The Pelican No. 31 2019/20 by Old Brightonians

JOURNAL OF THE OLD BRIGHTONIANS No. 32 2021

HEAD’S HOUSE Eric Tang, Alexander, Upper Sixth

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 31 2020

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Letter from the President I am not entirely sure I would have taken the role of President of the Old Brightonians if I had been told that every single one of my meetings with fellow OBs would take place behind a screen, in my office here in Portland. And yet, physical distance has somehow seemed a less significant barrier to making connections this year. I do hope you enjoy celebrating 175 years of our school in this rather special edition of The Pelican. The pieces put together by our Archivist, James, really bring colour to the life of our school and its journey through the decades. We are so very fortunate to have detailed records of the College’s history, and I really recommend taking a look through the huge collection of Brightonian magazines that has been published on the Old Brightonians website: they are like a journey through time, and your children will have hours of fun seeing you in whichever hair cut was fashionable at the time. Have a wonderful 2022 and I hope – whilst speaking to you on a small screen has been fun – I will be able to see more of you in person over the coming months. Mat Ellis (Du. 1984-89) President

Letter from the Editor Looking back over the past 12 months has been great, and I hope you enjoy reading The Pelican as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. It goes without saying that it has been a strange year, but there have been some brilliant happenings at your school and Old Brightonians have been doing some incredible things. Thank you to all who have contributed their time, energy and valuable experience to the Old Brightonians: for keeping me up to date with your news and stories and for attending our events across the world. This is your network and you make it so special, dynamic and – best of all – fun. Happy New Year and happy reading! Cathy Drew Beresford Editor

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‘ In the course of the past 10 years, Brighton has become the leading co-educational independent school in the country.’ The Sunday Times

News from Brighton

School of the Decade We were thrilled that Brighton College was awarded the prestigious title of School of the Decade by The Sunday Times. In their Independent Schools Guide, widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the top schools in the country, The Sunday Times named the College as ‘one of the hottest tickets in independent education.’ The editor of the Schools Guide said that ‘in the course of the past 10 years, Brighton has become the leading co-educational independent school in the country. Under the excellent headship of Richard Cairns for the past 14 years, the school is progressive in outlook and the children are taught kindness and respect for one another.’ Head Master, Richard Cairns, commented: “I am delighted.

But the real credit for this award must go to our wonderfully inspirational teachers and energetic and positive pupils.” The Sunday Times also commented on the brilliant teaching, as pupils described their teachers as ‘approachable, empathetic and inspiring.’

Brighton College in the Community

Welcome to The Reverend Canon David Stone

For the past seven years Brighton College pupils have met refugees from the local Syrian community action group every Sunday, helping them with conversation and interview skills, offering teaching support and helping with ‘Life in the UK’ test preparation.

The Reverend Canon David Stone joins as College Chaplain and will be teaching Religious Studies. David was, until recently, the Precentor of Coventry Cathedral, a senior role in one of the Church of England’s most important cathedrals. Prior to that he was Team Rector in Newbury and Vicar of St Jude’s, Chelsea. He was also Chaplain to the Air Training Corps and the Blue Coat School, Coventry. David was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, with a first in Physiological Sciences and then in Medicine. He subsequently read Theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He has written five books and contributed to several more. He has also written a number of hymns (both words and music) and has presented extensively on BBC Radio including Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’ and the World Service’s ‘Words of Faith’.

After last year’s hiatus, we were delighted that Make A Difference Day was able to take place once again this year. On Wednesday 29th September, blessed with a break in the rain, over 1,000 pupils journeyed out into Brighton and beyond for the day to volunteer their time to deserving community projects. From working with the National Trust to preserve local ecosystems; to beach, park and community cleans across the city; to visiting local residents and supporting charities, everyone played a part in giving back to our community.

David says, ‘It is a wonderful and very special role that I have to be Chaplain at Brighton College, but in reality, the work of the chaplaincy involves everyone because everyone has questions; everyone celebrates; or suffers; everyone holds values and is, above all, human. This privileged work that I am involved in, therefore, includes conversation, prayer, debate, friendship and a great deal of fun along the way!’

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‘ All my work is based on the collaboration between art and nature: these two potent forces in my eyes are intrinsically linked.’ David Nash OBE RA

Two Elm Columns: an interview with David Nash OBE RA World-renowned sculptor, David Nash OBE RA (Br. 1957-63), has created Two Elm Columns, which were installed in the heart of the College in October. The two striking sculptures were made from the elm tree that made way for the Kai Yong Yeoh Building (opened in 2017) and make quite the impact as one enters the main building. David lives in Blaenau Ffestiniog, in ‘Capel Rhiw’, a Methodist chapel he bought in 1968, with a school room on the back that is now his family home. David left the school in 1963, going to study art at Kingston and later Chelsea School of Art. By the 1980s David was a major international figure in modern sculpture, he was elected a Royal Academician in 1999, awarded an OBE in 2004, and in 2011, the BBC aired a feature-length documentary about his career. On his visit to the school to install Two Elm Columns, David was kind enough to speak to us about his works and his inspirations, while passing on advice for young artists.

On his works… As is the case with many of my works, with Two Elm Columns, there is a relationship between the two pieces – I often make pieces that have a relationship. When you have two forms of wood together, you immediately see a contrast and look for the relationship that crosses the gap between them.

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There are lots of archetypal relationships: father, son, male, female. It was suggested that Two Elm Columns would relate to the college being co-educational, boy and girl, but with gender issues currently being so pertinent, I didn’t feel I could make such a work albeit in abstract form. The columns are a pair, and the relationship is aesthetic rather than representational. All my work is based on the collaboration between art and nature: these two potent forces, in my eyes, are intrinsically linked. In my work, as in life, so much is happenstance: serendipity. When I am invited to make a piece for a particular place I first look for available wood that is local and, in this case I was told that a College elm had been cut down to make way for a new building. I had the wood taken up to studios in North Wales, and the two trunks, their dimensions and character, were my starting point.

On site-specific sculpture… I planted the Ash Dome in 1977. I came to own, by serendipity, a piece of woodland that had recently been clear-felled and in need of replanting. Planting trees led me to imagine a growing form, a living, evolving form and 8

I wanted to create something forwardthinking. The Chinese potters of early dynasties were obliged to dig out and lay down pits of clay for the next generations to use, and this inspired me, along with the knowledge that the Navy in the Napoleonic wars ran out of oak to build ships, so they sent out a decree to plant oaks for boatbuilding in the future, 200 years later. I loved that long-term thinking. I began thinking on how I could have an outside artwork that would grow with the energy of the place it was set, and would continually change over many years. After some research into the best type of tree that would lend itself to such a project, I decided on ash. I planted 22 trees around a diameter of 30 feet, which were immediately eaten by sheep. I had a lot to learn in those initial months! I put birch into the mix, which encouraged the ash to grow faster – as they are a stronger tree. I wanted the project to be a gesture of hope for the 21st century: I was growing a space for the 21st century. My role was tending, nurturing and pruning the trees. The dome did make it to the 21st century, but three years ago, it got ash dieback, which suffocates the tree. However, I went back to the concept that it grew dependent on natural forces; dieback is a natural force. I have now surrounded the ailing Ash Dome with oak saplings to grow an Oak Dome, which is

a project for three generations: my son and my assistant and their children hopefully will nurture these oaks into form. In 1978, across the valley opposite where the Ash Dome was planted, high up in the foothills of the Moelwyns, a huge oak tree had been brought down by a storm. The first thing I made from it was a large, rough sphere. I had planned to take it back to my studio to continue work on it. I had the idea of rolling it down the stream to the valley road which seemed the safest way, but it got stuck halfway down a waterfall. It was too dangerous to get to, so I left it. The longer I left it, the more it kept changing – from amber to black to covered in ice in the winter. It eventually got washed down the waterfall into a pool. I made a net and winched it out to continue its journey. I soon realised it was much more interesting in the stream than in my studio! Which of course is serendipity again. My approach then became ‘don’t touch’. Over the years it lived a much more interesting life than originally planned. It took 25 years of periodic storms for it to reach the river in the valley and a further 2 years to reach the tidal estuary. I was documenting its journey the whole time. In 2003 it disappeared and was assumed to have been swept to the sea and gone. In 2013

‘ Always honour what you started with. It gives your pieces an honesty and integrity.’ David Nash OBE RA

it reappeared stuck in the mud in the lee of a small island in the same estuary. It remained there for two years covered by the tide twice a day and then it was gone again. I’m not upset I can’t find it now. Part of its being in the natural world is that it goes its own way. I might have lost it, but it’s not lost to itself. It is somewhere.

