Issuu

Supplement 2 018

Contents Welcome

Page 2

Events

Page 8

FeatureS

Page 22

Circle News

Page 28

In Memoriam

Page 44

Directory

Page 47

Contents

Welcome

Welcome from the Headmistress

t has, as ever, been a busy, successful and happy year. Over the course of 2017/2018, we managed to pack in nearly all of our traditional events (with the exception of the end of the Autumn Term, which was severely hampered by snow) as well as a number of new initiatives, including a hugely successful Reading Week, GlastonAbbey and a wonderful Go for Gold charity dinner, to name but a few.

It has been another excellent year for our Sports department – we were ranked in the top ten independent schools for sport for the second year running. Our ski team enjoyed outstanding success at the Independent Schools’ Ski Championships in Les Deux Alpes in December, beating off competition from 20 independent schools from across the UK to be named National Champions. We were delighted in March to be last-minute stand-in hosts for the National Lacrosse Championships in March. With 800 players from 48 schools, there was an incredible atmosphere despite challenging weather conditions. The colourful array of tents and marquees made for a most festive occasion and wonderful celebration of school lacrosse. Music remains strong, varied and entertaining at Wycombe Abbey, and there have been numerous opportunities for

our musicians to demonstrate their diverse talents. Our jazz ensemble performed at the Go for Gold charity dinner, and our first GlastonAbbey in June gave School rock bands Area 51, Ahara and Eureka the opportunity to play to a large audience on an outdoor stage. Our annual visit to St John’s Smith Square showcased our finest senior musicians, and the choral society enjoyed joining forces with Eton College for a performance of Verdi’s magnificent ‘Requiem’. We have also enjoyed some wonderful drama productions with pupils of all ages participating in a variety of plays, from Clarence’s production of ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ to the juniors’ performance of ‘The Revengers’. The Highlights dance show included, as always, a number of stunning performances from girls of all ages. Continued overleaf

Welcome

Our Model United Nations teams have had an outstanding year, and have attended an increasing number of conferences, including an extremely successful appearance at St Andrew’s International Model United Nations Conference in Dublin during the Easter holiday. Despite strong competition from 98 teams from across the world, Wycombe Abbey won the Outstanding Delegation Award. This followed success at the Lady Eleanor Hollis conference (LEHMUN). We look forward to hosting our biggest conference, WASMUN, in February 2019. Last year, in light of the trend of major schools not participating in the GCSE and A level league tables, we felt that it was time for Wycombe Abbey to withdraw from them as well. As the best girls’ boarding school, with all the benefits of communal life, we have a unique story to tell, and we believe that too much focus on examination results is at the expense of appreciating the imaginative, enjoyable and deep learning that goes on at Wycombe Abbey. This said, we are incredibly proud of the girls’ academic achievements, and they continue to achieve excellent exam results. Once again, we have had a successful year with university applications, illustrating what can be attained when ability and commitment are joined together with a very healthy sprinkling of enthusiasm and ambition. Twenty-nine girls received offers from Oxbridge, 14 from Cambridge and 15 from Oxford – the highest number of Oxford offers in the past seven years. The total of 29 offers from Oxbridge is the second best since 2011/2012. The Russell Group universities continue to make excellent 4

Welcome

numbers of offers to our girls. Popular choices this year include UCL, Edinburgh, Durham and Exeter. Bristol, St Andrews, LSE and Warwick have also seen good numbers of applicants. The number of girls successfully applying to US universities continues to grow. Thirteen Upper Sixth girls and two PQA girls made a total of 71 applications to a diverse range of colleges and universities this year, including Brown, UChicago, Claremont McKenna, Cornell, Duke, John Hopkins, NYU, Parsons, UPenn, RISD, Swarthmore, Trinity, Tufts, UCLA, USC and Yale. Some girls are also holding waitlist places from Columbia, Harvard and Princeton. It has been wonderful to see so many members of the alumnae community visit over the last year, and I am grateful to so many of the Seniors’ community who have supported Wycombe Abbey in some way. Your support with our careers network, in particular, is invaluable, and the girls love hearing from you and benefit enormously from your experience. If you are in a position to do so, please do consider volunteering at one of our brilliant events next year. With the launch of our new Seniors’ website in the autumn, it will be easier than ever for you to indicate your willingness to participate. You can find out more about this on page 27. I wish you all the best for the year ahead. With all good wishes Rhiannon J Wilkinson, MA (Oxon), MEd Headmistress

Welcome from the Chair of the

Seniors’ Consultative Committee T

here was an excellent turnout for Seniors’ Day in September last year, and amongst those returning to school for it were groups of Seniors who were marking 40 and 50 years since leaving Wycombe Abbey. I am very grateful to Alice Devoy, the recipient of a Seniors’ travel award, for speaking to us after lunch about her experience of undertaking gap year charitable work in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Seniors enjoyed lunch in Big School and then were able to inspect the new Pitt and Rubens boarding houses, which had been formally opened only days beforehand.

The inclement weather last winter, which put paid to so many people’s plans, also took its toll on the Seniors’ diary. A heavy snowfall the night before made the Wycombe pitches unplayable for the annual Seniors’ lacrosse fixture against the School’s first team in December. It was especially disappointing as we were looking forward to our lacrosse players turning out in record numbers for what no doubt would have been an excellent match and possibly even a famous victory! The freezing weather also forced the cancellation of the Seniors’ carol service for what must be the first time for many years, indeed, if ever. It was a real blow to lose such a popular annual event and we were disappointed, too, for the girls who had worked so hard to prepare for this significant service, which traditionally marks what is the end of a long and busy term for them. While we await a substantive appointment to the post of Seniors’ Officer, we are very grateful to Harriet Dearden who has been on secondment to Wycombe over the last year and has ably looked after the Seniors during that time. You will all have received communications from Harriet in recent months asking you to confirm whether you are happy to continue receiving emails from the School, and it is good that so many Seniors have responded positively and opted in to these. Data protection legislation is important to protect our personal information. However, the new regulations are so stringent that the School will unfortunately and inevitably lose touch with those Seniors who do not proactively confirm that they would like to remain on the database. If you have not yet got round to confirming with the School that you wish to stay in touch then I would encourage you to do so. We look forward to the development of a new Seniors’ section on the Wycombe Abbey website in the coming months and hope that this will make it easier for you to communicate with the School as well as keep up to date with the Seniors.

It is wonderful that Seniors everywhere continue to organise local and regional reunions, and we are grateful to all those who have taken the initiative to hold an event. If you are thinking of planning a Seniors’ get-together, either in your area or with your contemporaries, then do get in touch with the School if you need help with contact details. And after the event please do send in a photo and a short piece for the Supplement too. With the increasingly international profile of the School and its Seniors, we now have a very active Seniors group in Hong Kong. Plans are afoot to hold a networking event in London for Seniors who work in the creative industries. If this is an area you work in then do get in touch with the School, who will be pleased to hear from you. As ever my thanks to those who sit on the Consultative Committee and in particular to Anne Walton (Felkin, C79) and Caroline Ames (Buttle, C141) who also work so hard representing the Seniors on the School’s Bursary Committee. If you are thinking of Wycombe for your daughter – or know of someone who is – but are unable to afford the full fees then do contact the School for details of the bursary scheme. Generous provision is available for bursaries, ranging from a small award of 10 per cent up to and in some cases even exceeding 100 per cent of the fees. The next Seniors’ Day will be held on Sunday 23 September 2018. It will offer you a rare chance to satisfy your curiosity about the old airforce base as tours of the bunker will be available to the inquisitive on the day. I look forward to seeing you there! Amanda Gibbon Chair of the Seniors’ Consultative Committee

Welcome

One Year On A

year ago I was sitting in Big School, mid way through my A levels and wondering what life would be like after Wycombe. One year on, I can safely say I have had an amazing year that has contained so many different experiences. After leaving Clarence, the summer started with traditional family holidays to Wales and the Isles of Scilly, allowing me a much-needed rest after exams. I spent August teaching children to sail dinghies at my local sailing club, which tested my creativity for entertaining large groups of children and teenagers. Jumping in to the tune of ‘Ten Green Bottles’ is surprisingly effective! From there I was persuaded to learn to rock climb, something I discovered I had a passion for, making me wonder why I never tried the wall at Wycombe!

For the next couple of months, I began to extend my knowledge of the working world: teaching adults sailing at the weekends, whilst juggling waitressing at Twickenham rugby stadium, pulling pints in a kiosk at Chelsea Football ground, learning to drive and then finally a Christmas temp job in the menswear department of M&S. The colour coding of my revision notes had nothing on the perfection of my sock display. I escaped the world of work for a very memorable week to complete my Duke of Edinburgh’s residential section aboard a 72-foot challenger yacht. Helming this boat in a force-six

Welcome

across the English Channel was an exhilarating experience I will never forget. The New Year saw me join up with a fellow Senior to explore the beautiful and geography-rich country of New Zealand. Taking a hop-on, hop-off bus to virtually all corners of the country, we walked miles along its Great Walks, marvelling at the stark natural beauty and experiencing the thrills of white water rafting and caving. Wycombe had prepared us very well for the life of hostel dorms and the bonding over cups of tea in a communal kitchen with fellow backpackers. We then met up with two more Seniors in Sydney, making our way up the east coast of Australia, surfing and snorkelling at every opportunity. There seems to be an emerging water-based theme to my gap year as I went on after Australia to where I am now: teaching dingy sailing again; however, in the much warmer climes of Menorca rather than Staines! A lot of my job here involves communicating with and encouraging my clients, a skill that Wycombe has taught me well. I can’t believe I am nearing the end of what has been one of the best years of my life so far, but I am also really looking forward to catching up with my Wycombe friends and my love of Geography at Durham in October. Sophie de Waal Head Girl 2016/2017

Who’s Who? Seniors’ Consultative Committee Chair:

Committee Members:

Patrons

• Amanda Gibbon (Owen, C149)

• Sue Cameron (C100)

• Baroness Howe of Idlicote (Elspeth Shand, C74)

• Felicity Conway (Harris, C160) Bursary Committee:

• Looby Crean (Rowsell, C138)

• Caroline Ames (Buttle, C141)

• Jane Gould-Smith (Morris, C127)

• Anne Walton (Felkin, C79)

• Emma Lloyd-Jones (C129)

Seniors’ Travel Awards:

• Clare Middleton (Cambell Golding, C166) • Fiona Robinson (Johnston, C145)

• Suze Stevens-Wood (Hon)

• Sue Cameron (C100) • Enid Foxall (Hawley, C66) • Pauline Davies (Hon) • Judith Goodland (Hon) • Anne Walton (Felkin, C79) • The Rt Hon the Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss (Havers, C75) • Jill Ohlson (Thain, C70)

Regional Representatives • Derbyshire: Jill Harrison (Lilley, C76) • Hampshire: Penny Cullis (Mudd, C127) • Manchester: Louise Rhodes (Melene, C107)

• Merseyside, Lancashire & Cumbria: Katy Marsh (Cameron, C82) • Northern Ireland: Audrey Macafee (Wilson, C94) • Scotland: Catriona Brown (MacLeod, C119)

• South West: Sue Cameron (C100) • Hong Kong: Laura Weeks (Morrison, C183) • Singapore: Stephanie Cheah (Demierre, C170)

Lost Seniors – can you help? Seniors is a global family with over 4,000 members across the world. Over time we have lost touch with a number of members, but we would love to reconnect with any ‘Lost Seniors’ and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be involved and kept informed of news and events. How you can help

Do you know anyone in your circle or any other friends from Wycombe Abbey who may no longer be in contact with Seniors? If so, please encourage them to get in touch – we are always delighted to hear from all Seniors. Please contact us by emailing seniors@wycombeabbey.com or telephone 00 44 (0)1494 896 309. Welcome

Events

Decade Reunions Ten Years On This year it was ten years since leaving Wycombe Abbey. Olivia Cardale (C257) organised a reunion in London in June: “We managed to gather quite a good number!”

