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Eagle News
Issue 114 Winter2016/17 The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
Farewell to rugby legend and OBM Dickie Jeeps
Inside:
Celebrating Success 8
Sports Roundup 16
Memory Stir 20
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The Magazine of the Old Bedford Modernians’ Club Founded 1892
Issue 114 Winter 2016/17 Bedford Modern School Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NT Telephone: 01234 332663 Email: externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk School telephone: 01234 332500 School fax: 01234 332550 Website: www.bedmod.co.uk President: Richard Groom (1953 – 60) Chairman: The Headmaster, Michael Hall
OBM and rugby legend Dickie Jeeps died in October 2016 aged 84. See obituary on page 30.
Facebook: /BedfordModernSchool /Bedmod Twitter: @bedfordmodern @OBM_Club LinkedIn: BedfordModernSchoolAlumniLinkedin Bedford Modern School is part of the Harpur Trust: a company limited by guarantee Registered in England: Company Number: 3475202 Registered Office: Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ Registered Charity Number: 1066861 The views of contributors are their own and not necessarily those of Bedford Modern School
Design by: The Answer Machine www.theAnswerMachine.co.uk Printed by: Merrys Limited www.merryprinters.co.uk
Contents 3
The London Lunch
16
Sports Roundup
4
Science Centre
20
Memory Stir
5
Letter from the Head
29
The Real Cost of Leaving a Legacy
6
OBM Events Gallery
30
Obituaries
8
Celebrating Success
38
Directory of OBM Services
10
School and OBM News
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The London Lunch
The London Lunch will be held in the Members' Dining Room at the House of Commons
on Friday 03 March 2017 at 12.15pm for 12.45pm with pre-lunch drinks (cash bar) in the Strangers' Dining Room
Cost: £85 (which includes a three course lunch, a glass of wine with the meal, coffee and petit fours) To reserve your place please complete the booking form on the reverse of the address sheet accompanying this magazine and send with a cheque made payable to Bedford Modern School. To pay by debit/credit card, please contact External Relations on 01234 332639. Eligibility: OBMs and current and former staff (no non-OBM guests). Reservations: to be made no later than Friday 24 February and must be accompanied by payment. Cancellations: cannot be accepted after Friday 24 February. Dress: Lounge suits and Club ties. Ladies (OBMs and staff) please dress accordingly. Sponsored places: OBMs in full time education are invited to apply for a limited number of free places at the Lunch. To register your interest please email externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk with your name and current place of study. Seating allocation: The Members' Dining room seats up to 170 and places will be reserved strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
The President, Richard Groom MBE (1953-60) invites you to
127th Founder’s Commemoration Dinner This year's theme: Science Friday 16 June 2017 6.30pm for 7.30pm Pre-dinner drinks will be served in the atrium of the new Science Centre followed by dinner in the Rutherford Building. Ticket price of £25 includes a four course meal with a complimentary glass of wine. Cash bar. All OBMs are welcome together with spouses/partners as guests. Details on how to reserve your place can be found on the reverse of the address sheet accompanying this magazine.
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Science Centre update Almost a year into the build the new Science Centre is getting closer to the end of construction. As the three separate floors of Biology, Chemistry and Physics edge nearer and nearer to completion, it is now easy to define where the 17 laboratories will be located. Head of Science, Neale Else, has been posting regular updates about the progress of the build on his blog. In his latest post he writes: 'The Science Centre has now taken on a whole new life of its own. It seems a matter of weeks since that cold January afternoon last year when the first sod was turned over on site. In recent weeks the lights of the crane have provided a reference point for motorists for miles around; the building beneath it growing ever taller and more refined. I have had the pleasure of seeing inside the Science Centre on several occasions and it is extremely rewarding to see it take shape. I feel a little bit like Kevin McCloud, revisiting the 'grand design' as every time I see it, something has changed. Fortunately, we don't have to teach in a caravan whilst it is being built! In common with many people’s experiences of seeing a building evolve, it actually feels bigger now that the interior spaces are defined by walls. The laboratories have their service tower configuration in place and it is possible to see how they will function on a daily basis. The preparation/storage spaces are a huge improvement on what we currently have and the central atrium will prove to be a real asset as a flexible learning area. The sense of space is somewhat overwhelming. The plans for the big move have taken shape and with them the start of a new chapter in the Science Faculty's history is being written. It will be an emotional departure I am sure but what waits for us will soon remove any attachment we have for our current facilities.’ The building is due to be completed in spring 2017 and will be ready for fully-timetabled use from September. There are still ways to contribute to this exciting project from naming rights for a room to funding essential - and non-essential - equipment. For further details please contact Julie Ridge, Director of External Relations on jridge@bedmod.co.uk or call 01234 332500.
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Letter from the Head Michael Hall
I am delighted to begin this letter with the news that, thanks to outstanding public examination grades, BMS remains the highest performing school not only in Bedfordshire but further afield, too. In November we were placed 123rd of all independent schools nationally in The Sunday Times' Parent Power Rankings which is based on A*-B grades at A Level combined with A*/A at GCSE. Whilst such rankings only reflect part of school life, I was nevertheless delighted with where we appeared with only a handful of coeducational schools ahead of us. This year, despite concerns about grade variability, BMS students achieved an outstanding 52% of all grades at A* or A and 96% at A*-C. Nearly one third of all the students who sat their A Levels this year obtained three A grades or better; a tremendous result I'm sure you would agree. Our GCSE results were equally impressive: 35% of grades at A*, a 6% increase on last year and 66% of grades at A*or A. On an individual level, Sam Butler received the highest grades in the School with four A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and is now studying Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Top performing female student, Kiana Mostaghimi, secured a highly sought after place to study Medicine at the University of Southampton after obtaining A*s in Biology, French and Maths and an A in Chemistry. She also achieved an A* in her Extended Project Qualification. As well as her academic achievements, Kiana made an outstanding contribution to the life of the school, worked tirelessly on charity projects and was an exceptional role model for younger students. Her success is made all the more significant as Kiana joined us on a full bursary and I am delighted that we have been able to support her through her years here at BMS.
It is the success of current and former students which sits at the very heart of this year's student recruitment campaign. OBMs Charlie Russell, Johnny Luk, Alex Chinneck and Peter Wothers and Year 13 student and Paralympian, Julie Rogers very generously allowed us to use their success stories to inspire the BMS students of the future and I am most grateful to them all for their support. We had the pleasure of speaking to a number of OBMs as we designed the campaign and it was fascinating to hear that, in their view, one of the greatest benefits of receiving an education at BMS is that you are encouraged to be the best 'you' that you can be. To explain that a little further they felt that as BMS students they were given the confidence to try new things and ultimately excel in whatever particular field they chose, regardless of what that might be. What a wonderful way to describe this great school. It is certainly a trait which I recognise so well in the OBMs I meet who, despite being highly successful, remain entirely true to themselves. Long may this last.
I do hope you enjoy discovering, in the pages that follow, just a flavour of the huge variety of activities which keep our current students busy; catching up with some familiar faces in 'Memory Stir' and remembering the lives of those who are no longer with us. Please do keep in touch and send in your own stories; we are always delighted to hear from you. With my very best wishes
Michael Hall Headmaster
I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us at the next London Lunch in March which this year sees a return to the House of Commons. We are fortunate to be able to use the Members' Dining Room, thanks to OBM Richard Fuller MP, rather than the two separate rooms which have been used historically. On Friday 16 June 2017 we will be holding the 127th Founder's Commemoration Dinner. This year the theme will be science and as the Science Centre will be completed by then, welcome drinks will be served in the atrium and guests will have an opportunity to view the new facility and see for themselves the Foucault Pendulum generously funded by the OBM Club. I look forward to what will be, I am sure, a very special occasion.
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OBM Events
OBM Events Gallery (June - December 2016)
Henley Royal Regatta
20/20 Cricket Once again the sun was shining for our annual T20 cricket tournament on 08 July. This year, the BMS 1st XI claimed victory against fierce OBM opposition! Thanks as always to our OBM team captains Jason Lockwood (1993-2002), Ivan Chadwick (1987-96), and Harry Thurstance (2002-13).
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Despite the wet weather, spirits were not dampened on Wednesday 29 June as OBMs, parents and friends joined us in force in Butler's Field for drinks and canapĂŠs. We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of OBM Mike Rayner (1958-64) on 28 April 2016, who was a keen supporter of rowing at BMS. Thanks to the generosity of his family the refreshments were once again sponsored in his name.
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OBM Events
To see more visit the picture gallery in the OBM section of the BMS website
Girls’Sports Tournament On Saturday 10 December we welcomed back four OBM teams to play five current BMS teams in the fourth annual Girls' Sports Tournament. After a competitive morning of playing hockey and netball as well as having lots of fun along the way, it was the current BMS teams who claimed overall victory.
Bruce Willey Memorial Match Also on 10 December the BMS 1st XV took on last year's leavers in the annual Bruce Willey Memorial rugby match. The game was hardfought, tense, exciting and at times emotional, but the victors were the current 1st XV with a final, very close score of 18-14.
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OBM Events
OBM Events Gallery (June - December 2016)
OBM Christmas Lunch
We welcomed back more than 90 OBMs, their guests, former and current staff to the annual OBM Christmas Lunch on the afternoon of 10 December. The oldest OBM present, John Clifton (1927-33), brought along his two grandsons; both former students! It was tremendous to see so many memories being shared and new ones made.
To see more visit the picture gallery in the OBM section of the BMS website
Celebrating Success We had the pleasure of welcoming back OBMs this year as the Guests of Honour at three of our annual award ceremonies; Junior School Prizegiving, Artistic Achievement Awards and Academic Awards. Together with the Sports Awards, these very special occasions celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students across all aspects of school life. OBM Billy Leung (1995-05) presented 91 Junior School students with their prizes on Thursday 30 June. Billy joined BMS in 1995 as a member of Year 4. He was a resident of the Boarding House having come from his home in Hong Kong. With a very basic grasp of English he claims that he 'muddled his way through the Junior School'. However, he was known for his sense of humour, intelligence and artistic talent. He went on to study medicine in London and is now a trainee maxillofacial surgeon specialising in facial trauma and cancer reconstruction. He is about to embark on a further three year course to train as a dentist to enhance his skills even more. In his spare time he lectures in anatomy at Oxford University and is also training to become a professional medical illustrator.
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Artistic Achievement Awards On Friday 01 July we celebrated students' accomplishments in the Arts. Four Faculties came together to celebrate achievements across Drama, Speech, Music, Dance, Music Technology, Art, Design, Creative Writing, Film and Musical Theatre with more than 60 students collecting awards. The awarding of prizes was interspersed with highlights from the year including dances, film montages, recitals and shows including the Classical Showcase, Calamity Jane, Little Shop of Horrors, the Dance Showcase and Romeo and Juliet.
The ceremony closed with a powerful speech about the value of the Arts, creativity and imagination from TV Producer and OBM Hannah Keep (2005-07) who presented the awards to the talented students. She said: “Anyone who gets to come to this school is so lucky. The positive atmosphere is infectious. It's a place that encourages new ideas, team work, respect and creative expression. If you want to work in an artistic industry, I can't think of a better training ground.�
Hannah graduated from Warwick University and studied for a Masters in Journalism in London. She started her career as a broadcast journalist working night shifts in the Sky Newsroom but quickly changed to documentaries as a researcher at ZKK, ITV and Flame before starting at the BBC where she worked as Assistant Producer on the RTS and BAFTA award winning fact-based drama Murdered By My Boyfriend. Hannah is now working as a TV Producer at The Garden Productions.
Academic Awards The annual Academic Awards evening, which celebrates outstanding academic achievement, took place on Friday 23 September. OBM Dr Peter Wothers MBE (1980-87) presented the awards and spoke with passion and humour about his time at the School and gave an inspiring insight into life after BMS. After leaving school, Peter read Natural Sciences at St Catherine's College Cambridge and has remained there ever since. He is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Chemistry and a fellow of St Catherine's. Aside from lecturing to Natural Science undergraduates, he is involved with a number of projects bridging the transition between sixth form and university.
compete in the Junior World Rowing Championships on one particular weekend during his sixth form years but due to a rather spectacular timing clash he had to decide whether to row or whether to attend the Chemistry Olympiad having reached the final four; which is impressive indeed. He opted for the latter. It didn't seem to impede the progress of his rowing partner however as he revealed him to be OBM and Olympic gold medal winner Tim Foster MBE!
He is also the embodiment of what hard work, commitment and determination can achieve. Back in the day, Peter represented the School at the Royal Society of Chemistry's annual Olympiad and he continues to support the initiative today. His life followed an altogether scientific path but, as the captivated audience learnt on the night, it could have been very different! Peter was a keen rower while at BMS and was due to
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School and OBM News
News
Welcome to the new BMS Archivist School Archivist, Jenny Ulph, started her new role at BMS at the beginning of November working on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Archive based in School House. Jenny has a great deal of experience having worked with a variety of different archives in the past and is concurrently the College Archivist at Downing College, Cambridge. One of Jenny's first tasks at BMS will be to establish an electronic catalogue of the School's extensive archive collection. The School's archives include administrative records, photographs, school magazines,
artefacts, uniform and sports clothing, films and other items relating to all aspects of the history of Bedford Modern School and OBMs right up to the present day. Jenny has been ably assisted by Honorary Archivist and OBM, John Quenby (1952-58), who started working regularly in the archive early in 2016 and took a strategic view of the work needed to move the project forward. Over the summer, John arranged the sale of non-BMS books from the Archive, raising sufficient money to fund the purchase of professional archive cataloguing software. He has also gathered together a willing, and very welcome, team of volunteer OBMs to help with various sorting and listing projects to help move the Archive forward.
sports and School photographs and certificates sent in by OBM Ivan Young (194857) and his wife. Other new accessions include BMS tie pins, old school caps, interior and exterior prints of the old school building and a rather unusual item which you will hear more about later in the year‌
Jenny has already started accessioning the various donations which have been sent in to the School recently. First on the new Accessions Register was a large collection of Although the Archive contains a wealth of images, documents and other items relating to the school and its history, there are very many gaps, particularly in the case of School and sports photographs, and any future donations from OBMs would be very gratefully received. The next step for the Archive will be to increase its use by the School and its students. Plans are already underway for various events and projects next year so watch this space! If you have any queries about the School Archive or would like to donate any BMS items, please contact Jenny on julph@bedmod.co.uk or 01234332543 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am-2.30pm). There is also a dedicated section for the Archive on the BMS website under OBMs.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Charlie Rex (2004-15), Will Cooper (2008-15) and Matt Shacklady (2008-15) were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) award at St James's Palace by HRH The Earl of Wessex on 21 November. Widely acknowledged as the world's leading achievement award for young people, DofE programmes enable anyone aged 14-24 to develop key skills for life and work. Former Head Girl, Charlie, said: "It was a wonderful experience visiting the Palace and we enjoyed the ceremony. The whole occasion was a fantastic way to round off four years of DofE!"
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School and OBM News
OBM Lodge and Manton Charitable Trust Awards On Friday 08 July Tope Fisayo and Elissa McNamara were recognised for their outstanding volunteer work and philanthropic achievements. Every year 'The Old Bedford Modernians' Lodge Award for Personal Achievement' is awarded to a deserving student from Year 13. This year Tope Fisayo was nominated for being an outstanding ambassador for BMS through his exemplary commitment to the Outreach Programme. This involved volunteering for a vast range of activities with the Tibbs Dementia Foundation leading to an invitation to a reception at Westminster to celebrate the £10,000 Aviva grant won by the Foundation. In addition, his delivery of the closing speech at the Tibbs Dementia Foundation and BMS Conference in February; his support of 2015 events such as the Senior Citizens' Christmas Party and his lively presence at the Bedford Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk in October have all been recognised. Mr Richard Griffin, Charity Steward of the OBM Lodge presented Tope with the award to support him as he embarks on his university career studying Medicine at King's College London. The annual Manton Charitable Trust Gap Year Award was awarded to Elissa McNamara who will be volunteering in Tanzania for a 10 week expedition with Raleigh International. During this time she will be focusing on a variety of projects aimed at promoting sustainable change in the community, namely education and water sanitation and hygiene. Elissa has worked hard to raise funds for this expedition. Throughout her time away she will keep a personal development journal to enable her to reflect and learn from her experiences.
English Youth Ballet success Year 9 student Hattie Stonor performed with the English Youth Ballet (EYB) in Sleeping Beauty on 07 and 08 October at the New Theatre, Oxford. She fought off national competition from more than 500 dancers when she auditioned for one of the 100 places offered and shared the stage with skilled principal dancers of EYB as part of the ensemble. 13 year old Hattie is on the BMS Performance Programme which is designed to stretch students who show outstanding talent in the Performance Arts. Rachael Bradley, Head of Dance at BMS, commented: “Hattie has been an integral part of the dance department since she joined the school and has achieved excellent results in every dance examination taken, receiving a Distinction in her latest exam”. Subsequently seven further dancers- including Natalia Sanders in Year 5 - have been selected to perform in a double bill of Ballet Etudes and the Nutcracker Suite in Aylesbury in March. More than 150 hopefuls auditioned and these seven talented dancers all gained places in the final 40. A remarkable achievement from one school! More widely BMS dance students are celebrating as a fantastic 94% received either a Distinction or a Merit in their Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) exams. The Performance Arts faculty continues to go from strength to strength in all areas with students celebrating the best ever set of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Speech and Drama results in the school's history this summer. 97% of students received a Distinction or a Merit with a 100% pass rate.
The Manton Charitable Trust donates funds to individual students who commit to a minimum four week challenge to support the disadvantaged, preferably in another country, during a gap year between school and university.
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School and OBM News
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Alexander Girard - A Designer’s Universe The work of OBM Alexander Girard, born 1907 and one of the twentieth century's leading textile designers and interior architects, is currently being showcased in an exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany which lasts until 22 January 2017. Girard attended BMS between 1917 and 1924; he studied architecture in London, and then lived in New York and Michigan before eventually settling in Santa Fe. He worked on the product line and visual appearance of furniture manufacturer, Herman Miller, and in doing so made a fundamental impact on post-1950s modern American design. He created his most important works in Santa Fe, New Mexico which in turn helped the area become America's third most important centre of design alongside Los Angeles and New York. An important source of inspiration for Girard was his extensive collection of folk art objects, which he accumulated on his travels through Mexico, India, Egypt and other countries and which in the end included more than 100,000 artefacts. In 1996, the Vitra Design Museum took possession of Girard's personal estate. The holdings encompass 5,000 drawings and photographs, along with many personal sketches which had never been seen before, several hundred textile samples, accessories and furniture items. Girard suffered from Alzheimer's disease for several years before his death on 31 January 1993 aged 85. For more visit www.design-museum.de
RES recognition for George During the summer term sixth form student George Keech was selected as a joint runnerup in the Royal Economics Society (RES) Young Economist of the Year essay competition from more than 1700 entrants. The competition required students to write essays from a choice of six titles on topics such as income inequality, the UK housing market and migration. The shortlisted essays were then judged by a high powered panel, consisting of BBC journalist Stephanie Flanders; Sir Charles Bean, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England and Jonathan Haskel, professor at Imperial College London.
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17 year old George's essay focused on the need to regulate companies such as Uber and Airbnb and was initially shortlisted along with 18 other students. The judges placed George joint runner-up, commenting on his careful analysis including the rebuttal of some conventional beliefs and the integration of recent research into his argument. George, who is currently studying Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Spanish at A Level said: “I found the subject matter very interesting, it was also a great opportunity to practice new research techniques.” Peter Davis, Head of Economics, added: "For George to be placed as runner up in the
prestigious RES Economist of the Year
competition is an unprecedented achievement for a BMS student and is thoroughly well deserved. George's essay was insightful, well researched and hugely enjoyable to read." George received his certificate and £500 prize at this year's RES public lecture in November at The Royal Institution, London.
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School and OBM News
A trip of a lifetime to Bangladesh
of being able to walk again. It was also really eye opening and hard-hitting to learn that some of their dreams are impossible due to the simple fact that Bangladesh is a developing country and does not have the resources or the money to give all patients the suitable prosthetics that they need.
On Monday 01 August, Year 13 students Callum McIntyre and Molly Thornton travelled to Savar, Bangladesh to volunteer at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP).
“I am very grateful to the Hill Family, and the funding they provided to make such an incredible trip possible. It's brilliant that the scholarship is providing school students with a chance to volunteer in a developing country.”
Molly added: “My experience at CRP was unforgettable. By volunteering in the inclusive school, I got to know the children very well and was also fortunate to teach dance to the children, who mainly suffer from cerebral palsy, as part of their group therapy class. Personally, I think it best to focus on ability, not disability and I am delighted to hear that the staff will continue to teach ballet in their classes. I was also able to observe physiotherapy, occupational therapy and a multidisciplinary team which gave me an insight of the developing healthcare system in Bangladesh.”
