The Arch 2023 Edition

Front Cover: Steps leading to the Old Priory

Welcome from the 2024 OR President

By Samantha Wilkinson (Abbey 1986-88)

My family and I have a long history with Repton and I have always enjoyed coming back to visit. So I was delighted to be asked to take on the role of Old Reptonian Society President in 2024.

On a personal level I owe much to Repton, as it not only shaped my career, but also led me to my husband ‘Terry’ (Andrew Wilkinson Priory 1982-87). Both our boys were in the Priory too and each had five happy years at the School. In fact, they were the 13th and 14th members of our extended family to attend Repton. Many of you may remember David Wilkinson as Housemaster of the Orchard, who later became my father-in-law.

During my time in the Abbey from 1986 to 1988, I embraced every opportunity for the all-round education offered participating in sport, as many of the CCF activities allowed at the time, music, and drama. Repton strives to provide this approach to life to this day, influenced by the leadership of Headmaster Mark Semmence and with the ongoing development of incredible facilities. The OR Society’s recent efforts align with this goal – welcoming a diverse range of ORs, supporting younger

I extend my thanks to Nick Smith (Brook 1969-74), outgoing OR Society President, Nick Walford (Brook 1969-74) OR Chair, the OR Committee and the OR Office for their warm welcome. There have been several changes in the OR Office recently and there is a great team in place. The collaboration between the OR Society, the Repton Foundation and the School is developing further with exciting prospects for the future.

members, and increasing women’s participation in events.

The unique and welcoming atmosphere at Repton has always stood out. As a parent, I cherished being part of the Repton family. Now, as OR President, I hope to encourage that family and community feel for all who have been fortunate enough to experience Repton life in one way or another.

It has been wonderful to meet many new and younger ORs at events like Drinks in the City in London, and the OR Day & BBQ at Repton. The 50th Gaudy at Repton allowed me to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. These events foster a sense of community that I hope will continue to thrive and grow during my year as President. I encourage all our Repton community to be part of it, whether in sports, social events or as career mentors and industry ambassadors. Let’s continue building on the strong foundation of the OR Society and further enhance our Repton family experience for ORs and current students.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming year.

Now that my term as President has finished, I look back on it with much pleasure. From the choral splendour of Evensong at St. Paul’s to laying our memorial wreath in the Garth, it is a year that I have greatly enjoyed.

In between those events I attended hugely convivial gatherings at Harrogate for the Yorkshire Branch dinner and in Nuremberg for the German reunion. Drinks in the City was well attended, with everyone enjoying themselves so much that, unusually, there was deemed no need for any speeches! The 50th anniversary Gaudy was another highlight in a busy year. On that occasion, it was quite something to watch the girls’ cricket 1st XI playing a school match on the Square, an indication of how times have changed.

In November our annual dinner was held in the Undercroft for the first time. It turned out to be a wonderful setting and an inspired choice. Having attended several previous dinners I was delighted that the atmosphere and ambience of this occasion was one of the very best that I can recall.

I’d like to thank everyone who came along to these events for taking such an interest and making me so welcome and in certain cases making me do lastminute speeches (thank you to the Yorkshire crowd). Along with many long-standing friends I came across lots of new faces from different generations. It is always most gratifying how interested Reptonians are in their counterparts and the year also confirmed how we are always on for a good party!

I was particularly thrilled by some of our sporting successes. Retaining the Arthur Dunn Cup was a brilliant achievement and our football club deserve much praise for the way

Reflections from the 2023 OR President

By Nick Smith (Brook 1969-74)

in which they encourage recent leavers into their ranks. This now includes a women’s team and it was great to watch them do battle with the school team on Chapel Hall at the OR Sports Day in early September. Incidentally, this day is another superb addition to our calendar, with over 100 Reptonians taking part in various sports before enjoying a BBQ at the Boot.

No less an achievement was that of our wonderful tennis club who, once again, came away with the D’Abernon Cup following an exciting final at Wimbledon. To add to this it was such good news that on the same day our women’s pair, playing at Raynes Park, won the inaugural equivalent competition. A truly remarkable success for our men and women.

As a longstanding member of Repton Pilgrims cricket club I was delighted that, in addition to the traditional Speech Day match against the school, we put out a women’s team for the first time. Against an obviously talented school side (who later in the year became national champions in two age groups) our OR team put on a brave and enthusiastic performance. Above all, it was clear how much everyone enjoyed it.

Whilst I had huge fun attending as much as possible and enjoying myself, it is fair to say that a huge amount of organisation goes into arranging and setting-up our various events. Behind the scenes our team in the OR Office work very hard. At the start of last year we had Lia Rothman who did a great job and we were all sorry to lose her when she moved to Ireland. Hopefully she will maintain contact with us. Since then, we have been pleased that Juliet Wolfe, an OR herself, has joined us as Development Director of the Repton Foundation. More

recently we have been very lucky to have had support from Julia Rushworth, who has been helping us in the office. I am particularly grateful that one of her initiatives was pushing for the Undercroft as our dinner venue. I believe that we are in very good hands.

Last year also saw Nigel Kew retire, something which I’m sure many Reptonians thought would never happen. Nigel was a mainstay of Repton life and I’d like to thank him for his commitment and support, both to the School and Society. I know that he will stay in touch and I speak for us all in saying he will always be welcome at our functions.

I’d also like to thank the Society’s committee members who give tirelessly to ensure the Society continues to provide a relevant, beneficial and forward thinking outlook for Reptonians.

Thank you very much to our Chairman Nick Walford and Headmaster Mark Semmence. They have both supported me during the last year and I have greatly enjoyed their company. It would probably also be remiss of me not to thank my wife Judy, known to many of my Repton friends, who didn’t mind me travelling off to our get-togethers, usually providing she could come along as well!

Sam Wilkinson is this year’s President and I know she will thoroughly enjoy it. Please support her as much as possible.

Finally, thank you to Reptonians for your continued friendship and unfailing good cheer. It has meant a lot to me to have been your President and I intend to continue enjoying and making the most of being a Reptonian.

I send my very best wishes to you all.

View from the Chair from the OR Society Chair

By Nick Walford (Brook 1969-74)

The OR Society has had another excellent and full-on year of events and activities which many of you will have experienced for yourselves throughout the year. Nick Smith (Brook 1969-74), OR Society President, has provided an excellent summary of the many events he has enjoyed this year. A pleasing aspect is the breadth of age groups who have attended events from the younger crowd at Drinks in the City in March (66% under 40) and on OR Day in early September, to the older crowd at the 50th OR Gaudy Reunion event in May. Several ORs had not been back to the School for many years and loved reconnecting with old friends at drinks in the Garth, bathed in early summer sunshine. In November, the OR Dinner made its debut in the Undercroft and a warm and intimate evening, with excellent speeches from Headmaster Mark Semmence and Nick Smith, was enjoyed by everyone.

Over the past year, I have taken the opportunity to review how the OR Society is currently structured and in doing this have reviewed how other schools, like ours, operate and manage their Development Offices. There has been a marked upgrade in the professionalism, capabilities and levels of resource dedicated to schools’ Development Offices. Many have aligned their alumni relations and fundraising resources to work more closely in what some schools refer to as ‘friendraising and fundraising’.

We believe Repton should also be moving in this direction and in May we welcomed OR Juliet Wolfe née Ryalls (Abbey 1983-85) to the role of Development Director to work with Matt Needham, the Chair of the Repton Foundation. Juliet has two daughters who both started at Repton in September, and so she is living the Repton life again as a parent, member of staff and an OR!

In December, Jack Bailey joined the Development Office in the new role of

Data & Insights Manager, supporting both the Foundation and the OR Society. His task is to clean up the OR data and make the database fit for purpose. This is a key appointment as the richness of our data is at the heart of all the activity which stems from the Development Office, and is already paying dividends by making communication and engagement with ORs easier and more efficient.

As agreed in principle at the Annual General Meeting, work will continue to ensure the OR Society works in harmony with the Foundation and the School, with a cohesive and aligned Development Office, adequately resourced and fit for the future, supporting both alumni engagement and fundraising.

What stood out for me this year was seeing our OR women playing against the School 1st XI in cricket and football at Repton. It proved quite a challenge for the ORs as the current Reptonians are excelling at these two sports and we are going to struggle to be competitive until they leave and join the ranks of the ORs! Our OR netballers continue to be successful in their matches in London and of course Repton Hockey Club’s women and men go from strength to strength.

Our continued success in retaining both the Arthur Dunn Cup in football and the D’Abernon Cup in tennis is quite remarkable and we must not take it for granted. To win the inaugural women’s Public Schools tennis event is further evidence of how outstanding our women’s sport is at Repton. For a school of our size to be winning these prestigious longstanding national competitions raises the profile of Repton and its proud and ever increasing sporting reputation.

Every year, inevitably and sadly, we lose Old Reptonians and many of these are covered in our obituaries section including three who will be

remembered dearly by ORs. Sam Swerling, David Pilch and Ian Payne. I attended, along with many ORs and the Headmaster, Ian’s funeral service in Bridgford, Nottingham. Ian died taking his beloved dog for a walk and there is a lovely picture taken of him and me at the Yorkshire Dinner holding the Arthur Dunn Cup. Ian was ever present at Dunn football matches, Pilgrims cricket and social events and he truly loved Repton and Reptonians. He is sorely missed.

This is where I start my thank yous. Our Society runs on the dedication of those who help run it on your behalf with the Development Office. Also it runs on the commitment and determination of those who lead and inspire our clubs to go the extra mile to perform at the highest level creating lifelong memories for both players and supporters at the finals they win. Alex Evans (New 2004-09), Nicky Samra (New 2002-07) and Jamie Muirhead (Cross 2009-11) take a bow for OR football and tennis respectively!

My thanks to Nick Smith who has been present at virtually every OR activity this year with his wife, Judy. Thanks to the continued and highly visible support for the OR Society from Headmaster Mark Semmence and our OR School Liaison Officer, Anna Parish, whose day job is Deputy Head Inclusion and Wellbeing.

Thanks to all of you who support our events and activities and, finally, I offer my best wishes to Sam Wilkinson for an enjoyable and rewarding year as our new President for 2024.

We are always on the lookout for those of you who wish to become more actively involved in the OR Society in whatever capacity. Whether sharing your ideas for events and activities, acting as representatives for year groups or offering to provide careers advice for the Sixth Form or fellow ORs.

Just make that call to the OR Office.

OR News: Snippets

The Reverend Canon John RM Cook (a 1974-79) has been appointed an Honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford.

Richard Stokes (Hall 1959-63) has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, following the publication of his book, The Complete Songs of Hugo Wolf (Faber).

For those F1 fanatics out there, you might like to read this BBC Sport article https:// www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ formula1/67492809 , which takes you inside the mind of recordbreaking team Red Bull’s design genius, Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey (New 1972-77).

Looking for a new addition to your wardrobe? You may wish to consider a Repton ‘Manyatta’ belt, especially commissioned by the Repton Pilgrims Cricket Club. Each belt is hand beaded in Kenya by the Maasai, using the highest quality leather. Not only do the belts look great, but every purchase helps to provide much-needed employment opportunities for the local community. For more details and to order, visit the website: https://manyatta.co/products/old-reptonian-repton-college

The Tam family of Hong Kong paid a visit to Repton and dropped in on Kiki Muir, wife of former New Housemaster Russell Muir, who still lives in the village. Robert was in Latham, and his four daughters also came to Repton from left to right: Alicia (Abbey 1998-03), Jennifer (Abbey 1999-04), Charmaine (Abbey 201116) and Veronica (Abbey 200308). Also shown in the photo are Angelina Tam, wife of Robert, and friend Edwin. The beady eyed ORs amongst you may spot the picture above the flowers – it’s a caricature by Andy Burns (Hall 1985-88) of J.R.M with his tatty Shrewsbury scarf (he was an old boy), antique golf clubs & bag, house cups and of course his bow tie!

1951 Cricket Team90 and not out

By Anthony Beater (Hall 1946-51)

London Marathon Debutante

My wife Kathleen and I recently met up with Tony Lewis (Cross 1946-51) and his wife Mary. We realised that we were the only members of the unbeaten 1951 cricket side still standing and both celebrated our 90th birthdays last year. Tony and I were Captain and Vice-Captain respectively in 1951 and Tony went on to captain the Northern Schools vs the Southern Schools at Lords. We used to meet up regularly with former staff John Walker, Richard and Sue-Mary Grew and William and Gill Agnew, until Covid and

Edward Wilkinson (Cross 1946-49)

John Lewis Crommelin-Brown was on the staff from 1911 until 1949 and Housemaster of Brook from 1934 until 1949. His daughter Pamela who died on 4 May 2023 aged 97 married John Eggar who was the Brook House Tutor, became Housemaster of Brook in 1949 and went on to be Headmaster of Shiplake College in 1963.

Pamela’s father was Secretary of Derbyshire County Cricket Club during WW2 having played for them in the 1920s. Pamela’s husband John played for Derbyshire during the school holidays from 1946 to 1954 as was the practice in the days of the amateurs in County Cricket. He held a record opening partnership for many years with Charlie Elliott of 349 and his highest individual score was 218 against Yorkshire! He was one of the quartet of Repton Masters who played for Derbyshire after WW2, the other three being Guy Willatt and Dick Sale and Bill Blaxland.

Holly Cook (Abbey 2016-21) is currently in her third year of university, working on placement for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in London. Holly has been selected out of 10,000+ employees in the UK to run for GSK in the London Marathon on 21 April 2024, with a target of raising £2,200 for the charity Save the Children. If you would like to help Holly reach the finish line, please make a donation to her JustGiving page – any donation will be matched by GSK.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ holly-cook-1692611057074?fbclid=PA AaZw7nnX1sGNb1_XbHrQgCLIlQr4_ APqf9d4qJm5rcvMFOwPHpROO0XnMNA_ aem_AYKP0Ut2VHv5LwUK_YQhUR2lQs6d_ XWSOW4PXDMI9F1bfY26BRAKbd_ yyKdC9TPnBXg

John Billington (Former Staff 1965-96) was in India for two weeks in December 2022, giving talks and interviews on Tibet. At a private audience with the Dalai Lama on 3 December, he received a knotted silk saffron ceremonial scarf of Everlasting Friendship in recognition of his support for the Tibetan cause over many years. Interviews with the Voice of Tibet radio

Congratulations to Nick Carruthers (Brook 1967-70), volunteer with the charity PRIME Cymru, who last year won the Coronation Champion Award for his services in mentoring and supporting older people back into employment in Wales. Award winners were handpicked from almost 5000 entries by a judging panel led by the Queen Consort. To mark this achievement, Nick received a Coronations Champions pin badge, a signed certificate from Their Majesties and was invited to attend the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert. You can read more about his achievement here: https://www.primecymru. co.uk/prime-cymru-volunteer-nick-carruthers-winscoronation-champions-award

In his role as Programme and Content Director at The D Group in London, John Macdonald (Latham 2007-12), has recently authored and published a research paper ‘Unleashing the UK’s Innovation Capability To Support Our National Interests’. The D Group is a cross-sector strategic development network, bringing together multinational companies and government. Previously, John was a Director at the Adam Smith Institute, and before that worked at Conservative Party HQ in Westminster and for a charity. The report can be viewed here: https://www.dgroup.co.uk/releases/unleashingthe-uks-innovation-capability-to-support-ournational-interests

Recognise Anyone?

Editor’s Note: these photos were kindly sent in by post, unfortunately we do not have a correspondence trail, so we’ll leave it up to the OR super-sleuths out there to ascertain who they are and when/where they’re from.

The School’s ‘White Book’ and Belonging at Repton

By John Hings (Priory 1955-60)

It’s a few years since I received the termly edition of the School Calendar (colloquially known as the ‘White Book’, which adopted some elements of the former Blue Book), which is given to each member of the School at the beginning of term. I’ve always found it helpful as you can see at a glance the School’s calendar with all the important events and the games fixtures. And it has the list of the current members of staff and Board of Governors which is useful.

I requested a copy for the Michaelmas term and noted the content has changed and developed over the years. Today, half of the publication is devoted to pupil safeguarding policy and school rules. The latter has always featured in the book, but the number of rules has grown. However, the degree of guidance given on pupil safeguarding is a sign of the times and an indication, if any were necessary, of how important this aspect of life at Repton has become. Don’t let anyone suggest otherwise. The heavy responsibilities undertaken by the Headmaster, Houseparents and all members of staff is apparent. There is now a Deputy Head with the specific responsibility for safeguarding.

I know my contemporaries will agree with me that such safeguarding needs were not articulated or resourced in such a way in our day, but that is a long time ago and the significance of this change is consistent with what is happening elsewhere in society. What is also worthy of note is something that has NOT changed and that is the piece written by the School Prefects on Belonging to Repton. What is written today could well have been written in 1955 when I joined the school, and what resonated the most as an OR, was the final paragraph which reads: “And when you leave through the Arch for the last time and mark the end of your Repton career, you will know that you are always welcome to return again to your old School. Because your time here marks you and because you belong in this House and this School”.

I return to Repton when I can, not only to support the sports teams but to meet old friends and members of staff. And to experience the peace and beauty of the place. Having lost far too many of my contemporaries in the last twelve months, it does feel more lonely, but the reception from younger ORs and members of staff, who are most welcoming, makes the journey so rewarding and worthwhile.

For those of you who have not returned to Repton recently, I recommend that you do so; not just to marvel at the amazing development of the buildings and facilities but to experience the tranquillity that surrounds you. And to remember the good times you had when you laughed till it hurt.

For me and I know for one or two others, it becomes a sanctuary to be treasured at a time when one needs a feeling of safety and protection from the bad things that are happening in the world. It’s not that one should be unaware of the dreadful things that are going on, but it gives you a chance to shut them out for a while.

An Extraordinary Life –Harry Grenville

1926-2018 (Former Staff 1963-1986)

By Robin Le Poidevin (Cross 1975-80)

A Saturday morning sometime in the Michaelmas Term of 1976, and Lower Fifth Form H have assembled in the Tithe Barn to watch a slightly wobbly recording of a BBC Horizon programme on the evolution of cell membranes. Directing proceedings is the Head of Biology, Mr H.W. Grenville. The programme is listened to, for the most part, attentively, but a few pockets of resistance have found some obscure

source of amusement, to the increasing irritation of HWG. The programme ends, and there is a short, ominous silence. “Most of you appear to have taken an intelligent interest in this subject”, he begins. “BUT . . .” (and here follows the inevitable eruption).

With a biologist’s respect for all forms of life, HWG would nevertheless not tolerate disruptions caused by

flying insects. An overhead projector was once, dramatically, indeed explosively, the unintended victim of an attempt to expel a fly which kept landing on a slide.

Harry Grenville arrived in Repton in 1963, appointed by Headmaster John Thorn as part of a plan to raise the academic standing of the School. Here he oversaw the move to the new Nuffield Biology syllabus, which emphasised the shared processes that characterise living things. Harry was an enthusiastic exponent of this approach, and made a significant contribution to it in the form of his book Biology of the Individual (1971).

Harry had a classically English name, and spoke with a distinctive accent, which although recognisably English, had a hint of something else not immediately identifiable. At least, not to most people. One day, a colleague, Barry Downing, asked him: ‘Which part of Germany are you from?’ A few of the pupils knew something of Harry’s background, but even the more informed can only have had a hazy notion. It was not something Harry tended to talk about.

Born on 22 February 1926, in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart, into a middle-class German Jewish family, Harry’s original name was Heinz Willi Greilsamer. After Kristallnacht, when it became plain that the family would be in danger if they remained in Germany, it was arranged for Heinz and his younger sister Hannah to move to Britain on the Kindertransport. Their parents, meanwhile, had applied for American visas – but they were never to be reunited with their children. Both perished at Auschwitz.

Heinz and Hannah started in the autumn term of 1939 at Camelford Grammar School, where Heinz was, naturally, renamed ‘Beans’. At 16, Heinz moved to London, to take a post as laboratory assistant at Hammersmith Hospital, initially attending evening classes, and then studying full time at Chelsea Polytechnic. In December 1944, he joined the Devon & Cornwall Light Infantry. During the first week of army training, he was marched into the office from parade, and told that he had to choose a new name, on the spot. That was when Heinz Willi Greilsamer became Henry William Grenville, the ‘Henry’ eventually becoming ‘Harry’.

Drill, marching and rifle training at Colchester, tank training on Thetford Heath, mine clearing on Lowestoft beach, and a junior leaders’ course at Attlebridge Manor led to promotion to Lance Corporal. After the War ended in 1945, Harry moved back to London for an interpreter’s course, and then a long journey through the devastation of northern Germany to Bunde. The plan was to join a team searching for war criminals as a junior NCO. But, having applied for a commission some months before, he was called back for officer training, and there was no room for another commissioned officer on the team. It was not an option to turn this down, and Harry always regretted the lost opportunity. His first job as a second lieutenant was to interview German POWs to assess their attitude towards Nazism – and to detect the liars.

Demobbed in 1948, having reached the rank of Captain (reputedly the youngest in the British Army), he read for a Biology degree at King’s College, London. Then began his long teaching career, first at Cirencester Grammar School 195157, then Strutt’s Grammar in Belper, 1957-63, and finally Repton. To his duties as Head of Biology were added those as master in charge of General Studies and of the Duke of Edinburgh Award contingent.

He was an independent scientist as well as a teacher. He had gained a Master’s degree at Nottingham following research considered to be at PhD level by those running the programme, research that led in 1960 to his co-authoring an article in Nature, that most famous of scientific periodicals, entitled ‘Nervous control of movements in the foregut of Schistocerca gregaria.’ He was later elected a Fellow of the Institute of Biology, and spent a sabbatical in the Lent Term of 1978 as a schoolteacher fellow at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. In the prime of his intellectual life, Harry showed undimmed enthusiasm and dedication, with a string of successes in university entrance.

Harry had wide interests, and each year took part in what was invariably called ‘The Dig’. This was a long-running project, from 1974-1993, led by Martin Biddle and Harold Taylor, to excavate the area

around St Wystan’s Church and to investigate the crypt. The burial site of several Mercian kings, Repton was a place of some considerable religious significance in AngloSaxon Mercia, and amongst the discoveries were graves associated with the Viking army which spent several months in Repton in 873-4.

“There can be no biology of the individual”, Harry wrote in 1971, “unless the individual succeeds in surviving for a time in a generally hostile environment.” Harry himself was a survivor of an environment implacably hostile to his identity and culture. Life in exile, permanent separation from his parents, army training, encounters with representatives of a regime which had stripped him and his family of their rights, classroom battles: his successful adaptation to all these is testament to his resilience. He was, to the end, unembittered, cheerful, intellectually energetic, and above all, a kind, courageous and loving man.*

If you would like to read the full version of the memoir from which the extracts above have been taken, please contact the author at r.d.lepoidevin@leeds.ac.uk

* I am very grateful to Dr Jane Grenville for conversations and extensive notes about her father’s life.

From the Archives

By Paul Stevens, Archivist

The archives at Repton are spread over half a dozen rooms and contain many treasures from the School’s history, and even charters and grants from the medieval priory which once stood on this site. We have Dr Pears’ nightshirt, the old birching block, medals from the Great War, uniforms, trophies, magazines, architectural plans and thousands of photographs from the 1860s onwards. I am gradually building on this collection, and I am always most grateful to Old Reptonians and members of the public who donate artifacts and paperwork to us.

Such a collection helps to tell the story of the School, and we hope one day to have the very best items on display so that they can be viewed by visitors

on one of our regular historic tours. Documents such as pupil reports, letters home,

and diaries are invaluable when it comes to answering some of the hundreds of

One of our earliest photos of pupils, 1860

1975

queries we get every year –although official publications like the Blue Book and the termly calendar can provide a framework for a particular period, they do not capture the soul of the place or describe what it felt like to be a pupil.

Oddly enough the period for which we have very little is comparatively recent: 1960-1990; I am just as keen to acquire material from then as I am from our ancient and distant past.

If anyone reading this has a collection of Repton documents, photographs, or artifacts which they would like to pass on, I will most happily receive anything you have. Please email pstevens@repton.org.uk

Rest assured that they will find a safe and permanent home in our collection.

Caps

Cricket Ball 1881

OTC Drum, 1908

Repton School List, December 1842

OR Society Calendar of Events 2024

As well as enjoyable occasions in their own right, OR events provide a great opportunity to reconnect with friends from your House or Year you very rarely see, or with whom you may have lost touch. Be sure

to check the OR website repton.org.uk/events for updates to the Calendar below, or contact the OR Office OR@repton.org.uk. Tickets can be booked via www.thelittleboxoffice.com/reptonorsociety.

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Events Roundup

School House 25th Anniversary Dinner, Repton

Repton’s youngest Boys’ House, School House, which came into being when Brook House and The Hall joined forces, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner held in the House dining room in February. As well as ORs, the 80 guests in attendance included all

five Housemasters and their wives, long-time Matron Cherry Baker, and the current and previous House chefs. All enjoyed re-living their School House days and a shoutout to Yu-hsin Liao (School House 2000-05) who came all the way from Taiwan in true Reptonian spirit!

Drinks in The City, London

February saw our annual gathering of ORs in London at a bar in Aldgate. Old Reptonians of all ages enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances.

OR Gaudy Reunion – 50th Anniversary, Repton

Repton’s first Gaudy, held in June 1973, marked a change to the School’s usual reunion Dinners. On this occasion guests were ORs who had entered the School between 1945 and 1950. Introduced by staff member John Walker (Hall 1946-51), then Secretary of the OR Society, the idea was to limit year-group

attendance to ensure that attendees would know ‘the majority of other visitors’.

Fast forward 50 years to 2023, and as the sun shone on a beautiful day in May, for a moment, it felt like all was right with the world as ORs enjoyed drinks in The Garth, lunch in

Pears School, Girls 1st XI Cricket on the Square, a tour of the School and afternoon tea in the Houses. What a pleasure it was to welcome back ORs from across the decades to mark 50 years since the first Gaudy was held in 1973. The 2024 Gaudy will be held on Saturday 18 May at Repton – all years are welcome.

OR Day, Repton

XGreat sport, great BBQ and great weather summed up OR Day this year, attracting a huge range of ORs from recent leavers enjoying their last get together before going off to university or other pastures new, to the old stalwarts gracing The Square for the veterans’ football match. Beyond the competitive element, the emphasis was not on fitness or sporting prowess, but on turning up, catching up with old friends and taking part in football, netball, Fives, squash and golf – or simply enjoying a trip down memory lane. This year’s OR Day & BBQ will be held on Saturday 31 August at Repton.

OR Sports Night Queen’s Club, London

ORs young and old, avid sports players and armchair enthusiasts, came together in October to soak up the salubrious surrounds of the President’s Room overlooking the lawn tennis courts at the iconic Queen’s Club in London. The highlight of the evening was listening to Luke Webb, Repton’s new Technical Director of Football and former professional footballer, articulate his vision and passion for developing an exceptional boys’ and girls’ football programme at Repton.

OR Dinner, Repton

The School’s historic Undercroft proved a hit with Old Reptonians as the venue for this year’s OR Dinner. Nick Smith (Brook 1969-74) regaled attendees with tales of times gone by, as he handed over the baton as President of the OR Society to Samantha Wilkinson (Abbey 198688). Thank you Nick and welcome Sam!

Regional Branches of the OR Society

Lancashire & Cheshire Branch

Drinks in Your City – Manchester

Last April, ORs of all ages from across the Northwest region enjoyed a great evening at The Alchemist, Manchester, with the Headmaster also in attendance.

This year’s ‘Drinks in Your City’ will again be held at The Alchemist, New York Street, Manchester on 25 April 2024 from 6.00pm. These casual after work drinks events are open to ORs, Repton staff, parents of ORs, parents of current pupils, family members, significant others and anyone who is a friend of Repton. There are no tickets for the event, but please confirm attendance with OR@repton.org.uk so we know how many to expect. We would love to see you there.

These events are set up by ORs based in the region. If you would like to help the Branch Secretary Jonathan Every (New 1991-96) with this event or future events please get in touch via OR@repton.org.uk

Yorkshire Branch OR Yorkshire Dinner, Harrogate

Adam Sinclair (Latham 1978-83) and Andy Colcombe (Priory 1978-82), the intrepid leaders of the Yorkshire regional branch of the OR Society, did a fantastic job of organising the OR Yorkshire Dinner in Harrogate in May. It was very well attended, including by many ORs who don’t even live in God’s Country, and has set the bar high for this year’s OR Lancashire & Cheshire regional branch drinks in Manchester. Bring on the War of the Roses!

Drinks in Your City – Oxford

ORs from eight different Houses enjoyed drinks at The Varsity Club on the High Street in Oxford in March. If you would like to organise an OR ‘Drinks

in Your City’ event, contact the OR Office OR@ repton.org.uk .

International Branches of the OR Society

OR Germany Reunion and Dubai Drinks

The first post-pandemic OR Reunion in Germany took place in the beautiful historic city of Nuremberg, with guests treated to a tour of the old quarter and dinner in a traditional brewery. In

the same month, Headmaster Mark Semmence took the opportunity to host ORs for drinks in Dubai, while he was visiting the Repton schools in the UAE.

OR Music

Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, London

In January, Repton’s Chapel Choir returned to St Paul’s Cathedral to perform Choral Evensong. Many parents, ORs and staff travelled to London to watch the heartwarming performance in the iconic building, followed by drinks and canapés at The Happenstance bar & restaurant in Paternoster Square afterwards.

Choral Evensong is a centuries-old daily service which brings together words and music – it provides an opportunity for people to take a moment to pause from their busy lives and reconnect with their spiritual lives, whatever they believe. For the Repton choristers, it was a great opportunity to explore the treasures of the cathedral and the incredible sound of the organ, accentuated by the acoustics of the building.

Repton Steinway Showcase Concert, London

Following the Music Department’s acquisition of a Model B Steinway Grand Piano in November 2022, pupils and staff travelled to London in February to visit the world-renowned Steinway Hall. Pupils and staff

were treated to an amazing tour of the facilities, followed by a masterclass, ahead of an evening concert, attended by a number of ORs. You can watch the concert here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=-USj2nkKN34&t=144s

Music – Life After School

Kyoko Canaway (Garden 2012-17), Associate of the Royal College of Organists, began playing the organ at Repton and has continued at the University of Cambridge and beyond. Kyoko was an organ scholar at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, and after graduating became Assistant Organist, supporting Precentor Matthew Martin and the Gonville & Caius College Choir. Kyoko is now doing a law conversion course alongside still playing the piano on the Cambridge University Lieder Scheme programme, receiving regular coaching sessions with internationally acclaimed pianist Joseph Middleton.

Kyoko also continues to follow her own musical pursuits and

has performed on BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and in recitals across Cambridge, in London and elsewhere.

Kyoko plays four instruments – organ, piano, flute and bassoon – and has found herself in demand. You can read more about Kyoko in this article here: https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/news/musical-discipline

Chapel Choir Tour to Rome

By Esther Ajayi-Akinsulire (Field 2018-23)

As someone who has been singing for as long as I can remember, travelling to Rome in March 2023 with the Chapel Choir in my Upper Sixth year ranks as one of the best experiences of my life so far. Rome is a beautiful city and the moments inside the cathedrals and outside rehearsals were unforgettable. This is one of the best ways I could have ended my time at Repton, I am so thankful for it.

The lead-up to travelling to Rome was full of so much anticipation, learning new repertoire and perfecting pieces the Choir had performed before. I will admit that I didn’t love every single second of rehearsals, but it was so worth it when it came to singing in St Peter’s Basilica (the most important Catholic Church in the world), St Paul Outside The Walls and All Saints Anglican Church.

The first service was in St Peter’s Basilica and it was wonderful, the sound of every single voice in the choir being amplified in such a magnificent space was soothing. Both services were practically the same but were also in Italian, so when it came to St Paul Outside The Walls I was more able to understand the meaning of the service and where we were in the order of service. The atmosphere of all the places in which we sang was so inviting, the attention to detail within the architecture, the lofty ceilings, the open space, the intricate patterns just left me in awe. It made me reflect and just be content in the moment, and that was so special.