On his creativity… The best bit is the idea. Or when the idea sparks. Many of my works in the 1980s and 1990s were made overseas for museum exhibitions. The first step was to learn the spaces in the museum, find fallen trees in the locality and assemble a team of local volunteers. With everything in place, it would take a month of very focused work to make an installation of new sculptures and drawings. With the limited time there was no room for doubt or hesitation. I just had to ‘go for it’ embracing my ‘there and then’ creativity. After an exhibition, some pieces would be bought by the museum or gallery, but the rest would be shipped to Capel Rhiw. And so, every so often there would be a new crop of beings come into the studio and wake all the other

sculptures up! I often have favourite pieces, which are usually not the same as someone else’s favourites: it often surprises me which of my pieces people prefer, but, of course, that’s the joy of freedom of preference. I am now very much in the later stage of my working life. As a young artist I had a stream of ideas that would trickle into one big idea: I had so many ideas and it was so exciting. Now I’m a bit older, I’m worried when I have an idea as it compels me to give it form. Fortunately, I have assistants to do the heavy lifting. During the pandemic, we have spent a lot of time archiving 60 years’ worth of drawings. I would often draw after I’ve made a sculpture and these drawings pile up, so we have been systematically archiving them. I have made a drawing of Two Elm Columns, which lives at the College.

His advice…

For me, it is important not to overwork the wood. I don’t want to lose the sense of where it came from and the marks of the tools that made it. That’s why the chainsaw marks on Two Elm Columns are so important. The wood will crack eventually and if you smooth everything off and it cracks, you may well think ‘disaster’, but if you invite and engage with the cracks it all works together. What’s more, embrace the off cuts. Fall down the rabbit hole and if you’re interested, trust that interest. I was very fortunate to get my first exhibition at a music festival in York, and from then I was lucky to be continually asked to make exhibitions, and whilst it is hard, my advice is always ‘wait to be asked’. However, as a young artist, you then get into the habit of saying yes to everything, and get overstretched. As the years have passed, I began being able to say no to things; my mantra for many years was: have axe will travel! As told to Cathy Drew Beresford

I always tell people: don’t go for 100%. Go for 89%. Then, just stop, don’t over tidy. Try to honour what you started with, the initial inspiration. It gives your work an honesty and integrity. www.oldbrightonians.com

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Our Alumni Throughout the year, we speak to Old Brightonians about their time at the College and what they have gone on to do since they left school. This year, we spoke to an eclectic mix of people – a Clinical Director, a TV presenter and a pilot, to name three. Across the globe, Old Brightonians are doing amazing things… and it has been wonderful to hear your stories.

Dr Ralph Abraham (Br. 1959-63)

Oliver Heath (Ry. 1983-88)

Dr Ralph Abraham is the founder of London Medical and the London Diabetes Centre. Ralph came to the school with his three brothers. He always wanted to be a doctor, and went on to study at Merton College, Oxford. He founded London Medical in the 1990s and, as Clinical Director, is at the cutting edge of medicine and research.

Oliver Heath is a designer, author and TV presenter. He has worked as an on-screen designer for TV in the UK and overseas but now runs a design company focusing on Biophilic Design.

What is your favourite memory of school? Brighton College was like a family to me and my brothers and treated us like their own. There was – and still is – a spirit at Brighton College. One of caring for one another and looking out for one another.

Andy Zhang (Ab. 2007-09) Andy Zhang is the Old Brightonian Ambassador in China and lives in Shanghai with his young family. He is Regional Business Development and Client Director for A. Lange & Söhne and works in brand management, marketing, influencing, clientele and business development. What is your favourite memory of school? The moment when I was selected as school prefect, as a Chinese student, still feels unreal to me now.

Andy Zhang

What advice would you give your school-age self? To have the courage of your convictions and seize the moment, to remember: ’if not you then who, if not now then when?’

Annabel Kidd (Ch. 2010-15) Annabel Kidd is a violinist and travels across the UK teaching and playing. Her quartet, The Resol String Quartet, was one of the first groups to come and play live at the College following the lifting of restrictions.

Oliver Heath

What is your favourite memory of school? The House Song – the shocking costumes and questionable dance routines, in particular.

Amy Still (Se. 1998-2013)

Fleur Dawes (Wi. 1999-2004)

Amy Still started at the College in the nursery and now runs a specialist learning playground based on Communities of Enquiry, after graduating from MPhil at Cambridge in Education and Psychology.

Fleur Dawes lives in Los Angeles and is Communications Director for In Defense of Animals. She is a passionate animal rights campaigner and has appeared on networks across the globe speaking on behalf of animals. What advice would you give your schoolage self? Give your teachers a break! I found life as a teenager hard, and I wish I had shown more compassion and empathy towards my teachers so I could understand that all of us are dealing with our own traumas and priorities.

Dr Ralph Abraham

What is your favourite memory of school? Mr Cairns picking out random people to share their acts of kindness in assembly. Some of these small acts made a big difference!

Amy Still

Annabel Kidd

Nicholas Brice

Will Wright

Fleur Dawes

Anna Harris

Victor Law

Nicholas Brice (Ch./Le. 1972-76)

What is your favourite memory of school? Mattress sliding down the stairs in Head’s House!

Victor Law (Ab. 2009-13)

Nicholas Brice is a keynote speaker, performance culture consultant, and theatre-maker. He has worked with Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs on their new stadium projects. What advice would you give your schoolage self? Ask for help if you are struggling.

Anna Harris (Ne. 2011-16)

Will Wright (Ry. 2006-09) Will Wright is a pilot and currently studying for an MSc in Aviation Human Factors. Will also chairs the Young Air Pilots, which is part of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots.

Victor Law works in real estate investment and lives in Hong Kong. He started out as an equity analyst working in publically listed real estate covering Hong Kong and Australia. What is your favourite memory of school? Quality time spent with the Abraham boys!

What advice would you give your schoolage self? Take more risks.

Anna Harris is a trainee doctor and awardwinning umpire for women’s cricket. This year she umpired the game’s most exciting new competition, The Hundred, and was named PCA’s Umpire of the Year. www.oldbrightonians.com

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Andi Wingate

Basia Howard-Harwood

Bridget Macdonald

OBs on the frontline During the pandemic, our already incredibly hard-working nurses and doctors across the globe have been pushed to their limits, and we are all so grateful to the efforts they gave to fighting Covid-19. We spoke to a few frontline medics about their experiences. Mohamud Verjee

Andi Wingate (Ry 1991-96) Andi is a charge nurse on what has been a Covid ward for most of the past year. He also helped out in ITU and has been vaccinating hospital and health and social care staff.

Basia Howard-Harwood (Fe. 1988-90) Basia works as a practice nurse for Defence Primary Health Care, delivering primary healthcare to serving military personnel. She has also been called up to work with the NHS as a vaccinator and vaccination trainer, training medical staff who do not normally work as vaccinators.

Bridget Macdonald (Fe. 1981-83) Bridget has been a consultant in neurology at St George’s University Hospital for the past 20 years. As the pandemic developed, she was part of several ethics committees addressing the new situation and regulations impacting the rights and humanity of patients and staff.

Charles Daultrey (Al. 2000-02) As consultant ENT, and head and neck surgeon at Worcester Royal Hospital, Charles has been on the frontline, delivering head and neck cancer services. He says things have been tough, with ENT surgeons being some of the worst hit in the medical profession due to the nature of the examinations and surgery.

Lisa Barrott (Fe. 1985-87) Lisa manages services and teams in cancer care at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and has a background and training in ITU. During the first wave she worked at The Royal Marsden and volunteered in their ITU, and most recently, she has been working in Worthing Hospital’s ITU.

Kenneth Leung (Ch./Sc. 1994-99) Kenneth says that working as a doctor in Hong Kong has been tough. During the peak of Hong Kong’s waves, Kenneth was posted to the Community Treatment Facility, to take care of Covid-19 patients.

Charles Daultrey

Lisa Barrott

Ayan Panja

Wassim Malas

Mohamud Verjee (Sc. 1965-69)

Wassim Malas (Ch. 1981-84)

Mohamud is Associate Professor of Family Medicine in Clinical Medicine in Qatar, where he works with the Ministry of Public Health. He leads and oversees all Covid-19 matters at his university campus in Doha, where his team informs, advises and updates medical students, staff and the teaching faculty on preventative care, regarding Covid cases.

Working as a GP near Manchester, Wassim has had to do most consultations by phone or video, while also volunteering in his down time to vaccinate.

Ayan Panja (Ha. 1986-91) Ayan works as a GP partner in St Albans, whose region has been leading on the national vaccine programme.

Ganesh Suntharalingam OBE (Ha. 1980-85)

Kenneth Leung

Ganesh Suntharalingam

Dr. Ganesh Suntharalingam was honoured for his work in the NHS in the 2020 Queen Birthday Honour’s list. Dr. Suntharalingam, President of the Intensive Care Society, was awarded an OBE for services to critical care, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is Clinical Lead for Critical Care at London North West University Hospitals NHS Trust.

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News from Old Brightonians

Andrew Cayley CMG QC FRSA (Br. 1977-82)

Clare Connor CBE (Wi. 1989-94)

Andrew Cayley CMG QC FRSA was appointed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) in January 2021.

Clare Connor CBE, former Brighton College teacher and Asheswinning captain, took office at Lord’s as the first female President of the MCC in the club’s 234-year history in October 2021.