20 Years On The class of 1997 met in September 2017 in London. It was a great reunion with over one third of the year making it during the evening, including brand new babes in arms, an impressive achievement considering how far flung around the globe we all are and some did travel from abroad! Predictably we all found so much to gossip about that it resulted in us completely forgetting to document the occasion with a photograph until after most people had left! It was commented on how we all looked the same as 20 years ago... until the Clarence leaving photo was produced... At which point we all agreed how much better we look now! Thank you everyone who made it! I look forward to our 25-year, silver catch-up in 2022! For those who missed out hearing about it, sorry! On Facebook Messenger there is now a group ‘20 year reunion’ with most of our year as members... Let me know if you want to be added! Abi Brown (McMahon Turner, C203)

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30 Years On Christa and Mia initiated a brilliant plan for our year to meet up at a pub in Chelsea. The email spread like gossip in a girls’ boarding school and before they knew what they had started, over 40 of the Class of 1988 had travelled up to London to reunite. Any initial fears and anxieties about whether we would recognise each other after three decades soon evaporated. These were replaced by squeals of delight and the inevitable comments of “You haven’t changed a bit!” The decibel level gradually increased throughout the evening, and it was fascinating to hear about the different paths, careers and roles that we had followed since leaving school: song-writer, singer, medics, estate agent, accountant and a school registrar, to name but a few. It seemed as if time had stood still and yet we had 30 years to catch up on! Many of us have several children, some of whom are rapidly turning into young adults, and there was a prevalent theme of A level - and GCSE - induced stress in our households… maybe the reason for such a large turnout?!

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Christa made a moving speech, and we toasted our two peers who are sadly no longer with us (Jessica Percival and Dorothy Kerr) and also a couple who were unable to attend at the last minute. We were clearly reluctant for the evening to end, and I can’t remember the last time that I was asked so assertively to leave a pub at closing time! The numerous emails that have circulated since the evening are a testament to its success, and it has been a wonderful catalyst to rekindle old friendships – I’m sure that social media will help us to keep in contact and link up once again with others from our year. A huge thank you to Christa and Mia for instigating such a successful reunion. Here’s to ‘Forty Years On’, and I hope that there will be even more of us there. Clare Middleton (Campbell Golding, C166)

40 Years On I realise that the song is no longer sung at school, but we sang it at least once a term and stamped along to the chorus. I mentioned to a few friends the year before that 2017 was our 40 years on! We decided that if we were ever going to have a school reunion, this was the one to go for, we set a date for September 2017 and started working...

The result was that 40 of us met in London: Karen Bateman (C134) came from Australia, Chris Elliott (C136) from Canada and others arranged trips back to the UK to coincide with our date in September. We had a table for memorabilia which went from photos (so few compared to our kids) to boaters and even a bookbag, complete with Latin text book! We did wear name badges, but we were all very recognisable and characters hadn’t changed either. We had a sit-down meal in house tables, with a separate one for the ‘spring chickens’ two years below.

The School records are not only incomplete but also only record the year people left, so their 1977 list missed all those who left after O levels. However, we gradually built up Amanda Howe led us in a great a list of everyone we thought rendition of ‘Forty Years On’ was in our year and then set Forty years on, when afar and asunder (song sheets were provided) and about finding them through Parted are those who are singing today, we later also sang ‘In Fide Vade’. LinkedIn and other social media, When you look back, and forgetfully wonder In fairness, many of us did regularly sending out lists of who What you were like in your work and your play. wonder if we would enjoy it and we were still looking for. Then, it may be, there will often come o’er you, some even stood outside the Generally, most of us were in venue wondering why they had contact with two to three others Glimpses of notes like the catch of a song – agreed to come, but it was in and some houses, like Barry, had Visions of girlhood shall float them before you, Karen Twining’s words “a stayed in touch. It took months, Echoes of dreamland shall bear them along. triumph”. The energy levels were but we got to about 60 email high as was the noise, chat was addresses for the 90 names we all about school and things we did then, virtually nothing could remember, including a few people two years below about what do we do now, how many kids and all that… and our year who had left in 1977. Of course, there were we just ran out of time to speak to everyone. On parting people who just weren’t in the country at the time though everyone said we should do it again in ten years… Good luck really wanted to come, or said they weren’t interested in coming, but it is to be expected… not everyone looks back to whoever wants to organise it, but I do have a list of emails that will be useful! on school days fondly 40 years on. Christine Tacon (C134)

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45 Years On Pippa Bradley (C127) and Tasneem Virani (Nanji, C127) organised a get-together in London at Tasneem’s home. “We had an amazing time, reminiscing and catching up and felt we were back at School. Great to see what everyone is doing in their lives after 40 plus years.”

1969 Reunion Ten Seniors from the same year at Wycombe gathered in Northumberland on 13 and 14 June 2018. Thanks to Rosie Barber (C116) and Katie Carr-Ellison (Babington-Smith, C117) and her husband who were hosts at their magnificent farms. Also attending were Rachel Stapleton (Prest, C115) and husband, Trish Presland (Barnes, C115) and husband, Pippa Barnsley (Riley, C117), Carole Mitchell-Heggs (North, C117) and husband, Helen Horne (Taylor, C117) and husband, Chrissy White and partner, Tina Thomson-Jones (Thomson, C116) and Elizabeth Breeze (C117). Most can be seen in the photo of our lunch at Rosie’s home.

Rubens 1960 To celebrate Nicky Huish’s (Boult, C133) visit to Scotland, Kathy Harley (C136) hosted lunch for five Seniors in her home just outside Edinburgh in July 2017. Standing: Kathy Harley(C136) Nicky Huish (Boult, C133) Sitting: Sarah Nicholson (Ffookes, C133) Janey Rodger (MacTaggart, C132) Frances Fowle (Coats, C131)

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In May this year, six of us from Rubens met up for a delicious lunch given by Suzi Shellabear (Stuber, C98) at her lovely house and garden in Cookham. It was wonderful seeing each other again. I can’t believe we’re all in our seventies, except for Joan Gilbert (McKenzie, C101) perhaps. We did not stop talking, and it was just like being back at Wycombe – no-one had really changed! Old friends are best... Anna Hoysted Standing: Joan Gilbert (McKenzie, C101) Stephanie Prosser (Patmore, C98) Anna Hoysted (Duncan, C98)

Sitting: Ros McMillan (Harries, C101) Gillian Fry (Bailey, C97) Suzi Shellabear (Stuber, C98).

Regional Gatherings scotland

Seniors in Scotland It was lovely to meet up with Seniors from Scotland in April, when Susanna Stanford (Hall, C187) hosted a delightful lunch at her home, the Headmaster’s Lodge at Fettes College in Edinburgh. Unfortunately a good number of people were not able to come because of other commitments, but Catriona Brown (the Seniors’ Representative in Scotland) will be planning something for the spring of next year. Details will be circulated in due course, and any Senior living, working, or studying in Scotland or the north of England will be most welcome, especially those who have recently moved to Scotland for university or other training courses.

Events

hong Kong

The Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong Foundation May Lunch 20 Seniors in Hong Kong met for lunch at the Hong Kong Club in May. Patrick Sherrington gave a talk on the plans for Wycombe Abbey International Schools, which was followed by a lively and interesting Q&A session. Look out for news of more events taking place in the future.

Events

Drinks Reception The Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong Foundation launched with a drinks reception for Seniors on 27 November 2017 at the Hong Kong Club. The event was a wonderful success, with a lovely, relaxed, happy atmosphere, with everyone chatting to everyone. Around 30 people attended throughout the course of the evening. Patrick Sherrington gave a speech about the Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong Foundation. We were delighted to receive lots of interest from Seniors who would like to be more involved and many offers of help to arrange regular gatherings and events in the future. Laura Weeks (Morrison, C183) and Joy Sherrington (Smallman, C122)

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singapore

SINGAPORE 2018 By Jane Martindale

Oh how simply delightful it has been to spend some time in Singapore with those who I now (bravely) call friends. Ex-pupil is so 2014! It all started when seven girls in Singapore decided that since they could not get to my leaving party hosted by the girls, they would send me ‘fun vouchers’ to help me get to Singapore at a later date. How marvellous! My visit coincided with the annual WAS Singapore reunion. This year held at Red House Seafood, a restaurant owned by Wei Ling Chang (C205). She provided space and an extensive menu for us all. Being the end of Chinese New Year, we dutifully mixed a vast plate of shredded vegetables, strips of raw fish and a variety of sauces and condiments – tossing it high in the air, all at the same time and all over the table too! Such fun to join in a legal food fight at last. The mix of age groups paled into insignificance given the common denominator, and the decibels rose. I found myself enchanted by meeting those girls whom I had known years ago throughout their time at school, and hearing about their lives and families now. Meeting a smattering of husbands was testament to their bravery, but also made me think I have been looking in the wrong country all this timetime... Actually, there was an interesting debate about the type of man who would choose a Wycombe Abbey girl as his wife. I was informed that these men were strong partnership material, because their confident, high-achieving wives would be one full half of the bond. But if a man was looking for an adjunct, well then he would have to search some of those other institutions. (You understand I am simply reporting back here.) 16

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Confident and high achieving these Seniors are indeed. I talked with many, including Jeannette Tan (C205), Soo Xian Shaw (C218), Lune Teng Yap (C160), Jenny Wee (C198), Natasha Liok (C211), and Nikki Cheah (’96). Over the rest of my stay in Singapore, I had meals, sightseeing tours and more with Suzy Hopkinson (Lyle, C184), Joo Hymn Tan, Harriet Bick (C254), Nicola Lim (Shaw, C196), Norinne Dewal (C201) and e-mails with Lily McMyn (Hayes, C184). But I really want to thank Michèle Marshall (Sohmen, C162) and Stephanie Cheah (Demierre, C170) for their brilliant orchestration of my time. Also Wei Li Monteiro (Wong, C173) who spirited me away for three days to Penang and showed me her stamping ground. We met some of her friends... a special time, and special thanks therefore! I have come away with many lovely memories, but mainly the good feeling from being with happy, interesting and fun people. Talking about old times, new times and the future. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. In fact, there has never been quite the opportunity for me to express a heartfelt thank you to ALL of you I taught at Wycombe Abbey! I have always wanted to convey publicly just how much I enjoyed being in your company. You were all so intelligent, so funny, so motivated and just so able. It was a pleasure to help you along the way!

“I have come away with many lovely memories, but mainly the good feeling from being with happy, interesting and fun people.”

Events

Seniors’ Day 2017 On Sunday 19 September 2017, 70 Seniors and Honorary Seniors returned to Wycombe Abbey for the annual Seniors’ Day reunion. The Carrington Room was abuzz with conversation as friends reunited after decades away and more recent leavers caught up after a year apart. The words of ‘In Fide Vade’, sung heartily after lunch, rang true: every decade from 1950 onwards was represented, “a vision of age and youth” coming together to celebrate the “glorious heritage” of Wycombe Abbey. After a delicious lunch in Big School accompanied by much laughter and conversation, we heard from Alice Devoy (Class of 2016) about her time volunteering with Project Favela in Rio, with support from a Seniors’ Travel Award.

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This was followed by tours of the houses, with many remarking on the changes to the site. For some Seniors who had not returned for 40 or 50 years there were a number of significant additions; for others, the new cafe, The Courtyard, was explored with excitement. The new Pitt and Rubens Boarding Houses were also a real draw, with current girls and staff proudly showing off their new surroundings. The autumn sun shone as Seniors’ walked down the hill back to the Abbey for tea in Fisher Library, bringing the day to a close.

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Seniors at the House of Lords The new Dove-Bowerman Legacy Society was given a splendid launch at the start of July, with a wonderful reception at the House of Lords hosted by DoveBowerman Society Patron Baroness Howe. The guest speaker was Dame Sue Carr, who spoke about the tradition of philanthropy at Wycombe Abbey and two of the School’s most notable legators, Dame Frances Dove and Elsie Bowerman, after whom the society has been named. The aim of the society is to recognise and thank anyone who wishes to remember the School in their will, through regular communications and events. For more information about the Dove-Bowerman Society, please contact the Development Office: development@wycombeabbey.com

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Dove-Bowerman Society

A gift for the

future wycombeabbey.com

Calling all 1979 leavers We are planning a

40th Reunion Celebration on the

13 October 2019 th

Please could you email your contact details to any of the following people: laurabaxter@perceptionsmatter.com amelia@ameliagranville.co.uk catherinewray@icloud.com sheenalloyd@aol.com

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Features

Part of the Family

“ Wycombe Abbey affords its girls an

environment where they can develop without having to worry about anything more than they need to in an increasingly demanding world for teenagers.”

