OA News 2023

OA

Old Androvian Old Aschamian NEWS

Change – it’s such an inexorable part of our lives and its pace seems to quicken year on year in the modern world. Whilst some is predictable, other events take us by surprise and force us to recalibrate our reference points.

Spring

St Andrew’s is no exception and, like all good schools where tweaks and refinements are an ongoing process, there have been many improvements over the years. The last twelve months have seen two significant changes however, both unprecedented.

No, your eyes don’t deceive you and that IS the Playroom; except that it is now the Library! This transformation started in the Autumn half term and was completed in the Christmas holidays. So now there is an even larger focal point where children can sit and read or chat and relax at their break times. Inevitably the dynamic has changed massively and OAs who can remember tearing through the playroom or

having their eardrums well and truly rattled whilst watching table tennis games during morning break would have to accept that there is now an altogether calmer and more refined atmosphere in the very heart of the school.

Another change that has been taking place more gradually, but no less influential, has been the ratio of boys to girls in the school. From the earliest days of coeducation back in 1976, when girls were first admitted, their numbers have steadily risen. In the last year a watershed has been reached and in fact girls now outnumber the boys in the Pre-Prep and main school, (152:144).

Most people know that Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK and thankfully this is

still true; but did you know that the town has had more schools than anywhere else in the UK? No less than 380 have existed at one time or another. Its popularity was recognised by the Victorians and just after the Great War there were no less than 30 Prep Schools in the town.

Within this edition you will find a feature of ‘The school today’ and also the first instalment of an article detailing some of the other Eastbourne Prep Schools (apart from Ascham and St Andrew’s) that formerly existed.

Despite the uncertainty that remains a part of life today, the school continues to thrive and in the last year both Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s have been finalists in a number of National

competitions. As well as this, Eastbourne has enjoyed something of a revival thanks to some of the national Newspapers and magazines which have sung its praises and given it excellent reviews.

If you are an OA or an OE then why not consider a trip down memory lane to revisit your former school? As well as enjoying the ambience of the town and, hopefully, some sunshine too, you will be made most welcome. You will also be able to see, first hand, the changes that have been made since your time here and why our two establishments have survived and prevailed despite the competitive environment that has always existed in this educational hot spot.

Chris Laughton

From the headmaster

Following the Ofsted inspection of our nursery in January, I reflected wistfully to both common rooms (St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College) that it won’t be long before we see the first babies starting at the College. Meaning

those who started their journey with us as 9-month-olds, currently in Year 6, will transition to the College in 2025. We have made huge and very beneficial strides forward with our charity’s unity, with many positive initiatives, two-way support and an aligned strategic direction. I appreciate my audience or readership are not all OEs but I share with OAs of both types (St Andrew’s Prep and Ascham) how that provides strength and resilience to your former school during these tough times.

I recently read The State of Independence – Key challenges facing Private School Today, a collection of essays, edited by David James and Jane Lennon. In its pages was an essay by Lord Lucas, an Eastbourne resident, who reminds us that in 1896 Eastbourne was home to some 76 independent schools. Today there are only two independent prep schools; St Andrew’s Prep and Bede’s. In that larger number was of course Ascham, but I am pleased that within St Andrew’s Prep the Ascham name lives on and that the school is both remembered and celebrated within this alumnus. What will we see in the next 127 years? Indeed, what changes will we see in the next year or even 18 months? Tough economic head winds with the cost of living crisis and the possibility of a Labour government who seem undeterred with, what some might call, their ideological stance

Class of 2018 oa Dinner

7pm, Friday 12 m ay 2023

We will be holding an evening dinner during the summer term for all OAs who left the school in July 2018. It will be held at St Andrew’s Prep and many of the staff who taught you (present and former) will be present. Details and invites will be sent out in due course but I am mentioning it here so that you can keep the evening free if this is of interest to you.

OA DAY 2023

Saturday 30 September 10.30 till 4pm

All OAs and former members of staff are invited. Please see booking form enclosed. The day will start with a Chapel service followed by lunch.

you

Thanks!

Thanks firstly to Faith Banton , Nicholas’ wife, who has very kindly sent us money to support the activity of shooting within the school. Some of the money was used to commission a wonderful oak shield, hitherto known as the ‘ Nicholas Banton Shield .’ This fine trophy is to be awarded annually to the most promising junior shooter within the school. The other part of her generous donation has been used to buy some air pistols so that the school can now offer this discipline, as well as rifle shooting, within our range. The activity has been running since last September and is proving very popular with pupils of all ages. Secondly, my thanks to Chris Neighbour who very kindly passed on his digital SLR camera to me when he upgraded to a newer model. This will greatly assist with my archive work and allow me to photograph OA events and also when alumni revisit the school.

to remove charitable status and enforcement of VAT on schools like ours. However, despite the choppy waters we navigate, we are in very good shape. I mentioned the Nursery, adjudged to be good by Ofsted, which now has a waiting list. In fact, across the school we have very positive pupil numbers. Schools now more than ever need to be supple and agile to not only meet the needs of the pupils, in a multitude of ways, but must also not fear change. The world seems to be moving at a quicker pace than ever before, with the speed in which news travels, unchecked and unverified, due to social media being a classic case in point. This indeed brings an interesting challenge in itself, when educating young people.

Despite the challenging, fast-moving world in which we operate, St Andrew’s Prep retains its very essence, its heart and its soul. The school that has educated so many children since its inception in 1877 remains physically the same and with the sole purpose to educate and prepare young people for life and to be positive members of their communities. There are recognisable, physical features that remain to today, the ironwork on the front steps, the animal footprints in two visible bricks, the long asphalt clock and the boot scraper at the side of the main house. They remain as a reminder of times past and have been ever present and a witness to what has gone before. Whilst in these pages, so beautifully and warmly curated by Chris Laughton, we look back, we do so with great fondness and without a desire to mimic what has gone before but to see our school thrive and grow stronger. We are set strong against a rough sea but know we are made of strong stuff and are braced and resolved for the journey ahead.

Tom Gregory

Thanks also to Andrew Llewellyn (OA 1970) for kindly donating a picture of the front of the school. This is a copy of Eric Jones’ well known painting – originally done by him in 1977.

Thanks to Rosemary Dixon for kindly donating some copies of the Androvian magazine which belonged to her late husband, Roger, from his time here during the late 1950s/early 1960s.

I am also very grateful to Philip Hepburn and Richard Candlin for passing on some Ascham memorabilia. Richard kindly sent me his Ascham school cap whilst Philip donated all the ‘Blue Books’ his father had accumulated during his time as headmaster (late 1950s until 1972) together with a considerable number of school photos. My thanks, as ever, also goes to all those who have contributed to this newsletter by way of writing an article, sending me photographs or simply contacting me to give an update or suggest names to some of the ‘Can you name them’ pictures that have appeared previously.

Thank you one and all.

Pistol shooting in school range

Eric’s picture of the school

t a ndrew’s day 2022

The school celebrated St Andrew’s Day on Friday November 25th

In the words of the Headmaster: “There has been a whirlwind of excitement, colour, fun and frivolity and the pupils have had a marvellous time. After giving thanks in chapel, the pupils were wonderfully amused by our Year 8 pupils who devised and hosted a variety of games and activities. This was followed by a delicious roast lunch which was attended by some of our former staff members. And the afternoon’s talent show organised and led by our gappies with some support from staff was a fabulous way to end the celebrations.”

Greetings were received from the following OAs, former members of staff and governors : The Arnell Family: Mark (1995), Beatrice Boardman, née Arnell, (1990) and Prudie Arnell (parent). Martin Drury (1951), Rev. Clive Fairclough (1967), Robert Foote (1944). The Foster family: Louise Nichol (1991), John (1994 ), Harry and Charles (1999) and Lucy Foster (2003) and Elizabeth and Mark Foster (OEs). And not forgetting Dick James , (1935). Liz and Christopher Foy (Staff 1983–97 and 1997–1998 respectively) Stewart Francis (1951). The Hanraty Family : Lara (1990), Nick (1992), Angela and David Hanraty (parents). The Liddell Family including Brian and Colin (OAs), Victoria Lerner, née Liddell (OA) and John Sharples OBE (Old Aschamian) – and in very proud memory of David Liddell MC (OA

and governor) and Ian Liddell VC (OA). Simon Severino (HM 2010–2015). RAW Smith (1949) and Hamish Symington (1993). Others took to Facebook to send their greeting and these included the following: Alex Brown (1980), Eleanore Browning, née Ward (1993), Richard Campbell (1975), Melissa Jagger, née Passmore (1998), Chalotorn Phaiovibul (1970), Nicholas Rideal (Old Aschamian and Staff 1981–1990) and Dalene Viljoen (Staff 1991–2006).

The Headmaster Tom Gregory and his wife Esther, were pleased to welcome the following former members of staff together with some of the Governors for drinks and lunch: Jeanette Adams , Ann Caffyn , Giles and Rachel Carpenter, Gemma Crowhurst , Emma Garrett , Abbey Gough , Helen and Jozik Kotz , Tom and Jess Lawson , Ben and Lucy Sleep, John and Susan Smith , Matt Veitch , Armelle Wilkinson , John and Liz Wilton

PUPIL sUCC ess

Daniel Caroe (April 2022)

Congratulations to Dan who finished in the top eight in the country at the Butterfly National Schools Table Tennis Championships back in April 2022. Making it to the quarter finals is a tremendous achievement as it is our highest ever ranking as a school and individual pupil in table tennis.

James Zhou (June 2022)

Congratulations to James on being part of the team which won the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Davidson Award last summer. The College team worked together on their ‘Izy solution’ and were one of just four teams to

make the final out of the original 50 schools from around the country. Down to the last four, the College team won the overall final and were invited to spend a day in Cambridge University as their prize. They had the opportunity to design a miniature version of their winning invention and print it as a 3D model. They also had a talk from a Cambridge admissions tutor and spent time talking with PhD students. Finally, they got to experience a chauffeured punting tour on the Cam and also visit Kings College Chapel!

Exam success

Congratulations to the 19 Y8 pupils who won scholarships to their Senior Schools in the last academic year.

These included the following: Aaron Bashir, Guillaume Becker, Hugo Bressard , Anastasia Brown , Yuki Chae , Benjamin Davies , Will Fellows , Rosie Hill , Harry Jordan , Isla Jourdain , Miyu Katsumata , Hector Lawson , Nancy Mackaurin , Felix McAndrew, Mark McKie , Tea Neill , Georgiana Pedley, Jax Putland and Freddie Timlin

22 scholarships were won in all in a wide range of categories across the entire educational spectrum including: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport and All Rounder.

Congratulations to the following who all achieved one or more A grades in their A Levels:

Amelia Bottrill , William Cutler, Reuben Dixon , Freddie Dunkley, Cecile Farrant , Saffy Grant-Down , James Grout , Dan Jeffrey, William Neal , Dexter Richardson , Phoebe Shakespeare , Charlotte Stanworth , Yan Tarpan, Jessie May-Tarrant and David Wang

Congratulations are also due to the following who gained six or more GCSEs at grade 8 or 9. They include:

Tom Arnold , Alex Bailey, Magnus Chiu , Matteo Chu , Ewan Clark , Alex Davies , Clara Delaney, Kachi Edet , Sam Huang , Alfie Hunter, Chris Johnson-Bird , Emma Marsh , Sophia Marshall , Zain Radwan , Isaac Ripley, Esme Scanlan , Marcus Skyrme, Alex Wearne and Kirsty Williams.

Dan Caroe at the National Schools Table Tennis Championships

College visit to Cambridge University

Scholars 2022

oa day 2022

As in previous years the day started with a chapel service which was beautifully led by the fine singing of the Middles choir. After this people enjoyed the chance to catch up and reminisce

This year’s event took place on 1st October 2022 and it was good to welcome back a number of OAs and former staff.

over a pre-lunch drink in the playroom. The display included many historical pictures of the school together with a selection of recent school photos. The latter proved of particular interest to

many of the pupils present to see how many of the current staff they could spot! A wonderful lunch was then served in the dining room after which tours of the school took place aided by the fact that this year’s weather was fine and dry –unlike the conditions the previous year! Those present included OAs

Peter Brooke Turner (1972), Tom Gregory (1988), Rupert Harper (1967), Gavin Helmer (1983),

Farshad Irvani (1977), Dr Chris Meikle (1973), Katie Seymour (1982), Rachel Ward née Price (1987) and Jonathan Watmough (1981).

OEs

Elizabeth Foster (née James) 1970. Former Staff

Nicholas Rideal (1981 – 1990) , John and Susan Smith (1984 –2009) and John and Liz Wilton (1977 – 2001).

a sC ham and s t a ndrews 1976–78

…and other stories from Richard Candlin (Old Aschamian and Old Androvian)

Iarrived at Ascham in the autumn term of 1976, moving from The New Beacon School in Sevenoaks. My father wished me to go to Eastbourne College like he had, and my move was seen as a logical choice. I was in Granville House run by Michael and Jill Reading. I joined The Scouts run by Rivers Currie and Brian Jefford. I recall attending a summer Scout Camp camping alongside The River Dart in Devon.

During the spring term of 1977, there was a lot of flu and one of the classes known as 5U was for a while referred to as U5 as there

were only 5 students in it!

At the end of my first year at Ascham the announcement

of the takeover by St Andrew’s heralded changes and scope for adventure! For the first two terms of the 1977–78 academic year we remained on the Ascham site for all lessons, with the exception of music lessons. We were allowed to cycle up to St Andrew’s for these I remember.

By the summer term of 1978 a new classroom block, The Ascham Block, was ready as well as extra accommodation for Ascham’s boarders. All lessons for our last term were then at St Andrew’s. It was felt there was no point (or capacity?) for those of us in our

last term at the school, moving to accommodation at St Andrew’s. That last term in Granville House there were only about 15 to 20 of us in a building that had contained many more. The place felt a bit empty and it gave

Ascham School – field and Memorial Arch, early months of 1978

Granville House, early months of 1978

us the opportunity to cycle up and down the empty corridors of the building and other schoolboy style pranks. The Readings found some of these trying! We could explore the rest of the, then empty, Ascham buildings, including the Headmaster’s house. I think this is the only structure (apart from The Memorial Arch) that was not demolished. A rumour was the Ascham outdoor pool, was to be retained in the garden of one of the houses built on the site. However seeing it demolished, soon quashed that.

The Ascham dining hall was taken away during this time, the story being for reuse as a Scout hall, although I’m not sure if this was true? (Ed Any answers to this question please?) The chapel’s organ was also removed and I remember seeing the power supply

cables sticking out of the floor once it had gone. In about the year 2000 I visited a church near Winchester, thinking the modern looking organ looked vaguely

St

Mary’s Easton

familiar. The church is St Mary’s Easton near Winchester and the guide book said it is thought that it was built between 1120 and 1170. Their organ is indeed the one from Ascham and was installed in 1978, as a memorial to a local family. The guide book adds that it was built for Ascham’s chapel in 1953 by JW Walker.

As mentioned, my father David Candlin went to The College (Reeves House) and I went to Blackwater, leaving in 1983. His parents Hugh and Gladys Candlin, moved to St Bedes School (as then known) on my grandfather’s appointment as Headmaster. He served in that role from 1946 until his death in 1964. He regularly played the organ at St John’s Church in Meads. His funeral was held there and the then head of St Andrew’s, (Philip Liddell) attended.

Naturally David attended St Bedes. His sister Mary also attended as the first girl in 1951 (predating by 17 years the official first ones as mentioned on the Bedes website) It turns out the reason for this was an attempt to catch measles! My Aunt Mary’s words on this are as follows:

themIkado

“I missed the whole of the summer term 1951, at my own school, trying to catch measles at St Bedes, in Miss Barnard’s form 1. I never caught it, inspite of visits to the sick room to look at spots! However, in the Easter term of 1953 there was another outbreak and on this occasion I spent about one week in Form 3 and this time I did catch it.” Mary then went onto Beresford House.

There are other family connections to Eastbourne. One of my sisters taught at St Andrew’s and the other one sent her children there. My grandmother was confirmed at St Johns in Meads before World War Two as she was living in Eastbourne at the time. Due to damage in World War Two, the church’s tower is the only bit of the original building that remains to this day.

Were you one of the cast involved in the Ascham production of The Mikado in the autumn term of 1955?

If so, can you spot yourself in one or other of these photos? Or perhaps you can recognise some of the actors who took part? As it was quite a few years ago I have included a copy of the programme to help jog the memory. Sometimes seeing the name in print can trigger those little grey cells! Please feedback any answers or recollections to me claughton@standrewsprep.co.uk

Good luck and thank you.

John BrIsCoe’s Letters From oakash

John Briscoe’s days at St Andrew’s were spent mostly at Oakash (in the village of Chaddleworth) where, between 1940 and 1945, the school was evacuated to. His letters home were not only carefully kept but also, very kindly, offered to us as a welcome addition to the OA Archive. They provide a fascinating insight as to what it was like to be at prep school during the war years.

John’s first term started on Thursday 26th September 1940 and he and his mother travelled down from Suffolk to Berkshire the day before. In order to avoid London and the Blitz she chose to travel to Newbury by train but this meant going via Oxford and Reading – a journey that took no less than 10 hours. By contrast, the school train took a mere 2 ¼ hours to cover the 60 mile journey from Paddington to Newbury! Before term started John Fewings wrote to the parents to remind them to ensure that boys ‘bring their ration books and identity cards but not roller skates, play-boxes or bicycles.’

In subsequent terms

John’s mother would accompany him down to London and take him to Paddington so that he could catch the school train. It must have been hugely stressful and traumatic for parents and boys alike. Waving each other off, hiding tears and fears as best they could and not knowing whether they would ever see each other again must have been ghastly for everyone. Boarding away from home as a seven year old would have been bad enough but with the dislocation and uncertainty of war it must have been incredibly unsettling. John put on a typically brave face though and in his first letter wrote “ I am very happy hear. I shall expect Mummy at half term… nealy all the other boys played Football yesterday but the others incuding me who haven’t got football boots had to go for a walk and we went over meadows and in woods… We have lessons every day except Sundays which are Latin French English and Mas… We have an air raid shelter under the house but we have not been down in it yet. Right to me as soon as you can.”

A month later he wrote “ Please will you send me my fountain pen because

length despite the fact that “we are very scarce of paper.”

Cocooned in the relative safety of their rural retreat in Berkshire the conflict must have seemed a long way away and in a letter in 1941 he remarked “ isen’t it funny that it doesn’t seem like war hear and we never hear the sirens or bombs.” He often mentioned that “ they had not had to go down into the shelter yet.” This was in marked contrast to holidays at home (in Woodbridge) during the Blitz where the bombers flew over virtually every night and the family would take cover in the air raid shelter in their garden.

I do a lot of drawing… Please will you send me my whitley bomber and my hawker hurricane airoplaners as nealy all the other boys have got them and I wold like to have mine… We have porage nealy every day and how I do hate it so, but still I have grown to like it now… We have lots of concur fights… I did not hear Princess Elezebeth speak but I expect it was very good… Please could I have some more sweets or cant you afford it.”

Later that term he reported “ There are going to be four mathes the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th elevens are going to against cheme (Cheam). Mr Farley has put up lifes of two great composes names Bethoven and Shubeart…”

John’s father was a major in the territorial army and when war broke out he was called up to serve in the RAMC. By autumn 1940 he had been posted to Iceland and clearly John missed him terribly. Never more so than Christmas that year which was celebrated at home with his three sisters who were all, no doubt, missing their father too. John wrote to him on 21st December and described, at length, the routine of his school day at Oakash. He also wrote “I am very pleased to come home and ride my bike round the garden. I wonder if you have fires in Iceland. I expect you don’t have any do you?…Mummy is letting me stay up to finish this letter tonight and I am going to bed soon when I have lisend to the news. Do you ever hear the news in Iceland or aren’t there any worlises (wirelesses) there. I sopose you could not tell me where you are in Iceland (to secret).” The poignancy of that letter was evident as he wrote at such

News of major events did filter through and in a letter on the 24th May 1941 John wrote “ Have you heard that the Hood has been sunk! ” John’s father was the medical officer on duty when the three survivors (out of a crew of 1418) were brought ashore to Reykavik having been picked up by the destroyer Electra after five hours in the water. Meanwhile at Oakash there was an outbreak of measles that term that swept through the school and many, including John, succumbed despite the whole school having been vaccinated the month before! Reassurance to John’s mother came in the form of a letter from John Fewings on the 25th June which stated that John had a temperature of 101 and was “not quite at his best ” but that this would probably be the worst day and that “ there is still no one seriously ill here.” A week later John mentioned that he was still ‘off games’ and that when the whole school went to see some tanks “a ll the measlites could not go and they had to sit on the white seat out in the garden.”

Things did improve however and by now John was enjoying his cricket. He was also pleased to announce that “ we now have electric lights in the playroom and the library.” But the realities of wartime Britain, with rationing at its height, must have been hugely depressing and demoralising. What they had eaten the previous week would often be mentioned in his letters home – June 15th 1941 “ we had a little cucumber on Saturday and it was very nice.” But predictably the menu hardly changed from week to week – and a fortnight later, “ for lunch today we had lettus with radishes, tomatoes, cucumber and carrot so it was a lovely mixture.” And later in the same letter, “ for tea yesterday we had salad.”

Letter to parents from John Fewings 19th Sept 1940

John at home in Woodbridge

Oakash

Clothes list

May 1941 measles innoculation

Excitement grew as the end of term approached and John was eager to share his weekly positions in his last letter of the term (July 20th), “My places are 2nd in Latin, 1st in Maths and 1st in French. I wonder what my report will be like. I hope it is a good one.” Then

B Isho P Carey

there was the matter of travel arrangements and how he would be getting home, “My trunk is going in advance. Do I have to go to Liverpool (Street) or just wait at the station Hotel at Paddington? ” Clearly the eight-year-old John was ending his first year a good deal more

The name ‘Bishop Carey’ will be familiar to many alumni but, depending on your age, it will probably mean different things to different people. Old Aschamians and OEs who were at school between 1945 and 1955 will remember him as the chaplain of Eastbourne College. Alumni who attended Ascham in the mid 1960s and thereafter, will remember the Pre-Prep and Nursery that was sited in a large house on Gaudick Road, opposite the school. That house was named, Bishop Carey, in his honour as he was also a frequent visitor and regularly preached at the Prep School. That same house still stands today despite the many changes that have subsequently taken place in this area – and a very smart property it is too. This is thanks to the efforts of a property developer who converted the building into a range of luxury apartments a few years ago. The quality of work was so impressive that the project won the company a national award. Coincidentally, that same property developer just so happens to have two sons who are also OAs!

Walter Julius Carey was born in 1875 in Owston, Leicestershire. He was one of eleven children and had seven brothers and three sisters. He was brought up by his mother as his father died when Walter was just three years old – he choked on a biscuit he was hurriedly swallowing in order to get to an All Saints Day service that he was taking. Walter was sent to Bedford School where he made his mark emphatically. He rose to become Head of School and was a promising young classicist but it was in sport that he featured most prominently. He boxed with skill and was a strong cross country runner but it was in his rowing and his rugby that he excelled. He captained the 1st XV and was also a member of the crew that rowed in the Ladies’ Plate at Henley.

Arriving at Hertford College, Oxford in 1894 with an exhibition in classics, he was to devote as much time to his sport as to his studies. Whilst he rowed for his college he decided to concentrate more on his rugby and this resulted in him winning four ‘Blues,’ playing for Oxford in the Varsity matches of 1894, ’95, ’96 and ’97.

The peak of his sporting career came with his international cap as a member of the legendary British team (later to be known as The Lions) that toured South Africa in 1896. The team won four of the five tests and lost only two of their 21 matches. He also played for Blackheath and the Barbarians and it was he who coined their famous motto “rugby is a game for gentlemen of all classes but never for a poor sportsman of any class.”

With a strong and unequivocal faith he had no doubt as to his future career. After Oxford he prepared for ministry at Ely Theological College. After being ordained in 1899 he became curate of the Church of the Ascension, Lavender Hill before being invited back to Oxford to join the

confident and self-reliant than the youngster who had been dropped off by his anxious mother just nine months earlier. But then again, as many OAs will probably concur, ‘that’s what boarding did to you!’ Chris Laughton

To be continued…

staff of Pusey House in 1908. At that time it was considered an intellectual powerhouse and a centre for cerebrally-based evangelism.

He remained there until 1914 when he became a Royal Navy chaplain and served on HMS Warspite throughout the war which included the Battle of Jutland. After the war he became Principal of Lincoln Theological College before being appointed as Bishop of Bloemfontein just two years later, in 1921. He was to remain in South Africa for the next twelve years, working tirelessly amongst the 50 clergy in his diocese. But given the sheer size of this, equivalent to the combined area of England and Wales, and his punishing work rate it was no surprise that this was to seriously impact on his health. His outspoken nature did him no favours too and after storming out of the Lambeth Conference in 1930 over the matter of contraception, refusing to attend the final service in Westminster Abbey and then petitioning the King, he made himself, in every sense, a marked man. He returned to South Africa and continued to work at the same punishing pace which ultimately wore him out and within three years he was forced to resign the position. On returning to the UK his health declined even further and after suffering a heart attack he decided to make a complete career change. This was very much to Eastbourne College’s benefit though as his appointment in 1936 brought them a certain fame, as no other public school had a former diocesan bishop as their chaplain.

Not surprisingly he proved hugely popular and his dynamic personality and charisma made a lasting impression on the boys that he taught. “Bishop Carey was fun; he had an outrageous sense of humour and he was unconventional in the extreme.” He also preached and practised a manly Christianity and no one who heard him speak in chapel could ever claim to have passed through the service in a state of coma!

As something of a national figure he was invited to give a series of talks on BBC Radio in 1939–40. These involved the recording of his sermons in chapel but, after a few minutes, his script would lie forgotten and he would extemporise with no consideration for time or place, carried away in his own enthusiasm. Whilst this may have been exciting for the listeners it must have been infuriating for the BBC.

He was simply a law unto himself and got away with things that, had any mere priest done them, would have incurred the headmaster’s wrath. One weekday morning he decided that it was time that he addressed the school on sex. He did not ask the headmaster if this would be convenient; but just went ahead and did it. As a result the school came into the first period more than half an hour late!

Not surprisingly he took a great interest in rugby, especially the 1st XV. On one occasion he drove his Austin 8 onto College Field at half time, (he was unable to walk by this stage) to tell the College side how they could win the match. Whilst this did not go down well with the rugby staff or the head it did at least result in an eventual victory! He would also offer players of his 3rd XV (‘The Tigers’) a lift to Memorial Field in his ancient Austin. On more than one occasion he apparently demonstrated how a scrum should ‘wheel,’ moving the steering wheel as he spoke. Fortunately traffic was a good deal lighter in those days!

During the war years, when the College was evacuated to Radley, he left and worked for a time at St John’s Leatherhead; however he then returned to Eastbourne after the war and taught for another

Bishop Carey House today

Oxford Varsity team 1897

Bishop Carey

1896 ‘Lions’ team

three years until 1948. At this point he retired from teaching and founded a group called ‘The Village Evangelists.’ Their mission was to visit rural communities, often starting in the village pub, to proclaim the Gospel in a manly and sensible way. Whilst this was effective and successful it evidently did not provide the stimulus and fulfilment he was looking for. Within two years he was drawn back to Africa, but this time to Kenya.

Walter Carey chose to base himself in a simple mud hut in Kitale and spent the next three years working as a missionary. He travelled far and wide in Eastern Africa and was devoted to spreading the word of Christianity amongst the villages and communities he visited. His sense of service and dedication simply would not allow him to do otherwise and the thought of sitting back and relaxing, even with his failing health, was out of the question. Alas, his desire to serve, even with the dedication and commitment that he personified, could not be maintained much longer and ill health forced him to return

s t a ndrew’s rev Is Ited

Roderic Hill (1957) and Rod Stevenson (Ascham 1953)

May 2022

banking and subsequently financial PR and advertising. He set up his own company, Hill Murray, in 1980 before eventually selling it in 2007.

Richard Duncan and Barry Salmon (summer and autumn terms 1978 respectively)

June 2022

to Eastbourne in 1953.

He died two years later on January 17th, 1955 and his funeral, in St Saviour’s Church, was taken by the Bishop of Chichester. The church was packed with staff, boys, OEs and parents each with their own memories and appreciations. For many he had had a direct influence on their lives but for all there was a shared sense of loss and recognition of the great man that he was.

Memorial plaque, College Chapel. The plaque in African Iroko measures 4ft by 2ft. The figure of Our Lord bends in blessing over an African and a European boy, a symbol of the unity of Christendom and a reference to Bishop Carey’s work in Bloemfontein, Kenya and here.

Many tributes appeared in both the national and local press and the Eastbournian later that year contained the following acknowledgement:

“There had never been a bishop quite like him and we are grateful to him for having been content to serve this school – such a little diocese for so great a man.”

The following pictures show his grave which can be found in Willingdon Churchyard and also the Memorial plaque which hangs on the wall in the College Chapel. Chris Laughton

It is always a great pleasure to welcome back OAs to the School. This year we had a number of visitors.

important these days, especially for boarders, and was undoubtedly invaluable during the protracted lockdown period for those students who were unable to return home.”

Aaron Saunders (2003) May 2022

It was good to meet Aaron again when he revisited the school at the end of April.

James dropped by during the summer holidays as he was keen to see the fives courts. These were refurbished after he had left and moved on to the College. It was whilst he was there that he took up the game and continues to enjoy playing it as a member of the OE Fives Club. James has also become heavily involved in the planned redevelopment of the College facilities and you can read more about this in the article on page 11.

Roderic and Rod dropped by, with their wives, to see the school on May 5th as they were down in Eastbourne on a short break. They had attended St Andrew’s and Ascham respectively in the early 1950s but only met subsequently and have been good friends for 35 years now. Both were keen sportsmen in their day and represented their school at 1st or 2nd team level in all sports. They were all very impressed with the excellent facilities that the school enjoys today. It was all so different in their day with predominantly boarding boys and certainly no Pre Prep or Nursery pupils. Roderic went on to Harrow before going into

Richard dropped by on June 1st with his good friend Barry Salmon. Both were here for 3 and 4 terms respectively although Barry had joined from Ascham where he had been previously. They then moved on to the College in 1978 but have remained best friends ever since. Their meetings in-person are far less frequent now that Richard lives in Sydney, Australia, although they still manage to connect on Zoom most weeks.

It was interesting to hear from them as to what St Andrew’s was like at that time with the many challenges and changes that the merger threw up for both schools. Both remarked at how impressed they were with the school today and the many changes that have taken place since they were here.

They were both particularly impressed with the training, facilities and space (aka ‘the snug’) that has been dedicated to the mental health of the pupils… “so

Aaron now works for the local print and marketing company Halcyon, (a family run business in Heathfield) and this year they printed both the Old Eastbournian and OA Newsletter magazines. Aaron was interested to see the developments that have taken place since he left which include the downstairs computer room, library, Wainwright Pavilion and, most especially, the new sports hall. He continues to enjoy his sport when he can but a busy work schedule and a two year old son inevitably means there are now slightly fewer opportunities than previously.

James Holman-Dine (2014)

John Edington

(1950)

John and his wife visited the school on 18th November when they were down in Eastbourne for a short break. St Andrew’s was massively different when he attended just after the war. With rationing and austerity still very much in evidence it must have been a very bleak existence. The tour of the school brought back many memories for him and he couldn’t help but be impressed with the school as it stands today. He commented that the facilities are now outstanding and he could see why St Andrew’s Prep is so highly rated.

Bishop Carey’s grave, Willingdon churchyard

Roderic and Rod (back) Susie Hill and Julie Stevenson

Sillem House Ascham July 1952. Rod Stevenson middle of back row

Richard and Barry meet again James revisits the fives courts

John and Sarah Edington

Ben and Guy Woolstenholme catch up with Tom Gregory

On March 24th 2022, brothers Ben and Guy Wolstenholme (SKs 1986–88, and 1988–91) visited the school and enjoyed a trip down memory lane. Ben, a contemporary of Mr Gregory’s, was about to return to the UK having lived in San Francisco for 12 years with his wife, Nanu and children Neve and Teive. Guy is based in London and with Ben co-founded Moving Brands, a branding agency with offices in London, Zurich, New York and San Francisco. Ben’s return to London has brought his children to St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College, following in his footsteps. It was a pleasure to show them both around and to welcome Ben and family to the school in September.

Chalotorn Phaiovibul (1970)

Chalotorn revisited the school in December 2022 just after term had finished and was shown around by Mrs Ashford (Registrar). As he hadn’t been back for many years he was interested to see the many changes and improvements that have occurred subsequently. He remembered a very different

school with no gym or swimming pool and far more spartan facilities in the boarding house. One of the places that he did recall fondly was the library that was then located in the Old Dining Room and his visit reminded him very much of the Beatles song ‘In my life.’

After St Andrew’s Cha went on to Rugby and then studied at Hull University for his BA and MA in Southeast Asian Studies. He subsequently returned to Thailand and worked in government for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rising

he met OA Richard Wylde 1972), UAE, Cambodia and Germany. He is now retired but has a son who works for a law firm in London so future trips to the UK are planned over the coming years.

Josh Turner (1994)

Josh returned to the UK on a business trip near the end of November 2022 and was keen to revisit the school whilst he was down in Sussex. On phoning us he discovered that we were celebrating St Andrew’s Day – so not exactly your typical day at school! Undeterred he made a made a flying visit and

Can you name them?

met up with Ruth Garrett and Chris Laughton, both of whom remembered him well from his days here! [Ed how could we forget!]. Having seen some of the many changes that have taken place since his time, he was full of praise and appreciation for the school and what St Andrew’s had meant to him. “The best days of my life” was how he described his time here. Before departing he fulfilled one long standing ambition which was to run down the pink path unchallenged!

to become Assistant Under Secretary. In the course of his career he had many overseas postings and worked in a number of countries including Indonesia, Italy (where

st andrew ’s re Co LLe C tI ons

Ijoined St Andrew’s in the Autumn term of 1945, just after the school had moved back to Eastbourne at the end of WW2. Mr Fewings was the headmaster. Being a boarder, suddenly at the age of eight, took a bit of getting used to, but I remember my second term as being the one when I was homesick, the first term being a step into the unknown.

Jack Bryan took over as headmaster early on in my time at St Andrew’s, but only for one term, I think, due to his wife’s ill-health. He had been a Kent county cricketer and had won the MC in WW1, also fighting in WW2. Philip Liddell succeeded him and he is the one I remember best. He was tall, dark and had a pronounced limp. He was married to the daughter of one of the Leader family, well-known in Newmarket racehorse training circles, and they had a daughter, Susan Jane, who lived in the headmaster’s house.

The winter of 1947 was perishing cold; I think one of the coldest winters on record and,

with little or no heating, I dreaded taking my clothes off to get into my pyjamas. At that time, food was rationed and pretty grim. I remember the cook at St Andrew’s had a way with boiled eggs, which were invariably like bullets. Reg Palmer, the school butler, had the unenviable task of serving up these delights.

I was a VC, the set run by Mr Harrison, a science teacher. I remember Mr Powell, who came down from Oriel College, Oxford, and had the classroom right by the chapel. He had a glass eye and we were always waiting for it to fall out, but I can’t recall it ever doing so. Another master, Mr Beales, married Mrs Liddell’s sister, who was, for a time, the school matron. She was lovely, so it was always a pleasure to be a bit off-colour and to be tended to by her. I believe she had been a nurse in the forces.

The music master was Vernon Farley, with whom I had piano lessons for a while, before transferring to Miss Huskisson, who lived and

taught at her house near to The Pilot Inn. I also had violin lessons from a man who was leader of the Eastbourne Concert Orchestra or the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra. He was a kindly chap and I felt sorry for him having to listen to my inexpert scraping. Many of the masters had only recently returned to civilian life from WW2 and I remember several of them still wearing their khaki shirts or ‘demob’ suits. I imagine that they were on fairly tight budgets and, anyway, there was still clothes rationing. Making and mending of clothes, and ironing, was done by Alice, who also used to dish out the Radio Malt and Virol, very sticky food supplements, after lunch.

At half term, my parents used to come over and stay at the Grand Hotel. I was delighted because, before lunch on Sundays, a dance band played in the lounge. It was run by pianist Harry Loveday and I used to stand right beside him, watching his every movement. At tea time on Sunday afternoons, a string orchestra, run at

Guy and Ben Woolstenholme

John Edington (1950)

Chalotorn – circa 1970 and 2022

2nd XI Cricket team 1970 Cha back row 2nd from left

Running down the pink path last week!

Ruth Chris and Josh Nov 25th 2022

Boarders weekend sing along – early 1980s

the time by violinist Leslie Jeffries, played light music in ’The Palm Court’. It was at this hotel that the long-running (1943–73) BBC radio programme, Grand Hotel, originated. I remember, on one occasion, when I had a major part in the school play, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and I had a bit too much cider at the hotel and felt decidedly dizzy. My mother was horrified, but I managed to get back to the school, later in the afternoon, in time to perform.

One inconsequential moment, which has always stayed in my memory, was when a ‘new’ master, Mr Dent, arrived and proceeded to play a piano, which was in one of the rooms (could it have been the library?). What amazed me was that he didn’t play Chopin or Beethoven or Brahms, but People will say we’re in love from Oklahoma. I had never imagined a schoolmaster playing such music in a swinging style – Vernon Farley would never have countenanced such a thing – and I used to listen to him a lot. Musical theatre and jazz has been a lifelong passion of mine.

memorIes trI ggered

Gerard Henry (1952).

Gerard got in touch with me last spring and was good enough to say how much he had enjoyed the 2022 OA Newsletter. He went on to say:

“It is amazing how the names and photographs can trigger long forgotten memories. In particular one or two faces and names were there which brought back some wonderful times from over seventy years ago. Rick Morris whose parents were so kind and on a number of occasions ‘took me out’ and whose elder brother Andy was one of my best friends. He came to stay and fish with me a number of times once we had moved to

Can you name them?

Answers to claughton@ standrewsprep.co.uk

Dancing lessons were given by a local woman and a pianist, whose husband was a magician in the town. My main concern was trying to avoid being the one who had to dance backwards. Religious films were shown from time to time, provided by a man who came along with a clickety old projector, which quite frequently broke down. The films were of very average quality and I remember being rather taken aback hearing “I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” in an American accent.

I very much enjoyed riding horses and we were lucky to have horses come to the school every week, brought along by an old bloke in a bowler hat – so, appropriately named ‘Bowler’. We went up on to Beachy Head for an hour or so each week, which was very exhilarating. When they were not out on riding lessons, these horses used to pull traps which were used by the local Meads butcher to make deliveries.

We used to have reading competitions.

We had, in the VCs, a boy who read very well and was expected to win the competition. But, he was suddenly taken ill and unable to perform. I was his last-minute replacement. I think the VCs were generally horrified at the loss of their star reader and gave up all hope of the prize. But, I won and was suddenly the new hero, so much so that I was unanimously picked to read in the following year’s competition – in which I came only second.

Each week, patients who had been wounded in the war and were now in a home in Eastbourne, came in their motorised wheelchairs to practise archery. I was fascinated talking to them and seeing how skilled they were with their bows and arrows. Mrs Liddell kept a number of geese, which used to roam freely around the grounds. These wily birds seemed to know to keep well clear when the archers arrived!

Just a few of the random memories from my days at St Andrew’s.

‘D’ certificate at the Pony Club. (That wasn’t too difficult, you just had to answer testing questions like “How many legs does a pony have?!”)

Who are these puppeteers?