So, when it came to going back to the hotel every night, with a much-needed trip to the local gelato store after dinner I was honestly so happy to be able to be there in Italy with my friends. Oh, and the teachers too! Memories to last a lifetime – and something which would not have been possible without the support of the OR Society, for which I am thus eternally grateful.

My Musical History

By Guy Gorton (Orchard 1941-45) 1927-2024

My mother played the piano, my father was not musical, so there was not much music in our household. At my prep school in north Wales I took piano lessons from about the age of 12 in 1939.

At Repton from 1941, my sightreading capability put me in the Chapel Choir very quickly and I remained in it for the rest of my time at Repton. I was involved in many musical activities in my House, The Orchard, organising events, playing for the daily prayer service in the House.

In 1944, Director of Music, Mervyn Williams, told me, and my parents, that I would never be a good pianist because I spent my time sight reading instead of practising a piece to perfection, but that I would probably be a good organist. He would give me lessons if my parents paid the fee!

The lessons were on the chapel Harrison & Harrison 3-manual organ (with a magnificent Tromba). That changed my musical life.

At time of writing, age 96 (and a half!), I am still playing the pipe organ at my URC (United Reformed Church), but with strict limits on what I choose to play! I gave notice to the church that I would retire on 31 December 2023 as I am no longer sufficiently skilled to do the

job properly. That will mark the end of more than 50 years playing at my church, always the same organ but in two quite different buildings.

The organ is a 2-manual instrument by WM Hill & Son 1903 and this is its third home. I have played a great many different organs round the country, mainly because I became secretary of the Windsor & District Organists Association, which was based on St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. I have also played a few overseas, including in the USA, France, South Africa and New Zealand.

So my musical life has been centred round church life. I have recruited and formed a church choir, and led many musical events.

(Editor’s Note: Incidentally, during his time at Repton, Guy was in the air force cadet unit which led to flights in Tiger Moth aircraft from Willington. After Repton in 1945, he underwent army training to be part of the crew of tanks and later served in northern Italy and Egypt Canal Zone). Regretfully, Guy passed away in February 2024).

ORs in the Arts

Many ORs, having discovered a love of the Performing Arts at school, have gone on to successful careers in theatre, TV, film and music. Actor Nicholas Burns (New 1990-95) has most recently appeared in The Serpent Queen (2022), A Small Light (2023) and Black Mirror (2023).

George Rainsford (Mitre 1996-2000) is appearing in the play 2.22 A Ghost Story and Tom Chambers (New 1990-95) is appearing in Murder in the Dark. These shows continue to tour until the summer, including Nottingham in May. All ORs very welcome – check the show websites for venues and dates.

Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Blair Dunlop (School House 2005-10) has a new album out and is touring this year.

Andrew Richardson (New House) is currently appearing in Uncle Vanya at the Orange Tree Theatre, directed by Trevor Nunn. Andrew was nominated as an Emerging Talent at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2023 for his performance as Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, London, directed by Nicholas Hytner (former Artistic Director of the National Theatre).

Andrew’s acting career started during his time at Foremarke, Repton Prep School, and at age 13 he played the lead in a Tom Stoppard play, On the Razzle, in the Edinburgh Fringe, directed by Guy Levesley (Hall 1975-80).

Aaron Hibell (Orchard 2009-14) has developed a successful career as a producer, composer and international DJ, mixing classical and contemporary music. With a substantial social media following,

Aaron regularly plays at large-capacity venues, and this year is playing at Tomorrowland – the biggest and most revered electronic music festival in the world.

Ed Shires (School House 1999-04) has recently been appointed as Head of Computer Graphics at ETC (Electric Theatre Collective), one of the UK’s leading VFX (Visual Effects) houses. Ed started his career winning a Royal Television Society award for his student film and later his career took him to New York before returning to the UK. (https://electrictheatre.tv/ )

If you have any Arts news, please let us know.

OR Book Club

Surviving Larkin

Surviving Larkin is a debut collection of fourteen short stories by acclaimed writer Will Kemp (Priory 1977-82). Each story has won or been well-placed in a national prose competition, or published in a national journal or magazine.

Sharp dialogue and subtle social commentary combine in these light and dark stories with wry characters that explore universal themes such as prejudice, lack of self-belief and the abuse of power. The unifying theme of the collection is survival, and getting through the injustice and absurdity of life with its difficulties and disappointments. Sometimes survival is overt and physical, as when spending a night on a mountain by accident, fleeing thugs or running through enemy territory. But often it is subtle and psychologically demanding, as when running a business, seeking love against the odds or just accepting the way things are.

The collection shows how life can turn in an instant, leaving us to face overwhelming problems beyond our control that call into

Ruth Millington (Field 200005) has a new children’s book out called This Book Will Make You An Artist

question our reliance on others, and suggests a need for resilience and adaptability. But what ORs will want to know is whether Will was influenced by the short stories of Roald Dahl (Priory 1930-34).

“No idea,” he laughs. “I read his short stories at school, and though I wasn’t a big fan, I was influenced by the fact that a Reptonian – from The Priory no less – had become a writer.”

But Repton did influence Will’s writing in other ways.

“What did have a huge impact on me was studying The Pearl by John Steinbeck with John Billington (former Head of English at Repton), and reading the short stories of Liam O’Flaherty, as steered by JB –who, incidentally, warns Surviving Larkin is not for the faint-hearted!

“And later there was Adventurous Training with Tim Scott (another former English teacher at Repton), who seemed intent on climbing Scafell Pike the hard way – without waterproofs or warm clothing –

Tristram Fane Saunders (Orchard 2006-11) has a new book of poetry Before We Go Any Further.

which probably paved the way for the fourth story in the book, To Die For, about a couple who get lost on a walk and have to spend a night on a mountain in Crete without any food or water, thus threatening their individual and collective survival.”

Surviving Larkin can be ordered from: https://www.valleypressuk. com/shop/p/surviving-larkin

David Hunt (Hall 1972) has published a book Through Wild African Skies.

By Ian McClary (Former Staff 2002-11)

I would like to begin by thanking the Headmaster for his continued warmth and generosity in hosting us once more at the School last September for another memorable meeting and dinner. At our January meeting in London, we were delighted to welcome two more members to the Lodge and to donate £1000 to two charities: £500 in support of Tom Hird’s (Priory 2000-02) nominated charity: The South African Shark Conservancy, and £500 to the London Freemasons’ appeal, which supports London’s Air Ambulance.

At our meeting in June, we were delighted to install Ed Birkin (School House 1997-02) as our new ‘Worshipful Master’. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage any female ORs who are interested in becoming Freemasons to contact the Order of Women Freemasons, with whom the OR Lodge actively promotes a strong relationship.

Integrity, friendship, respect and charity – this is what we stand for. If any OR would like more information about this great organisation, please contact the Lodge Secretary.

Lodge Secretary: secretary@orl.org.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/groups/13600476

United Grand Lodge of England: ugle.org.uk/become-freemason

The OR Society has a range of clubs and branches, run by ORs for ORs. If you would like more information, please contact the OR Office OR@repton.org.uk

LGBTQ+

Contact Charles Haydn-Slater (Cross 2003-08) charleshaydnslater@gmail.com

OR Property Club

Contact Chris Berriman(Latham 1977-83) chris.berriman@allsop.co.uk or Aoife Broderick (Abbey 2007-09) aoife.broderick@allsop.co.uk

OR Football

By Nicky Samra (New 2002-07)

Arthur Dunn Cup

Oops, we did it again! The Old Reptonian Football Club (ORFC) won the Arthur Dunn Cup for the second year running (a Club first) and for the 13th time in the long history of the competition. This was the final everyone had wanted, between the best two sides in the competition, with many OR players from the losing 2012 final still playing, and keen to avenge the previous defeat against Old Carthusians. Having dominated the Cup for the past 20 years, none of this Carthusian squad had ever lost a final, with a handful of them having played in and won eight or more.

A 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, and no score after 30 minutes of extra time, meant this epic battle would be decided on penalties. Old Carthusians,

who won the toss and chose to go first, missed all three penalties with Repton goalkeeper Oli West (Priory 2010-12) clearly proving too intimidating. Jake Raine (Cross 2015-20) and Josh Riley (Priory 2011-16) stepped up to convert theirs before skipper Alex Evans (New 2004-09) smashed his effort high into the net to secure the Arthur Dunn Cup for his beloved ORFC.

The support – both from those in attendance and those who sent messages – was electric, with the OR fans dwarfing the Old Carthusians by ten to one. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who travelled to Merchant Taylor’s School to cheer us on –it really did make a difference. Celebrations continued well into the night, and we were able to re-live the magic moments a few months later, when Repton Headmaster, Mark Semmence, kindly hosted a dinner for us in The Hall Dining Room on the eve of OR Day.

Having de-throned the Old Carthusians, let’s hope this golden era for the Club will continue, with a steady stream of talented players from the School joining our ranks each year. The ORFC is always looking to add players to both the Arthur Dunn Cup squad and the London Arthurian League side, so if you are keen to play, please get in touch by emailing captain@oldreptonianfc.com

The Road to Glory

1st Round – Repton 2: Old Rugbeians 1

2nd Round – Repton 3: Old Chigwellians 0

Quarter Final – Repton 4: KCS Old Boys 1

Semi Final – Repton 2 : Old Foresters 1

Final – Repton 3 : Old Carthusians 0 (on penalties)

See here for more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ andythephotographer/albums/72177720307711271

Arthurian League

This was the first season since the early 2000s that ORFC graced the Premier League and the aim was simple: avoid relegation. The squad had plenty of talent but having only secured promotion by finishing second in Division 1, and not knowing the level of a lot of the other teams, it was difficult to know what to expect this season.

Despite a loss in the first game to KCS – on a ‘kid’sized, goose excrement-covered patch of hard mud disguised as a football pitch – the squad rallied and won four of the next five matches, including a 6-0 and 8-0 battering of Old Wykehamists and Old Bradfieldians, respectively.

The next seven games saw the ORs draw four times, and win three times, leapfrogging KCS to the top of the table with just two games remaining, both against Old Carthusians, who were a few points behind with a couple of games in hand. If we were to have won both these games, we would have secured the title. Sadly, it was not to be, but finishing second in the top flight was an impressive achievement for the first year back in the big time.

Whilst everyone who laced up for the ORs played a part in their success, congratulations go to Josh Riley (Priory 2011-16) who won Player of the Season and finished as the Club’s top goal scorer with 20

goals, as well as 13 assists, narrowly missing out on finishing as the League’s top scorer. Tom Nevill (Orchard 2012-17) was the Young Player of the Year following a fantastic debut season at Left Back. Mike Watson (Priory 2003-09), won the inaugural Chairman’s Player of the Year award, which recognises payers/members who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the Club, on and/or off the pitch. After a successful four year stint as Club Captain, Mike has now handed the armband over to Josh Riley (Priory 2011-16).

Derrick Moore Veterans Cup

You’re never too old to play OR football – and when you are you can take up golf instead. (Yes, we have a club for that too). The OR Vets won their first round match in the Derrick Moore Cup, beating Old Tonbridgeians 3-1 at King’s House in Chiswick, but lost the second round match 1-3 to Old Cholmeleians.

It’s been great to have some ‘youngsters’ join the squad this season in Ricky Kniveton (School House 2004-06), Will Charlesworth (Orchard 200106) and Tim Lambert (Priory 2001-06). The squad’s average age is well down and we are well placed to compete for the Cup over the next few years. Please contact Alex Kington (New 1991-96) if you are 35 and over and keen to get involved – Email: alkington78@gmail.com Phone: 07717 704538.

It was great to see our OR women fielding a football team vs Repton Girls 1st XI on OR Day

OR Hockey

The 2022-2023 season was preceded by a memorable trip to Argentina and Chile for 38 players who got an amazing opportunity to play against a variety of styles and structures of some strong South American clubs and teams. This experience will long live in the memory of the players and staff alike.

The OR contingent combining studying with playing in USA continues to grow and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Minnie Pollock – Virginia, Ella Bowman (Mitre) – Dartmouth, Ottilie Sykes (Mitre) – Princeton, Martha Broderick (Field House) – Cornell and Miranda Jackson (Mitre) – Iowa, are all featuring in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) USA Field Hockey competitions this season.

The number of current pupils representing various countries is higher than ever with current pupils representing England, Wales and Germany at U21, U18 and U16 level. This contributed to a fantastic 2022/23 for our teams and bodes well for 2023/24.

Both Hannah Lammael and Linus Frankhoff were part of the winning German U16 teams at the U16 8 Nations tournament in Granada, Spain, whilst Lorenz Fusch represented Germany U21s during a training camp in June. Both Bea Purvis (U18 Girls) and Sam Rollett (U23 Men) represented Wales with Sienna Dunn, Ottillie Sykes (both England U18 Girls), Harry Stone, Taheem Javaid (both England U18 Boys), Martha Wong and Evie Grindal (both England U16 Girls) all being involved over the summer.

The Boys 1st XI won the Independent Schools Cup for the first time, whilst narrowly losing to Whitgift in the National Indoor Finals. The Girls 1st XI won both the National Indoor & Outdoor U18 Titles defeating Sevenoaks and Framlingham in the respective finals. Our U16 Girls were National Champions, with our U14 Girls being one goal off the National Final – all this suggesting that the future remains bright.

OR Cricket

Several ORs will be taking part in international tournaments this summer, while Leah Wilkinson (Abbey 2003-05) has retired from international hockey as Wales most capped sportsperson. Claudia Swain (Mitre 2017-22) and Harry Stone (New 2018-23), both England U21, have been selected to play in the Four Nations tournament in DÜsseldorf whilst Flora Peel (Field 2013-15) – England, Lily Walker (Field 2018-20) – England and Charlotte Stapenhorst (Abbey 2011-12) – Germany, have been selected to represent their country at this summer’s European Championships in MÖnchengladbach.

Martha Broderick (Field 2018-23) continues to shine in hockey at Cornell, with her defensive play recognised by the Ivy League https://ivyleague.com/ news/2023/10/16/no-18-cornell-takes-two-weeklyfield-hockey-awards.aspx

By John Crane (Brook 1967-72), President Repton Pilgrims

Repton Pilgrims Cricket Club Dinner

In April, members and guests of the Repton Pilgrims Cricket Club gathered in the Twigg McCallin Room at the Repton Sports Centre for their annual Dinner. Guest speaker, Ross

Whiteley (New 2005-07), shared his experiences of the challenges and successes he has faced in his cricketing career in the UK and overseas. Ross won the inaugural edition of The Hundred with Southern Brave, and was signed by Oval Invincibles in the 2023 Hundred draft.

Season Highlights

The Pilgrims won the first match of the season against Old Brightonians by 138 runs in the first round of the Cricketer Cup, with Callum Brodrick (Cross 2014) scoring 41 and taking 3 wickets for 17 runs. Unfortunately the

second round coincided with the Derbyshire Premier Cup, and so an under-strength side, including Richard Pyne (New 1981-86) and Charlie Wall (Latham 1983-87), travelled to Wellington and were convincingly beaten by 128 runs.

Speech Day on 1st July saw two Pilgrims’ matches being played; the usual boys’ match on the 1st

XI Square and, for the first time, a Women’s Pilgrims’ T20 match on the 2nd XI Square. Both matches were won by the School – Boys by 31 runs and Girls by 25 runs – but it was wonderful to see both matches being played at the same time on the wonderful Repton cricket fields.

Three matches were played during The Week against Lincolnshire

Gentlemen (lost by 67 runs), Oundle Rovers (won by 8 wickets) and Staffordshire Gentlemen (won by 65 runs). It was great to see a good mixture of youth and experience in the teams, with six players who had left the school in the last three years, as well as Jon Sheard (New 1989-94), Chris Paget (Priory 200106) and Ed Crowther (Cross 200002) again gracing the 1st XI Square.

The last match of the season was against Chatsworth CC at their picturesque ground in the parkland of Chatsworth House. After last year’s one-sided match, the Pilgrims side was of a standard to make the game exciting, with the winning runs being scored with two balls to spare. In 2024, it is hoped that we can repay the opposition’s kindness by inviting them to Repton, possibly on the Tuesday evening of The Week.

The Pilgrims welcome new members, especially younger and female ORs. For more information or to join, visit the website: reptonpilgrims.com or

follow us on Instagram: @reptonpilgrims and X Twitter: @ReptonPilgrims

Tim Jones Memorial Cricket Match

– By Tim Smith (New 1995-2000)

It was wonderful to see so many ORs turning out for the Tim Jones (Cross 1996-01) Memorial Cricket Match held at Repton in August 2023. It was an emotional day for all, remembering our dear friend, but at the same time it was joyful to reconnect, and brought back many happy memories. Having one of our old teachers,

Repton has a long and proud cricket history, numbering 155 first-class players among its pupils past and present; a line dating from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. Eleven old boys have played Test cricket and three have captained England. Currently four Old Reptonians are involved with professional cricket in England.

If you want to play in any of our games, we’d be delighted to hear from you, and you don’t have to be a Pilgrim to play. For more details, please contact the OR Office.

Matt Carrington, umpiring was also a great touch.

In all we raised £3,000 for bowel cancer, so a great result. So much so that we have declared it should be an annual event – watch this space!

Jack Russell paints the Repton Cricket Ground

The School was honoured to welcome Professional Artist and former England and Gloucestershire CCC Cricketer, Jack Russell, to paint the Repton cricket ground in April, when the Repton Boys’ 1st XI were playing the MCC. We think it turned out rather well!

OR Tennis

By Jamie Muirhead (Cross 2009-11), Chair OR Tennis

Season Highlights:

ORs vs Repton

The year’s summer tennis season kicked off as usual in May with a well-attended and well fought ORs vs Repton fixture, with singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches played. The School team were brilliant hosts as always, and worthy opponents, and it was great to see all levels and ages of ORs in attendance. After a number of close fought matches, the current Repton team edged out the ORs 10-8, for the first victory in a number of years. With thanks to James Rushby for organising the event, and to Phil Brindley

for captaining the OR team – the future of Repton and OR tennis is in safe hands.

D’Abernon Cup

The men’s team victory in the D’Abernon Cup this year marks our sixth victory in the last eight years, and our third in a row. In a change from the previous format, the quarter-finals and semi-finals were held together at Eton College in July with a box format rather than a straight knock-out.

Our OR team of Dan Cottier (Latham 1999-02), Rich Harrison (Hall 1992-94), Jamie Muirhead (Cross 2009-11) and Phil Brindley

(New 2002-04) beat old adversary Reeds 3-1 and Eton College 4-0 to secure a place in the semi-final play-off match. A 3-1 win against last year’s finalists Bromsgrove School, took us through to the finals.

The final in September against Old Georgians was played in a well-fought, friendly and fair spirit with some fantastic shot-making from both teams. The OR team of Rich Harrison & Dan Cottier, Jamie Muirhead & Alex Grocott (School House 2010-12) and Phil Brindley & Harrison Birch (Latham 201820), making his debut for Repton in the D’Abernon Cup, emerged victorious, winning 6-3 overall to bring home the silverware.

Women’s Public School Alumnae Tennis Tournament

Congratulations to our OR women’s team, Isabelle Suddes (Mitre 2011-13) and Millie DaveySmith (Garden 2016-18), who won the inaugural Women’s Public School Alumnae Competition, in a round-robin format against 6 opposition teams including two Bedford Girls School pairs, Reed’s, Talbot Heath, Epsom and Marlborough. Izzy and Millie came through the day undefeated to claim the honours, an impressive result and hopefully the first of many as the competition grows and develops in future.

After the trophy presentation, both Repton teams reunited for a splendid afternoon tea courtesy of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which hosted both the D’Abernon Men’s and the new Women’s Competition Finals.

Well done to all the players –our continued success has been down to not only the depth of our talent, but also to putting in the hours on the practice court and travelling to matches. Thank you also to the OR community –those who came down to watch in person and those who sent messages of support – your

OR Squash Club

weight behind the team helps a great deal.

We welcome new players – if you would like to get involved or just hear more about OR Tennis, please email me at muirheadjamie@ gmail.com. I look forward to seeing many of you out on the courts again next year!

By John Hings (Priory 1955-60), ORSC President

Following the 2022 edition of The Arch and the piece written on OR Squash on page 34, we have attempted to capture ORs playing competitive squash in our quest to re-enter the prestigious Londonderry Cup competition. Our participation in the event over the last couple of years or so has lapsed as we have not been good enough to make the whole thing worthwhile, but we are determined to become competitive and make the changes that are necessary.

As reported last year, in order to match the investment in the magnificent glass-backed courts, Ben Miller, Head of English, has been appointed as member of staff in charge of Squash. Ben has brought leadership and professionalism and an infectious enthusiasm to the activity. And, because of his own knowledge of the game and his own participation as a player at The Park in Nottingham and The Burton Club, he knows what’s required to engage the interest in pupils and has persuaded the School to provide professional coaching by the employment of Owain Taylor, a Welsh international, as Coach, with the high PSA (Professional Squash Association) ranking of 103.

More recently, Ben agreed to extend his involvement by becoming Secretary of the ORSC, taking over the reins from Ed Rhodes (New 19952000) who has done the job since 2015. In thanking Ed for what he has done, we welcome Ben with high expectations and the support of the Management of the OR Society.

We want to develop a team spirit within the ORSC similar to that of most of the other OR Sports Clubs

OR Swimming

centred on Repton, where training, coaching and round robin games will take place a couple of times a year to add to the two match fixtures that will take place against the School –most likely on OR Day 31 August 2024 and another in November.

The events that are being organised are also opportunities for those ORs whose playing days may be over, to join the players and add their support and encouragement. Indeed those of you who participated in the Londonderry over the years will have stories to share. Every attempt will be made to keep you informed of what is planned. Please be sure that your contact details are on the ORSC’s database.

Those of you who aspire to being part of our training squad and are available should let Ben know by email at BMiller@ repton.org.uk.

By Ash Morris, Director of Swimming Repton

The swimming season has started positively for our OR swimmers, with Hannah Bowley (Herriot-Watt), Hettie D’Ammassa (Manchester Metropolitan), Lucy Hitchin (University of Edinburgh), Jacob Whibley (University of Salford) and Alicia Massie (University of Surrey) all competing for their respective universities at the British University Colleges Sport (BUCS) Swimming Championships. In their first outings as first year university students, the swimmers competed fiercely coming away with some personal best times and making some finals, scoring points for their university.

Old Reptonian Golfing Society

Paul Brownhill (Priory 1980-85), Honorary Secretary

Once again, we have had a very busy year, with more than 20 fixtures. The highlights are as follows:

Halford Hewitt

This year we had a strong team captained by Mark Anselm (Cross 1986-91) and joined by Philip Carr (Hall 1972-77), Richard G Hodgkinson (Mitre 1981-86), Alex Mair (Priory 2016-21), Myles Pearson (1999-04), Steven Pearson (Hall 1989-91), Christopher Shaw (Orchard 1958-61), Richard Holdsworth (Cross 1992-97), Jeffrey Chow (Cross 2011-13) and Peter Forster (New 1987-92). Golf can be very cruel and we lost in the first round at Royal St George’s to a very strong Whitgift side who in truth had a fair amount of luck. In a very close match our fifth pair went to the 19th and the road that runs alongside the clubhouse played more than its part in our

defeat. That said they holed a very good put from over 15 feet to win. Mark has been an outstanding captain and has now handed over to Myles Pearson.

Silver Tassie

Our Repton Ladies took part in the Silver Tassie at The Berkshire in May. This is our second appearance in what is the main Public Schools Ladies golf event, played on an outstanding golf course. Our team was captained by Lindsay Shaw (Abbey 1977-79) who was joined by Bec Brooks (Abbey 1993-98), Erica Sanders (Garden 2010-15) and Becky Scrivins (Garden 2006-08). The Silver Tassie is a scratch competition so we are looking out for good female golfers to join the team. Please contact me if you are interested.

Grafton Morrish

Our Grafton Morrish side, comprising Philip Carr, Richard Hodgkinson, Alex Mair, Myles Pearson, Steven Pearson and Christopher Shaw, made it through to the main draw in October.

Old Boys Putting Competition

Old Reptonian Golf is not just for our elite golfers, it is open to all levels, and we were one of a smaller number of schools this year who

participated in the plate event of The Old Boys Putting Competition at Royal Wimbledon Golf Club in June. Happily, the four Repton debutants held their own and finished in a very creditable second place. We can now look forward to being involved in the main event again next year. Thanks and well done to Shaun Jordan (Priory 198388), Spencer Evans (Latham 198287), Dominic Watt (New 1986-92) and Mark Anselm.

Darwin

Our senior Darwin team, comprising John Bolsover (Hall 1960-65), Myles Elliott (New 1961-66), John Fletcher, Benson Greatrex (Orchard 1965-70), Paul Stafford (Brook 1970-73) and Hedley Wright (Cross 1967-72) with James Porter (Latham 195964) as reserve, beat Wellington in the first round, but sadly went out in the second round against Tonbridge, the eventual winners. Following that, Repton was the only school to enter three pairs into the ‘very senior’ Darwin, with James Porter and John Bolsolver claiming victory, ably assisted by Richard Fry (New 1960-65) and Rod Neal (Cross 1960-65). The handicap prize (with shots given depending on age, where both partners are over 80 years of age) was won by Ian Henderson (Hall 1955-60) and David Pepper (Hall 1953-57) with an impressive 38 points.

Lastly, our over 55s comprising Philip Carr & FK Andrews (Orchard 1966-70), Richard G Hodgkinson & Myles Elliot and Paul Stafford & DCM Campbell, competed for the Bernard Darwin Trophy, but didn’t manage to overcome a very strong Harrow side who won 2 ½: ½.

Spring Meeting at New Zealand

Sandwiched between these competitions was the somewhat

belated Spring Meeting at New Zealand organised by Adrian Pepper. With many of our Footballers away at yet another wedding, our numbers were not as strong as recent years, but for those that were there a fabulous day was had by all.

Public-School Meeting

The annual Public-School Meeting at Little Aston was as ever capably organised by Tony Bishop (Priory 1972-75), with help from Jon Gough (Hall 1974-79). Alex Needham (New 2010-15) captained our side well but was unable to replicate his previous year’s success. Richard Fry and his wife hosted the very popular North v South fixture at Littlestone, and Alex Needham (New 201015) organised the well-attended

OR Fives

Midlands meeting at Little Aston. We lost our first fixture against Westminster at New Zealand to the weather, but comfortably beat Shrewsbury at Worplesdon.

Repton Golf Open

We held our inaugural Repton Golf Open at The Richmond Golf Club, Surrey, in August. Superbly organised by Mike Watson (Priory 2003-09), 24 players of varying handicaps, but with an average age of around 25, enjoyed a fabulous afternoon.

We hope to continue to grow the ORGS and are looking for new members of all ages and capabilities. Please contact me at paulbrownhill66@gmail.com if you are interested. In the meantime,

By David Exley (Priory 1995-2000)

ORs who play Fives supported a range of events in 2023. In the spring, the EFA (Eton Fives Association) mixed competition was held at Harrow and a good turnout saw five Old Reptonian pairs in action, who acquitted themselves well. We will also claim member of staff, Karen Hird, as our own – she went on to win the tournament with her partner. To top it off, there was a sunny beer garden end to the day which was enjoyed by all.

In the autumn, ORs once again lent their support to a fixture with the School on OR Day. Moving to this date in the calendar looks to be a permanent fixture and hopefully will continue to attract the support of both OR men and women to keep promoting the sport amongst the pupil body.

Finally, four Reptonian pairs played in the alumni and school pupil pairs competition, The Graham

we look forward to seeing as many ORs as possible at our very special Centenary Dinner at Woking Golf Club on Friday 14 June 2024.

Finally, thank you to Tony Bishop, our previous Secretary who dedicated 25 years to the role, and who now takes over as our Centenary Captain.

Turnbull Trophy, back at Harrow again to round off the year. Anybody interested in playing OR Fives should contact David Exley at dexley@repton.org.uk

Wilde About Babies!

Meet Victoria Honan – née Smith – (Abbey 2000-05)

What do you do when you’re bringing up a baby in the midst of a global pandemic? Start a business, of course. Or you do if you’re an OR. Meet Victoria Honan – née Smith – (Abbey 2000-05), mum to Ivy and Felicity, and CEO of Wilde Iris, a baby clothing brand with a difference.

Victoria met her now-business-partner, Zoe Weightman, at NCT classes and the pair became firm friends; swapping childcare tips and generally supporting each other during those first tricky months. It was when they noticed their babies’ fascination with high contrast patterns that they decided to research eyesight development. What they discovered turned their understanding of using ‘soothing’ pastels on babies upside down.

Victoria explains: “We found out that, in the earliest days of life, an infant’s central visual acuity is the same as an individual who is legally blind, and their peripheral vision is much sharper. This is why you’ll often see babies going cross-eyed as they practise coordinating their central vision. Using high contrast patterns in black and white is the best way of stimulating their eyes.”

It was this discovery that prompted Victoria and Zoe to develop their own range of clothing for newborns.

“Most things for babies seemed to be either pastelcoloured or character-based,” continues Zoe. “These are things that babies can’t appreciate or understand.”

The pair felt that a more scientific approach was needed and came up with clothing designs to support young children’s visual and cognitive

development. Their range now comprises black and white designs for newborns, with matching pieces for mums and toddlers.

Victoria explains: “We’ve put infant vision front and centre in a collection designed to fixate and fascinate the smallest of eyes. At the same time, we want clothing that reflects the needs of parents and is as sustainable as it is stimulating and stylish. Our clothes have to be attractive, fun and practical, as well as educational and environmentally friendly. With this, our first collection – made entirely from 100% GOTS-certified* organic cotton – we think we’ve ticked all the boxes.”

*Global Organic Textile Standard

To find out more about Victoria and Zoe’s research, and to view their range, visit WildeIris.com

You can also follow them on social media: @lovewildeiris

All That Wander Are Not Lost

By Harold Chapman (Latham 1986-89)

When I left Repton in 1989 with a pocketful of A Levels I didn’t know what the hell I wanted to do.

“Why don’t you do something to do with art?”, remarked my brother, casually. I had got an A in my A Level, but like a lot of things that come naturally to a person, I had not really taken it seriously.

That piece of advice saved me. After art college at Byam-Shaw in London and English and Fine Art at Exeter University I did an MA at film school in Leeds and Amsterdam. Almost by accident, I found myself working in the film industry.

Since then I have worked as a production designer (designing the physical look of a film – sets, props, décor) on feature films, TV dramas and comedies, documentaries, commercials and music videos. I have shot all over the UK, in France, Italy, Hungary, Egypt, Yemen and the Palestinian West Bank, with big companies like the BBC, Channel 4, Discovery and Netflix as well as with smaller companies and charities. I have worked with Comic Strip creator Peter Richardson, as well as Michael Winterbottom and horror maestro Peter Strickland and actors such as Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Gwendoline Christie,

Alex Pettyfer, Stephen Mangan, Brian Cox, Harry Enfield, Maxine Peake, Russell Tovey, Alexei Sayle and Nigel Planer.

Bands and performers I have worked with include Gaz Coombes (Supergrass), Graham Coxon (Blur), Wolf Alice, Jamie Cullum, Rita Ora and Marilyn Manson. Films I have worked on have been nominated for BAFTA and EMMY awards and won Broadcast Television Awards, amongst others.

I also write and direct and my films have been screened at more than 100 film festivals on every continent and I have presented them at ones in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Japan. They have picked up more than 20 awards and my short ‘Invisible’ was long listed for a BAFTA.

I also write outside of film and have been a regular contributor to culture and lifestyle magazine

‘The Arbuturian’. I have also illustrated many of my own short stories and character pieces and have had my writing nominated for several awards.