Felicity Conway with daughters

he Admissions department is celebrating a record year and we are delighted to be welcoming a strong and talented cohort to Wycombe Abbey for the 2018 academic year. Amongst their number, we are even more pleased to have 19 girls joining their sisters and a further 12 girls whose grandmothers, mothers, aunts and sisters are Seniors. Wycombe Abbey actively welcomes applications from relatives from the Seniors’ community. Over the last year, a number of Senior mothers have visited with their daughters and have been impressed with the School and the warmth of welcome they received.

Two Seniors who have already chosen Wycombe Abbey for their daughters are Felicity Conway (Harris, C160) and Amanda Gibbon (Owen, C149). Felicity, who has one daughter in UV and one just starting in UIV, chose Wycombe Abbey as it “is an academically excellent school which encourages the girls to aim high with great facilities and traditional values.” Amanda, mother of Hannah in LVI and Julia (C283), selected Wycombe Abbey because “for us the alternative to boarding was a London day school. Wycombe matches the best in London for academic excellence but offers a far greater choice of extra-curricular activity, particularly in music, sport and drama.” Both Felicity and Amanda recognise that the School has changed considerably since their time. For Felicity “the School feels much more modern and less formal. Sunday suits are no more and all girls have the freedom to go into Wycombe or home most weekends. The facilities for sport and the arts are great, and the old swimming pool has finally been demolished to make way for some much needed new Boarding Houses.”

Amanda notes that “it is much more comfortable! There is also a far greater emphasis on individual welfare with a higher staff to girl ratio and much more contact with the outside world – girls can now see their families most weekends if they would like to, which I think is very healthy.” Felicity adds, “Girls boarding schools are not very fashionable at the moment, but education is not about fashion. Wycombe Abbey affords its girls an environment where they can develop without having to worry about anything more than they need to in an increasingly demanding world for teenagers.” We are also able to offer a number of fully or partly funded bursary places to talented girls. All offers are means-tested and can be worth up to 100 per cent of the fees. As Chairman of the Seniors’ Consultative Committee, Amanda encourages Seniors interested in a place for their daughter to get in touch. “If you are concerned about being able to meet the level of fees, then do remember that generous bursary provision is available for help either with all or part of the fees and don’t hesitate to apply. As a high-achieving academic institution, Wycombe remains what it always has been and does not suit every girl. However, for the right girl it provides a fantastic education.” If you would like more information about the admissions process and bursary application, please do contact the Admissions Department on 01494 89700 or email registrar@wycombeabbey.com

Features

Reflections on Volunteering Overseas

uganda

“Ah! You are from England! I support Manchester United! I long to visit that side. How is there? What is snow like?...”

his very common response from Ugandans, when they find out where I’m from, serves as a constant reminder of how truly fortunate anyone is to be able to travel. This time volunteering was my third visit through a small charity called The Friends of St Michael’s Uganda, and was made possible by the kind support of a Wycombe Abbey Senior’s Travel Bursary. Every time I go, I become increasingly aware of how much more I have to learn than I do to teach, and that projects I work on are best when they are done in partnership with the local community. When you first arrive in a country seemingly much less ‘developed’ than your own, it is so easy, in your enthusiasm to help, to think of lots of solutions to things you see as problems, and to feel the urge to ‘dive in’, and start ‘doing’ right away, without fully engaging with and consulting the community, who generally have a much better sense of what will work well in that particular environment. No one is immune to these kind of honest mistakes. I still cringe remembering how I gallantly suggested to a nursery teacher that I could be an extra pair of hands in her classroom on the first day of term, knowing that looking after lots of children leaving their parents for the first time would be a handful. She politely agreed to my assistance. Cue ensuing scenes of chaos where the new nursery children, most of whom it transpired had never seen a white person before, ran screaming from the classroom, covering their eyes with their hands to hide the horror of my face! With hindsight, the teacher was probably fully aware that this would occur, and

Features

that my presence would cause far more problems than help, but I clearly hadn’t given her the space to express this. In spite of the potential pitfalls, I am a passionate advocate of the mutual benefits of volunteering abroad, when done in real long-term partnership with the local community. One project from my recent trip was to work with a local school who wanted to introduce lunchtime meals, as pupils currently go without any food during the day. My task was to help them develop the infrastructure to fund and manage the meals, if they were given a grant for the start-up costs. This is a good example of giving a hand up, not a hand out. While the speed of progress could sometimes feel frustratingly slow, if the project is going to be sustainable in the long term, taking this time to give the school and community ownership of the project is absolutely necessary. One of the highlights of my last trip was working with a school librarian to re-design and re-paint her library. Despite the children enjoying putting their fingers through the windows to touch the wet paint, and the low moment when I discovered a cupboard full of rats(!) the project was both well received and enjoyable. Working in partnership was key to this. Spending time in Uganda always challenges my assumptions about the best way to do things. For example, when I first arrive, I find the pace of life incredibly slow, inefficient and frustrating, and then I slowly realise how wonderful it is to be in a place where everyone always has time to greet and talk to each other. Without exception. When I once mentioned to

a Ugandan headmaster that in England we would occasionally send an email to someone in the same room as us, no further conversation could take place for the next five minutes while he howled with uncontrollable laughter! He had a point. With so many companies offering trips to volunteer abroad, it can be a challenge to know which ones make a real difference. My advice to anyone thinking of volunteering overseas would be to make sure the project you are working on is done in a sustainable, long-term partnership with some leadership from the local community, and to go ready to learn not to teach. Hopefully I’ll make a lot less nursery children cry next time! Kay Hudson (C259)

Features

Hazel Garnett-Peacham In the last edition of the Seniors’ Supplement, we featured an article about the School’s youngest pupil meeting the oldest Senior, Hazel Garnett-Peacham (Straker-Nesbit). Mrs Garnett-Peacham, now aged 103, started at Wycombe Abbey 90 years ago this year, spending five terms at the School from May 1928 to December 1929. We wanted to share some more stories and recollections from Mrs Garnett-Peacham’s time at Wycombe Abbey. Ninety years ago, Miss Crosthwaite was the newlyappointed Headmistress, who like Mrs Garnett-Peacham arrived at Wycombe in the spring of 1928. A number of important events in the School’s history took place during this year, including the first service in the School Chapel and the decision, taken by Council to buy Daws Hill with 224 acres of land adjoining the School grounds. In Miss Crosthwaite’s words “In September 1928, the unexpected happened; Daws Hill with its house and lodges and over 200 acres of gardens, woods and fields was to be sold for building. The Council had to decide whether to buy the estate or to allow the School to become an oasis in the midst of streets and houses. The momentous decision was taken and with courage and foresight the Council made the great adventure – Daws Hill was ours.” This not only provided three much-needed Boarding Houses, but additional playing fields and hard tennis courts.

Mrs Garnett-Peacham was in Airlie House. This was a time when surgical operations took place in the School’s medical centre, and indeed, Mrs Garnett-Peacham recalls a visit from a Harley Street specialist and two nurses for a procedure. She said, “When all was ready for the operation and I was being brought up to theatre, my housemistress, Miss Stonehouse, who was so kind, went into authoritative mood and bundled the big man out of sight saying ‘You can’t let her see you like that, she’d be scared stiff.’ My father stayed in the School during the first weeks after the operation and spent the evenings playing tip and run with the girls on the Level. It was during the following month that he had an operation himself from which he died, which is why I left Wycombe after five terms.” We are most grateful to Mrs Garnett-Peacham for sharing this fascinating account of her time at Wycombe Abbey with us.

Wycombe Abbey Senior receives national award for charity Jane Gould-Smith (C127) has been recognised with a national honour after founding a charity offering ex-prisoners the chance of work. Jane was bestowed the honour of a British Citizen Award (BCA) for her services to the employment charity, Clean Sheet, which she launched in 2010. Since then, Jane has worked tirelessly with ex-offenders after their release – encouraging them to find suitable work, training or volunteering with over 105 registered Clean Sheet employers, including the likes of Boots, M&S and Virgin Active. Jane currently works with 19 prisons across the UK and initially set up Clean Sheet after feeling that there was a lack of trust between employers and people with convictions. She said: “This is a very proud moment, but the work is only just beginning. We have been going for seven years but it’s truly snowballed this year. There’s a lot to do to seize the momentum and ensure even more ex-prisoners are able to

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take advantage of the service. Some of their convictions date back decades, but many have still not managed to wipe the stain clean. A former prisoner who finds work is between 30 and 55 per cent less likely to reoffend. That average goes above 80 per cent if they find a mentor. The message is clear – work plus support equals a better chance.” Jane was one of 25 winners who was honoured at a ceremony on 25 January at the Palace of Westminster, The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in 2015 to recognise ‘everyday’ individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society.

Coming Soon

Wycombe Abbey Seniors Connect We are delighted to announce that a new Seniors’ website will be launched in the autumn. Powered by Graduway, the new platform will provide a number of new ways to interact with Seniors across the world. Look out for further information about the launch and find out more on Seniors’ Day.

Careers • Find a mentor • Post a vacancy for your company • Search for jobs • Meet other people in your sector • Get involved in School careers events

Events • Find out about and register for events • Share and view photos from recent events

Connect • A searchable directory • Connect and message friends • Dedicated group area for your circle • Regional group areas You can access the site from

www.wycombeabbeyseniors.com or by downloading the Seniors’

app from your app provider. Features

Circle News

Marion Campbell

Sadly I have to report that Cynthia Duff (Hardy) has died, (so also have both Anne Turle and Mary Joustra (Mary-Maud Bryson) never paid-up Seniors but our contemporaries) we are showing our age! And most of our news is of slowing down, new hips, etc. I fit in this category, but on the whole am very fortunate and still have a busy life, if slower, and the ground seems ever more difficult to reach – but I enjoyed the show in one un-weeded border of buttercups and campion last year! Judy Andrews (McCartan) Judy “decided to have her increasingly painful blind eye partially removed, a clever operation leaving the back bit with muscles attached so that the false eye has a degree of movement. The result is remarkably natural-looking, pain-free and stays in. She no longer looks like Jim’s ‘one-eyed Mate’. Jim is recovering from a heart attack, though gets around amazingly with modern gadgets. He can still drive but shorter distances, and boating of any sort no longer possible. However “our memory banks of life afloat in the varied large and small boats it has been our privilege and joy to experience, are anyway absolutely FULL. We have a new motto ‘Enough is just lovely’.” Jill Askew (Parker) Is slowing down and doesn’t drive long distances. She enjoys her home, and though her family all live abroad they come and visit. She is missing Rima who has now moved back to Sussex. Johanne Chevalier (Boulter) Would have loved to get over for the carol service last year “but with my husband in a wheelchair and needing carers, it was not possible. We are both keeping well and able to go out for meals in special taxies. Brenda Faux (Stonely) Is still living in Saffron Walden near her daughter. Betty Heath (Taylor) Is finding life easier now that she has daily help coming in each morning to help Bernard get up and wash, etc. He also goes to a day centre at times, but he spends most of his day sleeping, so it is a restricted life.

Rima Martin (Glazebrook) “I have moved from Anglesea, which I greatly miss. However, I am now living in a very nice flat in Arundel, Sussex. The river flows beneath my window, and I have the castle on my doorstep. It all came about unexpectedly when the flat became available near my youngest daughter here. I have been here since January, and have not regretted a minute, so am very fortunate. I could do with a few new spare parts, and have had three new hips in the past few years, but otherwise OK.” Veronica Mellish (Bagot) Divides her life between London, in the winter and the USA (New Hampshire) in the summer. Helped by special exercises and a strict diet (with the odd cheat) which “have helped a lot to overcome double knee replacements and will hopefully prevent having the other hip done!” She still plays a lot of golf in the summer. Anne Wade (Smith) “I am tottering around and enjoying life to the full.”

Gill Foster (Fletcher)

We are alarmingly near the beginning of the Seniors’ address book, but there are still 21 of us and most of us have email addresses, which does make it much easier to keep in touch and undoubtedly makes the job of secretary even less work! Not that it was ever very arduous. I was a Lost Senior for many years, until Hazel Carstensen, now very sadly dead, who was secretary at the time, extracted £50 off me to re-join, and I am very glad she did. Apart from having a second new knee last summer I had another visit to Dorothy Braun’s (Clark) lovely house on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland and then went away with Meryl Brand (C78) in September for a holiday in Cornwall. We used to laugh when we sang ‘Forty Years On’ at the end of term but now it is 70 years on! Eunice Gillingham (Weston) My now yellow and flimsy with age WASS Leavers’ notelet, “Incorporated June 12, 1898” and given to me with my silver badge by K A Walpole – Vice-President on 22 July 1951, is among my treasures. With it is a list of my Butler House Order names: names of the two sisters who liked to eat their bananas as black as soot! My close buddy whom I teased for living in two trees (the name of her house) and our long-

Circle News

legged runner who won the relay for us many times, cruising down Lime Avenue like a deer in flight! And our motto on our Seniors’ badge, which I always wear when I visit the School – ‘In Fide Vade’ – (do you remember?) – what better advice in today’s society, than to ‘Go forward with faith’, whether young or old. ‘Live adventurously’ is the current saying of the day, so my news in my old age is that although I cannot climb mountains, or win business contracts, I can still reflect on life and will strive to follow the motto, if only in reflections and imagination – faithfully and whatever that faith may be for each one of us. Post script: my daughter, Beth, (1978-1984) is living with “exciting” news for me, having just been awarded an Honorary Degree for her contribution to the Fashion World as Chief Executive at Northern Universities.

Anne Boult (Collett)

Last year was rather up and down. My husband, David, was in hospital for some weeks after a bad fall. Luckily he recovered in time for us to celebrate our diamond wedding anniversary in June with happy parties for family and friends. Since then we have been to the Algarve in November and February for some winter sun, so missed the snow! We now look forward to a visit from my sister Bridget Blackburn (Collett C101) and Jim when they come over from the States in June. Meryl Brand Is very busy with Animals in Distress of which she is President and on various committees. She also helps in the Totnes shop and with fund raising. She goes to events at Dartington Hall and walks dogs daily. She will be seeing her sister Rosemary Pudsey Dawson (C75) in June and Gillian Foster (Fletcher, C77) in September. Sue Parker (Tennent) Table tennis has taken over from tennis, U3A provides interesting activities and talks, church recording at a local (not very old) church, listening to six year olds read and helping with lunch at church keep her busy. She has recently been to the Isles of Scilly for flora and fauna with the Wildlife Trust. Also again visited St Lucia. She wonders if there are any Seniors in the vicinity now she is settling in Bath?

Circle News

Margaret Hopkinson-Woolley (Twining)

One of my friends, Jean Alderman (Blake) in C79 phoned me after I was reminded to send in news. We had such a good chat about our time at Wycombe. We both agreed we enjoyed the School and loved the sport more than anything! My latest hobby is learning to play the ukulele. I have lessons with a retired music teacher once a week and play with a group. I had no idea it was going to be such fun. The ukulele is such a wonderful little instrument, easy to play, carry and cheap to buy! There is no need to be able to read music. At the moment we are playing the old songs that we sang at Wycombe. Even ‘Forty Years On’ is in the book. How I remember singing that at the end of term and now it is ‘Sixty-five Years On’. I still have the old house circles in a scrap book. What fun they were and a good reminder of what one got up to. I wondered if many Seniors have kept theirs and if they are still written? My nickname was Teddy very early on, because someone pointed out that I ran like a teddy bear. I could never run, not even in the house relay. There were a few regrets, never in the choir nor had a deportment badge! If Miss Boyd could see me now with my stoop! I remember Ascension Day was always a holiday and we were allowed to go out of the School with a picnic in groups. Outings were rare, even with parents. As I said to Jean yesterday, we didn’t know anything else and I think our lives were better at Wycombe than when it was founded. I think we had three baths a week and hair washing once a fortnight. We came in from games to lessons without washing off the mud! We had chilblains on our shins and fingers. They did itch. How tough we are as a result of our time at Wycombe. I have much to thank the School for in preparing me for life.

Jill Hutchings (Major)

Not a good year for me but a much happier ending. I had to close the gallery after 30 years and put the company into liquidation. I also had to leave my flat which was above the gallery for the same reasons. This resulted in my being homeless for four months; quite an interesting experience once one is over 80. My family and friends have been utterly amazing and so supportive, but I did want to stay on my ‘patch’ if possible. I was told I was not eligible for sheltered housing but luckily someone reconsidered and I was then offered a flat in the block that had been my first choice. I have always felt I have been looked after but never more than these last few months. I still find life slightly strange and a challenge but love the flat and now live in the stimulating area of Covent Garden. I have exchanged the brilliant walk I found while living in Lambeth for four months, which included St George’s Cathedral and the Imperial War Museum, for a ten-minute stroll to the British Museum. A truly wonderful heritage. What an amazing city London is. My family are an absolute joy. Three daughters all working and bringing up their children. Ten grandchildren, one now married and two more with weddings in May and June and all of whom I am deeply impressed with and are a source of constant delight. I have apologised to my circle for being rather useless the last year and hope to hear from those that have not yet replied. Thank you to those that have kept in touch. I speak to my sister Valerie most days and see her whenever possible. I also see Valerie Besser, Elizabeth Cotton and Sally Duncan on a regular but not frequent basis. All of them are still incredibly stimulating. Carol Ellis (Brooks) writes that she has now turned 80 and points out, rightly, that she is one of the younger members of Circle 84. She and her husband Bob, who is slightly older and managing well in spite of having Parkinson’s, still have three dogs and are about to be given a joint birthday party with all their family present, a total of 14 and seven dogs. Their eldest granddaughter is a fourth-year veterinary student at Bristol.

Marianne Shead (Clotworthy) is still living in Cornwall and has help in looking after her house and garden. She still plays the piano for recreation as well as reading and watching television. She writes that she has kept a lot of Wycombe photos and memorabilia and gets a great deal of pleasure from looking at them. Susan Bowman (Bostock) has been in touch with me, and it was such a welcome surprise. She wrote a wonderful letter about her memories of Wycombe mentioning that Irene Sadler, who taught elocution, had instilled in her a love of poetry that would last forever. Sue and her husband Jeffery have three children, all married, and seven grandchildren. They all live reasonably near so are able to keep in touch with them all. Sue and Jeffery lived in a house with a big garden for 48 years which they used to open for the National Garden Scheme. They have now moved to a smaller house and garden, which she says has worked well for them.

Molly Hargreave (Dickens)

I still sit on The Children’s Panel, which is a legal tribunal dealing with children who have been offended against or who have offended. My younger daughter was married to an Italian last year and they now live in The Hague. Mario works for the European Space Agency. The wedding was wonderful as we had one here and then a lovely party in Italy. My grandchildren are all growing up and Ramsay is at Glenalmond and his brother Harris will join him in September. I see Janet Hannay, who also has a grandson at Glenalmond. In the middle of April there was a Scottish Reunion, which was held by Susanna Stanford, who is the wife of the Headmaster of Fettes – it went really well and was a wonderful venue.

Carol is about to stop showing her dogs in the dog agility classes that she has taken part in for a great many years.

Circle News

Mary Bridge

Last August I went on a two-week expeditionary cruise from Aberdeen up to Shetland, down to Orkney, the Hebrides and out to St Kilda, down the west coast of Ireland and to the Scilly Isles. It was a smallish ship and, usually twice a day, we used zodiacs to get us ashore. The weather was amazing – blue skies and calm waters. We explored mostly natural areas, archaeological sites or gardens. After I had edited and had my photos printed, I was struck by their sharpness and clarity. Yes the camera does not lie, but I realised that my cataracts were impeding my vision. So I found a surgeon and had new lenses inserted; what a difference! And just in time because I spent two weeks birdwatching in Trinidad and Tobago this March, and seeing smallish birds high up in rainforest trees or hiding in gloomy undergrowth is no easy task. Now, apart from getting my largish garden back under control after the wet winter and spring, I am completing the task of mounting nearly 400 photos into albums, and labelling the birds, etc. correctly. Shelagh Collingwood (Robertson) Having fixed the smoking chimney in 2016, we could get back to some more travelling in 2017, and in August made our third photographic safari to the Masai Mara.

creeping in a leopard slink under our vehicles as cover from the wildebeest she was tracking, and a lioness tucked into a culvert under the road, with two six-week old cubs. Although a tight fit, it was an excellent hiding place from hyenas and other predators looking for tasty cub morsels. And at the end of the day a sundowner to catch more of the aforementioned elephants and giraffes against a dramatic sunset: a tough and demanding life! The real bonus was seeing the same animals several times during the week, so that we could build up a picture of the rhythm of their lives and how the various species interacted with (or attacked) each other. Again there was the chance of catching up with other friends during the year: Joanna Seldon (over from Canada), Wendy Dice (more dynamic games of bridge with her and her husband), Ros McMillan, Marion O’Brien, and Alison Edmonds here in Harpenden. Then in April we had a fun supper discussing Uzbekistan (which we had visited during our Silk Road trip in 2015) with Juliet Blackburn, who was just about to set off on a trip there, and Dorothy Abel Smith, who’d been there way back in 1971. Our our recent photographs of Tashkent and other highlights, with the present-day somewhat grandiose and magnificent architecture, bore no resemblance to sights seen during her intrepid travels of yesteryear. It meant Juliet could have a much wider background briefing than might have been expected!

Suzanne Shellabear (Stuber)

It has been an eventful and busy last couple of years beginning with an Art History visit to Bologna, Ravenna and Modena where we saw the most beautiful mosaics and dined on delicious Italian food. In May I went with a group to visit the gardens of the Veneto. We were privileged to be able to visit gardens hidden behind the high walls of private villas in Venice itself, followed by a boat trip up the Brenta canal visiting the beautiful villas designed by Andrea Palladio and lunching on occasions with the owners.

As in previous years, we were not disappointed, being given many golden moments such as roseate dawns (so different from the more cinereal ones back in the UK), with giraffes and elephants silhouetted, cheetahs (a band of five young males, working as a Band of Brothers, though not related, as well as two sisters making their own team) chasing their prey, a leopard cub cavorting with her mother’s tail, the mother,

Circle News

In November I visited the Far East for the first time to Myanmar, or Burma as some prefer to call it. In Yangon the highlight was the Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset where I was captivated by the brilliant colours of the dress of the thousands of Burmese who flock there every evening and the sheer beauty of the rich colours of the pagoda and surrounding buildings. From there to Mandalay and one of the colonial hill towns where it was fascinating to see the British architecture and imagine their life out there trying to

escape the heat on top of the hills. One can only imagine the length of time it took them to travel from Rangoon to Mandalay at the turn of the century. This was followed by Bagan, a UNESCO heritage site with its beautiful temples. Some, however, covered in scaffolding following an earthquake several months before. The final stage was a few days spent on Lake Inle following the lives of the lake dwellers to live in huts on stilts in the lake and still follow their traditional crafts, each speciality living in separate villages. A memorable holiday with lots of interesting reading of the history of the country and its continuing conflicts today. My next trip was to Bavaria visiting Baroque churches and a short trip through the spectacular Gorge on the Danube. What pretty countryside, a mini Switzerland. My next trip will be to visit the gardens around Rome and in November a visit to the gardens of Japan, which will be in full autumn colour. I still play a lot of golf, and last year my partner and I won through to the finals of the Fourball Betterball Ladies’ Plate. We went up to Gainsborough in Lincolnshire where we came 11th out of 100 competitors. A pleasing result. In July 2017 my daughter Helen (Shellabear, C230) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Lowenna Katherine. She is my first grandchild and it has been the most wonderful experience, and I am thoroughly enjoying my time spent with her. I am full of admiration for my daughter who seems to juggle home and work life effortlessly due no doubt to the organisational skills taught at Wycombe. Finally, in May I held a lunch at my house in Cookham for all of us in Rubens in the late 50s. I was flattered that friends came from so far: Gillian Fry (Bailey, C97) from Yorkshire, Joan Gilbert (C101) from Dorset, Anna Hoysted (Duncan, C98) from Hampshire, Ros McMillan (Harries, C101) from Surrey and Stephanie Prosser (Patmore, C98) from East Sussex. We were only sorry that Paula Parry (Williams, C101) could not join us from Anglesey where she is recovering from major surgery. Everyone agreed it was so nice to be together again and Gillian summed it up succinctly by saying it was wonderful how at ease we were with each other after an absence of some 58 years.

whom I’ve not seen since 1959! And we all recognised each other! Recollections and reflections filled the conversation over a delicious lunch. The time went all too quickly, and then we had to go our separate ways again. Thanks to everyone for making the effort to come; it was great to put the ‘clock back’. My other news is naturally family. We’ve settled into life in Bexhill. Rhys has had lots of medical problems, predominantly Parkinson’s and arthritis. But the care from the NHS here is faultless, and we have been very lucky (if it is a post code lottery). My daughter, Michelle Frances’ book ‘The Girl Friend’ has done very well with great reviews for a debut book. The next one is due out in the autumn, so we all wait for that. The grandsons did well in their GCSEs. I’m so glad we didn’t have to take so many exams. The younger twin, Tom, got an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce and has spent the last year at uni doing two years in one. He has found it tedious, but knows it had to be done. Next year he goes to the headquarters in Derby, which he will love. Then back to Heathrow for his final year and there afterwards working on aircraft engines. Six months later, his elder brother (by two minutes), Jack, got into the Army. He has spent twenty 23 at the Army College at Harrogate. Though it was strange for him, he settled well and I’m looking forward to his passing out parade in August. He will then join the Royal Engineers. Their sister continues to do well with dance, and has now taken up rugby. The other two granddaughters are doing well. All the children in their various careers are also doing well. In the managerial roles, they do have to work hard and long hours and are never free from the ‘wretched’ mobile phone. If anyone from my era is around the Eastbourne/Hastings area and could make contact, please do. After Suzi’s lunch I realise how important it is to keep in contact.

