OU Magazine Issue 37 2009-2010

Photo: www.keithducatel.com

The Magazine for the Old Boys & Girls of Uppingham School, Rutland Issue 37:Winter 2009/2010

OU

All in a good cause...

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Forthcoming Events Thurs 4th Feb 2010 OU London Dinner The Mandarin Oriental, London

e h Jun t 9 1 Sat 010 2 nion u e R l Hal gham Uppin ol Scho

April 2010 OU Jersey Dinner

Thurs 7th Oct 2010 Over 60’s London Lunch TBA

OUs interested in attending any of the above events should contact Nicola Tyers at the email address below.

All events are listed on the reunions page on the OU website www.olduppinghamian.co.uk which is updated regularly, so please keep checking for details.

If you would like to know who is attending these events or see some photos, please refer to the OU website.

OU is the magazine for the Old Boys & Girls of Uppingham School, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: nmt@uppingham.co.uk

April 2010 Hong Kong Dinner Hong Kong

2010 Military Dinner TBC

Sat 29th May 2010 Speech Day OU Lunch Uppingham School wing he follo d t in s t Even lanne s are p countrie 10/2011. for 20 frica South A st Ea Middle USA Canada est

r inter ter you uk To regis uppingham.co. t@ email:nm

Contents Message from the Headmaster

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OU News

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Who? What? Where?

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Uppingham Society

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Photo Call 2009

11-17

Announcements

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The Uppingham Collegiate

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Headmasters of Uppingham

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Staff News

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Memory Corner

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Western Quad Update

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OUs in fashion

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OU Sports Societies & Clubs

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The London OU Dinner

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The front cover of this issue includes a selection of OUs who have raised money for worthwhile charities during the course of the year: (1) Benjamin Elson (WB 89) was amongst many OUs that took part in a 10km run in Greenwich Park on 6th September 2009 raising funds for the Adam Cole Foundation.

(4) David Ross (C 78) took part in the Offa’s Dyke Walk this year in aid of the Havelock Academy of which he is a Sponsor and Trustee.

(2) Neil Aitken (L 81), as part of ‘The Wootton Wanderers’, embarked on an unaided cycle ride from London to Paris in September 2009 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

(5) John Suchet (Fgh 57) partnered Zoe Lucker on Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire aired on 1st September 2009 where they both won £75k for their respective charities, For Dementia and The Caron Keating Foundation.

Photo: DF Management.

(3) Jo Cottingham (B 98), Freddie Branson (WD 01),Tom Horrobin (B 98), Luke Lancaster (Hf 01), Chris Palfreyman (LH 01) were just a few of the OUs that took part in The Triathlon of Extreme Measures Summer 2009, which included cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats, swimming and a 3 peaks challenge which they are pictured having completed.The Triathlon raised over £16,000 for Amantani which is a charity dedicated to protecting children’s rights in Peru.

(6) Ed Stafford (WB 89) is walking the length of the Amazon river in South America from the source to the sea. He has been walking since 2nd April 2008 and is expecting to finish in May 2010. Ed is completing this challenge for several charities but two which are close to his heart are Cancer Research UK and The ME Association. Ed’s father sadly died of cancer in 1999 and his sister has had ME for over 16 years. Photo: Keith Ducatel.

Message from the Headmaster OU

A Message from the Headmaster

Karin and Richard Harman

In spite of the economically challenging times we’re living through, I’m very pleased to tell you that the School remains in excellent health.We have some 780 or so boys and girls in the School, which is almost at the record level seen last year and is about as full as we feel we can be.This is due to the hard work of everyone concerned, to the excellent all-round reputation we have maintained and of course to the OU community who spread the good name of Uppingham far and wide. It’s a good time to be welcoming our new Registrar, Charlie Bostock, to the Senior Management Team.

Our exam results this summer were again very good and there is much to celebrate. In particular, it is notable that one in three of our U6th leavers achieved straight A grades, that we have had our highest ever number of A grades overall and our second highest percentage of A grades and once again not a single fail grade.

At GCSE we have had by almost all measures our best ever year. More than a third of all entries gained an A*. For A* and A grades combined the 68.65% was the best for three years and close to our best ever. At the top end, we have never had so many straight A* or near-straight A* candidates. Five pupils got straight A*s and eight more got A*s across the board apart from one result.

So we continue to do very well indeed by these academic measures and also in terms of our reputation for excellence in boarding, in pastoral care and in the all-round opportunities we offer. In fact it’s essential to remember that in turbulent times our core values are more important than ever: providing a happy, stimulating environment where teenagers can flourish and find out where their talents lie, helping them become most fully themselves.

The current projects we’re undertaking will enhance these things still further and also, in time, provide more opportunities for connections with the local community. But we know things are not going to get easier economically in the near future.This will affect all of us in one way or another.

Given the uncertain world in which we’re living, is it a risk for Uppingham to be forging ahead with major new projects? The answer is that, first, we’re starting from a very good financial position, secondly the Uppingham Foundation has made a superb start to our fund-raising for these works, and thirdly borrowing rates are at historic lows. But above all, the work going on at the Western Quad is a huge signal of confidence in the long-term future of the school and it’s absolutely the right vision to enable the next generation of development to take place.

I’m delighted that progress on site over the summer has been very good.The Sports Centre project, or phase one of the overall vision, remains on time and on budget. I’m confident that this time next year the building and the playing fields will be going into use and we will witness this transforming vision unfold.

There’s a lot more to do before we get there, but once this phase is completed we’ll turn our attention to thinking about phase two, centred on Science and the new Quad itself.

As I travel around the country, and indeed overseas, meeting OUs and their families, I know that there’s huge enthusiasm and support for what the School is trying to achieve and for this I am truly grateful. Every step we take enhances Uppingham’s standing and reputation and I trust that this makes the entire OU community proud of their School. I know that the pupils and staff at Uppingham are looking forward with great excitement to the opening of the new Sports Centre and they would be happy to share their passion for Uppingham with any OU who wishes to call in and see the great changes that are taking place.

There is much to celebrate and much to anticipate in the year ahead and I look forward to updating you on our progress at forthcoming OU events.

Thank you for your support.

Richard Harman

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OU News OU Who? What? Where?

News from the Association and Foundation

Director’s Message

It was enormously touching to see Geoffrey Fenton (WD 30) pay what was to be his final visit to the School for the West Deyne 150th anniversary celebration in June. For more than 75 years Geoffrey had followed the fortunes of the School with great interest and his affection for the place never waivered. He sadly died just three weeks later and on his desk were some notes he was writing on his Headmaster back in 1930, the Rev’d Owen. Geoffrey’s passing happened just a few weeks after that of Major John Stevens (Hf 25) who supported every local reunion and was up to date with every development at Uppingham some eight decades after leaving School. His support for the School was fantastic and those of you who have seen the OU DVD which was made in 2006 will recall his great enthusiasm for Uppingham and his vivid memories of school-life.

The life-long affinity which both Geoffrey and John had with Uppingham is typical of many OUs. As Richard Boston mentions later, we have had record numbers of OUs attending reunions in the last twelve months and this shows that the bond between OUs and their School is as strong, if not stronger than ever.

The affinity could be based on many reasons, but I suspect that the most enduring memories are created by the people one meets. In conversations with OUs here and overseas, nearly all can reel off a list of housemates or Masters whose contact with them, however transitory, has inspired, improved or simply entertained them.

This brings me on to the retirements of David Gaine, Jerry Rudman and Myles Sewter. Heaven knows how many OUs were taught by this trio during their

combined 110 years of teaching at the School. Each of these colleagues has devoted the majority of their working life to Uppingham and tributes are paid later in the magazine.

The current staff and indeed pupils of Uppingham consequently have a great heritage which they must respect and live up to. Having 7000 OUs as well as a host of long-serving staff watching and caring about the major developments at the School places a huge responsibility on those tasked with moving Uppingham forward. It is in this context that the decision to move forward with the Western Quad vision should be viewed. Taking on a major capital programme during a recession is a bold decision but having considered the long-term implications of embarking on this development (and indeed of not doing so), there was only one answer which would see the School continue to flourish.

With the new Sports Centre well into its construction phase it is clear that it will offer a huge boost to the teaching and playing of sport at Uppingham, not only at an elite level but in encouraging widespread participation in games in both the School and in the wider community. As a school renowned for its all-round tradition, sport is a key part of the curriculum and the whole of Uppingham is looking forward to the opening of the Centre with great excitement and enthusiasm.

I am sure that the reason why so many OUs and parents have supported the project is because of the significance of the development to the future of the School.

When Geoffrey Fenton visited the School he was delighted to hear more about the project and to ask about the impact of the Sports Centre on the current pupils. We hope and trust that by pursuing the Western Quad vision we are reflecting the wishes of all OUs, parents, staff and former staff who want Uppingham to remain at the forefront of boarding education. All support towards this aim is greatly appreciated and we send our warmest thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to the project.

Patrick Mulvihill

Secretary’s Message

Another year has passed all too quickly since I last put pen to paper and a great deal has been packed into it. This year has seen personal contact with over 900 OUs and their partners through social events both at home and overseas, something of a record I think!

The social events season started with yet another very successful Over 60s Lunch at the Cavalry & Guards Club in October.

This event always produces a loyal and constant turnout.

The London Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental followed at the beginning of February. The Uppingham party, which included the Headmaster and his wife, escaped from a snowbound Uppingham in the requisitioned CCF Landrover arriving at Kettering station after an interesting cross country journey. The dinner proved once again the success of this excellent venue with every seat being filled. Due to the numbers attending and the time it takes to get the meal started it raised concerns about the length of time it takes to get through the dining part of the evening. Your Committee discussed this at length and decided that in future we would only have one speech at the dinner, the Headmasters “state of the union” address. Next year’s dinner is on 4th February 2010 and is likely to be as popular as previous years, so do apply for your tickets / tables in good time.

Mid-February saw the Association leaving the British winter for our first ever OU dinner in the Middle East which was initiated and arranged by Rick Tatham (WB 77) who is currently a Senior Captain with Emirates Airlines. The dinner was held at the Jebal Ali

Patrick Mulvihill Development Director 01572 820615 pdm@uppingham.co.uk

Richard Boston Association Secretary 01572 820679 rasb@uppingham.co.uk

Resort in the presence of Richard and Karin Harman.

At the beginning of April, we were once again heading for Rick Stein’s (WD 60) St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow for the Cornwall dinner which attracted a small but enlightening group of OUs and parents, the meal itself was, as usual, first class and greatly added to the overall ambiance of the evening.

Australia followed closely on the heels of Padstow with the second Western Australia OU dinner being held in Fremantle at the Left Bank Restaurant thanks largely due to the enthusiastic support and organisation of John Bird (L 67). The evening was memorable, being in a fantastic setting on the banks of the Swan River. The Western Australia OUs hope that this will become a regular event and any OU visiting the Perth/Fremantle area should contact John Bird (L 67) who can put them in touch with other members.

Sydney was the setting for the first ever East Coast dinner a week latter thanks to the organisation of Ed Watson (M 88) assisted by David Von Rothenburg (B 93).

The dinner was unique as we also invited the ex-Knox Grammar School GAP students who worked at Uppingham during the 1980’s to attend. This element of the occasion was coordinated by Alan Marsden who was on the staff at

Alan and Margie Marsden pictured outside their house named ‘Uppingham’

Uppingham for the academic year 1982/83 having exchanged with Peter Cannings who spent the same year at Knox. Alan recently retired from Knox as Deputy Headmaster. Four ‘Gappers’ attended; Andrew Blamey (1985),Tom Sloane (1986), David Sloane (1988) and Simon Roberts (1990) – Hugh Jackman, the actor, would have attended but for the fact that he was being interviewed by Jonathan Ross in London at the time!

The dinner was held at Mrs Tops Restaurant on Military Road in Sydney.

The first class French food, washed down

Nicola Tyers OU Events & Membership Coordinator 01572 820616 nmt@uppingham.co.uk

by outstanding wine, provided at a very reduced price by Mark Ward (LH 68) from his own commercial vineyard in the Hunter Valley, contributed to an exciting, successful and enjoyable evening of ‘Entente Cordiale’ Oz style!

Back in the UK the Veterans Rifle Club celebrated their half century anniversary at the Surrey Rifle Association Clubhouse, Bisley in late April with a variety of activities for a large number of members which included clay pigeon shooting, firing black powder pistols as well as a full bore rifle Competition.

An excellent dinner was arranged by James Watson (L 88) attended by over 50 Veterans as well as the current School shooting VIII. Twenty five years ago in July saw an intrepid band of adventurers setting off on the Quatercentenary Expedition to Sabah (North Borneo). A select reunion was held at the Garden House Hotel in Uppingham to mark the occasion. It proved to be an evening ‘down memory lane’ recalling the events of this remarkable adventure in a far flung part of the world.

The modified format of Speech Day/Founders Day for OUs proved popular again this year. The previous year we trialled the idea of offering lunch to OUs in the marquee as an alternative to going to Houses which proved a welcome move for those who took up the invitation. This year lunch was provided for 70 OUs and their partners and proved a first class forum for reminiscing. Speech Day also marked the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Cadbury Travel Grant set up by the family in memory of Ian Cadbury (B 61) who was tragically killed in a motoring accident in 1968. A significant number of award winners over the years returned to meet Mrs Cadbury and have lunch with her.

The ever popular Norfolk Dinner followed Speech Day in early June at the Hoste Arms at Burnham Market kindly hosted by Paul Whittome (F 68). More than 80 OUs, their partners, and parents attended on a perfect Summer’s evening which combined with first class food and wine ensured a great ‘Uppingham’ occasion.

This year concluded with the West Deyne 150th Anniversary in late June which attracted 120 OUs and their partners for a day of celebration which started with a buffet lunch in West Deyne, followed by tours of the School, tea in the Kendal Room and concluded with a convivial dinner in the Undercroft where the current Housemaster, Tim Jefferis and Headmaster, Richard Harman

Laurie Prashad Development Officer 01572 820617 ltp@uppingham.co.uk

addressed the company. This was a memorable occasion upon which to bring a full and busy year of social events to its conclusion.

Once again the Association owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our amazing OU-Coordinator, Nicola Tyers upon whose shoulders fall the bulk of the administration and arrangement of all these events both national and international. This is in addition to all the other duties she undertakes on our behalf including editing the OU News, fitting everything in an seemingly effortless way on a part-time basis!

Looking further ahead 2011 is a land mark year for the Association as we will be celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Association. We are hoping to celebrate the occasion with a number of special events and we have formed a sub-committee of the Association Committee to come up with ideas as to how best mark this milestone.

If anyone has any ideas to feed into the sub committee please contact Nicola in the first instance. Coincidentally, it is also the year that Brooklands will be celebrating its 150th year!

As in the past your Committee is there to ensure the smooth running of the Association and to be a channel of communication should you wish to bring points of view or suggestions to the Committee via individual members.

The current Committee is constituted as follows:The Headmaster – Chairman Richard Boston (B 56) * – Secretary Members Mike Higgs (Fgh 69) * Basil Towers (Hf 71) David Gavins (LH 73) Dawn Wilson (Fd 80) * Fiona Bettles (Fd 86) James Hartley (B 92) Ben Fry (F 96) * Emma Cannings (L 93) * * = 2011 Sub-Committee This time last year we were living in very uncertain times, hopefully this coming year will see a more stable and predictable pattern emerging, enabling everyone to enjoy the forthcoming festive season and indeed the events we have planned for the New Year.

Richard Boston

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OU Who? What? Where?

Who? What? Where?

It is always good to hear from OUs, wherever you are!

Please keep the news coming in.

John Start (L 33) is living near Perth and received a visit from Richard Boston (B 56) and John Bird (L 67) during Richard’s trip to Australia in April 2009.

spying in Central Asia in the Great Game between Tsarist Russia and the British Raj in India.

