The Old Oundelian 2024-25

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Charles Salem (C 78) talks to the Head about Polka, the Written Word and an Empty Diary

Harriet Baker (Sn 09) The Sunday Times Young Writer of The Year Alice Kan (L 97) ‘What Did You Mean by That?’

OFFICERS

The Old Oundelian Club PRESIDENT: Charles Salem (C 78)

ADDRESS: The Stables, Cobthorne, West Street, Oundle PE8 4EF TEL: 01832 277 297 EMAIL: oosecretary@oundleschool.org.uk

VICE PRESIDENTS Lance Ashworth (G 82) Peter Moore (Ldr 88)

SPORTS SECRETARIES Multisports Coordinator Vacant

Hon Sec OO Men’s Hockey Stuart Morgan (Lx 91) Email: oohockey@ooclub.co.uk

LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS Nick Cheatle (G 63) John Crabbe (G 55) Shane Dodd (Sn 74) Robert Ellis (D 65) Sir Michael Pickard (C 51) Chris Piper (Sc 71) Harry Williamson (StA 55)

Hon Sec OO Badminton Masao Matsuura (StA 22) Email: oobadminton@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Netball Bella Ellis (Sn 14) Email: oonetball@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Clay Pigeon Shooting Henry Johnstone (C 07) Email: oocpshooting@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Rifle Shooting Holly Read (N 21) Email: oorifle@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Cross-Country Jon Potts (C 98) Email: ooxcountry@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Rowing Kristina Cowley (L 13) Email: oorowing@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec Oundle Rovers CC Tim Elliott (StA 77) Email: elliotttim8@gmail.com

Hon Sec OO Rugby Guy Simmonds (StA 95) Email: oorugby@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Fives Alex Smith (N 91) Email: oofives@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Sailing Kate Cooke-Priest (W 93) Email: oosailing@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Football Freddie Ashworth (G 15) and Chris Titcomb (StA 15) Email: oofootball@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Squash Maria Yukhnovich (K 13) Email: oosquash@ooclub.co.uk

FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE Alastair Irvine (Sc 81), Chairman Richard Ellis (Sn 86) David Meredith (Lx 78) Harry Williamson (StA 55) HONORARY LEGAL ADVISER Lance Ashworth (G 82) REPORTING ACCOUNTANT David Meredith (Lx 78) OLD OUNDELIAN MAGAZINE EDITOR Megan Smedley (Hon OO) OO CLUB COMMITTEE Guy Beresford (B 81) Kristina Cowley (L 13) Kate Harrison (Sn 13) Mary Price (K 94) Nina Rieck (K 95) Graham Solari (G 65)

Hon Sec OO Golf Nick Copestick (Ldr 69) Email: oogolf@ooclub.co.uk Hon Sec OO Women’s Hockey Kate Harrison (Sn 13) Email: oowmshockey@ooclub.co.uk

Hon Sec OO Tennis Sophie Palliser (L 10) Email: ootennis@ooclub.co.uk Hon Sec OO Waterpolo Angelo Giacco (L 20) Email: oowaterpolo@ooclub.co.uk

HONORARY OOS 2024 Richard Andrews John Arkell Michael Aubrey Peter Barker Pat Barr Ian Bishop Michael Bloxham Bob Briggs Jenny Briggs Alex Brighton Laetitia Brighton Norman Brittain Jonathan Bromley Ian Browne Bev Burnham Charlie Bush Mary Bush Douglas Butler

Alan Butterworth Paul Clark Julia Clay Julie Clipstone Terry Cobner Roy Collard Martin Collier Philip Couzens Tony Cowley Denise Davidson Harry Doggers Ron Dowd Michael Downes Sue Dow David Edsall Jane Fenton John Flory Andrew Forbes

Stephen Forge Viv Gascoine Carolyn Gent John Gillings Michael Goatly Nicola Guise Ann Guy Phil Hanley Roger Hanlon John Hewitson Sheila Hipple Margaret Holmström Walter Holmström Tony Howorth Clive Humphreys John Hunt Richard Kauffman

Gerald Keeling Anthony Kerr-Dineen Sarah Kerr-Dineen Simon King Janet Levet Peter Lewins James MacDonald Michael Maconochie Andrew Martens Bruce McDowell Anne Mills David Milsted Nicola Mola Tim Morrison Robin Newman Vic Northwood John O’Kelly 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 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

CONTENTS

COLUMNS

The Old Oundelian

2

The President

4

The Editor

50

The Head

70

The Archive

NEWS

CREDITS

Editor

Megan Smedley (Hon OO)

Email: megansmedley2@aol.com

Editorial Committee

Charles Salem (C 78) - President Lucy McLaren (Sn 06) Richard Matthews (D 66) - Past President Mark Moore (Sc 68)

37

The School Year

41

Oundle Mencap Holidays

41

OO Charity Challenge

42

Laxton Junior School

43

Staff Valetes

48

Ten Years at Oundle

51

Sport

72

Engagements and Marriages

Email: oosecretary@oundleschool.org.uk

73

Births

Designed, Printed and Bound in the UK

74

News from Home

94

News from Abroad

103 Obituaries

Lance Ashworth (G 82) - Past President Harry Williamson (StA 55)

School Representatives

Elspeth Langsdale - Archivist Hannah Morgan - Marketing

Advertising Enquiries Tel: 01832 277297

The Lavenham Press lavenhampress.com

Back cover photograph by Toby Diggens (StA 06)

124 A Plea for Stories

FEATURES 3

The Sanderson Lecture: Alice Kan

5

The Sunday Times Young Writer: Harriet Baker

7

Restoration Ecology: Teach your Children Well

9

The Cripps Library

13

A Griffin Goes to London

16

Dudgeon Adventure Award

17

Oundle's Favourite Society

20

Yarrow Exhibition

25

Squash Stars Past and Present

27

The Class of 2015

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook, X and Instagram are all @OldOundelian facebook.com/oldoundelian X.com/OldOundelian linkedin.com/school/oundle-school Instagram.com/oldoundelian oonetwork.org.uk

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

1

COLUMN

The President ■ Charles Salem (C 78)

I

t is a very great honour to be elected your Club President for 2025, a year - trivia alert - in which there will be two Heads, Sarah Kerr-Dineen and Dominic Oliver, something shared with only two other living presidents, Nick Cheatle, (G 63), who presided under David McMurray and Dr Ralph Townsend and Ian Hodgson (Sc 78) under Charlie Bush and Sarah Kerr-Dineen.

This year so far has been a trying one as we have been without a Club Secretary since Nicky Yianni departed last November having done a fantastic job for us. However, we have still managed to hold a number of events, all of which have been well attended. In March, Arthur Marment (D 77), in his last year as convener, organised another hugely successful Multisports weekend (reported on page 51). On behalf of the committee and all sporty OOs, I want to thank Arthur for all his work over the years to make these weekends the success that they are - even when we lose! He had very big boots to fill Al Gordon’s (C 69) - which he did admirably.

April saw us host a lunch for those Oundelians who left between 1945

2

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

and 1956 and another for Honorary OOs. These events were held in Oundle and I am very grateful to the catering staff for doing such a fantastic job. Our annual Over 60s lunch was held at the Travellers Club, and we returned to the Queen’s Club for our Sports lunch. Both attracted around 80 OOs. In addition, I gave an address to the Sixth Form leavers.

In May, I visited OOs in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. In Kuala Lumpur, our regional correspondent, Afiqah Rizal (N 11) arranged a dinner at which 40 OOs gathered at a restaurant owned by Mirsham Habib (S 14) and enjoyed wonderful food and great camaraderie. As usual, I was looked after royally

by Mark Reeves (C 80) - who incidentally has been our regional correspondent for over 40 years! and his wife Heidi. In Hong Kong, OOs were treated to drinks on HK’s highest rooftop, kindly hosted by Ben Barton (C 07), as well as dinner at the Chariot Club.

We have three big events coming up - in September, for those who left in 1995, and in November, for those who left between 1957 and 1968. The 20 year Reunion dinner also takes place in November. Again, these events are being held in Oundle.

I have just spent two days with the wonderful staff and volunteers at Oundle Mencap Holidays. For the past 43 years, this important charity has been running a weeklong residential summer holiday for young people aged 8 to 18 who have learning disabilities. 40 holidaymakers, 50 junior volunteers, 12 group leaders, 10 special support team and 25 senior volunteers gather together in Oundle in the first week of August. This resourceful team arranges a vibrant mix of on-site activities from arts and craft to music,

climbing and archery - as well as trips to the seaside and local theme parks.

Lily Postlethwaite (K 14) sums up our purpose ‘... to create a safe, fun, inclusive and engaging environment that offers stimulating learning experiences for everyone. The impact of the week is far reaching - not only for the holidaymakers themselves but also for their families who enjoy valuable respite from direct care.

In addition, our volunteers gain a deeper understanding of, and fresh perspective on, disability, as well as invaluable life skills - particularly patience and how to properly communicate with others.’ I was lucky enough to observe first hand just how much the week means to everyone concerned, including the staff at Kirkeby and Wyatt, many of whom ask to be rostered each year.

I joined in and witnessed pure joy on the faces of the children, as they threw tomahawks and fired arrows (both safely!) climbed a huge wall, made ukuleles and sang and danced.

It was a very moving experience.

Use the link below to see the week in action.

I thank my predecessor, Lance Ashworth (G 82), for his constant wise counsel and my successor, Peter Moore (Ldr 88) for toning me down in these trying times. Finally, a word about Megan Smedley: brilliant.

Megan has been our editor for the past six years and has done a sterling job with each edition. I want to thank her on behalf of everyone who reads or contributes to the Magazine. We don’t say it often enough, but you are much appreciated.

I hope to see many of you for the London Dinner at the Travellers Club on 28 November. ■ https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Hj1hhWKx6jw

FEATURE

The Oundle Lecture ■ Alice Kan (L 97) : the only living engineer to be celebrated in sculpture

T

his year’s Oundle Lecture was delivered by Alice Kan, a mechanical engineer whose career path began after an Oundle teacher encouraged her to study engineering. After university she worked for AstraZeneca for thirteen years, and since then she and her husband (also an engineer) have launched their own business. Her role in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout prompted the Royal Academy of Engineering to name her as an inspirational role model and even commissioned a statue of her the first of a living engineer - as a testament both to her and to the profession’s role in society.

She is now contributing to Sabin Vaccine Institute’s efforts to tackle two of the world’s deadliest diseases, Ebola and Marburg. Last year her team worked with the Rwandan government and WHO to deal with an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease. As part of a phase 2 open-label clinical trial, they delivered the vaccine within a week. Within nine days, the first people had been vaccinated.

During the pandemic, she played a crucial role in manufacturing the first vials of the Covid-19 vaccine, for which she received an award for innovation from the Women’s Engineering Society.

She described how, following an urgent government directive, her team was tasked with setting up a sterile, validated vaccine production line in just six weeks, a process that typically takes two years. What followed was a rollercoaster of urgency, collaboration, and absolute focus. She led the effort to batch produce the vaccine, manufacture sterile vaccine vials, fill at speed and rethink packaging to meet urgent timelines. The line filled 200 vials a minute, each one subjected to intense scrutiny through high-speed camera inspection.

But while vaccine production was a triumph of engineering speed and determination, the fight for equity in her profession has been far longer and more personal. Her experiences reveal the subtle, yet damaging assumptions women still face in STEM careers. Despite her achievements, she is often asked who the boss is, assumed to be the notetaker, or overlooked in favour of male colleagues.

She recalled when, after leading a complex equipment installation at AstraZeneca, a contractor said, “No, seriously, who’s in charge?”

She realised the need to reply with disarming but direct questions that prompt reflection. “What did you mean by that?” became her goto phrase, helping challenge bias without confrontation.

Even after a 25-year career, Alice still often finds herself the only woman in the room. Her work now also focuses on efforts to retain women in engineering since she’s concerned that, after a peak of just under 18% in 2021, numbers have since dropped to around 16%.

Determined to reverse this trend, she has applied for a Churchill

Fellowship to study how countries like New Zealand, Norway, and Iceland have cultures that retain women in engineering. New Zealand, for instance, has seen female participation rise from 15% to 37% in a decade through targeted workplace inclusion policies.

She believes that when you create environments where women thrive, everyone benefits. Diversity is not just a moral imperative; it is a business one. When solving global problems like climate change or pandemics, a range of perspectives leads to stronger, more adaptable solutions.

Whether calmly addressing bias, communicating critical vaccine data to government, or working with WHO to deliver the Marburg virus vaccine to Rwanda in record time, Alice shows that leadership means much more than technical know-how.

“What did you mean by that?” might seem like a small question, but in the right moment, it can open minds, challenge prejudice, and create better conversations. If we want to build a future where diverse teams solve the world’s toughest problems, Alice says we will need more people, especially women, asking just that. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

3

COLUMN

The Editor ■ Megan Smedley (Hon OO)

O

ver the past six years, the OO Magazine has told stories of Oundelians doing interesting and often remarkable things, many of them marked by resilience, curiosity and character.

I’ve really enjoyed interviewing former pupils and hearing from so many of you by letter, email, or on unexpected visits to the Old Music School. Your affection for Oundle has been my compass.

Looking back, in 2020 Mark Moore’s (Sc 68) View from the Lost Generation probably attracted the most attention.

His observation that “Oundle in the mid-1960s attempted to close and deaden the mind” prompted some to argue that negativity has no place in the magazine. Most readers,

 With Kate Mason (L 06)

4

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

however, acknowledged that Oundle was a very different institution then. As ever, the Editorial Board encouraged a range of perspectives, and in the same edition Archivist Elspeth Langsdale’s Finding John Eldred - a charming account of the lasting impact of an Oundelian act of bravery - drew almost equal response.

Since then, we’ve published Patrick Foster’s (StA 05) candid and personal account of the damage done by gambling, Jonny Huntington’s (G 04) view of his “good fortune”- a phrase made poignant by his extraordinary solo expedition to the South Pole this year, and Dr Benji Waterhouse’s (Ldr 03) lively tale of how an Oundle error shaped his life. This year, completing a circle, I invited the Lost Generation author to interview Harriet Baker (Sn 09). The result was a measured, precise, and joyful reflection of her time here. In aiming for balance, though, our freedom of expression has recently been constrained. While some schools treat publications for former pupils as PR opportunities, this would not be the Club's preference.

I’ve liked editing the magazine, but enjoyment is seldom unmitigated.

Challenges have included astonishingly late submissions and enthusiastic disregard for word limits. Front cover debates have raised the question: “Is this really how we want to be represented?” For the record, only once did someone seriously propose an etching of Hell as an ideal image. Apart from the Chapel (in soft focus, preferably) few images are deemed entirely “safe.”

Also, the Obituaries pages are extremely important, and I hope we've used the right voice and

appropriate tone and haven't omitted anyone.

On a cheerier note, I love sports reports. This is lucky as sometimes fixtures are commemorated so vividly that I almost feel I’ve played in them myself. Arthur Marment has been a wonderful sports manager and factotum, and I hope Wolves get his number before someone else snaps him up. He has also been a reliable source of wisdom, humour, and Thomas Hardy anecdotes. But alas, and it’s mostly because of him, one linguistic battle remains only partially won. That’s “women” versus “ladies” particularly when referring to sports teams. With 2025 marking 35 years of Oundle women, we feature some of their recent achievements.

September’s reunion in the Common Room was a delightful testament to camaraderie and shared memories, and a reminder of the OO Club’s primary aim - connection.

I've been fortunate in having a lively, knowledgeable and supportive Editorial Board - especially those stalwarts who have completed the full six years. The many highlights range from sparkling stories and touchingly handwritten letters to excellent arguments.

Thank you for inviting me to OO golf days and OO dinners, where I was almost always in the company of people who didn’t want to talk about commas, covers, and censorship.

Finally, should the last six Club Presidents be ranked in order of Editorial Board merit? I couldn’t possibly say, but - well done Charles Salem! The only one to proofread the whole thing.

So, to all of you: thanks. And best of luck to the next editor.■

FEATURE

Rural Hours ■ Harriet Baker (Sn 09) The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year

O

ne of the most difficult things for a writer is working out objectively if you’re any good.

What are the yardsticks? How do you find them? And are they valid? One realistic route is by being shortlisted for, and winning, awards. Getting on the shortlist in the first place is difficult enough. Actually winning the award is fabulous. It means you’re good.

Harriet Baker did just that. She won The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award in 2025. Her book Rural Hours traces the reorienting and renewing of sojourns in the countryside for three pioneering women writers, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann.

Harriet talked to the OO Mag about her time at Oundle and her writing journey.

What’s your family background?

To what extent did it set you on course to want to become a writer?

I grew up in a small village in Leicestershire. There wasn’t much to do, and so my imaginative life was always very important. I started writing short stories when I was very young, and began keeping a diary when I was eleven.

Why were you sent to Oundle?

How did that come about?

I arrived at Oundle for Sixth Form, having been at Oakham School. My older brother, who had been a pupil from The Berrystead onwards, left as I arrived. I took entrance exams to other schools, which usually involved staying overnight, but they were lonely experiences. The two days I spent at Oundle are still vivid.

It poured with rain, and we were guided about by cheerful Oundelians with umbrellas.

I stayed in Sanderson. My year group, who would soon become my best friends, showed me a dance routine, and I set off the alarm on my way to bed. I was instantly happy. It had been my choice to move schools: it was a fresh start and I flourished.

Did you enjoy your time at Oundle? And what came after? Was it somewhere in that time you realised you wanted to write?

Sixth Form was pure joy. It was a huge relief to study exactly what I wanted. Mrs Coles pressed Mrs Dalloway into my hands, and I loved bringing my own reading to tutorial-style sessions with Mr Raudnitz and Mr Hipperson. I had spent my school career hating sport, and

now I could round off the day with ‘vols’ instead—messing around in the Art department or developing photos in the darkroom. I experienced an immense sense of freedom.

Some memories are bittersweet.

Our brilliant friend Thommy Purbrook died very suddenly in Lower Sixth. The loss of her took the wind out of our sails. Our Housemaster, Mr Turner, was brilliant and kind. We were given all sorts of treats, which sounds frivolous, but helped us back on our feet. In time, we all moved on, but the experience gave a special texture to our friendship and has bound us together for life.

After Oundle, I read English at Oxford. It was there I began in earnest what will, I’m sure, become a lifetime of reading and thinking about Virginia Woolf. In some ways, my experience of Oxford fell a little flat. I was shocked to discover it wasn’t acceptable, in an academic setting, to profess one’s love for literature, and there was little time to follow one’s interests beyond the reading for the course. I learned to work very hard, but my greatest sense of intellectual awakening had already happened at Oundle. I had simply been ready for it.

What did you do after school and university? What was your career path?

I spent my early twenties trying and failing to become a journalist. I’m glad I’m not working in the offices of a newspaper or magazine now.

I prefer life on the other side of the desk, submitting essays and reviews as I please. I also worked as a digital producer at the RA, a job which mystified me. It was only a matter of time before I went back to university, studying for an MA at King’s College London and a PhD at Queen Mary

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

5

FEATURE

University of London. I was living in London, working part-time as a bookseller and hopping between the British Library and Senate House. It was a happy time.

I was continuing to write arts criticism, and was contacted by an agent. Until then, I hadn’t given myself permission to think about writing a book. Two years later, Rural Hours sold at auction. It seemed miraculous, and yet in retrospect, I can see that I was putting all the blocks in place, that every misstep was in fact a move towards the life I had always wanted. I look back on my twenties as somehow dreamy, and realise I was writing a lot, and working very hard.

The book was published just over a year ago. I have been preoccupied with bringing it into the world, and with looking after my young son. I am married to an academic and we live in Bristol.

Tell us about the award-winning book. And what the accolade means.

Rural Hours meets the writers Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann in the country in the period between the wars.

The book finds them at threshold moments, during house-moves and heartbreak, or after periods of illness and writer’s block, and describes the ways in which the rhythms and routines of the country invigorated their lives and work. Woolf began writing again after illness, Lehmann learned self-acceptance following divorce, and Warner fell in love; in short, each emerged from a period

of uncertainty or disappointment into freedom, pleasure, and creative experimentation. The book thinks deeply about what it is to live as a writer, how one’s smallest written experiments or fallow periods may in fact be the most generative of all.

Following the book’s publication, I was awarded The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award. It’s an enormous privilege to join the list of previous winners, but it also feels like a vote of confidence in my work. During the writing of Rural Hours, I was developing a methodology, imaginatively engaging with the lives of women artists and writers through a revisionary feminist approach to their archives. Virginia Woolf’s laundry list was as important to me as her diary. I see now it will become the basic principle of my future work.

What works best for you in the often difficult process of getting the words down?

Writing begins with reading and thinking. I spend as long as possible in this dreamy stage, allowing my feeling for the subject to develop, and for different ideas to come into being. Then begins the long and arduous process of research. When drawing everything together, I try to sustain this tension: between what I have collected from books or the archive, and an element which is felt or imagined. The writing needs to feel creative, to have life.

It took me a long time to write my first book. Now, with a toddler at my

feet, I don’t have such luxury. I amaze myself at what I’m able to achieve in the space of a nap. I’ve had to be much more pragmatic about when and where I work. This summer, I’ve been letting myself into my husband’s office in the mornings, while he looks after our son. I keep my head down when I go to make a cup of tea!

What’s next for you as a writer?

I tend to be secretive about what I’m working on, though my next book will be on a group of British women artists and writers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Probably no one except my husband will read a word of it until it’s done. I’m just beginning a research fellowship at the University of Cambridge, which will enable me to pay for childcare and get back into the archives.

Do you have any advice for other OOs wondering if they also have what it takes to be a writer?

Don’t rush! Towards the end of my twenties, my thirtieth birthday began to toll in my head, a self-imposed deadline for getting my first book done. I sailed past my birthday, and in fact missed a manuscript deadline, meaning that my book was published a year later than planned. I’m glad of this. The book continued shaping itself until the very end. I’m suspicious of writers, particularly of non-fiction, who produce work too quickly. My pet hate is reading a book that feels as if it’s been hurried onto the page.

One more thing. Writers are often advised to keep diaries. I stand by this.

I have always kept one, though I tend to write about writing, not what I had for lunch. It keeps my hand in, and means I never lose sense of my voice on the page.

Looking back, what did you get out of Oundle?

Perhaps because I was only there for two years, Oundle occupies a haloed place in my memory. It arrived just when I needed it, when I was ready to spend time away from home (I don’t, in fact, believe in boarding schools!), and as I was on the cusp of discovering the possibilities of an intellectual life. ■

6

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

FEATURE

How I Became a Landscape Architect and Restoration Ecologist ■ Toby Diggens (StA 06)

I

left Oundle in 2006 armed with a few life skills, some semblance of artificial public school confidence and a dream. That I could kitesurf my way into the sunset across beaches and reefs littered with some of the world’s finest wildlife. The dream began well, I travelled with fellow Oundelian Will Darby to the far flung reaches of the Commonwealth, namely the Solomon Islands, where we found nirvana and were adopted by the finest people I have still ever met. Sammy, Lerick, Maiteyer and their families housed us, fed us and pressed us to follow our path of relentless surfing, fishing and kitesurfing on every day that the conditions presented themselves.

We were the proverbial pigs in s**t.

During that time, and right up until the Solomon Islands tsunami, which cut short our trip and left an indelible mark on us both, I had, as a budding biologist, been fascinated

by the vibrancy and wealth of life which clung to every millimetre of the reef and rainforests we had begun to call home. It was this and my early life exploring the wild marshes and creeks of the Norfolk coast, which caused the fusion of wiring that put me where I am today.

Fast forward a few years and I was still enjoying myself on the golden sands of Cape Hatteras national seashore, still surfing, still fishing and still kiting. I lived with the world’s best at each sport and each year the seasons would bring more adventures both out into the great conveyor of life, The Gulf Stream, and to eye-widening atolls like Belize and Biscayne, and tropical coasts like Baja and Nicaragua. I just kept seeing so much life. Migrating

snow geese, whales, sea birds, schools of fish so large that the diving gannets could be seen from five miles away.

It all came to an abrupt halt when I moved to Charleston to do something more akin to the route we are gently coerced into thinking is right from a young age. To get a corporate job, make some real money and join ‘the race.’

Stuff, cars, fast boats, houses, mortgages, loans, multiple swanky holidays… etc. Bleary eyed from another red-eye to sell something I thought people could do without I started to see something new. That the society I was living in was literally eating its natural wealth, both physically

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

7

FEATURE

and metaphorically. I was watching a Boeing factory eviscerate hectares of Saw Palmetto forest, faceless housing developments were levelling miles of bird rich nesting habitats and carbon rich wetlands and there was certainly way less natural abundance.

I was angry. How can such a seemingly advanced species do so much damage to everything it relies on, and loves. How could we not see that the loss of all these animals and plants which were standing in our way of ‘progress’ was profound, deeply moving and fundamentally leading us to carry that trauma in a

8

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

silent and empty world filled with our edifices of personal success and the mind numbing beeping of machines.

I decided, after not much deliberation, that I had to go into a profession which sat at the table of change and advocated the best possible outcome for natural systems, wildlife and people. That profession was landscape architecture. Think Capability Brown, Geoffrey Jellicoe, Frederick Law Olmsted, Kim Wilkie, but this time with a massive lean on the restoration, creation, enhancement and reconnection of the natural world and its dazzling abundance.

I started Digg & Co. Studio in 2016, while still completing a Masters in Landscape Architecture. We built the first barn conversion in England which adhered to Living Building Challenge standards. We have now masterplanned and designed, implemented and advised on close to 400,000 acres of land use change, which fundamentally puts wildlife and natural systems first. These have been multi-faceted farmer and landowner led initiatives from the Scottish Highlands to Cornwall. We live and breath the resurgence of life everywhere and I can tell everyone who reads this, with conviction and happiness, that to see this life return from the smallest butterflies to large, once extirpated, birds rejoining the orchestra of the skies is one of the greatest constant pleasures that life can bring.

When thinking about careers, I would recommend that you let your children know that there are paths in this world to be trod which repair, which nurture and which bring huge satisfaction to self while all the while regenerating life, not deleting it. The journey rolls on. ■

FEATURE

The Library: a Fine View ■ Leigh Giurlando, Head Librarian from 2007-2025

T

he School’s first recorded library books were two great dictionaries in Latin and Greek, purchased in 1604 and chained “so as to be always lying in position, for furtherance of the scholars”. These remained in continuous use until 1646, when records show money was

allocated by the Grocers to replace them. In 1675 a report of the School described the library as “at present very meane”, but it was hoped that once the Grocers recovered from their losses incurred by the Great Fire of London, it would “be againe recruited”.

No further reference is made in school documents to the existence of a library until 1799, when a list was published of 379 books belonging to the Headmaster, T.H. Bullen, which he made available for use by the scholars. The slim, printed volume was called A Catalogue of Oundle School Library, Anno Domini 1799.

One mathematics book from that first collection remains in the library, signed by Bullen, and also by a pupil who was later killed at Waterloo. In 1923 the book was bought at Heffers by the maths teacher, G.W. Brewster, who didn’t recognise the provenance at the time.

It was not until 1851 that a request was made to the Grocers for a sum to be granted annually to increase  The Cripps Library in the Cloisters, 1960s

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

9

FEATURE

the library. When the Cloisters was planned in 1880, a room was allocated for a library, but after an inspection report in 1906 stressed the need for a good library to replace the small room being used at the time, Sanderson’s 1909 plans for the Great Hall included a library in what is now the Cecil Lewis Room.

10

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Inspired by the notion that “all teaching…should be given in a library”, Sanderson made active use of the library a cornerstone of his approach to education, and initiated a pioneering information skills programme called the “Library Scheme”. At a time when all teaching was conducted by lectures, he asked

teachers to take pupils to work in the library as well as the science laboratory, the gardens, the fields and The Workshops to investigate, research, discover and appreciate “humanity’s story”.

In the early 1960s, as a result of a large donation by a parent, Mr C.H. Cripps, an area of the

FEATURE

Cloisters was redesigned to accommodate a new library. Then in the late 1980s, with proceeds from an appeal, Headmaster David McMurray converted a fifty-yearold gymnasium into the new Cripps Library, a larger, modern library at the heart of the school.

Finally, in 2011 the library was fully refurbished in the style of an Oxbridge college library by Luke Hughes and Co, with further support from the Cripps family and many Old Oundelian and parent donors.

The library is well used and valued by pupils and staff for research, and as a place to study and find quiet time free from the hubbub of a busy school day. Whenever prospective parents come into the library they ask about our digital collections, whether we have ebooks, do pupils use printed books. We do indeed keep up with digital resources and spend quite a lot of money doing so. But, emphatically yes, pupils do read printed books for pleasure and for study. For authoritative sources by experts in

their fields, there is no substitute for what a library can offer.

Libraries reflect a school’s aspirations for its pupils. Oundle’s nineteenth century headmaster F.W. Sanderson was radical and prescient when he said that learning and teaching must happen in the workshops and the library. The School’s 21st century management have robustly supported the library’s role, too. The writer Ray Bradbury pointed out that libraries safeguard the past, not to trap us in it, but to help us learn from it. They nurture the future by encouraging every pupil to ask, to doubt, to dream.

They are places where ideas are not handed down but discovered.

And in an age of noise, algorithms, and misinformation, libraries are places where truth is not shouted, but searched for, where multiple perspectives are available, critical thinking is encouraged, and stories of all kinds are ready to be told and read, in all their forms.

It is also probably truer than ever that we have a greater appreciation

 The former gymnasium was converted to the new Cripps Library in the 1980s  A display of early printed books relating to Shakespeare

of books and even the well-made book. As we move further into a reading experience that no longer even handles paper, we appreciate the look and feel of a book.

Commercial publishers are taking advantage of that appreciation by paying more attention to the quality of the materials. For instance, the hardback edition of the recent prize-winning book, Rural Hours by Harriet Baker (Sn 09) (see page 5) has a cloth spine with decorations inspired by the artist Vanessa Bell.

Andrew Pettegree’s (L 75) last book has marbled endpapers inspired by 18th century books.

At Oundle we have a comparatively small collection of rare books for a school of its age, but the quality of what we have is exceptional and the range of books in our collections usefully charts the course of British and world

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

11

FEATURE

 The first School library was established by Headmaster Frederick Sanderson upstairs in the Great Hall in 1909

history, as well as the history of book production and design. The provenance of the School’s collection has not always been recorded. Some books have survived from the old libraries as evidenced by bookplates, some were given to the school by a former Master of the Grocers’ Company, John Ramsay Drake, some by former pupils, and others purchased with funds from the Old Oundelian Club.

In addition to rare books, our special collections include books by and about John Piper to complement the windows in the School Chapel, first editions by the poet John Clare, first editions and signed books by and about Sir Peter Scott (Sc 27) donated by the family of Nigel Sweeting (Sc 59), Private Press books and a local history collection.

We are very proud of Old Oundelian contributions to the stories that shape our understanding about the world, and we maintain a collection of books by OO writers.

Our library meeting room houses items in glass cabinets that are admittedly shabby from use and not rare by most standards. These are library books that have been removed from the open shelves to make room for modern editions.

Most librarians in other schools would simply discard these books.

12

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

But, why would we get rid of The Grotesque in Church Art (1899), a survey of weird carvings tucked away in churches. Or Gloves : Their Annals and Associations (1883), written when gloves were still worn and were important.

Then there’s the folio volume of The New Movement in the Theatre (1931), a stunning book with hundreds of photos and paintings of avant-garde costumes and set designs by major artists from cutting edge theatrical productions from London and Paris to the Soviet Union. We’ve kept old biology textbooks (1888) that were used by pupils, recording the structure of invertebrates and vertebrates in detailed technical drawings. They are a brilliant example of how artists and scientists worked together to observe and record the world around them with scientific and artistic precision. You might ask what the educational value of early printed books is; why should we use time and resources to conserve our old books or even keep old books that just look dusty?

Arguably, the invention of printing with moveable type in the 1450s was the modern world’s most important technological development. And the history of books printed and distributed over

the centuries is a chronology of culture and society. As we move forward with the digital age, Oundle’s library strives to keep pace with new developments and serve the curriculum and information needs of its pupils and teachers. Just as important, however, is its aim to preserve its legacies and cultivate an appreciation of what should not be lost to future generations.

But of most worth is the fact that children and young people do love stories, and every book has a story about its contribution to our understanding of the world. And it is worth keeping and treasuring these books so that we can share their stories. Old books, fine press books are not nostalgic or retrograde.

Among the younger generation, they might be called “artisanal”. Look at young people’s renewed interest in vinyl and film photography as an alternative to digital. Young people are innately curious and when given the opportunity to hear a story about something new, they want to know. These opportunities might just be micro-experiences for most, or they might lead to more.

Last year a pupil who had started at Durham said that she had applied to join a course at the university archives where she would learn about handling rare books and archiving. She said that without having seen our collections, she would never have considered taking up that opportunity.

The book collector Colin Franklin (Sc 41) believed in the virtue of a finely made book: “One can often envy the paperback mind – the common sense argument, all that matters about a book is to read what the author wrote. But reading habits often contradict that feeling.

Most of us like to read in pleasant surroundings – sitting at an open window, or by a river. The argument for finely made books extends from there. A fine binding is as good as a fine view.” ■

FEATURE

The Griffin Goes to London ■ Reb Desbois, Specialist Technical Instructor, The Patrick Engineering Centre

T

he newly appointed Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King (C 87) ( see front cover of last year’s magazine ) invited Oundle School to take part in the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show 2024, the inauguration ceremony to swear in the new Mayor.

From floats to marching bands, the parade moves through the historic streets of London showcasing traditional British pageantry with elements of carnival and street performance.

Delighted to be invited, now came the hard bit - what to deliver to the streets of London? Marching band, of course – with the calibre of our

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

13

FEATURE

 Mishal Hussein broadcasts from the Buggy

marching band this was a given. The 100 strong band immediately went into rehearsals. But as for a performative element to accompany the band…not so easy. So, to the Patrick Centre, the Stahl Theatre and the Art Department for advice and consultation.

Born out of 101 ideas was ‘The Griffin’. Focusing on the symbol of protection on our school crest and exploring our pupils’ journey during their time at Oundle, the idea grew into the Griffin supporting, protecting and guiding pupils on their way back to school, with trunks and luggage stacked high! With the pomp and circumstance of the marching band, and to be followed by flag bearers supporting velvet House flags, the vision of this spectacle aimed to provide a timeless, majestic aura depicting all elements of the school crest: the knight appearing on the

14

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

FEATURE

licence plate, the camel as a hood ornament, the shields depicted on the hub caps, and Oundle blue, gold and red in the Griffin’s plumage and wings.

As for realising this vision, the Patrick Engineering Centre went about sourcing an old double golf buggy which was then stripped down and mechanically rebuilt.

From designing and fabricating new bodywork, painting and powder coating, structural reinforcement and fine detailing on all aspects of the buggy, staff and pupils worked together for a full two weeks at the end of last year’s academic programme.

On receiving the polystyrene carving of the Griffin from the Stahl Theatre,

pupils set about carving its scales and detailing the head, tail and legs. They then moved on to the laborious job of giving the whole Griffin a 'new skin' of papier mache, before painting it gold.

Then came the task of making the head move, wings flutter, and eyes blink with a mixture of 3D printed elements and traditional puppetry methods.

During this time the Art Department went about designing beautiful luggage labels to adorn the stack of trunks and assembling the velvet House flags. In the Stahl (apart from cleaning up the endless stream of polystyrene) pupils worked on distressing the luggage and creating feathers for the plumage.

Then came the task of getting the

 The Griffin comes to life in the Patrick Centre

buggy to London. With thanks to the Catering department, whose industrial strength clingfilm came into its own, the entire buggy plus Griffin was wrapped and secured to embark on a midnight adventure. Flying at 40mph with a quick stop at Stansted Services to be checked over, she majestically rolled into the city at 7am, ready for her 1:1 meeting with the BBC at 9am.

Presenter Mishal Husain started the live BBC broadcast to the nation from the buggy itself.

Coverage from the Lord Mayor’s Show 2024 can be found on BBC iPlayer…just look for the thumbnail with the head of our Griffin! ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

15

FEATURE

The Dudgeon Venture Award ■ Professor Colonel (Ret’d) John Richardson (StA 61)

T

he Dudgeon Venture Award, Oundle’s oldest and most prestigious accolade, is named in honour of Patrick Dudgeon (StA 38), who was captured and executed by the Germans during the Second World War. This award supports pupils undertaking physically demanding and adventurous expeditions and is still running today.

I was fortunate enough to receive this life-changing award not once, but twice. I failed my 11+ exam in January 1956 and was at Northampton Technical High School with a predicted career goal of an apprenticeship with the Express Lift Company. I took a special entrance examination at Oundle and joined the Berrystead. Five years later I entered  The first page of a letter sent to Patrick Dudgeon's father written by Victor Schmit, a German officer, who was with Patrick at the time of his execution

P.L. Dudgeon (StA 1938) in his uniform on a return visit to School c1940

 John Richardson and Humphrey Mather setting off on their 1960 Dudgeon Venture to follow the route taken by Sir John Moore in his retreat to Corunna

16

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Clare College, Cambridge. I attribute my success in part to the Dudgeon Venture Fund.

My first award, in 1959, funded an expedition initiated by Humphrey Mather (StA 60), where we retraced the retreat of Sir John Moore’s army across Northern Spain to Corunna in 1809. The second award in 1961 supported two expeditions I organised to uninhabited Scottish islands for biological surveys.

These experiences led to further expeditions, both as a leader and a doctor. The skills I developed through leading scientific expeditions were pivotal in my acceptance to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge. My last service appointment was as the Defence Professor of Primary Care

and General Practice. In retirement, I worked as an international tour leader, guide, and lecturer, travelling to over 40 countries and visiting 80 more.

This year, I went to Oundle to find out if there was still any money left from the initial award fund. It is still active and is still inspiring Oundle school pupils, but it will need extra funds over the next couple of years to continue to do so. If you think that the Dudgeon Venture Award has changed or benefitted your life as it has mine, please do send the fund a donation, or remember it in your will. ■ If you would like information about contributing to the fund, please contact the Oundle Society team at: oundlesociety@ oundleschool.org.uk.

FEATURE

The Fall and Rise of the School’s Favourite Society ■ RocSoc was the most anticipated event in the school calendar. But a calamitous concert in 1989 left its survival in the balance. Charlie Furniss (StA 91) recalls how the determination and enthusiasm of its members helped turn disaster into triumph

R

ocSoc 1990 was going to be the biggest we’d ever seen. Posters and T-shirts had a smart new branding. There would be a hi-tec lighting rig and top notch PA. There were even rumours of a documentary video and music industry interest. The buzz: off the scale.

But only a year earlier, RocSoc’s very existence lay in the balance.

Concerts had been banned and its members banished to the school hinterland. The story of the intervening 12 months is pure Hollywood – a journey from humiliation and despair to redemption and triumph, in which creativity overcame conspiratorial politics and an establishment stuck in its ways.

The Fall

RocSoc had always offered two things to the School. For members, a £5 sub gave access to a rehearsal room where bands could get together and jam - plus the opportunity to play rock music in front of a big

crowd – very loud. For the wider school, gigs in the Great Hall offered a taste of freedom, where rock-nroll set the tone. “There was a bit of an edge,” says Matt Parker (Sc 91) “a whiff of rebellion, a sense that the normal rules didn’t apply. The masters gave it a wide berth.”

When I arrived in 1986, RocSoc was run lovingly by Head of Brass, Mr Frith, from the top floor of the Music School. Meetings were held in the music library, and once a week a biro-and-ruler booking sheet appeared on the notice board at the top of the stairs. With up to ten bands in one night, the concerts could be chaotic – as much plugging in and tuning up as there was performing. Nevertheless it was the most anticipated event in the school calendar. Everyone loved it.

I joined in the Fourth Form.

Together with Adam Simpson (bass, S 91), John Cookson (guitar, S 91), Scott Black (vocals, Ldr 91) and Matt Shearer (drums, Ldr 91) we formed The Paracetamols. “There was a real

sense of camaraderie,” says Sam Jackaman (D 91) who replaced John in February 1989. “We spent hours rehearsing, recording in the music school, and working out tunes in each other’s studies.” After Mr Frith left in 1988, though, things went downhill. Equipment was getting broken, no-one bothered to get it repaired, and a sense of apathy crept in. When the concert came around one Saturday in May 1989, it was a disaster.

As soon as you walked in, says Sam, the atmosphere felt charged.

“It was a really sticky night and the hall was packed. You could barely move. There were a bunch of bikers

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

17

FEATURE

on the PA cracking tinnies and chain-smoking Rothmans. And most of the bands were awful. ”Some of them were having trouble staying upright. Inebriation might have played a part. But the stage had also turned into a giant winklepicker trap. “There were mic stands and leads everywhere and stacks and stacks of those plug multipliers.

Plus someone had kicked over a can of Lilt, so everyone was sliding about in it.” For those still standing, performing remained a challenge.

“The humidity meant everyone’s instruments kept going out of tune,” says Sam. “It was a nightmare.” Out in the hall, the crowd was getting restless. “There seemed to be a bit of rucking,” says Sam, “but we just thought the 1st XV was getting carried away.”

The following Wednesday afternoon, the members were summoned to a meeting in the New Music Room. When we arrived we were puzzled to find not the

18

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Teacher-in-Charge, Philip Hanley, but Martin Freke. As Director of Music, Mr Freke had never warmed to the dangly fringes traipsing up the stairs of his department, let alone the infernal racket that emanated from the top floor. He was disgusted at the behaviour at RocSoc, he told us. He mentioned drunkenness and fighting – famously demonstrating a kung-fu kick he claimed to have witnessed in the crowd. On the Headmaster’s authority RocSoc concerts were banned, he explained with tangible relish. “And you’re no longer welcome in the Music Department.” This was devastating.

Would we be able to continue rehearsing? Would we be able to perform again? What would become of the band?

Rock Bottom

We returned in September to find that we’d been banished to the furthest reaches of School property – the cricket pavilion. Rehearsals

became a chore. Not only was it a pain to lug equipment all that way, but it was often locked when we got there. Inside, the acoustics were terrible – hard floors and a wall of glass – and having to set up and pack away meant less time for playing. The future seemed bleak.

Behind the scenes, though, two people were sowing the seeds of a revival. That term Mr Frith’s replacement as Head of Brass, Richard Kauffman, took over. He arranged for new leads to be bought, amps to be repaired, and Kevlar skins (rumoured to be bulletproof) to be fitted on the drum kit. Kauffie, as we called him, had a rebellious streak and a disdain for authority.

“Don’t give the suits a chance to shut you down,” he would say. It became clear that RocSoc’s fate mattered to him: he wasn’t just on our side, he was one of us. So when he started talking to us about high standards, safety and discipline, we took notice.

FEATURE

If Kauffie was the foundation of RocSoc’s rebirth, James Shannon (“Clom” to his friends, G 90) was its architect. In his final year, Clom was a veteran of the Stahl Theatre technical crew and RocSoc top dog. “I went to the Headmaster and pitched the idea of small, all-seater gigs in H4,” he says.

“These would be ticket-only, with two bands, security on the door and a high quality rig.” If these went well, we would apply the same principles to a summer concert in the Great Hall.

Auditions would ensure only the best prepared bands would play. Above all, organization and safety were key, said Kauffie. “Gaffer everything down, fellas” became his watchword. To our surprise the Head approved the plans.

Suddenly there was hope.

A man with a vision

Although H4 was an oversize classroom, the two concerts, in November 1989 and February 1990, went amazingly well. And the scene was set for a return to the Great Hall on 26 June. To indicate a change of direction, it was entitled the 5th Anniversary Concert (although what the anniversary was, no-one quite knew). Clom assembled a crack team of seasoned theatre hands. “We’d done a big production the previous year in the Great Hall to mark the 200th anniversary of the French revolution.

We used the same vertical trusses and built the lighting rig off these.”

It took the best part of a week to set up. “There were exams going on in the Great Hall so we were finding moments in the afternoons

and evenings. There was a great atmosphere – we even got some of the musicians up on the trellis.” All was going to plan until one A-Level Chemistry exam, when an eagle-eyed Dr McKim spotted a problem. “The old wooden stage was buckling under the weight of the scaffolding,” says Clom. “We legged it up to the school works to get some acro-jacks and got them under the stage as soon as the exam was over.”

Preparations went down to the wire.

But the gig was a triumph. There was choreographed lighting, pyrotechnics, buckets of dry ice, and a top-notch Bose PA system. The icing on the cake was a retractable gauze projector-screen.

“Clom’s rig was incredible,” remembers James Wood (Sn 91), who played guitar with Angst that night. “We were a bit sceptical about the idea of having no amps on stage, but it made it a great place to play.”

That night Angst played Indie, banging out brilliant Stone Roses, Pixies and Smiths covers. Bolstered by Elsbeth Turnbull (vocals, W 91) and Rick Clarke (keyboards, N 91), The Paracetamols leaned more towards rock – The Cult, Lou Reed and Led Zeppelin. Despite the slick professionalism, the spirit of rock-n-roll was very much alive. “I remember getting a lot of female attention afterwards,” says John, who played guitar with Angst. “I suppose that was part of the reason for being in a band.”

Giddy with excitement and the satisfaction that we’d pulled it off, we stayed up the whole night taking down the rig, crawling back to our Houses for

breakfast the next morning and somehow making it through lessons.

RocSoc was not only alive and well: its success was down to us. With Kauffie’s encouragement and support, it was Clom, the bands and the technical crew who were responsible for that comeback. We made the music, we created the energy, we gave it its direction. And just like in those 80s coming-of-age movies, the old guard couldn’t stem the tide of our enthusiasm and determination. As Ren McCormak (almost) said in Footloose: “There was a time for this law, but not anymore. This is our time to rock.” ■

THE LINE-UP

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

19

FEATURE

Yarrow Exhibition ■ Rebecca Spragg

T

his year’s exhibition followed the creative journeys of a group of OO artists, designers, photographers, architects, ceramicists and writers.

OO Exhibition 2025

20

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

During the exhibition we had more than 600 visitors to the gallery and sold over 30 pieces of artwork and ceramics, as well as books by Chloe Ashby and Violet Naylor-Leyland.

The exhibition celebrated the work of the following OOs, highlighting their varied careers and the diverse opportunities within the creative industries.

FEATURE

Chloe Ashby (L 09) an arts writer, critic and author has written for publications such as The Times, TLS, Guardian and Spectator and frequently reviews exhibitions and books. Chloe is the author of two non-fiction books on art history and two novels - a third is due in 2026 Oliver Bell (B 19) a designer and photographer based in London, currently splits his time between freelancing and working for a commercial advertising agency conceptualizing and art-directing campaigns for clients such as Birkenstock, UGG and Nike. His freelance work varies from artdirecting and photographing campaigns for fashion clients such as LVMH to directing music videos and short films.

Edward Copestick (S 98) is an awardwinning freelance director and filmmaker specialising in TV commercials, film, animation and documentary story telling. With diverse clients including Cathay Pacific, Microsoft, Canon, Facebook and Saudi Green Initiative, his film making has taken him all over the world.

Olivia Crane (W 06) is a multidisciplinary artist living in London and working at her studio in Walthamstow. She spent two years at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy.

During the following decade Olivia worked as a painting assistant in Paris and London and completed a year-long residency at the Barcelona Academy of Art. Olivia continues to build her practice through exhibiting and private commissions.

Harriet Gillett (K 13) lives and works in London. Last year she undertook the Palazzo Monti Residency in Brescia, Italy and her debut solo show opened at LAMB gallery, London in September. Harriet’s luminous, layered paintings respond to the rapidity of contemporary visual culture, offering an antidote through reverie and reflection.

Maddy Gyselynck (K11) is an artist based in South London. Inspired by the Old Masters, her work is rooted in European academic traditions. She focuses on oil and charcoal still life and landscape but also experiments with mixed media and style. She also works in three dimensions with bronze and ceramics.

 Below Left: Edward Copestick Below right: Maddy Gyselynck

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

21

FEATURE

Reiko Kaneko ceramics

Reiko Kaneko (D 00) a ceramicist, designer and educator, is based in London. Reiko exhibited some of her bespoke commissions of tableware for prestigious restaurants and galleries.

Her Wave range is made in Stoke on Trent and hand finished in her London studio.

Jo Marland (K 03) is a studio potter creating wheel-thrown ceramic tableware and decorative pots informed by an array of influences but rooted in ideas of the home and hand-crafted objects throughout history. Bringing together utility and form, she aims to create objects that are both pleasing to the eye and satisfying to use.

22

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Georgie Mason (W 04) works from her studio at Stepney Farm in East London. She builds up texture in layers, using natural materials, so her painting has a history of its own. She has curated several shows and her work is in private and public collections internationally.

Violet Naylor-Leyland (L 00) is a freelance fashion stylist, journalist and writer. She worked in the fashion department at Harper’s Bazaar before setting up as a freelance personal stylist, consultant and ambassador for various fashion brands. Violet′s first book is Rare Birds True Style.

FEATURE

Georgie Mason

Krit Pichedvanichok (StA 21) has completed his part 1 BSc in Architecture at the Bartlett in London.

He has been working as a project manager at Nissan Emperor in Bangkok and is now based back in London.

Dr Edward Ragg (S 95) was a scholar at Keble College, Oxford where he read English, and gained two Masters and a PhD. In 2007 Edward moved to Beijing, becoming the first foreign professor at Tsinghua University’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literature.

He has published five poetry collections with a sixth to be

published in 2026. He became a Master of Wine in 2019 and now works as a wine consultant and leading wine educator in China.

Josh Shinner (S 03) a London-based photographer and director, specialises in portraiture, fashion, and lifestyle photography. He captures moments that resonate with warmth and authenticity. From photographing celebrated actors for Harper’s Bazaar and capturing family portraits of HRH The Prince and Princess of Wales to shooting advertising campaigns for a wide range of commercial clients, Josh’s work is grounded in trust and empathy.

Jo Marland

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

23

FEATURE

Hiromi Taylor (L 19) is a recent fashion design graduate from Kingston University where she developed her skills in tailoring and material exploration. Her focus is on classic tailoring and the Japanese horimono tradition, designing and cutting each piece herself.

Electra Winter (K 19) is an artist whose work is centred around geology, water and life events.

She explores these themes through painting, sculpture and augmented reality.

A highlight of the exhibition was two workshops run by OOs for current pupils. Maddy Gyselynck’s (K 11) gave an oil painting workshop for over 20 pupils. She gave them a wonderful demonstration of still life painting, explaining the key skills of observation, composition and colour mixing in oils, with the pupils creating their own small pieces.

Josh Shinner (S 03) ran a photography workshop with Sixth Form pupils on the art of portrait photography. Pupils were guided through over 50 examples of his portrait and fashion commissions, with Josh explaining the vital thread to his work which is based on creating connections with his sitters and an ability to put people at ease. He then demonstrated taking portraits with his equipment and lighting - and some pupils were lucky enough to have him take their portrait. Josh takes a small number of private portrait commissions outside his regular work and would be delighted to speak to anyone interested. Please contact him directly at hello@joshshinner.com ■ We would love to hear more from OOs working in creative industries for our 2026 OO Exhibition at the Yarrow Gallery. Please get in touch with Rebecca Spragg at rspragg@ oundleschool.org.uk

24

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

FEATURE

Squash Stars Past and Present ■ Robert Forde (Sc 71) was World Men’s Masters Champion in 1999; Veronica Li is the School's best squash player. Material collated by Richard Matthews (D 66) Robert interviewing Veronica When and how did you get into squash?

In 2018 I first saw people playing squash properly and quit swimming to play, so about six or seven years ago. In Shanghai, my parents have a friend whose daughters play and I joined a club to train and ended up participating in competitions.

Tell me about your coaching in China - and do you have any particular heroes?

I wouldn’t say heroes but I have a

friend, also 17, and she’s No 1 woman in China right now. I definitely can’t beat her! I didn’t really have a first coach as there were three at the Club, varying with different sessions, who taught me the basics. Then I hired my second coach, previously a men’s professional, named Shingtsai, a men's professional, with whom I'm still in touch, texting him my best results and playing with him occasionally when I’m back home.

Were the squash facilities at Oundle part of the reason you came here?

They were. During my interview my parents asked about squash and were told about the amazing new Sports Centre including its squash courts and they went, “Oh great, great school!”

What was your pathway to becoming Oundle No 1 - best of both boys and girls?

I started playing in the girls’ team but there was only one girl in her last year of a similar standard so I had to be in the boys team to improve. When I played in fifth place I lost quite a few matches and was quite sad but I learnt to get over that. By practising, particularly being coached by Carol Abbott, and by playing matches I improved and got to be No 1. People are surprised to see a girl placed No 1 in a school team.

Perhaps you’ll be a role model to encourage other girls to play at the level they should be playing at. What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?

