Sherborne Old Girls 2014 No. 48

Journal Sherborne Old Girls

No. 48 - 2014

No 48 - 2014

Editorial team Laura Windsor

Contents From the Editorial Team

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From the Chairman

2

Laura Weston

From the President

3

Jane Jessup

2014 SOG AGM

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SOG Charity 2014/15 - Kids Company

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SOG Charity 2013/2014 - Sherborne CAB Mental Health Outreach Project

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Congratulations

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From the Headmistress

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Fiona James Fiona Clapp

Anna Anthony Executive Committee

Design and print Shelleys the printers

Journal Enclosures Two sheets of paper are enclosed with your Journal: a donation form for charity support (on the back of the address sheet), and details of the 2015 AGM, together with a tear-off reply slip.

The Old Girls Office Sherborne Girls Bradford Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3QN T: 01935 818329 E: oldgirls@sherborne.com www.sherborne.com/oldgirls

Sherborne Girls Alumnae

Sherborne Girls

Development Review

12

Torchbearers News

14

Obituaries

16

Golf

22

Births, Marriages & Deaths

24

New SOG Members 2014

26

Daughters and Granddaughters of OGs

26

Sherborne Old Girls

27

Circle News

28

Careers Networking Service

34

Features

41

Peer Group News

54

News from Honorary Members

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From THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Welcome to the new-style Journal for 2014. You will notice a fresh approach to the design of the magazine and some subtle changes throughout.

This is the first year that we have produced the Journal using an in-house editorial team, with the Executive Committee taking overall responsibility for the editorial content.

A fantastic amount of news came into the office and we have included as much as possible.

In this edition we have been able to feature more content from the school, particularly in the World War 1 article and the report on the Women and Adventure Festival, in which a group of Old Girls gave hugely inspirational talks to current pupils about their amazing adventures across the globe.

Local Sherborne-based companies Shelleys the Printers and PS Mailing have been engaged to design, print and distribute the mailing.

Please do send us your news, updates and photographs throughout the year as this helps us to plan for the next edition.

We hope you like the new Journal and we would love to hear your thoughts, views and comments so please do send them to OGJournal@sherborne.com With all good wishes for 2015.

Laura Windsor and Fiona James on behalf of the Editorial Team

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Journal 2014

From THE CHAIRMAN Sophie Stratton E’82

The new Sherborne Old Girls organisation Changing an established society is challenging and not everyone will welcome all the changes.

However we hope that those agreed at the last AGM will soon bear fruit and ensure a vibrant future for many years.

A key role of any chairman is to ensure that the society remains fit for purpose. The world is changing rapidly, particularly in how we communicate, and social media has fundamentally changed the way people stay in touch. This was a driver for reviewing our organisation and ensuring it still works, as well as it can, for the benefit of all our Old Girls.

A working party reviewed the society’s objectives and governance last year and at the 2014 AGM members agreed to: keep the society as an independent, stand-alone organisation; elect an Old Girl as President rather than the

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Headmistress being President ex officio, as suggested by the Headmistress; and retain the arrangements whereby SOG is governed by a Council and operated by an Executive Committee.

Supporting Old Girls through Careers Networking continues to be important and is formalised by a new objective to ‘Foster and promote opportunities for careers networking and mentoring’. An Old Girl with relevant experience has been scoping out a project to invigorate our careers networking and I hope to share early findings and proposals at the AGM. We will need help from others with experience and interest to be involved in the project. Please volunteer!

I am delighted that Louise Ellam (Hall), who chaired the working party, has accepted the position as our new President.

Louise introduces herself on the next page and I look forward to working with her. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this project. The updated Constitution now enables the organisation to operate in a

more effective and efficient way to embrace the future. The Executive Committee now includes the Headmistress, a member of her Senior Management Team, Fiona Clapp, and our new Under 30s representative, Stephanie Hislop. It was a great pleasure to welcome them.

We continually seek to operate more efficiently whilst delivering a high-quality service valued by our members.

Sherborne Girls continues to work closely with its counterparts at Sherborne School and our younger Old Girls often enjoy joint reunions with the Old Shirburnian Society. Our future programme of events, however, will always include SOG-only reunions. I would like to thank the Circle Secretaries and Peer Group Coordinators for all their work.

Without our active volunteers the Old Girls could not exist. In particular, I would like to thank Jane Reekie (Nicholson) and Jane Digby (Auer) for their commitment to the organisation – I have valued their help enormously over the last year.

From THE PRESIDENT Louise Ellam (Hall) E’84

Louise with her daughter

I am delighted to take on the role at this exciting time for Sherborne Old Girls as it moves forward to embrace the next generation of leavers.

As an Old Girl, current parent and governor, I spend a lot of time at the school and have been impressed by its success and the achievement of the girls moving out into the world. I am keen to see them supported through the various stages of their post-school life, and keen to encourage their continuing contact and support of the school.

I graduated from the University of Westminster with an Honours degree in Business Studies. Then, I joined Investec (previously Sheppard’s) as a

trainee in 1989, qualifying in 1992, and subsequently became a Chartered Fellow of the Securities Institute. In my current role as Divisional Director, I head up the specialist charities team, providing tailored portfolio management and strategic investment advice to my clients.

I also sit on a variety of committees within the firm which encompass various aspects of its business, and help look after the London office.

Although my job is quite demanding, I am ably

supported by my husband Ken – with whom I worked for 20 years at Investec – and who has recently retired to Dorset, close to where I grew up. He is invaluable in helping coordinate our three teenage children, two of whom are at school in Sherborne, and he also provides an excellent taxi service for me as I commute back and forth from London by train each week.

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Journal 2014

2014 SOG AGM

This year’s AGM was held at Sherborne Girls and included a ‘Back to School’ experience for those present. The day started with coffee in Aldhelmsted West and a tour of the new 11–13 boarding house, kindly hosted by Housemistress, Hayley Vanstone.

2015 AGM Saturday 16 May See enclosed flyer and/or website for details

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In the Beddintgton Lecture Theatre, Headmistress, Jenny Dwyer, welcomed those present, including Chairman of Governors, Stephen Wingfield Digby. As part of her report, Jenny outlined her activity on behalf of the school in her sabbatical term last year, including extensive travel to Hong Kong, the USA and more recently to Guernsey, where she met many OGs. Chairman Sophie Stratton E’82 reported that the last year has been one of change to ensure that SOG is ‘fit for purpose’ today. A new Executive Committee is in place and work continues apace.

Treasurer, Ghislaine Fluck W’83, gave an overview of the finances. The Bursar, Simon Miller, reported that the school was in good heart and pupil

numbers had increased.

Director of Development, Laura Weston, highlighted progress towards a new Arts Centre. Tim Ronalds Architects had won a competition to design the centre and had started work. The Candlelight Bursary Fund had been launched last June at the Candlelight Ball and the legacy programme relaunched with the new title Pass on the Light.

The Candlelight Bursary Fund aims to provide 100% bursaries for girls from challenging home backgrounds in association with Kids Company and The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation.

SOG Secretary, Laura Windsor, reported on the work carried out by the Old Girls Office. She and Fiona James, Alumnae Development Officer,

The Candlelight Bursary Fund aims to provide 100% bursaries for girls from challenging home backgrounds in association with Kids Company and The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation had spent much of the year examining the structure, practices and links with the school to provide the best service to SOG members.

Kids Company was voted as SOG Charity of the Year. Two other organisations were submitted for support.

After the meeting, a picnic in the school gardens provided an opportunity for everyone – SOG members, their families and friends, current staff and girls – to relax in the sun and catch up.

There were then tours around each of the houses and the chance to hear first-hand from the girls about the school today. Two ‘Back to School’ lessons were held – one in the Science Centre and the other in the recently redecorated Modern Languages building; taught by Sixth Formers, the lessons were enjoyed enormously by those who took part.

The busy day ended with tea in Kenelm.

Many took the opportunity to look around the Kenelm girls’ new home and to chat to the girls and members of staff, including kind host, Housemistress, Kathy Pinsent.

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SOG CHARITY 2014/15 Kids Company

Since its establishment by Camila Batmanghelidjh DH’81 under some Camberwell railway arches in 1996, Kids Company has provided practical, educational and therapeutic support for children and young people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, neglect, abuse and trauma. Eighteen years later, the purpose of Kids Company is now twofold: Firstly, through our four streetlevel centres, four alternative educational centres, two therapy houses and our early intervention programme in over 40 schools, we reach 36,000 vulnerable children, young people and families living in the most deprived areas of London and Bristol.

We provide a safe, caring, family environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual. We are advanced in our service delivery, employing a widelyskilled team of professionals working at street level. Unlike traditional approaches, we create a unique, ‘wrap-around’ model of care for each child which encompasses practical,

educational and therapeutic support, so that all issues are addressed by one team, in one place, without the need for referrals or waiting periods.

Secondly, through handson knowledge gained at streetlevel, and academic research, we aim to create a replicable best-practice model for the management of childhood trauma and the reduction of violence and abuse nationwide.

Kids Company’s current campaign, ‘See the Child, Change the System’, comes in the wake of a report by the Centre for Social Justice evidencing the shortfalls of child social and mental health services. Its goal is the creation of a new, independent taskforce,

consisting of professionals from across the spectrum of children’s welfare, whose responsibility will be the redesign, and implementation, of a model for provision which is fit for purpose.

Kids Company is truly delighted to have been selected as the Sherborne Old Girls charity for 2014/15, and my team and I are profoundly grateful for the continued support of such special friends.

Your compassion restores dignity to the courageous children and young people whom Kids Company is honoured to support. www.kidsco.org.uk Camila Batmanghelidjh

Charity 2015–18 It was agreed at the 2014 AGM that SOG would support a charity for three consecutive years from 2015–18.

All applications for support should be received by the SOG office prior to the 2015 AGM. Applications should demonstrate OG involvement eg charity set up and/or run by an OG, gap year volunteer support.

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SOG CHARITY 2013/14

Congratulations

Dorchester, Sherborne & Districts CAB

Update on Sherborne CAB Mental Health Outreach Project Diana Gorsky (Hensher) AW’76 writes: We are very grateful to the Sherborne Old Girls organisation and those Old Girls who kindly donated to us last year and I am pleased to report that our Sherborne Mental Health Outreach project has been able to continue as a result of this generous help.

A significant number of our clients suffer with mental health problems which can range from mild anxiety or depression to schizophrenia and personality disorders. We have found that this client group experience a disproportionate number of problems with their benefits and housing. They are also more likely to get into debt. Issues may take longer to resolve and can involve more intervention on a client’s behalf.

Clients have experienced particular difficulties in claiming disability benefits (Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment) over the last year. There continue to be long delays waiting for medical assessments leaving people in limbo, causing added stress to those with mental health problems. Over a third of clients were turned down initially for the rate of benefit they were eventually awarded after being helped through the appeals process by our caseworker.

Thank you very much again for the donations which have allowed our valuable project to continue.

Claire and Jon Kabat-Zinn taken in Boston at the seminar.

Claire Greville-Heygate (Bunce) T’98 received a 2013/2014 Winston Churchill Fellowship to travel to America and Canada to investigate the use of Neuro Linguistic Programming in Clinical Voice Disorders. The photograph shows Claire at a seminar in Boston, USA, focusing on ‘Investigating and Integrating Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society’. The gentleman in the photo is Jon KabatZinn, who is something of a hero in the Mindfulness world having devised the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program – this program has started to be used in the NHS and other groups in the UK for depression amongst other things.

Sarah Cripps K’10 gained a 2:1 in English Literature from Newcastle University last summer.

Emily Davies RH’11 gained a 1st from Manchester University in Music and Drama.

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Journal 2014

From THE HEADMISTRESS Extracts from Jenny Dwyer’s Commem Speech Last year, the school’s theme was to ‘Be bold’. This year our theme was to ‘Look outwards’.

Whilst on sabbatical, Jenny saw the amazing opportunities available for young people today and wanted to make sure that the students of Sherborne Girls were equipped to grasp the opportunities if they so wished. “I wanted the girls and staff to come out of their comfort zone and to look outside the beautiful town in which we study, to try to get a better understanding of the world beyond. This international approach has always been part of the DNA of Sherborne Girls and is not new to this generation. We recently met a Sherborne Old Girl who works for UNESCO, where she recounted being at a conference in South America, talking to another delegate from Hong Kong. She told her this reminded her of the girls she had been at school with and when they compared, both had been at Sherborne Girls! We want to ensure that our girls have the skill set and confidence to take these jobs in this increasingly competitive world.”

“When I look at the students before me today, when I see their hard work, when I witness their initiative, when I see how supportive they are of one another; when I watch their fundraising endeavours or witness their superb performances, be they music, drama, sport or other; when I get letters extolling how thoughtful they had been on some external activity, I know that we at Sherborne Girls are going some way to introducing to the world women of extraordinary ability and integrity, and with the potential to do whatever they choose.”

Jenny highlighted some research which found that this generation, known as ‘generation citizen’, is the most ambitious, hard-working and community-minded since the generation of those who grew up in the Great Depression of the 1930s. “That is certainly my experience and I admire their ‘can do’ attitude and tenacity.

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“We are delighted to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the ethos of the course allows girls to exploit our international links and to learn from students of different cultures. The confidence gained from going above and beyond the curriculum, along with

staff encouragement, enables girls to extend themselves and use their initiative to try for individual success.

“When universities are declaring their wish for students to demonstrate a real passion in a single subject and employers are looking for breadth and extra-curricular evidence such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Gold level, we have to not just look to the next stage but to ensure we are looking out and over the horizon for the girls here.

“Our musicians have performed in numerous concerts and have provided real moments of awe. Singing in the St Matthew Passion at the Royal Festival Hall and at various Old Girls’ weddings, the choirs have been stunning.

Instrumentalists have reached the highest levels, with Eleanor Roda becoming a member of the National Youth Wind

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Orchestra and Charlotte Ewins getting a place at the Welsh Conservatoire. Lara Taylor and Eleanor Roda competed in the Sherborne Young Musician of the Year competition, winning the string and wind sections respectively and Sophie Masterton passed two Grade 8 exams on the same day: singing with Merit and flute with a high Distinction!

“Numerous plays have enthralled audiences and our artists were inspired by a trip to New York where they met Old Girl Rosamond Bernier A’28 who talked about her friendships with many of the 20th century’s leading artists and composers. One of the girls described it as ‘the best day of my life’.

“Sporting achievements were excellent by the 80 teams representing 20 sports within the school. Georgie Lane was picked as a GB biathlete and with six regional players and 20 county players in our winter sports alone, there is much to celebrate. With almost 80% of the school competing in matches, the emphasis is not just on excellence, but also participation in this area.

“Employers tell us they want students with great communication skills, who are both experts

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With almost 80% of the school competing in matches, the emphasis is not just on excellence, but also participation in this area. in their field and able and willing to be part of the team. Our Duke of Edinburgh’s programme, with more than 110 girls taking part, 40 at Gold level, is one way for girls to develop all these skills. We are proud of what they have achieved.

Employers are looking for students who have a strong work ethic, business sense and IT skills. In addition, they are looking for graduates to have a global mindset. Our exchanges are life-changing experiences and girls gain huge confidence from these experiences. Planning is underway for a trip to Rwanda in 2015 with The Gryphon School, and a second trip to Nepal. Flora Strachan and Imogen Galsworthy gained huge experience looking after adults in Romania who had been in orphan institutions during the Ceausescu regime. Their courage in dealing with some very challenging circumstances and their maturity and compassion meant that not only did they make a difference, they grew from the experience and have inspired others to follow them in their work.”

Jenny spoke about the dedication and professionalism of the staff and thanked all her colleagues – teaching and support – for all they do to enable the girls to have such rich and busy lives.

Jenny said, “You cannot succeed without the risk of failure and you cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism. Trust your own voice, your own ideas and your honesty and through this you will find your way. You don’t have to be fearless; just don’t let fear stop you.

Take those risks and never be afraid to try something new. Remember: amateurs built the ark, but professionals built the Titanic.”

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Journal 2014

Development REVIEW A new Arts Centre for Sherborne Girls has long been a dream, back to Dame Diana ReaderHarris’s time as headmistress. We are making every effort to ensure this dream becomes a reality in the very near future so that the full creative potential of girls can be realized.

We now have an exciting design for a new Music School, a large recital hall and the modification of the existing Music School (The Stuart Centre) for Drama. A wonderful, bright gallery foyer will link the new music and drama developments with the existing Art Department and provide a new social space with a bar and much-needed exhibition space for art. The foyer will open out onto a terrace, overlooking the lacrosse pitch. The scheme – a creative heart for the school – has been designed by Tim Ronalds Architects, an award-winning firm which specialises in arts centres. We are delighted that Dame Emma Kirkby DBE has agreed to be a patron and that the scheme has been endorsed by Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL who lives in the West Country.

The school will fund two-thirds of the cost and one-third by appeal. A strong start is vital to the appeal’s success and we are currently in what is called the ‘quiet phase’, seeking major gifts from a small number of donors linked to major naming opportunities – from the naming of music practice rooms and the bar, to the workshop theatre and the recital hall. When around 70% of the total is raised or pledged, but only then, we will launch our ‘public appeal’ to the whole Sherborne Girls community. I hope this brings you up to date on this exciting and important project. If you are interested in finding out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Last year’s fundraising focused on growing support for bursaries to widen access to

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Laura Weston

Sherborne Girls, which remains a high priority.

We are so grateful to all those who have given gifts of all sizes including those who have sponsored a day, a week, a half-term or a term’s schooling for a girl on a Candlelight Bursary.

Almost £100,000 has been given to the Candlelight Bursaries Fund since it was launched in June 2013. As a result, two girls from challenging home backgrounds are now experiencing a life-changing education here and, as the fund grows, so more deserving girls can come. The newest beneficiary, from London, shows great promise and has settled in well, going to stay with friends in her first term and seizing every opportunity to get involved in school life. Our first beneficiary is settling into her new House after completing two years in the junior boarding house.

Gifts, past and present, to the Scholarships & Bursaries Fund continue to support scholarshipstandard girls from families for whom the maximum 15% scholarship discount is not financial support enough, but who need a meanstested bursary on top. Talented and committed girls raise standards overall, from sport and music to art and academic studies, so growing this fund remains important.

The Legacy Campaign Pass on the Light is burning brightly as more and more Old Girls make a pledge to leave a gift to Sherborne Girls in their Will and we learn of new bequests large and small. Leader of the Torchbearers, Jane Reekie (Mrs Nicholson) E’59, reports on recent

We are delighted that Dame Emma Kirkby DBE has agreed to be a patron.

Dame Emma Kirkby DBE

Lady Shaw at Astronomy Room opening

pledges and bequests elsewhere in this Journal and on the recent Torchbearers’ lunch.

In March last year, we were delighted to welcome back some of the many generous supporters who made the renovation and installation of the Hunter organ possible at a special organ recital by renowned organist, Margaret Phillips. The concert was wonderful and was followed by tea in the refurbished ‘new’ Kenelm (old Aldhelmsted West).

Another notable Development event last year was the opening of the new Astronomy Room in memory of astronomer Mervyn Ellison (1909–1963) and former Master at Sherborne School. This was attended by his daughter, Lady Shaw (Dione Ellison) K’54, who made the room possible and Dione’s granddaughter, Mary Butler, a current pupil.

The school has invested heavily in developing and enhancing its site over the last four years. From the Science Centre and new junior boarding house to the Sixth Form Centre and Tea Crate, the school now looks bright and fresh in most areas. The generosity of Old Girls, parents and others has further enhanced the school’s facilities and aesthetics. There is no doubt, from our growing numbers, that the many developments have enhanced our competitiveness in a tough marketplace.

Old Girls can rest assured, however, that good oldfashioned values remain at our core. We continue to develop girls who are spiritual, compassionate, responsible, polite, determined and much more; I speak not just as a member of staff but also as the parent of a recent leaver (Ella, pictured above with Dame Emma Kirkby DBE). Sherborne Girls is flourishing and the creativity that will be liberated by the completion of the new Arts Centre will raise us higher still.

Next year will be a busy and an exciting one. We look forward to keeping you abreast of progress in our latest transformational projects. I thank every Old Girl who has supported our efforts in the last year and wish you a happy 2015.

Margaret Phillips at the Hunter organ

Laura Weston Director of Development 13

Journal 2014

Torchbearers NEWS Torchbearers with junior girls

An update on legacies and legators

Jane Nicholson

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The first Torchbearers’ lunch, which I hosted with the Headmistress, Jenny Dwyer, in September last year, was an enjoyable occasion. Ten of us, who have pledged a legacy to Sherborne attended the event, many of us with a guest in tow.

Jenny and Adrian Dwyer welcomed us in their home, White Lodge, where we enjoyed drinks and canapés and a personal update on the school by Jenny before moving across to Mulliner Drawing Room for a convivial lunch. Those of us who had not yet seen the many recent developments were impressed with what we saw on a tour of the School.

Our highlight was the chance to meet girls from Aldhelmsted West (the new junior boarding house) who came to present us with a special candleholder designed in the shape of the Old Girls’ torch symbol. Each had a

little tag with a hand-written thank you.

We really appreciated this token to thank us for passing on the light of an all-round excellent education to a new generations of girls.

Recent legacies It is always sad to learn of the death of an Old Girl or a long-standing member of staff. It is pleasing, though, that the school looks for fitting ways to commemorate those who have remembered Sherborne Girls in their Will, including of course the dedication of the Hunter organ in memory of Anne Dixon.

This year, we remember a most generous new Torchbearer, Gwendoline Muriel Merritt, better known as Queenie, who has left the best part of her entire estate to the School. This will help fund the new Arts Centre development.

Mary Patricia Vile AE’38

REMEMBERING QUEENIE Queenie was employed by Sherborne Girls for an extraordinary number of years as a member of the domestic staff.

She was for a period tea lady for the girls in Kenelm and the staff who were on duty at the time. She always had kindly words to say and went about her duties only once satisfied everyone was catered for properly. Queenie was a loyal member of our community and loved working at the school. After eventually retiring, she said that it was a privilege for her to have been able to work at the school.

But really it was a privilege for us to have had her as a colleague and dear friend of Kenelm. Queenie never failed in her commitment to the house and I remember her telling me when she was first at the school that if the weather was bad, she would sleep over on the floor in the kitchen in front of the stove so that she would be at work the following day. Now that’s dedication for you! In her later years in Kenelm, she continued to get the bus to work from Milborne Port and back home again, although she was getting frailer. When Queenie left Kenelm, there was a large hole to fill and she was missed, but we were lucky to have her return on many occasions to join us for tea and celebrate various festivities including Christmas carols in the house at teatime and the cutting of the cake along with joining our Christmas meal. She would often be seen in our Abbey services and Commemoration services wearing her familiar hats and thoroughly enjoying the music and the company. It is fitting therefore that Queenie’s tremendous legacy to the school will be used to fund an area in the new Music School that, once built, will be dedicated in her memory.

We remember too, with grateful thanks, Mary, whose legacy to the school of an extensive library of books has enabled the school library to purchase a wonderful new collection of over 200 new books and plays for Drama, each of which acknowledges her bequest. Mary’s wide-ranging collection of hardbacks, including a first edition of The House at Pooh Corner, was sold at a specialist auction raising almost £1,500. We also thank her niece, Eleanor Phillips AE’55, for her great help and support. Mary’s fascinating life is recorded in the Obituary section of this Journal.

Make Your Pledge!

We welcome legacy pledges of all shapes and sizes. It does not have to be a fortune! I am particularly glad to welcome as a new Torchbearer a member of the school’s Estates team, who has promised a musical instrument and music lessons for a girl on a bursary (and made our lovely candleholders!). I salute other new Torchbearers too and hope that by this time next year we will be an even bigger group. Together we can make such a difference to the future. Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Laura Weston in the school’s Development office, for a Legacy Brochure, a Codicil or a Pledge Form.

Thank you.

Jane Reekie (Nicholson) E’59 Leader, The Torchbearers Society

Margaret Dooley, Housemistress of Kenelm and Home Economics Teacher 1995–2008 15

Journal 2014

Obituaries

Betty Eyre (Randolph) W’31 Memories from the perspective of a friend’s daughter, Sue Willmott (Teale) DH’59 A grand collection of the Randolph family gathered for Betty’s funeral in Oxford. Betty had been a long-time friend of my mother, Margot Willmott. We all contributed to the Alzheimer’s Society in thankfulness that Betty was clearheaded to the end of her 101 years and (in her words) not ‘old and mad’ like her fellow Oaken Holt residents.

Betty was born and brought up in Farnham, Surrey and later Tunbridge Wells. She came to Wingfield in 1926, then on to Cambridge in 1931 to read Natural Sciences, where she joined my mother, then Margot Roberts, in Newnham.

Having taken her degree and gained a blue for lacrosse, she returned to teach at Sherborne in 1934.

Just after World War 2, an apparently confirmed bachelor, Colonel ‘Jack’ Randolph, affectionately known as ‘Doughy’, introduced his young bride Betty to Abbeylands. Fresh from an academic life, to be faced with feeding 55 hungry boys at the time of strict rationing, must have been daunting.

In 1955 the Randolphs handed over Abbeylands and moved to Elderfield House in Bishops Caundle. We last saw Betty at The Powell 16

Theatre where Old Shirburnians came to hear about Alan Turing and the work at Bletchley Park during World War 2.

In the 1960s Betty managed to fit in some chemistry teaching at both Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls. She was clearly adored by all her gifted family, who are her great legacy and she remained determinedly busy until the end.

L-R: Margot Roberts (Bobby and later Mrs Willmott), Betty Eyre, Eleanor Langhorne (later Mrs Ashe), Wingfield and Kenelm matron and housemistress of West, on Norwegian holiday

Patricia Ingham (Hodder) A’36 Excerpts from A Fortunate Life!

Patricia Hodder’s Memoirs Pat was born in Edinburgh and from the age of five used to say, “I want to be a farmer”. Her father, Lanty, was a Royal Navy captain so they moved around a lot having homes in England, Scotland and South Africa. On returning to England in 1932, Pat started at Sherborne Girls where the Headmistress, Miss Stuart, always wanted Pat to study History at Oxford or Cambridge. Pat, however, wanted to study Science. In the end, Pat studied History at Newnham College, Cambridge, from October 1937. In her final year, Pat gained some farming experience which allowed her to enrol in the Women’s Land Army.

The family moved to the West Country and joined Aunt Cicely and Uncle Tommy in Lower Odcombe, near Yeovil, in Somerset. Aunt

Louise Palmer K’38 Louise’s niece, Ginny Doran (Stephen) K’70 sent us this obituary about her aunt who died on 15 October 2014 Louise was born in 1920 and was sent to Sherborne Girls when she was 12 to be followed two years later by her sister, Erica Palmer (Stephen) K’40. They were both in Kenelm under Mrs Hamilton whose daughter Jill K’43 lived in the house and was befriended by Louise.

Louise played in all the teams becoming head of house and vice-head of school, before leaving for a year in Paris. Upon her return, she decided she wanted to go to Cambridge so took Latin to add to her other exams, but by then, at the end of 1938, as the war loomed, she decided to join the WAAF becoming one of the very first

Cicely advised that a local farmer, Mr Hodder, was shortstaffed. Thus began her long association with Pye Corner Farm. In December 1945, all those who had spent six years in the Women’s Land Army were invited to London, to be thanked by the Queen.

Pat married Pete Hodder in Stockland in May 1952. They only had three weeks to plan it, have the wedding, the honeymoon and be back in time for haymaking! Pete and Pat returned to Odcombe and lived in Rex Corner Cottage where Michael and Martin were born. In 1956, they moved into Pye Corner, where Jim was born.

Pat ended her memoirs: “I have called this ‘A Fortunate Life’, since, apart from realising some of my ambitions, it has been my good fortune to have met such kind, helpful people. I think some of the nicest and kindest people I met were farmers.”

to know and learn about Radar.

Briefly based in Sussex, she was quickly commissioned and sent as Signals Supervisor Radar to Bawdsey Island in Suffolk where pioneering work to recognise the altitude of planes was being done in great secrecy. Her final posting was to Belgium for eight months in 1945.

After the war, she worked as head stable girl for the top equestrian showjumper, Dougie Bunn, who started the Hickstead Show, then spent a few winter seasons as a ski rep for Erna Lowe.

Louise was a thinker, an observer and a spiritual seeker. She loved her art, her garden, her books, and the travels which punctuated her life. She was reserved, always polite and though she valued her privacy, she was always welcoming and above all, always interested in you. She was a loyal and good friend to those who knew her well and as her world closed in on her through blindness, she was amazingly brave, making little of her own problems.

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Journal 2014

Mary Vile AE’38 Eleanor Phillips AE’55 sent us this obituary about her aunt, Mary Patricia Vile AE’38 Mary was born on 29 September 1920 in Newport, South Wales, and was educated in Newport before going to Sherborne in 1935. Her days there led to an abiding love for Dorset and she always had a great affection for Sherborne, school, town and Abbey.

Mary went to the University of London in 1938, and graduated with a degree in Household and Social Science in 1941. She then volunteered for the WRNS, living first in Bristol, and then as a Petty Officer in Colombo, and the Royal Naval Hospital in Diyatalawa, Ceylon. These were obviously important years, as she made life-long friendships and the memories remained vivid.

She often told tales of the adventures of travelling out in a troopship and the hazards of dealing with tropical spiders.

Mary was demobbed in 1946 and took up the role of Catering Officer at Badminton School, and later a similar position at Monmouth School.

For three years, Mary worked as an Assistant Catering Officer at British Nylon Spinners, and between 1951–1959 as Catering Officer, and then Divisional Catering Officer with the National Coal Board.

Mary chose to take early retirement but this was probably the most active part of her life, as although she undertook extensive voluntary work with the British Red Cross, she was able to pursue her own interests which were many and varied.

She was a keen gardener, an excellent cook and an accomplished needlewoman. She went to woodwork classes, and studied Medieval Art and Architecture which led to field trips and holidays in the UK and France. She made frequent trips to London and was always up to date with the latest exhibitions at the museums.

Mary was an indefatigable traveller – starting in the years after the war in Europe – but in later life undertook many trips to countries in the Middle East, in particular Iran, Syria, Armenia,

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Lebanon and to India and the countries of the ex-Soviet bloc.

Well into her eighties, Mary astounded her fellow travellers by ascending Mount Sinai, not only on the back of a donkey, but also on foot!

The New World was not neglected – she visited the USA and made a family trip to Australia to meet her relations there.

Mary’s home was a veritable library. She loved books and her vast collection covered a wide array of topics reflecting her diverse interests. She enjoyed biographies and quite weighty tomes, but more than that liked the challenge of ‘research’, both for herself and others. She would doggedly follow a subject or an object through a variety of sources.

In her 80s, to Mary’s great delight she became an enthusiastic research assistant when a biography was written about her father, Tommy Vile, a well-known Welsh rugby player, and an international referee. This gave Mary a new lease of life, rooting out memorabilia and making new friends.

Mary died after a short illness on 27 November 2013.

Jill Herrick (Winterton) A’48 Jill’s friend Jean Hopkins (Hunter) A’48 sent us this obituary I attended the thanksgiving service and memorial weekend that Jill’s family held for her in Wales, where she had lived for many years. The church in Aberdovey, North Wales, was packed with friends who had known her for all periods of her life and their children, many of whom were grandchildren. Her own children, three girls and a boy, all took part in the service: reading, singing or telling us their memories of their mother, and so many friends also spoke. A stranger would have come away with the overwhelming impression of a generous, warm-hearted and welcoming person, whose house was always full and who was ready to give help to anyone who needed it.

Jill’s father was in the Indian Army and died young. Her mother came back to England and settled in Pen Selwood, Somerset. Jill was the eldest of three girls and went to Aylmar, Sherborne Girls, in the autumn of 1942. She was later followed by her sisters Tish and Leila and by the next generation her daughters Shane, Tara and Claire Winterton. Her son, Patrick, went to Sherborne School. She was a good athlete, in the School 1st lacrosse, hockey teams and captain of hockey in 1946. She was also a school prefect.

After she left Sherborne in 1946 she went to Winkfield for a year and then trained in occupational therapy, when her pottery skills first developed. In 1955 she married Tim Winterton, becoming a soldier’s wife with its inevitable life of travel, Malta and Norway being highlights, especially for her friends! She finally settled at her last home, Tynllwyn Hen, near Tywyn in North Wales. Tim made her a pottery there and many locals of all ages went to weekly sessions, potting, eating flapjacks and chatting. She was very much part of the local scene and, in spite of developing macular degeneration, was able to do almost everything except drive and you could be forgiven for not realising she had any problem.

Pottery is a very tactile craft and she excelled at

producing beautifully turned cups, bowls, jugs and plates, which she was still doing as well as encouraging and teaching others.

She died suddenly in April 2013. It was a lovely day and she was walking with two friends along the cliff path towards Aberystwyth. It was a great privilege and a blessing to have known her.

Her son’s reading at the end of the service was from Beth Day, ‘I know now that the world is not full of strangers, only other people waiting to be spoken to.’

Frances Rainforth (David) AE’50 Rosemary Longsdon (Snoad) AE’51 sent us this obituary of her friend Frances died on 12 September 2013.

Rosemary Longsdon (Snoad) AE’51 and Peggy Spicer (Heap) AE’50 were longstanding school friends of Frances who arrived at Sherborne as a scholar in 1946.

She was Head of House in 1950 and was an early protégé of Bice Crichton-Miller. After leaving Sherborne Girls, Frances studied History at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. This led on to her teaching profession which, alongside her profound Christian faith, guided her life and principles.

Whilst studying, Frances joined the Labour Party, then, later joined the Social Democrats when they formed in the 1980s. She was involved in the negotiations that formed the Liberal Democrats in 1988 and stood as a parliamentary candidate for Newport East in 1983 and 1987 and for Monmouth in 1991. She worked hard as a campaigner for CND and subsequently for fair trade, debt relief and peace.

She married into a large farming family in her early twenties and had six children. After

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Journal 2014 retiring from her last role as deputy head of a large comprehensive school, John Kyrle High School, in Ross-onWye, Herefordshire, she went to teach in Uganda in 1993, and commented to her family “I’ve been waiting all my life to do this.” On her return she was

tireless in raising money for clean water wells through the Busoga Trust, and in sponsoring young people through school and university.

Frances made sure that every penny donated went to someone who needed it.

At home she was a keen

gardener, with a wonderful vegetable garden, from which many meals were made and shared with her many friends.

Her last few weeks were spent in her beloved village of Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, sitting in her cottage garden with family and friends.

Sarah Rogers (Ward) T’59 Sarah’s husband John sent us this biography which appeared in the Order of Service at her funeral Sarah was born at Horton Kirby, in Kent, eldest child of Ralph and Yvonne Rogers. Her grandfather, William Rogers, was a well-known farmer in Kent. He died in 1948 and Ralph and his family moved into Court Lodge. Sarah’s sister Jane was born in 1944 and her brother Bill in 1950. Jane was chronically ill and died aged 12.

Sarah was educated at home until the age of 11, and was then sent to Sherborne Girls before going up to Newnham College, Cambridge, in 1960 to read English.

Her time at Newnham had a great influence on her. She was taught by F R Leavis and his wife Queenie, two of the most eminent critics of the day. She met her future husband, John and they were married in Horton Kirby in 1965. After coming down from Cambridge in 1963, Sarah applied to join the Foreign Office, but, since married women were prohibited from working there, she had to resign after only two years.

John and Sarah moved to the Gower Peninsula where their two sons, Tristan and Tom, were born in 1966 and 1971 respectively. Three years later, the family moved back to Kent to live at Court Lodge. Sarah proved to have a natural ability for farming, a love of rural affairs, and the intelligence, ambition and charisma to bring those talents to public life. She held many prominent roles both nationally and regionally. Sarah was

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appointed OBE for services to the countryside in 1998, Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 2001 and Associate Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge in 2003.

She died at her home, Court Lodge, as had her father and grandfather before her.

Sarah was appointed OBE for services to the countryside in 1998, Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in 2000, Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 2001 and Associate Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge in 2003.

Carolyn Taylor Housemistress of Thurstan, September 1976–July 1982 History Teacher 1982–96 Memories of Carolyn Taylor from her friend, Honorary Old Girl Grace Dunton, Fizzy Hillman T’79 and an extract taken from an old School magazine published in 1996 upon her retirement Carolyn was born in Brighton and, together with her sister Elizabeth, lived on the family farm in Maplehurst, near Horsham. Aged five, Carolyn went to St George’s Prep School in Horsham then to Parkfield Independent School. She was a clever girl and was awarded a bursary to St Michael’s Burton Park in Petworth.

After leaving school in 1960 she trained as a junior teacher at Salisbury Diocesan Training College and began her teaching career in a state primary school in Crawley.

From there she went to Roedean as a housemistress and taught juniors, then off to Roedean in Johannesburg, South Africa, for about four years.

When her parents moved to Hinton St George, Carolyn decided she would like to live in Somerset so applied for a teaching post at

Sherborne Girls.

Sadly, Carolyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which affected her special awareness, about eighteen months before she died of kidney failure.

Fizzy Hillman adds: “I was saddened to hear that Carolyn Taylor died. She arrived as Housemistress of Thurstan in September 1976. She was a young housemistress who had formerly worked at St Michael’s, Petworth, in Sussex. She had moved to the West Country to be nearer to her parents and looked after her beloved Scottie dogs, Ross and Cromarty. Miss Taylor was a quiet member of staff but made us remember some very amusing and happy times in Thurstan. I have forged some lifetime connections and many of my dearest friends hail from Thurstan.”

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Golf Our first gathering was our annual match vs the Old Shirburnians (now in its third year) held at Sherborne Golf Club on a rather damp Monday at the end of April.

We managed to recruit eight players but sadly, once again, we were beaten, despite the best efforts of Susie Pym (King) DH’68 and Meredith Christopher (mother of Emma Christopher (Lloyd-Jones) A’91 and Beth Christopher (Robertson) A’93) and Hilary Tuckett (Ward) W’58 and Hilary Peterkin (Younger) DH’64, who managed to win their matches. Josie Kemp (Mather) DH’62, Caroline Davis (Patterson) DH’57, Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 and Anne Agnew made up the team. We are definitely going to make the men play off the white tees next year!

We entered two teams in this year’s Tassie, the annual golf competition between former pupils of girls’ independent schools, at The Berkshire Golf Club on 9 June 2014 and Sherborne A managed to come 2nd in a field of 34, winning the Armada Dish – a very creditable result.

Susie King and Janice Buswell T’54 produced a stunning 1st round and were ably

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Report by Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70

OSS vs SOG: left to right Paddy Macintosh, Josie Mather, Caroline Patterson and Richard Agnew

OSS vs SOG: left to right Richard Morgan, Katharine Stringer, Anne Agnew and Tony Steele-Perkins

OSS vs SOG: left to right John Irving, Hilary Ward, Dick Draper and Hilary Younger

OSS vs SOG: left to right Rob Fisher, Meredith Christopher, Susie King and Richard le Flufy

Tassie Team: left to right Sarah Stonehouse, Susie King, Hilary Dennes, Anne Agnew, Bar Savill and Janice Buswell (Candida Woolley and Vicki Pett were stuck in traffic!)

Sherborne A came 2nd overall: left to right Janice Buswell, Sarah Stonehouse, Anne Agnew, Susie King with Trudi Harris (Tassie President)

supported by the Kenelm team of Sarah Kinnersley (Stonehouse) K’65 and Anne Agnew.

Vicki Head (Pett) K’68 and Barbara Dalrymple (Savill) W’70 were the 1st pair for Sherborne B with Hilary Park (Dennes) E’65 and Candida Harris (Woolley) E’70 2nd pair. It was an extremely happy day with much laughter, enhanced by an inter-team wager to keep the interest going!

All our golfers should have received a questionnaire earlier last year and once again I would like anyone with a handicap of 20 or under to get in touch with me if you are interested in representing the school at this prestigious event.

This year our autumn meeting was held at Royal Winchester Golf Club. Despite a rather stressful journey to the course for quite a few, 21 of us made it and we were all delighted to play on such a beautiful course on a very warm day. It was good to welcome some new (and younger!) faces, who just happened to win! Alison Preston

(Aldred) A’81, Tiggy Dewey (Sutton) A’73 and Mary Elliot (Troughton) T’76 came 1st with Susie King, Hilary Dennes and Gill Buzzard (Blenkinsop) DH’62 coming 2nd. Other prize winners were Vicki Pett, Mary Chalmers (Beard) AE’58 and Virginia Warren (Tidmarsh) T’60.

Next year we’re hoping to arrange a match against Cheltenham Ladies College and a date will be arranged soon. I will be looking for possibly six to eight players, so if you’re interested, please let me know. We have yet to decide on our own venue for next year, but please keep the first week of October free and I will be in touch as soon as a decision has been made.

Once again a plea to all golfers! We are always looking for new members, so if you do know of any OGs who have taken up golf, please get in touch, either directly with me: agnew.thatchover@gmail.com or via Laura in the SOG office.

At Royal Winchester: standing left to right Mary O’Dwyer, Ali Aldred, Anne Agnew, Mary Troughton, Elizabeth Francis, Hilary Thomas, Trudi Harris, Hilary Ward, Hilary Dennes, Candida Woolley, Mary Beard, Hilary Younger, Virginia Tidmarsh, Diana Kruger, Sarah Stonehouse, Tiggy Sutton. Sitting left to right: Sheila Ellis, Josie Mather, Gill Blenkinsop, Jane Shearer, Vicki Pett, Susie King

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Journal 2014

Births, Marriages and Deaths Births Fi Greene E’92 and Marc Nordstrom had a son, Maximilian Argyll Nordstrom, on 6 October 2013

Kate Parsons (Malbon) T’95 and Chris had a son, Jori in January 2014, brother to Flynn

Sarah Scoffham (George) DH’94 and Charles had a son, Jack Simon, on 17 February 2014

Sophie Meredith (Hare) K’95 and Nick had a son, Harry in May 2014, brother to Chloe

Philippa White (Cartmell) DH’94 and Nick had a son, Charlie, on 11 April 2014, a brother for twins Polly and Albert

Claire Greville-Heygate (Bunce) T’98 and James had a son, Montague Christopher (Monty), on 25 September 2013

Georgina Tailyour (Wedrychowski) AW’95 and Marek had a son, Oliver, on 10 March 2012 and a daughter, Amelia, on 10 September 2013

Jenny Wheeler (Cooper) W’99 and Diccon (OS e 98), had a son, Ffinian, on 2 June 2014

Alice Bullock (Kiddie) E’95 and Mathew had a son, Thomas in November 2013, brother to Samuel

Nicola Tommis (Hoad) AW’02 and Tom had a daughter, Effelia Penelope Rose, on 13 December 2013, sister to Felix

Marriages

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Jane Hopkinson (Batch) W’70 married Chris Vacher (OS) on 26 October 2014

Steph Myatt DH’01 married Tom Chubb (OS) on 26 July 2014

Ghislaine Fluck W’83 married Mike Lloyd on 5 December 2014

Samantha Jenkinson T’01 married Ross Hector on 12 April 2014

Virginia Jory A’87 married Julian Clover on 12 July 2013

Mary Gandell W’02 married Giles Porter in April 2014

Sophie Le Hardy AE’95 married Andrew Smart 13 September 2014

Etta Corlett E’03 married Richard Leggate on 5 July 2014

Emma-Louise Hunt DH’97 married Simon Deverell on 1 February 2013

Sarah Hatherell A’05 married Laurence Wood on 26 July 2014

Nina Poulsson K’97 married Lorne Balfe on 18 January 2014

Lizzy Lillington W’05 married Ben LillingtonLester on 20 September 2014

Jenny Wheeler W’99 married Diccon Cooper (OS e 98) on 6 September 2013

Christobel Blackburn AW’05 married Charlie Grant Peterkin (OS) in 2014

Rose Balston A’01 married Ben Higgins on 31 August 2013

Flora Hill K’07 married Fraser Scobie on 19 July 2014

Deaths Betty Eyre (Randolph) W’31 died on 29 March 2014

Marilyn Medney (Jakobson) E’48 died in 2011 (date unknown)

Ursula Rigg (Raikes) AW’33 died on 9 April 2013

Susan Ferard (Stockley) AW’49 died on 3 October 2014

F Rosemary Hare AW’33 died on 16 March 2014 Elizabeth Wardell K’34 died in 2013 (date unknown)

Frances Rainforth (David) AE’50 died on 12 September 2013 June Storrs W’52 died on 26 June 2014

Anne McGowan (David) AW’35 died in 2013 (date unknown) Rachel Watson (Peterkin) AW’35 died on 22 November 2014 Patricia Ingham (Hodder) A’36 died on 7 April 2014

Joanna Newstead (Slimak) W’55 died on 23 March 2013 (Sylvia) Helga Houghton (Jones) E’56 died on 8 March 2014 Sally Campbell (Winter) W’57 died on 8 November 2014

Mary Vile AE’38 died on 27 November 2013 Audrey Howorth (Vickery) K’38 died on 11 October 2014 Louise Palmer K’38 died on 15 October 2014 Jean Tozer E’39 died on 5 June 2013 Moira Keatinge (Watson) DH’39 died on 27 November 2014 Cherry Elverson (Hickson) A’41 died on 26 September 2014 Ruth Vaughan Williams (Clark) E’42 died on 17 March 2014 Ruth Martin DH’46 died in 2013 (date unknown)

Dinny (Gillian) Peterkin (Patterson) AW’57 died on 24 November 2014 Sarah Rogers (Ward) T’59 died on 30 December 2013 Penelope Rippon (Rae) T’70 died on 5 August 2013 Caroline Herman DH’73 died on 1 February 2014 Sophie Trevelyan Thomas AW’02 died on 3 November 2013 Carolyn Taylor Housemistress of Thurstan 1976–82, History Teacher 1982–96, died on 28 June 2014

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NEW SOG MEMBERS Welcome to the following ‘new’ Old Girls, who left school in summer 2014 Yasmin Bye Katie Cammack Jemima-Jane Carey Sarah Chan Kathy Chang Matilda Chaumet Siqi Chen Gabriella Chreiki Lauren Clapp Rebecca Clapp Rebecca Creamer Ottilie Denny Eleanor Dillon Rosie Duckworth Alice Dudgeon Catriona Foot Flora Foreman

Anona Galbraith Imogen Galsworthy Eleanor Gratton Poppy Greacen Tatiana Guinness Maddie Haggas Imogen Hamer Annabelle Hammond Zoë Haswell Charlotte Hayton Issy Hearn Lulu Herring Katie Hillan Freya Holmes Alice Horn Imogen Horn Fenella Houlton

Alice Irwin Beatrice Johnson Emily Keech Claudia Koh Zainab Kyari Cherie Li Holly MacDonald Laura Manners Catriona May Julia Morris Ella Mountbatten Georgina Newman Eleanor Nickerson Isabel Norris Emily Parker Ella Price Natasha Ross

Edwina Savage Sophie Shardlow Phoebe Sibson Harriet Smith Kate Sopwith Evelyn St Pier Flora Strachan Zilan Su Natalie Tam Isobel Thomas Serra Toplusoy Melissa Townshend Rosa Von Zumbusch Ella Weston Jingxiao Yu Isabelle Zanelli

Daughters and Granddaughters of Old Girls in the school Aldhelmsted East Alice Mackean Aldhelmsted West Cecilia Darwall Agatha Palmer

Dun Holme Georgina Lee Kenelm Mary Butler Hannah Lee Grace Palmer

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Pippi Green, Mother

Reader Harris Sophie Hall Emma Kitson Olivia Suter

Diana McWatters, Mother Zoë Phayre-Mudge, Mother

Jo Nicholls, Mother

Dione Ellison, Grandmother Jo Nicholls, Mother Zoë Phayre-Mudge, Mother

Wingfield Digby Flora Dakin Lucy Holcroft

Louise Ellam, Mother Caroline Jones, Mother Susie Brabner, Mother Rosemarie Lovelace, Grandmother

Victoria Hunt, Mother Anthea Malim, Grandmother Rosie Kitson Caroline Jones, Mother Cecily Loveys Jervoise Margi Welch, Mother Josephine Marshall Kate Gregor, Mother Christine White, Grandmother Eleanor Schute Lucy Goddard, Mother Lily Sebag-Montefiore Santa Palmer-Tomkinson, Mother Poppy Weldon Clare Hedges, Mother

Sherborne Old Girls President Louise Ellam (Hall) Presidents Emeritae Mrs Geraldine Kerton-Johnson Miss June Taylor Vice-Presidents Mrs Patricia Barker Miss Caro Macintosh Miss Augusta Miller Miss Sheila Powell Dr Hassan Qasrawi

Executive Committee Chairman Sophie Stratton sogchairman@sherborne.com Treasurer Ghislaine Fluck sogtreasurer@sherborne.com Secretary Laura Windsor oldgirls@sherborne.com Peer Group Co-ordinators’ Representative Jane Digby (Auer) oldgirls@sherborne.com Circle Secretaries’ Co-ordinator Jane Reekie (Nicholson) bjanenicholson@gmail.com Parents’ Representative Susie Brabner (Suter) oldgirls@sherborne.com

Peer Group Co-ordinators 1900–50

Pat Brewster (Grayburn)

1951–55

Jenyth Worsley

1956–60

Daphne MaGuire (Thomson)

1961–65

Rosie Cox (Highfield)

1966–70

Vacant

1971–75

Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey)

1976–80

Jane Digby (Auer)

1981–85

Victoria Hunt (Dakin)

1986–90

Antonia Foster (Plant)

1991–95

Alexandra White (Ballard)

1996–00

Alexa Ramsay (Laryea)

2001–05

Tess Cavendish

2006–10

Bella Hussey

2011–15

Louise Moseley

Trustees of Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund June Taylor, Prudence Butterworth (Mrs Dauris) Joanna Gornall (Mrs Wright), Helen McLuskie (Mrs Garton) All correspondence should be addressed to: Miss June Taylor, 4 Palliser Court, Palliser Road, London W14 9ED Alumnae Development Officer Fiona James fmj@sherborne.com Sherborne Old Girls’ Office, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN Tel: 01935 818329 Email: oldgirls@sherborne.com www.sherborne.com/oldgirls

Under 30s Representative Stephanie Hislop oldgirls@sherborne.com

Director of Development Laura Weston lfw@sherborne.com

Headmistress Jenny Dwyer headmistress@sherborne.com

Main school Tel: 01935 812245 Email: office@sherborne.com

Senior Management Team Representative Fiona Clapp fc@sherborne.com

Sherborne Girls Alumnae Sherborne Girls

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Journal 2014

Circle News 2014

1A Devon and 1B Cornwall Joint secretaries: Liz Whitley (Pybus) AW’58 and Sarah Pybus (Moody) AW’80 Sarah Pybus writes: On a gloriously sunny day in September, members of the Devon and Cornwall circles met at the Arundel Arms in the village of Lifton for the annual reunion. We were very pleased to be joined by Fiona James, who came down from the Sherborne Old Girls Office.

Fiona, who played a major part in the smooth running of the reunion this year, was able to give us the news both from the school currently and for the Old Girls and it was lovely that she joined us.

The hotel provided us with a spacious room for our sole use, where we were able to enjoy a delicious light lunch. As ever there was much laughter as stories and memories were exchanged!

Those attending were Margaret Smith (Barnett) E’50, Jane Knocker (Youle) AE’51, Jill Russell (Long) AW’52, Daphne Wilkie (Burdick) T’53, Susan Hamlin (Stanier) T’53, Sue Davies (Taylor-Young) A’53, Jane Butler (Browne-Clayton) A’54, Barbara Mudge (Thomas) T’55, Heather Caverhill (White) E’57, Liz Whitley (Pybus) AW’58, Rosanne

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2A Dorset Secretary: Anne Walsh (Colquhoun) E’69 Georgina Foss K’61 writes: “Twenty-six Old Girls and Honorary Old Girls from Dorset and neighbouring counties enjoyed a splendid lunch at the family home of Ann Livock (Kraunsoe) K’60 in Dorset on Wednesday, 4 June 2014. Alas that the weather didn’t smile, but that did not dampen our spirits. We all so enjoyed catching up with each other’s news and meeting some new faces. Ann was a most attentive hostess and provided a delicious lunch which we enjoyed inside her beautiful home – the rain precluded us from eating outside, as was planned, to be able to fully admire the beautiful garden on the banks of a millstream. Instead, we gathered around the Aga in her stone-flagged kitchen, and admired her fascinating collection of pictures, furniture and mementos of many years spent in Hong Kong and saw photographs of children and grandchildren (three of Ann’s daughters were at Sherborne Girls).”

Attending the lunch were: Jebber Howson (Whitaker) A’46, Elizabeth Parry-Jones (Melvin) DH’47, Jane Henn (Yates) T’47, Jean Hopkins (Hunter) A’48, Alison Henn

Smith (Hooper) AW’58, Christine Owen (Pratt) AW’59, Clare Whitley (Rendle) AW’60, Jane Ross (Cassidy) K’60, Lally Harrison (Croggon) AE’61, Jane Harris (Hinton) W’62, Rosie Cox (Highfield) DH’63, Sally Hammond (Ellyatt) T’77, Kate Doughty (Wareham) A’78, Sarah Pybus (Moody) AW’80 and Fiona James, Alumnae Development Officer.

As the Arundel Arms seems so conveniently placed being only minutes off the A30, we have booked it again for next year on Thursday, 24 September 2015.

2B Somerset and South Gloucestershire

(Smith) T’49, Jo Tory (Lewis) A’54, Dione Ellison (Shaw) K’54, Betsey West (Hewetson) A’57, Libby Gordon (Renwick) K’57, Rosemarie Lovelace (Suter) A’58, Hilary Tuckett (Ward) W’58, Elizabeth Byers (Gaff) E’59, Elizabeth Honnywill (Lindsay-Rea) A’59, Diana Bell (Kruger) T’60, Diana Hamblin (Tory) AW’60, Georgina Foss K’61, Joanna Cock (Carson) W’64, Mary Stanford DH’65, Julia Holman DH’66, Caroline Cossins (Tory) E’72 and Fiona Russell E’81. Honorary Old Girls Chris Bartholomew, Vivienne Daniels, Augusta Miller, and Issy Morley-Smith were joined by Sherborne Girls staff members Fiona James, Alumnae Development Officer, Laura Weston, Director of Development and Laura Windsor, SOG Secretary.

We say a huge thank you and farewell to Ann who has now stepped down as Circle Secretary and has handed over to Anne Colquhoun. Anne will be in contact with everyone later in the year.

We are delighted to welcome Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 as the new Circle Secretary.

4 Wiltshire Secretary: Jane Reekie (Nicholson) E’59 A wonderful gathering was held at the home of Ailsa Morris (McLeod) E’56 and her husband Rob on their farm in the lovely countryside near Fordingbridge on the Hampshire/Wiltshire borders. OGs came from far and wide to catch up with friends over a delicious lunch prepared and served in one of the specially-adapted outbuildings on the farm used for shooting lunches.

Laura Weston, Director of Development, Fiona James, Alumnae Development Officer and Laura Windsor, Old Girls Secretary came across from the school to meet OGs and update them on recent developments at the school and within the Old Girls organisation.

Those attending were: Diana Hoare (Hony) E’42, Priscilla Wilkie (Leach) T’45, Rosemary Longsdon (Snoad) AE’51, Elisabeth Le Breton (Richmond) E’51, Tina Everett (Bowie) E’54, Gill Morris E’55, Rita McVittie AE’56, Ailsa Morris (McLeod) E’56, Mary Propert (Lees) E’56, Harriet Chapman Andrews (Meikle) E’57, Ruth Startin (Marshall) E’57, Sue Childs (Davis) T’57, Ann Morgan (Sturt) E’58, Caroline Foot (Stranack) E’59, Gill Bainbridge (Heath) E’59, Virginia Cadbury (Reekie) E’59, Libby Byers (Gaff) E’59, Jane Reekie (Nicholson) E’59, Veronica Goldsworthy (Dare Bryan) E’59, Jo Lowis DH’59, Ann Sylvester (Griffin) W’59, Joan Bond T’60, Julia Peel AE’61, Bubby Morris (Henderson) E’61, Hilary Peterkin (Younger) W’64, Lucienne Hilder (SumnerFergusson) AW’65, Judy Wingfield Digby (Barke) W’65 and Romey Schofield former games mistress.

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Journal 2014

Circle News 2014

6 Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Secretary: Penny Faulks (Austin) AW’56 The Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Circle celebrated yet another very enjoyable occasion on Tuesday, 10 June 2014 which Ann Collier (Shemilt) K’56 had kindly arranged for us at the Golden Ball in Lower Assendon just outside Henley-on-Thames. Twelve of us were able to meet up for drinks in the pub garden before going inside for an excellent buffet. We were blessed with another beautiful sunny day. We all really enjoyed catching up with each other and plan to repeat it again next year.

CIRCLE 6 LUNCH: left to right Sarita Caldwell (McLuskie) A’49, Jane Gange (Rooksby) AW’57, Penny Faulks (Austin) AW’56, Angela Gossow (Swift) K’56, Frances Faulks (Elliot) AW’63, Nicola Roper (Barraclough) AW’56, Alison Barlow (Mudford) AW’58, Ann Shemilt, Gillian Burtt (Lucas) AW’54, Pippa Morley (George) W’58, Rachel Faulks (Knight) AW’62, Gail Cunningham (Crichton) W’63

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12A Norfolk and Suffolk Secretary: Gillie Bryson (Scoular) E’73 We have recently heard the very sad news that Gillie Scoular has lost her husband, so in her absence Jacqui Brown and Libby Ashe (Foss) DH’60 are filling in for her as best we can. Jacqui gave seven of us a very warm welcome to her delightful home in Framlingham, Suffolk, where we had a happy chat over coffee and were able to enjoy her garden on a sunny day. It was also very nice to meet her husband, John. Thank you Jacqui for all the trouble you took with arrangements and instructions to get us to the right place. We then walked a few minutes up the road to The Lemon Tree for lunch where we were joined by Rose Hunt (Rogerson) E’65 and Rachel Long (Trotman) W’69. Rosemary Hoysted (Fraser) A’56 had planned to join us but sadly was unable to come as she was ill. Jacqui then took those who wished to meet Judith Lockie, her woodblock teacher, who explained the processes used to make a print and also showed us the unusual early 19th Century murals in her dining room. There is always a wonderfully warm feeling of having shared similar school experiences in our youth and catching up with present news. We certainly hope to meet again in 2015 but in the circumstances it will need some discussion and we will be in touch at a later date.

CIRCLE 12A REUNION: back row left to right Anthea Ottaway (Shaw) T’58, Gillie Bryson (Scoular) E’73, Suzanne Rose (Bartlett) DH’68, Jacqui Rose (Brown) DH’64 Front row Jenifer Milligan (Cordeaux) DH’54, Sarah Randall AE’66, Vicky MacLaren (Allen) AE’66, Jenny Selby (Jeffrey) T’56

13B Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Secretary: Josephine Hepburn (Blake) A’69 We all much enjoyed getting together in May 2014 at the lovely home of Elizabeth Blandy (Francis) E’62, who gave us a delicious lunch, and then showed us round her wonderful garden, which has matured tremendously since we last visited. For 2015, Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63 has kindly offered to host our Circle lunch in Willoughbyon-the Wolds, near Loughborough, Leicestershire on Wednesday 13 May 2015. Again, this is very central within our large Circle, so I do hope that more OGs will make a note in their diary and come to it!

CIRCLE 13B REUNION: standing left to right Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63, Romie Leveritt AE’67, Jo Hepburn (Blake) A’69 Sitting left to right Gillian Alcock (Ford) AE’67, Elizabeth Blandy (Francis) E’62, Margaret Mayell DH’50

14B Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland Secretary: Teresa Huntley (Hepworth) K’63 This year, in an attempt to encourage more people, we went to Newby Hall, which is a lovely old house with a beautiful garden, near Ripon in North Yorkshire. Unfortunately, it was a very wet day, but we managed to have a quick look around without getting too soaked. Sadly, two people had to drop out at the last minute, so our numbers were down a

little. For 2015 we thought we might venture further north!

CIRCLE 14B REUNION: left to right Marilyn Graham (Gordon) DH’52, Teresa Huntley (Hepworth) K’63, Ursula Houseman (Simpson) AE’69, Anne Batten (Pender) AE’58, Jan Holloway (Allen) W’48 and Gail Preston (Taylor) DH’67

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Journal 2014

Circle News 2014

Circle Secretaries We are looking for a number of volunteer Circle Secretaries both within the UK and overseas. If you feel you could take on a voluntary role and stay in touch with Old Girls within your geographical area please contact oldgirls@sherborne.com or telephone 01935 818329.

16 Scotland Secretary: Rosemary Ellison K’58 The Scottish Circle had an excellent reunion on 26 June in 2014 in Grandtully, Perthshire, at the home of Hilarie Ferguson (Burnett) DH’57 where her family run a restaurant, a shop and the Scottish Chocolate Centre. After drinks and a talk by her son, Iain Burnett, the famous Highland chocolatier, we had a delicious lunch in the restaurant. Later on some people walked

along the banks of the River Tay (just across the road) and others visited Cluny House Gardens a couple of miles away near Aberfeldy. Altogether, it was a great day out.

Also at the reunion were Louise Thomson (Suggett) W’62, Tina Chiesman (Bushby) E’52 and Kay Watson (Hay) AE’56, who left before the photo.

CIRCLE 16 LUNCH: Standing left to right Hilarie Ferguson (Burnett) DH’57, Rose Ellison K’58, Joanna Beattie (Thomas) A’57, Gill Savidge (Orr) W’63 Seated from left Diana Gillespie (Davies) K’54 and Caroline Wilson (Manson) AE’58 32

18 Africa Secretary: Carolyn Ingram (Forsyth) DH’62 I was very pleased to host a reunion at my house in Tokai, Cape Town on Sunday, 27 April 2014 on a beautiful, fine and clear day. It was a particular pleasure to have Gill Buzzard (Blenkinsop) DH’62 as part of the gathering – she was staying with us at the time and was able to confirm that the school is thriving, despite difficult economic times, and bring us up to date with all the latest building developments. There was, of course, much reminiscing, as well as getting to know each other. We were a small gathering, distances in Africa being what they are, so we included husbands and partners as well as an Old Shirburnian. The Old Girls were myself, Carolyn Forsyth, Gill Blenkinsop, Kate Crane (Crane Briggs) A’82 and Victoria Goddard (HOG). Apologies were received from Muirne Mathieson (van Wyk) E’55, Jenna Forward (Holmes) E’55 and Rosie Goddard RH’08. The Old Shirburnian was David Hofmeyr (d 75). If there is anyone else in Cape Town or environs whom I have neglected to contact and who would have swollen our numbers, please get in touch with me or the Old Girls office.

Left to right Kate Crane Briggs, Victoria Goddard, Gill Blenkinsop, Carolyn Forsyth

Your society needs you!

In addition to Circle Secretaries, we are also looking for volunteers to take up the following roles within the organisation:

President from AGM 2016 Chairman from AGM 2016* Treasurer from AGM 2015* PGC 1966–1970 from AGM 2015 *These roles form part of the Executive Committee

If you would like to find out more please contact oldgirls@sherborne or telephone 01935 818329.

22 Services and Channel Islands Secretary: Emma Campbell (le Maistre) T’89 This year’s Channel Islands reunion was held in Guernsey on Monday, 28 April 2014. Rupert and Rosie Dorey very kindly hosted the event at their home in St Andrews.

Jenny Dwyer, Headmistress, her husband Adrian, and Laura Weston, Director of Development, were delighted to meet up with Old Girls and current, past and prospective parents. Jenny highlighted the latest exciting developments at the school and we all mingled with Old Shirburnians, including our generous hosts, over drinks and delicious canapés at their home.

Afterwards, parents of a current girl generously hosted a supper party at their home, where we made new friends and caught up with old ones.

Next year’s Channel Islands reunion will be held in Jersey on 30 April 2015.

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Journal 2014

CAREERS

Networking Service We continue to receive many requests for help and advice from younger Old Girls whose career interests cover a wide range of professions and industry sectors such as television and public relations.

We are very grateful to a number of Old Girls, who have contacted us with offers ranging from a junior events post to gap-year positions at a Londonbased prep school.

Old Girls were invited to attend two seminars for undergraduates at the Cass Business School, London.

Topics included CV writing and what companies look for when reading a CV, interview techniques and the key skills required in the workplace.

On Thursday, 27 November 2014 The Old Shirburnian Society ran a career event focusing on the media to which Old Girls were kindly invited.

Following our regular meetings with staff from the Old Shirburnian Society, we 34

hope to, trial a rolling programme of university visits next year.

Within the Old Girls section of the website, there will be an updated Careers Networking area which I hope will prove more ‘user friendly’ for both those seeking assistance and those offering to help.

The following pages give an insight into a small sample of the variety of different career paths followed by Old Girls.

Fiona James Alumnae Development Officer

What did you do after leaving Sherborne Girls and why?

I took a gap year to concentrate on my horses and eventing. It was my last year in the Under 21 age group and having been the reserve for the Young Rider (U21) team the year before, I wanted to give it my best shot. I decided that being able to ride every day would really benefit me and it paid off, as I was selected to represent Great Britain at the Young Rider European Championships in Pardubice, Czech Republic, achieving an individual position of 15th. The following year I then went on to Exeter University to read Law and was open-minded to the idea of a non-horsey job on graduating.

Did anyone inspire you to follow them into their profession?

I have always really admired William Fox-Pitt because he really is the best in our sport, the ultimate professional and sportsman. He is a fantastic role model for young people and he also went to university before settling on horses full time so I knew that I could still go to university and still have the option of riding.

A LU M N A P R O F I L E Rosie Fry W’09 Current Role: Eventer Why did you choose your current profession?

I was brought up around horses and have ridden all my life so it was inevitable that I would get involved with competitive riding in some way.

I started eventing at 13 years old and from then on I was hooked. I did it for the cross country in the early days but slowly I began to love all three phases and now I couldn’t think of anything else I would rather do.

university. Without this back-up team, it wouldn’t have been possible to keep competing at such a high level.

What difficulties did you face along the way?

When I was away at university, I wasn’t able to ride every day so I was competing against others who had this advantage.

Looking back, would you change anything?

I wouldn’t change anything I have done up to this point in my postschool life. I loved university and I am really happy to have a good degree in Law.

How did you overcome them?

I was extremely lucky in that I was able to keep my horses at home where my mother and our groom kept my horses fit for me. They would take my horses to my trainer in the week where I would meet them having come straight from

What do you enjoy the most in your current role?

I love being outside, working with horses and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I have had many highs and lows but this means you learn to appreciate the good days more.

What are your future plans?

In the next couple of seasons I will be working my way towards competing in my first CCI 4* competition and will be continuing to produce young horses.

What advice would you give to another OG interested in joining your profession?

I would definitely advise anyone thinking of a career in horses to go on to higher education before embarking on this career. I think it is really important to have a backup option just in case things don’t work out and you have something to fall back on. If you are lucky enough to have a good back-up team at home, then it is possible to still compete whilst carrying on your studies.

If you would like to find out more about Rosie’s career, please visit her website; www.rosiefryeventing.co.uk Photos: Left Rosie Fry – Europeans in Pardubice Right Rosie Fry on Arise Cavalier

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A LU M N A P R O F I L E Ali Graham DH’08 Current Role: Freelance Stage Manager What did you do after leaving Sherborne Girls and why?

I left Sherborne Girls in 2008 and for the past four years have worked in the theatre industry, as a Freelance Stage Manager. It was whilst I was at Sherborne that I made the decision that this was the career for me and I haven’t really looked back since. It has, admittedly, been quite a journey and a lot of hard work, but I really couldn’t think of myself doing anything else now, and to think that this journey all started at Sherborne.

Did anyone inspire you to follow them into their profession?

It all really started with my Drama teacher at the time – it was she who really got me interested and pushed me into doing everything and anything theatre-related at the school, and in so many ways she is the one to whom I owe everything.

Why did you choose your current profession?

I never did Drama as a subject, but five years of speech and drama was enough to teach me that performing ‘on stage’ was not where I wanted to be, but being in the theatre was. It was only in the L6 that I decided that university wasn’t right for me; instead I wanted to do something different and more in line with what I really loved.

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What difficulties did you face along the way and how did you overcome them?

During my last year at Sherborne I got involved in the AS-level Drama projects and the school plays where I learnt as much as I could. I would ring around local businesses for props and learnt how the lighting and sound systems worked in the school hall. I also got in touch with local companies who put on shows.

My Drama teacher suggested to me that during the summer I should get involved with Dorset Opera, who put on amazing operas at Bryanston School. So for two weeks during the summer holidays, I became part of the opera crew, which not only taught me a great deal, but was a marvellous opportunity to talk to people already in the industry and seek their advice. There are plenty of these groups around and I would seriously recommend to anybody interested to contact them in order to gain experience during the school holidays.

It was during this time that I applied for Drama school to study Stage Management and Technical Theatre. I compiled a portfolio of everything I had learnt so far and applied to four of the big Drama schools, although there are so many smaller ones all around the country that are amazing. When I applied, I had hardly any experience. I think it was only two school plays and being the projector operator on the A-level show, but that didn’t matter. When I

went for my interviews, I was up against people who had a lot more experience than me but they were really far more interested in my enthusiasm for the job. London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) was the one I liked best and luckily I got a place on their two-year course. From my point of view I just wanted to get on with it quickly, so I didn’t take a gap year and instead went straight to LAMDA. Drama school was great. I had to learn a bit about everything in the theatre industry, from sound and lights to construction and stage management. It was unlike many university experiences where you attend just a few lectures a week, this was full-on involvement with excellent tuition, sometimes for six days a week – a massive learning curve.

Once I left LAMDA, I was so lucky to go straight into a job with a company that had previously provided me with work experience during my second year. It was slightly nerve-racking as I was starting on a freelance basis for the first time and was therefore very aware that in a month or so my contract would be up and I would risk being, effectively, unemployed.

There is one thing about this industry that is very important: it is all about who you know and networking. You have to get your name out there. When you first start out, it is really hard and like most industries, you will probably find

Ali Graham at the Octagon Theatre with students from Sherborne Girls

yourself working for very little money, but if you are working, it means you are meeting people who will possibly hire you in the future.

When I started I did a lot of this: I took short-term projects with lots of different companies which therefore meant working with lots of different directors. Even now, four years later, I work with some of the same people I met during my first year.

Most jobs now I get through word of mouth and recommendations by people I’ve worked with in the past.

It works both ways too – if asked, I will always recommend people I’ve worked with in the past.

What do you enjoy the most in your current role?

I have now done a few touring productions as well, similar to the one I’m currently working on at the time of writing. It’s good fun as you have a marvellous opportunity to travel around visiting every corner of the country. If you are with a good company then, with the time

off between shows, there are masses of opportunities to have really good fun. Right now I’m working mainly in stage management, while operating lighting and sound at the same time. Depending on the production, my roles vary a great deal. During rehearsals, I’m in the room with the director taking notes, which are then communicated on to all the different departments. I also work up the schedule for each day and generally look after all the cast.

I carry out prop sourcing and furniture buying if needs be. As the production progresses, we move into ‘tech week’. This is generally the most stressful week of a production – it’s when all the departments come together and we move from the rehearsal room into the actual theatre. This part normally lasts for around a week and the days are fully booked with things like installing all the lights up the ‘rig’, completing and putting up the ‘set’, finishing off the props and then combining all the lighting

and sound cues together with the cast on stage. Once all of that is done, we hopefully move directly on to the ‘dress rehearsal’ so everyone experiences a run-through of the entire show before we go live and open to the public the very next night.

Looking back, would you change anything?

No, I am so enjoying what I do.

What are your future plans?

I’m not sure what the future holds, but working for myself definitely has its advantages, in the sense that it really does open up the future. A couple of years ago, for example, I decided that I would finally go and do the ski season that I was going to do for my gap year, so I just went ahead and did it! It is hard work, but very satisfying. Will I do this for ever, or branch out into something else? Well I’m my own boss so it’s up to me and I’m excited to see what the future brings.

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Journal 2014

Maggie Muthama Champion for Women and United Nations Volunteer, Maggie Muthama E/AE’05, tells her inspiring story to make a vital social enterprise scheme a reality.

After leaving Sherborne Girls, Maggie studied Divinity at Edinburgh University before going to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, where she studied for a Master’s in Law, Development and Globalisation. Maggie then

She was specifically working to increase women’s participation in peace processes. returned home to Kenya and worked at UN Women Kenya as an intern and then as a UN volunteer. Since then she has been working on empowerment initiatives targeted at women living below the poverty line in Kenya.

She was specifically working to increase women’s participation in peace processes. This brought her into contact with female survivors of conflict, especially refugee women who sought asylum in Kenya, and who struggle on a day-to-day basis to make ends meet and look after their families. This sparked her interest in working with refugee populations.

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Maggie soon realised that many initiatives were too narrowly focused on incomegenerating activities to improve the condition of women living in extreme poverty. Together with her friend and colleague Alice Pang, Maggie wanted to address the social and cultural factors that limit the horizons of young African women. Maggie contacted the SOG office for some advice and was put in touch with Claire Sparkes (Stratton) T’68 who established Sparkes Home in Sri Lanka and Melanie Wray (Blake) AW’78 who set up Kamili Organisation in Kenya. This inspired them to venture into the world of social enterprise.

Maggie has always had a passion for baking and wanted to explore the idea of starting a bakery that would employ vulnerable and marginalised urban women. As well as providing a safe livelihood option, she hoped to use a holistic approach, providing services such as counselling, leadership and business skills to empower these women to do the same thing for someone else in a similar situation.

Alice, who now plays more of an advisory role, and Maggie met six young women aged 19–29 who all live in a low-

Maggie Muthama income neighbourhood in Nairobi, and strive every day to make ends meet. Each of them has had limited access to education and all six are painfully conscious of their inability to compete within the Kenyan job market. The Kenyan government has encouraged young people to seek self-employment as a solution to job creation because of a lack of formal employment in Nairobi. Celestine, Grace, Abigail, Bridgette, Rachel and Purity changed their selfperceptions from job seekers to job creators, and attempted to start their own small businesses in Nairobi.

Each had limited business skills and knowledge to draw upon and they battled negative stereotypes. In Kenya there is

Maggie soon realised that many initiatives were too narrowly focused on income-generating activities to improve the condition of women living in extreme poverty. little social and cultural support for young women entrepreneurs from under-privileged economic backgrounds.

They lacked access to guidance, advice and support on starting and running a small enterprise. Limited access to capital was a barrier to success too.

At present each of them struggles to earn more than KES 500 (£3.33) a day as casual domestic labourers – the only work that they feel qualified for given their educational backgrounds. They are representative of thousands of other young urban women struggling to survive in the current economic environment.

This confirmed Maggie and Alice’s belief in the need for a social enterprise scheme; the result was AM Café, a highend bakery. The profits from AM Café will be used to develop an empowerment programme for Nairobi’s young and marginalised urban women.

The Café will offer part-time employment to women aged 19–29 who have had limited access to education and who currently earn less than £37/month.

Employees will receive on-the-job training from a world-class professional chef for a period of three years. They’ll be taught how to run, sustain and expand a bakery, in competition with leaders in the food industry in Kenya.

This programme will be open to both AM Café employees, as well as other young women living below the poverty

Co-founder Alice Pang

From left to right: Purity, Rachel, Bridgette, Grace and Celestine. Abigail was sadly unwell when this photo was taken.

line in Nairobi.

Networking events will be hosted where women from all walks of life will be invited to share their experiences and helped to overcome challenges whilst working in the business sector. During these events, women, who have succeeded in business, will be encouraged to mentor young women who are interested in pursuing careers in their chosen fields of interest.

Maggie is keen to identify like-minded individuals or organisations that can support or partner them with this scheme to enable marginalised and vulnerable women to thrive and reach their full potential.

To find out more, please visit: www.amcafe.org

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Journal 2014

Sarah Cripps K’10 Sarah wanted to pursue a career in advertising, marketing or journalism. After completing her degree, she decided to move to Australia and contacted the Sherborne Old Girls office to see what assistance we could offer. She had had some experience as a content manager and had also worked for a literary agency.

After discussing her career ambitions with her, we found her some relevant work experience. This is what Sarah had to say: “After graduating in English Literature at Newcastle University, I decided to move to Sydney to pursue a career in advertising. I contacted the Old Girls Office for help. They put a post about my search on the Old Girls Facebook page and sent my CV to all Old Girls who now live in Australia. Quite quickly I was offered an internship at M&C Saatchi. I was placed in the Strategy Department and worked in a variety of areas, from financial services to technology brands. I conducted qualitative research for campaigns and translated my gathered data into presentations. I also worked with the copywriters who appreciated and used my ideas. What began as two weeks’ work experience became a proper internship. I made valuable contacts and friends who are helping to progress my career. Being a junior on a temporary working visa makes finding a full-time job difficult, but any experience, paid or unpaid is so important and I am in the process of securing my next placement. I have even had interviews at top advertising agencies such as Ogilvy who are considering me for smaller projects. I love Sydney and have learnt so much by branching out and pushing myself to do things that I wouldn’t have necessarily done in England. For example, a couple of weeks ago I was invited to Angelina Jolie’s world movie premiere at the State Theatre; the film was average, but I got to see Brad Pitt! I am now looking to extend my visa for a second year.”

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GAP YEAR REPORT Amelie Jannoe RH’13 Amelie writes: “Having left Sherborne in June 2013 with many happy memories, I pursued a one-year Art Foundation course before committing to my place at Bath University to study Business Administration. After six months, I made a rather daring decision to quit the art course and find a more profitable opportunity.

Owing to my Swedish background, I was fortunate to secure an internship at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK, based in London. The Chamber is a membership-based networking organisation for companies and individuals with an interest in Anglo-Swedish business.

Out of approximately 400 members, renowned clients include IKEA, H&M and Volvo. As an Intern, I manage the telephones, post and social media. I planned and delivered weekly events and worked on the bi-monthly magazine. It was an amazing opportunity to make contact with high-end professionals and learn about the running of an international firm whilst strengthening ties to my Swedish roots. I miss enormously living life as a junior London businesswoman and would recommend it to anyone!

Recently I have returned from six tough, but fascinating, weeks in Namibia, where I was a Trainee Leader with British Exploring of 30 young explorers aged 16–20. In November I completed my expedition leader training.

It has been a year of new adventures, new people and new challenges, and I loved all of it although it did not turn out as I had initially planned. I wonder what my years at Bath University will have in store for me?”

FEATURES At Sherborne, as well as loving my Art lessons, Classics, History, English, Sport and Dance were my passions too. All of which inspired my future and now my life as an artist.

As an only child of remarried parents, I bounced between the West Country, London and Canada when I wasn’t tucked up in Kenelm.

My colourful family instilled a love of art, theatre, literature, photography, performance, nature, and travel. To this day I have an entirely equal love of country, sea and city.

Moving to London after schooling, I initially worked for Michael Winner, Zoom Photographic then Maybox – which owned seven West End theatres and cinemas. We were based in Noël Coward Theatre with all the galleries on my doorstop – bliss.

In the evenings, I often trained at the Pineapple Dance Studios, subsequently joining various theatre groups. In time I started studying art through ILEA in Chelsea – painting, sculpture and photography – it was the

Travelling to Art Emma Young (Rose) K’81 gives us her perspective on her life across the globe most vibrant and energized life. After 15 years working and living in London, then working in film production I decided it was time to change.

In a leap of faith I rented a little cottage in an idyllic village just south of Bath. In true Jane Austen style, shortly after, I met and married the most divine man (getting engaged on our first date!) and have two beautiful girls. We live in a converted barn where my art studio overlooks a wild garden. When the girls were small I studied colour theory and abstraction and finally began to paint myself.

From the acorn of selling a painting to a friend five years ago, I now work full-time as an artist – exhibiting in the West Country, London, Toronto and, since 2014, having a gallery in the centre of Bath.

I’ve painted life-sized lions and swans for huge public art installations (for charity), shown in restaurants, curated exhibitions, been involved in art trails and artistically 41

Journal 2014

entertained our school. I’ve even been shortlisted for the prestigious Bath Life Arts Award.

Basically I’m a semi-abstract artist with landscape, nature and memory being the inspirational core of my work. Colour, texture and patina are passions married to the concept of wabi-sabi. I am often commissioned to do things like paint people’s gardens, a Rothko replica or a favourite view.

Not only do I paint and exhibit, I also market my own work using social media, advertising and good old personal contact. It’s great being your own boss.

It would be an utter delight to see some OGs in Bath, so do come and visit my gallery at 78 Walcot Street, visit me at my home studio, or check my website to see where I am exhibiting. You can see and read about my painting at www.emmaroseartworks.com

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WOMEN and ADVENTURE FESTIVAL The theme for the school this year is ‘Raising the Bar’ and with this in mind the school hosted a Women and Adventure Festival. Chemmy Alcott, Britain’s No. 1 female Alpine skier opened the event and was enthusiastically welcomed by the girls. As part of this festival, five Old Girls kindly returned to school to speak to those in Upper Fifth and the Sixth Form about their own adventures: what motivated them; their training, and the challenges they faced.

Held at Sherborne Girls from Friday, 10 – Sunday, 12 October 2014

ROSE KINGSCOTE K’02 Having been in the SG athletics team, Rose continued to keep sport in her life through university and later in London. Rose very kindly talked to the Upper Fifth about her recent participation in the Marathon des Sables, raising over £18,000 for Walking with the Wounded.

She spoke about her motivations, training and what

it takes to conquer the desert, and she proves that you do not need to be a professional to take on big challenges; you just need to make the decision to try in the first place!

Competitors are required to run 250km (the equivalent of six marathons back-to-back) through the Sahara Desert, totally unsupported; carrying all the food, kit and supplies

needed for six days of running through sand dunes in 550C+ temperatures. The Marathon des Sables is dubbed the ‘toughest race on the planet’.

Rose was asked numerous questions by the girls, who were inspired by her motivation and tremendous achievement.

Competitors are required to run 250km (the equivalent of six marathons back-toback) through the Sahara Desert

Rose running in the Marathon des Sables

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Skydiving in California

STEPHANIE HISLOP RH’07 Klettersteiging in Bavaria

Whilst at university, Stephanie joined the University Officer Training Corps and spoke about her experiences adventure racing, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding and klettersteiging (a sort of sideways version of abseiling).

She also competed in the British Army Ski Championships and gained her Advanced Free Fall Licence in skydiving.

In her second year, she took up rowing and was recruited onto a GB development scheme where she trained twice a day, six days a week.

Within six months, she had joined the Welsh Development Squad and began to compete around the country.

Stephanie also spoke about running her first ultra-marathon – 69 miles from Carlisle to Newcastle and her cycle ride from John o’ Groats to Land’s End.

Steph cycled from John o’ Groats to Land’s End 44

GILL BUZZARD (BLENKINSOP) DH’62 Gill recently made an epic trip to Antarctica to follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott. Gill described her expedition to Cape Evans, site of the hut of the ill-fated Scott of the Antarctic.

Gill’s voyage (see OG features, SOG Journal No.45 2011, pages 30–31) was to commemorate the centenary of Scott’s fateful expedition to the South Pole and the death of Scott, Oates, Wilson, Bowers and Evans on their return from the Pole in 1912. Gill’s late husband Bill was the great-

nephew of Captain Lawrence Oates, who was responsible for the expedition’s ponies.

Gill brought to the girls’ attention the photograph in the School’s conference room of ‘Laurie Oates’ with the ponies on board their expedition ship Terra Nova, one of which – Scott’s pony ‘Snippets’ – remarkably pulled a sled sponsored by Sherborne Girls!

Another huge coincidence emerged from Gill’s talk. In the audience was Celeste Bowden, currently in the Upper Sixth.

Celeste told the audience that she was descended from Kathleen, Scott’s wife, making Captain Scott her great, great, great uncle by marriage! Gill outlined opportunities to

experience the Antarctic, saying it was easier than one might think. It would just take days of violent seas, perilous disembarkation onto small landing craft and danger of getting stuck in pack ice to get there! For Gill, though, it was all worth it, experiencing the place, the sights and the horsey smells – still lingering in the expedition stables – of her family forbear, most famous for his final words, “I’m just going outside and may be some time.”

Gill in Antarctica against a backdrop of Mount Erebus Capt. Scott’s Hut at Cape Evans

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FLORA SPENCER DH’05

ANGELA PITT

Wiltshire to Istanbul Cycle Ride

Flora spoke about her cycle ride to Turkey, a run along Hadrian’s Wall, a relay swim across the Channel and ‘microadventures’ in London.

Flora had already cycled twice from Land’s End to John o’ Groats before deciding to cycle from Wiltshire across the continent to Istanbul, Turkey. She followed the Iron Curtain Trail for most of the way, averaging 132km each day.

Finally, after cycling 4,612km and crossing 17 countries in 35 days (surprisingly without a suffering a single puncture!) she made her way along the busy seven-lane road from Edirne on the Greek border into the historic city of Istanbul.

Flora ran the 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall within 24 hours; a task she found much harder than the bike ride.

Flora also spoke about her relay swim across the English Channel. Flora also spoke about taking part in a ‘Microadventure’, sleeping out on Hampstead Heath in a bivvy bag.

Microadventuring is a concept invented

by Alistair Humphreys to encourage people to use the 16 hours ‘off ’ between 5pm – 9am to get out of their comfort zone and do something adventurous.

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Honorary Old Girl Angela Pitt, who was Head of English from 1978–2002 spoke about her inspirational trip to China for charity and her incredible work with pandas at Louguantai Wild Animal Breeding and Protection Centre.

Pandas cannot retract their claws. They can be savage weapons if the panda is in a fight but they are generally used just for grooming, scratching and climbing trees. The length of the claws matches the depth of the panda’s fur so that it can scratch its skin. Pandas have thick fur to keep them warm in the cold Chinese winters, as they do not hibernate.

It is well-known that pandas love bamboo.

In the wild they will eat up to 38kg of bamboo a day, as it is their staple diet.

All the pandas at the Louguantai Centre especially enjoy their daily bowls of warm milk mixed with egg. They also have fruit, vegetables and a special loaf called ‘panda bread’. This ensures that they get the vitamins and nutrients they need to be in top condition.

Julia running the Marathon des Sables

Julia spoke about her training, preparation and participation in the ‘Marathon des Sables’ where she finished 5th female place and 1st British female.

Julia talked about her training and preparation for this marathon. Everything she took had to be weighed and to be as light as possible. Her cooker weighed only 17 grams. Julia spent a great deal of time checking food labels making sure they had a high nutritional content but weighed very little.

Julia went on to explain the challenges she faced each day to complete the marathon, such as the essential care of her feet, making sure she was fully hydrated and the mental determination required. Julia was one of a few who ended the race blister free.

Following her talk, a number of girls were inspired to take part in marathons themselves.

JULIA YERBURY (DONOVAN) AW’98

Julia joined the Metropolitan Police in London in 2006. Currently, Julia is working as a detective in Immigration Crime in Central London.

Julia writes: I love my job, but I love my running even more! I run home 12 miles each day and that’s how I fit a lot of my training in. I run marathons as well as Ultra Marathons including multi-stage events.

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A REFLECTION OF LIFE AT Sherborne Girls DURING WW1 48

The War touched Sherborne Girls in many ways. Fathers, brothers, relatives and friends went to fight and those left behind worked tirelessly to support the War Effort both overseas and at home.

1914–15

Miss Mulliner

Two months after War was declared, Miss Mulliner’s letter in the Sherborne School for Girls Magazine suggests how the School might help ‘in this National Crisis’.

Aldhelmsted, November 2nd, 1914.

My dear Girls, Today as I write, the shadow of this Great War lies heavily over many in this School. 13 years ago there were boy pupils in the school Kindergarten and one is now fighting in the very midst of the hottest battle in Northern France. Another has come back from the Field of Honour, dangerously wounded. A woman’s part at a time like this is no easy one. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s words seem especially applicable to us now: ‘Give us courage and loyalty, tranquillity and selfcontrol, that we may accomplish that which Thou givest us to do, and endure that which Thou givest us to bear.’

We felt that you would all like to do something as a School to help in this great National Crisis, and Miss Moore’s suggestion seemed best of all, that we should put together what we could spare for a Motor Ambulance. I cannot say how pleased I have been at the ready and generous response made by the School. So much has already been sent I cannot doubt that the balance will be forthcoming in a very little while. I need not tell you about the urgent necessity of

providing medical aid more quickly for the wounded, of preventing the long waiting in the trenches before help comes, of obviating the prolonged suffering caused by a journey in unsuitable and shaky trains. The sooner the total of £400 is reached, the sooner can steps be taken to equip and send out the ambulance, so that anything you can spare will be very welcome, and should be sent at once to Miss Moore.

700 of the Dorset Yeomanry were suddenly quartered in Sherborne, and we have housed 51 in the Gymnasium and the Iron Room. For a few days we had the honour of entertaining five Belgian guests at Aldhelmsted. When the School reassembled, our numbers, as you see, were much larger than they have ever been, and we found ourselves with a new sixth form boarding house established in Ransome.

The White Lodge is also full to overflowing, and bids fair to need enlargement in the near future. The students this term are having special teaching in economical house management and invalid cookery to make some special dishes every week for the wounded soldiers who have arrived in Sherborne. Several of the old students are finding their past training very useful now. One is,

actually at the Front, cooking in one of the hospitals. Alice Williams is helping to nurse the wounded in her father’s house. Dorothy Dickson is superintending the cooking at a Red Cross hospital.

I cannot urge old girls too earnestly to get definite training in something useful now at once – whilst they have the

opportunity. The time of stress and trial has begun, and the world is calling for trained women, able to organise, to be practical and economical. There is nothing sadder than to wake up to the urgent need and feel we must lose the honour and the privilege and stand aside for lack of training.

Ransome House, Greenhill was the School’s first home from 20 September 1899. There were 14 pupils on the initial roll, only seven of them of secondary age; the other seven were Kindergarten.

From left to right: Tom Whittingdale, leaning against Miss Moore; Miss Mulliner with Ruth Whittingdale (day girl 1899–1907) on her lap; Jack Whittingdale (wearing a dark sailor suit) later became the School doctor.

Ransome House

The MOTOR AMBULANCE In June 1914 Miss Mulliner announced that a special fund had been set up to provide a swimming bath. At that date £35.7s had been raised.

We are grateful to the Curator of The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester for permission to use the photographs of the Motor Ambulance and the Trench

Following Miss Mulliner’s suggestion that the School might send a motor ambulance to the War Zone, the staff and girls decided to divert the funds that had originally been intended for the swimming bath to procure and run an ambulance. Very quickly £105.10s was raised. Miss Mulliner asked if the Old Girls would like to contribute £150 towards this fund.

Miss Mulliner wrote, in the February 1915 Magazine: “Contributors to the Ambulance Fund will be glad to hear that our motor is at the Front.

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The response was particularly good, with every girl contributing something from her own private pocket, before asking her friends or relations for a donation.

One parent wrote suggesting that the motor provided by the girls should be ‘run’ by their parents. This lady offered £1 per month for six months if others would do the same. I am keeping our funds open for running expenses and would be glad to receive any donations however small. £400 was sent to Lord Rothschild in November, the balance I am keeping until I have £50, and then it will be sent for running expenses. I thought that possibly some Old Girls who have not contributed might like to supply the £10 to make the £50. I very much hope that those who cannot raise the £1 suggested will send some small contribution so that all members of the school, past and present, may have a share in the enterprise. It is my personal hope that everyone can make some sacrifice for the sake of those who are risking everything for our safety.”

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The following extracts are from the Sherborne School for Girls War Supplement dated June 1915. It was issued at the request of the Old Girls’ Union.

WHAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING FOR THE WAR Our Ambulance has been doing very useful work at the front. We have heard from the cousin of a present girl who happened to drive our Ambulance from Boulogne to Dunkirk: “Yesterday I had a most excellent day as I went down to Boulogne to bring back one of a batch of new Ambulances. After going to the Red Cross offices at Boulogne, passes had to be obtained, which proved a very long affair. As each pass had the number of one of the cars there was no question of picking and choosing. My charge proved to be a 20–30hp Darracq.

It was a fine powerful machine, but very little room for the driver and a terrific clutch. My bus proved a great goer, and once I began to get into the gear changes and pedals we came along in great style, fairly roaring up the hills on top gear. Having

all arrived at Calais we stopped for some food. After that it was quite dark, and lamps were lit for the rest of the journey. We were constantly stopped at various barriers, either by waving a lantern, or holding a bayonet in the light of the car’s lamp, when we had to produce passes, and have our numbers taken. Finally we arrived home about 9.30pm after a most enjoyable day.

The Darracq I brought back was presented by the past and present members of the Sherborne School for Girls.”

In May 1915 the Red Cross Society wrote to the school to let them know that the ambulance had carried 139 wounded men between 1–12 March 1915.

[Automobiles Darracq SA was a French motor vehicle manufacturing company founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq.]

GIRLS AND OLD GIRLS DID MORE THAN RAISE MONEY FOR THE AMBULANCE The girls had been knitting for various regiments and ships but during the summer term of 1915 they decided to support the Dock Hospital at Southampton. They sent out supplies of clothing in the hospital ships and ambulance trains, so that the soldiers could have clean clothing. The Sister-in-Charge wrote: “Garments of all kinds are wanted for our wounded coming in to Southampton on the Ambulance ships. Caps, socks, dressing gowns and pyjamas made from a dark warm material are needed. Dark pyjamas are used as a suit on board the boat and ambulance train by those patients who can walk.”

Each house looked at what they could make and together hoped to send out: five dozen pairs of socks, five dozen caps, one and a half dozen shirts and one dozen pyjamas. The Old Girls were asked if they could supply dressing gowns by the end of term.

Old Girls were also busy supporting the war effort. M. Carter worked as a war maid at the Kineton Red Cross Hospital. E. Charlesworth had volunteered for special service and was nursing at the 5th Military Hospital, Portsmouth.

A.M. Harvey collected for the sailors and soldiers.

She sent over 100 thermos flasks to the Fleet. She also mended soldiers’ clothes, which Miss Mulliner recommends to others with any spare time. M. Sturdy was a probationer in the V.A.D. Greenhill Hospital, Sherborne.

The War Supplement also recorded the work a groundsman was doing for the war.

“A. Biss, who was groundsman, has worked in the playing fields for many a year, rejoined the 10th Hussars in August. He is now Corporal and is stationed at the Remount Depot, Swaythling, after having helped to take thousands of horses across the Channel since August.”

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From the Diary of Miss Mary Gabrielle West ALDHELMSTED HOUSE, 1907 Gabrielle West was born in 1890, the youngest child of the vicar of Selsley, Gloucestershire.

Although she was baptised Mary Gabrielle she preferred being called Gabrielle after her French grandmother. She arrived at school in January 1907 in Aldhelmsted House and was probably destined thereafter for marriage to a clergyman.

The First World War changed things for her and she felt she should do something although she had only been trained to run a household. She started as a Red Cross volunteer in hospital kitchens. She progressed eventually to paid work as a canteen supervisor in munitions factories.

She kept a fascinating diary from the outbreak of war.

The extract below comes from her time as Night Head of one of the canteens inside the Woolwich Arsenal in 1916: “Rip has had several adventures in the Arsenal. Dogs are not allowed inside as a matter of fact. The police at the gate have always winked the other eye at Rip. But a few weeks ago a new and very aggressive young man arrived – informed me the first morning ‘dogs are not allowed inside the Arsenal.’ I said ‘I know that,’ and trotted on. Next day he told me the same thing and I told him very sweetly that this was a special dog. Next day I went in at a different gate and to my great disgust encountered the enemy again who told me that if he found the dog again he should refuse to let us in. So I went off to the Assistant Lady Superintendent, Lady Lindsay, who has a photo of a dog pinned up in her office.

This made me think I might get a sympathetic audience in her. She rose to the occasion nobly.

Next day I received a pass signed by the Arsenal Superintendent: “Admit Miss West’s dog Rip, for the purpose of preparing meals for munitions workers.’

(This pass must be carried by the person in whose name it is drawn out.)

“Next day Rip trotted in with the pass in his mouth. He must be the only dog that ever

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received a government pass.

“During the Zeppelin raid on 13 April 1916 Rip rushed out to bark at the guns and fell in the ditch that runs round the danger area where the shells are filled. This ditch is full of picric acid and the result was first that he was very sick and secondly that for months he was bright canary yellow, bright as a daffodil. No amount of baths would take it off. It wasn’t until he changed his coat in the autumn that he became white again.

He really looked most peculiar.”

It is her family’s intention to publish her diaries at some point in the future.

Kenelm Farewell Tea HELD ON SUNDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2013 With an imminent move across the ‘bridge’, we invited Kenelm Old Girls, past members of staff and friends to afternoon tea and carols. Old Girls watched a presentation by the Heads of House in morning assembly.

During the afternoon Old Girls were interviewed about their memories of life in Kenelm.

The conversations which ensued were thoroughly enjoyed by Old Girls and girls alike. Another

source of great interest were the Kenelm diaries.

It has been a long-held tradition in Kenelm that carols are sung around the Christmas tree, standing on the staircase.

Following tea, Old Girls sang to the current girls who then sang for the Old Girls. It was a lovely afternoon and so enjoyed by all who were there.

Photo from the Kenelm Archives

Photo from the Kenelm Archives

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Journal 2014

PEER GROUP

News 1900–1950 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Pat Brewster (Grayburn) T’48 Joyce Neale (Skelton) K’37 spent 30 years working for her local Citizens Advice Bureau in Pembrokeshire and is now enjoying a ‘quiet village life’.

Alison Watney (Parkinson) E’49 writes with the sad news that her husband, Kenneth, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital in September 2013.

Alison had nursed her husband for several years; he had suffered several strokes and also from dementia. Two lovely services were held for him, with his sons and daughter taking major parts in the services.

These were followed by a splendid wake at his bowls club.

Felicity Jackson (Butcher) W’45 writes: “In October 2013 Ellen Markiewicz (Gerber) W’43 and her charming husband, Ralph, came for the day to Bath. It was extraordinary to meet again after so very long. We agreed that we neither would have

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recognised the other, both white-haired, but Ellen had most sensibly brought with her her Jewish identity card from Germany (with a great ‘J’ across it) and this had a photo of the girl I remember. My reading horizons have been widened greatly by the fascinating books that Ellen has recommended me to read about the Kindertransport.” (The title given to the efforts made by the British government prior to the outbreak of World War 2, to bring Jewish children out of Nazi Germany and occupied Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Kindertransport was an attempt to remove these children from an increasingly perilous situation whereby War looked almost inevitable. During a nine-month period, 10,000 Jewish children aged between one and 17 were transported to the UK.) She continues: “This year is the 75th anniversary of the start of Kindertransport and probably the last visit to this country for the Gerbers.

How very serendipitous the whole episode has been.”

Pat Hartley (Jungstedt) W’47 has been in touch with Felicity following her news in the 2013 Journal. They have both found they have many memories in common of the hardship of School life during the War years.

Pat reminisces about her early life at school in the 1940s: The weekly early morning walk from Wingfield and over the bridge to East with the week’s pigswill in a pail, preparing our own vegetables and peeling the potatoes the afternoon of the day before consumption as there was only one member of the cooking staff, the individual little saucers with the ration of margarine and butter for each pupil, the regulation ten inches of open window at the foot of the bed during the icy winters, around 1942 assistance given to local farmers when we cycled out to pick up the potatoes as they were harvested and also weeding the grain crops to remove wild oats, being sent out on Sundays in autumn to pick blackberries for the making of jam with the extra ration of sugar provided, then

having to use all one’s clothing coupons on school uniform, being taken, on a bus to a dance at Bryanston (then a boys-only school) and wearing one’s walking shoes – no coupons again for more delicate footwear, being allowed five inches of water for one’s twiceweekly bath, knitting stunted and knobbly balaclava helmets for unfortunate soldiers, the swimming pool was filled once only and there was no cleaning function so that by the end of the summer term the water was positively soupy.

1951–1955 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Jenyth Worsley AW’52

Mary Strong (St Clair Windus) W’53 is playing the cello at Dartington, Dorking and in Rottingdean. Her brother Richard is improving in health.

Wiltshire to her 13th home in 17 years and now sadly leaves to move six miles away. Since Belinda moved to Wiltshire, she has been teaching Maths and has been a Magistrate for 22 years. Much of her time has been spent gardening their two acres of garden. Maurice, her husband, retired from the Army in 1983 and went into business. After retiring for a second time he became High Sherriff for a year before becoming Lord Lieutenant for nearly nine years. Belinda writes that they will miss the church and a small close-knit community but they love being in Wiltshire. Belinda is in touch with Jane (Reekie) Nicholson E’59 and Sue Willmott (Teale) DH’59.

Anne Zeal (Lavruckine) AE’57 writes: “Despite having suffered leukaemia and needing many months of chemotherapy, I have pulled through amazingly

well. My family, and especially my sister Jane (Pegram) AE’54, were great and gave me every reason to put up a good fight. I have tried to continue my active life and my fascination of travelling round the world is still very much present. I had recently become a more active member of our local Women’s Association with an inspiring and dynamic team. We are involved in a fascinating local second-hand shop called ‘The Brocki’. Business is booming and we sell just about everything. There are about 65 ladies who all work on a voluntary basis and in 2013 we made our first million Swiss Francs, the proceeds of which are mainly given to charity. On a recent trip to Moscow I found myself caught up in military rehearsals on 1 May which was a challenge. Last autumn I took two groups to Odessa which I found to be an exceptional city and was so fortunate to

Susanna Golden (Baker) W’54 is now living in the Moorings Nursing Home, near Bungay in Suffolk.

Mary is in touch with Jill Hallam (Sorrell) W’53 who is living in Dorking.

1956–1960 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Daphne MaGuire (Thomson) T’59

Dun Holme 1956 Reunion Lunch on 21 May 2014 at West Clandon, Surrey

Belinda Sladen (Johnston) K’56 has moved home after 37 years. In 1977 she moved to

Left to right Elisabeth Walwyn (Everitt), Cynthia Ashton (Walker), Nicola Tiernay (Nicholson), Fiona Biggart (Lewington), Helen Leader-Williams (Clarke), Marion Edmonds (Rebbeck) and Patricia Edwards (Thomas)

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experience two great performances at the beautifully restored and renovated opera house. At the time I was completely unaware of the political developments that were looming.

Last April a great wish came true and I travelled to Japan and South Korea. I found it all so fascinating: Tokyo a paradise for designers and architects, Kyoto with its many traditions, historical temples and shrines – which luckily had deliberately not been bombed in World War 2.

I was truly amazed at South Korea and what they have achieved since the end of the Korean War in 1953. During our trip, we took part in two concerts of the Swiss Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra, in Tokyo and in Seoul. I was in Seoul during the time of the tragic ferry accident – part of the concert was dedicated to those drowned and their families. At the reception afterwards I talked to several young South Korean musicians who had been able to study in Zürich. It was an exceptionally moving evening.

Recently I took 65 ladies from our Women’s Association on their yearly outing where we visited a special ‘Straw Museum’ depicting the history of straw hats and decorations.

Afterwards we visited the leading Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil. This is a truly unique medical centre with incredible results and enabling those paralysed to start a new life. From our charity profits we sponsored a very special tennis-

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wheelchair which was presented after the official visit.

Despite all my travelling, I still find time for my family and grandson, who Jane and I took for a week’s skiing holiday again last year.”

who, though very noisy, happily remained out of sight!

Wendy Betteridge

1961–1965 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Rosie Cox (Highfield) DH’63

Rosie writes: “It is now a year since I moved to Cornwall and am really enjoying it. I am doing some volunteer stewarding at Port Eliot in St Germans and am on our local WI Committee in Downderry and Seaton. We get involved in a lot of craft which is fun and last year we exhibited at the Royal Cornwall Show in June. I also work as a volunteer at St Germans’ Community Shop and meet so many lovely people there. All in all it has been a good year. Thank you again for those of you who have sent news in for the Journal.”

Zoé Brown (Mair) T’65 is still living in north Suffolk, engaged like so many, in regular care of grandchildren, but also in community activities – for example the Halesworth Art Gallery and a local sustainable energy group. Last year she spent three rewarding weeks as a volunteer with AidCamps International building school classrooms in a remote rural village in Nepal where she also rediscovered an ability to run when, on a foot safari, they encountered two male rhinos,

The project Wendy Fitch (Betteridge) AE’61 embarked on a year ago is gaining critical mass. It connects whole communities digitally through contributing websites. The ‘mother ship’ is Porirua City in New Zealand – www.ourporirua.com – the ‘Community’ button shows how the city interconnects, with contributions coming from all parts of the community.

Although it’s a 24/7 voluntary project (accessible world-wide), Wendy played truant in the UK last summer from the beginning of July to the end of August and based herself with Gill Buzzard (Blenkinsop) DH’62 near Wimbledon. She met some of the Sherborne Tennis VI from 1960 and would love to catch up with any other OGs from her era.

Caroline Shaw (MacDonaldHaig) W’62 continues to lecture for NADFAS and shows American tourists around London. She also trains wouldbe London Blue Badge Guides

in the V&A and lectures to them on England’s Christian Heritage. She has lectured in Australia and New Zealand for NADFAS last summer – having accepted with some trepidation!

In preparation she visited Florence, in search of the art and architecture first learned about in Lindsay White’s History of Art A-level classes – what a marvellous grounding she gave us.

Caroline Goodden (Vidican) AE’64 moved back to live in Over Compton, near Sherborne, in June 2014 after spending 48 years living in France.

Ann Hudson DH’65 has reverted back to her maiden name. She returned to the UK in 2002 after 32 years in Cape Town and got together with her cousin, Sonia David (Pether) AW’65, with whom she shares numerous emails and visits! Having built up a very successful pilates practice in Belgravia and Kensington, and bought a delightful garden flat in Battersea, close to the park and river, she is now living in the Middle East in Bahrain, helping her son, Timothy, with his three little boys. She has started teaching pilates in a glorious spa close to where she lives but finds afternoons onwards are comprised of taxiing, homework, sports and play dates! She would love to hear from anyone in Bahrain.

1966–1970 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Currently vacant Harriet Godsall (Whitmarsh) AW’69 has stepped down, so we are looking for someone to take over. Please contact the SOG office if you would like to find out more. Harriet wrote: “Many thanks indeed to all of you who sent me your news and it is very much appreciated. My elder daughter was awarded a European Fellowship in May, which is a terrific achievement. My son moved from Ofgem to the MoD and is enjoying his new role as an economist. My two grandsons, as ever, are a great source of joy to me.

“I keep in touch with Georgina May (Bullock) E’69, Susie Hallett (Penberthy) K’69, Marje Wing AW’68 and Sheila Gallichan (Marsh) AW’70 and recently Vici Dale-Harris AW’69.”

Jill Todd (Bishop) AE’68 writes that the Aldhelmsted East and Dun Holme girls of 1968 met up for their annual skiing trip to Alpbach. They have been doing this for more than 20 years and Tiggy Bucknill (Hooper) AE’68 and Caroline Dallas (Cullinan) DH’68 came as usual. Caroline is an adventurous skier and has just returned from trekking in Nepal.

Verity Vickers (Coleman) DH’68 wrote that eight of the same group also went to

Skiing in Alpbach: left to right Jill Todd (Bishop), Tiggy Bucknill (Hooper) and Caroline Dallas (Cullinan) Winchester in November 2013, continuing their cathedralthemed tour. They visited Winchester College as well. Angie Bluett (Ross) DH’68 also organised an excellent guide at a visit to Southwark Cathedral. The group expanded to include Tiggy and Jill from AE, Caroline, Cressida Jelf (Rayner) and Susie Pym (King). Verity, Caroline and Tiggy also went to Ethiopia together in October 2013.

Pippa Pearce (Galloway) AW’66 and her husband moved to Shere, near Guildford, just over two years ago – close to their previous home of over 30 years. Fortunately, they are not far from their children and four grandchildren. Pippa is very busy as Chair of Governors of a large primary school. She also works at Woking Citizens Advice Bureau which, she says, is a very stimulating and enjoyable way of spending one’s time. Pippa continues with her Russian studies and occasionally has time for her garden! She keeps in touch

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with Penny Brain (WebsterSmith) W’66, Judy Basset (Walton) T’66, Liz Poulson (Smith) AW’66 and Helen Sewell (English) T’66.

Gillie Alcock (Ford) AE’67 writes that she and Romie Leveritt AE’67 always look forward to the annual OG lunch – held this time at the home of Buz Randolph (Francis) W’67 on 12 May. It was a lovely occasion and they all got on so well but it would be lovely to see some more OGs another year!

Suzanne Rose (Bartlett) DH’70 retired from her job as Information Specialist for HM Revenue & Customs at the end of April 2014. Suzanne writes that she has been working on her dissertation for an MA in Biography and Creative Nonfiction at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich.

Suzanne has secured a retirement job as Library Trainer on a consultancy basis for Encyclopaedia Britannica.

She also plans to carry out voluntary work for the Lettering and Commemorative Arts Trust at Snape Maltings in Suffolk. She was very pleased to catch up with a few OGs on 26 June at the Suffolk Circle lunch that her sister Jacqui Rose DH’64 hosted.

Sarah-Jane Stancomb (van der Westhuizen) T’67 takes part in jazz gigs, classical concerts, new theatre productions, film previews, art exhibitions and previews, all of which, she says, make her smile or think. She

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Left Jane and Chris snatch a hug at Commem Cricket 1969 – Chris still has the blazer! Right Jane and Chris on their wedding day adores her flat and entertains frequently and has made lots of new friends who have led her into aspects of film and theatre that she had not experienced before. Sarah-Jane has sold some Junk Art pieces and is hoping to collaborate with other artists for a future exhibition. In late September, Sarah-Jane set off on a round trip to see friends and family in Australia/Tasmania and America returning at the end of October.

Jane (Hoppy) Hopkinson (Batch) W’70 married her Sherborne School sweetheart Chris Vacher (Green 65–69) at Sherborne Abbey on 26 October 2014. They first met as 17 year-olds in the sixth form.

Both loved sport: each had been in their school’s 1st XI hockey team – Jane a Dorset County Junior too. Both loved Drama: Chris is remembered for his Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe – Jane as a bridesmaid in Trial By Jury. Both loved music: Jane was Leader of the Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra – Chris played drums in a school pop group.

Chances for members of both schools to meet were limited in those days! But after a joint rehearsal of Haydn’s Creation they first met outside the Abbey. Bice Crichton-Miller even helped by offering tea in her Wingfield study! But autumn 1969 saw Chris leaving Sherborne to begin Naval training at Dartmouth whilst Jane stayed on for Upper Sixth before embarking on a teaching degree at Homerton and then Newnham, Cambridge. They went their separate ways. Both married and had families (Jane two girls and Chris two boys).

Jane ended up as a housemistress at Canford School teaching English.

But by strange coincidence, when her marriage broke up, Jane moved to an area where she saw Chris presenting the BBC’s local TV News (a 30-year career he’d begun after leaving the Navy) and she got in touch. The romance blossomed again and they finally married in the same Abbey where they’d met those 45 years before! The reception was held in Sherborne School Dining Hall. Other OGs

Where are we today?

Bridget Wood (Davies) is a project co-ordinator for the National Physical Laboratory that tests products on behalf of industry. She and her husband Hugh live near London and raised two girls, Emma (28), a recruitment consultant in Manchester and Kate (25), a media strategist in Sydney, Australia.

SOGgies on the river left to right Cressida Jelf (Rayner), Susie Pym (King), Verity Vickers (Coleman), Tiggy Bucknill (Hooper), Caroline Dallas (Cullinan), Angie Bluett (Ross) and Jill Todd (Bishop) attending the wedding were Bar Dalrymple (Savill) W’70 and Emily Mayor DH’07. Old Shirburnians attending were the three main ushers: Paul Narizzano, Nick Newman Young and Will Kilpatrick.

1971–1975 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey) K’73

Six ladies from the class of 1974 from Dun Holme recently reunited in the south of England to celebrate 40 years. We rented a farm cottage in Abbotsbury near Weymouth on the Dorset coast and spent four days catching up with each other and tripping down memory lane. Some of our favorite memories: ‘crocodiling’ down to the Abbey for Sunday service in our stylish brown suits and clodhopper shoes, looking every inch the ‘Brown Cows’; crooning Homeward Bound with the guitar; drawing rooms with Miss Turner to learn the art of conversation while pretending to embroider something useful; the gastronomic highlight of onion cakes and eggy bread for breakfast or bubble and squeak for supper; clandestine walks up Coombe Valley to rendezvous with boys; the thrill of life-saving in glacial water; glamorous green meridian knickers ...

Clare Griffith-Jones (Dobie) runs a marketing consultancy, Braxted Marketing Measures, which works with asset managers, investment consultants, private banks and others in the financial services industry to measure and improve their marketing and client service. She is also a non-executive director of three investment trusts, Aberdeen New Thai, F&C Capital and Income and Schroder UK Mid Cap. Clare has lived in Essex for the last 16 years.

Melanie Neale (Lowrey) is a piano teacher living in Breckenridge, Colorado and raised two boys, James (23) and George (22), who now reside in Boulder, also in Colorado.

Leslie Pugh (Maloney) and her husband Tim run an independent, family foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, investing in the areas of arts and culture, community development, education and human services. They raised two boys, Ryan (28) and Kyle (26), who now reside in Cincinnati and Denver, Colorado.

Dun Holme 1974 Reunion: Clockwise from top left Leslie Maloney, Henrietta Sherwin, Clare Dobie, Bridget Davies, Lucy Watson and Melanie Lowrey

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Henrietta Gilpin (Sherwin) has a doctorate in transport planning and has spent the last twenty years promoting walking and cycling, mainly as a volunteer for the Campaign to Protect Rural England. She is married to Peter Sherwin, an American, and they live in Bath. They raised three children who reside in New York (Luke, 25), San Francisco (John, 23) and London (Georgia, 20).

Lucy Watson is a registered nurse and registered health visitor with clinical experience within acute trust settings and primary care. In 2005, Lucy moved near Taunton to take up the post of Deputy Director of Nursing and Community Services in South Somerset Primary Care Trust, and joined NHS Somerset when it was formed in 2006. She is currently Director of Quality Safety and Governance at Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group. Lucy and her husband raised two children who reside in Cardiff (Alice, 30) and Bristol (Billy, 27).

We would love to hear from others in our year in Dun Holme.

1976–1980 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80

Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80 writes: “Charlie (23) graduated from Keble College, Oxford

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Thurstan 1976 Reunion left to right Jill, Gill, Steph, Sally, Caroline and Sara with a 2:1 and is applying to join the Royal Marines as an Officer. Hugo (19) is studying Motorsport Technology at Oxford Brookes. He also plays for the university’s American Football team. Christoph is thankfully in full remission once again. I am in regular contact with Anna Green (Anthony) T’77, Victoria Holland (Elvidge) A’80, Jill Passey (Eyre) K’80, Geli von Hase (Laird-Clowes) AW’80 and caught up with Sarah McWatters (Galea) T’80, Lucy Smail AW’80 and Leonie Fox Pitt (Gibbs) AW’80 at the 1971–1975 Reunion organised

by Joc Passey (Humfrey) K’73 in London in October 2013.

I am considering organising a 35-Year Reunion for 1980 leavers this year – tentative plans are for a midweek evening, in early September, in London. I have contacted those with a valid email address, so if you haven’t received my email, please contact me to register your interest as I’m trying to ascertain how many people would like to come.

Please may I ask you to ensure you have added my SOG email address to your e-address book so that my emails make it through your spam-traps and I am kept informed should you change your email address.”

Rachel Dann (Green) E’78 has recently moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she is involved with churches. Rachel is working as a disciple supporting grass-roots movements travelling across Asia. Her sister Jennie Dann (Paynter) E’75 lives in Ealing, where her husband is a vicar.

Caroline Dack (Beer) AW’80 writes: “Still trying to achieve that elusive work–life balance, so now working four days a week facilitating a networking peer support group for senior Human Resorces executives: The HR World.” Caroline is in touch with Kathy Horniblow AW’80 and they are hoping to meet up in Somerset.

Rebecca Mullins (Pickering) A’80 is still teaching at Abingdon Preparatory School.

She loved seeing Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78 when she returned to Sherborne in September to speak at Focus (our Christian group). It was great to see such a lively group of girls there in a delightful chaplain’s room and amazing to be back at school looking at the evocative view.

Melanie Wray (Blake) AW’78 still loves being in Nairobi where half of the time she is the school counsellor and headmaster’s wife at Peponi House Preparatory School. The other half is spent running Kamili Organisation, which provides community mental health care all over Kenya. The Old Girls sponsored their nurse training project last year and they currently have 10 Kamili nurses in training. They are also lucky enough to have a holiday of a lifetime every school holidays because they live in the most diverse country in the world.

Anna Crawford (Seton Coad) T’79 writes: “The harvest was one of the best for some years; I have never seen so many bales in the field – almost no room for the tractor! We had children home from university, and started letting our holiday cottage – frantic painting! I have seen some old girls – my sister Caroline Crawford (Woollard) T’81, my cousins Josie Misick A‘76 and Lottie Stock (Fenton) A’79, my mother Diana Warren (Allison) T’55 and her sister Virginia Warren (Tidmarsh) T’60 for a family lunch. I have also been in touch

with Pip Read (Cowles) T’79, Sarah McWatters (Galea) T’80 and bumped into Kathy Bracken (Gibson) T’79. I am still working at the hospital in Truro in the Anaesthetic Department. My husband and I are taking a short break and going to Marrakech with my youngest brother to see some charm snakes and really I hope to ride on a camel and fit in some shopping!”

Sally Hammond (Ellyatt) T’77 is in touch with Geraldine Kendall (Feilden) T’77 and Fiona Sinton (Thorpe) AE’77.

Sally sold her childcare business in Kent last year and has started a new venture offering bespoke crewed yacht charters in the Caribbean. After sailing across the Atlantic last year, they are about to commence their second season. It has been a steep learning curve but the coming months look to be pretty busy. They are passionate about giving all their guests the holiday of a lifetime... no compromise! Visit www.silentwingsyachtholidays.com for details of how to explore the Grenadines or Silent Wings Yacht Holidays on Facebook.

Catherine Davis (Cook) T’80 writes: “I’m in Year 2 retraining p/t as a psychotherapist in London, while working in internal communications to keep the roof over our heads. We now live near Goring in Oxfordshire and love it. My partner teaches Tai Chi, so I do several hours a week to ensure we see each other! My sister Caroline Davis

(Parkinson) AE’80 celebrated her 50th birthday this year with a special party with friends from Aldhelmsted East and our other sister Claire Davis (Craig) AW’84.

Anne Francis DH’79 is very busy running her businesses as both a piano technician and an independent consultant with Arbonne International. As she wrote this she was on a train enroute for Ottawa to celebrate her mum’s 95th birthday! She enjoyed seeing Louisa Sosnkowski (McCormack) E’79 this summer in Toronto and has also been in touch with Bridget Taylor E’79, Nicola Carroll (Rogers) DH’77, Carol Palmer DH’79 and Jane Williams (Wilson) E’79.

Stephanie Hetherington (Gibson) writes: “On 18 October 2014, six of us got together after over 30 years for our first reunion! Hopefully this will be the start of many get-togethers. We were all in Thurstan and all left in 1976.

Sally Waldron (Evans), Sara Chichester (Raynor), Jill Cundy (Davies), Caroline Spence (Hodkinson), Gill Reynolds and I all met up in Bristol. We had a great time catching up with news from the intervening years. If anyone else in our year from Thurstan would like to come to our next reunion or get in touch, please contact the SOG office.”

Fizzy Hillman T’79 has been in touch with many Thurstan OGs from 1979 whilst compiling memories of former

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Housemistress, Carolyn Taylor, who died on 28 June 2014 (see Obituaries) – thanks to Anna Crawford (Seton Coad), Caroline Bellman (Rutter), Pippa Hollington (Duncan), Judy House (Barnes), Rose Hyam (Wintle), Kathy Bracken (Gibson), Cara Matheson (Horwich). Fizzy would love to hear from Sue Andrews, Pip Read (Cowles), Ursula Wilton (Lockyer), Sarah Lund (Soar) and Liz Spencer who were the rest of the year group.

1981–1985 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Victoria Hunt (Dakin) E’85

Helen McLuskie (Garton) A’82 writes that it is a certain birthday for many of her year and Katie Garrod A’82 had invited them to join her and many friends at Queen’s Club to celebrate. It was a fun evening and gave Lucy Beynon (Noble) A’82, Sally Crane (McCaffrey) A’82, Sarah Lavers (Langan) AE’82, Anna Duncan (Utley) A’82 and Antonia Tozer (Tucker) K’82 a chance to catch up and they concluded that none of them had changed very much! Here is their news:

Elizabeth (14) and Jemima (12). After 12 years of teaching, she handed in her chalk to stay at home with the girls until they were both at school. She now works part-time in a nursery school.

Anna Utley writes that she is living in south west London with her husband Charles (a barrister), and children, Isla (16), Zane (15) and Peter (14).

Having worked at the Royal Academy of Arts as a PA and Events Manager on and off for 19 years, she is now a PA in the household of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Sarah Langan writes that she is living in Brook village in Surrey with her husband Jim and children, Jack (16) and Jess (14). After several years working in brand management in companies such as Diageo, Kimberly Clark and AstraZeneca, she works from home as a project director for OxfordSM, a strategic marketing and sales consultancy.

Katie Garrod writes that she is living in London, working for Sir Alan Parker, Chairman of Brunswick Group and Chairman of Save the Children UK, fitting in photography, real tennis and India whenever she can.

Helen Garton writes that she is living in Northamptonshire with her husband and children, Lottie (18) and Oliver (16) and, having started as a volunteer, is now Advice Services Manager of Banbury Citizens Advice Bureau.

Ghislaine Fluck W’83 married Air Vice-Marshal Mike Lloyd CB RAF in a quiet family service at the Church of St John the Baptist, Glastonbury, on Friday, 5 December 2014. Their mothers, Mrs Gudrun Bromfield and Mrs Pam Lloyd, were the witnesses. The church organist very kindly gave them the gift of playing at appropriate moments, which completed the happy atmosphere. They plan to return to St John’s in the

Lucy Noble writes that she works in London and lives in Chichester with her two daughters Phoebe (17) and Tara (15) and her partner Tom. Sally McCaffrey writes that she lives in Surrey with her husband Robert and daughters

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Katie Garrod’s party left to right Lucy Noble, Helen Garton, Sally McCaffrey, Sarah Langan, Katie Garrod and Anna Utley

Ghislaine and Mike on their wedding day Summer for a blessing and a party, with as many friends as possible and much more music and celebration.

1986–1990 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Antonia Foster (Plant) AE’91

Ginny and Julian on their wedding day. Photo by Vicky Dawes

Ginny Jory (Clover) A’87 married Julian Clover in Hampshire on 12 July 2013.

Her sister, Clare (Lamy) A’89, was Maid of Honour and her daughter, Amélie, (4), was one of her bridesmaids as was her goddaughter, Juno, daughter of Susie Rowell (Jaroljmek) E’87.

“I was so delighted to be joined by nine Sherborne friends. I’ve photographed many weddings but on this day I was very happy to hand the camera over to another photographer! I also keep in touch with Ana Genske AE’87 and Athena Malpas (McAlpine) A’87.”

Kivukoni School in Kenya was built, opened and is run by Lucy Bateman (Oliff) AE’87.

Vicky Vaughan-Lee (Scarborough) K’68 writes: “Lucy (MSc, PGCE) trained as a teacher and went to Africa 15 years ago. She saw a real need for a different kind of primary school to teach both local and international children together, bringing their two worlds together. Thus she put her own small amount of money, together with fund-raising, into building a school in the area of Kilifi, near the coast. This has been a huge success, growing from 30 to 120 children in four years. She employs local teachers and has built up a wonderful team of dedicated staff and a very happy learning community in a beautiful setting with a locally resourced open-air campus – and all solar powered and environmentally sustainable.

My daughter, Olivia Scarborough (Lewis) E’01 and I,

Lucy Bateman

Philosophy discussion outside in the shade

for the last two years, have had Christmas charity sales to raise a little money for the project.

This year I visited in February and was overwhelmed by the project which is incredible. I led a workshop there where we focused on the value of outdoor learning. In the UK and other European countries, it is strongly recommended to have at least 20% of Early Years learning taking place out of doors where the children are more receptive, their attention is more focused, their curiosity ignited and their behaviour more manageable. For Kenyans as well, their natural environment is a wonderful resource, little understood, and so Lucy and the team would like to help the children be more aware of what an asset they have all around them – and more about what it means to be a responsible, global citizen. So re-armed with fresh

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ideas, the young people have taken to the outdoors; counting flowers, measuring sticks, watching butterflies, planting indigenous trees, classifying colours and textures. The children are completely absorbed and what better antidote to the digital age and what protection for the future; giving the children exposure to the intriguing natural world around them, and showing them its wonders.”

Last year Jo Newbald W’98, a qualified teacher, flew out with her little boy, Jack, to take up a voluntary post at the school and has sent back wonderful reports. “I feel that this project, which relies on donations and which offers all the children so much more than a regular Kenyan or international education, has the hallmark of Sherborne Girls heavily embedded. It would benefit greatly from any financial aid, especially with the hard times that Kenya, is currently going through. The school is non-profit making, but does not have charitable status (this is too complicated to set up in Kenya), but any donations are used directly, without administration charges, and we have been able to see exactly what the money has been spent on, such as computers, outdoor tools and reading books. The local schools mainly focus on rote learning, and passing tests, with huge class sizes – giving the children no skills for problem-solving, creative thinking or practical management of their own lives.

Hence Lucy’s hope is that all

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Annelise and Skye the children who go through Kivukoni School, exposed to many different ideas, challenges and people, will be in a much stronger place to take control of their own future, and that of their environment. They will be the very much needed agents of change for Kenya.”

1991–1995 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Alexandra White (Ballard) A’95

Annelise Platou Bjornseth (Glew) A’91 has had an interesting year following the sudden death of her mother Anne Bjornseth in May 2013 from a stroke. Aside from changing jobs, from a Water Sampling Team Leader to a Health & Safety Adviser with Scottish Water, she and her husband Steve have started taking part in canicross

competitions with their border collie Skye; celebrated Annelise’s 40th birthday and enjoyed their annual skiing holiday in Andorra. For 2014/15 they are looking to finally build their own house in the Scottish Highlands and build up Steve’s outdoor activity business. Annelise is taking part in the Nairnshire Challenge with friends and the Great Wilderness Challenge with Skye for local charities. She has met up with Zanny Thorburn AW’91, Emily Cramp AW’91 and has been in contact with several others, especially following her mother’s death, and hopes to meet up with Sian Collier (Kerr) AW’91 in the near future.

Pip Cartmell (White) DH’94 and Nick had a son, Charlie on 11 April 2014, a brother for twins Polly and Albert.

Left to right Hetty Bright, Alex Willsey, Jessica Bagot, Georgia Hewetson and Naomi Woodger

Hetty Bright (Dawson) K’95 is currently living in Sacramento, California with her husband Al and two children Hope (3) and Percy (1). She’s a full-time mum and making the most of the sunshine before the whole family comes back to the UK this autumn for Al to study for a Master’s degree at UCL. She keeps in touch with various OGs including Jessica Bagot (Hattam) A’95, Alex Wilsey (Bellew) W’95, Georgia Hewetson (Beardsell) A’95 and Naomi Woodger (King) W’95 who all met up last summer for a girls weekend in Dorset and a stroll down Abbey Road.

Sophie and Andrew Smart

Sophie Le Hardy (Smart) AE’95 had a busy year training for the Lacrosse World Cup and has finally hung up her international boots after 16 years playing for Wales!

Training was replaced by planning as Sophie married Andrew on 13 September 2014 in Sherborne Abbey. She was very excited that John Jenkins directed some of the current senior choir in the service.

Kate Parsons (Malbon) T’95 married Chris in May 2009.

They have two sons, Flynn (3) and Jori, born in January 2014.

Kate is currently on maternity leave from her role as Head of Reservations at i-escape.com She keeps in contact with Sophie Annesley (Taylor) AE’95, Amber Hinde T’95, Sarah Krasun (Porter) AE’95 and Ally Wilson K’95.

Charlotte Pyke (Walter) W’95 is married to Roly with two boys, and lives in north London. She is still working as an actress and occasionally also translates Russian plays. She keeps in touch with lots of OGs.

Lucy Turner (Kelly) A’95 is living in Cannes with her husband Paul and three children Charlie (6), Rose (4) and Eliza (18 months). Paul is captain of a boat in Antibes and they are enjoying the French lifestyle. Lucy has found her French lessons from school with Madame Boscher extremely useful and people often comment how good her accent is for an English person! Lucy recently met up with Melissa Ellis A’95 in Geneva for a weekend ski trip. She keeps in contact with Alexandra White (Ballard) A’95, Georgia Beardsell, Charlotte Colson (Lintern) A’95 and Katrina Yerbury AW’95.

Sophie Meredith (Hare) K’95 is living in Chobham with her husband Nick, daughter Chloe (4) and son Harry who was born in May 2014. She is still close friends with Hannah Sandling AW’95 and is currently on maternity leave from organising events for the British Royal Family. Checky Warner AE’97 is godmother to Chloe.

Triathlete Katrina Yerbury

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Katrina Yerbury AW’95: I thought that nearly 20 years after leaving school, it was about time I wrote in, says Katrina. I have been working as a Biology teacher for the last 14 years, but 3 years ago I decided I needed a new challenge and took up triathlon. After my first few, a friend suggested I try and qualify for the World Championships which I did and represented GB in Auckland, New Zealand where I came 15th in the triathlon (swim-bike-run) and 11th in the aquathon (swim-run). In Pontevedra, Spain on 1 June this year I came 13th in the World Duathlon Championships (run-bike-run).

My sister Julia Yerbury (Donovan) AW’98 is doing really well in ultra-running and took part in the Marathon des Sables. (6 marathons in 7 days across the desert carrying all your own kit; please see page 47.)

Alice Bullock (Kiddie) E’95 is still living in Southfields, south London and now has two boys, Samuel and Thomas who was born in November 2013.

Fi Greene E’92 writes: “Maximilian Argyll Nordstrom Greene was born on 6 October 2013 in San Francisco, California. My first child, and probably last! Very happy – wish I had started having kids in my twenties. It is a joy!”

1996–2000 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Alexa Ramsay (Laryea) E’00

Claire Greville-Heygate (Bunce) T’98 has been awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to travel to America and Canada to investigate the use of Neuro Linguistic Programming in Clinical Voice Disorders. See photo of Claire and details about how she used her Fellowship under Achievements.

2001–2005 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Tess Cavendish A’02 Tess Cavendish has kindly taken over from Emma Talbot Baker A’02 to whom we would like to say a big thank you for all her hard work and efforts over the years.

Etta Corlett E’03 married Richard Leggate on 5 July 2014. The following OGs attended the wedding: Miranda Champ (Steer) E’03, Cara Laine E’03, Emma RoundTurner (Withy) AE’03, Emma Dix (Arricale) T’03 and Lucy Guest (Churchill) W’03.

Emma-Louise Hunt DH’97 married Major Simon Deverell on 1 February 2013. Simon is the younger brother of Emma Deverell (Bell) E’95.

Etta Corlett and Richard Leggate at their wedding in Sherborne Abbey

Fi Greene and son Max

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Emma-Louise Hunt wedding

Lizzy Lillington W’05 married Ben Lillington-Lester on 20 September 2014 in Sherborne Abbey. Current senior choir members sang at their wedding directed by John Jenkins, Director of Music.

Lizzy Lillington and Ben Lillington-Lester at their wedding in Sherborne Abbey on 20 September 2014. Anna Taylor Photography Sammy Jenkinson T’01 married Hector Ross on Saturday, 12 April 2014 at St Mary’s Church, Hawkesbury, South Gloucestershire. Camilla Cumming A’01 and Henrietta Cumming W’01 were both bridesmaids. Other OGs in attendance were: Olivia Scarborough (Lewis) E’01, Kate Fearon (Edes) A’01, Charlotte Wellband T’01, Beani (Elizabeth) Langly-Smith DH’00, Ianthe MackenzieBeevor (McLeod) E’01 and Hannah West T’01.

Stephanie Myatt DH’01 married Thomas Chubb (b 99) on Saturday, 26 July 2014 in Sherborne Abbey. The service was conducted by the Reverend Canon Eric Woods. Alice Dodge A’01, Olivia Scarborough (Lewis) E’01 and Ianthe Mackenzie Beevor (McLeod) E’01 were bridesmaids. Brigitte TilleyGyado E’01 read the lesson.

Milly Cumming A’01, Henny Cumming W’01, Clare O’Connor AW’01, Philly Fraser

Sammy Jenkinson and Hector Ross at their wedding on 12 April 2014. Henrietta Cumming is on the left of the groom and Camilla Cumming is on the right of the bride

Stephanie Myatt and Thomas Chubb on their wedding day

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Penny Kirby-Johnson K’03 all came to the wedding.

Harriet Hutchinson’s wedding: left to right Sam Woods, Anna Hartwell, Harriet Hutchinson, Mindy Kraunsoe and Penny Kirby-Johnson A’01, Hannah West T’01, Antonia Keith Welsh (Coggins) K’01, Olivia Rogers K’01 were all guests together with Honorary Old Girls, Pilar Fraser (Head of Spanish) and Lucy Lock (French teacher).

Harriet Hutchinson (Byrne) AW’03 married Ryan Byrne on 19 July 2014. Sam Woods W’03, Anna Hartwell W’03, Mindy Kraunsoe W’03 and

Eve Worrall

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Eve Worrall W’04 has launched a crowdfunder campaign. She writes: “Having left Sherborne 10 years ago intent on not going to university and not really sure what I wanted to do I found myself working in horticulture. I have spent the last seven years working in the south west in some beautiful and celebrated gardens as well as using my horticultural skills whilst travelling abroad.”

This year Eve launched her new business, a social enterprise called The Chamomile Project which promotes well-being and recovery through gardening and nature-based activities.

Initially the project will be aimed at people suffering from mental health difficulties before extending to a wider audience.

They have just started work on

their new base, Milborne Wood near Dorchester, a beautiful ancient woodland. As well as eco therapy, they will also be running a number of different courses: woodland crafts, environmental art, foraging and horse logging. They also hope to be running some wild hen weekends in 2015. www.milbornewood.com.

Eve goes on to say, “Although I never excelled academically at Sherborne Girls, it did give me the confidence and self-belief and for that I am very grateful.

What a great thing to instil in children so that they can carry that into adulthood.”

To find out more about The Chamomile Project, please visit: The Chamomile Project, an Environment project from Gunwalloe Crowdfunding on Crowdfunder.co.uk Leavers from 2004 attended a joint 10-year reunion with the Old Shirburnian Society on Saturday, 7 June at the Fentiman Arms, in London.

Around 60 OS and OGs had a lovely evening renewing acquaintances and catching up on news. Those attending included: Sophie Hammerbeck, Molly Browne, Annie Gregory, Tamsin Marshall, Harriet Mitchell, Sara Gledhill, Bella Blackburn, Gee Woods, Harriet Gabbey, Bunny StanwayMayers, Georgie Lucas, Georgie Trasenster, Lucy Simson, Zanna Jackman, Hannah Elder, Clementine Stopford, Galina Polozova, Hannah Godwin, Alice Sharp (Owen), Harriet Hawksley, Helen Morgan and Jemima Lofts.

Sarah Hatherell’s wedding left to right: Lucy Stewart-Richardson, Flora Spencer, Sarah Hatherell, Clare Williams and Frederica Findlater Alice Brooke T’03 is studying for a Master’s degree at the Glasgow School of Art. Sarah Hatherell A’05 married Laurence Wood on the 26 July 2014, having met during the first year in dental school at Cardiff University. The weather was amazing (if a little bit too hot!) and she was lucky to be joined by old Sherborne friends, Lucy StewartRichardson K’05, Flora Spencer DH’05, Clare Williams A’05 who read a lesson in Kingstone Church, near Ilminster, and Frederica Findlater DH’05.

After spending a week in Croatia, they are both back at work in practice in South Wales and hoping to move to East Devon in the near future.

Claudia James (Wright) T’02 has had a very busy few years; she and Tom are now parents to Matilda and have another one on the way very soon!

Christabel Blackburn (Grant Peterkin) AW’05 is currently living in Battersea and is working as a portrait artist. She was very recently married to Charlie Grant Peterkin, who is an Old Shirburnian.

Lindsay Lamb (Taylor) AW’02 is living in Somerset with her husband, Matt, and working for YSE Ltd in Sherborne. They have just had their first child, Tessa, and are very excited (and nervous!) about what is to come!

Emilia who was one in September.

Katie Hickmet K’02 is living in Hong Kong, working as a lawyer with Allen & Overy, and is currently on secondment to Barclays. She keeps in touch with OGs and caught up with Florence Hitchcock K’02, Rose Kingscote K’02 and Tess Cavendish last summer during a visit to the UK. Mary Gandell (Porter) W’02 married in April this year to Giles, a farmer, and is still working as Head of Geography at an all-girls school in Hampshire.

Claire Brown (Clarke) K’02 is currently busy being a mum to

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2006–2010 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Bella Hussey A/RH’06 Firstly, a big thank you to Polly Bradshaw K’06 for all her hard work as Peer Group Coordinator for many years. We welcome Bella Hussey who has kindly agreed to take on the role.

The leavers from 2001 to 2006 from Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School joined together for a Drinks Reception on Wednesday, 1 October 2014.

Bella Hussey kindly organised this event at The Turf Club, London. The event was full to capacity and a huge success, enormously enjoyed by all who came.

Charlotte Trepess K’08 is thrilled to have been offered a place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester for a Master’s degree in singing. Charlotte comments: “Places on postgraduate courses at UK conservatoires are highly competitive and it is a very exciting next step in my career as a budding professional classical singer.” Charlotte made her debut with Opera North in 2013 (a small part in Britten’s ‘Albert Herring’), and has been working as an orchestral fixer for the BBC Philharmonic. In September 2014 Charlotte was very proud to have played a part in ‘The Miracle of Medinah’ broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Leavers from 2009 attended a joint 5-year reunion with the

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Turf Club drinks reception

Old Shirburnian Society on Saturday, 20 September at the Black Dog in London. A great evening was had by all.

2011–2015 Peer Group Co-ordinator: Louise Moseley K’11

Fenella Pinney AW’13 writes: “I have set up a new catering company called ‘Vanilla Tree’.

It has quite literally just been launched and details can be found at: www.vanillatreecatering.co.uk Based in West Dorset, we aim to provide a highly tailored service to meet a wide range of catering needs using quality local produce.” Fenella has had an exceedingly busy summer working both in England and in France. Fenella says: “As the business grows, I’m looking for a bunch of hard-working and

themselves in situations which can affect them emotionally and mentally. I found it really hard to understand how and why some children’s families were so disjointed, how the children are treated, but more importantly how their upbringing has effected who they are today. I wanted them to be inspired by life and their education; as I have had at Sherborne Girls, but this is hard to achieve.

Issy Plastow in Australia enthusiastic girls to join me, so do get in touch!”

Issy Plastow WD’13 writes: “In Australia I worked for the first five months at an all-girls Catholic boarding school in Toowoomba, a city about 70 miles from Brisbane. It is a great school with lots of facilities and the girls were just lovely! I wanted to go out and give something back, since I started boarding at the age of 10 and had ‘gappies’ looking after me, entertaining me, but most importantly being an integral part of my boarding memories. I learnt an awful lot about life and the working world. I also learnt about people and how complex their lives are. Australia may seem like a country of wealth, with few problems or issues, and it is, compared to some countries, but people still find

As I worked away in Australia I missed my family and home greatly. To channel my energies, I created a charity event to raise money for breast cancer. The aim of the event was to complete 75km in six days, although it actually ended up being around 90km! I basically walked an average of 12km a day wearing a different bra that the girls had designed for me to wear! On the last day the girls all got stuck in and walked with me – a parade of pink marching down the streets of Toowoomba! I managed to raise £3,200 for Breast Cancer Care UK and $600 for National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia. I am so proud of all the girls who supported and walked with me for my last 10km and it was great to see them involved and inspired to raise money for charity.

Afterwards, I went travelling, with only my backpack, around

Australia, New Zealand and Bali for two months to end my year abroad. It was exhausting, the responsibility being the main factor, but always amazing to see people and places. You learn a lot about people as you travel and every so often I would be reminded how lucky I was. Seeing beautiful scenery and beaches meant I had many ‘pinch yourself ’ moments.

I feel truly lucky that I have been able to travel and experience a part of the world that has always intrigued me. I have learnt a lot about life overall; no matter how organised you are, plans can still be thrown into the air and changed. It’s important to be flexible on your year out and I learnt that lesson in my placement. Even when you do not see their point of view, it is interesting to see why and how they do things, but more importantly to think what you would do differently and in the future remember how you felt and try to avoid that. Thank you to the Pilkington Award Scheme for helping fund my placement at the school, I have learnt such an immense amount about work, life and people and no matter how many challenges arose in the last year, I wouldn’t change it because of what I, and many others along with me, have learnt.”

Honorary Treasurer Required Do you have an interest in finance? We are looking for a volunteer to be the SOG Treasurer from the AGM 2015. If you would like to be involved in the organisation and become an officer on the Executive Committee please contact oldgirls@sherborne.com or telephone 01935 818329.

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News from HONORARY MEMBERS Gaye Nelson Gaye Nelson retired from the position of Head of Chemistry at the end of the Trinity Term 2014 following 18 years at Sherborne in the Chemistry Department. Throughout her career in teaching, Gaye inspired many young women with her love of chemistry and encouraged generations of girls to have the confidence in their own ability to succeed. Under Gaye’s leadership, the Chemistry Department has gone from strength to strength and the Chemistry prize was renamed at the 2014 Commem as the ‘Nelson Prize for Chemistry’ in recognition of Gaye’s enthusiasm for her subject and the time she gave to help students of all ages and abilities. Gaye played a full part in the life of the school and will be delighted to know that the Amnesty group which she worked so hard to organise continues to thrive under the guidance of Lizzie Nurse.

Bill Penty Bill Penty has moved on from Sherborne to take up his new position as Headmaster of Trent College, Bill Penty with his kayak Nottinghamshire, from September 2014. Bill joined Sherborne Girls in 2007 as Deputy Head and very quickly became fully immersed in the life of the school, from umpiring hockey, to helping with the Duke of Edinburgh’s, to teaching GCSE French. From the start Bill was a popular figure with parents, girls and staff always having time to listen and 72

support. In 2013 Bill took on the role of Acting Head whilst Jenny Dwyer was away on sabbatical and it became very evident that we would not keep him at Sherborne Girls for much longer. Bill has moved with Claire, his wife, who was teaching in the Geography Department and his four children. We wish them all every success. Bill was presented with a kayak as a leaving gift from the girls and parents.

Gill Oliver Gill Oliver retired from Sherborne Girls in December 2014. Gill has held various roles within the school. She arrived in 1999 as a teacher of French but was quickly promoted to Head of the L6. In 2004 she became the Director of Studies, spearheading many new initiatives including the introduction of the Sherborne Diploma. More recently she has held the position of Director of Academic Resources and has played a vital role in ensuring that Sherborne Girls is embracing the learning power of new technology. The staffroom will be a poorer place without Gill’s sharp intellect and calm demeanour.

Other staff leavers: Bob Lavender retired from the Mathematics Department after 13 years.

Niamh Green, Housemistress of Dun Holme, became Deputy Head at Godolphin School.

Jenna Burrow has taken up a promotion in a new school as Head of Geography. Alejandro Osorio has left Sherborne Girls to teach Spanish in Dubai.

Sherborne Girls capturing the essence of friendship Photograph by HUGO BURNAND