Currently, I am halfway through a feature documentary about six

creative individuals whose lives have had an impact on mine and who I have met in random and unexpected ways. Three of them are in their late 80s and one is 95. It is called ‘Chance’ and is, in some ways, an antidote to modern celebrity obsession.

In April of 2023 I cycled from my flat in North London to Istanbul to raise money for the families affected by the Turkish earthquakes, sleeping in forests, being shouldered off the road by lorries and attacked by wild dogs. The journey has formed the basis of a book which combines travelogue, memoir and history. A film of the trip is also in the offing.

All of this is a very long way from the eighteen-year-old who had no idea what he wanted to do and very nearly took the offer of Law at Leeds University. A damn lucky escape!

From Music to Golf

By Mike Watson (Priory 2003-09)

Having left Repton in the summer of 2009, it was clear that my time in the Midlands had only reinforced my love for all things sport, and all things music. Pretty much six months to the day since Leavers’ Ball on The Paddock, I received an email asking me to try out for a new European band that was to be made up of five boys, from five different European countries – the brainchild of music mogul Simon Cowell’s team. Thinking my chances were slim, I duly replied, went for a meeting and thought nothing more of it. It all became rather real whilst on a family trip to Thailand, when I received a phone call to say that I was in, but I had to be in Oslo within 48 hours.

Flights were found, and I made it with just hours to spare. It was during my time in the band, whilst recording our albums on the West Coast of America, that I came across a wonderful children’s hospital in Los Angeles. Having struck up a great relationship I offered to help organise some sort of fundraiser for them when back home in the UK. The issue was, I didn’t know anything about fundraising.

A small OR based golf day at Silvermere soon followed. The

event gave me the bug for organising events and through various connections by the end of that summer I was tasked with organising a Chelsea Football Club Charity Golf Day. Off the back of the Chelsea event, I started to receive requests from clubs and former players to organise their golf days. Whilst a tad overwhelming at first, I decided to pit all of London’s Football Clubs together against one another and ‘The London Football Legends Golf Day’ was born.

Fast forward to 2024, and ‘The Football Legends Golf Series’ is now in its third year, in which the UK’s biggest 46 football clubs are represented by well over 500 guests and 80 legends, across 3 regional events supporting 9 fantastic regional charities. National press coverage helped grow the series and as a result ‘The Cricket Legends’ and ‘The Rugby Legends’ are now in full flow also. Venturing into the world of F1 was the next step, and we now host 9 hole floodlit events at 5 marquee races (Miami, Singapore, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and London) globally for the F1 Teams and Drivers themselves, with Williams pipping Mercedes to the title

at our inaugural event pre Abu Dhabi GP in November 2023.

Whilst we’re a small but committed team, we are always on the look out to add to our ranks. With this in mind, should any OR be interested in venturing into the world of sport, events and business, please do get in touch.

If you are a keen football, cricket, rugby, F1 fan, or avid golfer you are extremely welcome to join us throughout the series in 2024 – it’s always brilliant to connect with fellow ORs!

To find out more, visit the website: https://www.legendsgolf.uk

Careers Convention

On Saturday 10 June the Science Priory became a hub for the 2023 Lower Sixth Careers & Higher Education Convention. Parents, pupils and staff members were joined by a number of inspiring speakers from universities and businesses, including ORs working in sectors ranging from Sports Law and Journalism to Luxury Brand Management and Videography. The Careers Convention is an opportunity to hear industry professionals, learn more about their pathways after Repton and to understand some of the challenges they

have faced, and overcome, during their careers. It’s also an opportunity for pupils to start building a professional network of people who can offer them advice and guidance.

We are always on the lookout for more ORs who are willing to act as ‘Industry Ambassadors’ – this could be simply having one-onone conversations with other ORs/ pupils about the sector you work in, or coming back to the School to give a talk, or participating in the Careers Convention. If you would like to volunteer, or find out more, please contact the OR Office at OR@repton.org.uk .

The OR Society Welcomes The 2023 Repton Leavers!

Repton bade farewell to another cohort of Upper Sixth formers at the Leavers Ball on 1 July 2023, and the OR Society welcomed them back two months later at OR Day. Of course you never really leave Repton, as the OR Society provides a great way of staying connected with friends and the School, as well as making new friends

through the many OR branches and clubs. The Careers mentoring and networking can also be invaluable to those just starting out on their career pathway.

Welcome Leavers of 2023 – stay in touch and make the most of everything that the OR Society has to offer!

Weddings

Yu-hsin Liao (School House 2000-05) to Alicia Chou on 15 October 2022 at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei, Taiwan. Even though there was a strict seven-day Covid quarantine in Taiwan, ten ORs and former staff member, Mr Julian Hawtree

travelled to Taipei to attend the wedding. Yu-hsin said that “it made me feel very fortunate to have gone through my Repton experience and make lifetime friends”.

(Foremarke),

Above: ORs in attendance (from left to right): Mr Julian Hawtree (Former Staff, Foremarke), Archie Village (School House 2000-05), Sam Cook (School House 2000-05), Jack Kay (School House 2000-05), George Dunnicliff, Best Man (School House 2000-05), Daniel Page (Latham 1999-04), Giles Hampton (Latham 2000-05), Dan Townley (School House 2000-05), Leah Brown (Garden 2003-05), Oliver Hastie, Groomsman (School House 2003-05) and Tom Whiteley (School House 2000-05).

Above: The wedding of Yuki Shimabukuro (Latham 2003—04) at Repton

Above and below: In October 2023, Charles Haydn-Slater (Cross 2003-08) celebrated his wedding to Timothy, surrounded by fellow Repton alumni, including groomsmaids Daisy Heath-Abbott (Garden 2006-09) and Rebecca Close (Garden 2003-08). Rebecca also officiated the ceremony, filling it with sweet words and lighthearted humour. Together it made for a vibrant and joyous day filled with love, colour and laughter.

Above: Amy O’Brien (Mitre 2009-11) married Aaron Wright at Iscoyd Park, Whitchurch, on Friday 21 July 2023. ORs in attendance included Amelia Heywood (née Etherington), Lucy Rambridge (née Watson), Sophie Davies and Cassandra Austin-Kaye (all Mitre).

Left and below: Kathryn Joy Monteiro (Field House 2015-17) married Timothy Daniel Boulton on 8 August 2022 in Repton Chapel. ORs in attendance were Jane and Patrick Griffiths, Miles Nelson (Latham 2012-17), Abbey Broughton Lloyd (Abbey 2012-17) and Emma Louise Monteiro (Mitre 2009-11).

Births

On 31 January 2023, Dan Townley (School House 2000-05) and Betsy Townley welcomed their beautiful first-born daughter, Isla Evelyn Lowen Townley. Isla was christened on Sunday 3 December in Eton College Chapel, with ORs Dan Townley, George Dunnicliff – Godfather (School House 2000-05) – and Oliver Townley (School House 2004-09) in attendance.

Our daughter, Sia, was born on 3 February 2023 in St Peter Port Guernsey. I’m currently a pilot for Guernsey’s airline Aurigny and recently had the privilege of flying my daughter and my wife Sweta Hollinshead back to Manchester. – By Ed Hollinshead (Mitre 1990-95)

Dorothy Rees Turns 100!

Dorothy as a young WREN and 82 years later

Old Lathamites between 1961 and 1976 will wish to join in celebrating the 100th birthday of Dorothy Rees, who reigned over Latham’s domestic side

during those years. Dorothy joined the WRENS aged 18 in 1941 and was promptly posted to the Orkneys to monitor German sea and air movements. She met her future husband Dyfri (who had seen active service in Burma) towards the end of the war when he was invalided out to Bedford – ORs will remember Dyfri’s limp from a bullet-wound to the sciatic nerve.

They married in 1945 and after seven years teaching Modern Languages at Bedford School Dyfri accepted a similar post at Repton in 1952 under Headmaster Lynam Thomas. Dyfri and Dorothy took over Latham House in 1961 and remained there until Dyfri’s retirement in 1976. At a party In Bolton on 14th January 2023, a large gathering of the families of Jane and Simon Rees – plus two superannuated Latham House Tutors in the shape of Dick Morgan and John Billington – assembled to celebrate the 100th birthday of Dorothy, who duly received a congratulatory card from the King and Queen.

Farewells

Remembering Our Loved Ones

The OR Office receives many wonderful memories of Old Reptonians, each with their own unique story. If you would like to have a personal tribute featured in The Arch, please submit the article (maximum 450 words) with a photo (optional) to or@repton.org.uk by 1 November.

Brook House

Andrew Bradwell (Brook 1983-85) 1966-2021

Michael Robert Barnett (Brook 1962-67) 1948-2023

Jeremy Tomlinson (Brook 1954-59) 1941-2023

Samuel Maurice Swerling (Brook 1953-58) 1939-2023

Paul Henry Hanson (Brook 1952-57) 1939-2022

Richard Nevill Bryan Cottrell (Brook 1946-50) 1932-2021

John Harold Price (Brook 1945-50) 1932-2022

The Cross

Robert Hinton (Cross 1988-93) 1975-2024

Martin Christopher Robson (Cross 1962-67) 1949-2023

John Michael Chapman (Cross 1958-62) 1945-2022

Peter Mellodew Hartley (Cross 1955-59) 1941-202

The Hall

Simon Harrop (Hall 1978-81) 1965-2023

Anthony Martin James Whitworth (Hall 1976-81) 1963-2023

John Stenhouse (Hall 1966-70) 1953-2022

David W De Piro (Hall 1964-68) 1950-2024

David Amos Holland Griffiths (Hall 1963-67) 1949-2022

Anthony Raymond Yeoward (Hall 1946-50) 1932-2020

Michael Wesson (Hall 1940-45) 1927-2022

Ancel Newton (Hall 1940-44) 1927-2024

Latham House

David van Zwanenberg (Latham 1995-2000) 1981-2023

Christopher John Townsend Robey (Latham 1982-87) 1968-2022

Donald Wright Miller (Latham 1973-78) 1959-2023

Ian Roderick Payne (Latham 1955-60) 1942-2023

Nicholas Samuel Wilson (Latham 1949-53) 1935-2023

Peter Frank Rollinson (Latham 1948-53) 1934-2023

Jeremy James Balfe Bennett (Latham 1947-51) 1934-2023

The Mitre

Mark Richard Batey (Mitre 1975-79) 1961-2024

Neil William Blackshaw (Mitre 1974-79) 1961-2023

Robert Geoffrey McArthur (Mitre 1956-60) 1942-2022

Geoffrey Frank Budenberg (Mitre 1946-51) 1932-2023

David Allan Wright (Mitre 1943-47) 1929-2023

New House

Ewen MacIntosh (New 1987-92) 1973-2024

Mark Lendon (New 1983-88) 1970-2023

Timothy John Strevens (New 1947-52) 1934-2021

Claude Geoffrey Heywood (New 1946-50) 1933-2023

John Aulton (New 1944-48) 1931-2023

Michael John Bourne (New 1943-47) 1929-2023

The Orchard

David George Pilch ‘Pilco’ (Orchard 1956-61) 1943-2023

Sir William Gage (Orchard 1951-56) 1938-2023

Claude Geoffrey Heywood (New 1946-50) 1933-2023

John Howard Morell (Orchard 1943-47) 1930-2023

Guy Gorton (Orchard 1941-45) 1927-2024

Priory House

David Frost (Priory 1974-78) 1960-2023

Paul Windridge (Priory 1969-72) 1955-2023

Peter Bevington Brown (Priory 1956) 1942-2023

Jonathan Graham-Brown (Priory 1955-60) 1941-2023

Guy Holman (Priory 1949-53) 1935-2024

Henry ‘Hugh’ Izod Easterling (Priory 1943-48) 1930-2023

Former Staff

Graham Edward Jones (Former Headmaster) 1944-2023

John Leonard Thorn (Former Headmaster) 1925-2023

John David Hetherington (Former Governor) 1934-2024

Philip James Dunlop (Former Staff) 2023

Donald Brierley (Former Staff) 2024

Pamela Rosemary Eggar (Wife of Former Staff) 1925-2023

Brook House

Andrew Bradwell (Brook 1983-85) 1966-2021

Cricket played a huge part in Andy’s life – growing up he was always playing or watching the great game. A new Gray Nicolls bat was on every birthday list –so he could bat like David Gower.

He started playing at school, with a place in the 1st XI at Ashville College, Harrogate, and participated in their inaugural overseas cricket tour to Barbados in Spring 1983. Opening the batting at Kensington Oval Bridgetown was a particular highlight for him. He then continued to play for Repton School, where he went in the Sixth Form.

With a reputation for being a technically correct opening batsman, over the years he played for many local teams –Harrogate, Craven Gentlemen, Yorkshire Gentlemen, Saints and Ripley, whilst also turning out for Repton Pilgrims.

A keen Yorkshire cricket supporter, he was a regular visitor to Headinglaey and attended nearly every test match. His love for the ground cemented during his first ever visit – Botham’s Ashes in 1981.

He is much missed.

Tribute courtesy of Ashville College, Harrogate

Jeremy Tomlinson (Brook 1954-59) 1941-2023

Jeremy was a key part of the golden era of The Old Reptonian Football Club when between 1960 and 1970 we were in six Arthur Dunn finals and won five of them! Jeremy played in all of them. In his time, he was also President of the OR Football club and always a keen supporter at Dunn games.

As a footballer, Jeremy was very talented and had the knack of always coming out of a tackle with the ball at his feet without seeming to have used any force at all. We were fortunate to have him in our London-based Arthurian League side in the early days and together with Peter Rowland their joint experience was invaluable.

And let’s not forget it was Jeremy who christened Peter Rolfe as ‘Bobby’ one night in the pub after another barnstorming performance in the style of the Spurs and England centre forward Bobby Smith!

When Jeremy drove up to Repton to play in a Dunn match, he always stopped at his favourite café in Ashby-de-La-Zouch for a huge lunch including jam sponge and custard to finish with! Another sad loss for OR soccer . . . one of the greats.

– By John Ballinger (Priory 1959-64)

John Harold Price (Brook 1945-50) 1932-22

My father, born 4 June 1932, attended Latham House from 1943 when it was the Prep School prior to entering Brook House in 1945. He loved his time at Repton and was very proud of the school sending him off as a sporty, bright, accomplished young man. His favourite story was the way prefects were forced across the ‘Stinker’, the stream at the bottom of the garden at Brook House, on a barbed wire covered pole, whilst being sprayed with water from stirrup pumps and flayed with brambles and nettles! I don’t think he was ever a prefect, so he must have been on the giving end, rather than the receiving, so maybe that explains the happy memory!

He was a successful businessman, in knitwear, lace and pressure vessel engineering. He sent me to Brook in 1983 and my brother Henry to Priory in 1985.

He was great friends with Malcolm Littlefair and Ian Powell, contemporaries of his at Repton at that time. Ian died tragically early after a car accident, but Malcolm was on good form at my father’s wake. There was also his cousin Michael RV Price (Brook 1959-63) and Michael’s son James who was in Brook 1985-89.

– By Richard JW Price (Brook 1983-88)

John shot for the school at Bisley (back row, 2nd from right) and also played hockey (far right)

The Cross

Martin Christopher Robson (Cross 1962-1967) 1949-2023

My younger brother Christopher died on 21 February 2023 after an accident the previous December. Chris followed me in the Cross from 1962. Snippets from his time at Repton include representing a Playboy Bunny in a balloon debate and inviting Humphrey Lyttelton, the jazz trumpeter, to speak at the School. After leaving Repton, he took a little while to find a career before he settled into a role with Granada television concerned with films to be shown on television. He developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of the golden age of film and coupled this with a detailed grasp of historical events.

He retired relatively early and this enabled him to devote time and energy to the clubs and societies which interested him, most notably the Pilgrims Society, the European Atlantic Group, the English Speaking Union and the Byron Society. In addition, he gave a great deal of support to our parents as they grew older. Although he had a stroke about a year before his final illness, he remained fiercely independent. For many years he lived in Greenwich and then Blackheath, and became a familiar figure in Blackheath village often to be seen with hair blowing in the wind, raincoat flapping and carrier bag in hand. His funeral was a small but convivial occasion. He leaves me, his brother, a niece and two nephews.

–

By David Robson (Cross 1957-60)

The Hall

Anthony Martin James Whitworth (Hall 1976-81) 1963-2023

With great sadness, I write to inform you of the death of my younger brother Anthony Martin James Whitworth, known as Martin. He was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1963 (where our father was Representative of the British Council). He died, aged 60, on 10 December 2023 in Brussels where he lived and taught. After leaving Repton, Martin taught in a rural school in Kenya before going on to read Arabic at Wadham College, Oxford. His professional career was spent teaching English in Cairo, Tudela (Spain) and Brussels. He was admired as a teacher and was devoted to his students.

Martin’s great love was walking. For some years he walked professionally leading tours for ATG

Ancel Newton (Hall 1940-44) 1927-2024

Ancel Newton, son of Colonel Henry Newton and Beryl Newton, husband to ‘Joki’, and father of Dominic and Rupert, died peacefully at home on 12 January 2024.

At Repton during WWII, Ancel was committed to art and music, and an enthusiastic member of the Reconnaissance Corps. After the war he did his national service down the coal mine and struck up friendships by playing piano for his fellow workers in their family homes. Afterwards he studied composition at Trinity College of Music, London, where he won the Bantock Composition prize and enjoyed the London music student social life.

in Spain, Portugal and the Azores. But perhaps the achievement to which he attached greatest significance was his pilgrimage from his flat in Brussels to Santiago de Compostela in 2011. He did this alone, in one continuous journey, entirely eschewing wheels, walking every step of the way.

Although we were never at Repton at the same time, one thing that Martin and I both shared was our affection for R. M. Charlesworth and the enjoyment and educational benefit we both derived from acting in RMC’s productions.

– By Paul Whitworth (Hall 1963-67), Emeritus Professor of Theatre Arts, UCSC Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz 1996-2007

John Stenhouse (Hall 1966-70) 1953-2022

John Stenhouse died on 27 September 2022, following a short illness. He left behind his loving wife Dee, a son and a daughter and three grandchildren. He is much missed by all of them, and by my sister and me. John was a talented chef, and with his family, owned a well regarded restaurant and hotel near Eye in Suffolk, a business that he and his wife had started over thirty years ago. He was loved and respected in the local community, with many customers becoming family friends over the years.

His ashes are interred at Thornham Parva Church near Eye, and at the village Church of Vilusi in Montenegro. Although he was not an active OR, he kept in touch with a number of his OR friends, and several of them attended his Memorial Service.

– By Nicol Stenhouse (Hall 1965-70)

He settled in Derbyshire and lived the life of a rural creative artist, musician, composer, conservationist, craftsman, gardener and woodsman – he had tremendous all round practical talent. Ancel met his future wife Johanna at Donnington Hall in the early ‘50s where she was working for the Ockenden Venture refugee charity, later taking Johanna for her first driving lesson around Donnington racetrack.

Engaging and imaginative, over the course of his life Ancel created a natural habitat for rare butterflies and wildlife, co-founding the British Butterfly Conservation Society, planted specimen trees from seeds collected at Kew, cultivated an expansive country

garden, and produced ornamental garden furniture.

In the 2000s he returned to some early compositions and recorded a series of song cycles at the Menuhin School, including a song cycle of First World War poems as a tribute to those that served. http://ancelnewton.com

Profoundly and privately religious he converted to the Russian Orthodox church and was buried in the churchyard opposite his garden cottage in Devon. His intelligence, gentle manners and fondness for a bit of gossip will be missed by all who encountered him.

– By Rupert Newton (Hall 1982-87)

Latham House

Jeremy Bennett (Latham 1947-51) 1934-2023

Jeremy James Balfe Bennett OBE died peacefully aged 89 on 20 July 2023 in Yeovil Hospital after a long illness. Adored husband of Shelagh for 58 years and beloved father to Sarah, Janey and Charlotte. Father-in-law to Julian and Peter and much loved ‘Bumper’ to Amber, Jake and Sam.

David van Zwanenberg (Latham 1995-2000) 1981-2023

Dave van Zwanenberg was a vet and volunteer firefighter who tragically died whilst responding to an emergency callout during cyclone Gabrielle in the community of Muriwai near Auckland in New Zealand, where he lived with his wife Amy and children. In addition to volunteering for his community, Dave enjoyed other outdoor hobbies including being a pilot, kite surfer and ultra-marathon runner. “Dave will be remembered for his good humour, his authentic care, his astronomic intelligence and supreme competence at pretty much anything he turned his hand too.”

Ian Payne (Latham 1955-60) 1942-2023

Ian loved Repton and all Repton sport, particularly the Old Reptonian Football Club. He was Chairman of the ORFC, stepping down in 2002 after winning the Arthurian League for the first and only time. He was ever present at Dunn matches and was extremely emotional after the ORs won the Arthur Dunn Cup last year against Eton after a gap of 31 years. He had not been sure that he would ever see Repton win the Dunn again in his lifetime. Ian was greatly loved by all Old Reptonians, young and old, and will be greatly missed.

Governor 1982-97

• Chair of the Governing Body 1993-97 President of the Repton Foundation 1997-2007

Nicholas Samuel Wilson passed away on 11 December 2023, aged 88 at his home in Farnham. He maintained a lifelong connection to Repton, firstly as a pupil, and later as a Governor.

Nicholas was called up for National Service the day he left Repton in 1953 and spent 18 months with the Royal Artillery in the ‘Canal Zone’ (Suez). Because of the Cyprus emergency, he was denied early release to go to Oxford, and so decided instead to do his articles as a solicitor in his hometown Sheffield, whilst reading Law at the University of Sheffield.

Having received a first class honours degree in 1959, Nicholas joined law firm Slaughter and May and then spent two years in the US on a Harkness Fellowship scholarship, firstly at Harvard Law School and then at the Law Faculty at the University of California Berkeley.

Returning to the UK and rejoining Slaughter and May in 1963, Nicholas became an early expert in the ‘Eurodollar’ and was made Partner in 1968. Nicholas was involved with DTI (Department of Trade & Industry) on the revision of the Companies Act and later, in the 1980s, the privatisation of British Aerospace and British Airways and the demutualisation of Building Societies.

In 1990, Nicholas joined NatWest Bank as its first General Counsel and became the Chair of The Bank of England’s Capital Markets Committee.

Nicholas Wilson was widely regarded as one of the most talented corporate lawyers of his time,

and Repton was lucky to benefit from his keen mind, serving as a Governor from 1982 to 1997 and as Chair of the Governing Body from 199397. He also became the inaugural President of the Repton Foundation in 1997, a charity set up to support the School in raising funds for building projects and pupil bursaries. Nick proved to be a great supporter and personal benefactor, and generously introduced and hosted the ‘Sir John Port Society’ legacy lunches, for those who had kindly pledged to remember Repton in their will.

Roger Litchfield (Brook 1969-65), former Governor, recalls Nick’s quiet, relaxed manner as they discussed many aspects of Repton and its future development. Nick brought to the Board not only a careful, wise and deep-thinking management style, but also a deep fondness for Repton, as he steered the School through a period of change in the somewhat difficult economic climate at the time.

Nick and his wife Penny forged a strong friendship with Headmaster Graham Jones (1987-2003) and his wife Vanessa, and together made a good team. Nick recognised that Repton was, at the time, a school with a great history, good facilities and a reputation for friendliness. That said, his records show he did not sit back, but drove the School forward in a period of retrenchment due to shrinking numbers. During his tenure, the Governors made the pivotal decision to accept girls into B Block and become fully co-educational, thus boosting the falling numbers in a very short period of time.

So successful was this fundamental move that demand for girls outgrew available pupil places to such an extent that first The Garden (1992) was built, then quickly followed by Field House (1997). Nick also presided over improvements to other areas of the facilities such as the refurbishment of what is known today as the Sports Centre, together with the new indoor swimming pool which opened in 1995, replacing the outdoor one which had stood since 1910. Nick recognised the benefits of children entering the Repton family at an early age, so the new purpose-built Pre-Prep Department was constructed at Foremarke, opening in 1996. Other development projects at this time included Repton’s first astroturf hockey pitch, an expansion of the School’s IT facilities and the OR Office’s first page and email address on the World Wide Web.

Nicholas Wilson led a distinguished career and was a huge supporter of Repton, but above all, he was a much loved husband to Penny, father to Simon, Justin and Sophie, stepfather to Rebecca, Elizabeth, Simon and Jo and a dearly loved grandfather.

Nicholas Samuel Wilson (Latham 1949-53) 1935-2023

The Mitre

David Allan Wright (Mitre 1943-47) 1929-2023

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of my father David Allan Wright on 17 December 2023 at the age of 94. David entered Repton and the Mitre in 1943 and eventually became House Prefect. I also followed his educational pathway in 1973 at the Mitre, Repton.

After leaving Repton David attended the École Hôtelière de Lausanne, a famous hospitality management school in Switzerland, often seen as one of the best of its kind in the

New House

Ewen MacIntosh (New 1987-92) 1973-2024

world. After successfully graduating David joined the then little-known hotel company ‘Trust Houses Ltd’, to be later known as Trusthouse Forte and the Forte Group, where after a lengthy stellar career, he progressed to International Director.

David spent many retirement years in East Sussex with his wife Beatrice. At his funeral service the entrance music played was Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (Repton) by C. Hubert Parry.

– By Mark Wright (Mitre 1973-78)

Ewen Douglas MacIntosh was an accomplished actor and comedian, widely known for his role as Keith Bishop in the hit TV series The Office. One of his former teachers Nigel Kew (Staff 1987-2023) recalls that Ewen really got into acting during his time at Repton, especially in the Sixth Form. He had a leading role as Thomas Cromwell in A Man For All Seasons, and his tour de force was playing Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus – a truly memorable performance for all who saw it.

Mark Lendon (New 1983-88) 1970-2023

Mark and I took the pathway from Foremarke as weekly boarders on to Repton in New House as full boarders, Mark starting out in September 1983. A keen rugby and hockey player with a brief scuffle with the Javelin during the summer months, Mark went on to play hockey for the School, county and Southampton University where he was also the co-founder

Neil William Blackshaw (Mitre 1974-79) 1961-2023

Neil Blackshaw passed away on 5 November 2023. He attended both Foremarke and Repton School and had very many happy memories of his school days, particularly at Repton. He was initially a day boy, but then became Head of House (Mitre) in 1978, for which he was very proud. Neil has two daughters, Anna and Sophie.

– By Sally Emmerson (formerly Blackshaw)

of the Southampton University Stags – American Football Team going on to win two College Bowls during his tenure.

On reflection, I now realise that, although we were in the same house, our paths rarely crossed. Mark, having taken more than his fair share of the academic DNA, was awarded a Sixth Form scholarship with the RAF and on leaving Repton started out on an Aeronautical Engineering degree at Southampton University. In a move that surprised us all, he switched courses to Sociology with Industrial Relations which led him into a successful career in HR in several large UK companies and further abroad in Egypt, Romania and China. He was always there for advice and support served up with a wicked sense of humour.

Latterly, Mark and I shared a love of all things old, he looking for

ceramics and silver whilst I bought up every retro video game I could find. We enjoyed many a car boot scavenge or a trawl around the charity shops together in Hadleigh, Ipswich, where he lived for the last five years with his wife Kirsty.

Mark died on 2 November 2023 after a brief but brave battle with stage 4 melanoma. He leaves a wife Kirsty, ‘Princess’ Piper their gorgeous black lab, and indisputably the most comprehensive collection of Hungarian and Romanian stamps in the UK, with a specialism in overprints. He won the Gold Medal for Literature awarded by the Hungarian Philatelic Society at the 2012 International Stamp Exhibition for his book titled The Regatul Romaniei Issues of Cluj and Oradea (1919) (available in all good bookshops).

– By Chris Lendon (New 1981-86)

The Orchard

Sir William Gage (Orchard 1951-56) 1938-2023

Sir William Gage was a Lord Justice of Appeal from 2004 to 2008, and chaired many highprofile public inquiries. Before

David George Pilch ‘Pilco’ (Orchard 1956-61) 1943-2023

Members of the Repton Pilgrims and others were greatly saddened to hear of his passing on 28 September 2023. Pilco was a stalwart member of the Cricketer Cup side from 1967 (the inaugural year of the competition) to 1985.

that he was a much respected High Court Judge, considered to be wise and humane, entrusted with some of the highest-profile murder charges of the day.

Born in Surbiton, Surrey, the son of Elinor (nee Martyn) and Conolly Gage, his father was a circuit court judge and Ulster Unionist MP for South Belfast between 1945 and 1952. Bill, as he was known, followed his father in going first to Repton School and then Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where initially he studied history but later switched to law. He spent two years doing national service in

the army, and taught history at a school in south London briefly before joining what were then his father’s chambers at 2 Harcourt Buildings in the Inner Temple –now Henderson Chambers.

Away from the law, Sir William was an expert fisherman, a relaxed golfer and kept a pet parrot. He is survived by his wife Penny and their three sons, Marcus, Timothy and Hugh.

Full obituaries detailing Sir Willam’s long and distinguished career can be viewed online in The Telegraph, The Times and The Guardian.

The Priory

David Frost (Priory 1974-78) 1960 to 2023

After a long battle with cancer, David Frost passed away on 8 November 2023. An active member of the Old Reptonian Golfing Society, David was dearly loved by all that knew him, and will be missed but not forgotten.

Peter Bevington Brown (Priory 1956) 1924-2023

I am writing to inform you of the passing of one of your old boys, my father, Peter Bevington Brown, who attended Repton in the mid-1950s. Peter was in Priory House, and a proud Old Reptonian.

Peter’s family emigrated to New Zealand when he was 16, and he established himself in business in NZ, where he held senior management roles in BP

At the 1967, 1983 and 1985 Cricketer Cup Finals

Paul Windridge (Priory 1969-72) 1955-2023

Paul passed away peacefully after a long illness in Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital on Saturday 5 August 2023.

– Nigel and Michael Windridge

Oil through the 90s and 2000s. In his later years he worked in the Security/CCTV industry.

My wife and I had the privilege of visiting Repton in 1987, where the Bursar gave us a guided tour of the School. Peter died, aged 80, on 21 March 2023, at Auckland City Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

– By Clayton Brown

Jonathan was one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met in September 1955 on the first day of Repton’s Michaelmas Term. We were in The Priory, a close-knit boarding house where strong bonds and lifelong friendships were forged.

My reliance on Jonathan was instant as we got talking as he had joined the School in January of that year, being 6 months older than I. He had already established himself and ‘knew the ropes’.

It was a tough environment in those days with boarding houses that were fairly spartan and clear demarcation of rank, whereby ‘fagging’ by the younger boys for those in the Sixth Form, who were study holders and prefects, was the order of the day.

In such an institution as ours being away from home, your reliance on one another forming allies against the world, was similar to my time in the Army when I was lucky enough to be part of a unique military/industry exchange between an army officer and an industrial manager in 1977. Those friendships remain with you your whole life. This was the case with us and we kept in touch over a span of nearly 70 years.

Jonathan was entrepreneurial and enterprising throughout his life, as can be seen by the collection of European bus

itineraries, awnings and marquees from his party catering business stored in his garden archive at home.

That enterprising characteristic was the case at school. I recall towards the end of our time when we had reached the age of 18 and Jonathan had passed his driving test, that on 6 May 1960, the day of Princess Margaret’s marriage to Antony ArmstrongJones which was a bank holiday, we were given a free day to do as we pleased, provided we stayed within the confines of the School. But Jonathan had different plans and persuaded me and two others to get the bus to Derby and hire a car to drive to London. A tall order in those days as it was before the M1 was completed and reached our part of the world. We got there and joined the celebrations briefly before making the return journey. This took for ever and we got back very late, our Housemaster Dick Sale, a strict and fairly frightening man, was beside himself, but at the same time, much relieved that those in his charge were safe.

