DECEMBER 2015, ISSUE 16
www.kgs.org.uk/community/alumni
KGS Friends
...INCORPORATING THE OLD KINGSTONIAN ASSOCIATION
To n y P r i c h a r d
PA G E 3
Pre-70s Reunion
PA G E 6
From the Archive
K G S F r ie nd s
PA G E 1 1
December 2015
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Forthcoming Events Entrepreneurial Evening Thursday 10th March, 6.30pm KGS is proud of the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship that thrives within its student and alumni bodies. To celebrate this long tradition, KGS Friends is holding a special evening for established, budding and prospective entrepreneurs on 10th March. Join us to learn the secrets of success, share ideas and make useful contacts. Formal presentations from OKs Sophie Cornish, who set up and runs notonthehighstreet.com, Peter Harris, who brought us Hotel Chocolat, Alexander McLean, founder of the charity African Prisons Project, and Richard Dawes, whose PR company DawBell represents just about everyone who is anyone, chaired by business and management guru Jez Cartwright, will be followed by drinks and food and the chance to talk to a wide range of entrepreneurs with a huge galaxy of experience to share. The opportunities will be limitless, and we can promise our guests a fascinating and very worthwhile evening. Welcome drinks from 6.30 in the QEII Building. Tickets are ÂŁ5 and can be booked online at: http://tiny.cc/EntrepreneurialEve
events to look out for:
Tony Prichard Memorial Debate
Engineering Careers Evening,
As their celebration of Tony Prichard’s immense contribution to the School, the Gibbon Society are hosting a memorial debate on Friday 18th March 2016. The star performers of today will take on the titans of yesteryear in a friendly but still keenly fought battle of words and wits.
Date and time tbc
Networking at the Houses of Parliament Date and time tbc
Sturgeon Cricket, Feast at the Field 26th June 2016, Ditton Field
Henley Royal Regatta Reception 2nd July 2016, Henley Cricket Club 2
Afterwards, KGS Friends will host a reception in memory of Tony. Full details will be circulated nearer the time. To reserve a place at the debate, the reception afterwards or both please contact friends@kgs.org.uk or book on-line at http://tiny.cc/PrichardMemorial
Tony Prichard
Alumni News
1927 - 2015 From quiet homes and first beginning, Out to the undiscovered ends, There’s nothing worth the wear of winning, But laughter and the love of friends. Hilaire Belloc is not now in fashion, but his Dedicatory Ode says much, though not all, about Tony Prichard. Tony taught at KGS for 38 years, serving under five headmasters. He died peacefully in September following many years of ill health, which he had combated with his characteristic tenacity. Tony’s father was an Anglican priest, and he himself had tested his vocation after leaving Oxford. He turned instead to schoolmastering. After a short period at Hurstpierpoint he applied for a post at KGS. In 1954 stamp duty was payable on employment contracts, and Tony was asked by the Headmaster to bring a 6d stamp when he signed his. The school has ever been frugal. He joined a Common Room the membership of which changed little, retirement apart, for perhaps the next 15 years. His colleagues were what we loosely call the post-war generation of schoolmasters, men (and only men) whose experience often included active service during WWII. They did not usually have the luxury of specialising as teachers do now. As well as History (his degree subject) Tony taught Latin, Greek and Divinity - possibly other subjects too. No one would regard his classes, and his teaching methods, as other than memorable - they were also very successful. For those with surnames at the end of the alphabet Tony was the first person they met at KGS, as the form master in perpetuum of 1C. He was also for many years housemaster of Taverner. His last appointment was as Head of the Lower School, a role in which he excelled. It is fair to say that he did not welcome change, the admission of girls far from excepted. But he accepted their arrival with his usual equanimity, and he was well liked by them too. When he retired, the Governors organised a river boat party, never to be forgotten, on the Thames. He was given a copy of the New Grove Dictionary of Opera, which he prized and which will return to the School under his will. Tony coached hockey, cricket and rowing. He had coxed the St Edward’s School eight in the first Princess Elizabeth Cup and after that Lincoln College. He shared his rowing duties with R C Sherriff. The school archives contain a delightful exchange of correspondence between them in which Sherriff, a highly accomplished oarsman, deferentially offers his services. There were annual Easter trips to Paris, and later Rome, which achieved the status of legend. One Paris visit took place at the height of the Algerian crisis of the 1960s, with terrorists exploding plastiques in cafes and metro stations around the city. A bomb injured the minister of the interior in his home next to the Lycée Bossuet, where the party stayed. In Rome a KGS party
attended a papal audience and, easily recognised in their striped blazers, were acknowledged by the Pope. As ever, Tony was enormous fun to be with. He himself spent part of every summer vacation in Provence, travelling there immediately after the term ended, in early years by motorbike. The attractions included the music festivals and the vineyards. He returned with ample supplies of Crozes-Hermitage, with which he generously entertained. For much of the rest of the summer he was in the arena at the Proms. Tony was himself a fine musician, playing a succession of instruments in school and local orchestras and singing in school and other choirs. He introduced many pupils to opera, and to the intermittent bankruptcy which that passion entails. Parties regularly attended performances at Covent Garden, in very good seats but at heavily discounted prices. One OK is now the Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. A few years ago John Elvidge (OK 1964) and I stumbled across each other at the Bayreuth Festival. Tony’s influence was longterm. The faux intolerance and intransigence which he affected were not even a mask for his extraordinary kindness, so transparent were they. He remained as gregarious as ever in the care home where he spent his last year, amusing and teasing the staff. They returned his affection. He received regular visits from many OKs, but his principal comfort was his sister Judith, who travelled to see him almost every day. Tony had spent part of his National Service with the Royal Army Service Corps. He occasionally regretted that he had not followed a career connected in some way with catering. But it is difficult to imagine him running Tesco or Sainsbury. And the loss to the School would have been immeasurable. He had an enormous influence on the lives of many and they are all very grateful. Chris Swift (OK 1967) Visit the link to read further OK memories of Tony: http://www.kgs.org.uk/news_articles/a-c-l-prichard K G S F r ie nd s
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Alumni News Bob Barter
We were thrilled to spot Bob Barter (OK 1944), with whom we recently caught up at the Pre-70s Reunion, in the Good Life! The article depicting Bob’s musical career, talked of his most recent performance: “On Sunday 22nd November, Bob Barter, 88 that month, led his jazz quartet at the Berrylands Hotel.” Bob left KGS in 1944, having done wartime firewatching duty while in the sixth form. After experimenting with piano accordion and banjo, he studied clarinet and piano, and later tried the saxophone. Bob carved out a career that has seen him arrange 1200 big band numbers. He was Kathy Kirby’s musical director, played at Ronnie Scott’s and performed at the Richmond Jazz Festival. Bob’s arrangements, critics say, have ‘more swing than a crossdressing Lancashire bowler’.
Edwin Chambers Simon Moules It was with sadness that we learnt of the death of Edwin Chambers (OK 1939), who passed away on the 8th June after a very short illness. His wife Joan wrote: “He was always very proud to have been a pupil at Kingston Grammar. Edwin left school when war was declared in 1939 and worked for his father in the city and then in 1941 he joined the Merchant Navy and spent the rest of the war at sea, mainly in the Atlantic. He was very amused the last time he spoke to the School to be described as a ‘Golden Oldey’. He was a perfect English gentleman, a credit to the School, and will be missed dreadfully”.
Struan Simpson The family of Struan Simpson (OK 1955) have notified us that he passed away on Monday 21st September. The funeral took place on Friday 2nd October. A group of friends have set up a trust in Struan’s memory. If you would like to contribute, please contact Kristin Corbet-Milward at kristinmilward@gmail.com.
John Makin has informed us that sadly Simon Moules (OK 1972), died peacefully from a serious illness earlier in the year. He was 61 and was a prominent member and former Captain of the Golf Society.
John Walters We were sad to hear of the death in Blackpool of John B Walters (OK 1956), described by contemporaries as one of the most talented and stylish sportsmen to grace the School at both cricket and hockey.
Martyn Mansfield Geoff Constable wrote to inform us of the death of Martyn Mansfield (OK 1958): “It is with great regret and sadness that I have to tell you that Martyn died on the 26th November 2015. He suffered a stroke and although he was admitted to the special stroke unit at High Wycombe Hospital fairly quickly he had lost all movement and power of speech. After little improvement he died around 10am. We can only pray and remember him as he was - a loyal and long-standing friend and doughty left half.”
Beatrix Peony Moore We were delighted to hear that on the 11th November 2015, Kathryn Moore our Development Director had a little girl, Beatrix Peony Moore. We wish Kathryn and her husband Graham all the best and look forward to meeting the little one.
Thea Hitchcock (Ok 2000) Congratulations to Thea Hitchcock (pictured front right) who was appointed as a judge to the recent EuroHockey Championships in London where England Women won the Gold Medal. Her goal is to be appointed an Official in a future Olympics. Thea told us: “It’s nice to know that even if you get injured and are unable to play hockey there are still many things you can do to stay involved in the sport. If you love a sport, playing isn’t the only international pathway you can take. It’s funny as I often officiate at Surbiton games and see current and past KGS players (including staff).” Thea currently manages a Men’s Premiership Team (Hampstead and Westminster) and is celebrating her sixth season with them. She also works in design on the Olympic Park and has been there since 2008: “I’ve seen it from pre-games, games time and now transformation. I feel really lucky that a venue in which I was involved in the Design and Build is now the home of English Hockey.” 4
Alumni News Alex Heritage (OK 2009)
Alex has just completed his degree in English Language and Literature at Oxford. To our delight and to his credit, he was awarded a double first and, due to being placed second in the year, he was invited to sit the All Souls College fellowship exam. He is absolutely convinced that he stands no chance of being selected, but what an honour. Best of luck, Alex!
Sar ah Knowles (OK 2003) We are delighted to report that Sarah Knowles, buyer of Australian, Californian, New Zealand and Austrian wines for The Wine Society, has become a Master of Wine. This most highly regarded of professional qualifications is notoriously hard to achieve. Candidates have to pass rigorous theory papers on winemaking and business alongside practical tasting examinations and a written research paper. There are only 340 Masters of Wine in the world, so Sarah is to be congratulated on what is a huge achievement.
Seventy-One Years In 1993, two or three OK classmates were talking of this and that and someone remarked that, in a year`s time, it would be fifty years since they had joined the school. ‘Something,’ it was decided, ‘should be done.’ After a lot of detective work, 27 members out of the original 32 of the ‘Class of `44’ gathered at the School in September, 1994. The meeting was so successful that similar ones have been held ever since. The wives were invited too. Over the years, they got to know each other as well as the husbands, and now it is like a gathering of old friends. The ‘Class of `44’ is proud of, and slightly bemused by, the fact that they have now been associated with Kingston Grammar School for 71 years. Inevitably, time has taken its toll, but over sixty per cent of the ‘Class of `44’ are still extant – which, by any standards, is pretty good going. And they are looking forward to the next meeting in 2016. Berwick Coates (OK 1952)
David Thomson & Alan Cr aig Visit the School David (OK 1963) and Alan (OK 1964) visited the School on Friday 2nd October. They reconnected a few years ago after finding each other, and others, on Friends Reunited. David moved to Hampshire almost straight after his time at KGS and now lives in Winchester whilst Alan has moved to Forest Gate. They both have fond memories of the School and staff.
Matthew taylor (OK 2006) On Friday 27th November Matthew visited Mr Behnoudnia (pictured above). He is now a teacher of physics at Wallington County Grammar School and lives in Balham.
John Stewart (OK 1952) John came to see us on Thursday 22nd October. After his national service he had a long career in banking before moving to the NHS. He now lives in Ashtead, Surrey and enjoys spending time with his family.
