News of Old Berkhamstedians

Having completed an Undergraduate and Masters in Investment Banking at The ICMA Centre Reading University, George Cotton (Ha ’11) has been promoted at his current company Safra Sarasin Zurich from Junior Portfolio Manager to Senior Manager as of September 2020. He has been in Zurich for seven years this coming July.

Josh Barton (Sp ’19) and Toby Knight (’20) are creating buzz in rugby circles, with November 2021 seeing Josh making his debut for Exeter Chiefs and Toby turning out for Saracens in the Premiership Cup. Both are tipped for big things.

News of 2000s Leavers

Dr Sam Carter-Allison (Ha ’02) had been named as part of the Tag Rugby GB squad in the run up to the International Tag Rugby Federation World Cup. Sam has been playing at an international level in the Mixed Seniors team since 2019. She started her rugby career aged 16 at Berkhamsted as one of the first women’s years allowed to play the game under the auspices of Mr Dick Mowbray. She also continues to play the contact version of the sport (at a social level), having recently returned from playing the Dubai 7s tournament.

In addition, Sam is double capped, also competing at an international level in the equally obscure sport of Obstacle Course Racing since 2018 – although the global pandemic and resulting travel restrictions prevented her from taking part in 2021’s OCR World Cup in the USA.

Adrian Dennis (Bu ’03) tells us, ‘My fiancé Stacey Stewart recently gave birth to our first baby, a boy by the name of Hugh Alexander Dennis. He was born on 20th October 2021 and both mum and baby are doing very well.’ Adrian hopes for more glad tidings in the next issue: ‘We should have further news of our marriage, but we’re not counting chickens because it’s been cancelled twice because of Covid!’

Caroline Godden (Purse)

(Bu ’09) and her husband Peter were ‘delighted to welcome a baby boy, William, into the world on 4th June 2021. He is a very happy, inquisitive little boy who has brought a lot of love and delight to family and friends.’

Having been shortlisted for the Xero Awards 2021 and Accounting Excellence Awards 2021, Lara Manton (MacCrimmon) (As ’08) with her business LJM Bookkeeping, was awarded the LUCA for Small Practice of the Year by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. She was shortlisted in 2020, but was extremely pleased to be awarded the special silver LUCA for the Institute’s 25th anniversary, at the celebrations held in London on 1st November 2021.

Simon Stiel (As ’05) writes in with a change of direction. ‘My job in Canary Wharf, London was made redundant before the virus disaster began. Since then, I have been doing courses in photography and image scanning for the Paralympic Heritage Trust, which is based in Stoke Mandeville. I aim to work there permanently if circumstances allow. I am also in the finishing stages of my biography of Swedish racing driver Gunnar Nilsson, who set up a cancer treatment campaign in 1978 before he sadly died of the disease.

The course by the Paralympic Heritage Trust is 3D scanning with the help of Ursae Ltd, a company that has exhibited across Britain. Photography and research for the exhibits are held by the Trust at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

In addition, I also do social media for the Autism Bucks charity that aims to empower and inform Buckinghamshire about the needs of autistic people of all ages. We did a talk recently at a primary school in Bierton near Aylesbury.’

News of 1990s Leavers

It’s all been happening for Robert Courts (Fr ’97): ‘In July 2019, we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Isabella Alexandra Elizabeth to the family. Her big brother, Henry, seems rather besotted with her (even now, two years on!) She is a delightful, ever-cheerful little girl and brings much joy to the family. In September 2020, I became the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security (at the Department for Transport), the perfect position for me with my interests and RAF Brize Norton just down the road in the centre of my Witney constituency. Covid has made for a very difficult time for all these industries, and those who work within them, so my start in Government has certainly been very challenging, but very rewarding.’

Oliver Excell (’95) was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last year. He received it for Services to Government during Covid-19. Oliver was part of the vaccine task force programme.

Matthew Horton (Sw ’90) has written a book on the roots, meaning and making of George Michael’s 1987 debut solo album for Bloomsbury’s 331/3 series. Faith is published on 2nd June 2022 and is available to pre-order now at all the usual stockists.

News of 1980s Leavers

Amanda Bennett (Livingstone) (Ho ’81) announces ‘big changes in my routine this year. Having ‘retired’ from nursing in December 2014 and beginning my own gardening business, I joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council temporary Covid register and have been working at the Portsmouth Vaccination Centre since February 2021. Absolutely crazily busy. So worthwhile and rewarding! I have now taken the momentous decision to rejoin the register in its full capacity.’

Katy Craven (Altman) (Bu ’81) sends a photo of two Old Berkhamstedians – Katy herself, a parliamentary assistant for the last 34 years, and Robert Courts (Fr ’97), Transport Minister in the current Government – alongside Gagan Mohindra, MP for South West Hertfordshire (which of course covers Berkhamsted). Katy says, ‘I see Gagan most days, as he works in the same building by the House of Commons, so do let me know if you ever want him to visit the School.’ We’ll pass that on. Ghia Gabriela Szwed-Truesdale (’80) says, ‘Quite miraculously, your mailing of The Old Berkhamstedian 2021 reached my childhood home and a kind soul squired it to me two hours south. I am saddened to learn of Mrs Farley’s passing, as I am sure you are, as well.

Of the girls in our form in 1979-1980, I still correspond from time to time with Amina ‘Minnie’ Habib Ali via Facebook and recently crossed paths professionally with England's Dame Sarah Lancashire OBE – for a moment, I thought perhaps she was our own Sarah Evans.’

News of 1970s Leavers

Dr Innes Simon Chadwick (Be ’75) has sent in a picture he found in his late mother’s photo albums. ‘I presume it was taken at one of the regattas in the summer of 1975 and must have been me sat at the back as cox. (Can’t think why else my mother would have kept it). I was the coxswain for the 1st IV that year. It might be fun to see if anyone recognises who the others are. I’m scratching my head trying to remember who they might have been. As for the haircuts!’ Please drop us a line at ob@berkhamsted.com if you recognise anyone.

Jane Duncan (Leslie) (Ch ’78) has ‘taken some time out to do an MA in Biography at Buckingham University (yes, really!) I am back in Public Relations and am working with Plastecowood, an innovative Welsh company whose Smartawood® products (benches, walkways, pallets etc) are made from the plastic waste that would normally be destined for landfill.

‘Our daughter Tamar (NS ’19) is at Oxford Brookes University, studying Business and Marketing Management, while my aunt Janet Dendy (NS ’40) turned 99 in July 2021. Her younger sisters Christine (my late mother) and Hazel (who has lived in New York since the late 1950s) left Berkhamsted in 1940 and were evacuated to Canada for the duration of the Second World War.’

Rob Freeman (Fr ’70) has teamed up with Mary Murray (Casserley) (Hon) to publish a book on steam trains using her father Richard Casserley’s (Be ’56) and grandfather HC Casserley’s photographic archive. Steaming Through the Chilterns is published by Goose Publishing and covers a further selection of photographs to complement Steaming Through Berkhamsted (2017).

Richard Casserley was a member of the School Railway Society and went on to a career with British Rail. Some other members of the school club were Nigel Mundy, John Alsop, Douglas Dowling and Thurstan Adburgham. The master who drew the short straw of looking after them was DV Miller. Model railways also featured, and the Society provided a layout for Founder’s Day each year. They also had visits to Bow, and Stratford works and Northampton gasworks. Occasional speakers included HC Casserley and Richard Casserley, who gave a particularly good illustrated talk with the aid of an epidiascope in the Physics lecture room.

Rob Freeman went on to become a language teacher and Examinations Officer at Tring School where he founded the Railway Enthusiasts club, taking boys off on spotting trips at weekends. Tring School Railway Club also had one girl member. She was quite a character and came on the trips too. Rob remembers the following with a smile –

Ticket Collector at Euston: ‘Girls don’t do trainspotting.’

Sophie, looking him squarely in the eye: ‘This one does!’

Copies are available from marycasserley.com or in Berkhamsted Waterstones.

In October 2021, Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO (Ru ’74) delivered the 2021 Ralph Slatyer Address on Science and Society for the CRC Association (about to become Cooperative Research Australia). The address is named in honour of Australia’s first Chief Scientist, who developed the concept for Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres, which are a bedrock of the Australian Innovation System. Dr Woodthorpe is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Academy of Technology and Engineering, and in 2017 received an Order of Australia for her ongoing service to research and technology innovation in Australia.

News of 1960s Leavers

Mark Cole (Ad ’64) was shortlisted for the 2021 RAC Motoring Book of the Year Award for his well-received Ultimate McLaren F1 GTR book, which was published late last year. The author

and broadcaster was up against 56 entries from all over the world, and was in the final top four selected. The judges said entries this year were of an exceptionally high quality.

‘I was honoured that my book, which covered the 28 F1 GTR cars built, one of which won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1995 on its debut, was chosen,’ says Mark. ‘It represented two years’ work and more than 100 interviews with drivers, teams, and past and present owners. Although it didn't win outright, it was commended, a great recognition for both me and my publisher.

Mark with his £450 McLaren F1 GTR book, appropriately dressed for the 2021 Goodwood Revival!

‘I have never forgotten the use of English which John Davison drummed into me in in the Sixth Form; his guidance launched me into my career as a journalist and now author. This is my third book for Porter Press International, and I am currently working on my fourth, the Ultimate Ford GT40, which is due to be published during 2022. I continue to commentate on Le Mans and world sportscar racing for Eurosport TV and celebrated my 30th year with the network in October 2021.’ Two exciting bits of news from Jane Gibson (Sloan) (Ho ’61), who has a new great-granddaughter – Piper Hallworth – and has written a book, Hunting Potters in South Asia – A 26 Year Journey in Search of the Traditional Potters of India and Pakistan, out now, published by Matador. Jane is still working as a physiotherapist, making pots and running marathons.

In April 2021, Paul Mainds (Ad ’68) was elected Chair of Chilterns Conservation Board, where he serves as a Secretary of State appointee. The CCB is the statutory body formally responsible for ‘conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB, and increasing the understanding and enjoyment by the public of its special qualities.’ The nation’s protected landscapes play a crucial role in the response to both climate change and nature recovery as well as supporting the wider ‘health and well-being’ agenda. Planned Government announcements in 2022 will see crucial developments for the Chilterns and it will be an exciting time to help shape their future. Further detail is available at chilternsaonb.org

‘It’s never too late to go to university,’ says Andrew Morris (Up ’65). ‘At the age of 73 I managed to attain my Master’s degree in Project Management at the University of Salford, Manchester. Now at the age of 75, I am in the third year of my PhD in Management Studies at the University of Salford. I believe that during the time of Covid, these studies have helped me stay focused and active.

I thoroughly recommend online education, as it allows the degree of freedom for students – especially for the older ones – to prepare for their classes at their own pace and timing, so that they can contribute more effectively.

The photo is from my 2019 graduation at the University of Salford with my wife Sri.’ Gilbert Grace (Sw ’53) and his wife Julie celebrated their Diamond Wedding last year and Gilbert says, ‘I feel very proud to have achieved this. I have also turned 85, still play hockey for the over-50s for Tring, and The England LX Club for the over-60s. I also still work full-time in the family business, G Grace & Son in Tring, as I gradually hand over to my grandson Jordon (In ’09). My main work is working on classic cars, particularly Jaguar E Types, or others of the 1950 to 1970s era.’

Professor Stuart B Hill (In ’59) draws our attention to his new book, Social Ecology and Education: Transforming Worldviews and Practices, published last year by Routledge. Professor Hill is Foundation Chair of Social Ecology at the University of Western Sydney and his book ‘addresses ‘ecological understanding’ as a transformative educational issue: a learning response to emerging insights into social-ecological relationships, and the future of life on our planet.’

Evelyn Pegley (Levitton) (Lx ’54) reveals what she did during lockdown: ‘I set aside two sessions a week to interview prospective volunteers for the vaccination centres on behalf of the British Red Cross, which gave some structure to the weeks from January to the end of May 2021. It was fascinating, and humbling, to speak with so many people from diverse backgrounds who were willing to give their time to helping others.’

News of Staff and Honorary Members

Larry Eaton (Hon) announces the arrival of Florence Anne Margaret Eaton, born on 12th September 2021.

Mary Casserley (Murray) (Hon) found a famous buyer for her painting ‘Chequers Court’. It depicts Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his family in the gardens of his offi cial residence Chequers, and found favour with the man himself after Mary had sent it to him as a postcard. As Mary told Hemel Today, Johnson sent her a handwritten reply, calling the painting ‘terrifi c’ and adding, ‘I don’t suppose it is by any chance for sale?’ The deal was done.

Roger Roebuck (In ’59) is ‘very happy to say that May and I celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary on 6th September 2021. In the circumstances, we had a modest family gathering at a cottage on the river Wye in Herefordshire. We ended up doing a spot of fi shing (four rods) and a three-hour canoe trip!’