The CRP was established in 1979 in response to the desperate need for services for patients with spinal injuries in Bangladesh. The trip was partially funded by the Hill Family Scholarship which was awarded to Callum and Molly in 2015. Set-up by OBM Adam Hill (1993-1998), the scholarship is awarded to students in Years 12 or 13 to fund outreach work in a developing country over the summer break. For three weeks Callum and Molly spent their time engaged in various jobs including teaching at the school and shadowing doctors and nurses in the hospital. Callum, aged 17, reflected on the trip saying: “It was amazing to see spinal cord injury patients who were extremely motivated and positive towards their recovery, with the dream
Immy wins spot with prestigious choir Congratulations to 14 year old Immy Churchill, currently in Year 10, who has been selected to join the National Youth Training Choir. The National Youth Training Choir is one of five choirs belonging to the prestigious National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB). Outstanding singers between the ages of 9 and 25 from across the United Kingdom meet throughout the year for residential courses and performances.
Immy auditioned against hundreds of the country's top singers where she performed two vocal pieces and demonstrated her ability to sight-read. She will now have the chance to perform with the choir and collaboratively with other NYCGB choirs at venues around the UK. Immy, who is a member of both the Senior and Chamber choirs at BMS, said: “Since joining BMS last year I have started to take singing seriously, studying music theory such as sight-reading. It's now more than just a hobby for me.
Mary Perry, Assistant Director of Music at BMS added: “We are delighted that Immy has been successful in gaining a place with the National Youth Training Choir. She is a very committed and musical student in our Faculty. I am certain that she will enjoy this thoroughly deserved experience and we look forward to hearing how she gets on.” Immy's first residential course will take place in April which will include a performance at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
“This was the first time I have ever had to audition for a place in a choir so I was quite nervous. “I'm really excited to have been offered a place.”
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School and OBM News
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Tarek and Gus join Britten Sinfonia Academy On 16 October, Year 11 students Tarek Eldin and Gus Wallett performed as part of the prestigious Britten Sinfonia Academy (BSA) at the Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden.
Molly named Anti-Bullying Ambassador Molly Kemble in Year 10 has been named the Bedfordshire Anti-Bullying Ambassador for the National Anti-Bullying Ambassador Youth Board, a part of The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign which aims to help children across the country tackle bullying in their schools and communities. Molly will meet with the Youth Board in January 2017 at their London headquarters to share and learn ideas on how to tackle bullying. Throughout the year she will also have the opportunity to speak at national events, inform the public about the programme and meet some of the board's supporters including His Royal Highness Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. 14 year old Molly, who is a member of the BMS Student Government, said: “I have had experiences with bullying in the past and I hate the idea of knowing my classmates
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Tarek who started playing the cello in the Junior School said: “I auditioned for the Academy earlier this year and was so happy when I heard that I had been offered a place.”
Cello player Tarek and percussionist Gus joined more than 30 other BSA musicians for a performance with Scottish composer James Macmillan.
“It was wonderful to play with the BSA and work with James who is incredibly talented.”
BSA is a dynamic chamber orchestra for talented secondary school-aged musicians from the East of England. Each season BSA embarks on a series of intensive weekend courses where participants have the chance to perform alongside Britten Sinfonia professionals in some of the UK's most exciting venues including London's Barbican Centre, Saffron Hall and St Andrews Hall in Norwich.
16 year old Gus said: “I was approached by the BSA as they were looking for someone to play percussion. Although our school orchestra is great the standard of the Academy is extremely high and it's fantastic to work alongside such talented musicians. We will be playing at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge next; it's great that we have the chance to play at these amazing venues.”
could be going through something similar or even worse. I was so excited when I was offered a position to be an ambassador; I'm looking forward to raising awareness for such a great cause.”
Lest we forget
Tim Foster, Head of Enrichment at BMS, said: “Molly has taken a lead role in the school's anti-bullying group since it started in September 2015. She has helped establish anti-bullying boards in various common rooms on which students can pledge to stand up to bullying by signing their name. Molly's mature and sensitive approach to this cause is a credit to her and we look forward to supporting her in her involvement with the AntiBullying Ambassador Youth Board.” The BMS annual Remembrance Day service took place on Friday 11 November 2016 with OBMs, staff and students coming together to commemorate Armistice Day. Former CCF shooting coach John Mackay and OBMs including Col Robbie Robinson (1936-42) were in attendance. Dr Vaughan Southgate, DL (1954-62) laid a wreath in tribute to those OBMs who gave their lives in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
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School and OBM News
Five BMS students gain Arkwright Scholarships This year a record number of Bedford Modern School students have gained prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarships; the highest number in the school's history. Year 12 students Thomas Allen, Hannah Phillips, Milen Patel, Thomas Mullan and Alexander Brand were all awarded the sought-after scholarships, identifying them as some of the country's future leaders in engineering and technical design. The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships act as a beacon for the most talented Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
students in UK schools and help to ensure that high-potential young people stay engaged in the engineering career pipeline. The five talented students were lucky enough to secure sponsorship from: TRUMPF Limited, Reece Foundation, Bourns, The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing and Lloyd Thomas Eccles (Charitable Legacy).
Dr Martin Thomas CEng FIET, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust said: “I have been hugely impressed by the creativity, technical skills and leadership prowess of the young men and women receiving their Scholarships this year. It is well-documented that the country needs 100,000s of new engineers to take the economy and society forward.”
The renowned Arkwright Scholarships provide students with a £600 financial award and a range of activities to enhance their understanding and experience of engineering. The scholarships are highly regarded by university admissions tutors and industry recruiters and are one of the most prestigious accolades that a talented Sixth Form student can receive. 16 year old scholar, Millen Patel, said: “This is a really proud moment for me as this is my first engineering reward and suggests that I stood out from the crowd of other aspiring engineers.”
Alex puts freeze on Christmas!
British artist, designer and OBM Alex Chinneck (1992 - 2003) unveiled his latest project in London on Friday 02 December. Following his previous installations including the upside-down electricity pylon and the levitating Covent Garden market, Alex has seemingly frozen a Christmas tree inside a huge ice cube at Granary Square, near London's Kings Cross train station. Entitled Fighting fire with ice cream the creation stands at an impressive 17 feet tall, which is the same as a two-storey house and is decorated with 1,200 lights. It has been carved and cast from two tonnes of resin whilst a surrounding 'puddle', made to look as though it melts into the Square's fountains, was made from more than 550 pounds of clear wax. Commenting on the piece, Alex said: “I wanted to create an installation for King's Cross that was visually and theatrically intertwined with the fountains of Granary Square. They bring the location to life and so it was logical to take inspiration from their animating presence. If any Christmas parties run out of ice, they'll know where to find some!” Alex's design remained on display until Friday 06 January.
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Sports Roundup
Sport Rowing The 11th annual OBM rowing day and dinner took place on Saturday 15 October. Henk Kroon (2004 - 14) writes: 'This event has always been a highlight in the rowing calendar, seeing old faces coming back to the Boat Club to support the next generation of budding rowers and coxes. The Lady Rohesia Boat Club (LRBC) has experienced lots of changes over recent years. One thing which has never changed, however, is the enthusiasm and love for the club which has made a huge impact on the lives of those who committed to it as school boys and girls. LRBC has been represented at numerous events in the past few years, most notably at the Head of the River Race on the Thames and at Henley Royal Regatta. The aim of the club is to improve on the results we have achieved at these events in the past and with more and more people rowing at school the talent pool of OBMs is getting bigger by the year and we believe we can get some good results in the next few years. During the annual rowing day the school hosts the OBMs for the numerous races which take place and then hands over the reins to the OBMs who do the hosting for the evening dinner. The race itself proved to be as interesting as ever with the old boys showing their savvy side in order to gain whatever advantage they could over the school boys. Unfortunately, the hard fought battle over the 400 metre course went to the current students who showed that they still had the youthful edge on their side. The OBMs were disappointed with the defeat but a sign of some really promising talent coming through the club who hopefully will continue to represent BMS with Lady Rohesia long after their BMS days are over. The dinner took place once again at the Swan Hotel having had a number of years at the Embankment pub. Our traditional order of proceedings was led by the commander in chief of LRBC, Mike Biggs, whose unquestionable commitment to the boat club has enabled it to grow every year to such an extent that we needed a larger venue for the event. Another sign of the positive direction BMS rowing is heading.
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It is great that in BMS's 13th year of coeducation we are finally seeing equal representation from both boys and girls and the OBMs event rightly reflected the progress not only the boat club has made with this but also the school as a whole. The next step will be to field the first women's OBM 8 at future events whether at the next OBM rowing day or at any other race during the year. With the success of the current girls' squad at BMS I can see this happening very soon.
I would like to thank all the OBMs who were able to make it to the racing and the dinner this year. With the changes that the club has seen in recent years it was great to see so many familiar faces. I would also once again like to thank Mike Biggs for organising the whole event from across the other side of the world, 3000 miles away and finally to thank everybody for their continued support of the club. I look forward to seeing more Lady Rohesia crews racing at events across the UK over the next 12 months.'
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Table Tennis On Friday 11 November The BMS U16 and U13 table tennis teams won the Bedfordshire School Games table tennis finals at Lincroft School. In the U16 girls’ team Year 11 students Meera Kumar, Chloe Lence and Amber Harvey were joined by Maddie Kent in Year 10 to claim the top spot. They were soon joined by the U16 boys' team; Year 11 students Karthik Baiju and Aaron Bath and Year 10s Ben Reddy and Farhan Kayani.
The session to determine the top U13 boys' team in the county presented a challenge, however, with two qualifying BMS teams having to play against each other. In the end it was the A team comprising Year 8 boys George Whitley, Alexander Smith and Pemiwa Aderoju with Year 7 student Neelan Pillai who became BMS's third county team champions. The teams will now compete in the National Zone Finals in January.
Netball On Monday 14 November the U12 netball team won the Bedfordshire netball district U12 tournament after winning all their matches and conceding just five goals. In the semi-finals they beat Bedford Girls School 5-2 and claimed victory in the final against Lincroft School with a score of 3-1.
Skiing Talented skier Daniel Barton, currently in Year 13, has been selected to join the British Ski and Snowboard Under-21 England Alpine Ski Squad for the 2016/17 winter season.
Tim Fawke commented: “Daniel is one of our athletes who has followed the talent pathway from his early skiing and is fulfilling his potential as part of the Under-21 squad.”
Daniel will spend as much time on snow as possible this winter as well as training regularly at The Snow Centre. He will be attending England Alpine Squad weekends around the country.
