OU Magazine Issue 45 2017-2018

Issue 45 • 2017/2018

OU

Welcome Welcome from the OU team When we saw David Kirk’s most recent painting of Uppingham from the skies we knew it would make a striking front cover for our Magazine. David, an acclaimed artist in his own right, has been a Master at Uppingham since 1994 and we are fortunate to have examples of his work in many places around the School. If you would like a print for your home or workplace, see below for details.

This year’s OU Magazine features our usual blend of stories on the lives of OUs around the world, from Victorian times through to the present day. As ever we are amazed at the achievements, accolades and good works of the alumni of this School and are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this publication.

Jo Franklin and Richard Boston.

We look forward to meeting many OUs at events during 2018, and in particular at the London Dinner on 28th February.

Thanks to the new Lord Mayor of London, Charles Bowman (WD 75), the dinner will be held at the Mansion House in the city, a spectacular venue for the biggest OU event in the calendar. Do join us on this special occasion!

Lisa Gilman, Patrick Mulvihill and Caroline Webster.

With best wishes, Patrick, Richard, Jo, Lisa and Caroline.

Uppingham at Dawn Limited edition prints are available at £195 and David Kirk has kindly agreed to donate £75 from each sale towards the 1584 Fund for bursaries, please call the OU Office on 01572 820614 or email lemg@uppingham.co.uk.

OU is the magazine for the Old Boys and Girls of Uppingham School.

We send out an annual eNewsletter – please ensure your email address is up-to-date by emailing ou@uppingham.co.uk

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Uppingham School Uppingham Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: ou@uppingham.co.uk www.olduppinghamian.co.uk If you are receiving multiple copies of the OU Magazine to your household and would prefer only one copy, please get in touch.

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Contents

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Welcome 2 Who What Where 7 Just Visiting 23 Announcements 24 MiscellaneOUs 26, 32, 48 Staff News 28 In Memoriam 33 Events 40 Clubs & Societies 49

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Important information regarding your OU Magazine and future communications From May 2018, when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force, we will need your direct consent to send you communications from the OU Office and Uppingham, including the annual OU Magazine, e-Newsletter and invitations to events and other mailings.

We will be in touch when the final regulations are known to ensure you continue to receive OU communications.

As we always do, we will limit our mailings and try to make them relevant to you wherever possible.

Contents 03

Richard and Tracey Maloney at the London Dinner 2017.

Photo by Philip Berryman

Message from the Headmaster The joy of Uppingham is its diversity and creativity and those wider elements of school life remain at the heart of our vision for the future.

It is a great pleasure to write my second introduction to the OU Magazine. I enjoyed a hugely fulfilling first year getting to know many OUs, both here at the School and at OU events from London and Norfolk to Hong Kong and Dubai. At each, the sense of comradeship, devotion and enjoyment was palpable. For me personally, it was the warmest of welcomes into the OU community and I am grateful to everyone I met for their kindness.

Over the past year, as I have acclimatised to the School, and drawing on the energies of many hugely capable people, we have incepted a number of exciting plans for Uppingham. For example, many of you will be aware of our re-energised vision for sport, and the appointments of Nick De Luca, ex-Scotland and Wasps centre as Director of Rugby, and Chris Read, the England wicket-keeper and Nottinghamshire captain, who will drive forward our ambitions for co-educational cricket. Already our new athlete development programmes are paying dividends, and we can see tangible differences in our sportswomen and sportsmen.

Academically, the School enjoyed a very good year with an upturn in results at A level and 10

04 Welcome

pupils taking up places at Oxford and Cambridge.

The GCSE results were the best in the School’s history and important steps have been taken to ensure we continue to raise academic performance. That said, the joy of Uppingham is its diversity and creativity and those wider elements of school life remain at the heart of our vision for the future.

In June, we were privileged to welcome Barbara Matthews (SH 73) as our new Chair of Trustees and said thank you and farewell to Stephen Dorrell (M 65). Stephen stepped down after 11 years as Chair and a marathon 29 years as a Trustee. His insight, wisdom and leadership has shaped the Uppingham of today and he leaves the School in an exceptionally rich position. With sincere thanks, we all wish Stephen and Annette the very best for the future.

As ever, our OU team will be organising a full programme of events during 2018 and I hope we will see as many of you as possible at those occasions. The OU community is extraordinarily strong and your support, on so many levels, is always valued and never taken for granted.

Dr Richard Maloney

From the Development Director From attending events around the world I know that success on the playing fields of Uppingham is still important to many OUs, no matter how distant their own schooldays.

Beating our closest rivals (you know who they are) in any sport generates great positivity amongst OUs, whether via ‘likes’ on Facebook or rousing cheers at dinners.

Following the building of the fantastic Sports Centre during the Western Quad development, it’s great news that Dr Maloney is keen to continue on our path towards more consistent sporting success. The addition to the staff of Nick De Luca and Chris Read to lead up rugby and cricket respectively will be welcomed by the OU community as I’m sure will plans to improve more of the sporting

facilities around the campus. Hockeyloving OUs will value the additional floodlights and improved surfaces on the Middle whilst cricket fans and the Rovers will soon see plans for a pavilion on the Upper which will be able to cater for visiting clubs as well as boys’ and girls’ cricket. I hope that we will have many causes to cheer Uppingham’s results in the coming seasons.

In addition to improving facilities, it has been immensely rewarding to see the increasing number of deserving pupils attending the School as beneficiaries of donations by OUs and parents. The 1584 Fund helps talented pupils who have the potential but not the financial means to thrive at Uppingham and it is fantastic that five such pupils

joined us in September to add to the growing cohort of previous beneficiaries. Our warmest thanks to every OU who has contributed to this life-changing Fund since its launch.

Finally, I would also like to say a special thank you to Anthony Smith (WB 81) who stepped down as Chairman of the Uppingham Foundation in June. Anthony’s personal commitment to bursaries was inspiring and his generosity made a huge impact on our work. We are grateful to Sophie Mason (J 95) for stepping in as interim Chair of the Foundation. For more details of our work or to get involved in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Patrick Mulvihill

In addition to improving facilities, it has been immensely rewarding to see the increasing number of deserving pupils attending the School as beneficiaries of donations by OUs and parents.

Patrick Mulvihill with Lady Penny Li and Dr The Hon Sir David K P Li (H 54) at the Hong Kong Dinner in April 2017.

Welcome

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OU Secretary’s Message I am sure that many OUs who knew longserving member of staff and OU Bryan Matthews (SH 30) will have been delighted with the news that his daughter Barbara Matthews (SH 73) was elected as Chair of Trustees in June. Not only was Barbara the first girl to study at the School, she now becomes the first female to lead Uppingham in this highly important role. On behalf of the OU community I would like to wish her every success as she works in unison with Dr Maloney over the next few years.

As you read this magazine you will get a flavour of the wonderful contribution that OUs are making to communities wherever they reside, but I would like to draw particular attention to Charles Bowman (WD 75) who has been elected as Lord Mayor of London for 2017/18.

This is a great honour, both for Charles and for Uppingham, following in the footsteps as he does of our last Lord Mayor, the late Sir Roger Cork (WD 60) back in 1996. We look forward to seeing Charles as he tours the world in this role, and we are delighted that he will be finding time to attend OU events when possible.

One of the sadder aspects of my role in the OU team is seeing news of the passing of former colleagues. It does seem that we have lost several much-loved members of staff over the last few years including former housemasters Malcolm Bussey (featured in last year’s magazine), Roy Bean, Peter Cannings

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and Paul Ledger, who between them gave more than one hundred years of service to Uppingham. Their contributions to the lives of so many pupils will be impossible to calculate, but we thank them for their dedication and devotion to teaching and pass on our sincere condolences to their families. On a related note, boys who were in Brooklands under Garth Wheatley (C 37) and his wife Heather will be saddened by the news that their daughter Briony (Fd 79) also died this year, in addition to Liz Frowde, wife of former Fircroft housemaster Geoff, and Jill Pringle, wife of former Farleigh housemaster Ian. With happier news, I am delighted to report another wonderful year of OU events both within the UK and around the world. It was great to see a celebration of Fives at Uppingham at the end of 2016, and we have had marvellous events in London and in Norfolk. Internationally we held a farewell dinner for Dr The Hon Sir David K P Li (H 54) who stepped down as Chairman of the Hong Kong Friends of Uppingham and a personal highlight was catching up with former colleague and film star, Hugh Jackman, who popped in to see us at the New York dinner in April. We have events to suit everyone, not just Hollywood celebrities, so if you haven’t been to an OU event then do join us in 2018. We can promise you a very warm welcome.

Richard Boston

Richard Boston (B 56) with his former charges Alex Learmonth and Jonathan Simms (both B 90) at the Law and Finance Dinner held at the Inner Temple in June.

Who What Where 1944

John Godrich (WB 44) has written Away From All Danger, a rites of passage description of his school years during World War II, before joining Uppingham. John was evacuated far from home to Brampton Bryan in Herefordshire – a time for ‘growing up in a world broken by war, some sad times, some good ones, but mostly happy and eventful’. Tales of breaking into the school’s ammunition store, killing and butchering a pig and late night meetings with the school maids are all part and parcel of his time spent at Brampton.

1949

In March, Jim Figgis (F 49) published his latest book Thinking about Eternity.

Jim has written several titles, drawing on memories from his travels around the world.

1952

Conductor and founder of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Benjamin Zander (WD 52), embarked on a hugely successful 13-day tour of South America with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra this year, taking the finest classical music to new audiences across the globe.

1954 1945

Fred Rawson (SH 45) never went to university (‘much to Martin Lloyd’s disgust’) and on leaving Uppingham became an apprentice in a London firm of builders, working all day then often five nights a week too.

He qualified as a civil engineer, worked in 10 different countries and was away for 25 years. Fred is a retired Fellow of The Institution of Civil Engineers and said: ‘If it was possible to live your life over again, I’d do exactly the same thing!’ He’s been an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society for 10 years since his late wife was diagnosed in 2006 and still plays the trombone after 71 years.

1949

Colin Castle (LH 49) lives in Canada and taught in British Columbian secondary schools from 1969 to 1998. He has written two books - Lucky Alex, the career of Group Captain A.M. Jardine, AFC, CD, seaman and airman and Rufus, the life of the Canadian journalist who interviewed Hitler. Both titles are available on Amazon.

John Entwhistle (F 54) was elected Chairman of the Friends of the Lake District, an organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria’s landscapes. John has lived in the Lake District for more than 26 years.

1955

In January John Woolmer (WD 55) published The Devil Goes Missing? A how-to guide for those involved in the ministry of deliverance, covering theology, practice and history.

1957

Nicholas Watts (H 57) has been made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, for his continued conservation work for wildlife on his farm. The award ceremony was held in the House of Lords in February. Nicholas grows and sells wild bird seed direct to the end user with the help of the Wildlife Trust.

The Trust receives a percentage for each transaction which, by June 2015, amounted to £1m. In 2013 the RSPB dubbed Nicholas’s farm ‘the most wildlife friendly farm in the country’.

1958

It was a pleasure to welcome David Scott (WD 58) to this year’s Sports Day, held on 25th May, where he presented Milo Linney (F 12) with the ‘James Muir Galloway Cup’ for the 220-yard dash.

The cup was given in memory of David’s grandfather, James Galloway (Redgate 1894), who ran the dash in 23 seconds in 1898. Milo came very close this year with a time of 23.6 seconds.

Steven Beharrell (WB 58) was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, one of the ‘Great Xll’ livery companies of the City for 2017 to 2018. He is pleased to join three other OU Past Masters of the Court including his brother, Richard Beharrell (WB 55), Anthony Walker (L 61) and David Handley (LH 60).

1959

Jonathan Mather (LH 59) is a parttime groom and jockey; he enjoys motorcycling with his wife and is keen to hear from other OU touring motorcyclists. Please contact the OU team who will be pleased to put you in touch with him.

Muir Morton (B 59) has retired after 10 years as Deputy and then Sergeant at Arms in the House of Commons and 30 years in the police, including a period at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he was the UK representative.

Richard Taylor (B 59) and Richard Boston (B 56) met quite by chance in Uppingham; they were in Brooklands as pupils and Richard Boston also looked after his boys Chris (B 93) and David (B 96) when they were at the School.

Who What Where

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1960

Nick Gray (F 60), TV Producer/Director for over 40 years, has retired to Leamington Spa. His self-published book Escape from Tibet, based on his documentary about Tibetan refugees climbing the Himalayas to escape Chinese repression, is available on Amazon. Nick has returned several times to Tibet, Nepal and India and recently trekked from Nepal into Tibet to undertake the pilgrimage around the Holy Mountain, Mount Kailash.

1961

David Sneath (Fgh 61) was appointed High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire from April 2017. He served for 32 years as an Employment Judge; 12 years as the Regional Employment Judge in Leeds. In a parallel career in the Army Reserve, he reached the rank of Colonel and became a Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire in 1998.

He is a trustee of the Mercian Regiment, the Museum of the Mercian Regiment in Nottingham and of the site of the Regimental Memorial at Crich.

1964

John Roberts (SH 64) retired as a dairy farmer in 2012 after 40 years and now works for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets as a Water Quality Specialist working with farmers on improved environmental compliance.

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1967

Francis Pike’s (LH 67) Hirohito’s War provides an original interpretation of the Pacific War, balancing the existing Western-centric view with attention to the Japanese perspective on the conflict, as well as accounts of campaigns and battles. The title was listed by Foreign Affairs Magazine as one of their ‘Books of the year’ and they praised it as ‘an extraordinary achievement’. www.francispike.org

1969

Congratulations to Sam Blyth (L 69) whose company celebrates its 40th anniversary this autumn. Founded by Sam in 1977, Blyth Education, headquartered in Toronto, offers educational tours and programmes for adults and older students. Since then tours have been organised in more than 100 countries and in every continent.

Rod Mountain (H 69) has finished writing the first of three romantic thrillers: Priceless Union, and is currently looking for an agent/ publisher. The second in the series will be finished early in 2018.

1972

Toby Belither (L 72) has lived in the north of the Burgundy region of France for 25 years and now runs a bed and breakfast near Guédelon Castle, a building project using only techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. When completed in the 2020s, it should be an authentic recreation of a 13th-century Medieval castle.

Toby and his wife Linda would be pleased to welcome any OUs visiting Guédelon or the local vineyards; see domainedevarenne.fr to get in touch.

In October A School in Arms: Uppingham and the Great War by Tim Halstead (Fgh 72) was published. More than 2,300 Old Uppinghamians served in the Great War and Tim’s book tells their stories. Based mainly on material from accounts and papers from Uppingham’s archives, it provides the first comprehensive account of the School during World War I.

1973

In June, Barbara Matthews (SH 73) became the first female Chair of Trustees at Uppingham in 433 years after she was unanimously elected to be The Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell’s (M 65) successor upon his retirement from the trustee body. In so doing, Barbara made history for the second time at the School as she was also the first full-time female pupil at Uppingham, joining the School in 1973 alongside 641 boys and putting down the first footsteps in a trail that would lead to full co-education early in the new millennium.

Barbara’s knowledge of Uppingham goes back further than her Sixth Form years to her childhood; her father Bryan Matthews (SH 30) returned to the School in 1941 as Head of Geography and became Housemaster of The Lodge and Second Master before retiring from the Common Room in 1979 and taking up the roles of School Librarian and Archivist.

After leaving Uppingham in 1975, Barbara graduated from Durham University before gaining a diploma in arts administration at City University in London. She has held a number of professional positions in the world of the arts, including Director of Theatre for Arts Council England; a post she held for six years.

Barbara is now Pro Vice-Chancellor (Culture) and Head of the College of Art, Architecture, Design and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University.

1974

Guy Lewin Smith (F 74) recently retired from legal practice after a 30-year career as a partner with Linklaters LLP and latterly Debevoise and Plimpton LLP. In October 2016, he took up a fellowship in Management Practice at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University.

Who What Where

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1975

Alderman Charles Bowman (WD 75) took office as the 690th Lord Mayor of the City of London on the 10th November 2017.

The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman Charles Bowman (WD 75) with his wife Samantha.

