The Pelican, no. 15, 2004

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF OLD BRIGHTONIANS SUMMER 2004

WWW.OLDBRIGHTONIANS.COM

ISSUE 15

CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF GIRLS AT BRIGHTON COLLEGE

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

2 EYE WITNESS: RWC 2003

report by Ruth de Mierre More than 80 ‘old girls’ celebrated 30 years of co-education at Brighton College at a special dinner on Saturday 29th November 2003.

3 NATIONAL SERVICE MEMOIRS BY DALE JOHNSON (A.1952-55)

Speakers included Bill Blackshaw, the former Headmaster who introduced girls to the College and Lucinda Harris (F. 1973-75) who was one of the first girls to join the school. Jane Haviland (F. 197981), currently President of the Old Brightonians Association and the first lady elected to this post, also spoke.

The first intake consisted of just eight girls in the VI form and was a revolutionary step at the time as the College was one of the first schools in the country to “go coed”.

Peter Withers, a former Director of

4 JONATHAN PALMER BUYS BRANDS HATCH

5 Studies at the College, who began his teaching career there at the same time, said: “Girls are an integral part of the College today. It was wonderful

to see so many faces from the early days and enjoy the company of a thoroughly delightful group of impressive young ladies”.

O B DAY - 1 8 T H S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 4 College Alumni will this year gather at the school for what promises to be a day of fine sport, great company, an excellent dinner and decidedly dodgy dancing.

Following the Chapel Service, Whitgift will be this year's poor unfortunates fed to the 1st XV on the homeground at 2.30pm enthusiastically cheered on from

the beer tent by OB's of all shapes, sizes and vintage.

These OB's, no doubt delighted by the performance of our boys, will then be herded toward the Great Hall for dinner and dancing at 7.30pm carrying their dancing shoes and elasticated tuxedo trousers!

Any OBs who are interested in

getting involved in matches (rugby, football, squash & tennis) on OB Day please contact John Aiken on j.aiken@virgin.net or 07709 461000.

Updated details of the day can be found at http:// www.oldbrightonians.com/ oba_day_2004_01.htm.

OBITUARIES: BASIL PETT, NORMAN CLAYDEN & MICHAEL CARDEW

10 OBA HALL OF FAME: GEORGE SANDERS

11 OBRUFC LIFT SUSSEX TROPHY BACK PAGE

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello Old Brightonians wherever you may be in the world. I would like to get more of you involved on an international basis maybe a representative from each country or continent? Please could you email Fiona Aiken in the OB office (address below) if you are interested in sending in news from say the USA, Australiasia, Asia or a mainland European country and we will arrange a page on our website for you. I was working in Pakistan a few years back and whilst waiting in the Mott MacDonald office in Karachi I bumped into Andrew Gubbin, who had been there for sometime. It was lovely to see him and to catch up - it also proved what a small world it is out there. When I was in New Zealand 18months ago I wrote to all the recorded OBs there - they all got together for an evening and are hopefully still in touch. It is a great resource if you do happen to go travelling or working overseas, particularly for the school leavers/gap year students, to know that there is an emergency contact available. So please use the resource it is there for us all to use.

Thank you to all the Old Girls and staff who came to the 30 Years of Girls Reunion dinner last November. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I have had letters saying that it was one of the best OB events ever held at the College, thank you to the music department as well for provid-

ing the choral during the reception drinks. For me it was particularly good to

see the Grigors and Wilmotts and other people from my years (79-81), the speeches were fun and quite enlightening to hear how things had changed from when girls first started over thirty years ago now, I don't think that the boys still expect the girls to do their washing! I hope not anyway!!

This will be my last letter as President as I will be resigning in November, it has certainly been an enjoyable experience and I have learnt a lot by undertaking this role. Thank you for your support and I hope to see you at the OB Day in September, will the Old Girls beat the col-

lege again at netball, I wonder? If there are any girls out there who are interested in playing either Hockey or Netball either in a one off or regular basis please contact Nicky Stanton or myself through the OB office as we are trying to establish a "new tradition" of Old Girls sporting events. I do have to say that having played my first game of netball for 22 years last year I got quite a shock, I am sure it was never as fast or professional when I was at school. It was great fun and thank you to all those to came - lets do even better this year!! Also there is an OB visit to Ypres led by Antony Seldon in November the weekend prior to Remembrance Day to lay a plaque in memory of those OBs who lost their lives in the Great War, so if you would like to come the places are limited so please do contact Fiona as soon as you can to secure your place.

I'll sign off now, have a good summer and the very best of luck to all those taking exams this year and I hope to see you in September at the OB Day. Jane Haviland F. 1979-81

WHEN DID YOU LAST VISIT THE COLLEGE? Have you ever been back to the College?

or ever, please visit - you might be surprised!

A number of OBs ask whether it still looks the same as in their day. Of course it depends on when you were last there, but there’s no doubt that Anthony Seldon is running a vibrant, action-packed, happy and welcoming College.

Be sure to pop in to see our Administrator, Fiona Aiken, so you can sign our visitors book and if the Headmaster is available he wants you to know he’s always keen to meet visiting OBs.

If you haven’t been back in a while,

Don’t be scared, he won’t

make you sit through double maths or put you in detention!

EYEWITNESS: 2003 RUGBY WORLD CUP

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by Joey Appleton (D. 1979-84)

Where do you start when you describe the trip of a lifetime?

The first obstacle of persuading the wife that this was a once in a lifetime chance of experiencing the World Cup down under, with the added bonus of England going all the way, was not as hard as I expected and the all clear was relatively painless, although I knew brownie points would have to be earned! However, work commitments would only allow me to be away for 3 weeks. I decided to be bold and go for the knockout stages of the tournament. The only thing to worry about was whether we would be playing the Tongans or the Welsh.

was still working and by night we caught up on the old banter like two old women. John is the true Brit living abroad. He still wears his Speedos and white socks with trainers. Nicole is embarrassed because people talk!

But between us we managed to persuade him to buy some boardies (swimming shorts!) and slaps (flip flops!).

When we left Manly to go to the Telstra Stadium for the semi-final against France the weather was glorious, sunny and warm. By the time the match kicked off the rain was teeming down. “Suits you Poms” was

My last duty before leaving Blighty was to collect the kids from school and do my fatherly duties of delegating my powers while I was away. “Luke, ANNUAL DINNER 2004 27th November 2004 you are in charge of the dogs, Jessica, you are in charge of The OBA is delighted to confirm Mummy”. retired rugby legend Phil De

Glanville as our guest speaker at I had arranged to stay on the this year's Annual Dinner.

Gold Coast for the first part of my trip with some friends that I More details updated at grew up with in England My http://www.oldbrightonians.com/ parents were also out in Oz but annual_dinner_2004_01.htm decided to play it safe and make sure they saw England in their guaranteed the frequent call. England were large games. We would cross over for several days and in charge from start to finish - we and take in the Quarter Final against Wales. won and won well. Poor old John had Then victorious, I would move onto Sydney work the next day but I kept him up as and stay with John Gorton long as possible.

(D. 1978-83) and his John’s house is only Australian wife, Nicole. minutes from the When I arrived in Sydney beach in Manly so I World Cup fever had decided a swim taken off. John has a would be a good great bunch of friends in hangover cure.

Manly and I was famously Such a good move looked after. By day, I I arrive at the same made John jealous as he

time as half the England team.

Tom Doig (C. 1986-90) and his father arrive just in time for the final. We all catch the ferry to Circular Quay and are in good voice. Everywhere you look is a mass of red & white. I have been going to Twickenham for years but have never worn the colours. Not so this time! I am wearing the shirt and have even kept my promise to my son and have got my face painted with the cross of St. George.

On arrival at the Stadium we make our way to meet up with more friends.

Jack Hayes (L. 1951-54) and his son, Ian, who has lived in Oz for many years now and who, I am sorry to say, is now a turncoat and is sporting Wallaby colours and an accent to boot.

And so to the match - the tension is immense. Despite early setbacks we move into halftime 14-5 in front but we didn't count on a certain referee putting his oar in! England were dominant in the second half but with a mixture of the Watson factor and our problems spilling ball at crucial moments, the game was pushed into extra time.

Penalties were exchanged but with 26 seconds remaining Jonny Wilkinson kicked the winning goal. It couldn’t have been scripted better. At the final whistle we were jumping for joy. The party does not stop all night and eventually we get back to John’s house in the early hours.

My thanks to my wife for letting me go and my hosts over in Oz. Full story: www.oldbrightonians.com/ joey_wc_01.htm

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THE LAST OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE "BIRD GUNNERS"

by Dale Johnson (A. 1952-55)

Whilst I did not distinguish myself (Aldrich House 1952 to 55) I did enjoy the CCF, attending "Corps Camps" at Aldershot, Shorncliffe and Thetford. This stood me in very good stead when I was called up as one of the last National Servicemen on 15th September 1960.

Having reported to 17th Training Regiment Royal Artillery, Park Hall Camp, Oswestry I joined Royal Artillery Intake 6018 as 23811086 Gunner Johnson DH. Like 2.2 million other young men from every walk of life and every corner of the UK, I completed Basic Training, and went on to qualify as a TARA (Technical Assistant Royal Artillery).

KVA Generator mounted on a Sentinel 4 wheel Trailer.

Each Gun required three World War II AEC "Matador" gun Tractors, one to tow the gun, a second to tow the generator, and a third for the Generator. These dependable vehicles had been built to a 1938 design, and most of them had served during the Second World War and Korea. They were very dependable but very slow, and on Exercise we had to travel in convoy covering 20 miles in each hour. We

I was fortunate to be sent to WOSB (War Office Selection Board) at Barton Stacey, and after four hectic days of testing, Command Tasks, Obstacle Course, giving lectures, and numerous tests and interviews, I was extremely pleased to be told I had "Passed" and reported to Mons OCS (Officer Cadet School) Aldershot in January 1961.

After a further four busy months of lectures, Exercises in extreme mud by day and night, competing at almost every sport, and more testing, I was delighted to pass out in early May always travelled at night to prevent long in the pouring rain to the strains of the Royal hold ups on the A40 to Gloucester, there Artillery Band playing were NO Motorways OB trip to Ypres—6th - 7th November 2004 "Seventy Six and NO Severn Anthony Seldon invites OBs to join him at a Trombones...."

Bridge. special service in St. George's Chapel in Ypres on

My posting was to 22 Sunday 7th November, followed by a tour of the In October with the L.A.A. Regiment Royal battle sites. The trip will depart at midday on the Construction of the 6th and return on the Sunday evening. Costs are Berlin Wall, The Cold Artillery stationed at approximately £99 per person, and there are up War intensified and Pembroke Dock in South West Wales, and I to 77 places available. Accommodation will be in there was a very real a three star hotel in central Ypres. Please was appointed Troop threat of World War contact the OBA office Leader of "Echo" Troop III. Our Regiment (oldbrightonians@hotmail.com) to reserve a of 53 (Louisburg) was posted to place. We expect them to go very quickly.

Battery. We were Gutersloh in equipped with the post war Bofors L40/70 low Germany and we drove there at 20 miles Level Anti-Aircraft gun fitted with "Yellow Fever" each hour with stopovers en route. In the FCE 7 (Fire Control Equipment) with each the Queens Speech November 1961 it gun having its own Radar, and Meadows 27 was stated that with the Cold War, there

were insufficient Regulars and 9,000 National Servicemen in BAOR would serve an Extra Six Months (at Regular Rates of Pay).

I was very fortunate in being sent on a Langlauf (Cross Country) Skiing Course in Norway, but temperatures dropped to minus 25° Celsius and I developed second degree frostbite and was extremely lucky not to loose the tops of all my fingers and thumbs.

In March 1962 I was appointed Assistant Adjutant which was a very challenging and rewarding job. On Exercise on the German Dutch Border owing to an incorrect Code Word for some 15 minutes we actually thought World War III had started - the longest 15 minutes in my life! I left the Army in March 1963 having proudly served my 21/2 years of National Service.

I am now retired and very much involved with the National Service Veterans Alliance (NSVA), and have proudly led our Contingent "On Parade" at the Cenotaph each year since 1999. I was also very honoured to Parade the NSVA Standard during the Festival of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen on 8th November 2003.

My Austin Champ is an almost exact copy of the vehicle I drove 40 years ago, and frequently I turn out in Battle Dress with Champ as "Living History" for 22 Regiment RA in March 1963.

If you did National Service STAND UP AND BE COUNTED! Join the NSVA Today!

Just phone Dale Johnson on 01.202.577.226 for full details and a chat.

P E T E R G OU G H ' S 9 0 T H B I R T H DAY In his inimitable style Peter Gough entertained with his entire family over a hundred Friends to a memorable lunch party at Pelham House, Lewes, on Sunday, 28th. March, 2004 to celebrate his 90th. birthday.

both rather deaf so they conversed loudly to the amusement of Leonard C.W.Rea ((H/C 1945/51) who had come up from Harbledown near Canterbury for the party...

Peter joined the staff at the College in 1946 and became Housemaster of Hampden in 1947.

(Sir) Richard Jolly (A.1948/53), who was one of the early members of Aldrich, was in good form and had many family reminiscences with Chris Apps, and his wife who had been at school with his sisters.

He also lives in Southover, Lewes near Peter Gough.

Having been Second Master he left in 1966 to take up an appointment at Aldenham School.

He now lives in Southover, Lewes. Amongst the former members of staff were John Page, and Mrs Nada Christie and Mrs. Henderson.

Amongst the OBs present were David Owen (B.1945/48) who in 1948 had an outstanding season at cricket and reached the finals of the Drysdale Cup. He and S. Christopher.Apps (H/A 1942/46) are

It was good to see the Cockburn brothers, Peter (S.1959/64) and Stephen (S.1953/58) in their customary bow ties.

Stephen played the lead in Peter Gough's production of "The Hypochondriac" in 1956 which was one of many of Peter's outstanding productions with

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plays by Kyd, Massinger, Vanbrugh and Farquhar. His production of T.S.Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral" which was staged in >the Chapel was outstanding.

There were also single plays by Plautus, Seneca, and Sophocles, the latter two in masks.

Three times he produced "The Miser" by Moliere which had been translated and adapted for the stage by Miles Malleson (OB 1889/1908). The beautiful costumes for all these productions were designed and made by his late wife, Daphne, whom we all greatly missed Peter remains as exuberant as ever and those who had the privilege of attending, together with many more OBs who remember him, wish him a Very Happy 90th Birthday.

JONATHAN PALMER (A. 1969-74) BUYS BRANDS HATCH Former Grand Prix racer and Old Brightonian Jonathan Palmer has agreed to purchase the four race circuits owned by Brands Hatch Circuits Limited: Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park and Snetterton, for an undisclosed sum.

Jonathan and his two partners, John Britten and Peter Ogden, will own and control MotorSport Vision (MSV) – a new company established for the purposes of owning and developing the four circuits.

plans is continued ownership of all four circuits and development of the motorsport business at each of them, in accordance with their character and opportunities they present." said Palmer, "I am very excited about the prospect of providing spectators with more entertaining motor racing and competitors with circuits that become even better to race at."

"The future of these historic venues as motor racing circuits is now assured. Central to our

Jonathan made his Grand Prix debut at Brands Hatch following an invitation to

OBA Business Directory

business_directory_01.htm, and will be developed from this page.

