Canford OC Magazine - Autumn 2023 by Canford School

AUTUMN 2023

THE OLD CANFORDIAN SOCIETY MAGAZINE

CELEBRATING CANFORD’S CENTENARY

Conserving the nation’s royal palaces A wartime hero remembered Supporting blind veterans

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

OC SOCIETY President’s welcome What is the first emotion you feel when you think of Canford?

inadequate fire evacuation routes. Some had become flats

For me it is tranquillity, like looking out from a shelter at the pouring rain or finding a cool patch of shade from the burning sun, letting out a sigh and relaxing to enjoy the beauty of nature. And yet when I think about it, I am surprised by my initial response.

director, kindly showed me around the Manor House

Canford was where I battled with teenage emotions, tried to work out where I fitted in social groups, struggled with A Levels and considered plans for my future. Despite this, for a long time afterwards, I looked on those two years as the best years of my life. We had a lot of fun, I enjoyed learning and worked hard enough to move on to the next step. My visual memory is of the Manor House viewed from the Cricket Pavilion, and I remember how lucky we were to live in such a beautiful environment. When I was at school, in the 1980s, the Manor House was home to School and Wimborne Houses, both boarding houses. I remember only prefects being allowed to climb the grand staircase, the amazing views from the spacious School House lodges looking out over the sunken lawn and Mountjoy, the narrow stairs to the Wimborne sixth form lodges in the former servants’ quarters. By the time I joined the Canford staff in 2011, Wimborne was a day house and no longer in the Manor House, the third floor lodges I remember having been declared unsuitable for occupation by pupils due to

for graduate assistants. At Easter this year, Andrew Bruce, the estates

Features 21

shortly before the refurbishment was completed. Wimborne House had moved in and Salisbury were about to join them at the start of the new term. Lancaster

Franklin in the ’80s, into the main house. Some of the 29

Nicola Andrews (SH91) tells Society about her role as guardian of some of the nation’s most-loved palaces

AN INDOMITABLE HERO LIFE ON EQUAL TERMS

Ned Vessey (L18) talks to Barry Coupe (F70), former OCS president and Canford governor

to create lodges have been removed recreating attractive rooms for welcoming guests to the school, and those spacious lodges at the front of the building on the first floor have been refurbished to create rooms that make the

CONSERVING ROYAL HISTORY

Archivist Richard Knott recounts the extraordinary life story of Adolph Bleichroder, a German born Jewish OC

House has also moved from the West Wing, home to partitions dividing the original rooms of the West Wing

most of the view over Mountjoy and the Park beyond. In

Canford Community 3

A WORD FROM THE HEADMASTER

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

CANFORD COMMUNITY

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

CANFORD NEWS

STAFF FAREWELLS

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

PUZZLE PAGE

THE EARLY YEARS

Archivist Richard Knott looks back at Canford’s religious roots

contrast, Andrew showed me around the new School and Monteacute Houses, two purpose-built modern buildings so different from their predecessors, similar to one another yet each with its own character.

OC Life 5

OC NEWS

to visiting my old lodges in the building I know as Beaufort

BOOKS, EXHIBITIONS & BUSINESS

and more recently Monteacute, which is to form part of

LEAVERS’ CELEBRATION

the Sixth Form College. So many changes but still Canford,

REMEMBERING SAMUEL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MEDICAL ELECTIVE REPORT

SPORTS PAGES

OBITUARIES

And there is more to come… I am looking forward

beautiful and tranquil, providing an environment in which today’s pupils can enjoy some of the best years of their lives. Sheila Way (née Morrison, B86)

OC SOCIETY COMMITTEE AND OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES

‘Lost’ OCs We don’t have emails for all OCs and consequently, many don’t receive information about reunions and events. If you have a WhatsApp group please post this or if you know an OC who is not in contact with Canford, please ask them to send an email to community@canford.com Thank you.

Editor: Joanna Ashwick (née Clegg F92) Writer, editor and PhD researcher Designers: Paula and Richard Allibone (OC parents) TheWayForward brand designers www.thewayforward.com

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

FROM THE HEADMASTER

A word from the Headmaster W hen the Reverend Percy Warrington founded Canford School in 1923, his aim was to ‘fit boys to take their place in the battle of life and develop their character in every way’. This foundation was based on Christian values focused on building a tolerant, caring and compassionate society for all. Canford opened with just 148 boys and nine masters. The offering was limited by comparison with 2023. The prospectus boasted a general education embracing both classic and scientific elements – just eight subjects. There was little by way of the arts, although music lessons were available at three guineas per term.

For the more intrepid there were army and navy classes, a small range of traditional and recreational sports – one could only be excused if forbidden by formal note from the doctor which was very tough to get! There were lectures on missionary work, travel and exploration. Whilst the site was impressive the facilities were basic and functional, although the brochure stated: ‘The sanitation has been carefully examined and is as perfect as the most recent knowledge and skill can make it’. Facilities are somewhat better now and I know the pupils and staff really appreciate their surroundings. We are blessed with incredible support staff teams who keep everything in first-rate condition. Canford is now around 660 strong with a split of 65% boarders from a broad geographical spread and 35% day pupils from the local area. Our community is far more balanced and reflective of society with our intake drawn from over 60 different schools in the UK and overseas.

We are also a much better and stronger school for being truly co-educational with 55% boys and 45% girls. Our founder’s vision was to place Canford amongst leading independent schools; a worthy aim which remained little more than an acorn for many years. Aside from the myriad achievements of our pupils across so many areas of school life, Mr Warrington would have been very pleased also to see the national recognition afforded to Canford over the past year where we have been recognised through a range of awards for academic excellence, wellbeing and mental health provision, originality of teaching in music and the arts and more. I think he would be justifiably proud to see how the Canford acorn has emerged to become a strong and sturdy oak, well rooted and full of potential. We are a warm, supportive, vibrant and dynamic community which draws strength both from the threads of continuity alongside the capacity to embrace change. This was so evident in the centenary events arranged over the past few months and my sincere and wholehearted thanks to all the OCs who supported those wonderful occasions. Almost a century later, those values which our founder set out endure and our school values of Purposeful Engagement, Courageous Attitude, Humble Ambition and Gracious Leadership shine through each and every day. It has been a delight to experience a ‘normal’ school year after the disruption of Covid and the extraordinary array of educational experiences is certainly a testament to the quality of our teaching and coaching staff. Many pupils have demonstrated their intellectual powers through the wide array of enrichment opportunities. We have seen 42 academic talks by Lower Sixth to Fourth Form pupils, 26 Shell Scholar talks, an amazing Festival of Ideas focused on ‘the importance of the individual in society’ and much more across over 25 academic enrichment societies. A significant number of individuals have earned recognition through considerable success in a wide range of highly competitive external academic competitions and Olympiads. We have seen over 1,000 sports fixtures during the course of the year with almost every pupil representing the school in at least one of over 20 different sports. Individuals have hit heady heights with national, regional and performance academy involvement. Our sports teams, of which there are more than 100 for boys and girls, across a range of sports including cricket, rugby, rowing, football and netball, have reached the final stages of national competitions and we have been dominant players in regional competitions. The quality of our drama is outstanding and wonderfully diverse with six major productions and numerous smaller performances over the course of the year. Those of you who attended the Salisbury Cathedral centenary service, the Proms in the Park Garden Party or indeed any of the 60 or so concerts, big and small, performed

by more than 20 different ensembles over the year will have borne witness to the amazing music making that goes on here. Over 600 pupils were actively engaged in house music, house art and the house film competitions. Our CCF and Outward Bound Adventure programme continues to flourish and provide significant opportunities for challenge, leadership development and personal growth in many wonderful ways. Take up for Duke of Edinburgh Gold is very strong with 52 in the Sixth Form and a further 48 signed up from the Fifth Form. Our CCF is viewed as a real flagship amongst the independent school sector and our Rifles Cup and Pringle Trophy teams secured significant success in those two high-profile competitions coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. As we look ahead to the next 100 years there are storm clouds on the horizon but our excellent governing body and the school are making careful plans to overcome the challenges which Labour’s tax plans may bring. Canford is a crucial part of our local economy and I felt the following annual statistics might be of interest to readers. Our total contribution to UK GDP is £38.9m, of which 50% is generated locally; we are just under 0.5% of Poole’s GDP and support just over 0.5% of all jobs in Poole; we support 867 local jobs, just over half of which are on site; total UK tax supported by our activities is £12.4m, of which £5.9m is direct from the school; it would cost taxpayers £4.3m if our eligible pupils went to state schools. Our strategic plan is very much focused on developing Canford in a way which will enable the school to continue to flourish by providing a dynamic and relevant education in a setting which prepares our pupils professionally and personally for what is a rapidly changing world. As part of that process, it is essential that our whole school community has a strong sense of social responsibility. We will continue to engage actively with a wide range of social and community partnerships both locally and more widely. We currently have over 70 ongoing partnership projects, 16 with state school partners of which the Bourne Academy is the most extensive (www.schoolstogether.org)

We remain fully committed to this partnership work, just as we do to opening access more widely to a Canford education through the Martin Marriott Foundation for Bursaries. My thanks to all those OCs who have contributed to this crucial work. I hope this article gives little flavour of what has been going on and I hope very much we will see many OCs engaged actively with the Canford Community in the months ahead. It is a special thing to be a part of!

Ben Vessey

Atlantic Campaigns Penny Bird

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

OCnews

BROTHERS ROW ATLANTIC AND BEAT FATHER’S TIME Louis (C14), Felix (C15) and Finn Ambrose (C17) succeeded in rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in January, completing their journey from La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, to Antigua in just 36 days, two hours and 41 minutes. In doing so, they beat their father’s 2003 time of 59 days for the same challenge and raised over £27,000 for Tusk. Finn says that although they expected the experience to be tough, it was difficult ‘to comprehend or prepare for the conditions,’ adding that this type of long-distance sea rowing is unique and ‘you are never mentally or physically prepared’ because it’s so difficult to replicate the conditions in training. Although the brothers found it extremely physically challenging, Finn says: ‘It’s amazing how quickly your body seems to adjust.’ They managed to get used to the aches and pains but the salt sores and sleep deprivation remained debilitating. ‘We probably slept for 4.5 hours per day and rowed for around 14 hours,’ says Finn with the rest of the time being spent looking after the boat and eating. Commenting on the lack of sleep he adds: ‘It affects your mood quite a bit and makes you miss home comforts which can leave you frustrated when things go wrong. It also causes hallucinations at night as you drift in and out of sleep on the deck – and some pretty rude awakenings when you

find yourself flat on your back as a wave hits the side of the boat!’ Their most challenging time came just after Christmas when there was a long spell of strong wind, with gusts up to 30 knots hitting the boat at right angles to their direction of travel, along with 10 to 12m high waves. ‘We very nearly capsized two or three times,’ says Finn, ‘another boat behind us in the race actually sunk, and had to be rescued by a passing tanker, lots more boats capsized but managed to right themselves.’ In all, however, he says it was a great experience. There was only a small amount of sibling bickering, he reports, as they had set strict rules and boundaries before setting out to avoid any chance of falling out. ‘Finally seeing land was very weird. We had very flat, hot conditions where the cabins were probably somewhere near 40 degrees, so the sight of land was very welcome… ‘The moment I think it really hit home was when we started seeing people on the cliff tops, and hearing voices, that was the moment you really felt like you had got there safe. As we hit land the cold drinks, solid food and seeing family and friends is something we’ll never forget!’

OC NEWS

Pedalling in aid of Cure Parkinson’s

Mike Tindall with Simon Bland

Simon Bland (M84) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018. Over the last two years he has taken on some gruelling cycling challenges in order to raise money for Cure Parkinson’s. This summer he took part in the arduous RAID Ventroux, which culminated in a one-day 100km ascent and descent of Mount Ventroux, while last summer he teamed up with former rugby star Mike Tindall and others to complete the RAID Alpine in aid of the charity. He recounts his experiences as part of that team: ‘It was with some trepidation that my good friend, David Pollock and I flew to Geneva to hook up with the Cure Parkinson’s (CP) RAID Alpine Team headed up by Mike Tindall and Will Cook, CEO of CP. The trip had been postponed due to Covid and while there was a hard core who had completed the RAID Pyrenees in 2019, David and I were newbies. ‘I don’t think that I had fully appreciated the extent of what we were taking on and with my training having been curtailed by getting Covid in March 22 the reality hit me fair and square in the face at the end of the first day which comprised of 120km and 3,153m of climbing ending in a thunderstorm in La Clusaz! This set the pattern for the rest of the trip as we covered at least three major cols a day including the Galibier, Telegraph, Iseran and Bonette averaging over seven hours in the saddle. ‘The climbs were through the most spectacular scenery starting with alpine wild flower meadows singing with cow bells and butterflies and ending in Mediterranean forests echoing to the sound of crickets as we neared Nice. Each climb was rewarded with an adrenalineinducing descent, although no-one repeated Tom Pidcock’s TdF epic 105kmh descent of the Galibier (Mike Tindall was unsurprisingly the quickest downhill if not uphill) and we only had one casualty who had to withdraw with bones intact and a bad case of road rash. ‘I hit a day three low as we ascended the Col de l’Iseran starting early from Bourg St Maurice and need much coffee, croissants and the continued overleaf

news IN BRIEF

Michael Stokes (M55) writes that a stay in a Lisbon hospital has left him thinking back to his healthier days as an athlete at Canford. His achievements included setting a new school record for the 120m hurdles and 3rd and 4th places in the All England Schools Athletics Championships. After leaving school, he initially worked as a shipbroker, concentrating on oil tanker shipping which involved many foreign visits. He enjoys learning languages, taking up Japanese and later Portuguese and he moved to Portugal 27 years ago. While there he set up a tea room on the Costa da Caprica which he ran with his Portuguese wife for 13 years until retirement. Peter Backlog (S55) attended a service at the National Arboretum in April to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of National Service in 1963. He writes that he believes he may have been the first Canfordian to wear the RM badge with his CCF uniform, after attending a two-week schools’ entry course with the Royal Marines Forces Volunteer Reserve in the Easter holidays 1955. He later joined the RM for military service and was commissioned in 1956. Allan Ledger (W61) has been busy giving talks on his memories of singing at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, during his time as a chorister of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, prior to joining Canford. This included speaking events in Salisbury and the Cotswolds and a visit to Westminster Abbey at the invitation of the Dean of Westminster for the unveiling of an exhibition by the BBC. Daniel Fearnon (C63) has enjoyed a career as a professional numismatist, working for Sotheby’s, Spinks, Glendinning’s and Bonhams as well as independently. Although he is now retired, he says he still ‘keeps his hand in’ by consulting for a specialist auction house in London. A recent purchase was an artist’s galvano for a medal of the then Prince Charles made in 1953 at the time of his mother’s coronation, which Daniel sold to the British Museum. He is married to Karen and has a son James and daughter Letitia, as well as three grandchildren. Richard Burnett (C64) writes that after a career in professional indemnity and insurance broking he retired in 2010. This has given him time to indulge his love of sailing, in his beloved Sparkman & Stevens 36ft sloop, and foreign cruises. His son James Burnett (C86) is also an OC.

