St Mary’s College
No. 10
W
SPRING 2000
Welcome
elcome to this special anniversary edition of
The Simmarian. In addition to our regular
features you will find articles on memories of
St Mary’s and a fascinating feature on our 150 year
history. We can only provide a brief account of the history
of St Mary’s within these pages, but a comprehensive
anniversary book, ‘150 Years of St Mary’s College’, is
available along with our new range of merchandise.
We have commissioned a new tie featuring the full coat
of arms, a new teddy bear, a badge featuring the St
Mary’s coat of arms and a special anniversary porcelain
mug. All of these items are offered in limited editions,
so do order soon to avoid disappointment. We are also
delighted to promote Nora O’Keefe’s Anniversary print
of Walpole House.
If you haven’t been featured in our ‘Where are they Now’
columns, you may wish to return the Alumni Reply Card
telling us about your life after St Mary’s. You may also
use the card to inform us of any change of address or
employment. We love hearing from you so please keep
in touch. Don’t forget that the writer of any letter
published wins a St Mary’s pen set, so do indicate on
your letters if they are intended for publication.
This front page is a partial replication of the first issue of
‘The Simmarian’, published in 1905. I hope that you
enjoy reading this anniversary issue and that it brings
back memories of the part you played in our
distinguished history.
With very best wishes
Alumni Garden Party
Sunday May 28th 2000
Due to an unprecedented demand for tickets to the
Alumni Garden Party there are only a small number of
places now available. If you wish to attend please call
the Alumni Office on 020 8240 4039 as soon as
possible. If you have already contacted the Alumni
Office about the Garden Party, you should
automatically receive tickets. We would appreciate the
return of any unused or unwanted ticket.
President of Ireland
at St Mary’s
The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, visited St Mary’s
on December 3 1999. She
met students and staff from
the Irish Studies Centre and
from the departments of
Health and Exercise Science
and Education. President
McAleese said, ‘As the first
Catholic College in Britain, St
Mar y ’s has a unique and
notable histor y, much of
which will be called to
memor y in the months
ahead’. She added ‘St Mary’s
is a familiar name in Ireland.
For many years it has been the destination of generations
of young Irish school leavers.’
The President later received an honorary doctorate at the
University of Surrey for which she was nominated by St
Mary’s. She said, ‘It seemed right to come and say thank
you in person at this college which I have long known of
and watched from afar.’
Open Day 2000
10th May 11am - 4pm
Karen Smith
Alumni Officer
Alumni working in schools and colleges are invited to attend the 4th
annual open day for year 12 students who are preparing to apply to
university for September 2001. For further information or to reserve a
place please call 020-8240 4156 or visit our website www.smuc.ac.uk
college news
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
I am very pleased to introduce this special 150th
anniversary edition of
The Simmarian. There
has been a great
deal of preparation
for the anniversar y
and I hope that as
many former students
as possible are able
to attend one of the
events or to visit the
college in the course
of this year.
Dr Naylor Chairs Council of
Church and Associated Colleges
We have launched two major publications to mark the
anniversary, both of which are described in this issue.
‘Commitment to Diversity ’, which has received
favourable early reviews, is a volume of essays on issues
of Catholic Education and teacher training in England.
The contributions are drawn from the staff of the St Mary’s
and from scholars associated with the college and its
work.
Contact Service
The historical advisor for the anniversary book, ‘150 Years
of St Mary’s College’ is Ken Breen, for many years editor
of The Simmarian Newsletter. In one chapter, ‘In my day
it was all different’ there are accounts of student life
from the later nineteenth century to the present day
including contributions from four current members of
staff, Kevin Cook (1962-65), Andy Phillips (1975-79), Ed
Boyle (1976-80) and Francesca Byrne (1986-89).
The great highlight of the months since the last edition
of The Simmarian was the visit by Mrs Mary McAleese,
the President of Ireland, accompanied by her husband
and a party of government officers including Mr Frank
Murray, Secretary General to the Government of Ireland. The President’s remarks to the students and staff
were most generous in their appreciation of the work of
the college as she said, ‘in building scholarly cultural
links between Britain and Ireland’. In her description of
St Mary’s as a ‘source of pride and hope’ there is no
better message that we can take into the future as we
celebrate 150 years of service to education.
Dr Naylor is the new chairman of the Council of Church and Associated
Colleges succeeding John Rea, Principal of the College of St Mark
and St John, Plymouth. Lord Dearing is the new President.
Impressive Result
In the inspection by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
the Biosciences Programme at St Mary’s achieved an impressive result.
The college’s Biosciences Programme was awarded 23 marks out of
a maximum total of 24. All aspects of the courses were assessed,
including the curriculum, teaching and learning, student support, quality
management and learning resources.
If you have lost touch with a fellow Simmarian, the Alumni
Office may be able to help.
All information is held under the Data Protection Act. We do
not give out individual’s details without their prior consent.
The Alumni Office will forward stamped mail or contact an
individual on your behalf. Please inform us of any change
of address and if you have details of a Simmarian who
may not be on our records, please let us know.
Careers Information Exchange
The Careers Information Exchange was established to provide
current students with information about professions in which
they are interested. If you would like to be a representative for
your profession please complete the Alumni Reply Card. The
Careers Office will keep your details on file and will contact
you should they need your help.
Careers Services for Alumni
The St Mary’s Career Service is available to alumni for up to
three years after graduation. Services include an individual
analysis of career options, guidance on CV preparation,
applications and interviews, use of careers software and use
of the extensive careers library. Contact the Careers Adviser
on 020-8240 4281 for further information.
Editor: Karen Smith
Design & Layout: Ruth Mellor
Printer: Aquatint, Hampton. TW12 2BJ
St Mary’s College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. TW1 4SX, UK.
College Switchboard: 020-8240 4000
Alumni Office: 020-8240 4039
Fax: 020-8240 4256
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr Arthur Nayor
Principal
The Simmarian is published twice a year. All correspondence should be addressed to Karen
Smith, Alumni Officer. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission
of the editor. The opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those
of St Mary’s College..
© Copyright reserved. St Mary’s College, April 2000.
Information for Anniversary Facts and Figures from John Iddon’s Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill.
2
college news
FORTHCOMING REUNIONS
The Simmarian Association
The Easter Liturgical Reunion will be held at
Strawberry Hill on Thursday 20 April,2000 until
Sunday 23 April. All Simmarians are invited
to attend. Please apply to the Alumni Office for further information.
Irish Simmarian Association Reunion
October 2000
The first of the new style evening reunions
takes place on 14 October, 2000 at the
Derryhale Hotel, Dundalk from 5.00pm. For
further information or to reserve your place
please contact Frances Jordan (Secretary)
Tel: 01868 767713 e-mail [email protected]
1991-95 BA QTS Reunion
July 2000
Michelle Dalton is organising a reunion in
Teddington for the above class. If you wish
to attend, please write to Michelle as soon
as possible stating your preferred date in
July (1st, 8th or 15th). Please also indicate if
you can offer or require local
accommodation. Write to Michelle at
Appt. 3. 14-15 Ranelagh Road, DUBLIN 6.