Steph Prosser (Patmore) Having asked those in my circle to contribute this year, I must put something in myself. Suzi Shellabear has put in about the lovely lunch she hosted. It was great to see some

Circle News

101

Janet Pearce-Higgins

Herefordshire in May is absolutely beautiful; the blossom on the fruit trees and hedgerows is spectacular. We are fortunate that our daughter Nellie (C239) and her family visit frequently from Putney and we go there often. The three children have enormous energy and are great fun. Daniel continues to sit as a Judge in both Hereford and Worcester, and I fill my time working with local groups, digging in the garden, enjoying my geese, ducks, hens and quail and cooking for frequent visitors. My Mother Brenda Griffths (Campbell) started a visitors book in 1959 and we are now on the third edition. At the end of June we are holding a weekend party for the descendants of my parents who were married 80 years ago. We will be about 75 for the party, and my parents would be delighted! The family includes five Seniors.

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Elizabeth Barrs (Aitken)

Suzy Ellis (Susanne Barber) “Initially a post-Brexit money-saving venture, I and our two children decided earlier in the year to apply for Hungarian citizenship as my father (a 1939 refugee from Budapest) only became naturalised when I was about 12. To my pride and relieved amazement, it has triggered in them both a desire to visit Budapest with me later in the year to explore. Musical performances/singing is ongoing now in a new guise. I have, within two years of joining the Wessex Liberal Jewish Community, ended up as a mainstay of a newly formed congregational choir where the brain-melting combination of Hebrew going one way and music notation the other, keeps cerebral cells from decay. We are a heterogeneous bunch and I feel I could do a stand-up routine on the regular incidents/mishaps with comedic music-stand-collapse hurling the sacred text, music sheets of very dubious legibility, essential transliteration-cumtranslation booklet, assorted pencils plus hand-out sheets relevant to the day, sacrilegiously to the floor. More of a juggling act than a Sabbath offering. Singers though are stoical and get used to coping with unpronounceable words, temperature shifts, space restrictions and so on. And in our case awkward competition with the security team who help themselves to our chairs. We/they BOTH NEED to be in the back row. Here, I sing soprano though am in fact a trained alto. However, what bliss after all these decades to have the melody, to be able to soar aloft in these beautiful psalms in what is an almost entirely sung service. As a rider, one weekend recently having done top note Jewish on the Saturday the following day I took part in a Taizé service at the local Baptist church where this time no-one but me would attempt alto – the sandwich filing; no-one was keen to stand anywhere near anyone in a competing part in case they strayed.

I always much enjoy hearing from members of our circle and other Seniors. Last week, for example, we had a very happy luncheon with Guinea Saalfeld (Shiva) and her husband and Diane Fraser Smith (Joan Carey Brown). Sadly we have had to cancel our annual visit to see our son in Michigan as my husband, John, has a broken fibula.

Circle News

Fortunate that my singing exploits have undoubtedly been enhanced or enable by the head-start I received at Wycombe Abbey. Without that foundation, I doubt if I would be enjoying this autumnal flowering. Christine Roberts (Garrett) says she is very much looking forward to retirement at 73 and being a lady of leisure after many years of running her company making model aeroplanes. She will have more time for her large garden complete with a river running through it.

Rosemary Harley (Carrroll) writes: “I continue to lead a pleasantly busy social life, interspersed with guests (I’m happy when they stay and happy when I haven’t anyone staying) and am fortunate to be able to participate in badminton, acquafit, yoga, table tennis, bowls, playing the ukulele and other voluntary activities.” Mary Ader (Atkinson) from Chicago writes: “This has been a difficult year for us, with many setbacks, but we are emerging strengthened and hopeful. The first hurdle concerned our daughter’s wedding. She became engaged last year to a delightful Indian gentleman, and we had planned a beautiful church wedding in Chicago, to be followed later by a Hindu blessing in India. Sadly, we had to cancel the Chicago event because the US government declined to give the bridegroom a visitor’s visa to come to the US to attend his own wedding! Even an appeal backed by our US Senator was to no avail. Everything had been planned so beautifully – the church, the music, the reception, the dress, the photography, the guest rooms at The Drake Hotel overlooking Lake Michigan, etc. Our daughter was to have had the suite that Princess Diana stayed in when she visited Chicago. It was a complete emotional and financial disaster, as you can imagine! However, some of the vendors will roll over the funds we paid so that when a spouse visa is eventually issued, we shall be able to have a church blessing and reception in Chicago. “In the meantime, the only immediate way for the couple to get married was to have a civil ceremony in India, followed by a Hindu blessing and party. And thus it was that we planned our passage to India, quietly packed away the white wedding dress and Anglican service sheet, and immersed ourselves instead in the colourful, noisy, exotic, elaborate and pagan celebrations of a Hindu celebration in the foothills of the Himalayas. Mercifully, Wycombe Abbey had prepared me well for facing the future with hope. In fide vade! “This sudden and unexpected switch in plans was exacerbated by the fact that a few weeks before our departure for India, my husband David tripped and fell, breaking and displacing his arm and his shoulder in several places. At the same time, his tooth went through his lip and severed an artery (I have never seen so much blood!) and he cracked his skull on the sidewalk. It all happened a block from the hospital at the change of shift, so we were immediately surrounded by dozens of medically trained Good Samaritans! The ambulance and paramedics arrived within seconds. In the end, he had stitches all over his face, and surgery to repair the bones. Many post-operative complications followed, including infections that compromised recovery and midnight visits to the emergency room. Every

day we silently pondered the unspoken question, would he still be able to attend his daughter’s wedding in India? It was touch and go for several weeks. Although it was a huge effort for him, he set off for India with a heart filled with love and a suitcase filled with physiotherapy equipment! Ergo, in fide vaderunt! “After the wedding, we spent a few days with our new in-laws in the Himalayas, visiting Shimla (the British summer capital, where Rudyard Kipling’s father installed the church’s stained glass windows), Amritsar (the Golden Temple), and Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama has now settled with his Tibetan followers. The scenery was breathtaking, with snowcapped peaks, terraced hillsides swathed in of morning mists, and tea plantations dotted with a kaleidoscope of slowly swaying saris. “Since David was in difficulties with his shoulder, we planned to return in easy stages. We landed first in Bahrain, where we explored the ancient Dilmun civilization, with all its contacts with ancient Greece, Sumeria and Babylon. There is one magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site there, including Greek ruins and a renovated Portuguese fort, but many of the burial mounds are just being ruthlessly leveled for construction projects. Our next step was on to Jordan, Israel and Palestine, where we joined a small group tour to help us see the major sites efficiently. We went to an amazing array of sites associated with the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Umayids, Mamluks, Ottomans, etc. We wondered whether Miss Whitter had visited these places, for it was an archaeologist’s dream, including Petra, Jerash, Herod’s palaces, Saracen and crusader castles, etc. “What we enjoyed the most, of course, was being able to see the biblical sites. We stood on Mount Nebo, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land, and visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, and Jericho. We visited the Mount of Olives, the City of David, the Via Dolorosa, the Garden of Gethsemane, and even saw the 2000-year-old sycamore tree that Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus. I have always loved the parable of the Good Samaritan, but never realized as a child that the road to Jericho was a Roman road well traveled by merchants and terrorized by thieves. There is even a 2,000-year-old inn on this road. This made the parable even more real than I had ever imagined. We visited the birthplaces of John the Baptist and of Mary and Martha, and the villages of the annunciation and where Mary and Elizabeth met. There I could not help but sing “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior,” directly from the lovely music I learned at Wycombe Abbey. The group enjoyed this unexpected outburst, and so

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did the guide who asked for more! We also enjoyed the lovely scenery and the nature reserves (ibex and hyrax), a stay on a kibbutz, the Bedouins, Masada and the Qumran caves. So much history and theology to think about and absorb. Perhaps the saddest part of the trip was meeting Israeli settlers and Palestinians, who described the conflict between them with such intense feelings and intransigence that we felt there would never be peace in the Holy Land. “Managed conflict” sums up the Israeli perspective; “perpetual military occupation” and 500 miles of wall, watchtowers and checkpoints sum up the Palestinian perspective. The wall around Bethlehem was distressing to see. “O little town,” what has become of thee? “And now, back to the family. We are busy working on the spouse visa, and our son is busy (we hope!) finishing up his BSc in Computer Science. He graduates at the end of April. We are wondering when it will stop snowing (it is mid-April and bitterly cold here in Chicago), and are looking forward to the tulip blossoms now peeping through the snow.”

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Janet Crosbie

I had a wonderful nine-day trip in the UK in March, spending time with Vanessa Blake Coryndon, Sally Agnew Jaine, Anthea Canti Forbes and Susanna Corydon Walker. We all met up with Petra Laidlaw in Oxford one day. The snowy March conditions had threatened our various plans, but things all worked out. I was surprised by all the snow as we had had very little in Truro, Nova Scotia this winter, which was very disappointing for us! John and I are in the process of settling in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. We have lived here before and now feel ready to embrace a car-free lifestyle. Ottawa has much to offer, especially lots of paved bike paths and many museums, entertainment events and celebrations. Today, 10 May, we signed the lease on our new apartment right in the heart of the city which we will get on 1 July. Meantime we will be off doing some travelling, biking and hiking in this area and then, later in the summer, in Newfoundland. Exciting times ahead!

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116

Anne Hutchinson (King)

A belated Happy Christmas 2017 with my Christmas photo from last December. When I first started reading the Seniors’ Supplement (oh how many years ago! ‘Forty Years On’ is not even enough now!!) I used to look at the photos of Seniors with their grandchildren and I never imagined I would one day get to that stage! In Australia we are just about to head into winter – hopefully it won’t be as bad as the last winter in England. We have had a beautifully warm but dry autumn. I’m still teaching and still enjoying it and the rest of my time is spent helping with the grandchildren and gardening. In July I am taking a group of senior French students to our nearest Francophone neighbour, New Caledonia, for an intense language course. It is a very different experience from going to France but great fun as we can experience life on a small island in the South Pacific. Then September holidays see me going with my daughter and her family far up north to tropical Port Douglas. I have had a few visits from cousins and friends from Europe, so please do let me know if you are venturing as far afield as Melbourne. Christina Thomson Jones Since 2012, my life has completely changed. I have given up nearly all my instrumental teaching, and am doing more adjudication of British Music Festivals and examining for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. I am lucky enough to be chosen for the international panel, mostly doing solo tours of five to eight weeks. This has taken me to Hong Kong, Germany, Vietnam, USA, Italy, Beijing, South Africa, Barcelona, India and I am just about to go to Malaysia for the third time. It’s a marvellous way to see the world, as I meet the local people and learn something about the education and culture, often travelling around within the countries.

fab restaurants. Worth a visit if anyone has the time. We are happily busy. I’m a little more at ease with the Research Ethics Committee demands and plan several further days training in areas I know nothing about: a luxurious opportunity to learn. Meanwhile I’m giving up tutoring for the Boarding School Association but seem to be carrying on running workshops for them on special topics. Over the years, I’ve been a passionate promoter of positive outcomes for those with Specific Learning Difficulties who are boarding: it can be challenging for the individual and also for their friends and even house staff. So much can be done to support everyone positively. I’m undertaking further research and plan to write about it.