Yes. Girls can be quite conservative whereas boys often want to smack the ball and win the shot quickly. I used to be quite defensive, lobbing a lot and trying to be precise. Now I hit it flatter, which picks up the pace, and I differentiate my shots more to outfox my opponent, playing more kills and overall being more attacking.

Yes, that’s really important. You’ve got very good racquet work, so you need to dictate rallies. You certainly can’t win a tournament if it takes you an hour to win every match. Can you go to other clubs for competitions?

Yes. The School has been very good about it. When I was 16, I was runnerup in the Northamptonshire County under 19s, beating a girl two years

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

25

FEATURE

older and, playing for the under 17s, we were 4th in the National finals. I’m usually ranked 5 or 6 in Northamptonshire but came 3rd in the Women′s County Championship.

I know you want to get a degree in Economics but how important will it be to go to a squash playing university?

Very. The options are a USA university because of the squash programmes or a UK uni with a top level team, such as Loughborough or Birmingham.

Veronica interviewing Robert How did squash start for you?

I was brought up in Knutsford in Cheshire. My parents were keen tennis players, so I started with that but graduated to squash at Sparrow Lane Squash Club where I played in my first competition. Racquets was always my thing: give me a ball and something to hit it with and I’m pretty happy. Family members had been to Oundle, so I came here too and was very lucky as Dick Oldfield was running the show and encouraging us. Dick and Erica parented the group of us because they lived nearby. We’d practise and then go back and have tea and toast. The youngest person had to do the toast, so that was me to start with. Happy days!

26

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

And what did you do when you left Oundle?

I went to Bath University and got an Economics degree. Sport was good there and their sports facilities now are fantastic. I stuck accountancy for 18 months in Manchester and London but hated it. However, the silver lining was that it opened up a whole range of sporting opportunities. Squash was a steep learning curve as I played against some of the country’s best and the seed was sown to get into sports full time. After running a new squash club in East Manchester - sportsmen often make good businessmen, I’ve found - I was invited to be a coach in Hamburg - an offer too good to refuse - and finally aged 27 or 28 I turned professional, quite late really.

But squash was booming and there was a bonkers amount of money to be made. Jonah Barrington started the ball rolling. He and Geoff Hunt are legends you may have heard of: they won the British Open seven or eight times.

Can you earn lots of money from being a player or a coach?

Forty years ago, people were being paid £1000 for a league game. These were the world top 5 – I wasn’t quite that – but mad money anyway.

There isn’t really that much money being paid now.

No. If you were playing NW Counties League now, the No. 1 man would get £800. Shorbagy (Mohamed El Shorbagy, World Champion in 2017) would be on £1500 for a match. The guys lower down get about £200.

My Shanghai coach said the money you win at a professional tournament now is the same as is paid to a first round tennis player.

Perhaps it will change when it becomes an Olympic sport.

Who knows!

Please tell me about your over 45 World Men’s Masters Champion title.

Well, the Championships were held in Sheffield, I’d just turned 45, I was pretty fit and in good shape. In the Final, I played another Englishman, Peter Alexander, who’d previously won the over 40s. It was a good battle but I came out on top 9-4, 9-1, 9-4. As I’ve said before, to be a champion you have to be determined, disciplined and physically strong. The buzz of competing is what keeps you going and I think any true competitor is there to win.

But if we’d played a match today, it would have been a comfortable victory for you! ■

FEATURE

The Class of 2015 ■ Lily Spicer (Sn) and Chris Titcomb (StA)

I

t has been a real joy to gather and read these life updates.

Huge thanks go to everyone who contributed and to the Heads of Houses (well, most of them!) for chasing up submissions.

As we read the entries, we laughed, smiled and occasionally winced - all the while in disbelief that a decade has passed since we danced beneath fireworks at the Leavers’ Ball.

It turns out a lot of life can be lived in ten years - even when interrupted

by a pandemic. From globe-trotting adventures to career changes, new businesses to eclectic hobbies, the last decade has held no shortage of both extraordinary and happily ordinary moments for the Class of 2015.

It is striking how connected the OO community remains - whether through football teams, house-shares, monthly dinners or even serving as best men and bridesmaids - the bonds of friendship forged over five years at Oundle have endured for

twice that time and will no doubt continue to thrive in the decades to come.

Perhaps these stories will inspire you to reconnect with your old schoolmates, as we have been lucky to do through this process. The world is an uncertain place right now and we’re all hurtling with alarming speed towards thirty. But we hope as one OO perfectly put it - that your Oundle friends make wherever life takes you feel like home.

BRAMSTON

direction and production in film, TV and advertising. The older I get, the more I realise that I was able to do these things because certain people at Oundle made me feel like I could, and should. I want to shout out my tutor Ali Boag, who was a deeply informative reference point in my growing up and learning to be myself.

I also want to remember our matron, Fiona Young, who sadly passed away a few years ago. She made our whole year in Bramston feel loved and safe even in the more difficult times. Rest in Peace, Matey.

Morgan Ball I spent four years studying mechanical engineering at Imperial College to learn that I was never truly that interested in engineering in the first place.

After a Covid disrupted year in consulting, I decided to follow the family trade and qualified as a chartered accountant at EY. Surprisingly (or maybe not), I have quite enjoyed my time there and continue to work in audit.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the past ten years was marrying my Oundle sweetheart Emmy (Dixon Smith D 16) on June 15, 2024. We are currently living happily in Clapham, where we’ve discovered that an OO-hosted dinner party is never too far away!

James Bourn I travelled Asia with Henry BP (F) before returning to study Real Estate at Brookes. I then went back to Lincolnshire to start Somersby Homes, a housebuilding company. I stay in touch with a lot of school friends through golf and shooting. This year’s golf trip was unsurprisingly well organised by Max Howard (S).

Ewan Thayan After four years of uni in Edinburgh pretending the rain built character, I joined the family business and now spend my time

Edward Ashton Johnson I left Oundle and found a calling in entrepreneurship, starting a few ventures at Exeter Uni including club nights, a small festival, a flower delivery service and a marketing agency. After graduating, I became CEO of a community of entrepreneurs called Foundrs and in the past year I’ve been a full time podcaster and YouTuber interviewing the founders of companies like WeWork, Pret, Itsu, Shazam, Moonpig, Bloom & Wild, and Monzo on my channel ‘Scale with Soul’.

Tom Bailey I took a year out, went to uni, did a Masters, got a job in marketing, then ended up back at uni doing a PhD. Right now, I’m living in Edinburgh, teaching English and Creative Writing, struggling through the final stage of my PhD, trying to walk all of the Wainwrights (112 down), and just about finding time to write a few poems here and there. My first little book came out with Poetry London in March of this year.

Francesco Loy Bell Having left uni with a degree in English Literature, I became editor of various fashion and culture magazines, before pivoting to what I do now: creative

CROSBY Muyiwa Ariyo Spent a few years studying Civil Engineering, after which I decided I wanted to save the world - so I did an MSc in Sustainability at UCL. I now work in banking (so not quite saving the world). I still see a lot of the Crosby boys - helped by living down the road from Joe Pao for two years.

Unsurprisingly, I find myself bumping into a lot of OOs in West London with Tom Wardle, Ewan Thayan, and William Shelley. I hope to spend most of 2026 learning to fly, then flying around South America with William Shelley.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

27

FEATURE

trying to fix social care… no pressure.

I remain trapped in a toxic relationship with golf, mostly searching for Will Shelley and Tom Wardle’s wayward tee shots in parts of the course no one knew existed.

Off the fairway I consult part time, delivering data driven strategic guidance for Muyiwa Ariyo’s Raya profile. A decade on, some of us have grown, some of us peaked at school, but at least we’ve all got better skincare routines now. Probably.

Tom Wardle After Accounting & Finance at Newcastle, I lasted three years on KPMG′s audit graduate scheme and another three in KPMG′s valuations team with Tom Bolton (C14). I now work in real estate private equity as a portfolio manager ... a well-trodden path. I regrettably didn′t do a ski season in Val d’Isère.

I regularly see our close Oundle friendship group whether it be to play golf in the summer or shoot in the winter. I’m often at the Sloaney Pony on a Thursday or the Fox & Pheasant on a Sunday.

DRYDEN Sabrina Tomes (Allhusen) I read Spanish and Latin at Durham, with a year abroad dodging earthquakes in Chile and devouring tapas in Spain. Covid delayed the job hunt, so naturally I ran off to cookery school in Ireland – priorities. Then followed 18 gruelling months in investment

Sabrina Allhusen and Dasha Smirnova (both D)

28

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

banking, which swiftly disabused me of any notions of glamour and sleep, before a rapid pivot into strategy consulting. I now split my time between London and Norfolk with my husband and regularly meet up with Oundle friends for entertaining dinner parties, gals’ weekend and weddings – including a bridesmaid double-act with the lovely Dasha Smirnova.

Tara Day I took a gap year which involved working in London while living with Anna Trafford, and then off travelling as much as possible before starting a degree at Edinburgh University. Having fostered my passion for Ancient Greek poetry, I took the logical next step into tech and moved to London with Alice Poulter and Eliza Thompson. I now work for a full service digital marketing agency and get to create online experiences for big brands. I’m lucky to have many Oundle friends still in my life, and to be once again living with Anna Trafford in West London.

Lilias Jefferey I decided to become a Speech and Language Therapist in Sixth Form, went straight to university, and after three years began working for an independent SLT company in Birmingham. I’ve since specialised in supporting secondary school students with emotional and mental health needs, many excluded from mainstream education, and I’m now a service lead. At uni, I

S Second from left Muyiwa Ariyo (C), Scarlett Brown (N), Florence Lister (D), end of table Tom Wardle (C), second from right Georgie Glasse (Sn) and Will Shelley (S)

met my now husband Phil—living in Worcestershire with our dog and married in June 2025! I love catching up with the Dryden girls—it always feels a bit like home.

Florence Lister I took the classic route to Leeds to study psychology (no, I can’t read minds—sorry). After university, I travelled the world with Harry Cooper, fuelled by dodgy street food, and have now somehow reached 36 countries. I wish I could say I did something dramatic—like moved to the outback - but I chose commuter life instead (someone had to). I live in London with my fiancée and work as a UX Researcher at JP Morgan. Many of my closest friends are from Oundle - there’s been no shortage of pub days, roast dinners, and late nights that start with “just one pint.”

Catherine Vickerstaff Since leaving school, I worked for an NGO in Paris during my gap year before studying English at Oxford. I then swapped poetry for portfolios, spending six years at HSBC. Now, I’m looking forward to starting a new role at JP Morgan after the career highlight of a three-month gardening leave. Meeting my husband, Jonathan, has been my happiest stroke of luck - we celebrated our first wedding anniversary in May. At our wedding, we were surrounded by a strong Old Oundelian crew: all three Terrells, Annabelle and Sophie Lee, Dasha Smythe, with Harry Cooper and Helen Rider as bridesmaids. I’m looking forward to returning the favour when Helen marries in July!

FEATURE

FISHER Charlie Barton gained a straightforward Real Estate degree bagged from Brookes, lived with Oundelians and made great friends.

After touring South America and Cuba, I moved back to Leicestershire and renovated an old gaff. Met Tats at Brookes; we’re getting married this September in Kenya. James Bourn is best man. We often see Robbie Thouless when he’s not on his Tuk Tuk! Currently splitting my time between Kenya and the UK, but I’ve caught the bug for bush life! For work, I’ve set up a strategic land promotion business in the Midlands. Always look forward to seeing Oundelians, especially at Max Howard’s golf weekends!

Henry Brooks Pollard is currently working for a property developer in London and Oundle friends remain a constant in my life. I play weekly tennis with Will Taylor and whilst Taylor and I are yet to find a pub for drinks after as good as The Angel in Oundle (sadly now closed), pub bust is not missed. Yearly holidays with Oundle friends are always a highlight, with a trip to Croatia in 2024 and Corfu this year with Max Howard (S) and James Bourn (C) Cricket continues and it’s great to see the Ramblers kit return when we play.

GRAFTON Miles Aho School morphed into uni (History), into the world of work (PR), out (law conversion) and back (law), but Oundelians have been a constant throughout. Grateful for the days in black and blue, House bar and good cheer, but more so for the friendships that have endured, and for a community that has put me in places I never thought I’d be.

Freddie Ashworth Incessantly electing for the unorthodox path post Oundle led me to a gap year travelling SE Asia, studying E&M at Bristol and heading to London to join a Big Four grad scheme. Living in Clapham, of course, for five and a half years with Chuck Macleod

Chris Titcomb (StA) and Freddie Ashworth (G)

(L) has left me with extremely fond memories of my mid-20s in London.

I have now graduated from Clapham to Balham and work at a PE firm in central London. OOs often form a part of my weekend plans as I still attempt to play football for OOFC. If our most recent interaction was ‘Hey mate fancy playing football on Saturday for the OOs?’ I can only apologise - a wide array of talent is filtering through so you should be safe from any future messages.

Matthew Barringer Classic postOundle route: STEM at uni, finance in the City, and living/travelling with OOs to all corners of the earth.

Looking back on my time at Oundle ten years on, I’m thankful for the friends I made, and the academic, sporting, and social foundations that School has given me. Moving from Oundle to Warwick was a bubble that was fun to escape from, and I would love to see whether the school and students have updated their outdated LGBT attitudes, but I will always remember the people I met and memories I made during my time there.

Archie Edgar I studied Business and Management at UWE in Bristol.

I then spent two years in Australia, working on cattle stations and a dairy farm across Queensland and New South Wales - an unforgettable experience that led me to be interested in a career in agriculture.

I went on to live in the Netherlands for a few years, doing a variety of jobs and enjoying their culture. I

returned to England nearly two years ago and now work as an assistant farm manager on an arable farm in Huntingdonshire.

Sam Harrison I went to Durham after Oundle to spend four years studying French and Russian, six months of which were in Moscow.

I spent the next four years at the communications firm Finsbury as I found my feet in London and while living with my old Grafton pals Miles Aho, Harry Hutchinson, Andrew Watson and Matt Barringer at various points. Before long, I joined Andrew at INSEAD for my MBA which I’m coming to the end of now and will be moving back to London with my girlfriend of three years, Sophie, afterwards.

Harry Hutchinson At the time, it was easy to take Oundle for granted.

Ten years on, I am deeply grateful for my school experience – for the academic foundation that enabled me to go on to Oxford and beyond; for nurturing my love of sport and travel; and, most importantly, for the lifelong friends I made. I’ve lived with and travelled the world alongside Matt Barringer, Miles Aho, Andrew Watson, Sam Harrison, Laura Mangiavacchi, as well as my siblings, Mike and Susie, and stayed in touch with many more Oundelians besides. Life has been all the richer for having them in it.

Vincent Lo More than a decade ago, Oundle presented me an opportunity to exercise my entrepreneurial talents, as I dominated the local market with the supply of healthy plants and vegetables. Having been moulded in competitive environments like Oundle and the Bartlett School of Architecture, I returned home to immerse myself in top competing markets, where I furthered my education and developed a career as an Architect. Recently I’ve pivoted away from the corporate world to revisit my ambition as a businessman in the field of arts and design. Oundle also blessed me with a few close friends who remain a beacon of light in my life, and will continue to shine my path to success.

Will Taylor Ten years on and Oundle remains a big part of my life.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

29

FEATURE

Max Howard (S) and I still live under the same roof - albeit without Mr Gough. I work in a beauty salon with Flora Van V (K) - if you ever need your feet scrubbed, she′s your girl. I also play tennis weekly with Henry BP (F), usually followed by a kebab that is ten times as expensive and a tenth the prestige of Spices.

I would love to send children to Oundle one day, although that still feels a long way off.

Sam Titcomb After a bit of travelling, I studied Real Estate at Oxford Brookes, along with a strong contingent of other Oundelians. After leaving university, I had one or two roles in real estate and have since settled into real estate finance, which I enjoy. I’m lucky to still be very good mates with many I was at school with and don’t doubt that will continue for the rest of my life.

Looking back, the only thing I would change about my time is choosing history for A-level.

Andrew Watson It’s taken me a while to find some direction since school. I started with plans for the military, defaulted into corporate life before temporarily rebelling, studying, and spending my way back to corporate life in London. I’ve spent a few years living abroad, but it feels good to be back properly for a while. Grateful to reconnect with the Grafton boys after my years of moving around, it always feels like no time has passed.

KIRKEBY Honor Bishop Ten years feel like a stream of consciousness. I moved to New York after Oundle - shock of my life, but I quickly fell in love with the city. Since then, I’ve worked in architecture in New York, London, Paris, and now, after finishing my Masters at Harvard, I’m in Mexico City. Learning a lot every day. Life is an odd place - but I feel grateful for it. Love my Oundle friends, who hold my bones together through all the moves and fresh starts. As Labi Siffre puts it: Bless the Telephone.

Iona Brooks After a ski season in France, I went to the University of Bristol to study French and

30

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Spanish. This gave me the incredible opportunity to work in both Buenos Aires and Paris, so I spent my year surrounded by great food and wine.

This suited me perfectly because I spent most of my university summers doing private chef jobs with my brother Hugh Brooks (Ldr 17) including cooking for weddings, hen parties and holidays. I now work in London as a management consultant, and have recently bought a flat with Hugh. While neither of us work in food anymore, we love to host and often have Old Oundelians round.

Hester Coltman-Rogers Headed up to Edinburgh after Oundle, where French and Spanish literature cemented my brewing existential dread, despite me spending my entire year abroad on a beach.

Punished myself accordingly by pursuing a career as a corporate lawyer. Currently living in London with Anne-Louise Westad (L), who’s abandoning me in September to eat street food in a hammock and call it growth. Fortunately, the man of my dreams is moving in and many other Oundle friends are around to keep me company. They are still some of my nearest and most unhinged.

Natasha Crawford After Manchester, I spent three unforgettable months at Ballymaloe – milking cows at dawn, boiling jumping prawns, and studiously tasting wine on Wednesdays.

Armed with new chopping skills (and nicely overqualified), I set out to pursue a career in food, and I’ve just wrapped up my fifth year in the job. My customers mostly sniff each other’s butts, but that’s the joy of pet food - along with working on Scrumbles’ first TV ad with Francesco Loy Bell (B). I’m still running, now marathoning blah blah, and have clocked 100 laps of Clapham Common, having rebranded from an East to South London girlie.

Charlotte Simms After school I went to Liverpool for a degree in English Literature, before going to Reading to do a MSc in Real Estate.

I now do asset management for a property investment company and I recently moved to East London only to find that everyone else in Dalston

also lived in South West London three years ago. Life involves maximising time spent abroad as annual leave permits and, having hated running at school, I now run a lot and did Paris Marathon last year with Molly Williams (K). Life is good and at least my 5km time has improved!

LAXTON Will Ashton Studied Finance at Warwick, took a “gap-ish” year in Melbourne (some studying did happen), and then swerved the banking route in favour of construction and property development. Over the past year, I’ve thrown myself into launching my own real estate investment and development company – something I’m genuinely excited about and loving more with every new challenge. I’m working towards spending a month each year skiing in the French Alps – it’s where I’m happiest (and not just because of the fondue). Back in the UK, my tennis hobby has evolved into a low-key obsession with Padel.

Finn Baseley After a year designing tower cranes and roaming New Zealand, I headed to Cambridge to read Engineering. Between lectures I learnt to fly with the RAF Reserves while squeezing the most out of uni life. After graduating I joined a tech startup before leaving to found my own. Several pivots later, I now run a tech-driven advertising agency with team members all over the world.

For the past three years I’ve travelled extensively, living and working remotely. When in the UK I try to see as many Oundle friends as possible.

Oli Baseley When asked in our Sixth Form yearbook what the future held, I answered… “House Husband, Top Gear Presenter and Billionaire.”

0/3 so far if we’re keeping score.

I drudged through Engineering at Sheffield and jumped into Business School in San Francisco. I′ve since spent six years in SF working on Autonomous Robotaxis and Trucks, and recently got my Green Card!

Outside work, I make the most of the

FEATURE

Californian outdoors and lean into its unique culture. DofE set me up surprisingly well to run a Burning Man camp. Let me know if you’re ever out this way.

Monica Dahiya After Oundle, I gained a Masters in Neuroscience and eternal appreciation for free Saturdays. I work on frontier AI and UK security in government - all in hand, nothing to worry about. I live in Balham with my fiancé (solid 10) and life is good! Oundle gave me so much, I’ll always be grateful for it: shout out Stahl and SciTec. I’m pleased to hear School has become more inclusive. I hope people there feel it’s a place where they’re all supported and their differences celebrated.

Isabel Fairlie Driven by dreams of exploring the Peak District and ambitions of spending a lifetime in research, I studied Biology at the University of Sheffield. A year’s internship as a molecular biologist at Kew Gardens revealed lab work wasn’t for me - but I unexpectedly loved living in London. So, after graduating, I took the sensible route into finance, where I’ve remained, recently completing the CFA. Now living in North London, I specialise in hosting dinner parties, running, cycling, and finding new restaurants.

I’m also lucky to see Oundle friends regularly - Flora Scott-Barrett’s gatherings are always a highlight.

Jack Ireson I spent four years on the links of St Andrews finetuning my golf game before heading to London to start my career in corporate M&A at Deloitte. That only lasted four years too, though, before I finally made the bold leap to do as no other Ireson before me has managed - become a Maths and Economics teacher at a private school - Bradfield College. Oundle Mencap still plays a huge role in my life as well and I’ll be back for my 11th Mencap holiday this summer.

Chuck Macleod Cutting travelling short and resitting some Politics exams in order to get into Newcastle was a great way to spend my first year after Oundle, especially when I ended up working in hotels and never actually making it onto the

Tyne. Five years doing that flew by and in 2019 I grew up, got a proper job in London, and moved in with Freddie Ashworth (G). Six years on, I’ve now changed to WFH and watching sport on the sofa next to my girlfriend Flora, who admittedly isn’t quite as into test match cricket as my previous housemate.

Alice Poulter Started at the University of Manchester, followed by a graduate HR role at a FinTech in Reading. Cue the pandemic: I moved to West London with Eliza Thompson and Tara Day. These days, I’m still in HR - now at a private equity company - and in West London living with Toby Warner. Importantly, I’ve managed to stay in touch with a loyal crew of Oundle friends, proving that things (and people) really do stick!

Serena Shah After reading Music at Cambridge and working in development and alumni relations at my college for a year, I moved to West Sussex for my first teaching role. I qualified as a secondary music teacher as Covid hit and the opportunity for a new adventure arose so I decided to move to Hong Kong. Another two years of teaching were interrupted by Zoom lessons (never again, please), and a freak ankle fracture, at which point the move to London became inevitable. I am most grateful to my Oundle friends who have made everywhere I have lived feel like home.

Anne-Louise Westad I swapped Oundle for Exeter to study Modern Languages. Spent a year in Tübingen where I developed an appreciation for Pils and a fear of the definitive article.

S Multisports lunch at Queen's: Freddie Ashworth (G), Freddie Goddard (G18), Polly Halstead (Sn), Chuck Macleod (L) and Chris Titcomb (StA)

Post university, I spent four years on the Aldi grad scheme where I lifted some heavy things. I now work with young children and spend my days wondering if snack time applies to me.

Started saving for a house deposit, but decided to spend it on travelling the world instead. Currently living with Hester Coltman-Rogers (K) and spend each day of our cohabitation trying to convince her to come with me. Not married or engaged, but dating the heir to wafer-thin ham.

LAUNDIMER Alec Murphy I spent four years studying Chemistry at Oxford - an incredible time I still feel nostalgic about. I’ve now been at the consultancy Bain for five years and am a senior Manager working mostly in the Energy and Music sectors. This summer, I married Pippa Graves (K 16), ten years after we met as I left Oundle. Oscar Marshall (S), a close friend since school, was a best man at the wedding. I continued to dabble in boxing - fighting for Oxford and Fitzroy Lodge in London - but now spend my spare time pursuing more niche interests like learning Welsh.

George Smale Since graduating from drama school in 2020, I’ve been fortunate to work consistently across film, TV, and theatre, including projects such as the Steven Spielberg-

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

31

FEATURE

produced Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air, as well as Slow Horses for Apple TV+. I recently returned from Jordan, where I was filming the upcoming Annemarie Jacir feature Palestine 36, and I’m currently on stage at the Phoenix Theatre, playing Jim Hopper in the West End’s Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Credit to the Stahl Theatre and especially Alistair Boag for nurturing my dream and making me believe it was possible.

NEW HOUSE Lizzie Ehrman After leaving Oundle I spent the summer months travelling and then three brilliant years at Bristol. Like many other OOs, I swiftly moved to London and began my career at RIXO as one of the original six team members.

Several years and many samples later, I’m about to leap into the world of interiors and homewares. I try to rinse my annual leave allowance and travel as much as possible, spending most of my summers in Greece. I’m lucky to still see lots of OOs regularly, which helps make London feel like a bigger, more expensive Oundle!

Annie Hall Since Oundle, I studied Medical Science (Neuroscience) at Exeter University, followed by a Masters in Clinical Trials at UCL. I’m now living in London and working for a pharmaceutical company as a Global Trial manager, leading an exciting Phase 3 Obesity Trial. When

I’m not working, you can usually find me on a hockey pitch. I love coming back for the OO games each year, and driving past New House always brings back fond memories. If I’m not playing hockey, I’m probably hanging out with my adorable puppy, Afia. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities attending Oundle provided me, which led to the career I have today, and for the greatest friends, Ellie and India, whom I love catching up with for our monthly dinners.

Helen Rider After studying French at Bristol, and a few bits in between, I now work at Helsing as an EA - I sometimes get to use my French and German, so my studies weren’t totally in vain!

I’m living in London with my fiancé, Archie, prepping for our wedding, where a few Oundle girls will be celebrating with us, including Lizzie Ehrman who is, of course, my Maid of Honour. I finally got round to getting my driver’s licence and am still rubbish at maths - still surviving without either, though!

Eliza del Aguila (Smith) After Oundle, I studied art history and French in Washington, D.C. (with a semester abroad in La Reunion) then joined Sotheby’s in New York.

Covid rerouted me to the U.K. to continue in the art world, where I got slightly sidetracked in my quest for a Green Card and ended up marrying an Italian-Peruvian with a small but mighty Oundle contingent in

Will Shelley (S), Florence Lister (D), Lizzie Ehrman (N) and Tom Wardle (C)

32

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

attendance. We’ve recently bought a fixer upper in Clapham and I work at White Cube.

Ellie von Staden I studied French/Business at Manchester, then started an art business; Sketches from my Bedroom (literally from my bedroom during lockdown), which is still going strong. I stock my prints/ cards in local shops, sell online and paint portraits of people’s homes. In 2020, I went back to uni to become a primary school teacher (during Covid - mad, I know). I then moved to the most random place - the Isle of Man (said nobody ever!) - with my boyfriend. I now teach a class of both hilarious and terrifying 9-year-olds Tosca Tindall After a couple of gap years and A-level retakes, I studied Human Sciences at Oxford, before working in development finance in Dakar, Senegal and Nairobi, Kenya.

I returned to the UK in 2023 to do an MSc in ecological economics and pivoted into nature-tech. I’m currently based in London - as a Founder-in-Residence at ARIA - and excited to be back in the same city as OO friends, including Daisy Tebbutt, Millie Marks and Tara Day. Sadly OO-reminiscing opportunities are soon to be limited as I’m moving to sunny Stanford, California in August this year.

SIDNEY Tom Arnold South London resident?

Check. South America backpacker?

Check. Marathon runner? Check.

While this may be indistinguishable from 90% of OOs, there’s a reason why it’s a well-trodden path. My days consist of a Times cryptic (morning), political risk consulting (afternoon) and a pint at Nolan’s (evening). I tend to see OOs for sporting occasions.

Most recently a golf weekend featured a 120 yard hole out for eagle, enjoyed with Max Howard (S), Sammy Titcomb (G) and Toby Warner (StA) – one of my better shots in the past few years.

Vlad Benn I read politics and international relations at Oxford Brookes. Unsure after graduation, I tried recruitment before joining

FEATURE

Henry Pease

the Global Infrastructure Investor Association, where I’ve spent the past four-and-a-half years. The association represents infrastructure investors across the EU, UK and US; I lead its research function, supplying evidence for policy engagement, and steer sustainability workstreams, partnering with investors and stakeholders to help them understand new ESG regulations and standards.

Recently I joined the Board of the Investment Research in Infrastructure Society, helping to shape its priorities and increase the wider understanding of the sector. I proposed to my fiancée in 2024 ( we met ten years ago) and we marry next year.

Max Howard read History at Oxford to make pub reading feel like a plan. Nostalgic for the mud and French classes with Madame Fontaneau, I am now a solicitor and have been retired hurt from the OO football team. The only real redemption is that I live with Will Taylor (G), who paints his nails in the evenings.

Harry Lawes After uni I spent a year coaching football, as I realised there aren’t many jobs a Classics degree leads you into, before moving to London to start working in sports data analysis – a good excuse to spend my days in front of the tv watching cricket! Otherwise I spend most of my time hacking the ball around a golf course or struggling to keep up with others on the football pitch. Currently living in Islington with my fiancée, Lara.

Oscar Marshall has been in

perpetual motion since Oundle.

With confidence untempered and seemingly unbothered by the crumbling hips and knees courtesy of 2 Acre, he breezed through a Biochemistry degree at Oxford and a PhD at Imperial (yes, still smug about it). A stint living with S Stocks (L) and F Loy Bell (B) in Notting Hill and a consultancy job was inspiration enough to start looking further afield. He’s since traded poking cells in London for a biotech job in Amsterdam that is equally incomprehensible. Perpetual motion now operates on two wheels and is safely at arm’s length.

Henry Pease Travelled; studied; commercial property surveying; set up a property management business on the side, which was nearly a spectacular disaster. Spent six years in Birmingham but am now living in Suffolk focussing on the day job, playing music and scheming the next business venture.

Will Shelley Read Industrial Design at Northumbria University, loved the course but got sucked into the bright and flashy world of software mid-way through. Started building a property rental app during my third year, which began the process of learning through failure.

Albeit with some minor successes!

Graduated during Covid and spent those years in Yorkshire tinkering with all sorts of projects. I then moved to London which was an enlightening renewal of OO friendships. I now live with my partner in Shoreditch, who happens to also be an OO - who knew we had so much in common?

Now running a golf app and business called Open Tee.

SCHOOL HOUSE George Barker Life has been busy since leaving Oundle, but one thing that’s stayed constant is how much time I still spend just with Oundle people. I’m writing this from a flat in the East Village, New York. A flat I share with Nell, who I started going out with in my final year at Oundle.

I’ve lived in St Anton, Austria as a chalet host (with two School House

boys), travelled through South America (with three more), studied at Newcastle University (again, living with three Oundle boys), and worked for two tech start-ups in London (living with more Oundle boys). After a short stint in Lisbon (with Nell), we moved to Sydney and now New York (with yet another School House boy).

It seems to have worked out so far.

Will Cundy Went on a gap year and met up with Ed Fenner road tripping in Australia before starting uni. Studied Motorsport Engineering at Brookes, not books, and a masters at Cranfield. Currently working in F1 for Aston Martin and looking forward to seeing where life goes in the next ten years.

Will Fennell Having desperately tried not to allow running to form a cornerstone of my personality, it seemingly has. I have raced in Jordon, Tunisia, Morzine, Marbella, Wales, Klagenfurt and a fair few Londons. Mum and Dad are well, and I still see my closest friends a lot – not as much as I would like but really appreciate it when I do.

To keep meat on the table, I develop warehouses, the likes of which have probably ruined plenty of countryside around Oundle. Hope everyone is well.

Charles Fletcher I managed to sandwich a ski season either side of Bristol uni - in Meribel and Whistler, and then have been working at a growing data consultancy called JMAN Group in London for four years and moved to New York a year ago to set up our new office. Still playing sub-par cricket and slicing the ball into the trees.

James Keating I went straight to Swansea university to study history and politics. While at Swansea I did a semester abroad in Hong Kong. From Swansea I went to LSE for a year.

Next, I emigrated to Spain for two years to attend flight school. Covid hit aviation hard, meaning jobs were rarer than a polite YouTube comment.

After several years of different aviation jobs, I started working for EasyJet as a pilot over two years ago.

If you ever hear my voice on the PA, I would recommend searching for the nearest exit (it might be behind you).

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

33

FEATURE

Dughall Sandison (Ldr), Tom Rees (Sc), Will Fennell (Sc), Toby Warner (StA), George Barker (Sc)

Tom Rees Ten years, yikes... Gap year one - walked to Rome, cycled the UK, ski-seasoned in Austria, and travelled South America (with Fennell, Barker and Supple). Onto English Lit at Oxford - two great years (seeing plenty of Lawes, Oscar and Max), one year shackled to the library. Gap year two - road-tripped Europe (kite-surfing, Coviding, and golfing (badly)). Onto Morgan Stanley - loved first year, survived second year, despised third year. Gap year 3 - started writing, filmmaking and photography. A few girlfriends along the way – first ending amicably, second ending not-so-amicably (hint: no coworkers), third going strong!

Next, starting Insead MBA in Jan ‘26.

Then plan to write full time (or try to).

And maybe get a Dachsund. Phew.

George Sinclair In 2020, I graduated from the University of Bristol and also married Bridget in the same year. I currently work as the Head of Data for Mindful Chef. As of writing, we are in the process of moving up to Cambridgeshire, not too far from Oundle.

SANDERSON Ellie Berry I studied Russian at Exeter and spent a year in Moscow and St Petersburg, learning the language and how to survive on pickled delicacies

34

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

and vodka. I moved to London and now work as a consultant at a small strategy research firm, where I say things like “driving impact” while making absolutely none. I live in Islington with my weird and wonderful housemate-slash-fiancé Mark Thomas (Ldr 10). I still see lots of the Oundle girls - many live nearby - and our debaucherous reunions, late-night dancing, and countryside chaos remain a regular (and glorious) feature.

Alex Cobb After leaving Oundle with less than ideal grades, I headed to the Toon (via the clearing office) to study Food Marketing and Nutrition, thinking it would be all bikini bods and free quinoa. Turns out you get handed a lab coat and told how to make probiotic cheese. Dropped out, went travelling, then ended up back in the Toon a year later. Doing the same course. Luckily I already had the lab coat. Graduated (via the re-sit office) and now work in marketing for McDonalds. I hate it. Please help me find a new job. Love life is going so averagely I’ve resorted to a tri-weekly snog with Jamie McRae (Sc 13).

Georgie Glasse I headed off to Edinburgh university to study Chemistry, squeezing in some marine conservation volunteering beforehand. I have very fond memories from uni, but six months of one failing experiment in final year

was enough to know that I didn’t have the patience for laboratory work! Of course, the “natural” turn to a banking grad scheme then followed. I travelled all over the country for different placements, even at one point living in and managing branches in Exeter(!) A couple of years and promotions later, I now work in my dream job in sustainable finance, live in London, and am still close to many of the OOs. On the side, I try to keep up painting, but alas, am rather missing the endless supplies of the Oundle Art department!

Izzy Griffith Like many of my peer group, I embarked on the wellestablished pilgrimage from Oundle to Castle Leazes. After landing in Newcastle, I stayed for seven years based in various hospitals across the North East, including when forgetting to submit my placement preferences landed me in Middlesbrough for a bleak year of Covid lockdowns. I’ve acquired a northern pronunciation of the word “bath” – particularly jarring in context of my still very American accent. I currently work in a North London A&E, spending my days typing symptoms into ChatGPT and removing foreign bodies from various orifices. Moving to Sydney in September for another quarter-life crisis (albeit in the sun!)

Maddy Mandoj-Norman Since leaving Oundle, I have upheld my reputation of dodging men (The Mandodger) although have quite gladly dropped the nickname ‘The Dog’. I escaped the Oundle crowd to try and pursue a career as a doctor, which I continue but hate. I am now back in London living with Alex Cobb and aggressively trying to find myself a wife.

Lily Spicer School was followed by three years at Cambridge, spent mostly in libraries, museums and a tiny house shared with Francesco Loy Bell (B). Determined to use my History of Art degree, I spent four happy years working at the Royal Collection, indulging a love of history that was first nurtured in Cloisters. I then traded the Palace for Whitehall where I now work in Defra specialising in the water sector.

Another pivot is probably on the

FEATURE

horizon. I live in Stoke Newington and moonlight as a florist in my spare time. Reconnecting with school friends is an all too infrequent joy.

ST ANTHONY Oliver Druce Leaving Oundle led to the inevitable gap year when I volunteered for SKRUM in Eswatini, the Vanessa Grant Trust and Ol Pejeta in Kenya. Then I headed out to rescue Toby Warner in Australia where we worked at Melbourne Grammar School. I studied IR and Politics graduating from Oxford Brookes with a large OO contingent. Covid ruined a few plans but I stayed busy and now work for the Office for National Statistics. I organise an annual cricket match against an old Greshams XI. Currently, the series is tied with the need for a tiebreaker. We are unbeaten in the post-match boat race.

Gordon Leung I found a passion for culinary arts during university.

After graduation, I briefly immersed myself in the world of an Italian restaurant before taking a little break.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, my journey led me through diverse experiences - working with SEN children, doing academic research at the university, and always gravitating back towards the field of mental health. Something seems to guide me along this path. I am now pursuing a Masters degree and am in the process of becoming a counselling psychologist, a role that I found incredibly rewarding and which resonates with my values.

Jaren Liu I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Computer Science degree. Now I’m working as a software engineering manager/technical lead within Deloitte Digital and living in London. I keep in touch with the old StA boys and have reunions every few months. The OO football club and multisports weekend allows me to still keep in touch with others, especially Kemp and Rob Cunniffe, who I had several amazing catchups with, and even had the pleasure of visiting StA again. I’m going to be married this year in Romania and the plan is to stay in the UK.

Jian Puthucheary I left university with a First in Computer Science, to start my career in Malaysia at a PE fund, but then decided to come back to London in 2019 and became a Senior Technical Consultant on Strategic Workforce Analytics at Pearson. I now specialise in AI and agentic LLM applications. In my down time, I’ve launched a music collective in London called Kitchen Island and become a certified dive master. I also DJ, produce music, and despite what my spine tells me, I play a lot of tennis and golf because hobbies are cheaper than therapy.

Dating? Consistently unsuccessful.

All that in 15 years and yet the Home Office still isn’t convinced I deserve Jack So

S All St A 15 - Sam Trott, Ollie Druce, Francis Cundell, Charlie Easter (St A 13), Toby Warner, Felix Terrell, Jaren Liu, Jian Puthucheary, Chris Titcomb and Toby Winter

the ‘right to remain’. But hey, not bad for someone once tipped to end up as Oundle’s first alumnus-turned-druglord.

Jack So I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol and now work as a consultant on major infrastructure projects across the UK and overseas - bridges, ports, and universities, to name a few. I recently became a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Outside work, I love to travel and have been exploring Europe and Asia whenever I can. I’m also into Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit, and currently training for my first competition.

Chris Titcomb Oundle has been a happy constant. After testing international waters in search of greater meaning, History and French at Exeter beckoned. A year in the south of France taught me the importance of prior research, as my PSG kit secured a permanent spot on the football bench. I moved into consulting, eventually transferring to sport, covering everything from cycling leagues to equestrian stud farms. I still prop up OO Football with Freddie (G), though a youthled coup looms. In the latest strange adventure, pipped only by a professional racket-stringing qualification, I launched Tipsy Nelly, an award-winning gin with

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

35

FEATURE

no website and plenty of misguided optimism (some strategy, that!). All said, an unexpected but enjoyable ten years.

Sam Trott I went straight from Oundle to the University of Virginia, where I completed a four-year undergraduate degree. This included stints studying abroad in Valencia, Spain and Melbourne, Australia.

Having missed out on the standard UK gap yah, I decided to set off after graduation on my own find-myself journey through SE Asia. A great trip, which was cut a bit short by Covid and started a two-year stint of beach lifeguarding in Bermuda. Since then, I have decided to give corporate life a go and am coming up to four years working as a reinsurance broker at Aon, first in Bermuda and since August in London.

Toby Warner I made the extremely niche decision of attending Newcastle University as an opportunity to broaden my horizons beyond the Oundelian comfort blanket. I therefore decided to live with Messrs Xander Buckland, George Barker and Archie Supple, before graduating and moving to London where I lived with the aforementioned and also Dughall Sandison. I keep myself busy working at a marketing agency, where I was shocked to find two OOs working when I joined. Most importantly, I have not yet managed to drive Alice Poulter completely crazy. Cheers Oundle!

WYATT Gen Collins I studied psychology at Warwick. Using my degree, I spent the Covid years training and practising as a CBT therapist in Cheshire, Staffordshire and SW London, supporting those with severe mental health difficulties.

Then, leaving psychology behind, I switched lanes and joined the Home Office to tackle corruption and money laundering. I now live in London with my partner and our two cats. On the side, I have continued to enjoy painting and do the occasional commission (Instagram: @ge.co.art).

Lucy Ing Since Oundle, I took a

36

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

gap year to work and travel, studied French and English Literature at Edinburgh (with a fashion year in Paris at ELLE International), and freelanced as a journalist/ film photographer. I then switched creative for corporate pursuits to complete a COVID-era law conversion/LPC. I’m currently in Paris (full circle) finishing a training contract with Clifford Chance and qualifying in September as a London Private Equity Associate, focusing on clean energy. From a Wyatt Milan trip to Eras Tour, Primavera festival this Summer and frequent catch ups in pub corners, I′m always grateful for my school friendships.

Laura Mangiavacchi It has been a decade since writing ‘make your lives extraordinary’ as my yearbook quote. I’m lucky to have since continued doing life alongside extraordinary Oundle friends. I spent my gap year working (briefly) in London and Malaysia and travelling around Australia and South-East Asia. I went on to study PPE at LSE, stayed in London, rolling into investment banking straight after (I also picked up a running habit to stay sane). After a couple of magical years living in Bermondsey and Bayswater surrounded by some of my favourite Oundle friends, I recently moved to NYC for a new adventure.

Annabelle Sherwood After a classic Oundle gap year through Southeast Asia and Australia, I joined many familiar faces at Newcastle uni.

Since then, I did my part completing Teach First as a science teacher in Suffolk. Afterwards, I took a sharp turn into corporate life consulting at BCG - valuable, but not quite “me.”

Now I lead Scotland and Northern Ireland for beer start-up Jubel from Edinburgh. It’s lively, slightly chaotic, and a lot of fun. I’m lucky to still see lots of my Oundle girls, and we remain proudly free of both rings and prams … for now.

Daisy Tebbutt After finishing school, I worked for six months and travelled as far as my earnings would take me. Starting in France, then India and South East Asia (shock) and finishing in Italy. I went on to study at Durham University, then

moved to London, where I’ve been ever since (another shock). One of the most meaningful parts of my year is volunteering on Oundle Mencap week. After 11 years, l love to meet younger Oundelians who say words like ‘skibidi’ and kindly remind me I’m ‘slaying’ at 28yrs. Joyfully still see Oundle friends, and a recent love story was a Wyatt trip to see Taylor Swift in Milan.

Eliza Thompson I took a gap year in Melbourne wrangling schoolkids (and Toby and Druce), then studied at Edinburgh with a year abroad in Brisbane. Next came a move to London, where I lived with Alice and Tara, dabbled in software, then swapped coding for consulting at Bain. Currently I’m living in Notting Hill with my boyfriend, conveniently located near a small army of Oundle girls I spend weekends with. Moving to Sydney later this year - apparently I just can’t stay away from Vegemite and sunshine Anna Trafford After a stint in the Christmas wrapping section of Harrods, I headed off backpacking around South Africa and Southeast Asia. Then came three glorious years of English Lit at Bristol, where I discovered that writing for the student newspaper meant you could get free tickets to just about anything. One lockdown and a law conversion later, I moved to London and qualified into the Planning & Environment team at Mishcon de Reya. I now live in West London with Tara Day and happily spend much of my time with OOs - a recent highlight being the trip to Milan.

Olivia Erskine After Oundle, I ventured up to Durham to study Biomedical Sciences. Despite enjoying my course, I also learned that 1) The North is cold and 2) working in a lab wasn’t my thing.

I therefore moved to London and started as a Strategy consultant. In the last few years I have (partially) qualified as a sommelier and started learning Greek - Oundle really did ingrain the habit of always being busy! Us Wyatt girls still catch up regularly - most notably our trip to Milan last year – and I look forward to the next 10 years of antics!

NEWS

The School Year

F

rom academic enrichment to co-curricular breadth, community engagement to national recognition, this has been a year that reflects Oundle at its best: busy, purposeful and full of opportunity. What stands out is not just the extent of what’s on offer but the way pupils meet it – with commitment, curiosity and a strong sense of shared purpose. Whether representing their House in the Gale Mile, performing at the Royal College of Music, debating national issues, directing theatre productions or qualifying for Henley, the story has been the same: integrity, participation and quiet confidence.

That culture of engagement underlies the Oundle experience. And this year brought particular cause for celebration.

The School was awarded a Significant Strength in pupil wellbeing by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – an accolade given only in exceptional circumstances. It was also named East Midlands Independent Secondary School 2025 by The Sunday Times. These awards reflect both achievement and the values that underpin life at Oundle.

The inaugural Colour Run

Pupils taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show

In October 2024, we achieved Green Accreditation through the national environmental scheme Investors in the Environment (iiE). This recognises our commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through improved resource efficiency, biodiversity projects and a strengthened environmental management system.

Among the most memorable moments were our performance at the Royal College of Music, the inaugural charity Colour Run,

and our contribution to the Lord Mayor’s Show – a spectacular crossdepartmental effort involving Art, the Stahl, the Patrick Engineering Centre, the CCF and Music, with BBC coverage opening on Oundle’s Griffin float. Each was a different expression of what makes this place distinctive.

This was also the final year of Sarah Kerr-Dineen’s tenure as Head.

Her leadership has shaped a school that is safer, kinder and more deeply pupil centred. She leaves a legacy rooted in humility, service and clarity of purpose – values that will define Oundle for years to come.

Academic results We were delighted to recognise the outstanding achievements of this year’s examination cohorts. At (I) GCSE, 31% of all grades awarded were grade 9, 58% were 9 or 8, while 78% were graded 9 - 7. The most common grade was grade 9, with the average being 7.6. Remarkably, seven pupils achieved straight grade 9s, 22 pupils achieved straight grade 9s and 8s, while a further 41 pupils achieved straight grades 9 - 7. These results break a number of pre- and postpandemic records and are testament to the tremendous progress made by this cohort.

At A level, pupils also achieved excellent results. Overall, 21% of all

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

37

NEWS

The Royal College of Music concert

grades awarded were A* and 60% A*- A. The cohort also maintained our consistently high results at the A*- B measure, narrowly missing the School’s record with 87%. Fifteen pupils achieved a minimum of three A* grades, while 70 pupils achieved straight A*/A grades. The vast majority successfully confirmed places at one of their chosen universities, going on to study a wide array of degree subjects at prestigious institutions in the UK and overseas, including Oxford and Cambridge and a breadth of competitive courses across the Russell Group.

Academic life goes far beyond results and university destinations. Pupils engaged with ideas through a wide-

New House presents Alice in Wonderland

38

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

ranging enrichment programme designed to develop intellectual confidence and independent thought.

Academic Scholars explored topics from ecology to the ‘two cultures’ debate in Colloquium, while over 80 Lower Sixth pupils took up Quadrivium courses, tackling projects such as geopolitics and English law.

Outputs ranged from essays and design reports to moot trials and public speaking.

44 pupils completed Extended Project Qualifications, with 75% achieving A*–A. The Sixth Form Lecture Series hosted 19 speakers including NHS psychiatrist and author Dr Benji Waterhouse (Ldr 03). This year’s Oundle Lecture was delivered by Alice Kan (L 97). Debating and public

speaking remained vibrant. Pupils competed in national competitions including the ESU Mace, Churchill Public Speaking and ICYD finals, as well as House and society events.

From Chapel choir to musicals, chamber to jazz, rock to orchestral, this year’s packed Music calendar combined variety with high standards.

The biennial Royal College of Music concert featured musicians of all ages and a symphonic world premiere composed by Quentin Thomas, our departing Director of Music.

Pupils performed to packed audiences at House singing, Music theatre and Christmas concerts.

The Concerto competition saw joint winners – harpist Kylia P (K) and violist Kit W (Sr) – while the Beatles tribute night, the Mozart Requiem and our biggest Hepburn Festival yet provided something for everyone.

Individual achievement was equally impressive. Kylia performed at the BBC Proms, came second in the Concours Français de la Harpe and gained her ATCL Diploma. Five pupils secured choral scholarships to Oxford; 15 achieved Grade 8 and 11 earned Diplomas. Two pupils now attend Junior Conservatoires on Saturdays – one at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and one at the Royal Academy of Music.

NEWS

Youngest pupils delight in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

National ensemble success included two pupils in the National Children’s brass band and two in the Under 12 National Children’s orchestra.

With Quentin Thomas retiring after twelve years, we welcome Andrew Kennedy as Head of Singing and Richard Dawson as Director of Music.

The Stahl Theatre continued to combine professional experiences and strong pupil ownership. Main School plays included Flood – shortlisted for two National School drama awards – The Crucible, Dracula, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, performed joyfully by our youngest pupils. House plays demonstrated imagination and initiative - from Alice in Wonderland to The Watsons and The Happiest Days of Your Life. Pupils enjoyed workshops run by Leicester Curve and other visiting groups, while technical theatre continues to grow. The Musical Theatre competition and Dance Mix Tape showcased the energy of this department of performers, directors, designers and makers.

CCF Field weekends took the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Adventure Training sections to London,

Portsmouth, the Peak District and South Wales, while the Army returned to its familiar training ground in Thetford Forest. January saw the reopening of Elmington range after two years, enabling the return of full-bore shooting and two successful ‘march and shoot’ competitions.

A team of eight Sixth Form cadets earned Gold at Exercise Combat Cadet, while another completed the Cambrian patrol. The CCF ski trip returned to Siviez and the Fourth Form visited the Somme, holding a Remembrance service at Thiepval.

Annual Inspection was led by Major General Tony Turner RM (N 94), who awarded the Major David Dew Cup to Honor SC (K) and the David Hicks Prize to Zach H (S).

Charities and Fundraising saw the Oundle community raise over £37,000. Inspired by the courage of Andrew Hine, a teacher here, pupils and staff ran, walked and swam the distance “around the world” during Michaelmas term, raising £12,000 for cancer charities. Sanderson’s wholeschool Colour Run – now a calendar fixture – stands as a joyful legacy of that campaign. Individual efforts

included Food Bank support and a sponsored walk for Alzheimer’s. The PPF Ambassadors led two black tie dinners and continue to champion pupil-led philanthropy.

Sport has had another excellent year.

In the Michaelmas term, 22 teams were fielded in both girls’ hockey and boys’ rugby, with several squads unbeaten. The Gale Mile and 24hour swim showcased House spirit.

The Lent Term brought another busy programme, as Oundle hosted county and regional Netball finals, the regional Fives championships and its biggest OO Multisport weekend to date. Indoor rowing and whole School cross country was widely supported.

Netball, girls’ rugby and football all had excellent seasons, and the boys’ U15A team remained unbeaten and ranked second nationally.

Despite exam pressures, Summer term participation stayed high. The boys’ cricket 1st XI reached the last 32 in the National T20 Cup, the U14s reclaimed the County Cup and the girls’ 1st XI and U14s both had strong seasons. Tennis teams notched up solid wins, and Athletics produced standout performances, with three

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

39

NEWS

pupils qualifying for the English Schools Championships. Rowing has enjoyed its most successful season in over a decade. All six crews entered at the National Schools Regatta reached their finals, with determined performances. The boys’ 4x crew competed in the Henley Royal Regatta qualifying race, missing out on qualification by just 2.2 seconds. The girls’ 4x crew did qualify and defeated a strong Putney High School crew by 2.5 lengths in the first round of the Diamond Jubilee Cup - a welcome return to Henley for an Oundle crew.

Golf continues to grow, with a new U15 squad and sustained national success. and the OOfunded simulators continuing to support year-round training. Our partnership links with Northampton Saints, Loughborough Lightning, Northants Cricket and England Hockey continued to strengthen sport scholarship and athlete development.

Representative honours were earned across athletics, badminton, cricket,

Girls’ 4 x crew return to Henley

40

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

cross country, equestrian, hockey, netball, rugby, squash, tennis and swimming – a reflection of elite performance being grounded in spirited participation.

Pupils contributed to the wider Community through service and collaboration. Over 330 pupils took part in the weekly Community Action programme, supporting around 50 local initiatives – from working with nurseries and schools to mentoring, environmental projects and elderly care. Highlights included the ‘Grand Day Out’ for older residents and two ‘Have a Go’ days, welcoming local people with disabilities to enjoy a wide range of activities led by pupils.