Andrew Cayley CMG QC FRSA, Old Brightonian and College Governor completed his statutory term as Director of Service Prosecutions, the United Kingdom’s Chief Military Prosecutor, on 2 November 2020. At the beginning of the year, the Attorney General, the Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman QC MP appointed Andrew as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is a public appointment leading the HMCPSI, which has a statutory duty to inspect the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. The purpose of the inspectorate is to drive improvements and build public confidence in the national prosecution services

Clare, speaking to ESPN, said: ‘I am truly honoured to be MCC President, and would like to thank Kumar Sangakkara for putting his faith in me to deliver this enormously important role, for the good of the sport I have loved all my life. It is a privilege to be MCC’s next President and to increase my involvement with such a special club, and I look forward to working with the club’s members to ensure that the Home of Cricket continues to provide a world-class venue and warm welcome to players and visitors from around the country and internationally.’ Clare, who blazed the trail for women’s cricket the world over, played for England for over 10 years, captaining the side to their first Ashes win in 42 years in 2005. Since retiring, Clare has worked for the ECB, introducing central contracts for England’s women players amongst a raft of other successes.

‘ It is a privilege to be MCC’s next President’ Clare Connor CBE

Chloé Zhao (Fe. 1998-2000) Chloé Zhao and her film, Nomadland, were the big winners of 2021 film awards season. Chloé made history by becoming the first woman of colour to win Best Director at both the BAFTAs and the Oscars, and in winning, becomes only the second woman to do so. Nomadland also picked up prizes for Best Film at the Oscars, BAFTAs, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, as well as the film’s star, Frances McDormand, winning Best Actress at the BAFTAs and the 93rd Academy Awards. We were thrilled to see Chloé give her old school a mention during her BAFTA speech when she said that she thinks she will have made her Brighton College teachers ‘very proud’. We are all very proud of you, Chloé! www.oldbrightonians.com

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Tosin Akinluyi

Careers and networking

Thanks to our fantastic network of Old Brightonians working across a range of sectors, we are able to host valuable careers events for young OBs and current pupils, to give them a real insight into what working in a whole range of areas might be like. Professions Conference The Professions Conference looked a little different this year, with our speakers and pupils meeting online, rather than at the school. We were still able to host 12 different panel sessions for all our current Lower Sixth pupils – from Architecture to the Arts, and Engineering to Journalism. The Conference is an invaluable opportunity for the pupils to learn more about several different careers and it encourages them to think more broadly about the options available to them after school and university. This year, our keynote speaker was Tosin Akinluyi (Fe. 1990-92), Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Tosin’s experience in the world of finance was fascinating and she has been a real driving

force in encouraging more women to consider careers in the world of banking. Thank you to all the OBs who gave their time to help with this year’s Professions Conference – we cannot do it without you. We are looking forward to hosting many more in-person careers events in the months ahead. Thank you so much to all those who have provided guidance and support to OBs and pupils alike this year. If you are able to volunteer your time and knowledge to help other Old Brightonians as they embark on the first steps of their career ladder, please contact the Old Brightonians.

Events The past 12 months’ events have been forced to adapt; there is not much that can stop the Old Brightonians putting on a dinner or three, but it would seem a global pandemic is one of those things! We had great fun trying – as everyone did – to navigate Zoom, MS Teams and Skype, and hosted a range of events to bring the community together during those difficult months. In Conversation with... We are so lucky to have some fascinating alumni in our midst and thrilled when a few of them agreed to take part in our ‘In Conversation’ series during the year. Our interviewees were: Clare Connor CBE (Wi. 1989-94) President of the MCC and former England Captain Andrew Cayley CMG QC FRSA (1977-82) Chief Inspector of the HMCPSI Tabitha Worsley (Fe. 2008-13) Grand National jockey Marcus Smith (Le. 2011-17) International rugby player Samantha Washington (Fe. 1989-93) Sky News broadcaster All of them were interviewed by other members of the Brighton College community and – thanks to the wonders of technology – can still be watched again via the Old Brightonians website. They all had tales of their time at the College to share and some fascinating insights into their worlds.

Reunions Happily, as autumn rolled in, we were able to host physical events once again, albeit with face coverings and Covid passes. It was wonderful to be able to welcome back the Class of 1981 to the College, for their 40-year reunion, and thanks must be extended to Adrian Underwood (Al. 1976-81), and John (Al. 1976-81) and Fiona Aiken (Fe. 1979-81) for the work they put in to making it such a success. The Class of 2016 came together in London to celebrate their five-year reunion, and we are very grateful to Milan Shah (Du. 2011-16) for his efforts in organising it. The group were joined by teachers Jenna Duffield, Alex Patton and Joe Carr-Hill, and it was wonderful to hear about what they have been up to since graduating from school and university.

Virtual tastings with Redroaster and Cheese Please Arguably, one of the more positive things to come from the lockdown was the ability to suddenly have absolutely anything delivered – including delicious food and drink. We were lucky enough to enjoy a cheese and wine tasting evening, hosted by Cheese Please of Lewes and a coffee tasting, hosted by Redroaster in Kemptown. It was great fun to learn more about the delicious cheeses and coffees they each produce, and a little bit brilliant to do it from the sofa! www.oldbrightonians.com

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Sport ‘ Sports do not build character. They reveal it.’ Heywood Broun

2021 has been another successful year for many of our Old Brightonians involved in a variety of different sports. Marcus Smith (Le. 2011-17) had an extraordinarily successful season. In June, he was named as the Rugby Player’s Association Young Player of the Year 2021. The following month, he helped his team, Harlequins, to victory in the rugby union Premiership and made his full England debut against the USA. Later that month, he was called up to be a part of the British & Irish Lions squad on tour in South Africa and made his debut in Cape Town as starter number 10. Marcus also played for his country in the 2021 autumn international series, and scored a spectacular last-minute winning penalty against South Africa.

Tabitha Worsley (Fe. 2008-13) was one of just three all-English combinations to pass the finishing post at 2021’s Grand National, and one of just three female jockeys taking part. Tabitha and her family’s horse, Sub Lieutenant, finished in 15th place. Anna Harris (Ne. 2011-16) has really made her mark in the world of cricket, becoming the youngest ever umpire to officiate an international match in September 2021. Anna, who was named women’s Umpire of the Year by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, spent the summer umpiring ‘The Hundred’, cricket’s newest competition.

Despite restrictions on sport during this year, Freya Davies (Se. 2012-14) has had a busy 12 months. She was named in the cricket squad for England’s tour of New Zealand this year and ended the series as the joint-leading wicket taker and while playing domestically in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Golf The Old Brightonians Golf Society were lucky to enjoy a full calendar of golfing events in 2021, albeit re-arranged to the second half of the year. There was real enthusiasm to play and every event was a joyous affair. We traditionally commence the year with our annual meeting at West Sussex Golf Club in March for the match between the President, Chris Pett (Ha. 1962-67) and Secretary, Julian Hunt (Du. 1984-87). Due to Covid, however, we played in August. The event was very well supported and the weather was kind. The entry was noteworthy for including three father and son combinations – Petts, Hunts and Suttons. With the President’s team storming to victory, I am bound to say that the result was of less importance than the fact that we all enjoyed a wonderful day at the magical setting of West Sussex Golf Club. Six intrepid OB golfers narrowly failed to qualify for the Grafton Morrish Finals in squalling rain and gale force conditions that made golf a bit of a lottery. In the Sussex Cup, we came runners up to Hurst, a valiant rear guard after a slow morning. Our autumn meeting was played at Guildford Golf Club, organised by Alan Chesterfield (Du. 1973-78). Once again there was an excellent turn out with a real spread of OB golfers ranging from the young to the senior. As ever, all ages mixed as one and it was a truly convivial affair. As to the golf, Dylan Christie (Du. 2005-10) arrived with an unengraved and uncleaned Whitmore Bowl. It was only right and proper therefore that Dylan defended his Bowl and took the trophy away with him for cleaning and engraving ready for 2022! Julian Hunt Golf Secretary (Du. 1984-87)

The Halford Hewitt Cup The Old Brightonian Golf Team embarked on their annual pilgrimage to Kent this September for the Halford Hewitt Cup. This is an annual event competed for by teams of ten old boys and girls from 64 public schools. The annual pilgrimage was postponed to September, due once again to Covid, and the change in dates meant we were without several ‘big guns’ including Riaz Rattansi (Ch. 1985-90), Mark Budd (Du. 2004-09) and Roly Ainsworth (Du. 1992-97), but we managed to put together a decent squad, which reflects the increasing quality within the Old Brightonian Golf Society. However, the draw was not kind to us, as we were pitted against the mighty Charterhouse (16 times winners of the event and ranked number 1). The weather was glorious for the practice day on Wednesday at Princes and everyone was in good form. Chris Gates (Ry. 1985-90) announced the team in the evening and rallied the troops with some positive comments that we all had a chance of winning. Even so, it was with hope, rather than expectation, that we set out on Thursday morning to take on Charterhouse. Things did not start brilliantly with our first drive, in the words of the starter, ‘nearly landing in Belgium!’ However, we managed to keep most matches tight through the first 9. This was continued deep in to the match so that it stood at 2-2 with our fourth pair of Dylan Christie (Du. 2005-10) and Freddie Pett (Ha. 1999-2004) 2 down with 4 to play. A magnificent fight back saw them start the 18th 1 up and raised levels of excitement within the watching crowds.

