Journal Sherborne Old Girls
No. 53 – 2019
www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls
No. 53 – 2019
Contents
Editorial Team Fiona James Anna Anthony Tim Gibson Executive Committee
Design and print Shelleys the Printers
The Old Girls Office Sherborne Girls Bradford Road Sherborne
President Lucy Jameson
1925 – 1965
Daphne MaGuire (Thomson)
1966 – 1970
Anne Whatley-Smith (Agnew)
Presidents Emeritae Mrs Geraldine Kerton-Johnson Miss June Taylor Mrs Jenny Dwyer
1971 – 1975
Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey)
1976 – 1980
Jane Digby (Auer)
1981 – 1985
Emma Burrows
1986 – 1990
Antonia Foster (Plant)
Vice-Presidents Mrs Patricia Barker Miss Augusta Miller Miss Sheila Powell Dr Hassan Qasrawi
1991 – 1995
Alexandra White
1996 – 2000
Alexa Ramsay (Laryea)
2001 – 2005
Tess Cavendish
2006 – 2010
Alex Pentolfe
2011 – 2015
Louise Moseley
2016 – 2020
Imogen Andrews
1
From the Chairman
1
2019 Old Girls Day & AGM
2
From the President
3
From the Headmistress
4
Executive Committee
SOG Charity
6
Congratulations
6
Chairman Alexandra White
Candlelight Bursaries
7
Obituaries
8
Golf
14
Births, Marriages & Deaths
16
New SOG Members 2019
18
Daughters and Granddaughters of OGs
18
Circle News
19
Careers Networking Service
24
Features
32
Peer Group News
37
University Visits
51
T: 01935 818329 F: 01935 818310 E: oldgirls@sherborne.com
Peer Group News: Reunions
52
School News
54
www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls
News from Honorary Members
56
Sherborne Old Girls
IBC
Sherborne Girls Alumnae
Sherborne Girls
Peer Group Co-ordinators
From the Secretary
Dorset DT9 3QN
Sherborne Old Girls
The cover photo of Old Girl Ruth Rogers W’97 was taken at a concert she kindly gave in the newly opened Merritt Centre in April 2019.
Treasurer Lindsay Taylor Secretary Fiona James oldgirls@sherborne.com Peer Group Co-ordinators’ Representative Nicki Lewis oldgirls@sherborne.com Circle Secretaries’ Co-ordinator Jane Nicholson oldgirls@sherborne.com Co-opted Member Emily Palmer Ramus oldgirls@sherborne.com Headmistress Ruth Sullivan headmistress@sherborne.com Senior Management Team Representative Katherine Massey k.massey@sherborne.com
Trustees of Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund June Taylor, Joanna Gornall (Mrs Wright), Helen McLuskie (Mrs Garton) All correspondence should be addressed to: Miss June Taylor, Flat 4 Palliser Court, Palliser Road, London W14 9ED Development Officer Laura Windsor development@sherborne.com
Sherborne Old Girls Office, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN Tel: 01935 818329 Email: oldgirls@sherborne.com www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls Main school tel: 01935 812245 Email: office@sherborne.com
Sherborne Girls Alumnae
Sherborne Girls
From
From
Fiona James
Alexandra White A’95
T H E S E C R E TA R Y Welcome to the 2019 edition of the Journal. As was the case last year, we have produced the Journal using an in-house editorial team, with the Executive Committee taking overall responsibility for the editorial content. 2018 saw our busiest programme of events and this continued in 2019. If you came to an event, I do hope you enjoyed it, especially if it is the first one you have been to and we would love to see you again. As always, please do get in touch if you have any feedback or comments. I do hope you will be able to join us for our next AGM, which will be held on Thursday, 30 April 2020 at the Union Jack Club, London. Your invitation is included with this Journal. Our careers programme continues to grow and strengthen. It is testament to the strong bonds of friendship between Old Girls that we continue to have a strong panel of alumnae. Our coaching programme has been extended to those who have had a career break and are now looking at returning to the workplace. You can read more about this on page 24. We have received a large amount of news, which we are delighted about, and we have tried to include as much as possible. Please do keep sending us your news; it is always fascinating and inspiring to read about the achievements and roles undertaken by Old Girls. I hope you will enjoy reading the articles and news included in this Journal. Thank you for your continued support and all good wishes for 2020.
THE CHAIRMAN It was wonderful to see so many of you at the AGM in May, to celebrate the opening of the extraordinary Merritt Centre. With the official opening of Gussie and Gill’s rooms, a short concert from the girls and the opportunity to sing Evensong in the Abbey at the end of the day, it really was a wonderful celebration of Sherborne life. It has been a real pleasure to meet so many of you at other events this year. The strength of friendships forged at school is always striking, as is the easy conversation between Old Girls from very different eras who have so much shared experience despite the years that separate their time at Sherborne. This is a very special and valuable organisation. Over the next year we are delighted to be extending our coaching programme to work with Old Girls who have had career breaks for a number of reasons, supporting them in their return to work. We will also be continuing our work to set up careers networking events for alumnae, joint with the boys’ school. We have a large number of reunion events in the calendar already, as well as regional events kindly organised by the Circle Secretaries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who give freely of their time to make these happen. Sherborne Old Girls is an organisation that truly aims to serve all of our members and we would very much like to hear from you if you have ideas on what we could do differently. Enjoy the Journal and I look forward to meeting you during the year.
1
2019
SHERBORNE O L D G I R L S D AY & A G M This year we held our Old Girls Day and AGM on Saturday, 11 May in the
new Merritt Centre at Sherborne Girls. The Centre is named after
Gwendoline ‘Queenie’ Merritt, a former member of domestic staff at
Sherborne Girls, who bequeathed her entire estate to the school. 2
Vicky Talbot Rice K’80 writes: I remember Queenie – she was a part of Kenelm. She had the unenviable job of cleaning up our boarding house… and our duty was not to get in her way and to allow her to do her work! At the start of every term, she was there to welcome us with a bowl of tomato soup, two Jacob’s cream crackers and a piece of cheddar wrapped in plastic. I often wondered what it was like for her to have to clean up after a lot of noisy undomesticated girls. I also suspect we would sometimes have taken Queenie for granted. Why didn’t she resent having to clean up after our muddy lacrosse boots, dirty basins and scummy baths? I wondered how Queenie
got her name. Was it because she had a regal bearing? I asked my housemistress at the time, and dear Mrs Hall told me that sometimes people named Victoria were called Queenie, so I imagined Queenie was another Victoria, like myself. I just remembered her quiet dignity. It turns out Queenie carried a secret. Forty years later, I receive a call from fellow Old Girl Gill Buzzard (Blenkinsop) DH’62 to say that the new arts centre is ready and will be known as The Merritt Centre, named after a long-serving member of the housekeeping team who left her entire estate to Sherborne Girls. And Gwendoline Merritt was Queenie! What an amazingly generous thing to do! Celebratory drinks
followed, before the Reverend Canon Joanna Udal K’82 led grace and we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch. After that, we visited our old houses under the guidance of current pupils and I was especially pleased to be given a tour of Reader Harris by my niece, Kate. In the afternoon, Old Girls joined the school choir conducted by John Jenkins who took over from Gussie as Head of Music. We joined choir practice then sang Evensong in the Abbey. It was wonderful to sing in the Abbey again and with the words of John Rutter’s famous anthem resonating in our minds – ‘May the Lord Bless You and Keep You’ – we parted in our different directions, all feeling thoroughly blessed.
From
3
THE PRESIDENT Lucy Jameson AE’89
As always, it is a pleasure to look through the pages of the Journal and be reminded of the great friendships that Sherborne Girls inspires. It has been one of the busiest years on record for SOG, with many reunions, events and old friendships rekindled. In my own case, it was fantastic to return to Sherborne after 30 years to reconnect and reminisce with many brilliant women and find out what they have been up to since 1989. One of the best features of the Old Girls network is the support we can provide for each other, particularly in
careers. It’s fantastic to see Sherborne alumnae encouraging each other, and the next generation, to develop their careers. Careers that are stimulating, rewarding and, in many cases, improve the world around us. The desire to make a difference to our communities seems to be an enduring feature of Sherborne Girls, across the generations. This year, one of the new ways in which we’ve supported alumnae is by extending our coaching programme to people who are returning to work after a career break. So many brilliant women take time
out to have children or look after ageing parents and then struggle to return to the world of work. We hope the coaching programme will have a really positive effect on the individuals, the organisations they end up working for and society more widely. At heart, that’s what this network is about. Connecting people, giving back and supporting the next generation. It’s what you’ll see time and time again on the pages that follow. Women doing brilliant things. I hope it inspires you as much as it does me.
From
THE HEADMISTRESS 4
Ruth Sullivan AW’91
In these extracts from her 2019 Commemoration Speech, Dr Ruth Sullivan reflects on a year of success for Sherborne Girls. At a recent Girls’ Schools Association conference, new Heads like me were asked to provide one adjective to capture their first year in post. Words included relentless, exhausting, unexpected, and demanding. Mine was “phenomenal”. This has been a truly energising year, primarily because of our pupils: their passion, determination, kindness, inquisitiveness, and wonderful sense of humour. Sherborne Girls’ strong sense of community is palpable from the moment you step into our school and I am frequently
complimented on its unique and wonderful atmosphere. Here are some highlights from the last academic year: 100 new pupils joined the school in September, all welcomed via the Glee Cup which involved sporting and logic challenges, teamwork, house spirit and girls painting pictures of their Housemistresses/Housemasters in a one-minute time limit using a pen held in their mouths! Student-led initiatives included EdClub, Eco Council, Battle of the Bands and
Unplugged music. Sixth formers presented at the Turing Society and Chemistry Symposium on Nanotechnology in medicine. A pupil was shortlisted for the Hart Prize for Human Rights with her essay: ‘How important is the international community in improving the human rights of people living in different countries, and why?’ A pupil spoke to the school about the Criminal Justice System, one was longlisted from 500 for the New Views Playwrights Competition and others spoke about the volunteer organisation Missing Maps.
Events for careers in Law, the City and Finance took place and we stretched and challenged many pupils as we hosted Cracking the Code. Twelve girls received interviews for Oxford and Cambridge; 41 girls presented Extended Essays and Extended Project Qualifications along with their peers from Sherborne School; the Middle Fifth promoted products for sale as part of their business challenge and 24 girls achieved their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. Outreach and fundraising activities included helping children with reading, sport and science, stewarding at a Glitter Run, a 24-hour charity dance marathon, supporting young people in slum areas in India, involvement in Sherborne’s Patient Participation Group, plus the normal cake bakes and mufti days. We hosted and won the Academy of Ideas and the Debating Matters Dorset Championships. In April, we launched Operation Future Hope: a unique, trailblazing, rewilding project. Drama productions included the stunning Wizard of Oz, an incredible joint schools’ production of Evita, and an
especially imaginative interpretation of James and the Giant Peach. The girls performed Tom Wells’s Stuff, one of 10 brand-new plays written especially for National Theatre Connections, both here at school and at the Theatre Royal, Bath. The Madrigals and Sherborne School Choir performed alongside the Bath Camerata, Quintabile sang Christmas carols on Cheap Street, we enjoyed a fantastic joint schools concert at Sherborne School, choirs from both schools participated in a superb performance of Verdi’s Requiem at Wells Cathedral, and two girls sang with the Bach Choir at the Royal Festival Hall. Seventy-seven pupils from both schools were confirmed in the Abbey, where we also celebrated a beautiful Candlemas service. In April, The Merritt Centre was finally completed, and has been used extensively since: Old Girl Ruth Rogers wowed a full house; 56 pupils performed an extravaganza on 24 new pianos; TEDxSherborne took place with girls presenting, performing slam poetry, DJing or acting in a devised drama piece involving pupils from
Sherborne School, The Gryphon and Leweston. Sherborne Girls fielded 80 teams across 17 different sports in more than 500 fixtures. Every pupil from Lower Fourth to Middle Fifth had the opportunity to represent the school. We qualified for national finals in two major team events: the Investec England Hockey School Girls Plate at the Olympic Park and the English Schools Athletics Association Cross Country race in Shropshire. Our Intermediate Athletics team secured their best result for 30 years as regional finalists. Our skiers performed brilliantly in the British Schoolgirl Races in France, winning nine medals and a trophy. The breadth of the girls’ involvement is truly incredible, creating a successful year across all areas of school life. Pupils, parents and staff should all feel truly proud of these achievements. We can all hold on to the words of Sonia Gandhi: “Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.”
5
SOG
GIVING
by Lucy Bateman (Oliff) AE’87
6
Thank you from Kivukoni School!
The SOG’s SHAMBA (Kiswahili word for a small farm) was finally finished last holiday. Covered with shade net to protect plants from the intense sun and the many interesting critters and creatures, it has been a great success this term. The children spent many happy hours tilling the soil and planting okra, mung beans, groundnuts and sunflowers. The pleasure they got from watching them grow, safe from the hungry hands of monkeys or beaks of birds, was gratifying for all. Next week the little ones will cook the beans and chop the okra to put into a school lunch. The sunflowers featured in our school show, while the peanuts need a little longer... a treat still to come. We are hugely grateful for the support of SOG, which we hope will bring many happy planting years and inspire many little green fingers!
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O …
C H A R I TA B L E
Brenda Scheja (Rossini) W’58, on publication of her chapter in the book, Canon Law: Lawyers, Law and the Sherlockian Canon. Melanie Wray (Blake) AW’78, who was awarded an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of Kamili Organisation, for services to mental health in Kenya. Charlotte Brodhurst (Stirling) W’82, who has published her debut novel, Bitter Leaves, published under her author name, Tabatha Stirling, by Unbound. Amelia Monaghan DH’18, recently awarded a choral scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Yasmin Bye DH’14, who graduated with a First Class Honours BSc in Business Economics from the University of Leeds. Emily Davies RH’11, who won a Global Sustainability TV Award for a film that she made for her company, Silverback Films. .
CANDLELIGHT BURSARIES
Passing on the light of a Sherborne Girls education The Sherborne Girls Foundation supports the development of the school, as well as our social responsibilities. The recent focus has been fundraising for our new performing arts centre, The Merritt Centre, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped raise a staggering £2.5m. There are still a few seats to name if you would like to add your support to this inspirational new venue. We are now focused on our Candlelight Bursaries, symbolising the ‘passing on the light’ of a boarding education to disadvantaged girls. Candlelight Bursaries are full, transformational bursaries for girls whose challenging home lives mean that a boarding education can be life-changing. We aim to widen access and support girls who have the promise and character to thrive at Sherborne Girls.