Charles is a senior partner with PwC, Alderman of the Lime Street Ward and served as Sheriff of the City of London in 2015/16. He joined Price Waterhouse in September 1983, qualified as a chartered accountant in 1986 and was admitted to partnership in 1995. His main area of specialism has been delivering audit and capital market transaction services to large listed and multi-national companies – acting as Lead Partner and Global Relationship Partner for a number of PwC’s key clients. Partnership roles have included setting up and leading PwC’s audit and assurance practice looking after the firm’s FTSE 100 and larger listed clients. Other leadership roles have included Non-Executive Director of PwC’s Tax Practice, leading the firm’s Building Public Trust programme and partner responsible for the firm’s Senior Networking Programme.

He has worked internationally, learning Spanish following a secondment to Barcelona and, through his various client relationships and leadership roles, is well connected with the PwC’s network of international offices – the firm is located in 158 countries.

Charles has served on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales, is a former Chairman of their Audit and

Assurance Faculty and also their Assurance Panel. He is the current Chairman of the Audit Quality Forum and sits on the Advisory Panel of the Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability Project.

Elected as the Alderman of the ward of Lime Street in May 2013, Charles became the Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London in September 2015. He has served on a number of the committees of the City of London Corporation including Policy & Resources, Finance, Audit & Risk and Markets. He was also co-Chairman of The City’s Business – a focus on youth employability.

Charles is a member of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Grocers and a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants England & Wales. He is a Magistrate, a governor of the Park Side Primary School Academy, Hackney (part of Mossbourne Federation), Ambassador to the Samaritans, trustee to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Advisor to The Mansion House Scholarship Scheme.

His mayoral theme will focus on the ‘Business of Trust’.

Our congratulations to Charles on his appointment – we look forward to holding the OU London Dinner 2018 at the Mansion House on 28th February and hope you can join us for this very special occasion.

His main area of specialism has been delivering audit and capital market transaction services to large listed and multi-national companies.

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Who What Where

1975

Richard Mayson (F 75) was appointed Pro-Chancellor of The University of Sheffield in August. He would be very happy to hear from any OUs considering Sheffield as a university destination (it is in both the Russell Group and World Top 100 Universities).

1978

Adrian Parkes (WB 78) held his debut art exhibition True Colours at The Dubai International Art Centre in January. He started painting at Uppingham when a gap in his timetable saw him complete a twoyear O level course in four months, allowing him to be among a small cohort of pupils selected to take art at A Level. Adrian works predominantly in oils and said it is the colours of a scene or subject matter that inspire him to paint. The exhibition focused on many topographical scenes, seascapes and landscapes of places he has visited.

Robert ‘James’ McLeod (C 75) moved to Dubai in January 2017 as General Counsel for AES International.

1977

In June, Stephen Pearson (WB 77) and his daughter Sophie (NH 11) completed the Abseil for Cascaid, a cancer research charity supported by a collection of Fund Management companies raising over a million pounds so far this year. Broadgate Tower is 35 floors up, 540ft down and it was a windy day. Stephen said: ‘Incredible view but a nervous moment stepping out over the edge. For me at least, Sophie seemed totally unconcerned!’

Simon Pimblott (WB 78) recently returned to Idaho, USA, after 11 years in the UK, to take up the post of Directorate Fellow at Idaho National Laboratory and Chief Scientist for the US Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Science User Facility. He is enjoying being closer to his children and grandchildren.

David Ross (C 78), Founder Patron of Nevill Holt Opera, undertook a 171-mile charity cycle ride in June, leading a team to raise funds for the David Ross Education Trust schools (DRET). Nevill Holt Opera has worked closely with DRET since 2013 to raise standards of music across the Trust. The DRET children’s chorus has been a feature of many shows at Nevill Holt over the years, including a production of Tosca held this summer. In September, David was also appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery.

1979

James Maziak (WD 79) was appointed to the office of President of The British Compressed Air Society in November. James is managing director of Maziak Compressor Services Limited, a market leader in the UK’s industrial compressed air and nitrogen arenas.

1980

Andrew Lewin (F 80) was appointed Director of Training for the Boarding Schools’ Association from August 2017.

Andrew is a former head of three boarding schools.

Who What Where

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1981

1982

Huw Morgan (B 81) took part in the London 10k run on 9th July and raised over £800 for the CICS Group, a charity which helps profoundly deaf children and their families.

Emma Davis (née Selwyn) (Fd 82) has had a career change; after 22 years in education she is now a professional Proofreader and available to work on any written material required. Please contact her at edproofreader@outlook.com.

Four years in the making, Rob (LH 82) and Nicky (née Whittington) (Fd 85) Carter’s Transforming Landscape Painting is the fifth work in their Transforming series. The digitally animated scene takes its subject from a sketch by John Constable Study for The Cornfield c.1817. The couple have also created a monumental installation of nine bronze tree stumps in a circular arrangement in Kensington Gardens in their Bronze Oak Grove exhibition which ran from June to September this year. www.robandnick.com

1983

James Lloyd-Mostyn (WB 83) and his wife Jess (daughter of Steven Barber (C 60)) had a thought while walking along the cliffs of Cornwall that they could buy a boat and sail around the world. In October 2011, they did just that and set off in their 42ft Bermudan sloop Lavranos Crossbow. They left thinking the challenge would take roughly two and a half years and then they would return to London, but, after five years, 32 countries, two oceans, two babies and 18,000 miles so far, they currently have no plans to return to normal. They use their journey to sea-trial various products for the boat and the babies, photographing and writing reviews and championing eco-minded solutions that they truly believe in. They are freelance writers and photographers for various publications worldwide, including sailing, parenting, lifestyle and eco magazines. www.water-log.com

1985

Johnny Hon (H 85) acted as Executive Producer in the revival of the classic musical 42nd Street, which opened in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in April. Global Group International Holdings and Gate Ventures plc, of which he is Chairman, are the main investors in the show. The opening night was honoured with the presence of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge in support of the Nook Appeal of EACH (the East Anglia Children’s Hospice), of which she is the Royal Patron. A long-time philanthropist, Johnny became a supporter and donor to EACH last year.

42nd Street is the second classic show which Johnny has revived, following 12 months after the roaring success of Sunset Boulevard at the ENO and Broadway.

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Who What Where

1986

1985

James Melville-Ross (C 85) is the father of twins Alice and Thomas who were born at 24 weeks weighing just 1.5 lb. After months in the Evelina NICU at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, they were finally allowed home. James has written a book entitled Two for Joy, an honest account of life as a parent of disabled children. Written on his commute, the book started as ‘a diary to make sense of the whirlwind’, and evolved into a book through a story in the Daily Mail about the discrimination experienced by people with disabilities today.

This year, James and family have raised an incredible £50,000, for Thomas and Alice’s hospital – The Evelina – by completing a series of ‘Twinvincibles’ challenges. James’s wife Georgie began by running the London Marathon with her sister Edwina. Then in May, the twins ascended Pen Y Fan, southern Britain’s highest mountain. Helped by 40 family and friends, they pulled the twins up to the summit in their wheelchairs, greeted at the peak by spontaneous cheers and applause from other climbers.

Jeremy Banks (LH 86) has been appointed Headmaster of Caldicott, an independent boys’ prep school, and will take up the position in April 2018.

Jeremy has been at Beachborough School, a coeducational day and boarding school, since 2006, initially as Deputy Head (Pastoral), he was then appointed to Headmaster in 2013. He is currently Chairman of the Independent Association of Prep Schools Education Committee, a member of the Independent Schools Council Child Welfare Expert Group and since 2010 has been a Boarding Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Congratulations to Charlotte Scott (J 86) who won the Jury’s Special Prize at the Panda Awards (which are the BAFTAS of wildlife) for directing the amazing BBC film Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, filmed in Patagonia during 2016.

1987

After nine years of life on the continent, Will Battle (C 87) and his family returned to Lincolnshire in 2016. Will has since established a tea importing and trading house selling fine teas to small and mediumsized businesses. Will’s book The World Tea Encyclopaedia was published in January.

James then completed his next challenge, accompanied by his sister Emma (Fd 91) and brother Rupert (C 84), scaling three peaks in the Alps over one week in June – Pointe Larchenal (3,613m) in France, Aguille du Tour (3,540m) in Switzerland and Italy’s highest peak (4,063m), Gran Paradiso.

The team’s final challenge in August was the Super Heroes Triathlon, a special event for disabled superheroes, which the whole family – Mum Georgie, Tommy, Alice, and younger sister, India, and James all took part in.

In an article in the Evening Standard in August, James commented: “Evelina staff only get to see the hard times when we are at rock bottom. We wanted to show them how the twins are making the most of their lives.”

Who What Where

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1987

In July Adam Green (L 87) founder of The Prison Choir Project and Royal Opera House regular Tom Guthrie (LH 84) presented Bizet’s Carmen along with a starry line-up of talented professionals joining forces with prisoners and staff from Dartmoor Prison. The Prison Choir Project provides a pathway towards establishing a reduction in reoffending, building selfesteem, improving self-confidence and employability skills for all those involved..

From Dartmoor to Glyndebourne

By Adam Green

If only I could take my prisoner cast to experience the glory of a top class stage and share their success with the world.

This was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Having set up a charity called the Prison Choir Project bringing music – in particular opera and song – into prisons, we were given the opportunity, thanks to the inspiring Governor Bridie Oakes-Richards, to fully stage Bizet’s Carmen in Dartmoor Prison.

After Uppingham I studied music at Cambridge University before joining the Royal Academy of Music as a postgraduate singer on their opera course. I have since sung roles with English National Opera, the Royal Opera House and Welsh National Opera. So, a passion for singing, but what I enjoy most is trying to get the best out of other singers and there’s no better or more challenging environment than that of a prison where many are unaware that they are even capable of it.

Adam Green (L 87), Founder and Musical Director.

Tom Guthrie (LH 84), Stage Director for the project.

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Who What Where

Nervous and excited, I took a deep breath and hoped for the best as I entered the prison. Once in there’s no turning back. The Governor had told me that I’d be surprised by the amount of talent on the wings. But who can tell from a bunch of 17 ‘cons’, in all shapes and sizes, that wandered wearily into the chapel expecting a wannabe singer and perhaps another boring waste of their time.

I started with a brief introduction – nobody looked impressed – and then the moment of truth. “Let’s get you all up on your feet and have a go shall we?” I said. It seemed to help that I can sing – so they had to raise their game with a few call and response exercises and scales.

My first impression was, “Bloody hell!”

– this group of men can REALLY sing, and in tune, focussed and LOUD! I was going to have no problem guiding them through the choruses of Carmen. When I asked who the tenors were and who were basses (and expecting a majority to be at best unsure) 14 out of 17 put their hands up immediately for tenor – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Within half an hour we’d mastered the Toreador aria and chorus from memory, performed to the prison guards. And this wasn’t the only time my level of expectation was shattered. As the weeks went on and I got to know each and every one of these men, I saw how much talent they have and not just for singing. Many showed beautiful artwork, pencil drawings, and calligraphy lovingly prepared in their cells (“Well, we’ve plenty of time on our hands…”) as well as real craftsmanship in the workshops – one coincidentally was building two beautiful wooden music stands. All had an underlying determination to help wherever possible – sets were designed, painted and installed by prisoners.

Their singing was more than just sound. It was vital, visceral, an outpouring of emotion beyond that of a bored clock-watching professional opera chorus. Every note counted, every sound, every phrase invested with a unique energy and commitment, proof that there was far more to each and every one of these men than society would have you believe.

The backstories they had prepared for our director Tom were written in such detail, often animated, and their total commitment to their individual role as part of a team was remarkable and will never be forgotten.

made a positive impact on everyone involved. A connectivity between themselves, with us, with the past, and with staff and friends. Music was, and is, the point of focus and the simple joy experienced by all of us in that special room will ring in my ears for years to come. We simply have to go back to Dartmoor and we will, every year. Plans are already afoot for a return in September and we’ll deck the halls with a Christmas Carol Service!

I miss them all, their commitment and enthusiasm, their passion, their good nature. One of the hardest things about leaving the prison back to “that great, free outside” is that it’s impossible to convey to them all just how brilliant they were and how proud I am of their achievement.

I’ll leave you with the words of the remarkable Nick, 80-years-young, a prisoner of Dartmoor Prison, a friend, and a fine bass to boot!:

The greatest success has been the overwhelming support and character of those 17 men without whom this would have been a flop.

I looked forward to entering that prison every morning, sharing stories, polishing and crafting our choruses and preparing ourselves for this crazy idea. I’d have no hesitation in saying they could go straight from Dartmoor to the stage of Glyndebourne if only I could grant them the opportunity. Each and every one has a story to tell, and on that stage on Thursday and Friday just a few weeks ago they told it in all its glory to a group of close family they had invited, to fellow prisoners, prison governors and staff.

This was a production with the highest levels of professional involvement and to that end I was incredibly lucky to be joined by a first rate director, cast and ensemble.

The singing from all the pros was sensationally good – and in what

environment could you expect the violinist to step away from her stand and play to an intimate group Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy from memory met by thunderous applause from all, both on and off the stage. That applause was real and came from an appreciation of the moment. Nothing polite, nothing filtered, a response to sweet, energetic sounds and emotions experienced for some for the first time – it flowed throughout the performance, through the performers, exploding at the end with a standing ovation on both nights.

It is hard for me to sum up such an experience and luckily I can rely on the thoughts and comments of those great men I’ve come to know over the past month. One thing is certain, I knew that as the tears flowed at the end of the show and hugs and congratulations were exchanged all round that we had

“Take a group of dispirited, demoralized and devalued men called convicts. Persuade them they can join together in producing a famous musical extravaganza that’s good to look at and brilliant to hear. Do it in a barren, famously grim setting known as Dartmoor Jail. Make it a thunderous success. That’s what the man from ‘outside’ did.

He came among us one day with his passion for music, his prodigious ability and a committed energy that carried us along with him. Three weeks later, he had inspired us beyond our dreams. We were in Seville helping to create those Spanish rhythms. We sang with Carmen, we tried to woo those achingly pretty ‘factory girls’. We could feel the heat of the midday – and, yes, we had our day in the sun. Now the magician is gone. He and his theatre troupe – those enchanting singers and instrumentalists are a memory – gone to that great, free outside. But we whom you inspired, we’ ll never be quite the same again. Bravo, bravo, bravo.”

Who What Where

15

1988

The Art of Ping Pong is a collaborative concept produced and curated by Algy Batten (LH 88), combining art with ping pong for special projects and events. Since 2013 The Art of Ping Pong has raised over £15,000 through charity auctions and collaborations with some of the world’s most exciting artists. This year’s annual charity exhibition and auction, which takes place in November, is raising money for Trekstock, a youth cancer charity. To find out more check out theartofpingpong.co.uk or follow @artof_pingpong

Nicholas Hesse (L 88) recently moved from Stratford, Ontario, where Nic had worked for Curtiss-Wright in engineering and program management roles over the past 16 years, to Bournemouth, to take on a senior sales management role at Curtiss-Wright here in the UK.

After Uppingham, Mark Koops (H 88) attended Reading University before moving to New York in 1998 to work at the William Morris Agency and joining their famed ‘mailroom program’, focusing on the television and corporate consulting division. In 2002 Mark left William Morris to start Reveille which became one of the leading scripted and unscripted studios with hits such as The Office (American version with Steve Carell), Ugly Betty, The Tudors, The Biggest Loser, American Gladiators, Masterchef and Nashville Star to name but a few. The company was acquired by Shine in 2008 and Mark left Reveille at the end of 2010 to start a new company, INE (It’s Never Easy) Entertainment, in 2011, where he has had continued success in traditional television while focusing on newly emerging digital media platforms.

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Who What Where

1989

David Hipkin and Mark Duppa-Miller (both B 89) visited Uppingham in May for a trip down memory lane; Richard Boston (B 56) was delighted to catch up with them.

After leaving Uppingham, Sasha Wilkins (Fd 89) worked as a magazine editor and journalist on both sides of the Atlantic before setting up the multi-award-winning digital business LibertyLondonGirl. Her company LLG Consults works with global fashion and lifestyle brands on strategy and Sasha has also written a best-selling cookbook Friends, Food, Family: Recipes & Secrets from LibertyLondonGirl, published in the US and UK in 2015.

1990

A group of Brooklands 1990 OUs who get together informally every few years, met up with their old Housemaster Richard Boston (B 56) at the Vaults in June.

L to R: Rupert Banham, Jamie Wightman, Richard Boston (B 56), Tom Nelthorpe, Nick Summers, Jonathan Simms and Alex Learmonth (All B 90).

1990

Dr Sam Willis (LH 90), awardwinning historian, archaeologist and broadcaster is one of the founding directors of History Masterclass, putting historical knowledge into the public sphere and delivering highcalibre, intimate, learning experiences.

Delivered by historians who have been picked for both their expertise and their public-speaking talent, the classes lead the audience into the heart of a historical topic, period, event or life, and guide participants into the process of thinking historically.

1992

Matthew Johnston (B 92) lives in Australia with his wife Jo. After a long time working with an earthquake disaster relief fund in Christchurch, New Zealand, and in China, he decided to join the Australian army. He has been at the Royal College in Canberra since January 2016 and received his commission in June.

Our enormous thanks to Nick Wall (Fgh 92) who once again provided guests at the London Dinner with a selection of his wonderfully delicious ‘Tails Cocktails’. We are delighted to share news that Tesco now stock bottles of Berry Mojito, Elderflower Collins and Espresso Martini, online and instore – making them easily obtainable for your very own dinner parties! www.tailscocktails.com

1993

We always love to hear from OUs who organise a get-together and this year Graham Livesey (Fgh 93), Philip Hunter (Fgh 93), Tom Holmes (Fgh 93) and James Thomson (C 93) had a great time meeting up for a ski trip in Les Diablerets, Switzerland.

1992

Ashley Cowan (M 92) co-founded a leading British virtual reality production studio with Darren Emerson in 2016. They have made award-winning VR documentaries for the New York Times, live streamed the MTV Europe Music Awards (the first ever major awards show to be streamed live in VR), delivered daily 360° highlights of The Grand National and Cheltenham Festival, created VR experiences for brands including Lexus, Dove, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Waitrose and NatWest, produced VR films for leading broadcasters such as BBC, ITV and Comedy Central and given viewers an audience with fascinating individuals such as heavyweight boxing champion, James DeGale, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. If you haven’t tried VR before or are interested in getting involved in the medium then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ashley at ash@vr-city.com.

1994

Elizabeth Lawrenson (L 94) is Marketing Manager for Aquascribe Waterproof Paper. The company supplies those who work or play in wet or dirty conditions including the emergency services and the RNLI. Any OUs embarking on an adventure who would like some paper to print maps or charts on should get in touch with Elizabeth at elizabeth@aquascribe.com.

1996

Following successful launches across London and the USA, Ben Branson’s (B 96) Seedlip has entered into the Australian market.

Described as the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, it is being stocked by luxury stores, Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning bars around the world. www.seedlipdrinks.com

Claire Spencer-Churchill and Alexandra Lyles (both J 96) founded Claret Showroom, which opened its doors in 2006 to work with brands to develop their distribution through wholesale channels. They have a West London showroom and another in Paris near the Pompidou Centre and hold tradeshows and selling dates to promote designers and brands. Their Splash Paris – Resortwear Tradeshow held this summer was a huge success with teams from every leading department store from Europe, the Middle East, and the US’s Barneys and Neiman Marcus browsing the show’s 90 brands. A high-profile visitor, in the form of Brigitte Macron, dropped in to check it out too. www.claretshowroom.com

Charlie Thompson (C 96) retired from the RAF in April 2016 after 12 years having flown various operational tours on the Tornado GR4 before becoming a flying instructor on the Tucano. Charlie is now flying short haul for British Airways from Heathrow.

Who What Where

17

1997

During February and March, Mimi Poskitt (L 97) directed See Me Now at the Young Vic; a production about prostitution, where 11 real life sex workers shared their painful, touching and often hilarious stories. The play is about an invisible side of everyday life and was described as ‘an extraordinary piece of theatre’.

1998

On leaving Uppingham Harry Lightfoot (Fgh 98) joined the Birmingham Conservatoire completing a BMus in Jazz Saxophone with Honours in 2007. After which he went on to do some session work playing sax for a few years before his focus shifted more to writing and producing music.

It was in this arena that Harry had his ‘lucky break’ as he puts it; in 2011 the prime time BBC Two programme The Fisherman’s Apprentice was let down by another composer and Harry was called to step into the breach and write some music. Quite a nerve-wracking first job! Since then his compositions include a few more TV shows including, Millionaires’ Mansions for Channel Four, Britain’s Big Wildlife Revival on BBC One, and Tales from the Wild Wood for BBC Four. During this time Harry started writing for TV adverts, including Netflix, Mercedes, Giff Gaff, Max Factor and the McDonalds Christmas advert in 2016.

In 2016 Harry was also asked by Audiomachine (who specialise in composing music for Hollywood film trailers) to contribute some tracks to their latest album release.

Harry said: “I was thrilled to then find out that all those tracks were to be recorded with a live orchestra and choir.

That was a truly incredible experience!” Shortly after the release of the album Worlds of Wonder, Harry received news that one of his tracks had been chosen by Disney to be featured on the trailer of Star Wars: Rogue One. A fantastic end to a fantastic year. www.harrylightfoot.com

1999

In April this year Camila Benouali (Fd 99) set off to fulfil a lifetime ambition of skiing to the North Pole. She wanted to realise this wonderful dream but also to raise money for a fantastic charity called Action Medical Research for Children. As a mum of two and paediatrician, she understands first-hand that the work the charity supports is absolutely vital to making progress in the fields of prematurity and rare paediatric conditions. The following is Camila’s account of her incredible experience…

‘I had an initial four days at Longyearbyen on Svalbard to make up ration packs, pack my pulk, meet my team and learn to ski. Before long we were flying to Barneo Ice Camp at 89 degrees N and -20°C. We collected our fuel and provisions from the Russian team there and then flew by helicopter to our start point.

The Arctic Ice is the single most beautiful place I have ever been. It is also, however, the most brutal. Despite massive efforts to keep my hands safe, I developed frostbite on both thumbs on Day 4 and had to be evacuated by helicopter. The disappointment was immense.

I am absolutely humbled and privileged to have experienced the most isolated and incredible place on earth and I am hugely grateful to the OU Charity Fund for its contribution. I hope to go back one day to finish what I started!’

2000 Photo taken by great film stills photographer Laura Radford (Sa 01)

18

Who What Where

Harry Edmeades (Hf 00) opened his second branch of Señor Ceviche this summer on Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia. The restaurant is divided over three floors, with interiors inspired by the colourful, colonial architecture of Lima. The OU team can’t wait to visit!

2002

In August Rosalind Canter (L 02) made her Senior Team GB debut at the European Eventing Championships, which took place in Strzegom, Poland. The competition couldn’t have gone better for her, with a personal best in the dressage, followed by a double clear in the jumping phases. She came away with a Team Gold medal, and an individual fifth place.

Ros has a string of accolades under her belt. She finished fifth at the 2017 Badminton Horse Trials, making her both the highest placed lady rider and British rider at this year’s iconic event. She has represented Great Britain on

several Nations Cup teams, and enjoyed success at both Burghley and Luhmuhlen Four Star events (like Badminton, this is the highest level in the sport). She is also a renowned producer of horses, winning various Young Event Horse Championships.

Ros set up her business in 2011 from her family home, which has gone from strength to strength.

Having been selected to travel out to Rio 2016 as part of the Lotteryfunded Ambition Programme for a behind the scenes look at the Olympic Games, we will be watching out for her at the Tokyo Games in 2020.

Ros is pictured centre right with the GB eventing team.

© Trevor Holt/Kingfisher Media Services

Congratulations to Charlotte Drummond (Fd 02) for winning the prestigious Bruce Millar Gulliver Prize in March. The prize is held annually at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Charlotte’s competitors were all members of UK Music Conservatoires and the National Opera Studio.

Nichola Wilson (Fd 02) works for a charity called The Passage, which helps homeless people in Central London by providing a wide range of services to meet varying and complex needs and supporting those on a journey back to a settled way of life. Please feel free to contact Nichola at Nichola.Wilson@Passage.org.uk for more details. www.passage.org.uk

Who What Where

19

2002

Hop Stuff Brewery goes global: Since successful fundraising earlier this year James Yeomans (SH 02) has begun exporting his beers as far as Japan. Hop Stuff Brewery was opened in late 2013 and has won numerous awards since its launch. Their aim for 2017 is to export to 10 countries, including Japan, USA and Canada. The brewery is also undergoing some extensive changes, quadrupling capacity and moving into a brand new brewing facility.

James has also announced plans to open his second bar and restaurant in the capital. The Taproom, originally opened in Woolwich, SE London, has proved a huge success and James has just agreed the lease on a new unit in Deptford, London. The Taproom is a sourdough pizza and craft beer bar – and of course the home of Hop Stuff Brewery beers.

2004

William Burrows (SH 04) took part in the ceremony of the Constable’s Dues at the Tower of London in May when HMS Richmond, which he was stationed on during his sea training, was berthed in London. The ship’s company marched from Canary Wharf to the Tower to present the Lieutenant of the Tower of London with a barrel of wine, a tradition which goes back to the 14th century. Will passed out of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in August commissioning as a Midshipman. He now undergoes seamanship training prior to specialisation, on completion of which he will become a Sub-Lieutenant.

Chloe Pemberton (J 04) took a year off medical training to work for On Call Africa in Zambia. As one of four doctors who provided medical treatment via mobile health clinics, Chloe travelled to nine rural communities a month providing primary care to places that local health teams were having difficulty in accessing. She had a fantastic and very challenging experience, with clinics set up in the African bush and seeing up to 100 patients a day, some of whom had never seen a doctor before. On return to England, Chloe secured a post as a paediatric trainee in London.

2004

Last year Ed Bonnar (LH 04) reached out to Ed Stafford (WB 89) to pitch a collaboration for his clothing brand Beaufort & Blake. Ed Stafford accepted and this summer the pair launched a very successful linen shirt collection. Ed has also recently employed James Murray (SH 08) to increase his full-time team to five people.

Men’s and women’s casual shirts are available through the website www.beaufortandblake.com.

20 Who What Where

2005

In 2016, Lily Bristow (L 05) designed a range of winter hoods called myLILhood, which can be worn with any coat.

Lily works in London and manages myLILhood in the evenings and weekends and has participated in various exhibitions throughout the year including BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace in August. Lily is pleased to offer OUs 10% off by quoting ‘OU’ at the checkout. www.mylilhood.co.uk

2005

In January Max Mossman (M 05) and Hector Turner (WB 06) will be setting off with two friends on a 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Antigua in a pedalo. The boys have been inspired to do the trip after a friend took his own life and are raising funds for the charity set up in his name, The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, as well as raising awareness for mental health in young men. If successful, this will be the first time the route has been crossed by pedal-power alone, the first time ever that four people have pedalo’d across an ocean and potentially the fastest man-powered crossing of the Atlantic.

Over the past year the venture has seen great success. The team secured sponsorship to make the innovative boat build a possibility. In July, the team managed to raise £21,000 in 28 days via a crowdfunding campaign.

Their charity total is now sitting at £22,000, with a target of £200,000 by the end of 2018.

The boat has been constructed

by Angus Collins (WB 03) of Rannoch Adventure, who has rowed the Atlantic himself on two occasions. The vessel is 9m x 2m, made out of carbon fibre and powered by a propeller. Two of the team will pedal at a time while the other two rest on continuous two hour shifts. The distance is the equivalent to five times the distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats, without stopping, day and night, battling waves of up to 50 feet. The boys have estimated it will take them around 40 days and over 4,900,000 pedal rotations!

Max commented: ‘If we can stand up and talk about mental health symptoms in the public sphere, we feel we may be able to encourage other people to do the same and get talking on the subject. We hope that interest sparked by Pedal The Pond will lead to more people getting the help they need before it is too late.’

Follow the team’s journey as they make their final preparations for this mighty challenge at www.pedalthepond.com.

Emma Peal (Sa 05) commissioned this year into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and is now based at St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham.

Iain Scott-Moncrieff (F 05) has developed a new and exciting art form producing bespoke Vinyl records, combining music with art. Iain’s records aren’t something to slot into your collection shelf, they’re designed to be framed and enjoyed for their art as much as their sound. His dream is to work on collaborative projects with record labels and bands and is looking for forwardthinking, trendsetting record labels to partner up with. Jack Vereker (WB 05) wanted a record to commemorate his time at Uppingham, so asked Iain to create a unique record in the classic OU colours – it now hangs proudly in his house. Please contact Iain for information or commissions at iscottmo@gmail.com. www.idsmvinyl.co.uk

2007

Hugo Cazalet (M 07) was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards and Freddie Robinson (M 09) was commissioned into the Royal Dragoon Guards on 11th August at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sam Dewhurst, Housemaster of Meadhurst, was delighted to be there for the ceremony.

L to R: Freddie Robinson, Sam Dewhurst and Hugo Cazalet.

Who What Where

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2007

Last July, Fred Vivian (B 07), accompanied by two fellow UCL medical students, embarked on a transcontinental cycling expedition from London to Istanbul. Travelling 4,000 kilometres over five weeks, there were many highs, both metaphorical and literal, as well as the odd low. Their flimsy tarpaulin provided inadequate cover from the rain and cold in Belgium and from the sun and flies of the Czech Republic, but their trip was made possible by so many incredibly kind people, most notably a Bulgarian family who took them in despite an impenetrable language barrier. With the days becoming more and more sweaty, painful and mountainous, the team could not let a military coup stop them from reaching the Blue Mosque. So, one day after the coup was quashed, they reached their end-point and were rewarded with a wonderfully tourist-free photo opportunity. They raised £3,200 for Médecins Sans Frontières.

2009

Jenny Spindler (J 09) ran the London Marathon this year raising over £3,200 for the British Heart Foundation. Jenny said: “Despite all of the training, running six times a week for four months and up to 20 miles three weeks before, I still didn’t quite expect the run to be as tough as it was. It was gruelling and so painful.

But the atmosphere, crowd and support from runners and spectators was so overwhelming and incredible, it was one of the most special days I’ve ever had.” She finished in 3 hours and 51 minutes and was thrilled to get under four hours.

2010

Freddie Tucker (B 10) cycled from Calais to Zakinthos, Greece, this year with a friend from university, covering over 3,000 kilometres in 28 days, averaging about 150km a day in 35 degree Mediterranean heat. They carried a tent and everything they needed on their bikes. Aside from the experience of it all, they were raising funds for their two chosen charities, the ‘Samuburu Trust’ in Kenya and ‘Shepherd of the Hills Children’s Foundation’ in the Philippines, where Freddie volunteered last year.

22 Who What Where

2011

In March, Lucy Simcox (L 11), daughter of Adam Simcox (WB 73), began a three-month project with Raleigh International on their ICS (International Citizen Service) programme in Kanga, a rural village in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. She volunteered with both UK and Tanzanian volunteers, promoting WASH (Water and Sanitation Hygiene).

This consisted of alternating days of constructing 18 toilets and teaching 600 primary school children about basic hygiene, such as thorough handwashing, water purification and the prevention of waterborne diseases. Lucy worked 9-5, six days a week and lived with local families, eating a limited diet and having little access to electricity or basic sanitation facilities, using a bucket of rainwater to shower and a drop hole as a toilet.

Whilst living this basic lifestyle was incredibly challenging, the whole experience was equally rewarding. Unfortunately, heavy rains caused landslides into pits being dug for septic tanks, meaning Lucy’s team were unable to finish the toilets (they were completed by the team that replaced them in June). However, they successfully built a handwashing station with taps, and taught over 50 hours of lessons, organised Community Awareness Days and created mobilisation groups with community members. From digging and teaching, painting and reading stories in Swahili or even taking part in Tug-of-War against the villagers, everything was a great experience.

Lucy finished the three months much more aware of global issues, wanting to be a global citizen and being more enthusiastic to bring about change. She made friends for life, has some incredible memories and would recommend ICS to anyone interested in making a difference to other people’s lives whilst up for a challenge themselves.

Lucy was supported by the OU Charity Fund – please contact Jo Franklin at jsf@uppingham.co.uk for details if you are planning to undertake some charity work.

Just Visiting

It is always great to see OUs from around the globe visiting the School, sometimes after many years. Here is a selection of our international visitors this year.

Jerry Rose (WD 72) from Alberta, Canada, visiting for the first time in 40 years.

Malcolm Rawes (WD 50) from Portugal.

Christopher Peters (WD 98) from Germany.

Tony Bell (SH 64) from the United States.

Stephen Ellis (M 85) from Texas with his former Housemaster, Jerry Rudman.

If you are thinking of visiting‌ OUs are always very welcome to visit the School and we would be delighted to show you around the campus, however please contact the OU Office in advance to comply with school regulations.

Just Visiting

23

Announcements In September 2016, John Emerton (Fgh 80) married Sally Alderson, at Hambleton Church with the reception overlooking Rutland Water at Hambleton Hall. OUs in attendance included Richard Vernon (Fgh 80), James Clinton (M 80), Adam Walker (LH 80) and Marcus Learoyd (C 80).

On 17th December, Byron Fitzpatrick (LH 96) married Charlotte Livingston at All Saints’ Church North Ferriby, Yorkshire.

Over 50 OUs attended the service, with Robert (Fgh 95) and William Lawson (Fgh 96) as best men.

Congratulations to Jamie Thomson (B 98) and his wife Charlotte on the birth of Rudy, born on 31st December 2016.

George (SH 96) and Sophie Dickens (née Smith) (J 99) are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter Mollie on 16th August 2016. George and Sophie met at Uppingham in 1999 and got married in 2010.

George is now a property developer at Chancerygate and Sophie works as a leasing surveyor at Gerald Eve. They keep in touch with many OUs from their years – Helen Tuckey (née Fenwick) (J 99) is godmother, Rich Hartley (Fgh 96) and Jason Noy (Fgh 96) are both godfathers to Mollie and Freddie James (B 99) was George’s best man.

Congratulations to Ella Rogers (Sa 01) and Robert Reynolds who were married on 27th June 2015.

24 Announcements

OU couple Ed (WB 96) and Jo Moser (née Farnsworth) (J 01) are delighted to announce the arrival of Nicholas Peter Shedden Moser on 12th December 2016. Godparents include Chloe Alexander (née Cox) (Fd 99) and Charles Robertshaw (LH 99).

Congratulations to Mimi Poskitt (L 97) who welcomed her gorgeous baby boy, Dash Stanley Poskitt Lockyear, into the world on 7th August 2016.

In April 2016, Ben Crowder (Hf 99) married Clare Brutton; two of the three best men were OUs, Harry Judd (F 99) and Duncan Wood (LH 98).

James Yeomans (SH 02) and his wife Emma are delighted to announce the arrival of their first child Charles Maximilian Yeomans who was born on 8th September 2017 weighing 8.13oz. Charlie is Lesley and Steve Allen’s grandson, houseparents of Johnson’s.

Jamie Sharrock (M 99) and Camilla Hayne were married at the Falcon Hotel in Uppingham on 17th December 2016.

L to R: Jono Daniel (Fgh 99), Jamie Sharrock (M 99), Tom Milne (F 02) and Sam Sharrock (M 04)

Toby Bennett (LH 01) married Patricia Knudsen at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, HM Tower of London on 29th July 2017. Lots of OUs joined them for the celebrations including; Samuel Selwyn-Gotha (F 01), Hugo Davison (LH 01), Timothy Dale (LH 01), Harry Smeeden (LH 01), William Reilly (LH 01), Benjamin Horseman (LH 01), David Penn (WB 01), Lucy Penn (Sa 04), Edmund Bennett (LH 06) and Mark Bennett (H 76).

Edward Shires (Fgh 01) married fellow OU Sophie Atkinson-Clark (Fd 03) at St Mary’s Church, Woburn, on 30th September. Many other OUs joined the happy couple on their special day, including the maid of honour and two bridesmaids – Katie Stothard, Arabella Toler and Sarah Haggie (all Fd 03) and also the best man – Will Shires (Fgh 06) and ushers Alex Collins (B 01), James Cooke (Hf 01) and Rob Hutchinson (SH 01). The couple have very happy memories of Uppingham and their first kiss on the cinder track back in 2004.

Christopher Stops (Hf 04) married Gillian McFadden on 15th July 2017 in Toronto, Canada. They live in Cambridge, Ontario. Christopher is currently working as a Systems Engineer for OTTO Motors.

Marcus Calnan (SH 03) and Sassy Barlow (J 06) got married in the Seychelles on the 9th June, 11 years after meeting in Mrs Tetlow’s English class. The couple also had a small church blessing with friends and family on the 24th June in Saxlingham Church, Norfolk.

Pippa Smyth (NH 04) married William George Alexander Hildyard on 17th October 2015 at St Mary’s Church, South Dalton, East Yorkshire, then afterwards at Pippa’s parents’ house. It was a large wedding with 200 people celebrating the couple’s special day. OUs in attendance included Pippa’s siblings Fred (Hf 06) and Emily (NH 10) and OU friends Laura Christopherson (Sa 04), Lucy Brash (NH 04), Pippa Chase (NH 04), Lauren Yeomans (NH 04), Eloise Cazalet (NH 05), Georgie Field (J 04) and Lucy Rymer (C 06).

Announcements

25

MiscellaneOUs Whilst at Uppingham Alastair Neale (Fgh 61) ran the Film Society and was an Editor of the School Magazine. The following is an article that Jonathan Routh (F 41) wrote at Alastair’s request on his time at Uppingham. Our thanks to Alastair for sharing this with us.

For those of you unfamiliar with the name, Jonathan Routh, he was famous in the 1960s for introducing Britain to Candid Camera, a hugely popular TV show which ran for seven years. It filmed victims of practical jokes with an unseen camera and spawned an enduring genre, including Jeremy Beadle’s Beadle’s About and Game for a Laugh, and Dom Joly’s Trigger Happy TV. Jonathan was also responsible for The Good Loo Guide and a whole range of other guidebooks.

JONATHAN ROUTH AT UPPINGHAM The large sum of money I had collected in tips on leaving home for Uppingham had been somewhat diminished by what I recorded in my diary as ‘Travelling Expenses’ – Wound Dressing 6d, Map of World 6d, Milk Shake and Pie 9d, Xylophone Tutor 2s.

It was further diminished by my falling foul of the School Joker within one minute of the School Special depositing me at Uppingham Station. Knowing nothing then about his merry ways, I asked him which road I took to get to my House and he directed me to a racing stable three miles in the other direction.

I didn’t realise it was this at first. Admittedly I was a little surprised to find not only the boys, but also the men there, so much smaller than myself; and I don’t think my previous concepts of public school life had led me to believe that for my first term I would have to share a stall with a horse.

But things got sorted eventually, an expensive taxi was summoned and I drove to my house and did my best to convince my Housemaster that this really was the reason for my lateness; but it was a week before I stopped smelling of horse.

My Housemaster was a clever man but given to displays of rage when he used to tell miscreants that he would throw them over the roof if they didn’t behave better. He used to feed with us at lunch and if he thought anyone was not chewing his baked beans the standard 32 times he would leap to his feet and shout – ‘There’s no need to stuff yourselves like little pigs indulging in orgies of guzzling. Now then – one, two, three, four…’ – and then sitting down he would finish counting up to 32 and there would be dead silence in the dining room for the next five minutes.

On his account we were slow eaters and nearly always late for our after-lunch appointments.

At meals during my first year I naturally sat at the Fags Table which equally naturally meant that whenever I was seen sniffling, or buttering the wrong side of my piece of bread I would be passed a slip of paper from the Captain of the Fags Table, presenting his compliments to me and informing me that I was ‘On Silence’ until further notice.

‘On silence at tea’ was the most constant entry in my diary at this time. But, as can be seen from the entries below, there were others:

26 MiscellaneOUs

March 25. Fetched the sawdust.

Polished my cymbals.

Thought about reincarnation.

My bath night.

March 26. Slug said to me ‘You’d better keep your eyes open tomorrow’.

I asked why? And he said ‘Otherwise you won’t be able to see’. I must tell Doug this.

March 27. Practised cymbals. Wrote three new Bible sayings. Slug told me some more of his jolly good jokes.

March 28. Bacco said I was better at Band. Commander Coke gave lectures with slides on Britain’s Heritage. I was on silence at tea. Thought about reincarnation.

March 29. Bought tin of soup from Boots. Hockey vs H but pretty bum. Calderwood gave me half an orange.

March 30. I invented a shoe rack.

April 3.

Saw Senna-pods (House Matron) about my spot.

April 4.

Vaughan sent out at tea for talking filthy things about sausages. We went to see Lady Hamilton film and I passed round my laxative chocolate.

April 5.

My bath night. Put parting in my hair yesterday and today. Locked Dodman in the bogs. Got Leave signed for London.

April 9.

Set fire to Calderwood.

Unfortunately, I can now remember very few of these events. Just what it was I thought about reincarnation, who ‘H’ was or where, whether or not I made any money out of my shoe rack and whether it was strictly necessary to lock Dodman up before I could get a Leave signed? These must remain dark passages in my life.

I was altogether four years at Uppingham, leaving July 1945 the only boy ever to have stayed four years and still not made a House Prefect I believe. My sporting career was equally undistinguished. My last term, when I was a rising 18, I achieved the only position of responsibility I was allowed during my stay when I captained a cricket side composed of 11 boys from all Houses who were not in any School or House teams, and we played some Italian prisoners-of-war. It was the first game of cricket the Italians had ever played and of course we were beaten by them.

The only occasion I have been back to Uppingham, the year before last, I was cruising round the town very slowly trying to remember which building was what for the benefit of my wife. Having completed a wildly inaccurate round of the town I was then hauled up at some traffic lights by a constable on a bicycle. He very politely asked me my business and whether I had any means of identity on me – which I couldn’t understand – until he then explained that he had been following our slow stop-start journey through the town and noticed that I was stopping outside and appeared to be taking an uncommon interest in all the Banks. I suppose I missed a great opportunity in not suddenly accelerating and driving off at that point. But I didn’t, and I only mention this to forewarn Mr Lloyd in case he too looks back in another 20 years’ time. Anyway, it’s good to feel that Uppingham is so well-protected.

With compliments Jonathan Routh

MiscellaneOUs 27

Staff News Staff goodbyes A number of long-serving staff have moved on to new pursuits this year.

Fiona Buckley, Housemistress of New House, retired from Uppingham in July 2017 after setting up and running the House for 14 years. She was given a warm send-off by a great crowd of OUs who visited in May for a final celebration and get-together.

Fiona ran New House with all the vast experience of a wordly-wise and well-travelled ‘mother superior’. The girls in her charge knew they were deeply cared for and she expertly guided them through the teenage maze. In the classroom Senora/ Madame Buckley was a highly gifted

Peter Bodily arrived in the Biology department from Framlingham in 1981 and over many years he guided and nurtured the success of aspiring medical students. In 1995 he became Housemaster of West Deyne which he looks back on as the most rewarding and challenging of his years at Uppingham. With his physical presence and air of authority, he started with natural advantages, but he was not interested in running the House through intimidation. A very pastoral housemaster, Peter’s main concern was for the welfare of his charges and he had a shrewd understanding of his boys, particularly for those experiencing difficulties.

He was also known for being a significant figure on the games field, as an accomplished sportsman in his own right; his time with Northampton Saints a notable accolade.

At Uppingham Peter was Master in Charge of Cricket from 1983 to 1989 (though in 1987-8 he was away on exchange in New Zealand), and Master in Charge of Rugby from 1989 to 1995. We wish him many happy years of retirement.

linguist and a well-respected teacher of Spanish and French. Outside her teaching and pastoral duties, Fiona was the queen of flexibility in the USSC dance studio, leading masterclasses in aerobics and fitness.

We wish her every happiness for a well-earned retirement.

Meriel Hunting came to Uppingham in 2003 when she was appointed as Housemistress of Johnson’s.

With her husband Andy she maintained a kind and caring atmosphere in the House, and her imaginative and sensitive leadership ensured that girls were encouraged to make the best of their time at the School. As Head of Lifeskills, she transformed the experience for pupils and teachers by creating a wide range of resources and arranging visiting speakers for Sixth Form talks. In the English department, her love of drama was invaluable. On leaving Johnson’s, Meriel joined Samworths’ as a Fourth Form tutor which she did brilliantly for seven years.

Other staff who have left Uppingham include Andy Wilson, Andrea Roebuck, Mel Cuccio, Ben Fell, Luke Bartlett, Qasim Sayed, Mike Stevens, David Beggs and Camilla Sharrock (née Haynes).

28

Staff News

We were very sorry to receive news of former members of staff who have passed away.

Peter Cannings

By Giles Harrison (WD 87) During Peter’s nine years at West Deyne, he had the responsibility (ably supported by his wife Jill and his mother-in law, the unflappable Mrs Chambers) of looking after, guiding and being a surrogate parent for approximately 150 teenagers.

Standing in for our fathers – for some boys in a very real way – Peter has been described as “Stern and firm in parts, zany and unconventional in others – but always consistent, always well-meaning, always decent.”

Peter always took house sketch shows in good humour – whether it was being lampooned as Basil Fawlty, or when I accidentally squirted tomato ketchup over him and ruined his white tuxedo, or when he was asked to run around in circles pretending to be a chicken (which he did with such vigour that he slipped and cracked his head on the floor – he carried on the evening despite having an ice pack on his head).

As teenagers, we thought we knew best and could pull the wool over any teacher’s eyes; only later on did we realise that PWC actually knew everything that went on in the boy’s side of the house. For example, one inventive miscreant had installed a pressure pad under the carpet outside his bedsit on the top floor to warn of anyone approaching; for a whole term he thought this genius early warning system hadn’t been picked up – until Peter subtly referred to it in his speech at the end of term.

Cannings 1 Boys 0.

When we heard that Peter was gravely ill, dozens of his former charges at West Deyne wrote to or visited Peter, to convey sympathy, to share memories – but mostly we all wanted to express our gratitude. As

adults, we belatedly realised what we as spotty, nervous or belligerent teenagers could not appreciate – how much of a profound and positive influence Peter would have on all our lives.

The family have shared with me some of the messages they received from former pupils, and so many of them tell of truly pivotal moments, when Peter gave the youngster a piece of advice that demonstrated genuine belief in the boy’s ability – and which opened up for them a new world of opportunity, changing the path of their lives. All expressed the sentiment “Without Peter I would not be the man I am today”.

These are people who now live in all corners of the world, and are advisors to global CEOs, or managing directors, doctors and consultants or senior civil servants.

I was particularly struck by what one former pupil wrote to Peter: “My most important lesson [at school], was something I learnt from you, from how you treated me and the example you set… You respected me and you were kind. To this day, and for always, I strive to be respectful and be kind. You shaped me as an individual with the most powerful gift, and I’m so grateful that you did.”

I’m sure hearing those sincerely-felt words meant so much to Peter.

Just as important as the values he instilled in the house, was a sense of family. Peter’s own family – Jill, James and Emma, and Mrs Chambers – were a fundamental part of West Deyne life. He even volunteered his family as support team when three 14-year-olds proposed an ambitious idea to cycle from the tip to the toe of Europe for charity. Without hesitation Peter agreed to drive a minibus 4,000 miles across Europe, setting up and breaking campsite

We are sorry to advise that Liz Frowde passed away on 10th July in Aberdeen House, Uppingham, after a long illness. Geoff Frowde ran Fircroft from 1962 to 1977 and Liz was a great support to him as a long-serving member of staff and especially in the House. Geoff and the family are enormously grateful to the many OUs who wrote to him following Liz’s passing.

every day – and he’d drag his family along for their “summer holiday”!

Without his immediate belief in us, and his dedicated support – not to mention the good-natured willingness of his family to join this mad adventure – this endeavour would not have happened, and would not have raised over £25,000 – and it would not have changed the lives of three relatively shy youngsters, myself among them.

I’d like to share the end of one other message, from another former pupil, as it pretty much sums up what I’m trying to say about Peter: “The enduring lesson you and Jill both gave me [is] how to build and create a loving family, founded on rock solid values whilst not ever taking it all too seriously – and there is surely nothing more important in life than that.”

Peter’s influence, his spirit will live on in the hearts of so many people, in future generations, all around the world. In many ways, he was very aptly named; Peter was the rock, the foundation on which so many of us have built and improved our lives. For that, we will all be forever grateful.

Peter was a member of staff at Uppingham from 1977 to 2000, Housemaster of West Deyne from 1986 to 1995 and Head of Economics and Business Studies from 1995 to 2000. He passed away on 11th September and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A further tribute written by his friend and colleague, Tim Montagnon, is available to read on the OU website.

Our condolences to Ralph Court (WD 64) after the passing of his wife Joy, known fondly to some OUs as Joy Bently from her days teaching pottery in the Thring Centre.

Staff News 29

Roy Bean arrived at Uppingham in 1966, with Anne, who had been at Girton when Roy was at King’s Cambridge, reading French and Russian and where he sang in the choir under David Willcocks.

The family was completed with Catherine, just months old when they arrived, and Rebecca, born in 1968. From the start it was a full boarding school existence, with tutoring in West Bank, the games field and the CCF in addition to the demands of the classroom.

Uppinghamians of a certain generation will remember Roy as the lead vocalist of ‘The Cwm Rhondda Four’. Mostly, however, Roy’s involvement in music was more serious. For years he sang with the School Choir and there are numerous complimentary references in the School Magazines to his solo performances in concerts; for many OUs their most vivid memory will be of Roy taking Congregational Practice.

Roy’s involvement with music went further: he initiated and conducted the Rutland Opera Company and sang leading opera roles in productions in Leicester. For years he was conductor of Uppingham Town Choral Society. 1984 saw what Bryan Matthews (SH 30) in the School Magazine called ‘Christopher Richardson’s splendiferous production of The Mikado’. This ambitious highlight of the Quatercentenary Year, playing to some 1,700 people over five nights, involved Roy nurturing a cast of over 200, including the Mayor and Council, Morris Dancers, the Community College, ordinary citizens and members of the School.

Roy rehearsing Highfield for the House Shout remains one of Charles Arrand’s (Hf 82) vivid memories of his Housemaster, ‘warm, inspiring, funny and totally in his element’. Roy moved into Highfield with Anne and the children in 1977. Alongside dealing with the vicissitudes of life inevitable in any boarding house, Roy showed he could rise to a crisis and dealt with issues with compassion.

A housemaster of mercurial temperament will inevitably provoke a variety of responses, with not everyone being equally adept at responding to the changing moods. It is unsurprising, however – though never a question of favouritism – that numbers of musicians prospered on his watch: Tristan Head (Hf 86) with his Choral Scholarship to King’s Cambridge, for example, David Stout (Hf 87) – who now has his burgeoning career as a singer of opera and oratorio – and organist and musicologist Professor Magnus Williamson (Hf 81). It was particularly moving that Toby Spence (Hf 82), a Highfield boy in Roy’s time with the longest and most distinguished musical career, made time to come down to sing at Roy’s packed funeral last November.

Coming out of the House, Roy became a wonderfully supportive tutor to the Watsons in Johnson’s and an approachable, kindly President of the Common Room.

Perhaps the deepest and most enduring constant in Roy’s life was the music. Central to this was his time as Head Chorister at York Minster under Francis Jackson. Roy was a member of staff for over 30 years. He passed away on 4th November 2016 after a long illness and it is fitting that his ashes lie at rest outside the Five Sisters’ Window. A full obituary is available on the OU website.

30

Staff News

Jill Pringle Wife of the late Ian Pringle, Housemaster of Farleigh 1959-71 and Uppingham staff from 1949-79 By her son Geoff Sadly, my brothers and I lost our much loved mother on 4th December 2016, just six weeks after celebrating her 93rd birthday. Seeing as Uppingham played such an important part in my parents’ life for 30 years from 1949, it seems only appropriate to commemorate Mum’s long life in the OU Magazine. Her near photographic memory remained as sharp as ever almost to the end and she took a huge interest and pride in what ‘her boys’ from Farleigh and from the wider school did with their lives after leaving Uppingham. Her edition of the ‘Uppingham School Roll’ was oft-thumbed and much treasured!

In clearing her desk we found the attached ‘Notes on Life’ in her own words so I propose we let her tell her own story.

“I was born between the Wars. Childhood was dominated by the shadow of World War I, the Battle of the Somme, and the fact that my mother had lost her first husband and both brothers in that War. I and my sister Bridget who was just 16 months younger than me did everything together. We went to a private school in Weston, a very happy place, but I don’t think we were taught much, but nobody worried. When I was 12 the world changed as my Father died suddenly. It was just before the Abdication of Edward VIII, which dominated the news. I took School Certificate in 1940 and did rather well considering several exams were taken in the Air Raid Shelters during the Battle of Britain. We all grew up fast after that.

School became an incredible bore and I left at the first opportunity.

I joined the Red Cross and worked locally at first in Army Reception Stations, then as a mobile VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment), attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps. I embarked on four years of working in various capacities in Army hospitals in England, France & Germany. We had lots of fun and life-long friendships were formed. I spent VE Day in Lille and had a very alcoholic evening in the town square, lighting up a quantity of German Gin in a tin ash tray and having an impressive bonfire! The billets were terrible as the walls were alive with bugs. We bashed round France, as there was not much work, and hitch-hiked everywhere. Incredibly risky, but we were so carefree and enjoyed everything – it was an adventure. We were among the first women to cross The Rhine in a cattle truck prior to a year in Germany with 21 Army Group.

Then came de-mob and the reality that I was trained for nothing, and work was essential. I’d done quite a bit of cooking in Army hospitals, so went to ‘Good Housekeeping’, did a short course, and had a couple of good jobs with Elizabeth Arden and Harrods. I was nearly sacked from Harrods for demonstrating a washing machine which overflowed and flooded the antique furniture on the floor below. I decided then to get married, hoping it would be better than Harrods – which it was!

Ian had been a POW in Stalag Luft III for four years and we had a small austerity wedding in 1949. We had 42 happy years together, mostly in Uppingham. It was incredibly restricting in those days and we both found the transition from our service days a mountain to climb. However, our three little boys kept me busy and occupied, then 13 years as a Farleigh Housemaster’s wife was certainly fulfilling and mainly happy.

In Harringworth, to where we moved in 1971 is where we had our happiest years, and when Ian died 20 years later, I felt no need to move. It has been a very good time with lots of interest in charities, social activities and involvement generally, particularly with the Church.”

Paul Ledger passed away on 17th January. He was a popular and long-serving member of Uppingham’s staff from 1952 to 1972 and Housemaster of The Hall from 1961 to 1972.

David Gaine, former Housemaster of Lorne House, said: “Paul and his wife Jenny were a delightful couple and for the influx of young members of staff, the presence of the Ledgers, as well as other ‘new world’ Housemasters, offered many words of wisdom and much assistance, as well as welcoming us for lunch in the House. And, of course, this welcome invitation built a considerable relationship between staff and boys, one of the many attractive things about Uppingham for prospective parents. In addition to his academic talents, Paul was a distinguished hockey player.”

The Rutland Postal Service Memories of Paul Ledger, by Robin Johnson (H 67) Paul was a much loved housemaster of The Hall and, together with his wife Jenny and their daughter Cat, held annual gatherings at his house for OUs of The Hall in Hammersmith right to the end. Here is one of my favourite memories of the House under Paul’s leadership.

Long before the Internet was ever thought of, the first ever national postal strike began in January 1971. In those days ‘snail mail’ was an altogether more vital commodity than it is today and The Royal Mail held a national monopoly. Annual inflation rates had soared to double digits and postal workers were demanding a pay rise of between 15% and 20%. There was deadlock between employer and employees.

As the weeks went by, the government’s postal monopoly was relaxed for the first time since the service began in 1840 when the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued.

Temporary liberalisation allowed a network of unregulated local postal services to fledge.

Paul Ledger decided to step in to create ‘The Rutland Postal Service’. Robin Johnson (H 67) designed the stamp which was printed in two district editions by Nick Bettles (Hf 68), from the School’s printing team, making the stamps altogether rarer in philatelic value. The first letters were distributed throughout Rutland by the School’s cross country running team. The wooden and metal postmarking device was crafted by the late Bill Everington.

On Day One there were less than 20 letters. The next day there were 30 or so. After five days a bulk mailing service, using half price diagonally cut stamps, was introduced to help local businesses send out their long overdue invoices. This bolstered numbers. Paul and Robin were suddenly faced with hundreds of letters to deliver. There was also collaboration between Rutland and Leicester to offer a broader reach. On Day Seven the numbers had got completely out of hand and at the same time Paul had to travel to attend an event in London.

Paul volunteered a neighbour to drive to the distant addresses. He set off at 6am with 50 or so letters and returned at midnight saying that he would not do any more favours for Paul.

Fortunately agreement was reached between the strikers and the Post Office on Thursday 4th March and Royal Mail staff returned to work on the following Monday. The Rutland Postal Service lasted seven long days.

At the peak of the service Robin had to seek permission from the late John Royds (Headmaster) to hold a press conference.

On entering the Headmaster’s study, Robin asked “Please may I hold a press conference?”. The answer came back “Yes”.

Robin about turned and left the room (job done). Prospective parents who were talking to John Royds were so delighted by the transaction that they signed up their son immediately.

Robin was interviewed by journalists on behalf of various newspapers including the nationals. The story also ran on television and radio much to the delight of all the boys of The Hall.

Paul Ledger derived much pleasure from this story and enjoyed showing off his collection of stamps (mint and used) to OUs. In 2016 a collection of these stamps was auctioned, though the local auctioneer would not reveal the price paid. The stamps are included in the famous Stanley Gibbons catalogue.

Other news

Having retired from Uppingham, former English Master and Theatre Manager Alastair McLachlan has had time to finally finish the novel he’s been working on, called Close to the Skin, it’s available on Amazon as a Kindle book. Inspired by the notorious murder of a 16-year-old girl in late 17th century Rome, which was also seized upon by poet Robert Browning for his vast poem The Ring and the Book, Close to the Skin gives the story a modern twist, while being firmly set in 17th century Rome and Arezzo.

Staff News 31

MiscellaneOUs

By Adrian Shuker (Fgh 72) Before I went to Uppingham I played men’s Lacrosse and carried on playing during school holidays, going on to compete at various stages and representing university, the South of England and more recently England Grand Masters. When looking at Uppingham sports performances I always look at the Lacrosse results with interest!

The photo shows a gathering of Lacrosse players from early 1976. When the girls arrived it took me a while to figure out that a great way to meet them would be to organise Lacrosse sessions on the Middle. This is one of those gatherings…

Back row L to R: Lawrence Stucke (M 72), Jennifer Audouy (née Gee) (Fd 75), Adrian Shuker (Fgh 72) and Hamish Neathercoat (Hf 72). Front row L to R: Guy Robins (M 71), Isabel Adshead (née Howse) (Fd 75), Gary Smith (B 72) and Sarah Pettigrew (née Howse) (F 74).

This clipping from the Daily Telegraph on 11th January 2017 proved to be the most popular post ever on the OU Facebook page, reaching over 12,000 people with nearly 200 likes. Of course the teacher being referred to is the one and only Casey O’Hanrahan.

32

MiscellaneOUs

At the end of July, the BBC broadcast a series of special live programmes in Flanders, Belgium, at Passchendaele to mark and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. Charles Arrand (Hf 82) was invited by Her Majesty’s government to parade as one of the descendants of those who fought at Passchendaele. He describes a very moving occasion, during which he walked behind the drums and pipes of the Royal Irish Rangers through crowd-lined streets along a road which, over the four years of World War 1, more than a million men had marched towards the front line. Fifty-four OUs are buried in military cemeteries near Ypres with five laid to rest in the Tyne Cot Cemetery at Passchendaele. Whilst there, Charles visited St George’s Church in Ypres where he laid a wreath and said a prayer at the plaque commemorating the many old boys of Uppingham who fell in both World Wars.

A special set of stamps, approved by Her Majesty The Queen, to celebrate the contribution of women in World War 1 features Paul Knocker’s (B 49) grandmother Elsie Knocker and her young companion Marie Chisholm, who were nurses on the front line in Belgium from 1914 to 1918, when they were invalided home after a gas attack.

The unique feature of their work was setting up a dressing station 50 yards from the trenches to deal with the trauma and shock, before driving patients in an ambulance to hospital. Elsie was a qualified nurse, spoke French and German and was a mechanic as a result of racing motorcycles before the war… unusual qualifications for a woman in 1914! Both were awarded the Military Medal by General Rawlinson for their courage and dedication.

In Memoriam We are sorry to announce news of OUs who have passed away.

Our condolences to their families and friends.

Tom Atkins

(LH 49)

May 2017

Aleck Crichton*

(SH 31)

Apr 2017

William Laycock

(H 34)

Jul 2016

David Atkinson

(Hf 50)

2015

Gordon Stratton

(Hf 36)

Apr 2017

John Duckworth

(M 50)

Nov 2016

Peter Packard

(L 38)

Jan 2017

Neil Nicholson

(LH 50)

May 2017

David Strachan

(LH 38)

Mar 2017

Michael Jones*

(H 51)

Oct 2016

Aidan Woodcock*

(F 38)

Sep 2016

Tony Collinssplatt

(B 53)

Mar 2017

John Cross

(Fgh 39)

Sep 2016

John Ashton

(Hf 54)

2016

Derek Thomas

(M 39)

Oct 2016

Peter Hubert*

(WB 54)

Jan 2017

Peter Davy

(WD 40)

Aug 2017

Hugh Smorfitt

(WD 55)

Apr 2015

Cecil ‘Frazer’ Sedcole

(SH 40)

Nov 2016

Robert Bruce-Gardner

(WB 56)

Sep 2017

Hans ‘Dieter’ Baer*

(Fgh 41)

Mar 2017

David Pirie

(H 56)

Nov 2016

Ben Robins

(M 41)

Jun 2016

Edward Reeves

(L 56)

Sep 2016

David Wright

(Hf 42)

Sep 2016

Anthony ‘Toby’ Sheppard

(SH 56)

Jul 2016

Reginald Selous

(Hf 43)

Dec 2015

Simon Loveday*

(SH 62)

Nov 2016

Hal Doyne-Ditmas*

(LH 44)

Nov 2015

William Ruddock

(H 62)

Oct 2016

John Kerr*

(SH 45)

Apr 2015

Simon Wall*

(Fgh 62)

Oct 2016

Alistair Kennedy-Young

(C 46)

Apr 2016

Francis Windeyer

(SH 62)

May 2017

Anthony Nixon

(M 46)

Jul 2015

Norman Robertson Smith

(Fgh 65)

Mar 2017

George Preston

(C 47)

Dec 2016

Andrew Twitchin

(F 68)

Sep 2016

Henry Ballantyne

(SH 48)

Jul 2015

Suleyman Fattah

(WD 77)

Jan 2017

John Bates*

(F 48)

Mar 2017

Briony Johnston (née Wheatley) (Fd 79)

Henry ‘Tony’ Holman

(H 48)

Dec 2015

Sue Feather (née Horsley)

(Fd 84)

Oct 2016

Sir Jeremy Reilly*

(WD 48)

Jan 2017

Charlie Watkins*

(SH 08)

Mar 2017

*We are pleased to include obituaries supplied by family members or friends of the deceased.

Nov 2016

Obituaries

Aleck Crichton on his wedding day in 1941

Aleck Crichton (SH 31) Born Alexander Cochrane Crichton in Dublin on 9th May 1918, he was the son of a medical doctor with a family tradition in the profession going back to Scotsman Sir Alexander Crichton, a pioneer in psychiatry who, around 1800, was Physician in Ordinary to Tsar Alexander I of Russia.

Brought up between the Crichton family home at Beltra in Sligo and England, after Uppingham Aleck studied at King’s College Cambridge and was then commissioned in the Irish Guards at the outbreak of World War II, invading Normandy in June 1944. Two months later, he was wounded by mortar fire in heavy fighting near Caen but returned to serve in Germany at the end of the War before coming home to start his business career in Dublin.

As grandson and heir of the former leading unionist The Right Honourable Andrew Jameson, head of the Jameson whiskey firm, Aleck became a major figure in Irish commercial life. The 1940s were testing times for Irish whiskey as it had been displaced after World War I as the market leader in Britain and America by the more ruthless peddlers of Scotch, who had run the gauntlet during the prohibition years.

To meet the challenge of marketing Irish whiskey abroad, in the 1960s Aleck initiated the merger that brought Jameson, Powers and Cork Distillers together to form Irish Distillers. He became the new company’s delegate at the European Economic Community in Brussels, where vital battles about regulation and competition had to be fought. In export markets, especially the United States, it

34 Obituaries

was the Jameson brand, not the more Irish-sounding Paddy or Powers, that made most impact, a trend maintained since the 1980s when Irish Distillers was absorbed by the French giant Pernod Ricard. That pleased Aleck, who was quite competitive.

Aleck joined other captains of Irish business on the Court of the Bank of Ireland and he served business in Ireland selflessly as President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Post Office Users Council.

Aleck had a full life both before and after his long business career. On retirement in the 1980s, he sold his house and committed himself to sheep farming at Carrowgarry, Co. Sligo. He contributed quietly and diplomatically to Sligo life as Chairman of the Foundation for Sligo Hospital and promoted his beloved chamber music locally – he was an accomplished pianist himself.

In 2014, Aleck was among the surviving Irishmen conferred with the Legion d’Honneur by the French ambassador in appreciation of their wartime service assisting in the liberation of France. Very deaf and becoming frail, he did not feel able to make the celebrations in Normandy, but was consoled to be represented by his great-grandson, who sang in the St John’s College choir, that came from his old university of Cambridge.

Aleck died on 18th April 2017 at the age of 98; he was predeceased by his wife Joan and is survived by his four daughters, Mary, Tania, Barbara and Catherine, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Aidan Woodcock (F 38)

Under his aegis his company, Thos Swift & Co, acquired the newspaper distribution business of W H Smith in the North West, the first in the industry to introduce full computerisation in 1972, and also added a printing arm.

During this time he maintained a lively interest in music, founding the Chester Symphony Orchestra, which was made up of professional and semi-professional players from across the North West. For its inaugural concert in Chester Cathedral in March 1962 he persuaded the cellist Paul Tortelier and his 15-year-old son Yan Pascal, then a violinist but now a conductor, to play the Brahms Double Concerto.

He persuaded big-name soloists to play with the Orchestra, including the pianist John Ogden and the clarinettist Gervase de Peyer. Michael Kennedy, The Daily Telegraph’s music critic, often reviewed their performances in the paper’s northern editions. Aidan also co-founded the Society of Thirteen, which was set up by a group of 13 businessmen in Chester in 1963 and continues to offer public lectures in art, science, history and technology.

Aidan died on 23rd September 2016 aged 91.

He was born in Birkenhead on 12th March 1925, and began taking violin lessons at the age of four. He recalled being captivated by his father’s collection of Brahms recordings on old 78 discs. At Uppingham, he enjoyed the weekly violin lessons with a friendly teacher who introduced him to the delights of chamber music. He was soon making holiday appearances as an extra with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Aidan took his speed boat certificate in France aged 80, travelling there by train because he had a phobia of flying; was a keen photographer, and subscribed to the Berlin Philharmonic’s video website, sitting up until the early hours of the morning to watch their concerts on the internet.

While serving in India he began a pen-pal correspondence with Susan Fitton, the daughter of a family friend, who shared his love of music. They were married in 1948. She survives him with two sons and a daughter.

Called up in 1943, Aidan served in India as commanding officer of a transit camp in Bangalore, but described his time there as “uneventful”. However, his brother, Mark, who had been expected to take over the family business, was killed in Operation Chariot, a daring raid on the dock at St Nazaire in German-occupied France in 1942.

Returning to Britain in 1947, Aidan became a permanent member of the Liverpool Philharmonic under Malcolm Sargent and a year later was recruited to join the London Symphony Orchestra, then conducted by Josef Krips.

Meanwhile, he was taking further violin lessons with Max Rostal and playing chamber music with Manoug Parikian, Alexander Gibson, Cecil Aronowitz and other luminaries.

In 1951, shortly after taking part in the inaugural Festival Hall concerts, he began to have trouble with his upper register hearing. This coincided with a pressing need to resolve the future of the family business now that the heir apparent had passed away. Eventually, and with some reluctance, he agreed to move to Chester and take it on.

Hans ‘Dieter’ Baer (Fgh 41)

By Terry Mockett (M 45) We lost Hans ‘Dieter’ Baer on 22nd March, a close neighbour. He was sent to England to escape the Hitler tyranny and was in Farleigh but under the shelter of Mr

Gilkes, Housemaster of Meadhurst (my House). He had left Uppingham the previous term to my arrival. In industry, he made many, many friends, he was ace at squash and his integrity was beyond compare. His modesty won all his friends which considering his start in life, was of a standard few could match.

Obituaries

35

Hal Doyne-Ditmas (LH 44) Words by Nick Doyne-Ditmas (LH 75) In 1943 Dad went to Uppingham. Here he started to develop his musical skills, playing the trumpet in the School orchestra, singing in the choir and, following in his father’s footsteps, becoming a cracking shot. He developed an interest in jazz, forming a band called “Hot Lips Hal and his Halibuts”. They knew how to title groups in those days. A contemporary of Dad’s, Geoffrey Fox (LH 43) told me at the memorial service that during the War, as the Chapel bells were not able to be used to call the boys to morning exercises, Dad was asked to take on this role by playing a reveille on the trumpet. This responsibility came with the added bonus of being excused the aforementioned exercises!

Aged 18 in the summer of 1948, after leaving Uppingham, Dad embarked on a life-enhancing year-long venture to America, as a result of gaining an English Speaking Union Scholarship to Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

After National Service, he went up to Magdalene College, Cambridge where he read Modern Languages. While he was there, he spent quite a lot of time on the rifle range, representing not only the university but also Great Britain.

He continued shooting, taking part in GB tours of Canada and Australia in the 1950s, and competing with some success at the annual Bisley Championships as well as being an active member of the Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club.

After coming down from Cambridge, Dad was to embark on a long and distinguished career in the Ministry of Defence. In his understated way, when asked what he did for a living, he would reply that he “pushed bits of paper around”. His work involved periods when he was seconded to other branches of the Civil Service, and to stints abroad. These included two years in Malaysia in the late 50s, Moscow in the late 60s and Belfast in the early 80s.

During the late 1970s Dad found himself working in the Cabinet Office. In 1979 one of his tasks was to brief the incoming Prime Minister, a certain Margaret Thatcher, in matters of security. This was a busy time for him, given her famous capacity for needing little sleep.

My father left a strong impression on those he came into contact with, including his work colleagues. I’d like to quote you from his office obituary: “An intelligent and incisive man, Hal was not easy to get to know and he did not suffer fools gladly. A pretty laid back, detached manner concealed an energy and decisiveness, which was deployed to good effect. With a marked capacity for hard work, he was constantly reliable under pressure. With a quick mind and a good grasp of essentials, he was a skilful and determined negotiator. He was blessed with an excellent, dry and sometimes cutting sense of humour. He had considerable powers of leadership and was highly regarded by his subordinates.

His career in the service was marked by his qualities as an imaginative and highly effective intelligence officer.”

It would appear that he “pushed bits of paper” around rather well. His work and achievements were recognised

36 Obituaries

by the award of the Commander of the Bath in the 1988 Birthday Honours.

In 1990 Dad embarked on a second career as Director and Co-ordinator of Transport Security at the Department of Transport, which would eventually encompass all aspects of shipping and aviation security as well as the Channel Tunnel. Relinquishing this post in 1995, he then became an independent security consultant, a logical career trajectory, which involved frequent trips to the United States. By this time he was living in Brighton, having separated from my mother Pat, marrying Julia in the early 80s and having two more sons, Will and Ed. Always open to new experiences, my father started rollerblading with his younger sons in his late 60s and subsequently took on the role of Chairman of the Brighton Rollerblading Association.

He was also able to rekindle his interest in singing – he enjoyed 10 years with the Sussex Barbershop Chorus attending regular rehearsals, taking part in Conventions every year and other performances as part of the full chorus and in quartets.

At the very end of his life, Dad’s decline was mercifully rapid and he died with dignity, having been looked after with great care by the wonderful staff at the Martlets hospice in Hove. My father was a dignified man and could sometimes give the impression of being somewhat aloof – but I will always remember him as loving and kind to me and my brothers – a hands-on father who always hugged his sons and who I am proud to say, was a true gentleman with great integrity and strength of character, who lived his life to the full.

John Bates OBE (F 48) By his sons Jon and Philip Following John’s death on 1st March 2017, tributes were paid to him as a former jet fighter pilot, founder of New Haden Pumps in Cheadle and Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire.

John joined the RAF in 1953 and trained as a pilot; he served between 1955 and 1957 with the 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron, flying Vampire T2 aircraft. In 1958 he went on to study Mechanical & Electrical Engineering and in 1964 became a founding director of New Haden Pumps Ltd in Cheadle, where he stayed until he retired in 2000.

Lt Gen Sir Jeremy Reilly (WD 48) Lieutenant General Sir Jeremy Reilly, KCB, DSO, died on 1st January 2017 aged 82; he was a high flyer, marked for senior rank early in a distinguished career.

The son of a lieutenant colonel in the Madras Sappers, Jeremy was born in India in 1934. Following Uppingham and after a period of service in the ranks, he went to Sandhurst in 1952.

He was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (RWR) and served in Egypt, Cyprus (where he was mentioned in Despatches during the EOKA Campaign) and Northern Ireland. He had a passion for fast motor cars and raced his Triumph TR2 as a young subaltern in Northern Ireland.

His next postings were to Hong Kong and Germany, and during this time he moved to the diplomatic and defence environment in Washington DC and spent two years as ADC to the Commander British Army Staff in the US. While adjutant, he had shown signs of exceptional energy and intellect and gained a competitive vacancy at the Staff College, Camberley. In 1965, he graduated in the top three before commanding a company during the Borneo Campaign.

After serving as brigade major of the 12th Mechanised Brigade in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), he was appointed a college chief instructor at Sandhurst. In 1971, at the earliest possible age of 37, he assumed

In 1982 John was commissioned into the Staffordshire Wing, Air Training Corps (ATC) as Flying Officer, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in 1984 and then Squadron Leader in 1986. Following promotion he served as Wing Commander from 1988 to 1995. He retired from uniformed service with the ATC in 1995 but between 1995 and 2005 became a Civilian Instructor with 60 (Leek) Squadron Air Training Corps.

In 1995 he was awarded the OBE (Military Division) for service to the ATC and in 1996 he was invested by Her Majesty The Queen. In May of that year he was appointed deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of the

County of Staffordshire, the Queen’s official representative in the county.

Tributes to John noted his enthusiasm, experience and guidance on activities with the RAF Association and in his involvement with many of the community groups in Ipstones where he was Secretary of the Ipstones Memorial Hall management committee and a former President of Ipstones Agricultural Society, where he remained a vice-president up to his death. He was very well-respected and did a lot of work for charity.

John passed away at the age of 81 after a short illness, leaving his wife, Ann, two sons and six grandchildren.

command of the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on their return to Britain. Over the next two years he led his men on four emergency operational tours, totalling 14 months, in Northern Ireland during the height of the campaign.

He was far from being an orthodox commander. Parade ground drill was banned and sergeant majors went to extraordinary lengths to hold these out of sight. On one occasion, he ordered his Fusiliers to shoot out the street lights in West Belfast so that they could use their night sights. He was appointed The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) at the tour’s end.

After returning to Staff College as an instructor, an appointment held by those earmarked for higher rank, he was promoted to full colonel and posted to the General Staff at the MoD. In 1979, aged 44, he commanded 1st Infantry Brigade and the UK Mobile Force which had reinforcement roles from the Baltic to the Yugoslav frontier.

In 1981, Reilly assumed command of 4th Armoured Division in BAOR. He was not above resorting to shock tactics and officers standing down for Christmas leave were warned to stay on top alert for a possible Soviet attack.

He returned to the MoD as Director Battle Development. After an appointment as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Concepts), he became

Commander Training and Arms. He received his Knighthood in 1987 and retired from the Army in 1989 on his 55th birthday.

Obituaries

37

John Kerr (SH 45) By his wife Patricia

Michael Jones (H 51)

By James Bemrose (SH 51)

John sadly passed away in July 2015. After a career in public relations, mainly connected with the food sector, John opted for an early retirement to concentrate on his passion for local history in Scotland. Over a period of 45 years, he researched the social history of the Atholl area of Perthshire, principally from original sources, from National Archives and from private estate papers. This resulted in the donation of his compiled work of over a million words and over two thousand photographs to the Archives of the A K Bell Library in Perth for public access. An edition of The Scottish Times in 2007, which covered the handing over of the research, had the headline “Meet John Kerr, Scotland’s Walking Domesday Book”.

With sadness I advise of the passing of Dr Michael Jones, who died of a heart attack in Melbourne on 15th October 2016. After Uppingham, where Michael was Head of house and a School Praepostor, he went up to Clare College, Cambridge where he took a degree in medicine, followed by a period as an intern in a London hospital. Michael emigrated to Australia with his Australian wife Julia and their son Nicholas in the mid-1960s to take up a position as a lecturer at Monash University followed by a long and fruitful period as a General Practitioner in Melbourne. He is survived by his children, Nicholas, Caroline and Rupert.

Lt Colonel Peter Hubert OBE (WB 54)

By Michael Thompson (WB 49)

agencies in his Headquarters, and with his own remarkably wide knowledge of the Army’s supply system, he never failed to identify equipment whether in large or small quantity, or of an obscure nature, and then to ensure that it reached its destination on time. It was largely due to his tireless enthusiasm, driving himself and others to success, and his complete grasp of his job that no unit large or small embarked for the Falklands wanting for anything. This was a truly remarkable achievement, the more so as time was always pressing.”

On joining the Army, Peter moved with apparently effortless ease from private to corporal to a place at Sandhurst and onwards and upwards. He retired as a Lt Colonel. Many of his fellow officers thought that he should have been promoted further, but a reputation for plain, sometimes blunt speaking when faced with senior officers may have held him back.

Uppingham has produced many remarkable people but few could have left the School with such little obvious distinction. In 1959, without telling housemaster, headmaster or parents, Peter signed on as a private at a local recruiting office and took no A levels at all.

Despite these unpromising beginnings, Uppingham must have left its mark in that Peter went on to have a varied and often brilliant military career which earned him first an MBE for service in Northern Ireland and in 1982 an OBE for outstanding logistical support during the campaign to retake the Falklands. The citation for Peter’s OBE reads as follows: “Major Hubert has been a staff officer at Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces for two years, for most of this time in an administrative appointment, which has not stretched his unusual expertise in logistics or his innate energy and enthusiasm, but the mounting of the Falkland Islands Operation in 1982 completely changed that. From the outset of the Operation and for the next 11 weeks Major Hubert was a linchpin in the logistics chain. He had complete sympathy for the units which he served in an utterly selfless way, never baulking at their demands and never tiring in fulfilling them, working extremely long hours and being at immediate call throughout the 11 weeks. He proved remarkably adept in co-ordinating all the logistics

38 Obituaries

Peter was many things in the Army. As a young officer he was an accomplished pentathlete and represented the Army in this sport. He served all over the place in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, Malaysia, Belize and Canada as well as in the UK. He developed a reputation as a lucky officer in that he survived three helicopter crashes as well as an IRA ambush.

On Peter’s retirement in 1995, he and his wife Carol-Ann set up home in the South of France. There his energies were undiminished. He became active within the Chaplaincy of Aquitaine both as a supporter and as lecturer to the local Anglican community on diverse topics.

Later he became an acknowledged and published expert on the history and architecture of the numerous Romanesque churches and architecture in the area. He was also an accomplished ornithologist.

A meticulous correspondent, he kept in touch with all his many friends to the end of his life as he fought his long battles against cancer. He died on 31st January 2017 in the belief that he had led a good and fulfilling life.

A devoted family man and bolstered by the enduring love and support of Carol-Ann, the distinction of his military career was marked by an obituary in the Daily Telegraph and in fuller fashion in regimental magazines.

Simon Loveday (SH 62)

By Hilary Griffiths (SH 62) Simon and I first met around our 13th birthdays at the scholarship exam for Uppingham and ended up sharing a study in School House. He had great passion for cricket and an agile and enquiring mind in the classroom. We sang together, winning the School part-song competition and formed the School Bridge Society – a fascination that accompanied Simon throughout his life.

He won an exhibition to King’s College, Cambridge, where he read Social Anthropology, worked at the Ministry of Defence for a year before trying teaching, then returned to academia to work on a doctorate at Oxford while teaching at the University of East Anglia, before landing a position at the Oxford Examining Board.

After eight years he left to go into Management Consultancy, first with Mosaic, then as a freelance.

Some eight years ago Simon and his wife Sheena moved from Northleach (where he had been Mayor) to Wells and completed the project that had been on his mind for several years: The Bible for Grown-Ups. This is a re-assessment of the Bible using techniques of historical comparison and literary criticism. As Chairman of the Wells Literary Festival, he came to know Matthew Parris, whose support in The Times and The Spectator enabled Simon to find a publisher – this news came just after the devastating diagnosis of his terminal illness. His passion for the book never wavered and in the month leading up to his death Simon spoke at literary festivals in Henley, Wells and Canterbury.

His book has already helped many people to set their religion into context and to align the religious feelings of their childhood with their adult consciousness. It is well into its second printing, will be launched in the US in April and is awaiting translation into several European languages.

Simon Wall (Fgh 62) By his brother Peter (Fgh 60) Born on 29th August 1948, Simon was at Uppingham from 1962 to 1966, he was in the School Shooting Eight and once scored a ‘Maximum’ at Kingsbury in a match. His records show that he won the Turner Reading Prize in 1963, 1964 and 1965 and he was a strong supporter of Uppingham.

Simon lived and worked as a Stockbroker in Birmingham all his life – latterly as a Regional Director for Tilney Investment Management. He was Captain of Edgbaston Golf Club from 1987 to 1989, Governor of Queen Alexandra College Birmingham (for visually impaired), Chairman of the Birmingham Stock Exchange Association, Lord of Great Witley and benefactor to Great Witley Church, Worcestershire. Simon died peacefully at St Mary’s Hospice, Birmingham, on 29th October 2016.

Charlie Watkins (SH 08) The OU team was very sorry to learn that Charlie took his own life in March of this year. He was a very popular boy in School House and always seemed to be the life and soul of any social occasion.

He threw himself into every activity going at Uppingham, from music to sport to theatre, and this attitude continued after school when he went on to read Criminology at York University.

Whilst at Uppingham Charlie represented the School at many sports, most notably tennis, and trod the boards in plays, culminating in a role in Miss Saigon, but he was most frequently found in lively debate in School House.

Following his death at a tragically young age, Charlie’s father Tim and twin brother Harry (Fgh 08) set up a Foundation in his name to support young people with mental health issues. If any OU would like to support the Foundation, or to find out more about its work, details can be found on the OU website.

Simon passed away on 30th October 2016 and leaves behind his wife, his daughter Jessica and two granddaughters.

Obituaries

39

Events London Dinner

March 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental. It was amazing to see so many generations of OUs all in one room. Special thanks to table hosts for getting their friends together and to Nick Wall (Fgh 92) for once again providing the fantastic cocktails. Thank you also to Philip Berryman for capturing the evening with such great photos. If you missed it this year, we look forward to seeing you on 28th February at the Mansion House!

Verity Hunter (J 07) and Ellie Wilding (J 07).

Olga Sergeeva, Tilly Whitwell, Georgina Clifford, Jankee Patel and Fenella Cuthbert (all L 09).

Tom Stuart (Fgh 92), Sophie Mason (J 95), Joanna Inder (L 95), Robert Moore (Fgh 92), Jenny Rogers (L 95),Vicky Kilpatrick (L 95), Nick Wall (Fgh 92) and Nick Dearman (Fgh 92).

Back row: Justin Wateridge (Hf 83), Fiona (née Ellis Jones) (Fd 86), Simon Gibbs (Fgh 83), Nick Jackson (WD 83), Phil Spencer (L 83).

Middle: Christopher Boyes (B 83), Mary Woods (née Thompson) (Fd 86), Michael Handford (Fgh 83). Front row: Katie Witt (J 86) and Rebecca Spragg (née Toone) (Fd 86).

40

Events

Katie Fieldman (J 04), Jamie Cuthbert (C/WD 04) and Laura Seward-Smith (J 04).

Megan Blade, Matilda Ashcroft, Emily Ellis, Grace Burchell, Charlotte Mantle, Kate East, Caroline Bertrand, Susie Starr and Rose Cutts (all J 07).

Lucy Womack (Fd 82), Stafford Critchlow (H 79), Chris Robinson (H 79), Duncan Kennedy (B 79), Richard Billington (B 83), Marcus Hill (C 79), Kate Andrell (Fd 82), Stephanie Heath (Fd 82) and Helen Mackintosh (Fd 82).

Andrew Norton (WD 51), Tim Gittins (Fgh 77), Thea Crawshaw (L 05) and her grandfather John Crawshaw (Fgh 51).

Jamie Colvin (C/WD 04), Chris Symes (SH 04), Kathryn Leonard (J 04), Ted de Haan (B 04), George Jones (WB 04) and Angus Salloway (Fgh 04).

We were delighted to see three generations of Christophersons – George (LH 81), Michael (LH 49), Laura (Sa 04) and James (LH 77).

Events

41

Leicestershire & Rutland Drinks

September 2016. Our enormous thanks to Mike (Fgh 69) and Bertie Higgs for an amazing party; the champagne was flowing accompanied by delicious canapĂŠs. Their generous hospitality ensured everyone had a great evening!

Jamie Sharrock (M 99) and Tom Higgs (C 00).

Viki (F 76) and Kim Renwick with Dawn (F 80) and Fred Wilson (SH 77).

Simon Boston (B 51), Hugh Illingworth (B 57) and Roger Foxon (C 56).

Over 60s Lunch

October 2016 at the Cavalry and Guards Club, Piccadilly.

Dr Richard Maloney, Sir Patrick Garland (LH 43) and John Vartan (LH 51).

Charles Pineles (M 61), Julian Cazalet (M 61) and Michael Day (L 60).

42 Events

Kenneth Stern (WB 50), Anthony Roper (WB 51), Richard Waddicor (WB 50) and Robin Dalton Holmes (Fgh 54).

Dick Howeson (Hf 64) and Tim Dickson (SH 67).

Property Drinks

November 2016 at the Villandry St James, London. A great evening of networking for OUs working in the Property Sector.

Phil Hunter (Fgh 93), Bertie Arkwright (B 93) and Jonathan Sinclair (SH 92).

Giles Walter (L 72) with his daughter Camilla (L 04) and Gordon Wood (SH 66).

George Sutcliffe (LH 01) and Emma Wills (J 00).

Oliver Saxby (M/L 89) and Piers Holden (WB/L 92).

Andrew Russell (Hf 97), Luke Schuberth (C 86) and Nick Southern (SH 98).

Fives Dinner

November 2016 at Uppingham. We were delighted to welcome nearly 100 guests to the event celebrating over 150 years of this great game at Uppingham. Our thanks to Nick Preston (C 74) for all his efforts in bringing everyone together for the occasion.

Fives teams – past and present.

Events

43

International Events Middle East

February 2017 in The Presidential Suite at Fairmont The Palm Hotel, Dubai, organised by Patrick (Fgh 89) and Aimee Smith (Fd 92).

L to R: Patrick Smith (Fgh 89), Aimee Smith (Fd 92), Roanna Stromberg, James McLeod (C 75), Stella Parkes, Adrian Parkes (WB 78), Matthew Chandler, Bella Parkes (Sa 10), Richard Boston (B 56), Dr Richard Maloney, Georgina Barber-Lomax and James Barber-Lomax (F 97).

Boston

OUs enjoyed an informal St George’s Day get-together, organised by Keith Taylor (F 46).

John Martindale (C 51), Rick Olney (M 85), Harry Begg (LH 09), Richard Boston (B 56), Ian Whitehead (C 74) and Keith Taylor (F 46).

44 Events

Hong Kong April 2017 at The Hong Kong Club.

Chris Sharrock (L 70) and his daughter Emma (Fd 02), Annie Chau (NH 04) and Nathan Louey (M 01).

Anna Champion (L 95), Alex Williams (Fgh 92) and Yiu Chi Mak (M 92).

Kitty Chan (Fd 08) and Timothy Wong (WB 12).

New York

Held at the University Club and organised

by Sarah Woodberry (Fd 82), where surprise guest Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman dropped in with his wife for a drink and raised a toast to Uppingham.

Sarah Woodberry (Fd 82), Richard Boston and ‘Brooklands’ Gapper’ Hugh Jackman.

Patrick Mulvihill, Richard Boston (B 56), Deborra-Lee Furness, Hugh Jackman, Katrina Forde, Chris Harris (SH 79), Antony Bell (SH 64),Thomas Carr (SH 96), Harry Begg (LH 09), Lorna Gallagher (C 06), Emmanuel ‘Brooks’ Ticzon (LH 03), Greg Sohns (LH 67), Matthew Chalk (Hf 05) and Toby Butterfield (F 79).

In front: Ailsa Carpenter (Fd 82), Sarah Woodberry (Fd 82) and Simon Prosser (F 72).

Norfolk Dinner

May 2017 at the Hoste, Burnham Market.

The event has a reputation for being one of the most fun events in the OU calendar and this year was no exception! With a fantastic crowd and entertainment provided by Sir Charles Dunstone (LH 78) and Johnny Vaughan (LH 79) there was wall-to-wall laughter throughout.

Speech Day

May 2017 at Uppingham

Jonathan Green (L 77), Richard Boston (B 56) and Guy Muir (L 78).

Sir Charles Dunstone (LH 78) and Bella Faulkner (Fd 81).

Nick Fryer (M 76) and Dennis Ciappara (WB 76).

Johnny Vaughan (LH 79).

Richard Sunderland (Hf 79).

David Lee (C 47) and Sir David Samworth CBE DL (F 49).

Charles Hewitson (L 66), Harry Nichols (H 66), Bill Clifford (SH 69), Dillon Wood (SH 68) and Holt Myers (LH 71).

Matthew (WD 87) and Sonia Jewers, Rupert (WD 86) and Camilla Brown (née Bevan) (J 89), Caroline and Mark Wheeler (B 85).

Barbara Matthews (SH 73) presenting this year’s prizes as the new Chair of Trustees.

Julian Cazalet (M 61) and Anthony Walker (L 61).

Sally-Anne ‘Sam’ Stone-Wigg (Fd 80)(née Thornton), Michael Thornton (L 50) and Jill Thornton (Fd 77).

Events

45

Law & Finance Dinner

June 2017 at the Inner Temple courtesy of David Pittaway QC (B 69) who is Treasurer of an Inn of Court. Guests enjoyed an exquisite performance by the Uppingham Chapel Choir in the Temple Church before dinner.

Matthew Chinnery (B 99) and Chris George (M 00).

Colin Hargreaves (LH 76) and Giles Brand (M 77).

Gordon Nurse (Fgh 63), James Christopherson (LH 77), Richard Whitehead (Hf 81) and Simon Smith (L 67).

Lincolnshire Dinner

June 2017 at Washingborough Hall Hotel

Isobel Coy and Kit Henson (Hf 73).

46 Events

Mike Johnson (WD 71) and Chris Rothery (Hf 60).

Susie (Fd 75) and David Mathieson (H 73).

1987 Leavers’ Party

September 2017 at Jewel, Piccadilly. A fantastic occasion celebrating 30 years since leaving Uppingham, organised by Chris Philpot (B 82).

Roger Martin (H 82), Vicki Murray (née Cumming) (J & Fd 85) and Toby Yorke (B 83).

Chris Philpot (B 82), Henry Ford (F 82), Charlie Reynolds (Fgh 82) and Myles Nixon (L 82).

John Orme (WB 82), Patrick Forinton (WB 82) and Omar Khouri (WB 85).

Amanda Wheeler (née Aldred) (J & Fd 85), Dominic Wallis (F 82), Rebecca Greenwell (née Vaugon) (J & Fd 85) and Anthony Chisnall (M 82).

Neil Barley (B 82 and Ailsa Pettersson (née Connell) (J & Fd 85).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2018 We are planning events throughout 2018 and will be in touch with more details as plans evolve; please look on the OU website for more details also.

The London Dinner

Yorkshire Dinner

UVRC Dinner

Musicians’ Summer Get Together

Hong Kong Dinner

Colchester Dinner

28th February, Mansion House March

Jason Wong, Alex Ross-Wilson, Rupert Eve, Charles Bond with Guy Tinsley in front (all C 82).

May

June

April

June

Events

47

MiscellaneOUs A tribute to an Uppingham VC On Sunday 4th June 2017, a service was held in the Memorial Gardens in Ilkley to install and bless a commemorative stone in recognition of the gallantry of Thomas Maufe (WD 1912), of the 124th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The ceremony took place exactly 100 years to the day after the 19-yearold Second Lieutenant was awarded the Victoria Cross for an outstanding act of bravery.

His citation for the medal says: “For most conspicuous bravery and initiative. Under intense artillery fire this officer on his own initiative repaired, unaided, the telephone line between the forward and rear positions, thereby enabling his battery to immediately open fire on the enemy. Second Lieutenant Maufe further saved what might have proved a most disastrous occurrence by extinguishing a fire in an advanced ammunition dump, caused by a heavy explosion, regardless of the risk he ran from the effects of gas shells which he knew were in the dump. By his great promptitude, resource and entire disregard of his own personal safety, he set an exceptionally fine example to all ranks.”

As part of a government initiative to honour and recognise the winners of the Victoria Cross in World War I, commemorative paving stones are being installed in the recipients’ home towns across the UK as part of the national centenary events.

Our thanks to Mike Garrs (F 63) for bringing this story to our attention. Mike’s book ‘Valiant Hearts – The Story of the Uppingham School V.C.s’ provides further information on Thomas Maufe’s story and four other Uppinghamians who were awarded the Victoria Cross. Please contact Mike at mike.garrs49@ ntlworld.com if you would like to purchase a copy. The cost is £11.95 including postage and packing and all proceeds are shared equally between The Royal British Legion and Uppingham.

48 MiscellaneOUs

How School House won the 1949 Henry Ley Cup

By Frederick Rawson (SH 45)

In the strict 1948 classical music environment enthusiastically enforced by the Music Staff, it proved impossible to find acceptable music for the unusual School House team of Mike Ledger (tuba), George Cordiner (bassoon) and Fred Rawson (trombone) (all SH 45), but after asking my piano teacher Colin Ratcliffe for help, he later, with a grin, handed me three sheets of music entitled ‘Introduction and Allegro for wind instruments’. After practising hard to avoid laughing while blowing, we mounted the stage in Hall to perform in front of the whole School, where the sea of faces below clearly showed the bored looks of an audience that had already endured too much badly scraped strings playing chamber music by small house groups.

After the classical introduction part of our piece, the sea of bored faces soon changed to laughter as we played the Allegro 3/4 tempo to the tune of ‘Three Blind Mice’! There were roars of ‘Encore’ at the end but the impartial adjudicator from outside was unimpressed awarding us zero marks with a strange comment that it was jazz!

Revenge was sweet in 1949 with the more conventional School House trio of Mike Ledger (tuba), Ronald Brown (SH 47) and Fred Rawson (trombones) playing ‘Russian March’ to win the Henry Ley Cup. This was recorded by two music masters in Hall on a 78 rpm record and recently converted to CD. For those who’d like to listen to a little history, go to YouTube and enter ‘Michael’s Russian March of Yesteryear’.

Clubs & Societies The Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club The annual small-bore match against the School took place on 11th March in the Simon Pattinson range. The Headmaster, Dr Richard Maloney, came to watch, so he thought, but ended up shooting, coached by Jonathan Hull (F 74) and James Watson (L 88). He did very well for a novice and enjoyed the experience. The School team narrowly beat the Veterans with more consistent scores. In the evening, the UVRC dinner was held in the Kendall Room and was preceded by drinks to which the Headmaster was shown the impressive Veterans Trophy won by the OU 1st team at the 2016 Bisley Meeting. Several past and current GB international shooters attended the dinner, including three times Queen’s Prize winner and former World Individual Champion, Antony Ringer (B 79).

The Veterans Match after the Ashburton was not as well attended as usual and only 13 vets took part. The A team were doing well with no points dropped until an unfortunate Simon Belither (L 71) fired a perfect V bull on the next door target(!) and the team finished up in 8th place. The B team came 10th out of 28 and the C team a creditable 15th out of 23 (considering they only had three firers not five). The Simon Pattinson Trophy was won by John Webster (C 70) and the Donegall Badge went to Michael Horrell (WD 07). At the AGM that evening, Jonathan Hull succeeded David Mathieson (H 73) as President of UVRC and Emma Cannings (L 95) was elected Captain. Simon Noble (L 73) came to the match and fired a rifle for the first time in 39 years, scoring 45.1.

