OKS Magazine - Autumn 2019

UNIVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH Modupe Reis on her student campaign to end the stigma OKS CELEBRATE EVENSONG Francis Bushell on the joys of singing Tallis, Byrd and Tomkins at Evensong

THE MAGAZINE OF THE OKS ASSOCIATION • № 4 • Autumn 2019

LEGAL CAREERS OKS gather for coffee and breakfast networking in London

“ Hand in hand With fairy grace, Will we sing and bless this place” Act 5 Scene 1, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

King’s Week performances at the new Malthouse Theatre

OKS MAGAZINE • № 4 • Autumn 2019

From the Editor

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nniversaries occur every year. In 2020 there will be a resonant Christian one: the murder of Thomas Becket on 29 December 1170. In the Cathedral on Sunday 5 July there will be a great celebration, embracing Roman Catholics, and two days later there will be a procession to the place where the shrine stood, 800 years after its Translation there from the Crypt directly below. As Dean Robert is fond of reminding congregations, King’s “is the Cathedral school”, and no other school has such propinquity to these historic mysteries. OKS who would like a foretaste of the celebrations are always welcome to the unforgettable and interactive Service that will occur this as every 29th December.

A school’s anniversaries can reverberate less far, but a significant one in 2020 will be the thirty years since the successful move was made into full coeducation, and coemployment. Not so symmetrical, but it will then be 49 years since the first girl became a full member of the Sixth

Form, Jane Pearce (née Baron): “my brother on announcing to his friends the previous term that his sister was coming to the school was simply not believed.” By now parity is being achieved across the School. There are 440 girls and 420 boys in the School this year.

Our feature article, by Tamsin Powles, provides some idea of how pioneering these early girls were, and of how subsequent opportunities opened up. By chance, the other features are both by younger alumnae writing on young people and mental health, a subject that has been exercising the OKS Committee too, lately: “To live your life is not so simple as to cross a field” (old Russian proverb, quoted by Boris Pasternak in a poem).

Stephen Woodley

From the OKS President

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very warm hello to you all. On 14 March we held the second of our OKS Breakfast Networking events, focusing on the legal profession and hosted at the City office of Stephenson Harwood. Millie Jessel chaired the panel and a wide range of topics was discussed, including how to prosper in such a demanding, high performance working culture.

Cover: King’s Week performances at the Malthouse Theatre

Following previous well-attended OKS Evensongs, another such service was held on 6 April, with the choir under the direction of our illustrious OKS conductor, Stephen Barlow. Held in the Cathedral Quire, OKS stretching from the 1940s to 2018 attended. Stephen moulded the singers, who had never performed together before, into a well-blended choral group.

Photo: Matt McArdle

In a change of format, the Careers Day on 21

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June brought together a group of six recent and current OKS university students, to share their experiences of university life with 6bs, spanning the deeper issues of adjustment to everyday challenges. Held under the Green Court Marquee, 45 minutes of incisive questions and answers were followed by an adjournment to the Malthouse Campus for informal discussion with a larger OKS group, and then rounded off with a barbecue at Birley’s.

We recently said a grateful farewell to our OKS Coordinator Hannah Pinney, and warmly welcome her replacement Molly Burgess (mlb@kings-school.co.uk) who joined us in June.

David Peters OKS

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In this issue From the Headmaster

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ast year’s theme of creativity as a centrepiece to the King’s education, not only here but also at Junior King’s and within the International College, came to a vibrant conclusion with the productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Moulin Rouge in the wonderful Malthouse Theatre during King’s Week. Other highlights included Sir Michael Morpurgo’s inspirational JKS 90th Anniversary speech day presentation about story-telling and singing, and the series of talented performances and speeches at the first Graduation Day of the brand new and elegant International College on the Malthouse site.

4 News from King’s: The 68th King’s Week and Mitchinson’s comes down to earth.

We have celebrated four outstanding pupil achievements so far this term: Francesca Maini (Carlyon, 6a) has been selected for the British Olympic Kite-Surfing training squad; Ludo Kolade (Tradescant, Fifths) has been chosen as an England Academy Rugby Player; Harrison MacKinnon (Mitchinson’s, Remove) has won a place in the Scottish Under 15 rugby squad; and George Titterton (Marlowe, 6a) has achieved his Advanced Diploma for the French Horn at The Royal School of Music.

28 Unknown OKS: Leaving their mark.

This academic year finds a new focus on the academic growth mind-set across the four sections of the King’s family – I have just returned from Shenzhen where we opened the Junior Section of the new King’s School International under Geoff Cocksworth’s leadership. This theme stems from the memorable Inset which Emma Károlyí, our excellent JKS Head, organised for us back in September: we aim to add curiosity, connections, imagination and a can-do attitude to all our studies and activities across the year ahead.

Peter Roberts OKS

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6, 16 Events: OKS Lunch, Evensong and Russia.

8, 12 & 18 Features: Pioneering women, mental health and the Royal Foundation.

10 Development News: Scientists, Smarties, Legacies.

15 Networking: Legal Breakfast, Careers Day. 22 OKS Update: News of OKS.

30 Lives Remembered: Obituaries.

44 Sport: A round-up from King’s Week and beyond.

We want to hear your news and so do your fellow OKS. Fill in the form on the address sheet or contact Elaine Lynch. telephone 01227 595672 email etl@kings-school.co.uk website www.oks.org.uk facebook.com/groups/oksassociation twitter.com/OKSAssociation linkedin.com/groups/35681 instagram.com/oksassociation The OKS Magazine is produced by an editorial committee chaired by Felicity Lyons (SH 1975-77).

The Senior Editor is Stephen Woodley (Common Room 1969-98) and the Executive Editor is Elaine Lynch. They are assisted by Peter Henderson (School Archivist, Common Room 1969- ), Kate Chernyshov (SH 1984-86), Susan Tingle and Molly Burgess. Unless otherwise credited, photographs are by Matt McArdle or from school archives.

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News from King’s

ENTER THE MALTHOUSE The new Malthouse Theatre with its accompanying facilities for teaching drama and dance will be officially opened in the autumn.

Meanwhile the Drama Department moved in for the summer term and the theatre was christened in King’s Week with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a KiDaCo show including nearly a dozen short items followed by Moulin Rouge adapted from Baz Luhrman’s film.

The tradition of drama at King’s is a long one, with the first direct evidence of performances coming in the 1560s. For many years, the schoolroom in the Almonry building was the favoured setting. Then from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century the Chapter House was used, as well as the dining hall (now part of Galpin’s) and the gymnasium (now chemistry laboratories). King’s Week plays were mainly outdoor productions, especially in the Archdeacon’s Garden and the Mint Yard, but with ventures to various other spaces in the Precincts and at St Augustine’s. There have been several schemes for a School theatre, such as building between the Shirley Hall and the Grange, or converting the Shirley Hall, the Gymnasium, St Mary’s Hall or the St Augustine’s Library. The successful transformation of the former malthouse near Blore’s has been worth the wait.

150 YEARS OF DREAMS The first recorded performance of a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream was as part of the Speeches in the Chapter House of 1869. The play also appeared there in 1879, 1916 and 1933, in each case featuring the ‘rude mechanicals’. In the 68 years of King’s Week, it has been the most popular play with seven productions: in 1960, 1974, 1984, 1992, 2004, 2010 – and 2019. (Twelfth Night with five is the ‘runner-up’.) Four were in the Archdeacon’s Garden and two in the Mint Yard, though rain meant that in some years the Shirley Hall and the Green Court marquee were called into action.

This year’s Dream was thus the first intended to be indoors, and it deliberately exploited the new 4

space in appropriately imaginative fashion. In the words of the programme: “This Steampunk production of Shakespeare’s magical comedy will pay homage to the building’s industrial beginnings and immerse you in a world in which industrial meets pastoral and fantasy becomes reality.” The Malthouse indeed provides a versatile and inspiring setting with first-rate backstage facilities.

Producers, actors and crew all relished this opportunity to make first use of it and their enthusiasm shone through in this exhilarating show.

THE 68TH KING’S WEEK Although the Malthouse made the headlines, the rest of King’s Week was as varied as ever with over 120 events. Music was prominent, with the Serenade, Jazz and Andy Pollock’s final Virtuosi concert.

The Green Court was the usual amusement park, with science and art, as well as bicycles, teas, quizzes, lectures, tours, chess, races and even bell-ringing. Birley’s took centre stage on the Saturday. Artist-in-Residence Paul Claydon’s ‘Perfect Shadows’ exhibition in the (Old) Grange featured mixed media portraits of notable OKS: Christopher Marlowe, Richard Culmer, Michael OKS

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NEWS FROM KING’S

Powell, Carol Reed, Patrick Leigh Fermor, Alan Watts and Cornelius Cardew. And the Symphony Concert ended the Week with an almighty bang, courtesy of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

FROM THE COMMON ROOM There are two new housemasters. Richard Singfield takes over Meister Omers from Richard Ninham, who leaves for Charterhouse, and Robert Sanderson moves into Galpin’s succeeding Tim Waite, who leaves as his wife Amber becomes Head of St Albans High School for Girls. There are fifteen new members of staff. They include Alexandra Caldon as Head of Strings, replacing Andrew Pollock, who will continue to do some teaching, Greg Hunter, who joins as Deputy Head (Co-Curricular), Elizabeth (Lilla) Grindlay who becomes Head of English, succeeding Alex Latter who leaves for Winchester College, and OKS William Corbyn (GL 2012-14) who joins the Classics Department.

BUILDINGS OLD AND NEW The Mitchinson’s building in the Mint Yard, which went up in 1981, came down in 2019.

Encased in scaffolding during the summer term, it was gradually demolished (there was no dramatic explosion) in July, August and September. The International College, which had OKS

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Clockwise from top left: Moulin Rouge; Mitchinson’s coming down; Richard Singfield, Rob Sanderson; Andy Pollock, virtuoso

inhabited ‘old Mitchinson’s’ in the Michaelmas and Lent terms, moved into its new home at the Malthouse site in April. Almonry House in Lady Wootton’s Green opened as the Health Centre at the start of the Summer term. The building had been acquired by the School in 1975 – a year before the St Augustine’s site. Initially an annexe to School House, it was home to the Tradescant housemaster for many years and was latterly used as staff accommodation. And in May the School was involved in events commemorating 30 Years of Canterbury as a World Heritage site.

King’s figures prominently in the related online Heritage A-Z organised by Christ Church University. See (among other letters): E for Education, G for Graffiti, L for Literature and T for Tradescant.

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Events

OKS Evensong Francis Bushell (GL 2013-18) enjoys singing Tallis, Byrd and Tomkins in the Cathedral.

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fter two very successful Evensongs in previous years, members of the OKS were delighted to gather once again on 6 April 2019. The choir were lucky enough to be under the direction of the illustrious OKS conductor Stephen Barlow in the beautiful setting of the Canterbury Cathedral Quire. It was wonderful to see OKS from the 1940s up to 2018 leavers. We began with a rehearsal with Stephen at the Edred Wright Music School where the school Crypt Choir rehearse regularly for their weekly services in the Cathedral. Stephen had the challenge of creating a well-blended choral sound despite this group of singers never having sung together before. We worked diligently, with Stephen challenging us, as one would expect when working with a worldclass conductor! We did, however, feel confident in ourselves by the time we were treated to a sumptuous spread, which set us up well for the afternoon rehearsal in the Cathedral.

The music on the service card was by a lineage of composers. The anthem was Thomas Tallis’s In ieiunio et fletu, a Latin setting from Joel assigned for the first Sunday of Lent, very Catholic in its style and choice of language. The canticles were by Tallis’s pupil, William Byrd, his Second Service which, despite Byrd’s own Catholic faith, is Protestant in its writing because of its monosyllabic note setting in English as it comes

from the reformed service of Evensong. The Preces and Responses were by Byrd’s pupil, the Protestant composer Thomas Tomkins. It was fascinating to be singing music by three great Tudor composers and to see and hear the skill of composition, which was shared and passed down by all three. It was also very moving to be singing music that had been performed in the Cathedral for hundreds of years, especially the Tallis, as he had worked at the Cathedral and had probably taught at the school.

After the Evensong, we were treated to a drinks reception in celebration and Stephen was presented with a gift as a token of gratitude for conducting, as too was Hannah Pinney, the former OKS Coordinator who had been singing in the choir and who was leaving for a new job after the event.

The OKS evensong is always a particularly special occasion because it allows former pupils to relive an enjoyable part of their time at King’s as well as supporting the Cathedral Foundation now as former pupils.

OKS 2009 REUNION Around 50 OKS from the class of 2009 attended a reunion organised by Kitty Vaughan (BR 2006-09) to celebrate ten years since leaving King’s.

The reunion took place on 27 September at The Clachan, London.

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OKS

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Opposite page, left to right:Natasha Methven (LX/MR 2008-13), Fenella Chesterfield (MT 2008-13) and Will Bersey (King’s Director of Music)

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Events

This page: Liza Barkova

THE KING’S SCHOOL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUTUMN CONCERT 17 November 2019, 7.45pm Shirley Hall, KSC

OKS CHRISTMAS DRINKS 2019 28 November 2019, 6.30pm The Vintry, London

King’s isn’t just about academia, but more about providing pupils with an all-round education, and shaping their personalities to deal with any situation that confronts them in life. This is brought about with a combination of humility, courage, hard work, politeness and thinking outside the square; but most of all to “expect the unexpected” – and so say all of us!

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You can pay with Visa or Mastercard through the online box office.

To pay by cheque please make the cheque payable to the OKS Association and post to: The Development Office, The King’s School, 1 Mint Yard, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2ES

Dec How to book

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Luckily the weather was kind and after a welcoming speech by Headmaster Peter Roberts who told us we should always “expect the unexpected” guests were allowed to re-enter the building and enjoy a beautiful performance by 13 year-old Liza Barkova who just been offered the first dance scholarship to King’s

Feb

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round 40 guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a visit from Moscow’s fire brigade at the Ambassador’s residence on 18 May. An overheated tumble drier set off alarms and brought several fire engines and a flashing police escort, forcing the event to move to the garden.

20 February 2020, 5.00pm London

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Simon Green (MO 1973-78) enjoys a ‘warm’ welcome at the first King’s reception in Moscow.

14 January 2020, 6.30pm Cavalry & Guards Club, London

1 March 2020, 11.30am KSC

May

King’s in Russia

CANTUARIAN LODGE MEETING 5 December 2019, 5.00pm London

12 May 2020, 6.30pm Cavalry & Guards Club, London

OKS COMMITTEE MEETING

CANTUARIAN LODGE MEETING

THE LEGACY CLUB

OKS COMMITTEE MEETING

OKS MAY REUNION Leavers 1970-1999: 16 May 2020, 12.00pm Leavers 1969 & older: 17 May 2020, 12.00pm KSC

Tickets will be available from The King’s School Box Office kings-school.co.uk or call 01227 595778

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OKS FEATURE

Education to end stigma Modupe Reis (JR 2011-15) explains how she became a campaigner for the mental health charity Mind

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ANUARY TO MARCH 2015 were meant to be some of the best months of my final year at King’s. I was in 6A. I had been predicted very good A-level results, applied to some of the top universities in the UK and received an offer from all of them. I had strengthened my friendships and was looking forward to making lasting memories with my friends. I had started picking out the fabric for my Commemoration dress that was going to be custom-made in Nigeria.

Life seemed pretty smooth-sailing when I got back from the Christmas holidays and settled into Jervis. There was no way that I would have anticipated spending those three months away from school.

I remember waking up in the hospital and being told that I was ‘sectioned’, which at the time, I did not really understand. The next three months were a rollercoaster of me not understanding what was going on, but trying to get better. I deferred taking my A-levels till the next year, and had to re-apply to universities. Luckily, I was given an unconditional offer by Royal Holloway, which I accepted… and so began my three-year journey through higher education.

Photo: Mark O’Brien

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Unlike most people, I wasn’t really anxious about moving away from home for university because I had all the practice of living in boarding school since I was 10 years old. What made me anxious was how I would be able to cope with university life and keep my mental health in check. I had already disclosed to the university that I had a mental health condition, but that didn’t stop me from being constantly worried about having another episode which could disrupt my studies significantly. However, my department was very supportive and determined to make sure I was able to complete work in order to progress each year.

Unfortunately, in my final year I was unwell and had to take a couple of months away, which meant that I would be unable to graduate with my peers that year. I did have support from private healthcare, which the majority of my university friends would not have had.

The alarming rate of student suicide in the UK is evidence enough that there is need for improvement in the mental health sector of most, if not all, educational institutions. A survey from last year revealed that 95 students had died by suicide.

Having seen what I went through, I knew I did not want anyone else to go through this without any support. This is why I became a campaigner for Mind, the mental health charity. This year for Mental Health Awareness Week I took over my University’s Mental Health Network for a social media campaign I called #EducationToEndStigma. The aim of the campaign was to give students short but comprehensible notes on common mental health conditions, as well as ways to spot symptoms and offer support. The response to the campaign was positive and many students felt this was an opportunity for their conditions to be understood. I became a Course Representative and focused on how I could help students who were struggling with mental health issues to keep up with their courses.

I wish there were a quick solution to the mental health issues that students face in higher education but unfortunately there isn’t. The best help for struggling students is for others to listen and try to understand.

• If you or anyone you know is struggling to cope, encourage them to contact Samaritans on 116 123 OKS

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OKS

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Development News

Method, Result, Conclusion: King’s scientists follow in the footsteps of William Harvey As the Mint Yard Science project gathers pace, Director of Development, Kate Chernyshov OKS, considers the future of hands-on experiments in the labs at King’s.

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f we want to know what happens when we add potassium to water, or locate the optic nerve in the eyeball, we can search the internet and find answers within seconds. We can watch videos of experiments, in slow motion, using industrial scale kit or through the lenses of powerful microscopes.

So why, in our digital age, is King’s investing millions into refurbishing and creating 21 interconnected laboratories centred on the Mint Yard?

“The skills we learn from creating, recording and analysing our own work are infinitely useful,” comments Louise Comber, King’s Head of Science. “In the era of computer-generated images and fake news, our pupils need to see, feel, smell and manipulate real objects in order to know how to challenge assumptions, record and analyse data, and produce independent conclusions. In any job, whether a scientific role or not, these skills are fundamental to progress.”

The quotation from William Harvey (right) reminds us why hands-on experiments are so essential. Harvey was conducting experiments in an era when many of his contemporaries believed they knew everything that could be known about the human body. Today we might easily assume that the internet encompasses all scientific knowledge. However, four hundred years after Harvey we are reminded that learning “from the fabric of nature” continues to outweigh the tenets of philosophers and videos on YouTube.

To find out more about the Mint Yard Science project, or get involved, please visit www.buildingkings.co.uk

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I profess to learn and to teach anatomy not from books but from dissections, not from the tenets of philosophers but from the fabric of nature William Harvey (King’s School 1588-92), De Motu Cordis

Saturday Smarties

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n Saturday mornings, King’s sixth formers welcome local primary schoolchildren into the labs to carry out experiments alongside them. Inspiring and teaching the next generation has given King’s scientists a new-found confidence and tested their own knowledge. Cutting up eyeballs remains one of the most popular experiments.

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Legacy Club Lunch

that spirit is alive and well in Canterbury.

Legacy Club Chairman Richard Ashworth reports on a day at the Malthouse.

Left: William Harvey demonstrating his theory of circulation of the blood before Charles I Photo: Wellcome Collection Right: Elaine Lynch, Richard Ashworth, Marie Roberts, Headmaster Peter Roberts, Susan Tingle

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n Sunday 12 May the OKS Legacy Club held its annual lunch at King’s. The day began with a tour of the recently opened Malthouse Campus. Members visited the International College, where we saw a traditional college format brilliantly combined with striking modern architectural features. We then visited the impressive Sports Hall before retiring to the Malthouse Theatre. The theatre, created within the old brewery building, imaginatively combines the very best of traditional materials and architecture with the very latest in modern technology.

Enormous credit is due to The Headmaster, Peter Roberts, the Governors and none more so than Legacy Club member and Governor Nick Lyons (LN/BR 1972-77), who was with us that day, for the conception and delivery of this impressive project.

The next Legacy Club Lunch is on 1 March 2020 at King’s

Speaking at the lunch, the Headmaster updated members and prospective members on the progress and achievements of the School, and went on to share the vision for its development. A constant theme at King’s is the relentless pursuit of excellence and, in an ever-changing world, it is important to keep moving in order to stay in the same place. The Malthouse facility demonstrates

Legacy Club Members by House

But facilities are only a part of our story. King’s has a proud record of assisting gifted and talented young people who would otherwise be denied the chance of such wonderful resources. Unlike many other institutions, and notwithstanding the generosity of past benefactors, the School does not have an adequate endowment. Put simply, we don’t have enough money to meet our ambitions. That is both our problem and our opportunity. The School is strong on culture, history and tradition but our greatest strength is our people.

So the mission of the Legacy Club is to reach out to all those whose lives have been touched

by King’s. Our message is that through legacies, however large, however small, together we can build a bursary endowment fund that will provide for generations to come. The School is incredibly grateful for the pledges already made and, in recognition of that great generosity, the School has produced a beautiful badge, designed by Development Coordinator, Elaine Lynch, which will be presented to all those who have pledged their support for the Club.

Supporting the Club is a very special thing to do, and I hope the members will wear their badge with pride. Growing the endowment fund is a major priority for the School and, while I am delighted to report the very positive progress that has been made, we still have a long way to go.

Members include OKS, Hon OKS, JKS and KSC Common Room, Housemasters, Support Staff, Parents, Headmasters and Governors and friends of the School Gifts include a car, tree, table and chairs, paintings, benches, stocks and shares For more information please contact Susan Tingle, Deputy Development Director on 01227 595567 or srt@kings-school.co.uk

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OKS FEATURE

Pioneering Days Tamsin Powles (LN 1973-75) reflects on her time as one of the first girls at King’s and on making her way in the world of business

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y family moved to Canterbury in the 1960s with my father’s appointment as Professor of Physics at the new university.

Earlier my parents sailed into New York Harbour on the Mauretania in the 1950s for a post at Princeton University, a great and unusual adventure for the time.

Our first experience of King’s was when my brother Simon started at JKS. I joined the girls’ grammar school which provided a good education with some excellent teachers, but perhaps not meeting some of my ambitions.

When King’s decided to introduce girls into the 6th form I took the opportunity, with both excitement and trepidation. My friend Mary Shergold (née Sparks) and I left the Langton to the upset of the Headmistress, losing two academic girls, and started at King’s in 1973. We both had brothers already there.

Chris Millar took some of us into Linacre, a boys’ boarding house. We day-girls were allowed to stay until 9 pm, after Prep, and I shared a study with

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The macho world of business was sometimes bruising

three boys. Only later were girls’ boarding houses introduced. He was also my Physics teacher in the Science Sixth. In most classes there were no more than two girls and nearly all staff were men. Living conditions were fairly primitive (not just the toilets!) but it was a busy, interesting and creative place to be. Loving music, it was a privilege to play in the orchestra and sing in the Cathedral.

Stephen Woodley taught English for scientists in the beautiful Maugham Library, and while the boys played rugby or cricket his wife Judy used St Mary’s Hall to start exercise classes for us.

With no PCs, internet, emails or mobile phones, communications were different and use of the library and ownership of books more important.

It was a strange experience being very visible in our small numbers and the girls had no uniform at that stage. Most other people in their various roles at King’s knew who we were, but we were less informed about them! The 6th Form boys were mostly friendly and seemed to accept us arriving in their midst, but it must have been strange for them too. Some of the younger boys OKS

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seemed rather shyer of us. There were a few inevitable romances, some short-lived, some much longer lasting. I see that girls now just outnumber boys for the first time, and have seen the School grow and adapt since then, notably in the acquisition, conversion and upgrading of buildings and facilities and in particular the huge increase in the diversity of all aspects of people involved in the School.

When I applied to Cambridge University in the 1970s there were only three mixed colleges.

Perhaps rather ambitiously I applied to one of them. I started at Clare College in 1975. The Natural Sciences courses filled the days, and life was quite demanding. I was able to have a change of scene with orchestras I joined, and some women started rowing for similar reasons. Accommodation was mixed with shared bathrooms, none of the en suite facilities there now. I never encountered any illegal substances, but of course there was a lively JCR! Although competitive, the mixed environment was congenial and constructive. By the end of this OKS

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Above: 1973’s 1st XI. Tamsin is back row, third from left

I was the only one on the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo

year there will be seven women Principals of Cambridge colleges.

I was determined to go into the business world, using my science background. Multinational companies were recruiting women graduates and I applied to ICI, a large chemical manufacturing group. After various roles involving speciality products and customers in the South East of England and a secondment to Brussels, I made a radical move into industrial marketing of oil-based commodities and moved to the North East, joining the large Wilton site on Teesside, quite a cultural change. Offices were close by chemical plants producing steam and heat and mostly men worked in various roles, often from families who had followed grandfathers and fathers before them. Linked to the steel industry, Teesside was a major port, with massive tankers coming and going. The winters were more severe than I was used to but the people were helpful, welcoming and dedicated to the area.

As attitudes to women in the workplace changed, 13

OKS FEATURE

other areas became accessible, including presenting on radio and TV, and then Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister which was a hugely significant event at the time.

I travelled in the USA and South East Asia for work. In Japan my hosts barely concealed their surprise at greeting a woman and I was the only one on the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo! I had an interpreter for meetings and was careful to acknowledge the formality of events there. The macho world of business was sometimes bruising but having gained experience and worked hard I was generally treated with respect. At the weekends I was renovating an old farmhouse on the edge of the North York Moors with my husband John.

In the 1990s I made a further shift to HR, to the London HQ, managing careers of high-flyers and improving diversity, using consultants. Already that involved complicated situations with “career couples” and the priority of roles. There were no women on the ICI Board at that time. ICI’s fortunes waned as the new Millennium started and I decided to transfer my skills to wider use, becoming an independent, self-employed management consultant, a very different experience from being an employee. Working from home and building up a client base through networking required a different approach.

Simon followed me to Cambridge and after a PhD at the Cavendish joined McAlpine in the early days of exploratory wind power, setting up testing and monitoring sites; an innovative time, but challenging and controversial too.

Now his son, and the first Powles medic, has been admitted to the Royal College of Radiologists, using the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to medicine, the field that his grandfather worked in many years before.

I never really saw myself as a feminist, rather as a pioneer and role model (perhaps it was in my genes). I look back on my career as having developed within a changing cultural context, across some forty years during which women have been encouraged to find and maintain roles that would have been closed to them in earlier decades.

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Above, left to right: Eliza, Alice, Emma, Jake, Al, Ollie, Steen, Rose Below: One-to-one sessions at the Malthouse Opposite, left to right: Tim, James, Jess, Rosie and Millie

OKS Careers Day Jake Werth (MR 2013-15) reflects on an engaging afternoon with the 6bs.

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riday 21 June saw six OKS from a variety of backgrounds come together on a beautiful summer’s day under the Green Court marquee to share their current or recent experiences of university life with 6bs, who played a crucial part in this unprecedented Q & A session led by Mr Al Holland (Common Room 2006- ).

The event kicked off with short introductions from panel members, among whom were Eliza Wallis (studying Graphic Design), Emma Bryant (French/History of Art), Ollie Crawford (French), Rose Meddings (Medicine), Steen Grover (Medicine) and myself (Jazz/English), before proceeding with incisive questions from students and pertinent follow ups from Mr Holland. The session proved to be a valuable opportunity for current pupils to get direct answers from a diverse group of OKS on a variety of burning issues, ranging from “what did you do on your year abroad?” to the unapologetically practical “how much is a train ticket from London to Edinburgh?” In all but 45 minutes, plenty was covered, much was garnered, and the 6bs left replete with invaluable university foreknowledge.

After such a successful inaugural panel session, a larger group of OKS, incorporating Lily Carr OKS

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The indulgences concluded at Birley’s, with the comforting tastes of the BBQ aptly complementing the thoughts and reflections of pupils and OKS alike, capping a thoroughly enjoyable event of real value to 6bs with challenging decisions ahead.

OKS Breakfast Networking James Linforth (BR 1985-90) reports back on networking over croissants and coffee.

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his was the second in our series of Breakfast Networking events, focused on the Legal Sector and hosted at the City offices of Stephenson Harwood on 14 March 2019. The event was highly interactive with questions put to a panel consisting of five OKS working in a variety of different parts of the legal profession.

The panel was chaired by event organiser Millie Jessel (HH 2005-10) and consisted of Rosie Cornick (BR 2003-08), Legal Counsel at Freud Communications, Tim Amos QC (SH 1977-81), a barrister and mediator at Queen Elizabeth Buildings, Jess Stanion (LX 2005-10), a trainee solicitor at Shearman & Sterling LLP and James Linforth (BR 1985-1990), a banking partner at Stephenson Harwood.

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The questions covered a wide range of topics, including practical advice about how best to access the legal profession when competition is intense. It became clear that many of us had found our way into different legal jobs in a variety of ways, often requiring patience and a determination not to give up. We also discussed some of the challenges facing lawyers, as disruptive technologies and new ways of working gather pace and clients expect more and more from their legal advisors at a lower cost.

OKS Network

(Acting), Alice Brett (Sport Science), Miranda Challiner (History), Alex James (Music), Chantelle JeffersBobo (Social Policy) and Sasha Grover (Russian), travelled over to the newly renovated Malthouse building for drinks and further informal questions with 6bs. This relaxed session provided a great opportunity for those with individual queries to speak frankly with OKS, at mini one-to-one stations set up around the beautiful Malthouse dining hall.

After some engaging conversations with a number of highly motivated pupils, each encouragingly varied in their aspirations, free ice creams were promptly supplied by a local ice cream van.

It was fascinating to draw on the experience of the likes of Tim, who has been working as a barrister for over 30 years, as well as that of Rosie and Jess who have joined the Legal Sector more recently. The Panel were able to share insights about how to develop resilience in a long hours and high performance culture, which often comes at a high personal cost and is resulting in both lawyers and the firms having to pay more attention to individual wellbeing than before.

Finally, we discussed some of the pros and cons of working in private practice when compared to working as a lawyer “in house”, but we were all able to agree that, whatever area of the law you work in, you are less likely to become bored with your job than in many other sectors.

Henry Pelling (TR 2006-11) kindly helped organise the room and catering at Stephenson Harwood, whose offices are a wonderful mix of ancient and modern architecture – no wonder all OKS who attended felt so at home!

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KING’S WEEK

OKS King’s Week Lunch 2019 OKS gather in the sunshine to celebrate King’s Week and say goodbye to this year’s leavers.

W

E ARE CONSISTENTLY blessed with glorious weather for this annual gathering and OKS were not disappointed as they returned to the beautiful Deanery garden for a very welcome chilled glass of champagne in the sweltering heat. The occasion on Sunday 30 June saw a great turnout as King’s pupils from all eras and walks of life gathered to celebrate ‘still’ being part of King’s through the OKS Association, to reminisce, to soak up the atmosphere of King’s Week on the Green Court, to enjoy a very good lunch and of course to say goodbye to some cherished stalwarts of the King’s Community.

OKS President, David Peters, presented each leaver with a gift and touched on their long years of service. Geoff Cocksworth may be leaving us in body but not in spirit as he takes up the role of Executive Principal at King’s International in Shenzhen. Geoff arrived in January 1990 as Head of Religious Studies, and later became Head of the Sixth Form and then Deputy Head Academic.

He is known as a hard-working, innovative and inspirational teacher – always with a calm hand on the tiller.

Karen Pears spent 21 out of the last 25 years as Luxmoore matron, blending the necessary kindness and compassion required, with a firmness that let the girls know exactly where they stood with her. Warm, kind, approachable and very wise, all the qualities essential in a matron Karen had in abundance.

King’s also has a long-term association with Linda Warnick who provided cover at both JKS and KSC and then for the last 12 years was a full time teacher of French and German at KSC. She has been a wonderful colleague and a dedicated teacher who works incredibly hard for her pupils.

and good humour were appreciated by staff and pupils alike.

Another famous KSC couple, Marc and Pam Dath, will also be much missed. Over 31 years they have worked with five Headmasters stretching from 1988. Marc joined the Maths department that year and held tutor roles in Tradescant, Jervis, Harvey and Walpole. He took over as Grange housemaster in 1997 and remained there until 2014, overseeing the move to St Augustine’s.

An accomplished photographer, rugby coach, President of the Common Room and much much more! Pam was a French teacher at JKS and led the Languages department for a number of years.

With her effervescent nature and fantastic sense of humour, she was a hugely popular figure with both staff and pupils.

Quini Newbury may take the prize for the longest serving amongst this cohort of leavers with 37 years at King’s under her belt. Quini arrived with Paul (who left in 2017) as a Spanish language assistant. She played an active role supporting Paul in his 12 years as Housemaster of Meister Omers with the boys benefiting from her kindness and hospitality. They adored having her as part of the team.

Father Fred Arvidsson could not make the gathering but Headmaster Peter Roberts had this to say in recognition “Now that Father Fred is much better following his brave and resilient battle with illness, I wanted to pay tribute to his excellent service over 16 years to the School, as dedicated, warm-hearted priest, preacher, friend and teacher. I much miss the charisma of his personality and the fun he brought to our lives.”

With thanks to Richard Cook (President of the Common Room) for notes on the Leavers.

Husband Neil joined as Head of the Maths Department in 1997 and was Housemaster of Bailey from 2009-13. A distinguished and highly respected schoolmaster, his calm demeanour 16

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Photos, clockwise from top left: leavers of 2019; Kate Chernyshov and Linda Jennings; Tony Budgen and Peter Holmes-Johnson; Mr and Mrs Olszowski (centre) with Mr and Mrs Morris; Adam Bissill with wife Julie Flower; in the Deanery garden; Father Fred Arvidsson; Dr Roger Mallion, Trad boys William and Robert Jennings with Jennifer Terry

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OKS FEATURE

Heads together: tackling mental health Imogen Hirsch (née Lewis, MR 1997-2002) talks about her career working for charities

F

rom a young age I had a vague notion that I wanted to work with charities.

For a long time I could not envisage what that might entail and did not really appreciate what type of roles it might offer. My first experience of this world was at the age of ten when I did a sponsored 24 hour famine – probably unwise! Once I got to the stage of thinking more seriously about my career, options within the charity sector did not feature much in advice and guidance provided, and the idea was put on the back burner while I started working in the Civil Service. A year living in New Zealand provided the chance to re-evaluate and whilst there I took on a number of voluntary positions to learn more about the field. On returning to the UK, I was accepted by the Cancer Research UK Graduate Scheme, one of the few such programmes. To see how a charity the size of CR-UK works was invaluable, as was the chance to experience a wide variety of roles in quick succession.

Heading the London Marathon Charity of the 18

Year partnership in 2015 led me to working at The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (not a title to say in a hurry!) They were given the opportunity to be the official charity of the London Marathon in 2017, and I was introduced to them to provide initial advice on their strategy after which I was offered the role of Head of Operations. The Foundation had decided to use the Marathon to promote a national campaign tackling stigma in mental health. This became Heads Together and was launched in April 2016.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK

I had no experience of working in mental health and had a steep and quick learning curve. Many of the key messages of the campaign, for example that we all have mental health in the same way we have physical health and that we need to invest time in maintaining our mental wellbeing, were ones I hadn’t previously considered or fully appreciated, and I found the project provided huge personal education and benefits as well.

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Photo: Mark O’Brien

on this campaign as they had seen the impact of poor mental health throughout their work, from the effect on military veterans to those battling addiction. Their Foundation had been set up as their primary philanthropic vehicle to tackle causes close to their hearts. For example, it helped Prince Harry launch the Invictus Games and has funded a range of programmes to support conservation, military and young people’s issues. The Foundation always seeks to work in partnership with others (charities, academics, experts, corporates) developing programmes to be scaled up and eventually run by other organisations.

For Heads Together we worked very closely with eight mental health charities to develop the messaging and activities, as well as support available for the public who may be inspired to seek help. These charities told us that the biggest impact we could have with a campaign backed by the three Royals was to tackle stigma and help normalize conversations about mental health. Whilst there has been a lot of progress 20

over the last decade in raising awareness, stigma continues to be a massive barrier to people seeking help or even understanding when they may be struggling with mental ill-health.

Stigma continues to be a massive barrier to people seeking help

The campaign showcased real stories, from well-known faces like Lady Gaga and Stephen Fry, alongside the general public, to illustrate their struggles. This included a huge range of issues, from people affected by bereavement to those with stress, anxiety or depression. We wanted to demonstrate that mental health is on a spectrum and we will all face issues which will impact our mental wellbeing during our lives.

The Foundation is now working on developing programmes to support mental health in a variety of settings. This has included a ÂŁ2m grant to launch Shout, a crisis text line, Mental Health at Work which provides resources for companies of all sizes, and Mentally Healthy Schools which brings together resources for primary schools.

Following the Marathon in 2017 I moved to manage the development of Mentally Healthy OKS

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Main photo: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Mentally Healthy Schools Campaign; top: the Duke of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; bottom: the Duchess of Cambridge All images courtesy of Heads Together

1 in 10 new mothers experience postnatal depression in the first year

Through national polling we saw that the Heads Together campaign encouraged 1.5 million people to speak out about mental health, and the increased focus we have seen on the issue is hugely positive. There is still much more to be done to tackle stigma, provide education and, crucially, ensure support services are in place for those who need help. However the tide seems to be turning with increased openness and with greater understanding of the importance of mental wellbeing.

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Half of mental health problems • If you feel you may need further information or support, you can visit headstogether.org.uk/ get-support • For urgent help 24/7 and 365 days a year call Samaritans on 116 123 • For immediate support: text SHOUT to 85258 to chat by text. This service is 24hr and free

Figures from The Samaritans, NHS Digital, Tommy’s

Schools and a new area of work focusing on men. Heads Up, a partnership between Heads Together and the Football Association launched in May 2019, will use the power of football to inspire conversations on mental health.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK; this horrific statistic demonstrates the importance of encouraging people to feel able to seek help early when they are struggling. This move has been a fascinating one for me, and yet again has offered a new perspective on different roles available in the charity sector.

9 in 10 sufferers report they have suffered stigma and discrimination

are established by the age of 14

1 in 10 children aged 5-16 have a diagnosable condition

1 in 4 university students report mental health problems

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OKS Update

1940s Vincent Brealy (SH 1943-47) has written with a few memories of his school days and kindly sent several related items for the Archives. He recalls the debris left in the Mint Yard in the summer of 1945 when “head gardener Baldock and I shovelled rubbish into council lorries every day for two weeks. Then we dug two loads of farmyard manure and turfed it, rolled and cut it before the term started.” Vincent was then encouraged by Headmaster ‘Fred’ Shirley to enter a sailing boat for the School and University Races at Mudhook Yacht Club, near Glasgow in 1947. He and his crew stayed at the Inverclyde YMCA (formerly Hartfield House) and although they came a distant second to Eton College, the HM was pleased at the free publicity. And back in Canterbury there was the pleasure (and occasional pain) of playing for the Haymakers Cricket Club. The poster for the Whitstable match was a souvenir of a memorable encounter.

Hugh Ruding-Bryan (GR 1948-50) now raises funds for charity Chernobyl Children Life Line following retirement. He has two daughters: Melanie runs Rocket Catering, Lisa has her own band in Ibiza playing at diverse venues including Pasha nightclub and The Savoy in London. Hugh remembers his great friend Robin Sturgess whose obituary is within this issue. “King’s School taught us both two vital things: how to accept people from all walks of life and how to strive to do better.” He goes on to say that his only regret was that there were no girls at school in his day!

Tony Davies (GR 1949-53) got in touch to say he was sorry to hear of The Rev. Canon Peter Allen’s death (see issue No. 3, P. 31). “Peter had been one of my heroes in my early days of the 1949 vintage!”

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Davies, calm and unswerving, lights up the stage, as serene as he is implacable as he rolls up to tell Gynt it is time to die” (The Observer); and to The Spectator’s reviewer “a sublime presence”. We congratulate Oliver on this, and on his 80th birthday, in August.

Christopher Matthew (SH 1952-57): The 20th Anniversary edition of Now We are Sixty was published in October by John Murray Press followed by A Triple-Decker Treat: Collected Poems for Old Dogs and Young Hearts in November from Little, Brown.

Ben Beaumont (MR 1953-58) remembers the late Peter Allen with fondness. “If I remember correctly he was the Chief Officer Cadet of the CCF. I was a very uneasy and an awkward 6 ft.

8” right marker. I was hopeless and yet I recall that Peter was always very kind.” Ben has just published two books on the “the very very exciting subject of the international form of engineering contract known as the FIDIC Red and separately the FIDIC Yellow contracts and am in the process of completing my fourth edition of Arbitration and Rent Review.”

Christopher Bayston (GR 1953-58) married Phyllis McDonald on 3 September 2016 at Thaxted Parish Church, Essex in 2017 where he has been organist and musical director since 2010. Christopher is also President and Conductor of the Bishop’s Stortford Choral Society and for 35 years was on the resident music staff of Eton College from which he retired in 2000 as Assistant Music Director.

1950s

Christopher was sad to learn of Peter Allen’s death (GR 1949-55). His brother Inniss (GR 195356) who died in 2017 was a lifelong friend and colleague at Eton and he remembers both Peter and Inniss as “perfect gentlemen with a lovely sense of humour.”

Oliver Ford Davies (LN 1952-57) continues to earn praise. Appearing for the RSC in their Troilus and Cressida, he “single-handedly creates a great deal of the show’s comedy”, and subsequently he caught the eye in David Hare’s adaptation from Ibsen, Peter Gynt: “Oliver Ford

Peter Ford CBE (MO 1953-57) lives in London with four children and nine grandchildren. Peter worked for P&O as Executive Chairman for European and North Sea Ferries for 23 years before becoming Executive Chairman of London Transport and now volunteers as a Relate counsellor.

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Mark Finburgh (LN 1953-57): although retired from the Law he still advises a small group of companies and a charity. Mark played his last game of Rugby at 40 as an international, ‘playing for Iran and I have the shirt to prove it’. He is still taking part in motor rallies in the Italian mountains in a mid-1950s open sports car with racing screens and works on the cars as well.

Mark has four grandchildren and is “heavily involved in football, cricket, swimming, cycling and trampolining to name but a few. I still do occasional martial arts and I’m 80 in November.

Well, if you are going to go you may as well go doing what you like.”

Dr Adrian O’Sullivan (WL 195458), a former intelligence linguist, has published The Baghdad Set: Iraq through the Eyes of British Intelligence, 1941-45, an account of covert operations in Iraq during the Second World War based on archival documents, diaries, and memoirs. He examines the activities of the Allied secret services (CICI, SOE, SIS, and OSS) in Iraq, and the Axis initiatives planned or mounted against them.

Adrian now lives and writes in semi-retirement on the west coast of Canada.

Peter Stone (WL 1959-64) sent us this note about Jim McClure (see issue No. 3, P. 34). “I was very sad to read of the death of Jim. He was a contemporary of mine at King’s, a good OKS

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Images, clockwise from top left: 1947 Haymakers poster; Phyllis & Christopher; Adrian O Sullivan’s The Baghdad Set

friend in those years, and – yes, he was a truly outstanding Falstaff. I will always remember Jim for a moment in my gap year travels in 1968, when we literally walked into each other on a pavement in Asuncion, Paraguay! It was a huge surprise for us both. Jim was working for the Bank of London and South America (BOLSA). By contrast I had just arrived on an overnight bus from Brazil, and it was one of the two moments in my gap year when I was definitely at a low ebb.

I was in the grip of some food poisoning, and my (sleepless) bus journey had been pretty awful.

Also I had realized rather suddenly that, after five months ‘on the road’ in the Caribbean and Brazil, and despite some earning jobs, I was almost out of money. It was clear I would need to forgo my pride and telegram my father for a loan. But I kept these things to myself, enjoyed some catching up with Jim, and agreed to meet him at lunchtime when he had done a little gentle banking!

Over lunch he said I must stay a few days with him and immediately added that, if I was happy to do so, I could ‘earn my corn’ and in fact be a great help to him. He explained that at the weekend he was going to be throwing his debut drinks party in Asuncion and wanted to make a good impression. However he was aware how much preparation he needed to do for it. I readily fell in with this invitation (of course!) and then, seeing it as my cue, admitted to my two problems of the moment. I asked if he could help me solve those. “Of course – delighted!” he said, looking (in his rather baggy suit) more like a genial Falstaff than ever! So, the sequel was – I was sent off to a local doctor straight after lunch, and later that afternoon, with Jim’s help, I sent a telegram to my father in England via BOLSA. With me then quickly restored to health, free of money worries – and in residence – Jim put me to work. He had me buying in food and drink, cleaning up his house and garden, preparing canapés, and lifting a lot of furniture around.

On the night of the party I was the dedicated barman, but the busy host Jim somehow found the time to introduce me to more of his new friends out there. Fifty-one years ago now, but I remember it all vividly. Talk about being rescued by an exotic, faraway moment of the Old School Tie!” 23

OKS UPDATE

1960s David Hews (MR 1960-64) has been leading a prayer team into Parliament each week for 21 years. “However, over the last year we have been inside Parliament covering every Brexit debate and vote, praying for God’s will to be done. We also meet once a month with a number of the Christian MPs. I have also frequently appeared on Revelation TV’s Politics Today programme and spoken at large ‘Prayer for the Nation’ gatherings at Wembley Arena.”

Nicholas King (MR 1963-68) had in his words “an abiding interest” in the history of the East Kent bus company since his schooldays. “Paul Pollak would doubtless endorse this!“ He goes on to say that “in the summer of 1960 the school purchased a redundant Leyland coach from East Kent, which was used for a student trip to Moscow; a pretty ambitious venture in those days.” Nick wrote up the official history of the company to date in the 1970s (there is a copy in the School Library) and now edits Invicta, the monthly newsletter of the M&D and East Kent Bus club. “Having given up driving last year because of my sight problems, I donated my personal registration to East Kent, who in token of my work as their unofficial historian have placed it on a bus which is regularly used on service 16 to and from Folkestone – a journey I made six days a week as a day-boy when at the School.”

Michael Stanger (MR 1964-69) has retired from his occupation as a selfemployed architect, lives in London and continues to paint, as he has done all his life. He would welcome any news from Marlowe pupils from his era.

Harry Christophers (MR 1967-72) renewed his loyalty to Canterbury by bringing The Sixteen to open the Canterbury Festival with the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610. It was a spectacular performance and the soloists included tenor Mark Dobell (GL 1987-92). The choir’s 40th anniversary has been marked by the publication of A New Heaven: Harry Christophers and The Sixteen by Sara 24

Right: Roger Mallion

by Raymond’s headstone Below: A New Heaven

Mohr-Pietsch of Radio 3. This records a series of eight conversations with Harry. He speaks of his time at the Choir School and at King’s – with Allan Wicks and Edred Wright – and provides a fascinating insight into the role of a conductor.

Patrick Williams (LN) and Stephen Barlow (GR, both 1968-72) had a musical and distinguished OKS, Canon Roger Symon (GR/ LN 1948-54), to introduce their annual Flute and Piano Recital in the Crypt on 18 May. A full and appreciative audience listened, in the second half, firstly to a transcription of part of Messiaen’s Meditations on the Holy Spirit and then to Five songs without words in which Robert Scott’s Il pleure dans ma Coeur found its place between Fauré and Poulenc. “This song is a miniature masterpiece, French in its idiom” said Stephen, though Robert (Common Room 1956-91) would have preferred it with words!

Former KSC Staff Hubert Pragnell, Robert Mathews and Roger Mallion went to Brockwood Cemetery, Surrey on 18 May for the dedication and consecration (by the Orthodox Church) of Raymond OKS

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Butt’s (KSC Staff 1968-98) headstone. Hilary Hullah also attended. Brookwood Cemetery has its own ‘station, halt, platform or stopping place’ (closed in 1941) which is duly recorded in Raymond’s Directory of Railway Stations.

1970s

Left: Michael Law Below: Chris Elliott on top of Bealach na Bà on the Applecross Peninsular in Scotland in July 2017

equivalent to walking in a straight line from Rye to Taipai. He wore out twelve pairs of walking boots. During his walks Chris saw some amazing wildlife, including pine martins, a wild cat and a Sea Eagle attacking two Canada Geese. His worst experience was crawling on all fours through mud on a Highland Cattle trail whilst carrying 18kg on his back, and not knowing if he would meet a Highland cow coming the other way. It was an experience he likened to ‘bog snorkelling’!

Chris was struck by the kindness of strangers, who, on innumerable occasions, invited him into their houses for refreshments. Chris has published 20 books about his walk under the pseudonym Richard Whiting.

Michael Law (WL 1973-78) will be playing the King’s School Malthouse Theatre on 18 December. His cabaret show, replete with songs and anecdotes, is accompanied by a Christmas banquet. Michael is the founder of the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra and has a special affinity for the superb comic and sentimental songs of Sir Noël Coward. Tickets can be purchased via malthousetheatre.co.uk at £49.95 which includes the banquet.

Chris Elliott (GL 1974-78) completed a self-supported walk around the coastline of mainland Britain in August, which he had been doing in stages over the last few years.

Chris took 488 days to cover 6,160 miles and climbed 448,194 feet of ascent. He also walked a corresponding amount of descent as well. He set out from Rye in May 2009 and to begin with just walked during his holidays.

Chris retired from work in 2013 and started walking in earnest. The distance walked is roughly OKS

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Mark Dowie (WL 1974-79) was appointed Chief Executive of the RNLI in May 2019. Mark was Lifeboat Operations Manager at Salcombe Lifeboat Station for two years. A keen sailor, Mark spent eight years in the Royal Navy. He was most recently CEO, Corporate and Institutional Bank at Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for 20,000 people in 62 countries.

Matthew Townshend (LN 1974-79) brought his new production of Hobson’s Choice to the Malthouse Theatre in October. With Allo!

Allo!’s John D Collins in the title role and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Natasha Cox, Harold Brighouse’s play included Matthew in the cast and was first seen last year at the Key Theatre, Peterborough before moving to London and more recently was the last of four main plays that were performed by mtproductions in the Summer Repertory of Theatre on the Coast at Southwold Arts Centre, Suffolk, a season that received universal praise. Amongst the other productions was the first professional debut since its premiere of Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s A Bunch of Amateurs. Matthew was doubly engaged in the Canterbury theatre scene this autumn since his company co-produced Rona Munro’s new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein performed at the Marlowe in September as part of a nationwide tour into 2020. Stewart Ross (Common Room 1974-89) contributed an accompanying resource book to support the production’s Education and Outreach work.

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Frances Judd, QC (GL 1976-78) is one of seven Justices of the High Court recently approved

by The Queen. She has also been given the honour of Damehood. Frances was called to the Bar (M) in 1984 and took Silk in 2006. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2002 and was authorised as a Deputy High Court Judge sitting in the Family Division in 2011.

She has been a Governor of King’s since 2013. By chance, her appointment is consequent on the retirement of an OKS, Mr Justice Bodey (David Bodey, MO 1961-66), and as head of Harcourt Chambers she was succeeded by another OKS, Nick Goodwin (TR 1984-89), who is himself a deputy High Court Judge.

Edmund de Waal (MR 1977-81) unveiled in May (Venice Bienniale) half of a two-part Installation inside a 16th century synagogue in the Venetian Ghetto, entitled Psalm. This he described as a “library of exile”. After Venice, it will move to Dresden and then the British Museum; ideally, it would end up in Mosul. Meanwhile, his first American museum installation, Elective Affinities, opened in the summer in the Frick Museum, New York.

and are each made of a single crystal of nickel. He also looked at the safety of products, and the contribution made by all branches of ‘STEM’.

Left: Frances Judd Below: Dr Mike Percival

Robin Hunter (GL 1978-83) took a turn as the pretentious waiter in the latest Heinz commercial, horrified to see musician Ed Sheeran smother his ‘fancy’ food in Tomato Ketchup.

Thomas de Waal (MR 1979-83) is a Senior Fellow with Carnegie Europe, specialising in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. In an article for them (22 August) he warned that the breakup of the UK might follow Brexit, and referred to the dissolution of two other unions, the USSR and Czechoslovakia, as parallels. Once the ‘big brother’ nation goes in another direction the smaller nations (he had Scotland particularly in mind) are liable to split away, he warned.

1980s Mark Humphriss (MR/MT 1980-85) has become Diocesan Secretary of Oxford, one of the largest dioceses in the country, covering Berkshire, Bucks and Oxon. After twelve sometimes fraught years in a senior administrative post at the University of Bath, Mark sees this new role as a real vocation. Prior to Bath, he worked for seventeen years with the Church Commissioners, and related causes like the Church Urban Fund and the Lambeth Conference.

Natascha Engel (MT 1983-85), whose appointment as the first Commissioner for Shale Gas we reported in our last issue, resigned in April, frustrated by the successes of hostile activists.

Dr Mike Percival (LN 1977-82), Global Head of Manufacturing Engineering at Rolls-Royce, gave a fascinating talk at King’s on 21 March. He discussed some of the extraordinary technologies which make a modern jet engine work – from hollow titanium fan blades with an internal girder structure, to turbine blades which operate in gas above their own melting temperature 26

Justin Marozzi (MR 1984-89) has spent many years working in and observing some of the world’s most dangerous places, but his latest book, Islamic Empires – Fifteen Cities that Define a Civilisation emphasises rather the achievements of Islamic civilisation, which was “once the envy of the world… its cities unrivalled powerhouses of artistic grandeur, commercial power, spiritual sanctity and forward-looking OKS

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thinking”. Published on 29 August, the book tells the story of Islam over fifteen centuries through its major cities and dynasties, from the Abbasids of Baghdad and the Umayyads of Damascus and Cordoba to the merchant republic of Beirut in the 19th century and “the irrepressible Maktoum dynasty of Dubai and the astonishing rise of Doha in the 21st century.” Justin’s last book, Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood (2014) won the Royal Society of Literature’s Ondaatje Prize.

Top left: Justin Marozzi, Mogadishu 2014 Top right: Indoor Champions. Ben Cooper is far left, back row Bottom: Pengelly Retreat – Ruth, Jim and their daughter

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Jim Watkins (SH 1984-89) and wife Ruth Milligan (BS/ JR 1991-93) have embarked on a “massive life and career change (but a good one)” when they left office jobs in the luxury travel industry and IT and moved from Oxfordshire to West Cornwall in 2016. They set up a new business together – a rural retreat with low-key but luxurious holiday accommodation by a wild swimming lake. “Making the big move hasn’t all been plain sailing but we wouldn’t swap it for the world. We enjoy life in Cornwall with the fresh air, the amazing beaches, the work/life balance, meeting guests from around the world and having the opportunity to set up a business from scratch with all its fun and challenges. We

are surrounded by nature so it’s very private and peaceful.” pengellyretreat.co.uk Ben Cooper (MT 1985-90) was a member of the Canterbury Cricket Club team who were crowned ECB National Indoor Champions at Lord’s on 31 March. He had also been a winner in 2011. Ben (18 not out) hit the winning runs in the final as Canterbury won with four balls to spare.

Iain Overton (BR 1986-91) investigates the world of the suicide bomber in his book The Price of Paradise: how the suicide bomber shaped the modern world (2013). He categorises it as a weapon of mass destruction that has harmed over a quarter of a million people since its first use.

Iain travels from St Petersburg to the Shinto temples of Japan, from Sri Lanka to Hamasenclaves in Palestine, to trace the origins of the modern-day suicide bomber. Iain says: “I certainly felt the ghosts of my own history lessons with Dr Richard Maltby (Common Room 1981-2014) peering over my shoulder when writing this book. The notion of sacrifice for the virtues of a revolution were laid down during the French Revolution, and the Terror that engulfed France thereafter – something that has framed the suicide bomber’s actions, from Russia to Iran, Afghanistan to New York ever since. At King’s I was driven by two things: a love of history and being part of the CCF. I guess my lifelong relationship with the past and conflict, one by which I have been to over 25 war zones, continues.”

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1990s Jack Fox (SH 1999-2004) stars in ITV’s latest costume drama Sanditon, Andrew Davies’s reworking of Jane Austen’s unfinished final work of which only 24,000 words were written. Jack plays the fortune-hunting Sir Edward Denham and recently starred as Nico Eltham in Sky’s drama, Riviera.

2000s

Matt Willifer (TR 1987-91) ran for England in the Marathon last year. And this year for Great Britain, in the half marathon, in the Masters World Championships. He came ninth in his age group 45yrs and over and third in GB, helping GB win Gold.

Mat Lister (MR 1997-99) raised nearly £2,700 for St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield by cycling from Canterbury to Sheffield (275m). The Linacre Housemaster dedicated his ride to the wonderful staff who looked after his ‘Nanny’ who was diagnosed with cancer and died age 93 in April.

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Top: Jack Fox as Sir Edward Denham Photo by kind permission ITV Left: Matt Willifer on the right

Rosanna Tennant (MT 2000-05) played The Spirit of Cricket in the musical Epilogue to the Old Stagers. Their productions (in Cricket Week) go back 177 years, and their Agatha Christie this year was the first outside production in the School’s new Malthouse Theatre.

Alex Davies (MO 2002-07) is Head Distiller at the Kyoto Distillery founded in 2015 and at the forefront of the growth in Japanese craft gins.

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Lucy Baker (BR 2006-11) has published an illustrated guide to the do’s and don’ts of modern-day dating called Swipe Left: how to succeed at Modern Dating (2019). When Lucy isn’t writing she works as a creative at PR and advertising agency The Romans in London. “I just did this on the side for fun! I’ve always loved drawing and writing.”

Clementine Butler-Gallie (LX 2007-12) is an independent curator living in Germany. “I began my art historical career in the classrooms of King’s, the influence of which has inspired my work ever since. I continued my studies at Christie’s Education, London and Glasgow University, and London galleries. Moving to Berlin in 2016, I began working on cultural projects that incorporate social and political angles that reflect the times of Europe. These have led me to set up the charity Hangar 1, offering creative workshops for new asylum seekers, and the exhibition room and artist residency East of Elsewhere.” eastofelsewhere.org

Their first gin – Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin – was launched in 2016 to worldwide acclaim.

Maryam Lawal (LX 2004-09) founded the House of African Art (HAART) in 2018. Maryam, a British-Nigerian lawyer, has had a lifelong passion for the arts with a particular focus on artwork from the African continent. Primarily inspired by the burgeoning art scene in Lagos, Maryam aims to give artists from the continent and African diaspora greater support and wider recognition. HAART currently works with artists originating from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast. She also hopes to break away from the traditional art gallery experience, with pop-up exhibitions encompassing music, poetry and live performances in addition to the visual arts.

Maryam was interviewed on 25 August on Sky News’ Sunrise breakfast programme and recently held her second exhibition in October at the Copeland Gallery in South London. houseofafricanart.com OKS

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Top left: Maryam Lawal Top right: Lucy Baker Bottom right: Freddie Allinson (back row, second from right)

Freddie Allinson (SH 2012-2018) won bronze at the European U23 Rowing Championships in Greece with the Great Britain men’s eight.

They were narrowly beaten to second by Ukraine following a fierce battle, with Romania taking gold. The former school captain of boats returned to training alongside King’s pupils at Westbere Lake in September.

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Jake Werth (MR 2013-15) will be debuting the Jake Werth Trio at Pizza Express, Dean St, Soho on 18 January, 2020. Robbie Ellison (TR 201015) joins Jake in the Trio with a set of swinging straight ahead jazz on the cards.

Top: Charlie Watson Saracens v Wasps Photo courtesy of Saracens Below: Tilly Abbott and mum Kate

Charlie Watson (CY 2013-18) made his senior debut for Saracens against Wasps on 21 September, helping the first XV to a 50-28 victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Charlie is at Cambridge University studying Natural Sciences.

Tilly Abbott (BR 2016-18) rowed a marathon a day from 2-8 September to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, smashing her £750 target with a total of £3,170. The 300km rowathon took place on Westbere Lake “under the keen supervision of my brother, my father, and of course Director of Rowing Jon Williamson.”

Tilly is raising money for the charity following her mum Kate’s (GR 1982-84, Senior Sister KSC Health Centre) diagnosis this summer.

Tilly is just embarking on her second year at Durham University.

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OKS CHRISTMAS DRINKS Jingle all the way over to the annual drinks on Thursday 28 November at the Vintry, Abchurch Yard in the heart of the City of London.

You need bring nothing but your Christmas spirit to enjoy drinks and nibbles courtesy of the OKS Association. You must book to get onto the guest list as space is limited. We do have a few guest tickets available for £20.00.

Please bring ID if you are under 21.

Tickets are available from The King’s School Box Office kings-school.co.uk or call 01227 595778

OKS MAY REUNIONS 2020 SAVE THE DATE! — 1970–99 Leavers 1970-99 please join us on Saturday 16 May for an informal lunchtime buffet.

OKS and their families will be welcome.

— Up to 1969 Leavers up to and including 1969 please join us on Sunday 17 May for a drinks reception and sit-down lunch.

Details of these two big OKS events will be out soon and booking will be online at the kings-school.co.uk/ boxoffice or call 01227 595672/595778

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UNKNOWN OKS № 23

Leaving their mark: Schoolboy graffiti in the Mint Yard

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N THE WALLS beside the Green Court Gate are carved the names of numerous King’s School boys. Several of those responsible can be identified and all seem to be from the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. Many are unknown, however, as some inscriptions are undated, or are now illegible, or could refer to several different boys. Even when names are readable, it is not always possible to discover much about the perpetrators’ lives. The following are a few of the more prominent signatures.

① W W is likely to be William Waddell (KSC 1725-28) one of several OKS from this prominent Canterbury family. His father Henry (possibly KSC c1698-1702) may well have been Vicar of Preston and the extensive papers of his own son Henry (KSC 1750-55) are in the Cathedral Archives.

② Edward Benson (KSC 1735-39) was both son and father of OKS. He went to St John’s College, Cambridge and became a barrister. He succeeded his younger brother Thomas (KSC 1736-39) as Auditor of Canterbury Cathedral in 1778 and died in 1801. Three of his sons were King’s Scholars, including another Edward, who succeeded him, briefly, as Auditor, and his great nephew Henry has featured as Unknown OKS no. 11.

③ Henry Friend (KSC 1748-55) miscalculated his carving, but could be forgiven as he was only 14 in 1749. He was a son of George Friend, gentleman, of Birchington Place, and Sarah, née Austen. (The family home, later known as Birchington Hall, was demolished in the 1970s.)

He went to St John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a Scholar; and was ordained. He was then Rector of Frittenden in Kent for 44 years until his death in 1805.

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④ Stephen Tucker (KSC 1771-81) should have known better. He was the son of the Revd John Tucker (KSC 1733-39), who was Lower Master 1755-76. Furthermore his mother Jane was the daughter of William Gurney (KSC 1708-13), who was Lower Master 1743-55. And if that were not enough, his brother John (KSC 1763) was Lower Master (1779-82) and Headmaster (1782-85).

Stephen went to Trinity College, Cambridge and, like so many of these carvers, was ordained. He held several Kent benefices, ending as Vicar of Borden 1797-1838.

⑤ Henry Thomson (KSC 1747-48 and 1751-55) was one of five brothers at King’s. They were the sons of Thomas Thomson of Kenfield House, Petham. Henry went to St John’s College, Cambridge and was ordained. He became Vicar of Selling (1763-84), Rector of Lower Hardres (1771-1805) and Rector of Badlesmere and Leaveland (1784-1805). ‘T Smith’ could be Thomas (KSC 1745-48) or Timothy (KSC 172329) or several others. It would be nice to think that it was ⑥ Timothy Smith – and that he was following the example of his brother John nearby. He became an apothecary.

⑦ This elegant inscription might just possibly be by a future Headmaster of the School. John Smith (KSC 1686-91) won a Parker Scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He was ordained and became Vicar of Preston next Wingham in 1706. He was appointed Headmaster in 1713, but died in 1718 and was buried in the Cathedral without a monument. However it is more likely to be the work of his son (KSC 1719-23) who went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and was the brother of Timothy (see above). Or it could be any one of at least eight other boys of this name who were at the School between 1660 and 1820.

This John Smith really is an unknown OKS. OKS

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Lives Remembered

was of a very Protestant persuasion (but) John was beginning to explore the breadth and depth of ministry within the Holy Catholic Church in which (he) believed”. (Dean Robert Willis’s Address at the Solemn Requiem, 13 May 2019)

The Very Reverend Dr John Simpson OBE (Chairman of Governors 1985-2000) Stephen Woodley (Common Room 1969-98) provides this tribute to the late Dean Emeritus, who died on 26 April 2019.

J

ohn Simpson was brought by Archbishop Robert Runcie from the St Albans Diocese to be Archdeacon of Canterbury in 1981 and became Dean in 1986. From 1985 he was ex officio Chairman of King’s Governors and he continued in that role until November 2000. In his valedictory address on Speech Day in 2000 he said that he had appreciated the privilege of being part of such a Governing Body whilst living right in the middle of the School for nineteen years.

Born in Cardiff, John Simpson was educated at the local Cathays High School, learned Russian and acted as an interpreter on National Service, and then read History at Keble College, Oxford.

Drawn to Holy Orders, he trained at Clifton Theological College, was ordained in 1958, and served as a curate in Leyton and Orpington before becoming a tutor at Oak Hill Theological College, North London. There “the ecclesial tradition

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After ten years at Oak Hill, Robert Runcie, newly Bishop of St Albans, appointed John vicar of the Hertfordshire village of Ridge. These were happy years, as John combined this with becoming Director of Ordinands for the diocese. Once Runcie was enthroned in Canterbury, “he was quick to build a team of people he knew and trusted”. (Church Times) John and Ruth, with their children Rebecca, Damian and Helen, moved into the Archdeaconry in 1981, and over the years developed friendships with staff, their families, and pupils, and richly appreciated the School’s musical glories and Andrew Dobbin’s productions: “one stands out, A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the garden of no. 29 under the great copper beech, with three Pucks, not one; it was magic”. (Speech Day 2000) As head of the Cathedral Foundation for fourteen years John Simpson got an immense amount done. The fabric was renewed; the entire floor of the Nave was repaved; and most of all there was to be the building (called at first the Education Centre) which is now the International Study Centre, with the 32-bedroom Lodge within it. “In the beginning that particular vision must have taken massive courage”. (Dean Robert) Turning to the School, in the 1999-2000 OKS Review Richard Sturt (Governor, former Clerk to the Governors, parent) described how in 1981 the School had raised more than £1m. by disposing of the New Dover Road site but that in many respects the development of assets and a reserve fund had only just begun: “the Synagogue, Cleary Art Gallery and St Augustine’s had not been acquired, there had been hardly any development either at King’s or JKS, there was no Recreation Centre and no JKS Sports Hall.”

On John’s becoming Chairman in 1985 there were other decisions to be made besides plant. Firstly, there was teaching staff pay: responding to a review that had been initiated in 1986, a considerably more generous scale OKS

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for the Common Room was implemented from 1987. Much bigger, of course, was the decision on all-through co-education (carrying with it the corollary of moving towards full co-employment). The inevitability of King’s adopting this, as it did with the admission of the first Shell girls in 1990, perhaps seems greater now than at the time; there was still a decision for the Governors to make.

One other major decision lay ahead: whether or not to purchase St Augustine’s, given that the School’s lease would run out in 2001. It would be hard now to envisage King’s without its five St Augustine’s houses, but there was no certainty at the time.

Negotiations with the Trustees were suspended in 1990, and that the purchase was finally secured, in November 1993, owed much to two firm allies of John’s, Nick Lewis (Bursar 1989-2002) and Eric Vallis.

In his tribute in the Church Times, the Revd John Witheridge wrote that John Simpson “brought to the cathedral a remarkable set of skills and enthusiasms, a deep appreciation of Canterbury’s historical and international importance, a meticulous and theatrical sense of the liturgy, and an energetic and imaginative drive to improve and enhance that glorious building and its facilities”. Both Cathedral and School have reason to be grateful.

We record thanks for John Simpson’s deep commitment to the School, and his concern for its long-term good, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to Ruth and the family.

Left: John Simpson Right: Tony Venner Photo: Solo Syndication

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Tony Venner (GR 1935-39) We thank Richard Thorne, CEO at C J Thorne, for sending us Tony’s eulogy, parts of which have been used below.

T

ony Venner was sent to board at King’s in 1935, leaving six weeks before the outbreak of war in 1939. Tony obtained credits in all his subjects except Latin, which he had to re-take to become a Member of the Civil Engineers. He worked in construction, a reserved occupation, after leaving school, so he was not called up. Tony remembered being sent to North Yorkshire to build an airfield called Croft during a very cold winter in 1940. Joining the Army in 1943, Tony was commissioned into King George V’s Own Bengal Sappers and Miners Regiment and spent 1944-47 in India. He became Captain in Charge of the Hill Training School on Geelam River in Punjab and then Guard in charge of Water Supplies to Calcutta City during a difficult period of civil disobedience when Tony was ordered to bury thousands killed in a religious massacre. The effect of religious strife in this period left an indelible mark on him.

Returning to England, Tony qualified as a Civil Engineer and met his wife Joan and married in 1953. He joined civil engineering company, Shellabear Price Contractors, rising through the ranks to become Managing Director in 1966.

Tony was a member of the British Standards Committee where he was instrumental in drawing up the British Standards for the “Design and Construction of Water Retaining Structures”, which is still in current use.

After moving on from Shellabear Price, Tony acquired a local earthmoving company, Douglas Hamilton Ltd. Tony used his expertise and experience to expand the business into the water industry where his reputation was so well established. One of his many achievements was the design and construction of a series 35

LIVES REMEMBERED

of reinforced concrete service reservoirs. His innovative ideas achieved substantial savings on previous costs.

In 1987, now at the age of 66, Tony joined forces with civil engineers C J Thorne. Tony’s boundless energy, enthusiasm and innovation opened up the world of Design and Construction to us at Thornes, and much of the credit for the subsequent awards we received for various projects must go to him. He will forever have our grateful thanks.

Whilst Tony became less physically active as he grew older, his mind was as sharp as ever. His

interest in our Company never wavered, and he was always available to give his much-valued advice. In later years, his pet project was to get the council to build a single deck above existing car parks to alleviate parking problems in Tunbridge Wells.

Tony was also Master of the Cantuarian Lodge and was a member for 55 years. He achieved London Grand Rank and was Charity Steward as well. He was very active in the Lodge’s charity activities including the donation of the clock in the Shirley Hall to mark its opening in 1957.

Right: 1951 1st X1 Cricket Standing, left to right: Monty Skinner, Miles Mallinson, David Moore, John Phillips, Michael Cowan, Joe Frampton Seated, left to right: George Hackett, Patrick Walker, Basil Lee, Stephen Young, Dicky Norris

Tony died on 1 June 2019.

Anthony Price (MO 1942-47)

A

nthony Price joined the Junior School in September 1939 and entered Meister Omers, then in the Carlyon Bay Hotel, in September 1942. A school monitor, a sergeant in the JTC and Secretary of the Debating Society, he left in 1947 with an Open Exhibition in History to Merton College, Oxford.

He wrote two house plays that showed his burgeoning literary talent. The first in 1946 was about the death of Odet de Coligny, Cardinal de Chatillon, at Canterbury in 1571. (RW Harris responded to the young dramatist by writing an article on the historical background in The Cantuarian of July 1947.) The second in 1947 was a murder mystery set in 1833 and entitled ‘Breaking Point’. The cast included the Headmaster’s daughter Janet Shirley, the housemaster’s wife Mrs Bailey (as the murdered woman) and Price himself as Mr Charberry.

After national service and a history degree, he turned to journalism. His working life was spent with the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times: he eventually became editor of the latter. His national reputation, however, was as the author of civilised and intelligent thrillers.

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Left: Anthony Price Photo by kind permission Nick Jones existentialennui.com

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Miles Mallinson (MO 1947-51) Jeremy Mallinson OBE (MO 1950 -54) sent this tribute to his brother Miles.

I

In May 1969 Livia Gollancz wrote to Anthony about the possibility of him producing a history of the detective story: “From the evidence of the reviews you write in the Oxford Mail, I think you must be one of the best read thriller critics at present writing”. When they met, Anthony spoke of the novel he was writing and

by September he reported to her that it was completed. “I have tried to combine elements of the mystery and spy genres without the violence which I feel is rather overdone in the latter these days. I have also only used authentic background material…”

Gollancz liked The Labyrinth Makers and it was published in 1970 – the first of nineteen novels ending with The Memory Trap (1989).

(The Gollancz files for all his thrillers are now in the Walpole Collection.) His espionage stories were set in the present but made good use of historical background. One of the best known was Other Paths to Glory (1974) in which events at the Battle of the Somme were central to the plot. The book received the Crime Writers’ Association’s Gold Dagger Award.

He died on 30 May 2019 aged 90 and is survived by two sons and a daughter. Obituaries were published in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian.

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n 1947 Miles arrived at King’s where he was very much an all-round sportsman. He soon gained his School Colours as a wicket-keeper and opening batsman, playing for the 1st XI in his second year. He was also in the 1st X1 hockey and 1st XV rugby teams and played squash and fenced for the school. The years 1950-51 were when his good friends Dicky Norris, Patrick Walker and Bill Hackett played with him in the school’s most successful hockey team, and within a year or so of leaving King’s the latter three were selected to play for England; with Dicky Norris subsequently representing Great Britain at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.

After leaving school, Miles spent a short time in our father’s wine and spirit business in Yorkshire.

Whilst in Yorkshire he played senior County League cricket for Ilkley, and during the summer he was playing for them the team won the prestigious Airedale and Wharfedale ‘Waddilove Cup’. On one occasion he was fortunate to keep wicket in the nets behind Sir Leonard Hutton, his Yorkshire County and England Test hero, at the Headingley County Ground. On leaving Yorkshire, Miles spent the summer of 1953 with the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at Trent Bridge, in order to see whether there was a future for him as a professional cricketer.

However, on hearing that some members of the Notts 1st XI had to go down the coal mines during the winter in order to be able to afford to play cricket during the summer months, he decided to take up architecture as a profession.

Miles first studied at the Hammersmith School of Art and Architecture, and after attaining his intermediate examination, he moved to study for his finals at the Architectural Association in London. After gaining his professional qualifications, Miles worked for a short time as an architect in South Africa. On returning to London, he worked for a number of architectural firms prior to becoming a partner of ’Barnsley 37

LIVES REMEMBERED

Hewett & Mallinson’, an architectural practice which soon gained a fine reputation for designing both small and large-scale innovative developments. This resulted in a diversity of design work for a variety of leading educational establishments, which included the City of London Academy, the Performing Arts Centre at New Hall School, Chelmsford, The Royal Ballet School, and well-known public schools. But what gave Miles one of his greatest delights was that his firm designed the new Pavilion at King’s, the scene of many of his earliest sporting triumphs.

Miles’s chief love in life, apart from his wife and family, remained playing cricket in the summer, and hockey during the winter. For many years he played in Hurlingham’s cricket teams. And as a member of the MCC, he played against a number of public schools, as well as being a long-standing member of the Buccaneers, of which his good friends Michael Herbert, Mike Vincent and Patrick Walker were fellow-members. During the years 1980-86, he was accompanied by his wife, Jane, on three of the Buccaneers’ overseas tours to the Far East, South Africa and Australia. Miles was a lifelong friend of Michael Herbert, and he presented one of the two tributes at Michael’s Memorial Service in Canterbury Cathedral in 2006.

For a few decades Miles played competitive squash at the Hurlingham Club, but during the 1990s he enthusiastically took up the game of Real Tennis at the Queen’s Club. And in 1998 he participated with Guy, the son from his first marriage to Sally Dodson, in touring the USA as part of the Hurlingham Club’s real tennis team, ‘The Pigeons’. During recent summers he played bowls at Hurlingham, and won nine doubles bowls trophies. Miles loved attending Test Matches at Lord’s and Twickenham internationals.

Miles died at home on 17 April 2019 at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Service took place at St. Mary’s Church, Barnes, on 22 May, with over 270 people attending the thanksgiving. Miles leaves his devoted wife, Jane, his three children, Guy, Holly and Kirsty, and seven grandchildren.

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Robin Sturgess (GR 1947-51)

R

obin passed away on 28 March 2019 at home in Rutland. Robin joined King’s in 1947 having attended Stoneygate School in Leicester under the headmastership of a Mr Rudd. During those immediate post-war years, King’s Headmaster Dr FJ ‘Fred’ Shirley was actively recruiting new pupils from the Midlands and was successful in bringing in a sizable number from Leicestershire.

Robin joined The Grange and, whilst not making a huge impact either academically or in the sporting field, used his time to develop his passion for horses and all things equestrian.

His housemaster allowed him to leave school to go riding and he took the opportunity to buy a horse locally and have it shipped back to Leicestershire, all at the tender age of 16.

His other passion was motorsport, and in the late 1950s and early 1960s he raced a number of Jaguars. Having won his race on the day pictured above in his E-Type, he changed quickly into black tie and drove to Canterbury for an OKS dinner. Then he drove to Silverstone the next morning and scored another victory. A weekend well spent!

Above: Robin Sturgess at Snetterton circuit in Norfolk

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He sent his eldest son, Christopher (TR 197679), to King’s and always took an active interest in the fortunes of the School. He was a frequent visitor to the Precincts and the Cathedral, most particularly for the Christmas Carol Service, and took great delight in introducing people to the School, some of whom then went on to send children or grandchildren to experience a King’s education.

Robin often said that if he had to move from Rutland to any other part of the country, it would be to Kent. He was very fond of the City of Canterbury and the School and was thankful for all the happy memories and long-standing friendships they brought.

Neil de Voil

Ian Bacon

(GR 1952-58)

(MR 1953-58)

Ann de Voil sent us this note about her husband Neil.

Louis Wery (LX 1972-75, OKS Florida Rep.) sent us this obituary on behalf of Ian’s wife, Galen.

N

I

eil passed away on 22 April 2019 aged 79 in Leicester’s LOROS Hospice after a short illness. He will be so much missed. He started his association with King’s at Milner Court in 1948. In 1958 he went to study Law at Nottingham University and was articled to a well-established firm in Leicester. He rose to the position of Senior Partner at Freer, Bouskell & Co. and retired five years ago.

Right: Ian Bacon and Tom Ransley pictured in 2017

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an died at Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, Florida on 17 April 2018. Ian was the epitome of an English Gentleman. He was gracious, soft spoken, intelligent, generous, kind and very well-liked by all.

Born in Canterbury in 1940, Ian worked in property development after leaving King’s, working in Spain, Barbados and eventually in the United States. In 1978 he moved his family to work at Forest City in Cleveland, Ohio. After his retirement in 2003 he and Galen moved to Sarasota, Florida. He was an avid golfer and loved his weekly volunteering at the Southeastern Guide Dogs where the puppies had to learn commands via his British accent. Ian had a delightful, dry sense of humour and a calm thoughtfulness.

Ian was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Galen, his daughter Sarah Lyons, son Jonathan Bacon and granddaughter Sage Lyons. During his illness and his death, Ian displayed the same dignity by which he led his life.

Ian was pictured with Olympian OKS Tom Ransley in OKS Magazine (No.1).

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LIVES REMEMBERED

Left: Neil Mellor Right: Richard Freeman

Neil Mellor

Richard Freeman

(LX 1960-1964)

(WL 1958-63)

N

R

eil attended The King’s School from the age of 14. He met his wife Gillian when they both worked at NatWest Bank and they were married in 1972. In 1974 they had a daughter followed by two sons and later three grandsons.

Retiring from NatWest aged 54, Neil worked as a payroll officer for a firm of accountants until he retired at the age of 65. In April 2016 Neil was diagnosed with CLL Leukaemia and was put on a ‘wait and watch’ programme. He had blood tests and check-ups every six months, but the consultant said old age would get him before the leukaemia did.

In February 2019, Neil caught a cold which developed into a chest infection. He was admitted to hospital on 27 February with sepsis and died peacefully the next day, aged 72, from multiple organ failure. Neil leaves behind a wife Gillian, a daughter Victoria, two sons Alexander and James, and three grandsons Callum, Drew and William.

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ichard was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School from 1952-57 and from King’s he won a choral scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he read Jurisprudence, graduating with a BA degree in 1967 and subsequently an MA. Richard was not only a singer but also a talented sportsman, excelling both in rugby football and rowing. He was the first – and so far the only – academical clerk (choral scholar) from Magdalen College to have been awarded a Blue with the Oxford University Boat Club as a member of the Oxford crew that won in 1966. Richard also raced at Henley during his school, university, and postuniversity years. He and his brother Chris (WL 1959-64) rowed together in many highly successful crews, were both in the Oxford 1966 Boat Race crew, and together won many rowing trophies between 1961-67, including the OUBC Pair Oars and the OUBC Double Sculls in 1964 and 1965.

Upon graduating from Oxford University, Richard began a career in the petroleum industry, first with British Petroleum and then with Texaco. After a brief posting in Nigeria, his career took him to the United States, where he OKS

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Right: Adrian Hill

met his wife Ann while they were both singing in a professional choir in New York City. Richard continued to enjoy making music with Ann for the rest of his life, eventually also getting to share this passion with his children.

A successful career as a business executive took Richard and his family around the world, including long-term posts in the United Arab Emirates and Russia. He retired as head of Texaco’s Moscow office and President of the Timan-Pechora Company in 2002.

After decades of living internationally with his family, he enjoyed a quiet retirement, building a house on his farm in Delaware, USA, making music with loved ones, and visiting friends and family in the UK. A tenor and pianist, Richard was an avid musician and lover of classical music, especially small ensemble and choral music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Richard died at home on 20 August 2019, after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He leaves behind Ann, his wife of 39 years, and children Andrew, Charlotte and George.

Paul White (LX 1961-65)

U

pon leaving King’s, Paul joined the family law firm White & Co., where he qualified as a solicitor and became Clerk to the Girdlers’ Company. He married Elizabeth and they had three children: Victoria, John and Philip.

Unfortunately, his promising professional career and personal life were cut short in 1988 by a skiing accident, which left him brain-damaged.

He lived the remainder of his life with his father in Chilham, until his father died in 2018. Sadly he never fully got over the loss of his father but died peacefully at home on 30 June 2019 after a short illness. Paul leaves five grandchildren: Jack, Margot, Lucinda, Holly and George. His daughter Victoria is Board Chair of a local preschool for deaf and multiply-disabled children and son Philip is a teacher.

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Adrian Hill (MO 1971-76)

F

rom an early age Adrian Hill showed a gift for music and this led to him being awarded a music scholarship to King’s. While there, he developed a keen interest in politics and history that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

He went on to read Modern History at New College, Oxford and became a highly successful banker, businessman and champion of social causes.

He spent much of his career in financial services, initially in the City and then in consumer finance where he was CEO of HFC Bank until it was acquired by HSBC and then in charge of both First Direct and M&S Bank while at HSBC. Adrian’s colleagues will remember a man who was hugely passionate about the businesses he ran and who had a unique ability to manage the details of a complex financial business, as only a highly skilled Treasurer can, yet could drive forward genuine innovation and make bold strategic decisions, taking his businesses into new areas with great success. It is Adrian the man, however, that colleagues and friends will remember so fondly. His academic demeanour 41

LIVES REMEMBERED

and rigorously intellectual approach was always accompanied by a great sense of humour, an unfailing compassion for others and, above all an innate sense of fairness when dealing with colleagues, business associates and customers.

He was an inspirational mentor to colleagues and enjoyed nothing more than seeing those receiving his guidance develop their own flourishing careers.

He was a lover and strong supporter of the countryside and used his expertise to benefit both local causes and various charities – just one example was a micro finance initiative in Malawi.

Adrian was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife Belinda and two daughters, Jess and Elli. Adrian died on 29 March 2019 aged 61.

Jason Tees (BR 1979-84) Tim Edghill (GR 1978-84) sent us this tribute to his life-long friend who died on 1 December 2018.

J

ason spent the first three years of his life in Assam, India. In 1970, the family moved to Dubai, which was followed by stints in Iran, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain. His father, David, was an engineer, and gave Jason lasting cultural and global perspectives. His mother, Hannah, was a strong and loving matriarch.

His first school was the English School, Dubai, then St Lawrence Junior School, Ramsgate, and then King’s. At King’s Jason developed his strong creative streak and love of art, a balance to his scientific mind. He excelled at painting, but also masterminded set design and loved figurine painting for war gaming. He was painting the day before he died, and made a parting gift to his brother Gordon of the last two Dungeons and Dragons lead figures that he completed.

Besides art and drama, at King’s Jason was involved with the gardening society, and was good at sport. Subsequently he became very

42

involved with the London Exiles rugby club, for whom he played the inaugural match and for 26 consecutive seasons.

From King’s, Jason went on to University College, London to study biochemical engineering.

He ran a “Friday wine club” for his fellow-students, and in his final year worked as a security guard to fund his appetite for comic books and sci-fi. After graduating, he briefly began on teacher training, but was put off that when a compass was thrown into the blackboard as he wrote on it, narrowly missing his ear. Instead, he moved into IT, and worked for a number of major corporates, creating ground-breaking systems for British Airways. A lucrative career running financial systems for JP Morgan followed.

In 2004 Jason left his City career after the birth of his second child, William, who has severe cerebral palsy. Working from nearer home, he became a valued member of the IT team at Royal Holloway College. Further to this, in 2007, following a tragic family situation, he adopted his seven-year-old niece Anna, who needed a stable and loving home. This action was typical of his strong and loyal nature.

Jason died peacefully at home after a long fight with cancer. He is survived by his daughter Molly, his son William, his adopted daughter Anna, and his siblings Gordon (MO 1979-82) and younger sister Rebecca. Donations in his memory can be made to the Princess Alice Hospice or Macmillan Cancer Support.

Above: Jason Tees • The full version of this obituary can be found on www.oks.org.uk Lives Remembered

DEATHS • Anthony (Peter) Beale (SH 1936-40) on 17 May 2019 • Peter Cashell (MO 1950-56) on 20 June 2019 • Christopher Collins (MR 1964-69) on 8 March 2019 • Christopher Gallaher (SH

1953-57) on 1 January 2019 • Revd Bruce Grainger (KSC Chaplain 1967-72) on 2 September 2019 • Colonel Anthony (John) Hamilton (GR 1951-54) on 11 March 2019 OKS

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Simon Fogarty (GR 1991-96) Simon’s wife Katy Aldrick sent us this note about her husband who died on 5 June 2019 and leaves a 7 year-old son.

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t is incredible how much you miss them when a father and husband dies. It is so very tragic Simon’s life was cut short. Simon will be loved and remembered by his family and friends forever. Rest in Peace.

Dr Dave Farrar (TR 1995-2000) David’s father Peter sent us this tribute to his son.

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avid, or Dave as he was to all his friends and colleagues, was one of life’s genuine “nice guys” who touched many lives. He made friends wherever he went, he brought people together and was liked and respected by everyone with whom he came into contact. This was recognised in his last year at prep school when he was awarded a special prize just for being a generally “top chap”, and that continued throughout his life. He loved to travel, was a great sportsman, relished a challenge and took up every opportunity and was a devoted family man all his life.

Above: Simon Fogarty Right: Dr Dave Farrar

David’s five years at King’s were enjoyed to the full, especially his final year as a Purple. He was a keen sportsman, playing rugby and cricket in his early years, and later in the school’s first teams

• Revd Basil Marshall OBE (GR 1935-40) 26 March 2019 • Lord Northbourne (Former KSC Governor) on 9 September 2019 • Robert Nowell (GR 1944-45) on 29 July 2019 • Peter Pilzer (SH 1953-58) on OKS

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18 January 2018 • Michael Read (WL 1950-52) on 20 November 2018 • Philip Snoxall (LX 1946-50) on 10 December 2018 • Richard Wykes (SH 1976-81) on 10 March 2019

for tennis and, his first love, hockey. He was an accomplished hockey player, playing in the First XI for three years, voted “Player of the year”, and in 2000 went on the school’s hockey tour to South Africa.

In 2001 David went up to Leeds University to read medicine, graduating in 2007, also gaining a BSc in Sports Science. David met Emma in 2009. In 2010, he and Emma headed off to Christchurch, New Zealand, to work in its main hospital. After a very full fifteen months there, not to mention three major earthquakes, they returned to the UK, to Bristol, in 2012, David as a GP, gaining admission to the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2015. He then split his work between a GP practice and a GP support unit at Southmead Hospital in Bristol; he was an exceptional, dedicated and popular doctor.

David and Emma were married in February 2013 and son George was born in 2015, David a devoted father. In his last three years David suffered health problems but took everything in his stride, never complaining, and always thinking of others, a feature of his whole life.

He became ill while on holiday abroad with his family and died in Harefield Hospital on 22 December 2018 after a short illness. He was 36 years old. His passing leaves a huge hole in many lives, as evidenced by the over 250 family, friends and colleagues who attended his thanksgiving service. As well as Emma and George, David is survived by a daughter, Orla, born on 8 August 2019, which would have been his 37th birthday.

• The full version of this obituary can be found on oks.org.uk Lives Remembered 43

Sport Cricketer Trophy Match Report

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n 16 June, 11 OKS cricketers arrived at Birley’s to play Old King’s Wimbledon CC on a morning that felt more like mid-November than early summer. After a delayed start due to heavy rain, the game was reduced to 43 overs a side. With the overcast conditions and a pitch that had been covered for most of the week, skipper Ruaridh MacLeod won the toss and decided to have a bowl.

Harry Mann was to take the new ball and made an early inroad, dismissing their opening batsman in the second over. However, a wet ball meant that control was hard to maintain and the King’s Wimbledon middle order were able to knuckle down and form some strong partnerships.

James Hearn (1-48) did a great job holding up one end and bowled his allotted 9 overs in one spell. The drinks break came at a good time for the OKS and a solid bowling partnership between Ruaridh MacLeod (3-36) and Patch Mitchell (1-65) combined with outstanding energy in the field led by Arthur Chilcott, assisted Charlie Kingsman

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(1-37) to stem the flow of runs towards the back end of the innings. KCS Wimbledon ending with 236-9 off their 43 overs.

With a large total on the board to chase down, OKS knew that they had to make the most of the first power play and try to get ahead of the rate from the go. One or two reckless shots combined with some useful bowling meant that King’s found themselves 30-4 after 10 overs, with no.3 batsman Jack Masters back in the hutch.

Charlie MacLeod (47) and Harry Pattinson (27) met in the middle and batted very responsibly for the only notable partnership of the innings.

OKS were bowled out in the 37th over, falling 99 runs short of the target. The team were: Ruaridh MacLeod, James Hearn, Jack Masters, Charlie MacLeod, Patrick Mitchell, Louis GlynnWilliams, Harry Pattinson, Charlie Kingsman, Arthur Chilcott, Jamie Adams and Harry Mann.

Ruaridh MacLeod (TR 2007-12) OKS Cricketer Trophy Rep. OKS

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Left: The Cricketer Cup team

OKS Football

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fter a couple of years’ hiatus from the Arthurian League, the OKS football club was rekindled in 2016 by club captain James Morpeth but had to wait until the start of the 2017/18 season for readmission into the league.

As league rules state, ‘All clubs rejoining the league have to start from Division 5’. Division 5 is an enigma in that it is made up both of teams extremely talented who are joining the league and will be pushing for honours in the premier league in five seasons’ time and those teams who struggle to get out of the bottom division of what we like to refer to as ‘semi-professional’ football.

Last season however we gained promotion from Division 5 and are now looking to battle for honours and promotion from Division 4. We also reached a cross-league final, but sadly just lost out on lifting the trophy. OKS consistently have a squad of old boys playing league football every weekend from September to May and are of course honoured to still be fighting hammer and tongs for the King’s Crest.

James Morpeth (LN 2006-11), OKS Football Rep.

OKS O2 Touch Rugby League

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he OKS entered a team for the Thursday Men’s League Spring season which started on 25 April at Wandsworth Common. Despite a disappointing refereeing performance in our grading game which led to a loss against a very experienced Kiwi team, we were confident enough in our abilities to get the official league matches off to a winning start.

We were up against our old rivals in The Demons, a team we’ve come up against thrice in the previous years with the head-to-head record reading P3 W1 L1 D1. Hence we were out to set the record straight. We were full of innate OKS inspired – grit, determination and passion but on this occasion an odd chromosome had been added to our DNA: ‘Talent’.

Well, we were playing so well that we didn’t notice the opposition score their three tries as we were celebrating another well-worked manoeuvre. OKS beat The Demons 8 tries to 3.

Freddy Clode (TR 2006-11)

OKS Golf

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he OKS Golfing Society has a new Captain. Dr Jonny Hudsmith (MT 1985-90) took up the reins from Chris Jackson after the AGM in the Spring. Duncan Cox (MT 1985-90) took over from Peter Holmes-Johnson as Hon. Treasurer.

If you are interested in joining any of the OKS sports clubs please contact oks@ kings-school.co.uk

OKS

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Under Chris Jackson’s careful nurturing, we have developed a golf society that is the envy of many other schools. The Society’s goal is to continue to blend strong amateur golf, in the form of our Halford Hewitt and Grafton Morrish teams, with a keen focus on wider participation for OKS to play with old school friends, in a competitive and convivial environment and on some great courses.

The OKS Golfing Society welcomes golfers of all abilities, with handicaps ranging from low single figures to more social golfers. The Society has committed to subsidise golf significantly for our younger members (under 30). This creates a great opportunity for recent school leavers to meet up with their peers for a day’s golf.

Many OKS will have played golf at school, but if you didn’t have the opportunity and now find yourself playing, do come and join us at one of our meetings.

• You can find out more at oks.org.uk/sport/golf 45

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Cyril Gray Golf Ed Lines (LN 1975-80) reports on the Cyril Gray (50+) Golf Tournament in June.

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warm but windy Worplesdon greeted our first round team of old timers Nick Bragg, James Foster, Nigel Foster and Ed Lines plus debutants Richard Horner and Andrew Barrow.

Jeremy Richards played the role of non-playing Captain. Our opposition was Watson’s (the defending champions) and despite a comfortable victory for the second pair, our first and third pairs were unable to prevail.

In the first round of the plate competition the afternoon team (as per the morning other than Jeremy Richards replacing James Foster) was in flying form against City of London. A 2.5 to 0.5 victory ensued.

a full team of six the opposition take a walkover.

Many calls were made to potential replacements and a variety of plausible excuses received.

Eventually Nigel Foster twisted the arm of Charlie Rowe. Our second round opposition were Whitgift but despite a fine victory for Nick Bragg and James Foster we lost 1-2. Many thanks to the team for a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days.

However two of the team were unavailable for Friday. New rules dictate that if you can’t put out

• Please save the date for the 2020 tournament (25-27 June), our 50th anniversary.

Above, left to right: Richard Horner, Nick Bragg, James Foster, Nigel Foster, Andrew Barrow, Ed Lines Below: OKS go Round the Island

OKS Sailing – Round the Island Race 2019

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KS boat Vantage got off to a splendid start amongst the 100-odd starters at Cowes on 29 June. We were able to hoist the spinnaker without mishap (it had not been practised) and ran before the wind most of the way towards the Needles.

There was some discussion between our Skipper and your ancient chronicler whether we should go offshore or inshore after rounding the Needles.

We did go offshore but had to put in a number of tacks before reaching St Catherine’s Point after which, with a change in the tide and a gradually reducing wind, we came more or less to a halt opposite Sandown, as did all the other boats in our vicinity.

After communicating with the Pupils’ and 46

Parents’ boats, also becalmed, it was agreed that we should all retire and note the coordinates of our respective positions to determine who was the winner. We were ahead of the other two boats in position but because the Pupils’ boat had a later start than ours there was little doubt that the Pupils were this year’s winners of the trophy.

At the BBQ we were all able to thank Richard Ninham, the originator of this wonderful annual event, who, sadly, will be leaving King’s this year. He will be a hard act to follow and has all our sincere thanks for putting OKS Sailing on the map. Good Luck and happiness in his future career at Charterhouse.

Claude Fielding (MO 1940-41) OKS

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Allinson (SH 2012-17) delivered an inspiring message to current pupils.

Guest speaker Jamie Kirkwood then told us about his journey as a rower – from learning to row, to becoming a World Champion in the U23 category.

Above: KSC Boat Club members at the dinner Below: OKS cricket team

The KSCBC & Pilgrims BC Dinner

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he annual dinner took place on a sunny evening at Birley’s Pavilion on 21 September.

The event was a great success, with over 80 guests attending, including King’s pupils, parents, staff and OKS. A touching speech was made by Tilly Abbott (BR 2016-18) and Freddie

Ewan Pearson (Chair of the Pilgrims Boat Club) announced that he is stepping down as Chair after 21 years in the position, with Ben Loxton-Edwards (MR 1990-95) taking over. Wrapping up the speeches, Minya Kearley (KD 2015-19 and lately Captain of Boats) expressed her thanks to King’s for her time as a rower at the School.

Thank you to all OKS who attended the dinner – we look forward to seeing you there next year.

Molly Burgess, Alumni Coordinator

secure a first win in five years against the 2nd XI. It was agreed that the OKS would bat first. Piers Richardson and George Meddings opened the innings in terrific form, the former racking up 32 in rapid time. Sam Poole contributed 48 not out, cruelly being stranded just short of his half century after the allotted 20 overs. Kit Paterson added a quickfire 31, with Arran de Moubray contributing an enormous six at the end to leave OKS posting a very competitive 169. During lunch tactics were discussed, then quickly forgotten as the former pupils took the opportunity afforded by the bar to rehydrate.

OKS Cricket v King’s 2nd XI

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n the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 34 degrees, the OKS team knew they would be hard pressed to

The boys came out to bat full of intent and quickly set about surpassing the OKS total.

An opening stand of over 50 in double quick time had the OKS regretting their lunchtime exuberance, until a stunning reflex catch in the slips by Charlie Vavasour broke the partnership, off the bowling of Meddings. The very graceful Barker played a splendid innings before being caught and bowled by Piers Richardson for 66.

This was backed up by an assured 40 not out 47

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from Gooderham, but unfortunately the 2nd XI ran out of overs, and could only post a score of 150. Other OKS wicket-takers were Charlie Newman, Angus Scott and George Meddings.

So, a first ever victory in this fixture by the OKS but, as ever, the taking part and catching up with old friends was far more important. With thanks to the School for hosting and to Simon Vavasour for organising. A great day was had by all with hopes high that the OKS can back up their debut win with another in 2020.

Charlie Vavasour, Captain (MO 1984-88)

OKS Tennis

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his year’s OKS tennis was played out in scorching conditions. As it was King’s Week, Birley’s was buzzing and it was great to take part in just one of the many events that day. The sun was shining, the Pimms was out and we all felt like we’d never left…

With the help of one current King’s pupil, the OKS managed to field 3 pairs to take on 2 pairs from the school team. The afternoon followed a round robin format with each match being one set. With a few wins and a few losses the OKS ladies thoroughly enjoyed their time reuniting with each other and being back on those familiar courts. (Thankfully this event really is all about the taking part!) OKS Women won 6-3 and King’s won 5-4 against OKS Men. Huge thanks to King’s for hosting us on Saturday and to Alice Brett for pulling the team together and for helping to organise the day.

I hope to see all the same faces and many more in the Canterbury sunshine next year. The 2019 teams included Alice and Eliza Brett, Eliza Wallis, Olivia Neame, Sam Van der Gaag, Hugo Ninham, David Curl, Graham Garbis.

Emma Bryant (WL 2011-16)

Top: Headmaster Peter Roberts with the triumphant Lesters Bottom: OKS Tennis Team

OKS Swimming Gala

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he 5th Annual swimming event took place on 30 June. Once again it was a very close finish. The School team won with 83 points to the OKS/staff team’s 79 points. The raffle raised £295.10 towards the chosen charity – Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

The captains’ handicapped timed 100m challenge event produced a nail-biting finish between Stephanie Andrews (BR 2014-19), our outgoing girls’ captain, and Paddy MacLachlan (MO 2009-14), Captain of Swimming in 2014, Stephanie just clinching victory. Five teams competed in the family relay: Harris, Sugden, Lester, Senabulya, and Kahol de Jong. It was won in convincing style by the Lester family (Luxmoore girls Charlotte, Arabella and dad Michael). Arabella joined King’s as a swimming scholar in September and will be a great asset to Yolanda Speare’s School swimming team. Kate Batty won the staff open 50m freestyle for the third year in succession.

The inter-team event produced some fine swims, with Paddy MacLachlan for the OKS winning his three events in effortless style. Paddy has recently taken up open water swimming and is also in training to swim the Channel in a few years’ time. Marlowe’s James Senabulya won the 50m freestyle for the School, holding off strong challenges from experienced national swimmers.

Charles Ovenden (MR 2005-10) for the OKS proved unbeatable in his backstroke events. Stephanie Andrews, for the School, left everyone behind in the breaststroke events, showing the expertise that took her to national finals.

Pam Murray, (KSC Staff/ Swimming Coach 1999 - ) • For a full list of competitors and how to join in please go to oks.org.uk/sport

OKS MAGAZINE • № 4 • Autumn 2019 OKS Magazine is published twice a year by The OKS Association, 1 Mint Yard, Canterbury, CT1 2EZ Printed in the UK on FSC approved paper

oks.org.uk