Keith Taylor’s (F 46) launched his second book, ‘Whither The Fates Call’ - A Personal Account of National Service in the British Army 1950-1952, at the National Army Museum, Chelsea on 23 September. It is based on over 200 letters which he wrote home with numerous photographs including his time in Korea in 1951 during the war.The book will be of particular interest to OUs of that period and can be ordered via his website www.garnerbooks.com John Start (L 33)

Norman Harrington (B 44) has given over a hundred readings of his poetry, prose and humour to various groups at meetings, lunches and dinners. He has been engaged in drama for 44 years as an actor, director and writer and he is also the Chairman of Leicestershire Cricket Club.

Michael James (WB 44) left Uppingham and had a variety of jobs until he bought the family’s Neon Sign factory which he ran for 17 years and which he sold some 45 years ago. He then happily drifted for many years inventing all sorts of items including a freestanding, self-contained lobster rearing unit.

He also became a silversmith with his own silver mark and researched a fuel additive which was very effective even in old engines.

He eventually invented an entirely new way of stopping people suffering from Asthma, Hay Fever, and a host of respiratory tract problems. As far as he knows no one has ever thoroughly researched the nasal tract as a most efficient air filter. He now knows how it works, why it goes wrong and how to restore it to its full working capacity with no medication involved. For more details visit www.nasaleze.com.

Sir John Ure’s (Hf 45) latest book is called ‘Shooting Leave’ and was published by Constable in November 2009. It is an account of the adventures of young officers

Leo Rutherford (Hf 49) has recently published his 5th book ‘The View Through the Medicine Wheel’.

Sir David Samworth (F 49), President of Samworth Brothers and a former Trustee (1976-99) of Uppingham, received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, which were published in June.

David has been awarded the title for his services to charity locally, nationally and internationally. This includes working with AIDS orphans in Kenya and Tanzania as well as co-sponsoring City Academies in Leicester, Nottingham and Mansfield.

Keith Taylor (F 46)

John Griffiths’ (LH 47) 15th book ‘Afghanistan: Land of Conflict and Beauty’ (and fifth on Afghanistan) was published in April 2009.

John Horsman’s (WB 48) autobiography of his life in motor racing, ‘Racing in the Rain’, was published in August 2006 with the second edition published in 2008. He was awarded a gold medal by ‘International Automotive Media Awards’ for best biography of 2006. In recognition of winning the Le Mans 24-hour race three times with British built cards (Ford 1968, Ford 1969, Gulf Mirage 1975) he was elected to the British Racing Drivers Club.

David Samworth (F 49)

Who? What? Where? OU

Alexander Knight (WB 50) has retired to St Peterburg in Florida where he and his wife have a busy social life mixed with travel around the world to keep in touch with his children in Australia, the USA and England.

Golf and vintage cars fill the spaces in between.

Robert Johnson (LH 51) was a Governor at both the St John and St Anne Almshouse charity and the Archdeacon Johnson Almshouse charity in Rutland. Both charities provide housing for elderly people.The Archdeacon Johnson Almshouse charity was founded by Robert Johnson, the founder of Uppingham and Oakham School.

Air Marshall Sir John Kemball (F 52) was High Sheriff of Suffolk from 2007-2008.

Historic Churches Trust, and a member of the Stratford Society. His significant local projects have included the restoration of Stoneleigh Abbey and conservation work on the Walton Estate. He also worked on the Lansdown Tower, near Bath.

John Greaves (H 53) has been elected Chairman of Lattitude Global Volunteering (Formerly Gap Activity Projects). Lattitude is a charity and the leading global year out group. John is happy to help advise anyone considering a year out, a career break or a retirement project. His email address is johnwgreaves@tiscali.co.uk.

Robbie Hay (LH 54) and his wife Sarah are living at Bickleigh Castle,Tiverton, Devon where they run a successful luxury wedding business. For more information visit www.bickleighcastle.com.

Mike Tomkinson (F 55) and his wife have commenced a cruising retirement in a 1974, Storebro motor yacht called ‘Eos of Mersey’.

The photo below is of their boat lying in Varna.

Robin Oldroyd (B 52) is one of the UK’s most produced playwrights around the world (using his stage name Hawdon). For information on plays and film scripts please visit www.robinhawdon.com.

Denis Pannett (F 53) has been elected President of The Wapping Group of Artists of which he has been a member for the last 23 years. He also exhibited in the Guild of Aviation Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries in July 2009 and taught two art courses on the Thames Barge Wyvenhoe this summer (www.wyvenhoe.co.uk).

Henry (Will) Hawkes (Fgh 53) has been awarded an MBE for services to conservation in Warwickshire. Will has been involved in many conservation projects across Warwickshire and the UK. He is ViceChairman of the Fabrics Advisory Committee of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, a Trustee of Warwickshire and Coventry

Paul Vickery (Fgh 56) is now retired and spends his time playing golf. A double hip replacement in 1992 extinguished any hope of a return to the hockey pitch although he is still President of the Bacchanalians Hockey Club, who play annually against Uppingham.

In 2007 he was Captain of Bowood Park Golf Club and in 2006 he was Captain of the Cornish Seniors Golfing Association, becoming President during 2008.

John Suchet (Fgh 57) was awarded The Royal Television Society’s highest honour - a Lifetime Achievement Award. At the Society’s 2008 annual awards, the judges praised John's 35 years as a television journalist, as both a reporter and a newscaster. They particularly commended him for his willingness to pass on his knowledge and experience to a new generation of television journalists.

Roger Neill (B 57) has been appointed Director of the newly-established Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice at City University of London. For more information visit www.creative.city.ac.uk.

In February, John Bennett (WD 58) had a reunion dinner with Stephen Maitland-Lewis (WD 58). It was their first in close to 30 years and overcome with emotion, a totally sober John fell off a tall bar stool at Stephen's Beverly Hills home and hit his head on the stone floor. Within minutes, nine Los Angeles paramedics, Stephen, his wife and his dog, were all crouched over him. Miraculously, John was not concussed and immediately after the paramedics’ departure he was back to his old self.

John Kemball (F 52)

Harold Browne (WB 53) was a Barrister from 1972 to 2001, but is now teaching RYA shore-based courses on navigation, seamanship and radio. He has recently upgraded to A.F.R.I.N (Associate Fellow Royal Institute of Navigation) and qualified as a Yachtmaster Ocean Sail and Power for RYA. He also spends long periods in Koroni in Messenia, Greece.

2002. He is still working part-time as a Tribunal Judge for the Tribunals service.

Mike Tomkinson (F 55) and his wife Gillian

Robin Pizer (L 55) was elected Chairman of the National Rifle Association in the UK in February 2009. He was also chosen to Captain the Great Britain Team in the Kolapore match at Bisley in July 2009.

Robin Ellis (LH 56), along with members of his family, are planning an expedition to climb Batu Lawi in Borneo in February 2010 to visit a memorial plaque in a cave near the summit in memory of his Uncle, Everard (Ben) Ellis (M 32) who was killed in action when his plane was shot down over Central Borneo in 1945.

Frederick Atherton (L 56) retired as Senior Partner in his firm Atherton & Godfrey in

Simon Park (SH 59) along with a distinguished career composing music for film and TV has been a regular contributor to Auto Italia magazine, for whom he has tested and written about everything from Ferraris to Fiat 500s. He finally got round to writing a book about the experience of driving a Mini from London to Sydney on the 1977 rally.

The book is called ‘A Little Goes a Long Way’ and is available from Trafford Publishing.

Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) has co-authored a biography on the Victorian/Edwardian equestrian artist Lynwood Palmer. The book is being published by another OU John Mitchell (B 86) in Autumn 2009. For further information on how to purchase this book please email Neil at Kennedyconsult@aol.com.

Nick Gray (F 60) presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a DVD of his award-winning documentary ‘Escape from Tibet’.

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OU Who? What? Where?

Charlie Simpson (M 99), the Headmaster and Phil McCaughan (Hf 96)

Simon Wall (Fgh 62) with Baroness Thatcher

on board The QE2 followed by a lunch in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

Nick Gray (F 60) with the Dalai Lama

Nick has recently been appointed Visiting Professor in Documentary Production at the University of Lincoln.

Greg Hutchings (M 60) played in the Hockey World Cup Veterans Tournament in Hong Kong in September 2008 at which England swept to a 4-1 victory over Australia in the final.

Timothy Hare (WB 62) recently spent a year as High Sheriff of West Yorkshire and has just been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

Hilary Griffiths (SH 62) was recently appointed Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Opera of Wuppertal. In February 2009, he conducted his tenth new production at the State Opera, Prague – the first Czech performance of ‘Death in Venice’

by Britten. In October 2009 he went to Bogota, for the third successive year, to conduct ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ for the Colombian State Opera. He currently lives in Cologne, where he has conducted over 300 opera performances.

John Lawrence (C 63) has retired as a Partner of PriceWaterhouseCooper and is now growing grapes for the South Okanagan Wineries in British Columbia.

Greg Hutchings (M 60)

Andrew Welch (H 62) is featuring as an extra in the new Disney film of Alice in Wonderland (to be released in Spring 2010) also featuring Stephen Fry (F 70) who is providing the voice of the Cheshire Cat. Andrew is now a part-time lecturer in Marine Studies at the University of Plymouth.

Simon Wall (Fgh 62) has been a regular traveller on the QE2 for 35 years. Since suffering a stroke in 2001 it became his other home (or Day Centre as his friends refer to it!) until it was decommissioned in November 2008. In June 2008 he was invited to a drinks reception with Baroness Thatcher

Charles Howeson (Fgh 63) was recently appointed Chairmanship of the United Kingdom Sea Fish Industry Authority. He also accepted an invitation from Charles Howeson (Fgh 63) the board of FirstGroup plc to chair First Great Western trains, the largest and most complex of the UK railway franchises.

Peter Powell (B 64) was joined by ex-Busted and now Fightstar lead guitarist Charlie Simpson (M 99) as two of the judges of The Battle of the Bands contest.The third judge was Phil McCaughan (Hf 96) now a

Patrick Mulvihill and Peter Powell (B 64)

producer and manager for Sony Records. Phil is responsible for Go:Audio, an up and coming band which contains Josh Wilkinson (SH 99).

Peter Kelsey (L 64) was installed as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (a City of London Livery Company) in May 2009. The installation service was in St Mark le Bow followed by

Peter Kelsey (L 64)

Robert Waring (WD 43)

Who? What? Where? OU

dinner in the Manson House with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in attendance. He is the second OU to be Master of the Furniture Makers, after Robin Waring (WD 43).

Robert Moyle (C 65) was made a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 2008.

Robert’s daughter Lizzie Moyle (C 04) has just become the first daughter of a Constables OU to also complete her studies in the House.

John Webster (C 70) Captained the England Rifle Team in the USA in September 2008.

He in turn chose another OU James Watson (L 88) as his Vice-Captain and they were able to include a further two OUs, Nick Hinchliffe (Fgh 71) and Alex Williams (Fgh 92) as members of the team.

Rupert Egerton-Smith (M 86) competed in the 20th International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs in Paris in March 2009, and won the 1st prize and the vote of the audience.The competition featured 100 pianists from over 30 countries, and the finals were held in front of 1000 people in the Salle Gaveau. Rupert was also invited to play a piano concerto with a leading orchestra in Paris during 2009. More details can be found on Rupert’s website www.rupertegertonsmith.co.uk.

collaborative research into stem cell therapy in deafness. He provides private and NHS heath care in ear, nose and throat surgery in Rutland and Leicestershire.

Henry Pau (Hf 84)

Marcus Campbell-Reynolds (F 85) and his two children

John Webster (C 70) on the right

Jonathan Agnew (L 73) has been awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Arts from the Faculty of Humanities. He was awarded the honour at a ceremony at De Montfort University in November 2008.

Rev’d Dr Giles Fraser (Fgh 78), currently Vicar of Putney in the Diocese of Southwark, is to be the next Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. As Canon Chancellor, Dr Fraser will fulfil the role of Residentiary Canon overseeing the work of the St Paul’s Institute for ethics, and its ambitious, outward facing programme. He will play a full part in the cathedral and will contribute to its overall mission as a place of prayer, pilgrimage and debate.

Douglas Young (F 79) has been named ‘Man of the Year’ for 2009 by Hong Kong Business Magazine for his vision, achievements and contribution to the growth of Hong Kong’s economy.

Henry Pau (Hf 84) is a Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon working at Spire Leicester Hospital, Nuffield Hospital and the University Hospitals of Leicester. He was awarded a Honorary Professorship from Loughborough University for his

Marcus Campbell-Reynolds (F 85) left Shoosmiths Solicitors in Northampton in 2000 and emigrated to his wife’s home country of Zimbabwe. He has since worked in the financial services industry. (including a challenging eight years dealing with hyper inflation).

Jonathan Goodman (M 85) spent 11 years working in Cambridge for surveyors Jeffersons and Lambert Smith Hampton.

He has recently set up his own business, Goodman Property Limited, dealing with commercial property acquisitions, sales and lettings in Cambridge and East Anglia. He can be contacted on email jg@goodmanproperty.co.uk.

Oliver Dorner (H 86) married Diana in 2006 and now has two children. He is working in the family business, Tonnenstrumpf, in Hamburg (www.tonnenstrumpf.de) producing wheelie bin covers.

Chris Mountain (Fgh 86) is married to Claire and has a four year old son, Roddy and a three year old daughter, Natasha. He runs a waste management, transport and recycling business specialising in renewable electricity from waste, plasterboard recycling and municipal waste. To contact Chris visit www.midukrecycling.co.uk.

Rupert Egerton-Smith (M 86)

Gail Warrander (Fd 87) worked as a lawyer in London and then for Reuters before leaving to help with the EU-funded economic reconstruction effort in Kosovo.

She has now, along with Verena Knaus produced a Bradt guide for visitors to Kosovo.

James French (WD 87) is a Consultant Anaesthetist in Nottingham. He is married to Jenny with two children Isobel and Ben. Alexander Haslam (F 89) has spent the last six years training and working as a corporate lawyer. He recently moved to Hong Kong with his wife to take up a role as an M&A Lawyer with the US law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He previously spent three years working in Skadden’s London office. He married Emily Marshall in May 2007 and a number of close OU friends attended the wedding. His email is Alexander.haslam@quail.com and he would like to hear from other OUs in Hong Kong.

Gareth Morris (LH 89) received a Director’s Scholarship to study at The Judge Business School, Cambridge University in 2007 and graduated with an MBA in September 2008.

As a member of Robinson College he shot for the University in the Heslop (smallbore), Chancellor’s (target rifle) and Humphry (match rifle) varsity matches, in which he

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OU Who? What? Where?

achieved a clean sweep over Oxford. Having left Accenture to return to full-time education for a year, he joined A T Kearney, a small strategy and operations consultancy based in Mayfair as a Senior Consultant.

Gareth and his wife Katrina are proud parents to Samuel who was born in October 2008.

Ed Stafford (WB 89) left the British army in 2002 and started leading tourist expeditions into the jungle in Belize and Guatamala. After yearning to undertake a big project he discovered the fact that nobody had ever walked the length of the Amazon River.

Anticpating ut would take a year to complete, Ed is now entering his sixteenth month. For more information on Ed’s journey, vist www.walkingtheamazon.co.uk.

company charity and last year donated a new website to it, which they maintain free of charge (www.themangotree.org).

Christian Jessen (F 90) is featuring on the small screen on popular prime-time series such as ‘Embarrassing Illnesses’ and ‘Supersize vs Superskinny’. In addition to his television work he works on Harley Street looking after general medicine and is also a columnist for various magazines.