Through the OPEN Learning Partnership, pupils collaborated with peers from schools in Peterborough, Kettering and Oundle across art, music, engineering, mathematics, debating and drama. These partnerships brought academic breadth, social

perspective and national recognition – including hosting the School Partnerships Alliance conference and being mentioned in both Houses of Parliament. Our STEM outreach, delivered in partnership with Imperial College London, included roadshows to schools such as Cargilfield, Mowden Hall and The Dragon. We also welcomed Swansea University’s Engineering Faculty to run workshops with Sixth Form pupils. A fully funded regional Computer Science initiative will launch next year.

Looking Forward, we welcome Dominic Oliver as Head from September 2025. Following a successful decade at the helm of Lancing College, he brings with him a wealth of strategic insight and boarding experience. His leadership will help form the next chapter in Oundle’s story - building on firm foundations and ensuring the School continues to provide the space, challenge and care that young people need in order to thrive. ■

NEWS

Oundle Mencap Holidays

O

undle Mencap Holidays has been in operation for over 40 years, providing residential holidays for young people with learning disabilities every summer.

The charity is operated by volunteers, a large number of whom are OOs. We use a wide range of Oundle’s facilities

Alex Dragonetti (G 03)

to offer both an amazing holiday and important respite care.

Hundreds of OOs have volunteered with us, including Alexander Dragonetti (G 03), who appeared on the BBC’s The Traitors earlier this year. Alex volunteered and his younger brother James, one of our holidaymakers, enjoyed several holidays here.

We were delighted to see Alex do so well on The Traitors and equally to hear him speak so movingly about James’ enjoyment of our holidays and his own experience of volunteering with us. Their story clearly resonated with viewers and the wider public, which culminated in a huge swell of support for both himself and

for Mencap, with which OMH has been a ‘network partner’ for several years. We are one of over 260 such independently operated organisations responding to the local needs of people with learning disabilities.

As a small, volunteer led charity, the management team and trustees of OMH were delighted that Alex used the opportunities that The Traitors had offered him to help raise the profile of Mencap on a national level - as well as over £95,000 in donations. A large proportion of the money raised will be available for network partners to continue to deliver their services at a local level.

Alex’s story has created opportunities for our team to forge closer links with Mencap, with CEO Jon Sparkes visiting the Oundle holiday in August and using our story to promote the work of partners nationwide. Everyone here is very proud of Alex. ■ If you would like to know more about OMH, please visit www. oundlemencap.co.uk or follow us on Instagram@oundlemencapholidays.

OO Charity Challenge

O

n June 18, teams from Laxton, Dryden and Wyatt made their bids to secure £1,000 donated by the OO Club for the charity of their choice through

the annual Charity Challenge competition. The judging panel consisted of Charles Salem (C 78), current OO Club President, Rebecca Baxter, Director of Development, Eleanor Roberts (L 20) and Antonia Bowdler, Alumni and Community Engagement Manager.

The teams were judged on several criteria - including research, teamwork, financial analysis - and this year’s presentations were no exception in terms of their calibre and thoughtfulness.

They had chosen very different charities but each was demonstrably a personal choice which really shone through. All the presentations were

colourful and engaging with a good accompanying narrative supported by thorough research that enabled the teams to answer the judges’ questions with confidence and candour.

It was as ever a difficult decision to choose a winning team but after intense debate Wyatt won the day on behalf of their charity of choice, Sobell House Hospice. Sobell House is an Oxford-based hospice offering compassionate and personalised care to people with life-limiting illness, and to their loved ones.

Congratulations to all the teams and especially to our worthy 2025 winners – Kéylene, Clara and Amelia. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

41

NEWS

Laxton Junior School ■ Lydia Waller, Head, Laxton Junior School

I

t has been a year of progress and collaboration at Laxton Junior School, and I’m delighted to share some of the highlights from our journey together. Above all, this year has shown the strength of our community, with staff, children and families working in partnership to help every child flourish. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or at community events, the spirit of shared purpose has been a constant thread and a source of genuine pride.

Our partnership with the Johnny Reynolds Foundation, our wholeschool charity this year, has truly embodied that spirit. From donning sports shirts for a good cause to celebrating our four-legged friends at the second Community Dog Show and coming together for the May bank holiday Community Afternoon and colour run, each event has brought joy and unity. The incredible total raised reflects the generosity and enthusiasm of our school family.

This year also marked the first full implementation of our refreshed curriculum model in Years 4 to 6.

Pupils now benefit from specialist

subject teaching across all areas, a rich and purposeful development that enhances both engagement and preparation for the next stage of their learning. Alongside this academic evolution, we introduced a new tutor system, designed to offer tailored pastoral support and

Shrek Dress Rehearsal

42

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

promote each child’s wellbeing and personal growth. In the Summer Term, we welcomed a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate and were proud to receive feedback affirming the quality of both our academic and pastoral provision.

Parental involvement has continued to thrive, with the Friends of LJS making a valued contribution to school life by organising events that bring joy to both children and families, while also helping to strengthen the bonds across our community. We were also proud to launch our new Parent Forums this year, an initiative that is already enriching the dialogue between home and school in meaningful ways.

As we look back on a year of collective achievement, I would like to express my sincere thanks to every member of our community. It is through our shared commitment that we continue to build a vibrant and nurturing environment where every child can truly thrive. ■

NEWS

Staff Valete Juliette Coles In 1996 Juliette came to Oundle as one of its first female heads of department and ran the English Department for eleven years. After a brief stint as Senior Mistress, she was instrumental in the focus on teacher training and excelled as Head of Professional Development for ten years. Her approach has been a reflection of her integrity and compassion. Those who have been fortunate enough to be taught by her, to have taught alongside her, or to have been guided by her have all benefitted from her warm, supportive and instructive guidance. Juliette’s calm consideration and generous good humour inspired confidence in pupils and teachers alike.

Juliette oversaw the training of new teachers, some of whom arrived with no prior formal training.

Her understanding of what really mattered has supported many in what is often a disorientating experience.

She has also run conferences on behalf of the Independent Schools’ Teacher Induction panel and was an ISI inspector.

As Head of English, Juliette quickly established the pupil newspaper Off the Cuff and its sibling for younger pupils Cuff Links. She was a founding member of OSCAR radio, and directed several plays, including The Boy Who Fell Into a Book which was memorably performed in Cobthorne Gardens. She is an outstanding teacher of English, developing the pupils’ clarity of ideas and expression through the generation of deep, empathetic considerations of what they study.

Lessons are characterised by a calm, respectful and academic atmosphere.

Like all good leaders, Juliette’s department was a reflection of herself: inclusive, amiable and hardworking. She was instrumental in the introduction of the Second Form Culture week and her expertise in the pastoral elements of her roles in the School has also been valuable, not least in her significant update to the PSHE curriculum. Juliette has tutored in five Houses, and all have appreciated her kind counsel and care. Kirkeby, New House, The Berrystead, Laxton, and most recently, Sadler, have all benefited from her warmth, insight, and a remarkable ability to connect with her tutees on a deeply personal level.

Whether the conversation turns to sport, academics, or the latest extracurricular passion, Juliette meets each pupil with genuine interest and an uncanny knack for making them feel heard and understood.

Juliette has run the 660 Club for many years. Her commitment and love for the club and concern for each individual member (“My Gang” in her own words) makes it what it is - a happy, welcoming weekly social event for older members of the town’s community, which pupils contribute to on a Wednesday afternoon. Juliette has guided the pupils’ commitment to this service superbly. She is concerned that pupils ‘give’ of their time on a Wednesday afternoon and share their interests. Her talks, musical interludes, quizzes and games has made this a highly valued occasion.

29 years is a very significant time in a school, and Oundle has been extraordinarily fortunate to have had such a dedicated teacher involved in the central aspects of its business.

Such a tenure has covered significant change in how the School operates, but Juliette’s dedication to her pupils, tutees, and trainee teachers has been unwavering. Her contribution to

Oundle’s culture of dedicated teachers and highly motivated learners has been understated but immense. We wish her a very happy retirement.

Tim Hipperson

Ann Meisner When Ann Meisner (Megahey) joined the School in 1996, it was only meant to be a shortterm contract.

Twenty-eight years, two departments, one boarding House, one deputy Headship - not to mention a husband and three children - later, she leaves us to become Principal of MPW Cambridge, taking with her a wealth of wisdom and experience, and the respect, admiration and fondness of her colleagues.

She was perhaps destined to enjoy a career in a large independent school.

She was born at Wrekin College, then the family moved to Cranleigh, where her father taught History and was a Housemaster. Upon his appointment as Rector to Peterhouse in 1984, the Rev Dr Alan Megahey, with Elizabeth and Ann and her brother Mark, moved to Zimbabwe. Attending Chisipite Senior School in Harare, Ann rapidly discovered that it took some time – and chutzpah – to settle into such a contrasting environment to Surrey, and to have the confidence to challenge rules that didn’t make sense, including compulsory attendance at sports matches. Her brother’s sudden death required strength and resilience and partly formed her early character.

Today, Zimbabwe remains important to her family. Samuel Meisner will go there for a Gap year.

In 1996, there were few female staff

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

43

NEWS

at Oundle. Girls had only been here since 1990. Ann became a full time member of staff involved in a wide range of activities or, as she puts it, she was ‘making sure they couldn’t get rid of me’! She taught RS and Drama which at one point, meant teaching over half the Third Form.

She also worked in the Learning Support department. She became Dryden deputy Housemistress before a move to Kirkeby as Hsm in 2009.

There, she had an open-door policy and was available whenever the girls needed her. She was also committed to ensuring that her care for the boarders could be delivered alongside bringing up her young family with Ben, providing the girls with an excellent role model for how women can juggle work and motherhood and still retain a sense of humour.

Ann directed plays in the Stahl, and, unexpectedly, became teacher i/c of the ‘sweatbox’ - the gym where her responsibilities included teaching others to use the equipment, whilst also enjoying the fact that it was possible to use the exercise bike whilst reading. She was a key figure in the early days of Oscar Radio and an essential part of the CA team, from Tiny Tots (including, eventually, her own three) to the opposite end of the scale, the 660 Club. As teacher i/c charities she organised the never-to-be repeated Big Sing, a 24-hour ‘singathon’ involving every House taking shifts throughout the night. She was invaluable on a huge range of trips, numerous Duke of Edinburgh expeditions including one to Zimbabwe, and enough trips to Walsingham to ensure a future as a tour guide! As Head of Careers, Ann encouraged pupils and staff to recognise the value of seeking opportunities to feed into the overall profile, not just for university but for life beyond. In 2003, she took over the RS department and now found herself project managing the RS department’s move to Cloisters. Sadly the Zen garden so ardently hoped for has yet to be.

As Deputy Head Pastoral in 2017, she drew on her experience in the House for her next challenge.

She quickly set about a review of

44

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

tutoring, allocating herself to a series of boys’ Houses. She enjoyed spending time with the pupils, valuing the opportunity to appreciate the dynamics in different year groups.

This led to Ann’s initiatives through the Girls on Board and Working with Boys programmes. She took the initiative with neurodiversity in particular. Her proactiveness was invaluable in overseeing the Learning for Life programme, the Health Centre and the Emotional Wellbeing team.

Understanding how all-consuming pastoral work is, Ann wanted to ensure that systems were as efficient and effective as possible, liaising with Ben on the best use of data, training staff, refining role descriptions and streamlining processes to serve the needs of the pupils and to ensure that Hsms were fully supported by their House teams. She was an ardent champion of the Matrons, her own mother having fulfilled this role when her father was a Housemaster.

She also worked brilliantly with the Bursarial Management team.

She responded to the challenges of compliance requirements, focusing on attendance and allergies and instituting pastoral tracking and software to help us meet our duty of care. Her solution-focused approach was never more important than during Covid, when her heroic professionalism and extraordinary energy meant that she was indefatigable in acting on the everchanging detail of the requirements.

Her cheerfulness and positivity during this period - her infamous laugh was never far away, however bad things got - was wonderful for morale.

The Deputy Head Pastoral’s job description is a broad and varied one. Ann’s ability to bring humour, warmth and a sense of togetherness to everything she is part of will endure in the memories of her colleagues in years to come. Though she goes down in the annals as leaving us after twenty-eight years, Ann has already pointed out that her departing in December 2024 in fact clocks up twenty-eight and one term. Ann started with JTC, and leaves in the same year as her. What a vintage crop the intake of September 1996

was! Ann remains resident in Oundle, the wife of a colleague and a current parent for some years to come. Thank goodness we’re not saying goodbye anytime soon.

Juliette Coles and Daviona Watt

Leigh Giurlando Leigh arrived in 1998 with Andrew, daughters Shanna and Lauren, and six-weekold Dylan.

Brought up in New York and motivated by Carnegie’s principle that public libraries are ‘Free to the People’ she visits libraries everywhere she travels. She joined the Peace Corps in 1986, and spent three years volunteering as an English teacher in Malawi. Here, as well as meeting Andrew Martens, she established a school library with support from American and British donors, and after four years, moved to Gordonstoun as librarian.

At Oundle, where in 2001 she became Assistant Librarian, then Head Librarian in 2007, she was determined to ensure that the library was seen as a proactive resource for the curriculum, and initiated a partnership with the English Department, introducing information literacy and research lessons, as well as bibliographic standards for the Sixth Form. A graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts, where Steinem, Plath, and Friedan studied, Leigh’s intellectual interests, liberalism, curiosity and passion for decent journalism have inspired pupils to take their work very seriously.

Her greatest achievement, she feels, was the complete refurbishment of the library, and she spent the summer of 2011working with builders on the smallest of details. Leigh has focused on developing the School’s Rare Books collection, which includes every book by and about John Piper, as well as a collection from the British private

NEWS

press movement. Pupils are regularly invited to explore this collection and its accompanying range of antiquities.

Reaching to the future, she has been proactive in developing the e-resource element of the library’s catalogue, as well as serving as Webmaster (2010 – 2022), editor of online news and initiating and developing the School’s social media presence on Twitter and Instagram.

Leigh has tried to ensure that pupils understand that not only is reading essential for developing empathy and providing entertainment, but it can also be an opportunity for fun, competition and debate. She initiated and led annual participation in the Kid Lit Quiz with the First and Second Forms, which saw the team in the national finals. She established Carnegie Prize shadowing clubs with lively debates in the Great Hall as to which of the short-listed titles should win each year. Bringing writers into school for In2txts for lectures and workshops, as well as the Great Read, encouraged conversations about reading, as well as leading to a series of photographs documenting reading in unexpected places.

The sense of community that Leigh hoped for in Oundle has been supported by her own contributions.

As a founding member of the Oundle Festival of Literature in 2003 she welcomed to town over 200 writers including P.D. James, Michael Frayn and Philippe Sands. From this developed KidLit, an annual weeklong festival for younger readers in local primary schools. An off-shoot of the Festival saw the commissioning and publication of three limited edition volumes of short stories

by Ali Smith, William Trevor and Haruki Murakami. Attracting such well-known writers is testament to Leigh’s tenacity and taste. The local community has also benefited from the Oundle Chronicle which Leigh edited for 17 years. This role has given her the opportunity to demonstrate her meticulous, methodical approach; the paper has won national recognition via the Shine School Media Awards several times.

Leigh walks to work and is highly observant. This has fuelled leads for

stories and widespread acquaintances with people in town. She has enjoyed cajoling people into submitting to pupils interviewing them for the paper. She also persuades pupils to step out of themselves to engage with local people about issues of only remote interest to a teenager. Her own prose is free of any waffle or redundancy; it is concise and readable and she asks pupils to refine their writing similarly. Leigh is also an extremely skilful photographer.

She leaves the School having ensured a living, breathing legacy of a passion and respect for books – in all their forms. She has truly fulfilled Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy: “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people”.

Juliette Coles and Caitríona O’Brien

Quentin Thomas No one present at the Royal College of Music, the Easter concerts or Andrew Hine’s Memorial Service could fail to be moved by the music or the brilliance of its conductor, composer and director, Quentin Thomas. His twelve years have passed in a flash. He joined Oundle after eight years at Haileybury in 2013, with Zoë, Oliver and Eleanor; Monty the dog, always exasperating company on walks, arrived soon after. The Music Department is complex: its activity blends individual endeavour and collective ensembles. Even before the hundreds of performances are considered, the benefits of the practice alone, both individual and collective, span the academic, cerebral, emotional, and physical. Leading the Department brings enormous rewards, but also great challenges (not least leading fellow musicians...)

Prior to school life Q had been

Head Chorister at Westminster Abbey, Music Scholar at King’s School, Canterbury, Organ Scholar at Hertford College, Oxford, and with further scholarships for Postgraduate Masters Degrees at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Composition, then more study as a conductor and repetiteur for opera, before a further scholarship and Masters Degree in Screen Composition at the National Film and Television School, Quentin’s breadth of experience is unrivalled.

A published composer before leaving school, he wrote many works performed in the leading concert halls of London and was commissioned to write an opera for the Oper am Rhein, Dusseldorf, to open their 2002 season. He wrote 26 short film scores for films, two of which received Oscar nominations and one a BAFTA nomination. As an organist, he was an invited guest of the European Union Youth Orchestra, recording with Alison Balsom. He balanced conducting, composing and being organist at St John’s Hyde Park whilst teaching, most notably at the Yehudi Menuhin School.

After his first Congregational singing practice (‘Congo Mongo’ as he called them), Q was told, “You get them too excited and need to calm down”.

But his style reflected his infectious passion for music and whole school hymn singing has been a force for good each Friday. One of his first tasks was a plea for a new school hymn book which he painstakingly compiled over the best part of a year with Revd Brian Cunningham, ensuring all liturgical seasons and main services were covered, all tunes represented with adopted texts, 4-part harmony for the choir to sing from and for the musicians to study as a resource, and hymns suitably transposed to keys that rarely take our pupil voices above an Eb. He proof-read and indexed the three drafts with meticulous care.

Mould-infested houses on Bramston Paddock and similar conditions in The Gascoigne (The Gazza) saw Q keen to be back in Haileybury by Week Nine. Jo, Gazza cleaner ever since, saved the day. The Gascoigne had not been touched since

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

45

NEWS

it was acquired 20 years earlier, and Q worked hard over three big holiday builds to improve the facilities. With the new Head and Bursar onside, he pushed for a major refurbishment.

His proposals ripped out secondary staircases and he personally designed an impressive number of custommade instrumental lockers. New doors with windows and screens replaced walls and helped open up the department, which, with new INSET, provided a more collaborative feel.

Inside Gascoigne, Q has covered more than his fair share of absences, his exceptional commitment masking the lack at points of a Choral Fellow, School Organist, Director of Chapel Choir, Head of Academic Music and Head of Singing. Outside School he was a Trustee on the Creative Oundle board and took on the Oundle & District Choral Society for six years. His finale, conducting Mozart’s Requiem, brought together orchestra, soloists, Chapel Choir and Oundle Singers for a wonderful performance in a reversed School Chapel. His focus has always been to ensure the best journey possible for his many charges and staff. Music cuts across year groups, sexes and Houses and integrating it seamlessly with all its competing activities in school life is fiendishly difficult. Q was quick to embrace SOCS, NoW and the Longcast to ease frictions. In the Department he restructured roles and introduced Heads of Singing and Music Production to ease the department into the 21st century.

Honour Boards for Diploma gains and places of further music study went up, tracking OOs. Keen to have breadth in the department, he was as eager to give the rockers and jazzers a home and platform as he was the CCF Marching Band and orchestras. All flourished.

The RCM partnership developed new strategies with more tangible reach as the aim. The Massed Musicians Day grew to 260 pupils visiting, the USP being specialism for each instrument.

The biennial programme of concerts kept things fresh: Music in Unexpected Places had audiences split up to roam the school with guided tours and small ensembles (favourites remain OSJO in the car lift in the Patrick Engineering Centre, or from the lit cricket pavilion -

46

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

or Schola in the dark of the Real Tennis courts with just the lights of their mobiles on the floor). House Singing (never House Shout in his company) became a more palatable affair. Music Opportunity Concerts were started for the more nervous performers. He introduced a Composers’ Concert with an emerging or professional ensemble for which every pupil created or arranged something: the usual solitary experience of writing became shared and purposeful. The Hepburn is now a massive entity, and Quentin personally handled its detail to ensure that complexities worked out smoothly. May Morning Madrigals saw a firm commitment from performing pupils in spite of the 6:30am start.

Crash Into Christmas evolved into the Christmas Orchestral Concert. He and Alec Hone gave an annual recital that become a firm favourite within the Oundle International Festival, and few can forget the performances of The Snowman as the audience trundled into Chapel in dressing gowns, complete with teddy bears and hot chocolates. Programming has always been imaginative, particularly Easter Concerts where Lenten hymns would cover massed stage movement to offer a seamless flow, and great pride was taken when each concert lasted exactly 59 minutes. Each annual musical had a pupil band: Quentin believed musicals offered the greatest sight-reading and musical growth for any instrumentalist.

Recognising the vulnerability to learning (and income to freelance musicians) posed by Covid, he ensured Oundle was one of the first music departments to train the entire VMT body on Teams. In the absence of Congo Mongo familiarity, he emailed the school community with our singing Jerusalem from Birmingham Symphony Hall. The department became creative in sustaining a programme behind Covid screens, in science labs, in bubbles; his video of Jingle Bells was filmed and recorded to click-track in different locations. This was an art that few recognised for the smooth play-out that was created. He got stupidly excited by last year’s video offering, recording the theme from Love Actually with the Symphony

Orchestra but with the strap line ‘Oundle, Actually’. He composed arrangements to make music accessible, and wrote his Symphonic Fanfare Pivots for performance at his last RCM concert.

Prior to Q’s arrival, a skilful salesman had convinced many schools and conservatoires to invest in a piano lease scheme. Oundle relinquished its entire decrepit fleet in exchange for 52 new pianos, and part of the deal was to become part of ‘The Duet Philharmonic’ that offered amazing orchestral repertoire in the best concert venues way beyond the reach of any one independent school. Q found himself being wined and dined, and became the assistant conductor to this enterprise. But he smelt a rat and discovered a trail of rogue trading. Diplomatically, Oundle got out of that contract and secured its own 52 pianos - before the company went into liquidation the next year following litigation and a £140 million international fraud case.

Q’s cherished desire was to have a home for musicians in the form of a concert hall: we are the only school in the Rugby Group not to have a purpose-built music facility. Given the scale of the Director of Music’s task and his many achievements, it is hardly surprising that Q has not been able to enjoy Sports or the CCF. Over his twelve years here, though, he has been firmly rooted in Laundimer. Strong, trusting relationships have been built with tutees and their parents alike.

Pupils have gained much from his knowledge, kindness and wisdom.

References have always been finecrafted for Oxbridge candidates and the many who have scooped Choral and Organ Scholarships.

He leaves for King’s Gloucester where he will enjoy easy access to the Malvern Hills with Monty, regular Cathedral services, and perhaps life on a narrowboat. Before departure there is the small task of a house renovation, another creative outlet which he excels at and enjoys in equal measure.

We will greatly miss a man who has brought such energy, inspiration and passion to the department that sits at the heart of school life.

Andrew Mansergh

NEWS

Sarah Kerr-Dineen Sarah KerrDineen arrived in Oundle full of warmth for a school whose pupils’ demeanour had always impressed her. “Oundelians don’t strut” became a guiding mantra throughout her tenure. It chimes with her own understated approach: never entitled, never arrogant but insistent, always, on decency, integrity and doing things extremely well.

Her own education was in the state sector, her father her first Headteacher and her mother the one who taught her to read before she started school.

From then on, books - “reading them, thinking about them, talking about them, writing about them”- became central to her life. Her academic path led her from an English degree at Cambridge to doctoral research at Oxford but a summer holiday job led Sarah to Anthony and her doctorate was left on hold when marriage, followed by the arrival of their first child, redefined her priorities.

Teaching beckoned and what followed was a thirty-year career – at Exeter, the Open University, Oxford High School, St Edward’s and Forest School – before she arrived here in 2015. It was a career marked by humanity, academic ambition and principled leadership, shaped alongside family life and the raising of four children.

As Head, Sarah found her centre of gravity across all spheres of School life. She led with clarity and compassion - inside and beyond the school gates. Her strategic plan was formed in her first year by a gathering of the community’s reflections on “what we value” and her conviction that a school is built around its people shaped every connection she made.

She inspired trust through personal engagement, emphasised that “doing what we say we do” matters and described the pupil-parent-school

relationship not as a contract but as a covenant.

Educationally, her legacy at Oundle is deep. She championed the twin pillars of Life of Learning and Learning for Life, supported the Trivium, EPQ and Quadrivium and insisted that pupils read, read, read. Academic enrichment was always balanced with care. Oxbridge admissions remained strong under her leadership, even as sector-wide offers declined. Her celebration of success was never at the expense of those who fell short: sensitivity, humility and resilience were key.

Sarah remained a teaching Head until Covid, relishing classroom visits “especially when they forget I am there”. She described her love of teaching as having evolved into a love of watching others teach. That belief in reflective practice shaped her work on staff appraisal, led to the appointment of a Director of Teaching and the introduction of Lead Teachers. It embedded a culture of professional growth. Her investment in initial teacher training helped establish Oundle’s SCITT (Schoolcentred Initial Teacher Training) programme as a source of energy and expertise. During the pandemic, her steady communication and principled decision-making gave the School clarity, warmth and cohesion. Calm, capable, and always thinking on her feet, she balanced safeguarding, academic integrity and pastoral care in every response. Looking back, she describes the first September Saturday with pupils on the pitches as “a moment of intense joy.”

She has had a lasting impact on pastoral care. She oversaw the development of the Emotional Wellbeing Team, helped strengthen the Health Centre and medical provision and reinforced the idea that safeguarding sits at the heart of all we do. The School’s ISI inspection in 2024 cited pupil wellbeing as a “significant strength” - fitting recognition. Such leadership extended beyond Oundle.

She chaired the HMC Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee, sat on the advisory board of the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation and served as a governor at four

prep schools. She pioneered an approach to partnerships through OPEN Learning and outreach, with relationships based on mutual respect and enrichment.

Within Oundle, she bridged the gap between academic and support staff, reinforced the 4–18 connection with Laxton Junior School and championed progress in both sustainability and EDI. “Kindness and care” ran through her expectations of everyone and she made it clear there would be no place for outdated hierarchies or discrimination.

The School estate grew under her leadership: the completion of SciTec and the Patrick Engineering Centre, opening the new Sports Centre and creating Scott House. Most recently, the approval of plans for McMurray House – an emblem of the School’s commitment to co-education – was remarked upon as “completing the transition to co-education”.

Above all, she championed the pupils. She learned their names, followed their interests and ensured their voices were heard. From responding to First Form Magna Cartas to engaging with Prefect Committees, she created space for genuine pupil voice – and acted on it. Pupils describe her as “wise, understanding and caring,” “not a robotic Headteacher,” and someone who “truly cares – not just about the School but about every individual within it.”

Anthony has been her steadfast partner throughout: teaching, accompanying, managing Quadrivium performances and running the Cobthorne Cup. But more than that, he has been a warm, thoughtful presence across school life – known for his good humour, quiet encouragement and countless conversations with pupils and staff alike. His support for Sarah and his own distinctive contributions to the community have been deeply appreciated.

Asked recently what advice she would give her successor, Sarah replied without hesitation: “Listen to the children. Don’t underestimate them.” She has lived by that - and Oundle is stronger because she did.

Daviona Watt

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

47

INTERVIEW

Ten Years at Oundle ■ OO Club President Charles Salem (C 78) interviews the Head

I

t’s a sunny Saturday morning in April when I join the Head in her study. Conversation drifts from the weather, to gardens, to home life, and soon to Polka, the lively young cocker spaniel who joined the Cobthorne household a few months ago. Listening to Sarah’s stories of Polka’s escapades, it’s clear how much she and Anthony adore her. In the simple pleasure they take in her, you sense something of the life that lies beyond Oundle. More time for family, home and the small joys of everyday life.

We pick up the conversation there…

It sounds as if Polka has brought a lot of joy. Tell me about her.

She really has! She’s a working cocker spaniel, eight months old, and she’s

48

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

absolutely crackers - as working cockers tend to be. She spends all day running around the Cobthorne garden chasing balls. That’s all she wants to do. She’ll chase and pick up a ball until your arm gives out. You can never wear her out - but every now and then she’ll sit very properly on the grass, with her paws tucked in. It’s lovely.

You must have so many memories from your time here. If you had to choose, what would you say you’re most proud of?

I’m most proud of the pupils. I don’t take credit for that, but I do recognise the change that has happened here.

School has become a kinder place: a more tolerant place. A community of young people who know how to behave decently towards each other and who know that being kind is more

important than anything else. Before all other things: kindness.

That really comes through. I was looking at the feedback from the recent pupil survey - inclusivity and diversity are at the top year after year.

Yes, that has got stronger over the years and it’s become more and more part of who they are. We’ve talked about it openly with them. And it does give me real pleasure to see that change in the way the pupils exist with each other - and with the world beyond School. They are a tolerant and open-minded bunch.

Do you keep track of what happens to them after they leave?

I really enjoy OO events for that very reason. The London Dinner is a particular favourite because, as the

INTERVIEW

years have gone on, more and more of the people there were here during my time. It’s lovely to see them, comfortable in their own skin, taking on the world with initiative and resourcefulness. And they are always so pleased to see us… and each other. There is quite an Oundelian thing: well organised, appropriately ambitious. They organise, make things happen and they back themselves without being arrogant.

I imagine there are things you hoped to see through that won’t quite happen in your time?

Yes, I’m sorry that McMurray won’t open while I’m still here - but these things take their own time. It is part of what we called Project 24 and it was never going to be completed within my time. I’m proud to have helped get it off the ground. Every Head inherits the projects of their predecessor and this will be one of those.

Conversely, are there any things you wish you had done differently?

I regret the way the pandemic forced us into a full online world without time to plan properly. If we hadn’t had Covid, we would have introduced the digital element of schooling far more carefully. Instead, we had to go online overnight - we didn’t have the luxury of careful staging. Teachers had been issued with Surfaces about ten months earlier, thank goodness, but we had no online platform. We had to build one over the Easter holidays. It really was a case of building the plane while flying it. We’re still unpicking elements of that now.

Like the second stage of SciTec? Exactly. That was Charlie Bush’s project and it opened in my first year. Likewise, the Sports Centre.

The decision and design came before my time but the finalisation and construction happened on my watch.

I inherited it, but it became mine too.

I did change one thing. It probably made me hugely unpopular with the architects. I looked at the original plans and thought: this could be anywhere. There was nothing tying it to Oundle. So I asked for a spine of local stone to be incorporated into the design. The local stone roots it here and I think that matters.

What kinds of things?

There’s increasing evidence that your brain just doesn’t work the same way when you learn through a screen. It doesn’t absorb or process information as effectively as when you encounter it in a book - something you physically turn the pages of.

There’s also research showing that handwriting, rather than typing or even inking on a screen, activates different parts of the brain and deepens learning and memory.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

Space. Time. To do whatever I want to do, really - and not to have a schedule.

I feel so fortunate to have had the career I’ve had. And I’ve loved being back in boarding for the final chapter.

But boarding life is very greedy with one’s time. So, I’m looking forward to being able to do things a little more... off the cuff. To say yes to things spontaneously. To pop in and see my children and my friends, without needing to plan it six weeks in advance. To say, “What shall we do next week?” and just do it. That’s the bit I’m most looking forward to. The freedom. The breathing space.

Gosh. So, research is saying - better the written word and turning pages?

Yes. There’s definitely a place for digital technology, but that’s when it offers something you couldn’t otherwise do. Using it to replicate manual activities it’s far less effective.

I’m pleased that we took action long before other schools to ban the use of smartphones for our younger pupils.

We did that seven years ago and it’s now becoming mainstream. I think it was a very important step as a statement to protect children.

Will you actually stop? Or will the diary start filling up again? I think there’ll be a lot of us who can’t quite imagine you just... doing nothing.

Well, I’m not planning to write a book! But I do have a doctorate to finish. One I never quite wrapped up.

So, I’d like to give that some attention.

What I’ve promised myself is a

completely empty diary in September.

Just the autumn with nothing in it - and then we’ll see what happens.

After that, there are a few things I’ll probably get involved with. I enjoy governance, so I’m hoping to join the governing body of a local school in Sussex. And I might do some work around headship appointments - I’ve always enjoyed that side of the job encouraging and developing people.

But only when I feel like it. And yes, as every teacher says, being able to go on holiday in term time feels like a real treat. Quieter, fewer people, different weather, cheaper - all of that.

You’ve still got Speech Day to come – the marquee, the ball, the survivors’ photo.

I’m always tucked up in bed well ahead of the small hours – that night is for the Upper Sixth and their families!

Very sensible! Of course, your portrait will be unveiled at Speech Day. Have you seen it yet?

No! Josh, the artist, has been very firm. I’m not allowed to see it until it’s unveiled. He’s an Old Oundelian himself, which makes it feel particularly special. And his Housemaster and Art teacher here, Roger Page, is coming to the unveiling too. I love that connection. It’s all come full circle. I met him last year at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters’ exhibition and was immediately taken both with him and his work. His style is called hyperrealism - I had to look it up! His skill is extraordinary.

Ok, so finally, what will you miss most?

The people. Without question. Pupils, my colleagues, the community. I’ll miss watching pupils perform at the Stahl. I’ll miss the music and the sports fixtures. I’ll miss a Chapel packed full of teenagers whom I know, singing at the top of their voices. There’s something incredibly special about that. It won’t happen anywhere else. Watching the pupils throw themselves into things - in whatever form - has always been a highlight for us. Anthony and I have both loved that. I’m storing up those memories now. ■

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

49

COLUMN

Sarah Kerr-Dineen ■ Understated flair

Dear Old Oundelians,

I

have written many times in these pages over the years, usually to reflect on the life of the School or to share a perspective on education that felt timely or important. This time is different. It is my final column as the Head of Oundle and comes at a time when I am naturally framing for myself the many things for which I have to be grateful to the School that we all love.

The interview with Charles Salem on page 48 touches on some of the memories and milestones from the past ten years, while my piece in The Review 2024 reflected on the journey the School has taken during that period. I will not go over that ground again. Instead, I simply want to say a few words to you: the Old Oundelians.

Over the past decade, I have often spoken about the kind of education we believe in. One that prepares young people for life, not just for exams; that envisages the 88 yearold, not just the 18 year-old. One that nurtures curiosity, kindness, independence of thought and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to the world beyond Oundle.

The real measure of success – all the more precious because it cannot readily be quantified – is how those

50

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

values are carried into life beyond school. Oundle is a place of substance, not spectacle. The same can be said of Old Oundelians. I have met many of you over the years and I am always struck by a strong connecting thread of decency, perspective and the readiness to act and to get involved.

You shaped Oundle in your time as a pupil just as surely as you were shaped by it. You took what this wonderful place gave you and used it with an understated flair, and with seriousness balanced by the ability to laugh at yourself.

That quiet confidence and lack of arrogance feels very true to the Oundle of today in which I have had the privilege to live and work for the past decade. It is one of the many reasons I have felt so fortunate to be part of this community. Oundle has Sarah with Josh Waterhouse (S 07)

brought out the best in me as a school leader and as a person. I hope that, in a small way, I too have brought out the best in Oundle.

This, then, is simply a note to say thank you for your continued connection to the School and for the part you play in carrying its values forward. It has been a privilege to serve as Head and I step away with gratitude and pride, and sure confidence that Oundle will flourish into the future. ■ With my warmest best wishes, as ever, Sarah Kerr Dineen

SPORT

2025 Mornflake Multisports ■ It didn’t lack ambition

I

n an all out effort across a broad front of 18 individual sports (a record) more than 150 male and female OOs (also a record) supported by partners, family and friends battled it out for the Spragg Trophy in the 2025 Mornflake Multisports.

The event chimed with the 35 Years of Co-Ed celebrations and for the first time we fielded three girls’ teams hockey, netball and football. All sports were mixed, the only exceptions being rugby and those sports having both a girls’ and boys’ team.

Whilst the School, in the Head’s final year, shaded the score 12 to 5, sport was undoubtedly the winner and to add to the joy Oundle was bathed in early Spring sunshine (yet another record). I managed to get around all the sports (towing Mrs Marment along) apart from the Tansor-based rowing and Ergo which were covered by our esteemed President Charles Salem.

No doubt individual OO sports secretaries will sing the praises of their teams in Viking manner in other parts of this illustrious tome, but in case any of them forget, I’ll briefly summarise how battle was rejoined:

Cross Country

We had a terrific course and a multiteam format and running legend Jon Potts’ (C 98) team was beefed by some athletic female late entrants.

Well done the school for pipping us at the post and it was great to see everyone racing along in dappled early season sun. Lost.

Cross Country

Basketball

Women’s Football

We got off to a flyer with Amy Ratcliffe (L 20) leading from the front and intimidating the pupils with a Cruyff turn (a throwback to her Leicester days) in the first minute. The pitch was ʻstickyʼ to put it politely and the pupils deserved their win. It’s almost instinctive to blame the Ref but annoyingly Dr Bessant could not have been more even handed. Lost 3-1

Squash

OO Skip Maria Constable-Berry (Yukhnovich, K 13) had already nailed this point for the OOs in early October (to fit in with the School’s squash cycle) but to replace this Robert Forde

(1999 World Masters Champion) gave a Masterclass with School squash superstar Veronica Li who then interviewed him for the OO Mag. Maria brought her gorgeous twins to cheer the event along which added to the balcony atmosphere. Thanks to Richard Matthews (D 66) and Megan Smedley for teeing everything up. Won!

Basketball

Whilst there was uncertainty in the build up as to whether we could get an OO team out (presume contractual issues and image rights?) everything came together on court and for the first time we had a full court match.

OOs dazzled and I witnessed a 3

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

51

SPORT

Table Tennis

Golf

Target Shooting

pointer. Pupils showed great skill and commitment in what is a far more physical game than you would envisage. Star of show was a Third Form girl who held her own in august company! Thanks Sudip and Sam. Lost 52-44

metaphor?) but as before there was a hint of controversy over the format.

To be honest the younger OOs were in peak condition but shout out to Reick/ Ellis/Salem/Moore et al who in true vernacular ʻgave it a good lashʼ! Lost

Golf

Brian Cheng (C 19) as always dazzled everyone and Robert (MIC) gained the usual 3 points for Griffindor for rocking up Chez Bateau! Drew

Despite contributing the lion’s share in buying the Simulator we had struggled in the past in this match and, somewhat shamefully, I had piled the pressure on OO Skip Nick Copestick (Ldr 69). Fortunately his selection proved masterful and his team prevailed in a play off and looked confident playing St Andrews.

Chapeau off to …….. for a beautiful long iron to within 8 feet, recorded on video, as was Richard Ellis’s (Sn 86) 4O ft putt which ended up…. 20ft short! Bravo MIC John Crawley for keeping it moving. Won Playoff

Ergo

New OO Skips Jenny Lin (K 24) and Will Barbour (L 23) were at the helm (who doesn’t love a mixed

Badminton

Table Tennis

Dark conspiracy theories swirled around this event, as the lights went out in the sports centre just as the OOs were on the verge of a historic victory (or at least that’s what OO, non playing Skip Lance Ashworth (G 82) told me).

The team included offspring versions of Marment and Ashworth, not to mention evergreen Giles Polito (Lx 89), George’s upcoming best man, Richard Giles (S 12) and Queen Of Bats Sophie Palliser. (L 10) Everyone played well but alas the script was the same as last year despite the turbocharger firing up with the arrival of Bryan Chang

(yet again) who lifted the whole game.

My own feeling was that a Draw 5-5 seemed fair.

Target Shooting

This is a complex event to get on the road but once again OO Skip Philip de Voil (G 86) got a vast team out and there were some very decent shooting. Troubleshooters Sec Holly Read (N 21)”led the way with a fabulous score (full marks Holly for intimidating opposition by wearing a County Shooting sweatshirt). At the other end of the age spectrum old guns Alistair Irvine (Sc 81) and Steve Couttie (S 76) rolled back the years! Simon (MIC) as always we are grateful for pulling everything together. Lost

Rugby

When Kaiser Wilhelm talked about Total War in 1913 he was probably envisaging a Vets rugby match. Fortunately with Simmonds Minor (presumed) on the whistle the whole thing passed with admirable serenity. As before we are indebted to the gentlemen and supporters of Oundle Town Rugby Club for bringing their skill set to the Two Acre. As before it’s vulgar to talk about the result after such a feast of Corinthian endeavour but bravo Simmonds (Major) for getting a team out and thank you Jamie (MIC) for sorting pitch. Lost! (Doesn’t count in result)

Fives

Alex Smith (N 91) always gets a strong team out and I brought my father’s

Ergo

52

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

SPORT

Rugby

Oundle Fives shirt from1933 to act as a totem. As always, Bev Boag (StA 60) was charging around the court like a young gazelle. Well done the OOs but once again Victoria (MIC) took the laurels. Thanks Victoria - any chance of letting us win next year? Lost 111-93

atmosphere and as always Spencer (MIC) could not have been more welcoming. Won 11- 5. Anyone interested in how Nina and I came back after saving 3 match points?

No, I thought not.

Water Polo

Always a Blue Riband event and the lads looked fresh despite the odd Ship bevy the night before and their punishing League schedule. In the end we were shaded on penalties but it was high pedigree at both ends with Freddie Ashworth (G 15) and Chris Titcomb (StA 15) setting the tone. Lost on Pens

OOs were immediately panicked to see previous MIC Julie Clipstone haunting the pool but she was keen to emphasise that she was simply a scorer. However new Head of Swimming Stefan has his foot on the pedal and the OOs fought a rearguard action against talented pupils. I take my hat off to anyone who has the fitness to play this sapping game! Lost

Men’s Football

Women’s Hockey

The force of nature that is Kate Harrison (Sn 13) did fantastically to get her team on the pitch at the agreed time and it was nip and tuck all the way despite the School fielding an England player. Draw 1-1

Men’s Hockey

Stuart Morgan’s (Lx 91) boyish looks and lithe physique belie a steely competitiveness and the Astro surface glowed hot as his team charged around to keep up with the pupils.

This time we were outgunned by another team marshalled by Welsh Wizard Grahame. Lost 5-1

Tennis

To use a sporting cliche OO tennis has been ʻin a good placeʼ for a while and with Sophie Palliser (sporting sunglasses! ) marshalling the troops, OOs ran out winners against some very tidy School pairs.

Travelling fans (Riecks, Sophie’s mum, M Smedley etc) added to the

Tennis

Water Polo

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

53

SPORT

Men's hockey

Rowing

Netball

Netball

With Skip Bella Ellis (Sn 14) grappling with her new baby (Go Albie!) it fell to overall Multisports Skipper and netball superstar Sienna Rushton (Sn 20) to grab the reigns. What followed was quite a scrap (I’m putting it mildly) and our girls came back from a deficit to steal an impressive draw against a School team who knew their way round the court! Impressive to see the School Archivist running the line (not sure what it’s called in Netball) Draw

Rowing

For the first time we had an on-water race at Tansor involving Quad sculls.

The Nene sparkled like the Seine in the warm spring sun and from a brief film I saw of the crew timing looked sharp.

Well done Will Barbour for pulling this together and hopefully we can build on this in future years. Lost On the social side the annual beano at The Ship broke all records in terms of attendance (and probably and shamefully consumption). Dozens of OOs crammed into the rear bar and even more outside on the terrace.

Awards for oldest competing OO went to evergreen Fives star Bev Boag on the men’s side whilst Nina Rieck (Tennis and Ergo) took the laurels for the

54

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

women (although it must be mentioned Nina is a tad younger than Bev!) Our delicious home-made chocolate cake fed everyone (thanks Gawyn in the kitchen) and celebrated George Marment’s (B 12) forthcoming wedding and Sophie Palliser who won the Corby Leisure Centre Men’s (yes) Christmas Doubles (does it come any bigger?) with her newish husband Andy. Of course I totally forgot to include Guy Beresford (B 81) who marries the lovely Zoe in the summer. Sadly Jenny Lin’s gameness in offering to sing was scuppered by my Toys RUs amp and speaker but Jenny did lead us in a rousing Happy Birthday for someone. A number of staff braved the fray and I regret that after something calling itself a Baby Guinness I can’t remember much more about the evening.

Thanks to Nick Bessant who shouldered the thankless task of acting as School liaison, Staff Heads of Sport, who showed real patience in dealing with the stellar vagueness of much of the OO build up, ditto the Ship crew (Geddit?) for hosting us with such good humour and double ditto the Oundle Catering gang who kept us fed and watered and got Sunday grub and grog spot on. Real thanks also to the pupils, particularly the girls, who showed admirable robustness in competition

but wore their superior abilities lightly and added lustre to all those who went before them over the 35 years of Co Ed. Thanks also to Pres Charles and his VPs Lance and Peter for their support over the weekend and for the Committee for coughing up for food and a fair few drinks at The Ship. To Candice Sharp and Isy Paton from the Oundle Society who didn’t roll their eyes once in the build up. Similarly Giles Polito who bought the Socials into the modern era and gave us tons of free advice, and OO stalwart John Lea (Sc 64) who helped with some girls’ team travel to chime with the 350th anniversary of his magnificent company Mornflake.

Ta (Welsh thanks) to Lady of Letters Megan Smedley who has been a friend of Multisports for more years than I’d like to mention and remains one of the few (as in only) people to recognise the Hardyesque genius of my writing!

Without seeming toady, may I also thank Sarah (aka The Head) for her kindness in really embracing the event over the years. OK it’s not difficult when you generally win, but as OOs we’ve really appreciated it! Finally to all OOs who have competed over the ten years I’ve been involved botching together Multisports, a big thank you.

It’s been a blast! ■ Arthur Marment (D 77) Multisports Co-ordinator and Hectoring OO Busybody

SPORT

Golfing Society ■ Nick Copestick (Ldr 69), OOGS Hon Sec

T

he dates for the OOGS Annual Weekend 2024 were brought forward by two weeks, a move rewarded by an increased number of participants, including several young members, available to play before the start of their university terms.

Altogether, 43 members took part in the weekend and three Oundle pupils were able to play in the Friday afternoon foursomes. 31 sat down to an excellent dinner in the wonderful ambience of the London Room at The George Hotel.

The weather on both days was magnificent and even though the rough had recently been cut, the course remained difficult, as evinced by the scoring. Luffenham’s par is 70, but the course rating is 72 with a slope of 140, so most of us had what seemed like plenty of shots to play with. However, the testing breeze and some devilish pin positions meant that very few scored under handicap.

There were nine trophies to be competed for altogether, and our policy allows players to win only one individual cup on the Saturday. Many thanks to Steve Carr (S 84) and Shane Dodd (Sn 74) for their help in setting up the event, and to President Peter Pentecost (St A 73) for collating the scores and presenting the prizes.

Results of the OOGS 2024 Annual Weekend Competitions:

Friday 13 September • The Grocers’ Handicap Foursomes: 1. Andrew Lightowler (L 97) & Henry Farmer* 38 pts 2. Jason McCaldin (D 85) & Barry Peak (Sn 82) 36 pts - on back 9 • Hughes Salvers (most points on the Par 3s): 1. Duncan Smith (C 71) & Howard Young (S 24) 8 pts 2. Andrew Lightowler & Henry Farmer* 8 pts

Saturday 14 September • Scratch Cup: 1. Steve Carr Gross 75 2. Peter Pentecost 80 – on back 9 • Handicap Cup: 1. Nick Whalley (C 96) Net 67 2. Barney Ward (Ldr 08) 70 – on back 9 • Dove Stableford Trophy: 1. Nick Copestick 37 pts 2. Mark Dixon (Sn 85) 35 pts – on back • Old Boys’ Cup (Over 55s): 1. Barry Peak (Sn 82) Net 71 2. Alastair Gordon-Stewart (F 90) Net 75 • The J Pounder Trophy (Over 65s): 1. Duncan Smith (C 71) 36 pts 2. Cavan Browne (C 66) 31 pts • The Boddington Trophy (Under 25s) 1. Hamish Gordon-Stewart (G 23) 28 pts 2. George Crawley (L 20) 27 pts • The Copestick Claret Jug for best House score: 1. Crosby - Duncan Smith & Nick Whalley 75 pts 2. Laundimer - Barney Ward & Nick Copestick 72 pts We were in danger of losing our cherished spot in the Denham Bowl, 7 September 7, the annual festival of scratch foursomes golf and excellent food and drink. We needed to put on a better performance to ensure our continued run of invitations to the 24-team event for clubs and societies, ranging from Elie to Rye and all stops in-between.

Will Kendall & Richard Pentecost (Captain) posted an excellent 75 in the morning, while Will Butler (L 08) & George Crawley (L 20) came in with 83.

Both pairs then put on a good show in the afternoon with 77 apiece. This gave

 Steve Carr (left) receiving the Scratch Cup from President Peter Pentecost

us an overall total of 312 and 11th place out of 24 (equal with our President and his team of Hittites!). We’ll be safely in next year.

The Grafton Morrish is a scratch, foursomes event for three pairs. Unlike the Halford Hewitt, which has a closed list of 64 schools and is for five pairs, the GM is open to over 200 alumni associations, with regional qualifying competitions in May and knockout finals in the autumn at Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster) and Hunstanton.

Oundle missed out on qualification for two years, so it was great to be back in the finals for 2024. We received a bye, straight into Round 2 of the finals, on September 27- 28. Competition is always tough but both sides also had to battle the elements on an extremely windy day, with a stiff northerly breeze bringing occasional stings of rain. We hoped that the top pair of Tristan Tusa (S 16) and Sam Stocks (Ldr 15) would bring their home advantage to play in what was obviously going to be a gruelling round.

At the turn, Oundle were one down in the first match; all square in trap 2 - Richard Pentecost (StA 05) & Patrick Foster (StA 05); whilst the third

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

55

SPORT

pair - captain Will Kendall (S 02) & Henry Fray (G 08), were three down.

Steady scoring (incredible in those conditions) by Tusa & Stocks got them to 2-up with four to play. A loss on 15 threatened to derail the progress, but on 16, a great approach by Sam got the two-hole advantage back. Meanwhile, the middle pair were taking control and got to two-up; pair three were struggling to get back, so the last couple of holes were going to be crucial. In the top match, our approach to 17 found thick rough on the left, and it was on to 18. Again, the second shot went left, but a classy chip by Tristan secured the half needed for a one-hole victory – phew!

Back on 17, Richard and Patrick held their nerve to close out their game 2&1 and a team victory, with everyone glad to get off the course and into the bar!

The Third Round match against current Hewitt champions, Eton, was obviously going to be hard, with an added twist that Sam Stocks’ newlyminted brother-in-law, Jamie Giddens, was on their side, though they avoided each other on the team sheet. The good news for all was that the weather had changed completely and blue skies welcomed the golfers and spectators.

Sam and Tristan went two-down quickly but got them back in no time.

Continuing their good form from the previous day, they marched to the 9th 2-up. Here, despite driving into sand, an inspired Tusa putt for birdie meant 3-up. Meanwhile, the middle pair were not enjoying the success of the previous day and lost the 9th to turn 3-down.

Pair 3 were even-stevens at this point all to play for! The opposite symmetry between Pairs 1 and 2 continued, such that 5-up and 5-down mid-way through the back nine, painted a fairly clear picture of how these games were going to pan out. When those matches concluded, all eyes turned to the deciding third game. Oundle stood 2-down on the 14th but a gritty par putt

by Will halved the deficit. Birdies at 15 for both sides retained Eton’s lead, which they held on 16 with an up-anddown from sand after Henry’s birdie putt just missed. A half in five on 17  At the Dick Watson Trophy. From left, James Hickson, Mark Dixon, Peter Pentecost, Jonathan Simpson-Dent

56

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

meant that Oundle had to win 18 to take the match down extra holes. For those who don’t know Hunstanton, the 18th is a long straight par four to a raised green, situated perilously close to the clubhouse and first tee on its left side. Both drives were straight, with Oundle to follow Eton’s approach which ended short and left in some hollows.

Oundle’s reply was long and left, towards the terrace of the clubhouse - a few bounces later the ball came to rest near the path between the first tee and the Pro’s shop – there was a shot though – just - and Will played it brilliantly, managing to hold precariously on the green.

Eton chipped next, a decent effort, but what happened next was less dramatic and typical of match-play foursomes, with both sides missing tricky four-footers to halve in six, leaving Eton one-up and winning the tie. A brave effort by our team and a near-miss in toppling a side clearly in great form this year. The competition was won by Loretto who are carrying all before them at the moment.

A shiny new OOGS team presented itself for the 2024 Dick Watson Cup at Mark Dixon’s home club, Aldeburgh GC on October 12 & 13: three new-ish OOGS members, James Hickson (L 90), Jonathan Simpson-Dent (Sc 85) and Mark, plus our President, Peter Pentecost. 14 schools represented, 15 teams, Sherborne putting out two.

Two rounds of Stableford on the Saturday put Oundle into the playoffs for 5th and 6th vs Bradfield. Hickson and Simpson-Dent roared into a

 Will Kendall chipping to 18th green at Hunstanton

4-up-after-4 lead, had a tight few holes coming in but hung on to win 1 up. Pentecost and Dixon also had an early lead but Bradfield’s putting in the back nine saw us come away 3 down. Match to Bradfield; Oundle 6th overall. It was a great weekend of fine weather, good golf and good company.

