FOCuS Issue 16

ISSUE 16

2018

Culford Park Drawn to Education Catamarans, Flowers & Gin!

OCs and New Ventures Year Reunions of 1993 & 1968 Art Redevelopment News 1914-1918: Remembering The Fallen

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New Developments Welcome from the Team

Letter from the Editor Samuel Leigh was in charge for the longest at 33 years (1882-1915), although, of course, he was not at Culford but at The East Anglian School for Boys in Bury St Edmunds. He is closely followed by Dr John Skinner with 27 years’ service (1924-1951) and who was responsible, along with Dr Herbert Workman, for the school’s auspicious move to Culford in 1935.

Samantha Salisbury and Jo Johnson-Munday.

2018 sees Julian and I begin our 15th year at Culford; nowhere near the 50 years which John can lay claim to (see below), but still a good length of time in the annals of Headmasters. Culford has had just eight Heads in its 137 year history; the first, Mr Herbert Davidson (1881-1882) only stayed a year, so if you exclude him from the sums, Heads have stayed almost 20 years on average.

Mr Leigh was recently made very real to me through the Headmaster’s discovery of an archived box labelled “Moribund Governors Papers”.

Therein lay an ancient brown envelope containing some extraordinary letters and photographs of East Anglian boys who had gone to fight in WWI. It seems particularly poignant as 2018 sees us commemorate its centenary. Sadly, many of our boys did not return from the Great Wars and each year we read their names on Armistice Day, with the whole school assembled on the North Front.

All former pupils are welcome at this extremely moving event, please do let us know if you wish to attend.

After more than 12 years in post, 2018 sees me step down as Foundation Director with the reins very ably taken up by Samantha Salisbury. Many of you already know Samantha well as she has worked as part of the Foundation team for nine years, runs all our events and has two sons at the school. I continue to be involved, both with the magazine and in supporting our friendraising and fundraising activities, so I hope to see many of you at our events this year. We are ALWAYS keen to hear your news!

Email: jjm@culford.co.uk

Observations…

In the last issue I drew attention to the 50 year span of time. Things have now fully caught up with me and September 2018 marked the half century of my employment by Culford – as a teacher, Housemaster, registrar, editor and now a member of the Foundation team. I had started in the profession in 1965 and so my first move, from the West of England to East Anglia, was a significant one.

Of the multiple memories of Culford, two early ones stand out. The first was when my late wife and I saw Culford Hall for the first time, on Thursday 28 December 1967. Then again, standing outside the building and hearing the boys in the Old Assembly Hall lustily singing a hymn during a Friday morning assembly on the day of a pre-appointment visit in June 1968.

It is appropriate that I have compiled in this edition of FOCu S an item on former pupils who have also devoted some or the whole of their careers to education. It has, of course, been one of the British service sectors to have seen enormous expansion in the latter part of the 20th Century, the Post-War era. With its successes and failures, something of a new world has been created.

Three impressions remain – of the solidity of the Hall, the extent of the Park and the spirited nature of the pupils. They were days of comparative austerity; fashions in hymn singing have changed; people have come and gone.

Yet a dynamic has been retained in the 480 acres and it has been no mean achievement to have kept this vigour. I am proud to

have participated and delighted to still be involved.

John Humphries, OC Liaison Officer Former Housemaster, Registrar and Head of English

Published since 2000, FOCu S is Culford’s magazine for alumni, parents, friends and staff of Culford and the East Anglian Schools.

FOCu S ISSUE 16: 2018 published by Culford School Foundation, Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX Email: foundation@culford.co.uk Web: www.culford.co.uk/foundation Tel: +44 (0)1284 385310 Culford School Registered Charity No: 1142794 Administered by Methodist Independent Schools Trust Company Registration 7649422

The Culford Foundation makes reasonable efforts to include current and correct information in FOCu S but makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy of the published content. News of former pupils and colleagues is always welcome; please do keep in touch.

Photo credits: Richard Bailey (front cover image); Warren Page; Tom Soper: Wendy Turner/Red Shed Photography.

London Drinks

London Drinks 2018 at The Lansdowne Club We were delighted to welcome some 90 OCs, former staff, and friends of Culford, to the annual London Drinks Reception at the Lansdowne Club at the beginning of March.

It was wonderful to meet old friends and we were especially pleased to see lots of new faces, as well as strong turnouts from Years of 2012, 1988 and 1982. Congratulations to John Motson (1956-1961) who was presented with a bottle of champagne by the Headmaster to mark his forthcoming retirement from the BBC. If you would like to join us in London in 2019, please email: foundation@culford.co.uk

Tim James, Nick Ivory, Lucy Kearney, Max Mason, Poppy Kearney and Will Ewing.

James Hopson (1980-1985) and Pete Langman (1984).

Friends from Year of 1981-1985.

Rosanna Celocia, Peter Livock (1959-1964), Charlie Chan (1960-1964) and Nick Greenwood (1958-1965).

Paul Bedford (1977-1982) and Sarah Westbrooke nĂŠe Pilkington (1976-1985).

Nella Walters (2007-2018), John Motson (1956-1961) and Charlotte Harpur (2005-2012).

Bill Hudson (1955-1963), Samantha Salisbury and Robert Green (1960-1965).

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New Governors Developments

New Governors: East Anglians and OCs join the Board Three Old Culfordians have joined the governing body at Culford this year.

Jane Franses (1969-1977) was a boarder at the EAS and Culford in the 1970s, spanning the time that Culford became co-ed. She went on to spend a year in the USA as an English Speaking Union scholar and returned to Loughborough University to study English where she gained a BA and MPhil.

Jane’s initial career was spent in the Middle East, teaching English at a school set up by the Maktoum family in Dubai. On return to the UK she moved into financial services and has spent the last 30 years in sales, marketing and communications, working for Salomon Inc. and then American Express. Jane now leads client communications and thought leadership for Visa Inc, the global payments company, in Europe.

Kris Houlihan (1990-1997).

Kris Houlihan (1990-1997) graduated in Geographical Sciences from the University of Bristol and joined JPMorgan in London, quickly moving to Tokyo and then New York. In 2008 he relocated to California to join a large hedge fund business. After a few years working on the sell-side Kris decided to start his own investment advisory firm, Armilla Partners. The business has grown in clients and partners over the last six years with teams based in Los Angeles and now also in London.

Kris is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) teaching Private Equity and Venture Capital to MBA students, a member of the Pacific Council on Foreign Policy and a member of the Fitch Group’s steering committee on quantitative finance.

Kris says, “In 2018, Culford’s Chairman of Governors reached out with the possibility of joining the Board. I now look forward very much to working with his fellow Governors, including a number of other OCs, after all these years.” More recently, the need for a new Chair of Culford’s

Foundation committee arose and Kris says that “I felt that with a long record of capital raising, this would be a great fit for my skills and background. I am really looking forward to reconnecting with Old Culfordians as my involvement with the Foundation develops”. Kris is married and splits his time between LA, London and Suffolk.

Jane lives in London, is active in her community as a Director of Eaton Square concerts and is involved as a member of the PCC at her local church. She loves travelling and is now looking forward to regular return visits to Suffolk. It was on a visit here in September last year that Jane decided she would like to be a Governor. “The school has in many ways transformed from the Culford I knew 40 years’ ago,”

New Governors and Foundation Trustees Peter Flood (1960-1967) well remembers his first visit to Culford in 1960, aged 11. He met Dr Christopher Storey (Headmaster: 1951-1971) and had to write an essay on Charles Lindbergh, the aviator, as part of the entrance test. Peter says, “Fortunately I was offered a place and I spent seven happy years at Culford”.

Jane Franses (1969-1977).

she says. “The grey portacabins we had as extra classrooms have gone; the makeshift grass tennis courts have been replaced by state of the art tennis and sporting facilities. And the once crumbling art department now produces art to rival the Venice Bianele! One thing that hasn’t changed though, is Culford’s values. I’ve always described Culford not as a highly academic school, but as a place where we could be quietly confident individuals – a happy school and a beautiful environment. I view it as a privilege to give something back as a custodian.”

Peter studied Law, graduated with an LLB from London University and qualified as a solicitor in 1975. He spent his entire career in London working in private practice in defendant insurance litigation, specialising in defending professional negligence, employers’ liability, public liability and catastrophic road traffic claims on behalf of their policyholders.

On joining the Board, Peter says, “I had a nostalgic visit back to the school in 2017. I noted rather enviously the much improved teaching and sports facilities, accommodation and food since my days! This prompted a desire to become a governor to enable me to have an opportunity to try and give something back. I want to support the school whose values and ethos provided me with a

sound basis and start in life and a successful professional career.”

Peter retired in 2014 and says he is now “a professional traveller”.

Since retiring he has visited over 15 countries including Peru, Burma, Namibia, Botswana, the Maldives, Cuba and the Galapagos Islands with many more trips still in the pipeline. Peter is married with two daughters and lives in Middlesex.

Peter Flood (1960-1967).

New Foundation Trustees We are delighted to welcome two new Trustees to the Foundation, working with Old Culfordian, new School Governor and recently appointed Foundation Committee Chair, Kris Houlihan (1990-1997).

See opposite for more news of Kris, alongside two other newly appointed Old Culfordian Governors.

OC and current parent Bill Farrant (1974-1981) joins with a fully-rounded picture of Culford having not only attended the school himself, but his children Jack (2004-2011), Sophie (2006-2011) and Lucy (2008-2010) are also OCs while Katie (2011-2018) became another Farrant OC in July.

Bill read Engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge and went on to work in the City, also including stints in North America and Hong Kong. He is currently MD of Global Corporate Banking at Santander in London.

We also welcome Clare Taylor, whose daughters Lucy and Harriet

Bill Farrant (1974-1981) and Clare Taylor.

are current Culford pupils and, until this year, Clare was Chair of the Parents’ Association at the Prep School. Clare works with her husband, James, who is the Managing Director of TMJ Interiors, a leader in specialist joinery and the interior fit-out industry. Clare and

James have generously supported the new library and other projects at Culford.

Kris, Clare and Bill are looking forward to meeting OCs, East Anglians and other friends from the Culford community at future events.

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OCs New Ventures

Old Culfordians – New Ventures L A U N C H I N G T H E F LY I N G M A N T I S

Simon Chrispin (1970-1980).

for the solo sailor of all sizes and abilities, including taller and heavier sailors with a weight range of up to 120kgs.

Simon says, “I wanted a boat I could keep at home and, if the weather looked good, go out sailing. It had to be super lightweight, portable and forgiving to sail and it had to go fast or it would not be fun”.

Simon Chrispin (1970-1980) graduated from Loughborough with a BSc in Banking and Finance in 1984. He began his career as a chartered accountant in corporate finance at Deloitte, moving to corporate debt restructuring at the Royal Bank of Scotland, then becoming Chief Operating Officer for Royal Bank Private Equity, before moving to become Senior Finance Officer for the £1.7 billion More London commercial property estate in London. He currently runs a management consultancy business and a new product design company ‘It Should Be Fun Limited’. His two sons, Peter (2012-2014) and Edward (2012-2017) are OCs too.

Simon is the man behind the concept of the Flying Mantis, a lightweight carbon trimaran for the solo sailor.

He learnt to sail in Albacores in the 1990’s on Lake Ontario at the

North Toronto Sailing Club and loves sailing solo dinghies and cats, but at 6’3” and 93kg he says, “I do not fit well in a number of single handers!”

This drove his desire to create a beautiful, fast and flexible boat

The extraordinary Flying Mantis is the result: high performance and forgiving multihull sailing with the ability to change from dagger board sailing into a foiling trimaran.

The boat is built in the UK and was launched at the London Boat Show earlier this year. He sees it attracting two distinct markets: the enthusiast and high net worth individuals who want a unique fast and fun boat. To watch the video, visit: flyingmantis.com

OCs New Ventures

Artisan Suffolk Spirits Make a Splash!

Old Culfordian, Chrissie Charie née Black (1976-1978) has launched two new craft spirits under the brand name Flint & Hardings. Hardings gin and Flint vodka is distilled using East Anglian sugar beet.

Chrissie’s great-grandfather, David Black Snr, came to Suffolk from Scotland in 1898 and was one of the earliest growers of sugar beet in the Eastern Counties. The family still farm it today. Inspired by the

well-known Chase vodka which uses potatoes from the Chase family farm, Chrissie researched sugar beet to see if it could be used to make alcohol and discovered that it could.

With the aid of the team at the sugar factory in Bury St Edmunds, East Anglian sugar beet is now turned into sugar syrup for Chrissie, who ferments it with water and yeast before the spirit is distilled 40 times and eventually becomes the finished Flint vodka.

Chrissie Charie with her business partner, Sean Cockram, at the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival.

This smooth and rounded vodka is further distilled with juniper and coriander as well as botanicals including hibiscus flower, burdock and rose petals to produce the quintessential flavour of Hardings Gin. Chrissie says, “Someone said I’d created a gin for the non-gin drinker. I certainly love it and I never used to drink gin!”

This summer, Chrissie has been busy at the Suffolk Show, the Elveden Country Fair and, most recently, at the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival where they sold out! The gin and vodka is available at The Leaping Hare, Scutchers in Long Melford and The Weeping Willow in Barrow (see Paula Pryke feature below). It can also be bought from Wyken Farmers’ Market, Gourmet Goods and the Suffolk Food Hall.

Visit: www.flintandhardings.co.uk to learn more.

From Schools to Floristry and now on to Food Paula Pryke (1970-1978) enjoyed many aspects of school life and looked forward to promoting them following her graduation. She taught History at a local authority school and in the private sector. However, she felt an urge to re-train and her chosen area in which to specialise was floristry. She felt ready to migrate from an interest in flowers

The Weeping Willow’s restaurant.

from childhood to a career which has had a global impact.

That migration demanded inspiration, imagination and application. These factors converged in a highly successful way and Paula can now look back from her position as an acclaimed authority on floristry with the setting up of a retail business, lecturing and teaching worldwide as well as writing 18 books that have been translated into 15 languages.

If this is not sufficient, add on the OBE she has been awarded.

Now her focus has changed from flowers to food and hospitality. She and her husband, Peter Romaniuk, an architect, have been involved in a recent project that is already being acclaimed. A 16th Century inn, The Weeping Willow at Barrow, near Bury

Paula Pryke OBE (1970-1978).