Three years ago I had to cancel an eight-week tour to Madrid, as I tripped over someone else’s overnight bag at King’s Cross station. I shattered my right knee cap and broke both my wrists! I spent nine days in UCH London, then was scooped up by Liz and Brian Landers, (Denlegh-Maxwell, C117) and lovingly tended for nine days, then spent six (yes, six!) weeks with Anne and Christopher Stephens (Lloyd Morgan, C119) till I could go home to manage on my own. It was wonderful. They were wonderful. It was for me a very happy time. The picture is me in Kolkata, in my sari, at a wedding I was invited to last November. I have one happy grandson of 19 months.

117 People in our circle are now aged over 65 and so well beyond the ‘40 Years On’ stage. Most of us are retired but this does not mean inactive as seen in the contributions below. Inevitably, there are those who have health problems or are finding life harder now, but the experience of shared life at Wycombe Abbey still acts as a link between us, and we still plan occasional reunions. Liz Landers Liz originally Denlegh-Maxwell, then Liz Best (and working at Wycombe for 21 years) now Liz Landers writes: “London life keeps us on our toes – though countryside frequently entices us to long for bird song and trees. We consider Battersea Power Station to be our nearest bolt hole now as it has developed into a real source of interest for visitors – and has

“As with so many of us, the family ever comes first and is a source of enormous joy – though, as my 90-year-old mother explained to me, you never stop worrying about them... “The luxury of being able to holiday more is fabulous. Our ventures seem chiefly directed by where husband Brian is basing his latest thriller (thrillers unpublished as yet - a series in the making!) e.g. Sicily, Russia and Poland. “I keep in close touch with Lena Hall, Tina Thomson-Jones (Thomson) and, increasingly, Pippa Blakemore (Mason). I regularly see former, great colleagues from my time working at Wycombe; we adored our stay in Madrid with Angela Delgado, whom I worked closely with for many years.” Pippa Barnsley (Riley) is looking forward to the circle reunion in Northumberland in June. Thomas, her third grandson and fifth grandchild, was born in August to her youngest daughter. With husband Tom she is quite involved with the grandchildren and sees them frequently, which gives much joy. Their son’s wedding is in early July. He is marrying a local girl and will be working in local hospitals on the Wirral and in Chester as a Medical SHO. Her aunt, Val Odling (C69), is keeping well and is enjoying living in her new flat in Sevenoaks. She spent a couple of days in hospital recently. This last year they have visited Yorkshire, Cumbria, Oxfordshire and Leicestershire catching up with family and old friends. In October they had an interesting few days in Brunswick and the surrounding area visiting churches and museums. Anne Woodington (Blamey) writes: “I have now been retired for three years and loving the freedom to do what I want. At home the family and four grandchildren keep me busy, but I am still enjoying travelling as much as I can. Often my travels take me to very remote places where I have been photographing the local cultures

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and wildlife. Recent highlights have included mountains in Mongolia where we were looking for snow leopards and were lucky to be able to watch and follow one for almost a whole day. I have just recently been to Madagascar, which is an amazing place. The roads are terrible, but there is so much to see and discover as well as the lemurs and sifakas. The current count stands at about 113 species, but they are still discovering species that are localized in remote areas or deep in the rainforests. In one area of the western Tsingy the local guides have very recently discovered a new lizard presumed local to that area only and which is as yet unnamed and unclassified. We were incredibly lucky to actually find one and be able to photograph it and then send the photograph to the research station. “Back home I have been entering photography competitions both in the UK and internationally and have been doing quite well with acceptances, even gaining a few gold medals. I love the combination of travel and photography anyway, but doing well is a continuing spur to keep travelling while I can and taking more photographs.” Elizabeth Breeze I now spend much of my time in rural Cornwall enjoying working in our wonderfully colourful garden overlooking a valley. The house is near the clay pits areas but not spoilt by them. It is also near to former tin mines. Cornwall is hoping that lithium, used in most modern batteries, will be a lucrative source of income in the future. I still do some tutoring in epidemiology by distance learning. During the course of the year I have been in touch with Marigo Harries (Sevastopulo), Hilary Marsh (Allen), Philippa Grant (Allison), Elizabeth Noel (Pattison) and had occasional email exchanges with many Wycombe contemporaries.

Jenny Garland My reports usually consist of various holidays, but in 2017 I didn’t venture overseas but instead visited different parts of Britain such as Devon and Northumberland (for Hadrian’s Wall). I also had the interesting experience of attending my nephew’s graduation from the University of Kent, held in Canterbury Cathedral. Making up for lost time, I’ve already been abroad twice in 2018. In February I went to St Petersburg in the snow, the disadvantages of the cold and short days balanced by the relative lack of tourists in the Hermitage and other museums. Then in April I went to Sardinia, specifically looking at wildlife and archaeological sites. The wild flowers were wonderful, and the fauna varied from butterflies to whales, with a lot of birds in between. Other plans look to be keeping me busy for the rest of the year! Catriona Brown (MacLeod) This year, I have a couple of school-related events to report. When I was down south in December, staying with my sister Fiona in Hampton, we managed to meet up with Angela Fielding (Stokes) and Jenny Garland, and went to an evening concert in St John’s Smith Square, performed by girls from the school. It was very impressive – the standard of the music was very high.

Lots of change this year. I’ve retired from work completely and last year I filled the gap by taking quite a few holidays. We went to New Zealand for the Lions rugby tests, Venice on the Orient Express and Spain for a driving holiday. We also acquired a beautiful Labrador puppy, who is keeping us much fitter than previously.

More recently I helped to organise a get-together for Seniors who live in or near Scotland. Luckily for me, Susanna Stanford offered to host the event. Her husband has recently taken over as Headmaster of Fettes College in Edinburgh, and she kindly offered the very spacious Headmaster’s Lodge as a venue. Seventeen Seniors came, and we were able to sit down to a delicious lunch. We were fortunate that Harriet Dearden, the Seniors’ Manager at Wycombe, was in Edinburgh that weekend. It was good to be able to meet her face to face and to hear directly about some of the recent developments at the School. If you have the chance to attend something similar, do give it a go. Even though there may be no-one there from your era or your house, it is amazing how conversation flows. We had a great discussion about the Wednesday lectures/concerts in Big School (much appreciated by all those who remembered them), and also about the kind of careers advice and events the School offers now.

This year, I’ve taken up the role of lady captain at the golf club. It always surprises me how much work behind the scenes goes into organising a few golfing activities. All we need now is suitable golfing weather.

Apart from Seniors things, I seem to be doing much the same as before. I still try to play golf, but am not getting any better. And Robert and I are still trying to learn Spanish. We think we are making progress, but I find that when

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Joanna Osborne (Newall)

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I am struggling for a word, an Italian one pops into my head. That must still be the influence of ‘la Signora Barker’ and the quick A level Italian course many years ago.

120

Penny Kent (Bevan) 1965-71

Wendy has a great gathering with her WAS friends, meeting in London once a year for a walk and a talk! I am proud of my two hard-working children. Louisa is a Neurology Registrar at Oxford and her partner a Registrar at Cambridge. Andrew is a Specialist Vet in Solihull married to another vet- so they have done really well in their careers.

138

I am looking forward to representing Wycombe Abbey at The Berkshire Golf Club in the Tassie Competition on Monday 11 June. Jo Chatwin has organised our team again. We won it two years ago, and St Leonard’s won it last year – so a great tradition to uphold! I noticed in a 1974 Seniors’ Supplement, (which I unearthed cleaning out the family home recently), that there was a Wycombe Abbey Golfing Society (WAGS) playing annually for the Sheila Perkins Trophies. I wonder if anyone knows any more about the society because we are trying to start it up again! Enid Foxall (Butler) lives very close to our golf club in Castle Village and I am hoping to catch up with her for lunch in the mansion there. I would love to have a Butler reunion – if anyone is interested in contacting me about this. I’m happy to host it here in Berkhamsted? I am enjoying life playing tennis and golf, interspersed with wonderful granny-duties with my two granddaughters.

Sally Gething

I left Wycombe Abbey in 1978 and trained to be an Environmental Health Officer with Manchester City Council. After a couple of years of working in central Manchester I left to pursue other avenues. In 1990, when I was 30, I became ill, and was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalomylitis). I had improved enough after four years to start working part-time, and ran a Kumon Maths class for over 100 children. In 2000, I trained to be a Buteyko practitioner, and over the next ten years taught over 500 people how to breathe correctly. I also wrote two books, about The Buteyko Method, which are available on Amazon as paperbacks or ebooks. In 2011, I recovered from ME by using Amygdala Retraining, and am in the process of writing a book about my recovery. My books are called ‘How to Breathe: the symptoms if you get it wrong and how to fix it’ (aimed at people with asthma, panic, sleep apnoea and any lung or breathing condition); ‘Too Little Salt: Ten Annoying Symptoms’ (aimed at people with panic, shaky hands, headaches, insomnia, frequent urination, ); and, ‘ME for 20 years: Recovery in ten days’. I am in touch with Elizabeth Blagbrough (Hollings), Jane Gregory, Buzz McKenzie-Pratt, Sheena LLoyd (Fagin) and Anne-Marie Leng-Smith. Having recovered my health, my hobbies now include dancing, Tai Chi, and working my three dogs on a shoot during the winter. I also give talks on my books, and especially my recovery from ME.

My sisters Jenny Miller, Wendy Simpson and Mary Dupplaw are all very busy, but we try to make sure we meet up as often as we can.

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170

Annabelle Audier (Newbigging)

Since I left Wycombe Abbey (Butler) in 1989 and completed my degree in Social Anthropology at Edinburgh University, I have worked in Asia as an international development consultant for the World Bank, NGOs and, most recently, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit ( OUCRU), Vietnam. At OUCRU I undertook research amid public engagement activities at the tropical disease hospital to highlight the challenges faced by disabled patients. I have been based in Vietnam for 20 years, and lucky to experience its rapid development and the highs and lows that go with that. I had an interlude of several years in the UK, when I worked for the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) on the humanitarian response to the Iraq conflict and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This was a fascinating insight into international relations and the strength of the human spirit. After having two daughters, I set up a small stationery business, Mekong Belle, to celebrate Vietnamese culture, which brings a lighter side to life. I feel very privileged to have had a Wycombe education, which has set me up for life and brought me good friends. I’m still in touch with Emily Hohler, Nicola Buxton, Jo Harding, Jemima Stourton, Kate Herbert, Debra Tan, Alex Gibbs and Louisa Howland Jackson, and I see others from time to time. My memories of Wycombe Abbey are laughing a lot (especially in chapel), early morning sports practice with frost on the ground and wearing a dodgy orange tie. We plan to return to the UK in a couple of years but, having been overseas for a long time and with a French husband in a post-Brexit environment, it will take some adjustment. I look forward to catching up with old friends.

173

Sarah Forrest (Dinwiddy)

After 20 years as a medical doctor, in July 2017 I “retired” in order take up full time ordained ministry in the Church of England. Having spent most of the last 15 years practicing and teaching Palliative Medicine, it’s been a big change, but I have found I have lots of transferable skills, especially in the work I’ve been involved with in the Holy Trinity Winter Night Shelter. Family life has changed too with my husband, Gary, working hard to muck in with our three children,

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Adelaide (14), Beatrice (9) and Digory (2 in November). Challenging but fun and incredibly rewarding is the best description I have for my new life as a reverend!

189

Photo: A visit from Bishop Michael of Hertford to Holy Trinity Church, Bishops Stortford. Rev’d Sarah Forrest (centre) and her Vicar, Rev’d Mandy Brown (left).

189

Caroline Braid (Haughey)

Caroline Braid was appointed QC before Christmas. The picture below was taken by Candy Lahaise at Caroline’s celebratory dinner where the prime minister was also present.

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Sarah Roberts (nee Crawshaw)

This year I returned to part-time work at the local college as an A level Maths teacher, and I’m loving being back there. In my non-teaching hours I’ve been spending time with Thomas, before he starts school in September, and managing the refurbishment of the local community centre. In the Easter Holidays we had a big get-together in the Dales with Nicole Hudd (Randall), Emmy Hodgson (Kennedy), Becky Singarajah (Lewis) and Carita Thomas. We all stayed at Emmy’s house for a lovely weekend, with the ten adults and 11 kids, despite the weather!

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Charlotte King (Collas)

Our third little boy Barnaby arrived in October, and Raffy and Toby are delighted to have another brother.

Nicole and her husband Ben have four daughters and are about to move down to Cornwall near Falmouth. Nicole is hoping to get back to A&E medicine one day a week after her career break during which she had her girls. I also see Caroline Saunders (Penney) regularly and am looking forward to celebrating her and Mark’s ten year wedding anniversary with them at a party in July.

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Tracy Bjelland

My wife and I had a son, Theodore ‘Theo’ Alexander Bjelland, on 16 March 2018. We are both over the moon and enjoying this first stage of motherhood!

From left to right the Seniors are, Becky, Carita, Emmy, Sarah and Nicole, on a very wet walk in the Dales!

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292

Tiffany Lau

I was in Wycombe Abbey in Sixth Form (in Airlie House in Lower Sixth). I then went to King’s College London for BSc Political Economy, where I successfully auditioned into the all-female a cappella group, The Rolling Tones. By my second year, I had been elected into the committee as Treasurer, and in my final year, I was elected as co-Music Director. In April 2017, we were the first all-female a cappella group to win the Voice Festival UK University Championship ever in the competition’s history. In the same year, we competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) for the first time, and placed second in the UK finals, as well as achieving the highest score ever awarded at a UK round of the ICCA. We also received the awards for outstanding arrangement, outstanding solo and outstanding choreography at our quarterfinal. In August 2017, we headed up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with our debut show Bows and Braces, for which we were awarded the official fringe Sell-Out Laurel. In November, we released our debut single and music video, Teardrop. We also ran a workshop at Wycombe Abbey as part of Music Marathon Weekend with the girls in the choirs. We performed at and conducted whole school singing, as well as a session with Wycombe Abbey’s very own fledgling a cappella group to give some advice and have a chat about the realities of being in an all-female competitive collegiate a cappella group! We had the most wonderful time and we hope to be back again soon. In February 2018, we took to the ICCA stage once again. We won our quarterfinal, which earned us a spot at the ICCA UK finals in March. The competition was tough but we came out top, beating our previous record score, and this gave us the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete at the ICCA world final at the Beacon Theatre on Broadway in New York! We were thus the first and only all-female group from the UK to ever make it to the World Final, and also the only all-female group at the world final that year. Thanks to the generosity of our friends, family, university, and other donors, we were able to afford the flights and accommodation to compete in New York on 21 April. Though we did not place at the final, it was an experience we will never forget.

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Though my journey with The Rolling Tones ends there, it is to make way for future generations of Tones... hopefully also from Wycombe Abbey! My university experience was shaped by my time in this amazing group. I would highly encourage any musical people headed to King’s (or any university really) to audition for an a cappella group. We also perform at events, so if you’d like for us to sing for you, do get in touch!

296

Judy Zhu

I am in my final year (few months really) at Cambridge studying History of Art. My university experience has been exciting, mainly because of the many different people I met at Cambridge. My career plans have greatly changed – I wanted to work in the commercial art industry, but work is unpredictable. However, I have been active in student societies and this makes me realise my abilities in leading projects. This is why I have accepted an offer at LSE for a two-year master’s degree in Management. I wish you the very best and look forward to hearing more about the school and students.

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In Memoriam

We were very sorry to hear that the following Seniors passed away this year: Kristina Belyakova August 2017

Anne Turle December 2017

Miranda Stainton (Tulloch, C161) 22 September 2017

Cynthia Duff (Hardy, C76) 12 January 2018

Helena M Cooper (Rae-Smith, C62) 29 September 2017

Aileen Fisher-Rowe (Simpson, C65) 13 January 2018

Valerie Shepherd 26 October 2017

Mary- (Maud) Joustra (Bryson) 18 February 2018

Margaret Sheepshanks (Lomas-Walker, C66) 31 October 2017

Gillian Thomas (Stoneham, C77) 18 March 2018

Susan Wharton (Moller) 31 October 2017

Rosemary (Meryl) Melhuish (Owen) 23 May 2018

Naomi Davidson (Hon) 1 November 2017

Una Noble (Stratford, C59) 25 June 2018

Diana Haines (Heygate, C91) 23 November 2017

Joan (Irene) Meuli (Harrison, C67) 11 August 2018

Penelope Grace Dawson Geldart (Sparling) 22 December 2017

Helena M Cooper (Rae-Smith, C62) Helena Metcalfe Rae-Smith was born on 11 February 1920, the third child of Frank and Harriette Smith, at Beech Mount, Station Road, Marple in Cheshire. Life centred around the village and the nearby town of Romiley where her father worked in the family engineering factory, Davies and Metcalfe. However, life must have changed a lot for Helena and her two older brothers, Alan and Gerald, even before she went to school, when her father suddenly died. So from then on her maternal family was the lynch pin. She attended Westlands Kindergarten in Marple and then went, as a boarder at age eight, to Godstowe School in Buckinghamshire, transferring to Wycombe Abbey at 11. School must have had a special place in her heart as she left instructions that the Wycombe Abbey prayer should be read at her funeral. Holidays were spent with numerous cousins at the family holiday house, The Mount, near Oswestry, or sometimes with friends on the Belgium coast. In the late 1930s Helena attended the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art in London doing a course in Speech Therapy. She remembered, as part of her training, having to stand on the stage in the Albert Hall and ‘project’ pieces of literature. No wonder she had such a good, clear reading voice! Sadly, however, she was never to complete her training, because she became needed at home, where her mother was ill. On 2 February 1942 she joined the Wrens, training at Greenwich before being transferred to C-in-C Portsmouth to work as a teleprinter operator, where she met her life-long friend, Maggie Lovett. She was promoted to third officer (Cypher) and moved to Flying Officer Naval Station, Lee-on -Solent. Helena left Liverpool one night on a ship bound for Royal Naval Air Station Katakurunda, Ceylon, on HMS Ukussa, to continue in the same line of work. Her love for Nuwara Eliya tea stemmed from that time.

On her return, Helena lived in Stoneygate, Leicester, where her mother had settled. She must have been busy as she stood for the Conservatives in a local election in Braunstone against Barnett Janner and she learnt shorthand and typing, becoming secretary to Professor Tibble in the Department of Education at the University of Leicester. She continued with this work until her marriage to Ian Cooper on 11 February 1950 – her 30th birthday, at St John the Baptist church. The marriage was performed by Ian’s father, Canon Cooper, Master of the Wyggeston Hospital. They lived in a flat over Worthington’s’ shop on London Road in the city. Very convenient, not only for grocery shopping but also for Ian, who worked as a county architect just over the road on the top floor above the Edward Wood Hall, literally opposite! When Stephanie Helena was expected in 1951 they moved to a flat in Glenwood Close on London Road, and after Robert James arrived the following year, they chose a house on Grenfell Road. Helena joined the Women’s Voluntary Service for Civil Defence in 1950. Organising was Helena’s forte and, in due time, she was asked to become WVS organiser in Leicester. Stephanie thinks she can remember the letter arriving one summer holiday in 1963 and all four of the family were involved with the decision. It was discussed as they ate breakfast in May Cottage Guest House, Sidmouth, where the family were on holiday. And so began well over ten years of amazing work for which Helena was awarded the MBE on her birthday and also Ian and Helena’s Silver Wedding Anniversary – 11 February 1975, probably the proudest moment of her life. Ian retired in 1973, and when his health deteriorated Helena and Ian moved to a flat in The Albany on London Road, In Memoriam

Leicester. During this time they joined, St Denys church, and Helena became a member of the Mothers’ Union. Her creative side came out when she joined the tapissers group, helping to stitch a completely new set of kneelers for the church. The family began to expand with the arrival of six grandchildren, and in more recent times the joy of two great grandsons – Koby and Arlo, with two great grand-daughters born in December 2017 and January 2018. When Ian died in 1985, Helena began a series of foreign travels to, among other places, Italy, Albania and Russia, travelling with Swan Hellenic, undertaking some of the journeys with her sister in law, Kay. There were also return visits to childhood haunts at The Mount with cousins Léonie, Carolyn and Virginia. She also became an avid computer user. Her son in law, Richard, built her first one, which was upgraded and improved again and again as she needed more and more hard drive space!! In later years it became a life line. She ordered shopping from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc., and whenever she needed something a parcel would arrive. Often it turned out to be the latest kitchen gadget from

Lakeland - of which she was extremely fond! It also helped her maintain links with close family and friends. When she gave up driving Helena decided to find a place where she could have a mobility scooter and chose a bungalow, 3 Susan Avenue, moving there in January 2005. It was ideal and when she suffered a stroke in 2013 she used her organising skills to find the people she needed to help her maintain the lifestyle she loved. Mavis, June and Ann came and brought her Holy Communion and kept her up to date with all the church news,Yvette, Jamila, Beebee, Shaida, Mariam and others came, literally, morning, noon and night. Kathy came to clean and do other household chores, Ian the gardener, Carol who did her hair, Patrick to clean windows, Mrs Mosk and then Caroline as chiropodists, etc., etc. Then, when after New Year an infection laid Helena low, and things gradually went downhill healthwise for her, Harley Grange had to become her home, and she died there, very peacefully, on 29 September. We shall all miss her so much. Written by her daughter, Stephanie Snart

Penelope Grace Dawson Geldart (Sparling) Daughter of Grace Atkin and Hugh Sparling, Penny grew up in Cheshire, England; she graduated from Wycombe Abbey, Buckinghamshire. Her grandmother Eva was the daughter of Sir Wm Dawson, a key figure at McGill. Predeceased by her husband David, and brother Peter, she is survived by children Peter, Robert and Alan, and grandchildren Ian, Dawson, Vanessa and Mia, and nieces and nephews.

She was at CJOH TV, and Secretary of State, Multiculturalism. In retirement she volunteered at Aylmer Heritage and the Chelsea Library. Penny loved drawing, reading, walking, nature, the moon and the sea. Peter Geldart (Penelope’s son)

During WWII she was with the Women’s Timber Corps, after which she worked in theatre set design in England and Canada.

Gillian Ann Thomas (Stoneham) On 18 March 2018, aged 82, Gillian Thomas passed away at home with fortitude and dignity. Loved and respected by so many. Beloved wife of Julian, devoted mother of William, Oliver and Edward. Sister to Joyce and a’Granny Jill’. A gifted needlewoman and pianist. A physiotherapist by profession and an altruist by nature. I first met Gillian when she was at Godstowe School with my sister Jill, (now Jill Pilling). Joyce and I were allowed, on the occasional Sunday, to go to Godstowe by ourselves to collect

In Memoriam

our sisters and bring them back to Daws Hill for tea. We were very good friends at school and our desks were usually next to each other at Daws Hill. We kept in touch with Christmas cards and I briefly stayed with her at her lovely home near Rye some years ago. It is a shame that we lived so far apart. I will always remember Gillian as a very kind, gentle and sweet-natured friend. Jacky Horridge (C76)

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Art Jonathan Speed Contemporary Art Jonathan is an English landscape and seascape painter who creates captivating pieces full of atmosphere, with a unique play on light. His work has a distinctive, abstract quality and provides a beautiful and peaceful focal point to any setting. Jonathan’s paintings are widely collected and can be found in private collections globally. As a special promotion, Jonathan is delighted to offer Wycombe Abbey Seniors and their families a 15% discount on all available paintings and commissions. Visit www.jonathanspeed.co.uk or email jonathan@jonathanspeed.co.uk for all enquiries. Jonathan is the husband of Jamie Hui (C237)

Fashion

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interiors

Holiday Accommodation

Clapton Manor This Tudor Grade II listed house is in the heart of the Cotswolds perfectly placed for walking, and visiting gardens and villages. Contact: Karin Bolton (Beck-Andersen, C129) www.claptonmanor.co.uk

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Holiday Accommodation

LUXURY CHALET IN MORZINE Les Roches Noires is a large, contemporary, 5 bedroom chalet sleeping up to 12 (10 adults 2 children). All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms. The chalet is located in the centre of town, very close to restaurants and other amenities and just a 2 minute walk from the Super Morzine lift. The chalet was built in 2015 so is very well-equipped and is exceedingly spacious. The open plan living space is at the top of the chalet with commanding 360 degree views. Morzine is part of the vast Porte de Soleil resort that caters for all standards of skiing. The town and surrounding region also offers a variety of activities in the summer, including hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming and horse-riding.

