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Photo by Dave Vokes

CAPTAINING WORLD CUP FINALISTS

Tom Prest (W21) led England to the finals of the U19 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean in February. It was the first time in 24 years the nation’s team had made it to the last round of this competition. Tom’s side beat South Africa in the quarter final before taking on and overcoming Afghanistan to reach the final, where they eventually lost to India by four wickets. At the end of last year, Tom signed his first professional contract with Hampshire Cricket. He is pictured competing for the Hampshire Hawks in July’s T20 competition in which Tom was named Player of the Match for the semi-final.

Flying to help track giraffes

Former RAF and Rhodesian Air Force pilot Richard Calder (SH66) has recently been using his aerial skills to help protect giraffes in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. He explains: ‘I fly in a voluntary capacity for a Zimbabwean trust called Flying for Wildlife (FFW) which operates ultra-light aircraft called Savannahs which are ideal for anti-poaching work. FFW’s objective is to support Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife management operations by providing airborne anti-poaching cover. We fly in all Zimbabwe’s wildlife areas and operate at low speeds and altitudes looking for illegal activities in the parks and generally patrolling the wildlife areas.’ He adds: ‘FFW was recently approached by the Giraffe Conservation

Pilot Richard Calder (right). A giraffe is held for ear tagging (below) Foundation (GCF) to assist with the capture of 15 giraffes in Hwange. After capture, the animals were tagged with small solar-powered GPS satellite ear tags, before they were later released. By following the movements of these giraffe online, researchers from GCF and Zimbabwe’s National Parks can learn more about their movements and take informed management decisions.’ The capture team included wildlife vets, a helicopter pilot and a ground support team of Zimbabwe’s National Parks and GCF personnel. Considerable coordination between ground and air crews was required to find a suitable herd and select an individual before it was darted from a helicopter and captured for tagging. ‘When the animal is safely secured on the ground, time is of the essence to ensure the animal’s welfare,’ says Richard, ‘as the drug was immediately reversed, and the giraffe is awake during the operation.’ Members of the ground crew secured the giraffe’s neck while the GCF team fitted the ear tag. ‘This all takes about five minutes and when the tagging is completed the giraffe is released and quickly staggers to her feet and trots off wondering what all the fuss was about,’ he adds. Richard flew with the RAF between 1967 and 1972. On leaving the service, he trained as a chartered accountant and became a director at Rio Tinto, before owning and running his own small mines and aviation companies in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Zambia. He remains in contact with fellow OCs Chris du Cane (M70) and Dave Ralph (SH67).

Sibling rallying rivalry

Driving champion Carl (Flash) Tundo (W92) and his sister Natasha Di Cangio (née Tundo) (Ma97) competed against each other this summer in an exciting Rallycross event, the first of its kind to be held in Kenya, with their teams taking first and second place. Motor racing is in the blood for the siblings whose father Frank is also a rally driver. Speaking after the event at at Mackakos Peoples Park in July, Natasha says: ‘It’s always hard racing against the African Champion – especially when it’s your brother – but it was great fun!’ Flash, who won the African Rally Championship in 2021 and is also a six-time Kenyan National Champion, organised the event to bring Rallycross to his country for the first time. He has been rallying for around 20 years and has also won the Safari Rally a record five times as well as the East African Classic Rally, a 10-day endurance event. ‘Rallycross is a track event where the track is half gravel and half tarmac, usually anywhere from 1-2km in length,’ says Flash. It was run as a team event with each entry including a female driver. Asked about the interfamily competition and how they decided who would drive with who, Flash explained that as he and his father both had cars, they drew straws to see who would get his sister and his father won. In the end it was Flash’s team which took line honours with Natasha and Frank’s team coming in second. Natasha started out in rallying as a navigator and made it into the top ten lady navigators in the world in 2012 before taking the driver’s seat herself in 2015. She continues to navigate for her father around the world in classic rallying as well as driving her own car in a ladies’ team, Rallychix, in Kenya. When not on the track she is also involved in race organisation and took on the role of event director for the East African Safari Classic rally this year. Their brother Anton (Speedy) Tundo (W91) is also involved in the sport, acting as navigator for his father.

Flash and Natasha

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Gordon David MacDougall (M60)

writes: ‘Currently living in the Salisbury area with my wife Jenny. Still thoroughly enjoying retirement but so busy that one often feels like going back to work for a rest! Playing much golf at both the two Salisbury golf clubs and as Captain of the OC Golfing Society and very much enjoying our many fixtures now that Covid lockdowns are in the past.’ As a trustee of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, Gordon helped organise this year’s Sir Edward Heath Lecture at Salisbury Cathedral in June.

Humphry Barnikel (W66) writes that he moved to Canada to be near his daughter Alice Gyton (née Barnikel, Ma98). His son, Peter Barnikel (W95) is in Sydney.

John Botibol (SH67) has moved to France and has bought a new house in the Loire valley. He is slowly getting used to ‘the French way of doing things’ and is currently working for a startup producing a medical communication app. He has remarried and the couple have four children and seven grandchildren.

Cleeves Palmer DL (C80) became Deputy Lieutenant for Dorset in 2021, a role which involves carrying out public duties on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant and nominating individuals from their county for King’s Awards. He continues to work as Sales and Marketing Director for the family brewery based in Bridport. He is married to ‘Dwina and has two children, Sophie and Mark.

Simon Waller (B81) writes that he is now living in Cheltenham with his wife Jenny, in order to be close to their children, and they remain ‘busy as ever, volunteering with various community groups.’ After graduating with a degree in electronics from Bristol University, Simon initially joined BT before moving to a role developing the first GSM digital mobile phones. He later worked for Sony as a project leader on digital television and STBs and became involved with defining the international standards that govern how digital television systems interoperate. His final role was with Samsung, continuing with the standardisation efforts along with working with broadcasters.

SILVER SCREEN CONNECTIONS

In the World War II spy thriller, Operation Mincemeat, which premiered in April, Matthew Macfadyen received critical acclaim for his depiction of a distinguished OC. FlightLieutentant Charles Cholmondeley (C35) was a member of the XX Committee, which was involved in counter espionage and deception operations for British military intelligence. He played a leading role in planning a ruse involving a corpse carrying false papers which convinced the Germans that the Allies were about to invade Greece; a ploy which successfully diverted attention away from the real invasion of Sicily in 1943. Another OC, Charlie Richards (W90), starred alongside Macfadyen as a member of the XX Committee. He was delighted to be involved as his grandfather took part in the 1943 landings in Italy which were greatly assisted by the success of Operation Mincemeat. ‘I was therefore very pleased to be asked to be part of the XX Committee for the Operation Mincemeat film which was in cinemas earlier this year,’ says Charlie. He is also pictured dressed for his role in series two of Netflix’s Bridgerton, which aired this spring. Charlie was cast as a footman serving Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel. Filming took place at Hampton Court Palace and Wilton House, near Salisbury.

Driving social change

Law student Emily Garton (Ma19) has gained significant recognition this year for her work campaigning for an end to public sexual harassment. In February, she was named as one of the Frontline 50, which recognises students who are driving social change on UK campuses and in April she was selected as a top ten finalist for the Young Activist of the Year Award which forms part of the Targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards. After graduating with a First Class Degree in English from the University of Nottingham this summer, Emily also attended an event in the Houses of Parliament focused on tackling public sexual harassment, hosted by MP Caroline Nokes for Plan International UK and Our Streets Now. Emily is now enrolled on a Law Conversion course at the University of Law in London.

Fijian rugby training at Canford

After being named head coach for Fiji’s 7s team at the start of the year, Ben Gollings (L99) brought his team to Canford for a two-week training camp in July, ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The visit attracted the attention of the BBC’s South Today and in interview Ben explained: ‘When we were looking for a venue for our pre-Games camp, Canford was a natural choice. It’s easy to get to from the major international airports, the facilities are first rate and there’s plenty of space for us to get acclimatised and bond together as a squad.’ He added: ‘Having the beach on our doorstep is an added bonus – almost a home from home in the current heatwave!’ Ben is a former England 7s captain and played with the national side for eleven years from 2000. Aged 17, Ben led Canford to the National School’s title for 7s rugby.

Leander memorial

Peter D O’Hanlon (C03) writes that on 7th May, several OCs met in Henley at the Leander Club’s deck opening party where they took the opportunity to take a photo in front of the gates dedicated to former Canford rowing coach Derek Drury. Although his day job is with HSBC, Peter remains actively involved with top-level rowing and commentated on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, as well as World Championships, World Cups and the National Schools Regatta. Pictured (l-r) are Peter Greenslade (SH76), Mark Jones (M83), Tim O’Riordan (B83) and Peter O’Hanlon (C03)

Sunflowers for Ukraine

In Coolamon, Australia, John Glassford (B61) has been busy working on a fundraising project to support Ukraine through the local Rotary Club. Sunflower seeds were donated by a local farmer to be repackaged by Rotary members and sold as a fundraiser for humanitarian aid. Pictured (l-r): John Glassford with farmer Doug Bruckner and Rotary President Albert Suidgeest

England Hockey

In February, Martha Taylor (W20) was selected for her first senior England squad and travelled to Argentina to take part in the FIH Hockey Pro League. She previously competed in the England U21 Junior Women’s World Cup in December last year.

Cycling in search of Danish beer

Having recently come across an old photo of a cycling trip from Ostend to Copenhagen to visit the Carlsberg brewery with Canford friends, Robin Chew (C64) writes that he would love to hear from any of those who took part in the expedition. ‘It is 60 years ago that we set out, with a budget of about 45p (8/6d) a day to cover dinner, bed , breakfast and a packed lunch, staying in youth hostels,’ he recalls. Those on the trip included the late Nick Kelsey (C63), Peter Reynolds (C63) and Dan Fearon (C63). Robin adds: ‘Over the last 58 years I have met some interesting OCs in various places around the world in my travels. I have now found the ultimate place to finally retire to which is Waiheke Island near Auckland. My wife, Harriet, and I moved into our house here the day before the first lockdown in March 2020 and are blissfully happy living in paradise.’ Robin can be contacted via Canford by emailing community@ canford.com

Share your news OCs like to hear about what other OCs have been up to! Please share your news via our online form or email community@canford.com

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Tiffany Riaz (S84) writes: ‘I remember having a lot of fun celebrating Canford’s 60th Anniversary back in 1983, so it is hard to believe that so much time has passed since then that now the centenary is imminent. In brief: one happy marriage, two gorgeous children, careers in accountancy then catering, great friends, many from Canford, wonderful travel adventures, some dark times but more than my fair share of joys. I now volunteer for Le Cure and help organise a cycling event in the Alps that raises funds for innovative breast cancer research at The Royal Marsden Hospital. If anyone fancies the challenge of some iconic cycling climbs combined with improving outcomes for breast cancer patients, please do get in touch. I would love a team of OCs to join!’ Tiffany may be contacted via email at: community@canford.com

Alex Bellars (W89) is to take a sabbatical from teaching at Ballard School to sail from the UK to South America in a 70ft yacht competing in Leg 1 of the next Clipper Round The World Race. He hopes to make the centenary celebrations at Canford.

The late Jonathan Upshall (S90) A foundation has been set up in memory of Jonathan who died in December 2019 of Motor Neurone Disease. Founded by his niece, Kate Upshall, it provides free and low-cost counselling and psychotherapy in the Newcastle and Gateshead area initially. Kate explains she wanted to make use of the money Jonathan left her and was keen ‘to do something to make it possible for more people to benefit from the excellent mental health services available in the private sector’. For more information see: www.jonathanupshallfoundation.org

Rupert Kaye (C92) writes from New Zealand, where he runs a B&B, manages rental properties and works as a stay-at-home dad. He continues to plan future adventures as part of a long-term expedition to drive a Land Rover around the world. Although the pandemic put this on hold, he aims to set off again within the year to see more of Europe. He is delighted that his nephew will soon be joining Canford, as he will be the third generation of the family to attend the school.

Will Dunlop (F93) writes that after five years of headship at Clayesmore Prep, he stepped back from education in 2019 to work for Letz Live, an Australian gap year provider ‘which has brought me back to Canford a couple of times’. He has also re-joined the Army Reserve as a Learning Development Officer.

One of the first Canford weddings?

Having met in Salisbury House in the late 1970s, Simon and Jacki Liebling (née White) (S77) write that they will celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary next year. The couple, who married in 1983 and now live in Wiltshire, have been enjoying ‘a couple of traveling gap years’. This has included climbing in the Himalayas with their daughter Lottie and summitting Mount Cook in New Zealand. They have also ‘made a habit out of doing up wrecked houses in out of the way places’. On leaving Canford, Jacki qualified as a nurse at Charing Cross, initially taking on hospital roles before becoming a practice nurse. After having children, she taught tennis and helped Simon establish an IT business which he later sold to take on a directorship at a large corporate. Having always enjoyed active family holidays in the mountains and on the sea, Simon began mountaineering ‘as part of a mid-life crisis,’ which led to an expedition to Kyrgyzstan that Jacki also took part in as chief medic.

Informal OC get-togethers

Tom Stewart (F72) writes: ‘Each year a group of grey-haired OCs gather along with wives, partners and friends, usually at the Tyrell’s Ford hostelry near Ringwood.’ At the last gathering, there was around 30 in attendance, including 17 OCs.

Pictured above are (l-r): Nick Ryan (S75), Ian Rowley (S then F74), Jim Mather (S73), Martin Burke (F74), Adrian Stephenson (S75), Phil Staniford (S75), Guy Perkins (S73), Nick Helyer (S73), Paul Barnes (S71), Alan Waltham (F74), Tom Stewart (F72), Paddy Target (F74), Frances Bray (S75), Andy Wigmore (S72) and Chris Ryan (S73). Pictured right (l-r): Toby Berryman (B87), Guy Joseph (W87), Esther Bell (W87), Jo Smith (née Barnaby) (S87), Duncan Forbes (F87), Toby James (C87), Paul Morris (M87) (standing), Simon Hipwell (F87), Jim Dunning (F87), Myles Johnson (SH87) and Jamie Crittall (SH87)

Three brothers in a boat

Louis (C14), Felix (C15) and Finn Ambrose (C17) will set off to row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in December. They will be taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, aiming to cross the 3,000-mile stretch of ocean to become the first children to complete the same challenge as their father. They will row in shifts of two hours on two hours off around the clock and will raise money for Tusk, a charity focused on progressive wildlife initiatives across Africa. For more information or to donate see: ambrosebuoys.com

AWARD FOR JUNIOR DOCTOR’S NUTRITION INITIATIVE

Dr Iain Broadley (F11) was awarded a Commonwealth Points of Light Award in recognition of his outstanding voluntary service to the community. While in his third year of medical training at Bristol University, he set up Nutritank with a fellow student to boost education in nutrition science and share knowledge of healthy eating. The scheme gained the backing of Jamie Oliver and recently helped launch the new nutrition curriculum for undergraduate doctors. Iain also received a personal letter of thanks from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

After holidaying with several OCs in Tresco, on the Isles of Scilly, this summer, Vaughan Ives (S76) has sent in this image of (l-r) James Longrigg (SH20), Katie Ashcroft (B20), Vaughan Ives (S76) and Emily Sewell (Ma20).

James Crittall (SH87) is in regular contact with many Old Canfordians across leaving years 85-90. They try to meet at least once or twice a year but chat regularly via an active WhatsApp group.