OC NEWS

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

continued from p6

support from my now forged-in-fire band of brothers when we stopped in Val d’Isere in order to get over the first of three Cols that day! ‘My ability to stay upright at slow speed was challenged often and at the end of day four I was initiated into the Bulls, as opposed to the Pumas. No explanation needed. ‘Finishing was the most incredible feeling and emotional. The trip was incredibly challenging for me, but I was fortunate to undertake it with some fantastic people through the most amazing scenery and ultimately we raised over £150,000 to help fund research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.’ This year Simon has raised an additional £20,000 for Cure Parkinson’s though his participation in RAID Ventroux. To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-bland8

Double success for trainee doctor

In the same week, medical student Natasha Treagust (D18) won a prestigious national accolade and had her first academic paper published. Natasha, who is a student at the University of Cambridge’s medical school, won the Royal Society of Medicine Doubleday National Student Prize which was open to trainee medics across the UK. At the same time, she also had a paper published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Natasha explains: ‘My interest in the mental health of older people began when I was a student at Canford so it is brilliant to now start contributing to the field.’ She is due to be published again soon as part of her prize-winning Doubleday submission will appear in Lifestyle Medicine. This essay is entitled ‘How can patient partnership help to improve equality as COVID-19 moves from pandemic to endemic’. Natasha, who is now in her final year at Cambridge, says she found the question ‘pertinent to reflect on and writing the essay enabled me to explore medicine beyond my exam revision’.

Heavenly inspiration

Rowing back the years

Mike Taylor (F86) organised a crew reunion to row together on the Thames in May. ‘It was great to catch up with some lovely people,’ says Mike. ‘ We were amazed how well we did on the river, turns out it’s like riding a bike (even with a sore head). Quite an emotional day in the end as many of us had lost touch over the years, more than 35 years for some of us.’ He adds: ‘What a great day: so much fun we might have to do it again. Thanks to Upper Thames RC for the loan of a boat and facilities, George Farthing (C20) for encouragement and Jack Tradrea (S10) for kindly lending his blazer to a total stranger.’

Pictured from 1985 crew: Thomas Grantham Wright (B85), Simon Perham (B85); 1986 crew: John Ward (C86), Jon Monk (F86), Mike Taylor (F86), Mark Tennant (C86), Tom Notley (F85), James Webb (F86), Nick Robertson (C86); 1987 crew Dick Telfer (C87), Tim Wiltshire (F87) and Jim Dunning (F87). Honorary spectators Martin Hillier (F86) and Paul Hendy (C86).

Nigel Watts (W80) was delighted to meet up with former school chaplain the Rev Michael Drury (pictured above) at Canford’s Centenary Foundation Service at Salisbury Cathedral in April. He recalls being asked by Michael, at the end of his confirmation preparation whether he gave his life to Christ. Nigel says: ‘There is no way that Reverend Michael Drury could have known what he started by asking me that simple question on that day.’ He explains that after 25 years of military service he was called to work full time in a Christian ministry, teaching others how to grow in their faith and study God’s word through Precept UK. He urges the school governors to ‘keep the Christian heritage of the school alive’ as it had been ‘hugely important for me all those years ago and is still to many today.’

TWO OCS ON SAME COUNTY SIDE Batter Felix Organ (SH17) and all-rounder Tom Prest (W21) have continued to represent Hampshire Cricket as members of its first team this season. Last year Tom captained England’s Young Lion’s for the U19 World Cup.

news IN BRIEF

Robin Wright (SH69) has recently enjoyed a trip to India, visiting Dehli, Agra and Jaipur. ‘How to sum up a place with soon to be the highest population number in the world – a place of such obvious contrasts,’ he says and comments that he feared he would be ‘deafened by the silence of Salisbury,’ on his return. David B Stoll (F70) Having specialised in haematology and oncology since 1984, David says he has recently switched his focus to become board certified in addiction medicine and now primarily treats opioid addicts in an urban setting. Paul Braine (SH75) writes that his packing business Boxit celebrated its 10th anniversary in August. Having held senior roles in the packaging industry, working for the market leader, he and his wife set up their own firm in 2013. In 2019 they bought a holiday home in France overlooking the Dordogne river where they now spend six months each year, working remotely. Paul says he has no plans to retire and would be delighted to hear from any OCs who remember him.

Grahame Sewell (S68) writes that he has recently spent five years serving as chairman of the board of governors at Solent University which also encompasses Warsash Maritime Academy. It allowed him to meet some fascinating people, he says, including the late Duke of Edinburgh and Lord Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame. After leaving education, he spent eight years working abroad, initially in Africa before moving to Belgium and Holland. Graham returned to the UK in the early 1980s and worked for Lotus Development and Reebok setting up and growing their international operations before joining UniChem on its board of directors. He lives with his wife Jenny in East Horsley, Surrey, and the couple have two sons and a grandchild.

Andrew Williams (S87) has lived in Dubai for over 17 years where he enjoys coaching rugby as wells as playing golf and padel in his free time. He recently acted in a film which is due to be released next year and says he is still in touch with Rob Johnson (W85), Martin Wharam (S85), Jim Davenport (S85), Simon Draycott (S85), and Richard Jones (S85).

Memorial bench for Nigel

Peter Jones (F98) recently moved to the Cambridge area after over a decade living in Cambodia, while running a family travel business (www.SeeAsiaDifferently.com) which specialises in tailor-made holidays to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand,Vietnam and Indonesia. He says: ‘We had a pretty challenging time with relocating back and the implications of Covid on our travel business. But I am happy to say that after featuring on the BBC’s The Travel Show we have weathered the storm and now hope that we can show some Canfordians past and present the incredible region that we called home for so many years.

Friends and family of the late Nigel Jones (S84) visited Canford recently to celebrate his life and present the school with a bench in his memory. Pictured (l-r) are: Paul Girling (W84), Rick Jones (M84), Ian Pottinger (S82), Matt Le Maistre Smith (M84), Bill Saumarez (W84) and Mike Cox (B82).

Alex Bellars (W89) is taking part in the round-the-world Clipper Race as a crew member for the first leg from the UK to South America. His progress aboard one of 11 70ft yachts can be tracked on the Clipper Race website. Stephanie Dunlop (B95) is now working at Port Regis as an admissions registrar and would love to hear from any OCs who would like to visit.

OC NEWS

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

Centenary celebrations Down Under OCs in Australia enjoyed a drinks party at the University of Sydney on 18th August to mark the school’s centenary. John Marshall (SH67), Andrew Short (B81) and Silvio de Denaro (B78) managed to contact 24 OCs 12 of whom attended the event, many accompanied by their partners. John comments that this was a pleasing turnout ‘given the distances to be travelled by the more far-flung Australian alumni’. He adds: ‘There was much fond reminiscing and comparing of notes on school life, made even more enjoyable by archival school and house photos and the school’s centenary video clips, all kindly supplied by Canford. We were particularly delighted that the headmaster was able to send his best wishes via video. ‘Throughout the evening OCs reflected amusingly, not only on their school years but also on why they emigrated, all agreeing that their Canford years had greatly influenced their lives for the better. We eventually parted with repeatedly expressed hopes to meet again before too long.’ Pictured (l-r): Chris Cooper (S81); Andrew Short (B81); Justin Cooper (B83); Sue Clement (née Mendel W80); Simon Clement (C79); Silvio de Denaro (B78); Katherine Grant (SH90); John Glassford (B61); Tony Cox (B60); Harriet Walsh (née Robertson S81); John Marshall (SH67) and Tony Board (B86).

Members of the 1987 CCF Ten Tors team

Informal (pictured) held a reunion at Sandhurst. Matthew Maynard (B90) writes that OC get-togethers James Coote (F90) and Mark GidlowJackson (F90)

are a couple of years away from finishing ‘genuinely distinguished army careers’ and Tim Morley (SH90) has

Richard Bowden (W61) has co-written a book on the Portman family entitled From Somerset to Portman Square – the Portman family and their estates, published by Carnegie Publishing. During the course of his research, Richard discovered that one of the family, the late 9th Viscount, Edward Henry Portman (SH51) attended Canford. Richard has lost contact with most of his contemporaries but would love to hear from anyone who was at school with him. Jo Lyons (W77) has just had her first book published which she says features rowing, Egyptology and a setting similar to Canford. The Sun Will Rise is available online through Resurgence Novels.

yachts, now residing in Monaco’. Matt

The Wonderful World of Wellies

completed 20 years in the army and now works in risk management. Canford Sports Co-ordinator Steven Ives (S78) and Tom Thurston (L94) enjoyed meeting up at the Lancaster House Leavers’ Dinner in John o’Gaunts. Steven explains: ‘We go back quite a way – poor Tom was a pupil of mine at Castle Court during the late ‘80s. The wonderful evening was only slightly spoiled by the fact that we worked out my Canford cricket blazer and Tom are the same age!’ Jon Silversides (B85) thoroughly enjoyed his annual catch up with Rob Johnson (W85) and Andy Farmer (W85). He lives

Adrian Morgan (F71) retired journalist and boat builder, and Oliver Gero (M58), astronomical instrument entrepreneur, and their respective partners met for a celebratory lunch to mark 100 years of Canford and drank a toast to the school for another 100 years of happiness and success. (see Adrian’s contribution in Letters to the editor p37). Peter and Cynthia Dawkins write: ‘We had a happy visit in June

To support the Royal Marines Charity and the Falklands 40 initiative, Jamie Crittall (SH87) joined a team of friends and family who cycled through the Surrey and Sussex countryside along a 56-mile route to commemorate the same distance covered across East Falkland by soldiers 40 years ago. Jamie says: ‘Fellow OCs generously sponsored me – including doubling their donations if I cycled in a “Blue Jacket” and even offering to quadruple them if I did it naked.” Although Jamie failed to meet that particular challenge, the team succeeded in raising £10,000.

Books

had ‘a frankly awesome career chartering

in Oxford and is a partner at Carter Jonas.

Forces Falklands fundraiser

Books exhibitions & business

from Keith Burridge (S67) and his wife Pat whilst visiting their daughter, also established in an academic career. Keith retired in 2019 after a career in which he achieved the position of Kenan Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For many years he ran a research group that studied how cells adhere and move. Based on his research, in 2016 he was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retirement allows him to pursue a second career as a playwright. He has written several plays, many with a historical focus, often dealing with individuals who have made major contributions that have been overlooked or forgotten. After Cambridge Keith worked with both Francis Crick and James Watson, Nobel Laureates for their work on DNA. He always remembers with gratitude his early days and teachers at Canford.’

Aimed at two to six-year-olds, Warren Muggleton (S12) has penned a children’s storybook which was launched at Bookends in Christchurch last autumn. He created The Wonderful World of Wellies together with his mother, Lisa Esposito, and it became the Christchurch store’s best-selling children’s picture book, earning a place on the shelves alongside Julia Donaldson as one of their ‘books to buy for Christmas’. The Wonderful World of Wellies is also available at Gulliver’s Bookshop in Wimborne and through Waterstones.

Canford 100 Objects

School archivist Richard Knott has recorded Canford’s first 100 years in a book chronicling important artefacts and objects of interest from across the decades. A limited-edition run has been printed and books are now available through the school shop. For further details email: schoolshop@canford.com

Business

Making screening affordable Daniel Hogarty (M16) has established a not-for-profit organisation to enable complete screening for cancer to be easy and affordable. He explains: ‘As the Cancer Screening Trust (CST) is independent, we can offer clients any and all blood tests on the market, that have a proven track record.’ The trust’s work has been featured in The Telegraph and it is currently in discussions with the NHS over trials using CST’s Trucheck technology. Daniel founded The Cancer Screening Trust in November 2022, having been inspired by time spent working in the health services and life science industries. Daniel says the firm’s main test, Trucheck, has been ‘touted as the revolution in Multi Cancer Early Detection (MCED)’. The trust was created after Daniel realised the huge potential of emerging liquid biopsies combined with AI. ‘The decision to be a not-for-profit organisation, as well as the desire to have Trucheck offered by the NHS is a core value and my time at Canford taught me to think big, have high expectations and be of service.’ For more information see: www.thecancerscreeningtrust.co.uk

Bridging the gap between business and nature Caty Batten (S98) has set up Intaconnected, a sustainability consultancy which enables organisations to become a force for good for climate. Caty says this for-profit social enterprise helps ‘create a universal pathway to Net Positive for business and finance institutions’, and she credits her time at Canford as having fostered her desire to help the planet. She explains: ‘Without doubt, my innate love for nature was nurtured by two school diving trips to Hurghada, in Egypt, while at Canford, thanks to Mr Powell and his never-ending quest to meet the giant squid. ‘Having worked in entrepreneurship, adventure travel, international development and television (oh and a failed attempt at a small, unsuccessful wine business in the Loire) I eventually came back to the ocean, supporting marine protected areas in Mozambique, before returning to the UK to work for the ‘Dragon’ Peter Jones,’ says Caty. She was then inspired to bridge the disconnect between business, finance, nature and people. After establishing Intaconnected in 2020, her first team member was a Canford leaver, Emily Witter (Ma20), whose father later became an investor. Caty adds: ‘I hope to play a small part, alongside a great many others, in transitioning the global economy from a destructive force, into one that creates abundance and great value for people and nature, and a safer future for all. Anyone with an interest in what we are doing, please feel welcome to reach out.’ For more information see: www.intaconnected.org

news IN BRIEF Denise Briggs (B02) writes that helping to set up a marine reserve in Madagascar in her gap year encouraged her to follow a career in marine science. While studying, she ‘briefly competed internationally in windsurfing (freestyle and waves)’ and took part in a yacht race across the Atlantic with her family. She moved to New Zealand in 2010 and six years later bought a yacht in the British Virgin Islands with her partner. They sailed it back home to New Zealand, passing through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific in a twoyear voyage. She says: ‘Since we got back home, we have got married and now have two wonderful daughters (two years and a new born). I now run the marine conservation and aquaculture department in Nelson at the top of the South Island. My love for marine science was inspired by teachers such as Mr Hooker, my windsurfing encouraged by Mr Street and my love of sailing ignited by my time in the Canford sailing team.’ Anna Anderson (B09) has founded an open house in Hammersmith, dedicated to bringing people together through events, coworking and great food and drink. Alice Hazell (B22) has launched a series of podcasts at Oxford University, with students interviewing their professors on niche topics within their subject areas.

Exhibitions

Photographer Brendan Barry’s (F99) work was showcased at a solo exhibition, Flowers with Bea, at Greenhill Arts, Moretonhampstead, this summer. It explored themes of family, reconnecting with nature and personal space. He used two distinct analogue processes to make images of flowers collected on walks with his daughter during the first lockdown. The first method used simple paper negatives while the second used a far more complex colour reversal process that he spent five years developing. Each image created is unique as varying temperatures and chemical concentrations fluctuate with differing results. Brendan is also the founder and director of Positive Light Projects, a not-for-profit organisation based in Exeter which uses the visual arts to engage and inspire a diverse range of audiences and communities as well as helping to develop the careers of emerging artists. Last year, Brendan worked on an exhibition alongside curator and fellow OC Kate Campbell (née Best SH92). For more information see: brendanbarry. co.uk/contact and positivelightprojects.com

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

Centenary celebrations

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

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CANFORD COMMUNITY

CANFORD community An update from development director Rowena Gaston

was interviewed for the role of development director eight years ago and as part of my conversation with headmaster Ben Vessey at the time, I remember him saying ‘…and of course in 2023 Canford will celebrate its centenary so we will be looking to the successful candidate to organise the celebrations…’ It seemed a long way off at that point, and a great deal has happened in the intervening years, but looking towards the centenary year has always been in the background. On January 1st 2023, I felt the expectation of the Canford Community on my shoulders. The year had arrived, and it was time to deliver on all that we’d planned. Some time ago the decision was taken, given the school’s hectic calendar, that the centenary should focus on two main events for the whole Canford Community – a Foundation Service at Salisbury Cathedral and a celebration in the school grounds – accompanied by some additional smaller activities.

Always a Canfordian The year started with the launch of our centenary film – Always a Canfordian – in which OC Will Holloway (F99), ably assisted by George Farthing (C20) (who was on a placement with Voop Productions) spent over five days at Canford filming pupils, staff and OCs. The result was a film which celebrated the people and the place, the past and the future, and all the opportunities that being part of Canford offers for those who have gone before, for those in our school community today, and for the Canfordians to come.

OCs enjoyed glorious weather for the Proms in the Park Garden Party

Centenary Foundation Service Canford was built on Christian foundations and a Foundation Service takes place every year. It was decided that for the 100th service, Salisbury Cathedral, as the head of our diocese would offer not just a large enough space for the whole community to gather but also a beautiful setting to celebrate this Christian milestone. On Friday 28th April over 1,200 members of the Canford Community including pupils (travelling on 13 coaches and 10 minibuses), staff, parents and Old Canfordians arrived for a service at 10am. We enjoyed fabulous music from Canfordians, staff and OCs (invited back to join the choir), ably conducted by director of music Chris Sparkhall and accompanied on the organ by music teacher and OC James Aiken (F07). The Introit Up was composed by Howard Moody (B82) especially for this service. Former staff members, Richard Knott and the Rev James Dudley Smith, addressed the congregation with a reflection and sermon respectively. A reception for OCs followed in the Cloisters. The recording of this service can be found at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aie7PmbD3ec

Foundation Day Archive Film

OC thanks

On 15th May, with the help of the marketing department, we produced a film which looked back on the school’s 100 years of history. Producing this type of medium along with live streaming and recording the main celebrations has allowed us to involve OCs across the globe in Canford’s Centenary. The film can be viewed by by visiting Canford’s YouTube page.

‘I was highly impressed with the streaming of the Proms in the Park this afternoon. Please give my warmest congratulations to all those who took part and organised an excellent afternoon. I was really taken back 70 years to my time at Canford by the very evocative shots from Mountjoy towards the school buildings in the background. I was sorry not to be able to attend in person, but this was the next best thing!’

Centenary Proms in the Park Garden Party It felt only right that a celebration should take place at Canford. Along with the Foundation Service, this day took around two years to plan. Good weather was crucial. We did have a wet-weather plan, but it would have watered down (literally) what we hoped to achieve. A glorious day dawned on 25th June and our guests gradually arrived and set up picnics on Mountjoy. They enjoyed mini Canford tours, played lawn games, rummaged through archive materials, bought Canford and OC memorabilia and finally enjoyed a spectacular concert, again performed by Canford musicians. Some OCs, staff and parents took part in the opening number – Chariots of Fire – with a starring role played by headmaster Ben Vessey.

‘I wanted to say a huge thank you. What an amazing afternoon our family had today. It was fantastic to catch up with current and past friends in the stunning grounds full of sunshine and be able to listen to some fab music at the same time.’

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CANFORD COMMUNITY

Henley Royal Regatta Centenary Row Past

Centenary sculpture

Stowe School shares Canford’s centenary and along with sports fixtures between the two schools, Canford’s director of rowing, Ian Dryden, organised a joint row past at Henley Royal Regatta. Former boat club captains were asked if they would like a seat in the VIII’s race before names were drawn to select the crew. Timed perfectly to follow Canford’s current 1st VIII, the alumni boat graced the water with aplomb, sporting centenary zephyrs designed for the occasion. A lunch reception followed, with many OCs in attendance and the Old Canfordian Boat Club was officially launched paying tribute to the work that George Farthing (C20) has put into galvanizing OC rowers in the past year.

The generosity of donors has enabled Canford to commission artist Zoe Wilson to design and carve a commemorative centenary sculpture which will be positioned on a plinth close to the main building, in the heart of the school. The timeless design of her spherical piece reflects the values, history and impact of Canford on lives past, present and future and represents four key elements of the school’s ethos. Zoe is an award-winning artist and QEST Scholar (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) with a diploma in historic stone carving. She was brought to our attention as an artist by Charlotte Bowater, current parent and daughter of the late OC Charles Rawlinson (B52). The commencement of her work was live streamed on Instagram @zoewilsoncarving on 3w July and her completed sculpture will be unveiled during the Christmas Term. The sculpture will be cast and photographed, to enable members of our community to purchase a unique memento of Canford at different price points. All proceeds from sales will benefit the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries.

Canford Archive – a new look

Another Centenary project funded by the Old Canfordian Society was to update the Canford Archive . The old system has had a major face lift and is much more user friendly. You can now browse through back issues of The Canfordian, search the whole archive, search for specific terms or filter your searches by year or use the sliding timeline tool to search for specific periods. We recommend your own name as a great place to start and hope you enjoy looking through the photographs and publications available. The archive is very much an ongoing project and we welcome your feedback.

The centenary year has been one like no other, but it has been a team effort. Development officer Rachael Daniel has been involved and worked alongside me in virtually everything we’ve done and the Canford support team and teachers have been fantastic. Thanks must also be given to the Old Canfordian Society who have sponsored the main centenary events.

Artist’s original The long-awaited original pastel image of Canford by Anthony Eyton (B41) was personally presented to the headmaster in May, the week following Anthony’s own 100th birthday. It now graces a wall in the new Canford Guest Room for visitors. A limited edition of 15 signed giclée prints available to purchase from www.markflawnthomas.com/canford

2003 Reunion Lunch We were delighted to welcome the class of 2003 back to Canford for their reunion lunch. Check ‘dates for your diary’ for next year’s reunion dates.

SCHOOL NEWS

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The Martin Marriott Foundation The Martin Marriott Foundation continues to support bursaries for pupils who would otherwise be in no position to afford a Canford education but are incredibly deserving, gain tremendously from their experience and in turn give so much back to the school community. Support for the foundation gradually increases year on year and our recipients are extremely grateful. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our donors for their incredible support. There is still significant work to do, and we very much wish to assist more pupils. If you would like to get involved, or receive further information, please contact Rowena Gaston rjg@canford.com

Nineveh Legacy Society Members of the Nineveh Legacy Society met for their annual lunch in November. It is a real privilege to be able to thank OCs who have left a gift to Canford in their will. The next lunch will be on 15th November 2023. If you have left a gift to Canford in your will and haven’t let us know, please get in touch as we would be delighted to welcome you to the Nineveh Legacy Society. For more information about leaving a legacy gift, including the inheritance tax benefits, please contact Rowena. Gaston.

CANFORD news Careers Convention

ach year the Careers Convention enables Sixth Formers to learn more about career paths from OCs and parents and to build connections which could lead to mentoring or work experience opportunities. This year we were very grateful to the 70 volunteers representing a wide range of industries including business management, entrepreneurship, environment, science and the third sector. Tech entrepreneur Sam Jones (S09) presented the first session of the day. After leaving school, Sam studied

DATES for your diary Dates are correct at going to press, further events may be added. Please check our What’s On page and regular Canford emails. OCTOBER 2023 Thursday 12th – OC London Drinks, 6.30pm, Lansdowne Club Saturday 14th – Canford History Tour with Keith Hay, 10.30am NOVEMBER 2023 Saturday 11th – 1984 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford Wednesday 15th – Nineveh Legacy Lunch, Canford Friday 17th – Canford Online Auction starts DECEMBER 2023 Sunday 3rd – Canford Online Auction closes Monday 19th – Noel Noel, 7.30pm, Canford JANUARY 2024

Thursday 25th – 7-10yr Reunion, 6.30pm, London FEBRUARY 2024

Saturday 24th – 1994 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday,

Canford

Saturday 24th OCS AGM, 10am, Canford

MARCH 2024 Sunday 3rd – Canford Music Concert, St John’s Smith Square 4pm Sunday 10th – FCS & Wardrobe Foundation Fashion Show, 6.30pm, Canford Friday 15th – Careers Convention, Canford Sunday 17th – OC Hockey Day, Canford TBC APRIL 2024

Saturday 27th – 2004 Reunion Lunch, 12.00 midday, Canford

Tuesday 30th – 50+ Reunion, 11am, Canford MAY 2024

Thursday 16th – OC London Drinks, Royal Thames Yacht Club 6.30pm JULY 2024

Tuesday 2nd – Henley Royal Regatta Lunch Reception, 12.00 midday

philosophy before his entrepreneurial flair led him to embark on various business ventures. His most recent and well-known achievement is as founder of tech company Gener8, for which he appeared on Dragon’s Den seeking investment in 2021. His presentation to the dragons was described by Touker Suleyman as ‘one of the best pitches’ he’d ever heard. Fast-forward two years, Gener8 has over 600,000 users, more than six million visitors and further funding from a consortium of investors, including Harry Redknapp, Tinie Tempah, and ex-cricket captain Chris Gayle. Sam talked about his inspirational career journey and his determination to pursue his goals, stating ‘action always wins’ and ‘I don’t believe many careers are linear. The magic happens when you take risks.’ Many thanks to Sam and all the other OCs and parents who shared their knowledge and expertise throughout the day in panel sessions and our ever popular ‘speed-dating’ style networking session.

Staff Centenary Bake Off It’s not really a birthday without a cake! Staff had fun competing in a centenary Bake-off competition and on 15th May gathered to admire and enjoy their colleagues’ fabulous creations.

550

Over 550 university offers

Congratulations to the 160 Canfordians who have in total received 582 offers this year, 81% of which are to Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 institutions in the UK. Nine pupils have received offers to Oxford and Cambridge, while ten Canfordians have gained places on highly competitive courses to read medicine (two to Oxbridge) or veterinary science. In addition, pupils are heading to art foundation

courses at University of the Arts London and Arts University, Bournemouth, to international institutions and on degree apprenticeships. We congratulate all our Canfordians on this wonderful set of offers. The range of different courses chosen spans both traditional academic subjects to occupationrelated degrees, which illustrates the embodiment of our vision for each pupil to follow their chosen path ‘to explore, to express and to excel’.

LEAVERS’ CELEBRATION

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

STAFF farewells

LEAVERS’ celebration

Andrew Fearnley Andrew joined Canford in 1993, following several years teaching in the United States. During his 30 years with the school, he taught history and politics at GCSE and A level. He was appointed head of the politics department in 1998 and was also responsible for the departmental society Politicos. Outside the classroom, Andrew coached rowing and sculling, ran drone photography and film club and assisted with Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. He has a particular passion for First World War history and enjoyed his involvement in the school’s battlefield trips. In a speech written for Andrew’s leaving party, head of history Rachel Lines noted that he had witnessed a huge amount of change during his three decades at Canford and that throughout his time he had been a steady source of wisdom for countless pupils and colleagues. ‘In my first few years as head of department, Andrew was always there to listen to me rant and offer help when needed. He has taught multiple generations, including current colleagues and their children, and it is a testament to his incredible career that all fondly remember being taught by Mr Fearnley.’ ‘ A colleague with enviable experience, a track record of outstanding exam results and unparalleled historical and political knowledge, he will be sorely missed by the pupils, the department and wider school community.’ ‘ I would like to express my gratitude to Andrew. For all his wit, sharp tongue and bravado at times, Andrew is a generous, kind, caring, thoughtful and very gentle man. He possesses an oracle-like knowledge of life lessons far beyond any exam syllabus and will leave a huge void in the history and politics departments.’ ‘ I consider him a valuable friend as I know with certainty that if I ever needed him, professionally or personally he would be at my side without hesitation. There is not a day that he doesn’t make me laugh, or frustrate me in equal measure, but there is no one quite like Andrew Fearnley and I feel hugely privileged to have worked with him and to know him.’