For more information www.lesrochesnoires.eu Contact Andrew and Map: mapxblack@gmail.com

LES ROCHES NOIRES

LES ROCH

LES ROCHES NOIRES

Perfect for a golf holiday! The house lies at the edge of Gullane, a small coastal town just 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The county of East Lothian has 22 golf courses, five of which are in Gullane. It is a 10-minute walk to the wonderful sandy beach, whilst a slightly longer walk brings you to Aberlady Bay nature reserve. Neighbouring North Berwick offers boat trips to the Bass Rock, and the Lammermuirs are fairly close for keen hill walkers. The house is Historic Environment Scotland listed and overlooks Gullane No.1 golf course with panoramic views of the hills to the south. There is a large garden

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set mostly to lawn and plenty of space for car parking on the drive. Having recently been completely redecorated and refurbished, the house can comfortably sleep up to seven in four bedrooms with four bathrooms. A golfing foursome would enjoy a wonderful holiday, and there is a heated, secure golf room complete with trolley charging points. Contact: Fiona Stephenson (Malcolm, C145) Tel: 01629 636226/07800 589490 Email: ogstephenson@aol.com

Holiday Accommodation

Join us on a safari for the soul Award-winning Samara is a 70,000-acre piece of private wilderness in South Africa’s Great Karoo. Described by the Financial Times as ‘heart-stoppingly beautiful’, this passionate conservation undertaking has been run by the Tompkins family (Isabelle Tompkins C273, Sienna Tompkins C283) for the past 21 years. Their vision for Samara is to build a living legacy in the region by restoring fragile Karoo ecosystems, generating sustainable jobs and creating South Africa’s 3rd largest protected area. Thirty guests can stay in two lodges: Karoo Lodge, a renovated farmstead overlooking an amphitheatre of mountains; or The Manor, a villa with private pool, chef, butler and ranger, which can be booked on an exclusive-use basis. Activities on offer include tracking wildlife on foot (cheetah, rhino, elephant, giraffe, aardvark), Big Five game drives, photography, birding, mountain hikes, indoor and outdoor dining, picnics, luxury star bed sleep-outs, conservation projects and more. Samara also runs a volunteer programme for enthusiastic nature lovers aged 18 and older. No prior experience necessary – the only requirements are a sense of adventure and a desire to contribute to Samara’s conservation vision. For more information, visit www.samara.co.za or email isabelle@samara.co.za

Forest Cottage, Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus, Scottish Highlands Amongst the pine, birch and bracken on the wooded shore of Loch an Eilein, in Rothiemurchus, one of Scotland’s most picturesque Highland estates, sits an enchanting picture-perfect red-roofed cottage. It has been beautifully restored as a luxurious and cosy forest hideaway for two, with features to make its guests feel completely at home and welcomed into its atmosphere of homely warmth. Contact: Judith Thurlow Tel: 07984 791 623 Email: info@forest-cottage.co.uk www.forest-cottage.co.uk

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RapalloLegacy The

‘The Rapallo Legacy’ by Alison Cooper (C93)

The Rapallo Legacy is a fast-moving tale of crime, revelation and self-discovery, as the

newly-widowed Diana Motcombe leaves her

comfortable life in England to investigate

This is Alison Cooper’s first novel: a fast-moving tale of crime, revelation and self-discovery.

her late husband’s extraordinary bequest.

CY THE RAPALLO LEGA

ALISON COOPER

Literature

As the truth unfolds, the story moves to Geneva and the Italian coastal town of Rapallo, where

she finds her moral and emotional boundaries

The plot follows Diana Motcombe as she leaves her comfortable life in England to investigate her late husband’s extraordinary bequest. As the truth unfolds, the story moves to Geneva and the Italian coastal town of Rapallo, where she finds her moral £14.99 and emotional boundaries profoundly challenged.

profoundly challenged. Passion, loyalty, betrayal

a novel by

SILVERDART

Alison Cooper

and personal renewal are the themes of this

novel by Alison Cooper.

Passion, loyalty, betrayal and personal renewal are the themes of this story. Published in 2009 by Silverdart Publishing, the book was well received: “Engrossing from start to finish...” “You judged your tone very cleverly...” ”A gripping tale...” “An excellent read...” “An impressive and intriguing first novel...”

Orders (by email please) to alisonhcooper@hotmail.com. RRP £14.99. Discounted for Wycombe Seniors and pupils at £11.00.

‘Adrian’s Journey’ by Alison Cooper (C93) Glimpse colourful and troubled Beirut, as Adrian leaves England to look for his birth mother who abandoned him when he was a baby. ‘Adrian’s Journey’ by Alison Cooper is not only a search across continents, moving between England and the Middle East, but also a voyage of self discovery. Adrian, this affable and endearing character, settles easily into London university life, slotting into his new surroundings and interacting cheerfully with new friends who come from different backgrounds. But this comfortable life is interrupted by his overpowering quest for his biological mother in the Middle East, when he makes important emotional discoveries about himself. Beirut is both charming and horrifying in equal measure. Alison Cooper’s tale twists and turns, sometimes agonisingly, through unexpected situations and outcomes. An interesting and compelling read to the end. Available through Austin Macauley Publishers (hardback £14.99, paperback £10.99, and kindle £3.50).

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“a well observed and beautifully written novel.” “...an excellent read. The plot was always gripping, the characters realistic and persuasive and the ‘politics’ interesting.”

Literature

‘Mary Bacon’s World’ by Ruth Facer Mary Bacon was an eighteenth-century farmer’s wife whose life was spent in north Hampshire at the time of Jane Austen. Ruth Facer unexpectedly discovered Mary’s farm ledger, a 300-page document that was not only used for farming accounts. Its pages are filled with religious musings, recipes, cures for humans and animals, weather reports, and almanac material. Of unusual interest are the long Bible stories copied into her ledger, which includes the Oedipus tale of Judas Iscariot in which he killed his father and married his mother.

r u t h fa c e r Mary Baco· n ’s World

A farmer’s w ife in eighteenth-cen tury Hampshi re

Ruth Facer has researched widely in contemporary newspapers, agricultural books, diaries, wills and leases to give a rich and varied background, demonstrating both the pleasures and the worries of country people in southern England in the late eighteen century, a period troubled by threats of war. The book gives modern readers an opportunity to explore both the inner and outer world of an eighteenth-century farmer’s wife. Available from Threshold Press: email: customer@threshold-press.co.uk Cost: £15

Three Exciting Books

by DAPHNE

DON’T MISS THESE VERY READABLE TRUE STORIES as Kipper at Wycom FROM Known AMAZON

by DAPHNE

Head of school in the Jubilee Y

Known as Kipper at Wycombe. Head of school in the Jubilee Year. In 1971 Daphne and Bob, lived in Africa, but needed to be in Europe. Six weeks after their son was born, two weeks after Bob’s appendectomy, they drove up the Dark Continent’s entire length and on to Scotland. Known as Kipper Roads were virtually imaginary and conditions unimaginable.

by DAPHNE

at Wycombe. Head of school in the Jubilee Year.

THE DAFTEST JOURNEY ...

… describes the entire trip except for traversing the Congo. That section was so incredible that it deserved a book of its own:

DON’T MISS THESE VERY READABLE TRUE STO

In 1971 Daphne and Bob, lived in Africa, b Europe. Six weeks after their son was born, tw THROUGH EBOLA TERRITORY appendectomy, they drove up the Dark Conti Proceeds go to the fight against Ebola. and on to Scotland. Roads were virtually imagi FATEFUL FLIES unimaginable. is another gripping story based on Daphne’s sailing adventures on THE DAFTEST JOURNEY Lake Malawi. … describes the entire trip except for traver That section was so incredible that it deserved DON’T MISS THESE VERY READABLE TRUE STORIES FROM AMAZON THROUGH EBOLA TERRIT In 1971 Daphne and Bob, lived in Africa, but needed to be in Proceeds go to the fight against Europe. Six weeks after their son was born, two weeks after Bob’s Directory 53 FATEFUL FLIES, appendectomy, they drove up the Dark gripping Continent’s entireonlength is another story based Daphne’s sa

services

StockenBridge Breaks: Luxury Bridge Holidays Together with my brother, Zeb, who teaches bridge in London, we organise fabulous luxury bridge breaks in wonderful locations. Aimed more at the social bridge player, our friendly holidays are a combination of good company, delicious food, flowing wine, a lovely hotel and of course bridge! This could be a weekend in the Cotswolds or a week in a Moroccan Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains. No partner necessary and all bridge standards welcome.

We can offer all Seniors a 10% discount on any of our holidays.

JJA Planning Delivering solutions, personally An independent and commercially-minded town planning practice, providing a highly personalised service. We’re in business to help our clients navigate today’s complex and challenging planning environment to secure viable residential, commercial, leisure and mixed-use developments of all scales, across the UK. We offer expertise, rigour and personal commitment across a complete range of town planning services: -

Advice on Development Prospects Planning Strategy & Assessments Planning Applications Planning & Enforcement Appeals

Contact t: 0207 735 6722 e: info@jjaplanning.com w: www.jjaplanning.com

Contact: Claudia Mennecier (Stocken, C169) Address: 20 Fernwood Avenue, London, SW16 1RD Tel: 07951 060 092 (Zeb in UK) or 0033 663999289 (Claudia in France) Email: claudia@stockenbridgebreaks.com Website: www.stockenbridgebreaks.com

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Border Lines Garden Tours Britain’s premier garden tour company organises tours to the very best private gardens in the UK, Italy, France and South Africa. Contact: Karin Bolton (Beck-Andersen, C129) Website: www.border-lines.co.uk

services

THINKING OF VISITING SOUTHERN AFRICA? With over 30 years’ experience in the travel industry Anna Dalrymple (Leyns – circle 182) and Mary Dalrymple can help you plan your dream holiday.

Taking the Next Step Today we are living longer We may have five careers in our lifetime We change jobs more frequently We are not sure about our A levels or university We are unclear about what is our next step At Claris Coaching, we support you in achieving Clarity at any stage of your live through guided coaching using the Birkman Profile. A sophisticated tool that focuses on your passion, interests and personality so that you find purpose and fulfilment at every stage. www.clariscoaching.com Email: services@clariscoaching.com Call: 07834544531 or 02084329886

THINKING OF VISITING SOUTHERN AFRICA? THINKING OF VISITING SOUTHERN AFRICA? We are based in South Africa and can help you with all your travel arrangements. As your passionate and experienced consultant in the travel

With over 30 years’ experience in the travel industry Anna Dalrymple industry, Anna Dalrymple (Leyns, C182) can help you With inside local knowledge of the best known places to visit in (Leyns – circle 182) and Mary Dalrymple can help you plan your dream plan your dream holiday. Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, holiday. I am based in South Africa, close to the Kruger National Park, Kenya, Uganda, and Victoria Falls - why go anywhere else?

and can help you with all your travel arrangements. We are based in South Africa and can help you with all your travel CONTACT: arrangements. With inside local knowledge of the best known places to visit in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Phone: Anna: +27 82 781 3919 or Mary: +27 13 751 2934

With inside local knowledge of the best known places to visit in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Victoria Falls - why go anywhere else? Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Email: anna.dalrymple@travelcounsellors.co.za CONTACT: Kenya, Uganda, and Victoria Falls - why go anywhere else? Phone: Anna: +27 82 781 3919 Website: www.travelcounsellors.co.za/mary.anna

CONTACT:

Email: anna.dalrymple@travelcounsellors.co.za

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryannatravelcounsellors Website: www.travelcounsellors.co.za/anna.dalrymple

Phone: Anna: +27 82 781 3919 or Mary: +27 13 751 2934 Email: anna.dalrymple@travelcounsellors.co.za Website: www.travelcounsellors.co.za/mary.anna Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryannatravelcounsellors

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services

Wycombe Abbey Weddings

Wycombe Abbey is delighted to offer all Seniors the opportunity to host weddings, civil ceremonies and events within the school grounds. The locations available to hire are: Big School, Daws Hill, PAC and the Chapel (Chaplain permitting). Alternatively, you may wish to hire a marquee and erect it within the grounds. We are also able to offer full catering. Please contact lettings@wycombeabbey.com for more information and any enquiries.

‘How to Breathe: the Symptoms if you get it Wrong and How to Fix it’

(aimed at people with asthma, panic, sleep apnoea and any lung or breathing condition)

‘Too Little Salt: Ten Annoying Symptoms’

(aimed at people with panic, shaky hands, headaches, insomnia, frequent urination)

‘ME for 20 years: Recovery in 10 days’ By Sally Gething

Available from Amazon

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A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s edition of Seniors’ Supplement. If you have any queries or would prefer to receive a digital copy of this publication in the future, please contact us at seniors@wycombeabbey.com We hope you have a wonderful year.

wycombeabbey.com Registered Charity No. 310638