Twelve players competed over two days at Prince’s GC in the OOGS Halford Hewitt trial, February 8 & 9, including newcomers to the HH elite environment: Simon Hicks (L 07), Oscar Ayton (G 19) and Will Elvin (L10). Captain ‘Bomber’ Harris (F 91) had decided that the two best scorers would earn themselves a place in the squad to travel to the Hewitt in April. As it happened, after a bright Saturday weatherwise, Sunday was grim so only nine holes were played.

The successful duo who qualified by right were Andrew Lightowler and George Crawley (L 20).

A lovely day was had at Walton Heath GC for the OOGS Southern Meeting, February 27, 2025 - beautiful weather and not a drop of rain this time! 15 members in total turned out,

SPORT

including two rookies, Will Massey (B 82) and Bruce Aitken (Sn 88).

George Johnson (C 04) & Henry Duncombe (B 96) won the Negretti Cigarette Box in the morning, 1up to par. In the afternoon, Ed Dove (C 85) the organiser, took the Scratch Salver with a creditable 78, while Mark Dixon won the Nicholson Handicap Cup with 37pts.

For over thirty years, the OOGS match v Denham GC has been a useful warm up for the Hewitt squad, as well as a most enjoyable event at a very congenial club, plus a chance for the skipper to test pairings. An added incentive is the tradition to play for the wine at lunch, not an inconsiderable sum! For a few years now, the club members have been too strong over their own course, so the overall halved match this year, on March 1, was a great result in terms of morale and ££s!

As part of the OO Multi Sports Weekend, on March 1 2025, OOGS played scratch foursomes (with Sunningdale rules) over the Old Course on the Simulators, against the School, gaining a point for the OOs. Simon Fitton (L 97) & Tim Carsberg (L 08) won 3&2 against Charles Todd and Freddie Shaw. Richard Ellis (Sn 86) & Alastair Gordon-Stewart (F 90) lost 2&1 to Henry Farmer & Kit DenisonSmith. OOs won on the 2nd playoff hole with a solid par on the 1st hole.

John Crawley, master in charge of golf, confirmed how well used the facility is and that the growth of golf from the younger years has begun which will

Angus Lang (left) and Andrew Lightowler after their great win v Bedford, sadly Oundle’s only point

translate into lower handicap players over the next few years.

Steve Carr and Richard Pentecost inflicted a first defeat by 2&1 of Tom Langley Poole and Simon Blundell in the OOGS v Old Bedfordians match at Royal Worlington on March 15.

However, OOGS lost overall 8-4.

A strong Oundle squad, containing four players with ‘plus’ handicaps and two others off or near scratch, travelled to the Kent coast with high expectations of achieving a good run in the 2025 Halford Hewitt tournament, following two narrow losses in previous tournaments against formidable opponents. The first-round match against Bedford (2024 finalists) was anticipated to be competitive but winnable.

The 1st Round match v Bedford at Royal Cinque Ports GC, Thursday April 10, began well for us, being slightly ahead for most of the game, although never able to decisively pull away. Ultimately, Bedford were more consistent, holing crucial putts and gradually taking control. In match one, Tris Tusa & Sam Stocks performed well and led for most of the game. However, they were pegged back towards the end and eventually defeated on the 20th hole after just missing the green.

Richard Pentecost and Patrick Foster, playing in match two, did not perform to their usual standards and lost 2 & 1 in a match they would typically expect to win. Andy Lightowler and Angus Lang (F 09) delivered an outstanding performance in match three, winning

comfortably 5 & 4. Lang showcased his long-hitting prowess while Lightowler remained steady throughout.

In match four, Steve Carr and Tom Goodley faced a strong pairing and, despite a significant comeback that put them 1 up after 17, they lost on the 19th hole. Henry Fray (G 08) and George Crawley played steadily in match five and should have edged ahead on the 14th but a 2-hole swing there left them with much to do, eventually losing on 17. The 4-1 loss did not reflect how closely contested the matches were. The team’s exceptional effort contributed to their learning and development, reinforcing the belief that a breakthrough victory is imminent. That evening, at the traditional dinner at Royal St George′s, Peter Pentecost was presented with a Imperial of his favourite Margaux, a gift organised by Shane Dodd (Sn 74) with contributions from many past and present players, to mark his 70th birthday and to thank him for his huge generosity over so many years at so many lunches and dinners. Along with Nick Copestick, and Nick Owles (N 63) they were also honoured for their contributions to the OOGS Halford Hewitt team, commemorating 50 years since their debuts.

The team members were very grateful for the support and refreshments from the regular gang: President Peter Pentecost, Hon Sec Nick Copestick, Mark Eddy (St A ’84), Nick Owles, Fred Domellof (F ’76), Shane Dodd, Ed Dove, James Aston

Nick Copestick, Peter Pentecost, Shane Dodd, Nick Owles

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

57

SPORT

(St A ’92) John Crawley (Hon OO) and newcomers to spectating, Mark Dixon (Sn ’85), Tony Murley (G ’76) and Arthur Thomson (St A ’17).

The match in Hewitt week against the Old Uppinghamians on April 9 was foursomes, off handicap, played on Rye Old Course, for the Copestick/ Gotla Salver, initiated in 2007.

The weather this year was cold with a northerly breeze obviously not favouring our side which went down to Uppingham by a total of three holes overall.

Results: • Peter Pentecost & Ed Dove 1 up • J eremy Monroe (G 73) & John Crawley 7 up •W illiam King (C 66) & Arthur Thomson 4 down • J ames Aston & Jason McCaldin (D 85) 5 down •M ark Dixon & Al Gordon (C 69) 1 down • Fred Domellof & Shane Dodd 3 down At the OOGS match v Oundle School on Saturday April 26 the Oundle GC course was again in excellent condition, and everyone reported it was good to play. Once again, we played a variety of Sunningdale greensomes with shots being given to the opponents who became two down. This took virtually all matches to the 18th but in most cases left the OOs in front. The actual result was 4 1/2 to 1 1/2. Simon Fitton and Roy Nicholson (StA 65) led the charge with a 2&1 victory; Duncan Smith and Joss Cheatle (G 00) closed with a half and John Crawley with Shane Dodd finished 2 up. Al Gordon Stewart and Peter Liston (Hon OO) closed 2&1 and Megan Smedley (Hon OO) and Peter Fox-Andrews (N 64) cruised home with a large victory. The School won the last match with a magnificent birdie on the 18th against Roger Tacq (L 69) and Ollie Cruise (L 24).

Our qualifying round for the Grafton Morrish took place on Sunday May 18 at Denham GC. A total of 80 points put us 4th out of 15 which secured a place in the finals, where we have been drawn to play Christ’s Hospital at 11:20 am on Friday October 3 at Royal West Norfolk GC, Brancaster.

58

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

OOGS at Little Aston. From left, Peter Pentecost, Shane Dodd, Nick Copestick, Bob Ellis, Nigel Hetherington, Michael Outar, Tim Carsberg, William Rice

Oundle qualifying scores (scratch stableford): • Will Kendall & George Crawley 29 • Richard Pentecost & Patrick Foster 23 • Henry Fray & Tom Goodley 28 The match v Old Reptonians at Blackwell GC on May 23 gained a happy reverse of last year’s result.

With the President otherwise occupied as a guest at the Old Uppinghamians’ Centenary, Nick Copestick managed the team and with careful selection of pairings, the matches, officially off handicap, more or less turned out as level foursomes games.

Results: • Nick Copestick & Bob Ellis halved • J ames Aston & Duncan Smith lost 2&1 •P atrick Foster & Shane Dodd won at 9th •M ichael Outar (L 06) & Peter FoxAndrews won 3&2 •A t lunch: Oundle 2 Repton 1 with 1 halved •N ick Copestick & Shane Dodd lost 3&2 • James Aston & Bob Ellis won 5&4 •P atrick Foster & Michael Outar halved •D uncan Smith & Peter Fox-Andrews won at 18th •A fternoon: Oundle 2 Repton 1 with 1 halved • Final Score: Oundle 5 Repton 3 The match manager for OOGS at the Midland Public Schools’ Meeting at Little Aston GC on June 18, Shane Dodd, admitted afterwards that he probably should not have taken part as he was clearly not feeling well.

However, his indomitable spirit and joyful enthusiasm carried him through the day. In the main event, the MK Foster Schools’ Cup, Oundle was tied

in 3rd behind the winners Repton and 2nd placed Wrekin, with 98 points from our best three pairs. In 5th place out of 37 pairs with 37 pts were Nigel Hetherington (F 65)) with debutant Michael Outar. In 14th place Tim Carsberg paired with William Rice (Sn 79). Bob Ellis and Peter Pentecost came in with 29 points, while captain Shane and Nick Copestick, understandably struggled with 20 points. As to the afternoon, clearly OOs are not as robust at lunchtime drinking as we used to be, for 15 holes: William & Nigel - 24 pts, Nick & Michael - 23 pts, Tim & Bob - 22 pts, Peter & Peter - 21 pts. It was great to have John Frazier (D 59) visit for lunch and wine!

Old Oundelians are fortunate to have such strength in depth for the Mellin Tournament at West Hill GC, June 25 – 27, that when misfortune strikes, or the organiser forgets to invite someone, there are reserves that can be relied upon to support the Alma Mater. This year, serial winner Robert Barrell (StA 61), had a calf injury, Ed Dove had a school Inspection and William Rice was mistakenly omitted from the invitation list. We were blessed to have Jeremy Monroe and Michael Beamish (Sc 75) back in the first pair of the Burles (Over 65s); Peter Edwards (Sc ’73) stepped into the Mellin team (Over 55s) in place of Ed Dove and Fred Domellof stepped into the Friday line up as we were always going to be one short for the Mellin if we progressed to the Friday. So to arms – Burles first and with Duncan Smith recovering from a bad back, Peter Pentecost played with Nick Copestick; this proved to be another mistake by

SPORT

the organiser as they were defeated heavily by Shrewsbury’s second pair and with Beamish and Monroe also being defeated on the 17th we were consigned to the Plate. Duncan was back for the Burles Plate and normal service was restored with the two Oundle pairs sweeping all before them with big wins against Mill Hill and Cranleigh and then a more closely fought final against Cheltenham, Nick Copestick clinching victory with a 20 footer at the last (still got it) to lift the plate trophy, Monroe and Beamish also having won at the top (so no sudden death this year) – a great recovery from a poor start!

In the Bunny Millard (Over 75s), super-sub Patrick Fossett (B 65), stepped up to play with Nick Owles (N 63) in Oundle 1 and we had a new recruit in Bob Ellis (dubbed the ‘oldest virgin’ at 78) to play with Nigel Hetherington in Oundle 2. The omens we not good after Oundle 1’s opening shot and when they amassed only 19 points, but this turned out to be good enough for second place in the Stableford (John Beer Salver) behind Shrewsbury and so we were through to the semi-final. Owles and Fossett got into their stride beating Forest and then went on to beat the old enemy Shrewsbury in the final, Owles holing from 10 feet up the hill to great cheers of delight!

In the Mellin, Steve Carr and Andrew McAuliffe (Sc 83) led off against Shrewsbury and had a very close game all the way to the eighteenth. Pair 2 (Barry Peak and Peter Edwards) recovered after a shaky start and eventually ran out winners

on the 16th while Pair 3 (Mark Eddy and Peter Pentecost) battled through also to win on the 16th enabling Pair 1 to negotiate a half from one down.

In the afternoon 2nd Round all three pairs played well against Mill Hill and when Carr & McAuliffe and Peak & Edwards had both won easily Eddy & Pentecost had to record a half from dormy 5 up and about to win the 14th (c’ést la vie – it happened to Copestick and Smith in the Burles too). In the semi final against Haileybury (a repeat of last year’s final), Fred Domellof stepped into trap 3 as Peter Pentecost had to be elsewhere. Carr & McAuliffe succumbed again to Haileybury’s top pair in a dogged contest and when trap 2 lost on the 15th that should have been the end of the story, but it was then discovered that Haileybury had mistakenly played the wrong ball on the 14th.The rules are clear that the mistake has to be recognised before the next hole is started and the situation therefore remained unchanged by any penalty. It was a most unfortunate end to the encounter, but it is believed to have been an innocent mistake.

Trap 3 therefore halved. What adds to the special week is the engagement from all players from all points of the compass and the support we enjoy either walking around or caddying, namely Doody (Shane Dodd – still on Co-codamol), Hethers (Nigel Hetherington), Little Aston (James), Mad Swede (Fred Domellof) and this year - the oldest virgin (Bob Ellis). After nine years of brilliantly organising three senior age groups of OO golfers, Peter is stepping down and handing over to Steve Carr who is taking over next year.

 Bunny Millard Winners, Patrick Fossett (left), Nick Owles

May 9 saw us at the wonderful New Zealand Golf Club with our friends the Grocers. OOGS travelled from far and wide and were rewarded with a course in excellent condition, splendid weather and charming opponents. However, our first three pairs: Bill Quantrill (StA 83) & Chris Coleman (StA 82), Shane Dodd & Al Stuart (B 84), and Peter Edwards & William Butler (Lx 08), were all defeated, leaving a comfortable consolation win for Peter Pentecost & Roy Nicholson, and a half for Jonny Andrews & James Aston, who had too kindly abandoned the normal handicap system at the request of their wily opponents. It was good to see Will Carpmael (B 89) playing for the Grocers and also Richard Knight, son of former Oundle Headmaster, Dick Knight.

After lunch, pairs played stableford foursomes for the Knight Salvers, donated by Peter Knight (Sn 51). These were won by Shane Dodd & Charlie McAndrew with a creditable 36 points, pipping Jonny Andrews & Bill Quantrill on 35. Our hosts were as gracious in victory as they were in their five previous years of defeat. We look forward to 8 May 2026. ■ OOGS has over 200 members of all ages, male and female, and a full fixture list at some great courses.

Financial support is given to young Members (Under 24).

Burles Plate Winners, from left, Michael Beamish, Jeremy Monroe, Nick Copestick, Duncan Smith

Interested OOs are encouraged to contact Hon Sec, Nick Copestick nick. copestick@mac.com for information on how to join.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

59

SPORT

Cricket Club ■ Tim Elliott (StA 77), Hon Sec Oundle Rovers CC

T

he Rovers’ season was short on positive results but, as ever, long on enjoyable gatherings of the Oundle cricketing family whether that be breakfast meets in Rugby or the traditional beer in the Ship. Highlights were three excellent close games of cricket and the number of Rovers’ debut appearances, in particular George Davies’ (Ldr 22) first Cricketer Cup performance. Disappointments included the Clifton (who went on to make the semi-final) result and the over 50s defeat at Bradfield for the second year running.

Away from the 2025 playing field a fourth Oundle Rover was inaugurated into the Cricketer Cup hall-of-fame.

Johnny Poore (C 68), who captained the Rovers to their first Cricketer Cup Final win against Repton in 1985, was selected into The Cricketer Cup Pioneers Squad (1967-1979) and joins Peter Edwards (Sc 72), Greg Smith (StA 07) and Patrick Foster (StA 05) in the hall-of-fame. Johnny made 54 Cricketer Cup appearances, the third highest of any Rover, scoring 1127 runs, including a century against the Old Tonbridgians, and claiming 42

Johnny Poore upon receipt of winners trophy in the 1985 Cricketer Cup Final vs Repton

60

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

dismissals behind the stumps.

The Rovers congratulate the School side on their successful season and thank David Foster (master i/c cricket) for all of his endeavours including his invaluable help for Oundle Rovers CC.

wickets and 15 year old debutant Ben Hancock made a fine catch on the deep square leg boundary. Rugby were delighted to avenge their heavy 2023 defeat and have promised to travel to Oundle next year.

Oundle Rovers 128. Rugby Meteors 129-3.

Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup 1st Round: Old Cliftonians 231-9. Oundle Rovers 210-8.

Captain James Esler (C 19) was acclaimed by his team mates as he won the toss and batted on the beautiful Rugby ground. Tommy Simeons (StA 20) (6) was outshone by Alex Cunningham (L 19) (27) in their roles as openers and Will Park (L 23) (55) continued his early Rover career form with an impressive knock. However from 84 for 1 the Rovers gave an indication of the season ahead with a spectacular batting collapse losing 9 wickets for 44 and nobody else reaching double figures. When the Meteors replied there was a moment of hope as veteran Jules McAlpine (Lx 88) (1-25) took a wicket in the first over but Rugby proved that there were few demons in the wicket and cruised home by 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Will Park (2-28) managed a couple of

Having lost Simon Fernandes (Ldr 18) to county duty late on Saturday afternoon, new Cricketer Cup captain Will Street (Sc 10) lost the toss on a worn wicket at Clifton. For much of the Clifton innings Oundle appeared to be in good control with Cricketer Cup debutant George Davies (1-25) producing an excellent opening spell, followed by Charlie Fernandes (Ldr 17) successfully negotiating three lbw decisions from umpire and ex-England Test player Roger Tolchard. The rest of the off-spin group bowled tidily at first but the arrival of Clifton’s number six changed the game as he plundered 56 off 35 balls. Esler (3-36) bowled well at the death but there was a suspicion that Clifton’s total was competitive. As the wicket got slower and lower this proved to be the case.

Simeons (24) and Park (46) provided a solid opening partnership of 59 but the spinners became difficult to score from and Tom Bishop (F 10) (17) was defeated by an unplayable shooter.

Resistance was spirited but Charlie Fernandes (17) fell to a “worldy” catch at mid-wicket and the Rovers then self-inflicted two poor runouts.

James Esler (36), Alex Cunningham (16*) and Jules McAlpine (15) took the game deep into the last overs, but the struggles in the upper middle order proved too severe. The Rovers left Clifton already looking forward to the draw for 2026. They remain the third most successful side in the history of the 58 year old competition.

SPORT

Oundle Rovers 95. Oundle School 1st XI 95-3.

The day started in chaotic fashion with a hurried toss completed on the outfield, which Rovers won and confidently elected to bat first. This decision relied heavily on a strong Rovers top order performance which did not materialise. The opening stand was watchful but was broken when Tom Kemp (L 24) was strangled down the leg side to a smart catch.

The partnership for the second wicket between Case (25) and Hancock (29) was strong and in the end the highlight of the day. The pair had steadily accumulated and brought the score up to 52 before the fall of the second wicket. The partnership had set a strong platform but with a weaker lower order the School only needed a couple of wickets to be well and truly on top. What followed was another Rovers batting collapse, with the remaining eight wickets lost for just 43 runs. J Spragg (Sc 90) (15*) and Reyner (F 18) (5) showed plenty of resilience for the final wicket but were undone when the latter decided to take the attack to the school spinner with an unsuccessful reverse sweep.

The School bowled and fielded superbly well with a couple of sharp catches and Rovers falling foul to a strong spin attack, the pick of the bowlers being Alfie Wilson with 4-16 from his 9 overs. After a lovely match tea, it quickly became apparent that the School’s batting line-up was far superior to the Rovers’ somewhat rusty bowling attack with the opening batsmen putting it to the sword.

Despite a late rally from the Rovers picking up four wickets (Ford 2, Park and Tobin 1 each), it was too little too late and the School comfortably chased down the lacklustre Rovers

innings of 95. Despite the poor result, it was a lovely day out and always an absolute pleasure to return to Oundle to represent the Rovers.

Over 50s Cricketer Cup SemiFinal: Bradfield Waifs 198-5.

Oundle Rovers 179.

After another great cup run to the semi-final, the Rovers Legends team arrived at Bradfield intent on revenge for the 2025 final defeat.

Skipper and senior pro Richard Sharp (N 89) won the toss and elected to field, to his team’s eternal gratitude given the already scorching conditions. Overall it was a steady performance considering our slightly underpowered attack as the Waifs wafted their way to 198-5. As with the Junior Rovers, McAlpine was the pick of the bowlers ending with 2-24 and the wicket of star batsman W Kendall, snaffled by the ever-dependable fielding of Richardson. Richardson himself was unlucky to go without reward as he worked his way back to the sort of form that bamboozled the great Sir Viv in Cardiff 30 years ago.

Each of Cartledge, Rory Jenkins (Ldr 97), Spragg J and Chatterton plugged away to varying degrees of success, supported to a greater or lesser degree by the fielders. JJ Harris is currently wondering why the ball has followed him all the way home. Rovers bowled and fielded well and the target was eminently gettable. Our innings got off to a flying start as Harris and Stuart Morgan (Lx 91) brought the telepathy of a shared Fourth Form bedsit to the Bradfield gladiatorsʼ arena, as each bowler in turn was flayed around the park. Unfortunately the severe weather conditions took their toll - both openers succumbed to soft dismissals and the trend was

followed by the remainder of the top order. Sharp was so confused by the hot southern conditions that he tried to bat like Arnold. Arnold tried to make amends for last year’s Chris Tavare performance. Neither worked. It was only due to some lusty blows from Jenkins (no surprise), McAlpine (some surprise) and Nipper Spragg (very surprised) that we made it interesting to the last over. We go again next year with enormous excitement in anticipation of the influx of talent from the 1994 leavers!

Oundle Rovers 173. Leicester Gents 176-8

A beautiful day at Oundle, a young seam attack, an experienced batting group, a really excellent game of cricket but another narrow defeat mainly at the hands of a sixteen year old very talented Uppingham legspinner. Joe Hancock (46) and Tommy Simeons (19) gave the Rovers a strong start, well supported by Cameron Wake (L 04) (30). However, the young leg spinner initiated another Rovers’ 2025 collapse, this time from 72 for 1 to 146 for 7. Charlie Fernandes (18) and Jenkins (27) ensured a competitive score but the Rovers were by no means out of sight. Rovers’ young seam attack, Hancock (1-22), Kieran Daley (G 24) (1-18) and Monty Spencer (L 22) (0-14) started well and put the Gents under pressure. Once the spinners (Fernandes 2-40), Ralf Hayward (F 22) (1-26), Simeons (1-19) and Esler (2-25), were introduced it appeared that the Rovers would ease to victory, particularly from 121 for 7. However the Uppinghamian wasn’t finished; he led the way in two important partnerships and reached an unbeaten 50 in winning the exciting match by two wickets. ■

Oundle Rovers CC and Oundle School 1st XI teams from the annual fixture.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

61

SPORT

Tennis ■ At the time of writing, the tennis season is still young, with Wimbledon just over, but Sophie Palliser (L 10) has a few fixtures to report on Multisports Weekend

A big win for the OO tennis team: 11-5 to the good. This was one of the stronger school teams we’d seen in a while – there were lots of closely fought matches and some excellent tennis played. Plenty of material for the Instagram reels! OO tennis regulars Chris Piper (Sc 71), Arthur Marment (D 77), Angus Piper (B 85), Nina Rieck (K 95), Andrew Smith (B 79), Dudley Moor-Radford (B 85) and Sophie Palliser were joined by squash-star Robert Forde (Sc 71), padel-champ Jason Burgess and ‘young guns’ George Marment (B 12) and Richard Giles (S 12).

A few too many libations in the Ship the night before meant the usual OO slow start, only securing a draw in the first round. Our young guns were a real asset here – showing no sign that they were ‘worse for wear’ - and credit to Arthur and Nina for coming back from 3-1 30-0 down, showing their experience. Arthur at this point dropped his proverbial

62

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

microphone and marched off to watch the hockey – only fair given the School sent their star player off to play the hockey as well. (We were perhaps a bit underhanded in keeping hold of Dudley though!)

Restorative Bloody Marys and the arrival our army of supporters (thank you Goldinghams and Clan Rieck especially) saw things taking a turn for the better with the OOs securing the next round 4-0. Andrew ‘ever the coach’ Smith might though have given a few too many helpful tips as School rallied in the third round, with one pupil even throwing in a Kyrgios-style underarm serve (perhaps learning this from Arthur?)

As ever, though, OOs dug in deep, and - after a second round of BMs came out swinging in the fourth and final round with a 4-1 win.

D’Abernon Cup

Ed Ibrahim (Lx 00) and Jacky Yu (C 08) represented us in this year’s D’Abernon Cup, an annual Old Pupils

public school tennis competition, hosted at the Reed’s School on Sunday 6 April. Sadly, they didn’t make it through to the playoffs but faced some very tough competition from KCS, Eton and Westminster.

OO Sports Lunch

It’s not all serious fixtures as the OOs were able to hit a few balls on the indoor hard courts at the Queen’s Club ahead of the Sports Lunch.

OOs and Staff v the School

An OO side - Arthur Marment, Chris Piper, Sophie Palliser and dutiful (but non-OO) husband Andy - joined forces with staff Spencer Coates, Chris Gardiner, Jonny HammondChambers and Adam Baragwanath to take on the boys’ first team on 3 May. This was a fun fixture with the boys determined to get one over on their teachers! Victory again for the oldies but the boys were in fine fettle and more than ready to take on the schools on their summer fixture list.

SPORT

of tennis had again gone up – the Dutch fielding a former ATP pro and the Croatians again turning up with a number of former internationally ranked players. Team England & Wales secured wins against the Netherlands and Ireland but lost narrowly to Croatia. This meant a countback on sets to determine the overall winner with England & Wales emerging victorious. This was in addition to retaining the separate Women’s trophy, with Sophie getting a special mention for winning all of her nine matches.

European Lawyers’ Tennis

Alongside five other lawyers, Sophie Palliser represented England & Wales in the 2025 Euro Lawyers’ Tennis Championships, hosted on the clay courts of Rotterdam over three glorious days in June. This tournament sees lawyers compete

at singles, men’s, women’s and mixed doubles as well as forge new relationships. Fabulous Dutch hospitality culminated in a splendid gala dinner on the last night (the only downside being each team had to sing a song from their country – a task E&W did not excel at!) The standard

A final word…

some well-earned drinks in the marina afterwards — a perfect end to a great day on the water.

Sunday brought a much tougher test with “round the cans” courses featuring strong tidal streams and highly variable wind conditions.

We struggled with lay line calls, undershooting at mark roundings.

The final race proved especially tricky as the wind dropped away, and we were unfortunately timed out (TLE).

We ended the weekend 5th overall. ■ Kate Cooke-Priest (W 93)

We really do welcome the whole gamut of tennis enthusiasts - from rusty rackets to wannabe-Wimbledon players - so please do get in touch if you’d like to be added to the tennis mailing list and get involved. ■ Sophie Palliser (L 10)

Sailing The Arrow Trophy Yacht Racing Association sponsors a sailing competition between Independent Schools, raced as an annual weekend regatta, in two fleets of one-design yachts crewed by former pupils.

Oundle delivered a solid performance at this year’s event, with a strong showing during Saturday’s four windward-leeward races in the challenging waters of the Solent. The crew consisted of Nick Ryder (F 03) Will Alms (C 10) Rick Crook (B 95) Kate Robinson (Cooke-Priest W 93) Nick Brown (StA 78) Hugo RodgerBrown (G 89) and Jeremy Steel (S 12).

We were treated to glorious conditions on Day 1, with sunshine and a steady 18–25 knots of breeze across the race course. The boat handled well, and we posted a consistent set of results: 4th, 3rd, 4th and 5th. This placed us 5th overall at the end of Saturday, just two points behind Malvern in 4th, and well positioned going into Sunday. Spirits were high, and the team enjoyed

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

63

SPORT

Rifle Shooting ■ Holly Read, Sports Secretary

T

Adrian Tam (Sc 25)

The OOs and School Team

64

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

he Troubleshooters kickstarted the shooting season with Stuart O’Brien (C 96) captaining the Cheshire County team in the Intercounties 2024, followed by Nick Lowe (Sc 09) and Holly Read (N 21) being selected to join the Lincolnshire County Rifle Team for fullbore. In addition to his county representation, Nick shot for the Army interservice, earning his first place cap and attending the Jersey Tour as a competing member of the Army Rifle team during the Jersey Rifle Association spring meeting. Continuing the international success, Steven Thomas (G 69), a valuable member of the Hertfordshire County team, was named reserve for the Elcho Match 2024, securing his first international cap for Match Rifle for England, a truly outstanding achievement to set alongside his many existing Target Rifle caps for both GB and England. Further success was had

by Philip De Voil (G 86) and Steve Postins (Ldr 86) during the 2024 Imperial, both of whom represented Northamptonshire and Leicestershire County, receiving silverware

for their achievements. Steve performed outstandingly during the afternoon’s shooting, securing a win in the King’s Consolation, which was then followed by Philip’s amazing performance on the firing point, winning the PW Richardson.

Following in the footsteps of Philip and Steven, Adrian Tam (Sc U6) qualified for the King’s Final, resulting in Simon Pearson needing an extended stay down at Bisley!

Adrian is the first Oundle cadet in 39 years to secure a place in King’s Final, shooting impeccably against seasoned shooters - a fantastic achievement for a talented shot.

Moving closer to home it was a delight to have a strong turn-out for the OO Troubleshooters vs the School .22 match hosted in Oundle with Teddy Flanagan (N 25) scoring top of the day with 193/200. The 17 July sees the Inter-school Veterans match, and with any luck the OOs may manage to finally beat the youngsters.

With the aim of supporting young shooters, Holly founded the Loughborough University Rifle Team as well as recently accepted the role of Smallbore Rifle Captain for BYSA

SPORT

(British Young Shooters Association).

Loughborough University had a very successful first year, securing Gold at multiple nationals, and Holly was awarded Club Colours for her efforts in creating Loughborough’s 63rd Sports Club.

In light of all the year’s successes, the passing of George GodwinAusten (Ldr 22) had a profound impact on the spirit of the club. In

celebration of his life and shooting, an annual competition in his honour will be held concurrent with the Imperial St George’s Vase. Whilst Maths was not something George could “get to grips with” his aims were better focused when pointing at a target where he showed real promise as a developing shot, regularly outcompeting those around him. As captain of the School Rifle

 Above left: Philip DeVoil (G 86) and Steve Postins (Ldr 86) Above right: George Godwin-Austen (Ldr 22) and Holly Read (N 21)

team, George’s strong but gentle character united the squad, leading them through both respect and friendship. Bisley was a highlight of the summer for G, where he could often be found queuing for a ‘foot long hotdog’ at the infamous piggy rolls stand or serenading the bunker bins with Pink Floyd. However the all time favourite sung with the team at the top of his lungs was Bohemian Rhapsody. Off the firing point, George was the life and soul of the team and well known by all for his infectious smile. When he didn’t have a rifle by his side, George was invested in his one true love, ‘Wendy the Landy’ who provided him an escape from reality and many hours shared with friends and his brother Harry. He will be sorely missed by those who had the honour of knowing him. ■ Charles Shelley (S 18)

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

65

SPORT

Football Club

■ Freddie Ashworth (G 15) and Chris Titcombe (StA 15)

T

he third season of this iteration of the Old Oundelian Football Club was one of incredible highs and disappointing lows in what is going to be described in the future as a transformational year for Chris Titcomb (StA 15) and Freddie Ashworth’s (G 15) troops. The campaign can be split into mediocre league form and moments of magic from an extraordinary cup run. It was the former that kicked off the year, as the OOs struggled with both performance - and with unfortunate injuries to Frankie Hunt (Sc 16), Dughall Sandison (Ldr 15), Max Howard (S 15) and Josh Murphy (StA 12) and retirement or pastures new for George Barker (Sc 15), Angus McRae (StA 16) and Archie Wilson (StA 14). The clubhouse attempted to unearth in-house replacements for those missing, but Daniel Poulter (L 19) and Vasily Gaev (C 18) lasted just one match in goal and central midfield respectively. Therefore, a recruitment

66

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

drive was in order, expanding across three continents in search of young, upcoming talent.

The first signing was from Zambia Nick Woolley (G 96) who did not quite fit the brief, having left Oundle before the birth of most of his new teammates.

Nick’s debut was promising but his season was cut short. The second signing’s stint was just as brief, as Sam Trott’s (StA 15) whistle-stop tour from Bermuda included an unfortunate 9-1 loss to Shrewsbury, the game clashing with Tom (G 16) and Ben (S 16) Curry being named together in an England squad for the first time versus New Zealand - I shall let the reader decide where the attention was focussed that day. As the league halted for Christmas, the OOs had their first cup competition of the season, whilst also hunting their first win, and with the OO dinner the night before, recruitment was on the agenda. Co-captain Freddie Ashworth was on a bit of a goal-drought, however, this he smashed into the back

of the net, tapping up Toby Fowler (S 19) over a bottle of wine. Fowler looked remarkably assured the next morning - despite an 11am kick off and wearing none of his own kit - as a makeshift back four of Nico Lethbridge (S 16), Jack Krempel (StA 18) Freddie Goddard (G 18) and Fowler shone in a rearguard action as the OOs beat Old Merchant Taylor’s 5-2. Special mention must go to Nico for his brace, although the less said about his hat-trick effort, the better.

Rearguard actions continued with our new tactical philosophy comparable to Thermopylae, Rorke’s Drift or the Alamo. These included a much better account against Shrewsbury, losing 2-1, and a narrow 2-0 defeat to Old Berhamsteadians in the 2nd round of the cup, a team that have achieved promotion to Division 2 and sit 25 league places above us.

The defence reached lofty heights one week later in the first round of the David Woolcott Trophy, despite playing

SPORT

against Old King’s Scholars from the league above. New signing Jack Turner (F 19) was instrumental in achieving the only OO clean sheet in three seasons, as well as scoring the winning goal in a perfect debut, making up for Alex George’s (C 14) missed penalty - even though he insists his record at school was unblemished. Penalties were on the menu again as the Old Boys travelled back to take on the School at the Multisports weekend in March, this time Jack Krempel was the culprit, blasting his penalty into the crossbar of the rugby posts behind the goal. There is some reprieve for Krempel, as during the 2-2 draw numerous chances were missed, with Oliver Lockhart (S 17) and George Dann (L 20) wishing they were still at The Ship. Next season the OOs will be returning for revenge.

Next, the OOs faced a tough challenge playing away against Old Brentwoods in the second round of the DWT. This was made more difficult after being on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline the previous season.

Expectations were low, yet the team got off to an incredible start as Will Taylor (G 15) scored a wonderful goal inside the first five minutes, but when Brentwood equalised and goalkeeper Freddie Anstey (L 16) dislocated his shoulder, OOs were down to the bare bones. The team dug in for the

remaining 60 minutes, with captain Chris Titcomb and Tom Arnold (S 15) throwing themselves around in goal but with the match heading into extra time, we needed a miracle to avoid facing penalties in back to back matches. This came in the form of Freddie Ashworth, and has been best described by an Old Brentwood parent - “Think of Hurst in 66, Zidane in 02 or even Götze in 14, all iconic goals, yet none of them quite compare to Ashworth 25, who came from nowhere to strike a dagger into the heart of the men from Essex”. The goal itself was as fitting a match-winner as any, the forward cutting in from the left and firing the ball into the far corner, sending the team wild and into the semi final, and undoing the jinx on Daniel Goddard.

A brief hiatus from the cup, known to other teams as the league, allowed for a final recruitment drive of the season - targeting leavers from 2020 and beyond. This brought in the likes of Tomiwa Vaughan (StA 20), Tani Edu (G 21) and Tide Aluko (G 21) who had hugely promising debuts.

Tani and Tide specifically just need to work on their time management - it is easy to understand how they would constantly end up on the wrong side of their former Housemaster, Mr Gough. Whilst this growth in numbers

was fantastic news for the club and highlighted where positive results could take us, then came the hardest part - selection. On just one previous occasion the OOs had more than the maximum 14 players available; against Shrewsbury in the first season.

Not only did the team throw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2, but the selection committee were fortunate to keep their posts as Charlie Bradbeer (S 16) and Tris Tusa (S 16) were overlooked. With the committee keen to avoid a repeat situation, the rest of the squad looked forward to the semi final clash with Old Westminsters in blissful ignorance.

Ultimately, a squad of 13 regulars was chosen - aside from a goalkeeping debut for OOFC’s Monday night stopper, Patrick Boyle (L 22). A 1-1 draw in 90 minutes led the OOs to yet another penalty shootout. The question on everyone’s lips was whether the Battersea Alisson Becker could scale his 7 aside abilities into a full sized net. Transform he did, as our newest gloveman looked massive between the sticks, leading to a Westminster player blazing his penalty over the bar. With Ed Hall (C 17), Ashworth, Angus Wight (StA 17) and Titcomb all converting, the miss gave the fifth taker a chance to send OOFC through. Despite George’s alleged school record and Lockhart

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

67

SPORT

volunteering to take one from the bench, Denis Valkov (S 17) assumed the responsibility and coolly stroked home. OOs, bottom and winless in Division Five, had just reached a cup final, beating a team who had just been promoted to Division Three en route. Special mention must go to man of the match, Goddard (whose conversion rate at selecting penalty takers is drastically better than his own record) and Krempel for steering well clear from the spot.

The final league game brought a welcome return for Frankie Hunt - feel free to ask him about his infamous knee injury and the antics behind it - along with the dream of another clean sheet. This was firmly off the cards as OOs shipped three goals to promotion-chasing Wellingtonians. However, in an incredible turn of events, a team who managed just 11 goals in 14 games created four to quash the opposition’s hopes of the lofty heights of Division Four. With Ashworth netting a wonderful hat-trick, Hall holding the ball up well to go alongside a nicely taken goal and Wight pulling the strings behind, the front line was hitting remarkable form before the final - despite the dangerous duo of Tani and Tide only arriving around the 70th minute.

As the final approached, a record 23 players became available for the showdown against Worth School. Despite Titcomb’s day job in sports consultancy and Goddard’s

68

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

in analysis at Saracens, selecting between your friends is not an enviable job, Titcomb comparing it to “picking the first 14 over the wall”. The trio - including Ashworth, considered every conceivable outcome; could Krempel last a whole match? Would Tide turn up on time?

Could Poulter miss one Friday night out in London? Those unfortunate enough to sit on the trio’s table at Queen’s for the Sports Lunch listened to all of this with good grace but will undoubtedly secure different seating arrangements next year. However, the squad was finalised, player bios written, and an alternate kit sourced with crests and numbers added for the big day.

The OOs set off for Merchant Taylors in early morning for the finals day - three cup competitions back to back in front of numerous spectators and the scrutiny of the camera lens.

Titcomb’s rousing speech stirred hearts, although across OO history his words have had more of a Gerrard “we do not let this slip” effect than, say, Henry V at Agincourt. Despite this, the lads began on top - with Wight putting the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled out for an extremely contentious offside (highlights are available for anyone wishing to offer their opinion).

As the opposition grew into the game, OOs found it harder to keep possession and invited pressure onto themselves with some sloppy passing and touches, along with getting on

the wrong side of the referee - see contentious decision above. The sides went into halftime still scoreless with the game needing a spark.

Unfortunately, this came in favour of the opposition, as a rebound fell to a free Worthian in the box, who found a teammate to score. This was almost cancelled out by Ashworth but for a great save by their goalkeeper.

OOs toiled, carving out opportunities for themselves, though unlike the previous games, nothing would stick. To compound issues, a mix-up at the back allowed their centre forward a chance to put Worth two up, a chance he would take clinically, as the OOs lamented their missed efforts at the other end. Even worse, tempers flared slightly, some in misguided directions, resulting in our team being reduced to ten men.

Despite their best efforts, the OOs fell short. Looking back, just reaching the final was an incredible achievement for the young squad, and with Titcomb and Ashworth at the helm for another season, coupled with exciting recruitment and a newfound attitude in camp, the club is in a great position moving into next year. ■ Goddard, Ashworth and Titcomb OOFC is always looking to recruit further OOs, please do get in touch with Freddie Ashworth, Chris Titcomb or Freddie Goddard at oofootball@ ooclub.co.uk for further details. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact oofootball@ooclub.co.uk

CHARITY

Old Oundelian Benevolent Fund ■ Established by deed in 1936, the Fund was set up to assist OOs or their children in cases of financial hardship. Charity no. 309920

T

he Old Oundelian Benevolent Fund (the Fund) was set up with the aim of providing financial assistance to Old Oundelians and their dependants. It is administered by a board of six trustees, three of whom are appointed at the AGM of the Old Oundelian Club. The other three trustees are ‘ex officio’, comprising the incumbent OO Club President, Secretary and Club Finance Committee Chair.

The Fund is required by law

to apply its trust fund moneys in accordance with the terms of the trust deed that established the fund and, in particular, with the objects as provided in the trust deed and reproduced below. In recent years the Fund has supported a range of causes, including: • Contributing towards the support of children of OOs within the Oundle School bursary programme • Assisting an OO in financial hardship by paying university fees

• Providing prize funds for the Oundle School OO Club Charity Challenge • Giving financial and practical support to the School’s annual Mencap holiday All donations will be applied by the trustees at their absolute discretion in accordance with the objects of the Fund set out below (amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Trust deed) and the law as it applies to charities.

If you wish to make a donation to the Fund, please email the OO Club Secretary at oosecretary@oundleschool.org.uk

Objects of the Fund

The sole purposes or objects to or for all or any of which trust fund moneys are to be applied are as follows: • To give financial assistance to any Old Oundelian in the education of his or her child or children at Oundle School or at some preparatory school or at some recognised place of higher education • To fund scholarships or exhibitions available for Old Oundelians or their children • To give financial assistance by either loan or gift to any Old Oundelian or his or her dependents in need or distress • To give financial assistance to any Old Oundelian or his or her dependents for education or training for any business or profession if considered by the trustees to be necessary or advisable on the grounds of financial necessity • To contribute towards any other charitable object for the benefit of Old Oundelians or their dependents provided that such contribution has been previously sanctioned by the committee of the Old Oundelian Club • To contribute towards projects or other appeals for the further development of Oundle School.

SCAN THIS QR Note: the expression Old Oundelian for the purpose of the above means any person educated at Oundle School or Laxton School

CODE TO FIND OUT MORE

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

69

COLUMN

The Archive

An historic moment in 1945: the incoming Headmaster, Mr Gus Stainforth, joins the outgoing one, Mr Bud Fisher on a visit to the Scout Camp.

■ Elspeth Langsdale – Archivist

T

his academic year started with a group visit from members of The Stained-Glass Museum, Ely Cathedral. During the visit, the group had the opportunity to explore a variety of Chapel artefacts followed by a guided tour of the Chapel led by the Archivist. This was followed by an insightful talk on the Chapel windows by Dr Jasmine Allen, Director and Curator of The StainedGlass Museum. “Thank you again for the School’s tremendous hospitality and enabling our visit to the School Chapel. It is a special place, and I know our group were delighted to be able to see the glass and spend time there.”

We have also welcomed many Old Oundelians to the Stables, some coming to research an individual topic, to clarify a fact, find a relative or just spend some time musing through the House Records and

70

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

reliving memories. Maurice Dybeck (Sn 48) has been a great source of stories and material for quite a few years, so it was a pleasure to meet him in person. One of his “treasures” is a photograph taken in July 1945 of the Scout Camp group including Bud Fisher and Gus Stainforth, just as one retired and the other was taking over the reins.

Bruce Duckham (D 54), a regular contributor to the Archive, has generously shared a copy of his published memoirs titled Oil’s in My Blood. We were delighted to receive this contribution, which provides valuable personal insight and historical context. The memoir will be displayed in the new meeting room alongside other items and information relating to Bruce’s father, Jim Duckham, also a Dryden resident (1924). Jim was a member

of the Agricultural Sixth, a group regarded as “the envy of all,” under the guidance of Peter Hewett.

Hewett, known for his belief in the Royal Agricultural Society’s motto “Practice with Science,” led the group through a hands-on education experience. As recounted, students cleaned out pigsties and endured the accompanying smells but were rewarded with the use of 12-bore guns and instructed to go out and shoot rabbits.

Regular weekly visits from four Community Action volunteers have been a valuable support in the ongoing task of organising and cataloguing archival materials. In addition to this work, the volunteers have undertaken research into Old Oundelians killed in action during World War Two, contributing to the preparation of a special archive WW2

COLUMN

Exhibition that will be on show in the Yarrow Gallery, 8-16 November 2025.

This exhibition will showcase a significant collection of items from the Archive, each connected to individuals who fought and died in the war, along with their personal stories. Over the past few months, we have been honoured to receive some remarkable material sent in by Malcolm Llewellyn (Sc 60), David Hartridge (Sc 63), and the Westbrook family.

Archive events with LJS continue to grow and Year 1 spent a fun morning exploring the Chapel through quizzes, jigsaws, and a treasure hunt. The annual Year 5 Victorian workshop is always a highlight and this year over forty

LJS pupil exploring the Chapel

pupils, parents and grandparents were not disappointed as this period of history came alive through the artefacts, photographs, books, and papers on display. ‘It was very interesting to look at all the different artefacts, especially the silver sword because of all the careful details and its historical value. I really enjoyed this experience.”

We have also had the pleasure of hosting researchers who have shown great interest in using the primary source materials held within the Archive. One such visitor was Professor A Pollen, Professor of Visual and Material Culture from Brighton University, who spent the day exploring all the material available about the Photographic Society which was started in 1893.

An entrance fee and yearly subscription was charged and in return members had use of the school darkroom and all the appliances therein. Professor Pollen was impressed by the Francis Reiss album and having exchanged emails with Francis before his passing regarding its content, I like to think he would be delighted to see how it is being used and appreciated today.

The intricate designs on this WW1 sword that belonged to Avalon Hutchins who was killed in action

“I’ve really benefitted from consulting the Oundle archives and have used them to inform my research into the history of photography in schools, part of a larger project about the history of photography by children in Britain since the 1880s. The fruits of my labour are forthcoming in 2026 in an article in History of Photography journal and an exhibition. Photographs, including those taken of and by members of the Oundle School Photographic Society, especially the album by Picture Post photographer Francis Reiss, and the Society minute books, have been invaluable for my project, which is generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust. I’m especially grateful for the support shown by archivist Elspeth Langsdale who has been endlessly generous with her knowledge and time.“ Our thanks to our contributors and to those who have taken the trouble to connect with us via letter, email, and social media to furnish us with additional information and items that enrich the Archive for future generations. As both an educational and historical resource, the Archive is accessible to all members of the School community and the wider public. We are committed to ensuring its accessibility and encouraging its use by as many people as possible. ■

 Top, a 2015 self portrait by Francis Reiss (G 1944) and below, extracts from his personal school photographic album.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

71

ENGAGEMENTS, MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS

Engagements and Marriages

Oliver Baseley (L 15), Tegan Luther (L 14), Sophia Christopoulos (D 14), Emma O’Dea (L 16) and bride - Charlotte O’Dea (L 14)

Guy Beresford

· Lottie Graves (Birks N11) writes to share the exciting news of three Oundelian siblings all marrying fellow Oundelians! Pippa Graves (K 16) and Alec Murphy (Ldr 15) completed the hat-trick this year, following in the footsteps of older brothers Seb Graves (StA 08) who married Hannah Hoskins (L 09) and Ant Graves (StA 11) who married Lottie Birks (N 11) in 2015 and 2020, respectively. · Guy Beresford (B 81, OO Club President 2023) and Zoe Bates were married on 16 July. Among the guests was Arthur Marment (D 77) · Jessica Taylor (W 10) and Anthony Dobbs were married on 7 September 2024 and are expecting a baby in October.

72

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Lily Postlethwaite

· Lily Postlethwaite (W 14) and Tom Chapman were married at Plas Dinam on 24 May. Their four bridesmaids Sarah Huckin (D), Olivia Sellers (L), Fliss Earnshaw and Lucy Page (both W) were all from Lily's year at Oundle. · Ed Cubitt (G 12) and Nina Wallrock were married on 5 October 2024 in Boldre, Hampshire. · Alice Liow (Sn 17) and Jack Spence were married at Christ Church Spitalfields, London on 12 July.

Raymond Liow (C 86) is a proud father. · Charlotte O'Dea (L 14) and Yano Moussavi were married on 20 June at Caswell House, Oxfordshire · Mark Henninger (L 02) and Alice Bouquet were married on 18

November 2024, in Bristol · Michael Jonathan Thorpe (Lx 87) and Susanna were married on 1 June 2024 at home near Marlborough, Wiltshire - with five additional OOs present: John Thorpe (Lx 56), Roger Thorpe (Lx 93), Richard Wakeford (StA 86), Andrew Crowe (Lx 87) and Bruce Galliford (StA 87). · Richard Ward (B 73) and Lois Shilton were married in Bath on 19 December 2024 · Oliver Jackson (Ldr 12) and Marta were married in Madrid in June 2025, and are moving to London. · Sophie Orr (D 11) became engaged to Sam Heward in August 2024. · William Orr (StA 13) became engaged to Emily Hattrell in May 2025.

ENGAGEMENTS, MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS

Births Vincent Giovanni

Albert Darwin Ellis Urquhart

Montgomery Charles William

Aura Betsy

· To Imogen Rogers (D 08) and Jacob, a daughter, Charlotte Pippa, on 9 May 2025. · To Charlotte Charlesworth (Cubitt, K 09) and Edward, a daughter, Poppy Jane, on 14 March 2025, sister to Harry and Flora. · To Victoria Stone (Lee, W 10) and Andrew, a son, Oscar Charles Ernest, on 16 May 2025, to join their daughter Lucette. · To Sophie Thorn (Wildman, L 10) and Michael, a son, Vincent Giovanni on 4 December 2024, to join their daughter Estella. · Oliver Norman (L 10) and Laura welcomed their son Albert (Albie) Ingram into the world on 3 May 2025. · To Victoria Horncastle (Pentecost, N 07) and Ollie, a son, James Arthur Busby, on 17 May 2025, brother to Freddie and George.

· To James Cubitt (G 10) and El, a daughter, Connie Jeanne, on 11 April 2025, sister to Wilbur. · To Millie Ashmore (Ashworth, K 10) and Jack, a daughter, Aura Betsy, on 9 April 2025. · Isobel Urquhart (Ellis, Sn 14) and James welcomed their first child Albert Darwin Ellis Urquhart on 12 February 2025. With huge thanks to the Neonatal Intensive Care Team and Special Care Unit at St George’s Hospital, London. · To Victoria Thomson (Cropley, N 01) and Duncan, a precious son, Montgomery Charles William, known as Monty, on 3 April 2025. · To Arabella Mitchell (Rieck, K 05) and Oscar, a daughter, Rosie, on 27 April 2025. · To Naomi Wilson (Brass, D 06) and Freddie, a daughter, Beatrix Philippa, on 3 July 2024.

· To Francesca Mills-Smith (Smith, K 11) and Daniel Mills-Smith, a daughter, Helen Francesca Mary, on 6 May 2025. · To James Hunt (Sc 12) and Fenella, a son, Barnaby Philip Peter, on 17 October 2024. · To Kate Morris (N 04) and Aaron Littman, a son, Reuben Harry MorrisLittman, on 9 May 2025. · To James Cubitt (G 10) and partner El, a daughter Connie Jeanne, born on 11 April, a sister for Wilbur. · To Mark Henninger (L 02) and Alice, a daughter, Chloe Martha Drummond Henninger on 24 December, 2024 · To Nadium Jinnah (Ldr 99) and Megan, a son, Kiran Firoz Jinnah, born 21 August, 2024. Nadium and Megan were married on 16 July, 2022. · To Melody Rolinson (Nairn K 07) and Steven Rolinson, a son, Alfred Eric David Rolinson on 27 February.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

73

NEWS FROM HOME

Bucks, Berks and Oxon ■ Charles Miller (Ldr 76) bucks@ooclub.co.uk

C

harles W R Ashby (L 96) attended a Laxton 96 reunion barbeque in August 2024 along with other families. This was followed by their annual Laxton reunion, attended by eight of the fifteen strong year group. Charles will be joining Tom Johnson and Martin Smith (both L 96) to watch the Oasis Concert in August

Henry Bryers in the new Pavillion, admiring his 1996 Inscription.

L-R Nick Ohly, Max Barraclough, Aidan Nicholson, James Morris, Alex Stanhope, Henry Bryers.

L-R Max Barraclough, Charles Ashby, Alex Stanhope, Aidan Nicholson.

74

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Richard Valentine (D 62) reports the death of his brother Charles Valentine (D 56) in December 2024.

However, life continues pretty much as before - golf, garden and travel.

He sees Neil Shepherd-Smith (D 54), Richard Glover (D 59) and his godson James (aka “Jockˮ) together with Ian Hodgson (Sc 78). His sons Neil and Stuart continue to prosper and the whole family is in good health.

Jonathan Andrews (Sc 84) bumps into the OOs at Denham Golf Club and in the marine insurance world.

Steve Kunzer (G 84) is back from the Middle East and he meets him at industry events. Golf with the OOs at New Zealand GC against the Grocers was an opportunity to catch up with William Quantrill (StA 84) and at the OO Sports lunch with Steve Carr (S 84).

Nick Kirkbride (Lx 77) is enjoying a year supporting his wife

Pippa, who is the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire 2025/2026. He was delighted to discover a parallel world where his great friend Tim Harlow (StA 75) is performing the same role for his wife Caroline who is High Sheriff of Devon.