This was a remarkable year for the Uppingham Veterans. Not only did UVRC win both the Rifle Clubs (Queen’s 1) and Bank of England (Grand Aggregate) team trophies, but Chris Watson (M 92) won the Grand Aggregate! An outstanding performance dropping only seven points with 105/141 V bulls, he was a very popular and typically modest winner. Other Grand Aggregate places were Gaz Morris (LH 89) 20th, Simon Osmond (WB 85) 22nd, Simon Belither 46th, Ant Ringer 80th, James Watson 97th, Jonathan Hull 157th, John Webster 196th. It should be mentioned that Ant was shooting barely three weeks after fracturing his right clavicle (collar bone), which shows how tough they make them in Norfolk!

Other notable results included Simon Osmond winning the Prince of Wales and Northland and Lord Tedder Aggs, Gaz Morris the Palma Aggregate, and Chris Watson the Sunday, Monday and New Zealand Aggregates as well as coming 2nd in the Corporation after a tie shoot. In the St George’s Final, there were three OUs: Simon Osmond came 11th, James Watson 67th and Chris Watson 75th. Five OU’s made the Queen’s final; Gaz Morris (8th), Ant Ringer (14th), Chris Watson (21st), Simon Osmond (36th) and James Watson (88th).

In the international matches, Simon Osmond shot for England in the National, and Chris Watson and Gaz Morris for Wales, as they also did in the Mackinnon. In the Kolapore, Chris Watson was the only OU in the GB team.

A fine array of silverware scooped up at this year’s Bisley Imperial Meeting.

L to R: In the photo: Jonathan Hull (F 74), Emma Cannings (L 95), Chris Watson (M 92), Gaz Morris (LH 89), James Watson (L 88) and Simon Pattinson (WB 52).

This was definitely Chris Watson’s year and he deserves our huge respect for winning the Grand Aggregate, arguably the greatest prize in world shooting, demonstrating outstanding consistency throughout the meeting.

Chris Watson (M 92), winner of the Grand Aggregate shield, possibly the greatest prize in world shooting.

Clubs and Societies

49

OU Golfing Society The OUGS has over 300 members across a full range of ages and handicap levels and an annual calendar of 35 events played across the UK at some of the best courses in the land.

OUGS Captain, Hugh Smith (WB 64) presenting the Rutland Tankard to David Hopkins (WD 60) at the 2016 Captain’s Meeting.

The biggest OUGS event of the year is always the Captain’s Meeting and AGM. Hugh Smith (WB 64) chose to hold his meeting at Trevose GC in Cornwall over the weekend of 17th and 18th September 2016, and a great success it was too. Thirty-eight members and nine golfing wives/partners competed for a variety of trophies and prizes. It was great to have eight OUGS members who attended Uppingham in the 21st century joining in fully with the other ‘more experienced’ OUs, headed by ever-young Derek Bunting (B 45). Trophy winners

included James Murray (SH 08), Edmund Northcott (B 03), Anthony Walker (L 61), Rowan Northcott (B 06), David Hopkins (WD 60), Andrew Morgan (Fgh 74), Anthony Flather (M 70) and David Downes (L 59).

At the AGM, Martin Walker (L 67) was confirmed as Captain for 2017 and Eddie Allingham (H 81) was elected Vice Captain.

David Goodale (B 54) was re-elected as President for a third year. Tom Hayes (SH 74) has kindly offered to take on some of Martin’s Hon Sec duties during Martin’s captaincy. This year’s Captain’s Meeting was held at Forest Pines Golf Resort in Lincolnshire over the weekend of 16th and 17th September.

Scratch Team News The highlight of 2017, without a shadow of doubt, was the OU triumph in the Bernard Darwin, a scratch foursomes competition for over 55s played between 16 public schools at Woking GC each year. Led by Chris Gotla (H 68), the team comprised Nick Freeman (L 70), Jeremy Cooke (WB 67), Lloyd Wigglesworth (C 72), Tim Dickson (SH 67) and David Pattrick (F 65). They beat Repton and Radley in the first two rounds, Charterhouse in the semi-final and Harrow in the final. Their achievement was all the more admirable because Uppingham had never before won this event in its 59-year history.

L to R: Tim Dickson (SH 67), Nick Freeman (L 70), David Pattrick (F 65), Chris Gotla (H 68), Lloyd Wigglesworth (C 72) and Jeremy Cooke (WB 67).

In the Senior Darwin at Woking in June for over 65s, Uppingham beat Highgate and Malvern on the first day, but lost to Eton in the semi-final.

The Grafton Morrish, competed between 159 public schools with finals at Hunstanton and Brancaster in October each year, also saw an excellent performance from the Uppingham team in October 2016. They beat Bolton, Solihull and Oundle in the early rounds and Rugby in the semi-final, but lost to Birkenhead in the final. The OU team has again qualified for the finals in 2017.

Not such happy results for the Halford Hewitt this year – Uppingham were beaten in the first round by a strong Wellington team, which meant we qualified to play in the Plate, where we reached the semi-final before losing to Merchant Taylors.

50 Clubs and Societies

Area Meetings and Matches

OU Hockey

The OUGS has a fixture list that is the envy of other schools, from North to South and East to West of England. These events are all handicap competitions and are therefore open to OU golfers of any ability level.

Amongst notable results so far this year:

A fantastic bunch of OU hockey players descended on Uppingham for the annual hockey tournament versus the School held on 26th March with three teams competing. If you would like to take part next year – please contact Nick de Wet by email at NKD@uppingham.co.uk.

• In the Northern Public Schools meeting at Woodhall Spa, Uppingham successfully retained the Birkdale Bucket and took our winning streak to six years by managing to just beat Pocklington by a point.

• The OUGS Merseyside meeting was won by Peter Marsh (M 81).

• Uppingham came fifth in the Luffenham Heath GC Schools event.

• We managed to beat Borth & Ynyslas GC to retain the Morton Trophy in our bi-annual match to commemorate the School’s Borth years.

• The West Midlands meeting at Little Aston GC was won by David Downes (L 59).

• The team representing the South won the OUGS Inter-Regional competition at Lindrick in July.

• The London Area meeting at Piltdown was won by Andrew Morgan (Fgh 74).

Back: Joss Linney (F 08), James Murray (SH 08), Rory Symes (SH 08), Chris Symes (SH 04), Guy Freedman (Hf 01), Freddie Lewis (B 04), Jamie Maxwell (B 10), Jamie Colvin (C/WD 04) and Jim Thompson (LH 04).

Front: Charlie Drinkwater (SH 05), Barney Esse (WB 07), Henry Elkington (WD 05), Oli Rix (F 07) and Todd Freedman (Hf 05).

Borth & Ynyslas GC Captain, Charles Raw-Rees, presenting the Morton Trophy to OUGS Captain, Martin Walker (L 67), at Luffenham Heath GC.

We also had wins against the old boys of Westminster, Giggleswick, Loretto, Nottingham and Rugby and in our annual match against the Uppingham Rovers at Luffenham Heath.

Alan Thomas (H 62)

Calling all OU golfers The OU Golf Society (OUGS) holds inter-school matches and regional events at great golf courses near you every year. All ages and handicap levels welcome. Annual sub just £10.

To join, please call the OUGS Secretary, Martin Walker (L 67) on 01143 487005 or email him at martin.walker53@sky.com.

Back: James Stroude (SH 07), Dave Booth (WD 07), Will Collins (B 04), Otto Esse (WB 08), Cameron McFadyen (SH 10), Gus de Haan (B 07) and Tom Dodds (B 07).

Front: James Over (WB 07), Todd Freedman (Hf 05), Alex McFadyen (SH 07), Angus Richardson (M 07), Marcus Pugh-Smith (Hf 07) and Toby Waddington (Fgh 07).

More details at www.olduppinghamian.co.uk >Societies >Golf Society.

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OU Shoot The annual OU shoot will be held on Monday 27th November courtesy of Sir William Proby at his Elton Estate, with participants staying at The Lake Isle in Uppingham on the Sunday evening. Please contact Julian Tolhurst (C 86) at julian.tolhurst@apatchy.co.uk for more details.

A group of young OUs also meet annually for a shoot, last year held at Valley Farm, Wiltshire.

L to R: Tom Warren (Hf 01), Ed Shires (Fgh 01), Charlie Paxton (B 01), Rob Hutchinson (SH 01), Alex Collins (B 01)

and Angus Mossman (WB 02). Also in the photo behind are George Furlonger (WB 01) and Will Hughes (M 01).

OU Masonic Lodge

By Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76)

The OU Masonic Lodge has had an active and enjoyable year participating in events around the country as well as supporting the School’s 1584 Bursary Fund.

The two most important social events for the Public Schools Lodges, of which Uppingham is a part, are the Annual Festival and the Dinners at the School.

This year it was Charterhouse’s turn to hold the Festival in June. Around 300 masons and guests attended and were treated to a splendid day of activities. This included a Chapel Service, lecture on the history of the school from its foundation in the city to its present location, a very jolly lunch and a spirited cricket match between Charterhouse and Winchester.

I attended a number of lunches held at various schools, including Felsted, Rugby and Eton. The Dinner in Uppingham this year was held in the Kendall Room and we enjoyed excellent food and wine.

Richard Boston gave a most interesting speech on the latest school developments.

A number of wives and girlfriends enjoyed seeing their partners’ school, but were somewhat mystified that it didn’t seem to live up to their partners’ tales of the hardships of being a pupil at Uppingham!

The Lodge meets three times a year in London and hold an annual dinner which is open to non-masons and any OU and their partner can attend. If you would like to get in touch, please see contact details on the OU website/Societies.

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OU Women’s Football On a wild and windy Sunday in March, OUs took on the current crop of Uppingham footballers. The pupils took the lead making the score 1-0 at half time; their superior fitness (or lack of fitness from the OUs) made the difference. There were some excellent clashes and some glimpses of the OUs’ former glories on the 1st team pitch although, clearly having forgotten the torrid elements of the Middle in March and how to play the conditions, the match ended 3-2 with Uppingham snatching the victory!

Jules Leang Head of Girls’ Football Beth Davenport (C 10), Hannah Chatterton (NH 10), Millie Gibbons (C 10), Alice Bletsoe (C 10), Alice Shires (NH 10), Jemima Erith (NH 10), Barley Weatherall (C 10), Georgia Angela (Fd 10) and Millie Taylor (Fd 10).

L to R: Archie Stroud (WD 07), Andrew Turner (B 07), Justin Colver (Fgh 06) and Peter Crocombe (B 03).

OU Squash

Uppingham V OUs

By Justin Colver (Fgh 06) The prospect of heading back to the School for the first time since leaving in 2008 was an exciting one. But as I met up with my school mate Peter Crocombe (B 03) and we began our drive from London, some nerves began to kick in. Perhaps this nervousness was caused by the fact we were challenging current students to a crunch squash fixture in the new courts (new to us at least!). Although I think what was really causing the nerves to jangle was that we had accepted a generous invitation to stay with the Johnstones in Samworths’ – one of the six girls’ houses that I would have given a wide berth during my school years.

As we arrived at the School, passing by my old house Farleigh, the nerves abated and considerable feelings of nostalgia kicked in. I resisted the temptation of a pre-match beer, uncertain of the threat that might be posed by our opponents – a wise move when considering the impact that the new sports centre would have on a sport that had previously been left to those not willing to brave

the rain during the hockey/football season. As we approached the building, all slightly awestruck by the transformation, and advanced inside towards the courts, we were met with the sight of a dozen pupils confidently hitting shots down the line and carrying out some advanced drills. Clearly a lot had changed since our day.

We were greeted with enormous enthusiasm, and the welcome was not only extended to us by our former teachers, but also by the current students who were an absolute pleasure to talk to and all very willing to tell us about their life at the School.

Formalities over and game faces on.

As the matches kicked off, it was clear

that the level of competition would be high. Many games, including my own, went right down to the wire, and everyone came off court in a bit of a sweat. Overall the OUs’ experience paid off and most of their matches were victorious. It was a fantastic match and I am already looking forward to the next fixture.

As we headed back to London the following day, it was very difficult not to feel a slight twinge of envy for the students and the facilities they have on offer. It really was an absolute delight being back at the School and I hope to return soon.

Please contact Charlie Richardson (Hf 98) at charles.richardson@gmail. com if you would like to hear about future fixtures.

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In mast-snapping winds using Sunsail’s F40 fleet, the Arrow Trophy 2016 took place from Port Solent on 1st October. It was a joy to see new members of crew (including OU sons sailing with their OU fathers) taking up the challenge with gusto. David Gavins (LH 73) reminded us of our goal to sail competitively, safely and with fun.

OU Sailing

Uppingham was represented by a fantastic team, organised by David Gavins and joined by Henry Arnold (F 01) as skipper, Mike Tomkinson (F 55) as navigator, John Tildesley (WB 72), Simon Ward (F 75), Mark Whitworth (SH 77), Fred Wilson (SH 77), Johanna Cave (Fd 89), George Gavins (LH 04), Toby Wilson (Fgh 08) and Hamish Whitworth (B 09).

Although Uppingham was pipped at the post in the first round heats, trailing Charterhouse by one point, we went into the second day as front runners in the “plate competition”. So while the top four boats slogged it out in the Match Racing, Uppingham’s challenge was to hold its lead over the remaining 19 boats in Sunday’s Fleet Racing, which we did! Henry Arnold masterminded two successful starts and steered us through to a second place (behind Sherborne) and then a first place (ahead of Oundle). The net result was Uppingham won the Charterhouse Bowl and Dulwich secured the Arrow Trophy; Uppingham’s achievement was all the more notable given that some of our crew had never sailed before!

We counted our blessings on Saturday when Winchester (hot favourites), suffered the ignominy of a broken mast and crew members elsewhere in the fleet endured injury. The wind was entertaining for those that remained safe – but careful judgement was required as to how much sail to offer up to Mother Nature.

Sunday brought calmer weather and John Tildesley schooled the crew carefully as we spread our weight around the boat more gently than the day before, to good effect. All in all, a wonderful team effort.

As ever, the social side of the Arrow Trophy was tackled as enthusiastically as the sailing. Special mention is due to the Gavins family for their provisioning of the boat and their unstinting consideration for the crew’s welfare – “ready about, canapé anyone?”.

For further information about OUSA, sailing against the school, the Arrow Trophy and other sailing ideas, please contact David Gavins at david.gavins@btinternet.com.

Simon Ward (F 75) A full write-up from this year’s competition held on 14th and 15th October is available to read on the OU website.

OU Committee 2017/18 The Headmaster – Chairman Richard Boston (B 56) – Secretary Members: Mike Higgs (Fgh 69), Nicholas Burgess (B 68), David Gavins (LH 73), Peter Doleman (C 76), Dawn Wilson (Fd 80), Jim Reddy (Hf 89), Emma Way (J 91), Emma Cannings (L 93) and Ben Fry (F 96).

If any OU would like to join the committee and help guide OU events and activities, please contact Jo Franklin.

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OU Overseas Ambassadors For OUs living abroad, visiting a country or needing advice, a full list of overseas ambassadors is available on the OU website. Please contact us if you would like us to put you in touch.

Our enormous thanks to all of the OU ambassadors for your assistance.

It has been wonderful to receive so many interesting contributions to this year’s OU Magazine. We hope you have enjoyed reading all of the news and stories included.

Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to share your news or have a story to tell. We hope to see you at an OU event taking place over the coming year.

Best wishes from the OU team www.olduppinghamian.co.uk

London The

Dinner

Maloney gham School, Dr Richard The Headmaster of Uppin by kind permission of wman yor, Alderman Charles Bo The Rt Hon the Lord Ma your company requests the pleasure of at the London OU Dinner ary 2018 on Wednesday 28th Febru

Drinks: 6.45pm Dining: 7.30pm Dress code: Black tie Carriages: 10.45pm

The Mansion House London

Tickets ÂŁ95.00 per person (ÂŁ70.00 for under 30s) 72 820616 Contact Jo Franklin 015 jsf@uppingham.co.uk