1972-75 Twenty fifth anniversary taking place on 29 April
2000 at Strawberry Hill
1991-95 BA QTS reunion in Teddington in July 2000
1944-46 Reunion at Strawberry Hill on 29-30 August 2000
1967-70 Thirty year reunion on 2 September 2000 at
Strawberry Hill
1968-71 Reunion on 2 September 2000 at Strawberry Hill
1960-63 Forty Year Reunion at Strawberry Hill on 2
September 2000
1952-54 Reunion on 5-7 September 2000 at Strawberry Hill
1962-65 Thirty Five year reunion at Strawberry Hill on
9 September 2000.
1979-82
Reunion at Strawberry Hill on 9 September
2000
Thanks to John Booth, Mike Byrnes, Dave Simpson, Chris
Curtis, Dan Chidgey, Mick Lyonette, John Tasker, Ted
Balmer, Tom Clapperton and Bill Nuttycombe for
organising these events.
Year group members are automatically sent letters of invitation to their reunion, approximately six months in advance. If you would like further
information about any of the above reunions, or would like a fact sheet about arranging your own reunion, please contact the Alumni Office.
Then and Now
The Old Chapel
The first Mass was celebrated in the former
college chapel in 1926, the Waldegrave
Drawing Room having previously been used
for worship. The chapel was designed in
Gothic style and featured the stained glass
east window of the chapel at Brook Green.
Sir Albert Richardson’s impressive new chapel
was opened in 1963. The former chapel
then became the Students’ Union and in
recent years has
housed
the
Department of
Theology and
Religious Studies.
The building has
been converted
into a large lecture hall, two seminar rooms
and a number of offices.
Honorary Fellowships
Mr Richard Harbord, Professor Stephen Holt OBE, Mr Tom
Mannion, Dr Margaret Smart OBE and Dr Andrzej Szostek were
the recipients of Honorary Fellowships from St Mary’s College
at a ceremony on Friday January 28. Honorary Fellowships
are conferred on people eminent in their chosen field and
who have made an outstanding contribution to society.
Mr Harbord is the former Chief Executive of Richmond
Borough Council and is presently Chief Executive of
Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Professor Holt OBE is
the former Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Kent and
recently retired Rector of the Roehampton Institute. Mr
Mannion is Headteacher of Cardinal Pole RC school in
Homerton and is a former student of St Mary’s. Dr Smart
OBE is former Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools 1975-1990,
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector for Higher Education 1992-94
and until recently was Director of the Catholic Education
Service. Dr Szostek is Rektor of the Katolicki Uniwerytet Lubelski,
Lublin, Poland.
Where
are they
now?
1920s
John ‘Harry’ Gilchrist
(1928-1930) taught in
Malta in the 1930’s. He
became Head
Teacher of a school in
Bath, retiring in 1970.
1930s
Joseph O’Connor
(1930-1932) taught at
a school in Billingham
for forty five years. Six of
his children and two of
his grand children went
into the teaching
profession. His son
Bernard attended St
Mary’s in the 1970’s.
Anthony Warrington
(1936-1938) retired in
1978 after twenty years
as Head Teacher of a
primary school in
Morecambe.
Anthony’s father, Albert
(1909-1911) studied at
the Brook Green site.
Anthony lives in
Lancashire
1940s
Kevin Madden (19431945) is a retired Head
Teacher who lives in
Manchester. He would
like to contact anyone
from his year via the
Alumni Contact
Service.
Desmond McMahon
(1941- 1942) lives in
Oldham. Desmond
captained the St
Mary’s cricket team in
1942 and is the father
of three teachers.
Francis Radford (19471949) retired eleven
years ago and lives in
Pembrokeshire. He was
sorry to miss the last
reunion and would like
to give his best wishes
to his year.
Louis Starkey (19481950) is a retired
primary school Head
Teacher. He lives in
Widnes and continues
his interest in art which
started at St Mary’s.
1950s
Joseph Cox (19571960) goes back
packing in third world
countries for half of the
year. He drives a van
annually to Romania
where he undertakes
charitable work.
Joseph remembers his
time at St Mary’s as his
‘Halcyon Days’.
3
Where
are they
now?
alumni people
Austin Greer
Squadron Leader Francis
Harris (1951-1953) taught
in a number of military
schools world-wide. He
was arrested by the
German Gestapo at the
age of fifteen for feeding
Russian POWs. Francis
now enjoys an active
retirement in Wales.
Pat Morgan (1950-1953)
spent thirty seven years
in Southern Africa. He
lives in County Wexford
and would like to hear
from friends from St
Mary’s via the Alumni
Contact Service.
Brian O’Gorman (19581962) is a retired teacher
who enjoys sport, history
travel and theatre. He
published ‘Laughter in
the Roar’ an account of
variety theatre and is
married to Kathleen, a
lecturer at St Mary’s.
Evarist Saliba (19571958) has been
appointed as Malta’s
Ambassador to Greece
and is also Malta’s High
Commissioner to Cyprus.
He moves to Athens
from Suffolk
Tom Steele (1955-1958)
has retired to the South
of France and lives
15kms from St Tropez.
Friends from Tom’s year
are very welcome to visit
if they are in the area,
please contact the
Alumni Office.
Austin Greer (1954-56) came to St Mary’s after serving in the British Army. He then taught
in primary schools for eleven years before returning to St Mary’s in 1967 to lecture in the
Education Department.
After undertaking several senior posts in education, Austin moved to Canada and
then to Czechoslovakia where he is the Deputy Head of the English Department at the
University of Economics in Prague. Austin employs two new graduates from St Mary’s
each year and Chris Hughes and Louise Mitchell are currently working with him.
Austin has fond memories of his time at St Mary’s and would like to hear from old
friends via the Alumni Contact Service.
Fr. Donal O’Leary
Fr. Donal O’Leary (1972-73) joined the PGCE course at St Mary’s in 1972. He subsequently became Head of
Religious Studies, leaving college in 1987 to study for his MA in the USA. After
returning from the States he was appointed parish priest in Garforth and
Episcopal Vicar for Christian Formation for the Leeds Diocese.
Margaret Siberry (1967-71) writes, ‘What has been so remarkable during Fr.
O’Leary ’s time at Garforth is the way he has successfully developed a
collaborative style of ministry, initiated programmes of spiritual renewal within
the diocese, whist at the same time fulfilling his great gift as a writer.’
Fr. O’Leary has published a number of books including Passion for the Possible,
New Hearts for New Models and Lost Soul. Further information can be obtained from Columba Press,
Dublin on 00 353 1294 2556.
Michael Melia
Michael Melia (1966-1969) left the teaching profession to become an actor. After working
in many REPS he joined the National Theatre. He works in theatre, film and television and is
well known for his roles as ‘Eddie Royal’ in Eastenders, ‘DI Dagley’ in Dangerfield and ‘Jerry’
in Dream Team.
Kevin Tanney (1952-54)
retired from teaching in
1984. He then qualified
in law and worked for a
leading local solicitor
specialising in Criminal
Law. He retired
completely in 1998 and
lives in Whitley Bay.
