Issue Nº 318
THE ARCH
OLD REPTONIAN
NEWSLETTER
May 2011
OFFICERS OF THE
OLD REPTONIAN SOCIETY 2011
PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY 2011
David Pepper (H’53)
Executive Committee
President: David Pepper (Hall 1953)
President Elect: Charles Fry (Hall 1953)
Vice President: Robert A. Holroyd – Headmaster
Chairman: James M. Ross (Hall 1968)
Treasurer: John S. Wallis (Latham 1971)
Governors’ Representative: Robert M. Kirkland
(Orchard 1959)
Secretary: Mike Stones (Staff)
Assistant Secretary: Jan Cobb (Staff)
David Pepper, 2011 President
Elected Committee Members
Nicola M. Oborn (Garden 1991) – Staff – Appointed 2007
Simon J. Oborn (Orchard 1989) – Appointed 2009
James T. Leavesley (New 1975) – Appointed 2009
J.M. Guy Levesley (Hall 1975) – Appointed 2009
Adam M. Sinclair (Latham 1978) – Appointed 2006
Paul A. Windridge (Priory 1969) – Appointed 2006
John F.M. Walker (Hall 1946 and ex Staff) – Life Member
Louise P. Howarth (Garden 1996) – Appointed 2007
Sarah R.E. Taylor (Field 1998) – Appointed 2008
I am very honoured to have been elected your President for
2011 and hope to attend as many Old Reptonian events as
possible during my year of Office. Already we have held a very
successful "Drinks in the City"at which some 125 people were
present, and at the time of writing I have just returned from the
Paris OR Dinner so ably organised by James Barnett (H’57).
Repton has been very close to my heart throughout my life. My
father and uncle were there, my brother and cousins were there,
my children and their cousins were there as well as my son-inlaw and now my eldest grandson is in his first year. It is little
wonder that it always feels a bit special as one drives over the
Trent bridge and into the village!
Ex Officio Members
Simon D. Armstrong (Cross 1963) – Lancs & Cheshire
Sanjiv Basu (Orchard 1989) – Fives
Anthony E. Bishop (Priory 1972) – Golf Society
Hamer J.E. Boot (School 1995) – Football Club
Martin G. Grayshon (Cross 1961) – Yorkshire
Charles Michael Keep (Orchard 1969 & Staff) – Hockey Club
Nicholas Peter Le Poidevin (Cross 1964) – Law Society
Richard C.E. Lowther (Brook 1985) – Tennis Club
Thomas Richard Pepper (Hall 1949) – Midlands
Francis W.S. Russell (Orchard 1969) – Pilgrims
John F.R. Hird ( Priory 1960) – Masonic Lodge
Cathy Twigg – Staff – Marketing & Development Director
Every school has its ups and downs but Repton, under the
expert guidance of Robert Holroyd, is certainly on an "up" at
the present time. The school is full and well funded so it will
come as no surprise for you to learn elsewhere of the ambitious
plan to build a Science Priory. It will need some help from ORs
and in particular those of you who are lucky enough to be free
of mortgages and school fees.
I look forward to supporting the Golf Society at the Halford
Hewitt in April and the Pilgrims in the Cricketer Cup in June, as
well as attending The Gaudy, OR Day and the Annual Dinner on
12 November at Repton at which spouses can attend for the
first time.
The Old Reptonian Society
The Hall, Repton School
Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH
Tel. 01283 559320
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.orsociety.com
School website: www.repton.org.uk
Editorial Team: Mike Stones & Jan Cobb
In conclusion may I thank on your behalf Mike Stones and Jan
Cobb, for all the hard work they do for the Society.
David Pepper
DEADLINE for articles for the next edition
(October 2011) is AUGUST 2011
Front Cover: The Undercroft, Spring 2011
Back Cover: .The same scene, December 2010
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SCHOOL CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011
MAY 2011
Golf v OR Society, Little Aston GC
1st
JUNE 2011
5th Boarders return 8.00 pm
3rd
7th
Boys’ U15A XI, U15B v Rugby School
Boys’ U14A&B v Rugby School
8th
The Donald Carr Trophy: Prep Schools Cricket
Tournament
Subscription Concert: Peter Stones (L’05) (Trombone),
Steve Pepper (Trumpet). Music School,
7.45 pm
9th
Informal Concert, Music School, 9.15 pm
Boys’ Tennis 1st VI, 2nd, U15A&B v Uppingham
Boys’ U15A XI v Richmond School (Lord’s
Taverners, North Region)
5th
Informal Concert, Music School, 9.15 pm
7th
Boys’ 1st XI v Oakham
Girls’ 1st VI, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, U16 v Uppingham (a)
Girls’ U15A&B, U14A&B v Uppingham
Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics at Rugby
8th
Boys’ 1st XI HMC 20/20 Cricket v Worksop, Notts
High and Oakham
10th Girls’ 1st VI, 2nd, 3rd, U16A v Rugby
Boys’ 1st XI v MCC. 11.30 am
Boys’ U14A, U14B v KES Birmingham (a)
Temple Society, Undercroft, 6.30 pm
11th Boys’ Tennis 1st VI, 2nd v Nottingham High
Aberdare and Glanville Cup Round 3
(provisional)
12th Boys’ Tennis 1st, U15 v Nottingham High School
14th Science Priory Parents’ Reception, 400 Hall,
12 noon
Boys’ 1st XI v Shrewsbury,
Boys’ U16, U15A&B, v Shrewsbury
Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics v Trent
17th Boys’ U14A XI, U14B v Warwick School
Boys’ Tennis Senior and Junior v Rugby
18th Boys’ Tennis 1st VI v Nottingham High
School 4.15 pm
11th OR Society Gaudy Yrs 1973-1996 & 6th Formers 1999
Boys’ 1st XI v Worksop, 11.30 am
13th James Kropacsy Relays, Hall Close, 4.30 pm
(Reserve date)
18th Boys’ 1st XI v Nottingham High School
Boys’ U14A&B v Nottingham High School (a)
Boys’ 2nd, 3rd, U15A&B v Nottingham High School
Girls’ 1st VI, 2nd, U15A&B v Trent (a)
Girls’ U14AB&C v Trent
Boys’ & Girls’ Athletics at Moorways,
Boys’ Tennis Senior A & B v Shrewsbury (a)
19th Subscription Series Organ Recital, Jeremy Rouse,
Chapel, 7.15 pm
22nd Boys’ 1st XI v KES Birmingham (a), dep. 12.20 pm
Scholars’ Concert, Music School, 9.05 pm
25th Boys’ 1st XI v Trent, 11.30 am
Boys’ U14A&B v Trent
Girls’ 1st VI, 2nd, U15A, U14A v Kimbolton
Boys’ Tennis Senior A & B, U15A v Trent (a)
27th Boys’ 1st XI v Garsfontein High School, South Africa
Junior School Play, 400 Hall, 7.30 pm
19th Junior House Cricket Festival Round One
Informal Concert, Music School, 9.15 pm
28th Boys’ 1st XI (11.30 am), U15A, U14 A v
Wolverhampton GS
Golf v Kedleston Park GC
Junior School Play, 400 Hall, 7.30 pm
21st
29th Boys’ 1st XI v Free Foresters, 11.30 am
Boys’ 1st XI v Uppingham,
Boys’ U16, U15A&B v Uppingham
Boys’ Tennis Senior A&B v Bromsgrove
22nd Prep Schools’ Tennis Tournament
24th Boys’ U15A XI, U15B v Warwick School
25th Aberdare and Glanville Cup Round 4 (provisional)
Subscription Concert: Matthijs Broersma (Cello),
Rosie Richardson (Piano), Music School,
7.45 pm
30th Athletics Finals, 2.15 pm
Orchestral Concert, Pears School, 7.30 pm
JULY 2011
1st
Athletics Finals, 10.00 am, followed by
Presentation of Cups
2nd
26th Boys’ JHM Cricket Round 2
27th Science Priory Parents’ Reception,
400 Hall, 2.45 pm
Exeat begins, 4.30 pm
Speech Day
Speeches, 10.15 am
Guest of Honour: Justin Urquhart Stewart
Speech Day Concert, Pears School, 11.30 am
Boys’ 1st XI v Repton Pilgrims, 11.00 am
Term ends 2.30 pm
AUGUST 2011
31
Michaelmas Term begins
Dates correct at time of publication
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FORTHCOMING OR EVENTS 2011
2011 GAUDY
This year’s Gaudy is for all ORs who joined the school
between the years 1973 to 1996 and 6th Formers 1999. You
should by now have received your invitations. Numbers are
restricted to 220 in Pears School, so early booking is
advisable.
GERMAN REUNION 2011
After the success of the first German reunion Sophie Bauer (F’02)
is now organising the second event. This will take place on October
1st 2011 at the Villa Rothschild in Königstein, Taunus, the same
place as the last one. For further details please email Sophie on
[email protected]
LONGEST DAY GOLF CHALLENGE
This is taking place on June 19th - see page 21 for details.
AGM AND ANNUAL DINNER
November 12th 2011, Repton School.
OLD REPTONIAN NEWS - SNIPPETS
The Reverend John R M Cook (O’74) has been elected to be a
Member of the House of Clergy of the General Synod of the
Church of England, for Oxford Diocese.
George Rainsford’s (M’96) career continues to develop apace.
His latest part is in “Twisted Tales”, a stage adaptation (by
League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson) of short stories for adults
by Roald Dahl, himself of course an Old Reptonian. This Lyric
Hammersmith production subsequently toured to Liverpool and
Newcastle, receiving excellent notices.
Patrick Foster (L’90) has been awarded the Fellowship of the
Royal College of Surgeons (Trauma and Orthopaedics).
Charlotte Jones (Née McWhirter) (A’82) has graduated from
Coventry University with a distinction in an MA in Fine Art.
Alexander Rose (C’92) has been appointed Chairman of the
United Kingdom State Aid Group (which is an area of European
Competition law).
Tom Leaver (P’05) is having a very busy gap year. In October
2010 he walked the Great Wall of China Charity Trek for
Help for Heroes. The trip was a resounding success. Tom and
his companions raised in excess of £8500 by trekking
approximately 102 miles in 8 days across the most wildest
but stunning of locations.
Tom followed this by having
five months in Melbourne,
Australia.
Johnny Rozsa (H’ 63) has produced his first monograph
‘Untouched’ which captures the flawless features of celebrities
from the 80s such as Hugh Grant, Halle Barry, Janet Jackson
and a special section dedicated to Leigh Bowery. Rebelling
against the paparazzi’s obsession with capturing unflattering
shots that compromise the integrity of celebrities, ‘Untouched’
pays tribute to the old school Hollywood model of glamour.
Anne Strong (G’99) completed the Great South run in
October last year in the very respectable time of 1hour 44
minutes.
Geoffrey Morris (M’60), has been writing down his personal
memories of Repton, illustrated with photographs, some of
which he has taken himself and others he has acquired. To view
the photographs please go to www.repton.org.uk/mitre-house1960. He has very few of the inside of the Mitre as it was in the
late fifties and sixties and would like to hear from any ORs who
may have any photographs. Email: [email protected]
or telephone 01834 831241.
Nick Wilcox (O’88) has recently moved to Vienna working for
the Erste Group, a financial institution focusing on Central and
Eastern Europe. If any ORs live in Vienna or are visiting and
would like to meet up with Nick his email is
[email protected]
Rupert Pugh (H’89) and his navigator Dan Whapples’ Heights
of Abraham team dominated the Powerboat P1 Superstock
series. They won nine out of 11 races, to claim the first ever
2010 Championship title, courtesy of their second place at the
Lymington Grand Prix of the Sea. Having proved himself the
master of every turn and wave jump over the course of the
season in the 300 class, Rupert was officially crowned
champion.
Thank you to Kenneth McAlpine (H’38) for donating two
copies of The Forgotten Tommy Poets of WW1 by Robert
Wickson.
Errata.
Snippets, issue 317, should have read John
Reddington B’42.
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BIRTHS
Charles Dornton (O’78)
and Vicky are pleased to
announce the safe arrival
of Edward John on
February 11th 2011,
a brother for Louisa.
Julia Faulks (née Gladwin) (A’90) and
Stephen are delighted to announce the
arrival of James William Henry on May
6th 2009.
Jonathan Hart (H’86) and Diptyka are pleased to announce the
birth of their second daughter Anoushka on 21st January 2010.
Edward Every
(N’88) and
Sosennah are
thrilled to
announce the
birth of their
daughter Isobel
Mary on March
2nd 2010.
Katie Mckay (née Gillham) (G’91) and Iain are delighted to
announce the birth of Finn Callum on August 14th 2010, a brother
for Cameron.
Julia Pearson (née Hinchliffe) (G’92) is very proud to announce
the birth of Elizabeth Ilse Rose Pearson on September 25th 2010.
Mark Pointer (L’97) and Rebecca Pointer (née Brady) (F’00) are
delighted to announce the birth of Sebastian Mark Christopher on
November 4th 2010.
ENGAGEMENTS
The engagements are announced of:
Ludmila Gelbutovskaya (G’97) to Andrew Peryer. The
marriage will take place in Munich, Germany in September
2010.
Rob Hinton (C’88) to Joanna Hallilfield. The marriage will
take place on July 9th 2011 at St. Wystan's Church.
Tom Swerling (H’92) to Charlotte-Anne Nelson.
MARRIAGES
Catherine Gill (A’88) married Daniel
James Sharp on December 4th 2010.
It was a very cold and snowy day,
with 8 inches of snow falling the day
before the wedding making logistics a
little challenging, not least because
the church was in the middle of a
wood with only a dirt track leading up
to it, the service was held at
Withburga's Church, Holkham, North
Norfolk with the wedding
reception afterwards at
Sussex Barn in Burnham
Market. OR's in
attendance were Prue
Peat (née Farmer (A'96),
Laura Stacey (A'93) and
Kate Adkins (G'93).
Devin Gordon (P'02) and Anna Pace
recently celebrated their first wedding
anniversary. They were married on
August 1, 2009 at the Cathedral
Church of All Saints in Halifax, Nova
Scotia Canada. Devin is a Civil
Engineer having graduated from The
University of Western Ontario in 2008.
He is currently working for the Miller
Group near Toronto, Ontario.
(5)
MARRIAGES
The wedding of Alex Kington (N’91) and Louisa Bache took place on September 25th 2010 at St. John’s Church, Hagley
followed by a reception at Hagley Hall, Worcestershire. ORs in attendance were: (Left to right) James Ellis (C'91), Aimee
Webster (née Bullivant) (A'91), James Clarke (M'90), Fiona Harold (née Harding) (A'93), Jonny Webster (N'90), Giles
Chaplin (N'91), Rob Fish (H'91), Sarah Jones (née Harding) (A'91), Mark Nash (O'91), Rachel Hill (née Kington)
(Foremarke), Alex Kington (N'91), Louisa Kington, Lauren Allen (O'91), Ben Hughes (M'89), David O'Gram (N'91), Verity
Tate (née Jordan) (A'94), Paul Tate (N'91) and Alexis Twigg (N'91). Paul Tate and Mark Nash were the Best Men.
Mark Pointer (L'97)
and Rebecca Brady
(F'00) married on
September 13th 2008
at Bolton Abbey, North
Yorkshire.
In attendance at the
wedding were (l-r):
Edward Pickard (L'97),
James Blackwell
(P'00), Christopher
Brook (P'97), Andrew
Robertson (O'98),
Edward Sloane (P'97),
Best Man Clayton Penny (P'97), Mark Pointer (L'97), Rebecca Pointer (née Brady) (F'00), Rachael Brady (F'02), Henry
Brown (S'97), Sarah Tennant (Staff), Terry Blain (Staff), Melissa Blain (Staff), Elaine & Richard Hillier (former staff).
The wedding of Simon J Palfreeman (L’90) and Miss Stacey Ann Lowe
of New Jersey, USA took place on May 1st 2010, in St. Peter's Church,
Bishopton, County Durham. The ceremony was followed by a reception
at the Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne. The wedding was
attended by many friends and family from the USA and beyond, with
the UK contingency sitting on tenterhooks during the Icelandic ash
cloud crisis, but everything was perfect on the day.
Alexander Rose (C’92)
married Laura Jackson on July
24th 2010 at Crook Hall in
Durham and then Durham
Castle. Other ORs present on
the day included, Best Man
Oliver Walker (C’92), Camilla
Rose (G’93), John Dudley
Rose (C’54) and Jeremy Saul
(O’89).
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MARRIAGES
Jeremy Stanton
(B'89) married Miss
Sabreena Murtagh on
August 12th 2010 at
Our Lady of Ransom
Catholic Church, East
Sussex. A reception
was held at
Herstmonceux Castle.
ORs in attendance
(from left to right),
Robert Atkinson
(Foremarke), Duncan
Johnstone (B'89),
Samuel Gilbert
(M'89), Nicholas Smith (M'89), Simon Blunt (N'79), Christabel Blunt (née Stanton) (G'92), Jeremy Stanton (B'89),
Sabreena Stanton, Melissa Morley (née Stanton) (A'93), Thomas Sanders (N'89), Isabel Sanders (Foremarke)
and Joseph Henry (Foremarke).
Antonia Wimbush
(A’94) married
Christopher Gawn
at St. Wystan’s
Church, Repton on
31st July 2010.
The wedding of Melissa
Wheatley (A’91) to Christian
Schirmer was held in Australia at
the Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral
Beach, Sydney. Gemma Barker
(née Wheatley) (A’92) was
bridesmaid.
Frances & Martin
Wimbush are pictured here with the Bride and Groom.
Other Reptonians also present were: Jenny Geary (née Hill)
(A’94), Chris Hill (C‘92), Jenny Holmes (née Perks) (F‘95),
Vicky Myles (née Matthewman) (G’94), Cristy Rosas (née
Short) (A’94), Iain Wimbush (B’91), Andrew & Joan Cox
(ex-Repton Staff), Roger & Julia Juneau (ex-Foremarke staff),
Martin & Frances Wimbush (ex-Repton Staff).
Below, from Left to right: Jenny Hill (née Kenning) (G’94),
Antonia Wimbush (A’94), Jo Robins (née Phillips) (A’94)
and Lucy Dalby (Foremarke).
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MARRIAGES
The Wedding of Ben Wisher (O’98)
and Emily Moore (F’00) took place
on May 29th at St. Giles Church,
Whittington. The Best Men were
Marc Kofler (O’98) and Tim
Thornhill (O’98).
ORs attending (from left to right):
Nigel Brown (L’73), Harry Brown
(L’05), Issy Bucknall (A’99), Clayton
Penny (P’97), Nick Cashmore (P’98),
Blaine Connan (P’98), Francis
Dalton (O’98), Will Bucknall (S’98), Tom Mills (O’98), Edward Shires (S’99), James Shires
(S’09), Tim Thornhill (O’98), Andrew Robertson (O’98), Laura Ellis (G’98), Ben Wisher
(O’98), Edd Burrell (L’98), Emily Wisher (F’00), Camilla Shires (F’00), Sebastian Moore
(L’03), Felix Moore (L’05), Luke Wiseman (P’80), Rachel Parker (F’03), Marc Kofler (O’98),
Charlotte Bates (F’00), Sophie Rogers (F’00), Phil Brindley (N’02), Sarah Pugh (F’00), Emily
Bates (F’00), Charlotte Simpson (F’00), Phoebe Whittome (F’07), Georgina Whittome
(F’04). Nicole Fell (F’00) was unable to attend as she is studying to become a teacher in Perth,
Australia.
John Woodhead (P’87) married Eva Sidor,
on August 6th 2010, at Korzkiew Church,
Krakow, Poland. Luke Allen (O'87) also
attended.
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS
BROOK
NEW
Raymond Laurence Lisney (B’36) on August 12th 2010.
Alan Hampson Fogg M.B.E. (N’35) on February 23rd 2010.
Fyfe Saddler (B’67) on June 16th 2010.
PRIORY
Martin Argles (P’38) on March 6th 2011.
CROSS
Robert K Bennett (C’51) in 2010.
Edward Brian Bartley (P’33) on September 8th 2010.
HALL
Christopher John Bullock (H’51) on November 14th 2010.
Guy Montagu Johnston Ewen (P’38) on 27th September
2010.
John Hedley (H’64) on February 25th 2011.
Harry J Marshall (P’42) on September 27th 2010.
James Geoffrey Whitehead (H’27) in November 2010.
Hon OR
James Francis S Tullo on October 2nd 2010.
MITRE
Robert Anthony Barber (M’48) on December 6th 2010.
Michael J Brown (M’50) on 6th March 2011.
Dr Andrew Robertson (M’65) on August 11th 2010.
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OBITUARIES - TOM GLAISTER (B’59)
A LIFE TO BE CELEBRATED
Their first home, Lakelands, over a 10-year period became filled
with 5 boys: Anthony, John, Stephen, Edmund and Ricky.
Mum & Dad gave us an idyllic childhood between Lancashire
and Cumbria. The White Lady, Petronella, clinker wooden
rowing boats, Lake Windemere, climbing Coniston Old Man,
sheep dog trials, the fells, the Pike and the Chinese Gardens at
Horwich, go-karts & motorbikes all resonate very happy
memories for the 5 of us. At times it seemed as if we were on
the set of the Famous 5, Treasure Island or Swallows &
Amazons. We repaid them by setting at least 2 houses on fire,
sinking numerous boats, knocking a hole through the boat
house with a speedboat & shooting Ricky through the leg with
an airgun. We fought, we laughed and we cried.
Tom, Dad, Pom Pom. A truly gentle
man, a loving, loyal husband, father,
grandfather and friend and an
example to us all on how to live an
unselfish life to the full.
Born on the 11th day of the 11th
month in 1925 into a world between
wars he was to bring to life, hope,
happiness and love. He had a huge
affection for Lancashire, his birthplace, where his spirit and joy for life
shone amongst the dark satanic mills and warmed the bleak
North West drizzle. After boarding at Charnley Hall School in
Grange-on-Sands (the Riviera of the North), he followed on to
Repton School where he excelled at swimming and all sports
and developed into the strong, kind, generous, fair, courageous
man we later came to know.
I thank God for Ampleforth! Somehow, or rather by making
huge sacrifices, they sent us all up to the North York Moors, but
they were never far away. They, as a couple, constantly loved
and cared for us. Dad was our compass, the Director. He had
a huge affection for us – holidays were spent in the Isle of Man,
North Wales, Cornwall, the Lake District and Sardinia. Again
we blew things up, knocked over bird baths, let cattle onto golf
courses and tried the patience of the locals. Dad spent his
holidays mending things that we broke. He smiled, he
encouraged, he loved and carried on directing the party, screw
driver and glue in hand.
Europe descended into chaos and war as Dad approached his
time to leave school. He lied about his age and enrolled in the
army joining as a regular soldier then gaining a Commission in
the Coldstream Guards. He saw action in both France and
Holland but never spoke about his time there. We have learnt
from others that he was courageous and brave, verging on
foolhardy on many occasions and earned the respect and high
opinion of his colleagues, many of whom he kept in contact with
throughout his life.
He took us all up to the Hurst & Chunal moor that he so loved.
He loved wildlife, birds, dogs, sticks and people connected to
the countryside. Animals instinctively were drawn to him and he
showed great affection to all living things. He taught us to love
the earth, to nurture and care for one’s surroundings and the
people involved with its upkeep.
After what must have been a terrifying introduction to his
twenties, he returned to Bolton to his loving parents, brother
and three sisters who lived at Manor House and joined the family
company Constantine & Company Paper Mill and studied in
Manchester to become a Master Bleacher and Dyer. He always
said he chose the wrong ‘b’ as banking and brewing were at
this time more financially rewarding than bleaching. However
when mills in Lancashire and Yorkshire were closing to the left
and to the right he opened his own: The Red Bridge Book Cloth
Company, that he was to steer to great heights and success
despite huge obstacles over the next 25 years or so. Red Bridge
Book Cloth Company was awarded The Queen’s Award for
Exports a number of times. On visits to the mill we will not
forget how warmly his employees talked about Dad. Strangely
I remember one of the secretaries having a picture of him on her
desk!
Whether shooting, fishing, sailing or walking his constant was
“Is everyone else alright/can I help to make things better?”
Lancashire, Cumbria; the houses Lakelands, Hillside, Taylor’s
Farm, Croft Head, Knot House were places that all were
welcome to at any time.
In the latter years, Mum and Dad moved south to Bentworth
and the Red House. Again they created a loving home and were
so kindly welcomed into this beautiful village. From here he
continued to give sage advice and help; to be fair, honest,
constant and loyal. For the past few years he battled with
leukaemia but he only let on to us last year. He never wanted
to put people out or to be a burden on others. He wanted more
than anything to be around to care for his beloved Ruth. Mum
said last week “Darling Pom Pom was such a big man but he
never made me feel small”. This was an enduring marriage and
partnership spanning over 57 years.
He was immersed in helping others in Bolton and took a very
active role in the Bolton Recreation Club that gave a place for
children to meet and socialise in a poor area of the town. He
served as a Governor of Bolton School. He would cross the
country to attend the meetings for the Coldstreamer’s
Association. He loved to help others.
The way that Dad dealt with his illness and his final days
epitomised his strength, courage, determination and character.
He loved, he laughed, he lived to the full and was an example
to us all. He will be missed but leaves the legacy of a beautiful
and adoring wife, us boys, 14 happy, gorgeous grandchildren
and many friends who have fond memories of this wise, loving,
caring and gentle man. He left the world a better place.
That was a pretty quick potted history of this wonderful man’s
early life but where his life really took off was meeting the
beautiful, vibrant, witty, and dynamic Ruth Kevill. Marriage
followed a period of intense wooing when Dad would drive day
after day to visit his bride-to-be at Shaw Hill outside Chorley in
his 1949 Riley Racer sportscar.
Stephen Glaister
(9)
OBITUARIES - KEN GREGORY (C’47)
Kenneth Vyvian Gregory was
born on 12th April 1934 at the
home of his parents, Kenneth
Dudley and Mabel Adeline
Gregory on Kedleston Road,
Derby; he was their only child.
intensive "cramming" ensured a pass. John Frankland recounts
stories of interrupting their studies with games of cricket
contrived from a wooden ruler and a set of marbles; of stealing
an afternoon away to watch the Corinthian Casuals at
Highbury; of adventures in the Gregory family Austin 10. A very
strong and enduring friendship was formed.
After spending his early school
years at Mowbray Preparatory
School on Ashbourne Road,
Derby and then at Stancliffe Hall
Preparatory School, Darley Dale,
Ken started as a new boy in
Cross House, Repton in
September 1947 with nine
others. The Housemaster of The
Cross at the time was Bill Blaxland; Ken often reminisced about
him and how he was a major influence in his life.
Ken subsequently went into practice as a full time Qualified
Assistant Solicitor (starting salary £520 pa). From 1961 to 1974
Ken ran the Wirksworth office, which was open Tuesdays and
Thursdays, and he considered this opportunity for true "country
practice" the happiest time of his professional life. In 1974,
Ken's firm absorbed A.J.Cash and Sons, (the other Wirksworth
law practice). However, with the retirement in 1977 of Ken's
Senior Partner, Keith Thomson (who “taught him more about
the practice of the law and human nature than anyone he
knew"), Ken was obliged to spend most of his time in Derby.
Ken had married Janice in 1960; his best man was Andrew
Turner (L’47). In 1962, a daughter, Rosemary, was born. Sadly
Rosemary survived just three days, dying of congenital heart
failure. This was of course a devastating blow but which had
the effect of bringing Ken and Janice even closer together. Sara
was born in 1964; James in 1965; and Dianna in 1969. Ken
and Janice lived first in a small house in Allestree overlooking
the park; the opportunity came in 1966 to buy a plot of land in
Quarndon, where they built a home to their own design; they
moved to Makeney Old Hall in 1984, of which they became very
fond, but as they approached 70 years of age it was obviously
too big for them, and they moved to Brailsford in 2003.
Ken recounted many stories of his time at Repton. One involved
his second day at school, when all of the Cross new boys were
lined up by a prefect and forced to smoke. Today complaints
would doubtless be made to the Governors and disciplinary
action taken. Matters were different then, and Ken was
convinced that paradoxically, what happened on that day,
served him well in the long term. For he was so violently sick as
a result of that first cigarette that he never smoked again.
Several ORs have recounted stories of Ken’s goalkeeping
exploits, for both House and School. Gerald Mortimer (L’50)
wrote in the Derby Evening Telegraph “I remember him being
the goalkeeper for [the Cross] house football team and I can
recall that clearly because I remember beating him with a
stunning free kick, which meant I was the free kick taker from
that point on”. John Walker (H’46 & former master) recalled
him as one the finest 2nd XI goalies never to have been
promoted to the 1st’s. John Frankland recalled him as “tall,
acrobatic and eccentric . . . with flat cap and thick gloves”.
First at Stancliffe, and then most particularly at Repton, Ken
developed a life-long interest and passion for sport. From 1952
Ken was a member of Duffield Cricket Club, being successively
Captain, Chairman and then President. Ken took up golf at the
age of 46 in 1980 and became Club Captain of Kedleston Park
Golf Club in 1992; he wrote a history of the Club for the Golden
Jubilee in 1997, having undertaken the same task for Duffield
Cricket Club on the occasion of its Centenary in 1978. He also
had over 50 years’ unbroken membership of Derbyshire CCC.
But most particularly, Ken was a passionate supporter of Derby
County Football Club all his life.
After Repton, Ken faced a career dilemma. Ken's father was the
fourth generation of Gregorys to be the proprietor of the family
business of "Kenneth Gregory", "Ladies Outfitters and
Milliners", in St James Street, Derby. Such a future did not
appeal to Ken and his (correct) instinct was that a few more
years would make it difficult for such a business to survive.
Ken was a member of the Derby Law Society Committee,
Honorary Secretary of Derby Law Society Golf Society, a member
of the Radio Derby Advisory Council, a member of the
Wirksworth Civic Society and Wirksworth Heritage Centre, a
Vice-President and former goalkeeper of Belper Hockey Club,
and a former sidesman at St Paul's Church, Quarndon. In
retirement, much time and energy was taken up by being
chairman of the Trustees of the massively successful Disaster
Relief project run by the Wirksworth Rotary Club, namely
Aquabox. Ken had the greatest pride in (and joy out of) his two
Vintage Austin Cars, owned by the family since 1934 and 1936
respectively. He was also a member of the Derbyshire County
Club (of which he was a Committee member) and the Dolphin
Investment Club.
Ken's mother's brother, Frank Bates, was senior partner of a firm
of Solicitors in Derby, J H Powell and Co., which also had a
branch office in Wirksworth, Andrew Macbeth and Co. A career
in the law appealed to Ken, and so he became articled for five
years (without pay) to his Uncle - only the family connection
caused the waiving of the premium that in those days was still
paid by the luckless father of the pupil. Ken then attended
Nottingham University and obtained an LLB degree. He
subsequently attended Law School in Guildford, sharing “digs”
with fellow Old Reptonian John Frankland (H’48) where the
Law Society’s final examination had to be faced. Six months’
(10)
OBITUARIES - KEN GREGORY (C’47) Continued
Ken was a member of the Old Reptonian Society Committee for
several years, and always followed events at Repton keenly. He
was an avid supporter of school football, cricket and hockey;
and of his son’s contemporaries at the Old Reptonian Football
Club.
It was testament to the man, that despite all the endless torture,
he retained his humour, his faith, and his graciousness amongst
his family, his friends, and all the very many medical staff who
toiled around him.
Many of Ken’s most enduring friendships were formed at
Repton. It is remarkable how strong his bond was with the
school; the family were very touched to see so many Old
Reptonians (of all ages) at his funeral at Brailsford church, and
by the very many letters of tribute.
Early in 1994 Ken retired as Senior Partner in the practice of J H
Powell and Co., and became a Consultant with the firm. Over
40 years of vicarious responsibility for other people's problems
had taken its toll.
Ill health had dogged Ken from his 50’s: in 1983 he was
seriously ill in hospital with salmonella poisoning; in 1987 two
operations were needed to remove a stubborn kidney stone; in
1991 a benign tumour on the main sciatic nerve in his right leg
which had been causing much discomfort was removed in
London; high blood pressure and associated problems became
apparent in 1990, and major open heart surgery took place in
Leicester to repair the mitral valve in November 1993; in May
1994 the valve was seen to be leaking badly again, and Ken
went through the same operation in October that year, this time
to replace the valve. In August 1997, imminent failure of the
aortic valve was diagnosed, and this valve was replaced during
a major operation at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.
It was the late Keith Workman who once wrote to Ken
concerning his son James, then at Cross House, after they had
met at a dinner: “I now have a clue to James’s character: his
father is a mine of useless information”.
In April 2005, Ken became critically ill with a massive internal
bleed, and for the next few years was repeatedly readmitted to
hospital with other serious blood infections. Chronic leg ulcers
caused by poor circulation were the cause of much pain, and in
January 2008 Ken underwent major high risk surgery. Further
operations were needed for a hernia, varicose veins and a bowel
infection. All in all, he had at least 9 major operations over an
18 year period. As if that wasn’t enough, he also suffered from
gall bladder problems and anaemia.
Ken asked for this (a quotation from the poem "Alumnus
Football" by American writer Grantland Rice, written in 1941) to
be read as an epitaph at his funeral:
Ken is survived by his dearly beloved and devoted wife, Janice;
his 3 children; and six (now seven) grandchildren. Their elder
daughter Sara married Steven Hargreaves, and they have two
boys, Joshua and William. Dianna married Richard Lee; they
have a son Harry and a daughter Alice. Ken’s son James (Cross
House 1979 to 1983) married Lisa; they have a daughter Mia,
son Jed and (4 months after Ken died) another son Ostyn was
born.
“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name
He marks, not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.”
James Gregory (son, C’79)
Eventually all this became too much for an ever more frail body.
Ken passed away peacefully in the Royal Derby Hospital on 10th
September 2010.
OBITUARIES - DAVID JOHNSON (H’41)
David was a respected authority on Napoleonic wars and the
French cavalry. His life long interest began more than 60 years
ago when he saw a painting of General Antoine de Lassalle in
the school library at Repton.
David was a soldier himself, in 1945 with the Welsh Guards and
later commissioned as an officer in the old North Staffordshire
Regiment. His books appeal to both specialists and the general
reader. He died on the 17th of May 2010, having spent his
retirement in South Wales.
Although born in Stoke on Trent, David moved to London to
research and write about French history. He launched his writing
career in 1959 with a novel ‘Sabre General’. This was followed
by more fiction about a French regiment in the First World War.
He then published his first straight historical work ‘Napoleon's
Cavalry and its Leaders’. His painstaking approach led him to
produce a book on the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820 after
unearthing 96 boxes of old documents at the Public Records
Office.
Vicky Walker
(11)
OBITUARIES - ANDREW ROBINSON (C’51)
department it is today. His love of nature meant he found great
joy in the beautiful grounds and diverse wildlife and he could
often be seen walking Sam, the Labrador, by the lakes and in the
glade.
Friend and colleague Kevin Guest writes: Anyone who had
the pleasure of meeting Andrew would know what a special
man he was and be saddened by his death. Andrew had been
appointed Head at a very young age - 29 I believe - at
Brocksford Hall School, Derbyshire. He proved himself to be a
great reader of character and a real leader. He was respected
and loved by staff, parents and pupils and instilled into the
children a real sense of responsibility and excellent manners. His
love of sport was always evident and he would try and watch
every match that took place.
On his and Rachel’s retirement, after 14 years, they returned to
their beloved Derbyshire, where Andrew became an active
member of the church and community of Parwich, the village
they chose for their retirement. With the knowledge that his
time was short, he took the Murray-Walkers (also much loved
members of the Walhampton family) on a tour of his favourite
places near his home. It is a privilege to have known and
worked with a man of such stature
Extracted from The Mercury (Hordle Walhampton).
In 1983 Andrew was appointed Headmaster of Walhampton
School and very soon began to make his mark. Within 2 years
he had encouraged his wife, Rachel to open a pre-prep, and this
has grown from an initial 12 children to the large and successful
Over 200 people attended Andrew’s funeral service in Parwich
and 370 at the Memorial Service in Walhampton.
OBITUARIES - ROBERT LIVESEY TROOP (B’40)
Robert Troop was born in 1926, had a normal education
finishing at Repton, where he was one of a small number
selected to go to Sandhurst to train for the Army. When there
he won the Sword of Honour, but because it was still wartime
he was never actually given a sword! He did his army “time” in
the Middle East and North Africa and all I ever heard about it
was his enjoyment of hunting the jackal in the early mornings
with a mixed pack of dogs. There was also the story of – when
in Palestine – being put in charge of leading his group to some
specific place and managing to get them all behind enemy lines!
The General in charge summoned him to ask where the hell
were they and Robert was forced to admit he had no idea.
Despite, this, the General subsequently asked him to become
his A.D.C. and his sister tells me that the Army were anxious to
keep him.
Unfortunately he became ill and had to return to England, and
when I met him in 1959 he was teaching at tough London
schools on supply. He continued to do this, taking jobs on
building sites in the holidays which he vastly enjoyed, until in
1968 he was offered two jobs - one as a head teacher of a small
private school and the other by our friend Justin de Blank who
had decided to open a small specialised food shop and wanted
someone who could run the actual shop. Robert chose the
latter, and I think I can say, he never looked back! During his
time there he chose to learn to buy in the fruit and vegetable
markets, and the Smithfield meat market, and he also took a
number of weeks learning to bake bread (the company had
bought a bakery). I got fed up with the long and often very early
hours that these activities entailed, so in time he gave them up!
But he loved his contacts with his staff and they loved him.
Returning to England, Robert went to Cambridge, taking Law as
his subject and enjoying all the delightful opportunities for
acting and singing which University provides. He left Cambridge
with a 2:1 and then decided to go out to Nigeria to run a leper
settlement for two years. But his heart was set on singing in
opera and he went to Rome to study, keeping body and soul
together by teaching English to the posh families there - only
£25 per annum was allowed to be taken out of the country at
that time.
We had bought our house in West Harting just in time - in 1970
so in 1994 he happily retired here and began planting trees in
the grounds we had bought from a neighbouring farmer,
I would not call either of us true gardeners; Robert was a great
one for “Let nature take its course.” Nevertheless, most of the
tress have done well even if weeds have taken over in a number
of places. He was a great one for physical labour, and was
chopping wood aged 82. When illness came and he was unable
to do much, life became a burden to him and there is little
doubt that he was grateful to be taken from us when he was.
Patricia Troop (wife)
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OBITUARIES - GODFREY THOMAS ARTHUR TURNBULL (P’82)
He fell in love with America and continued his love with horses
and riding and Point to Point racing with the Brocklesby Hunt by
returning to the UK every year, eventually introducing his
children to riding on “Granny’s” farm.
Godfrey (Thomas Arthur) Turnbull of Riverside, and previously
of Old Greenwich, Connecticut, lost his courageous struggle
with Lymphoma on February 12, 2011, at the age of 46. He is
survived by his loving wife, Susanna (née Helsing) in
Gothenberg, Sweden, their two children, Tobias and Olivia, his
mother, Mary (Colin) Sanderson, and his father, Anthony
(Diana) Turnbull, as well as his sisters, Vanessa (Simon)
Fearnehough, Anna (Craig) Richardson, Nicola (Stephen) Clarke,
and brothers, George (Sally Green) Sanderson, Anthony (Paula)
Turnbull, Jonathon (Harriet) Turnbull and many nieces and
nephews.
Godfrey and Susanna met on a blind date in 1997 when she
came to visit a friend in New York City. Instantly attracted by
their shared sense of humour, they grew to love each other long
distance until Susanna had the courage to make the move to
New York to give love a chance. They were married on
December 18th 1999 in Lincolnshire. Godfrey worked at Merrill
Lynch for seven years up until his death and resided in Riverside
and previously in Old Greenwich where he was an avid tennis
player and member of the Innis Arden Golf Club.
Born in 1964, Godfrey was raised in Barnetby, Lincolnshire,
England, attended preparatory school there at Brigg until 1972
and in Derbyshire at Foremarke Hall through 1977 then Repton
where he graduated in 1982. He completed his undergraduate
degree in Agriculture at University of Newcastle in 1985 and his
Masters in Business Administration in 1987 at the University of
Manchester. He came to New York City in the employ of James
Capel after its purchase by HSBC in 1994.
A memorial service was held at the First Congregational Church
in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, on Friday, March 11th 2011.
Susanna Turnbull (wife)
OBITUARIES - BRIAN WALKER (O’44)
Sport always played a large part in his life; he played hockey for
North Staffs at North Staffs Hockey Club, tennis, squash and
golf, becoming President of Trentham Golf Club. He also played
with the Old Reptonian Golf Society. Unfortunately his sport
was curtailed in 2003 when he nearly died in a serious car
accident. It was thought that he would never walk again but he
confounded everyone by appearing on the golf course 12
months later.
Died November 1st 2010
He leaves his wife Vicky, 3 children Clare, Paul ( O’78) and Guy
(O’82) and his 6 grandchildren. Brian thought a great deal of
his children and was always there for them, being both kind and
patient. He remembered his time at Repton with great
affection, particularly leaning more towards sport; he played
tennis at Junior Wimbledon.
On leaving school and completing National Service as a
Commissioned Officer, he joined the family lubricant oil firm
Century Oils which was based in Hanley, Stoke on Trent,
eventually becoming the company works director in which he
played a significant part in the development of the company
factories world wide. He also worked for many years on two
European Committees, that dealt with the concerns of pollution.
Brian not only enjoyed sport himself, but encouraged many
others with his enthusiasm and dry wit. He took a keen interest
in his children and grandchildren, He was always dependable
and reliable and is very sadly missed.
Vicky Walker (wife)
OR EVENTS - AUSTRALIAN REUNION 2011
Arch as details will be
available then. We would
love to see some more
faces next time and enjoy
reminiscing about the fun
times we all shared.
On January 15th the first meeting for Reptonians Down Under
took place. As an inaugural event perhaps, sadly, it was rather
low on numbers, however, the beautiful sunny weather and the
great company made up for it!
It was really interesting to be able to share some of our precious
times that we had whilst we were at Repton. It was really
appreciated, too, the distance that some people travelled to
attend the event.
Kait Nolan (née Hall)
From left to right are some of the guests.
Adam Staples (B’86), Kait Nolan (née Hall) (A’88), Neil
Adams (H’67), Brian Roberts (M’49) and Neville
Greenhalgh (H’49).
At this stage, no date has been organised for the next
get-together. Please do keep an eye out in the next issue of The
(13)
OR EVENTS - DRINKS IN THE CITY 2011
In February 2011 a group of about 120 Old Reptonians
gathered at The Royal Yacht Club, Knightsbridge for an
evening of convivial reunion. As is usual on this occasion
there were ORs present of varying vintages, particularly a
good number of young ORs, but also some who are young
only in spirit. Drinks and canapés were happily consumed by
all concerned in an atmosphere which all schools would be
proud to have associated with their former pupils. The
evening began with a most interesting presentation by the
Headmaster, Robert Holroyd, on the current state of the
school and future plans for development. He dwelt
particularly on the new 400 Hall theatre development which
is about to open with its enhanced facilities and the new
Charlesworth Suite. In addition he outlined Repton’s
ambitious plans to construct a Science Priory which will
revolutionise the teaching of the sciences at the school. It is
envisaged that this will be constructed on Headmaster’s Field,
above the existing Sports Hall and adjacent to the tennis
courts.
From left to right: Anthony Sharp (H’52), Patrick Franklin-Adams (H’58), Tony
Bishop (P’72) and Frank Russell (O’69)
Staff attending the Drinks in the City event included Jeremy
Bournon, Melissa Blain, Nigel Kew, Anthony Giles and OR
Secretary, Mike Stones and Assistant, Jan Cobb. Also
attending were staff from the Marketing Department of the
School, Cathy Twigg and Dale Bilson (L’03).
If you have not attended this occasion in recent years, you
have been missing out on some very enjoyable evenings and
I can do no better than to recommend to you that you put
the date in your diary for next year and make every effort to
be there ! I feel sure that you will not be disappointed!
From left to right: Vanessa Whathey (A’99), Rowley Rhodes (N’98), Butty
McConville (F’98) and Melissa Blain
Mike Stones
From left to right: David Pepper (H’53), John Kirkland (O’51), Charles Fry (H’53)
and Cathy Twigg
From left to right: Derek Ginin (B’79), Adam Phillips (B’79), Adrian Pepper
(H’83) and Jonathan Eifion-Jones (C’70)
Ben Cobb (H’45) and Peter Green (H’45)
Matt Gooderick (C’92) and Robert
Holroyd
(14)
Jake McConville (C’96) and Ben
Cavey (P’92)
Charlie Nunn (A’01) and Butty
McConville (F’98)
OR EVENTS - INAUGURAL OR MEETING IN GERMANY
The first meeting of OR’s living in Germany was held on Saturday, 9th
October 2010 at the Villa Rothschild Kempinski in Königstein, near
Frankfurt/Main. The Villa Rothschild is a place of great historical importance.
Built between 1888 and 1894 for the banker Wilhelm Carl von Rothschild,
the building has been known since 1949 as the “Cradle of the Federal
Republic”. In 1949, the property became the focal point for the
reconstruction of Western Germany. It is here that the foundations for the
constitution of Germany were laid. Today the Villa Rothschild Kempinski is
a five star hotel with a one star Michelin restaurant.
34 OR’s met for drinks outside in the beautiful garden before proceeding
inside for an superb three course dinner accompanied by excellent wines.
The majority of OR’s attending had been at Repton during the 1990’s and
2000’s but there were a few “elder” OR’s who were at Repton between the
1950’s and the 1980’s. Thus the age-spread was over 50 years which lead
to some very interesting and animated discussions and comparisons about
life at Repton and about the huge changes which have taken place at
Repton during the past 50 years. This was indeed a great opportunity to
swap memories of the time spent at Repton.
Just before dinner finished, Andrew Stockmann (H’67) and Peter Osgood (M’53) sang the school song much to the amusement
of all present! After dinner, everyone proceeded to the Tizian bar for further drinks and to continue the very lively discussions about
life at Repton.
Peter Osgood (M’53)
This was a memorable and very successful occasion held at a magnificent location,
very much enjoyed by everyone. The next meeting is planned to take place at the
same venue in the autumn of this year and it is hoped that the attendance will be
higher. If there are any OR’s living in Germany who did not receive an invitation,
please contact Sophie Bauer (F’02) at “[email protected]” who organised the
meeting so that your email address can be added to the distribution list for future
occasions. Alternatively you can contact Jan Cobb at the OR Society,
[email protected]
The next meeting is on October 1st 2011
at the Villa Rothchild in Konigstein.
(15)
OR EVENTS - ANNUAL DINNER 2010
The annual dinner of the OR Society took place on November
13th 2010 at its usual venue of Pears School. This year’s event
was hosted by the President of the Society, John Kirkland
(O’51), who saw to it that everyone had a most enjoyable
evening. The dinner itself was up to its accustomed standard of
excellent food thanks to Perry’s Fine Foods who have looked
after us so well at OR events in recent years.
However, the main attraction of the evening was our guest
speaker, Mr. Barry Cryer OBE. Barry has a wealth of experience
both writing and performing comedy in this country and had
been a prolific script-writer for many well-known TV stars,
including Morecambe and Wise. His speech flowed freely with
humour, having everyone roaring with laughter and was greatly
enjoyed by all present. (Barry left Repton to go on a UK tour but
only a few days later I received a personal phone call from him,
thanking me for the warm reception which everyone had given
him and saying how much he had enjoyed being with us – a
mark of the man!).
It has been suggested that the tradition of ORs only as guests at
this occasion should be changed in 2011 on an experimental
basis to include spouses. Hopefully this will only add to the
enjoyment of the occasion and serve to swell the numbers. We
look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
M Stones
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OR EVENTS - PARIS DINNER 2011
The fourth Paris OR dinner took place in mid-March and was a
hugely enjoyable occasion. A group of 16 ORs gathered at
L’Auberge du Sergent Recruteur on the Île Saint-Louis at the
heart of the French capital. They were treated to a typically
French evening of good food, fine red wine and plenty of
bonhomie as reminiscences flowed freely. Memories of
Orchard, Hall and New among others were recounted by those
here in the 50s and 60s Mike Shaw (O’62), Laurie Boswell
(N’55) along with more recent stories from young ORs who are
currently students at the Sorbonne, Paris’ famous university,
Adarsh Trivedi (L’02) and Meta Oechtering (M’07).
James Barnett (H’57) and Angela Pepper
The event was organised once again by James Barnett (H’57)
to whom we owe our gratitude. Among the guests were the
current president of the OR Society, David Pepper (H’53) and his wife, Angela. When OR
Secretary, Mike Stones, stood up to say a few words, he was greeted by rapturous applause
from the entire restaurant! The school’s fame spreads far and wide!
Meta Oechtering (M’07)
Adarsh Trivedi (L’02) and Hadrian
Cooklen (M’81)
Mike Shaw (O’62), Mrs Shaw and Mike Stones
MIKE CHARLESWORTH’S REMOVE B SCHOLARS (1959)
Andrew Williamson (N’59), Stephen Baines (B’59) and Dick Spooner (P’59) held a mini reunion in January of Mike
Charlesworth’s 1959 Remove B Scholar’s. The photograph was taken by Mike in the garden of the Old Mitre in the summer term
of 1960. Andrew is considering arranging a larger reunion of the group. If you are interested please make contact with Andrew
on [email protected] or alternatively the OR office.
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REPTON REMINISCENCES
Memories of the Corps in 1955-60
On Friday afternoons from 2.15 to 3.30 we had parade, held
on the cinder-covered ground behind the gym which doubled as
a running track. Drill was a frightful bore. The old .303 rifles
were heavy, particularly when the order came to slope arms and
the rifle had to be more or less tossed vertically by the right hand
before being transferred to the left shoulder: not easy for a
young boy. The boots were heavy, stiff and uncomfortable.
Achieving an acceptable shine on the toecaps took a lot of hard
work. A great deal of fuss was made about parading in shining
brasses and clean blanco, cap badges exactly aligned over the
left eye, the distance from brim to eyebrow measured by the
top joint of the thumb. Ten to one some blighted boy would
snaffle my cap or a gaiter just before parade. Even worse, I got
landed with membership of the Barnes Squad, which wasted
hours perfecting drill for an inter-house competition. Even so,
there was something satisfying in wearing a smart uniform and
performing movements in concert. We learnt to salute (the long
way up and the short way down, palm to the front, quite unlike
the naval salute); to execute an about turn without losing our
balance; to present arms, ground arms and port arms; and a
host of other military evolutions.
The first task at the end of Field Day, when we fired blanks, was
to clean our rifles, which meant dropping a weighted cord (the
pull-through) down the barrel from the breach with a square of
four-by-two threaded through the end, and drawing it slowly
out (it was a tight fit) until the folded cloth emerged clean
enough to pass inspection by the sergeant major squinting
down the barrel while the cadet held his thumb in the breach to
form a light background. When the sergeant major was satisfied
(and he was quite properly fussy), the four-by-two had to be
followed by an oily rag. Only then, with oil on our hands, could
we go and have tea.
The school owned a ten-ton lorry, used to transport cadets and
their impedimenta on field days; not the ideal vehicle for
someone prone to travel sickness. Sergeant Major Paul told us,
‘If you feel sick, don’t do it into the wind.’
Boys were required to attend two cadet camps, which ate into
a week of our summer holidays; while the rest of the school
were going home, we were in uniform taking a train with our
kit, officers and the two sergeant majors.
My first camp was in 1957 near Catterick in Yorkshire; the other,
two years later, down south at Pirbright. This meant that I didn’t
have a camp at the end of my first year or the term I was
leaving. The days seemed interminable. We slept in tents on
straw-filled palliasses laid on duckboards, but one bitterly cold
night (this was August) I slept tentless under the stars.
I passed Certificate A, earning a red star on my battledress
sleeve. Elementary map-reading and fieldcraft were useful if I
wanted to spot a church with a tower or spire, or creep across
rough ground without snapping a twig. It taught me to describe
a bushy-topped tree at five o’clock, and to observe with
exactitude the lie of the land. We were told to look for a few
moments, turn round and describe it. How many sheep were in
the field? What was the cloud formation? We look but we do
not see! A photographer, an artist, needs to sharpen his vision.
A keener awareness of our surroundings adds to our enjoyment;
it also makes for safer driving.
The Yorkshire camp ended for a batch of us with a tougheningup exercise, led by my Housemaster Mr Townsend, in the Dales
around Bainbridge. We humped equipment up steep hillsides,
past tumbling streams and over dry-stone walls, and slept two
to a tiny tent, which we had to discover how to erect in
drenching rain.
With a .22 rifle in the indoor range under the gym, and despite
my spectacles, I won my marksman’s badge in the Empire Test,
scoring seventy-three out of eighty for shooting rounds close
together, in the bull of a large and small target and a
disappearing target. The .303 had a nasty kick, but the .22, like
the airgun I’d fired as a very young boy, was seductively
enjoyable.
At Pirbright I spent a day as orderly officer, which meant running
round with messages, a job I found tricky since I had only a
vague idea of where everyone was, but at least it kept me from
field exercises. I wore a broad red sash over one shoulder and
felt rather grand.
We had the chance of going up in a helicopter. I took one look
at the open door with boys almost hanging out, and decided
this wasn’t for me. Instead I went in a Centurion tank. This was
noisy and cramped, but it travelled over the ground at surprising
speed, taking gradients and obstacles with ease. Lying in a ditch
being addressed by Brigadier the Hon. Miles Fitzalan-Howard,
later the 17th Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal, was slight
compensation for wandering round the latrine block in a
desperate search for loo paper, each sheet, if you were lucky
enough to find one, stamped GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - we
thought of returning it after use. Voice of Major Milford from a
cubicle, ‘Do you want a bit of the Daily Mirror?’ The tea tasted
of bromide, added, it was said, to make sure these hundreds of
randy boys didn’t wave their libido around. Sergeant Major Paul
woke us with a cry of ‘Chicken for breakfast!’, followed on his
second round by ‘Young chicken for breakfast!’, which tempted
us off our ‘pally-arses’, only to find that the chickens were very
Having selected weapon-training as the easiest option, and the
most interesting, I became platoon sergeant, no 5 Platoon, A
Company, and learnt to strip a Bren gun into dozens of parts,
including the barrel locking nut retainer plunger spring (how do
you hyphenate that?). I was less sure how to put it back
together. The Bren had a habit of jamming, for which one had
to carry out the first IA (‘eye-ay’, for immediate action), or, if
that failed, the second, as quickly as possible and with our heads
and bums well down in case of enemy bullets. I vaguely recall
firing a Bren; I certainly fired a Stirling sub-machine gun, which
had quite a kick. The Corps possessed a two-inch mortar; my
notes say, ‘If misfire, shake tube & try again.’ I still have my
handwritten notes on how to lob a hand grenade, fire a
bazooka (‘N.B. 15 second gaps’) and load a clip of five bullets
for the Lee Enfield, three up and two down, so they would feed
in smoothly.
(18)
REPTON REMINISCENCES
Memories of the Corps in 1955-60 continued
young indeed, still in their shells and boiled solid. Dallying in the
mess tent at Pirbright, I watched a swanky regular officer
advance towards our table. He lashed out at a boy with his
swagger stick. ‘No caps on in the mess!’ A second later he
walked smack into a tent pole.
Mitre, who was ill. Sir Ralph made a speech. Had we ever
wondered why we were all wearing khaki (emphasis on the i)?
It was because the government had more khaki than any other
colour. No, it wasn’t very funny at the time, either.
I’m glad this was my only experience of the Army, and that I
escaped two years of National Service, however much good it
would have done me to rub against young men from different
walks of life.
Every summer we had a big parade with a visiting brass hat to
inspect us. In 1958 we had Air Chief Marshall the Hon. Sir Ralph
Cochrane, commander of the wartime Dambusters, standing in
for Air Vice-Marshal Saye, father of two boys in the
Geoffrey Morris (M’55)
REPTON REMINISCENCES
I am Paul Carter (P’35) and I have an identical twin brother called Peter (P’35). We had an elder
brother called Michael who sadly died aged 19 and is buried in Repton churchyard.
We were born at The Orchard, Repton (21 Jan 1922), where father, Jack Carter, was Housemaster
and Chaplain of Repton Chapel. His portrait hangs in The Orchard study today. The school was
given a half-day holiday when we were born! Father was Head of Geography and amongst his
duties he was also in charge of tennis. Two of his pupils who became well-known were Bunny
Austin (O’20) and Brian Valentine (O’21).
The Carter twins, circa 1925
In September 1935 we came to The Priory as pupils
under Jenkins (known as ‘Binks’). On one occasion we
were thrown out of the Music School for playing jazz
on the piano! In 1938 we acted as ‘extras’ when part
of ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’, with Robert Donat, was filmed
at Repton. We left Repton in 1939 with some very
happy memories.
During the Second World War, Peter and I joined the RAF as motor transport drivers and
spent most of our time in North Africa. After the war, I was ordained after studying at
King’s College, London whilst Peter went into the brewing business.
You could say that we looked after the spiritual side of life!
Paul Carter (P’35)
The Carter twins today
REPTON REMINISCENCES
Roger Gunner (N’57) has sent in this photograph, possibly taken in a Birmingham store in
1959, of the 1st X1 football team, travelling to an away match.
From Left to Right: standing, Tim Waite (P’58), sitting to the left of Father Christmas Carl
Whitehead (N’56), sitting on the floor Roger Gunner (N’57), standing to the right of Father
Christmas Allan Basnett (P’56).
Roger is pleased to report that they won the match.
(19)
REPTON REMINISCENCES
REPTON in the Second World War by Nick Hillman (B’85)
If history can be understood through the eyes of great men,
then our education system can perhaps be understood through
the experiences of great schools. My recent research suggests
Repton’s past reflects both the torrid time that independent
schools faced around the time of the Second World War – and
their recovery afterwards.
The problems at Repton and elsewhere encouraged
independent schools to meet with local authorities to discuss a
closer relationship – for example, in March 1941 representatives
of Derbyshire’s Education Committee met with Repton,
Abbotsholme and Trent College to formulate a publicly-funded
bursary scheme for local residents, which the full County
Council later passed. Public schools also began to look towards
central government for support. Their governing bodies had
historically held no corporate identity, but their lobbying position
was improved in July 1941 when the Governing Bodies’
Association was founded by Geoffrey Fisher, the Bishop of
London. Fisher was both a former Headmaster of Repton and
the Chairman of Repton’s Governors, as well as a future
Archbishop of Canterbury.
The challenges faced by private schools became so bad once
the Second World War began that the Chairman of the HMC
(Spencer Leeson, Headmaster of Winchester) wrote, in vain, to
the Cabinet Secretary demanding to meet the War Cabinet on
the grounds that ‘Men who are under sentence of death do not
find it easy to make allowances.’ Around twenty-five
independent boarding schools were requisitioned for
government use and the War Cabinet briefly considered
wholesale use of public schools’ facilities for the expansion of
the army. This was successfully rebuffed in 1940 by Herwald
Ramsbotham, the President of the Board of Education, who
accused the Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden, of ‘a
covert attempt to secure [the public schools’] ultimate
elimination’. But many schools were evacuated and Repton
briefly hosted King Edward’s, Birmingham, whose boys were
billeted with local families.
Fisher worked with RA Butler, the President of the Board of
Education, on the establishment of the Fleming committee,
which was set up in 1942 to consider a closer association
between public schools and the rest of the education system. In
1944, the committee recommended that one-quarter of the
places at public schools should be assigned to a new national
bursary scheme, with local authority bursaries on top. The
Education Act (1944) provided the legal framework in which
such a scheme might have operated.
In 1941, Repton was placed by the Board of Education in a
group of 13 public schools with a ‘doubtful’ future. The school
was in good company as the group also included Harrow,
Malvern and Bryanston, and it could have been even worse –
five other schools were said to be close to ‘extinction’.
Nonetheless, Repton was in dire financial straits. A second
boarding house (Latham) closed in 1942 and the number of
pupils, which had been 409 ten years earlier and 353 on the
outbreak of war, fell to just 273 in 1943.
However, as I argue in a forthcoming academic paper, the
Fleming committee turned out to be an irrelevant aftershock. In
reality, the country’s leading independent schools generally
recovered their stability from around halfway through the war.
At Repton, numbers gradually recovered after 1943. The Cross
was reopened in 1945 and Latham House in 1947, when
Repton Preparatory School moved to Foremarke Hall. Turbulence
in the state-financed school sector may have been a factor in
restoring confidence – it has even been suggested that the
abolition of fees in maintained grammar schools made those
schools less attractive relative to independent schools for some
parents.
One major problem was similar to the public benefit test that
the Charity Commission is currently applying to independent
schools. Papers stored in the National Archives show that a rise
in fees for the year 1921 led the Board of Education to impose
an annual ‘ransom’ on Repton of £600. Partly as a result of this,
the school owed almost £50,000 by 1941, and was being
charged interest of £2,000 a year. A civil servant noted: ‘It is to
be feared that Repton is being slowly strangled by financial
difficulties and the various devices, which are being considered
by the Government, of admitting day boys and starting a
Preparatory Department, are not likely to be effective.’ Repton
Preparatory School had in fact already been founded, starting
off in the Cross with eight boys in 1940. It quickly became a
successful feeder for the senior school and moved to Latham
House in 1942.
When Repton celebrated its quatercentenary in 1957, it was full
to bursting with 470 pupils. In such circumstances, it is perhaps
not surprising that a publicly funded national bursary scheme
did not occur and that any local arrangements were ad hoc and
small scale.
Nicholas Hillman (B’85) is Special Adviser to the Minister of
State for Universities and Science. He has recently published an
academic article on Harold Wilson’s Public Schools Commission
and will soon publish a paper on the Fleming report.
(20)
ORs IN PRINT
‘If Not Now, When: How to take charge of your career’ by
Jane Barrett (A’ 89) and Camilla Arnold (A&C Black)
Special mention must go to the usability of the index. So many
books contain useful information hidden deep in the middle of
chapters with no way of accessing it. Barrett and Arnold’s index
is incredibly user-friendly (“word ‘I’” under CVs and “money as
an obstacle”) and really reflect a jobseeker’s main concerns
rather than the writers’ (which, happily in this book seem to be
in sync anyway).
So often, self-help books are full of inspirational guidance from
self-made successes who “just happened” to have a spare
house to sell to fund their passion, or they’re chock full of
inappropriate examples aimed at twenty-something New Yorkdwelling, well-connected party-planners.
In their summary the authors say, “This is the book we both
wished we had had when we started trying to carve out a more
satisfying career”. And it shows. It’s not written by a distant
guru dispensing pearls of wisdom, it’s written by people who
have been at both ends of the career path and know how to tell
the story.
This book from Jane Barrett and Camilla Arnold is different.
Barrett is founder of Workmaze Ltd, a UK-based career coaching
and information business. Prior to that she was director of a
search and selection company. Camilla Arnold is global head of
coaching for one of the world’s leading talent development
consultancies. So it’s fair to say they’ve experienced their fair
share of job-search issues.
Jane Barrett is founder of www.workmaze.com and co-founder
of www.thecareerfarm.com
The book is aimed at those wanting to proactively manage their
own career development or considering a change in career. How
it stands out from the crowd is its refusal to focus on just one
aspect of the perfect career. It runs the whole gamut of essential
preparations from “understanding yourself” to the more
practical considerations of writing CVs and learning interview
techniques.
Jeff Stephenson (B’77), writes under this pen-name gained a
First Class degree in Engineering at Cambridge, considered the
Army, ran a boarding house, trained as a chartered account, and
eventually, after further years reading medicine at St Andrew’s
became a doctor. Having now obtained his F.R.C.P., he is a
hospice consultant, has four children, runs marathons and has
written this, his first novel.
Constructed in four broad parts, the book looks by turns at
what’s holding you back, understanding yourself, brainstorming
and moving forward and job search strategy and within these
sections delves into the nuts and bolts of things like defining
passions, obtaining financial support, returning to work and
how to navigate interviews.
Writing with style, sensitivity, humour and careful attention to
detail, he takes us into the hidden work of the hospice. There
we find inspiring stories of warm humanity; and also romance.
It is very readable and I recommend it strongly.
What’s really great about If Not Now, When? is that it’s not
aimed at the already-ambitious or over-entitled. The book is for
anyone who has found themselves at a career crossroads,
whether through choice or whether through sheer bad luck. It’s
peppered with realistic case studies of people who have
encountered family hardship and retrained to deal with it, of
people who have endured 18 months’ redundancy and come
out the otherside. And it’s not age-specific either; there’s a
whole section on retirees and third-age workers.
Feathers in the Dust – A hospice doctor’s tale, by David
Trevelyan. Available from www.authorhouse.co.uk or local
booksellers (Soft cover ISBN 978-1-4520-4387-6).
All the profits from the book go to the hospice work.
Richard Grew (O’46) and Former Master.
Each chapter concludes with an in-depth set of exercises
designed to enable the reader to really take control. The end of
the “Understanding yourself” chapter entreats you to, for
example, list the top five skills you were born with or tick the
values you hold most dear and the sorts of environments you
would like to work in or have liked working in.
Richard Stokes (H’59) has published the following two
translations: Histoires Naturelles by Jules Renard (Oneworld
Classics) and Playing the Human Game – The Collected
Poems of Alfed Brendel, in a bilingual edition (Phaidon).
In the brainstorming section, you’re asked to begin to keep a
record of everyone you come across during your networking
phase, so you can follow up old leads. And there’s the old friend
“questions you might be asked in the interview scenario”.
Of course, some of this information is tried-and-tested and
obvious, some of it isn’t, but if you follow the exercises as you
read, by the time you reach the section on compiling your own
CV you realise you’ve already practically done it.
(21)
BRANCHES OF THE SOCIETY - GOLF
FIRST SINGLES KNOCKOUT A GREAT SUCCESS
ten-man team, you need a handicap of 5 or less. With an
absence of regular team members Adrian Pepper (H’83) was
called up for his debut. But with a handicap of 8 he knew it
would be a struggle, and hoped for a partnership with a scratch
player to give him a chance of a win. His hopes were dashed as
regular member, Mark Anselm (C’86), broke his arm three days
before the competition. This meant that Tony Bishop (P’72),
with a handicap of 10, was drafted in as a desperate, last
minute replacement. Captain, Andrew Pearce (N’78) made the
sensible decision of playing the two new-boys (combined age
94) together and sending them out third pair, as a sacrificial
offering, leaving the other four teams to bring home the bacon.
The first round saw Repton play St Bees; not only did the team
win 4 - 1, but the two rookies carded an unlikely 3 and 2 win
to get their first (and probably last) Hewitt points.
2010 saw the first year of our singles knockout competition.
Congratulations to Richard Hodgkinson (M’81) who beat
Sandy McArthur (M’60) 3 & 2 at the Northamptonshire Golf
Club in the inaugural
final.
Sandy McArthur (M’60) and Richard
Hodgkinson (M’81)
The first year attracted 30
contestants, roughly split
between the South and
the North. I think
everyone who entered
enjoyed themselves and
thanks to everyone
involved for making the
effort.
In the second round Repton met a team of gritty Scotsman from
Merchiston who proved too strong and the team lost 3½ - 1½.
Even though the new boys lost on the 17th, they had been three
holes up, early in the round, against two young men with a
combined age of 45 and a combined handicap of 4. To avoid
the necessity for Adrian and Tony to participate in the future,
we are actively seeking new talent for the team. If you have a
single figure handicap and would like to experience the thrill of
competing in the oldest, largest, amateur scratch golf
tournament in the world, please contact me. There is nothing
like it!!
Tony Bishop (P’72)
This
year
we
are
combining the knockout with old and dear adversaries the
Malvernians. With their inclusion, 2011 sees 50 entrants in total
and the draw can be seen on the singles knockout page of the
society’s new website.
LONGEST DAY CHALLENGE
The main thrust of the fund-raising for the new Science Priory
is being spearheaded by Robert Kirkland (O’59) who is a
stalwart member of the golf society. In order to help Robert
four members of the O.R.G.S. will attempt to play 5 rounds of
golf at Little Aston Golf Club on Sunday 19th June.
Russell Embury (staff), Jonathan Hart (H’86), Jonathan Avill
(N’81) and Tony Bishop (P’72) will tackle this marathon which
will involve playing 90 holes of golf and walking 20 miles during
the day. Starting at first light and taking suitable refreshment
each time the club house is passed, it is hoped that the four
players, assisted by various caddies, drinks carriers, medical
assistants etc. will finish the challenge by dusk.
For those who would care to sponsor the event a
sponsorship page will be available on the new website
www.reptongolf.com
07769 903 442 or email: [email protected]
Going to the pre-tournament dinner at Royal St. Georges, on
the private vintage double decker bus:
Players: James Wilson (L’99), Phillip Carr (H’72), Charles
Pepper (B’90), John Wood (L’78), Douglas Campbell (H’71),
Andrew Pearce (N’78), Richard Hodgkinson (M’81), Pete
Forster N’87), Tony Bishop (P’72), Adrian Pepper (H’83).
Supporters: Patrick Franklin-Adams (H’58), Tim Hampton
(O’52), Charles Darby (O’48), David Pepper (H’53).
HALFORD HEWITT
The 2011 Halford Hewitt will be remembered for two things.
The weather and the new-boys.
Traditionally the East Kent coast is a wet, cold and windy place
at the end of March. Seasoned campaigners, knowing how
savage the elements can be, pack corduroy trousers, warm
pullovers and more than one set of water proofs. Snow is not a
surprise at the Hewitt.
Little wonder then, with two practice days and all four
competition days played in uninterrupted warm sunshine with
only a light zephyr, competitors were fast running out of short
sleeved shirts. No one could remember weather like it and one
of the Royal St. Georges’ ground staff told me he was desperate
for rain, prior to the Open Championship in July.
NEW O.R.G.S. WEBSITE
Having made a first attempt at a website for the golf society
two years ago, this has been rebuilt and has a new domain
name: www.reptongolf.com
It is hoped that the website will be a platform for attracting new
members of the society as well as keeping members up to date
with the current fixtures, singles knockout progress, and general
news; as well as match results and the history of the society that
was formed in 1924.
The Hewitt, which began in 1924, is a foursome’s knockout
competition, played between 64 schools with no handicap
allowance between competitors. To be eligible for a place in the
(22)
BRANCHES OF THE SOCIETY - FOOTBALL
While this hasn’t been a vintage season for the ORs, signs of
encouragement are beginning to emerge. With a new
Captain, Richard Wynne (P’92), talented youngsters such as
Tim Lambert (P’01), and established hands including
Clayton Penny (P’97) committed to driving the club forward,
there is much cause for optimism.
Meanwhile, the performance of the Vets in the Derrick Moore
Cup, who progressed to the semi finals this season, always
serves as an inspiration for the 1st team.
We are forever on the lookout for committed players, of any
age and varying abilities - please contact the below if you are
interested.
We play in the Arthurian League for old boys teams in London
on a weekly basis, and the prestigious Arthur Dunn Cup (after
the FA Cup, the globe’s second oldest Association Football
competition) nationally.
1st Team: Richard Wynne (P’92), 07919 273119,
[email protected]
Vets: Nick Walford (B’69), 07590 828719,
[email protected]
Dale Bilson (L’03)
BRANCHES OF THE SOCIETY - HOCKEY
On 20th March 2011 there were 23 ORs playing hockey against the school sides. The school sides were a mix of first and second
eleven players, with one or two promising juniors also involved. The OR sides were also a mixture of ages, from elder statesmen
of Henry Wallis and Peter Elson, via the still youthful (!) Simon Oborn and Joey Ascott, to the youngsters like Tom Hunter and Ricky
Ho Chan. As usual the day was well supported by the Ashbourne contingent of Chris Beastall, Chris Burton, Will Charlesworth and
others. The Samras win the prize for their 3 representatives on the pitch, although the Carliles were not far behind. There was
some excellent hockey played in a good spirit, and the afternoon was enjoyed by all. For the record the games were all quite close
apart from a defeat for one OR team in the opening match, but we won’t’ mention the score.
C M Keep
OR FEATS - SIMON ARMSTRONG (C’63)
Regrets, I have a few…..
Having just passed one’s 60th
birthday, you tend to take stock
and wonder for how much
longer you will be able, if at all,
to
achieve
outstanding
ambitions.
I telephoned Andre upon arrival and we met. I told him I had
never done any climbing, but that according to a book I had
read, and the Swiss tourist authority, I understood that the
ascent of the Matterhorn was feasible , being classified as an
“arduous walk”!!
He smiled resignedly and suggested we meet at the Gornergrat
railway station the next day at 0800hrs to go and see how I got
on on the Riffelhorn which is the small volcanic plug remnant on
the north side of the Gornergletscher valley and which is a
useful climbing training mountain. In the train on the way up to
Rotenboden station( one below the Gornergrat terminus at the
top), he asked me what experience of climbing I had. None,
since attempting to climb the cliffs in Cornwall as a child. Had I
brought a harness? No, I understood the guide would provide!
He looked at me and said that would be no problem, but his
was not large enough for me. Having enjoyed the better things
in life to excess and having a large frame any way, I was then a
sylph-like 18 stone! No problem he said, he would fashion one
from his climbing rope, which he did, (even if the effect was to
crush the crown jewels at moments of crisis)!
One ambition developed in
June 1997, after completing
the charity challenge of the 3
peaks in 24 hours, which I
completed with 3 friends (we
called ourselves “The Unlikely
Lads”), was to ascend the
Matterhorn , whereupon the
other unlikely lads dropped
out! For those who do not know, this is the quintessential
mountain, made famous not only because it appears on
Toblerone packets, but also because it was the last Alp to be
conquered by Whymper and his guide Taugwalder in their ill
fated expedition which claimed several lives in 1869.
We started by learning to walk on rock. “Trust your boots”;
“Walk quietly” and other repeated phrases led me to
understand that good boots grip on dry rock at impossibly steep
angles. That first day, we walked/climbed the East side of
Riffelhorn. What pride at the first handshake and “well done”
from the experienced man who was brave enough to tie himself
to the absolute novice. As we ate our snack and drank a bit,
The itch remained, and the only cure was to scratch it, so
in 2001 I telephoned the bergfuhrerburo (mountain guide’s
office) in Zermatt and engaged a wonderful mountain guide Andre Imboden (take a look at his website zermattmountainguide.ch) - and arranged to visit Zermatt in the
summer.
(23)
OR FEATS - SIMON ARMSTRONG (C’63) Continued
atop Riffelhorn Andre gently and kindly suggested that if I
wanted to enjoy the mountains, I should abandon all aspirations
of climbing the Matterhorn, because if I did not, I would more
or less certainly end up disappointed and he did not think that
was a sensible end to a holiday. Far better, he said, that I should
do my utmost and if and when he thought I was ready, he
would take me to the mountain: and in the course of so doing
I would have wonderful, life-enhancing experiences. People who
rushed off up the mountain ill prepared and ill advisedly, tended
to end up falling off and dying! Had I had a look at the
graveyard? It is full off unlucky mountaineers, and experienced
ones at that. I went, I saw and I took his point. He has the
annoying , but equally reassuring habit of being right.
Wikipedia - well in excess of 1000 metres drop if you fall one
way and 500 the other.
I asked Andre after we came off what he would do if I fell, as
he would not be able to hold me. The usual smile, and then he
said “simple, I cut the rope!”!!! As if. No guide cuts the rope.
He was joking. What he really would do, he told me, is, if I fall
right, he has to jump left and the rope, like a cheesewire would
cut the snow and hold us. We would be able simultaneously to
climb up to the ridge again. That is the thing about climbing.
Proximity to death makes one appreciate all the more the gift of
life.
That night we stayed in a mountain hut on the Italian side - no
showing of passport needed - had wonderful home made pasta
and pizza, after having spent the afternoon at the head of the
Aosta valley watching the glacier fall bit by bit . So high, the air
was like nectar. No water supply. Supplies were helicoptered in.
The effect of alcohol in the wine heightened by the altitude, or
was it euphoria anyway?
He is also the straightest and most truthful person I have met.
Thereafter, putting my trust in the man on the other end of the
rope, I have climbed some great peaks, in the course of being
assessed as ready for the Matterhorn. Indeed in the course of
descending from Riffelhorn, that very first day, Andre had me
show my trust of him, without which he would not be able to
climb with me, by persuading me to walk backwards over the
edge of the mountain above the sheer drop into the
Gornergletscher valley about 2000 ft below, secured only by the
rope he had belayed around an out-jutting rock. One could call
it stupid, I prefer character forming! If you cannot trust your
partner and equipment you can do nothing. I did note however
that thereafter Andre brought the thicker, somewhat stronger
climbing rope with him!
Next morning, rising at 0500hrs a light breakfast consumed, we
climbed Pollux 4092 metres, a bit of rock climbing here. You
climb past the statue of the Madonna – not the singer – which
is lit by a laser from the valley at night. Quite eerie to see her
floating in the sky at night!
I realised at the top that I might never do this again. My holiday
was ending. Would I return? I was, you could say tired and
became emotional. If one is not moved by being on a high
mountain, one is not alive.
We arranged to meet next morning to catch the first gondola
to Klein Matterhorn, in order that I should attempt my first
4000er - the Breithorn, 4164 metres high, (google it – there are
some good pictures). To the Swiss, unless a mountain is more
than 4000 metres high it is of no consequence!
It was a long way down and across the snow plate behind Klein
Matterhorn. I have never knowingly taken unlicensed drugs, but
I would not have made it without a magic capsule Andre
provided. Back down to Zermatt, and the following day
homeward by car. Life had been and was, even more in the
future to be, enhanced by the experience.
This was my first meeting with crampons, those clever spiky
things you strap onto your boots which enable you to grip on
the iciest of inclines. After walking across the ice plate, making
a swing to the right to avoid the usual crevasse, we arrived at
the foot of the steep “path” one takes to ascend the mountain.
Breithorn is easy. Subsequent to this trip I have climbed it several
times, once with my wife, Catherine, who did it despite
suffering from quite acute vertigo. However that first day, I
learnt that long slow breathing is essential, that one does not
rush up any slope, that it is best to keep going slowly and
steadily, that if you plonk your foot down it will pierce the ice
and that if you walk softly snow has the strength to support
much greater weight than you would expect. The handshake at
the summit was meaningful. The view absolutely breathtaking.
You can see for in excess of 60 miles all around. The Matterhorn
looms over you, but nicht so viel. You begin to believe you can
do it!
Space does not here permit the rest of the tale, but perhaps if
the editor finds space, more in subsequent issues. One thing is
clear, I wish I had started earlier. That is my regret. If this article
persuades just one OR to try mountaineering, it will have been
worth the effort to write it. I wish I had started before I was 51
and overweight, even though relatively fit.
Simon Armstrong (C’63)
In my view every pupil of every school should be obliged to
climb this one mountain! They would understand more of the
world they live in and appreciate how insignificant they
individually are.Thereafter I was hooked. Every year since then,
I have returned to Zermatt. That first year, two days after
Breithorn, we climbed Castor, 4228 metres, which has an
awesome ridge as you approach the summit- have a look at
(24)
OR FEATS - PAUL BROWNHILL (P’80)
On the weekend of May 8th and 9th 2010, I joined 44 like
minded people on a charity walk in support of The Foundation
for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID).
had broken down and needed to be replaced! After much
deliberation and a 2 hour delay we set off for Scafell Pike.
Another 5 hours in the mini bus led us to arrive at the foot at
Scafell Pike at 6.30 p.m. which gave us approximately three
hours of day light to get up and down. This was by far the most
challenging of climbs but determined to finish before the sun set
I managed to complete the task in just over 2 hours 45 minutes,
driven on by the thought of a hot shower at our Youth Hostel.
The walk we decided to do is known as “The Three Peaks
Challenge” and involves walking the three highest peaks in
Scotland, England and Wales, one after another. The three
peaks in question were; Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon
and in total we walked around 25 miles and climbed just over
10,000 feet. For the Purists I should point out that we did not
do it in 24 hours but in a more leisurely 36 hours with a night’s
sleep in between!
I eventually collapsed on my bed at midnight knowing that I was
over half way and grateful that I had an opportunity to recover
before we set off for Snowdon. A hearty English Breakfast was
ideal preparation for another 6 hour journey in our mini bus.
The FSID is not a particular well known charity but just over 10
years ago a colleague of mine tragically lost his son to what is
known as cot death. During the last ten years Kevin and his wife
Jo have raised well over £70,000 for this worthy cause. Whilst
they will never forget their son they decided to make this year
their last major fund raising year in support of the FSID and so
I decided to join them and their friends and colleagues in trying
to help them finish on a high note.
Snowdon was by far the easiest of the climbs and equally the
most breathtaking and I was really pleased with my time of just
over 4 hours which included a good 20 minutes at the top
having a celebratory beer.
Below is an extract from a diary of our weekend.
The sun shone on us throughout and made the whole
experience very special, even though our journey home was
marred by a radiator leak that meant we had to stop every 30
minutes to fill the radiator!
At 7.30 a.m. we left sunny Leicestershire on a 10 hour journey
to the foot of Ben Nevis. The evening was spent discussing
tactics over a few pints of Guinness and Fish and Chips, not
ideal preparation for a 4.00 a.m. ascent!
So we returned to Leicestershire in the early hours of Sunday
morning, smelly, aching and somewhat weary and feeling pretty
pleased with ourselves but equally pleased to see the back of
the mini bus that we had spent the best part of 20 hours in.
We could not have ordered better weather bearing in mind that
it is only clear at the top of Ben Nevis for 36 days of the year.
There must be something in the adage the “sun only shines on
the righteous!!”
As I now write some 24 hours on, still aching but hopefully not
smelly, I am smiling to myself, as whilst it is certainly one of the
hardest challenges I have undertaken, I know that I have got
the bug......so what next???
This was not immediately apparent as we set off in the dark,
however as the Sun began to rise and glistened off the snow
covered Peak, it simply took your breath away (not that I had
much left by then!).
I would like to thank the
many ORs that supported
me either through the web
site or with the cheques
you have sent. I have
currently
raised
over
£2,500 and based on
certain promises I may
even reach £3,000 which
makes me very proud to be
able to call you friends
There were 44 of us walking or in one instance running but I
was reasonably proud of the 2 hours 45 minutes it took me to
reach the peak which included time to take in the stunning
views. We set quite a pace down which meant the first part of
the task was completed in just short of 5 hours which included
several glory pictures taken at the top with an assembly of like
minded friends.
On our arrival at the foot of Ben Nevis we had our first set-back;
no hot water, so after a very bracing shower we then were
advised of our next set-back, namely that one of our three buses
Paul Brownhill (P’80)
OR PROFILES - NELSON JOHN KEYS (JOHN PADDY CARSTAIRS) (L’24)
Popular acclaim in the world of arts and entertainment can
easily go to the head. So the talented film director, novelist and
artist John Paddy Carstairs (1910-1970) might easily have taken
himself rather too seriously. Yet on the contrary - this engaging
Old Reptonian cultivated a quizzical line in self-deprecation
which kept his feet firmly on the ground. His trademark
message when signing a book for a friend spoke volumes ‘Another bit of nonsense from Paddy’.
John Paddy Carstairs was born Nelson John Keys in London in
11th May 1910. He was the eldest of four sons of Nelson Waite
‘Bunch’ Keys (1887-1939), a comedy actor who did well enough
from silent films to send his son to public school in Derbyshire.
‘John’ entered Repton in 1924 under the strict but benevolent
headship of Geoffrey Francis Fisher.
By his own admission Keys was a ‘genial exhibitionist’ and a
‘terribly precocious boy’. In 1927 when aged seventeen he
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OR PROFILES - NELSON JOHN KEYS (JOHN PADDY CARSTAIRS) (L’24) Continued
expressed the desire to form a school cinema club, an
innovation which might have been considered too ‘low brow’
for a leading public school. But Headmaster Fisher - later
Archbishop of Canterbury - gave Keys his blessing. Then aged
forty, Fisher was more progressive than some of his crustier
counterparts at rival establishments.
carefully nudging the stage and TV comedian into a new
medium with great success. The film gained a BAFTA award and
five more Wisdom box-office hits followed, along with similar if
less successful vehicles for a long string of iconic ‘funny men’ Frankie Howerd, Charlie Drake, Brian Rix, Jimmy Edwards, Ian
Carmichael, Bob Monkhouse and many more.
Keys ran Repton’s cinema club with great fervour - it had its own
magazine and even a club tie. But his ambitions did not stop
there. While still a pupil at Repton he made his first film ‘The
hero of St Jim’s’ (1927). The ‘melodrama of public school life’
made no great waves, but the schoolboy director secured a
modest place in cinematic history - it was the first film ever shot
in a British school. His father had ambitions for John to go to
Cambridge, but the headstrong boy had other ideas. Instead his
credentials landed him his first job in the cinema industry as a
camera assistant with a family friend, the respected film
producer and director Herbert Wilcox. Entering the film world
just as the ‘talkies’ were making strides presented a marvellous
opportunity for a young talent.
Carstairs garnered a fine reputation and was well-liked, but as
the movie industry changed and niggling disagreements arose
with Rank bosses, his film career wound down and ended in
1962 when he was in his early fifties. He produced his final
programme in 1967. It marked the end of almost forty years in
film during which the name Carstairs had become a watchword
for professionalism, flair, speed and reliability.
Carstairs was also a prolific author and accomplished artist. As
a novelist he made no pretence to gravitas - of almost thirty
published titles most were thrillers or frothy light comedy often
with racy overtones drawn on his own experience. A good
number were semi-autobiographs, and locations such as the
South of France reflected his own preference of a glamorous
lifestyle.
John spent a year in Hollywood and embarked on an intense
and wide-raging apprenticeship both in the United States and
England. He also demonstrated a singular determination to
succeed in his own right. To avoid charges of cashing in on his
father’s name he changed his own to John Paddy Carstairs,
raiding the family tree for inspiration. Carstairs never looked
back. Aged only twenty-one he wrote his debut script for the
USA release A Honeymoon Adventure (1931). In the next two
hectic years eight further screen plays and a great deal of world
travel followed before he directed his first feature film, - the UK
thriller Paris Plan (1933) - and from then on spanning four
decades he averaged over a film a year. By his last in 1962 The Devil’s Agent - he had worked as director or writer, and
often both, on almost 60 films.
Carstairs’ writing journey began in 1937 with Movie Merry Go
Round – a candid behind-the-scenes look at the film industry
and ending in 1966. Other titles are Curried Pineapple (1940),
Gardenias Bruise Easily (1958), best seller - 144,000 copies sold
of his witty but risqué - Vinegar and Brown Paper (1939). Others
like his seen detective novels featuring sleuth Garway Trenton,
have proved collectable and extremely elusive.
Painting was something he did to relax, and was good at it. He
studied art at London University, attended life classes at the
Slade, had his initial London exhibition in 1949, and later
exhibited at the Paris Salon. Between 1957 and 1968 he
showed a dozen paintings at the Royal Academy and his work
is still represented in public collections. His subject matter was
light, cheery and colourful. His sketch style is shot throughout
with 1950’s gaiety. Many of his canvases feature Mediterranean
locations and have a naive quality reminiscent of the French
Painter Raoul Dufy. The odd Carstairs occasionally comes on the
market now, commanding relatively modest prices, well worth
consideration.
Although potted biographies suggest Carstairs directed ‘mostly
comedy films’, the greater part of his pre-war output comprised
drama and thrillers. In The Saint in London (1939) he directed
George Sanders in the lead role of Simon Templar, and years
later did the same for Roger Moore in the cult Sixties TV series.
Indeed Carstairs, through his close friendship with The Saint
creator Leslie Charteris, was largely responsible for bringing the
character to television. On the outbreak of war Carstairs made
three short films for the Ministry of Information on ‘careless talk’
and directed George Formby in the propagandist Ealing comedy
Spare a copper (1941). He also found time to write three
volumes of autobiography and a biography of his father, but for
much of the conflict he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal
Navy’s air photography section.
Such an active and creative man surely deserved a long and
happy retirement. His loving wife Molly and a nice home in leafy
Surrey certainly presaged a comfortable later life. But Carstairs
was denied the pleasure. After a period of ill heath he died of
heart failure on 12th December 1970, aged just 60.
In the long history of Repton School an impressive number of
former pupils made their mark in the arts world. John Paddy
Carstairs was not the most famous, but as purveyor of pure
pleasure few have bettered him. Carstairs may have considered
his creation ‘a bit of nonsense’, but they continue to entertain
forty years after his passing . What better legacy for ‘a terribly
precocious boy‘?
Carstairs returned to feature films after the war with Dancing
with Crime (1947) for which he gave direction to Richard
Attenborough. His thriller Sleeping Car to Trieste (1948) also
proved a great success, but his wartime foray into comedy
prompted a change of direction. Throughout the Fifties
Carstairs worked tirelessly on the light-hearted comedy films
which became his trademark, particular for the Rank
Organisation. His most significant success was in launching the
film career of Norman Wisdom in Trouble in Store (1953),
Extracted from Derbyshire Life, A Life Full of Nonsense by
Peter Seddon, October 2010, with permission of Peter
Seddon.
(26)
OR PROFILE - RUSSELL PROBERT (M’92)
A GIFT
“It’s time we start to think seriously about transplantation.”
Hearing those words was when things really hit home. What I
thought was going to be a routine check up had suddenly taken
a dramatic and sinister turn for the worst.
would have to give me a few treatments of dialysis to make me
stronger for the operation itself. The operation lasted about 5
hours and came and went without a problem. My mother was
released from hospital 5 days after the operation. Fair to say she
was very fragile for a few more weeks after, but she was back
to full health within 2 months and if you would speak to her
now she would tell you she has had no ill effects from the
operation at all.
Over the past three years my kidney test results had steadily
become less optimistic, so I always knew this day would come.
Nonetheless the word ‘transplant’ still hit me with a shuddering
jolt. In 2006 a routine check up with my GP revealed I had high
blood pressure. After eliminating the usual suspects - diet,
exercise, smoking, drinking etc - and after a number of tests
including a very unpleasant biopsy - I was eventually diagnosed
with IGA Nephropathy, severe scarring and inflammation within
the kidney.
I was in hospital for 11 long days. The thing I remember most is
waking up with five tubes coming out of my body and being
forced to drink water all the time – even now I have to drink
more than five litres a day. I was not a good patient. I was
restless all the time and just wanted to get the tubes out and go
home. I cannot speak highly enough of the doctors and nurses
though. I suffered one rejection episode but after a biopsy and
medication it was treated effectively and eventually I was
allowed home.
There are often no obvious symptoms for this - many people
live their whole lives without knowing they have the disease –
and in the majority of cases it can be regulated by simply
controlling the blood pressure. In others, and unfortunately in
my case, the disease progressively worsens and ultimately causes
complete renal failure with dialysis or a transplant being the only
hope. I say ‘hope’ because it is a common misconception that a
kidney transplant is a cure for kidney disease. Unfortunately it is
not, it simply allows you to live more normally as opposed to
having to have four hours of dialysis three times a week. A
kidney donated does not last forever, if it lasts 15 years you are
very lucky.
For the best part of four months after the operation I had to
return to the hospital three times a week for a check up, more
blood tests and to discuss my drug regime. The medication is a
massive part of rehabilitation to ensure the new kidney works
effectively and unfortunately they also come with their own
complications and side effects. I have to take approximately
twenty tablets per day, some with food, some without, some in
the morning and some in the evening.
Some of the side effects include constant hand tremors,
headaches, nausea, acne, weight gain and susceptibility to
infection because some of the medication reduces your immune
system to prevent your body from attacking the new kidney. At
one point my immune system dropped so low I had to be
readmitted to hospital and placed in isolation. Now, seven
months on, I have been told I only need to attend hospital once
a month.
So now I had to find a new kidney. There are two ways of
getting one, firstly by going on the organ donor register for a
kidney from a recently deceased person. These account for
about 70 per cent of kidney transplants but are not done on a
first-come-first-served basis but according to who has the best
‘match’. This means you can be on the waiting list for years. The
second is by a living kidney donation, receiving a kidney from a
family member, friend or an unrelated person. Thankfully, as
soon as my parents found out I needed a transplant they both
volunteered their kidneys. I don’t think this was a conscious
decision, just something parents do instinctively to help their
child.
My 2010 was certainly a year I wouldn’t wish on anyone but it
has certainly been an experience I will never forget and an
experience that has changed me. As we start 2011 I feel as fit
and healthy as ever. I’m back at the gym and leading a normal
life for the most part. I’m no longer on a special diet and I can
even have a drink!
To say I was grateful for the offers would be an understatement
- it’s certainly not an easy favour to ask for, after all, it’s not
exactly like borrowing a £20 note! As it turned out my father
was too old to undergo the operation, so after a series to tests
over about six months my mother became the donor. They can
do all the tests much quicker but they like to allow enough time
to let the donor consider exactly what they are undertaking.
I know how lucky I am and it’s all thanks to my mother.
However, there are many people that I see regularly who are
considerably less fortunate than I am, living on dialysis, unable
to work and have a normal life. It is very sad that someone has
to pass away in order to help these people but if you do consider
donating your organs after you have gone please join the donor
register and inform
your family of your
decision. You really will
change someone’s life.
The date of the surgery came through for the end of May 2010
to coincide with when I would need to go on dialysis. The
months before the operation were the hardest for me
personally. I was placed on a special diet, could not even have a
cup of coffee, and my health was deteriorating fast. I had no
energy to do anything. I could not even mow my lawn and
could barely take the dog out for a walk. I was suffering with
severe migraines, nausea and even gout.
When I was admitted to hospital for the surgery, my kidney
function was 7 per cent of normal. The doctors decided they
www.organdonation.nhs.uk
(27)
OR PROFILES - TIM WILKINSON (C’75)
Former Coca-Cola GB communications chief Tim Wilkinson has taken a key
advisory post in the Middle East, as his previous employer shakes up its
European communications division. Tim has spent 15 years at Coca-Cola has
been named director of communications to the Prime Minister of Kuwait,
Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah. He heads the communications
unit within a wider advisory team providing strategic and day to day support
to the PM and his government. In February this year the country hosted a
plethora of international figures to mark a combined 50/20 anniversary
highlighting 50 years since gaining independence and 20 years since liberation
from the Iraqi invasion. Current and former world leaders, including David
Cameron, attended the celebrations. Cameron made a speech about political
and economic reform in the region. Kuwait is one of the region’s key economic
powers and one of Tim’s roles will be international media relations and
communicating the economic and political changes in the country. Kuwait has not been excluded from the wave of political
protests that have hit the region, although protests were postponed during the recent celebrations. Tim worked in several of
Coca-Cola’s key markets, including Africa, the Middle East and Asia, before taking up a UK role in 2004 followed by European roles
until he left the company in 2010.
OR PROFILES - ALEX WILLCOX (P’05)
FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES
I first came across Coral Cay Conservation at the Repton Gap
Fair. At that time I thought that having the chance to learn to
scuba dive in one of the world’s best diving locations, coupled
with the opportunity to help protect marine life and maybe even
be lucky enough to swim with a whale shark, would be a dream
come true. The reality was to far exceed all my expectations.
In November 2010 I travelled half way round the world and
finally arrived in Napantao, Sogod Bay in the Philippines. I was
warmly welcomed and immediately accepted into the Coral Cay
volunteer team. Coral Cay is a charitable organisation that relies
on volunteers and strives to preserve marine life all over the
world and teaches local people of all ages how to fish
sustainably, thereby retaining resources for the future.
The diving conditions were excellent and not only did I see the
most amazing marine life, I did fulfil my ambition of swimming
with a whale shark, 6 in fact! Don’t be mistaken, however, it
was very much a learning experience. Once I had successfully
passed my diving and fish, coral and invertebrates recognition
tests I was able to participate fully and make a worthwhile
contribution to the marine conservation project. We worked
very hard during the week but had great fun at the week-ends
with the local Filipinos, who were so friendly and welcoming.
The two months I spent with Coral Cay in the Philippines were
two of the most interesting and exciting of my life and I would
readily recommend it to anyone. I returned home with a string
of diving qualifications and a group of great new friends. I can’t
wait to go back (which should be possible as part of my marine
biology degree course). Swimming with 10m Whale Sharks is
a memory I will treasure.
Alex Willcox (P’05)
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SCHOOL NEWS - ART
Being an Architect-Being an Artist
the professional architect is enormous and gave visual evidence
of the applied functions of the architectural training in designing
in the landscape, furniture building, creating for the theatre,
and much more besides.
As often happens with Reptonians, the improvised lecture
theatre in the Art School filled at exactly 6.30 pm to welcome
the visiting speakers. Recent OR Alec Farmer (P’05) had flown
down from Scotland, where he is studying Visual
Communication at the Glasgow School of Art, to tell us about
his course, and more particularly about the parallel projects that
he has on the go alongside his degree work.
It was at this point that Alec stepped in to flesh out the
contemporary relevance of the designer. His experience is the
embodiment of what is possible, and more importantly how to
be commercially successful, as an artist. In recent months the
Sunday Times has run a feature on his exploits when living in a
'pod' in the centre of Glasgow, existing on only what could be
contained in two plastic buckets. He has animated the opening
credits for television's Film 4, and is forging ahead with his
newly formed company creating and selling a range of bags for
cyclists, and in particular dispatch riders - all in the final year of
his degree at GSA. His work schedule is daunting - forgoing
holidays, evenings and weekends to make enough bags to keep
pace with the growing demands on the sales of his products.
He was preceded on the night by Graham Campbell, no
stranger to the Art School, as he was the architect and project
manager on its redevelopment between 1999-2003. His talk on
'Being an Architect' was trailed by his young assistant, Ed
Nettleship, who gave us a flavour of what could be expected
when studying architecture at university. He kindly left us with
a lengthy document outlining what a prospective student can
expect to encounter during their first three years of the
marathon seven year architectural qualification.
The Reptonians fortunate enough to have been in the Art
School that evening were left in no doubt of the possibilities
open to students who have the ambition and gumption to make
Art and Architecture their life-long passion and we were
extremely grateful to all three of our visiting speakers who
shared that vision with us.
Graham then picked up the reins and, with a slide of St. Paul's
Cathedral by night, proceeded to guide us through the
enormous range of career possibilities that the architectural
degree can equip you for. The world of architectural design has
never seemed such an exciting prospect for those with the skills,
stamina and good fortune to stay the course. Graham is
passionate in his belief that the creative breadth of practice for
J H Bournon
SCHOOL NEWS - CHAPEL
We love it when Old Reptonians decide to return to be married in Chapel. Kate Rogers (G’96) married Steven Greenall (C’87)
on 25th September 2010. On 9 April Lucy Chilton (G’96) married Dominic Burns (O’85). On 4 June Sophie Rogers (F’00) will
marry Philip Brindley (N’02) and on 23 July Beth Fowkes (daughter of Maggie Fowkes) will marry Mark Wycherley. We are also
looking forward to the wedding of Charlotte Stojak (M’03) and Ed Felix (N’93) in 2012. James Webster and Louise Walkman
(step-daughter of Fred Rule) were married on 4th September 2010. During this academic year we have celebrated some momentous
baptisms including those of Jacob and Heidi Ingleston, George Odell, Stanley Rushton, Brody Roland and Isabel Johnson. We do
want to thank all those who have so kindly spared the time to preach for us, including The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan (pictured),
Vicar of Cirencester, who came at the invitation of Col. John Hetherington whose support we gratefully appreciate.
Revd. A J Watkinson
(29)
SCHOOL NEWS - CCF
CCF REPORT LENT 2011
Russell Cup
The Combined Cadet Force has had an extremely busy and
successful term. The weekly parades have focussed on weapon
skills and foot drill, but have still maintained a balance of
activities, aiming at the marks of 40% Adventurous training,
such as kayak skills, rope work, map and compass skills, and
60% military skills training. In the current climate of significant
cutbacks for the Services, it is worth remembering the
considerable assistance in resources and manpower supplied to
our Contingent by the Army and RAF. For example, this year we
have been able to augment our training rotation with the
addition of mountain biking. Firstly, two staff qualified via
military courses, as Mountain Biking Instructors (Capt John
Wadsworth, SSI, and Mr Edward Shawcross (who has applied
for Army CCF Commission). Secondly, I purchased ten mountain
bikes for cadet use, with funds from the MoD. The plan is to
incorporate biking as a regular AT activity in our summer
rotation, which also includes orienteering, rafting, kayak and
may include for the first time in some years a crag climbing
stand. Notable events this term have included the following:
Two days later, on Thursday 17 March, 120 pupils enjoyed the
Russell Cup. The format is familiar to ORs and current pupils,
but this year the outdoor obstacle course received a tweak, to
again become a more physically challenging route based on 2m
walls, cargo nets, scramble nets, vaults, swings, and other little
surprises. Overall winners were School House, whose teams, I
must say, were a great credit to their Housemaster, FPW, the
teams showing exemplary camaraderie, team cohesion and
technical skill as well as physical fitness.
The Barnes Squad competition
The Combined Cadet Force put on its annual testing
competition day for the A Company cadets, on Tuesday 15th
March. Every cadet was involved - that is 180 members of the
School. The A Coy were being tested, C Coy (our O Block
volunteer cadets) acted as assistant directing staff, and the
stands were run by NCOs of the sixth form. The only adult
presence was as safety and weapon supervisors in those test
stands which required them. The day was an effective showcase
for the things that CCF offers: rifle marksmanship, foot drill,
obstacle course, observation skills, waterman ship skills, weapon
drills, but of much more central importance, a chance to
experience teamwork and physical challenges in a disciplined
environment. I was delighted that this year Colonel (Rtd) John
Hetherington agreed to inspect the Guard of Honour, and
present the prizes. (Col. John spent the whole afternoon with
the cadets, and it was a particular pleasure for us, since he is
not only, as retired Colonel of the Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters, now 2 Battalion,
The Mercian Regiment, a
firm connection to our
parent Army Regiment, but
is also a long-serving
member of the Governing
body.) Given the pressures
on cadets and Officers,
with so many other things
going on in the school,
Simone Mathews (Abbey) & Colonel
CCF cannot realistically
(Rtd) John Hetherington
command the same time
and expenditure of cadet effort from its members that it did
historically. We fight to maintain standards, targeting those
activities I judge to most benefit the cadets. ORs may be
interested to know that 1 Platoon, Army section, were the
overall inter-platoon winners on the day, but all cadets of both
sections performed with credit.
Easter Adventurous Training
Two separate events were achieved. A Coy volunteers,
numbering twenty-one cadets, spent 5 walking days in the Lake
District, executing hill walking and navigation training. The
modern GPS is a clever piece of kit, and the unit carried by the
trip leader, Lt. Rachel Randle, clocked up 100km of total
horizontal distance as she led groups in day-walks ranging from
27km flat - a long bimble up and down various valley paths-, to
13km flat but 1,400m vertical ascent- a short but intense up
and down day. The A-block cadets were blessed with
extraordinarily good weather, and managed to combine physical
endurance with skill learning, and a dollop of mischief too. For
volunteer sixth-form NCOs, a training course held at Thorney
Island on the south coast, enabled 5 of our cadets to qualify as
Level Two Powerboat operators. Capt. John Wadsworth led this
event, and commented that once again the Repton cadets left
their instructors with positive impressions of our spirit and
abilities.
So, a busy term, and a successful one. Times in the CCF
movement are most interesting, and I look forward to the cadets
meeting the challenges we face.
Gary Lawrence
Contingent Commander
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SCHOOL NEWS - DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
Reptonians Descend on Design Museum
The Design Technology Department are always keen to offer
their pupils the chance to experience the world of design
outside of Repton and on Thursday 24 February hosted their
second annual trip to London’s Design Museum.
V&A. The museum is full of iconic examples of design from 20th
Century movements, all of which are used by designers to
consistently provide inspiration for new products; something
Reptonians are increasingly encouraged to do themselves,
especially at A Level.
Under unusual February blue skies, the group made their way on
foot from Tower Bridge to the museum, where one of the
museums curators was kind enough to introduce the current
exhibitions the group were about to see. The pupils also learnt
about to the history of the Design Museum, and its enduring
links with the V&A, having begun life in the basement of this
world famous museum.
Among the favoured 20th Century items were: the Cinderella
table - a solid piece of wood, machined by computer into an
unimaginably hollow and organic shape; the ‘little heavy’ chair
by Ron Arad, steel beaten into an implausibly comfortable form;
and the first Dyson Vacuum G-Force Cyclonic. In viewing these
pieces, the students were able to fully appreciate how far
manufacturing has developed in recent years.
Particularly valuable was the Design of the Year Awards
exhibition, enabling Reptonians to see, first hand, how broad
and imaginative the world of design can be. Pupils encountered
work across the genres of fashion, architecture, furniture,
product and many more. Particular highlights included a stand
dedicated to Dubai’s architectural masterpiece the Burj al
Khalifa; a coffee table in the shape of a gigantic magnifying
glass; an highly compact fire extinguisher, eliminating the issue
of weight; a new lighting design described as ‘wall piercing’;
even suggestions as to how illnesses may be diagnosed in the
future.
However, the students also agreed that the past can still be very
relevant – reproductions of Arne Jacobson’s 1951 design for the
bentwood ‘Ant’ chair can be found in no less than 6 of the
boarding house dining rooms, while Reitveld’s 1918 chair design
and Paul Henningson’s Artichoke lamp show that technology is
only just beginning to catch up with the imagination of
designers.
Having spent so long admiring these design masterpieces, the
group were unable to negotiate the queue to enter the Science
Museum before the end of the day, but still returned to Repton
full of culture, their horizons broadened and brimming with
enthusiasm for design.
Having experienced the future of design at the Design Museum,
the trip continued with a look at the history of design at the
Scholars Consult Top Designer
On Tuesday 15th February, ten of Repton’s design students,
many of them holders of the prestigious national Arkwright
Scholarship, headed off to the London offices of design
consultancy Seymour Powell (SP), to meet with Associate Design
Director, Matt Tidnam.Having originally been planned as an inschool visit, the whole group were delighted to make the trip to
London, and to be able to see one of the world’s premier design
consultancies in action was a real privilege.
valuable insight into what it would be like to work for a design
consultancy such as SP. He then went on to discuss many of SP’s
past, present and future projects, ranging from Tefal’s innovative
Aquaspeed iron to the EVN bike, the world’s first working
hydrogen cell motorbike, and the frighteningly futuristic Virgin
Galactic concept.
Matt also introduced the principle that design is something that
is all around us, all of the time, which the SP design ethos of
‘Making things better: Better for people, better for business and
better for the world’ is based upon. This will have sounded
familiar to the A Level students present, along with similar
concepts such as “addictive ergonomics”, as they have to take
these into consideration when completing their design work.
Sandwiched between a greengrocers and an Italian Deli, SP’s
humble exterior concealed a large complex workshops, studios
and offices. Once inside, the group was welcomed by Matt, who
has worked at SP since 1997, and featured in the BBC’s recent
series James May’s Big Ideas. Reptonians enjoyed browsing
examples of the countless products that SP have been involved
in designing and developing, and Miss Hill was astonished to
watch Dick Powell (founder of SP) saunter down the stairs and
engage the pupils in conversation – the highlight of the day for
many. For Miss Hill, it could only have been beaten by the sight
of Richard Seymour arriving on his infamous motorbike! (But
more of that motorbike later).
The visit was a tremendous opportunity for all present to gain an
understanding of where a career in design might lead for these
ambitious Reptonians when the constraints of A Levels and
further education are released. Miss Hill even suggested that
she would be less than surprised to see some of these young
designers go on to hold their own talk as Associate Design
Director in years to come - high praise indeed.
The group were treated to an in-depth talk and impressive
presentation from Matt. He described how he came to be a
product designer, his experiences since joining SP and offered a
G L Hill
(31)
SCHOOL NEWS - DRAMA
I write as the stunning new theatre is handed over and Guy
Levesley and his technical team learn to manage the technical
complexity of this exciting space. Repton now has one of the
best purpose-built school theatres in the country, and audiences
over the next few years will be as excited by this amazing project
as we hope they will be about the drama that appears on its
stage.
Last November, as the builders dealt with snow, the last school
play to be performed in Pears School was Macbeth and, in true
Repton fashion, the show started outside with witches hidden
in the trees and army vehicles manoeuvring around the yard and
the audience as the Scottish flag was raised above the Pears
School tower. Inside, on an intimate, traverse stage, the witches
were particularly effective, choreographed by Sarah Cotterill (A),
make-up and costume designed by Brenda Adams (A). Leading
a strong cast were the superb Ed Goodall (S) in the title role and
his wife Charly Wright (A). Their maturity in portraying the
torment of the couple and their growing insanity was
exceptional. With impressive music and lighting, the show
successfully conveyed a brooding atmosphere of war, terror and
revenge right up to its quiet and sombre curtain call.
Perhaps for the last time ever as well, The Lent Term Charity
Cabaret took place in Pears School with its traditional format of
tables, waiters, wine and food. I am a little tedious about
statistics but there are few school shows, surely, that sell out
Saturday night in eight hours and Friday night in thirty-two
hours, involve over 150 pupils, play to more than 1200 people
in four performances and raise thousands of pounds in the
process. The total raised for Passing It On, a charity run by a
friend of Tom Naylor, is yet to be finalised but could well exceed
£15,000. Funding the building of a junior school in Ghana was
such an excellent cause and great generosity was inspired by
the founder, Jim MacDonald, speaking every night to the
audiences.
Do visit www.passingiton.org.uk for more
information.
As usual the show itself was a high-quality mix of music, dance,
comedy and drama. Stalwarts of past shows made their last
appearances and reminded us of the depth of talent that the
current Upper Sixth has brought to five years of Cabarets and
Repton Drama in general. Sarah Cotterill (A), Tristram FaneSaunders (O), Mark Harrison (L) and Josh Benn (S), Tom Hume
(L), along with Charly Wright (A) and Hattie Rayfield (F), all
excelled again this year, but there was, of course, much evidence
of future talent coming through. It was especially heartening to
see B Blockers such as Harry Mead (L), George Gould (O),
Matthew Thomas (S), Harry Busby, Katie Guest, Lydia-May
Cooney (A) and Jess Gough (A), and even a B Block rock band,
all confidently taking the limelight.
That new 400 Hall stage will most certainly be well used and
these youngsters
have
some
f a n t a s t i c
opportunities
ahead of them.
Exciting times for
Repton Drama!
J C Sentance
SCHOOL NEWS - HOCKEY
Hockey - More National Titles
The Boys’ 1st XI comfortably won their Midlands Championships
recently and will prepare to retain their National title with a trip
to Holland over the Easter weekend. Arjan Drayton-Chana (S),
George Osborne (S) and Leo Watton (O) provide a real cutting
edge at 1st XI level. The U16 and U14 teams coached by Ian
Pollock and Simon Clague have a play-off to win to reach their
National Finals but approach the games with confidence given
recent performances. Alessandro Congui (O) and Luke Cosford
(N) have provided the driving force behind the U16s and it has
been Ben Clague (P) and Dominic Bennett (P) that have made
the U14s tick.
This has been an unrivalled season for hockey success at Repton.
At the time of writing, two Girls’ National Titles have been won
and all three boys teams (U18, U16 and U14) are still in the hunt
for their respective Championships that are to be played at
Cannock HC in early May.
The 1st XI girls reinforced their position at the top of school
hockey comprehensively beating Millfield in the National Indoor
Final in January and only narrowly missing out on a seventh
successive outdoor title. Jo Leigh (G) captained the team
superbly and will be representing England Under 18 this
summer.
Improvements continue to be made at the Tanyard. The sandbased pitch is to be relayed in May this year and new dugouts
on the water-based have made life as a substitute a little more
bearable. We are now operating twelve girls teams and ten
boys teams and Repton regularly win the overall block fixtures
on a Saturday.
Despite Repton winning a National title for each of the last
seven years, Simon Clague’s victory with the U14 Girls team this
year must be the most significant. Eight different Prep Schools
were represented in our B Block team that won their National
Championships in March and this obviously bodes well for the
future. Erica Sanders (G) inspired a comeback from a goal
behind in the final scoring two goals in the last five minutes.
Four of this current U14 team have already represented the 1st
XI and I am certain that several others will step up in the next
couple of years.
Please do follow our results and news on the school website or
on Twitter @reptonhockey. Details of the National Finals will be
updated when they are known and any support would be
appreciated.
M L Jones
(32)
SCHOOL NEWS - CRICKET
Prospects
Barbados Cricket Tour 2010
The 2010 season started in La Manga in Spain and ended with
a comprehensive victory on Speech Day and a total of 12 wins
gained. We hope for a season of that nature in 2011 with our
target to win games against the best teams on the circuit that
beat us 12 months ago.
In December 2010 , as Britain shivered under the arctic
conditions, a group of Repton cricketers spent 2 weeks in the
Caribbean, flying the flag and gaining invaluable experience in
their cricketing education. There were 16 boys aged 15 and 16
years old along with 3 adults, myself, Anthony Giles and longserving umpire, John Shackleton. Four games were won against
local schools, one rained off when Repton were in a good
position to win and only one game lost, the latter against
Millfield School who were touring the island at the same time.
All in all the boys played very well, remaining unbeaten against
Barbados schools, a record not many touring teams achieve.
Some of last season’s top performers remain in the 1st XI this
year and much will be expected of opening pair Sam Graham (S)
and Eddy Ikin (C), both of whom scored over 545 runs last year
and recorded 1st XI hundreds. Sam will also continue his
leadership responsibilities after being Captain of Football as he
will also now be Captain of Cricket.
For those with longer memories it was about 25 years ago that
I took my first school tour to that wonderful island. The one in
2010 will probably be my last so it marked a sentimental
occasion. There was nothing sentimental about the way the
team played, however, led worthily by captain, James Gough.
The leading performers with bat and ball respectively were
Matthew Goodacre and Sam Cotter while all-rounder, Aaron
Hibell also performed very well.
Matthew Fletcher (S) joins us for his first year in the 1st XI with
an impressive track record through the county system. Kieran
Fenton, still in O block, will no doubt have benefited from his
first team experience last year and will make contributions in
the top order and with his left arm spin.
The make up of the bowling unit will depend much on the
rehabilitation from serious injury of Henry Eldred and Ameer
Ahmed, but we hope to see them leading the attack after
impressing last year. Whoever is bowling, everything that goes
past the bat will be on the way to George Hodson-Walker, who
will be the 1st XI's 'keeper for the third year and who took 30
dismissals in 2010.
By coincidence we played a match against Foundation School
who were also one of our opponents on that first tour. In their
pavilion I happened to chance upon a dusty old plaque with the
inscription “ Porta Vacat Culpa” which was still there after all
these years. It’s nice to be remembered!
One of the highlights of
the tour was the support
given to us by local ORs,
James Elliot (M’68) and
his daughter, Michelle
(G’98). They attended
several of the matches
and most kindly James
invited a number of the
boys to go deep-sea fishing with him on his boat. After some
sea-sickness brought on by the choppy conditions, four large
fish (barracuda) were caught and when the boat returned they
were duly barbecued and consumed at a beach party staged by
the Elliot family. It was a fantastic day which will live long in the
memory of all who were there and we thank James for his
amazing hospitality.
Every cricket season preview would be incomplete without a
'ones to watch' section. Our squad this year contains three A
blockers, all of whom made significant impressions lower down
the school in 2010. Matt Goodacre will provide real resistance
and grit in the middle order, Sam Cotter will bowl plenty of
overs of leg spin with developing variation, and Aaron Hibell, a
genuine all rounder, will bowl a high percentage of balls on
target with his left arm seamers. Keep an eye on these three
over the next few years.
Our fixture list remains a constant and we look forward to the
season's first school fixture against Malvern on April 30th and
a total of 15 longer format games before wrapping up the
season against The Pilgrims on Speech Day. This will be a team
that has both experience and some real talent, as well as some
developing junior players. We look forward to some excellent
fixtures, and where better to play them than our magnificent
home venue. As always we hope to see a number of ORs
throughout the season at 1st XI games.
Despite delays and cancellations the Repton party were able to
get back home for Christmas armed with many a tale that they
can tell their grandchildren about their exploits in the
Caribbean!
Ian Pollock
Director of Sport & Head of Cricket
Mike Stones
(33)
SCHOOL NEWS - FOOTBALL
Season 2010/11 has been groundbreaking in many ways. It is
the first time a Repton 1st XI has won over 20 games (27 games
played) in a season and also the first occasion when the 1st XI
has scored over 100 goals in a season (102 to be precise).
The end of season record was P 27 W 20 D 3 L 4 F 102 A 36.
This marks the season out as one of the very best in the history
of Repton Football. This exciting side was wonderfully captained
by Sam Graham (S) who scored 19 goals from midfield and
went on to represent the full ISFA U18 side in matches against
Wales, Scotland and Finland. Full representative honours were
also gained by Oliver West (P), Josh Golding (P) and Josh Miller
(N) whilst Patrick Tuffy (P) represented the full ISFA U16 side.
The 1st XI Player of the Year went to Will Hughes (N) who scored
27 goals and is the first O Blocker to win the cup, certainly in
recent memory. This award was well-deserved as his
mesmerising close control and dribbling ability were
instrumental in so many of our victories this season. The 2nd XI
Player of the year went to Harry Croft (P).
The season began in glorious fashion with victory in the a2om
ISFA Sixes Tournament. This is only the third time we have lifted
the trophy since it began in 1957 and it was made all the more
special by the fact it was held on home soil. The team contained
Northern Ireland international midfielder Johnny Gorman (C),
who had just returned from a Euro 2012 qualifier, as well as the
precocious O Block talents of Will Hughes (N), Kieran Fenton (C)
and Liam Kavanagh (C). We won every single game and, despite
a tight final against St.Bede’s (Hailsham), we thoroughly
deserved to carry off the trophy.
The regular season progressed in similar fashion with
comfortable wins over the likes of King’s Chester,
Wolverhampton GS, St. Bede’s and Bolton. We were
acknowledged, once again, as one of the best sides on the
circuit with the only real blemish coming in an early season
defeat to Bradfield by the odd goal in 5; we weren’t to lose in
normal time again until late February. Early progress in the
Boodles ISFA Cup was smooth as we disposed of Westminster,
QEH Bristol and Lancing College all relatively easily. However,
things started to become more difficult as the season wore on.
The weather brought things to a shuddering halt leading to the
cancellation of the Ramblers and Shrewsbury fixtures as well as
a long delay to the Boodles ISFA Quarter Final fixture against
Charterhouse. A bad injury which ended the season of our
powerful striker Kieran Fenton (C) also affected our play (he had
scored 10 goals in 10 games before his injury). Our comfortable
progress in the ESFA Cup was also ended, this time on penalties,
as we were hit by further injuries to skipper Sam Graham (S)
and our brilliant goalkeeper Oliver West (P).
There were some exciting matches lower down the year groups,
with the attack-minded U14A team involved in some particularly
high scoring matches. The U15A team produced some
impressive performances, including a victory over Rensburg
Sheppards runners-up Bolton School. Further representative
honours were gained at ISFA U14 level by Joel Atkin (C) and at
U15 level by Stephen Kosmala (O).
We returned in Lent with a backlog of fixtures to contend with.
The first weekend of term saw the team travel to Charterhouse
for the delayed Quarter Final. A thrilling game of cup football
followed as we battled to 1-1 at full time only to lose, almost
out on our feet, 2-1 in extra time. It was a bitter blow as I
genuinely felt that we had a good chance of returning to the
final this year. Alas, it wasn’t to be and Charterhouse proved
their worth by going on to beat Millfield and Eton to lift the
trophy.
Unfortunately, the House competitions were decimated by the
weather. With no play able to get underway for the last three
weeks of term all House and League competitions were
abandoned rather than trying to fit them into the crowded Lent
term. The only House competition that did take place was the
O&A Block Sixes for the Noel Bennett Trophy which was won by
The Cross.
The prospects for next season look unclear as we are losing
some big, influential players. We do have plenty of talent
coming through, but they will be young and lacking experience.
However, they will learn quickly and talent does have a habit of
shining through. I’m pretty certain of one thing though: Repton
will continue to be extremely competitive on the football field.
M Carrington, Master i/c Football
(34)
SCHOOL NEWS - STEEPLECHASE
Enough had happened to make this a vintage Steeplechase, but
all was not over as the junior boys took their mark at 3.15pm
and just over 24 minutes later Douglas Redfern (P) jogged across
the finishing line with not so much as a hair out of place and
well over two minutes ahead of former champion William
Hughes (N). Priory gained further honours as Dominic Bennett
(P) crossed the line in a time of 26:54 to take the First B-Block
Boy trophy - a fitting end to a spectacular afternoon which
would not have been possible without the valuable efforts of
the Grounds staff. Thanks are owed, as ever, to all staff and
students for timing, judging and marshalling the course.
The morning of Steeplechase day, 3 February 2011, was
drenched in sunshine and against the cold, blue canvas of a
spring sky hopes were high. What we thought was eternal soon
gave way to grey suburban clouds which threatened to dampen
our spirits, but mercifully the heavens held their applause.
Undeterred, the grounds staff prepared the arena for the
colourful 'race-for-the-gate' and for the eagerly awaited
gladiatorial finish.
True to form, the junior girls event began at 2.15pm and the
race was on. All eyes were on the current title-holder Phoebe
Walters (M), but first to cross the line was Georgina Whitehouse
(M) followed one second later by Erica Sanders (G), after a gutwrenching sprint to the finish, to take the First B-Block Girl
trophy. A torrent of Mitre girls then cruised across the line to
take the junior team trophy by a huge margin.
Junior Boys Winner - Douglas Redfern (P)
First B-Block Boy - Dominic Bennett (P)
Junior Girls Winner - Georgina Whitehouse (M)
First B-Block Girl - Erica Sanders (G)
Junior Boys Team - New House
Junior Girls Team - The Mitre
In the meantime, the senior boys and senior girls had got under
way at 2.30pm and half an hour later spectators were treated
to a second sprint finish between Frank Flight (O) and Sam
Graham (S), who came first and second respectively and were
separated by only a second. School House then stormed the
finish thick and fast to take the senior title by 43 points, just 68
points ahead of Orchard. Phoebe Whittome (F) crossed the line
in fine style to win the senior girls' event, 26 seconds ahead of
former junior champion Emily Gething-Lewis (F) and followed
by a second surge of Mitre girls who clinched the senior title.
Senior Boys Winner - Frank Flight (O)
Senior Girls Winner - Phoebe Whittome (F)
Senior Boys Team - School House
Senior Girls Team - The Mitre
Dr H G Gould
SCHOOL NEWS - NETBALL
particularly so when so many of the schools they played in the
Regional finals play Netball all year round.
Girls' Netball have had a very pleasing season in 2011 and we
have managed to field a record 14 teams (1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths,
U16A, U15A, B, C, U14A, B, C, D, E, F). The Repton girls have
also been represented at Midlands level (U18, U16 and U14)
and the Under 14's have gone one better and for the first time,
have managed to qualify for the National Finals at the end of
March. This is a fantastic achievement for the girls, and
The Under 14B and U14D teams have been hot on their heels
of success, and both have recorded an unbeaten season in
2011.
N M Oborn
SCHOOL NEWS - SOCIETIES
There are now more academic societies that operate within the School. A selection of them are as follows:
RAMSEY SOCIETY
Jackson Pollock, and Gautham Shiralagi (L) took a controversially
realpolitik but cogent line on US Foreign Policy; Josh Golding (P)
provoked our Thoughts on Immigration. Ben Hardwick led a
discussion on the Justifications for Punishment, which perhaps
epitomised the Society at its best: it may be that no undisputed
conclusions were reached, but the dialectic allowed us to gain
a more precise understanding of the values and principles on
which our views are held. Lucy Watson (M) closed the year’s
talks with a paper on Feminism in the 21st Century; thoroughly
researched, wide-ranging, challenging without being wilfully
provocative, incisive and cogently argued, it would be hard to
conceive of a more perfect end to this group’s meetings.
Slavery in the United States by Kiki Betts-Deans (M), which
explored concepts such as American Exceptionalism and the
questions of whether monogenesis and polygenesis inform
modern religious belief and practice, how one can judge other
eras' mores, and whether race itself is a social construct. In a
very powerful and moving talk, Richard Doxey (P) gave us some
Perspectives on Capital Punishment. Simone Matthews (A)
examined The Reception and Significance of Guy Fawkes’ Night,
considering the applicability of Girardian victim-sacrifice theory,
the function of popular festivals in social engineering, and
where the line between terrorists and freedom fighters can be
drawn. Zoe Dunn (G) sought a very challenging Definition of
Art, looking at artists from Duchamp to Martin Creed via
C S Dammers
(35)
SCHOOL NEWS - SOCIETIES Continued
TEMPLE SOCIETY
SLEEP SOCIETY
The Ramsey Society was originally set up for sixth form scholars
as a means of stimulating debate amongst those most likely to
apply for Oxbridge, although legend has it that in its early years
most ingenuity went into surreptitiously introducing the subject
of whales into the conversation.
In 2008 the Biology department set up the elusive Sleep Society
for Lower Sixth Biologists. In contrast to popular belief the
society does not focus on block booking periods of the day to
catch up on sleep. It does, however, study the importance of
sleep in adolescents, an area of sleep into which there has been
relatively little research.
The Temple Society is an offshoot (or calf) of the Ramsey Society,
where some of the most active minds in the Lower School - not
exclusively academic awardholders - come to cogitate on diverse
and diverting subjects. A discussion on Animal Rights, for
example, led to the question of whether Man is different from,
and superior to, other animal species, which in turn led to
rumination on everything from Man’s incontestably opposable
thumbs to his problematical possession of a soul. Cardinal
Newman defined liberalism as ‘the exercise of thought upon
matters, in which from the constitution of the human mind,
thought cannot be brought to any successful issue and is
therefore out of place.’ Notwithstanding this warning, Temple
Society members continue to speculate on all sorts of issues
where they may not be able to arrive at a definitive answer but
will become better informed and more articulate in the process
of having considered one. In the words of Dr Malcolm Tozer, a
governor who attended one of our meetings, it is particularly
gratifying ‘to see so many of the youngsters willing to chip in.’
If asked how much sleep one should have a night the most
common answer is eight hours. However, due to release of
particular hormones teenagers have a very different sleep
pattern to both adults and children and, therefore, their sleep
requirements may be significantly different.
The Sleep Society, which has operated for three years, works
with researchers from Birmingham University, Heartlands
Hospital and other Midlands schools to carry out a research
project into the area of sleep patterns in adolescents. The project
aims to collect data from more than five thousand teenagers in
the UK to identify correlations between sleep, body mass index,
modern technology use and academic performance.
Existing research from the USA and Japan already shows that a
lack of sleep could be associated with excess body weight
through changes in metabolic hormones. Sleep duration has
also been linked to school performance which has led to school
start times being pushed backwards an hour in some parts of
the USA.
J Plowright
GURNEY SOCIETY
John Henry Gurney established the
first Chemistry department at Repton
School during his tenure from 18731901. He developed his laboratory in
the Tithe Barn where he inspired the
pupils with his explosions, bad smells
and tendency to set his beard on fire!
There are even reports that suggest he
dug a 30m well in the middle of the
Tithe Barn in order to provide fresh water for his experiments.
Such an inspirational and forward thinking teacher, who
embodies the spirit of scientific enquiry, the Repton ethos and
a great deal of fun is the perfect inspiration for this new society.
This year’s Sleep Society are studying pupils from year 7 and 8
at Foremarke. Having gained parental consent, the research
team introduced the project to the year 7 cohort and
distributed, collected, and will soon be analysing three
questionnaires and a 7 day sleep diary. The questionnaires cover
questions relating to sleep habits, technology use and physical
changes relating to puberty.
So what do Reptonians gain from this project? Firstly, it helps
pupils to understand how research is conducted. It looks at
aspects such as ethics, study design, analysing data, writing
reports, and presenting findings orally. These are important skills
to foster in our young scientists. Secondly, the project has
helped pupils develop leadership skills as well as acting as a
useful addition on UCAS forms and CV’s.
The aim of the society is to broaden the pupils’ ideas about
science and to expose them to research methods, ideas and
scientific processes. Events this term have included ‘Electrickery’
which involved Paul Brown, a local magician, who came in to
entertain us with tricks involving static electricity, two forensic
sessions gave the pupils the opportunity to try blood typing,
fingerprinting and crime scene investigation.
We also
investigated the role of crisps as accelerants in arson and John
Driver entertained us with his ‘forgotten’
demos!
As well as carrying out the project pupils will have the chance to
attend sleep lectures at the ‘ThinkTank’ and Birmingham
Hippodrome as well as attend sleep camps at the biomedical
unit in Heartlands Hospital. This will give them the opportunity
to learn some polysomnography techniques. It will also help
them to understand more about sleep in general and other
potential tests along with some common signs of sleep
disorders.
If any ORs feel that they would like to
become involved in the meetings, or would
just like to come and take part please
contact Julia Rushton [email protected]
for more details.
C Horne
Julia Rushton
(36)
SCHOOL NEWS - CAREERS
Which international aviation
company has 240 aircraft, a
flight landing or departing
every ninety seconds, 33
million passengers a year, and
a Director of Operations who is
an Old Reptonian? The answer is British Airways, and the
executive in question is Andy Lord (N’84), who visited the
school in Lent Term to address a packed Beldam Hall of current
pupils interested in careers in business. Andy joined BA in
1992,straight from a degree in Engineering at Manchester
University (he claims to have been fairly average academically
at Repton!), gradually rising through the ranks to his current
position as overall controller of BA's daily operations.
Andy's former houseparents, Russell and Kathleen Muir, were in
the audience, and Andy was delighted by the warm,
spontaneous welcome he received from current New
Housemaster William Odell and the boys on an impromptu visit
to his old House, where he marvelled at the quality of the
modern, refurbished accommodation, identified his
grandfather's name on a House board, and his face in a cricket
photo from the 1920s.
This was Andy's first visit to Repton since school days, and he is
typical of the growing number of ORs who are now assisting
the school's burgeoning careers guidance programme, by
addressing pupils, offering work experience placements, or
attending the annual Careers Forum where pupils quiz
professionals from a wide variety of jobs and professions about
their working environment. Other Old Reptonians who have
recently visited the school in this capacity include Simon
Litchfield (B’89) (Caterpillar), Georgie White (A’95) (itv.com),
Andrew Churchill (P’82) (JJ Churchill Ltd Precision
Engineering), Ben Cavey (P’92) (Tiger Aspect Productions) and
James Cobb (B’90) (Energizer). Their contributions are greatly
appreciated, and the Careers Department would be delighted to
hear from other ORs interested in contributing to future careers
events and presentations.
Andy gave an intriguing insight into his working environment,
where constant updates on aircraft movements can be
interrupted by logistical problems arising from severe weather,
sudden political upheavals, and flight cancellations. He
emphasised the wide range of employment available within the
aviation industry (engineers, ground staff, baggage handlers,
caterers, air traffic controllers, cabin staff, doctors, nurses,
pilots), and how important it is for potential applicants to offer
something distinctive on their CVs, and to do some work
experience. He generously invited a group of Repton pupils to a
“behind the scenes” day at Heathrow, for a glimpse into the
airport’s Byzantine inner workings.
Mrs Melissa Blain, Head of Careers
[email protected]
PIGEON POST
LATHAM 1937
Dear Mr Stones
I refer to the photo in the previous issue of The Arch of Latham
1937. I am sitting at the end of the row next to A.G.Hine,
J.T.Whitfield, D.K. Woodhead, R.G. Bragg, Ma Grundy, James
Grundy, The Magger, M.C.S. Kennedy, E.W.C Hall, H.E. Ffoulkes,
K. Wintershladen, H.K.Robinson. The tall boy behind the
Housemaster is P.H.W. Clarke and behind him in the back row
is E.L. Thwaites. I mention them because Hall, Clarke and
Thwaites were all killed in action soon afterwards as were C.R.N
and D.A.M. Bell and P.R. Wood. Six out of 44. I was lucky.
After escaping via Dunkirk on June 1st 1940 I remained unhurt
for the rest of the war. As the trophies demonstrate we were a
pretty successful team.
Editors
I much appreciated the picture of Latham House 1937 (page 18
The Arch Oct 2010). Back row 6 from the left is my late father.
How lovely to see him with his fellow Repton colleagues, many
of whom he spoke to me about. Kind Regards
Joe Pratt (L’70)
My two sons, John (L’66) and Geoffrey (L’68) with both later
Head of Latham. Tradition surely has much to commend it. The
Handforths are back row 4th from L standing behind Magger.
I found that the photo affected me deeply in bringing back
memories of long ago.
Yours sincerely
Geoffrey Fletcher (L’37)
(37)
PIGEON POST Continued
HANDFORTH FAMILY PHOTOS
He is featured in the Mr. Chips film hitting a cricket ball in close
up. This was rather bizarre as he was the fast bowler, and not
a batsman at all. The story goes that he just could not manage
a clean hit, and the crew resorted to dropping a ball from above
to give him a good hit, which eventually worked!
Dear Editors,
I nearly choked on my breakfast this morning as I opened
my copy of "The Arch" and spotted the two photos at the top
of p18. Is it possible to obtain good copies of the photos for
closer study?
I did visit his grave 40 years ago, when I took my father, also of
course his father. It was his first and only time. You can imagine
what an emotional and rather strange event, taking one's father
to visit his eldest son's grave for the first time. It left him at
peace in the sure knowledge that his grave would be tended
permanently, and never forgotten.
Can you put me in touch with the families of Walter Roy
Handforth (L'35) and Basil Thomas Handforth (L'36) who
were both contemporaries of my late father John Humphrey
Gowers (B'36)?
Is Tom Auden related to the Repton Auden's and to W H Auden
in particular? Has anyone else been identified in the Mr Chips
photo, or anyone in the Speech Day photo?
My father was at the school from 1909 to 1914, fought in both
wars, and took the march past on Speech Day in 1965. His
house was in the High Street, now a junior school, and was
known by the name of the Housemaster, as was the tradition
then. I think it was called Gould House, and later transferred to
Latham.
I am trying to restrain my personal enthusiasm and exercise
historical caution before saying any more, but I now have an
early morning habit of writing, so I immediately put pen to
paper and produced my thoughts based on these photos, and
the links between them and the name Tom Auden (0'99) which
appears at the top of p.19. The result:
a) a written sketch of my grandparents and my father, putting
them in the historical context of the late 1930s.
b) a pulling together of my ideas for a historical conference at
Repton on education and religion in Pre-Reformation Repton
(Life at Repton Before 1557).
Kind regards,
Stephen Clarke (L’60)
VIVIEN LEIGH
Dear Editors
I hope you will allow me to say how delighted I was to read
Anthony Durham's comment (October '10) on Vivien Leigh
following my article “Repton in the Forties" of May '09, as he
has thrown some light on her visit.
My bus pass has also been a pass to studying again. I have gone
back to university (Oxford) to study what I always wanted to
study, English local history, and I have already produced two
studies using Repton, although they are not yet fit for wider
circulation. The historical link with these photos is the name
Wystan H.Auden.
At the time, I was mystified about the photograph as I didn't
remember taking it. A search of Repton's library records and
Repton Village records failed to throw up any reason why Vivien
came to Repton. Although Anthony hasn't specifically said why
she visited Repton, the inference is that it was a semi-private
affair as she was one of several "overnight guests". Wisely, the
HM had decided to involve a small number of Hall boys, and
Anthony's position in the scheme of things is to be envied.
With best wishes, and thanks for such a readable newsletter.
Christopher D. B. Gowers (B'61)
Equally mystifying is the recording on the back of the
photograph of several film stars of the period, all well known to
those of a certain age:- Anna Neagle, Jessie Matthews, Ian
Hunter, Claude Raines, Ray Milland, Merle Oberon, Roland
Young, Robert Cummins, Donald Crisp, Charles Laughton, Sir
Cedric Hardwick, C. Aubrey Smith, Ida Lupino,June Duprey,
Wendy Hiller, and last but not least OR Basil Rathbone (who was
surely the finest portrayer of Sherlock Holmes?) Why were these
names on the photo and who wrote them? not me! Perhaps
someone somewhere, likely to be a Brook OR, can elucidate?
I have to, with respect, correct Anthony's quotation of Rhett
Butler's immortal words at the end of "Gone With The Wind".
He omitted "my dear" so it should read: "Frankly my dear, I
don't give a damn" Interestingly, In Margaret Mitchell's novel,
she did not include the word "Frankly".
Dear Editor,
Interested to see the photos of 1937, submitted by the
Handforth family.
Yes, Vivien Leigh was a raving beauty, beloved by people all over
the world for her looks and fine acting. How tragic that she
suffered from various forms of ill health which latterly affected
her acting ability.
My half brother, Peter Clarke, (Father’s son by his first marriage)
is the tall boy in the House photo immediately behind the
Housemaster. He went on to captain the cricket team the
following year. Sadly he was killed in the last month of the war
in 1945, having predicted his death in writing in over 100 books
subsequently found at the family home!
John Swallow (B’40)
(38)
PIGEON POST Continued
EDITOR’S CHALLENGE
Dear Editor
I expect somebody will have a “hole in one” answer to this, but
there are a number of pointers which I can see, which might
help.
Dear Sir,
A and C are Priory House rears (toilets) being demolished, after
my time. Circa 1976 they were the epicentre of all Repton
cigarette smoking activities with pupils from other houses
coming for morning break at the Priory, purely for social reasons.
Literally thousands of cigarettes were smoked in there, even by
boys fathers on Speech Day, (my father & Mr Eddie Clarkson?)
At the (camera) end of the rears was a small room called the
boot hole. At that time the Priory had 8 studies. One summer
evening the boot hole was converted to "Study 9", with carpet,
chair, table and lamp etc. by one A E Bishop. The housemaster
was invited to 9, I seem to remember gin was involved. To the
left on photo C was the Art School (the old village school or
bummers yard). This was a bicycle racing track for Priory boys
with speed trials going on late in to the evening. Undisputed
champion was S J S (Jobber) Bridge. Photo B looks like Priory
yard from the Private Side.
1.First of all, the three pictures are plainly of different aspects of
the same development. Thus A is a closer view of the central
section of C and the single storey building in the background of
B is almost certainly the same building as that on the left hand
of C (look at the architectural details round the windows).
2.Colour still photography was a rarity before the 1950s.
Furthermore the colour rendering is good and pretty natural
which was not always the case with earlier colour films which
often has a green or blue overtone. It was only really after the
end of the 50s when things had got cheaper that colour prints
became fairly general. Incidentally if these are not prints but
not transparencies then some transparencies (notably Kodak)
used until the last 10 years or so to carry a note of the date of
processing on the cardboard or plastic frame.
J L Wilcock (P’72)
3.There was only one major development in the 50s (when I was
at Repton) which was the site clear of the area of the new
precinct and the subsequent building of the new chemistry
block and the 400 Hall. Most of the site was back gardens,
walls and outhouses and none of these pictures reminds me of
that. The site was cleared in c 1956 and the Kindersley gate
was up in time for HM to cut the ribbon at the end of March
1957. For all the reasons so far I doubt whether this was any
part of the New Precinct development.
Dear Sir
Issue no 317: Editors Challenge: Three archive photos.
These photographs are surely of the demolition of the outside
lavatory block at The Priory. In 1955 as part of my post A level
activity I was involved in a project to redecorate the inside of
the building. I do hope you have already been given a date for
their demolition....surely the photograph does not record the
start of their rebuilding?
4.There were two developments in the 60/70s which were the
Art centre and the first of the Girls Houses.
Another archive of the early 1950’s should reveal the CCF
inspections involving famous generals. I certainly recall both
Montgomery and Slim in such a role.
5.B suggests the works were taking place on the High Street
with the single storey building being part of the redevelopment.
........... of the new loos or as my generation would have said
“rears” for The Priory.
Yours sincerely
Ian R Johnson (P’49)
Roger Cooke (O’53)
Hello Ed !
Just received my copy of The Arch and thought I’d play along
with the challenge....
Dear Sir,
With regard to your mystery pictures, I suggest that pictures A
and C show the demolition of the outside toilets (famously with
doorless cubicles!) at The Priory. I left in '66 when they were still
up and running so it would be interesting to find out when the
luxury of warmer seats of ease was afforded the inhabitants of
that venerable House.
Pic A: Has to be the old toilets outside The Priory leading down
to the yard.
Pic B: That is the exit from the yard going out towards the
circular car park of the Priory, with the step on the left
presumably replacing the ones that led up to the door next to
the Chagger.
Pic C: Priory toilet demolition again, with the (old) Art School
on the left.
Picture B is the entrance to the yard at The Priory, from the
Housemaster's drive. I fear that I can shed little light on the
purpose of the steps being built, other than to say I don't believe
they were there in '66.
Yours faithfully,
Stephen Austen (P'61)
Brought back some memories. Wish I could get back there to
see how the house and school look now, but have been in
Australia for 15 years now and have been back to GB only twice
since.
Jerry Austen (P’76)
(39)
PIGEON POST Continued
EDITOR’S CHALLENGE continued
Dear Editor,
Memories came crowding in as I read John Walker’s fine
obituary of Keith Workman. When I took up my first proper
teaching post at Repton in 1963, Keith was my boss in the
Classics Department as well as my fellow lodger in the Old
Mitre. As a ‘wet behind the ears’ antipodean from Sydney and
Cambridge Universities, he took me under his wing and soon
became a true guide, philosopher and friend. I learned a great
deal from him although we could never agree on ‘correct’
pronunciation of Ancient Greek. I belonged to a more recent
school of thought on the subject, but Keith and David
Wilkinson, another colleague and dear friend, ribbed me
constantly about this - in the nicest possible way, I may add.
Sir,
What dreadful vandalism is revealed by the pictures on page 17
of the October edition of The Arch... the wilful destruction of
the lavatory block at The Priory.
A door less, windowless temporary resting place much admired
by boys determined to follow in the steps of the great polar
explorers its finely distempered walls frequently bore testimony
to boyish acquaintanceship with the minor poets, mute promise
of things to come.
Lit (uniquely) by a clerestory, it abutted the village school yard
quaintly referred to a the The Bum's Yard.
In my second and last year of teaching at Repton we were
fortunate to have an Upper Fifth Greek class consisting of two
highly gifted boys. James Fenton (H’63) who went on, among
other things, to become Oxford Professor of Poetry and Richard
Seaford (C’62), now Professor of Classics at Exeter, who is
regarded as the best man in his specialised field world-wide. In
those days Keith usually spent a month or so of the Summer
vacation touring classical sites in Greece and Italy and in 1964
he invited the two boys and me to join him for a four week tour
of Sicily. Keith was an expert camper. His motto was ‘Any fool
can be uncomfortable’. As a result his Austin A 40 was
equipped with every luxury available in the mid-sixties:
capacious tent, four comfortable fold-out chairs, a bridge table
(we played every night), porta-gas etc. etc. Our only mishap was
at Agrigento when we climbed the hill to look at the temples by
moonlight. Richard was (and still is) very short-sighted and on
our way back about midnight he fell and cut his eye on some
barbed wire. Our panic was assuaged in the early hours of the
morning when an efficient doctor at the local hospital inserted
some stitches and assured us that there was no damage to the
eye itself. In my regular return visits to England I always caught
up with Keith at Repton and more recently at Newton Solney.
Also forfeit in this demolition was the adjoining Boot Hole, a
charming and well-lit former hovel, home on this earth to one
Tossed Off Tom where corps kit blanco was allowed to dry in
perpetuity.
How disgraceful this was allowed to occur! Is this what Repton
has come to?
Yours, Disgusted
P Chapman (P’51)
Dear Editors
The pictures on p17 of the current edition of The Arch look like
the demolition of the toilets at the Priory. This event must be
post 1972 as they were still in use when I left.
Pic A shows the arch entrance from the house yard leading up
a passage between the toilet, being the White section of interior
wall to the left and the baths, the two windows to the right.
The back door to the Priory, boys entrance, would be just to the
right of the photo.
Pic B shows the Priory yard from the Private side front garden.
The steps may be leading to the front entrance. The building in
the background is St Wystan's primary school. The arch in Pic A
is off to the top left of Pic B. Pic C is a wider view of Pic A
showing St Wystan's as seen in Pic B, note the ladder leaning
against the primary school in both shots. The furthest windows
to the left in Pic C are the windows in the background of Pic B.
Coincidentally noticed my uncles Richard and William Steele,
also Priory, in the photo of the Gaudy, top of page 15.
I missed his regular Christmas card last year, and was a little
concerned when I tried to telephone him in July this year to find
that the number was no longer listed. The rest, as they say, is
history.
John Sheldon
PS I note that reference has been made to Keith’s doing the
Times Crossword. In fact, he had outgrown that even at the
time I first knew him. As a comparative amateur in the field I
soon realised that he was a crossword solver extraordinaire. He
only did the difficult compilations of Torquemada and Ximenes
and more recently the extremely difficult crosswords that appear
in the Listener and the Spectator. Had he chosen to go down
that path he could have rivalled Ximenes, who was himself a
Classics Master at Christ's Hospital in private life, as a creator
of these devilish puzzles.
Regards
Simon Steele (P’68), Heritage Builder
(40)
PIGEON POST Continued
Dear Editor
Regarding John Black’s article on the MdS in the October issue
of The Arch. I too completed the 19th MdS in 2004; it’s good
to hear that the event is still a masochist’s paradise, and
memories of Doc Trotter (the sadists) came rushing back. It
would be fun to know how many other OR’s have participated.
Nick Headly (C’62)
Science Block upper classrooms at 50 ft altitude), I graduated
to the de Havilland Vampire two seater jet trainer.
After about ten dual trips, my instructor informed me that he
had had enough frights and that next time I was going to be on
my own. To my great amusement, the Vampire T11 that I was
to fly for my first jet solo was indeed one that I had helped to
build as a budding production engineer three years earlier!
As a result of industry take-overs, in 1967 I found myself
working for RR in their London office, a Dickensian building in
Conduit Street just off Oxford Street where Rolls and Royce
established their first car sales office in 1904. I had been
appointed Advertising Manager.
Dear Mike Stones and Jan Cobb.
Thank you for all the effort you put in to making 'The Arch' the
interesting and enjoyable read that it is.
"From time to time since leaving Repton, I have wondered
about those masters who were called to serve their country
rather than the school during World War 2. I think that among
their number were Brian Kemball-Cook, Frank Fisher, G W Bain
and perhaps J D Eggar. G W Bain was my German teacher in
both the Lower and Upper Sixth after his return from active
service in 1946-47.
After the disastrous RR bankruptcy of 1971, in which I was
deeply involved, in 1973 my wife and I were seconded to the
North American company, headquartered in NYC for two years
in order to gain some idea of what made the US tick. I didn't
realise it at the time but this move dramatically changed our
lives.
During a recent visit to Bletchley Park codebreaking centre I
learned that a list of all those who served there is in course of
compilation. At present about 40,000 names have been listed,
and Capt. G W Bain was one of them. Initially he was in the
German Naval Section in Hut 4 of Block F, presumably
translating decrypts, and later in Hut 5 translating non-naval
decrypts.
M H Jones (H'44)
Something happened and I never returned to the UK. I spent
16 very happy years with Rolls Royce Aero Engines Inc,
eventually rising to the title of VP Public Relations. I was heavily
involved with the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, the USMC
Harrier/Pegasus operation, the Gulfstream/Spey and Tay
powered series of business jets and the selection by Boeing of
the RB 211-524 engine for the 747-400 which later led to the
highly successful Boeing 757/ RB 211 535 programme.
After all this excitement I looked for pastures new and in 1989
was hired by British Aerospace Inc to head up their Public Affairs
function in Washington DC. It was like coming home because
Hatfield was indeed building the four engined BAE 146 airliner
which was in service in the US. Other responsibilities included
marketing the BAe 800 and 1000 series business jets.
Dear Editor
As an OR, (O'47) and a Rolls-Royce retiree living in Tucson AZ, I
am delighted to read in Archive that two pillars of British society
have come together to encourage mutual migration.
Despite the fact that Benjy Hives, Lord Hives' (RR's post war
CEO) youngest son was just ahead of me at Repton (he went on
to Cranwell), it was a tragedy that neither organisation got to
know each other in the immediate post war years. In fact I can
say that there was really no dialogue during my four years at
Repton, despite the fact that RR did make some contribution to
the equipment in the engineering shop.
Regards,
Mike Jolley (O’47).
Dear Editors
Those OR’s who were in school in the late 1960’s may well have
experienced the Canals, in the company of Tom Kent, Music
Master, who kept his own boat at Fradley Junction, and / or
when the Woodworking Shop produced and launched a home
made woodwork ‘Canalboat’ called “MARTLET” in the late
1960’s, probably 1967/8? Under the direction of the then Head
of Woodwork, whose name sadly I cannot recall.
So I found myself joining the de Havilland Aeronautical Training
School at Hatfield in April 1951 as a production engineering
student. It was 16 years and many jobs later that I finished up
on the RR payroll! My aeronautical career was exciting and
fulfilling. When I left de Havilland in May 1956, I had already
obtained my PPL, flying the Tiger Moth, courtesy of the de H
company subsidised scheme at the then bargain rate of one GB
pound per flying hour.
To any ORs who live locally the National IWA Festival is being
held in Burton on Trent over the August Bank Holiday.
I also remember a Vintage Rolls Royce Sliver Ghost owned
by the School that was garaged in the Woodworking Shop in
my years at Repton (1966-1970), built somewhere around 1906,
I think
I joined the RAF for my two years of National Service and was
selected to train as a pilot. After flying a delightful piston
engined basic trainer the Percival Provost (on one memorable
occasion through a serious and totally unexplained navigational
error on a low level cross country flight, I found myself coming
in over Sale Flats, past the Chapel spire and right over the
Orchard, then over the Maths block and looking across at the
Robin Newhouse (L’66)
(41)
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The Mitre (Girls)
Brass buttons - small
Cross
Repton cards
The Abbey
Repton Postcards
Field House was
Large teddy bear (12”)
Latham House
The Garden
Baseball Cap
The Orchard
Blazer - made to order
The Mitre
Banded white sweaters
(Long-sleeve and sleeveless)
Gentleman’s Weekend Socks (pair)
(Sizes: medium 6½ -8½; large 9-11)
OR House/Sports Ties:
Brook House
The Hall
The Priory
School House (polyester)
New House
The Cross
Mug
OR ladies brooch
OR Football
Umbrellas:
Repton China Coin Tray
OR Hockey
Large golf umbrella
Repton To The End
OR Golf (striped)
Ladies umbrella
Repton Register 2007 Book
Cambridge
Repton Register 2007 CD
Pilgrims
Christmas Cards pack of 10
Please contact the School Shop for prices.
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