As House Prefects, we expected the punishment to be severe and was of the nature that merited being sent to the Headmaster. A considerable reprimand and six of the best were surely on the cards. However, Lynam Thomas, the great Head that he was, after making clear that we had not only broken the rules but had caused massive anguish for those responsible for looking after us, regarded the incident as inventive, brave and displayed enterprise that schools like Repton encouraged and were all about. We left his study feeling very proud of ourselves.

Jonathan’s love of the theatre started at Repton and I recall when Queen Elizabeth visited Repton in 1957 to mark the 400th anniversary since its founding, we both performed in the Masque of Scholars which she saw briefly. Jonathan contributed to the stage management of

the production as well and was always at the centre of the house plays we put on, thanks to the encouragement of Michael Charlesworth who was Head of Drama and the Priory’s house tutor at the time.

Jonathan was a great letter writer and snapper of photos. I have kept all his letters mostly written in his neat hand, together with photographs going back to our respective 21st birthday parties. His interest in what his contemporaries were doing was never ending and if anyone was in difficulty, he would do what he could himself and mustered the help of others. This marked him out as an exceptional caring man, especially for those he loved, and I know he was a kind and doting father to James and Tania and very proud of what they were doing in their lives with James working in New York for a Savile Row tailor –The Cad and Dandy – and Tania in New Zealand working in IT recruitment and event creation, no doubt displaying her Father’s inventiveness. And Jonathan never stopped making it clear to me how much his wife Gail supported him and how much he loved her.

The news of Jonathan’s passing came as a big shock to me. I knew of his dementia and the difficulties it was creating, but we had talked on the phone relatively recently and it was then that I realised I was losing my dear friend with whom I had shared so many special moments at his home and mine, at Repton and our visits to Trent Bridge and other places. It is now that I appreciate even more the exchange of letters, photographs and specially designed cards of his home The Cottage with the garden of all seasons.

He was not only a dear and caring loyal friend whom I miss terribly, but a very special person, and we are all the better for having known him.

– By John Hings (Priory 1955-60)

Former Staff

Graham Jones (Former Headmaster) 1944-2023

Graham Jones, Headmaster of Repton for sixteen years from 1987-2003, died on 2 November aged 79, after a long illness bravely borne.

Born on 22 September 1944, he came from a working-class background in Merseyside, and had the opportunity to go to Birkenhead School as a result of the direct grants scheme. There, for the first time in his life, his sights were raised to academic achievement. He was the first member of his family to go to university, taking a First in Economics and a distinction in the PGCE at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge – and in 1967 he took up a teaching post at Charterhouse. There, he was Head of Economics and Politics, Officer i/c of the R.N. Section and Commanding Officer of the CCF. He was also Housemaster of Daviesites, and stayed at Charterhouse for twenty years before becoming Headmaster of Repton in April 1987 at the age of 42.

During his time at Repton he masterminded many major events – the decision to go completely co-educational from thirteen; the merger of Brook House and The Hall; and the move of Mitre boys to The Cross so as to allow a refurbished and extended Mitre to reopen as a fourth girls’ house. A new girls’ house, The Garden, had already been officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent in September 1992 and five years later, Field House was built to accommodate the increasing number of girls wishing to enter the school. As well as bringing the boarding houses up to date, Graham Jones oversaw the refurbishment of the Chapel, the Old Mitre and the Grubber,

and the building of a sports hall, Information Technology Centre, the studio theatre, an enlarged Art School, two allweather pitches and an indoor swimming pool. The gardens in the Garth were redesigned and restocked and the museum in the Undercroft was extended and improved upon. Other changes were smaller – when he arrived, the bell at the Arch was rung only at the end of lessons, something of which no one really needed reminding. He found that punctuality for lessons was less than ideal, so he had the bell rung for the start of lessons as well. This was typical of his common sense and attention to detail.

His hobbies included painting, listening to music, and walking. He also enjoyed cooking – the more exotic the dish was, the more it appealed to him. He married Vanessa in 1984 and, as well as supporting him in his

role as Headmaster, she was fully involved in the life of the school and the village.

Graham may have regretted the fact that despite Repton dominating public school tennis during his time in office it never produced a Wimbledon star to match ‘Bunny’ Austin, but he had little other cause for misgivings regarding his record as ‘the Boss’, whilst his colleagues, students and their parents had very good reason to be thankful for his astute leadership, which proceeded not by means of any reckless leap in the dark but rather by a less spectacular, nimble and surefooted advance which ensured due deference to tradition whilst also modernising and diversifying the school.

It was a pleasure to see ORs at the memorial service held for Graham Jones at Repton in the School Chapel.

John Thorn, who died on 20 October 2023, aged 98, was one of Repton’s most innovative and charismatic headmasters.

He was appointed as the successor to Lynam Thomas in 1961, when he was 35 years old, and he brought to Repton a youthful and fresh approach to its academic and cultural landscape. As the historian Hugh Brogan noted, it was his “conscious and avowed mission, laid on him by the governors, to raise Repton’s level of scholarship and civilisation.” In this he certainly succeeded, and we reprint extracts of the warm appreciation of his many achievements, written by the Senior Master in 1968, the year Thorn left the School to become Headmaster of Winchester, a post he held until 1985:

“When John Thorn became Headmaster of Repton in 1961, it soon became clear that much of his energy would be devoted to stimulating the academic and intellectual life of the school. He achieved this partly by taking endless pains over the curricular requirements of every boy in the School.

His personal knowledge of every boy and the speed with which he tackled their peculiar problems was remarkable.

What has been written so far fails to bring out John Thorn’s charm and brilliance: his lively sense of humour, his remarkable skill and lightning speed in repartee. His complete lack of pomposity. His willingness to listen to others and to appreciate the opinions of others. His sympathy and concern for those around him – whether a master with a problem, or a boy in difficulty. Above all, his kindness.

This concern for others was a feature of the memorable sermons he preached in Chapel. With all their moving eloquence, those sermons were always related to problems of everyday life in a way likely to stir the imagination of thoughtful boys. During his seven years at the Hall, John Thorn devoted his life to Repton, and Repton owes him a great debt.”

His headmastership of Winchester was equally visionary, encouraging disciplines other than the classics and championing theatre, music and

art. After his retirement from Winchester in 1985 he taught at King Edward’s Southampton, and at Portsmouth Grammar School. In 1989 his autobiography ‘The Road to Winchester’ was published, and, in a review, his former colleague at Repton, Michael Charlesworth, wrote of Thorn as having:

“An enthusiasm, a vitality, and a humanity about his approach which I found irresistible . . . under him I am sure that Repton became more wideranging in its outlook, more intellectually alert, much richer in its commitment to The Arts, and much more humane and civilised in its day-to-daylife. Never have I felt it more exciting to be engaged in education than under John Thorn’s headmastership.”

Although John Thorn had to battle for some of the changes he introduced at Repton, his autobiography sums up his experience here with his characteristic warmth and generosity:

“But the parting from Repton was sad. It had its beauties too. Many of the staff had opposed me, often rightly so, but many had become firm friends, and were as good as any teachers I had known. The boys were affectionate and responsive. Given good and interesting teaching they were intellectually lively and had fewer home-baked prejudices and less sense of superiority than many Wykehamists I was to meet. Veronica and I had come to love the Hall. It had been a place of battles, but we slipped away from the Trent meadows with many a wistful glance over our shoulders.”

A thanksgiving service was held for John Thorn at Winchester College, with several ORs in attendance.

John Thorn (Former Headmaster) 1925-2023

JLT: Out With The Old, And In With The New

–

By Prof. Andrew M Williamson (New 1959-64)

Prof. Andrew M. Williamson (New 1959-64) has written a personal account of Repton under the helm of John Thorn, remembering him as an inspiring leader, teacher, reformer and Christian, who valued academic rigour and artistic talent. An abridged version appears below. If you would like to obtain the article in full, please contact Andrew directly at amw@minim.biz or the OR Office at OR@repton.org.uk

The smattering of ORs at John Thorn’s memorial service in Winchester College, mostly non-sporty ex-scholars including three professors, bore testimony to the “avowed mission, laid on him by the Governors, to raise Repton’s level of scholarship and civilisation” [1]. According to his autobiography [2], “things had been less distinguished recently, at least in terms of scholarship”. The school’s ambitions “were modest – except in sport”, quoting his predecessor as saying that Repton focused on bringing out the best in the ‘Beta-query-plus’ boy: the few scholars would just have to make out. ‘That’s why our games matter so much. We’ve got a great reputation at cricket, and at soccer, and it would be very silly to lose it’. Recalling later that “from this arose the notion that Repton was the school for the good all-rounder who wasn’t much of a scholar”, John determined that a new approach was required in response to market demands, since “Repton could no longer afford to rely exclusively on its reputation for games to attract pupils”. [1]

Of his opinion of many staff and ORs, whose standing he considered depended primarily on their sporting achievements, the less said the better. No wonder, then, according to his autobiography [2], that they opposed his policy of wishing Repton “to be a place in which the boys could be industrious, creative, and happy”, a concept “which many of the staff did not seem to accept. They all wanted industriousness. Happiness was fine but should not be striven for. And more useful than creativity was conformity”

Happiness, it appeared, was a concept alien to many staff, and even pupils: “I found too many unhappy boys in the place … The school seemed to me not only too firmly attached to sport but a rather brutal place as well … The boys who loved books and hated games in some houses were despised … When it became known that my policy was to reduce the importance of games and to make discipline less harsh, this establishment turned against me”

For a boy “who loved books and hated games”, John was an inspiring teacher who opened my eyes to the literary merits and artistic values of what might otherwise have remained mere examination set texts. Compare this to my previously studying literature under a master whom he described “of considerable seniority [who] decided that the best way was to read it paragraph by paragraph, round the form. What did he think about, I wonder, while the soporific droning went on?”

Coming from a Non-Conformist family, the Church of England was alien to me, and I had never heard the term ‘public school churchmanship’ which John, reflecting on his time at Clifton College, condemned as: “Some good sermons, some good music, otherwise – dead. But need it be like that? Could not religion in those great Christian foundations be made to come alive?” Could he not at Repton “help a little to make this come about?”. Well, indeed he could and did for me: an inspirational Christian, John’s teaching of Divinity conquered my temporary rejection of institutionalised religion. In particular, his convincing exposé of Frank Morison’s Who moved the Stone?, re-examining the evidence for Christ’s resurrection, and his personal encouragement to read John Robinson’s Honest to God, criticising traditional Christian theology, led to my becoming the first student secretary of the newly formed Student Christian Movement and subsequently confirmed in the Upper Sixth.

Outside the classroom, as Leader of the Chancel Choir, I sat directly in front of him in Chapel, which ensured that I was always on my best behaviour. The only time he had cause to reprimand me was when I once arrived late for afternoon lessons, having fallen asleep in my study. John’s reaction? “Andrew, get an alarm clock!”, such was his benevolence.

The last time that we met was by chance in Oxford Street, London, in 1968, when I hope that I thanked him for all he had done for me. The greatest tribute we could pay him was to send our youngest son to Repton in the 1990s.

1 Brogan, H [OR] (2020), A School in England: The History of Repton. London: Profile Editions

2 Thorn, J L (1989), The Road to Winchester. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Pamela Eggar 1925-2023

Our mother Pamela Eggar died on 4 May 2023, aged 97. She had a long relationship with the School and was talking about it in her last few days. Her passing might be of interest to some Old Reptonians.

Pam was born and brought up in Repton where her father Lewis (JL) Crommelin-Brown was housemaster of Brook House before the Second World War. She married John Eggar in 1948, who shortly afterwards became the Housemaster at Brook. John was Head

And finally... Bobby Charlton 1937-2023

He wasn’t an OR, but several were in attendance at his funeral, and one of the most poignant segments came when his grandson, William Balderston (New 2024-19), offered an insight into his steadfastness behind the scenes:

“Not even once was there a subtle brag about his achievements. He had a standard of modesty that everybody in the family strives to emulate. I’ve been inspired not so much by his greatness as by his goodness. Thank you for lifting us all up, to encourage us to follow our dreams, no matter how lofty they are. We are all so extraordinarily lucky to have had you.”

of Cricket and played for Derbyshire in the summer holidays. He was in charge of the CCF and escorted Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Repton in 1957. He left Repton in 1963 to become Headmaster of Shiplake College and after his early death in 1983 there was a memorial service at Repton.

Pam was a much loved mother of Tim, Robin and Julian, doting grandmother and great grandmother, and devoted wife to the late John Eggar.

– By Robin Eggar

Back to Repton

Juliet Wolfe (née Ryalls) Abbey 1983-95, Development Director Repton Foundation

In a curious turn of events, I find myself back at Repton 40 years after I started in Lower Sixth in The Abbey in 1983 (having previously been at the Prep School, Foremarke, 1977-80). I have been living and working overseas for the past 25 years, most recently in Singapore, so it feels somewhat surreal to be back ‘home’ as an OR, new member of staff and Repton parent (my daughters have joined me here too in A Block and Lower Sixth).

Having not attended OR events in years, it’s been such a pleasure to reconnect with old friends and make new ones at the Yorkshire Dinner in May, OR Gaudy in June, OR Day in August, OR Sports Night in October, the OR Dinner in November and the OR Drinks in February. I’m looking forward to the many other social events planned for 2024.

Repton is of course much changed since I was at school

here, although the spirit of the place and the friendly community – both within the School and the village – remain the same. Impressive facilities which are new to me, but now part of the fabric, include the Science Priory, Sports Centre and indoor swimming pool (yes, it was outdoor when I was here) and the

redesigned 400 Hall theatre and reception space. It’s also fantastic to see girls all the way through now – I really begrudged having to find another school to go to after Foremarke (the Prep) until I could return to Repton in the Sixth Form.

Part of my new role as Development Director for the Repton Foundation is making sure that Repton continues to be an outstanding school by investing in new facilities and restoring old heritage buildings. The other part is offering bursary scholarship places, which can be truly life-changing, to pupils who have the talent, but not the financial means, to benefit from a Repton education.

Throughout the years, Repton has benefitted from the generosity of Old Reptonians, parents of current and former pupils, and current and former staff. This generosity has kept Repton at the forefront of independent boarding and day schools, with a campus which is

the envy of many, and a cohort of pupils built on talent and diversity of thought, rather than just financial wherewithal.

To ensure Repton continues to offer pupils the very best learning environment in which to thrive, the School has an ambitious Strategic Development Plan. This includes the introduction of dedicated floodlit 3G artificial turf (‘astro’) football pitches to permit all-weather play, a rejuvenation of

the much-loved Grubber and JCR, a new Sixth Form Centre under Pears School and a Business School with digital classroom within the Cattley Building (read more about that here: https://consiliumeducation.com/ itm/2024/01/12/the-digital-priory). The centre of gravity is being brought back within the Arch!

The Prep School will also benefit with plans for a new theatre, upgraded swimming pool

facilities and an outdoor Forest School classroom.

Look out for more news on this soon, but if you would like to find out how you can support the Foundation, please visit the Repton Foundation website or contact me directly at jwolfe@ repton.org.uk or on (01283) 559248.

In the meantime, please come and say hello to me if you find yourself in Repton!

Repton School Roundup

By Mark Semmence, Headmaster

At a time when the wider world feels a challenging place, awash with self-seeking negativity and all too often in the grip of outright conflict, it is a great joy – and indeed an inspiration – to see our pupils revelling in the wealth of opportunities open to them. This is not for any lack of awareness of the world beyond the Arch nor failure to appreciate their own good fortune; Reptonians are more engaged with and better informed about the world than ever before. But they are just getting on with what our young people do best – participating, achieving, and, above all, enjoying themselves – and I hope that the highlights below give you a taste of the current spirit of Repton.

Academic and University Success

122 of the 2023 A Level cohort have moved on to Higher Education courses in the UK, just under 60% of them to the top Russell Group universities. Interest in studying internationally continues to grow:

eight went on to study abroad, including the US Ivy League colleges of Cornell, Dartmouth and Princeton, and a number on prestigious sporting scholarships. Interestingly, at A Level our elite sportsmen and women performed above the year group’s average – which proves the point that with the right motivation and the right support you can do it all. As this year’s UCAS cycle draws to a close, many of the

Upper Sixth are already in receipt of offers from the top universities, including six from Cambridge, whilst others have begun the process of securing sought-after apprenticeships or employment. The summer’s GCSE results were also excellent, Repton seeing a rise that bucked the national trend.