We partner with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation to identify girls who would really benefit from our help. Investing in the education and well-being of the girls not only raises their aspirations but creates a wider, positive impact within their families and communities.
“Being a Candlelight Bursary recipient has changed my life. It has given me opportunities I never thought were possible. It has helped give me a different perspective, along with the tools and confidence to go on to university and have a career. I have been supported in all areas of my life, both at school and at home, by teachers and by my friends. Sherborne Girls has given me friends for life.” Chesney Taylor-Smith, Sherborne Girls, 2012-2019
Chesney is the first person in her family to have gone to university and her friends and family are incredibly proud of her, as are we!
We currently have another four girls on Candlelight Bursaries in the school and aim to increase this to at least ten girls in the school at any one time. If you would like to help us pass on the light of a Sherborne Girls education, please get in touch. Together we can change a girl’s life and give her the opportunity of a brighter future, regardless of her background. Thank you. Katherine Massey (Prideaux-Brune, A’91) Director of Development & Marketing development@sherborne.com T: 01935 818215 M: 07889 403938
OBITUARIES Eileen Mitchell (Durston-Smith)
T’37
Eileen died on 17 October 2018. Her daughter, Caroline Durston-Smith AE’63, writes about Eileen’s experience at school in the 1930s:
8
Having left the security of Bath High School in her home city, Eileen was sent away to Sherborne, supposedly to learn to stand on her own two feet. Initial settling in was not without challenge, but her advanced skills in hockey and tennis did much to help her integrate and resulted in her being fastforwarded into the first teams. Eileen enjoyed History and Languages. Her aptitude for German was helpfully developed by her conversation teacher, who set up an exchange with a girl from Düsseldorf, and so started a happy period of criss-crossing and sharing cultures. Rather diffident when it came to music skills, Eileen was somewhat surprised to find herself in the choir, and later given the task of House Music Monitor, all apparently as a result of singing lustily beside her housemistress. Eileen had enormous respect for her headmistress, Miss Stuart. Motivated by inspiring Scripture lessons, the encouragement to memorise the school psalm (Psalm 103) and the General Thanksgiving served to develop her Christian faith, especially in her later years.
Elizabeth (Libby) Parry-Jones (Melvin)
DH’47
Jennifer (Jebber) Howson (Whitaker) A’46 writes: Libby and I joined Sherborne School for Girls in September 1942, she to Dun Holme and me to Aylmar. Being in different houses, we only met in the form room or on the playing fields, but I recall that she was gifted and very good fun. After leaving Sherborne in 1946, our paths didn’t cross again until we both had teenage children. After Libby’s husband John died, my husband Trevor and I often lunched with her. She was great company and stunning to look at with her beautiful and expressive eyes. Her Thanksgiving Service in the Abbey was a fitting occasion for a special person with so much of both the Sherborne schools coursing through her veins. Libby’s daughters Kate Melvin (Avery) DH’75 and Trish Melvin (Le Flufy) DH’73 write: Our mother was part of Sherborne as Sherborne was part of her. Being born in Abbey House, where her father was Housemaster, was merely the beginning of her history in the town. Leaving school, she moved to London, where
It is always so inspiring to read the tributes sent in to us by Old Girls’ families and friends. Unfortunately, we are not able to print all of the tributes here. However, full versions are included on our website.
OBITUARIES her widowed mother was then living, to start her nursing career. On completion of her training at St Thomas’ Hospital, she became what was then known as a ‘Nightingale’, but her career was subsequently cut short by marriage to our father. As a mother to four children, she set an example of commitment and dedication in all things. Being a Housemaster’s wife in Sherborne and Headmaster’s wife in Devon, she was possibly the last of a breed who ran many aspects of school life: a career in itself. Returning to Sherborne in 1972, she set out again to make her mark. This she did in earnest, rekindling old contacts, but equally branching out and breaking new ground. To provide a timeline of her life, however, fails to acknowledge so many other achievements. For many years, in both Devon and Somerset, she served as a JP and later became Chairman of the Youth Panel in Somerset, a role she loved. She was an accomplished pianist and her love of music fired her unfailing commitment to Dorset Opera from its early days in the 1970s to the success of the present day. Perhaps most importantly and certainly something close to her heart was her role as governor to a number of schools including the Hall School and Sherborne School for Girls, a role she held from 1977 to 2002, serving as Chair of the General Purposes Committee from 1983 to 2001.
Closer to home, our mother adored entertaining and relished social events. Always generous in spirit and in soul, her unwavering sense of what was ‘right’ and what was ‘simply wrong’, her innate integrity, her resolute faith and immeasurable sense of duty remained with her until the end. Being awarded the Winifred Spooner Prize while at school had simply been the start. Venetia Peake, a former governor at Sherborne Girls, writes: I was privileged and fortunate to serve with Libby Melvin on the Sherborne Girls School Council for over 20 years, during which time we became close friends. We both particularly enjoyed meeting and working together on the General Purposes Committee, which concerns the fabric of the School. Having been a Headmaster’s wife for many years, Libby had wide experience and knowledge of school management, which was an extra bonus for the Headmistress. She took a great interest in domestic matters and was always on hand to help smooth out internal problems. Libby also attended many school concerts, plays, and events and met lots of students with their families – even long after her retirement. She is sadly missed by so very many Dorset friends.
9
OBITUARIES
Elizabeth Lovell-Hewitt (Sheed)
K’49
Elizabeth’s daughter Vicky Sheed (Prescot) T’82 writes:
10
After a brave fight with myeloma, Mummy died peacefully in July 2019. She was born in 1932. Liz, or Ekka as she was nicknamed at school, arrived at Sherborne in 1945. She was born and brought up in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and went to Sherborne, as her father’s cousin, May Christie Aldhelmsted House 1918, had been there during the First World War. During her time at Sherborne, she made friends with Ann Hopkins (Hopkins-Clarke) K’49, Jane Scott (Garratt) K’49, Gill de la Mothe (Livingstone-Learmonth) K’49 and Sally Johnson (Kühl) K’51. Liz loved her time at Sherborne and after leaving went to work in London. She married Sandy Sheed in 1957 and they had three children: Sally, James and Vicky. She lived for 60 years in Brockham Green, Surrey and very happily managed to stay in her cottage throughout her illness. Vicky also went to Sherborne and Mummy absolutely loved revisiting the school. She was a fantastic mother and grandmother to six grandchildren. She will be missed terribly.
Bridgett Greenhough (Wilson)
DH’51
Bridgett’s daughters Juliet and Emma, and friends Gillian Atkinson (Williams) T’52, Frances Boas (Bouchier) DH’53 and others write: Bridgett, a contributor to “the gaiety of nations”, had huge energy, vitality, glamour and radiance. Wherever she lived she showed interest in everything and everybody around her, with compassion, understanding and a great sense of humour. She is much missed by the many people whose lives she touched. After leaving Sherborne, she set off in her Morris Minor to South Africa and then Zimbabwe in search of adventure. She married a tobacco farmer, Frankie Anson, and subsequently returned to London. Bridgett found her niche working in the House of Commons, as administrator of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, politics becoming one of her lifelong interests. She remarried and moved near Basingstoke where she became a Borough Councillor, joined the committees of Victim Support and Relate, and worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau. She spent the last 25 years of her life back in Sherborne, giving her time and energy widely to: the Conservatives, the Joseph Weld Hospice, the Abbey, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Sherborne Literary Festival. In particular she watched out for others who had lost their homes and livelihood in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. So many people beat a path to her door to ask for help, which she gave generously and happily. To quote from the second Reading at her Memorial Service in the Abbey: “To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons; … to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation... This is to have succeeded.”
A’47
Patricia’s goddaughter, Alison Foster Taylor (Scott) A’75, sent us this tribute, written by Pat’s school friend Susan Newton (Beazley) A’46: Pat was born on 10 October 1928 and died on 27 December 2018. Her father was an officer in the Royal Air Force. During Pat’s early childhood, her father was posted to India and the family went with him. Pat used to recount many happy memories of India in Simla and Lahore. In 1945, her father became Commander-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command. At Sherborne, Pat made many lifelong friends in Aylmar including: Susan Beazley, Ann McLintock (Foster Taylor) A’47, Jan Wyndham Green (Talbot) A’46, Alison Hammill (Turner) A’48, Gill Hammill A’44, Jean Cooper (Carroll) A’47, Jean Hopkins (Hunter) A’48, Shirley Henderson (Dewes) A’48 and Jill Herrick (Winterton) A’46.
Around 10 of her friends, together with her cousin Jacqueline (Jacky) Kerr (Little) A’53 and goddaughter Alison Scott, attended her 80th birthday party. From Sherborne, Pat went to Domestic Science College and Secretarial College and from 1953–58 she worked for NATO’s Southern Headquarters in Naples. At a time when few women went to university, Pat’s real ability came to the fore later in life, first at The Economist and then the Daily Express, working for Alastair Burnet. Retirement led to a First Class Honours degree in Psychology, with the Open University. Pat was a great cook, needlewoman, reader and bridge player. Her knowledge of ballet, opera, theatre and art was impressive and she travelled extensively. She was loved by all her family and friends and was a source of inspiration to her godchildren.
OBITUARIES
Patricia Bottomley
11
OBITUARIES Ailsa Morris (McLeod)
Joan Barber (Roberts)
Ailsa’s sister Gill Morris E’55 writes:
Joan’s son, Steve, writes:
It was great having three Morris sisters in Ealhstan for a year. Ailsa was a challenge as she was so full of life, but she was a very good games player and represented the school in several teams for each of which she gained her school colours. She made the most of every opportunity on offer. The family were thrilled that so many SOGs came to her Thanksgiving Service last May.
Joan was a music teacher all of her working life. She graduated from the London Royal Academy of Music specialising in piano and violin, then taught music and general subjects in private and state schools, putting on many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas with the children. She had a handicapped son who was her whole life, as were a constant menagerie of dogs, cats and, on occasion, ducks and chickens. Sadly, Joan and her son William died on the same day, but she is survived by son Steve, his wife Jane and their son David.
E’56
12
Ailsa’s husband, Rob, writes: Rabbi Lionel Blue once said, “People never remember when you last saw them, and people never remember what you said to them, but people ALWAYS remember how you made them feel.” Ailsa had a remarkable knack of making everyone feel special. It was her warmth, generosity of spirit, open heart, mischievous sense of humour, her complete love of life and of course that joyous smile that we will all miss so terribly. “Tho’ her sun has set, her place on earth stay warm” – an old African saying, so appropriate for Ailsa. I have many other things that wonderful people have said, but I think the words above will sum up what an incredible and inspiring person Ailsa was. She ALWAYS smiled in the face of adversity, and she suffered a fair bit of that. Jane Reekie (Nicholson) E’59 has written in earlier Journals of the amazing Circle reunions Ailsa hosted on her farm near Salisbury when on each occasion more than 30 SOGs travelled from far and wide to enjoy Ailsa’s superb company, sense of fun and beaming warmth. Jane wrote that Ailsa’s gifts made an enormous difference to the lives of everyone in Ealhstan with her.
E’51
OBITUARIES Alexa Thompson (Smallwood)
AW’96
Alexa’s friends, Claire Vellacott (Gibson) AW’96 and Kate Holme (Robinson) AW’96 write: Alexa was born on 3 May 1978 and died on 31 October 2019 after a courageous battle with bile duct cancer. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, and leaves behind her husband, Giles, and her three boys: Felix (9), Hugo (7) and Max (4). Alexa spent much of her childhood in Africa where she made many happy memories and some lifelong friends. After leaving Sherborne, she went to St Andrew’s University to study Social Anthropology where she met her husband Giles (Lyon House 1994). After a spell in London where she gained a degree in physiotherapy at St George’s Hospital, Alexa and Giles were married in 2007. Following this, they moved to New Zealand for three years before settling in Charmouth, Dorset. Alexa brought fun and laughter into the lives of many. She was the kindest of souls and everywhere she went, she developed strong, long-lasting friendships with people who loved and cared for her. She managed her cancer with a mix of open-mindedness and bravery. Alexa leaves a huge gap in the lives of many and will be missed immeasurably, but she will be remembered for her ready smile, her kindness and her ability to find the positive in the face of adversity.
Jennifer Eden (Frosdick)
Art and Craft teacher
1963–1992
Jennifer died on 28 April 2019, seven days before her 82nd birthday. She was suffering with Parkinson’s Disease. Jennifer joined the Art department of Sherborne School for Girls in the early sixties as teacher of Crafts. She left in 1992 to care for her elderly parents. For 11 years she ran pottery summer courses for Physically Handicapped & Able-Bodied (PHAB) members, which were tremendously successful. She appreciated what she termed ‘the friendliness and neighbourliness’ of fellow staff and her friendships with some of her former pupils, a number of whom remained in contact with her until her death. Jennifer grew up in Durham College, where her father was cathedral organist. She had a lifelong involvement with church music, playing the organ for local congregations and belonging to multiple choral societies. She married late in life a widower, whose romantic approach was to invite Jennifer home to listen to six hours of long-play records of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The strategy worked and they had 16 happy years of marriage. Jennifer’s Christian faith was apparent in the many services she rendered for others throughout her life, despite her increasing disability. She said of her own life, “In a quiet way, there was a lot going on.”
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SOG GOLF 2019
Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 reports on another busy year for the SOG golfers.
MATCH V CLC
We started off our golfing year at the beginning of March with our annual match against Cheltenham Ladies College at South Winchester Golf Club. We had a good team of eight and even though the weather forecast did not look promising, we decided to ‘go for it’. The poor conditions started off with some wind and light rain, which sadly soon turned into gale-force winds and a torrential downpour that flooded the course. As a result, the match was stopped after nine holes. It was some consolation, though, that the SOGs were victorious at 2 1/2 – 1 1/2.
Before the onslaught!
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Photo from left to right: Hilary Park (Dennes) E’65, Katharine Stringer, Mary Munro (O’Dwyer) A’59, Susie Pym (King) DH’68, Ali Preston (Aldred) A’81, Valerie Worth (Thomas) E’73, Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70, Hilary Peterkin (Younger) W’64
Photo left to right: Hilary Younger and Anne Agnew
Photo left to right: Hilary Dennes and Mary O’Dwyer
OLD SHIRBURNIANS
On 10 June, we had our annual get-together with the Old Shirburnians. It was decided to make it a mixed stableford competition at Tidworth Garrison. This proved to be a lovely course, but we did again encounter a heavy rain patch in the middle of the game, luckily not enough to spoil it completely, as was the case against CLC. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we had a lovely two-course lunch afterwards. The Steel-Perkins Plate was won by Katharine Stringer and Rob Fulton, and joint runners-up were Trudi Hubbard (Harris) DH’58 and Mike Falconer, Joan Drew (Bond) K’69 and Rob Fisher.
Photo from left to right: Honorary Old Girl Mike Stringer, Rob Fisher, Hilary Dennes, Tony Steele-Perkins, Martin McPhearson, Joan Bond, Lucille Childs (Richards) DH’77, Rob Fulton, Meredith Christopher, Katharine Stringer, Sean O’Dwyer, Mary O’Dwyer, Trudi Harris, Hilary Younger, David Dinkledin and Mike Falconer
THE TASSIE
Also held on 10 June was The Tassie at The Berkshire. This year the format changed to four ball better ball over 18 holes, enabling each person to play more golf than the previous foursomes format. Susie King captained our team. She informed me that it was a strong field with some extremely low handicaps and a good amount of rain thrown in for good measure! It was challenging and very enjoyable. The team did extremely well to finish in the top third out of 23 schools. Below: Out on the course with Oakham opponents Emma Pennington (far left) and Susie King (far right) The SOG Tassie team above, from left to right: Ali Preston, Emma Dibben (Pennington) AW’96, Janice Buswell T’54 and Susie King
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AUTUMN MEETING
The annual Autumn Meeting was held at Long Sutton Golf Club in Somerset on Monday, 30 September with 18 players from all parts of the country. We played a three-ball bowmaker. It was dull and slightly damp at times, but an improvement on our other events! Everyone seemed to enjoy the day. This year’s winning team were Helen Bailey (Daltry) AE’73, Jane Harris (Hinton) W’60 and Susie King. In second place were Trudi Harris, Anne Kinnersley (Boyle) K’67 and Katharine Stringer. Nearest to the pin was won by Jane Hinton and the longest drive by Anne Boyle.
Please join us Once again, a plea to all the SOG golfers out there: I know there are more of you of all ages! It would be so lovely if you could come and join us. We are a very friendly bunch. Do get in touch with me directly if interested and we don’t already have your contact details at strings1948@icloud.com or via the OG office. Hopefully the weather will be kinder to us next year!
Photo from left to right: Anne Agnew, Josie Kemp (Mather) DH’62, Lizzy Hext (Pudner) T’83, Susie King, Trudi Harris, Barbara Dalrymple (Savill) W’70, Jane Hinton, Fiona Strang (Keane) W’66, Anne Boyle, Jane Kinnersley (Ellen) K’69, Hilary Dennes, Jane Jefferson (Shearer) E’68, Joan Bond, Katharine Stringer, Valerie Thomas, Honorary Old Girl Jane Close and Helen Daltry
Births Marriages Deaths BIRTHS Annelise Platou Bjørnseth (Glew) A’91 and Steve had a son, Alastair Norman Bjørn, on 10 June 2019 Alanna FitzGerald (Loder-Symonds) E’97 and Rob had a daughter, Florence, on 4 April 2019 – a sister to Luke 16
Erika Ferguson (Willmott) AE’98 and Henry had a daughter, Iris, born on 9 August 2019 Anna Greenhous (Little) W’98 and Matt had a son, Bobby William, on 20 July 2019 Georgia Scott (Bourne) A’98 and Thomas had a daughter, Oriana, on 5 June 2018 Natalia Rolleston AE’99 and Tom Dwyer had a son, Florian George Quartz , on 6 September 2018 Rose Balston A’01 and Ben Higgins had a daughter, Vita Meriella, on 2 October 2019 Alice Dodge A’01 and Oliver Cox had a daughter, Florence, on 30 August 2019 Steph Myatt (Chubb) DH’01 and Thomas had a son, Archie Fox Vernon, on 4 October 2019 Olivia Rogers K’01 and Charlie had a son, Iggy, on 20 July 2019 Lindsay Lamb (Taylor) AW’02 and Matthew had a daughter, Primrose Mabel Juliet, on 12 September 2019 Hannah Godwin (Blott) E/AE’04 and Hugo had a son, Hector Albert Whincup, on 2 October 2019
Jemima Lofts (Edwards) DH’04 and James had a son, Barnaby Douglas, on 22 March 2019 Lucy Simson DH’04 and Will Browne had a son, Oliver Osprey Hugh, on 7 January 2019 Rhiannon Ball AW’05 and Ernest Kalanyi had a daughter, Carys Isabella Nalubanjwa , on 19 October 2017 Sarah Hatherell (Wood) A’05 and Laurence had a son, Benjamin Raymond, on 10 May 2019 Alice Kennon DH’05 and Brian Richardson had a daughter, Elizabeth Nicole, on 26 June 2019 Charlotte Ayles (Nunn) DH’06 and Jack had a son, Hugo, on 17 September 2019 Polly Hadden-Paton DH’07 and George had a daughter, Margot Iona Bumble, on 11 August 2019 Flora Hill (Scobie) K’07 and Fraser had a daughter, Jessica, on 10 May 2019 Charlotte Jackman (Brimacombe) A’07 and Jonny had a son, Ivo, on 10 September 2019 Emily Ayles (McCorkell) DH’08 and Harry had a son, William John Anthony, on 1 October 2018 Sophie Mann (Bliss) K’08 and Tim had a daughter, Isla Christine Jane, on 29 January 2019 Flora Campbell WD’11 and Charlie Chambers had a son, Toby Fox Chambers, on 24 March 2019
MARRIAGES Sarah Gray A’03 married Adam Evans on 22 June 2019
Isabella Rigby WD’08 married Jack Barrass on 23 February 2019
Rosie de Pelet RH’05 married Daniel Hillman on 15 June 2019
Emily Palmer RH’09 married Josh Ramus on 7 September 2019
Arabella Hussey A/RH’06 married James Lauder on 14 December 2019
Kate Tse K’10 married Teddy Tinghin Ng on 5 January 2019
Sarah de Ceuleneer Balston RH’07 married Archibald Corlett on 11 May 2019
Ruth Canham RH’11 married Richard Lonsdale on 18 May 2019
Alice Moseley K’07 married Edward Adler on 13 July 2019
Gabriella Costantini AE’11 married Ryan Hogan on 25 May 2019
Emily Smeaton A’07 married Patrick Church on 7 December 2019
DEATHS Patricia Mather A’36 died on 24 June 2019 Eileen Mitchell (Durston-Smith) T’37 died on 17 October 2018 Patricia Anne Gilpin (Burkard) A’44 died on 30 September 2018
Polly Eccles (Lansdowne) W’54 died on 11 May 2019 Alison Parry (Musker) W’55 died on 16 December 2018 Ailsa Morris (McLeod) E’56 died on 8 March 2019
Jaquetta Digby (James) DH’46 died on 22 February 2019
Prudence Butterworth (Dauris) A’57 died on 25 July 2019
Jan Green (Talbot) A’46 died on 24 June 2019
Tessa Ross Steen (Lyons) T’57 died on 25 November 2018
Patricia Bottomley A’47 died on 27 December 2018 Elizabeth Parry-Jones (Melvin) DH’47 died on 16 March 2019 Mollie (Mary) Walker (Wilson) K’48 died on 21 June 2019 Elizabeth Lovell-Hewitt (Sheed) K’49 died on 7 July 2019 Joan Barber (Roberts) E’51 died on 16 March 2019 Bridgett Greenhough (Wilson) DH’51 died on 14 March 2019 Janet Porter (King) W’51 died on 10 August 2018 Tina Chiesman (Bushby) E’52 died on 14 April 2019 Rachel Howell (Mylne) A’53 died on 19 July 2019
Jane Mollison (Bulkeley) AE’63 died on 8 December 2019 Caroline Crawford (Storr) W’65 died on 21 January 2016 Margarete von der Borch DH’84 died on 7 March 2019 Alexa Thompson (Smallwood) AW’96 died on 31 October 2019 Maria Aplin, Spanish teacher 1983–2005, died on 21 December 2019 Liz Berdinner, Housemistress of Ealhstan 1996– 1998, died on 7 June 2019 Jennifer Eden (Frosdick), Art and Craft teacher 1963–1992, died on 28 April 2019 Jennifer Sharp, Music teacher 1956–1962, died on 24 August 2019
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NEW SOG MEMBERS
Welcome to the following ‘new’ Old Girls, who left school in summer 2019 Julia Aggett Jemima Arnold Gabriella Auret Charlotte Barker Ella Beaumont Theodora Berry Dominique-Lea Bonelli-Bean
Iona Brewster Cecilia Burney Nittaya Butcher Romilly Carrick Elena Casati Lauren Clancy Louisa de Montfort Emily Evans Gabrielle Fang Matilda Fender Maia Gardner Emily Goldsbrough Sophie Hardy Evangeline Hartley Charlotte Helm Lucy Holcroft Charlotte Holford
Rosie Hudson Eva Istsenko Amelia Jepson Isabelle Keating Emma Kitson Rosie Kitson Emma Kwok Ashley Lai Zara Lawrence Natasha Linhart Aoife Lulu-Briggs Portia Manson Hermione Middle Lucinda Miller Ella Milne Annabel Mortimer Serena Mundy Sacha Nokes Jemima Norton Kitty Palmer Ella Pertwee Felicity Prater Romilly Pratt Charlotte Radford
Alice Richards Camilla Ridgers Katharina Rigby Verity Robinson Hannah Shirley Poppy Smith Zara Smith Mrinalini Somani Alexia Spicer Alice Stockton Janice Sui Nicole Tam Isabella Taylor Chesney Taylor-Smith
Leila Tillard Mimi Tosh Wing Tsang Emilie Tubbs Amber Wakeley Emily Watson Ellie Wheatley Kiki Wiggin Chloe Wong Willamina Wordie Harriet Wright Kinna Yewdall Mary Yuen
Daughters and Granddaughters of Old Girls in the school 18
ALDHELMSTED EAST Flora Williams Vicky Bartholomew, Mother DUN HOLME Anna Cleveland Louise Noel, Mother Annabel Drummond Jemima Drummond Louise Taylor, Mother Alice Pearman Jill Dams, Grandmother KENELM Freya Beeny Caroline Swift, Mother Petra Deacon Alexandra Dickson Leach, Mother Joanna Osmond, Grandmother Tilly Garton Mary Monro, Grandmother Artemis McMaster-Christie Sarah Tory, Mother Diana Hamblin, Grandmother
Agatha Palmer Zoe Phayre-Mudge, Mother Grace Tucker Antonia Tozer, Mother Penny Hockley, Grandmother Lottie Welch Jane Wilkinson, Mother Emily Wood Fiona Stern, Grandmother READER HARRIS Eva Contomichalos Melissa Charrington, Mother Jemma Craig-Cooper Bertie Simpson, Mother Isabella Schwinge Clare Matthews, Mother WINGFIELD DIGBY Tilly Cripwell Emma Pocock, Mother
Electra Marshall Kate Gregor, Mother Matilda Massey Katherine Prideaux-Brune, Mother Emily Nokes Anthea Ottaway, Grandmother Tatiana Wharton Rebecca Courtenay, Mother Milly Wills Katy Gascoigne-Pees, Mother MULLINER Christa Cripwell Emma Pocock, Mother Cecilia Darwall Diana McWatters, Mother Isobel Ellis George Hardy, Mother Lucy Knott Jane Royston, Mother
Sophie Holcroft Anthea Malim, Grandmother
If you know of other mothers and grandmothers with daughters currently at SG, please let us know by sending an email to: oldgirls@sherborne.com
Sarah writes: The Devon and Cornwall Circle reunion was held this year at Bicton Park Botanical Gardens on 12 September. We were lucky to have a lovely sunny day. Lunch was a delicious and plentiful array of salads in the Garden Room. This was followed by a short ride around the gardens on the Woodland Railway, which gave us a really interesting insight into some of the history of Bicton. There were a variety of glasshouses and gardens to enjoy on foot. Bicton was a lovely place to meet with plenty to see and as ever there was much laughter and sharing of memories. We have decided to go back again next year. The date of the reunion will be 17 September 2020. I would very much like to thank Fiona James for her enormous help doing all the admin for the reunion and for her and Laura Windsor’s help and support on the day.
CIRCLE
Joint Secretaries: Liz Whitley (Pybus) AW’58 and Sarah Pybus (Moody) AW’80
NEWS
1A DEVON & CORNWALL
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Pictured from left to right: Rosanne Smith (Hooper) AW’58, Josie Kemp (Mather) DH’62, Jane Ross (Cassidy) K’60, Jane Harris (Hinton) W’62, Lalage Harrison (Croggon) AE’61, Bronwen Watkin Williams (Gundry) W’61, Serena Vernon (Kerr) A’77, Sarah Stallard (Wilson) E’64, Ann Mather (Jones) T’74, Daphne Wilkie (Burdick) T’53, Sarah Moody and Elizabeth Cubitt (Tyzack) DH’68 Kate Pybus (Buckley) AW’85 attended but was not in the photo.
2A DORSET Secretary: Anne Walsh (Colquhoun) E’69 The Dorset Group had a most enjoyable reunion on 25 September. We were delighted to welcome some new faces, which is always fun. We met at Moreton Church and were given a fascinating talk on the Whistler windows by the churchwarden. This unique church is a real gem. It is famous throughout the world for its engraved glass windows and it was interesting to discover the detail and symbolism of each one. We then had an excellent lunch in the Moreton Tea Room, which had been the former schoolhouse. Much chatter and laughter ensued – always a good sign. We look forward to meeting up again next year for more merriment and reminiscences.
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Attending the day were: Jennifer Bailey (Adams) E’67, Sara Newton (Beauchamp) T’52, Anne Colquhoun, Anne Hollingworth (Evans) K’52, Elizabeth Byers (Gaff) E’59, Teresa Huntley (Hepworth) K’63, Jean Hopkins (Hunter) A’48, Ann Livock (Kraunsoe) K’60, Elizabeth Honnywill (Lindsay-Rea) A’59, Katherine Prideaux-Brune (Massey) A’91, Honorary Old Girl Augusta Miller, Alex Peltolfe DH’06, Elizabeth Bell (Spicer-Short) DH’86, Rosemarie Lovelace (Suter) A’58, Caroline Cossins (Tory) E’72, Caroline Goodden (Vidican) AE’64 and Jennifer Howson (Whitaker) A’46
2B SOMERSET
Secretary: Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 We held the Somerset Reunion lunch at The Crown in Wells again, as it has proved very popular as a venue, offering a delicious two-course meal with wine and with Wells being such a beautiful town to visit. It was lovely to catch up with familiar faces and to welcome some new ones. Thanks to Fiona James who was also able to be with us and gave us an excellent update on the current (excellent) state of the school. Attending the lunch were Sara Whitehouse W’55, Katharine Stringer, Caroline Davis (Patterson) DH’57, Amanda Salmon (Harris) DH’85, Susan Butler AW’83 and SOG friend Judy Arnold-Boake, Honorary Old Girls Lindsey Spears and Gillian Smith and Old Girls Secretary Fiona James. Next year’s reunion will be on Tuesday, 13 October at The Crown, Wells. Any SOGs in neighbouring Circles are extremely welcome to come and join us.
A huge thank you to Serena who has kindly taken on the role of Circle Secretary. We would like to hold an informal gathering in the summer of 2020. If you would like to join us, please could you let Fiona in the office know by emailing: oldgirls@sherborne.com
CIRCLE
Secretary: Serena Freeland E’95
NEWS
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HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT
5 GLOUCESTERSHIRE CIRENCESTER LUNCH In October, SOG and the Old Shirburnian Society jointly hosted a lunch for those living near to Cirencester or students studying at the Royal Agricultural University. It was a great success and enjoyed by all. Those attending were: Helen Bayley (Daltry) AE’73, Amelia Headlam (Elwes) AW’90, Joc Passey (Humfrey) K’73, Jane Reekie (Nicholson) E’59, Julia Peel AE’61, Sara Martin (Shipway) AE’73, Olivia Van Grutten WD’15, Anne Wakely T’67 and Jenyth Worsley AW’52.
13B
LEICESTERSHIRE, RUTLAND, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND LINCOLNSHIRE
Secretary: Josephine Hepburn (Blake) A’69 In May 2019, Elizabeth Francis very kindly hosted our annual Circle lunch, and afterwards we much enjoyed looking round her garden which she has made over the years. It was interesting to see how it has grown since we last visited. For our next lunch we decided that with OGs scattered over such a large Circle area it might be a change to meet somewhere completely different, rather than at an OG’s home. So on Tuesday, 5 May, we will be meeting for lunch at
Left to right: Elizabeth Blandy (Francis) E’62, Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63, and Gillian Alcock (Ford) AE’67. Picture taken by Jo Blake.
The Chequers Inn, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, in the Vale of Belvoir. This is just below Belvoir Castle which with the gardens should be open that day, together with the recently opened Engine Yard full of artisan shops. This will be an interesting day out so please make a note in your diaries. I hope many of you will join us, and bring other OGs who may not have seen this notice.
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14A LANCASHIRE On Monday, 11 February 2019, Old Girls and Old Shirburnians met for a lunch party at San Carlo in Manchester. Julia Almond (Wilkinson) K’64, Alice Case DH’86, and Clare Powell (Garside) T’72 joined us. Clare kindly brought some photos taken during her school days, which everyone enjoyed looking at and reminiscing about. A very jolly time was had by us all.
16 SCOTLAND Secretary: Louise Bishop AE’83 EDINBURGH REUNION
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From left to right: Louise Bishop, Rose Ellison K’58, Caroline Paton (Sibbald) W’73, Anna Hell (McCosh) A’54, and Jill Jackson (Drought) AW’53 met at the the Filmhouse Café in Edinburgh in May 2019. Louise is very keen to meet up with other Old Girls and Honorary Old Girls living in Scotland, so she would like to encourage you to get in touch with her (through Fiona James in the Sherborne Old Girls Office).
22 CHANNEL ISLANDS JERSEY RECEPTION Secretary: Emma Campbell (Le Maistre) T’89 Pictured left to right: Claire Vellacot (Gibson) AW’96, Alex Wilsey (Bellew) W’95, Jo Hensman (Christensen) W’98, Emma Le Maistre, Claudia Rogers (Whitson) AE’89, Katherine PrideauxBrune (Massey) A’91 and Ruth Sullivan AW’91 On Wednesday, 1 May 2019, Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School held their annual drinks party at the Royal Yacht Hotel in St Helier. This year was particularly well attended: it would seem that the number of current parents and prospective parents from Jersey is increasing each year, which can only be good news for the schools! There were also plenty of Old Girls and Old Boys present for what is always a really fun evening.
CIRCLE
A reception was held on 17 October at the Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong. Everyone enjoyed themselves, catching up with each other and hearing about the school.
NEWS
23 HONG KONG & CHINA
Pictured above: Director of Music John Jenkins and Natalie Tam RH’14 23
24 SOUTH EAST ASIA A drinks reception was held on Thursday, 10 October in Bangkok. The Headmistress, Dr Ruth Sullivan, and Director of Development & Marketing, Katherine Massey, enjoyed catching up with former parents, Old Girls, prospective parents and friends of the school. They then went on to Singapore where Sherborne Girls hosted another drinks reception at The Terrace for members of the school community. Pictured from left to right: Patraporn (Nan) Thanapoomikul AE’03, Katherine PrideauxBrune (Massey) A’91, Patcharee (Gift) Jungthirapanich (Limchimchol) E’01, Chayaporn (Cherry) Roengpithya AW’99, Nichaya (Nan) Phahusutr T’99, Tepchongchit (Tin Tin) Aojanepong T’01 and Nitinan (Bee) Tanchookiat AE’00
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CAREERS COACHING PROGRAMME
CAREERS NETWORKING S E RV I C E A new focus for the Careers Coaching Programme helps Old Girls who are returning to work or are pursuing a second career. The SOG Careers Coaching Programme has long been a success, offering our network of Old Girls a chance to develop their professional skills and enhance employability. One of our key areas of focus in the last year has been helping Old Girls wishing to return to the workplace after a career break, or who want to embark upon a second career having developed new skills and interests. Our workshops and coaching programme help participants identify their core skills and set targets for how they’d like to progress professionally. It creates space for them to explore options, legitimising uncertainty and helping refocus attention. The purpose is to give participants the tools and confidence to explore their options, then pursue the pathways that are of most interest to them. As far as we know, we are the only alumni association in the UK to offer a programme like this. Thanks to our extensive network of professionals and expert coaches, we are able to help participants establish helpful connections that greatly improve their chances of securing the sort of role they seek. As a result, the programme goes from strength to strength, proving an invaluable feature of the SOG community.
“I am writing with the happy news that I recently landed a much coveted role as part of the Digital team at London-based fashion company RÆBURN. The highly versatile role offers great opportunities within communications, CRM, social media and e-commerce, and is a position which I’ve long sought to find within the industry. With sustainability at the core of the company’s mission, I’m thrilled to be supporting a team with shared values.” Amelie Jannoe RH’13
“The coaching has been invaluable in helping me push my career to the next stage. It has helped me spot opportunities that I would never have considered before.” Annabel Tucker (Chow) T’02
“Having coaching after a career gap has been fantastic at helping identify my goals and articulate what I want and need to do in my return to work. It’s a great confidence builder and invaluable in the transition back to the workplace.” Jo Robinson (Green) K’99
CAREERSEVENTS
SHERBORNE OLD GIRLS IT, AI AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CAREERS EVENT Wednesday, 11 September 2019 15 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AR On Wednesday, 11 September, Sherborne Old Girl Emma Taylor DH’93 very kindly hosted an IT, AI and Digital Technology Careers Event. Emma is managing director of Nimbus Ninety, which she established 14 years ago with a vision of forming a community of disruptive leaders who want to accelerate their learning and turn challenges into opportunities. Today, the community boasts more than 5,000 members, who work at the intersection of business and technology. We were very fortunate to be joined by Mel Exon A’89 and SOG friend Juliette Arbis. Mel is a writer and CEO with 25 years’ experience working in the UK creative industries. Her particular expertise lies in technology-driven brand Emma Taylor communications and entertainment. She was recently appointed a trustee of Doteveryone, the responsible technology think tank founded by Martha Lane Fox. Juliette has had over 30 years as an IT consultant and has directed some of the world’s largest global finance transformation implementation programmes. Juliette is currently at BP plc and J P Morgan Bank implementing their Global Cash and Banking Treasury Finance Transformation Programme into 155 countries.
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As the prominence of AI and automation increases, and new technologies advance into every facet of the workplace with gathering speed, the future is infinitely exciting.
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CAREERS
ALUMNAE PROFILES
HER HONOUR MELISSA HOEY (CLARKE) W’86, JUDGE
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I left Sherborne in 1986 with three science A levels and the plan of becoming a lawyer, but with no intention of doing a law degree. I went to the University of Manchester from 1987–90 and came out with a degree in History of Art and an offer of a training contract at Linklaters, much to the bemusement of my friends who had studied law. In 1994, after two years at the College of Law and two years of training at Linklaters in London and Hong Kong, I qualified as a solicitor into the Intellectual Property department. I stayed at Linklaters for 10 years, becoming co-head of the internet and ecommerce practice there, before leaving to join a client in a start-up Swedish software company as the Vice President of Business Affairs. After a few years of growing that business, it was successfully sold to BEA Inc (now part of Oracle, Inc) in the US. I then took a couple of years off with my young children while considering what to do next. My decision to join
the judiciary was unexpected, as I had never litigated and only previously stepped into a courtroom once during a postO level trip to London with SSG, which included a visit to the Old Bailey. Nevertheless, I loved it and haven’t looked back. I became a Deputy District Judge in 2008, a District Judge in 2011, a Recorder (Crime) in 2012, a Circuit Judge and Deputy High Court Judge in 2015, and a Senior Circuit Judge in 2017. I am currently based in Oxford as the Designated Civil Judge for Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, which means I am responsible for civil cases (and civil judges) in the 10
county courts of that area. I also sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in London for eight to 10 weeks a year, doing specialist intellectual property work in the Chancery Division and general civil work in the Queen’s Bench Division. I really enjoy the variety of work that gives me. Outside of work, I maintain a noisy and somewhat disorganised household in Oxfordshire, comprising four children between 13 and 21, an extremely supportive husband, two standard poodles, and a piano on which I play from sheet music inscribed for all time with Gussie Miller’s exhortations.
In all honesty, I didn’t even consider joining an apprenticeship programme until after I’d finished school. I spent most of my Upper Sixth rearing Mulliner’s free-range hamster Nelson and while this might have assumed a long and successful career in veterinary science, I hadn’t applied to university or even written a personal statement. I hadn’t made any plans, which made the summer after Upper Sixth a very long one. I didn’t have anything to look forward to in September. While my friends put down deposits for uni halls, all I did was fall short on my predicted grades and it’s fair to say my prospects and my ego hit rock bottom.
I began applying to apprenticeships, and getting through each round of testing and interviews, I was offered a job at PricewaterhouseCoopers starting in September 2017. I worked in the Global Mobility team as a personal tax accountant. When clients moved their employees across jurisdictions, we would reconcile the individual’s tax position from a UK perspective. I worked on a few private client accounts, which involved analysing the finances of high net worth individuals and complying with UK tax law. I went to college during this time as well and did a professional qualification. This was particularly hard, as we were expected to study while working full-time. Fortunately (and with a lot of hard work), I passed all my exams first time: four of my friends on the same apprenticeship were let go for failing their exams. The apprenticeship was the best thing to have happened to me. The experience and the confidence I have gained in the two years have really changed me. I was given real client-facing
responsibilities and expected to engage in a professional way with my colleagues. I had to be reliable and show up on time, and at times I’ll admit I found it really difficult. But I now know that I have grit and can stick things out. Even with the lows, there were big highs: nothing feels as good as a positive appraisal from your managers and colleagues (not to mention expensed Christmas parties!). I quit my job in June and decided I would like to go back to education, I am now applying to university. Choosing an apprenticeship as a post-18 pathway doesn’t have to be a definitive choice. But if you’re as I was and unsure about university, it’s a fantastic opportunity and a great way to start your career. There is a bull rush after university for limited grad scheme positions, but higher apprenticeship programmes are a fantastic back door into some of the top firms. I would urge everyone to have a look at firms’ careers pages to see the alternative schemes offered. You may be surprised by what you find.
CAREERS ALUMNAE PROFILES
MADDIE KATzINSKI K’17, APPRENTICE AT PWC
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CAREERS ALUMNAE PROFILES
MARGARET MACMILLAN A’62 HISTORIAN AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATOR I have to admit that my career is the result of luck and chance. I did not start out with a clear set of goals. I never planned to become a historian or an academic administrator. I never thought I could write books; authors were remote and awe-inspiring beings, almost a separate species. And when I was young, half a century ago, young women thought less seriously about careers than they do now. We tended to assume that we would get married, have children and that would, more or less, be that.
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At Sherborne I learned to read history with discrimination and to respect the evidence when I made my own arguments. I was delighted a few years ago when I was giving a lecture in Cambridge and Miss Bowyer, who had taught us Tudor and Stuart history, came up to say hello. One doesn’t often get the chance to thank those who have made such a difference. At the University of Toronto I was lucky: it had a very strong history department and my particular cohort of students contained a number of future historians. I went on to graduate school without any very clear plans except to do more history and discovered India and Indian history. I chose my thesis topic, on the British community in India, at least in part because it would give me a year in India. By the time I finished at Oxford, I had had enough of
the academic world. I would never, I said to anyone who would listen, be a teacher. Indeed, I planned on going to law school. Then a friend told me there was a temporary job going at Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto that would tide me over until I started law classes. I discovered there that I loved teaching and stayed for 25 years. It was in retrospect the best thing that could have happened to me. I was learning myself, while I was teaching. I had to teach a wide variety of courses on China, Africa, and the Middle East. I taught modern European civilization and the history of the Cold War. Because I had a fairly free hand, I developed new courses in international relations and the war and society. As the years went by, I started to think about writing
books. Because the 1970s were a time when women’s history was starting to flourish, I decided to do a book on British women. I mentioned this to a friend in passing who mentioned it to another friend who published it. A similar chance encounter led to publication of my next book, on the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the First World War – a project that helped me secure a job as head, first of Trinity College, University of Toronto, and then St Antony’s College, Oxford University. I remember a successful businessman telling my students about his career and saying that doing well is luck and chance. I agree, but you can prepare yourself to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. It can be terrifying, but it is also fun.
Sustainable fashion is about respecting people and the environment; acting responsibly, from the sourcing of materials, up to the end-life of a garment when the customer is done with it. Nothing you make is ever completely sustainable, hence why it’s easy to be trapped by marketing buzzwords that try to convince you otherwise. With the likes of H&M releasing ‘Conscious Collections’, and an increasing number of companies claiming to have responsible credentials, it’s a difficult market to navigate. Whilst it’s arguably helped bring the dark side of the industry to consumer consciousness, the allure of cheap fast fashion still means consumption grows year on year. If you watch the popular Stacey Dooley BBC documentary ‘Fashion’s Dirty Secrets’, you’ll be similarly astounded how some household brands can get away with acting as irresponsibly as they do. That being said, the industry is fortunately taking note from pioneers like Patagonia and Stella McCartney, and sustainability is rising on the corporate agenda. I was fortunate to volunteer at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit last year where business leaders, innovators and policy makers meet annually to discuss solutions and demand urgent action on sustainability in the fashion industry. What is so exciting about this field, is that there are plenty of innovative ideas available and ready to change fashion for the better. For example, thanks to blockchain technology we will
soon be able to scan labels to see the timeline of a garment; from the people who grew the cotton to the places it was assembled. This will ensure greater transparency for us customers, and consequently hold businesses more accountable for their actions. So why is the industry so slow to adapt? The answer often given is “complexity”; many companies don’t know where to start, lack the true willingness to change and are simply too profit-driven – elements that could be addressed by government policy. Ultimately, true sustainable fashion is still very much a niche, and certainly a complicated one at that. But as the current Digital & Creative Content Assistant for RÆBURN, a responsible design company best known for its beautiful reworking of waste surplus materials into menswear and womenswear, I’m ever more focused to support the transition to a responsible fashion system. That said, taking
this route has involved a degree of risk. When I graduated with a Business BSc in 2018, it seemed natural to follow the prestige career ladder that Bath’s School of Management had laid out for us: finance or consulting for a big five company. I felt pressured by expectations, foolish to step away from these contacts and opportunities presented to me, but knew I didn’t fit that mould. Today I am very grateful to have received ongoing executive coaching from The Jamieson Partnership, sponsored by SOG. Not only has it reframed my vision of success, it’s crucially helped me articulate my values and purpose. I consequently had a liberating year exploring my passion for environmental and social sustainability, before gratefully landing my current position. If you would like to chat more about this topic, I’d love to hear from you via the Old Girls office.
CAREERS ALUMNAE PROFILES
AMELIE JANNOE RH’13 – ON SUSTAINABLE FASHION
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CAREERS ALUMNAE PROFILES 30
YEWANDE ANIMASHAWUN (BERTUNA) DH’89 FASHION DESIGNER, CHEF D’ATELIER After leaving Sherborne Girls, I completed an art foundation course at Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea and from there went on to Cheltenham to do my BA (Hons) in Fashion. After graduating, I worked with Zegna for two years as a menswear tailor. I then went off to Paris to ESMOD (école supérieure de la mode) where I furthered my education and did a short stint at Cerruti as a designer. I returned to London to pursue a more technical career as a tailor, technical designer and head of production. My varied career has taken me all over the world and I have had the privilege to dress and meet many Hollywood stars and celebrities. Over the years I’ve worked with companies such as Maurice Sedwell, Ozwald Boateng, Hackett, Joseph, and Yves Saint Laurent. I now work at Celine, where I am the chef d’atelier: head of the men’s and women’s tailoring and the sportswear division that
develops all the company’s collections and showpieces. I am married to Francesco Bertuna, a self-made chef and restaurateur who owns two amazing Italian restaurants. We live in Paris, with a view of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower from our windows. I still love the rush I get from preparing a show and seeing a collection revealed. I love it when I achieve a garment that is technically impossible. I love the diversity of my day and I am challenged constantly. I love working with so many talented people towards a common goal, because the results are always earth shattering. I have been very lucky, but I’ve had to work hard to get to where I am. It wasn’t an easy ride, but I am happy, as my talents are now recognised.
We talk to Sherborne Old Girl, Tansy Aked, following her performance as Musical Director and Conductor for the sell-out ‘One Young World’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2019. How did you get involved with the ‘One Young World’ concert? I have worked with Adam Blackwood, who produced the concert, on many of his previous events. So I was thrilled when he asked me to be Musical Director and Conductor for this unique event. ‘One Young World’ goes to a different country every year and the opening ceremony concert is a celebration of music, dance and performance. This year was its 10th Anniversary, and it was fantastic to celebrate this at the Albert Hall in London. The patron of the concert was the Duchess of Sussex who attended alongside fellow ambassador Sir Bob Geldof and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. There aren’t many female conductors, so do you feel you are breaking a glass ceiling? I don’t really think of myself as a female conductor, just as a conductor. I have been working in the music business for over 25 years, and yes, there is a gender imbalance in some areas, but I have always strongly believed that talent will out, and I would never wish to be defined in such restrictive terms. It is interesting you mention a glass ceiling... if anything, I broke that years ago when I became one of the youngest musical directors ever at the National Theatre aged just 24. How did you start your career in Musical Theatre? I went to Durham University and in my second year conducted a production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. We had a big cast and orchestra and on the opening night I had an epiphany and realised this was the career for me. So when I first moved to London, I walked round all the West End theatres, knocking on stage doors! It paid off, and for 10 years I played for over 40 major shows in the West End and on UK and European tours, ranging from
Les Misérables, Evita and Phantom of the Opera to Wicked, Fame, and Cats. Who has most inspired you? A huge credit needs to go to my piano teacher at Sherborne Girls, Robert Ferry. His support and encouragement throughout my time at school gave me a true love of playing the piano and inspired me to become the musician I am today. What do you most enjoy about the entertainment industry? The enormous variety! I have played and conducted a huge selection of shows and concerts; performed on late night TV chat shows; played piano for intimate cabarets; performed in 25,000 seat ice hockey stadiums in Scandinavia; conducted Hollywood film sessions; played alto sax in jazz quartets; composed music for TV and film… and everything in-between. I never know quite what I am going to do next! What are you working on now? I am in the middle of developing a new musical composed by John Themis, who is the guitarist for 80s pop group Culture Club. It is great fun and based on the film Papadopolous & Sons. I also have a busy concert conducting schedule coming up and I am looking forward to working with some of my favourite West End performers. What advice would you give to any Sherborne Girls thinking about going into the music business? Follow your dreams, but be prepared for a rollercoaster ride. And always… practise, practise, practise! To find out more about Tansy, please visit her website: www.tansyaked.com Photo: Richard Davenport for Private Drama
CAREERS ALUMNAE PROFILES
TANSY AKED (KEATINGE) E’89 CONDUCTOR
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FEATURES Memories of my School Days
Attending Sherborne Girls was a very different experience during the 1940s, as Jane Lees (Brian) E’43 remembers
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Imagine turning up to your first day at school in the midst of the Second World War. One of the first things you learn is how to fasten your gas mask, and there are regular practices to ensure you do it right. You also discover that you’re allowed to knit during class, so long as you’re knitting something in khaki to be sent to the troops. And it’s not at all uncommon to see Italian prisoners of war working in the fields around Sherborne, or to be joined in class by refugees from occupied countries like Poland and France. But perhaps the most striking feature of school life is that most pupils have at least one relative who is caught up in the fighting overseas: father or
brother, cousin or uncle. A loved one, about whose wellbeing you can’t help but worry. For Jane, the family members on her mind as she arrived at Sherborne School for
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experience. “Life at Sherborne was allconsuming,” she reports. “We knew there was a war going on, and were always mindful of the risk of an air raid. But in many ways we were busy just being young girls, gaining new knowledge and finding our place in the world.” That said, the war occasionally came closer to home. For example, Jane recalls her sister being a member of the Mounted Home Guard near their family farm in Dorset. “One day,” she remembers, “there was word that a German fighter plane had fallen, and the pilot had been seen parachuting to safety. The Home Guard found the parachute, which appeared to have a person wriggling
But in many ways we were busy just being young girls, gaining new knowledge and finding our place in the world.
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Girls in 1940 were her father and older brother. But while she was of course worried for them, she says she and her fellow pupils threw themselves into the boarding school
This photograph was taken at Commemoration, July 1939
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around beneath it, and encircled it. They were surprised to discover that the movement was just the wind on the parachute silk. The pilot, meanwhile, was having a cup of tea in the kitchen of a nearby farmhouse!” With such excitement at home, it’s a wonder Jane and her friends were able to focus on their schooling. But life at Sherborne was always busy, with regular services in the Abbey and walks across the surrounding countryside – something of which Jane says she was less than enamoured. And, of course, there was a veritable pantheon of teachers,
each with their distinctive personalities that would live long in Jane’s memory. She especially remembers the Headmistress Miss Stuart as a force to be reckoned with. “She was furious when I left Sherborne in 1943 to attend a finishing school,” Jane says. “But while she was right to be cross about the end to my education, it was my parents, not me, who she should have been telling off.” Jane was sorry to leave Sherborne, because she enjoyed many aspects of her time there. She remembers the foreign pupils being surprised that they all stopped work in
the afternoon to play games. Lacrosse was her favourite, but she also enjoyed hockey and netball. When it came to study, Jane enjoyed languages, showing a particular aptitude for French and German. Looking back, Jane sees her school days as a happy experience. She has little nostalgia for what she describes as the “horrid” brown uniform with its itchy woollen beret. But it was a formational time that lives in her memory. “It was a different era,” she concludes, “but it made our generation. I’ll always be grateful for my experiences at Sherborne.”
FEATURES Memories
Margarete von der Borch DH’84 and her work with severely disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in and around St Petersburg
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Margarete came to Sherborne for a year in 1982, through her family’s friendship with Caroline Goodhart’s family, the girls having done an exchange in 1981. After taking the Abitur, Margarete went to the FU in Berlin to study English and Russian. In 1995 she went for her special project on street children to St Petersburg, where she saw at first-hand the difficulties and social problems following the demise of the Soviet Union. There being not a single shelter for teenagers, she found a flat and a social worker to run it. On her return to Germany she appealed for support to family and friends and Perspektiven was born. After graduation, she moved to St Petersburg to continue her work in 1997. She was taken into a State Internat for children aged 4–18 at Pavlovsk, where 600 children were split into four
houses according to the level of their disability, the most seriously disabled including the lying children being in number 4, where she started to work. If long term you were not able to feed or dress yourself, you received no education and lay looking at the ceiling six days out of seven, being given a bath on the seventh. There was no stimulus or activities and one physiotherapist for 15 hours per week for 150 children. Margarete was so disturbed that she took out Cornelia, a German Bobath Physiotherapist, to show how such severely disabled children could be helped. Cornelia remained a loyal friend and continued to visit and teach until shortly before her own death. German volunteers were introduced and a Kindergarten and then a school established. Perspektiven became one
of the two ‘Governors’ Charities’ at Sherborne to which parents donated to a collection at either the Carol Service or Commemoration. Each House raised money every year and Margarete visited the girls on several occasions to talk about her work. In 1999 the Russian charity Perspektivy was set up to allow for development and the employment of Russians. Caroline, who remained a close friend to Margarete throughout her life and became involved in Perspektiven when she moved to Germany, would say that it is difficult to decide if Margarete’s work was her life or if her life was her work. She had the ability to enthuse people from all walks of life for her work, be it volunteers, coworkers, government officials or family and friends. Margarete had a large network of international contacts and had
the skill to bring them together to achieve a common goal, making everyone welcome and persuading them that they were a significant part of the whole. Over time, the work extended to Peterhof, an Internat for people over 18 years old, to which some of the children from Pavlovsk moved. Eventually two day-care centres and a respite centre were opened. Lucy Goodhew took a step into the unknown in 2001, when in her year out from university, she went as a volunteer to Pavlovsk, working with a group of 12 children. Although she had been told, she had not appreciated how underdeveloped and disabled the children would be and she will always remember her first impressions. The more Lucy worked with them the more the labels became irrelevant and the keener she became to help them realise their potential. After graduating, she asked Margarete to let her return for a year, when she worked in the family project. She visited a number of families in their homes each week to help with the children’s development and to allow the mother to have time with other children or work for a few hours. Lucy believes that Margarete changed the lives of so many children and families, hearing her described as “the heartbeat of Perspektivy”, always fighting for the rights of the children. She will forever remember the
delight and admiration in which Margarete was held by so many, her genuine kindness, love of laughter, self-deprecation and strength of character. Margarete and Perspektivy gave her a perspective that will stay with her for life. After retiring, June Taylor, who was Margarete’s form mistress and who had kept in touch thereafter, went out to
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art studio, theatre group, workshops and computer centre at Peterhof, and the sensory room and space for physical activity at Pavlovsk, as well as the addition of other projects, June believes that no one who has seen this development could fail to understand how much Margarete achieved in helping the children and families, for whom she fought so bravely and hard. During her 38 plus years at Sherborne, June was lucky enough to know many girls, who were remarkable as people or in what they went on to achieve, but she would certainly count Margarete as one of the most remarkable. Margarete died in her family home on 7 March 2019. Thankfully the work she started continues. Margarete’s tireless commitment has enabled many disabled people in St Petersburg to lead a new, self-determined and dignified life. Accolades Margarete received include: 2003 Special Prize from Kindernothilfe; 2005 Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz); 2011 Golden Victoria for Social Commitment (Perspektiven); 2012 Honorary Medal for selfless work protecting children (Perspektivy) from Russia’s Commissioner of Children’s Rights.
She had the ability to enthuse people from all walks of life for her work, be it volunteers, co-workers, government officials or family and friends.
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see the projects in 2001. She was so saddened by what she saw that she set up an English charity Perspectives, which made it easier for the school to give money and allowed individual donors to claim gift aid. At that time, the anxiety about abuse was such that the Charity Commission asked that she visit the projects twice a year and see how the money is spent, which she continues to do. After pressure from Perspektivy and other NGOs, the law has been changed and disabled children have a legal right to education, so there is now a State-run school at Pavlovsk. With the advent of the
June Taylor W’61, Caroline Goodhart (von Falkenhausen) W’85, Lucy Goodhew T’98
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FEATURES Poets Corner
All manner of experiences can inspire poetry: the beauty of nature, reflections on mortality, a passion for social justice, and… being stuck in a lift. That was certainly the case for Gussie Miller, who wrote the poem below after her memorable experience at The Merritt Centre’s inaugural concert. Enjoy!