Nick Armitage (B 94) is now in his fifth year as Head of Rupert House, a thriving prep school in the heart of Henley. His youngest, Claudie, is in Year 2 and his wife, Polly, also teaches the flute, so it’s a real family affair. He enjoyed reconnecting with a number of OOs at the Regatta drinks last summer and has got back in a boat at Wallingford Rowing Club - after a gap of over 20 years! He enjoys keeping up with Etti Dale (Cook, LS 94), who lives outside Hexham with her husband and son and who joined us for the most fabulous night at the Henley festival last summer.

Brother Tim (B 99) is happily settled in Reigate with his family and has just started a new job as an investment strategist at Quilter Cheviot, a wealth manager. When visiting their mother, he also sees a fair bit of his sister Claire (D 96), a consultant rheumatologist in Sunderland, who lives with her family in Gosforth.

David Richards (S 78) writes that he was delighted to attend the OO Club Arts drinks in London last October where he met up with Charles Pott (Sn 79) and Jeremy Sampson (St A 80), fellow musicians whom he hadn′t seen since 1978. It was really interesting to hear about their careers in music and other OO musicians who are still making music nearly fifty years on. David is also still in touch with Paul AJ Clark (S 79) and Andrew Davidson Hogg (S 78)

NEWS FROM HOME

and hoping to meet up with them in the next few months, just before they start receiving their state pensions next year! Andrew Kerr’s (Sc 73) highlight for this year was completing the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Otherwise, regular visits to his father, Ian Kerr (S 46), in Winchester and catch ups with his brother Mark Kerr (Sc 74).

Arthur Marment (D 77) reports that son George (B 12) married Olivia at St Brelades Church Jersey in May. George’s best man Richard Giles (S 12) proved an inspired choice and the lovely bride dazzled everyone!

The day after was a beach games day including a vigorous tug of war (Marment win!) OOs present included George’s cousin Megan Waind (N 12) and his uncle Charles (StA 83) and Rosanna Sater (Gibbs, Sn 10). The couple honeymooned exotically (as you do these days) and have now washed up in the leafy shire of Balham!

Arthur accompanied Richard Ellis (Sn 86) and Guy Beresford (B 81) to the Wales v England rugby game very depressing on the pitch and made worse by their collective post match politeness regarding the result! Prior to the Sports lunch at Queens, Arthur played tennis with Ed Ibrahim (Lx 00), Sophie Pallister (Walker, L 10) Lance Ashworth (G 82) (on fire post hip op!) and the youthful Lydia Larsen (K 22) who played brilliantly. However, his best OO meet up was at midnight in the Ship on Multisports weekend when an OO lurched into him and asked to confirm his stories about the Foundry with Clive Moynihan in the early 70s. He said for all his life

George and Olivia Marment

his tales of explosions, Liquid Metal and the like were thought by his family to be a product of a rampant imagination!

Ian Hodgson (Sc 78) continues to visit the School regularly, not least in his capacity as Vice Chairman of Governors. Next year promises to be both a busy and expensive year with two daughters, Catriona (K 12) and Alex (K 14), now engaged and his captaincy of Denham Golf Club starting in January. Amongst a number of other positions, he is Chair of the Hawks and Ospreys Charity and Bucks County Cricket, the latter in particular being time consuming as it incorporates all cricket in the county from age 9 to over 70. Ian is in regular contact with many Old Oundelians including Al Gordon (C 69) and Jonny Andrews (Sc 84) at Denham and he recently entertained John Knight (Sn 76) and Jessica there for golf.

Jay Cartwright (S 71) and Julia have been on their travels again, with recent visits to Alaska and Mauritius.

Jay continues with some non-executive roles, but is planning to “draw stumps” soon, after 50 years in the City. Meanwhile, daughter Jo Draper (Cartwright, W 05) is very busy with client projects as Head of interior design for Nina Campbell whilst making as much time as possible for Ellie and Bea who are now four and three respectively. Jo Tom regularly see Kate Cranfield (Quinn, D 05) in London with her husband Ed and growing family comprising William, Freddie and Lizzie. Jay and Julia were in Oundle for a party given by Vic and Chris Northwood for Chris’s 80th

Nick Kirkbride

birthday. Both Vic and Chris were on great form, and Jay was able to catch up with old study mate Roger Page (S 71) and Alison. Philip Cartwright (S 69) continues to work on his golf handicap in Hampshire, whilst he and Susie play host almost every weekend to their burgeoning numbers of grandchildren.

Calum Stewart (S 17) has been promoted to assistant underwriter at Axis Capital where he has been for three years in the Marine and Energy Liability team. He will shortly be attending the annual PETEX Rig School in Houston, under the auspices of the University of Texas.

Simon Nicholson (Lx 61) ambles on ever deeper into old age with he and Vanessa both blessed with reasonable health. Son Aidan Nicholson (Lx 96) finds himself enjoying a relaxed break while on the job market as his family move into senior schools.

David Nicholson (Lx 99) has moved into a proper family house some 300 yards from Dad in Chalfont St Giles.

Dr John David Henry Chadwick (StA 71) is still thoroughly enjoying retirement and has recently been on another spectacular Chapitre of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in the magnificent stables at Chateau Chantilly. He also greatly enjoyed meeting other OOs at the London Dinner and over 60s lunch.

Life continues much the same with me: I still work, pottering with property and see various OOs occasionally, including Ian Lane (Ldr 77), Dermot Brady (Ldr 76) and Tim Cowan (Ldr 76). I also play bridge (and now padel) with Nick Kirkbride (Lx 77) when he is not too busy on Sheriff (husband) duties. I continue as the Chair of Governors at The Beacon School in Chesham Bois. My son Tom Miller (Ldr 07) is busy with his young family and work in the restructuring business.

He tries to attend Grocer events and recently went to the Prefects Dinner at Grocers’ Hall. He is also a Governor at Mossbourne Academy in Hackney.

My daughter, Rebecca Miller (K 09) lives a busy life in London and works in management consulting. She sees Brina Brooks (K 09), and Maz Miles (Sn 09) amongst others.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

75

NEWS FROM HOME

East Anglia ■ James Hems (G 05) eanglia@ooclub.co.uk

M

atthew Walker (StA 90) writes: ‘I continue to work in education publishing where career and life paths in Cambridge have once again intersected with Guy Wheeler (B 90). Family life with a son and daughter respectively at university and Sixth Form is busy and fulfilling, though tinged with sadness after the loss of my father, Andrew Walker (C 60), earlier in the year.

John Haselden (G 83) has recently retired after over 30 years in the corporate Pharmaceutical and Healthcare sectors. ‛I now reside just south of Cambridge and am kept busy with furniture-making/upcycling, a passion cultivated in the Oundle workshops; performing occasionally as an oboist in local orchestras, and serving as Director of Music for a local choir. I′m living very close to my semi-retired younger brother Peter Haselden (G 85), with whom I share a love of fine wine, sporting and musical endeavours, as well as developing a Spanish solar business. Over the years, I have come across numerous local OOs from various generations and walks of life. Notable individuals include former fellow Cambridge prep-school parents, Olly Thain (L 90) and Bill Budenberg (Sn 82), and from my home village the Johnsons - Michael (C 72), Jess (K 00), and George (C 04). Many years ago, I even succeeded Michael, (albeit cajoled), as Chairman of our local Parish Council - an experience I have yet to fully forgive him for!

Guy Beresford (B 81) and Zoe Bates are getting married on 16 July after

Diss Heritage Triangle, by Jon Higham

76

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

three years together. ‛I′m enjoying life in the countryside in rural Essex.

Having not had children I am now a step grandpa three times over! I still attend lots of enjoyable OO events.ʼ Jonathan Higham (N 79) gained his Masters Distinction 2020 (University of Brighton). A new chapter in life this year for Jonathan and his family who moved up to just outside Diss, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, from East Sussex in November 2024. They are loving their new life and new friends with the added benefit of only being an hour away from their daughter Holly who is in her second year at Cambridge studying Classics (having become a junior scholar). Jon has ceased lecturing at University so he can now enjoy spending more time on his art. He has been a guest artist in residence at Designermakers21 in Diss, and is busy establishing himself as an illustrator and painter locally.

Katie is already a member of the local choir and has worked hard on the splendid garden they inherited at their new home which was open for charity in June. Finally Jon was delighted to hook back up with Tom Hiscocks (StA 81) sculptor at the excellent OOorganised art meet up at the Groucho Club in October last year. Whilst they haven’t had a chance to meet up since, they follow each other’s artistic exploits though social media.

Alex Sinclair Maddocks (D 78) writes: ‘This June I had my first ride out on a 1926 Connaught motorcycle on the Banbury Run, a ride for pre December 1930 motorcycles. It was a bit daunting with a bike that had no

Alex on the Banbury Run

modern day twist grip throttle, but ancient throttle and chock levers and advance and retard ignition and gears you have to change by hand. Sadly I only made a few miles and didn’t manage to conquer the steep Sunrising Hill ! - but maybe next year.’

Richard H Peaver (G 67) as usual, much enjoyed the 2025 over60s lunch. ‘I’m kept busy with six granddaughters all living close by.

I’ve now stepped down after ten years as Chair of the local Royal British Legion branch and they’ve kindly made me President. I enjoy seeing the journalist Rupert Shortt (B 83) from time to time, and also James Deveson (Ldr 87) in church when he comes home to Norfolk in the school holidays. He’s Head of Academic Music at Haileybury.

Timothy (Tim) James Cole (Ldr 64) was awarded the CBE for services to medical statistics in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. He retired from UCL last September after 54 years, though continues to work as Professor Emeritus on the statistics of the growth of children.

Peter Harris (Lx 93) is enjoying working as director of AI research for a large multi-national while living in Norfolk with his family. Tony Escritt (StA 55) tells us that while living in retirement in Norfolk, he maintains

Tim Cole, CBE

NEWS FROM HOME

academic interest in volcanic activity and the Arctic region with regular return visits to Iceland, where he worked as a guide.

Edwin Sung (F 11) writes: ‛On July 5, 2025, the Cambridge Concert Orchestra, a local charity light-music orchestra, performed my latest composition Carnet de voyage: Annalise, in dedication to my two-year-old daughter Annalise. The

theme for the concert was ‘Summer Adventures,’ and alongside my world premiere, it also featured Laura Rossi’s new piece, The Circus, which was dedicated to the orchestra.

Charles Aldous (G 22) was the Epiphany President of the Durham Union Society and he is off to read an Economic and Social History MPhil at Cambridge University.

Tony Escritt guiding in Iceland

East Midlands ■ Chris Piper (Sc 71) eastmidlands@ooclub.co.uk

J

enny Lin (K 24) represented Team GB at the IPF World and European Powerlifting Championships in September and October 2024, in Malta and the Czech Republic respectively. She finished 16th in the world and 12th in Europe in the U69 weight class.

Indrajit Mazumdar (C 76) tells us he remembers getting his National cycling proficiency Test at Oundle - but hasn′t been able to do much!

Christopher Best (C 66) is a cover supervisor in Stratford-on-Avon schools and invigilates in in local Warwickshire schools and colleges.

When not working, time is spent organising and training launch drivers for safety cover at Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club and organising events and lettings there.

Michael Guy Copestake (Sc 69) was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2022/23. He has just celebrated the first birthday of Great Northern Classics.

Situated in an old Rolls Royce factory it is one of the biggest classic vehicle centres in the UK. OO visitors will be given a warm welcome.

Nigel Harris (StA 67) With Stewart

Wallis (C 66) and John Clark (N 67), Nigel made it to their annual meeting in London on 28 July - the Fiestas Patrias of Peru – to commemorate the 1969 Cambridge Expedition to Peru where they travelled by boat, bus, train and foot from the UK to reach, study and map the coastal granites of Peru and to explore the glories of the continent.

Robert Johnson (N 95) continues to enjoy living in Oundle and is still impressed by the School, particularly the staff. ‘I recently joined a new biotech company in London which is getting targeted protein degradation to work in the brain. Exciting! Love living close to my brother-in-law Simon Lister (N 95) and his family.’

Tim Pollard (Sc 93) has found his connections to Oundle deepen, as his wife Charlotte has started working at the Laxton and Sadler Day Houses.

His own job sees him focus on rewiring Bauer Media’s editorial teams for an age of huge digital disruption.

Outside work, Tim’s attempting to keep age at bay by continuing to play hockey and cricket for local clubs, meaning he encounters all sorts of OOs and staff on pitches scattered

Stewart Wallis, Nigel Harris and John Clark

around the East Midlands.

John Hyde (S 70) is managing to take two days off each week from his engineering business ‛where we have installed robotically loaded machines running unmanned seven days per week. Edward Waterson (S 69), Phil Cartwright (S 69)and I take a couple of days away together in a different place each year to chew the fat and discuss how to solve all the world’s problems.

Six grandchildren are all doing the right things at school in order to please their grandparents.’

John Nicholas Dearn Pritchard (Nick) (Sc 65) writes: ‛Ann and I recently celebrated our Golden Wedding and are just about dealing with the daily chores of living whilst evading the deadly jaws of dying.

Robert Wharton (N 65) telephoned wanting to organise a 60 years reunion of the 1st VIII Oundle crew from 1965 at this year′s Henley Royal Regatta.

Alas my medical condition makes the 90 minute journey too difficult. He seemed to have forgotten that I had been dropped from the 1st VIII after the Spring term; despite being named as reserve in the Regatta programme, I had to stay at Oundle to organise the junior house rowing competitions (Beesley and Glennie) in my capacity as captain of the 2nd VIII!’ David Hartridge (Sc 63) tells us ‘I

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

77

NEWS FROM HOME

completed my Sky Dive last September tumbling out of the plane at 13k feet on a beautiful day. It was a great experience and raised over £5k for the hospice where I am a volunteer driver. Sadly, this is not enough to keep it running at full capacity but we are hoping it will survive. This April my wife and I went to Australia for a month to visit our daughter who lives 200 miles north of Melbourne. After a week there, we spent two weeks touring South Australia, finishing in Adelaide. Then we took the Ghan railway right across Australia to Darwin in three days: wonderful trip through the outback via Alice Springs.

Then home on a Dreamliner -16½ hours non stop! Apart from that I keep busy, keep taking the tablets and enjoying life!’

Guy Spragg (Sc 88) is currently running a midweek cricket side near Stamford that features Paul Chatterton (S 88) and Jules McAlpine (Lx 88).

Various younger OOs make guest appearances when available. He is in regular contact with Chris Skelton (Sc 88), Alex Hendry (Sc 88) and Matt Forde (Sc88) with a music festival tour planned for 2026. Colin Pendrill (Hon OO) has organized the donation of a copy of his Brief History of Oundle School to every U6 leaver for some time.

Last year it was in memory of Roger Freebairn, this year Alan Midgley, and next year Richard Mather will be remembered. If any OOs would like to contribute to the scheme please e-mail me:colinpendrill@gmail.com Theo Barry (N 82) informs me that he was awarded the OBE in the 2024 New Year’s Honours, for services to Parliament.

Marieke van Braak (L 14) writes: ‛I’m working as a rotational sous chef on a 90m superyacht, currently cruising through Alaska and possibly heading to Hawaii and the Pacific next. When I’m off rotation, I’m making the most

of my freedom - eating my way around London, squeezing in a few adventures, and trying to act like a responsible adult while flat-hunting between flights.’

Lance Ashworth (G 82) writes: ‛I am in my wind down year as Vice President of the OO Club and have been appointed a trustee of the Oundle School Foundation. I have seen Theo Barry (N 82), who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List, and was recently visited by Simon Thornton (G 82), who continues to run all of the important bits of Guernsey.

We celebrated his 61st birthday and noted that we were now both in the prime (number) of our lives. My children continue to prosper: Millie (K 10) had a daughter, Aura, in April but was back running her pub business within two weeks; Charlie (G 11) continues to work for Siemens, but finds time to share his passion for Man Utd with his brother Freddie (G 15), including a disappointing trip to Bilbao.

We were visited for a weekend in May

by Freddie along with Chuck Macleod (L 15), Morgan Ball (C 15) and Emmy Ball ( Dixon Smith D 16). I am pleased to report that the younger generation of OOs are more than a match for my generation in their consumption of wine of all colours.ʼ Nick Ellis (C 83): ‘After twelve years as Head of real estate at JLR and 38 years in the world of commercial property, I retired from full time work in March 2025. Having a break, travelling to Costa Rica, Spain, Dubai, Italy, Canada, Austria and Cyprus.

Now I’m looking for Non-Executive roles, and open to opportunities.

(Clinton) Julian Board (C 54): ‛Now aged 88, I have decided to retire from riding the Cresta Run. I took my first ride in 1962 and have done the Run virtually every year until the age of 82. This probably makes me the oldest

David Hartridge takes to the skies

person ever to have ridden the Run since its formation in 1885 and certainly the oldest British resident. I was President of the Club for five years and its Honorary Treasurer for 25 years. A remarkable record perhaps - but people wonder why I have only won one major trophy. Opinions vary between lack of ability and lack of guts! Dare I mention that I have finished second or third in several races?’

Chris Piper (Sc 71): I see Richard Owen (Sc 70) and Peter Scaife (B 71) regularly, and my brother Richard (Lx 66) who seems to be playing quite a lot of golf (in Spain) and has been skiing twice: he is delighted to get a free lift pass as he is over 75! I had a splendid lunch at the George in Stamford to remember our School House colleague Geoff Rhodes (Sc 70). Present were Martin Jenkins, Adrian Marsh, Colin Campbell, Jeremy Horsell (all Sc 70), Peter Nicholls (Lx 71) and Maurice Monk (Sc 69). We were very pleased to see Jeremy Wade (B 70) but shocked to hear of his death barely a month later.

He was in excellent spirits and regaled us with amusing stories from his Oundle days. I am still on the OO Committee and attend meetings if possible. I was delighted to partner Sophie Palliser (Walker L 10) in the Multisports tennis doubles. We won - but no guesses who that was down to! I also enjoyed the Over 60s lunch: it is always good to meet up with my fellow swimming team member, Norman Shelley (Ldr 71) who never seems to age!

Lincolnshire lincolnshire@ooclub.co.uk

A

part from penning an opEd piece for the Daily Telegraph on national security strategy and defence spending, the crowning moment of Alastair Irvine’s (Sc 81)

78

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

year was being one of the four-gun team representing the Gunmakers’ Court which won the 2025 Inter-Livery clay shooting competition (and using a side-by-side!). Continuing as a Trustee

and chairing the finance committee of the RAF Benevolent Fund, he was appointed a Business Ambassador to Meningitis Now, the charity of which he was erstwhile Chairman.

NEWS FROM HOME

After a year as an ADC, Angus Irvine (Sc 12) is back with his armoured infantry battalion, commanding its anti-tank platoon.

Marking a generational shift, he and his army medic wife entertained the family for a hugely enjoyable weekend in their new and very smart married quarters at Tidworth.

Both are Iron Man triathletes and competed together in Tallinn in 2024; Angus is now attempting to get his marathon time under 3 hours.

Geordie Irvine (Sc 21) has successfully completed his first season with Ealing Trailfinders.

Having been a member of the Northampton Saints Squad which won the Rugby Union Premiership in 2024, his winning streak continued with Ealing taking the 2025 Championship. At 6ft 7ins and a muscle bound 19 stone with size 15-and-a-half feet, he is simply a colossal human being. Clothes and cars are a challenge (but as she claims, his pint-sized mother still rules the roost).

Nick Ollard (S 98) is still living in Lincolnshire on the farm and working in Leeds. He regularly sees Duncan Brown, Oliver Paine and Ed Copestick (all S 98) whenever he makes it back to the UK. His eldest child Toby starts at Sidney in Sept 25 so hopefully there will be time for a reunion one day.

Alex Smith (N 91) is still enjoying life as Head of Classics at Stamford School, despite the challenging times in independent education. He is living with his family in Casterton Road and has just finished his seventh year teaching at the school. Alex’s daughter Clara started the Sixth Form at Uppingham, not quite following her father’s footsteps to Oundle but she has had a great first year there, and is even studying Classics at A Level! It turns out that Clara shares a class with Hannah, the daughter of old friend Tom Barnes (Sc 91), and they all managed to meet up in Corfu in October when the Barnes family were sailing past, spending a night in the bay, time on Tom’s boat and enjoyed the local food and wine at the Beach Taverna.

Alex has seen many other OO friends, including Becca Downey (LS 91) and John Cookson (S 91) who live nearby in Nassington. Alex also saw Becca, Matthew Parker (Sc 91) and Rupert Cheswright (N 91) at the sad occasion of his mother’s funeral, in Stamford in June. On happier occasions, friends (all from 1991) have met up several times, including a fantastic dinner just before Christmas last year, organised by Rupert Cheswright, with Becca Downey, John Cookson, Tom Barnes, Matthew Parker (Sc), Polly Howard, Elsbeth Turnbull and Madeleine Weightman

(all K), Matthew Sansom (Lx), William Hooper (N) and Charlie Furniss (StA), with a brief appearance from the elusive Charlie Froud (StA).

Alex is still keen on Fives and remains the O.O. Fives Secretary, attending most committee meetings and bringing Fives teams to Oundle of mixed ages, ranging from youngsters Louis O’Connor (L 18), Harry Smith (F 19) and Henry Dickinson (L 20)to the legendary Bev Boag (StA 60), at over 80 years old.The Saturday night of the Sports Weekend was another enjoyable OO occasion. Fives players do get in touch if you want to play for the Roger Freebairn Trophy in 2026.

Alex also caught up with Stuart Morgan (Lx 91) at the MultiSports Weekend, and Nick Cartwright (N 90) has popped by; and Alex was pleased to bump into Nick’s son Henry, who has finished his 5th Form at Laundimer.

1991 leavers in the two wellknown (if not notorious) school bands of the day -The Paracetamols and the Screaming Brides - are getting together, organised by Charlie Furniss (StA) and John Cookson (S) to form a band, the Oundle Groovers, for a special one-night performance at the Ship in Oundle on Saturday 20 September this year – everyone welcome! If it goes well, there might be more gigs…

London ■ Matthew Simmonds (StA 97) london@ooclub.co.uk

Y

our correspondent Matthew Simmonds (StA 97) has had a busy year and caught up with plenty of OOs. Once again the Pink & Blacks organised by Andrew Coulthurst (StA 97) competed in the 200 mile Round Norfolk relay with Nick Pettie (N 97), Sarah Swaney (D 97), Matt Unwin (S 94), James Gray (N 93) and your correspondent taking part alongside others to complete the race in 26 hours. The Sports lunch at Queen’s Club was as ever a fantastic affair and a great chance to catch up

with a host of 1997 leavers including James Kilner, Matthew Joyce, Matthew Thornton (all StA 97), John Pennington, Ed Duckett (both N 97), as well as former StA Housemaster Vic Northwood and teachers Philip Pedley and Max Taylor. It was also a pleasure to catch up with James Holmes (Lx 97) for some walking on the Norfolk coast.

Guy Simmonds (StA 95) has thoroughly enjoyed playing rugby, cricket and golf with a decent number of OOs over the last year, alongside

an Easter ski trip with James Thomas (S 95) and Tom Rowley (StA 96). Very good to catch up with Tom Banks (B 94) for the first time in a while over a lengthy Christmas lunch. He is also

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

79

NEWS FROM HOME

 Right: Henry and Carolyn Tuck presiding at the Annual Banquet of the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders, held at Grocers’ Hall in October 2024 Far right: John Story (B 65) and Lucy, at The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkadu-ji, Kyoto

very much looking forward to getting together with the Class of 95 at a reunion dinner in September.

Julia Perowne (K 99) dropped me a note to say she has launched a new digital business called Navigator in collaboration with existing business Perowne International. The latter also has offices in New York City and Mexico City.

Henry William Tuck (Ldr 77) is coming to the end of a very enjoyable and busy year as Master of the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders, in the City of London. Besides running the company, Henry and Carolyn have attended many wonderful events, such as the Irish Guards receiving new Colours from the King at Windsor Castle, a Bavarian Ball at the Mansion House and driving sheep across Southwark Bridge. They have met many interesting people in the Livery World and of course have come across fellow OOs such as the Lord Mayor, Alastair King (C 87) and Clerk of the Pewterers, Mike Walliker (D 82).

Susannah Gillespie (D 16), known to many as Scooter, has let me know that her career in advertising at BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty) has been progressing well in the last year.

However, it’s her allotment in Leyton that really gets her excited. Cabbages, courgettes and an aggressively enthusiastic patch of asparagus are growing as if they have a point to prove.

Candice Gallagher (N 04) reports that after 16 years living overseas (New York, Switzerland, Singapore), she recently returned to London and is now living with her sister (who happens to be a member of our old rivals Uppingham) and her fiancé James Robson (Ldr 12). She has been working in the world of dating, posting content on social media (170,000 combined followers); launching a Substack newsletter called Love & Other Rubbish, and

80

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

launching an events company for single people to date and make new friends.

Richard Peter Tett (B 87) has had a great year. After 20 years of Freshfields partnership, Richard’s second sabbatical arrived which involved visiting Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eritrea, and Indonesia - plus his sister Gillian’s wedding in Kings College Chapel.

Sabbatical taken, Richard has had to commit for another five years, so his next holidays may be less exciting.

He has met up with a good number of OOs from 1987 including James Ginns (Sc 87), Matthew Sargaison (B 87), Gavin Allen (B 87), James Holland (N 87) and David Cairns (Ldr 87). He also saw Alastair King (C 87) in his Lord Mayor′s splendour at a Tallow Chandlers Dinner, and, in much sadder circumstances, Angus Piper (B 85), Nick (Ldr 89) and Chris Williamson (Ldr 90) at Tim Piper’s (B 57) funeral.

Isobel Urquhart (Ellis, S 14) reports a fabulous year with James, welcoming their first child Albie, born 12 February 2025. Isobel is thoroughly enjoying maternity leave, spending more time with her father, Richard Ellis (Sn 86), and has adored seeing him blossom as a superb Grandpa.

Isobel has also caught up with Hannah Day (Sn 14), Imi Hooper (L 14), Willa Sedgwick Rough (N 14), Georgie Ansty (L 14), Mimi Monteith (Sn 14) and Pollyanna Duggan (Sn 14) regularly in London, as well as enjoying trips with Emily Bainbridge (K 14) who has taken on the influential role of Godmother to

Albie.

John Story (B 65) tells me that in April this year he met up with John Robertson (B 65) and Frank Wright (B 63) at the National Portrait Gallery for a delightful lunch. John is still engaged in his fine art business while Frank is retired but still riding his motor bike! John also meets up with Chris Reilly (StA 65) from time to time when he is down from Edinburgh, his principle abode now.

John and Lucy had an amazing trip to Japan during April - Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Hakone and Hiroshima.

John also reports that his brother, Colin Story (B 70) has just completed his 30th expedition to the Kimberleys in Western Australia.

Edward Bury (L 06) tells me that in an unexpected turn of events, he and Katherine are heading back to the Big Apple for a second stint in the US, seven years after the first. He looks forward to teaming up with George Vinton (C 06) and Sam Smith (StA 07) who never left! Oliver Jackson (Ldr 12) is getting married to Marta in Madrid in June 2025 (congratulations by the time you read this!) and then planning on moving to south London.

Jonathan Bach (Lx 75) continues to enjoy his role as a school improvement consultant focusing on staff development. He also continues to enjoy tennis and plays competitively for Harrow Town, enjoying a notable win over the School. He recently caught up with Andrew Smith (B 79) at the French Open and recounted many courtside battles of old. Roger Bach (Lx 77) retired last September since when he

NEWS FROM HOME

has caught up on some travelling, having spent three weeks in South India. He will fulfil a lifetime’s ambition by going to Australia this winter to watch the Ashes. He recently successfully completed the Food Growing leadership programme as part of his Council’s community food growing initiative.

Stephen Bach (Lx 81) continues in his role as Executive Dean of King’s Business School; in addition, he is a member of the NHS Pay review body. He continues to publish articles on employment relations and has travelled to India and South Africa as part of a team accrediting international business schools. In his spare time, he often partners Jonathan on the tennis courts of Harrow.

James Holmes-Siedle (C 80) is sliding into semi-retirement from a practice that has seen his involvement in the delivery of King’s Cross Central for the last 18 years (as a Masterplanning access consultant).

He maintains an active passion for sculling, and coaching Masters athletes to medal at National rowing events. Andrew D Smith (N 97) reports that after 20 years in banking, including time in Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo, he is now semi-retired, whilst working part-time with his wife running their own dental practice in Beckenham.

Kate Robinson (Cooke-Priest,W 93) tells me that the family have spent the last year renovating their house in Hampshire, bought at the end of 2022 after a ten year house hunt! The renovations had a fixed timeframe as they’re moving to Bali for a year at the end of July in order for the children (aged 12, 11 and 9) to attend Green School there, where they will learn about climate change, environmental responsibility and entrepreneurship alongside the usual international school curriculum. Kate is not yet sure where the children will go to school on their return, but her nephew is starting in St A in September.

Bruno Noble (N 79) has let me know that having had two novels published by small publishing houses, he embarked upon a creative writing MA at Birkbeck to discover

how to write one that would attract a large publisher! His second novel, The Colletta Cassettes, was picked up and republished by another independent, Inkspot Publishing, in May. It’s set in Italy in 1978 and blends romance and history around the time of the World Cup and the assassination of Aldo Moro.

James Ginns (Sc 87) has continued leading on risk management at a Whitehall-based think tank. He has caught up with James Cannon, Doug Hill (both Sc 87), Richard Tett, Matthew Sargaison, Gavin Allen (all B 87), James Hollands (N 87), Charlie Hammon (Sn 87) and David Cairns (Lx 87). James helps serve dinner monthly at a local church drop-in and has been connected with Ukraine Christian Partnership who provide support in the Kherson region of Ukraine. He is also staying connected with Asia and the airline world via a non- executive role at a Thailand-based customer experience consultancy.

Philip Wilson (Sn 89) continues to work as a theatre director, most recently staging the premiere of In The Mouth of the Wolf, adapted from the story by Michael Morpurgo, at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, and John Van Druten’s The Voice of The Turtle at Jermyn Street Theatre. He is also writing, notably a new version of Cinderella for Chichester Festival Theatre (soon to be published by Nick Hern Books) and an adaptation of Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas for

Chichester this December.

P.J.Kunzler (N 70) with Jovylin visited Agadir in Morocco in February - a bay area with views of the Atlantic. At home in Hampton he has two boats which always require maintenance, as the Thames runs fast during wet spells. He has become adept at removing ethanol from petrol, which clogs up fuel systems.

Hampton Court is ten minutes by boat - a great day out for a family.

Theo Barry (N 82) was awarded the OBE in the 2024 New Year’s Honours, for services to Parliament.

The first woman to present men's Test cricket, Kate Mason (L 06) covered the West Indies and India test matches earlier this year for TNT Sports. She also presented the biggest  Kate Mason (L 06) with Jason Roy and Sir Alastair Cook showing the 'green screen' and what it becomes with chroma keying.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

81

NEWS FROM HOME

Women's Ashes defeat in history. With the men's Ashes to come this winter, hopefully she's not on a roll.

Sophie Palliser (L 10) tells us that Georgina Burrows (L 10) moved to Sydney, Australia where she works as a physiotherapist. Kara Earl (L 10) continues to work as a teacher and has recently had a chapter for an education book approved. Adele

Meads (L 10) is working as a theatre director and recently directed her first play solo. Sebastian Goodall (L 10) is living in New York where he works in FinTech but still makes it back to Oundle every once in a while to see family and friends. Sophie Palliser (Walker L 10) continues to work as a lawyer for Citibank and divides her time between London and

Northamptonshire.

Nick Lucas (Sc 65) my eldest brother Dudley Guy Dunbar Lucas died last year, in hospital, after illness.

He was living in Kalifi, Kenya, with his wife Liz. My elder brother Simon (Sch 62) is still going strong, living with his wife Yoneko in Granada Hills, California, and l am in North London, still collecting militaria.

North East neast@ooclub.co.uk

D

avid Leishman (Sc 65): ‛This is almost certainly the last relating of my doings, since I’m now back in UK from Cape Town and do not intend any longer to indulge the roller-coaster life I’ve had up to now, in and out of Africa, first in government there, then business.Where I’m settled, at Barnard Castle in Co. Durham (of Cummings spectacles infamy) is the nearest thing I have to a family home in UK, and so there’s a certain logic in returning to a locality I know so well. I look forward to seeing any old friends here, at 4 Bridgegate, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8QF. John Archibald Burdon-Cooper (C 55): ‛I am now living in North Yorkshire, but still with links with Scotland. I am still in touch with Iain Smith (C 56) in British Columbia, of nine new boys into the House in September 1951 we calculate only three of us are left. I have recently written a book based round my National Service in the Royal Navy 1956-58, but it includes a few pages about Oundle, including a photo of Crosby winning the Beesley Fours at Wansford Fete! If anyone would like a copy, it is only a private publication so let me know and I can send a few copies at no charge. I am hoping to make another trip to Canada later this year, first for 10 years!

Anthony Collinson (S 59): ‛I attended the OO over 60s lunch in London and met some old boys from my House for the first time since leaving Oundle - Robin Apthorpe (S 59), Philip Hall (S 58) and Timothy Hainsworth (S 58). It was a great

82

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

occasion and I was lucky enough to have a good chat with the Head before lunch. I also had a fishing trip with Roger Marshall (StA 62) on the North Tyne last August.

Raymond Liow (C 86): ‛I had the joy of celebrating my daughter Alice′s wedding at Christ Church Spitalfields in July 2025. This special day was ably assisted by bridesmaid Anneka Shah (L 17) and groomsman Kevin Law (Sc 17). Anneka is enjoying life as a dentist and is presently at Great Ormond Street Hospital along with her uncle, Kar-Binh Ong (C 89), a Consultant Anaesthetist. They are enjoying the rare opportunity of working together. I have now reduced my working hours as an Orthopaedic Surgeon, after 34 years in the NHS. My wife Jane and I are travelling regularly and recent highlights include trips to Antarctica and the Himalayas.

Adrian Waddell (S 77) Adrian’s been helping his sister-in-law run the Ox Inn, Middleton - a tiny late C18th coaching inn, but strangely without accommodation or kitchen - which has been in the family for nearly 100 years. Upgrades are being planned and, in line with his recent promotion to janitor, he describes the establishment’s conveniences as immaculate and choice of ales and other drinks superb! Adrian sees plenty of Charlie Bennett (N 84), Mark Swallow (Sc 77) who occasionally ventures North when eventing with his daughter, Frankie (also OO I think) at the Belsay International Horse Trials and his brother Charles Waddell (S 79) who

continues to supply legal advice including to celebs with threatened driving licences.

Tim Porritt (StA 93) recently enjoyed various sporting pursuits with Dominic Epton (StA 93), George Tinsley (N 93) and Tom Talbot (StA 93) - slightly surprised by our continued athletic ability! I have a daughter (Willa) starting her Oundle journey in Wyatt in September - exciting and scary at the same time.

Charles Waddell (S 79) is still practising Criminal Law, specialising in road traffic, at Singleton Winn Connell Solicitors and teaching law at Durham Constabulary Police Training Centre as an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria University.

He likes the Ox Inn at Middleton when time allows, where brother Adrian (S 77) may be pulling the pints ( see above) Others attending are Charlie Bennett (N 84) and Charlie Hoult (Sc 85).

Nick Rhodes (Sc 02) is busy running NB Rhodes Furniture where we continue to add to our product range, all of which is built in our Yorkshire Workshop and delivered throughout the UK. ‘My son and I visited Thailand last year and met up with Tor (Kittitach Prasertkul) (St A 02), Tar (Supasthien Jotikasthira) (St A 02) and Vikan (Vikan Chirawatpongsa) (C 02) for some food and beverages. I see Ed Stevenson (Sc 02) (and sometimes his family) every now and again when he visits the East Riding of Yorkshire on business and I recently sent a garden chair down to him in Suffolk.ʼ

NEWS FROM HOME

Anthony Hackforth (N 64) writes: ‛Val and I continue with our ambition to visit the capital cities of those countries which, during my time at Oundle (1960-64), were

behind the Iron Curtain and totally inaccessible. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, we visited Prague, Budapest and Warsaw. In 2023 we spent an enjoyable week in the

old part of Latvia’s capital, Riga, followed by a similar period in the old part of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn.

In our sights for the summer of 2025 is Vilnius in Lithuania.

North West ■ Peter Pentecost (StA 73) nwest@ooclub.co.uk

A

drian Brown (G 64) Now retired and living in the UK in North West Cumbria, I have nevertheless done a bit of globetrotting, visiting my country of birth (Uganda) and then Kenya and India. A fascinating visit to Uganda to see – close up – gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the Uganda Rwandan border, and since then to the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Finally a visit to India to fish for mahseer and to try to see tigers in the wild: both thankfully successful.

Peter Collinson (G 70) wonders if people remember exam time at Oundle in the late 1960’s: ‘I found it quite stressful - mainly because I hadn’t revised. Normally one of the Masters would sit at the front of the room with his feet up reading the newspaper. The more conscientious teachers would do

some marking with an occasional stroll round the classroom and stinking of cigarettes. Fast forward to 2025. I have just taken on the role of invigilator at our local school. I am not allowed to do the following: sit down, smoke, stand still, make eye contact with any students, eat, drink - the list is endless. The pupils are allowed comfort breaks whenever they choose and we have to supply calculators, pens, rubbers and rulers. It’s a brave new world out there.’

Edwin John Booth (Sn 73) tells us he ‛remains Chair of our family business and last year welcomed my eldest daughter Emma Booth (N 11) into Booths where she is involved in working to shape the future of our 178 year old enterprise. I have recently become a Trustee of the Eden Project and will help them

with the Eden Project Morecambe development. My Employment Advisory Board (EAB) work continues with the NW prisons which is remarkably fulfilling.’

Mark Yarrow (Lx 81) was delighted to attend the OO Sports weekend. ‛I met up with Christiane Freebairn at the Yarrow Gallery and then watched the rugby, hockey, water polo, fives and golf. I’m still doing freelancing content and copywriting, plus a lot of art as well.

I’m looking forward to meeting up with Peter Pentecost (StA 73) at The Open at Birkdale in 2026.’

Scotland scotland@ooclub.co.uk

J

ames Ringham (N 85) has not a lot to report, but was spurred on in part by talk of a 40-year reunion, it has been good to reminisce with old Berrysteadians Roger Green (Sc 85) (who I see reasonably regularly in Scotland); Jonathan Simpson-Dent (who came to stay for night before a round of golf, which I sadly had to abort); and Gavin Bisdee (StA 85) who was visiting Roger for the weekend. I also bumped into Mark Chatterton (D 85) whilst visiting my father, Chris Ringham’s (N 56) accountant in the East Midlands - small world!

Adrian Grant (N 65) While sales of Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom have gone well, such are the economics that I am yet to recoup advertising, never mind origination, costs. I have donated a copy to Oundle School library. On May 1 2025 my reactivated website: http://www. clangrant.org.uk went live. It′s of niche interest, but the chap who implemented and hosts it has done well. Feedback has been positive.

There are now papers of local Oundle interest on my academia.edu site including one in which I propose that Queen Boadicea was not

Boudica, but rather Buduica (Cassius Dio rather than Tacitus).

Tom Trotter (Ldr 97) : ‘We continue to live in the borders of Scotland, commuting weekly to London. The eldest of our three boys starts at Oundle (StA) in September - how time flies. Occasionally we see Guy ScottPlummer (Ldr 97) who also lives in the Borders, working in Edinburgh and married with three children.’

Peter Dawson (G 74) is still retired, still singing in a male voice choir and still caravanning. He would welcome contact from old friends.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

83

NEWS FROM HOME

South West ■ Tony Parsons (S 65) swest@ooclub.co.uk

G

rateful thanks to all respondents for submitting your news, which I combined into this report during the heatwave of late June/early July. I am also grateful to the editor for granting me a deadline extension as I was holidaying on the Isle of Wight with the MG in late June.

Our first report comes from a new contributor, Michael Thorpe (Lx 87), who married Susanna on 1 June 2024 ably supported by John Thorpe (Lx 56), Roger Thorpe (Lx 93), Richard Wakeford (StA 86), Andrew Crowe (Lx 87) and Bruce Galliford (StA 87).

Michael is enjoying more choice now running a smaller business from home in Wiltshire, having made a business sale exit from regular corporate life in 2023. He spends time with his father John running a cricket club as player, team gatherer, accountant and general ditch clearer. Michael enjoys time with two independent children aged twenty-six and twenty-four, when they are around, and tells us he is in London every Wednesday when he is up for opportune catch ups over coffee or a beer!

It is good to hear again from John Staples (Sc 61) who officially retired in 2007 and moved to Bournemouth.

He is blessed with good health so continues in ministry, currently being temporary Vicar of St Andrew’s, Boscombe, and greatly looks forward to officiating at the marriage of their Mike Thorpe

84

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

son Tim Staples (Sc 86) to Anne at Christchurch Priory on June 27.

Robert Costin (Sn 89) became an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in April in recognition of his contribution to the music profession.

He continues to teach at Sherborne Boys as Head of Academic Music and is now also School Organist.

My near neighbour John Clark (N 67) is in his final year as Chair of Bath Opera. He is directing their summer tour of La Traviata at ten venues in June and July and has lambasted me for prioritising the Lord’s Test over their Wincanton performance!

Once again Rab Peck (S 53) and Clive Boddington (S 54), with Sheena and Cynthia, celebrated the twiceyearly Sidney reunion, gathering in the small Lake District village of Ravonstonedale. As they both approach their ninetieth birthdays, they have known each other for seventy seven years, having first met in Sidney House as thirteen year-olds.

Piers Pepperell (Lx 90) was recently invited to the House of Commons to represent and lobby for Mental Health Swims, a UK charity which supports - with cold water community swims - people with mental health issues. After thirty years building up a large veterinary practice he is re-training as a therapist to work with teenagers. Piers continues to meet with Dom Turner (S 90), Jeremy Paxman (Ldr 90),

Aydon Yeaman (S 90), Jeremy Dutta (Ldr 90) and Jimmy Greenwood (S 90) for their annual big walk, and has now added Ralph Charlton (S 90) to the group. Ralph has joined forces with Dan Burn (Sn 90) to start a NFP championing Trans rights.

Dom Turner has set up a drone flying business and has recently secured a large contract for the United States in Iran. Jeremy Dutta has moved to Cork where he is a nurse and has recently scored the part of Uncle Bulgaria in the local performance of Wombles-the Musical. Piers also reports bumping into Charlie Isaacs (N 90) celebrating the birth of his first grandchild, and attending Dan Anslow’s (S 90) motivational speaking tour of the Scottish Highlands.

Richard Feather (G 79) tells us he is starting to slow down, but only partially! He still masterminds the Academic Dataflows around Wycliffe College, but more often now from home than at the other end of a forty five minute drive from Bristol into the Cotswolds, unless there are exams to assist with, his other smaller responsibility. His choir’s recent performance of Bach’s St John

NEWS FROM HOME

Passion reminded him of a similar performance at Oundle, and he continues to enjoy leading a team in Bible study.

Dr Richard Keith (D 57) remains somewhat anchored as his wife Sian is now bed bound. But they still do Bovril at 0400 to remind themselves of changing watches in their days afloat!

Richard lost a friend, Simon Wood (D 57) who moved from the Berrystead to Dryden at the same time in 1952.

Another near neighbour, Nigel Engert (G 67), recalls with pleasure the annual meeting for a pub lunch with our small group of near contemporary OOs living in SE Somerset, thanks to our hardworking local correspondent Tony Parsons (S 65) – his words, not mine! Nigel also enjoys attending Bath Opera’s performances, managed by one of our number John Clark (N 67), and remains in regular touch with George Marshall and Richard Peaver (both G 67).

Tim Chater (C 84) tells us that Justin Pepperell (Lx 84) generously hosted a forty year anniversary gathering of the 1984 Oundle rowing V111 at Henley last year. In spite of being a member of that year’s cricket X1, with limited knowledge of rowing, Tim was delighted to accept Justin’s invitation and says they all had a cracking day out!

Rod Alexander (Sc 61) has maintained his links with Oundle in different ways during the year, not least the lunches, where he particularly enjoys the continuation of the Gavin Choyce (N 62) inspired Sunshine Club December lunch at the RAC Club. He once again visited

Oundle for the Amps Autumn Wine Festival, but says his greatest link has been in joining the military history tours. In the wake of the OO Society tours have come excellent small ones run by mother of three OOs, Alison Astley-Arlington. Since the last magazine, the group has covered two thousand miles in France at numerous French Resistance sites. Together with Alison, and another OO mother Sue Reams, it included Harry Williamson (StA 55), Jay Colson (Ldr 65), Jem Bolland (D 79) and Nick Bailey (Sn 80). Outside Oundle, Rod is still involved with village cricket, mostly as groundsman and umpire, though this year he did have the unexpected pleasure of captaining its touring side at the lovely Tipton St John ground alongside the River Otter in South Devon. A happy finale to nearly eighty years of cricket.

One of our reliable contributors, Olivia Gross (D 03), is currently completing her Horticultural qualification at Bicton College and hopes to start working freelance in the Exeter/Honiton area from September onwards. She was delighted to see Philippa Rivero Bosch (D 03), Vicky Sutton (W 03), Merrik Baggallay (S 00) and Tom Clabburn (S 03) at her surprise fortieth birthday at the Farmers Club in February. Olivia also had a lovely time with Ebony Ford (D 03) at the London dinner at Grocers’ Hall in November. Your correspondent enjoyed a chat with them after the dinner, although our considerable age gap meant that the seating plan had put us far apart.

Michael Whittall (Ldr 55), having moved from the Midlands twenty five

years ago, is still enjoying Cornwall although mobility continues to restrict his activities. He regrets leaving Cornwall rarely and no longer being in touch with local OOs. He still manages some limited gardening on hands and knees! and continues to sing with the Roseland Churches Choir.

New to the region is Richard Ward (B 73) who married Lois Shilton in Bath on 19 December 2024. He is enjoying life in Bath and, since early last year, in London, for both work and leisure.

Another regular contributor is Hugh Brass (D 67) - it must run in the family! He thought his extensive building works were coming to a close until discovering asbestos above some windows that were being replaced, and a bee encampment above the drawing room ceiling, both causing expense and disruption. Hugh reports another grandchild; meeting numerous OOs especially at three OO lunches; and their usual winter and summer visits to Switzerland.

I conclude with the reliably comprehensive contribution from Quentin Haigh (N 73) who, in August, visited his brother Peter Haigh (N 71) in Leek to attend a friend’s seventieth birthday party.

Sadly Martin Van-de-Wiel (N 71) was unable to join them. Peter made a return visit to Cornwall in November when they enjoyed visiting the Mossley Museum in Redruth. Quentin enjoyed both the London OO dinner at Grocers’ Hall in November and the over 60s lunch at the Travellers Club in March where he caught up with Neil Campbell (N 71), John Le Bosquet (N 70), George Duncan (D 72), Alfred Rose (B 74) and Peter Halliwell (N 76).

His musical interests were satisfied by a June visit to brother Peter to hear a concert given by the Phoenix Singers, then onto Bridgnorth for the English Haydn Festival. On Saturday 14 June he enjoyed a performance of Symphony 104 The London, and later met up with Philip Douglas (B 78). The penultimate concert on Sunday 15 was an organ recital by Northamptonshire organist Ian Clarke. This was followed by a

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

85

NEWS FROM HOME

performance of The Creation which brought the festival to a close.

Quentin satisfies his other interest by still working three days a week at Kernow Model Rail Centre.

Michael Downes ( Hon OO ) writes: ‘I dabble in protecting Budleigh Salterton’s Victorian heritage and protesting about destruction of the countryside by developers. Anthea and I are happily, perhaps eccentrically busy, especially in the garden, and currently preparing to welcome Karen Scalia, an actress and writer who runs Salem Food Tours in Massachusetts, coming to gather material for the Salem 400+ celebrations in 2026. My poem - below - is apparently being set to 17th century style music by a Salem composer.

East Budleigh’s Scarecrow Festival on 7/8 June saw a figure from the distant past. Born in the village over four centuries ago, a generation later than its better known Sir Walter Raleigh, Roger Conant was very different from Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite courtier. Sailing across the Atlantic to America in around 1623, he founded the Massachusetts city of Salem. Today, he is seen as a more modest and peace-loving character than many of the country’s European pioneers. And so, ‘Roger Conant’, aka former Sanderson Fellow Michael Downes, in 17th century costume presided over the Festival′s Duck Race, now named after him.

Visitors to Salem in America are struck by the sight of Conant’s statue with its tall hat and long cloak,

unfortunately sited next to the Witch Museum. Understandably they think that the city’s founder must have dabbled in the black arts. Some of East Budleigh’s visitors probably thought the same. So ‘Roger Conant’ was keen to tell his own story. He voiced his concerns about the present state of an America which sees him as one of its Founding Fathers. All Saints’ Church in East Budleigh has a painting ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ of the scene in 1625 which shows the confrontation between Roger Conant and Captain Myles Standish. Beside the village brook at the start of the Duck Race, ‘Roger’ addressed the crowds, revealing his role as a peacemaker in troubled times: The Salter’s Song In sixteen hundred and twenty-three, A yeoman’s son from East Budleigh Did wish his family ‘Au revoir!

I’m off to find America.’

In London town he’d learnt his trade: As salter he had made the grade.

Now Roger Conant was his name; We think he needs a bit more fame...

For the whole thing, which ends ...

So Roger Conant, worthy chap, Deserves, we feel, a special clap.

These verses do indeed attest: ‘Peacemakers are most surely blest.’ please go to https://downesmichael. blogspot.com/2025/06/apeacemaker-for-troubled-times.html

Peter Brown (Sn 53) tells us that his son, Nicholas Brown (StA 78), Apothecary to the Queen, has been awarded a Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Your correspondent Tony Parsons (S 65) met study-mate Norman Macfarlane (S 65) at Lord’s last year, only our third meeting since leaving school, so a lot to catch up on. In November I gathered for our annual local lunch with John Allwood (Ldr 70), Nigel Engert (G 67) and Richard Habershon (Ldr 71). I also enjoyed the usual reunions at the London Dinner at Grocers’ Hall and the over 60s lunch at the Travellers Club. In April Hilary and I took the Eurostar to Paris where we joined friends for a few days in perfect spring weather to see the beautifully restored Notre Dame Cathedral. A sad occasion was then attending the Memorial Service in Bridport in early May of Chris Walliker (D 54), my predecessor as Southwest correspondent. It was poignant that his death just preceded the 1945-1956, Gus Stainforth era gathering at Oundle which Chris had initiated. In closing, I owe an apology (on behalf of myself and our editor) to my contemporary Malcolm Watson (D 66) for missing one l in his Christian name and the apostrophe in Lord’s in last year’s magazine. But I hope to repair the damage soon by buying him a pint at the India Test Match!

The Weald ■ Peter Owen (Lx 63) weald@ooclub.co.uk

J

eremy Westhead (B 94) writes: ‛I continue as the Treasurer of a national charity - Family Rights Group - helping families and kinship carers as they grapple with the family justice system and social services. It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a parliamentary reception where the Secretary of State

86

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

praised its work, and a dinner at Lincoln’s Inn where a former President of the Supreme Court and the current President of the Family Division did likewise.

James Chrismas (N 74) reports that ‛after 15 years of chronic migraine, my life has been turned round by a new drug. I have been able to buy and, over the past 18 months, renovate a

classic 10mtr gentleman′s launch. Loch Lomond is now based in Cowes where I live. I shall be enjoying her this year

NEWS FROM HOME

Loch Lomond sets off to follow the Tuesday evening racing at Cowes.

in the Solent area and using her as a committee boat for local clubs.

Ian Burns (Sc 58) has received an MBE. Since retiring from the oil industry, he has been active in prisoner welfare, amateur dramatics, as a church secretary and with the parish magazine, and running a walking group. Married for 60 years to Roz, they have six grand children and one great grandchild.

Hamish Donaldson (Ldr 54) writes: the most significant happening in my family was the death of my brother Malcolm Donaldson (Ldr 1967) from cancer. Malcolm was a distinguished endocrinologist and paediatrician who was astonishingly good at music.

His contemporaries in Laundimer remember that after listening to Top of the Pops he could play, on the piano, any tune in any key. He was married to Julia Donaldson (of Gruffalo fame) and took part in all her concerts including those at the Edinburgh Fringe and locally in the Haslemere Festival. As I am 89, I have started to step back from running Haslemere Festival after 21 years and am handing over to a talented successor. But this last year I still had time to help organise Haslemere’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations - including a

Malcolm (Ldr 67), Julia and Hamish (Ldr 54) Donaldson

full size replica Spitfire on the Green with Glen Miller style bands.