But academic achievement is not limited to the classroom or examination hall. Over 100

Reptonians competed in the UK Maths Trust Senior Mathematical Challenge, with 5 achieving Gold Certificates, 19 Silver and 35 Bronze. This was matched by success for our top linguists in the UK Linguistics Olympiad, and eight pupils took part in a MFL debating event against other top independent schools at Cheltenham College, winning the French competition outright and the Plate Final in Spanish. It is encouraging too to see how many house competitions have an academic focus, including debating, chess, public speaking, photography, general knowledge, essay-writing and maths challenges.

Musicians in the Spotlight

Our musicians have delighted audiences with their individual and collective talents. Pianists from Repton and Repton Prep came together for a Steinway Spotlight Concert and the Michaelmas Gala Concert in the 400 Hall saw more

than 90 pupils on stage. In an exciting year our choristers have sung in world-class venues from London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, while our close-harmony group The Reptiles finished runners-up in the Barnardo’s School Choir of the Year Competition on stage at Birmingham Symphony Hall. And, of course, back home the House Harmony and Unison competitions continue to bring everyone together in fierce competition!

Lights, Music, Action!

The 400 Hall has been packed out for a string of crowd-pleasing productions. While The Cat in the Hat entertained both young and old, Beauty and the Beast brought all the panache and colour of the West End to Repton, and another Disney favourite, High School Musical, got toes tapping in Michaelmas. A fantastic series of art exhibitions has featured both professional artists and pupils, including

a student-curated exhibition around risk-taking in the art process, staged in New Court Gallery, and Those Who Can, an exhibition of creative talent from within the Repton staff body.

Out and About

CCF cadets took to the outdoors for a variety of training and exercise including navigation, climbing, fieldcraft, shooting and leadership skills, whilst congratulations go to more than 100 pupils who have successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. After the pandemic years, it has been wonderful to resume a full programme of expeditions, both at home and abroad: theatres and art galleries, the battlefields of the First World War and the National Memorial Arboretum, and further afield to Iceland, the US and Costa Rica.

Serving our Community

The weekly Community Action programme now sees more than 50 Lower Sixth engaged with local groups: from supporting the village through reading at Repton Primary School and maintaining the churchyard of St Wystan’s, to volunteering at the Royal Hospital Derby and the Hospice shop in Willington, raising money for Guide Dogs and Shoe Aid, and creating a recipe book for the South Derbyshire Foodbank. In a new initiative the Visible Diversity team have organised displays, events and hands-on activities around the School for Black History and UK Disability History Months, and this term we are also supporting Waterberg Rhino UK, a new charity working to protect the second-largest rhino population in South Africa.

Sport on the National Stage

In football the Boys’ 1st XI reached the knockout stages of the ESFA Super League and the quarterfinals of the ISFA Cup. The girls’ game continues to be a real focus for development, reflecting the upsurge in interest nationally.

The 1st XI Boys carried off the Independent Schools Hockey Cup and the 1st XI Girls their Tier 1 Schools Cup at the Olympic Park. Both 1st XI and U16 hockey teams were unbeaten in their respective cup competitions at the end of 2023 and the U14 girls remained in the national knockout cup. All our indoor teams become regional champions, thereby securing their places at the National Finals –with Repton the only school to be represented at every age group.

Another outstanding cricket season saw the Boys’ 1st XI not only win the SPREW Festival but again break the school record for the greatest number of wins in a season. Their total of 17 went one better than last year’s tally, which itself had smashed a school record that had stood since 1866. We also cemented our place as the leading girls’ cricket school in the country, with the U15 Girls beating Gresham’s to win the

national T20 competition and the U18s making it double national success with victory over Millfield in the 100-ball final.

In tennis the U15 and U13 Boys’ and Girls’ teams all reached the Regional Finals of their national competitions, the U13 girls taking Bronze in the Nationals. And many congratulations to the U18, U16 and U14 netball squads who all qualified for the East Midlands Regional Finals.

Swimming continues its remarkable success story. In the main competition for English Schools we topped the medal table for the first time, coming ahead of Millfield, and more recently, Repton Swimming Club competed in the National Arena Swimming League Final, finishing fourth out of 1,200 clubs from across the country. Given that our swimming programme has only

been running for three years, these are extraordinary achievements.

At the same time it has been great to see the expansion of fixtures in other sports, such as Badminton and Fencing. Fives continues its renaissance, with the girls finishing fourth in the ladies’ Richard Black Cup, while ORs and pupils did themselves and the School proud in the Graham Turnbull Trophy, another national open-age competition. This year we are hosting the National Schools Fives Championships for both boys and girls and all age groups – sharing what is now an outstanding set of facilities for Fives, realised through the generous support of ORs and school investment.

Many ORs will also remember the Parker 100, in honour of former staff member Chris Parker. This challenge continues to inspire

both pupils and staff and Lent Term has seen plenty of crosscountry runners out and about around Repton, knocking off their 100 miles over 10 weeks.

Repton Group

The wider Repton Group, which consists of Repton Enterprises and the Repton Family of Schools, provides significant revenue which is then invested in facilities, pupils and staff here at Repton in Derbyshire. This income is particularly important at a time when there is so much political and economic uncertainty which will have a negative impact on the independent sector.

The Repton Family of Schools now comprises eleven schools educating around 8,000 pupils across the world, and we are looking forward to more joining the group over the years to come.

Our pupils really benefit from the breadth and diversity which this brings to their educational experience. We are teaching Latin to our overseas schools and look forward to our UK pupils learning from our Arabic and Chinese teachers; there have been debating, musical and general academic initiatives and pupils from our wider family are joining Repton Prep for short-term stays. The future is very exciting and I hope that you will enjoy reading the updates from Repton Prep and Repton Family of School on the pages ahead.

The Essence of our Community

Celebrating the breadth and depth of pupils’ achievement is perhaps the easiest part of my job as Repton Headmaster – just like my predecessors – but I am very well aware that this success does not emerge from a vacuum. Our bedrock remains a culture of high aspiration firmly grounded in qualities like integrity, kindness and friendship – the enduring values of the Repton community to which we all belong – and I am more proud of that than anything else.

Of course, one of the other immense privileges of my role is the chance to connect with so many across the OR family. It is always a real pleasure to meet you at events around the country, the world and here in Repton, where we can promise you a warm welcome home. I very much hope to see you in 2024.

Repton Prep

As many of you will remember, Repton Prep (Foremarke Hall) is a very special place in which to learn and grow. The beautiful 55-acre grounds speak for themselves – they promote the notion that everything is possible through a sense of balance and a commitment to hard work, and this is what we want to instil into our young learners. We have inspirational facilities and outstanding teaching; there is a real sense of pride in performance throughout daily life in school.

Our job is to champion every pupil to be their best self and with a broad academic curriculum, cocurricular opportunities, activities and adventures, it’s hard to find a better place to grow physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Boarding is at the heart of school life, and we are proud of our diverse and cosmopolitan community, with more than 16 nationalities represented.

Every school year is always bursting with wonderful opportunities whether in lessons, on the sports field, on stage, or through House events, and each term, we celebrate the rich tapestry of events in the curriculum and beyond. Highlights for 2023 included the Coronation celebrations, World Book Day, Tug O’ War and the Christmas Fayre, alongside curriculum visits, scholarships, sporting achievements, performances, Greenpower initiatives and our Outward Bound programme. The

pupils embrace all aspects of school life with energy and enthusiasm.

Education is constantly moving forwards and we want to ensure that we set the tone for an ambitious future for our pupils.

We are proud of our through-school structure which affords pupils the opportunity to transfer seamlessly to the Senior School at the end of Year 8. Last academic year, over 90% of our pupils moved on to Repton.

We welcome Old Reptonians back to the Prep School – please contact ejones@repton.org.uk if you would like a tour.

Repton Family of Schools

Our Repton Family of Schools (formerly Repton International) now comprises seven international schools – four in the UAE, one in China, one in Malaysia and one in Egypt, and two UK Prep schools: St Wystan’s in Repton and Vinehall School in East Sussex.

The original purpose in establishing the international schools was to extend the Repton brand and ethos overseas and to use the income generated to fund bursaries for pupils in the UK less able to afford a Repton education, as well as helping fund development projects for Repton and Repton Prep UK. Since opening the first Repton school in Dubai in 2007, Repton Family of Schools has contributed a significant amount of money to Repton UK, and this figure grows significantly with each passing year.

Not only do the international schools provide additional income, but they also offer a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange, raising our pupils’ horizons and providing opportunities for our staff to share ideas and good practice.

We were delighted to host an event in London for our international alumni in the summer of 2022 and have plans for another such event in summer 2024. We are also exploring other ways to bring our international alumni closer to the Old Reptonians.

Schools Update

Our most recent international school, Repton Cairo, opened in September 2021 with 87 pupils and

now educates over 250 proud Reptonians, from Pre-School to Year 8. The School boasts excellent facilities and is situated in the prestigious ‘Mivida’ development, in New Cairo.

Repton Al Barsha has joined Repton Dubai in the top ten best schools in the Middle East in the prestigious Spears Index rankings – this is an impressive feat in one of the most competitive regions in the world for private schools. You can read more here: The best private schools in the Middle East - Spear’s magazine (spearswms.com)

As part of a strategy to broaden our reach here in the UK, another Prep school joined the Repton family in May 2022: Vinehall School in East Sussex. Vinehall is a co-educational day and boarding Prep

school and sits on a beautiful 50 acre site near Robertsbridge. The school has excellent facilities and a wonderfully welcoming ‘family feel’ and we are delighted that our boarding community and pupil numbers in general are growing.

The Future

We are working to increase opportunities for connection, collaboration and exchange across our family of schools, including visits by pupils, cross-school projects and sharing of good practice between teachers. We continue to seek projects for the establishment of Repton schools both abroad and closer to home and look forward to bringing you news of new school openings in due course.

“WHERE CHILDREN GET TO BE CHILDREN WHILE TICKING ALL THE RIGHT BOXES ACADEMICALLY”

To arrange your personal tour, please email our Admissions Manager, Ellie Jones ejones@repton.org.uk

A perfectly balanced education in the heart of England

Full, weekly and flexiboarding places are available for children from age 7. reptonprep.org.uk

Stunning venues, set in historical grounds

Bespoke packages tailored for your dream day

Preferred supplier lists & event management

Flawless attention to detail & on-site support

To discuss your requirements further, contact: enterprises@repton.org.uk

Repton School Shop

The School Shop can still be found next to The Grubber, and ORs are welcome to visit whenever they are in Repton. As well as the traditional OR merchandise, such as blazers, ties, socks and teddy bears, there is a range of Repton-branded items to choose from: some of the items are listed below.

Changing rooms are available onsite and items can be posted to anywhere. To find out more about the full range, or to place an order, email shop@repton. org.uk or call on (01283) 559323.

Hoodie

PJ Top (pink/blue striped)

PJ Bottoms (pink/blue striped)

PJ Set

Lounge Pants (tartan)

Slides

T-Shirt

Towel

Therma Bottle (metal)

Mug

Tote Bags (jute)

Water Bottle

£32

£35

£30

£50

£25

£25

£20

£20

£15

£12

£5

£3.95

Overseas OR Contacts

Below is a full list of those ORs who have volunteered to be ‘Overseas Links’. We are very grateful to those who have volunteered, but there are many gaps in the list of countries. If you would be willing to act as an Overseas Link in a country not already covered, please contact the OR Office at or@repton.org.uk.

have previously been included, or would like to be added, please contact the OR Office.

The OR Society Grant

In keeping with the OR Society’s founding principles to maintain links with Old Reptonians and support their endeavours post their time at Repton, the OR Society is proud to provide grants to ORs seeking to further develop their career ambitions. As is the case with support for OR Branches/Clubs, each application for funding will be judged on individual merit by the OR Society Executive Committee and taken to the General Committee meeting in September of each year for approval. As part of any grant funding application, we ask applicants to:

1 Highlight previous support for the OR Society and its founding principles

2 Demonstrate how the grant will have a positive impact on the applicant’s career progression

3 Agree in principle to provide feedback on how the grant has supported their career development and to commit to support future careers initiatives for pupils and/or other ORs

OR Pupil Education Grant

Elena Komova, Upper Sixth

I wholeheartedly thank the OR Society for the opportunity to attend a 3-week Economics Summer School ‘I Love Economics’ course. I sincerely believe that the OR grant, which enabled me to attend, played a significant role in shaping my academic journey and contributed to my success in securing an offer from the University of Cambridge. The Economics Summer School experience was truly transformative, providing me with a unique blend of intensive lectures, self-study opportunities and invaluable one-to-one discussions with tutors.

During the three-week programme, I delved deep into various aspects of economics, particularly finding fascination in the mathematics of Nash and the intricacies of game theory. Exploring concepts such as the Hotelling model and its realworld applications, coupled with further study of Salop’s circle, allowed me to uncover nuances and insights that enriched my understanding of consumer behaviour and market dynamics.

Undoubtedly, the support from the OR Society and the opportunity to participate in such enriching experiences have been instrumental in shaping my academic trajectory, culminating in the offer from Cambridge. I am deeply grateful for the Society’s support and encouragement throughout this journey. Once again, thank you for your warm wishes and ongoing support. I look forward to my studies at the University of Cambridge.

Officers of the Old Reptonian Society 2023/2024

Executive Committee

President 2024 – Samantha Wilkinson (Abbey 1986-88)

President Emeritus 2023 – Nick Smith (Brook 1969-74)

Vice President – Mark Semmence (Headmaster)

Chair – Nick Walford (Brook 1969-74)

Treasurer – John Wallis (Latham 1971-76)

Governors’ Representative – Matthew Needham (Priory 1980-85)

Repton Foundation Representative – Juliet Wolfe (Abbey 1983-85)

School Liaison Officer – Anna Parish (Staff)

School Liaison Officer – Nigel Kew (Former Staff)

General Committee

Radha Kaushal-Bolland (Garden 2011-16) – appointed 2022

Abigail Halidu (Abbey 2007-09) – appointed 2022

Charlotte Ashley-Stojak (Mitre 2003-05) – appointed 2019

Eleanor Tyler (Mitre 2005-10) – appointed 2016

Simon Johnson (Orchard 2004-06) – appointed 2016

Andrew Churchill (Priory 1982-86) – appointed 2015

Tom Poynton (School 2006-08) – appointed 2014

Daisy Heath-Abbott (Garden 2006-09) – appointed 2018

Branch Representatives

Regional:

Yorkshire – Adam Sinclair (Latham 1978-83) and Andy Colcombe (Priory 1978-82)

Lancashire & Cheshire – Jonathan Every (New 1991-96)

Sport:

OR Football Club – Nicky Samra (New 2002-07) and Josh Riley (Priory 2011-16)

OR Pilgrims Cricket Club – James Blackwell (Priory 2000-05) and Freddie Cheshire (School House 2015-17)

OR Netball Club – Daisy Heath-Abbott (Garden 2006-09)

OR Tennis Club – Jamie Muirhead (Cross 2009-11)

OR Squash Club – Ben Miller (Staff)

OR Fives – David Exley (Priory 1995-2000 and Staff)

OR Golfing Society – Paul Brownhill (Priory 1980-85)

OR Cycling – Oliver Pepper (Brook 1990-95)

Other Branch Contacts:

Arts – Guy Levesley (Hall 1975-80)

LGBTQ+ – Charles Haydn-Slater (Cross 2003-08)

OR Masonic Lodge – Ian McClary (Former Staff)

OR Professional Property Club – Aoife Broderick (2007-09) and Christopher Berriman (Latham 1977-82)

We welcome the many contributions we receive from ORs for the annual edition of The Arch. Articles of up to 400 words plus print-quality photos (300 dpi resolution) should be submitted to the OR Society Office by 1st November each year.

https://www.repton.org.uk/the-old-reptonian-society

Email: OR@repton.org.uk Tel: (01283) 559320

Old Reptonian Society

The Hall, Repton School, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH