Floreat Redingensis September 2020

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THE ORA RICHARD GRIFFITHS – DEPUTY LIEUTENANT & SENIOR PARTNER AT BLANDY & BLANDY Reading School Career Richard Griffiths attended Reading School between 1957 and 1964 as a boarder in South House. He well remembers the strict approach of his Housemaster, Martin Savage and the more liberal approach of his successor Rex Bowley. Academically, he recalls the stimulating English teaching of John Periton. Outside of the classroom he was occasionally picked for the 1st XV but was a regular member of the 2nd XV. He especially enjoyed rowing and rowed in the 1st VIII for three years, and was Captain of Boats in his last year, rowing at regattas in Reading Marlow and Wallingford. In order to experience rowing on the Tideway in London he arranged a fixture against Emanuel School only to be soundly beaten. Richard was a School Prefect.

Career – Senior Partner at Blandy and Blandy Following school, Richard joined Blandy and Blandy, signing 5 year articles in 1965 and attending the College of Law – now the University of Law. He qualified in 1971, the same year as the implementation of the Industrial Relations Act which for the first time gave a remedy to an unfairly dismissed employee. This sparked an interest in Employment related matters and a substantial part of his practice involved employment-related cases. This led in 1993 to his appointment as a part time Employment Judge sitting in Reading London and Southampton. He became a partner in 1974 and served as the Firm’s Senior Partner from 1993 to 2010. Public Service – Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire Richard continues to serve as Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, a role to which he was appointed in 2011. This role involves assisting the Lord Lieutenant-- the Queen’s representative in Berkshire with his duties and, along with the other Deputies, occasionally deputising for him. His work in this role has included assessing the applications for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, an award considered broadly equivalent of the MBE.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2019 In the five years from 2014 to 2018 those OR’s known to have been victims of the First World War in the corresponding year a century ago, have had their names read out with details of their lives and careers at School. This year the Archivist, Ken Brown OR (1955-63), after he had read the Act of Remembrance, concluded these readings with those who died in 1919; after the Armistice, but as a result of their wartime service.

As has become usual of late, the School Cadet Force supplied the wreath-laying party. John Spence, now of Form 13AC, once more sounded the Last Post and Reveille quite splendidly. After the Service, refreshments were served in the Refectory. Ken Brown, OR 1955-63

The Chapel was again pleasingly full and Revd Clive Windebank OR (1952-59), ORA Chaplain, conducted the Service with his customary acumen and esprit. Chris Widdows OR (1955-62) in the preparations for the day had secured the services of the School Chaplain, Pastor Gert Cornelissen, as the guest preacher and the congregation had the privilege of hearing an excellent sermon. The President of ORA Ian McKinnon OR (1977-82) read the Lesson, James Tunstill, Director of Music at School, again played the organ, provided a band and also conducted the Chapel Choir in the Anthem.

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Floreat Redingensis

Small congregation outside the Chapel

SEPTEMBER 2020


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