A word from your Chairman

Walter Raleigh

MAY I welcome you to our first magazine of a new decade – I do hope you enjoy it.

As we begin 2020 I feel the Society is in rude health and our links with the School are as strong as they have been since the days of Alan Conley. This is primarily down to the work of the Principal, Ian Rimmer and Abbi Terry, one of the Assistant Heads, and we thank them for all they have done to cement and develop this relationship.

This is, of course, an important year in the history of our Society. It is the year in which we celebrate the centenary of the Old Almondburians’ Society after it was re-formed following the devastation of the First World War. The committee have been busy putting together a programme of events to celebrate this anniversary. We can confirm our plans for the Annual Dinner have taken a step forward with David Morphet accepting our invitation to speak. David (1951-58) was an outstanding student who went on to read English at St. John’s College, Cambridge. He later had a distinguished career in the Civil Service. I’m sure he will have some memories of the School in the 1950s! To respond to his toast we are at present shortlisting a number of students who attended the School since it became a comprehensive. I hope to have more news on this for the next issue.

Another exciting piece of news is that we’re planning to produce a new book to mark the centenary. Its title is No beating about the Bush and it is a fascinating final-year diary compiled (unknown to me and my colleagues!) by Dave Bush during his final year at King James’s School in 1995/96. To make the book possible we are now seeking initial subscribers whose names will of course be acknowledged in the book: see the announcement on page 36 of this issue. If, like me, you are intrigued to learn more about what used to happen ‘behind the scenes’ at King James’s 25 years ago, do subscribe using the slip enclosed with this issue or apply online at www.oas.org.uk/book.php.

One of the most disappointing things since I took office is the lack of progress in cataloguing our Archives. We have certainly moved on from when they were simply in boxes in a store room at the back of Dave Bush’s office but my aim to have them digitised so all members could access this wonderful store of information from home is still a pipe dream.

However, I can report there is progress. Following our conversations with the West Yorkshire Archive Service for the Heritage Weekends I am pleased to announce that they will be taking over the cataloguing of the archive material this year. We believe it will take about three years to complete, at no cost to School or the Society. Once completed the WYAS have promised to help us apply for funding to digitise the archive. For me and the Committee this is really exciting progress.

On the subject of the archives, Ian Rimmer has suggested producing a book of photographs from the Archives. We all thought this a great idea until we looked at the logistics of doing this. It will take time and no-one on the Committee felt they had the time to research all the photographs in the Archive in order to produce such a book as a longer term project. I am, therefore, seeking any members of the Society, ideally local, who would like to get involved with this project. Please contact me if you are available and interested.

And finally, as a result of the work of Roger Dowling and Christopher Mann some newly minted Dartmouth Medals will be presented to the outstanding boy and girl student at King James’s from this year onwards (see article on page 33).

It is fitting in our centenary year to bring this award back and we must, of course, again thank the Earl of Dartmouth for his considerable financial contribution which has made this possible.

Andrew Haigh

SINCE the last magazine was published, we have been delighted to welcome five new members to the Society: l Harvey Smith (1948-1956), from Birstall, l Andrew Battye (1979-1982), from Almondbury, l Gary Hodgson (1979-1983), from Lepton, l Andrew Wortley (1965-1970), from Waterloo, and l David Malcolm Lee (1946-1951), from Birkby

Sadly, we have learned of two deaths: l Robert Ian Chappell (1934-39), from York, and l David Michael Earnshaw (1954-59), from Farndon, Cheshire.

For the few members who do not pay their subscriptions by standing order, please remember that your £10.00 subscription for 2019-2020 fell due on 1st September last year.

Thank you to those who have recently brought their subscription up to date; however, if you do receive a letter with this magazine pointing out that your subscription is not up-to-date, please do send your payment without delay.

It does make life much easier if you can complete the updated standing order mandate that accompanies the letter and return it in the envelope provided.

Alternatively, you may renew online, using PayPal or a debit or credit card, by visiting www.oas.org.uk and clicking on the ‘Join/Renew Online’ button.

Dates of Executive Committee Meetings, 2020

Executive Committee meetings are usually held on the first Monday of the month, although there is no meeting in August, nor in April this year due to the Easter holidays. Any member of the Society who would like to attend one of these meetings will be made most welcome on the following dates:

Monday, 3rd February

Monday, 2nd March

Monday, 4th May

Monday, 1st June

Monday, 6th July

Monday, 7th September

Monday, 5th October

Monday, 2nd November

Monday, 7th December

Executive Committee meetings are currently being held at School in the ODH at 6.00 pm.