Dennis Young (19511953) taught in Primary
and Secondary schools
in Cardiff, London and
Dorset. He moved to
Spain on his retirement
and enjoys golf and
organising theatrical
entertainment, a hobby
at St Mary’s
1960s
Terence Hooper (19671970) works as a
translator and interpreter
for a large steel
company in the South of
France where he has
lived for twenty five
years. He would be
delighted to hear from
old friends via the Alumni
Contact Service.
4
He has also appeared in many other television programmes including The Bill, Casualty,
and Coronation Street. His theatre credits include performances in The Changeling, Hamlet,
Aladdin and Absent Friends. Michael is married with two children and lives in Surrey.
Word Search
Fifteen words associated with the college campus are hidden in this grid.
They are placed either horizontally or vertically and may be spelt backwards.
Clue for older readers; most halls of residence are named after former
college principals.
The first five readers to send in the correct solution will win St Mary’s pen sets.
Please send your entry, marked ‘Word Search’, to the Alumni Office.
Competition Winners
Congratulations to the winners of last issue’s Word Quiz who won St Mary’s
pen sets: Gerard Curran (1929-32), Kevin Heneghan (1942-44), W Lyrie
(1943-45), Gerald McEnhill (1934-36) and Christine Vaughan (1966-69)
simmarian staff
In this issue, we talk to Terry Bhogal (1990-93). Terry was
born in Nottingham and educated at
Manning Grammar School where she
achieved a number of awards for
academic excellence. She read for
a BSc (Hons) in Biology and Chemistry
at St Mary’s after gaining qualified
haematologist status at the University
of Central England. Terr y is a
Biosciences laboratory technician
and is currently Warden at 35 Waldegrave Park. She was
previously Warden at 16 Strawberry Hill Road.
Why did you choose to study at St Mary’s?
I had been working in a lab as a haematologist and
realised that I would need further qualifications to
advance my career. To be honest, I had not heard of St
Mary ’s before I applied. As soon as I arrived I was
impressed with the level of personal contact with the staff
having been to a much larger university. It was easy to
meet other students and I immediately felt at home here.
As I was still working, I arrived at the end of Freshers’ Week
but still managed to make plenty of friends. It was like being
part of a big family.
What was the social life at college like at the time?
The social life was excellent. The old SU building had
something special about it, it had a small bar and quite
a small hall so it was intimate and friendly. It had a very
special atmosphere. I remember seeing the pop group
Bad Manners there. When I returned to St Mary’s to work
here the building had burnt down. I occasionally go to the
new SU hall for functions but have very fond memories of
the old building.
Were you involved in any societies?
I was Vice-President of the Chem. Soc which was well
known for its social events. It was a great society to be
involved with. We had many guest speakers and held
discos in the SU. Our Christmas disco was legendary. I
made a number of friends through the Chem. Soc. and
am still in touch with many people including James Crick,
Tanya Fletcher, Mark Griffiths and Darren Collinson.
What did you do after finishing your studies?
I took a year out before returning to St Mary’s to work as
a lab technician. I enjoy my work here, particularly the
student contact - I think that’s what keeps me young! By
the third year I get to know students quite well and supervise a wide variety of final year projects assessing the
practical and health and safety aspects. I also regularly
supervise work experience students from a local college
which gives me a chance to develop skills in others. I would
like to develop the teaching aspects of my work – I have
taken a number of third year seminars which I have found
challenging. I am also considering registering for a PhD in Biochemistry to develop my
career further.
What attracted you to working as a
Warden?
I love the contact with students. I’ve got
to know a lot of students during my four
years as a Warden and I enjoy seeing
them develop during their time here. You
help them get thorough the ups and downs
of the first year which can be quite
traumatic as it is the first time many of them
have been away from their homes and
families. At Christmas and before
Graduation we all go out. I still meet up with
many former students from my halls.
What is special about St Mary’s?
We have a close and supportive
community - staff and students know that
there is always someone available to
help them. That’s a very important quality
that you rarely find in larger institutions.
As part of the College’s 150th anniversary
celebrations, the Centre for Irish Studies is
hosting a one-day conference on
contemporary Irish fiction which brings
together some of Ireland’s most
distinguished novelists and critics to read
from their work and discuss aspects of
Irish fiction at the turn of the millennium.
Irish Fiction in Transition
Friday 28th April 2000
A one-day conference on
Irish fiction featuring
Seamus Deane
Emma Donoghue
Anne Enright
Bernard Mac Laverty
Colm Tóibín
Robert Welch
Fee: £60
or £40 (Students/Unwaged)
(including lunch, coffee & tea)
For further information contact the conference
organiser: Dr Liam Harte, Centre for Irish Studies
St Mary’s College, Waldegrave Road
Strawberry Hill, Twickenham TW1 4SX
Tel: 020 8240 4091
e-mail: [email protected]
Where
are they
now?
John Harkin (1969-1972)
lives in Brisbane, Australia
where he is a Head of
Department in an
Independent school. He
would like to contact
Simmarians in Australia
via the Alumni Contact
Service.
Michael Nolan (19661969) teaches Special
Needs students at a
school in Bedford. He
would like to contact old
friends via the Alumni
Contact Service.
John and Barbara
O’Driscoll (1969-1973)
married in 1974 and are
both teachers. They live
in London and have six
children ranging from
twelve to twenty three
years of age.
David Palmer (19611964) has recently
composed ‘Light of the
World’, a production for
the millennium
produced at the Fairfield
Hall, Croydon. He
composed a number of
productions whilst at
college, all starring Mike
Murnane who still works
with the Drama
Department.
Anthony Ridley (19631966) taught in two
secondary schools in
Newcastle. He took early
retirement and now
works in horticulture. He
would like to hear from
friends from his year via
the Alumni Contact
Service.
Margaret Roylance (nee
O’Rourke) (1969-1972) is
the Head of Science at
a school in Huddersfield.
She would love to hear
from anyone who
remembers her via the
Alumni Contact Service.
Patricia Shepherd (nee
Gooch) (1968-1971)
has written various
reading books and
teachers’ books. She ran
her own school for seven
years and is currently the
UK Sales Manager for a
publishing company.
Patricia would like to
hear from anyone who
knows her.
Richard Yeomanson
(1968-1971) married Jo
Shearon from the same
year group. Jo and
Richard are both
teachers and live in
Somerset. They have two
sons.
5
Where
are they
now?
150 years of st mary‘s
This year the College is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its
form the Catholic Poor School Committee in 1847.
foundation. Inevitably part of this will be a nostalgic reminiscence
Some funds for education were beginning to come from govern-
of the early days of College in the mid-nineteenth century as
ment and by the middle of the century there were already some
Phillipa Cdabin (nee
Child) (1978-1981) is
married with two
children. She lives in East
Sussex and teaches at
an Independent girls’
school in Kent.
well as a visionary look to the future. In so many ways the life of
hundreds of British and National Schools and others founded by
the Simmarian of 1850 was unrecognisably different from that of
the British and Foreign School Society. These bodies were consid-
the young undergraduate of 2000.
ered sufficiently responsible to administer government grants. The
Queen Victoria was just thirteen years into her long reign and in
from collections and gifts. One role of the CPSC was to become
Kay Hall (nee Doran)
(1974-1979) teaches
maths and computing
at a Catholic High
School in Sydney,
Australia. She has two
children, Kieran and
Rebecca.
1850 the Prime Minister was Lord John Russell. Only those who
the recognised Catholic body that would administer government
could prove a property qualification were allowed to vote in par-
grants and the other was to found a College for the training of
liamentary elections. Indeed there was no universal suffrage for
men teachers for the Catholic poor schools.
1970s
Chris Hanks (1978-1982)
is the office manager for
a firm of chartered
accountants. She enjoys
skiing, diving travel and
sea fishing and lives in
New Malden.
Catholics had no such body and any schools built were provided
another seventy years and women were denied the same right
until ten more had elapsed. Slavery had been abolished barely
To house this new College, a property was bought in Brook Green,
fifteen years before the founding of College and England was
Hammersmith by the CPSC. It already had a long Catholic asso-
involved in the
ciation. From the mid-eighteenth century it had been a school for
Crimean
War
girls supported by Bishop Challoner but even earlier it had been
and the Indian
used by Catherine of Braganza, the wife of Charles II, and per-
Mutiny soon af-
haps because of this and other associations the area was known
ter.
as Pope’s Corner.
The wars and
The building was there, some funds were becoming available,
overseas trade
but what about recruits? It was considered at first that because of
encouraged the
the poor conditions in which they would have to work and the
development of
inadequacy of the salary it would be possible to pay, that the only
the
industrial
young men who would come forward would be driven by voca-
towns where the
tion. The first intention, therefore, was to create a teaching broth-
wretched stand-
erhood and negotiations were opened by Wiseman with the Abbe
ard of living was
John-Marie Lammenais who had started a teaching order of broth-
revealed in the
ers in Brittany. Five young men arrived in Ploermel on Christmas
Professor Joseph
Maguire (1975-1979)
lives in Loughborough.
He is a professor with the
Department of PE, Sports
Science and Recreation
Management at a
university.
Andrew McGregor
(1978-1982) is Head of
Year at a Catholic
school in London. He
married his wife, Kay, at
St Mary’s and has two
children. Andrew lives in
Ashtead, Surrey.
Tim Peart (1974-1977)
married Sheila Mallins
(1976-1979) in 1980 in
the College Chapel.
They have two children
and live in Dorking. Tim is
the Managing Director
of an engineering
company.
Ian Rideout (1976-1979)
is the Chief Executive of
one of Scotland’s
leading children’s
charities. He and his wife
also run a self catering
holiday business. Ian is
based in the highlands
of Scotland.
Michael Roche (19701971) lives in Galway. He
is the Irish Schools Cross
Country Senior Manager
and is the President of
the Association of
Referees IRFU. He is a
former international
rugby referee and
teaches PE.
Mary Wheatley (nee
Twamberley) (19751979) works as an
advisory teacher of the
Deaf. She lives in
Arundel and has
three children.
6
first government
Blue Books on
the
Sanitar y
Conditions of Large Towns. In the factories there was the widespread abuse of child labour and the existence of schools for
the poor children was a matter of great rarity.
Each year, for generations, it had been customary for Irish farm
workers to come to England for the harvest. Most returned to
their families and homes in Ireland but some few stayed each
year, often migrating to the towns and the new factories. In the
late forties the influx from Ireland became a flood as widespread
famine prevailed at home. Entering through the ports of Liverpool and Glasgow, these refugees spread southwards to the
towns of Lancashire and the Midlands, swelling the slums and
Eve 1848 to start their training as teaching brothers while Brook
shanties that had grown up around the factories.
Green was converted to a training college dedicated to St. Mary.
The first Principal of the College was Father Glenie, a convert from
The Catholic Church in England had still not properly shrugged
the Oxford Movement.
off its almost secret observance brought about by its recusant
past but , remarkably, there were many who saw the urgent need
Within two or three years the links with Brittany disappeared and
for the provision of elementary education for the poor, espe-
the whole training of the recruits coming forward was carried out
cially for the newly arrived Irish few of whom could speak English,
at Hammersmith. Soon after the foundation the College could
let alone read or write. The man most to be credited with this
boast of 50 – 60 students in residence each year. They came now
work was the then Bishop Wiseman whose inspiration it was to
as laymen and when qualified taught in the growing number of
150 years of st mary‘s
Catholic elementary schools. Wiseman and the CPSC, with the
where their names are recorded and remembered every year
men who were trained in these early days at Brook Green, can be
on Remembrance Sunday.
said to have been the founders of the Catholic education system
which is so sought after today.
In 1992 another milestone was passed when the Vincentian
priests gave up their charge of the College and for the first time
In 1850 there were fifty students, in 1950 there were two hundred
in its history a layman, Dr. Arthur Naylor, was appointed as Princi-
and eighty. In this year of Jubilee the number has risen to over two
pal. In his care there have been many innovations to keep the
College up to date in the world of education and academic
studies. In 1996 Cardinal Hume opened the fine extension to
the Information Resources Centre which now offers computer
based information services in addition to the more traditional
book stock. Two new halls of residence named to remember
Father Cronin
and
Father
Cashin have
1980s
David Burke (1982-1986)
taught in the London
area for twelve years.
He is the Education and
Technical Advisor at the
Fulham FC Academy.
David lives in
Teddington.
Joe Enright (1988-1991)
worked in Columbia for
three years. He returned
to England and is now
Head of Drama at a
school in Barnet. He
would like to hear from
friends via the Alumni
Contact Service.
Mark Francis (19861989) lives in Durham.
After working for the
Police and for the
Probation Service he
now works in the UK and
Middle East as an
Archaeological
Surveyor.
been opened
which offer the
resident students en suite
rooms which
make a dramatic contrast
thousand seven hundred. The professional training of Catholic
to
teachers is still at the heart of the College but now undergradu-
tained cubicles in a dormitory which were regarded as appro-
ates will include many studying for a variety of BA and BSc de-
priate in the 19th century.
the
Where
are they
now?
cur-
grees, of postgraduate MAs and Diplomas and now PhD students.
The ever increasing numbers and the greater sophistication of
One hundred and fifty years on the College is flourishing. It wel-
courses has required a succession of building programmes.
comes many students from overseas and it has contacts in many
parts of the world, particularly in Africa, from the links made by
By the 1920s Brook Green House, even with the extensions that
Strawberry Hill Overseas Concern. Various sports clubs, including
had been built to house the new St. Mary’s, was no longer ad-
the Rugby Union and the Ladies’ Hockey, have and continue to
equate. There is a charming story told of how the move from Ham-
achieve great success in the national leagues and numbers of
mersmith was engineered by the Principal, Father J. Doyle, CM.
students represent their country in these disciplines and in other
The College shared a boundary with Cadby Hall, the headquar-
sports. The world in which the Simmarians live and work today is
ters of the J Lyons catering group. Both Lyons and the College
quite different from that of the 1850s in its technical achieve-
needed to expand. Lyons had the money but not the land, College had land but no money. The Principal negotiated a deal
which gave Lyons the St. Mary’s site of 3 acres and small buildings
in exchange for a sum of money for the purchase of Strawberry
Hill, a property of 30 acres in Twickenham and a balance towards
Lorna Madden (nee
Whell) (1988-1992)
married Mike (19841988) in 1995. They
have two young
children, Rachel and
Kieron. Lorna is Head of
Year at a school in
Bodmin and Mike is an
industrial chemist.
Paul McKenna (19871991) worked in
Indonesia after
graduating. He now
works for a Children and
Family Services
Department and lives in
Bournemouth. He has
been married for five
years.
Clare Murchison (nee
O’Donnell) (1980-1983)
married in 1999 and
held her reception at
Strawberry Hill. She is the
Human Resources
Manager for a retail
chain.
Vincent O’Keefe (19821983) teaches PE at a
secondary school in
Dublin. He would like to
hear from anyone who
remembers him.
the building of an extensive residential College. The architect was
S. Pugin Powell, a relative of the great Gothic Revival architect,
A.W. Pugin, and the result was a modern set of buildings which
harmonised well with the historic mansion of Horace Walpole.
Firmly led by the Vincentian fathers who had been given charge
of the College in 1899, the College survived the vicissitudes of the
Second World War, remaining open the whole time despite extensive damage from bomber raids early in the war and flying bombs
ments but many of the problems remain the same in many
at the end. Uniforms became a part of everyday life with the for-
parts of the world ~ poverty, lack of schools, refugees and war.
mation of a Home Guard unit and a flight of the London University
As then, many Simmarians continue the tradition of trying to
Air Squadron. Many Simmarians went into the forces and served in
remove these burdens from society.
every theatre of war. As in the first war, many of those who served
© Kenneth Breen,
never came home and in the chapel are two memorial plaques
January 2000.
Edel Sheriden (19891992) works as a
specialist lecturer in
Performing Arts and
Theatre Studies. She runs
a theatre company with
her sister. Edel lives in
Co.Down.
Gideon Sykes (19891992) owns a Public
Relations agency. He
married in 1999 and
lives in Surrey.
7
anniversary memories
Four Generations of
Simmarians - Tom Marsh (1947/49) writes;
The names “Simmaries” and “Strawberry Hill” strike
a nostalgic chord in the
memories and melodies of
the Marshes because the
family boasts five members
from four generations attending College since
1890. Up to the mid 1920’s
St. Mary’s was situated in
Brooke Green, Hammersmith where both my
grandfather and father attended. Grandfather
Tom was there in 1892/93 and on joining the
teaching profession in Wigan, he was “paid by
results”. He was a strict but fair disciplinarian who
had a desk drawer full of confiscated pea-shooters and catapults. He was later known as the
“gentleman of Ince” because of his voluntary
work for and with the poor.
My father, Tom 2, entered College after army service in 1919/21, following the “original 12”. In the
same intake was “Chips “
McGuire, later a College lecturer
of Geography, and Mr. Scott ,
later a Maths lecturer , both
known by the 40’s and 50’s students. Tom 2 was the College organist whose music could still be
seen in the ’47 choir. On retiring
from education he received the
Pope’s Bene Merenti Medal.
My younger brother Gerald entered Simmaries
in ’46 followed by myself as a member of the exservice intake in ’47. College changed at this time
and became focused on a
more mature student life. I met
my wife, Mary, at Simmaries.
She trained at Maria Assumpta
College at
Kensington
Square and
the song
‘Kensington Square’ was composed by myself, Wally Lindsey
and Jim Kenny when I was
courting Mary. Gerard, now retired, was a good teacher, well
liked and respected by children and parents.
My daughter Georgina entered College in ’93
following industrial experience with Fiat, Wang and
Bayer. Her teaching diploma
along with her computer
maths. degree has made her
a sought after teacher in
primary schools where she has
set up computer departments.
8
Michael Flynn
(1953-1955)
remembers St Mary’s;
Whilst at St Mary’s I was a member of the De La
Salle Order, living at numbers 17 and 19
Waldegrave Road. Those hostels have a famous
past and some characters have been through
them including Tom Cambell FSC – The Prince of
Footballers.
The summer months saw Strawberry Hill House
ivy covered at its best and the Vincencians walking in recreation
or in deep conversation. I was
for one summer
sacristan there
and
the
Vincencian Retreat required the
setting of many
altars in the
evening for Masses. Nooks and crannies had to
be found for visiting priests to celebrate Mass.
And of course that haunted gallery in Walpole
House with a reward offered for those willing to
spend a night there!
Fr. Cronin added style and dignity wherever he
appeared. I see and hear again Fr. Twoney in
Divinity and remember David Balhachette, a
dynamic lecturer in French Literature. Fr.
McGowan made Virgil Book VIII live so much that
many years later I went down to the banks of the
Tiber to re-read it and could hear his voice in the
din of the Roman traffic. I owe my many years of
Latin teaching to Fr. McGowan.
I finished at Simmaries in 1955 and later
completed a degree at Cambridge in History
but the vision of that blue and white never faded.
Simmaries still blue and white spoke to me today
in St Mary’s Derby, the altar cloth had the words,
‘Monstra T’esse Matrem’.
Lionel Perez (1963-1965)
remembers Fr. Cronin;
I was privileged. I became a student at St Mary’s
in October 1963, aged 27. I was married with a
two year old daughter. I was elected the First Year
Rep in the Committee of Management (Students’
Union) six weeks into the Autumn Term. Jim Todd
was the union President who made me most welcome from the very first meeting. During the next
three years I became the first student to be
elected for three years into the COM and the first
overseas student to be elected 2nd Vice-President.
I met with the Principal, Father Cronin regularly
on Sundays with the rest of the Committee. After
the official business was finished, wine and
cigarettes were passed around. I asked
permission to smoke a cigar and offered one to
Fr. Cronin who took it. From that day onward, he
provided a cigar for both of us every Sunday.
After every holiday, I presented him with a box
from Gibraltar.
During my second term at Simms I staged
Anouilh’s ‘The Lark’. The Principal attended the first
night performance and stayed at the end to talk
to me. I realised then that he was a very special
person. During the next eighteen months our
friendship grew and on numerous occasion he
would introduce me to his guests around the
campus. As I had previously lived and worked in
London, Fr. Cronin would ask me to drive him to
town when he was unable to obtain a hired driver.
He would then allow me to keep the car until the
following morning.
When elected for the third time into the COM as
2nd Vice-President the Principal confided in my
judgement even more. He would often call me
into his office requesting my opinion on various
matters concerning the students. He invited the
COM to several restaurants.
We often discussed the admission of women
students to the college. He was keen to develop
the college and his dream and aspiration was
to incorporate St Mary’s as a recognised university
college.
Fr. Cronin’s knowledge on Art was very extensive.
He organised visits to Art Galleries and invited a
group to assist him to purchase paintings for the
college collections. These paintings can still be
viewed along the corridors at St Mary’s.
At every going down ball, Fr. Cronin would include
two small china dolls to be raffled. As I had never
won, he sent my daughter a doll the following
Christmas. That doll has topped our Christmas
tree since December 1966.
After retiring from St Mary’s, Fr. Cronin undertook
counselling work at the request of the Cardinal. I
am sure that he did an excellent job. He visited
Gibraltar on four occasions during which I acted
as his host.
Fr. Cronin always gave me a sense of peace and
serenity. He never provided a quick or sudden
reply. Full of confidence, he would walk in silence
into any place in a Ciceronian style,
acknowledging those present with a slight bow
of the head. When he knew someone well, his
face became alight with joy in a conservative
but welcoming smile. Education and its
development were his prime concern.
Fr. Cronin displayed control, humility, patience
and understanding. I was greatly honoured to
have had Fr. Cronin as a teacher and as a friend.
On a single night in 1940, 96 college rooms
were destroyed by fire bombs.
anniversary memories
Letters from St Mar y ’s
Peter pictured with Bill McCormack,
Dortmund, Germany, November 1949
Peter Oughtibridge (1946-48) has given us an
account of his time at St Mary’s in the form of
letters to his parents. Peter ’s letters recount
the infamous tale of the only year group to
be sent down from college en masse. Peter
taught in secondar y modern schools and
grammar schools before taking a BA Hons in
English at Birkbeck College. Peter then
worked in Further Education, retiring as a
Head of Department at an FE College. Peter
lives in Wiltshire.
October 1946 - I can at last say that I have settled in
and am enjoying life at college. The fuzzing (ragging) I
have told you about is now over, as is the dreaded initiation
business. We are now “SIMMARIANS” and on good
terms with our tormentors – the seniors (2nd year men)
much of the ‘fuzz’ has been uncomfortable and somewhat
humiliating, but we have learned and earned friendship
and comradeship. We had a smashing night out at
Hammersmith Palais to celebrate.
To be perfectly honest I did not particularly enjoy spending
most of one night on the top of my single wardrobe but it
was quite funny to be ‘taken’ to the cinema one day by the
seniors. The cinema is about a mile from the college and
they took all 80 of us, we had to walk in single file with
one hand on the shoulder of the chap in front and with
one foot on the pavement and the other in the gutter. Can
you imagine the looks we got?
I am thoroughly enjoying the teaching practice
here. We a re judged on the qua lity of lesson
preparation as well as classroom performance.
My last stint was at Kneller Hall, the Army School
of Music.
I am jolly glad that the winter is behind us. The
newspapers are using the word ‘austerity’ an awful lot
these days to describe England today, in my book that
word could certainly have been applied to St Mary’s a
few months ago.
The college remains as strict as ever and I have decided
that life here is just like a boarding school. However,
my social life is getting more interesting, I have had a
few dates with a girl called June (don’t tell my sister or
I’ll never hear the end of it) who takes me home on
Sundays for a good meal. Also, do you remember I told
you about the famous Blue Angel Café in Twickenham
that the seniors would not let us into? Well, at last we
are allowed in for supper and the food is great.
St Mary’s remain victorious in the rugby against our
arch rivals Borough Road college. After the last match
we all piled over to Eel Pie Island on the Thames for a
drink and a singsong. You’ll be pleased to hear my
lack of funds kept me sober, but it was still a bit chancy
in the small punts on the way back to college. Thanks
for your letters,
October 1947 - A quick letter I’m afraid, up to our
necks in teaching practice which I am enjoying and
seem to be quite good at.
There is a lot of talk of the war, but I am very glad to be here
before doing my National Service. I have realised that I have
a good deal of growing up to do and these next two years
will give me the opportunity to get a better job in the army.
All quiet here, lots of grumbling about the bread
rationing that the Labour Government introduced in
June, makes you wonder who won the wretched
war!
By the way, thanks for my spending money, I’m finding
it just about possible to make do with 10/- a month, any
extra for my birthday would be welcome.
Life here has eased up no end with the arrival of the
ex-servicemen this year. There are a lot fewer ‘silly’
rules and the discipline has gone to the dogs. The
February 1947 - It’s absolutely freezing here and
we’re in for a bad winter it seems. We are running
short of fuel and may be sent home. However, at present
we are managing to keep comfortable and at least
warm some of the time. The time we get the coldest is
when we have to attend the college rugby or soccer
matches. It is compulsory, but I enjoy the matches and
we get to sing the college songs which we learned
during the dreaded fuzz.
Mum, you asked me about food, well, we eat in the
college refectory. The food is fair enough and plentiful.
We are served by girls who are called ‘nippies’ and
there is always a lot of banter and noise.
Now I am settled in, I find that the routines are really
quite strict. There are restrictions on where we are
allowed to go outside of the college grounds and we
have to be in by 9.00pm on weekdays and by 11.00pm
on Saturdays. You will be pleased to hear that I go to
mass every morning. Mind you it is compulsory!
Having said that you can earn a lie in if you do
something good for ‘the college’. There are lots of
rules, many of which are made up by the seniors
and apply only to us juniors; they say it is for our
own good, which is very annoying.
May 1947 - Phew! Soon be home for the summer!
initia tion a ctivities ha ve been ba nned a s we
suspected, but the funny thing is that a number of
the newcomers have been asking us to carry out
the formal initiation ceremonies so that they will
be welcomed in the Simma ria n clubs a fter the
training course.
I am very well, a bit thin as ever, but fit.
October 1947 - I am coming home early, next week
in fact. Am writing to you so you can tell Mum not to
worry.
All hell has broken out here, a small group of chaps in
our year carried out a number of initiations and Father
Shannon got to hear about it and demanded that those
responsible own up to the crime of disobedience. Well,
the whole year stuck together and no-one confessed
and as a result we are all being sent down. They are
lending us the train fare so don’t worry about that.
Please don’t worry, I’m sure that everything will turn
out all right.
March 1948 - A quick update on the business last
term. Apparently several people contacted their bishops
about it all and although I don’t know the full story,
everybody was allowed back just before Christmas and
the apology we had to make seems to be the end of
that chapter. Mind you we think it is also the end of an
era for St Mary’s and some people think that it’s not
such a bad thing. Perhaps now is the time to confess to
being one of the people directly involved!
This is all a bit deep, probably because next term is
my last and I feel ready to move on and nervous at the
same time. I feel a lot older than the boy who arrived
here in September 1946.
=
Rest In Peace
News of the death of the following Simmarians has been received.
Please remember in your prayers these Simmarians, their families and their friends.
Joe Berry
1941-43
Manchester
Leo Brooks
1948-1950
Bradford
Mary Brown
(nee
Fitzgerald)
1974-1979
Donald
Chatham
1993-1996
Richmond
M Fitzpatrick
Dates Unknown
Northern
Ireland
John Cilia
1954-1955
Malta
Michael Hill
1969-1972
Co Tipperary
John Connelly Sean Hill
1950-1952
1966-69
Wigan
Co Tipperary
Ernest Butler Gerard
1919 – 1921 Cunningham
1942-1943
Cleveland
Liverpool
Christopher
Maby
1994-96
Gosport
Rolling Stone Mick Jagger celebrated his
50th birthday at Walpole House in 1993.
Gerald Mageean Leslie
1959-1961
Nicholson
Whitby
1956 – 1958
Montgomery
Bro. T N
McQuillan
Tom Nolan
1947-1949
1945-1947
Co. Down
Derby
Vinny Murray
1970-1971
John Nelson
1942-44
Cardiff
Edward
Pilkington
1928-1930
Merseyside
Vincent Alan
Rose
1967-70
Guisborough
Patrick Rowan
1934-1936
Co.Antrim
Ellen
Spasojevic
1996-1999
London
Mick White
1950-1952
Sunderland
Vincent Worth
1949-1952
London
HM Queen Mary paid an informal visit to St Mary’s
in June 1936 to tour Walpole House. HRH the Prince
of Wales visited for the same purpose in 1997.
9
Where
are they
now?
simmarian association
Irish Simmarian Association
Frances Jordan writes: The 49 reunion of the
Irish Simmarian Association was a small affair
but enjoyable none the less. It was heart-warming to see so many of the ‘old guard’ in attendance. Mass was celebrated in St
McCartan’s College by Fr. Beirne with Fr. Gerry
Devlin as co-celebrant. After Mass, the AGM
was held at the four season’s hotel. The college songs were sung and John Jordan
handed the chain of office to Brian Rouse, incoming president. We then adjourned to the
bar. Hoping to see you all in the Derryvale,
Dundalk on October 14th (see page 3 for further details).
th
Paul Warrilow (19821983) lives in Preston.
He is the Head of
Religious Studies at a
college in Lancashire.
He would love to
contact friends via the
Alumni Contact Service.
1990s
James Axton (19931996) is the manager of
a supermarket in
Malmesbury. He lives in
Wiltshire and would like
to say hello to everyone
who knows him.
Karl Bevis (1993-1996)
married Juliette Ansell
from the same year
group. Karl is a youth
worker and has directed
several plays in London.
Juliette is an Assistant
Theatre Producer. They
live in London.
Anna Carriero (19961999) is currently
studying for a PGCE in
Secondary Physical
Education. She would
like to hear from
teachers who are
teaching abroad,
particularly those
working in Africa and
Australasia.
Emma Clarke (19931996) is a recruitment
consultant. She shares a
house in Teddington
with Arny Elvin (19931996), Sian Merion
Jones (1992-1996),
Grant Horan (19931996) and Rebekah
Blyth (1995-1998).
Faye Cleary (19941997) lives in Rainham.
She is currently working
at the Millennium Dome
on the Central Show.
Jacqueline Dowdy
(1990-1991) works as a
missionary in Uganda
developing a rural
orphans’ assistance
project. Visits can be
arranged by contacting
the Joy Children’s
Centre, PO Box 1921,
Masaka, UGANDA.
Eloise Fysh (1996-1999) is
a Senior Sub-Editor at the
Press Association. Her
colleague, Tony Battista,
attended St Mary’s from
1993-1996. Eloise lives in
East Yorkshire.
10
Past President John Jordan hands over the chain
of office to incoming president Brian Rouse
Victor Szudek (1985-88)
has been working in
Australia for five years.
He would like to contact
other Simmarians living
in Australia via the
Alumni Contact Service.
Gibraltar Simmarians
Millennium Dinner - Clive Beltran writes; The
Feast of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated here in the best tradition of
Gibraltarian entertainment.
A large gathering of young and mature
Simmarians, accompanied by spouses and
friends enjoyed a most entertaining annual
dinner at a well known restaurant on the Rock
of Gibraltar.
As is traditional, the evening began with a welcoming sherry followed by grace by a senior
Simmarian. A delicious meal accompanied by
a considerable flow of Rioja wine was then followed by the highlight of the evening, a pause
between coffee and liqueurs entitled ‘Teaching Practice Stories.’ As can be expected,
these tales ranged from the hilarious to the
bearly mentionable. A raffle in aid of charity
which included
two bottles of
French wine with
the ‘Strawberry Hill’
label as one of its
prizes brought a
most successful
evening to a fitting end.
A group of those attending the dinner led by
Lionel Perez (1963-66) are making plans to attend the College’s 150th Anniversary celebrations at Strawberry Hill.
Manchester
and
District
Simmarians
Kevin Madden (1943-45) writes; we celebrated our annual
Mass for the Dead on Friday November 12 in St Patrick’s. Our
celebrant once again was Canon Tony Dorran (1945-47)
assisted by Father Frank Parkinson of much later Simmarian
vintage. Our congregation of Simmarians numbered thirty
seven, our second highest in the last fifteen years. Regrettably
we saw very few young faces but we are unearthing one or
two more veterans.
A number of our old faithful sent apologies for absence –
Des McMahon, Jimmy Barrett and Wilf Sudlow (all 1940-42),
Joe Berry (1941-43), John Whatmongh (1965-68), Joe
McHugh (1930-33), Pete Sworbrick (1943-45), Brian
McGuiness (1945-47) and Rev Dean Austin (1946-48).
We were delighted to see our oldest regular attendee, Bill Glynn
(1933-35). Our delight was tempered by the knowledge that
this was likely to be Bill’s last appearance at our Manchester
Mass. He announced this but was quick to add that the Lord
had not given him any advance information. Bill is leaving the
area to live with his daughter in Kent. He will be greatly missed
being a character and raconteur of some justified repute.
It is with sadness that I report the sudden death of Joe Berry
(1941-43). Joe died on December 30. He was headteacher
at a primary school in Bolton for many years. He was a
committed Catholic, a dedicated teacher, a fine sportsman
and a totally honourable man. I commend him and his
family to your prayers.
Any Simmarian from whatever year who is in the Manchester
area is welcome to contact me via the Alumni Office for
further information about our group.
The North East Simmarians
Tom Baker writes; The Annual Memorial Mass was held at St
Joseph’s, Norton near Stockton in November. We remembered
sixty six Simmarians who died in the First World War and the
seventy seven of my contemporaries who gave their lives in
World War Two. In addition, we remembered Kit English, wife
of Tony English (1942-44) who died recently after a very long
illness. We remembered Kath Tomkinson, wife of Joe Tomkinson
(1945-47) who died suddenly last month. RIP. After Mass, thirty
eight of us joined together with our celebrant Father O’Gorman
at our monthly lunch at the Centenary Inn.
Walpole purchased the Strawberry Hill estate in
1749 for £776.10s.
staff publications
Commitment to Diversity – Catholics and Education in a
Changing World is a comprehensive survey of the
educational, historical and sociological issues of Catholic
Education and teacher training in England. All of the
contributors are leading scholars in their disciplines covering
topics which include an international comparison with the
history of Catholic education in the USA, an analysis of young
catholic adults and their relationships with Catholic Education
and a case study in the provision of Catholic Education at St
Mary’s.
Commitment to Diversity is edited by Mary Eaton, VicePrincipal at St Mary’s, Arthur Naylor, College Principal and
Jane Longmore, formerly Head of Historical, Social and
Cultural Studies. The book is published by and available from
Cassell IBSN 0-304-70542-X 020-7420 5555 priced at £16.99
(paperback) or £45.00 (hardback) excluding postage and
packaging. Please call the Alumni Office for further details.
Dr Mark Donnelly, Director of History, has had his latest book
published: Britain in the Second World War. The book presents
a new and vivid survey of politics, society, culture and military
strategy between 1939 and 1945. Structured around themes
such as ‘Wartime Politics’, ‘Wartime Media’ and ‘Britain and
its Allies’, the book covers the major historical debates of
these areas, including Britain’s commitment to remain in the
conflict until unconditional surrender and the effect of war
on the status of women.
Britain in the Second World War is a compact history of
wartime Britain which not only provides a succinct narrative
of events but also highlights contemporary historical debate.
It is published by Routledge, ISBN hb 0-415 17425-2 priced
at £30.00 and ISBN pb 0-415 17426-0 priced at £9.99.
Mark Donnelly ’s book was launched with Dr Michael
Partridge’s latest publication The Royal Naval College
Osborne, 1903-1921: A Histor y. The college was the junior
section of the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Cadets
were introduced to the life of a Royal Naval Officer and, in
addition to academic work, were taught how to prepare for
life aboard ships. Members of several European Royal families
sent their sons to the College. These boys included the future
King George VI and Earl Mountbatten. The Royal Naval
College Osborne was also the institution where the incident
occurred on which Terence Rattigan based his play, The
Winslow Boy.
Michael Partridge began interviewing former cadets ten years
ago and collected a vast amount of photographs and
official papers. The resulting book discusses
the college’s foundation, organisation and
structure, the selection procedure for entrants
and the reasons for the college’s closure. The
Royal Naval College, Osborne 1903-1921: A
Histor y is published by: Royal Naval Museum
Publications and Sutton Publishing, ISBN 0
7509 1969 8, and is priced £19.99.
Philip de Souza’s latest book, Piracy in the
Graeco-Roman World, is a historical study of
piracy in the ancient Mediterranean. It
examines the impact which pirates had upon
ancient society. The book is the first to offer a
detailed analysis of the portrayal of pirates
by authors such as Homer and Cicero.
Dr de Souza is a senior lecturer at St Mary’s
specialising in Ancient History. He is the coauthor of the children’s illustrated book The
Roman News which has sold over eighty
thousand copies and has been translated
into five languages.
Pir acy in the Gr aeco-Roman Wor ld is
published by Cambridge University Press, ISBN
0521481376.
Millennium Prints
Nora O’Keefe has produced an anniversary edition of her popular prints of
Walpole House (see Simmarian issue 8).
The prints are cream mounted and
measure 10” x 8” and are priced at
£10.50 each to include UK postage
and packing.
Please order from
Past Redemption. Old School House
21 Church Street, Long Buckby
Northampton, NN6 7QH
or telephone: 01327 843 160 for
further information.
Where
are they
now?
Fiona Hambleton (19951996) teaches maths, ESL
and Remedial English
and Maths in Jamaica.
She would like to hear
from friends via e-mail –
fiona_hambleton
@hotmail.com.
Andrew Jackson (19931996) teaches in
Nuneaton. He would like
to hear from fellow Sport
Scientists who graduated
in 1996 or 1997.
Sarah Jennings (19951999) tours Ireland with a
drama group performing
at festivals and schools.
She would like to hear
from anyone who was at
Graham Hall in 1995/96.
Eamon McClean (19921993) taught in Belfast
and New Zealand before
travelling extensively in
South America, South East
Asia and Australia. He is
now a Disadvantage
Education Outreach
Officer in Co. Monaghan.
Anna Prout (1992-1995) is
a Personnel Officer at a
college of further
education near
Southampton.
Jo Spear (1991-1994) is a
physiotherapist and lives in
Norwich. She would like to
hear from friends via the
Alumni Contact Service.
Neil Tunbridge (19951998) works for the
designer Patrick Cox. He
plans and buys
merchandise for the
Manchester store and is
involved in all aspects of
international retail control.
Neil lives in East Sussex.
Rachel Walder (19951998) is an assistant
nursery nurse. She is
planning to train as a
teacher or undertake
missionary work this year.
She would like to
contact friends from St
Mary’s via the Alumni
Contact Service.
Don’t forget to
return your Alumni
Reply Card if you
would like to
feature in ‘Where
Are They Now’
Please make cheques payable to
‘Past Redemption.’
11
A CLASS APART
Now your choice of credit card is academic. You are, no doubt, deluged with credit card offers. So how do
you choose which one to carry? The St Mary’s College MasterCard makes that choice simple.
•
•
•
•
No annual fee
Benefit the college at no extra cost to you
Competitive interest rate of 17.9% APR (variable)
Low rate for transferred balances of 5.9% APR fixed
for 6 months from the date your account is opened
For every new Gold account opened as a result of this advertisement, MBNA International Bank Ltd pays St Mary’s College
£20 and £10 for each standard account opened. £3 is also paid for each account that remains open in subsequent years and
0.15% of amounts spent on retail transactions.
St Mary’s College MasterCard is issued by MBNA International Bank Limited, Registered Office Stansfield House, Chester Business Park, Wrexham Road, Chester, CH4 9QQ. Registered in England No.
2783251. The monthly MBNA interest rate on purchases is 1.53% (variable), equivalent to an APR of 17.9%. The monthly interest rate on credit card cheques, ATM cash advances and over the counter cash
advances is 0.48% fixed for six months from the date your account is opened, equivalent to an APR of 5.9% for credit card cheques and an APR of 7.6% for ATM cash advances and over the counter cash
advances. After six months the monthly interest rate for purchases applies to all transactions. The minimum monthly repayment is just 2% of the outstanding balance (minimum £5). There will be a handling
charge for ATM cas advances and over the counter case advances of 1.5% (variable) (minimum £1.50, max. £25). There is no handling charge for credit card cheques. Credit is available subject to status,
only to UK residents aged 18 or over. Written quotations available on request. For your security, telephone calls may be monitored and/or recorded. Pen sets should be delivered within 28 days of an
application being accepted.
FREEPHONE 0800 776262 quoting ref. TI56 for full details and an application pack.
Telephone lines are open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
150 Years of St Mary’s College
ANNIVERSARY
Merchandise
We are delighted to introduce our new range of alumni merchandise,
specially commissioned for our 150th Anniversary.
The Anniversary book, ‘150 Years of St Mary’s College’, gives a full account of our fascinating history. This beautifully presented volume includes
many unpublished photographs.
The new college badge, featuring our coat of arms in full colour, is an
inexpensive way of showing the world that you are a Simmarian. Our new
bear sports a white ribbon embroidered with the coat of arms in blue
and is produced by one of the world’s best-known toy manufacturers.
The new tie is in blue fabric and features the coat of arms in full colour.
Finally, the limited edition blue and white porcelain anniversary mug will
brighten any coffee break.
Please complete the order form and post to the Alumni Office, St Mary’s
College, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX. Your order should be
dispatched within fourteen days of receipt. There may be a surcharge
for overseas deliveries, please contact the Alumni Office before placing
your order.
A small number of items from our previous range (‘window’ ties, letter
openers, bags and pen sets) are still available at discounted prices. Please
contact the Alumni Office for further details.
Badge
£0.99
Teddy Bear
£11.99
Tie
£7.99
Anniversary Mug
£5.99
150 Years of St Marys
£8.99
Total amount payable
£__________
I enclose my cheque/ postal order (sterling only) for the total amount payable to: St Mary’s College.
Please deliver to:
Name:
Address:
Post code:
Tel: