Hamish Aird – Pouncing like a Panther
Radley Party – July 2016 In reply to a joint speech by Charlie Barker and Andrew Reekes: How do you follow that? Two special old friends. One an ex-pupil. Yes I taught Charlie Latin my first year and wow have things changed since then. Everyone asks how different it was 50 years ago: no studies now, so no rats in the study areas. No Long Dormitory with 40 cubicles on each side; no beating; no fagging; no eating by Socials and being served by staff. Far better food, fewer eccentric dons (like the one who was collecting ferns in India and got back for the start of term a week late). No ‘Rest’ period after lunch for an hour in cubicles; everyone is too busy now. Fiercer matrons then; far more running of Socials by boys rather than Dons, even Tutors. When I became Sub-Tutor of F Social in 1967 I asked the Tutor what my duties were. “Ah”, he said, looking slightly puzzled, “Go and ask dear old Tony”. ‘Dear old Tony’ being Tony Robinson, the boy who was Head of Social. He took me under his wing (as he did again 40 years later in the Foundation Office). I shared my bathroom which I got to down a public passage ‘middle markets’ flanked by studies. The first time I went for a bath the plughole was blocked with long white hairs. I had been told I was sharing the room with the Precentor or Head of Music who I hadn’t yet met and I pictured him with long white hair and mad eyes. It turned out, though, that he, Donald Paine, had a huge Pyrenean Mountain Dog called Tiny who also shared the bath.
So thanks, everyone. Thanks especially to Michael van der Gucht and Rupert Henson. And a really big thank you to John Moule who has entertained and looked after me wickedly over the past four terms. I’ve been reasonably discreet to him about those of you who are parents of boys at Radley now. 52
the old radleian 2016
So it only remains for me to toast this extraordinary school which (nothing to do with me!) seems to have gone from strength to strength over the past 50 years. I’ll ask you all to rise and drink to Radley: Floreat Radley.
Three years after a visit to Radley in Brough Scott’s roaring red MG, to play a cricket match against the Leagues team I started at Radley, staying in the house of Peggy and Tony Gardiner on the drive. Peggy showed me to my bedsit and I noticed their cat Ring sitting comfortably on the counterpane of the bed. When I returned a few minutes later there was a nice little pile of vomit on the counterpane. As a classicist, I knew this was a good omen and things were going to be all right. Some time later I got my own pair of Egyptian Mau cats Memphis and Sphinx who were rather less direct in their opinion of me. Wonderful to see Tim and Angela here today. And Sue and Peter should be here but sadly Peter is in hospital with back problems.