Worth Society Blue Paper 2022

The blue paper

Worth Society Events, News from the Network and The Old Place & Science Stars from the World of Worth

NATURALLY

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Worth Society Life

04 Chair’s 2022 Report

Jeremy Fletcher G’72

05 A Message from Mary Lou Burge

Worth Society Committee

06 Worth Society Events

Together Again Dinner - Elaine Yim StA’12

Class of 1970, 1971 & 1972 50 Year Reunions

Class of 1980 42 Year Reunion – Ivan Macquisten B’80

Class of 1982 40 Year Reunion – Giles Hamilton B’82

Class of 1991 30 Year Reunion – Ben Hamilton B‘91

Class of 2002 20 Year Reunion – Adam Fudakowski G’02

Class of 2011 10 Year Reunion – Nick Elvidge C‘11

Class of 2012 10 Year Reunion – Lottie Cotterell StA’12

Welcome Back Class of 2020 – Toby Halffter StB’20

Careers Networking Evening – Grace Lui StM’18

18 Worthians Sport

Football - Andy Taylor Golf - Ken Ross G’65

Hockey - Charlotte Baker StA’17

Netball - Emily Hollings StM’15

Tennis - Stephen Nurse R’89

Real Tennis - Paul Cattermull StB’73

Rugby - James Kemp F’14 & Nick Elvidge C’11

Cricket - Matt Donegan StB’10

29 Global Action Awards

2022 Overview - Mary Lou Burge

30 A life-changing perspective; teaching in NepalPia Middleton StM’21

Life and Times of Worthians

32 Worth’s Science Stars – Peter Freeland (Science Teacher 1961-1999) 36 Marking the end of the Elizabethan era 39 A three-course vision – Ben Wintour B’09 40 My 100km Sahara trek for Cancer Research –Marcus Wrey C’86

44 Austin 7 around the Americas – Guy Butcher G’67 47 Update from the Ukrainian border – Catalin Constantin 50 Why I swam the English Channel… again – Sam Steers C’14

Life and Times of Worthians continued

54 Book Reviews

Finding the Language of Grace

By Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB Reviewed by Dominic Doyle B’90

Creating Strategy: A Practical Guide By Michael Bernard C’77 Reviewed by Julian Ferguson G’77 Caught with my pants down By Jim Piddock B’74 Reviewed by Mark Madsen C’74

57 Caught on Camera 62 Announcements 64 News in Brief

68 Obituaries

James Wheeler C’69 – The Wheeler Family Paul Barrett C’73 – Patrick Bentham StB’73 Hugh Caillard WPS’40 – David Caillard R’79

The Old Place

71 A year in the life of the School and message from the Head Master Stuart McPherson

76 School Staff – Autumn 2021-Summer 2022

78 Worth Abbey’s new Director of Music – Edward Dean 78 Development Office Update Anna MacMahon, Head of Development

80 A happy retirement to Philip Robinson & Jeremy Dowling – Matt Doggett F’07

81 Worth Abbey Pilgrims – Abbot Mark Barrett

82 University Destinations 2022

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We would like to extend our grateful thanks to this year’s advertisers: Gravetye Manor Alexander House Hotel

Front cover image: 360image Photography

Chair’s 2022 Report

2022 has been a year of reconnecting, as can be clearly seen in the bumper Events section within this year’s magazine. It is wonderful to see the number of reunions that have been held and the numbers turning up after a couple of challenging years for us all. Our ‘Together Again’ Dinner in May did indeed bring together a wide range of alumni of all ages for a very enjoyable evening at the Cavalry & Guards Club. We are planning a similar event next summer and I look forward to meeting more of you then. The triple 50 Year Reunion at Worth in June was also a very special day for 3 consecutive years of alumni, some of whom had had little or no contact with ‘The Old Place’ or each other for half a century!

The Society’s careers support of young Worthians grows each year with more professionals signing up to be Mentors on our networking platform www.worthconnecting.org.uk I encourage those who haven’t already done so to register and to help another generation to find their feet in the workplace. Our annual Careers Networking Evening is another opportunity to chat and offer advice to recent graduates, and this year’s event in April was no exception, with many strong connections made. I want to thank all those who have responded to calls for help with internships, work experience and advice. What has become obvious this year is the key role the Society plays within the Worth Community as a whole. The appointment in May of your Society Chair as Chair of the School’s Board of Governors further cements the Society/School relationship and facilitates easier communication with the other constituents of the wider Worth Community. Much more exciting and important however is the positive impact that the Society can have on the ground. Upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, for example, the Society responded to a call for help from Worth’s former Farm Manager, Catalin

Constantin, now living on the Ukrainian/Romanian border. His holiday resort business was being swamped with refugees and the Society helped him create a Justgiving page that raised over £38,000 to help these refugees. Catalin tells us how that money has been used in his inspiring article in this issue.

The creation of the new Worth Abbey Pilgrims Group, with the aim of welcoming those with a connection to Worth to return, has also seen the Society working closely with the Pilgrims on various events. The Easter Sunday activities, Worth Festival Day on August Bank Holiday Monday, St Bernadette’s Relics visit to Worth in October and Abbot Christopher’s book launch in November all attracted good numbers of alumni through promotion by the Society. We hope to see many more of you return over the next year as we plan some exciting new events here at Worth with and alongside the Pilgrims Group.

This is another fantastic issue of our annual magazine, the biggest ever, filled with the most diverse and fascinating stories of what Old Worthians are contributing to the world. I very much hope you enjoy the read.

Jerry Fletcher G’72, Worth Society Chair

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Register on our very own networking platform

www.worthconnecting.org.uk

Message from Mary Lou Burge

As always, this year’s issue of the magazine has been a pleasure to put together and there are lots of event reviews, features and Worthian news here for you to enjoy

With the pandemic more or less behind us, the year has been busy playing catch-up with events, which included a Together Again Dinner in London, and a bumper 50 year reunion with 3 years’ worth of alumni enjoying a big welcome and true Benedictine hospitality here at Worth in June. Well done to all those who co-ordinated all the reunions this year and if you have a decade anniversary coming up in 2023 and would like to organise an event do get in touch!

One of the most rewarding projects working on this year’s issue was connecting with those who were taught Science by Peter Freeland during his nearly 40 years at Worth. So many have gone on to make huge contributions to the world of medicine, science and relevant research, and the next generation is continuing that legacy. We have also marked the end of the Elizabethan era with contributions from several Worthians who met the late Queen and were even involved with her funeral.

Our many clubs are continuing to grow and we have seen a big increase in our Football fixtures this year, including the start of an annual match against Downside’s Old Gregorians. Worth also hosted a wonderful afternoon of alumni sport in September with Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Tennis all being played against School teams. I was also delighted at the response to the formation of our first official Society Choir with over 30 singers coming forward to sing at our forthcoming London Carol Service.

Worth Society Committee

Charlotte Baker StA’17 - Hockey

Mobile: 07799 695216

Email: charlotte@theoaktree.net

Abbot Mark Barrett Office: 01342 710340 Email: jmbarrett@worth.org.uk

Mary Lou Burge – Worth Society Manager Office: 01342 710241

Email: worthsociety@worth.org.uk

Mark Collini StB’89 Office: 020 7783 4941

Email: markcollini@yahoo.co.uk

Matthew Doggett F’07 – Squash

Email: mdoggett@worth.org.uk

Jeremy Fletcher G’72 – Chair Mobile: 07785 288570

Email: jeremy.fletcher@csta.com

Kitty Gibson StA’12

Mobile: 07876 256924

For those who haven’t already registered on our new networking platform www.worthconnecting.org.uk please do so. You will discover a breadth of regular news from the network and the Worth Community, be able to reconnect with friends (old and new), join one of our clubs, find careers support, photo galleries, our online shop, and much much more.

As ever, thank you to all those who have responded so positively to my calls for help this year, particularly when it comes to supporting our young alumni with their careers choices. In keeping with the Benedictine, and School’s, value of ‘Choose Community’, we are lucky to have such a strong and supportive network.

Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager

Email: kitty.gibson94@gmail.com

Maddy Ilsley StM’10 Mobile: 07952 481636 Email: maddyilsley@hotmail.co.uk

Anna MacMahon – Head of Development Office: 01342 711586

Email: amacmahon@worth.org.uk

Stuart McPherson – Head Master Office: 01342 710222

Email: smcpherson@worth.org.uk

Ben Oakley F’08 - Music Mobile: 07973 899330 Email: bartoakley@outlook.com

Gordon Pearce – Deputy Head External Office: 01342 710258

Email: gpearce@worth.org.uk

Daniel Pring R’03 Mobile: 07865 064439 Email: danielpring@ymail.com

Duncan Pring Office: 01342 710239

Email: dpring@worth.org.uk

Tim Riley G’18 Mobile: 07979 498552

Email: timothyriley2000@gmail.com

Andrew Taylor – Football Email: agtaylor44@gmail.com

Together Again Dinner

Ihad the opportunity to attend the Together Again Dinner on 5th May 2022 at the Cavalry & Guards Club in London together with my partner. As the first reunion possible since the pandemic, this was a very special event and a fantastic opportunity to come together to reconnect with old friends whilst making a few new ones! It was wonderful being able to share experiences from our time at Worth and meeting some other alumni who left over 30 years ago! Hearing from recent leavers and current staff made it clear that the School continues to evolve with some exciting changes and new facilities - we are very much looking forward to visiting Worth again soon! Both my partner and I had a fantastic evening, made some new friends and are looking forward to attending more Together Again Dinners soon!

Yim StA’12

Worth Society Life Life and

Elaine

Elaine Yim & Christopher Tatum

Anna MacMahon, Abbot Christopher Jamison, Kathy & Terry Delaney

Richard Morgan & Christopher Tatum

Adrian Koe & Liam Bauress

Anastassia Dimmek & Lance O’Neill

The following guests attended the 2022 Together Again Dinner: Robin Gowlland WPS’46, Adrian Koe WPS, Terence Delaney G’64, Kathy Delaney, Ken Ross G’65, Simon Crane StB’70, Fr Luke Jolly C’71, Jerry Fletcher G’72, Nick Barnett G’73, Nicholas Norton R’73, Simon Willson C’73, Simon Gordon StB’74, Liam Hammond C’74, Paul O’Brien R’74, Lance O’Neill R’74, Richard Miles StB’75, Mark Simpson StB’76, Mickey Morrissey R’78, Philip Lundberg C’80, Mark Collini StB’89, Jason Clarke C’89, Stephen Nurse R’89, Stephen Wolseley R’98, Richard Morgan StB’97, Anastassia Dimmek StM’11, Elaine Yim StA’12, Grace Liu StM’18, Abbot Mark Barrett, Liam Bauress, Abbot Christopher Jamison, Andy Taylor, Duncan Pring, Ditas Pring, Mary Lou Burge, Anna MacMahon, Gordon Pearce, Andy Taylor

Anastassia Dimmek, Andy Taylor & Grace Liu

Nick Barnett, Simon Willson & Paul O’Brien

Philip Lundberg, Duncan Pring & Anna MacMahon

Mary Lou Burge & Anna MacMahon

Robin Gowlland & Abbot Mark Barrett

Classes of 1970, 1971 & 1972 50 Year Reunions

On 24th June 2022 Worth hosted a very special reunion, combining three years of 50 Year Reunions due to the pandemic causing us to have a two-year break. A good representation from the Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 arrived in scorching temperatures to have coffee with various members of the School and Abbey communities, including Fr Kevin, who put in a special guest appearance. There was much enthusiasm for the tours of the campus – some of which upon the requests of participants went slightly ‘off piste’! However, all ended up safely in the Abbey Church for lunchtime prayers which was followed by a three-course lunch which was worthy of any Michelin star restaurant. It was wonderful to see the joy on faces reconnecting after half a century!

Thanks so much to all involved in arranging yesterday's meet-up. The schoolgirl who accompanied us around the old St Bede's area was particularly helpful with information about the School... and the lunch was delicious - perhaps Worth should open a restaurant, it was much better than my local supposedly classy diner! Tim

Marlow

Thank you for an amazing and somewhat emotional day yesterday. It seems incredulous that 52 years have gone by and SO MUCH has changed and yet it still seems to be the same somehow! It was really lovely to see such a lot of old friends again even though I had to look for their name tags first! So many very old stories are revived! Big thanks to all who helped this aged 'band of brothers'.

Peter Gottelier

Left to Right: Peter Gottelier, Kevin Clyde-Smith, Nigel Marriott, Nick Bathurst, Rory Graham, Christopher Salberg, Neil Whitehead, John Cryer, Robert Beer, Edmund Lee, Tim Marlow, Brian Heathcote, Michael Connell, Rupert Stutchbury, Richard Mitchell, Jonathan Vernon-Hunt, Luke Jolly, John Wild, David Parker, Paul Bercik, Shane Bisgood, Simon Nixon, Gavin Hamilton-Deeley, John Watson, Anthony Saunders, Alistair Riley, Charles Morrissey, Simon Bonn, Tony Mack, Anthony Elletson, Patrick Bisgood, Paul Leverton, Peter Freeland (holding hat in front right). Seated: Robert Bishop and Fr Kevin.

It is extraordinary how, despite the widespread changes to the inner geography of the main building, the memories come flooding back when touring round the dormitories, etc. It is extraordinary to think that the Rutherford building was both opened and demolished since I was at School! Where has the time gone.

Nick Bathurst

The School and Abbey Church looked and felt absolutely stunning, and the students too looked happy, focused and engaged. So, thank you for inviting me, for having me, and for providing such a genuinely lovely day. I was knocked out, I really was! Brilliant catering staff… food waaaaaaay better than it used to be!

Jonathan Vernon-Hunt

Just to say thank you ever so much for making this 50th Celebration such a success. The day was superb, filling me with lots of wonderful, fond and very happy memories, made even better by the fact that I met Fr Philip Gaisford, Fr Kevin Taggart, Fr Luke Jolly (a fellow student of mine at Chapman and a wizard at Football) and last but not least the wonderfully earthy and jovial Fr Stephen. I’m sorry if we ran amok a bit when doing the school tour; but after so many years absence from the den of mischief, we revert to being boys, reliving experiences and having lots of fun! From a very appreciative and very contented Old Boy. Paul Bercik

52 years is a long time. Worth has certainly developed over the years and the pupils I met were very impressive both in their confidence and sense of well-being. It was good to see Fr Kevin again. I cannot believe that here am I in 2022 still able to meet my old housemaster and Peter Freeland my old Biology teacher. Kevin Clyde-Smith

What a loverly day and fun looking round the School, huge changes and lots of security, one of the many differences from my day. I was impressed with the pupils I spoke to and they all seemed genuinely happy there and I thought there was a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. The facilities are on a different planet from the ‘60s! Paul Leverton

The following attended the 50 Year Reunion event: 1970

Robert Beer C’70, Delina Beer, Kevin Clyde-Smith G’70, Michael Connell C’70, John Cryer G’70, Peter Gottelier R’70, Edmund Lee G’70, Tim Marlow StB’70, Nigel Marriot C’70, Christopher Salberg StB’70, Rupert Stutchbury StB’70, Jonathan Vernon-Hunt G’70, John Watson StB’70, John Wild C’70 1971

Paul Bercik C’71, Patrick Bisgood G’71, Shane Bisgood StB’71, Robert Bishop R’71, Sue Bishop, Simon Bonn StB’71, Anthony Elletson C’71, Rory Graham B’71, Fr Luke Jolly C’71, Richard Mitchell StB’71, Alistair Riley G’71, Neil Whitehead G’71 1972

Nick Bathurst R’72, Gavin Hamilton-Deeley R’72, Ronald Heathcote C’72, Paul Leverton StB’72, Tony Mack B’72. Charles Morrissey R’72, Lucy Morrissey, Simon Nixon StB’72, David Parker StB’72, Anthony Saunders C’72

Staff

Abbot Mark Barrett, Mary Lou Burge, Peter Freeland, Fr Philip Gaisford, Anna MacMahon, Stuart McPherson, Fr Stephen Ortiger, Gordon Pearce, Fr Kevin Taggart

The Class of 1980 (delayed) 40 Year Reunion

Events

The following attended the Class of 1980 (delayed) 40 Year Reunion:

Back row L to R: Richard Aldridge, Richard Williams, Rupert Pridham, Philip Lundberg, Simon IsaacBore, Frank O’Kelly, John Dyne, Alex Walters, Liam Bauress, Garry Coghlan, Mike Golton, George Daly, Dave Adeleke, Elena Vinycomb, Fr Stephen, Dave Harries, Mark Behard, Mark can der Lande, Mark Reynier, Johnny Ormerod, Charles Hooper, Dominic Ferguson, Piers Jennings, Julian McCarthy, Mark Porral, Ivan Macquisten.

Front row L to R: Chris Hobbs, Peter Wright, Nigel Horsfall, Mark Walker, Steve Rhind-Tutt, Ben Goodger, Jonathan Scherer, Chris Matthews

The last time so many of us got together to pose for a group shot it was for the rather anarchic unofficial leaving photo at Worth in July 1980.

Almost exactly forty-two years to the day, on a sultry Friday night at the beginning of the July heatwave, it was my job to arrange the latest group photo by herding everyone into the alcove of The Green Room at The Century Club on Shaftesbury Avenue in London.

We had last met as a year group in 2010 when more than 50 showed up for a lively night at The Soho House, which spilled out into Old Compton Street – as far as I know, still the largest reunion for a single year in Worth history (correct me if I’m wrong). We had been supposed to meet in June 2020, but we all know how that went thanks to COVID. An abandoned attempt to reschedule for 2021 meant that by the time we finally met up, on 8th July 2022, my co-organisers and I had spent three years chivvying Old Boys (+ 1 Old Girl), chasing money, negotiating with the venue, etc.

Last-minute arrangements for weddings, graduations, landmark birthdays and illness robbed us of a quite a few would-be’s, but we nevertheless managed to corral 32 of us – still a substantial gathering for a single year – into the venue, for what proved to be one of the best nights any of us could remember.

Now aged 60, friends who had not seen each other since they were 17 or 18 felt the years fall away as if it was only yesterday that they sneaked ciggies under cover of the hydrangea bushes (‘The Hydies’) next to the front drive or burnt the midnight oil together over Physics revision that was beyond them.

We have reached an age when ambition, one-upmanship and all the competitive diversions that might once have filled our minds have long since passed into the oblivion where they firmly belong. Instead, we are left with shared memories, fond affection and a self-effacing humour that have prompted us to meet up more often, so instead of waiting another ten years we aim to reunite in five.

We were delighted to welcome Fr Stephen, always an approachable Housemaster and Head Master, whose early wisdom has ripened with the years. As he blessed us all, his words were all about friends and family – the two greatest gifts in life. George Daly, erstwhile English master and school play impresario, was as lithe as a sporty fifth former, garnished by a deep French tan, the halo to an undimmed charisma recounting glorious Worthian memories. With him came the choirmaster and maestro that is Liam Bauress, and it was astonishing to hear how they still collaborate on entertainment extravaganzas. The latest is Zen and Now, created online during the pandemic.

Nigel Horsfall flew in from Miami, Stephen Rhind-Tutt from Washington DC, Mark Reynier from Ireland and Mark Porral from Gibraltar. The rest of us convened from all over the country. Special mention must go to the wonderful Elena Vinycomb, the sole female member among us, who was such fun to be with.

One thing is for sure: the older you get, the better these occasions become.

Ivan Macquisten B’80

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Class of 1982 40 Year Reunion

Whilst talking to Martin Powys-Lybbe, distracted from the conversation at hand, I was transported back to his 1979 English O level class in the old prefabs at Worth, being tasked with an essay on imagery in King Lear or something similarly equally arcane. I was awakened from my reverie when Martin asked to be reminded which year we left. I told him 1982 and he responded, ‘’so you must all be knocking on 60 now’’. It is something of a jolt to be reminded by an esteemed schoolmaster that in fact you yourself have reached retirement age. Talking to him again after all these years, I felt fifteen.

And so it was, the Class of 1982, or at least a proportion of it, found itself assembled in The Savile Club in London’s Brook Street on 10th June 2022. It appears, to me at least,

that in the intervening forty years, time has folded; as we have grown older (some by more than others) the age gap with Martin Powys-Lybbe, Fr Stephen and Liam Bauress has narrowed. And with George Daly it has somehow reversed (what is in the water over in Britanny?).

We were 22 for drinks then 17 for an excellent dinner. Fr Stephen as ever spoke so eloquently and amusingly, likening Worth to a theatre that has witnessed generations of players in many separate plays and expressing how grateful he was to be a player in ours. Amen to that, as the feeling is without doubt mutual. We were all thrilled to have Martin Powys-Lybbe in attendance and I can only wonder how he feels to be remembered above all for his lemon-coloured Lotus Europa more than his skills on the tennis court or his pre-eminence in Miltonic sonnets. The revelry was finally wrapped up at almost 2am and a fantastic time was had by all. Three cheers to Matt Brown without whom it would most likely not have happened and well done to those who we hadn’t seen at our 30th bash. Many thanks also to the Worth Society for supporting the event.

Giles Hamilton B’82

The following attended the Class of 1982 40 Year Reunion: David Adams, Matthew Brown, John Dean, Giles Hamilton, Crispin Hayhoe, Joe Hurley, Jonathan Jenkins, Ciaran Joyce, Anthony Lavelle, Mark Lethbridge, Justin MacLachlan, James Middleton, Nick Moore, Olly Morris, Peter O’Hea, Donal Quigley, Anthony Rawlinson, John Shepherd, Dominic Walker, Liam Bauress, George Daly, Martin Powys-Lybb, Fr Stephen Ortiger

Class of 1991 30 Year Reunion

Events

Ten years on from their 20-year reunion, the Class of 1991 assembled on 13th November 2021 to mark another decade of distance between themselves and Worth School, along with another five or ten inches to their waistbands. To be fair: some were looking better than others. Michael Hughes, an absentee in 2011, has clearly been using too much Oil of Ulay.

But here we all were: same organisers, Ben Hamilton (logistics) and Chris Loftus (venue), same city, same Rutherford turnout (just Ben Hughes and Dom Newby, in retrospect suitable schoolie material, which would have left Ben free to take the job that was rightfully his), same muggins doing the write-up, and more or less the same faces.

What turned out to be a riotous evening started at 5pm with drinks, followed by a three-course dinner.

Other 2011 absentees to finally turn up included our miscreant Head Boy, Piers MacWhannell, who thought it wise to watch the early kick-off rugby first and was last seen being carried into an Uber; Al Cassoni, famously expelled for carrying vital supplies on a 1988 Duke of Edinburgh expedition, now the CEO of a behemoth about to go public; Dr Alistair Ferraro, who was keen to remind the assembled gentry his school nickname was “Fuzzy” just like his memory; David Senior, who heard it was fancy dress and came as an accountant; Justin Pavry, who is probably getting a little tired of trying to explain how our year had four Justins; Matt Brookes, the administration prefect who got lost on his way to the 2011 affair; Dave

Kelly, who finally owned up about why he got demoted and then reinstated as Head of House (if only we’d had a… oh, there is footage); and Tim Franks, whose first gesture of the night was to pin a ‘Head Boy’ badge on my lapel, only for MacWhannell to swipe it like he’d dropped it (like so many passes as fly half) on the floor 30 years ago.