RUTH ROGERS’ INAUGURAL CONCERT IN THE NEW MERRITT CENTRE
‘THE LIFT EXPERIENCE’ Where are we going? I wish I knew, Stuck in the lift out of the blue 45 minutes for Sue and Gus Who stayed very calm without much fuss.
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We are missing the concert and missing the fun, Audience buzzing – what have we done? The fireman at last rushed to the scene And understood what hell it had been. With a clink and a clunk they opened the door And at last we could skip to the music once more, The Great and the Good, a superior crowd Welcomed us both with laughter so loud. Canapés, wine with kisses abound, Sighs of relief from all those around, John J in the meantime had spilt all the beans, And related the story of such tragic scenes. Sue and Gus crept into the hall And were met by cheers from one and all, Screams of delight and a hearty clap, Fame at last and now on the map. Ruth and Viv an inspiring pair, Talented, engaging, performing with flair, A memorable evening for me and for all, And a joy to be there in our new concert hall. Gussie Miller
PEER GROUP NEWS 1925–1965 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Daphne MaGuire (Thomson) T’59 Sheila Saunders (Clarke) W’44: My husband and I recently celebrated our 67th wedding anniversary. Jenny Colmer (Reitze) DH’50: I visited the school at the end of May with my son. We really enjoyed our tour and I couldn’t believe how different it all was compared to the 1940s when I was there. It was my first visit in 70 years as I now live in Western Australia near Perth (see photo below).
belonging to this well-organised movement, which has careful research underpinning it, I actually feel some hope. But here is some more ‘normal’ news. I have not sent in an update for many decades. I trained as a nurse and midwife, married a doctor, had two lovely daughters, both born in Nigeria, and more recently acquired four gorgeous grandchildren. I am now happily single and live near my daughters in beautiful Devon, near Totnes. Sally MaGuire (Judd) T’55: I am very well settled in Brighton and am now a great grandmother! I had a lovely reunion in Brighton in July 19 when my sister Daphne Thomson was staying with me and Carol Atkinson (Mellor) T’56 joined us for a lot of catch-up of old friends. I went to Cornwall with my other sister, Penelope MaGuire (StanleySmith) T’61, this summer as well. If I can offer a bed to anyone coming to Brighton, I would be delighted. Jane Pople (Adley) A’55: I walked up the pilgrim route in June this year: quite easy going up, but the suggested path downward, not so! Navigation problems! Wonderful view of the unspoiled Costa Verde in Western Sardinia.
Mary Buxton (Light) DH’62: I have had an eventful year, as I’ve joined Extinction Rebellion and been arrested, twice. For so long I have felt helpless about the climate crisis, but now,
Rosemary Hoysted (Fraser) A’56: In August I was lucky enough to spend a week at the Vail Dance Festival, Colorado, where my daughter-in-law Carla Körbes was the ballet mistress and also danced in a premiere by choreographer Pam Tanowitz. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Old Girls Day in May, my visit to Dorset made possible by Betsey West (Hewetson) A’57 who kindly put me up and did the driving. The whole day was brilliantly organised, and we were treated to a concert and most generous lunch in the new music centre. The high spot was being able to have choir practice and sing Evensong in the Abbey. Brenda Scheja (Rossini) W’58: I published a chapter in a new book this year, entitled Canon Law: Lawyers and the Sherlockian Canon. The book explains how the Victorian courts system worked, applying laws from the period to tales from the Sherlock Holmes canon. My chapter focuses on the Official Secrets Act enacted pre Great War and the role of Sherlock Holmes as witness for the accused violator/defendant – his brother Mycroft. To order a copy, go to: bakerstreetirregulars.com/2018/1 2/28/canon-law/ Carolyn Ingram (Forsyth) DH’62: I lead a quieter life these days, as the grandchildren, who are all at school here in Cape Town, are becoming teenagers and my services are no longer
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PEER GROUP NEWS
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required so much for feeding, supervision and driving here and there. I am a member of a very active book club, various bridge groups and look after a fairly large garden, which was not easy during the water shortage we experienced last summer. The cultural side is not neglected in that my husband and I sign up for quite a few of the walking tours on different aspects of Cape Town and its art and heritage that Kate Crane (Crane Briggs) A’82 puts together. I attach a photo of Kate and me at the Norval Foundation on an occasion when Kate had organised for the architects to show us around the striking, modern building – an art gallery which opened earlier this year.
Above from left to right: Philippa Downing K’66, Laura (not an old girl), Christabel Hunter W’80, Mitch Earl, husband of Clementine Stone (Earl) DH’99, Penny Cobb (Robinson) W’71, Teresa Huntley (Hepworth) K’63 and Diana Beattie Vivien Laughton-Smith (Thomas) AE’64: On Friday, 10 May 2019, a group of nine of our year from AE’64 met at the dedication of the Sarah Lovell Room in the new Merritt Centre. Sarah Lovell (Wingfield Digby) Photo 1
Diana Downing (Beattie) K’63: My husband Richard and I had a small lunch at home in Tisbury to celebrate our Golden Wedding on 7 April this year. There were a disproportionate number of Sherborne Old Girls present. My husband is not in the photo!
AE’64 was a much-loved member of our year group who sadly died of breast cancer in 2003, and the dedication of a room to her memory triggered a long overdue reunion. Some of us had not met since the day we left school, 55 or 56 years earlier, but the years rolled back, and there was much laughter and some tears. Julia FoulkesRoberts (Swanson) AE’64 travelled all the way from Los Angeles to be there. I do hope we can schedule another reunion before we all become too old and decrepit. It was
huge fun to get together and share many memories. Photo 1: Sarah Lovell Room Dedication, 10 May 2019. Back row: Patty Macdonald AE’64, Elizabeth Juniper AE’64, Judith Middleton (Berger) AE’64, Caroline Durston-Smith AE’64, Lindy Tilley (Humby) AE’64. Front row: Julia Swanson, Katya Wassey (Lester) AE’64, Vivien Thomas
Photo 2
Photo 2: Year of AE’64. Back row: Alison Manton AE’64, Lindy Humby, Lesley Phibbs (Palmer) AE’64, Patty Macdonald, Vivien Thomas, Sarah Wingfield Digby, Elizabeth Juniper. Front row: Katya Lester AE’64, Judith Berger, Julia Swanson, Caroline Goodden (Vidican) AE’64 Stephanie Surridge (Trotter) DH’65: I helped set up the charity CO-Gas Safety in 1995 to raise awareness and tighten legislation around carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In the 25 years since launching, the charity has helped innumerable victims of carbon monoxide inhalation, gas leaks, explosions and fuel emissions other than
CO. I have appeared on the television and radio to raise awareness of the issue, and have worked hard to lobby ministers, civil servants and the industry to make simple changes that preserve and protect people’s well-being. In January 2015, CO-Gas Safety celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special reception for 120 guests at the House of Lords. In 2017, we reached the final for three categories on the H&V News Awards and won ‘Safety Initiative of the Year’. On a personal front, I am a non-practising barrister and was a senior lecturer at the Inns of Court School of Law (the final year of pupilage) for nine years. I am married to John, a charity law specialist, and we have two sons, Alex and Paul, who are both married with children. I was delighted to receive an OBE in 2007 for my work on gas safety. Despite the success of CO-Gas Safety, our challenges continue: in 2019, our data showed that 712 people have died from unintentional CO poisoning since 1995, and there have been more than 5,000 injuries or near
misses. This remains a real risk to human health and we continue to work hard to raise awareness and shape legislation that protects people from harm.
Virginia Warren (Tidmarsh) T’60: Six of our Thurstan year plus spouses met up on 13 June for lunch at the home of Liz Barry (Tyzack) T’60 near Newbury. I see Antonia Peck (Mayhew) T’60 together with Joan Bond T’60. Toni lives in Winchester and Joan near Trowbridge, so we met at Salisbury in May and again in Bath in September. I also keep in touch with Pip Wilson (Nalder) AE’60 and Gill Buzzard (Blenkinsop) DH’62. I am lucky to have four nieces: Josie Stock (Misick) A’76 and Lottie Stock (Fenton) A’79, Anna Crawford (Seton Coad) T’79 and Caroline Crawford (Woollard) T’81.
From left to right: Cynthia Courtney (Chignell) T’59, Diana Bell (Kruger) T’60, Joan Bond, Liz Tyzack, Virginia Tidmarsh and Rosie White (Edwards) T’60
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PEER GROUP NEWS 1966–1970 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70
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Anne writes: Through the SOG Golfing Society I have renewed contact with many old friends. This year, Anne Kinnersley (Boyle) K’67, Susie Pym (King) DH’68 and Hilary Peterkin (Younger) W’64 joined me for events at my local club. Hilary Park (Dennes) E’65, Valerie Worth (Thomas) E’73 and Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 are members, so we get together regularly. Joan Drew (Bond) K’69 is a good friend and a near neighbour and through her I see her sisters Libby and Gill from time to time. Every June, Susie Ingram (Penrose) DH’70 and I stay with Vicky Vaughan-Lee (Scarborough) K’68 at her lovely villa in Menorca to play bridge! We have been doing this for 17 years now and it’s the first thing that goes into the diary! Richard and I go regularly to Dubai to see our daughter Jo Agnew
From left to right: Vicky Scarborough, Susie Penrose, Anne Agnew
(Leeman) K’99 and our grandson Louie (born 29 October 2018). She keeps in touch with many of her year group. Tina Griffith-Jones (Johnson) DH’66: We have finally realised a dream and bought a house in Bridport. We are constantly bowled over by how lovely Dorset is and how much we love Bridport and our little domain. I’m finding it odd getting reacquainted with the county I once knew from a schoolgirl’s perspective! Caroline Brett Young (Palmer) AW’67: I finally resigned from working in mental health in 2018, and am now writing a play about the NHS and a blog about my village, as well as volunteering at the local food bank. My sisters Clare Whitley (Rendle) AW’60 and Liz Whitley (Pybus) AW’58 and I have managed to meet up twice this year in Devon. I also see a lot of my son, Alex, and daughter-inlaw, Catherine, living in Weybridge. Clare Apperly (Hartwell) W’70: I have recently taken on the organisation of our local church fundraising initiative: Cheriton Talks (www.cheritontalks.com). This is a series of five lectures held in St Michael’s Church, Cheriton, Hampshire, in February/March each year. In the past, we have had some very eminent speakers, and we are always on the lookout for new
ideas. If any OG with an interesting career or speciality might be able to give a talk, please get in touch with Fiona in the SOG office. When not busy with this, we are enjoying our three grandchildren, holidays, theatre concerts, tennis, walking and our large garden. Josephine Hepburn (Blake) A’69 writes: In September, Fiona James organised a 50-year reunion for the ‘69 leavers, and after some thought Dee Dewey (Wingfield Digby) A’69 and I persuaded each other that we should make the effort to drive across the country to go to it. We were not disappointed. Fiona and colleagues had laid on a lovely day for us, starting in the new Merritt Centre with coffee and a small concert, then a delicious lunch, and finally a tour around our old houses, now all much changed and modernised. I very much enjoyed seeing old friends, some of whom I had seen over the years, and others whom I had not seen at all, and there was a lot of catching up! I had not visited the school since my daughter Georgie Blake (Millar) A’00 left, and was very impressed with all the new buildings. The girls who showed us round Wingfield Digby were amazed to hear our stories of the old Aylmar 50 years ago! Altogether it was a very happy memorable day, and I am so glad I went.
1971–1975 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey) K’73 Jocelyn writes: Now I look back at the year I realise how much I have been in touch with SSG and school friends from those years. Having been lured down to the AGM in May by an invitation to sing Evensong in Sherborne Abbey, I met up with my youngest sister Jill Passey (Eyre) K’80 and Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80. Singing in the Abbey next to my sister Jill was such a wonderful treat. It brought together many singing friends from over the years, all thanks to Gussie. Helen Bayley (Daltry) AE’73 persuaded me to go the SSG Cirencester lunch with the Old Shirburnian Society in October. Sara Martin (Shipway) AE’73 also came along and as we have met up over the years it was easy to slot into catch-up mode. I don’t think I have ever been to anything with Sherborne Boys other than a fairly disastrous Sixth Form dance all those years ago! A sign of our times. Singing Verdi’s Requiem in Burford Church last weekend with the Burford Singers, I spotted in the crowd of merrymakers after the event Emma Branfoot (Hardyment) W’73 (who lives near Cheltenham) and had a jolly catch-up with her and her husband, John. So, the influence
of music laid down by SSG continues to be a joy and inspiration in my life.
1976–1980 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80 Jane writes: Loving my new life as a country mouse and between a retired husband, the dogs, the house and the garden, I am kept thoroughly occupied and entertained! Our two sons have flown the nest to live and work in London. I see Anna Green (Anthony) T’77 and Fiona Russell E’81 regularly and Bel Hunter W’80 occasionally, as they all live nearby. Melanie Wray (Blake) AW’78: I was honoured to receive an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of Kamili Organisation, for services to mental health in Kenya. I set up Kamili Organisation in 2007 to help people with mental health issues in Kenya. The Organisation helps and treats more than 10,000 people, and has trained more than 30 psychiatric nurses, covering more than half of Kenya’s 47 counties.
Serena Vernon (Kerr) A’77: Just before my 60th birthday I walked for one month on my own on the Voie des Piemonts Camino route from Montpellier to Saint-JeanPied-de-Port. The route took me along the foothills of the Pyrenees. I felt a real sense of achievement doing it on my own. It is not a well-trodden path and I only met two other people doing it. I stayed in monasteries and with kind people who opened up their homes to pilgrims. I was alone for a month but not lonely, as I had so much to think about: following the directions, which were all in French; always making sure I had an orange and a boiled egg in my pocket; keeping safe and not hurting myself; and taking in the beautiful surroundings, the flowers and the birds; painting and writing my diary; and finding somewhere to stay the night. In other news, my eldest son, William, has a little girl aged 18 months and my daughter Alice W’06 has a one-year-old boy and another baby on the way.
1981–1985 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Emma Burrows AE’83 Emma writes: I still see various SSG friends regularly, including Clare Macmichael (Martin) AW’83, Jane Welch (Waller) AW’83, Margi Welch (Jervoise) AW’83, Camilla A Court (Dobell) T’83,
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PEER GROUP NEWS Juliet Dibben (Russell) AW’83 and Louise Bishop AE’83. Jane is becoming an established ceramicist and in 2018 we celebrated her work exhibited, on a plinth, in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. I live in West London and am always keen to meet up with Old Girls I’ve lost contact with. I work as a partner of a law firm in the City where I’ve been rather extraordinarily for 27 years (!), and I am married to Olivier, with two children, aged 15 and 14. Anyone wanting to get in touch please do.
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Antonia Tozer (Tucker) K’82: Three generations of Kenelm girls gathered for Commemoration on Friday, 28 June and went to see ‘their’ chair generously paid for by Penny Hockley. Penny Hockley (Tozer) K’55 and Antonia were in Kenelm when it was ‘over the road’ and now Grace Tucker (2017–2022) is enjoying being in modernised Kenelm. She is in her GCSE year.
Emma Young (Rose) K’81: On a personal level, I am getting my firstborn Delilah off to Birmingham University for the first time having now left Prior Park in Bath (as Deputy Head Girl). My youngest, Genevieve, has just entered the Sixth Form. I am now based at The Art Studio in Wellow, just five miles from the centre of Bath. Nestled in a designated Area of Natural Beauty, Wellow is an idyllic village, boasting a fabulous pub The Fox & Badger, medieval church, Packhorse Bridge, Longbarrow and the famous Wellow Trekking Centre. My art studio is right in the centre, overlooking a wild garden and with south-facing valley views. Here you will see original contemporary paintings, limited edition giclée prints and cards. Visitors are welcome by appointment (which is very relaxed), and they will be able to see work in action and discuss commissions. Next to my studio is a beautiful holiday rental, The Art Cottage (www.theartcottage bath.com), which completely lives up to its name! To find out more, visit: www.emmaroseartworks.com
Louise Bishop AE’83: My granddaughter, Tilly Grace Cluness, was born on 25 July 2019 to my son Sandy Cluness, and his wife Daynah. Louise Ellam (Hall) E’84: Although I left SG 35 years ago, I feel I have partly left the Sherborne community again this year as the last of my three children finished at the boys’ school in July, a year after my younger daughter finished at Sherborne Girls and a couple of years after my eldest daughter left. I say ‘partly’ because I continue as a governor of Sherborne Girls, contributing broadly (I hope) but also making specific use of my experience as an investment manager, a career I have loved at a company (Investec) I love and where I will be celebrating 30 happy years in November 2019. Jane Cray (Clayton) A’86: In late November I had the chance to visit Sherborne with my husband on business. This was my first visit to the school since playing Old Girls lacrosse in my 20s, and I was not disappointed. Despite no warning of my visit, I was given an exceptionally warm welcome and it was really fascinating to see a few of the huge developments the school has made over the last 20 years. I had a nostalgic moment visiting the old Aylmar where my name is still on the Heads of House board, below that of my very dear friend Harriet Tory A’86, who was so tragically killed in 2005.
After 10 years working as an agronomist in Wiltshire, my husband’s work has led us to three years in Budapest and then 10 years in France before settling in Nottinghamshire 4 years ago. Our eldest son Will is currently working in New Zealand before starting veterinary school in April at Nottingham. Our younger son will be leaving Uppingham next summer and hopefully heading to Durham. I am in touch with Lucie Agnew (Patrick) E’87 and Lizzie Hobbs (Mehta) E’86. The photo below shows me outside Wingfield Digby.
1986–1990 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Antonia Foster (Plant) AE’91 Jemima Laing (Soper) AE’88: I was elected as a Labour councillor for Stoke Ward on Plymouth City Council in a byelection in July 2018 and again in May 2019 when I was also appointed Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
Yewande Animashawun (Bertuna) DH’89: I still keep in touch with Linda Hashim AW’89, Catrina Schmiegelow K’89 and Sumaya bint El Hassan E’89. I can’t believe I have known them for 30 years!
Carol Moore (van der Walt) E’89: I have been working as a diplomat in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for nearly twenty years, working on areas as diverse as international fisheries, overseas security for business, diversity and inclusion, and the future of the EU. I have been posted to the UK Mission to the EU in Brussels, and as Deputy Ambassador in the British Embassy in Oslo, Norway. Most recently, I have been on loan to the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU), where I have been leading a team working on the impact of Brexit on the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Having thoroughly enjoyed my career so far, I was delighted to come and speak to the current Sherborne girls about the opportunities available in the FCO and wider Civil Service.
Alice Case DH’86: I left Sherborne in 1986 and read Classics at Manchester University, followed by an MA in Museum Studies at Leicester University. After a varied career path, I have for the last couple of years been co-ordinating a Classics Hub in Liverpool, where I have lived for the last 25 years. The Classics Hub is part of a nationwide network funded by a charity called Classics for All that works to increase the provision of all forms of Classics in state schools. I have one son, who is now in his second year at Oxford University reading History (very proud mum!). In my spare time I am a governor at a local allthrough state boarding school in Liverpool. I still have family near Sherborne, and have a nephew at Sherborne School. I am in touch with a number of friends from Sherborne days!
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PEER GROUP NEWS 1991–1995 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Alexandra White A’95 Annelise Platou Bjørnseth (Glew) A’91: William welcomed his little brother – Alastair Norman Bjørn – born on 10 June 2019 (pictures below). Now the adventures really begin!
Charlotte Pyke W’95: I am currently acting in various bits of TV, am teaching acting at the Oxford School of Drama, and also translating Russian plays for the theatre. I live in North London and come back to Dorset often where my parents still are. Would love to catch up with anyone from school. Lara Piercy (Bateman) AW’94: I’m still living in Tring with my husband Ian, two kids, a dog and a cat. My full-time ‘mum at home’ role is slowly diminishing as both kids head off to boarding school. Sam (13) has started at Uppingham and Holly (12) at Winchester House,
where, Oscar, the son of Emma Copper (Danby) AW’94 is in her year. It’s lovely to see the next generation going to school together. I run a weekly art club for five- and six-year-olds at a local school, which is exhausting yet very rewarding and fits in well alongside the postage stamp artworks that I create from my studio at home. I’m still in touch with a host of Westies: Olivia Blessington (ThorntonFlowers) AW’94, Lizzie Pomeroy (Chatterjee) AW’94, Clare Constable (Potts) AW’94, Philippa Robinson (Bradbrook) AW’94, Emma Danby and Farah Ismail (Rahim Ismail) AW’94. Between us we have 13 kids ranging in age from two to 13 years!
Natalia Rolleston AE’99: My partner Tom Dwyer and I welcomed our son Florian George Quartz Rolleston-Dwyer on 6 September 2018. We are both delighted with our baby boy who is growing fast and seems already to have developed a wonderful sense of humour (photo below).
1996–2000 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Alexa Ramsay (Laryea) E’00 Anna Greenhous (Little) W’98: Matt and I had a son, Bobby William Little, on 20 July 2019, a brother for three-year-old Clarrie (photo below). We are moving next summer to Kampala, Uganda, for a few years with Matt’s job with the Department for International Development (DFID).
Georgia Scott (Bourne) A’98: My third child, Oriana, is now 18 months old and a very bubbly younger sister to Bertie and Taty.
2001–2005 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Tess Cavendish A’02 Rhiannon Ball AW’05: I graduated from Leicester Medical School in 2017 and am
now working as a doctor in Northampton General Hospital. My plan is to start Paediatric training. It has been an interesting journey from Theology degree, RE teaching, and working as a nurse assistant. The medical school I attended accepts people without a scientific background, but who have worked in health, which enabled me to change direction in my career. My husband Ernest and I had a daughter, Carys Isabella Nalubanjwa Kalanyi, on 19 October 2017. Her name is in part due to her Ugandan heritage.
ready in 2020. It’s been lovely receiving bespoke orders from lots of Old Girls. We’re also renovating a house in the same area next year so lots going on.
Lindsay Lamb (Taylor) AW’02: I am still enjoying living in South Somerset and baby number three was born on 12 September. Her name is Primrose Mabel Juliet Taylor and she weighed 7lb 13oz. Her sisters are Kitty (aged two and a half) and Tessa (aged five), who starts school this year. My small business, Taylor Made Calligraphy, is growing and hopefully a website will be
Peer Group Co-ordinator: Alex Pentolfe DH’06 Bella Hussey A/RH’06: I married James Lauder in December. We had an amazing day and there were many Old Girls and Old Shirburnians there.
Alice Kennon DH’05: Elizabeth (known as Lilla) Nicole Richardson was born on 26 June 2019 weighing nine pounds. She was named after The Queen!
Rhiannon – centre
2006–2010
Alice Dodge A’01: Introducing Florence (Flossie) Amelia Cox born on 30 August 2019 weighing 7lb 13oz. We are over the moon! The final piece of our jigsaw... our hearts could burst with love! And we feel so so lucky...
Photo: Chris Jelf
Vicky Simon A/RH’07 and Clemmie Budge A/RH’07 (pictured, below): We both left in 2007 and have a passion for dogs. Vicky is a vet specialising in small animals and holistic medicine. She owns two very energetic rescue collies. Clemmie is never without dogs. Having run her own business dog sitting and walking, she is now working for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in their Campaigns team.
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PEER GROUP NEWS Cecci Robertson RH’10: Having recently moved back from Sydney where I lived for 18 months, working and travelling, I am now working in the travel industry in London. My current role is destination expert for Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, at cazenove+loyd. It’s an exciting new role for me and I am learning a lot about our destinations. I look forward to visiting and selling our exciting products in the months to come.
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Daisy Andrew AE’10: I work for Seedlip Drinks, creator of the world’s first distilled nonalcoholic spirits, solving the dilemma of ‘what-to-drinkwhen-you’re-not-drinking’. Based in Beaconsfield, I head up and manage our in-house events team, executing campaigns and events throughout Europe.
Emily Smeaton A’07: I married Patrick Church on 7 December 2019 (see photo below). We had a wonderful day, which we celebrated with lots of old girls including Alice Cave W’07, Polly Hadden-Paton (Williamson) DH’07, Tash Coates A’07, Emily Lane A/RH’07, Louisa Fisher W’07, Lucinda James AE/RH’07, Tiggy Goodwin (Hawkesworth) A’07, Charlotte Jackman (Brimacombe) A’07, Emma Strachan W’07 and Alice Moseley (Adler) K’07 as well as some Old Shirburnians. One of my little bridesmaids is an Old Boy’s daughter and my goddaughter, Beatrix Andrews, daughter of Henry Andrews (Wallace House 07).
attendance and my sisters, Rosalie WD’12, Alexa WD’16 and Kitty WD’19 plus Sophie Bowker K’09 and Charlotte Robinson (from Leweston) were bridesmaids. Photo: Amy Sanders Photography
Flora Hill (Scobie) K’07: Below is a picture of my daughter Jessica, born on 10 May 2019.
Emily Ayles (McCorkell) DH’08: My husband, Harry, and I have a son, William John Anthony. He was born on 1 October 2018 in Edinburgh (photo below).
Photo: George Chesterton Photography
Emily Palmer (Palmer Ramus) RH’09: I married Josh Ramus on 7 September 2019 at St Mary’s Church, Powerstock. The reception was at my parents’ house in West Milton. A number of Sherborne Girls were in
Isabella Rigby (Barrass) WD’08: I married Jack Barrass on 23 February 2019 in Franschoek, South Africa. We met at Durham University where we both studied. Old Girls attending included: Samantha Lee (Jerram) K’08, who was a bridesmaid, Thea Wellband (Carroll) DH’08 and Holly Hamlyn K’11. My brother
Edward (OS) was Master of Ceremonies (photo below).
Sabrina Stanley K’10: I currently work for CBRE, which is a Real Estate Firm. I am based in the London office and have been there just over three years. I qualified as a chartered surveyor last year through CBRE’s Graduate Scheme and am now working within the development team, specialising in the sale of sites outside London for large residential development schemes.
Thea Wellband (Carroll) DH’08: I launched my own property firm, Thea Carroll Property Consultancy, in 2019, offering search, acquisition and consultancy in London’s prime property market. (www.theacarroll.com)
Mount Fuji in Tokyo after a 3,600ft hike. We had Jenny Chan W’10, Jojo Au K’10 and Ing Sirivongse DH’10 with us at the wedding, which was really lovely. We are (finally) flying off in a few weeks’ time for our honeymoon to Peru to visit Machu Picchu! I currently work at Allianz Global Investor as a proposal writer supporting the business development team. I also recently joined the St John’s Cathedral choir, which I’m very pleased about as it has been five years since I properly did any music after I graduated as a music major from Edinburgh!
Alice Moseley (Adler) K’07: I married Edward Adler on 13 July 2019 (photo below).
Sarah de Ceuleneer Balston (Corlett) RH’07: I married Archibald Corlett at Wells Cathedral on 11 May 2019 (photo below). Old Girls Sophy Smith W’07 and Georgina Chapman AE’08 attended.
2011–2015 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Louise Moseley K’11
Kate Tse K’10: I got married at St John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong at the start of 2019 (photo above right). I met my husband Teddy during our uni days in the UK, but we didn’t start dating until we both moved back to Hong Kong. He proposed during sunrise at the top of
Flora Campbell WD’11: My son, Toby Fox Chambers, was born on 24 March 2019 (photo below).
PEER GROUP NEWS
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Amelia Graham WD’12: Running the London Marathon has always been a life goal of mine, so when I got a charity place to run this year with ActionAid I was extremely happy. Little did I know that training through the winter months of January and February would be hell and that as the day got closer I started to get more and more scared rather than excited about the prospect of running 26.2 miles. When it came down to actually running the race and knowing I had raised a significant amount of money for charity, it was an incredibly exciting and enjoyable experience and it certainly helped having lots of friends and family cheering me on my way round.
working as an auditor for Crowe UK. It will be a tough three years until I’m qualified, when I hope to move into sports finance, but I’m really looking forward to the journey. I throughly enjoyed our 5-year reunion this year. I regularly keep in touch with Rebecca Creamer WD’14, Ella Weston WD’14, Edwina Savage WD’14, May Cole AW/WD’14 and Billy Tempest-Radford WD’14 (Wingfield stick together!), and it was great to catch up with so many others. Kitty Whittell WD’12: I am working in academia, and have just started my PhD in digital art theory. Ruth Canham (Lonsdale) RH’11: I married Captain Richard Lonsdale AAC (see photo below) on 18 May 2019 at Sherborne Abbey. Francesca Goodall WD’11 was one of the bridesmaids. Other Sherborne Old Girls who attended were Milly Eldridge RH’11, Sally Panton AE’11, Issy Graham AE’11 and Ellie Edkins K’11. Rebecca Creamer WD’14: Next February I am travelling to Galle in Sri Lanka to undertake a onePhoto by Nisha Haq Photography.
Elly Dillon WD’14: After graduating from Newcastle in 2017, with a 2:1 in Classics, I’ve found myself going down the accounting route. I am currently taking my ACA exams while
month medical placement in Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. During our final year of training at Cardiff Medical School, all students are given this exciting opportunity to study abroad. It gives us a chance to see how medicine is practised in very different circumstances from the UK. I have chosen to do this in Sri Lanka because I have heard that it is a beautiful country filled with very kind and caring people. Gabriella Costantini (Hogan) AE’11: I married Ryan Hogan (from Zimbabwe) on 25 May 2019, at the Makokola Retreat on Lake Malawi (Malawi) (photo below). Ryan and I have been together for seven and a half years. I work in the safari tourism industry and Ryan works in the tobacco industry. We live in Lilongwe, Malawi, with three dogs and two cats.
Anona Galbrait K’14: I’m about to start a PhD in Biology at Durham. I have just finished my master’s here and got a first so I am lucky enough to carry on with the same project as a funded PhD. Lucy Sewell RH’15: I am working as a digital consultant for Newton Europe, an ops consultancy company based in Oxford. I’ve been there since graduating last July and love the job and the work! We are all very excited about the 5-year reunion in 2020, as it will be so nice to catch up with everyone again!
2016–2020 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Imogen Andrews WD’16 Imo writes: On leaving Sherborne in 2016, I enjoyed a fantastic year of travelling around South America, Australia and New Zealand. I have so many wonderful memories from this year but a definite highlight was working with the Rugby 7s teams at the Rio Olympics. I am currently in my final year
studying physiotherapy at King’s College London. At the moment, my time is split mostly between university work or placements and rugby (which is probably where the majority of my time goes!). I play for both my university medics’ team and Hammersmith and Fulham RFC and although I am generally covered in bruises, I really enjoy it. Annabel Mortimer K’19: I finished my IB in May and then went off travelling for a fun two weeks to Barcelona, Prague and Budapest with Hannah Shirley K’19, Natty Linhart K’19, Izzy Keating K’19 and Emily Watson WD’19. I worked at The Grange Festival before spending the summer hols in Devon, Malta and Portugal. I have just started reading Geography at Durham University and am having a ball! Amelia Monaghan DH’18: I am now at Cambridge, where I have a Choral Scholarship at Corpus Christi College.
Poppy Smith DH’19: I have just started my first year at Loughborough University studying Fine Art. With the help of a large commission that I received as a result of last summer’s art exhibition at SG, I can continue to pursue my independent love for art by going on a Travel Grant trip to Rotterdam through my university. I have loved the experience of living in halls, which is why next year I have signed on to be a ‘fresher helper’, living back in hall along with many of my friends. I am looking forward to next year when I will be attending the Venice Biennale with some of my course mates, and I am in the process of applying to exhibit at the Royal Academy’s Young Artists’ Summer Show. Tammy Miller DH’18: Katie O’Donoghue K’18 and I were at St James's Palace on 5 February 2019 for our Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award presentation (photo below). I am currently in my first year of a Geography degree at Cardiff University and Katie is at the University of Edinburgh reading Accounting and Business.
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PEER GROUP NEWS Araminta Stubbs DH’18: At the start of the summer holidays, after graduating from the Oxford Media and Business School, I travelled with Sedgemoor Elite Target Sprint squad to compete in Germany. The weather provided difficult conditions as the course was on tarmac, so it was very slippery. I narrowly made it into the final and was up against stiff competition. But all the practice paid off and I was very pleased to place fifth overall to put me in medal contention. In the team races we were up against the German team and the Italian team. I was very happy to run a leg time of 5:12:1, which is the
fastest time recorded for a junior woman (though not a record, as it was in a team event which does not count). In August, I competed again in the Air Arms Cup held at Yate near Bristol, forming a team with two others. We had stiff competition from the Germans, Italians and another Sedgemoor team. I was third leg, and my teammates had us in a comfortable position when I took over. Thankfully all my training paid off and there were not too many missed targets. The end result was an unofficial Junior Women’s team record of 16:03:16.
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UNIVERSITY VISITS MANCHESTER In February, we met up with Old Girls studying in Manchester at the Cosy Club, in the Corn Exchange. As usual, the Old Shirburnian Society joined us. It was very good to catch up with our respective alumni and hear how they are getting on.
OxFORD In October, we visited Oxford and took over part of All Bar One. It was a great evening and much enjoyed by everyone.
PEER GROUP NEWS: REUNIONS 5-Year Reunion Nearly 100 leavers from 2014 gathered for their reunion on Saturday, 21 September 2019, held at The Black Dog, Vauxhall, London. It was enormous fun and greatly enjoyed by everyone.
10-Year Reunion The leavers from 2009 met for their reunion on Thursday, 13 June 2019 at The Clarence, London. As ever, it was enormous fun.
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30-Year Reunion The leavers from 1989 met for their reunion on Saturday, 5 October 2019 at Sherborne Girls for tours and drinks before going into Sherborne for supper.
40-Year Reunion The leavers from 1979 met on Friday, 7 June 2019 for their reunion lunch held back at school.
50-Year Reunion Leavers from 1969 met up in The Merritt Centre for their reunion on Saturday, 28 September 2019. Following a short musical concert, lunch was served in the Upper Foyer.
Volunteer Drinks Reception 19 June, London
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News from the
School 54
DIGITAL LEADERS In order to fully prepare the girls for their future, the school implemented a new digital strategy at the start of the academic year. Pupils and staff are now using Microsoft Surface hardware and software with pen-enabled devices to enhance learning and promote collaboration, communication, creativity, computational and critical thinking. Harnessing the benefits of pen-enabled devices is already having a beneficial impact both for teachers and pupils, as are the robotics and coding classes that are a feature of the co-curricular programme. As technology advances, the school is committed to equipping pupils with practical digital skills, not just for schoolwork, but for life beyond A Levels, ensuring that they are fully prepared for their future lives and careers. To further support this strategy, the school has also appointed 14 new ‘Digital Leaders’ to spread best practice amongst their fellow pupils and demonstrate how technology can enhance the learning experience. One of their first activities as a group was to visit Microsoft’s London HQ to see first-hand how technology such as Virtual Reality is being used and developed for business.
120TH ANNIVERSARY On 27 September 2019, the school marked 120 years since Mr Kenelm Wingfield Digby helped bring the idea of having a girls’ school in Sherborne to reality. Miss Beatrice Mulliner, previously an Assistant Mistress at Cheltenham Ladies College, was appointed the first headmistress and began her post at Ransome House in Sherborne with just 14 pupils. Within three years, numbers were close to 100 and the school was gaining a reputation as one with high academic standards. Larger premises were required and in 1903 the school opened on its current Bradford Road site. The school is already making plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2024.
OPERATION FUTURE HOPE
TEDxSHERBORNE The inaugural TEDxSherborne event took place in The Merritt Centre in May 2019. TEDx events provide a platform for sharing individual ideas and debate and are part of the world-wide series of TED Talks. The day was filled with articulate speakers, artistic performances and thought-provoking short films around the theme of how to make Sherborne ‘Fit for the Future’. A number of the speakers were students from local schools who talked passionately about the environment, politics and democracy, with guests commenting on how impressive the students were and how they gave them hope for the future. Chloë Dick (L6) represented SG brilliantly with a wonderful and compassionate talk on conservation while other pupils collaborated with The Gryphon, Leweston and Sherborne School to perform slam poetry and a drama piece about the impact of social media. The event proved incredibly popular with tickets selling out in the first week, and up to 5,000 people watching online via YouTube Live, at homes, schools and workplaces across the area and beyond including the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Uganda!
Sherborne Girls is the first school in the country to sign up to a new conservation and rewilding initiative launched by the conservation charity, Operation Future Hope (OFH). The OFH Conservation School Award scheme will see considerable areas of ‘rewilding’ across the school campus to support the reintroduction and protection of flora and fauna. Rewilding will help to restore and rejuvenate biodiversity with a vision to develop a sustainable and regenerative culture. The aim of the award is twofold: to educate and raise awareness amongst young people of the dramatic decline of nature and wildlife at a global scale; and to inspire and enable pupils to get involved in conservation locally, at every stage of the process, in a practical and meaningful way. Sherborne Girls is sponsoring The Gryphon School in Sherborne to develop its own rewilding plan and has also been instrumental in encouraging other schools in town to join the award scheme including Sherborne School, making it a truly collaborative and synchronised approach to rewilding from schools in town. Since the launch of the project in Spring 2019, changes across the campus are already visible with further wildflower meadows and a small orchard planned. Ultimately, the school will be able to harvest its own ‘SG Botanicals’ – something to watch out for in the future.
ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP Global Entrepreneurship Week in November was marked with inter-house competitions and a series of business challenges designed to explore the pupils’ potential as self-starters and innovators. The school is encouraging the girls to show initiative and confidence to follow their business dreams, and the level of drive and serious business acumen that the girls displayed was very impressive. It all bodes well for some exciting and inspiring times, as further entrepreneurship events are planned.
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News from Honorary Members
56
Suzanne Budd (Housemistress of Aldhelmsted West 2002 – 2010): We have now relocated from Normandy to the PoitouCharentes. We still spend at least five months in New Zealand during the French winter. I enjoy the garden in both countries but there is never a rest period, as it always seems to be spring. I now have four delightful grandchildren ranging from one to seven years old. They are all in New Zealand. I work voluntarily a couple of days a week in NZ for a hospice. I play golf badly and intermittently and I sew. I look back fondly on my time in AW and remember the highlights and high jinks of being in the junior house. I continue to follow the exciting developments at Sherborne Girls and wish everyone well for future success. My husband Tony continues his gliding and now instructs in NZ and flies the tow plane. In France he just glides and we are off to the French Alps next month so that he can attain his gold height award. I sometimes fly with him but have not had the inclination to go solo myself.
STAFF LEAVERS FROM 2019: Melissa Bartholomew
Julian Reed
Terry Connolly
Judith Stadman
Bryony Jerome
Annie Taylor
Stephen Loxton
Bethan Tucker
Jane McCloskey
Penelope Utting
Oliver McManus
Helen Keating (Housemistress Aldhelmsted East 1987 – 1990): They say that musicians, like artists, never retire! My husband Geoff and I have proved that to be true since we ‘retired’ to my ancestral home of Gatehouse of Fleet in south west Scotland. For 21 years (until last November), Geoff conducted the Solway Sinfonia, an orchestra which we founded. I played the double bass in the orchestra and was the orchestral librarian, which took up a great deal of time. Since relinquishing that job, I can concentrate on my work with the Gatehouse Community Council (of which I am currently Provost – the Scottish equivalent of Mayor) and on my embroidery and tapestry weaving activities. In November, Geoff and I will join our artist daughter Hilary for an exhibition in the Artists’ Town of Kirkcudbright. The exhibition will feature Geoff’s photographs, Hilary’s amazing animal portraits and wood engravings and my embroideries. We enjoyed a pleasurable reunion with the parents of Nina-Maria Potts AE’91 (Head of House), who arranged the amazing exchange between Sherborne Girls and various schools in the Czech Republic in 1989. The Sherborne Choir gave several concerts in Prague and it led to 30 years of friendship with one of the Czech teachers and her family, with annual exchange visits by each family. A wonderful legacy from their stay at Sherborne!
No. 53 – 2019
Contents
Editorial Team Fiona James Anna Anthony Tim Gibson Executive Committee
Design and print Shelleys the Printers
The Old Girls Office Sherborne Girls Bradford Road Sherborne
President Lucy Jameson
1925 – 1965
Daphne MaGuire (Thomson)
1966 – 1970
Anne Whatley-Smith (Agnew)
Presidents Emeritae Mrs Geraldine Kerton-Johnson Miss June Taylor Mrs Jenny Dwyer
1971 – 1975
Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey)
1976 – 1980
Jane Digby (Auer)
1981 – 1985
Emma Burrows
1986 – 1990
Antonia Foster (Plant)
Vice-Presidents Mrs Patricia Barker Miss Augusta Miller Miss Sheila Powell Dr Hassan Qasrawi
1991 – 1995
Alexandra White
1996 – 2000
Alexa Ramsay (Laryea)
2001 – 2005
Tess Cavendish
2006 – 2010
Alex Pentolfe
2011 – 2015
Louise Moseley
2016 – 2020
Imogen Andrews
1
From the Chairman
1
2019 Old Girls Day & AGM
2
From the President
3
From the Headmistress
4
Executive Committee
SOG Charity
6
Congratulations
6
Chairman Alexandra White
Candlelight Bursaries
7
Obituaries
8
Golf
14
Births, Marriages & Deaths
16
New SOG Members 2019
18
Daughters and Granddaughters of OGs
18
Circle News
19
Careers Networking Service
24
Features
32
Peer Group News
37
University Visits
51
T: 01935 818329 F: 01935 818310 E: oldgirls@sherborne.com
Peer Group News: Reunions
52
School News
54
www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls
News from Honorary Members
56
Sherborne Old Girls
IBC
Sherborne Girls Alumnae
Sherborne Girls
Peer Group Co-ordinators
From the Secretary
Dorset DT9 3QN
Sherborne Old Girls
The cover photo of Old Girl Ruth Rogers W’97 was taken at a concert she kindly gave in the newly opened Merritt Centre in April 2019.
Treasurer Lindsay Taylor Secretary Fiona James oldgirls@sherborne.com Peer Group Co-ordinators’ Representative Nicki Lewis oldgirls@sherborne.com Circle Secretaries’ Co-ordinator Jane Nicholson oldgirls@sherborne.com Co-opted Member Emily Palmer Ramus oldgirls@sherborne.com Headmistress Ruth Sullivan headmistress@sherborne.com Senior Management Team Representative Katherine Massey k.massey@sherborne.com
Trustees of Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund June Taylor, Joanna Gornall (Mrs Wright), Helen McLuskie (Mrs Garton) All correspondence should be addressed to: Miss June Taylor, Flat 4 Palliser Court, Palliser Road, London W14 9ED Development Officer Laura Windsor development@sherborne.com
Sherborne Old Girls Office, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN Tel: 01935 818329 Email: oldgirls@sherborne.com www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls Main school tel: 01935 812245 Email: office@sherborne.com
Sherborne Girls Alumnae
Sherborne Girls
Journal Sherborne Old Girls
No. 53 – 2019
www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls