OW Bulletin Spring 2026

APRIL 2026

CONTENTS

April 2026.

04. Five Year Reunion for the Class of 2021 06. Horizon Awards – Exploring Egypt 07. Careers Fair 08. Interview with Louis Critchley, Voiceover Actor 10. School of Rock 12. Project Hail Mary 14. Giving Day 16. Reunions 18. Archive Afternoon 21. From the Archives: Happy Weather Memories 22. News from the School 24. Interview: Ailen Shen 25. Interview: Philip Dutton 26. Obituaries 28. Dates for your Diaries

Front cover: School of Rock, March 2026

A letter from the Head Master.

Dear Friends, It is an enormous pleasure to write the welcome to this latest edition of the OW Bulletin. As always, it’s so inspiring and heartening to hear of the many wonderful and varied things OWs have been doing recently.

This edition will be the last produced during my time as Head Master. As many of you will no doubt know, I will be leaving Wells at the end of this academic year after eight wonderful years in order to take up a new role and challenge as Head of Ardingly College.

This is a truly bittersweet moment for me since there are so many things about WCS which I will miss. Chief among them will be having regular opportunities to meet with Old Wellensians, whether that’s during an informal visit to the School, at an OW sport fixture or music performance, or in one of the regular OW Reunion events. I have always been made to feel so welcome by all OWs, many of whom were pupils at the School long before my own arrival. It’s been so impressive to hear about the myriad of careers OWs have undertaken around the world and have always felt this is one of the surest ways the School demonstrated that it really does live by its motto - Be What You Are. But above all, I have been repeatedly struck by the affection OWs have shown for their old School as well as for the wonderful friends they made while pupils. Time and time again I have heard OWs tell me how important the friends they made at WCS have been throughout their life. In my view, people can never have too much ‘connection and support’, and that’s why it’s been a particular privilege to contribute to the work of the Wellensian Association during my own time at WCS and to play my part in keeping Old Wellies in touch, not only with their old School but also with each other.

As I myself soon become an Old Wellensian of a sort, I will take with me so many cherished memories of my time with Wellensians of all generations, wish you all the very best for the future, and very much hope that our paths might cross once again in the not too distant future!

All best wishes

Alastair Tighe, Head Master 03

Five Year Reunion for the Class of 2021 The beautiful RAF Club in Mayfair provided a wonderful backdrop for our Old Wellensian Reunion Dinner in February. Despite a typically rainy Winter’s night, Old Wellies gathered for a nearly sold-out event in their finest attire for drinks, dinner and an evening full of conversation and laughter.

It was a particular pleasure to welcome our fiveyear reunion group from the Class of 2021. Seeing them reunited with Head Master, Alastair Tighe, and Head of Sixth Form, Sally Rowley, made the evening especially meaningful, as stories were shared and recent memories revisited. The warmth between former pupils and staff was a powerful reminder that the Wells connection extends far beyond school days alone.

Head Girl of 2021 June Rippon commented “It’s hard to believe how quickly five years have passed. It was lovely to be able to reconnect with everyone and hear about what they’ve been up to, but also to reminisce about our time at school together. It really reminded us how lucky we were to have grown up in an environment like Wells and be part of such a great community.“ We were delighted to see so many year groups represented. The Class of 2016 gathered in impressive numbers, alongside strong contingents from the Classes of 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. A special mention must go to Paul Friemel (OW 2016) and Julius Scholz (OW 2016), who travelled from Germany to join their contemporaries, a testament to the enduring friendships formed at School.

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Our thanks go to Ed Nicol (OW 1992) for his invaluable help in organising the evening at the Club, and to Gerald Duke (OW 1969), the most senior OW present, who graciously said Grace before dinner. Yearbooks and photographs circulated around the tables, sparking animated conversations and plenty of laughter, with a few stories perhaps best kept off the record.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are so grateful to everyone who joined us. We look forward to welcoming many of you again soon, with the Summer Reunion in June fast approaching.

If you are considering organising a gathering of your own, please get in touch with alumni@wells-cathedral-school.com.

Sophie or Jess would be delighted to help.

Left: Former Head girl June Rippon and the Class of 2021

Below: David Rowley with Geology pupils from across the years.

Above: Chris Seaton (OW 1979), Alastair Tighe (Head Master), Philip Sudron (OW 1976), Andrew Gummer (School Governor)

Right: The Class of 2016 05

Horizon Awards – Exploring Egypt.

Through the support of the Wellensian Association Horizons Award, which enables pupils to explore places, activities and ideas beyond the usual Wells curriculum, Luca received £500 to help fund a trip to Dahab, Egypt, over the Christmas holidays. During his time there, he worked towards his PADI Open Water diving qualification while experiencing a new culture, travelling independently and meeting people from around the world. In the report below, he reflects on the highlights, challenges and lasting impact of the experience.

Over the Christmas holidays, I travelled with my sister, and two friends to Egypt. We spent a week in Dahab, a coastal town famous for its world class diving, windsurfing and snorkelling.

I arrived in Dahab with the tail end of a cold, which meant I had to wait a few days before beginning my diving course. I tried to stay positive and, in the meantime, we filled the first couple of days with other activities such as snorkelling, quad biking and, of course, eating at several amazing restaurants.

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We stayed in a hostel dorm alongside backpackers and digital nomads. It was my first experience travelling in this way and I thoroughly enjoyed the social, community feel the hostel created.

Most nights we had ‘family dinners’, where up to 30 guests would come together to eat delicious home-cooked food prepared by a local Egyptian grandmother.

One highlight was spending a night camping in the desert. We climbed into the back of an opentop pick-up truck and were driven to an off-grid area, where we helped Bedouin people make tea and dinner around a campfire. There was plenty of music, laughter and dancing followed by stargazing.

It was the most beautiful and clearest night sky I have ever seen. We slept around the fire on rugs with blankets surrounded by mountains. As I went to sleep, I counted shooting stars that flew above me.

By the middle of the week I was finally well enough to begin my diving course. I spent three days working towards my PADI Open Water qualification, completing various underwater skills such as navigation and emergency procedures. Dahab is surrounded by incredibly vibrant coral reefs and, with visibility of up to 30 metres, the diving was phenomenal.

Careers Fair During the trip I was consistently the youngest person around by at least five years, with many of the people we met in their late twenties and early thirties. We were also the only two British travellers.

This made the experience even more interesting, as the conversations and life experiences of those around us were very different to what I am used to.

I met nomads, Egyptian locals and travellers from across the world, which really expanded my world view.

I have fallen in love with both diving and travelling, and they are things I look forward to pursuing further in the future. The trip was incredible and I would love to return to Dahab one day.

It was a pleasure to welcome back a number of Old Wellensians for our annual Careers Fair, an event that continues to be a highlight in the School calendar. The evening provided pupils with the invaluable opportunity to hear first hand about a wide range of professions and career journeys, and to gain honest insight into the realities of life beyond Wells.

The atmosphere throughout the evening was one of curiosity and enthusiasm. Pupils asked thoughtful questions, made new connections and left with a broader sense of what their futures might hold. We are extremely grateful to all our visiting professionals, and particularly to our OW community and parents, whose continued engagement and generosity of spirit so clearly inspire the next generation.

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Interview with

Louis Critchley, Voiceover Actor.

Old Wellensian Louis Critchley (2021) was nominated for Voiceover Newcomer of the Year at the One Voice Awards 2026 in February.

Congratulations to Louis on this fantastic achievement! After completing an MA in Acting for Digital Media at East 15 Acting School, Louis is already building an exciting career in voice work, contributing to projects including video games, audiobooks and performance capture.

We spoke to Louis about his journey into voice acting and how his time at Wells helped shape his path.

Voice acting requires a wide range of skills from character work to technical recording. Which aspects do you enjoy most, and why?

I’m a specialist in creature voice and extreme vocals (hence all the zombie stuff). I spend a lot of time honing different noises, making sure I can perform them safely and consistently. Funnily enough, there is a lot of crossover between extreme vocals and death metal singing, both utilising vocal areas such as the false folds to create growls and screeches! Outside of creature work, I also do a lot of audiobooks. A creature recording session is like a sprint, burning most of your vocal energy over the course of a few hours, whereas an audiobook is like a marathon, requiring focus, stamina, and sheer willpower (not to mention a LOT of editing).

Audiobooks are good to practice as they force me to get comfortable with sight reading, alongside usually having to pull out as many character voices as possible!

What first sparked your interest in voice acting, and how did your time at Wells Cathedral School influence that journey?