James Wilks (Fgh 91) has won a lucrative contract after being crowned The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas where he defeated DaMarques Johnson in front of a TV audience of millions to win the welterweight division of the hit US series ‘The Ultimate Fighter:Team US vs UK’. The title has earned James a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a huge boost to his profile in his adopted homeland.

Ed Stafford (WB 89)

James Cannings (M 90) and Ben Rudman (WD 90) have spent the past nine years building up their company MMT Digital (www.mmtdigital.co.uk), an agency providing online and offline digital solutions to marketing agencies, companies, design agencies and the public sector. James is the Production Director, Ben is the Sales and Marketing Director and Peter Cannings, former member of staff at Uppingham is the Managing and Finance Director.The company recently moved to offices in Uppingham. In 2006 they adopted The Mango Tree as the

Caroline Pyper nee Muirhead (J/L 93) married George in 2004 whom she met when they were studying at Cambridge University. They have two children, William and Jack and live in London. Caroline is still in contact with many of her contemporaries from Uppingham.

Caroline Muirhead (J/L 93) and her family

Anna Parish (nee Lewis) (Fd 93) was appointed Housemistress of The Mitre at Repton School in September 2008. She took the post alongside her husband, Nick who looks after their son, Joshua. She has much to thank Stewart & Tessa Drummond for because they inspired her to become a Housemistress.

Lucy Reeves (L 95) has been awarded Businesswoman of The Year at the East of England Businesswoman of The Year Awards 2008. Lucy is founder of ‘Muddy Matches’, an online community, connecting countryminded, or ‘muddy’ people for shared interests, friendship and dating. For more information visit www.muddymatches.com.

Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) who studied law and practiced as a solicitor for three years joined The King's Singers in 2004. In February 2009,The King's Singers won their

James Wilks (Fgh 91)

David von Rothenburg (B 93) moved from Berlin to Sydney in June 2006 and is working for Wolters Kluwer Health, a global publisher of medical information.

James Cannings (M 90) and Ben Rudman (WD 90)

David Von Rothenburg (B 93)

Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) with the rest of King Singers (3rd from left)

Who? What? Where? OU

first Grammy Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles for their recent album ‘Simple Gifts’.

On a personal level, Christopher married Stephanie in August 2006.

Charles Duance (SH 97) started Quadratix, an IT company providing remote and on site IT Support for Servers and Desktops, Web Hosting and VoIP installations to businesses in the South West. His email is charles@quadratix-it.co.uk.

which ended with a week of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe.

James Vestbirk (C 98) found that finding love in the countryside was a hard task so took it upon himself to change the trend. He has recently set up www.kissinggates.com which is a dating website for rural singletons.

Claire-Elaine Arthurs (J 97)

Claire-Elaine Arthurs (J 97) completed a degree in Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham. She then went on to study Law at The College of Law's Birmingham branch and was awarded her Legal Practice Certificate with commendation in 2005.

She completed her training with HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP in Birmingham and is now a solicitor in their specialist Property Litigation team. She recently won the legal category of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2009. She has carried on with her commitment to community service since her time at Uppingham and is involved with a large number of charities and voluntary organisations including The Princes Trust and the Birmingham Foundation. She also runs a successful mentoring scheme within Birmingham Future which matches young professionals in the city with local undergraduates to assist them in moving forward from academia into the professional sectors.

David Aspinall (WD 97) is part of a two man team ‘Chocks Away’. Throughout the dark winter months the pair will join the Adventurist Africa Rally leaving Wiltshire’s rolling hills to travel through Western Africa to Cameroon. The expedition is all being done in a Royal Blue 1934 Austin Seven Special. For more information or to sponsor Chocks Away, visit www.chocksawayrally.co.uk.

Rebecca Plumbly (J 99) completed a degree at Leeds University in East Asian Studies (Mandarin), she then spent one year working in Marketing in Hong Kong followed by a year in Argentina learning Spanish, teaching English and Chinese and translating for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

She is now working in Shanghai for Proctor and Gamble.

Ollie Nias (F 99) is running a company called Intrinsic Pictures directing and producing music videos, commercials and films. For more information visit www.intrinsicpictures.co.uk.

Tom (Fgh 97) and James (Fgh 00) Harries are part of a new British pop rock band, ‘Cavalier’ managed by their brother, Ed Harries (Fgh 99). They were recently put through to the finals of the Jar Music Breakout festival and are preparing a university tour this Autumn to promote their upcoming single ‘No Looking Back’ which was written by Tom and James.

Harry Edmeades (Hf 00) has set up London’s first totally environmentally friendly removals company, ‘Eco Van and Man’. He hopes to expand it into a global brand, with the introduction of ECO taxis and ECO couriers. ‘Eco Van and Man’ provides a short notice 24/7 environmentally friendly moving and delivery service for homes and businesses using brand new fully electric and LPG vans. For more information on ‘Eco Van and Man’ contact Harry on h.edmeades@EcoVanAndMan.com or visit the website www.EcoVanAndMan.com.

Lucy Wigglesworth (Sa 02) joined The Year Out Drama Company in Stratford-uponAvon for an action-packed year of drama

Lucy Wigglesworth (S 02)

Benjamin Cator (Hf 02) has just started reading engineering at Cambridge. During his gap year he completed Initial Officer training with the Royal Navy which is sponsoring him through University. He is a Midshipman and gained his commission in September 2008. His training took him to the North Arabian Gulf and the Far East.

Ed Fletcher (F 03), Rory Haywood (Hf 03), Joe Barnett (B 03) and Sam Salloway (Fgh 03) visited Caroline Coggins (ex-staff) in Melbourne, during their gap year travelling in Australia.

Ed Fletcher (F 03), Sam Salloway (Fgh 03), Joe Barnett (B 03), Caroline Coggins (ex-staff) and Rory Haywood (Hf 03)

Gaby Cooke (Sa 05) represented the Under 18 year British Team in the eventing world in 2008 and finished in the top 15 at the Aldon International Horse Trials in Somerset.

Thank you to all OUs that have sent in news. As we receive news during the year updates will appear on the OU website, www.olduppinghamian.co.uk so please keep visiting the site to stay up-to-date with your fellow OUs David Aspinall (WD 97) and Ben Stevenson

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OU Uppingham Society

Uppingham Society

The Uppingham Society is run by Basil Frost (M 45) and is a branch of the Uppingham Association. It is responsible for financial grants issued to OUs involved with charity work or raising money for good causes via sponsored activities. Below is a selection of causes which have been supported.

Society Recipients 2009 Nicola Hughes (Fd 03) Flora Huntley (L 06)

Miranda Reilly (Fd 03)

The Karen Hilltribes Trust

Crosslands ‘Smile’ Gambia GapGuru

James Varley (LH 01)

Amnesty Charity Kilimanjaro,Tanzania

Mark Soden (WD 97)

Access Sport

Chris Palmer (F 95)

Matthew Moxon (B 81) Neil Aitken (L 81)

Himalaya Trust

East Anglian Children’s Hospice

Cancer Research

Matthew Moxon (B 81) Having a physically and mentally disabled child, and receiving such incredible help from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, I thought that it may be time to help them a little. My decision to take part in the Norfolk Super Hero Challenge (a 1 mile sea swim, a 4 mile sea kayak followed by a 40 mile cycle and an 8 mile run across sand and marsh) was taken late one night and was witnessed by too many people to allow me to get out of it. Thankfully, due to the generosity of many people, we managed to raise £7,000.

Flora Huntley (L 06) “In December 2008, I set off to The Gambia, a tiny country in West Africa, to be a volunteer teacher linked to a Gambian organisation called ‘GAMFES’.

I returned to the UK in May 2009 and looking back on my time in the Gambia, I am in awe of what an amazing opportunity I have had. Living amongst the community for five months meant that I was able to get to know people well through both the school and the church.

I was teaching English and R.S in a large ‘comprehensive’ school. The illiteracy rate was very high, so teaching people to read was extremely rewarding (and necessary!) Teaching R.S was also great – in small classes we got to know the Christian students very well and hopefully helped them to understand their faith much more.

I was privileged to come across the large numbers of West African refugees that pour into the Gambia as a peaceful haven. Their contentedness and generosity with time, food and stories was a real challenge to me. I am so grateful to the OU Society for sponsoring me in this project which has hopefully made an impact on Greater Banjul and has certainly made an impact on me.”

Nicola Hughes (Fd 03) “I have just returned from Thailand and I have had the most amazing time!

I worked with the Karen Hilltribes for the first 5 months and then travelled for a couple of months after that. I am so pleased I decided to work for them because I had such a fantastic time and they were so welcoming and hospitable.

We went out in October 2008 and had a couple of weeks getting to know the other volunteers. I stayed in a village called Mae La Luang with another volunteer called Alice. The teaching was such a good experience and by the end I really didn’t want to leave the kids. It was horrible saying goodbye to them all.

Before Alice and I went there, they were learning from satellite televisions and the younger ones were taught by a lady that spoke very little English. So we felt we not only improved the way they spoke but also increased their general interest in learning English. We taught the Pratom lessons (years 1-3) together, and I also taught pratom 4 alone (they were 8 years old). I also enjoyed teaching Matium although at times it was more of a challenge.

While we there, we had lots of interesting food including rat and snake for Christmas lunch! We also helped with the water system in a different village which was much pooer than Mae La Lueng. It was hard work but lots of fun. It took about 8 days to connect the pipes down from the source then about 3 days to build the holding tanks.

Photo Call

Peter Gwynn (SH 44), Mick Brackenbury (B 46) and Dereck Bunting (B 45)

Pictures from some of the reunions and events during 2009

Nigel Jagger (SH 67) and Richard Haigh (SH 66)

James Thomas (SH 00) and Tim Barber-Lomax (C 00)

OU London Dinner 4th February 2009 The London OU Dinner was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, London under the Chairmanship of Nick Hinchliffe (Fgh 71) and in the presence of the Headmaster, Richard Harman, who, along with the Uppingham staff, had struggled through several feet of snow in Uppingham to attend.

The dinner was a huge success and attracted a record 220 OUs who all enjoyed excellent food, drink and great company.

James Mantle (WB 96), Louise Whitlock (Fd 99), Charlotte Fitzgerald (Fd 99), Rebecca de Lucy (Fd 99), Francisca Wiggins (Fd 99) and Anthony Willott (LH 97)

Nick Leslie (L 61 and Anthony Walker (L 61)

Jerry Rudman, the Headmaster and Nicola Tyers braving the weather Sophie (L 97) and Colin Williams (L 55)

h 71) Nick Hinchliffe (Fg

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Photo Call

Pictures from some of the reunions and events during 2009

OU Middle East Dinner 12th February 2009 There was a great turnout of OUs and their partners at the OU Middle East dinner which was at the Jebal Ali Resort in Dubai.

Our thanks go to Rick Tatham (WB 77) who instigated and organised the event on our behalf and we hope to visit the Middle East for another dinner in 2011.

Cornwall Dinner 2nd April 2009 We were pleased to once again hold the Uppingham Cornwall dinner at Rick Stein’s (WD 60) St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow at which OUs, their partners and current parents enjoyed the excellent food offered by the impressive venue.

Mark Courtnell (L 75) and Rick Tatham (WB 77)

Andrew Welch (H 62), Malcolm Tozer (ex-staff) and Karin Harman

Stuart McMurdo (M 94), Caroline Parker (nee Worrall) (Fd 84), Chris Parker, Adrian Parkes (WB 78) and George Fulton (C 91) Peter Beresford (SH 54) and Chris (SH 54) and Prim Finney

Richard Boston and Nicholas Craddock (C 55)

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Western Australia Dinner

Sydney Dinner 16th April 2009

9th April 2009

Robin Schall (C 45), Rick Wilkinson (F 72) and David Sloane (ex-Knox)

Charlie Peach (B 92), Richard Boston (B 56), John Bird (L 67), Lockie Baird (LH 40), Judy Coffey, Alex Yeadon (M 93), Guy Moore (F 93) and Roger Winwood (B 55)

Uppingham School Rugby Tour

R-L Ed Watson (M 88) and Andrew Blamey (ex-Knox), David Joseph(H/Hf 90), Simon Roberts (ex-Knox) and Simon Walker (Fgh 87)

9th August 2009 John Bird (L 67), Charlie Peach (B 92), Rodney Pepper (WD 49) and Paul Westgate (Uppingham’s new Director of Sport) on 9th August 2009 on the first stop of the Uppingham 1st and 2nd team Rugby Tour in Australia. .

Sabah Reunion 9th May 2009 A reunion was held at The Garden House Hotel, Uppingham to mark the 25 year anniversary that a group of Uppingham adventurers set off on the Quatercentenery Expedition to Sabah (North Borneo).

Robert Rust (ex-staff), Richard Boston, William Rook (M 80), David Cunliffe (ex-staff) Anthony Long (L 80), Marcus Hill (C 79) and Jerry Rudman

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Photo Call

Pictures from some of the reunions and events during 2009

West Deyne 150th Anniversary 20th June 2009

Bill Carnaby (WD 56), Cris Winter (WD 57) and Rod and Gene Barlass (WD 56)

On Saturday 20th June 2009, over 100 OUs and their families were welcomed by Tim & Jo Jefferis back to West Deyne to celebrate its 150th Anniversary. An enjoyable day was had by all, helped by good weather, wine and food. Everyone renewed or reformed friendships from their time at Uppingham whether recent or as far back as the 1930s.

William Riddington (WD 44) and Tony Keene (WD 47)

Tom Golding (WD 84), Stuart Piccaver (WD 84), Gurdev Mattu (WD 84), Anthony Robinson (WD 84) and Henry Davis (WD 84)

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East Anglia Dinner 11th June 2009

A wonderful evening was enjoyed by OUs and current parents from Norfolk thanks mainly to the excellent venue The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market where we were welcomed by Paul Whittome (F 68), his wife Jeanne and a team of great staff.The wine flowed, the food was superb and the sun shone for dinner alfresco.The Chairman for the evening was Nick Fryer (M 76).

Douglas Farmiloe (H 28) and Harry Nichols (H 66)

David Riddington (WD 49) and Michael Marchbank (WD 45)

Diane and David Riddington (WD 49)

Geoffrey Fenton (WD 30)

Sally and John Edwards (WD 57)

Elizabeth Frowde, Richard Harman and Nick Fryer (M 76)

Karin Harman and Paul Whittome (F 68)

Alastair Symington (L 74), William Barber (L 73) and Nick Pull (WD 74)

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Photo Call

Pictures from some of the reunions and events during 2009

Champagne Reception and Musical Interlude at Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House 9th March 2009

Hosted by John Lockwood (M 67), High Sheriff of Lincolnshire.

Nick Carter, Anthony Couse, Jamie Greig, Chris Harris, Rob Riddle, Frank Toone and Michael Gavins

School House 1979 Reunion 6th June 2009

Dimitri Dimitriou (WD 95) and James Vestbirk (C 98)

John Lockwood (M 67) and Richard Harman Mike Garrs (F 63) and Barnie Canter (L 60)

Over 60s London Lunch 1st October 2009 The eleventh Over 60s London Lunch was once again held at The Cavalry & Guards Club, London where 62 OUs enjoyed excellent food and company.

Right: John Shaw (M 42) and Derek Bunting (B 45)

Far Right: Ken Heather (LH 35) and Richard Harman

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Hong Kong Reception 21st April 2009 Dr the Hon Sir David KP Li (H 54) kindly hosted a reception for OUs and parents in the impressive surrounds of the Bank of East Asia.

More than forty guests from the Uppingham community in Hong Kong attend the occasion to welcome the Headmaster to the city.

Lincoln’s Inn Law Dinner 3rd March 2009 Two judges, five QCs and a host of barristers and solicitors attended another successful Uppingham Law Dinner for OUs and parents, held in the Old Hall, Lincoln’s Inn.