'Amilton failed miserably with a ‘Pointless’-inspired party game to discover if there were any school prefects during our time at Worth that none of us could remember – a special thanks to Jon Nickell and Paul Cook for helping me to tally up the 1987 brigade, but a ‘thanks for nothing’ to the busy executive who failed/has still failed to return my copy of the 1987 Worth Record – and credit where it’s due: ‘Fuzzy’ did remember that ‘Brooky’ was the Administration Prefect.

Final scores on the doors (wrong quiz show), but Butler triumphed again with 8 out of a possible 13, with eternal bridesmaids St Bedes on 7, Chapman with 5 (out of something like 20 – we blame the Quads), Gervase with 4 and Rutherford… so 26 in total: a little down on 2011, but there was Corona to deal with.

Final word: this was a great evening that many will hopefully treasure, providing they can remember much of it. Hugh Crossley had fun though: not only did he invite Piers to that early kick-off, but he told Dom Newland it was black tie – early highlights that presumably won’t be forgotten come 2031.

Ben Hamilton B’91

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The following attended the Class of 1991 30 Year Reunion: Dave Barnett, Chris Brading, Matt Brookes, Alex Cassoni, Oli Clarke, Hugh Crossley, Paul Collini, Justin Duckworth, Tim Franks, Ben Hamilton, Tom Holloway, Ben Hughes, Mike Hughes, Dave Kelly, Jamie Kenny, Marc Le Clercq, Chris Loftus, Ciaran Naidoo, Dom Newland, Douglas Ogilvy Watson, Justin Pavry, David Senior, Toby Simmonds, Sam Smith, Mark Vinycombe, Piers MacWhannel

Class of 2002 20 Year Reunion

Thursday 8th September 2022 will be remembered in history as the day Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away. The news from Balmoral was in fact just breaking as several of us 2002 Leavers were gathering at the Understudy Bar at the KERB National Theatre on the Southbank to celebrate our 20 Year Reunion. The opportunity to meet up again with people we hadn’t seen since our 10 Year Reunion, and some even further back, and share our memories of Worth, meant that the sad news didn’t dampen the atmosphere.

We were joined by Duncan Pring and Jeremy Dowling representing our former teachers, who both thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Thanks to a donation from Worth Society the drinks flowed, and were soaked up with a selection of Mexican dishes from the bar’s kitchen.

See you all again in 2032, if not before!

Adam Fudakowski G’02

James Arney, Max Barnett, Conor Bevan, Toby Bligh, Ronan Cloud, Jim Condie, James Darcy, Richard Dempsey, Tom Doyle, Adam Fudakowski, Matt Hunt, Ed James, Chris Kellaway, Matt Hunt, James Madsen, Matt Maguire, Dave Mase, Max McAlister, Daniel O'Connell, James Powys-Lybb, Dom Rumsey, Charles Slevin, Johhny Smythe, Giles Turton, Alex Tyrwhitt, Charlie Vaugh-Fowler, Harry Wyburd, Alex Young, Jeremy Dowling, Duncan Pring

Events

The following attended the Class of 2002 20 Year Reunion:

Class of 2011 10 Year Reunion

Events

Harry Whelpton, Elaine Yim

On 27th November 2021 the Class of 2011 found themselves in Scotland Yard. Thankfully, they were not under investigation, but instead reuniting ten years after leaving Worth at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel. 55 leavers came together, with some even managing to negotiate European travel restrictions to make it to London for the occasion. All houses were represented and all present were in excellent spirits for our first official reunion since leaving school.

After a period of COVID interruption, for many of us, this was the first opportunity for group-based indoor socialising in quite a while. Tess Ryan reprised her role as Head Girl to welcome everyone back together. Some had not seen each other since playing for WOBS RFC that very afternoon. For others, it had been a little longer, but all were pleased to see each other.

The evening began with some catching up over drinks and canapés with excellent stories of travel, careers, and families shared. It was amazing to hear about the huge variety of different life adventures that the group had

enjoyed. The thing that resonated with me the most was how the shared experience of our education has given so many different things to all of us over the years.

As the evening wore on, it evolved to include dance moves the likes of which haven’t been seen since dances in the Performing Arts Centre back at Worth, before a group photo rounded off the night.

It was a real privilege to be present for the occasion, particularly after the events of the last two years that we have all had to endure. As fun as Zoom quizzes can be, there really is nothing like being back together in person, and reconnecting with old friends.

Thank you very much to the organisers (Katharine Farmer, Ben O’Donnell Bourke, Tess Ryan and Julia Hollis), and to the Worth Society for getting the opening round of drinks. I’m very excited for the next reunion. I’m sure it won’t be another ten years before it happens.

Nick Elvidge C’11

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The following attended the Class of 2011 10 Year Reunion: Harry Beer, Anthony Bellm, Ed Calvert, Jack Clancy, James Cliffe, Anastassia Dimmek, Nick Elvidge, James Emery, Ed Everington, Niamh Fogarty, Antonia Foldes, Anthony Garai, Raph Gruber, Talu Hakverdi, Ed Hampson, Fran Hampson, Johannes Hofmann, Julia Hollis, Tess Jackson, Emily Jacobs, Tim Long, Mattia Mattias, Henry McNeil, Ellie Minch, Rosetta Monden, Chris Napleton, Sophie Nash, Ben O’Donnell, Nick O’Dwyer, Nick Ottersbach, Ben Parry, Raj Patel, Tom Philips, Nico Redman, Sasha Richards, Theo Rivers, Greg Russell, Clarice Ryan, Tess Ryan, George Salimbeni, Nick Shelbourne, Tanera Simons, Seb Strudley, Rory Tilford, Gemma Turnbull, Jack Udale, Seb Ward, Dylan Warren, Richard Wiggins,

Class of 2012 10 Year Reunion

Events

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our time at Worth at the Leavers Ball in 2012. Time has flown and it is crazy to think this year marks 10 years since leaving school.

To celebrate this big milestone, Louise Moon and I organised the 10 Year Reunion for 2012 Leavers on 10th September 2022. We hired the private room at the Italian Greyhound in Marble Arch - decorated in gold balloonsfor a champagne reception, followed by a delicious sit-down dinner and drinks. Almost 40 former students came - some from down the road in London and (slightly further afield) Sussex, while others travelled from as far as Germany, Spain and Singapore! We were very gladly joined by Dr Duncan Pring and Andrew Oxley as honourable guests.

It was a fantastic evening, with a chance to properly catch up and reconnect with those we may have lost

touch with; find out what everyone had done since leaving school and share memories and funny stories of our time together at Worth. For a lot of the boys, it was a chance to celebrate friendships of over 15 years since starting Worth in Year 7. From the moment everyone started trickling in, there was constant loud chatter and lots of laughs.

While it felt like many people hadn’t changed at all, a slideshow of pictures through the years proved us wrong and provided a lot of entertainment…!

After such a fun evening, we are really excited to make the effort to maintain connections and continue strong friendships. We look forward to celebrating again in the not so distant future - we certainly won’t be leaving it another 10 years!

Lottie Cotterell StA’12

The following attended the Class of 2012 10 Year Reunion: Ian Reid, Marina Holden, Leonie Leuschner, Andrei Kanchelskis, Chris Cannon, William Richards, Elizabeth Hill, Elaine Yim, Lauren Martin, Harry Killoughery, Beau McCarthy, Maximas Ihlas, Gabriel Gahan, Louise Moon, Rebecca Bhargava, Alice Rooke, Dominic O'Donnell Bourke, Lottie Cotterell, David Ball, Christian Guerrini-Nazoa, Ruth Hodges, Ben Jozwiak, Antonia Spraul, Nora Verleger, Alex Calnan, PJ Green, Claire Long, Henry Palmer, Edi Gritten, Dominic Baun, Adam Megyeri, Christina Wingartz, Ben Gardner, Sarah Turner, James Metcalf, Georgie Chenery, Andrew Oxley, Duncan Pring

Welcome back Class of 2020

My return to Worth was long overdue and highly anticipated. As an international student living in Spain, the sudden urgency from my parents for me to abandon ship and fly back home when the pandemic hit was dizzying. This led to me leaving a big chunk of my belongings at Worth, and a goodbye that was only meant to last 2 weeks but actually ended my 5 years at Worth without a moment for reflection or closure. What’s more, I went on to university in the United States and had yet to step foot back in the UK since the pandemic.

This made the return to Worth on 24th June 2022 for my class year all the more comforting. Recognising the bends and turns coming out of Gatwick, the baked beans for breakfast, and seeing the sign for the Cowdray Arms as we got closer was all incredibly nostalgic. Nothing seemed to have changed from the moment I had left, and it was brilliant! Driving in, every building brought back fond memories of my 5 years. But seeing the buildings and the campus was not the reason I had returned. Seeing all my friends and teachers was something I did not expect to find so gratifying.

The teachers had not changed much (although Mr Moss’ beard may have grown a bit longer), but some of my peers seemed different, although in a weird sense exactly the same. Despite the fact we are now spread throughout the country, and even the world, all it took was 5 minutes for us to reminisce on our experiences, and to be telling each other what we had achieved since. Lots of laughter went around as we reminded each other of the embarrassing things we had done. It was fantastic to be able to share with teachers how far we had come thanks to them. Everyone’s kindness, both of the teachers and staff at Worth to me and all my peers visiting was really wonderful.

The tour afterwards helped bring back even more memories (even though the new fancy Sixth Form building gave us all a lot of jealousy). Seeing Worth again was the highlight of my summer, and being able to finally give a proper farewell to where I had grown up and matured for 5 years gave me a great sense of peace. I am already anticipating the next reunion and to see what the future holds for me, and for Worth.

Toby Halffter, Head Boy StB’20

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The following alumni attended the Welcome back Class of 2020 event: Samuel Akwenuke, Bolu Bajomo, Zac Bartlett, Isabel Bohles, Frieso Brenninkmeijer Ben Bulley, Claudie Cooper, James Donnelly, Anselm Dyer-Grimes, Nico Fernandez de Miguel Durrant, Ted Fuller, Oliver Goodridge-McHugh, Toby Halffter, Sophie Harrison Binns, Elfreda Hu, Jennifer Ikhide, Meg Ingles, Bruno Joyston-Bechal, Giles Killoughery, Jeremy Liu, Ciara Maher, Carla Mason-Roe, Elizabeth McCarthy, Eulalia Oliver, Sophie Ritchie, Helen Ritchie, Marie Rothleitner, Angelo Sabaratnam, Charlie Simpson, Angus Stainton, Emma Stephan, Benita Weil, Dylan Warren, Richard Wiggins, Harry Whelpton, Elaine Yim

Careers Networking Evening 2022

It was a pleasure to have attended the networking event hosted at the fantastic City roof-top offices of Castell Wealth Management, courtesy of Michael Cook C’15, their Head of Marketing.

The event started off with an informative talk given by James Baybutt StB’99 of Parkside Executive on the current UK job market overall and by industry.

I spoke with many Worthians at the event about their current roles and was fascinated by the diverse range of careers that people have gone on to pursue. Aside from general catch-ups and connecting, attendees also had the opportunity to speak with a designated ‘mentor’ who is working in the industry we aspire to work in, or just have a general curiosity in, as indicated during the registration process. I was connected with Jack Featherby StB’09 who is working in the Asset Management industry. After a very insightful conversation, I gained some better understanding of his role as a Portfolio Manager and his career progression from sell-side M&A advisory to Asset Management on the buy-side.

I signed up to the event because I wanted to find out more about the Asset Management industry - the sector I covered in my previous placement, and was set to return to as a full-time analyst this autumn. I am now due to take up an opportunity in Capital Markets, but it was still a worthwhile conversation because you never know how your career will progress and an open mindset is very important.

I wish everyone who attended the event the best of luck in their search for their ideal job - I am sure that the event will have helped! If you would like support with a graduate scheme/summer internship application in a finance related position, I am more than happy to help.

Grace Liu StM’18

We welcomed the following young Worthians to our 2022 Careers Networking Evening:

Aless Hermitage StM’15, Arianna Buccino StM’17, Seb Buts StB’17, Peter Cloudsley B’17, Bella Lee StA’17, Lucia Macari StM’17, Eli Barrott C’18, Natalie Riley SM’17, Alfie Coke StB’18, Fred Greenslade G’18, Grace Lui StM’18, Will Mersh C’18, Matt Redferne G’18, Ben Ritchie F’18, Andrew Riley G’18, Tim Riley G’18, Roxanne Etemad StC’19, Lourdes Hornung StM’19, Zac Bartlett R’20, Max Becker-Hussong StB’20, Martha Blowey StM’20, Bruno Joyston-Bechal G’20

We welcomed the following careers advisors to our 2022 Careers Networking Evening:

James Baybutt StB’99 – Parkside Executive

Dominic Reynolds StB’01 – Communications Consultant

Oliver Mulcahy C’05 – Royal Navy

Florian Schaker B’07 – HFW Law

Charlie Bridge StB’09 – Stuart Transportation & Logistics

Jack Featherby StB’09 – JP Morgan Asset Management

Rory Ryan C’09 – Deep Tech Entrepreneur

Tom Poynder F’13 – Brit Insurance

Piers Spencer B’14 – Penfold Digital Pension Provider

Ashley Thomas StB’14 – ARC Credit Ratings

Ollie Campbell StB’15 – Moody’s Analytics

Michael Cook C’15 – Castell Wealth Management

Emily Hollings StM’15 – Citywire Financial Publishing

Emily Johnson StA’15 – SS&C Technologies

Mia Wilcox StA’15 – Bank of England

Adam Amer B’17 – Corporate Matchmaking

Brooke Benwell StA’17 – Sayers Butterworth

Tim Chandler StB’17 – Chief Disruptor

Peter Cloudsley B’17 – HSBC

Emily Green StM’17 – Mediacom

Bella Lee StA’17 – CEO Elxr. Skin Hygiene

Ollie Maud R’17 – Nimbus Ninety

Eli Barrott C’18 – Hanover Communications

Grace Lui StM’18 – Deloitte

Jane Ing – St James’s Place Wealth Management

Mary Lou Burge – Worth Society Manager

Anna MacMahon – Head of Development, Worth School

Sport

Football 2021-2022 Season Report

OW football has changed over the years, having initially put a team together to play the School 1st XI, the idea being that it would be a good pre-season match. The sad loss of Henry Surtees C’09 RIP gave a more formal memorial to proceedings with a cup donated by the School. The popularity of this fixture led to the addition of 3 teams playing in a tournament for the ‘H’ Trophy donated by John Surtees. This year we have increased our number of fixtures considerably. In the spring term we played Downside, Reigate Priory and Worth XI at eleven a side, whilst also hosting the now annual 5-a-side tournament in the summer term. We have also finally purchased our very own smart kit!

OW 1st XI v The Old Gregorians

This is a new fixture on the Worthian footballing calendar and I think a match that is long overdue, given the history between the two schools. The vast majority of our readership are well aware of the Downside connection, but for the more recent alumni I should explain that Worth School was the preparatory feeder school to Downside School into the 1960s. I was therefore delighted to be contacted by my opposite number in the Old Gregorians, Jamie Francis-Jones, to arrange the inaugural 11-a-side fixture between the two schools’ alumni. So, on 12th February 2022, we played an OW v Downside Old Boys fixture. Worth School hosted and provided a delicious post-match tea which was much appreciated. As I write, I am pleased to report that a repeat match in 2023 is booked. However, I am less pleased to report that we lost the inaugural match 5-2. The two teams were quite evenly matched, but the visitors had played as a team before, which was apparent by the 3-0 lead they enjoyed by half time. Although we were down we were not out and in the second half we came back to close the gap to 3-2 before we were caught out by two late goals as we pushed for the equaliser. My thanks to all who played, especially, captain Harry Woodman F’10.

Veteran OWs v Reigate Priory

Like most good ideas, they tend to come from others! It’s my task to turn them into reality. James Bannister C’04 contacted me to see if Worth could provide a veterans team to play against the team he plays for in Reigate. For those who are uninitiated, vets football starts when you reach the age of 35! I was happy to pick a team for players who don’t make the OW 1st XI anymore and we played on 13th February 2022. In order to preserve the 1st and 2nd XI pitches we played on the Cowdray pitches, which had the added benefit of the Cowdray Arms opposite. The match paired Worthian brothers in the same team for the first time. Tom StB’00 and Charlie Holt StB’04 and JP B’06 and Mike Matthews B’99 turned back the clock and a cameo performance from Conrad Ware (ex 1st XI coach) made for an entertaining game. I chose to referee rather than play, which possibly helped in a controversial late equaliser by Stef Humphreys C’05, but even the Reigate Priory players agreed 2-2 was a fair result. It was a perfect result for our ‘ideas’ man James Bannister who played for us on the day.

The following played in the OW Vets v Reigate Priory match:

S Humphreys, J Rackham, C Holt, T Holt, D Hyde, J Newton, T Williams, JP Matthews, R Stephens, J Bannister, M Matthews

The following played in the OWs 1st XI v Gregorians match:

H Woodman, T Rivers, D Baun, C Nye, W Mersh, J Gahan, M Morley, R Moss, A Macloud, R Macabe, T Bentley, S Steinbach

The OW Vets Team

Presenting School Captain, Will Speake, with Henry Surtees Trophy

OW 1st XI vs Worth School 1st XI

The last Sunday of the Spring term is the day that footballers young and old gather to play a football match in memory of Henry Surtees C’09. I was Henry’s housemaster in 2009, his final year at Worth, and got to know him quite well. I remember his sensible approach to work, his unassuming manner, his winning smile. Yet mostly I remember how he was able to combine the life of a sixth former, with essays, section 10s and UCAS applications, with his Formula 2 motor car racing at the weekends. Whilst his peers were playing fixtures away at Brighton College, Henry was racing at Monza or Nurburgring. There is little doubt in my mind that, but for a freak accident, Henry would have achieved his Formula One dream. Ironically, Henry’s death resulted in the trial of the halo. Formula One made the halo compulsory in 2018. Therefore, to the relief of many racing car drivers and their families, the tragic accident that took Henry’s life cannot happen today.

27th March 2022 was a perfect day for a game of football. Worth School 1st XI had enjoyed a good season finishing 2nd in the 2021 SKIL (Sussex and Kent Independent Schools League), so the OW 1st XI knew it would be a tough fixture. To be honest, it always is, in fact we have

never won the cup since it was introduced 11 years ago. Harry Woodman F’10 was captain and we had a strong team on the day, with Ollie F’14, Joe F’10 and Theo Rivers F’11 giving a spine to the team. What really pleased me was the impressive performances of Tom Bentley and Will Mersh, both 2018 leavers and the future of the OW XI in the years to come. As expected, the School went ahead but we came back into the game and equalised, the score remaining 1-1 well into the second half, but the fitness and teamwork of the School were to win through, with two late goals.

I congratulated the School captain, Will Speake, on their 3-1 win and presented him with the Henry Surtees Memorial Trophy. I explained to his team, who Henry was, why we named the trophy after him and why we usually have our match tea in the ‘Pitstop’ café.

The following played in the OW 1st XI v Worth School 1st XI match: H Woodman, T Bentley, F Boag-Jones, W Mersh, T Ferguson, F Ryan, J Rivers, H Luff, J Kemp, T Rivers, O Rivers, G Sinclair, D Hall, A Riley, D Baun

OW 1st XI & Old Gregorian Teams

First outing for the OW 1st XI new kit

5-a-side Football Tournament

Our second Worthian 5-a-side Tournament took place on 26th June 2022 on the Astro pitch. A number of the teams had played in the previous years’ competition but there were some new additions, for the first time we had 4 brothers in the same team! The Rivers brothers (Joe, Theo, Ollie and Max) played every minute of the tournament with Nick O’Dwyer in goal. There were also some impressive team names, my favourite was Oli Paisley’s ‘Class on Fake Grass’, as 2019 leavers being our youngest team. The oldest team would have been Team Braverman, captained by Stef Humphries, but unfortunately, the train strike rather reduced his team numbers.

The format is simple, four teams, in two groups, play on two pitches. The winner of group A plays the runner up of group B and vice versa in the semi-final, with the winners progressing to the final. This year the semi-finalists were The Rivers FC v The Quadrilaterals, captained by James Kemp and Team Woodman v The Teachers, captained by Harry Woodman and Robin Moss respectively. The final between the Rivers team and the Teachers was played in a great spirit, with Rivers FC winning 5-1.

It was my task to present the trophy this year, but before I did I thanked; the referees, Alan Mitchell and Conrad Ware, also, Robin Moss, for acting as my school representative and kit man and of course, Mary Lou, for all her help with

The following teams played in the 2022 5-a-side Football Tournament:

The Bravermen

Geoff Chapman

Matt Doggett F’07

Stefan Humphries C’05 - C

Jack Rackham R’05

Rivers FC

Joseph Rivers F'10 - C

Theo Rivers F'11

Ollie Rivers F'14

Max Rivers F '16

Nick O’Dwyer StB’11

Teachers Team

Robin Moss – C,

Matthew Doggett F’07

Alick Macleod

Dan Weaver

Paul Cheeseman

John Dent

Dominic Best

The Quadrilaterals

Tommy Ferguson C’15

Freddie Boag-Jones R’15

Oli Fletcher C’14

Ed Kemp F’10

James Tomlin F’15

Fergus Ryan B’15

James Kemp F’14 – C

Class on Fake Grass

Josh Shaghaghi C’19

Charlie Barakat F’19

Oli Paisley C’19 - C

Monty Sparkes G’19

Nick Watson G’19

Emil Farr G’19

Tom Lovill G’19

Tom Orssten G’19

George Eaves StB’19

Darius Dosieah B’19

Team Woodman

Harry Luff C'10

Joseph Gahan StB’10

Christian Killoughery R’10

Edward Kemp F’10

Tim Long B'11

Harry Wake B'10

Harry Woodman F'10 - C

Thursday 5-a-side

Charlie Douglas-Hughes

Peter Webb C’14

Daniel Harris

Laurence Parker

Iain Moss

Ceiran Sheehan

Refs: Alan Mitchell, Andy Taylor, Conrad Ware

organisation and the administration of the day. Of course, my biggest thanks goes to those who turn up to play, without them it simply wouldn't happen. If you would like to enter a 2023 team, contact Mary Lou. It’s simple to enter, the hard thing is winning The H trophy!

We look forward to another great season and to welcoming ‘new’ and ‘old’ boys into the Club. Don’t forget to join the Worth Society Football Club at worthconnecting.org.uk/clubs for latest news and fixture dates.

Worth Society Life Life and

Worthians Football continued

Andy Taylor

The winning Rivers FC

Golf 2021-2022 Season Report

The Old Worthians Golfing Society continues to hold its well established annual events with a cohort of members playing regularly and a minority playing less frequently.

The last event of 2021 was the Society’s annual Autumn Meeting at the De Vere Wokefield Park Estate Golf Course near Reading, with the following taking part: James Ambrose G’75, Charlie Barclay-Hudson C’13, James Blake B’77, Peter Gottelier R’70, James Madsen C’77, Hugh Maguire R’77, George Ross G’95, Ken Ross G’65 and John Shepherd B’82. Hugh Maguire carried off The Worth Salver with a fine 40 Stableford points with George Ross coming second with 38, just squeezing Charlie Barclay-Hudson into the third prize arena. Nearest the pin prizes were also won by Peter Gottelier and Hugh Maguire (2). A good dinner was enjoyed by all and a somewhat jaded group proceeded to the tee on Sunday morning with James Blake, Ken and George Ross being the victors in a friendly team event.

As usual the first event of 2022 was the annual match against the Old Gregorians at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club. I am pleased to report a victory for The Old Worthians Team represented by Stephen Bamford StB’68, Charlie Barclay-Hudson, Rodney Bligh ‘64, Dermot Flood C’77, Hugh Maguire, Dominic Pasqua B’77, George Ross and Matthew Wood B’77.

In early May our scratch team played, as usual, at Knole Park Golf Club in the Grafton Morrish Public Schools qualifying foursomes event. The weather was much better than the previous year but unfortunately Worth didn’t come up to expected form thus joining the myriad of

non-qualifying schools. Niall Keelaghan B’01 partnered by Jeremy Man F’14, Stuart Hiscocks B’95 partnered by John Shepherd and Joseph Rivers F’10 partnered by Simeon Stevens StB’95 did their valiant best.

Later in May we returned to Moor Park Golf, Hertfordshire for the Spring Meeting. As ever the Club’s hospitality was much appreciated. Lunch in the splendour of the clubhouse is always a special treat! I am especially pleased to report that yours truly came away with The Rose Bowl Trophy scoring 39 points narrowly beating Matthew Wood with 38 and Peter Gottelier taking the third spot with 36 points. Nearest the pin prizes went to Peter Gottelier (2) and Charlie Barclay-Hudson with the longest drive going to Matthew Wood. Other members of the Society taking part were: James Bannister C’04, James Blake, Greg Pickard StB’81 and Simon Ross G’98

In July the Society’s scratch team played in the annual 36 holes foursomes match for the Catholic Public Schools Russell Bowl competition at Woking Golf Club, another great venue. James Cruickshank StB’09, Phillip Davey F’04, Niall Keelaghan, Joseph Rivers, Simon Ross and I represented Worth. Previous regular winners, Ampleforth, played to a very high standard winning the trophy with a good margin.

In late August Old Worthians returned to Royal Ashdown Golf Club for the third Elderly vs Less Elderly 18 holes foursomes match. The following took part: James Ambrose, Hugh Bett B’73, Rodney Bligh, Peter Gottelier, Dominic Pasqua and Matthew Wood. It would be invidious to say who played for which side or indeed who won or lost! Suffice it to say that after an excellent lunch battle commenced with much enthusiastic swinging but variable results!

On 18th September the Society had arranged to play our second match against the School at Royal Ashdown. After discussion it was decided to delay the event as it was due to be a long exeat weekend given Queen Elizabeth’s funeral the following day. I am pleased to report that we now have an alternative date.

As always, new members of any golfing standard are very welcome to join the Society and should they wish to do so can contact me at the email below.

Ken Ross G’65

Email: kandbaway@gmail.com

Ken Ross & Hugh Maguire

Sport

Erin Marshall StA’16, Harriet Prince StA’16, Charlotte Baker StA’17, Catherine Glover StC’17, Saskia Harris StA’17, Rosie Piper StA’17, Natalie Riley StM’17, Amaya Malmalabaduge StC’18, Katie Piper StA’18, Milly Bodle StA’19, Sophie Harrison-Binns StC’20, Claudie Cooper StC’20, Harriet Pratt StA’20, Ciara Maher StA’20, Elizabeth McCarthy StA’20, Sophie Ritchie StA’20, Helen Ritchie StA’20, Amber Buggins StA’21

Hockey

3rd September 2022 marked the return of the Old Worthian vs current Worth 1st Team hockey match. After a two-year postponement due to COVID, it was a highly anticipated and awaited day. The current Worth girls had a full squad with plenty of subs raring to go. With that being said, I am thrilled to say that this year we had an excellent turnout of 17 old girls from multiple year groups.

Towards the first half we were feeling the extreme heat and consequently fitness was starting to deteriorate. Alas, after multiple passes by stretching the pitch, the ball was passed along the top of the D and Ciara Maher hit it into the corner of the goal. We had the upper hand going into the second half with some excellent attacking and defensive skills and managed to keep the ball away from the First Team attacking D. The final score was a very well deserved and fought for 1-0 to us.

The following played in the 2022 match: Emily Hollings StM’15, Catherine Glover StC’17, Nia Thomas ’17, Amaya Malmalabaduge StC’18, Ciara Maher StA’20, Elizabeth McCarthy StA’20, Harriet Pratt StA’20, Helen Ritchie StA’20, Sophie Ritchie StA’20, Amber Buggins StA’21, Jenny Glover ‘21

It was a fantastic day seeing new and familiar faces. Well done to everyone that played and thank you to all the supporters for coming along and showing that Worth spirit! With the tradition most definitely now being set in stone, it would be lovely to continue to grow the Hockey team. We are hoping to enter a team for the Bournemouth 7’s festival in August 2023 so get in touch if you would like to be involved. For latest news and fixture dates join the Worth Society Hockey Club at www.worthconnecting.org.uk/clubs

Charlotte Baker StA’17 Email: charlotte@theoaktree.net

Netball

On 3rd September 2022 we were invited back to Worth to play the annual old vs current girls netball game. As always, it was so nice to come back to the School and see some familiar faces!

We were fortunate to have a great turnout on both sides, meaning that everyone was able to rotate positions and really make their mark on court (and, where needed, take a well-earned break - though I can only speak for myself there). The pace of play was quick throughout and, thanks to an incredible effort by both sides, the score remained excruciatingly close. By the final quarter, hopes and heart rates were high. It was only upon hearing the final whistle that the score was revealed, and we were rewarded with a 17-17 result. Everyone played brilliantly and I’m glad the score reflected such an evenly matched game.

After the game we were invited to go along to the Friends of Worth Festival on the Austin Oval, which was a lovely way to end the day. On behalf of both sides, I want to extend a massive thank you to the Friends of Worth Committee, Mary Lou, and the sporting staff for putting on such an excellent day. Well done to the Worth girls, and bring on next year!

We are hoping to join a Spring/Summer netball league in London in 2023 - anyone keen to play is of course more than welcome to get involved. If you’d like to know more, please email me at emilyhollings9@gmail.com

Emily Hollings StM’15

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The following played in the 2022 match:

Tennis3rd September 2022 saw several keen alumni tennis players return to Worth as part of the Worthian Sports Afternoon.

School Tennis Coach, Andy Olle-Nasim, hosted Chris McCourt B’83, Stephen Nurse R’89, Paddy Hopkirk R’89 and Owen Powell (Former Maths/Tennis Teacher 1977-88) who bravely took on current students Casimir and Ludo for what turned out to be some pretty competitive games.

Having got the ball rolling we would love to see some more tennis enthusiasts joining in next year!

Real Tennis

The Cattermull Cup was once again fiercely contested at Middlesex University RTC to discover the Schools' Alumni Handicap Doubles Real Tennis Champions for 2022. This is a trophy which Worth won in 2013 and has been staged since 2009.

With a very congested fixtures schedule on this October weekend, entries were slightly lower than usual, with 12 rather than the usual 20 schools entering. However, that did not stop the players who participated playing some fantastic doubles with many matches supplying highlights that will live long in the memory.

With myself and Hugh Bett B’73 playing for Worth, we sadly lost in the group stage to the eventual winners who were Clifton. The semi-finals were well contested with Harrow taking on Shrewsbury and Clifton contending with

Marlborough. In the first semi, Harrow played a cunning game of handicap doubles and were superbly consistent and slowly wore down the Shrewsbury pair; after a very tight first set they ran away winners 6/4 6/2. In the second semi-final, the Marlborough team were set a similar assignment giving away Rec half 30 Owe half 30 against the hard-hitting team representing Clifton College. The latter were just too much for the Old Marlburians in a very hard-fought match - Clifton taking the victory 6/4 6/3. The final pitted together the 2 form teams of the Tournament. They had in fact met earlier in the group stage when Clifton had narrowly come out on top against Harrow. However, the final was a best of 3 sets encounter as Clifton continued to up their game resulting in Harrow's resistance ebbing away. Facing a large handicap difference is never easy to deal with, especially in a big final. Harrow continued to fight on bravely to the last point but Clifton were just too strong, lifting this year's Cattermull Cup 6/2 6/1 and registering the third occasion on which Clifton have won the trophy in the past fourteen years. Any players interested in getting involved should get in touch with me at paul@duckfolly.co.uk and we will facilitate a game in a court nearest to them.

Paul Cattermull StB’73

Join the Worthians Tennis and Real Tennis Clubs at www.worthconnecting.org.uk/clubs to hear about future fixtures.

Chris McCourt, Stephen Nurse, Owen Powell & Paddy Hopkirk

Rugby 2021-2022 Season Report

The 2021/22 season was one I look back upon as a great success, with the team putting in a number of memorable performances and securing a comfortable top half finish. In addition, the squad really came together socially after what had been a difficult couple of years with the COVID pandemic.

The beginning of our season got off to a familiar start with too many players still on their holidays, meaning we struggled to get a full squad out in our 2 opening games. Despite this, the WOBS put up a spirited performance to lose narrowly to Old Wimbledonians on the opening day. What followed the following week was the reality check we needed, being beaten convincingly by a massive Chipstead side, finishing that game with 14 men (two of whom, Andrew Aitken and Nick Elvidge, came to watch and ended up donning the famous blue-and-gold to ensure we were not humiliated). We eventually lost 34-5.

With the possibility of a relegation tussle and a long hard season ahead the WOBS responded with a scrappy and gritty win at home to Old Wellingtonians, beating them in the final play as new signing Cam Sayer slid through under the posts. Reduced to 14 men and facing a rain storm we got the season under way winning 17-15. A memorable debut for Tim Chandler at 9 who conducted the play brilliantly with very little protection.

We were very much into our stride after this game winning the next two games comfortably. Wins against London Media (28-19) and London Economicals (36-26) ensured we would be looking up the table rather than down. The Economicals game marked the debut of inside centre Matt Redferne who, despite playing on the wing, scored a sublime brace to inspire us to victory. This performance pleased captain Kemp so much that Matt accompanied Kemp in the centres for the remainder of the season forming a strong partnership.

As the season continued we found a lack of consistency was letting us down, losing to a below par Met Police team before winning a close encounter against the big, unimaginative, boring Cranleigh.

Our next game was set to be our biggest test so far: away at the undefeated Old Blues. Being rivals from Year 7 for many of the Worth players in the team, this game held great significance. This showed in the most remarkable defensive performance I have witnessed in a WOBS Jersey. Having 30% of the ball and playing 30 mins with 14 men (because the referee didn't know the rules) the WOBS tackled their way right across the field to a famous victory against an old enemy – with Freddie BoagJones on the wing leading by example, snuffing out the attempts of the Blues’ speedy winger time and again with

some spectacular tackles. With 20 minutes to go, some magical feet from the fleet-footed Redferne sent Kemp into the corner to put us 10-3 up. What followed was a brutal defensive display, which sent their huge charging forwards back time and time again – with a masterful display of ball-retention skills from Angus Bonner in the forwards. After eventually letting Old Blues in in the corner the WOBS held on in the last 5 minutes to win 10-8.

Momentum was carried forward to defeat a massive Chipstead side, meaning we had won 5 of our last 6 games. Despite a defeat before Christmas, we hit the infamous Christmas Social in fantastic voice lying in the top half of the table. The WOBS serenaded the residents of Clapham with old classics from the Abbey, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful (one not to be missed this year).

The new year marked the 100th WOBS game for the captain and the boys did not disappoint. Within 10 minutes of starting against London Media, the WOBS had snatched a try apiece for the 3 members of the front row, confirming the fact we have always had the most mobile front row in Surrey. Curtis Widmer, Dom Robinson and Cam Sayer finished off some beautifully crafted tries running each of them in from distance. The rest of the game was WOBS at their fluent best resulting in a 61-19 win, with the Loughborough Boys, Benny Green, Ted Fuller and Giles Killoughery, all getting a chance to shine. After losing to an exceptional London Freeman’s side, and then following that up with wins against Met Police and Economicals, the WOBS had an outside chance of a late promotion push. However, 3 defeats in our last 3 games showed the toll the season had taken on a number of key players, but nevertheless we finished a hugely respectable 5th place in our League (Surrey 2).

Notable mentions in the season go to fly half Fergus Ryan who orchestrated the backs beautifully. Guest players included our long-time stalwart Vice Captain Curtis Widmer who selflessly filled the front row every week and newcomer Cam Sayer who played in almost every position and still managed to get turnovers all round the pitch every week. Our pack also benefited from guest signings Olly Demaine and Zach Mills who added direct running and expertise in the line out. Flankers Barney Elwes and

Appearances Players (36 played) 14

James Kemp F’14 13

Matt Redferne G’18 12

Barnaby Elwes R’17 11

Dom Suckling B’14, Fergus Ryan B’15, Toby Pullan C’15 10 Tim Chandler StB’17 9

Dom Robinson B’11, Max Tew B’16 8

George Suckling B’15 7

Christian Killoughery R’10 5 Max Bergot F’14, Tommy Ferguson F’15 4

Fred Greenslade G’18, Ted Fuller G’20, Giles Killoughery R’20, Matthew Ball 3

James Griffiths R’16, Andrew Riley G’18, Tim Riley G’18, Benny Smith F’20 2

Tom Cruz B’08, Nick Elvidge C’11, Angus Bonner R’14, Ollie Bunn B’15 1

Dan Mourad B’99, James Henwood B’07, Ed Kemp F’10, Sanche De Montesquiou B’11, David Corr B’14, Michael Ryan F’14, Max Sandeman R’17, Ciaran Nye C’18, Tom Roberts F’18, Fergus Atkinson F’19, Charlie Barakat F’19, Josh Shaghaghi C’19, Ollie Davies R’20, James Ritchie

Remember this is your Club for all Worthians, and we always need new players. Everyone is welcome – even if you can’t commit to a full season. If you’re interested in playing, please contact one of the following:

James Kemp (Captain): 07577 199607

Nick Elvidge (Treasurer): 07784 255775

Desmond Calnan (Chairman): 07475 609128 or 01372 386511

Christian Killoughery (Secretary): 07702 911185 Dominic Robinson (Fixtures): 07917 044214

George Suckling showed their versatility and commitment to the team by spending much of the season on the wing doing a fantastic job.

All in all, the season was a great success and we hope to build on that success. Credit as always must go to the 'Silver Fox' Desmond Calnan R’69 for his unrivalled and continued commitment to this fantastic rugby club. We would not be playing without him. Up the WOBS!

James Kemp F’14, Captain WOBS RFC

The Glenn Robertson Memorial Game

The Younger vs Older Worthians annual rugby game –played in memory of Glenn Robertson the stalwart of Worth Rugby for 30 years and the founder President of the Worth Old Boys’ Society RFC – was kindly hosted by the School on 3rd September 2022. This is the curtainraiser for the WOBS’ season, and is a great day out for the team, and provides a great opportunity to recruit new players to the Club.

This was one of the closest games for many years, with a strong show of talent coming up from the School (Caspar Cordeschi F‘22, Elliot Martin-Drew F’22, Joe Jones ‘21, and more) in the Youngers team. The day was fiercely contested with some express pace shown from the youngsters manfully captained by Ted Fuller G’20. Despite the exuberance of the Youngers, who pushed their older counterparts to the finish, the Olders had a little too much physically and came out eventual winners at 43-33. With both sides putting out strong squads the future looks very bright for WOBS rugby.

The School provided outstanding hospitality after the game in the Pitstop, where there was a large turn out of players and guests for the presentation by Head Master, Stuart McPherson, of the Glenn Robertson Memorial Cup to the winning captain, James Kemp. The Club is very grateful for the continuing strong support from the School and Worth Society. And, of course, for the services of top-flight London Society referee Jeremy Daines for his part in ensuring the game was played in just the right spirit for the happy occasion.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Worthians Rugby continued

James Kemp receiving the Glenn Robertson Memorial Cup from Head Master, Stuart McPherson

The 2022 Olders Team

The 2022 Youngers Team

The Adam Braverman Memorial Day

After a scorching summer and a two-year absence, the Adam Braverman Memorial Day was back at the slightly parched turf of Fortress Whiteley. This year’s edition was played out between eight teams, including a women’s team featuring a healthy contingent of Worth girls, as well as close friends of the Club, and the usual majesty of the Silver Fox’s invitational side. With the club barbecue rescued from its two years in storage, and fresh kegs of ale ready to be served, the stage was set for an excellent day of touch rugby.

Before I say much more about the rugby, it’s important to remember what the day is about. It’s the Club’s way of welcoming all who are interested in playing rugby after Worth, particularly the recent leavers, ahead of the new season, to meet new faces and to reunite with old friends. Most importantly though, it is about coming together as a Club to remember our friend and former captain Adam Braverman who is very dearly missed.

The day began with a minute’s silence in Adam’s memory, before we kicked off with the pool stages. A summer off had not diminished the WOBS’ love of champagne rugby, with smooth passing and silky lines popping up all around. In fine form early on were the team of James Kemp F’14,

that of Caspar Cordeschi F’22 and the Worthian Women. The Silver Fox’s Barbars got into their stride early on too, with the Fox’s signature ‘show and go’ bamboozling the opposition.

After a well fought out group stage, four teams went through to the semis. The first ended up with Team Kemp victorious. The second was even at full time, and with the older boys under the captaincy of Dom Robinson (featuring no fewer than three front row forwards) starting to tire, drop goals to decide the winner were agreed. After years of practising kicking while warming up, we were about to see whether it had paid off. It had not, and the young boys of Caspar’s team sailed through to the final. This was a tense affair with the lead changing hands numerous times before finally, and not for the first time, Team Kemp prevailed.

Many thanks go to all those who came along to the day and made it such a great success. Particular thanks to the Killoughery family for their phenomenal efforts behind the bar and the barbie. Thank you to our referees who came down too, and of course, as always, thank you to Desmond Calnan R’69 who really is the heartbeat of the Club. The WOBS are looking forward to seeing you all down at Fortress Whiteley very soon.

Nick Elvidge C’11

Worthians, their family and friends took part in the Memorial Day

Cricket

It was the perfect summer afternoon at Worth on 12th June 2022 for the annual cricket match between the School’s 1st XI and the Old Worthians XI. In glorious sunshine the OW's fielded a strong team resulting in a comfortable win. It was great to see some recent leavers who are strong cricketers getting involved and some old faces returning after a break. Many thanks to all those who played and came along to support.

We encourage anyone who is keen to get involved in future matches and wants to hear more cricket-related news to register with the Cricket Club on our networking platform www.worthconnecting.org.uk/clubs

Matt Donegan StB’10

Email: Donegan.matthew@googlemail.com

The following played in the 2022 match: Tim Wall StB’84, Michael Bilbé StB’06, Luke MacWilliam R’07, Charlie Forbes StB’09, Matt Donegan StB’10, Theo Rivers F’11, Miles Bateson B’13, Luke Donegan StB’13, Krishan Nayee F’19, Anish Padalkar F’21, Will Dulley

The Global Action Awards

The Global Action Awards (GAA) were established in 2000 by Worth Society to offer grants to Worthians proposing to spend an extended period of time in unpaid work for the good of others. To date, a total of £31,880 has been awarded to those who have participated in voluntary work for good causes around the globe.

In 2022 Pia Middleton StM’21 was awarded £900 to spend 7 weeks teaching English in a small village and then a Buddhist monastery in Nepal with Volunteer Initiative Nepal. You can read all about her incredible experience on the following pages.

In May Frankie Oesterlin StM’15 and Peter Webb C’14 shared their GAA experiences with Sixth Form students at a presentation by Worth Society. Frankie had spent 6 weeks teaching English in Cambodia with The Hope Agency in 2019 and Peter had spent 6 months with the Manquehue Movement in Chile in 2015.

As a reminder, applications are reviewed and awarded by the Worth Society Committee which consists of the Chair of Worth Society, Worth School's Head Master, alumni and current and former staff who meet at Worth each term.

If you interested in finding out more contact Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager at worthsociety@worth. org.uk or call her on 01342 710241

GAAs Awarded since 2012

2021-22

Pia Middleton StM’21 – Volunteer Initiative Nepal £900

2019-20 Will Harries R’15 – ICS in Tanzania £1,700

2018-19 Sophie Enoizi StA’18 – Operation Raleigh in Costa Rica £1,000

Frances Oesterlin StM’15 – The Hope Agency in Cambodia £500

2016-17 Edward Bridge StB’11 – Medical Elective at The Western Regional Hospital, Belize and volunteering with ‘La Choza Chula’, Guatemala £1,000

Andrew Morris R’06 – Medical Elective at Ananthapuri Hospital, Kerala, India £1,500

2015-16 Antonia Foldes StM’11 – TECHO in Colombia £2,100

2014-15 Peter Webb C’14 – Manquehue Movement in Chile £1,000

Benjamin Booker B’13 – Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500

Beatrice Lewers StA’13 – Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500

Stephen Free C’15 – VSO & ICS in Tanzania £500

2013-14 Merrick Winter F’13 – teaching English with Global Vision International in India and Nepal £500

Charlie Bridge StB’09 – teaching English with TASK Brasil in Rio de Janeiro £500

Thomas Harrison StB’92 – founding Fusion Enterprise Music & Drama Group for adults with learning disabilities £150

2012-13

Charlotte Bonhoure StM’13 – Manquehue Movement in Chile £750

Naomi Dring StA’13 – Worth Abbey’s ‘Outreach Peru’ programme in Peru £1,000

James Folger B’10 – teaching English at schools in San Jose in Costa Rica £400

Ciaran Stordy StB’12 – Manquehue Movement in Chile £500

A life-changing perspective; teaching in Nepal

Part of my decision to have a year’s break from education was to experience cultures and lifestyles different from my own, and to help communities that may not be as privileged as the ones I have grown up in. So, in March 2022, I raised some of my own funding and, along with a gratefully received bursary from the Worth Society’s Global Action Award Scheme, joined Love Volunteers and Volunteers Initiative Nepal in the hope that my help could have a positive impact on people in need.

Love Volunteers was started in 2009 by a brother and sister, aiming to lower fees paid to participate in charity work, and to make it more accessible and less unusual to do voluntary work abroad. They have many different programs, in many different countries, such as environmental conservation and women’s empowerment. When I got to Nepal, the organisation I worked with was Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) which is a nonprofit, non-governmental charity aiming to empower marginalised communities through 'equitable, inclusive and holistic development programs’. They also offer a number of different programs around Nepal such as child development and medical care.

I met some amazing people through VIN, and felt well supported through my volunteer process, but also had my own sense of freedom, such as being able to create my own curriculum. When I landed, my first few days were spent in Kathmandu at the volunteer hostel for VIN and were focused on orientation - such as significant cultural information and local customs. The purpose of my visit was mainly to work in a Buddhist monastery teaching English to the younger monks but, after consulting with the head of VIN, I was given the choice to split my time into where my voluntary work would be more appreciated and needed. So I began by spending time teaching in a village in eastern Nepal called Nishanke.

I was shocked by how rural the village was - the nearest town was a three hour walk! A few of us volunteers were sent with supplies (such as apples and bread since they aren’t available to buy in remote places) by car to Nishanke, which took us ten hours from Kathmandu. On our first day the village was holding a ‘Women’s Celebration Talk’ where all the women from neighbouring villages come together to dance, cook, talk and laugh together. We were invited to join in, being shown how to dance properly by the older women and eventually we were gifted with flower wreaths. It was such an immersive experience and a great way to get to know the local people.

With some of my students in Nishanke

Every day I taught four English classes to a wide variety of students - the youngest aged 10, and the oldest aged 45. I was blown away by the passion to learn; everyone I met was so enthusiastic, which made teaching such a joy for me. After a week or so, I started to become friends with some of my students, who would stay behind after class to ask me questions and talk to me as well as the other volunteers. Our housing building was an open house for everyone, so often we ate dinner with our students. One woman I taught, Tara, couldn’t speak much English and yet still invited me and the other volunteers to her house for tea with buffalo milk almost every day - and for dinner on some occasions. We got to know her and her family quite well - it was so touching how little they had and how much they gave to us. When we left we gave Tara all of our medicines (paracetamol, penicillin, etc) as she was a nurse, which made her cry. A small act for us had such a big impact on her.

I very much valued the authentic and involved experience I had, really getting to know the community I was helping - and seeing the daily impact. Not only was I able to teach my language, but I learnt too. Ramesh, a local cook, taught us all how to make samosas. Sunita, a student of mine, taught me how to say basic sentences in Nepali, and Sirjana, a women’s coordinator, taught me the meaning of every single Tika.

After Nishanke, we drove back to Kathmandu where I said goodbye to the other volunteers and went to Khawalung Tashi Chloeling, a Buddhist monastery situated in the north east of Kathmandu with monks as young as 6!

I taught in the morning and would spend the afternoons getting to know the children, learning as much about them and their way of living as possible. The monks had so much energy and a better understanding of English already, so I had more freedom in what I taught. We all ate together (dal bhatt for breakfast, lunch and dinner) in silence, and I would wake up at 5am to join in on the meditation and prayer sessions.

I learnt so much from the monks, not just about the religion but about their culture too. I went to visit stupas (Buddhist shrines) with them, including The Bouddhanath Stupa, the biggest in Nepal! Again, this experience was so authentic and engaging I felt so lucky to have been living alongside the monks I was teaching and to be so immersed into their community. The youngest monks were so interested in learning not just English but everything I could tell them about western culture. They were fascinated by music, telling me their favourite was Eminem (who they listened to on the radio) and by my cameras.

The whole experience was so different to anything I had known before. The opportunity changed my perspective on life and made me so grateful for the chance to help these communities in such a personal way. I will never forget the people I met, and all of their stories. I wouldn’t have seen the country, and got to know it as I did, and become involved in the local way of life without volunteering - so I would urge any gap year students thinking of voluntary work to apply for a Global Action Award!

Pia Middleton StM’21

Arm wrestling the monks

Tara’s house - a small kitchenette out of frame and her bed is just behind us!

Khawalung Tashi Chloeling Monastery

Worth Science Stars: Where are they now?

When I started teaching there was no way of knowing what happened to your former pupils after they had taken O-level and A-level exams, unless you remained in contact with them by letter or telephone. Today, keeping tabs on former pupils has become much easier. Providing you can remember their names, you will find most of them listed somewhere on the internet.

During the time I was Head of Science, teaching Biology, I was wonderfully well supported by the physicists and chemists. Typically, each would-be medic studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology at A-level. The success of former pupils reflects the success of the Science Department as a whole, not of any individual teacher. Even so, I’m astonished, humbled and blown away by what some of our former pupils achieved. They not only received handsome remuneration for their services, but almost invariably landed top jobs, as the following examples will help to illustrate:

B’93

Peter Freeland began teaching Biology at Worth in 1961… and stayed for nearly 40 years. In a previous issue of The Blue Paper he wrote that it was his priority to impart knowledge, evaluate evidence, and encourage critical thinking in his students. Peter has followed some of his former pupils’ career paths with great interest, many of whom have gone on to be notable medics or work on the front-line of medical research. Peter has tracked several of them down to catch up on their achievements since leaving Worth:

Dr Charles Akle C’71, BSc, MB, MS, FRCS is one of the UK’s most prominent and successful surgeons, a winner of the prestigious Hallett Prize whilst training at Guy’s Hospital. He subsequently held consultations in Harley Street and became a pioneer of keyhole surgery, training many of today’s surgeons in techniques involved in the removal of tumours and polyps from the lower bowel. On retiring from active surgery, he directed his efforts into establishing immunotherapy for cancer. He can claim 75 published research papers. In 2007 Charles became the founder and Chairman of Immodulon Therapeutics, a MedTech company that aims to train the body’s own immune system into detecting and destroying cancer cells. The clinical trials of some compounds continue. Coincidentally, he found cancer patients with the hope and determination to recover, often lived longer than others. Currently, he is a Global Ambassador for the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Peter Freeland, Worth Science Teacher

Dr Charles Akle C’71

Carl Baptista

Dr Timothy Morris StB’76, BVetMed, PhD, FIBiol, is Professor of Laboratory Animal Welfare and Science at Nottingham University. He credits Worth’s Science Department with focusing his upbringing with all types of animals and thanks the School for its liberal approach and encouragement of open thinking and action. As a result of this, he has enjoyed a diverse career based around animals and science. After practicing as a Veterinary Surgeon for pets, horses and livestock, and gaining a PhD (cow fertility), he led the welfare oversight of animals used in scientific research. In addition to having around 40 published research papers, he has served as the chief vet for British Horseracing, an expert witness in anti-doping cases and an investigator of corruption in horseracing in Mauritius. To cap it all, Tim advises Ministers, governments and the UK Parliament on animal issues, edits a scientific journal and acts as a Trustee of the Breed Society for Sussex’s local breed of sheep, the Southdown.

Dr Matthew Jebb StB’76, MA, DPhil (Oxon), is an academic botanist and taxonomist who spent six years in Papua New Guinea where he studied and classified ant plants. In 1966 he was appointed Keeper of the Herbarium at the National Botanic Gardens Dublin, Ireland‘s answer to Kew. From 2010 he has been its Director. He claims at least 95 publications, covering the breadth of his expertise, including the Flora of Thailand and carnivorous plants belonging to the genus Nepenthes. Among his lecture topics are the native flora of Ireland, the application of Boyle’s Law to plants, and the magnificent collaboration between the architect Edwin Lutyens and the garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. He is a regular on national radio and TV, highlighting the importance and excitement of the plant world. This year he was awarded the prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal for services to horticulture by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Carl Baptista B’93, BASc, was one of Worth’s first graduates in Biotechnology. Nicknamed the ‘Maggot Man’, he is the founder of Cuprina Solutions, a Singaporebased BioTech company. This company breeds thousands of blowflies and researches their uses in medicine, agriculture and waste disposal. One of their medical products is MEDIFLY, a dressing made of live, sterile blowfly larvae, which can be used on patients with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. The maggots clean the wound by removing bacteria and devitalised tissue, thereby making it more receptive to skin closure. If all other treatments fail, better a blowfly bandage than an amputation. As Singapore, a small independent republic, relies heavily on food imports, vertical and indoor gardens are on the rise. In order to encourage the effective pollination of fruiting crops, Cuprina is developing a patented UV LED light technology, which manipulates the behaviour and movement of blowflies; guiding them to seek and find flowers, pollinate them and leave once pollination is completed.

Dr Matthew Jebb StB’76

Dr Timothy Morris StB’76

Worth Science Stars: Where are they now? continued

Dr Nick Kadar G’66: Gynaecological Oncologist, pioneer of keyhole surgery, Health Law Attorney. Author of more than 135 publications including The Political Rise of Donald J Trump and the translation of a book on the Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis

Dr Sebastian Fairweather G’67: Honorary Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine at The Radcliffe Infirmary and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford

Dr John de Caestecker G’71: Retired Consultant Gastroenterologist at University Hospitals of Leicester and Honorary Professor at College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester

Peter Bain R’75: Reader in Clinical Neurology at Imperial College London & Honorary Consultant in Clinical Neurology at Charing Cross & Cromwell Hospitals

Mark de Caestecker G’76: Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Vanderbilt University, Nashville USA

Dr Richard Ranft B’77: Retired Head of the Sound Archive at The British Library, noted for wildlife recordings, especially bird song

Dr Julian Hughes R’78: Honorary Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University of Bristol & Visiting Professor of Philosophy of Ageing at Newcastle University, served as Deputy Chair on the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

Dr John Murphy: Retired Specialist Psychiatrist & Honorary Lecturer at St George’s University of London

Dr Simon Atkinson B’81: Consultant Pancreaticobiliary Surgeon at St Thomas's Hospital

Peter Juo B’90

Dr Nick van Terheyden C’82: Having gained years of experience as Chief Medical Officer for various blue-chip names, now on the board of MedicAlert, the emergency service, and a leader in digital healthcare provision in the US

Paul Collini StB’91: Lecturer in Infectious Diseases at University of Sheffield

Dr Peter Juo B’90: Associate Professor of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology at Tuft’s University, Boston USA

Dr Alastair Ferraro G’91: PhD in Immunology, Renal Consultant at Nottingham University Hospital

Dr Livio de Mascio R’93: Clinical Director of Orthopaedics & Plastic Surgery at Royal London & Barts NHS Trust

Dr Matthew Knight MBE C’98: Consultant Respiratory Physician. Honoured for services to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s gratifying that over a period of 40 years, former Worth pupils have published more than 1,500 scientific research papers. There are, of course, pros and cons of teaching in the same school for 38 years; but it would have been difficult to find another where pupils got a better deal, or even one half as good. Thank you boys, for keeping me entertained. It was great fun. I’m so pleased that many of you fulfilled and even surpassed the hopes and dreams of adolescence. May all Worthians, past, present and future, be remembered for their love of people, animals and plants.

Peter Freeland, BSc, MPhil, DipEd, CBiol, FIBiol, Special Member of the Association for Science Education (ASE), Member of Worcester College, Oxford, Worth Science Teacher 1961 to 1999.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Dr

Dr Livio de Mascio

The next generation

Peter Freeland’s legacy of teaching excellence in Science at Worth has continued into the 21st Century with younger alumni making great strides in their science-related careers. In keeping with the Worth School and Benedictine value of ‘Stewardship – Leaving it better than you found it’ here are just a few who are starting to make a difference to the world in their own unique ways:

Edward James StB’02 studied Veterinary Medicine at Bristol University, going on to the Royal Veterinary College as a Junior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery. He also has a First-Class Honours degree in Biomedical Engineering, a Doctorate in Medical Imaging and awarded several prizes throughout his academic career, including the Robert Speller Prize for the best paper by a PhD student in the Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Department at UCL. Having been part of the experimental R&D teams at CoMind and Gowerlabs, building pioneering non-invasive brainmonitoring equipment using biomedical optics, he has most recently been part of the Computational Optics Group at UCL, where he has been working on microscopic techniques for extremely deep tissue imaging.

Craig Jones StB’07 took A levels in Maths and Music in addition to the 3 sciences and studied Medicine at Manchester University. He is now a Urologist with an interest in urological cancers, currently undertaking a postgraduate MD in advanced prostate cancer at The Christie Hospital in Manchester. He was recently awarded the Keith Yeates Medal, awarded to the top candidates for outstanding performance in the FRCS (Urol) exam.

Tom Taverner R’07, who featured in last year’s issue of the magazine under ‘Meet the Bionic Man’, studied Physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University. After four years at The Royal Free Hospital he went to work with Rex Bionics and then became Clinical Director of Marsi Bionics in Spain, helping to develop lower limb exoskeletons for rehabilitation. Now back in the UK he and a partner have founded their own neurological rehabilitation business, Vim Health, based in Brighton.

Daniel Grace F'05 studied Medicine at King College London and has subsequently held a range of medical roles, as a hospital doctor a GP, working with NHS 111 to support their COVID response, as a clinical tutor for several medical schools and more recently as a travel health doctor for Nomad travel and an examiner for the General Medical Council. He enjoys practicing medicine outside its traditional constraints – in the tea plantations of Kenya, the wilderness of the Canadian Yukon and the deserts of Jordan. Since 2020 he has been the Medical Director of Virtual Doctors who are using a smartphone app to connect isolated health centres in rural Zambia with UK volunteer doctors for support. Most recently he has been out working with World Extreme Medicine as a doctor in Fiji supporting the CBS production of the hit US TV series Survivor

Sophie Nash StM’11 studied Biology at Queen Mary University of London and then a Master’s in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She went on to work for Public Health England as an HIV/ STI Surveillance & Prevention Scientist, and since August 2021 has been Principal Scientist working on COVID-19 Epidemiology.

Annabelle Jones StC’16 studied Biomedical Science (Anatomy) at Cardiff University and now works in healthcare & pharmaceutical market research. She was awarded the Best of Business Intelligence Best Newcomer Award this year in a competition run by the British Healthcare Business Intelligence Association.

Anabelle Jones with her Best Newcomer Award

Craig Jones at his FRCS graduation at the Royal College of Surgeons of England

Daniel Grace F'05

Tom Taverner’s Vim Health is using state of the art equipment for rehabilitation

Marking the end of the Elizabethan era –The day I met the Queen

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022 we remember our late Majesty with our own memories and great admiration. A very select number of Worthians were also lucky enough to meet her in person and share their stories with us:

I was very fortunate to have met Her Majesty on a few occasions. Like so many others who have commented on meeting her, it was very striking to see her smile and her wonderful blue eyes. She also had the gift of looking you straight in the eye while talking to you and not looking over your shoulder to see who else she might talk to. She made you feel at ease and worth talking to which was most humbling. On one occasion when I met her at Buckingham Palace, we were chatting about music and learning an instrument and I asked her if she would like to learn the piano. She laughed and said that she wouldn't have time to practise.

Nick Robinson StB’75, Chairman and Co-Founder of Future Talent www.futuretalent.org

It was when working at a racing yard in Lambourn, Berkshire that we were informed that Her Majesty was going to visit and cast her eyes over the stock she had in training there, most of which she had inherited from her mother, the Queen Mother. Being fairly new and assistant to the trainer (general dogsbody) I thought we had better get organised for this momentous Monday raid by royalty. As I said to ‘the guvnor’, “after all, countries plan for months, even years, in advance for this”.

Well, it was a bit of a shambles, which she rather enjoyed. Riding one of her horses that I couldn’t really control much was quite nerve racking. When leading said horse up in front of the very knowledgeable Head of State (Don’t speak unless spoken to and chose your words carefully!), she said that the filly was lovely but moved ‘a bit like a camel’. Rather a direct and correct assessment I thought. Lastly, when we ran out of bodies to lead up a horse we had to get a new young girl that had just started that day. She was wearing tracksuit bottoms (!) to show off one of HM’s unraced fillies. I simply said, “don’t speak unless spoken to and if you do it’s Ma’am as in ham not Ma’am as in farm, go!” I cannot imagine how the girl worded the inevitable conversation to her parents when asked how her first day at work went.

Sadly, we didn’t get the filly I was riding (Magic Score) to win, but she did finish second at Ludlow and then did another circuit with the jockey struggling with her as I had. We were also lucky enough to have the Queen’s best jump horse in training at the same time. A lovely horse called Barbers Shop.

Tom Symonds B’03, Racehorse Trainer, Dason Court Stables www.thomassymonds.co.uk

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

PRESS ASSOCIATION / DANNY LAWSON

2004 marked the centenary of the L’Entente Cordiale (The Friendly Agreement), celebrating 100 years of friendly relations between England and France. The Queen travelled to Paris on the Eurostar with 200 school children, 15 of which were from the school I was teaching at in South London and I was asked to go as a chaperone.

We felt like royalty ourselves with all the red carpet treatment and huge security. The train was christened with a bottle of champagne before we set off and whilst on board every time they addressed every one over the speakers they would say, “Her Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen and Boys and Girls…” – which made us feel very special.

When we got off the train in Paris we all lined up and the Queen walked past and spoke to us. I received a “hello” and managed to say a “hello” back and she spoke to some of our children. I got to shake the then Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw’s, hand and speak to him a little as well. Then when we emerged onto the red carpet to thousands of people screaming and clapping and were escorted onto a bus and driven through Paris with the entire route lined with police and screaming crowds. We arrived at the Arc de Triomphe and went in the tunnel under the road to be part of a wreath laying ceremony which gave us the opportunity to see the Queen and Prince Phillip up close with the President of France, Jacques Chirac, and his wife. One of my students even managed to speak a little French to Chirac. After a cruise down the Seine we all headed back home to London on the train.

Anna MacMahon, Head of Development, Worth School

In 1986 the Queen and Queen Mother, these joint patrons of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College University of London, visited its Egham Hill campus, to formally open its new earth sciences building. I was amongst the members of the residence committees presented to them in the magnificent Picture Gallery in the Founder's Building, described as the most ebullient Victorian building in southern England. We were told to address them as "Ma'am" when we shook their hands. Afterwards, there was an informal break out to admire the world's most valuable and extensive collection of Turner landscapes. I suddenly realised that someone was standing side on from me trying to attract my attention. I turned and saw it was the Queen. “Aren't they lovely”, she said with a smile. "Yes, they're beautiful!" I replied. We then moved on. They remain the most valuable Turner collection in the world, despite the Charity Commission giving permission for the merged college to sell off one of them for £20 million to clear the debts incurred by the cost of the new buildings of the merged college.

I later found out about my paternal grandfather's first meeting with the Queen.

Princess Elizabeth was visiting Kenya when her father unexpectedly died in the night. The Governor was down on the coast, in Mombasa, and so it fell to the Attorney General of Kenya, John Whyatt, my grandfather, to deliver the news. He was later knighted by her as Sir John Whyatt, remembered for the Whyatt report which successfully recommended the introduction, based on the Swedish original, of the Ombudsman Report.

Adrian Whyatt StB’83

Nick meeting the now King Charles and Queen Consort in a visit when he was Head Master of King’s College School Cambridge

Tom (on the left) on the Queen’s horse, Magic Score, and her former amateur jockey Captain Jamie Snowden on the right on Sir Jimmy Shand

Arriving in Paris – Anna is at the back behind her camera!

Saying Goodbye to Her Majesty

In his role as Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders R’84 played a key role in the organisation of her late Majesty’s funeral, as he described it, “the largest ceremonial event on this scale…for generations”, as well as taking his turn to stand guard during the late Queen’s lying in state. Major General Tim Tyler C’71 attended the funeral service in Westminster Abbey on 19th September:

Standing guard at the Lying of State

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders R’84, stood in vigil during the Queen’s lying in state in Westminster Hall. He told Sky News, “It was an extraordinary experience. “If you’re in spurs, going down the steps isn’t the easiest thing to do. Once we got in there, you’re just hit by a wave of emotion as the significance of the event strikes you. And then the privilege of being able to stand in vigil with your head bowed to Her Majesty, I’m still processing it.

Referring to the Queen and her relationship with the Armed Forces, he revealed: “I think the Armed Forces probably could claim that we have a particularly special and close relationship with Her Majesty. We tend, as an institution, to see a lot of the Royal Family and Her Majesty and so over time the relationship become quite personal and quite intimate. She really cared deeply about the units, the regiments, the shifts, the aircraft stations. It’s a very visceral connection.”

He concluded, “You start off right at the start of your career by taking an oath, you’re 18 or 19 and the words don’t matter that much, you don’t really think about them. As you go on through your career, then the significance of it begins to count”.

Reflections on the funeral

As Chair of Royal Star & Garter, I had the great privilege of representing the charity at the funeral service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. I have been in the Abbey before for ceremonial occasions but none like this. It was immediately clear that this sad but uplifting event was bringing together peoples and organisations from every corner of the world. The Queen and the

Royal Family have a very strong relationship with the Armed Forces which I have enjoyed over the years but Queen Elizabeth had clearly had just as strong and invigorating relationships with everyone!

I was sitting next to two wonderful people: Brian Roberts, recently awarded the MBE for his work with Healing Hands Network which provides support to those who are suffering from the mental, physical and emotional after-effects of war, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina and now to British military veterans; and Victoria Clayton of the Shire Horse Society which, of course, takes a special interest in the Household Cavalry drum horses. We were sitting near holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross and among representatives of all the orders of knighthood.

As the processions of dignitaries arrived: Heads of State, Prime Ministers, members of the Royal Household, religious leaders of many, many faiths and the Royal Family, I found myself thinking of the weight of history there. Five generations of my family have had Queen Elizabeth as our monarch. I could feel this concentration of history and could sense the presence of the Royal Star & Garter residents, most of whom have lived through the changes witnessed by Queen Elizabeth, our Patron for 70 years, and who were watching the service on TVs in our Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.

The atmosphere changed from the moment the coffin was carried into the Abbey. The service was, of course, quiet, contemplative and with a sense of sadness for an irreplaceable loss. This was the place of the Queen’s marriage and coronation and now the place for us all to say farewell. But the Archbishop of Canterbury reminded us that this was a moment for celebration of a remarkable life and the transition of Her Majesty into the heavenly estate to which Christians aspire. For me the highlight of the service was the singing of the anthem composed for the service by Sir James MacMillan CBE based on St Paul’s letter to the Romans in which, after a quiet opening, the choir erupted into a joyous and almost chaotic ‘Alleluia’. What a joy it was to be in my uniform again. After the service I lost count of the number of people who thanked me for all the organisation of the period of mourning and the funeral – I explained that I had had no responsibility, but they just wanted to thank the Armed Forces who are held in such respect. There were many soldiers from various units assisting with security and directing and advising the visitors, doing a fantastic job. I stopped to chat to quite a few and that immediate empathy was obvious, independent of rank and age, just soldier to soldier. These young men and women will, in time, be veterans and I am sure that Royal Star & Garter will be there to provide our ‘Care with courage’ following the example set by Queen Elizabeth and with the continued love and commitment of our President, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra.

Major General Tim Tyler C’71

A three-course vision

When you taste calamari, does a blob of shaving foam appear in your vision? When you eat chocolate, does it send a river of black tar flowing past your eyeline? If so, you are probably experiencing synesthesia, a neurological trait that involves the crossover of senses. For people with flavour-to-colour synesthesia, taste may be accompanied by a vision of shapes, colours and textures.

The University of Sussex suggests that more of the population have synesthesia than previously predicted with the real estimate being around 4%. Famous synesthetes include Billie Eilish and Pharrell Williams. Marilyn Monroe had it too. #synesthesiatok is a trending hashtag on TikTok and many young people are sharing their experiences with the trait.

For the first time, creative and social entrepreneur, Ben Wintour B’09, has translated menu items experienced by a synesthete into an art collection. Ben, who previously launched the Steel Warriors initiative to melt down street knives and turn them into calisthenics gyms in London parks, recently heard about synesthesia and wondered “What would a Big Mac or an ice cream sundae look like to someone with this trait and how could I bring that to life?”

Ben was introduced to Professor Sean Day, who not only has a flavour-to-colour type of synesthesia, but also a music-to-colour and odour-to-colour type too. In an interview with the professor, Ben asked him what having synesthesia meant to him; “One of the things which is somewhat difficult for people to fathom is that having congenital synesthesia does not mean that your life is constantly full of “Oh, WOW!” experiences. A defining aspect of congenital synesthesia is that the perceptions are basically invariable: if the colour you see for pasta is puce, that’s what it always is, whether you like it or not. I’m 60 years old now, and have had synesthesia all of my life and the experiences are always the same; for example, the flavour of coffee has produced the same dark oily green pool for me for over 40 years now, and the sound of a piano the same sky blue for over 50”.

As for Professor Day’s favourite meals he said, “Unagi with shaved ginger makes me see a huge, brilliant bright orange floating cloud of what looks like shaving cream; turkey with mole poblano produces a gorgeous shade of light bluish lavender, sprinkled with tiny cut rubies, emeralds, and sapphires; and mango ice cream, or a mango lassi, makes me see a large field of turquoise with wavy stripes of cherry red across it”. He goes on to add, “To wash this all down, nothing compares to a glass of

Talisker scotch whisky which produces a rioting nightmare of blobs and streaks of blazing neon reds, oranges, pinks, white, greens, blues and purples against a background of very dark purplish smoke; a scene right out of Hades!”

The synesthetic visuals which Professor Day sees are nontransparent and fully immersive, “They only last for about three or four seconds, and then dissipate over the course of two or three seconds. But, during that time, I cannot see beyond them. So, I never ever eat or drink things while I am driving.”

Ben was fascinated by the concept and passionate to create a more genuine visualisation of what Sean sees when he tastes and, using Photoshop, worked with the colours and shades to match them with ingredients before bringing the vision to life.

To see the prints and learn more you can visit www.colourpalate.art and https://vimeo.com/733262161

Double chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream

Big Mac and Coke

Grilled squid with fresh chilli on a bed of spinach

Ben Wintour

My 100km Sahara Trek for Cancer Research

As we huddled amongst the dunes with a sandstorm blasting its way through and stinging sand hitting my exposed areas I did begin to wonder why I had ever agreed to this trek!

In explanation, I had signed up to do a 100km charity walk in the Sahara in aid of Cancer Research. I don’t normally ‘do’ charity but my mother had died of cancer and it had also been recently confirmed that I had Stage 4 Bowel Cancer myself. I felt the need to do something positive.

COVID put paid to the original walk in November 2021 with Morocco closing its borders, but was re-arranged for March 2022. 100km over four and a bit days seemed very achievable but when combined with varied landscapes, including soft dunes, and in temperatures up to 35ºc with the possibility of sandstorms it becomes more of a challenge - particularly with a group of strangers of unknown stamina and abilities.

As the departure date approached all of us were fretting over COVID rates (should we go to that crowded pub with friends?), and testing continuously. Morocco wouldn’t accept recovery certificates so it was either test negative or no trip for you. In the end only two of our group tested positive for COVID in the final days before our flight.

We finally numbered 34, 6 men and 28 women. Only time would tell if this mix was a good thing or not!! Ages ranged from 18 to 65, all very different sizes and backgrounds but bound together by ‘the challenge’.

We flew to Casablanca, transiting to Ouarzazete where we managed to get 5 hours sleep before we began our six hour transfer by 4x4 into the Sahara, passing along the Draa valley and across the Little Atlas with snow-capped peaks in the distance. Volcanic massifs, straight out of a Western movie, dominated the journey with isolated loo breaks proving a challenge to all given our numbers!!

After a final bumpy off-road 25km we were dropped off to meet our guides and walk to our first camp. A flat stony walk of 9km was a nice introduction as we trundled into our camp where all of our Bedouin style tents had been erected and our introductory talk explained our schedule.

We were grateful that our tents and camp were erected/ dismantled daily by a local support team who would also prepare all of our meals. We had only to place one foot in front of another for the next four days without falling over too much. Oh, and also not to drink too much water?!

Apparently because of the temperatures involved and exertion we would be sweating out all the salts, etc., so it was important to replenish these. We had to carry a minimum 3 litres of water per person as well as electrolytes. There was a risk of becoming unable to walk whilst being violently ill, sadly a fate which did affect a few of the group who had to be evacuated from the dunes by camel to get them to the next camp and our resident doctor.

The camps were basic but comfortable with perhaps the exception of the ‘loo tents’ (least said the better) and the shower tent. A shower was available at the end of each day but entailed taking no more than 3 ‘scoops’ of water into a bowl which you then washed with, finally tipping it over you to rinse off. Much appreciated to get rid of the sand which seemed to get everywhere.

Skipping over some of the more mundane bits, the first full day of walking (in 35ºc) across the Mharech dunes

“Our first sandstorm with 30mph winds... We spent four hours trekking... with visibility down to only about 20ft. Exhausting.” Marcus fully prepared for the challenging conditions

proved arduous. Crossing the Marathon des Sables route we cheered on the crazy runners as they waved in response. The morning was amazingly hot, climbing dunes equivalent to multi-storey car parks, alternating between firm and easy to walk on to those where your feet would sink into the soft sand up over the top of your boots. Thankfully I had got some sand gaiters which kept my feet almost sand free. Come the afternoon though we had our first sandstorm with 30mph winds and biting sand leading us all to cover up as much possible. We spent four hours trekking through this with visibility down to only about 20ft. Exhausting.

The next day was a cooler 25ºc but after an easy plateau crossing we had to ascend Jebel El Mrakib, a local mountain, where you would normally see the plains for miles around, apart from the fact we endured yet another sandstorm with the camp not being able to be erected until it had died down and we could eventually wash our eyes and get rid of the ever-present sand.

Waking tired and sore many by now were suffering from numerous blisters but with a few exceptions the majority soldiered on only to be hit with… another sandstorm!

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

My Sahara Trek continued

Thankfully short but extremely violent it led to a fair bit of screaming (captured on video which helped raise hundreds of pounds extra for many of our charities).

By the final day the blisters were forgotten as we approached our final destination among the tamarisk and acacia trees, passing nomadic camps and finally reaching the finish line.

The Sahara Trekkers were fantastic, raising over £90,000 for charity as a group but also providing constant support to any who struggled. For many it proved a massive challenge with daily blisters, tears, sand, sickness, heatstroke and much more. To sum it up I have to borrow some words from one of my new-found friends;

“We’ve watched the sun rise and the sun set together, we’ve laughed and we’ve cried. We have made so many memories and we have so many stories to tell. We’ve shared our fears and we’ve given absolutely everything we could to get each other through, even when we were running on empty. We climbed mountains, crossed sand dunes and followed each other’s footsteps in the sand when we couldn’t see. We’ve looked after each other, like really looked after each other. The sort of kindness that takes the breath away. We laid in the sand and watched the stars and built memories that will last a lifetime.”

Marcus Wrey C’86

Austin 7 Around the Americas

Ibought my first Austin 7 in 1966, a 1932 saloon. It was in a bit of a state and required rebuilding to use as my every day car. It won a highly commended award at the 750 Clubs Beaulieu Rally 1967. And so, ownerships of Austin 7s developed; a Nippy, and a 1928 Chummy, bought from the original lady owner were two notables.

As retirement loomed there were questions as to what to do. Eunice, my beloved partner, knew I needed some kind of project, otherwise I’d be a pain in the bum. Influenced by Tschiffely’s Ride, Coleman’s Drive and Austins over the Andes, a long-distance adventure began its gestation. How about attempting to drive the equivalent of the circumference of the world; 24,860 miles (40,007 km)?

Good idea, let’s go for it!

So, 1936/28 was sourced, dismantled, rebuilt and containerised to me in Baltimore. On 27th July 2012, we’re on the road heading for Alaska before turning left and keeping the sea on our right almost until we arrived in Punta Arenas; 18,300 miles down the road.

We visited Butler, Pennsylvania; the home of the American Austin, the American Bantam, the Bantam and the Jeep (which became the basis of the first Land Rover). Whilst staying with friends in Edmonton, Canada we learnt that my idea of going via Ketchikan would never work (there are no roads to the town). Hence we’d need to go to Skagway, an additional 500 miles north up the Alaska Highway. On our way to the Inner Passage Ferry we had our first really serious problem; a failed wheel bearing. But we chugged our way to Skagway, caught the ferry and spent 5 days trying to seek an answer without the internet. The bearing was finally replaced in Bellingham and off we set, stopping in Seattle to visit America’s Car Museum.

Our arrival in Los Angeles was enhanced by a visit to Autobooks Aerobooks and some friends arranged the sourcing of maps and a visit to Jay Leno’s workshop. Eventually we raced across the border into Mexico (don’t stop at the frontier, it’s a very dangerous place). As we motored down Baja California the changes to life in North

Guy & Eunice in Vegreville, Canada

America were very dramatic; the isolated settlements, flowering cacti after a tropical storm, and a Model T Ford that pulled up behind us in Loreto. There followed drinks, a meal and we stayed for a week! The rest of Central America was a bit of a blur as we raced through the border crossings - very challenging, not user friendly and requiring an excess of quantitative easing from ‘friendly locals’ willing to help the gringos. Indeed, at the border into El Salvador we were offered; turn around and go another way, pay someone to transport the car, or you have 24 hours to transit the country. Why? A right-hand drive vehicle is illegal! So, we did our best; the maps we had were worse than useless, so we got lost multiple times, broke some spokes (fortunately) and arrived 20 minutes over the 24 hours. We were due a $1,200 fine. The interview with the head honcho did not go well. Meanwhile a lorry pulled into customs and was found to have a large stash of cocaine, so our importance in the day’s entertainment diminished. We were eventually allowed to leave after 8 hours.

Our arrival in Panama just before New Year provided us with the opportunity to catch our breath, play the role of tourist; visiting the Old City, the Panama Canal, servicing the car and arranging for shipping to Ecuador. IIHSA CAT very generously offered to transport the car free of charge to Guayaquil; we had to pay all the custom duties in Ecuador. Whilst the car was at sea we made our way to the Galapagos Islands for an amazing break from the road.

Our arrival in Guayaquil was enhanced by the enthusiastic help in the recovery of the car from the docks, resolving all the paperwork and unloading the car in the street from its container with the aid of two fork lift trucks. Nerve wracking!

Initially the route out of Guayaquil was flat before climbing without a break to 12,500 ft (3,800m), until about 500ft from the summit. Eunice had to help by pushing - not easy at altitude - before we literally rolled down the road to Cuenca. One of the ongoing problems we experienced were broken spokes - eventually 30 - and we had to wait for spares to arrive from the UK. We waited impatiently in Arequipa for the Peruvian Customs to release the items, but discovered that there are three structures designed by Gustave Eiffel in the city; a bridge, a market and an opera house. A guest at the hotel put us in touch with the local Nissan agent whose General Manager had an interest in

pre-war cars. Whilst he was unable to help with the spokes we had the very good fortune to meet his boss, Signor Roberto, who had opened the Austin Agency in the City.

In Copiapo we met three Austin 7s on their way to New York from Buenos Aires as John Coleman had done in his 1925 Austin 7 during 1959-60. Fascinating tales of derring do! Two days later, as we headed to Los Andes for the final service for the car, we became aware of a very nasty engine noise. Feeling very forlorn that this might be the end of the road, I paced around wondering what to do. A local man pulled off and enquired as to our problem. In a form of spanglish with drawings we understood each other. “I’ll tow you to my village, we’ll have some lunch before making a ramp with wood in the back of my Mazda Fourcab. Then we’ll push the car onto the ‘car transporter’’. And so it was that we were transported to our destination Los Andes.

Up early on Monday morning; engine out and partially dismantled, no obvious cause for the ‘noise’. Tuesday; removed the timing chest cover; two teeth broken off the crankshaft timing gear with damage to the camshaft gear. My host, “ring Danial Elton Heavey in Valparaiso”. His father

“When I saw them pull up to my gate I assumed a golf cart had gotten lost and wandered off”

Jay Leno

had been the Austin Agent in Chile. Wednesday, a visit to Valparaiso; in Danial’s workshop, an Austin 7 and two spare Austin 7 engines! “Help yourself to what you need”, Danial says. I reply, “What do I owe you?’‘, “Nothing, right now. Send me replacements when you get home”. The kindness of strangers! Thursday, we spent the morning preparing the engine for the new gears and prepping the car for our ongoing journey. Friday, refit the gears, replace the engine, make all the necessary connections, and fire it up. Saturday morning, we are on the road with fond farewells to meet up with my sister and husband to enjoy a few days together in Pucon. They are bringing some more spares including spokes and a tyre. Really good to see them, not too long to the ‘Finish’.

Our last day, as we head to Tierra del Fuego, Eunice has a very serious chest infection/bronchitis, indeed should we be travelling? We miss the turning to Tierra del Fuego and choose to go to Punta Arenas so that Eunice can get well. Eventually we are able to go out for dinner. Whilst reading the menu a man observes us keenly before making his way to our table. “You’re Eunice Kratky!” he declares. It transpires that he’s a friend and colleague who has worked with both of us, based in the Child Development Centre in Plymouth. Being Chilean they have been walking in Torres del Paine, seeing his elderly mother before

attending a medical conference. The notion that ‘Saint Serendipity’ is the patron saint of travellers/road trips is confirmed.

Having written the book Austin 7 around the Americas all proceeds from sales are being donated to the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust in Devon www.discoverhannahs.org and can be purchased at www.bespk.com

Guy Butcher G’67

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Austin 7 Around the Americas

Chance meeting with a contemporary in Loreto, Baja California

Our saviour, Mauricio, with our broken car tied on the back

Arrival in Punta Arenas

An update from the

Ukrainian/Romanian border

On 25th February 2022, a day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Catalin Constantin, former Worth Farm Manager, started receiving waves of refugees at his holiday resort business in Romania that he had set up upon leaving Worth in 2017. Being only 10kms from the ferry border point of Isaccea, it became an epicentre as refugees crossed into Romania as Ukrainians fled their homes. What started as a trickle of refugees escalated, and at one point they had 3,000 people arriving each day.

Catalin and his family and friends collected refugees from the border point, took them to centres across the country where they received food, clothes and accommodation. They helped organise transport, documents, medical needs, and even a funeral. They transformed one of their holiday flats into a free shop with clothes, shoes, nappies and personal hygiene products, and have even cared for some Ukrainian pets!

With no support from the Romanian Government they were paying for things themselves. We helped Catalin set up a Justgiving page to allow the Worth Community to support his and his family’s work, which to date has raised over £38,000. In October we caught up with Catalin to get an update on the changing situation and what the money raised had been used for:

Dear Friends

Following your generous support and prayers earlier in the year, I wanted to send an update with regards to the refugee situation in this part of Europe. For me, it was a summer with a few health issues, and also managing what was left of our tourist season here, which is the main source of income for me and my family. The season was less busy than expected, probably due to being so close to Ukraine.

As you already know, in February this year, there was a serious humanitarian situation here due to the appalling Russian invasion of Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians left the country in a hurry, and looked for a quiet place in the neighbouring countries. More than 700,000 Ukrainians have entered Romania to date, and being so close to the border here at Casa Varvara, we had more than 200 people staying here in February, March and April. We housed them, fed them, and also provided transport, clothes, medicines and everything else required. In some cases, we rented flats in town, or bought plane tickets.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

An update from the Ukrainian/ Romanian border continued

Summer camp for Ukrainian children

Deliveries to Kharkiv & Kyiv

In April, we saw decreasing numbers of refugees. Many Ukrainians that were here left for other parts of Europe like Britain or Germany. Another family is now in the USA. Some, decided to return home, as the situation was more stable in their towns and villages. We now keep in touch with most of the people that stayed here, and really hope to travel to Ukraine in peace times and visit some of them there.

From April onwards, there was less of a demand to house and feed refugees here, but we started to understand there is demand now within Ukraine itself. We have friends that started to go there with food supplies, clothes and medicines, and so we decided to use the money we had left to pay for part or whole transports to Ukraine. In the towns closer to Romania, like Izmayil, Tatarbunary, Kilyia, refugees were gathering in their thousands close to local churches, and they needed to be fed. Others, who couldn’t leave their homes, stayed behind and had very limited or no access to food and medicines.

In May we helped distribute food and toiletries in the Izmayil with the collaboration of a local church, and in June, food, toiletries and medicines were distributed in the Odessa and Kyiv regions where we also bought large quantities of flour which was then used by a local church to bake bread for local distribution. The summer continued with food deliveries to the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, and we organised a summer camp for Ukrainian children near Tulcea in Romania. Most recently we have helped with supplies into the Kharkyv and Zaporyzhzya regions, and the signs of devastation are clearly seen.

We have made many new friends and all those that got involved and helped in any way, including the Worth Community, have brought hope to hundreds of Ukrainian people and helped them get through very difficult times indeed.

bless you!

Catalin Constantin

God

The devastation clear to see in Zaporyzhzrya

Large supplies of flour helped a church bake bread for local distribution

Catalin, Cristina and their sons

Why I swam the Channel… again

After about 9 months of physical training and 9 years of mentally preparing, I was a few miles off the coast of France which had been quite visible for the previous four hours, in darkness, swimming on cramped limbs, thinking to myself “why the flip am I doing this”.

It all started in 2012 when a group of Year 13s were giving a short presentation to the fresh Year 12s of which I was one. They put forward a challenge that had become a tradition at Worth; get a team of 6 together and relay swim your way across the English Channel to France, easy peasy! There was a large crowd of fellow Lower

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Sixth Formers who stayed behind to put their names forward. Fast forward 8 months and that large crowd boiled down to 4; Hugh Murphy B’14, David Corr B’14, Ashley Thomas StB’14 and myself. With a date booked for a registered boat of the Channel Swim and Pilots Federation we were short by 2 members. Luckily for us ex-Worth student Ben Barham R’10, who was in the first cohort of swimmers and very keen to have another go at a relay, stepped up along with Max Hodgkinson who we met at the weekly Dover training session.

16 hours and 53 minutes later, on the 7th July 2013, we made it to France. The day itself was pretty miserable, although the sun was out and the sea calm I suffered very bad sea sickness. After completion and returning to Dover Harbour my parents asked if I’d do it again, and I think I said something along the lines of “F*** off”. But, as the weeks went by and the memory of the stress on my body was forgotten, the idea slowly formed that maybe one day I would do it all again by myself.

Back to January 2022 and I booked the boat to cross the Channel. My parents were shocked but supportive and my brother Stevie Steers C’17 (who also completed a Worth Channel Swim relay in 2016) were to make up my support team. For training, a lot of swimming was required and when the temperature of the sea got above 10ºc I was in the water every week. Moving to Belfast the previous August to be with my girlfriend (now fiancée) put me in an ideal spot for cold water training as the water doesn’t get much above 16ºc at its peak.

Training did not go all that well. For starters I hadn’t put on enough weight by the start of the season (May to September) to stay in longer than an hour. My first time at Dover I managed 2 hours in 15.5ºc but I was in a bad way when I got out. Secondly, whilst pool training is great for fitness it doesn’t simulate the choppiness of the sea and, as it was too cold in Northern Ireland to go in the sea for long periods, my training stagnated until the start of May. Additionally, to participate in the swim there is a qualify of 6 hours continuously in water temp under 16ºc, and this had to be done before the end of July. I cut it close on the 30th July as my poor fianceé sat on the beach at Cushendun (an idyllic spot from which on a clear day you can see Scotland) whilst I did laps up and down the bay in 14ºc. Up until that moment I wasn’t sure if what I had signed up to was possible at all, but, luckily, I made it through.

The week of the swim I flew back from Ireland and the waiting game began. When booking a swim you get a slot which can be anytime during a week period depending on the tides. Conditions weren’t great and there were multiple times when I thought it might not go ahead. My eyes were glued to windy.com for the weather and swell forecast and the CS&PF website which has a live tracker of the channel swim boats.

After waiting a week, on the 22nd September 2022 I found myself standing on Shakespeare Beach at 7am facing a boat waiting for a siren to go off to signal the

After about 7 hours, only about half way across, I started to get really tired.

Sam raised over £4,000 for Barts Charity

Captain Matthew Webb, first channel

swimmer

start of my Channel swim attempt. When it went off I dived into the much warmer than usual 18ºc water and swam up alongside the boat, to be my place for the next however many hours. After about 7 hours, only about half way across, I started to get really tired. My father noticed a slackening in my stroke and the hourly ‘feeds’ were getting harder and harder to consume, e.g. a sports drink, Ribena, tea and in the end just warm water, and something to eat like jelly babies or a banana. We dodged shipping containers and I just tried to settle in accepting that this was going to be long.

At 12 hours I was getting to the end of what I could take, I had mentally prepared for that length of time and I was getting snappy with my parents on the boat. I wanted to know how far I was away but they wouldn’t divulge that information. At one point when I got particularly rude at one feed the pilot, Lance, a burly man shouted out from the captain’s seat something to the effect of Captain Webb’s quote (above) which put me in my place.

As I approached the bay where I would land in Wissant, there was an overpowering smell of garlic. I thought to myself that this was ridiculous but it was in fact the crew in the boat cooking, but I thought it was a funny coincidence on my approach to France!

I completed the swim in 14 hours 35 minutes landing on the beach in Wissant, so cold and tired that I barely had time to realise I was standing on sand before Lance whisked me back onto the boat heading home to England.

In the following days it didn’t really occur to me what I had done, I wasn’t overcome with emotion, I just kind of accepted that I had made it and that was the goal I wanted

to achieve. After a short sleep and a bit of pain in my knees, and weirdly my wrists, I felt fine. I kept saying it was like a hangover without the headache. I ended up going to London the next day to see the remaining bits of the funeral for the Queen and shop around my favourite city, overall pretty happy with myself that I’d completed my challenge.

I’d like to finish by saying thank you to everyone who donated to my Justgiving page for Bart’s Charity, an organisation close to home for my family. The amount raised was far beyond what I ever envisaged so I am very grateful. I’d like to thank my mother Pip, my father Nigel, my brother and support swimmer Stevie for being absolutely fantastic on the day and throughout the entire time, and finally to my fiancée Rebecca McAleese for putting up with this stupid idea for far too long.

Steers C’14

“Nothing great is easy” -

Sam

Why I swam the Channel… again continued

A quick snap on arrival at Wissant

Book Review

Finding the Language of Grace: Rediscovering Transcendence

By Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB Bloomsbury Publishing 2022

One of the great fortunes in my education was to have had Abbot Christopher Jamison as one of my teachers for A level Theology at Worth in the late 1980s. A lover of theatre and literature, he had an uncanny ability to bring alive the material with flair and drama. Not afraid to take risks, Christopher was midwife to the wildly popular and profoundly moving 2005 BBC documentary The Monastery. His latest book continues in this creative vein, through a rich set of meditations on grace that he calls “the lifeblood of Christianity”.

Drawing upon a lifetime of leadership in Benedictine spirituality and Catholic renewal, Finding the Language of Grace: Rediscovering Transcendence, is at once accessible and wise. Like his teaching, it draws readers into the existential depth of theology without sacrificing its intellectual substance. The premise of the book is deceptively simple: words are not just transactional but transcendent, not only technical but transformative. Or, to put it another way, words can make us better because they move us higher. Without these pointers to a higher purpose, language degenerates into a crude tool for control - sophisticated grunts to get our snout in the trough. But let it serve as a medium of something more - of a purpose above economic gain, of an identity beyond political groups - then it opens into what Christian theology calls grace.