I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, starting my career landing iconic roles such as ‘Angel No. 2’ in my primary school’s nativity and ‘Blind Beggar’… also in my primary school’s nativity. At Wells, I felt that I was trusted to experiment with performance without judgement, especially in the extracurricular work such as Trinity drama exams and the Upper School productions. A large factor in choosing to become a voice actor was during lockdown, when all of us had way too much free time on our hands, I fell into a rabbit hole of playing Dungeons and Dragons, which can involve doing tons of different voices. I found that I really loved it and that it also doubled as a career path (score!). I really got into voice work in my time at East 15 acting school, which went into a lot of detail about how to technically support my voice, and how to apply it to a plethora of different fields.

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How did your education and experiences at school help prepare you for a career in the voiceover industry?

Of course, I did GCSE and A Level drama, which gave me a space to explore working as a creative in a controlled and safe environment. Yet I found that some of the stuff I did outside of class was truly the most helpful. An example that comes to mind was the annual Bigny Cup, which challenged us to make a short production in a limited amount of time. This taught me how to manage rehearsal times, organise groups of performers together, and overcome obstacles such as creative differences and writer’s block. The experience wouldn’t have been so impactful if it was merely within the classroom; the fact that it was performed for the School (and a guest judge) made it feel real and important!

What have been some of your most exciting or challenging projects so far, and what did you learn from them?

Unfortunately, most of what I’m working on can’t be talked about (NDAs are like that), however, I can say that one exciting project I am currently a part of is a short film called “We Few Survivors: Part 2”,

which is set in the universe of “The Last of Us”. In it, I provide a lot of vocals for various zombies, as well as the motion capture for them. As for the most challenging project so far, it was easily one where I was screaming in a voice booth for five hours!

Most often, video games will require lots of takes to make the gameplay feel fresh, so I had to record roughly eight hundred different versions of me getting blown up. By the end of it, I felt like I had run a marathon, it was full body exhaustion!

What are your ambitions for the future, and what kinds of projects would you love to work on next?

Hoo boy! To be honest, my main ambition is just to keep booking work, which means auditioning daily.

To be able to live consistently off of voiceover alone would be incredible! I would love to be a part of a Star Wars or Warhammer 40k project, as that would tickle my inner (and outer) nerd. I’d like to perhaps win a One Voice award, which I was nominated for earlier this year (fingers crossed!). I want to keep an open mind, and just accept whatever comes next.

Good Luck with the Award Nomination Louis, what an exciting start to your Career!

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School of Rock

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Our recent production of School of Rock has been an outstanding success, following an exhilarating rehearsal process and run of performances.

The feedback has been phenomenal, with our young performers and musicians widely praised for their energy, talent and professionalism. Every moment on stage reflected the immense creativity, joy and hard work invested by the cast and crew, from the vibrant acting, singing and dancing to the exceptional live music both on and off stage, and the dedicated teamwork behind the scenes. As one parent shared, “the show felt like five minutes because we were all enthralled… the kids had a ball,” while another described it as “an absolutely stellar production… definitely the hottest ticket in the South West.” This is truly a production the whole school community can be incredibly proud of Photos by Len Copland.

6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JY Tel: 020 7240 0880 lwentertainment.com

To the cast, crew and musicians Wells Cathedral School performing ‘School of Rock’

of

and successful run.

With all best wishes for an enjoyable I hope it all goes well.

Yours sincerely,

Good Luck message from Andrew Lloyd Webber ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

March 2026

LW Entertainment Limited.

Registered in England No. 1240524.

London WC2B Registered Office: 6 Catherine Street,

(With huge thanks to Foundation Fellow Louise Hunt (OW 1999) for her kindness and effort in arranging this for our performers!)

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Project Hail Mary It was a truly unforgettable day for the percussion pupils at Wells Cathedral School as they stepped into the world of film music to record Daniel Pemberton’s score for Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement from the moment we arrived at the iconic Abbey Road studios as our young musicians brought to life Daniel’s cinematic composition, rising to the challenge with remarkable professionalism, passion, and impressive body percussion skills, the pupils demonstrated precision, unity, and creativity throughout the session.

We are hugely grateful to Sam Okell, (OW 1998) a renowned sound engineer, for inviting us to take part in such an extraordinary project and for making the experience so inspiring and welcoming for everyone involved. Sam said “when Daniel asked for percussion assistance there was only one place to go and that was Wells!”

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Early release screenings described the film as one of the greatest sci-fi adventures in recent years..

One recent review praised it as “a breathtaking, intelligent epic that balances spectacle with heart,” noting that it is “as emotionally moving as it is visually stunning, with Ryan Gosling leading the cast - delivering a performance said to be both “powerful and deeply human”. Wells’ Percussion Department are truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a landmark production and to showcase their versatility at the highest professional level.

Surrounded by creative energy, the pupils experienced first hand the magic of contributing to a major film. Head of Pupil Experience, Jayne Obradovic said “what a full circle moment seeing Sam, an OW Specialist percussion pupil and current pupils working together on such a special projectwonderful memories.”

Below: Sam Okell (OW 1998), Jayne Obradovic, Head of Percussion and pupils from Wells Cathedral School

Above: Composer, Daniel Pemberton

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22nd to 23rd April Giving Day is an exciting new online fundraising campaign, a 36-hour opportunity for the Wells community to come together in support of the School, wherever they are in the world.

Across the 36 hours, we will be sharing stories, updates and live progress online, creating a shared sense of momentum and connection across the global Wells community.

For more than 1,100 years, Wells Cathedral School has offered an education that encourages young people to be themselves and to aim high, whether in music, sport, the arts or academics.

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Today, 1 in 6 pupils receive financial support, helping ensure that talented young people can access a Wells education regardless of background.

Alongside this, Giving Day will support a number of priorities from our School ‘wish list’, enhancing the day-to-day experience of pupils across Wells.

By taking part online, wherever you are, you will be part of a collective effort to shape what comes next for Wells.

Thank you for the generous, continued support of the Wells community that makes this possible.

We hope you will join us.

Three ways to Play Your Part

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2

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Donate early

Take on the 909 Challenge

Share your story

Help build momentum ahead of Giving Day and unlock match funding for the School.

Visit the Giving Day site

Walk, run or move your way through our community challenge. Join us on Strava and be part of something collective.

What does Wells mean to you?

How has it helped you to ‘Be What You Are’?

Whether it’s a teacher, a moment or a memory, your story helps bring this campaign to life.

Email alumni@wells-cathedralschool.com

Watch our Giving Day Video

Join us Online for Giving Day Make an early gift or find out more: givingday.wells.cathedral.school If you would prefer not to receive Giving Day updates, please email:alumni@wells-cathedral-school.com

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Reunions Wells creates friendships that truly stand the test of time. Whether you gather each year or are meeting again after many years apart, there is something wonderfully familiar about picking up where you left off - sharing stories, laughter, and memories that never quite fade.

Seeing old friends reunited is always a joy, and we love receiving your reunion photographs. Please do send your pictures to alumni@wells-cathedralschool.com so we can celebrate these special moments with you.

Class of 1976

The Class of 1976 met for a festive reunion in Wells.

Nick and Kim Thompson (Peakall), Andy and Jo Matthews (Adams), Jane Fear (Lee), Nigel Doman, Keith Jefferies, Hans and Trisha Taylor, Rachel Exley (Wilcox), Robin Cole, Penny Cadman (Barton), Tim and Di Bell, Bill and Anita Leggett.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong drinks with Alex Laing, Director of Music and Martin Ashton, Deputy Head (Pastoral,) Jason Ng (2016), Andy Cheung (2004), Douglas Fung (2013) and Jacqueline Leung (2001).

OWs of 1969

Nick Pickles, Roger Parsons, Andrew and Sally Bright and many more of the class of 1969 enjoyed a delicious lunch at the home of Chris & Judith Stott in Wells.

Former Staff Reunion

We invited former staff back to School for an informal drinks reception just before Christmas. This was very much intended as a first get-together, and we hope it will be the first of many opportunities to reconnect in the future for as many former staff as would like to come. Please get in touch with the Foundation office if you would like to be invited to the next event and if you’re an Old Wellie…let us know who you’d like to see join us at a reunion.

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Archive Afternoon It was a pleasure to welcome back a group of OWs to rifle through our Archives in March! After a tour of the School and a Lunchtime concert, the group perused Year Books, photographs and other memories we had managed to curate.

We had a delicious afternoon tea whilst listening to stories from years spent on the Athletics field, performing on stage, and playing Cricket on the lawn.

Tim Thorogood & Charlie Morgan (both Class of 1980) share some of our Archive materials with their wives Alison and Hilary.

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The two themes we focused on this time were Drama Performances and Boarding Houses. It was particularly special when David Masters (OW 1962) was able to spot himself in a Junior School production of Blackbird Pie from 1953. Philip Wells (OW 1953) was also kind enough to bring in a full School photograph from his time, which everyone enjoyed looking at.

Guests were also invited to share what impact Wells has had on their lives during a mini interview, filmed next door to the Drawing Room, in what used to be part of the Dining Hall. We loved hearing your stories, thank you to all who came and participated.

L-R Bill Leggett (OW 1976), George Bunting (OW 1970), Simon Haynes (OW 1972) & Philip Wells 19

Archive Afternoon

Simon Grainger (OW 1969) and his wife Penny

Blackbird Pie 1953

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David Masters (OW 1962)

Fete – Date unknown

From the archives

Happy weather memories As millions of fans say goodbye to BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood after 25 years on the programme, we recall when she came to Wells in 2004 to meet the School Weather Watchers.

“Our amateur Weather Watchers have been hitting the headlines with highly accurate forecasts that have won praise from the professionals at the Met Office. In the new year they appeared on the BBC1 Breakfast show as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the first televised weather forecast. That led to the fifth- and sixthform students being featured in local and regional newspapers, and also on local radio.

Below: Carol Kirkwood with WCS Pupils, 2004

Breakfast TV weatherwoman Carol Kirkwood visited the school and was filmed in the weather station which the students operate from the geography department. Members of the Weather Watchers club produce forecasts using satellite pictures and maps of pressure patterns supplied by the Met Office, as well as their own measurements of temperature, rainfall, sunshine and other data which they collect and feed into a classroom computer.

Carol Kirkwood said the Weather Watchers’ 95% accuracy was close to that of the Met Office and their spokesman Wayne Elliott said: “We are pleased to hear of the students’ success in forecasting the weather. Their hit rate sounds impressive. Mr Elliott added, “It’s good to note there are blossoming Michael Fishes developing their skills!”

Three students from Weather Watchers achieved full marks in last year’s meteorology paper in geography A-level.

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News from the School Wells recognised in UK Independent School league tables Wells Cathedral School has been recognised

by Education Advisers Ltd as a Top 100 UK Independent Co-Educational Boarding School by A level, based on the School’s exceptional A level results in 2025. The table sees our results exceed those of local schools Millfield, King’s Bruton and Clayesmore, as well as specialist schools Purcell and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.

Education Advisers Ltd compiles its internationally recognised Independent School League Tables each year by collecting results from independent

schools across the UK and cross-referencing data from publicly available sources, alongside submissions made directly by schools, to ensure accuracy. The tables are freely available online and are used by parents and prospective families around the world.

This recognition is a wonderful endorsement of the commitment, ambition and hard work shown by our Sixth Form pupils, supported by dedicated staff and a strong culture of academic and pastoral care.

1st Team Girls’ Hockey at National Final We are so proud of our Girls’ 1st XI Hockey team who competed in the England Hockey National T2 Plate Final at Lee Valley Olympic Park in March.

The girls gave it 110%, playing fantastically well from beginning to end. Although they finished as runners up, Head of Hockey, Mr Mayes, said that the most impressive thing in his view was how the girls responded to the result. He received numerous comments saying how graceful in defeat and how amazing our girls were. We thank each and every member of the squad for how they represented Wells Cathedral School on the national stage, and all of their family and friends who made the journey to cheer them on.

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Photo © Adam Scott

Choristers visit Windsor In February our Surpliced Choristers travelled to Windsor to sing Evensong at St George’s Chapel.

After a joyful coach ride (with spontaneous Broadway singalongs!), they enjoyed sunshine in Alexandra Gardens before heading up to Windsor Castle.

A fascinating tour including the tomb of Elizabeth II was followed by a beautiful Evensong featuring music by Sarah MacDonald and Charles Villiers Stanford. It was wonderful to see supporters from the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust there too.

A fantastic day of music, history and friendship. A wonderful example of the opportunities our pupils experience beyond the classroom.

Business Partnerships A Partnership With Purpose Our Business Partnership Programme offers your organisation meaningful visibility, opportunities for community connection and ways to engage with a vibrant network, while helping ensure that financial circumstances never prevent a child from experiencing a Wells education.

We are extremely grateful to the businesses who already partner with us and generously support our bursary fund. Their commitment is making a real and lasting difference.

Contact Jess Newman, Director of Development and Head of Foundation at foundation@wells-cathedral-school.com for more information.

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INTERVIEW

Aileen Shen After leaving Wells, Aileen Shen (OW 2019) studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she began in classical percussion before expanding into music production and electronic music. She later pursued a dual major in Music Production and Engineering and Electronic Production and Sound Design.

After graduating, she worked on K-pop productions with South Korean entertainment companies and went on to collaborate with Grammy-nominated producers and engineers in Los Angeles across music, film, and television.

She now works for Ableton, a music software company, contributing to the Ableton Spaces project and supporting creative music communities.

Aileen spoke to us about how her education at WCS has shaped her career: Wells gave me a strong and well-rounded foundation in music, particularly through the Specialist Musician - Classical Percussion programme. I am very grateful to teachers such as Jayne Obradovic, Andy Tween, Emma Arden, and Matt Hardy, whose guidance and support shaped my musical development. Through the programme, I was able to attend percussion festivals and competitions that helped build both my experience and portfolio when applying to music conservatories.

What made the percussion programme especially unique was its breadth. It included classical percussion, world percussion, drum set, percussion ensembles, drumlines, jazz ensemble, and musical theatre pit percussion, giving me a wide perspective on what percussion could be.

I was also heavily involved in the Music Technology programme - a big shout-out to Mr Coward and the Wells Production Team - where I learned the foundations of recording and music production. At the time, I had a band and we were able to record and produce our own covers as well as perform together at Event on the Lawn which introduced me to the creative and technical sides of music making, live performance and band management.

I also studied Theatre, which gave me a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context of the arts. Being next to one of the most historic cathedrals in the UK also shaped my experience.

As a member of the choir, I developed a deep appreciation for church music, hymns, and British musical traditions.

Beyond music, Wells gave me the freedom to explore creatively. I started my own dance group, which helped me discover who I was as an artist and creative person.

Overall, Wells provided both strong musical training and the freedom to explore across disciplines, which played a huge role in shaping the artist and creative professional I am today.

“Wells gave me the freedom to explore creatively.”

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INTERVIEW

Philip Dutton Congratulations to Philip Dutton (OW 2011) on the recent premiere of his composition ‘There, where I call home’. The piece has been commissioned

by BBC Radio 3 and was conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth. We interviewed Philip to find out more…

For readers who may not often listen to contemporary classical music, how would you describe ‘There, where I call home’ in a few words?

It is an orchestral piece about memory, belonging and the feeling of searching for a place that feels like home. In some ways it also feels like stepping into the world of the maps I used to draw as a child, imagined landscapes full of places that felt both familiar and unknown. The music moves between moments of stillness and moments of great energy, gradually unfolding like a journey.

What does this premiere mean to you personally and artistically?

It means a great deal. Writing for a full symphony orchestra is always a significant moment for a composer, and to hear the piece brought to life by such wonderful musicians was incredibly moving.

The orchestra offers an endless range of colours, timbres and expressive possibilities, and hearing those possibilities realised in sound is something very special.

How did your time at Wells Cathedral School shape your development as a composer, and how can that influence be heard in ‘There, where I call home’?

I was very lucky to have inspiring teachers early on. At school, when I showed some of the music I was writing to my academic music teacher, she took it seriously and suggested that I should have composition lessons, which was a really important moment for me. I therefore began studying composition at Wells with Richard Causton and later Joseph Phibbs, both of whom were hugely encouraging.

One of the most inspiring aspects of being at Wells was that there were composition concerts two or three times a year where students could hear their own music performed. Hearing your work come to life like that at a young age is incredibly motivating, and it made composition feel like something real and possible.

Are there particular musical ideas, disciplines, or experiences from your education at Wells that directly informed this piece?

The discipline of listening carefully and thinking deeply about music was something that Wells instilled strongly. One particularly influential experience was learning about and playing Gamelan as part of a school project, which sparked my interest in traditional music from other cultures. This curiosity has remained very important to me and continues to shape the way I think about musical sound worlds.

“The discipline of listening carefully and thinking deeply about music was something that Wells instilled strongly.”

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Obituaries.

Barbara Smith (Former Head Master’s PA) From her small office just inside the principal entrance to the heart of Wells Cathedral School in Cedars House in the late 20th century, Barbara Smith held court. Among all the individuals to whom I was introduced on my appointment as Headmaster in 1985, I quickly became aware of both the warm personality and the immense experience of the lady who was to become my Secretary for nearly 15 years.

Visitors to the School, potential and current parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, and pupils all had to pass Barbara’s often-open door, and she greeted them all with warmth and assurance. I became acutely aware of the number of overseas pupils who sought her “motherly” support, the “Gap” students who needed her advice, the potential parents immediately attracted to the School, and the countless members of staff who found her company a symbol of the atmosphere of happiness in the School so prevalent at that time.

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She was unfailingly industrious, efficient and loyal, so much so that I had no hesitation in recommending her for National Secretary of the Year sometime in the 1990s.

In 2005 she retired after 28 years of devoted service to the School she loved and which will remember her with gratitude and affection.

John Baxter, Former Head Master

Deaths.

Kirsty Ebenezer (OW 2003) on 19th December 2025 John Owers (OW 1966) on January 2026 Barbara Smith (Former Head Master’s PA) on 28th February 2026 Roger Reeson (Former Bursar) on 21st February 2026 Adrian Banbury (OW 1971) on 5th October 2025 Cedars House, Date Unknown

Reflections of a teacher’s impact – a tribute to P. Johnson

By Peter Vasey “What a fabulous man who made time for me, trusted me, and to whom I owe a lot.”

Peter was kind enough to send in a piece he had written as a tribute to his former teacher Paul Johnson who died many years ago. It really shows the impact that teachers can have on their pupils and the importance of those formative years at School.

The full versions can all be found here: community.wells-cathedral-school.com/news/obituaries

Adrian Banbury (OW 1971) Adrian Banbury died in October 2025 after bravely fighting a long illness.

Adrian and his family in Evercreech were always welcoming to his friends whenever we called round.

We spent many happy hours chatting away, drinking tea and devouring his mother’s delicious cakes probably smoking too in those days!

Adrian struggled in his academic studies but he was a wonderful friend to many of us and always thought of others first.

When he left school he worked for the renowned antique dealer Eddie Nowell, and his knowledge of antiques was encyclopaedic. I still have some items that my parents bought when Adrian worked there.

It wasn’t possible to leave Nowell’s shop at the Market Place in Wells without buying something!

Adrian then moved to Bath and worked for Christopher Barry, selling clothes made by many of the world’s most famous designers. He loved clothes and was always immaculately turned out.

Even when cravats were no longer in fashion, Adrian wore them and looked terrific.

In later years his health declined after operations for throat cancer, but he rarely complained and still carried on working part-time at Lowden’s Garden Centre in Wiltshire.

He loved many types of music, especially Motown, and was always first on to the dance floor in the Bournemouth clubs we used to frequent and at family gatherings and parties.

He was a warm and gentle soul who will be greatly missed by all his friends in Evercreech, at WCS and beyond.

Adrian Banbury, 8th January 1953 - 5th October 2025.

Written by Richard Haynes, OW 1971 27

Dates for your diary.

MAY

JUNE Saturday

Saturday

JULY Friday

Saturday

Thursday

9th

10th

5th

20th

2nd

WCCA 2026 Annual Reunion

London Social

Cornwall Gathering

Summer Reunion

Biennial inspection

May

May

June

June

July

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events.

Further information can be found on the website: community.wells-cathedral-school.com/events

#whereamIwednesday

Here are three pictures from School that we shared recently on our #whereamIwednesday posts. Join the Old Wellensians Facebook group to see more facebook.com/groups/wellies 28

A Quilter Fund bursary can open the door and transform lives.

“I was really lucky to

receive a full bursary to study at Wells, and I knew this was a very special opportunity.”

June, Class of 2021

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people

can pay for a year’s Sixth Form tuition

Wells Cathedral School Foundation 01749 834251 wells.cathedral.school/foundation Registered charity number 1118159 29

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Wells Cathedral School Foundation 01749 834251 wells.cathedral.school/foundation Registered charity number 1118159