St Edmunds, had been closed for three years. They purchased, re-designed and reconstructed it over nine months as a modern country pub.

Its ambiance and meals are widely talked about, having been experienced and enjoyed by pioneering customers who are innovators, keen to judge the initiatives of others. Your first step is to move to the keyboard and bring up the website – theweepingwillow.co.uk – which is a delight to explore when taking a virtual tour, studying the menus and making a booking. Like Paula, you will not go far wrong!

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Newsbites

News from across the generations This year’s Newsbites have turned into great big ‘slices’ of news and we have had more contributions than ever before. We have sectioned them off into broad generations but, inevitably, there is some crossover. Hopefully you will find news of someone that YOU remember! Thank you to everyone for their contributions. If you would like to appear next time, please email: foundation@culford.co.uk

1930s-1940s Anthony Floyd (1936-1942), after a long career as a doctor, lives in the southern Victoria coastal town of Warrnambool on a country wooded property of 110 acres. He became an Engineer Officer in the RNVR and, Malta-based, served minesweepers in the Med, returning eventually to study Medicine at St Thomas’s Hospital. Once qualified, he worked for P&O as a ship’s Medical Officer. On a trip from Sydney he met a passenger whom he later married in London. Although he initially worked as a GP in Hertfordshire, he chose to stay in Australia following a trip to meet his in-laws. There he brought up his family and was a GP until 84, including working as a locum in his later years in distant rural practices like Darwin and Broome. Anthony says, “It has been a life that I could never have imagined in my school days, totally at variance with anything I might have forecast but one that has a ‘Goldilocks’ ending, having been Just Right!”

Anthony Floyd (1936-1942).

David Morley (1938-1947) grew up on Hall Farm, Rede, and was a day boy throughout the war years. He has vivid memories of the preparations for conflict and of the building of RAF Chedburgh with its main runway approach close to the family’s farmhouse. There were many incidents and discoveries of military items, but probably nothing was more vivid than witnessing the shooting down of the German Junkers 88 on that fateful Thursday in September 1940. The group of boys present had jumped into a ‘slit trench’ dug in case of attack. Although the crash site was immediately put out of bounds, some enterprising boys still managed to obtain souvenirs from the aircraft (some of which now reside in the School Archives). David has produced a booklet, A Country Schoolboy – Days During World War II, which is also available in the School Archives.

Revd John Searle (1940-1950) shared some family Culford coincidences with us, reinforcing the view – ‘It’s a small world’. His daughter, Corinne, married Richard Cheffers, whose late uncles, Arthur (1936-1942) and Harry Wray (1940-1944), were Old Culfordians. Arthur was senior day boy and a prefect when John started and became something of a hero and role model; John went on to become a prefect and senior day-boy himself.

Son-in-law, Richard’s father, went to Truro School, also part of the Methodist group, where John’s uncle, the Revd Percy Searle (EAS 1899-1905), was once a teacher. Returning from overseas missions, Percy became Minister of Trinity Methodist Church in Bury St Edmunds during WWII and also taught part-time at Culford. The Wrays also lived in Bury and attended Trinity along with the Searles and it is likely that Percy taught Arthur and Harry during their time at Culford.

Revd John Searle (1940-1950).

John says, “And we continue finding coincidences linking our families and the East Anglian School, attended not only by my Uncle Percy and my father, Frederick Searle who was Secretary of the Old East Anglians Association and latterly the Old Culfordians, a Culford Governor (1946-1976) and life-long friend of Dr Skinner.”

Newsbites 1950s-1960s

Keall Family Reunion.

David Keall (1949-1960) and Ann Taylor née Keall (EASG 1956-1964) were delighted to welcome 27 members of the Keall family, aged

from six to 87, to enjoy a picnic lunch at Culford’s cricket pavilion on a fine Saturday in August 2018.

Organised by David, accompanied

Alan Bland (1948-1956), whose father was the School Dentist, emigrated to New Zealand in 1959 and for the past 12 years has been a regular volunteer on a large ecological project, Sanctuary Mountain in Maungatautari.

With 3,400 hectares, the Maunga is the largest pest-proof fenced project in the world at 47km long, offering a haven for the most endangered species. Alan and three friends joined 400 other volunteers monitoring vermin which kill kiwis and other native birds or devastate the bush by grazing. Their job was to lay out and collect bait markers to identify the number and types of footprints. When they started the bush was ravaged; kiwis almost non-existent and bird song pitiful. Gradually the wild goats, pigs (known as ‘Captain Cookers’), deer, stoats, rats and possums were eliminated and now the birdsong is vibrant.

There are 400 kiwi and the bush is vigorous. Alan says, “Our group was nicknamed ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ – two of our friends are 83 and the two ’babies’ are 78, so the time has come to hang up our boots. But what a wonderful reward the mountain has been for us!”

by his wife, Angela and daughters Mary and Sarah, the event saw many alumni reunited. Mary is married to James McCarthy (1987-1992) and they have three children. Sarah (1992-1994) came to Culford as a boarder for her A-Levels and now lives in Belgium with her husband and two sons.

Also there was David’s younger brother, Paul (1956-1966), who has lived in France for over 25 years, most recently in Normandy, from where he travelled with his wife and son. Ann’s husband, Stephen, was a Governor at Culford for some 25 years. Their two children, James Taylor (1982-1992) and Liz Creasy née Taylor (1984-1994), came with their families. T G Michael Keall (1946-1950), a long standing Governor at Culford and former Headmaster of Westminster Abbey Choir School, came from near Cambridge (see Education feature on page 26).

Alan Bland (1948-1956).

Andrew Gowen (1953-1959).

Andrew Gowen (1953-1959) completed 31 years in the Royal Marines and ten years managing Community Health Services in North East Essex. He is now retired in the village of Nayland.

John Gorst (1954-1961) returned to Culford recently and donated an Alfred Blundell (Staff: 1933-1945) oil painting which now hangs in the Blundell gallery that leads to the Studio Theatre and Centenary Hall. John spent his career in the property development world and is the owner of Wild Tracks near Newmarket, an outdoor activity park. Here you can discover motocross, go karting, 4X4 off roading and a host of other activities.

Visit: www.wildtracksltd.co.uk

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10 Newsbites Neil ‘Norman’ Coe (1957-1962) visited Culford in August 2018, with his wife and friends, and was able to put further aspects of a project that he has undertaken into place. He had long been fascinated by the events of Thursday 19 September 1940 when two Hurricane MK1 fighters from Duxford chased and shot down a JU88-1A bomber. It crashed just south of Culford Lake and three of the four Luftwaffe crew were buried in St Mary’s graveyard until they were exhumed and re-interred at the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery in December 1962. He has produced a full account – A Fateful Day – and a copy is now lodged in the School Archives.

1960s-1970s See also Year of 1968 Reunion for news on page 19.

Alan Atkinson (1960-1967), Dave Beaumont (1960-1967) and Roger Lake (1957-1967) were reunited at a Rolling Stones concert at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in June.

After graduating in Law, Alan followed a career in industrial Contracting and Procurement. He worked with Flopetrol-Schlumberger (in France), GEC Marconi (in Scotland) and for over twenty years was with Shell Oil, where he was also an Internal Auditor. Now retired, he has been a magistrate since 2013 and is a Culford School governor. Dave Beaumont lives in Nottingham and is still an active rugby referee and golfer. He retired as a high-level Business/Programme Director ten years ago. His brother, Richard Beaumont (1972-1979), also attended Culford.

Alan Atkinson, Roger Lake and Dave Beaumont at the Rolling Stones.

Charles Edmondson (Staff: 1964-1967) was appointed Director of Music at Culford in 1964 leaving in December 1967 to become Lecturer in Music and Director of Chapel Music at the Ripon College of Education. Charles has met four OCs by chance since leaving, all of whom are musical. Michael Corin (1958-1968) and Stephen Hitchcock (1965-1975), like Charles, live in Cumbria and in May they decided to give two public concerts in local churches. Charles and Stephen played a variety of piano duets, while Michael played a movement from a Sonata by Mozart, accompanied by Charles. As an encore, the three played a trio for six hands on the piano. Charles says, “As you can imagine, they were very special occasions for me to be able to perform with pupils whom I taught more than 50 years ago”. Michael recently returned to Culford for the 1968 reunion.

L-R: Michael Corin (1958-1968), Stephen Hitchcock (1965-1975) and Charles Edmondson (Staff: 1964-1967).

Susan Glasswell (EASG 1959-1970) reports that the 91st Bury and West Suffolk Tennis Tournament, of which she is Chair, took place at Culford’s Tennis Centre over the summer. The event welcomed 171 players across all categories, from ages 8 and under through to open events in the Grade 4 tournament. Everyone enjoyed the new ‘Speed of Serve’ competition which was recently introduced and Susie is keen to thank all her sponsors, including: Glasswells, Culford School, Ensors, Greene & Greene, Wildtracks, Towergate Insurance, Highfield Events, the Bury Free Press and Top Spin Tennis, saying that “without their support the tournament simply could not take place”.

David Muir (1964-1971) and John Humphries (Staff: 1968-2003).

David Muir (1964-1971) caught up with former English teacher and Housemaster, John Humphries (Staff: 1968-2003), and now the Foundation’s OC Liaison Officer, in Edinburgh in July. David has lived in Edinburgh for 33 years and retired from his finance role at VisitScotland, the national tourist board, in 2011. John was nearing the end of an 18 day tour of the Western Isles where he had been completing assignments and making new contacts for his Scottish Islands Explorer magazine. They shared many memories of pupils and staff from the 1960s during a leisurely Sunday lunch.

Newsbites Stephen Musgrave (1964-1972) continues to work in the world of property and charity. He has a number of non-executive roles and works with charities such as the Royal Academy, Action for Children and the United Kingdom Historic Building Trust. He splits his time between London and Dorset. This year he has also found time for some travel and adventure, including a trip to Columbia, a walking holiday on the St Paul’s route in Turkey and a trek in the remote Kacker Mountains, on the border of Turkey and Georgia.

Stephen Musgrave (1964-1972).

1970s-1980s Richard Bryson (1970-1976) who owns Bury & West Suffolk magazine, published by his company BBP magazines, was chosen as Regional Magazine of the Year at the 2018 News Awards. The gala awards dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, saw the free monthly glossy praised as being as good as many of its national counterparts with the judges commenting, ‘This distinctive title has vivid front covers that stand out, with good, varied content and crisp layout. An absolute beauty.’ Richard, a former EMAP Journalist of the Year and pictured with his wife, Karen, who works with him, says, “It proves we are punching well above our weight in the regional magazine industry. We wanted to produce a free local magazine with the editorial and print quality of a ‘paid for’ and we are doing that.”

John Courtney (1972-1975).

John Courtney (1972-1975) is to be congratulated on winning the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the tech community at The SPARKies, based in Bristol. The prize recognised his work founding six start-ups in 40 years, as well as being Chair or Non-Executive Director for several other start-ups, mentoring at Microsoft for Startups and being on the Advisory Board for Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator.

Credit: Tom Soper.

Richard Bryson (1970-1976) with his wife, Karen.

Dr Jonathan Reggler (1969-1978) studied Medicine at the University of Cambridge and then joined the Army on a Short Service Commission. After eleven years of civilian practice in Buckinghamshire he emigrated, in 2003, with his family to Comox, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. He practises as a family physician. Two years ago the law in Canada changed to allow Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) – euthanasia – for patients suffering intolerably near the end of life. With a colleague, Jonathan set up a referral service for patients on north Vancouver Island, and on the day that MAID became legal was one of only eight physicians providing it in BC. He is now on the board of Dying With Dignity Canada and is a founder member and on the board of the Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers. MAID has strong public support on Vancouver Island

and 6% of all deaths there are by MAID, significantly more than in the Netherlands (4%), where such arrangements have been legal for nearly 20 years.

Jonathan Reggler (1969-1978).

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Newsbites

Bill Farrant (1974-1981).

Bill Farrant (1974-1981) took up the position of Trustee with the Foundation this year (see page 5). Bill read Engineering at Churchill College and went on to work in the City, as well as stints in North America and Hong Kong. He is currently MD of Global Corporate Banking at Santander in London. Outside work, Bill raised funds for the Prince’s Trust by recently completing the Ride Across Britain – cycling 1,000 miles in 90 days from Land’s End to John O’Groats. In June he skippered the yacht Chione in the double-handed Round Britain and Ireland Race run by the Royal Western Yacht Club. Having sailed around

it and cycled the length of it he tells us that a walk across the British Isles now seems an ideal way to complete the trilogy!

Bill’s children Jack (2004-2011), Sophie (2006-2011), Lucy (2008-2010) and Katie (2011-2018) are also OCs. Jack continues his engineering career at BBoxx; Sophie is a final (6th!) year vet at Cambridge as well as playing 1st XV Varsity Rugby; Lucy has started her degree course in Applied Theatre and Community Drama at LIPA; and Katie is at Cardiff Met studying for a BSc in Computer Games Design and Development.

Carleton Blackwell (1981-1983) has spent much of his career in the great outdoors. He now lives in Scotland with his family and works for a group called Nature Unlimited, working with young school groups and adult mental healthcare, teaching Bushcraft in a woodland setting.

Rebecca El-Mahraoui née Bannister (1981-1991) set up Coffeelink in 2005, along with her husband, Azzouz.

They run a range of espresso bars, mainly in railway stations in East Anglia, including Ipswich and Stansted, and roast their own coffee in Suffolk. Coffelink now employ over 100 people and Rebecca says that “We take pride in being ethical and environmentally conscious and continue to work hard to build Coffeelink into an even more beautiful company.”

Rebecca Bannister (1981-1991).

Suneet Bakhshi (1985-1987) and Melissa Holland-Smith (1988-1996).

Suneet Bakhshi (1985-1987) was awarded a scholarship by British Airways while at university to attend Flying College at Prestwick. He graduated as an airline pilot in 1989 and has stayed with BA ever since, flying the BAC1-11, Boeing 737 and Boeing 747-400. A Captain on the Boeing 777 since 2004, this year he graduated with an MSc in Air Transport Management at City, University of London. His thesis specialised in low cost carriers in India and has encouraged him to seek opportunities in an aviation consultancy role. He recalls a flight with fellow OC and BA pilot, Melissa Holland-Smith (1988-1996) to Tokyo saying, “It was an immense pleasure to fly with someone who had the same incredible time in Culford as I did. I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been to have a career that I’ve dreamt of since the age of seven. Though it’s immensely demanding, the thrill and job satisfaction is second to none!” Suneet is always happy to meet up with OCs in London. Suneet is married to Véronique Ameye, a corporate lawyer. They have a five year old son, Jai.

Tanya-Jayne Park (1987-1989), previously Timothy James Park, is the co-founder of ReclaimHub, a lost property management software app used around the world by organisations such as Sydney International Airport, Legoland California, London Zoo and Florida International University. Since transitioning in 2010, Tanya has pursued an entrepreneurial path combined with volunteering for homelessness charities and being a Samaritan.

Tanya-Jayne Park (1987-1989).

Newsbites 1990s See also Year of 1993 Reunion for news on page 20.

Kathryn Baird (1988-1993) works as a senior registrar doctor in London in some of the busiest and most challenging emergency departments. Kathryn says, “No day is the same, but every day is hard and exhausting. This work is not for the faint-hearted but for those who are driven, interested, highly motivated and want to see the

human body pushed to its limits, it is extremely rewarding. We help a diverse group of patients, from the very young to the very old and an array of unwell, broken-boned, distressed patients, with some stabbings and shootings thrown in for good measure. The team of exceptional nurses, doctors, porters, radiographers and a whole host

of others make this job survivable and the only one I can ever imagine doing. If you are thinking about a career in medicine, there are plenty of specialities to choose from, but nothing will come close to emergency medicine, in my opinion.”

Kat returned to Culford for the 25 Year Reunion in October 2018 (see page 20 for more).

Credit: Tony Lawn.

Peter Boland (1994-1999).

George Crombie (1995-2000) returned to Culford with his family earlier this year. They enjoyed a tour and were especially keen to catch up with Ian Devlin, Head of DT. George graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and joined Briggs of Burton plc where he is now Engineering Director and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The Briggs Group is involved in the brewing, distilling, food, pharmaceutical, health and beauty and biofuels markets, providing process engineering solutions for the world’s leading companies.

George’s brother, David (1995-1997), lives in North Wales where he runs Boulder Adventures, an outdoor adventure and education centre with accommodation in Llanberis, Snowdonia. Here you can experience everything from rock climbing and abseiling to coasteering and canyoning. For more information visit: www.boulderadventures.co.uk

Peter Boland (1994-1999) had successful work experience on a llama farm that convinced him to become a llama farmer himself. Starting with four dams and a stud male, the enterprise has steadily grown from there. Tostock Animal Parks now has much to offer, including llamas, alpacas, peacocks, emus, donkeys and Kunekune pigs. It is open to the public from the spring to autumn. Families can enjoy feeding the animals, donkey rides plus a picnic and play area. Visit their Facebook page to learn more.

George Crombie (1995-2000) and family visit Ian Devlin (Head of DT).

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14 Newsbites 2000s-2010s

Charlie Greet (1999-2006), Victoria Greet (2001-2006) and Oliver Greet (2004-2009).

The Greets were reunited recently when Charlie (1999-2006), Victoria (2001-2006) and Oliver (2004-2009) met up while Charlie was back in the UK for a visit from Australia. After graduating from Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in 2013, Charlie did his F1 and F2 years at the West Suffolk Hospital and went out to the Gold Coast, Australia for a year. He is still there three years later, now training to becoming an anaesthetist. Victoria qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Edinburgh in 2014 and spent two years with the PDSA. She did a general small animal internship at the Royal Veterinary College, London and is now doing a residency in small animal cardiology at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire. Oliver is currently working in London on the business development side for a start-up company called Converge, having previously worked in Cambridge for the David Ball Group. There isn’t much he doesn’t know about concrete and this, coupled with his IT skills, makes him a valuable asset.

Giles Gear (2000-2009) graduated in English and History from Nottingham University in 2014 where he achieved a number of national student radio awards, including Best Newcomer.

In 2017 he was included in the Radio Academy’s prestigious 30 under 30 which recognises the top emerging talent in UK radio. He now works as the Programme Manager of Union JACK radio.

Suzan Shepperson (1995-2007).

Peter Shepperson (2002-2007).

Suzan Shepperson née Darbaz (1995-2007) and Peter Shepperson (2002-2007) met at Culford and are now married with two small boys.

Suzan is a teacher at Barnham CEVC Primary School and was recently appointed as the school’s SENDCO (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator) and is responsible for supporting pupils with SEN and their families. She is also the school’s PE coordinator and is sharing her own passion for sports across the school. Pete works for a music publishing company as a Product Manager, focusing on instruments and accessories.

Harriet Brace (2005-2007).

Harriet Brace (2005-2007) took degrees from Dundee and Glasgow Caledonian universities before undertaking a four year career as a journalist and then moving into PR to pursue her passion for environmental activism. She was recently promoted to PR Project Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, heading up communications about Scotland’s highly-anticipated ‘deposit return’ scheme. This will see consumers pay a small deposit when they buy drinks in single-use packaging, with the deposit refunded on return for recycling. Harriet recently gave birth to baby Isobel (see page 17).

Giles Gear (2000-2009).

Ben Youngs (2004-2009) a former Cadet Sergeant with the Culford CCF, graduated with a BA in War Studies and an MA in Modern History from the University of Kent, where he enjoyed four years with the OTC as a student officer in the Reserve Army. He went on to gain experience as an MOD Housing Officer and an Engineering Planning Officer with GTC, the leading utilities infrastructure provider in the UK. He graduated from RAF College Cranwell as a Pilot Officer in the Personnel Support Branch in 2017.

On completing his professional training, he was posted to his first operational tour at RAF Marham where he is working closely with the introduction to front line operations of the new Lightning II fighter aircraft.

Newsbites For news of Jack (2004-2011), Sophie (2006-2011), Lucy (2008-2010) and Katie (2011-2018) Farrant, see Bill Farrant’s news on page 12.

Harvey (2001-2013) and Lucie Parsons (2001-2010) at the Lennon Wall, Prague.

Alison Parsons (Staff: 2001-2012), former Head of Physics, tells us that her children are enjoying happy and active lives. Lucie (2001-2010), who is living in south London, works for a civil engineering consultancy, ran two marathons last year and has run a further two so far this year. She has plans to run with Alison on her first marathon in Venice this autumn.

Harvey (2001-2013) graduated in Business Management and works as a marketing executive based near Southampton.

Ellie Keswick (2008-2013).

Aerial view of summer 2018 drought.

Ellie Keswick (2008-2013) ran the London marathon in memory of her father, Simon, and raised £3,348 for Macmillan Cancer Support. It was the hottest London marathon on record and she admits starting off feeling nervous and fearful about insufficient training. However, the crowds carried her through to an exuberant finish and now she has the running bug.

She is signed up for a half marathon this autumn, again raising funds for Macmillan, and hopes her knees and hips will hold out to allow her to mark the 5th anniversary of her father’s passing with the completion of five marathons.

Aerial view a few months later.

Alex Harley (2009-2015).

Alex Harley (2009-2015) completed his studies in Creative Music Technology at the University of the West of England, learning Audio Post Production, Live Sound, Studio Recording, Performance and Composition and more. He took part in numerous concerts while at UWE with the University Big Band, Jazz Ensemble and recently in the Orchestra as a soloist in Karl Jenkins’ Songs of the Earth. He was also a major part of the karting team, competing in a national University Sprint, the British 24 hour Kart Series and a 24 hour two-stroke championship, the BUKC. Alex is now taking a Masters in Performance and Composition at Leeds College of Music Conservatoire. See also Life After Culford on page 41.

Andrew Devoy (2007-2015) captured these amazing aerial shots of Culford, one in the midst of the summer 2018 drought, the other more recently, while en route to Andrew Devoy meetings by (2007-2015). helicopter.

This glamorous mode of travel was made possible owing to his new job in the aviation industry, as Helicopter Charter Sales and Operations Officer at SaxonAir in Norwich. Andrew is very happy for alumni to contact him direct about any form of private air charter: andrew.devoy@saxonair.com

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16

Newsbites Charlie Holt (2007-2016) is reading Human Biology at Loughborough University and has secured a placement year as Product Development Assistant in the Human Nutrition Product Development and Innovation Department at Volac International. He is developing sports endurance applications using sources of whey protein and running a project from initial market research stages through to customer sales agreements and product launch. As a recently converted endurance athlete, who has qualified to represent Great Britain for his age group 20-24 in the World Duathlon Championships in Spain 2019, this project on sports endurance nutrition is highly applicable.

Christopher Howells (2011-2016).

Christopher Howells (2011-2016) is in his last year at King’s College London reading International Relations.

He gained significant work experience, including for the Colombian government in Medellín. Here he learnt Spanish from scratch and undertook research on local development, rights and democracy for the use of the politicians. He was also interviewed on television about his work. In the summer he interned in the Community of Democracies in Warsaw, an international organisation committed to strengthening democratic values and human rights. Chris also researched the democratic transition in The Gambia in preparation for a delegation to visit high-level government representatives, wrote the 2017 Annual Report, developed

Carl (2011-2015) and Miriam Braun (2014-2016) recently returned to Culford along with younger brother Jan who has joined the School. On leaving, Carl spent a year working as an assistant nurse in Germany which convinced him to make his application to study Medicine at the University of Lodz in Poland. An international university with students represented from all over the world, the course is taught in English and Carl says it has been “a very intense and positive experience so far!” Miriam took a gap-year and is now in her second year studying Sociology at the University of Leipzig in Germany.

James Atkinson (2006-2017) went on Culford’s exchange trip in 2014 to Sydney and Knox Grammar School, Australia, with Jono Le Grice (2014-2017) and chose to return during his gap year. He travelled widely over three months, discovering the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns. During his time in Sydney, Arran Dhesi (2012-2017) also visited and the three OCs spent two weeks exploring Sydney together. James says, “I had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend people wanting to take a year out and travel to just do it!”

Charlie Holt (2007-2016).

work plans and concept notes for high-level events, and appeared in a promotional video on the importance of youth in democracy. Christopher says, “My work experience in DFID, gained with help from an OC, and the Culford trip to Malawi have really helped me thus far.”

Miriam Braun (2014-2016) and Carl Braun (2011-2015).

James Atkinson (2006-2017) and Arran Dhesi (2012-2017).

Milly Haydon (2008-2016), after a year out as a ski chalet hostess in France, is in her second year reading Business Studies at Oxford Brookes University. Brother Harry (2009-2013) attended Culford Prep and is currently enjoying his gap year working in Oslo for six months, with plans to go travelling in South America before starting at Newcastle University in 2019.

Newsbites/We Celebrate Marie Owino (2012-2017) and Emma Lees (2012-2017) called to see us in the summer. Emma is studying Psychology at the University of Leicester and Marie is double majoring in Biology and Chemistry in Iowa.

Beth Keswick (2007-2017) with her Fijian mum, Lewa.

Beth Keswick (2007-2017) is in her second year at Cardiff University reading Human Geography This summer she spent a month in Fiji volunteering and teaching young school children netball with a charity called Think Pacific, thanks to a bursary from the university.

Luigi Murton (2013-2017).

Emma Lees (2012-2017) and Marie Owino (2012-2017).

Luigi Murton (2013-2017) joined the Conservative Society in his first week at Newcastle University where he is reading Politics. When candidates were sought to stand in the local Government elections, Luigi put his name forward and was selected to stand for the Conservative Party in the Arthur’s Hill ward in the Newcastle City Council 2018 elections. Despite losing, Luigi says, “I was still very happy with the result, defeating both my other Conservative candidates, and it was a fantastic experience. At Culford I was in the debating society and there was a general school culture of people being allowed to express their beliefs openly and freely; this certainly helped me develop the confidence I needed to put my name forward for the candidacy. While I was not victorious in the 2018 elections, next year’s election preparations are already beginning and I hope to stand again and increase my vote share, and maybe even win!”

We Celebrate Engagements

We are pleased to announce the following engagements, weddings, anniversaries and new babies. Please do get in touch to include your announcement in the next issue of FOCu S by emailing: foundation@culford.co.uk

Former ESU scholar, Colin Lasko (2008-2009), proposed to Kaitlyn Keelin in the French Alps in February. The couple will be married in June 2019. They live in Indiana, USA and work for Zimmer Biomet, a global orthopedic medical device company. Outside of work, they enjoy competing in triathlons and Colin recently completed his first Ironman with more planned for the future.

Births Isobel Alice Eilidh Millar was born on Monday 1 October, weighing 7lbs 9oz to parents Harriet Brace (2005-2007) and partner James Millar. Both parents and grandparents are smitten with their new addition.

Colin Lasko (2008-2009).

Harriet Brace (2005-2007).

Carrie Scott née Fehr’s daughter, Eleanor Anna Grace.

Carrie Scott née Fehr (1994-1999) and her husband Robin are delighted to announce the birth of their first child. A daughter, Eleanor Anna Grace, was born on 26 October 2018, weighing 6lbs14oz.

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18

Social We Celebrate Calendar Weddings

L-R: Edward Chrispin (2012-2017), Peter Chrispin (2012-2013), Amanda Flood (1980-1989), Simon Chrispin (1970-1980), Maia Chalfen (2006-2012) and Josh Chalfen (2006-2016).

Amanda Flood (1980-1989) and Simon Chrispin (1970-1980) were married in summer 2018. Read more about Simon’s new venture, The Flying Mantis on page 6.

Catherine Shepperson (2002-2006).

Catherine Shepperson (2002-2006) married Carl Nawagamuwa on 1 September 2018 at St Edmund’s Catholic Church, Bury St Edmunds. Their reception was held at Blackthorpe Barn. They met in London but now live in Singapore where Catherine works for Facebook and Carl works for Google. The bridesmaids were Catherine’s sister-in-law, Suzan Shepperson née Darbaz (1995-2007), Lara Allen née Bone (1995-2006) and Jessica Ferrari-Wells née Ferrari (2000-2006). The wedding was also attended by Hannah Mayhew Meads née Mayhew (2001-2003), Molly McPherson (2001-2006), Becky Kelly née Mortlock (1997-2006), Bridget Black (1999-2006) and Lizzie Ellis (2000-2006).

Laura Herriott (1998-2009).

Laura Herriott (1998-2009) married James Jones on 1 September 2018 at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds. Their reception was held at Culford where guests enjoyed drinks and canapés on the South Front on a beautiful sunny day, followed by a meal and dancing in Old Hall. Laura and James met at the West Suffolk Hospital in 2014 and both now work at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge where Laura is a Senior Physiotherapist and James is a Registrar in Medical Oncology.

Stephen Holyland (2009-2011) married Carmen Lyons at St Mary’s Church, Culford, on Saturday 18 August. Their reception was held at the School amongst family and friends. Stephen and Carmen first met at school and now live in Mildenhall.

Stephen Holyland (2009-2011).

John Nash (1961-1965).

John Nash (1961-1965) married Denise Harrison on 11 May 2018 at the Mediaeval Athelhampton House in Dorset with some 40 family and friends present on the day. Asked how they chose the venue John said, “I asked Denise if she were to get married, where would she like it to be? She said ‘Athelhampton House’ so I got on the internet and found they had a date free in May, booked it and then told her. Fortunately she said ‘Yes!’”

If you would like to find out more about holding your wedding or other celebratory event at Culford, please contact: weddings@culford.co.uk

Social Calendar

The Reunion of 1968 Front row L-R: Ruth Collins née Goodwin, Anne Hutchinson née Sewell, Barbara Jones née Partridge, Linds Boughton, Margaret Smith née Tansey, Jane Hyde née Thompson, Carol Pontin née Graham, Penny Stow née Stubbs, Anne Williams née Day, Laura Brockman née Gibson and Sally Heading née Morris. Back row L-R: Gillian Mortimer née Reeve, Josephine Adams née Hogsbjerg, Lesley Sharman née Towler, Sarah Bynom née Mobbs, Sally Lutz née Gould, Gillian Forsythe née Heath, Penny Toop née Nice (hidden), Liz Atkins née Hunt, Carolyn Turnbull née Crossley-Holland, Marguerite Rodgers née Beckett and Jennie Magsig née Towler. Also in attendance Helen Chaddock née Sankey.

Forty or so former pupils threw caution to the wind and turned up at Culford on a late summer Saturday morning in September 2018. At the end a number had filled in contact forms and the breakdown of addresses is revealing. Six were from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire; three came from Liverpool, Morecambe and Hampshire; six had come across national borders – from the Philippines, United States, France, Jersey and Wales.

The quiz for the girls had been set by John Humphries and, subsequently, he was faced with a number of stewards’ enquiries when the answers were announced. The enthusiasm about getting things right was evident and enjoyed. This also drew attention to the fact that many aspects of the EASG have not been recorded and could be lost. We aim to follow this up as the Foundation is keen to progress the online archives project.

One factor stood out. Two-thirds were female and this delighted the organisers – for East Anglian School for Girls (EASG) memories were aroused and anecdotes helped others see that school and its staff in a new perspective. The person who acted as a ‘hub’ was Anne Hutchinson née Sewell – for she had been a pupil at the girls’ school, joined its staff and then continued her career at the post amalgamation Culford.

What was not lost was the reminder of friendship bonds retained from

Twins Rosemary Ward née Hopkin (1947-1954) with Pamela Fyfe née Hopkin (1947-1954).

Sincere thanks go to the alumni who helped to organise this event: Christopher Boughton, David Bartlett, Gillian Forsythe née Heath and Laura Brockman née Gibson.

From the Boys L-R: David Bartlett, Christopher Boughton, John Hogsbjerg, John Hubbard, Michael Corin, Brian Scott, Lyndon James and Guy Adams.

David Black (1941-1949) Jo Johnson-Munday and Robert Black (1941-1951).

Charming Teatime Concert Around 80 Old Culfordians and former pupils of the East Anglian School for Girls, parents and teachers were enthralled to watch talented Culford Prep and Senior

time spent in a boarding school, even as a day pupil. Those years are essentially formative and recognised as being all-important in establishing social skills and convivial attributes. Both were on display in abundance at the receptions, on the tour and at the delicious lunch – despite 50 years having slipped by.

School pupils play and sing during the annual Tea for Two Concert on Thursday 3 May 2018. Fourteen Prep and Senior School pupils performed, accompanied by Peter Burge,

Bridget James née Reynolds (1946-1953).

Director of Music, and Stephen Clay, Head of Music in the Prep School.

There were flautists, singers, pianists and cellists, to name a few. After the excellent music, the whole audience rose for renditions of the school songs, Grow Old Along With Me and Estote Fortes.

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20 Social Calendar

The Reunion of 1993 Some 40 former Culfordians and teachers returned to mark the OCs departure from School 25 years ago. A remarkable aspect was that several participants indicated bemusement that a quarter of a century had passed so quickly.

One of their teachers was impressed that so many looked relatively unchanged since those days of the summer of ’93.

Their return to Culford had been longer coming than expected for the event had had to be postponed from earlier in the year because of ‘The Beast from the East’. Freezing conditions were not evident on Saturday 6 October, but the Indian summer conditions were disrupted by an overcast sky. This did not affect the warm, convivial social atmosphere and it was intriguing to

witness the speed with which in-jokes and nicknames were resurrected.

in person soon led to significant talking points.

One incident in particular aroused amusement. A conducted tour incorporating the new Library, the renovated Hastings and the modernised sporting facilities finally took in the soon to be reconstructed Art Department. Here Robbie Harper spoke up and enquired as to the whereabouts of the Tuck Shop!

Again it was clear that the demands of work, pressures of parenting and distances that required planning had been overcome so that time could be spent in the company of an era that has past, but which remains active. There were observations that insufficient hours were made available and so this will be reviewed. One returner looked forward to the next occasion, exclaiming, “Let’s have a 30th!”

Are reunions among the younger age groups enhanced by many being in contact on a steady basis through social media? Before the postponed meeting, there had been questions raised on Facebook among prospective returners about their schooldays, incidents, personalities, lessons and, of course ‘fave lunches’. Consequently, meeting

Sincere thanks to Melanie Bushell née McHale, Abigale Quick née Dobson and Louisa Warburton née Aitkens for championing this event and helping to organise the evening.

Christmas Fun at the Farmers’ Club

Brothers Ben (1992-2002) and Will Chapman (1992-2000) with Bron Recknell.

Jack Beaumont (2005-2014) and Richard Bryson (1970-1976).

Ross McKenzie (2005-2015) and Tom Guntrip (2005-2016).

We were delighted to see many friendly faces at our inaugural festive drinks at the Farmers’ Club in Bury St Edmunds just before Christmas last year. We were glad to welcome retired staff John Humphries, Bron Recknell and Lesley Robinson, as well as former school doctor Dick Soper together with current staff, Gavin Reynolds, Dave Watkin and John Guntrip. We were especially pleased to welcome brothers Will (1992-2000) and Ben Chapman (1992-2002) who had not returned for an event before.

The youngest OC present left just over a year ago and we had a good representation of alumni from across the generations, including two OCs who had not met for more than 50 years!

The raffle raised £216 which was split between St Nicholas Hospice and the Foundation’s fundraising for the Art Department. OC prize winners included Andrew Long (1969-1978) and Sarah Rowling (1947-1960).

Activities & Adventures 18 and 32km and along the way I joined up with other pilgrims of various nationalities. After arriving in Santiago, we all attended the traditional midday mass in the cathedral where the botofumeiro censer of smouldering incense swung like a pendulum high above the congregation; afterwards we gathered at a nearby restaurant for a celebration before heading home.

Martin Slater (1950-1960).

Camino Ways Martin Slater (1950-1960) shares his experiences of two Camino pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela.

“My interest in hiking began at Culford with scouting activities that included summer camps and continental walking/bicycling holidays to Switzerland and the Rhineland. Years later, while working in Ecuador, I took up mountaineering and formed an international club. In 2014 I became interested in walking the 615km Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela.

With no previous similar experience, I decided to tackle it in two parts – in 2014 from Lisbon to Coimbra (Portugal’s original capital) and in 2015 from Coimbra to Santiago.

Daily distances varied between

After two knee replacements in 2017, spring 2018 saw me set out to test out my new knees. I chose the 325km Primitivo, the oldest Camino route first used by devout pilgrims from Asturias in the 9th Century, which although shorter than most other routes, had a reputation as being physically testing with long stretches of unspoilt off-road trails.

I departed from Oviedo and was lucky to join up with four Atlanta, Georgia

Late August, Robert and his Ridgeback Panorama bike arrived at John O’Groats completing a three-stage journey from Bury St Edmunds. For most of the way, he followed the circuitous National Cycle Route 1.

Stage 1 covered Bury St Edmunds to Ness point at Lowestoft (the most easterly place in the UK) and then on to Lincoln. The second stage, Lincoln to Melrose, took him over the Humber Bridge through Newcastle and Berwick-on-Tweed into the Scottish Lowlands.

The last 100km from Lugo should have taken five to six days and I completed the next day full of expectation of the following 30km stint; the rest I considered would be relatively easy! Unfortunately, however, I was forced off the road by a lone speeding vehicle, badly injured my knee and had to spend 10 days in Lugo hospital and another 15 days in Addenbrookes when I arrived back in the UK. I aim to return in 2019 to complete my pilgrimage: I will let you know how I get on!”

Santiago De Compostela Cathedral.

On Two Wheels Culfordians from the 1990s may remember hearing updates on the progress of Robert Davie’s (Staff: 1979-2015) long walks across France and Spain. Now fully retired – and with a new hip joint – the walking has given way to cycling and the rucksack contents travel in four panniers.

ladies at the end of my first day and walked with them for the next three days, finding their company inspirational. Eventually they jumped ahead, while I continued the full route with five very testing days before arriving in Lugo, where I spent a day enjoying its historical ambience in the company of other Camino friends.

Between Edinburgh and John O’Groats, the NCR1 follows the coast to Aberdeen, cuts across to Inverness, and then heads up through the isolation of the Highlands to the north coast at Bettyhill, and on to Thurso. Robert says, “Between Lairg and Bettyhill, the 50-mile main A road north is single-track, with passing spaces through glorious scenery and utterly peaceful. You may meet a car about every five minutes.”

Robert makes it a rule to travel slowly with time to visit places en-route. He confesses that his enthusiasm for camping is waning nowadays and he appreciates the comforts of B&B given the chance!

Number of punctures: 3.

When he is not cycling, walking or giving talks, Robert keeps himself busy as a member of the Rotary Club,

where he organises the annual Charity Swimarathon and Schools’ Awards Dinner, as a Governor at Thurston Community College and he also organises music for the Methodist church at Ixworth. He recently returned to Culford for the Year of ’93 Reunion.

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22 The Appeal of the Park

The Appeal of

the Park

Prompted by an email from Anthony Floyd (1936-1942) lamenting how little Culford Park features in FOCu S, coupled with the 2018 celebrations to mark the work of Humphry Repton in the bicentenary of his death, we consider some of the outstanding and unique aspects of the Park here.

Many who visit remark on the beauty of this place and, especially of its trees.

Ever was it thus. Victor Holman (1930-1938) wrote in the commemorative book, The 70 Year History of Culford School : My ďŹ rst and last memory of Culford is always of its trees; the cedar trees

of the South Front, the oaks, but above all the beeches, whether in their spring

garment of new green or turned to ame and gold in the October sunshine.

The Appeal of the Park 23 Culford Park was created to impress.

In 1792, the Cornwallis family commissioned Humphry Repton (1752-1818), the great landscape designer of the 18th Century, to produce a so-called Red Book of plans and became one of his 400 clients. The landscape designer must have felt a certain affinity for he had been born in Bury St Edmunds. While a number of Repton’s suggestions were adopted, often this was years later and with modifications.

The iron bridge over the spur of the River Lark became one of the local attractions and there has been comparatively recent speculation that its blueprint was older than the first to be constructed anywhere in the world, over the Severn at Ironbridge in Shropshire. Built in c 1803, Culford’s iron bridge is certainly a unique example of a cast iron bridge built to the patent of Samuel Wyatt and is Grade I listed.

Ice-houses first came to Britain in the 1660s, although the one that once existed in the North Woods

was probably a 19th Century construction and has, sadly, long since disappeared. The nearby water tower was built in the 1890s during the first phase of the Cadogan era and gave service until 1976 when a new system was installed.

In 2010, it was sold to a retired builder who created a stunning tower home. It has recently been sold on for almost £1 million. This brought some publicity, although the adjacent fields to the east

were the scenes of notoriety when rhizomania struck the sugar-beet crop in 1987.

This was the first time that the disease, known as ‘root madness’, had appeared in Britain and access was curtailed. Apart from a period when pupils below prefect status were barred from the South Front Gardens, the park was open for exploration and generations of Culfordians were drawn to it.

Some obviously disliked the compulsory sporting-activities, including cross-country, while others thrived on them. Probably most loved the escapism offered, from ‘Manhattan’ across the bridge to the ‘Bad Lands’ on the northern fringes, from the formerly walled kitchen gardens to the ha-ha on the terraced pleasure grounds.

Credit: Harry Wakefield.

The sensation of delayed appreciation often affects the young who, when older, realise that something special was evident during an earlier phase. The 480 acres that now surround Culford Hall were planned as an impressive entrance and have, indeed, resulted in the capacity to entrance.

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Acknowledgements and Thanks The Culford Foundation wishes to thank all those individuals, families, funds and trusts whose help through donations and other gifts enables the School to thrive. We are, and continue to be, grateful for all the support we receive. We would also like to express our special thanks to anonymous donors, to those who have made pledges for the future through legacies and other means, as well as to all our supporters who give their time and friendship to Culford.

Our gratitude also goes to everyone who made a donation to The Campaign for Culford when purchasing their event tickets. Thank you to all those who have made valuable contributions to our archive.

Recent OC and OEA Donors (August 2017 to August 2018) 1940s Mr David Black (1941-1949) Mr Anthony Childs (1944-1949) Mr Neville Hibberd (1941-1947) Mr David Morley (1938-1947) Mr Michael Platten (1941-1947) 1950s Mrs Mary Black née Hamilton (1947-1953) Mr Edward Daniels (1951-1958) Mr David Fenning (1951-1958) Mr Henry Finch (1945-1959) Mr Roy Hill (1946-1952) Mrs Freda Parker née Osborne (1945-1953) Mr Peter Scates (1945-1951) Mrs Daphne Ten Hove née Nokes (1954-1959) Mr Richard Young (1946-1952) 1960s Mr Guy Adams (1962-1968) Mrs Josephine Adams née Hogsbjerg (1961-1968) Mr Alan Atkinson (1960-1967) Dr David Bartlett (1960-1969) Mr Chris Boughton (1958-1968) Mr John Darby (1967-1976) Prof Stephen Challacombe (1958-1964) Mr John Eason (1958-1962) Mr Chris Finch (1958-1964) Mr John Gorst (1954-1961) Mr Henry Hardiment (1954-1962) Mrs Elizabeth Hyde née Thompson (1954-1968) Mr Peter Marsden-Allen (1956-1965) Mr Philip Moore (1966-1973) Mr Brian Scott (1958-1966) Mrs Margaret Smith née Tansey (1963-1968)

1970s Mr Christopher Aldous (1970-1977) Mr Michael Bennett (1969-1976) Mr Tim Bonnett (1966-1973) Mrs Jane Burton née Brennan (1974-1982) Mr Bill Farrant (1974-1981) Mrs Jane Franses née Hewetson (1968-1977) Mr Peter Last (1970-1977) 1980s onwards Mrs Charlotte Arbuthnot née Rapple (1987-1996) Mr Jack Beaumont (2005-2014) Mrs Suzanne Marriott née Cooper (1981-1988) Mrs Louise Rapple Moore née Rapple (1984-1993) Staff, Governors, Parents and Friends Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott Mr Mark Alford Mr Stephen Arbuthnot Mr S K Asiama and Mrs Okuneye-Asiama Mrs Janet Bendy Mr Coca and Mrs Molina Mr Brian Cook Mr Robert Cooper Mr and Mrs John Clark Mr and Mrs Lawrence Dodd Mr Alan Dures Edwards & Blake Mrs Natalie Emms Sibylle and Dr Olaf Giessner Mrs Celia Gordon Dr John Guntrip Air Commodore Andrew and Mrs Jackie Hall

Mr and Mrs Jon Herd Mr Tom Huggins Mrs Jo Johnson-Munday Mr Julian Johnson-Munday Mr and Mrs Smart Kemiki Mr Clive Licence Mr Tim Matthews Major and Mrs Ian Mosedale Miss Katie Noorlander Mr Andy Northcote Mr Paul Nicolai and Mrs Annemarie Vis Mrs Cynthia Nutsugah Mr Jason Parker Mr Simon Pott Probus Club Mr Marcus Rackowe Mrs Tessa Richardson Mr Jeff Renton Mr Gavin Reynolds The Rind Foundation The Rynsard Family Mrs Samantha Salisbury Mrs Victoria Sanderson Mr Mike Schofield Mr and Mrs Ben Stephens Mrs Jane Stewart Mr and Mrs James Taylor Mrs Margaret Vine Mr Dave Watkin Mr Paul Wellstead Mr and Mrs Kevin Wendelken Mr James Yates Special thanks to: Anonymous Family Trust All anonymous donors

The OCA We thank all former pupils who continue to donate to the School’s Old Culfordian Association fund which sponsors Speech Day School prizes and supports other important projects. Particular thanks go to Lesley Robinson for her archive support and Tony Pringle for all of his work on the WWI/II Project.

The Campaign for Culford 25

A New Art Studio After much preparation with planning and project fundraising, we are delighted to report that Seamans Building have begun work on the redevelopment of the art department (see architect’s drawing).

Old Culfordian and MD of Seamans Building Contractors, Duncan Haydon (1977-1986), joined pupils, Governors, Trustees and staff for the ground breaking ceremony early in the autumn term. The Foundation’s goal was to raise at least £350,000 towards an estimated project cost of £670,000; the balance of funds will

Credit: Infinity Architects.

What’s next?

Samantha Salisbury, Duncan Haydon and Jo Johnson-Munday.

be met by the School. We also aim to raise at least £30,000 towards the exterior landscaping, creating a beautiful space and an inviting garden for pupils to both work and relax in.

To date we have raised in excess of £350,000 in gifts and pledges.

In addition to several significant gifts, fundraising initiatives included the Pop Art Portraits on display around school, sponsored pavers which will form part of the new terrace outside the main studio, and memorial benches for the new garden area.

Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far, we are extremely grateful to all our donors. We continue to raise funds and are keen to encourage year groups to sponsor a paver in the new garden. If you would like to contribute, please contact the Foundation team on 01284 385310 or email: foundation@culford.co.uk More information may be found here: www.culford.co.uk/How-You-Can-Help

How will this new facility make a difference?

The new Studio is scheduled for completion in spring/summer 2019. Head of Art, Tessa Richardson (pictured in her Pop Art Portrait below), explains why the new Art Studio is so important: spectrum of creative media, as well as the space, flexibility and technology to further develop their creativity. The media suite on the new mezzanine will offer pupils access to a wider world of digital design, and the expanding ceramics studio will enable us to explore this medium more often.

‘The exciting new design will enable current and future Culfordians to have more access to a broader

The main studio will be a light, bright and flexible space. The furniture, lighting and storage will be designed to be continually fluid in its positioning, so that it can be teaching studios one minute, and a gallery for exhibiting work in

another. Today’s A-Level students explore art that is becoming more challenging and conceptual in design; offering the space in which to curate their own installation will enable them to expand and fully explore their own learning experience.

This fabulous new facility will open up so many creative avenues within the Arts, allowing us to find the creative strengths of each individual at Culford. The existing studio has not been developed in more than 75 years so, understandably, we can’t wait!’

26 Drawn to Education

Drawn to Education Culford is closely linked with the evolution of modern education. The Methodist traditions from the 18th Century stressed the importance of universal literacy. In the latter part of the 19th Century, the creation of the Woodard boarding schools was a Church of England initiative.

Other denominations followed suit and the East Anglian School for Boys was founded in 1881.

Westminster College, London, was established in 1851 to train teachers for the Wesleyan Methodist Schools and forged close relationships with Culford. It moved to Oxford in 1959, at the beginning of an era for the massive, national expansion of secondary and tertiary education. It is not surprising that so many former pupils have been involved in teaching, lecturing, school-, college- and university-administration.

Michael Keall (1946-1950).

Michael Keall (1946-1950) actually deputised in his final term at Culford for WEM Smith, away for an appendix removal, as a Latin teacher.

He then undertook National Service, read History at King’s College, Cambridge, and took up a teaching post at King’s College School.

Appointments followed as an assistant master at Bedford School and Headmaster of the Junior School of Portsmouth Grammar where he was the youngest master.

This was followed by a spell as Headmaster at Eastbourne College Preparatory School and in 1977 he became Headmaster of Westminster Abbey Choir School. Retirement from headships came in 1988, although a year later he became the Junior Bursar of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and among his work was organising the alumni reunions.

He remains active in college life as a Fellow Commoner.

Cynthia Green née Flack (EASG 1942-1957) started, on her 4th birthday, at the EAS Kindergarten in what was to become Jocelyn House, for boarders. She remained as a day girl until boarding in the Sixth Form.

Her parents, however, moved to a farm in Culford village and so she had friends at both schools. Her training as a teacher was at the Froebel Educational Institute in Roehampton and from there she went first to the then Brunswick Infants School, Cambridge, and returned to the classroom when her own children were older. She was delighted when, in 2017, after her college became an integral part of the University of Roehampton to receive an honorary degree.

Cynthia Green (1942-1957).

John Barrett (1951-1961).

John Barrett (1951-1961) has spent a lifetime in Methodist education, having read Economics at Newcastle University before theological training at Wesley House, Cambridge. He was Chaplain at Westminster College, Oxford; Assistant Tutor at Wesley College, Bristol; Chaplain at Kingswood School, Bath; and then three headships over 27 years, at Kent College, Pembury, The Leys, Cambridge, and the Anglo-Chinese International School, Singapore. From 2005-2011, he was President of the World Methodist Council and is currently Chair of the Methodist Independent Schools’ Trust, which includes Culford. He believes passionately that, alongside preparing for exams, it is important to train character in an ethos based on Christian values.

Drawn to Education 27 George Zeleny (1958-1964) qualified as a primary teacher from Goldsmiths’ College in 1968, took up an appointment in the nearby Old Kent Road, London, and six years later, married with an infant, became deputy Headteacher at Eastbrook Junior School, Hemel Hempstead.

A year later he was Head of School, aged 29. In 1990, he left to become Editor of Boxing Monthly, although three years later he was back in the classroom, in St Albans. Retirement came in 2010. George says, “Culford in the early 60s was quite an austere place but the teaching was excellent.

History master Fred Watson taught me how to write the perfect essay.

Legend.”

John Fuller (1953-1958).

John Fuller (1953-1961) served an apprenticeship in motor engineering.

He became Assistant Fleet Engineer with P&O Roadways as well as Health and Safety Officer in their British and European road tanker operations. He later joined as a lecturer with a training company specialising in road transport, helping management to achieve necessary qualifications. He became Fleet Support manager as well as the Dangerous Goods Advisor to the DHL Group. In his spare time, he served as a Commissioned Officer with the RAFVR; in retirement has gained a BA Honours Degree in History with the University of Suffolk in Ipswich and has restored three classic cars.

Sally Barrett (1954-1962).

Sally Barrett née Hatley (EASG (1954-1962) is married to John (1951-1961, see page 26). They have two children, four grandchildren and live in Harston, near Cambridge.

She trained in PE at Neville’s Cross College, Durham, and, subsequently, taught and took girls’ games at Ely High School for Girls; Westminster College, Oxford; Kingswood School, Bath; Kent College, Pembury; and The Leys School, Cambridge.

George Zeleny (1958-1964).

Gerald Steele (1957-1964) took the advice of English teacher, Bob Bowditch, and applied to Sheffield University where he read English, Economics and Sociology. Economics particularly appealed, followed by a year in engineering, a Master’s degree and six years lecturing at the University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Then comes 42 years as Reader in Economics at the Lancaster University Management School, with teaching, research, publications on Keynes and Hayek and, earlier this year, his book, Henry Calvert Simons: Crown Prince of the Chicago School [London, Routledge].

Gerald Steele (1957-1964).

Hazel Green (1960-1966).

Hazel Green née Porter (EASG 1960-1966), while taking a break from full-time teaching to raise a family, undertook some supply work in a special school. One pupil was from Sri Lanka and his mother was keen to undertake pioneering work there on her return. She attended Hazel’s classes and, subsequently, ‘Senehasa’ in Galle was set up and Hazel has been a visitor there virtually every year since. She says, “I like to take ideas, systems and resource material, and then work with the parents and play alongside the children!”

Jane Hyde née Thompson (EASG 1954-1968) has the distinction of being one of only two former pupils to have taught at her old school, albeit for one year. She, and three others from her year-group, went to Westminster College, Oxford, after which she returned to teach Form 3B before moving to a school in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, and becoming Head of RE there. She lived within five miles of both Monica Tuck and Laura Hunter, whose company she enjoyed on various occasions.

Education has run in the family, with cousin, Fiona Thompson (EASG 1953-1961) and sister, Pat Thompson (EASG 1956-1970), both becoming teachers, and now her son is a director of a teacher recruitment firm, and her daughter-in-law is Chair of Governors at her local church school.

Gillian Mortimer née Reeve (EASG 1958-1968) took the well-trodden path to Westminster College, Oxford, where her main subjects were Geography and History. She taught for 15 years at All Hallows School, Ditchingham, Bungay, and much enjoyed taking classes in Mathematics. Further appointments were at St Felix, Southwold, and then as Head of the Lower School, Hethersett Old Hall School, south of Norwich.

28 Drawn to Education

Gillian Forsythe (1965-1968).

Gillian Forsythe née Heath (EASG 1965-1968) read English and French at the University of Southampton and qualified as a teacher at the University of York. For three years she taught at Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, and then moved north to Sale in Lancashire for five years.

Although she retired from full-time work at Rugby High School for Girls in 2004, she continued in part-time employment there for a further four years. Soon after she felt that she was ‘starting to live!’

David Bartlett (1961-1969).

In 1989, David Bartlett (1961-1969) and his wife, Cherry, when working full-time in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, decided that one of them should pursue a career in education. He started a PGCE course at Leeds University, with a view to teaching Mathematics at secondary level.

A year later he was a member of the mathematics department of Leeds Grammar School for Boys, an independent school, and adopting the styles of the best Culford teachers that he recalled. In due course he became the Careers Co-ordinator.

His advice to prospective teachers includes awareness that pupils are not always as able or interested in your subject as you; being fair and considerate with ‘no laughing at anyone giving an incorrect answer’; setting standards; retaining a certain aloofness; and, above all, maintaining a sense of humour.

Colin Archer (1961-1970) trained, during the early 1980s, in English as a Second Language for adults and worked for ten years in Community Education in Manchester, teaching migrants and refugees. His chosen career took an abrupt turn when he moved to Geneva to work for the international peace movement. After 27 years, he has retired to the UK and again taken up ESL work as a volunteer in the Leeds ‘Conversation Club’ for asylum seekers. He notes the interesting ways in which the wheel of life revolves.

Colin Archer (1961-1970).

Mike Best (1962-1972) trained at Westminster College, Oxford, and in 1975 became Head of Art at a Nottinghamshire grammar school and, subsequently, Head of Year, followed by Head of Sixth Form, when it became comprehensive.

Secondment at Nottingham University for an MA followed. He moved back to Suffolk to become a Senior Teacher in a Lowestoft High School, continuing to teach English and Art. School finances attracted him, a promotion to Deputy Headship followed and soon he was off to become Head Teacher at a rural Dorset comprehensive. After 14 years in that role, he has a varied career to look back on in retirement.

Mike Best (1962-1972).

Keith Kintrea (1967-1974) graduated in Geography from the University of Sussex, survived the gig economy for two years as a motorcycle Keith Kintrea dispatch (1967-1974). rider before gaining an MPhil from Edinburgh.

He is now a Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, specialising in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. He teaches on programmes for town planners, real estate surveyors and housing managers and is the Deputy Director of an international research centre on urbanisation and neighbourhood change in seven developing countries.

His work combines a fascination with places and a belief that policy can benefit people’s lives.

Jonathan Nicholls (1967-1974) read English at Bristol University, spent a year in the USA as the Herchel Smith Scholar at Harvard, and in 1984 gained a PhD from Jonathan Nicholls Cambridge (1967-1974). where he was at Emmanuel College. He became Registrar at the University of Warwick and, subsequently, at Birmingham. Then for ten years from 2007 he was the Registrary (the principal administrative officer) of the University of Cambridge with responsibilities for over 750 staff and a budget of £27 million. He is only the 26th office holder in that line since the post was created in 1506. On ‘retirement’ he has worked as a consultant with Shakespeare Martineau LLP, a law firm with a significant education practice, and as the University Secretary of the Open University.

He and his wife live in Royal Leamington Spa, close to their grandchildren. He looks forward to standing as a District Councillor in the local elections of 2019. A new chapter opens?

Drawn to Education 29 Helen Jackson née Fail (1970-1977) always wanted to be a teacher and trained at Westminster College, Oxford. VSO in Nigeria was followed Helen Fail (1970-1977). by three years at a comprehensive school in Thame. Then came seven years at the Anglican International School in Jerusalem; an MA on ‘Third Culture Kids’ – children exposed to more than one culture in their development; the American International School in Leysin; a PhD, and work running the MA in Education for Teachers in International Schools, at Oxford Brookes; and responsibility for the International Teacher Certificate for ECI Schools.

Her career has involved both global and personal involvement.

Michael Travis (1979-1984) studied initially at the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London before specialist training in psychiatry at Bethlem Royal Hospital in Beckenham and the Maudsley Hospital in south London. His post doctorate work was at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and he was awarded the President’s Medal of the Royal College of Psychiatry.

Michael’s research and lecturing has taken him now from the British capital to the technology capital of Pennsylvania, as Associate Professor and Director of Residency Training at the Western Psychiatric Institute Michael Travis and Clinic in (1979-1984).

Pittsburgh.

James Pereira QC (1980-1990) is a practising barrister in planning, environmental, compulsory purchase and compensation law. He also teaches EU Environmental Law for post-graduate students at King’s College, London, on a Masters of Law course. He was appointed Visiting Professor of Law in 2017. A further teaching interest of his is holding seminars and workshops for barristers

on public speaking, communication skills, stress management, solution focused coaching as well as time management. Last year he set up a company, Achieve Your Best Ltd, to promote these attributes. He can be contacted at: James.pereiraQC@ ftbchambers.co.uk Richard Pineo (1991-1993) was Head of Cricket at Portsmouth Grammar School and then moved back to Culford as Head of Prep School Sport in 2007 where his wife, Jo, was a teacher and Housemistress of Cadogan House. In 2013 Richard became Assistant Director of Sport at Ampleforth College. This stay was relatively short lived and he is now a Housemaster at Aldenham School, Hertfordshire, where Jo teaches in the Prep School, which is attended by their two Richard Pineo daughters, Eva (1991-1993) and Isabelle.

Mathew Gostelow (1990-1995) was in the commercial sector for much of his career, but since 2010 has been working in Higher Education for the School of Languages and Social Sciences at Aston University in Birmingham, and as Marketing Manager since 2016. He is particularly involved in the award winning Languages for All programme and is proud of the ways in which some students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with limited language skills, go on to leave with a degree, experience from a placement year and a set of career and life enhancing skills. He is married to Zharain and they have a five year old daughter, Sofia.

Mathew Gostelow (1990-1995).

Antonia Matthews née Cobbald (1989-1998).

Antonia Matthews née Cobbald (1989-1998) left to read Psychology at the University of Newcastle and, after a year of travelling, teacher-trained at Homerton, Cambridge. She taught Science at a north London school, gained an M.Ed in Educational Psychology and worked in that field for LEAs and in private practice. She specialised in tutoring aspiring psychologists and therapists at the University of London and attained a doctorate with a thesis on the role of school based support and the prevention of adolescent depression. She now lives in Suffolk with her husband, Euan, and their son. Angus, and has set up ASC Psychology Ltd.

Francis Young (1992-1999).

Francis Young (1992-1999), the son of former staff members, Alan and Doreen Young, read Philosophy at Cambridge, taught at a small independent school in Warwickshire and then returned for professional teacher training. In 2004 he started teaching Religious Studies at King’s School, Ely, where he was promoted to Head of Sixth Form. He left in 2016, but had obtained both an MA in Classics and a PHD in History during his time there. He is currently working on his 14th history book and looks forward to a planned television series on his recently-acclaimed, Edmund: In Search of England’s Lost King, published earlier this year.

30 Drawn We Remember to Education Kate Fletcher née Eastell (2001-2006) is currently at Granta School in Cambridgeshire working with 11 to 14 year olds with complex learning needs. She has held various positions in state, private and specialist schools with inclusive environments, where lessons are supported by sign language, visual representation and adapted technology, as well as addressing therapeutic, medical and behavioural needs.

Steph Roberson (1992-1999).

Steph Roberson (1992-1999) spent a gap year working at Holmwood House Prep School, Colchester, then studied English Literature and Classics at the University of St Andrews and qualified to teach English as a foreign language. She worked in South Korea, Kuwait and Nepal before retraining in humanitarian programme management with a Master’s degree at Liverpool University. She is now with Oxfam, responding to humanitarian crises throughout the world as well as developing training and e-learning courses. She is currently developing distance learning courses in technical subjects relating to the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Jenny Abbott (2000-2010) wanted to be a primary school teacher from a young age, gained some work experience in Culford’s Pre-Prep school and qualified at York St John University where both her grandfather and mother had trained. She was successful with her first application and is now in her sixth year of teaching, her third in the Early Years Foundation Stage, at an independent school in rural North Yorkshire.

Jenny Abbott (2000-2010).

Hannah Evans (2005-2012).

Katie Ewing (2005-2010).

Katie Ewing (2005-2010) developed a passion for sport at Culford when playing for a variety of teams. She read Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth, undertook work experience in Hampshire and Norfolk, took her PGCE at the University of East Anglia and now much enjoys teaching PE at the William Farr Church of England Comprehensive School in Lincoln.

Hannah Evans (2005-2012) graduated from King’s College, London, in Classical Studies and English, spent a year teaching in inner London state schools, completed a PGCE at Oxford and is currently teaching English at Surbiton High School while studying part-time for an MSc in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford. She has travelled in Europe, climbed Mount Olympus, plays hockey and meets Culfordian friends on a weekly basis.

Charlotte Harpur (2005-2012) graduated from Oxford having read French and Italian. She is now in her second year of the Teach First Leadership development programme and is based in Wellingborough. Here she teaches French and Spanish at a secondary state academy, where she has recently revived memories of her exchange visits to France.

As Charlotte explains, “During my time at Culford I participated in the French exchanges every year from Fourth to Sixth Form and these trips ignited my passion to learn languages. I look back on these excursions with fond memories and wanted to give my pupils a taste of what I was lucky enough to experience. I contacted my former French teacher and tutor, Andy Deane, who helped me prepare for leading my first residential trip. We have just returned from France and although taking children who have never been on a school trip before was somewhat nerve wracking, it was extremely rewarding and I would do definitely do it again!”

Charlotte Harpur (2005-2012) with Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Andy Deane.

Act of Remembrance

Remembering the Fallen

L-R: Headmaster, George Langley (1946-1954), Nella Walters, Josh Stephens, Edlyn Rai, Harry Wakefield, Revd Simon Crompton-Battersby with Tom Atkinson.

L-R: Keith Flack (1943-1951), Ken Green (1938-1945) and Neville Hibberd (1941-1947).

Martin Slater (1949-1955).

L-R: Dorothy Calder née Hubbard (1946-1952) with Keith Flack (1943-1951).

On Friday 10 November 2017, more than 700 people including Culford’s Combined Cadet Force, pupils, staff, Old Culfordians, parents and friends assembled on the North front outside Culford Hall to hear the Headmaster read out the 145 names of former pupils, staff and estate workers who died in conflict. A two-minute silence was then observed after a trumpet salute.

Prayers were offered by the chaplain, Revd Simon Crompton-Battersby and wreaths were laid by the Headmaster, the Head Boy and Head Girl and, on behalf of the Old Culfordians, George Langley (1946-1954). Head Groundsman Tom Atkinson also laid a wreath

in memory of the estate workers who died. Afterwards, guests made their way to the Garden of Remembrance, bathed in beautiful autumn sunshine, where guests were able to pay their respects and place their own cross in memory of a loved one.

Michael Emery (1950-1960).

31

32 First World War Centenary

100 Years since Armistice Day 11.00 on 11 November 1918 2018 sees us commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. Some 65 million men were mobilised across Europe during the Great War. Nearly a third of them, some 21 million were wounded. More than 9 million were killed and many millions were taken prisoners of war. All of them had family and friends whose lives were changed forever by the events of 1914-1918 and this School was deeply affected too.

It is believed that some 284 old boys from the East Anglian School served with the forces and of these, some 60 boys and one master, Charles Honess, gave their lives.

Their names are commemorated on the Memorial Tablet which was brought to Culford at the time of the move in 1935 and now hangs on a wall of Culford Hall. When Houses were first started in 1919, one was named Honess in his memory and it continues in the Prep School even today. All their names are read out, along with those of others connected to the Culford Estate on Remembrance Day. Distinctions won in the war included eight Military Crosses, one Bar to Military Cross, eleven Military Medals, one bar to Military Medal, one OBE, one Italian Service Medal and nine mentioned in Despatches.

Tony Pringle (1949-1955) has written a significant and very comprehensive booklet which captures the names and details

of all those who lost their lives in both WWI and WWII. It is very much a work in progress as Tony continuously researches and collects information. We intend to include this in some form on our planned searchable online archive, once we have the resources and funds to take this project forward. If you would like to help, please contact Jo or Samantha in the Foundation: foundation@culford.co.uk

Alumni Killed in Action WWI Memorial Plaque 1914-1918.

We Remember 33

We Remember It is with great sadness that we bring you the following obituaries of former pupils and members of staff. More detailed tributes may be found here: www.culfordinline.co.uk Sir John Cullen (1926-2018) was awarded a Culford scholarship in 1937 and left seven years later clear that his career would be in Chemical Engineering. His family owned the men’s outfitters in the Buttermarket, Bury St Edmunds.

A short course for the RAF took him to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, before returning there to read for a degree. He spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Texas. A PhD at Cambridge did not lead to an academic career, but to joining the UK – Atomic Energy Authority at

Windscale, Cumbria. From there he joined ICI, first at Billingham and then in New York City. A return to Britain followed with his becoming Technical Manager for Phillips Imperial Petroleum and Managing Director of Rohm & Haas UK, the American company then expanding into Europe. In 1983 he accepted the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission and his ten years in this appointment was recognised with a Knighthood. He was President of the UK Institute of Chemical Engineers (1988) and a Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2006 John and

Richard Freeman (1931-2018) was cremated on Friday 26 October and later in the morning a memorial service was held at the United Reformed Church in Bury St Edmunds. In between, members of his families – he married three times, to Ann, Jean and Anne – walked through the Park to Culford Lake. Memories were stirred within the minds of those at the lakeside and at the church with which he had many associations. Richard came from an Ipswich family, was evacuated to the west of England early in the Second World War and attended Hereford Cathedral School, before starting at Culford in 1943. Here he was active in academic areas as well as in

sporting, shooting and scouting.

He gained a first class honours degree in Law at Christ’s College, Cambridge, and took up legal work that led to his becoming an influential partner with Bankes Ashton, solicitors in Bury St Edmunds. His lifelong interests included scouting – with his being County Commissioner and awarded the Silver Wolf Medal for 50 years of service to the movement – and sailing, being the proud possessor of three boats. Add to this reading and the collecting of first editions.

Here was a pillar of local society who contributed much to various organisations, including his effective work in fundraising for Culford, assisting the consultant

Sir John Cullen (1937-1944).

Betty (née Hopkins) celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary.

Later that year she died of cancer.

Sir John, an avid reader, was a very gentle man with a fine sense of humour. John and Betty believed in the value of education and encouraged their children, two sons and two daughters, through school and university.

Richard Freeman (1943-1949).

Jimmy McGuinness of Hooker Craigmyle & Co. His children, Martin (1969-1979), Harriet (1975-1981) and Fly (1974-1982) gave readings at the service.

Edward Long (1941-2018) who was a pupil from 1950-1959, followed both his uncle, Robert Long (1937-1944), and a cousin, Bill Price (1949-1952) and was taught in Form 1 by his aunt Kathleen Long (Staff: 1937-1971). His contracting the poliomyelitis virus around a fishing port while on holiday led him to miss his first term and curtailed aspects of his love for sport, particularly cricket. However, his enthusiasm for cricket-statistics remained and his wish to be involved in sporting activities was exemplified by riding his bicycle to help train his friend Martin Slater (1950-1960) to win the School’s cross-country and set a record for the mile. He joined the Colonial Office for a year in 1959 before qualifying from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. His initial work in farming was as a Fieldsman at the Bury St Edmunds Sugar Beet Factory, although his skills as a writer, indicated early by a prize awarded in the Lower Fifth, led him to a Edward Long (1950-1959). career as a features writer on Farmers’ Weekly; Editor of the English and Scandinavian editions of The Furrow; freelance agricultural journalism; and radio broadcasting.

Involvement in the Culford Air Scouts fostered a wish to fly, which he eventually undertook, gliding from Duxford and flying light aircraft at Ipswich. For 21 years he served as a JP. He is survived by his wife, Moya, their children, Emma and William, and four grandchildren; and will long be remembered for his devotion to family; courageous determination when severely disabled, particularly during the last ten years of his life; his friendly personality, journalistic achievements and a huge repertoire of stories.

34 We Remember Ken Steward (1936-1940) was born at Cockfield, and became a day boy soon after the school moved to Culford.

He recalled the positive Ken Steward ways of the (1924-2018). headmaster, John Skinner, throughout his life.

War-service, with the Queen’s Royal Regiment, led to the D-Day landings and, then, multiple injuries at the battle for Caen.

After convalescence, he worked for H Waspe & Co., the farming contractors, but despite his skills with machinery had to move for higher pay, at the British Sugar Corporation. However, he returned to work for his previous employer, married Margaret Waspe, who turned 90 in October, set up home and was delighted with the arrival of Edward (1966-1975).

Ken’s speciality was the devising of machinery to implement well-structured, drained soil. His interest in vintage agricultural engineering and tractors continued through his retirement. The funeral service was at Bradfield Combust Methodist Church, another of his lifelong associations.

Kenneth Mann (1944-1950) was born at Honey Hill Farm, Saxham and attended Culford as a boarder. After leaving school in 1950 he joined R A Lister & Co as an engineering apprentice before National Service in the Royal Engineers, which took him to Egypt and Kenya. He then joined the family business J Mann and Son, where he stayed until his retirement. It was here, at the Saxham office, that he met June Matthews (EASG 1942-1947) and they married at Whepstead Church in 1958. They had four children Christopher (1968-1978), Caroline (1967-1979), Jonathan (1971-1981) and Angela (1969-1983). Throughout his life he enjoyed outdoor pursuits, the countryside and wildlife. He was also a true family man and stoically endured disabilities in the last years of life.

Kenneth Howlett (1938-1944) came from Newmarket, grew up in Bury St Edmunds and won a Culford scholarship.

He left to Kenneth Howlett join the (1927-2017).

Suffolk Regiment, serving mainly in Palestine, and then pursued a career in architecture, with an empathy for historical buildings and traditional craftsmanship. He and his wife, Joy (née Miller) lived in Bury, were closely associated with amateur dramatics in both acting and designing sets. Projects concerning the arts, painting, writing and gardening absorbed him. He is survived by Joy and their children Grant and Sophie (1978-1984) as well as by grandchildren.

Brian Pettet (1945-1953) was the son of a Methodist missionary in India, joined the school in 1945 and for eight years enjoyed its activities, Brian Pettet became a (1934-2017).

Queen’s Scout, won the senior cross-country and played for the 1st XV. Southampton University and RAF National Service were followed by working for Kodak in a successful 36-year career before early retirement and travelling with his wife, Rosemary.

He loved his Hertfordshire garden, being Chairman of the Upper Gade Fishing Club, annual Orkney loch-fishing trips and returning for Culford events. He is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren.

Kenneth Mann (1933-2018).

John Taylor (1944-1951) was a regular and convivial attender at functions for former pupils. His brother, David (1947-1954), also attended John Taylor and their father, (1935-2018).

Douglas had been at the East Anglian School He took a short-term commission in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the skills learnt stood him in good stead as a farmer in Stetchworth, Cambridgeshire. His love of Rugby football was shown in his being a founder-member of Newmarket Rugby Club in 1956; years as team captain, a committee member, referee and eventually President of the Eastern Counties Rugby Union.

Bryan Lingwood (1939-1947) came from Brandon and was soon involved in school dramatic productions and became friends with Ian Hendry Bryan Lingwood (1945-1948) (1930-2018). the nationallyacclaimed actor. After National Service he joined S&P Lingwood (Hatters’ Furriers) in his home-town. He then moved to Stockport to the family’s partner company and managed, and eventually owned, its China Department. He married Jean Hemsley in 1935 and they had three children, Jennifer, Helen and Niel. Church-work, the Brookdale Club in Bramhall, amateur dramatics and Age UK were among his continuing interests.

Philip Brooks (1950-1958) died suddenly at his home in Wylam, Northumberland.

He had read Pharmacy at Nottingham University and Philip Brooks worked for (1940-2018).

Boots following graduation. However, he retrained as a town planner at Leeds University in 1964, worked briefly in the West Riding of Yorkshire before moving to Northumberland and employment with its County Council until retirement in 1998. He was a parish- and districtcouncillor, started a village newsletter

We Remember 35 and helped set up the Wylam Railway Museum – for Wylam was the birthplace of George Stephenson.

He latterly worked with a small group investigating the lives of those listed on the village war memorial.

He leaves a widow, Barbara, and children, Rebecca and Matthew.

George Cox (1995-2009) started at Culford at two years-of-age, progressed to the Senior School, did well in his GCSEs and George Cox went to Hills Road (1992-2017).

Sixth Form College.

He read for and achieved a First Class Honours degree in Philosophy at the University of Kent before taking, with a distinction, an MSc in Reasoning and Logic. He went from university to work for a business

management systems company in London and seemed set for great things before dying inexplicably in his sleep. He is deeply missed.

Eben Robson (2011-2014) was at Culford for a relatively short time, but they were his formative years. His parents tell Eben Robson us that they always felt that his friends (1998-2017). and teachers, and Culford’s culture and ethos resonated with his values and helped shape the fine young gentleman that he became. Eben was the centre of many things in his short life and whilst he left Culford to pursue A-Levels elsewhere, his heart remained with the school. He took up a place to read Chemistry at Nottingham University where he integrated new friends into

the Culford stalwarts. Although 2017 was, sadly, the last year of Eben’s young life, his parents say that it was without doubt his best – he achieved so much, laughed so much and was loved so much. His sudden death left a big hole in many lives.

Former Common Room Members, Colleagues & Friends Derek Hutchinson (1927-2018) came to Culford as Head Groundsman in 1977 and his effect on the playing fields was transformative.

Derek Hutchinson. He had trained at Trinity, and was in charge at Peterhouse, Cambridge, with military service with the Blues of the Household Cavalry in between. Then he moved to an advisory position with Fisons, visiting, among many illustrious places, Ascot, Hurlingham, Lords, Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. His knowledge was immense and his application to the School’s facilities unceasing.

In 1988 he married Anne Sewell, the then Head of Girls’ Physical Education. Retirement led to their travelling and, of course, to involvement in a sport concerning perfect surfaces, bowls. His thanksgiving service at St Mary’s Church, in a fine Culford setting, was on what would have been their 30th wedding anniversary.

Doreen Ginn (1929-2018) joined the EASG staff in 1970 and retired from Culford, where she taught Latin, French and Doreen Ginn.

Religious Studies in 1991. She grew up in Grimbsy, read Classics at Nottingham University and taught in Huddersfield where she met her husband, Owen. They moved to Bury St Edmunds through his work as an HM Inspector of Schools. She was involved in the establishment of the Christian Union at Culford, known as ‘Sunday at Eight’ with meetings at staff homes. Her commitment to West Road Church was maintained for over 50 years and her faith sustained her through the severe stroke and death of her husband as well as the death of a grandson in 2017. She is survived by her son, Christopher (1960-1965) and daughter-in-law, Maggie, grandson, two granddaughters-in-law and two great-grandchildren.

John Nice (1926-2018) was a full-time member of the Culford Maintenance Department for 19 years John Nice. from 1973. He was originally employed with the agricultural engineers, Robert Boby, in Bury St Edmunds, and then served during the War as a ‘Bevin Boy’ in the coalfields near Worksop.

He returned to work for the timber merchants, Mallinsons.

His personal and professional interests in construction, restoration, engineering and antiquities were of enormous benefit to the maintenance of the Hall, Park and buildings both old and new. Many of the mysteries of hidden rooms, places, pipes and cavities were known only to him. His Morris Minor was a symbol of his way of keeping machinery in fine condition. In retirement he continued to explore places throughout the country and was a keen swimmer.

We also remember the following alumni and friends who died since the last FOCu S magazine was published. Obituaries from 1935 onwards are available to view through CulfordOnline, which can be found here: www.culfordonline.co.uk Jean Rider (1940-1948) Alan Clements (1940-1947)

Richard Allen (1945-1951) Robert Morley (1945-1952)

Philip Kirkup (1947-1956) Gillian Riches (1955-1961)

36 Social Calendar

Looking Ahead to 2019…

We have enjoyed some fabulous events and reunions for Year of 1968 (50 Years) and 1993 (25 Years) this year and you can see some extra photos here. We are already planning for 2019 and 2020 with a 40 Years event (Year of 1979) taking place on Saturday 11 May. If you would like to help organise a Year of 1969 or 1994 reunion, please let us know as there are some date options in autumn 2019.

Samantha Salisbury, Foundation Director.

We are missing a great many email addresses for OCs who left in the 1990s and would be glad to hear from anyone from that school era who may be able to help us!

Please remember you can add and update your details by registering or logging in to Culford Online: www.culford.co.uk/culfordonline

A number of alumni and former staff head west for their studies, their work and their retirement and so we are planning a new event for April 2019 in the Exeter area – The South-West Reunion Lunch.

Jo would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to attend: jjm@culford.co.uk We very much hope to see you at an event in 2019!

1993 Reunion L-R: Cleo Kosviner, Louise Rapple Moore, Elise Gibbs née Oldham, Kath Temple née Black, James Recknell, Annalise Roy née Plummer, Victoria Henry née Sawyer and Simon Johnson.

Lesley Shaw née Eve (1959-1964) and Ian Leighton-Boyce (1961-1963).

Save the Date: Year of 1979 School Reunion

Sol Franklin, 2018 leaver, meets David Bartlett, 1968 leaver.

We will be hosting a Reunion for the Year of 1979 which will be held on Saturday 11 May 2019. Please do keep this date clear in your diary as we would love to see as many old friends of Culford as possible attend.

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Camilla Veale and to Martin Hayman who came up with the idea and for agreeing to champion this event. Further details will follow: however if you have any questions in the meantime please call on 01284 385310 or email: foundation@culford.co.uk

Events Diary 2019 Event

Date

Location

Annual London Drinks

Wednesday 6 March

The Lansdowne Club, London

South-West Reunion

Saturday 6 April tbc

Exeter, Devon

OC Reunion: 40 Years On (Year of 1979)

Saturday 11 May

Culford School

Speech Day (by invitation)

Saturday 25 May

Culford School

Life After Culford (by invitation)

Midweek June tbc

Culford School

OC President’s Cricket

Friday 28 June

Culford Oval

Culford Golf Day

Friday 7 June

Flempton

Art and Design Exhibition

June 2019

New Art Studio

Nostalgia Lunch

June 2019 tbc

Culford School

Inaugural Festival of Sport

Saturday 7 September

Culford Sports and Tennis Centre

October Year of/Decade Reunion

Saturday tbc

Culford School

To register your interest for any of the events and occasions above, please email: foundation@culford.co.uk

News from the School 37

Common Room Comings and Goings Goings Adrian Fisk became Head of Biology at Culford in 2002. He understood our pupils well and ran a happy, settled and popular department in which pupils Adrian Fisk. achieved strong grades and enjoyed the subject, which must be the twin hallmarks of success for any teacher.

He will be missed as he moves towards retirement.

Liz Long joined the PE department in 2003 and gave freely of her energy and passions especially for athletics, cross-country and horseriding. Liz became Liz Long. a central member of the department, giving pupils her full support and bringing out the best in them. Liz retires to spend more time with her family and we wish her well.

Emma Thornbury made a positive contribution as our Head of Hockey for a year before moving to Newcastleunder-Lyme School to develop her career further. We wish her well.

Comings We are pleased to welcome the following new members of Common Room in autumn 2018: Laura Stearn as a Biology teacher; Gayle Whittingham as a part-time Maths teacher; Callie Oatridge to teach Geography; and Genevieve

Revd Simon Crompton-Battersby on Speech Day.

Revd Simon Crompton-Battersby became Culford’s Chaplain in 2007.

His passion for pastoral support saw the School develop pupil peercounselling and he trained many of our teachers in mental health first aid. In his work on our Christian ethos, Simon confronted pupils with his humanity and passion for social justice on a daily basis and allowed them to see faith as an active attempt to make a difference in the world. Simon will be greatly missed as he moves to parish ministry.

Barbara Murray retired having joined us in the Prep School in 2008 as Director of Studies and Head of English.

She joined the Senior School in Barbara Murray.

2010 to become Head of Learning Development and succeeded Bron Recknell as Housemistress of Fitzgerald House.

Her efficiency and thoroughness, mixed with compassion and pastoral support, ensured that each pupil got exactly the help required. Barbara returns for some part-time teaching this year.

(Jenny) Goodwin is a new English teacher.

James Yates became Culford’s new Director of Sport in September 2018.

His team is joined by: new Head of Hockey, Holly Turbill, previously at Shrewsbury School; Euan Gilmour, our new Hockey Professional; Alex Stafford, Sports Coach with cricket

We wish the following members of staff, who moved on to new pastures in 2017/18, all the best in their retirement or in their future careers.

Nick Murray joined us in 2015 and ran our international English programme with great energy. His attention to detail and Nick Murray. determination to see pupils make the most of their talents bore much fruit. We wish him well as he follows his fiancée to Canada where she takes up a position lecturing at a university.

Lydia Bryant (right) with Kate Waghorn.

Lydia Bryant joined in 2016 with Culford connections as her father is OC Brian Rose (1967-1975). She took over Fitzgerald House and quickly made it her own, establishing a solid rapport with the girls and creating a happy environment.

In the classroom Lydia’s charisma and energy shone through and we shall miss her as she leaves us to start a family. We are delighted to announce that baby Freddie was born on 17 September 2018. Head of Spanish, Kate Waghorn, is the new Housemistress of Fitzgerald. specialism; Phil Green, a Strength and Conditioning Coach; and recent leaver Edward Pomeroy (2011-2018) returns as a Tennis Coach.

Cadogan House has a new Houseparent in Tracy Williams, who takes up the reins from Jon Herd, now Assistant Head and Head of Maths at the Prep School.

38 News from the School

Alumni return for Opera and Roots 2018 Culford was delighted to welcome some 800 guests for the Opera and Roots events in June, including many alumni, former staff and other friends.

Generous sponsors included Edwards & Blake, the School’s caterers, who ran our pop up tea tent, Krazy Horse who showcased a selection of their fantastic classic cars and Go Ape who brought along Segways for guests to enjoy on the South Front.

Ben Kennedy (1981-1983) with Stephen Challacombe (1958-1964) at Opera in the Park.

On Saturday, the fifth Opera in the Park saw the renowned London Festival Opera performing La Traviata and other operatic favourites, while on Sunday afternoon there was an altogether more mellow vibe for our

second Roots in the Park. Families and friends relaxed and played with their children in the park while enjoying the cool sounds of Dusty Stray, Fargo Railroad Company and The Vagaband.

Peter Livock (1959-1964) and partner, Rosanna, with Samantha Salisbury.

The Foundation team hosted an OC marquee over the weekend, tempting alumni to come and say hello and enjoy a glass of prosecco.

Among the opera-goers were Ben Kennedy (1981-1983) pictured opposite with OC and Vice Chair of Governors, Prof Stephen Challacombe (1958-1964). Ben is now a Consultant Haematologist and Honorary Associate Professor in Cancer Studies in the Department of Haematology at the University Hospitals of Leicester. Stephen is Professor in Oral Medicine at the King’s College London and received the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017, which acknowledges and shows appreciation for the exceptional contributions of Mayo alumni to the field of medicine.

Headmaster and Jo Johnson-Munday with John Eason (1958-1962) and Clare Taylor (Foundation Trustee).

News from the School 39

Justin Godfrey (1984-1986), Clare Taylor (Foundation Trustee) and Nicola Godfrey.

Rebecca Daniels and Samantha Salisbury.

Justin Godfrey (1984-1986) and his wife, Nicola, also joined us. Justin is Managing Director of Thomas Ridley Foodservice, one of the UK’s leading independent food and beverage wholesalers.

It was lovely to see so many alumni at both these events and we hope to see you there next year!

40 News from the School today and tell me where one subject begins and the other ends. Paint, or watch someone else painting in virtual reality, and tell me where art ends and computing begins.

Senior Speech Day

L-R: Dr Ron McLone (Former Chair of Governors), Rosy Black (1953-1964), Simon Kiddy (1974-1978), Alan Atkinson (1960-1967) and Susanne Kohl (1949-1957).

A sunny Speech Day 2018 saw former MP Rosie Barnes address the audience and present the prizes as our guest of honour. The Headmaster’s speech invited students and parents to consider the future of education in a world of rapidly evolving new technologies.

The Headmaster with Rosie Barnes on Speech Day.

Mr Johnson-Munday said: “A future dominated by artificial intelligence means that we have to urgently consider what intelligence even is.

Look in the Art and DT departments

Indeed, as we look towards the neuro-linguistic programming of artificial intelligences, tell me where the study of language ends and mathematics begins.” He added: “We have to be brave enough to insist upon an education that reveals to children what it truly means to be human – not one that fits them to become the infantilised adjuncts of AI and robotics.”

There was plenty on offer during the afternoon to demonstrate some of the very human aspects of an education at Culford today, from debating, drama, music and cricket through to a living history display, an art exhibition and the CCF’s tug of war competition. As always, the afternoon finished with a cream tea on the South Front and we were very pleased to welcome a number of alumni for the day.

Prep Prize Giving Culford was delighted to welcome back Dr Nick Higgs (1997-2004) as guest of honour to the 2018 Prep School Speech Day. Nick was Deputy Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth and is now Assistant Director of the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas.

A career in marine science has taken him around the world from Sweden to the USA and Japan, working on multiple research expeditions to study life in the deep ocean.

Commenting on his visit, Nick said: “It was a real honour to be invited back to Culford Prep School for their annual speech day, 20 years on from my time there. I particularly enjoyed catching up with Mr Schofield, my

Prep Head Girl Grace Baxter, Chair of Governors Steven Abbott CBE, Nick Higgs (1997-2004) Mike Schofield and Prep Head Boy Logan McElfresh.

former Housemaster.” He added, “While it is always fun to reminisce about the good old days and see the familiar sights, it was really heartening to see all of the things that have changed since my time.

The Prep School has come on in

leaps and bounds; the opportunities that current students now have are incredible. It was also astonishing to see the achievements and character of the students, a testament to the outstanding work of the staff and parents that support them.”

New Football Academy Launches September 2018 saw Culford launch its Football Academy in partnership with Ipswich Town Football Club.

Pupils receive annual individual development plans designed by the Director of Football; this tailored approach is designed to open pathways into the professional/ semi-professional game and opportunities for scholarships to universities in the United States.

The Academy is led by former Republic of Ireland international, Alan Lee, who has 20 years’ experience as a professional player. A leading coach at ITFC, he is a UEFA ‘A’ and FA Advanced Youth Licensed coach and is committed to supporting aspiring footballers within education.

Culford continues to offer the traditional competitive sports you

would expect in rugby, hockey, cricket and netball and we have a proven track record with our high performance programmes, now well established within tennis, swimming and golf. For more information about the football or other sports programmes on offer, please contact the Admissions team on +44 (0)1284 385308 or email: admissions@culford.co.uk

News from the School 41

Culford undergraduates return for Sixth Form Q&A. L-R: Freddie Allum (2007-2017), Stephen Arbuthnot, Charlie Schofield (2001-2017), Lucy Scott (2012-2017), Elenor Rushforth (2008-2017) and Alex Harley (2009-2015).

This year, James Brown (1983-1985) returned to Culford to talk to pupils as part of the Life After Culford programme. James is a managing partner at Grant Thornton, the large accountancy and consultancy firm. He spoke engagingly about the importance of having focus and ambition, but also work-life balance.

Life After Culford At the end of Lower Sixth, Head of Sixth Form, Stephen Arbuthnot runs a Life After Culford conference week which includes expert speakers from universities, businesses and student organisations as well as trips to universities, a Q&A session with recent leavers and an enterprise challenge. Summer 2018 saw OCs and undergraduates Freddie Allum (2007-2017), Alex Harley (2009-2015), Ellie Rushforth (2008-2017), Charlie Schofield (2001-2017) and Lucy Scott (2012-2017) return to share their experiences and offer advice on university life, subject choices and destinations.

The enterprise challenge includes a Dragons’ Den style pitch to test entrepreneurial skills and teamwork (see the School’s Facebook page for a video about this year’s winning entry). There are also workshops on interview skills, writing a personal statement and gaining work experience, while careers sessions exploring the world of work and different professional opportunities on offer run throughout the year and most are open to all year groups.

James Brown (1983-1985) pictured right with Head of Sixth Form, Stephen Arbuthnot, and Lynn Walters, MD of Pure recruitment and a Culford parent.

Year of 2018 – New Crop of OCs!

Sunny summer Leavers’ Ball welcomes Year of 2018 as the latest crop of Old Culfordians. We look forward to hearing all their news in the coming years.

Good luck everyone!

Could you offer careers advice or work experience?

Pupils are always keen to speak to professionals in their field, explore their options and gain relevant work experience to support their career ambitions. We run regular careers lunches, workshops and seminars, as well as the Life After Culford conference, and are always pleased to hear from potential contributors. If you think you can help, whether your background is in an established profession, a relatively new and emerging market, a new technology or a specialist area, we would love to hear from you. Please email: foundation@culford.co.uk

42 OC Sport

Old Culfordian Sporting News OCs Regain Trophy

OC netball team enjoy annual fixture against the 1st VII

Hannah Vickers, Zoe Davidson, James Elden and James Swanson.

The 2018 annual tennis fixture saw former pupils in action – Hannah Vickers (2009-2016), Zoe Davidson (2006-2008), James Elden (2004-2011) and James Swanson (2001-2008) who organised the team. The match was played in sweltering conditions against a carefully selected and balanced school side. The OCs regained the trophy with a 7-4 victory.

We were pleased to welcome back the OC netball team, with help from joint Captains Beth Keswick (2007-2017) and Olivia Mayor (2008-2017) for the annual fixture against the current 1st VII. It was a thrilling encounter that went from end to end with the girls matching the centre passes for a lot of the game. The OC girls showed that they can still compete on the netball court and the combinations in the shooting circle were well matched. The School captains, Issey O’Brien-Miller (2008-2018) and Abbie Farrow (2007-2018) were on fire with their shooting which clinched the 1st VII with the win this year. With a large proportion of the current team leaving this year we look forward to welcoming them back as OCs next year.

Final Score: Culford 36 – OCs 25

President’s XI vs the School Despite the support of Club President and former Deputy Head, Andrew Morgan, the OCs were in serious trouble at 26 for 4 off three overs. Then the fluent and easy-to-watch Elliot Smith and Ben Whittaker strolled to the crease. The pair scored freely all-round the wicket as the cheers from the side-line increased.

Alex Blumfield passed 50, a first for some years, and helped his team to 161 for 9 in the 20 overs. The School had a challenging 8.05 an over to win the game and did so, winning inside 16 overs, with Alex Oxley 62 and Tom Auchterlonie 66, in particular making light work of the chase. This was a fantastic event, rounded off with a barbecue in the sunshine.

L-R Bottom Row: Alex McCaffrey, Gavin Reynolds (Assistant Head and Housemaster, Cornwallis), Freddie Preston, James Atkinson and Kieran Pask.

Top Row: Arran Dhesi, Alex Bloomfield and Dom Corbett.

L-R Bottom Row: Andrew Morgan, Freddie Allum, Arran Dhesi, Matthew Mitcham and Alex Bloomfield. Top Row: Ben Whittaker, Alex McCaffrey, Elliot Smith, Kieran Pask, Freddie Preston and Dom Corbett.

OC Sport 43 Culford Golf Day – 28 June 2018

Ed Daniels, Chris Rout, Richard Toft, Louis Clark, John Barrett, Sally Barrett née Hatley, Stephen Challacombe, Richard Bryson and Tim Bonnett.

A group of 30 golfers comprised of pupils, parents, OC’s and Flempton members enjoyed the inaugural Culford Day hosted at Flempton Golf Club on 21 June.

The event took the shape of a 3-ball Texas Scramble where handicaps were matched evenly. A bright sunny day with a light breeze greeted the players for a 9am start before the wind picked up to present a tricky test on the traditional heathland course. Following lunch and prize presentations, participants enjoyed a short game clinic with Head of Golf Lawrence Dodd and joined Flempton’s professional Paul Kent on the driving range to test Cobra’s latest hardware. An enjoyable time was had by all and positive feedback to repeat the day.

OC Autumn Golf Match Report – 11 October 2018 Tim Bonnett (1966-1973) writes on behalf of the OC Golf Society: On a challenging day for golf with a strong blustery wind, the Old Culfordians did their best against a hugely talented group of pupil golfers but had to admit defeat.

It is a tribute to the school’s golf programme that pupils were giving shots to the OCs in almost every match. The team captain, Tom, who has joined Culford in the Sixth Form for the golf

programme, is a scratch golfer but he had to play to 4 under par to win his match. This sort of resolute playing typified the OCs effort.

It was also super to see a young female golfer join the team, play off the men’s tees and still knock the ball past her male team mates regularly. Unsurprisingly, Georgia won her match!

The overall result was a resounding 6 matches to 3 win for the current pupils. In the concurrent OCs

stableford competition, four players could only be separated by countback as they all scored the same.

Ed Daniels (1951-1959) the oldest participating OC ended up winning with Louis Clark (2004-2010) (the youngest OC) coming second and Jon Herd (Assistant Head, Culford Prep) in third place.

The winners of the day were the enjoyment for all participants, the courtesy of the pupils, the spirit of Culford sport and …golf.

NEW for 2019 Alumni Festival of Sports Day Save the date: Saturday 7 September 2019 More information to follow!

We are really excited to announce a new event on Saturday 7 September 2019 when we invite you to join us for a fun festival day of fixtures and competitions against the School. You will be able to battle it out in a range of sports with a chance to be crowned Culford Sports Festival champions.

This is a great opportunity to catch up with your school, bring back a group of former team

mates, compete against current students and relive memories. You can choose to either compete in or spectate at the various sports running on the day, which will end with a celebratory barbecue. It’s an event not to be missed!

Please do come and join our teams made up of alumni across the generations in a whole range of sports including tennis, netball, hockey, cricket and football to name a few.

We hope this will be our biggest competitive sports day ever and that many of you will come back to participate and spectate for a full on day of matches. Please join us for what we hope will be a fun and popular annual event with a great turnout from students past and present!

For more information or to register your interest, please contact: foundation@culford.co.uk

Will You Help Us with The Culford & EAS Archives?

The Digital Archive Project Last year we invested almost £5,000 of Foundation funds for some of the School’s archive materials to be professionally scanned, with the aim of eventually making it available online to our alumni community. This will include old school magazines, journals, photographs and other memorabilia. A fledgling website has

been created to host the material but we still have a huge amount of material to check and scan.

Importantly, the system incorporates optical character recognition (OCR) which means the site will be fully searchable, enabling easy research on family members, teachers and friends.

Each year we receive many enquiries from the relations of former pupils and staff, particularly as families increasingly undertake genealogy projects. Without a searchable database, any research we undertake is very time consuming and, inevitably, incomplete since we cannot always know where to look!

Each page costs £1 to scan. With early copies of The Culfordian averaging 50 pages and more recent editions running to 100 pages or more, the cost of digitising the archives soon mounts up. Year group photographs require careful handling and often have to be removed from and then re-instated to their frames. They are therefore more expensive to digitise and cost some £20 each to scan.

How can I help with this project?

You can help by donating any amount. This is a project where a number of relatively small contributions can quickly make a difference. If you would like to know more or make an online donation, please visit www.culford.co.uk/archiveproject

Connect with the Foundation We have a thriving Facebook page and LinkedIn Group where we post the latest news and photographs from events, reunions and other OC news. Just search ‘Culford School Alumni’ on LinkedIn and request to join or like the page ‘Culford School OCs’ on Facebook.

YOUR DATA AND CONTACT PREFERENCES The Foundation has the twin aims of friendraising and fundraising for Culford School. Our community is very important to us and we are committed to protecting your personal information, using it in accordance with data protection laws and not doing anything with it that you would not reasonably expect.

We use your data to offer you access to our events, reunions and publications and to provide information about fundraising for the benefit of the School, as well as services such as networking, careers help and archive resources. We process your data based on your pre-existing relationship with Culford or the East Anglian Schools, which establishes a legitimate interest in our sharing with you news of developments at Culford, our fundraising programme generally, and the social and networking opportunities that we offer our community. We may contact you by post, email, telephone and social media, however, you retain the right not to receive any or all of these communications at any time. To update your contact preferences, please email: foundation@culford.co.uk or contact us at the address or on telephone number above.

Our full privacy notice may be read here: www.culford.co.uk/Foundation-Privacy-Notice-18

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Alternatively, cheques may be made payable to: Culford School Foundation and should be posted to: The Foundation Office, Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX.