent! He died at 89, shortly before his 63rd wedding anniversary.

Q Trevor CUNNINGHAM (1971) We are grateful to Trevor’s brother, Graham CUNNINGHAM (1975) for the following tribute.

Trevor joined Latymer Prep school in 1962 and left the main school after his O Levels in 1969. He did not have an easy time at School and, as his younger brother, I learnt quickly that declaring I was related was not advantageous!

After leaving School, Trevor went to Hammersmith College to complete his O and A Levels and then on to St Lukes College Exeter. However, teaching was not for him and eventually Trevor worked at the Inland Revenue.

He spent much of his career in the Capital Taxes Office where he met his future wife, Barbara, marrying in 1987.

Latterly, Trevor was the lead technical officer during the introduction of the Construction Industry scheme.

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OBITUARIES

Trevor was very active in the Civil Service Union and was a shop steward for more than 10 years. In later years, Trevor’s interests mellowed into participation in the Civil Service Wine Appreciation Society, a love of cooking and gardening whilst maintaining our mutual love affair with Fulham Football Club and cricket. From his early twenties Trevor trained regularly and, when he and Barbara settled in Loughton, he set about his lifelong dream of building a swimming pool. Trevor and his frequent guests spent many hours drifting aimlessly on inflatable armchairs and loungers whilst sampling Trevor’s excellent wine cellar and his cooking, whilst listening to the dulcet tones of Test Match Special.

In later years Trevor dedicated himself to the care of others, initially to our parents and more recently for his wife after she had contracted Parkinsons. He was one of the most argumentative, self opinionated individuals on the planet and yet the most generous friend to those who knew him.

Peter was much loved and will be greatly missed by his family.

Q Sir Michael BOYD (1973) Sir Michael was artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) between 2003 and 2012.

Boyd’s tenure at the RSC saw him direct a cycle of eight of Shakespeare’s historical plays in the space of just two years, a process he admitted left him exhausted but satisfied.

A statement from Boyd’s family said: “Theatre director Michael Boyd has died from cancer. His career took him from training in Moscow to artistic directorships at the Tron theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.”

Q Peter GENTRY (1946) We are grateful to Peter’s daughter, Anne, for this tribute.

Peter was born in Hammersmith, London in July 1929, and died in Wellington, Somerset in December 2022, aged 93 years.

As a schoolboy at Latymer, whilst ‘mucking around’ with friends on the river bank, he developed a lifelong fascination with sailing barges, which he researched and photographed extensively - both along the London riverside and in east coast ports where he stayed in the summer holidays.

Peter trained as a teacher at the College of St Mark and St John in Chelsea, qualifying in 1948. He was a talented sportsman, a member of the school football team and later in his college’s football, cricket and athletics first teams. He took up his first post teaching Geography and Sport, first at a school in North Kensington, and later at Westminster Cathedral Junior School. On Saturdays he played football for Harrow Town Football Club.

Peter married his wife, Margaret, in 1951. Soon after their wedding, Peter was diagnosed with TB, which halted his sporting activities, and forced a change in the direction of his career, involving re-training to study Engineering, Physics and Chemistry, before moving in 1958 to Exeter in Devon to teach at the Central Technical College, later Exeter College.

As the college expanded and took on sixth form subjects in addition to vocational courses, Peter became head of the college admissions and careers department, a post which he occupied until his retirement in 1983.

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was captain of the local cricket club, and organised ‘Exeter Tennis Week’ tournament for many years. He was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Award for service to the City of Exeter in 2002, and his community service was further recognised with an invitation to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party.

Peter never lost his passion for research into barges, compiling a database, taking photographs and regularly visiting the Medway ports. He also had a lifelong interest in steam locomotives and railways, encouraged from an early age by his Uncle Les, who was Deputy Superintendent of the GWR line at Paddington Station, and who often took him as a small boy to out-of-bounds parts of the station. He had a clockwork Hornby ‘O’ Gauge train layout, and he toured all over London on trainspotting expeditions. As a schoolboy he corresponded with fellow trainspotter Ian Allan, who after the war became a major publisher of railway books and magazines. Of the two short books which he wrote on local history, one was inevitably devoted to ‘The Railways in Whipton’.

Peter and Margaret lived in Whipton, Exeter for over 50 years, and were at the heart of the community there.

Peter was instrumental in setting up and running Whipton Community Association which raised funds to convert a redundant church into a thriving community centre. Peter

Q David WOOD (1971) We are grateful to David’s friend, Edward TIPPELT (1971) for this tribute.

During our time at Latymer, David was a keen engineer and we would build steam boilers to drive small steam engines, During this time he also built a beautiful scale locomotive which he kept for a lifetime.

I remember sunny days at Horsenden Hill flying his radio controlled glider, and also helping him with the soldering when he built a binary computer which he later brought into School to show everyone.

Dave was born in Botley in Oxford to two mathematicians who met while working on computers at Cambridge during World War Two; one of Dave’s prized possessions was a report on the vibration calculations his mother did for the Mosquito’s propellers.

As a small child, Dave had a small model sailing barge which he would take to a local pond to sail it across. On one occasion a lady who was sat on a bench watched him do this a few times and, as he knelt to pick up the barge for his return leg, said, “I’ll give you a shilling if you can get it to go back the other way.” Needless to say after setting the rudder and trimming his sails, he got his shilling.

His passion for engineering that started with model boats grew. He learnt how to use a lathe and built a model marine steam engine as a teenager.

Indeed it was building this that got him into UCL to study naval architecture and an apprenticeship at Vosper Thornycroft. Engineering was not just his passion, it was a huge part of who he was and how he thought. He worked on hovercraft, on ships for Oman, Brasil, America, the Saudis, and of course the Royal Navy. He contributed to two world record holders - Mirabella V, the tallest single masted sailing yacht in the world, and Sea Wraith - the stealthiest warship design ever. Some of his ships are in service with the Ukrainian Navy.

He most enjoyed working on Sentinel, a smaller coastguard boat because, as part of a smaller team, he had to solve more engineering problems. He loved to solve technical challenges, designing underfloor heating systems, installing solar arrays, rebuilding classic cars or helping to convert motor torpedo boats into ferries in Corfu. He even started a number of projects converting ex-military vessels into yachts, Dave lived a full life and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Q Reginald Leslie HENDER (1960) We are grateful to Reginald’s wife, Janet, for the following tribute.

Q Paul WOELFEL (1963) We are grateful to Paul’s brother, Martin WOELFEL (1969) for the following tribute.

Paul passed away on 15 October 2022 in Orewa, north of Auckland, New Zealand where he had lived since 1966.

He leaves a partner, a widow, three children, two step children, numerous grandchildren, step grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Q Evan LAWLEY (1950) We are grateful to Evan’s daughter, Joy, for the following tribute.

Evan was born in London on October 7 1931 into a family of modest means. Thanks to Latymer School’s generous scholarship system, Evan benefitted from a privileged education. He enjoyed rowing for his school and being a boy scout, becoming a young scout leader when in the upper school. He also enjoyed singing in the school choir and later brought his singing voice to Crosthwaite church as a member of the congregation and also as a member of the Keswick Mountain Singers.

Despite the relative luxury of attending Latymer, Evan suffered the hardships of being a young boy growing up in London during the late 1930s/early 1940s. He witnessed the heavy bombardment of London during the Blitz of the Second World War with his own home situated off the Fulham Palace Road, receiving a direct hit from a firebomb. He also witnessed the destruction of houses in his street and the loss of life of one of his school friends.

Despite these hardships, he could recall fonder memories of taking refuge from the air raids, deep down in the underground, sleeping on the Piccadilly Line with his younger sister, and trying to persuade the American soldiers to give up their chocolate supplies!

Evan gravitated towards all things technical and was interested in all things scientific, electrical, and mechanical. He became adept at fixing things and taking things apart in order to understand how they worked.

After leaving school, he worked as a mining technician in Penrith. It was while working in Cumbria, through one of his Latymer School Masters; that he met his wife Mary.

Upon meeting Mary, his life moved away from London and into the area of Keswick and Thornthwaite, where Mary lived and ran her own little Cumbrian tea shop.

After marriage, they moved to Leeds where Evan trained to be a teacher of woodwork, design and technology.

Mary and Evan stayed in Leeds for over 30 years, returning to Cumbria in 1992.

Evan had a number of passions, these included Scouts and, while living in Leeds, he helped out at a local Scout troop. He was a keen amateur radio ham enthusiast communicating with other enthusiasts locally but also all over the world, using elaborate two-way radio systems installed both in the family car and in the attic of the family home in Leeds. Evan’s passions and interests remained practical, technical, and hi-tech throughout his long life.

Q Martin ILSLEY (1954) We are grateful to Martin’s daughter, Jen, for the following tribute Martin attended Latymer Upper School from 1949 before completing his National Service, partly in Aden, Yemen.

When he returned, he studied to become an accountant at Peat Marwick and Price Waterhouse before working at Miles Laboratories, Bristol Myers and he was Financial Director at Carnation.

He was a keen Rotarian for many years and throughout his life, he was never far from the water, tinkering with boats at Marlow Sailing Club and in East Portlemouth, South Devon. The family would like to invite people to donate to the RNLI in his memory due to his love of boats and his admiration of those who volunteer for this wonderful charity.

OBITUARIES

Les always spoke very fondly of his school days. After Latymer, he went on to Clare College, Cambridge before joining the workforce as systems analyst and computer programmer in local government in London, then Staffordshire and later for Bass brewery company. He dearly enjoyed receiving his copy of the Latymerian magazine.

Evan could fix and repair things and had a tool and a gadget for almost every scenario. His neighbours in Keswick appreciated and benefitted from these skills and he enjoyed helping his neighbours.

Martin died on Friday 20th January 2023 with his wife and youngest daughter by his side. He is succeeded by his wife, children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister, and cousins.

Q Bruce David OLIVER (1966) Known as ‘BOD’ by his friends in the CCF. He had been living in Estepona, Spain for the last 30 plus years. Bruce sadly passed away on 23rd October, short of his 76th birthday.

Q Jon JONES (1964) A retired Geology Professor at the University of Calgary, Jon was an avid mountain climber and one of the most prolific route developers in the Canadian Rockies and Skaha Bluffs.

Jon passed away on 12 November 2023 at Penticton Regional Hospital with the love of his life, Christine, at his side. Chris and Jon were born in the same hospital in Acton, London the very same week.

Jon began rock climbing on the gritstone cliffs at home in England at the age of 15. He came to Canada in 1967 to work as a geologist. “My very first day in Calgary,” he said, “I walked around town until I found the climbing shop. Premier Sports.”

In the early 1970s, he became one of the most prominent big wall trad new-routers, and established climbs like Necromancer 5.10 on Yamnuska, Catch 22 5.9R on Castle Mountain and the Southwest Pillar of the Minaret in the Bugaboos.

In the late 1970s, he turned his attention to the Greater Ranges and repeated the East Ridge of Mount Logan with Chic Scott. He then turned his attention to Himalayas where he led a successful expedition up Dhaulagiri I on Canada’s first successful 8,000-metre ascent.

Jon was loved by friends and admired by hundreds.

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We are pleased to present a very special play in celebration of 75 years of the Johanneum Exchange…

Love. Liebe. Lyubov.

Written by Latymerian and playwright Ruby Thomas (2009) 08 and 09 March - Richmond Theatre eǦǩș ǿǓΛǹΡেljȅǾǾǩșșǩȅǿǓǏ ȒǹƺΡ ȠǓǹǹș ȠǦǓ șȠȅȖΡ ȅǟ ǦȅΛ ȠǦǓ ЙȖșȠ șȠȣǏǓǿȠ ǓΠljǦƺǿǠǓ LjǓȠΛǓǓǿ @ƺȠΡǾǓȖ hȒȒǓȖ ^ljǦȅȅǹ ƺǿǏ ȠǦǓ =ȅǦƺǿǿǓȣǾ ǩǿ /ƺǾLjȣȖǠ ljƺǾǓ ƺLjȅȣȠঀ 2Ƞ ǓΠȒǹȅȖǓș ǩȠș ǩǿǩȠǩƺȠǩȅǿ ǩǿ ȠǦǓ ƺǟȠǓȖǾƺȠǦ ȅǟ vȅȖǹǏ vƺȖ eΛȅ ǩǿ ȠǦǓ ࢲࢺࢵࢱșॹ ƺș ΛǓǹǹ ƺș ǩȠș ƺǿȠǓljǓǏǓǿȠș ǩǿ vȅȖǹǏ vƺȖ KǿǓ ƺǿǏ ǩȠș ȖǓΚǓȖLjǓȖƺȠǩȅǿș ǩǿ ȠǦǓ ȒȖǓșǓǿȠ ǏƺΡঀ Kǿ ǦǓȖ ΛȖǩȠǩǿǠ ȒȖȅljǓșșॹ [ȣLjΡ eǦȅǾƺș șƺǩǏॸ

“Immediately a story began blooming in my imagination, exploring themes of connection, communication and tolerance across divides, all of which feels profoundly topical today. Spending time deepening my understanding of the relationship between these schools has genuinely ǨȅǙȞǿDzǮ ȝͧ ǙȿȿȈȿɂǮDz ȿȤ ͡ȅǙȿ DzȝǧȵǙǨȈȞǿ ǮȈωDzȵDzȞǨDz ȘȤȤȖȸ ȘȈȖDzࣚ I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to write about this pioneering “experiment in friendship”. 'ȅȖ ǟȣȖȠǦǓȖ ǏǓȠƺǩǹș ƺǿǏ LjȅȅǷǩǿǠ ǩǿǟȅȖǾƺȠǩȅǿ ȅǿ ȅȣȖ ȣȒljȅǾǩǿǠ ǓΚǓǿȠșॹ ȒǹǓƺșǓ șljƺǿ ȠǦǓ Z[ ljȅǏǓ LjǓǹȅΛॹ ȅȖ ΚǩșǩȠ ǹƺȠΡǾǓȖǟȅȣǿǏƺȠǩȅǿঀȅȖǠইǓΚǓǿȠșই

1949 - 5 Johanniter and Herr von Allworden visit London