What is grace? In the words of the late professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, Nicholas Lash, grace is “the sense that gift lies deeper than achievement.” In the traditional language of the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas, grace is God’s help that heals and guides human longing. In Paul’s more effusive description, it is “God’s love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us” (Romans 5:5); what John Wesley’s attractively paraphrased as “the heart strangely warmed.” Addressing a more sceptical modern audience, the great modern theologian Karl Rahner identified grace as the point at which God is no longer inferred as a distant, silent horizon, but felt as an intimate, forgiving presence. However one defines grace, it always comes back to the basic idea of the gift of new life - good news, so to speak.

So what does this grace do? To answer this very practical question, Abbot Christopher mines an extraordinary range of events in his own experience, such as (to give just a few examples): devising a website that draws upon monastic routine to assuage the isolation of COVID

lockdowns; accompanying marginalised urban youth; listening to the victims of abuse within the Church and preventing its reoccurrence; interpreting the theological dimensions of modern novels, mystical poetry, and medieval legend alongside contemporary grime rock artists and Korean boy bands; bringing spiritual exercises to prisons (no doubt his time as housemaster prepared him for that task!); and, grounding theology in the poverty of the slums in Lima, Peru. Across all these instances, we see again and again that grace brings new life. How? It rewrites our stories in light of God’s story. It illuminates our uncertain and fitful journey with the Bible’s clear and startling message of hope and forgiveness. It gives the dignity of voice to otherwise silent suffering. It allows us to see the world in a different light; not, as we so often view it, through the distorted and even cynical lens of disappointment and self-interest, but as sheer gift.

Abbot Christopher charts how the four basic aspects of language - listening, speaking, writing, and reading - each convey something of the depth and richness of this gift. Together, they create the conditions for skillfully discerning how grace is at work in the world. (This includes my favourite counsel in the book: “to give someone a good listening to”!) Such careful and realistic “reading” of the situation differs vastly from facile cheerleading. Depending on the context, it provides the consolation to accept suffering or the courage to confront it. For while grace may be transcendent, it is not unrealistic. More than mindfulness that enables a stoic detachment from the world, it is heartfulness that moves one to engage with the world, patterned on Jesus’ courageous fidelity to the Kingdom, which Christopher paraphrases as “the grace of God at work in this world.”

And so it is that what is first experienced as gift, now becomes task; and why it is that the Acts of the Apostles begins as follows: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven?” Finding the Language of Grace is a wise and insightful manual for the task ahead.

Dominic Doyle B’90 Associate Professor of Theology, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, MA, USA

Creating Strategy - A Practical Guide

By Michael Bernard C’77 Panoma Press 2021

There is more nonsense talked about strategy than almost any other subject. Many theories expounded by people who are full of jargon and methodologies but invariably have no practical experience in implementing strategy. Too many books about strategy are designed to make the author appear important and very learned rather than imparting information to the reader in layman’s terms.

This is why this book by Michael Bernard is such a welcome breath of fresh air.

Michael talks in layman’s language and tells it like it is. If the problem is hard to solve, he says so and then gives examples of how he or others have tackled the problem. The book is easy and enjoyable to read, which is more than can be said for most business books. The reason is that the book is written in an informative, relaxed style. The case studies are interesting and make the key points the author is trying to get across very well.

Whilst I have a bit of experience in formulating strategy having been in business for more than thirty years it was amazing how so much of this book accurately portrays my own experience when formulating business strategies. I have almost certainly done all the things the author tells you not to do and one or two of the things he recommends you should do.

Little gems like the “the longer the strategy document the less likely it is to lay out the case for change” and “whatever you do must be a useful document and not just a litany on what is already being done”. This sounds obvious but both these points are fundamental to success. You could probably fill a skip with strategy documents that were never acted upon which is a huge waste of time and company resources.

I am convinced that if I had had the opportunity to read this book earlier in my career, I would have saved myself many late nights and much heartache pushing a strategy that was probably sound but very poorly articulated.

In the early years when I lacked confidence and experience I sought out ‘methodologies’ and complex diagrams, invariably borrowed from large consulting firms in the hope of blinding my bosses with science and hiding my lack of experience behind illustrious names. What the author correctly points out is that no methodology, however elegant and beguiling is a replacement for facts and sound thinking. What the author says rather more elegantly than me is cut the cr*p. All a good strategy needs in it is the why, the what and the how. If that sounds a bit cryptic then I suggest you buy this book.

I am ashamed to say I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of business books I have read more than once, this is one of them. I really wish more business books were written like this one, easy to read, easy to understand and easy to act upon. What a breath of fresh air and a welcome change from too many business books filled with hot air.

Julian Ferguson G’77

Caught with my Pants Down and other tales from a life in Hollywood

By Jim Piddock B’74 DartFrog Books 2022

Jim Piddock has certainly made a name for himself as both an acclaimed actor and writer on stage, screen and TV playing numerous key roles in a variety of projects ranging from the modest to the highly successful. In this highly entertaining and witty account of his journey through life he pulls back the curtain, with remarkable honesty and humour, to reveal what really goes on behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. It's full of great stories, all told with warmth and humour.

Jim was actually in my year at Worth and was a friend of mine there though we lost touch after school as our careers and lives diversified. Certainly, he was always one of those memorable childhood characters we carry with us through life. Indeed his life-long fixation with football and his beloved Crystal Palace was evident even then. Whilst not a great film goer myself I did become, through old school friends and somewhat later in life, aware of his success as both a serious and comedic character actor and writer in the film industry.

So one day whilst passing through Heathrow on yet another shark diving trip I saw a book with the intriguing title Caught with my Pants Down together with indisputably Jim Piddock’s shocked face adorning the cover, and so of course I just had to buy it.

The book provides a wonderful and amusing snapshot of Jim’s rise from humble acting ambitions in England to international fame and reveals the glorious insanity of the film and TV industry, although it is his openness about the darker moments of his life which is truly moving. It would also be true to say that his greatest achievements have arguably been away from the camera, writing and producing some very well-known productions for both the big and small screen. Aside from the sheer entertainment value of his story, there are actually many useful tips and sage advice as to how somebody can make their way onwards and upwards in the showbiz universe. There are some "star" names involved, but what I found most interesting were the passages about lesser-known individuals in the business and the stories about what life is like for them.

Although of it all, I honestly found the chapter on the adoption of his daughter, Ally, to be the most truly moving and inspirational. This combined with some deeper reflections and his incisive conclusions on what the real meaning of family is, how to make destiny-defining choices, and the importance of living life to the fullest make this book a really worth-while read.

So, I am very happy to suggest that you should take the time to read this amazing book, a book which I feel probably well sums up Jim Piddock and his exceptional achievements in life and in the entertainment industry. I can also but acknowledge with respect his decision to donate the proceeds of the book to charity.

Mark Madsen C’74

Caught on Camera

James Thompson C’15 begins his 4 and a half months walking 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail

Simon Willson C’73 visited Worth in November 2021 with his friend Jane Billinghurst

5 good ole boys from the class of 1970 linking up in May. Left to right: Mark Dobson, Patrick Heren, Paul Cox, Piers O’Connor & Francis Boyd

In December 2021 Freddie Roux represented Worth School at the Hare & Hounds annual alumni race, coming a very respectable 18th in a field of 222 runners

Anthony Jones F’20 & Sophie Ritchie StA’20 made a ‘Talking Heads’ virtual appearance at the Year 13 Moving On Event in April to talk about their university experience so far

Caught on Camera

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

continued Pia Middleton StM’21 got to visit the White House during her gap year internship in Washington which was co-ordinated by Crispin Etherington R’67

The Rumford family (Toby R’95, Floriane, Edwyn and Lucien) holidaying in the Swiss Alps The annual Benedictine Schools Bangkok Dinner was held in December 2021 with left to right; Patrick Keane OG, Angus Mackay Worth Prep School & OG, Rob Tyler G’02, Mrs Keane, Crispin Morris OA, Simon Denye OA, Tom Waller OA, George Quinn OG, Anthony Liddiard OG & Simon Hartog OG

Fr Stephen and Alex Blyth planning world domination

Celebrating a rather flowery time at Nick Bloy’s 60th birthday party in Michelmersh, a bunch of rogues enjoy an impromptu reunion. Left to right; Rohan Cavaliero B ‘81, Chris Bloy R‘81, Mark Jenner C ’81 and John Bennett R ‘81

Lawrence Butler Perks B’07 (second from right) thoroughly enjoyed being part of the support team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer, working as the Deputy Venue Transport Manager getting athletes from the 72 competing nations to their events on time

The Class of 1996 had a silver anniversary reunion in London in September organised by Barney De Burca. Back row left to right: Freddy Crosley, Ben Stokes, Duncan Miller, Ollie Donaldson, Andrew Micallef-Eynaud, Barney De Burca, Roderick Aris, Ben Babington, Corrado Di Mascio, Jules Stevens, Gregory Tugenhat, & Alex Robinson. Front row left to right: Liam Naidoo. Edmund Fitzgerald O'Connor, Andrew Keatley, Jon Concanon, Darren Smith, Jamie Symons, Chris Kelly, Joe Osgood, Jack Smales

Two Englishmen abroad; Tony Tyler C’73 & Michael Spencer B’73 meet for lunch in France this summer

James Longman B’05 was reporting regularly for ABC News at the early stages of the war in Ukraine

Neil Laughton C’82 was at Worth in November 2022 to give a Spencer Lecture Series talk to Sixth Formers about his army career, entrepreneurial projects and many adventures and world records

Josh Taylor B’05 was supported by a strong band of Worthians at his wedding in July. Left to right; Ed Michie, Nick Bell-Young, Mark Breen, Charlie Bunn, their Housemaster Andy Taylor, Josh, Sam Shepherd, Jack Rackham, Steph Humphries, Tom Magee, Ed O Keefe & Ben Taylor

Caught on Camera continued

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Christian Whiteside B’78 graduating from The Open University at the Barbican Centre in September, proving it is never too late to learn!

Justin Kelly StB’92 launching his new social enterprise ‘How to Basically’, teaching people basic life skills

Max Sohler StB’08, wife Marina and daughter Lea out for family lunch in the lovely village of Biot, in the South of France

Michael Spencer G’73 (centre), Chris Quennell C’73 and his brother Dominic C’74 met for a catch-up lunch in London in September

Dan Pring was heavily supported by his team of groomsmen at his wedding in France in June

Michael, Lord Spencer B’73 held his annual lunch in June attended by left to right; Anthony Mould, Alex Scott-Barrett, Martin Green, Andrew Robinson, Fr Stephen Ortiger, Dominic Quennell, Michael Spencer, Hugh Bett, Simon Crane, Chris Coffin, Fr Luke Jolly, Christina Rooney, Jerry Fletcher, and kneeling Philip Mould

James Cockburn (Head of Art 1980-1990) had an exhibition in London in November. Here is a drawing of former teacher Martin Powys-Lybbe, with his wife Najwa (on the left) and James’s wife Flora (on the right) in the PowysLybbe's garden in Horsted Keynes

Mark Corbyn R’04 and family on a trip to Rye this summer

Unable to get to the London event, Sydney-based James Cox (left) and Rob Burroughs (right) met up with Mike Hughes (centre) from Switzerland for their own Class of 1992 40 year reunion

A group of Old Worthians all working in the Property world got together for lunch in November 2022. From l to r: Phil Symonds B’01, Nick Rush R’03, Jonny Smyth StB’02, Roger Greaves StB’04, Mark Hayhurst B’00, Giles Heather F’03, Jos Seligman StB’01, & Charles Slevin B’02

Announcements

Births

Mark Corbyn R’04 and Zyrah, a daughter, Zoë Lúthien, on 23rd November 2021

Marcus Lee G’04 and Megan, a son, Albert, on 15th September 2022, a brother for Henrietta

Javier Triay B’06 and Harriet, a daughter, Poppy, on 9th June 2022, a sister for Tabitha and Alfie

Krystian Rybarczyk StB’12 and Kinga, a daughter, Claire Mary, on 23rd September 2022, a sister for Joseph Francis and Felix Thaddeus

Engagements

Dom Bruning StB’89 to Elin Skarp on 24th April 2022 in London

Dominic Robinson B’11 to Stephanie Green on 30th April 2022 in Paris

Samuel Steers C’14 to Rebecca McAleese on 27th May 2022 in Crete

Weddings

Daniel Pring R’03 to Marieke Haneuse on 25th June 2022 at Chateau Sainte Roseline, Provence

James Longman B’05 to Alex Brannan on 25th July 2022 at the Old Marylebone Town Hall, London

Joshua Taylor B’05 to Emily Forrester on 23rd July 2022 at The Secret Garden, Mersham Le Hatch, Kent

Benedict Oakley F’07 to Sabina Dewfield on 3rd September 2022 at King’s College, Cambridge

Martin Danagher-Smith StB’09 to Sarah Gomes on 28th April 2022 at Worth Abbey

Matthew Morley C‘09 to Rebekah McLeer on 9th July 2022 at Worth Abbey

Lorenz Rubner R ’09 to Anna Guillaume on 3rd September 2022 in Frankfurt

Nick Elvidge C’11 to Jessica Simmonds on 23rd April 2022 at St Margaret’s Church, Warnham

Chris Ede StB’12 to Lucy on 9th July 2022 at St Barnabas Church, Dorking

Jasper Elwes R’14 to Caitlin Murphy on 16th July 2022 at Worth Abbey

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Zoe Corbyn's Christening with Charlie Sunnucks R’04 as godfather

Krystian & Claire Mary Rybarczyk

Matt & Rebekah Morley

Jasper & Caitlin Elwes

Anna & Lorenz Rubner

Distinctions

Desmond Calnan R’69 was awarded a Platinum Champion Award by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in June 2022 for his services to community rugby.

Charles Rangeley-Wilson R’83 was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022 for service to chalk stream conservation.

Oliver Mulcahy C’05 was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2021 for his work as a Combat System Engineer in the Royal Navy

Deaths

Hugh Caillard WPS'40 on 27th June 2022, aged 95

Nurse Helen Smith on 21st January 2022, aged 87

Peter Koe WPS’49 on 11th November 2021, aged 85

Christopher Koe WPS’50 on 19th October 2021, aged 84

John Muscat R'64 on 23rd March 2022, aged 75

James Wheeler C'69 on 7th May 2022, aged 71

Paul Barrett C'73 on 23rd June 2022, aged 67

Alex Brannan & James Longman

Jessica & Nick Elvidge

Daniel & Marieke Pring and all the Pring Family

Oliver Mulcahy receives his MBE from the Princess Royal

Desmond Calnan with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

News in Brief

Former Staff

Paul and Carol Miller (1980-2003) send their regards to all former pupils. Paul is currently teaching English to Ukrainian refugees in and around Evesham. Carol is involved in the Community Care programme and is a member of the Parochial Church Council in their home village of Bredon. She is also an authorised lay minister for pastoral work in the Church of England. They recently enjoyed a pub dinner with Andy Bernard C’91 and his wife, Catherine.

Dr Duncan Pring 1999-2021 A huge gathering of Worthians attended Daniel’s R’03 wedding in the South of France in June; and Cameron’s R’16 graduation with Emmi Baines StC’16 who followed an almost identical path to him, with Music degree at Bristol followed by a Masters in Management!

Worth School 1960s

Tim Clarke G’66 Am currently a parishioner of Downside's lay parish in Stratton on the Fosse. Living close to Bath at present and retired; so I have time to dedicate efforts to supporting the St Benedict's Parish Pastoral Council and local community in the absence of our monastic community who are all now relocated to Buckfast Abbey, since March 2022. There is a roster of monks who can drive, who come up for a couple of days at weekends to say mass and administer sacraments. We have access to the School Chaplain, Fr Michael Patey, not a Benedictine, who lives in a flat over St Benedict's Church and is available for annointing the sick and helps with some of the masses. We don't have a locally-based parish priest as such. Dom Nicholas Wetz, the Abbot of the monastic community of St Scolastica from Downside, is acting Parish Priest; but from Buckfast, which is restrictive. We are praying that a parish priest can be found soon since winter is drawing in and makes travelling from Devon to Somerset more difficult for older monks. The Diocese of

Clifton are unable to help, perhaps another Benedictine community could find a volunteer? I trust my former Housemaster Dom Kevin Taggart is in good health as well as other remaining members of the Worth monastic community from my days at school. Worth remains in my daily prayers and includes many fellow pupils as well as teachers who are no longer with us. Would love to hear from Old Boys who were in the Prep School between 1959 and 1961, or Upper School from 1961 to 1963 who may recall me. I was the brother of Founder Pupil Michael Clarke G’63 RIP who was Clarke 1, I was Clarke 2. My younger brother Christopher G’68 was Clarke 3. Chris now lives in Canberra and is a retired Australian Civil Servant having got a degree in Anthropology after studying Archaeology and becoming a specialist in Rock Art. He obtained a Churchill Fellowship to work in Oman, where he had discovered some ancient cave paintings above dry waddis out in the Southern Arabian desert in Oman whilst doing voluntary work overseas. He then took on a role with the Western Australian Museum involved with Aboriginal rock art and culture and progressed to the Department of Aboriginal Studies and a job in Canberra, most recently with the Department for Veteran's Affairs. Chris founded a singing performance folk group called The Shiny Bums, a term for Civil Servants, due to their suit pants getting polished by sitting at their desks. Chris has written over a hundred songs, mostly candid or satirical reflecting on the politics of the day. The Shiny Bums continue to perform to appreciative audiences in Australia and have done a tour of the UK, mainly with audiences of public servants here, including the Met Office and other government departments, such as DCMS, which I worked for myself as a purchasing officer with the Royal Parks Agency. You can find a lot of their material on YouTube. They take well known tunes and write new lyrics for them. Some of it is Monty Pythonesque. Chris is also a key member of the Nariel Creek Music Festival each Christmas and New Year on the border of NSW with Victoria State. He also plays the harp and has performed at the Sydney Folk Festival and other events.

1970s

John Smythe R’70 Greetings all! Following my book on female entrepreneurs I’ve been commissioned to write a sequel on male and female entrepreneurs in the West Country across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. If you are a West Country entrepreneur or know of one do let me know at johnsmythe@engageforchange.com or 07710 130755

Dominic Quennell C’74, Michael Spencer G’73, and Chris Quennell C’73 met for lunch in London in September (see Caught on Camera). Great opportunity to catch up – last time Chris and Michael saw each other was (just) pre-COVID in Singapore. We enjoyed a delicious meal at a restaurant in central London and chatted about sport, politics and old times as well as happy memories of Worth, of course. Dominic also enjoyed catching up with Michael at a lunch he generously hosted in June 2022 which was attended by several Old Worthians.

Michael Bernard C’77 In the last year, I have published a book, Creating Strategy: a Practical Guide (see Book Review on pg 55), and been elected Chair of Governors of Downside. I continue to serve as a Non-Executive Director for Southern Health Foundation Trust, a Trustee for the Royal Humane Society, and a Board Advisor for Exeter University Business School and for the newly renamed Tellmi (a start-up who have created a mental health app for young people). I still enjoy playing in a wedding and party band, as well as much golf as I can fit in (not much). Living very happily in Wiltshire with my wife Catherine, with our three sons all happily living in London and Bristol.

Justin Brown C'78 Broadly experienced business executive with Asian Emerging Markets focus. Import, marketing & distribution channels with network to establish and represent. Most recently (~2020) engaged in animal health & nutrition in Myanmar supporting local feed mills.

Christian Whiteside B’78 Recently graduated from the Open University, Year of 2022. The learning experience was a joy to undertake, culminating in my Graduation ceremony on Friday 23rd September at the Barbican Centre, London (see Caught on Camera). It’s never too late to learn. May my achievement be an inspiration to others!

Sandy Mallet R’79 Now working as an artist, making abstract aerial views of land, gardens and estates on commission. So much happier than when I had to sell other people’s art for a living. Still a countryman in Ladbroke Grove.

1980s

John Bennett R’81 Still farming up in Suffolk with a little bit of insurance consultancy work thrown in and I am still a JP, sitting a couple of days a month. The drought this year has been quite a challenge to say the least. Debs is keeping well and two of our three daughters are now forging busy careers in London, with the third in her final year of study at Exeter. Dominic Strickland C’81 and I are organising a tardy 40 Year Reunion at The Lansdowne Club, Mayfair on 14th April 2023 so please note the date in your diary. More details to follow but if you’d like to register your interest please contact me at ramseyfarm63@gmail.com or Dominic at dominic@ strickland.co.uk

Rob Burroughs R’82, James Cox G’82 (Sydney) and Mike Hughes G’82 (Switzerland) met up for the Sydney 40th Anniversary Reunion (see Caught on Camera). Joe Hurley C’82 another Sydney resident and 1982 leaver attended the 40th reunion proper in the UK. The last time we were together was 40 years earlier... in the Worth Smoking Room. We also had a Bar in the sixth form back then – very gentlemanly tributes. The only downside we were not allowed to mix the two (beer and smokes). I distinctly remember nicotine dribbling down the lead light windows in the smoking room and Mike Margrett saying smoking would give you lung cancer - most of my year finished Worth as smokers, with plenty of O and A levels and a healthy like of dances with Roedean, Woldingham, etc.

Jonathon Taylor B '83 Been married to Yvonne for 24 years and we live in Denmark, after meeting and living in Mallorca for 10 years. Our two children Jasmin and Oliver have left home and are both studying in Copenhagen, so we still see them. I am a senior copywriter at an international ad agency. I saw Dominic Latham Koenig B’83 a few years back and we had a great lunch together

1990s

Justin Kelly StB’92 Recently set up a social enterprise called ‘How To Basically’ which provides a place where people come to be taught how to do useful things (see Caught on Camera). Whether it's how to use a power drill, jump start a car, fix a leaking tap or sow a seed, each of our 3 hour courses provides clear and hands-on guidance to demystify the subject and enable people to save money, the environment and feel better about themselves. Any profits are reinvested to subsidise the courses for those with financial, mental and/or physical challenges. Our first workshop is 25 minutes from Worth and we're open to all ages. www.howtobasically.co.uk

James Murphy C’98 Helped to develop a tech company Urban Hawk Ltd. www.urbanhawk.space. Teamed with Robert Sugar (CEO) and John Tapsfield (CTO); we focused recent efforts on a new mapping platform.

POLARON WORLD ENGINE has its pilot test-fire launch in October. That follows from our work with the 5-G Victori programme in Europe and other contracts including ESA (European Space Agency) and Innovate UK. No doubt, via Linkedin/Facebook/other networks, you might bump into us? Also, numerous events and conferences in London and elsewhere. We hope to keep you posted of progress and meantime, feel free to drop in for tea, anytime! I have fond memories of Worth and remain in touch with teachers including Brian Klopper and Guy Walker. Congratulations to Abbot Mark (not to be confused with Mark Abbot/ WOB!), on the recent appointment, too. God Save the King!

Andrew Micallef-Eynaud B’96 In September 2021 the Class of 1996 had a Silver Anniversary Reunion in London organised by our very own Barney De Burca R’96 (see Caught on Camera).

Alistair Myles G’99 Married with two daughters aged 10 and 7, living in south London. Launched my own family law firm, Ribet Myles LLP, with a business partner in April 2021. Setting up in lockdown gave us some challenges, but it has proved to have been a very good decision

2000s

Christopher Lamb R’01 Working as the Vatican correspondent for The Tablet and in 2020 published a book The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church. (Something must have gone in during those RE and Theology classes at school). I am also working on a podcast and giving talks on Francis’ reforms of the Church. Living in London with Isabel and our three children: Joseph 13, Martha 10, and Tom 2.

Robert Tyler G’02 Still based in Bangkok, but came back to UK to visit Mum in June. Enjoyed attending the annual Worth, Ampleforth and Downside Bangkok dinner.

Mark Corbyn R'04 About a year ago, Mark and his wife Zyrah welcomed little Zoë Lúthien into the world, their first child (if we're not counting Otter the mini dachshund), and have been enjoying every sleepdeprived moment with her. She was baptised in early 2022 at St Etheldreda's in the City of London, with Charlie Sunnucks R'04 becoming her godfather or ‘ninong’.

Oli Mulcahy C’05 Thrilled to have been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2021 for my work as a Combat System Engineer in the Combat System Design Authority base in Portsmouth (up on the hill where the Ship mock-up is - aka the Land Based Test Site). It was awarded for being "instrumental in the delivery of a mission critical system that ultimately ensured better protection of sailors in front line operations" and "exceptional leadership, professionalism and foresight in the delivery of strategic effect in a unique global environment". Due to COVID delays I was invited to Windsor Castle in April 2022 to be given the medal by Princess Anne. A truly amazing day and an incredible honour to be recognised in this way.

Max Sohler StB’08 My wife Marina and I got married in church in September 2022 in Split, Croatia. Our civil marriage was two years ago and due to COVID we waited for the right moment to celebrate our love with our families and friends. Our daughter Lea Caroline was baptized on the same date. Furthermore, we’re happy to share the news that we are expecting our second child in April 2023, which makes us so proud and happy. We moved to Warsaw, Poland in August 2022, where I will be taking over the operations of a German Food Retailer.

2010s

Andrew Pring R’10 Finished 4.5 happy years living in Fife and have moved to my next Army posting at a busy headquarters in Gloucestershire. Also on the verge of buying a flat near South Croydon and will hope to take in a lodger in early-mid 2023. Would love to hear from any Worthians in the Gloucestershire/Cotswolds area or anyone interested in flat sharing!

Kitty Gibson StA’12 Living and working in London for Ashfield Event Experiences, part of The Creative Engagement Group. I am part of the Environments/ Exhibits team as a Project Manager, working in a small team to assist in managing the build and design process of exhibit booths in Europe and the US for multiple pharmaceutical clients. Lots of travel planned for 2023. Hope all at Worth are safe and well.

Sam Steers C’14 On 22nd September 2022 I completed an English Channel solo swim – you can read the full report on page 50. At its shortest the distance between England and France is 21 miles, however due to tides I swam a distance over that. The duration of the swim was 14 hours 35 minutes and 10 seconds. This was about 2.5 hours longer than I had mentally prepared for. My swim ended at 21:30pm , I barely had time to take in the fact that I had landed on a beach in France before I was whisked back on to the boat and forced into warm clothing. Overall the day was the hardest physical endurance challenge I have ever done and hope I ever will do. I would like to thank everyone who donated to my Justgiving page in aid of Bart's Charity and to especially thank my mother, father, brother (who also did a relay Channel swim whilst at Worth) and my fiancée.

James Thompson C’15 On 29th April 2022, I set out from the US-Mexican border in an attempt to thru-hike 2,650 continuous miles to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail (see Caught on Camera). On my back I only carried the essentials in order to be ultra light-weight (less than 8kg of gear by the end). Throughout the 4 and a half months

I hiked through deserts, mountain ranges, forests, vast meadows, burn zones, forded through river crossings, dodged wild fires, cowboy camped under the stars and sheltered from lightning storms. The trail takes you through small settlements every few hundred miles, meaning it can be up to 9 days before the next resupply. This also results in being able to experience some of the more remote wilderness areas the US has to offer. I was lucky enough to encounter a variety of wildfire including black bears, mountain lions and bald eagles. Every section of the trail was beautiful (and challenging) in its own way, with the highlight always being the local Trail Angels giving support, and more importantly, cold beer to hikers. I became part of a great thru-hiking community, consisting of people from all walks of life, each of whom looks after one another to a fault. I can confidently say I made friends for life. Walking 25 miles every day takes its toll on the body, but it is well worth the feeling of elation once you see the monument at the Canadian border which you have been dreaming about since mile 1.

2020s

Fred Newington-Bridges C'21 ran the Battersea Park 10K in August 2022 on behalf of Housing Justice having seen the tremendous impact this charity has on alleviating homelessness and changing people's lives, particularly for refugees.

James Wheeler C’69

3rd November 1950 – 7th May 2022

“James was a decent human being who looked out for others in need and lived a life treasuring and embracing the right values.”

But to us he was just Daddy, the self-titled Wonderful Human Being (WHB for short) and Grampy to his little bears. He had many and varied interests – Formula One, fine wine, medieval art and architecture, spending time in his beautiful gardens (directing operations rather than actually doing the gardening), but we decided that we would focus on one interest in particular here – his love of classical music.

Our father, James, tragically passed away at home from an unexpected heart attack on 7th May 2022 at the age of 71. His well-attended funeral was held at Worth Abbey on 8th June.

When we started to sort through his affairs and notify every one of his passing, we found it quite overwhelming to discover just how many friends he had. They ranged from people with whom he had been at school at Worth, through to his university degree at Westfield London, and then his long working life at Christie’s, Coopers & Lybrand, Hewitson Walker, Ashton Penney, PILOT Partners, EIM and latterly freelancing for Tyzack Partners. We were surprised to discover how many of his business colleagues, clients and people he’d helped into positions, went on to become real friends. Not quite so surprising was how many mentioned his love of a good lunch! Here are a few representative examples, which I’m sure will ring true for those who knew him:

“James was one of the last true English gentlemen, much respected for his kindness and interest in others”

“James was a lovely person and he had a kind heart –something perhaps not so common in the typical City of London environment, and which singled him out head and shoulders above the pack.”

“There are few people that could light up a room the way that James did with his wit, good nature and bonhomie.”

“James was a delight. Always full of ideas. And he was an enormous amount of fun”

While we were looking through his computer trying to find something unrelated, we stumbled upon a spreadsheet entitled ‘The JW 48’. Intrigued, we opened it of course, and discovered he had collated a league table of composers. The top line included the Premier League of composers – ‘The Top Dogs’ - which included JS Bach and Beethoven in joint first position. Then, he had listed various ‘lesser’ composers under categories such as ‘Division 1 – Never that Great’, ‘Division 2 – Slippery Slope’, and ‘Division 3 – Mostly French’(!) But the definitive league table according to JMHW didn’t end there. Worried as to what poor creative souls he had cast off into further divisions of shame, we read further. There followed a league of unfortunates who Daddy had decided were ‘Absolutely ineligible’ to compete in the Premier divisions. They were categorised under ‘Opera Mainliners, Wierdos, Modern Junkies and Veterans’. I’m afraid if you like Verdi, Scarlatti, Britten or Byrd, you may have found yourself ‘out of Daddy’s league’ so to speak! This is the father we will remember so fondly in our hearts - full of gentle but opinionated humour, able to make even an Excel spreadsheet amusing.

We are sure that he would have loved to have had the opportunity to share his interests with his grandchildren, as he did his children before them, but instead they will grow up with memories of fictitious ten-legged Norfolk spiders that came with him on his grandfatherly visits, and the knowledge that he wanted more than anything else “to live long enough for his grandchildren to take him for a pint of Harveys on their 18th birthdays”.

An incredibly generous, humorous, and spirited man, we know there will be friends from his school days at Worth who will mourn his loss too. But it is also a comfort to think that heaven has gained a true gent, and really there is nothing that could fill us – his family – with more pride.

The Wheeler Family

Paul Anthony Barrett C’73

On 4th August 2022, family and friends gathered at GreenAcres Woodland Burial site near Norwich, to remember and celebrate the life of Paul Anthony Barrett, who died of metastatic cancer on 23rd June aged 67. His loss is mourned by his wife, Daniela, who nursed him through his last illness, his step-children Edward and Melissa, his two older sisters, Anne and Patricia, and a wide circle of family and friends from all around the globe.

Paul was remembered as a vivid character, a ‘cup half full’ person, imaginative, enterprising, eloquent, funny and passionate about many things, but above all, kind, gentle and helpful, especially to those less fortunate than himself. He sought out and shared the joy of life.

At school, Paul studied Greek, Latin, German, French and Russian alongside English. He loved language, describing the beauty of words as being like the feeling of juicy strawberries on the tongue. He made communication his career, working in public relations, writing and media, whilst travelling widely, visiting most European countries, the Far East, and the Antipodes, as well as living in England, Ireland, the United States and Canada.

Paul also discovered a passion for fencing at school. Sabre was his weapon of choice, reflecting his quick thinking and decisive personality. He proved a talented sabreur, earning a place in a school team that consistently won all its matches. He represented Britain in the International Catholic School Games in Vittel in 1973 and went on to become the Irish National Sabre Champion and trained with the Irish Olympic team.

Early in his career, Paul lived in Greenwich whilst working as a researcher for the House of Commons (at that time, he avoided the crush of regular commuting by canoeing up the Thames). That was followed by a long spell as editor of TV World, the trade magazine for the television industry. Eventually, tired of the internal wrangling of the TV industry, he, in partnership, set up an international public relations company which was a lucrative success.

Life changed for Paul in 1991 when he fell from a horse, suffering a traumatic brain injury that left him in a coma for weeks. His subsequent debility prevented him from continuing with his previous work, but with characteristic courage and enterprise, he decided to start afresh in the USA. He created a successful Showbiz News Distribution company in Los Angeles, with programming that was syndicated all around Europe and beyond. From LA he moved to Vancouver, where he started working to help victims of traumatic brain injury. His love of outdoor activity seemed to help his own recovery – walking, cycling, skiing and even learning to fly.

Armed with his now considerable knowledge of brain injury related issues, he returned to England to study for a Master’s Degree and then a Doctorate in the rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury; having caught the study bug, he also gained a Master’s in English Literature. He worked voluntarily for organisations to help victims of traumatic brain injury, including becoming chairman of the Irish Brain Injury Association and also worked with individuals, improving their lives by helping them to understand their condition.

He used his experience of business communication to access various influential bodies, including a committee of the European Parliament, appealing for funding for rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI). He provided evidence that the debility following TBI was massively underestimated, because of inadequate research into the wide spectrum of symptoms suffered by individuals.

He wrote a book called Moving Ahead (available on Kindle), collating the diverse experiences of such victims, including himself, and highlighting the need for more thorough research into the many ways in which TBI changes the lives of its victims.

Ever enterprising, he also started consultancy work for European businesses entering the UK. Clients became friends and he found particular satisfaction in working with Hungarian friends and associates, launching a start-up business with animated educational videos. He collaborated with Imre and, most recently, Miklos, assisting Woodpecker Software Developer of Budapest to expand into the English market.

Paul loved the company of others, but was essentially a private person. He was dynamic, inventive, kind and generous spirited, helping a wealth of people and having many adventures that only he could recount. His was a life cut short, but well completed. In his last days he said to his family “I’ve had a fantastic life.” May he rest in peace.

Daniela Benison-Barrett

Worth Fencing Team 1973 – Paul is first on left on front row

Obituary

Air Vice Marshal Hugh Anthony Caillard CB, RAF

WPS’40

16th April 1927 – 27th June 2022

Hugh had a rich, long and fulfilling life. He had the happiest of marriages of nearly 65 years. Throughout his long rewarding life the theme of Amor vincit omnia – love conquers all - gave him inward strength.

Hugh was born at the British Military Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. Because of his staunch upbringing and his personal faith, he said his prayers every morning and every night for his whole life. When he discovered, later in life, that he was born on exactly the same day, same year and same country as Pope Benedict, he was extremely satisfied or “gruntled” as he would say. But these two lives couldn’t be more contrasting.

Hugh grew up in a country still coming to terms with losing a generation of young men and an economic depression that impacted family fortunes. He and his brother Bernard were sent to Worth Priory School in 1934, both belonging to the first cohort of students. But in 1939 the School was evacuated to Downside where the children were meant to be safe from air raids. On the 15th May 1943, while attending a school cricket match, Hugh observed in horror a low flying sea hurricane lose control and crash into a crowd of onlooking pupils killing nine of them and injuring several others.

But this did not deter Hugh from joining the Royal Air Force in 1945. He was an exemplary pilot with ratings of between above average and exceptional. His nickname was ‘Split Pin’ because of his height and lanky disposition. He folded up in the shape of a paper clip into a cockpit.

Hugh’s first overseas postings were to Egypt, the Sudan and the Middle East – flying mosquitos, meteors and vampires. In early 1954 he was seconded to the Royal Australian Airforce where he trained and converted pilots onto Canberra jets.

In July 1958, he went on his atomic adventure – also known as Operation Grapple – at Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. Hugh flew as ‘Grandstand’ closely observing the first successful detonation of a 3 megaton H Bomb. But, his first-hand experience of weapons of mass destruction - “its awfulness”, as he later described it, shaped his feelings about the fragility of the world, God’s creation and the inadequacy of modern political leadership.

During the early 1970s Hugh was given his last operational posting as the station commander of RAF Marham –which operated Victor Bombers converted into Air-to-Air refuellers. Although he enjoyed this work, he was already earmarked to fly a desk in Royal Air Force Intelligence. His four sons, Richard C’76, Andrew C’78, David R’79 and Johnny R’81, all attended Worth School.

During his life, his passion for steam trains and gadgets of all types unfolded with his extraordinary precision modelling. His penchant for time-keeping and accuracy also saw him become a marvelous clocksmith.

In semi-retirement Hugh headed up the Britain Australian Society, the Menzies Trust and joined the House of Commons Defence committee which kept him in contact with his spook and Air Force friends for another 10 years. During this time Walton-On-Thames became a centre of extended family life and stability for cousins and close friends (before moving to Australia in 1993).

After settling at Clareville (Sydney Northern Beaches), Hugh was invited to become a member of the Air Marshals Club which kept him abreast of developments in the Royal Australian Airforce and military affairs. This kept his mind active and his perspectives up-to-date well into his mid ‘80s. He also became the captain of his own ship – a 40foot sailing boat called ‘Top Cat’ – my mother’s nickname for him.

In 1948 King George VI said in a stirring speech to cadets at RAF Cranwell, at which Hugh was conspicuously present, “the pathway to the stars is hard and that hard path of duty lies ahead of you.” Well Dad, your journey in life –framed by duty, loyalty, purpose and peacekeeping – has been magnificent. You never gave up – even to the end. You are gone now – into the heavenly stars, and into our memories for ever more.

God Bless You.

Per Ardua ad Astra

Andrew Caillard C’78

A year in the life of the School

Ayear which began tentatively ended in celebration and hope for Worth with the continued growth of the School, both in terms of pupil numbers and the opening of new facilities such as the Spencer Building. Other major highlights included the Scholar Cantorum singing Mass in Westminster Cathedral, the fabulous Diamond Ball and the Senior Debating Society winning a national competition.

The mood at the end of the school year was certainly very different to when it started. In the autumn of 2021, there was optimism as the world continued to emerge from the pandemic but there were still “challenges swirling around”, as Head Master Stuart McPherson described it, with COVID refusing to be shrugged off one’s back. In the Autumn Term some events were still being cancelled, such as the Christmas Market, and others were adapted to satisfy a sense of caution, which was a legacy of the past 18 months. By the Lent Term, it really began to feel like school life was back to normal and by the Summer Term there was so much good news to focus on that previous

Lord Spencer arrived by helicopter to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Spencer Building, the school’s new Sixth Form centre and library

Boys in Farwell House took part in a carol-a-thon in aid of the Russ Strauss Foundation

Worth boys were triumphant at the local Youth Enterprise Awards

concerns were pigeon-holed away. Of course, COVID is still with us and will continue to provide a challenge to everyday life, but the feeling is that Worth School not only survived the worst the pandemic had to offer but came out the other side flourishing. Indeed, record numbers for the 2021-22 academic year had grown further by the time 2022-23 began.

For now, though, let’s step back to the autumn of 2021, when excellent A Level and GCSE results set the perfect tone for the year to follow. While results were based on centre assessed grades rather than public examinations,

Worth exceeded expectations and that celebratory feel was carried into the start of term. Worth Week has now become a tradition at the School, offering a range of experiences and activities for pupils to undertake together rather than going straight into academic lessons. The opening weeks of the term also included closed weekend activities for boarders, a New Parents’ Supper hosted by the Friends of Worth and a Year 12 Matriculation Ball, which was something new for Worth.

October arrived with a visit from West End actor Matthew Goodgame who came in to teach the cast of Grease how to hand jive ahead of the Drama department’s December production. Black History Month was celebrated with an incredibly poignant whole school assembly when four students spoke powerfully and eloquently, the Whitehead Room swayed to the wonderful tunes of a Scholars Concert which was Worth’s first concert in front of an audience since March 2020 and the first part of the House Music competition provided a lighter side to music at Worth.

The School’s charitable efforts stepped up again, with Rutherford House supporting the Movember campaign while the School’s support for Mary’s Meals and Justice Defenders continued with a variety of initiatives. Another highlight in November was being named in The Cricketer magazine’s 100 top schools for cricket for a fourth year in a row while the growth of Worth’s equestrian team was another reason to celebrate.

The Senior School production of Grease across four nights in the Performing Arts Centre, was outstanding. Butler boys ran a school-wide food bank initiative to support a charity in Crawley, Farwell boys organised a Christmas carol-a-thon and the 2nd XV rugby team finished the season with a remarkable record of eight wins from eight. The School Carol Service was moved to the Thursday night at the end of term, which was a joyous way to sign off for Christmas.

A new Director of Mission, Dan Harris, was in place for the start of 2022, tasked with continuing the excellent work of the Mission Team. The Debating Society’s growing reputation was enhanced by competing admirably in the Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition reaching and winning the national final of the Ethics Cup, while the House Debating Cup involved all 10 Houses and was of a quality not seen before. Enrichment continued with a Strings Masterclass with a visiting ensemble, an Oxbridge talk with the Head Master and a Valentine’s Dinner for Year 13, sponsored by Worth Society. The term also saw

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

A year in the life of the School continued

The Scholar Cantorum had the great honour of singing Mass at Westminster Cathedral

The Senior School production of Grease provided fantastic entertainment. Students had been taught how to hand jive by a visiting West End actor

The Diamond Ball on the eve of Speech Day was an evening to remember

the senior prefects leading an appeal for humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine on behalf of the whole Worth community and the Drama department put on Peter Pan as the junior production for the year. On the sporting front, the U15 rugby boys produced a dominant display to win the Sussex Cup, beating Hurst College in the final, the U14 rugby boys won the Sussex Sevens, the U16s reached the Sussex Cup semi-final and the rugby girls performed extremely well on their first appearance at the nationals. The keys were handed over for the Spencer Building, the School’s fabulous new Sixth Form Centre and library which was an extraordinary gift from former pupil Michael, Lord Spencer of Alresford B’73. Also in the Lent Term, a fantastic new indoor golf facility was opened, having been paid for through the Annual Fund. The Summer Term therefore began with the official opening of the Spencer Building, with Lord Spencer arriving by helicopter for the special day where he joined an array of invited guests.

The term felt short but was as busy as the School had been for two years. Among the highlights were the Worth Musician of the Year final, House Bands – the second part of House Music – a Drama Scholars’ production of Medea, pupil-led conferences for our youngest pupils which were a new initiative, the School’s first ever dog show which was organised by a group of Sixth Form students, a masterclass with Hollywood actor Deep Roy, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions and a typically beautiful Confirmation service. The week leading up to Speech Day

A Matriculation Ball in September welcomed the new Year 12 cohort into the Sixth Form

Boys in Butler House ran a food bank appeal to help the St Vincent de Paul Society, a charity in Crawley which reaches out to those in need in the area

Drama scholars performed the classic Greek tragedy Medea in the Performing Arts Centre

One of the highlights of the year was the Debating Society winning the Ethics Cup, a national competition

A year in the life of the School continued

returned to how it had been pre-pandemic with a sports dinner, sports day and a summer concert before Speech Day itself. Adding into that mix was a fabulous Diamond Ball on the eve of Speech Day which was an occasion which will be fondly remembered by all those present.

The verve was back in Worth, perhaps more so than before as people enjoyed that returning sense of normality, and it was further enhanced by various successes. On the sporting front, the senior golf team beat Brighton College to reach the HMC Foursomes Regional Final and two 1st XI cricketers set a new school record partnership of 300. A group of Butler boys won the ‘Best Marketing’ category at a local Youth Enterprise Awards ceremony and the Debating Society team won the Rotary Club Youth Debate Senior final. Perhaps the best of the lot also came from the Debating Society as they won the Ethics Cup, a national debating competition held at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

A 50 Year Reunion on campus served to highlight the strong bonds which Old Worthians have with the School and we also welcomed back the Class of 2020 for a leavers’ reception which had not been able to take place two years earlier due to the pandemic.

As the bell rang to mark the end of the academic year, the sense of euphoria continued. A Year 13 Leavers’ Ball was a splendid evening and the Schola Cantorum performed wonderfully after accepting an invitation to sing Mass at Westminster Cathedral. There was also still time for Worth to collect a Sussex Heritage Award for the new Spencer Building while work began on converting the old library to new classrooms on the top level of the teaching block to help with the growth in numbers.

Worth School was back in all its splendour, full of cheer and offering great hope for the future as the door was firmly closed on the dark days of the pandemic.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The inter-House tug-of-war competition provided particular fun during Worth Week, which has become a traditional way to begin the academic year at Worth

The U15A rugby boys beating Hurst College to win the Sussex Cup was just one of a number of sporting highlights during the academic year

Year 13 students enjoyed a Valentine’s Dinner in February sponsored by Worth Society

A Message from the Head Master

Once COVID started to take a back seat towards the end of the Autumn Term, the 2021-22 school year took on something of a resurgent feeling. At the time, letting the annual School Carol Service go ahead on the last night of term seemed like a bit of a risk, but everyone in the congregation, which filled the Abbey Church for the first time in ages, judged it to be a risk worth taking. Having a major new building project in the heart of the campus helped that sense of renewal after a long period of disruption, but it could be found elsewhere too - most surprisingly, perhaps, in the roof-lifting hymn singing that became a feature of Wednesday Worship in the Abbey Church and has remained so. An undefeated 2nd XV rugby team was another symptom of the new energy that could be found across the co-curricular, along with the excellent production of Medea in the Summer Term, and some outstanding musical events – the orchestral concert was the best and most uplifting I have experienced at Worth, as was the exhibition of GCSE, A Level and IB art and photography.

The Spencer Building, which opened in April, had an immediate impact on school life. Arriving as it did in exam preparation time, it gave the Sixth Form a bestin-class independent study environment and excellent spaces for collaborative work. At least as important as the physical environment and its beauty is the message of confidence the new building sent to Worth pupils, and it was wonderful to see that effect on the daily life of the School. The Spencer Building has opened up a beautiful new space in the heart of the campus around which we are planning further development in the coming years.

One such new development is the repurposing of the library located at the top floor of the Classroom Block (recently renamed St Scholastica’s Building). Towards the end of the year work began on transforming that space into new classrooms. The creation of large, dormer windows has given these new rooms incredible views to the South for the Maths and English classes that will be located there.

This year also saw change in the Mission Team, with Will Desmond C’09 leaving his role as Director of Mission after seven inspirational years to join the Cor et Lumen Christi community with his family in Cumbria. Dan Harris, the new Director of Mission, continues Will’s work to maintain the firm Catholic and Benedictine foundation on which so much at Worth rests.

As ever, the School enjoys a close and very important association with the monastery. We regularly join with the monks for Mass on significant feast days, and the boarders’ 8pm Sunday Mass is celebrated by monks on a rota, which has proved to be an excellent way for the boarders to get to know individual members of the monastic community. As anyone who has ever attended the Conventual Mass on a Wednesday will know, the monastic community always offers that day’s Mass for Worth School and all who work and learn here, which includes all former staff, pupils and parents.

Worth ended the year in very good health, and with exciting plans for the future. I hope you find in this edition of The Blue Paper evidence enough of all the good things going on at your old school.

Stuart McPherson

Speech Day

School Staff –Autumn 2021-Summer 2022

Head Master: Mr Stuart McPherson, MA

Second Master, Mr André Gushurst-Moore, MA

Deputy Head (Academic), Mrs Alice McNeill, MA

Deputy Head (External), Mr Gordon Pearce, MA

Deputy Head (Pastoral), Ms Louise Chamberlain, BSc (to Dec)

Assistant Head (Pastoral), Mr Mark Macdonald, BSc (from Jan)

Deputy Head (Co-Curricular and Partnerships), Mr Julian Williams, BSc, MA, Dip TESL

Assistant Head (Pupil Progress), Mrs Sarah Flint, BA

Assistant Head (Sixth Form), Dr Bruna Gushurst-Moore, BA,MSt, PhD

Director of Mission, Mr Will Desmond, BA (to Dec)

Director of Mission, Mr Dan Harris, BA (from Jan)

Chief Operating Officer (Worth School), Mr Paul Bilton, MA, FCA

Teaching Staff:

Mr Paul Ambridge, BA, Physics

Mrs Esme Mustian Atkinson, BA, Librarian

Mr Garry Backshell, BSc (Hons), MSc, Physics

Mrs Frances Baily, MSc, Physics (Head of Department)

Mr Timothy Baldwin, BA, BSc (Hons), Economics

Mrs Andrea Beadle, BA, MA, German (Subject Leader)

Mrs Sophie Belloul, BA, French (Subject Leader)

Mr Jonathan Bindloss, BA, MA, Religious Studies (Head of

Department), Theory of Knowledge

Mr Stuart Blackhurst, HND, Head of Digital Strategy

Mrs Myfanwy Bournon, BA, English, Austin Housemistress

Mr Lewis Brito-Babapulle, MA, Director of Music

Mr William Burch, BSc, Maths

Mrs Alexandra Burnham, St Mary's (Middles) Housemistress

Mrs Caroline Burton, MSc, Biology

Mr David Burton, BEd, Director of Sport

Mrs Lucinda Button, BA, Art & Design

Mrs Katie Camp, BA, Art

Mrs Olivia Carter, BSc, Mathematics (Second in Department)

Mr Geoffrey Chapman, BA, Religious Studies

Mr Raj Chaudhuri, BCom, ECB Level 4, Master in charge of Cricket

Mr Paul Cheeseman, BA, Design and Technology

Miss Sarah Clarke, BA, History (Head of Department)

Mrs Dawn Clubb, BA, MA, English (Head of Department)

Mr Daniel Collins, LLB, Head of Football

Miss Isabelle Collis, BSc, Sports Coach

Mr William Crénel, LLCE, French, St Bede's Housemaster

Miss Maria Isabel Del Valle, BA (Hons), Spanish, French

Mrs Jayne Dempster, BSc, Mathematics

Mr John Dent, MEng, Mathematics

Mr Matthew Doggett, MA, MSci, Mathematics (Head of Department), Science

Mr Charlie Douglas-Hughes, Director of Lettings and Wider Curriculum

Mr Jeremy Dowling, BEd, Mathematics

Mr John Everest, BA, Photography

Mr Neil Everest, MA, Christian Theology

Mr Simon Faulkner, BA, Head of Hockey, Games & Physical Education, Economics

Mr Jonathan Fry, BA, Economics, Farwell Housemaster

Dr Barbara Gehrhus, Diplomchemiker, PhD, Chemistry

Mrs Sarah George, BEd, Learning Support

Mr Jamie Gostlow, BA, History

Mrs Jo Harvey-Barnes, Games & Physical Education, Biology, St Catherine's Housemistress

Miss Hannah Higgins, BSC (Hons), MSc, Physics

Miss Juley Hudson, BA, MA, Art (Head of Department)

Mr Joseph Huntley, BA, Religious Studies, PSHE Coordinator

Mrs Siobhan Isaacs, BA, Games & Physical Education, Assistant Director of Sport, St Anne's Housemistress

Mrs Melanie Kendry, MA, English

Mrs Andrea Kirpalani, BSc, Science (Head of Department), Chemistry (Head of Department)

Miss Naomy Larkin, BA, English (Second in Department)

Mrs Catherine Latham, BSc, MSc, Head of Learning Support and SENCO

Mr Andrew Lavis, BA, Geography (Head of Department)

Mr Alex Leadbeater, BA, Assistant Director of Music

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

Background image courtesy of current Worth Year 12 student Charlie Latter

Mrs Rachel Le Mare, BA, MA, Business Studies

Miss Lucy Lockwood, BA, Music Technology

Mrs Natalie Lynch, BA, Director of Drama

Mr Mark Macdonald, BSc, Geography, Chapman Housemaster (to Dec)

Mr Alick Macleod, MSc, Geography, Gervase Housemaster

Mrs Helen Macleod, BA, History

Mr David Marks, MA, BA, English as an Additional Language (Head of Department)

Mrs Sigrid Moiseiwitsch, German

Mrs Maria Molinero, BA, Modern Foreign Languages (Head of Department), Spanish (Subject Leader)

Mr Bruce Morrison, BEd, Games & Physical Education, Mathematics, Butler Housemaster

Mr Robin Moss, BSc, Chemistry & Science

Miss Tania Murphy, Head of Pupil Healthcare

Ms Sheena Nasim, MA, Economics & Business Studies

Mrs Fiona Norden, BA, English

Miss Tola Olawuyi, BEng, Mathematics

Mr Andrew Olle, Games & Physical Education, Chapman Housemaster (from Jan)

Mrs Emily Pearcy, Sports Coach

Ms Elizabeth Peters, BA, History & Politics

Mr Richard Phillips, BSc, Economics and Business Studies (Head of Department)

Ms Alessandra Pittoni, Laurea in Lingue, Italian

Miss Kate Reynolds, BSc, Biology, Games and Physical Education

Ms Linda Rice, BA, MA, Learning Support

Mr Thomas Richardson, Head of Rugby

Mr Liam Richman, BSc, Mathematics, Rutherford Housemaster

Mr Philip Robinson, MA, Classics

Miss Eleanor Ross, BSc, Chemistry, Extended Essay Coordinator

Miss Charlotte Rule, BSc, Geography, St Mary's (Sixth Form)

Housemistress

Ms Victoria Sadler, MA, Geography

Dr Peter Scott, MA, PhD Biology (Head of Department)

Mrs Geeyoung Steele, BA, Religious Studies

Mr Hugo Sutton, BA, History, IB Coordinator

Dr Bianca Thomas, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, Biology

Mr Philip Towler, MA, Classics (Head of Department)

Mr Ryan Vaughan, Computer Science

Mr Dan Weaver, BA, Design and Technology (Head of Department), ICT (Head of Department)

Mr Peter Webb, BA, Mission Project Manager, Religious Studies

Miss Imogen Whyte, BA, English

Ms Naomi Williams, BSc, Psychology (Head of Department)

Mr Ben Young, BA, Spanish

Miss Bei Yu, Mandarin

Governors

President: Abbot Mark Barrett, BA

Chairman

Mrs Brenda Alleyne, LLB

Ms Mary Coller, BSc

Dr Bridget Dolan, QC

Mr Jeremy Fletcher G’72, BA

Mr Peter Green, MA, PGCE

Mr Gavin Hamilton-Deeley, FCA

Dom David Jarmy, Cert Theol, PGCE

Ms Alison Palmer, BSc

Mrs Helen Parry, BSc FCIS

Prefects

Senior Prefects

Head Girl: Anna Riley

Head Boy: Christopher Ritchie

Deputy Head Girl: Paulina Aries

Deputy Head Boy: Murdo Dutton

School Prefects

Head of St Anne’s: Suzanna Kumar

Head of St Catherine’s: Emilia Miarkowska

Head of St Mary’s Sixth: Adaeze Onyejekwe

Head of St Bede’s: Tommy Whitlock

Head of Butler: Charlie Rudman

Head of Chapman: Oliver Hine

Head of Farwell: William Ritchie

Head of Rutherford: Murdo Dutton

Head of Gervase: Charles Defour

Prefects with particular areas of responsibility

Co-Curriculum and Sport Prefects: Emily Marshall, William Speake

Chaplaincy Prefects: Theophane De Lassus, Caleb Tanner, Helena Liddington, Lily Campbell

Academic Prefects: Jan Patrick Tollkuehn, Rhoslyn Singh

Benedict Lindley, Sebastian Terryn

Music Prefects: Tobias Brenninkmeijer, Henry Byrne

Drama Prefect: Frederick Gerard-Sharp

Pastoral Prefects: Henry White, Sophia Miarkowska

St Mary’s Middles Prefect: Caterina Brigliadori

Austin House Prefects: Oliver Riess, Alice Grant

, Mr Tim Pethybridge StB’70, MA (Oxon)

Worth Abbey’s new Director of Music

Edward Dean has been welcomed as the new Abbey Director of Music, and brings a wide range of experience in developing music programmes in the United States, France and the UK – where he was most recently Organist of Holy Trinity Sloane Street in London. Edward writes:

"It is a great honour to have been called to serve as Worth Abbey’s Director of Music, and the possibilities for working with the Abbey’s musicians really excite me.

The Abbey Choir will do the majority of its rehearsals on a Saturday once a month from 2pm-4:45pm, and this will give us all a good amount of time not only to get to know the music for upcoming Sundays, but also enough time to come together as a group and socialise – which I think is a very important part of being in a choir – singing and worshipping together as a close-knit group of friends. Exciting plans include a Christmas CD recording and a 2023 choir tour to Paris.

It really is my wish to extend a warm welcome to new people who want to join the Choir, particularly alumni of the School – so if you have ever thought of being a part of a choir, or wondered what it involves, please do get in touch. If you are aware of any friends who might be interested in joining at this exciting time, please do consider pointing them in our direction!”

Edward can be reached by email at edean@worth.org.uk

Making a Difference

The Annual Fund, Bursaries and Capital Projects are the key areas of development at Worth, and we have highlights to share from all three over the past year.

Starting in reverse order with capital projects, the School was absolutely thrilled to open the new Spencer Building in April this year. Old Worthians might have first heard about this incredible project with the announcement of an extraordinary gift to the School from Michael Spencer B’73 at The Savoy in June 2019. Now complete, the building houses a whole school library and Sixth Form Centre with learning, study and social spaces for our older students, allowing them to come together socially and intellectually in a pre-university experience. And the effect this has had on their learning has been evident from the moment the doors opened, with students reporting on their enhanced study opportunities and the learning atmosphere and surroundings being so conducive to quiet purposeful study. Thank you to Lord Spencer of Alresford for making this part of Worth’s vision a reality.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians

The new Spencer building

Moving on to bursaries, we were able to host our much-anticipated Diamond Ball in May, which had been postponed twice due to COVID. Coming together to celebrate the post-pandemic era and raising money for bursaries were equally joyous. The rugby pitch transformed into a beautiful marquee with glitz, glamour and dancing. Michal Graczyk StB’18, spoke of the “lifechanging” gift that enabled him to attend Worth and go on to study Medicine at Cambridge.

We raised £42,000 on the night, enough to fund a full boarding place for one year plus extras, and are so grateful to parents and alumni alike who donated a wonderful array of live and silent auction lots and raffle prizes. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all for your support. This past year saw our third School Annual Fund raising almost £50,000 for eight projects across the School, enhancing student learning and opportunities. Thanks to the contribution of an Old Worthian this year, we were able to install a brand new state-of-the-art indoor golf facility. Students can now play any of the top golf courses

around the world, while having their swing analysed and making the most of this indoor coaching facility. The golf programme at Worth is growing!

Working closely with students, teachers, parents, Friends of Worth, Worth Society, the monastic community and Governors, the Development Office aims to encourage long term, sustainable support for both new building projects and life-changing bursaries, and other causes which enable Worth to continue to realise its vision, achieve its aims and to remain a highly sought-after Catholic independent school.

Always looking forward, we now turn our attention towards new sports facilities. If you’d like to learn more about our plans or are interested in supporting this upcoming project, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

Anna MacMahon Head of Development, Worth School

The Diamond Ball was held in May

The new indoor golf facility

A happy retirement to…

Philip Robinson

Philip Robinson retired from teaching this Summer for the third (and final?) time, after 50 years as a teacher. Having retired in 2013 for the first time, like Sinatra, he was persuaded to return just two months later, completing another 9 years. Then he taught one more year of A level finishing in the Summer of 2022. Philip developed his passion for Classics at school in Manchester, where he considered himself one of the fortunate ones, given the opportunity to study both Greek and Latin. This led to his reading Classics and completing his teacher training at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Philip first joined Worth in 1972, under the Head Master Fr Dominic Gaisford. To give an idea of what the School was like in 1972, the Old Rutherford building, which has since been demolished, had only just been completed and the Abbey itself was not completed until two years later.

During his time at Worth, Philip has been involved in a wide variety of different activities. Alongside his being Head of Department for Classics, Philip was for a while Head of Sixth Form, and also ran a number of Games teams, particularly Tennis and Squash.

As a Classicist, Philip developed a reputation as a wellrespected teacher and colleague. I am sure that generations of Worth students, myself included, have fond memories of being taught by Philip: from his catchphrases, such as ‘WLCs – Words Liable (to be) Confused’ or ‘Tape-recorded message number 1’, to the games of Botticelli and Leonardo A more recent pupil referred to him as “the taskmaster” due to his fast-paced lessons and his insistence of accuracy and attention to detail.

As Philip’s teaching commitments have begun to winddown over the past few years, he has become a leading light in local amateur dramatic associations, including being head-hunted for a performance in Lewes. Philip has been a keen actor for many years: I remember seeing him star in a teachers’ production of Dracula Spectacular at Worth many years ago, his Dracula terrifying me as a young child!

Alongside his Drama, Philip will be using his retirement to travel the country visiting family, friends, and former colleagues.

P.S. At the time of publishing, Philip has been asked to return to Worth to teach a few more lessons of A level Latin. I’m sure he will be looking forward to retirement number 4!

Jeremy Dowling

Jeremy first joined Worth as a teacher in September 1982, having been appointed by the then Head Master, Fr Kevin Taggart. Worth in 1982 was a very different school from the one we see today, with 400 boy full-boarders in total, lessons finishing at 6.55pm and students only allowed to return home 4 weekends a term.

While Jeremy was employed as Maths teacher, he quickly became involved in the Pastoral life of the School, working under Fr Luke in Chapman House from 1983. During his time in Chapman, Jeremy worked under two other Housemasters, Guy Walker and Glen Robertson, the latter of whom oversaw the transition of Chapman into the first Day House. When Chapman grew too large and was split into two, Jeremy moved into the newly formed Farwell House, where he was Deputy Housemaster from 2002.

In his early career, Jeremy led a number of theatre trips to London, taking advantage of the cheap deals that the theatres used to offer to schools. These trips were much easier to run in the days before Health and Safety forms and EVOLVEstudents would simply get into the van and go!

As a member of the Maths Department, Jeremy taught students across the whole age range and abilities. Later in his career, he developed a niche, regularly working with the lower sets of Year 10 and 11, helping many students who found Maths a real struggle achieve their GCSE pass grades. Jeremy really enjoyed working with these students, although his choice was not entirely altruistic, with the lower sets having smaller numbers of students and therefore much less marking! Jeremy also took a lead on the Maths Studies course, part of the IB program that the School adopted in the early 2000s, alongside the A levels.

Jeremy has also been at the forefront in the use of technology in the classrooms, fully buying in to the use of the first SmartBoards to arrive at Worth. Over the course of the years since, he has developed huge number of resources on Smart Notebook, many of which are still being used by staff to this day.

Jeremy was also significantly involved in the sporting life of the School. In his early days, he took students in the old Junior House for Rugby, Football and Cricket. However, when the Sports Hall opened in 1988 Jeremy jumped at the opportunity to move out of the Winter weather and started to take Year 9 & 10 squash, teaching several generations of students to play the game, including myself! When Philip Robinson stepped down from Senior Squash, Jeremy also took on this role, until he went part-time in 2017. Even after stepping back from coaching, Jeremy continued to play regularly, challenging colleagues to matches during free periods.

Now that Jeremy has retired, he and Christine are looking forward to travelling to visit family abroad and to spend more time with the grandchildren.

Matt Doggett F’07Head of Maths, Worth School

Welcome to Worth Abbey Pilgrims

Iwant to introduce you to the Worth Abbey Pilgrims, a friendship and information network centred at Worth, which enables people to stay in touch with what is happening at the Abbey and to become involved in a range of activities and events taking place here throughout the year. Our aim, through a sense of welcome and hospitality, is for Worth to be a place of rest and return, with the Rule of St Benedict to guide us as we travel.

Events in 2022 began with a special range of activities after Easter Sunday Mass, including a contemplative resurrection walk to the Quiet Garden, a guided walk taking in some of the best sights of the Worth Estate, an Easter egg hunt, and the Worth coffee van serving refreshments and Italian Easter cake.

This was followed by a glorious ‘Beauty & Joy of Worth Festival’ on August Bank Holiday Monday. As the sun shone, the estate opened to over 700 visitors for guided tours of the Abbey Church, St Bruno’s Retreat Centre, the new Spencer Building and historical rooms within the main school building. There were reflective walks, a beautiful organ recital and teas were served on the South Terrace overlooking the Weald and the South Downs.

In October we were honoured to host the relics of St Bernadette in the Abbey Church for 24 hours - a once in a lifetime opportunity which attracted large numbers of pilgrims to experience a piece of Lourdes here at Worth.

As I write we look ahead to the Worth Abbey Pilgrims’ Carol Service in December with a choir formed of singers from all parts of the Worth Community, including many Old Worthians.

The Pilgrims Steering Group is made up of representatives from all sections of the Worth Community, including the strong support of Worth Society and the School, as we aim to give a warm welcome in the Benedictine tradition of hospitality to all our existing friends and to those who are discovering Worth for the first time.

For more information, please email pilgrims@worth.org.uk or go to www.worth.org/pilgrims

We look forward to seeing many of you back here at Worth at some Worth Abbey Pilgrims events in the months and years ahead.

All good wishes

Abbot Mark Barrett

University Destinations 2022

Student University Course

Stephen Boyd* Southampton Business Management & Finance

Matthew Brady Oxford Brookes Business Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

Bernardo Braga Royal Holloway Business & Management

Caterina Brigliadori Florence Medicine & Dentistry

Sebastian Brogan Swansea Aerospace Engineering

Amber Buggins* Middlesex Veterinary Nursing

Maria Burtscher Salzburg Molecular Biosciences

Henry Byrne Leeds Conservatoire Film Music Composition

Ethan Chan Brunel Physiotherapy

Oscar Chessells Reading Building Surveying

Tomas Coffey Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Economics

Theophane De Lassus UCL Architecture

Georgia De Waal Nottingham Religion, Culture & Ethics

Charles Defour Swansea Chemistry

Alexander des Monstiers Merinville University of the Arts, London Photography

Alessandro Dona' Dalle Rose Westminster Business Management

Murdo Dutton Queen's Belfast English

Harry Eaves ESCP Paris Business

Thomas Emmerson Reading Accounting & Management

Luca Flooks Kent Electronic & Computer Engineering

Regitze Frisenberg Pedersen Sciences Po, Paris Political Science

Jack Fry* Durham Politics & International Relations

Frederick Gerard-Sharp King's, London History & Modern Language

Oscar Hackett York Philosophy

Adam Haller Warwick Chemistry

Joseph Jones* Cardiff Metropolitan Sports Coaching

George Jowitt Southampton Geography

Araminta Khan Manchester Music

Suzanna Kumar Sussex Economics

Ethan Lee Queen Mary London Mathematics with Finance & Accounting

Alexandra Leenders I E Business School, Madrid BA Business

Max Leversedge East Anglia Business Economics

Benedict Lindley Manchester Physics

Helena Liddington Bournemouth Art Foundation

Logkith Loganathan Greenwich Economics

Edwina Ma Bath Sociology

Giorgia Maccan Boconni, Milan Law (in Italian)

Sergei Maltzoff Oxford Brookes Mechanical Engineering Design

Student University Course

Emily Marshall Nottingham Sports Rehabilitation

Manoveer Marwaha Westminster Real Estate

Nancy McAlister Sussex Law

Pia Middleton* Nottingham Politics & International Relations

Simon Muschamp* Leeds Medicine

Samuel Naude Bournemouth Film Production & Cinematography

Adaeze Onyejekwe Nottingham Law

Charlotte Orlopp Maastricht International Business

Joshua Paisley* Leeds History

William Pavry* Exeter Geography

Olive Peacock Royal Agricultural Rural Land Management

Mary-Anne Phori Essex Language Studies

Marion Pool Brighton Law

James Price West of England English Literature & Writing

Oliver Riess London Business Management

Anna Riley Exeter Drama

Yago Rio Aja King, USA Golf Scholarship

Christopher Ritchie Oxford Philosophy, Politics & Economics

Charlie Rudman Lancaster Politics, Economics & International Relations

Sophia Sabaratnam Cardiff Biomedical Science

Giulio Saletti Reading French & International Development

Ben Sharp Bath Mathematics

Rhoslyn Singh Kent Biomedical Engineering

Rupert Snee Kent Business & Data Analytics

Philip Sommerfeld* Rijeka, Croatia Medicine

Caleb Tanner St Andrews Theology

Sebastian Terryn Wake Forest, USA Business Studies

Jan Patrick Tollkuehn Boconni University, Milan International Economics & Management

Victor Van Der Hagen ESCP Paris Business & Psychology

John Wai

Kyoto Institution of Culture & Language Japanese Language

Evelyn Ward* UCL History

Matthew Watson* Bath Business Management

Joshua Webb St Mary's, Twickenham Sports Management

Henry White Exeter Ancient History

Tommy Whitlock Edinburgh Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

Theodor Zu-Hohenlohe-Oehring Edinburgh Philosophy & Economics *2021 Leaver

Based on information available at time of going to press.

Worth Society Life Life and Times of Worthians