Daniel, who started skiing when he was eight, said: “I've been training hard with Evolution Racing in Austria and at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. My goals for this season are to reduce my International Ski Federation (FIS) points which will help me to move up in the world rankings.” 18-year-old Daniel also performed well at the English Alpine Championships at Bormio, Italy in February. He earned a podium finish as he claimed third in the Under-18 slalom, as well as finishing fifth in the giant slalom and eighth in the super giant slalom in his age group. Snowsport England chief executive and British Ski and Snowboard board director
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Sport BMS student collects Sports Personality award Water polo player Abbie Turner was crowned 'Sports Personality of the Year (17 or under)' at the Bedford Sports Awards 2016 in December. The awards recognise the sporting achievements of local individuals and groups, aiming to reward not only individual sporting excellence but also the work that enables others to enjoy sports and physical activity. It has been a fantastic year for Abbie as she took home a bronze medal at the EU Nations Competition in Denmark with five international caps and also attended an Under-19 GB training camp in Hungary, playing local ladies' teams, where she scored three goals.
17 year old Abbie commented: “Just to be nominated for this award was an accomplishment. My heart dropped when my name was called out; I was so shocked. It's nice to know that my work has been recognised. I would like to say a big thank you to Mr Bygraves who nominated me for this award.” Abbie's name has now been added to the trophy plate alongside last year's winner, BMS student and GB Paralympian, Julie Rogers. Julie, whose sporting achievements were also recognised at the ceremony in her 'Sports Personality of the Year (Adult)' award nomination, was interviewed by BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Luke Ashmead as part of the Local Heroes Panel. Richard Tapley, Leisure and Sports Development Service Manager at Bedford Borough Council, commented on Julie's contribution saying: “Julie was one of our special guests at this year's Sports Awards but as a result of another special guest not being able to make it she had to take on the role of the 'only guest'.
BMS student competes at Rio Paralympics Year 13 student Julie Rogers represented Great Britain at the Summer Paralympics competing in the 100m T42 classification race. Despite only switching to athletics three years ago, Julie finished fifth in her heat, which included eventual Gold Medal winner Martina Caironi. 17 year old Julie's selection for the Rio games marked the second time she has taken part in the Paralympics, after she was chosen for the sitting volleyball team at London 2012 where she was the youngest participating athlete and 26 years younger than her teammate Martine Wright.
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Born without the tibia and fibula in her right leg, Julie had to undergo two amputation procedures so that she could be fitted with an advanced prosthesis. Growing up in a sporty family meant that she was encouraged to be active from an early age and tried a number of sports including swimming, wheelchair basketball and gymnastics. Her dedication to sports and participation in this year's Paralympics meant she had to fit her training in around school whilst she sat her GCSEs.
“Despite very short notice, she was outstanding: relaxed, calm, mature, witty and inspiring words that many of the 300 guests used in relation to her interview and presentation.” BMS student Ruth Fox, Year 13, was also credited for her volunteering achievements in the 'Young Sports Volunteer of the Year' award nomination.
Notification of forthcoming OBM Club sports events OBM Water Polo 18 March 2017 OBM Men’s Hockey 29 March 2017 OBM Football 29 March 2017 OBM 20/20 Cricket 07 July 2017
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Hockey In October Year 10 student David Townson travelled to Leeds to represent the East of England at England Hockey's U15 High Performance Assessment Camp (HiPAC).
school, I was delighted to be selected for the HiPAC centre in Leeds. I enjoyed my three days and the experience makes me determined to try and reach the under 16 full international stage".
HiPAC is an annual residential three day England Hockey camp which aims to give first-hand experience of an international training camp environment, in preparation for potential future involvement in a National Age Group Squad (NAGS).
Club Sporting Contacts Cricket Kevin Appleton kevin.appleton@hotmail.com
Fives Chris Ryan chris@standrewscarehome.co.uk 01234 352890
David was one of 72 boys from across the country playing in a series of games, which were attended by England Hockey selectors looking for next year's England U16 team.
Football
14 year old David who has been playing hockey since he was five years old said: “Having played my first full league season with BMS, and with the support of Mr Marsh at
Jack Leadbetter jack.leadbetter@btinternet.com
Badminton
Richard Ebbs 63 Days Lane, Biddenham, Bedford 01234 344100
Great Britain Olympic Badminton player Chris Langridge visited the School in December to give advice to students who are on the BMS Sports Performance Programme, which is designed to support and nurture the abilities of talented BMS athletes. Chris competed for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he won three medals and also represented Britain at this year's Rio Olympics where he won a Bronze Medal in the Men's Doubles with partner Marcus Ellis.
Golf
Chris commented on training saying: “It is extremely important to strike the right balance with training and education; school is very important. When it comes to practicing you have to be dedicated if you want to achieve results in what you do but with the right work you can accomplish great things.” Later in the afternoon Chris headed over to the sports hall to host a Badminton masterclass. It proved to be a lot of fun as the sportsman put students through their paces, helping them to improve their skills.
Hockey Mike Carter 5 Clarendon Street, Bedford 01234 215441
Rowing Henk Kroon kroonhenk96@gmail.com Lewis Cleaver lewiscleaver@hotmail.com
Rugby Theo Cassell theocassell23@googlemail.com James Pollard jamespollard5@gmail.com
Water Polo Mark Bullerwell 1999bars@gmail.com
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Wedding Congratulations Henry Catlin 1997-07 married Claire Swinburne, a former Dame Alice schoolgirl, on Saturday 27 August 2016 at St John the Baptist church in Flitton. Both Henry and Claire were keen rowers and it was through this shared interest that the pair first met, at the shared school boat house on Bedford's Embankment. After finishing school, Claire studied Human Biology at Birmingham University whilst Henry did an apprenticeship as an aircraft fitter. Henry now works at Marshal Aerospace in Cambridge as an airworthiness engineer and Claire is a commercial development manager at United Oddsocks. Special mention must go to the Best Men Laurence Hurley (2000-07) and John Catlin (1998-09) and Groomsman Nick Crossley (1996-07).
Chris Fensom 1992-99 married Yunjin Lee on 13 November in Seoul, South Korea. They met when Chris was posted to the British Embassy - where Yunjin works - by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Chris and Yunjin were grateful that so many friends and families could join them on their special day. The British Ambassador to Korea, who officiated the wedding, noted that Chris had well and truly helped to strength UK-Korea relations albeit in a somewhat unexpected way! Chris and Yunjin are now looking forward to their next diplomatic posting which starts in Summer 2017.
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Wedding Congratulations Richard Cole 2004-09 married Melissa de Haan on Saturday 16 July, and writes: 'Melissa is a graphic designer and currently works for a company that designs e-learning modules for the NHS. We met while she was studying for a BA in graphic design at Falmouth University. At the time I was completing my undergraduate degree in Ancient History at the University of Bristol. We were introduced at a mutual friend's 21st birthday party in Bristol, and subsequently made the beautiful journey from Bristol to Falmouth more times than I can recall - the rest, as they say, is history. Since those early days, I have completed my BA in Ancient History, an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, and I'm now back at the University of Bristol studying for the final year of my PhD, once again in Ancient History. We currently live together in Bristol, although the wedding took place in Melissa's old family
church near Henley-on-Thames. The reception was held at her old school, Shiplake College, on the Thames. Seven other OBMs attended the wedding, and one current teacher, my Classics/Ancient History mentor, Christopher Rees-Bidder, and
his wife, also a former teacher at BMS, Helen Rees-Bidder. My old piano teacher, Adrian Boynton - who taught me while I was at BMS, and who still teaches there - also kindly agreed to make the journey to play the organ and piano during the service and he did a wonderful job.'
Gavin Morrison 1992-02
former BMS Deputy Head Boy, married Nadia Khalifeh at Clerkenwell, London on 03 September 2016. Gavin was a keen sportsman at BMS and played in the 1st XV rugby team. He completed an Economics and Politics degree at Loughborough University and a Masters in Business Management at Nottingham University before a two year graduate placement with the Bank of Scotland Corporate. Gavin spent six years with Barclays in the city and has worked with Pluto Capital in Mayfair, London for the past two years. Special mention goes to best man OBM David Simpson (1992-02) and the two ushers: OBMs Chris Bietzk (1991-02) and Michael Irwin (1993-02).
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Memory Stir Katy Berrill
Nigel Gibbs
2004-06
1968-75
writes: 'On Friday 07 October the 2006 Leavers held a reunion at Drake & Morgan, St Pancras, London to celebrate 10 years since we left school. The evening was well attended with a real mix of people from the year group, some of whom hadn't seen each other since the end of our time at BMS. It was great to see so many people make such an effort to turn up. We've had a fair few weddings, engagements and children between us, and an impressive range of career and professional achievements to date. We agreed that another reunion in five years is a must and we hope to get even more of the year group and their partners together. Thank you to all those who attended, it was a great evening sharing memories and creating some new ones!
1971/72 4A ‘Fast Stream’ 45 years later!
Front Row - L to R Pete Wood Agribusiness Trader and Business Entrepreneur. Worked for Cargill, and once traded the whole of the Australian wheat crop. Grew a nursery business to produce 100 million plants a year. Now a keen sailor and skier. Peter Linthwaite Worked in corporate/ investment banking and private equity in UK, Scandinavia and Asia. Currently senior partner of 350 Investment Partners and previously CEO of BVCA.
Rear Row - L to R Phil Stephens Anaesthetist in Brisbane, Australia. Played water polo for a combined university team in the 1980s, and consistently in a Brisbane league until 2013!
Bill Avery 1951-57 writes; 'Richard Webb (1947-54), retired banker from Woodbridge Suffolk (R), and Bill Avery FCA, retired financial executive from Furry Creek BC Canada (both School House), enjoy lunch and memories in Covent Garden in October 2016. Are there still a few OBMs from the 1940-50s around who might remember us?
Rod Selkirk Worked in Private Equity Investment. Recently retired as a Partner at Bridgepoint. Was Chair of the British Venture Capital Association (BVCA), when Peter Linthwaite was CEO. Mike Francescon Geotechnical Director for Tony Gee, a UK Civil Engineering Consultancy. Recent work as an 'expert witness' for projects in the Middle East. Also a lay preacher. Brian Derby Professor of Materials at Manchester University. Had 15 minutes of fame being interviewed on Radio 4 on whether you could 3D print a dodo. Nick Hawkins Politician and Corporate Barrister. MP from 1992 to 2005. Elected to Surrey Heath in 1997, with the second largest majority in the country. (Succeeded by Michael Gove). Has worked in a wide range of corporate legal roles since then, including six months in the Sultanate of Oman. Still playing cricket.
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Steve Fitzsimons Long career as a solicitor, currently completing a PhD in Classics. Won £250,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Wayne Andrews Long career in the foreign exchange market, including more than 20 years in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Dubai, running the Treasury and Investment Divisions for a number of Middle Eastern banks. Currently relocating back to the UK. Now running a training and consultancy business in the sector. Still very tall. Dick Ledger Former Geography teacher and U15 XI cricket coach. Lay preacher, secret Peterborough United fan, and weather station buff. Has weather report data dating back to 1979. Chris Mattock Jersey's first ever Consultant in Haematology and Blood Transfusion since 1993. Has brought modern cancer cure rates to the Island for patients with Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma and upgraded the Jersey Blood Donor Service. Keen sailor. Nigel Gibbs Worked for BP in materials science and engineering, and facilitating change. The latter subsequently freelance. Totally rebuilt health from a severe mental health condition through natural means. Now OBM reunion organiser, free spirit and generally good egg. Get in touch with me by using the following: nigel@nigelgibbs.org
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Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine. I hope to pursue a career in Academic Medicine, specialising in Emergency Care and Children's Health. Medicine is an extremely hard yet rewarding profession, and as many of you will be aware it's a career that involves a lifetime of learning and focus. It is one of the only career paths that cements your future when you apply to the course at 17/18 years of age. As a medic interviews are few and far between, so the interview for Medic School is perhaps the most important of our lives. Along with academic success, extra-curricular talents, work experience, a good UKCAT/BMAT score, and an outstanding personal statement, the interview is the final hurdle to overcome. There is a lot to juggle and it is not always fully appreciated the sheer level of stress and hard work these students go through. This can be extremely overwhelming - but preparation is the key to success.
Adam Nicoll 1986-93
writes: 'On Thursday 27 October, the OBM class of '93 had their 21st reunion at Ye Olde Bank of England on Fleet Street, London. A very healthy turn-out included Stephen Hall (not in the photo, due to being a fiscal brain in such demand currently that a country north of the border needed his aid urgently to count some sheep so he was airport bound before we could work out how to use an iPhone camera). From left to right (me [Adam Nicoll, sporting iconic retro Boarders colours scarf and Michael Heseltine quiff], Paul Cornwell (Ipswich on his sleeve, heart of gold), Charlie Tomkins (slurry on his nails, Colonel Ghadaffi chic facial hair), Nick German (best job in the world watching golf) Richard Cooper (youngest looking 40-something in Christendom), Orazio Lambiese (sponsored by Colgate, flying high in the world, easy does it), Andrew Trusswell (Trainspotting hoodie, still runs the 100m in 11.4 seconds), Rob Beston (Dale Winton lookalike able to high jump 1m 63cm), Will Adams (H from Steps meets William Hague, children on his mind), Tim Lennox ('Good food costs less'. Let's all fly a kite, up to the highest height of my hair in a Tanzanian log flume).
We had a great time. Hope to see as many as possible at the OBM London Lunch (March) if not before."
Kokul Sriskandarajah 2005-12
I thoroughly enjoyed coming back to BMS, where it all began for me, and where I was pushed to reach my full potential. It is great to see that the school still provides that crucial support for our future doctors in the form of Dr Jenkins and his team of merry helpers. Having conducted practice interviews with the current Year 13 students, I'm sure this will be another successful year for the medical school applicants at BMS. If anyone would like to know more about a career in medicine, feel free to contact me on hlksrisk@liv.ac.uk.
writes: 'At the beginning of this term, I made a visit back to BMS to do some practice medical school interviews with 10 aspiring medics in Year 13. Despite the current state of the NHS, with cuts in pay and fears of privatisation, it is very encouraging to see so many talented individuals still wanting to pursue a career in medicine. Having been through the whole process a mere five years ago and remembering how daunting it was, I really wanted to share the knowledge and experience that I have gained. I have been involved in interviews at university, as well as being an interviewer for medicine taster weeks in London. I am currently in my fifth year of study, undertaking an intercalation (additional degree) in a Masters of Research (MRes) in
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Memory Stir Sally Whitney
Christopher Wilson
2003-05
1957-65
was just 17 when she was struck down by a mystery virus making her unable to leave her bed other than to go to the toilet. Sally writes: 'Up until the age of 17 my life was pretty much as near to fairytale as you could imagine. I had a fantastic family life, fantastic friends, I was excelling academically and in extracurricular activities and was looking forward to a promising career as a doctor.
was recently commissioned by HarperCollins publishers to write a four-book series of retro crime novels featuring reporter-detective Miss Dimont. The first, The Riviera Express, is published in February under the pen-name TP Fielden.
It all changed in the Easter of my A Level year when I was struck down by a mysterious virus from which I never recovered. It was at that point in my life that I had no idea that things were going to get worse and how much worse they could get. I went from being able to run around, ski, play netball for the school, dance, sing, do drama, study for A Levels and much more to a person who was just exhausted by walking. I then became unable to walk for any length of time, so was restricted to a wheelchair. After that leaving the house was too much, so I mainly was at home all the time on the sofa or my bed getting up only to go to the loo.' Later, she was diagnosed with Lupus, a severe autoimmune condition, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which affects her connective tissues and causes mobility problems. Sally's health worsened and since 2013 the previously fit and active young woman has been confined to a wheelchair and unable to be left alone in a room in case she has a seizure or a medical emergency. But since Ethan has come into her life, things have been on the up. Ethan is a golden retriever cross black Labrador, trained by Midhurst-based charity Canine Partners which provides amazing assistance dogs that transform the lives of disabled people.
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Ethan can fetch water, pick up anything she drops, open doors and call for help if she needs it. He even chooses her underwear with a penchant for the pink and lacy! He has also learnt how to use Sally's contactless credit card - but so far he has managed to hold back from taking it on a spending spree and stocking up on treats and toys. Most of all Ethan has given Sally freedom and given her a positive future to look forward to. Sally continues: 'Ethan has given me a positive outlook about being in a wheelchair. I am a smiley person and people would often come and ask me about my bright pink wheelchair but also my health. Now the first thing they ask about is Ethan and what he does for me, which I love - my poor health and disability are not the focus of the attention. We have a very close relationship and are in tune with one another's needs.
He writes: ‘Though the stories are based in Devon in the late 1950s, the inspiration comes from my time working as a cub reporter on the Bedfordshire Times after I left BMS. In those days local newspapers were stuffed with oddball characters, many of whom make an appearance in the first book.’ Christopher, who has written a number of celebrity and royal biographies, says he has tried to capture the spirit and tone of Alexander McCall Smith's No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
He can now identify when my normal movements turn into the jerky movements of a seizure - something he has learnt himself as canine partners aren't trained to do this. He's made it his personal responsibility to be able to see my face at all times to monitor me and if something happens he will immediately run for help as fast as he can with the utmost urgency and determination. Ethan doesn't feel like my pet or even my carer - he feels like my partner, but more than that my hero partner.' Sally and Ethan are one of Canine Partners' 378 partnerships that are currently active.
For many years a reporter and columnist in Fleet Street, he continues to make regular appearances on TV as a royal pundit. In 1983 he founded Oxford University's student journalism awards, which are supported by all major newsgathering sources in the UK.
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Barry Watson
David Bedford
1953-59
1946-54
writes: 'I joined the school CCF in 1956, and joined the Corps of Drums playing the bugle. A year later there was a request for volunteers to enlist in the Territorial Army, in the band of the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, based at Kempston Barracks as they were short of numbers. Some five or six of us joined. I learnt to play the clarinet and so swapped my bugle for a tenor drum with the school band. I served 12 years in the TA band, playing on many important occasions, especially remembering playing for HM the Queen in Hyde Park on 22nd June 1958 for the TA 50th anniversary and the day after being my 16th birthday coming back to earth with a bump for my French Oral O Level.
attended BMS originally as a day boy from 1946 and later as a boarder in School House, leaving in 1954 with three O Levels and no idea what he wanted to do. He took the first job offered to him, at ÂŁ5 a week, from the youth employment office as a junior with an Auctioneer and Estate agent. This led to a successful sixty year career in the profession mainly in Norfolk and Suffolk.
A few years ago I joined the Old Comrades of the regiment and two years ago I was elected Branch Standard Bearer and have represented the branch on many occasions, especially at this time of year. The attached pictures are me with bugle and Bob Sawyer, drum, at the school playing field. The other two were from the 2016 remembrance parade on Bedford embankment. I am with the standard.'
Following his retirement, 'Bedford's' continues to flourish with five partners, including his three sons. Offices cover Aldeburgh, Burnham Market, Bury St Edmunds and Woodbridge. David is a long-time season ticket holder at Ipswich Town and one Saturday in December 2011, possibly anticipating another stressful afternoon at Portman Road, he suffered a minor stroke. In hospital that weekend he decided he should set down the details of his life. Over the following years, following a complete recovery, he started work on Bricks & Mortals which was finally published in the summer of 2016. David said: "I wrote the book to chart the many changes I have experienced in my lifetime - not only in the property world but also in East Anglia's business and social landscape." For more information, please contact hilarylynn@bedfords.co.uk.
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Memory Stir Drew Turner
social change within the younger generations at risk of involvement with gangland activity.
2009-13 visited BMS on Wednesday 09 November after returning from an industrious gap year in Rio de Janiero, Brazil working as a Rugby Development Officer and delivered an assembly to the Sixth Form students about the benefits of experiencing life outside of your comfort zone. Drew was one of the first students in the school to receive an A* in Spanish at A Level and is currently studying Modern Languages at the University of Southampton. He writes of his experience: 'Rugby development in Brazil is an exciting thing to have been involved with. For me on the Try Rugby RJ project, it was all about promoting the game at a grassroots level as this is the foundation for all sport. I was not there as a talent scout, but rather to increase Rugby's popularity and get Brazilians playing and following Rugby, whether they're male, female, young or old.
Sara-Jayne Berrill 2006-11
We were involved mostly with events of our own in and around the Olympic Games in Rio, which was a massive opportunity for the project to be recognised. Some of these opportunities included taking children to a Team GB Olympic training session, conferences at the British House, and an event with the Chairman of the British Council. The events were a genuinely fun experience for spectators of all ages which was brilliant to be a part of and great for the development of Rugby in Brazil and indeed, across the globe.' Rossana Reed, Head of Spanish added: 'It was with great pride that we welcomed Drew back to the Spanish department. He was one of our outstanding linguists and took full advantage of all the extra-curricular activities offered in Spanish. Drew inspired my Year 8 students when he visited me in their lesson and spoke fluent Spanish. Afterwards they asked: “Will we end up being able to speak Spanish like him?” Let's hope so!'
choreographed and then adjudicated the ACT! '16 Drama Festival, organised and hosted by the BMS Faculty of Performance Arts. Bedford's schools were invited to come together and collaborate on a piece of theatre on the theme of Fairy Tales. A preliminary workshop led by Sara-Jayne was held in September after which each school chose a short fairy tale to adapt and present on stage in November. The BMS Year 7 and 8 cast devised an impressive interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes.