Jung-Won Rhee (OK 2002) Jung-Won (pictured left) visited the School on Tuesday 8th September. She left KGS after Third Year to move to South Korea, where she now lives. She is currently working for JP Morgan.
Victoria Thatcher (OK 1990) It was lovely to see Victoria (pictured left) with her husband and two daughters at the KGS Christmas Fair. K G S F r ie nd s
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recent Events
Pre-1970s Decade Reunion Saturday 10th October saw the KGS Friends Pre-1970 reunion, for everyone who was at the School in the days of Percy Rundle and ‘Jimmy’ James, and even a few who remembered CA Howse! The oldest guest, we reckoned, was Bob Barter (see p4), who left in 1944, and who still teaches Music five days a week at the German School, Petersham. Roger Stearn found it ‘a most interesting and enjoyable reunion’, and Alan Eldridge said it was ‘a splendid occasion and a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old and some even older friends’, before adding that ‘the involvement of the school with the OKs, over recent years, has benefited us all and long may it last’. These sentiments were endorsed by Gopal Srinivasan, who commented, ‘It was wonderful meeting up again with old friends and engaging with our alma mater.’ Gopal also enjoyed ‘good food, good company, and very pleasant trips down memory lane as we toured around the school and then later viewed extracts from the on-line archive.’ Indeed, the online archive, paid for with a generous donation from the OKA, which
archivist Joanne Halford demonstrated over tea, was one of the great successes of the afternoon, drawing appreciative and interested crowds, as did the archive display generally and particularly the short film put together from various clips and cuttings of the Queen’s visit and Top of the Form, among others. The reunion began with drinks in the Dining Hall and words of welcome from Head Master Stephen Lehec, followed by a quick look in the Lovekyn Chapel (one OK commenting it was the first time he had ever set foot in the place!) before we went in for an excellent lunch in the Hall. After lunch, KGS Friends Chairman John Cook added his words of welcome, and proposed a toast to absent friends. Nick Bond, the ‘Executive Officer’ of KGS Friends, then made a presentation of an engraved crystal glass clock to Andrew Day in recognition of his many years of loyal service to the OKA as its Chairman from 1995 to 2014. Following these formalities, there were tours of the School led by senior pupils, with the Gym and the Cage as ever proving the most popular attractions. The festivities concluded back
20 Year Reunion The class of 1995 enjoyed a very happy and successful 20 year reunion on Saturday 21st November. Around 25 OKs attended and it was a great pleasure to welcome a couple of partners and children along as well. We started with a quick tour of the School, a highlight of which was the reliving of various comical exploits in the classrooms, indeed the very seats, where they happened, but a discreet veil had better be drawn here. Then the children were taken home to bed and the rest of us headed off to The Canbury Arms, where KGS Friends had laid on drinks and food and where a very convivial evening was enjoyed by all. Your correspondent lurched off to the bus-stop at a respectable hour, but our spies tell us the party was still going strong come midnight and chucking-out time. Some things never change. A big thank you to year rep Jo Munro for all her organising. Plans are apparently already being laid for 2020, so watch this space! 6
in the Hall with tea and a several defying the passa the floor in the front row happy occasion, the crow 100 OKs present) began t happy memories, we hop were promises for the fut a team for the quiz night come to the Carol Servic (with drinks beforehand) part in the Tony Prichard the Gibbon Society on th of fond thoughts about th enjoyed. Philip Conway s contacted the School aft “May I thank you all for a ‘back at the old school’ l fun to meet a number of and to swap tales as to h fifty or more years since importantly it was specia has grown in so many wa heart the same school we on the same site in Kings
a group photo, with age of time to sit on w. At the end of a very wd (there were about to drift away with pe, to the fore. There ture – to get together t on November 14th, to ce on 15th December ) or to attend or take d Memorial Debate with he 18th March, and lots he day we had just spoke for many when he terwards: a splendid afternoon last Saturday. It was f old contemporaries how life has been in the we left school. Most al to see how much KGS ays yet still remains at e all went to and still ston.”
Recent Events City & Professional Networking Event
What creature did Byron keep in his study at Oxford University? I was delighted to attend my first ever KGS Friends Quiz Night on Saturday 14th November, where nine teams comprising parents and Old Kingstonians wracked their brains to answer such teasers as ‘In 1698, Tsar Peter the Great imposed a tax on what?’ - Clue: it’s not vodka, as I had wrongly guessed! Playing Paxman for the night was Nick Bond, ably supported by sixth form prefects and Katie Raymond, Alumni Relations Officer. I joined a team who had the dubious honour of coming second nearly every single year and as our Joker only yielded us six points out of a possible 20 I felt that even second place might be a tall order on this occasion. Perhaps it was the sustenance afforded to us by Jerry’s delicious curry, but by the end of the penultimate round we somehow found ourselves in contention with a slender halfpoint lead – could we finally break the curse of always being the nearly men? Alas it wasn’t to be, as we struggled during the unexpectedly tough Films round, finishing a somewhat disappointing fourth place. However, much fun was had and our congratulations go to the Bayliss team and a huge thank you to Anne Lewis-Lloyd and Katie Raymond for organising such a wonderful evening. In case you’re wondering, Byron kept a bear in his study, and the tax was on beards! Chris Conneely, Development Director
I was thrilled to be invited to a KGS Friends networking drinks event in the City on the 3rd November, aimed at both KGS parents and Alumni, working in the city. It turned out to be an outstanding event. Katie and her KGS colleagues made sure everyone was introduced to one another and got people stuck into the food, wine and conversation. Having KGS as a common point is a great icebreaker for a group of people who have never met each other. I was the only KGS current parent (everyone else was a KGS alumni), and it was interesting to compare and contrast how things have changed in the school over time (not very much on the basis of what I heard – it clearly was, and still is, an excellent school). The event was attended by a broad range of professionals from senior traders to young lawyers just starting out, consultants, bankers and wealth managers. Everyone had experiences and thoughts relevant to someone else, and I lost track of the amount of times I heard things like “I have worked on generation transition issues with large families – lets have lunch and I can share my experiences with you” or “I have some clients who could do with some input in your area of expertise – would you mind if I introduced them to you?”. The evening for me was a great success, and I would encourage others to engage with the KGS Friends alumni and parent’s networking events. The School provide a very strong bond and basis for people to interact, exchange ideas and network. Thor Askeland, Current 3rd Year Parent
Follow KGS Friends @KGS _ friends
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recent Events Careers Visit to DawBell PR On the 19th of November, a group of interested KGS students took the opportunity to visit DawBell studios and learn about what it is like to be involved in Public Relations. At the office we were greeted by Rich Dawes (OK 1993), the co-founder of Dawbell, who gave us a tour of the premises, pointing out the all-important bar, pool-table, Play Station and table-tennis table – crucial in building office morale. The group enjoyed generous refreshments and were able to listen to and then talk with some of DawBell’s key members of staff, which was great as we became aware of the different opportunities Public Relations offers, ranging from handling a client’s social media and press to working alongside him or her in order to create an image that will best present who they are to the world within a strongly ethical framework. The range of academic and professional backgrounds they came from was also illuminating – the Social Media Manager had a degree in Philosophy, while the Senior Account Manager had a degree in Chemistry. It was important to learn that although PR may provide the chance to travel with the famous and attend glamorous events worldwide, it is not always easy and it takes dedication and a high level of organisation. It really showed that to strive in anything you do, you must be prepared to work hard, want to succeed and be ready to overcome challenges. The experience really made students aware that the world of Public Relations is a multi-skilled environment where you grow and constantly learn something new each day (as well as improve your table-tennis!). All the students and staff who attended would like to thank Rich and his inspiring staff for giving up their precious time to talk to us. It was great to meet people who so obviously loved their work. Emma Grubmueller, L6th
A great Summer for the KGSGS Our season ended with a down and an up, although there was an up in the down and a down in the up . . . I’ll take it slowly. We should have played KCS at Royal Wimbledon in September but the day turned out to be more suitable for water-skiing than for golf, which was a shame as we had a powerful team lined up and felt confident that we would see off our Wimbledon rivals for the first time in the history of the fixture. Alas, life being what it is, when it came to the new date for the fixture, our strength was reduced through non-availability of a number of our best players and we were duly sunk 3-2. But the upside here was that the day saw the blooding of several players new to carrying the burden of these events – Paul Healy, Adrian Koertzen and Richard Wickerson all played valiantly and their enthusiasm bodes well. Next year, perhaps! But the closing event of the season, our “Open” Scramble this week, was something of a triumph being the biggest event we’ve staged for some 8
time, with over 50 (yes, 50!) golfers on the tee through the morning at Hoebridge. We fielded 8.66 teams ourselves and visiting societies from KCS, Surbs, Raynes Park and Hampton came in with 8.33 teams in total. The weather was glorious, the atmosphere ebullient, and full marks go to Graham Crook, Roy Bray and the rest of the team for putting on a first class show. Our teams were on sparkling form too, taking three of the top six places. Richard Wickerson and Adrian Koertzen teamed up with a KCS “spare” player to tie for first place with Hamptonians – the downer being that though they had beaten Hampton on the gross score they lost the Trophy to them by a stroke on countback on handicap! The gross winners overall were our Captain’s team (Gordon and Son and Guest). New member Guy Tarring made his debut with us in Douglas Crockett’s team. We hope this event will go on to ever greater heights when it moves to Bletchingley next year. It was highly appropriate that our season should end on such an UP
note as we have had a great summer under the expert leadership of Captain Gordon House. His enthusiasm has been infectious, his generosity unbounded and his golf formidable (he achieved a first time double by winning the KO Cup as well as the Championship). We are delighted that he has agreed to continue as a member of the Management Group and we shall continue to benefit from all that he brings to our affairs in the years ahead. Talking of which, on the website (http://www.kgs.org.uk/community/ our-community) is our draft fixture list for the 2016 season under new Captain Douglas Crockett. Aside from some of our “regular” venues we’ll be tackling three courses new to us – Guildford GC, Old Fold Manor (Capt Crockett’s Club in Barnet – an Open Qualifying course, so not be missed) and Bletchingley, a delightful course on the North Downs just beyond Reigate. Dates right away into your diaries, planners etc, please! John Makin (OK 1995)
Alumni Profile
Theo Coyne (OK 2002) Theo Coyne is currently Corporate Partnerships Manager for Beating Bowel Cancer, inspiring supporters to take part in “Decembeard” and grow a beard for one month every year. We spoke to him about his (often difficult) path since leaving KGS, how he’s come out stronger, and is now utilising his experiences to inspire those around him. “When we were first looking at which secondary school I should attend, I had all these preconceived ideas about what a grammar school was and I thought it definitely wasn’t for me. I was always trying to be different, with mildly rebellious (and particularly terrible!) haircuts, and I thought a ‘KGS’ would stifle that. When I began at KGS, however, I realised I’d been very wrong and the rigidity and stuffiness that I’d presumed would reign wasn’t there at all - I really enjoyed it from the very beginning. “Throughout my time at KGS, I was a steady B+ kind of pupil but what I loved was getting involved in everything the School had to offer. Football and hockey were my real passions, but I embraced all the sports on offer, as it was so good for my own health, for engagement and now, when I look back, my leadership skills. “I became Captain of the 1st XI Hockey team (a big surprise to me!) but our team wasn’t expected to achieve much as there had been some great players in the year above that were now leaving. Mr Buttanshaw and Mr Williamson were doubtful we’d get far outdoors but as we had six particularly strong players, we would put our efforts into indoors. We were eventually National Indoor Champions! It was a really special moment for me and shows that you’ve got to make the most of what you’ve got. Being Captain really taught me to lead by example and demonstrate dedication and hardwork so that it hopefully rubbed off on the rest of the team. When I look back on the belief and encouragement the sports coaches gave us at KGS, I feel really blessed to have gone to the
school and I’m thrilled to hear that Mr Williamson and Mr Buttanshaw are still there, inspiring hockey players today. “When I was 17 my Dad died which had a huge impact on our family but I was able to achieve decent A Levels, which helped me gain a place at the University of Leeds studying Sport and Exercise Science. I was still keeping up my sport, playing football for Leeds Uni, when I was randomly scouted to play for Preston North End FC (I had always hoped there was that scout in his big warm coat watching my games!) - so I put my studies on hold to make a go of it. It was during this time that my mum was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and I chose to come home to look after my four younger siblings. It was an incredibly difficult time as it was so soon after we’d lost Dad. When Mum passed away, I became legal guardian of my younger brothers and sister and had a steep learning curve. We all pulled together and are now an incredibly strong unit and I’m proud to say that two are through university, another two just finishing, and all doing wonderfully well. Positives can be drawn from every situation and when I discovered aged 26, that I had a brain tumour, that strong family unit helped enormously. They rallied around me and got me through. Now, in my work with Beating Bowel Cancer, I can draw on my own experiences of cancer and the emotions I went through to help others. It brings another dimension to my work and makes it hugely rewarding. “I have set up Instagram and Twitter accounts @ aimeverhigh to share my experiences of bereavement and hopefully help others. The saying comes from a letter my mother wrote me (she wrote letters for each of us, all of exactly the same length, there were no favourites) when she knew she was losing her battle. To me it was encouragement to push myself and aim for the stars. It’s a saying I always carry with me and I hope can offer a bit of hope to others. “I’m really pleased to say that I still meet up every Saturday with a big group of about twenty OKs! They are my closest friends. I really felt that I made friends for life at KGS, which is a reflection on the close knit community it was then and now. Looking back, it’s not been a conventional career or life since I left school but I think the structure, the encouragement, the pushing of boundaries which were instilled in me from an early age has set me up well. I don’t have a fear of failure as KGS taught me how to cope with losing hockey matches and not getting top grades. I don’t ever have regrets or worries about the ‘new’ as my life so far has taught me to cherish every moment and try everything.” Join Theo in growing a beard and supporting Beating Bowel Cancer during December for “Decembeard”: www.decembeard.org You can follow Theo on Twitter @theo_t_coyne and check out Aim Ever High @aimeverhigh
K G S F r ie nd s
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From the Archive They “Took the Micke y”
Comet rev iew of one of This was the title of the Surrey ductions of the 1960s, the most memorable School pro an operetta with “Arcadia College”. The work was ter R K McIver and a ver y music composed by Music mas R K Mottram. clever libretto by English master l music, McIver took In writing the pleasantly tunefu and Vaughaninspiration from the Savoy operas fun at ‘all types of Williams. The per formance poked the professionals from inhabitants at the school, baiting down heavily on the the Head downwards, and coming (Newspaper review, idiosyncrasies of boys and staff’ few, there were the Surrey Comet, 1961). ‘To name a lly making excuses, “ hard-case “ schoolboy frantica Cambridge, the school the new master just down from n chemist and biologist’ cleaner, and the conflict betwee (The Kingstonian, May 1961). ed at Christmas 1960 “Arcadia College” was first per form and then again in 1965. list have recently been The vocal score, lyrics and cast returned to KGS. pleased to know of these The Music Department are ver y ed to reproduce some of historical treasures and it is hop t in the future. the ‘mickey taking’ at some poin se get in touch with Were you part of this opera? Plea your memories.
Online Archive Enjoyed these articles? You can view these pictures, articles and more on our new online archive at: http://kgsarchives.daisy.websds.net
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From the Archive
Fond memories of a fine Christmas Entertainment from yesteryear Dramatised versions from the works of Charles Dodgson and Charles Dickens were on the programme for the KGS Christmas Entertainment in 1953. Scenes from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’, were performed alongside Christmas carols and, judging by the account in The Kingstonian of January 1954, it was an excellent evening. ‘In the scenes from ‘Alice’ every word was easily heard from the back of the hall. The colours of the costumes were excellent, vivid and pleasing. The made-up heads of the White Rabbit, the Gryphon, the Dormouse and others were magnificent, and our thanks are due to their skilful manufacturer, Mr. Browne. Every one of those fantastic characters put up a very good show. They were full of vitality and carried off their parade of cheerful idiocy (mingled with weird touches of subtle metaphysics) with the utmost gusto.’ Sadly no photos remain of the ‘Alice’ section of the entertainment, so we can only conjure up images of the ‘parade’ in our heads. We are, however, fortunate to have been lent some photographs of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by David Fenner (OK 1948-54), who played the part of Bob Cratchit. He is described as an ‘admirable Cratchit, whose easy simple goodness could not but be immediately appreciated’. The part of Scrooge was played by R T Dorrington, who made ‘an extremely convincing miser’. Other cast members J F Ireland (the Ghost of Jacob Marley), M C Paternoster (the Ghost of Christmas Past) and E Rump (the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) ‘played their difficult parts effectively’ and ‘P G Cobb deserves praise for his playing of Mrs. Cratchit.’ Merry Christmas Everyone! Joanne Halford, Archivist archives@kgs.org.uk 020 8865 0111 K G S F r ie nd s
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Senior Play: ‘Earthquakes in London’
As it was my first KGS Senior Play, I was unsure of what to expect from ‘Earthquakes in London’. House Drama had been a good test run; I knew there was some quality drama to be had from the fifth and sixth forms. Would it be enough to blow my socks off, though? I’m glad to report that the play, focusing on three hugely different sisters (a teen rebel, a heavily pregnant housewife, and a career-driven cabinet minister, vividly portrayed by Maddie Kelly, Charlotte Le Feuvre, and Josie Palmer respectively) and their estranged, fear-mongering scientist father (brilliantly depicted by Jamie Bisping) absolutely amazed. Around this family tragedy wider issues of global warming and the impact of human interference on nature were tackled head-on. There were truly no duds in the cast: from Teddy Coward’s gritty man-on-a-mission to the hilarious 70s double act of George Kitson and Luca Kamleh-Chapman, every performance really showed the hard work and dedication that clearly went into the play. My personal favourite was Maya Yousif’s manic representation of young delinquent Peter, but even the relatively brief parts – like Fergus Ainsworth’s plane passenger, or Finn Stammers’ doctor – had a captivating power. The acting itself was almost superseded, however, by the sensational complexity of the stage. Each section was divided into a set-in-miniature, bolstered by a close attention to detail; the transitions between these locations seamlessly kept the numerous plotlines progressing and firmly rooted in my mind. The subtle touches of light, costume, and video were the icing on an already mouthwatering cake. A massive amount of recognition should go to the tech team, who must have worked ceaselessly to create such a professional production. All in all, then, the play was a roaring success, and I can’t wait to see what the seniors do next year! Mr B Campbell 12
Remembr ance Assemblies In November, thoughts turned to the annual Act of Remembrance. This year students from both the junior and senior ends of the School marked the Act of Remembrance by laying wreaths in the School Hall underneath the memorial to those members of the school community who gave their lives in two World Wars and by the wearing of poppies in support of the Royal British Legion. Major Graham Fitness (OK 1971) returned to KGS to assist us in the Act of Remembrance and to lead the School in the minute’s silence. Students also heard from CCF Contingent Commander Captain Beggs, who shared the story of Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune (OK 2000), who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2010 having successfully landed his Chinook helicopter despite being shot between the eyes by the Taliban and his aircraft having been badly damaged. Sgt. Megan Nicholls (L6th) read Major John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ and William Everitt (First Year) played the Last Post and the Reveille.