Michael Birley (B 68) and Sonia Davies (Fd 80)

Jerry Rudman and Wendy Li (Fd 78)

David Pittaway QC (B 69) and Richard Harman)

Mark (Hf 84) and Eugenie Hardy

Jeremy Storey QC (C 66) and Nick Hutton (L 69)

Peter Rolston (C 70) and Chris Sharrock (L 70) Larry Lipsher. Brenda Davies and David Li (H 54) Garth Lindrup (Parent) and Anthony Trace QC (WB 72)

Nigel Smith (H 82) and Tim Dickinson (C 59)

Vicky Murray (Fd 85), Charlie Arrand (Hf 88) and Neil Aitken (L 81)

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OU Announcements

Announcements Engagements

Freddie (Nick) Grounds (WB 81) and Fiona Bettles (Fd 86) announced their engagement in September 2009.

Tim Clark (F 83) and Mandy Armstrong got engaged on 3rd July 2009 at Chateau de Codignat in France.

Alex Williams (Fgh 92) got engaged to Mia Pearson in September 2009.

Thank you to all OUs for sending in photographs – please keep them coming!

Katharine Woddis (J 88) married Stuart Schofield in Hong Kong on 17th April 2009.

Gareth Morris (LH 89) and Katrina Greenslade were married on 12th September 2009. His best man was Edwin Stonestreet (WD 89) and both Chris Watson (M 91) and Freddie Grounds (WB 89) were in attendance. Malcolm Stonestreet (WD 54) conducted the service.

Nick Southern (SH 98) married Beverley Pope on 24th August 2009. He is pictured above with OUs that attended the wedding.

Gareth Morris (LH 89) and his family

Bertie Arkwright (B 93) and Jo Netscher (Fd 96) got engaged in February 2009.

Marriages

Charles Dunstone (LH 78) married Celia Gordon Shute on Saturday 10th October 2009 in London.

Angus Kennedy (LH 86) married Michelle Coupar at Dundas Castle, Edinburgh on 21st June 2009.

From left to right: Judson Mathias (SH 98), Daniel Wright (SH 98), Ed Simpson (M 98) Nick Southern (SH 98), Beverley Pope, George Ross(Fgh 95), Amy Burton (L 98), Nick Fairclough (SH 96) and Chris Bond (C 95)

Judson Mathias (SH 98) moved to Mauritius during 2009 and got married in October 2009. Judson and his wife are also the proud parents of a baby girl.

Janie Stafford (L 94) married Jeremy Hamilton-James on Saturday 20th December 2008 in Bristol Cathedral.

Angus Kennedy (LH 86) and wife, Michelle

Philip James (C 87) married Andrea Williams. on 8th August 2009.

Hugo Isacc (B 88) married Natasha Price in Windsor on 12th September 2009.

Hugo Isacc (B 88) and his wife, Natasha

Elizabeth Hope-Hawkins (L 94) married Ben Lawrenson in May 2007. Their first child Beatrice Harriet Hope Lawrenson was born on 24th November 2008. Elizabeth now runs ‘Edible Art’ an event catering company which also organises private cooking workshops in the Midlands.

Richard Howells (WD 97) married Millie Taylor (L 97) in March 2009.

Becka Moakes (J 00) married Mark Woodward on 24th October 2008 at Ely Cathedral.

Becka Moakes (J 00) and husband Mark

Births

Harry Swan (F 89) married Nicky Tucker in July 2005 and they are now proud parents of Jonty born in July 2008. Harry is currently running the family business in the NE of England.

Antonia Watson (nee Williams) (J 90) and her husband Steve are the proud parents of Sebastian Richard who was born on 20th May 2008.

Antonia Watson (J 90)

Obituaries OU

Andrew Burner (SH 90) and his wife Jen are the proud parents of their first child Orla Hannah Claire who was born on 5th December 2008.

Tom Moate (B 91) and his wife Sonia are the proud parents of son Louis Felix born on 21st November 2008.

Georgina Stephens (nee Tonkinson) (J 91) and her husband James are the proud parents of a girl, Agatha born on 12th December 2007, a little sister for brothers Felix and Charlie.

Viscountess Polly Ingestre (nee Blackie) (J 94) and her husband Viscount Ingestre had a baby girl The Hon. Matilda Elisabetha Deborah Chetwynd-Talbot born on 3rd November 2008.

Laura Cullen (nee Day) (Fd 94) married Old Oakhamian, Matthew in September 2007 and they are now the proud parents of son Jack who was born on 27th August 2008.

Obituaries Major Leslie ‘John’ Stevens (Hf 25) a Lieutenant of The Victorian Order and Member of the British Empire, a successful theatre producer in London and life long equestrian organizer, died peacefully in his home in Hardington Mandeville, Somerset on Saturday, June 27th, 2009. He was 97.

Born in August 1911 in Abbington Park in Northhamptonshire John and his sister Joan were brought up by their father Percy H. Stevens.

It was at Uppingham that John developed his love of music and flying, playing timpani in the School orchestra and obtaining his pilot’s licence as a 16 year old, before being apprenticed in the drawing office at British Thompson-Houston. He then joined the family engineering firm, but his true passion was the Theatre. Having learnt the engineering business for a couple of years he soon convinced his father to allow him to join a professional theatre touring company as a lead part in ‘Wind and the Rain’. After a year of touring England with the troupe, he ended up in London at the Windmill Theatre with Kenneth Moore, Lawrence Olivier and John Guilgud as a comic straight-man in a variety show.

During this time he recorded a weekly radio show on the BBC where he sang Fred Astaire reviews with Jack Hulbert and Ciceley Courtneidge to great acclaim. John's passion for music led him to conduct the Reggie Bristlow Orchestra and then form his own,The John Stevens and his Mini-Keyboard

Band with whom he sang and played regularly at the Carlton Hotel, in London. He also found time to be a Special Constable as well as indulge his love of motorbikes, (he owned a Rudge Whitworth 500), by training despatch riders in the Northamptonshire Yeomanry as a member of the TA. In 1939 he joined the RASC in Northampton as a Captain and was involved in Dunkirk and the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). He met his first wife, Peg Deuchar on a weekend trip to London at the Savoy Grill.They were married in 1942.

father headed a family-owned ship repairing business with a drydock on the Thames, across the river from present-day Canary Wharf, but Norman was not interested in a nine to five job in London, and after graduating from Oxford he joined the Colonial Service.

After World War II, John set up a successful theatre production company, Murray Macdonald and John Stevens Ltd, which produced many plays in the West End.Two of his notable successes came with ‘Roar Like a Dove’ by Dodie Smith and ‘The Amorous Prawn’ by Anthony Kimmins, which was later made into a film. He was also involved with Laurie Lister and Allied Theatre Productions.

He was at Kalabo, another remote district between the Zambezi River and Angola, when war broke out in 1939.There were no roads at Kalabo and people moved about on canoes. He took three days to walk 50 miles to Mongu and then fly to Lusaka to join the Northern Rhodesia Regiment.

A horseman at heart, John organized and ran the local Garth Pony Club based in Winkfield Windsor, which was attended by Princess Anne. In the mid-sixties he became involved with Eventing and took over the Crookham Horse Trials from Peggy Maxwell. He was the first organiser to arrange sponsorship from Martini, for a horse trial. He was also a BHS Steward and commentator up until his seventies. In 1968, he helped H.R.H. Prince Philip formulate new rules for the modern Horse Driving Trials. In 1986 he ran the World Driving Trials at Ascot Racecourse and was a well known judge and administrator on the four in hand driving circuit in England. In 1976 he was asked by Colonel Mike Ansell to take over as Director of the Horse of The Year Show in Wembley Arena and also The Royal International Horse Show. Both grew under his stewardship to be two of the most prestigious International Show jumping events on the world equestrian circuit. .....................................................................................................

Norman Knight (SH 27) died on May 30, 2009, aged 95, in Durban, South Africa. He was born in 1914 in Eltham, Kent, and went to St Andrews School in Eastbourne from which he gained a scholarship to Uppingham.

At Uppingham he was head of School House and a prefect. (The headmaster at the time was the Rev. Reginald Owen). He was in the School’s Fives team for three years and won the public schools championship in 1932.

At Wadham College Oxford he read philosophy, politics and economics. He played several sports at University, gaining a Blue for cricket and a half-Blue for Eton Fives. His

He was stationed initially at the village of Mumbwa in the west of Northern Rhodesia, and later transferred to Mongu in Barotseland even further west near the Angolan border.

He saw action against the Italians at the Battle of Tug Argan in Somaliland. Later the regiment went to Ceylon where the Japanese were threatening invasion. He returned to Northern Rhodesia and in 1947 he was private secretary to the acting Governor Sir Harold Cartmell-Robinson and then the Governor Sir John Waddington. He was part of the team that organized the visit to Livingstone in 1947 of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the two princesses.

From 1949 to 1951 he returned to Mumbwa as District Commissioner, and subsequently held senior positions in the Northern Rhodesia Government, the Federal Government and the Central African Power Corporation, before retiring to Durban. His wife Babs Knight died in 2007 and he is survived by four stepchildren and their families. .....................................................................................................

Lord Henry (Oscar) Murton (WD 28) died on 5 July 2009 aged 95. He had the rare distinction of serving as a Deputy Speaker in both Houses of Parliament – for three years in the Commons, then for 19 in the Lords.

Aged 50 when first elected, his active career at Westminster lasted until he gave up his duties in the Upper House at 90.

He was born in Hexham on 8th May 1914, the elder son of Henry Murton. He wanted to join the Army, but his father urged him to join the family firm. Nevertheless he was commissioned into the Territorials with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in 1934, and sent to Staff College four years later. Poor health prevented him being sent abroad, but he was appointed to the General Staff as a Lieutenant-Colonel, serving at HQ Salisbury Plain District and the War Office.

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OU Obituaries

Demobilised with an OBE, and with two Commander-in-Chief's commendations, Murton returned briefly to the family firm before becoming deputy-secretary of the newly-created National Coal Board's northern division. After two years he returned to the firm as Managing Director until it was sold. He moved to Dorset in 1957 to paint, garden and sail.

Murton then became a director of property companies, a councillor from 1961 and chairman of the Conservative Association.

When Poole's MP Sir Richard Pilkington stood down at the 1964 election because of ill-health, he won the seat comfortably.

In the Commons.

When Edward Heath came to power in 1970, Murton became parliamentary private secretary to the minister for local government.The following November he was appointed a whip, and in November 1973 the House made him First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Deputy Speaker) on the retirement of Betty Harvie Anderson.

He married Constance Connell in 1939, with whom he had a son and daughter. Two years after her death in 1977 he married Pauline Keenan, a lady clerk at Buckingham Palace in charge of dispatching the Queen’s 100th birthday cards. .....................................................................................................

Peter Nicholls (C 29) was born in 1915 in Assam, India and after school in England at Wells House and Uppingham he returned to Assam as a tea planter in 1933. On leave in England at the outbreak of war in September 1939, he volunteered for aircrew training with the RAF, but was told, as a resident of India, that he would have to enlist in that country. After OCTU in Dehra Dun, he was commissioned into the Queen Victoria’s Own Madras Sappers and Miners and was posted to the N.W. Frontier where there was tribal unrest. Later, as a Major attached to the Royal Engineers, he commanded a Field Park (Engineering) company in the campaign through Burma and into IndoChina. Back in the UK on demobilisation leave in 1946 he learnt to fly and subsequently owned several aircraft in India.

As Managing Director of Williamson Magor & Co’s head office in Calcutta he was instrumental in introducing light aircraft to the tea industry in Assam, thereby greatly assisting communications between estates situated on either side of the Brahmaputra River, which was several miles wide and with only a single bridging point at the time.

On temporary transfer to his firm’s office in

Kenya, he met his future wife, Margery, and they were married in Limuru in 1956, their son, Mark, being born in 1959. Returning to England in 1964, the family settled in West Mersea, Essex and Peter established an engineering firm in Colchester, specialising in pumping equipment. He retired to Hardwick, near Cambridge in 2000, and he died on 24th June 2009. He is survived by his son, his wife having predeceased him. .....................................................................................................

retiring in 1984. He then became a successful and enthusiastic silversmith.

Rodney Parsons (Fgh 29) born 28th February 1916 in Harare, Southern Rhodesia.

He first set foot in England in 1921 having made the epic journey of two weeks by train to Cape Town and then 3 weeks by ship.

He went to St Andrews School in Eastbourne in 1924 which he remembered with great affection.

Geoffrey Fenton (WD 30), Businessman and great grandfather died peacefully in Jersey on 27th July 2009 in his 93rd year.

Rodney arrived at Uppingham in 1929 to join his two brothers Anthony (Fgh 23) and Nigel (Fgh 25). Here he was a school prefect, House Captain and a member of the Rugby XV. Playing rugby nearly cost him his life after contracting septicaemia through a cut on his head. One of his older brothers, Nigel sadly died from injuries sustained playing rugby at Uppingham.

In 1936 he went to Lincoln College, Oxford to read Chemistry. In 1938 he was commissioned into the Royal Horse Artillery and then joined the war effort, where he participated in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. In 1944 he took part in the Battle of Monte Cassino as part of the liberation of Italy which he described as hell!

He lived out his retirement peacefully in Brightwell cum Sotwell, South Oxfordshire close by to both his grandchildren and great grand children whom he adored. He was the epitome of a true gentleman. His wife died in 2002 and he continued living on his own until his death in June 2009. ........................................................................................

Throughout his long life Geoffrey was guided by a number of affections and loyalties. His marriage to Nancy which lasted for 70 years was the rock on which his life was based.

Sadly, when she died in 2008 the light went out of his life.

His son, Michael Parsons (Fgh 62) and his two sisters Susan and Merula were born in 1950 and 1957.

Geoffrey had an Italian mother and an Irish father, and from both sides he inherited a strong attachment to his large and widespread family. His two daughters, Anne (who died sadly in 2000), and Valerie, who both returned regularly to spend their summer holidays with their families in Jersey were a source of enormous pride and pleasure to him.

In 1951 he was posted to Jordan where he served under Glub Pasha in the Arab Legion.

This was followed by postings to Norway and Canada where he relished discovering new cultures and emulating the pioneering spirit of his Father before him. As a result his children were educated in these countries and were able to lead the richest of lives.

Geoffrey was a member of the Jersey militia and was on the last boat to leave Jersey before the Germans invaded during the last war. On his return to Jersey after the war he set up a small insurance business which over the years, under his guidance, grew to become the biggest all round insurance firm in the Channel Isles.

In 1960 he was thrilled to find himself returning to the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ to command the Oxford Officers Training Corps. In fact he loved Oxford so much so that when he finally retired from the Army in 1963 he took up the position of Administrator for the Department of Engineering Science where he spent a further 20 very happy years before finally

Geoffrey was a great follower of sport, he knew the details of both British and Italian teams playing in most competitions and was always the man to ask for the latest test score in cricket.

He married Rosemary Figgis in 1947. He then returned to Lincoln College, Oxford as an army officer, this time to read Physics.

Throughout his life Geoffrey was a strong supporter of what he called ‘Dear Uppingham’. His experience and memories

Obituaries OU

of his time there helped form him. And he continued to follow and support developments at the School throughout his life.

Shortly before his death he returned to Uppingham for the 150th anniversary of West Deyne with his nephew, Michael Le Poidevin and his family including their daughter Olivia who will be starting at the School in September. Geoffrey was delighted by what he saw, and spoke about the visit to his family with real feeling. It proved to be a providential event as he died some three weeks later still in full possession of all his faculties.

By Sir Nigel Broomfield .....................................................................................................

Oliver Stonehouse (C 38), went on from Uppingham to Clare College, Cambridge, where he completed his degree in natural sciences in two years.

From 1944 to1948, he worked for the Admiralty at the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors before joining the family business, where he remained for the rest of his career, serving as both Managing Director and later Chairman until 1988. He was also an active member of the Territorial Army from 1948-1954.

He shared a love of the sea with his Great Grandfather Matthew Porritt Stonehouse and in 1978 he fulfilled a long-held ambition – crossing the Atlantic in a 31ft sailing boat named Miranda. They covered 4,505 miles in 44 days.The yacht and her crew arrived safely in time for Christmas despite encountering a lightening strike, whale sightings and a broken boom.

In 1963, family tradition was maintained and a unique record established when he was elected president of Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, celebrating its centenary during his presidency in 1965. He was the third generation of the family to be accorded this honour. His grandfather, Sir Edmund, was president in 1914-1915 and his father, Eric, held the office from 1928-1930.

Oliver was also chairman of the Friends of Wakefield Art Gallery and of the Wakefield Permanent Art Fund for 27 years, and on his retirement in 1979 he was thanked for having contributed greatly to the fine art collection of the Wakefield area.

In retirement Oliver indulged in his preferred ‘off the beaten track’ style of travel – driving over 100,000 miles across Europe in his camper van Bambi with his equally intrepid wife, Julien, and sailing in Poole harbour and

the Virgin Islands where they had many friends.

A wonderfully full and generous life but unfortunately one punctuated by untimely losses – first his brother, Michael, aged 19, killed in action in 1941; and later both of his sons, Matthew (C 71) in 1979 aged 21, and John (C 73) in 2007 aged 47. .....................................................................................................

I remember at the 400th year anniversary, Ted was there enjoying himself and smiling at everyone.

He bought a horse for his son to ride in the Grand Military.The horse was called Little Polveir and in 1989 it won the Grand National. He is as far as I know the only Uppinghamian to have won the Grand National.

Keith Vartan (LH 45) had an outstanding record of achievement at Uppingham. He was Captain of the School, a major presence in the first teams for rugby, hockey and cricket and also blew a melodious trombone in the School orchestra. After National Service with The Sherwood Foresters in the UK and Germany, Keith secured a place at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

There he read law and achieved an MA, this setting him up for his subsequent career in commerce.

Sport remained his abiding passion, his achievements including a Hockey Blue at Cambridge and subsequently 20 hockey caps for Scotland over a five year period. At Cambridge he played cricket for the Crusaders and became a member of the Hawks Club. He also played regularly for the Uppingham Rovers. In later years Keith drew great satisfaction from watching his two sons and granddaughter excel in various sports. Keith died on 14th November 2008 and is survived by his wife Kay and his elder son Craig.

In 1992 he was High Sheriff of Essex but he did not lose any of his friendly approach and was someone I was very proud to know. He was a great credit to the school and was much loved by his family and friends.

By Peter Johnson (Hf 50) .....................................................................................................

Dr John Stonehouse (C 73) BA (Hons) Oxon, BSc, MSc, PhD, agricultural entomologist and world authority on pest control in the developing world, died of cerebral malaria in Senegal on 26 September 2007, aged 47. He was born in 1960.

.....................................................................................................

Frank Edward Harvey (LH 48) known by everyone as Ted. I can remember him as the most excellent scrum half. He should have been an International but somehow riding got in the way. He was very difficult to beat in a race and he told me that on one of his horses called Two Pins, he won 10 times and fell 10 times.

Ted never forgot to smile and when he came to the gallery six months before he died, he was surrounded by girls and smiling in his delightful way.

John’s brief career was remarkably varied and fulfilling. Leaving Uppingham in 1977, he then read History at Worcester College, Oxford, where he was also a keen amateur actor, performing locally and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He completed an MSc in Applied Entomology (1986) and a PhD in Environmental Technology (1990) from Imperial College London. Thereafter, he held the post of Research Lecturer at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College, where he was a valued advisor in the field of agricultural pests in the developing world.

John’s fieldwork took him to many far flung countries, including Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Pakistan, India and

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OU Obituaries

Thailand. Together with colleague Professor John Mumford from Imperial College, he published a book on Science, Risk and Trade and over 40 papers on fruit fly control. He also helped to train dozens of young entomologists in Asia and Africa and conducted some of the largest field trials on fruit fly management in those continents.

According to Professor Mumford, his success in these field projects was unprecedented.

He described John as “particularly effective as a scientist working in international development because of his tremendous ability to work with everyone he met in their own circumstances, and his combination of critical judgement and good-humoured patience that built confidence in all who worked with him.”

At the time of his death, John was working on a European Commission project, planning the regional management of fruit flies across West Africa to improve opportunities for small-scale fruit growers. His Senegalese counterpart remarked that he had “died like a soldier facing the threat to the welfare of millions of people”, referring not only to the fruit flies that destroy their livelihoods but also the mosquitoes that brought about his untimely death. His unique ability to adapt easily to new conditions and people of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds, and his remarkable role in helping so many will be his lasting memorial.These qualities have already been recognised in letters from agricultural ministries around the world and from the EU, UK, US and UN aid and development agencies where he was so well-known and respected. He is also remembered in India through an improved local fly trap that has been named after him.

Running parallel to his entomological achievements was a love of painting, sailing and a burgeoning career as a politician. John had a pied-a-terre in Ladbroke Grove, West London, and in Poole, Dorset near his family’s beloved houseboat, but his main home was at Ugthorpe Windmill near Whitby in Yorkshire, where his family had lived for generations. At the 2005 general election, he acted as Liberal Democrat agent for the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby, and was a local council candidate for the Mulgrave ward of Whitby in May 2007.

At the time of his death, he was one of the shortlisted London candidates for the European Parliament, and would have brought great value as a scientist with an understanding of history and a long personal experience of the developing world.

Together with these scientific and political achievements, John leaves the legacy of his fine sense of humour, loyalty and innate generosity in the memories of all who knew

him. He is survived by his mother and two sisters, Linda and Susie. .....................................................................................................

Adrian Leigh Gothard (M 77) passed away after a valiant fight on 6th August 2009 in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, aged 45.The much loved son of Leigh Gothard (M 52) & Vere Gothard and brother of Julian Gothard (M 78). He will be sadly missed by both family and friends.

Adrian had the distinction of being one of the Uppingham’s first genuine ‘computer geeks’ at a time when computer’s were still the size of a Chieftain Main Battle Tank!

Adrian was also an integral part of the School rifle shooting team, and shot with distinction at Bisley in the Ashburton Trophy.

Donations in Adrian’s memory can be made to the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust http://www.justgiving.com/AdrianGothard/ .....................................................................................................

Online Memorial Book The OU office are currently working with a company called ‘Friends and Relations.com’ which was set up by Jonathan Haward and Hugh Hastings, who both lost brothers early in their lives. Keen to share fond memories and photos of their brothers with a wide group of friends and relations, Hugh and Jonathan realised that other people might also welcome such a celebratory internet-based service.

The ‘OU Book of Remembrance’ will be available from the New Year and will be available to families and friends of OUs who have passed on enabling them to create a celebration page of their lives. In this way OUs can be remembered by those who knew them at different times during their lives.

A link to the ‘OU Book of Remembrance’ will be put on the OU website www.olduppinghamian.co.uk with full instructions of how pages can be created or modified.

As Secretary of the Uppingham Association may I commend the ‘ OU Book of Remembrance’ to the families and friends of those Old Uppinghamians who are now at rest.

Richard Boston

Deaths Notification has been received of the following deaths since the last issue of the OU Magazine was published. An * indicates than an obituary has been printed.

Name

House

Date Died

Leslie 'John' Stevens (*) Hf 25 27/6/2009 John Walker M 26 15/8/2009 Nicholas Vere-Hodge R 26 2006 Ian Carrick C 27 27/2/2009 Norman Knight (*) SH 27 30/5/2009 Maurice Lucas WB 27 2003 Lord Henry Murton (*) WD 28 05/7/2009 Peter Nicholls (*) C 29 24/6/2009 Sir Ian Wallace F 29 19/5/2009 Rodney Parsons (*) Fgh 29 16/6/2009 John Lauder LH 29 01/7/2009 Geoffrey Fenton (*) WD 30 27/7/2009 James Woods-Humphery F 31 10/10/2008 Peter Owen R 31 21/8/2008 James Close F32 Feb 2009 Patrick Hancock F 32 13/6/2009 Norman Gilleney SH 36 30/9/2009 Benjamin Bazley F 37 07/12/2008 John Greg Fgh 37 21/3/2008 Hugh Whitwell Fgh 37 Apr 2009 Donald Parkinson H 37 07/3/2009 Robert Woodhead WD 37 09/11/2008 Oliver Stonehouse (*) C 38 Feb 2009 Laurence Smitheringale Fgh 39 2007 Brian Barker SH 39 12/6/2009 John Austin WD 39 15/1/2009 Bill Ellis WB 40 16/5/2009 Roger Mathers SH 41 Dec 2008 Roger Moore C 43 Sep 2008 John Michael Barker Fgh 43 29/1/2009 John Darby Hf 43 2008 Hugh Harding C 44 09/6/2009 Arthur Hair Fgh 44 2004/2005 John Weller WB 44 18/1/2008 John Warner WD 44 24/4/2009 Michael Hilton Fgh 45 30/4/2009 Keith Vartan LH 45 14/11/2008 Michael Horton-Ledger SH 45 Dec 2008 Anthony Marsh WB 45 07/5/2009 Michael Rose C 47 28/1/2009 Michael Roberts F 48 25/1/2009 Michael Davies F 48 27/8/2009 Frank Harvey (*) LH 48 04/2/2009 Malcolm Usher WB 49 Apr 2009 Alex Bowles LH 51 Jun 2009 Robert Watts H 54 03/5/2009 David Issard-Davies M 55 Nov 2002 Michael Grimshaw WD 56 08/3/2009 Aubrey Dulcken SH 66 2008 John Stonehouse (*) C 73 29/9/2009 Adrian Gothard (*) M 77 06/8/2009 Markham Derbyshire F 81 Oct 2009 .....................................................................................................

Academies OU

The Uppingham Collegiate

By Steve Allen, Collegiate Co-ordinator Havelock has also established a CCF section, under the umbrella of the Uppingham CCF – indeed as far as the forces are concerned the Havelock section is officially part of the Uppingham contingent!

David Ross (C 78) pictured with Academy students

Uppingham has a long and noble tradition of reaching out to the wider educational community. In recent years this has involved local schools using our facilities and exchanges with other schools both at home and from abroad.

As an extension to this good work we have formed the ‘Uppingham Collegiate’, which is intended to be a four-way partnership between three academies and Uppingham itself.

Academies replace failing state schools or are brand new schools, largely free from local education authority control.To start up, an academy needs a philanthropic sponsor or sponsors to really get things moving and it is not surprising that several OUs have been instrumental in setting up academies. As a consequence, three academies (the Northampton Academy, the Samworth Enterprise Academy and the Havelock Academy) with very strong OU links have become part of the Uppingham Collegiate – and there is a possibility that more might join.

It is important to note that the Collegiate is a ‘reciprocal partnership’ and not any form of ‘custodianship’. As a long established boarding school with deep traditions and unspoken expectations of our pupils we can offer much to the members of the Collegiate in terms of raising aspirations and simple help and advice. However in return we believe that we too can benefit from their experiences as new schools and from the insights they can offer into the communities they serve.

The Northampton Academy, under the leadership of Peter Hullah, grew phoenix-like out of two failing inner-city state schools.This Academy is part-sponsored by the Sunley Foundation and Richard Tice (H 78) has a huge involvement.The Head of Art and Design at Uppingham (Simon Sharp) taught the Head of Art at Northampton in a previous life, and Simon and I had a great evening there during an exhibition of students’ work. Northampton also had several Oxbridge candidates last year, and it was our pleasure to offer them a residential experience and put them through our Oxbridge mock interviews –we hope to repeat this exercise for all of the Academies in the future.

Nick O’Sullivan, an impressive leader who has a very solid public school background and great belief in a strong house system, leads the Havelock Academy in Grimsby.

We’ve had various visits from house staff at Havelock and they have been very receptive to any suggestions we have been able to make to support their pastoral work. In addition, Uppingham is helping the Havelock academy through their first UCAS cycle as they have just opened their doors to sixth form pupils. Alan Hancock, Uppingham trustee and ex-housemaster and renowned expert on Higher Education is doing some excellent work on this. David Ross (C 78) is the sponsor here and he is keen to promote residential experiences for the Havelock pupils, and of course Uppingham can provide accommodation! This summer the Havelock pupils about to enter the sixth form took advantage of the offer and visited parts of Rutland using one the houses as a base.

The Samworth Enterprise Academy in Leicester, under the leadership of Principal Pat Dubas, has two joint sponsors – David Samworth (F 48) and the Bishop of Leicester.This is a new build, and the school is filling from the bottom upwards. It is no surprise that it has real expertise in food technology, and Uppingham has benefited directly from this as our catering department has had nutritional advice and support from their highly qualified food studies folk.

Uppingham has a weekly commitment to the Academy too, as our Community Service pupils help there every Monday afternoon.

David Samworth is also a sponsor of Academies in Nottingham and Mansfield and we hope that we can extend links to these schools in the future.

David Samworth (F 49) with Academy students

What next? Now I am out of West Bank, I hope to be able to extend our links with the collegiate, and try to export a little more of the magic of this wonderful old place – but I also want to try to import skills and ideas from our partner academies. All the headteachers mentioned above are seeking to raise aspirations, and of course there is little doubt that the pupils at Uppingham are aspirational, but they are lucky to have (on the whole) ambitious and successful parents, and they are lucky to attend a school where university entrance is the norm.The aim therefore is to try to promulgate some of our values elsewhere. If we can get a 'whole school approach' to helping others succeed, it will actually make us a stronger and more rounded place.

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OU Headmasters

Headmasters of Uppingham Over the next few issues we are focusing on ex-Headmasters of Uppingham. This issue we have asked OUs from 1916-1934 for any memories they have on Reginald Owen.

Next year we will feature John Frederick Wolfenden who was Headmaster from 1934-1944. Any OUs who have memories of their time at School from this era should send these to Nicola Tyers.

Focus on...

Reginald Herbert Owen 1916-1934

“Any success I have had here has been based on good discipline”

Revd Reginald Owen 1916 – 1934 Peter Binns (L 30) pictured beneath a painting of Rev Owen during a recent visit to the School.

On November 24th 1915 the Trustees were able to name a new Headmaster. He was Reginald Herbert Owen, aged only 28 years, considerably less than half the age of the departing Harry Ward McKenzie, and exceptionally young for a Headmaster of a big school.

Below are a few memories from OUs at the School under Rev’d Owen’s Headship:The Rev’d Owen was, for me, a distant almost God like figure, perhaps to be slightly feared, not for physical reasons but for his exalted status. To be seen in his pew in Chapel and in Hall. I can not recall even speaking to him, though I must have done.

But I can recall my Form Master in despair at one of my stupid mistakes, commanding me to walk across the School House lawn in front of the Headmasters study, calling out at least three times, loud enough for him to hear “Oh! Mother earth what a fool I am”.

The Head was kind enough not to come out of his study. I wonder if I made the same mistake again.

Owen was a great fund raiser for School buildings. In those days the Masters themselves owned most of the schoolhouses.

This was not a satisfactory way for the School but Owen proposed that the School should buy them. He persuaded the Governors on this and at the end of his reign the School purchased most of the houses.

Of course, all are today School owned.

When the houses were owned by the masters there was little control on how much should be spent for food for the boys and some masters no doubt made a tidy fortune from the money allocated to them.

I feel the Rev’d Owen was the last of the ‘Old School’ Headmasters, and that Mr Wolfenden was the first of the ‘New’ Headmasters, leading up to the present modern school, which is such a credit to all who serve there today.

Brian H Bagnall (WD 33) .................................................................................