The OBA is currently compiling an online directory of businesses owned or run by OB’s, or professional services offered (solicitors, accountants, mechanics, etc.).

The directory is live at: http://www.oldbrightonians.com/

If you would like your business featured, please send details of your business (contact details, etc.) to alex@oldbrightonians.com.

test a Williams after winning the 1983 F2 title. It was a just end-of-season reward for the works Ralt-Honda driver, and the reward became sweet when Frank Williams offered him a drive at the European GP at Brands alongside regulars Rosberg and Laffite. As defending World Champion Rosberg could only manage a poor 16th and Laffite was a non-qualifier for the second time in a row, Palmer did well to qualify in 25th, this in a season the updated Cosworth-powered FW08 was totally outrun by turbo power.

The Hutton Enquiry Brighton College was represented at the Hutton enquiry by senior counsel to the enquiry, James Dingemans QC. James is the son on ex-OBA President, Peter Dingemans (D. 1948-53) and the nephew of N F Dingemans (D. 1949-52) and P G Dingemans (D. 1952-57). James went to school at Radley, where he was taught by former Head of School, R C Usherwood (H/C. 1953-56).

Page 6 Summer Fayre Success The sun shone, the Pimms flowed and the stalls were buzzing. It was a lovely afternoon enjoyed by both parents and children and a tribute to all the months of preparation by members of the Parents’ Association.

The new parasol in the Pre-Prep playground, erected on the Saturday before the fayre, could not have been more timely as it provided shade for some picnickers and was bought for the school by funds raised by events organised by the Association. The children also enjoyed many new attractions this year as well as the old favourites such as the donkey rides (still provided by a former Pre-Prep parent whose daughter is now taking her GCSEs!), whack the rat and beat the goalie. Once again, our thanks to Veronica Greenslade and her team and all helpers on the day who made this year’s fayre such a happy, successful event.

College Musicians play with Virtuoso Last Sunday eight College Musicians had the unforgettable experience of playing with the world renowned percussionist, Evelyn Glennie, in the Brighton

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE Youth Orchestra Festival Concert. These were Brian Chuang (violin), Alex Daraio (viola), Rosie Goddard (‘cello), Emily Chapple &James Tallant (oboe), Tim Jackson (clarinet), Elizabeth Kelly (bassoon) and Harry Goss (trumpet). The Dome concert hall was packed, something rare for a professional orchestra these days, let alone a youth orchestra, to hear Evelyn Glennie give a truly vibrant and exciting performance of Dave Heath’s African Sunrise – Manhattan Rave, a piece specially written for her. As part of the celebrating of 60 years of music making by the BYO and in memory of the late David Gray, its Director from 1961 to 1994, there was a preconcert performance by past BYO players, among whom were two OBs and our very own Music Department Administrator, Karen Smith.

Our College musicians have had a long and fruitful association with the BYO. Anthony Whitestone

Design Winners As part of the Pre-Prep anti-litter and recycling campaign held at the beginning of term, children were asked to create a design for a litterbin. Designs were submitted to the Environment Department of Brighton and Hove City Council who were running their annual schools’ competition for litterbin designs. The Pre-Prep is delighted to announce that a Year 3 pupil, Christopher Chowen, has been selected as the main winner and his artwork has been sent off to Theme Bins Ltd to be printed. Once the design has been produced, the Environmental Education Officer will present the school with the litterbin bearing Christopher’s design. Other prizes will also be given to the runners up, Bryce Williams-Watson, Charlotte Haney, Archie Greenslade, Chloë Stentiford and Anna Holt. We are absolutely delighted that so many entries got through to the finals and especially that Christopher’s design will feature on litterbins in many schools.

RARE PICASSO CANVAS BACK ON SHOW

by Alex Bremer (R. 1979-83) More than 20 years after it was last seen in public, a true “original” has resurfaced in London’s West End. Pablo Picasso’s “Le Train Bleu” curtain was last seen at Brighton College as part of the Brighton Festival of 1982. The 10.3 x 11.7m curtain formed the centrepiece of The Burstow Gallery’s “Picasso and The Theatre” exhibition organised

by Gavin Henderson ( OB and later overall Director of The Festival) and assisted by my father, Nick Bremer (Director of Art 19692000). The show attracted 7,200 visitors to the College – “The publicity is beyond price” Headmaster Bill Blackshaw proudly told the Council.

Serge Diaghilev had asked Picasso for permission to reproduce a small painting of two giantesses running along a beach - “Deux Femmes Courant Sur La Plage”. It was to appear on a drop curtain hanging in front of the stage during the overture of the Diaghilev Ballet production of “Le Train Bleu” in 1924. The

scene painter Prince Shervashidze painstakingly copied the original with such precision that Picasso himself was delighted enough to sign it himself. He wrote on it “Dedie a Diaghilew.

Picasso” (dedicated to Diaghilev) in the corner.

The curtain now forms part of the collection at London’s Theatre Museum in Covent Garden, where I am assured that it was unwrapped as carefully as we wrapped it all those years ago after the show at College.

Playing only second fiddle to the curtain were the extraordinary and gargantuan “Managers” costumes from “Parade” (by Picasso, 1917). I have fond memories of my father and I charging around the College at the behest of press photographers dressed in these huge

“structures” – funnily enough this was probably the most sober and appropriate apparel I ever saw my father wear on a school day!

I myself was a willing and eager conscript in the build-up to the exhibition – carefully hanging priceless sketches and designs directed by my father and Gavin Henderson.

I had the task of reproducing the same scenic curtain for the following year’s senior school play, “On Monday Next” by Philip King. The curtain was only slightly smaller than the original, as I remember, and was a pretty close facsimile if I say so myself.

In my research for this article I called upon the extraordinary memory of Adam Belson (R. 1979-84) to establish the name of 1983’s senior school play. Not only did he remember it, but he starred in it! At his insistence I include here a short extract from the play’s review: “He (Adam) was at his best in act two... in acts 1 & 3 he was merely outstanding”. He’d like it to be known that he is available for weddings and bah mitzvahs.

OBS OF NOTE - PROFESSOR LORD ROBERT SKIDELSKY (C. 1953-58) Born: April 25, 1939 As a Scholar: Wrote internationally acclaimed biography of John Maynard Keynes (5 prizes); has been elected as Fellow of the British Academy of History and Economics (1994) As a Politician: Appointed to the House of Lords in 1991; Chief Opposition Spokesman on Treasury Affairs (19981999) In the Voluntary Sector: Founder and Chairman of the Centre for Global Studies (2002-now).

Chaired Social Market Foundation (1991-2001), one of Britain's most influential think tanks.

Raised approximately £1 million for this organization as Chairman; Trustee, Our Talents Foundation (2003-now); Trustee, Manhattan Institute In the Private Sector: Non-Executive Director of Janus Capital Inc, previously Stilwell (5th largest mutual fund company in the United States), (2001 - now); Consultant to the Russian Investor Protection Association (2003-now); Director, Transnational Insights Ltd. (2003-now) "In England, I boarded at Brighton College, my father's old school, from 1953-1958, and read history at Jesus College, Oxford. I was a research student, senior student, and research fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, from 1961 to 1969.

My first book, Politicians and the Slump (1967), the published version of my D.Phil dissertation, was about the way the British political system handled the Great Depression. It was widely reviewed -probably because it appeared the same week as sterling was devalued -and widely praised. Reviewers particularly pointed to its stylishness (Robert Rhodes James), its willingness 'unusual in historians to deal with economic issues' (Max Beloff), and its quality of being detached but yet passionate (Goronwy Rees). I like to believe that these have been hallmarks of my academic writing ever since.

In 1969 I received a two year research fellowship at the British Academy to work on a study of Oswald Mosley, the British fascist leader of the 1930s, who had featured in Politicians

and the Slump. A book I wrote called English Progressive Schools was published that year. It reflected a long-standing and continuing -interest in education.

I got married to Augusta Hope in 1970, and spent the next six years writing in London and teaching in Washington DC and Bologna -at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. My biography of Oswald Mosley was published in 1975. It was the most criticised of my books, but in terms of sales the most successful, having been through four editions. Although A.J.P.Taylor wrote that I had not 'wavered from the stance of an impartial historian', others felt I had let Mosley off too lightly. I now think the book was too favourable, but that it also did something which was necessary, which was to make Mosley a figure of history, and not of demonology.

The book made it impossible for me to get a permanent academic job in Oxford or in the United States, which I would have liked then. But I was appointed professor of international studies at Warwick University in 1978. I have remained at Warwick since, though joining the economics department as professor of political economy in 1990.

In the 1980s I started to take a more active interest in politics. These were the years of the Thatcher-Reagan revolutions, and the formation of the Social Democratic Party in Britain as a nonsocialist breakaway from the Labour Party. I was a founder member of the SDP and remained in the Party till its dissolution in 1992. From the mid-1980s onwards I was close to David Owen, the SDP leader, and when the SDP broke away from the SDP-Liberal Alliance in 1987, I served on its policy committee, spoke from the party's platform at its national conferences, and played a leading part in developing its 'social

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market' philosophy, becoming chairman of the Social Market Foundation in 1991.

The same year I was made a peer by John Major, and took my seat in the House of Lords, initially taking the SDP 'whip', subsequently joining the Conservatives. .

In the 1ast ten years my life has broadened out in various ways, chosen and unchosen. The most important development, autobiographically, has been the deepening -or possibly resumption - of my links with Russia. I have for some years now been on the board of Lena Nemirovskaya's Moscow School of Political Studies. This spring I spent two and a half months in Moscow learning Russian - a language which my parents discouraged me from taking up in childhood when it would have been much easier for me to do so.

My brief hopes of a political career were rapidly extinguished. I think I would have been a Minister in John Major's government had I not resigned from the government's main educational advisory council, in protest against the policies of the then Secretary of State for Education, John Patten. I was given a second chance when I was made chief Opposition spokesman in the Lords, first for Culture, then for Treasury Affairs (1977-9). My second appointment ended when I was sacked by the Conservative Party Leader, William Hague, for publicly opposing NATO's bombing of Kosovo. Interestingly, this particular stand, which I never thought of as in the least courageous, got me the largest postbag-running to several hundred letters that I have ever received for anything I have ever done. In 2001 I resigned from the Conservatives and now sit in the Lords as a Cross Bencher.”

Professor Lord Robert Skidelsky’s full biog can be found at: http:// www.oldbrightonians.com/ skidelsky_01.htm

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ASSOCIATION OF REPRESENTATIVES OF OLD PUPILS SOCIETIES

The 2003 Annual General Meeting was held on 18th November 2003 at the City of London School for Girls. The President, Roy Elliott (Old Caterhamian), took the chair. 80 members were present representing 56 societies.

The Chairman, Roger Moulton (Old Pauline), reported on the year's activities which had included a successful Conference at the School of S Mary and S Anne, Abbots Bromley attended by 74 representatives from 51 societies. The Annual Dinner, held in the evening, had attracted 30 diners.

He said that arrangements for the 2004 Conference at St.Swithun's School were well in hand. There would be sessions on Data Protection and Society/School relations.

The Treasurer, Guy Cliff (Old Silcoatian), reported that the AROPS finances were in good order. The Committee had agreed that the costs of the AGM should be borne by the General Fund and that only the buffet should be charged to those attending.

The President thanked the Committee for all their hard work over the previous year. All the committee members were re-elected with the exception of Richard Brightwell (Old Brightonians) and Vanessa Connor (Guild of S Mary and S Anne) who had retired from the Committee.

Roger Moulton (Old Pauline) was re-elected

as Chairman as were Tim Neale (Old Radleian), Guy Cliff (Old Silcoatian) as Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively; Rosemary Hamilton (City of London OGA) was re-elected as Registrar.

The AGM was followed by a presentation by the City of London Old Girls Association of excerpts from the show `Talk of the City' celebrating 100 years since the foundation of the school.

The evening was rounded off by an excellent buffet supper which gave plenty of opportunities to talk and discuss matters of mutual concern.

NEWS FROM OLD BRIGHTONIANS Rose Lewis (née Thorne, F. 1985-87) is living in Khartoum with the aid agency, ‘Medair’. She is married to Tris and they have one daughter, Genevieve, aged 2, with another baby expected.

She is not currently working but does a bit of freelance journalism and other scribblings. Any adventurous travellers or lost tourists are welcome to stay.

Vanessa Milne (W. 1996-01) travelled for 10 weeks around Australia and Malaysia and is now in her final year of English Literature at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Andrew Cayley (B. 1977-82) is still prosecuting at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. In 2000 he obtained the first conviction for genocide in Europe since the 2nd World War. In 2001 he was appointed Senior Prosecuting Counsel by Carlo del Ponte, Prosecuter of the International Criminal Tribunal.

He is lecturing widely on international humanitarian law in Europe and North America.

He has two children, Alex born in 1998 and Anna, born in 2000. He would love to hear from any of his contemporaries - cayley@un.org.

Blair Addison (A. 1993-98) graduated in 2001 from University of Wales with a BA in Geography. From Sept 2002 to July 2003 he has travelled around southern India before travelling to Nepal to work with Student Partnerships Worldwide, a British development charity. He spent 5 months working as a volunteer in a rural community for environmental and social development as well as teaching at the local government school. He spent a month treking up to within 2 miles of Everest base camp before succumbing to altitude sickness. He returned to India for a further month before 4 weeks in Thailand to relax. Since returning he has passed the RCB to become an Army Officer and will start at Sandhurst in May 2004.

Adam Belton (L. 1983-88) left the RAF in July after 15 years service, most of which was spent as a helicopter pilot. He is now flying helicopters for the Surrey Police Air Support Unit.

May 2001 and moved to Toronto in December 2002. He has a son, Aidan Spencer, born on 21 March 2003.

Peter Miller (C. 1945-49) hosted an informal lunch at the Army & Navy Club, Pall Mall, on 15 October 2003 for his contemporaries. Attending were:- Derek Jones (C. 1945-51), John Crosthwaite (H. 1946-49), Leonard Rea (H/C. 1945-51), Geoff Havers (H/C. 1945-50), Eric Womersley (C. 1943-47), Mark Bijster (D. 1946-49), David Nelson-Smith (H. 194955), Bill Fair (D. 1946-49) & Aubrey Zaft (L. 1945-49). The lunch was much enjoyed with lots of laughter.

There is an online news service for all OB’s at: http://www.oldbrightonians.com/ obs_news_01.htm which archives news back to 1999. OB’s can post their news via an online form...

Nathan Reeve (D. 1985-90) married in

BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES Katerina Humphries (née Strong, W. 1989-91) and husband, Paul, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Ilse, on 1 October 2003.

(nee Wathen, W. 1990-92) are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Montgomery, on 11 December 2003.

Bryant (D. 1983-88) and Rob Little (A. 1982-87) played at the reception with their band, ‘Fly in the Ointment’.

Phoebe Bell (née Chatoor, F. 1986-88) and her husband, Simon, are delighted to announce the birth of their first child, a daughter, Isadora Scarlett, born on 29 September 2003.

Helen Bastide (W. 1991-93) married Paul on 20 October 2003 in Sydney, Australia.

John & Katie Heal (D. 1982-85 & F. 1988-89) are very pleased to announce the birth of twin boys, Josh & Jake, on 12 June 2003.