Could the greatest Hewitt shock of all time be about to happen? Unfortunately, we lost the 18th so it was in to extra holes. The first was halved, but then some excellent play by Brighton left Dylan with a 10-foot putt to win the match. He calmly knocked it in, to scenes of euphoria and shock from Brighton. What a win! We were the talk of the club house. We probably celebrated a little too well that afternoon and evening, which lessened our chances the next day against Tonbridge (ranked 2nd). And thus, Friday was not quite the same level of sharpness, and we succumbed 3.5-1.5. Overall a great Hewitt, in which the team really showed it has the ability to compete at this level and perhaps go beyond the 2nd round in 2022. Special thanks go to Chris Pett (Ha. 1962-67) and Nick Toksvig (Br. 1973-75), who came down to support and to the whole team for their efforts. If any Old Brightonians would like to be involved in the Hewitt, or other events we run throughout the year, please let us know. There is a real mix of ages and it is really great fun. Chris Gates (Ry. 1984-90)

www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

OB rugby After a year-long break, Old Brightonians rugby was finally back this summer and the season kicked off at Worthing 7s in early July. Whilst some stiff competition resulted in an early exit in the group stages, the opening tournament was a successful start to the season, which saw eight new Old Brightonians make their debut for the club. The Burgess Hill 7s brought greater on-field success as we reached the tournament final, but unfortunately returned home without any silverware. The Old Brightonians fielded two teams here, which proved how much the club has grown over the past few years. Our final tournament of the season was Littlehampton 10s, a tournament at which we have historically performed well. After strong performances from every member 20

of the team, the Old Brightonians picked up their first silverware of the season with a convincing win in the final. In addition, our club’s most capped player, Craig Searle (Ha. 2012-14), was named Player of the Tournament by the host club. Beyond the 7s season, we fielded a XV side for an exhibition game against the current leavers, which gave the OBs a chance to run out on the Home Ground once again and provided a great opportunity to introduce our newest players to the club. The game was a closely fought contest from start to finish with the Old Brightonians beaten in the final moments of the game by a younger, fitter side. The club will play another XV aside fixture this winter before we start our preparations for the next 7s season.

If you would like to get involved in Old Brightonians rugby, please contact the Old Brightonians office. Aidan Phillips-Cragg (Al. 2009-16)

www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

Archive News The Launch of the Digital Timeline To celebrate the College’s 175th birthday, we launched an interactive digital timeline, which features 81 items from the school’s diverse archival collection. This innovative way of looking through our history provides an entertaining and informative overview of the College’s story from 1845 to the present. Use the timeline to travel through time: from the school’s foundation in 1845, visiting

Above: 1930 Opening of the Dawson Building Right: 1884-1885 Boys Football 1st Xi Far right: 1986 Pygmalion Poster

periods of success, danger, prosperity and near-bankruptcy. It documents the colourful individuals, events and architecture that have helped to make Brighton College the success story it is today and we hope you enjoy discovering a bit more about the vibrant history of your school.

This timeline is just the beginning for the Digital Archive, and the Archivist will be aiming to add new entries to the timeline every year, illuminating more of the College’s achievements and milestones. The timeline is available through the Old Brightonians website.

1914 OTC Training Camp

1848 Laying of the Foundation Stone

2017 Brighton College Float Pride Parade

Donations to the Archive Over the past 12 months, the College Archive has received some fantastic donations. These donations are now safely stored in the Archive, awaiting cataloguing and placement within the archival collection. One significant donation, which dates primarily from the 1940s, includes exam papers, expense sheets, and termly reports, of which we have precious few of in our existing collections. The exam papers in particular give us a fascinating glimpse into what Brighton College pupils from that period studied, and what examinations were like. This donation also included two drama performance programmes, Chapel programmes, an invitation to the 1945 Speech Day, rolls and calendars from the 1940s, and a small collection of lovely Brighton College postcards from the 1920s.

Another large donation was several records from both the Senior and Junior schools during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Brightonian magazines, calendars, fixture lists, and College rolls. In this donation are photographs, some of which the Archive had no surviving copies of. This includes Leconfield house photographs from 1970-72, Junior school cricket and rugby photographs from the 1960s, and sailing team photographs from the 1970s. Filling gaps in the house and sport photograph collections is always an amazing moment for the Archive! While the ‘official’ records we hold in the Archive provide a wealth of factual information about the history of the College, not many truly bring the school’s history to life. Records like these will provide future generations with a vivid picture of what it was like to be a Brighton College pupil in past decades.

We also received a most surprising (and exciting!) donation, when a former member of staff from Abu Dhabi saved six framed house and sports photographs from the 1940s from being thrown away. Instead of going to landfill, these photographs now help to plug one of the most significant gaps in our archival collections, as we have long lacked sports and house photographs taken at the College during the Second World War. Perhaps you, or someone you know, hold documents or photographs from your time at Brighton College that you would be willing to contribute to the school’s archive collection. The College Archive always appreciates being able to add extra details to our school’s story. If you are interested in donating to the Archive, please contact the Archivist, James Harrison. www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

Brightonian Magazine Digitisation At the start of the year, we announced the digitisation of the Brightonian Magazines from 1950 to present day. Every issue from 1972 to 2021 is now available on our digital archive, as is every autumn Brightonian issue from 1950 to 1971.

Brighton College Archivist, James Harrison, has selected some highlights from across the issues available online. Whilst the five Brightonian pieces we have chosen do not cover the most famous events of the College’s history, they do a wonderful job of illustrating how life at the College has changed.

The Art Exhibition Following the year’s Speech Day, which took place on 22nd July 1950, there was tea on the field, swimming and P.T. displays, and an art exhibition. This exhibition was the subject of an appreciation by Ronald Horton, Head of the Teachers’ Training Department at the Brighton College of Art, published later in the magazine. Horton heaps praise on the exhibition and the pupils’ work: ‘Here are works by about a hundred boys which include some delightful paintings in gouache, bold in conception and often large in scale; some minute and delicate drawings on scraper-board, and a wide variety of models, papier-mâché toys, masks and chalk carvings.’ He singles out many individual pieces of work: ‘”Volcano Erupting’”... being boldly designed and directly yet tenderly painted with great subtlety of colour and tone.’ “At the Theatre,” which is delightful in colour.’ “Indian Procession”… well deserves its place of honour in the centre of the wall.’ Comments on the influences behind the art provide a colourful description of the exhibition: ‘The recent broadcast of H. G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” has inspired a number of paintings.’

With no surviving photographs of this art exhibition in the Archive, Horton’s glowing appreciation provides us with a tantalising glimpse of the exhibition, and the pupils’ hard work and artistic abilities. Issue: September 1950

Rhine Tour Early on 17th April, 1966, a coach left the Junior School with 30 boys on the first part of a journey to the Rhine Valley in Germany. An article in the September 1966 describes how this trip unfolded. Their hotel at St. Goarshausen provided the ideal base for the trip: ‘Our hotel, the Colonius, was excellent in every way: its situation on the banks of the river was ideal and the hospitality was magnificent.’ The trip involved a packed itinerary: ‘On perhaps our fullest day we visited Beethoven’s birthplace and the Bundeshaus in Bonn, saw the Gothic splendours of Cologne Cathedral, and took the mountain railway up to the ruined Drachenfels Castle.’ The adventure to Germany was considered a great success, with praise for everyone involved: ‘In terms of general conduct, interest shown, cheerfulness and cooperation, the 30 members of the party were a credit to the School.’ This piece on the 1966 Rhine Tour is one of many Brightonian articles documenting the College’s local and international trips. With no surviving photographs or other records from many of these trips, the Brightonians are not only our best, but often the only, source of photographs and information on the trips our pupils have undertaken and enjoyed over the decades. Issue: September 1966 www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

Voluntary Service This article provides a review of the Voluntary Service activities that took place in the summer term of 1969; giving us an insight into some of the early activities of the Voluntary Service Unit. It includes a summary of the variety of activities pupil volunteers turned their hands to over the course of the summer term, before moving on to two reports by volunteers on the work they did that summer. The first report describes the activities of three boys who spent two terms going to St. John’s Special School, a special boarding school for children with complex needs: ‘We played indoor games with them such as cards or bingo and took them on a visit to the police station. This term we have been with a house of ten year olds with whom we played football and other outside activities.’ The second report is from a pupil who had been going to the Citizens Advice Bureau and Social Service Centre most Monday afternoons during the summer term: ‘I was then plunged straight in at the deep end by having to take several interviews on my first day there. These interviews proved very interesting since I met all sorts of problems ranging from complaints about faulty radio