Class of 2023

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CONSERVING ROYAL HISTORY Nicola Andrews (SH91) tells Society about her role as guardian of some of the nation’s most-loved palaces

CONSERVING ROYAL HISTORY

hen I was appointed palaces director at Historic Royal Palaces back in 2018, I landed my dream job. On a day-to-day basis I hold operational responsibility for five palaces. But more of that in a minute. First of all, how did I get here? It was quite a journey but one I would recommend to any Canford pupils, past or present. There are myriad career opportunities in the heritage world. My love of history was grown at school. First at Talbot Heath and latterly at Canford. I was blessed with teachers who brought the subject to life and who made it relevant to the modern world around me. It helped that I was living within an amazing historic building, surrounded by the remnants of a beautiful historic and natural landscape. But, if I’m honest, it was the National Trust’s Kingston Lacy estate that really opened my mind to the career potential in heritage. A memorable outing there from Canford, one Sunday afternoon, set me on my course. That was where I wanted to work. After graduating in history and French from Reading University, I secured a job as an administrator at the National Trust’s Head Office in London. I quickly gained experience and ended up staying with the Trust for 23 years. I was lucky to hold a wide range of roles while there, running Lyme Park

The East Front, Kensington Palace

Hampton Court Palace © Historic Royal Palaces

in Cheshire and the properties across Dorset and Wiltshire – including Kingston Lacy. But, by 2018, it was time for a bigger change and I moved to Historic Royal Palaces. This organisation is a charity which looks after six of the most iconic buildings in the UK: the Tower of London, the State Apartments at Kensington Palace, Banqueting House on Whitehall, Kew Palace, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and Hampton Court Palace. I oversee five of these sites. As a charity, our role is to take off the taxpayers’ shoulders the burden of caring for these important places, to ensure they are in ever better condition for future generations to enjoy, and to deliver public access and benefit through them. That’s something we feel passionately about and we work hard to generate the income needed to achieve it, receiving no public funding. We raise most of our money by opening the sites for public visiting. Running the visitor business is a significant part of my role and is hugely enjoyable. As well as general opening, so people can walk in the footsteps of characters like Henry VIII and Queen Victoria, we also put on a wide range of exhibitions and events. As I sit here today, we are preparing for the summer food festival at Hampton Court, which will

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

CONSERVING ROYAL HISTORY

be followed by a spectacular car event ‘the Concours of Elegance.’ Meanwhile, at Kensington Palace we are hosting our biggest ever exhibition, Crown to Couture, which tells the story of how court garments from the eighteenth century inspired the outfits that grace the red carpets of today. Throughout the state apartments, trail-blazing historic court dresses are sitting alongside modern blockbuster gowns worn by stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Katie Perry, Beyonce and Billy Porter. It’s quite a show. My job is hugely varied. In April at Hillsborough Castle, for example, we partnered with Queen’s University to host events marking the 25-year anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Hillsborough was the place where many of the negotiations took place so it was a thoughtprovoking time. It is still a venue for important discussions, where ‘worlds and minds meet’ as we like to say. During the course of the week, we hosted a range of events for local school children. These gave space to explore the issues Northern Ireland faces today, alongside the lessons learnt from the past. There was also a gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister and a smaller more intimate dinner in memory of Mo Mowlam. In those four days we welcomed

four presidents, eight prime ministers, two senators, nine ambassadors, 116 politicians, 39 academics, 33 business leaders and public servants, 13 artists and authors, eight religious leaders, seven US military generals and the US envoy to Northern Ireland. There was no time to rest, however, as the King’s coronation visit to Northern Ireland followed hot on the heels of this, including his annual garden party at Hillsborough.

One of the significant perks of my job is that I get to work at the palaces every day. My office is in Apartment 44 at Hampton Court Palace. In the mid-eighteenth century, Hampton Court ceased to be used as a royal residence and much of it was sub-divided into apartments for grace-and-favour residents: people who were offered free accommodation in return for services to the monarch or nation, or more often than not, to their dependents. My office was once home to Scott of the Antarctic’s mother, and to Ernest Shackleton’s wife – not at the same time! The average size of a grace-and-favour residence was 12 to 14 rooms, and at its peak there were around 50 apartments in total. Despite the grand location, the living conditions were not great. In 1857, Charles Dickens described in Little Dorrit how the residents at Hampton Court Palace lived in ‘the most primitive manner’. I lived in the Palace myself for 18 months and can confirm that whatever the weather outside, it is consistently freezing cold inside. We no longer have any grace-and-favour residents living with us, but there are a range of apartments and signposts left untouched that serve as a reminder of that important time in the building’s history. Also housed at Hampton Court is the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. It contains 10,000 items of historic dress from the 16th century to the present day, providing information about the history of fashion, life at court, and the lives of key historical figures. The treasures range from the Bristowe Hat, said to have been hurled in the air in triumph by Henry VIII when he captured Boulogne, and still dazzlingly well preserved after more than 450 years, to the Travolta dress, worn by Princess Diana when she danced with John Travolta at a gala dinner at the White House in 1985.

Bristowe Hat, Henry VIII © Historic Royal Palaces

© Historic Royal Palaces Good Friday Agreement anniversary: the four signatories of the Good Friday Agreement (Bertie Ahern, George Mitchell, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton) with the Prime Minister at Hillsborough Castle.

The Covid pandemic was tough for our organisation. In 2020 we lost £100m in income and all our £40m reserves. We finished the year with nothing but managed to secure a £40m loan which has kept us going. We had to halve our

Kew Palace © Historic Royal Palaces

staffing and other operating costs and stop nearly all projects. It was a very difficult time. While it will take us many years to recover fully, it has served to remind me why I wanted to work in heritage. The beautiful places in our care bring joy and meaning to the lives of so many people. We want to push that even further. Our education programme is already heavily subsidised, but we want to make it free to schools who cannot afford it and to introduce a travel bursary scheme too. We have just piloted a £1 ticket for people on universal credit and will be rolling that scheme out across our sites this autumn. We know we need to do more to help families on low incomes too. There are many other barriers that prevent people visiting at present and our ambition is to remove as many of those as we can. Hopefully I’ve inspired one or two of you to think about supporting the UK’s heritage in some way, whether that be through volunteering, through your career choices, or by simply visiting and enjoying them. I for one think we are very lucky to have such a legacy.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

ARNHEM HERO REMEMBERED

In May 1940, as the war intensified, the British government redefined the definition of alien and interned thousands more Germans and Austrians. Although Adolph’s parents did not fall into that category – either because of his job in the city or because he had been born in New York; Adolph himself did. Along with over 2,500 others who had been classified as ‘enemy aliens’, he was put on the ship Dunera and transported to Australia. It was designed to hold

An indomitable hero

Archivist Richard Knott recounts the extraordinary life story of Adolph Bleichroder, a German born Jewish OC who lost his life fighting for the Allies after being taken from school and transported across the globe as an enemy alien

n September 2022 I was contacted by the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, in the Netherlands, which very much focuses on the Battle of Arnhem. It was planning to do an exhibition about twenty Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria who had joined the British army and fought at Arnhem; one of those refugees being Adolph Bleichroder (SH40). A researcher at the museum had looked through the 1939 census that was taken just before the war and seen that Adolph was boarding at Canford School; and they wondered whether I knew anything more. They were very pleasantly surprised by how much information the school archive held. Adolph had been born in Hamburg into a wellknown banking family. His parents had sensed the dangers arising from the rise of Nazism, so had decided to move to England. In November 1935, his mother completed an application form for Adolph to start at Canford the following January, giving her address in Germany, although his father seemed to be already working as an insurance broker in London. The family moved to Wimbledon and in January Adolph started in School House as planned. How good his English was is not clear, but Adolph was fully involved in school life from the start.

Unsurprisingly, he played a part in a play the German Society put on in 1937 (as a woman!), but he also represented his house at shooting (where he was the house rep), rugby (for which he won his house colours in 1939) and rowing, winning the house pairs competition for School House in the same year. By 1940 he was speaking in John O’ Gaunt’s debates and was sufficiently highly thought of by his housemaster, Stuart Strain, to be made a house prefect.

1,600 but, with over 300 guards, it sailed with nearly 3,000 aboard. Winston Churchill had been a vocal supporter of the scheme but would later call it ‘a deplorable and regrettable mistake’. The voyage itself was a living hell. Seven officers and one medic were in change of the badly trained guards, who had been given permission by the commanding officer to pilfer what they wanted from the internees who were treated as if they were prisoners of war. The voyage lasted 57 days and the ‘prisoners’ were kept below deck for all but ten minutes a day and were sometimes made to walk on broken glass when let out. Sewage flooded the decks and dysentery was rampant; the soldiers looking after the internees were cruel beyond belief (one prisoner was bayoneted in the stomach for trying to use the latrines at night) and medical facilities were basic. The ship was struck by a torpedo which fortunately failed to explode; a second

torpedo passed under the ship thanks to a large wave; and a German U-boat decided not to attack when it discovered German language items thrown into the sea and concluded that the ship must be carrying prisoners of war. Those on board did not know that they were going to Australia until they reached the tropics. On arrival in Sydney the treatment was much better. On the 750km train journey to their camp in the semi-desert, the men were given food, fruit and cigarettes and camp itself was well run. Adolph’s fellow inmates included Sigmund Freud’s grandson, Franz Stampl (who later coached Roger Bannister), Richard Sonnenfeldt (the chief interpreter at the Nuremberg trials) and a host of top scientists and men from the arts, including Max-Peter Meyer, later a professor at the London College of Music, who composed a Mass in D Minor, the Dunera Mass, which was first performed at the camp in 1941. Quakers played an important role in making life as normal as possible, such as establishing a school. In December 1940 Adolph sent a Christmas card to his old headmaster, Clifford Canning and he also wrote to his former housemaster, Stuart Strain. The censor has removed part of the letter, but most of it can still be read. He briefly mentions the terrible voyage, describing it as ‘everything but a pleasant trip’ from which it took over a month to recover; but then comments favourably on the food he was getting, which was much better than that back in England.

He attended the school but it was ‘more to pass the day than to do any serious study’. The interns’ relatives had initially not been told what was happening and the official line was that everyone had gone voluntarily; but, as letters started to arrive in England, the pressure on the government grew. After the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbour, the prisoners were re-classified as ‘friendly aliens’ and were all released. A number stayed in Australia where they became known as the Dunera Boys, but the rest, including Adolph, made their way back to England. First Echelon troops on board Dunera, Lyttelton, 5th January 1940 (above)

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For obvious reasons, Adolph changed his name to Timothy Bleach and signed up for the 1st Airborne Division, the ‘Red Devils’, training at Ilfracombe in Devon to become a Pioneer (somewhat ironic given their involvement on the Dunera). These paratroopers were dropped into zones before the main forces so that they could set up communications and make the area safe for later arrivals. He joined the fighting in North Africa and Italy and then, in September 1944, Operation Market Garden was planned. Its objective was to create a bridgehead over the Rhine at Arnhem and set up an invasion route into northern Germany. In the vanguard of the operation was the 1st Airborne Division who took part in the battle, but things did not go to plan.

The men were dropped some distance from where they intended to land and then faced unexpected resistance. Adolph/Tim was last seen trying to cross the Rhine. He told a wounded colleague that he would try to escape into the marshes but was captured by the Germans who had vowed to kill all the Pioneers they found. His body was never found and it is assumed that he was executed as a spy and traitor. His name is inscribed at the Groesbeck Memorial near to where he died. Co-incidentally, his father died a few weeks later, but his mother lived for another fifty years and still remained in contact with Canford as her name appears on the list of contributors to the 40th Anniversary Fund in 1963. To return to the beginning, the Airborne Museum was delighted that the school archive had photographs, his

REMEMBERING SAMUEL

application form to join Canford, the Christmas card and the letter to his housemaster. They asked whether they could include the originals in the display which they planned to open for several months from June 2023. Eventually they only had room for the house photo, the application form and the letter but those now feature in the exhibition with ‘Canford School Archive with permission of the Headmaster’ clearly visible on each stand. I am about to hand over to Jess Bichard who will become the school archivist in September 2023 and can be contacted on archive@canford.com. Discovering such stories about OCs has been a regular pleasure over the last seven years and I will miss those unexpected delights. Writing the ‘100 Objects’ book has, of course, dominated the last two years but, when time has permitted, my focus has been on uploading as many photos as possible onto the new archive site. Nearly all the house, school and team photos that we have up to 2000 are now in place and both Jess and I will continue to add to them over the next months and years. If, as I hope, you look at the new site, please note that the Browse section does not include all the photos that have been uploaded, so it is worth searching for particular photos using the Search facility. We do, however, need help from OCs. Firstly, we want to fill the gaps, so please send Jess scans or the originals of any you have that are missing. Secondly, we need to correct mistakes and fill in some names. Many of the photos I scanned were not annotated, so I have had to guess the year (by comparing faces with known photos) and/or the sport. It’s sometimes difficult to tell whether a group of boys are boxers, athletes or rowers; so there will be errors. A couple of you have already written in, but I hope there will be many more.

Remembering Samuel Samuel Smith (SH21), dearly loved by family and friends, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 7th June 2022 aged 19 of natural causes, writes his mother Laura Smith-Hewitt

n 10th June 2023, Sam was fondly remembered at the House Regatta, at which a plaque was unveiled for him at the boat house and silence was kept as the boat named for him rowed past. The legacy of his short life has been an inspiration. Inscribed on the plaque at the boat house are some personal notes he wrote down in a Canford exercise book – typical of the way he lived his life: • Stay curious • Do what you love, and something for the greater good • Take ownership of your actions • Enjoy a sense of accomplishment • Have fun, friendly and trusting relationships Sam was definitely up for a challenge. At Canford he sang in the choir, participated in the junior musical and played the oboe. He was a marines NCO, taking part in the Ten Tors expedition and the Pringle trophy. Memorably he stepped in at short notice to make up the numbers for the Canford Rifles Cup team – and they surprised everyone including themselves by winning the trophy. He gained five tough A levels at grade A and above, and designed and built a prototype space rocket launcher for his Extended Project Qualification. Last year he was doing what he loved at Imperial College, proud of his place on the sought after Design Engineering course in London. Posthumously he has been awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Design Engineering. Rather than receiving birthday gifts he several times collected money for sponsoring polar bears, and he had planned to go with the Canford team to do charity work in Argentina before the trip was cancelled in the pandemic. Taking ownership of our actions calls us to commit to what we are doing. When Sam decided to something, he committed fully, bringing others along with his enthusiasm. Rowing is a sport which requires deep commitment to ERGS, gym, early morning sessions, and showing up for competitions.

Being there for the team when it’s cold and wet makes all the difference. And there was no doubt where Sam sat in the boat – his size 15 shoes were unmistakeable. We have many happy memories of watching the Canford rowing teams on Saturday afternoons, until the pause caused by the pandemic. It is a comfort to know that in Sam’s last months, he was very happy to be back rowing and winning medals in the first VIII of the Imperial Medics team. Finally, when we have risen to our challenges, and committed to taking action, we need to do so with compassion. It takes self-compassion to live in the moment, reflecting and enjoying a sense of accomplishment. Compassion, kindness in action, is key to building fun, friendly and trusting relationships. Sam’s rowing mates agreed that Sam made a great difference to the team’s spirit by being there to cheer them up, driving them on with the ‘heroes spurt’ to get to the finish. He lit up any room with a big grin, baking pretzels and cookies for his flatmates. He told spooky stories to the younger boys in School House to get them to settle at bed time. Even if he was really busy, he would always have time for his friends. He loved his brother very much and appreciated playing games with him – organising some memorable birthday parties. It has been an honour to get to know some of his wonderful friends, including Gabe Wilkinson (SH21) who in the course of the past year gave three eulogies in Sam’s honour, including at Sam’s internment at his home in Munich. Our wish for present and future Canford students is that they are inspired by his name to rise to their challenges, commit to their tasks and to have compassion for others. In doing so we hope that as well as winning boat races, they will also be winners in life.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

LIFE ON EQUAL TERMS

Life on equal terms Ned Vessey (L18) talks to Barry Coupe (F70), former OCS president and Canford governor, about his first eighteen months as chairman of Blind Veterans UK and his bold vision for the charity’s future

arry Coupe’s connection to Blind Veterans UK is a deeply personal one. ‘My father lost his sight in the Second World War when he was only twenty,’ Barry explains. ‘He was serving on an MTB (Motor Torpedo Boat). He was blinded in 1943 and it was St Dunstan’s – now called Blind Veterans UK – who enabled him to rehabilitate and to have a career where he was independent and, as he used to say, could compete with sighted people on equal

But first, the family connection. “My father was a remarkable man,” says Barry. He was a keen and successful sportsman before the war. Following his blinding in active service – shrapnel severing his optic nerves – Barry’s father qualified as a physiotherapist in 1947. He made a name for himself initially working for Preston North End and then, as his private practice grew, for many different Division One football clubs and a host of other well-known professional sports people. ‘He was very successful,’ Barry explains, ‘and that enabled me to experience a privileged start in life and an excellent education.’ Barry was at Canford from 1965-1970 and has particularly fond memories of playing Real tennis and cricket under the watchful eye of former Lancashire cricketer Malcolm Taylor. ‘We were the only two people in the school who were from Lancashire. He was like a Dutch uncle to me.’ Taylor’s cricket cap, which he gave to Barry in 1978, hangs on the wall of Barry’s study. He also has good memories of art teacher Robin Noscoe – nicknamed “The Boss” – who was the key to Barry becoming an architect, his profession since graduating from Leeds Polytechnic in 1977. In addition to his successful career, Barry has taken on roles as a non-executive for several charities; this work has included founding a children’s hospice based in Cambridge and serving as chairman of Dyslexia Action. His work with

terms.’ This connection was a major part of Barry’s decision to become involved with the work of Blind Veterans UK, volunteering for two years and then being invited to become a trustee in 2017. Since December 2021 Barry has been chairman of the charity, for which he has dynamic and ambitious plans to build upon its work in providing training, rehabilitation and lifelong support. Marching on the Cenotaph in 2021

Barry representing Blind Veterans UK at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

Blind Veterans UK stretches back to 2016, when he was asked to become involved with the charity’s centenary celebrations. ‘This was an ideal opportunity to put something back into the charity that made such a difference to my father and, by association, my family. The fact that my father would have been so proud, made it easy to say yes!’ His involvement has been both personal and emotional for Barry, as an experience marching on the Cenotaph in 2021 reveals. Barry recalls guiding one of the charity’s blind members: ‘It was the first time I had done that since my father died. The moment he put his hand on my elbow I froze and thought – it’s my dad.’ While this was obviously not the case, Barry’s father having died in 1993, it brought back strong memories. ‘As we started to march it was like turning a switch on. I started giving descriptions of where we were and what was happening, just like I would have done with my father.’ To start with, Barry was involved in raising funds for the Victory Over Blindness Statue which can be seen outside Manchester Piccadilly Station. He was then invited to become a trustee, before being elected vice chair in 2021 and chairman a year later. It has been an eventful eighteen months: overseeing the creation of a new centre due for completion later this year; changes in the charity’s articles; approval by the Charity Commission to

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

LIFE ON EQUAL TERMS

Barry at the Cenotaph

Victory Over Blindness Statue outside Manchester Piccadilly Station

help and rehabilitate blinded Ukrainian soldiers; and recently the appointment of a new chief executive. Currently Blind Veterans UK has 3,800 members, employs 450 people and requires around £30 million a year to deliver its services. Founded over 100 years ago by the blind newspaper magnate Sir Arthur Pearson, it quickly became renowned for rehabilitating its members, enabling them to experience independent living and rebuild their lives after sight loss. However, the number of members is waning, and Barry feels there are other opportunities to consider. The charity’s strap line is ‘Blind Veterans, a Force for Good,’ and

Barry believes it also has the potential to assist those outside the forces. Blind Veterans UK is recognised as one of the nation’s leading sight loss charities and, with such wide-ranging expertise in this sector and so many people in the wider community needing assistance whilst suffering from the loss of sight and associated blindness, Barry feels that the charity should be helping. This will, however, require something new and his vision is to set up another arm to the charity. Nineteen regions are currently supported by Blind Veterans UK, providing help to its members, ‘so we’ve got a structure

there we can expand and use’. Nonetheless, the new charity – which would be part of the Blind Veterans UK Group – would have to raise its own funds. ‘Obviously this would be a challenge,’ Barry adds, ‘but we are up for a challenge and we will succeed!’ Aside from his plans for the charity’s future, Barry’s tenure as chairman has seen him heavily involved in Blind Veterans UK’s support of injured Ukrainian servicemen. Two months into the role, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and Barry felt strongly that the charity should be doing something to help. He uses the story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate why he felt the charity should be involved. ‘I said to some of our members are you going to walk past one of our allies in the gutter, or are you going to stop, go over and help?’ Communication with the Minister of Defence in Kyiv followed, and a memorandum of understanding was soon issued on how Blind Veterans UK could help with rehabilitation programmes for a significant number of wounded soldiers. These programmes seek to provide independence to wounded soldiers and, in the spirit of one of Blind Veterans UK’s founding principles, helps them understand that they can still lead a successful life even after losing their sight.

One incident in particular drove home to Barry his reasons for being involved. He was at a fundraising event at the Westminster Abbey gardens for wounded Ukrainian soldiers who were training at the Blind Veterans Centre in Brighton. They were then due to fly out for the Warrior Games in the USA. Barry spoke to a soldier who had lost sight in one eye – and whose entire family had been killed by the Russians in the war. ‘That was a moment I will never forget till the day I die. You think, this is why I do this. To enable the charity to help people like this.’ Barry is also particularly enthused by the charity’s new centre at Princess Marina House in West Sussex, the second part of which is due to open this month. Driving Barry’s dedication is the memory of his father and the full life that he lived following rehabilitation, as well as the unwavering support of his mother who was there for him 24/7, 365 days a year. How can people support the charity? Financial support is always welcome, says Barry, ‘but also we rely heavily on many volunteers and if there is anybody out there who feels they may like to volunteer with support for our members, wherever they may live, that is really important too.’ Barry’s passion for, and commitment to, the work of Blind Veterans UK is evident, and it will be fascinating to see how his plans develop over the course of his chairmanship. ‘I feel I have the same energy I had when I was younger,’ Barry concludes. ‘If you are still really enjoying life, then why the hell do you have to stop?’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ned Vessey graduated from Durham University in 2021, with a degree in history, and now works as a journalist and copywriter based in Bristol.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

THE EARLY YEARS

sent packing by the governors and the group of schools was renamed the Allied Schools. Finally, just as everything was looking more positive, the war arrived and Canford found itself with even bigger problems than most. First, the government tried to requisition the school and park; but the headmaster, Clifford Canning, resisted, believing that a new school would not survive having to move elsewhere. Then Poole was declared a defence area, so that only residents could cross Wimborne Bridge and parents were not allowed to visit the school. Unsurprisingly, numbers plummeted and Canford appeared on a government list of the six schools in England most likely to close. The solution, dreamed up by three senior staff, was for everyone to take a pay cut and move out of the southern end of the park, so allowing the Ministry of Defence some of the buildings they wanted. The headmaster’s pay, for instance, dropped by 2/3. The US army took over Court House, while they prepared for D-Day, and managed to find time to teach Canford pupils some baseball and a selection of new swear words; but the plan meant that Canford survived.

Archivist Richard Knott looks back at Canford’s religious roots

hristianity was at the heart of why Canford was created. The school’s founder, the Rev Percy Warrington was a man in a hurry. He was the vicar of Monkton Combe and secretary to the Church Trust Society, which he revitalised and then used as a means of promoting evangelical Christianity. One of his main schemes was to found a series of schools which would rival the High Church nature of schools such as Lancing, in the Woodard group. He was hugely successful, at first, and was responsible for starting ten schools in England – including Canford and Stowe – one in Kenya, Oxford’s St Peter’s College and a theological college in Bristol. In 1922 he bought Clarence School in Westonsuper-Mare and planned to move it to Draycot House

near Chippenham. On the very day he was due to visit Wiltshire to finalise the purchase, Canford was advertised for sale in The Times. Plans were changed; he travelled to Canford instead and bought it on the spot. It took longer than expected to renovate, which meant that Canford didn’t open until 15th May 1923, a few days after Stowe rather than before Stowe, as originally planned. Looking back, it is something of a miracle that Canford survived its first twenty years. While Stowe thrived under the charismatic leadership of JF Roxburgh, Canford rather stuttered through its first years under the former headmaster of Clarence School. Then, in 1930, under the second headmaster, a fire destroyed part of the main building above the library, so what were already very cramped conditions

Pupils carrying library books after the 1930 fire became even worse. Four years later Canford, along with the other Martyrs Memorial schools, would have become bankrupt had it not been rescued by the Legal and General Insurance Company. The school’s founder had been using extremely dodgy financial methods to keep his schools afloat, such as moving money between them just before they were audited. Eventually, those dealings caught up with him. He was

1923-2023 Canford founded by Reverend Percy Warrington 148 boys and 9 masters

1923

1941

Poole Boy’s Club formed 1st community project

Marriotts House opened – first purpose built girls’ house

139 Old Canfordians made the ultimate sacrifice in WW2

1939

1941

Hankinson’s House (later Salisbury) opened Canford’s first day house. School roll 315

1945

1969

1992

First Sixth Form girls join the school

Canford becomes fully co-educational

1994

1995

Assyrian Frieze sold – proceeds used to develop facilities, fund scholarships and bursaries and establish an overseas community partnership programme

Martin Marriott Foundation established to support bursaries

2013

2016

Current Headmaster Ben Vessey appointed

2020

Opening of new School and Monteacute Boarding Houses Opening of enhanced Day House and educational facilities

2021

2023

Canford closes and New Library Canford celebrates teaching goes online due opens its Centenary to Coronavirus pandemic School roll 667 lockdown

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Clifford Canning’s charm and inner strength had saved the school but, when he retired in 1946, he left it with the image of a country club, where riding a horse was more important than academic achievement. That impression was somewhat unfair, as several very clever boys came through Canford in his time, and Canning’s list of contacts meant that a stream of eminent artists, poets and other well-known names visited the school; but there was some truth in the jibe. Since then, however, the news has generally been good. Canford has been fortunate to have had long serving, committed headmasters. Since 1887, when William Franklin first set up the school which would eventually become Canford, each of the eight heads has served more than ten years. At the risk of summarising impressive careers in half

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

a sentence: Canning’s successor, John Hardie, gave Canford the academic focus it needed; Ian Wallace brought in coeducation in the Sixth Form; Martin Marriott put Canford on the national map by starting the Canford Group of schools and becoming Chairman of the Headmasters’ Conference; and John Lever brought in full co-education and led Canford’s rise up the academic rankings. Now Ben Vessey is building on his predecessors’ achievements, while also focusing on the soft skills that are necessary in today’s changing world. Like all schools, Canford has changed massively over the last hundred years, but is there something at the heart of the school that has remained constant? Canford is a young school – fewer than 2% of the present 351 HMC schools were founded after us – which means that it hasn’t been burdened with traditions, such as requiring clever pupils to study Latin, even if they were keen scientists, which was the case at many older schools. In the early days, when Canford was at the bottom of an unofficial social ladder (headed by Eton), Canfordians knew their place in the hierarchy; but, as their self-confidence grew, Canfordians retained a lack of pretentiousness that is still true today. In the words of a former headmaster, ‘we don’t do posh’. The other thing that has always been true, whatever the difficulties the school has faced, is the beauty of The Park, universally recognised as one of the most attractive settings for a school in the country. I know that few pupils appreciate that while here, but I cannot believe it doesn’t influence everyone at some atavistic level. And that is probably also true for Christianity. Canford’s first two headmasters were ordained ministers and two of their successors were the sons of a bishop and an archbishop. Such links to Christianity are no longer necessary, although our statutes still require the chaplain and a quarter of the governors to be evangelical Christians; and for the headmasters to support them, whatever their personal beliefs. Christian principles underpin everything we do and the Christian dimension in the wider life of the school has always been, and will always be, an important influence on all of us, even if not always recognised by pupils at the time. This article is an abbreviated version of the speech given by Richard Knott at Salisbury Cathedral as part of Canford’s centenary celebrations.

Ian Wallace, Martin Marriott, John Hardie

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Teaching fellowship helps strengthen international ties

n January, Canford received a visit from Ghanaian teacher Samuel Amoasah, who threw himself wholeheartedly into school life. He worked across departments, during his term at the school, enabling him to engage with a large number of children, particularly through English and art. He also assisted with trips and worked with debating teams including judging the house competition and facilitating a live online debate with a group from his school in Ghana. As a member of Monteacute, Samuel enjoyed getting to know many of the boarders and was often found in the kitchen cooking Ghanaian food and sharing recipes with Jansci a compatriot in his house. On the sports fields, he was involved with the senior coaching programme and took teams on away fixtures. For some years, Canford has been building a partnership with Awutu Winton Senior High School (AWSHS) in Ghana, where Samuel works. Situated to the west of Accra, the school is the only one of its kind in Ghana which is free to attend. It benefits from the support of OC Nick Robertson (C86), who kindly funded Samuel’s journey and stay, and has been receiving visits by Canford pupils and staff on partnership trips since 2014. During these summer programmes, pupils immerse themselves in school life, assisting with teaching, coaching and many other activities, providing a valuable experience for all involved. While at Canford, Samuel was interested in many of the strategies and work steams he encountered and has

taken them back to try at AWSHS. Since his return, has also worked hard to build further enduring links between the schools. After the success of Samuel’s visit, Canford is delighted that Nick has agreed to sponsor another teaching fellowship from AWSHS.

Samuel Amoasah on Ghana Independence Day at Canford

The Queer Campfire

lle Upshall (S14) spoke to pupils online about her personal journey since leaving education. Her talk covered several business projects she has been involved with and her latest passion, The Queer Campfire. After Elle and her partner realised there was very little out there for couples like themselves to get involved with, apart from specific pride events, they launched The Queer Campfire. Their first event took over a local campsite, with over 50 lesbian, bisexual, non-binary and queer people

meeting to camp, and its success has been followed by other gatherings. Pupils enjoyed listening to Elle’s account of her experiences since Canford, including how she came out to family and friends. The school was grateful for her visit, during which she answered a wide range of questions from pupils in a relaxed and open discussion.

@thequeercampfire

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Shotgun warning

Writing in response to the obituary of the late John Musson, Adrian Morgan (F71) fondly recalls his housemaster and school life during the ‘60s and early ‘70s.

The late John Musson

Adrian Morgan (F71)

I remember him as if it were yesterday. Franklin boys spent their first term at the Old Vicarage in Canford Magna, where John and his wife kept a parental eye on us. Not that we needed it, most of us delighted to be away from home and in the company of like-minded tearaways. The vicarage garden was to where we sneaked out after dark. John was no fool and one night rumour had it he was out with a shotgun, which we dismissed until a shot was fired. That did the trick. These days it would be frowned at. Later we moved to Franklin proper, the long corridor above which we had a dormitory. Sneaking in late at night we ran the gauntlet of John’s study, below the stairs. No matter how quietly we opened the big door, his would open and with a wicked smile there stood John with an amused. ‘Well, good evening boys!’ He was respected, not feared. I do remember he had a habit of rubbing the side of his nose when he spoke, and there was always his bad back. Canford was a different country in those days. I am quite sure something has gone with the transition. It was a bit Hogwarts like before Hogwarts. There were cellars to explore, some of which went under the HM’s study, where you could overhear the goings on above. I kept a BSA 250 motorbike down there, and that is where the band practised.

And who from those years could forget the Mountjoy Press, where we set play programmes and calling cards in metal type, and printed them on a press driven by an electric motor driving a huge, unprotected flywheel. I wonder when that was deemed too dangerous for young boys? Later, as a journalist, the memory came back as I watched the mighty presses underneath the Daily Mail’s Tudor Street offices thunder into action as the first edition rolled off. But John Musson was the figure that I recall most vividly of all those eccentric, post WW2 masters such as Latin master “Bull” Gay whose favourite trick was to shy a hard blackboard duster the length of the classroom at anyone who was not paying attention. ‘You’re all useless. Useless,’ he’d cry. ‘Although I’ve read that it’s bad psychology to say that. So I say again, you’re all brilliant. Brilliant!’ He also had nicknames for all of us, one of which was Snake’s Gym shoes. Why? Who knows. And then there was Mr Shoreland Ball in khaki battle dress who we, inevitably, called “The Pill”. Happy days? “Did you enjoy Canford?” people ask. Well, we knew no alternative. It was like a very benign prison camp, with highly intelligent guards who we were forever trying to out wit. But no one shot at us when we tried to slip out at night, apart from John Musson, and that may have been rabbits.

Sixties sailing success The discovery of an old team photo sparked a flurry of emails between school and former team mates this year. Richard Smith (B64) recalls his experiences sailing for Canford. I had been sailing dinghies in Christchurch Harbour (my parents had a chalet on Mudeford Sandbank) every summer from the age of six, so the possibility of racing sailing dinghies in Poole Harbour while at Canford was a wonderful prospect. I started at Canford in September 1959 in Beaufort. In those days we had to cycle from Canford to Poole Harbour to sail. It was seven and a half miles each way. It was not too bad on the way there because it was down Gravel Hill, but coming back, after a challenging day racing, was hard. Lt Pantlin, who also ran the Naval Section of the CCF, was in charge of sailing, and when we were more senior, we qualified for a ride there and back in his van. We sailed against other schools. In those days it was always in Firefly dinghies. Three boats in each team – the racing was tactical – not charging away on a mission of your own but making sure that you and your team mates were covering and ahead of the three opposition boats. We also had an annual match against the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. The Dartmouth team were great hosts and evenings were spent in local pubs. A much better alternative than a Saturday night locked up at Canford. In the years that I was at Canford we won every match against Dartmouth including the year when their team included Rodney Pattisson (Olympic Sailing Gold medalist in Mexico in 1968 and Munich in 1972). Every year Canford competed in the National Schools Sailing Championships which took place in Chichester Canford Sailing Team 1966-67

Operating the Mountjoy press

Harbour. The Itchenor Sailing Club have always hosted the event, which has now been running for almost seventy years. Ninety different schools have competed over the years and in the Sixties 55/60 schools took part each year. Each school was allowed one boat in the event. In my day we would bring one of the school’s Fireflies back from Poole to Canford towards the end of the summer term and work on the hull to make sure it was smooth and sleek. Lt Pantlin would tow it behind his van to Itchenor in readiness for the event. In 1963 my crew was David Scott (B65). David had also learned how to sail and race in Christchurch Harbour. That year, at Itchenor, we came 13th. In 1963, sadly Lt Pantlin passed away. He had organized sailing at Canford for many years and it transpired that he was to miss Canford’s greatest sailing success which happened in the summer of 1964. That summer my crew was John Elliott (S66), an experienced sailor, who had learned how to sail and race in Poole before coming to Canford. The two days of racing took place in beautiful weather, with strong winds and sunshine. There were 60 schools taking part. The racing was highly competitive and close. We knew that we were in the frame and thought that we had done enough to win. Eventually it was announced that Canford School were the winners of the 1964 championship. It was a very exciting time as it was the first win for Canford in this event. Canford is still waiting for the second win! The big bonus for Canford was that the prize for the winning school was a brand-new Firefly dinghy.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Canford’s VE Day celebrations John Capper (SH47) recently got in touch to share a letter he wrote to his parents on 9th May 1945, recounting the events at Canford on VE Day. This is an abridged version of his original account. School House Canford School

9th May 1945 Dear Mummy and Daddy Now most of the excitement has died down I will pause for a bit to tell what we have been doing. Everyone had a queer feeling that there was going to be something on. We listened to the six o’clock news on Monday evening as we ate our tea but there was no official announcement, except the thing about School House raised a cheer. We were a wee bit disappointed but even then, we didn’t bother to do any prep. It was about quarter to eight that we heard a terrific din from the senior common room next door and guessed what had happened. We all went wild with excitement and dashed to the main hall. We had our biscuits and cocoa at the end of which there were quite a few odd bits of china lying around. Flags went up – people rang all the bells but the funniest things were the ‘streamers’. The lavatories were raided and stripped of paper and about 50 rolls of paper Fire practise 1940

went streaming into the air over the parade ground. We got out bikes and zoomed round. Then as things got slightly more civilised, we got up into cliques and pairs and wandered round the place – over all the forbidden lawns etc. The place was full of excitement. Remains of lavatory paper hung from the trees, flags flew from every window, and several windows

Group of friends 1946

Digging a trench 1940

showed the results of the excitement, although none went in our common room. There was a continuous series of bangs as the J.T.C. firework ‘bombs’ exploded all over the place. It was in this atmosphere that Peck and I toured the place, stopping every now and then to have a word with someone; for Canford had another topic of conversation that night but I’ll tell you of that later.

At about ten past nine we assembled on the West Quad, the lawn outside my present common room, to listen to the words of the headmaster. We were told that we would have Tuesday off and also Whit-Monday. Then we went into chapel for a twenty-minute service. The singing was wonderful, louder than all Ripon put together, as we sung the special hymn and the National Anthem. Then we went to bed – or at least our dormitories. We sang and made a din until after midnight – it was one before I got to sleep ... Just before nine [on VE Day] we had call-over in the Junior Common Room and then I listened to the King’s Speech in the Senior Common Room. Then we went down to the gymnasium and we sang at the tops of our voices for getting on for an hour. At twenty past ten everyone went to bed – except School House which set about its private celebrations which went on until half past eleven. The entire

house gathered in the Senior Common Room and set to work on a couple of barrels of cider which Mr Strain had bought us out of the house funds. We each proposed a toast and drank about three pints. We then sang with the aid of a piano accordion and watched conjuring tricks. Then we washed up and went to bed. Only one glass was broken! To-day has been rather a come down – but I’ll leave that till my next. But earlier I mentioned another important event on Tuesday – the final appointment for new houses. I AM STAYING IN SCHOOL HOUSE and so are most of the others like Blackburn. In fact, none of my friends are leaving. With people above me going out of house I will be pushed well up – I think I will be 4th in the Senior Common Room next term. There are two new houses being formed – Wimborne and Beaufort. Lawrence Penn, now in Nash’s is changing to Beaufort but some of his friends are going too. I hope you will be able to have him in the summer as it is quite OK his end. I am writing this in class as the master is letting us do what we like apart from talking. I don’t expect his head is clear enough for teaching. That’s where I will stop – many thanks for Daddy’s letter which arrived on VE Day. With lots of love from John

Air raid shelter practise

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

DONALD DEAN MEMORIAL MEDICAL AWARDS Hermione Jemmet (B16), St Lucia

Rotating through three different specialities – orthopaedics, general surgery and A&E – Hermione spent her six-week elective in St Lucia. Her choice of location was influenced by her interest in Dengue fever, an infection spread by mosquitos that is endemic in the Caribbean. During her stay, she organised evening sessions for other medical students to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, as well as talks for local healthcare workers. In addition to Dengue, the placement allowed to Hermione to see other diseases and issues she would not have encountered in the UK. She also had the opportunity to participate in reconstructive surgeries to repair severed nerves and complicated bone fractures from machete and gun wounds. Despite the inequities she saw, caused by the absence of free healthcare, Hermione describes her elective as ‘a highlight of my medical degree’ and adds: ‘The island is brimming with culture, wonderful food and natural beauty. The people are very generous and kind and went out of their way to immerse us in their culture.’

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and for presentation at the British Association of Maxillofacial Surgery Annual Conference.’

Natasha Treagust (D18), Larbet

Five years into her medical degree at Cambridge, Natasha is keen to pursue a generalist career, most likely in the field of emergency medicine. With this in mind, she applied for placements at two hospitals where she could gain experience different to that of the major trauma centre at Addenbrooke’s Cambridge: Royal Forth Valley Hospital in Larbet, Scotland, followed by Ysbyty Gwynedd in Snowdonia. Natasha describes her three weeks at Larbet as ‘fantastic’ and says the highlight was ‘gaining exposure to practical procedures beyond the undergraduate curriculum, such as ultrasound-guided cannulation’. She then travelled to Snowdonia for the second part of her elective.

Simon Jowett (F19), Brisbane

Jai Ramchandani (W17), Oxford

Shadowing the Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) department, Jai spent his six-week elective at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH). Jai comments on the ‘skill, dexterity, and anatomical knowledge’ he saw was required when performing microvascular surgery in operations that could last up to 12 hours and says the experience has inspired him to pursue a career in OMFS. Jai adds: ‘I also involved myself in research going on within the department; I took the lead in organising an audit looking into the consent process for dentoalveolar surgery and presented my findings to the rest of the department at the clinical governance meeting. I have subsequently written this up as a manuscript that am hoping to submit to the

As the magazine goes to press, Simon will just be returning from 8 weeks in Brisbane having been fully immersed in a hospital team there.

As part of the legacy of the late Dr Donald Dean, Canford is able to offer funding to support OCs embarking on medical electives each year. Dr Dean’s career took him all over the world and he helped create hospitals and medical services in Aden, Nigeria, Trinidad, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine to recognise his significant contribution to the practice of occupational medicine in tropical countries. OCs are invited to apply for the award of up to £1,500. For further information see: www.canford.com/school-community/old-canfordians/drdean-medics-award

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

SPORTS REPORTS

Sports reports

Football Canford U6th v OCs 25th March 2023 2-2 OCs Goals: Balasubramaniam, Merrell

Cricket

he Cygnets began Canford’s centenary year as a side featuring no fewer than nine debutants who cruised past the School at breakneck pace, with a 40-oversper-side game settled in fewer than 40 overs in total. Monty Hooker (S23) (40) and Elliot Hilton (S23) (53) shared a century stand but the School slumped from 128-4 to 139 all out. Opener Jacob Browning (W20) led the Cygnets’ charge with 62 from 46 balls as they raced to an eight-wicket win inside 17 overs. Harri Williams (C16) (68) and Charlie Anstee (M21) (52 not out) got the Cygnets off to a flier with an opening stand of 122 against Sherborne in the semi-final of the Twenty20 Stour Cup, but 152-3 never looked enough, considering we had arrived with only 10 players, including three wicketkeepers and only two front-line bowlers. The Pilgrims made mincemeat of our threadbare attack, winning with nearly nine overs to spare. The third-place game against hosts Clayesmore was closer, Tom Boon (S15) batting through the Cygnets’ innings for 98 not out in our 161-3. Needing three to win from the last ball, Cormorants skipper James Price swung and missed – but the umpire signalled a wide, and Price hit the extra delivery for six to leave us with the wooden spoon. Honour was restored the following day on Mountjoy as Anstee (97) and Tom Nichols (F14) (38) helped the Cygnets to declare on 217-7. George “Bones” Baugniet (L19) (4-32) then tore into the Clayesmore top order, while Marcus Senior (S10) (3-17) ran through the tail as a 29-run victory allowed Canford to retain the Max Biles Memorial Plate.

he Upper Sixth boys hosted the OCs in one of the most looked forward to fixtures of the year. Canford started brightly, playing the ball around, but were unable to create any real goal scoring chances. The OCs went 1 up with a great strike from outside the box. Homer (S23) got a hand to it, but the ball smashed off the bar and into the net. It wasn’t long before the OCs doubled their lead, an even better finish this time, lofting the ball into the far corner. Canford weren’t going to give up though, Bala (L23) struck a beautiful effort into the roof of the net. A great moment for all as he was mobbed by his teammates.

Tuesday featured an “internal” game as the Cygnets “Students” took on the “Non-Students”, and the latter posted 202-5 from their 30 overs thanks to a stand of 116 between Max Morgue (SH18) (65 not out) and Rob Graham (F10), who fell agonisingly one run short of a maiden Cygnets fifty. In reply, the Students were 99-2 when heavy rain prevented a result, and forced the post-match barbecue to switch from the headmaster’s garden to the Pavilion. Bryanston arrived on Thursday and were bowled out for 159, as Graham (5-20) and Jamie Mitchell (C17) (3-36) starred with the ball. Canford romped to a seven-wicket win, the in-form Anstee (91 not out) made sure of winning the Cygnet of the Week award as he and Jack Roberts (C13) (41 not out) sent the Butterflies packing. But, having remained unbeaten on home soil in 2023, the Cygnets ended the week with another away defeat after being bowled out for 171 at Sherborne, who needed barely half of their allotted 45 overs to chase the runs down. Our thanks go to the Canford groundstaff and caterers, the headmaster and the Development Office for their continued support throughout the week – but particularly to Rob Graham and Tom Darby (M10), who step down after running the team brilliantly since 2015, giving their successor, Josh Davies (C20), some big shoes to fill. New players of all ages and abilities are always welcome – just email cygnetscricket@yahoo.co.uk or contact us via the Canford Cygnets XI Facebook group. MARK MITCHENER (B93)

Establishing the Old Canfordian Football Club After many successful (and unbeaten, might we add) years of playing the school’s football teams, we (Louis James (C17) and Max Johnson (C17) got together and decided the Old Canfordians deserved a more formal footballing outfit. In close contact with the school, past pupils and the Arthurian League the new club has been inaugurated this year and is now up and running. We’ve had a great response from all involved, and the famous blue and white of the Old Canfordians made its Arthurian debut on the 2nd September. The Arthurian League was set up in 1961 by Old Etonian and FA Cup Winner, Arthur Dunn. It now consists of six divisions with around 40 schools, competing every Saturday on pitches throughout London and the South East. Starting in Division 5, we hope the Old Canfordians will be marching up the leagues in no time, and one day appearing in an FA Cup fixture near you. We hope the club’s weekly games, and regular social fixtures, will help us not only stay close with our own year groups but also to meet and reconnect with all old (and young) Canfordians. If you’re reading this and are keen to get involved then please get in touch with us at oldcanfordiansfc@gmail.com (all abilities welcome!).

(l-r) Max Johnson and Louis James

As the second half continued, the OCs looked leggy but Canford couldn’t quite make the chance to equalise. That was until late on, when Canford won a throw in deep into the OCs half. With this being the last moment of the game, Canford flooded the box. A long throw from Hallam (S23) was semi cleared, as the ball returned into the box, Homer got their first and was wiped out. A last-minute penalty was taken by Kwan (C21) who missed but the man of the match, Merrell (L23), was there to side foot the ball into the back of the net. His first ever goal for Canford in his last game. With the scores level, the game went to penalties. Two great saves by both keepers left the game 0-0 after a penalty each. The next 3 for each side were slotted home. Then up stepped Feingold (L23), who struck the ball beautifully – if he had been playing rugby! The OCs had to score to win, and that they did. Another brilliantly contested game by everyone, played in the right spirit as always.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

Golf

BEN RICHARDS B84

Halford Hewitt 2023

or this year’s Hewitt – somehow my 20th which is mildly frightening! – I paired with Morgan Taylor (W19) a recent leaver and an important addition to the OC squad. In only his second appearance, Morgan was one of our strongest players all week. I certainly enjoyed riding along on his coat tails to help secure four wins out of four for the team, despite howling winds and sideways rain most days. Morgan has slotted comfortably into the society and seems to have enjoyed himself. It is, I believe, a testament to the open, embracing nature of the whole society and it is a great sign that the link between the society and current pupils remains strong. The society, with the help of the school, has a fund that allows all under 25 OC golfers to join in without damaging their wallet! In the recent past, new members have joined from a broad spectrum of ages and abilities. These include Andy Scott (SH92), who made a great debut in the Hewitt this year alongside the stalwart Phil Steen (F06). We encourage OCs to join us at any time, whether your ability and interest is at the sharp end of amateur golf, such as the Halford Hewitt and Grafton Morrish events, or the much more relaxed and casual social events for golfers of all abilities throughout the year. Despite a disappointing exit, when a semi-final beckoned, the week still has to be considered a success and a building block for Canford to go forward and start challenging for silverware in the near future. The last word should go to the incredible effort made by so many OC supporters who travelled to Kent to watch and get involved in the week’s festivities; from past Hewitt players, to cherished society regulars, and even current Canford teacher Phil Effick who taught and mentored many

SPORTS REPORTS

of the team in the past. Such dedicated support from such wonderful people really means a lot. Chris Kerr (S01) OCGS Captain 2023/24 The Team Matthew Suggett (L03) and Tim Adams (S07) Oliver Stocks(W14) and David Restall (C83) Morgan Taylor (W19) and Chris Kerr( S01) Andy Scott (S92) and Philip Steen (F06) Nick Pomeroy (S94) and Neil Gordon (W06) Results: Won 3.5 - 1.5 against a very talented Wellington in the 1st Round. Won 3 - 2 against Stonyhurst in the 2nd Round, a fairly unknown opponent for us, but a very solid challenge narrowly overcome. Won 4 – 1 against Cranleigh, a comfortable win with an excellent standard of golf played to overcome a historically strong side. Lost 1.5 – 3.5 against Epsom in the Quarter Final. A good team that could have been beaten, but we just weren’t able to summon the same level of performance that had been delivered earlier in the week. Canford v Stowe centenary match at Sunningdale A very successful match took place at Sunningdale between former pupils of Stowe and Canford as both schools celebrated the centenary of their founding by the same man. There were 14 players a side who, after a very long and liquid lunch, ended up halving the match 3.5 / 3.5….very appropriate! The Canfordian side ranged from 84-year-old Sir Roger Palin down through the ages For more information about joining, please contact Ben Richards via community@canford.com. .

Hockey Rod Daubeney (M84)

hen reflecting on Canford’s centenary, and the best ways it could be marked, my mind was taken back to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 1983. A series of 1st team sports matches took place against Canford’s sister school Stowe, with the hockey match being the centrepiece. The reason for the prominence of this match was that it was played at Lords Cricket Ground – as a curtain raiser to the Oxford vs Cambridge Varsity Match – on 22nd February 1983. It was a very special and memorable day for the players from both sides naturally, but it was also shared with many pupils, as both schools arranged for several coaches to converge on St John’s Wood. Back in June 2022 it seemed a fairly fanciful idea to try to arrange a rematch, given the elapsed 40 years, the lack of contact with many of the players – not to mention the potential fitness and hockey readiness of them if I did get that far. The first contact, of course, had to be to sound out Stowe. Luckily, a couple of the opposition that day had become teammates in club and touring hockey teams, so it was easy to make the proposal. Remarkably, one of them was already one step ahead of me with a similar idea. He had already got the majority of the Stowe 1983 team already signed up for a reunion match – against the Stowe U14s. He had already booked a date and a pitch! Deciding a bunch of late 50s contemporaries would make an easier opposition he was all too ready to take up my suggestion. Now the ball was firmly in my court! I needed to find a team to represent Canford that was as close to the original Lord’s squad as possible. With the help of Rowena Gaston in the Development Office and LinkedIn, 12 of the original 13 were found and proved open to persuasion. By the end of 2022 I had a firm commitment from 11, with the added bonus one “ringer”, Paul Northwood (B85) who was happy to join his brother Chris (B83) in the squad. Despite my fears, with a fantastic show of Canford spirit and commitment, we lined up at 11am on Sunday 19th March at Stowe starting the game with 11 players all of whom were in the squad at Lord’s in 1983, with Paul on the bench. Furthermore, we had our manager and coach from 1983, Mike Elmitt and David Pattison, on the side-lines to offer their support and guidance. Unfortunately, players from both sides found the pitch slippery early in the game leading to several muscle injuries.

Canford Team Photo Names from 2023 photo Back Row Rick Jones (M84), Jamie Balls (C84), Ed Daubeney (M83), Peter Rutledge (SH83), Rick Skeil (C83), Rob Daubeney (M84), Peter Norris (S84) Front Row: Tom McLaughlin (SH84), Jeremy Norris (S83), Keith Harris (F83), Paul Northwood (B85), Chris Northwood (B83)

With a smaller squad and more injuries, Canford were the more depleted team – although Stowe kindly leant us a player to keep it 11 vs 11. An hour’s hockey was keenly contested – with both sides showing some remarkably coherent play, given how few had continued the sport after school. Just as the game seemed to be heading to a 0-0 draw (to come close to matching the original 1-1 scoreline) Stowe popped up with a goal to win in the last couple of minutes – from a former professional cricketer and accomplished hockey player. Off the pitch Stowe were very generous and gracious hosts, treating us to an excellent lunch in their magnificent Music and Temple Rooms. Producing copies of the 1983 Match Day Programme and having placemats made out of the original official photo take in the Lord’s Rose Garden were a very thoughtful touch and allowed us to have souvenirs to add to the memories from another very special day to add to those original memories from 40 years ago.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

Real Tennis

SPORTS REPORTS

CLEEVES PALMER (C80)

n December 11th, 2022, we held the second edition of the match between the OCs and Hyde Tennis Club, the club that I founded in 1998. The tennis was great fun, the match result unimportant but what was important was giving John Boys, Canford maths master and tennis supremo between (1958-1991), a great day out at Canford’s Real tennis court. The silver cup that I gave in 2021 has now been named and engraved The John Boys Challenge Cup.

Shooting

For many OCs who are now between their late 40s and 80s, John would have been the reason they developed a passion for the sport. The OC team consisted of: Patrick Jenkins (C61), Cleeves Palmer (C80), Nigel Watts (W80) and Ollie Hilton (S19). This year the Hyde Tennis Club won 3-2 and in the photo John Boys is seen presenting the cup to John Mackenzie, the Hyde’s team captain. In 2023 the match will be played at the Hyde Tennis Club in Bridport. Above left, left to right: Rob Jones (SH89), Antonia van Deventer (S96), Tasia Soskin (D18), Will Robinson (F09), Mark Tenant (C86), Adrian Kendal (M99), Jess West (S23), Buzz Borneman (D22)

RICHARD DYBALL AND ROD PHILPOTT

n 13th July, OCs met again at the National Shooting Centre in Bisley, Surrey, to take part in the Public Schools Veterans’ match. The weather was overcast with some heavy showers but the event was still well attended. Six OCs had made the trip – Richard Dyball (S82), Rod Philpott (M80), Julian Williams (M80), Johnny Reed (W70) and Rick Watson (B80). Richard as usual shot first and set a high bar scoring 49.6. The rest of the team, coached by Richard and Rod, shot the following scores – Rod 38.2, Julian 37.2, Johnny 29 and Rick 27. Given the typical gentlemanly lack of practice by the majority of the team, our usual lofty aim was not to come last. Unfortunately, this was not achieved but, more importantly, everyone hit the target most of the time and went home having enjoyed themselves. After we had all finished shooting, we retired to the North London Rifle Club for some food and drinks.

Rowing

T (back row) Rick Watson, Rod Philpott and Richard Dyball (front row) Johnny Reed and Julian Williams

GEORGE FARTHING (C20)

he first year of the Old Canfordian Boat Club can be deemed a success. With membership now at nearly 150 and the largest turnout in my memory at the annual Henley Royal Regatta drinks party where OC rowers, coaches, and parents gathered. There has been a real sense of community formed, with the sharing of photographs and memories as well as former crewmates reconnecting. Henley Royal saw rowers from as far back as the 1963 1st VIII (the 4th Canford crew to race at Henley Royal Regatta) come to support the 2023 1st VIII in their race against Westminster School and cheer on the Canford row past that followed them. This crew was made up of previous Boat Club captains to celebrate the school’s centenary. Both VIIIs put on a fine display of rowing, demonstrating the strength and skill possessed by Canford oarsmen and women present and past. It was also wonderful to see OC rowers organising their own reunions throughout the year. On May 19th, Mike Taylor did a fantastic job of organising a crew formed from members of 1st VIIIs between 1985 and 1987 to row from Upper Thames RC along the Henley stretch followed by lunch at Leander Club. With some members not having picked up an oar since their Canford days, the crew looked very impressive!

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

OBITUARIES

Charles Rawlinson MBE (B52)

Rodney Jelfs (S46)

John Halford Capper (SH47)

odney originally left school aged 14 to become a delivery boy. However, during the Second World War, when Canford was in a restricted area, scholarships were offered to local children to attend as day pupils. This enabled Rodney to start at Canford, along with his younger brother, when he was 16, having already worked for two years. After finishing at Canford he completed his National Service, which gave him the opportunity to travel and see some of the world. He then qualified as an electrical engineer and moved to Manchester where he met his wife, Shirley. They had two children in the early 1970s, and in the mid1970s the family moved to Hong Kong, where Rodney played a pivotal role in opening the Mass Transit Railway. After seven years, the family moved to Zimbabwe where Rodney was engaged by The National Railways of Zimbabwe to help electrify the country’s railway. This was a difficult task given the political situation in parts of Southern Africa at the time. It meant he also had a role in maintaining the existing steam locomotive fleet, sometimes under quite novel circumstances, which led him to joke that he was responsible for ‘fixing up trains that came back into the depots with bullet holes in them’. A couple of years after returning to the UK, Rodney retired and was then free to concentrate on his hobby of running model coal fired locomotives. He became an active member of the Gauge One Model Railway Society, travelling all over the country to various events, enjoying many happy hours running his locomotives, and this continued until shortly before he died, aged 94.

ohn was born in Harrow, Middlesex, in October 1929. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he and his brother, Brian, were sent to board at Gorse Cliff School, Boscombe. John then moved on to Canford in 1943, joining School House. A large collection of letters written to his parents portray school life at Canford. These largely feature news on the sporting scene; squash, fives, cricket, hockey, rugger, and bathing in the river – with very little mention of academic work. Several of these letters finish with the plea ‘running very low on jam’ or requests for syrup. On leaving Canford in 1947, John studied medicine at University College Hospital for five years, followed by medical and surgical house jobs in St Albans. There, he fell in love with Ruth, a staff nurse, and they married in 1955. John still had to complete his army service as an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was posted to Hong Kong. After three years, the couple moved back to England, settling in St Albans, where John joined a GP practice, becoming a well-known figure in the course of his working life as he cycled around town on his home visits. They had four children, and eventually many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Outside work he enjoyed mountain hikes and photography – including developing and printing his own photos. On retirement, he continued his love of these hobbies, enjoying several epic cycling trips, up until he was disabled by a stroke in 2011. John died peacefully in January 2023. He had a strong Christian faith and was ready to meet his maker and be reunited with Ruth.

harles was born in Rugby, in 1934, to parents of strongly held moral and ethical values. He was awarded the top scholarship to Canford, where he benefitted from two particularly gifted teachers. The first nurtured his natural singing talent and lifelong love of music while the second inspired his deep and enduring passion for English history. It was the latter who encouraged him to sit for Jesus College, Cambridge, to which he gained an open exhibition to study law. After Cambridge, he returned home and took articles with a small firm in Rugby. He qualified in 1958, having been placed 6th in the country, and was recommended for a position at Peat Marwick & Mitchell (now KPMG). It wasn’t long before he requested a six-month placement in Canada and it was in Toronto that he met his wife Jill. Throughout his life, Charles consistently credited Jill with making everything possible, saying he had been ‘blessed beyond words by her constant love and support’. On returning to London, Charles joined Morgan Grenfell’s finance department and the couple married soon after, in May 1962. At the same time, they purchased a home in the village of Saffron Waldon, in Essex, which was to provide a long-term family base for the couple and their three daughters, Julia, Eleanor and Charlotte. Early in his time at Morgan Grenfell, Charles was given a two-year secondment as managing director of the Investment Bank of Ireland, in Dublin, where he was credited with modernising the wider financial system. On his return to London, he was made partner at Morgan Grenfell and then took up the role of group finance director. He was subsequently appointed joint chairman of the bank and vice-chairman of the Morgan Grenfell Group. He also had a major role in Morgan Grenfell Asia, becoming its chairman and leading the company for 13 years which involved a regular commute to Singapore and other countries in Asia.

Throughout his career Charles was committed to the development of professional standards and ethics, not just in the City with the ICA but in everything in which he was involved. He was known to urge others to consider in any action, not just in a professional context, whether what they wanted to do was ethically and morally right, long before they asked if it was legal. In 1984, he was asked to become chairman of the Hundred Group, whose membership is composed of the finance directors of the largest companies in the UK. During this period, he was also finance director for Willis Faber. Outside work, Charles also maintained a long-term commitment to the National Association of Boys Clubs. During his chairmanship of that association, he oversaw the controversial introduction of girls. Eventually, his wide-ranging responsibilities became too much and in 1987, his doctor advised him he needed to retire. Although he took this advice, as he wound down his city life, he took up board positions with three companies closer to home. Charles also bought a 22ft Drascombe Longboat which provided many happy moments, sailing with family and friends on the Deben and further afield. He also had a desire to stay connected with his own family’s roots in the Cartmel area, on the southern edge of the Lake District, and in the late 1980s, Charles was asked to join the board of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra which was suffering from a lack of support during the recession. He took the decision to wind it up and out of the ashes rose the Britten Sinfonia, to which he devoted his unwavering support, caring deeply about the future of classical music in the UK. Today, it is recognised as the leading chamber orchestra in England. Throughout his life he held true to the values instilled in him by his parents and Canford. He remained close to Canford and Jesus College, maintaining a relationship with both. At Canford his ongoing support helped develop musical opportunities for pupils and it gave him enormous pleasure that the youngest of his six grandchildren, Frederick and Oriana were able to benefit from the same education he enjoyed. Charles’ contributions to public life were acknowledged with an MBE in the New Year’s Honours of 2012 ‘for charitable services to young people and music’. He was a man of immense integrity who combined an encyclopaedic knowledge with a shrewd grasp of world issues, and was known for incisive questions and stimulating debates, as well as a kind heart and wry sense of humour.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

Mike Coumbe (S62)

ike Coumbe had lifelong connections with Canford, as the son of Peggy Rathbone (matron), stepson of Michael Rathbone (teaching staff 1946-76) and halfbrother of Mark Rathbone (S74 & teaching staff 1988-2019). At school, he was a keen rower and his love of flying found an outlet as a member of the RAF section: he qualified for his pilot’s licence before his driver’s licence. He joined the RAF straight from school and after basic training joined Transport Command (later known as Air Support Command), at first flying antiquated Handley-Page Hastings aircraft. Later in life, seeing one of these in the Imperial War Museum’s aircraft collection at Duxford, he was able to verify from his logbook that he had flown that actual aircraft. In 1966, he was one of the first group of RAF pilots to be trained in the United States to fly the C130 Hercules aircraft. He married Lesley in October 1965 and they went on to have two children, Chris, born in 1968, and Vicky two years later. In 1970, he left the RAF to become a commercial airline pilot, joining BEA, soon to be merged with BOAC to become British Airways. Flying at first out of Manchester Airport and later Gatwick and Heathrow, he flew BAC 1-11s and later Boeing 737, 757 and 767 aircraft. In the 1970s, he would often travel to Germany, where for several days he would operate flights from West Germany in and out of Berlin, which only British Airways and one of the American airlines were permitted to do by the agreement with the East German authorities. On retirement in the late 1990s, Mike and Lesley, living at Holteye in Kent and then at Mayfield in East Sussex, were involved in numerous ways in their local community. Mike enjoyed sailing yachts and until the last few years kept his pilot’s licence for light aircraft and jointly owned a powered glider with a group of friends. One of the benefits of being a retired BA pilot was a free pair of return tickets to anywhere in the world once a year, which enabled Mike and Lesley to visit Chris who

OBITUARIES

worked in Australia and later in California, and Vicky and her family who also live in Australia. Mike’s sudden death from heart failure aged 79 in February 2023 came as a terrible shock to his family and friends, but he will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched for his friendship, kindness, generosity and humour.

David Kirk (W65)

avid enjoyed his years at Canford, particularly his time on the rugby pitch. He thrived under the care of housemaster Mike Frewer, who Tim Kirk (W61) remembers as a great, understated master who in turn enjoyed the loan of a mobile home each summer holidays from their father who was director of Autohomes based tin Poole. Prior to starting university, David and oldest brother Tim spent the long summer holidays driving across Europe to Rimini, where their other brother, the late Andrew Kirk (W62) and his pop group were performing. According to Tim, the trip taught David many things about life after school. After that, a temporary job at London Zoo saw him badly scratched by a tiger in his care. David went up to Oxford to read law at St Peter’s College and then into private practice. He was subsequently made partner at Simons, Muirhead & Burton after running the fraud department at Stephenson Harwood. He then became a barrister and a director at the Crown Prosecution Service, responsible for all fraud cases. David met his wife Penny in hospital when he was recovering from a cycling accident, having hit a pothole. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year, and hosted their celebrations in a London pub. The couple had three sons: Henry, a brewer; Charlie who works in the London restaurant business and Edward who lives in Canada and followed his father into the law. David and Penny lived in north London and until recently used their holiday house near Sherborne at

weekends. In Tim’s words: ‘Above all David enjoyed life, and as his last directorships ended, he was plotting new adventures. But at home, his excellent cooking and entertainment skills were always much appreciated by his many friends.’ David died suddenly in August, following his brother Andrew who died in France just before the pandemic.

Simon Wigmore (S71)

imon died in 2022, aged 69. His father, Alan, taught chemistry at Canford for many years, and Simon was brought up within Canford’s grounds. He was happy and successful at Canford where he became head of house and played for the 1st XV. After a degree in chemical engineering at Bath University, Simon trained as a teacher. He taught mathematics at Bournemouth schools for a number of years, becoming head of department, before deciding to move into a career in business, joining BT. The rest of his career was spent with BT, where he held a series of managerial positions. Simon was intensely practical, maintaining a series of motorbikes and cars in his teens and twenties and later carrying out almost all routine house improvement and maintenance. He had a gift for friendships, staying in touch with Canford contemporaries throughout his life, as well as making many new enduring friendships in later years. Simon died only a few days after a diagnosis for pancreatic cancer. He leaves his wife Yvonne, to whom he was very happily married for many years, and a daughter, Emilie.

Richard Abrams (B77) remembered by Ed Peters (C77)

‘W

ell, Doc, give it to me straight. How long have I got?’ Very few people, imperilled by cancer, would have the wit or dignity to address such a question to their oncologist, but Richard Abrams (B77) – the child drawing an imaginary land ruled by steam trains, the

teenager blithely cultivating marihuana plants in his parents’ suburban shrubbery, the adult wryly labelling himself “Ugly IT Developer” on LinkedIn – was never hampered by convention. ‘Abe’ studied philosophy and psychology at Stirling University, and later embarked on a tech career, specialising in supply chain systems, which led to lengthy postings in Belgium, Hungary and Russia, where he embraced each different culture with his customary blend of alacrity and amusement. A dedicated motorist, he regularly crisscrossed Germany in his Porsche (‘the rule is that I have to boldly go where no Englishman has gone before’) delighting in all he surveyed and catching up with chums en route. Abe was a constant and affectionate friend, keeping in touch with a select bunch of OCs and travelling as far afield as Japan (where he was researching a novel) with them. He never married, but enjoyed several long-term relationships with women, who while his intellectual equal also shared his appetite for the vagaries of life. The oncologist gave Abe ‘about 18 months’, which was out by one-third. Composed and humorous to the very last, Abe died in Southampton General Hospital on 16 January.

Awaiting obituaries Just before going to press Society learned of the deaths of Clive Braine (SH66), Fiona Russell (M81), former matron Chloe Manning and Nick Gorman (SH93) Chloe Manning, (former Franklin matron and wife of former head of music, Bev Manning) arrived at Canford in Autumn 1968 and carried out her last exam season as an invigilator in the summer of 2022. An obituary for Chloe can be found on the Canford website. Nick Gorman (SH93) passed away suddenly on 7th September. Nick was not only a much-loved OC but also taught art at Canford from 1997-2000.

SOCIETY ISSUE 02 2023

THE OLD CANFORDIAN SOCIETY & OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES

PUZZLES

OCS Committee President Sheila Way (née Morrison) (B86) Honorary Secretary Simon de Halpert (F64) Honorary Treasurer Colin Chalkly-Maber (S73) Committee Barry Coupe (F70), Steven Ives (S78),

Crossword: Across

Matt Keats (S89), Jonathan Gollings (W00), Amanda Seabrook (née Pearson) (C92), Natalie Llewellyn (SH94), Will Robinson (F09) Society Editor Joanna Ashwick (née Clegg) (F92)

2. Winston Churchill’s personal connection to Canford? (4, 8, 5) 5. Long-term partnership between Canfordians and the inner city community of Northam? (4, 5) 7. Athletics field formerly known as? (10) 8. Author of Canford 1923-1983 and revered teacher? (7, 8) 9. ‘New’ concert hall (1973) named after Head of Music? (7, 5) 10. 60 minutes set aside for all Canfordians to perform, for the sheer joy of it. (6, 4) 11. English Assyriologist and cousin of Lady Charlotte Guest (5, 6) 14. Facility established at Canford in 1879 (4, 6, 5) 16. Partnership established in 2001 with a school in which South American country? (9) 20. Room named after military commander. (4, 6) 22. Canford’s Assembly Hall named after him? (4, 10) 23. OC and well known artist born in 1923 (6, 5)

To comply with GDPR regulation and to protect OC’s personal details, contact details can be found on Canford Global Connect or by contacting community@canford.com Society is printed on paper from sustainable forests; the printing plates are processed without chemicals; printing inks are vegetable-based. Society is now published annually for Old Canfordians in the autumn. If you would like to receive more copies,

register a change of address or elect to receive your magazine electronically, please contact the OC Office on 01202 847506, email community@canford.com or write to the Old Canfordian Office, Canford, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD. Where more than one OC is registered at a given address, we now send one family copy. If you would like to receive more copies don’t hesitate to contact community@ canford.com Contributions to the 2024 issue should be sent to the editor by 1st July 2024 at: oceditor@canford.com Front cover image: Henley Royal Regatta Centenary Row Past

To make contact with an overseas representative, please do so via Canford Global Connect or email community@canford.com

Down 1. Bournemouth school sponsored by Canford since 2010? (3, 6, 7) 3. Title and role which has replaced School Prefects? (5, 7) 4. Reknowned 2nd master (acting Headmaster) resisted proposals for Canford to merge with another school in 1945 due to a serious decline in numbers? (3, 4) 6. ‘Founder’ of Canford School? (5, 10) 12. Race traditionally takes place at the end of the Summer Term? (7, 6) 13. Disruption hit the school in 1926. (7, 6) 15. School which moved to and became known as Canford in 1923? (8, 6) 17. Designed the Art School, English Block, Pavilion and open air Theatre? (5, 6) 18. Public school founded at the same time as Canford? (5) 19. OC appeared on Dragon’s Den with great success? (3, 5) 21. An invitation-only sixth form discussion group. (8)

Australia

Guess the year and production 1

Jason Rea (W81)

Silvio de Denaro (B78) New South Wales

Middle East & UAE

Andrew Short (B81) New South Wales Canada

Mike Petre (F64) Germany

Tatjana Konïg (SH84)

Luxembourg

John Marshall (SH67) Victoria

Ireland

John McFarlane (S67) Israel

Dan Diamant (M88) Italy

Jessima Timberlake (S91) Kenya

Natasha Di Cangio (née Tundo Ma97)

Nick Pomeroy (S94) Portugal

John Rowe (SH56) South Africa

David Ralph (SH67) Switzerland

Jonny Rea (W86) USA

Jeremy Fergusson (F64) Pennsylvania Richard Gowar (C73) Florida Tom Coombes (B88) Los Angeles

Across 2. Lady Cornelia Guest (4, 8, 5) 5. City Reach (4, 5) 7. Blackbyres (10) 8. Michael Rathbone (7, 8) 9. Anthony Brown (7, 5) 10.Yellow Hour (6, 4) 11. Henry Layard (5, 6)

Crossword Answers

14. Real Tennis Court (4, 6, 5) 16. Argentina (9) 20. John O’Gaunt (4, 6) 22. Lord Gisborough (4, 10) 23. Anthony Eyton (6, 5) Down 1. The Bourne Academy (3, 6, 7) 3. Pupil Leaders (5, 7) 4. Tom Nash (3, 4)

6. Percy Warrington (5, 10) 12. Canford Gallop (7, 6) 13. General Strike (7, 6) 15. Clarence School (8, 6) 17. Robin Noscoe (5, 6) 18. Stowe (5) 19. Sam Jones (3, 5) 21. Heretics (8)

1. 1969 Twelfth Night 2. 2019 Les Miserables 3. 1983 A Midsummer Night’s Dream 4. 1937 The Rivals

Guess the year and production Answers