‘The Man’ was the name always given to the Headmaster. Strict, aloof and fearsome the Rev R.H Owen was the only headmaster I knew during my time at Uppingham except for one year when he went to New Zealand.

The Deputy during that year to act as Head was E.W.C Saunders.

On the first morning of term the new boys attended the Assembly Hall. As the Winter term had the largest intake there would have been about one hundred of us. Each boy had to call out his name, and at the end of this he would look at each boy and give his name, if he made any mistakes he would start again at the beginning until he had mastered every name. It is said that if he ever spoke to a boy during his walk about he would always remember his name.This must have been somewhat of a feat because one year there could have been six Smiths and the following year three would have left and two more arrived. So in fact Smith Sextus in the first year would become Smith Minimus in his second year.

In many ways Owen was a remarkable man who kept strict discipline in the School. On one occasion at a cricket match one boy swore and sure enough he received a beating.

It didn’t matter that the boy was in the 2nd XV, about 15 stone and close to 6ft tall. He hated School publicity and the fact that one boy riding a motor bike during the school holidays gained some media attention did not please him at all.

The Headmaster did teach Latin to the Sixth Form and also had plenty of connection with the School Pollies but for the likes of me we did not cross paths. I did in later life write to him when I was in the Army and received a nice reply. Owen’s grip over the boys was extended to the Masters and their wives and if any of these were at all lax in their appearance in the High Street or smoked in the wrong place he would write a note to

them reprimanding them and telling them to behave in future.

Douglas Farmiloe (H 28) .................................................................................

‘Reggie’ Owen, as we called him, was a fearsome Headmaster; a great disciplinarian very much respected, but feared. He seldom smiled in public. We probably saw more of him as Headmaster in those days as he took daily morning assembly in the Great Hall (at 7.30am!) and took all chapel services. He frequently walked around the school quads correcting a boys dress or behaviour. We had to raise our straw boaters to him on these occasions. Amazingly he knew the names of most of us through having all new boys lined up in Hall and repeating the names several times. He was the youngest Headmaster of any public school and one felt that he was much older. Senior Masters rather resented his age and the fact that he had not served in the 1914-1918 war. He certainly set a very high standard and I would say that he was a good Headmaster. I never met him again after I left as I worked abroad for the next 48 years. However I have kept in touch through having two grandsons at the School.

Harry Loveday (LH 26) .................................................................................

My father is now 96 and I well remember the occasion when Rev’d Owen, as Archbishop of New Zealand, was the guest at the summer OU weekend in 1959.

Father, who had always been in great awe of him thought that it would be polite to go and introduce himself. I have never seen my father quaking at the knees before or since, he looked as though he had been summoned to the Headmaster’s study for some awful misdemeanour. Rev’d Owen, dressed up in a black coat and gaiters on a very hot June day was absolutely charming and at once recognised my father, who he

Headmasters OU

Lord Wolfenden 1934 – 1944

Martin Lloyd 1944 – 1965

John Royds 1965 – 1974

not seen for 28 years, not only remembering his name but also what he had done after leaving. We were both astounded at his memory.

J T Horrocks (M 54) – Son of Arthur Horrocks (M 26) .................................................................................

Rev’d Owen as I was soon to discover in 1928 when arriving at School was popularly known as ‘The Man’ and Master or boy or anyone else at Uppingham dared not forget to acknowledge this towering person whenever he appeared. My first sight of Rev’d Owen was when assembled in the Great Hall and all the new boys were positioned on the oak benches a considerable distance from the Headmaster’s lectern up front.

In the same great hall there was always a prayer session led by the Headmaster and his instructions were quite clear concerning late comers. The doors were to be closed at exactly 7.30 with name taking prefects stationed at the two main entrances to take late comer’s numbers for punishments.The noticeboard in the Colonnade was never passed by without a glance towards Headmaster’s board and the large signature RHO. One day following a Sunday afternoon walk I was horrified to read on RHO’s boards reference to an event in which I was responsible. It said “would boys who were playing in the brick field on Sunday afternoon report to my study at 09.00 on the next day”. Panic was in place – should we turn up?

If not, the guilty chaps might still be found.

Agreed we decided to turn up with the hope that any damage would mean compensation.The brick field, so named because of its use as a sort of builder’s dump contained a pile of used bricks, an invitation to demonstrate brick throwing. The offenders, myself and others of the same term duly having applied suitable padding for the expected punishment.To our amazement we were praised for our honesty in turning up and after a suitable lecture we were dismissed without the dreaded cane which with retrospect was what we deserved!

Whenever ‘The Man’ and his wife came down on the opposite side of the street it was criminal carelessness not to have noticed.

Living in Ireland allowed me to leave School

Coll Macdonald 1975 – 1982

Nicholas Bomford 1982 – 1991

Stephen Winkley 1991 – 2006

Richard Harman 2006...

a day early but a special pass from the Headmaster was necessary. Reporting for this permit on one occasion RHO was busy and I had to wait for a while outside his study. When admitted I was rendered speechless by the remark “sorry to keep you waiting” and replied after the shock “it does not matter, Sir”. “The Man”, in spite of his stern face and appearance was human.

Percy Kennedy (H 28) .................................................................................

I well remember Reggie Owen striding up the High Street with is wife on the Constables side. One morning he announced at prayer in Hall “I have expelled from the School two school pollies both from Lorne House” As I was a junior in Lorne House at this time I have vivid recollections of the incident but all was forgiven so far as I was concerned because 2 or 3 years later I was made a school polly and head of Lorne House.

Peter Palmer (LH 25) .................................................................................

I was at Uppingham for the last fours years of Rev’d Owen’s Headmastership, and the first of his successor Woolfenden’s. Unless you were in School House, he was a rather asustere figure head; and until you, say, became a School polly, there was very little contact with him. But we did know that he had a sense of humour, because at end of term prizegivings he would tell one or two jokes – appreciated all the more of course because of our experience of him as an unsmiling disciplinarian. I remember one of these jokes, but unfortunately not how he led up to it. He told us that a certain bishop, of unusually large girth, had occasion to send his surplice to the cleaners. The note that was attached to it on return (taking into account Rev’d Owen’s stutter) “One b-bell tent – s-slightly soiled”. On another occasion, his stutter produced a moment of unintentional humour. He was paying tribute to a matron who was leaving and said “She has been a great b-boon to usI!”

after a race on the sports field. Mr Wolfenden, who succeeded Owen as Headmaster, said he found the office of Head inspired such awe that if he ordered the School to stand on its head the next morning it would do so. However, when I went up to Oxford in response to a general invitation to OUs, I called on Owen and his wife and I found them both utterly charming and hospitable in a totally relaxed atmosphere.

Clearly Owen felt that as a Headmaster he could never show a softer side.

Desmond Gregory (R 30) .................................................................................

I remember Reggie Owen although my contact with him was not close. He nearly always took morning prayers in Hall, but when he was away the Senior Master took his place. He was known as Billie S. Reggie Owen, he had a very bouncy walk and I well remember him pacing round the Upper during a Cricket Match. Mr Wolfenden came on the scene during my last year and what a contrast! I think Reggie was a wonderful Headmaster and gave Uppingham a great name.

Jack Ellis (M 30) .................................................................................

Although I was at Uppingham for 2½ years under R. G Owen, I can only recall one occasion when I came into direct contact with him. This was when I collected a form prize from him in 1932 and he congratulated me. The next time was at the 1958 London OU dinner at the Law Society when R.G Owen was Guest of Honour as he was in London as Primate of New Zealand attending the Lambeth Conference. As I approached him to shake hands he said “FENTON – you are half Italian” – what a memory after 25 years.

But although he did induce in us a degree of fear I am pretty sure most of us recognised that the School we knew was for better or worse, the one he had made, through his influence on every aspect of its life.

Michael Bell (M 30) .................................................................................

As a schoolboy I regarded Rev’d Owen as a remote, austere, tyrannical and puritanical figure who once beat a boy for saying “damn”

Uppingham and R.G Owen taught me that self discipline and loyalty to family, friends and employees are vitally important in life, the result being 70 years of happy marriage.

Geoffrey Fenton (WD 30) .................................................................................

My other memories of R.G Owen are of him taking School Call overs and memorising all the boys names and patrolling the Upper cricket matches talking to boys and parents of the opposing teams.

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OU Staff News

Staff News – past and present Births

Congratulations to Simon and Katherine Tetlow on the birth of Max on 22nd April 2009, a brother for Rosie.

Leavers

In Father Richard Harrison Uppingham was blessed with a Chaplain who was not only “good in a crisis” but good the rest of the time as well – and was always at the heart of the School. Uppingham will miss him but know he will keep in touch. .....................................................................................................

After twelve years at Uppingham, Alex Tester, left to become Director of Music at St Edwards, Oxford. He will be remembered for the endless patience, humour and care he showed as Resident Tutor of Highfield, and his contagious enthusiasm in the Music Department. .....................................................................................................

Dr Simon Cotton retired from the Science Department having taught Chemistry to all levels since 1996.

trends, and Jerry and the office he has managed is certainly one of them. He retires to become the School Archivist and the Overseas Recruitment Coordinator. If you have any photographs, magazines, programmes, books or pictures relating to the School which are surplus to family requirements, please do not throw items away. Please get in touch with Jerry by email jpr@uppingham.co.uk.

In the classroom he has been a distinguished teacher of physics and electronics, imparting his deep knowledge of the subjects with outstanding skill and a real understanding of his pupils and their requirements. He demands of them what he demands of himself, a willingness to think and a close attention to detail. Indeed at student and colleague alike – through those iconic spectacles – his eyes may kindly gleam, but they are never less than challenging!

Generations of tutees, too, have enjoyed the wisdom of his counsel and his assistance.

Many a boarding house (Highfield, Constables, Meadhurst...) and Housemaster have had the privilege of Myles as tutor, of his experience and of his unstinting generosity with his time.

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Dr Myles Sewter It was in the electronics room of the Thring centre that forty one years ago I was first introduced to someone whose looks were so young I believed him to be a Sixth Former. It was Myles Sewter, and Myles was already well established on the staff having arrived in 1966.Today the greying of his hair may marginally have eroded the youthfulness

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Dave Hern retired after 45 years at the School. He joined in 1964 as Chemistry Technician and was promoted to Chief Technician in 1985. .....................................................................................................

Jerry Rudman retired as Registrar after a long and highly successful tenure of this crucial office. Having been at the School since 1971, and for seventeen years of that as Housemaster of Meadhurst, he was ideally suited for the role he took on in 1998.

There are many reasons why Uppingham is full, 98% full-boarding and bucking financial

of his appearance, but nothing has diminished the vitality, enthusiasm and devotion he has brought to a lifetime’s teaching.

When I arrived, Myles had already earned the soubriquet “Muscles” – and, certainly, his strength is more than legend. On the sports field, he could be fearsome, not least, as I recall, in the halcyon pre Health and Safety days when staff teams played students at rugby.

Alongside colleague Christopher Richardson, Myles developed the Thring Centre in the role that has since been taken over by the

Leonardo. In those days such a centre was innovative amongst independent schools requiring pioneers with vision and capable of realising the most imaginative of ideas. Myles was such a pioneer. He designed and built a TV studio; in the electronics room a variety of robots, radios, computers and other such devices were created; under his tutelage cars were deconstructed and reconstructed in the motor workshop.

Thus was achieved such an important niche for some pupils that when they return to Uppingham, it is to see Myles that they have come.

Edward Thring would have been proud of Myles. Creating an ‘all round’ human being requires an ‘all round’ teacher, and Myles is certainly that.The Myles Sewter Observatory means his name will live on beyond his retirement. But now the occasion has come finally for him to hang up the grey trousers and the

Staff News OU

schoolmaster tweed. Now too is the occasion for him finally to devote quality time to himself ….but I am willing to bet a year’s salary that that is the last thing he will do!

T J Montagnon .....................................................................................................

David Gaine David Gaine retired from the Registry at Christmas, after nine successful years in the role of Assistant Registrar. For many that would have been an achievement in itself, but we should remember that David joined the School in 1962.

By the time David retired from teaching in 1999 he did so as Director of Studies and Second Master and iIt was at this point that he became Assistant Registrar.

There have been many tributes paid to David, and it is difficult to encapsulate and do due justice to all that he has contributed to Uppingham in this article. He has a huge and rare capacity to entertain the young, which he has never lost. We wish him a very happy and well deserved retirement.

A New Admission

OU Website

As a member of the Classics Department (and its Head for a number of years) David inspired numerous Uppinghamians, and in terms of results and above all the regard in which he was held there is no doubt he was an outstanding teacher – one who engaged all the young he taught in a way that made learning inspirational, enjoyable and memorable. He has commented that he got an “enormous joy from teaching these most beautiful and subtle of all languages” to his Classicists.

As a tutor he was at first with School House, spending five enjoyable years as the resident tutor before becoming Housemaster of Lorne House in 1970-85. David’s contact with the Houses does not end there, as for thirteen years he has supported Katharine in her role as Housemistress of The Lodge.

In his time David has also been in charge of the RE (Royal Engineers) section of the CCF, a regular coach of boys’ games - and rather memorably girls’ rounders. He was a member of many of the Common Room rugby, soccer and cricket teams and a significant contributor to moments of great (and sometime unintended) comedy during Common Room plays.

We are one of the first schools to provide a website dedicated to former pupils and the advantages are enormous.

By registering with the website, OUs can sign up for an OU email address which can be retained for life.

The website contains details of events as well as OU news and updates to keep OUs in touch as the years go by, If you haven’t already registered please visit www.olduppinghamian.co.uk

Charlie Bostock has joined us at Uppingham as the new Registrar, taking over from the role Jerry Rudman has had for the last 11 years. Charlie joins us from Eastbourne College where he has taught biology for the last twenty years alongside other roles as a Housemaster for twelve years to both girls and boys in three different houses, as Assistant Head for four years, running the athletics club and playing trumpet in the swing band. He is very much looking forward to engaging as fully as his new role allows in Uppingham’s wider school life. His diverse involvement at Eastbourne saw him coach junior boys’ rugby, launch the girls’ rugby club, set up the guerrilla gardeners, run a wine tasting and after dinner speaking club, introduce chickens to the staff common room lawn, coach both hockey and netball Charlie joins with his wife Clare and three children Benedict, Christian and Acacia.

If any OUs are interested in discussing the possibility of their children or grandchildren coming to Uppingham, Charlie would be delighted to hear from them.

Please call 01572 820611.

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OU Memory Corner

Memory Corner

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send us your memories of time spent at Uppingham.

60 Years Ago! Cycle Tour of Italy April 1949

By Derek Bunting (B 45)

A party set out from Uppingham on March 29th 1949 with plans to tour Italy by bicycle. We were inspiringly and very efficiently led by Alan Body, a junior history Master with a well earned reputation for his physical fitness and detailed planning.

He had been in the RAMC fighting in Italy in the recent war. Martin Lloyd was Headmaster and he and his wife and Toby Belk came to see us off at 7am after his end of term speech to the school. I am told he said “About this time Mr Body’s party, if they are running to time, should be passing the 5th lamppost south of Luton…“ We cycled the 89 miles to London that day, with loads of 55lbs carrying tents, cooking equipment, food, etc.

Those who went were: Humphrey Sladden (B 45), Stuart Salmond (B 45), Derek Bunting (B 45), Alan Waterworth (Wd 45), Bill Moss (Wd 46), Geoffrey Laird Portch (Wd 45), Robin Schall (C 45), Bill Williams (C 45), John Riley (WB 44), John Godrich (WB 44),Tom Harmer (Fgh 46), John D Gibson (H 44), John Smith, a Southern Rhodesian, and Alan Body.

It took 2 days by train from Victoria to Naples where we loaded up our bicycles and set off north out of the city for our first camp site. We cycled past Monte Cassino (still in ruins after the 1944 battle just 5 years before) on our 157 miles to Rome. An audience with the Pope had been arranged but we could not wait an extra day to attend! We toured the sights of the eternal city and then pressed on to visit Assissi, Perugia, and Sienna during our 5 days and 286 miles to Florence. All Italian towns and villages are built on top of steep hills calling for great efforts from all

Life at Uppingham...

These notes were dictated in December 2008 by John Austin (WD 39) to his daughter. Sadly he passed away on 15th January 2009 but was keen that his notes of

l-r: Bill Williams (C 45), John Riley (WB 44), Geoffrey Laird-Portch (WD 45), John Godrich (WB 44), Bill Moss (WD 46), David Gibson (H 44), Alan Body (B 45), Robin Schall (C 45), Humphrey Sladden (B 45), Stuart Salmond (B 45),Tom Harrier (Fgh 46), Alan Waterworth (WD 45) and John Smith.

of us cyclists before the rewards of ice cream or chianti could be enjoyed. From there we crossed the Appenines to Bologna and on to Padua and Venice (185 miles in 4 days). By now we were all saddle hardened and had camping in farms, washing in streams, and cooking etc all down to a fine art. So the final 3 days and 195 miles to Milan via Verona, Lake Guarda and Brescia on fairly flat terrain were easily accomplished.

We caught the train back to London from Milan. All told, nearly 1,000 miles and 3 weeks, total cost £21. Alan Body’s briefing said “£20 will be accepted where there is hardship rather than that a boy should not go.

It is pointed out that £1 per day for 2,450 miles is not as high as it seems!

Probably the best £21 my parents spent on my behalf.

We all survived, lost a lot of weight, and I’m sure all of us got great satisfaction from our efforts and achievement. We loved Italy, and its countryside and people.

It was not long after the war. We were welcomed everywhere as long as we flew Union Jacks - a German party would have had a rough reception! I have never cycled any distance since! I kept a diary of the trip and have this and various photos and post card mementos.

A reunion lunch was held for 8 of the 12 cyclists on 9th July 2009 in London.

l-r: Back row: Derek Bunting (B 45), Humphrey Sladden (B 45), Bill Williams (C 45), Bill Moss (WD 45) Front row: Alan Waterworth (WD 45), John Gibson (H 44) and Tom Harrier (Fgh 46)

his happy memories on life at Uppingham should be passed on: Having got two tumours detected in my brain, I thought it was time that I wrote something while I was able to do so as

Uppingham formed such a large part of my life and thinking which stayed with me through my years.

My first experience of Uppingham was on the day before war was declared. An air raid

Memory Corner OU

warden turned up at the House and told us that anybody who could leave should do so.

My father then put us all in the car and brought us to Uppingham where Philip King took us into the study at West Deyne to listen to the declaration of war by Neville Chamberlain. After that, father took my mother and sister to The Crown at Oakham and left me in the house to settle in, in the big bedroom over the house hall. The next day, Peter Finn (WD 38) was put in there with me. We joined the others who were outside in the garden.

After a couple of days, we had to start building an air raid shelter on the other side of the garden. There was Winkley (the house man, who was an ex-naval man), Mr Doulton (deputy house master) and the gardeners. We started digging but didn’t make much progress because we didn’t really know what we were doing! As School hadn’t started, we were left to explore the place and find our feet, just the two of us.

I remember seeing a ‘crocodile’ of 8 year old school girls going up to one of the hill houses.

To get moving in the morning, it was rather painful to watch Philip getting his shoe laces precisely the right length! Being his junior, I had to be exceedingly tolerant of his obsessive behaviour. Nevertheless, we did manage to get across to Oakham, out into

the fields, and into the town. This was an opportunity for me to get to know my surroundings properly as I had been used to walking home from school through Epping Forest and taking the dog out so I had no difficulty in getting around.

The American Army Supply Company were based in Spanhoe (on the other side of the valley) bringing supplies from Leicester. The drivers would speed down the High Street into the London Road creating chaos by taking bits off the houses as they tore by.

The predominant feeling on getting to Uppingham was the freedom that I hadn’t had at home. Once the term started, Peter joined his peer group. I shared my study with Neil Dallas (WD 39) from Yorkshire.

My favourite masters were Mr P T Saunders who taught physics and Mr Kendall who taught maths and mechanics. They were quite a double act. The technican, Mr Gregory would set up an experiment with flying ball bearings which were meant to meet in mid-air. Unfortunately, one hit the radiator pipes which rattled in Mr Saunders’ room next door and they struck up quite a banter.

The next term, Robert Mills (WD 40) came into the house and we made friends. He had amazing advanced left-wing ideas way ahead of his age. Our home backgrounds were similar. His father was a fruit and vegetable merchant in Wisbech and his mother lived in Horton in Cheshire. My father was working in Ilford as a joinery manufacturer.

At that time, the staff at school were incredibly friendly. The Housemaster of West Bank used to haul potatoes in his own Amercian Tourer. Being there was like being in a large happy family.

We played rugby mainly. I was in the Colts team which gave us status immediately (just as it does today). We still carried on with fixtures at Stowe, Rugby and Oundle and later on, at Repton.

During the war, life in Uppingham didn’t change. About a mile and a half away, a land mine dropped in a field and exploded leaving a crater but this was as near as it got.The biggest shock we got was when two boys left to join the navy and were killed in action soon after.

John left Uppingham and joined the Royal Engineers, serving in India. He later joined the family joinery company and later in life became a teacher. He had four children and seven grandchildren who were all there to be with him when he was ill.

AN AUSTRALIAN REUNION...

On planning a visit to Perth, Western Australia, in January 2009 Tony Keene (WD 47) had a feeling that an old school friend Bob Stead (WB 47) had emigrated to Esperance in the south of the state, some 550 miles from Perth. Referring to the School Roll, his thoughts were confirmed. A ‘Bob Stead’ lived at Hargate Park, Esperance. After a phone call, and some 55 years, the two were reunited! Neither would have recognised each other, but it was not long before memories of School were recounted.

Although Bob started life as a Stockbroker, (after 2 years at The Royal Agricultural College) his desire to farm and to return to Esperance, where he had worked on a farm, was too strong to resist. So at the risk of incurring his Father’s ire, who had wanted Bob to follow him and become a stockbroker, he made a life changing decision to accept a job on a farm in Esperance, Western Australia.

Bob’s move to Australia has been vindicated by the success that he has achieved. After arriving in Esperance in 1959, he soon realised that he could buy a farm for the cost of an annual lease in England, and purchased a 2,500 acre property. Today Bob and two of his sons farm over 25,000 acres.

As a pioneer, Bob helped to build Esperance, and was soon engaged in other activities. He became a Director of Wesfarmers Ltd, one of Australia’s biggest companies, serving on the board for 19 years. In 1980 he bought Esperance’s newspaper ‘The Esperance Express’ and ran it for 13 years before it was sold to

Rural Express, a listed Australia company. His interest in real estate saw him build Esperance’s first office block.

He was a founding member of the Rotary Club, serving as President in 1965, was elected to the Esperance Shire road board in 1962, and was patron of the Esperance Agricultural Show Society. In fact Bob is undisputedly “Mr Esperance!”

Bob will readily admit that whatever he has achieved in life, living through some incredibly tough times, would not have been possible without the support, help and love of his wife Dawn, an Australian girl from Sydney.

Bob now leaves the day to day running of the farm to his sons Simon and Jonathan, not of course forgetting their wives Suzanne and Susie. Bob’s eldest son lives and works in Melbourne with his partner Susan. Bob’s joy is now his herd of Shorthorn Cattle, his grandchildren and gardening.

Tony Keene (WD 47)

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OU Memory Corner

Uppingham during the war...

I lived just south of Birmingham during the war, and a lot of boys went to Uppingham on the special train from New Street station. I think that Mr Wolfenden had contacts with several prep school heads who sent their boys to Uppingham. Mine was Harry Healey who owned the Lickey Hills Prep school at Rednal only three miles from the Austin Motor works at Longbridge.

Therefore the school was evacuated to Brampton Bryan on the Welsh border. We had a very dull war there, and used to enjoy the school holidays where there were searchlights at Rowney Green, Hurricane aeroplanes crashing in the woods at Rednal, and enormous bonfires and air raids to watch at night over Birmingham. I still see Christopher Norton (WD 40) (my brother in law) and David Healey (WB 48), son of Harry, but sadly Richard Rouse (WB 44) , John Riley (WB 44) and Roger Schlesinger (WB 44) died some years ago.

By John Godrich (WB 44)

FLYING LESSONS...

The obituary of Richard Stratton (Hf 36) in issue 36 emphasises his association with the aircraft industry which actually began whilst he was at Uppingham. Soon after the formation of the Air Training Corps around 1940, the RAF presented the School with an obsolete aeroplane to be used for practical training. It was delivered to The Lodge, where it sat on the lawn. The Stratton brothers soon learned of its arrival and decided to find out if the engine would run.

They appeared with a can of petrol, scrounged from who knows where and with one brother at the throttle the other swung the propeller and sure enough the engine roared into life. Needless to say, the noise brought out Alastair Smallwood, the Housemaster of The Lodge, who was NOT amused!

By Dennis Hurden (L 38)

Election Day...

The obituary of Jonathan Routh (F 41) in issue 36 stirred some long dormant memories. In the summer term of 1945 Martin Lloyd decided that the School should have a mock election. There was no difficulty in finding Conservative and Liberal candidates, but no volunteers for

DAWN CHORUS

Nicholas Watts (H 57) recalls the times when he recorded dawn chorus when still at school.

While I was at Uppingham School I was very interested in wildlife, especially birds. I was a member of the Field club which was under the watchfull eye of Guy Messenger who gave me permission to have my bicycle.

I don’t know why but I wanted to record dawn chorus but I didn’t think that it was worth recording in the middle of Uppingham. I fancied recording it in the Stoke Dry plantation near the Eye Brooke reservoir but the chances of getting permission to record it I thought was so remote that I didn’t see any point in asking. I was in Hall, my Housemaster David Dunbar, was very strict. We were locked in each night behind the quad gate that was about 6ft high which I could climb over.There was a drive up to the House with lots of bushes along it and so I planned to hide my bicycle in the bushes.

I planned to record it on Sunday 21st May 1961. So I arose at 2.30, climbed over the gate, picked my bicycle up and rode up the High Street, on to the A6003 heading for the Eye Brooke Reservoir.The first bird I heard on that morning was a Dunnock at 3.23. I left the reservoir at about 5am and rode back to School, hid my bike in the bushes again, climbed back over the gate, into the House and slipped back into bed and no one was any the wiser!

The next week I took with me Ian (H 57) and Paul (H 58) Martin. Our recording was successful and I still have the times in my diary of when the birds started to sing. Again we returned to our beds around 5.30 without anyone knowing. I was however reprimanded by Mr de Wood for falling asleep in the choir practice that morning!

That year I recorded dawn chorus every Sunday from 21st May to the 2nd July, not always at Stoke Dry plantation as sometimes it was at Butterfly Lane and I couldn’t resist recording it on the longest day of the year which was on a Wednesday, the first bird that morning was the Cuckoo at 2.52. As far as I know nobody with any authority knew of my early morning excursions. I am sure the authorities will be pleased to know that I have never smoked or drunk and so my bicycle was never used for either of those activities.

I am able to write knowing the dates and times are correct as they are taken from my dairies which I have continued to keep until this day.

OUs may remember that Nicholas still holds the record for walking round Rutland, a practice that some of the fitter OUs used to attempt in their final week or two while at Uppingham.

Labour. Being in School House and under the Headmaster’s eye I was pressed to stand in that role. It was a great experience thanks largely to Jonathan Routh’s (F 41) zany performance as my publicity agent.

Tombstone shaped posters appeared with the wording R.I.P – The Conservative Party. On the day before the poll, 4th July, as boys headed towards the Memorial Hall they could not miss a vast banner “LOOK UP AND VOTE LABOUR”. It hung from the parapet above the full length stage window and some

mountaineering skills had clearly been employed. Authority was not amused and it was brought down with full Health & Safety precautions.

Of course, the Conservative candidate won, his unruly supporters having been reprimanded for throwing tomatoes at me in a meeting in the Memorial Hall. If my memory is still serving he had 255 votes, Labour 54 beating the Liberal by one vote.

By Martin Oliver (SH 43)

Western Quad Update OU

Western Quad Update

Work on the New Sports Centre by the Leicester pitches began in March and great progress has been made in the last few months.The images on this page begin with the drawings prepared by the School’s architects and show how construction has moved on over the Summer, leading up to a CGI image of how it should look in the Autumn of 2010.

Any OUs wishing to follow progress over the next few months can see a live link to the construction site on the Uppingham School website (www.uppingham.co.uk).

September 2009 September 2009

June 2009

September 2009 August 2009

September 2009

Be Remembered at Uppingham The New Sports Centre is the biggest project to happen at Uppingham in many decades and we are offering OUs, parents, staff and friends of the School an opportunity to have their name, or that of a loved one, commemorated at the site.

Outside the Sports Centre will be an OU Terrace, ideal for watching the 1st XV, and each paving stone in this area will be available for engraving. Similarly more than 100 trees used to landscape the area around the pitches and a number of benches will be made available to those who wish remember a loved one.

If you would like to ‘sponsor’ a paver, tree or bench, please contact the OU Office by email (foundation@uppingham.co.uk) or telephone 01572 820 617

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OU OUs in fashion

OUs in fashion After featuring OUs in ‘The Arts’ in last years magazine, we are now looking at OUs in the Fashion industry.There are many successful OUs in this industry ranging from designers to photographers, to models. In these pages we are highlighting just a few of the OUs in this business.

Nick Fryer (M 76) opened his first shop in Burnham Market in 1994 named Gunhill.

Gunhill Clothing has grown and developed, with four shops, all selling top names such as Gant, R.M.Williams and Quba. Nick has now developed a successful own label brand.

David Sawyer (Hf 77) continues to shoot fashion still life in New York city as well as Paris & Milan, as he has been doing for the last 21 years. Some of his most recent projects & clients include Anne Klein, Coach, Dunhill, Nike and Tiffany's.

Dickson Poon (Hf 71) is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Dickson Concepts which has almost 400 shops worldwide for luxury brands such as Ralph Lauren,Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers as well as the ever-popular Harvey Nicols stores in the UK

OUs in fashion OU

Tom Warren (HF 01) was signed to Models 1 Agency after being spotted in Covent Garden. He continues a successful career modelling at several fashion shows including Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta.

After studying styling and photography at the London College of Fashion, Edwina Harrop (J 99) has immersed herself in fashion ever since. After apprenticeships at Gucci,Vogue and Talter, Edwina now works on a freelance basis now assisting the fashion departments for various magazine titles that include the Financial Times 'How To spend it' magazine, Easy Living and Italian Glamour.

Edwina Harrop (J 99)

Tom Glover (WD 93) left University and worked abroad before re-inventing the family brand Peregrine which was first established in 1956. He had always wanted to set up a clothing company and used his family history as a background story. He now designs two ranges a year which have appeared on the London, New York and Copenhagen catwalk during 2008. To contact Tom or to find out more about Peregrine please visit his website www.peregrineclothing.co.uk.

Pippa Howeson (Fd 98) has always had an interest in fashion especially tailoring after working for an interior designer, Nicky Haslam and seeing his love for fabric.

She has since designed for high street brands including Jack Wills and high end designer Selina Blow. She is passionate about British fabric particularly Harris Tweed. Her designs are also brought by private clients from all over the world and from all walks of like even having done a piece for the Aga Khan’s son’s wife and for photographer Ann Leibovitz.

Two photographs by Edwina Harrop (J 99)

She thinks her love for coats was also inspired by the bitterly cold winters at school and the biting wind walking from Fairfield to Chapel!

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OU Sports Societies & Clubs

OU Societies & Clubs Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club

50th Anniversary Dinner

2009 saw Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club enter the 50th year of its existence and the club continues in strength with over 110 members of which a third are still actively shooting. In April the club held a guest day where members of the club, their friends and family joined some current pupils to enjoy a mix of shooting activities and a dinner at Bisley- the home of shooting. As well as the traditional target rifle events, participants were able to have a go at black powder pistol, gallery rifle, shotgun and match rifle shot at 1000 yards.

Later in the year, in July, at the 2009 imperial meeting the Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club continued the strong history of its members placing highly in individual competitions and international representation.

Uppingham Veterans placed in the top ten in no fewer than 24 competitions. Antony Ringer (B 79) won the Donegall and the second stage of Her Majesty the Queens’ Prize, as well as placing highly in a number of other competitions. Alex Williams (Fgh 92) won the Duke of Cambridge with an

Emma Cannings (L 95)

outstanding score of 50.9 out of a possible 50.10, ahead of James Watson (L 88), who took 3rd place honours. James also achieved podium places in the Volunteer Force, Overseas Teams Fund Long Range and Berryman competitions. John DorringtonWard (H 73) (took the silver in the Stickledown competition.

Also well deserving of a mention are Antony Ringer (B 79), Chris Watson (M 92) and James Watson (L 88) for their good shooting in both the Queens final and the St. Georges Challenge vase. John Webster (C 70) and Freddie Grounds (WB 89) for shooting the St. Georges final and to Nick Hinchcliffe (Fgh 71) for finishing 5th in the grand aggregate.

Special mention should be made of Isobel Stephenson (L 05), one of our younger members, who had a superb meeting. As well as taking top ‘O’ class honours (and 6th place overall) in the Daily Mail competition, she also represented a significant number of winning teams: the Territorial Army team in the Inter-Services Long Range match, Great

OU Masonic Lodge

The Lodge was formed in 1919 and comprises of OUs of all ages, races and creeds and gives them the opportunity to meet regularly. It meets three times a year in London (St James’s Street) and there is a dinner afterwards. It also meets once a year in Uppingham, on a Saturday, and afterwards there is a dinner when guests may be invited and the Headmaster and other staff members often attend.This event provides a useful and enjoyable way of keeping in touch with the School and its developments.

The OU Lodge like all other Masonic Lodges is involved in raising money for a wide range of charities; this has included giving money to the Uppingham Foundation as well as members of the Lodge contributing money for the school for the Chapel extension and the Masonic gates.

Britain in the under 25s match, England in the National Match and Birmingham University in the Universities’ Long Range match.

Once again, a significant number of our members were members of national and international representative teams. Gareth Morris (L 89) and Chris Watson (M 92) represented Wales in the National and Mackinnon matches, competing against Antony Ringer (B 79) and Isobel Stephenson (L 05) who shot for England.

Antony Ringer (B 79) was also selected to shoot for Great Britain in the Kolapore match, which they won comfortably over Canada.

With the Commonwealth Games and World Long Range Championships looming in 2010 and 2011, Uppingham Veterans are continuing to represent Great Britain on team tours. Chris (M 92) and James (L 88) Watson have both been picked to tour New Zealand in 2010, and Alex Williams (Fgh 92) is due to receive his first GB cap as a member of next year’s tour to Canada.

The OU Lodge is part of the Public Schools Lodges Council, which consists of thirty-two schools Lodges.There is a festival which takes place each year on a Saturday hosted by each school in turn.The activities at the Festival include a chapel service, music performance and lunch; this provides an opportunity to have a look at other public schools and to see something of what they offer to their pupils.

Between 2002 and 2007 the OU Lodge has been successful in attracting a healthy number of new members; however it is still looking to increase the number of members.Therefore any OUs who are interested in considering joining the Lodge can contact :Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76):Tel 07961014890, e-mail Adrian.Lewthwaite@Btinternet.com Nick Farmer (WB 96): Email: nickfarmer2000@yahoo.co.uk Clive Burton (WB 54):Tel 01284 828 237, e-mail grenville.clive@virgin.net

Sports Societies & Clubs OU

Uppingham Rovers The Rovers had a relatively successful year in the Cricketer Cup with encouraging away victories over Old Brightonians and Rugby.The Rovers however came unstuck against a powerful Repton side containing a number of county players. For the first time in many years the team was able to rely on some exciting young talent who I trust will go on and continue to develop into a strong team in years to come. It does not get any easier though as we have drawn the holders Tonbridge in the 1st Round at the Upper on 13th June 2010.

By Hedley Stroud (L 68)

Cricketer Cup Results 2009 Played 10 Won 5 Lost 3 Drawn 1 Abandoned 1

CRICKETER CUP 1st Round v Old Brightonians (a) Old Brightonians 132 all out B Aspell 3/26, S Debenham 2/6 Uppingham Rovers 135 for 3 B Aspell 45* Uppingham Rovers won by 7 Wickets 2nd Round vs Rugby Meteors (a) Rugby Meteors 163 for 8 D Wood 3/34 Uppingham Rovers 165 for 6 C Bennett-Baggs 52 Uppingham Rovers won By 4 Wickets

Q-Finals vs Repton Pilgrims (h) Repton Pilgrims 265 for 9 A Lewin 4/52 Uppingham Rovers 221 all out C Bennett-Baggs 58, J Barnett 52, A Lewin 42 Repton Pilgrims won by 44 runs THE TOUR v Charterhouse Friars Uppingham 203 all out Charterhouse 209 for 7 Charterhouse won by 3 wkts

v Charterhouse Friars Uppingham 204 for 9 dec Charterhouse 206 for 4 Charterhouse won by 6 wickets

D Wood 77, R Perkins 40 D Wood 6/44

B Barnett 83

v Lancing Rovers Lancing 91-3 Match Abandoned Rain

Eastbourne 165 for 6 Match Drawn

Old Uppinghamian

Clothing and Gifts Whatever the occasion, whether it’s for you, your family or a friend, Uppingham School Shop stocks a range of OU products.

Scarf & Wrap Cricket Cap Silk Ties & Bow Ties Polyester Ties Silk Cravats Polyester Cravats Blazer Badges Blazer Buttons Socks Chain Link Cufflinks School Crest Cufflinks Champagne Flutes Pint Tankard Half-pint Tankard Whisky Tumbler Bud Vase Wee Dram Set Paperweight Umbrella Shield Maglite Torch

New Items Braces Belts Silk Cummerbund Pewter Tankards (Two sizes) Special offers available on:Cricket Sweater Golf Tee Set Golf Ball Set Scrabble Cufflinks Tie Pin/Brooch Wine Cooler Parker Pen Personal Organiser Wrist Watch Prints (Framed) Prints (Unframed)

OU BOXER SHORTS

Available in all sizes

v Old Eastbournians Uppingham 243-8

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ÂŁ14.99 boxed

A Lewin 66, DJ Kennedy 52, C Bennett-Baggs 42, S Peters 40 W Hodson 3/26, A Barton 3/36

v Old Eastbournians (20/20) Uppingham 166 for 5 E Fowler 88* Eastbourne 154 for 8 S Smith 3/23 Uppingham Rovers won by 12 runs

v Old Eastbournians (20/20) Uppingham 175 for 6 S Peters 60 Eastbourne 151 all out H Morrissey 3/6 Uppingham Rovers won by 24 runs v Old Malvernians 45 over match Malvern 142 all out B Aspell 5/18 Uppingham 143 for 2 C Paxton 78* Uppingham Rovers won by 8 wickets

Ideal Christmas present!

Available from the School Shop

Uppingham Sports & Books Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland.

Tel: 01572 822211

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OU Sports Societies & Clubs

OUGs Captain’s Meeting 2009 Our Old Uppinghamian Golfing Society with over 300 members enjoyed another very enjoyable year with good attendance at all our meetings. Our best golfers compete in the major Public Schools golf competitions. Our teams have a good record in the Halford Hewitt and we feature as the 21st most successful school of the 64 schools which play each year at Deal and Royal St George’s. Although this year we lost a very close match in the first round to Repton we then played in the Plate for all first round losers and won through 3 rounds to the semi-final before eventually losing to Rossall in the deciding 3rd match at the 20th hole. Our team was Ewen Wilson (M 85) as Captain, Chris Gotla (H 68), Edward Allingham (H 81), Sam Debenham (C 90), Nick Freeman (L 70), Damian Pitts (Hf 91), Duncan Wood (LH 98) and Mark Proffitt (H 76) In the Grafton Morrish Finals played at Hunstanton and Brancaster we won our first round match v Bradford but lost to Monmouth in the second round. Our team was Ian Jamie (C 90) as Captain, Edward Allingham (H 81), Nick Freeman (L 70), Mark Proffitt (H 76), Sam Debenham (C 90), and Ewen Wilson (M 85). We also played in the Queen Elizabeth Trophy played each year at Barnton GC, Edinburgh but lost in the first round to Edinburgh Academicals.

We enter teams in the 3 Bernard Darwin events.The Over 55s beat Malvern but lost to Tonbridge.The Over 65s lost to Marlborough in the first round.The Over 75s had a very enjoyable day. All these matches played at Woking. We hold meetings open to all members each year at Little Aston, and at a different Merseyside golf course each year (this year at Royal Birkdale, a well attended meeting on last year’s Open Championship course), also at Piltdown, Sussex.

However our main event each year is the Captain’s meeting which was very well organised for us by this year’s Captain Simon Marsh (M 54) and our Secretary Martin Walker (L 67). 32 members and 13 wives/girlfriends joined together at Formby Golf Club for a weekend in September.

Society silverware was won this year by Sands Johnson (B 49), David Downes L 59), Chis Gotla (H 68),Tom Hayes (SH 74),

Peter Marsh (M 81), Chris Flather (M 70), David Hopkins (WD 60), Derek Bunting (B 45) and Rick Taylor (M 59). We took a team to Borth to play Borth GC in a return match following their team’s visit to Uppingham and match at Luffenham last year.

We play matches each year organised for us by our Area Organisers all round the country against Old Westminster, Old Reptonians, Old Oakhamians, Old Marlburians, Old Sedberghians (both at lIkley and Royal Wimbledon), Old Giggleswickians, Old Oundelians (both at Luffenham Heath and Moortown), Old Lorettonians, Old Nottinghamians, Old Alleynians, Old Rugbeians and Old Malvernians. We also compete each year for the Birkdale Bucket played for by 8 northern public schools at Woodhall Spa.These very social and enjoyable matches are open to all Society members to play in on handicap.The Society Officers elected at the AGM were Derek Bunting (B 45) President, Martin Walker (L 67), Secretary, Mike Ingham (M 66), Treasurer, Ewen Wilson (M 85),Tournament Secretary, and Captain for 2010 David Downes (L 59), who will hold his Captain’s meeting next year at Trevose, Cornwall 11/12th September 2010.

All golfers of any age and golfing ability are welcome. Our subscription is still only £10 PA and young members don’t start paying till they are 25.

OU Hockey

The OU Hockey Club plays the School every year in the Spring Term. As many teams as possible, both male and female, play against the School. Besides the exercise, the OU Hockey Day is a great opportunity to get together with old friends and see if you are still fit enough to take on the School’s Senior Hockey teams!

Uppingham now proudly boasts three astroturfs and there is a good chance that you will have the opportunity to play on one of them. If you are interested in joining the OU Hockey Team please contact Nicola in the first instance at nmt@uppingham.co.uk

Sports Societies & Clubs OU

Arrows Trophy 2009 Report

and flu doing the rounds on the boats but we also wanted to be on form for day 2 of the racing.

In stark contrast to the Saturday, Sunday arrived with very little wind but more sun – which certainly pleased certain crew members. The races were short but competitive, ‘Uppingham A’ once again had a solid outing and ‘Uppingham 1’ were just pipped to the post and finished 2nd to Winchester. Please see below for the full results table.

It was great to get so many new OUs sailing this year and we would really like to enter three boats next year so if you are interested then please do contact us – ben@fry.org and join us next year. We would like to give a special thank you to Guy Thornton (Fgh 76) who has the thankless task year on year of dealing with the finances for the two boats – never a fun job, but vital if we are to enter….

Ben Fry (F 96)

L-R George Towers (Hf 00), Ben Fry (F 96), John Tildesley (WB 72), Tim Hancock (F 67)

Once again Uppingham entered two boats for the Arrows Trophy 2009 – ‘Uppingham A’ and ‘Uppingham 1’. Taking the helm of ‘Uppingham A’ was Stephen Johnson (SH 74) ably assisted by David (LH 73) and Neil (LH 80) Gavins, Pippa Howeson (Fd 98), Clare Warman (LH 75), Richard Inman (Hf 00) and Mike Oughtred (C 73).

‘Uppingham 1’ was helmed by Rob Gullan (Fgh 99) with Guy Thornton (Fgh 76), Tim Hancock (F 67), George Towers (Hf 00), Henry Arnold (F 01), Ben Fry (F 96) and John Tildesley (WB 72).

As has now become ritual, both teams shared a Gin and Tonic together on the pontoon in Port Solent before setting out to Cowes. Clare had excelled herself this year by producing an enormous lasagna for the crew on board ‘Uppingham A’ whilst ‘Uppingham 1’ had to make do with a rather bland bag of Tesco pasta and tomato sauce... sorry...

The journey over the Solent was uneventful and was a great time to meet and catch up with the rest of the crew. Once in Cowes we all headed up to the Corinthian for a nightcap – our thanks go to Mark Gabbertas (Hf 75) who was unable to sail this year – but did book 4 rooms when he left last year (the bill is behind the bar for you when you next visit!!)

So came Saturday, and with it wind… 2008 saw a beautiful day of sun and very little wind and what a contrast it was to be this

time around. With the wind a rather constant force 6 all 23 teams left the shelter of Cowes Yacht Haven and journeyed into the unknown.The racing on the Saturday is made up of 5 fleet races, with the top 4 boats going through to a match racing final on the Sunday and the rest of fleet battling it out in further fleet races.

An enormous start line was laid, and upon noticing a rather substantial port end bias ‘Uppingham 1’ had a perfect start and finished in an astounding first place – quite an improvement from last year! As the racing progressed, so did the wind – steadily picking up with some fairly blowy gusts thrown in to the mix. ‘Uppingham 1’ had a fairly faultless day or that was until just after lunch when having been asked to reef the sails due to ever increasing wind the race started with out us and we finished, well pretty much last... Despite this we ended the day with a rather satisfying 3rd place over all – ensuring that we were through to the match racing.

‘Uppingham A’ had a good day on the water too – the fleet racing was very tightly contested and very few points separated the 23 teams throughout.

Dinner that night was served in the Corinthian with an impressive 200 diners!

As ever, the trophies from the previous year’s event were presented followed by a round of rather bizarre singing instigated by Harrow... If anything the evening was a little more subdued than at previous events but this was no bad thing as not only was cold

Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Team Winchester Uppingham 1 Wellington Dulwich Shrewsbury A Charterhouse Radley Rugby B Bryanston Malvern Harrow Blue Sherborne Cranleigh Shrewsbury B Rugby A Ampleforth Downside Stowe RGS Guildford Marlborough Harrow White Oundle Uppingham A

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Ticket price now includes a pre-dinner drink

The London OU Dinner The London Dinner is the biggest event in the OU calendar and following last year’s success it is once again being held in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel located in Knightsbridge on Thursday 4th February 2010.

Tickets can be paid for by credit card by calling Nicola Tyers at the OU Association on 01572 820616, or by cheque (payable to The Uppingham Association).

For more details, or to let Nicola know of any special dietary requirements, please email nmt@uppingham.co.uk.

Image by Edwina Harrop (J 99)

Tickets are £65.00 per person (£42.00 for OUs aged 29 and under) and includes a pre-dinner drink and a 3-course meal with a bottle of wine.