Back row – Charles Moon (who became a doctor and distinguished anaesthetist I believe), Martin Drury (subsequently head of the National Trust), Mr RF Leslie, Porteous and Robin Guild (who was a child film star and was the lead in a film called, I believe, The Magnet ). Centre row – Michael Balfour, Malcolm Stonestreet, myself, Brian Shawcross (whose father was a doctor and whose mother was Swiss. Also very kind and took me out two or three times on parents days when my mother could not get down from Gloucestershire), and George Rees (who was a contemporary of mine at Harrow). Front row – David Winch and Ivan Griffiths.

Scotland. Gavin Tait whose brother Simon had the locker next to mine. His will have been number 110 as my locker number was 111. Then there was Martin Drury who was head of the National Trust and whom I met once again when Sally and I came down for Dod Wainwight’s memorial service.

But above all, I was so pleased to hear something about Malcolm Stonestreet . For a short time, starting when we were probably about 9, we were really good friends. I was fascinated to read that he went into the Church and had such a distinguished career and is now a published author. I remember that even at that very young age, he was very religious. There he was at the age of just nine proposing a private little church service one evening and then, true to himself, once grown up, going on to take holy orders. How often does that happen? At the age of nine, I think my overriding ambition was to save up for the next Dinky toy or, if I was lucky, to get my

Our dormitory was on the top floor. After lights out, on one or two occasions, we thought that we needed to have a religious service. Stonestreet, (for none of us had Christian names, it was all surnames then), started off with the prayers. He then suggested that I should preach the sermon! Nothing daunted, I launched off with Nelson’s famous utterance that “Today England expects every man and that includes boys” I quickly added, “to do their duty.” I think that, apart from Stonestreet there were two other unfortunate boys in our room, making up the congregation and no doubt longing to get to sleep. Suddenly, to our horror, we heard the tread of a master coming up the stairs and then in the darkness heard the voice….. “You know the rules boys, no talking after ‘Lights Out”…. luckily it was nice Mr Beales , “besides what were you talking about?” We explained. “Oh really that is surprising but now not another word, it’s time to close your eyes, and make sure you come and see me in the morning.” Uncertain as to what lay in store, sleep did not come immediately. We knew we had done wrong and if you did wrong, you got punished. However our worry was premature. Next morning, Mr Beales was beaming. “Ah Stonestreet, Henry, a church service was it?” Sheepishly we nodded. “Excellent. Well done boys. It’s only right that I should give you both an extra tick on your conduct sheet.” But then some terms later, Stonestreet left and St Andrew’s was the poorer for it. I had never heard of the incident with the fire extinguisher that precipitated his departure. I only wish I had been there to see it!

I enclose a photograph that my mother had proudly framed. She was so pleased that I was shown as the captain, no doubt hoping that in years to come I would be a distinguished leader of men… alas a dream never to be realised.

8th XI 1948

Can you name them RESPONSES

Many thanks to the two Old Aschamians who got in touch to supply names from last year’s newsletter. They were:

Frank Godfrey (Ascham 1972) affectionately called him, was a wonderful man who loved his beer and fags. His pride and joy was a lovely Lotus Elan that he kept in a garage to the right of the memorial arch. My Ascham days were some of the happiest times in my life. Thank you so much for the memories.”

Three OAs emailed me in response to two of the pictures that also appeared in the 2022 newsletter

Camilla Darling née Barker (1993) and Ben Shuttleworth (1995) supplied most of the names for those in Mrs Steen’s Sewing hobby. They were (from left to

him – “ The world needs a few more like him!” He reckoned the picture dated from 1973 but wasn’t sure and thought it could possibly be a year or two earlier? Can anyone pin it down further?

Frank got in touch to say how amazed he was to see a picture of himself in The Government Inspector production from 1972. “ I am in the middle second pic down and on the far right in the one below. It was a great experience.”

Frank also recognised himself in the shooting photo. He confirmed that it was indeed Tony Shawyer coaching them in the Ascham range. He added “ JAS, as we

FI ves

John contacted me to name the four archers with Brian Luard. He is pretty sure that it was from 1971 or ’72 and the four boys are John Whicker (himself). Sebastian Quigley, Graham Sperring and Robin Jefford

It has been good to see fives being played regularly at St Andrew’s once again. We have been fortunate to have the expertise and coaching skills of Spencer Beal and James Holman-Dine (OA) running a weekly activity as part of our co-curricular programme. The plan is to rejuvenate the game across the whole charity in the coming years. This will be run as part of a cross-charity project in conjunction with Eastbourne College and also the OE Fives Club.

Thanks to the efforts of previous headmaster

Gareth Jones , the St Andrew’s Prep court was completely refurbished just a few years ago.

Jack Crockatt and boys circa 1973

also got in touch with me to say he remembered Jack Crockatt well and how much he had admired

The plan is to now instal a glass screen at the back of the court to form a slightly smaller, and more appropriate size, playing area as well as creating a covered spectator facility.

The facilities at the College are over 100 years old now and badly in need of upgrading. The OE Fives Club have therefore set up a ‘charity-backed’ crowdfund with the intention of also redeveloping the College courts. This will not only provide vastly improved playing conditions for students and OE club members alike but also ensure the long-term preservation of this valuable game across the whole charity. The strategy will be split into three key areas, namely, advertising, integrating and renovating the coaching and facilities of both St Andrews Prep and Eastbourne College.

This initiative started in the summer of 2022 with the OE Fives Club holding multiple fives reunion events to introduce new people to the game and raise awareness of the current challenges. With the coaching and encouragement of fives at St Andrew’s Prep, the aim is to ensure continuity and also further develop the activity programme at the College for its pupils. The OE club plans to

Robert Sanger (1957) recognised himself in a picture from the 2014 Newsletter. It showed Eric Seir and some boys on the square asphalt in the summer of 1956. Robert is on the far right of the picture (just to the left of EWS). Then the boy behind/above the windscreen on the far left is Bearman . The boy standing above the others (and waving) is, I think, David Aikman The boy next to Eric on his right side is Douglas and the boy seated on the running board is Malcolm Can anyone identify any of the remaining boys in the picture?

run numerous crowdfunding events including a dinner and 24-hour fives marathon. Further information will be provided in due course via newsletters and the OE Fives Club webpage (https://eastbourniansociety.org/clubs/view/ fives).

James wrote;“As a club, we see so many opportunities to provide better facilities and coaching across the charity. We look forward to building upon the significant foundations we set last year, planning to formally launch our ‘charity-backed’ crowdfund. We are also actively seeking to increase our player pool and would welcome any new or former fives players to join us. The club plays every Tuesday between 8.00pm and 9:30pm at Eastbourne College and goes to The Dolphin pub afterwards. If you are interested in joining, please contact Spencer Beal (spencerjbeal@ gmail.com). We look forward to further events involving the wider society. We are also on track to achieve our goals to rejuvenate the facilities and coaching at both schools.”

John Whicker (Ascham 1973)

right) Peter Gadsden , Paul Haggis , Ashling Jones née Reid , Eleanore Browning née Ward , Camilla herself and Cressida Jervis Read James Thorne (1974)

Fives Challenge Cup winners 1896

St Andrew’s court

Cambridge court with a glass screen

OE fives club and College pupils meet and play every Tuesday

Frank Godfrey in ‘ The Government Inspector’

Shooting on the Ascham range with Tony Shawyer

Archery with Brian Luard

Members of the needlework hobby circa 1992

Summer 1956

an Interv Iew w Ith mIC haeL howeLL

Younger OAs will remember Mike as the transport manager who has organised our minibus programme over the last five years.

Before working at St Andrew’s Prep he had a varied and interesting career working in a number of different organisations. Along the way he has also encountered a few OAs and I thought it would therefore be interesting for alumni to know a little more about him. Michael kindly agreed to be interviewed and the following passage gives us an insight into his life and work before he joined St Andrew’s.

I know you grew up in London. Please can you tell us a little about your early years?

I was born in Clapham, South London, and am the eldest of four children. My parents came over from Jamaica in the late 1950s and were part of the Windrush family. Having left school at sixteen, I initially trained as an apprentice electrician at Croydon College. However, just before completing the course I decided that I wanted to join the army. Despite an ambition to join the guards and be able to stand outside Buckingham Palace, I was persuaded to join the Royal Green Jackets. I signed up, much to my mother’s dismay and concern given the ongoing troubles in Northern Ireland. You’ve had a very varied career in three public services. Can you tell us a little about each of them?

By then, I was married and living in Eastbourne and didn’t want to raise my three children in London. I worked at Lewes for two more years but then decided to leave and applied to join the police. Whilst training at Hendon I lost my mother and wanted to quit but was persuaded to complete my training up in the West Midlands. I was due to return to London after passing out but really wanted to remain in Birmingham. Fortunately the Chief Constable got to hear of this and arranged for me to transfer to his area – something that had never happened before, or since, during training. So I stayed and served with the West Midlands Police Force for the next six years working within a specialist unit. Then, in 2006 I transferred back to southern England and worked within the Metropolitan Force for the next decade before coming to work for St Andrew’s in 2016.

Which of your jobs would you describe as being the most challenging?

The army and the police force were both demanding but I would say that the prison service was the most challenging. You are working in a very volatile environment so each and every day would be different. You would find that with hundreds of prisoners there was huge friction between inmates who would regularly vent their anger against each other or against you.

Which of your jobs would you regard as the most satisfying?

the furthest so we would have to go on a bus! That first match was against West Ham and I remember some of their players that day included people like Trevor Brooking, Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Clyde Best. Although Crystal Palace lost that game 3–2, I just loved the whole atmosphere so much that I’ve followed Crystal Palace ever since that day. You have three grown up children who have all gone on to do extremely well. Could you share a little about what each of them does now?

Yes, well I joined the army in September 1981 and completed my six month infantry training at Winchester Barracks. Having passed out I was posted to Germany where the 2nd Battallion were based. From there I did tours to Northern Ireland, in 1982 and 1985, which was still fairly active at the time.

In 1988 I decided to leave the army and applied to both the prison service and the police. The prison service came up first and after my training I was posted to Wandsworth Prison. During my thirteen years of service I also worked at many other prisons including Brixton, Wormwood Scrubs, Pentonville and, finally, Lewes where I transferred to in 1998.

I would say the police; you’re dealing with different situations every day but you are, very often, helping people. That might be helping an old person who had injured themselves, offering reassurance and making them comfortable; or occasionally you could be dealing with a person who had lost virtually everything. I recall one day in Brixton where we were called out to a man who was living in a tent in a park. My colleague and I noticed that, under his coat, he was wearing a combat jacket that also had medals. It turned out that he had been in the army but that after leaving it he had been let down and had nowhere to live. So my colleague and I gave him some money and took him to the Union Jack Club in Victoria. The manager there was incredibly generous and allowed him to stay for two weeks with no charge. The man was elated and broke down in tears on hearing this. I think that that incident was probably the most satisfying moment for me in my whole police career.

As a keen football fan, what made you decide to become a Crystal Palace supporter? It goes back to my tenth birthday when my father said he was going to take me to my first football match. He gave me three choices Millwall, Charlton or Crystal Palace and I chose

My youngest is my daughter Simone, aged 26, who now helps run the family business which is a nursery school we own, up in Ashdown Forest. She made me a Grandad last year as she has a son, Arthur, who is now aged 14 months. Georgia, aged 28, initially trained as a hairdresser but then applied and secured a job working for Cate Blanchett as her hairdresser. Alex is the eldest in the family and now works with the BBC. From an early age he was always very sporty and at the age of 8 he was picked up by Wimbledon and played in their football academy. From there he went to Fulham and eventually played for Crystal Palace. Having sustained various injuries he decided to go into sports journalism. Initially he worked with SKY but then moved across to work with the BBC as one of their sports presenters. His latest assignment saw him being selected as one of the BBC’s top journalists to travel to the UAE to cover the World Cup in Qatar. I believe that you may have come across and worked with a number of OAs in your career.

Yes, my son’s partner happens to be an OA and OE and they have known each other for ten years now. Then in the course of my police career I worked with a colleague, James, who happens to be an OA as well as being ex-army. He and I are good friends and it turned out that we both served in the same regiment. Given the nature of his work I’d rather not mention his surname though. Thirdly, a few years ago I found out that the colonel I served

Northern Ireland with some of the lads from A company

Last day in uniform

Mike, Alex, Simone and Georgia

Alex reporting at the World Cup Qatar 2022

Remembrance Day with some fellow Royal Green Jackets

under in the Royal Green Jackets was none other than Vere Hayes (1952). It so happened that our paths were to cross again a few years ago when he attended an OA lunch at St Andrew’s. Upon meeting hIs first words to me were ‘Mike, what are you doing here?’ We knew him as Gabby, and what a lovely man! As a colonel he was a fantastic officer and enormously liked and respected by everyone in the regiment.

Having worked here for six years, what have you liked the most about St Andrew’s? Without a doubt, it has been the people I have come across. That has included many of the staff who I have got to know not only as colleagues but also good friends. Over and above that it has also been an interesting time in my career and I have been impressed with a number of the children who still recognise and appreciate you after they have left the school.

Stephen Abbott – Appreciations

Tobias Granetzny (1998)

Yudu Gray (1993)

After a long and varied career do you have any future aspirations or unfulfilled ambitions? As a family man I would say that my over-riding ambition is to be there for my children, not only as their father but also to be a caring and loving grandfather to their children.

Michael, many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed and the best of luck in your new job.

Chris Laughton

I received a number of emails from OAs and former staff who got in touch after hearing the sad news of Stephen’s passing. Other comments were posted to his daughter Kate (1992) on Facebook and these are also included.

James D’Arcy (1997)

“I am so sorry to hear this – what terribly sad news. I have nothing but good memories of him and the kind and gentle man that he was.”

“I am very sorry to hear this sad news. I had the chance to meet him and his wonderful wife and family during my one year stay in St. Andrews in 1988. I will always remember him as a very caring housemaster with that friendly smile and big heart. I will never forget how he ‘caught’ us in the

“So sorry to hear this. Sending love and condolences to the whole family.”

Hannah Kowszun (1996)

“He was a lovely man and leaves a special legacy. I am so sorry for your loss.”

David Mortimer (1987)

“I’m sorry to hear this. He was a very nice chap to me and all the friends I had at St Andrew’s.”

Zoe Partridge née Mansell (1993)

“So sorry to hear this news. I’ll never forget the Abbotts welcoming me to their flat when I arrived in the UK. I think we were collecting my brother and cousin for a long weekend. I was starting in Elisba’s class after half-term and they were making sure I’d know at least someone in my year. A small kindness which was an indicator

My thoughts are very much with his family at this time. May he rest in peace.”

Hamish Symington (1993)

Hannah Blundell (1995)

“I am so sorry to hear this news; what an incredible man he was! Both my brother, Jonathan, and I have very fond memories of Mr Abbott.”

Eleanore Browning (1993)

“I’m very sorry to hear this. I can still picture Mr Abbott’s classroom! Many condolences to Mrs Abbott, Elisba, Kate and William. Prayers for you all.”

Philip Ede (1986)

“I’m sorry to hear this news. I remember Mr Abbott arriving which must have been towards the end of my time at St Andrew’s. He was a nice bloke.”

James Evers (1986)

“I am so sorry to hear this news. He took over from my father and was my housemaster for a year when I boarded. What a lovely housemaster he was too.”

middle of the night down near the kitchen when we crept down to steal some cake. He never said a word, just letting us sneak back to bed unpunished. I think he knew about young boy’s lives at boarding houses. He was a great person! May he rest in peace!”

David Haggis (1988)

“That’s very sad news and unexpected.”

Annabel Heasman (1988)

“So sorry to hear this news. I have very fond memories of him during my time at St Andrew’s.”

of the sort of man he was. Then there was the pantomime – lots of laughs with that one!”

Harriet Phillips (1993)

“He was such a wonderful teacher and I have lovely memories of his classes and the anecdotes he came out with. Much love to all the family. That’s very sad news and unexpected.”

Nicholas Rideal (staff 1981–90)

Sound advice from the touchline

Elliott Hughes (1989)

“I’m sorry to hear this news. I have fond memories of him and his kindness.”

Melissa Kirby née Geoghegan (1996)

“So sorry to hear this sad news. Sending love and sincere condolences to the whole family.”

“Really sad to hear this news. Apart from the years we worked at St Andrew’s, by chance our paths crossed again at another local school. It was always a pleasure to work alongside Stephen as we both shared a love of theatre and the performing arts. He was always professional, supportive and a great member of the staff common room.

“I’m very sorry to hear this. I remember with very great fondness being directed by him in a couple of school plays, including the pantomime, into which he (and Pia, and we) put everything. He was a force for good.”

In contemplative mood

Stephanie Temple née Cash-Reed (1996).

“I am so sorry to hear this sad news. So many happy memories of being taught by such a lovely person.”

Tom Trueman (1992)

I am absolutely devastated to hear this news. I will always remember him with much fondness. I will always remember the school plays that he directed – Carousel being a particular highlight! I have just shared the news with my parents who were both also shocked,

and still, 30 years after I left St Andrews, remember the positive impact that Mr Abbott had. I was lucky enough to see him a few times over the years and always enjoyed our brief catch-ups.

Rachel Ward née Price (1988)

“Oh, this is such sad news. I remember him well; such a lovely man.”

Colin Venner (former staff)

“Such sad news about the passing of Stephen. I have many fond memories of working with him and Pia during my years in the boarding house.”

The Stonk 1991 Red Nose Day

Stephen and Jerry Smith

Stephen’s leaving party 1992

Sport Aid I ran the World

EastbournE ’s PrEP schools Part 1

Eastbourne’s history as a leading educational centre goes back a long way. Its seaside location coupled with its enviable climate proved an attractive combination and many schools were founded and established here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1930s the total number had reached no less than 380 ‘schools’ with a total of over 3000 pupils therein. There were no less than 19 prep schools at that time. As well as these there were many pre-preps, public schools and girls schools as well as a multitude of tutoring houses. Since then the vast majority of them have either closed, merged or relocated. By 1990 there were just six schools left in the town and today only St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne College and Bedes remain. The last 30 years saw the closures of Beresford House (1991), Chelmsford Hall (1992) and, most recently, Moira House (2020).

The following is an account of ALDRO which was one of the town’s prominent Prep Schools up until the Second World War

Aldro was one of the closest schools to St Andrew’s, both figuratively and literally. It was set up in 1898 on the opposite side of Darley Road and the Aldro building still stands there today although in recent years it has been part of Brighton University. It was established as an overflow for St Andrew’s and its first headmaster was

elder brother. Harold’s wife, was rarely seen in the school. She was a demure figure, always dressed in a black dress with a full skirt, which reached to the ground and a small white cap on her head. She had an air of great kindness about her. There were two children of the marriage, Francis and Mary. Francis was already at university and, like his father, gained a cricket blue at Cambridge. Mary played the organ in chapel on Sundays and also taught some of the boys the piano.

There was no electricity in the school and it was therefore lit by gaslight and heated by

and cricket there was gym and boxing taught by Sgt Jeffries and Sgt Hurd respectively. Other activities included fives, carpentry and daily drill. Swimming took place in the Devonshire baths (saltwater) during the summer term and also in the sea at Holywell.

The daily Browne ritual of ‘going across the way’ was an established routine at both

Rev Harold Browne, one of ELB’s six brothers. Within six years of St Andrew’s starting its numbers had risen to 109 and so in 1897 ELB and Harold took over the building opposite the school. It was named after the farm in Yorkshire where their father had been an incumbent and where Harold frequently spent his holidays. The origin of the word simply refers to a row of Alder trees.

The school began in 1898 and initially it had 36 boys. The two schools had a working arrangement from the start whereby ELB kept the socially elite parents whilst those of middle class were guided across the road to Aldro. Whilst this arrangement was true initially it certainly changed under subsequent Headmasters as members of the Sainsburys and Bentalls families were amongst its alumni along with the sons of the king of Montenegro. Another former pupil was none other than Kim Philby who attended the school in the 1920s.

Like his brother, Harold was a large Yorkshireman with bushy white hair and he was known as ‘The governor’ or simply ‘gov’ by the boys. He was also a colourful character and had the same educational values as his

coal fires. The organ was hand pumped and there would always be two boys detailed to take turns to work the handle during Sunday services. Harold always took chapel and afterwards he would walk all the boys along the sea front to the Wish Tower and back. Other schools did likewise so the sight of ‘crocodiles’ on the promenade was a regular one at the weekend.

Not surprisingly, there were many similarities between the two neighbouring

schools and took place after breakfast each day whether or not you needed to go! Discipline was predictably strict at both schools and whilst minor misdemeanours resulted in having to roll the headmaster’s lawn for half an hour, a more serious offence would result in being beaten across the hands with a wooden cane.

The gym

Two events stand out in the history of the school. The first was September 13th 1922 when Harold Browne died. He was succeeded by Frederick Hill who was teaching at St Aubyn’s (Rottingdean) at the time. FE Hill was a very worthy successor to Harold Browne. Educated at Wellington College and Oxford University, he was a keen sportsman and had played rugby for the Harlequins as well as Oxford and also lawn tennis for Surrey. In 1923 he bought the school and set about introducing his own changes – described by a former head boy as “a break with tradition, although I missed the robust regime of the guv.”

The gym with plunge pool in use

schools. Both had a playroom which could accommodate the whole school. Adjacent to this was the gym which also housed a ‘plunge’ pool. Outside was an asphalt area and two small playing fields adjacent to the school. A third area was at the bottom of Darley Road where the 1st XI played their matches. In addition to the main sports of soccer, rugby

The other significant change came in June 1940 when the school was forced to evacuate, as did all the other schools in Eastbourne. So began an exhaustive mission to find an alternative location. Initial efforts were focussed on the West Country and the home of Lady Hanbury in Kingston Maurward was the first choice until

Aldro farm near Acklam Yorkshire

Messerschmidt crash landed on Aldro playing field August 16th 1940

Aldro School

Harold Browne headmaster 1898 to 1923

Football team 1898

Visit to HMS Caesar offshore 1906 note St Andrew’s boys in striped blazers

it was decided that it was too near the coast and Dorset had been declared a restricted area. Meanwhile, the Battle of Britain raged over the skies of Southern England that summer and the school came close to a direct hit when a Messerschmitt 109 was shot down over Eastbourne on August 16th 1940. The plane crashed on the school field at Aldro just missing the main buildings. Around the same time, and after yet more searching, an ideal site was found at Hall Place in Shackleford. This had been the home of Sir Edgar Horne but he had decided to sell it after

s taff nE ws

Ben Barter

Birth of son

On Friday 28th

October 2022

at 17.26, Ben and Stephanie Barter welcomed little Freddie Barter to the world, at a healthy 7lb 8oz. He has settled into busy family life quickly and is completely adored by his older brother Toby. Many congratulations to Ben and Stephanie.

John and Susan Smith

Golden wedding celebration of the ‘72 Club’

the recent death of his wife.

The move to Surrey turned out to be fortuitous in every way and, unlike St Andrew’s, it chose not to return to Eastbourne after the war. The school has thrived and remains a prominent and well-known boys prep in the Surrey area. Furthermore the headship has remained in the Hill family for over 60 years as Frederick’s son, Crispin Hill, succeeded his father in 1952 and remained in post until he retired in 1984. Another hallmark of its success has been the fact that the school has remained

Eastbourne based charity ‘ People Matter ’. Jane started working with them after she had retired from teaching. Initially it was for one or two days a week but this steadily grew and she served as their treasurer for 15 years in all.

John Wilton

Releases new book September 2022 saw the release of John’s latest book It’ll be all over by Christmas . This book, John’s sixth, runs to over 170 pages and provides a fascinating insight into the experience of war through postcards, as well as the part they played in promoting it. Copies cost £20 and can be obtained by contacting Liz Wilton. Email lizwilton@btinternet.com.

A proportion of the monies raised from the sale of the book is donated to charity in support of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

a boy’s prep for the bulk of its time despite being in a very competitive market of local independent schools. Many of its competitors diversified by going co-ed, opening pre-preps and nurseries many moons ago but Aldro bucked the trend by remaining single sex until only recently, welcoming its first girls in September 2021.

I should like to thank Nick Swan, former Head of History at Aldro School for allowing me to use some of the pictures from his book ‘Aldro past.’

Battle of Waterloo c.1985

It might have been 170 years after the real battle but I am sure that OAs who attended St Andrew’s in the mid 1980s well remember the re-enactments of the battle that Jack Crockatt used to organise on the playing fields during the summer term. It certainly looked like fun judging by the photos that Mr Erskine took of said event! From what I can gather, in 1985 the French Troops were led by Barney Gregory whist Bruce Ingram commanded the British troops. Furthermore, Alex Halliday (RIP) took the part of Napoleon and Stewart Brown played the Duke of Wellington. If anyone can shed any more light on the event or identify any of the people in these pictures then do please get in touch so I can update the archive record. Email: claughton@standrewsprep.co.uk

Many congratulations to John and Susan Smith on reaching their golden wedding anniversary last year. They were at the Grand Hotel in November 2022 along with twelve other couples who also got married in 1972. Amongst them were quite a few parents of OAs including Mr and Mrs Fellows (Mark and Pete), Mr and Mrs Garner (Dominic), Dr and Mrs Baker (Vicky, Chris, Alex and Katy), Mr and Mrs Garlick (Nick, Amy and James) and Mr and Mrs Htoon (Aung and Min). Jane and Mike Steen are also members of the 72 Club and many OEs will recall their two sons, Andrew and Paul, who attended Eastbourne College.

Jane Steen

Receiver of an Achievers Award

Jane receiving her Achievers Award

Congratulations to Jane who recently received an award in recognition of her work with the

Martyn Ward

London Marathon

Congratulations to Martyn who completed the London Marathon back in October 2022. Martyn

MW supporters club

ended up raising over £3000 for charity in support of the National Autistic Society. With him on the day were members of the Fellows and the Ward families who went up to London to support him. They managed to see him and cheer him on at no less than six locations around the course!

Who are these members of the girls U11 hockey team 1995?

Freddie, Ben and Stephanie

Martyn and family’

c astlE roy rEstoration

Scotland (HS) but a lot of time and money was wasted initially trying to convince them that the taking of rubble rock from the surrounding fields (as they would have done in 1200) was not going to destroy the architectural heritage of the structure. Fortunately HS was amalgamated with the Environment Agency in 2015, to become HES, and this resulted in far greater co-operation and a much improved management attitude. Work gathered pace accordingly as well.

For the last 29 years Richard has been heavily involved with the restoration of one of Scotland’s oldest masonry fortifications.

Castle Roy stands just north of Nethy Bridge in Strathspey. It is said to have been built around 1200, possibly by Clan Comyn, as a fortified enclosure. The early history of the castle is unclear but it is known that the castle frequently changed hands and it often reverted to the King. In 1420 the whole area came under the stewardship of the Clan Grant who remain as the clan of the area to this day.

It was Richard, together with a then local councillor, Stuart Black, who conceived the plan to consolidate the castle back in 1993 and to make it safe again. The work has cost a total of £750,000 which came chiefly from grants but that figure does not reflect the tens of thousands of pounds of unpaid voluntary work.

Work was completed last year and the castle was officially opened on 25th September 2022. The Lord Lieutenant of Inverness Shire had been due to do the honours but, due to a period of mourning, it was Fergus Ewing (local MSP) who presided on the day and performed the ribbon cutting. The event was well supported with over 400 people in attendance on the day. It was also a fairly noisy affair with a group of Jacobite guards who ‘called the gathering’ with their muskets only to be overshadowed by the firing of a six foot wall gun (dating from 1650 and with a range of 1200m) from the top of the ramparts.

The plan is to now promote the castle as a venue for outdoor events such as weddings, plays and musical concerts which will raise money to help defray running costs and routine maintenance. There is also the matter of the Old Kirk next door so Richard is not likely to be stepping back from his involvement anytime soon; although his wife, Patricia, would rather their retirement could be enjoyed at a slightly gentler, and more relaxing pace!

So for any of you who live in that part of the country then why not head up to Nethy Bridge and take a look? The castle lies a mile north of the village on the B970 on the road to Grantown. For more information go to the castle’s website: www.castleroy.org.uk Can

Major consolidation began in 2011 under the jurisdiction of Historic

Answers

Who are these cricketers from the mid-50s?

Richard Eccles (1963)

Northern Lights and Castle Roy – with thanks to Hayley Grant

The following photographs show the castle and its opening ceremony. With thanks to the ‘The Kilted Photographer’ who took all these pictures.

Friendly Jacobites

Opening by Fergus Ewing Lord Strathspey

The opening ceremony

Battlements of Castle Roy

Aerial view Castle Roy and Old Kirk

Dec 2020 Richard and Stuart stand in front of the completed arch

Castle Roy poppies

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oa s

Many thanks to the OAs who have been in touch over the last year. The date in brackets for each contribution denotes the year they left St Andrew’s.

John Nettleton (1940)

Identifying a cap, boarding as a seven-year-old and rook shooting John was able to help me solve a puzzle for Julian Taylor (son of the late Richard G L Taylor (OA 1940). Julian found a cap whilst he was going through his father’s effects and wanted to know what it might have been awarded for. I wasn’t sure but I said that ‘I knew a person who might.’

On contacting John he was, indeed, able to help and responded with the following information:

“The cap is that worn by the 1st XI football team who also wore a blue and grey shirt to play matches in. I certainly had one. We wore it for the winter term instead of the normal hideous coloured one for walks and outings. I think you got the cap when you were awarded your colours and gradually eleven were granted by the end of term.”

John also wrote to me to say how much he had enjoyed last year’s newsletter. His family had strong connections with St Andrew’s as both his father and two brothers attended the school. He described how very different the school was just before the war: ”I came in the spring term 1935 as a sad and apprehensive seven-year-old, abandoned by my parents and two brothers who had left for three years in the Far East. There were no planes or long-distance phones so letters were the only communication. I only survived through the kindness of all at St Andrew’s.”

He then went on to describe how, as a member of the 1st VIII shooting team, he was taken rook shooting by Rev Francis Browne in woods near Eastdean. The eight boys would be left with live .22 ammunition to shoot as many of the rooks as possible whilst Francis sat and chatted in the rectory to his friend! John said “We knew exactly what to do and what

not to do and no mishap ever occurred. We also got a good tea as a reward! Can you imagine this happening today?”

Stewart Francis (1951)

Poetry award

Stewart got in touch with me to say that unfortunately he would not be able to make the OA Lunch last October, as originally intended. I let him off when he mentioned that would be attending an awards ceremony for a poetry competition the same day. Stewart’s poem, entitled ‘Lubricity,’ is printed below and his composition was highly commended in the 2022 Crabbe Competition. The competition is organised by the Sussex Poetry Society and is open to those with connections to Sussex.

Lubricity

Lubricity. That’s the word which caught my eye. I thought I had learnt, a long time ago, never to be led away during a word check in the dictionary –never to be distracted by those sweet enticements near my today’s wanted word, under ‘L’. But lubricity struck – then seized –me with its slipperiness, its feeling of slime and hints of a man I knew well: all smarm, grease and oil –brilliantine, Brylcreem and hair tints; his easy but fake charm; the sly slant of his oleaginous eye; the quick smirk of his smile; those snide taunts and asides and that sleek, gliding type of walk with snaky, sinuous strides: his whole look and style. And – oh Lord – his sickly smell. lubricity, noun: slipperiness, smoothness, oiliness. (OED)

Robert Sanger (1957)

Mid 1950s school photo I got in touch with Robert as I was keen to try and date a school photo from the mid 1950s. On the back of it was the name ‘Sanger’ and also ‘1954 or 1955’? We discussed the photo but weren’t

certain which year it was so I wonder if any OA from that era might know the answer? Those in their first or last year at the school may well be able to work it out?

Robert spotted himself in the 3rd row down 8th from the right just behind (seated staff ) Eric Sier and Mr Davies . On his left stands Beebee . Robert also spotted Mark Garton and David Aikman in the 2nd row down, 3rd and 4th from the left who were good friends of his. In the summer of 1954 Robert recalls flying with Mark to Madeira from Southampton Water in a Sunderland flying boat of Aquila Airways which was owned by David Aikman’s father Barry Aikman. They spent the entire 7 weeks of the summer holidays at the invitation of Mark and his parents staying with them at their home in the grounds of their Miramar Hotel in Funchal! In those days it was necessary to have a visa to travel to Madeira and with the foreign currency controls in force at that time Robert sees in his old and first passport he took only £7.00 with him for the entire seven weeks stay! Robert says that this was one of the most treasured memories at the start of a lifetime of frequent and extensive world travel that was to follow.

Other boys he recognised in this picture include:

Peter Bostelmann 2nd row down, 9th from right; Peter Wallis next to him, 10th from right; Richard Bett top row, 14th from left and John Knowles third row down, 4th from left.

Robert said that he has an enduring debt of gratitude to the memory of John Dent (seated 13th from right) who was his geography teacher at St. Andrew’s and inspired in him the love of travelling and the natural world.

Robert mentioned that after St Andrew’s he went on to Malvern College and then Exeter University. Having graduated he then travelled on his own to the USA and spent the next two years working and travelling around the world. On his return to the UK from Australia he joined P&O Orient Lines in the City of London at what was to be the start of a career in the shipping industry. This included five years working in Monaco as a shipbroker and

latterly he was a broker of new shipbuilding contracts around the world. Having built up a huge world travel photo archive during his personal and business global travels, he was encouraged by professionals in the photographic world to ‘make a business out of it’ which he did on retirement. In 2001 he set up Blue Planet Images which he still runs from his home office in Cornwall. If you go to his website (www.blueplanetimages. com) you can see the quality of his work and some of his amazing photographs and publications. Thanks to the internet he has a list of clients from all over the world as well as the UK.

South East reunion

My thanks to Crispian McCreadie (1964) who, once again, organised a reunion for OAs in the Surrey/ Sussex area and then sent me this report and photo:

“St. Andrews over 60 years ago was again reminisced as twelve OAs gathered for their annual (two-year-Covid-delayed), lunch at the Crown Inn, Chiddingfold, Surrey in early May 2022. There are 25 OAs in the South East, who arrived at St. Andrew’s in the late 1950s who are part of the Group. Peter Shelley, the unofficial archivist provided pictures of various football and cricket team photos of the time, many of which had names attached. OA contacts have increased, over time through personal contacts. This year we had regretfully to report the deaths during the year of Roger Dixon and Robert Annan”. If any OA from that era would like to join the group at a future event then please get in touch with me (claughton@standrewsprep. co.uk) and I will give you Crispian’s contact details. Thank you.

L–R: Andy Rintoul, David Budd, Peter Shelley, Crispian McCredie, Peter Begg, Paul Roffey, Colin Liddell, John Knox, Nigel Mills, Julian Cazalet, Andrew Howeson, Francis Gottesman.

News from OAs

Shooting team 1976

Winning the St Patrick’s shield

1st VII winners of the St Patrick’s shield spring 1976

In the Spring term of 1976 St Andrew’s won the St Patrick’s shield (top prep school for .22 shooting at 25 yards). In that team were: Pierre and Jean-Paul Berthon, Chapman (Gregory?), Paul Lewis, James Rothman, Andrew Donald, Paul DoyneDitmas and SC Clark. I wonder how many of that team are reading this now and also whether any of them are still involved in shooting?

Last summer we won the shield again – so a gap of almost fifty years. Interestingly this competition has been running since 1906 when the PSRA started. Furthermore, it was with money raised by St Andrew’s parents, topped up with a contribution from ELB himself, that paid for the commissioning of three of the four magnificent trophies in 1905. Sadly there is no space left to allow today’s winners to have their school’s name recorded but studying the engravings shows just how many prep schools offered this activity previously.- Equally apparent is just how many times the name of St Andrew’s appears on these shields – thanks to the combined efforts of John Dent, Sgt Knight and Sgt Jefferies. The trophies are clearly unique and a recent valuation, for insurance purposes, produced a replacement value of £30,000 for just one of the shields. Hopefully, there will never be a situation that requires this.

Richard Duncan (1978)

Return to Blighty

Richard got in touch to say how much he had enjoyed visiting both St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College whilst he was back in the UK last summer. It has been a busy year for him with his business taking off, both his daughters graduating (one from high school and the other from university) and celebrating his first wedding anniversary with wife Ginny. After visiting friends and family in the south he and Ginny flew to Scotland and visited Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye and Loch Ness. Before flying back to Australia he spent time in the Pyrenees with his father and brother; so all in all a fairly hectic schedule but a truly memorable and special experience. He has since been hiking in Western Australia and spent the month of January touring around Tasmania in a fully equipped 4x4 (incl a roof top tent!).

Liam Sharpe (1981) Doctorate

Congratulations to Liam who was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Derby in July 2022. If you go to Youtube and search ‘Liam Sharpe honorary graduate’ you’ll be able to see him receiving his award at last summer’s congregation.

Charlie Howard-Higgins and Noah Price (1983)

Army Reunion at Middle Wallop

form studies. Whilst there he was selected to row for the junior GB rowing squad in the Coupe de la Jeunesse in 1988 (in Paris) where he won a double European gold medal. After university they both joined the army although they weren’t aware that the other had also signed up. In 1995 they bumped into each other at Middle Wallop whilst Noah was training there on his pilot course. Charlie had already got his wings by this stage and was serving in Gütersloh as a Lynx pilot. Between 1996 and 1998 they both ended up serving together with 1 Regiment Army Air Corps in Germany. They were fellow flight commanders in 651 Squadron; Charlie commanded the Lynx flight, whilst Noah commanded the Gazelle flight. Charlie was commissioned into the Army Air Corps whilst Noah was commissioned into 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles before transferring over to the Army Air Corps.

Peter Walker (1998)

Winning the 2022 Sussex Golf Championship

Noah left the army in 2007 and is the Academy International Director at G4S whilst Charlie is still serving as SO1 (lieutenant colonel) at Middle Wallop.

Nick

Noah got in touch with me and also sent in a picture of an army reunion in 2022 where he had met up with Charlie once again. Both of them attended St Andrew’s in the early 1980s before moving on to their senior schools in 1983. Noah went on to the College whilst Charlie moved to Cambridge and studied at The Leys. He subsequently transferred to Shiplake College for his sixth

Congratulations to Nick Laughton (1999) and his wife Cherie on the birth of their son, Hudson, on 19th April 2022, weighing 8lbs 1oz. Nick and Cherie still work in London in their respective jobs (Director of Future Elements and Digital and CRM Director I’Occitane UK) but now live at Henham (Essex) having moved out of London just before the pandemic.

Many congratulations to Peter on winning the Sussex Golf Championship. The event was held on the 3rd July at Uckfield on the East Sussex National course. He trailed Olly Dickman, Sussex County player, by six shots at the end of the first round. In the 2nd round Peter scored a 78 which he thought would still be too high. However, on an increasingly windy day, one by one players failed to match his total. Needing an 85 to force a play off, Olly Dickman dropped five shots over the last three holes to surrender the Championship.

Josh Turner (1994)

Living in Vietnam

Josh returned to Vietnam after his studies and now lives in Hoi An with his wife and three children. He is involved with delivering high end contracts for projects in Vietnam. One of the recent ones involved bringing the F1 Grand Prix to Hanoi in 2020 although sadly the pandemic put paid to that – for the time being at least. He still keeps in touch with a number of OAs from his cohort including Jonny Ashenhurst, Ross Stacey, Nick Davis and Alex Woodford.

Laughton, (1998) Birth of son

Family reunion – Richard with his father (OA 1949) and brother

Art scholar 1981

Judge Dredd – the shape of things to come

Noah Price (left) and Charlie HowardHiggins (right)

Josh with his wife and family

Nick, Cherie and Hudson

With Chase Carey re the F1 deal in Hanoi

Singapore GP 2019 with Alex Woodford and Johnny Ashenhurst

Caroline Thorne (née Wharton) (1999)

Recent wedding

Photo Caroline and Luke’s wedding with stepdaughter Maisie

Congratulations to Caroline and Luke on their wedding last autumn. The wedding took place on November 5th at Crowcombe Court in Taunton.

Maddie Eckert (2002)

Birth of twins

summer’s day (July 16th). Amongst the many guests were 13 OAs including her siblings Hugo, Louisa, Gavin and James Mayhew; plus wider family members cousins, Kim Richardson and Anthony Mayhew. Then there were her close friends including Lucy Nichol (née Foster), Lucy Dent (née Marriott), Letty Walton, Tania Denehy (née Richardson) , Holly Catto, Imi Callf and Alexander Darley. After the wedding her parents held a reception at Broomham farm – conveniently just around the corner!

Georgie and Alex now live in Ripe and work from home. Georgie is a graphic designer, specialising in building brands for clients whilst her husband works in property for Knight Frank.

Lucy Morgan, née Foster (2003)

Recent wedding.

Meghan Reed (2011) Diversity and inclusion

Since graduating with her Masters in 2020, Meghan has been appointed as Director of Innovation at Diversity and Ability (D&A). She now leads all training and innovations at D&A, including managing the Inclusion Specialist and Needs Assessments team.

She has spent the last five years learning and working in diversity and inclusion. This has involved facilitating workshops, designing courses, creating resources, conducting large scale consultancy, and also physical accessibility and website audits. In the last year her work has taken her to Lithuania, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. Recent projects have seen her collaborate with key stakeholders at a vast range of organisations. These have included the UN World Food Programme, Utilita Energy, Innovate UK, Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), Fujitsu, Dyson, Transport for London, Department for Transport, Russell group universities and the NHS Leadership Academy.

During the lead up to Christmas 2022, Meghan led a team to deliver the inaugural ‘What Inclusion Looks Like’ conference. This was a two-day event which was held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole and it was here that she launched the world’s first digital accessibility passport; AXS Passport.

Congratulations to Maddie and Tim who welcomed identical twin girls, Ela and Daphne, into the world on 23rd December. All are doing well.

Dr Siobhan Gardiner (2003)

Recent wedding

Siobhan and Edward

Congratulations to Siobhan and her husband Edward on their wedding last year. It took place in Milton Keynes in March. In addition to sister Moni (2013) who was present, Verity Williams (2003) was Siobhan’s Maid of Honour.

Georgie Collins, (née

Recent wedding

Congratulations to Lucy and Gareth Morgan on their recent wedding. They got married on 21st May 2022 at St Mary’s Church, Glynde. In addition to her siblings, Louise Nichol, John, Charles and Harry, there were a number of OAs present including Lucy Dent (née Marriott), Letty Walton and Georgie Collins (née Mayhew). The couple now live in Brockley, SE London. Gareth is a creative director at an adverting agency, and Lucy has recently left her career in fashion to take care of their young daughter.

Libby Minister (née Hyder) (2008)

Birth of son

Social justice and equity for disabled students continues to form a huge part of Meghan’s work. She works closely with teachers and head teachers both in the UK and internationally to provide training on conducting disability needs assessments and implementing effective assistive technology. Most recently she has delivered this work to teachers in Kenya, Mauritius, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tonga, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Ethiopia, Grenada and Dominica.

Meghan believes that the nurturing and enabling environment created at St Andrews so inspirationally demonstrated by the late Joyce Taylor provided the foundations needed to work in such a fast-paced and ever-changing role. She is also hugely grateful for the opportunities she had whilst at St Andrew’s.

Scott Williams (2016) Gappie 2022

It has been good to welcome back Scott as a gappie for the first two terms of 2022. He unfortunately sustained an injury during his gap year commission with the army that forced him to postpone his training. He now moves on to Bath University where he will read Chemistry. All being well he will return to RMA Sandhurst after graduating in order to complete the army’s officer training course. We wish him well.

Can you name them?

Answers to claughton@ standrewsprep.co.uk

Were you in this production of ‘ The Emperor’s New Clothes’ in 1999?

Maddie and the twins

Mayhew) (2003)

Lucy and Gareth’s wedding.

Minister junior

Georgie’s wedding with Tania Denehy, Lucy Dent, Lettie Walton and Louise Nichol

Congratulations to Georgie and Alex on their wedding last year. It took place at All Saints Church (Laughton) on a beautiful

After getting married in August 2021, Libby and Matthew welcomed their first son in December 2022. Matthew is very much looking forward to starting his role as Director of Studies at St Andrews this April.

thE school to Day

So how does St Andrew’s compare to the Prep School you remember? For alumni who attended after the war up until the merger with Ascham in the late 1970s, the answer is ‘hugely.’ For younger OAs who completed their education in the last twenty years, less so, but still significantly.

Today’s school numbers 365 pupils in total, with 239 in the main Prep school, 55 in the Pre-Prep and 71 in the Nursery. The Pre-Prep is housed in the Casson Building (adjacent to the swimming pool) which was opened in 1985 whilst the Nursery is located in the Lodge which was formerly the girls boarding house. There is even a baby room now for youngsters aged just nine months!

The decline in the popularity for boarding saw the introduction of ‘flexi-boarding’ where a child boards for one or more nights in the week – usually on an evening where they have a hobby after tea. A large proportion of our boarders are from overseas and we have frequently had pupils from at least a dozen countries. We also have a significant number of ‘short stay’ boarders from a number of European countries (particularly Spain) who come for just a term or two. Such is the success of this scheme that pupils often extend their stay to a full year and we have even seen a number then remain in the UK for their secondary education as well.

A gradual change has also seen the number of girls in the school rise steadily over the years. From the initial cohort who joined the school in 1976, their numbers have risen dramatically and, in the current academic year, we have reached a watershed where numbers of girls now equal those of the boys within the school. Matched with this is the number of female staff; our staff room now comprises three-quarters women and one quarter men which is a direct reversal of the ratios the school had in the 1980s.

The pastoral system of the school has also seen a massive change. The ‘Set system,’ such an integral part of St Andrew’s, underwent a seismic shift in 2008 when the then head, Jeremy Griffith, moved from a vertically grouped system to a horizontal one. So now a child has a different form tutor for each year of their Prep school career. Many of the staff and parents viewed this move with scepticism at the time but it has proved to be a much better system. Tutors get to know their tutees far better and children experience a variety of styles and characters which offers a much better preparation for the years that lie ahead in their secondary education. Pupils from the early 70s and earlier will remember that there were just eight sets in the school then: Arcos, Bankers, Lions, Nomads, Recurrers, Rovers, Sea Kings and VCs. The merger with Ascham saw four more Sets introduced, namely Downs, Eagles, Stags and Vincents. Such was the popularity and success of the school under Hugh Davies-Jones’ tenure the school grew to reach a size of 480 pupils in the late 1990s and

this led to three new Sets being established… Colstocks, Richardsons and Magyars. The pastoral system was subsequently tweaked by Simon Severino HM who introduced a ‘house system’ in 2012. So now each child is placed in one of the four houses (Arcos, Rovers, Sea Kings or VCs) when they join the school. They remain within this group throughout their entire time in the school and the house competition sees them compete against each other for industry and behaviour much the same as the Sets did previously.

Today’s curriculum is a much broader one and pupils now receive lessons in drama, PSHE, IT and ‘mind matters’ to accompany their main studies. In addition to this the children then select from a range of ‘co-curricular’ activities which run during the late afternoon. Saturday school, with lessons in the morning and matches in the afternoon, has gone and in its place is a programme of voluntary activities that the children can attend for all or part of the morning. This term’s programme offers children a choice of over twenty activities including ones such as golf, squash, current affairs and Spanish. Another big change took place four years ago with the introduction of the Bridge Curriculum. This comprises a series of modules that pupils study during Years 7 and 8. These are continually assessed and the results achieved replace the formal assessment that took place previously at 13 in the Common Entrance exams. Seniors in the school are also given their own iPad which is used in their studies during Y7 and Y8. The Bridge Curriculum was, in part, a con -

sequence of the merger that took place in 2009 between St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College. This resulted in both schools uniting as one charity, on two sites, but with one over-arching governing body. And whilst many might see this as an erosion of the independence that the prep school enjoyed over the majority of its existence, the sad reality is that the traditional ‘stand-alone’ prep school has become an increasingly vulnerable species in today’s competitive market of independent education. Coupled with the merger there has been greater and greater co-operation across the charity which sees some staff teaching in both schools during their week. Another change that has just taken place during this academic year is that the term dates for both schools now coincide.

‘Support’ within the school has changed massively over the years driven by the greater understanding and appreciation of a pupil’s individual needs and their own profile. Departments that simply did not exist in the prep school of yesteryear are now an integral part of today’s establishments. So now any school worth its salt will have its own specialist heading up the EAL, EFL and wellbeing departments. St Andrew’s has gone further though with the introduction of the ‘listening service’ two years ago. We now have a panel of twelve staff, trained to support children, and any child is able to book a private meeting with one of those teachers if they have a concern or worry they would like to share or seek advice on.

The Children Act of 1989 brought with it a whole raft of changes and laws that no school could ignore and every governing body must

Carpentry

Chapel classroom

Old gym upstairs

Plunge pool

Hilton Dormitory Dining Room in the 1930s

Upstairs natural history classroom

implement with regard to child protection and safeguarding. This has also seen the introduction of a whole array of acronyms that were unheard of in the ‘character-forming’ boarding schools that existed previously. So now we have DSLs with their IBPs and ILPs to go with all the other educational jargon that has sprouted in the last thirty years!

“So what has not changed and remains the same as the prep school I remember?” Well first and foremost the ethos of the school and secondly the positivity and enthusiasm of the children. Coupled with this I would say the

dedication and commitment of the staff and their willingness to ‘go the extra mile.’ Whilst our schooldays may or may not have been the best days of our life, I’m sure that many of us can recall one or more of our teachers whom we admired and respected; grateful that we were taught by them and the wisdom and influence they effected. Then as now, St Andrew’s is fortunate to have some outstanding teachers who really know their charges and ‘what makes them tick.’ I’m sure it was true for many previous generations of Androvians and it certainly still applies to today’s pupils that the majority

The Androvian Magazine and the School Website

Change has also come to both of the above in the last year. Firstly, the Androvian magazine is no longer being printed and is only available now in ELECTRONIC form. You can easily view it though by going to the school website https://standrewsprep.co.uk and then clicking on the What’s on/ News toolbar near the top right hand corner. Secondly, you will notice that the OA section of the school website is no longer available for the moment. Last summer the Charity decided to

switch to Toucan Tech as the platform for both the College and St Andrew’s websites. This will afford a number of significant advantages in the long run and will create an online community with much greater connectivity and information for all members of the charity be they pupils, parents OEs or OAs. The OA section of the school website will be re-instated in due course but, for the time being, please be patient. The revised website will be similar to the Eastbournian Society’s website in that you will be able to access

recognise how very fortunate they are to attend St Andrew’s and what a special school it is to be a member of.

Whilst my view might be considered a little biased, a more objective assessment of today’s school can be obtained by reading one of the recent reports that appear in publications such as The Good Schools Guide https://www. goodschoolsguide.co.uk/schools/st-andrewsprep-eastbourne#tab_review and also Muddy Stilettos https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/schoolreviews/st-andrews-prep-eastbourne-2/

a digital archive of past Androvian magazines and OA newsletters in due course.

If you are an OE you may well have already re-registered as a member of the Eastbournian Society. If not, then I would urge you to do so as you will then start to reap the benefits of the Toucan Tech platform.

Some of the many advantages include:

• building your online profile

• expanding your network

• signing up for events

• reading back copies of our magazine

• sharing your news

• accessing the archives

• becoming a regular giver

• advertising vacant positions and recruitments

• adding your company to our business directory

• finding old friends

• uploading photos

• accessing our social media platforms

• joining the Devonshire Society and

• buying merchandise.

Sports Hall

Pavilion

Beach school

Dance Studio

Swimming pool

Senior lesson with iPads

Forest school

Boarding house

DTI

o bituariEs

As well as the obituaries for Old Androvians printed below, we have received news of a number of Old Aschamians that have died in recent years. These include the following: His Honour Graham John Boal KC (1957), David John Goucher (1977), Christopher Langridge Harris (1948), Bryan Whitfield Johns (1947), Hamish Duncan Meikle (1950), Edward (Ted) Andrews Parkinson (1948), Christopher (Kit) John Peake (1950) and David John Weight (1950). The Obituaries for all these Old Aschamians can be found in the latest copy of the Old Eastbournian magazine. To read these online, go to: https://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/

Stephen Abbott

We were all shocked and saddened to hear the news that Stephen had died very suddenly on August 2nd 2022.

Stephen came to St Andrew’s in 1985 and was appointed as both Head of History and also the boys housemaster. His relaxed and informal style made him a popular member of staff both in the boarding house as well as his classroom. In the late 1980s boarding was very much on a ‘high’ and, with the house full on all three floors, Stephen and Pia had their work cut out looking after no less than 90 boys as well as their own three children. The fact that the boarding house was such a warm and welcoming retreat for the boys says much about the happy home they created for their ‘extended family.’ With boarders from all parts of the world it really was pretty much an ’open all hours’ policy with parents calling at a time that suited them – even if that was early morning or late into the evening! The internet was not long established and emailing was only just beginning to take off. Stephen was also a very capable sportsman and somehow managed to find enough energy to run around the field each afternoon and coach the boys, very successfully, at 2nd team level in all four sports. He was also a very accomplished drama teacher and in his last two years he produced and directed three very successful musicals. Firstly Oliver in 1991, followed by Carousel and C inderella in 1992. Such was his charm and persuasion that he even managed to get the manager of Dire Straits, Ed Bicknell, to come and play drums in the band that accompanied the cast at each production! At a time when being a housemaster in a large boarding school was seen as an excellent apprenticeship to headship, Stephen followed in succession of a number of his predecessors and went off to become head at Dover College Prep in 1993. That phase of his career meant that he taught less and less and whilst he achieved his goal of leading a school, he stepped back from that role a few years later and returned to what he loved and excelled at, namely teaching within the classroom and in the drama studio, and taught history at St Richard’s College in Bexhill.

Minnesota and studied in the States for the next three years. His studies included fieldwork in the arable lands of the Red River Valley in western Minnesota, the orange groves of Florida and finally the rice growing area of Sacramento Valley in California. In the mid 1970s he returned home and joined RHM Agriculture selling animal feedstuffs and arable products. He then went on to qualify as an agronomist, advising farmers on crop production techniques. Over the years the names on the door changed a few times to Dalgety then Masstock and subsequently Agrii (UK) Ltd. In his time with the latter he was a senior agronomist and worked with the technical and R&D departments. He settled in Wargrave on Thames with his partner Sarah and in retirement he was able to devote more time to his hobbies of fishing (fly and sea) and skiing. He also kept in touch with a number of his OA contemporaries and would attend the reunions organised by Crispin McCreadie whenever possible.

Robert died in February 2022 as a result of a heart attack. I am grateful to Crispin McCreadie (1964) for alerting me to this fact and for also furnishing me with much of the above information.

Nicholas Cope (1962)

Nicholas started at St Andrew’s in the Summer of 1957. St Andrew’s was very much a family choice as his father, uncle, brother and cousin also attended the school. He loved his sport and not only represented the school in all the 1st teams but gained his colours (and caps) in all four sports. He was also an excellent shot and won both the U13 and U14 cups as well as being a prominent member of the 1st VIII. He also made his mark in fives (Rugby pair), swimming (ASA medallist) and athletics (3rd in U11, U13 and open sports competitions). He rose to become Head of Set (Arcos) and 2nd Head of School in his last year. He then went on to Harrow in September 1962. He died very suddenly and unexpectedly on March 7th 2022 at his home in Colchester. He and his wife, Elizabeth moved there in 1971. He served as a Councillor for the local Council for 28 years and never lost an election. One of his proudest achievements was that of being elected mayor of the town in 2019. He was also devoted to his family and he and Elizabeth have four children and ten grandchildren – all of whom miss him greatly.

With thanks to Elizabeth Silverwood-Cope, Nicholas’ wife, for providing much of the above information.

Richard Harding (1957)

Richard arrived at St Andrew’s in 1953, aged seven. He boarded as the family were living in Rio de Janeiro at the time where his father was the finance director of Shell Brazil. Holidays and exeats were usually spent with relatives, godparents and school friends as he was only able to get back to South America for part of the summer break.

Robert Annan (1962)

Chris Laughton

In retirement he was able to enjoy travelling as well as his expanding family which now included three grandchildren. Sadly, it was not to be the long and relaxing retirement he so richly deserved. He also had to endure two lengthy recuperations in recent years after major surgery. But the suddenness of his passing, followed a shock diagnosis for another unrelated condition. It was a bombshell to all who knew him; but most especially to his immediate family to whom we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences.

Robert joined St Andrew’s in the summer of 1958. He was a keen sportsman and member of Lions set under Jack Bryan. He was also a capable Athlete and the Sports Day report for 1962 recorded that he came 3rd in both the U12 200yd race and long jump and 2nd in the high jump. The following term he played for the 2nd XI soccer team and his speed and tackling made him a prominent member of that team. It is thought that he left at the end of 1962 although, for some reason, his valete did not appear in the Androvian magazine? He went on to Shiplake College and then took to a career in agriculture spending two years working on farms to begin with. One of these was owned by the Liddell family and at one stage he found himself working alongside Bill Durlacher (1961).

He went on to study agriculture, firstly at a college in Lincolnshire for two years. Then he was accepted onto a course at the University of

He was a keen sportsman and played for the 1sts in both rugby and hockey as well as the 2nd team in cricket and soccer. He was also a capable boxer and fives player coming runner-up in the light heavyweight contest and winning the fives pairs competition in his last year. He then went on to Tonbridge School but left at the end of his lower sixth year and went to Grenoble to polish up his French. After running out of money he returned, rather ignominiously, on a moped and was encouraged by his father to train and become a chartered accountant. He did his articles at Deloittes and then went to Cranfield to become one of their youngest MBAs before working as a consultant for Cooper Brothers.

Richard married Marianne in London in 1969 and they then moved to Manchester where they had two children, Annabel and Andrew. There Richard was invited to join the investment bankers Chancery Trust as a main board director. When Chancery were sold to Arbuthnot Latham

Nicholas Cope 1962 1st XI Cricket

Nicholas as Mayor of Colchester (courtesy of Colchester Borough Council)

Richard Harding 3rd XI 1956

in 1976 he remained with the merchant bankers for another three years before joining Slaters Food Products, the sausage makers, as their Finance Director. He then became chairman of Bainbridge Engineering which he acquired for a pound, turned around and sold. Next, he was chairman and controlling shareholder of Metz International, importing vast quantities of plimsolls and stripping out surplus costs. He was the very model of a modern venture capitalist.

Sport and recreation played an essential part in Richard’s adult life. He played hockey for Cheam and squash for Sutton. A certain James Hunt was also a member of the latter club and Richard recalled that, for away fixtures, the team would all cram into James’ Ford Anglia and then be driven there at terrifying speed. He was also a very good skier and volunteered as a guide for 40 years from the founding of the British Ski Club for the Disabled.

As well as playing golf and tennis he also played real tennis. He was a member of the Manchester Tennis and Racquets Club for many years and his name appears on the honours boards there. He often generously lent his property in Salford Quays to visiting players. He represented the club in the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club’s Boomerang Cup in 1995 where the team were runners up. He and his partner won the handicap doubles event, Richard competing for EVERY point.

He firmly believed that you created your own luck in life and whilst he was incredibly successful in his career he was also amazingly generous. He supported a number of the clubs he played for with sizeable donations that ensured that various projects could go ahead. In 1992 he met Judith and moved to Mallorca where they built a beautiful traditional farmhouse. He concentrated on the development of Judith’s antiques business and expanded it to include imported antiques from India.

In 2002 he was invited to acquire control of Channel Island Products which supplied plants to its sister company, Four Oaks Nursery, to be grown on in Cheshire. In the early years he wanted to return the business from receivership to profitability and extricate himself as quickly as he had so often done previously. This proved impossible and so he was involved at Four Oaks far longer than in any other business, frequently flying over from Mallorca to the UK. Eventually he sold the Guernsey enterprise but not before he had built it up into a successful business which continues to this day.

Richard’s robust health declined in 2017, when he had overdue heart surgery. He was subsequently diagnosed with dementia in 2019 and returned to Four Oaks where he was supported and cared for by his family before his death in January 2022. He will be greatly missed.

With thanks to Richard’s family for sending me a copy of his eulogy.

Chris Laughton

Christopher Harrison joined St Andrew’s in the Autumn of 1949. He was a keen sportsman and represented the school in cricket, soccer and rugby at 2nd team level. In hockey, he played for the 1st XI and also gained his colours. He was an excellent shot and gymnast and captained the 1st VII and PT teams. In his final year he was appointed a Special and also Head of Set (Sea Kings) and moved on to Wellington in the Spring term of 1955. On leaving school he joined the Royal Engineers, and after time at Sandhurst Military Academy he went on to Emmanuel College Cambridge to study civil engineering.

After graduating he worked on dams in South Africa and Great Britain before going to McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada for a couple of years to achieve an MBA. He then joined the North Sea oil industry working for Conoco, Burmah Oil and finally BP. His work with the latter took him to a number of countries with postings to The Netherlands, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Vietnam. His main hobbies were being a member of the TA, being very involved in the restoration project for the Wey and Arun Canal and gardening.

He was also extremely interested in military history and frequently sought out many a battlefield site. Above all else though he was a devoted family man – proud father of three children and nine grandchildren, who, along with his wife, Sylvie, miss him greatly.

With thanks to Sylvia Harrison for providing much of the above information.

Joyce Mary Taylor

Joyce was the Senior Matron at St Andrew’s between 1989 and 2002 when boarding was at its height, and there were no less than 135 boarders. As well as being a thoroughly dependable and conscientious colleague she was also a very close friend to the Reed family. Their friendship developed over the years when Joyce worked alongside Neil and Lisa in the boys boarding house. After leaving school Joyce trained to become a nurse in West Bromwich and then became a school matron at Hillstone School in Malvern. Joyce really enjoyed her work and shortly after this she moved to St Andrews to continue in this role. While at St Andrew’s Joyce gave her all to the pupils and staff members and helped make the boarding house feel like home for the numerous pupils she supported. She was always happy to chat and have a good cup of tea! Joyce, together with her partner David, loved travelling and spending time with family and friends. She also adored visiting Scotland and had many interests including wildlife, photography, gardening and crafts. She was a great host and listener and will always be remembered for her sunny disposition and zest for life. She was ever the optimist and never deterred even in the face of adversity. Sadly Joyce did not enjoy the best of health in retirement and after surgery just before Christmas she became very poorly. She died on January 9th 2023, aged 67. She will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to spend time with her.

With thanks to the Reed family who collectively wrote this appreciation.

Richard Gordon Lombe Taylor (1940)

Richard arrived at St Andrews school with a cousin of his (John Taylor) in 1936. He spoke very fondly of his time there and in his recollections said that “the school had very good facilities including extensive playing fields, a rifle range, both Eton and Rugby fives courts and a large asphalt roller skating area which included a dangerous S-bend! “The Brothers Blogg, skilled men, ran the carpentry workshop and taught me how to use all the tools from any early age.” During his time at St Andrew’s he was a prominent sportsman and represented the school at 1st team level in all four sports, two years running. He was also a first class shot as well as a talented fives player (winning the junior doubles twice and the senior doubles once). He vividly remembered the school having to be evacuated to Thurlestone in his final term when the threat of invasion became too great. He then went to Harrow and was a member of Elmfield House which had been run previously by Mr Cyril Browne, a former teacher at St Andrew’s. His early years at St Andrews taught him how to survive the rigours of both Harrow and then the navy where he did his national service on minesweepers. He then went up to Trinity Cambridge to read agriculture and spent the rest of his working life improving the yields of crops whilst also looking after the wider environment, planting many acres of woodland. In 1952 he married Patricia Barne and they had three children, Anna, Julian and Oliver. They subsequently gained nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They were married for 69 years living and farming happily in South Norfolk. He had may interests which included fishing, rifle shooting, game shooting, tennis, skiing, curling, bird watching and gardening. He kept himself very fit until the last few months. Patricia and he enjoyed holidays around the world but particularly those they took in Scotland. He was incredibly involved in many local organisations but especially the church. This included being chairman of the parish council for 20 years and churchwarden for 50 years. He was also chairman and/or president on many boards including The Waveney Valley Drainage board, Norfolk Branch of the CLA, Norfolk Rural Community Council, Norfolk Accident and Rescue Service, Norwich Diocese Glebe Committee and a South Norfolk tax commissioner. He was also a deputy lieutenant and was High Sherriff of Norfolk in 1983.

He is survived by his wife Patricia, all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, friends and farming associates.

With thanks to Julian Taylor, Richard’s son, for providing much of the above information.

Christopher Harrison (1954)

Richard Taylor 1st XI 1939

the sC hoo L y ear 2022

As well as the 24 scholarships won by members of Y8 ( 7 x academic, 1 x art, 3 x drama, 2 x all-rounder, 2 x music and 9 x sports) the school was shortlisted in multiple categories for the 2022 Independent School of the Year award. It was ‘highly commended’ for Originality in teaching music and the arts by Muddy Stilettos and was also a finalist in the International Student Experience awards.

Three girls were selected and cast in productions in the West End of London, Glyndebourne and the London’s Children’s Ballet Company.

The school has had another highly successful year

On the sports front we had success in many arenas with the U11 Girls Hockey team reaching the IAPS finals, the U10 Girls Tennis team being crowned Sussex county champions and the 1st iv Shooting team winning the St Patrick’s shield once again. Individual success came in the form of Becky Hao, Dan Caroe and Nathan Burge becoming national champions in their respective events ( U12 Girls backstroke, U13 Boys Table Tennis and U13 100m ). A visual record of some of the achievements and events of the last year are shown below.

Becky won gold at the IAPS National Swimming Finals

SA family bbq

Class of 2022 – our newest OAs

Nathan wins U13 Boys 100m National Final

Max was selected for Chelsea FC Academy

Colour fun run

Summer Serenade – junior recorders club

First science experiment for Y5 in the lab

Tom Hecks breaking the school high jump record

Middles performing Mary Poppins

Nursery Grandparents Tea

Middles dressed up for World Book Day

U13A boys table tennis team crowned Sussex Champions

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with the Queen Platinum Jubilee

Ski trip to Andorra

Senior pupils take part in the Eastbourne College Steeplechase Year 8 at the Leavers ball

Superhero Day in the Pre Prep Winning the St Patrick’s (shooting) shield again – after almost 50 years