Robert (Bob) H Barnes (Sn 55) tells us: ‛ I moved to Southsea three years ago and am now helping the Hants & IOW Wildlife Trust on Solent seagrass restoration. Although familiar with tides and seawater, I found Ian Hepburn’s 1952 book Flowers of the Coast an excellent text for the biology of seagrass (zostera marina): it converts CO2 to oxygen by underwater photosynthesis. I lunch occasionally with Arthur Mathisen (Sn 56) and our wives. I also play the fiddle in Portsmouth Light Orchestra.

John Richardson (StA 61) writes: ‛Since retiring from international tour leading last year at the age of 81, I have been reflecting on the positive effects on my life that the Dudgeon Venture Awards gave me.

In 1959 Humphry Mather (StA 60) and I walked halfway across Spain following the route of Sir John Moore’s Army to Corunna in 1808/9. In 1961 I took other Oundle schoolboys to do biological surveys of two uninhabited Scottish islands. Later, when taking war widows to Italy to find their husbands’ graves, I went to find Patrick Dudgeon’s grave in Florence to pay my respects to a very brave man and to me an inspiration.

The message on the gravestone was “Murdered by the Germans”. This year I went to Oundle to find out if there was still any money left from the initial award fund. It is still active and is still inspiring Oundle pupils, but it will need extra funds over the next couple of years to continue to do so. If you think that the Dudgeon Venture has changed or benefitted your life as it has mine, please do send the fund a donation, or remember it in your will.

Suzanne Korff (Owen K 00) is still enjoying life in the New Forest with her family: husband Alexander, children Max, Audrey, Astrid and Zara plus two dogs, Keats and Wordsworth. Still working at Princess Cruises as Director of Marketing & Communications, in her spare time she has rekindled her love for horseriding thanks to Audrey and Astrid - when not travelling with work. Max is joining the Berrystead in September 2025.

Peter Owen (Lx 63), married to Marianne, continues to enjoy retirement which includes grandchildren (see Suzanne’s children, above) and house sitting, as well as cruising, singing and organ visits and recitals. Over the past year, cruising was in January from/to Singapore visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia. A more leisurely itinerary was in June to the Norwegian fjords.

Singing continues in the New Forest in St Johns, Boldre, together with a week in Wells Cathedral in late July with the visiting choir Cantemus cum Spiritus.

David Owen (F 03) is still residing in Abu Dhabi with Roxy and their family. He continues to fly around the world for Etihad Airways as an A350 captain.

David Meredith (Lx 78) has been busy. In between grandparenting duties, he has continued running his firm of Chartered Accountants in Tenterden, and has managed to fit in plenty of golf, whilst also enjoying the occasional fly-fishing trip and the annual carp week in France in August.

He has also enjoyed his reporting accountant duties for the OO Club and is a regular at the Committee meetings. Eldest son, Harry Meredith (F 11) and Megan have been adjusting to life with four children at their home near Guildford: Mila (7¾) is doing well at school and Noah (4½) will be joining her in September. Twins, Ella and Luca (aged 15 months) are becoming rather more mobile, and starting to represent double trouble.

Harry gets a break from time to time, having secured a new job with Sky last July, where he works as a data engineer. Harry performed joint best man duties for his old room-mate,

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

87

NEWS FROM HOME

Digby Morse (F 11) at his wedding last year. David’s younger son, Will Meredith (F 14) has continued to work as a paraplanner with a firm of independent financial advisors in Maidstone. As well as playing golf with his father and brother reasonably frequently, Will continues to play cricket for the Kent-based travelling side, Band of Brothers.

He keeps in touch with several of his contemporaries and attended an informal Fisher 2014 leavers’ reunion in London last year. Among others, James Campbell (F 14), Alexander (AJ) Johnson (F 14), Ben Richmond (G 14) and Jake Walker (F 14) were present. Will recently visited Miles Beney (S 14) in London, and is also in regular contact with Ashley Cuthbert (S 14).

David’s cousin, Col (Retd) William English, CBE (Lx 80) lives just a mile away at Westbery Manor, Kent and continues to set his business environment in preparation for initiation of his brewing and distilling enterprise. William is an independent non-executive Director and Board advisor. His wife, Frances, is the Registered manager of Veteran Assisted Living at the Royal British Legion Industries facilities west of Maidstone. David has exchanged emails with Jeremy Sankey (Lx 78) who continues to live in Melbourne, and is in his sixth year working as an advertising and market research consultant. The challenge is using his experience to add value and keep one step ahead of the AI. Jes reports that 2025 is a good year to be in Australia with the coming Lions tour and the Ashes later in the year. And Oasis, apparently! Jes is looking forward to

all of them. His children are still doing well at school: Jack is now in his final year, so it all gets serious from here.

Alana is still focused on studies but balances this with sport, playing for representative netball and basketball sides. Overall, it’s been a bit of rinse and repeat year!

Richard Kemsley (C 78) and David have been in contact. Since retiring from telecoms agency work (a decision he does not regret, as it had become very pressurised), he has been trying to sort out his late father’s estate but is frustrated by how long some things take. His year has really been dominated by assisting his daughter, Julia, with making her choices for further education and A levels. She is a very talented drummer, and in June 2024 attended a summer school in Berklee College, Boston MA and loved it. They travelled around the various UK music colleges, but none compared. She applied to Berklee and Royal Northern College of Music (who only take six drummers each year) and received offers from both. After careful deliberation she chose Berklee, so they have been busy sorting out what she needs – a Student Visa being the first hurdle.

David also had a phone call with Paul Barrett (Lx 78) recently: Paul continues to head up the family motor dealership, Barretts of Canterbury.

David has also seen Andrew Pincott (Lx 78) and Jo, and has briefly caught up with Richard Piper (Lx 66).

John Williams (StA 62) reports that ‘St Anthony Weald Walkers Bev Boag (StA 60), Roland Fairfield (StA 60), John Richardson (StA 61), Martin Boag (StA 62), John Templeton (honorary) and John Williams visiting

West Midlands ■ Simon Stephen (Lx 97) midlands@ooclub.co.uk

M

ark Glossop (D 54) meets Johnny Crabbe (G 55) regularly in a small investment club - which is still thriving after more than 25 years. Mark has just retired from organising the volunteer-

88

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

rowed Cathedral Ferry in Worcester ‘which I was involved in starting in 1983. Since then we have given over £20,000 to local causes. The service is still running on summer weekend afternoons, still using the original

from Israel continue their threehour pub-coffee-to-lunch walks in the glorious South. Each of us are ‛managingʼ -- as in -MAN AGEING! - and keeps his chat to just one organ during each walk!ʼ Frank Anthony Wright (B 64) enjoyed meeting up in April this year with John Story (B 65) and John Robertson (B 65) for lunch at the Portrait Restaurant in London as we had been unable to attend the London OO Over 60s lunch in March: ‛I raised the bar somewhat by wearing my (new) OO tie! On a personal note I′m still motorcycling regularly and have just returned from a very hot (35C) but enjoyable trip to Luxembourg and Germany.ʼ Timothy Bass (N 74) retired on 4 July 2024 after 48 years in Aviation Insurance ( 42 years with AJ Gallagher Aviation ) and is now enjoying retirement living with Theresa in Faversham. He is working as a volunteer locally for Oxfam handling front of house duties.

Michael Pringle (C 75) says ‘On the 50th anniversary of leaving the school I have recently holidayed in the Dordogne with D G Kidd (Sc 72), sailed in the Solent with R Foster (G 81) and played golf with E Pickard (G 82) and in June attended the wedding celebration of my niece Pippa Graves (K 16). We are now up to seven grandchildren!’

William Robinson (G 92) (Late Royal Engineers) writes to say that he changed jobs last year, moving from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps to become the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Land Warfare Centre and ‘settling the family into our own house in Andover.’

NEWS FROM HOME

wooden boat and is, we think, the only such ferry on the Severn, and perhaps the only one in the country! Well worth a visit.’

Peter Haigh (N 71) writes to tell us he lost his wife, Jane, two and a half years ago, having been married for 45 years: ‛I have now adjusted to life on my own in my house in Leek and even enjoy cooking properly rather than relying on convenience foodsʼ, he says. I′ve re-joined the Phoenix Singers choir after a break of 30 years and am thoroughly enjoying it having just taken part in a concert singing Poulenc′s Gloria and the New

 Left: Lance Ashworth (G 82) and Richard Matthews (D 66) saw England score 400 in the May ODI vs W.Indies at Edgbaston’

Gloria which is an amended version of Vivaldi′s Gloria written by our musical director Ashley Thompson.

I have started practising classical piano again and enjoy playing

Beethoven piano sonatas along with playing improvised Rock’n’Roll and Blues music. I have a large garden with a couple of greenhouses, vegetable beds, an orchard and many ornamental borders which takes up quite a bit of my time at this time of year. My brother Quentin Haigh (N 73) who now lives in Cornwall, came up to visit recently. I also stay in touch with Martin Van de Wiel (N 71)’

Wales ■ Peter Moore (Ldr 88) swales@ooclub.co.uk

P

eter Moore (Ldr 88) has had a busy work year, which has taken him to some interesting (if you’re a material scientist) and varied places. The more far flung include giving expert evidence in the Federal Court of Western Australia over six days and working in the wet season in Northern Australia, something which redefined what hot and humid means. Closer to the UK, the welding of ships and other large structures has been a prevailing technical theme. On a note somewhere between work and pleasure I enjoyed driving from Wales to Lillehammer, including a ferry from Kiel to Oslo, which I would recommend to everyone. At home I continue to be the embarrassing Englishman who turns up to a Welsh rugby club in the ‘wrong’

top, but they continue to put up with me for the services I give as a first aider.

I continue my annual sailing trips with a large group of people including Peter Gilman (D 88); what began as a one off trip 25 years ago has now become an institution!

David Jackman (S 79) writes that he is still living very contentedly in the Brecon Beacons ... on the side of the Black Mountains, with the lovely Andrea, faithful (?!) dog Lina and a dozen chickens and rabbits - very much The Good Life - home-grown food, solar panels, heat-pump, electric car ... the lot.

We′re truly blessed that our five children and two grandchildren all live within easy travelling distance so we see them regularly. I started a small machinery repair business three years ago, to

keep me occupied and provide a small income and to keep my hand in with those valuable practical engineering skills that I first learned in the Oundle workshops all those years ago. I′ve also recently taken on the building of a lightweight 3-wheel special project car based around a 1930 Coventry Victor engine, so watch out for me tearing around the Welsh country lanes at some point in the near future - if I can get it registered for the roads!

Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire ■ Tim Waring (Ldr 76) syorks@ooclub.co.uk

M

ichael Oakley (Lx 62) tells us that his health has been a little troublesome in the last year as ‛I suffered heart failure

which the NHS treated extremely well and I am now back to good health - just keep taking the pills! My wife then suffered a minor stroke

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

89

NEWS FROM HOME

but is now very much better and like me is taking the pills ! In a rash moment we agreed last spring to sell our house in North Yorkshire and move nearer to two of our children in Wiltshire. We sold in two days and then found a very nice bungalow in the south west, only to find 16 weeks later and before contracts were exchanged that we needed to spend over £50 grand on it. To cut a long story short, we abandoned all plans to move south. We remain in North Yorkshire and our three children have been wonderfully supportive. Our son William (Lx 92) is now living back in England very close to Oundle and their youngest daughter Alice has all but finished her first year in Scott House and is due to enter Kirkeby in September. She is thriving at Oundle and loves her rowing which with long levers and being tall for her age pulls her boat very well. William at the moment is commuting from Cameron House by Loch Lomond where he is MD. I see from time to time my oldest friend Iain Laird (Lx 62) as he lives close to my younger daughter, Fenella Farrand (Sn 22) who has just completed her second year at Durham University. Her brother Guy Farrand (B 20) has graduated from the RAC and awaits entrance into the army.

He is currently helping to run an outward bound school in Shropshire.

This followed four months working on a banana growing farm in Zambia.

My family very kindly organised my 80th birthday dinner last October and prior to the dinner we watched the 1st XV playing Stowe on the 2 acre.

We had our photo taken showing five Oundelians.

90

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

After a notable absence last year, Edward Waterson (S 69) has returned with gusto providing a comprehensive report on his meetings with various OOs. Edwards lives in a lovely town house near the river in central York that I was privileged to see earlier this year when we met for a very convivial lunch. He reports meeting a gaggle of OOs at the William Laxton Society lunch held at Oundle in April. Edward is currently working on a book about the Edwardian Arts and Crafts architect Walter Brierley, following a series of fascinating books in years past chronicling the Lost Houses of the various Ridings of Yorkshire.

Edward also lent Oundle School archivist Eslpeth Langsdale albums which belonged to his great aunt Violet, sister of his grandfather Geoffrey Watt (D 1908). Previously unknown photographs including Oundle’s celebrations on the relief of Mafeking had been sent to her by an admirer at the school. Elspeth identified the likely beau as the earliest OO to get a mention this year, John Fisher (D 1900).

Keeping it in the family, Edward's nephew George Raines (S 20) completed his time at The University of Reading and is currently working in the care sector in Malton near York.

Simon White (S 69) lives near Manchester Airport and kindly provided Edward with B&B prior to a flight to Italy. His formidable collection of electric guitars includes one used by the Rolling Stones ….

Rock on Simon!

No year would now be complete without the annual reunion of Sidney

Study Ten’s Edward Waterson, John Hyde (S 70) and Phil Cartwright (S 69). October 2024 found them in the Yorkshire Dales trying to behave themselves with difficulty.

John continues to run a successful engineering business, despite the exhortations of his study mates to consider retirement. Meanwhile Philip is seriously in love with his bespoke Land Rover.

Andrew Williamson (G 87) has been over for supper at Edward’s house, where much of the garden has been planted with prize specimens from Andrew’s wonderful Vertigrow nursery near York.

Edward’s former best man, close friend, and Carter Jonas business partner John Granger (G 71) and the irrepressible Tim continue their social whirl based in Barrington, near Cambridge, though Tim has been spending time in Australia sorting out family affairs.

Simon Redfern (Sc 75) who many will remember as the OO Magazine editor for many years has taken the next step towards retirement by leaving his last contracted job, but is still doing some freelance work for UEFA's UK media liaison officer, which he plans to continue until the Euros in 2028. As an alternative, Simon has started volunteering at a local vineyard in North Yorkshire, and reporting it to be a lot of fun!

Another regular contributor Michael Brook (Sn 71) has seen, or met, several OOs in recent months including at a wedding in Berkshire, his niece Sophie Farquharson (D 08) and John Briscoe (B 13). Then on three occasions in fairly quick succession, and after a hiatus of 54 years, he had lunch with Jem Wade (B 70) [whose son George lives near Thirsk and, although he has had to contend with an on-going extremely challenging health issue, George completed the 2025 London Marathon In the shooting field, it was good to see Andrew Gloag (Sn 81), James Stuart-Mills (Sc 85) and Max Cope (G 15). Max runs the superb shooting facility at Thimbleby near Thirsk and suffers manfully from a near inability to miss anything he shoots at. Lastly, Michael met Brian Bowser (Sn 71)

NEWS FROM HOME

for lunch in April at Newark. On a different note, after plugging Oundle hard to his new near neighbours, there is a very real risk that they will be putting their 2 sons and a daughter down for our alma mater, having participated in an open day, hosted by the School Head recently.

Ian Lane (Ldr 77) reports it has been a busy 2 years with the Lane family having sold their last 2 manufacturing businesses after over 6 decades of being in the steel sector. When the new owners told Ian he was to be CEO, he had not quite realized this was as Chief Entertainments Officer! He reports having a bit more time off now and had his first ever 3 week holiday in the Balerics earlier this year. On top of that, he has moved house with a 9 month rental wait, and advises they will not be moving again it seems!

He has also taken on the rewarding role of Guardianship to godson Edmund Hinchliffe, whose father Robert Hinchliffe (G 76) sadly passed away seven years ago. Ian tends to catch up with OO chums at Lords, Twickenham and the OO sports lunch at Queens, in addition to a Yorkshire contingent including the everexuberant Richard Ellis (Sn 86). He is still working in the family business alongside Tom Ellis (Sn 91). Daughter Isobel Ellis (Sn 14) gave birth to first grandchild Albert in February who despite being in London is proving to a great bundle of fun when they meet up. Richard ticked off a bucket list item last autumn when fortunate to complete in the ARC+ transatlantic yacht race – describing it as a great experience in many different ways.

He is still shooting and drinking with the usual OO fraternity in the North including Ian Lane and Mike Haigh (Sc 87) amongst others.

Robin Johnson (St A 81) reports regularly see the likes of Jonathan Turner (S 84) and Nigel Ward (Sc 79) and last year played golf with Bill Simms (C 81) with plans to catch up with James Hepworth (St A 81) over the summer. Professionally Robin remains at solicitors Eversheds Sutherland whilst stepping back from various management roles.

My son and co-correspondent

Chris Waring (Ldr 12 ) is clearly committed to life in London, and now engaged. However my future daughter-in-law Lucy may herald from Kent but has been convinced Yorkshire is the right location for their wedding in September next year. Chris is now Global Strategist at Lions Advisory, Chris reminds me attendance at the Cannes Lions International Creativity Festival is mandatory.

He has seen a raft of fellow 2012 cohort OOs this summer most notably at the (very warm) Madrid wedding of barrister Oli Jackson (Ldr 12) including Guy Sargent (C 12) who is developing his career in computer gaming, scientist Charlie Dowell (B 12), and medics Abbas See (Ldr 12) and Ethan Tamlyn (F 12).

Abbas is an orthopaedic surgeon, and Ethan (now known is Ethan Maltby) is a Clinical Teaching Fellow and continues to volunteer with Oundle Mencap every year. He and wife

Alison are expecting their first baby this autumn. Chris and Oli together with Max Monteith (Ldr 12) attended the wedding of Luke Templeman (Ldr 12) ahead of accountant Luke returning to Bermuda to join his family’s high-profile involvement in the island’s hospitality industry. Chris was also an enthusiastic supporter of James Robson (Ldr 12) at the 2025 Boat Race with James in the winning boat, as well as being in the GB Rowing Team, with wedding bells also beckoning this autumn for James and fiancée Lulu this autumn.

And talking of weddings, my son was also my best man when Jacqui and I married last November with a service at St Gregory’s Minster followed by a reception at The Pheasant Hotel at Harome in North Yorkshire. Unfortunately, Mark Mackaness (C 70) was unable to attend as he and wife Jan were on their annual long-haul travels, but they did kindly find time to

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

91

NEWS FROM HOME

message their best wishes on the day, from Bhutan airport of all places.

Professionally I am enjoying being part of the rapid expansion of property consultants GSC Grays which now has 9 offices across the North of England, and where I lead the Prime Residential Agency team.

It is a pleasure to report that James Hunt (Sc 12) and Fenella had a baby boy in October 2024, and Francesca Smith (K 11) and Daniel Mills-Smith had a baby daughter in May 2025.

Alex Kemp (S 97) is running his

Opticians The Eye Place which now has practices from Hull down to London, also now offering Audiology services. They sponsor the Chatsworth 10K every September which supports Blyth House Hospice, but no OOs have yet been spotted at the event!

At home his boys are now 8, 6 and the twins 4 and they are all enjoying life in Sheffield. He caught up with Peter Byworth, Karis Abas (both StA 97) and Rick Byworth (StA 94) at Peter and Rick’s brother’s wedding in Marylebone. In his first year at

the University of Sheffield, Maxim Kondratyev (S 24) joined the amateur rocketry team Project Sunride, which designed and launched a two-stage solid motor rocket named Karman Charlie in the Mojave Desert in California, attempting to break the UK altitude record they'd held for five years. ‘The second stage failed to ignite due to a manufacturing defect,’ he says, ‘however, the process of travelling across the world to launch a rocket in the desert was unforgettable and something I'd want to repeat.’

Old Oundelian Lodge ■ Iain Wadie (Sn 87) Secretary secretary.ool5682@gmail.com

O

ur masonic year began with encouraging news: London’s Air Ambulance Appeal reached its ambitious £15 million target to fund two new helicopters.

London Freemasons contributed a significant fifth of the total, and The Old Oundelian Lodge was proud to receive a bronze certificate for our contributions. You can see a short video celebrating the occasion by the head of London Freemasons at RAF Northolt on the launch day with Prince William here. Freemasons come from all walks of life in London, as in the UK and in the 190 countries across which it is spread.

This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when individuals and lodges unite behind a shared goal - saving lives across our capital.

Michael Sandel, political philosopher

92

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

at Harvard University, in a recent podcast suggests that one of the reasons for the rise of right wing popularism is disenfranchisement and to counter this we need places where people from different walks of life can mix and contribute.

Freemasonry is one such place.

Within the Lodge, we enjoyed a strong programme of meetings, filled with tradition, ceremony, and friendship. At our first gathering of the year, our Metropolitan Grand Inspector joined us as Howard Allen installed Graham Solari as Worshipful Master for his second term. The ceremony, led by Director of Ceremonies Philip de Voil, was followed by a fine curry in Covent Garden. We always send flowers to widows of former members of the lodge at Christmas and we received

some lovely thank-you letters in return, sharing their news. February saw us welcome Robin Reynolds (Lx 58) into the Lodge. In March, investitures saw our own Geoff Woolsey-Brown receive London Grand Rank to go with his existing Norfolk Provincial Honours and Philip de Voil receive Senior London Grand Rank on being appointed as Metropolitan Senior Grand Deacon.

A few of us celebrated with Philip

NEWS FROM HOME

 Old Oundelian Lodge Worshipful Master, Graham Solari (G 65) with his wife Maggie together with friends from the Old Marlburian Lodge at the PSLC Festival at Shrewsbury School

and about 500 other masons, family and friends in the Connaught Rooms next to Freemasons Hall. In April we advanced our recent joiner in his second ceremony. That evening concluded with an elegant dinner in the newly refurbished boardroom at Freemasons Hall, surrounded by portraits of the great and good of Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a very sociable activity!

Freemasons Hall, a Grade II* listed Art Deco building and a memorial to masons who died in both World Wars, is open to the public and well worth a visit. There’s a museum, shop, and café, with organised tours available via ugle.org.uk. Visitors will find portraits of Freemasons past and present— scientists, suffragettes, statesmen, and soldiers.

Throughout the year, the Lodge continued its commitment to charity.

As our ritual reminds us, we are instructed in “the active principles of universal beneficence and charity.”

This year, we donated £1,000 to both LOROS (a hospice in Leicester) and Lifelites (a charity supporting children in hospice care), and £500 each to Oundle Community First Responders and Oundle MENCAP Holiday. We also supported a bursary at Christ’s Hospital School via the Public Schools Lodges Council (PSLC), helping to provide transformative education for children from less advantaged backgrounds. In recognition, Julian Soper, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master, was appointed an honorary

governor of the school.

The PSLC Festival, held this year at Shrewsbury School and hosted by the Old Salopian Lodge, was a true highlight. Over 140 guests attended from lodges linked to public schools across the country. The day began with a warm welcome from the Headmaster, followed by a historical talk, chapel service, and a superb lunch. Guests explored the school’s grounds, libraries, boathouse, and even took part in a friendly game of Fives. The Chapel service, led

by Revd Dr Simon Thorn, offered a moment of reflection and purpose.

Drawing on readings from Isaiah and 1 Peter, he reminded us that Freemasonry is about more than heritage - it is about building. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,” he said, urging us to be builders in our generation, committed to truth, goodness, and justice. Referencing Cyril Alington, former headmaster of both Shrewsbury and Eton, Thorn called on us to “carry forward the light of those who came before us,” and to raise “new towers of faithfulness” in a world in need of moral courage.

The day concluded with heartfelt thanks to the staff and pupils, whose warmth, hospitality, and pride in their school made it a Festival to remember. With the baton returning to Shrewsbury in 2052 It was a timely reminder of how enduring values can be passed down, stone by stone, generation by generation.

I am pleased to say we have had some interest in women’s freemasonry and I have facilitated the connections. I hope from this and the small beginnings I have shared previously we might one day be able to create a women’s public schools lodge in London. Please do contact me if you are interested, secretary. ool5682@gmail.com.

Our members include Kenneth Siu (Sc 08) Sandy Rowell (C 04) Peter Seebohm (Sc 02) Rob Shaw (S 92) Chris Tovey (Sc 91) Iain Wadie (Sn 87) Philip de Voil (G86) Dom Vincent (Lx 82) Nigel Harley (G 80) Howard Allen (Sn 75) Nigel Hewitt (B 75) Peter Hotchin (B 72) Geoffrey Woolsey-Brown (Lx 66) Graham Solari (G 65) Charles Kilner (StA 59 Michael Hammon (Sn 56) Michael Turnbull (Sc 55) Paul Newsome (StA 55) David Thorpe (Ldr 53) and Bill Whittall (Ldr 52). We have received news of the death of Kevin Chawner (B 47) He was 96 - a Past Province Grand Master of Staffordshire.

Freemasonry’s timeless principles—Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service—continue to guide us. We return to Lodge in the autumn, inspired by the past year and ready to build anew; perhaps with a talk on the origins of Freemasonry in the Reformation, the first lodge apparently approved by King Henry VIII! Freemasons are welcome to attend. Non-freemasons are welcome to join us. Please reach out to me at secretary.ool5682@gmail.com.

United Grand Lodge holds a couple of “Welcome to Freemasonry” days a year at Freemasons Hall in London, one of them usually on a Saturday in January. If you would like to learn more, tour Freemasons Hall and look at the museum and library, then please contact me Useful links: www.oundelianfreemasons.org, https://www.londonmasons.org.uk/, https://www.ugle.org.uk/ https://www.owf.org.uk/, https:// hfaf.org/

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

93

NEWS FROM ABROAD

Africa, Australia and New Zealand E:africa@ooclub.co.uk australia@ooclub.co.uk ■ Charles Salem (C 78)

O

ur sole contributor this year, Rupert Elderkin (N 94), still lives and works in Arusha, Tanzania, with his wife and three young sons. “We may have another year or so here,’’ he says, “but ongoing employment at the UN’s Tribunal for the Rwandan genocide is uncertain with major budget cuts underway. Away from the office, we continue to explore this beautiful country and have half a plan to take a long family road-trip down to the Cape, when we finally leave.”

Stuart Elderkin (N 94). Still living and working in Arusha (Tanzania) with my wife and three young sons.

We may have another year or so here, but ongoing employment at the UN’s tribunal for the Rwandan genocide is uncertain with major budget cuts underway. Away from the office we continue to explore this beautiful country and have half a plan to take a long family road-trip down to the Cape when we finally leave.

I do encourage you all to send in news as your fellow OOs are always interested, across the globe, especially those from the same House and year group. I look forward to hearing from more of you next year.

Stuart Elliott (Lx 68). Keeping busy, on our rural property outside Byron Bay, warding off snakes, wallabies and possums. Otherwise trying to stay youngish whilst enjoying pickleball, cycling and croquet. Still skiing the Dolomites every year and visiting my son in Edinburgh.

David Ching (C 82) writes that he and his wife Di have been refurbing a house on Waiheke, a beautiful island full of gorgeous beaches and fabulous wineries, and only a 30 minute ferry ride from Auckland City. He is still playing hockey, albeit semi-competitively, and loving life

94

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

australia@ooclub.co.uk

trail-running ultra-marathons in some of New Zealand’s magnificent scenery. “I would be happy to host any OO visiting our lovely country,” he says.

Turning 90 in September and “now living in a very good retirement village, called ‘Northbridge’ just north of Auckland,” John Seiffert (D 54) and Heather are both in fine fettle.

“Sadly, I am no longer in the metrology nor machine tool world.

I miss that activity very much.” To keep himself reasonably sane, he does jigsaw puzzles, reads poetry (in no less than three languages, if you please) and travels within New Zealand as much as possible. “I just had an email link with my old study mate, Mark Glossop (D 54), famous for his work on the ferry in Worcester, as well as John Winder (StA 54).”

Anthony Bayley (S 63) has recently retired from work as a consultant with some of the international development banks.

With his wife, he has just returned from an eight-week tour of Europe, cruising down the Danube and travelling by train across several countries, revisiting sites visited years ago, ending up at a family wedding in the hills near Barcelona.

Still keeping active - skippering the rescue boat at the local yacht club and cycling and golfing.

Stuart Elliott (Lx 68) keeps busy on his rural property outside Byron Bay, warding off snakes, wallabies and possums. “Otherwise trying to stay youngish, whilst enjoying pickleball, cycling and croquet. Still skiing the Dolomites every year and visiting my son in Edinburgh.ˮ John Oliver (G 73) (JOliver@ umco.com.au) In August I will be visiting the UK to for my mother’s (my sisters and I still call her Mummy) 100th birthday

party. She is in good health and I’m sure has a few more birthdays to come.

John Edwards (B 65) received the 2024 Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society International Crandall Citation for Services from an Alumni to the not-for-profit sector. He is still living and working in beautiful Sydney, with a number of Board roles there and overseas, including Deputy Chair of Australian Business Volunteers, a not for profit operation performing amazing business focused community development and recovery projects in the South Pacific and Australasia. ‘ My second grandson was born in December to my son and partner based in Tokyo.

I still never miss an Aston Villa game on TV any time of night and day, and am just about to cheer on the B & I Lions here for the next month!’

Mark Mankowski (S 94) has been awarded a National Emergency Management medal - Bushfires 2019-2020. He remains at Army Headquarters in Canberra. His current role as the Chief of Staff of Land Capability Division keeps him in touch with the UK through efforts to progress both AUKUS and our bilateral military initiatives. He is still in touch with Alex Southworth (Sn 94) and his brother Alex Mankowski (Sn 97) ‘ I have no plans to move in the near future. My daughters are just about to graduate from high school and my son has just started.’

NEWS FROM ABROAD

Canada ■ James Clayton (G 68) canada@ooclub.co.uk

D

avid F Hemmings (Sn 64) , Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International writes: ‘My partner Patricia and I visited Oundle in May this year. It was exam time but many sports were still attracting their share of students. I was welcomed into the Chapel during a short violin recital. The Music teacher exclaimed: “You left the school before I was born!”

I responded: “I don’t let the old man in!” I added that Robin Miller was our enthusiastic music director in my day.

He said: “So you sang the Messiah, and recorded with the whole school singing.” Then we visited the Talbot for a cream tea. Until this year, it had never dawned on me that the stones used for building the Talbot in the early 1620s came from Fotheringhay Castle where Mary Stuart was beheaded, just up the road. I remember cycling to the castle during my days at Oundle - the earthen mound is still there, but the castle stones are now in Oundle! It had been over 50 years since I was last there.

Alan D Willis (C 58) is very sorry to report that his good friend Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc 59) died in March 2025 after a fairly short illness. ‛I visited him just before he died and we had a great chat, reminiscing about our days at Oundle. What a full and adventurous life he enjoyed. His weekly blog, “A Gentleman′s Portionˮ, was something many folks looked forward to reading.

He organized numerous reunions

over the years for Toronto-based OOs. I continue to act as the designated Oundle trustee of the British Schools Foundation, which enables Canadianresident OOs to make tax deductible donations to the school.

Iain Malcolm Smith (C 56) is able to report that he is still able to report! ‛My news is essentially the same as in previous years. Still skiing in the winter, but getting a bit pickier about snow and weather conditions, so only logged 65 days last winter. Golfing in the summer and still managing to better my age on occasions. Brother-in-law Neil Cameron (G 58) visited us in March, on his way to Australia to inspect his new greatgranddaughter. Still keep in touch with Archie Burdon-Cooper (C 55) now by phoning WhatsApp, rather than emailing as he usually forgets to reply!’

Richard Fowler (S 84) was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in March 2025.

Having met Lance Ashworth (G 82) at an OO Law dinner in London, by happenstance, my wife and I found ourselves sitting next to Lance and his wife at a restaurant in Whistler. As all of us are in the legal profession we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours putting the world right! Last year I had three trips to England to help my ailing parents, who sadly passed away within weeks of each other. In the midst of all this, my career as a criminal lawyer came to end on being appointed Justice

of the Supreme Court of BC. It is now my job to listen rather than talk, which does not come naturally.

Peter Bubenzer (D 74) is ‛still going, enjoying life in beautiful British Columbia.’

James Clayton (G 68), your Canada Correspondent, reports that all is well in Calgary. He is in good health and enjoying a little skiing and some golf.

It has been an interesting summer here with the G7 conference in Kananaskis, just west of town, closely followed

by Rotary International holding their annual conference here and then Stampede Week, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. ‘Julie and I are enjoying our first grandson, Emmett, two years old. Daughter Lindsay is with ExxonMobil and her husband Matt is with BP. Son Mack is still with the Ministry of Defence in London working with the Airforce.’

sixth collection of poetry in 2026 with Cinnamon Press.

Gavin Allen (B 87) is still striving to persuade people Huawei isn’t the devil incarnate, raising three kids (also devil-free), and trading happy tales of past devilry with former OOs including: Richard Tett and Matthew Sargaison (both B 87),

James Ginns and Phil Snell (both Sc 87), Ric Urmston (C 87), Charles Hammond (Sn 87), James Holland (N 87) and David Cairns (Ldr 87). All are remarkably fit and well and, above all at our age, alive. Meanwhile brother Chris Allen (B 80) is retired, quaffing wine, playing endless golf and living a generally decadent life in St Ives.

China china@ooclub.co.uk

E

dward Pudens Ragg (S 95) continues to work as a Master of Wine (MW) in Beijing with his wife Fongyee Walker (also an MW), having founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting back in 2007. He will be guest international judge at the Hunter Valley Wine Show in 2025 and will publish his

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

95

NEWS FROM ABROAD

Europe seurope@ooclub.co.uk

C

ord Matthies (N 77) is still in contact with ‘Malcolm Brown (N 80) and my brother Peter Matthies (N 81) living in California. Mac Brown and I still see each other regularly and go skiing together. This summer we have a 30-yr wedding anniversary and will meet again for that. I′m living in Duesseldorf, Germany with regular work visits to warmer European regions.

Even though +/- in pension age I am still working, grasping the

chance to help build an new industry to tackle the global plastic problem: chemical recycling, eg. the reconversion of polymers to synthetic oils that then serve as feedstock for the plastics industry.

I did a 12.000km / 7.500ml 6-week motorcycle + tent tour across Europe’s High North: Sweden, Norway, Finland, three Baltic countries, Poland and back, witnessing global warming in the North Cape region at temperatures far too hot for heavy bike gear. Now, I’m looking forward to the Alpine passes when taking the bike to Italy this summer for work visits.’

Robin Apthorpe (S 59). Europe’s most westerly O.O. and wife attended the Garter ceremony in 2024 as Descendant members of the Order of the Garter. December saw the O.O. Sunshine Club lunch at the RAC. ‘Sadly, this was Andrew Walker’s (C 60) last appearance. At the Over 60s lunch I met Anthony Collinson (S 60). We went sailing together on the Broads during my time at Oundle, and I had not seen

him in 66 years! In May I sang with Estoril Singers in their Songs of the Seas concert. It is the first serious choir I have joined, singing tenor this time, since I sang Alto at Oundle.’

Giles Woodbridge (B 84) tells us he continues to run his ski and summer business in the French Alps (Trois Valleys and Annecy) ‘in tandem with supporting our three sons, two of whom are in the French alpine ski team and the third in the French ski jumping team.’

Quentin Ingram (StA 74) writes: ‛I finally resigned from my last significant position of responsibility at the CMS experiment at CERN last summer, and received a plaque marking my contributions to the collaboration.’

Jeremy Burkitt Cross (S 63) says: ‛Sixty years ago, I took my new fiancee to visit Oundle. My old Housemaster, John Matthews, invited us to tea. John asked us where we had met, and I answered, innocently, ‘Here, at Oundle’. I can still see the horrified look that flashed across his face - ‘What

 Paul Heygate (Lx 60) Sam Mackaness (C 60) Andrew Walker (C 60) John Richardson (StA 61) Roderick Ashby (Lx 60) Adam Brand (N 59) Philip Hall (S 58) John Westcombe (StA 60) (partially hidden) Robin Apthorpe (S 59) holding aloft OO scarf. Kenneth Moore (S 58) James Macfarlane (S 61) Rod Alexander (Sc 61) John Timpson (S 60) Howard Stringer (L 60) Ian Carmichael (Sn 60) Brian Trent (Sc 58) Ian Schmiegelow (Ldr 61) Richard Gibbs (StA 59) Victor Thomas(Lx 59) Seated left Simon Nicholson (Lx 62) Seated right Richard Gibbs (StA 59)

96

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

NEWS FROM ABROAD

were you up to behind my back?’

I was able to put his mind at ease.

Suzanne had been a member of a visiting church music group. As Chapel Prefect I had been detailed to shepherd them around. We married in 1966 and celebrate our Diamond Wedding next year. Thank you, Oundle!’

Brian Wooller (Sc 67): ‛Despite

Brexit messing up our plans when we moved back to the UK from Canada in 2014, Hilary and I have at last managed to move to France permanently. We are now enjoying life near Vannes in Brittany.’

Kevin Dobbs (LS 02) currently lives in Spain but was a primary school teacher in Peterborough until

two years ago, keeping links with Oundle School through Science days and a joint trip to the Lake District. He is pleased to let OOs know that he's now a published author, with his first children's book (age 8-11), We Are Home - which looks at themes of community and belonging - out on Amazon from the August 3 this year.

Hong Kong ■ Mark Reeves (C 80) hongkong@ooclub.co.uk

A

fter 22 years in Hong Kong, Christopher Riggs (S 80) has now returned to the UK, and will be based in Iken, Suffolk.

He continues to work for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, online and through regular trips back to China. Ben Dickinson (N 93) remains in Hong Kong. His daughter, Emily, joined Oundle in the Third form in 2024 in Wyatt and is settling in well there. Ben is now returning to Oundle regularly as a result.

Jeremy Pong (Ldr 83) tells us that about two years after the challenge was raised, the inaugural HK Old Oundelians vs HK Old Haileyburians finally took place in May at the HK Golf Club. Tim Linton (Sn 63) and Jeremy represented OO in HK. Tim hit his first tee shot slightly to the right of the fairway. While planning his second shot, he got injured in a freak accident and has to be taken to North District Hospital for treatment. The two sides

decided to half every hole until Tim returned and then reconvene the competition. Tim made it back in time for the 19th hole! Jeremy, Tim, Jeremy Bolland (D 79), James Hui (Sc 03) and Mark Reeves (C 80) have got together to play several times during the year.

Andrew Seton (Ldr 83), Mike Braun (Ldr 83), Mojo Rathbone (Ldr 82), John Gonzalez-Carvajal (Ldr 82), James Pickney (Ldr 82), Paul Reed (Ldr 82), Paul Rathbone (Ldr 84), Patrick White (Ldr 84), Geoff Woods (Ldr 84) and Rupert Bullock (Ldr 84) got together for a Saturday night out in London in January. Paul Rathbone flew in from Australia and Jeremy came over from Hong Kong. This gathering was initiated at the Laundimer Centenary celebration in 2017 and finally took place eight years later.

Jerry K.W. Yao (C 89) managed to catch up with Aravinthan Selvavinayagam (C 89) while he was on vacation in Sydney in October

2024. They hadn’t seen each other since the mini Crosby 1989-leavers reunion in London back in July 2014.

Guy Hodgson (C 89) has relocated to Philadelphia due to work.

Ronald Taylor (Sn 62) continues to live in Hong Kong enjoying the countryside and hiking but with about four months of the year in the Northern Cotswolds where, amongst other things, he volunteers on the maintenance of the local heritage railway. Although retired for the last twenty years, he still dabbles in a

 The OO / Haileybury teams. Far Right Jeremy Pong, next to Jeremy is Tim Linton

 Delayed Laundimer Dining

 Jerry K.W.Yao and Aravinthan Selvavinayagam ( both C 89) in Sydney

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

97

NEWS FROM ABROAD

few engineering type projects but, alas, does not get paid. Last year he enjoyed an educational cruise on the Nile followed by a week in Crete which was much more relaxing.

His highlight of the Oundelian year was witnessing his granddaughter complete her CCF training in a very impressive parade in May. This was followed by welcoming his grandson as an Old Oundelian after his five years at the school.

We have had a reasonably busy year in Hong Kong with get togethers at the races on three occasions, one of which was attended by Charles

98

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

 A night at the races. Back Row (left to right): wife of Julian Shiu, Julian Shiu (Sc 07), Vincent Lo, James Hui (Sc 03), Eric Ho (St A 10), Isabella, Eric’s girlfriend, Francis Kwong (C 10), Harvey Ng Front (left to right): Mark Reeves (C 80), Jeremy Pong (LDR 83), William Tsang (G 14), Andrew Burgin (C 84)

Salem (C 78), current president of the OO Club, whilst here in May with his partner, Bella. He met with Jeremy Pong, Ben Barton (C 07) and myself for drinks at the Carlyle & Co. on the 55th floor of the Rosewood Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui generously hosted by Ben Barton. The club overlooks Hong Kong Harbour and has a magnificent 180° view of Hong Kong Island. After drinks, we went to the Chariot Club for a traditional Cantonese dinner

where we were also joined by George Cautherley (B 61) - the oldest Old Oundelian in Hong Kong. Ben has said that he would be happy to arrange an OO dinner at the Carlyle & Co. and we will be circulating OOs on this later this year.

As for the writer - courtesy in good part due to Jeremy Pong’s arrangement of games - I have had a slight improvement in my golf over the year.

NEWS FROM ABROAD

Indonesia and Philippines ■ Simon Reynolds (Sn 02) indonesia@ooclub.co.uk

S

imon Reynolds (Sn 02) has been based in Jakarta, Indonesia since 2011, representing the family business, Reynolds Partnership PT, as Business Development manager: ‘We are a well established construction cost consultancy business in the region. I’m active in birdwatching, bird photography and hiking, outside my work and professional responsibilities. Indonesia hosts

many good opportunities for these activities. Kartika Oktaviana and I were married in June 2023, and look forward to celebrating our two-year wedding anniversary in June. Email: sireynolds66@gmail.com.’

Tobias Halliday-Zaman (L 02) tells us he′s completed his three years posting to the British Embassy, Manila, Philippines as Head of Regional Affairs for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. After a

brief period back in London, he will return to Asia. His next posting is to the British Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam from August 2025.

Malaysia and Singapore ■ Afiqah Rizal (N 11) malaysia@ooclub.co.uk

T

he Old Oundelian community in our region has been notably active, with alumni coming together for gatherings, launching innovative businesses, and continuing to strengthen the bonds formed at school.

The OO Malaysia community has hosted another successful annual dinner. On Friday 9 May, 30 Old Oundelians gathered at Jwala Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur for an evening of Indian cuisine and lively conversation, graciously hosted by Charles Salem (C 78) Club President.

The event brought together a diverse mix of alumni, including several who had been unable to attend the previous year’s dinner, alongside

a stoic representation of senior contemporaries, underscoring the enduring spirit of our community.

Charles took the opportunity to share the Club’s vision for the year ahead. The evening was a resounding success, marked by laughter, new connections, and heartfelt dialogue.

Fuad Abdullah (Sn 93) writes that after seven and a half years at HSBC, he embarked on a new chapter by joining one of our national banks, CIMB. In 2024, Fuad had the pleasure of visiting Oundle School with his family, touring the campus with the prospect of his son joining Berrystead for the 11+ intake in 2026/27. While still

considering the decision, his friend Zudin Putucheary (C 92), now a resident of Oundle, encourages him to proceed without hesitation.

Perhaps the School might consider adding Zudin to their payroll! Fuad’s youngest nephew is currently a sixth former in School House and, from all accounts, thoroughly enjoying his experience. Among Old Oundelians in both the UK and Malaysia, he

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

99

NEWS FROM ABROAD

has been fortunate to maintain close connections with many fellow Malaysians, regularly convening.

Although disappointed to miss many of the 1993 batch 50th celebrations, the Sn 93 group is already planning another reunion - in 2028, if not sooner.

Yih Lin Teh (N 08) writes that she and David Chew (S 07) have launched an inspiring new startup, Axross. This innovative venture delivers AI-driven autonomous control for HVAC systems, designed to significantly reduce building energy usage and carbon emissions.

Their technology focuses particularly on industrial manufacturing and precise cleanroom control, paving the way for smarter and greener factories across Southeast Asia.

Across the causeway, a couple of Old Oundelians have recently made the Lion City their home. After fifteen vibrant years in Hong Kong until 2022, Andy Nicholson (StA 99) has settled with his family in Singapore.

There, he balances his role in private equity real estate at PAG with his heartfelt commitment as President of

OOs at Karl Zimmerman’s wedding.

the junior Rugby Clubs of Singapore.

Maintaining close ties with fellow 1999/2000 alumni from Hong Kong and London, Andy nurtures the hope of one day returning to Oundle with the next generation in mind.

Karl Zimmerman (B11) and Astrid relocated from London to Singapore last year. Their wedding, held on the serene Lonna Island in Finland, was a truly memorable occasion, enjoyed

by Afiqah Rizal (N 11), Evelyn Liu, Xuelin Chan (both W 11), and Rachel

Wong (D 12). The celebration was further enlivened by a distinguished group of Bramston-led groomsmen— See Joon Yang, Jasper Mak and Matthew Lim (all B 11)—whose camaraderie and warmth reflected the enduring bonds forged at school.

Karl and Astrid’s journey is one of joyful rediscovery, making the most of what Asia has to offer, with a fair share of travel accompanying Karl’s work at the British High Commission of Singapore.

With the region now a global powerhouse, I would encourage any OOs here to reach out to me and see if we can generate interest in creating a more lively regional community and in this regard, please feel free to contact me at any time via my author email address ken@kv-66.com ′ John Williams (St A 62) tells us that in Israel and Palestinian territories, Dan Williams (StA 90), a married father of three, is a foreign correspondent.

He has been busy covering wars with Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iran.

His Haifa father John Williams awaits George Ronald′s publication of his all-too-aptly timed book Apocalypse Secrets: Baha’i Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. At the time of writing, closed skies delay his planned meet with St Anthony Weald Walkers and his visit

to his USA daughter Dr Mia Marcus (Williams W 92).

James Gibson Heath (StA 62) reached the age of 80 last year and was taken to Troon to watch the Open Golf Championship. It was an experience to cherish! This summer as I write we are on the Llangollen Canal narrow boating with family in beautiful sunshine. We return to Cyprus in early July for another hot summer.

Middle East ■ Ken Maw mideast@ooclub.co.uk

K

en Maw (D 77) writes: ‛I can’t believe I have now been a Dubai resident for over 42 years! What an amazing transformation that I have been so lucky to witness first hand! Three years ago, I finally managed to complete the third and final volume of my KV66 adventure trilogy and for the past two years I am really pleased to be back in the insurance brokerage front line, leading one of the pioneers of the industry, Al Futtaim Willis, which will shortly celebrate its 50th anniversary in the UAE. With our three daughters now leading their own destinies, my wife Sherry and I travel frequently to Egypt to visit her parents as well as our home in Sharm El Sheikh to escape the hustle and bustle and recharge our batteries.

100

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

NEWS FROM ABROAD

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

101

NEWS FROM ABROAD

Thailand and Vietnam thailand@ooclub.co.uk

T

orsak Vayakornvichitr (G 06). Here is a photo from the latest visit from the school representative Miss Sarah Johnson in November 2024 to meet the current parents and OOs in Thailand.

John Peter Eastwood (D 74) ‘Amazingly it’s 7 years since I moved with Anne to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

I’m still working hard and very much enjoying being here.'

 Supasthien Jotikasthira (St A 02), Sook Sanan Jotikasthira ( N 68), Anukalya Israsena Na Ayudhya (N 67)and Torsak Vayakornvichitr (G 06).

USA ■ Mark Stevenson (N 81) usa@ooclub.co.uk

Y

our correspondent does not see many OOs down in Asheville NC but was delighted to catch up with Peter Ahm (S 80) on a trip back to London earlier this year.

Richard Kunzer (G 90) has now been in NYC for 21 years with his teenage children. ‘I offered them the choice of going to Oundle, but they are New Yorkers through and through, so they decided to stay this side of the pond.

Work has been very busy growing my US based private equity firm. I haven’t seen many OOs of late except for my brothers Stephen Kunzer (G 84), David Kunzer (G 85) and cousin Charlie Hoult (S 85). Hope to see more in the coming year’. richardkunzer@gmail.com John L.E. Seidler (Ldr 59) writes: ‘As I enter my 90th year I consider myself fortunate to have a caring wife and enjoy reasonable health. I am a regular speaker at the International Society on

102

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Ageing via video where I share my experiences. I try to stay healthy in body and mind through regular walks, twice weekly Zoom sessions with my trainer, an hour a day practising the piano for my weekly Zoom lesson; writing almost daily (including a novel) and enjoying my six grandchildren and two daughters’. johnlseidler@gmail.com.

Dr Mia Marcus (Williams W 92) is in Washington DC with her husband Jeremy and their three children. She teaches at George Washington Medical School. At the time of writing, closed wartime skies over Israel prevent her father John Williams (StA 62) visiting her from there. Kate Morris (N 04) is working as an appeals lawyer at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Los Angeles. She and her husband now have two boys: Alfie (age two) and Reuben (just born). She keeps in touch with most of her New House year group and will be seeing several Novarians this summer back in the UK when she will be with family in Cambridge and London during her parental leave.

Greg Diltz (S 69) writes from Door County, WI: ‘Retirement since 2022 has been delightful. I highly recommend it. Julie retired and sold her building in 2023. Now it is all about

grandchildren and family. They are all here in our county or an hour away.

Health is good. Not much travelling… really love being home. I search online often for housemates and friends from my ESU year at Oundle. Would like to have better results!’ gregjuliediltz@ gmail.com.

Robert Nicholls (D 91) concludes a two-year appointment as director of RSCM America National Choir with a residency at Canterbury Cathedral from 29 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.

The choir will sing Evensong daily at 5:30 pm, except New Year’s Day, and will feature repertoire by predominantly living composers, especially women.

Keith W Johnson (N 49) tells us his wife continues to take good care of him and that his children and grandchildren are all in good shape. Down in Colombia, David Hutchinson (N 61) has retired after a career in banking, oil and agriculture. He is as busy and stimulated as ever. hutchdavandnan@aol.com.

Dan Williams (StA 90) After 21 years with Reuters, Dan has moved to Bloomberg News, providing Middle East coverage and TV commentary.

OBITUARIES

Obituaries 1942 Bill Wright (Lx) died 26 June 2024

from The Times ...

Thomas William (Bill) Wright was born on November 17, 1924 in Penang, Malaysia, where his father was a veterinary surgeon. His father died when he was two, and his mother returned to England with him to settle in Scarborough. Wright was 12 when she died, and he went to live with her brother’s family. He then went to Oundle, and on his 18th birthday enlisted in the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) and then the 13th/18th Hussars. In March 1944 he was crossposted to the Staffordshire Yeomanry, just in time for D-Day. Bill was a 19-year Sherman tank radiooperator and gun-loader with the Yeomanry, who converted to armour in 1941, and took part in the battle of El Alamein.

By 1944 they were hugely experienced as an armoured regiment, and Montgomery asked for them to help his largely untried troops for Operation Overlord.

His confidence in them paid off, and by the evening of D-Day,they

were in possession of the Périers–St Aubin ridge. For the next six weeks, they were in action intermittently.

One advantage of being a wireless operator, Wright recalled, was ‘one heard all sorts of odd conversations, and we once went into action to the stirring strains of Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary.’ But ‘the Sherman had no hatch on the loader’s side of turret, so my only view of the world was through a periscope, which was like looking through a letterbox. I remember engaging a Panther and saw him hit three times, our rounds just ricocheting off him.”

The regiment returned to France in September in preparation to clear the Scheldt estuary and open up the port of Antwerp, and then came Operation Plunder, the Rhine crossing. On March 23, 1945, Wright’s was one of the first tanks to reach the far bank in an operation that went like clockwork. After this, German resistance all but collapsed, and the Yeomanry joined the rapid advance. On May 7 they were on Luneburg Heath, where early that morning the Germans signed the instrument of surrender.

For Wright, however, the war was not yet over. As one of the “last in”, he was to be one of the last out. As an experienced Sherman crewman, he was sent to India to join

146th Regiment RAC, who were being reequipped with Shermans for the coming offensive against the Japanese in Malaya. However, Japan surrendered in August, and when Wright arrived the following month, the regiment was back in armoured cars on internal security duties in what is now Uttar Pradesh.

He sailed home in July 1947, the month before independence, and was demobilised.

Wright subsequently studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen.

In 1950, the year he graduated, he married Margaret Burgon, whom he had known since childhood, and who died in 2008. He is survived by two sons, their daughter having predeceased him: David, a former museum curator; and Stephen, a former lecturer in horticulture. Wright went on to do soil research at the Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen, gaining his doctorate, and then in 1959 moved to the English Forestry Association in Surrey. When the EFA was taken over by a commercial forestry concern in 1965, he became head forester for the NT in Devon. Later, as their national adviser on forestry and conservation, he was involved in legislative scrutiny, and acquired the nickname “Deer Bill.” He retired in 1986, edited the Journal of the Royal Forestry Society, and joined the board of the

Woodland Trust.

After the death of his wife he moved to York to be near his family, where he read widely, lived independently to the end, and as the last Normandy veteran of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, wrote scorching counterblasts to historians who belittled the effectiveness of the DD Sherman.

1949 Brian Mattinson (N) died 10 November 2024

Sons Peter (Sn 79) and David (Sn 82) write ...

Brian was born in 1931 in London. After Oundle he completed National Service with the Royal Signals. He then read Natural Sciences at Kings College, Cambridge, which was followed by 25 years working as an Industrial Chemist for ICI on Teeside. He then moved to North Yorkshire to indulge his interests in music and education, becoming Organist and Choirmaster in Pickering.

He was an enthusiastic annual attendee at the Oundle International Festival from its inception in 1985. Such was his love of the instrument that he

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

103

OBITUARIES

had a pipe organ installed in his own home. He was a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Chemistry Department of York University. As a member of the Kipling Society, he created their Musical Settings of Rudyard Kipling’s Verse which catalogue he updated until his late 80s.

In recent years he moved to Alnwick and then to Newcastle-uponTyne, dying aged 93 after a long cardiac illness. He is survived by his wife Audrey, his two sons, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

1950 Geoffrey E Segrove (G) died 13 April

His daughter, Julia Segrove Ward-Lilley, writes ...

Geoffrey was born in May 1932 in Gerrard’s Cross.

He lived with his aunt during wartime while his parents and younger brother Patrick (N 55) lived away supervising construction on airfields in Northamptonshire.

Oundle was recommended to Geoffrey’s father by the school’s Clerk of Works, who worked for him on the airbases, and he joined Geoffrey once the school reopened in 1946 and readily took to boarding school life.

He was a modest student but excelled at sport, chiefly swimming

104

and rugby. After school Geoffrey followed his father into the construction industry, becoming an indentured pupil in Civil Engineering with Cubitts.

After four years he joined the Royal Engineers for National Service but says that he was chiefly valued for his rugby skills. He married Bobby Murray in 1959 when working for YJ Lovell Construction in London. Briefly posted to North Devon, Geoffrey moved back to Lovell head office in Gerrard’s Cross in 1968, settling in Chalfont St Peter with Bobby and their three daughters Pippa, Fiona and Julia.

Engineering early retirement in his midfifties he spent the next 30 years enjoying opera, music, European travel, skiing, cooking and being a grandfather to seven.

Although unable to send his girls to Oundle, he kept strong links with the school and maintained an enduring friendship with his Housemaster “Cuts”, Alan Cutcliffe. In 1982 Julia visited cousins Antony and Gordon Segrove (N 83 and 86) at Oundle meeting future husband, James WardLilley (N 83). Their sons, Alexander (B 13), Lawrence (B 16) and Max (B 18) all attended Oundle as well as Daisy Hart (D 19), Pippa’s daughter.

Geoffrey delighted in visiting this third generation of Oundelians, supporting their events and matches whenever possible. Widowed in 2016, he died peacefully with his daughters beside him.

1950 Donald Maylin Stevenson (Maylin) (D)

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

died 10 November 2024

His wife Veronica writes …

Born in New Zealand in 1932, Maylin was only three months old when his doctor father moved the family to the UK and he grew up in Yorkshire attending Hill House School and Nevill Holt before Oundle.

He loved Oundle where he gained a lifelong love of history thanks to Dudley Heesom, and enjoyed almost every subject, as well as sports such as rowing and athletics. However he was never able to conquer maths which he hated probably Dr Tagg’s worst pupil. A good mimic, he enjoyed telling stories of his time at the school taking off Arthur Marshall, Stainforth and numerous other masters, as well as the various characters that he used to come across in the town. He was always very proud of Oundle and thought its education second to none.

After Oundle, and a spell of National Service partly spent in post war Berlin keeping the peace, Maylin went on to St John’s College Cambridge where he read law. He would have preferred history but thought it did not have sufficient employment prospects.

After qualifying as a solicitor he worked in Doncaster, Reading and

eventually moved down to Christchurch where he had had family connections in the past. There, as a small boy, his great uncle Maylin had introduced him to the pleasures of ‘messing about in boats’ and this interest continued in dinghies and small yachts till old age. Through this, Maylin met his wife and had a companion to visit family in New Zealand where he been not been since his birth. They had several wonderful holidays there touring round that beautiful country.

1951 Dr David Hollands (N) died 12 June

Mike Preeston (Lx 64) writes ...

Dr David Hollands died at the age of 92 in hospital in Melbourne, Australia. I knew Dave as a fellow Old Oundelian, a member of the Victorian Waderbird Study Group, and through mutual friends Clive Minton (Lx 53), and Charles Allen (B 54). To appreciate what a remarkable life Dave lived, as country doctor, farmer, wildlife photographer, publisher of several books on Australian birds and internationally competitive dinghy sailor, I would recommend his autobiography, Better Born Lucky Than Brilliant,

OBITUARIES

published 2023. He certainly filled each minute of his long life. A memorial service is to be held at Orbost, where he and Margaret ran their medical practice for many years.

David Stevenson (N) died 3 August 2024 David passed away after being surrounded by family around the clock, and visited by close friends during his last week. He will be truly and deeply missed by us all, his wife, three children and seven grandchildren, and his two daughters-inlaw who have given him a great deal of help and support over the years.

1952 David James Mealings (Sn) died 24 October 2024 David passed away peacefully at the age of 90, after a short illness, at the Perry Manor nursing home, Worcester. Brought up by Netta and Richard in Selly Park and Edgbaston, he went to West House School and Oundle.

He studied Modern Languages at Downing College Cambridge and gained a half blue in shotput and discus.

His career was spent working in the manufacturing industry in the Midlands and he used his language skills working in Europe.

He was a fine golfer, winning the National Boys Championship at Stoke Park in 1953, and played at Edgbaston Golf Club, He leaves his wife Beryl who shared his love of playing the piano and exploring new places, his sons James and Jonathan, six much

loved grandchildren, and to his delight one greatgrandson.

James Allan Spence (N) died 27 June

His son, Paul, writes ...

Allan was born in Spilsby, Lincolnshire, on 23 August 1933, the only child of James and Margaret Spence. His father, originally a master tailor, later became an antique dealer. His mother was a doctor’s dispenser turned haberdashery shop owner.

He attended Oundle as a boarder from 1944 to 1952, funded by an inheritance from his uncle. His tales of boarding school life always had us laughing - like the night he stealthily plucked carrots from the school garden and replaced the leafy tops to hide this from the housekeeper.

After Oundle, he tried medicine at Leeds University but decided it was not for him after the first year. Instead he enlisted in the Intelligence Corps. He served in Egypt’s Canal Zone, Cyprus during the EOKA crisis, and later returned to Egypt during the Suez invasion. After his military service, Dad married Pat, whom he had first met at a College ball in Leeds.

They were married for 66 years, until she sadly died in December 2023.

His first civilian job was as a research chemist in the Kodak laboratory in Harrow. Kodak supported him through an Industrial Chemistry diploma course at the Northampton College of Advanced Technology in London, now City University.

One of his professors encouraged him to follow up with a PhD in Organic Chemistry on ‘Low temperature Coal Tars’ and two years’ further work as a research fellow. Work then took him to technical leadership roles in Tunnel Refineries, Manbre & Garton and Tate & Lyle, where he worked on sugar, enzymes, and sweeteners.

The final step in his career was with Finnish sugar company, Cultor, in the UK, Helsinki, and Chicago. He helped them establish their biotech business. His Finnish colleagues appreciated his knowledge, humour, and ability to make tough decisions. The Hanko plant, one of his projects, is still a flagship enzyme facility today.

With Dad’s move from Kodak, the family moved to Bromley. This was later followed by moves to Green Street Green and lastly the Meadows in Halstead.

Pat was very involved with Bromley Council for Voluntary Services over the next half-century and Allan was an active supporter of her community activity. In Halstead, as Poppy Appeal organiser, he helped to raise over £60,000 for the Royal British Legion. He leaves behind two sons and four grand-children.

1953 Sir Robin Nicholson (B) died 15 November 2024

His nephew James writes ...

As a child, all I knew about my uncle Robin’s working life was that he worked with Margaret Thatcher and was later knighted. He was actually chief scientific advisor to the cabinet. I remember him recalling a meeting with the prime minister when she asked him about the Channel tunnel: “My jaw dropped.

I knew nothing about tunnels.”

Robin Buchanan Nicholson was born in 1934 in Sutton Coldfield to Carroll Nicholson (B 27), and Nancy (née Levi).

Robin’s earliest years were spent in South America during his father’s work for Shell, before going to Forres prep school.

He won a scholarship to Oundle where he revelled in the strong tradition of science and engineering.

Family folklore has it that he was a good student: only being caned once during his time there.

Following him were his brothers Martin (B 56) and Jonathan (B 60) and the next generation: his nephews Sean (B 84) and James McFetrich (B 92).

He won a scholarship to St Catharine’s College, Cambridge studying natural sciences, progressing his career in metallurgy before being appointed professor at the University of Manchester

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

105

OBITUARIES

in 1966. In 1986, he joined the board of Rolls-Royce and was appointed head of the electro-optical division at Pilkington Glass. I remember him telling me a disbelieving 16-year-old in the late 80s - that one day televisions would be flat enough to hang on a wall.

He and Mary Caffyn were married in 1958. She died in 1988. They had three children, Jennie, Tim and Helen. In 1991 he married Yvonne Appelby. He had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren on whom he doted. Outside family life he loved gardening and cricket, using his enthusiasm for statistics to analyse play at Lord’s.

Sir Robin Nicholson, British industrial metallurgist, academic and chief scientific adviser.

12 August 1934 - 15 November 2024.

1954 John Piers Recordon (B) died 2 February

His wife Gill writes …

Piers attended Oundle School from 1947 and greatly enjoyed his time at Bramston House. He discovered his love of running and continued until a cycling accident prevented him, though he continued to walk and

106

cycle long distances.

He learnt to play the clarinet at school and was a clarinettist in his time as a medical student at St John’s College, Cambridge, and went on to play in the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra.

After matriculating in 1954 he began his training at St Barts in London in 1961. A post at University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria was, for Piers, a life-changing experience in his decision to eventually become a GP. In 1964 he entered general practice in Cambridge.

Communication in the doctor patient relationship was key to his practice of medicine (Journal of the Royal College of GP, 1972,22,818). His quiet and gentle practice had a profound influence on generations of Addenbrookes GP trainees who all learned that the key to general practice was to listen to the patient.

Progressive deafness forced retirement when he was 55. He was sustained by his passions for gardening, cycling and walking and a cochlear implant later transformed his life for conversation but sadly not for music.

Piers died aged 88 and is survived by his wife Gill and their two children.

Peter Reddaway (Lx) died July 2024

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Charles Valentine (D) died 15 December

CGH Valentine (“Charlie”) died after a short illness just short of his 89th birthday. He was born on 25th January 1936 in London but spent his formative years either in Burma or India where our father Hector (D 1918) worked for a long-established Scottish trading concern He managed to avoid a traditional English schooling by running wild, as he put it, in India until aged 8 when he was sent to Mowden prep school in Hove, Sussex. He then followed his father into “new” Dryden in 1949.

He was to claim later that some of the happiest times in his life were those spent at Oundle. It is strongly suspected that this was because he largely succeeded in evading undue responsibility and stress. Whilst an accomplished sportsman (except cricket) he was not inclined to overexert himself in matters physical (something he continued to achieve in later life) and generally concentrated on enjoying school life including the Workshops. His greatest achievement undoubtedly was his adoption of “Harry Doggers”, a black Labrador puppy which ran away from its owner

on a particularly raucous Guy Fawkes’ night. Had he not given it a home, it would have been put down. He was able to persuade his Housemaster, Marcus Beresford, and the Headmaster that Harry should stay in Dryden for the rest of the term. The dog rapidly became an established feature of the House and a training assistant to the rugger teams. He has the distinction of being the only canine honorary OO. After Oundle, Charlie spent two enjoyable years doing National Service in the Navy made more so by the fact that his study mate from Dryden, Mike Robertson, somehow stayed with him through most of his Naval career.

Again, his preference was to remain on the Lower Deck where, after a bit, life was comparatively cushy and undemanding.

Eventually he could avoid responsibility no longer and became a junior officer. So much did he enjoy this life that he signed on for a further two years as a regular. His father was furious and engineered his “retirement” back into Civvy Street, where, for a few years, he worked for Esso as a management trainee in London but then spent the rest of his working life around Cirencester in a variety of capacities until he founded his own electronics business there in the 1970s.

This proved a considerable commercial success and was ultimately sold to the Americans whereupon he retired.

In 1961 he married Veronica Lawes, and they were supremely happy

OBITUARIES

in a variety of homes in and around Cirencester until she died from Motor Neurone Disease in 2012.

He dedicated the best part of five years of his life to nursing her with every care through this dreadful illness. Together they raised three sons and established a delightful second home in the Dordogne. In retirement, he much enjoyed travel, golf, classic cars and walking/bicycling the towpaths of the Thames, the Avon and Grand Union canals as well as the Canal du Midi in France.

1955 Peter Alcock (N) died 28 June Richard Hainsworth (S 65) writes ...

Peter John Osborne Alcock died at home, aged 88. He was the beloved husband of Yvonne, devoted father of Amanda, John and Nicholas, adored grandfather of Katie, Penny and Benjamin. His funeral service was at Christ Church, Harrogate, on 31 July.

1955 David Aston (StA) died 6 April

Nick Copestick writes ...

He was born on 2 November 1936 in a house called Grey Walls in Solihull, Warwickshire and was the first grandson of

Herbert Aston (founder of TI - Tube Investments - in Birmingham). With the onset of World War II, his parents, John Aston (Ldr 1922) and Gladys decided to move to Arden Wych, in the village or Tanworth–inArden with their children and he lived there until he married in the late 1960s.

As a child, he had poor eyesight and suffered from eczema - so much so that he was sent to St Peter’s boarding school near the Somerset coast in the hope that the sea air might improve his skin.

He found St. Peter’s harsh during the war due to the scarcity of luxuries and essentials. He told the story that there was no fuel for a mower, so a local farmer had to use a horse to pull a mowing machine to cut the sports fields.

They were also limited to one sheet of “Bronco” - a brand of hard textured toilet paper - a day!

In 1949, in his father’s footsteps, he moved on to Oundle and was placed in St Anthony House. He loved his sport, playing cricket for the school and hooker for the rugby second team. His coach commented that he “smelt the ball” when the ball was put in the scrum, as his sight was so poor without glasses.

He was described as a vibrant part of St Anthony House - avidly following the horse racing with his close friend Tommie Cleaver (StA) and well known to like a ‘flutter’ and place the odd bet over the phone. His disapproving Housemaster found out and to fix the problem made both boys prefects!

After Oundle, David

joined TI as an engineering trainee. He spent his holidays in the south of France with his great friend Tommie - golfing, gambling and smuggling their winnings back into the UK in Tommie’s wooden leg. It was not long before he found his forte was in the sales side of business. He developed a reputation as a shrewd businessman and a tough negotiator. Initially selling within the UK, he later became Export Managing Director. He utilised his connections and friends to great success. He spoke fondly of Tonghi, a StA friend and member of the Thai Royal Family who just happened to be the Thai ambassador to the US. Tonghi often spent some of the summer with David at Arden Wych, golfing and generally causing trouble. Later David was promoted to MD of Accles & Pollock (one of the four original companies that made up TI) which made a range of products from hypodermic syringes to golf club shafts.

As well as enjoying Bridge and Real Tennis, David was a quality golfer, member, Captain and President at Blackwell Golf Club. His handicap reached 1 at his most proficient, with David continuing to play regularly into his 80s.

Having made time to teach his two sons the sport, he enjoyed seeing his grandsons begin to play. He was a member of OOGS for over 60 years and a member of the only Oundle team to win the Public Schools’ alumni competition, the Grafton Morrish, in 1975. He played in the tournament

from 1968-1986, a total of 30 matches, and won three times in the winning 1975 team, with Noel Stephens (StA 59) his most frequent partner. He later took on the organisation of the OOGS entry for the Grafton Morrish, helping Robert Barrell (StA 61), the skipper. He followed that by doing the same job, as Halford Hewitt Hon Secretary, for his good friend and Captain, Roger Christian (G 56) David played 11 matches in the Halford Hewitt, the premier Public Schools’ event. In his debut in 1965 he kicked off with a 6&5 win over The Leys, with PH Moore (Lx 61) Work demands prevented him playing again until 1985, when in the foulest of weather, he and Gordon MacDonald (StA 57) were the only winners against Wellington, with a 6&5 victory. In what turned out to be his final match in 1995, he was brought in as a sub in the 3rd round for Richard Harris (F 91) (who was off playing a game of rugby); he partnered Tony Murley (G 76) against Stowe. He maintained a keen interest in all things Hewitt: travelling to Kent to cheer the team for many years and when health prevented travel would ring for daily (or hourly!) updates.

The Public Schools’ seniors competitions give golfers another chance to shine, and David enjoyed playing for Oundle in the ‘Mellin’ tournament (over 55s) for 9 years from 1988-2006 in 18 matches and was a member of the winning 1995 team.

He also won the ‘Burles’ (over 65s) in 2013, playing from 2002 – 2013 with

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

107

OBITUARIES

a 64% success rate. He continued to feature in the ‘Millard’ for over 75s up to 2019. David was a committee member and match organiser for OOGS for many years and a generous benefactor. As a Vice President, he was able to offer his wide business experience and kept a critical eye on the financial accounts. His advice was always valued. Another passion was National Jump Racing, with David spending many happy weekends at the Cheltenham Festival.

David led a full life, never being one to sit back and relax too much. He was kind and generous to his eight grandchildren and will be much missed by them, his sons William Aston (StA 90) and James Aston (StA 92), stepdaughter Alex and the wider family, together with members of OOGS. Robert Fearnehough (StA) died 28 September 2024

the final of the Princess Elizabeth Cup and lost by only six feet. This was never to be forgotten.

He was a member of the University of Bristol Boat Club (UBBC), as Captain of the 1st VIII and later President. He was awarded a Batchelor of Science Degree in Engineering (Mechanical) at Bristol University in 1958. He was managing director of his family machine knife engineering company for many years until retirement in the late 90s. He enjoyed his hobbies: fishing, shooting, sailing, skiing and hill walking. His charity work involved management of a local school, a care home, church committees and hospital fundraising Mac was a devoted family man and he and Diana were married for 62 years. Together they had four children and six grandchildren. His son Alistair Fearnehough was at New House until 1987.

Martin Nicholson CMG (B) died 23 February

Robert McNidder Fearnehough (Mac) died at the Royal Hospital Chesterfield, aged 87.

He left school in 1955, having been a boarder in StA. He was a keen rower which was challenging and rewarding but, according to him, enormous fun. One of his lasting memories was when he rowed for Oundle at Henley in

108

from The Times ...

Martin Buchanan Nicholson was born in 1937 in Rio de Janeiro, where his father Carroll was an executive for Shell; his mother was Nancy Levi. After Oundle, he learnt Russian during his National Service in

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

the Royal Navy. He read Russian and Spanish at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and then spent a postgraduate year at Moscow State University in 1961. While working as a British Council teacher of English in Hamina, Finland in 1962, he met Raili Laaksonen, a fellow teacher. They married in 1964 and she survives him along with their children Karin and Colin. Life as a Kremlinologist began in 1963 as an assistant research officer at the Foreign Office.

Carroll Nicholson used to boast in the 1980s that both his sons had offices near to Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street — Martin advising her on Soviet affairs and Robin on science. By then the former had 25 years behind him as a Kremlinologist in Moscow and in London where he built up a “Who’s Who of Soviet Union” until the metal cabinets containing his index cards had to be placed on top of a loadbearing wall. He was able to tell Thatcher with authority that “the ice was beginning to crack under the feet of the geriatric Soviet leadership”; by the start of the 1980s the average age of the politburo was over 79 and the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was “losing his marbles”.

He believed that the Soviet Union never recovered from the resignation of the charismatic Nikita Khrushchev. “The next three leaders all continued in office until they died in their early to midseventies of old age and sickness. The system’s

ability to reform and reinvigorate itself was thus circumscribed.

“After Brezhnev’s death in 1982, Nicholson gave his successor the “KGB man” Yuri Andropov credit as “the thinking man’s hardliner”, yet Nicholson discovered that Andropov’s kidneys were failing and that he was almost permanently hooked up to a dialysis machine. He died after 15 months in office in February 1984. Nicholson then advised that Andropov’s replacement, Konstantin Chernenko, would not be around long enough to bother engaging with. So it proved when he died in March 1985.

Such advice influenced Thatcher in latching onto Mikhail Gorbachev, and Nicholson rendered a secondary service as a translator for Raisa Gorbacheva when she accompanied her husband to the UK in December 1984. While Thatcher and Gorbachev were locked in “ideological combat” over dinner at Chequers, Nicholson navigated petty point scoring between Denis Thatcher and Gorbacheva. “When DT asked her if she had noticed on the way to Chequers how good the roads were, she said she had, but ‘Your country is so small it’s easy to cover it with good roads’ ” Nicholson recalled in his memoir Activities Incompatible: Memoirs of a Kremlinologist. Her body language was impossible to dissemble in translation after she had declared “I know where my country is!” when an official pointed out Russia on a globe in the drawing room.

OBITUARIES

From 1965 to 1968 Nicholson was 3rd Secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, where he became used to his apartment being bugged, his luggage being tampered with and being followed by a KGB man.

Nicholson would read the Soviet press each day, ending it with his shirt smeared with cheap newsprint. He surmised that Khruschev’s leadership ended because he had accumulated too much power as both first secretary of the party’s Central Committee and chair of the Council of Ministers. “The leadership resolved in future not to allow these two posts to be held by one man.”

At that time, he sent a weekly dispatch to London that he called his “miscellany.” Brezhnev was “a careerist and vain man. He had no real interest in the ideology he espoused.” He also revealed that Brezhnev owned a Rolls-Royce, as Lenin had before him, while “the majority of Muscovites were looking for entertainment to lift them out of the drudgery of everyday life.” One of the most popular films in 1965 was Carry on Nurse.

His posting was spiced up by Harold Wilson’s visits to Moscow, when Nicholson would often act as an interpreter. In 1966, Wilson flattered himself that he could end the Vietnam War by visiting Moscow to arrange a summit between the North Vietnamese and the Russians.

“Wilson reckoned that he understood the Soviet system and could establish a man-

to-man rapport with Soviet leaders,” recalled Nicholson with just a hint of scepticism. Embassy officials quailed at visits from the Foreign secretary George Brown, for whom Nicholson recalled “the phrase ‘tired and emotional’ (drunk and abusive) seemed to have been invented. On finding advice from British ambassador Sir Geoffrey Harrison patronising, Brown yelled: “You shut up or I’ll post you to the Yemen.” Thereafter, it became the stock retort when anyone spoke out of line.

In 1971 Nicholson was appointed first secretary in Moscow, but was expelled in September for “activities incompatible with my diplomatic status”. The Soviets alleged that he had been involved in the defection of Anatoly Fedoseyev in May 1971, but it was clear retaliation for the UK’s expulsion of 105 members of the Soviet Embassy in London for spying.

Within a year, Nicholson was back behind the Iron Curtain as first secretary in Prague. Nicholson’s secret service minders were suspicious of his lack of hauteur and his taste for exploring.

After three years back at the Foreign Office, Nicholson went to Vienna in 1978 as first secretary of the UK Delegation to Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction (MBFR) negotiations. Returning to London in 1981, he served as principal research officer at the Foreign Office, assistant secretary, and adviser on Russian affairs, Cabinet Office, and his final posting was

with the British Embassy, Moscow. He retired in 1998, and became an associate fellow of Chatham House.

In 2015, Nicholson obtained a copy of the 268-page dossier written during his posting to Prague. “It was wildly inaccurate about our motives, but strikingly perspicacious in their analysis of our characters.” His Czech minders were bemused, and suspicious, as to why Nicholson habitually ordered omelette and a yoghurt from a small café on Charles Bridge. “Why such a meagre venue, why such a modest lunch, why always the same? What sort of a lunch is this for a diplomat?” There was almost as much material on his wife as there was on him.

One dispatch, which describes the couple’s departure, made him laugh. “First Secretary Nicholson is preparing to leave Prague on 20 June 1975, which he is apparently not at all pleased about, as in England he will live in very much reduced circumstances.”

1956 John Jeremy Clarke (LS) died 16 February

Richard Ellis (LS 55) writes ...

Born in Northamptonshire on May 17 1937, Jeremy attended Laxton Grammar School from 1947 to 1956 and became Head of School in his last year.

A great sportsman, Jeremy was captain of the LGS football team and competed in athletic competitions between local schools.

Keith Diggle (LS 55) remembers one of his best school friends: “When we were at Laxton Grammar School there was, every two years, a cross country match with King’s School, Peterborough.

I took part three times.

I didn’t finish the first time, came seventh the second and won the third. Jeremy was also in those races (he was a good runner). In our final race Jeremy and I were running and, towards the end, we were at the front.

We came to a barbed wire fence under which Jeremy crawled and then pulled up the wire so that I could get under and continue to run. That gave me the edge and I immediately continued to run and win the race with Jeremy coming in second. He was the sort of man who would do things like that.”

In 1956 the school celebrated its Quartercentenary. This was celebrated by a visit to Oundle by the Queen Mother. A service was held in the parish church to commemorate the event and afterwards JJ Clarke accompanied the Queen Mother on a tour of the Laxton School Long Room which was a great honour for him.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

109

OBITUARIES

John James (D) died October 2024

John James who has died aged 87 was, according to his rowing club’s obituary, “for decades a much-sought crew-mate (or feared competitor), an Olympian, a coach, a mentor, a valued voice in rowing management, a friend, an ideal, a beacon on the hill.”

John grew up in Warwickshire. In 1951 he followed his father, J.R.D. James, into Dryden, leaving in 1956 as Head of House, Captain of Rowing, and CCF Company Sergeant Major. His school reports speak of a boy who quietly knew his own mind, with a talent for organisation and leadership.

After National Service in Canada he studied at the LSE and then qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

He worked for Schroders in London before emigrating to Australia in 1969, where he continued to work for Schroders before becoming an independent consultant.

His first rowing experience was as a fouryear-old, when he rowed across a lake - but was unable to get back! His Dryden crews won the junior and senior house IVs and in 1955 he stroked the Ist VIII at Henley,

110

losing in the final by a few feet, Oundle’s best ever Henley result.

He later became the cornerstone of the London crews that he rowed in and won the Thames Cup at Henley with University of London, its first ever such victory; with Tideway Scullers he won the Head of the River race and the Stewards at Henley in 1964 and the Stewards again in 1965 with Quinton RC; in 1964 his GB IV won Silver at the Tokyo Olympics. John believed that scullers make better rowers and that there’s too much emphasis on ergs and strength over the ability to move the boat. ”I believe in technique over brute force. I’m not six foot six and 100kg with the strength of a gorilla and so have to rely on technique and guile.”

John joined North Shore Rowing Club, Sydney in 1976 and over the next 48 years won hundreds of medals, in every boat class from singles to eights, both in Australia and internationally. A recent win was the Champion of Champions race at the 2023 Australian Rowing Masters, with spectators from all clubs shouting near hysterical encouragement as 85-year-old John held off challenges from men up to 50 years his junior. In June 2024 he won the NSW Masters Rower of the Year award and a couple of months later, aged 87, won Gold in a pair and Bronze in a double at the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Germany.

John made a huge contribution to rowing administration, serving at North Shore in

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

various positions and as a Commissioner with Rowing NSW, a State Masters Selector, and a Commissioner (and NSW delegate) with the Rowing Australia Masters Commission, for all of which he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021.

Generations of rowers remember with fondness the tall, lean, reserved English coach who was so generous with his time and knowledge. His dedication to mentoring and coaching set him apart. He was also a mainstay of the Ancient Mariners, a group of Sydney rowers of advancing years keen to row competitively with their age group.

Sailing was another passion. He had started young as a boy with his family. At Oundle he won the first inter-schools sailing competition with J.L. Grogono (D 55).

The prize was a brandnew Firefly. He later competed in the Fastnet Race and in 1968 was the half owner, designer and builder of Icarus, Grogono’s brainchild, a Tornado catamaran, the first ever successful hydrofoil conversion of a standard sailing design.

John reportedly prevented numerous blunders by obstinately refusing to take any ideas or calculations on trust. For years he sailed Finns, Dragons and other Olympic class boats at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Prince Edward Yacht Club.

John and Margaret Fraher were married in 1972. She predeceased him and he leaves two children and two grandchildren.

1957 Martin Holloway (G) died 29 November 2023

His daughter, Claire Ford, writes …

It was at Oundle that Martin Holloway discovered the guiding passion of his life – flying.

He was in the cadet corps and was selected for a flying scholarship. It was a 34-hour course and yet after just four and half hours he took the Tiger Moth up on his own. He was clearly a born airman.

After school he had been destined to enter his family’s construction business, but the lure of flying was too strong and he joined the Fleet Air Arm which took him all over the world.

Piloting Buccaneers, he saw action in Aden as part of the task force covering the withdrawal of British troops from Aden in 1967 - fighting at times was fierce. Martin also took part in airstrikes on the wrecked oil tanker Torrey Canyon in order to burn off the massive oil slick forming in the seas off the Scilly Isles.

Much as he enjoyed life on, or preferably several thousand feet above the ocean wave, he had a growing family to think of.

He and Pamela had three daughters, so he started at Airworks which supplied air services to the RAF and

OBITUARIES

Fleet Air Arm. He was also a much-respected member of The Blue Herons air display team.

His marriage did not endure but Martin found happiness in later years when Jane Donaldson entered his life and remained at the centre of it until his death in 2023. They were perfectly matched and when not flying his 1930s Stampe biplane, they loved nothing more than driving to club meets in his three litre Lagonda - and it is like this that he would wish to be remembered.

Timothy Hugh William Piper (B) died 15 January

His son, Angus Piper (B 85), writes ...

Tim Piper passed away peacefully in Addenbrookes Hospital after a short illness the day after his 85th birthday, which he was determined to make and had enjoyed celebrating in hospital with family members. He told those present that the last time he had been really ill was when he contracted Asian flu whilst at Oundle in 1956.

Tim loved his time in Bramston House and then went up to Lincoln College Oxford following which he was articled as a solicitor at Titmus Sainer

and subsequently moved to Brecher & Co as a company law specialist.

He was a longstanding member of the Saville Club where friends and family enjoyed a wonderful lunch on his 80th, five years ago. He led the Arnold House School Old Boys Club, the 42 Club, and for many years was President of Finchley Rugby Club.

He ran a dining club, the Skullians, the name of which emanated from the skull and crossbones on the Bramston House tie.

Tim was also a past Master (2007 vintage) of the Tallow Chandlers Livery Company.

Tim married Lesley Lawson with whom he had two children, Angus and Rachel Piper. Angus followed Tim to Bramston (85) and it was a great pleasure to Tim that his grandson, George Piper, is set to follow in their footsteps and will come to Bramston in September 2027.

Tim later married Ann Williamson and her three sons Nicholas, Christopher and Mark also all came to Oundle (in Laundimer).

He was proud of his 10 wonderful grandchildren, and was always immaculately turned out, never without a fresh rose in a silver buttonhole holder, invariably a waistcoat, a jacket and tie or cravat, and in the old days often puffing on a decent-sized cigar.

1958 Michael Langley Tribe (G) died June His daughters, Elizabeth and Annabel, write ...

Michael was a pupil at Oundle until (we think) 1958. He died in June of

colon cancer, having been diagnosed only in March.

Michael lived an active and healthy life, enjoying walking in the mountains and hills until well into his 80s. He celebrated his 85th birthday last year with his close family in the Cotswolds. One of Michael’s great loves was Snowdonia, where he walked and climbed Snowdon more times than he could count.

1959 Dudley Lucas (Sc) died in December 2024

His brother Nick Lucas (Sc 65) writes ...

Dudley was the eldest child of Tony Lucas (N 33) and Ruth. He entered School House in the autumn of 1954 and was always the scientist - one of his classmates and friends was Richard Dawkins. He left Oundle to pursue veterinary science, but when this did not work out, he became a Chartered Accountant, being at one time Company Secretary at Fortnum & Mason.

His great hobbies were motor racing ( he was for a time part owner of a Targa Florio Sprite that he raced both in England and abroad) ; animals (he had a pet marmoset called Knocker and many other pets, including snakes, throughout his life) ;

football and in his later years, cookery.

He spent his last 32 years in Kenya with Liz. In Nairobi, they started a business catering and supplying home-made cakes to supermarkets.

In 2008, they retired and moved to Kilifi on the coast, where Dudley continued to bake cakes for friends and acquired a reputation for rescuing unwelcome snakes from houses and releasing them into the wild. Dudley loved the climate of the coast, and he and Liz were highly regarded by their friends and acquaintances and by the local people.

He played goalkeeper for his local team until he was 70! He is survived by Liz and their three children.

Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc) died 22 March from The Niagara on the Lake Globe and Mail ...

At the age of 82, Nigel Napier-Andrews passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He took his last breath surrounded by a kaleidoscope of spring flowers in his home, with family and friends by his side, raising a glass of Veuve Clicquot in his honour. A father, grandfather, husband, sailor, commodore, author, scriptwriter and worldtravelling bon vivant, Nigel moved to Niagaraon-the-Lake in 2022 with his beloved wife, Diane (née Watts), whom he lost just over a year later.

He instantly fell in love with the town and, with his friend, Matt Phillips, continued his video series Escapes with Nigel, which focused on the town’s charms. With another

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

111

OBITUARIES

friend, Peter Donato, he began the groundwork for an official Niagara Film Office to attract movie and television producers to the region. Nigel was born in London in 1942, while his father, Ken, was a WWII prisoner of war. Raised by his mother, Lushie, and his grandparents in Wimbledon, when war ended, the family moved to Cairo, then Benghazi, Libya, and finally, in 1959 to Kenya. Eventually, with political and racial unrest settling in, Nigel fled back to England, where he was hired as a buyer for an advertising agency. That led to a role in administration with the BBC, who in 1966 sent him to Canada as their on-site production manager during Expo 67. In true Nigel fashion, he connected with many CBC representatives in the press club, who convinced him to stay in Canada to work for the national broadcaster.

Nigel spent 24 years with the CBC, producing programs such as Elwood Glover’s Luncheon Date, the hit panel show This is the Law, and Graham Kerr’s The Galloping Gourmet, and co-produced the very first broadcast of the Gemini Awards show. After leaving the CBC, he continued to work in broadcasting as a freelancer before being brought into Royal Bank of Canada’s public relations department, where he successfully pitched an idea for a quarterly video program that took him to every corner of Canada and the Caribbean. He retired from RBC in 2009 but never stopped creating.

112

There were his numerous cookbooks (starting with How to Eat Well and Stay Single in 1974 through to Simplifood Too, which arrived in late 2024), film scripts, several video series and his blog, Gentleman’s Portion, which ran from August 2012 until his final farewell post in March 2025. Nigel was proud of his British heritage and it was difficult not to be immediately charmed by his posh British accent.

But he loved Canada and its heritage and culture, and made friends everywhere he went.

Predeceased by his wife, Diane, Nigel shared his final moments with his children. He also had a chance to say farewell to his grandchildren and his beloved nephew. In that final blog post, the man who had recently beaten prostate cancer, melanoma and a devastating 2021 car crash faced his diagnosis head-on. He thanked his friends and family for their extraordinary outpouring of love. “I have come to terms with my future,” Nigel wrote. “I hope that my family and friends will come to terms with my future. I have had a good life. A very full life.” Nigel inspired many through his creative and passionate outlook on life. He loved writing, creating, reading, cooking, sailing, horseback riding, travel and adventure. These passions will live on in his children, grandchildren and friends for the rest of their lives.

At his request, Nigel Napier-Andrews will be privately cremated.

1960 John Lord (C) died 19 March

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

His son Henry Lord writes …

John Raymond Lord was born on 1 March 1942 in St. Anne’s, Lancashire, the only child of J.R.C. ‘Ray’ Lord (C 30) and Kathleen ‘Kay’ Lord. As a boy, he was taken by his grandfather to see Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool FC and never looked back, becoming a lifelong ‛Tangerine Seasider’, following the club through thick and (mostly) thin times. After Terra Nova prep school in Cheshire, John went to Oundle where he enjoyed playing Fives and cricket, and where his lifelong love for English poetry was sparked. He adored his time at Oundle and made many great friends there.

From Oundle, he went up to Cambridge in 1961 to read Law. He had very fond memories of his time at Christ’s, enjoying all the cricket, golf and social camaraderie the college had to offer. With neither the inclination nor ego for corporate law, he became a senior partner (‘another bloody lawyer’ as he liked to say) at a local firm of solicitors in Preston. He was a great listener, and clients naturally warmed to him.

A keen golfer, John became a member of Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s GC in 1959 and served on several

committees. Naturally uncompetitive, he far preferred friendly matches followed by a convivial clubhouse lunch at Lytham or at Brancaster in Norfolk, where many of his old school and Cambridge pals gravitated.

Known to friends and family as ‘Lordy’ or ‘Johnny’, he was a kind man full of charm, gentleness, a ready dry humour and a very positive outlook; all great strengths which he played to as Commodore, and later President, of the Lytham Yacht Club in retirement. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

He leaves his beloved Judith, son Henry, daughter Jo and three grandchildren - Thomas, James and India.

Andrew Walker (C) died 21 February

His son, Matthew, writes ...

Born into a farming family in rural Nottinghamshire, he followed in his father John (C 16) and brother Tom’s (C 42) footsteps, starting at Oundle in 1955. He enjoyed his time in Crosby, made enduring friendships, and represented the School CCF shooting team at Bisley. He went on to Bristol University, graduated with a degree

OBITUARIES

in Spanish and History of European Art, and spent a memorable summer crossing Canada in 1964.

His working life started with roles in aviation, first in Belfast and then back in Bristol, where he met and married his landlady’s daughter. He moved to a management trainee role in a packaging firm in Somerset, where a rural life began anew with his own young family. From there a burgeoning career in operations and general management took him to Cambridgeshire and then Canada, and later from Spain to Cumbria. He led teams by his example and made lifelong friendships, perhaps never happier than when in conversation with colleagues on the factory floor.

Over subsequent years, he enjoyed fond reminiscences and longlost connections through OO reunions, the Sunshine Club and his membership of the Stationers’ Livery Company. In retirement, he split his time between his Cambridgeshire village – where he was a mainstay of the community as a long-serving churchwarden, annual summer Garden Evening host, and indefatigable allotment-digger – and the Lake District cottage he bought and renovated, which became his beloved bolt-hole in the hills.

Andrew passed away peacefully after a short illness with his wife Virginia, son Matthew Walker (StA 90) and daughter Rachel at his side. His family inherit the values of his 82 years well lived, his love of the great outdoors, and his belief in working hard and enjoying

the simple pleasures of life. A cherished husband, devoted Dad and proud Grandpa, he is much missed.

Roger White (Sc) died in August 2024.

Simon White (S 69) writes Roger attended Oundle in the 1950s, the continuation of a string of OOs going back to my grandfather, who was taught by F.W.Sanderson, a family friend of my great grandfather. Roger’s happiest times were unquestionably in the workshops. (see “Secrets of Workshop Week revealed”, The Old Oundelian 20212022 p 14-15 ). He did the prescribed exercises before getting on to proper stuff, designing and casting a high compression cylinder head for a racing Austin 7 which our father was building. He was also very much involved with the 1929/30 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost restoration project. Another notable achievement, aged 15, was to design and make a tape recorder, very much a rarity in the 1950s.

After graduating in Chemistry from Manchester University, employment at Carrington & Dewhurst on their R&D side focussed on improving water-jet systems for weaving cloth. Technical and design issues as well as

producing his own designs for solving production problems were to be his forte.

In the early 70s Rog moved to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in mid Wales, where he remained connected for the rest of his life, latterly responsible for the waterpowered funicular railway.

There he also designed and ran practical courses for VSO volunteers, teaching sustainable and practical skills where resources and equipment are limited. At the same time he was designing and producing small portable wind turbines for off-grid sites on the island of Eigg, on Inaccessible Island, off Tristan da Cunha and one that went with the “ In The Footsteps of Scott” expedition to the Antarctic in the mid 80s. Although this ill fated expedition had to be rescued from the ice, Roger’s turbine never missed a beat!

Whilst in Scotland Roger spied some crumbling roofless outbuildings which he described as a potential workshop with cottage attached! This would become his base for the next 45+ years, the rest of his life. Single handedly restoring the buildings, and also commuting to CAT at Machynlleth, he concentrated on his lifetime project, a triple expansion woodfired steam engine of his own design and manufacture to power one of his Land Rovers, his “Fossil-Free 4x4” He also became deeply involved in many aspects of Gaelic culture, singing with the Aberfeldy Gaelic choir, Argyll & Bute’s “Ceann

an Tuirc” and occasionally Glasgow’s choir.

He was a gregarious chap, a complete optimist, living life very much to the full, and he always had a project on the go.

He was loved by the local community and friends from all around the country as was evident by the turnout for his memorial at Fortingall, where he was remembered as a “one-off”, a true eccentric and an inspirational engineer. One friend described a visit from Rog “Like a comet, he would periodically shoot through on his way somewhere”.

He’s left a huge hole in many lives, but lived a very full one.

1961 Peter Mair (S) died 30 May His brother Jonny Mair (S 64) writes ...

At Oundle, Peter played leads in school plays. He was also a stroke-side oar in the 1st Eight in 1961. He then studied at RADA, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing minor parts at Stratford, where he also trained a crew of cast and staff to row an eight on the Avon. Still with the RSC, he became House Manager at the Aldwych Theatre and moved to London. In the 70s and 80s he was Drama Officer at the Arts Council at 105 Piccadilly. In 1986, when Thatcher halved the arts budget, Peter was made redundant. He returned to acting, now in theatre, film, television and radio: I’ve counted well over a hundred acting credits.

He was a great organiser, running

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

113

OBITUARIES

international theatre design exhibitions, and volunteering was central to his life. Step-grandfather William Beveridge’s “Report” represented more than a thousand hours of pro bono work. Will was always a beacon for Peter as he guided amateur drama groups, volunteered as a mentor to new RADA students, and supported local community services.

Among much else. Peter was being collected by paramedics from his flat when he collapsed and died. He suffered from a form of lung cancer caused solely by asbestos. It was established some years ago that the building at 105 Piccadilly contained just that. So Drama Officer Peter Mair’s work for the Government, five decades earlier, had already set the stage for his final exit.

1963 John Tausig (Ldr) died 12 April

His son, Alex, writes...

John Alan Tausig was born in Clapham Maternity Hospital on 17 March 1946, in the first cohort of the post-war baby boomers.

His father, Antonin Edgar, born in Prague and a native Czech speaker, had dual nationality due to his English mother, was schooled in England and had served in Intelligence

114

for the British Army. Violet Iris Lumsden North, his mother, was a debutante who had worked for the Norwegians during the War. John’s first home was at Latymer Court, Hammersmith, with his paternal grandmother living in a nearby flat, while Iris’s mother lived in a grace and favour apartment in Hampton Court. John was a delightful, happy and precocious little boy. As an only child, enjoying the undivided attention of many adults, he was lively and talkative, and demonstrated an early love of the telephone, which was to stay with him throughout his life. At Latymer Court, John made the first of many lifelong friends, his neighbour, Paul Mikhailoff. Aged five, he was sent first to Wagner’s Prep School at Queen’s Gate, and at only seven, to board at Oundle, as his father had done.

John missed his beloved mother terribly but enjoyed his school days, was a bright though not highly academic student, and excelled at cricket, rugby and boxing, at which he represented the school as Captain. When he left Oundle in 1963, his father sent him to learn accountancy and he duly qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

In the mid 60s, Ted and Iris had moved to a stylish, modern house in Sunburyon-Thames. By now, in his early 20s, John was a regular on the London social scene as a ‘debs’ delight’ – one of a group of young men hand-picked

by Peter Townend to

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

accompany young women to debutante balls. He met Fiona, and together had some happy years enjoying all that London could offer. Later, John switched career to become a member of the Stock Exchange, and moved to Burford in Oxfordshire. He worked as a private client stock broker, at one stage for J. P. Morgan, and latterly independently. After Black Monday in 1987, and with the changes brought about by computerisation, John left the financial world.

He dabbled in public relations and fundraising and began to follow the art world. In 1990, at a dinner party, he met Elizabeth, then working at the Royal Academy of Arts. He moved with her to London Fields, Hackney, where they welcomed Alexander in 1994 and Raphael in 1997. John was a loving and devoted father.

In 2002, he returned to the family home to take care of his elderly mother, who was widowed shortly afterwards. He was the most caring son, and organised lunches and parties in Sunbury for her. John always said how much he adored Iris and admired Ted; he scattered their ashes together under the magnificent magnolia tree in the garden and often remembered them.

John enjoyed church activities, keeping up with the corporate world, taking trips abroad or to stately homes in England, and spending time with his precious boys, of whom he was inordinately proud. During this period, Christine became a loyal and loving friend to him and the boys.

John was lucky to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life, an enormous and ever widening circle of friends, and the freedom to do what he liked. He was often spoken of affectionately as a ‘free spirit’ as well as a Peter Pan or Walter Mitty character. With his charm and confident, gentlemanly demeanour, he attracted people from all walks of life, and remained a faithful friend to them. John was unfailingly generous with his time, focus, knowledge and connections, and his true epithet should rightly be ‘Loved by so many’.

1966 Sir David Nabarro (Ldr) died 26 July

from The Guardian ...

Many young people start out wanting to make a difference. Sir David Nabarro, who has died aged 75, was unusual in recognising early on the power of synergy.

Aged 17, between leaving Oundle and going to Oxford to study medicine, he was the subject of a 1967 BBC documentary on volunteering when he spent a year as organiser of Youth Action, leading a group of 400 volunteers in York. That experience – coordinating efforts

OBITUARIES

for maximum impact – presaged a life in public service spent urging, cajoling and commanding others to work together.

After stints as a medical officer in Iraq and Nepal, and as a health and population adviser in Kenya, he joined the World Health Organization, and subsequently the UN, leading the responses to the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the 2016 cholera outbreak in Haiti.

But it was as the WHO’s special envoy for Covid-19, one of six appointed by the director general, that Nabarro became best known in the UK. He described the pandemic as a “health crisis unlike anything we have encountered in my professional experience”. He was early to advocate the use of masks and testing, tracing and isolating infected individuals, but courted controversy with his remarks on lockdowns – which he said were misquoted. He argued that lockdowns should be used as “circuit breakers”, as a reserve measure to temporarily slow the spread of the virus. In a BBC interview in 2020 he cautioned against a national lockdown, describing it as a ‘a very extreme restriction on economic and social life’.

The primary measure, he thought, should be a robust test, trace and isolate system.

As a lifelong champion of health equity, he was critical of the global response to the pandemic.

He lamented the way politics had begun shifting

how governments responded to global health emergencies. In a 2021 interview, he recalled how the global response to Ebola in 2014 had been “amazing”, but that by the time Covid-19 developed in 2020 things had changed. “I find world leaders are no longer apparently able to work together and deal with this through a global response.”

Despite his disappointment he worked tirelessly to protect the UK and beyond from the pandemic, arguing forcefully for vaccine equity. “The one thing we want [at the WHO] is every country in the world to be able to access a fair share of the vaccine,” he said. He was knighted in 2023.

His kindness, humility and decency won loyalty from staff, though his work ethic could be challenging.

He was the “Gandalf of the UN”, said Aurélia Nguyen of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. “He worked all hours relentlessly – some of his staff may say mercilessly – but with such conviction and passion it was impossible not to follow him.”

Born in London, David was one of the four children of Sir John Nabarro, a consultant endocrinologist, and Joan Cockrell. David was educated at Oundle before studying medicine at Worcester College, Oxford, and University College hospital, London. He joined WHO in 1999, working first on malaria and later, alongside the director-general Gro Harlem Brundtland on the

creation of the global fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, which has since saved millions of lives.

In 2003 he survived the bombing of the Canal hotel in Baghdad while serving as WHO representative for health action in crises. He was appointed senior UN system coordinator for avian influenza in 2005, establishing him as a pioneer in pandemic preparedness.

His most visible role came in 2014 when he coordinated an unprecedented response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Facing a situation where “the number of people getting sick was doubling every week”, he helped bring the epidemic under control by engaging the community, building trust and addressing social and economic factors alongside delivering medical aid.

In 2019 he became codirector of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, a role to which he brought his vast operational experience, remarkable ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and readiness to mentor young researchers. His office was always open to students and colleagues seeking guidance, and his generous spirit enriched the academic community.

Nabarro is survived by his second wife, Florence Lasbennes, whom he married in 2019, and by five children – two sons and a daughter with Susanna Graham-Jones, and a daughter and son from his marriage to

Gillian Holmes – and seven grandchildren.

1970 Marcus Nickson (N) died in May, 2024

Richard Owen (Sc 70) writes ...

Marcus entered New House in 1965 , where he followed in the footsteps of his father. Marcus loved his time at Oundle and throughout his life regularly returned to visit the school and to reminisce with friends. I recall that he was very fond of his former Housemaster Dick Chignell and often used to recount stories of ‘Chiggers’ and put on his special Chiggers accent to repeat phrases that Chiggers might or might not have said! I have happy memories of Marcus and especially recall the many times that I was invited to drinks receptions held at the Talbot hotel where his parents would hire a private room with a wellstocked bar whenever they visited Oundle, to host friendly boozy evenings.

Marcus’s father, who was referred to by his initials PTN, was besotted with Oundle, and would visit many times each term!

After leaving, Marcus attended Manchester

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

115

OBITUARIES

University where he read history. Afterwards, he trained as a solicitor and entered the legal profession. During his career he specialized in clinical negligence and represented numerous victims of medical blunders.

It is said that one defining factor of a true friendship is that whenever you meet an old friend, perhaps after a number of years has lapsed, you can take up where you left off. This was certainly true with Marcus and myself.

Whenever I spoke to or saw him, no matter how long the gap since we had last spoken, he would greet me with great enthusiasm and was always pleased to hear from me no matter how he was feeling at the time. This is how I like to remember my great friend.

With a smile on his face.

He passed away after a long and courageous battle, and leaves behind a son and daughter, grandchildren and his beloved and devoted wife Kerstin.

1974 Nick Wilson (N) died 5 December 2024

Nick was born on 13 April 1958 to parents Alan

116

and Joan. That month Perry Como’s Magic Moments was riding high as Number 1 in the UK hit parade, and work commenced on the construction of the M1 motorway. Alan taught at Huddersfield Technical College, and Joan in Halifax; Nick had a younger brother, James.

Nick was a bright child, initially attending St David’s Preparatory School before moving on to Oundle. With his parents benefitting from long school holidays, summers were spent touring in their caravan, frequently going to France. Nick was very sporty, joining Fixby Golf Club in 1969 and winning 5 honours board majors, 2 Livingston Bowls, a Holliday Shield with Jonny Heyes, a Mixed Foursomes with Melody and a Williams Victory Prize. Golf was a lifelong passion, and his ability seemed to improve with the years, as he attained a handicap of 5 and helped the OOGS capture the Mellin Salver at West Hill in 2023. He was also a regular attender of the Birkdale Bucket each March, recording the highest ever score of 43 points in 2020 and appearing in his Old Boy’s blazer which he carried off in style.

He had many other sporting interests, including football where he joined Huddersfield Amateurs, tennis at the Grove on Heaton Road, and a little-known sortie into Rugby League with the Fartown juniors.

After leaving Oundle he completed his A levels at Huddersfield Tech, with

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

his father helping out.

Whilst he was initially interested in studying Sociology, his father persuaded him that Law was a better bet, not least because he was likely to earn more. Nick duly embarked on his successful business career, studying law at Sheffield University and then Guildford Law School. He then went to Owen & Briggs to do his articles but soon lost interest and joined Boss recruitment. Moving to London to seek his fortune, he initially worked for the Law Society and then joined Amhurst, Brown, Colombotti in St James’s, describing them as ‘the Mafia lawyers.’

He worked with Lord Lucan’s daughter, Frances, and was so successful that whilst not actually qualified as a solicitor, he was earning more than his qualified colleagues.

Suitably embarrassed, he knuckled down, passed his remaining exams and duly qualified in 1989.

Nick moved back up north to take up a role with the National Provincial Building Society in Bradford, followed by Travellers Insurance in Leeds, where he became a pioneer in the then unusual concept of working from home, something which Nick was to develop into an art form!

He married Judith McDermott in 1986 and whilst the marriage did not endure, they remained on good terms. His last major work position was with leading law firm Weightmans from 2013. He had carved out a niche role in auditing negligence and his services were much

sought after. Whether it was discovery trips to Peru, Ecuador, India, Egypt, Cambodia, Thailand and South Africa or the plethora of golfing tours with his chums, Nick did a lot of checking out of hotels during his life. With his easy manner and elan, Nick was never short of friends and admirers.

Generous by nature, he could light up any social gathering and was always in search of fine food and wine, usually spending more on the latter.

He eventually retired in 2019 leaving more time to really enjoy himself. He won the inaugural Huddersfield Examiner golf knockout competition to go to Mallorca and continued to support the event for many years. When Nick became ill, he typically continued with life, never bleating or complaining.

One glorious August afternoon, whilst he was installed at Calderdale Hospital, connected to a plethora of monitors by a variety of wires and tubes, he decided enough was enough. He booked an Uber, carefully unhooked himself from his machinery, dressed and surreptitiously crept out of the ward in a scene reminiscent of Carry on Matron. Twenty minutes later, he was enjoying a restorative pint of Golden Best on the Terrace at Fixby Golf Club, to the standing ovation of the members present. He returned after an hour or so and none of the nurses were any the wiser. Nick passed away peacefully in the care of Overgate Hospice, leaving one daughter, Sadie, and two grand children.

OBITUARIES

1981 David Bowen (S 81) died 31 January

His brother, Mark Bowen, writes...

David Roderick Vivian Bowen (known as Rod or Roddy) was born on 6 March 1963 in London and grew up in Radlett, Hertfordshire the son of a forensic pathologist. Rod had two siblings, myself and Diana, 11 and 10 years respectively older than him.

Rod had previously been to Edge Grove Prep school in Hertfordshire before going to Oundle in 1976 where I think he was happy enough. Being some distance away from home was not to his liking, but the rowing facilities at Oundle were very much so, along with the woodwork and metalwork activities.

His A-level grades enabled him to go to medical school, Charing Cross in London, where he qualified as a doctor and after various hospital “house” positions he joined a GP practice in Southend as a partner where he stayed for a couple of decades and then moved on for a few more years to another GP practice in the area.

He retired early in his mid-50s having had enough of medical

practice. He pursued his interest in metalwork and woodwork at home in Leigh on Sea along with cycling, campervanning and numerous trips to Malta where he and his wife Stephanie had bought a property. Stephanie, who was from Malta, and he were married when he was 26. They were happily married for some 36 years before he died. They did not have any children but had a succession of flat coated retriever dogs.

Rod died at the age of 61. He had always been fit and in good health but over Christmas he caught a pneumonia infection and despite heroic efforts over a number of weeks at Southend General Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London he could not be saved.

1982 Matthew Turner (Sn) died 30 June 2024

Justin Rabbett writes...

I met Matthew on our first day at Sanderson and later we often shared a study or bedsit. Our last was named Pseud’s Corner, so intense were the conversations about poetry, art, love, life and faith. Matt loved music and art and took A Levels in Art, Greek and Latin. He was winner of the School Fencing cup in

1982 and the Frank Malina Art/Science prize in 1982, played bass guitar, was a good rower, and excelled in innovative etching and screen print - skills he took into later life. He spent many hours working on machines, from tiny glowplug engines to several Triumph Heralds.

After Art College at Loughborough, and a spell writing copy for weekly ‘how to’ and encyclopaedic magazines at IMP, he set up on his own as a researcher, writer and editor. He moved to New Zealand and amongst his many publications is 150 Years of Rail in New Zealand (Penguin 2014).

An accomplished artist, he produced screen prints and etchings, many celebrating the harmony of colour and pattern repeated. Those close to him were delighted with illustrated birthday cards and paintings generously given. Clever, curious, always considerate and kind, he had an admirable humility, and his compassion was endless: Christian values less treasured now.

Stepping off the straight line of life was emphatically discouraged at Oundle, so I hid it, and Matthew didn’t know that I was gay. Now, mental illness is often talked about. Then, depression was a meteorological event rolling in off the Atlantic.

When I fluffed my A levels, it mattered less to me because I’d met in Matt a friend for life who alone stayed close through our lives after school. When I did come out, he did not shy from our friendship and asked me to be best man at his marriage to

Gabrielle and then to be godfather to his first born, a great honour.

The last time we met in person was in May 2024, when he surprised me by apologising for how I must have felt at school.

It was absolutely typical of Matthew to consider others. Matt died suddenly at home in Masterton, New Zealand, on 25 June 2024 of heart problems of which he was unaware.

A thanksgiving service for his life was held at St Andrews, Great Rollright.

He leaves wife Gabrielle, daughters Clemency and Lily, son Theo, as well as his father Christopher and sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Simon.

1985 Mark Robert Wood (Ldr) died 4 March His widow Simone and his mother Anne write ...

Mark died of Huntington’s Disease (HD), aged 58, after battling the illness for the last 20 years.

Mark was born into an RAF family and so toured the country with his younger twin brother Christopher (d 22 December 2018 also from HD) before going to board at the Duke of Kent Preparatory School at the age of 9. They then they both went to Oundle aged 13.

Mark was a happy child and carried this happiness into adulthood where he was described as having a zest for life, fun to be with and full of laughter. He loved sport, played cricket in the 1st eleven at Oundle, and golf in the holidays.

The latter he continued until he could do it no longer.

In 1984 he went to

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

117

OBITUARIES

Oxford, where he studied History, and made a lot of new friends who remained with him through his illness. After graduating he moved into Investment Management and became very interested in Japan.

As a result, in 1996 he went there to work and soon met his wife-to-be.

He stayed for a decade, with a short break in the middle in Hong Kong, working finally as a Fund manager for J P Morgan.

When Mark was diagnosed with symptomatic HD, he and his wife returned to the UK, and they devoted the following year to travelling, taking in Iran, as well as a South American tour which included Patagonia and Bolivia, and hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru.

He continued to enjoy sport during his illness, and in his later years he watched a broad range of sport on TV. He was a great supporter of Chelsea, through thick and thin, and apart from enjoying their more recent success, he was delighted to be able to attend Stamford Bridge matches as a season ticket holder for a couple of years. He also had the privilege of meeting his Chelsea heroes at their practice ground in Cobham, including Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

He lived at home until almost the end, supported by his wife and a team of carers, but also spending several respite breaks over the last ten years at the St John’s Hospice in St. John’s Wood. He was there when he died, with his wife beside him. He will be remembered as a loved

118

husband and son, and a loyal and fun friend.

2017 Mhairi McLay (K) died in February

Her brother Hamish writes ...

My extraordinary sister Mhairi (K 17) arrived 18-months after me, and followed close behind onwards. From the beginning she was steadfast, kind, spirited and full of life. At one year old she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She fought through a year of treatment and beat the cancer, though left deaf and facing lifelong health challenges. However, Mhairi never let adversity define her. She thrived in school – she made a fearsome first post in rounders and used her power-to-weight ratio to succeed at gymnastics and climbing.

Our military background meant six schools in as many moves, but when it was time for secondary school, there was no question - we would go together. A year after I arrived, Mhairi joined me. Dressed in the smallest culottes available she stormed around Oundle, her red hair flowing, flanked by ‘Matron’s Minions’ (Kirkeby 17) with a

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

confidence that I could only admire.

Oundle was a special time in Mhairi’s life, and she made many amazing friends. She played a calm, measured judicial character amongst her peers, frequently hosting afternoon tea and tutoring the Kirkeby girls through their GCSE Maths and Science. She excelled at school despite long stays in hospital with collapsed lungs, pulmonary embolisms, spinal surgery, and thyroid cancer. She achieved 3 A*s and an A at A-Level. After a gap year in which we interrailed together, she earned a place at St Catherine’s College Cambridge to study Natural Sciences.

Cambridge brought her deep joy, lifelong friendships, and academic success. Even when Covid struck and left her on long-term oxygen therapy, she pressed on and, to our pride, graduated with a First.

After university, she worked as a geneticist at Addenbrookes and enjoyed regular gatherings with her Oundle and Cambridge friends as well as spending time with our family.

Siblings share a special bond, and I miss my sister constantly. But I draw a lot of strength from the way she lived - joyful and uncomplaining in the face of severe adversity.

Those who knew her will remember her calm courage and matter of fact approach to life, an inspiration to us all.

Over the years, Mhairi was cared for so well by the incredible teams at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. If you are

minded, please donate to Mhairi’s wall – noting that all contributions go towards clinical research relating to lung disease conditions. https://royalpapworth charity.com/memorywall?page=mhairi-mclay

2020 Arthur Alexander Soames (F) died 22 May, 2022

His parents write...

After attending Maidwell Hall, Arthur went to Oundle from 2015 to 2020. His school life was rich in many ways.

He embraced every opportunity to be active, whether as a member of the CCF Army cadets or playing numerous sports, particularly enjoying tennis and squash. He also took part in a Fisher House play, worked with OSCAR radio, played the guitar and performed on stage as the drummer in his band, with Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand being a firm favourite.

Born to an English father and a French mother, Arthur loved spending his summers in Normandy - his favourite place - and travelling around France with his mum. He will always be remembered for his shining smile and his

OBITUARIES

incredibly kind and gentle nature. He brought joy, laughter and light to the lives of his family and friends. Arthur is, and always will be, deeply missed.

2022 George Godwin Austen (Ldr) died 21 November 2024

George Godwin-Austen, younger brother to Harry (Ldr 16) and Annie (K 19)

passed away, aged 21, in November 2024 from a returning brain tumour.

George was a Laundimerian through and through. Quirky, understated and driven, George joined Laundimer during its ‘golden age’ under the eye of Jonny Hammond-Chambers and made the most of his time at Oundle quietly and exactly as he saw fit. Much like his brother and sister, George was more captivated by the activities undertaken after lunch, and poured his heart into the smaller niches that welcomed him most.

The first of these distractions to captivate George was the opportunity to begin restoration work

on ‘Wendy’, his Landrover Series 3 that was nervously eyeing the scrap-heap only weeks before gracing the phenomenal DT department. Oundle is the only school that would have the means to support such an endeavour and allow George to flourish in this way. We owe our extended thanks to the DT team for their patience and expertise.

The workshop was closed on Wednesdays, so George made his home and friends within the School’s RAF corps, most notably drumming for them from 4th form. George quickly joined and excelled in the School’s shooting team, both in smallbore and fullbore, and became

Captain in his last year.

He often frequented the Schools meet at Bisley, and represented himself privately in the Imperial meet the week after.

Miraculously, George secured a place at Oxford Brookes to undertake a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and was due to start following a Gap year (or two).

Particular thanks must be given to Jonny Hammond-Chambers, Tim Morrison, Fiona Greaves, Simon Pearson, Ralph, Mr. Wild and Gordon Montgomery amongst many deserving others for their support of George throughout his Oundle career.

1953

1956

1963

1954

1959

1966

Notifications 1943

Brian Infield (D) died 3 February 2024

1945

Trevor Brown (S) died 6 November 2024 Tony Blackman OBE (N) died 13 August 2024

1947

Martin Skirrow (B) died 26 December 2024

1948

Lindsay Hodgson (C) died 15 October 2024 Alec Jackson (LS) died 29 October 2024

1949

Brian Haggas (Lx) died 27 October 2024

1950

Tim Crafer (Ldr) died 3 August 2024

1951

Anthony Dreyfuss (D) died 23 June 2024 Geoffrey Thornber (B) died 1 April 2024

Robin Pumffrey (LS) died 2 September 2023 John Saunders (S) died 1 May 2023 The Rev John Flory (Ldr) died 21 December 2024 John Edmundson (D) died 30 October 2024 Richard Morris (Lx) died May 2024 General Sir John Waters (G) died 29 January 2025 Christopher Walliker (D) died 17 April 2025

1955

John Atkin (Sc) died 1 December 2022 Chrisopher Sweeting (Sc) died 13 October 2024 James Beaumont (Sc) died 7 November 2024 Ian Hyde (Sc) died 1 September 2023 Martin Nicholson (B) died 23 February 2025 John Moss (Lx) died 5 May 2025

Richard Atkins (C) died 26 March 2024 Roger Anderton (StA) died 31 October 2024 Dr Peter Young (Lx) died 24 October 2024 Richard Rumary (Ldr) died 16 July 2024 James Andrew Nichols (Sn) died 1 November 2024 Lt Col Michael Butler (StA) died 20 March 2025

1960

Derek Frobisher (Sn) died 8 October 2024 Michael Taylor-Jones (StA) died 19 September 2024 Peter Bird (B) died 26 September 2023 Bruce Taylor (Ldr) died 08 February 2025

1961

Bill Howson (Sc) died 1 August

1962

Terence Graham (StA) died 7 September 2022 Peter Winnington (S) died 28 February 2025 Robert Tony Chew (Sc) died 17 April 2024

1967

Dr Malcolm Donaldson (Ldr) died 22 September 2024

1969

Andy Lees (StA) died 20 July

1986

Paul Davies (Ldr) died 8 December 2023

2004

Andrew Stanger (L) died 1 October 2021

2013

Luca Illien (Sc) died 19 September 2024

Lawrence Nevill Reddaway (D) died 14 June

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

119

OBITUARIES

120

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

OBITUARIES

Teaching Staff Obituaries Kevin Cobb died 30 October 2024

Richard Andrews writes ...

Kevin Cobb was a self-taught polymath, whom Oundelians will remember with gratitude, affection, and respect - his pupils for his pre H&S penchant for explosions, his tutees for his home brew, and his fives players for using it to nobble visiting teams. So much for the fireworks; it was the depth and breadth of Kevin’s knowledge and his engaging and effective teaching style which worked for his classes, and his patient absorption in them and support for them which endeared him to his tutees.

He was a very good teacher, a very good tutor, and a very good man. Many experienced his generosity and few experienced his wrath – though he could stand his ground: he was very proud of doctoring a bottle of milk, which put an end to someone persistently nicking them from his doorstep when he was at university in Coventry, and he resigned over the pruning of fixtures for his beloved rugger team at Bradfield, which brought him, happily, to Oundle.

His reference warned that he was a trouble maker, probably because

Bradfield’s Head was trying to hang on to him. We saw no sign of Kevin as a trouble maker at Oundle, quite the opposite. Perhaps the reference was to Kevin’s Jack Russells, Gerber and Stayman, two hooligans of whom Kevin was inordinately fond; he often reminisced proudly of their chasing the Headmaster at the Staff v Boys Cricket match.

His pupils and tutees and all the pupils with whom he shared his numerous interests - bridge, chess, music, literature – will have fond memories of him, as he had of them.

His tutees, unfortunately, were never privy to his eloquent, fair, insightful, and utterly persuasive UCAS references; what they will remember is Sunday lunches cooked by Kevin in his home and the fun of sharing his knowledge as well as discussing their problems and futures in tutorials. Numbers got in touch before his funeral. One remarked on his ‘interesting take on sideburns’ another gleaned the lesson that ‘you don’t have to be tall to achieve in life’. They loved him, quite rightly.

The distinguished gathering of former colleagues at his funeral, especially from the Chemistry Department, which he ran for some years, also spoke volumes.

He began to learn his science at Kettering Grammar School, which in those days used to be regularly on the radio, tracking Sputniks, and was a good deal more famous than Oundle. He tried to abscond after O levels to work on a building site, but a teacher who knew his worth, and to whom Kevin and we all owe an immense debt of gratitude, led him back by the ear to the sixth form.

His teachers tried to shoo him off to Oxbridge, but Kevin, school rebel, would have none of it. Whatever he learned - and most of it he taught himself - he learned thoroughly, and he had a gift for explaining the abstruse; he was never intimidated by difficulty. Though cruelly afflicted

by Alzheimer’s in his last years, he never lost his memory for names of pupils, or opus numbers, book titles and quantum theory – or his good humour, sharp wit, and warm manners.

Dogs were the great love of his life, but pupils and friends came a close second. We were all very lucky to know him.

Air Commodore Andrew Hine, OBE died 15 April

from The Times ...

Andrew Charles Hine was born in Harrogate in 1966, one of the three sons of Patrick and Jill Hine. He went to Haileybury School, where he became the senior NCO in the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force and won the CCF prize in 1984. He also sang in the choir and played rugby.

He was awarded a sponsored cadetship with the RAF at the University of St Andrews, where he studied modern history. In 1989, he entered the RAF College at Cranwell where he won the British Aerospace prize for the highest academic achievement. Later in his career, he completed a postgraduate doctorate examining the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles and its impact on the German military under the Nazis.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

121

OBITUARIES

He joined the RAF in 1989, following in the footsteps of his father, Air Chief Marshal Sir Patrick Hine, who had been joint commander of British forces during the Gulf war. After training as a pilot, Andy Hine joined 17 Fighter Squadron at RAF Brüggen in western Germany, where the squadron was at constant readiness armed with nuclear weapons. His father had commanded the same squadron at the same base when they were flying Phantoms more than 20 years earlier. His station commander at Brüggen recalled: “Hine was not from the same mould as most other junior pilots. He had genuine presence in the place of the more usual bluster. He possessed a good pair of hands and an excellent brain, all of which he put to very good use in the air and on the ground. He was also an unusually thoughtful and likeable man who was kind to others in everything he did.”

The younger Hine then joined 12 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth in 1996 when he was deployed to the Gulf for the first time. He flew his last missions in the region after being deployed to Qatar in the aftermath of the Iraq war in 2003 when he was made a wing commander. After staff appointments at the Ministry of Defence, he was given command of No 2 Squadron, which was also equipped with the Tornado.

Promoted to group captain in 2008, he was posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters where he led preparations for Britain’s withdrawal from Iraq. A year later, he was given command of Lossiemouth, the RAF’s largest operational base and home to three squadrons of Tornados. While there, his squadrons were deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan where they flew in support of British ground forces, and were also involved in policing the no-fly zone over Libya during the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi. He left in 2012 and spent several months as the director of the Combined Air and Space Centre at Al Udeid base in Qatar, where he influenced events in Afghanistan.

Promoted to air commodore, he was then given responsibility for forward planning on the air staff at the Ministry of Defence.

In spring 1999, Squadron Leader Hine paid a brief visit to Barcelona just

122

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

as his squadron faced an important inspection at RAF Marham. He was responsible for managing the weapons systems for the Tornado crews. All went well, as Hine had prepared his colleagues thoroughly and the squadron passed the assessment. In Barcelona, Hine took his seat at Camp Nou and watched his beloved Manchester United win the Champions League final 2-1 against Bayern Munich. This was typical of a man with a zest for life who loved sport, hiking, history and humour.

Not long after the final, Hine was appointed flight commander and deployed to Kuwait to help enforce United Nations resolutions covering Iraq. At the time, the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein was failing to co-operate with the UN Special Commission. Indeed, eight years after its defeat in the Gulf war, Iraq was showing signs of increasing belligerence. Once in Kuwait, Hine took part in some of the most dangerous operations facing allied aircrews. He was renowned for pioneering the use of precision-guided weapons and led daylight raids on Iraqi missile sites that threatened RAF crews patrolling the southern no-fly zone. He also played a leading role in joint operations with the Americans. Over 12 years, he flew 158 combat patrols involving more than 500 hours of flying during nine deployments to the Gulf before and after the 2003 Iraq war. His station commander described him as an “exceptional” pilot and commander.

Hine left the RAF in 2015 when he decided to pursue a second career as a teacher. He taught history at Oundle where he is remembered for his “kindness, patience and understanding.” He was a deputy Housemaster who was also involved in educational support, the CCF, cross-country running and rowing. He founded Oundle’s Leadership society.

Famed for his humour, he was also known for his legendary yodelling, an attachment to the music of Jim Reeves and a sartorial elegance that included red trousers. A fitness fanatic, he ran marathons, competed in triathlons, skied, played golf and hiked around the battlefields of South Africa.

Andy Hine died of pancreatic cancer

aged 58. He and his first wife, Jacqi, had three children: Charles, Jessica and Harry. The marriage did not last and in 2018 Hine married Alison Mardell.

They all survive him.

Richard Mather died 5 April

Martin Collier writes ...

Richard Mather was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1948. His father was serving in Malaya as a meteorological officer for the British Government. When the country gained independence in 1957, the family relocated to Hereford where his father took up a teaching post at the Cathedral School which Richard duly attended.

Richard was a bright schoolboy.

Even as a child, he was interested in art, history and culture - as well as food. Given his ability and obvious academic potential, he was encouraged by his teachers to apply to Cambridge to read history.

When he went up for interview at Peterhouse, Richard was asked why he had made the college his first choice. He replied that he’d heard that the Peterhouse kitchens were particularly well endowed. He was offered a place.

Richard loved Cambridge and, specifically, Peterhouse. He thrived in a world surrounded by people of similar intellectual ability. He enjoyed the tutorial system and the

OBITUARIES

cut and thrust of debate. And he was inspired by his tutors, notably Maurice Cowling who was a Fellow of the college. After Cambridge, Richard enrolled on a DipEd course at the Institute of Education in London. He got his first teaching job at Kimbolton School, starting in September 1974. The pupils warmed to Richard straightaway and, unsurprisingly, he quickly achieved cult status, acquiring the nickname Dickie Mather.

In December 1979, Richard successfully applied for a teaching post at Oundle. Starting at the School in September 1980, he soon acquired a new nickname, Ron or Ronnie Mather. It was not long before Richard took over the running of General Studies; a programme of speakers and discussion groups that Headmaster David McMurray called the “Jewel in the Crown”. Year after year, Richard’s General Studies inspired, enthused, interested and entertained the Upper Sixth.

Richard arranged the visits of c.350 speakers in total, including one prime minister, two presidents and three Nobel prizewinners. And, of course, Richard was involved in so much more of school life. He ran the Gastronomy Society, the Wargames Society, Junior Debating and Senior History Societies. He was Master in Charge of croquet and for a number of years, he ran the History Department’s hugely successful Oxbridge programme.

Richard was an intrepid traveller.

The first Oundle Russia trip took place in 1981 and 16 followed. Those who were lucky enough to go on one of his school trips were entertained by his many stories, impressed by the level of his historical knowledge and the depth of his cultural understanding. They also enjoyed his delight in the absurd, his somewhat risqué sense of humour and his thunderous, bellowing laugh. To go on one of Richard’s Russia trips, as a pupil or member of staff, was a quite extraordinary experience.

Every Mather lesson was a performance, from the anticipation of Richard’s arrival to the regulation

late dismissal. And he was an inspirational teacher: he wanted his pupils to think, to challenge, to disagree. He sparked their imagination, stimulated intellectual curiosity and instilled in his pupils a love of history. There was joy and mischief in Richard’s teaching - he made everything feel vibrant and relevant. Inspired and interested, his pupils excelled. Their loyalty and the high regard they held him in were only matched by his devotion to them and his intense pride in their achievements. Likewise, his tutees in Grafton House.

Although Richard retired in 2009, his name lives on at the School as every year House junior debating teams compete to win the Mather Cup. An intellectual, a brilliant teacher and a school master extraordinaire, Richard Mather was one of a kind.

Carl Towler died 8 March 2024

Robert Towler writes ...

Carl, my father, and my mother Hilary were both born and raised in Abbey village near Blackburn, Lancashire. After marrying and emigrating to Australia for ten years they came to Oundle in 1976 when my father accepted the position of teacher of Physics. He was energetic and enthusiastic, as well as a strict disciplinarian in the classroom. Woe

betide the boy who attended one of his classes without first combing his hair properly!

My father never said or did anything that was not in the best interests of his pupils. To him they were always the most important people in the school. Progressing to Head of Physics and later Head of Science and Technology, my father was also a tutor in Grafton House.

He was pivotal in pushing the importance of the Workshops within the school curriculum and a strong advocate of pupils learning practical lifetime skills alongside academia.

Outside teaching, he enjoyed Fives and was a multiple staff snooker champion. Hilary also contributed to school life as Laundimer matron and pioneered the teaching of First Aid and cookery.

Dad left Oundle in 1989 after realising his thoughts on what was best for the school and its pupils differed from the views of the management. Moving to Trent College, he quickly became successful there. My parents retired to Lancashire where they lived happily for the remainder of their life together: my mother died in January 2025. After losing their middle son, Maxton, in 2010 they leave myself, Robert, and their eldest son, Carl Stefan. Despite leaving Oundle so long ago, there was always a copy of The Old Oundelian beside his chair.

Dick Oldfield Helmut Cartwright (B 62) reports the death of his brother-in-law, Hon OO Dick Oldfield, shortly after Erika’s death. Although he retired some years ago, many OOs will remember Dick’s enthusiastic contribution over four decades to so many aspects of School life academic, squash and other sports, the photographic society and music, as well as the pastoral care and friendship he and Erika (team Oldfield!) gave in their home to so many.

A longer obituary will appear in next year’s magazine. Please contact Shane Dodd if you would like to contribute.

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

123

LETTER

Were You There?

■ Theo Barry (N 82)

F

or a period in the 1970s and 80s, Oundle School’s Adventure Training really thrived. A group of schoolmasters, who seemed to prefer climbing Scottish mountains to square-bashing in CCF uniform, took groups of boys into the hills of Wales, England and - mainly - Scotland.

Driven by the mountaineering passion of Johnny Lee, other masters included John Booth, Norman Brittain, Malcolm Thyne, John Burgess, John Coll, Colin Moynihan and Alan Taylor.

Between 1970 and 1985 there were at least forty such trips - from large Easter camps of thirty or more, to smaller climbing trips of just a handful of the more experienced. These Adventure Training camps built up a cadre of climbers, older boys teaching the younger, which grew in number and skill over fifteen years. From this group, selection was made for the ambitious foreign expeditions.

These five overseas expeditions have been well documented: Ecuador 1975; Afghanistan 1977; Ladakh 1980; China 1982 and Pakistan 1984.

Excellent photos by Johnny Lee and other expedition members are being

1972 Glencoe camp, Scotland

124

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

1975 Glen Etive camp

restored and archived by Peter Ryley.

Last year many of the expedition members met for a reunion in the Derbyshire Peaks - a weekend of old slides, beer, gentle walks and creaking knees.

But what about the forty UK camps? Do these photos bring back memories and stories? Do you have photos of these trips yourself?

We are keen to hear from you, as we are working on a book to celebrate this decade and a half of adventures.

The book will bring together restored photos and reports written at the time, larded with personal stories and anecdotes dragged from fading memories.

Did you go? Did you love the trips or hate them? Were you inspired to travel, or did they put you off carabiners and bivvy-bags for life?

Please contact the editor of the proposed book, Theo Barry (N 82) at greeter.paw.63@icloud.com with recollections, stories and photos. ■

INDEX

INDEX 2025. OOs by Year NOTE: not indexed: Obituaries, Class of 2015 1900 John Fisher (D) 90 1908 Geoffrey Watt (D) 90 1924 Jim Duckham (D) 70 1927 Peter Scott (Sc) 12 1938 Patrick Dudgeon (StA) 16 1941 Colin Franklin (Sc) 12 1944 Francis Reiss (G) 71 1946 Ian Kerr (S) 75 1947 Kevin Chawner (B) 93 1948 Maurice Dybeck (Sn) 70 1949 Keith W Johnson (N) 102 1951 Michael Pickard (C) IFC 1952 Bill Whittall (Ldr) 93 1953 Peter Brown (Sn) 86 Rab Peck (S) 84 David Thorpe (Ldr) 93 1954 Julian Board (C) 78 Clive Boddington (S) 84 Hamish Donaldson (Ldr) 87 Bruce Duckham (D) 70 Mark Glossop (D) 94 John Seiffert (D) 94 Neil Shepherd-Smith (D) 74 Chris Walliker (D) IFC 86 John Winder (StA) 94

1955 Bob H Barnes (Sn) 87 John A Burdon-Cooper (C) 82 95 John Crabbe (G) IFC, Tony Escritt (StA) 77 Paul Newsome (StA) 93 Michael Turnbull (Sc) 93 Michael Whittall (Ldr) 85 Harry Williamson (StA) IFC 1 85 1956 Michael Hammon (Sn) 93 Arthur Mathisen (Sn) 87 Chris Ringham (N) 83 Iain Smith (C) 82 95 John Thorpe (Lx) 72 84 Charles Valentine (D) 74 1957 Richard Keith (D) 85 Tim Piper (B) 80 Simon Wood (D) 85 1958 Ian Burns (Sc) 87 Neil Cameron (G) 95 Timothy Hainsworth (S) 82 Philip Hall (S) 82 96 Kenneth Moore (S) 96 Robin Reynolds (Lx) 92 Brian Trent (Sc) 96 Alan D Willis (C) 95 1959 Robin Apthorpe (S) 82 96 Adam Brand (N) 96 Anthony Collinson (S) 82 96 John Frazier (D) 58 Richard Gibbs (StA) 96 Richard Glover (D) 74 Charles Kilner (StA) 93 Nigel Napier-Andrews (Sc) 95 John L E Seidler (Ldr) 102 Nigel Sweeting (Sc) 12 Victor Thomas(Lx) 96 1960 Roderick Ashby (Lx) 96 Bev Boag (StA) 79 88 Ian Carmichael (Sn) 96 Roland Fairfield (StA) 88 Paul Heygate (Lx) 96 Malcolm Llewellyn (Sc) 71 Sam Mackaness (C) 96

Humphrey Mather (StA) 16 87 Howard Stringer (L) 96 John Timpson (S) 96 Andrew Walker (C) 76 96 John Westcombe (StA) 96 1961 Rod Alexander (Sc) 85 96 Robert Barrell (StA) 58 George Cautherley (B) 98 David Hutchinson (N) 102 James Macfarlane (S) 96 Simon Nicholson (Lx) 75 John Richardson (StA) 16 87 88 96 Ian Schmiegelow (Ldr) 96 John Staples (Sc) 84 1962 Martin Boag (StA) 88 Gavin Choyce (N) 85 James G Heath (StA) 100 Iain Laird (Lx) 90 Simon Lucas (Sc) 82 Roger Marshall (StA) 82 Simon Nicholson (Lx) 96 Michael Oakley (Lx) 89 Ronald Taylor (Sn) 97 Richard Valentine (D) 74 John Williams (StA) 88 100 102 1963 Anthony Bayley (S) 94 Nick Cheatle (G) IFC 2 Jeremy B Cross (S) 96 David Hartridge (Sc) 71 78 Tim Linton (Sn) 97 Peter Owen (Lx) 86 87 Nick Owles (N) 57 59 a 1964 Adrian Brown (G) 83 Tim J Cole (Ldr) 76 Peter Fox-Andrews (N) 58 Anthony Hackforth (N) 83 David F Hemmings (Sn) 95 Frank A Wright (B) 88 1965 Jay Colson (Ldr) 85 John Edwards (B) 94 Robert Ellis (D) IFC Patrick Fossett (B) 59 Adrian Grant (N) 83 Nigel Hetherington (F) 58

David Leishman (Sc) 82 Nick Lucas (Sc) 82 Norman Macfarlane (S) 86 Roy Nicholson (StA) 58 Tony Parsons (S) 84 86 Nick Pritchard (Sc) 78 Chris Reilly (StA) 80 John Robertson (B) 80 88 Graham Solari (G) IFC 93 John Story (B) 80 88 Robert Wharton (N) 78 1966 Christopher Best (C) 77 Cavan Browne (C) 55 William King (C) 58 Richard Matthews (D) 1 25 89 Richard Piper (Lx) 88 Stewart Wallis (C) 77 Malcolm Watson (D) 86 Geoffrey Woolsey-Brown (Lx) 93 1967 Hugh Brass (D) 85 John Clark (N) 77 84 85 Malcolm Donaldson (Ldr) 87 Nigel Engert (G) 85 86 Nigel Harris (StA) 77 George Marshall (G) 85 Richard H Peaver (G) 76 85 Brian Wooller (Sc) 97 1968 James Clayton (G) 95 Stuart Elliott (Lx) 94 Mark Moore (Sc) 1 1969 Philip Cartwright (S) 75 77 90 Michael Copestake (Sc) 77 Nick Copestick (Ldr) IFC 55 Greg Diltz (S) 102 Al Gordon (C) 2 58 75 Roger Tacq (L) 58 Steven Thomas (G) 64 Edward Waterson (S) 77 90 Simon White (S) 90 1970 John Allwood (Ldr) 86 Peter Collinson (G) 83 John Hyde (S) 77 90 P J Kunzler (N) 81 John Le Bosquet (N) 85

Mark Mackaness (C) 91 Colin Story (B) 80 Jem Wade (B) 90 1971 Brian Bowser (Sn) 90 Michael Brook (Sn) 90 Neil Campbell (N) 85 Jay Cartwright (S) 75 John D H Chadwick (StA) 75 Robert Forde (Sc) 25 John Granger (G) 90 Richard Habershon (Ldr) 86 Peter Haigh (N) 85 89 Roger Page (S) 75 Chris Piper (Sc) IFC 77 Duncan Smith (C) 55 Martin Van-de-Wiel (N) 85 89 1972 George Duncan (D) 85 Peter Hotchin (B) 93 Michael Johnson (C) 76 D G Kidd (Sc) 88 1973 Edwin J Booth (Sn) 83 Peter Edwards (Sc) 58 Quentin Haigh (N) 85 89 Andrew Kerr (Sc) 75 Jeremy Monroe (G) 58 John Oliver (G) 94 Peter Pentecost (StA) 55 83 Richard Ward (B) 72 85 1974 Timothy Bass (N) 88 Peter Bubenzer (D) 95 James Christmas (N) 86 Peter Dawson (G) 83 Shane Dodd (Sn) IFC 55 57 John P Eastwood (D) 102 Quentin Ingram (StA) 96 Mark Kerr (Sc) 75 Alfred Rose (B) 85 1975 Howard Allen (Sn) 93 Jonathan Bach (Lx) 80 Michael Beamish (Sc) 58 Tim Harlow (StA) 74 Nigel Hewitt (B) 93 Andrew Pettegree (L) 11

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

125

INDEX

Michael Pringle (C) 88 Simon Redfern (Sc) 90 1976 Dermot Brady (Ldr) 75 Tim Cowan (Ldr) 75 Fred Domellof (F) 57 Peter Halliwell (N) 85 Robert Hinchliffe (G) 91 John Knight (Sn) 75 Indrajit Mazumdar (C) 77 Charles Miller (Ldr) 74 75 Tim Waring (Ldr) 89 1977 Roger Bach (Lx) 81 Tim Elliott (StA) IFC 60 Nick Kirkbride (Lx) 74 75 Ian Lane (Ldr) 75 91 Arthur Marment (D) 2 51 72 75 Cord Matthies (N) 96 Ken Maw (D) 100 Mark Swallow (Sc) 82 Henry W Tuck (Ldr) 80 Adrian Waddell (S) 82 1978 Paul Barrett (Lx) 88 Nick Brown (StA) 63 86 Philip Douglas (B) 85 Ian Hodgson (Sc) 2 74 75 Andrew Davidson Hogg (S) 74 Richard Kemsley (C) 88 Alex S Maddocks (D 76 David Meredith (Lx) IFC 87 Tony Murley (G) 58 Andrew Pincott (Lx) 88 David Richards (S) 74 Charles Salem (C) FC IFC 1 2 41 48 50 51 94 98 99 Jeremy Sankey (Lx) 88 1979 Jem Bolland (D) 85 97 Paul AJ Clark (S) 74 Richard Feather (G) 84 Jonathan Higham (N) 76 David Jackman (S) 89 Bruno Noble (N) 81 Charles Pott (Sn) 74 William Rice (Sn) 58 Andrew Smith (B) 80 Charles Waddell (S) 82 Nigel Ward (Sc) 91

126

1980 Peter Ahm (S) 102 Chris Allen (B) 95 Nick Bailey (Sn) 85 Malcolm Brown (N) 96 William English (Lx) 88 Nigel Harley (G) 93 James Holmes-Siedle (C) 81 Mark Reeves (C) 97 98 Christopher Riggs (S) 97 Jeremy Sampson (StA) 74 Stephen Bach (Lx) 81 Guy Beresford (B) 72 75 76 Andrew Gloag (Sn) 90 James Hepworth (StA) 91 Tom Hiscocks (StA) 76 Alastair Irvine (Sc) IFC 78 Robin Johnson (StA) 91 Peter Matthies (N) 96 Bill Simms (C) 91 Mark Stevenson (N) 102 Mark Yarrow (Lx) 83 1981 Guy Beresford (B) IFC 1982 Lance Ashworth (G) IFC 1 2 75 78 89 95 Theo Barry (N) 78 80 81 124 Bill Budenberg (Sn) 76 David Ching (C) 94 Chris Coleman (StA) 59 John Gonzalez-Carvajal (Ldr) 97 Will Massey (B) 57 Barry Peak (Sn) 55 E Pickard (G) 88 James Pickney (Ldr) 97 Mojo Rathbone (Ldr) 97 Paul Reed (Ldr) 97 Simon Thornton (G) 78 Dom Vincent (Lx) 93 Mike Walliker (D) 80 1983 Mike Braun (Ldr) 97 Nick Ellis (C) 78 John Haselden (G) 76 Charles Marmont (StA) 75 Andrew McAuliffe (Sc) 59 Jeremy Pong (Ldr) 97 98 Bill Quantrill (StA) 59 Andrew Seton (Ldr) 97

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Rupert Shortt (B) 76 1984 Jonathan Andrews (Sc) 74 75 Charlie Bennett (N) 82 Rupert Bullock (Ldr) 97 Andrew Burgin (C) 98 Steve Carr (S) 55 74 Tim Chater (C) 85 Mark Eddy (StA) 57 Richard Fowler (S) 95 Steve Kunzer (G) 74 102 Justin Pepperell (Lx) 85 William Quantrill (StA) 74 Paul Rathbone (Ldr) 97 Al Stuart (B) 59 Jonathan Turner (S) 91 Patrick White (Ldr) 97 Giles Woodbridge (B) 96 Geoff Woods (Ldr) 97 1985 Mark Chatterton (D) 83 Mark Dixon (Sn) 55 56 57 58 Ed Dove (C) 57 Roger Green (Sc) 83 Peter Haselden (G) 76 Charlie Hoult (Sc) 82 102 David Kunzer (G) 102 Jason McCaldin (D) 55 58 Angus Piper (B) 80 James Ringham (N) 83 Jonathan Simpson-Dent (Sc) 56 James Stuart-Mills (Sc) 90 1986 Philip De Voil (G) 64 93 Richard Ellis (Sn) IFC 57 75 80 91 Raymond Liow (C) 72 82 Steve Postins (Ldr) 64 Tim Staples (Sc) 84 Richard Wakeford (StA) 72 84 1987 Gavin Allen (B) 80 81 95 David Cairns (Lx) 80 81 95 James Cannon (Sc) 81 Andrew Crowe (Lx) 72 84 James Deveson (Ldr) 76 Bruce Galliford (StA) 72 84 James Ginns (Sc) 80 81 95 Mike Haigh (Sc) 91 Charlie Hammon (Sn) 81 95 Doug Hill (Sc) 81

James Holland (N) 80 81 95 Alastair King (C) 13 80 Matthew Sargaison (B) 80 81 95 Phil Snell (both Sc) 95 Richard P Tett (B) 80 81 95 Michael Thorpe (Lx) 72 84 Ric Urmston (C) 95 Iain Wadie (Sn) 92 93 Andrew Williamson (G) 90 1988 Bruce Aitken (Sn) 57 Paul Chatterton (S) 78 Matt Forde (Sc) 78 Alex Hendry (Sc) 78 Peter Gilman (D) 89 Jules McAlpine (Lx) 78 Peter Moore (Ldr) IFC 2 89 Chris Skelton (Sc) 78 Guy Spragg (Sc) 78 1989 Will Carpmael (B) 59 Robert Costin (Sn) 84 Guy Hodgson (C) 97 Hugo Rodger-Brown (G) 63 Kar-Binh Ong (C) 82 Aravinthan Selvavinayagam (C) 97 Nick Williamson (Ldr) 80 Philip Wilson (Sn) 81 Jerry K W Yao (C) 97 1990 Dan Anslow (S) 84 Dan Burn (Sn) 84 Nick Cartwright (N) 79 Ralph Charlton (S) 84 Jeremy Dutta (Ldr) 84 Alastair Gordon-Stewart (F) 55 57 Jimmy Greenwood (S) 84 James Hickson (L) 56 Charlie Isaacs (N) 84 Richard Kunzer (G) 102 Jeremy Paxman (Ldr) 84 Piers Pepperell (Lx) 84 James Shannon (G) 19 Olly Thain (L) 76 Dom Turner (S) 84 Matthew Walker (StA) 76 Guy Wheeler (B) 76 Dan Williams (StA) 100 102 Chris Williamson (Ldr) 80 Aydon Yeaman (S 90) 84

1991 Tom Barnes (Sc) 79 Scott Black (Ldr) 17 Rupert Cheswright (N) 79 Rick Clarke (N) 19 John Cookson (S) 17 79 Becca Downey (LS) 79 Tom Ellis (Sn) 91 Charlie Froud (StA) 79 Charlie Furniss (StA) 17 79 Bomber Harris (F) 56 William Hooper (N) 79 Polly Howard (K) 79 Sam Jackaman (D) 17 Stuart Morgan (Lx) IFC 79 Robert Nicholls (D) 102 Matt Parker (Sc) 17 79 Matthew Sansom (Lx) 79 Matt Shearer (Ldr) 17 Adam Simpson (S) 17 Alex Smith (N) IFC 79 Chris Tovey (Sc) 93 Elsbeth Turnbull (W) 19 79 Madeleine Weightman (K) 79 James Wood (Sn) 19 1992 James Aston (StA) 57 William Oakley (Lx) 90 Zudin Putucheary (C) 99 William Robinson (G) 88 Rob Shaw (S) 93 Mia Williams (W) 100 102 1993 Fuad Abdullah (Sn) 99 Kate Cooke-Priest (W) IFC 63 81 Ben Dickinson (N) 97 Dominic Epton (StA) 82 James Gray (N) 79 Peter Harris (Lx) 76 Tim Pollard (Sc) 77 Tim Porritt (StA) 82 Tom Talbot (StA) 82 Roger Thorpe (Lx) 72 84 George Tinsley (N) 82 1994 Nick Armitage (B) 74 Tom Banks (B) 79 Rick Byworth (StA) 92 Etti Cook (LS) 74 Rupert Elderkin (N) 94 Stuart Elderkin (N) 94

INDEX

Mark Mankowski (S) 94 Mary Price (K) IFC Alex Southworth (Sn) 94 Matt Unwin (S) 79 Jeremy Westhead (B) 86 1995 Rick Crook (B) 63 Robert Johnson (N) 77 Simon Lister (N) 77 Edward Ragg (S) 23 95 Nina Rieck (K) IFC, Guy Simmonds (StA) IFC 79 James Thomas (S) 79 1996 Claire Armitage (D) 74 Charles W R Ashby (L) 74

Henry Duncombe (B) 57 Tom Johnson (L) 74 Aidan Nicholson (Lx) 75 Stuart O’Brien (C) 64 Martin Smith (L) 74 Nick Whalley (C) 55 Nick Woolley (G) 66 1997 Karis Abas (StA) 92 Peter Byworth (StA) 92 Andrew Coulthurst (StA) 79 Ed Duckett (N) 79 Simon Fitton (L) 57 James Holmes (Lx) 79 Matthew Joyce (StA) 79 Alice Kan (L) FC 3 38 Alex Kemp (S) 92

James Kilner (StA) 79 Andrew Lightowler (L) 55 Alex Mankowski.(Sn) 94 John Pennington (N) 79 Nick Pettie (N) 79 Guy Scott-Plummer (Ldr) 83 Matthew Simmonds (StA) 79 Andrew D Smith (N) 81 Sarah Swaney (D) 79 Matthew Thornton (StA) 79 Tom Trotter (Ldr) 83 1998 Duncan Brown (S) 79 Edward Copestick (S) 21 79 Nick Ollard (S) 79 Oliver Paine (S) 79 Jon Potts (C) IFC

1999 Tim Armitage (B) 74 Nadium Jinnah (Ldr) 73 Andy Nicholson (StA) 100 David Nicholson (Lx) 75 Julia Perowne (K) 80 2000 Merrik Baggallay (S) 85 Joss Cheatle (G) 58 Ed Ibrahim (Lx) 75 Jess Johnson (K) 76 Reiko Kaneko (D) 22 Violet Naylor-Leyland (L) 22 Suzanne Owen (K) 87 2001 Victoria Cropley (N) 73

2002 Vikan Chirawatpongsa (C) 82 Kevin Dobbs (LS) 97 Tobias Halliday-Zaman (L) 99 Mark Henninger (L) 72 73 Supasthien Jotikasthira (StA) 82 Will Kendall (S) 56 Kittitach Prasertkul (StA) 82 Simon Reynolds (Sn) 99 Nick Rhodes (Sc) 82 Peter Seebohm (Sc) 93 Ed Stevenson (Sc) 82 2003 Philippa Rivero Bosch (D) 85 Tom Clabburn (S) 85 Kristina Cowley (L 13) IFC Alexander Dragonetti (G) 41 Ebony Ford (D) 85

Join the OO Network ■ Visit oonetwork.org.uk to register CONNECT:

Find, connect and network with fellow Old Oundelians using a searchable directory. Download the OO Network app to connect on the go.

GIVE BACK:

Introduce, employ and offer to act as a mentor to others in the OO Community through the jobs and internships board.

EXPAND:

Grow your professional and personal network of OOs and connect with others in similar industries to develop your career, or seek guidance.

COMMUNITY:

A dedicated space to engage with fellow members the OO Community and keep in touch with one another in a trusted environment, as well as hearing about the latest news and developments at Oundle.

EVENTS:

Keep up to date with and sign up for networking events, social events and reunions.

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR NETWORKING EVENTS

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

127

INDEX

Olivia Gross (D) 85 James Hui (Sc) 97 98 Jo Marland (K) 22 David Owen (F) 87 Nick Ryder (F) 63 Josh Shinner (S) 23 Vicky Sutton (W) 85 Benji Waterhouse (Ldr) 38 2004 Candice Gallagher (N) 80 George Johnson (C) 57 76 Georgie Mason (W) 22 Kate Morris (N) 73 102 Sandy Rowell (C) 93 2005 Jo Cartwright (W) 75 Patrick Foster (StA) 55 James Hems (G) 76 Richard Pentecost (StA) 55 Kate Quinn (D) 75 Arabella Rieck (K) 73 2006 Naomi Brass (D) 73 Edward Bury (L) 80 Olivia Crane (W) 21 Toby Diggens (StA) 7 Kate Mason (L) 4, 81 Lucy McLaren (Sn) 1 Michael Outar (L) 58 Torsak Vayakornvichitr (G) 102 George Vinton (C) 80 2007 Ben Barton (C) 98 David Chew (S) 100 Simon Hicks (L) 56 Henry Johnstone (C) IFC Z Tom Miller (Ldr 07) 75 Melody Nairn (K) 73 Victoria Pentecost (N) 73 Julian Shiu (Sc) 98 Sam Smith (StA) 80 Josh Waterhouse (S) 50 2008 Will Butler (L) 55 59 Sophie Farquharson (D) 90 Henry Fray (G) 56 57 Seb Graves (StA) 72 Imogen Rogers (D) 73 Kenneth Siu (Sc) 93 Yih Lin Teh (N) 100 Barney Ward (Ldr) 55

128

2009 Chloe Ashby (L) 21 Harriet Baker (Sn) FC 5 11 Brina Brooks (K) 75 Charlotte Cubitt (K) 73 Hannah Hoskins (L) 72 Angus Lang (F) 57 Nick Lowe (Sc) 64 Maz Miles (Sn) 75 Rebecca Miller (K) 75 2010 Will Alms (C) 63 Millie Ashworth (K) 73 78 Georgina Burrows (L) 82 Will Elvin (L) 56 James Cubitt (G) 73 Kara Earl (L) 82 Rosanna Gibbs (Sn) 75 Sebastian Goodall (L) 82 Eric Ho (StA) 98 Francis Kwong (C) 98 Victoria Lee (W) 73 Adele Meads (L) 82 Oliver Norman (L) 73 Jessica Taylor (W) 72 Sophie Walker (L) IFC 75 82 Sophie Wildman (L) 73

George Marmont (B) 75 Max Monteith (Ldr) 91 Josh Murphy (StA) 66 James Robson (Ldr) 80 91 Guy Sargent (C) 91 Abbas See (Ldr) 91 Ethan Tamlyn (F) 91 Luke Templeman (Ldr) 91 Megan Waind (N) 75 Chris Waring (Ldr) 91 Rachel Wong (D) 100 2013 John Briscoe (B) 90 Kristina Cowley (L) IFC Harriet Gillett (K) 21 Kate Harrison (Sn) IFC William Orr (StA) 72 Maria Yukhnovich (K) IFC

2011 Charlie Ashworth (G) 78 Lottie Birks (N) 72 Emma Booth (N) 83 Xuelin Chan (W) 100 Ant Graves (StA) 72 Maddy Gyselynck (K) 21 24 Matthew Lim (B) 100 Evelyn Liu (W) 100 Jasper Mak (B) 100 Harry Meredith (F) 87 Digby Morse (F) 88 Sophie Orr (D) 72 Afiqah Rizal (N) 99 100 Francesca Smith (K) 73 92 Edwin Sung (F) 77 See Joon Yang (B) 100 Karl Zimmerman (B) 100

2014 Georgie Ansty (L) 80 Emily Bainbridge (K) 80 Miles Beney (S) 88 James Campbell (F) 88 Sophia Christopoulos (D) 72 Ashley Cuthbert (S) 88 Hannah Day (Sn) 80 Pollyanna Duggan (Sn) 80 Fliss Earnshaw (W) 72 Bella Ellis (Sn) IFC 73 80 91 Alex George (C) 67 Alex Hodgson (K) 75 Imi Hooper (L) 80 Sarah Huckin (D) 72 Alexander Johnson (F) 88 Tegan Luther (L) 72 Will Meredith (F) 88 Mimi Monteith (Sn) 80 Charlotte O’Dea (L) 72 Lucy Page (W) 72 Lily Postlethwaite (K) 2 72 Ben Richmond (G) 88 Willa Sedgwick Rough (N) 80 Olivia Sellers (L) 72 William Tsang (G) 98 Marieke van Braak (L) 76 Jake Walker (F) 88

2012 Ed Cubitt (G) 72 Charlie Dowell (B) 91 Richard Giles (S) 75 Catriona Hodgson(K) 75 James Hunt (Sc) 73 92 Angus Irvine (Sc) 79 Oliver Jackson (Ldr) 72 80 91

2015 Tom Arnold (S) 67 Freddie Ashworth (G) IFC 66 67 68 78 Morgan Ball (C) 78 George Barker (Sc) 66 Oliver Baseley (L) 72 Max Cope (G ) 90

THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2024-2025

Max Howard (S) 66 Chuck Macleod (L) 78 Alec Murphy (Ldr) 72 Dughall Sandison (Ldr) 66 Lily Spicer (Sn) 27 Sam Stocks (Ldr) 55 Will Taylor (G) 67 Chris Titcomb (StA) IFC 66 67 6 Sam Trott (StA) 66

2020 George Crawley (L) 55 George Dann (L) 67 Henry Dickinson (L) 79 Guy Farrand (B) 90 Angelo Giacco (L) IFC George Raines (S) 90 Eleanor Roberts (L) 41 Tomiwa Vaughan (StA) 67

2016 Freddie Anstey (L) 67 Charlie Bradbeer (S) 67 Ben Curry (S) 66 Tom Curry (G) 66 Emmy Dixon Smith (D) 78 Susannah Gillespie (D) 80 Pippa Graves (K) 72 88 Frankie Hunt (Sc) 66 67 Nico Lethbridge (S) 66 Angus McRae (StA) 66 Emma O’Dea (L) 72 Tristan Tusa (S) 55 56 67 Archie Wilson (StA) 66

2021 Tide Aluko (G) 67 Tani Edu (G) 67 Geordie Irvine (Sc) 79 Krit Pichedvanichok (StA) 23 Holly Read (N) IFC 64

2017 Ed Hall (C) 67 Kevin Law (Sc) 82 Alice Liow (Sn) 72 Oliver Lockhart (S) 67 Anneka Shah (L) 82 Calum Stewart (S) 75 Arthur Thomson (StA) 58 Denis Valkov (S) 68 Angus Wight (StA) 67

2023 Hamish Gordon-Stewart (G) 55

2018 Vasily Gaev (C) 66 Freddie Goddard (G) 66 67 68 Jack Krempel (StA) 66 Louis O’Connor (L) 79 Charles Shelley (S) 65 2019 Oscar Ayton (G) 56 Oliver Bell (B) 21 George Crawley (L) 55 56 Toby Fowler (S) 66 Daniel Poulter (L) 66 Harry Smith (F) 79 Hiromi Taylor (L) 24 Jack Turner (F) 67 Electra Winter (K) 24

2022 Charles Aldous (G) 77 Patrick Boyle (L) 67 Fenella Farrand (Sn) 90 George Godwin-Austen (Ldr) 65 Lydia Larsen (K) 75 Masao Matsuura (StA) IFC

2024 Ollie Cruise (L) 58 Maxim Kondratyev (S) 92 Jenny Lin (K) 77 Howard Young (S) 55 2025 Teddy Flanagan (N) 64 Adrian Tam (Sc) 64