The Tempest components which the caller had bought to legal problems about house purchase.’ The rest of the pupil’s time was spent with the Social Service section of the office: ‘This involved visiting people in their homes— for example taking an old age pensioner his weekly money. I was asked to stay and talk to the people I visited and try and find out if there were any problems bothering them. These people were usually very lonely and welcomed wholeheartedly the chance of half an hour’s chat.’ The voluntary work undertaken by pupils in the 1960s and 1970s has been followed by a strong and long-lasting legacy of our pupils giving back to the school’s local community. While a small number of photographs from community service in this period have made their way to the Archive, this article in the September 1969 Brightonian provides us with one of the best descriptions of the work pupils undertook to support the local community. Issue: September 1969

The school Archive is home to a large and diverse collection of records from the College’s various performances, but reviews in the Brightonian remain one of the best sources of information, not only on performances and how they were received, but also on how drama, music, and dance at the College have changed over time. The review of The Tempest notes the challenges of this Shakespeare play: ‘There can be no doubt that ‘The Tempest’ is an ambitious choice for a school production.’ ‘…activity on the stage becomes less important than the development of themes through poetry.’ ‘…the producer and cast are required to look very hard to find dramatic potential in scenes which often appear stronger on the printed page than in the theatre.’ The review then praises the production and set design: ‘…(the) production maintained a delicate balance.’ ‘Finally, I should like to congratulate… all who worked so hard behind the scenes to produce a coherent and consistent performance in which the themes which can easily get lost

The first Duke of Edinburgh Award amongst the stage effects were allowed to emerge clearly.’ The review then moves on to praise individual performances: ‘...Antonio (played by John Fraser (Sc.1971-76)) was very clearly outstanding. Here was a performance with real individuality in which the lines were made to blend with gesture and mannerisms to present a total personality.’ “...Prospero (played by Khanda Rouse (Ha. 1970-74)) stood out. …he impressed with his fluency of phrasing which maintained a consistency of atmosphere even when he made mistakes.” While we have a large collection of drama records in the College Archive, we are missing photographs and other records for many performances. This makes the Brightonians, which often feature in-depth reviews and photographs, extremely useful resources when telling the story of performing arts at the College. The four photographs of The Tempest in the 1974 Brightonian are currently the only surviving images we have of the performance, making this article particularly precious, providing our only visual record of the performance.

The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, under the coordination and leadership of Mr Prideaux, ran its first expeditions in 1978. However, as the 1979 Brightonian article highlights, the first ever Brighton College Award Scheme did not always go entirely to plan... The first expedition was a five-day trip to North Wales during the summer holidays. The Silver section’s hike was successful, but the Bronze section’s attempt to climb Snowdon met with calamity: ‘…the Bronze hike was doomed from the start, since within a few hours of setting oil one of our group… was taken ill on top of a mountain with suspected appendicitis. Having called out a Mountain Rescue Team , and despatched him to hospital in Bangor… we were unable to continue with our hike.’ The second major expedition took place in Ashdown Forest during the Michaelmas Term, and enabled those whose hike in Wales had been shortened prematurely by appendicitis to try again: ‘This time everything went according to plan, and we all qualified in this section of the Award.’ The article also describes some of the ‘less adventurous side of the Scheme’; however it still gives us a brilliant insight into the first year of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme:

‘The courses which have been run outside the College include a very profitable series of sessions with the R.N.L.I. at Shoreham Lifeboat Station, a Care of Animals course, training in Marksmanship, and a number of activities in the “Interest” section as diverse as Electronics, Snooker and Model-Making.’ This article, while short, and sadly lacking any photographs of the 1978 Scheme, marks an important moment in the College’s history, the beginning of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. While we are lucky to have such an extensive archival collection at our school, the Brightonian Magazines remain a vital source of information on our school’s 175 year history. In many cases, they are our only source of information or images for many of the events, trips, exhibitions, and performances that have taken place here. Issue: 1979 You can access the digitised Brightonian magazines collection on the Digital Archive. Please feel free to share with us any interesting stories and information you find in the collection.

Issue: 1974 www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

Our post-WW2 Head Masters Since the end of the Second World War, Brighton College has seen six Head Masters come and go. James Harrison, College Archivist, takes a look back over their time in office.

Arthur Stuart-Clark

Arthur Stuart-Clark: 1944-1950 Arthur Stuart-Clark assumed the Headmastership in September 1944. Stuart-Clark’s tenure coincided with the 100th anniversary of Brighton College. However, with the War only just at an end, the centenary of the College was ‘marked’ rather than celebrated in 1945 and 1946. He presided over a sharp rise in the number of boys – from 143 when he arrived in September 1944, to 330 at the beginning of his last school year. Although much of the increase was down to the return of peace, Stuart-Clark ensured gradual, but consistent, growth in pupil numbers between 1944 and 1949. Arts at the College were reinvigorated after years of wartime austerity, with the revival of the orchestra and House Music competitions, and the introduction of the Leonardo Cup. All of this was accomplished during a period of great economic and political uncertainty, with the optimism and celebration at the end of World War 2 giving way to deprivation, shortages, rationing, and low national morale, and the College itself still dealing with significant debt. Sadly, his many modernising changes led to deteriorating relationships with some of the more traditional staff and a group of governors, most notably the chairman. He resigned in 1950. Stuart-Clark successfully navigated the College through the difficult trials of the early post-war years during his Headmastership, leaving the school in a far better and more stable position than it had been in 1944.

William Stewart: 1950-1963 Stewart joined Brighton College in 1937, and quickly distinguished himself by his dynamic and prowess as a sportsman and musician. 28

Prior to Brighton, Stewart was called up for military service, joining the Royal Artillery, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1945. Following the resignation of Arthur StuartClark in May 1950, Stewart was appointed as the new Head Master, from his position as housemaster of Chichester. As Head, Stewart (known as ‘The Duke’) was able to make full use of his strong personality, and exercise direct leadership over the College, throwing himself into the task of running a post-war school. This period witnessed the injection of new life into the sciences at the College, and the construction of the first significant buildings at the College since before the Great Depression. In October 1958, the Science Block was opened by Sir Vivian Fuchs, and and in 1960, the Day boy house building. Stewart would also oversee the creation of a new library within the Main Building and a new home for Aldrich House. However, it was the Queen’s visit to the College in July 1962 that proved to be one of Stewart’s greatest triumphs. Stewart took the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on a guided tour round the College campus, with excited rows of boys lining the route. The visit was deemed an overwhelming success, with much of the credit going to Stewart and his commitment to rigorous rehearsal and meticulous preparations.

Henry Christie: 1963-1971 Henry Christie was a polite and generous mathematician and his key objective as Head Master was to quickly raise educational standards. He pushed for the introduction of Russian and Economics as part of the Sixth Form timetable, secured consent for raising the weekly number of lessons in the Sixth Form, and saw that the extra lesson time for senior pupils was filled with English and an optional subject.

During Christie’s time, some rules were relaxed, particularly those governing boys’ leisure time. Christie oversaw efforts to improve the atmosphere of the College and the relationship between pupils and staff, and to evolve the school so that it could cope with the revolutionary mood of the 1960s. The land that would soon become the Woolton Building was purchased during his tenure, with the new building opening in 1972. Christie is remembered for his gentle manner, his easiness to work with, skill at promoting a Collegiate feeling, and his wisdom and calmness under pressure. Despite Christie’s success in raising the academic standards of the College, pupil numbers began to fall during his tenure, mainly due to factors outside his control. Christie’s successor would address the College’s struggles in raising numbers with a radical solution that would transform the College forever.

William Blackshaw: 1971-1987 Bill Blackshaw’s primary objective upon his appointment was to increase pupil numbers. It was this objective that prompted the greatest change of his 16 years as Head Master: the introduction of girls to the Sixth Form in 1973. This period also saw a rise in academic standards, partly due to Blackshaw’s campaign for additional scholarship provision. Blackshaw also helped to turn the College into a much larger school, with ambitious building projects, and presided over the busiest period of building since the Dawson era of the early 20th Century. This included the creation of the Sports Hall and the complex of classrooms at the back of the school, and the enlargement of the Music School. In his final report to the Council, Blackshaw referred to himself as ‘Bill the

William Stewart

Henry Christie

William Blackshaw

John Leach

Dr. Anthony Seldon

Builder,’ a nickname that was well deserved.

In 1990, the UK housing market crashed, tipping the British economy into recession. Brighton was also suffering through a phase of long-term decline, making the town less attractive to potential parents.

building project, the Performing Arts Centre, which contained music rooms, a dance studio and Scott’s Café. This new building, alongside the acquisition of One Montague Place, contributed to the tremendous success of art, drama, and dance during the 2000s.

His love of art and culture – he was himself a talented watercolourist – was evident throughout his life, and helped to drive his push for the creation of an Art Gallery: Burstow Gallery, a modern art facility which would go on to provide invaluable opportunities for pupils. The gallery’s finest moment came in 1982, with a Brighton Festival exhibition entitled ‘Picasso and the Theatre.’

Aside from his success in keeping the College afloat during very difficult circumstances, Leach can also be credited for his role in establishing its reputation as a socially liberal place, where all pupils could fit in.

John Leach: 1987-1997

Dr. Anthony Seldon: 1997-2005

Leach, a quiet, but very approachable academic and classicist, undoubtedly made progress towards his key objective of improving the College’s academic standards, and fostering a more scholarly atmosphere.

Dr Anthony Seldon’s tenure as Head Master sent the school into an eight-year flurry of activity. Like his predecessor, Seldon was keen to push positive values, and wanted children to learn that it was okay to be vulnerable, and to appreciate the values of integrity and kindness.

Leach led the College through its sesquicentenary celebrations in 1995, and through a period of great financial difficulty.

The Seldon era witnessed one significant

Seldon was the master of promotion and he set up an educational conference that lifted the profile of the school amongst the sector. This set the stage for a revival in boarding after his departure, as well as increasing the lure of the College to Sussex-based day pupils. By 2006, the College was famous not merely within Brighton or Sussex, but across Britain. The College’s faith in Seldon and his improvements proved justified: in the term he arrived there were 475 pupils in the Senior School; in the term he left there were 710. Dr Seldon has since become Sir Anthony – he was knighted for Services to Education in 2014. www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

There’s No Planet B Old Brightonians leading the way in tacking climate change. This year, more than any other, it feels like the world has woken up to the climate emergency we are facing.

Harry Grocott Brighton College has long been a pioneer of sustainable practices, banning the misuse of plastics on campus in 2019, introducing recycling hubs across the school and recycling a number of items that the local council cannot, such as crisp packets and pens. Each house has a ‘Green Rep’ who attends meetings every term to discuss environmental issues relating to the school, and the wider community.

Old Brightonians are leading the way in environmental innovation, too. We spoke to Harry Grocott (Le. 1997-2012), who launched Treeconomy after a successful career in Wealth Management allowed him to combine his knowledge of the financial world with his passion for the planet. He tells us about how it all started, and where it will go. What is Treeconomy? We are a climate change impact business and we’re designing ourselves to support the transition businesses need to make as we move from a carbon-intensive, to a net-zero carbon economy. For example, BP and Shell specialise in removing fossil fuels from the earth then hundreds of companies make engines to burn these fossil fuels and more companies make the cars and planes that use the engines to move us around… and these are all baked into our economy. If we are to move away from this cycle, we need to reduce emissions, but we also need to capture CO2 and take it out of the atmosphere. 30

We have designed the business to be that vector for change and to be the specialist in that CO2 removal. For us, that means tree

planting in the near term and we are working with landowners to do the planting of new woodlands: we are viewing these as assets – a green, clean way of sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere. We are looking at monetising the CO2 removal

in the short term through carbon off-setting, which has a bit of a bad reputation. We are very honest about this reputational issue and are taking a practical approach to improve this by building out a technology service over the top of our project development work to monitor sites using remote sensing techniques: we are removing an invisible gas, in a forest, you can’t see – we are working on a method of building trust in what we are doing. What inspired you to start Treeconomy? The simple answer is boredom at work and frustration that no one else was doing it. I studied Geography at university and then worked in wealth management in the City. Treeconomy came together as I knew there must be a way of using the money that is floating around our global system to work on solving climate change. I had the geography ‘angel’ on one shoulder and finance on the other. It is a fusion of my two interests and expertise. How did you make the leap from City to start-up? The catalyst to making the leap came from finding a master’s course at Imperial College: Climate Change Management and Finance – which was all the ideas I was interested in rolled into one. I knew Imperial and the course had some good support for start-ups too, which really appealed to me. In addition,

having qualified as a Financial Advisor, the step-up was to go from an employed role to a self-employed role and usually, if you take this route, it will take a long time to build up a successful career. So, I decided to do the course and launch Treeconomy at the same time. How did you meet your business partner? It is advised that you always go into partnership with someone else if you are starting a business! It is hard work, for a start, and great to have someone else’s skillset alongside your own. I met Rob, who’s Canadian, at a Climate-KIC event at university. He is a big sustainability ‘geek’ – which is perfect for Treeconomy – and has worked at the Canadian Forestry Institute and has a master’s in environmental technology from Imperial. We got talking and I asked him if he wanted to come on board. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in business? Probably resilience! We have won some great grants from the UK Government & from other sources, but we have often been turned down when we had spent a long time working on projects that end up going nowhere. It can be hard but I know it will be worth keeping on going. What’s been your biggest success? We won a grant from the government in November, worth £108,000, that we had to spend in a three-month period – and we spent all the money! But that grant gave us the leverage to demonstrate some good backing and to develop the technology service and was a fantastic steppingstone overall. Do you think there is more opportunity to pursue a career in the environmental space now? Yes, I think so.

‘ We are, after all, the greatest problem solvers to have ever existed on Earth. If working apart, we are a force powerful enough to destabilize our planet, surely working together we are powerful enough to save it.’ Sir David Attenborough

The assumption was, studying geography at university, I would become a geography teacher – that I would be Mr. Grocott 2.0! I actually spent a year teaching in Abu Dhabi and loved it, but I wanted to work in the private sector and there was pretty much nothing around that I could work in. Of course, it is not as established as financial services or investment banking, for instance, but I think there are more options out there for school leavers now. It is no coincidence that a lot of friends and I ended up working in financial services – but there are more options in the City for working in the environmental space. We are seeing a lot more ‘investment in nature’ now – we are working with a company called Pollination who have announced a $2 billion fund in investment in nature, for example.

Old Brightonians at COP26 Broadcaster, Sam Washington née Fox (Fe. 1989-93) headed up Sky News’ coverage of the conference in Glasgow. Interviewing global politicians, activists and even a current pupil, Bella, Sam was at the very heart of the conference for the two weeks of important discussions. Sam said the people she was most impressed with in her interviews were the youth activists whose passion was to drive change. Recent graduate, Max Karous (Ha. 2011-16) was an official observer to the UN during the conference. He tells us a bit about his experience:

How did your time at Brighton influence your choices?

‘My main participation was in the Blue Zone (where negotiations took place), but I also had the opportunity to visit the public-facing Green Zone to see the showcase of innovations.

I would say that Brighton has a performance culture: it taught me to work harder and work smarter! It gave me the motivation to go out and do something. I do not want to spend my life doing ‘normal’ things – I want to do something impactful and I think that comes from being at Brighton.

This has been a truly amazing two weeks, in which I am so thankful to have participated in. I saw Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon among other politicians. It was inspiring to see those tasked with negotiating on the global scale and tackling the monumental task that is on all of us to contend with.

What is the main goal for Treeconomy?

The conversation has been started and now that the engagement piece has been initiated, we must now drive these connections into actions through advocacy work.

We want to be a large carbon removal business: a household name! As an economy, we emit fifty billion tonnes of CO2 per year,

and we need to reach net-zero by 2050 – if not before. That’s a lot of CO2. We need to scale our business to take this on and we want to support an economy that rewards carbon removal – a system that pays for CO2 removal is a billion-pound opportunity and an enormous public good. That’s our objective.

Sam Washington at COP26

Energy organisations have offered their support for initiatives, and importantly, I think they can facilitate the learning gap that will allow the efforts here to be put into full force. I was given such an amazing opportunity to attend the conference, and hope the difference made is significant for the betterment of mankind.’

Max Karous at COP26

www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

‘ A n efficient course of education for the sons of gentlemen, comprising religious and moral instruction, in strict conformity with the principles and doctrine of the Established Church.’ The Times, 1845

175 years of Brighton College In the south-west wall of the porch in the main building, hidden under the cumulative bricks and dust of 175 years, lies a stone with the inscription: The 1st stone of this College was laid On the 27th day of June AD MDCCCXLVIII By the Right Reverend Father in God Ashurst Turner Gilbert, D.D. Lord Bishop of Chichester Underneath this stone, the founders of Brighton College placed some coins, College papers, and a copy of The Times from that day. This foundation stone marks the birth of our school, setting out with the aim to provide “an efficient course of education for the sons of gentlemen, comprising religious and moral instruction, in strict conformity with the principles and doctrine of the Established Church”, teaching “Greek, Latin, Hebrew, the French and German languages and literature, History, Geography, Mathematics, and such other branches of knowledge as it may be found practicable and advantageous to introduce.” When I think about that stone, it sparks a recognition of the school’s journey, from a time of educating “sons of gentlemen”, which a large portion of those currently reading this are not, to the current environment, which harbours a real sense of diversity and openness. Although for a large part of 2020, 32

the school’s 175th anniversary, the Chapel remained empty, the corridors did not echo with the usual hubbub of the school day, and we were unable to gather in honour of this milestone, we have used this opportunity to reflect on the past 175 years. In recognising the school’s history, we can pay tribute to how far it has come, the highs and lows through which it has stood firm, and the trials and tribulations through which it will continue to be a guiding hand to all past and present pupils and those to come. Brighton College had a shaky first 50 years, frequently being on the brink of financial disaster and closure. This peaked in 1895, the College’s annus horibilis, when, after years of heavy spending, rising debt and falling pupil numbers, the College was taken over by its principal creditor, The Phoenix Assurance Company. Although the financial situation was restored over the 14 years of their control, the company constantly undermined the school’s independence and agency, having a veto over all the significant decisions, and signing all the cheques. Having regained control over our own affairs, the next most alarming and dramatic threat to the College came in June 1907, when the brewery of The Abbey, adjacent to the College, caught on fire. The building itself was completely destroyed. However, as fate would have it, the winds had veered to the east only hours before,

meaning that the Jackson buildings narrowly escaped being engulfed by the flames. The school remained largely unscathed, with the total damage amounting to a few broken windows in Chichester House. The war years presented our school, and the entire country, with decades of hardship and loss. However, we made a lucky escape from military requisition in World War One when the Head Master, Reverend Canon William Dawson frantically appealed to his formidable network of contacts in a desperate plea to save the school. Post World War One, there was some considerable financial growth, with five new houses being established. This was, of course, followed by years of strife when the Great Depression of the 1930s came along. Once more, pupil numbers declined, and financial disaster loomed dangerously near. By 1935, all five of the new houses were shut. Brighton’s was a relative success story during World War Two. Its vulnerability to potential invasion and bombing drove the school to the brink of collapse. The situation was such that teachers were given their notice, and the Head Master Walter Hett was preparing to resign at the end of the Hilary term. A glimmer of hope came in the form of the transformation of the old engineering works into a munitions factory. Both staff and pupils worked as a collective, taking turns to work two hour shifts where they produced nose-caps for bombs. The student and staff body, and the buildings

themselves, escaped military intervention and bankruptcy by the skin of their teeth.

towards its progressive and forwardthinking future.

After decades of difficulties, the latter half of the 20th century was peppered with highlights. In 1962, the Queen and Prince Phillip visited the school – a real homage to the growth and development that had taken place since the World Wars.

1995 was a year of festivities, with a service of thanksgiving, the opening of the Hordern Room, a Victorian fête, a commemoration ball and an archival exhibition, all in celebration of Brighton’s sesquicentenary.

In September 1973, Fenwick House was established, and the first girls joined Brighton in the Sixth Form. The first year group only had seven girls in it, but it marked a real step

Although my final year at Brighton was disrupted by the pandemic, and our leavers’ celebrations filtered through a screen, I found comfort in the fact that our school and community was the only thing that

maintained a sense of continuity. How hopeful to think that through 175 years of crowning moments and hardships in equal measure, our school has been a constant source of unity. Not only for us, at a time when social isolation became an enforced reality, but for the generations of students before. I look forward to reading a future article in the Pelican, in which the years of Covid-19 constitute merely a fleeting paragraph in the history of our College. Sophie Kenelm (Fe. 2015-20) www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

Welcome to the Old Brightonians

Katie Jones

Dr Matthew Renshaw

Reverend Rosie Amess

Katie Jones joined the biology department straight from her undergraduate studies at the University of Oxford in 2011. Assuming a full timetable in the fast-paced world of Brighton College under such circumstances is no mean feat, though it was one which Katie accomplished with the ease one would expect of someone with her enviable set of skills: reliable, hard-working, keenly intelligent and, not least, dedicated to the pupils lucky enough to be taught by her, to name but a few.

Matt Renshaw joined as a Chemistry teacher in 2014 but it was clear from the outset that he had much bigger plans. Matt is what he himself would call a ‘proper schoolmaster’, very much a community man who thrived on being involved in a multitude of activities. An extremely knowledgeable and inspirational teacher, he set the highest of standards and looked to extend all pupils to their full potential whether they set their sights on dropping the subject at the earliest opportunity, or emulating him with a doctorate.

Successive pupils over the last ten years have been able to benefit from her biological expertise and passion, both in and out of the classroom (and out of the country too, including a memorable trip to Croatia in 2019). She constantly reflects upon her teaching and I count myself very lucky to have benefited from her support and advice when she was Deputy Head of Biology. In her decade at the College outside the biology department Katie also made her mark as an immensely capable Deputy Head of Sixth Form and also Head of Careers, as well as an enthusiastic and supportive tutor across a range of year groups.

With his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment, not forgetting his booming voice, the CCF gained enormously from his organisational skills as Contingent Commander and will continue to do so as he trained his NCOs to be such strong leaders themselves.

There is a wonderful phrase used in the Old Testament book of Esther in which, in the midst of challenge, questions and uncertainty, the young Jewish woman, Esther, is asked, ‘And who knows, if perhaps you have come to us for such a time as this?’ It has felt as if Reverend Rosie came to Brighton College ‘for such a time as this’. Her two years as Chaplain coincided with the Covid pandemic in which we have all had to learn to navigate ‘remote learning’, ‘distancing’ and ‘isolation’. As she returns to Cheltenham for family reasons, we can all feel incredibly grateful that in our own time of challenge and uncertainty, we were led by a Chaplain so full of kindness and generosity, qualities we have all needed in abundance during the last eighteen months or so. We wish Reverend Rosie could have stayed longer, but – just when we most needed her warmth and smile and gentleness – we are glad and grateful that she was at Brighton College for such a time as this.

Katie and her partner Ollie welcomed a son, Dougie, in June 2020. A fantastic colleague and a great friend, she leaves with nothing but our best wishes for the future. Dr. Barney Davies Head of Biology 34

Being a Housemaster saw Matt at his best – kind, caring, considerate and wise beyond his years, he was outstanding as he kept ‘his boys’, and indeed tutors, in line, while bringing out the best in each and every one of them. It is no wonder mutual respect, loyalty and love oozes from every pore of Hampden House. This highly accomplished gentle giant, who is a real softie at heart, made a massive impact in seven years and he and his beloved dog Lucy will be greatly missed as he moves to Roedean to take up the role of Head of Faculty. Ms Elizabeth Cody Teacher of Economics

Mr Steve Marshall-Taylor Second Master

Welcome Class of 2021 We were able to celebrate not one, but two graduations this year. September saw two fantastic send offs for leavers in 2020 and 2021, hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton.

Tony Tighe

Rory Cooper

It was a sad day in December 2020, as after 18 years of dedicated service, RSM Tony Tighe finally hung up his beret and retired as our CCF School Staff Instructor. He has been with the College since January 2003 arriving fresh out of the Army to take on this role and in that time has overseen at least 35 Field Days and 17 Summer Camps, alongside managing transport and being Head of Health and Safety. He has also helped the College every November remember the fallen with our poignant act of remembrance in the quad and Chapel.

Having joined the College straight from Bristol University as a UQT, Rory took no time at all to find his feet as a teacher. Progressing to PGCE student, NQT and eventually Head of Department in a small number of years, Rory’s ascent has been steep, but by no means baseless; he is a natural teacher, efficient organiser and effective communicator. These traits have allowed him to excel in all aspects of school life, be that as a tutor in both Chichester and Hampden Houses, as a coach in rugby, football and cricket, or quite simply as an inspirational teacher. The fact that 25 pupils have received offers from a string of top institutions around the globe for physics related degrees this year alone goes some way to highlight the profound impact Rory has had in his time here.

With his love of the CCF, Tony has inspired many a former cadet to join the Army, especially recruiting them into his beloved Parachute Regiment. There will be many a pupil over the last 18 years that will remember his loud booming voice at parade, especially if they had forgotten their beret or if they had their hands in their pockets! He will be greatly missed by everyone in the CCF and wider College as he was a genuine, caring man who only every wanted the best for the cadets and to see them enjoy everything they did. We wish him all the best in his retirement. Dr. Matthew Renshaw (CR. 2016-21)

Congratulations to all our new Old Brightonians and welcome to your global community. Being an OB means being a part of a network of supportive past pupils and staff, living and working across the globe in a huge range of professional sectors. It will be wonderful to see you at one of our events in the future! All Old Brightonians are invited to join our networking platform, Brighton College Connect. Use Connect to share your news, make new professional connections, and keep up to date with what is going on at the College. We hope you are enjoying life since leaving school and make sure you stay in touch!

Rory will be remembered for his talents in the classroom, his exceptionally loud voice and, above all, his sense of fun. I, for one, will certainly miss planning and delivering zany lessons such as ‘pirate physics’ and ‘the physics of Tuvan throat singing’ with him. Rory leaves us to dip his toe in the world of management consultancy, a field in which he will undoubtedly excel. Dr. Adam Baragwanath Assistant Head

www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 31 2020

Development

Ever since the College’s founding in 1845, philanthropy has continued to play a vital role in school life and we deeply value the continued generosity of the OB community. Whether it is mentoring pupils, hosting events, giving lectures or making donations to projects, we are indebted to all those who contribute towards making Brighton College the success it is today. Over the course of the pandemic, particularly, it has been heartwarming to see how our parents and Old Brightonians have pulled together to support the College and our communities. Project 175: a new hub for the performing arts Brighton College has a rich tradition of performing arts and every pupil, every year now takes to the stage. Many Old Brightonians will remember fondly their school productions and performances in the Great Hall and Montague Place. These spaces were adequate, but now are tired and no longer fit for purpose.

If you would like to find out more about our projects, and how you could help play a part in the life of the College, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Development and Engagement Team at: T: +44 (0)1273 704250 E: development@brightoncollege.net 36

Now, following the completion of our Music School in 2015, we have a unique opportunity to bring, at last, all of our performing arts to the heart of the campus, and to explore the exciting possibilities of bringing arts and technology together under one roof. Designed by pioneering Dutch architects, krft, the new development will include: double-height studios for drama and dance,

additional music practice rooms, English classrooms, a school of computing, a twostorey Sixth Form centre and a beautiful new café foyer space. The jewel at the heart of the new building is the school’s first ever purpose-built theatre auditorium, boasting 400 seats, a flexible stage and a professional orchestra pit. Performances at Brighton will never be the same again! It is an extraordinary project which will, without doubt, transform school life for generations to come. Projects such as this are possible only with the philanthropic support of our school community and we are extremely grateful to those who have already come forward to support this important project for Brighton. We look forward to keeping you up to date with our progress over the coming months.

Opening Doors

The Ros Nichol Award

The Leonardo

Following the launch of our Opening Doors campaign in September 2020, we have now welcomed 22 Soames Scholars in to the Brighton College community. The programme builds upon the school’s long tradition of widening access to premium education, and offers a life-changing education to local young people who have overcome significant disadvantage or displacement.

The Nichol family have awarded the ninth annual Ros Nichol Awards in memory of Ros, who taught Modern Languages at Brighton College in the 1990s. The family established the award to support Brighton College pupils in their non-academic endeavours.

The Leonardo was back again for the second time since its revival by Philip Mitchell (Ha. 1960-65), who fondly remembers the award’s initial iteration for the way it inspired creativity and clever thinking in all pupils, no matter their level of artistic ability.

The Award received a number of highquality applications this year, and what really shone through in all of them was pupils’ passion for supporting the community around them, whether globally or locally.

School House took home the prestigious Leonardo trophy again this year, which is awarded based on overall numbers of entries, as well as the quality of them. 75% of School House pupils painted, sculpted, danced and composed on this year’s theme of ‘Where I Belong’. A number of individual prizes were awarded across age groups and artistic categories, for excellent work ranging from the thought-provoking to the comical.

Our Soames Scholars now represent 10% of our Day Sixth Form places, and each of them receive a 110% funded place at the school. This means that not only are their fees funded by their scholarship, but so are all of the additional costs that come with being a pupil here, such as uniform, kit, a laptop, transport and trips. This is just the beginning and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of Soames Scholars in September 2022. Thank you to those who have contributed to our Opening Doors fund, enabling us to increase the number of fully-funded scholars year on year.

Congratulations to the 2020/21 winners, who were: Blossom (Alexander, Lower Sixth) who will be volunteering at a horse sanctuary in Normandy, France. Ashley (Seldon, Lower Sixth) who supported local wildlife by establishing bee hotels in the Queen’s Park area of Brighton. Shaun (Ryle, Lower Sixth) who used the award to contribute to funding his relay swim across the English Channel with Eren (Leconfield, Lower Sixth), raising money for Young Minds.

The Leonardo chiefly took place while lockdowns were ongoing in the UK, so it was a fantastic way for pupils to step outside their comfort zone in an unusual time. This year, opera singer Phoebe Haines (Wi. 2004-06) joined Philip to judge the entries, which numbered over 300. Our thanks go to both of them for their time, enthusiasm and support. www.oldbrightonians.com

THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 32 2021

In Memory

Sir John Chilcot GCB PC (Ha./Sc. 1952-57) Sir John Chilcot served as Old Brightonians’ President from 2011-2020. Sir John started at the College in 1952 in Hampden House. He was Literary Editor for the Brightonian Magazine in 1955 and in the 1955 School Prize List, Chilcot won Form Prizes for English and Latin. He was a member of the CCF, and in 1955 attended a Junior Leaders’ Course, and where he was classed well above average. In 1955, he transferred from Hampden House to School House. In 1956, Chilcot was awarded a state scholarship and he also achieved three General Certificates of Education in July 1955, in Latin, English, and History: awarded a distinction for all three. He also won Form Prizes for English and Latin in the 1956, Prize List. In 1956 he was also a member of the Library staff, a member of the 3rd Cricket XI, and a School House Prefect. On leaving the College in 1957, Chilcot was awarded a Leaving Scholarship and went on the study at Pembroke College, Cambridge as an Exhibitioner to read English, later switching to Modern and Medieval Languages. He joined the Civil Service in 1963 and much of his career was spent in the Home Office. In 1966, he was appointed as an assistant private secretary to then Home Secretary Roy Jenkins and later served as Principal

Janet Lovegrove (Governor 1976-2001) Private Secretary to the Home Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary of State (1987-90). Outside of the Home Office, he was private secretary to the head of the Civil Service, Sir William Armstrong (1971-1973) and in the Cabinet Office (1984-1986). Sir John remained active after retiring in 1997, sitting on the National Archives Council, serving as president of the Police Foundation, and as the staff counsellor to the UK Security and Intelligence Agencies from 1999 to 2004. In 2004, he took part in the Butler Review of Intelligence on weapons of mass destruction. In 2009, he was appointed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to head the Iraq Inquiry into the UK’s involvement in the Iraq War, which was published in 2016. Sir John was knighted in 1994 and appointed a GCB in 1998. In 2004, he was appointed a Privy Councillor, and in 2019, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy. He served as Old Brightonians’ President from 2011-2020. His friend, David Nelson-Smith (Ha. 1949-55), said ‘Sir John was a brilliant role model for today’s youth, demonstrating what modesty, hard work and integrity can achieve’. Cathy Drew Beresford

Janet was one of the College’s longest serving governors. There will be many Brightonians, staff, and Governors who will mourn the passing of Mrs Janet Lovegrove, who was a governor of the College from 1976-2001. A staunch supporter of the College and all its works over many years. A fine example of a group of people who work behind the scenes without fanfare supporting those whose everyday work has made the place what it is today. Janet was married to distinguished Judge, Geoffrey Lovegrove. He happened to be Master of the Worshipful Company of Innholders where I was a liveryman, and as we were by that time fellow governors, we saw a great deal of each other. Janet was a busy mother to three children James, Kate, and Philippa and for much of the time we worked together, the family was the epicentre of her life. Janet herself was a huge believer in lifelong education. She spoke almost faultless French and took herself off to learn Italian and improve her knowledge of art. Annual trips to some pretty remote places in later years always made her company interesting. As a working governor, Janet always took her responsibilities seriously. In meetings, she played her role as it was intended to be played. Her interventions were thoughtful

Hilda Williamson (Staff 1978-96) and backed by experience and common sense. Transparently of a sweet and kind nature, she was never to be taken as anybody’s idea of a pushover and she fought her corner tenaciously. I well recall her vital contributions on co-education and the Prep School and, of course, her avid support for the College music and drama programmes. However, Janet never saw her role at the College as purely attending meetings. She was to be found in support of headmasters and headmistresses, staff and pupils at countless Pre-Prep and College events. A true supporter in every sense. A lady of infinite grace, wisdom, and understanding whom we will all miss very much. Ian White (Ha./Ch. 1956-62)

Hilda worked at the College from February 1978 until November 1996 and looked after the Old Brightonian network for a number of years.

The College was not just 9-5 for Mum. She had the Summer Ball to arrange and a desk to ‘man’ on Commemoration Day and attended Old Brightonian dinners in London.

Hilda’s daughter Gillian reflects on her 18 years at the College.

With all the events she had to organise, she inevitably had to enlist other people’s help, and this always came in the shape of the caretakers or ‘head porters’ as they were known. Burt Swarbook and Reg Spicer were lynchpins for all functions in the College and strong friendships were formed with both. She formed a great many lifelong and everlasting friendships during her time at Brighton College.’

‘Mum’s job description changed over the years, and she ended up in charge of three different sections – the Old Brightonian network, the sports club (which allowed parents and past pupils to use the sports facilities for a fee) and, finally, the Burstow Gallery. The Gallery allowed artists to exhibit their art (and to sell their pieces) and invited the general public to come in and view the work. One of the best exhibitions that she organised was a Picasso exhibition, which was held not only in the Burstow Gallery but also flowed into the Hall next door and ‘Le Train Bleu’ hung from the stage.

Gillian Williamson

www.oldbrightonians.com

The 1845 Society A Gift to Future Generations

Leaving a legacy gift to Brighton College can make a transformative impact on the education we provide to future generations of pupils. It also allows us to increase the number of scholarships and bursaries that we can offer. Membership of the 1845 Society is offered to those who indicate to the College that they have made, or intend to make provision for Brighton in their Will. For more details on legacy giving and the 1845 Society, please contact our Director of Development and Engagement, Scott Sheridan at ssheridan@brightoncollege.net or by telephone on +44 (0) 1273 704 375.

OLD BRIGHTONIANS Brighton College Brighton East Sussex BN2 0AL Registered Charity No. 307061

T +44 (0) 1273 704 250 E ob@oldbrightonians.com

EDITOR Cathy Drew Beresford

www.oldbrightonians.com

FRONT COVER Eric Tang, Alexander

@theoldbrightonians @oldbrightonians

DESIGN Anderson Norton Design House, Upper Sixth