Shuttleworth College Alumni Newsletter – December 2022

Shuttleworth College Alumni Annual Newsletter

TableofContents

Chairman’s

JohnAtkinsonNDA51/53.......................................................... 5 PatrickCarlisleNDA59/61......................................................... 6 62/64Reunion.............................................................................. 7 68/70Reunion.............................................................................. 11

RichardLyonNDA70/72............................................................ 13

JohnWalthamNDA70/72........................................................... 16

BobCowperNDA70/72.............................................................. 16

Chairman’sReport

AsIwritethisreport Ithinkwhatafarbetterplaceweare,Covid-wise,thanwewerea year ago.Somuchsothatwehavefinalisedarrangementsforthelong-delayedreunionwhichwill nowtakeplaceonSaturday,13thMay2023atthecollege.Fulldetailscanbefound elsewhereinthenewsletterbut Iwouldurgeeveryone(andthecolleaguesfromyour year)to attend,catchupandhaveareallygoodday.Ihope youfindthatwehaveputtogethera crackingdayandIwouldliketoputonrecordmysincerethankstothereunionsubcommitteememberswhohaveallworkedhardto putonthedayfor youall.

Iamreallypleasedtoreportthatwehavefournew(and younger!)memberswhohavejoined thecommitteeandhavealreadybroughtnewthinkingtovariousmatters,notleastofwhichis howwerepresentourselvesonsocialmedia.Hopefullythiswillhavea‘snowball’effecton attractingnewmembers.Theyare:BillCowper,NickBadger,BruceAshworthandTim Durrant.

Onasadnotewehave,reluctantly,hadtoaccepttheresignationofourlong-standing treasurerMikeWilliams(NDA1965-67)duetohealthproblems.Mikehasbeenasafepairof handsandhasalwayshadtheAlumni’srequirementsuppermostinhismind.Wethankhim mostsincerelyforhislongserviceandIthankSarahPerrettfortakingover.

Asalways,Iwouldliketothankthemembersofthecommitteefortheirunstintingserviceto youall.

AsweapproachChristmastime,mayIwishyouandyourfamiliestheverybestandaHappy NewYear.Here’shopingthat2023willturnouttobeamorepeaceful yearthanthisoneand IlookforwardtoseeingasmanyofyouaspossibleatthereunioninMay2023.

TonyAbbott NDA1965-67

MessagefromtheEditorialTeam

Asyoureadon youwillfindsomeinteresting,inspiring,fascinatingandalassomesad stories.Soabigthank youtoallwhocontributedtothisyear’seditionwhateverthecontent. Aswehavesaidsomanytimesinthepast,wecanonlyprintwhat yousendus.Wenever stopcollectingnewsandstoriesforpublication,assoonasthisoneisfinishedourmindsturn tothenextone.Soitdoesn’tmatterwhen youthinkofsendingusthings;anytimeofyearis agoodtime!

Thisyear’sreunionisagreatexampleandIamlookingforwardtoseeingthephotosthatwill inevitablygettaken.Areunionisoftenatimeforreminiscingandtellingofoldstoriesso writethemdownandsendtheminforotherstoenjoy.ShuttleworthStudentshavetheability toturneventhemostmundaneeventintosomethinghumorous.Solet’sallhearit!

Thankyouagainandenjoythemagazine.

TheEditor

ReportfortheShuttleworthCollegeAssociation November

2022

We started the year well back in January with the students being able to participate in lambing, an activity they had missed during the pandemic. We had a good summer on the farm, and although the dryweatherimpacted some ofthe crop yields, harvest went well. We made silage, haylage, hay and straw from our fields and this, along with carryover from last year, will see us through the winter. The cattle are doing well, and in April we were able to hold an event with students from other colleges who came to participate in a number of activitiesduringanenjoyableandinformativeday. Wecontinuetousenofencecattlecollars and through this extended the grazing season. Our cows also participated in some conservation grazing during the summer. Students have been involved in all of the autumn arable activities and are enjoying their time onthefarm.

In the past year we have done a lot of maintenance work at the farm improving the buildings. We have also started to develop the walled garden, fitting out the poly tunnels and adding another greenhouse.

Part time numbers are strong in horticulture with Royal Horticultural Society courses continuing to be popular. The zoological centre is now well established and the plants in the enclosures have matured, we can even grow our own bananas in the biome. The wide range of species is fantastic for the students to workwithandthereisastrongfocusonconservation.

Wehadagoodstarttothetermin SeptemberwithactivitiessuchasFlyingStartandFreshers Fair taking place with the students settling in to college life and making new friends. We are also getting back to sports with rubgy and football teams established and training for this year’smatchesunderway.

After an unusual few years it is good to be back to normal and able to plan a whole range of trips and visits to enhance the students’ learning experience. All groups have been planning to get out and about with trips to Wimpole Hall, Colchester Zoo, Whipsnade, Cambridge Botanic Gardens and Paradise Wildlife park to name a few. They have also been to conferences, seminars and demonstrations and had the opportunity to take part in activities suchasnettinglakes, farmwalks and treeplanting. The equinestudents hada fantastic tripto Your Horse Live in Warwickshire. A number of exciting study tours are also planned both in the UK and wider afield. Our outdoor adventure students are heading off to the Isle of Wightnextweekforanoutward-boundcourseincludingyachting,sailingandwatersports.

On our further education courses recruitment is strong particularly in agriculture where numbers are growing. It’s fantastic to have so many young people looking to work in the agriculture and countryside sectors. We are encouraging students to work across curriculum areas, for example horticulture maintain plants in the zoological centre biome, fisheries students using aquaponics to grow food for the animals and countryside students working at the farm on conservation activities. This expands the students’ knowledge of different sectors and increases their employability skills at the end of the course. Last year floristry studentstookpartintheheatsforFloristryWorld Skills,andwehopetoparticipateagainthis year. We are looking to engage with a number of employers in the coming academic year for visitsandguestlecturesaswellasworkexperience.

LloydDirectorofLandBasedStudies

Catherine

13th May 2023 at Shuttleworth College

Tickets £15 each

- Starts at 11.30 am

- Lunchtime Hog Roast from 1.00pm in the Russell Hall plus cash Bar

- Afternoon tours of the College, Kingshill Farm, Equine Centre, Zoological Centre and grounds.

- Free admission to the Swiss Gardens

- Free admission to The Collection

For tickets apply to Sarah Perrett: 01458 251523 or perrett_sarah@hotmail.com

If you have already paid for tickets for the 2020 reunion and were not refunded, then these will still be valid. We will send replacement tickets in due course.

If you need help finding old friends please contact Paddy Godwin 07966 926274 or patrick.godwin@btinternet.com who may be able help with information from the Old Student database

CourseNews

John Atkinson NDA 51/53

JohnwasborninGoldingtonBedfordin 1932. Attheageoftenhewona scholarshiptoBedfordSchoolandstarted thereinSeptember1942.

Afterleavingschoolin1950hedecidedhe wantedtodosomethinginagricultureand hesecuredaplaceatShuttleworthCollege. Ashewasnotafarmer’ssonandhadno backgroundinagriculturehehadto completea yearofpracticalexperienceon afarm.Hespentthe yearontwodifferent farms,oneinBedfordshireandtheotherin Cambridgeshire.

Duringhisfirst yearatShuttleworthhe wasaccommodatedataformerfarmhouse calledHillHouseaboutamilefromthe mainbuilding.Therewerefourtoaroom whichwereallocatedinalphabeticalorder.

Inhissecond yearhemovedtothemain buildingwheretheroomswerelargerand moreairy,accommodatinguptofiveata time.Alltheseroomswerenamedafter earlyaircraft.AtthattimeMrs. Shuttleworthstilllivedinpartofthemain buildingandinthecourseofeachtermshe wouldentertaingroupsofthreeorfour studentsatatimebeforetheeveningmeal providingsherryandcigarettes.These occasionswereknownas“sherrywiththe Duchess”.

AfterleavingShuttleworthhereturnedto thefarminCambridgeshiretogainmore experience.Intheautumnof1954he movedonandworkedonfarmsinHerts andBeds.

Intheautumnof1955hesawan advertisementintheFarmersWeeklyfor FieldOfficerswiththeMinistryof AgricultureFisheriesandFood.Hewas successfulandjoinedMAFFinDecember

1955asaFieldOfficerto workongrantaidedlandimprovementoperations–mainlylanddrainage.Afterfourmonths traininginLondonandtheHome Countiesitemergedthathehadnotdone hisNationalServiceashehadbeen exemptwhileworkingontheland. WorkingforMAFFhenolongerqualified forexemptionsoattheageoftwentyfour inApril1956hehadto gotodohis NationalService.

AfterNationalServicehewaspostedto Peterborough.HemarriedJennifer Childerley(Jane)whohehadmetwhile workinginCambridgeshirein1959.

Afterfive yearsatPeterboroughhemoved totheHuntingdonoffice.Overthenext15 yearshedidworkinCambs,Hunts,Beds, Suffolk,EssexandSouthLincs.In1972 hewaspromotedtoDivisionalDrainage andWaterSuppliesOfficeratHuntingdon becomingresponsibleforateamofabouta dozencolleagues.

AfterrestructuringinMAFFhewas movedtoDevonin1978todosimilar work.Astimewenton,aftermore restructuringhistitlechangedtoSoiland WaterEngineerwithADASandthen SeniorSurveyor.Atthistimehewas responsibleforbothDevonandCornwall. Heretiredattheageofsixtyin1992. Retirementwasspentgenerallyenjoying lifewithgardening,holidaysandfamily. HesaidthatworkingforMAFFwouldn’t beeveryone’scupofteabutheconsidered itaprivilegetohaveaworkinglifethat gavehimaccesstosomanyfarmsand fieldsandopportunitiestomeetandhelp somanypeople.

Heleavesawidow,sonanddaughterand sixgrandchildren.

PatrickRCarlisleNDA59/61

Born6March1938

Died20June2022-Aged84

PatCarlislewasbroughtupinHenlowandwasaboarderatBedfordSchoolfor10years.A naturallygiftedsportsman,heexcelledatrugbyandcricket,proudlyrepresentingtheschool inbothsports. Inhisveryfirst yearhewasoneofaluckyfewtomeetField-Marshal MontgomeryonSpeechDay,receivingaformprizeon28th June1946.

AfterleavingBedfordSchool,PatundertookhisNationalService intheRoyalCorpsofSignalsatFamagustainCyprusbefore returninghometostudyagricultureatShuttleworthCollegefrom 1959until1961. Hewasanaccomplishedfull-backinthelate 1950’sandearly1960’sforBiggleswadeandcaptained ShuttleworthbeforejoiningBedfordRugbyClub.Hecaptained BedfordWanderersandplayedover20gamesfortheBedford1st XV,receivinghisfullclubcapfromanotherOldBedfordian “Budge”Rogersinthe1964/65season.Patwasalsoakeen cricketerplayingforShuttleworth,BedfordTown, Lutonand BedfordshireCountyCricketClub,primarilyasafinebatsman supplementedbyalittlespinbowling.

PatmarriedMargaretin1965atSt.Andrews’ ChurchinBiggleswadeandtheymadetheirhome inSawtry,wherehestartedfarmingatWoodEnd Farm. Intheearly1980’s,thefamilymovedto Stamford,wherePatbuiltasuccessfulmarqueehire businessovermorethan20years. Inretirement, he neverlosthispassionforsport,beitasaLuton Townfanorproudlysupportinghisgrandchildren onthetouchline.HeremainedaregularatOld Bedfordiangolfdays,dinnersandreunionsuntil recently.

Hewasthelastsurvivingoffourbrothers. Margaretstilllivesin Stamford,asdoesdaughterJoanna,whilesonAndrewlivesin Winchester.

ShuttleworthCollege1962/64Group

60th

Reunion

On4th October1962agroupofeager,enthusiastic andexcitedyoungmenturnedupat ShuttleworthCollegein avarietyofcarsforthefirstdayofeithertheirtwo yearNDAcourse ortheoneyearFarmingCourse.

