A word from The Secretary

has written a fascinating biography about Lugard entitled The Passionate Imperialist. Last year, Rory was kind enough to donate a copy of this wonderful book to the Rossall School Library. Lugard was a swashbuckling adventurer who lived a life of remarkable contrasts. He achieved an extraordinary amount and was, in part, responsible for the creation of Nigeria.

Meeting current and prospective parents is always a joy and in Bangkok we were fortunate enough to be treated to dinner at the house of Jim Thompson who was responsible for saving the Thai silk industry from almost certain extinction. In 1967 he disappeared whilst visiting Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands. As a former CIA executive, speculation concerning his disappearance was rife, not least because he was considered to be supportive of those movements antithetical to US interests. The brand which now bears his name is famous throughout Southeast Asia. Once again, there is a strong Rossall link to this particular company as a Rossall parent is Director of Communications of this highly successful global brand.

Rossallians really are to be found everywhere. If you wander down to the Bangkok Protestant Cemetery which provides a haven of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, then you might chance upon J. Geoffrey Walsh, the cemetery chairperson. Geoffrey retired to Bangkok some twenty odd years ago, having lived in America for much of his adult life. He is an Old Rossallian and remembers his days on the Fylde Coast with real fondness.

All of those whom we met in Hong Kong evidently share bonds forged in Lancashire. The fact that there are groups of Rossallians in cities across the world who tend to remember the School with such fondness should be a cause of very real celebration. We are a global school and I have no doubt that all of us gain a tremendous amount from being part of a network of collegiate friendship which extends well beyond the school gates. It strikes me that, for many, Rossall is more than just a school and more than just a home.

On the trading floors of the Hong Kong stock exchange or in secluded corners of Bangkok, Rossallians are to be found. Some left the school nearly seventy years ago whilst others left much more recently. All retain a regard for Rossall that endures to this day.

A Word from The Secretary, Ian Preston

(J&Pe 66-73)

At last, as reported in greater detail elsewhere in this publication, the new data base is up and running, which makes it so much easier for us now to collate all the information we have about ORs and help us pass the information on to you. To take advantage of what is available please do sign up. If you need any assistance please give Julie a call and she will guide you through.

Unfortunately good old Data Protection legislation prevents full access being available, but I am afraid we have to live with that.

We are receiving a lot more information from you all and the response to the request for “Memories of Rossall” has been astonishing. This will be available on the Rossallians website, so well worth a look, and please keep it all coming.

With the increase flow of “news” it may seem a rather strange decision to change this news letter from a Bi-Annual to an Annual publication, but that is what we have decided to do. It is our feeling that the resource required to produce two issues is far better utilised in giving you one bigger and better production, with pointers for you to the Web site for fuller versions of particular items. The “Obituaries” section for example, and we all know that is the first section we all skip to, will be very much condensed, with more detailed reports available on line. Apologies for those of you less at ease with “on line”, but I think most of us have now got to grips with the basics. I am reminded of the suggestion that decimalisation should be put off until all the old folk had died! I suppose those that can remember that are the ones now with “on line” issues!