The Old Oundelian 2022

LESSONS AFTER OUNDLE

Patrick Foster (StA 05) tells us about a habit that ruined his relationships and cost him three different careers.

Tessa Stanley-Price (N

celebrates

years of Mencap holidays and reflects on fun and fundraising

Scott Glover (D 52) remembers Oundle on

February 1952 - the day of the Queen’s accession.

VICE PRESIDENTS

Guy Beresford (B 81) Charles Miller (Ldr 76)

LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS

Nick Cheatle (G 63)

John Crabbe (G 55)

Robert Ellis (D 65)

Shane Dodd (Sn 74)

Sir Michael Pickard (C 51)

Chris Piper (Sc 71)

Chris Walliker (D 54)

Harry Williamson (StA 55)

FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE

Alastair Irvine (Sc 81), Chairman Richard Ellis (Sn 86)

Harry Williamson (StA 55)

David Meredith (Lx 78)

HONORARY LEGAL ADVISER Philip Sloan (LGS 71)

REPORTING ACCOUNTANT David Meredith (Lx 78)

OO CLUB COMMITTEE

Kate Harrison (Sn 13)

Richard Owen (Sc 70) Mary Price (K 94)

Nina Rieck (K 95)

SPORTS SECRETARIES

Hon Sec OO Badminton Abby Wong (N 14)

Hon Sec OO Netball Rachel

Ralph Alford

Richard Andrews

John Arkell Michael Aubrey Peter Barker

Pat Barr Ian Bishop Michael Bloxham Bob Briggs Jenny Briggs Norman Brittain Jonathan Bromley Ian Browne Charlie Bush Mary Bush Douglas Butler Alan Butterworth Paul Clark

Julia Clay Terry Cobner Kevin Cobb Roy Collard Martin Collier Philip Couzens Tony Cowley Denise Davidson Matthew Dear Ron Dowd Michael Downes Sue Dow David Edsall Jane Fenton John Flory Andrew Forbes Stephen Forge Viv Gascoine

Email: oobadminton@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Clay Pigeon Shooting Henry Johnstone (C 07)

Email: oocpshooting@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Cross-Country Jon Potts (C 98)

Email: ooxcountry@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec Oundle Rovers CC Tim Elliott (StA 77)

Email: elliotttim8@gmail.com

Hon Sec OO Fives Alex Smith (N 91)

Email: oofives@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Football Freddie Ashworth (G 15) and Chris Titcomb (StA 15)

Email: oofootball@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Golf

James Aston (StA 92)

Email: oogolf@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Women’s Hockey Alice Rockall (W12)

Email: oowmshockey@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Men’s Hockey Stuart Morgan (Lx 91)

Email: oohockey@ooclub.co.uk

Hon

Hon

Hon

Hon

Hawkesford (W 08) Email: oonetball@ooclub.co.uk OOs

Carolyn Gent John Gillings Michael Goatly Nicola Guise Ann Guy Robin Hammond Phil Hanley Roger Hanlon John Hewitson Sheila Hipple Margaret Holmström Walter Holmström Tony Howorth Clive Humphreys John Hunt Richard Kauffman Gerald Keeling

Simon King Jonathan Lee Janet Levet Peter Lewins James MacDonald Michael Maconochie Andrew Martens Ronnie Mather Bruce McDowell Alan Midgley Anne Mills David Milsted Nicola Mola Kim Morrison Tim Morrison Robin Newman Vic Northwood John O’Kelly

Dick Oldfield Nick Owens Alison Page Colin Pendrill Chris Pettitt Gary Phillips Ian Potts Alan Rayden Dougie Robb Elizabeth Rooms Lindsay Rooms Robin Rowe Mavis Rowlett David Sharp Megan Smedley Cris Symes Max Taylor Keith Thomson

Malcolm Thyne Carl Towler Cathy Townsend Ralph Townsend Julian Tregoning Mark Turner Robin Veit Nancy Villette John Wake David Warnes Timothy Watson Helen Wells Mark Wells Noah Wood Kathryn Worth Ian Worthington Sue Worthington

The Old Oundelian

COLUMNS FEATURES

Class

Editorial and Advertising Enquiries

Tel: 01832 277297

Email: oosecretary@oundleschool.org.uk

Editor

Megan Smedley (Hon OO)

Email: oomagazine@ooclub.co.uk

Editorial Committee

Elspeth Langsdale - Archivist Charles Miller (Ldr 76) Mark Moore (Sc 68) - Index Hannah Morgan - School liaison Ross Murray (L 10)

Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59) - Copy Editor Chris Piper (Sc 71) - President Philip Sloan (LGS 71)

Harry Williamson (StA 55) - Proofreader Nicky Yianni - OO Secretary

Cover Image

Ivan Quetglas - School Photographer

Design and Artwork Chris Witham lucidsynergy.com

Printed and Bound in the UK

The Lavenham Press lavenhampress.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook

facebook.com/oldoundelian twitter.com/OldOundelian

linkedin.com/school/oundle-school oonetwork.org.uk

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2021-2022 1 CONTENTS CREDITS

The President

■ Chris Piper (Sc 71)

Iwas surprised and honoured when I was asked if I would like to be President of the OO Club. It was 2019 when I took the telephone call from Alastair Irvine (Sc 81), the President at the time. It was assumed that I would take up the role for 2021, but as it transpired, Covid came with a vengeance, wiping out virtually all OO events for nigh on two years. My predecessor Charles Miller (Ldr 76) served two years as a result, and now here we are in 2022.

I did not immediately respond to Alastair’s call in the affirmative as I knew from my 17 years as Club Secretary the commitment it takes. I was well aware of the responsibilities of the post, and the onus on me to maintain the prosperity and fellowship of the Club. I was also quite daunted by the illustrious names that had gone before me. However, after a brief period of reflection, I decided to put everything I had into ensuring the Club thrives

and keeps its reputation as being one of the leading alumni associations in the country. We have a very high percentage of members who are involved in one way or another, and I thank you all for your support. On that note, the OO Committee have been an invaluable help as have the staff in the Oundle Society, most notably Matthew Dear, Taryn Moore, Clare Bessent and our ‘new’ Secretary Nicky Yianni, who has settled so quickly into his new role that it feels as if he has been in post for years rather than ten months. He has been an enormous help to me in that time.

My thanks also to Charles Miller for his wise counsel. Two of his aims were to involve more women within the Club and also to help pupils and younger OOs with career guidance. This has carried on: we have several women on the committee and with Guy Beresford (B 81), next year’s President, guiding the careers

programme, the Club is in very safe and capable hands.

All OO sports teams are doing well. The Oundle Rovers lost to Old Millfieldians in the Cricketer Cup (they beat us in the final last year, too) but it was a close match. The OO soccer and rugby teams are hoping to participate in their respective leagues this coming season. The OOs won the Mike Spragg trophy against the School at the Multisports weekend (next year’s date is 4 - 5 March 2023). Perhaps with the success of the Lionesses we may now see a women’s soccer team formed.

I am pleased to report that the Club continues and has increased its support for Oundle Mencap holidays. The disco and party at the end of the Mencap week in August was a marvellous occasion and my thanks to all those who contribute towards making the week such a success.

I do not propose to go through the many events we have held over the past year but it is encouraging to see that year group reunions are becoming very popular: the Club is pleased to support these events financially. Meanwhile, the London Dinner on Friday 18 November is looming and I do hope to see many of you at the Cavalry and Guards Club that evening.

I look forward to 2023 and I will continue to help the Club in any way I can.

Floreat Undelium!

The Secretary

■ Nicky Yianni

S Nicky Yianni at The Queen’s Club

Since joining the OO Club back in October 2021, I have witnessed many changes. After being stuck at home we have all started to venture out again.

A record number of OOs attended the Institute of Civil Engineers for the London Dinner in November 2021. It was a great success at a wonderful location. We are hoping to replicate that success – or do even better – for the next London Dinner, which will be held at the Cavalry and Guards Club on 18 November 2022. We are breaking from the norm and holding the dinner on a Friday: the younger generations have spoken and we have listened. In March 2022, the Over 60s Lunch at the RAF club in London was a similar success, with over 70 OOs in attendance. The old boys certainly enjoyed their meal and a great speech on the ‘present state and future of Oundle School’ was given by Robert Ringrose (StA 71), Chairman, Oundle Governors. Multisports weekend took place in the same month, where the Mike Spragg Trophy went to the OOs. Many OOs and school staff members were in attendance to either take part in or watch all the matches that took

place. The Saturday evening drinks at The Ship Inn went well, based on the bill I had to pay the next day. For those who attended, on behalf of the Club, you’re welcome. Arthur Marment (D 77), Multisports Coordinator, reports in detail on page 28.

This year marked the OO Club’s first career networking event at Oundle, which was a big hit. Dozens of OOs from a variety of professions were on hand to give career advice. A huge thank you must go to Emma Aubery and Helen Stubbings of the Careers’ Department for all their work organising this event, along with OO Society Vice President Guy Beresford (B 81). I was pleasantly surprised at just how many current Oundle pupils attended with clear career goals and questions for our OO volunteers. At that age I had no idea of what I wanted to do and probably still had my head in the clouds dreaming of being a professional footballer. We hope to host a lot more of these events in the future.

A particularly successful initiative that is steadily growing is the OO Network. This is our online platform solely for Old Oundelians and allows you to contact old friends, offer or seek help with careers to post and read OO news.

The OO Sports Lunch was held at The Queen’s Club, London, in April. Kate Mason (L 06), the TV and radio presenter, was guest speaker. She delivered a wonderful speech on how sport influences personal happiness and better community relations. Nick Beasant, Oundle’s Sports Director, was also on hand to give a speech on the state of play and future developments for all sports at Oundle.

The Southwest Regional Lunch was held at Taunton Racecourse, a lovely venue, albeit on a rainy day, but that didn’t stop everyone enjoying their afternoon.

May saw the School House Leavers (1958 - 62) Reunion Redux event take place, postponed from 2020. It was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had to date at Oundle. It was so great to hear all the stories from their time at Oundle and even better to see gentlemen of advanced years turn back into schoolboys and mess around on the grounds. The Archive Department outdid themselves with an amazing display of artefacts and a slide show of photos for all to enjoy. A big thank you to Archivist Elspeth Langsdale and her team. Richard Bailey (Sc 59) reports on page 47.

A big part of my role is to reunite people. Sometimes it happens organically and OOs contact me as they want to organise reunions and look over their old stomping grounds. Most recently, we’ve already been asked to organise ten, 20 and 30-year reunions. If you wish to organise an event or have any ideas on how the Club can expand its services to OOs please do let me know.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the Oundle Society for all their hard work and the assistance they have given me thus far. I’m very lucky to work with such a highly professional and thoughtful team.

The Editor

■ Megan Smedley

Itwas good to catch up with Prince Philip over the Jubilee weekend in Oundle - even if he was only a knitted version and I only had a pretend corgi. Scott Glover (D 52) remembers the day of Queen Elizabeth’s accession as we look to the past as well as to the future in planting Oundle's Jubilee Wood.

The past also features on page 134 where you’ll read of the casual, almost light-hearted bravery of another era. The word ‘hero’ can have its currency de-valued by over-use, and should perhaps be kept for those who show unusual courage or virtue. Rather like those in the difficult profession on page 10 where ‘Life in the Day’ gives an understated account of an OO ICU doctor in both her work and her fund-raising. We also celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Mencap Holiday - as one correspondent described it: ’an advert for what public school resources can deliver to a wider community.’

Then there’s sport. Having read his book, I wanted to include someone held in high regard during his time at Oundle, but who now

speaks - bravely - with a different emphasis. Patrick Foster’s (StA 05) story follows. Today’s sporting heroes might well be losing their allure when the (now-sacked) Chelsea manager can blame a bus ride for his side's thrashing by Leeds, and golf is a battlefield for warring bureaucracies. Topically, someone on the editorial team altered that old joke about golf being a ‘good walk spoiled’ to golf being ‘a good game spoiled by the people who play it.’

Or, more properly, the people who pay for it. In the Opinion section, Alexa Glynn (K 00) tells us about her game and its heroes.

The Valetes are worth reading. Each of this year’s cohort spoke engagingly - and modestly - at the farewell celebration. It’s also rather touching to thank ‘old codger’ teachers as the rowers did Vic Northwood at the Sports lunch.

At Peter Roberts’ funeral in August, I was reminded how many of you value the Obituary pages, not least because deaths - and funeralsaren’t always widely ‘advertised.’ To add an obituary to the next magazine or a death notification to the OO Club website farewell page, do contact the club Secretary.

Some correspondents just aren’t fond of deadlines. But sticking to them is pretty important for this magazine. Leaving everything to the last minute is one method of organisation, certainly. But, you know, there’s ‘last minute’ and fiveweeks-post last minute. So Mark Moore (Sc 68) had to wait patiently to start the lengthy task (45 hours) of compiling the Index.

The editorial team has met both in person and online this year: thank you, everyone. Philip Sloan (LGS 71), we miss you… We’ve asked overseas

members to opt in if they’d like a hard copy of the Magazine and this is the last time it will automatically be posted to School leavers. Printed copies are still available, though an online-only version is likely in due course.

Most of you will recall Oundle Marketplace, backdrop to the pictures on this and on page 12, even if you haven't been here for a while, and I hope everyone has had things to celebrate post-lockdown. Surprisingly, there were almost as many mentions of the words ‘Covid’ and ‘lockdown’ in the Mag this year as last, but nothing much about political succession, climate change, gardens or heatwaves. What conclusions can we draw from this? But thank you for your contributions this year. Top vocab was ’doublesported’, ‘swanky grandeur’ and ‘galanthophile.’

To many, the most important conclusion was the death of the Queen. She and Philip were reunited (in the Marketplace, if a little the worse for wear). Amazingly, an episode of The Crown is being filmed in the background.

Growing up, Gambling and Lessons after Oundle

■ Patrick Foster (StA 05) talks to Megan Smedley

Patrick, the author of Might Bite, his brutally honest account of 12 years of gambling addiction, has very positive memories of his time at Oundle: ‘Despite a bit of homesickness when I arrived, the next five years were amazing. My fondest memories are all associated with sport. I was from a happy, supportive familygenerally a well-rounded young man with plenty going for me.’

I wanted to read his book in order to try to make sense of what turned a talented sportsman into someone whose life was damaged by

gambling. Patch, as he was known, was ‘lucky enough to play for the 1st XI in the Third Form’ and went on to be captain in 2005. He also loved ‘1st XV Rugby and remember the great feeling walking out on Two Acre.’ There were some disappointments: ‘Despite not being Head of House, I was somehow a school prefect’ - but not many. He still thinks ‘StA was a brilliant House - despite having three Housemasters in five years - and I hope it is still the best’ which might give an indication of his competitive nature.

After Oundle and Durham, he

became a professional cricketer, an insurance broker and then a teacher. He found ‘the transition from playing sport and moving into the real world a huge challenge.’ In March 2018, gambling brought him to the verge of killing himself. A particularly shocking passage in Might Bite begins: Standing on Platform 5 at Slough station, I was certain of two things - that I’d placed my last bet, and that I was about to take my last breath.

Did his gambling start when friends took him to a local betting shop? Was it a result of being let go by Durham CC? Or, just

S 1st XI Cricket Team 2002. Patrick Foster back row second right.

FEATURE

as Richard Dawkins (Ldr 59) believes in the ‘god gene,’ is there enough research to suggest a genetic disposition towards gambling?

Addictive behaviour has been linked to a lack of self-esteem so I asked if this was true of his own life: ‘Absolutely. Whilst I always came across as confident - at times arrogant - this was the opposite to how I felt, but I was unable to admit this and come to terms with it. I felt that I had under-achieved. I had a complete inability to deal with failure. As soon as anything was not perfect, I would feel that I had “failed” and “let people down.” My self-esteem was often low. In many ways my addiction was a form of selfharm. I lived a complete lie: I was at no point being honest with myself or other people.’

Might Bite is an important and difficult read. ‘For 12 and a half years, I placed just shy of £2 million in online bets, and the same again in betting shops and casinos.’ The impact of what he did to his family, and his girlfriend, now wife Charlotte, is hard to imagine. Their kindness and forgiveness are overwhelming. Perhaps as a result, Patrick wants to share his story with young people, parents, those experiencing similar difficulties or indeed anyone who is unaware of the dangers of gambling and online gaming. He appreciates the opportunity to fracture some of the isolation that comes from his experience. ‘The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem and that you simply cannot deal with all your problems yourself. It is imperative that young people realise that admitting you have a problem is not a sign of weakness but of courage. Issues around gambling and low-self-esteem are often so ingrained that we are not conscious of how they shape who we are and how we see ourselves.’

Patrick now visits schools and universities to talk about the modern generation and its vulnerability to the world of online gaming. He explores the blurred lines between gambling and gaming, hoping that

people might recognise signs in themselves and others. Today, he works for EPIC Risk Management an independent harm-minimisation consultancy specialising in identifying and preventing problem gambling. EPIC has acquired clients including Premiership Rugby, Barclays, the Professional Cricketers’ Association, Chelsea FC and Skybet. Patrick is also an ambassador for the Mintridge Foundation, a charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through

sport. Marcus Trescothick (former England captain whose book Coming Back to Me describes in harrowing detail his own depression) says: ‘Education on matters of mental health is a lifelong project. This work endures far more than runs or wickets. I am proud that Patrick is on the same path.’ Of Foster’s talks to pupils, Trescothick says: ‘He told his incredible story with clarity and calm. It was compulsive listening.’

On 23 September this year Patrick Foster returns to the Great Hall as part of the Sixth Form Lecture programme. The first time he spoke at Oundle, he says it felt surreal: ‘It took me back to when I was sitting here listening to inspiring speakers.

It was even more surreal seeing many staff who’d taught me, and who I remember fondly, in the audience. That said, it also felt like a gift and an opportunity to provide pupils with education that I never received.

I think the relevance of my story and the fact that I was one of them and had sat in those seats made the message even more powerful. If I could help just one person in that room, it was worth sharing my story.’

I asked him if he remembered any particularly astute questions.

‘I was asked whether there was anything at Oundle that could have been done to prevent what happened - or if there were any signs at this stage. I was also asked how I “replace” gambling and if so, what I do? This is a tough question because nothing can directly replace it - but you find things to replace the part that gambling was playing.”

I asked about the process of writing his book with Will Macpherson, cricket and rugby correspondent for the Evening Standard: ‘Will is one of my younger brother’s friends. After I had written

an initial draft, which was cathartic in allowing me to write down things I had not been able to talk about, I sent it to Will to see if he believed it could be made into a book. He was blown away by my story but recognised it needed a lot of editing. With the help of a superb literary agent, we secured a publishing deal with Bloomsbury. It was an 18 month process from then, with their direction and guidance and an extraordinary amount of late-night zoom calls.’

Despite the serious nature of the book, at times it’s funny, too. Of the ‘family flutter’ on the Grand National when he was a child: ‘Mum would ask over and over which horse was hers, but end up winning; my brother was convinced he’d win because his horse approached the first fence in the lead; my sister would be devastated by the trail of destruction, horses falling left, right and centre. One of those horses would inevitably be mine...’ Reading this, I'm not tempted to ask him for a tip on the 2:10 at Wolverhampton, but we might wonder why he didn't learn his lessons young.

Just as the book does, our discussion ends positively. Recovery from addiction is Patrick’s ‘immediate focus and priority. My incredible wife and I are expecting

our first child in August and I cannot wait to be a dad. I’ll try and be the best I can. Life is better than it ever has been, despite having its challenges. Being fulfilled, happy and healthy both physically and mentally is what drives me these days. I feel lucky to have a platform to give something back - having taken an awful lot away. It is good for me and hopefully good for others.’

Patrick Foster’s book Might Bite is available at linktr.ee/mightbite.

S With Charlotte on their wedding day

Celebrating 40 years of Mencap holidays

■ Tessa Stanley-Price (N 04)

In2022, Oundle Mencap Holidays celebrates its 40th holiday.

Founded in the early 1980s by classics teacher Richard Andrews (Hon OO), what started as a small, one-off gathering for young people with learning disabilities has blossomed into two major events that, between them, welcome over 70 holiday-makers and 130 volunteer helpers every year. We now run a residential summer holiday week for young people under 18 and a camping weekend for young adults, and we are the inspiration for similar projects at a growing number of schools across the UK.

Many OOs will already know about OMH, having either volunteered themselves or had friends who did. It is arguably the largest annual gathering of OOs and it is surely one of the most diverse in terms of age, with Sixth Formers and

recent leavers joining the rest of us who are, well, a bit longer in the tooth these days. In the beginning, the holiday was held in New House. Reflecting on the inaugural event in 1983, Richard noted that everyone but the holiday leader was a novice: ‘and didn’t the children know it!’ He described the team as ‘utterly exhausted’ at the end of day one. Thankfully their energy returned and their efforts sowed the seed for 39 more holidays and counting.

Fast forward to August 2021. ‘Thank you so much for the best holiday ever,’ wrote one holidaymaker to us when they got home. It had been an historic year: Covid meant that all our 2020 plans had to be cancelled. Many holiday-makers count down to OMH from one year to the next, meaning the cancellation was a real blow for young people who had already been through so

much. Happily, 2021 saw us reunited, with over 200 negative lateral flow tests keeping the show on the road. Claire Huntington (W 06), our child lead, reflected on just how important this particular summer had become: ‘2021 was one of the first opportunities in two years for families to have some support and respite. The holiday is absolutely vital for our young people. It builds a community, support and structure, all of which were so missed during the pandemic.’

Our theme for 2022’s holiday week is, fittingly, ‘celebration.’ Based in Kirkeby and Wyatt, holiday-makers will enjoy a Platinum Jubilee tea, dance at a Glastonbury-themed disco and welly-wang at a village fête, alongside our traditional activities of camp skills, swimming, arts and crafts, and plenty more. Summer 2022 is also an opportunity to celebrate

S Circus skills with The Great Gappo

S Face painting

Kate Taylor who has volunteered for OMH since 1984 and been at its helm for 32 years. She steps down as holiday leader this year and the entire OMH community thanks Kate for her outstanding dedication.

Indeed, volunteers have donated hundreds of thousands of hours across OMH’s history to make the holidays happen. On top of these gifts of time and talent, we need to raise over £50,000 per year in donations and sponsorship. One of our major supporters is the Old Oundelian Club, whose support over the last ten years now totals £30,000. In 2022 they have increased their commitment to us and we are deeply grateful for their continued generosity.

OMH leaves its mark on all who attend, whether they join for one year or 20. For volunteer Catherine Winterton (D 16) ‘it has taught me so much about ways to build connections with other people, about what I am capable of, and about the energy I want to bring into the world.’ Richard Andrews marvels at how ‘it has blessed a very large number of children, parents, and volunteers, and changed a lot of lives.

I could never have imagined the wonderful reality it has become and it is for me an endless reward to witness it.’

To learn more about OMH, or to join our community of supporters, please visit oundlemencap.co.uk.

Marathon raises thousands for OMH

Eleanor Roberts (L 22) writes: ‘After missing organising the Oundle Mencap holiday in 2020 due to Covid, pure joy returned to everyone involved when we started up again in 2021. A team of 30 Mencap volunteers decided to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money. The LLHN is a closed road, central London run and the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster.

In total, the team raised £22,217.73 from a total of 637 donors, making us all very excited about this year’s holiday and all the others to come.

From personal experience, OMH is the most magical experience anyone could ever have. The impact it has on holidaymakers, their parents and we volunteers is profound, completely inexplicable and cannot be recreated.

I couldn’t wait for the holiday this year and urge any current Oundelians and OOs to consider volunteering. After all, there must be a reason why we come back year after year!’

S Treasure hunt at Barnwell Country Park

S Kayaking on the River Nene

A Life in the Day

■ Ross Murray (L 10) interviews Dr Sarah Sanders (K 94)

Anything else?

Yes, as I say the academic side isn’t the hard part – it just gets you through the door. The hard part is remembering that you’re a leader and are always being watched. Within an exhausted workforce you are setting the tone: you are a role model being watched by those you manage, by those you care for and by those considering the profession - but sometimes in the 99th hour of my working week it isn’t that easy to remember to smile.

When did you leave Oundle?

I left in 1994 and now live in Bristol with my husband where I’m an intensive care consultant and faculty tutor at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (with a special interest in intensive care unit follow-up).

Do you have any advice for people considering medicine at university?

When I look back at when I applied for medicine at the age of 17, I had no idea what it meant to be a doctor. Firstly, you must be a genuinely caring person. People always worry about the academic rigour of medicine. The truth is you don’t have to be that bright to be in medicine. Most of what we do isn’t very clever; we spend a lot of time trying to do as little damage as possible and waiting for the body to recover. More than academic rigour you need to know how to work with people. Within my team we benefit from a wide range of experiences: I mean the science is the science but how we choose to apply it is the critical factor. Oh yeh, and you must have great attention to detail.

From the interview with Zudin last year I think I understand a bit about intensive care but can you tell me what a follow-up clinic is?

A follow-up clinic is run for patients two to three months after they have left ICU. I actually started working on follow-up clinics preCovid; however, we never received the required support from management to get them up and running. Often people don’t understand that these additional services are not set up by management because they think it is a good idea; they are recognised and set up by clinicians who have identified the need.

After previously being declined by management, during Covid we saw this as an opportunity to reapply. No one knew what was right, so we were opportunistic and at the time there was a lot of coverage in the media about people who were struggling ‘post Covid.’ In my opinion Covid or not, ICU is traumatic but Covid shone a light on this which helped my case.

There are lots of benefits to follow-up clinics from both the patient’s and the clinician’s side. For

example, by hosting these clinics we were able to allow patients to re-visit the unit to try and get a better understanding of what was actually happening to them. This interaction also allows us to gather formal and informal feedback. Informally it allows us to see that our efforts weren’t in vain as often due to the nature of our shifts we don’t know what happened to a patient we were spending a lot of time with.

By discussing ongoing symptoms with patients, we are able to recognise patterns which otherwise due to the size of the NHS would likely be missed. For example, we recognised that the trauma amongst those in the earlier stages of Covid seemed to be very acute as they went from the unit where they weren’t allowed visitors and could only see us via PPE back into society, but into nationwide lockdowns where once again they wouldn’t have any human interaction. This has improved with those who when they left the unit were able to try and get back to normal life.

Furthermore, we are able to answer questions which otherwise the patients would likely never have the answers to. During our clinics we can review patients’ notes and discuss them with them and if needs be we can call our colleagues and ask them for clarification (this is something a GP dealing with a patient’s ongoing symptoms cannot do). We are also able to offer patients services which often they wouldn’t have access to such as a consultation with a psychologist.

Given the dwindling morale, the trauma and the utter exhaustion being felt within the healthcare community at the moment, you decided to take on a challenge to raise some money to support your community – can you tell me more about that?

Yes, I took on a hiking challenge from Zermatt to Verbier. I know as soon as I say Verbier you are thinking ‘champagne in the mountains’ but unfortunately that wasn’t the case for me! Originally it was set up by the Swiss Army: the hike was 57km with 4,000m of vertical gains. To top it off, two weeks before we were due to travel, I caught Covid myself.

That is ironic. Have you recommended the hike to aid recovery in any of your followup clinics?

Absolutely not! My fitness was okay but it was the sheer exhaustion I was experiencing that I found the hardest. I was totally fatigued. I’ve never felt anything like it.

Sarah has asked us to please support the charities that she was raising money for, if we can.

They really need support at the moment. The charities are: the Intensive Care Society (ics.ac.uk/society/donate/) and Doctors in Distress (doctors-in-distress.org.uk/donate-to-doctors-in-distress/).

They are working together to encourage healthcare workers to talk more openly about their mental health with the aim of reducing burnout, mental health problems and suicide.

Life’s Rich Pageant

■ Dominic Reid (B

Dominic Reid (B 80) delivered this year’s Oundle Lecture. He organises events that often have historical and emotional weight, including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands war.

He has been Pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor’s show for 30 years, longer than anyone in its 800-year history. All pageants are slightly chaotic and uncontrollable, he feels, but capable of tremendous emotional impact. He asked pupils to watch out for and reflect on three aspects that shape the direction of our lives: the people who provide meaning; the

purpose that motivates our actions which in turn have an impact on others; the strands that connect and create interdependencies throughout life - and he included examples that, for him, began at Oundle.

He paid tribute to Brigadier Richard Smith (StA 79), who was in the audience. Long after they had left Oundle, Richard became an important person in Dominic’s professional life, and the two now run the Invictus games. He spoke movingly about how the games encourage achievement as well as the courage of the participants in their rehabilitation journey.

S Dominic Reid (left) and Richard Smith

Celebrations Past

■ Scott Glover (D 52)

This year, as we not only celebrated Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee but also lamented her death in September, my memory returned to the day of her accession, 6 February 1952 my last year at Oundle.

After the passing of 70 years, I cannot claim to recall all the detail, but I do clearly remember my pride in being one of 40 members of the school’s Combined Cadet Force who formed a guard of honour for the reading of the proclamation of her accession three days later. My memory has been greatly aided by the photos and press report found in the Archives by Elspeth Langsdale.

The death of King George VI came as a shock to the nation because, in those days, there was very limited reporting of the health and personal

activities of the Royal family and senior politicians, in the much less intrusive media.

At Oundle the news was broken simultaneously in all Houses at lunchtime. In Dryden, as we stood for Grace, Marcus Beresford asked us to continue to stand and then announced the news concluding with the very unfamiliar sounding ‘God Save the Queen.’ He then called for a minute’s silence.

Consultation between the School and civic authorities followed quickly and each House was asked to nominate a few boys to be part of a guard of honour for the reading of the proclamation. In the main, the nominees were the more senior members of the CCF. Our group from Dryden consisted of myself as Quartermaster Sergeant and, if

memory serves, Sergeant Richard Potter, David ‘Alf’ Pearson, from the Air section and either David Reid or Richard Jarrold.

Two days of rigorous drilling followed, under the critical eye of Lt Col GD Anderson and the barking commands of Sergeant Major Lacey, until we were considered up to the job. In addition, we were required to clean and press our uniforms, blanco our belts and gaiters, polish the brasses and bring our boots to an immaculate and shining finish: melted polish and hot spoons was the recognised technique.

The following year, along with my sister and two friends, we drove from Hertfordshire into London and parked within 300 yards of Trafalgar Square to stand in the rain with cardboard periscopes. Obviously, I

S Lt Col GD Anderson is joined at the front of the guard of honour by head boy Under Officer David Newbigging. Scott Glover is the very tall boy positioned on the left of the front rank next to the bugler.

didn’t need one! As we watched the Coronation procession come up the Mall to go to the Abbey, I felt good that I could be a small participant in an historic event.

I assume similar events have been held in every city and town over the centuries to advise the population of the succession of a new sovereign, rooted in the era when the fastest means of distributing news was a galloping horse. On 11 September this year I was in Warwick to witness the proclamation of King Charles III by the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff. Alas! No Guard of Honour.

Planting Jubilee Wood

■ Tim Coleridge, Master of the Grocers’ Company

OnSunday 20 March a team of volunteers from The Grocers’ Company, Oundle and Laxton Junior School came together to plant the first 700 trees of a brand-new wood. I am passionate about preserving the environment and increasing biodiversity and am delighted to be leading this project which will ultimately consist of around three acres of woodland.

The Grocers’ Jubilee Wood, as it will be known, has been planted on land in Oundle belonging to The Worshipful Company of Grocers and a permissive path through the wood and along to the riverside will allow the whole community to benefit. In addition to the wood, the project will

also see improvements to the wetland area, considered to be one of the largest habitats for snipe across Northamptonshire, with scrapes due to be completed later in the summer to increase its attraction to birdlife.

Around 3,000 English trees will be planted in the wood, including willow, alder and black poplar, as well as English oak saplings which have been nurtured from acorns by Oundle School pupil, Michael Fuller (L), as part of the ambitious Remembrance initiative described in last year’s edition of The Old Oundelian.

Woodland is so important for the environment and the aim of the project has always been to create a

space for everyone to enjoy and in which local wildlife can thrive. Throughout the project we have liaised with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, with the Trust being particularly helpful in supporting us to keep pathways open and create a better experience for people. The next phase is planned for the autumn when we hope to plant another 2,000 trees.

Everyone is welcome and it would be fantastic if Oundelians, old and new, were to assist in creating this legacy as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

S Headmaster Gus Stainforth is standing behind the flag.

Secrets of Workshops Week revealed

■ Roger White (Sc 60)

My passion for building things, first encouraged by the compulsory Workshops Weeks at Oundle during the 50s, led to me developing a small steam powered engine. As the 21st century dawned, this ended up powering a Land Rover.

FW Sanderson, Headmaster of Oundle from 1892 until his death in 1922, came from a ship-building family. He introduced innovative programs of education in engineering to the School and wouldn’t have people ordering others around if they couldn’t do the job themselves. The outcome was that everyone in the

school spent one week a term in compulsory workshops.

My grandfather and great uncle were both at School House, probably because my great grandfather, a Dr Crawshaw, was a family friend of the Sandersons. As a youth, I remember them discussing steam cars, in particular American race car driver Fred Marriott’s 1906 world land speed record of 127 mph, while driving a steamer, and the pros and cons of the cars generally. Grandpop generated his own electricity with a water wheel; enough to work a record player at a reasonably constant speed. They talked with great affection of

the workshops at Oundle, then in the Cloisters.

In my time at Oundle we went through woodworking with Mr Priest, pattern making with Mr Pollard, foundry work and casting with ‘Percy’ Taylor, machining with ‘Jock’ Gibson and finishing with ‘Efficiency’ Collard. Boys came away with a marking gauge, callipers and a shooting stick.

We also cast brass bells and the School’s coat of arms in aluminium with greater or lesser degrees of success. Once we had completed our mandatory assignments, in our final years we made our own vanity

projects. Foundry work at Oundle was an eye opener. Casting red-hot iron was another. Health and safety didn’t come into it. We cast real iron in our regular uniforms and shoes with merely the addition of a brown work coat to protect us. I made a flywheel and mountings for a tape-recorder, and the patterns for an Austin Seven’s cylinder head, cast in bronze. Then, I made a magneto platform for a Silver Ghost being rebuilt in the workshops. The story goes that it could never be started, so it was towed to the Rolls Royce factory in Derby, where they were astonished that the boys had managed to rebuild the car so well. But they couldn’t start it either and it was eventually towed back to the School. I never finished the shooting stick. But the lessons learned in the workshops lasted for my entire career.

The Centre for Alternative Technology is an eco-centre in Wales, dedicated to demonstrating and teaching sustainable development. In 1980, they approached me to put on practical courses to train people enrolling in Voluntary Service Overseas. They had heard that I carried the ‘Oundle stamp.’ With my workshop experience, I encouraged trainees to use their ingenuity. They were given a car spring, charcoal,

firebricks, a short piece of railway line on a tree stump and the loan of a hammer, plus eye protection. Anything else they wanted they had to make. They usually came away with a set of chisels.

Between times I was making and testing a series of small wind turbines, one of which went with the In the Footsteps of Scott expedition to the Antarctic in the mid-80s and another to Inaccessible Island, off Tristan da Cunha. The rapid development of wind power between 1980 and 90 was evident because the leading developers often visited the CAT wind power course.

Several chance meetings gave me the idea to start a new project: a steam powered Land Rover. Alternative fuel vehicles weren’t new. There were charcoal fired lorries during the war, but that’s a stinking technology and a route I didn’t wish to take. I learned another lesson from a small, family foundry specialising in cast metalwork, who had a gas-powered engine on display at CAT. Unfortunately, it gave off copious amounts of carbon monoxide and exploded: red hot bits flew everywhere. I saw the American-built Doble steam car near Blackpool. The owner described his experiences with it and later the vehicle passed into other hands, but when I saw it again,

it had burst the boiler tube, simply because the temperature control was inadequate. The new owner ran an eye over my drawings and made helpful comments before I started on any patterns.

Following the Oundle example, I built several workshops of my own to make the castings for my project. The first was at home in Lancashire but when my father retired, he commandeered my workshop, so I had to build another next to it. I helped to renovate Llwyngwern Forge in Wales and when I moved to Scotland, I converted five cattle byres into my final workshop.

Several Land Rovers were sacrificed in the pursuit of my goal. The first was an engineless Series Ib which helped with designing the engine to fit the space. Later I took my own Series IIa off diesel and converted it to steam. Between 1984 and 1990 I used another Series IIa, which is now the towing vehicle. The final model was tested on propane to set the controls. It was 2006 before I could start on the boiler. It survived a hill climb test in 2012, though crept uphill very slowly. People said it reminded them of Thomas the Tank Engine: the little engine that could. It finally had a combustor for wood fitted on the back in 2014.

In 2018, HM The Queen invited Land Rover owners to Balmoral to celebrate the company’s 70th year with several cross-country safaris. We proudly steamed in front of the castle. That same year, I finally got the vehicle insured. Now, my one-of-a-kind Land Rover is home here in Aberfeldy, Scotland. We are hoping to make the annual meeting of the Steam Powered Club in Montgomery, Wales, if the 350-mile journey doesn’t defeat us.

(A video of Roger White’s unique vehicle can be seen at youtu.be/ fblpsJ64rZk)

S In 1978, HRH Prince of Wales asks Roger White ‘How big is the boiler?’ Roger tells him ‘This big!’

Join the OO Network

■ Nicky Yianni, OO Club Secretary

OldOundelians pursue a wide range of careers and occupations, so have knowledge and experience that can be shared both with each other as well as with those just starting out on their career path. The OO Club and Oundle Society work together to help facilitate these connections and encourage mentoring possibilities.

Our occasional ‘drinks and links’

events, held around the UK, usually focus on specific careers and sectors and offer the opportunity to meet other OOs who are at various stages in their working lives. OOs are also encouraged to share their experiences through careers events at School.

Networking is also being encouraged by the introduction of the OO Network, a bespoke online platform, available for both social

and career purposes. There is a dedicated mentoring hub for OOs to indicate whether they are seeking guidance or are able to act as mentors to others. There is also the opportunity for news stories and job opportunities to be posted.

To register simply visit oonetwork. org.uk.

S Pupils and OOs gathered in the Great Hall for a networking and careers event

The School Year

■ Hannah Morgan, Marketing Manager

Here is a digest of School news for the 2021 - 22 academic year. Life of Learning continues to engage pupils through the assemblies programme and Colloquium for academic scholars. This year’s offerings have included a response from the Imperial College Fellow to the specific policy recommendations of the COP26 climate change summit and an encouragement to innovate and demonstrate entrepreneurial ability post-Oundle from a colleague with experience in Silicon Valley. A total of 86 Lower Sixth pupils opted for one of the 11 rigorous and intellectually challenging Quadrivium courses, ranging from architecture to zoology and the role of engineering in modern society to the influence of classics in later European culture. The Quadrivium day trips were followed by the annual Quadrivium lecture, given this year by Dr Seb Falk (B 99). Learning for Life (LfL) has seen the pupil pastoral forum expand to include two new areas: health and neurodiversity. These were added to the existing areas of LGBTQIA+, gender equality, environment, charity, digital, racial diversity and mental health.

The prestigious Nicholson Engineering Award has been won by Rory Millard (B U6). During lockdown, when many pupils his age were attempting to complete Netflix, Rory embarked on an ambitious project: Implementing a method for self-stabilizing bodies in a model rocket. He achieved a top gold certificate in the prestigious British Physics Olympiad and has an offer to read mechanical engineering at Oxford.

On language trips, staff braved

Covid restrictions to take 21 Fifth and Sixth formers to Vejer de la Frontera near Cádiz during February half term for a week: ‘Enjoying a mixture of lessons, work experience placements, activities and city visits, it was wonderful to see the pupils growing in confidence throughout the week.’

Debaters and public speakers were absolutely delighted to be named the 2022 winners of the English Speaking Union Churchill competition and to receive their medals and trophy from Jennie Churchill: a memorable first for team Oundle and their coach Helen Wells (Hon OO) who retires this year.

Marcus McDevitt (L) has been offered an organ scholarship to New College, Oxford, with a gap year as organ scholar at Guildford Cathedral. Flora Mardon (Sn) has a choral scholarship to Oxford and Charlie Martin (C) a choral scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge. Rohan Dahiya (L) has been made principal chair on tuba with the National Youth Orchestra, and four pupils gained places in the National Children’s Orchestra. The Stahl has sprung back to life with four House plays, one School play, one School musical, a First and Second Form play, an A-level performance, a scholars’ performance and seven professional productions. After a gap of four years, it was particularly wonderful to see a return of the School musical. A cast of 40, a crew of 13, and a band of 16 pupils brought Lerner and Loewe’s musical comedy My Fair Lady to life.

One of the biggest achievements for the Community Action team this year was getting through to the national finals of the

Goldsmiths’ Company Community Engagement awards in London after a presentation and Q&A session by six pupils: Eden Olley (N U6), Henry Gardiner (StA U6), Joseph White (L U6), Bea Salmon (W L6), Eliza Denham (K 5) and Rory MacPhee (B 5).

At the Patrick Engineering Centre, five pupils have made it through to the final stage of the national Arkwright Engineering scholarships. Pupils brought four new vehicles into the large projects area of the centre: Caleb Jelf (L L6) is significantly upgrading and modifying a 1997 Toyota Starlet; Benjamin Prew (Sc 5) is restoring a 1993 Mazda MX-5; Henrietta Newble (N 5) is restoring a 1999 BMW Z3; Sophie Bourne (L 4) has recently begun to restore a 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX. For the first time, 180 Third Form pupils fabricated their own barbecues from sheet steel.

In Sport, the developing link with the City of Peterborough swim club has helped drive an impressive development in the School’s performance swim programme. Further links with Northampton Saints Rugby, Loughborough Lightning Netball and Rugby and Northants Cricket all enhance the School’s Sport Scholarship and Dedicated Athlete Programme offering. Representative honours have been achieved in athletics, cricket, cross country, equestrian, hockey, netball, rugby and swimming. Eliza Ireson (L L6) represented Great Britain in dressage. Ranked in the U18 top ten, she took first place at the recent Junior Home Internationals. The Cricket Club’s tour to Barbados at Easter was in the vanguard of School tours. Three teams, comprising pupils from Fourth Form to Upper

Sixth, took part, supported by an enthusiastic fan club of some 40 parents and family members. They had a 50 per cent win rate across the tour, the highlight being the 1st XI’s final game where they chased down an impressive score set by the opposition, including a century by an U19 international player.

Significant Chapel services have included a service of thanksgiving to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, and on 12 June, a service to mark both the centenary of the laying of the Chapel’s foundation stone and the centenary of the death of the School’s influential Headmaster, FW Sanderson.

In Partnerships and Outreach, we have welcomed more than 9,000 visitors to academic events and over 270 external pupils have attended regular courses, including those delivered in partnership with Imperial College, London. Online outreach, offered through ExpertEdLive, under the patronage of

Professor Lord Robert Winston, has had a total attendance of over 20,000 in its first full year.

Project 24 is central to the School’s future plans and the first major project, the extension of Scott House, will be undertaken over the summer. Of note this year has been stepping up the School’s approach to the environment. We are working to gain an accreditation from Investors in the Environment who have reviewed policies, audited energy usage across the estate to define its carbon footprint, looked at waste and recycling plans and provided advice on the best approach to building refurbishment.

We were delighted to recognise the strong achievements of the 2022 A level and GCSE cohorts in the first public examinations since 2019.

At A level, 35% of grades awarded were at A* or equivalent, with 65% A*A and 87% A*–B. Most pupils immediately secured a place at one of their chosen universities,

including 17 Oxbridge candidates. Outstanding performances included Thomas Kan, who achieved four D1 grades at Pre-U (equivalent to the highest A* grades at A level), Paul D’Souza, Izzy Horrocks-Taylor and Lydia Larsen (three D1 grades and one A* grade respectively) as well as Thomas Caskey and Robert Tombs (two D1 grades and two A* grades respectively). These achievements are made all the more remarkable by the individuals’ significant contributions to the life of the School.

At I/GCSE, 42 % of grades were awarded grade 9, 68 % were awarded 9 or 8, whilst 85 % were graded at 9-7. Remarkably, 20 pupils achieved grade 9 across the board, while overall one in four pupils achieved all grade 9s and 8s. Over 80 pupils achieved straight grades 9-7, the equivalent of A*- A under the former grading system. The average grade across all entries was 7.9.

S LJS pupils helping at the Jubilee Wood

Laxton Junior School

■ Sam Robertson, Head, LJS

Asthe impact of Covid faded through the tail end of 2021, Laxton Junior School returned, in a spectacular fashion, to a full programme of activity. The LJS team worked hard to ensure that our children not only make outstanding progress across the academic and co-curriculums but continue to develop into kind young people who are confident, resilient and able to find happiness in their individual and collective lives.

Inspiring a love of learning remains a firm priority for staff, and we have been delighted with the impact of newly introduced strategies this year. In particular, responsive teaching has empowered staff to deliver an increasingly bespoke curriculum, responding quickly to outcomes in the classroom and then mapping out specific targets for improved future learning. We have

also introduced a restorative approach to supporting children’s behaviour: this helps them to recognise why they behave in a particular way, how behaviours can have an impact upon those around them, and how they can learn from their experiences.

Starting with Coffee in the Garden for all parents in September, it has been great to return to in-person community events. We have enjoyed whole school assemblies, parent workshops, staff professional development sessions, House events, charity fundraisers, musical concerts and, of course, our annual Chapel service and Speech Day. There has been a grand return of familiar events, such as the residentials to York, Wales and France, not to mention the splendid Year Six musical production performed at the Stahl Theatre. Alongside this, LJS

children have enjoyed new opportunities, such as the Winter Concert, our GreenPower racing team and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Day.

We continue to believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage is a fundamentally important year of schooling and therefore we are in the process of investing significantly into the indoor and outdoor environment for our youngest children. An innovative approach to learning through play now complements this. It has, indeed, been a great year for our community, with so much to enjoy and celebrate; we now look forward, with excitement, to 202223, continuing to support our children to make progress and be happy.

A First for the Cripps Library

■ Leigh Giurlando, Oundle School Librarian

After many years of searching, the Cripps Library has acquired De re militari, The Foure books of Flavius Vegetius Renatus, translated from the Latin by Laxton School’s first Headmaster, John Sadler. Published in 1572, it is also the first book known to have been written in Oundle: ‘From Oundell the first daye of October 1571.’

John Sadler had been a fellow of both Jesus and Trinity Colleges, Cambridge before resigning to become a schoolmaster at Fotheringhay in 1550. When the Guild house in Oundle was purchased in 1556 to house William Laxton’s Free Grammar School, John Sadler was appointed schoolmaster. His salary was paid by Lady Laxton and probably subsidised by Francis

Russell, Earl of Bedford and Lord of the Manor of Oundle. While serving at the Grammar School, Sadler was also made rector of Sudborough.

At the request of Sir Edmund Brudenell of Deene, Sadler undertook a translation of Vegetius’ Latin treatise, which he dedicated to his benefactor, the Earl of Bedford.

Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, who lived in the late 4th century, was an authority on Roman military institutions and on war in general. Until the early 17th century his writings were an indispensable source for practical military men: the adage Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum originates from this text. At the end of Sadler’s book there are seven woodcuts copied from the 1511 German edition, illustrating practical

weapons of war, with the soldiers depicted in 16th century helmets.

The previous owner of this copy was Thomas Fremantle, 3rd Lord Cottesloe, who purchased it in 1905. As a collector for over 50 years, Cottesloe formed the most complete library of pre-1800 European military books. There are only 15 known copies in UK and US libraries; this one was re-bound in the late 19th century in scarlet crushed morocco by the London bindery, Riviere and Son. No copy has been available for sale since 1967.

The acquisition of this significant book was made possible by a bequest from the widow of Malcolm Fletcher (StA 54) and by a donation and assistance from Ivor Braka (D 73).

Staff Valetes

■ Farewell to five long-serving teachers

■ The English Department

Chaucer

is one of Helen’s favourite poets and no doubt she can recall that line in The Legend of Good Women where the poet-narrator praises Alcestis: ‘Hir grete bounte doubleth hire renoun.’ How true is that line of Helen herself. She is the most generous of women: generous with her time, generous with her care and kindness, generous in her teaching. Her generosity amongst her colleagues in the department is also well known and much appreciated: she produces reams of valuable resources that she gives freely to anyone who wants them, and all of us know that if we need anything on a text Helen probably already has it. Her generosity shows in other ways here, too. Helen is kind ear to anyone who needs to talk and a warm hug when things are down. I well remember her casually inviting me to dinner one evening; I had failed to notice I needed just such an invitation. I remember the evening also for image of Helen as a young woman working as au pair in Germany summarily

marching the very imperious matriarch of some grand family through the streets of the town to the bank to sort her own banking out. Helen has always done more than you ever imagine. The time Helen spends on her classes and with pupils individually, the meticulousness of her feedback on pupils’ work, the breadth and depth of her knowledge, the breadth and depth of her understanding, the unexpectedness of almost everything about her at the same time as her complete reliability and trustworthiness make Helen a living legend in the department. Mrs Wells will leave a large hole in the pupils’ experience of English at Oundle as she retires; Helen will leave a large hole in our lives and our hearts at work. The Legend of Good Women was left unfished at Chaucer’s death.

If ever anyone decides to complete it I think Helen should be included as one of the stories. Her great generosity doubles her renown indeed.

Another massively generous aspect of Helen’s work at Oundle is her devotion to debating and public speaking. Growing up in Nova Scotia, before attending a girls’ boarding school, Helen was, perhaps surprisingly, a self-confessed shrinking violet. This has been fundamental to her desire to encourage all young people to become confident public speakers: from those who have a natural talent for it, to those who may have to work hard over many years to overcome their nerves. This year, Helen’s group won the prestigious English Speaking Union Churchill public speaking competition - against 400 other schools. One of her proudest accomplishments is to encourage

pupil mentoring, where Sixth Form pupils help the younger years develop from micro debaters to the Junior House. Helen has shaped a programme that gives pupils skills they will take with them beyond school: the ability to confidently stand in front of others and construct a persuasive argument in a reasoned and rational manner. Helen was always the quiet person at the back, but she has helped many pupils to gain the confidence it took her some years to achieve.

The nurturing sensibility that runs through her teaching and her relationships with her colleagues permeates all aspects of her life and finds physical expression in her garden. If pressed, though not very hard, Helen might tell you that gardens in medieval times symbolised the union between nature and art, between human mastery, creativity and ecological conscience: an apt symbol for Helen herself.

Helen’s love of literature speaks through her roses. The Country Parson greets you cordially at the door while The Pilgrim pays homage at the rear: Helen says she is not sure of the symbolism here. Vanessa Bell and Emily Brontë stand proudly out front by The Mill on the Floss, while the glowing, apricot-pink of Eustacia Vye hugs the wall, entwined with the flushed red Falstaff. Helen’s playful fascination with language too is evident in every bloom. The garden is a wardrobe: pull on a pair of Foxgloves with a Lady’s Mantle for leisure, borrow Queen Anne’s Lace, and Granny’s Bonnet for good measure.

She sees with a compassionate eye. This makes her a fearless, and fearsome, advocate for those who

Helen Wells

might otherwise go unnoticed. With her gardening gloves on, she will tell you of the remarkable blues of the common cornflower or flax, and she will point out that the wild lupin, which grows all over her native Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, is capable of producing a beautiful sea of blues, pinks and lavenders. As a teacher, her sympathetic eye sees potential and supports it, even when it presents in less obvious places. In Helen’s family, flowers are personal. Offered as presents for planting each Mothers’ Day, new varieties grow to form a calendar of the years, each with its own significance. She retires this year but with her perennial kindness and compassion, she will always be a teacher. There will just be a bit more time to smell the roses.

Tim Morrison

■ Nic Aubury

Ifirst met Tim Morrison nearly 18 years ago when we both applied for the same classics job at Oundle. While we were being shown the School’s impressive collection of Greek vases in the library, he confided in me, with what I would come to learn was typical selfdeprecation, that he didn’t really know anything about pots. I admitted, less self-deprecatingly, that neither did I, and we fell into easy conversation. Happily for me, the School saw fit to hire both of us; between us, we clearly added up to one passable classics teacher, as Tim

was fond of suggesting, although he was kind enough not to specify the ratio. It soon became obvious that Tim did know a bit about pots. In fact, he knew a very great deal about a very great many things, both classical and otherwise. For all that he wore his erudition remarkably lightly, he quickly won respect for his formidable but understated intellect, his relaxed but purposeful pedagogy, and his intensely likeable and gently humorous persona. The affection in which he was held by his classes earned him the nickname ‘Captain Mozza.’ He was quickly tapped up by the careers department as master in charge of Oxbridge. Although he was always adamant that the pupils’ successes were nothing to do with him, 33 pupils’ taking up offers at Oxford and Cambridge in his final year in the job remains a high watermark for the school in recent years.

When the role of Head of Classics became available in 2011, Tim’s lack of personal ambition meant that it took a good deal of cajoling from the rest of the department to persuade him to apply. This seems remarkable now, because his tenure ushered in a true golden age of classics at the school, in which the department became a vibrant and genuinely stimulating learning environment to which pupils were attracted in ever greater numbers. He remained low-key as ever, though, and would potter around the department quietly and calmly, just sort of knowing everything, like a cross between a super-computer and a house cat. He was particularly interested in helping young teachers to develop their subject knowledge and their teaching, and had the knack of offering just the right advice at just the right moment to bring out the very best in those around him. Among those whom he hired and mentored in their early careers are current Heads of Classics at Winchester, Magdalen College School Oxford, King’s College School Wimbledon and Sedbergh.

Some of Tim’s least favourite things - alongside sugary snacks,

expressions of emotion, and any sort of physical human contact - are muddled thinking, pretentiousness, ego and doing things for the sake of it. He sees straight to the heart of a problem, and articulates the key issues with clarity and sanity. Whilst he is no fan of pedagogical jargon or fads, he is forward-thinking and well-informed about education, and it was unsurprising that OCR invited him to join their consultation group about the future of classics teaching, a role he carried out with a characteristic blend of modesty and distinction. A serious academic, he fell into school teaching rather by mistake when, having secured a First from St. John’s College Cambridge, he intended to move on to study for a doctorate. However, when he applied to his old Head of Classics for a reference, he was offered a job instead. He has always provided to our most senior pupils a universitylevel experience, sharing the benefit of his vast subject knowledge and challenging them to think deeply and independently, and in the last couple of years he has finally got round to doing the PhD for which he was always destined, juggling it apparently effortlessly alongside all his other commitments.

As a tutor in Laundimer for his full 17 years, Tim’s concern for the wellbeing of his tutees was absolutely genuine; he viewed tutoring as one of the most important and enjoyable aspects of his job. He has always made a point of clamping down on careless and hurtful language, becoming a real champion of kindness and inclusivity. His wisdom and advice have been valued by all three Housemasters under whom he has worked. Helping others, and encouraging pupils to do the same, has also been evident in his significant contributions to the Community Action programmecoordinating visits to local primary schools and to other service users, and running the ever-popular football match at Have-a-go day. Indeed, for a man who looks in silhouette like a balloon tied to a length of wet string, Captain Mozza

is a surprisingly accomplished sportsman. A pioneer of Cloisters cricket, where his nagging right-arm medium always challenged William Laxton’s off stump, he has contributed to sport on many fronts, notably 1st VI squash and 2nd XI football. Low-key high-achievement has been the model, and nowhere was this more apparent than when, as a late entry, he strolled to the start line of the staff cross country race while still wearing the suit in which he had taught that morning’s lessons, and proceeded to win at a canter.

Tim’s departure leaves a hole in the Classics department, Laundimer and the wider school that will be impossible to fill. He is the kindest, funniest, wisest, cleverest and best man I know; I have learned more from him than anyone else I have ever met. We will miss him hugely, but we wish him and his family every success and happiness as they move an hour or so to the west. Tim has asked me to make it known that he will of course continue to be available at a very reasonable hourly rate as a Graeme Dott impersonator – ideal for corporate functions, hen nights and children’s parties.

Andrew Martens

adventurous both within and without the classroom. These qualities are rooted in his own early experiences. As a child, his school holidays were spent with his family camping in the game parks of southern Africa where he picked up a near encyclopaedic knowledge of the animal kingdom, particularly butterflies and birds. Recently re-discovered correspondence with a professor at the Natural History Museum - in which he discussed the various butterflies he was collecting - demonstrates the depth of Andrew’s knowledge. At university he was an anti-apartheid activist and was compelled to leave South Africa after his degree to avoid conscription in their army where he would have had to serve the apartheid government. After a year in London, the African continent drew him back and he accepted an opportunity to teach English and drama at Kamuzu Academy, considered the Eton of Africa, in Malawi. He married Leigh, a Peace Corps volunteer, and their first two of three children were born in mission hospitals there. Five years in Malawi were followed by five years at Gordonstoun, when he began taking school productions to the Edinburgh Fringe.

included Churchill’s Top Girls and Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good, starring a young George Blagden. Finding new productions has led to many school trips to London and regional theatres valued by pupils who enjoyed the fresh, new and exciting.

Andrew’s experiences in southern Africa and his passion for the new have both clearly influenced his approach to teaching English. Whilst ‘the pupils just want to act’ might be his mantra in drama, ‘the pupils just need to read’ is at the heart of his approach in English. He has been instrumental in introducing a wide range of challenging and perhaps controversial texts, recognising in even younger age groups a maturity and a willingness to engage in complex issues. He has been proactive in introducing the Carnegie Award shadowing activity to the English department, and a supporter of The Great Read. He is a huge advocate of and expert in PostColonial literature, always eager to fight for the place of minorities in the curriculum.

His determination to expand the horizons of his pupils reached its apotheosis in the trips he led to South Africa and Mozambique. These combined the experience of safari with supporting community projects, including building a clinic (now run by the Mozambique health service), a classroom and even a bridge over a mangrove swamp. Two years in the planning, each trip required sustained fund-raising from the pupils involved, ensuring that an extraordinary experience for them was also of clear practical value to the local communities. More recent trips have included working with a charity supporting a clinic for children orphaned by Aids.

Andrew’s

calm and composed demeanour belies the fearlessness and originality that lies beneath. Since joining the School in 1998 he has shown himself to be creative, ambitious and

As well as teaching drama and theatre studies, he also directed many productions. He is a passionate supporter of performance being at the heart of drama, regularly emphasising that ‘the pupils just want to act.’ He put this into practice in his widely varied choices of school production, consistently finding texts that were contemporary, entertaining and relevant to the year-groups he was directing; he was also passionate about encouraging pupils to take the creative lead throughout the directing process. Perhaps Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and Berkoff’s The Trial, which enjoyed a successful season in Edinburgh, stand out as examples of Andrew’s eagerness to push pupils to explore drama at its most challenging. Particularly groundbreaking was his production of Shaffer’s Equus which toured schools in South Africa. Personal favourites

He tutored in Crosby and, latterly, Laxton, and spent six years in Wyatt as its Deputy Housemaster. He has coached squash throughout his time and ran the sport for five years. Whilst it seems absurdly modest compared to leading trips to Mozambique and South Africa, he is quietly proud of the Flymo CA

■ Juliette Coles

Squad’s work for the local community. He has also experienced the school from the perspective of a parent, seeing Shanna, Lauren and Dylan enjoy great success in their school days and beyond. It is a source of particular satisfaction that Shanna and Lauren excelled at English.

The word ‘retirement’ doesn’t seem appropriate at all for Andrew. Rather the next stage of life will offer him the time to pursue his interests with renewed energy and engagement. No doubt trips to London will be even more regular, with matinees now also being an option. There are plans to write –perhaps young adult fiction - and travel including trips to Georgia, Costa Rica and India. There will also be time to return to southern Africa and its overwhelming natural beauty: September will see Andrew driving across the Kruger National Park, perhaps, just occasionally, looking over his shoulder and back towards Oundle.

or coaching U15A cricket. Perhaps it is mastery of all these fields that marks Noah out as something special. He joined Oundle in 1995, a fresh young thing after some years saving the world with Greenpeace and fleecing quiz machines around London. In some ways, he seemed a brave appointment, but the School was in a state of transformation still after going co-ed. He quickly became part of the team in Fisher (Laxton as it then was), in the challenging role of deputy to Andrew Ireson. Noah’s work as a Housemaster is well known, but perhaps it overshadows the important work he has done as a tutor over 27 years. Noah has always really got to know his tutees, well before various forms and processes made it part of the norm.

Noah is one of the finest examples of the ‘old fashioned’ schoolmaster, perhaps a dying breed, to have graced Oundle. He has many strengths: in the classroom, funnelling Larkin; in Glapthorn cow pastures, exciting young ears to the sounds of the nightingale; running Fisher House with a salubrious ease that hides the real work being done;

Becoming Housemaster in April 2002, his avuncular and relaxed style masked the eyes of an eagle, though even they missed a beat one singing competition, and he was highly regarded by his boys. His matron recalls that he never raised his voice or lost his temper, and the minute he stood up in the dining room there was absolute silence. His environmental concerns meant he tended to walk around the corridors late at night with the lights off, earning him the nickname of the ‘stealth bomber,’ and his vegetarian tastes challenged the kitchens, who continued to present him with plates of crackling at Sunday lunches. He inculcated a collegiate spirit amongst his tutors (giving them sweatshirts, including ‘The Germanator’) and parents felt embraced by the same familial warmth. It is said that ‘Charlemagne, without Muhammad, would be inconceivable’ and much the same is true for Noah. His success has been Rachael’s success, his efforts hers. When they moved to Oundle, she was lurking in the background, but that was simply a sharpener period for her to blossom into half of the same walnut that is the Woods.

Many qualities which made him an outstanding Housemaster also ensured expertise and admiration in the classroom. At the heart of his approach is a love of language, and

particularly poetry, the Romantics being his subject of choice. Calm delivery, understated enthusiasm and depth of knowledge have ensured that he can hold classes in thrall. Whilst a natural in the Sixth Form classroom where his range and precision can be most fully appreciated - and despite mutterings regarding the deafening demands of younger pupils (Shakespeare Day being a particular highlight) - the youngest pupils know when they are in the hands of an expert and respond to his dry, self-deprecating wit. Loath though he may be to admit it, they love him and he loves them. Noah’s sports coaching has been prodigious. He coached the U15A cricket team for 22 straight summers, the U16A football team recently and the U16A rugby team for several years. All his peers, bizarrely, regarded him as good fun to work with and the boys loved his blend of humour and high standards. This has led to many tours: West Indies, the infamous rugby ‘world tour’ and of course the famous proposal trip to Cape Town. Hot towels all around. Perhaps the highlight of his coaching career was winning the National Lord’s Taverners U15 cricket competition in 2008, Oundle’s only victory in a national sporting competition?

Noah has a strong moral compass and believes in kindness to human beings and the environment alike: he was well ahead of his time in that respect. Birding is at the heart of understanding him: he has taken many to their first dawn chorus walk or to see their first little owl or roosting kite. His wit, Jack Dee move over, is a lesson to all in how to articulate your voice for a cause without being judgmental. At the same time, he never let anyone take themselves too seriously, and has fine form for pricking pomposity with a joke or a witty aside. He has probably one of the sharpest minds in the Common Room, is an outstanding sportsman, superb teacher, modest and never showy, and always puts his pupils first. With Rachael still running the school for the next few

Noah Wood

■ Ian Clark

years, we’ll hope to see Noah around, perhaps coaching sport, or as a tour guide, with a cheery wave from the passing EV. Oundle has been lucky to see so much of him, and he will leave a hole far bigger than his slight frame.

four other female colleagues. She embarked on her new role with characteristic flair and determination, and she grew a very successful Spanish department. Nic is held in great respect by modern linguists past and present and there is raging agreement about the quality of her intellect and inspirational teaching. She is academic to a fault and also one of the most linguistically articulate colleagues I have ever met. With strong principles, she sees things clearly and comes up with logical and convincing arguments and practical solutions: skills which have served her well in her pastoral practice as well as in the department. She was particularly skilled in the art of having open and frank conversations about sex and relationships with teenagers and training other colleagues to feel comfortable to do likewise.

the great man. She wrote her thesis alongside continuing to work at Oundle, juggling two small children and her full-time job with a lot of study in the holidays. Her father made her a plaque which sits on her desk to this day: Dr Nicola Mola.

■ Daviona Watt

Nicola

Mola arrived at Oundle in 1991 having graduated from Durham where she met Colin in 1984. A vocation to teach took her first to York, then on to her first job at an all-girls convent school in Isleworth. Two years later Nic and Col were off on their first big adventure, packing everything they had into Nic’s dad’s car and driving to southern Spain to set up their own language school where they taught English to everyone from four-yearolds to doctors and lawyers. Returning to the UK with thoughts of starting a family, they cast their net wide, looking for jobs ‘anywhere.’ Before long, a job came up here, close to Colin who was working at Prince William.

Nic arrived one year after the opening of Kirkeby and Wyatt, and tutored in Kirkeby in a House which was home to the first Fourth and Sixth Form girls. School was full of boys in tweed jackets and male members of staff: there were only

In February 1992 Nic acquired the dubious honour of becoming the first pregnant full-time member of staff. In the absence of any policies, she went to see Headmaster David McMurray and a plan was worked out. Nic sat through her first Speech Day enormous and ‘thinking I was going to die’ in the marquee, and Joe was born that August. Tom followed in 1995 and family Mola-Baxter was complete. She has brought her boys up in her own likeness, being articulate and fun in equal measure. She likes a party and is not averse to dressing up. That her boys should enjoy music as she does, and even go so far as to provide her with a band, was a bonus for Nic beyond expectation.

The power of Nic’s intellect is epitomised by the way in which she completed her PhD part time on ‘What can be learned about the peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy through the works of the Spanish writer Antonio Munoz Molina.’ I remember well her excitement at the prospect of travelling to New York to interview

She has served in three Houses: 19 in Kirkeby, then three years as Deputy in Bramston, before becoming Housemistress of Wyatt House for the past nine years. From day one she set about embedding the values and culture that she expected in the House and tackling behaviour which did not sit comfortably with her personal standards. The girls say that they know where the line is and would hate to cross it and disappoint Dr Mola. I can attest personally to the quality of her tutoring, and the uncompromising blend of high expectations, frank talking and fun that are the hallmarks of her pastoral practice. The School has, in Nic’s view, become a kinder, more decent place during her time here.

As to what happens next, Nic is keen first to ‘have a rest, have time to think and appreciate everything she has done, and everything that she has got around her, and stop for a while.’ Living as they will be in one of the most beautiful places in France, she plans to work as a literary translator along with going to Spain and dancing the Sevillana in Cadiz with her Spanish friends. French friends will feature too, and Nic and Col will be able to drive to Barcelona which is close to Catalunya where Nic’s father comes from and where her Spanish family still live. She has recently acquired her Spanish passport and is keen to explore the more Mediterranean side of her character as she embarks on a new beginning: a sort of extended gap year since she didn’t have one back in the day.

Nicola Mola

The future of OO sport

■ Charles Miller (Ldr 76) interviews Guy Simmonds (StA 95)

AsGuy Simmonds (below) takes up the role of OO Sports Chair, Charles Miller asked him what he thinks about the future of OO sport.

What are your fondest memories of sport at School?

I have two standout memories. The most fun I had was the indoor six-a-side football tournament played in the Sports Hall on weeknights after prep. A decent standard, some tremendous house rivalries, and a St A win in 1994. My proudest moment was selection for the 1993 school rugby tour to South Africa: the verdict delivered via a notice posted in the Cloisters.

How can people be encouraged to take part in OO sport?

Is there co-operation between School and OO sport?

The link between the OO Club and the School is crucial. It’s vital that we’re able to let the Sixth Form know what’s available, so they can get involved when they leave School. Nick Beasant, Director of Sport, is a huge supporter of pathways to continue competing, so I’ll keep working with him to strengthen those links.

How is OO sport doing today, and what’s next?

What motivated you to take on the role?

Sport was a key element when the Club was formed in 1883. The founders set out the Club’s purpose ‘to foster union and good fellowship among Old Oundelians, to promote OO matches and reunions, and to further the interests and prosperity of the School.’ I’m a big believer in both the health and social benefits of organised sport, and it’s important to re-energise it after the last years of disruption. Grassroots sport is always at risk when momentum slows, but a solid structure and decent organisation can pave the way for a thriving team or club. I was involved in reviving the MultiSports Weekend in the mid-90s, and have helped run the OO Rugby Club over the last 20 odd years, so I look forward to supporting new teams, growing existing clubs and ensuring that we cater to as many of our membership as we can.

I’ve really enjoyed the chance to play rugby with those from generations both above and below me: some of whom I’d idolised as a Third Former, though they’re not always as quick as I remember them, and those I now count as great friends, despite never crossing over in our school days. Getting involved early helps, whether that’s straight into Rovers fixtures over the summer holidays, or coming along to MultiSports for your first return trip as an OO. Sports clubs provide an immediate and welcoming social network: perfect as you leave university or arrive in a new town. You’ll find like-minded souls, games played in the best amateur ethos, and no onerous commitment to training at a time when work can be time consuming.

It’s in very good health right now. The annual Sports Weekend in March was the most successful to date: eight sports were contested. From an achievement perspective, the Rovers have made the final of the Cricketer Cup in the past two seasons, the Ramblers celebrated their 30 year anniversary, women’s hockey triumphed over the School’s 1st XI, and the football club are on the cusp of being admitted to the Arthurian League. Perhaps our greatest strength is to keep playing team games after leaving the formal structures of school and university. But while many teams are well established, some are far more recent, and every club goes through peaks and troughs as generations pass through. If you can’t see any fixtures for your sport, please get something going. There must be scope for a cycling event of some description, for example, and there’s talk of adding basketball to the roster for next March. The OO Club is here to help: from finding some opposition, hiring a pitch and sourcing kit, to opening bank accounts, entering leagues and recruiting new players.

How many women take partcan you encourage more?

Netball has been a mainstay of the Sports Weekend, and women’s hockey was back this year. There is also an annual women’s rugby match to commemorate Thommy Purbrook (Sn 08). Tennis, squash, badminton, waterpolo and rowing all field mixed teams. As well as more regular fixtures for netball and hockey, the fact that football, rugby and cricket are now major girls’ sports at school means we need to get them established at OO level to mirror that.

How do you see the Sports lunches evolving?

The Sports lunch is one of the newer additions to the club calendar, having started in 2016. It’s less formal than other dinners, and it’s for anyone with even a passing interest in sport. Many use it to get former teammates together for a reunion to mark an anniversary or tour. The format is a sit-down lunch at the fantastic Queen’s Club in West London, followed by an OO guest speaker from the sporting world. This year we were fortunate to welcome presenter Kate Mason (L 06)

on ‘Why we watch sport and what it tells us about ourselves.’ It’s our annual opportunity to celebrate OO Sports and OOs in the professional ranks. Where else will you find yourself swapping stories with whoever was Colts Bs left back 20 years before and 20 years after you? Matches take on mythical status in re-telling.

Flexible working has made the Friday lunchtime slot slightly more accessible, but it’s not possible for everyone. London, too, is not always convenient. So, it would be great if there’s appetite for similar events, perhaps in the evening, in other places.

Please save the date for the 2023 Sports lunch. It’s going to be Friday 14 April 2023.

OOs retain Multisports Trophy

■ Arthur Marment (D 77) Multisports Coordinator

devoted hours to galvanising their teams. Oundle sports staff teed up events, teams, kit and facilities and were calm about late replies, evolving plans and generally tolerating traditional OO nonchalance. Oundle pupils in all sports were unfailingly polite, competitive and as usual utterly charming in the face of a tide of older people. Nathan Bull and the Sodexo team catered an excellent committee dinner on the Friday and responded to all requests and changes in a calm manner. They also sorted a lovely lunch on the Sunday.

Official cheerleader Charles Salem (C 78) flew 20,000 miles to attend and supported and heckled both sides equally and added enormously to the spirit of the weekend.

With

the dust now settled, all the action on and off the pitch-field-court-poolground-course during the 5 and 6 March 2022 Multisports weekend follows. It was generally reckoned by aficionados of the event to have been the best ever. Overall, the score was OOs 6, School 4. Thus, OOs retain the Spragg Trophy and take the lead 7 - 6 in the modern era of this event (with two draws).

The Head, Sarah Kerr-Dineen, got the weekend off to a flyer hosting drinks at Cobthorne. She also supported individual events and presented the Spragg Trophy. Her contribution was hugely appreciated by the OO community, as was Anthony Kerr-Dineen’s presence, always stalwart in attendance.

Alastair Sherwin and Nick Bessant from the School got behind the event from an early stage and gave their time to help. OO sports secretaries Henry, Jon, Alex, Andrew, Freddie, Chris, Alice, Stuart, Maria, Kristina, Myles, Guy and Lance

OO President Chris Piper (Sc 71) and VP Guy Beresford (B 81) gave huge support in the build-up and non-stop energy during the weekend. The fact that both competed spoke volumes. Al Gordon (C 69) and Guy Simmonds (StA 95) provided zeal, energy, humour, ideas and a drink at all times. The OO Committee coughed up financially.

Megan Smedley (Editor, Old Oundelian Magazine) gave support and transformed your correspondent’s rambling article. Nicky Yianni (Secretary, OO Club) did everything asked for with speed, accuracy and good nature, despite being his first time at bat. Matthew Dear and Taryn Moore (Oundle Society) sorted multimedia publicity and snaps. Rob and Andy and all the gang at The Ship Inn allowed their historic premises to be used as a temporary clubhouse for the weekend and hosted 90 OOs and Oundle Town Vets, plus their fans, for tea on the Saturday closely followed by over 100 OOs that evening.

Saturday saw our friends from the Oundle Town Vets square up to our plucky lads who fought throughout but were, alas, marginally shaded at the whistle. As always Slippery Simmonds, Plucky Pensioner Piper and les deux Goldinghams (Ldr 99) rolled back the years but would be the first to say this was a team effort. On Sunday the OO Young Pups trampled the hallowed Two Acre turf with teams pulled together by new prop on the block Myles Keane (L 16) who belied his position in the tight five with modern running ball in hand play. Plus, a shout out to Jamie Lennard (head of rugby) who was supportive all weekend and, impressively, even knew who Dave Scully was. As always in OO Rugby, sport was the winner.

Rugby

Fives

Alex Smith (N 91) as usual skipped and to be honest I think we might have pulled in some staff but a high standard of play was on view in this fascinating sport. Students of the game would also have been impressed by Alex’s iron rehydrating discipline in The Ship post match, an example to us all. School win: 107104.

Rowing ergo

Many thanks to the School’s Katherine Morris for making such a huge effort in this discipline and for all her charges who made this one of the biggest events of the weekend down at the Oundle Boathouses. OOs fielded the formidable Kristina Cowley (L 13) whose reputation in the sport goes way beyond the narrow confines of Oundle and also Guy Beresford and Charles Salem who both competed in cords and brogues giving the event a sort of Drones Club meets Three Men in a Boat atmosphere. Following a conflab with Kristina, the event was awarded, quite rightly, to the School reflecting their mass turnout and huge effort. School win.

Squash

Skip Maria Yukhnovich (K 13) was on the reigns and with her calm efficiency bought together a very powerful team including marquee star Dylan Martens (L 16), simply phenomenal and unvanquished, and Sophie Walker (L 10), Nina Rieck (K 95) and Lance Ashworth (G 82), who all transitioned effortlessly from tennis, and a host of supporting stars. However, as before, Oundle head of squash David Raftery is very much the silent sporting assassin: match ups are carefully curated, umpires and markers dragooned, a delicious tea laid on and then we get beaten, despite playing well. Thank you, David for your time and care, the pupils for turning out and coach Carol Abbott who umpired and has been instrumental in honing Oundle sides for as long as I can remember. Thank you, Maria for then throwing yourself into the Careers event and even pressing your partner into service. School win.

Cross country

Bravo OO skip Jon Potts (C 98) for getting a team together and brava head of cross country Leti Brighton for a great course and super run. The OOs had Will Hudson (L 12) on their side and reports said he ran an insane time backed up by

teammate Charlotte Taylor (L 10). In the final analysis, the OOs prevailed despite excellent pupil performances. This is a proper sport and one of the few left where you encounter real mud. OO win.

Water polo

Julie Clipstone never disappoints and it was impressive to see her charges, present and past, gazing up at her with what can only be called puppyish devotion as she read the riot act as to how this match was going to progress. If you’ve not watched Oundle water polo, it’s a shock! Once the whistle went, the OOs flung themselves at the pupils in a manner which would have rugby players hiding behind the ref. Somehow Julie kept on top of it all and somehow the OOs prevailed. If you’ve not seen the new pool, it is jaw-droppingly fab. OO win 10 - 8.

Men’s hockey

Stuart Morgan (Lx 91) is the OO postman as he always delivers despite the fact that the School invariably produces strong teams. Thank you everyone who played, and full marks for Dudley MoorRadford (B 85) whose fitness made a mockery of his advanced age! Thanks hockey supremo Grahame Mansell-Grace for pulling it all together and thanks to the pupils who helped us out in goal. OO Win 4 - 3.

Women’s hockey

I defer to no one in my admiration of OO captain Alice Rockall (W 12) who is the embodiment of the adage ‘if you want something done ask a busy person.’ Those who make up the OO women’s team don’t really look like a bunch who are easily marshalled, but Alice got them on the pitch on time and fought a talented School side to a fair 2 - 2 draw. I think it is also fair to say that in the annals of OO big nights at The Ship the arrival of the team transformed the rear room into a semblance of an Ibizan nightclub - pounding beats, tequila shots and pull ups on beams. Alice and her teammates, we salute your energy and charm! Result: halved 2 - 2.

Football

I was deeply impressed to hear that the newly minted OO soccer team had held a warmup fixture against Exeter Uni and it paid dividends as their skills and passion unpicked a competitive School team. Talisman Freddie Ashworth (G15) was alas out with injury but Chris Titcomb (StA 15) led the line and it was excellent to see this sport back on the Multisports roster. Thanks again to School gaffer Chris Bradnam for doing the spadework. OO win 5 - 3.

Clay pigeon shooting

Whilst accepting that OOs love their tennis, I have to begrudgingly admit that it’s the charisma of skip Lance Ashworth (G 82) which always draws a good number of players to the Two Acre courts for this major competitive fixture. The OOs fielded a galaxy of stars including Andrew Smith (Sc 82), Sophie Walker (L 10), who won the ladies doubles at Queens Club, the Piper Twins, Chris and Angus (B

This has been a Multisports stalwart and we are grateful to Fuzzy Liston for bringing his pupil team over despite the strain of running a challenging house like Bramston. Alastair Irvine (Sc 81) and Henry Johnson made up the OO team and shot well in a discipline in which form can leave you inexplicably. Well done the pupils and thank you again Sporting Targets shooting ground for hosting us. OO win.

85), the Goldingham Twins, Al and Mike, evergreen Richard Owen (Sc 70), Nina Rieck, surely the most talented of the sporting Riecks, as well as Richard Johnson (B 74), James Chapple (L 07) and Harry Newington (B 00) to name but a few. However, the pupils were not to be intimidated and School captains Benas and Lydia forced the pace leaving Al G and Sophie needing to win the final game to salvage a draw. Starting with two double faults did nothing to calm the crowd’s nerves, but Al stayed calm and a draw seemed the right result. Thanks as always to superfan (Sophie’s mum)

Tennis

S Maroon shirts : Findlay, Rice, Turner, Bletsoe Brown, Rockall, Ayton, Humphries, Hodgkinson, Ratcliffe, Roberts, de Wolf, de Winton, Harrison, McParland, Place

and Megan Smedley for courtside support and most importantly School tennis heads Matt Blessett and Spencer Coates for teeing it all up. Let’s do it all over again on 7 May when I guarantee the weather will be warmer than last time out. Result: match halved.

Full marks to all OOs who double sported including Chris Piper, Lance Ashworth, Nina Rieck and Sophie Walker. The bottle of port award for the most experienced OO playing went to Richard Owen who looks and plays as if he was 50 despite being

born mid-way through the last century. Richard was Oundle captain of tennis in 1970. MVP prizes were presented (on rotation) to members of the women’s hockey team and the soccer team. The prize for most hapless performance was won by a member of the OO rugby team, though I suspect that this was borne out of team-mate jealousy of his looks and athleticism.

Well done everybody and let’s do it all over again on 4 and 5 March 2023 - subject to confirmation from the School but shove it in your diary

now. If anyone has any realistic suggestions about how this wonderful event can possibly be improved, drop me a line. I will be all ears.

Finally, badminton we miss you: what can we do to win you back? Golf: a must for 2023. Cricket: you can run but… Basketball: any takers? With affection for you all, Floreat Undelium!

Cricket

Rovers CC had another enjoyable season, and although the Cricketer Cup squad did not emulate its 2019 and 2021 final appearances, they reached the quarter final for the fourth time running, succumbing to strong opposition. The squad is as good as it has ever been, with exceptional Rovers’ camaraderie and team unity. Away from the competition, although the Eastbourne tour did not go ahead this year, the Rovers played out a thrilling tied match against the School before losing the, equally thrilling, ‘worst ever’ superover. Victories were also recorded over Radley Rangers, Eton Ramblers and Repton Pilgrims in three thoroughly enjoyable friendly fixtures.

Oundle

The Nicholson Cricketer Cup

1st Round vs Repton Pilgrims

- David Pimblett reports: The Rovers embarked on their 2022 Cricketer Cup campaign with a convincing first round win at Oundle against Repton. Having won the toss, the Pilgrims decided to bat on what proved to be a very flat track and made relatively serene progress to 39-0 by the 13th over. Thereafter the Rovers at no point looked like losing. Patch Foster (StA 05) made the initial breakthrough and bowled his ten overs off the reel for 2-19. Then Ben Graves (F 15) started with three maidens and finished with 3-22. Fellow off spinners Will Street (Sc 10) 1-11 off 8 and Tommy Simeons (StA 20) 2-14 ably supported by Jules McAlpine (Lx 88) (1-xx) who also grabbed a wicket thanks to a second sharp catch behind the stumps by Simon Fernandes (Ldr 18). Skipper Greg Smith (StA 07) set the

standard in the field with a superb run out and two catches, one an unbelievable one-handed dive. With no Pilgrim progressing beyond 17, a defendable total was not going to happen and 103 (with 9.1 overs unused) was quickly passed as Ben Graves was guaranteed the man of the match award of a bottle of Nicholson Gin with an assured run-a-ball 52 not out with nine boundaries - more than Repton made in total. Meanwhile James Esler (C 19) justified his promotion to opener with a memorably huge blow onto the roof of the new sports centre.

2nd Round vs Rugby Meteors: The Rovers progressed to the quarter finals for the fourth consecutive season with a hard-fought victory at Rugby. Having lost the toss, the Rovers bowled first and encountered some high-class batting from the Rugby top order, which saw the hosts to 115 for 1 at the halfway stage. Patrick Foster, 0-30, bowled a miserly opening spell but breakthroughs were hard to come by. Man of the match Will Street, 4-30, contributed the most control and with Charlie Fernandes (Ldr 17), 3-44, in his first major Cricketer Cup bowling spell, they managed to take regular wickets during the second half of the innings. The Rovers held several good catches,

including two from Cameron Wake (L 04), and with Jules McAlpine, 3-55, mopping up the tail, were happy to keep Rugby below 250. The fielding was exceptional and Simon Fernandes was impeccable behind the stumps, yet again yielding no byes. A new opening partnership of Wake, 18, and Rory Osmond (G 10), 32, started quickly but the introduction of Rugby’s spinners

S Ben Graves receiving his Man of the Match award from Team Manager Steve Lowe

S Man of the Match Will Street (4-30) receiving his award from Greg Smith

S Cameron Wake and Alex Cunningham after their historic 201 run partnership at Repton

slowed the rate and set off a string of unusual dismissals. Simon Fernandes, 49, provided the glue and Greg Smith, 36, a classy acceleration, but Rovers found themselves 165 for 6 in the 37th over. 2019 School Captain James Esler, 28, and his successor Tommy Simeons, 34*, with watchful patience and skilful batting then took the game away from Rugby. Their partnership of 53 ended with Esler’s run out and it was left to Patch Foster to complete the chase with a quickfire 15 off 6 balls.

Quarter Final vs Old Millfieldians: The Rovers narrowly lost by two wickets in a game that veered back and forth all day. Ben Graves, 15, and Rory Osmond, 34, made a quick start. Simon Fernandes, 46, and Greg Smith, 52, both played important innings and Charlie Fernandes, 28, added some improvisation and acceleration to place the Rovers on target for 250 plus with ten overs remaining. Sadly, the set players did not kick on and the lower middle order found things much more difficult than at Rugby. Veteran Jules McAlpine, 12, provided some quality hitting in the last overs but the Rovers were a little disappointed with a total of 231. McAlpine started the Millfield innings as he had finished Oundle’s, clean bowling the ex-captain of Surrey CCC and Sussex CCC for

single figures. The visitors were always ahead of the required rate, but Oundle’s spinners posed problems and took regular wickets. Tommy Simeons, 5-69, became only the ninth Rover to bag a five wicket haul in Cricketer Cup history and Graves, 1-40, and Charlie Fernandes, 0-32, supported by Esler, 0-17, all bowled very tidily. Harry Boston (F 22), 1-10, on debut, removed Oundle’s 2021 nemesis late in the game, but considerable damage had already been inflicted. Simeons reduced Millfield to 207 for 8 with a double wicket over, but a stubborn ninth wicket partnership saw Millfield over the line. The Rovers were sorely disappointed, but rightly proud of another impressive run. We go again next year.

Rovers Friendly Fixtures

Radley Rangers: The Rovers opened their season with a convincing victory against Radley Rangers on 8 May. Current School 1st XI members Will de Capell Brook, Will Park and Ollie Ford all made strong contributions as did Tris Tusa (S 16) with the bat and Jules McAlpine and Tommy Simeons with the ball. Oundle: 268-5 (de Capell Brook 94*, Tusa 60, Park 51*) Radley 105 (McAlpine 3-18, Simeons 3-13, Smith 1-0).

Oundle School: The day began with a brave School captain decision to bat. An hour later at 51-5 this was looking rash with Jack Howard, 3-13, relishing his recent return from gap year travels and Alex Cunningham (L 19), 2-37, also among the wickets. Captain de Capell Brooke, 43, and the lower middle order of Boston, 29, Park, 48*, and Halstead, 27, all hit the ball hard and ensured a target, at least, for the Rovers with the innings closing on 200. Will Street, 40, and Cunningham, 22, made a strong start and with Esler, 52, Orlando Thain (F 21), 14, Theo Aubrey (C 18), 19, and Tom Stanton (Ldr 20), 25*, all contributing in the middle it seemed that the Rovers would secure victory relatively comfortably.

However, George Davies (Ldr 22), 3-47, and Ed Reyner (F 22), 3-25, including his brother Tom’s scalp, had other ideas. As soon as the lower middle was exposed, Rovers wickets tumbled and Captain Tommy Simeons was last out with the School one run to the good. Hasty negotiations allowed the retired Esler to re-enter the fray, only for Davies to clean bowl him one run later.

A wonderful tie in front of a large and noisy House match final gathering. Further negotiations ensued, a super-over was agreed.

The Rovers lasted three balls, all out nought. After five balls of the School’s over they were nought for one wicket.

The first ever scoreless tie at Oundle was a real possibility. Will Park managed to slice the last ball just over extra cover and the Rovers’ conceded defeat. A wonderful game and a great day at the Mills Pavilion.

Eton Ramblers - Tris Tusa reports:

On Sunday 3 July, the Upper Club was the scene of a convincing Oundle Rovers victory in a new fixture between the two sides. Rovers won the toss and boldly put Eton into bat on a beautiful wicket. A strong opening partnership from the opposition almost became cause for concern; however, a tight bowling and fielding performance gradually ground them down. They managed to reach only 218 all out, including a superb captain’s innings of 69 from

S Rovers and School 1st XI leaving the field at the end of the extraordinary super over

SPORT

Felix Hartley-Russell. Wickets were shared evenly amongst the Rovers’ bowlers, with two each from Freddie Howard (S 16), Tusa, Lawes and Fredrik Jonsrud (Ldr 16). Refreshed after an unsurprisingly high-quality lunch, the Rovers’ openers started with a scare, first with Tommy Simeons trapped lbw with the first ball of the innings and subsequently the ball catching a Ben Curry (S 16) glove on the way through to the keeper. At 2-2, the momentum was certainly against the Rovers. Step in Sidney compatriots Lawes and Howard, who steadied the ship beautifully for a 100 partnership. Harry departed on 58 and Freddie soon after, caught on the boundary on 68. Tusa and Esler entered with 70 runs to win and managed to seal the deal, with Toby Lawes hitting the

winning runs to the square leg boundary. A fantastic day of beautiful weather, lovely surroundings and competitive spirit. Repton Pilgrims: Having (just) negotiated the midweek motorways, the Rovers - boasting an age range from 63 to 17 - were invited to field at Repton’s beautiful ground on a lovely summer’s day. Seamers McAlpine and Boston were very tidy and kept Repton under control for the first hour. Skipper Stuart Morgan (Lx 91) then cleverly rotated the myriad of Oundle spinners, of whom guest Australian Tom Siede’s after lunch spell was exceptional and Alex Cunningham was particularly delighted to capture the prize scalp of Repton’s seasoned ex-Derbyshire CCC professional. Repton were pleased with their 256-8, but with a

short boundary on one side there was cause for Oundle optimism.

De Capell Brooke, 12, and Park, 35, gave the Rovers a strong start but it was the coming together of ‘Running Man’ Cunningham, 57, and Cameron Wake, 136* from 71 balls, that transformed the game. The latter was intent on delivering a teach-in to some of his current pupils at Repton and the former was just happy to guide his partner through the fast-scoring milestones, unselfishly waiting to complete his half century until the very end of the game. The pair added 201 in a blistering 19 overs - only the third ever Rovers double century partnership on record. The Rovers enjoyed wonderful Repton hospitality and hope to repeat the fixture next year.

S Oundle Rovers v Repton Pilgrims at Oundle

Golfing Society

■ Nick Copestick (Ldr 69) OOGS President

TheOO Golf Society Annual Weekend at Luffenham Heath GC on 1 and 2 October 2021, adopted a new Friday and Saturday format which appears to have been a popular move with over 20 members enjoying Foursomes on the first day – in lovely autumnal weather –followed by nearly 30 for dinner at The George. Huge thanks to organisers James Aston (StA 92), Shane Dodd (Sn 74) and Steve Carr (S 84).

The Grocers’ Handicap Foursomes: Megan Smedley and Michael Williams (Sn 69) (39 points); 2nd James Aston and Barry Peak (Sn 82) (37 points).

Hughes Salvers (on the Par 3s): Peter Pentecost (StA 73) and Alastair Gordon (C 69) (11 points); 2nd James Aston and Barry Peak (10 points).

Scratch Cup: Barry Peak (81); 2nd William Butler (L 08) (81) on countback.

Handicap Cup: Edward Dove (C 85) (net 71), 2nd Andrew Ireson (net 72).

Dove Stableford: William Butler (32 points), 2nd Nick Owles (N 63) (32 points) on countback.

Old Boys (55+): Nick Owles (net 74); 2nd Peter Edwards (Sc 73) (net 78).

Over 65 Cup: Peter Edwards (net 78), 2nd Peter Pentecost (net 78) on countback.

The Copestick House Claret Jug: Crosby; 2nd New House

The Halford Hewitt Cup 2022: Captain Steve Carr (S 84) reports: Our

quest for Halford Hewitt glory started in a storm and ended in a storm. Sixteen of our elite golfers were invited to trial in mid-February at Prince’s Golf Club on the Kent Coast, for a select few spots on the team. Unfortunately, the weekend coincided with Storm Eunice which battered the whole country. Saturday golf was abandoned after the first group reached the turn, and couldn’t stand up on the tenth tee. Next day, we awoke to continuing 50-60mph winds, but gallantly we ventured out. This time the trial lasted for 16 holes. At the end of the carnage, five players qualified by rights with Richard Pentecost (StA 05) topping the list with 25 scratch Stableford points in the 16 holes played. A great effort considering the torture.

Pentecost, Stuart Rowland and myself, Jack Ireson (L 15) and William Butler (L 08), Peter Edwards (Sc 73) and Fred Domellof (Lx 76), Mark Eddy (StA 84) and Henry Duncombe (B 96), Ed Dove (C 85) and James Aston (StA 92), with Richard Harris (Lx 91) taking over from Aston in the afternoon. Score 9-3 to Denham.

We were confident ahead of this first round clash v Blundell’s, at Royal St George’s GC on 7 April, but arriving at the course, we realised that the weather was going to be a great leveller. Unrelenting 50mph winds, the strongest in the Hewitt that anyone could remember, made life very difficult. There was no real way of knowing where even the best shots would end up. Combined with

The others were Tris Tusa (S 16) and myself with 24 points and Tom Goodley (G 99) and Patrick Foster (StA 05) with 23.

Next stop, our annual warm-up match with Denham GC on 5 March. With a number of chosen Hewitt players unable to play, we still managed to put out a very decent 12-man side. While there was plenty of optimism and endeavour, we had a chastening morning, and even post lunch, fortified with the club’s excellent hospitality, we came a distant second.

The team was represented by Peter Pentecost (StA 73) and Richard

the fact that the greens had been ironed and frighteningly quick, it became a bit of lottery for those not quite on their game. Angus Lang (F 09) and Richard Harris showed everyone how to do it in trap 2 and

S Richard Harris and Angus Lang after their 6 and 5 win - their win percentage is now 86

S The Halford Hewitt Cup 2022 result card

SPORT

scorched to a 6 and 5 victory, while Richard Pentecost and Andrew Lightowler (L 97) fought valiantly in the back match to win it down 18. Unfortunately, the three other pairs went down. Tom Goodley and Tris Tusa were unlucky not to take it down the 19th, as the opposition holed from ten feet on the final green in howling wind. Will Butler and Mark Eddy were also close, but a lost ball down the 17th in a crosswind put paid to their comeback. Will Kendall (S 02) and I never quite got going and the match swung to Blundell’s in a the four hole stretch from the 9th. Had we prevailed, we would have played Loretto, the eventual winners, who allegedly had an aggregate handicap for their tenman team of +24. We are a long way off that quality, but then so is pretty much every other school. It just shows what can be done at a school

ever for us.) Mark Eddy has been the OOGS Halford Hewitt Secretary, (ie, general factotum, cook and bottlewasher) for Steve and the previous captain. Doing this job whilst maintaining a place in the team is not easy but Mark has done it all with smooth efficiency and great charm. Steve has now officially handed over to the new Captain, Richard Harris, who will be in charge for the 2023 Cup. Good luck from us all, Bomber.

OOGS vs Old Uppinghamians at the Rye Golf Club on 6 April was a very different experience to that of the previous year. A strong wind and eventually heavy rain led to the match being abandoned midway. Positive Covid tests had already decimated the OOGS team, so our traditional committee and Hewitt supporters’ event was badly affected. The match format was foursomes, handicap, all holes counting: at the time when everyone walked in, the scores were tied, meaning that Oundle retain the trophy and still lead the series 6-5. Thanks to Fred Domellof for taking over captain’s duties on the day.

About OOGS vs Old Bedfordians at the Royal Worlington and Newmarket GC on 26 March, Roy Nicholson (StA 65) reports: the team played well in the morning, lunching 5-1 up (unheard of!). We ended the day 7-5 or 8-4 up with a lack of clarity about who won the match in trap 6 in the afternoon. The top matches are

played off scratch, as practice for the Halford Hewitt.

Of OOGS vs the School, Oundle GC, on 5 May, Nick Cheatle (G 63) writes: A lovely day for golf this year at Oundle, followed by an excellent supper and a tour of the new Sports Centre thrown in for any OOs who had not yet seen it. The games were played on Sunningdale rules (ie, play level but gain a shot on the next hole if two or more down) with all matches reaching the 18th. Many thanks to Andrew Ireson for arranging the game and collecting a group of keen and courteous pupils.

Results (School names first): Angus Richardson and Yang Huo vs James Aston and Michael Turnbullall square; Sam Tyler and Hamish Gordon-Stewart 2 up vs Andrew Ireson and Alastair GordonStewart (F 90); Charles Todd and Ben Webber vs Simon Fitton (L 97) and Fred Domellof 1 up; Oliver Spencer and Charles Aldous vs Nick Cheatle and Nick Copestick 2 up; Arthur Denison-Smith and Oscar Wan 1 up vs Bob Ellis and Joss Cheatle (G 00); Henry Ingram and Harry James vs Peter Fox-Andrews (N 64) and Roger Tacq (L 69) 2 up. Result - School 2:3 OOGS with one match halved.

with proper golf facilities. They have a golf academy with three PGA professionals. We can hope!

The President adds: Our thanks to Steve Carr for his inspirational captaincy. He achieved a ‘Photograph’ (awarded to all quarter finalists) in his first year, 2014. Since then, he has laid the foundations of a very promising and much younger team. I’m sure he will gain many more points for OOGS (he is currently the third highest scorer

The Public Schools Midland Meeting at Little Aston GC on 22 June was as ever keenly anticipated, enjoyed by the OOGS team and superbly marshalled by Shane Dodd, who was however unable to prevent Nick Wilson’s car from being shunted in the rear on the A1, en route. This meant that we were a pair short of maximum but nevertheless managed a creditable fifth equal in the main competition. Duncan Smith (C 71) and Nick Copestick won the Pud Bowls, the prize for the best net score in the morning, collecting 33 Stableford points.

The GL Mellin Salver, Peter Burles and Bunny Millard are three tournaments, respectively, for players over 55, over 65 and over 75 for the second 16 schools taking part in the Halford Hewitt tournament. They take place at West Hill golf club, Brookwood, Surrey at the very end of

S Steve Carr

S Richard Pentecost (R) with Bedford oppo

June each year. The formats are: Mellin 6, a side scratch foursomes (white tees); Burles 4, a side scratch foursomes (yellow tees); Bunny Millard, Stableford pairs scratch foursomes then scratch foursomes match play for top 4 qualifiers (red tees). The Burles team were first up, early on the Wednesday morning against Forest, with pairings of Nick Copestick and Duncan Smith, Patrick Fossett (B 65) and Nigel Hetherington.

For Nigel, this was a first outing in the ‘bare knuckle’ scratch foursomes: an interesting challenge, which he seemed to enjoy. The honours were shared as they often are in the Burles, both matches finishing on the 17th, which means that the first extra hole is the 18th, our top pair taking on Forest’s top pair for the decider; with the 18th halved, down the first they went but failed to match Forest’s impeccable par and we were in the Plate.

Then came the Bunny Millard, in which Oundle had two pairs: Robert Barrell (StA 61) and Nick Owles (the holders), Peter Tett (B 58) and Gavin Choyce (N 61). The top pair romped to the turn with 17 points, then fell away a bit, but qualified third on 27. Unfortunately, the second pair could not match this and did not qualify, but we hope they enjoyed the well presented set up at West Hill.

In the afternoon in the Burles plate against Cranleigh, again the honours were shared the same way, but this time at the 18th so down the first they went, and again Oundle could not match Cranleigh. Undaunted we all repaired to a well-earned meal and rest.

So, to the Thursday morning and an 8.20am start against Forest in the Mellin. The pairings were Nick Wilson (N 74) and Steve Carr, Fred Domellof and Barry Peak (Sn 82), Peter Edwards and Peter Pentecost.

Barry Peak was on his maiden voyage. Forest were the holders of the Mellin from 2021 and had good players out on the Thursday morning; sadly the top two pairs lost so we were in the Plate. In the meantime, the Bunny Millard pairing of Barrell

and Owles set off against McMullen and Smith of Shrewsbury which proved to be a great battle.

The Mellin plate first round in the afternoon against Aldenham passed off uneventfully with pairs one and three running out relatively easy winners and trap two taking a half. All eyes turned to the closing hole of the Bunny Millard with Oundle just short of the green in two and opposition up to their proverbials in a laurel bush. McMullen somehow managed to extract it from the bush but the opposition had to hole from just short of the green. There were anxious moments as the ball approached the hole, but it slid past and Barrell and Owles were through to a repeat of the final the following day against Youngman and Cannon Brooks of Sherborne. We all set off for a delightful dinner with the Old Lorettonians at Worplesdon, thanks to the organisation of Worplesdon President Noel Stephens. Ties were awarded to Messrs Hetherington and Peak as first timers.

The final day: first up, the Mellin Plate against Haileybury; it was all going so well. The top pair were broadly even throughout, but in the second pair, Fred’s back went and from being a few up, they lost at the short 15th. Trap 3 were in control and won on the 17th, but the absence of interest up by the 18th green told us all we needed to know: Oundle’s top pair was squeezed out at the last, so no more golf for us.

This allowed us to follow the Bunny Millard final and the evergreen Barrell and Owles controlled matters throughout, again slaying the Old Shirburnian opposition of Youngman and Cannon Brooks, beating them at the 15th for another fine victory. Roll on 2023 for three in a row.

Call to arms: we are looking for more players in the 55 - 65 age group with single figure handicaps for next year’s squad. If you qualify in age and handicap, please do contact me at peter.pentecost@btopenworld. com so that we can have the best team available. Next year, the Mellin starts on Thursday 29 June and

players need to be 55 by that day.

OOGS welcomes new members of any age and handicap and has a full fixture list at great courses. Please contact Hon Sec James Aston (james@ moneyspyder.co.uk) or President Nick Copestick (nick.copestick@mac. com) for details.

S Supporters and team members enjoying post dinner drinks at Royal St George’s: L to R Nick Owles, Fred, Richard Pentecost, Mark, Steve, Nick Whalley, James Aston, Will Butler (front), Andrew Lightowler, Bomber, Bob Ellis (front), Tom Goodley, Angus Lang

S The Hewitt captaincy handover: L to R, Nigel Hetherington (Lx 65), Bomber, Fred, Steve

S Uppingham captain, Alan Thomas, with Shane Dodd, both looking splendid in respective OU and OO blazers

Fives

■ Alex Smith (Ldr 85)

Fives

has been in a process of re-building after lockdown, as has the School’s programme. I have been working with the School, as Fives Secretary and also teaching nearby in Stamford, to help the new – and admirably enthusiastic –coaching staff get things going again. We have also had a developing fives session for a few adults – teachers and parents – on Thursday evenings.

In terms of the OO team, we managed a decent showing at the Owers (Alumni) Fives Trophy in October, with Charlie Rogers (S 16) and Jeremy Manger (L 16) in the team alongside myself. At the multi-sports weekend, however, we were thin on the ground and we needed to shore up the squad with some non-OO ringers, including parents and Stamford pupils.

We ended up with a narrow loss –induced perhaps by tiredness amongst the older team, as well as a misunderstanding of the score needed in our final game.

Tennis

■ Lance Ashworth (G 82)

going to the hockey, hopes were high that we would be able swiftly to despatch the school on Sunday morning.

beating two boys 40 and 41 years my junior almost made me believe I should play more often - until my body totally seized up.

The

Multisports weekend saw a good turnout. As well as a number of regulars, we were joined by two fresh faces, Robert Johnson (N 95) and Will Douglas (StA 95) With a squad of 14 and even in the absence of Dudley MoorRadford (B 85), who had decided to play hockey and unlike Harry Newington (B 00) did not make himself available for a match before

However, the squad decided to adopt a novel approach to warming up for the match: three played for the OO Rugby Vets on the Saturday afternoon, while four of the squad decided to join the OO squash team, each determined not to let the side down. There were gasps of astonishment from pupils when the OO captain, Marina Yukhnovich (K 13), was identified as having captained the school ten years ago. But that was nothing compared to the shock as I was identified as having captained the school 40 years ago! OO tennis players did not let the squash side down and the joy of

Thus, ideally prepared for the match, at 10 am we assembled at the 2-Acre courts. We started with what, on paper, looked like strong pairings, led out by the Goldingham twins, Sophie Walker (recently Queens’ Club ladies doubles champion) and Nina Rieck, Harry Newington and James Chapple, and Chris Piper and Richard Owen. The Goldinghams fell to a 5-2 defeat, Sophie and Nina held on for a 4-3 victory, Harry and James crushed the opposition 6-1, while Chris and Richard were edged out 4-3. So, all square after the first round.

In the second round, Nina was

38 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2021-2022 SPORT Never mind, the School played well. As always, please get in touch with me next year if you’d like to play at Oundle or anywhere else.

unable to carry Arthur Marment the whole way and they succumbed 2-5, Robert Johnson and Will Douglas demonstrated a bit of class, winning 4-3, the same score that a somewhat immobile pairing of Andrew Smith and I won by; while the unrelated Piper twins were unable to recreate their heroics of former years. Round 3 and the tide appeared to turn. Surprisingly Sophie Walker and Mike Goldingham (normally banker points) lost 3-4, while Richard Owen and Angus Piper were trounced 0-7 and Will Douglas and Lance Ashworth lost. Fortunately, Arthur Marment rediscovered his magic and along with Robert Johnson won, leaving the match score 5-7 in favour of the school. The team pulled themselves together in round 4. Marment used all of his guile, which includes serving so slowly that he can get to the net before the ball, aiding he and Walker to victory. Smith and Johnson and Rieck and Al Goldingham each won, so the only loss in the round was a 1-6 defeat of Douglas and Chapple. 8-8 going into the final round….

Strong pairings were introduced to bring the points home. Or that was the plan. Smith and Douglas lost 0-7. Mike Goldingham and Rieck managed to contrive a 3-4 loss. The dependable Chris Piper and James Chapple won 4-3, leaving the match at 10-9 to the school with the last pairing of Al Goldingham and Walker needing victory. The match poised at 3-3, Al served for victory

and he and Sophie saw out the game with grit and determination. Some might point out that in 2020, the last time this fixture took place, while I was off games, the OOs under Sophie Walker’s leadership crushed the school. All that can be said is that she was not hampered by the events of the previous day!

D’Abernon Cup - 3 April

The annual Public School Old Boys LTA competition is restricted to men; no women’s equivalent. As a warmup, Ed Ibrahim (Lx 00) hosted Mike Goldingham, Dudley MoorRadford and myself to an evening of tennis at Queen’s Club. The guests even managed to sport their OO team shirts (not sure what happened to Ed’s). It was clear by the end of the evening, where the honours were evenly shared over four sets, that Ed and Dudley would be our pair for the Cup. Perhaps, for the first time ever, we would get out of the group stages. At Reeds School, our group comprised Bradfield, Caterham, Sherbourne, Wellington and Harrow. As was not unexpected, Harrow defaulted. In the first match, Ed and Dudley lost 2-5 to Wellington. In the second match against Sherbourne, they had a dip in form against the weakest team, losing 2-5. Much soul-searching followed which led to a 4-3 victory against Bradfield. There was therefore still a chance of getting out of the group to the next round, the top two sides qualifying, as they faced Caterham in the final match. Various limbs were by now failing

against a couple of hard-hitting youngsters, however, and it came down to the final tiebreak before Ed and Dudley were pipped 3-4. Yet another year of nearly but not quite.

Tennis vs School - 7 May Dudley led the team in the annual match comprising a mixture of staff and OOs against the School on the summer field weekend. Dudley called on Spencer Coates and Alistair Sherwin from the staff and had Arthur Marment, the Piper twins, Andrew Smith and a new recruit, Dom Wheeler (S 85) available.

Dudley’s rallying call was succinctly set out in his pre-match email: “Strategically, I would like to keep things simple… let’s just score more games than them.” Sadly, the strategy was not successful, but the post-match analysis was full of insight: “Whatever we lost in ability we made up for in looks” and “Our mistake was winning the first game against their top pair. There was nowhere to go after that.” The school appreciated the effort put in by the OOs to turn out and provide decent opposition.

And finally, while we were unable to organise the tennis evening in Lincoln’s Inn Fields this year, the season cannot come to an end without noting Arthur Marment’s hugely impressive contribution in guiding Colston B team to victory in the Oxford League (Division 10) championship. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Football Revival

■ Freddie Ashworth (G 15)

This year marks the OO Men’s Football Club’s return to the Arthurian League. This prestigious Public Schools’ tournament began in 1961 and its annual trophy is highly sought after. The OOs previously had a team in the League, but after a recent hiatus, and now under fresh leadership, a new group of OOs will compete for the trophy. The Arthurian League has five tiers, featuring public schools from across the country. Its major cup competition is the Arthur Dunn Cup, which began in 1903 and is named after the Old Etonian who proposed the tournament.

The early days of the finals were dominated by the Old Carthusians (Charterhouse) and the Old Malvernians. Either side of WW II, the league witnessed a new era, with regular success for the Old Salopians (Shrewsbury) and the Wykehamists

(Winchester). The final decades of the last century saw different teams come to the fore. In its latest history, recent football converts such as the Old Harrovians and Old Tonbridgians have won the trophy.

Co-captains Chris Titcomb (StA 15) and Freddie Ashworth (G 15) have worked to re-establish the football network, bringing together almost a decade of OOs into one group. Additional committee members, Dughall Sandison (Ldr 15) and George Barker (Sc 15) have designed new kit. February 2022 saw the first match of this new era, as the OOs took on alumni from the University of Exeter in Hurlingham Park, Fulham, as a warm-up match for the Multisports weekend fixture vs the School.

The OOs started well, with strong link-up play down the left flank, ending in a firm strike to the bottom

corner to go 1-0 up. The rain thrashed down and Exeter showed grit and determination to fight through the weather. Under constant siege and self-enforced team disruption, in the shape of a rotating OO keeper policy, Exeter scored two quick goals. In worsening conditions, they remained on top, winning 3-1.

Attention now turned to the Multisports weekend. The OOs travelled up to Oundle on Saturday 5 March, with a fifteen-man squad, ready for the match on Sunday. The OOs got off to a flyer to go 2-0 up, through strong link up play from Chris Titcomb and Max Howard (S 15). Faced with a talented and unrelenting School side, the OOs used their experience to see them through. Dughall Sandison and Jack Ireson (L 15) controlled possession at the back and the work rate of Harry Lawes (S 15) and Will Taylor (G 15)

down the right wing, created several opportunities for Tom Cundy (Sc 14) and Alex George (C 14). The match ended in a 5-3 OO win and Will Taylor picked up the MOTM award. A promising display for the months to come.

Fixtures for the Arthurian League will take place on a Saturday afternoon, with home fixtures in

Rugby

■ James Keane (L 17)

Regent’s Park, London. Any OOs wishing to spectate and support are very welcome. We are always looking to recruit new members, even if your availability is limited. The Arthurian League currently runs as a men’s league beginning in mid-September, with matches taking place in and around London. If you are interested in playing or joining the club socially,

please do contact Freddie (ashworth. fgp@gmail.com), Chris (chris@ thetitcombs.com) or Freddie Goddard (G 18 freddiegoddard@ icloud.com). Finally, thanks to the School, for their assistance; to the School team who played the OOs at Multisports, despite looming exams; and to the OO Club for support and guidance with this adventure.

The

OO Rugby Club won their friendly match 53-21 against Old Haberdashers Rugby

Club on 23 April. We are looking to organise more fixtures next season and re-start the OO Rugby Club in

London. Please let Myles Keaneemail oorugby@ooclub.co.uk - know if you’re keen.

Is a Full Boarding Model Relevant?

■ Sarah Kerr-Dineen, Head of Oundle School

Dear Old Oundelian,

Earlier

this term I was asked to reflect on whether a full boarding model was still relevant to Oundle School in a post-Covid landscape. Answering this question went to the heart of our identity and educational vision.

What do we know about modern teenagers? Covid has taught us how much we need people, but neuroscience tells us that children and teenagers value doing things with their friends, and indeed their friends’ affirmation, more than anything else. A full boarding ethos gives pupils the time just to be with each other that a busy day school

cannot. We know also that adolescence can be tempestuous at times and that teenagers need security and boundaries in order to navigate this period of their lives. The scope that our boarding ethos gives us enables an all-round vision of education through which to develop children fully in an environment where they and their friends grow up together, with clear expectations and almost limitless opportunity.

What do we know about modern boarding? We know that it comes in different guises, with schools offering more or less flexible versions of boarding. We are committed to a full boarding ethos: we have exeats,

certainly, but we are either all here or all not here. Very few schools, if they are honest, offer truly seven-day-aweek boarding: we do and it gives security and shared rhythms to all the pupils, however close or distant their home. This boarding model fosters a much more diverse pupil body from across the UK. It gives a richness to every single day in term time; the children are never lonely.

Our senior pupils talk about the tolerance they learn and the deep bonds formed through shared experience.

Modern boarding has parents at its heart. Gone are the days of driving away at the start of term and hearing nothing until picking up your child

again. Parents want to be connected to their children’s school, to be frequently in touch, to know the individuals in their children’s world at school. Our version of boarding means that we see many more parents than we might in a weekly or flexi-boarding school because they come to us: they take their children out with their friends, see a concert, watch a sports match, go to Chapel then go home to busy lives knowing their children are secure and engrossed. Moreover, our full boarding ethos makes our responsibility to involve parents in their children’s daily lives all the clearer. Concerts and plays are streamed so parents at a distance can join in; I go online to have informal question and answer sessions with parents wherever they are, one parent memorably joining the call on horseback.

Modern boarding must be resourced with the very best staff, who are skilled not only in academic disciplines but also in pastoral care and in their support of the cocurriculum. Given the immersive demands and opportunities of our boarding ethos for our colleagues, we are staffed by vocational educators who really get it: there is no scope for the transactional approach when you are with children from breakfast to bedtime, in classrooms, on pitches, rehearsing, going on adventures, simply enjoying their company: we are all committed to education as a transformational mission.

How do we ensure relevance in a post-Covid world, tucked away in our glorious town? We follow

through on our belief in an education that develops global contributors by engaging our children with educators from our world-leading partner institutions such as Imperial College London, the Royal College of Music and Swansea University. We foster in our pupils the purpose and value of our partnerships and outreach work, through which they work with their peers in other schools. We seek to develop a generation of young people who can rub shoulders with anybody, who know that their responsibility is to give and to serve, to continue to work hard and to learn throughout their lives, confident about how to build and sustain relationships and to put others first.

Looking ahead, it is hard to see the future. How the effects of the pandemic will persist in our children’s development and in society’s behaviour we cannot fully know. Leaders and individuals will be confronted with challenges and choices we cannot yet see. I believe, though, that schools have a responsibility to be driven by values and integrity, and for every element of what they do to spring from a belief in the model of education they espouse, which must look up and out as much as it focuses on the here and now of school life. So, yes, I believe that a full boarding model, thoughtfully responsive to our world and the experience of our children, is not only relevant but is newly and urgently relevant in a post-Covid landscape.

With my very best wishes,

Concerts and plays are streamed so parents at a distance can join in Schools have a responsibility to be driven by integrity

Director of Development

■ Matthew Dear

My counterparts at other major schools meet once or twice a year for dinner in London. At our most recent gathering, the first since pandemic restrictions were eased, it was agreed that ‘Isn’t it lovely to see you all for real again’ was already becoming a little tired and hackneyed. But it is lovely and clearly many of you agree, since we have seen, once a general sense of nervousness began to abate in April, record attendance at all the

regular events that we have revived. Friendship and camaraderie have come through the dark times as strongly as has the School that unites us.

The Oundle Foundation benefited from a positive response during the first year of the Funding Futures programme, for which we are enormously grateful. It has enabled our Bursary programme to continue to grow and enabled others to enjoy what all OOs have benefited from.

The new Social Impact Fund has also proven popular, enabling children from across our region and beyond to participate in our burgeoning Partnerships and Outreach programme.

We are also looking to support Project 24, which is the School’s strategic scheme to further cement our position as a proudly coeducational boarding school and to improve the structure of the day school provision for which we were established as an independent charity in 1556. This sits neatly alongside Funding Futures; in that it too is about the School’s identity and fundamental purpose.

The amount by which the School and its beneficiaries have been blessed by OOs, parents and friends since the establishment of a permanent development office in the late 90s is approaching a staggering £30 million. Not having an historic financial endowment, such as Eton or Rugby, this remarkable generosity has played a genuinely indispensable part in Oundle’s ability to carry out its mission. Now of over 25 years’ vintage, the Foundation itself has a significant history all of its own that I am keen to try to capture and share.

Over the coming year or so, I hope to interview as many OOs and other contributors as possible so as to ensure that the story is preserved. I hope, along the way, to discover the unsung heroes as well as those whose stories are more well-known. If you have anything at all to contribute, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

S Matthew Dear describes to visiting OOs the thinking behind the kinetic sculpture by Tom Hiscocks (StA 81) which stands outside the Sports Centre as a monument to the generosity of donors to the Oundle School Foundation

The Archive

■ Elspeth Langsdale

Both anniversaries were commemorated by pupils and staff in the School Chapel during the Summer Term. The Society wrote: Thank you for such a fascinating evening. I think our members were surprised at the sheer scale of the chapel and the fact that such wonderful windows are present, right on our doorstep. The Covid delays have meant that the visit coincided with the centenary of the chapel and that made it even more special: that we were sharing in the centenary celebrations.

Making

the Archives more accessible is a key priority. This year we have been able to do just that as we were finally able to again open the doors to visitors, who really enjoyed being able to delve into boxes of artefacts themselves, sparking memories from former school days and times gone by. We have also had the pleasure of reconnecting with former pupils on social media.

Over 200 pupils have enjoyed themed workshops this year on Victorian times, letters from the Archive and co-education. A new concept of taking the Archive to the pupils was tested on the Grafton boys who had a small break from prep one evening as they explored a pop-up display of House photographs, record books and the old House magazines in the Grafton Library.

The artist in residence, along with the art scholars, explored the Archive

and utilised many photographs, artefacts, and archive film to create an amazing art installation that was projected onto the walls of the Cloisters in November.

We have also welcomed the Peterborough History Society on a visit originally scheduled in 2020. Their evening in the Memorial Chapel was made even more special as it is both the centenary year of the laying of the foundation stone, and that of the death of FW Sanderson, Headmaster 1892-1922.

It has been a busy year for research enquiries and the Archive has been able to support members of the School and the wider community in their own historical research. The Jubilee created great interest amongst many and during a morning of Jubilee research a reference to some stones outside The Berrystead on North Street was found in Oundle Reminiscences by Arthur Howitt (LGS 1890).

Pebbles formed the word JUBILEE, and I always remember that as I pass the Berrystead. On the way home from work this had to be investigated and it was a moment of ‘archive happiness’ to see that the word Jubilee can still be seen.

Another more recent anniversary was noted by the Archive. In January 1992, 30 years ago, it was announced that Dryden House was to be converted to a girls’ boarding house and the Dryden boys would be relocated to other houses in the Michaelmas Term.

It was reported in The Laxtonian that the decision was: A logical consequence of the decision to move towards full co-education some years ago, it was none the less a shock to the present members of the House who have faced the future with fortitude and dignity, their

S In 1887 I was walking up North Street and saw Anthony Rippiner, stone-mason, lying on his side. He said “There, my boy! You will be able to look at that when you can’t see me.” Arthur Howitt

finest hour perhaps being their victory in the Singing Competition. That was a moving occasion and a fitting way to mark the end of an era.

We have also acquired many ‘new’ items for the Archive including uniform, sports cups, letters, publication sheets, news clippings, photographs, and other memorabilia. Harry Williamson (StA 55) kindly travelled to an auction where he was successful in bidding on our behalf for a World War II medal collection belonging to EHP Lassen (Lx 27).

For his service during the Second World War, Peter as he preferred to be called, was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 24 January 1946 and he also received the Order of Leopold and Belgian Croix de Guerre. In the post-war years, he remained in the Army, was honorary doctor to Queen Elizabeth II in 1963 and served in Malaya in 1964 as a brigadier. Upon his retirement as a brigadier in 1969, he was appointed CBE.

We have also been able to acquire digital copies of letters written by FW Sanderson to HG Wells from the University of Illinois Library Special Collections. There are over 200 pages, and we are looking forward to going through these in the next academic year. During the next few months there will be updates on Instagram (@oundleschoolarchives) and Twitter (@OundleArchive) so stay tuned.

S Letter to HG Wells written by FW Sanderson, 1919

S Laying the Chapel foundation stone

S EH Peter Lassen’s medals

Not the Last Post

■ Richard Bailey (Sc 60)

September

1955 saw a dozen boys starting at School House. In order of academic merit, Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59) and I were at the bottom. Sixty-four years later, in 2019, the two of us were walking away from the Wren Chapel at the Chelsea Pensioners’ Hospital after the memorial service for one of the most flamboyant of our number, Chris Pocock (Sc 60). There and then we resolved to have a reunion of the survivors of our intake, before any more of us kicked the bucket.

We chose a date in May 2020, but it was not to be. Covid subverted our plans. Michael Graesser (Sc 60) died of it across the pond in Massachusetts; Andy GordonStewart (Sc 57) died in Banbury, closer to home; Ginge McMillan (Sc 56) died too. We researched 67 leavers on either side of our dozen - in other words, a whole House full. We failed to find 15 of them, while 13 had been sent upstairs - but eventually enough were discovered to keep the reunion idea alive.

The Redux was scheduled for 25 May 2022. A couple of dozen responded positively, many with spouses and partners, but Covid, still lurking, caused a few last-minute cancellations. One of our organizing team, Alastair Shaw (Sc 59), who had already had Covid, came down with a second dose days before the event and was much missed. He had been the most diligent in staying in touch with us over the years. Nevertheless, 20 OOs turned up in reasonably good health for a day and a half of celebration.

We met for afternoon tea in School House dining room, recently redecorated in an astonishing shade of red (and why not, red being the House colour).

S Standing L to R: Nigel Harris (StA 67 - son of Housemaster BK Harris), Richard Bailey (Sc 60), John Dickinson (Sc 60), Tony Playfair (Sc 58), Brian Trent (Sc 58), John Bradbury (Sc 62), Roger White (Sc 60), David Ramply (Sc 62), Rodney Alexander (Sc 61), Richard Date (Sc 59), Mike Ross (Sc 59), Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59) - Seated L to R: Guy Sinclair (Sc 60), Dru Bently (Sc 58), Bill Howson (Sc 61), Malcolm Llewellyn (Sc 60), Lester Boothman (Sc 61), David Ewing (Sc 60), Richard Glover (Sc 62), Peter Hinchcliffe (Sc 60), John Staples (Sc 61)

S BACK ROW L to R: Rodney A Alexander; Andrew FC Crook; AB Greig; Justin GD Baker; John HR Johnson; Harry A Dickinson; Richard L Bailey; Nigel Napier-Andrews; Charles Pollard; Fred T “Bill” Howson; David J Hartridge; Andrew SN Wright; Charles L Dalgleish; John PA Dickinson; John W Staples; Max J Fry (RIP); Robert Foster; C Lester Boothman; A “Sandy” CW Birkbeck (RIP) - 2nd ROW: R. Walker; JR Kyffin (RIP); Peter JH Smith; David R Pick; Peter A Laxton (RIP); C Michael C Ross; JR Richard Date; Philip J Bambury; Christopher J Bangay; Peter JO Norbury; Painton D Cowen; Peter RA Kelly; Angus HC Shaw; Ian Bett; Denzil I Bayley; Michael Oldman; Peter J Hinchliffe; John M Bradbury; David T Ramply - 3rd ROW: Guy M Sinclair; Nigel R. Beaumont; Richard B Haynes; Dermot A.M. Verschoyle-Campbell; David JF Ewing; Alastair DC Shaw; David M Llewellyn (RIP); Colin P Glover (RIP); Chris JF Pocock (RIP); Simon JD Lucas; J Roger White; Dugal AJ Stewart; Neil W Roberts; Chris SJ Shepley; Dudley GD Lucas; Malcolm AR Llewellyn - SEATED ROW: Mike JD Graesser (RIP); Max V Broady (RIP); William JT Ramply; R Nigel F Sweeting (RIP); Dr Lindsey-Jones; Primrose Harris; Brian K Harris; Miss Foster; H Richard Waters; Hugh ffS Davies; Keith G FraserFRONT ROW: John P Trent; Roger N Middleton; James A Beaton; James F Harrison

Thankfully we were all nametagged, as analogue facial recognition proved unreliable. House tours followed, organized with the kind assistance of Housemaster Scott Jessop and led by Head of House Lachie helped by Max, Harlan and James. The place has been upgraded, sanitised and decorated, but not beyond recognition. Lively reminiscences were heard everywhere as many of us spied our names on boards recording past achievements.

The sun came out at just the right time for a group photo on the Talbot Terrace, where we had been recorded en masse in 1959. This time, Third Form boys had to be dragooned into supplying chairs for those who needed them - but a comparison of the two photos shows that more than half our intake has survived. A pleasant addition to the group was Nigel Harris (StA 67), son of Housemaster BK Harris.

In the evening, we continued in the dining room of what used to be

the Tuck Shop. Several ladies were brave enough to accompany us, along with a healthy School contingent, including Sarah Kerr-Dineen, the Head, and her husband Anthony; Scott Jessop and his wife Louise; Elspeth Langsdale, Archivist - who organized a splendid array of memorabilia - and her husband Adam, a former School Housemaster; Chris Piper (Sc 71), this year’s OO Club President; Matthew Dear, Director of Development and Nicky Yianni, OO Club Secretary. We numbered over 40 and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner provided by head chef Tom Blunston.

I was privileged to introduce Sarah - one of the women who had lobbied for the HMC to be correctly re-named the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference. On a similar theme of equality, on the same day as our reunion, in my hometown of Oxford, 1,512 students were taking part in rowing races on the Thames. I noted with pleasure that for the first time there were

equal numbers of female and male rowers. Next, I recollected that in my final year of 1960, we had captured nine cups to adorn the dining room mantlepiece, and congratulated Scott on raising the number to 13. After many courses and animated discussion, dinner concluded with a dessert named Oundle Mess and an attempt at the Latin version of the School song, Carmen Undeliense: hard to say which was the messier. Many of us stayed over at The Talbot, which is much improved from our day. The town itself still looks neat and friendly, all solid and stone.

Next day, those who managed to rouse themselves were taken on a morning tour of buildings and facilities unknown in our schooldays. The Workshops replacement is an extravaganza of space filled with an engineer’s dream of cutting-edge equipment, where 3D printers and computer-controlled machines abound. Next door, the airy science area is imaginatively designed and full of tantalising displays - just the things to get young minds racing.

A pleasant stroll past the lovely Yarrow building brought us to the Chapel, now with windows of modern stained glass to complement those of John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens above the altar. Oh, that we had had time to sing there again!

Then it was on to the jaw-dropping sports complex, with an Olympic-size pool busily in use, a clever mobile OO artwork outside and six full-size cricket pitches. Finally, we reached the Mike Mills cricket pavilion, where we ate sugared doughnuts with jam impregnations long remembered from elevenses in The Cloisters. Here we said our farewells, thoughts of the past lingering for all of us.

Corresponding Members

■ News from Home

BUCKS, BERKS AND OXON

Charles Miller (Ldr 76)

Email: bucks@ooclub.co.uk

EAST ANGLIA

Matt Payne (StA 82)

Email: eanglia@ooclub.co.uk

EAST MIDLANDS

Chris Piper (Sc 71)

Email: eastmidlands@ooclub.co.uk

LINCOLNSHIRE

Alex Smith (N 91)

Email: lincolnshire@ooclub.co.uk

LONDON

Matthew Simmonds (StA 97)

Email: london@ooclub.co.uk

NORTH EAST

Charlie Hoult (Sc 85)

Email: neast@ooclub.co.uk

News from Abroad

AFRICA

Charles Salem (C 78)

Email: africa@ooclub.co.uk

AUSTRALIA

Charles Salem (C 78)

Email: australia@ooclub.co.uk

CANADA

James Clayton (G 68)

Email: canada@ooclub.co.uk

CARIBBEAN

Position open

Email: caribbean@ooclub.co.uk

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Jan Kluk OBE (LS 56)

centraleurope@ooclub.co.uk

CHINA

Xi Zhu (Ldr 05)

Email: china@ooclub.co.uk

NORTH WEST

Peter Pentecost (StA 73)

Email: nwest@ooclub.co.uk

SCOTLAND

Guy Bainbridge (Sn 78)

Email: scotland@ooclub.co.uk

SOUTH WEST

Tony Parsons (S 65)

Email: swest@ooclub.co.uk

THE WEALD

Peter Owen (Lx 63)

Email: kent@ooclub.co.uk

WALES

Peter Moore (Ldr 88)

Email: swales@ooclub.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDS

Jon Terry (G93)

Email: midlands@ooclub.co.uk

YORKSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Tim Waring (Ldr 76)

Email: syorks@ooclub.co.uk

ARMED SERVICES

Sebastian Tusa (S 13)

Email: armedservices@ooclub.co.uk

OLD OUNDELIAN LODGE NO 5682

Howard Allen (Sn 75)

Email: oolodge@ooclub.co.uk

CONTINENTAL EUROPE

Jim Bennett (N 77)

Email: seurope@ooclub.co.uk

HONG KONG

Mark Reeves (C 80)

Email: hongkong@ooclub.co.uk

INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES

Simon Reynolds (Sn 02)

Email: indonesia@ooclub.co.uk

JAPAN AND KOREA

Charles Salem (C 78)

Email: japan@ooclub.co.uk

MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

Daniel Yong (C 90)

Email: malaysia@ooclub.co.uk

MIDDLE EAST

Ken Maw (D 77)

Email: mideast@ooclub.co.uk

NEW ZEALAND

Charles Salem (C 78)

Email: australia@ooclub.co.uk

RUSSIA

Guy Eames (LS 85)

Email: russia@ooclub.co.uk

SOUTH AMERICA

Richard Horner (Sn/Ldr 04)

Email: southamerica@ooclub.co.uk

THAILAND

Iditorn Israsena (B 06)

Email: thailand@ooclub.co.uk

UNITED STATES

Richard Horner (Sn/Ldr 04)

Email: usa@ooclub.co.uk

Bucks, Berks and Oxon

■ Charles Miller (Ldr 76)

Despite my emails going slightly awry with my attempt at mail merge - for which I apologise - OOs in Bucks, Berks and Oxon do seem to have been slightly more active during the past year.

Richard Dawkins (Ldr 59) seems to be as busy as ever judging by the activities listed on his new website: richarddawkins.com.

Last September, Julian Hart (D 87), Mark Dyson (N 88) and David Lyon (Ldr 88) washed away lockdown blues with four other mariner friends on a glorious fourday sail down to Guernsey, Herm, Sark and Alderney. They all recently caught up with Mark Blackburn (G 88), who has now bought himself a little trimaran that he keeps in Poole Harbour. Julian also maintains intermittent correspondence with Iain Wadie (S 88) and Wojciech Zielonka (D 85). All are doing well with kids who are either eyeing up or already at university.

Will Smith (C 13) is living in Oval with James Gladstone (C 13) and Jack Bates (B 13). He is still working at Linklaters. Outside work he plays ‘last-man stands’ cricket with a number of OOs in a South London League and also see friends from Crosby. He attended Patrick Findlay’s (C 13) funeral this year. Despite the immensely sad occasion, he was pleased to re-connect with people from school and remember their great friend.

Following his early retirement regular bridge club member, he’s finally found time to start recording the album he started writing when at Oundle. Helped by his son, a recording engineer, the music is inspired by David’s lifelong passion for Prog Rock - which started when he saw Genesis play at a 1971 Rocsoc concert, during his first term in the Berrystead. Fittingly, this year he also attended what was probably that

band’s final ever show.

Richard Bailey (Sc 60) has been busy organising the School House 58-62 reunion which is reported elsewhere in the magazine. Alex Bailey (Sc03) is working in investment management in London while also editing arts, culture and policy journal CulturAll.io on a website built by Tim Dickinson (L 03). Henry Bryers (Lx 96) continues to live in Wargrave, Berkshire, the same village as a number of OOs he sees including Alex Deacon (Lx 90), Richard ‘JJ’ Harris (Lx 91) and Matthew Perowne (Ldr 01), and has a good balance of commuting into London a couple of days a week. He enjoys seeing Sam Cates (Lx 96), currently based in York, when visiting his family in his native Yorkshire. He also sees Oliver Hallam (Sc 96) at least annually for their salmon fishing trip to the Tyne.

Simon Nicholson (Lx 61) still thrives, has avoided Covid to date and luckily avoided having holiday cancellations during lockdowns. His main interests now are investments, gardening and grandchildren who are all quite close by. He is about to take a first aeroplane flight for three years for a Greek holiday with David Nicholson (Lx 99) and family.

His son, Aidan Nicholson (Lx 96) is a successful City fund manager who manages to take his family, ten year-old girls and eight year-old boy, on frequent exotic holidays, but is having a family holiday on the River Tweed in August in a house once owned by his grandfather. David lives three miles away with wife Gez, Lottie, 3, and Oscar Hugo, who appeared on Easter Monday a year ago. After a short Covid-induced career hiatus, he is now working happily trying to forecast energy demands.

Life continues much asbefore for Richard Valentine (D 62)

although he sees more people and travels more now.

His brother Charles (D 54) and sons Neil (G 92) and Stuart (G 99) all thrive, Neil having just moved from Putney to a new house in Winchester. He still works for Hiscox in the City but does not seem to have to darken the doors of the office more than a few days each month. I am regularly in touch with Richard Glover (Sc 62) and his son, my godson James aka ‘Jock’ Glover (Sc 91). Both of them seemed well and hearty. Mike Piers-Hall (D 62) dropped in to see him on one of his rare outings from Suffolk. Sadly, his wife Shan died last year but he was on good form and looking forward to returning to his house in the Dordogne. Richard also saw Mike Hesford (S 56). His golf improves provided his back allows him to play.

Peter Sutcliffe (N 54) continues to move between the UK and Cape Town with Liza. James Bridge (N 66) has become an expert in trying to resolve cladding issues following the Grenfell Tower disaster. Rupert Thompson (Ldr 76) bought Hogs Back Brewery ten years ago and is still running it despite Covid making retirement rather appealing. He introduced a drive through beer shop and converted a hop picking hanger into a bar and music venue. He sees Charlie Elsey (C 76) from time to time as he lives in a neighbouring village; a keen cyclist who still runs his horse feed business. he also meets Jonathan Taylor (LS 75), his dentist and also Peter Page (Lx 62) who has retired from lecturing on jewellery, as well as making it,

including for my wife. When up in Yorkshire, he also sees Mark Grainger (C 77), currently managing partner of Carter Jonas.

Arthur Marment’s (D 77) main news is the safe arrival of Angharad Marment (D 10) and Tom’s son, sensibly called Arthur and of course eligible through his grandfather to play for Wales. Angharad’s brother George (B 12) is on permanent babysitting standby. Arthur attended the wedding of Will Lowe (StA 09). The bride, Hanna, looked radiant, as did Will’s stepdad Tim Gray (S 72). He went to Twickenham with Guy Beresford (B 81). Can’t recall the result, alas, but can recall a fair amount of abuse. Andrew Kerr (Sc 73) has made two long trips to see his sons, one who lives in Toronto and the other in Melbourne. He plays golf and does charity work and also sees his father Ian (S 45) in Winchester and plays golf with his brother Mark (Sc 74) who lives in Settle.

JJ Harris met up regularly with fellow Wargrave OOs Alex Deacon, Henry Bryers and Matt Perowne at numerous events in the village. He is also honoured to have been given the captaincy of the OO Halford Hewitt golf team for next year and hopes he can bring us some luck following out going captain Steve Carr (S 84) who had to deal with all the Covid disruption. He also met Vin Grantham (LS 82) at the local cricket team and hopes his son will start playing with the Wargave 3rd XI. Kelvin Tse (G 13) spent three years at the University of East Anglia studying physiotherapy and in order to get a different perspective on life, was commissioned from Sandhurst into the Army Reserve in the same year. Since then, he had been moving around in the South East region (with a few trips abroad) and lives in Oxford, working for the NHS. He was mobilised and deployed to Cyprus for a UN peacekeeping tour and it appears he will continue to devote his life to public service. He keeps in touch with OOs from Hong Kong and caught up with Charles Hutchinson (G 13) recently.

Jay Cartwright (S 71) and Julia are now proud grandparents twice over. Daughter Jo Draper née Cartwright (W 05) gave birth to Eleanor in October 2020 and Beatrix in February 2022. Jo’s husband, Tom, is doing plenty of daddy daycare as he sits out some gardening leave before tackling a new job in the insurance world. Jo has taken some maternity leave from her job as head of Nina Campbell Interiors, but of course modern technology means that you are never fully away from work. In February, Jo and Tom saw one of Ellie’s godmothers, Kate Cranfield née Quinn (D 05) and Ed in Paris, where he works for HSBC. They have two children, William and Freddie. Earlier this year, Jo saw Gayle Marshall née Russell (L 05). She and husband Toby had a baby in March of this year and live in Wandsworth, London. Gail is a deputy head at Wetherby prep school near Marble Arch. In May, Jo and Tom travelled up to Scotland for the wedding of a friend, where guests included Will Theakston (Ldr 04) and Nell Theakston (D 06). Jay’s brother, Philip Cartwright (S 69) celebrated his 70th birthday in August last year with dinner for family and friends at Phil and Susie’s home near Alresford, Hampshire. Chunks Bowden (Sc 68) and Nicky, near neighbours, were there. Also in August 2021, Hannah Page (L 10), daughter of Roger Page (S 71) and Alison, married Alex Bond at the Page family’s longstanding base near Hereford. Roger made an excellent speech, of course, and it was a great occasion, despite dodging showers. John Chadwick (StA 71) is enjoying retirement but still does regular sessions for the Oxford GP Out of Hours service which is still very interesting. He also enjoyed the OO Dinner last November at the Institute of Civil Engineers as well the Over 60s lunch in March at the RAF Club. Nick Armitage (B 94) is now in his second year as Head of Rupert House, a prep school in Henley-on-Thames, having moved to a characterful 16th century thatched

cottage in Ewelme with his family in November 2020. Nick is enjoying having had at least one term of normality since he started in the role, and he reports that the school is carrying out the vision of becoming firmly co-ed all the way through. He was very grateful to Tom Stallard (N 97) who is currently the race engineer for Daniel Ricciardo in McLaren’s Formula 1 team, for talking to the pupils as part of a fascinating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) week themed around the future of land transport. As a former oarsman, Nick is pleased that there has been a great take-up for his rowing activity which is based out of Henley Rowing Club. He recently visited Rick Cross (Sn 95) who is in his first year of Headship at Reddam House near Reading, and he hopes that some former Rupert House pupils will be heading in his direction in the near future. Nick is looking forward to a family get-together in October up in Newcastle, where his sister Claire Bracewell (D96), a consultant rheumatologist in Sunderland, and her family live. His parents and a number of other family members are also up there, including his uncle, Brian Mattinson (Sn 48) and cousin Peter Mattinson (Sn 79), who he hopes to meet up with. Nick reports that his brother Tim Armitage (B 99) and family have recently moved house in Reigate. Around a busy quantitative strategist and fund management role at Legal & General, he is also kept busy at weekends looking after his three high-octane boys and is involved with coaching the junior section at the local rugby club. Brian Trent (Sc 58) attended the School House reunion held in May, as reported elsewhere in the magazine. It was a great success and they managed to track down 20 OOs to stay overnight at the Talbot with a dinner in what many continue to call the Tuck Shop.

Although still nominally working in the property industry, I find time for travel and playing bridge. I continue to chair the governors at

The Beacon School in Amersham which sends some boys to Oundle. My son, Tom Miller (Ldr 07) and his wife Lucy had a daughter,

East Anglia

■ Matt Payne (StA 82)

Justsix miles up the road from Oundle, Henry Bredin (S 96) writes that he is now living in Nassington with his wife and two children. He has recently completed an MBA and currently works as general manger for Japanese machinery company Kubota, manufacturers of excavators, tractors and general equipment. Henry continues to enjoy music and has recently started playing the tuba again, which he played at Oundle but hadn’t touched for 20 years. Peter Richardson (Sn 59) feels guilty for not notifying The OO Magazine of the sad news that his younger brother Jeremy Payne (Sn 62) died on 12 August 2019. David Cairns (Ldr 87) is on sabbatical from the Foreign Office and working for Equinor, the Norwegian energy company. Last year was the end of an era when his own children Lucy Cairns (N 18) and Tom Cairns (B 21) finished their time at Oundle. He will see about the next generation. David has been comparing times of long-distance cycle rides with Ed Thomas (Ldr 97) and hopes to meet up with Richard Hammond (G 87) in Bermuda in September.

Dexter Kirk (C 62) has retired from his day job and is currently working as FD for his daughter and son in law’s fashion PR agency in Shoreditch. On top of this, Dexter is working as treasurer at Southwold Arts centre, and is also a member of the parish council in Reydon. Robert Smith (N69) is currently farming in Duxford, with five children, two of whom went to Oundle; Michael Smith (StA 98) and Edward Smith (StA 00), with the younger ones possibly on their way.

Jemima, last August. He recently advanced to Liveryman in the Grocers’ Company. My daughter, Rebecca Miller (K 09) has

left Sainsbury and specialises in retail for consultancy Baringa.

Julia Perowne (K 99) recently married and is currently CEO and founder of Perowne international with offices in Milan and New York. David Sharp (Hon OO) is currently researching, reading and writing late 18th century history. He is still in touch with Martin Bailey (N 86), Sam Gedge (N 98), Adam Chadwick (N 88) and Ben Chadwick (N96). Simon Scrutton (B 55) says he has been in touch with Ray Heaton (N 54), whom he last saw 30 or so years ago during his time living in Sussex, and Ray’s daughter Teresa McLaughlin (D 94). Rod Gordon (Ldr 79) occasionally bumps into Dominic Reid (B 80) and keeps in touch with his old House mates.

Seb Falk (B 99) is currently living in Cambridge, where he is a historian and Fellow of Girton College, married with sons aged four and seven. Seb has written his first book, The Light Ages, published in 2020. He was invited back to Oundle to give this year’s Quadrivium lecture, the first time he had returned in 20 years. Seb met up with James Howe (B 99) and Charlie Matthews (Lx 99) at Lord’s Cricket Ground. PJ O’Gorman (S 95)’s history book Britain and Rome: Caesar to Claudius was published in May this year. Henry Fletcher (G 01) has released a four-part creative guidebook to the Westfjords region in Iceland, a project to shape how we travel, derive a sense of place, and understand our relationship to nature. For over a decade he has helped to guide groups to build cairns and plant trees. The guide is a way to share wayfinding practices and to invigorate some of the region’s

historical pathways.

52 THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2021-2022 NEWS FROM HOME Tom Carr (S 63) concluded his career about five years ago: work required written appraisals of

Richard Peaver (G 67), a retired modern language teacher at Greshams, says he has since been ‘recalled to the colours’ five times as a maternity cover. On top of this, Richard chairs the Royal Holt British Legion, and still loves to keep up with his music, accompanying a couple of vocal ensembles. Andrew Walker (C 60) enjoyed celebrating his 80th birthday back in May, although there were fewer guests, owing to Covid. Tim Piper (B 57) says that the ‘Famous Five’ - Tony Hollingworth and Peter Williams (both Ldr 57), Tim Piper (B 57), Peter Hayward and Peter Tett (both B 58) still meet regularly for lunch several times a year in London to celebrate some 70 years of friendship since leaving Oundle. Trips down memory lane are often interrupted by discussions on more recent matters of the day. Tim Piper also regularly meets up with Peter Tett’s son, Richard Tett (B 87) at functions of the Tallow Chandlers Company of which they are both Liverymen and for which Tim was Master in 2006/7. He is also in touch with Ian Williamson (Ldr 56), Sadly, his brother Lindsay Williamson (Ldr 54), a former Head Boy of the School died on 23 March 2021.

commercial property assets for bank lending; collateral valuations, in shorthand. Tom started training in the August after leaving Oundle, to become a Chartered Surveyor in London with a firm which is now Knight Frank, in Hanover Square off Bond Street. In about 1971 he joined a practice in Norwich called Percy Howes and Co which, although acting as agents for the Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral, mostly engaged in agency, valuations and rating on behalf of commercial tenants and landlords in Norfolk and North Suffolk. About ten years ago, he and his partner Malcolm Vincent sold the business to Watsons. Tom now spends some time advising on the land issue matters for owners of the North Walsham and Dilham Canal which is under restoration as a navigation. Tom’s racing dinghy, an International 505, is on the market and he plans to move into keelboats at Lowestoft where his loss of agility will not be such a penalty.

Kyle White (C 06) is married and has a two year-old boy named Hamish; his wife, Grace, is expecting a second child towards the end of September. Kyle is currently running his family farming estate at Salle, another enterprise under Kyle’s control is Crush Foods, which manufactures rapeseed oil and granola. Richard Symes (B 69) says he had been back to Oundle when his nephew Cris Symes was Housemaster of Sidney. After studying agriculture at university, Richard became an arable farmer in Suffolk. For many years he has been a director of a large farming cooperative, Fram Farmers, but is now semi-retired. He volunteers with the National Trust and is a member of the Alpine Ski club, still taking part in ski tours. Richard’s wife Debbie is a dressage rider and so their farm ‘diversified into equestrian activities.’

Nigel Harris (StA 67) continues to live in Cambridge and make the occasional visit to Oundle, most recently in May for the School House reunion, organised by Richard Bailey (Sc 60) and Nigel Napier-

Andrews (Sc 59), for leavers during the era of his father BK Harris’ (Ldr 25) period as Housemaster. During April, his geological fieldwork started again, after a two-year hiatus, with PhD supervision in the Outer Hebrides. On retirement Nigel was appointed Professor Emeritus at the Open University allowing research to continue on topics ranging from the origins of the Asian monsoon to the volcanoes of the Caucasus. Roy Nicholson (StA 65) has the occasional outing for the OOGS at various courses, but that activity has been somewhat curtailed by a temporary medical 12 month loss of licence. Andrew Nicholson (StA 99) has just been able to move from Hong Kong to Singapore with his family, still with the same real estate related employer. Tim Nicholson (StA 97) remains in London at KPMG having followed his father Roy into the partnership.

Ian Williamson (Ldr 56) has spent time visiting his family in Scotland recently. He spoke of his brother Lindsay’s death last year, his funeral well attended by, amongst others, Ian, Lindsay’s three sons Nick Williamson (Ldr 89), Christopher Williamson (Ldr 90), Mark Williamson (Ldr 94) and also Tim Piper. Ian moved to Suffolk when he retired in 2004 and is slowly extricating himself from being a churchwarden, chair of the Parish Council and numerous other local voluntary activities as ‘age takes its toll.’ John Granger (C 71) keeps up with several of his Oundelian contemporaries, notably Edward Waterson (S 69), who was one of his business partners for many years, and his wife Jill, and Geoffrey Oakley (D 71) and Jo. He sees quite a bit of his brother Mark Granger (C 77) and his wife Clare. Chris Ellis (Sc 72) with whom John also rowed in the first boat in 1971 is planning a trip to the UK with his wife Hélène in August. They live in California. Chris loved to row but has been restricted by his hip. John and his wife will be in Australia in the autumn where he will convene with James Aitken (C 71) whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years:

quite the reunion.

Congratulations to Lucy Brand (N 09) on her marriage last summer: 50 guests due to the uncertainty around Covid. There was a good Oundle contingent, mostly 08/09 leavers, but also Lucy’s uncle Andrew Campbell (F 75) and his youngest son, Alasdair Campbell (F 18). Gavin Lane (D 87) says all is good with him; he stays in touch with a group of his contemporaries. Patrick Dobson (Ldr 06) and Emily Nicholson (K 06) have just moved from London to Essex, and by a bizarre coincidence, six months before he moved to Colne Engaine, James East (B 05) had moved to the same lane, so they each have an OO as a neighbour now. Patrick has just returned from Bordeaux for the (delayed) wedding of Ed Bury (Ldr 06) where he was best man, with many OOs in attendance.

Professor Andres Floto (D 88) is currently working at the Molecular Immunity Unit University of Cambridge Department of Medicine. Major Toshiaki Suzuki (B 01) is enjoying being back in the UK, still serving in the Army, and is now working in the Ministry of Defence in London. Ben Hughes (StA 87) says his family (wife Alex, daughter Bow, dog Dotty) are moving back to the UK this year after nearly 12 years in Beijing, where he has engaged in consultancy and as professor first at the Central Academy of Fine Art, and more recently at Beijing Institute of Technology. Ben plans to move back to Cambridge where he will build a house and spend many hours fishing. Ben’s brother, Tom Hughes (StA 79) was awarded an OBE in the December 2019 Honours list for services to Healthcare, Technology and Information.

Jamie Budgett (F 10) moved to the US last July to become general manager of Broadway in Detroit following the Ambassador Theatre’s acquisition of the company. Jamie is loving his time in the Motor City, seeing it come out of the pandemic and to continue to try and bring the best of Broadway theatre to

Detroit. William Darrell (S 08) is currently plying his trade as a kinetic sculptor who is currently exhibiting a plant and fungi themed installation at Selfridges. Subsequently William has been working with Louis Vuitton to create an under the sea themed window display in several of there stores globally for the summer. Amelia Gurney (D19), currently at university says her contemporary Edward Gambier (F 19) ran the Exeter marathon raising over £2,000 for Climate Coalition.

After leaving Oundle, Holly Kunzer (N 19) took a gap year (or as

East Midlands

■ Chris Piper (Sc 71)

much of one as she could before the pandemic), and in 2020 started at the University of Bath studying politics and international relations with a placement year she is about to start. Holly will be working for Cory Brothers in Ipswich. She continues to row, now for Bath, and looks forward to continuing in September 2023.

Finally, my news: my eldest son Benedict Payne (StA 18) has just graduated from Bristol university after studying history for three years, and is now off to London to join accountancy firm RSM. My second son Nicholas Payne (StA 20) is

currently studying product design at Central St Martins, UAL. My youngest Sebastian is currently at Oundle and is going into the Lower Sixth.

Firstly,

I would like to thank everyone who has passed on their best wishes to me for my year as OO Club President. Your emails, and in some cases, letters, were much appreciated. After sending my message out to all East Midlands OOs, I had a quick response from Julian Kirk (LS 93) who has found himself back in Oundle, this time working for a PR and marketing company producing print and online content for the School. Julian is part of a team that has provided a range of printed products for both Laxton Junior School and Oundle School, as well as being involved in producing promotional videos, all made slightly more difficult because of Covid restrictions at the time). ‘Walking around Oundle brought back some fantastic memories, and it is amazing to see the facilities the pupils now enjoy,’ said Julian. I also had a rapid response from Robin Reynolds (Lx 58): ‘Not much exciting other than to confirm I have moved to England from South Africa and we live not far from Oundle, near Kimbolton. Now that Covid is less of a threat I hope we will again take in some of the activities at the School like lunchtime concerts or plays at the Stahl.’

Piers Ward (Lx 99) is still working as associate editor at Autocar, which this year launched a new industry section of the website he heads. All the stories for it sit behind a paywall so it’s a considerable change for the brand. Other highlights of the year include spending 24 hours in a McLaren GT (even sleeping in it), randomly bumping into fellow OO Mark ‘Terry’ Singleton (G 99) on a family skiing trip and teaching his son to drive an old Jeep. Claire Freebairn (LS 95) said she had no news (which I don’t believe) but was pleased to see me at the Sports lunch at Queen’s at the end of April. It was great to see you too Claire and you looked exactly the same as you did ten years ago!

Guy Spragg (Sc 88) writes: ‘Tom Baldock (S 88) organised a London pub crawl that was well attended and it was good to catch up with Matt Jones (C 86), Matt Forde (Sc 88), Dom Brady (Sc 87), Alex Hendry (Sc 88), Chris Skelton (Sc 88), Paul Chatterton (S 88), Tim Pasco (Lx 88), Phil Atkins (C 88) and Justin Yeaman (S 88). Tim Pasco had somewhat surprisingly asked about ten of us to watch the New Zealand Test, kindly hosted by his business Velocity Trade, in the summer. Chris

Skelton spends a lot of time perfecting his tan in his new Bond Lair in Portugal, whilst chairing a sign-making business in Nottingham. Al Hendry started a new job, based mainly on proximity to his house in Surrey. Matt Forde is just back from the US where he enjoyed the company of Jules McAlpine (Lx 88) and Tom Barnes (Sc 90) in a late mid-life crisis tour. Dom Brady continues to dress like Rupert Bear whilst running his insurance business in Norwich. He does venture into London on occasion. Tom Baldock is a partner at Lansons where he makes companies look good with his PR spin. Paul Chatterton’s renewable energy company, Adjuvo, continues to power the vast majority of Rutland’s energy needs. Phil Atkins is getting his business, Offtowork, back to its pre-pandemic levels and reports unprecedented demand for staff in the hospitality trade. Justin Yeaman

has ventured back into the advertising world, most likely representing Spam. Matt Jones is very successful in recruitment and likes Guinness and black in great volume.’

Charlie Mitchell (Sn 89) writes: ‘I continue to live close to Oundle, in Lower Benefield, commuting to London once or twice a week to work on commercial property development, currently focused on White City. I regularly meet up with Chris Strathon (Sn 89) who hasn’t changed at all in the last 30 years, if ever. Chris and I recently met up with Hugo Rodger Brown (G 89) to watch the England vs Wales game at Twickenham. It was lovely to bump into Walter Womersley (Ldr 89) in the Twickenham fanzone. The last time we saw Walter was in exactly the same spot five years previously. I also see Mark Onyett (StA 89) regularly. After years of successfully building FinTech companies, Mark is kicking back a bit, enjoying life and doing a lot of flying. Al Johnson (G 89) and Jock Robertson (G 89) both remain good mates and we try to get together a few times a year for dinner, which reminds me that it’s time to arrange the next one. Just before Christmas we had a small OO lunch in Central London with Simon Burdess (C 89) - who sadly passed away suddenly in March 2022 - Simon Owen (G 89), Marcus Frisbee (C 89), Olly Pykett (Sn 89), Dan Hiscocks (Sn 89), Andy Merry (Sn 89), Chris Strathon (Sn 89), Alex Baldock (S 89), Dick Campbell (Sc 89), Andrew Llewellyn (Sc 89) and Jason Hill (C 89). It was lovely to catch up with everyone and see who had less or greyer hair. I’m glad to say that I’m not doing too badly, although it is definitely receding. Other than that, I catch up with Jonny Weastell (S 89) and Ben ‘Mike’ Hinton (G 89) occasionally. Jonny is living in the north-east while Ben continues to inhabit south-west France. I also bump into Ben Smith (Sn 89) occasionally in Oundle where he is teaching music. Finally, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rupert Frost (Sn 89) by phone recently.’

Rob Johnson (N 95) is living in Oundle with his wife Julia and four children. He recently took on a new role at Adrestia Therapeutics, a Cambridge biotech company developing new medicines to treat genetic diseases. He’s enjoying spending more time with brother-inlaw Simon Lister (N 95) and a wide range of other OOs. John Wake (Hon OO) writes: ‘Cameron Wake (L 04) returned to UK after five years living and working in Dubai. He’s now teaching geography and is master-incharge of cricket at Repton School. Chloe Wake (L 05) is a solicitor in family law at Holborn law firm and expecting her second child in November. Sophie Wake (L 07) married Geoffrey Cliff at Ashton Estate last August and is expecting their first child in July. Dr Holly Wake (L 10) was awarded a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is working in London for NHS. Her marriage to Michael Outar (L 06) is planned for next August.’ John is often at Rovers matches; he is a very keen supporter.

Tim Pollard (Sc 93) continues to live near Oundle and little has changed: he has been playing OO hockey for nearly three decades, he reports, and also plays hockey and cricket against the Common Room. His journalism career has developed somewhat since nearly being sued for libel editing school satirical magazine Frame in the early 1990s and he’s now group digital editorial director at Bauer Media, the UK’s biggest magazine publishing house. Vasily Gaev (C 18) writes: ‘In 2021, I completed my BA in sport management with First Class Honours at the University of Kent, having also received the sport and exercise science prize for having the best overall result in the final year. My graduation ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic. As of October 2021, I am a Master’s student at Loughborough University, studying sport management, politics and international development. Together with my FA Level 2 in coaching football, I am hoping to apply what I learn on my path to

becoming a football manager. I participated in the Multisports weekend, playing water polo. It was my first time witnessing the new sports facilities and I was thoroughly impressed. I am very thankful to Oundle’s educational and sporting system, as it set me up to become who I am today and to continue doing better. Currently, I am only married to football, as I am looking for a football coaching position to start before I finish my Masters in September.’

Ryck Turner (N 87) is living in Rutland with four sport horses and a black Labrador. He sold his pet food manufacturing business in January 2022 and is now trying to work out how and where to deploy the proceeds: not easy in the current climate. He recently had lunch with Tim MacMillan (G 87) who continues to trade oil, Bruce Galliford (StA 87) who is doing very well in the EV charging space, Dom Brady (Sc 87) who is still insuring things, Dave Hawkins (Ldr 87), Bruce Usher (Sc 87) and Mike Thorpe (Lx 87). He also had a day shooting with Martin Bailey (N 86) who is doing well with building and renting out residential properties in Norfolk, and is still an amazing shot.

Edward Davies (Ldr 96) writes: ‘I live in Keyston, not too far from Oundle, and have two children who are ten and 12. I still see a number of OOs but had a knee operation recently so couldn’t make the OO Sports lunch (injured in the OO memorial match in Oundle in February). Sadly, I think I have played my last game of contact sport. I was due to be on a table with some great friends like Cary Curtis (G 96) who I see from time to time, Nev Ackerman (StA 96), Tom Salt (StA 96) and a number of others from my year. I’ll have to catch up with them another time. Cary Curtis runs a great recruitment company that looks to place graduates in jobs after uni. It’s called Give a Grad a Go and is doing great work. I also set up a business a few years ago after being a derivatives trader for 20 years. It’s a FinTech company that enables

NEWS FROM HOME

investors to build their own portfolios by connecting to professional traders. It’s like building your own online hedge fund. It has taken off very quickly and is really exciting. We have a number of OOs as clients. I still see Sam Mehew (Sc 96) who lives near Cambridge and is godfather to my daughter.

Lizzie Kilsby (neé Gent) (W 97) wrote: ‘This has been on my to-do list for a while: three children and moving countries is my excuse. I’ve been living in Cambridgeshire for four years, after 14 years in Switzerland. Ageing parents, children starting school and a longing for good curry brought us home. Grace has been very happy at Laxton Junior, William will start school this year, and James is one. So, for now I’m busy being a mum. It has been lovely spending time in Oundle.’ Andrew Glen (LS 99) and Virginia Shearer (K 99) celebrated their sixth year of marriage in May. Ginny received a cast iron egg frying spoon from Glenny. Together with their four-year-old daughter Guinevere, they are looking forward to ‘al fr-eggs-co’ breakfasts at the Lakes this summer. Maude Calveley (L 17) has passed her medical school finals and will begin work in August as a junior doctor. Michael Aubrey (Hon OO), who I met at the first round of the Cricketer Cup in June, sent me the following news: ‘I was hesitant about sending this in for the OO magazine but you encouraged me to do so. In April my autobiography was published by Unicorn. The title, Is That Really True, Sir? is what the boys would ask me after one of my ghost stories - I never gave an answer. It covers my 25 years teaching at Oundle, amongst other aspects of my life. It was launched in Oundle in the Cripps Library and in London at the

Travellers’ Club.’

Paul Ayton (G 81) has just retired as a GP in Northamptonshire having spent 35 years in the NHS and 28 years as a GP doing various roles. He now intends to spend more time travelling with his wife: ‘I am off to run the midnight sun marathon in Tromso, Norway before spending two months travelling in the Stans, Central Asia then back in September meeting up with Simon Meech (Sn 82) to go sailing from Greece. He is flying over from New Zealand where he has been sailing and working as a GP for many years. Hoping to have a good retirement sailing, travelling, cycling, running and catching up with old and current friends.’

Andrew Tobin (G 92) continues to live near Market Harborough, and remains a partner at Mills & Reeve’s London office, specialising in litigation, especially for Lloyd’s and other insurers. His son James Tobin (B 22) is just leaving Oundle after a splendid five years during which he played an enormous amount of cricket, earning a place in the 1st XI. James hopes to study history and economics at Newcastle. It has been a pleasure for Andrew to be able to watch matches at Oundle now that Covid lockdowns are a thing of the past. Daughter Alice (N) is entering the Lower Sixth and really enjoying her time at Oundle, working very hard for her GCSEs.

Florence Ferguson (née Hill) (K 06) is now living and working on Dummer Down farm in Hampshire with her husband, Andrew, and two sons: Alfred aged two and Gabriel eight months. She is still making jewellery, including bespoke wedding and engagement rings. Rupert Frost (Sn 89) says ‘We’ve just had a great time hosting my old friend Chris Want (S 89) and his wife Sheryl for the past week. They came

over from Louisiana where he splits his time between flying freight and running an oil prospecting business. I’m looking forward to attending the first Sanderson reunion on 8 October and hoping to get along my old friend Robert Bates (Sn 89).’ A regular contributor to this region’s news is Arnab Datta (L 05): ‘I am still working as a chartered accountant at a Big Four firm in London, focusing on the audits of technology and media companies. It has continued to be challenging during the pandemic and I have worked virtually with teams in other countries. I have enjoyed being involved in recruitment activities including having an article published by ICAEW Student Insights. Also, my role on the ICAEW business law committee has given me a great insight into how regulation in the profession will evolve in the near future.’

As for myself, I have seen many OOs over the past year, as you can imagine. One of the nice things about being president of the Club is the chance to see OOs from every part of the country at various functions. I have had great support from my brother Richard Piper (Lx 66) who has attended many functions where I have been in an official capacity. I have met up with Peter Scaife (B 71) at our annual outings to Lord’s and Twickenham. I’ve had numerous tennis games with Richard Owen (Sc 70) and lunch with Jonathan Jones (B 71), Robert Morton (Sc 71) and Nigel Youngman (Sc 71). I have also enjoyed seeing my fellow Oundle swimming team member, Norman Shelley (Ldr 71).

Thank you to everyone who sent news – more next year please! I hope to see many more of you at the OO London Dinner in November.

Lincolnshire

Alex Smith (N

AlexSmith (N 91) has now been in Stamford for four years, and settled into life with his family in the town and schools. He is Head of Classics at Stamford School and Stamford High School, which are soon to become fully co-educational, and very much enjoying teaching and meeting the occasional friend from Oundle. Alex is in touch with Rebecca Downey (L 91) and John Cookson (S 91) who live in nearby Nassington, as well as Nick Cartwright (N 90), Charlie Froud (StA 91), Bill Hooper (N 91), Scott Black (Ldr 91), Tom Barnes (Sc 91), Alex Dixon (B 91), Rupert Cheswright, Jules Barnett and Matt Parker (all N 91). They meet up fairly regularly for drinks and dinner, usually around Oundle or in Harpenden.

In September 2021, Alex along with Emma Watts, née Leask (W 91), organised a reunion for the 1991 Leavers. They had some excellent help from the Oundle Society, which meant that a large group could celebrate 30 years since leaving Oundle. It was a fantastic turnout from the year group, and in fact the first OO event to happen post lockdown. The evening was a great success, with drinks, dinner and dancing in the Great Hall, accompanied by a photo montage from school, music from Sixth Form days and a few speeches. Some OOs had been in touch regularly and

remained friends, while others had not seen each other since leaving. Everyone shared great memories. Peter Allen-Williams (N 66) writes from Western Australia where he has been visiting family including brother John Allen-Williams (N 64), his sister and their various, grownup, children and grandchildren. He also spent three weeks on holiday with one of his daughters and her family who flew over from the other side of Australia for a holiday up north. ‘We walked and swam in inland gorges as well as with whalesharks and turtles in a very varied attack on her holiday “bucket” list.’ Charles Gillett (StA 79) writes: ‘East Yorkshire (where’s Lincolnshire?)… Still recovering from my race car crash in ’18 when I suffered a traumatic brain injury, but doing ok. Now spending a lot of time preparing and entering my cars for historic racing, but not yet driving - I have a younger, faster chap for that!’ Alastair Irvine (Sc 81) has just had the delight of applying for his Over 60s Railcard - ageing in its own right. As well as still being in happy full-time employment and alongside his OO Club responsibilities, he continues as a Trustee of both the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the national Air Cadets’ charity. In the City Livery he has been appointed a steward to the Court of the Gunmakers’ Company. His most pressing concern is the state of his

lawn; as he says, “no need to visit Botswana to find parched Savannah; just come to south Lincolnshire.”

Elder son, Angus Irvine (Sc 12), has recently been promoted captain and is 2i/c ‘B’ Company, 5th Bn The Rifles. Having last year been on a short NATO exercise in Ukraine, it was sobering to see that within four months his former training area was a pitched battle field and their accommodation barracks near Mariupol had been flattened. Much more cheerfully, at Easter he announced his engagement. Younger son, Geordie Irvine (Sc 21) has just embarked on his second season as a professional rugby player with Northampton Saints and has signed a new two-year contract. In the 2021/2 season he was also a member of the England U20 squad. Recently passing his driving test will allow him much easier access to additional game time with affiliated clubs including Bedford. Finding a small car with affordable insurance, and into which he and his feet can fit, is proving great fun.

■ Matthew Simmonds (StA 97)

Your correspondent welcomed a return to some sort of reality in the last 12 months following the end of pandemic related restrictions. This allowed him to catch up with a number of OOs, including a whole host at the fantastic OO Sports Lunch in April, including a welcome reunion with long serving StA Housemaster Vic Northwood and 16 other OOs who were also in StA during Vic’s time in charge. It was also great to catch up with Guy Beresford (B 81), Tim Elliot (StA 77), Jules McAlpine (Lx 88), Stuart Morgan (Lx 91), Philip Pedley and John Wake at the Cricketer Cup quarter final in Oundle. John Pennington (N 97) and Tom Wanborough-Jones (Sc 97) once again organised an excellent reunion in memory of Tom Middleton (N 97) and it was great to see so many OOs in attendance including Matthew Thornton (StA 97), James Kilner (StA 97), Ric Muir (Sc 97), Sarah Storey (D 97), Jonathan Cope (B 97), James Vickers (C 97), Chris Godfrey (N 97), Nick Pettie (N 97), Andrew Bain (L 97), Alex Kemp (S 97) and Andrew Coulthurst (StA 97). A golf tour in Wales with a number of OOs already mentioned ended up in a predictable manner with Thurstan Guthrie-Brown (StA 98) once again securing the trophy. Matthew also attended a well organised OOs in Property event, hosted by Edward Glass (StA 03) at Forsters.

Guy Simmonds (StA 95) has had a busy year, taking on and completing Ironman Mallorca in October 2021 (alongside his brother, your correspondent). Guy has also taken over as the Chair for OO sport and once again organised the OO Sports lunch at the Queen’s Club in April. He took to the cricket field with David Varley (StA 95) this summer in a highly enjoyable fixture. Guy also took part in a team containing a number of OOs

to compete in the Round Norfolk Relay, a non-stop relay run around the 205-mile county boundary of Norfolk. The team was captained by Andrew Coulthurst (StA 95) and included Matt Unwin (S94), Jonathan Cope (B 97), Matthew Thornton (StA 97), James Holmes (Lx 97), Sarah Allen née Coulthurst (K 99) and Nick Pettie.

Ed Bury (Ldr 06) let me know he was finally getting married (third attempt due to Covid!) The day included the best man, Patrick Dobson (Ldr 06) and Master of Ceremony, Ben Lane (Ldr 06). Jules Mountain (S 84) spent a good deal of the winter skiing with his brother Richard Mountain (S 82) and discovered some new touring routes near Les Gets. Jules also had a surprise meeting with Jazz Robinson (S 82) at a friend’s funeral. It was a sad occasion but Jazz lifted the spirits. Note to self: meet up with Jazz more often. Jules had dinner with Philip Trafford (S 86) and family in Morzine on another skiing trip, but didn’t manage to catch Nige Trafford (S 85). He will hopefully catch up for a bike ride over the summer.

Sarah Evershed (D 02) completed a run (in the loosest sense) from John O’Groats to Land’s End in April. It took 21 days not the planned 17 but she was very pleased to finish. Your correspondent is extremely impressed: such a feat includes running at least 45 miles a day, every day, for 21 days.

Miles Eames (LS 93) writes to report that he has now left London and moved with Jane and his children Elizabeth and Daniel to the town of Bray in the Republic of Ireland where Miles continues to work for Capita PLC as group head of social media, where he has worked alongside OO Stuart Morgan (Lx 91), albeit from home with occasional travel back to head office in

London. The family are all loving their new life in the Emerald Isle, five minutes from the beach and a short hike to the Wicklow mountains and having a Guinness or two. Miles reports his mother Christine Eames, Oundle’s former deputy Head of Music is continuing to do well living in Spain, still involved in running choirs and playing jazz but is planning on joining the family in Ireland in the near future.

Dan Stephens (S 92) finally managed to arrange a reunion with almost all of his Sidney 1992 cohort. He sees Jeremy Pickering (S 92) and Robert Shaw (S 92) regularly, but alsopersuaded NickBarraclough, Ashley Worthington, Paddy Bullard, PhilKempson and Magnus Weightman (all S 92) to have lunch at the Ivy Covent Garden in October 2021. Nasser Sahlool (S 92) was able to join briefly by phone. A good time was had, catching up on what everyone has been doing for the last 29 years.

Peter Haselden (G 85) let me know that in November last year Dominic Parker, Dave Kunzer, Pete Newboult, Ben Cocke (all G 85), and Andrew Jay (G 83) met up once more at The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden, followed by a dinner at Sarastro’s. Over the last few years the group has added a new (old) face each year. They hope to get Angus Gray (G 85) from Oz in the not-toodistant future for a full set.

Richard Tett (B 87) has had a good year for meeting OOs. He had a couple of leisurely meals with Matthew Sargaison and Gavin

Allen (both B 87). Gavin has moved from the BBC to be executive editor in chief at Huawei. Bonus OO meetings included seeing Matthew Porter (Sc 87) in York where he is the Vicar of St Michael-leBelfrey and, from Googling to check that spelling, discover that Matthew has recently become one of the honorary chaplains to Her Majesty the Queen: good timing with the Platinum Jubilee year. Richard also met up with Jeremy Richardson (G 88) who has recently moved from being CEO of the Four Seasons Health Care group, and separately with Tom Baldock who is a board director at Lansons. Richard is now in his 29th year at Freshfields doing corporate restructurings and insolvencies and, perhaps unusually, is still enjoying it. Sarah and he are enjoying being empty nesters with Isabelle, 24, working in Shanghai and James, 22, studying at Cambridge. He continues to help at St Helen’s church, is a Jesus College Boat Club Trust trustee, very much enjoys attending Tallow Chandlers events where he often sees Tim Piper (B 57) and can report that his father Peter Tett (B 58) is swinging a golf club as well as ever.

Jerry Appleyard (N 80) let me know he has become chair of the London Judiciary committee responsible for 1,700 magistrates. William Robinson (G 92) is still enjoying life in the Army having had to move again for the second time in a year, though he has managed to travel around Europe, the Baltic States and Scandinavia without too much difficulty.

Andrew Whitaker (Sn 84) lives in Putney and works at LS Estates as development manager, regularly catches up with Richard Munro (Sc 84) to discuss business idea and bumps into Dan Burn (Sn 89).

Andrew sees brothers Tim (Sn 83) and Rob (Sn 89) in Cornwall and enjoyed a glass or two with other younger family members Greg (Sc 10) Rory (Sc 14) and Bryony Whitaker (Sn 12) and Stan Billington (F 14) at Henley RR. Andrew managed to persuade Ian

Marris (Sn 84) to holiday with his family in St Mawes last year.

Gavin Choyce (N 61) celebrated his 80th birthday in the Spring with a lunch at the RAC in Pall Mall. Among those present were Adam Brand (N 61), Ian McAlpine (Ldr 60), Ian Schmiegelow (Ldr 62) Nick Walt (Ldr 60) and Felicity, widow of Peter Pugh (G 61). This year also marked exactly 60 years since Gavin and Adam flew to South Africa on a university charter flight and after a bibulous dinner in Johannesburg decided to sell their return tickets and hitch-hike home from Cape Town to Cairo. This they accomplished in seven weeks at a cost of £70, sleeping on bar floors or by the roadside as they went; a journey probably impossible these days. Gavin recently took over running the OO Sunshine Club on the death of Chris Pocock (Sc 60). This group, composed of pupils who left around 1960, meets once a year for Christmas lunch. After a Covid-induced hiatus in 2020, 20 or so were able to meet again in December 2021. All now in their 80s, they look forward to reconvening this year for another opportunity to reminisce about the Oundle of Stainforth and Knight.

Philip De Sa (S 71) dropped your correspondent a very kind note regarding editing the London section of the magazine and reports that he is very happily in good health and enjoying life. James Ginns (Sc 87) left Swire after 30 years spent mostly in Asia and relocated from Hong Kong to London in March. He now heads up risk management at the Centre for Long-term Resilience, a new Whitehall-based think-tank looking to advise government on extreme risk. He caught up with Justin Murray (Sc 87) shortly before leaving and has met up with Charlie Hammon (Sn 87), Matthew Porter and Doug Hill (both Sc 87) since arriving back. He, Matthew and Doug attended the beautiful and moving thanksgiving service for their former Housemaster Jeremy Firth in Oundle in June.

Sir Michael Pickard (C 51) penned me a note to explain that because of

Covid restrictions he has not been to Oundle for two years but attended the OO Club Past Presidents’ lunch on 18 June in the new Sports Centre. He finds it to be an incredibly impressive building full of active students and believes it will be a huge benefit to both the School and the town. He also informs me that it was good to meet 19 other past Presidents and their wives covering a period of 42 years. Sir Michael’s son Edward Pickard (G 85) is really active in the business and sporting world and regularly sees the Richard Foster family and the Pringle family. Sadly, the Oundle Assassins Cricket XI 1949/50 team has finally stopped meeting after 70 years: the reason being, of course, that there are only three of them left. Finally, he informs me that it was pleasing to see Robert Ringrose (StA 71) doing an excellent job as Chairman of Governors working closely with the Head on the next stage of the School’s development.

Richard Rawlins (Sn 84) recently travelled to Albania, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Antigua with Guy Abrahams (Sn 84) as part of their plan to carry out 60 interesting things before 60. Their midlife crisis led Richard to become a Justice of the Peace and Guy to set up the London Vermouth Company. Richard also met up with Tom Price (Sn 84) at Lord’s and Ian Marris (Sn 84) at his home in Dorset where he also met Charlie Bennett (N 84) for dinner.

Jason Gissing (Lx 89) tells me he still sees Oliver Pykett (Sn 89) when he is in London. Whilst also in touch with Alex Baldock (S 89), he rarely sees him as he’s too busy running Currys. Jason has a daughter at Le Rosey in Switzerland and a daughter starting at Bradfield College in September. Both boys are at St Paul’s School in London and are very happy living at home. Jason remains a full-time stay-at-home dad and has become obsessed with paddle tennis.

Benjamin Rhodes (StA 70) held an exhibition at his gallery in London in June and July this year: Michael Ginsborg’s exhibition Field Notes

FROM HOME

He provided the following link for an e-booklet, with some illustrations of the series and a really helpful essay by the artist and academic Rebecca Fortnum: artsites.uk/ benjamin-rhodes-arts/michaelginsborg/field-notes/.

Mark Slater (StA 87) has joined the Investment Board of the Cambridge University Endowment Fund, a non-executive role. He also continues to run his fund management business, Slater Investments Ltd. He will be attending the wedding of the eldest daughter of his brother, Chris Slater (StA 86) in July. Jessica Drake née Johnson (K 00) is living in Buntingford and has three year-old twin girls who keep her on her toes. She works as a psychotherapist from home and has had a very full-on but rewarding pandemic both as a mum and therapist. A brief note from Prof David Silk (G 62) informed me that he has recently retired from clinical practice and that he and Deborah are looking for a move to Norfolk.

Nick Dyson (B 07) and Katherine Wynter married in September 2021. It was a fantastic day with Tom Coulson (B 07) as best man. A new family member is due in late July 2022, with details to follow in next year’s magazine. Nina Rieck (K 95) let me know the happy news that her sister, Arabella Rieck (K 05) has recently got engaged and is due to be married next year.

Annabel Thomas née Lewis (W 00) still lives in London with her husband and two daughters but splits her time between there and Scotland where she runs Nc’nean Distillery, an independent Scotch distillery focused on sustainability and innovation. Earlier this year a group of her year from Wyatt made the pilgrimage to Oundle for a weekend to celebrate some big birthdays and re-enact their teenage years. Peter Siggs (G 61) reports that following the death of his wife Christine in 2021 he and Rhoda Ellen Miller have become civil partners. Chris Pollard (G 96) recently took on a new role at the LTA overseeing their major events including their tournaments at

Queens and Eastbourne.

William Chamberlain (Sn 88) has not submitted news to the OO magazine before but since it is the ten-year anniversary of the London Olympics it is a good time to provide an update. He is a solicitor, management consultant and social entrepreneur who, for the past 14 years, has been working on a range of creative place-shaping projects to help establish Hackney Wick and Fish Island in East London as a permanent, sustainable, grassroots creative cluster next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He particularly enjoyed working with local artist Georgie Mason (W 10) on her Wild Horses exhibition in 2018. William was also a member of the London 2012 Olympic bid team and moved to Hackney Wick in 2008 where he lives with his wife Ruth and children, Rosie, 9, and James, 4. He is currently researching parttime for a PhD with the Institute of Media and Creative Industries at Loughborough University and still sees Andrew Carne (Sn 88), Bruce Aitken, Andrew Bucher, James Gardner, Stephen Bennett and Addha Abdulla (all Sn 88) and enjoys the Sanderson House class of ‘88 WhatsApp group jokes with the rest of the gang.

Jonathan Cross (Sn 95) and his brother Richard Cross (Sn 95) completed the ultra-endurance event, the Marathon des Sables, a 250 km run across the Sahara, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth. They ran together for the full distance and finished an impressive 178th out of 901 participants. Jonathan raised over £4,000 for SolarAid and Richard raised £6,300 for Camfed and First Days. Simon Roche (StA 99) completed the same race and finished a virtually elite 37th overall.

Regular contributor Guy Beresford (B 81) has enjoyed another year involving many OO events, including plenty of matches for the OO Golfing Society, with a first visit to watch the OO team Halford Hewitt at Royal St George’s GC in March; also another good run in the Cricketer Cup for the Oundle Rovers.

A notable new development was the Careers Networking event for Lower Sixth pupils during the OO Multisport weekend, supported by lots of splendid OO volunteers. He is now eagerly anticipating his year as President of the OO Club in 2023.

James Holmes-Siedle (C 80) continues to specialise as an architect developing access for disabled people to buildings. As King’s Cross Central - a project more than 15 years in delivery - comes to a close, James is fortunate enough to be moving on to the development of Brent Cross Town - a similar size and quality of development in North London. For the last ten years James has been a qualified voluntary rowing coach at Putney Town Rowing Club, working with their masters women’s rowing squad; for the last three years as lead coach. The squad gained medals in several events, including the 2021 Henley masters WMasB.4x. This year the WMas.D8+ was the fastest in their category at WEHORR and they hope for some more wins as 2022 masters Henley approaches and pot-hunting regattas take place over the summer.

Richard Conradi (D 59) writes to say he is married with two children and four grandchildren. He retired from a career in electrical engineering 20 years ago and since then has been involved with a number of voluntary activities: chair of trustees at The Cancer Counselling Trust, being on the trustee board of his synagogue, working with his local youth offending team, as a witness service volunteer at Harrow Crown Court, and as a bereavement visitor for his synagogue, which was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. At the age of 76, he started a four-year training course for a Diploma in Counselling and at 80 is now a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). As a volunteer counsellor, he sees clients both through a local hospice and Hillingdon’s youth counselling service. He has recently completed

and had printed an autobiography of his life to date and is in touch with his brother Peter Conradi (D 62), John Lazarus (D 58), and Jeffrey Bernays (Sn 69). Lance Ashworth (G 82) is in regular contact with Theo Barry (N 82), who has moved back to London. He also recently met up with Simon Thornton (G 82) when Simon was over from his home in Guernsey with his wife and two sons. He continues to run OO tennis and was persuaded to turn out for the OO squash team at the Multisports weekend, from which it took a long time to recover. In a busy year for weddings, Lance is getting remarried in September to Ruth, a fellow barrister. Lance’s daughter, Millie Ashworth (K 10) is engaged and due to marry in November to Jack. They own a company which runs pubs in Denham and Penn. Lance’s older son, Charlie Ashworth (G 11) is engaged and due to marry in April 2023 to Olivia. He is living in Frodsham, Cheshire, working in field sales. Lance’s younger son, Freddie Ashworth (G 15) is shortly to qualify at Deloitte in London, and is currently sharing a flat with Chuck Macleod (L 15) in Clapham and keeps up with a number of his year group.

Andy Thwaites (N 80) writes from East Dulwich where he’s lived nearly continually for almost 30 years now. He took voluntary redundancy from PokerStars a couple of years ago and now works mainly on contract work in research with one eye on his pension pot and retirement. He keeps busy walking the dog, playing a bit of poker, watching West Ham and ferrying his three teenagers about. He also has a relatively new arrival in three year-old son, Luca, who keeps him busy and young at heart though causes much amusement among his older friends, many of whom are now grandparents! He occasionally sees Tom Mattinson (N 80) who lives not far away.

Benjamin Alten (L 10) tells me it has been a while since he last submitted an update, but in that time, he has switched companies and has

been living in London for just over five years now. The move also led to Benjamin meeting his now-husband Kris, who he tied the knot with back in November. Just last month they bought their first house together and will be moving in later this summer. Harriet Gillett (K 13) is currently an artist in London. She is just about the complete an MA in fine art at City and Guilds of London Art School and recently exhibited at the Saatchi gallery.

and culminating in two house moves in 2022. Last September’s festival opened with a concert from all seven Kanneh-Mason children - their last performance together to date - and continued with 30 events in five venues over five days and appearances from Gyles Brandreth, Alastair McGowan and others. If anybody knows of a fresh location for such a festival, Julian and Maria would love to hear from you. On 1 January they were both awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list so this year they attended an investiture with their grand daughters at the Tower and a garden party at the Palace, as well as having a son-in-law as Parade Major at the Trooping of the Colour. Julian reports it was a glorious way to mark the Jubilee. During the year he got together with Benjamin Rhodes (StA 70) to celebrate the opening of the Benjamin Rhodes Arts gallery in Shoreditch; a new adventure in a very distinguished career.

Artist Georgie Mason (W 10) has completed her first year of a Fine Art Masters at City and Guilds. She recently curated a show with her contemporaries on the course at Mile End Art Pavilion. As well as continuing to exhibit regularly, she hosts creative workshops for individuals and teams. If you’re looking for a unique, creative activity for your team, please get in touch with her.

Saheet Gohil (N 97) cannot believe it is 25 years since we left Oundle; Saheet and your London correspondent were in the same year. He also reports he is living in St Albans with his wife and seven yearold twins. He has just been promoted to equity partner at EY where he leads the internal audit banking practice.

John Story (B 65) has now retired as chair of governors of a senior boys’ school after 22 years.

He met up with John Robertson (B 65) at the Chelsea Antiques Fair in March, for the first time in 57 years.

He sees Chris Reilly (StA 65), as he lives locally, and has met up with Nick Chrimes (Sc 69); likewise with Charlie Hiscocks (StA 80).

Julian Sturdy-Morton (Sn 71) has had a busy 12 months, starting with the crazy idea, with his wife, Maria, of creating an arts festival in London

He attended the over 60s lunch and caught up with, among others, Hugh Brass (D 67) and Chunky McCall (Sc 65). Frank Wright (B 63) has also been in touch recently. Colin Story (B 70) lives in Western Australia and has been continuing his exploration of the Kimberly Region. A few months back he took on a bush trail which began and finished in Alice Springs, a circuit of 220 kilometres.

William Mitchell (Sn 78) is not a regular contributor; however has some news. He held a small party recently in his Wiltshire home and amongst other guests they were delighted that Alan Midgley was able to join them (fresh off an overnight ferry from France) and that he was able to have conversations with different generations of OOs including James Scorer (C 78) and Chris Buxton (C 69).

Ross Kemp (S 95) provided an update on all family matters from the Kemp households. The last 12 months have been a great year for Ross himself, who married his fiancée Manuela in Rome on 3 June. Jubilee celebrations and the need to encourage children to revise for pending exams prevented a number of his OO friends from making the trip, but Roger Randé (S 95) did a solid job of representing them. Ross did get the chance to catch up with Piers Millett (S 95), Will Luttrell-Hunt (S 95), Billy Day (S

North East

■ Charlie Hoult (Sc 85)

95), Chris Goff (S 95) and Roger a few weeks before at an informal Londonbased stag organised by his brothers.

Alex Kemp (S 97) and Jess continue to enjoy a full and eventful life with four children aged five and under - their twins turned one earlier this year - and dog Brutus. Alex’s business, The Eye Place, continues to thrive and Old Oundelian patients are always welcome. Please make yourself known to any of his practices from Hull to London. Alex regularly sees Karis Abas (StA 97) who has recently moved to the Peterborough area.

In between his orthopaedic lists in south Wales, Mark Kemp (S 99) proposed to girlfriend Lisa earlier this summer: she said yes, despite a missing shirt incident. Mark is often found heading east from his home in Portishead to visit twin brother Andy Kemp (S 99), his wife Rekha and niece and nephew Coco and Otto in Potters Bar. On occasions they have headed further east to see George

Unwin (S 99) and family for a spot of wine buying/tasting at Baythorne Wines in Essex. Rachel Kemp (W 07) continues to teach at Victoria College in Jersey. This year’s significant life event for Rachel was getting a dog, Obi, to accompany her on her adventures around the island.

You’ll

have to indulge me with a bit of Oundle reflection this year as your NorthEast correspondent has been on the road, which does ultimately, always, return to the Tyne, like a salmon, but wanders too.

Visiting Oundle recently, I felt I could have been in Philip Pullman’s trilogy His Dark Materials, where different characters visit Oxford as time travellers in different eras, but everything is kept in parallel. The buildings are the same, but different people have different narratives entwined in history and plot lines. It was term-time so the students filled the summer landscape with eager noise and fresh-cut grass filled the air, as wandering OOs reflected on their own school days from 1940s to 2020s.

This layering of histories is never more so than in my first OO committee meeting in what was my tuckshop, now the staff Common Room. The committee is predominantly male and older (a plea for wider inclusion in our club: I don’t think there are barriers for volunteers, so get involved). We discussed golf simulators at length and Mencap briefly. I’m told that OO Golf is one of the most active of our societies and merits grassroots funding with a digital simulator at school. Mencap feels an extremely good cause for the school to support for a further 40 years, bringing respite to families with special needs children, drawing on a wide range of OO men and women to deliver the Ofsted Outstanding programme, an advert for what public school

resources can deliver to a wider community and all self-financed but for a small OO grant (hugely diverse involvement, an argument, IMHO, for more funding from the OO coffers).

I met an unsung hero of the OO Club, Harry Williamson (StA 55), who bought me lunch after the meeting. It’s always good to be on the radical side of the politics and to get a pint in The Ship. Harry had a fascinating career in forensic accounting in the City and has

S Kate Mason (L 06) hosting the Squash medal ceremony at the Commonwealth Games

latterly diverted a chunk of his loot to buying the WH Livens (L 1910) medals and memorabilia medals at auction. Talk of parallel lives. As well as being Oundle’s first recognised international competitor, this OO invented some of the most terrible gas incendiary devices that wrought havoc on German positions in WW1. All readers, having been through Workshops and action in the Chemistry labs, can draw the threads of that narrative together. Harry is a gutsy fellow and went specifically to the auction to outbid military museums for the package which included photos and maps of the devastating effects of this OO’s engineering. It would be great to get a serving OO to comment on this weaponry, not least as we see war up-close in Ukraine these days.

I was in Oundle to celebrate another story: the life of School Housemaster Jeremy Firth, whose memorial service at Oundle Parish Church was delayed by Covid. This was a celebration of Jerry’s faith in god and cricket, as well as his humanity and turn of phrase. Alan Rayden gave a lovely eulogy, pointing to Jerry’s favourite carol, Once in Royal David’s City, because of the line ‘All in white shall wait around.’

Stahl Theatre director and legendary Latin teacher John ‘Wafty’ Harrison had a pact with Firth to read at each other’s funerals. When Jeremy had a health scare 15 years ago, he’d got ahead by writing him a celebratory verse ’70 not out’ which had to be revised when Firth recovered and made 80, Jeremy outlasted John and Lisa Harrison (L 85) stood in for an emotional re-reading of ’80 not out’. She and and Frances Coutts (L 85) were both daughters of teachers and trail-blazed for co-education. I can only think it was a horrific experience that foretold the next years when the school went fully co-ed. You could draw parallels, perhaps, with the England football team: it took 56 years for the men not to win it, before the women said ‘stuff that, we’ll sort it.’ If there’ve been girls at Oundle since, I mused during

the memorial service, that’s nearly 30 years with maybe 80 girls per year, so we are knocking on 2,500 OO women: our club ought to make much greater investment in supporting women’s participation and creating the right sort of societies to nurture our diversity.

Masters in attendance included many from RJF’s English department, such as Peter Roberts and Michael Aubrey. Jerry’s wife Jenny and kids recounted very human stories and poems to rival Spike Milligan: ‘Risotto… I don’t like it a lotto.’ Talking of authors, Aubrey has a book out and was keen to plug it –available on Amazon – Is that Really True, Sir? It’s a long read with some hidden gems.

The nave was packed with a motley collection of School Houseans – Dick Munro, Jonny Andrews, Bob Spragg , Fergus Rooksby and Matt Forde (Sc 84), James Ginns, Matthew Blossom, Matt Porter and Doug Hill (Sc 83), Guy Spragg (Sc 82), Will Chapman and James Spragg (Sc 80).

Full marks to Jonny Andrews for wearing a beaded Kenyan belt in OO colours: everyone remembered Jonny because at the travel register each half term he would be called out for the bus to Gerrards Cross, the whole house would shout ‘OK, ya!’ knowing just how posh that suburb of metroland was. Jonny reports that he still lives there, clearly living his best life.

One of the above, who best remain anonymous, is leading GCHQ’s listening in Ukraine. Sounds like there’s a lot going on, but let’s hope the Russians don’t get those photos for how to make gas bombs.

The rest of School House seemed to have become vicars – the force is strong with the Porters, who appear often in this column as Northerners, but talk less of god and more of fishing: All in waders shall stand around.

Bob Spragg sits as a judge in Newcastle Crown Court. He took me back to The Ship with Fergus, Matt and brother Guy and James: grandchildren of the legendary Frank Spragg, though this was Bob’s first

return to Oundle since school. They just played in a memorial cricket match for their dad John Spragg (Lx ??) who died in June 2018. Also playing were Dom Brady (Sc 84) who took one of the great catches one handed ever seen, Chris ‘Barrel’ Barraclough (N 84) who scored runs and took wickets resembling a slightly larger Jimmy Anderson; James Spragg who bowled well but didn’t trouble the scorers when batting and Guy Spragg who scored a 100 and won the match, thanks to additional help from sons Alex (current Oundle First XI) and Harry. Also there was Michael Wragg (StA 84) who, having conceded 14 off his first over, settled down to metronomic line and length and took three wickets. He runs his own wine company.

Ferg Rooksby is a water engineer and showed fabulous photos of his own home: a project surrounded by swimming ponds. Guy has a furniture business, like Dick Munro. The rest of that evening is a blur.

Talking, sadly, of oblivion, I went there with Grüner Veltliner on the news that Chris Rees (B 85) had lost his 13-year battle with blood cancer. From his Austrian upbringing before Berrystead, he’d mastered skiing and I’d long rivalled him at uni races, then was awed by his turns when he took me heli-skiing for my 50th birthday on the Canada-Alaska border with his brothers, including Mike Rees (B 83).

Dudley Moor-Radford (B 85) and Angus Piper (B 85) were especially bonded with Chris as a trio. I couldn’t hold it together hearing the funeral had played Chris out to David Bowie’s Life on Mars. Give it a spin on Spotify and weep. Chris moved to North Norfolk for lockdown, away from OO kids, Tom, Izzie, Sam and wife Maria, in Oxfordshire to avoid Covid with his low infection protection from chemo. But this afforded him special time with Angus, who also moved nearby to bring up his young kids, while his wife runs Bank of America (literally, she’s in charge, meaning Fungus could make Chris lunch and both eat

at the far ends of a table during that halcyon time of great weather and few cares outside global meltdown).

Ang and I were pals at school with Jonny Hand (Sc 85). I’ve struck up with him on email as we were all acolytes of Michael Aubrey. Jon is now a QC and tending an estate just outside the Home Counties and told me that, sadly, his pal Ben ShepherdSmith (D 85) recently had to say goodbye to his wife, who also lost a battle with cancer.

My travels. This included a flash invite to Stockholm to celebrate the 50th birthday of my cousin Richard Kunzer (G 90), who married a Swede he met while serving Queen and Country by managing the Hussars’ ski chalet in Verbier for three seasons. They now live in New York City where he’s moved from BCPartners venture fund to setting up his own investment firm Integrum. That may make him busier than brothers Steve (G 84) retired from shipping, whose son Cosmo is Head of House at Grafton in 2022/3 and David (G 85) who does interim CFO work, latterly at Leeds Bradford Airport.

It was great to go swimming with Hugh Thomas (G 90) and his wife, both medics in London, at a barbecue on the Stockholm archipelago. The swanky grandeur of the occasion made me think of Sky TV’s family business saga Succession. Steve K, who worked for a big shipping family, couldn’t watch as it reflected so much of his work life.

John Bevan (Lx 66) is busier than ever on the idyllic outpost of Lindisfarne, Holy Island, where he heads the Parish Council and myriad of stakeholder groups that hassle the small community. Last year it was the staycation dog poo mountain and a tourist land train that gave him a headache. This year, it’s Westminster trying to pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas by banning any fishing around the island, despite extensive existing regulation. It’s a David and Goliath fight for the 12 families and half the island’s population that will be scuppered in favour of the salmon and eels. But first you drown in

paperwork. His brother, Simon Bevan (Lx 64), recently hit 76 and also mans the yachts at Holy Island to ward off time and tide.

Christopher Porter writes from retirement that Tyne Rivers Trust keeps him fishing, Princes Trust Enterprise programme keeps him young and planting 3,000 hedge plants has been good for his carbon footprint. One of his pals Andrew Bywater has been fishing in Iceland giving space for his son to take over the family farm tenancy, though he will be training him in spring 23 with lambing. He’ll be swishing flies in September with his other fishing buddy Ken Harrison at Farnley.

His brother Daniel Porter recently returned from China for a three month break, after four years. His medical expertise continues to be exploited in Beijing. He visited his brother Rev James Porter now in St Helier, Jersey, and his other bro Matthew Porter was made Honorary Chaplain to the Queen this year.

Incidentally, Prof Sir John Lilleyman, who found his way to retirement in the sunny uplands east of Cheviot, writes he has nothing to report, save that he reads the obits first when he gets a paper ‘to see who has popped off.’ It made me think that Matt Porter might have a big gig on his hands, depending on his tenure in that post.

Further down the county, Thomas (C 18) and Nicolai Dodd (C 20) are investing in their river at Guyzance with a massive hydro electric scheme. They’ve done all the protection to allow the salmon to run, but Natural England have been so successful with cormorants that a massive population of the birds has grown just down river. I already feel itchy at the paperwork to sort that out, but had time to google the collective noun for them. Trivial Pursuit 101: a gulp of cormorants.

Meanwhile, former soldier Adrian Waddell (S 77) happily joined the great post-Covid resignation in 2021. He’d been in charge of promoting Newcastle as a destination for tourism, shopping and culture. He’s now embarking on a third career as

an artist with a watercolour studio in his garden. He sees a lot of brotherin-law Charlie Bennett (N 84) with his rural rewilding project. Adrian’s brother, Charlie Waddell (S 79), managed an unexpected OO gathering with Jason Scott (Sn 79) over from Singapore and Gerald Elms (Sn 79), still busy pursuing a career in music production.

It’s funny how we had all those parallel lives connected by education, but all my local batch write about is hobbies. Julian West, who runs the hugely successful Living North magazine, says his media empire ‘remains in good fettle despite Covid/Kremlin’s best efforts.’ But he opened his short missive to me that he’d ‘bumped into excessive OOs at Cheltenham.’ That could be read several ways!

I would recommend that Justin Souter (G 87) look at more leisurely pastimes as I hear he recently had yet another smash on his mountain bike, necessitating days in hospital to restore his looks. Fishing seems the order of the day. Or prayer?

Rory Marr (S 86) popped up on Facebook more recently with pictures of his wedding. I thought our crop were well past that and he’s not ‘second time around’ as far as I could tell. So, he must’ve been ‘very modern’ for the past years and now settling down.

Ralph Charlton (S 90) went to ground in Northumberland digging a swimming pond he planned to use daily. Latest count is four times in six months. He keeps in touch with a cocktail crew: Kevin Bennett (Sn 90), James Spragg (Sc 90), Dan Burn (Sn 90), Harvey Flather (D 91), Tom Tyler (C 90), Stu Cranna (Sc 90), Andy Goldsmith (StA 90), Oli Thain (L 90) and Alex Deacon (L 90). Angus Crowther (StA 90) still takes himself far too seriously as he transforms Essex into a vino destination to rival Blue Nun. Ralph’s daughter is set to do her placement year from Uni at Jez Paxman’s (L 90) events management company in London, and Phil Alcock (C 90) is considering moving to Barcelona. I’ve had short messages from the likes of Michael

Cooke who confused me by explaining he’d moved from Newcastle-under-Lyme to the region for his retirement.

He’d held that candle since his Durham uni days and is now near his daughter in ‘on Tyne’ with a new rescue dog and a canoe, which don’t sound like a good mix.

At the younger end, Rupert Bradbury (Sc 89) still works in the music industry which is now rebounding. He’s opened the first Roland shop in iconic Denmark Street, London. His five children are growing up and now largely out of nappies.

Charles Escritt (StA 68) wrote to say he understood the chore of the regional correspondent’s duty: Not much has changed since you last received something from me, except, of course, the pandemic. That has enforced my conviction that there is little incentive for me to leave the paradise that is the Tyne Valley. I have managed, since leaving Oundle, to work in Australia, visit South Africa, be a student in France and

then work in the South of France, reach Group managing status in the 1980s with Imperial Tobacco Hotels and Catering Division before crashing downhill to run my own business servicing the needs of art restoration for various London art dealers. Stressful, but it lasted 23 years so that must have been some success. I then lived in the Czech Republic for ten years before settling in Northumbria and learning another new language! Curiously I have had considerable opportunity to keep the German conversation alive here but, sadly, not the Czech. My brother, Antony (StA 60) turned 80 this year and continues to enjoy living near Norwich.

No slouch Peter Mattinson (Sn 79) introduced himself on the start line of Park Run at Newcastle’s Town Moor. It was my first and his umpteenth. Peter is a semi-retired GP in Durham. His father Brian Mattinson (N 48) watched from his balcony in Jesmond. His brother David Mattinson (Sn 82) retired from the opera stage several years ago and

now teaches at Marlborough College.

Peter meets with Trevor Salt (Sn 80) and Chris Oswald (Sn 80), most recently at his own daughter’s wedding in Edinburgh and Chris’ daughter’s wedding in Oxford.

Peter’s cousins Nick Armitage (B 94), Claire Bracewell née Armitage (D 96) and Tim Armitage (B 00) all get a shout.

My junior flock of OOs also hides in the student haunts of Jesmond, Newcastle’s refined suburb (in uni holidays). The likes of Ollie Mills (B 19) and George Gibson (L 19) are more nocturnal like my cousin’s daughter Minty Kunzer (N 20), though I did have a nice chat with Edward Crow (S 19) at his mother’s wedding celebration. Ed is now step-sistered to Emily Trevelyan (S 19).

If you’ve got this far, I hope you can appreciate the parallel lives of OOs who orbit the North East. Covid and levelling up means we have a new level of attention. Many might say it was better when we were a backwater.

■ Peter Pentecost (StA 73)

The day after his 71st birthday was one of the most extraordinary and memorable days of his life, Simon White (S 69) reports. It’s the day he became a Spitfire pilot, well, for 12 minutes at least. His stepson Tim had organised a flight for him last summer and 24 May was the day. A very good less than three-hour journey from south Manchester to Duxford saw them arrive at 11.00am, tons of time to look around the fabulous Imperial War Museum before their slot at 1.10pm. Quite heavy showers between longish periods of bright sunshine delayed their flight time by 90 mins, but that only gave more time to absorb exhibits at the IWM. The flight itself was exciting and special, taking

off in formation with Tim’s Spitfire, flying northwest over Huntingdon but not quite as far as Oundle, in and out of cotton wool clouds, avoiding heavy rain clouds. After about 20 minutes flying and coming out of yet another cloud, Simon was given the controls and told: “Right, Simon, time for your flying lesson,” by the superb Brian Smith, a civil aviation pilot and member of the British Aerobatics Team. He instructed Simon to dive, gently climb, bank left, then right, ending up with a victory roll.

In other news, Simon’s granddaughter Phoebe Dynevor has just not stopped working after playing Daphne Bridgerton in the extraordinarily successful Bridgeton series. She went straight

onto The Colour Room after lockdown ended, playing Clarice Cliff to good acclaim. Since then, more Bridgerton, followed by Fair Play, out next January and Inheritance being shot right now, in New York, Cairo, then India in August. It’s hot enough here and Simon doesn’t envy her where she’s going. As Simon is a carer for his wife, Spitfire flights and happenings with grandchildren and two great grandsons take on an even

NEWS FROM HOME

stronger significance.

David Dawson (Sn 61) explains that he had an interesting experience last summer: he fell down in the street with a cardiac syncope, hence the urgent fitting of a pacemaker. After a spot of re-wiring, he tested it recently by undertaking a solitary ascent of the steep end of Pendle Hill (no witches visible). Going up was fine, but down was dire, knees OK but quadriceps knackered. Three doctor friends disapproved. He also summarised his family life as follows: family OK; wife fine after double-bypass; elder disabled son fine, c/o Social Services; daughter now paediatric haematology consultant at GOSH London; younger son spun out LINA Energy from Lancaster University. Grandparental score: one girl, three boys.

Arabella Paske (N 06) brings us up to date with her life in the Lake District. She and James Townley were married in 2020 and have two little boys. She has a small soft furnishings business called Arabella Jane Interiors and loves it up there in the Lakes.

Giles Pepperell (L 82) leads a simple life in and around north west Wales, having arrived there in 2008 to read law at Bangor as a mature student. For over a decade he has been active in the Maritime Volunteer Service both as a member, initially,

then as regional volunteer officer and head of unit at Menai Bridge, though he will be stepping down from those roles shortly. Giles is clearly an avid shot; he is in frequent contact with the OO Troubleshooters and indeed they were active at Bisley recently in the annual shoot at the end of the schools meeting. He also usually participates in the annual small and full bore matches against the school at the Oundle and Elmington ranges. However, his main love since last year is croquet, mainly golf croquet but also association and short croquet, played mainly at the Llanfairfechan and north Wales club but also at Chester earlier in July. He played another tournament for his skill level, this time at Cheltenham and won the Barter trophy beating 19 others. He has played four other tournaments this year and has already booked his invitation to the C-Level final at Camerton and Peasedown in September. He secured his place with a previous victory at Crake Valley and by being losing finalist on the ‘golden hoop’ (scores all square after 12 hoops) at his very first tournament. He is currently focusing on improving and lowering his handicap. Surprisingly Giles received an email from the chair GC selectors of the Croquet Association, saying that he was eighth reserve for the 2022 GC Eights, which amused him as he only started playing in May 2021. He rates his chance of playing as slim, but it was thrilling to have the email, nevertheless. He has two

OO brothers in the south west region and visited northwest Scotland (just down from Cape Wrath: spectacular scenery, awful midges) with Justin Pepperell (L 84) for some fishing. Giles claims that Justin is a much better and keener fly fisherman then he is, but Giles managed tobag his first salmon, as well as some brownies and small sea trout, plus two sizeable (and consumed) pollock.

Jonathan Foster (B 65) tells me that we have a mutual friend in Patrick Fossett (B 65) an exact contemporary at Bramston. They renewed contact regarding a letter in The Telegraph about plastics, and he has been out to Patrick’s wonderful chalet in Crans Montana. I have stayed there too and it is wonderful, high up in the Alps. The favour has been returned in Trearddur Bay where Jonathan and Jo Gipps (Sc 65) have houses and Matthew Davis (Sc 89) is vice commodore of the sailing club. Jo, Jonathan and Patrick were all in the Berrystead together. Jonathan was a lawyer in Manchester, becoming a Circuit Judge and retiring in 2015.

Mark Yarrow (L 81) has been busy as ever. He finished a 22-month

contract for Workplace from Meta and, after a short stint at Thames Water, is now on the move again. He watched the Curtis Cup at nearby Conwy and is going to Hillside to watch the DP World Tour Cazoo Classic later in July. He also managed to play golf with the old boys from Edge Grove, which used to be a feeder school for Oundle, and played with The Queen’s School parents at Chester where former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor could be found sinking balls into a different hole. His family are busily being successful: 19 year-

S Beaumaris Castle by Mark Yarrow

S Giles winning the Barter trophy flanked by the tournament manager and the losing finalist holding a somewhat lesser cup

S Bella equipped with sewing kit

old daughter Lauren with Apple in their Liverpool store, Jennifer teaching carpentry to students in Warrington and Christopher becoming corporate senior associate in the Global Transaction Group at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Mark enjoyed a Yarrow family day at brother Philip Yarrow ’s (L 79) house in North Wales over the Jubilee weekend, opening up unexplored

trunks of the family archives. They only managed to get through one trunk out of three so there’s all the more reason to make it an annual event. And he’s been painting again, recently completing paintings of both Beaumaris and Bamburgh Castles.

The Pentecost clan continues to grow in number with another boy for Victoria (now Horncastle) (N 07) and Ollie in July, having had their

first son in September 2020; Richard (StA 85) and Sophie are expecting their second in October having had a little girl in February 2021. Peter (StA 73) still has no plans for retirement but plenty of plans to developtheir pigsty into more dwellings with the obligatory golf studio and large cellar.

S Simon having the day of his life in a Spitfire

S Bamburgh Castle by Mark Yarrow

Scotland

■ Guy Bainbridge (Sn 78)

Itwas great to see many OOs and current parents at the Edinburgh drinks in May, particularly after the Covid cancellations of the previous two years. I won’t repeat the names all the OOs I spoke to but in addition to any mentioned below it was particularly good to catch up with Paul Hilton (B 78) whom I had not seen for decades.

David Stevenson (N 51) is the oldest OO to write in. He seems in good spirits although he had just had two days in hospital after a fall in the street and had had to prove to a physiotherapist that he could climb up and down stairs to be discharged. Christopher Bond (Sn 55) wrote in to say he as on his own for at least four weeks as his wife was making the difficult journey to see her mother in St Petersburg, having to fly to Riga and then bus to St P via Tallinn, all thanks to Vlad the Bad, as he describes him.

I play in the same golf group of up to 20 on a Friday with Mick Reid-Thomas (S 57) where he is just about the oldest but still very fit and is currently leading our summer eclectic competition. He also spends time up near Newtonmore. Mick, who is long retired as a land agent, also sees James Ringham (N 85). I had a good chat with Roger White (Sc 60) at the Edinburgh drinks, who was looking forward to the School House reunion in May. Christopher Reilly (StA 65) was also there with his wife Esme. They live in Edinburgh with their daughter Alice and spend a lot of the school holidays in France. Chris had been in London for the OO Over 60s lunch which he described as a typical Oundle occasion - good fun, lively camaraderie and great attendance - which felt just like all those years ago!

Hamish Wallace (G 74) retired earlier this year after 42 years working for the NHS, which he

feels is in crisis. He also reflected on his honeymoon in Ukraine, a beautiful country torn apart by brutal Russian aggression. He thinks our generation were very fortunate in many ways. On a more upbeat note he is enjoying playing lots of golf at Muirfield where Michael Beamish (Sc 75) continues to captain the club with great aplomb as they prepare to host the Women’s Open in August. Hamish is still in regular touch with Timothy Cowan (L 76), who is spending considerable time in his home in France and Malcolm Wallace (G 76) who is happily retired and keeping fit in Sydney. Michael Beamish (Sc 75) is still involved with The Borders Distillery and has been busy with golfing commitments at both The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield) and the R&A.

He has bumped into Jeremy Monroe (G 73) a number of times, as well as his brother Duncan Monroe (G 75) who lives in Elie and sees Hamish Wallace (G 74) frequently at Muirfield. His brother’s, David Beamish (Sc 77), Putt in the Park business continues to expand rapidly in London which is keeping him very busy.

James Dracup (Sc 76) became a grandfather over the pandemic to two grandsons: Albert Frederick Henry and now Edward Alexander Michael. His daughter Henrietta is getting married in Perthshire in September 2022. James is currently managing director of Perth Holdings Ltd, lives near Dunkeld and plays golf at Blairgowrie. He went back to Oundle earlier this year to pay respects to Jeremy Firth (Hon OO), who was master in charge of cricket to the unbeaten 1976 team and was delighted to run into Tony Murley (G 76), Peter Mills (StA 77) and Ian Hodgson (Sc 78) who all played in that side and also Robin Veit (Hon

OO), his old house tutor.

Alex Sinclair Maddocks (D 78) reports he has found fame at last, appearing in a painting by Christine Roychowdhury, called Living the Dream, hung in the beautifully renovated Aberdeen Art Gallery in the BP sponsored area summer exhibition for a few months.

Roger Green (Sc 85) lives in Gullane, a small village with possibly the highest percentage of OOs anywhere in the UK, despite being 300 miles away from Oundle. He met up with Ian McAuliffe (Sc 85) when he was in Edinburgh last year. Roger is busy growing his utilities business, Brightwater, and waste business, Brightwaste.

James Ringham (N 85) would like to thank the school Archivist, Elspeth Langsdale, who came up trumps with photos and sporting achievements for James’ grandfather Charles Ringham (N 17) and his brother Reginald Ringham (N 13). Part of the reason for that request was a small family reunion at Christmas with his brother Simon Ringham (N 80) and his father Christopher Ringham (N 56). Christopher has been retired for many years, and is living in the East Midlands following a career in the textile industry; still manages an active property portfolio; and has passed his golf clubs down to his grandchildren after reasonably sustained and successful use! Simon is living in Massachusetts having had careers in entertainment, real estate and retail. James himself is, sadly, not looking at retirement for some time, and runs a small firm of architects

in Edinburgh. He had the pleasure of meeting the next generation of OOs who appeared at his daughter’s Covid-delayed 21st birthday party earlier this year in Elie, including Helen Wienand (W 18) and George Garber (S 18), all students at St Andrews University. James regularly sees Mark Doubleday (S 83) who is a self-employed stage lighting designer – one of the first users of the Stahl Theatre, which he remembers fondly. Christopher Slater (StA 86) says he rarely bumps into OOs but was attending a trade show in Birmingham in February and met Anthony Wright (N 77) and then at the Scotland Spring Trade Fair in March the two of them also met James Dracup (Sc 76). Chris’s business, Glen Appin of Scotland, makes and sells a large number of Harris Tweed items including handbags and purses. Anthony’s business, Barrhead Leather, is a tannery but he also produces handbags using Harris Tweed and Scottish deerskin leather.

James works for House of Edgar which is in the Highland and Celtic Wear market. Chris says the three of them buy a lot of Harris Tweed cloth, do compete in places but get on well! Like many businesses Chris had a difficult 2020 due to Covid, but 2021 saw a good bounce back and, although shipping, rising costs

and the difficulties in China are new problems, at least sales are very strong. Chris and his wife, Diane, are arranging their eldest daughter Jessica’s wedding which finally takes place at home this July, having been postponed by a year.

Andrew Akintewe (S 92) wrote briefly that he is swamped with work at Brodies in Edinburgh. Jamie Goodhart (N/Ldr 01) and his wife Andrea are now parents of two yearold Elspeth with one on the way. They are permanently entrenched just south of Edinburgh in a house they rebuilt during the first lockdown (while living with my inlaws, when Elspeth was born). He has just qualified in his second career as a GP with an expedition to climb in the Karakoram planned for September 2022. I questioned his dual House and Jamie explained he believes he is the youngest male Novarian as when they closed it down for boys he was the youngest in the house and moved to Laundimer. Pete Ling (Sc 04) also wrote briefly saying he is still living in Edinburgh and now works for BAE Systems.

Finally, my family’s news. My daughter Emily Bainbridge (K 14) works in paediatric A&E at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which can be frenetic at times. She has seen loads of OO friends including a recent weekend in Weymouth

with Alex Hodgson, Freddie Martin, Charlotte Robson, Emma Morse (all K 14) and Charlotte Cundall (D 14), skiing with the two Charlottes in Austria, a send off for Freddie on six months travelling and Charlotte R’s upcoming birthday in Bristol. Some of these parties also involved Charlie Bowkett (G 14), Tom Daniels (G 14), Oli Wood (C 14), and David BolleJones (StA 14). Emily plays netball with Fleur Arkell (L 14) for Putney Ladies, and we were delighted to see Bella Ellis (Sn 14) and her father Richard Ellis (Sn 86) here in Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup.My son Charlie Bainbridge (StA17) is completing his Masters in Civil Engineering at Leeds. As I complete this report we have Harry Stansfeld (StA 17) staying the night having completed his Engineering Masters at Glasgow. Harry arrived with the most wonderful wooden canoe on top of his car, one of two built by him and his housemate which are really great pieces of craftsmanship, but his production line is now halted as he will start accountancy training with BDO in London. The StA 17 boys are also planning a celebration in late August of ten years since they arrived at Oundle (or five years since they left). My brother James Bainbridge (Sn 82) is enjoying being Chair of Carter Jonas and also his fishing and shooting. My non-executive roles keep me busy and are pretty much back to pre-Covid rhythm. We also went to an amazing twice-Covid postponed ball at Versailles Palace as part of a party organised by Mark Wakeford (StA 84) which included Mark’s three daughters Lucy (Sn 14), Emma (D 16) and Hannah (Sn 19), my son Charlie, Mark’s nephew George King (Ldr 12), Katie Orr (D 16) and Oscar Salvesen (Ldr 19). I have seen Alastair Irvine (Sc 81) and Anthony Wright (N 77) at the Oban Games, the latter at his Barrhead Leather stand where we bought some lovely tartan covered hip flasks from Anthony for nephews’ and nieces’ Christmas presents.

S Left to right: Chris Slater, Anthony Wright, James Dracup

South West

■ Tony Parsons (S

I have received fewer reports than usual this year, perhaps a sign that everyone has been busy recovering the activities missed over the last two years, and having less time to write stories for the magazine. Most are of the older generation, probably reflecting the nature of this region, more retirees than workers, although there are many young OOs off the local radar embracing the benefits of further education at Bristol and Exeter Universities. Nevertheless, I thank all those who have written. It is a relief that life has returned to ‘living with Covid’ normal. This enabled us to gather in March for our regional lunch at Taunton Racecourse, the first for four years, where we were addressed by the Head Sarah Kerr-Dineen, Development Director Matthew Dear and OO Club President Chris Piper. A very enjoyable reunion and their presence was appreciated by us all, particularly as they had to contend with heavy rain on their journey.

My report starts with our only contributor from Gloucestershire, Rod Alexander (Sc 61) who, in spite of a brain haemorrhage in September 2021, continues to play some cricket but, in his 80th year, restricts his activity mainly to umpiring, fundraising and ground secretary. He has enjoyed several OO events including the Sunshine Club lunch at the RAC Club in Pall Mall in December, the Over 60 lunch at the RAF Club and the South West lunch in Taunton, both in March, and the School House (58 - 62) reunion in May. His active year also included visits to Oundle for the Amps wine festivals, a holiday near Rutland Water and a July visit to Tolethorpe Open Air Theatre. Rod’s cricketing interests included visits to Lord’s for day one of the New Zealand Test and Edgbaston for the India Test, but he is sad to have to conclude by noting the death

of his friend Paul Horrell (S 51) last autumn. Mark Shepherd (S 91), a partner in lawyers Burges Salmon, reports from Bristol that he met Matt Read and Jo Trafford (both S 91) at a country pub in Oxfordshire. Matt lives in Kent and is a director at HSBC Commercial Banking while Jo has returned from South Africa, has a number of ventures, and splits his time between Derbyshire and Bath. Chris Higman (N 62) admits to having little news but very much enjoyed the Taunton lunch.

Adrian Phillips (StA 82) included a photograph of his wonderful OO family and reports that he is increasingly spending his time on renewable energy in the Middle East and kite surfing whenever he can. His son John (StA 17) is in his final year at Edinburgh University and about to start a career in finance, whilst daughter Elizabeth (W 21) is enjoying her gap year in Latin America before reading law at Exeter. Brother Justin Phillips (StA 83) has stepped down as Medical Director of the Taunton Hospitals for a wellearned rest after the horrors of the pandemic, whilst his son Harry Phillips (B 14) recently qualified as a junior doctor, and elder son Ed (Sc 13) is in London, married with one son, and continuing to face the challenges of life in venture capital. Daughter Charlotte (W 18) remains at Newcastle studying accounting and finance and finally experiencing the benefits of post Covid university life.

Adrian Welsh (StA 82) admits to being rubbish at contributing news but promises to improve as he enjoys reading about other people. He has resigned from his role as general counsel of Imperial Brands plc, headquartered in Bristol, to look for a new path in life and is enjoying a year off to reflect on this. He is in regular touch with Chris Colman (StA 82), Tim Peckett (StA 82) and Jules Allen (StA 82) and

was another to enjoy day one at the Lord’s Test with James Hood (StA 82). Adrian also recently met up with Matt Payne (StA 82), for the first time since leaving school, on discovering that Matt lived very near his mother’s house in Norfolk. They will not be waiting another 40 years before enjoying the next beer.

Oliver Simmonds (L 03) is enjoying family life in the South West working for an engineering consultancy on a wide range of marine projects. His children, aged four and six, keep him busy as do major house renovations on their early 19th century property from which he is learning much about old building techniques.

Ian Orr (StA 76) continues working in crisis management as a consultant with NATO and updates us on the progress of his children. Sophie Orr (D 11) continues her successful career in a specialist insurance sector in London, William Orr (StA 13) is in Ghana managing sustainable cocoa projects and Katie Orr (D 16) is making her career in the Civil Service in London.

Our senior citizen in Dorset, Chris Walliker (D 54) reports that he has met up with Adrian Fisher (B 69) who kindly agreed to give a lecture to the local National Trust on his specialist subject of mazes. He also invited your correspondent to join him on a warm but windy December day to plant a hedge for the National Trust on Dorset’s Jurassic coast, the funding for which came from a legacy from my father Derek Parsons (S 38). Chris attended the South West lunch in March but noted the absence

of Derek Blooman (D 53) who has recently moved to a care home in Lyme Regis where he is in good spirits.

James Pride (B 70) tells us that his last year as commodore of the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole ended on December 31 and was rather eventful. Their admiral was HRH Prince Philip so various formalities were necessitated after his passing and they currently await a decision from Buckingham Palace as to his replacement. The club has come back to life after Covid. Jamie’s wife has retired as an anaesthetist so he looks forward to more sailing, skiing, travel etc. James also has to report the sad news of the death of his very dear friend Martin Lean (B 70) in May, whom he first met in 1966 at a new boys’ tea hosted by Dudley Heesom. They shared studies, blasted music out over the Bramston garden, reciprocated best man duties in 1978 and 1987, and Martin was godfather to James’ eldest son Michael. The two families enjoyed many holidays together in Martin’s home in Martiel, Southern France.

Dorset based Simon Mennell (StA 69) is still living part time in Ecuador trying to export fruit, fruit pulp and Hass avocado pears directly to the UK post Brexit. Jonathan Mennell (G 72) continues with his fine art consultancy based near Siena, Italy and working out of Milan, Rome and London.

Moving to my county of Somerset, an early respondent was Paul Reed (Ldr 82) who gives the sad news of the passing of his brother Mark Reed (Ldr 81). After 30 years in Australia, illness brought him back to the UK where he was due into Barts hospital for a heart operation on 4 May but was found dead on 27 April. He is survived by his wife and three children, all in Sydney. Paul still plays rugby, works in the property industry, and remains well with his wife Dawn and two children, Kizzi at Millfield and Scott at Bath University. Judge Smith (Sn 66) continues to record CDs of his music on the grounds of ‘why stop now?’ and keeps in touch with Nick

Lucas (Sc 65), David Mitchell (Ldr 66) and Maxwell Hutchinson (D 66). My near neighbour John Clark (N 67) is now chairman of Bath Opera and has enjoyed putting on a small-scale summer tour of Tosca in seven venues around Bath. He has one more year of responsibility for economic development in South Somerset before that district council gives way to a new unitary Somerset Council. Brother Robin Clark (N 62) joined John in the chorus for the fully staged Eugene Onegin in February. Another neighbour, Nigel Engert (G 67) has met George Marshall (G 67) in London and reminisced about their trip to East Germany in August 1967 which included visits to east Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. He has also seen Richard Peaver (G 67), who spends his time in Norfolk as secretary and treasurer of the local PCC, chair of the British Legion branch and accompanist to an allfemale choir. Nigel still chairs the local patients participation group and contributes in other volunteer capacities, whilst also joining his brothers Nicholas (G 66) and Christopher (G 68) for a walk up one of Dorset’s finest Iron Age hillforts in April prior to recovering in a local pub.

Richard Habershon (Ldr 71) claims to have little to report but then launches forth to inform us that, in retirement, he continues to play tennis for the Somerset over 65s, grows a lot of vegetables, enjoys the company of five grandchildren with two more on the way, and manages his wife Helen’s music, her latest album Found in Dreams being broadcast and streamed around the world. Richard still plays the piano every day, less frequently his clarinet, and attributes his love of music to Oundle: Dan Harvey and Peter Lea-Cox in particular. As a Somerset resident I will include myself here and report that my Oundle links continue to increase, much to my enjoyment. Appreciation of the Oundle experience increases in proportion to age. In November, local neighbours John Allwood (Ldr 70),

Nigel Engert, Richard Habershon, John Clark and I lunched in a local pub, now an annual event, and in December I was privileged to be asked by the Golden Cap National Trust to help plant a new hedge, as reported above by its President, Chris Walliker. March included the Taunton lunch referred to at the beginning of this report and the Over 60 lunch in London where I met and talked cricket with former classmate Malcolm Watson (D 66) amongst others. On a warm June evening, Hilary and I joined Edward Waterson (S 69) and Jill for a lovely dinner at a restaurant in Wells overlooking the Cathedral. I enjoyed a stimulating day at Lord’s for day one of the NZ Test, and look forward to perhaps seeing some OOs at the India ODI or the South Africa Test. Olivia Gross (D 03) is now established in East Devon and working for an Exeter based charity campaigning for stricter laws on drink spiking, whilst her husband works for Lloyd’s Register. She maintains contact with her Oundle contemporaries and spent a recent weekend in Norfolk with Tom Clabburn (S 03) and Chantal Bradford (N 01). She regularly sees Pippa Rivero Bosch (D 03), Vicky Sutton (W 03), Alexandra (D 03) and Merrik Baggallay (S 03) and Annabel Denham (D 03). I was delighted to meet Olivia at the Taunton lunch, accompanied by her father Hugh Brass (D 67), and, after 30 years of co-education at Oundle, I hope she will be the catalyst for many more OO women to join us in future. Submitting his first update since leaving school is Jon Lisle (D 91) who, after time working in Jamaica and universities in France, has settled near the coast in North Devon. His working life centred on SEN leadership culminating in setting up a specialist independent school for people with extreme mental, emotional and behavioural issues. He is now semi-retired and working from home as an education specialist supporting young people unable to access schools.

NEWS FROM HOME

Regular correspondent Richard Keith (D 57) continues to look after his wife Sian, who uses a wheelchair and is aided by a carer who always leaves her laughing. These challenges have not prevented them welcoming a Ukrainian family in early June, a couple with three daughters and a cat, so their summer will not be dull.

We conclude with those living in the beautiful, if sometimes over populated, county of Cornwall, and our most regular contributor is Quentin Haigh (N 73) who occupies himself at the Kernow Model Rail Centre in Camborne, but has stood down as chairman of Helston and Falmouth Model Railway Society. Ever active in OO circles, he attended the Sports lunch at Queen’s Club in September and the London Dinner in November. March 2022 saw Quentin at the Over 60s lunch at the RAF Club, followed by the South West lunch which he thoroughly enjoyed, meeting fellow Cornwall residents Neil Campbell (N 71), Robert Poet (N 58) and Bruno Poet (N 90). He completed this year’s activities in June with a visit to his brother Peter Haigh (N 71) in Leek followed by a visit to the English Haydn Festival in Bridgnorth where he caught up with Michael Pead (D 48).

Bruno Poet is enjoying life in Cornwall with his wife Annabel and daughter Emilia who is doing her GCSEs, is a keen equestrian, and crews in his dingy at Torpoint Sailing Club. Working in the live performance industry has been difficult in the last two years but Bruno is now very busy as lighting designer for five productions of Tina: the Musical worldwide, nominated for a Tony award on Broadway, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new Cinderella musical. He has also been lighting shows for Sigur Ros, Gary Barlow and the Pet Shop Boys and was nominated for an Olivier award last year for lighting Uncle Vanya in the West End. He designed the lighting for both the 49th and 50th National Day Celebrations in the UAE and, for contrast, his next project is Alcina at

Glyndebourne. Bruno enjoyed the South West lunch, attending with his father Robert, who lives nearby and combines building G scale model locomotives with grandparenting duties. Brother Richard Poet (N 84) is a freelance film and TV editor living in Glasgow, whilst brother Edward Poet (N 87) is a management consultant in London.

Edmund Greaves (Sc 07) and his partner moved to North Devon last November so we welcome them to this region. We also welcome Chris Tovey (Sc 91) who, after 18 years in the South East commuter belt, took the plunge to move to Cornwall. Remote working plus his children’s desire to become surfing pirates tipped the balance in favour of his wife’s long held wish to live in the Duchy. Signs so far are positive with South East separation anxieties managed by a predictable flow of friends and family visiting them in their beautiful corner of the UK. Chris maintains contact with Mark Yates (Sc 90), who is godfather to his son, and both families enjoy periodic catch ups in Aldeburgh.

Another recent arrival in Wiltshire is Nick Berchem (D 86) who has left the Army after 32 years to join tank manufacturer RBSL, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems.

He sees his brother Jeremy (D 89), a Guernsey-based lawyer, and fellow King’s Royal Hussars OO Lt Cols Pete Perowne (G 98) and James Cullinan (G 92), the former taking command of KRH next year.

Finally, we owe an apology to Rab Peck (S 54) who, possibly due to a data protection misunderstanding, was deleted from the issued database after 2019. A 50 year resident of Cornwall, he makes up for it by telling us that he is now in his 86th year and looks back on his time at Oundle with pride, satisfaction and the realisation that he was privileged to have been a pupil under the tutelage of his superb Housemaster LS (Tub) Shaw. Rab shared a study for a couple of years with Clive Boddington (S 53) and their enduring friendship still includes lunch, at least twice a year, somewhere in the Lake District together with their wives. He has exchanged text messages with Peter (Soapy) Suddards (S 53) who now lives in France. Sadly, Rab’s two brothers, Quentin Peck (S 49) and Gavin Peck (S 62), both died during the past five years.

S The Phillips Family, including Adrian (StA 82), his children John (StA 17) and Elizabeth (W 12), Justin (StA 83) and his children Ed (Sc 13), Harry (B 14) and Charlotte (W 18)

The Weald

■ Peter Owen (Lx 63)

As chairman of the Haslemere Festival organising the town’s celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Hamish Donaldson (Ldr 54) has had a busy year. A huge beacon/bonfire on Thursday 2 June was followed by a Charter Fair on the Friday, a scarecrow competition (with a royalty theme) and a Jubilee concert (with music from the Queen’s Coronation service) on the Saturday. On the Sunday there was a civic service in the parish church followed by a carnival procession to the Green with floats and cars from every decade of her reign. A tea party on the Green was followed by bands playing into the evening songs from the seven decades. As a lasting memorial to the Queen, a tower clock has been built on the local community centre and paid for by public subscription. It’s dedication by the Lord Lieutenant marked the end of a successful weekend. Hamish’s daughter, Cathy Broadley (W 92), has volunteered to take in a Ukrainian family who arrived in mid-June and seem to be settling in well.

Neil Hart (N 71) has had a busy year as High Sheriff of West Sussex for 2021 - 22. Starting with a Declaration ceremony which was virtual due to lockdown, his year became increasingly busy, supporting the Police, the Judiciary, the Prison Service and the emergency services in the county as well as numerous charities and voluntary organisations. With every day that passed he and his wife, Ros, realised that despite having lived and worked in the county for over 35 years, they knew less and less about it. It was a privilege and hugely rewarding for both of them to fulfil the role but by the end really quite exhausting. Ros and Neil are now getting back to normality: sailing, travelling and enjoying their grandchildren.

Richard Hill (StA 75) says that after a two-year delay due to the

pandemic, he is finally setting sail for the Caribbean in November. His crew also include his brother Jonathan Hill (StA 72) who is joining him for the Atlantic crossing. Return plans are flexible. Mike Pringle (C 75) writes that Sarah and he have returned to live in Dunsfold, Surrey, after a short flirtation with living in Suffolk, to be near an abundance of grandchildren. He had the pleasure of doing a reading at his goddaughter’s wedding in May. She’s the daughter of David Kidd (Sc 72). He spent a delightful week last October sailing in Greece with David and his ‘skip wife’ Ginny on their boat Dreamcatcher. More locally, he continues to see Ed Pickard (G 82) and Richard Foster (Ldr 72) at local social events which sometimes includes their sons’ wedding celebrations. Mike continues to ply his trade as a leadership and development coach which keeps him from retiring fully for now.

Peter Dickinson (Ldr 59) remains in touch with Rodney Bellamy (Ldr 58), and with Dru (Richard) Bentley (Sc 59). He downsized two years ago to be near one of their daughters. There is nothing like having family near in old age; also, good to have a smaller house and garden to look after. It is five years since his last visit to Oundle and the superb Laundimer 100th reunion. Chris Richards (StA 64) is now in his 30th year as the consultant responsible for the adjudication process of the Construction Manager of The Year award which is sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Building. This award is unique in being the only one in Europe to recognise the manager rather than the building or its design.

John Williams (StA 62) reported that the year saw the OO Weald Walks revived.

Bev Boag (StA 60), Roland Fairfield (StA 60), John Richardson (StA 61),

Martin Boag (StA 62), John Williams (StA 62) and others enjoyed four mainly circular walks near Tilford, Chichester, Arundel, and Merstham, and pub lunches. All OOs (StA or not!) are welcome to come along. Contact john1260@ gmail.com. George Duncan (D 72) remains alive and well, as does his brother Andrew Duncan (D 74). George is semi-retired but still doing some work as a consultant for Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. He is spending part of the summer working on an archaeological site near Guildford, an activity which he took up at Oundle. John Smeddle (C 57) also touched base. Keith Gabriel (Sn 75) and his wife Diana are still living in Benenden; all three children are now established in their careers and they have three grandchildren. Keith retired at the end of 2021 and sold his business, an engineering geology consultancy, so now has much more time to enjoy sailing the Southerly 38 yacht which he bought in 2020. Covid restrictions in 2021 meant that cruising was limited to the south and east coasts of the UK. Plans for the current season include trips to the Netherlands, then back to Guernsey and favourite harbours on the north Brittany coast.

John De Lucy (D 67) reports that his three planned exhibitions (Shanghai, Jinan and Lushan) of their near 70 years of family photographs in China, have been postponed until next year because of Covid, but his exhibition in Erin, northern France did take place on 6 - 8 May this year. Erin was where the British repaired their tanks in the First World War

and his grandfather, who lived in Shanghai, was involved in recruiting and bringing to France nearly 100,000 Chinese labourers in 1917. He was sent back to Weihei in Shangdon province in 1918 to recruit Chinese engineers to come to France to help repair our tanks. A copy of the book was produced about his life using some of his photographs of the Chinese labour corps, and towns and villages in France in 1919 through which he travelled before returning to China in 1920. He is working with a museum in Plymouth to hold an exhibition on the life of his uncle, William Paulet Lucy, who was the first British air ace of the Second World War killed on 14 May 1940, during the Norwegian Campaign. He has all his papers, photographs and memorabilia from birth to death.

Frank Wright (B 64) continues to be a keen motorcyclist. In May he went with 26 other IAM members on a 4,000-mile round trip to Istanbul which involved visiting 11 countries. Riding in groups of three or four the daily distance travelled was about 300 miles. The first night was just west of Nancy, the second was in Varese, Italy. This required travelling across Switzerland in one day which could only realistically be achieved by using the Swiss motorway system. Filtering for miles to enter the St Gotthard tunnel proved demanding but fortunate as shortly after exiting the tunnel it was closed because of a vehicle fire.

After Varese they travelled on to Faenza and then to Ancona to catch the overnight ferry to Igoumenitsa, Greece. They were expecting the Ancona ferry port to be chaotic and were not wrong. The group had to check in around four and a half hours before departure and then make its way over to the loading area in a different part of town.

After several hours sitting in the sun with absolutely no shade, tempers were beginning to fray. Loading took an age, but they eventually set sail and arrived in Greece the next morning relaxed and refreshed. After a one night stop in Greece on to Cannakale, Turkey. Negotiating

the way into Turkey from Greece entailed crossing the fourth longest suspension bridge in the world, which had only been completed a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately, that day hours of torrential rain combined with gale force winds. They managed to traverse the bridge but only by travelling at 20mph with lashing horizontal rain. Survival rather than sightseeing was the name of the game. The consensus was that if this bridge had been in the UK, it would have been shut down. Mad dogs and Englishmen spring to mind. Leaving the EU and entering Turkey required a green card: a straightforward process of providing the V5 vehicle registration document and your passport. It went downhill rapidly from there as the red tape at the border was shambolic while they were shunted from one queue to another, all the time presenting the same V5 information and the new green card repeatedly. After a guided tour to Troy and Gallipoli, they then headed to Istanbul where the ring road made negotiating the Paris or Milan ring roads seem like a walk in the park. Once it was realised that no vehicle would ever indicate and that every driver was trying to kill you, things settled down somewhat. After three amazing days in Istanbul, heading home involved long days in the saddle with overnight stops in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria and two nights in Germany. They arrived at the Eurotunnel terminal on the Sunday after the Champions League final in Paris to find hundreds of vehicles full of Liverpool supporters trying to get home. Filtering past them elicited one or two comments, not all of which were favourable. A trip of a lifetime and one that sits in bucket list territory.

David Owen (F 03) is back to flying with Etihad Airways, in Abu Dhabi after a year on furlough. Suzanne Korff, née Owen, (K 00) is still enjoying life down in the New Forest with her family: husband Alexander; children Max, Audrey, Astrid and two dogs. Aside from her day job as marketing and communications director for

Princess Cruises, they are still project managing the extension and renovation of their home. Back at work from maternity leave now, she is thankful to be restarting most travel and cruises. If anyone is passing through or heading towards Lymington, please do come and say hello.

Peter Owen (Lx 63) and his wife Marianne continue to live in Horley and after some delays are nearing the completion of a small extension to the house. They also have some cruises planned to include Athens to Dubai in November and in spring 2023 Australia and New Zealand. Peter sings with the Boldre church choir whenever visiting the New Forest family and is also pleased that the Cantemus Cum Spiritu choir has resumed cathedral visits. Evensong will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral in September. Otherwise, Peter continues to be involved in Clubland at various events and undertaking some limited consultancy.

David Meredith (Lx 78) has written in with two years’ worth of news, the highlight being the birth of his first grandson, Noah George Meredith, on 4 December 2020. Once again, eldest son, Harry Meredith (F 11) and his wife, Megan were responsible, so now Mila (aged 4¾) has a baby brother. As the birth happened just before the first Christmas lockdown, David, his wife, Kirstie, and uncle Will Meredith (F 14) were able to pop over to Chilworth for an early cuddle with the latest Meredith family addition, but needless to say, subsequent visits became somewhat occasional. It had not occurred to Harry that he had named his son after his Housemaster, Noah Wood, but David and Will immediately jumped to that conclusion. Lockdown meant that Harry worked almost exclusively from home for U-Switch. But he has now started a new job as a senior analyst with a software developing business in London. Harry manages to see his old Fisher roommate, Digby Morse (F 11) fairly frequently, and Digby is proving a fine godfather to Mila.

He still lives in Wandsworth, whilst continuing to work for Fisher Investments. A second highlight of David’s year was to see Will obtain gainful employment, with Perspective Southeast, working locally. So, Will continues to live with David and Kirstie at their house in Nettlestead, and the lockdown croquet and board game contests between Will and David that developed will continue. Will has recently attended a festival with Miles Beney (S 14), working as a chef in London. He has had a round of golf with James Campbell (F 14); and has also seen Ashley Cuthbert (S 14), now graduated from Sandhurst; Alexander Johnson (F 14), recently returned from Zambia with the army; Ben Richmond (G 14); and Jake Walker (F 14). Will continues to play cricket for the Kent side, Band of Brothers. David has had a busy couple of years, as his firm of chartered accountants provided

a lot of Covid-related support to their clients. Outside work, David continues to enjoy golf and fishing and has also been to the Oval, Twickenham and Royal St George’s. He continues to enjoy his role as Honorary Reporting Accountant to the OO Club.

David continues to live just a mile away from his cousin, Col (Retd) William English, CBE (Lx 80). Five years after leaving regular service, William is on a journey from tankman to businessman, moving closer to initiating his brewing and distilling business on his estate in Kent. William’s wife, Frances, manages the Royal British Legion village, Aylesford, Kent, caring for veterans and dependants. Their three children are now in their 20s. David has been in contact with Philip Yarrow (Lx 79), and he and his wife, Julie, are now in North Wales, keeping some hens, all called Doris for some reason.

Richard Kemsley (C 78) has been busy with telecoms work, but managed a holiday in the Maldives, where he did some scuba diving. After his brain tumour diagnosis, he thought his diving days were over, but his consultant passed him fit to dive, after 14 years. His final dive was spent drifting around an island looking at numerous turtles and a wall of soft corals. He has been turning away private client work to get a better work-life balance. Daughter Julia is now a Grade 7 drummer so Richard will also no doubt get busier as a drum tec or roadie. Other exchanges were with Richard Piper (Lx 66); Jeremy Sankey (Lx 78), still living in Melbourne and hoping to visit the UK this summer; and Andrew Pincott (Lx 78) who, with his wife, Jo, is catching up with postponed social events.

■ Peter Moore (Ldr 88)

Finding news has been slightly easier than last year, but not by much. Wales’ stricter restrictions may have limited our options for a little bit longer, but life is starting to return to the ‘new normal.’ My job of investigating material failures on an international basis has been very much UK based since two weeks in South Africa immediately before lockdown. Only as I write this in July 2022 do I have my first post-Covid trip to an offshore, southern hemisphere oil and gas facility pencilled in for next month. Whilst I have not travelled, I have been sent samples, pictures, videos, documents and had video calls which have enabled me to practise my skills at a distance in China, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Australia. With courts and arbitrations re-opening in London in person I have dusted down my suit (jacket and trousers) to

appear in person rather than by video link. On a personal note, I continue my involvement with Pontyclun Rugby Football Club, assisting with under-16 and under-11 rugby and act as back-up first-aider for the men’s first team. As a result of having to deal with several concussions, you will never see me complain when, in international rugby, they hand out yellow and red cards for dangerous tackles. My two children continue to keep me busy, albeit as they get older I become less involved; the one exception being travelling on my son’s under-16 rugby tour to Spain. So, after my news has been stretched like butter scraped over too much bread, let me move onto the select cadre of Welsh OOs.

Robert Redfern (Sc 72) informs me that whilst he might be found gardening and bird watching, he is still doing medico-legal and

negligence work, and sitting as a magistrate. He gets to enjoy the activities of his children (three sons) and two grandsons, perhaps because they are still in debt to, and withdrawing from, the bank of mum and dad? His sons have a diverse set of careers including a consultant cardiologist, accountant and a recruiter for industry/football coach for Swansea University and Swansea City youth teams. Life sounds good for David Jackman (S 79) who, with Andrea, has spent the last year settling into their lovely new home near Talgarth in the Black Mountains.

Whilst the house is a beautifully converted Welsh barn, so needing no attention, the garden and land surrounding has been the subject of several projects to feed themselves and heat their home: including a chicken enclosure, rabbit huts, polytunnel, allotment, woodland management plan, all completed. Then, after all this hard work, some more work to allow for rest and relaxation, including the construction of a water cascade, pond and patio. He says that all this has tested his engineering skills to the limit. He doesn’t credit Oundle Workshops but thinks YouTube a wonderful source. David laments that his golf handicap is stubbornly stuck around 16, though it seems a miracle that, with all the above work, he has time to maintain a handicap. He concludes that he ‘must try harder’ as his school reports so often used to say.

In the honorary Welsh OO department, Bob Briggs reports that he and Jenny enjoyed meeting up with Richard Owen and Jocelyn in St David’s Cathedral. After Covid’s interference, the longpostponed concert by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir finally happened on 7 May. They and an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a first-rate performance. However, they considered themselves wise to decline to join the choir for their post-concert knees-up in a local pub. Whilst sometimes Pembrokeshire can feel like a world away from the rest of the UK, they have seen a dramatic rise in holiday visitors in the last two summers, and 2022 looks set to beat records. As I write this in late July with the sun streaming down on a verdant South Wales, I can see why.

Steven Thomas (G 69) is always a stalwart correspondent, especially about shooting: this year he is captain of England for the national match in July at Bisley. Further afield, he and Judy were able to spend time in Kathmandu earlier this year visiting his step-daughter. They also visited Pokhara, went walking for a couple of days in the Annapurna foothills, and had their first Tibetan New Year

celebration. Niamh Holding (Sn 79) continues to supply amateur radio related items. She informs me that in September 2021 she was elected chair of Sparks Amateur Radio Club and in February 2022 passed the final full amateur radio exam so now holds a full licence and is ‘on air’ as MWONRE. Malcolm Durham (StA 78) was hard hit by Covid: ‘I am continuing my recovery with a liver transplant to allow me to recover full health. The virus gave me secondary sclerosing cholangitis; a rare condition that stops the liver working properly. I hope to be able to resume a full life by this time next year. In the meantime, I can still sing in my a capella group in Abergavenny (always looking for more voices) and continue designing and building my garden with help.’ Richard Baxter (Lx 61) is feeling the vagaries of older age. Whilst it is now five years since he surrendered his driving licence, he has been told that his deteriorating eyesight should stabilise, so what little remains should remain. On a sad note, he has now had to part with his 1924 Buick. He has been in contact with several people including Ian Collins (B 61), who now lives on Albany where there is no virus. He has also been speaking to John Macmillan (Lx 60) who was hit by a car that mounted the pavement following a collision. He often speaks to his brother Paul. A contemporary of mine, Donald Fraser (Sc 88) continues to enjoy work both as a consultant nephrologist and clinical academic in Cardiff. He and Catriona are both well and their 17 year-old daughter Susie is looking forward to fleeing the nest.

Tim McVey (Ldr 73) received my first request for news whilst waiting for the Rolling Stones to come on stage. He was recently made a Commander of the Order of St John at St Asaph Cathedral due to his involvement with St John Council. Apart from that, he has found the last couple of years to be less exciting. Whilst not having left the UK since March 2020, he has enjoyed exploring the UK from Weymouth to the Scottish Borders and over the

Irish Sea to Northern Ireland. He continues his involvement with the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, which is doing very well and has three osprey chicks on the Dyfi this year: video at dyfiospreyproject.com. Tim’s daughter Hannah McVey (Sn 04) works for the Country Trust, which is Radio 4’s appeal of the week as I write in July 2022. Hannah’s older child, Hester, is now at school and loving it, and Hannah is a school governor. Jim Hindmarsh (Ldr 61) proves that you’re never too old to do something new: I let his own words speak for him: ‘Although I have been a social member of the Penarth Rowing Club for several years, I have never tried rowing until this last year. I rowed in a crew of four, with no great distinction of course but it is thought we may have been the oldest crew to set out into the Bristol Channel from Penarth: with an average age in excess of 75.’ To close on a note which is probably common to all our correspondents, Steve Fletcher (S 69) was sorry he couldn’t help with news this year. He did nothing much, then caught Covid, though he only knew he had it as he had to test, then did nothing much. He hopes that he might have something to say next year. A sentiment which I consider applies to you and me both Steve, as well as the rest of the OO community.

Iechyd da to you all.

West Midlands

Terry

I can only imagine that the majority of West Midlands based OOs have been very busy organising, volunteering at or training for the Commonwealth Games as my role as correspondent for the region has been easier than usual as so few people replied to my usual request for information. However, I am delighted to share the news from a number of our OOs.

Chris Best (C 66) won the award for being the first responder, reporting that little has changed this year after his long career in hospitality sales and marketing came to an end with the advent of Covid. However, a sideways move into exam invigilation in various Warwickshire schools and colleges has been interesting and fulfilling even if not as lucrative as the former career. When not involved in exam invigilation, much of his time continues to be involved with Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club running the safety launches and assisting with rowing coaching for the junior and school squads as well as running functions and events at the Club.

Johnny Crabbe (G 55) has moved back into England after a year’s house sitting session on Offa’s Dyke (the Welsh side). Last October he arranged the annual reunion luncheon of the Penguins, the Oundle side that won the Rosslyn Park Sevens in 1955. Present were Tim Herbert (B 55), Fred Inglis (Sn 55), John Bishop (StA 56), Tim Barter (D 58), Dick Orchard (Sn 58), John Owen (StA 58). Apologies were received from Chris Sweeting (Sc 55) and Mike Hollands (N 54). He sees Mark Glossop (D 54) regularly at their investment club meetings where Mark reports they are ‘Still ahead - just - thanks to a lot of work by Johnny.’ Otherwise Mark says life is slowing down a little but still enjoys singing when he gets the chance.

Richard Matthews (D 66) enjoyed (?) playing ‘predictably forgettable golf’ on joining, for the first time, the OO Golfing Society two day meeting at Luffenham Heath last autumn, and enjoyed the excellent dinner at the George Hotel in Stamford; not least as he had celebrated his 50th birthday with a memorable lunch for his family in the same room nearly 25 years previously. He was reminded of his mortality by the untimely death of Tom Brass (D 66) in March, with whom he had been through both Winchester House and Oundle. At the funeral he learnt much more of Tom, not least from a fine eulogy given by Tom’s cousin, Hugh Brass (D 67). In February he and his wife, Faith, were delighted to join their daughter, Caroline (D 04) and her family for a week in Tignes where the snow conditions were perfect. At the end of March, the vaccination hub in Rugby, where 165,675 vaccinations were given from December 2020, closed and with it Richard’s vaccination stint: his final tally being 11,307 ‘arms’ and several incidental diagnoses of skin cancer, including three melanomas. He met a great group of people whose volunteering continues and found the whole experience very uplifting and worthwhile. He wanted me to remind you all to use your Factor 50 sunblock diligently according to your skin colour.

Bob Ellis (D 65) keeps in regular touch with Shane Dodd (Sn 74) to chat about matters going on in the OO world and beyond. He has also been playing bridge with Terry Graham (StA 63) online using Bridge Base and WhatsApp voice. His brother John Ellis (D 63) has retired from soliciting up in North Yorkshire and is still enjoying playing cricket for his local team and keeping himself fit. His eldest daughter Louise Nimako

née Burnard (W 93) and her husband, both medics, have been overwhelmed over the last two years as they have been on the Covid front line down in East Surrey and at last are finding a bit of time to wind down from those pressures.

Matthew Davis (Sc 89) recently returned to Oundle with Matt Blossom (Sc 89) to attend the memorial service for Jeremy Firth where they bumped into a number of contemporaries from late 80s School House. They were pleased to have the opportunity to remember a ‘truly great Housemaster and man.’ Matthew continues to work at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, where he looks after the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. In addition to being an incredible job it also means that he bumps into many OOs. This year they are focusing on the Sir William Lyons archive and he recently unearthed the file marked ‘Oundle School.’ He also had the privilege of driving a white E-type in the Jubilee pageant which he described as ‘a highlight of the year’ although his message arrived with me before his holiday in August in Trearddur Bay, where he will be roping-in Jeremy Richardson (G 88) to sail with him, so that might have changed by now.

Roderick Boswell (N 54) finds himself back in his pre-Covid routine of summering near Bordeaux and then spending the rest of the year between Warwickshire and Cornwall. He sees his brother-in-law, Mike Hollands (N 54) regularly. Peter How (Sn 49) has enjoyed the opportunity he had this year to meet

FROM HOME

the female Sandersonians of 2021 and 2022. He remarked that taking a tour of the House, writing in their magazine and talking at their charity dinner have all been real privileges for him. He also attended the Oundle Lecture and Over 60s lunch, where he re-connected with Maurice Dybeck (Sn 48), a fellow veteran of The Berrystead. Ian Coates (D 58) tells me that he has nothing exciting to report from the year but is clearly an avid reader of The Old Oundelian and can see from afar that Oundle has clearly changed out of all recognition: so much so that he would love to return to the school ‘as a pupil and just for one day!’

Last year John Nicholas Dearn Pritchard (Sc 65) was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis which is a rare degenerative condition progressively affecting his mobility. Regrettably there is no treatment, but he has plans to work with the physiotherapists with the aim of keeping the legs in better shape as long as possible. He is disappointed to be missing out on events like Henley where ‘longstanding’ is a bit of a challenge. Paul Newsome (StA 55) has been busy this year helping

the Standard Motor Club with their spare parts remanufacturing programme. Standard cars were made in Coventry from 1903 to 1963 so the youngest car is now 60 years old and he now has some 28 castings for various parts, all cast and machined, mainly for older cars 1920 to 1948. This keeps him busy and skills learnt in the Workshops during his time at Oundle have all come in very useful. He is also very proud to have seen three different cars driven by his father at Le Mans in the 30s all running and one still racing at this year’s Classic Le Mans.

Our youngest responder was Lt Col Mark Ballard (Sc 96) who is now an Armed Forces consultant radiologist in Birmingham and lead radiologist for the MOD working a mixture of NHS clinical and delivering global imaging for Defence. He and his wife have two girls ‘who are a delight’ with the additional time pressure challenge of a(nother) Vizsla puppy joining the family at the end of last year. However, he does find the time to be the ‘classic middle-class middleaged man’ who is borderline addicted to cycling. He is also a governor at Bromsgrove School, so

Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Waring

Thanksto all who have responded to the request for news. Some OOs kindly do so on a regular basis and I am pleased that others have come forward for the first time in years.

York-based Edward Waterson (S 69) undoubtedly fits into the former category reporting that Study Ten at Sidney lives on with the annual get together with Phil Cartwright (S 69) and John Hyde (S 70). This year it was at John’s home in Staffordshire,

which he and Barbara have spent so many years restoring. Edward and Jill joined the Hydes for an eccentric tour of Upton Cressett Hall in June and were treated to their usual excellent hospitality afterwards. Phil is busy with his extended family in all corners of the world but we hope to be behaving badly again in the autumn. Edward and Jill see a lot of John Granger (C 71) and his bon viveur husband Tim. He also bumped into Robert Bean (G 64) at a

not fully extracted from the world of secondary education. He is in regular contact with Thom Thorpe (Sc 97) who is godfather to his eldest daughter.

For my part, I have had another incredibly busy year where I don’t seem to have done much when I look back at it. I am however delighted to report that 2022 saw us (finally) go on our 2020 holiday to Holland with Steve Innes (G 93) and family who are all keeping well. Apart from that, I am still working as a recruiter, still a trustee for the LoveBrum Charity in Birmingham and still a Trophy Husband. Like Mark Ballard, my cycling habit continues too (roping in Simon ‘Sammy’ Stephen (Lx 97) where I can and after completing the South Wales Dragon Ride on a bike and the Birmingham Half Marathon on foot earlier this year I am now thinking that the next natural step is to add some swimming and do a triathlon in 2023.

Thank you for all your news and best wishes for the next year.

fundraising party in the summer. He’s retired from growing cucumbers and says that growing houses is a better prospect. On a recent foray to the West Country, Edward and Jill arranged to meet Tony Parsons (S 65) and Hilary for dinner in Wells Cathedral Close and had a

thoroughly good catch up. Tony’s MGB is poorly but Edward is pleased to report that his classic Rolls has just ferried a group of friends to the Lake District and back without incident, despite the advancing years of car and owner. The Watersons continue to love city life in the centre of York. It’s also highly convenient for the train to Peckham and their son James Waterson (S 07) who this year has spent a lot of time in Court and reporting on such issues as Wagatha Christie in his role as media editor at The Guardian. On another trip in his vintage Rolls, Edward found himself in the company of two more OOs. Charles Gillett (StA 79) has made a good recovery from a very nasty accident while motor racing in Belgium but that hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm for the 1920s Bentley 3-litre he was driving, or his nine other classic cars. Edward has also had lunch with Geoff Mackrill (B 76) who entertained all present with tales of surfing among monster waves and when he’s not doing that he’s restoring a rare GT6 car with Charles.

By contrast (whilst continuing the motor theme) Guy Sinclair (Sc 60) wondered if he had ever replied to a regional correspondent before. In 1963, he bought a 1926 Humber which after some 57 years of ownership and with occasional trips to Oundle in it, was sold for rather more than the original £200. A reason for the sale was advancing years although it turned out that the purchaser, who never came to see the car before he bought it, was older than Guy. He was one of the attendees at the School House Leavers 1958-1962 reunion in late May.

West Yorkshire OO stalwart Mike Haigh (Sc 87) is perhaps a little quicker behind the wheel as he still races and hill climbs in historic cars and achieved a second place at the Goodwood 79th members meeting in the Weslake Cup driving a Lenham Lemans GT. His success in the commercial property market continues, including contact with Jonathan Turner and Andrew Gent. Mike managed to make the Sports lunch at Queen’s Club this year: an

excellent event.

Jonathan Turner (S 84) continues to explore new business ventures reporting that he has recently joined forces in the electric vehicle charging world with Bruce Galliford (StA 87) who he was introduced to out of the blue. They are busy installing over 10,000 units for RAW Charging. Alongside this Jonathan sees a lot of James Barker (Sc 84) Tim Hall (S 84) Richard Munro (Sc 84) Rupert Bullock (L 84) Robin Johnson (StA 81) all of whom are on great form.

Mike Copestake (Sc 69) is getting near to establishing a classic car centre in an old foundry in Derby which will offer storage for around 80 cars and 40,000 sq ft of workshop space for artisans specialising in the repair and restoration of classic cars. Any OOs who are interested are welcome to get in touch at mgc@gnc. co.uk. He is currently High Sheriff of Derbyshire. What Mike did not mention but was kindly reported by Robert Shields (D 72) is that he is the first solicitor to be a High Sheriff in Derbyshire after a successful career as a corporate lawyer, including 21 years as senior partner of Freeth Derby office.

No OO report from the North would be complete without mention of families who have been well represented over many years, in some cases generations.

Michael Oakley (Lx 62) reports over the last year he seems to have been playing bridge three times a week and some regular games of golf but not travelling very far. His granddaughter Fenella Farrand (Sn 22) leaves Oundle and a highlight was her performance in My Fair Lady Fenella was also Wontner drama scholar. Her brother Guy Ferrand (B 20) having had not quite the gap year he had planned due to Covid, has now thrown himself into activities at the RAU at Cirencester and still intends to go into the Army. Michael waits to hear whether his youngest granddaughter Alice Oakley will follow her cousins. Michael has seen old friend Iain Laird (L 62) from time to time during the year and they will be returning to salmon fish on the

Casseley in Sutherland. Son Will Oakley (Lx 92) is not sure which geographical location he falls into with this edition of The OO Magazine as he is between Scotland and the Caribbean but says: ‘2021 saw a return from Barbados to the UK and to be precise, Ballantrae in Ayrshire. With restrictions on overseas travel still in place I re-opened Glenapp Castle on 17 May 2021 and navigated the business through one of the busiest tourist seasons Scotland has seen in years. After one winter on the west coast of Scotland we will be returning to the Caribbean in August 2022 where I take on the role as managing director of Jumby Bay Island just off Antigua. I managed to catch up with Mark Hallam (Sc 92) and Shauna (née Gilmour) Hallam (K 92) during the past year and look forward to seeing many more at the 30 Year Reunion in September 2022.’

Robin Horsell (Sc 80) is trying to semi retire from outfitters Schoolblazer to spend more time in his recently renovated home in Masham near Ripon. Brother Jeremy Horsell (Sc 70) is living in Harrogate with Mel and some of his children who are returning from London boomerang style. Robin reports on his gang: ‘Tom Horsell (Lx 07) is living in Ripon and works for Zoopla, Lucy Horsell (L 09) has just started her own business – Bounce Bras, targeting the need for girls to have the right sports bra, and Evie Horsell (L 12) continues to work as head of Comms for Big Mamma restaurants, Gloria, Circolo Populare and Ave Mario. They are bonkers but worth the experience if you are in London.’

Simon Mackaness (C 67) admits it is many years since he has written with news maybe due to his ongoing success with Rudding Park near Harrogate. It has come out of Covid with a good order book and the business is operating well. Simon’s sons Matthew and Nicolas are now both working in the business and have some exciting plans for the future allowing him to take things a little easier and enjoy long holidays. His brother Mark Mackaness (C 70) separately owns and manages the

HOME

adjoining Rudding Park Estate. He and wife Jan are looking forward to more intrepid travelling with an autumn overland trip around southern Africa in a Toyota Landcruiser converted to an off-road camper. Having seen said vehicle, I can assure you that is a major understatement.

Mac Fearnehough (StA 55) has had big celebration parties for his 60th wedding anniversary. His wife Diana is sister of Gary Flather (D 56) and Michael Flather (D 61). They are three generation OOs with his father William Fearnehough leaving Sidney in 1917 and son Alistair Fearnehough (N 86).

The Ellis family from West Yorkshire continue to wave the Oundle flag. Past president Richard Ellis (Sn 86) has ongoing OO responsibilities with regular trips back. He is still running the family furniture business in Huddersfield with cousin Tom Ellis (Sn 91) and often is in touch with father Roger Ellis (Sn 56) and uncle James Ellis (Sn 63). He spends plenty of time connecting with fellow OOs at various sporting events during the year and still sees Ian Lane (Ldr 77), Mike Haigh (Sc 87) and Bob Harrap (B 68) during the shooting season. Daughter Isobel Ellis (Sn 14) continues to live in London where she is head of music at a school in south London. Tom Ellis kindly reminds me of the other family OOs including his father-in-law Peter Cole (Sn 54), and uncle-in-law Anthony Cole (Sn 56). Tom attended the OO Sports lunch at Queen’s Club where he bumped into Mark Epton (StA 91), Stuart Morgan (Lx 91), Alex Smith (N 91), Will Hunt (S 94) and James Kilner (StA 97).

Based in Harrogate, Jim Bennet (N 77) is travelling with his work in the fishing industry to Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and Portugal. He points out the current war has resulted in a huge shortage of fish but hopes to fill the gap with South African hake. And talking of Harrogate, I briefly saw Angus Shaw (Sc 61) at the Great Yorkshire Show in July. He has seen Michael Sellars

(StA 62) a couple of times in Boston Spa over the last two years; the first time in a queue at a local fish and chip shop. He meets up with James Ellis quite often now he has moved into North Yorkshire.

Paul Turner (S 86) is still living in Harrogate and running the Yorkshire Barn holiday cottages. His Anglesey beach house near Beaumaris is now taking guests and Villa Yar in Kalkan, Turkey, is getting booked now travel has started again. He has had a lock down baby, and now has two girls Darley and Harlow to keep him even busier. He saw James Riggs (Sn 85) in Kalkan and speaks to Adam Morriss (Lx 86) about catching up. He says Adam is flying high at The Belmond Group.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, past OO Magazine editor Simon Redfern (Sc 75) reports he has now left the OO Editorial Board, as ‘Megan doesn’t need my input any more, since she’s doing such a grand job.’ He is still renting in Market Weighton whilst looking for a suitable house in the York/Harrogate area, as his son has moved to York and York is in easy reach of London, where his daughter lives. Simon still works for UEFA a couple of days a week, Squash Player a few days a quarter, and York-based Sport Acuity three days a week, being a specialist provider of media and business intelligence, consultancy and content services to leading sports organisations.

Paul Jacobs (B 70), now retired from his post of eye surgeon at York Hospital, lives near York with his wife and young step-daughter. He no longer runs competitively but still runs to keep fit, trying in vain to keep up with two border collies. Over the past few years, Paul has been building steel bicycle frames for friends and family but has now changed to making, and using, bamboo fly-fishing rods. Philip Massey (StA 85) also lives in York with two sons at St Peter’s School. He is now enjoying more T20 cricket at Headingley. Thirsk-based Michael Brook (Sn 71) has met Brian Bowser (Sn 71) and Jeanette for lunch a couple of times. Brian continues to run the

family solicitors’ firm in Wisbech, defying any suggestions that he should start enjoying a well-earned retirement. In the shooting field on Michael’s syndicate partridge shoot, James Stuart-Mills (Sc 85), Jonty Weastell (S 89) and Andrew Gloag (Sn 81) appeared on various occasions. In December, Anthony Collinson (S 59) came to lunch and let slip that it was he who gave the idea of Alexa to Amazon: but clearly he inadvertently failed to ‘sell’ it. Also in December, Michael met Peter Cook (N 71) at the funeral of a mutual friend but was pleased to report he still has a pulse and continues to drift through an unadventurous but enjoyable retirement.

Nick Jackson (Sc 66) confirms he is also still alive and kicking despite the horrid pandemic events of the last couple of years which seriously limited his sailing and field sports. His friend Chris Helliwell (Sc 65) is also well and they meet up regularly. Nick recently became a great grandfather for the first time: to Daisy, which closely followed his first grand stepson, Harry. Nick and Jilly finally tied the knot and married prior to the pandemic after some 20 years together.

Brian Burrows (D 61) and Linda will be leaving their UK responsibilities to their daughters as they renovate a vintage property by Gibbs beach on the Barbados west coast and close to Cobblers Cove Hotel, familiar to many OOs. This winter will comprise of monkeys, termites and mosquitos ameliorated by blue skies and rum punches.

Robert Blackburn (Sc 73) says nothing too exciting is happening. He has however just had his 40th anniversary of running the OO Golf Society Northern Section and wonders if anyone fancies taking over this prestigious job?

Whilst Roger Allton (D 51) has not seen any OOs lately, and sadly his wife Rae died peacefully in May this year, leaving a huge hole in his life. He still lectures on Barnes Wallis and Nevil Shute Norway, mostly via Teams and Zoom. He works for

charity, the Airship Heritage Trust in their new local office, which will keep him busy for many moons to come as they are digitising, for worldwide publication on the website airshipsonline.com many documents from the Royal Airship Works, Cardington 1922 - 1932. These feature reports of meetings about the R 100 and 101 airships, with Barnes Wallis and many others as active participants.

Claire Dryden (née Arlington) (D 01) was ordained as a curate on 3 July 2022 and will continue to work at Christ Church, Chilwell in Nottingham with her husband. She was delighted that lots of family and friends came to celebrate this occasion with attendees including sisters Emilie Rathbone (K 01) and Jenny Gladwell (N 04). Mike Hartley ’s (D 69) triathlon career is on hold due to injury, but he did manage recently to break the course record for the 70 - 74 age group in his local Parkrun at Clumber park.

James Stuart-Mills (Sc 85) responded to the OO update email and has made up for lost time: ‘I left to study biology at Edinburgh University and continued in touch there with Oundle friends from my year including Mike Sewell, David Kunzer and Roger Green (Sc 85). I went straight to PwC for a ten year stretch in London, the former Soviet Union, Prague and Edinburgh, ultimately specialising in project financing and privatization before moving to the Civil Service to work for DfE’s school rebuilding programmes. I am based in Yorkshire and the North East, responsible for large primary and secondary school projects: hugely rewarding and perhaps a reflection of living in School House for five years where the builders were ever-present. Home for our family is the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales near Ripon, so I have returned to my northern roots, but sadly not my original rural Lancashire, which means I’m still pretending to be a Yorkshireman after over 20 years. I think I still have some credibility in longer distance trail and fell running, and I enjoy the

odd day’s shooting and beating along with Michael Brook (Sn 71). Jonathan Simpson-Dent (Sc 85), James Greening (Sc 85) and I have seen each other regularly, celebrating various life events and standing as godfathers for each other. James is a busy NHS consultant and invests plenty of time in family and friends. His brothers Andrew Greening (Sc 80) works in TV production and Pete Greening (Sc 83) runs his own business. Jonathan advises entrepreneurs and investors on growing their businesses. We have visited Oundle together, most recently to see my godson James Simpson-Dent (Sc 20), whom we wish well at Bath University. We’ve tried to incorporate some exercise as well as food and drink when we meet up, but so far we’re resisting Jonathan’s golf challenge as we don’t want to boost his ego. However, as our families point out, it’s usually three middle-aged men recalling anecdotes and nicknames from 35 years ago. More recently we also caught up with Edward OrangeBromhead (Sc 85) and we’d very much like to see more of friends from School House 85 so we’ll try to arrange this. Much of these meet-ups comprise chat about the good old days, but questions arise. Can we shrug off this uneasy feeling we’re going to be caught drinking in the Ship, even though we’re in our 50s? Maybe the Talbot snug (sadly no longer there) would be safer, or better still the Chequered Skipper? Will James and Jonathan ever treat me as an equal even though I arrived a term later? Seeing pupils now consistently smart in a school uniform, did we in fact have a school uniform in 1985 or was it that the school didn’t feel it was worth enforcing? Can it really have been sensible to have a bar in the roof above the Talbot studies in School House, with added trunk storage for extra fire risk? Shall we enter the Oundle 10k as it seems to be the route of the punishment Glapthorne-Cotterstock route? Was Sunday Morning Parade incurred for something petty actually worth doing as a badge of honour? Friends

from that era may have answers to these vexing questions. Finally, I am very much looking forward to the wedding of my niece Amy StuartMills (W 09) to Alex Lavender (StA 09) this September.’

Another comprehensive report came from Patrick White (Ldr 84) who completed 16 years in the Army, largely in Germany in 2013, since when he has spent nine years in a military support function within the MOD. Since his return, Paddy has been working in his family farming business with property development, both residential and commercial, and a caravan and vehicle storage business by way of diversification. Paddy is living west of Uppingham, and has made a point in keeping in touch with a wide range of OOs, many revolving around the Laundimer House 100 Year Reunion in 2017.

My son Chris Waring (Ldr 12) continues to promote his Yorkshire and Oundle upbringing with great enthusiasm. Having become a member of the stewards enclosure at the Henley Regatta, he arranged space for the OO tent in Butlers Field in June. He is looking forward to the 2012 Leavers’ dinner in September; more on his year group is elsewhere is this publication. Chris has been promoted at leading market research company WARC. He was seconded to the Cannes Lions partnership team in the south of France this summer: the Oscars of the marketing industry. And finally, my longstanding involvement in the residential property market in Yorkshire continues. It has been a fascinating period including regular contact with various OOs.

Armed Services

This past year has seen OOs deployed far and wide in the service of our armed forces. After almost two years characterised by Covid and with it the necessary response of the Forces, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought a conventional land war back to Europe again: a grim reminder of the 1940s, and prompting a reawakening of NATO to the aid of its close partner. In the wake of the Integrated Review, the Army must now turn its focus to the UK’s response, and from senior military strategists to the physical training of the Ukrainian armed forces, OOs are absolutely amongst their number.

Since commanding 3 Para, Col Geoff Hargreaves (StA 94) has enjoyed two years of broadening his military horizon in Defence Digital as Chief of Staff to UK Defence’s Chief Information Officer and moves onto the Royal College of Defence Studies later this year. He is in regular contact with Brigadier Tony Turner (N 94) and his wife Charlie Turner, neé Lane (D 95), who is now back in an MoD operational post. He sees Jonny Mortimer-Hendry (S 06) at Para charity events.

In an extraordinary feat, Jonny ran the Marathon des Sables for charity, heavily weighed down by body armour.

Col Giles Harris DSO OBE (Ldr 90) has spent the last year at the Royal College of Defence Studies doing a King’s College London sponsored curriculum on global strategy and strategic leadership. He has just returned from an overseas study tour to South Asia, including weeks in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Awaiting his next posting, he is kept busy as the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Welsh Guards, a role which he assumed in August 2021. He keeps regular contact with his year group from Laundimer.

Col Mark Mankowski (Sn 94) is living in Brisbane, recently surviving the floods despite his apartment being marooned. After finishing a posting to the Australian War College as an instructor on the Australian command and staff course, he was promoted and has been posted to Headquarters 1st Division as Director plans and fires at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. In January 2022 he was the lead planner for the Australian Defence Force’s response to the volcanic eruption in Tonga. On a recent trip to California to observe the 1st Marine Division’s training on Ex Marine Warfighter, he caught up with Alex Southworth (Sn 94) whose family live in Canberra.

Col William Robinson (G 92) continues to be busy with another move in job role to the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Gloucestershire as the assistant Chief of Staff Plans. Despite Covid, he has managed to travel around Europe and to the Baltic States and Scandinavia. His family are growing up fast but still enjoying army life.

After nearly 32 years in the Army, Lt Col Nick Bercher (D 86) retired in June 2022. He has spent the last year as Chief of Staff Armour Centre and is moving on to join Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, as the project deputy for Challenger 3. He and his family will be moving to near Salisbury. He sees several OOs from the King’s Royal Hussars, notably Lt Col Pete Perowne (G 98) who is shortly to take command of the regiment.

Lt Col Guy Anderson (L 99) is based with his family in Catterick and is in command of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards who are preparing to deploy on Op Orbital, the UK operation launched in 2015 to train and support the armed forces of Ukraine. Maj Harry Wallace (N 98) handed over Subunit Command in August 2021 prior to taking over a staff role in the Corps Headquarters. He commanded 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery directing recce and naval gunfire for 3 Commando Brigade.

Maj Will Wade (StA 07) is in the King’s Royal Hussars, currently serving in 12 Armoured Brigade combat team. He spends a lot of his time managing Capt Tom Arkell (StA 07) who recently transferred from the RAF regiment into the Royal Logistic

■ Sebastian Tusa

S Jonny Mortimer-Hendry (S 06) at the finish of the Marathon des Sables

S Col Mark Mankowski (S 94) and Alex Southworth (Sn 94)]

Corps. Lt Will Barrell (F 14) is another OO in the KRH and is currently the Recce troop leader for the regiment.

Capt Dom Titcomb (G 11) has left the Army after six years of service with the Royal Lancers, finishing his time as an instructor at the Recce and armoured tactics division in Warminster. He is now working for BlackRock on their Veterans programme and lives in Battersea Park with Georgie Davies (K 12). They were married in June in Norfolk.

Lt Angus Irvine (Sc 12) is with 5 Rifles as B Company second-incommand. He deployed on Op Cabrit in early 2021, before deploying on Ex Joint Endevour to Ukraine in September last year. As a locally promoted Captain and company 2IC he took part in Ex Prairie Tornado in Canada at the start of the year, and is currently on Op Interflex, training Ukrainian armed forces partner forces in the UK. He was in the same

intake at Sandhurst and platoon commanders Battle course in Brecon as Lt Sebastian Tusa (S 13), who has finished his stint of platoon command in the Grenadier Guards, deploying to the Falkland Islands with the Queen’s Company in a strategic deterrence role, before later partaking in Ex Panther Gold, a joint jungle training exercise in Thailand with the Royal Thai Army. Whilst at Battalion he was kept busy with state ceremonial public duties in London and was ensign for the funeral of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in April last year. He is now posted to Guards company infantry training centre Catterick as an instructor.

Lt Alexander Johnsen (F 14) joined Sandhurst in September 2019 and commissioned into the Irish Guards. After finishing training, he went to Zambia on an anti-poaching deployment and has subsequently been deployed back to Kenya this year. He is now on an exchange with the Royal Marines up in Arbroath,

where he is a Company second-incommand to Y Company, 45 Commando.

Lt James Higginbotham (S 14) is currently serving as a troop leader in the Queen’s Royal Hussars (Queen’s Own and Royal Irish), with whom he is deployed on OP Harfa. From the same year in Sidney were 2Lt Will Smith and 2Lt Ashley Cuthbert (both S 14) who commissioned in December 2021 and were lucky to be one of the first intakes to have their Sovereign’s Parade and Commissioning Ball despite the resurgence of Covid last Christmas. He has been posted to Defence Intelligence which forms part of Strategic Comman and provides intelligence products and support to strategists in the MoD.

Lt Millie Treharne-Aldridge (Sn 15) commissioned in August 2019 and is in 32 Royal Artillery Regiment as Ops Officer for 22 Battery.

S Lt Alexander Johnsen (F 14)

Old Oundelian Lodge No 5682

Howard Allen (Sn 75)

TheOld Oundelian Lodge has been able to have five meetings this year, instead of the usual three, but we are sad to report that three more of our members have died over the last 12 months: John Brooke (C 47), Alan Holmes (G 55) and Michael Tomalin (N 56). Full details in Obituaries. John, Alan and Michael will be missed by all who knew them.

At a special meeting at the end of September 2021, we brought Nigel Harley (G 80) into Freemasonry and membership of the Lodge in a very interesting Lodge room at Guy’s Cliffe in Warwick. The Master, Iain Wadie (Sn 87) congratulated Howard Allen (Sn 75) on his promotion to Senior London Grand Rank and Philip de Voil (G 86) on his appointment as visiting officer to two London Lodges, on completion of his active term of office as Metropolitan Junior Grand Deacon. For our October 2021 meeting, Iain Wadie installed Graham Solari (G 65) as our Master for 2021 - 22 at our regular venue in London. During this meeting we approved donations from our charity fund of £2,600 to six charities including the OO Lodge Bursary that supports students who, through sudden changes in family circumstances, would be unable to continue their full education at Oundle without financial support.

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Public Schools Lodges’ council festival, the Old Cheltonian Lodge hosted the festival on Saturday 16 October 2021. The 2022 festival was held on 2 July at Ardingly College.

For our February 2022 meeting in London, Matthew Lim (B 11) completed his third step in his progress in Freemasonry and in April we brought Nathan de Garis, a staff member at Oundle, into Freemasonry and membership of the Old Oundelian Lodge. On 17 June

2022 we met at Oundle where the masons had an interesting talk on the experiences of Freemasonry of a prisoner of war in Germany from 1940 - 45 while our wives and partners were given a tour of the new sports complex. We were pleased to host the Head and other guests at a dinner in the Talbot where the Head was presented with cheques to the Oundle Foundation for the Old Oundelian Lodge Bursary.

The Old Oundelian Lodge gives its members a great deal of pleasure both in terms of its Masonic fraternity and also the spirit that arises from our experience of life at Oundle.

Our members include Nathan de Garis, Deputy Head of Sidney House, Matthew Dear, Foundation Director, Matthew Lim, Ross Murray (L 10), Sandy Rowell (C 04), Peter Seebohm (Sc 02), Rob Shaw (S 92), Chris Tovey (Sc91), Iain Wadie, Philip de Voil, Dom Vincent (Lx82), Nigel Harley (G 80), Howard Allen (Sn 75), Nigel Hewitt (B 75), Peter Hotchin, (C72) Geoffrey Woolsey-Brown (Lx 66), Graham Solari, Charles Kilner (StA 59), Michael Hammon (Sn 56), Michael Turnbull (Sc55), Paul Newsome (StA 55), David Thorpe (Ldr 53), Bill Whittall (Ldr 52), Kevin Chawner (B 47), and David Collins (S 45). We would be pleased to hear from anyone wanting to become a joining member or a candidate new to Freemasonry.

Our regular meetings are held in London at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street on the fourth Thursday in February, April and October. Members of the Craft are most welcome to join us, as are male Old Oundelians, their fathers and members of staff, both past and present who may be interested in becoming involved in Freemasonry. There are also women’s Freemasonry

organizations: The Order of Women Freemasons (owf.org.uk) and The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (hfaf.org). Should you be interested in joining the Old Oundelian Lodge then please have a look at oundelianfreemasons.org; or Facebook Old Oundelian Lodge 5682; follow us on Twitter @ool5682; or contact your correspondent by phone on 01785 713981 (home) or by e-mail oldoundelian5682@gmail.com.

Freemasonry has moved to a new and welcome phase of increased openness, with our charitable aims and activities being publicised through traditional and new media. The Craft’s aims and objectives are available to a worldwide audience via the website of The United Grand Lodge of England (ugle.org.uk). This website provides insight into our history and our contribution to today’s society.

When he is not clearing alien vegetation on Table Mountain, David Leishman (Sc 65), still finds time to proof-read and copy-edit other people’s books. He still has a minor involvement in the book trade. March and April found him in London, catching up with Nick Lucas (Sc 65) and, slightly tenuously, I admit, Nick Jackson’s (Sc 66), brother, who runs a pub in Teesdale. Apart from that, life seems pretty normal for Cape Town, where rolling power outages and reading by candlelight seem to be the order of most days.

Having successfully managed to get married just before Covid shut down all the wedding venues, Camilla McConnell (W 07), moved from

the Ol Pejeta Conservancy to the Lolldaiga Hills, where her husband Richard had set up his own company doing livestock and ecological management. She writes: ‘I continue to work as a graphic and web designer, run the bookings and marketing for a beautiful house on Lolldaiga, and have a small company that makes and sells biltong, of all things. While it’s not the glamorous world I might have expected for myself, it’s been a useful learning experience. I am often tempted to include blood, sweat and tears on the ingredients list, but am told, by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, that that’s not advisable.’ Camilla has just returned from a long overdue holiday in Blighty, where she managed to

see Alice Audley (W 07). Right at the end of her lovely email, she slipped in the fact that she is expecting her first child, in September ‘which is the most exciting news of all!’

It would be wonderful if we could have more contributors for next year, but in the meantime stay safe and well. We will do this all again in 2023.

Stillworking for one of the international development banks, Anthony Bayley (S 63) is hoping to retire sometime later in the year. He spent the summer weekends skippering rescue boats at the local sailing club and golfing, with trips north to Queensland to see his son’s family. Hedley Williams (B 63) writes: ‘I don’t think much has happened here in the last 12 months, other than the flood early in the year which covered most of our property. Luckily it didn’t make the last few metres to the house, though it did give me a totally sleepless night watching the water rise and trying to cover all eventualities.’ Sadly, his cancer has decided to reassert itself and he is now on a long-term chemotherapy programme which hopefully will ‘give me another reasonable period of remission.’ As a result, he hasn’t been able to travel

much. His drive to Darwin via Cairns has been put on hold but he does hope to be able to go in the not-toodistant future. He did attend the Queensland dinner, as reported below.

David Hollands (N 51) has been particularly active. After a period of some pretty indifferent health, he decided that he needed some projects. His first book Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of Australia was published nearly 40 years ago in 1984, so David decided to re-visit the whole project. With a great naturalist friend, he went twice to the deserts of southeastern Queensland and had an expedition up Cape York, the UK sized peninsula which sprouts up from the northern tip of Queensland. He did a lot of study and photography locally and the end result was the book David Hollands’ Birds of Prey of Australia which was

published in July last year. He is also close to completing an autobiography.

‘Over the past year, the only OO news that I have is from David Boddington (StA 50), who remains as well as a 90 year-old can hope to be, in his home in Bromyard, Hereford.’

Nik Von Pueckler (Sc 08), moved to Sydney in 2017 along with his now wife, Kate, through a transfer from London with Deloitte Digital. Initially planning a two-to-threeyear stint, they have now very much settled and consider Australia their home: ‘We had a small Covid wedding here in Australia near the Blue Mountains in December, but are hoping to celebrate with a larger group of friends and family in Ibiza in the middle of next year.”

Harvey Jones (S 88) says: ‘I am writing from Covid isolation. Thankfully, I am triple-vaxxed, so it has been quite a mild dose. I came

down with it the day after attending a mate’s 50th birthday celebrations, so I did think the reason I felt so awful was self-inflicted! And I was able to wangle the use of a beach house in Middleton to isolate in!’ He has resisted the temptation to log into work, so it’s really been a bit like a holiday. Although he is not allowed to actually leave the premises to go to the beach, he’s been weeding the garden to keep active. All three were at the Melbourne dinner.

Charles Allen (B 54) continues to lead as active a life as is possible ‘for an 86 year-old, living on top of a hill, with no car.’ He sees Charles Salem (C 78), regularly and Mike Preeston (Lx 64), although the latter has his hands full helping to look after his grandson.

‘It seems that I am to be the only male left in my family,’ writes Kennerley Dups (Lx 67) ‘as a sixth granddaughter, Ingrid, was born to my third daughter, Eleanor on 1 April, though it already appears she will be no fool! The other five granddaughters, three in Brisbane and two in Greifswald, Germany, are all doing well but, of course, what is the best way to educate them to meet all the challenges looming up? Adaptability, self-empowerment, and common sense would appear to be paramount, particularly for Oundle!’ Kennerley has been surprisingly busy at the age of 73 with his geophysics consultancy in Australia and Asia which, luckily, he can continue remotely from his farm in Sweden, where he and his wife, Biggan, plan to spend nine months of the year. He is going to the UK later this year to scatter his late sister Meredith’s ashes and finalise her estate.

Tim Hamlyn (C 96) has applied to do a Master’s at Melbourne University. His start date seems to be in the hands of his alma mater, Newcastle University’s ability to send the correct documentation. It didn’t happen, so the start has been

delayed until January. He sees Sarah Hampton and Charles Salem (C 78) when he’s in town.

Antony Milne Stoughton (S 81) fortunately has too much on his plate, now that Covid has been tamed. He works in the three hardest hit service industries: entertainment, hospitality and tourism. The only way he can enjoy any time to himself is to travel interstate, long weekends in Adelaide, for the festivals and the footy, Melbourne, to catch up with Richard Walker (B 72), theatre and the footy and Brisbane, to see friends and the footy. The Australian Football League has long been a church of his. He adds, he’s lived overseas a long time now but closely follows the exceptional careers of his closest collaborators and friends in their often misguided contributions to the Arts@Oundle: Simon Pearsall (G 81) and Tom Hiscocks (StA 81), two amazing artists.

Rob Bramley (C 82), reports that one of the consequences of the Covid outbreak in South Australia, is that work has been ‘damn busy, with a major, four-year, automation and data analytics project completed for the Australian grains sector, wine terroir projects in both Australia and NZ also completed, three PhD students who I have co-supervised submitting their theses, with one passed so far and the others still in review, eight co-authored journal papers published and two other speaking appointments at major conferences in addition to the one I am on my way to now.’ Meanwhile, both his children have finished university and entered the workforce with degrees in psychology and law. Overall, it seems like retiring is starting to be a good idea. He keeps in contact with Tim Simpson (C 83) through the Strava app, running (Tim) and cycling (Rob).

The biggest thing to happen in the life of Simon Corlett (G 77), was a $98 win on the OzLotto. A lot of

things were going to happen but for various reasons couldn’t/didn’t. He did manage to catch up with Mark Parrish (S 78) following his return to Sydney from London. Apparently, he was riding a rather nice red Royal Enfield Interceptor, so an outing up the old Pacific Highway will no doubt be arranged soon. Otherwise ‘some deep maintenance tasks on my motorcycles, along with the usual endless list of house and garden jobs, has filled in what has otherwise been a quiet year personally.’ Stuart Elliott (Lx 68) managed to escape fortress Australia in December to spend time with his son and his family in Scotland, interspersed with trips to ski, cycle and walk in the amazing Dolomites and Sierra Nevada. Meanwhile life in Byron Bay is most enjoyable!

Andy Cole (Ldr 62) writes ‘I am fine, but had surgery for cancers of kidney and scalp. Volunteering teaching refugee kids’ maths. Involved in a coffee waste upcycling project. My school workshops training has helped me build a small loading crane for this. Zoom with bros GN Cole (Ldr 66) and TJ Cole (Ldr 64) monthly. Had a very hot summer, probably another record.’ Terry Keeling (Sc 54) has spent the last year much as before, with long walks, studying (this time Portuguese, German and Spanish), reading a mass of books, seeing many films and generally enjoying life. He also attended the Melbourne dinner. Lawrence Reddaway (D 57) reports he is now living, actively and happily, with his wife of 52 years, in a retirement village apartment complex in Hawthorn, an inner suburb of Melbourne.

Richard Walker (B 72) finished filming Savage River in Australia in May and then headed back to the UK to visit his vast family, including two new grand-children. He visited Oundle with Amrei and Lisa Harrison, the widow and daughter of

his Housemaster, John Harrison, to attend Jeremy Firth’s memorial and was reunited with Nick Bowman (B 73) whom he had not seen for 50 years. He is currently ‘screen-testing for bizarre projects and will, for a small fee, share his filmed audition for a very old monkey in the

new Planet of the Apes film.’

We have had two dinners during the year under review; 19 OOs sat down to a thoroughly convivial and boozy dinner at the Australian Club in Melbourne and 11 OOs attended two dinners at the Queensland Club, in Brisbane. We hope to have

more dinners in other cities in the coming year. Thank you to all who contributed, and I look forward to hearing news from even more Australian OOs in 2023.

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy life.

Canada■ James Clayton (G 68)

Thelatest book from Irvin Waller (D 56), emeritus professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa, Science and Secrets of Ending Violent Crime, is receiving attention across the world. Recently, it was the subject of a Teams presentation to the £200 million Youth Endowment Fund for England and Wales. The week before, the Spanish version was the subject of an in-person presentation to the National Assembly of Costa Rica. He continues to use evidence to inspire politicians to get smart about reducing violent crime significantly. He is regularly in the Canadian media in English and French commenting on ways to reduce gun and domestic violence. He is active on Twitter: just Google his name to see more.

Iain Smith (C 56) celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary in January. The family connection to Oundle is that he originally met his wife when he was asked to take her younger brother on the train to Oundle for his first term! She has the distinction of being the daughter, nieces times two, sister and wife of Oundelians. As they came to Canada in 1968, there was little likelihood that their sons would be added to that list. He had his 84th birthday last March, and has managed to beat that number twice. Once, by skiing 85 days last winter and today by shooting 83 on the golf course, where he finally got a hole-in-one!

Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59) has just put his house in Toronto on the

market, with all of the work and pain that involves. He is actively looking for a property in the lovely historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, also renowned for its vineyards. He celebrated his 80th birthday in fine style, as he relates on his Gentleman’s Portion blog.

Don Mertens (G 57) reports that Susan and he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month, with a family get together on their youngest son’s deck. Present were their three sons, wives and six grandchildren. Missing was their daughter and son in-law who reside in California, but they will be photo-shopped into the pictures. He still keeps in touch with Michael Tribe (G 58), Chris Lediard (G 56) and Eileen, widow of the late John Crichton (G 56). Don continues to play golf, but has graduated to the red tees. He has fond memories of his last visit to Oundle with three of his four children.

Peter Bubenzer (D 74) is still above ground and enjoying life in beautiful British Columbia, despite these more than interesting times. After over two years of no travel, they are due to complete four trips this year, a pace that will slow in succeeding years, as travel is no elegant experience these days. He feels very fortunate to live in a safe and peaceful country. With the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, they hope to do more travel inside Canada next year, as there is so much to see. Let’s hope that 2023 turns out better than 2022 has turned out so far, for the sake of

all of us on planet Earth!

Bill Fisher (B 75) is living in Toronto. He is chairman of Horizonte Resources which is constructing a large nickel mine in Brazil and director of Treasury Metals, developing a gold mine in Ontario, Canada. He instigated the Fisher Brothers’ trophy for the winners of the School’s cross-country event as he, and both his brothers, won the event when they were at Bramston.

Tim Terceira (D 75) is retiring as of 1 July after 43 years in the hospitality industry. He has spent the last 13 years opening new luxury hotels in Toronto: The Ritz-Carlton and most recently the St Regis. He has been fortunate to have been a part of Marriott International for 34 years and prior to opening hotels in Toronto, he was vice president of Marriott Hotels of Canada and part of the expansion at the time from six to more than 65 hotels over a ten-year period. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife

Karen and visiting daughters Kimberley in Victoria BC and Kelly who lives in his home country of Bermuda. He will be attending her wedding in September. Tim and his wife will continue to live in Toronto and hope to visit the UK and Oundle

in the fall. Attending Oundle was pivotal for Tim and he has many fond memories.

Harry Ruda (Lx 76) wrote that he continues to research novel quantum phenomena at the University of Toronto where he holds the Meek Chair in Nanotechnology, as well as serving on the board of a photovoltaics company, Canadian Solar Inc. His wife, Guela SolowRuda is now the managing partner of a large architecture practice, finding it challenging but very enjoyable. Their two girls graduated from Johns Hopkins and Stanford and are now

in medical and law school, excited about their future. They all met up in the Hamptons for a well-deserved family holiday.

John Foster (Sc 51) writes from Kingston, Ontario, that with travel on hold since 2020, he and his wife Millie are beginning to venture forth again to see kith and kin, by road and rail within Ontario, and planned by air to British Columbia and England. Meanwhile, they’ve found Zoom a wonderful way to keep in touch with family and friends. They’ve been enjoying books, take-out meals and walking in the adjacent conservation

Central and Eastern Europe

■ Jan Kluk OBE (LS 56)

Your correspondent and his wife, Marzena, have been, and still are, busy assisting Ukrainian refugees. For some time now, their lives have revolved around making soup and sandwiches and feeding Ukrainians as they arrive at the railway station in Warsaw. He writes: We are also involved with several NGOs helping to find accommodation, mostly for mothers and their children or elderly people. The male members of their families are fighting in the war with Russia. After finding accommodation we then help them find play schools for the children so that their mothers can work. Others we help with schooling and learning languages. I am teaching Polish and English to those who wish to learn. We also help with paperwork for local authorities as well as arranging medical care for those who need it. Many are suffering from depression. Today I am driving some of our Ukrainian

friends to the local clinic to get Covid jabs. Very few were inoculated before arriving here. So, whilst there is not a lot to write, there is a great deal of work being done. We are also living under Russia’s constant threats that they intend to take over other territories like the Baltic States and Poland. I would like to express my gratitude to Howard Allen (Sn 75) in the UK who is also helping me to place refugees abroad.

In offering my condolences on the demise of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the most remarkable Queen, my thoughts turned to the time when Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Philip, came to Warsaw on 25 March, 1996. During her 70-year reign, she visited Poland only once, and was hosted by the Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski. I was invited to a ceremony at the Warsaw Palace on the Water in the Łazienki Royal Park. It was there, for my services to British trade overseas, that

area. He continues his interest in pipeline geopolitics, giving webinars and writing articles on Nord Stream and all that. Details are in his blog at johnfosterwrites.com.

Your correspondent is still living in Calgary, the oil and gas capital of Canada. He and his wife Julie had a trip to the UK in May this year to celebrate their son’s graduation from the Defence Academy. Mack works with the Ministry of Defence and is currently in Estonia. Daughter Lindsay got married in September last year and is working for ExxonMobile in Calgary.

I received the Order of the British Empire from Her Majesty. It was unusual to have the honour of a fifteen-minute conversation with the Queen, in the privacy of a room at the palace. Her Majesty was accompanied by her escort and the British Ambassador. I was accompanied by my very proud elderly mother and my Polish wife. I later joined a reception in another part of the Palace, where, as the Queen passed me, she looked at the OBE box I was holding, and with a smile on her face said, “ You have not lost it yet?” To which I replied, “ I will probably sleep with it under my pillow Ma’am.”

Xi Zhu (Ldr 05)

Recently promoted to an associate professorship at Beihang University, Tianxiang Hu, known as George (StA 05), was recognised by the Ministry of Education through a national award of excellence for an undergraduate course in aerodynamics, for his worthy contribution towards teaching.

Edward Ragg (S 95) continues to live in Beijing where he works as a

Master of Wine running Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting with his wife Fongyee Walker, also an MW. In 2022, Edward also published his fourth collection of poetry entitled And Then the Rain Came with the Cinnamon Press.

Xi Zhu (Ldr 05) has been relishing the mammoth challenge of being a novice father in Shanghai since last year, taking care of an infant girl with fastidious detail,

Continental Europe

Jim Bennett (N 77)

Asa result of Brexit, James Burton (G 93) ended up getting Austrian citizenship and is still loving life in Liechtenstein/Austria. He is looking forward to catching up with Bob Holman (S 93) Alex Calvert (N 93) and Simon Lister (N 94). Rick Byworth’s (StA 94) son Jack has just been admitted to the Berrystead and Rick is moving back to Europe after 17 years in Tokyo and Hong Kong. He recently caught up with Nick Ackerman (StA 94) and Rick Dunn (Sn 94). He spent the last five years of his career in crypto currencies so is looking forward to some R&R with family and friends after a fairly intense career.

Robin Apthorpe (S 59) was able to attend the OO Sunshine Club lunch in December 2021 after an absence of two years and in March this year he also came to the over 60s lunch at the Royal Airforce Club: Philip Hall (S 58), Ken Moore (S 58) and Jeremy Kennard (Ldr 58) were all on his table. In May, Robin and his wife caught Covid but have since recovered in time for their golden

wedding anniversary in June.

Christian Buelles (C 95) and family are still in Cologne. He is back at university studying for an MBA in sustainability management as well as working in software sales. He’s hoping to save the world whilst keeping the economy on track, a tall order. Giorgio Capazzello (C 19) is currently writing his thesis and advises that luckily the war and Covid have not really impacted him. Anthony Dreyfuss (D 51) writes from Switzerland that he is still alive and well. Rupert Elderkin (N 94) dropped me a line from Nairobi airport on his way back to Tanzania from the New House 94 leavers’ party, at The Ship. Rupert continues to work on the Rwandan Genocide trial based in Arusha with his family, whilst also travelling back to HQ in The Hague, a long commute.

Neil Everitt (Sn 78) has moved to Dublin from Galway and is enjoying city life. His father Edward Everitt (Sn 53) is also well and enjoying retirement on the family farm in Ely.

Simon Haworth (Sn 98) has been based in Geneva for five years with

under the supervision of his wife. His family were relieved to have gone through a two-month long Covid lockdown intact earlier this year.

his two children Eloise, seven, and Oscar, six, working as an MD in private equity. He sees Sebastian Lefort (G 98) and his family in Geneva and also keeps in touch with Eleanor Wicks (W 98). James Heath (StA 63) says that life ticks along nicely in Cyprus. He had been trying to visit the UK to see grandchildren but had to pull out due to airport chaos. Luckily the other set of grandchildren were able to come in May after a two-year absence and had a great time in the pool. James still plays golf and has recently invested in a soft top Mazda MX-5. Florian Henn (C 06) is back in his hometown of Munich where he continues to work as a strategy consultant for BCG. On weekends he enjoys sailing, hiking, skiing or simply chilling in what many call

ABROAD

Italy’s most northern city.

David Hutchinson (N 61) continues to live in Colombia. His small farm has been a haven from Covid, among the orchids and the orange and coffee plantations. Finance, oil exploration and cattle farming prevent boredom from setting in. Jon Ingall (StA 79) is still enjoying life in the sunshine on the island of Corsica and is happy that visitors have finally been allowed to return. He still works part time as a photographer for a number of travel companies as well as exploring the island when time permits. Percy Kirkman (Sn 94) is enjoying the second round of parenthood: Katie and Jessie enrolled in the local Montessori school, a lovely way to learn. He will be taking the boys (13 and 15) on a cycling tour of Italy and France in late July.

Malcolm Llewellyn (Sc 60) has just returned from the 58-62 School House reunion. Malcolm and his wife have also moved house in March to the next-door village in the Dordogne. He also sadly reports that they lost their eldest son in January along with his old friend Roger Bambrough (Lx 55). John Macdonald (StA 61)) writes to say he is still living in Mallorca, but is looking to move to the mainland soon. Cord Matthies (N 77) has had to deal with lockdowns, travel restrictions and his father’s poor health. In addition, Cord lost his job but has managed to find a new one in a synthetic oil company. His wife has also found new employment as a physio and yoga instructor. Fortunately his father has recovered and is back playing golf at 95; by now a rare species as one of the few still alive from the last draft of the war.

Christophe Pain (Sn 52) is still taking clarinet lessons and buying most of his essentials online, including Yorkshire tea. His wife is in a convalescent home following a hip replacement. Oliver (Jock) Seligman’s (Sc 93) book Befriending Bipolar has opened doors to some interesting speaking engagements. He continues to work as a wellness coach and travels from Oslo to Edinburgh to spend time with his parents who are getting older but enjoying life. He starts his Master’s in the psychology of mental health at Edinburgh soon, and intends to do more work this time around. Andrew Shaw (Sc 66) is now semi-retired and has closed his company in Milan. His wife Anna Maria broke her femur last July resulting in Andrew spending the last year helping to get her fully mobile again. On a brighter note they have both managed to avoid Covid so far.

Poznan Sorgo (N 49) writes to say that the best news is that he is still alive at 90. His wife Astrid had a stroke in 2020 and is living in a nursing home in Brussels. His son Antony Sorgo (S 87) is working in banking in Switzerland and his daughter Isabelle lives in Sweden where she runs her own business helping homeowners downsize. His son-in-law has been suffering with the effects of long Covid for the last 18 months. Peter Suddards (S 52) and his wife have kept themselves isolated over Covid and unfortunately haven’t managed to meet any of their OO friends over the last two years. In May, Simon Volkwein (Lx 06) started a new job at DHL’s supply chain, heading up one of the European sales teams. He also reports that their youngest daughter

has just started kindergarten and their elder daughter has just started school.

Konstantin Von Bar (C 99) and Antonia Scherenberg were married in September 2021. The wedding took place at her parents’ home near Cologne. His brother Immanuel Von Bar (StA 00) is married with four children and his brother Benedict Von Bar (StA 02) is also married with three children. Nik Von Pueckler (Sc 08) moved to Sydney in 2018. He and Kate were married last December and spent a lot of this year catching up with friends, family and OOs. He attended Christian Thompson’s (Sc 08) wedding along with OO couple Oliver Daniels (Sc 08) and Kristina Chapman (W 08). Nik has a new job at a start up called Studiospace: a marketplace for corporates to access creative, digital and marketing agencies. Simon Williams (N 77) has lived long enough in France to be able to qualify for their generous pension arrangements, allowing him to retire at 62. He spends a lot of his time walking, cycling and has just taken up diving. Peter Winnington (S 63) has two writing pots on the go at present: a biography of the D-Day spy Lily Sergueiew, which should be published soon, and a 600-page history of the British Isles which he is editing for a good friend. Lastly, Giles Woodbridge (B 84) reports that he continues to run his ski business in the French alps and is working hard to circumnavigate the issues arising from Covid.

Hong Kong

Stillworking for the Jockey Club, Christopher M Riggs (S 80) remains in Hong Kong, with his focus now on big projects. These include establishing a new foundation that encourages and supports scientific research into issues that impact welfare of the thoroughbred racehorse and assisting in development of veterinary care of the horse in mainland China.

Wayne Lam (C 98) has now left his academic position at the University of Hong Kong and joined private practice as a consultant urologist in Hong Kong. Pool closures during Covid in HK gave him the opportunity to start open water swimming training.

Jeremy Pong (Ldr 83) is winding down his professional life and spending more time on the golf course. He is saddened to receive the news from Oliver Taylor that his father, our former swimming coach Alan ‘Animal’ Taylor passed away in June.

Jerry Yao (C 89) says that the ongoing pandemic, coupled with the tight social distancing measures implemented in Hong Kong, once again meant that he was unable to travel freely to visit his OO friends in the UK during 2021 - 22. He had some sad and shocking news in March this year: his dear friend, Simon Burdess (C 89), passed away suddenly at the end of February 2022. He is survived by his wife, Beckie, and daughters Laura (who, incidentally, was awarded a first-class degree in Psychology from Exeter in June), Charlotte and Annie. Simon had posted in social media in early February celebrating his daughter Laura’s 21st birthday, lamenting where the time had gone. Simon was one of the first friends Jerry made at Oundle and he has fond memories of their time together. He even paid a visit to Hong Kong with his parents in the summer of 1987, while

anxiously waiting for O Level results. He will be sorely missed.

Jeremy Bolland (D 79) writes that given the onerous quarantine measures in Hong Kong, he has spent most of the past year switching between Thailand and the UK.

He and his wife Connie hope to return to Hong Kong soon now that hotel quarantine has been reduced from 21 days to seven. At least, temporary exile has provided an opportunity to catch up with his son James Bolland (S 13) in London, as well as his brother Mark Bolland (D 77) and old friends Ashley Stones (D 79), Bruce Wallace (Sc 79), Simon Riggs (S 79) and Bruno Noble (N 79).

Ronald Taylor (Sn 62) has been affected by the Covid pandemic, but in Hong Kong we did not suffer the lockdowns experienced elsewhere.

Travel was not possible until later in the year when an eight week visit to the UK, to catch up with the family, turned into six months as the restrictions did not allow a return.

Time was not wasted as it enabled a visit to family in Australia and a three-week cruise down the Danube, postponed from 2000, before finally returning to Hong Kong and a week in hotel quarantine in late June.

He regretted that, while in the UK, he could not visit Oundle and his grandson who is now in St Anthony.

As for myself, like Wayne Lam, pool closures have pushed me towards more open water swimming which I have done out in Sai Kung.

I am lucky enough to have a house at the high watermark in front of a calm bay and to have a 2.2 km swim to a promontory from which I can jog back. Like many others in Hong Kong, I have explored our territory and its many islands to a degree I have never done before. Perhaps not everyone knows but, because of variable quarantine regulations in Hong Kong as well as frequent banning of flights, most of us

long-term Hong Kong residents have been confined to the territory. Travelling abroad apart from the quarantine on return involves panicked airline tests and extensive form filling and checking.

Our government had an interesting quirk which is to suspend airlines from travelling routes for seven days whenever there are more than five passengers with Covid on a flight.

Given the current levels of infection and spread of the disease, some hundred routes have been thus suspended since the beginning of the year. The net result is most airlines won’t even venture to fly into Hong Kong. By this time next year everything should be back to normal: well, at least we hope so.

■ Mark Reeves (C 80)

S Simon Burdess (C 89) with his parents, taken at The Hong Kong Country Club in the summer of 1987.

S OOs (Mark Reeves (C 80) left, Tim Linton (Sn 63), Jeremy Bolland (D 79) and Jeremy Pong (Ldr 83)

Indonesia and The Philippines

Simon Reynolds (Sn 02)

Iam happy to take over as corresponding member for Indonesia and The Philippines, and have been living in Jakarta, Indonesia, since September 2011. Unfortunately the handful of OOs registered as living in the region do not appear to be active or prefer to remain discreet, or may have moved on and are living elsewhere.

I am business development manager and an associate for Reynolds Partnership PT, my family’s business set up by my father in 1998. We are construction cost management consultants, more familiarly known as a Quantity Surveying practice in the UK. After a quiet few years during the pandemic, new business opportunities are looking promising with private developers beginning to be more optimistic and confident in kick starting new projects, especially in the hotel and tourism sectors.

It is a very exciting time to be living in Indonesia, a developing nation with the fourth largest population in the world, currently at 279 million and increasing at a rate of between 1.05 - 1.1 per cent per year. The median population of the nation is 30.2 and 42.4 per cent of the total population is between the age of 25 - 54. Indonesia was chosen in July 2022 to host the G20 summit in Bali, cementing its presence on the world map.

Thanks to social media and WhatsApp, I stay connected with my close friends from school and it’s good to see many OOs keen to holiday and visit Indonesia’s vast archipelago which has so much to offer the adventurous: some 17,000

islands and hundreds of volcanoes for hiking, coral reefs and sandy beaches for underwater exploration and vast and diverse national parks teeming with wildlife, flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to Indonesia. Alfred Wallace’s book

The Malay Archipelago, which was dedicated to Charles Darwin, shows his fascination with Indonesia.

During his time collecting specimens in the region, he discovered a faunal boundary line, the Wallace Line, drawn in 1859, that separates the biogeographical realms of Asia and Wallacea, a transitional zone between Asia and Australia.

In my free time I stay active amongst the local golf community, and captain a golf society here in Jakarta competing in the Jakarta interclub golf league. I am also active with Java Lava, a hiking group of like minded enthusiasts who enjoy climbing mountains in their spare time, and I have been leading hikes since 2019 with the group. If any OOs are visiting the region and share similar interests please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Rowan Watt-Pringle (StA 00), writes: ‘After having to leave my research site in Indonesia in 2020, due to the pandemic, unfortunately funding for the site could not be continued and I was forced to completely rework my PhD, to complete it remotely. Thankfully things are progressing well, and I have had my first scientific paper published in the well-respected journal Coral Reefs. The paper is entitled: Suppressed recovery of functionally important branching Acropora drives coral community

composition changes following mass bleaching in Indonesia. I am busy with the second paper for my PhD and hope to complete my studies by early 2023. I am currently living in Bordeaux with my partner on a longstay visa and am in the process of relocating to France permanently.

Richard M Evans (Ldr 59) is happily retired and juggles life between his house in Jakarta and his peaceful mountain villa in Puncak (Cimacan) which he acquired in 2003, on the slopes of Gunung Gede and Gunung Pangrango. Which has been a welcome refuge from Jakarta’s infamous traffic and pollution over the years. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1964, Richard worked in the UK then in Saudi Arabia from 1977 before taking a post in November 1982, having had enough of life in the Middle East, with a UK Construction Company based in Jakarta, and has lived here ever since! Richard married his Indonesian wife in 1988 and has one daughter, who also went to Oundle: Delina Evans (K 09), whom having chosen UK nationality lives in London and is currently studying for her Research Degree (PhD) at the University of the Arts London in Service Design but still often visits her family and home back in Jakarta.

Malaysia and Singapore

With the lifting of the Covid lockdowns in Malaysia, it has been a hectic few months. We managed to sneak in an informal OO after work gathering on 23 June between the lifting of the lockdowns and the deadline for this article.

It was wonderful to catch up with old friends after two years of lockdowns and we hope to arrange this regularly. Many thanks to those who attended and to Tan Yee Seng (Sc 98) who co-sponsored the gathering. I have included a survivor’s photo as proof.

Jasim Puthucheary (Sn 88) was unable to attend but emailed that he had a proud father moment. His daughter Teanna Puthucheary (W 19) graduated with First Class Honours in business and management with proficiency in leadership from the University of Exeter.

In other news, Fuad Abdullah (Sn 93), who has graciously offered to organise the next gathering writes: 2022 has been an interesting year, caught Covid, changes at work and had the opportunity to catch up with several OO’s in Kuala Lumpur and in London. I am still with HSBC Malaysia, I was recently made head of financial institutions group and public sector Malaysia, Global Banking. Survived through the pandemic with endless zooms, the great resignation and now readapting to the new normal. More importantly, I have caught up with many OO’s based in KL and those in the UK. Besides family OO’s Adhha Abdullah (Sn 88), Ariz Abdullah (Sc 18) and Zara Abdullah (Sn 19) and Jasim Puthucheary (Sn 88), the usual suspects in KL are Nik Rizal Kamil (D 92), Darhim Hashim (StA 91), Rahmat Yusof (Sc 94), Feizal Sulaiman (C 94) and Yohanis Ismail (W 95). All are keeping well and in prime physical condition. I was in

London early May. As well as the lovely weather, I also had the opportunity to catch up over lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, post dinner snacks and many drinks with Oliver Quarmby (Sn 93), Andrew Appleby (Sn 93), David Williams (Ldr 93) and Stewart Appleby (D 87). All of us were deeply honoured as Olly actually left Yorkshire to come down to visit us in London: a huge achievement. Missed the rest of the Sanderson 93 gents but we are planning a 30-year anniversary gathering in 2023.

We also received an email from Singapore: Ning Chong (Sn 03) is currently a mother of two, her eldest son is three and her daughter is 18

some of her classmates, and hopes there will be a reunion in Singapore soon.

On a personal note, I am happy to report that my siblings Jonathan (Ldr 95), Andrew (Ldr 97) and Rebecca (K 04) are well. Andrew is based in London. Rebecca and Jonathan are in Singapore. I have had the opportunity to visit Oundle twice over the last academic year since my

months. Based in Singapore, Ning is still working in the art world, looking after her father’s art collection and taking on consultancy projects under The Culture Story. Recently in 2022, she launched a new premier arts advisory company called Family Office For Art, which aims to work with family offices to address any of their art collection needs, such as acquisition, de-accession, valuation, cataloging and ‘should they wish to share their collections with the public, we can help curate and organise an exhibition or publish a book etc.’ Ning is still in touch with

daughter joined the Lower Sixth. The last visit was particularly memorable as we attended the Sanderson Charity Dinner at the Great Hall. It was wonderful meeting the current Sandersonians (who are very different from those in my day) and their parents. I also plan to finally arrange drinks with Zudin Puthucheary (C 92) in Oundle, hopefully before my daughter leaves School. Zudin lives in Oundle, works in the Royal London Hospital and is about to move his daughter Isabel to the main School.

Yong (C

S From left to right: Tan Shen Wain (C02), Imran Abdul Rahim (Sc91), Fuad Abdullah (Sn93), Nik Rizal (D92), Yohanis Ismail (W95), Daniel Yong (C90), Adam Azlan (StA99), Tan Yi Sheng (S99), Tan Yee Seng (Sc98), Darhim Hashim (StA91), Ahmad Feizal (C94), Rahmat Yusuf (Sc94)

Middle East

Having been invited back into the Middle East correspondent chair only a few weeks ago, I immediately reached out to all those OOs listed within our region. Thus far, I have only garnered a few responses and am not quite sure how many of us are still resident here. However, it’s still early days! Soon after the summer break, I am proposing to arrange a long overdue Middle East dinner here in Dubai and will give further news about this in early September to start the ball rolling.

In the meantime, Dan Williams (StA 90) dropped me a note from Jerusalem where he is a senior correspondent for Reuters. Dan is married, with three children, and in his free time works on a vineyard and muddles through the occasional half-marathon.

Closer to home, it was great to catch up in person with Dr Patrick Allman-Ward (L 73), at his office in

Zealand

neighboring Sharjah, where he is CEO of Dana Gas. Pat continues an already impressive career in the oil and gas industry where he has held a number of key executive posts throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Omer Gurel (Ldr 06), has been a regular attendee of some of our earlier Middle East functions and one of the few OOs whom I see from time to time. Over the last few weeks, he has been travelling extensively within the US and, from what I understand, only returns to the UAE sometime later this month. Omer continues to build out his successful IT venture 1001 App Holdings Ltd.

Finally, Alex Morriss (Lx 99) dropped me a note expressing interest in attending our future regional dinner as and when we fix up a date. I look forward to catching up with him personally at that time then and hearing all his all news.

From my side, I have now

completed 39 years in Dubai and even though I am still battling away in the insurance brokerage arena, I have also found time to become an author, having completed a technothriller trilogy set predominantly within Egypt and detailed on my new website kv-66.com. My wife Sherry has been a pillar of support to hold onto in these more difficult times and it’s also been nice to have our three daughters close by throughout the Covid era. While this year has probably been one of the most testing periods for all of us, I hope we will soon see better times ahead.

From Bill Heffernan (Sn 81) in Lyttelton, near Christchurch, our most southerly OO, comes the following: ‘The past year has been a tough one, with the loss of my older brother Patrick, in December 2021, following the untimely death of our younger brother Charlie Heffernan (Sn 87), in November 2018. I continue to carry out electrical and electronic research at the University of Canterbury. Next year I am hoping to travel to the UK, for the first time since 2018, and plan to spend some time with Richard Page (S 80) and his family. I am also hoping to pass through Hong Kong on the way and catch up with Mark Reeves (C 80).

My pinetum in the Waianiwaniwa Valley (go on, Google it) is growing well, with the addition of a maze this winter, but it will be a few years before it’s possible to get lost in it.

The last year has brought some more changes to the household of Ralph Titmuss (L 11) ‘with the arrival of our daughter Laraiya on 6 June. Both she and my wife Natasha are happy and healthy, and managing more than three hours sleep at night.’ In other news, Ralph’s burgeoning tennis career continues to pick up pace, having avoided coming last at this year’s Wellington Diplomatic Tennis Tournament. His project work is truly back into full

swing now that Covid is abating, with construction in three continents progressing well and project travel also opening up. ‘I am looking forward to catching up with some OOs in a few different countries over the next year.’

‘With Covid we have not moved and the apartment in Fiji is eating its financial head off,’ writes Neil

Hollebone (D 60). Despite having had a heart attack ‘that has slowed life down and I’m still getting procedures,’ he still enjoys catching good trout. He reports that his golf was getting much better ‘so I bought a golf cart; now it’s back to square one.’ Later this year, his two brothers Keith Hollebone (D 65) and Charles Hollebone (D 68) will be joining him from Australia for their annual fishing adventure.

John Seiffert (D 54) tells me that the last time he saw an OO was at the 450th celebrations in Oundle. He and his wife Heather now live in a retirement village just north of Auckland. ‘It is very well run with an excellent restaurant which serves

United States

■ Richard Horner (Sn/Ldr 04)

The report from Alex Filhol (B 11) says he is living a happy life in idyllic St Michaels, MD, where he is raising his children.

Sacha Adam (B 90) came to the US in 1998 for an MBA at Duke University in North Carolina where he met his wife, Sandi. They now live in San Diego, CA, where they raised two daughters, Audrey, 17, and Amelia, 19, who has just finished her first year of university in Iowa and dedicated her summer to napping. A third child, a son, is a rising senior in high school with ambitions of attending university on the east coast. Sacha keeps in touch with Richard Clarke (B 90) and his brother Benjamin Clarke (B 98) when their work and travel schedules coincide, and together they enjoy diverse activities from attending San Diego Padres baseball games, to mountain biking in national forests.

John Trask III (Ldr 81) lives in Beaufort, SC, and is eager to reconnect with other OOs from his era and area. Edward Walpole Brown III (Ldr 67) has been planning a much overdue and frequently postponed trip to the UK as well as

fabulous wine, at about two pounds for a large glass!’ He has severe arthritis, but despite this is still going to Singapore to join a cruise around the Far East.

And this just in from David Ching (C 83): ‘Medical devices continue to pay the bills and is a pretty resilient sector in these times, as you can imagine. People still get ill with all the things they got ill with before. Still working for Obex Medical, a distributor, in Auckland. Physical activity continues to be the out-ofwork focus. Unfortunately, my Old Ghost Road 85k ultra in the Southern Alps was cancelled because of Covid in February (the scenery was going to be massive and I reckon would have

been a great distraction from the pain of run/walking 85k). However, I replaced it with an epic 80k run of the Waikato’s Timber Trail, supported by my staunch family on mountain bikes. We did it over two days with a memorable night glamping under the stars at halfway, so back-to-back marathons. Not bad for a 57 year-old.’ During the winter months, he continues to keep goal for his local hockey club: ‘now in the 5th team.’ He is not quite the oldest playing male but getting close to it. He has been selected for the Counties Masters team to play at the National Provincial Championships next February.

further afield in Europe and with the shackles of Covid now largely removed, is looking forward to making it happen. During this trip he hopes to be able to spend time with the many fellow OOs with whom he has kept in touch throughout the years.

John Temple (S 71) has recently retired and now spends his summers in Connecticut and winters in Miami. He fled ‘England’s green and pleasant land’ in the late 70s when career prospects in the UK were anything but pleasant, whereas the US subsidiary of his first employer, Consolidated Gold Fields, offered much more excitement. Later he joined the BOC Group, a GE Capitalaffiliated private equity group and finally a boutique investment bank, all based in the New York area. Now, he wonders how he ever had time for a career given his personal commitments including four nowadult kids, four grandchildren and a new appreciation of golf. He hopes to visit Oundle this summer for the first time in 50 years and is wondering how the visit and its attendant resurfaced memories will affect him.

Robert Paschal (Sn 71) lives in Raleigh, NC, where he maintains an active Netflix account that allowed him to watch the film Operation Mincemeat about the Brits deceiving the Germans about the invasion of Sicily. With a keen ear, he noticed, in a scene where they are creating the fictional identity of their spy, that he attended Oundle, and was flabbergasted by this development. Chris Rudolph (S 75) retired last year and is really enjoying it. Derek Osborne (Sn 60) enjoyed time in Europe earlier this year, noting that it was different from when he had visited it on a school trip. When at home he enjoys playing golf and an occasional hand of bridge, when not working on the preparation of somebody’s more complex tax returns. He intends to purchase tickets to the World Rugby Cup

quarters to be held in Marseille in October ’23, and would like to connect with any other OOs who are also planning to attend.

Nick Menzies (StA 71) is now retired and living in California with his Florida-born wife Melinda who teaches environmental studies at one of the Claremont Colleges. After studying Chinese at Jesus college, Cambridge, he went to China where he had various jobs that led him ultimately to work for many years with the Ford Foundation on resource management issues in China and then in East Africa. He then went back to Berkeley with a writing fellowship, met and married Melinda and stayed in California. He keeps busy in retirement working at the Huntington Library, Art Museums and Botanical Gardens near Pasadena as advisor to their Chinese Garden, as a result of which he recently published a book on the history of botany in China. So still going strong after all these years.

Nick Francis (Sn 00) has been living in San Francisco with his family, having moved here in January 2018 to build on his production company Casual Films expansion in the US. The company now has nine offices across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Despite being far from family at home, he reports that California has been a fairly decent place to sit out Covid, as it is so outdoorsy, sunny and driveable. Still, it was great to be visited by Ben Gee (Sn 00), Jonathan Allwood (Sn 00), Tim Francis (Sn 02) and Guy Burton (S 00) in May this year for a weekend of wine tasting and powerboating on Lake Sonoma.

Chris Kennedy Close (D 82) has been suffering in the San Antonio heat, though apparently not as much as his vegetable and tropical gardens, unable to seek refuge in the pool, as he did. Business is good, home construction and home improvements are still on fire although he’s seeing signs of a slow down with the uptick in interest rates and cost of materials. He is sad to report that his father, Tony Close, passed away in November. Many

OOs and parents will remember him and he thanks you for all your kind condolences. His mother has just returned to the UK after spending two months in Texas and wishes to send warm wishes to Mike Walliker (D 82), Sanjev Warne (D 82), Crispin Boxhall (StA 82), Simon Rodgers (D 82), Simon Clack (Lx 82), Alex Mojela (Sc 82), Alex Wong (D 81), Simon Kettley (D 82) and many others who spent long weekends and exeats enjoying raucous dinners, his dad’s home brews, mum’s spaghetti bol, and grouse shooting on the airfield at RAF Wyton. His children are in their 20s now: Sarah with a two year-old, his first grandchild, Callie; Christian still teaching in Alaska and getting married in July 2023; Cameron banging away at BU doing his medical training and David becoming a TV star wrestler on WWE. His wife, Betty, continues to run Andersen Windows from their home in the sub-tropics of San Antonio and they welcome each and every OO to visit whenever passing through. He had an (albeit small) OO reunion in Texas in May this year with Pancho Kinney (Sn 73) over breakfast in South Texas for a classic Mexican spread while he was visiting his son and business conferences in San Antonio and Austin. He looks forward to a stateside OO dinner in 2023.

Michael Ching (C 97) and his wife Heather Adams welcomed a son, Oliver, born in Boston, MA, on 19 April 2022. Victoria Hunt (LS 89) now Victoria Thomas is still teaching at Washington University in St. Louis and especially enjoying her work for the Prison Education Project, the only prison education program offering a full Bachelor’s degree to incarcerated people. She feels her time as one of 15 girls at Oundle has prepared her well for the challenges of dealing with students in a men’s medi-max prison in rural Missouri. When not teaching, she is spending far too much time marching and organizing protests against the US Supreme Court’s attempts to turn the US into a religious patriarchy and legalize the destruction of the planet. Fortunately,

Sophie Ortner (LS 89) (now Simpson) and Walter Womersley (L 89) are still on hand to provide light relief along with their delightful children and spouses. The most wonderful part of her year has been spending the summer relaxing with her sister, Suzanna Hunt (K 98) (now Watson) and her newest niece, Iona Watson in various wonderful parts of Europe. Her brother Miles Hunt (L 91) and his family have also been on hand, with everyone enjoying the Jubilee weekend with their other sister, Alex Hunt (K 00) (now Howe), her husband Will Howe (B 00) and their two children, Lilibet and James.

Greg Diltz (S 69) reports that he and his wife Julie are well, but despite being vaxxed and boosted finally were not able to outrun Covid and both had mild cases in February. They managed to entertain their family (three children, all with partners and five grandchildren) in Wisconsin which was good fun, despite the freezing weather. In March, he sold his cellular phone business after 32 years. This marks his second retirement; the first career having been pioneering an emergency paramedic ambulance service in rural Wisconsin from 1975 to 2003. He looks forward to more boating and more grandchildren to spoil with number six having arrived in June. Julie will continue with her Julie’s Upscale Resale store in Sister Bay. He hopes to connect with fellow

OOs of his era and looks forward to revisiting London and Oundle in the near future.

David Weeks (C 83) lives in GA though more recently was back in the UK following the tragic passing of his father Chris Weeks (Ldr 54) in July. Chris was a great example of an OO, going on to row at Oxford, bring cellular communications to the UK and pioneer internet business in the early 90s, along with being a great husband, father and grandfather. May he rest in peace.

Robert Hainsworth (S 59) was diagnosed with liver cancer in December 2020 and a little later with bladder cancer. He began chemotherapy immediately and is making good progress, with the bladder now being cancer-free, and the liver much improved. Throughout, he has been supported by his wife, Joanna, his children, and friends on both sides of the Atlantic. He is deeply grateful for those who have prayed for him and given their time and help. More recently, he has gathered with family in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and again for a wedding in Yorkshire this May.

Ellie Horner (Sn 06) has returned to Charlottesville, VA, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains after lengthy work experience in Australia, extended by Covid lockdowns. She is working to accelerate the shift to clean energy through utility-scale wind and solar projects from Apex’s newly completed cutting edge sustainably designed headquarters. When not at work, she enjoys road trips and kayaking with her faithful canine companion, Rosa, as well as sampling the myriad bakeries where she lives, even on occasion replicating their dishes with a high rate of success. Though she misses the days of telecommuting, she hopes to be retired soon enough that the shift back to in person work won’t be a factor for much longer. Kate Morris (N 04) is living in Los Angeles, where she works as a federal public defender. She is engaged to Aaron Littman, a law professor at UCLA. They are expecting their first child in October.

David Bower (C 54) has been enjoying retirement in North Carolina and is proud of their large family of six children, 18 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, who live all over the world. Oli Beasley (L 15) after graduating B Eng in mechanical engineering at Sheffield University, he moved to San Francisco where he now works for Aurora in the autonomous vehicle industry as a product manager. He has spent the past three years working to bring autonomous robotaxis, at Zoox, and now autonomous trucks, at Aurora, to public roads. Outside work, he enjoys bike racing across Northern California and is working to reach Cat 1, the highest amateur level in the United States.

Richard Horner (Sn/Ldr 04) formally undertook the role of North American correspondent for the OO Magazine and enjoyed the opportunity of being in touch with many OOs and learned that while their professions and interests have taken them all over the world, there are some common threads. Most notably, that many OOs are keen to reconnect and relatedly, that many wish for OO events such as dinners. One suggestion that came up time and again was New Orleans, specifically at Blue Giant Chinese, a restaurant that he opened in 2020, moments before the pandemic. When not trying to elicit emails from fellow alumni or running his restaurant, Richard enjoys spending time with his dachshund, Pepito, and enjoying all the cultural and culinary bounty that New Orleans has to offer.

Nicolas Kernick (L 10) married Paula in December 2020 and they have a baby girl, Camila, born at the end of 2021. They recently moved to Seattle and are loving the mix of adventurous outdoor activities on offer.

After gaining his BA from Leeds in 1957, John Seidler (Ldr 49) pursued his education further, attaining an MBA from the university of Western Ontario in 1959. Shortly thereafter, he married his first wife, Aileen Kennedy with whom he

raised three children, Andrea, Anna, and Francis, who in turn have produced six grandchildren. During this time, he maintained a career in international management with various cosmetic and pharmaceutical giants (Gillette, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer) as well as consulting both domestically and abroad. Most recently, his experience was put to use at an international conference on ageing and gerontology. He remarried in 2002 and now fills his days in Lambertville, NJ, with playing the piano, plenty of reading and writing, daily exercise and walking.

Davina Dummer (N 03) writes: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever emailed an update but I always love reading everyone else’s even if I didn’t know them, so will contribute this time. I am currently living in New Jersey, with my husband and two boys. I work as an artisan at Louis Vuitton. Hoping to visit the UK this year for the first time since 2019. Thank you for the hard work you put into this, it is appreciated.’

Keith Johnson (N 49) was feeling a little disconnected from the School without a USA correspondent and welcomes Richard to this task.

He writes to confirm his continuing existence. “Making the San Fernando Valley My Home” as the song has it, I took up residence in Studio City, a suburb of Los Angeles, some 45 years ago. My daughter (burns surgeon) and son (electrical engineer) ensure that any inquiries about health and desktop computer problems are answered promptly. My wife, Felicity, ensures that I stick around. I still enjoy keeping up with the many changes that have taken place since my time.

S L-R: Ben Gee, Jonathan Allwood, Guy Burton, Nick Francis, Tim Francis

Class of 2012

■ Alice Rockall (W) former Head of School

our phones, it was some of my oldest Oundle friends that kept me going during this time; turns out friends you make at the age of 13, bonding over coloured dental braces, extreme side partings, and Cath Kidston patterned phones really are some of the strongest. One of the things I noticed most, and loved the most, while pulling this together, is just how many people still say the same.

reading every single story and I hope you enjoy looking back through these as much as I have. I particularly want to call out the memoirs for Tristan Langford (C) and Seb Scammell (L) that their respective houses have written for them. We said goodbye far too early to both, so would ask everyone to take a few moments to read those words and remember them.

While huge amounts have happened over the last decade, and school feels a lifetime ago, in other ways it feels like only yesterday that we were 18 years old at the Leavers’ Ball, dancing with friends/parents/teachers and taking pictures outside Chapel at 6am.

We’ve lived through some pretty monumental moments between 2012 - 22, not least a global pandemic that made us all stay at home for the best part of two years. As we moved all our social plans to the tiny screens of

So, while the world has seen the highs and lows of various Royal weddings, the #metoo scandal, the Queen’s Jubilee, BLM, Brexit, Tinder, multiple wars, Trump coming, Trump going, Boris coming, Boris going, we have all had our own highs and lows. It has been so fun to read all your stories from over the last ten years, there’s been travelling, moving, working, marrying - special shout outs to our Oundle couples: Patch Russell (Ldr) and Kirsty Landale (W), and Georgie Davies (K) and Dom Titcomb (G 11)rekindling and tattooing, all with Oundle friends in tow. I’ve loved

Huge thanks to the wonderful Heads of Houses, and Head of School Harry Cobb (L) for helping pull this all together. I count it as a small upgrade from asking them to stand outside Cookies at break time, but it’s still a big ask to get them to coordinate all the entries for their house out the blue, a decade after they thought they were off the hook!

Hope to see lots of you all at the Reunion dinner in September.

S Alice Rockall at the restaurant where Abi Hill (D) is sous chef, Sessions Arts Club

Enjoy reminiscing and finding out who is now a detective, who has moved to Kenya, Denver and Paris, and who runs their own beer festival.

BRAMSTON

Will Bostock: Left school, studied at the University of Edinburgh and became a DJ. Left university, moved to London and became a journalist. Quit both pursuits and now retraining as an English teacher. Heavily addicted to online chess.

Jack Carbutt: Ten years seems too brief a period to reflect upon where one has got to. Having attempted to set up a drinks company, been part of a hummus start-up and now settling for a more stable career in investment management, I’ve realised that the search for a career that ticks all the boxes will likely take another decade.

Charlie Dowell: I guess like everyone I have spent the last ten years growing up, finding out what I enjoy and becoming comfortable in it. Some of this has been taking the friendships and ideas I made at Oundle onwards to something more my own. Some was untangling myself from the institutional norms of school. Most has been a steady accretion of mistakes and successes. For example, becoming a credit risk analyst for a year was a mistake, appearing on University Challenge, a success. What am I doing now? Finishing a PhD in neuroscience and seeing how far I can take my research.

Johnnie Farquhar: After various forays abroad and graduating from university I have now settled into life in London. Having initially worked at two media companies I am now a detective in the Met Police and living in Balham with my girlfriend. I’m ever so slightly less awkward and shy nowadays, though being outdoors and building things from wood is pretty much all I want to do with my spare time. I have also been in the Army reserve for the past four years and have since passed the All Arms Commando Course, completed Arctic warfare training in Norway, gained a penchant for demolitions and will hopefully be deploying to Belize this winter.

Hector Gifford: I went on to find filmmaking at Arts Educational Schools London, combining my passions for photography and acting, then studying at MetFilm School. I’ve spent eight years in the industry in the art department and working as a videographer, on my way to directing feature length fiction cinema. I’ve recently written a screenplay which I am currently producing and aim to direct in Spring 2023. I live in London and have a signature dish: pasta in white wine sauce.

Cameron Hardie: Looking back ten years to when I left Oundle, I have taken a different path than the one I expected. After a gap year, I attended the University of North Carolina where I received a degree in Peace, War and Defence, while my summers were spent working on a ranch in Wyoming. Instead of moving to DC and getting involved in politics, though, I went to Alaska to run sled dogs. I then moved down to northwest Montana where I currently live, working in the ski industry and as a whitewater rafting guide.

George Marment: Economics and finance at Newcastle made me realise that I was neither intelligent nor motivated enough to go into a world of finance, so I followed it up with a Master’s at Reading University in real estate. Having moved to London, I’m currently Clapham’s biggest advocate, having lived here with Richard Giles for the past six years. However, we’re soon to be separated as we both move in with our girlfriends. I made the timely decision to move into the office market four days before Covid hit and am currently working for a niche office agency in Shoreditch.

Chris McGibbon: Did things follow a regular path? Nope: I haven’t stopped shifting my education, career, home base, environment, ideas or even beliefs. I am nomadic: a self-taught gypsy currency trader. On a journey with no known destination, exploring terrains, trying new cultures, sampling perspectives,

developing my identity, all making for an unorthodox and more satisfying working week. I’ve also converted a van; she’s named Patricia the Stripper. My passion is curiosity and it takes me everywhere. Two things I’ve learnt since graduating from Oundle: no path is set in stone and building memories is about story telling.

Li-Shing Ng: After Oundle, I set out to a slightly larger city for university in London. Being a fan of pain, I decided to embark on one of the harder mathematical courses out there: actuarial science. I’ve now had experience in every area of the actuarial world, having worked in insurance, pensions and investments, getting closer to where I need to be. I’m now looking for a role in the equity buy-side. I’ve also spent time dancing bachata and salsa and learning some golf and tennis.

Nick Rothera: I went to Cardiff University after Oundle and studied psychology. I quickly realised this wasn’t the course for me but I still saw it off. I probably should have dropped out but I made some amazing friends there. Afterwards I spent a year wondering what I was going to do with my life, so I did the cliché thing and went travelling in New Zealand and South East Asia. I met a programmer who encouraged me to give it a try and I loved it immediately. I’ve now been at a few different companies learning to programme on the job, have worked my way up to be a full software engineer at a financial management firm. Now in the process of buying a flat in Clapham.

George Stewart-Phillips: Immediately after school, I was recruited by MI6 as a field operative. My cover story is that of a 28-year-old handsome man, who attended the University of Southampton achieving an undergraduate degree in archaeology followed by an MA in maritime archaeology. Following that I worked for several years as a field archaeologist, excavating sites across

FEATURE

Cambridge and London. I then moved into heritage consultancy and currently work as a marine heritage consultant, largely helping in the development of offshore windfarms. For a short time, I replaced Damon Albarn as the Gorillaz front man while he produced a solo record.

aviation finance, I decided property was more my thing and now find myself doing real estate finance at White & Case in London.

DRYDEN

CROSBY

Jamie Cruise: My time at Oundle feels like a lifetime ago; a different life altogether, really. After leaving I worked for five years - in hospitality, pet insurance and credit control, before deciding to go to university in 2016. I graduated from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, in 2020 with a BA and MA in creative and professional writing, and since have published two non-fiction books: Melodies of Life: A Final Fantasy IX Retrospect and Analysis (2021) and Simple and Clean: Unlocking Kingdom Hearts (2022). I currently work in the admissions office for Queen Mary University of London.

Joey Edwards: I took Chapel Choir a bit too seriously, and now sing professionally on concert stages across Europe. Moving to London after Oundle, I did two degrees, one training as an opera singer, before joining the Tenebrae choir as an associate artist. I work regularly in TV and radio music production and have featured on everything from Oscar-winning movie soundtracks to radio operas. Alongside the rock and roll lifestyle of a touring classical musician, I direct a music festival and race yachts.

William Heywood: Going straight to Oxford after Oundle, I read history and spent probably too much time being an organ scholar at one college and a choral scholar at another. Three long vacs of teaching in China, Burma and India (surviving dengue fever in the latter) proved that career was not for me and instead I trained to be a lawyer at Allen & Overy, including a six-month stint in their Tokyo office. After qualifying into

Tristan Langford: Tristan was a very close friend to us all in Crosby. He was an incredibly kind and gentle person with infectious positivity for life. In his own quiet way, he supported his friends throughout School and we owe him a lot for the memories we made as a House. He loved to tell a story, always full of Tristan charm, and remember his mischievous smile as he told them. We had a lot of fun together and we are so lucky to have had him as a friend. Tristan died soon after we finished school, in 2013, after a year-long battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Ten years on, he is still a special part of our lives and we wanted to remember him here, among his Crosby OO brothers. We miss you, Tristan. You were a wonderful friend.

James Stevens: I have lived and worked in New York for a tech company, travelled through Asia and nearly got married. I have learned a lot of life lessons since leaving school, most recently that having the lifestyle of working for a big corporation is not something I want forever and I am currently in the process of setting up my own business whilst settling back into life in Brixton. It is incredible how much I and the world have changed in ten years and I’m looking forward to the next ten.

Clint Wong: I got into the field of fluid dynamics; both the theory and the practical bits. I did maths at Cambridge and a PhD at Oxford where I have published some research on flood mitigation, oil extraction and coughing and sneezing at the start of the pandemic.

I also got into competitive wine tasting, where I identify and judge wines and am now finishing a two-year diploma in wine. In my spare time, I work in quantitative finance at Bank of America.

Amelia Buckworth: After school, I headed off to Newcastle University where I spent three very happy years having lots of fun and studying law. After deciding law was not for me, I started working for an education consultancy in London and made the very original move to Clapham with my oldest Oundle friends, Hannah Stainforth and Sophie May (Sn). Seven years down the line, I’m still working at the same company, having held various roles, which I’m loving. I now live in London Bridge with my partner Jake, and we’re currently in the (very stressful) process of buying our first house in Richmond. I’m very lucky to still have a number of amazing friends from my Oundle days who I see regularly and I look back at school days very fondly.

Laura Deering: I feel that my ten years since leaving school have followed a relatively standard route. I took a gap year to South America and then headed to university in London to study languages, which ultimately took me back to South America for a bit. After a few unexpected delays, I finally graduated and managed to get myself a ‘proper’ job in Bristol. And then after about two and a half years I was lured back to London again, where I now live and work. If I’ve learnt one thing in ten years it’s that adulthood can be quite tough sometimes. So, I genuinely just hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Abi Hill: After school I moved to Paris to learn to cook. Worked in some amazing restaurants, travelled a lot and met some brilliant people along the way. Now, I’m living in London, working as a sous chef at Sessions Arts Club. Life is good!

Ali Huckin: After school I studied mechanical engineering at Newcastle uni. I picked up a sponsorship while doing this and spent my summers manufacturing green car parts for Formula 1. I then went on to do a Master’s in environmental science and climate change at Kings. After this I decided I needed some time away from studies so travelled around South America for six months. When I got back, I joined a company that makes electric vehicle charging points and work there alongside Olly Murphy (F 09). I have also just had a new addition to the family: a little girl puppy called Copper.

Helena Lewis: After the bubble that is Oundle, I whisked myself off to Cardiff uni to study music and philosophy. After three years of partying a little too hard, meeting some awesome new friends and learning a bit about music and philosophy, I decided to turn my attention to the business world. I stayed in the lovely Cardiff area for a few more years working around Wales in retail management. Being the somewhat excitable puppy that I am, after two years, I decided to go and explore a new adventure in Dublin where I spent almost a year in recruitment consultancy: a very social, fun and fast paced environment to learn a load more skills and have the odd Guinness too. Now I’m a bit more settled living in Drizzle Brizzle, working for a

boutique management/change consultancy where I get to partner with some brilliant and always challenging clients across Europe and beyond to guide them through changes to their organisation or problems they’re trying to solve. The pandemic was the interval in terms of the great travel we get to do in this job and I’m delighted we’re slowly getting back to it. Exciting to think what the next ten years will bring!

Evie Rodick: Along with some of my closest Dryden friends, I headed straight for Newcastle University to study the classic combination of geography and business management. I had three very enjoyable years there and my degree created in me a love of colourful spreadsheets which led to me working for KPMG and gaining my Chartered Accountancy qualification. I got married in September 2021, with a number of Oundle girls there to celebrate with me and with Olivia Hawkswell as one of my bridesmaids. I skipped the moving to London part of life and instead, with my husband, am in the process of renovating a cottage in Derbyshire with the help of Kate Baker-Munton’s expert design skills.

Kate Strawson: After Oundle I went on a gap year to Kenya and Tanzania, followed by South East Asia, where I travelled with and met up with several OOs along the way. Then I started at Newcastle University studying the very directional degree of geography and came out none the wiser about what I wanted to do. After three fun filled years in the Toon, I moved to London and am currently sharing a flat with Olivia Hawkswell and working in a brand and design agency.

Hannah Stainforth: I went up north to the Toon where I spent three amazing years studying ancient history at Newcastle University, alongside a number of Oundle friends. After graduating, I managed to get a place on the CBRE commercial property graduate scheme and moved to London to live

with Amelia Buckworth and Sophie May (Sn). After completing my Master’s in real estate in 2017, I qualified as a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 2019 and am now an associate director at CBRE in the same team, specialising in warehouse brokerage. I no longer live with Amelia and Sophie, instead (just as happily!) with my partner Olly in Wimbledon. However, I see them most weeks, as well as a host of other Oundle girls regularly. In May 2022 we celebrated the wedding of our dear friend Sacha Power (L) to her husband Jonny near Oundle on a sunny Saturday. I frequently think of my time at Oundle and cherish the many happy memories.

Edward Addo aka Shaddo: Good grief, not long ago I was rushing back to House conjuring excuses for lateness and perfecting musical talents in Gascoigne. Oundle gave me some of my best years and closest friends. While studying music at Newcastle, I performed at renowned venues and acted for Netflix and BBC. Careerwise, I’ve supported world-leading technology companies to break new markets and secure rounds of investment, and have founded Acre Green, my music agency and label. I live in Fulham with my girlfriend, Georgina, and stay connected to my OO friends. I couldn’t be prouder of the people we have all become.

Max Buckland: I followed the well trodden Fisher path of exceeding all expectations and gaining a place at

FISHER

S Copper (Ali Huckin’s dog)

S James Symes-Thompson, Rory Dowie, Baz Napier, Max Buckland, Josh Walker and Ed Addo - (all Fisher)

FEATURE

Oxford Brookes studying international business management with French. This was preceded by a year teaching skiing and travelling. After a successful four years at university, including a year in Paris, a marathon and a shedload of student loan debt, I found myself in the London financial world where I still work. However, despite all of this, the most magical moment in last ten years is without doubt watching Nottingham Forest’s resurrection to the Premier League at Wembley.

Rory Dowie: Went to Edinburgh. Studied economics: learned much about nothing. A slow start but after running an ultra-marathon in the desert for some attention, I finally made some new mates. I now reside in NW London after five years too long in Fulham. I’m working in asset management and now am a portfolio manager for a Swiss bank in the news for all the right reasons. I see the Fisher boys for our annual pub day where MC Shaddo usually spits some new bars. Got a girlfriend my own age. Sadly, still support Ipswich: we’re now in League One.

Josh Murphy: Some memories of Oundle vs general life today:

1. Top hats - only on wedding days.

2. Pink cards for being late - P45s for being late.

3. Going on a walk - Hinge/Tinder.

4. Black tie events - 30th birthdays and above.

5. SMP - Community Service.

6. Sport three times a week - sport three times a month.

7. Eastern Spices Saturday night – (Insert Kebab house name) Sunday night.

8. Suit and tie - if you work in insurance.

9. Trendalls butcher - still unaffordable.

10. Happiness - still happiness, just different.

Maximilian Napier: So guess it’s time to write in this ten year magazine. Can’t say I’ve been missing Oundle’s canteen. Happy to say I’ll pop back sometime. Not sure I want to share all the stories but fine.

Effervescent times ‘av been had. Can’t say it has been at all bad. Kindliness gets you further than being qualified, Loquacious, still blossoming and green eyed, Easefully the years have passed by since being an alumni. Rest assured am glad to give this poem a bye-bye.

Henry Shuen: Ten years on, how did I get here? I attended University of Edinburgh for a four-year Bachelor’s degree and I stayed on to pursue a Master’s in carbon management. Having failed to establish a career in relation to this, I sold my soul to the devil and went to work for NatWest/ RBS. Still there five years on, my devilish horns grow each year I climb through the ranks. Away from work, I still live in Edinburgh with my girlfriend and my family has now relocated here because of Hong Kong’s political turmoil. I play touch rugby and trialled with the Scotland men’s national team, falling at the final hurdle. Perhaps another chance next year to make the World Cup squad and bring some much-needed glory to the Fisher name.

James Symes-Thompson: A summer of dusty agricultural work raised funds for travels that took in Kenya and South East Asia, whilst also confirming to me that it was indeed important to get a degree, duly gained in Politics at Newcastle. I followed the well-trodden London path and began my rat race at a property finance firm. Five years later, I hold the highly esteemed title of senior investor relations. I continue to play football regularly and have enjoyed running one of the finest seven-a-side teams south of the river: The Casuals. Ten years have passed but the memories of School are still fresh and reminisced about often, whilst the friendships will endure forevermore.

Ethan Tamlyn: Having gained my classics degree from Durham, I made the completely logical decision to pursue a career in the NHS. I worked in several hospitals before taking the plunge and returning to university to study medicine where I’m currently

in my fourth year at Leicester. I still return to the old haunts volunteering for Oundle Mencap every summer and enjoying keeping up with the old Walk to Rome bunch, especially at the yearly OO London dinners. My fiancée Alison and I are currently planning our dream wedding at Warwick Castle for next year and hope to settle down in Leicestershire.

Josh Walker: For the Man himself. S. Six years in Manchester for medical school.

H. Historic bursary repayment as Dr in the City of Derry, owned by London Livery Companies in the 1500s.

N. Nicknamed James from Derry girls.

E. Emptied Belfast hospitals in the first Covid wave.

C. Critical care fellow in SE London - not empty.

K. Kicking stammer with authentic speech.

L. Love: all things music, Tyson Fury, oncology.

E. Elusive: marathon, nice fingernails, work-life balance.

R. Return to long term love interest Sophie Reynolds (Sn). Thanks to Oundle, especially Fisher House and the teachers for lasting friendships and a special education.

Harry Wilkinson: I’m a freelance product designer and blacksmith, making fine kitchen knives and forming calluses in a forge I built from an old stable. I designed the windows and doors for the LNER Azuma trains and invented technologies for waste plastic processing. It’s a mixture of two very different worlds. After spending a year sleeping on the floor I realised beds are worth it and now I have a girlfriend. Based in Newcastle, I love rock climbing and camping in the wilds of Scotland with friends and our puppy. Future plans: to build a house, fill it with dogs and move abroad.

GRAFTON

Charlie Buckle: After Oundle I went to work in the Lloyd’s insurance market in London. I had a great time for three years before I moved back to Suffolk to start my hospitality business. I now run Nedging Hall Estate which has three restaurants, Mauldons Brewery and a large country house holiday let. The business has struggled through the last two years, so we’re very pleased to see the back of Covid and the return of socialising. I love my work but my passion is still riding in point-to-points, although maintaining a riding weight isn’t getting any easier these days!

Chapman Chan: Upon leaving Oundle I went to Canada for university, but decided I preferred the UK so returned to study pharmacy at the University of Manchester. With Brexit, I had to go back to Canada and since then have been working as a pharmacist after getting my licence. I couldn’t believe when Peter Usher messaged me to write this update that it has been ten years since we were all last together and couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic and bittersweet about simpler times.

Ed Cubitt: Life after Oundle began by working in South Africa with George Buchan (S) and then an overland camping trip from Cape Town to Nairobi with the everentertaining Charlie Buckle. Exeter uni followed, with Jack Mitchell as a housemate in second and third years: despite this, I came away with a First in geography and headed down the well-worn graduate conveyor belt to PwC. I managed to scrape through the ACA there and I am now having a great time as a financial analyst at Balderton Capital, in King’s Cross, which is a short walk from where I live in Islington. No doubt though that the highlights of the last ten years have been becoming an uncle, courtesy of Charlotte Charlesworth (née Cubitt K 09), and being best man to my brother, James Cubitt (G 10), at his wedding last summer.

Ben Kennedy: After studying mathematics at University College London, I moved into the field of technology, and became a data analyst for an education-based software startup in Bristol. After the company was sold, I moved back up to my hometown of Sheffield and have been working as a cybersecurity analyst for Royal Mail Group: two years and counting.

Osh Mckenzie: I have had a very fortunate life since leaving Oundle. To find my feet I started living and working in London, before getting opportunities as a model to travel and live internationally, working for the likes of Burberry, Versace and Tom Ford. I now live in the Highlands with my wife Ash. We run our family estate on the shores of Loch Ness, where we offer selfcatering cabins and wedding/filming locations. We also own a property company through which we restore period properties to their former glory.

Greg Michel: Ten years ago, I walked away from some of the best years of my life at Grafton House. I cherish some of the fondest memories during my time at Oundle. The friendships made will last a lifetime. Since then, I have travelled across South America, gained an MSc in business management from Edinburgh and started my career at Aldi on their graduate scheme. I now run EVRi’s London Parcel network and enjoy working in operations. At school I was never in shape but seemed to have shrugged my Blobbers nickname in size but still remain at large.

Jack Mitchell: I travelled around Australia and South East Asia with fellow OOs Harry Field (Sc), Victoria Bevan (Sn) and James SymesThompson (F) before going to Exeter University where I studied politics. After a brief foray into journalism, I decided the path less trodden was not for me and so I followed my two elder sisters and dad into a career in law. I can now be found in London, helping people get divorced by day

and spending the rest of the time with the same group of friends from school.

Jamie Piggins: I went to study sports science at Loughborough University, which is also where I met my future wife, Hannah. Since graduating I have muddled together a career in the sports sector, delivering youth development programmes on behalf of the UN, spending a year in Melbourne researching homophobia within Australian sport, and working for UK Anti-Doping’s international team. I currently work for the British Olympic Association, so was lucky enough to travel to Tokyo and Beijing for the last two Olympic Games. Hannah and I got married in April 2022, and currently live in Tunbridge Wells.

Mark Robson: I read economics and economic history at the University of York. After three enjoyable years studying, boozing and playing rugby, I joined Deloitte in Cambridge. After living a very civilised existence on Parker’s Piece and surviving my ACA qualifications, I moved to Edinburgh to join Deloitte’s M&A team. At the end of 2019, I married my wife Brontë in the Lake District. We snuck in a great celebration at Lowther Castle just before the pandemic shutters came down. Last summer we bought a flat in Stockbridge and currently reside there with our border terrier, Scampi.

Peter Usher: I left Oundle to study politics at Bristol and spent three very enjoyable years at university. Having graduated, I embarked on a gap year bicycle tour around Europe, travelling from London to Budapest, before moving to Santiago, Chile, to spend six months working in the fruit export trade. Real life beckoned and I moved to London to train as a M&A lawyer with the law firm Jones Day, which involved two further years at law school during which I had the misfortune to live with Ed Cubitt (G).

I continue to work in law and in my free time enjoy long distance running and cycling.

KIRKEBY

Rosanna Gibson: Following school I spent a year split between a ski season in the French alps and travelling through Asia and then going on to Bristol University to read archaeology and anthropology for three years, all of which I adored. I then moved to London and fell into the comms and event space, working for the same agency for the next five intense and sleep deprived years! I left them in October 2021 to travel alone through Latin America and have recently returned home to find work in the humanitarian sector. A lot of my favourite people are the ones I met at School and for that I will always be grateful to Oundle.

Daisy Hughes: After satis keeping me on the straight and narrow and much to many’s disbelief, I got myself to Exeter uni for a hectic three years before graduating with a 2:1 in sociology, anthropology and rugby boys. From there I headed straight to London and have since embarked on a flourishing career in headhunting and work for Hanson Search. Still see my bezzies Rory Dowie and Alice Luxmoore Styles (W) and celebrating the honey that is Jemima Van Vredenburch’s wedding this

summer. Time has flown!

Imo Jones: After a classics degree at Durham, I spent a brief spell working at a library in Florence and various London galleries before moving to the auction world in Christie’s private and iconic collections department and then the old master paintings department. My current job is in business development, working on estates and private collections in London for Dreweatts. I’ve got to see and handle plenty of memorable/odd items from a triceratops skull and Audrey Hepburn’s pyjamas to da Vinci’s Salvador Mundi and Margaret Thatcher’s handbag. My credit rating and I are slightly worried as to where the last decade has gone but there have been few dull moments! Look forward to the next Kirkeby reunion and seeing some OOs this summer!

Lucy MacEwan: I can’t believe it’s been ten years since leaving. A lot has changed but thankfully I still keep in contact with the very special friends I made at Oundle. After school I followed the well trodden path around South America. I then went on to spend three very happy and fun years at Exeter university before moving to London and working in finance. Recent excitements include the wedding of Georgie Davies and Dom Titcomb (G 11) and Jemima Van V’s hen do! Still searching for a milkshake as good as the Beans malteaser.

Sophie Parshall: I took the untrodden path of a gap year travelling in South America with various fellow Oundelians. I then went to the University of Leeds to study philosophy and now live in London where I work at a research consultancy. Ten years on, I still see my friends from School and have the pleasure of four Oundle weddings this year! I still miss cheesy chips and singing in chapel.

Juliette Rothera: Ten years have gone by in a flash! After studying French and theatre at the University of Birmingham, I interned in Paris at a rare disease organisation before finding my passion in marketing and events in London. After a hefty six-year Green Card process, I then moved to New York City in 2019 where I currently head marketing at a small healthcare consulting firm focused on patient advocacy and engagement. In October, I plan to solo travel across South America and South East Asia to embrace new cultures and volunteer before returning to the Big Apple to enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Charley Seward, née Martin: Well, ten years has flown hilariously quickly. After realising at Oundle that my future didn’t lie in the world of professional sports, I had a riot at Reading studying English literature. Met my husband training for a season in St Anton after uni and then came back to the real world to spend four years working as a project manager in various marketing agencies in the South and in London. I escaped the big smoke and moved to the East Riding of Yorkshire with Jono where I now work for the family business, Arco, in Hull. Many of my closest friends are mates I met on the infamous stretch of ‘road’ we chose to loiter around (just outside the purpose-built junior club building). I’ve plenty of fond memories: Ali and Derek at the Stahl, art with Oddie, music with Chris Pettitt and Alan Wakeman, Mrs Watt, Mr Chambers, Mrs Meisner and Mrs King (aka Ponty), Renaissance man Timothy Watson, OSCAR radio, top hats,

S Ellie Smith (Sn), Laura Deering (D), Megan Waind (N), Sophie May (Sn), Rachel Thomas (N), Evie Horsell (Lx), Livvy Wylie (W), Beth Ratcliffe (Lx), Rosanna Gibson (K), Gabby Thompson (K 10), Jemima Van Vredenburch (K)

Kirkeby cornflake tart and those Tavern cheesy chips which I’ve yet to find a rival for. I love that so many of us have kept in touch and a decade on I’m still making new school mates. I feel very fortunate to have had the experiences Oundle gave us, and met the people who set me up for everything I’ve done since, and hope to go on to do. Cheers Oundle, it’s been an education!

Georgie Titcomb, née Davies: I went straight to Exeter University to study philosophy, politics and economics where I also spent my time playing hockey, running two marathons and making some lifelong friends. Following my passion for health and fitness, I left Exeter and moved to London to work for a natural sports nutrition company, Tribe, supporting them in the launch of the business. I was there for two years before moving to HelloFresh where I worked in performance marketing for five years. This year I moved to a drinks brand called Dash Water and also got married to Dom Titcomb (G 11) in June!

have a small project on the side helping Rory Gammell launch a start-up whisky brand. I eventually plan to move to Wales with my girlfriend Lucy.

Alex Fan: I went back to Hong Kong to study medicine. It’s been a few wild years in Hong Kong since I started practising in late 2018. From seeing kids getting sent to the hospital in handcuffs and chains during the 2019 social movements, to experiencing the hectic Covid wards first hand, I’m just glad things are finally starting to quieten down now. Hopefully, the travel restrictions in Hong Kong will be relaxed soon, then I’ll surely come back to the UK for a visit.

Old Uppinghamian) girlfriend Lulu.

Patch Russell: Post-Oundle, I studied sports management at Edinburgh University, where I lived with three Uppingham boys. Next came London and the sports marketing world, I survived about six months living south of the Thames with Annabel Troughton (W) before deciding I was never going to be cool enough and settled in Shepherd’s Bush. I’m now living in Nairobi, bowling a bit of medium pace for the Honey Badgers and living the start-up life as well as being very happily married to Kirsty Landale (W), so not much change there!

LAUNDIMER

Harry Cobb: I spent a year travelling in Kenya and Uganda and roadtripping the western US in a battered Toyota pick-up. Summers, working on a ranch in Wyoming, leading a first-aid mission to Mongolia, and studying abroad in Vancouver, were punctuated by visits to the philosophy department at Edinburgh University. After working for an education company in China, who told me after three weeks that they had no money to pay my salary, I did a traineeship at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong. I then spent a year running guest services at a private island in Indonesia, followed by a move to New Zealand, where I managed a boutique hotel on the waterfront in Wellington. I moved home after the pandemic and now work in event management, hospitality and conservation for Aldenham Estate in Hertfordshire. I

Oliver Jackson: Having bounced with barely a care in the world from school to university to work, I woke up one morning shortly before my 22nd birthday and realised I’d deluded myself: being a civil servant was not for me. I quit and spent a few happy years volunteering at charities and NGOs, singing in choirs, backpacking through countries far too close to the equator for my complexion, and tutoring the snotty-nosed offspring of London’s oligarchs. I’m now a barrister, renting a cupboard in Zone 2 with an itinerant cat and girlfriend.

Max Monteith: Notable highlights include swerving Brookes for Newcastle uni, spending a night in a Hong Kong cell for streaking in front of 35,000 people and getting first (and current) job thanks to a chance encounter with Jack Whitehall.

James Robson: After a gap year in Scotland, Ghana and Greece, I went to Newcastle University to study geography, international politics and primarily rowing. With a Henley Royal Regatta win and a few British, European and World university championships under my belt, I moved to Henley-on-Thames to row at Leander Club with the GB rowing team. I’m still pursuing the Olympic dream and am now living in Windsor with my very understanding (albeit

Abbas See: I went on to read medicine at Cambridge University and then worked as a junior doctor in the Thames Valley area before starting my surgical training in the East Midlands. I am currently about to begin my specialty training in trauma and orthopaedics and have accepted an academic training post with the University of Nottingham. I hope to further sub-specialise in major trauma and upper limb surgery with a view of completing my PhD in the next few years. From a more personal perspective, I met my fiancée, Lejla, during my surgical training and we are planning to get married in October 2024. When not in the hospital, which is rarely, I spend my time exercising, travelling and spending time with my loved ones.

Marcus Turner: Oundle feels like a lifetime ago, although I’m sure the crustier readers will scoff at ten years. Lots has happened since. Oxford took

S Kirsty and Patch Russell (Laundimer and Wyatt 12)

FEATURE

me at the second asking and I studied history at Lincoln College, following in the steps of a number of OOs. I now work as a capital markets lawyer living in London. Reflecting on the decade since school, I do miss Oundle: I mainly miss the silliness of living in a boarding house with 60 boys.

Chris Waring: The last ten years have seen me move from blessed Yorkshire to the big smoke via a stint at Leicester University to study history and politics and Zimbabwe where I was on a ‘gap yah’ placement for six months. Career wise, I am now established as a marketing consultant for a marketing intelligence and effectiveness company and absolutely loving it. Having been on the OO committee now for over five years, I am lucky enough to see many old school friends who I still consider to be my closest group of mates. Hopefully we will meet later this year.

discovered a love for triathlon. I now compete for Riot Racing Club over the Ironman distance and recently qualified for the 70.3 World Championships. I’ve followed that passion with work, moving to a dream job at On Running, building their strategy team. I still see the Laxton lot… who never let me forget about my French GCSE or doomed Medsoc aspirations.

Barney Dillarstone: Years 1-5 AO (After Oundle) were a blur of gap years and a degree, before heading to Imperial College for a Masters in Environmental Technology. I spent the next few years working within conservation, including time in the Seychelles and a year-long stint in Indonesia dropping baited cameras around the islands in search of sharks. I’m now back in the UK after founding a software startup, twio, that helps businesses acquire customers with donations (www. twio.io). Still a mad keen conservationist, I spend most of my free time out with my camera. Ten years hey? Mad!

on chips. After uni I dabbled in a few career choices including D&T teacher (might be genetic) and marketing (not for me). I then decided to go back to my engineering roots for a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. I’m now a building physics engineer in a London/Paris based building services company, where I help mentor girls looking to enter engineering.

LAXTON

Olivier van den Bent-Kelly: After Oundle I headed to Cardiff, where I studied degrees with titles rivalling the length of my name. Fifteen minutes of fame from an SU election song ‘debuting’ on Radio 1 beckoned me to London as an advertising

strategist, living with Tania & George (L 12), then my twin Andrew (L 12), and now with my partner Katie - an ex-Kimbolton pupil who still refuses to believe Oundle was better at sport. Unexpectedly, I’ve

Beth Ratcliffe: I managed to land myself a sweet gig in the Maldives as a marine biologist intern straight after school. I then went travelling with Rosie Davis and Kate Strawson, following which I went to Newcastle to study Law. It was the best decision I ever made, not least because I met Josh, who I’m marrying this September. I graduated, moved to London and lived for two glorious years with Rosanna Gibson. I’ve moved around since but think I’ll stay in London now (a far cry from the country girl I wanted to be!) I’ve also stayed in law, having just started a new role in the Funds Team at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Both Charley Seward (nee Martin) and Evie Horsell will be bridesmaids at my wedding, and I’m lucky to still spend lots of time with the friends I met during my time at Oundle.

Megan Vincent: I managed to survive a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hull where I never learnt to tolerate gravy

Evie Horsell: I feel old having to write one of these! Ten years ago I stumbled home from leavers’ ball, and we swiftly as a family moved from Cotterstock to ‘up north’, where the Horsells still are. After the move I headed straight off for the usual triad: cooking course, ski season and travelling (with Livvy Wylie). The main result being that I decided I really wanted to be a chef. Heeding my Dad’s advice to ‘get a degree first’, I went to Manchester University to study Art History whilst working as a private chef during the holidays. Manchester was everything I wanted from uni: I partied too hard, made some amazing friends and actually loved my degree! I graduated with a first, and moved to London to start working in restaurant PR at a now sadly closed (thanks, Covid) company called Gerber Communications. It was an outrageously fun first job. After getting through the mess of working in hospitality during Covid and being furloughed, I am now communications manager at Big Mamma Group (a Paris based group of ‘OTT’ Italian restaurants including Circolo Popolare, Gloria and Ave Mario in London) managing their social media, PR and marketing. I still live in London, having relocated from Dalston to East Dulwich to move into a house I’ve bought with my boyfriend. I still see all the wonderful Oundle girls regularly at birthdays, dinners, holidays and now (eek!) weddings. It may have been ten years since school, but whenever we are together we still act like we’re 17 - talking too loud, laughing hysterically, and being immature. Let’s hope that never changes.

S Andrew Van Den Bent-Kelly, George Ducksbury, Amy Ireson, Susie Burrows, Tania Wimpenny, Olivier Van Den Bent-Kelly, James Pascoe (LX 12)

Sacha Power: After ten years, I’m lucky enough to still be close to lots of lovely people from school. I work as a producer and journalist for Good Morning Britain on ITV and reluctantly do night shifts. I recently got married close to Oundle and it was magical to be back. And for anyone left wondering, I’m still obsessed with Cheryl Cole.

Tania Wimpenny: I studied languages at Durham and spent the best year living in Germany, Spain and Peru. I then moved to London with George Ducksbury and Olivier VDBK who helped me navigate some early quarter life crises discovering law and management consultancy careers were definitely not for me, followed by a couple more bouts of travelling around Latin America. I finally found my calling and now work for the civil service in international climate change where I’ve spent the last few years heading up a team negotiating the deforestation commitments made at COP26 with other countries. I still play in an orchestra, have bought a house with my partner and find myself slightly obsessed with my garden, regularly having the Laxton ‘12 group over.

Rosie Davis: After Oundle I went travelling with Beth Ratcliffe and Kate Strawson before heading off to Liverpool University to study Psychology. Having decided that was not the career for me, I went to the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to do a Masters. I then headed back up north and worked in Chester to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor and have since moved back to Northamptonshire where I work as an estate manager and live in Warwickshire with my boyfriend and dog. I am lucky to have some absolute gems of OO friends and can’t wait for the first couple of weddings coming up!

Grace Harbage: After a gap year as an au pair in Paris and some soul searching in Central and South America with Kirsty Landale, I went to Manchester uni and read French

and Spanish. A mixed few years but a third year abroad working in Paris and Madrid and living with Honor de Winton (Sn 13) were the highlights. Spent a fun three years selling booze on Diageo’s grad scheme in London and Dublin but quickly realised I wanted to pursue my teenage dream (thanks to OSCAR radio) of being a broadcast journalist. After getting my journalism qualification during lockdown and a fiery stint working at GB News, I’m now at BBC World News, trying to convince them to send me abroad soon. Happily, I see a lot of Oundle pals still and I’m a proud godmother to Lalli Findlay’s Dalmatian puppy.

Amy Ireson: After studying medicine at Newcastle, I spent a few canny years living in the north east. I finally got persuaded to move back down south before the Geordie accent got too entrenched, and now live with James Pascoe in east London. I still enjoy volunteering with Mencap, and currently do a spin-off holiday running in Leatherhead with OOs including Anna Budgett (K 08) who I’m now good friends with. I’ve also got into open water swimming in recent years and go (with or without a wetsuit) all year round! Otherwise, I can be found studying for my anaesthetic exams (which are never ending!) or hanging out with Tania Wimpenny, George Ducksbury, Susie Burrows and the VDBKs.

Megan Watkins: What did I learn in a decade? To embrace planned happenstance! After completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, I worked in Health Services research and the Arts and contributed to evidencebased recommendations in community, high secure and intensive care settings. I’m currently a research fellow conducting complex evaluations for NIHR funded Public Health Scheme and a member of the LSBU Academic Board, mentoring academic staff, interns and postgrads. External collaborations include King’s College London and the University of Liverpool. I like dance choreography and fitness in my own

time. Sorry to have lost touch with some of my Oundle cohort – well wishes to you and your families.

Frances Wilson-Morkeh: These things feel so difficult to write without seeming like a CV/ dating profile hybrid. Accepting my fate then and starting with the CV - after leaving school I went to study Medicine in Leicester. I stayed there for six years and gained an Intercalated BSc in early onset dementia. This took me to The Netherlands - a place I see myself running away to in the near future when the existential dread inevitably becomes a bit too much. Since then as a medic I’ve been Midland-hopping (a phrase I don’t think will be catching on any time soon) and have found myself in Nottingham specialising in Anaesthetics. Most days are spent wishing I’d done A-level physics and hoping my patients stay asleep. Which then takes me to the ‘dating profile’ section… Current hobbies include scuba diving - a skill I’m grateful for Oundle introducing me to, travel and going to gigs. Reflecting on the past decade, I don’t feel I’ve changed dramatically since school other than aiming perhaps to be a bit less sarcastic. So, if you’re ever Midlandhopping, send me a message if you fancy a catch up and you can be the true judge of that.

Susie Burrows: After studying Pharmacy at Nottingham University, I moved to London to start training as a pharmacist where I spent many hours with the VDBK twins, George Ducksbury, James Pascoe, Tania Wimpenny and Amy Ireson. After living in London for several years, I moved to Cambridge where I now live with my fiancée Tom and puppy Herbert. I spend my working time specialising in infectious diseases and microbiology at Addenbrookes Hospital (yep, it’s definitely been a busy few years!) Next year will hopefully see Tom and I get married with Tania and Amy joining the bridal squad.

FEATURE

Sebastian Scammell: Sebastian tragically passed away on 23 November 2019. He spent his immediate years after Oundle studying at the University of Bristol before going on to do a law conversion. He went on to work for iLaw and in his spare time ran several marathons! His funeral on 7 January 2020 was attended by all his peers from Laxton as well as other OOs, many friends and colleagues from his time before and after Oundle, all of whose lives he lit up with his spark and sense of humour. The service at Peterborough Cathedral where Seb had been a chorister in his youth was fittingly filled with beautiful music. We still reminisce as a peer group about how Seb stunned us all with his solo piano performance for the anniversary concert at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. He was full of surprises, full of talent, and he remains greatly missed.

James Roe: Since leaving Oundle, I did an intercalated medical degree at the University of Liverpool and worked for a further two years as a junior doctor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. After this, I commissioned into the British Army to work as a General Duties Medical Officer and have since deployed to work in Kosovo and Nigeria. When I’m in the UK, I live in North Leeds where I’ve just bought a house with my girlfriend.

Andrew Van den Bent-Kelly: I spent four years up in Manchester studying astrophysics. Not even having Brian Cox as a lecturer was enough to convince me to stay directly in the field, so after graduation I spent a year learning Mandarin in Tianjin, China as part of a British Council Scheme. I then came home and started training as a patent attorney, which saw me do stints in Surrey, Beijing and London (where I lived with my twin, Olivier). I’m now fully qualified as a UK and European Patent Attorney, working for a new firm based in the Shard and living in Didcot with my girlfriend, Liz. When I’m not baking or visiting theme

parks across the world, I still regularly see a few of the Laxton ‘12 crew!

George Ducksbury: My three years at Downing College, Cambridge studying Economics flew by. I started as a strategy consultant during my uni internship, and before I knew it, I’d been doing it for six and a half years, trying my hand in many different industries (travel, logistics, housebuilding and gaming to name a few). Last year, I followed my passion for all things aviation and landed a new role in the strategy function of an airline. I had several fun years sharing a house in East London with Tania Wimpenny and Olivier van den Bent-Kelly, and we hosted Amy Ireson, James Pascoe, Andy van den Bent-Kelly and Susie Burrows for many a celebration. I now spend my time between my flat in Greenwich, and seeing where my loves of food and travel take me.

Hugo Laffey: Having studied Politics and International Relations at the University of York, my first intention thereafter was to travel around India. I was joined for a month by George Woodfield, during which we watched as much IPL cricket as we could and went to lectures by the Dalai Lama. A conversation across the bar got me a ‘Christmas’ job in my local pub: over five years later and I’m about to work my last shift. In that time we’ve moved to bigger premises, I’ve run my own beer festival and met my partner Amanda. Getting to order and look after what beer I like in my own local isn’t a bad gig but all good things come to an end. I’m about to start a new chapter working for the civil service. Hopefully I can remember something from that politics degree!

William Hudson: Taking an overview of the last ten years, it might seem like a path so welltrodden it can be seen on google; undergraduate at Newcastle, property Masters at Reading, moved to London to join a grad scheme, qualified as a surveyor, bounced around a few roles, and now happily

employed at Savills. BUT in between there is much more to it… I visited my roots and lived in China, ran around a bit and am lucky to still see a whole gaggle of OOs, which has included some huge OO weddings, activities and celebrations. Most importantly, thanks to Kirsty and Patch I met my fiancée.

James Pascoe: My early 20s were spent amassing more qualifications than reasonably necessary, but I had a great time studying at York and Cambridge. After flirting briefly with the idea of becoming cool while working at a startup, I pursued a legal career, chalking up more years studying. I’m now an M&A lawyer, moonlighting also as an M&A lawyer… but I’ve managed to travel a lot, including a spell living in Brussels. Having lived apart for several years, Amy Ireson and I now happily live together in east London - some things never change! I haven’t set foot on a Fives court since hallowed Oundle days but play plenty of squash. Still thick as thieves with several of the Oundle lot, which has taught me that the old jokes are always the best.

NEW

Caroline Alms: Ten years since leaving Oundle has involved moving house ten times, three capital cities, three countries. I now live in Whistler, BC, working part time to make room for the real reason for my move: skiing, biking, hiking, swimming, sailing. I studied veterinary medicine at Edinburgh and worked at a small animal hospital in Bristol after graduating. After a few years of burn out, I worked as a locum vet in London and now Whistler. I hope to never be employed again. Since leaving, I’ve enjoyed taking part in the annual Arrow trophy sailing competition and meeting OOs from years past. My Oundle friends continue to feature heavily in my life, and I’ve been lucky to have Jeremy Steel (S) out in Vancouver. I also had a chance

meeting with three other OOs in Van and Whistler. We really are everywhere. I intend to stay in Canada for the next few years enjoying life and developing an app.

Emma Booth: Following a hockeyfuelled four years at Leeds University studying theology and a subsequent business management Master’s course, I decided my goal in life was to pursue a free Amazon Prime membership. After joining Amazon as an operations area manager in the robotics department and qualifying as an Amazon Robotics SME, I moved on to become a team leader in Amazon Fresh retail, taking ownership of the Unilever, Britvic and L’Oreal accounts. Following far too much eating/product sampling, I moved once more to become the Amazon Fresh marketing manager, responsible for on-site campaigns and cross-channel outbound activity. Unfortunately, still no free Prime membership, but there’s always hope.

Christine Chan: A decade ago I was inter-railing with Sarah Twaite and Lottie Wood before heading to Nottingham Uni and later Reading for a Master’s. Like most graduates I uneventfully moved to London and have stayed here ever since. Despite vowing I would do anything but engineering at Oundle, I am now a mechanical engineer at Ramboll. Fortunately, there’s never a dull moment working in the construction industry. It has taken me to Courts, category B prisons and a slightly more glamorous £28 million flat behind Harrods, all of which I will, fingers crossed except for the latter, never get to visit otherwise. Aside from picking up all the lockdown hobbies like baking and getting more houseplants than one can fit into a house, I also adopted the sweetest yellow Labrador mix, Cooper. I now spend most of my weekends in dog friendly shops and pubs around west London. To mark the occasion, Sarah, Lottie and I are going on a ten-year reunion trip to Madeira this summer.

Clementine Geeves: I studied biomedical sciences at Oxford Brookes University where I really lived the ‘Brookes not books’ life. After graduating, I didn’t know what to do and had a massive overdraft to pay off so I took up lifeguarding at the local lido. I eventually found a job working in laboratory facilities management at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and then got a job at the Oxford Genomics Centre where I prepared samples for DNA sequencing. I moved out of Oxford a year and a half ago and I am currently working on an amazing project called the Darwin Tree of Life at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. Unfortunately, in science, contracts are very short and mine ends soon so I will be back to where I was ten years ago figuring out what to do, though without the crippling debt this time, but I will take this opportunity to venture into a career away from genetics.

Olivia Hawkswell: I studied History at Nottingham before converting to Law and spending a year living with Kate Strawson in London. After a few years back in Nottingham and the Peak District doing my training contract with Eversheds Sutherland, I qualified into the commercial and technology team and transferred to London where I am now living with Kate again. Ten years on and many of my Oundle friends are still my closest and I have very fond memories of my time in New House.

Emma Strawson: After leaving New House I had a summer of travelling around Asia before heading to Leeds College of Art for an art foundation course. I immersed myself in art and design which then took me to Edinburgh University to study jewellery design and silversmithing. I exhibited my degree show collection in London and was lucky enough to be scouted and asked to join a fashion and jewellery house. After cutting my teeth there I now design all accessories, mainly handbags for a global company, as well as running a small business designing and making jewellery called Loons Jewellery. I

remain passionate about sport, mainly tennis and golf. as well as kitesurfing and recently wing foiling.

Rachel Thomas: Following a trip to Sri Lanka with an unlikely Oundle group, I moved to a city I had never been to, to study a subject I knew very little about. Fortunately, geology sparked my interest and I had a very happy four years in Bristol, so much so that aside from a brief spell on the EDF Environmental Science grad scheme, I never left. Although my degree had lined me up for a career in mining or oil and gas, I turned my sights towards the low carbon energy sector. The grad scheme took me to all corners of the UK to spend time at each of EDF’s power stationsstanding atop a nuclear reactor was a real buzz - before starting a role on the Hinkley Point C project in Bristol. Though I haven’t written much new music since school, I still do a lot of singing and perform at open mic nights when I can. This said, scuba diving is still my favoured hobby: shame the Bristol Channel is as clear as mud!

Sarah Twaite: After Oundle I spent four years at Imperial where I studied mechanical engineering. After graduating, I joined the actuarial grad scheme at Deloitte where I met my boyfriend, following which I have been working as an actuary at a reinsurance broker in London. However, in September I will be returning to Imperial to study for a Master’s in environmental technology with the view of making a job change and embarking on a sustainability focused career in the future. Outside work, I bought a house with my boyfriend in the first Covid lockdown and aside from an endless list of DIY projects we enjoy cycling, walking and camping. I also stay in touch with a fair few Oundelians: I am off on a surfing holiday with Christine Chan and Lottie Wood this summer (to celebrate a decade since our interrailing trip!) and go on an annual ski trip with Francis Kwong

Megan Waind: I spent a great four years in Edinburgh, followed by a year hitchhiking from Mexico to Patagonia, before studying cyber security at UCL: the natural progression from geography? This led to me working as a cyber analyst in the private sector for a few years before moving to the civil service. I have loved these past five years in London, seeing Oundle friends often and still playing netball every week. I will always cherish my time in New House and the years I spent living with my sister Ellie (N 14) who sadly passed away from cancer while at university.

Emily Williams: At Stanford University I studied geology and environmental communication. While there, I learned to rock climb and loved to spend time exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains. After university, I taught environmental education to elementary school students and worked as a research associate in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford, studying how people learn about climate change. I now live in the mountains in Carbondale, Colorado, with my partner John, working for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Outside work I love to rock climb, backcountry ski and mountain bike. I also spend time with my brother Benedict Williams (Sc) and family in Montana, hiking and skiing.

Lottie Wood: I worked at Chatsworth House prior to volunteering in the Seychelles and visiting South East Asia and Europe. I read geography at Newcastle University and later returned for a graduate diploma in finance and accounting. Avoiding the pull south to London, I worked in childcare on a ski season, sustainability at an environmental awards company and then returned to Chatsworth for two years. I have just left my job working for luxury childrenswear brand, Olivier London, in their Derbyshire office. Perhaps now is the time to finally follow the crowd to London, though the lure of abroad seems more likely.

Susie Wylie: Since leaving Oundle I’ve moved around a fair bit: starting in London, then to Spain, on to Chicago and have now ended up in Denver. I currently work in compliance within the medical research industry and I spend my free time skiing and hiking in the Rockies and walking my dog.

SANDERSON

Victoria Bevan: Went to Australia, went to Asia, went to some raves, went to Bristol, went to some more raves, remember a few nights, don’t remember others, read some books, wrote some essays, went to Europe, did my finals, danced 50 per cent clothed, worked in marketing, became abundantly curious, scrapped that, changed to UX, bossed it 24/7, lived in New York, went on some dates, lived the high life, came back to London, bossed it some more.

Alice Goodman: After Oundle I went to study psychology at Exeter University. I kept up Oundle Mencap for seven years and helped start a new holiday for the last five years. OSMH basically started my career, I completed a PGCE year and worked as an SEN teacher in Northampton for four years. Despite spending all my free time fostering every animal under the sun, I am now starting my own business using my new pup in animal assisted therapy for people with additional needs and the elderly to access the community and education. Fingers crossed people will pay me to spend all day with my dog.

Natasha Junor: I went to study politics and Eastern European studies at UCL. Enthused by academic life, and confused about what to do next, I continued with an MA in international peace and security at KCL. For the first six years, I was largely out of the country, mostly studying under yoga teachers in South Asia. After a stint in ad production and continued rejections from the Civil Service, I took the

opportunity of the pandemic to re-evaluate and battle against my intellectual snobbery: I wanted to be a yoga teacher. In 2020, I bought a house in Suffolk which I have been renovating. I now have a busy schedule teaching yoga across London. I have a network of friends who keep me sane, and I am living a life I truly love.

Imy Lenton: Post Oundle, I tried to find myself in South East Asia with Lali Findlay (W) and Annabel Troughton (W). With no luck there, I went off to Bristol, along with most of Oundle, it seemed, and studied History. I failed to find myself the first time, so I had to try again; this time I travelled South America.

On my return I worked in agencies, but soon realised that was not for me. I had such a fondness for the rules at Oundle, and so I thought Law would be a suitable profession. I am now a family law practitioner, living in Hackney with my boyfriend, just a few roads down from some of my Sando crew. My Oundle friends are still many of my closest; this year I had the honour of being maid of honour for the one and only Sacha Power (L).

Sophie May: Following Oundle and my year out I trotted over to Bristol to study archaeology and get my paws dirty. After three years of trowelling back dirt and digging up cesspits I decided to follow my passion and put my Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen pants on. I worked at Designers Guild doing PR then moved to the beautiful world of hand painted wallpaper at de Gournay where I now remain. I take both pleasure and sadness in the fact that I may never be able to afford the product. However, the long-term plan is to hopefully run my own business, so who knows. I luckily still keep in touch with the Sanderson lot and will continue to do so, with no time at all feeling like it has passed between each gathering.

Sophie Reynolds: It was Mr Taylor’s video lessons that inspired me to continue my study of rocks and waterfalls at Edinburgh University.

Here, I spent four wonderful years living with Ellie Smith, including a year abroad in Grenoble, France, where I got credits to ski twice a week and lived with a French family. Back in Edinburgh, we often went to visit the other half of Sanderson in Bristol. With very few ideas of what to do with my colouring degree, I went to work at the Foreign Office in Beijing for one and a half years. Highlights include performing in a local Tibetan dance show, mastering the skill of squatting and travelling around Yunnan with Bry. I’ve spent most of my working years in the prison sector, starting with two years as a prison officer at the notorious Wormwood Scrubs, where I was known as ‘Miss Silver Spoon’ (thanks Oundle). I’ve recently made the transition to healthtech and I teach pilates in the evenings/weekends. I’m also back with the boyfriend I originally met at Oundle!

Sophie Scott: Five things of note from the past ten years:

1. After an illustrious career on top pitches, I finally realised that, as a vegetarian, I don’t like sausage, and I now have a wee Scottish girlfriend who is the light of my life.

2. I founded my own company selling velvet flares and crop tops and even had my mega crush Brie Larson wear some.

3. Found my footy soul sisters at Goal Diggers where I am now an avid and active member.

4. I’ve been to hospital countless times (silly me!), most notably with my ex where let’s just say I lost control of all bodily functions.

5. I’m currently a very successful data analyst in London and love going to the pub with my amazing friends.

Ally Seward: Ten years later, it’s safe to say the Sanderson girls are still my closest friends. I currently live with Sophie Reynolds and Victoria Bevan in Haggerston, with Sophie Scott and Imy Lenton just around the corner, and a spare room ready for Bryony Whitaker and Ellie Smith when they visit. Whilst they have remained a constant, a few things have changed. After leaving

school I went on to study French and Spanish at Bristol University and spent an amazing year working in Paris with Abi Hill (D) and Mexico with Ellie Smith. After lots of last-minute essay submissions, I graduated and moved to London. I started my career working in marketing at Coca Cola and have since moved to Deliveroo. I have itchy feet at the moment, so I’m keen to head further afield in the next few years, possibly back to Paris but we’ll see!

Ellie Smith: Following school, I spent four years in Edinburgh studying French and Spanish. My year out took me to the unlikely destinations of Monterrey (the Mexican one), Lima and Grenoble as I dabbled in the corporate world of soft beverages and Erasmus socials. London beckoned and I discovered the world of market research and brand strategy. Five years on and I am pleased to say I have gone from researching toilet cleaner in rural China to positioning premium skincare: a career that has allowed me to travel and put my degree to some use. I moved to Paris in February 2020, just in time for confinement. The Sanderson girls were a huge source of comfort and amusement as we rediscovered that well-known feeling of Oundle cabin fever. Ten years on, I’ve joined Kantar Paris, I have some actual French friends and a Carte Blanche Eurostar membership.

Bryony Whitaker: After leaving Oundle I realised my childhood ambition and became a vet, completing a five-year veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. I then took a gap year during which I did a ski season in St Anton, Austria and a summer season working on the beach at the Peligoni Club Zakynthos, Greece. The best times! Realising that I wasn’t cut out for life as a civilian vet, I joined the army as a veterinary officer, commissioning from Sandhurst in November 2017. I now look after the military working dogs in Rutland and am currently looking for a cottage to buy in Uppingham (sorry

team!) I spend my free time being active outdoors and enjoy triathlon training, skiing, hiking and wild swimming with my army dentist boyfriend Simon and our beautiful Labrador Bryn, from the finest Hudson breeding stock. My best friends are and always will be the incredible Sanderson girls!

SCHOOL HOUSE

Felix Austin: All started well when I landed my dream job as an interior designer with Oliver Burns. However, this dream was cut short by late onset colour blindness when I fitted a burgundy bathroom suite instead of a pistachio one. After being chased out of the big city for this faux pas I headed to the country to regroup. After a couple of years of small jobs and assorted vagrancy I rediscovered my purpose. I managed to secure a highly competitive job as an alpaca groomer at the award winning Barnacre Farm. Last year I groomed my first alpaca and I haven’t looked back.

Hugo Bussell: I spent half a year teaching English in China: great time, awful teacher. Studied history at both KCL and LSE, then became a civil servant for three years. Grew a moustache. Had to leave the country, so moved to New Zealand. Now working for Jacinda developing science policy. Just finished filming my long awaited first appearance on a reality TV show. Aroha mai Aotearoa.

James Dorrell: Spent a fantastic three years down in Bristol studying classics before returning home to spend the next four years variously working at the local butcher’s and behind the bar in the pub, studying for a law conversion, playing a bit of village cricket and travelling round Pakistan, India, Australia, the Caribbean and South America. When I came back, I moved to Cambridge to start working as a lawyer and have been there ever since.

Alec Fennell: Before uni, I travelled through most of Eastern and Southern Africa with James Hunt Then to Bristol to study theology: loved it. Moved to London and lived with James Hunt. Mistakenly trained as an accountant; took far too long to stop being an accountant. Still see James Hunt all too often and regularly, and easily, beat him on the golf course.

Harry Field: I travelled for a very long time before four phenomenal years on the Scottish coast. A strange stint in the Far East followed and Hong Kong had its way with me. Shortly after, I started my very first nine-to-five outside the adult entertainment industry, despite what many people had predicted. Then, a redundancy and coding course soon after, forming careers in data science and part-time golf through lockdown from a Portuguese seaside town. Now I’m a struggling back-end developer, who’s soon to move in with a short-suffering girlfriend. Excited about playing football, paddle and hockey regularly again after over four years on the treatment table. Ten years is a long time, although I’m yet to find any kebab shop that can hold a candle to Eastern Spices.

James Hunt: Following a highly enjoyable gap year travelling around Africa with Alec Fennell, I went to Bristol University to study economics and politics, where I was joined by - Alec! After four years of enjoying my time and arguing with radical left-wing lecturers, only one firm offered me a job so I packed my bags for London. I have worked at Berenberg Bank since as a stockbroker focusing on UK equities. In reality, I spend most of my time telling unsuspecting clients why I think Greggs and JD Wetherspoons are the best businesses in the UK: and they still pay me to do it. Outside work, I can be found hacking golf balls around South London, frequenting a variety of sporting fixtures (including wasting time supporting York City) or probably wincing at spending north of £6 a

pint. Unfortunately, I have had to say goodbye to living with Alec, having bought a property with my girlfriend in Wandsworth.

George Scrupps: I spent six months getting kicked in the head in Thailand. After that, a stint with a tropical virus made the uni experience slightly different to most. Managing to keep it off the record, I then spent six years in the Middle East and Africa, coming close to fulfilling my leaver’s book prediction a few times. Multiple illnesses and injuries later have forced me to get a real job. I still lack the creativity Miss Pontifax mentioned in my GCSE art report, so am aiming for an investment bank or consultancy.

Benedict Williams: After leaving School House, I had a wonderful time studying music at the University of York and went on to postgraduate harpsichord studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Subsequently, my music career has taken me around the world: from the Wigmore Hall to Seville, Shanghai and South America. Outside music, I enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, whether it be fly-fishing, mountain-biking, skiing or hiking.

London Marathon for the Anthony Nolan Foundation. For the past six years I have, for my sins, lived, and continue to do so, in London with Henry Spencer

Luke Cuthbert: When I left Oundle, I spent six months in Seoul, trying and somewhat failing to learn Korean. I then studied theology at Bristol uni. Even before graduating, I knew a priest’s life was not for me but for some reason decided being a lawyer would be better and embarked on a law conversion and worked as a paralegal. This was also rather dull. However, other than the nine-to-five, I spent a happy six years in Bristol, even living with Jeremy Steel for a couple of years, one of which was in a house of 12. Realising I didn’t have the intellect or work ethic for law, I quit, moved to London and have been in the civil service for the last couple of years. I now focus on international policy which is a tad more interesting and continue to regularly see Freddie Scriven (StA), George Chudley and William Hudson (L).

SIDNEY

George Buchan: I spent time working on a game reserve with Ed Cubitt and went travelling around South East Asia with George Salisbury and Jeremy Steel. I studied politics and theology at Exeter and spent my holidays working against Scottish independence, studying History of Art in Italy and working on a game reserve in Tanzania. Subsequently, I worked for five years for a political campaigns company, specialising in opinion research. During that time, I worked on successful political campaigns around the world. I am now head of research and insight for a strategy firm based in Notting Hill. In 2021 I ran the Edinburgh Marathon and am running the 2022

Oliver Hickson: When I left Oundle I moved up to Aberdeen to continue my studies. Once those finished, I began working in the leisure industry up there and stayed until my fiancée was offered a job in London. We moved down there and during the lockdowns my industry took a blow, so I retrained as a bookkeeper. Since the lockdowns finished, I have restarted my career, this time in finance. This has allowed me to buy a flat in London and my wife and I are slowly building a life together in the capital.

Richard Giles: I studied history at the University of Edinburgh. I travelled during holidays and post-graduation and almost stayed in Edinburgh before eventually moving to London to work in executive search. After five years in a search firm, I moved into a private equity fund where I place C-suite and board level executives into the portfolio’s management teams. I still play tennis and hockey often, these days for the HAC. I have lived with George

Marment for the last five years and continue to do so, though sadly we will finally be leaving Clapham this year.

Jonny Kemp: Upon leaving Oundle I secured my first job at Browston Hall Carvery, at that time under the strict management of Greg Michel. I moved onto ski instructing in Austria for six months, followed by travelling in South America: all with great mates from school. Having spent all of that time with Will Mackenzie, I headed off after him to Bristol University, scraping a First in economics and management. Early retail successes running the Sidney House tuck trade with Bertie Darrell alongside the homebrew business, gave me great foundations to start my own company after university: a vintage clothing e-commerce business. Having managed to secure Charlie Chambers (S 11) as a member of the extended team, the business has grown quickly over a few years. I made great friends at Oundle and happily still see a lot of them out and about in East London, which is now home.

Angus Marshall: Following school I spent a few months in New Zealand before embarking on a further five years at the University of Edinburgh studying chemical engineering. After graduation I continued along the engineering path, moving first down to Sheffield and then north to Aberdeen to do work in the energy transition. More recently I find myself back in Edinburgh developing direct air capture projects. Outside work I have played a lot of dreich Scottish rugby, albeit at a very social level, with time spent with the university club and Edinburgh Academicals before hanging up my boots after a title winning season with Deeside RFC in the prestigious Caledonia North 4.

James Morse: I left Oundle to study zoology at Anglia Ruskin University. I’ve lived in and around Cambridge ever since. I’ve worked in a variety of medical device fields but currently I’m working on manufacturing

disinfectants for surfaces and medical devices. This couldn’t have kept me busier during Covid and lockdown which has meant I managed to complete some research and development to get my name on a couple of patents. I’ve since bought my first place in Ely and plan on staying in the area for a while.

George Salisbury: I took a year out to re-apply to university and go travelling with George Buchan and Jeremy Steel to South East Asia. Anyone that knew/knows us can only imagine how cultural that experience truly turned out to be! On my return I studied real estate management at Oxford Brookes and on graduation I joined Knight Frank as a graduate surveyor. After a further two years of training, I became chartered (MRICS) and, since the pandemic, have moved to a private equity firm where I am now an asset manager working in the alternative sectors. Outside work, I am still a keen sports player and can either be found on the golf course, the cricket pitch or out on a bike ride. Additionally, I have just moved, with my girlfriend, into our first home in Clapham and we are currently planning on adding a dog to the fray.

Guy Sargent: After Oundle I read classics at Durham, where I had a great time doing not a lot of work. After that I worked in the directing and locations departments for TV and film, from tiny TV shows to big blockbusters, like Justice League and Aladdin. But then I figured it was time to prove our housemaster Mr Symes wrong about videogames being a waste of time and did a two-year postgrad in videogame design at the NFTS, where I was one of the three finalists at the student BAFTAs for my grad game CoVRt Operation. I now work as a game designer at the VR videogame studio Maze Theory.

Jeremy Steel: I went to Edinburgh University with seemingly half of our year at Oundle and spent five years there studying for a Master’s in civil engineering. In the summers, I did

trips to South East Asia with George Buchan and George Salisbury and Brazil for the Football World Cup with Rory Dowie (F) and Richard Joicey (L 11). Finally having to face the real world, I moved down to Bristol with Luke Cuthbert and got a job at Mott MacDonald as a structural engineer. After three fantastic years I transferred with the same company to Vancouver, where I eventually thought I had escaped from Oundelians, until Caroline Alms moved over shortly afterwards. I am coming to the end of my secondment so will shortly be transferring back to the UK, but I am taking six months in between to go travelling.

Maurice Zard: The ten years after Oundle were anything but certain. I took a year out to swap from english literature to civil engineering and got lucky with an industry-backed scholarship to Imperial College. The next four years were tough but ultimately I had a great time playing water polo, volunteering abroad and enjoying all that London had to offer on the days I had any brain cells to spare. I worked as a structural engineer for three years designing stadiums, hospitals, housing, offices and some crazy concept ideas for everything from airport terminals to theme parks. I left to complete a computing science Master’s at Imperial College for a year during the pandemic where I worked with a recycling company to improve their machine learning capabilities for object detection and sorting. Now I’m a software engineer at a cloudbanking company, riding a learning curve that after two years doesn’t show any sign of levelling off.

ST ANTHONY

Jon Allen: Ten and a half years since Guy made his ‘In ten years time’ Christmas dinner speech, I’m happy to report I’ve fulfilled most of his cliché expectations. A gap year, four years in Edinburgh (with half of Oundle) and four years and counting in Southwest London. Somehow still

with my much better half, albeit on series two after first meeting at Sunny Hunny 12 years ago! Just need a Labrador.

Henry Beckwith: Since leaving Oundle, I’ve done a wide variety of things really. Highlights include training in martial arts, a threemonth trip travelling through Scandinavia on horse-back, living in Guatemala for a couple years working for a chocolate NGO and becoming an accountant.

Evan Bolle Jones: Since leaving school I have completed my Master’s in mechanical engineering at Durham whilst also continuing my passion to row throughout my degree. As with many people, finding a job after university was tricky and so I had a year out applying to graduate schemes until I got lucky with one application offering me a role. In the meantime, I learnt I had a knack for teaching skiing in Switzerland even without speaking any languages! I continued my year out supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in Kenya as part of the UKAid ICS program. Finally ready to start a working career, five years after leaving school, I joined the nuclear industry. I have had the chance to work across the country from Sheffield to Bristol and even Plymouth before traveling abroad to Canada. My highlights were between training for my first half marathon in Algonquin Park and coming across black bear cubs (cute but terrifying knowing mum wasn’t far away) and doing a diplomatic tour of Chernobyl. I returned to Sheffield three years ago and have led the graduate scheme, turning my

enjoyment for teaching into enthusiasm to mentor. During Covid, I hatched a plan with some mates from university to undertake a world’s first Ironman with a difference: rowing the 18km of lake Windermere instead of swimming 4km, and in doing so continuing a passion started at Oundle. This raised over £6,000 for Mind and the National Trust though I shall never push my body to this level again! Looking forward to next year: StA have a reunion lunch arranged and I have recently got a new job, so am excited to be moving to Bristol in summer of 2023.

Henry Eayrs: In 2012 I went travelling to Australia for six months where I did a harvest near Perth. From there I went to Sydney, Brisbane and up to the Whitsundays. Chartered a boat to sail around with some Aussie relatives of George who I was travelling with, fishing and a lot of juvenile partying. We then flew over to New Zealand for a few weeks meeting up with friends and travelling north to south in a

who at the time farmed 55,000 ha of land across the UK and had started to move into Europe too. I was based in Salisbury for a year before moving to run a farm in Newmarket. I loved working for Velcourt. After four years, dad was having a change of staff at the home farm near Huntingdon and told me he was ready for me to run the business.

Before doing this, I did two weeks on boats. The first was the yacht week in Croatia with another former Newcastle agric, then we moved on to sailing around Sardinia. I’m living in a barn conversion on the farm with my girlfriend Ellie who runs two businesses from home. I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing the Oundle boys at the reunion!

Guy Hodgkinson: A whirling decade. I was very proud to be a part of the Ice Bucket challenge. Thanks to millions dumping cold ice over themselves, more than US$115 million was raised for ALS awareness and research in mid-2014. Just goes to show what can happen when we learn to work in harmony with the

campervan: an amazing country. On return I helped dad with harvest before I did three years at Newcastle uni studying agriculture. Safe to say, this was the best three years I’ve had and looking back I certainly made the most of the Geordie lifestyle as a Newcastle agric. After graduating, I got on the management scheme for a farming company called Velcourt

climate and each other. When living in Glasgow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland I saw Kevin Bridges perform five times; he also happened to be involved in the Ice Bucket Challenge and we had no idea we were part of that together. I’ve acquired a lot of plants over the last decade some of which are thriving and others I have lost along

S Guy Hodgkinson, Jon Allen, Henry Beckwith, Evan Bolle-Jones, Freddie McAlpine, Sam Wong, Henry Spencer, George Westwood, Will McKenzie

S Jon Allen (StA)

the way. I’ve also been on many marches in many different countries in many different continents. I saw Herr Watson in Oxford not too long ago; he wasn’t marching and he was quite far away, but he did that walk to Rome which I would love to do one day. I still see my pals from Oundle and alongside working in film and TV and maybe theatre again one day: who knows. The last ten years have been fantastic and testing. I’m looking forward to the next ten. More of the same I hope, just maybe more wine.

Will Mackenzie: I’m conscious about boring people with my life events over the past decade so here are the highlights from the last ten weeks instead: attended two gigs, two

in different galleries and spaces, I recently opened Ginny on Frederick in Farringdon. Housed in an old sandwich shop, Ginny is focused on supporting emerging artists working across a range of media, including sculpture, painting, installation and performance. Frieze listed the space as one of its top ten exhibitions of 2021. I am mostly proud and grateful for the love and friendship of the incredible women I met whilst at Oundle: Abi, Georgia, Sacha, Sophie, Josie, Honor and Lily.

Freddie Scriven: Usual tricks I suppose: year off, Newcastle University, a career as an insurance broker in the City and now living in London with my girlfriend. We’ll likely get a small dog soon. But I’ve been fortunate enough to keep in touch with many OOs along the way. I’ve visited 17 countries with them. Lived with four of them in three houses. Been to three awesome weddings of five of my closest OOs. Numerous 21sts, engagement parties, house warmings, leaving do’s, meeting girlfriends, boyfriends, and cheering drag karaoke. Jonny Kemp (S) and I also crossed the line before Will Hudson (L) and Patch Russell (Ldr) in a very long running race, which is probably my greatest achievement.

festivals, kissed five people (all platonic), one missed doctor’s appointment, an £80 parking fine, read zero books, United finished sixth in the league, I quit my job, got a tattoo, one wedding and a baby (my sister’s, not mine) and am still friends with Jonny Kemp (haven’t made many new ones since, surely no coincidence). Looking ahead, I expect more of the same whilst simultaneously saving the world in my new life of private equity, investing in renewables.

Freddie Powell: Ten years later, I am amicably divorced from the boys of StA and living back in London after four wonderful years at the Rhode Island School of Design studying printmaking. After a number of jobs

Henry Spencer: After Oundle I took the decision to move to Cape Town for a roll of the dice at professional rugby. Unsurprisingly that didn’t materialise and I returned to England to begin three years at Loughborough University studying history and politics. Having successfully achieved the necessary, I started a graduate programme at Aon and began my career in insurance. One week shy of five years passed and I decided it was time for a move. Something different: a new challenge. I now work at Marsh doing exactly the same job as before. Insurance and Lloyd’s of London has become home to many OOs, and I regularly spot former housemate Freddie Scriven patrolling the escalators or on the hunt for his morning bacon

sandwich. Outside the workplace, egg chasing continues and I am about to begin my seventh season for Rosslyn Park where I can often be found testing out the strength of the subs’ bench on a Saturday afternoon.

Sam Wong: I studied at the Universiy of Edinburgh. You can take the boy out of Oundle but you cannot take Oundle away from the boy: as I was in the same class with Fraser Padmore (C 11) for nearly every course (though I am 99 per cent sure that he does not know my name, nor the fact that I went to Oundle). And wherever I sat in the library, I could always still hear Jon Allen’s chortle. Four pleasant years later, I was fortunate to join a burgeoning San Francisco based start-up company that allowed me to travel between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Shanghai and Hong Kong. In 2019, I decided to become a solicitor so I completed the Graduate Diploma in law and legal practice course whilst taking a ridiculous amount of study-leaves from work. I will start my training contract in 2023 with the Government Legal Department and I am currently a paralegal with the Ministry of Justice Legal Advisors, working on the Bill of Rights. I married my long-term partner of six years during Covid and we moved back to the UK in January 2022. Time flies.

WYATT

Josie Buck: Since leaving Oundle, I found my passion: being a small cog in a very big machine. After university, I joined the Procter & Gamble grad scheme. However, I didn’t feel quite small enough so moved to Amazon. Outside work, I spend a lot of time with the friends I made at Oundle and a lucky few outsiders who come close to comparing.

Lali Findlay: Following an adventurous gap year with Annabel Troughton (W) and Imy Lenton (Sn)

S Jonny Kemp, (S) Will Mackenzie (StA) and Ellie Smith (Sn)

in South East Asia, I ended up at Oxford Brookes to study anthropology. I had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed my course, although it proved slightly irrelevant in my future career as a PA in London. I did this for three years and then decided to head off to South America in a van for six months and reassess the situation. After returning, I found a job working in a similar role for a start up but finally accepted that I was not destined for a role involving 90 per cent organisational skills. I am currently very happily working in interior design and am in the process of moving to Hertfordshire with my new little Dalmatian puppy Corelli.

Candice Kwok: After Oundle, I studied law at Nottingham University. I then moved to London to do a Master’s at Imperial Business School and did some travelling before selling my soul to the corporate world. I’m now working as an investment funds lawyer in the City and enjoy catching up with fellow OOs.

Kirsty Landale: Since taking A levels and realising exams aren’t really my thing, I thought what better than to re-join the education system as a teacher. I trained at Roehampton University and spent

four years. In exchange for very little sleep, I did get a chance to live in Italy for a year and then Singapore, so no complaints. After being cooped up in the pandemic, I went to town in 2021 and changed it all up. I got a dog called Spud (with thanks to Ally Seward), a husband called Tom, a flat near to some of my favourite OOs in east London, and a change of job. Now working as an employment lawyer at Condé Nast, I’m living between London and an army house in Suffolk, that’s very reminiscent of School with mostly magnolia walls and sparkly lino flooring.

five years teaching in London before moving to Nairobi two years ago. I now teach in an international school in central Nairobi and spend my weekends waiting for Wyatt girls to come and visit me. I married Patch Russell (Ldr) in 2020 after a few Covid wedding cancellations. Many of our friends are OOs and we frequently get together.

Alice Luxmoore-Styles: After a rather odd gap year, having to cancel my plans to have an ankle operation, I ventured up north to Edinburgh for four years graduating in 2017 with a 2:1 in sports management. I then headed down to the big smoke, did a bit of temping, working at LTA and ATP Tour finals for six months. I ended up in one of the few industries where you don’t even need any A levels or a degree: estate agents. My career at Strutt and Parker started in 2018 in the Sloane Street office. I did a few more exams and then went to the Parsons Green office. I’m now heading up the whole of Southeast England in the country house team, selling prime property. So, if any of you successful lot are wanting to venture this way, do get in touch.

Alice Rockall: I still can’t quite believe it’s been ten years since we all left! After school, I studied law at Uni and went on to join a law firm for

Michelle Simon: Four years of university in rural Massachusetts was a culture shock after Oundle. But after finding a great group of friends and getting my degree in information retrieval and Chinese, I was off to New York. I spent two years there, one of which was at grad school studying journalism and after graduating I made the most of my student visa and went to California for six months to work at a local newspaper there. Unable to get a longer-term work visa thanks to Mr Trump, I came back to the UK and got the chance to reunite with Oundle friends, who I’d been missing dearly. And nearly three years later, I’m still in London, working as a video journalist for the Wall Street Journal and living with my sister and our two cats!

S Honor Whitley, Lali Findlay, Josie Buck, Annabel Troughton, Michelle Simon, Alice Rockall and Spud Rockall (all W 12)

S Alice Rockall with Lali Findlay, Michelle Simon, Annabel Troughton, and Josie Buck

Annabel Troughton: After a gap year around India and South East Asia with Lali Findlay and Imy Lenton (Sn), I headed to Bristol to study history of art. Three years flew by with lots of fun, mostly with other OOs, and very few lectures and I then headed off to work for an art investment fund in London, where I managed some amazing sales of contemporary art and jewellery around the world. I have since moved a bit more mainstream and work in asset management sales and am living in Peckham with my boyfriend. So thrilled to still see so

many Oundle friends in London and especially our group of Wyatt girls who I consider sisters.

Honor Whitley: Ten years on you’ll find me splitting my time between London and Paris. Merci beaucoup Madame Page for teaching me some great French pick up lines that helped me kick start my adventure there. Thankfully my French is now a little more fluent. From barista to the stars to working with ministries of education, my career has been a bit of a mix. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to see what happens next.

Olivia Wylie: After a gap year I completed a degree at Queen Mary University, during which I spent every free hour performing in other London universities’ musical theatre shows. Not ready to give up on the acting dream after graduating, I mustered up the courage to apply to drama school. In 2019, I completed an MA in music theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, though Covid swiftly saw the closure of all live performances five months after graduating. Optimistic that working abroad as an entertainer would be fun (it turned out not to be), I did a stint in Cyprus followed by a cruise ship contract. Both were huge learning experiences which I hope to never again endure. I’m now back in Hackney, gigging across the UK and Europe and enjoying life as a creative freelancer.

Alexandra Yoong: After qualifying from King’s College London, I moved to the Isle of Wight for my first job as a dentist. I have been nomadic ever since, moving around over the last three years for training posts in oral and maxillofacial surgery. I miss my night shifts, oddly enough. I am now a community dental officer based in Surrey, focusing on adults and children with additional needs and dental anxiety.

S Alice Rockall, (W) Lali Findlay, (W) Annabel Troughton, (W) Sophie Parshall, (K) Georgia Sherlock, (Sn) Josie Buck, (W) Victoria Bevan (Sn) and Imy Lenton (Sn)

The Long Hard Road to Overnight Success

■ Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59)

InMay I had the thrill of hearing actors say lines I had written and see scenes and characters I had imagined come to life on a movie set. After a lifetime as a professional writer and several attempts at film scripts, a screenplay of mine was finally coming off the pages and into the can. It will be months before the editing, mixing and fixing is completed, but one day soon I hope to see my creation on screen. It’s taken more than 60 years to see the culmination of a dream.

Climbing up the rickety staircase to a cold and gloomy schoolroom in a grotty two-storey brick building behind the Cloisters, I looked forward to the intellectual warmth within. There, two exceptional

teachers instilled in me a love of the English language, reading and writing. The first was Lt Col GD ‘Chaps’ Anderson, whose fierce countenance as commanding officer of the Combined Cadet Force belied his joyous approach to our language and his ability to stay one page ahead of his pupils. He came late to teaching after wartime service which saw him surviving Dunkirk and being dropped into Burma with the legendary Chindits. He never remembered our names: to him we were all ‘chaps,’ hence his nickname. In my final year, along came Marc van Hasselt, a gentler man who endeared himself to me with his love of dinghy sailing, the only Oundle sport at which I excelled. We did not

know that he was a genuine war hero, commanding an amphibious tank at D Day.

These gentlemen, old school that they were, convinced us that the tortures of grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, irregular verbs and all the rest were a worthwhile pursuit. Chaps drilled us like privates on parade. As well as Shakespeare, MvH made us read Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers and I amazed myself by thoroughly enjoying it. The story: while on a sailing trip, two young adventurers uncover a secret German plot to invade England. Sailing and spies? What’s not to like?

Remember the Seven Ages of Man stained-glass windows in the Chapel? I am sure most of us emulated ‘… the whining school-boy, with his… shining morning face, creeping like snail, unwillingly to school.’ But I looked forward to those long-ago English classes as a welcome break from the tedium of other subjects at which I was much less successful.

It must have all sunk in as I survived my exams and left Oundle for a gap year before university.

And that was that: never got to uni. Instead, that fortuitous meeting was the beginning of a career that took me from writing society notes on a weekly newsmagazine, through advertising, public relations and thence to many years in broadcasting. My first byline was in 1960. My most recent was last week, still churning out words after all these years.

First there were a few years at BBC in London, then a posting to Montreal for Expo ’67. After that I

S The author checks the shot on the Key to Love set.

INT - A COLONIAL BAR IN KENYA CIRCA 1959 - DAY

A fresh faced 17 year-old, NIGEL, is sitting at the bar nursing a beer. He is very pale, unlike a couple of colonial FARMERS drinking in the background, burned bronze by the sun. A red-faced older man, wearing a rumpled white linen suit and a bow tie, enters and sits at the other end of the bar. He is the

EDITOR of the local newspaper, the latest copy folded under his arm. He speaks to the uniformed BARTENDER.

EDITOR (Speaking Swahili.) Lete whisky soda na barafu!

BARTENDER Ndiyo.

EDITOR (Turning to the teenager.) Just out from home?

NIGEL Yes, sir.

EDITOR What school?

NIGEL Oundle, sir.

EDITOR

Good school. Did you know… no, of course not. Before your time. How are you at English?

NIGEL

Got two English O Levels, sir.

EDITOR

Excellent. Are you staying in the country long?

NIGEL

Yes, sir. My father has just been posted here. I’m meeting him when he finishes work.

EDITOR

What are you going to do?

A businessman dressed in a lightweight suit enters. He is Nigel’s FATHER.

FATHER He’s going to get a job, isn’t that right, son?

NIGEL

I thought I might look around first. Get to know the country.

EDITOR

Nonsense. Plenty of time for that. I’ve got an opening for a bright young man. Come and see me Monday.

FATHER He’ll be there.

was picked up by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and spent many years writing, producing and directing hundreds of shows: dramas, music shows, game shows, chat shows, soap operas and more. During the 80s, having written dozens of TV scripts, I tried my hand at a few feature film screenplays, but none were optioned.

One day, a publisher read a foodie column of mine in a singles magazine and offered me the chance to write a cookbook for bachelors who couldn’t cook. How to Eat Well and Stay Single was born, a modest paperback success. That was followed by a couple of other books: lightweight

the title page.

A couple of years ago, a film producer friend suggested I try my hand at writing a feature film script. She needed product in the romance genre and was generous in her expectation that I could find my feet in a new medium. I pitched her a few ideas and she liked one about a boy and his single mom who eventually finds romance. With infinite patience she gave me advice and suggestions and after about 40 rewrites, I came up with a script which she was kind enough to option. A tough learning experience but an excellent tutor. It was a Christmas romance, a popular sub-genre in streaming video, and might have been shot by now, but for the wretched pandemic.

However, my next effort proved easier to sell and after a mere 39 rewrites she optioned Key to Love. Earlier this year, I received the exciting news that the film was going into production. I won’t spoil the fun and reveal the plot, but suffice to say Key to Love involves a mysterious key, romance and a Viking. Because of the genre, there’s no sex, no nudity and no profanity. Only the Viking is topless. The single smooch is in the closing scene.

FADE TO:

stuff of no real consequence, although both were well received. Meanwhile the world of corporate video beckoned. There was a long gap before my second and third cookbooks were published electronically. Not unsurprisingly, there’s not the same thrill with eBooks as opening a box of real books fresh from the printer and physically holding your work. It’s the same lack of sensation with television. Sure, there’s a momentary thrill when you watch the show on television and see your name briefly on the screen, but I got more of a kick when I held a finished script in my hands and saw my writing credit on

In showbiz, it’s bad luck to talk about future projects, but suffice to say, my next script is far more ambitious. This one has plenty of action, sex, profanity and violence. I might even throw in a little romance.

Everyone knows that there’s no such thing as an overnight success. But the solid grounding that two teachers at Oundle gave me, plus some hard learned lessons from the Kenya Weekly News editor, encouraged me to take up the new challenge of writing film scripts. Age is not an obstacle: two things count for more – determination and experience. Confidence is another useful attribute, again learned at Oundle, which allowed me to sit in a newsroom at 17 or tackle a film script at 70.

Marriages

Victoria Benson (K 04) and Seb Steane (StA 05) were married on 7 August 2021 in Horninghold, Leicestershire.

Ed Bury (Ldr 06) and Katherine King were married on 4 June 2022 in Bordeaux, France.

James Cubitt (G 10) was married in 2021.

Georgie Davies (K 12) and Dom Titcomb (G 11) were married in June 2022 in Wiveton, Norfolk.

Nick Dyson (B 07) and Katherine Wynter were married on 11 September 2021 in Colchester, Essex.

Thomas Hoyle (Sc 03) and Amy Wong were married on 4 December 2021 at Hampton Court House, Richmond.

Ross Kemp (S 95) and Manuela Impellizzeri were married on 3 June 2022 in Rome, Italy.

Nicolas Kernick (L 10) and Paula were married in December 2020.

Maximilian Lefort (F 08) and Gea Ermotti were married on 9 April 2022 at Kew Gardens, Richmond.

Arabella Paske (N 06) and James Townley were married on 26 September 2020.

Jamie Piggins (G 12) and Hannah were married in April 2022.

Sacha Power (L 12) and Jonny were married in May 2022.

Mark Robson (G 12) and Brontë were married in 2019 in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Sophie Steel (D 10) and Angus Walker were married on 28 May 2022.

Peter Siggs (G 61) and Rhoda Ellen Miller have become civil partners.

Tom Traill (G 05) and Maria Diggle were married on 21 April 2022.

Greg Whitaker (Sc 10) and Helen Battrick were married on 25 June 2022.

Sam Young (G 09) and Hattie Ince were married on 28 May 2022.

S Rory Marr (C 89) and Luci were married on 25 June 2022 in Wylam, Northumberland.

S William Lowe and Hannah were married at St Nicholas Church, Tackley on 21 May 2022.

S Kirsty Landale (W 12) and Patch Russell (Ldr 12) were married on 11 August 2020.

S David Owen (F 03) and Rozanne Farris were married on 27 June 2022 in Abu Dhabi.

S Konstantin Von Bar (C 99) and Antonia Scherenberg were married in September 2021 at the bride’s parents’ home near Cologne, Germany.

S S ophie Wake (L 07) and Geoffrey Cliff were married in August 2021 at the Ashton Estate, Northamptonshire.

Births

To Arabella Townley née Paske (N 06) and James, sons Atticus Peregrine on 8 July 2019 and Monty Blaise on 8 April 2021.

To Lucy and Tom Miller (Ldr 07) a daughter, Jemima, on 23 August 2021.

To Justin Watkins (StA 88) and Xavier Giammattei, daughters Joséphine, on 22 July 2018 and Gabrielle, on 25 August 2021.

To Maximilian Harris (StA 05) and his wife, Francesca, a daughter, Mabel, born on 20 October 2021.

To Lucy McLaren née Tusting (Sn 06) and Angus, a daughter, Alice, on 2 December 2021.

To Lucy and Chris Pollard (G 96) a daughter, Annabel Diana, on 23 December 2021.

To Paula and Nicolas Kernick (L 10) a daughter, Camila, at the end of 2021.

To Victoria Benson (K 04) and Seb Steane (StA 05) a daughter, Poppy Katina Caroline, on 1 January 2022.

To Jo Draper née Cartwright (W 05) and Tom, daughters Eleanor in October 2020 and Beatrix in February 2022.

To Gayle Marshall née Russell (L 05) and Toby, a son, Rafe in March 2022.

To Nicki and Mark Sainthill (StA 99) a son, Orlando, on 11 March 2022.

To Katie and James Holmes (Lx 97) a daughter, Jemima Grace, on 18 March 2022.

To Verity Gaston-Chaney (N 04) and Lawrence, a daughter, Lily Sienna, on 31 March 2022.

To Louisa and Harry Moule (B 07) a son, Lochlan James, on 3 April 2022.

To Angharad Norrie née Marment (D 10) and Tom, a son, Arthur Michael Clarence, on 16 May 2022.

To Alexandra Baggallay née Hill (D 03) and Merrik Baggallay (S 03), a son, Hector Charles Merrik, on 2 June 2022.

To Victoria Horncastle née Pentecost (N 07) and Ollie, a son, George Richard, on 12 July 2022.

Fraser Padmore (C 11) and Alice Birch a daughter, Stella Antonia on 12 September 2022.

S Rafe Marshall.

S Lily Sienna Gaston-Chaney.

S Noah George Meredith.

S Camila Kernick.

S Mabel Vivienne Rose Harris.

S Arthur Norrie.

Obituaries

1942

Geoffrey Grantham (B) died on 18 August 2020.

1944

Raymond J Laskey (G) died on 1 February 2020.

James ‘Jim’ Carrier (S) born 1 December 1926, died on 26 March 2022, aged 95.

Kenneth ‘Bertie’ Everard (C) died in January 2022, aged 94.

1943

Dr John M Hughes (StA) died on 28 April 2020.

Prof Edward Wilson Jones (Sn) died on 30 July 2021.

His son, James Carrier writes:

His friend, Maurice Dybeck (Sn 48) writes:

From the Oundle Archive: He was a member of the Shooting VIII and winner of the NRA Medal for the highest individual score 1943. He was awarded School colours for shooting, was a House prefect and rowed for his House.

Colin Matthewman (C) died on 1 June 2018.

Arnold Van Praag (Ldr) died on 9 September 2020.

My father passed away on a Saturday morning very peacefully at home. He was just sitting down in his chair in the snug and his carer helped him as he sat down, when he was settled, he had already passed away. How all of us wish we could have such a peaceful end. He was at Oundle during the early 1940’s where he excelled at rowing and then went to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he also rowed for Trinity and the university. His love for sailing started when he did his National Service in the Navy and continued throughout his life. His other passions were roses and gardening: green fingers he certainly had. He leaves three children James, Julie and Edwina, plus five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. We will all miss him so much, a wonderful father to us all.

I was at school with Bertie, where the boys regarded him as a swot, not always a compliment, but something he never seemed to mind. He was earnest and his intellect brought him success in the business world where he became a senior and highly regarded manager in the Group Training Centre at ICI, then one of Britain’s largest commercial enterprises. Bertie joined the Brathay Trust governing body in 1986, where I knew him for 17 years. On that body he was, I would say, the institution’s guardian of the intellectual and spiritual conscience, taking over from Polar explorer Bishop Launcelot Fleming. But his brain had firm business roots, and he was ready to question and tease out the rationale behind all our activities with both young and old. If Brathay required a fresh statement of what we were about, Bertie was the man to mastermind its production. Development

Training was the mantra for our work and he was one of the first to question exactly what that phrase really meant; he made much of it when he became the leading member of the Development Training Advisory Group, a consortium including Outward Bound and others, to promote our work countrywide. He was a leading advocate of outdoor education with YMCA, teachers, and others, taking safety issues seriously while kicking away bureaucratic hurdles. His provocative letters often appeared in education journals. He published The History of Development Training and co-authored the bestselling Effective School Management which ran to four editions. At Oundle he would have been referred to as KBE, and at his retirement from the Brathay Trustees in 2003, I ragged him, suggesting that that sounded like an honour he never got but so richly deserved. Bertie was passionate in his desire to do well for his fellow man. We at Brathay probably know only half of the good work he undertook in his local community and elsewhere. The experiential learning sector, both with young people and adults has much to thank him for. May he rest in peace.

1946

Reginald ‘Jim’ Boyce (Sc) died on 1 September 2021.

George Muller (StA) born 7 November 1928, died on 13 September 2021.

From the Pasadena Star-News on 16 October 2021:

He was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to Margaret Estin Muller and Ernest Muller. George was the oldest of two sons. His brother Frank who predeceased him was two years his junior. George spent his first seven years living in Prague. His family moved to London before Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and stayed there until his teens when his family emigrated to New York. While living in London, George and his brother attended Oundle School. George attended Tabor Academy boarding school in MA and then went on to graduate from Williams College. He thrived in many sports but tennis was his passion as he played for the Williams tennis team. Growing up in Europe he could speak six languages although he only spoke English to his children. Basic training in the Army: driving a tank was the impetus for George moving from the East to the West Coast. In 1954 he met the love of his life, Virginia Madeliene de Surville on a double date. He knew immediately she was the one and courted and married her in four

months. They spent 67 years together and had three daughters. Ginny passed just six months ago and his broken heart was very evident. George worked in the computer industry. Starting out at IBM selling mainframes. He sold computers for companies such as Friden, Vydek and Xerox. He owned Shamrock Computer Supply in his later years. George’s love of all sports was with him all his life. He played tennis from a young age until his 80’s and was a member of the Junior Davis Cup Team. If he was not on the tennis court, he was playing golf, cricket or squash. He loved the races and had a box at Santa Anita for many years. Loved to watch football and soccer or any team sport for that matter. George is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Victoria Muller and Jon Howe, Robin Muller Banks and the late Bill Banks and Mary Muller Wagner and John Wagner, as well as six grandchildren. He loved watching his grandchildren grow up and become adults. He left many memories and funny moments we all will keep with us.

1947

John Brooke (C 47) died on 30 August 2021.

Howard Allen (Sn 75) OO Lodge correspondent writes: He had been a joining member of the Old Oundelian Lodge in 1985 and filled various offices before becoming Worshipful Master in 1987, 1988 and 2011. John was Secretary from 1991 to

2001, including organising the very successful Public Schools Lodges council festival at Oundle in 1998. He always found people interesting and sought to treat everyone equally, adapting to those he was with, maintaining a genuine interest in what they were doing and who they were. He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humour, his integrity, his honesty, his innate sense of curiosity, and as purveyor of sound advice. His legacy is the values he has instilled in everyone.

John ‘Brian’ Waldron (D) died on 25 November 2021, aged 91.

His son James Waldron writes:

All my father’s memories from Oundle were positive and he remained close friends with the poet Al Alvarez (C 48 d 2019) for many years after leaving. Rugby was a great passion and he talked about playing with Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia (Sc 46 d 2000). Another favourite memory - and something he referred to only a couple of weeks before he diedwere the very entertaining lessons with French master Arthur Marshall. Brian had a successful career, working his way to the top of the

advertising world. His loving wife for 62 years, Monica (née Jones) died in October 2019, and their five sons survive them.

Dennis Pywell (LS) died on 24 March 2022.

1948

Peter Harrison (StA) died 5 December 2021

His son George Harrison writes:

Despite the rather spartan experience of being at Oundle during the Second World War and its aftermath, my father clearly loved his time at the School. During rationing, a big treat would be sharing a tin of condensed milk with his great friend, Alastair Shaw (StA 47 d). After National Service in the RAF, he went up to Oxford to read history and then became a schoolmaster.

Following spells in schools in Essex and Surrey, he spent 34 years at Norwich School, most of them as master of the lower school (prep school). He and my mother, whom he married in 1958, also ran the boarding house attached to the lower school. His decision to remain in Norwich had a lot to do with the fact that the job came with a house in the cathedral close, an idyllic place to bring up my sister, Susie, and me. After

giving up coaching the school’s 1st VIII, he went sculling on the Yare each week, continuing until he was 79, when his doctor suggested that he needed to pick a less vigorous activity. He switched to going to the gym, five days a week, until he turned 90. His own father had picked Oundle because it had a reputation for encouraging an interest in engineering and every boy, at some stage in his school career, would spend a week in the blacksmith’s forge. Perhaps it was the School which made my father such a practical man and he enjoyed making things for the home and was loath to throw anything away ‘just in case.’ He never lost his interest in aeroplanes, cars, railways, trams and especially ships. He was particularly well-read in maritime history, focusing on the Royal Navy in the First World War. It was well known by the boys he taught that they could red-herring him away from any lesson simply by mentioning Admiral Jellicoe or raising the subject of the new double-overhead camshaft developed by, say, Aston Martin. He would trace the Battle of Jutland or the engine component on the blackboard and the lesson would be lost. He loved being a schoolmaster. His education at Oundle benefited from the presence of exceptionally able schoolmasters, including Arthur Marshall, who taught him French. It meant he had a very happy time at the School and was equally

happy throughout his life in all he did.

1949

Walter Bentley (StA) died on 24 May 2022. His daughter Sarah West writes:

My father absolutely loved Oundle School and often spoken about his happy times there. Walter was director of Walter Bentley & Sons Limited, related to summer fruit production, with the occupation of nurseryman. He enjoyed skiing and playing squash.

1950

Christopher John Hirst (Sn) born on 22 November 1931, died on 26 December 2021.

His son Mark Hirst (Sn 77) writes:

My father was born at Gable Cottage, Newtown Linford. His father was a yarn merchant by trade and a renowned horologist with workshops at home. At Oundle, he belonged to Sanderson House where he shared a study with his lifelong friend Rod Millington. The story of Millington and Hirst buying oranges from the market, saving their sugar ration for weeks and then brewing up a marmalade concoction on the primus stove in the study is one he loved to tell. Oh, the painstaking labour. If only they’d realised you need to warm the jam jars and let the marmalade cool before pouring one into the other! But they didn’t, and every single jar shattered on contact and the syrupy mess flowed all over the study floor. He represented Oundle at both rugby and cricket. He was offered a place at Downing College, Cambridge to read civil engineering but, as his father died during his last term at Oundle, he deferred further education to do National Service. He was commissioned into

Denis K Clark (C) died on 19 August 2021

Colin Wadie (Sn) died on 31 August 2021.

the Royal Artillery and served in Germany, playing rugby and cricket for the British Army of the Rhine. In 1952, he left the Army but continued his commissions in the 4th Battalion, Royal Leicesters as a Territorial soldier. He served for ten years, gaining the rank of captain as a Battery Commander. On leaving the Army, he joined TG HirStAnd Co Ltd, the family firm of knitwear manufacturers on the Abbey Park Road, which employed more than 350 people. He became managing director, making knitwear for household retail names including C&A and Grattan Warehouses in the UK, and Au Bon Marche and Migros in Switzerland. In 1959, he was invited to join the consultative committee of the textiles department of the university, becoming its chairman in 1965. Whilst chair, he launched an appeal for financial donations from industry to establish bursaries for the department to assist students with funding. The fund in his name is active to this day and he continued a close, life-long association with the department. He became a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters and was a Freeman of the City of London. The Worshipful Company administers the Hirst Bursary Fund and he greatly enjoyed the dialogue between the Livery Company and textiles departments of universities throughout the country. His sponsorship of gifted

students gave him immense satisfaction. The family knitwear firm closed its doors in 1975 and he formed a jerseywear manufacturing company at that time. Sadly, the industry was in decline and he finally went out of business in 1990. And so, he turned to the craft which he had loved all his life and became a cabinet maker. This activity absorbed him totally and he was lucky enough to enjoy good health to pursue it. Outside work, he became a Freemason in 1959, becoming master of the Holmes Lodge in 1975. He was twice master of the Oundle School Lodge. He was appointed a tax commissioner for the Inland Revenue in 1966 and served for 40 years until retiring in 2006. He was made a justice of the peace in 1969 and served on the Leicester Bench for ten years. However, there might have been an ulterior motive for his being a JP. He thought that displaying his monthly copy of The Magistrate magazine in the rear window of his car saved him from many a driving conviction: who knows? He lived in Leicestershire villages for almost all his life and settled in Leire with his wife and daughter in 1992. He was an active member of the village church, being appointed a church warden in 2005. It can fairly be said that he lived his life to the full: he played hard and worked hard all his days and it was to his irritation and frustration that his arthritic legs curtailed his

activities in later life. He had many friends and, to his knowledge, no enemies, except perhaps his bank manager.

1951

Paul Horrell (S) died 12 October 2021.

His friend Rod Alexander (Sc 61) writes:

He died in his sleep at 88 and was still playing a couple of rounds of golf each week. I used to meet him in Madeira each January. He was an absolute and very considerate gentleman, whose company was always a pleasure.

Anthony Auberon ‘Tony’ Payne (N) died on 21 August 2021, aged 88.

Basil Payne (N 47) writes:

He died from Covid, in Manila.

He went to New House in 1947 and played at full back in the school’s 2nd XV. Frank Spragg always claimed that he twisted his knee teaching him how to sidestep. He was also a good cricketer and

play in the school’s 2nd XI. After Oundle he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and was posted to Peenemunde in Germany, which was right on the border with the Russian zone. On his first night in the mess, he was lured into going a few hundred yards down the road and was then told he was with the Russians in their zone. Needless to say, it was a hoax. On leaving the army in 1954 he joined Dodwells and Co, a modest version of Jardine Matheson, and was sent to Hong Kong. After a few years of living in their excellent accommodation on the peak, he left them, sold all his possessions and moved into a very downmarket flat in Nathan Road, a very brave thing to do. With the proceeds he started up his own company, Printrite Ltd, which flourished. In about 2000, he moved from Hong Kong to Manila where he spent the rest of his life. There, he kept fit performing a dance peculiar to the Philippines which involved skipping between five long poles which were constantly moved by people at each end. He managed to avoid getting any broken ankles and become very proficient at it. He was married to Chie, who survives him.

Keith Bamkin Chell MBE (G) died on 2 May 2022, aged 87.

His son Timothy Chell (G 80) writes:

My father passed in the Leicester Royal Infirmary after a short illness. He joined the Berrystead on 1 September 1945 and from there moved onto Grafton House in 1947, where he remained until he left the School on 1 July 1951. My father enjoyed his time at Oundle School immensely and was absolutely certain in his own mind that it was the cornerstone that helped shape the remainder of his life, and was also very much the reason that I also ended up in Grafton between 1975 and 1980. Dad enjoyed all that Oundle had to offer; I know for a fact that as well as the connection with the family textile engineering business, it was time spent in the Workshops that fostered his interest in engineering and very much fuelled his desire to go on and study mechanical engineering at Loughborough. My father also excelled at sport whilst he was at Oundle; regularly played for the 2nd XV in his last year but also made 1st XV in the Lent term of 1951. However, it was in swimming and diving that he truly excelled under the

tutelage of Jack Hogg, representing the School at both as well as being the holder of at least two school records He set a swimming record in 1949 – 28.8 seconds for the 50yd free. He leaves Pam, his wife of some 30 plus years, myself and my younger brother, Jon, as well as two stepsons and six grandchildren and step-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him terribly.

1952

John F Treasure (Sn) died on 26 November 2020.

1954

RJC Hallwood (StA) died on 29 January 2022.

next 14 years, they lived on the banks of the River Thames.

1953

Richard H Hardman (StA) died on 21 January 2022.

Jock Workman (D) died in 2020.

His sons Joe and Toby write: Richard was born in Bredbury, Cheshire in 1936. Along with big sister, Angela, he moved down to a farm in Goring on Sea shortly after, where Richard remembered witnessing preparations for the Normandy landings of 1944. After school, Richard did his national service in Germany, following in his father’s footsteps by joining the Royal Engineers. He returned to England in 1957 and joined a management training scheme at Osbourne Steel works in Sheffield, while studying at night school for a degree in metallurgy. He also found the time to play for Sheffield Rugby club until he broke his ankle. Now working as a sales manager for Osbourne’s he and his friend moved down to Wandsworth Common in London where he was introduced to Jan Morris and they were married in 1963 by Jan’s father in Fleet Street.

Richard was a great music lover, particularly of opera and he and Jan used to queue overnight at Covent Garden Opera House to see the likes of Maria Callas. They moved to Oxford in 1979. For the

By this time, he had changed careers, and was now working for Audits of Great Britain, the foremost television and media research company at that time. This required extensive travel and Richard lived for a number of years in some of these places, notably Rio, New York, Hong Kong and Sydney. After their children left home, Richard and Jan moved to Le Renouard in France. Richard had grown weary of travel and vowed never to get on a plane again. He also had a keen interest in the history of the area and would take unsuspecting visitors on local tours, whether they wanted to or not: pointing out this battlefield and that castle along the way. Indeed Richard and Jan entertained a group of Old Oundelians as part of their Normandy Battlefields Tour in September 2017.

1955

JR Michael Denby (G) has died.

Roger Bambrough (L) died in April 2022.

His wife Pat writes: My husband joined Oundle in the 50s where boys enjoyed the shared experience of growing up together. Many contemporaries of Alan’s time at Oundle became lifelong friends and were at his funeral. Indeed, several shared National Service experiences and would often recall stories of armed combat, sometimes with embellishments to the astonishment of his children and grandchildren. Alan loved Oundle. He loved everything about it, from the ‘non choir’ joyfully singing The Messiah in Peterborough Cathedral, to building a car in the Workshops, to listening to visiting speakers, but above all for playing rugby and cricket for the glory of the school and for

beating Stowe and Uppingham. Alan gained a major county award to attend Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he read mechanical engineering. Before attending Cambridge, National Service reared its head and the fine young 19 year-old Second Lieutenant really did grow up, navigating the narrow streets of Cairo as Platoon Commander, in the Sixth Royal Tank Regiment. At Cambridge, he embraced all things sports related, and excelled in rugby particularly, playing for Christ’s first team, joining many OOs. He also coxed for a motley eight of huge rugby players which made up the 4th ‘Rugger’ May Boat in 1960. I had met him by his second year as I was at Homerton. We reached our diamond wedding anniversary, so it was obviously a good marriage mart. Happy days indeed. His entire working life was spent with The Metal Box Company, an organisation of great standing in the world of can making, and one that gave Alan and I a wonderful life. We travelled widely with the company and made homes for ourselves and the children in wonderful locations throughout the world. His last job was heading the, by then, huge global organisation of the Asia Pacific branch of the company, based in Singapore. We were sad to leave. We retired to the Cotswolds, where the two of us played dreadful golf. We travelled widely and loved being part of our children and our eight grandchildren’s lives. Alan

became joyfully involved in a wonderful local palliative care charity to which he imparted much knowledge of running a successful company. He faced his last illness with great calm and equanimity and died surrounded by his precious family, having lived a life of duty, devotion, and laughter.

1956

Robert C Robertson (Lx) born on 3 August 1937, died 19 June 2020, aged 82.

The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in London. He had three children and two grandchildren, Charlie and Emily, of whom he was very proud and loved dearly. He died suddenly at home in Surrey, just short of his 83rd birthday. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and is missed greatly by his family and friends.

His wife Christine writes: Chris was born in Beckenham, Kent. He came to Oundle in the summer term of 1951. He loved sport and played rugby, tennis, cricket and was a strong swimmer. He also did a lot of cross country running during his time there. Chris’ father James (G 28) and his son James E. Robertson (Lx 85) were both at Oundle. He did his national service in Cyprus with the Queens Own Royal West Kent regiment, serving as second lieutenant. He went up to Christ’s College Cambridge in 1959 reading law and economics and played rugby for his college. He joined Robertson Foods in 1961 and in 1971 became chairman. He married Christine in June 1962 at

School House contemporaries write:

Known to his School House friends as ‘Ginge’ for his wonderful shock of bright red hair, he was a natural sportsman with an extremely good eye. On the rugby field he never dropped a ball and was fly half for the School’s 1st XV for at least two seasons. In his final year at Oundle he suffered a bad knee injury, but after School he became a very good golfer.

John P Garthwaite (Sn) died on 1 November 2020.

Alexander John Alan Holmes (G) died on 16 September 2021.

Christopher R Dugard (Ldr) died on 8 September 2020.

Donald AJ Macmillan (Sc) died on 28 October 2021.

1957

John Brown (Ldr) died on 20 May 2022.

Michael G S Tomalin (N) died on 1 January 2022.

Tony Sword (N 55) writes:

He arrived at Oundle in 1951 as a 13-year-old violin music scholar. He had joined the National Youth Orchestra at the age of ten. Such was his ability that still at school he obtained a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. Besides being a talented musician, he enjoyed sport and won his School colours in the 2nd XV and the swimming team. After Oundle, Michael went to the Trinity College of Music, London, where his talent was nurtured and developed. It was also where he met his first wife Valerie with whom he had his daughter Clare. On leaving college he joined the Birmingham and then the BBC Symphony Orchestras where he played at the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on numerous occasions and

at other venues around the country. He was thought of very highly in the profession, but he always said talent was not enough; to get on well in the profession you also had to have a lot of luck, be in the right place at the right time and work hard. Although classically trained he had told me that from the beginning he had always preferred lighter music. Thus, he moved eventually to the BBC Radio Orchestra working from Maida Vale and the Abbey Road studios, where he became well known as its leader to radio and TV audiences. Throughout his career he played at Caesar’s Palace in Windsor and Luton and with stars from Shirley Bassey to Freddie Starr, the Hollies and Johnny Mathis. He also played on Top of the Pops. Michael’s marriage to Valerie ended and a few years later he met and married June, becoming a supportive stepfather. After retiring over 30 years ago, Michael sold his violin and he and June moved to Hingham just outside Norwich. Michael embraced their new life with enthusiasm making a wide circle of friends, supporting local groups and events, enjoying visits from their respective families and acquiring a love of the area. June died several years ago and Michael died from the effects of a stroke.

His son Matthew writes: He attended Oundle from 1 January 1952 to 1 March 1957. He was the elder son of Kenneth B Brown (B 26) who was fourth son of the Rev Malcolm W. Brown. Rev Brown was the School Chaplain, the founder and first Housemaster of The Berrystead. Peter attended Christ’s College, Cambridge, to read mechanical sciences. A career followed in the sugar industry in Liverpool, London, Kenya and then around the world. He is survived by his wife Gill, to whom he was married for 54 years, three children and seven grandchildren.

1959

Robert Burton (N) died on 15 January 2022, aged 80.

From The Telegraph:

He was an all-round naturalist who was as much at home on subAntarctic South Georgia, with which he was involved for almost half a century, as he was contributing Nature Notes to The Daily Telegraph from his Huntingdonshire garden. A prolific author and explorer, Burton was the son of the equally noted Maurice Burton, with whom he wrote numerous books and from whom he took over The Telegraph column, a fixture in Saturday’s paper for half a century. But his achievements – crowned last year by having a glacier named after him –were his own. Although he studied wildlife the world over, his closest connection, dating back to 1964, was with South Georgia, for which he became a formidable ambassador and advocate. He was involved in the creation of the South Georgia Museum at Grytviken, then served as its director from 1994 to 1998. In 2019 he acted as project manager for a Cambridge University archaeology survey, preserving the remains of the earliest human

Richard Boulstridge (C) died on 11 May 2021.

Peter Woolsey Brown (Lx) died on 31 May 2022.

activities on South Georgia. During the pandemic he was a key contributor to the South Georgia Association’s online talks, aimed at a global audience. Burton wrote several books on the island’s wildlife and history – notably A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia (2012).

His breadth of knowledge made him a valued member of the South Georgia Government’s heritage advisory panel. In 2018, the South Georgia Association awarded him its Morag Husband Campbell Medal to mark his lifelong contribution to the island. Through the South Georgia Heritage Trust, Burton used the proceeds of a booklet he wrote on Shackleton to help conserve the Stromness whaling station manager’s villa, where Shackleton, Frank Worsley and Tom Crean found help after their 36-hour traverse of the island to save the crew of the Endurance, stranded hundreds of miles away on Elephant Island. In 2021, the Antarctic Place-names Committee named the glacier west of Point Wild on Elephant Island, Burton Glacier. It did so to recognise Burton’s outstanding contribution as a wildlife author, polar historian and communicator of Antarctic history, particularly with a focus on Shackleton. Early on, he formed the ambition of taking over the column from his father, and when in 1989 Maurice Burton, then 91, stepped down, The Telegraph’s editor, Max Hastings, was happy for

his son to continue. Burton was a lover of rugby –particularly as an Englishman quartered during a polar winter with equally partisan Scots. From Oundle School, he read zoology at Downing College, Cambridge. Graduating, he joined the British Antarctic Survey as a scientist investigating the ecology and life cycle of albatross and seals.

During the 1970s and 1980s, he also took part in several expeditions to the Arctic and the occasional desert. From 1992, he lectured on Antarctic cruise ships and led camping expeditions to Greenland for his small company, Arcturus Expeditions. For two decades, he was also the most frequent lecturer at the Shackleton Autumn School at Athy, Co Kildare. He was awarded the Polar Medal in 1996, and his final contribution to Antarctic knowledge was a paper published last year, titled: An Unmitigated Nuisance: Captain Oates and the Pony Snowshoes. Robert Burton married Jackie Pinhey (née Seymour) in 1991. She survives him, with his two stepchildren. 1961

C Ramsay Maclaren (B) died on 5 October 2021.

1966

Tom F Brass LLB, FCA, CIIM (D) died in March 2022.

He was born in Leeds but moved to Cardiff at an early age. Tom followed his father, uncle and two cousins into Dryden in 1961. He ended up as Head of House, Captain of the Second VIII, played the clarinet in the orchestra and much enjoyed the CCF, where he carried the big processional drum and donned the tiger skin. Tom was in the Classical Sixth and was also secretary of the Classical Society. After Oundle, Tom went to Newcastle University where he read law, rowed and made many life-long friends. He then moved to London, joined Peat Marwick Mitchell, which became KPMG, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant shortly afterwards. A KPMG partner for many years, Tom’s career at the firm covered diverse international assignments and postings. This included working with sovereign governments in eastern Europe and Africa to alleviate sovereign debts, and secondment to Poland to establish KPMG Poland, which he did with great success. During this time, he also founded the British Polish Chamber of Commerce. On leaving KPMG, Tom established

his own consultancy and interim management practice, Sascha Associates. In 2001 he became a founding director and member of the Institute of Interim Management (a professional body representing the interests of Interim Managers as small micro businesses), which he also served as secretary, treasurer, chairman, and director for policy and public affairs. Tom’s championing of small businesses extended to other appointments including his role as director of the Genesis Initiative, a lobbying organisation protecting the interests of the SME sector at government level and all Parliamentary party groups across the Houses of Lords and Commons. Tom’s success was due partly to his professionalism but also to his enthusiasm, reliability, sense of humour and an inability to say no to anyone needing his advice or support. Tom was a social animal, he loved the theatre, opera, travelling (holidays in Greece a favourite) and, maybe most of all, hosting splendid picnics at Henley Regatta every year: a Brass family tradition of which he was most proud. He was also proud to be an Oundelian, enjoying the social side of being an OO, keeping in touch with his peers and supporting the school. A philanthropic man, Tom supported charitable causes locally and internationally, and would be proud of the funds raised in his memory. Tom leaves behind his wife, Taravat,

and many colleagues and friends.

1967

David H. Saxe (C) born on July 8, 1948, died on 4 January 2022, aged 73

commercial rated pilot and a nature photographer and became interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804, following the Trail while documenting the journey through ground and aerial photography, later presenting lectures on the subject. He will be missed but his contributions will carry on his name. Mark P Nicholls (G 67) died on 24 February 24 2022.

His brothers Nick Lean (B 72) and Phil Lean (B 77) write:

He died after a short illness while living at his property in southern France. We were to follow him through Bramston. He was preceded by his cousin Ted Lean (B 68) who was Head of Bramston and Head of School.

Barbara Benton writes:

David was born in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is survived by his partner, Barbara A. Benton, son Christoph, daughter Tonja Vitale, two grandchildren and his brother, Timothy Saxe. He had his children with his wife, Margaret Saxe, and after divorce, they remained close friends.

David gained a degree in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania and worked on statistical research and analysis of educational test programs in Princeton, NJ. In 1986 he became Director of computing for the College of Natural Sciences, responsible for the computational network for the institute's scientists. In the early 90s he collaborated with Bahcall's and Schneider's projects using the newly launched Hubble Space Telescope, which produced some of the earliest scientific publications from the satellite. He loved nature and volunteered at the Massabesic Audubon Centre. He climbed Mt Washington and spent time backpacking in the Alps. He was a

Kevin Sloan (LS) died on 5 May 2022.

His brother Philip Sloan (LGS 71) writes:

He passed away after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Jenny and two grandchildren.

1968

John Rawding (StA) died on 26 November 2020.

Jonathan Mair (C) died on 20 August 2021.

1970

Martin Lean (B) died on 18 May 2022

Jamie Pride (B 70) writes: I had known Martin since my first days at Oundle in the summer of 1966. Martin was in Old Dryden and I was in The Berrystead while we waited to go up to Bramston. Meeting at a new boy’s tea hosted by Dudley Heesom (my father’s Housemaster) we immediately got on despite him studying classics and me sciences. We enjoyed sharing studies and often blasted music out over the garden in Bramston. I remember Martin from the earliest days when he would march into a room and “Hello I’m Martin,” he would say in a loud voice. “Jolly good value,” he would cry, a great fan of the Decathlon store. He was great value. From Oundle, Martin went on to Liverpool University and then into the advertising world in London where in the late 70s and early 80s we shared houses. He was my best man in 1978 and I his in 1987, when he married Pella. Over the years we enjoyed many holidays and trips together with a common enjoyment of cycling, skiing, and hiking. He was godfather to my eldest, Michael who arrived in 1991. As a great Francophile when he had

an opportunity to retire and leave London in 2001, he and his then young family moved to Martiel in southern France where he and Pella bought and modernised an old farm turning it into an exquisite gite complex. We paid many a visit there and have the fondest of memories of the place. His large band of friends and family, in particular Pella and his children Edward and Margy, will miss him terribly.

1972

Christopher J Brown (N) died in March 2022.

1974

James H Leeming (S) died on 19 October 2021.

1978

Robert Hutchinson (B) died on 9 July 2021.

1980

Craig Lockhart (Sc) died on 28 April 2022.

1984

Chris Rees (B 84) died in 2022

Chris died earlier this year after a long illness. He played for the OO Tennis Club and his skills were enhanced by a very competitive edge. He was a popular player and as one of

Arthur Marment (D 77) writes:

the ‘Three Musketeers’ enjoyed regressing to his schoolboy persona with a mixture of ribbing and reminiscing - the hallmarks of the OO Sports Player. I vividly remember him rolling up to an OO tennis day at my house in a very flamboyant Maserati which he (ostentatiously) parked next to my aged Skoda! It went without saying that he began the morning’s play with a string of aces and finished the day unbeaten before keeping everyone entertained with a series of exotic tales over lunch. Our thoughts are with his wife Maria and his wider family.

1987

Charlie Heffernan (Sn) died in November 2018.

1989

Simon Burdess (C) died in February 2022. Mark Reeves (C 80) Hong Kong Correspondent writes: He passed away suddenly at the end of February 2022, and is survived by his wife, Beckie, and daughters Laura, Charlotte and Annie.

1999

Christopher Oliver (Lx) died in February 2022.

Duff spent many years as an international cricket analyst. This took him around the globe and into some extraordinary situations. He was a true friend and will be sorely missed.

2009

Laura Duncalfe (Sn) died on 23 January 2022.

com/cf/intouniversitybook-bursary.

2012

Patrick ‘Paddy’ Findlay (C) died in April 2022.

2020

Arthur Soames (F) died on 22 May 2022.

Andrew Glen (LS 99) writes:

Laura’s mother Harriet writes: She was identified as an outstanding linguist by Geraldine Skinner and Mrs Mola, MFL teachers at Oundle. Laura graduated with a first-class honours degree in modern and medieval languages from the University of Cambridge and a PGCE in Secondary Education through Teach First. After working as a teacher, she then took on the role of regional operations manager for IntoUniversity. Laura dedicated her life to helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds to meet their aspirations and achieve their goals. She worked tirelessly for the benefit of others and lived her life courageously and to the full. In memory of Laura, Donations to Into University’s Book Bursary would be gratefully received at intouniversity.enthuse.

Huw Roberts, former Crosby Housemaster, writes: He was an Oundle pupil from 2008 to 2012 and I was his tutor. He was a charismatic young man with many talents, not least as a highly gifted musician. He always thoroughly enjoyed his clarinet lessons with David Milsted and in recent years had developed a growing reputation as a folk musician. Listen to his song ‘Time’ on www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uPByfH4q--U

2018

Will Lowther (Sc) died on 14 January 2022.

Alexander Brighton, Fisher Housemaster, writes:

He joined Oundle from Maidwell Hall prep school in September 2003, whereupon he immediately threw himself into the opportunities offered by the School. He was soon recognised and respected as the Third Former that played the part of Pauline Clench in the House production of One Man, Two Guvnors, and so began a passion for the theatre that would lead to him playing several roles in the Sixth Form production of 1984 some years later. Arthur’s artistic talents were also in evidence when he played the drums and guitar, from classical to rock, performing with great credibility in the Hepburn Cup and various groups around the School. Arthur was a keen cadet too, considering a career in the forces after university. He was a senior cadet in the CCF, rising to the rank of Cadet Colour Sergeant and completing with distinction the Senior Cadet Instructor Couse at Frimley Park. In a similar vein, he completed his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in Lower Sixth. These accomplishments highlighting his

OBITUARIES

2022

perseverance and determination to make good on the opportunities afforded him at Oundle. On the sports field, he was indefatigable, representing Oundle at squash, football and cricket, but having a particular enthusiasm for tennis, in which he played for the First Team. Arthur left Oundle to study Real Estate at Reading University, later moving to Oxford Brookes. Arthur’s funeral was held at Chelsea Old Church in June, a beautiful service attended by many Old Oundelian friends. He will be deeply missed by the Fisher and Oundle communities, his loving sister, Evie, and parents Jack and Isabelle.

2021

Stephen D Johnston (Hon OO) died on 11 December 2021.

Peter Roberts (Hon OO) died on 4 August 2022

Stephen was a German teacher at Oundle between 1982 and 2010 and Housemaster of Crosby House. He was fine singer.

Fiona Young , former Matron at Bramston, died on 12 October 2021.

Roger Page (S 71) writes:

Peter was a sensitive, cultured academic; a Cambridge scholar with a double first in Classics and English who was headhunted for the post of Head of English at Oundle in 1982 after eight very happy years at Rydal School in Wales. He was a dedicated teacher with a clear vocation who strove to inspire and encourage his pupils to immerse themselves in the English language and in Literature. Many of his pupils cherish the legacy and privilege of being taught by such a man. A most diligent personal tutor, he took immense care of the welfare of his charges, and was always available for measured counsel and keen to develop and expand their enthusiasms. Peter was a versatile and fine actor and director whose school productions were meticulously conceived and delivered; he always elicited strong, confident performances from his actors. He was appointed the School’s first Publisher to ensure that the way that Oundle was presented to the outside world in written form was clear, accurate in the terms of expression and visually coherent and

consistent. The scholarly authority and clarity of delivery which marked his teaching resulted in his being invited by the BBC to produce a series of programmes on the plays of Shakespeare, aimed at international students of English. He completed three series of eight fifteen-minute programmes, involving professional actors, on Othello, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. The programmes on Othello were later to be expanded upon and published as a study guide. On retirement in 2007, despite his great affection for Oundle, he decided to return to his Shropshire roots, in part to look after his elderly mother. Initially he settled in the village of Ponsenbury but later downsized to Shrewsbury. He was a knowledgeable plantsman and galanthophile; his Ponsenbury garden was filled with prize specimens. A favourite pastime was visiting the great houses and gardens of Britain. Peter had a fine singing voice, enjoyed concerts, and collected British water colours and antique furniture. He was also a seasoned traveller and railway enthusiast. Peter preached at a number of Shropshire churches and led services at St George’s, his own church in Shrewsbury. An unwavering Christian faith was central to his being and he was a man of principle, integrity, humility and generosity of spirit whose life was focused on service and the needs of others.

Graham Wood (Hon OO) died on 5 April 2022.

He was a history teacher at Oundle between 1974 to 1989. He was also Councillor for Westgate Ward on Canterbury City Council.

Philip Couzens (Hon OO)

Michael Aubrey

Unicorn Publishing £30

MichaelAubrey had promised to meet one of Philip Pedley’s school walking parties near Interlaken in time for dinner. He arrived several hours late, explaining to us that a deer had leapt across the road landing on the bonnet of his Golf convertible, and the deceased deer was indeed occupying the passenger seat when he arrived. Berrystead boy Andrew Williamson commented under his breath, “Anyone else and it would have been a rabbit, but because it was Mr Aubrey, it has to be a deer.”

Michael’s after dinner anecdotes have often been thought fanciful, implausible or exaggerated, but in his book we have a collection of improbable events that are all clearly anchored in truth.

These range from situations of life-threatening danger to spectacular good luck, from unlikely human predicament to daring bending of the rules. But the book offers more than light hearted stories: it is a detailed and sensitive autobiography that tells of his prosperous middle-class upbringing, his happy early childhood, his painfully unhappy time at prep school and his time of contentment at Bootham.

We hear about his extended time at university and progression to the Bar, then his discovery of teaching - he spent most of his career at Oundle - as the way to a more meaningful life. The book, illustrated by many of his beautiful watercolours and photographs,

charts his development as an accomplished artist, his good fortune in acquiring property and his passion for music. He has also been an intrepid traveller to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam and China. Europe has been his backyard and I am reminded of our stumbling together across Robert Graves typing away on a table in his garden in Majorca, an event so mundane for Michael that it did not make it into the book. The chapter A Turbulent Period does not shy away from the more difficult aspects of his life, particularly a mental health issue. Here we are given glimpses of an

undisclosed side of Michael, perhaps typical of men of his era and background. The confidences deserve our respect.

This book is exceptionally well written. It is pitched as a light and amusing read, but having said that, I found it hard to put down this account of the remarkably full life of an unusual man. It was wise not to detail events in chronological order, but the juxtapositions lead to an impression of jumpiness in the final chapters and the absence of a synoptic section at the end. This suggests that there may be scope for a second volume.

Is That Really True, Sir? A Life of Colour And Improbable Events

The Last Days of the Burma Campaign

Marment

In his war-time diaries, my father, Arthur Verriour Marment MC and Bar (D 35), wrote about the final days of the Burma campaign, from which these extracts are taken.

The diary begins during his last days at Oundle and ends in December 1945. It covers war, romance, sports of every sort, cowardice, drinking and everything in between. Oundle remained a huge influence for him and his time with a pre-Partition Indian regiment throughout the war was a last hurrah for an Empire and lifestyle which was about to disappear.

It was kept illegally, since diaries are a massive no in the Army, more so in wartime, and even more so on the front line. Despite being incredibly modest about his achievements, he won two Military Crosses and was Mentioned in Despatches.

He learnt basic Urdu; a requirement for a British officer in the Indian Army. His regiment, the 15th Punjabi, was famous for seeing almost non-stop action in the Burma

campaign. He had the utmost respect for his Indian troops and they in turn patently had great faith in his leadership. Despite sounding English, he was keen to explain he was in fact Welsh. He described the Welsh as a ‘fiercely independent hill tribe’ in an effort to help them understand. How Green Was My Valley became a running regimental joke throughout the diaries.

After being in the Officer Training Corps at Oundle he joined the Army and was commissioned into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at the outbreak of war. He then volunteered for an Indian regiment in order to experience action. He was recommended for a DSO after his regiment ran into the Japanese High Command and their 1,000 strong guard in Burma. He had to organise a fallback and did so without loss of life. The DSO was declined, because there was no bloodshed, and downgraded to a third MC. This, too, was declined as it was felt that someone so young should not receive so many medals. The regular army was prejudiced against those who had come into the army from the Territorial Army.

The Imperial War Museum voted the Battle of Kohima the most important battle of WW2. This is the citation for his first Military Cross: ‘On May 11 1944, 4/15 PR was ordered to attack a feature in the Kohima area. The two leading companies came under devastating fire and suffered many casualties. Marment, the second-in-command, played a vital part in evacuating the wounded and in getting food and

ammunition through to the forward troops. The next day, when one of the company commanders was wounded, he volunteered to take over. When an attached company of Gurkhas put in an attack and suffered severe casualties, he led men of his company forward with stretchers under fire, evacuated all the wounded and, with the Gurkhas, beat off a counterattack. On May 26 Marment was in Naga village, Kohima, in command of the most forward company when the Japanese attacked in battalion strength. The assault was preceded by an artillery and mortar bombardment and just before the attack was launched an enemy plane dropped a 500-pound bomb 15 yards from his position. The men were badly shaken but Marment rallied them and repulsed the attack.’

The battle ended, in WWI style, with both sides entrenched either side of the Governor General’s tennis court, a detail not lost on me every time I play tennis.

In 2019 I went to Japan to follow Wales in the Rugby World Cup and took my father’s wartime webbing rucksack with me. I’m not really sure why, but I felt it completed a circle and in a sense was an act of reconciliation which I know my father would approve of. His character was moulded by Oundle and he left the school with a clear sense of kindness and duty which now seem rare.

Father was a decent rider, but whilst he’d hunted and jumped, race riding is a totally different affair. He rode in a steeplechase at the end of WW2 in India. This extract sums up

the ‘can do’ attitude of his generation and their complete disregard for personal safety in the face of entertainment.

2 September 1945: Basil is a humorous and very decent chap, but suffers from that terrible disability: he has never been a fighting man. He is like me and has a conscience. I liked him.

Returned for the races to ride a chestnut mare with a white blaze on her face, one white sock and a very affectionate manner. She was always known as No. 2 but we named her Mumtaz after M***’s alleged girlfriend. She learnt to like sugar at Kohima where Brig Collingwood had looked after the horses like a father. Brig Vickers sent out word that ‘all the world would race.’ The Gurkhas were to build the course and we were expected to find entries.

A trial gallop was out of the question in the torrential rain. I had been far too excited to eat any lunch and I had seriously offended N*** by detailing him to be present at two courts martial. I knew he was inwardly hoping I’d break my neck, although too well disciplined to voice his wish. I anticipated it by saying he’d sit on the next half dozen courts

if I had a fall.

I walked the circular course of three furlongs which had to be ridden around twice. There were three bamboo hurdles, one of which gave me an empty feeling as eight yards in front of it the ground shelved away very sharply. We groaned: there would be trouble there, without doubt. Nearby, the Brigadier was marshalling a large Gurkha fatigue party to put up the tote. ‘Just about his command,’ said someone with bitter memories. Mrs Smetton was wrestling with tea urns: she couldn’t get her fire to light and a Wren was giving her no assistance. Yes, everyone’s temper was a bit on edge.

The open race was second on the card, and an interested crowd watched Mumtaz saddle up. I couldn’t keep still, and neither could the mare; she was sweating profusely. Severe misgivings came into my mind. As I summed up the opposition, Mumtaz looked like a pony in comparison. Major Hatfield, on a great big-boned black; Capt Dalzell, on a tried performer from 63 Mule company; Cecil on that steady old bay. Major Jerry Alder, second in the Grand National on MacMoffat,

had had an accident playing football and couldn’t ride.

The start was a bad one. I think I was the only one who didn’t cheat and, to cut a long story short, I never recovered from it. My timing was woeful and I had to ride into the last fence as if it wasn’t there. Mumtaz was moving very fast; the rest seemed to be standing still in comparison. Alas, as she took off, she cast a shoe, hit the fence hard, stumbled badly and I went over her head. As she passed, she gave me a terrific clout across the right ear. I was deaf for the next ten days.

4 September: Well, I’m afraid I couldn’t raise much interest in life today.

13 September: Had a Great Day. Never have I seen such dreadful humanity. Their clothes were falling to bits, with boots without soles. No one at home would have believed it.

Interviewed the Japanese lieutenant. He sighed with relief that he’d received one day’s food. He thought it was a week’s stock.

(On this day, the remaining units of the once formidable Japanese Burma Area Army surrendered to the British.)

S Dryden House, Summer 1935

Football

■ Alexa Glynn (K 00)

Ihave been struggling to articulate how much this amazing England women’s football team and their Euro tournament win means to me. One day I am sure I will write a piece about corporate decision making and leadership lessons when you compare Phil Neville and Sarina Wiegman; but for now, let’s just appreciate the magic that happens when you have the right people in the right role with the right culture.

I grew up playing football with the boys, despite often having to change into my kit in the minibus because most of the boys’ schools we played against didn’t even have a girls’ toilet never mind a changing

room for me! When I hit 12 the rules stopped me being part of my school team. I was captain of our colts and had to support my team for the next two years from the sideline just because I was a girl.

I ended up playing U18 girls’ football at this age because there was no other team within 20 miles of home. I owe my parents so much for even finding a club that had a girls’ team. They drove around most of Hampshire taking me to games.

I had to give up football at 14 because Oundle didn’t have a girls’ football team. In my last two years at School, I started one.

Many female players of my age have similar stories to mine. When everyone told us football was a boys’ game, we carried on anyway. I still potter around a pitch every Sunday and nothing makes me feel more ready for the work week ahead than 90 minutes of the beautiful game.

As a young girl playing football I never in a million years imagined more than 87,000 people would watch a professional England women’s team win a major trophy at Wembley.

Lionesses, and all those nonprofessional women players before you who pushed the boundaries, I salute you.

■ Caroline Criado Perez (D 02)

Caroline Criado Perez (D 02), the women’s rights campaigner and activist, was at Oundle two years after Alexa. Some of her recent research is into the marginalisation of girls in children’s playgrounds. She is interested in how boys occupy most

playground space by playing football and how they reject and intimidate girls who want to play. Her new podcasts - Visible Women - are available on Tortoise Media, and she suggests we consider asking the Secretary of State for Education, to direct Ofsted to ensure that

playground inclusivity is part of standard school assessment. Please let her know how you get on, especially if you get a response.

visiblewomen@tortoisemedia.com or tweet her @CCriadoPerez.

S Alexa is now Group Executive, Chief Operating Officer at Rabobank, Sydney, Australia

S It came home. The Lionesses win Euro 22 in July this year

The Knight debate continues

■ David Leishman (Sc 65)

Joslin

Lewis, in The Lost Generation articles over the past two editions of the magazine, is slightly unfair to Headmaster Dick Knight in saying no new buildings of any consequence came into being during his time. OK, the decision to build the Palmer Chemistry block would have been taken in Stainforth’s time, because it opened in 1958, only two years after Knight became Head, but he was responsible for the art block and the Cripps Library in the Cloisters, the Refectory which fed Bramston and Laundimer, The Berrystead, at least one staff house up on the playing fields and numerous improvements to houses, not least, to School House.

I think I’m right in saying, because I remember contributing to it, that he launched an appeal in the final years of his time, to fund further building, a process carried forward by Trapnell. That said, one has to agree, compared to the great development programmes of Sanderson and

■ Charles Escritt (StA 68)

McMurray, Knight’s was paltry, but then he was perhaps one of those who didn’t believe a boy’s growth to maturity was a matter of splendid buildings. In mitigation, he ran the school at a time before the information communications

technology revolution and before the pressures both of parents demanding better facilities and school ranking tables.

Inregional news on page 65, Charles mentions his travels: ‘All this chopping and changing about may, perhaps, have some roots in the analysis boldly put forward in Mark Moore’s ‘Opinion’ article. My time was the perfect match (1963-1968) and I clearly remember our lot being frequently referred to as the ‘bolshie lot’. My size saved me from being bullied but not from the last hurrah

of ‘fagging’. I think Mark nailed accurately the socio-historical context that coloured that curious period of inertia. In my case it left me, in hindsight, unprepared and somewhat rudderless but, of course, everyone will bring a different perspective. The lesson, as already pointed out, is that constant re-examination, renewal and investment on every level is essential. The school has certainly

achieved that in contrast to the Dick Knight era. Reading the last OO magazine again, I found few from my era and no names that I recognise - just as Mark suggested of those who were our contemporaries. I can tell you that I have had contact with Dick Sagar (StA 67) and Nico Gething (StA 68) though I can add little else.

S Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery with Headmaster Dick Knight

S David Leishman (right) with Simon Dalglish (Sc 63) (left) photographed by Nick Lucas (Sc 65)

INDEX. OOs by Year

NOTES:

1) Not indexed are the Obituaries and the Class of 2012.

2) Not indexed are the members of School House in a 1959 house photo on page 47. 1890

Howitt, Arthur (LGS) 45, 1913

Ringham, Reginald (N) 68, 1917

Fearnehough, William (S) 80,

Ringham, Charles (N) 68, 1925

Harris, BK (Ldr) 53, 1927

Lassen, EHP (Lx) 46, 62, 1935

Marment, Arthur (D) 134, 1938

Parsons, Derek (S) 70, 1945

Collins, David (S) 84, Kerr, Ian (S) 51, 1947

Brooke, John (C) 84, Chawner, Kevin (B) 84, Harrison, Ken (D) 64, 1948

Drybeck, Maurice (Sn) 78, Mattinson, Brian (Sn) 51, 65, Pead, Michael (D) 72, 1949

How, Peter (Sn) 77, Peck, Quentin (S) 72, Scott, Jason (Sn) 64, Seidler, John (Ldr) 97, Sorgo, Poznan (N) 90, 1950

Boddington, David (StA) 85, 1951

Allton, Roger (D) 80, Dreyfuss, Anthony (D) 89, Foster, John (Sc) 88, Hollands, David (N) 85, Horrell, Paul (S) 70, Pickard, Michael (C) IFC, 59,

Stevenson, David (N) 68, 1952

Glover, Scott (D) 4, 12, Page, Peter (Lx) 51, Pain, Christopher (Sn) 90, Suddards, Peter (S) 90, Whittall, Bill (Ldr) 84, 1953

Blooman, Derek (D) 71, Boddington, Clive (S) 72, Everitt, Edward (Sn) 89, Suddards, Peter (S) 72, Thorpe, David (Ldr) 84, 1954

Allen, Charles (B) 86, Boswell, Roderick (N) 77, Bower, David (C) 97, Cole, Peter (Sn) 80, Donaldson, Hamish (Ldr) 73, Fletcher, Malcolm (StA) 20, Glossop, Mark (D) 77, Heaton, Ray (N) 52, Hollands, Mike (N) 77, Keeling, Terry (Sc) 86, Peck, Rab (S) 72, Seiffert, John (D) 95, Sutcliffe, Peter (N) 50, Valentine, Charles (D) 50, Walliker, Chris (D) IFC, 70, Weeks, Chris (Ldr) 97, Williamson, Lindsay (Ldr) 52, 1955

Bond, Christopher (Sn) 68, Brambrough, Roger, (Lx) 90, Crabbe, John (G) IFC, 77, Fearnehough, Mac (StA) 80, Herbert, Tim (B) 77, Holmes, Alan (G) 84, Inglis, Fred (Sn) 77, Newsome, Paul (StA) 78, 84, Scrutton, Simon (B) 52, Spragg, John (Lx) 63, Sweeting, Chris (Sc) 77, Turnbull, Michael (Sc) 84, Williamson, Harry (StA) IFC, 1, 46, 62, 1956

Bishop, John (StA) 77, Cole, Anthony (Sn) 80, Crichton, John (G) 97, Ellis, Roger (Sn) 80, Flather, Gary (D) 80,

Hammon, Michael (Sn) 84, Hesford, Mike (S) 50, Kluk, Jan (LS) 49, 88, Lediard, Chris (G) 87, McMillan, Ginge (Sc) 47, Ringham, Christopher (N) 68, Smith, Iain (C) 87, Tomalin, Michael (N) 84, Waller, Irvin (D) 87, Williamson, Ian (Ldr) 52, 1957

Keith, Richard (D) 72, Gethin, Anthony (Sc) 65, Gordon-Stewart, Andy (Sc) 47, Hollingworth, Tony (Ldr) 52, Mertens, Don (G) 87, Piper, Tim (B) 52, 53, 59, Reddaway, Lawrence (D) 86, Reid-Thomas, Mick (S) 68, Smeddle, John (C) 73, Williams, Peter (Ldr) 52, 1958

Barter, Tim (D) 77, Bellamy, Rodney (Ldr) 73, Bentley, Dru (Sc) 47, 73, Coates, Ian (D) 78, Hall, Philip (S) 89, Hayward, Peter (B) 52, Kennard Jeremy (Ldr) 89, Lazarus, John (D) 61, Moore, Ken (S) 89, Orchard, Richard (Sn) 77, Owen, John (StA) 77, Poet, Robert (N) 72, Playfair, Tony (Sc) 47, Reynolds, Robin (Lx) 54, Tett, Peter (B) 37,52, 59, Trent, Brian (Sc) 47, 51, Tribe, Michael (G) 87, 1959

Apthorpe, Robin (S) 89, Collinson, Andrew (S) 80, Conradi, Richard (D) 60, Date, Richard (Sc) 47, Dawkins, Richard (D) 6, 50, Dickinson, Peter (Ldr) 73, Evans, Richard M (Ldr) 92, Hainsworth, Robert (S) 97, Kilner, Charles (StA) 84, Napier-Andrews, Nigel (Sc) 1, 47, 53, 87, 118, Richardson, Peter (S) 52,

Ross, Mike (Sc) 47, Shaw, Alastair (Sc) 47, 1960

Bailey, Richard (Sc) 3, 47, 50, 53, Bevan, John (StA) 64, Boag, Bev (StA) 73, Dickinson, John (Sc) 47, Ewing, David (Sc) 47, Fairfield, Roland (StA) 73, Graesser, Michael (Sc) 47, Hinchcliffe, Peter (Sc) 47, Hollebone, Neil (D) 95, Llewellyn, Malcolm (Sc) 47, 90, Macmillan, John (Lx) 76, McAlpine, Ian (Ldr) 59, Pocock, Chris (Sc) 47, 59, Sinclair, Guy (Sc) 47, 79, Walker, Andrew (C) 52, Walt, Nick (Ldr) 59, White, Roger (Sc) 14, 47, 68, 1961

Alexander, Rodney (Sc) 47, 70, Baxter, Richard (Lx) 76, Boothman, Lester (Sc) 47, Brand, Adam (N) 59, Burrows, Brian (D) 80, Choyce, Gavin (N) 37, 59, Collins, Ian (B) 76, Dawson, David (Sn) 66, Flather, Michael (D) 80, Hindmarsh, Jim (Ldr) 76, Howson, Bill (Sc) 47, Hutchinson, David (N) 90, Macdonald, John (StA) 90, Nicholson, Simon (Lx) 50, Pugh, Peter (G) 59, Richardson, John (StA) 73, Shaw, Angus (Sc) 80, Siggs, Peter (G) 60, 120, Staples, John (Sc) 47, 1962

Boag, Martin (StA) 73, Bradbury, John (Sc) 47, Clark, Robin (N) 71, Cole, Andy (Ldr) 86, Conradi, Peter (D) 61, Glover, Richard (Sc) 47, 50, Heath, James (StA) 89, Higman, Chris (N) 70, Kirk, Dexter (C) 52, Laird, Ian (L) 79,

Oakley, Michael (Lx) 79, Payne, Jeremy (S) 52, Peck, Gavin (S) 72, Piers-Hall, Mike (D) 50, Ramply, David (Sc) 47, Schmiegelow, Ian (Ldr) 59, Sellars Michael (StA) 80, Silk, David (G) 60, Taylor, Ronald (Sn) 91, Valentine, Richard (D) 50, Williams, John (StA) 73, 1963

Bailey, Anthony (S) 85, Carr, Tom (S) 52, Cheatle, Nick (G) IFC, 36, Ellis, John (D) 77, Ellis, James (Sn) 80, Graham, Terry (StA) 77, Lilleyman, John (B) 64 Linton, Tim (Sn) 91, Owen, Peter (Lx) 49, 73, 74, Owles, Nick (N) 35, 37, Williams, Hedley (B) 85, Winnington, Peter (S) 90, 1964

Allen-Williams, John (N) 57, Bean, Robert (G) 78, Bevan, Simon (Lx) 64, Cole, TJ (Ldr) 86, Fox-Andrews, Peter (N) 36, Preeston, Mike (Lx) 86, Richards, Chris (StA) 73, Wright, Frank (B) 61, 74, 1965

Ellis, Robert (D) IFC, 77, Fossett, Patrick (B) 37, 67, Foster, Jonathan (B) 67, Gipps, Jo (Sc) 66, Helliwell, Chris (Sc) 80, Hollebone, Keith (D) 95, Leishman, David (Sc) 85, 137, Lucas, Nick (Sc) 71, 85, McCall, Colin (Sc) 61, Nicholson, Roy (StA) 36, 53, Parsons, Tony (S) 49, 70, 78, Pritchard, Nick (Sc) 78, Reilly, Chris (StA) 61, 68, Robertson, John (B) 61, Solari, Graham ((G) 84, Story, John (B) 61, 1966

Allen-Williams, Peter (N) 57, Best, Chris (C) 77,

Brass, Tom (D) 77, Bridge, James (N) 50, Cole, GN (Ldr) 86, Engert, Nicholas (G) 71, Hutchinson, Maxwell, (D) 71, Jackson, Nick (Sc) 80, 85, Matthews, Richard (D) 77, Mitchell, David (Ldr) 71, Piper, Richard (Lx) 56, 75, Shaw, Andrew (Sc) 90, Smith, Judge (Sn) 71, Watson, Malcolm (D) 71, Woolsey-Brown, Geoffrey (Lx) 84, 1967

Brass, Hugh (D) 61, 71, 77, Clark, John (N) 71, De Lucy, John (D) 73, Dups, Kennerley (Lx) 86, Engert, Nigel (G) 71, Harris, Nigel (StA) 47, 48, 53, Mackaness, Simon (C) 79, Marshall, George (G) 71, Peaver, Richard (G) 52, 71, Sagar, Richard (StA) 65, Walpole Brown, Edward (Ldr) 95, 1968

Bowden, Ian (Sc) 51, Clayton, James (G) 49, Elliott, Stuart (Lx) 86, Engert, Christopher (G) 71, Escritt, Charles (StA) 65, Gething, Nico (StA) 65, Harrap, Bob (B) 80, Hollebone, Charles (D) 95, Moore, Mark (Sc) 1, 4, 1969

Bernays, Jeffrey (Sn) 61, Buxton, Chris (C) 61, Cartwright, Philip (S) 51, 78, Chrimes, Nick (Sc) 61, Copestake, Mike Sc) 79, Copestick, Nick (Ldr) 35, 37, Diltz, Greg (S) 96, Fisher, Adrian (B) 70, Fletcher, Steve ((S) 76, Gordon, Al (C) 28, 35, Hartley, Michael (D) 81, Mennell, Simon StA) 71, Smith, Robert (N) 52, Symes, Richard (B) 53, Tacq, Roger (L) 36, Thomas, Steven (G) 76,

Waterson, Edward (S) 53, 71, 78, White, Simon (S) 66, Williams, Michael (Sn) 35, 1970

Allwood, John (Ldr) 71, Cooke, Michael (S) 64, Horsell, Jeremy (Sc) 79, Hyde, John (S) 78, Jacobs, Paul (B) 80, Lean, Martin (B) 71, Mackaness, Mark (C) 79, Owen, Richard (Sc) IFC, 30, 31, 38, 39, 56, 76, Pride, James (B) 71, Rhodes, Benjamin (StA) 59, 61, Story, Colin (B) 61, 1971

Aitken, James (C) 53, Bowser, Brian (Sn) 80, Brook, Michael (Sn) 80, 81, Campbell, Neil (N) 72, Cartwright, Jay (S) 51, Chadwick, John (StA) 51, Cook, Peter (N) 80, De Sa, Philip (S) 59, Granger, John (C) 53, 78, Habershon, Richard (Ldr) 71, Haigh, Peter (N) 72, Hart, Neil (N) 73, Jones, Jonathan (B) 56, Menzies, Nick (StA) 96, Morton, Robert (Sc) 56, Oakley, Geoffrey (D) 53, Paschal, Robert (Sn) 95, Page, Roger (S) 51, Piper, Chris (Sc) IFC, 1, 2, 28, 31, 38, 39, 49, 54, Ringrose, Robert (StA) 3, 59, Scaife, Peter (B) 56, Shelley, Norman (Ldr) 56, Sloan, Philip (L) IFC, 1, 4, Smith, Duncan (C) 36, Sturdy-Morton, Julian (Sn) 61, Temple, John (S) 95, Youngman, Nigel (Sc) 56, 1972

Duncan, George (D) 73, Ellis, Chris (Sc) 53, Foster, Richard (Ldr) 73, Gray, Tim (S) 51, Hill, Jonathan (StA) 73,

Hotchin, Peter (C) 84, Kidd, David (Sc) 73, Mennell, Jonathan (G) 71, Redfern, Robert (Sc) 75, Shields, Robert (D) 79, Walker, Richard (B) 86, 1973

Allman-Ward, Patrick (L) 94, Blackburn, Robert (Sc) 80, Bowman, Nick (B) 87, Braka, Ivor (D) 20, Edwards, Peter (Sc) 35, 37, Haigh, Quentin (N) 72, Kerr, Andrew (Sc) 51, Kinney, Pancho (Sn) 96, McVey, Tim (Ldr) 76, Monroe, Jeremy (G) 68, Pentecost, Peter (StA) 35, 37, 49, 66, 67, 1974

Bubenzer, Peter (D) 87, Dodd, Shane (Sn) 35, 77, Duncan, Andrew (D) 73, Johnson, Richard (B) 30, Kerr, Mark (Sc) 51, Wallace, Hamish (G) 68, Wilson, Nick (N) 37, 1975

Allen, Howard (Sn) 49, 84, 88, Beamish, Michael (Sc) 68, Campbell, Andrew (F) 53, Fisher, Bill (B) 87, Gabriel, Keith (Sn) 73, Hewitt, Nigel (B) 84, Hill, Richard (StA) 73, Monroe, Duncan (G) 68, Pringle, Michael (C) 73, Redfern, Simon (Sc) 80, Rudolph, Chris (S) 95, Taylor, Jonathan (LS) 51, Terceira, Tim (D) 87, 1976

Cowan, Timothy (L) 68, Domelloff, Fred (Lx) 35, 36, 37, Dracup, James (Sc) 68, 69, Elsey, Charlie (C) 50, Mackrill, Geoff (B) 79, Miller, Charles (Ldr) IFC, 1, 2, 26, 49, Murley, Tony (G) 68, Orr, Ian (StA) 70, Ruda, Harry (Lx) 88,

Thompson, Rupert (Ldr) 50, Wallace, Malcolm (G) 68, Waring, Tim (Ldr) 49, 78, 1977

Beamish, David (Sc) 68, Bennett, Jim (N) 49, 80, 89, Bolland, Mark (D) 91, Corlett, Simon (G) 86, Elliott, Tim (StA) IFC, 32, 58, Granger, Mark (C) 51, 53, Lane, Ian (Ldr) 80, Marment, Arthur (D) 3, 28, 38, 39, 51, 134, Matthies, Cord (N) 90, Maw, Ken (D) 49, 94, Mills, Peter (StA) 68, Waddell, Adrian (S) 64, Williams, Simon (N) 90, Wright, Anthony (N) 69, 1978

Bainbridge, Guy (Sn) 49, 68, Durham, Malcolm (StA) 76, Everitt, Neil (Sn) 89, Hilton, Paul (B) 68, Hodgson, Ian (Sc) 68, Kemsley, Richard (C) 75, Long, David (B) 50, Meredith, David (Lx) IFC, 74, Mitchell, William (Sn) 62, Parrish, Mark (S) 86, Pincott, Andrew (Lx) 75, Salem, Charles (C) 28, 29, 49, 85, 86, 94, Sankey, Jeremy (Lx) 75, Scorer, James (C) 61, Sinclair Maddox, Alex (D) 68, 1979

Bolland, Jeremy (D) 91, Bywater, Andy (Lx) 64, Elms, Gerald (Sn) 64, Gillett, Charles (StA) 57, 79, Gordon, Rod (Ldr) 52, Holding, Niamh (Sn) 76, Hughes, Tom (StA) 53, Ingall, Jon (StA) 90, Jackman, David (S) 75, Mattinson, Peter (Sn) 51, 65, Noble, Bruno (N) 91, Riggs, Simon (S) 91, Smith, Richard (StA) 11, Stones, Ashley (D) 91, Waddell, Charlie (S) 64, Wallace, Bruce (Sc) 91, West, Julian (Sn) 64, Yarrow, Philip (L) 67, 75,

1980

Appleyard, Jerry (N) 59, Chapman, Will (Sc) 63, English, William (Lx) 75, Gloag, Andrew (Sn) 80, Greening, Andrew (Sc) 81, Harley, Nigel (G) 84, Hiscocks, Charlie (StA) 61, Holmes-Siedle, James (C) 60, Horsell, Robin (Sc) 79, Mattinson, Tom (N) 61, Oswald, Chris (Sn) 65, Page, Richard (S) 94, Reeves, Mark (C) 49, 91, 94, Reid, Dominic (B) 11, 52, Righam, Simon (N) 68, Riggs, Christopher (S) 91, Salt, Trevor (Sn) 65, Thwaites, Andy (N) 61,

1981

Ayton, Paul (G) 56, Beresford, Guy (B) IFC, 2, 3, 28, 29, 51, 58, 60, Heffernan, Bill (Sn) 94, Hiscocks, Tom (StA) 44, 86, Irvine, Alastair (Sc) IFC, 2, 30, 57, 69, Milne Stoughton, Anthony (S) 86, Pearsall, Simon (G) 86, Reed, Mark (Ldr) 71, Trask, John (Ldr) 95, Wong, Alex (D) 96, Yarrow, Mark (L) 67,

1982

Allen, Jules, (StA) 70, Ashworth, Lance (G) IFC, 29, 30, 31, 38, 61, Bainbridge, James (Sn) 69, Barry, Theo (N) 61, Boxhall, Crispin (StA) 96, Bramley, Robert (C) 86, Clack, Simon (Lx) 96, Colman, Chris, (StA) 70, Grantham, Vin (LS) 51, Hood, James (StA) 70, Kennedy-Close, Chris (D) 96, Kettley, Simon (D) 96, Mattinson, David (Sn) 65, Meech, Simon (Sn) 56, Mojela, Alex (Sc) 96, Mountain, Richard (S) 58, Payne, Matt (StA) 49, 52, 70, Peak, Barry (Sn) 35, 37, Peckett, Tim (StA) 70, Pepperell, Giles (L) 66,

Phillips, Adrian (StA) 70, Pickard, Ed (G) 73, Reed, Paul (Ldr) 71, Robinson, Jazz (S) 58, Rodgers, Simon (D) 96, Smith, Andrew (Sc) 30, Spragg, Guy (Sc) 63, Thornton, Simon (G) 61, Vincent, Dom (Sc) 84, Walliker, Michael (D) 96, Warne, Sanjev (D) 96, Welsh, Adrian (StA) 70, 1983

Blossom, Matthew (Sc) 63, Ching, David (C) 95, Doubleday, Mark (S) 69, Ginns, James (Sc) 63, Greening, Peter (Sc) 81, Hill, Doug (Sc) 63, Jay, Andrew (G) 58, Phillips, Justin (StA) 70, Pong, Jeremy (Ldr) 91, Porter, Christopher (Sc) 64, Porter, Daniel (Sc) 64 Porter, Matt (Sc) 63, Rees, Mike (B) 63, Simpson, Tim (C) 86, Weeks, David (C) 97, Whitaker, Tim (Sn) 59, 1984

Abrahams, Guy (Sn) 59, Andrews, Jonny (Sc) 63, Barraclough, Chris (N) 63, Bennett, Charlie (N) 59, 64, Brady, Dom (Sc) 63, Carr, Steve (S) 35, 37, 51, Eddy, Mark (StA) 35, Forde, Matt (Sc) 63, Kunzer, Steve (G) 64, Marris, Ian (Sn) 59, Mountain, Jules (S) 58, Munro, Richard (Sc) 59, 63, Pepperell, Justin (L) 67, Poet, Richard (N) 72, Price, Tom (Sn) 59, Rawlins, Richard (Sn) 59, Rooksby, Fergus (Sc) 63, Spragg, Robert (Sc) 63, Turner, Jonathan (S) 79, Wakeford, Mark (StA) 69, Whitaker, Andrew (Sn) 59, Woodbridge, Giles (B) 90, Wragg, Michael (StA) 63,

1985

Cocke, Ben (G) 58, Dove, Edward (C) 35, Eames, Guy (LS) 49, Gray, Angus (G) 58, Green, Roger (Sc) 68, 81, Greening, James (Sc) 81, Hand, Jonny (Sc) 63, Harrison, Lisa (C) 63, Haselden, Peter (G) 58, Hoult, Charlie (Sc) 49, Kunzer, David (G) 58, 64, 81, Massey, Philip (StA) 80, McAuliffe, Ian, (Sc) 68, Moor-Radford, Dudley (B) 29, 38, 39, 63, Newboult, Pete, (G) 58, Orange-Bromhead, Edward (Sc) 81, Parker, Dominic (G) 58, Pentecost, Richard (StA) 67, Pickard, Edward (G) 59, Piper, Angus (B) 63, Rees, Chris (B) 63, Riggs, James (Sn) 80, Ringham, James (N) 68, Sewell, Michael (D) 81, Shepherd-Smith, Ben (D) 63, Simpson-Dent, Jonathan (Sc) 81, Smith, Alex (Ldr) 38, 39, Stuart-Mills, James (Sc) 80, 81, Trafford, Nigel (S) 58, Wheeler, Dom (S) 39, Zielonka, Wojciech (D) 50, 1986

Bailey, Martin (N) 52, 55, Berchem, Nick (D) 72, 82, de Voil, Philip (G) 84, Ellis, Richard (Sn) IFC, 69, 80, Fearnehough, Alistair (N) 80, Jones, Matt (C) 54, Marr, Rory (S) 64, Morriss, Adam (Lx) 80, Slater, Chris (StA) 60, 69, Trafford, Philip (S) 58, 1987

Allen, Gavin (B) 59, Appleby, stewart (D) 93, Brady, Dom (Sc) 54, 55, Cairns, David (Ldr) 52, Galliford, Bruce (StA) 55, Ginns, James (Sc) 59,

Hammon, Charlie (Sn) 59, Hammond, Richard (G) 52, Haigh, Mike (Sc) 79, 80, Hart, Julian (D) 50, Hawkins, Dave (Ldr) 55, Heffernan, Charlie (Sn) 94, Hill, Doug (Sc) 59, Hughes, Ben (StA) 53, Lane, Gavin (D) 53, MacMillan, Tim (G) 55, Murray, Justin (Sc) 59, Poet, Edward (N) 72, Porter, Matthew (Sc) 59, 64, Sargaison, Matthew (B) 59, Slater, Mark (StA) 60, Sorgo, Antony (S) 90, Souter, Justin (G) 64, Tett, Richard (B) 52, 58, Thorpe, Mike (Lx) 55, Turner, Ryck (N) 55, Usher, Bruce (Sc) 55, Wadie, Iain (Sn) 84, 1988

Abdullah, Adhha (Sn) 60, 93, Aitken, Bruce (Sn) 60, Atkins, Phil (C) 54, Baldock, Tom (S) 54, 59, Bennett, Stephen (Sn) 60, Blackburn, Mark (G) 50, Bucher, Andrew (Sn) 60, Carne, Andrew (Sn) 60, Chadwick, Adam (N) 52, Chamberlain, William (Sn) 60, Chatterton, Paul (S) 54, Dyson, Mark (N) 50, Floto, Andres (D) 53, Forde, Matt (Sc) 54, Fraser, Donald (Sc) 76, Gardner, James (Sn) 60, Hendry, Alex (Sc) 54, Jones, Harvey (S) 86, Lyon, David (Ldr) 50, McAlpine, Jules (Lx) 32, 33, 54, 58, Moore, Peter (Ldr) 49, 75, Pasco, Tim (Lx) 54, Puthucheary, Jasim (Sn) 93, Richardson, Jeremy (G) 58, 77, Skelton, Chris (Sc) 54, Spragg, Guy (Sc) 54, Wadie, Iain (S) 50, Watkins, Justin (StA) 121, Yeaman, Justin (S) 54,

1989 Baldock, Alex (S) 55, 59, Bates, Robert (Sn) 56, Berchem, Jeremy (D) 72, Blossom, Matt (Sc) 77, Bradbury, Rupert (Sc) 65, Burdess, Simon, (C) 55, 91, Campbell, Dick (Sc) 55, Davis, Matthew (Sc) 67, 77, Frisbee, Marcus (C) 55, Frost, Rupert (Sn) 55, 56, Gissing, Jason (Lx) 59, Hill, Jason, (C) 55, Hinton, Ben (G) 55, Hiscocks, Dan (Sn) 55, Hunt, Victoria (LS) 96, Johnson, Al (G) 55, Llewellyn, Andrew (Sc) 55, Marr, Rory (C) 120, Merry, Andy (Sn) 55, Mitchell, Charlie (Sn) 55, Onyett, Mark (StA) 55, Ortner, Sophie (LS) 96, Owen, Simon (G) 55, Pykett, Olly (Sn) 55, 59, Robertson, Jock (G) 55, Rodger Brown, Hugo (G) 55, Smith, Ben (Sn) 55, Strathon, Chris (Sn) 55, Want, Chris (S) 56, Weastell, Jonty (S) 55, 80, Whitaker, Rob (Sn) 59, Williamson, Nick (Ldr) 53, Womersley, Walter (Ldr) 55, 96, Yao, Jerry (C) 91, 1990

Adam, Sacha (B) 95, Alcock, Phil (C) 64, Barnes, Tom (Sc) 54, Bennett, Kevin (Sn) 64, Burn, Dan (Sn) 59, 64, Cartwright, Nick (N) 57, Charlton, Ralph (S) 64, Clarke, Richard (B) 95, Cranna, Stuart (Sc) 64, Crowther, Angus (StA) 64, Deacon, Alex (Lx) 50, 64, Goldsmith, Andy (StA) 64, Gordon-Stewart, Alastair (F) 36, Harris, Giles (Ldr) 82, Kunzer, Richard (G) 64, Paxman, Jez (L) 64, Poet, Bruno (N) 72, Spragg, James (Sc) 63, 64,

Thain, Oliver (L) 64, Thomas, Hugh (G) 64, Turner, Paul (S) 80, Tyler, Tom (C) 64, Williams, Dan (StA) 94, Williamson, Christopher (Ldr) 53, Yates, Mark (Sc) 72, Yong, Daniel (C) 49, 93, 1991

Barnes, Tom (Sc) 57, Barnett, Jules (N) 57, Black, Scott (Ldr) 57, Cheswright, Rupert (N) 57, Cookson, John (S) 57, Dixon, Alex (B) 57, Downey, Rebecca (L) 57, Ellis, Tom (Sn) 80, Epton, Mark (StA) 80, Flather, Harvey (D) 64, Froud, Charles (StA) 57, Glover, James (Sc) 50, Harris, Richard (Lx) 35, 50, Hashim, Darhim (StA) 93, Hooper, Bill (N) 57, Hunt, Miles (L) 96, Leask, Emma (W) 57, Lisle, John (D) 71, Morgan, Stuart (Lx) IFC, 29, 34, 58, 80, Parker, Matt (N) 57, Read, Matt (S) 70, Shepherd, Mark (S) 70, Smith, Alex (N) IFC, 29, 49, 57, 80, Tovey, Chris (Sc) 72, 84, Trafford, Jo (S) 70

1992

Akintewe, Andrew (S) 69, Aston, James (StA) IFC, 35, Barraclough, Nick (S) 58, Bullard, Paddy (S) 58, Cullinan, James (G) 72, Donaldson, Kathy (W) 73, Gilmour, Shauna (K) 79, Hallam, Mark (Sc) 79, Kamil, Nik (D) 93, Kempson, Phil (S) 58, Oakley, Will (Lx) 79, Pickering, Jeremy (S) 58, Puthucheary, Zudin (C) 93, Robinson, William (G) 59, 82, Sahlool, Nasser (S) 58, Shaw, Robert (S) 58, 84, Stephens, Dan (S) 58,

Tobin, Andrew (G) 56, Valentine, Neil (G) 50, Weightman, Magnus (S) 58, Worthington, Ashley (S) 58, 1993

Abdullah, Fuad ((Sn) 93, Appleby, Andrew (Sn) 93, Burnard, Louise (W) 77, Burton, James (G) 89, Calvert, Alex (N) 89, Cooke-Priest, Kate (W) IFC, Eames, Miles (LS) 58, Holman, Bob (S) 89, Innes, Steve (G) 78, Kirk, Julian (LS) 54, Pollard, Tim (Sc) 55, Quarmby, Oliver (Sn) 93, Seligman, Oliver (Sc) 90, Terry, Jon (G) 49, 77, Williams, David (Ldr) 93, 1994

Ackerman, Nick (StA) 89, Armitage, Nick (B) 51, 65, Byworth, Rick (StA) 89, Dunn, Rick (Sn) 89, Elderkin, Rupert (N) 89, Hargreaves, Geoff (StA) 82, Heaton, Teresa (D) 52, Hunt, Will (S) 80, Kirkman, Percy (Sn) 90, Lister, Simon (N) 89, Mankowski, Mark (Sn) 82, Price, Mary (K) IFC, Sanders, Sarah (K) 10, Southworth, Alex (Sn) 82, Sulaiman, Feizal (C) 93, Turner, Tony (N) 82, Unwin, Matt (S) 58, Williamson, Mark (Ldr) 53, Yusuf, Rahmat (Sc) 93, 1995

Buelles, Christian (C) 89, Cross, Jonathan (Sn) 60, Cross, Richard (Sn) 51, 60, Day, Billy (S) 62, Freebairn, Claire (LS) 54, Goff, Chris (S) 62, Hampton, Sarah (D) 86, Ismail, Yohanis (W) 93, Johnson, Robert (N) 38, 55, Kemp, Ross (S) 61, 120, Lane, Charlie (D) 82, Luttrell-Hunt, Will (S) 62, Millett, Piers (S) 62, O’Gorman, PJ (S) 52,

Ragg, Edward (S) 89, Rande, Roger (S) 61, Rieck, Nina (K) IFC, 29, 30, 31, 38, 60, Simmonds, Guy (StA) 26, 28, 58, Varley, David (StA) 58, Yong, Jonathan (Ldr) 93, 1996

Ackerman, Nev (StA) 55, Armitage, Claire (D) 65, Ballard, Mark (Sc) 78, Bracewell, Claire (D) 51, Bredin, Henry (S) 52, Bryers, Henry (Lx) 50, Cates, Sam (Lx) 50, Chadwick, Ben (N) 52, Curtis, Cary (G) 55, Davies, Edward (Ldr) 55, Duncombe, Henry (B) 35, Hallam, Oliver (Sc) 50, Hamlyn, Tim (C) 86, Mehew, Sam (Sc) 56, Nicholson, Aidan (Lx) 50, Pollard, Chris (G) 60, 121, Salt, Tom (StA) 55, 1997

Abas, Karis (StA) 62, Bain, Andrew (L) 58, Ching, Michael (C) 96, Cope, Jonathan (B) 58, Coulthurst, Andew (StA) 58, Fitton, Simon (L) 36, Gent, Lizzie (W) 56, Godfrey, Chris (N) 58, Gohil, Saheet (N) 61, Holmes, James (Lx) 58, 121, Kemp, Alex (S) 58, 62, Kilner, James (StA) 58, 80, Lightowler, Andrew (L) 36, Middleton, Tom (S) 58, Muir, Ric (Sc) 58, Nicholson, Tim (StA) 53, Pennington, John (N) 58, Pettie, Nick (N) 58, Simmonds, Matthew (StA) 49, 58, Stallard, Tom (N) 51, Stephen, Simon (Lx) Stoney, Sarah (D) 58, Thomas, Ed (Ldr) 52, Thornton, Matthew (StA) 58, Thorpe, Thom (Sc) 78, Vickers, James (C) 58, Wansbrough-Jones, Tom (Sc) 58,

Yong, Andrew (Ldr) 93, 1998

Clarke, Benjamin (B) 95, Gedge, Sam (N) 52, Guthrie-Brown, Thurstan (StA) 58, Haworth, Simon (Sn) 89, Hunt, Suzanna (K) 96, Lam, Wayne (C) 91, Lefort, Sebastian (G) 89, Perowne, Peter (G) 72, 82, Potts, Jon (C) IFC,29, Smith, Michael (StA) 52, Tan, Yee Seng ((Sc) 93, Wallace, Harry (N) 82, Wicks, Eleanor (W) 89,

1999

Anderson, Guy (L) 82, Armitage, Tim (B) 51, Coulthurst, Sarah (K) 58, Falk, Seb (B) 52, Glen, Andrew (LS) 56, Goldingham, Al (Ldr) 28, 30, 38, 39, Goldingham, Mike (Ldr) 28, 30, 38, 39, Goodley, Tom (G) 35, Howe, James (B) 52, Kemp, Andy (S) 62, Kemp, Mark (S) 62, Matthews, Charlie (Ldr) 52, Morriss, Alex (Lx) 94, Nicholson, Andrew (StA) 53, Nicholson, David (Lx) 50, Perowne, Julia (K) 52, Roche, Simon (StA) 60, Sainthill, Mark (StA) 121, Shearer, Virginia (K) 56, Singleton, Mark (G) 54, Unwin, George (S) 62, Valentine, Stuart (G) 50, Von Bar, Konstantin (C) 90, 120, Ward, Piers (Lx) 54,

2000

Allwood, Jonathan (Sn) 96, Armitage, Tim (B) 65, Burton, Guy (S) 96, Cheatle, Joss (G) 36, Francis, Nick (Sn) 96, Gee, Ben (Sn) 96, Glynn, Alexa (K) 4, 136, Howe, Will (B) 96, Hunt, Alex (K) 96, Kunzer, Minty (N) 65,

Ibrahim, Ed (Lx) 39, Johnson, Jessica (K) 60, Lewis, Annabel (W) 60, Newington, Harry (B) 30,38, Owen, Suzanne (K) 74, Smith, Edward (StA) 52, Von Bar, Immanuel (StA) 90 Watt-Pringle, Rowan (StA) 92, 2001

Arlington, Claire (D) 81, Bradford, Chantal (N) 71, Fletcher, Henry (G) 52, Goodhart, Jamie (N/Ldr) 69, Perowne, Matthew (Ldr) 50, Rathbone, Emilie (K) 81, Suzuki, Toshiaki (B) 53, 2002

Criado Perez, Caroline (D) 136, Evershed, Sarah (D) 58, Francis, Tim (Sn) 96, Kendall, Will (S) 36, Reynolds, Simon (Sn) 49, 92, Seebohm, Peter (Sc) 84, Von Bar, Benedict (StA) 90, 2003

Baggallay, Merrik (S) 71, 121, Bailey, Alex (Sc) 50, Chong, Ning (Sn) 93, Clabburn, Tom (S) 71, Denham, Annabel (D) 71, Dickinson, Tim (L) 50, Dummer, Davina (N) 97, Glass, Edward (StA) 58, Gross, Olivia (D) 71, Hill, Alexandra (D) 71, 121, Hoyle, Thomas (Sc) 120, Owen, David (F) 74, 120, Rivero Bosch, Pippa (D) 71, Simmonds, Oliver (S) 70, Sutton, Vicky (W) 71, 2004

Benson, Victoria (K) 120, 121, Chaney, Verity (N) 121, Gladwell, Jenny (N) 81, Horner, Richard (Sn/Ldr) 49, 95, 97, Ling, Peter (Sc) 69, Matthews, Caroline (D) 77, McVey, Hannah (Sn) 76, Morris, Kate (N) 97, Rowell, Sandy (C) 84,

Stanley-Price, Tessa (N) 8, Theakston, Will (Ldr) 51, Wake, Cameron (L) 32, 55, Yong, Rebecca (K) 93, 2005

Cartwright, Jo (W) 51, 121, Datta, Arnab (L) 56, East, James (B) 53, Foster, Patrick (StA) 4, 5, 32, 33, 35, Hu, Tianxiang (George), (StA) 89, Pentecost, Richard (StA) 35, Quinn, Kate (D) 51, Rieck, Arabella (K) 60, Russell, Gayle (L) 51, 121, Steane, Seb (StA) 120, 121, Traill, Tom (G) 120, Wake, Chloe (L) 55, Zhu, Xi (Ldr) 49, 89, 2006

Bury, Ed (Ldr) 53, 58, 120, Dobson, Patrick (Ldr) 53, 58, Gurel, Omer (Ldr) 94, Henn, Florian (C) 89, Hill, Florence (K) 56, Horner, Ellie (Sn) 97, Huntington, Claire (W) 8, Israsena, Iditorn (B) 49, Lane, Ben (Ldr) 58, Mason, Kate (L) 3, 27, 62, Mortimer-Hendry, Tony (S) 82, Outar, Michael (L) 55, Paske, Arabella (N) 66, 120, 121, Tusting, Lucy (Sn) 121, Volkwein, Simon (Lx) 90, White, Kyle (C) 53, 2007

Arkell, Tom (StA) 82, Audley, Alice (W) 85, Chapple, James (L) 30, 38, Coulson, Tom (B) 60, Dyson, Nick (B) 60, 120, Greaves, Edmund (Sc) 72, Horsell, Tom (Lx) 79, Johnstone, Henry (C) IFC, Kemp, Rachel (W) 62, McConnell, Camilla (W) 85, Miller, Tom (Ldr) 52, 121, Moule, Harry (B) 121, Pentecost, Victoria (N) 67, 121,

Smith, Greg (StA) 32, 33, Wade, Will (StA) 82, Wake, Sophie (L) 5, 120, Waterson, James (S) 79, 2008

Butler, William (L) 35, Chapman, Christina (W) 90, Daniels, Oliver (Sc) 90, Darrell, William (S) 54, Hawkesford, Rachel (W) IFC, Lefort, Max (F) 120, Purbrook, Thommy (Sn) 27, Thompson, Christian (Sc) 90, Von Pueckler, Nik (Sc) 85, 90, 2009

Brand, Lucy (N) 53, Evans, Delina (K) 92, Horsell, Lucy (L) 79, Lang, Angus (F) 35, Lavender, Alex (StA) 81, Lowe, Will (StA) 51, 120, Miller, Rebecca (K) 52, Stuart-Mills, Amy (W) 81, Young, Sam (G) 120, 2010

Alten, Benjamin (L) 61, Ashworth, Millie (K) 61, Budgett, Jamie (F) 53, Cubitt, James (G) 120, Kernick, Nicolas (L) 97, 120, 121, Marment, Angharad (D) 51, 121, Mason, Georgie (W) 60, 61, Murray, Ross (L) 1, 10, 84, Osmond, Rory (G) 32, 33, Page, Hannah ((L) 51, Steel, Sophie (D) 120, Street, Will (Sc) 32, Taylor, Charlotte (L) 29, Wake, Holly, (L) 55, Walker, Sophie (L) 29, 30, 31, 38, 39, Whitaker, Greg (Sc) 59, 120, 2011

Ashworth, Charlie (G) 61, Filhol, Alex (B) 95, Lim, Matthew (B) 84, Meredith, Harry (F) 74, Morse, Digby (F) 74, Orr, Sophie (D) 70, Titcomb, Dom (G) 83, 120, Titmuss, Ralph, (L) 94,

2012

Davies, Georgie (K) 83, 120, Horsell, Evie (L) 79, Hudson, Will (L) 29, Irvine, Angus (Sc) 57, 83, King, George (Ldr) 69, Landale, Kirsty ( Piggins, Jamie (G) 120, Power, Sacha (L) 120, Robson, Mark (G) 120, Rockall, Alice (W) IFC, 30, Russell, Patch (Ldr) 120, Marment, George (B) 51, Waring, Chris (Ldr) 81, Whitaker, Bryony (Sn) 59, 2013

Bates, Jack (B) 50, Bolland, James (S) 91, Cowley, Kristina (L) IFC, 29, Findlay, Patrick (C) 50, Gillett, Harriet (K) 61, Gladstone, James (C) 50, Harrison, Kate (Sn) IFC, Hutchinson, Charles (G) 51, Orr, William (StA) 70, Phillips, Ed (Sc) 70, Smith, Will (C) 50, Tse, Kelvin (G) 51, Tusa, Sebastian (S) 49, 82, 83, Yukhnovich, Maria (K) IFC, 29, 2014

Arkell, Fleur (L) 69, Bainbridge, Emily (K) 69, Barrell, Will (F) 83, Beney, Miles (S) 75, Billington, Stan (F) 59, Bolle-Jones, David (StA) 69, Bowkett, Charlie (B) 69, Campbell, James (F) 75, Cundall, Charlotte (D) 69, Cundy, Tom (Sc) 41, Cuthbert, Ashley (S) 75, 83, Daniels, Tom (G) 69, Ellis, Isobel (Sn) 69, 80, George, Alex (C) 41, Higginbotham, James (S) 83, Hodgson, Alex (K) 69, Johnsen, Alexander (F) 75, 83, Martin, Freddie (K) 69, Meredith, Will (F) 74, Morse, Emma (K) 69, Phillips, Harry (B) 70, Richmond, Ben (G) 75,

Robson, Charlotte (K) 69, Smith, Will (S) 83, Wakeford, Lucy (Sn) 69, Walker, Jake (F) 75, Whitaker, Rory (Sc) 59, Wong, Abby (N) IFC, Wood, Oliver (C) 69, 2015

Ashworth, Freddie (G) IFC, 30, 40, 41, 61, Barker, George (Sc) 40, Beasley, Oli (L) 97, Graves, Ben (F) 32, 33, Howard, Max (S) 40, Ireson, Jack (L) 40, Lawes, Harry (S) 40, Macleod, Chuck (L) 61, Sandison, Dughall (Ldr) 40, Taylor, Will (G) 40, 41, Titcomb, Chris (StA) IFC, 30, 40, 41, Treharne-Aldridge, Millie (Sn) 83, 2016

Curry, Ben (S) 34, Howard, Freddie (S) 34, Jonsrud, Fredrik (Ldr) 34, Keane, Miles (L) 28, Manger, Jeremy (L) 38, Martens, Dylan (L) 29, Orr, Katie (D) 69, 70, Rogers, Charlie (S) 38, Tusa, Tris (S) 33, 34, 35, 36, Wakeford, Emma (D) 69, Winterton, Catherine (D) 9, 2017

Bainbridge, Charlie (StA) 69, Calveley, Maude (L) 56, Fernandes, Charlie (Ldr) 32, 33,

Keane, James (L) IFC, 41, Phillips, John (StA) 70, Stansfield, Harry (StA) 69, 2018

Abdullah, Ariz (Sc) 93, Aubrey, Theo (C) 33, Cairns, Lucy (N) 52, Campbell, Alasdair (F) 53, Dodd, Thomas (C) 64, Fernandes, Simon (Ldr) 32, 33, Gaev, Vasily (C) 55, Garber, George (S) 69, Goddard, Freddie (G) 41, Payne, Benedict (StA) 54,

Phillips, Charlotte (W) 70, Shelley, Charles (S) IFC, Wienand, Helen (W) 69, 2019

Abdullah, Zara (Sn) 93, Capazzello, Georgio (C) 89, Crow, Edward (S) 65, Cunningham, Alex (L) 33, Esler, James (C) 32, 33, Gambier, Edward (F) 54, Gibson, George (L) 65, Gurney, Amelia (D) 54, Kunzer, Holly (N) 54, Mills, Ollie (B) 65, Puthucheary, Teanna (W) 93, Salvesen, Oscar (Ldr) 69, Trevelyan, Emily (S) 65, Wakeford, Hannah (D) 69, 2020

Dodd, Nicolai (C) 64, Ferrand, Guy (B) 79, Giacco, Angelo (L) IFC, Payne, Nicholas (StA) 54, Simeons, Tommy (StA) 32, 33, 34, Simpson-Dent, James (Sc) 81, Stanton, Tom, (Ldr) 33, 2021

Cairns, Tom (B) 52, Irvine, Geordie (Sc) 57, Phillips, Elizabeth (W) 70, Thain, Orlando (F) 33, 2022

Boston, Harry (F) 33, Davies, George Ldr) 33, Ferrand, Fenella (Sn) 79, Reyner, Ed (F) 33, Roberts, Eleanor (L) 9, Tobin, James (B) 56,