Even for those who may not enjoy the physical aspects of Rugby, the Five Core Values (Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Passion and Solidarity) are applicable in creating better people. This aspect is particularly popular with schools and youth clubs, who would also like to see some form of positive Sara-Jayne is a dance artist based in Bedford and London and is the artistic director of her own emerging dance company, Sara-Jayne Berrill Dance. Since graduating with a first class honours degree in dance studies (choreography), she has been commissioned to create professional works at Middlesex University, the Quarry Theatre, London College of Fashion and Charles Howl Music. SaraJayne is an experienced facilitator and choreographer having recently completed a competitive programme at The Place, London, where she is now creating new work for Resolution 2017 on one of the UK's most infamous contemporary dance stages.
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David (Dave) Berry Staff 1964-2000 On 25 November 2016, OBMs John Kinsella (1971-80) and David Rainbow (1977-84) returned to BMS for the first time since they had left! They were accompanied by former Head of Science and Master in Charge of rowing Dave Berry, who taught at the school from 1964-2000 and was their science teacher back in the day. They all enjoyed a tour of the main school, reminiscing and sharing stories along the way and were thrilled when they found and sat in - their old desks in Dave's old classroom (S15). Only the promise of a behind the scenes tour of the new Science Centre was enough to persuade them to move on! They were all impressed by the progress of the new facility which is on schedule for completion in the spring. Dave then went to the boathouse on the premise that he was simply going to visit his old stomping ground. However, he was surprised to be joined by a group of familiar faces including Director of Rowing Mark Bavington, OBM Simon White (1975-84), Sharon NobleLaing (first professional and female coach at BMSBC) and Margaret his wife (Ma Berry to those of you who boarded!). A boat was christened in Dave's name to commemorate his 36 years at the school. The afternoon was finished off with a toast from David Rainbow highlighting Dave's contribution to school life and the impact that he has had on his students, one of whom, Tim Foster (1983-88), went on to become an Olympic rower. David Rainbow writes: 'David loves rowing, and that is infectious. He passed the virus onto many of us, and I for one am delighted that it still grips me, even when the ergo and the split times increase inexorably year on year. The fact that so many he started in the sport still participate, and in so many varied ways, is absolutely the most valuable thing that any coach or mentor can aspire to achieve.'
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Memory Stir Ian George (Ikey) Smith
Johnny Luk
1927-35
2003-09
Colin Humphrys (1957-61) writes: 'Dennis Stott and I were invited at the request of Mrs Jacky Smith, Ikey's widow, to attend the Warrant Cabinet Dedication Meeting in Grantham as representatives from his Mother Lodge by the Doric Lodge Almoner W. Bro Chris Turner in memory of Ian George Smith. Ian was initiated into the OBM Lodge on 5 December 1953 in London, and I have since found out that W. Bro Geoffrey Reynolds was initiated on the same day into OBM Lodge - they must have shared a Double First Degree.
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The Dedication Ceremony of the Warrant Cabinet was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Lincolnshire, The RW Bro Graham Ives, along with his Provincial Team on Wednesday 05 October 2016.'
writes: 'On 26 November, I tried to recapture my old school rowing days, where I was a former Captain of Boats, by competing in the Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships in Cardiff. As I work full time in Westminster, I had to train late into the night every day. Three months on, after giving up on most sweet foods (ouch), I had slimmed down 8kgs in order to make the lightweight category. Against some tough international competition, I managed to get a personal best and become the Welsh Indoor Rowing Silver Medallist in the Open Men's Lightweight Sprints category. Following my medal in Wales, I then competed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships on Saturday 10 December. I came 5th, with a time of 1.30.9, which would have got the silver last year. Unfortunately the competition this year was very fierce with a lot of pros! Perhaps the Welsh Medal will have to do for me this season!'
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The‘Real Cost’of Leaving a Legacy Josh Butten (2002-2010) Chartered and Certified Financial Planner, Myers Davison Ginger
As OBMs I think we all feel a duty to give a little back to the school which influenced us so much throughout our childhood. Whether your time with the school was 12 months or 11 years, it will have helped shape the person that you are today. There are many different ways of giving back to the school, and this article looks specifically at the act of leaving a financial legacy in your Will. Earlier this year I was invited to lunch with the Headmaster - the invitation policy and motive were both simple. He wanted to hear from those who have left money to the BMS Foundation in their Will and also wanted to better understand what had motivated us to do so, with the end goal being to find better ways to communicate with more OBMs to do likewise. It was great to see the School taking an active approach to engage with OBMs for a better outcome - and the food was great!
• If your Taxable Estate is £100,000 and if NO Gift is made £40,000 Inheritance Tax is due and £60,000 goes to your beneficiaries. If you choose to leave a £10,000 (10%) legacy to BMS, just £32,400 tax is paid and the balance of £57,600 would go to your beneficiaries.
So my question is, why wouldn't you leave the school 10% of your Taxable Estate, if it only costs your family 2.4% for you to do so?
The £10,000 charitable gift has been given at real cost to your family of just £2,400.
You may feel that this article is not relevant to you but I cannot emphasise enough the importance of having a Will regardless of age. I'd also like to add that this statement is completely independent; I am a financial planner, not a Will writer.
• If your Taxable Estate is £500,000 and if NO Gift is made £200,000 Inheritance Tax is due and £300,000 goes to your beneficiaries. If you choose to leave a £50,000 (10%) legacy to BMS, just £162,000 tax is paid and the balance of £288,000 would go to your beneficiaries.
I would also encourage everyone to set up Powers of Attorney which gives someone you trust, who is then known as your attorney, authority to act on your behalf. Without Powers of Attorney, you will have noone able to handle your finances should you be unable to do so yourself due to accident or poor health … so there may not be much left in your Will to deal with!
The £50,000 charitable gift has been given at real cost to your family of just £12,000.
As a Financial Planner with specialist estate planning qualifications, I want to explain the true financial cost of leaving a legacy to the school, which is likely far less than you might think.
Please note that this article is based on the current understanding of UK tax laws and gives a very simplistic overview of the topic. The exact numbers will of course depend on your personal circumstances and wealth at the date of death.
The main reason for this is that if you choose to leave 10% or more of your Taxable Estate to charity, your family will pay a reduced rate of Inheritance Tax on the remaining 90%. This does not mean leaving 10% of everything you own. 10% of your Taxable Estate is 10% of your Taxable Estate, no more and no less. If you leave this planet tomorrow with £750,000 and have inherited a full Nil Rate Band, you would have a taxable estate of £100,000, so the 10% I am referring to is therefore a legacy to the School of £10,000. This is all well and good - but what does it really mean?
Thank you. If you have a left a gift to BMS in your Will, please let us know so that we can thank you in your lifetime. Your generosity really does make a difference.
Email: dburrows@bedmod.co.uk
Tel: 01234 332663
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OBM Obituaries
Obituaries Richard Eric Gautrey (Dickie) Jeeps 1943-49 School House, died on 07 October 2016. Richard Eric Gautrey Jeeps, best known as Dickie, a former England rugby captain and one of the country's finest scrum-halves, died in October 2016 at the age of 84. Dickie started his rugby career at BMS as a full-back however former BMS master of rugby, Mr PJ King, soon convinced him to play in the first XV as scrum-half and he never looked back. Dickie was quite the sportsman during his time at BMS; in addition to playing rugby he captained the first IV rugby fives team, was vice-captain of the first XI cricket team and competed for the school at cross-country. After finishing school Dickie played for Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club before moving to Northampton Saints where he played for 13 years and captained the club in 1958. He earned 24 caps as an England scrum-half, captaining his nation on 13 occasions. Dickie also played for the British and Irish Lions 13 times, which was then a record, and toured South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
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Lionel Weston OBM (1958-66) and former England rugby player said: "I only got to know Dickie later in my days when playing in Scotland. "He and Ricky Bartlett - his fly half partner I believe - came up to watch my club West of Scotland play against Edinburgh University as they were both England selectors. "It was jolly lucky for me that it was Dickie as I am sure the 'Old School' act came into play! Everyone in my team knew they were watching but I was careful not to advertise the fact that he went to the same school. I was in the team against France the following Saturday!"
Following his retirement, at the early age of 44, Dickie became the youngest Rugby Football Union President from 1976-77. In 1977 he was awarded a CBE and one year later was appointed Chairman of the Sports Council, a position he held for seven years. Dickie is survived by his daughters Deborah, Caroline and Louise and 11 grandchildren.
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Matthew Smith 2003-13
Rob Brand, Matt's sixth form tutor, said: “Matt was an intelligent and highly articulate student with a real drive to succeed. He was a keen sportsman and managed to pursue many extra-curricular activities. He was always enthusiastic in all aspects of life and was a strong role model for younger students, taking a leadership role in many House activities.” Jon Searle, Matt's RS teacher, added: “Matt was the epitome of everything that is a BMS student: intelligent; hardworking; insightful; popular; and thoroughly involved in the wider life of the school. Given all these qualities, it is probably his infectious and
wicked sense of humour which will be missed the most.” Stephen Bywater, Head of English also commented: “Matt was the perfect student; diligent, determined, conscientious, a genuine academic but one, with his ready smile, who was as charming as he was bright. In class he was always engaged, always eager to develop his own understanding of a subject. After reading The Picture of Dorian Gray he became a keen admirer of Oscar Wilde and would quote his pithy lines in lessons. If anyone's future can be described as golden his should have been.”
It was with both shock and great sadness that we learnt of the death of OBM Matt Smith on 04 December 2016. Matt was educated at BMS for ten years before leaving in 2013. At A Level he achieved A*s in English literature, religious studies (RS) and philosophy and subsequently went on to study history at St John's College, Oxford. In his final years at BMS he was awarded school prizes for both philosophy and RS and also took part in the three day European Youth Parliament regional finals in Liverpool throwing himself into the competition whole heartedly, as was his way. Headmaster, Michael Hall, said: “It is with great sorrow that we have learnt of Matt's sudden and tragic death. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Matt's family on behalf of all the BMS community but especially his teachers who remember him so fondly. Matt always set himself high standards and showed real determination in whatever he undertook. He was a personable young man who excelled academically and will be missed by all who knew him.”
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Obituaries Hugh Prudden 1938-47
North House, died on 08 January 2015, his 86th birthday. Fellow geologists Andy King and Denis Parsons of the Somerset Geology Group and Somerset Heritage Centre respectively, write: 'Hugh was born in Bedford in January 1929 and gained an MA Cantab in Geography from Cambridge University in 1952. He taught geography and geology in Tunbridge Wells, Cheltenham and Keynsham before moving to Somerset to teach at Yeovil Grammar School and later at Yeovil Sixth Form college where he was a lecturer from 1974-89. At the same time he contributed to many geography publications, was involved in examination boards, the University of Bristol and was a member of the Earth Science Teachers' Association. When he married Lorna in 1960 and they settled in Montacute he welcomed visiting academics and professionals. His contribution to the field of geography was immense. He assisted in many British Geological Association memoirs, led many geographical field trips in Somerset and Dorset and assisted at the International Field Symposium on the British
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Jurassic held in Weymouth in 1969. He developed a particular interest in the geology and landscape of Yeovil, The Blackdown Hills and the Vale of Taunton. He also developed a detailed knowledge of Somerset building stones and contributed to the recent revision of the local Pevsner and the national Strategic Stone Study covering Somerset and Exmoor National Park. He was also known for his instrumental work recording temporary geological sections. Hugh was a member of many geological and natural history organisations, including the Geologists' Association, Devonshire Association, Dorset GA Group, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society and the Somerset Wildlife Trust. For many years he was also a committee member of the Ussher Society and was Organising Secretary for their Minehead conference. Hugh became a member of the Somerset Geology Group upon its foundation by Professor Desmond Donovan in 1984; he was the Group's Secretary and Convener since 1992, diligently organising the regular meetings and circulating the SGG Newsletter to some 70 recipients. In recognition of his efforts and contribution to geology, Hugh was first awarded The Geologists' Association Halstead Medal (1994) and later the R H Worth Prize from The Geological Society (2007). In all, Hugh was involved in nearly 70 publications, many of them written in retirement. They included scientific papers, leaflets and books, including Geology and Landscape of Taunton Deane (2001) which was awarded second prize in the Lasmo. Aside from geography and geology he was also an enthusiastic gardener, liked beagling, captained a local skittles team at the Phelips Arms and enjoyed music. Hugh had been suffering poor health for some time and found his increasing lack of mobility extremely frustrating. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by many people. Hugh's last wishes were that
his comprehensive collection of geological documents, papers, records, logged sections and maps should be deposited in the Somerset Heritage Centre (where they will be available for all to study in the 'Hugh Prudden Archive') and that the Somerset Geology Group, of which he remained Secretary to the very end, should actively continue and flourish. He leaves a wife Lorna, a son Mark, a daughter Jenny, and three adult grandchildren Harry, Toby and Chloe.
Frederick James Burley 1934-39 County House, known as Jim Burley, died on 18 March 2016 aged 93. Denise Burley, Jim's daughter writes: 'Jim was from Bromham and was believed to be only the second pupil from the village school to win a scholarship to Bedford Modern School. In fact, he won his scholarship twice. He passed the examination in 1933 but was ruled to be too young to become a pupil at the school. His success that year counted for nothing as he had to sit the examination the following year when he was again successful.
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After passing the School Certificate examinations in the summer of 1939 Jim planned to remain at the school in the sixth form. His plans changed after only two days as a sixth former. Upon the declaration of war against Germany on 03 September he left school, volunteered for the RAF and went to work in the Borough Treasurer's Department of Bedford Borough Council. After his call-up, Jim reported to Lord's cricket ground for his initial training. Whilst there, he and his colleagues were sent across to Regent's Park as audience participants for the recording of the finale chorus of Vera Lynn's film We'll Meet Again. A DVD of that section of the film was played at his funeral. The next stop for Jim was air training school in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he qualified as a pilot before spending the remainder of the war based at various locations in North Africa and the Middle East. On his return to Britain, just prior to demob from a camp in Yorkshire, he met Muriel at Bridlington to whom he was happily married for over 68 years. Jim resumed his career at the City Treasurer's Department in Muriel's home city of Hull, where their two children were born. After finishing his accountancy examinations he worked for other local authorities at Harlow, Stockton-On-Tees and Aldridge before moving to Nuneaton as Deputy Borough Treasurer and then Treasurer. He enjoyed an active retirement for 33 years and was only unwell for two weeks prior to his death.'
Nick Holmes 1957-65 Culver House, died peacefully at his home in Sheffield on 17 September from complications of COPD aged 69. Graham Palmer (1957-65) writes: 'Nick was born in Minster, Kent, into a military family, so became a boarder at Culver House. He was an exemplary student who studied hard and applied himself enthusiastically to all the school had to offer. He was captain of the shooting VIII, a member of the rugby 3rd XV, the school cross country team and Sergeant in the CCF; a monitor and house monitor and belonged to the school play, theatre club, geographical and cinema societies. After a short stint teaching in Jamaica during his gap year, Nick went to Lampeter College, University of Wales and gained a BA with honours in History. In 1971 he went to Zambia to undertake postgraduate studies to train as a teacher at the University of Zambia in Lusaka.
himself; “Why not?� Thus, he indulged his passion for Verdi and Handel operas and went on several 'why not' tours visiting the great opera houses in Munich, Berlin and Linz, with Verdi predominantly in the programme. In retirement Nick also found time to complete a PhD at Sheffield University that he had started several years earlier on a largely unknown and overlooked architect; E. Vincent Harris. Having completed this work, Nick began a study on the spirituality of the works of Bach, Britten and Bruckner reflecting his search for an element of transcendence in this life. It would be misleading, however, to think Nick was only interested in cerebral studies of Verdi's operas, the spirituality of the music of Bach, Britten and Bruckner and Gothic architecture. To do so would ignore his love of interminable Russian and Korean film; his watching of Japanese martial art epics back to back and something as mainstream as enjoying a good thriller and a home delivered pizza.
After two years teaching in Zambia, Nick returned to the UK to become Area Organiser (Eastern Area) at Barking College of Adult Education followed by management positions in adult education colleges in Halifax and Sheffield before finally moving to Education Leeds in 2001 to become part of a project (Richmond Hill Action Zone) specifically aimed to improve the educational outcomes in a deprived area of Leeds. Despite its success in enabling many long-term unemployed to gain qualifications and move into work, the project was closed down in 2006, making Nick's decision to retire easier to make. In 2007 Nick was diagnosed with alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency, which he knew to be incurable and progressive. From then on, whenever he wondered whether he should do something that appealed, he would ask
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Obituaries Nick had a quirky sense of humour and a dapper dress sense demonstrated by wearing a beautiful dark blue corduroy suit with a conservative dark blue tie matched with bright red socks on his wedding day, and the reason why men wore red socks at his funeral. For Nick everything in his life was predicated on the basis that relationships were key, most notably those with the family. Of all the achievements in his life, Nick regarded his relationship with his wife Carolyn, his children, Nina and Ben as his finest and the source of his greatest happiness. Nick's life also enriched the lives of so many others that we can never count ourselves completely bereft, for an ethically lived life is always an inspiration. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Nina and Ben and elder brother Paul.'
DJ Voogd
1964-71 East House, died on 16 August 2016. His brother, Mr N M Voogd writes: 'Dingeman John Voogd was born on 05 November 1952. He attended Priory Street School, sat the 11 plus exam and passed before starting at Bedford Modern School in 1964. He joined the air cadets and was a rower for the school VIII and even spent time coaching the younger students rowing. After achieving the required A Levels at BMS, Dingeman John gained a place at Reading University receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He moved to Cumbria where he met his wife and when children arrived he moved to Cornwall where he was kept busy with many craft and theatre projects. He became a school governor and was highly thought of by many. Dingeman was always modest and caring and will be greatly missed.'
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Robert Edward (Bob) King 1941-48
South House, died on 16 September 2016. His brother Dr Tom King (43-50) writes: 'R E King was the second of the four King brothers (Peter, Bob, Tommy and Sid) at BMS spanning the years 1940-54. He was competitive both academically and on the river at a time when school rowing was at a zenith. His South House IV won the House Fours and he rowed in the school 2nd VIII at Marlow and Bedford Regattas in 1947 and 1948. From school and via National Service in the RAF, he went up to Jesus Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. His first employment was in oil exploration, initially with the Iraq Petroleum Development Company and later with the Trinidad Petroleum Development Company (Texaco). During this time he acquired a postgraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Houston. With West Indian independence, he returned to the UK to take up employment with IBM as an international systems salesman, which he continued until retirement in the 1980s.
He married Shirley Lowings, a former High School girl, and they and their children, Christopher and Louise, lived in the family house that they built in Oxted, Surrey. Tragically, and after a short illness, Shirley died whilst still only in her forties; Bob remained in Oxted until his death on 16 September 2016. Of the four brothers, only Tom survives - Sidney having died in January of 2016 and Peter in 2002. Bob maintained a lifelong interest in rowing, was a member of the Stewards' Enclosure and a regular attendee with family and friends at Henley Royal Regatta. At university he took up bridge, a game at which he excelled and which was to give him much pleasure thereafter. Always known for his wit and humour, his 'bon mots' never failed to hit the spot. During the last few years of his life, he bore his ill health stoically and never gave up.'
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OBM Obituaries
Gerald James Wykes
Arthur 'Claude' Valentine
East House, died peacefully at his home at the Merrow Down Country Club, Sandton, Johannesburg on the morning of 30 July 2016.
East House, known as Claude, died on 27 June 2016.
From school he became an apprentice engineer at W H Allen in Bedford where he met his wife and they married in1948. They had two children. He worked his way up from being a Turbine Draughtsman, Tendering and Contracts Engineer and Diesel Contracts Manager with industrial power stations. He then went on to be a Senior Turbine Projects Engineer and got involved in technical writing. He was very proud of his publications in technical journals and text books used by students. During this time he was highly regarded by colleagues at Allens and in the industry and particularly for his thoroughness and hard work. In 1960 he designed the family bungalow to be built in Brickhill Drive and made a complete working scale model for the builders and then he oversaw all their work. He certainly was a perfectionist in all that he did.
His son, Roger Valentine (1963-65) writes: 'Claude was born on 14 December 1926 in a small terraced house in Dudley St, Bedford. He had three brothers and a sister but two of the brothers died very young, leaving older brother Ken and younger sister Rita. His father was a Methodist laypreacher who sadly died when Claude was only seven so he was sent to live in an orphanage for around two years in Highgate, North London in 1934 as his mother could not afford to keep him and his sister at home. He returned home when his elder brother earned enough to support the family. Claude passed a scholarship to join Bedford Modern School where he stayed until leaving at 16. Whilst at school he represented the school and won school colours for rugby and swimming and also played water polo.
From his first heart attack at just 34 and several more to follow plus a brain haemorrhage his working life was dogged with illness but his resilience amazed all who knew him. He worked for 42 years in the same firm which later became Amalgamated Power Engineering or APE and now Rolls Royce. When APE was formed he became Manager of Group Commercial Services and worked on publicity for the group and writing technical journals. He was made a Fellow of both the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Marine Engineers. However the stress of keeping up with technological and management changes took its toll on his health so he finally took early retirement in 1983 aged just 56.
1940-45
1937-42
His wife, Vivienne writes: 'Known as Gerry, he was a pupil of BMS from 1940 to 1945 and keenly followed news of the school by means of the school magazine. Immediately after leaving school he served in the army for two years before attending Durham University. After teaching in Bedfordshire for three years he moved to the then Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. In 1960 he left the teaching profession to work in the fledgling Television Service in Southern Rhodesia. This expanded to four stations and he enjoyed his work in this new industry, becoming Controller of Television in the newly independent Zambia. In 1969 he moved with his young family to work in the film industry in South Africa. He enjoyed a healthy and active life with frequent travels throughout the world. In the last few months his health deteriorated and it was just a few days before his 87th birthday that he succumbed to a lung infection. He is survived by his wife of 62 years; a daughter, Sally and son, Jeremy. His first daughter predeceased him in 2009.'
In 1985 he and his wife Jean decided to sell the house and move to Sheringham and their flat by the sea; a place they had been to on a number of occasions for Dad's convalescence. Just as a new life and an
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Obituaries ideal retirement had started Jean was taken ill and died quite suddenly in Summer 1986. Instead of moving back to Bedford, Claude decided to stay and made a new life in Norfolk even remarrying. There then followed a very active, enjoyable period of his life for around 20 years, taking up bowls,
involvement in the church, and hours spent with his calligraphy. Another heart attack, and then a major stroke meant 10 years ago life had to change and he returned to a care home in Bedford where he passed away on Monday 27 June 2016. He is survived by his sister, son Roger, daughter Suzanne and five grandchildren.
Richard (John) Carter 1951-58
Culver and School House, died on 08 June 2016, aged 73. Mike Cable (1953-61) and Nick Jones (1952-59) write: 'Always known as John rather than Richard, John Carter started his BMS career in the Junior School, initially boarding in popular housemaster 'Hank' Tanner's Culver House, before moving up to the senior school in 1953 and transferring at around the same time to School House, where housemaster P J King oversaw a somewhat more rigorous regime! During his time at BMS John was fully involved in extra-curricular activities, playing soccer, rugby, cricket and fives and also representing the school in the athletics relay team. He became a member of the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force, while his hobbies included making model aircraft, early indications of an interest in flying that was to change the course of his professional life. Immediately after leaving school in 1958 John went to work for the family firm - a flourishing market garden and wholesale fruit and vegetable business that was based next door to the family home in Stone, near Aylesbury, supplying shops, restaurants, schools and institutions throughout the surrounding area. Over the course of the next twelve years John became a director of S and A R Carter Ltd and effectively took over the day-to-day running of the company from his father, supervising the staff of 17 and successfully expanding the business. At the same time, he did a lot of the actual delivery work himself and particularly enjoyed his regular visits to London's original Covent Garden vegetable market, driving up in his truck and arriving in the early hours of the morning to pick up supplies of fruit and veg in what is now a tourist area, but which was still, in the sixties,
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a thriving traditional market with its own working practices and even its own language - not to mention pubs and cafes that stayed open all hours! However, by the time his father retired, John had come to realise that the family business was not going to be enough to satisfy his career ambitions and in 1971, having already acquired a Private Pilot's Licence, he decided to leave the company and to train as a professional pilot. After acquiring a Commercial Pilot's Licence at the Oxford Air Training School, where he also qualified as a flying instructor, he joined GKN in 1972 as a 1st Officer, flying BN Islander and Beech Kingair 90 aircraft to UK and European destinations, before progressing to an HS125 executive jet and being promoted to Captain.
The family lived for twenty years in the rambling thatched house in Stone in which John himself had grown up, but once the girls had left home, John and Julie moved to Oxford. There, John developed a number of new spare-time interests that included cooking, running a large allotment and beekeeping - mastering the latter so successfully that his honey was served in Raymond Blanc's restaurant, Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, by special request of the patron himself. An avid reader, he always attended the annual Hay Literary Festival, and he also loved his music - with eclectic tastes that included everything from the classics to jazz and from folk to rock 'n' roll. He himself was an accomplished guitarist who enjoyed playing occasionally with his old school
friend Mike Cable (1953-61) and who helped to organise Jazz venues and events with OBM, Nick Jones (1952-59). Other OBM contemporaries with whom he kept in regular touch included Sir Nick Lloyd, Richard Groom, Chris Roome, Ronald Miller, Geoffrey Ames and the late Bruce Smith. John never lost his sense of humour and remained cheerful, generous and dependable until the end. He will be remembered with love and great affection by his family and his many friends and with professional respect, as well as much personal warmth, by his colleagues in the aviation world. He is survived by Julie, daughters Joanna, Hannah and Bridget and four grandchildren.'
His seven years with GKN were followed by ten years as a Captain and Chief Pilot with Rank Xerox and three years as Deputy Chief Pilot and Training Captain with BP. Then, in 1992 he set up JC Aviation and operated as a freelance Captain, working for a number of corporate and charter organisations including Shell, BAE, TAG Aviation and, principally, Williams Grand Prix, for whom he flew Frank Williams himself and the team's F1 drivers to all the Grand Prix venues worldwide. Altogether during his 33-year flying career John flew a wide variety of different aircraft to destinations literally all around the world, including America, Africa and Australia. And when he eventually stopped flying in 2004 he joined Executive Jet Charter, an aircraft management and charter company based at Farnborough, as Safety and Compliance Manager, a job he continued to do until shortly before his death. In his personal life, John met his wife, Julie, in 1966 and they married four years later in 1970, going on to have three daughters, one of whom followed in her father's footsteps to become a commercial airline pilot.
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Directory of OBM Services Business Consultant
Digital and Litho Printer
Pest Control
Andrew Penn (1961-70), Leyhill Solutions, 40 Whitehall, Lidlington, Bedford, MK43 0RS, 07775 426355, 01525 403232, andrew.penn@leyhill.com, www.leyhill.com
Simon Diffey (1977-80), Merry Printers, Unit 10, Langley Terrace Industrial Park, Latimer Road, Luton, LU13XQ, 01582 726959, www.merryprinters.co.uk
Matt Wheeler (1985-90), Professional Pest Management Ltd., Unit 7A, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5HQ, 01462 811818, matt@ppmlimited.co.uk
Improving your business using internationally recognised standards e.g. ISO,EFQM,IIP& CSE.
Printers and designers of quality product literature, report and accounts, manuals and business stationery.
Specialises in domestic and corporate pest management. Council appointed. Nationwide. Port Authority security clearance.
Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
Engineer (Civil and Structural)
Solicitor
Josh Butten (2002-10), Myers Davison Ginger Ltd, Church View, Hulcote, Bedfordshire, MK17 8BW, 01908 584925, joshbutten@mdgifa.com www.mdgmk.com
Neil Johnson (1964-71), Neil Johnson Associates, The Brunel Centre, 19 Glebe Road, Perry, Huntingdon PE28 0DG, 01480 811186, neil@nja-group.co.uk www.nja-group.co.uk
Simon Parrott (1975-80), Sharman Law, 1 Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1PF, 01234 303030, simon.parrott@sharmanlaw.co.uk www.sharmanlaw.co.uk
Consulting civil and structural engineers and building design consultants.
Office also in Ampthill.
Experienced and highly respected firm of Independent Lifestyle Financial Planners providing services which add tremendous value for private individuals, families and businesses. We learn everything about you and answer life's biggest financial questions.
Chartered Surveyors Giles Ferris (1982-1991) BSc (Hons) MRICS, Stimpsons Eves Chartered Surveyors, 1 Lurke Street, Bedford, MK40 3TN, 01234 341311, www.stimpsonseves.co.uk Offices in Bedford, Milton Keynes and Bicester offering a variety of professional services including Commercial Agency Disposal & Acquisition, Rent Reviews, Lease Renewals, Landlord & Tenant Advice, Schedules of Dilapidation, Red Book Valuations Condition Surveys, Rating Appeals, EPC and Asbestos Reports.
Land and Property Consultants Jeremy Clayson (1964-71), Fisher German LLP, Unit 8, Stephenson Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford, MK44 3WJ, 01234 823661 bedford@fishergerman.co.uk www.fishergerman.co.uk Fisher German LLP is a leading national firm of Chartered Surveyors and Specialist Property Consultants. 15 offices nationwide covering 6 sectors: Commercial/ Planning & Construction/ Property Agency/ Renewable Energy/ Rural Consultancy/ Utilities & Infrastructure.
Optometrist Simon Browning (1970-78), Simon Browning Optometrist, 55 Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 2SR, 01234 353454, sbrowning@eye1.co.uk. NHS and private eye examinations, contact lens consultations, and optomap peripheral and central retinal examinations carried out.
Tree Surgeon Neil Smith BSc (Hons) (1988-96), Heritage Arboriculture LTD, New Buildings Farm, Orchard Lane, Harrold, Beds, MK43 7BU, 01234 720801, 07787 726962, neil@heritagearboriculture.co.uk www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk Tree-related advice: planning and TPO applications; hazardous tree removals; veteran tree management; crown thinning and reductions; hedgework; orchard/fruit tree management; tree planting; stump grinding.
Veterinary Surgeon David Chennells (1961-70), Acorn House Veterinary Surgery, Linnet Way, Bedford, MK41 7HN, 01234 261839 www.acornhousevets.com Fully equipped purpose built veterinary clinic for companion animals.
If you are an OBM with a business or service to promote, and would like to appear in this listing, please email externalrelations@bedmod.co.uk for business rates. 38
Old Bedford Modernians’ Club
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2017 Classical Showcase Concert Calling all singers and instrumentalists OBMs of all ages are warmly invited to join the school choir and orchestra in this concert to be held on Thursday 27 April 2017 in the Howard Hall. Both singers and instrumentalists are welcome.
The format will be similar to previous years with music sent out in advance, a rehearsal in the afternoon and the concert itself in the evening.
This year's programme will include Poulenc's Gloria for the combined choir. Some singers and players will know this piece already which is why it has been chosen.
If you wish to take part please respond by e-mail, marking it Classical Showcase Concert - OBM, to robinwills@hotmail.co.uk with a copy to dburrows@bedmod.co.uk. OBMs who have not taken part before are assured of a warm welcome; please provide an address to which the music can be sent. Previous participants need only provide this if they have changed their address since last year. Former pupils, particularly girls, who have left more recently are particularly welcome so that we can increase OBM participation in this event and even up the balance between the upper and lower parts. It is a good chance to catch up with friends from school days, meet other like-minded OBMs and to support the school's music making.
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