Dominic Crabb (H. 1988-92) and his wife, Alice

Caroline Baksh (F. 1986-88) married Peter Scott on 4 October 2003 at the Swedish Church in London. Stephan

Please let us know what you're up to - what other OB's are you still in touch with? Do you have news of the death of an OB, or are there births and marriages you'd like to announce?

Are there any famous OB's we've missed, or "OB's of Note" that you feel should be featured here or on the website?

Please contact us using the form below, or via the website, or by calling the OBA office directly (contact details on page 14).

Plans for a new home for the Old Brightonians has been Page 9 approved by the planners at East Brighton Park (the New Ground, for most of us). It consists of 6 changing rooms and ancillary accommodation for referees, first aid etc on ground floor with social function rooms, bar and offices for the OBA on the first floor together with viewing balconies. Details of the appeal will be mailed soon. The OBA committee are looking for 400 foundation members to contribute £3000 each, 25 have contributed already.

Please consider how you can help to give the OBA a permanent home for the future that befits such a successful College.

The following articles are obtainable from the OBA Office by mail order. Packaging & postage for U.K. orders are included in the cost.

Please fill in the form below, and send with a cheque payable to the “Association of Old Brightonians” to the OBA office (see page 12).

Item

Quantity

Cost £

OBA ties, pure silk

16.00

OBA scarf, 100% pure wool

23.00

OBA perfume atomiser, gold or silver

13.00

OBA blazer badge, made to order, gold & silver wire

16.00

OBA blazer buttons, set of 3 large, 2 small (coat of arms)

16.00

Notelets, 3 of each of 4 College views, with envelopes

3.50

OB rugby shirt in Association colours

40.00

OB cotton drill training top (Sizes: L & XL)

30.00

OB Regatta waterproof fleece - Dark blue with Pelican crest. Available with the following lettering choices: Old Brightonians or Old Brightonian R F C(Sizes: L & XL)

45.00

news for the PELICAN / change of address form / OBA merchandise order form Name: Email address: News for the PELICAN:

Births / Marriages / Deaths:

Change of address:

House / Years:

Total Cost £

OBITUARIES

Page 10

Basil W Pett (H. 1933-37) Basil Pett died after a short illness on 16 October 2003, aged 83. He had been a familiar figure around the College over many years; as a pupil before the war; as a parent for 13 years in the 60s and 70s whilst his four sons were all pupils; as a member of the Old Brightonian Lodge; as President of the OBA from 1974 to 1976 and then as a Governor of the College.

dental surgeon in 1942. He joined the Royal Navy in 1943 and saw active service in the Far East before returning to the UK. Shortly after this he met and married Margaret Miller, daughter of the then owners of Courtlands Hotel in The Drive and she was to remain his wife for 55 years.

He had a number of shorterterm dental engagements in the late 40s and early 50s before joining a prestigious He attended Brighton College practice in London in 1954 Junior School and the College where he remained for in the 1930s, being housed in around 20 years. He was Hampden ‘A’ in the old tin President of the Dental huts. Rugby, fencing and Society in London during this Basil Pett, by John Worsley athletics were amongst his period and it was also during main interests in what he would otherwise have this time that his sons were at the described as an average school career. He went College and towards the end of it that he up to Guy’s Hospital in 1937 and qualified as a

LT COL NORMAN CLAYDEN MBE (B. 1935-39) Conservation Officer. Training areas, ranges and other military lands, here and overseas possess an amazing richness of fauna, flora and bird life that suddenly came under his sensitive environmental protection, and for which, on his retirement he was awarded a richly deserved MBE.

Michael Cardew (C. 1949-54) 02.04.1936 - 22.08.2003

On going down, he qualified as a chartered accountant. After a spell with Queen magazine, he joined Gulf Oil for a period of 10 years before heading up a city public cleansing department in Saudi Arabia. He then joined the Irving Parachute Company as European Finance Director. This last experience gave him the necessary technical knowledge to setup a small industrial harness company in the grounds of his lovely home, in the shadow of Walmer Castle, in semi-retirement.

At the College, he proved to be a good all-round sportsman, excelling in particular at squash, winning the public schools’ Drysdale Cup in 1954. He won his colours in the 1st XI and 1st XV. He was commissioned into the Royal Artillery for national service and, together with his great squash rival and long standing friend John Partridge of Malvern, represented the Combined Services at squash. He then went up to Exeter College, Oxford and won blues at squash (an outstanding captain) and fives.

He had joined and had continued to be active in the RNVR/RNR following his ‘demob’ in 1946, including a secondment to the RMFVR whilst at HMS CONTINUED OPPOSITE...

Miles Leonard, who taught at BCJS, died on 22nd February 2004. He was 79.

Peter Clarke (A. 50-54) writes: A Service packed to over capacity with Middlesex Regimental brother officers and many other friends took place on 9th January to celebrate the life of Norman Clayden. Following a distinguished military career, the Ministry of Defence showed a rare glimpse of genius by appointing him as the very first MOD

Michael Cardew entered Chichester House in 1949 after a very eventful early life, escaping with his mother and siblings on the last ship to leave Singapore before it fell to the Japanese in 1942. His father, who commanded the island’s shore batteries, was captured.

became President of the OBA. In addition to the common sense and pragmatism he brought to this role, his Presidency was characterised in particular by huge numbers at the Annual Dinners caused at least in part by the excellent speakers, including Lord Carrington and Sir Hugh Casson, that he was able to invite down to an overflowing School House dining room in the mid70s. Only cynics thought this due to the gentle pressure he was able to exert on his patients whilst they were at his mercy in the dental chair! He was, it must be said, no mean speaker himself, frequently lapsing into verse, and he was the perfect foil for those who were to follow .

Michael remained very keen on sport throughout his life. He was a member of Vincents Club in Oxford, a prominent member of the Jesters Squash Club for whom he arranged overseas tours, and the MCC. When forced to five up squash, he became a

The Reverend Canon Archibald Sholto Douglas (D. 1928-32) died peacefully at Macclesfield District Hospital on 11th February 2004.

F.W.M. Nichols (H. 1929-34) died on 2nd February 2004. passionate real tennis player, playing regularly for the OBs at Petworth. With Paul Vine, his doubles partner, he won a veterans tournament in Australia. He organised very enjoyable pre-Halford Hewitt Golf Cup dinners near his home in Kent.

He was a very loyal supporter of the College and all its activities, serving as Treasurer of the OBs and, for many years, a Scholarship Fund Trustee.

He died very suddenly and unexpectedly, preparing to visit the Crimean battlefields, where members of the Cardew family had fought, in search of information before compiling a family history.

Leonard Rea (H/C. 1945-51)

DEATHS John S Pullinger (S. 1935-37) died in March 2003.

Dr Leonard Haas (L. 1938-40) died on 29 May 2003, aged 80. He was a retired Consultant Paediatrician, Torbay & Exeter.

Dr G Peter Baker (H. 1929-33) died on 5 October 2003, aged 88. After leaving Brighton College he read Chemistry at Trinity College, Cambridge, before training as a doctor at Guy’s Hospital. He spent the war as an RAF medical officer before working as a physician at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. He moved to the Mayday University Hospital in 1952 where he was a consultant physician for 27 years, during which time he was prominent in the hospital’s revitalisation. After his retirement in 1979 he worked occasionally as a

medical officer for an insurance company and for a pension appeals tribunal. He was a social member of Addington Golf Club and was involved in Croydon Probus Club for retired business people.

J M Mayorga (Wi. 1925-29) died on 27 March 2003.

Tom F Winterton (Wi. 1923-28) died on 12 August 2000, aged 90. He headed the family business of auctioneers and land agents founded by the grandfather in 1864. He came from Lichfield in Staffordshire where he was a city auctioneer, sheriff and magistrate. He was a director of the Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery for 30 years and also served as chairman of trustees for the South Staffordshire Hunt and president of the

Midland Counties Agricultural Valuers. Page 11 He was a keen racing fan and his horse, Pattered, won the Welsh Grand National.

He leaves two sons, Michael (B. 1950-55) and Tony, three stepsons, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Henry E V Bennett MBE (Wa. 1925-29) died on 21 December 2003 aged 91.

Lt. Col. Kenneth R Hasildon, MA(Cantab), FICE, RE (Retd) (B. 1929-33) died quietly at his home in Zimbabwe on 16th April 2004 aged 89 years.

Stuart Shalev, formerly Squires, (S. 1945-50) died at the end of March 2004 after a long battle with cancer.

OBA HALL OF FAME - GEORGE SANDERS (D. 1922) Born: July 3, 1906, St. Petersburg, Russia Died: 1972 The Sanders family came to England from Russia during the Russian Revolution with the infant George, who, after studies at Brighton College and Manchester Technical College, went into the textile, then the tobacco business.

He made his stage debut early in the 30s and by the middle of the decade was acting in British films.

In 1936 he went to Hollywood, where he soon became an important star, playing both leading men and suave cads..

During WWII he often played Nazis but also starred Basil Pett, continued...

as the hero of The Saint and The Falcon adventure series. Eventually he managed to terminate his Falcon period by turning the role over to his brother, Tom Conway. Sanders played his first meaty part as the cynical hero of THE MOON AND SIXPENCE (1942) and reached another career landmark eight years later as the venomous drama critic in ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), a role for which he won an Academy Award as best supporting actor.

For the most part, however, Sanders appeared in mediocre films and only the force

President in London and it was whilst here that as Captain and Senior Dental Officer in 1966 he was appointed the Queen’s Honorary Dental Surgeon. He retired on seniority soon after but was recalled in 1970 for a couple of years to assist at HMS Sussex during its expansion. His skill with his hands was also put to good use in restoring old cars and his ancient Rolls Royce and Alfa Romeo were frequently seen features in the College grounds throughout the late 60s and 70s.

cherished some legal ambitions. Thus it was shortly after that he slowly retired from his London practice and by the mid70s had set up a practice at his home.

This gave him more flexibility to indulge himself in his other interests, and in particular, those on the bench as a JP and as a Tax Commissioner. These roles saw him active in several fields, notably on the Brighton Advisory Committee from 1979 to 1989 and as Chairman of the Betting and Gaming Committee during the same period.

A broken hip in a road accident in 1973 gave him some cause to reassess the sense in computing daily to London and he had long

He was a generous, kind and fair man, with strong family instincts and enormous ‘clubability’ and fellowship, as

of his cultivated, cynical screen personality kept his roles interesting. In the 60s he appeared mostly in European films. He was married four times. His second wife (194957) was Zsa Zsa Gabor; his third (1958-67), Benita Hume; and fourth (briefly in 1970) Zsa Zsa's sister, Magda Gabor. Autobiography: Memoirs of a Professional Cad (1960).

In 1972 his body was found in a Barcelona hotel. He left behind a suicide note in which he mentioned boredom as the main reason for taking his own life, by consuming an overdose of sleeping pills.

The OBA Hall of Fame is featured here: http://www.oldbrightonians.com/ famous_alumni_01.htm

witnessed by his involvement in both Brighton and Sussex rugby, with his Chairmanship of the Hove Club from 1975 to 1981, and his membership of numerous other clubs and organisations.

His presence was marked always by an infectious laugh, a twinkle in his eye and a hate of humbug and pomposity. His well-attended funeral service was held in the College Chapel on 27 October 2003 and it was typical of him that he requested family flowers only but that donations be sent to the College Scholarship Fund, He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his four sons and ten grandchildren, one of whom is at the College.

Page 12

Forthcoming Reunions:

London OB Drinks @ Wax Bar, W1

1984 Leavers Reunion 18/09/2004

I am rarely asked by the manager to leave a public bar before closing time but I am pleased to report that on this occasion I did not disgrace myself! When I reserved a space at one of London’s newest trendy bars I saw no problem with the condition that we should make way for another party at 9:30pm. These informal gatherings usually attract just a few London OBs in search of someone to share a pint with after work and all have usually gone home by 8pm.

At 9:15 on 5 May we were still 20 strong with a range of OBs who between us could piece together the history of Brighton College over the last five decades and more. And what a diverse bunch we were. I counted two solicitors, a barrister, an author, a diamond dealer, a neurological consultant, a Druid academic and former television producer, a Knight of the British Empire, a member of the Financial Services Authority, a marketing director…...

For some it was a reunion but for most of us it was a night for making new friends, swapping tales of late night escapes from dormitory windows and re-living our lost youth! But the overriding theme was a deep admiration for those who taught us and an enduring affection for the College.

A while ago I wrote in The Pelican of my frustration with the lack of interest in the OBA and asked whether there was any point to it all. Ever since, I have been constantly reminded of the enthusiasm for the OBA in so many different ways. The spirit, diversity and energy of London’s OBs ensured it was another fantastic evening and has encouraged us to host another informal drinks later this year and a possible informal supper in early 2005.

If you would like to receive details, or know of people living or working in London, please let us know by contacting the OBA office or email David Gold – david.gold@ppsgroup.co.uk. A warm welcome will be given to all – spouses and partners included!

David Gold (S. 1986-91)

This 20 year reunion is being organised for the leavers of 1984. A bash will be held at a venue to be confirmed - we have a proposed date of Saturday, 18th September 2004 and anyone interested in attending should contact Alex Bremer at alex@oldbrightonians.com.

OB Day 2004 - 18/09/2004 OB sports in the morning, Beer tent, Chapel service, 1st XV v Whitgift on the Home Ground, 2.30pm, Dinner & Dance in the Great Hall, 7.30pm.

Further updated details of all reunions can be found at: http:// www.oldbrightonians.com/ reunion_02.htm

OBA AND COLLEGE CALENDAR - 2004: June 7

School resumes

June 10

Teatime Recital

June 15

U6th Recital Hordern Room

June 17

Jazz Night

Café de Paris

July 3

Commemoration Day Chapel service at midday Lunch, 1.30pm (£7.00 per person. This MUST be booked in advance via the OBA Office.)

1st XI v OBs on the Home Ground Midsummer Ball, 8.30pm

Brighton College

July 9

End of term

Sept 18

OB Day 2004

details at: www.oldbrightonians.com/ oba_day_2004_01.htm

Sept 18

Leavers of 1984 20 year reunion

details at: www.oldbrightonians.com/1984_leavers_ reunion_01.htm

Nov 27

OBA Annual Dinner & AGM

details at: ww.oldbrightonians.com/ annual_dinner_2004_01.htm

4.45pm, Hordern Room

NETBALL

BRIGHTON COLLEGE RUGBY REPORT SEASON 2003/2004

Continued from back page. all veterans of last season and worked together with a sixth-sense coupled with flashes of devastating pace as they made countless interceptions. On the bench we had our third shooter Scarlett Buer and centre court player Cassie Hedger, both girls made important contributions during the season.

Unfortunately all those players, with the exception of Fiona Graves, are leaving us at the end of the year. Anita Dhillon and Laura Marsh have successfully played some games for the 1st team, but undoubtedly next season will be a very testing one for the seniors – we like a challenge!

However, we can certainly look forward to some exciting years ahead as our talented youngsters make their way through the school. The Prep School has achieved some outstanding results. In addition to their Cup triumph the U13s reached the National I.A.P.S. Finals and the U12VII went one better and won the same event. Congratulations to the coaches in all parts of the school who work hard to keep Brighton College at the forefront of Sussex netball.

Nicky Stanton

The First XV had a mixed season and were never able to consistently produce their best form.

Playing Record: WON 5 LOST 3 DRAWN 2 ST JOSEPHS FESTIVAL W 2 L2 D 1 SEDBERGH 10’S PLATE WINNERS The highlight of the fifteens season was a a final minute victory against RGS High Wycombe (16-13). A Jordan Turner Hall Drop goal gave Brighton College a much needed win. Draws against Whitgift and St Johns Leatherhead were steady results and indications of the teams potential. A major disappointment was the cancelled fixture across the school with Eastbourne College.

The first xv reached the final 16 of the Daily Mail cup beating Hove Park School, Tring School Hertfordshire and St Olaves School Kent, before being defeated by Campion School at the start of 2004.

The season finished on a high where Brighton College won the Plate competition at the Sedbergh Tens Tournament.

Nick Marshall (right Wing) and Captain Andy Hodgkins both received First XV colours for their outstanding commitment to the team throughout the season.

In the junior teams the Under 14 and Under 16 age groups at times displayed some exciting potential and are certain to be strong teams as they progress through the school. The under 14 XV earnt a particularly exciting victory against a Sussex County xv at the start of 2004.

Page 13

SEVENS SEASON: COUNTY CHAMPIONS: UNDER 14 VII, UNDER 16 VII The under 14s defeated Christ’s Hospital School in the final of their county sevens tournament. The strong under 16 VII defeated Eastbourne College 52-0 in the final of their county tournament a Chichester. The Under 16 VII went on to win the plate at the RGS Guildford sevens and lose to a very strong Millfield Seven in the Semi finals of the All England Invitation Sevens. Having won their group at Rosslyn Park they were defeated by Dulwich College.

International Honours: Kiba Richards - England 18 group (Jan) V Scotland w 29-7 V Romania w 46-9 V France L 0-33 Jordan Turner Hall V Italy A w 53-0 V Italy w 23-7 V Wales w 19-8 V Wales 24th April.

- England 16Group

Representative Honours: Andy Hodgkins - South East Division U18 Ken Birnage - Sussex U18 Chris Canneaux Will Johnson - Sussex Under 16

OB GOLF 2003

by Chris Pett (H. 1962-67) We have had a busier year than usual with four main events. In the 1st round of the Halford sadly Hewitt on a lovely bright and breezy day at Royal St. George’s, Sandwich we went down to Mill Hill 3½ - 1½. In the ensuing Plate competition we went down to Sherborne 3—0, though all the matches were tightly fought. Our 2004 campaign sees us start up against St. Paul’s at Sandwich at 8.00am on Thursday 1st April.

We achieved a rare feat in May in qualifying for the final stages of the Grafton Morrish Trophy and six good men and true journeyed to Hunstanton/Brancaster for the finals in October. On a sadly out of condition

Hunstanton, they lost to recent winners KCS Wimbledon by 2½ - ½. The event was notable in getting two talented younger bloods into the team for the first time in Roland Ainsworth (D. 1992-97) and Michael Mudie (H. 1998-01) and we hope they will be able to join us for many more years.

In the “wrinkliers” Cyril Grey event at Worplesdon in June we calmly won our first two rounds, as is almost now becoming a norm, this time against Ampleforth and Blundells, only to lose a nail biter 2—1 against Epsom in the quarter

finals, with the deciding match losing at the 19th in the last game. Having won eight matches in this event in the last three years, we will be back.

The Autumn meeting was held at Woking in late October with the kind assistance of John Bridel (C. 1947-50) and a great day was had by all. The Hon. Secretary was sadly indisposed with a broken ankle but fourteen players signed up and the Whitmore Bowl was won by Robin Colbourne (H. 1960-65) on 35 pts with Robert Weir (H. 1962-67) in second place. A post-lunch foursomes was won by Nigel Dearsly (L. 1960-65) and Terry Mower (A. 1974-79) with 35 pts.

Page 14

OB’S VETS V. HOVE VETS - 13 DECEMBER 2003

by Joey Appleton (D. 1979-84)

Many thanks to John & Fiona Aiken for organising the Old Brightonian’s first Vets rugby match. It was a grand feat in itself persuading many OB’s to play for a Vets side as several didn’t think they were old enough to qualify! For future note Horse the age requirement is over 35 years. Many of the OB’s that played had not dusted off their boots for several seasons; in fact James Bushell is adamant that he had not gifted us with his presence for over 10 years. Dodgey shoulder or not he certainly played his part and showed us he still has that turn of pace that made him legendary on the wing.

We could not have picked a wetter day to play and as the rain lashed down several of us sat in the changing room wondering what we had let ourselves in for. However spirits were high and the general banter was of past glories and matches we had starred in from ages long gone. The referee was late but this was an advantage as it took us much longer to get ready since most of us seemed to be strapping on supports and bandages for all appendages. Vaseline and Deep Heat applied we were ready for action.

Old Brightonians won the toss and decided to play with the elements in the first half. After a pointless first quarter, the OB’s looked comfortable in all areas except scrummaging and could have taken the lead on several occasions. We won a penalty on the half way line and after Texas from Horse we had our own lineout on the opposition 22 metre line. The calls were made Julian Withers threw to Stuart Grant at the front of the line who took the ball at the limits of his lifters. The author called for

the ball early and fed Mike Edmonds (Horse) at fly half with speed and accuracy.

Horse set in motion the old tried and tested double dummy with both centres and then fed the full back that put James Bushell in with his first try for over ten years. Deep joy. Conversion missed the OB’s entered half time 5 – 0 up.

The only other point of comment for the first half was the persistent fringing by the Hove Vets. The referee seemed totally one sided and I can safely say that at no time did any of the OB’s appear to handle on the floor or put themselves anywhere near an offside position with the exception of a few of the more unfit OB’s returning late to the rucks and mauls! Tony Lewis and I of course pointed this out to the referee on a number of occasions. However the referee continued to allow the perpetrators to go unpunished. The new slim line Tony Lewis may have lost a few pounds but has not lost the wit of his tongue and having spotted Rick Cruttendon offside once again decided enough was enough and took the law literally into his own hands and lamped the infringer several times.

The referee decidedly flustered sin bined both players until half time.

Early in the second half the rain stopped and after a number of tactical substitutions the OB’s extended their lead with two further tries by Paul Atkins and

Mark Dodd. Both went unconverted (it’s all about the hand positions Horse ask Jonny!) and the lead extended to 15 – 0.

The last quarter saw the OB’s lacking a bit of fitness and Hove crept back into the game. Two tries from Hove by their rolling pack meant the last ten minutes would be very tense. However some brave defence by the back row of Jim Angel, Stuart Grant and Roger Simmons together with a cover tackle in the last minutes by the author, which amazed me more than the supporters on the touchline, gave the OB’s a trilling victory 15 – 10.

Everyone who played and watched enjoyed the first experience of OB’s vets rugby tremendously and all of us expressed our wishes for another game in the New Year.

John Aitken will arrange another game early in February so please if you are interested get in touch by contacting John via email.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Contact details: JOHN AIKEN (M) 07709 461000 (E) j.aiken@virgin.net

CONTACT THE OBA OBA Office, Brighton College, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 0AL t: +44 (0)1273 704250 (Direct line) t: +44 (0)1273 704200 (switchboard) f: +44 (0)1273 704326 e: oldbrightonians@hotmail.com Office hours : 8am to 12pm, Monday to Friday OBA Website & Magazine Produced by 3B Web Design www.3bweb.com (0845 111 0040) www.oldbrightonians.com

OBA Committee: President & AROPS Rep: Jane Haviland (F. 1979-81) Hon. Secretary: Tim Loadsman (L. 1951-57) Hon. Treasurer: Paul Lobo (C. 1976-81) Administrator: Fiona Aiken (F. 1979-81) Headmaster: Dr. Anthony Seldon (ex offico) Parent Rep: John Aiken (A. 1976-81 Council Rep: Andrew Symonds (A. 1955-59) Chris Pett (H. 1962-67) David Gold (S. 1986-91) Michael Edmunds (C. 1980-85) Giles Stubbs (R. 1997-02) Peter Withers (former staff) Nicky Stanton (W. 2001-03)

PLATE DATE IS ONE TO SAVOUR Continued from back page.

The junior event remained, as did the senior Sussex Trophy, but an Intermediate Shield was also brought in.

That left the Plate for the very smallest clubs in the county. The likes of OBs and Shoreham, both of whom have known hard times in recent seasons.

At one stage, Shoreham had to send volunteers to a local retail park to try and talk shoppers into taking up the game.

That was all forgotten last Sunday (22nd Feb 2004) as the two clubs enjoyed their big day.

Sponsorship from Greene King meant a prize fund of £215 to spend on kit from Ram Rugby was up for grabs, £125 of it to the winners.

Sussex Two leaders Old Brightonians beat their Sussex Three opponents 47-12, but did not have it all their own way.

In fact, the biggest tribute to the format of the event was the efforts Shoreham made to be ready for their big day, including a spying trip to watch OBs the previous week, big turnouts at training and

OB REAL TENNIS OB real tennis is thriving. Our leading player is Robert Weir (H. 1962-67), who in his day had fifty squash international caps for Ireland. Robert has represented Great Britain over 50’s at real tennis.

Richard White (S. 1960-64), despite working during the week in Luxembourg, has kept up very good real tennis form on his visits to England at weekends.

Peter Lahaise (A. 1961-64) has been the most improved OB player, and reached

an array of replacements and touchline advisors on final afternoon.

Someone had obviously spent generously on a certain sports drink to help the players on the big occasion, though it was the OBs in need of aid with their recovery when Brendan Montgomery gave Shoreham a shock lead.

Page 15

admitting he was not getting any younger.

With two powerful finishes in the corner to his name, t6hough, he had done his job by then.

Sadly for them, they then decided it would be a good idea to regularly kick hard-won ball straight to the OBs full back.

The man wearing no.15 just happened to be Paul Atkins, the liveliest runner on view.

His daring raids helped OBs pile up six tries in 24 minutes through Mark Dodd (2) Ted Littlewood, Seb Akillian (2) and Sam Howes.

Dodd did not hang around long. By the half hour, he was already off the pitch, cigarette in hand, cheerfully the final of the Petworth handicap singles competition.

Robert Weir, Brian Ellis (S. 195762) and Peter Lahaise all travelled to Australia in January 2003 to play in the Boomerang Cup in Melbourne. This was the largest handicap team doubles competition ever held in the history of the game and both the Petworth teams who entered performed creditably against teams drawn from Australia, the

Front row stalwart John Aiken is another OB veteran. He was chipping and chasing at one stage in the second half like a latter day Graham Price (remember Paris 1975?).

Shoreham, though, regrouped, did their bit in the pack and were rewarded when lock Ian Trevis rumbled over midway through the half.

United States and England.

Robert Weir and Brian Ellis also played in the UK Jesters Triangular match against the Australian and United States Jesters.

Perennials Clifford Leuw (D. 194752), Mike Cardew (C. 1949-54) and David Diplock (L. 1958-61) are still playing enthusiastically and the rising star for the future is without doubt, Nick White (L. 1987-92), the son of Richard.

Their front row man John Chapman admitted: “We didn’t really have the backs, but we reckon we’ve got a pack good enough to play in a higher division and we changed things after the break.

“It was our big day.

We brought some vice presidents, collared some supporters and had some beers after the game so we tried to make sure we enjoyed it. The better side won, though”.

True enough, and it was fitting Atkins should have the final say by weaving through a series of tackles to touch down at the posts.

Howes added the extras with a drop kick. He had to do it that way; no one could find the kicking tee.

And you wouldn’t get that at Murrayfield either.

Brian Owen, The Argus

Any younger Old Brightonians, particularly those who have played squash and modern tennis, who are interested to try real tennis are most welcome to contact any of the above, who will be pleased to help them. Any such newcomers will not be disappointed.

Unfortunately, since writing this article, Michael Cardew has died and a full obituary notice features on page 7.

by Brian Ellis

PLATE DATE IS ONE TO SAVOUR It’s as grass roots as it can get.

The bottom two divisions in Sussex battling it out for their own piece of silverware.

The surroundings? Well, not exactly glamourous. A bitterly cold, windswept day at Eastbourne with the added bonus of intermittent rain.

The crowd? Probably not much more than 100, including those

NETBALL Another very successful year for netball with three teams – U13, U14 and U19 – winning their Sussex Cup competitions; the U15s narrowly lost in the final and the U16s were losing semifinalists. Unfortunately, the Independent Schools’ Tournaments were cancelled because of the weather and so we were denied the opportunity to really finish on a high.

The 1st VII started the season with a full day of training which included a session with Liz Robertson, who is one of the South of England’s foremost coaches, and culminated with a ‘cool-down’ swim and a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ Italian meal produced by the girls themselves.

The level of team spirit which made that day so enjoyable continued throughout the year and helped the team to achieve

sheltered in the clubhouse with half an eye on Ireland v Wales on the big screen.

For Old Brightonians and Shoreham, though, it was a big occasion. Their chance to sample cup final life for themselves.

This is as much what Rugby is about as the glamour international dates. considerable success; it also made them a pleasure to coach. Katy Rodgers, their captain, made a strong contribution throughout the season as she calmly encouraged the squad and led by example.

Half of the girls in the senior squad played hockey in the Michaelmas term and so training was limited, but in preparation for the season they played tough games against Sussex University and beat their 2nd VII 42-22 and their 1st VII 28-21. However, the National Schools’ Competition in early November revealed weaknesses in the mid-court and shooting circle where new partnerships had not had time to gel, and the team failed to qualify for the next round..

The U14s did represent

At least OBs did not have to wait for dozens of bagpipers to get out of the way before they could kick off.

The Sussex Plate has been in existence for years but was given a new lease of life by an imaginative re-structure from the county RFU a few years ago.

Full Report - page 15 Sussex in the South East Finals and were 4th, making us the highest placed Sussex school in that age group, but just missing out on a place in the National Finals. The team achieved an unbeaten season, winning all 11 of their full-length matches. The U15s were also very successful season and the only game they lost was their Cup Final.

The 1st VII played two Cup games in December, beating Chichester High School (5913) and Burgess Hill School for Girls (48-10). However, matches began in earnest after exams in the Lent term, with Cup wins against St. Bede’s (35-12), Hurstpierpoint (29-28), Haywards Heath College (6317) and Imberhorne (48-18), and fixtures against Lancing (26-15), Christ’s Hospital (13-

Paul Atkins is caught for once 17), Eastbourne (33-29), Cranleigh (28-13) and Sevenoaks (35-12).

The most exciting game of the season was at Hurst, in front of a large crowd of home supporters, when there was barely 2 goals separating the sides at any time during the hour’s play – we were never behind, but certainly breathed a sigh of relief when the final whistle saw us one goal ahead.

Such a game really showed the 1st VII at their best, shooters Katy Rodgers and Fiona Graves generally had a very elegant, relaxed style but were capable of clinical finishing when the situation demanded it. Mid-court players Georgina Taylor and Catherine Western sustained a high work rate as they fiercely competed for every ball, and defenders Nikki Corrigan, Sarah Williams and Cefin Crouch were Continued on page 13