Exactly60 yearslater,onthe4th October2022,approximately40oldstudentsandwives arrivedattheSwanHotel,Bedfordforajoyfulreunion.Stillexcitedandenthusiastic,of course,butwiththeoddwalkingstickthrownin.

We were unable to use college accommodation as we were in term time but the hotel was very comfortable and accommodating and probably more of an appropriate venue compared totherelativeausterityofthecollegerooms.Mostofusprefercomfortnow.

Thefollowingdaythecollegehadarrangedaminifarmtourforusinthemorningandaftera light lunch, in what used to be the Junior Common Room, we had a guided tour around the splendidnewzoologicalcentrejustbehindtheoldprincipal’shouse.ItwaslikeaminiEden Projectinsidewithallmannerofexoticcreaturesondisplay.

There is certainly a huge diversity of courses now and this can only be a good thing for the futureofthecollege.

NDA 62/64 enjoying a light lunch in the old Junior Common Room

I seem to remember sitting in lectures in a jacket and tie – not much chance of spotting that sartorialeventtoday.

The afternoon was spent in the aircraft museum and/or the Swiss Gardens with our free visitors passes thanks to the college staff. The museum has grown a great deal since our day andIbelievealltheaeroplanesarestillairworthy.

In the evening we held the Reunion Dinner in a private dining room in the hotel. We were verypleasedtowelcometwospeakers.

First was TonyAbbott, President of the Shutts Alumni who gave an update regarding the old students association. Our main speaker was Ian Price, Principal of Bedford College, who spoke warmly about our remarkable group of old students. Shuttleworth College is now part oftheircampusas youprobablyallknow.

Thefollowingdayweall leftforourvarioushomesafteragreeingtodothisagaininacouple ofyears’timetocelebrateourgraduation.

JohnSimpson&BryanAllenNDA62/64

1st

2nd

MiniReunionfortheNDA68/70course

Ihavejustsentsomepicturesofourminireunionon18thJuneattheHareandHounds.We hadagreatday,veryrapidlyarranged,with14oldstudentsinattendanceplussomepartners. OursurpriseguestwasJohnScottwhojoinedthecollegewithusasPrincipalin1968.He wasingreatform.

Lunchatthe Hare & Hounds forNDA68/70

NDA68/70infrontoftheSummerHouse

Fromlefttoright: SimonLillywhite,RobWatts,Robert(Craftsman)Spencer,Andy Davies,PaulRussell,TomScotson,DaveClark,PeterSanderson,Alan(Taffy) Roberts,AustinFelgate.

IanDampney,RogerDinning,AlistairClarkeandPeteHaresalsoattendedbutsomehow managedtododgethephotos!

ThanksToAndyDaviesforsendinginthesememoriesofagreatdaybackinthesummer.

Apologies

Ourapologiesgotosomeoflast year’shardcopyMagazinesubscriberswhohadproblems receivingtheiredition.Wemakeeveryefforttotryandeasethepostingofthemagazineand makesurethatthecorrectpostageispaidforeachcopy.UnfortunatelyonePostOffice branchinPeterboroughdecidedthattheeditionweighedinatover100gandnotthe98gthe calibratedscalesinourVillagePostOfficehadrecorded.Withstrikesetc.thisyearwho knowswhatwillhappenbutwewilldoourbesttogetthemagazineto you.

RichardLyon NDA70/72

Myupdateonwhat'sbeenhappeningtomeoverthepast50(?)years.

AfterleavingCollegein1972,Iwentbacktothe500-acrefamilyfarmnearDoncaster.Dad passedawayin1986and Icontinuedfarminginpartnershipwithmymotheruntilshepassed awayin2001.Ireached67before Idecidedretirementwasonthehorizonandwithnofamily topassitonto,thefarmwassoldtoafriendwhohadsold100acresofhis farmtothe YorkshireWildlifeParkinDoncaster;wellworthavisitifyou'reinthearea.Wemovedover theborderinto Lincolnshiretoanex-liverystable with5acresofgrasspaddocks. AsIwas alwaysintocars,themorecylindersthebetter,Idecidedtoconverttheindoorarenaintoa ClassicCarStoragefacilityforfellowenthusiaststohavesomewheresecureandwarmto storetheirvehicles.Weinstalledaground-sourcedheatpumpwhichkeepseverythingwarm anddry,evenoverwinter.

Manyyearsago,intheearly/mid 1980's, myselfandtwofriendsgot intoDragRacing.Weprogressed fromanoldFordCapri3ltto eventuallyrunningaDragster whichwecalledOl'Timer

WemanagedtowintheRACMSA NationalChampionshiptwicein 1989and'90.

Forvariousreasons,shortlyafterthat,ourfunwasputonholdandeventuallybecame permanent.Thecarsatthere,dismantledandunlovedforthebestpartof25yearsuntilIwas contactedbyoneofthetwomenwhooriginallybuiltthecar,waybackin 1967,Rex Sluggett.HeandDennisPriddlewere twoCornishmenwhogottogether andbuiltwhatatthetimewasthe firstDragsterthatlookedlikeoneof theAmericanones,seeninthe magazinesoftheday.Theyonlyran thecar,namedTudorRoseforone year,1968butduringthattime,they wonmanyraces,includinginSweden andalsosettheWorldRecordforthe two-waystandingstartquartermileat ElvingtonAirfieldinYorkshireat 8.29seconds.

Ol Timer Gas Station

Ol Timer Stanta Pod Pits

Rexwantedtobuyandrestorethecar,butIdidn'twanttosellit.(Ihadboughtoutmytwo partnerssome yearspreviously,withaviewtorestoringthecar.)Wereachedanagreementto sharethecostofrestorationandRexflewoverfromtheStateswherehehadlived,eversince abigfalloutwithPriddleafterthatoneyearofrunningthecar.

After5longyearsandwiththehelpofDaveRiswickofJohnWoolfeRacing,Bedford,the carhasjustthisyearbeenunveiled,backinits1968guisewithaSuperchargedMethanolburning426cuinChrysler Hemipoweringit.

Rexcameoveragainin Juneforthefirstfire-upof thecarinitsrestoredform. Unfortunately,itisno longereligiblefor competitionbutwillbe shownatvariousDragRace meetsaroundthecountry andwe'reespeciallyhoping tobeatDragstalgiaatSanta PodnextJuly.

Myowncollectionhas growntoincludea'57ChevyBelair,a'63ChevyImpalaamongothersandmorerecently,an E-Typehasbeenaddedtothestable.We'verecentlyhadtoputupanotherbarntohouseboth mineandcustomerscars.

Anyex-Shuttspeopleintheareaarewelcometocallinforacoffeeandlookroundthe collection.07710795322.

BarryShears.NDA1970-1972

Inresponsetothelatestrequestforcontent fortheforthcomingissueoftheOld StudentsmagazineIwritethefollowing:

IleftShuttsattheendofthecoursetojoin thelocalgrainmerchant,SidneyBanks,as asalesrepandgrainbuyerwhichI thoroughlyenjoyed.AtthesametimeI joinedthelocalmarriagebureau,aka,the YoungFarmersclub.Ibecamechairman

ofBiggleswadeYFCandmetmyfuture wife,Denisewhowasthesocialsecretary ofBedfordYFCatthetime. Thethree yearsofexperienceI accumulatedinmyfirstjobledmeto applyforanotherinDagenhamwitha companycalledMay&Baker.SoIleft Bedfordshiretojointhiscompanyonthe edgeofLondonin1975.ThereIstartedto learnmoreaboutinternationaltradeasthe company,amongstmanyotherthings,had

Rex Sluggit with the restored car outside Richard's barn

aconsiderablebusinessinthesugarcane cropprotectionindustry.ItwastherethatI hadmyfirstexperienceofdealingwith clientsbasedinNigeria.Thisrequired manyvisitstothecountrywherethere wereseveralsugarcaneestatesin development.Oilhadbeendiscovereda fewyearspreviouslyand,Ithinkitisfair tosay,thecountrywasslowlydescending intoastateofanarchyandlawlessnessbut businesswasgrowing,thankfully.

DeniseandImarriedinBedfordshirein 1976. WemovedtoChelmsfordandthen toWrittle.AyearaftermovingtoWrittle (1980)welefttheUKto joinRhone PoulencinLyon.Whilstitwasnot generallyadmitted,May&Bakerhadbeen acquiredbytheFrenchmultinationalsome yearspreviously. Ijoinedasamemberof asmallteamofCorporateProduct Managersandspecificallyresponsiblefor rice(Ronstar)andoilseedrape(Pradone Plus)herbicides.Thistookmealloverthe ricegrowingworldtopromoteandadvise ontheuseoftheproduct.Awonderful experiencewhichallowedmetomanage everyphaseofthedevelopment, manufacturingandsaleofcropprotection products.

BothourchildrenwereborninLyon wherewebecameChristians,mademany friendsandwhereweenjoyedtheskiing, thefoodandtheculture.Webecamefluent inFrench.

However,thiswasnottolast.Thenewly electedsocialistgovernmentnationalised RPanditwasmadeveryclearthatthejobs wereonlyforFrenchcitizens.Sothefew Britishexpatsthatworkedthereleft. AfterashortspellintheUKworkingfor Velsicol(dicambaincaseanyone remembersBanleneetc)thecompanywas boughtbySandozandIwasofferedapost

inBasel,onceagainworkingwithasmall Corporateteamofinternationalproduct managers.

Westayedtherefornearlyfour years,with thefiveyearhorizonloomingonthework permit I hadwhichallowedmetostayand workinSwitzerlandforthatperiod. OurchildrenwerenowfluentinGerman andthelocaldialectsoobviouslywell preparedforthetransfertoSpain!

Wearrivedin1990,twoyearsbeforethe OlympicGamesinBarcelona.Itwas absolutelychaosasbuildingswere bulldozed,roadsreroutedandgeneral mayhemprevailed. Itookontheroleof MarketingManagerforthecountry.We stayedfornearlyfourteenyearsuntil SandozandZenecamergedinSpain.Not wantingtomovetoMadridItook voluntaryredundancyand,afteratwo year sabbatical,wedecidedtosellthehouse andreturntotheUK.Bynowwewereall fluentinSpanish.BothDanielandJoanna decidedtostayinSpainalthoughalittle laterourdaughterlaterjoinedusin England.(Acountryshehadonlylivedin briefly)

Ileftthecropprotectionbusiness completelyandchoseanewcareerpath. WeboughtaCareHomeinDevonand havebeenrunningitforthepasttwenty years.Ourdaughterandhusbandjoinedus eight yearsagoandtheyarenowrunningit fulltime.Atlastwecansemi-retireI thoughtatthetime.But,aswefoundout, runningaCareHomeislikefarming.You neverretire!

ThanksBarry.

JohnWalthamNDA70/72

Ihadanemail,circulatedtotheremnants ofmyyear'sShuttsstudents(1970-72 NDA)byBobCowper,askingusto contact youwithdetailsofourdoingsover the50yearssinceweleftcollege;Ihope youaren'ttooinundatedwithour septuagenarianwaffle!

Aftercollegeandabriefspellonan intensivepigunitnearStNeots,Imoved toWorcesterasapigunitmanager,ajob whichgrewtoencompassthebeefherdas well. IthenreturnedtomynativeDorsetin 1975tomanagea320acredairy/arable farm,lateraddingafurther200acres.In 1981Ireturnedtoourfamily's450acre mixedrentedfarm,latertakingitover frommyfather.

BobCowperNDA70/72

SinceleavingCollegeIhaven’tmovedfar fromShuttleworth.Iworkedforafarmer justoutsideSharnbrook,stillin Bedfordshire,fora year.Playedrugbyfor ColworthHouse,Unilever’sresearch place,andendedupworkingthere.In thosedaystheyownedBOCMsoitwas mainlyfeedingtrials,initiallywithpigs, butthencattleandsheep. Intheearly90s I persuadedthemthatIcouldruntheir greenhouses,growingplantstosupport theirvariousbusinessesincludingRagu, Bertoli,LiptonandBirdsEye. Ihadto learnquicklyaboutgrowinghydroponic

AtthistimeIwasheavilyinvolvedinthe constructionandrunningofanewco-op grainenterprise,WessexGrain,and remainedinvolveduntil2007.Duringthat time,weputforwardtwoproposalsto governmenttobuildplantstoturnwheat intoethanolfuel.Governmentvacillation eventuallykilledtheideaoff-agreat shame,especiallyviewedfromtoday's position.Wehadleftthefarmand followingtheultimatefailureofthe ethanolproposals,Iturnedmyhandto somethingdifferent-managingthe productionandpackagingoffishing tackle!I'mstillridingelderlymotorcycles andIstillsingtheoccasionalfolksong, havingissuedthreecommercialrecordings overtheyears.MandyandIhavethree childrenandfivegrandchildren.

tomatoes,tea,andranfieldtrialsoutinthe Fens.Itookearlyretirementwhen UnileversoldBirdsEye sohavebeen retiredforsometime.

Ifilledmytimewithalargeallotmentand wastreasurerfortheSocietyforsome yearsandhavebeentreasurerfor SharnbrookandColworthRugbyClubfor over40 years.

SylviaandIhave3childrenand4 grandchildren.Theyalllivelocally,sowe feelveryluckytohavethemallgrowing upclosetous.

ChrisAscroft(Bazza)HND75/78

DiedFeb2nd2022asaresultofafarmingaccident.

UponfinishingShuttleworth,Bazzahelped athomeonthefarmandworkedfor afamilyfriendwhofarmedinFenstanton.

In1979hetravelledovertheIrishSeato liveandworkonhisUncleandAunt’s EstateatPowerscourtinCo Wicklow.Whilstthereheplayed rugbyforBectiveRangers.

Onreturninghomehewascontacted bythelateRupertMeadowswhowas leavingaroleatGreatWilbrahamand hadputhisnameforwardasapotential candidate.Hewasinterviewedandgotthe jobstartingonthe2ndFebruary1981.At thattimethefarmwas650acreswitha numberoftenanciesacrosstheestate. Overthenextfewyearsallthetenancies camebackinhandandhealsotookon extralandthroughcontracting,endingup farmingover2000acres.Asthefarmgrew heneededtorecruitatractordriver,which hedidandtheythenworkedtogetherfor over34 years.Wilbrahamwashishome for41 yearsandwecelebratedhis 40th workanniversarylastsummer;a surprisepartywhichleft himspeechless,a veryrareoccurrence.

Hewouldalwaysacknowledgepeople whendrivingthroughthevillageevenifhe didn’tknowwhotheywere,andwould alwaysfindtimetospeaktopeople walkingaroundthefootpathsofthefarm andengageandeducatetheminwhatwas goingoninthefields.Evenintheheight ofCovidhedidaZoomfarmwalkwhich wassowellreceivedthatoncelockdown restrictionswereliftedhewasabletodo

anotheroneinperson.Explainingwhat wasgrowinginthefields,thefarming processandwherethefinalproductended up.Hewouldalwaysreprimandanyone withTateandLylesugarintheir cupboard,alwayssupportingBritish farming.

Hewasanextremelypassionateand knowledgeablefarmerwhowasalwaysat thefrontierofdevelopment,strivingto learnandgainknowledgeonanythingthat couldhelpandimprovefarmingmethods. Hecouldhappilyborepeoplewithtalkon RTKGPSSignal,self-steeringtractors, maltingbarleyandpeas.

Withretirementloominghewasasked relativelyrecentlyifhehadanythoughts ofretiring,ifsothefarmwouldneedto thinkaboutfuturemanagement.However hisloveandpassionforthejobandthe farmwasasstrongasever,andalthough hewasstartingtofeelagecatchingupwith

himhewasdefinitelynotreadyfor retirement.

BazzamarriedZoeandtheyhadtwin children,JonathanandClare.Hewas delightedwhenhisfirstgrandchildarrived

in2019andwasalwayshappytocrawl aroundplayingwithtoytractorswithhim andtakinghimaroundthefarm.Hattie whoarrivedin2020wastreatedexactly thesame.

ManythankstoZoefortheabove,andatshortnoticetoo!Ed

YoucanwatchoneofChris’sVirtualToursoftheFarmbyclickingthislinkbelow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPX9dsBz6UQ

SomeOND77/80s

Left

ThankstoMikeKingforthisrandomPhoto.Ifyouhaveany‘randomphotos’; pleasesendthemin,justthethingtoembarrassyourmates!

toright:TimHubbard,MarcWoods,RobLane,GuyKiddyandAndy Purser.

SomeNDA85/88‘OldBoys’metupinthesummer

29thJunethisyear:

Richard

allmet upforafarmtouronRichard’sFarmandacloseinspectionofhisonioncrop,aswellasa quicklookatpartofthefens.Alllookinggoodexcepthisreservoirwasalmostempty….but theraincamejustintime….

JohnAllenisstillfarmingjustoutsidePlymouthforMaristowEstates,PaulisMDofSentry andPaddyisnotdoingmuchfarmingatallnowduetoCemexkickinghimoffhistenancy and diggingthe farmforgravel! Luckily,the yardisnotpartofthequarryandtherentalof farmbuildingsis goodnearSlough!

WeallsurvivedCovid,battlinginflation,happyandingoodhealth,gettinggreyer,and lookingforwardtomeetingupatthecollegeinMay’23.

RichardBlackhurst’s cropofOnions.How didtheyfairlateronin thehotweatherI wonder?

JohnAllen,PaddyBarker,

BlackhurstandPaulChristian

HolmeFenPostsPeterborough

Thesecastironpostsanomalouslylurkinabirch forest.Atninefeetbelowsealevel,theymarkthe lowestlandpointinEngland.Oncecompletely buried,theseimprovisedgeographicaltoolsbecame graduallyexposedasthepeatyeartharoundthem sank13feet.

ThefirstHolmeFenPostswerecommissionedbya landowner,WilliamWells,whowasconcerned abouttheeffectsofhisschemetodrainalocal wetland,WhittleseyMere,onthealreadyuniform, low-lyinglandscapeoftheEastofEngland.Similar projectselsewherehadresultedinsunkenlandand theneedforcostlywatermanagementsolutions liketheDenverSluice.

Thepostswerepurposelydriventhroughthesoft, waterloggedpeatintoanunderlyinglayerofclayto measuretheratethepeatcontractedduetomarsh drainage.Theideawasthatasthepeatsankthe posts,firmlyrootedinthesolidclaybelow,would graduallybecomeexposed,revealinghowrapidly theotherwisehomogenouslandscapewasfalling belowtheleveloftheall-too-closeNorthSea. Thirtyyearsafterthefirstpost wassunk,thelandhadalready droppedeightfeet.

Theolderofthetwoposts datesto1851andreplacedan earlierwoodenpost.Itsornate naturesuggestsitmayhave beensourcedfromtheillfatedCrystalPalaceinLondon. Thelaterpostdatesto1957, andlikeitsoldersiblingwas originallytotallyburiedupto itstopasasimplebuteffective wayofmeasuringhowthe dryingoutofthelandaffects itsheight.

Thankslads.Greatpictures.

RichardBlackhurstandPaulChristian besideoneoftheHolmePosts

1932-34 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Grand Prix Monoposto

Thisex-ScuderiaFerrari,is-Richard-Shuttleworth’s,1935DoningtonGrandPrix-winning 1932-34AlfaRomeoTipoBGrandPrixMonopostowhichcameupforauctionin2018at theGoodwoodFestivalofSpeedSale.

Havinglearnedthemotorracingropes mostnotablyin aBugattiType51,Richard ShuttleworthpurchasedthisparticularAlfa RomeoTipoBMonopostoforthe1935 racingseason,directlyfromtheScuderia Ferrariquasi-worksteamatModena,Italy.

LeadingAlfaRomeoauthoritySimonMoorevalidatesthiswonderfulcarmostunequivocally inhisdefinitivebook, 'The Magnificent Monopostos',listingitsracingappearancesin RichardShuttleworth'shandsasfollows:

1935

- March16-Brooklands-MountainHandicap.Retired.

- April13-DoningtonPark-1stinahandicaprace.Retiredfromasecondrace.

- April22-BrooklandsMountainCircuit-1stinHeat,retiredfrom Final

- May6-BrooklandsInternationalTrophy-4th

- May18-ShelsleyWalshhill-climb-1stinclass

- May31-ManninMoarrace,Douglas,IsleofMan-Retiredwithtransmissiontrouble afterleadingthefirst13lapsofscheduled50.

- July21-DieppeGrandPrix,France-finished4thbehindthetwoScuderiaFerrarienteredsistercarsandWimille'sworksType59Bugatti,aheadofFarina's3.4-litre six-cylinderMaserati6C-34.

- August13-NiceGrandPrix,France-Retired11lapsfromthefinishafterthecar boileddryduetoShuttleworth'smechanichavinglefttheradiatorcapunclippedatthe finalpitstop...

- September4-BrightonSpeedTrials-fastestcar(thoughbeatenbyamotorcycle).

- October5-TheDoningtonGrandPrix–1st,aheadofthetwoex-worksType59 BugattisofLordHoweandCharlieMartin.

- October19-Brooklands-wontheMountainChampionship,againbeatingCharlie Martin'sType59Bugatti.

- November17-Brooklands-TheMountainCircuitlaprecord.Thisstoodasthe2-3 litreclassrecordforalltime,fasterthanvarious Maseratis.

ButRichardShuttleworth'sgreatroad racingvictoryintheinauguralDonington GrandPrixwouldbecomethisparticular TipoBMonoposto'smostenduring achievement.

Derby&DistrictMotorClubSecretary FredCranerhadbeenthepracticalminded,no-nonsensepromoterand organiserofracingattheDoningtonPark racingcircuitonEngland's Derbyshire/Leicestershireborder.Hehad longbeenunhappywiththekindofshortdistanceracescommonlysanctionedby theextremelyconservativeRoyal AutomobileClub,andwantedtorunafull GrandPrix-distanceracesuchasthose commoninContinentalEurope.His inauguralDoningtonGrandPrixfollowed atthepicturesquePark,andfollowinghis

experienceofsuch"serious"roadracingat DieppeandNiceinFrance,Richard ShuttleworthwasamongtheBritish amateurgentlemandriversimmensely keentotakepart.Herewasachallenge intowhichtheycouldreallysinktheir teeth.

'MadJack'Shuttleworth-ashe wasnicknamedafterhaving crashedintothepitsattheIsleof Man-certainlymadethemostof hisopportunityinthisAlfa RomeoMonoposto.Hestartedthe 300-mileracefacingsuch "Continentalcracks"as FrenchmanRaymondSommerin asisterAlfaTipoBand'Nino' Farinainaworks-backedMaserati V8-RI.FarinaleduntilaMaserati

driveshaftfailed,andSommerthentook overuntilastoptoreplacehisBritishregulationbonnetstrap(notrequiredin Continentalracing,asSommerheatedly protested),afterwhichhesuffereda terminaldrive-shaftfailure.

Britishowner-driverCharlieMartininhis ex-worksBugattiType59theninherited thelead,onlytotrytoohardtoholdoff Shuttleworthdespitefadingbrakesand slideofftheroad,leavingvictoryto'Mad

Jack'inhisspectacularly-drivenAlfa Romeo,whichhadalsospentsometime exploringthegrassvergesofthepark ratherthanstayingstrictlyuponthe asphalt.

Well fancy that a resident of Shuttleworth exploring the grass verges!!

Newsgleanedfromthepapersthroughout2022 fromourfarEastcorrespondent,EricYates.

June

SimonDann(HND80/83)withhissonAlex,hosted oneoftheregion’sOpenFarmSundayeventson theirdairyfarminnorthTuddenham.Theireventwas aweeklaterthanthoseorganisedbyLEAFasthe Dannswereprovidingicecreamandanimalstoother farmeventsonthatday.

July

DougWanstall(NCA89/90)hasdevelopeda5pointplantoeliminateNitrogenfertiliser inputsonhisfarminKentwhichiscomprisedofarable,a74headSussexbeefsucklerherd and12000layinghens.TheplanincludesplantingLucerneasananimalfeedwhichwillalso givefreenitrogenandimprovesoildrainage.Astraw-for-muckdealwithaneighbouring cattlefarmerbutcompostingthemuckfora2to3 yearperiodbeforeuse.MrWanstallalso planstousewormfarms,fishemulsionandfrass. Frassisaby-productoffruitandvegwaste whichisfedtoblacksoldierflylarvae.Oncetheyarebigenoughtheyarefedtothechickens andtheremainingfrasswillbeusedtomakealiquidfertiliser.

August

TherewasaFWwriteuponHarryMetcalf(HND78/81)whostartedoutinagriculture, becameamotoringjournalistandlaunchedamagazinecalledEvothenreturnedtofarmingin 2017.HesetupaYouTubechannelcalledHarry’sGaragein2015andthenaseparateone calledHarry’sFarmacoupleofyearsago.

KitPapworth(HND89/92)wasappointedasthecombinablecropsandsugarbeetsector chairmanfortheRedTractorfoodassurancescheme.

September

IntheFWofSept16th,ColinRayner(OND76/79)wasoneofseveralfarmerswhoshared memoriesofmeetingthelateQueen.Shewasakeensupporterofagriculturalcharitiesand shewasalwaysuptodatewithfarmingissues.

October

TheautumnagriculturalreviewintheEasternDailyPressincludedarticlesonsomeold Shuttleworthstudents.JamieLockhart(ND92/95)istheNorfolkNFUchairmanandwas talkingaboutthefactthattherecentfinancialandpoliticalupheavalsareputtingfurther pressureonfarmersandruralbusinesses.RobertAlexander(HND93/96)ofA.J.Alexander andsonnearDissispartofafamily-runfarmingandcontractingbusiness. Hewasexplaining theimportanceofscaleandtheirpolicyofrunningthelatestmachinerytomaximise efficiencyandreliability,andtotakeadvantageofnewtechnologies.

AletterfromJohnRowlatt(NDA62/64)waspublishedintheFWhavingattendeda60years reunionatShuttleworthincludingafarmtourandcelebrationdinner.Furtherreportsand photographsareincludedelsewhereinthisnewsletter.

InMemorium

AlanLane.NDA51/52.Autumn2021.

PeterColemanNDA62/64July4th 2020

DougieDaleOND74/772020

HughAlstonOND74/772022

PatrickCarlisleNDA68/70June20th 2022

BrianSalmonandMike(Norwich)Key. Bothfrom68/70.

Brianhadsufferedillhealthforsometime.

SCAdonatessomemoneytoStudentsforSportsEquipment

FollowinganappealfromLukeSimsofStudentServicesattheCollegewewerepleasedto donate£450towardsthecostofsomenewfootballkitanditseemstheyareproudtowearthe SCAbadge.

Thiswasafteran‘inhouse’matchwheretherestoftheCollegebeattheAgrics!!

SHUTTLEWORTHCOLLEGEALUMNI

MINUTESOFTHEAGM–SATURDAY18th June2022

Present: TonyAbbott(Chairman),RichardInfield(ViceChairman)SarahPerrett,Mike Williams(Treasurer),CharlotteMaynard(Secretary),GraemeBrown,PaddyGodwin, CatherineLloyd(CollegeDirector),NickDrury(65/67),NickBadger,BruceAshworth (79/82),RobertCooper,RobertCowper70/72,GarthDrury(86/87),TimDurrant.

Apologies: BruceLeggott(70/71),CarolLittlewood,RobertWright(65/67), PaulWhite, DavidSurfleet(57/59),TonyScadding,GraemeBrown,EricYates,NickDrury. Theminutesofthe2021AGMwereacceptedandapproved.

1. Chairman’sReport:

Tonysaidit’sbeenaquietyearagainduetoCovidandwearelookingforwardto planningareunionin2023. Hethankedthecommitteefortheircontinuedservice.

2. Treasurer’sReport:MikeWilliamscirculatedthestatementofrevenueand expenditure,capitalaccountandbankaccounts. (Attached).Themainexpenditure wasfordonationstotheCollege–includingtheSponsorshipofthefootballteam £450)Expenditureoverincomehasnotreallychangedsincelast year. 2021 Expenditurewas£3,818.37against Incomeof£2,618.40asmentionedthemain expenditurewasthedonationtothecollege.ExcessrevenueoverExpenditureis £489.40. TheCapitalaccountcontains£27,294.

3. Secretary’sReport–CharlotteMaynardthankedTonyandtherestofthecommittee forhiseffortsinplanningthereunionandexpressedherdisappointmentforitbeing cancelledforthe3rd yearrunningandhopewecanplanitagainfornextyear. The zoomcallsworkreallywellandhaskeptusallintouchthroughouttheCovid lockdowns. Charlotteishopingwewillbeabletomeetfacetofaceagainsoonback attheCollege.

4.

ITManager’sReport:(PaddyGodwin)

Atoneofourrecentmeetingswediscusseddigitizingalltheoldcollegephotographs, thisisstillon-goingandweplantopublishtheseonthewebsiteandmakethem availableforpeopletopurchaseinthenearfuture.

Wearealwayslookingforphotosandsnippetstopublishonthewebsiteandinthe magazine. Paddytriestokeepeveryoneintouchviamailchimp(forthosewehave emailaddressesfor). Thenewsletterispublishedelectronicallyonceayearanda smallamountareprinted(approx.70)andsentvia post.

PleaseforwardanycontactinformationtoPaddy(Patrick.godwin@btinternet.com)so hecanensurethedatabaseisuptodate.

We are always looking for subscribers so please put them in touch with Paddy and he will show them how to join.

Note the Alumni web site address is www.shuttleworthalumni.co.uk

Garth Drury asked if there is a facility where people can upload photos to the website themselves – Paddy will look into this.

5. Editor’sReport:GraemealongwithhelpfromPaddyandSarahareworkingonthe nextnewsletterwhichwillbepublishedlaterthisyear. Hewillcontinuetoforward piecesovertoPaddy. PaddystillreceivesregularsnippetsfromEricYatesfromlocal pressarticles.

6. StudentsCollegeReport–(CatherineLloyd)

7.ElectionofOfficersfortheensuingyear:

Chairman: TonyAbbott–proposedbyCharlotteMaynardsecondedbyMikeLaflin

ViceChairman: RichardInfield-proposedbyCharlotteMaynardsecondedby PaddyGodwin

Secretary:CharlotteMaynard–proposedbySarahPerrett,secondedbyGarthDrury

Treasurer:MikeWilliams–proposedbyCharlotteMaynard,secondedbySarah Perrett

ITManager:PatrickGodwin–proposedbySarahPerrett,secondedbyBruce Ashworth

Editor:Graeme Brown–proposedbyRichard Infield,secondedbyPaddyGodwin. Paddywillassist.

Committeemembers:NickDrury,EricYates,SarahPerrett,MikeLaflin,ClaireVan Leersumandwerere-elected‘enbloc’.ProposedRichardInfield,andsecondedby TonyAbbott.

ThefollowingpeoplewerealsovotedonasnewmembersoftheCommittee: BruceAshworth(HND79/82),TimDurrant(OND76/79),RobertCooper,Nick Badger(HND92/95). ProposedbyMikeLafinandSecondedbyGarthDrury.

8.Reunion

Unfortunately,thereunionscheduledforJune18th 2022hadtobecancelled. The Collegestruggledtofindamarqueefortheeventandduetotheshortnoticewewere unabletotakethechanceofonebecomingavailablesowehadtocancelthisevent.

CharlottehasameetingscheduledinJulywithAdamattheMansionHouse (ShuttleworthTrust)todiscussthepossibledateswecouldholdonenextyearand potentialcosts. Adamhasalreadyindicatedthata£4,000costwouldbechargedifwe requiredaccesstotheMansionhouse. Itwasagreedthatifwehadtobearthiscost wewouldnotrequestthemansionhousetobeavailabletousfortheoccasion.

9. Theannualdrawthentookplace:

10.AnyOtherBusiness

CharlottehasameetingwiththeShuttleworthTrustinearlyJulytodiscussdatesfor the2023reunion.

ThisconcludedtheAnnualGeneralMeeting NextCommitteemeetingSaturday1st October. CharlotteMaynard 18June2022

MikeWilliamsRetires:

MiketookovertheroleofTreasureroftheOldStudents,aswewerethen,in1998.Hehas beenasteadyhandonthefinancialtillereversinceandputmanyhardhoursintokeepingthe booksstraight.HisprofessionalroleasaFinancialAdvisorwasa greathelpandtheAlumnihasbenefittedgreatlyfromhisinsights astowhichinvestmentsmayreturnthebestdividends.AlasMike nowfeelsitistimetohandovertheroletosomeoneelse.Our thanksgotoMikeforallhishardworkintheroleoverthelast23 years.AGM’swon’tseemthesamewithoutseeingMikeholdup thebiscuittinwithalltheLotterynumbersonrolleduppiecesof paperfortheluckywinningnumberstobedrawnoutbythe Chairman.

ThanksMikethatwasagreatshift. SarahPerretthaskindlyvolunteeredtostepintoMikeshoesandwillbetakingovertherole oftreasurer.Allweneedtodonowittotryandfix thebankingdetailsandgetthemto acknowledgetheswapover!

TheeditorislookingformaterialforthenextNewsletterassoonasthisonegoestopress,so pleasedon’tdelay,getwriting,lookforstoriesandsendthemtohimassoonaspossible. Wetrytomakethismagazineanenjoyablereadandawayofkeepingupwitholdfriends.It reliesoncontributionsfromeveryonesopleasedon’tleaveittoothers.This yeartheNDA 70/72courseshowedthewaytogo.Whynotmakeit yourcoursenextyear.

Whenyougotonext year’sreunionsendinsomephotographs.Wecanputthemonthe websiteandinthismagazine.

Ed.

COMMITTEE&OFFICERSS.C.A.2022

Chairman TonyAbbott NDA65/67 Hants tonyabbott1@hotmail.co.uk

Vice Chairman RichardInfield ND90/93 Beds richardjinfield@btconnect.com

Secretary CharlotteScott ND/BF90/92 Bedfordshire charlotte_scott@hotmail.com

Treasurer SarahPerrett HND77/80 Somerset perrett_sarah@hotmail.com

Database Manager

PatrickGodwin HND77/80 Somerset patrick.godwin@btinternet.com

EricYates RetiredStaff Norfolk 3hunstanton@gmail.com

MikeWilliams HND77/80 Peterborough michael.williams19@sky.com

ClaireVanLeersum HND81/84 Cambs cgvanleersum@googlemail.com

GraemeBrown OND77/80 Suffolk graemebrown@me.com

MikeLafflin NDA62/64 Attleborough moleplough@btinternet.com

BruceAshworth HND79/82 Newark far_corkhill@hotmail.co.uk

TimDurrant OND76/79 Bedford tim.durrant100@gmail.com

RobertCowper NDA70/72 Rushden bob.cowper@hotmail.co.uk

NickBadger HND92/95 Cambs nickmbadger@yahoo.co.uk

NickDrury HND81/84 Cambs nickhan.drury@ntlworld.com

CollegeContact Margaret Curry 01767 626222 mcurry@bedford.ac.uk

President CharlotteFriefrauJohnVonTwickle

Vice Presidents J.E. Scott,S.C.Whitbread,BillBedser,EricYatesandProfessorMikeAlder.

Secretary

CharlotteScott,UnwinCottage,5PearTreepiece,OldWarden,Biggleswade, SG189FD. charlotte_scott@hotmail.com Tel: 01767626311 Mobile: 07717862747

Newsletter Coordinator PaddyGodwin,OsierCottageThorney,Langport,TA100DT 07966926274 patrick.godwin@btinternet.com Website :- www.shuttleworthalumni.co.uk

A selection of available Ties, £10 inc. P & P

Glorious prints of the Mansion

of