OKS Magazine - Autumn 2022

KInG’S GOES tO mOSCOW

Martin King recalls the 1960 school trip to Russia by bus

tHAnK YOu AnD FAREWELL

We celebrate Headmaster Peter Roberts and Dean Robert Willis as they retire

A mIDLIFE mEAnDER

Ariadne Birnberg tells us all about her fascinating family

Cover: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip outside the Shirley Hall, Maundy Thursday 1965

From 1 Mint Yard

Over the past few months, we have enjoyed being able to organise OKS and School events once more. The 2022 May Reunions were attended by over 250 OKS and the OKS King’s Week Lunch was particularly special as we said goodbye to Headmaster Peter Roberts and to the Dean.

OKS Christmas drinks will take place on Thursday 1 December at the Cavalry and Guards Club in London. This year we are inviting an OKS choir to sing carols on the night. To book your event / drinks ticket and express interest in joining the choir, please visit: kings-school.co.uk/boxoffice

We are delighted that so many OKS have visited

From the OKS President

After more turbulent months on both the international and domestic scenes, the containment of Covid has enabled the School and our OKS Association to restore many of our treasured ‘in person’ events. Recent examples include the May Reunions, a stunning King’s Week, the OKS Lunch and in the next couple of months the Carol Service and the OKS Christmas Drinks.

In this issue we bid a fond farewell to Headmaster Peter Roberts and Dean Robert Willis, both of whom leave us after many years of dedicated and exemplary service. We are also delighted that Liz Worthington has taken up the challenge of leading the School for the 12 months before the arrival of our new Head Jude Lowson, who will be joining us in September of 2023. We also welcome Jenny Grant our new Director of Development and Alumni and Judy Mitchem our new Director of External Strategy.

Features in this issue include one written by our Events Coordinator Yuliya Campbell about her

the School with their families this year. If you would like to visit King’s and have a tour of your house please get in touch using the contact details on the opposite page or on the OKS Website.

Finally, I encourage you to send in your news and updates for the next magazine by returning the OKS Update Form enclosed with the magazine. Whether you have got married or started a new job, we are always happy to publish OKS news no matter how big or small.

personal experience of and perspectives on the war in Ukraine and its effects. Other features include a piece by Ariadne Birnberg on her fascinating family and a reflective, written by Martin King, on a 1960 road trip to Russia. The trip was filmed and edited by a pupil.

In closing I would like to offer, on behalf of all of us, a special thank you to Greg Hunter, Molly Burgess, Susan Tingle and many other contributors to the excellent programme of King’s Talks which was started shortly after the Pandemic struck. These have given us an invaluable communication lifeline, when ‘in person’ events had to be suspended. They will continue to do so in the future, both on-line and in person.

The OKS Team and myself wish you all a very happy Christmas and, we all hope, a less turbulent 2023.

Photo: KM Group

David Peters

Molly Burgess

In this issue

From the Head

Since the last edition of the OKS magazine, the appointment of Jude Lowson as Head of King’s from September 2023 has been announced and more recently that the new Dean of Canterbury Cathedral is David Monteith, the Dean of Leicester Cathedral. He will be installed on 17th December.

At the start of term the School came together at the death of the Queen, with the Memorial Chapel and the Lower Chapel at St Augustine’s open that first night for pupils and staff to light candles, say their own prayers and sign a book of condolence. Since then we have mostly been blessed with good weather, with some glorious Saturday afternoons at Birley’s in the autumn sunshine. It has been fantastic to see Partnerships work beginning to flourish again, and we are delighted that Sounding Out, our Saturday morning music workshop for local children, has been able to resume.

It is exciting too that overseas trips are finally able to take place this half term, with 6th formers going on trips to Amsterdam, Rome and New York. The second half of term sees the symphony orchestra Autumn Concert and the whole school musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which involves over 80 pupils in the magnificent Malthouse Theatre.

Finally, the new Science building is now nearly complete and there was certainly a sense of excitement when most of the scaffolding at the front came down just as term was starting and some of the wonderful flint walls were finally revealed. I very much hope that by next term those of you visiting the School will be able to appreciate properly the splendour of all that hard work.

Liz Worthington

4, 10, 14, 20 & 24 Features: The Queen, Mariupol and the 1960 road trip to Russia

6 news from King’s: New Head, King’s Week and Marlowe Sessions

8 Events: The return of in-person events

12 Development news: Changing lives

18 OKS Overseas: From sailing to curation

22 OKS network: Networking and advice

26 OKS update: News of OKS worldwide

32 unknown OKS: Refugees in Canterbury

36 Lives Remembered: Obituaries

50 Sport: Fencing, golf and running

We want to hear your news and so do your fellow OKS.

Fill in the form on the address sheet or contact molly Burgess

telephone 01227 595669 email oks@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 Executive Editor is Molly Burgess (OKS Coordinator) who is assisted by Associate Editor Stephen Woodley (CR 196998), Peter Henderson (School Archivist, CR 1969-) and Susan Tingle (Deputy Director of Development). Unless otherwise credited, photographs are by Matt McArdle, the contributors, or from the school archives. The magazine is designed by Nick Ebdon (nickebdon.co.uk).

HEADMASTER DEAN

PETER AND MARIE ROBERTS

WE RECEntLY SAID farewell to Peter and Marie after 11 years of exemplary service. For those of you who may not be fully aware of the extent of Peter’s contribution to the School, here is a brief recap of just some of the major projects on his watch.

The establishment of a new girls’ boarding house (Kingsdown) in Broad Street; the King Street Studios; the move of Mitchinson’s to its new St Radigunds home; the spectacular redevelopment of the Malthouse site, incorporating the Theatre, International College and new sports facilities; and the new Science Building, shortly to be opened in the Mint Yard.

But beyond this list of tangible achievements, was his keen interest and detailed knowledge of the pupils, regularly attending School activities of every kind. In this context were also his tireless efforts to steer the School through the disruption caused by the Covid Pandemic.

He was also a strong supporter of the OKS Association, always attending our Committee meetings and keeping us in the loop on all School matters.

On behalf of the Association, I wish him and Marie every happiness and success in their future endeavours.

&

THE VERY REVEREND DR ROBERT WILLIS

DEAn ROBERt, AS he was known to all of us, along with his many other duties as Dean of Canterbury, was also Chairman of the School’s Board of Governors from 2001 to 2022.

In addition to his tireless efforts to conserve and restore the Cathedral, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the City community who, along with the wider world, got to know and love him (and his cats!), through his Morning Prayers from the Deanery Garden.

His compassion, humour and excep tional intelligence shone through in all his sermons and speeches. He has that most rare but piercing type of wisdom that is so often the hallmark of those who understand the merit of ‘less is more.’

He faithfully attended many OKS and Legacy Club events and every year hosted the pre-OKS Lunch drinks in the beautiful Deanery Garden.

The School and the OKS Association owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we look forward to following his continuing and energetic efforts on behalf of many causes with much interest.

Photos, top row left to right: Robert Willis takes flight in a hot air balloon in 2001; Peter and Marie 2022; Dean Robert.

Middle row, left to right: Peter and Robert at the King’s Week Lunch 2022; Peter alongside Joanna Lumley unveiling the Malthouse Theatre in 2019.

Bottom row, left to right: Peter settles in to Lattergate in 2011; and his farewell lap around the Green Court during his last King’s Week in 2022.

OKS President David Peters bids farewell to Peter and Marie Roberts and to Robert Willis, on behalf of the OKS Association.

News from King’s

IntERIm uPDAtE

Peter Roberts has retired after eleven years as Headmaster. A tribute to him appears on page 4. Jude Lowson has been appointed Head from September 2023. She is currently Deputy Head at King’s College School, Wimbledon, having been Acting Head there in 2021-22. Liz Worthington, Senior Deputy Head since 2012, is Interim Head for this academic year.

The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis retired on 16 May, the day before his 75th birthday, after 21 years as Dean. He continued as Chairman of Governors until the end of the summer term.

Count Benoit de Vitry d’Avaucourt is Interim Chair. The Very Reverend Dr Jane Hedges, who had recently retired as Dean of Norwich, took over as Acting Dean in June. There is also a new Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Revd Dr William Adam.

KInG’S WEEK

After a virtual 2020 and a bubbled 2021, King’s Week returned in its full glory and in welcoming sunshine. Drama and music were familiarly prominent. Shakespeare reappeared with Twelfth Night in the Memorial Court and a 30 minute Hamlet in the Cathedral herb garden, and KiDaCo in the Malthouse highlighted the suffragettes. Vaughan Williams featured in both the Serenade and the Symphony Concert and Virtuosi concluded with a memorable ‘Northern Lights’ sequence. Sport, tours, exhibitions, an inter-house competition, bell ringing, quizzes – much traditional, some things new – were all uplifted by the presence of parents and OKS. On Speech Day the preacher, former Archbishop Rowan Williams, spoke brilliantly and although prize giving was restricted to 6A leavers, the occasion was enhanced by farewells to Headmaster and Chairman of Governors.

A LItERARY mISCELLAnY

‘The Marlowe Sessions’ at the Malthouse in June presented all of Christopher Marlowe’s plays as well as his poetry. Professional actors, including Alan Cox and Dominic West, performed script in hand alongside several King’s pupils, and there was live music and audience involvement to recreate the ‘sonic footprint’ of Elizabethan theatre. The shows were recorded to provide a dramatic experience – ‘immersive audio theatre’ – that will be made more widely available in 2023.

The Hugh Walpole Society, led by Chairman Nicholas Redman (GL 1957-62), visited Canterbury on Saturday 4 June. The afternoon started (ironically) in the Maugham Library with a display of items relating to Walpole himself. A short tour of the Precincts included Walpole House, en route to the Palace block to view the remarkable Walpole Collection of literary manuscripts. The visit ended with Choral Evensong in the Cathedral.

A King’s Week exhibition featured manuscripts by ‘Four Faber Poets’ – OKS Richard Murphy, Douglas Dunn, Philip Larkin and Ted Hughes. The quartet met at Lockington, Yorkshire where Murphy was staying in 1969 and Larkin took a photograph of them.

FROm tHE COmmOn ROOm Robert Harrison takes over as housemaster of Tradescant from Adam Stennett and James Wilper is acting housemaster of Luxmoore replacing Lisa Cousins. Deborah Ardley, teacher of History and Politics since 2005, has retired and Ben Katz, teacher of Maths since 2014, has left for Tonbridge. There were several weddings during the summer holidays. Hester Davies, Head of Modern Languages, married Dario Galmes, Head of Middle School (Fifths); Justine

Photos, clockwise from top-left: King’s Week big band concert, Dominic West in the Marlowe Sessions production of Dr Faustus, Linacre fundraiser, Rob Harrison, Liz Worthington

Maréchal, Head of Middle School (Removes), married Matt, and Charles Lewis-Gardiner married Hannele.

uKRAInE

On Thursday 10 March Sir Antony Beevor gave a talk to the Historical Association and the School at the Malthouse Theatre. His subject was ‘World War II and its Consequences’ but the timing meant that he focused his attention on Ukraine. Expert contemporary analysis combined with an acute awareness of the historical background provided the audience with an authoritative insight into the unfolding drama in Eastern Europe.

At the end of the Lent Term, Meister Omers took on the challenge of trying to cover the distance from Canterbury to Kyiv (1435 miles) on fixed bicycles in 24 hours in aid of the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. They raised £2,500. In July, Linacre set themselves a target of 1393 miles, the same distance one of their house members travelled to find peace and comfort back in the King’s School community. The house raised £2,708. The Red Cross Appeal was the School Charity of the Summer Term and sales, a home clothes day, and several events in King’s Week raised £7,500 alongside collections of immediately useful items for refugees.

• Several boys and girls from Ukraine have joined the various King’s Schools, some with support from the bursary scheme. For a personal view of the crisis see Yuliya Campbell’s article on p. 20.

Events

May Reunion up to 1969

John Norwood (WL 1960-64) reports on the gathering at St Augustine’s on Sunday 15 May.

My wife judith and I had the opportunity to attend the 2022 Reunion, not only to reconnect with old friends and make new contacts, but to announce the exciting publication of A Golden Age, a book about the success of the School in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and the key figures who led, nurtured and encouraged us.

Emblematic of this success were the sterling feats of the Rugby 1st XV in 1963 and the VII in 1964 who created records which remain unbeaten to this day.

Nearly sixty years later the team have reassembled – on paper – to write their life

stories and their memories of that wonderful season. All profits from the sales of this book will be returned to the School.

Peter Venn (WL 1955-60) presided over the day, welcomed us all back, introduced retiring Headmaster Peter Roberts and thanked the OKS Development Team for their tireless work in organising such an enjoyable event.

Mat Lister (MR 1997-99), Head of Rugby and Linacre housemaster also spoke, enthusiastically endorsing the book, and the day ended after a delicious lunch with many wonderful reunions, new friendships and book sales!

• To buy a copy of A Golden Age, visit ko-fi.com/agoldenage/shop or email norwood.johna@gmail.com

May Reunion 1970-99

Jon Warren (MT 1993-98) reports on the reunion on Saturday 14 May.

It was a glorious late spring day with perfect blue skies as we rose the stone steps to the Tudor Lawn of St Augustine’s for the OKS lunch. “I must be the only baker here,” I proudly said to Lindsay Sharp (MT 1994-99) as we toasted glasses of Kent’s Chapel Down sparkling wine admiring the gardens. Now back in Canterbury, after 12 years in San Sebastian, my new career as an artisan bakery owner had given me a chance to supply the King’s School and today it was being used for the OKS lunch.

As we walked into the marquee, tables adorned with beautiful flowers were arranged into decades from the 1970s to the 1990s. With my mother-in-law as my guest, we clinked glasses of

Opposite page, left to right: Richard Heslop, John Norwood, Alastair Turner, Mat Lister, Judith Norwood

This page: snapshots from the Saturday May Reunion

Château Tour Bel Air and, surrounded by friends from my year amongst other familiar faces and their guests, we all enjoyed an excellent lunch of Kentish fillet of beef with Jersey Royal potatoes.

With what must have been over 120 guests in the marquee, the atmosphere was celebratory and after dessert there were speeches including one from the Headmaster on his last term of duty. He finished by warmly extending the invitation for us all to revisit houses and watch sports at Birley’s followed by afternoon tea.

Jon’s new venture, Gilda Bakery, is located near Bishopsbourne, three miles from Canterbury. gildabakery.com

The invitation to lunch was a great opportunity to see old friends and chat to teachers such as my former tutor Stephen Woodley and Nick Phillis. It also gave me a chance to reflect on the impressive facilities and buildings that encompass the school grounds. As we stepped back through the Queningate into the Cathedral precincts, a path as a pupil I had followed daily, I was thankful the bread had risen today and so too the estimation from my mother-in-law, surely something worth repeating again soon.

Queen Elizabeth II

① 1946 Presentation of the Royal Charter

“The culmination of that first year back in our old surroundings was the visit of King George VI, the Queen and Princess Elizabeth in July 1946 and the presentation of a new Royal Charter on the steps of the Norman Staircase. I well remember the Captain of School, A.A. Kneller, giving his Latin Oration before the assembly, which, incidentally, he delivered without notes, having learnt it by heart. It lasted a good five minutes!”

— Morris Butler, originally published as part of a ‘King’s in Wartime’ feature in the OKS Annual Review 1994/95

② 1947 Conference in the Dining Hall

“The weather was at its best on August 8th when the Princess arrived in the Precincts. After a reception at the Old Palace, the Princess crossed the Green Court to the School Hall, where a con ference of the Church of England Youth Council was to be held. There nearly two hundred delegates from all over Europe were assembled.”

— The Cantuarian, December 1947

③ 1965 Civic Reception in the Shirley Hall

“The 17½-year-old schoolboy in the photograph was myself as the Senior Scholar. Prince Philip is obscuring the Vice-Captain of School, Simon Weaver. You will see that the Queen is smiling broadly, and Prince Philip (and myself) are laughing. He was laughing at his own joke!

Prince Philip shook Simon Weaver’s and my hand with a good firm grip but initially said nothing. Then he looked us up and down and said: “Trainee bishops, I assume”. Hence the laughter. Pretty good for an off-the-cuff quip! The ceremony was towards the end of our Easter holidays and the Queen said “Are you still on holiday?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “When do you go back?” “Next Thursday, Ma’am.” “Ah, yes, that’s the same day as Charles.” What a human thing to say; what a mother’s thing to say. Therein lay part of her greatness.”

— Rod Kent (SH 1961-65)

⑥ 2002 Distribution of the Royal Maundy

“I was Vice-Captain of School and the only non-scholar to be involved in the line-up so I was thrilled to be a part of it. It was a very special day and the closest that I ever got to Her Majesty (although both the Queen and the Duke were more focused on the Captain of School). That photo has adorned my parents’ fridge since the moment I brought it home and is still there 20 years later!”

— Greg Edmunds (LN 1997-2002)

⑦ 2015 Unveiling of statues on the West Front of the Cathedral

“I remember meeting the Queen. It was a bright day and we were all excited. I was anxious especially when she came to talk to me. She was very friendly and asked me about the end of term and what we were all up to. I am glad we had had good training by the school, so I said things in the correct way.”

“It was a pleasure to meet Her Majesty. She was dressed impeccably as you can see, and made us smile and feel comfort able with some kind comments. Father Fred prepped us on our curtsies/bows. It was a truly memorable day for all of us.”

— Seiya Grant (Captain of School, LX 2010-15)

⑧ 2022 State Funeral

⑤ 1987 Opening Cathedral House and attending Evensong

“There was excitement about her visit and I do remember feeling very lucky that I had been chosen to meet her. I felt lucky because she was the Queen. Know ing what I know now about her, I would feel lucky for different reasons because I think she was an exceptional person.”

— Tabitha Gilchrist (née Winnifrith, SH 1985-87)

Colonel Dan Rex (current KSC parent) and Commodore Toby Williamson (MR 1978-82) were pallbearers. They are for mer Equerries to Her Majesty the Queen.

Toby said: “A day that we will not for get. 16,000 marching steps and a lot of Beethoven, horses, Grenadiers, sailors and drill! An emotional moment for the whole Nation.”

④ 1976 Inspection of progress on the Cathedral’s restoration work

— Andy Stein (MR 1975-79)

Development

Changing lives, unlocking potential and promoting diversity

Since 1541 and the arrival of our first 50 King’s Scholars, supporting the education of deserving children, regardless of their social and economic background, has been a fundamental part of the aims and ethos of our school. The King’s community has been enriched and strengthened through our feeassistance bursary scheme, with the School’s resulting economic and social diversity having a profoundly positive effect on the sort of people our pupils become, and with our bursary holders going on to achieve great things in the world.

In 2022, King’s reached out to Ukrainian refugees and we are proud to be supporting five children at the senior School and three at the Junior King’s School. We’d like to keep opening more doors into our School by extending our bursary provision even further, transforming the lives of more families who would not otherwise be able to afford a King’s education for their children. Partnering with the Royal National Springboard Foundation and with the support of generous donations from alumni, parents and friends, our aim is eventually to be able to support 50 full-fee bursary holders, 500 years after our first 50 scholars.

These bursaries (which will be named Charter Awards, after the original Charter) will offer up to 110% of fees, so that bursary pupils can experience all aspects of a King’s education, with the additional funds covering School uniforms, educational trips and other ongoing learning and living expenses, and will be truly transformative for so many promising pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Help us to promote and protect diversity, unlock potential, and support more children who would have their lives transformed by a King’s education. If you would like to contribute, or become a bursary ambassador (if you previously received support yourself), please contact Jenny Grant, Director of Development: j.grant@kings-school.co.uk

Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1556.

In 1541, when the priory at Canterbury was dissolved and the Cathedral was to be given a new Charter, the matter of the School was considered. When it came to electing ‘children of the grammar school’, several of the commissioners “would have none admitted but sons, or younger brethren, of gentlemen”. Cranmer then spoke with great force on behalf of ‘poor men’s children’. He ended “wherefore if the gentleman’s son be apt to learning, let him be admitted, if not apt, let the poor man’s child that is apt enter his room”.

The result was that the Royal Charter of 1541 establishing the modern King’s School followed Cranmer’s wishes. It decreed that “there be always in our Church of Canterbury fifty poor boys, both destitute of the help of friends, and endowed with minds apt for learning, who shall be called scholars of the grammar school”.

The language has changed, but nearly 500 years on the sentiment remains the same.

tHOmAS CRAnmER

Opposite

Portrait Gallery,

On 11 AuGuSt 1959 The New York Times reported: “A lumbering old London double-decker bus trundled off today on a 4,000mile trip to Moscow and back. The big red bus, decorated with typical posters advertising Scotch whisky, carried forty Oxford University students.”

Tony Rockley K.S. thought “If Oxford undergrads can do it, so can King’s boys”. (Yes, it was only boys in those days.)

A year later in the Precincts, sundry dignitaries, various parents and the press witnessed 28 boys board a bus bought second-hand from East Kent, and watched it set off to Dover, or so it seemed. In fact the bus (affectionately named Sheila) stopped

out of sight and a convoy of cars took us to Dover where we and Sheila were re-united aboard a ferry. An arcane underwriting quirk meant that to have insured her to carry passengers for the short trip on a familiar road from Canterbury to Dover would have cost a great deal extra on top of it being insured for thousands of miles on unfamiliar roads to Moscow and Leningrad and back.

The trip was of course a wonderful experience for all, enjoying a string of cities including Cologne, Berlin and Warsaw together with the lesser places passed through on the way to Moscow. By going on to Leningrad, or St Petersburg as it is once again called, we outdid the Oxford students. The trip was written up and published in The Cantuarian and in a separate booklet for those on it. The writers had in mind the eagle eyes of Canon Shirley and the prestige of the school. At this distance in time I can perhaps risk being a little less economical with the truth.

We all revelled in the varied interactions with so many different people in the different countries

through which we passed. One highlight was the contrast between East and West Berlin, and in the years since, when asked whether I’ve been there since the wall came down, I can reveal having been there before the wall went up.

Warsaw was a highlight in many ways. An eyeopener was the enormous warmth of the Polish peo ple towards Britain and their unrepentant hatred of both Russia and Germany. Our first-hand exposure to the extent of the devastation suffered by the city of Warsaw in 1944, and the magnificent effort of reconstruction, explained their feelings. Their insistence that the best view of Warsaw was from the top of the giant Palace of Culture inspired by Soviet ideology – because you couldn’t then see the Palace of Culture – was further evidence of the depth of their antipathy. Through a parental connection, we were generously entertained by the Canadian

Embassy, some of us imbibing more alcohol than we were used to, but happily with no known regrettable consequences. The final highlight on the return journey through Warsaw was being able to pick up the repaired Dormobile. Rather than trying to negotiate the challenge of obtaining a replacement half-shaft from England in those iron curtain days, the Polish mechanics had turned a new one from

bar stock. The repair worked impeccably all the way home, the total cost to us having been a 1½ lb tin of Nescafé powder from our catering stocks, a Western product in considerable demand.

Moscow was of course a major part of the experi ence. As well as a conducted tour, we were free to roam as we wished admiring the amazing Metro, Red Square, the Kremlin with its museum, and the vast GUM department store, to name but some highlights. Our camp site was a train commute outside the city. There was no ticket inspection at the stations, so it was not unknown for us to try to save our limited roubles by not buying one. On a rare occasion when a ticket inspector

challenged some of us and we were obliged to show our passports, these were an immediate success. He summoned his colleagues to see them in great excitement and we were allowed to continue on our way totally unadmonished.

Leningrad was a delightful experience too. Our camp site was on the shore of the Neva river and the city centre was then, as now, a wonderful mix of magnificent buildings alongside the river and the canals. The ship celebrated as the starting gun of the Russian Revolution, the ‘Aurora’, brought his tory to life. The beautifully restored Petrodvorets as it was then known – now once again the Peterhof Palace and a World Heritage site – was a memorable witness to the spirit of the Russian people and the somewhat unexpected Soviet respect for opulent cultural heritage.

There is vastly more to say than I can fit in the space available. The fuller report in the 1960 Cantuarian is available on the OKS web archive. An electronic copy of the printed booklet, and a video version of the film of the trip by Christopher Neame, later a prominent film and TV producer, may also be made available.

• Ivan Bullard (Common Room 1959-60), who led the expedition, died on 30 January 2022. There is an illustrated obituary in the news section of wardendallotments.org

Photos: various screenshots from the 1960 King’s Goes to Moscow film

Top right: Ivan Bullard

OKS Overseas

OKS overseas and over seas

Charlotte Mitchell (BY 2002-04) describes life on the seas and delivering aid in Eastern Ukraine.

2022 has taken me both overseas and over seas (and ocean) in quite different ways. First

I battled the North Pacific’s 20 foot waves and freezing temperatures in the Clipper sailing race and now I’m working in Eastern Ukraine’s war zone.

Following COVID-related havoc and lockdowns, I decided to leave my London life for the Clipper Race, sailing on a 70’ yacht from the Philippines to Seattle, across the notorious weather systems of the North Pacific. In February I headed to join one of the 11 boats in the race, and I was one of 14 amateur crew on board, led by two professionals. (Incidentally, fellow OKS Mike Miller was the professional skipper on another boat in the same race.) Following a month of training and boat preparations we raced off, experiencing intense sailing conditions, no showers, only weekly changes of clothes, sharing basic bunk beds and sleeping for no more than 4.5 hours consecutively.

After over five tough weeks and 7,500 miles of cold conditions, massive waves and extremely basic living conditions, I was delighted that our boat won the race and arrived into Seattle to cheers, beers and doughnuts and I would absolutely recommend Clipper to anyone who is ready for an ocean adventure.

From battling the elements to battles of a warzone. Now I’m based in Dnipro, Ukraine for the next few months, helping to deliver UK-Med’s humanitarian health support. (I am an international health systems specialist.) UK-Med is a frontline medical charity, born of the NHS, that is providing clinicians, training and equipment to hospitals and clinics across Ukraine. We are delivering primary care, surgery, psychological trauma support, advanced

first aid training and specialist equipment in the east and west of the country. The experience here is a surreal juxtaposition of very normal life punctuated by air raid sirens, missiles and curfews. While one moment you’re wondering whether to buy pasta or chicken for supper, the next moment, life is put on hold to shelter from missiles overhead. Although I wish I were here under different circumstances, I feel fortunate to experience this beautiful country with its warm and positive people and I sincerely hope for peace and prosperity here soon.

Photos, clockwise from top-left: aboard the 70’ yacht; Clementine Butler-Gallie; Distant Divides Exhibition (credit: HALLE 14 Photography Buro); Charlotte Mitchell

Curation and Culture in Berlin

Clementine Butler-Gallie (LX/MT 2007-12) tells us about immersing herself into the Berlin art scene.

In 2016, at the age of 22, with very (!) dusty school German and a youthful yearning for adventure, I moved to Berlin. I had been working at a contemporary art gallery in London whilst studying art history but could feel my creative trajectory leaning more towards socially-sensitive, research-driven curatorial work. Berlin, at that time, was a hub for many important artistic conversations and, with its low-rents and high support for cultural activity, it felt like a place that encouraged artistic experimentation. And so, it became the chosen destination for my move abroad.

In 2017, I decided to make the most of the city’s experimental drive and, along with three friends, transformed our apartment into an art space and residency where we could exhibit young artists’ work, host workshops, performances and artists in residence. We called the project East of Elsewhere as the apartment sat just off the Karl-Marx-Allee in the former East

of the city, and we knew that the project would eventually lead us all elsewhere…

This was the start of my independent curatorial career where I most importantly learnt that there is much more to artistic experience than simply placing work on walls. For me, the richest part of curatorial work is the exchange and encounter that takes place around an exhibition, encouraging the participation of all publics, and an exhibition’s ability to comment upon larger current social situations.

Since these early days, I have worked on various curatorial projects both in Germany and elsewhere. The most recent was the curation of an exhibition titled Distant Divides at the contemporary art institute HALLE 14 in Leipzig. The exhibition emerged from my long-term research into the artistic exchange between Lebanon and Germany, during and post periods of physical dividing lines in both countries – namely Beirut’s Green Line and the Berlin Wall. The 4-month-long exhibition and public programme brought together the work of 17 artists who have in some manner experienced and documented this route of exchange.

As this exhibition recently ended, my research begins for the next project. After nearly 7 years based in Berlin, the city’s ever-evolving cultural scene still encourages experimentation and fresh artistic ideas.

• To find out more about Clementine’s work and the exhibition, visit: www.clementinebutlergallie.com www.eastofelsewhere.org

Mariupol: a personal story

ives of millions of Ukrainians can be clearly divided into before and after the 24th February 2022. That was the day their world was turned upside down and this hell called WAR still continues.

I was born and raised in the beautiful seaside town of Mariupol, where my family and friends lived before the start of the Russian invasion. Now everyone in the world has heard about Mariupol – a city shelled, bombed and destroyed beyond recognition.

Mariupol is a bleeding wound on the hearts of Ukrainians. Mariupol is where my Mum was when the war started…

For the first few days I was able to talk to my family: they were sheltering in the corridors during the air raids. Eventually the city was stripped of any human necessities such as heating, electricity, water and food. All of this in temperatures of minus 18 Celsius and under constant shelling.

I lost connection with my Mum for 21 days. 21 days not knowing if she had food, water, warmth or even if she was alive. In the age of advanced technologies I had an app notifying me of the air raids across Ukraine. I could watch live footage of the shelling of the cities. The sense of guilt was overwhelming – I shouldn’t eat this hot meal, when my family in Ukraine are starving, I shouldn’t be sleeping in my warm bed in safety when my family in Ukraine are sitting in freezing basements. So I didn’t eat and I didn’t sleep. I searched the internet for more news, I scouted all the local Ukrainian chat groups hoping not to see my Mum’s address amongst those listed as under shelling that day.

Although some information was trickling from Mariupol, for the most part the city was barely mentioned in the news around the world. Mariupol was screaming for help, but it had no voice. The information war was raging just as much as the physical battle. I saw this as my chance to be somewhat useful and give Mariupol its voice. I appealed for help for my city on

Yuliya Campbell is the OKS Event Coordinator. This is her brief account of the early days of war in Ukraine.

Mariupol was screaming for help

several national news channels, on radio and in newspapers. For a long time I wondered if that was in any way helpful, until several people reached out to me saying that they have decided to sponsor Ukrainians and give them a safe place to live here in the UK after they heard my story. All of my friends in Ukraine and those living abroad did all they could to help, but it never felt like it was enough. It still doesn’t.

In the meantime I was trying to find a way to evacuate my Mum from Mariupol. In March we started hearing about people escaping the city in their own vehicles risking their lives, but able to make it out! I heard about volunteers who drove people into safer villages just outside of Mariupol.

For two weeks I was in touch with one of them. He made two attempts to drive to my Mum’s house to pick her up and both times his van was shelled. During one of the shellings I was on the phone to him and heard the screams of the wounded passengers in his van. He was

Above, clockwise from top-left: Yuliya on BBC Breakfast; Yuliya and Tatiana outside the Christ Church Gate in Canterbury; Mariupol at Christmas

a saint or he must have known that there was no getting rid of me, so he drove to my Mum’s address for the third time a few days later.

I heard my Mum’s voice after 21 days. The strong, unbroken voice of my brave Mother. She was safe outside of Mariupol with 11 other members of my family. They had food and they felt warm for the first time since February. She is here with me in the UK after a long and difficult journey, having passed the filtration to be able to leave the now occupied Mariupol. I will be forever grateful to the volunteer who evacuated my Mum from Mariupol, and to my family, friends and colleagues who didn’t let me fall apart. I am grateful to everyone who helped the Ukrainian refugees by donating, offering them homes and jobs. I am proud of every Ukrainian who is still in Ukraine or who is trying to build a new life abroad.

I believe I will take my children to see my family and the Ukrainian Mariupol again after Ukraine wins its fight for its sovereignty and freedom.

OKS Network

Breakfast Networking: Real Estate

Amber Kendall (BR 2013-17) reports back on the OKS real estate event on Thursday 7 April 2022.

On a sunny spring day in London’s West End, the inaugural meeting of the OKS in Real Estate group took place. The group has been set up to put King’s students, past and present, in touch with fellow OKS who have pursued careers in Real Estate.

We were privileged to have in our midst marketleading figures within the panel who were able to impart their wisdom to the assembled group.

The event took place in Savills headquarters in London, kindly hosted by panel chair Duncan Petrie (GL 1990-95). The panel consisted of Andrew Hynard (LX 1973-76), Sophie Simmonds (LX 1996-98), Ritchie Gardiner (MR 2001-06),

Kitty Vaughan (BR 2006-09) and Josh Botchway (MO 2014-15) who come from a variety of sectors within the industry.

A thought-provoking panel allowed the audience to engage with them on current topics such as the challenges of adopting ESG, the revival of shopping centres and the emergence of PropTech to name but a few. The opportunity also enabled networking over a convivial breakfast, allowing people to discuss matters, exchange details and reach out for advice going forward in the industry.

A huge thank you must go to Savills for kindly hosting and to Molly Burgess for enabling the event. We currently have over 90 members in our LinkedIn group which we encourage OKS to join if they haven’t already and we are looking forward to the next event!

To join the OKS Real Estate LinkedIn group, search ‘OKS in Real Estate’ on LinkedIn.

6b University Q&A

Oliver Hinnells (MR 2017-21) reflects on an afternoon answering 6b questions about university life.

At the end of a long academic year where in-person learning and activities had finally returned, the 6b’s gathered in the marquee to learn about life at university from a panel of five OKS. These OKS were: Monet Kaneko, studying Medicine at University College London; Oliver Hinnells, studying Law at King’s College London; Sebastian Braw-Smith, studying Politics at University College, Durham; Millie Butler-Gallie, finishing a degree in English at Oxford University; and Charlie Cook, studying Economics at Bath University.

Al Holland hosted the event and provided some valuable questions to kick off the Q&A. The panel discussed important topics such as workload at university, how to meet new people, how to save money, and the challenges that university life can throw at you. The panel were open and honest about their time at university and provided important insights into how to make the most out of one’s time after leaving school.

The event was not only informative but also light-hearted. For example the panel discussed the importance of the Tesco Clubcard and the availability of corpses in the UCL Medical School. Overall it seemed to be a positive experience for the 6b’s and hopefully one which calmed a lot of nerves, making them feel prepared for life after King’s.

After the event, the panel headed to the Dolphin and had some valuable catch-up time with their former teachers.

Opposite page, left to right: Andrew Hynard, Kitty Vaughan, Sophie Simmonds, Ritchie Gardiner, Duncan Petrie and Josh Botchway

This page, clockwise from top right: University Q&A panelists; reunion drinks in St Andrews and OKS in Durham

University reunions

Our durham university rep. Ed Roberts (LN 2015-20) organised a reunion with OKS studying at Durham on 3 March 2022 at The Three Bridges pub.

Our St Andrews rep. Mabel Pickering (MR 20142019) organised a reunion with OKS studying at the University of St Andrews on 7 October 2022 at Aikman’s bar.

• If you are interested in becoming an OKS university rep and organising your own reunion, please contact oks@kings-school.co.uk

A midlife meander

I’m half-Greek, named after my maternal grandmother, Ariadne. No, not the spider, arachne. The girl with the thread that helped Theseus find his way out of the labyrinth. A name like that, you don’t escape easily. I blame it for my tendency to digress and meander. This piece will err in that direction too. Pretty soon it’s going to take a turn in favour of my paternal grandmother, Naomi.

I spent two years at King’s, one of a cohort of sixth form girls, a rare breed within the school. Before me, my father and uncle (Teddy) attended as day boys after the war. They’d travel to Canterbury on the number 8 bus from Birchington, 40 minutes each way. No girls to navigate back then.

My father, Ben, was head of Marlowe. He wore a purple gown despite incurring the displeasure of the Headmaster for fraternising with the Communist Dean, Hewlett Johnson. Ben would swim against the current. He was going to take on the establishment, defend the underdog and overturn wrongs. And he went on to do so,

in spades. He founded a law firm that became synonymous with the defence of civil liberties in the UK – BM Birnberg and Co. In a career highlight, he forced the Home Secretary of the time to issue a posthumous pardon for the wrongful killing of Derek Bentley, hanged at the age of 19 for the murder of a policeman, on very shaky evidence. But where did Ben get it from, this determinedly dissident impulse?

Had King’s admitted girls in the early 1900s, chances are Ben’s mother, my grandmother, Naomi Bentwich, would have attended. The Bentwich family had a holiday home on the North Kent coast. It was where Naomi’s father, Herbert Bentwich – a leading figure in the AngloZionist movement – would retreat and dream of emigrating to Palestine in the years before the Mandate. Herbert had been a lawyer too. Against the odds (another family trend), Herbert did move to Palestine, to the Promised Land, as he saw it. He even persuaded seven of his eleven children to leave behind their well-heeled lives in St John’s Wood for an uncertain future in a frontier colony.

Ariadne Birnberg (LN 1987-89) tells us about her family. Imagine my joy — a labyrinthine narrative to lose myself in

Naomi wasn’t one of them. She set her sights, instead, on another King’s – King’s College Cambridge. It was there, while working as a University typist, that she found her own, as she called him, ‘King of Kings’, her world-redeemer, the economist Maynard Keynes.

I found Naomi’s papers in my parents’ attic shortly after my son Jonas was born. An inveterate documenter, Naomi had left behind a hoard of letters, journals and an unpublished memoir. A story, her story, mine to figure out. Imagine my joy – a labyrinthine narrative to lose myself in. I spent years immersed in Naomi’s story. She had a way with words. Keynes must have thought so too because he agreed to her plucky proposal to work for him as his part-time personal secretary in 1920. The arrangement lasted just six months before Keynes, not insensitively, let her go. Those six months had become increasingly anguished for Naomi, as she succumbed to a strong and persistent belief that Keynes was in love with

her. She never gave up on the idea, deciphering messages from him to her in his writings, and seeing herself ‘all interwoven’ in his work. Just a few months before she died, aged 97, Naomi wrote in her spidery hand that Keynes had apologised to her ‘from beyond the grave’. Effectively, she’d written her story’s ending.

I tried to write a book inspired by Naomi’s obsessive love of Keynes. The parallels between the nature of her love – idealistic and redemptive – and her father’s Zionist dream of a chosen people redeeming the errors of mankind, were clear to me, but a stretch to prove. I did write an article about it though.

In abandoning my writing project, I rediscovered something else – an old ability to draw. While planning this article, I looked up a Cantuarian from 1987, and came up close with a portrait I’d drawn of a contemporary from King’s. It spoke of roads not taken, yet. After all, what is the point of a maze if not to get a little lost.

Photos, clockwise from top-left: Ben and Teddy in their school uniforms; Ariadne and Ben; Cambridge University Moral Sciences Club 1915 (Naomi is wearing the striped shirt in the middle row); Ben at his graduation.

OKS Update

1920s

Clive Richardson has most kindly sent us the schoolboy diaries of Bertram ‘Jimmy’ James (HH 1928-32) of Great Escape fame. They are for 1928, 1930 and 1931. Other material from the same collection has gone to the Second World War museum at Eden Camp, Yorkshire, where some will go on display.

1930s

The School has purchased the album presented to Norman Birley (Headmaster 1927-35) and Mrs Birley when they left King’s. It contains the signatures of 269 OKS, including former Headmasters Thomas Field and Algernon Latter, as well as Fairfax Luxmoore and Hugh Walpole. Also signing were Andrew and William Telfer, respectively grandfather and great uncle of the current Interim Head Liz Worthington. We are grateful to Tom Abbott (JKS 1963-68) for alerting us to this item.

1940s

David Ansell (SH 1945-49) sent this update: “I joined King’s after its evacuation in

Cornwall then back to Canterbury. I have turned 90 years of age and wonder how many of my contemporaries are still around! After completing two years’ national service, I started daily commuting to the City from the Sussex Coast, working for an International Commodity Trading group. At 55 years of age, I was offered early retirement. Now, I fully realise how fortunate my wife and I were to travel much of the world. In August this year, Pamela and I will be celebrating our diamond wedding anniversary in our home in Hove, Sussex.”

Peter Dawson (WL 1947-53) sent this memory: “When I became a pupil at The King’s School, my fees were paid by William Somerset Maugham. He had been a pupil and wanted to give a working-class boy the chance to go there. He succeeded. I was interviewed by Fred, and I was accepted and went to live in Walpole House. My housemaster was P. G. Reynolds.”

1950s

Christopher Bayston (GR 1953-58) writes: “For 35 years I was on the music staff at Eton College and rose to be Acting (and assistant) Director of Music. From 2004 for twelve years I directed the Bishop’s Stortford Choral Society and from 2016 I became Organist and Director of Music of Thaxted Parish Church, where one of my predecessors was Gustav Holst. I am 83 years old and still have six pupils in piano, organ and singing.”

Michael Hall (WL 1955-60) sent this update: “Two deaths announced in recent issues of OKS caused me particular sadness: David King (Autumn 2021) and Richard Roberts (Spring 2021). I am the cox in the photo of the 2nd VIII of 1958 and I remember David for his character: always very determined on the water and always full of fun when we were ashore. Richard Roberts brought me into his 3rd VIII in my last year and I went on to row at college level and later abroad, and I was in his French set in the 6th when I took college entrance in 1960.

After 9 years in teaching, publishing and the home civil service, I joined the FCO in 1973 where there were two themes to my time there, at home and abroad. The former Empire: Rhodesia, Belize and the UK dependent territories in the Caribbean. And Europe: The Netherlands, Germany and the UK delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg where I continue to live.

My colonial service childhood in Swaziland and Kenya prepared me for the former (I was one of five boys from the colonies who joined Walpole in the Autumn of 1955) and the modern languages which I had been taught at King’s and studied at university prepared me for the latter.

During one of my home postings (1988 to 1991) I joined London Rowing Club. One of the pleasures was encountering David King, completely unchanged. He was a tremendous advertisement for not giving up rowing.”

Michael Morpurgo (GL 1957-62) was featured in the Sunday Interview for The Sunday Telegraph of 15 May 2022. This was in relation to his platinum jubilee book There Once is a Queen. He recalled meeting the Queen in India as a CCF cadet representing the Army during a royal visit. Extracts from his Indian Diary were published in The Cantuarian of April 1961 with accompanying photographs.

1960s

John Eden (GR 1962-67) retired in 2017 after 46 years working in the City of London, latterly as a compliance officer at stockbrokers Walker Crisps. He is currently celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary, has four children and is living in Sussex.

Graham Jaggers (LN 1963-67) sent this update: “I played a word game called Donkey at King’s in the 1960s. We’d say letters in turn towards making a word. You lost a round if you said a letter that ended a word.

60 years on, I have renamed it as “The Never Ending Game” and developed it as an app called ‘NE-Lite’ but improved it considerably by

Photos, clockwise from top-left: a page from Jimmy James’ diary; damage from the Blitz in 1942; the front page of the album presented to Norman Birley.

increasing its difficulty by varying where you can play your letter: in front, in-between, after and even move the letters around – anagram style. I learn a new word every time I play it. Available free for Android or iPhones. Try it out. It’s a very different word game, I promise you.”

Nicholas King (MR 1963-68) was responsible for gathering reminiscences from OKS and others for the May edition of the Alkan Society Bulletin. This is ‘an anthology of centenary tributes’ to Ronald Smith (3 January 1922-27 May 2004), who taught the piano at King’s from 1951 to 1990.

Giles Hilton (MR 1964-67) has sent us some photographs taken by his father Phillip Hilton (MR 1935-36) in the immediate aftermath of the Canterbury blitz of 1942.

John Greenham (WL 1966-71) was nominated for Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. John is an audio mastering engineer and was nominated for his work on Billie Eilish’s 2021 album Happier Than Ever. John has already won four Grammy Awards for his work with Billie Eilish.

Charles Haddon-Cave (GR 1969-73), The Rt Hon Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, was appointed Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales on 1 October 2021.

1970s

Andrew Cremer has sent the Library a copy of his translation of Fénelon’s The Adventures of Telemachus (1699). This is in memory of his grandfather Leslie Cremer MBE JP DL (KSC 1907-10). Andrew writes: “I vividly remember leafing through my grandfather’s old copies of The Cantuarian in his house on the New Dover Road. It was part of my childhood watching the King’s boys with their distinctive collars walking up the road towards the school.”

Paul Sheridan (LN 1971-76) was elected as ViceChairman of the Oman Cricket Board in May 2021.

Sir Ian Cheshire (GR 1972-76) has been appointed as the new Chair of Channel 4. UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Sir Ian has an impressive record at the helm of some of Britain’s biggest businesses and I am confident his proven leadership will help Channel 4 go from strength to strength and ensure it thrives long into the future amid a time of rapid change for the sector.” Cheshire is currently Chair of Spire Healthcare, Chair of the environmental investment trust Menhaden, and a non-executive director of BT.

Andrew Maynard (WL 1972-76) has kindly sent us an 1838 edition of Aristophanes, The Clouds that belonged to John Mitchinson (Headmaster 1859-73). A pencilled note on the title page reads: “Mitchinson what a little cocktail scrub you are! May 29 52 / May 29 53”. The note ‘p. 167’ takes us to the lines saying (in translation): ‘But everything I learned, I right away forgot, because I’m old’. At this time Mitchinson was at Pembroke College, Oxford and he would return there as Master in 1899.

In June, Professor Sarah Gurr (née Smith, SH 1974-76) and Fiona Tennick (Common Room 1981-2005) bumped into each other by chance whilst Sarah was in Scotland on a business trip. Fiona said: “We hadn’t seen each other in years but recognised each other immediately at my suggested meeting place in Edinburgh: Sarah in an orange coat, and I with a dalmatian spotted stick! We spent a happy hour reminiscing and catching up.”

Andrew Parker (MO 1975-80) says: “I am based in Manila, Philippines. Sailing into our sixth decade with MO boys across the world – David Nyssen, Richard Pleming, and Kian Tajbakhsh. (We greatly miss Crispin Moor, RIP.)”

In May, Dr Andy Stein (MR 1975-79) published Understanding the NHS – an educational book targeted at healthcare students and health care professionals in their early years. In September, Andy delivered a King’s Talk on his career to OKS and pupils. A recording can be found on the OKS YouTube channel.

Left: Charles Moore

Right: David Warr

Charles Moore (BR 1976-81) was appointed as the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia in January 2021. He is a career diplomat, having joined HM Diplomatic Service in 1982, serving in overseas postings to Zimbabwe, Oman, Botswana, Indonesia, Switzerland, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and South Sudan.

Dicky Biddle (GL 1978-83) sent this update: “After almost 20 years of Buckinghamshire living, I am moving to South Hams in Devon to open a Yoga Retreat with my Yoga-teaching wife Caroline and more importantly a place where I can host luxurious Backgammon Tournaments. If there any OKS in Devon who fancy their skills over the BG board, bring it on!”

David Warr (LN 1978-82) was elected as a Deputy for St Helier South. David was subsequently appointed Minister for Housing and Communities, one of twelve Ministers who form the Council of Ministers which runs the Government of Jersey.

1980s

Prudence Dailey (MT 1982-84) was awarded an MBE for services to the Book of Common Prayer in the Jubilee Honours List. She is Vice-President and was lately Chair of the Prayer Book Society and a Member of the General Synod.

Nicholas Daley (TR 1984-89) sends this update: “Returned 3 years ago from living in Victoria on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. Now living in rural West Dorset with wife, 2 girls and 3 dogs, working as Head of Revenue for Condor Ferries. Would love to get back in touch with my Trad cohort.” If you would like to get in touch with Nicholas, please contact the OKS Office.

Photos, clockwise from left: Jim Watkins and Ruth Watkins (middle); Chris Buchholz; The Saviour Fish by Mark Weston.

Jim Watkins (SH 1984-89) and Ruth Watkins (née Milligan, BS/JR 1991-93) sent this update: “After leaving our previous careers in 2016, we opened ‘Pengelly Retreat’ in 2019, a unique luxury lakeside holiday site in Cornwall. This year, our first year of entry, we won gold in the Cornwall Tourism awards and bronze in the whole of the South West.”

Chris Buchholz (GR 1985-90) was promoted to Major in the US Air Force. He has served

as Mission Pilot and aircrew on over 130 US Air Force assigned missions including search and rescue, disaster relief and homeland security missions. Chris is currently CEO of an international private jet services company.

Dr Tedd George (TR 1985-90) sent this update: “The book I co-wrote with my late father, Stirring Up Sheffield, has won the Society for Theatre Research Theatre Book Prize 2022. This is the only award of its kind and is a fitting conclusion to a process that took nearly 50 years to complete.” The book recalls the remarkable adventure that became the creation of the revolutionary new Sheffield Crucible Theatre.

Mark Weston (LX 1985-90) sent this update: “My new book The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa’s Greatest Lake has just been published by Earth Books. It recounts the story of the two years I spent living on Ukerewe island in Lake Victoria and chronicles the decline of the lake’s once-abundant biodiversity. The book has been described by James Copnall of the BBC World Service as “a compelling account of life on a remote Tanzanian island, told by a writer who has his eyes wide open and his heart fully engaged.”

Clare Wooldridge (née Edmondson, GL 198587) sent this update: “It’s 35 years since I left King’s and so quite a lot has happened… I studied French at UCL and then trained as a primary school teacher, worked in educational publishing and qualified as a solicitor, finally settling on a career in law firm learning and development. I’m married to a teacher and we’ve lived in Hackney since the late 90s.

We have two kids – a football-mad son at uni studying sports journalism and a daughter about to do her GCSEs. I took them to King’s for the first time a few years ago and they said “Mum – you didn’t tell us you went to Hogwarts!”

I’m still in close contact with a few old King’s friends and have always enjoyed chance encounters with others I have lost touch with over the years. I could fill a book with memories of my two years at King’s but one of the highlights was going up to London with Barry Rose and the choir in 1986 to record with James Galway on his Christmas Album – I found it on Spotify recently. We also appeared on Songs of Praise with Harry Secombe but I’m not especially keen to track down a video of my dreadful 80s perm!”

Canon Anthony Phillips (Headmaster 198696), who has now retired from active ministry, has collected a number of sermons which he has published privately under the title May my Words. Fourteen relate to major occasions in the Christian calendar: twenty are on subjects which should be of interest to any Christian. In the preface of the book, Anthony writes, ‘Every sermon should be an act of love, love for God and love for humankind. It is in this spirit that this selection from a fifty-year ministry is offered to the reader.’ Copies of the book can be obtained from Canon Phillips, 47 Warwick Street, Oxford, OX4 1SZ at a cost of £6.50 which includes postage.

Alex Ellison (MO 1987-92) took home four medals at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in August. Veteran men’s foil team (gold), veteran men’s épée team (gold), veteran men’s épée individual (bronze) and veteran men’s foil individual (bronze).

Photos, clockwise from top-left: Sophie Morgan (photo © Love Productions); Alexander Allen and wife Collette; Theo Dunay and wife Emily (photo: Steve Fuller Photography); Tristan Hambleton; Alex Ellison (second from the left).

1990s

Sophie Morgan (WL/JR 1998-99) released her autobiography Driving Forwards in March 2022. The memoir details Sophie’s life-changing injury, her recovery and life since. Sophie also appeared on a charity episode of Channel 4’s Great Celebrity Bake Off – raising funds for Stand Up To Cancer.

Jack Fox (SH 1999-2004) appeared in season two of Sanditon, reprising his role as Sir Edward Denham. The show premiered in March 2022 on PBS and BritBox.

2000s

Alexander Allen (SH 2002-07) married Collette Michelle Kerrigan in Halstead, Essex on 21 August 2021. Benedict Davey (GL 2002-07) was best man and Christian Allen (MO 2004-09) and Edward Lavery (GL 2002-07) were ushers. Other OKS guests included: Phoebe Thirlwell-Pearce, Victoria Davey (née Bartley), Sophie Adams, Caroline Monaghan, Thibaut Bertlin, Lucy Cronin, Ben McKee, Eleanor Hill, Robert Watson, Tania Hayes, Mustafa Hamza and Tom Davey.

Theo Dunay (SH 2002-07) married Emily Hardy at Wadhurst Castle in East Sussex on 6 November 2021. Bertie Hillen (LN 2002-07) was best man

and other guests included Chris Watson-Shaw (MT 2002-07) and Helena Payne (BR 2005-07).

Tristan Hambleton (MO 2002-07) set off on foot from Canterbury on May Day 2022 following the Via Francigena footpath towards Rome. Crossing the channel by ferry to Calais his walk then took him through northern France, Switzerland, along the shores of Lake Geneva over the Great St Bernard Pass and down into Italy. He reached Rome on the 19 July having walked the 2000km+ in a total of 80 days. You can donate to his JustGiving page “Tristan walks to Rome” in aid of Help Musicians UK a charity which has supported musicians for 100 years and crucially most recently during the pandemic. Tristan was also recently honoured as an ARAM from the Royal Academy of Music and continues to be in demand as a soloist.

Amanda Chalmers (LX 2003-05) has walked 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne, with her Husky, Monty, in honour of her donors’

lives, and to raise money and awareness of organ transplants. Amanda was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and has had two double lung transplants, one kidney transplant and two islet of Langerhans transplants. Amanda said: “A walk may not seem big compared to my previous achievements. However, after being wheelchair bound, bedbound and recovering from surgeries, to train my body to walk 100 miles is immense!” Amanda completed the walk over ten days in September and raised over £11,000 for NHS Blood and Transplant and Swiss Transport.

Charlotte Hamblin (LX 2004-09) portrayed Patricia Trehearne in Operation Mincemeat. The film was released in April 2022 and depicts the events surrounding the Second World War deception effort to keep the plans for the Allied invasion of Sicily secret.

Richard Gould (CY 2005-07) was the sound effects editor for the new Marvel movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Richard was featured in the Spring 2021 OKS Magazine.

This page

Left: Amanda Chalmers Right: Settle promotional image

Opposite page

Left: Annabel Steadman on Green Court Right: Jonathan Mbu

During the Pandemic lockdowns, Ryan Hurley (GR 2005-09) and his partner Samantha created a new business revolutionising the humble dog bed. Settle beds are sustainably made in the UK from recycled plastic and designed to take centre stage in a stylish interior. Since the launch in 2021, Settle has featured in a number of highprofile publications such as The Guardian, Real Homes and Elle Decoration. Ryan is currently offering OKS 15% off their purchase with the code OKS15 at settlebeds.com

Pip Durell (BR 2005-10) is the founder of With Nothing Underneath – a sustainable fashion brand that sells organic cotton and linen boyfriend shirts for women. The brand launched online in 2017 and has been worn by the likes of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and models including Cara Delevingne and Emily Ratajkowski. With Nothing Underneath’s flagship store opened in May 2022 in Chelsea.

Annabel Steadman (née Church, MR 2005-10) released her debut children’s novel Skandar and

the Unicorn Thief in April 2022. The book has been described as ‘the single most exciting and acclaimed children’s novel since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!’ The book made Annabel a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. Annabel’s second book will be published in April 2023.

Ollie Robinson (MT 2007-10) was named one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. He returned to the England side for the second Test against South Africa and was Player of the Match in the third and decisive game.

Jonathan Mbu’s (GL 2009-14) The Rainforester has won two awards at the 2022 Start Up Awards – 2022 Overall Regional Start Up of the Year and Green Start Up of the Year. Jonathan said: “Starting a business during the global pandemic and the biggest recession seen in a couple of centuries certainly had its ups and downs but moments like this truly make the hustle feel like it was worth it!” The Rainforester was featured in the Spring 2020 OKS Magazine.

In September, Paddy macLachlan (MO 200914) swam the English Channel to raise money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Paddy said: “It took me 12 hours 32 mins to crawl my way to the French coastline, where I beached myself exhausted. I can say unreservedly that it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and I certainly didn’t have things my own way; early on my body fell apart and it felt as though I was thrashing through porridge. The degree of support I have received throughout the whole challenge has been astonishing.” Paddy raised £21,000 and his target was £10,000.

Stephanie Sy-Quia (LX 2009-13) has been given a Somerset Maugham Award by the Society of Authors for her book Amnion. She is the third OKS – after Peter Benson (1991) and Charlotte Mendelson (2004) – to be so honoured. Katherine Pierpoint, who was poet-in-residence at King’s in 2006, was also a winner in 1995. The list of winners includes many notable writers such as Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, Ian McEwan and Zadie Smith.

Paul Fagius, Philippe Le Keux and the Trouillart Brothers: Refugees in Canterbury

PPaul Fagius came to Canterbury in 1548 and was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1550. His father was Paul Fagius (c1504-49) – the family name was Büchelin and Fagius is the Latinised version – a Lutheran schoolmaster, minister and distinguished Hebrew scholar. When he was dismissed from his post at Strassburg in 1548 his sons were sent to England.

What little we know of the younger Paul’s life comes from a volume of Original Letters Relative to the English Reformation published by the Parker Society in 1846. In October 1548 Miles Coverdale wrote from Windsor Castle to Paul Fagius senior, then still in Germany: “I also showed your letter yesterday to the most reverend the archbishop of Canterbury [Thomas Cranmer]; who, as he has undertaken to educate your dear son (whom he has just sent away to Canterbury, by reason of the plague that is raging at this place), both in religion and learning, at his own expense; in like manner reflecting upon the lamentable condition of your churches, he truly sympathises in your misfortune: wherefore he desired you

most especially to come over to us, rather than to go away either into Turkey or Hungary.”

In April 1549 Fagius senior, accompanied by Martin Bucer, arrived in England at Cranmer’s invitation, with a view to them producing “a definitive Latin edition of the Bible which would serve as the basis for a new English translation” (ODNB). A few days later Fagius was able to report: “We found my son at Canterbury in good health. He has become well acquainted with the English language, and has a tolerable understanding of French, so that he now acts as my interpreter. He has so conducted himself, as to gain the favourable opinion of all good and learned men, which has cheered me exceedingly.”

Fagius senior was offered a post at Cambridge University, but died of the plague in November 1549. Paul was a Scholar at Trinity in 1550, but thereafter nothing is known about him.

The most important religious refugees in Canterbury were the Walloons and Huguenots

who first came from the Netherlands and France in the later sixteenth century. Samuel Smiles, in his book on the Huguenots, stated: “Jacques d’Embrun fled from the town of Embrun, near Gap, in the HautesAlpes, in 1572. Escaping to Rouen, his family, with six others, De Cafour, Le Gyt, De Lasaux, Beaufort, Le Pine, and La Grande, crossed the Channel in an open boat on the 19th August, 1572, and settled at Canterbury.” Le Geyts, De Lasauxs, Lepines and Le Grands, as well as Dombrains (as the d’Embruns became) are all to be found in the lists of King’s Scholars and in the school registers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Other names that feature include De L’Angle, Didier, Durand, Fremoult, Lefroy, Lernoult, Peters (anglicised from de la Pierre), Six and Turmine. Some of their descendants have been here in more recent times.

Philippe Le Keux (KS 1634-36) was the grandson of Anthoine Le Queux, one of the earliest Walloon settlers. He was elected pastor at Dover in 1646: “He has already preached to us for some months; we are all pleased with him, and he has excellent testimonies.” Then, in controversial circumstances, he was chosen at Canterbury. This was ‘A Period of Discord and Schism’ as chapter XI of the History of the Walloon & Huguenot Church puts it, but his name is on the list of ‘Pasteurs de cette eglise du refuge’ in the Huguenot Chapel in the Western Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral.

More Huguenots arrived in the later seventeenth century. Robert James Trouillart (KS 1691-95) and Simon Peter Trouillart (KS 1691-96) were born at Guines, near Calais, where their father, Pierre Trouillart, was the Protestant minister from 1673. With the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in

Above: the Western Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, used by the Huguenots from the 16th to the early 19th century. This illustration appeared in John Britton’s History and Antiquities of the Metropolitical Church of Canterbury (1836). It was engraved by John Le Keux (17831846) of Walloon refugee descent.

1685, Pierre initially went to Holland, but in 1687 he came to Canterbury where he was elected minister – a post he held for twelve years. Robert James went on to Westminster School in 1696 and to Christ Church, Oxford in 1699, but nothing is known about his later life. Simon Peter’s career is also obscure, though he may have been a merchant and businessman in Amsterdam.

The upheavals of the twentieth century brought more refugees to Canterbury. Fernand Dochain, born in 1902 at Couillet, near Charleroi in Belgium, was a boy at the Collégiale de St Pierre in Louvain. That city was devastated in the German invasion of August 1914 and Fernand joined the School in June 1915, leaving in December. Very little more is known about him, but he died in 1978 and was buried in Couillet. Other examples include boys – and latterly girls – from Russia in the 1920s, from Central Europe in the 1930s and 40s, from the Middle East in the 1970s and from the Balkans in 2000. The recent arrivals from Ukraine are the latest in a long history.

Lives Remembered

Peter Weatherhead

Head of House, and played cricket for the 1st XI, occasionally captain on the field.

Peter Weatherhead died on 12 March 2022, aged 98. The Weatherhead family sent this tribute.

Peter was born in Uganda, where his father was district commissioner. In 1940 Peter, along with other pupils of the King’s School, was evacuated to Cornwall.

On attaining his majority, Peter volunteered for the Royal Engineer Corps (1942-47) and was sent to India and Burma during the first years of his service. Post-war, Peter studied engineering at Bristol University, and met and married bacteriologist Hilary des Carrières Ballance. With two young children, they sailed to Victoria, Australia in 1951, where Peter worked for the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (SRWSC), first on irrigation and later reservoir design and building. Peter and Hilary had another four children. Peter worked with Melbourne’s first computer in the 1960s and subsequently headed the new computer division within the SRWSC. In 1984, Peter and Hilary retired to Emerald, east of Melbourne, where he was instrumental in having a public library built and was also a founding member of the Emerald branch of U3A (University of the Third Age).

Peter died peacefully in Melbourne and is survived by six children, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Godfrey Ackers

Godfrey Lloyd Ackers died on 19 March 2022, aged 95. His son Jeremy Ackers (WL 1971-75) sent us this tribute.

Godfrey was one of the small cohort of boys who despite the long history of the school never actually attended in Canterbury! Amongst other accomplishments he became

In his subsequent career as a civil engineer he eventually became a partner in Sir M MacDonald & Partners, now Mott Macdonald, retiring in 1987 but continuing to work as an arbitrator in civil engineering contract disputes. In retirement he took up sailing, moved to Devon, and lived in a flat overlooking the Hamoaze in Plymouth until shortly before his death. His other major interest in retirement was in writing, mostly verse, but some humorous, whimsical work and his memoirs.

His younger son, Timothy (LN 1973-77), died in 2017 and Godfrey is survived by his wife Wendy, children Jeremy and Penelope, seven granddaughters, and two great grandchildren.

Tony Evans

Guy Antony John Culver Evans died on 28 September 2021. His son Simon Evans (SH 1971-75) sent this tribute.

Tony was born in 1926. He joined JKS in 1937 and went on to King’s in 1940 when the School was moved to Carlyon Bay in Cornwall for the duration of the war. He was a School Monitor, in the 1st XV rugby (‘A fast, elusive wing three-quarter, who has scored tries by determined running. His defence is fair, but his tackling can be fiercer’) and Athletics (Vice Captain and Hon Sec).

Tony was at King’s with his older brother Michael. They were both preceded by their father Fred and uncles Evan and David. The King’s family lineage came to an end when I and my sister Sara left.

In Cornwall, my father kept a buzzard. He retained a lifelong love of birds though he was not a twitcher! Tony’s mother was a doctor and set something of a medical precedent for her three

(SH 1937-42)

(WL 1940-44)

(SH 1940-45)

sons. One became a GP, one trained as a surgeon, and my father sort of followed the tradition by training as a vet. Sadly, he failed his final exams and didn’t persevere with that career. Instead, he found his vocation in retail and owned and ran a small string of shops in central London.

Tony retired to his house in Charing in the early 90s and subsequently moved to Sandwich which is where he died. He ended up living only half an hour or so from the school that got him started in life. He was the life and soul of any party, and he is much missed.

Major General Pat Lee MBE (WL/LX 1943-46)

Patrick Herbert Lee died on 13 March 2022, aged 92. His son Julian Lee (LX 1967-72) sent us this tribute.

Pat was born in 1929 at Torquay. At the start of the Second World War, 10 year old Pat was filling sandbags on the beach at Paignton, which were used to protect key buildings in the town. At age 14 he won a scholarship to board at the King’s School, which had been evacuated to Carlyon Bay, Cornwall. Here he joined the Junior Training Corps. The School eventually returned to Kent in 1945 and Pat was a founding pupil of Luxmoore House and soon to be disciplined by Canon Shirley for climbing Bell Harry. The key event for Pat subsequently was to be the right marker of the School’s Guard of Honour for King George VI, when he, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth came to present the Royal Charter in July 1946.

Pat attended London University, obtaining a BSc (General) and a BSc (Special Physics). He joined the Army, and was commissioned into REME. Following postings to Malaysia and Hong Kong,

in 1959 Pat was posted to 16 Para Workshop in Cyprus. The brigade was then moved by air to Jordan and eventually returned to the UK via Beirut. Various staff appointments followed until Pat returned to the airborne world as Officer Commanding 16 Para Workshop, which was then sent back to Cyprus to keep the peace following Turkey’s invasion. Further staff appointments followed and in 1980 Pat was appointed Major General and became Director General Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

He retired in 1983, and immediately joined Wincanton Transport as a Director, where he remained until 1998. Always busy, Pat’s retirement activities would have exhausted most of us. He was President of the OKS Association from 1985 to 1987; a Colonel Commandant REME for 6 years; Chairman of the Road Haulage Association from 1994 to 1996; Chairman of the CBI South West Regional Council; a member of the Wessex Water Authority; a Governor of Wellington School 1992 to 2002; and a Parish Councillor – amongst other things! He was particularly happy with the founding and opening of Carlyon House in 2005 which was the last time we attended the School together, along with his granddaughter.

Pat’s health had been deteriorating for some years. He remained at home until his wife Peggy died in the autumn of 2021 after which he spent some time in hospital before entering a care home in October 2021. Pat died three days before his 93rd birthday. He leaves a son and daughter, together with a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Left: Tony Evans

Right: Major General Pat Lee

Anthony Ewin

Anthony Keith Ewin died on 24 April 2022. His son Chris Ewin sent this tribute.

Anthony ewin (always known as ‘Tony’) was born in Paignton in February 1931. He was the youngest of five children. He attended King’s from 1944-47, during which time he was a boarder in Walpole House. When he first started at King’s, the School had been temporarily relocated to Carlyon Bay Hotel where, to this day, a plaque in the hotel still commemorates that period. Later, after returning to the original school premises in Canterbury, he was present in July 1946 when the School was visited by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), and Princess Elizabeth. Even shortly before his death he still recalled this occasion with great pride and had many fond memories of his time at the School.

After leaving school, Tony completed a period of National Service in the Military Police, based in Cyprus. On returning to civilian life, Tony joined the management team of ABC cinemas group, working in towns and cities across England in a career that lasted over 40 years. This culminated in the post of Regional Controller for the SouthWest responsible for over 40 cinemas in the area. In 1994, after retiring early from what was then EMI Cinema, he moved with his wife, Sylvia, to

the village of Seend in Wiltshire. Here he took a major role in creating and organising many activities for the village community. He continued in this capacity well into his 80s. He is survived by his wife, a son and several grandchildren.

David O’Dwyer Thomas

David Edward O’Dwyer Thomas died on 6 March 2020. William Thomas (LX 1950-54) sent us this tribute.

David was born in India on 15 September 1933. He joined King’s in November 1947 and was a boarder in Luxmoore House. His great debt to King’s was in music and he was a high-grade pianist. In 1949, he left the School to join the Royal Navy, becoming an officer cadet at Dartmouth. My father asked the Headmaster, Canon Shirley, if I could take his place, and so I did in Luxmoore from 1950 to 1954. David left the Navy in 1968 with the rank of Lt. Commander. The rest of his life was passed in various posts in the City.

Andrew William Pengelly

Andrew Pengelly died on 25 March 2021 aged 78. His daughter sent this tribute.

Andrew had a happy upbringing in Kent as the son of the Headmaster of his prep school, Bethany. Andrew didn’t take life too seriously and tales of his spirited schoolboy antics abound.

King’s can perhaps take the credit for giving Andrew a more structured schooling, and he embraced sporting (1st VIII 1959-61) and

(WL 1944-47)

(LX 1947-49)

(LX 1955-61)

Above: Anthony Ewin

dramatic life. He went up to Keble College, Oxford in 1961 where he studied Medicine and continued his passion for rowing. He was Secretary of the Boat Club and member of Keble 1st VIII and rowing at bow for Isis.

His surgical career began in London. Training under the eminent urologist Richard TurnerWarwick CBE, he established the new Department of Urology in Reading and became the Trust’s first Executive Medical Director.

Andrew embraced retirement with the same energy he had put into his work. After running the London marathon at 62, Andrew spent an increasing amount of time pursuing his love of art, gaining a Fine Art degree from Winchester.

To his ten grandchildren, he was Herculean. Whether cheerfully chopping up fallen trees in the garden, or vaporising apples with small explosive charges, life was never dull. Endlessly curious, and relentlessly kind to the end, Andrew Pengelly died at home after a short illness. We miss him.

David Dalton (GR 1956-59)

John David Elison Dalton died in New York City on 11 July 2022, aged 80.

David dalton was born in London not long after the Blitz. His father Dr John Dalton met his mother, London stage actress Kathleen Tremaine, who appeared in a Hitchcock film, during the war when he was in the RAF and she worked for MI6 as a German translator. David remembers being put in a basket with his cousin, the film star Joanna Pettet, under the stairwell during air raids.

His parents moved to Canada where his sister, Sarah was born. David at age 12 was sent to the King’s School, Canterbury and his sister aged 7 to the Beehive in Sussex. David loved the history of King’s School and the city. He joined the Archaeology Club, excavated the Archbishop’s garden and went with them to Greece. He was confirmed by the Archbishop. His parents moved to New York City where he joined them. He applied to the prestigious Columbia University where, during his application interview, Joseph Campbell cited Latin and Greek quotations that David instantly recognised and so Campbell declared him a genius who must attend the university! David confessed years later: “Actually, anyone who went to King’s back then would have easily recognized the quotations.” He graduated with degrees in both Latin and Ancient Greek.

A serendipitous meeting with Andy Warhol led him and his sister to become Warhol’s assistants when not in school. He would co-create Warhol’s first magazine ‘Aspen’ that came in a Fab soap box. As confidant of Andy Warhol, art authority Leo Castelli, and the Power Pop visual artists of the day Rosenquist, Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, David was in the thick of the mid-century American Renaissance. “Coming from England at the beginning of the sixties,” Dalton wrote in his book Pop: The Genius of Andy Warhol, “I encountered Pop Art with the same jolt of excitement and joy I’d experienced on first hearing the Blues. I was fortunate enough to meet Andy Warhol at the beginning of his career,

Above: Andrew Pengelly

and through his X-ray specs I saw America’s brash, bizarre and manic underworld of ads, supermarket products, comics and kitsch brought to garish, teeming, jumping-out-of-its-skin life.”

His infatuation with American and British Pop Culture positioned him to become lead editor of Rolling Stone magazine. David’s in-depth articles on the musical geniuses and innovators of the time increased the magazine’s success. Little Richard enthusiastically wallpapered his entire bathroom with David’s article on him! With The Beatles at their last recording session, part of the audience at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus at Altamont, Woodstock, picked up hitch-hiking by Ken Kesey, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dalton not only captured the cultural essence of the transformative years of that period as a chronicler of history, but also became part of it. Dalton, invited to the Manson Ranch by Beach Boy Dennis Wilson, went on to do extensive interviews with Charles Manson in jail which won him the Columbia School of Journalism Award; a prestigious award and a first for Rolling Stone.

David authored some 56 books about many of the greatest icons of the 20th Century. His first book was Janis based on his time and friendship with

Joplin. His next book James Dean The Mutant King, brought David great recognition and glowing reviews. Danny Sugarman, manager of The Doors would credit David in his book No One Here Gets Out Alive with inspiring his writing and The Eagles would write their song ‘James Dean’ after reading David’s book. He is also well known for his numerous books on The Rolling Stones, co-writing Marianne Faithfull’s bestselling autobiography Faithfull

More recently, David received rave reviews for his books on Bob Dylan, Sid Vicious, Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith and The Grateful Dead. Most have been translated into other languages. The Ancient Greek and Latin scholar from King’s School Canterbury and Columbia University never really left the world of ancient philosophers as he ventured down the unexplored new road of the cultural revolution of the 20th Century. David used all that he was taught and brought it to the contemporary world around him.

He leaves behind first wife Andrea Ross Dalton, present wife Coco Pekelis Dalton, their son Toby Z, his sister Sarah and cousin Joanna Pettet. David was working on his memoirs when he passed away.

Left: David Dalton

Robert Scott

(Common Room 1956-91)

Robert scott died on 13 July at the age of 91. He was head chorister at Winchester Cathedral before going to Rugby School and then Pembroke College, Cambridge where he was organ scholar. He did his national service as a bombardier in the Royal Artillery and then went to the Royal College of Music.

From January 1956 to retirement in July 1991 he was a key member of the Music Department – throughout Edred Wright’s time as Director of Music and beyond. As well as academic music, he taught piano, and was a sensitive accompanist, not least at morning assembly and congregational practice. His versatility was remarkable. Originally a cellist, he played the double bass in the school orchestra, took up the tuba for the band and sang tenor in school choirs.

Alongside his teaching and performing, Robert was a composer, arranger, reviewer (see The

Cantuarian passim), cataloguer and editor. Grove’s Dictionary – and then The New Grove – was at his elbow. He compiled the Complete Catalogue of the works of Alan Ridout and worked with the flautist Trevor Wye at his International Summer School as well as coediting Trevor’s Flute Class.

Primarily a music teacher, Robert was also a tutor in Walpole and a part-time teacher of maths. He played hockey at Canterbury Hockey Club (and for the Common Room) and was an entertainingly competitive tennis player. He also came on several cricket tours with the Harvesters (the Common Room XI in Dorset) as scorer.

In retirement he continued as an accompanist and enjoyed chamber music. He also edited the King’s School Register 1930-2000 and then set to work on earlier registers, especially covering the years 1750-1859. His meticulous care over detail was evident in all he did.

He will be remembered for his loyalty, his musicianship and his sense of humour.

Many tributes to Robert can be seen on the OKS website. What follows is an edited selection.

Richard Goodman (SH 1955-60): I was one of the first group of Robert Scott’s pupils in 1956, my previous piano teacher having left. Enter Mr Scott, a calm, gentle person with a quiet wit. Robert introduced me to composers, many of whom I had never heard, including Shostakovich, Poulenc, Ibert and Debussy. This proved an eye-opener and renewed my interest in piano-playing, which I still enjoy. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Richard Halsey (GL 1956-62): His versatility and his enthusiasm were quite remarkable. As a former organ scholar, he not only played for many a King’s School Evensong in the Eastern Crypt, but taught some organ pupils. Arriving at King’s a few months after Robert, I had my very first organ lessons from him, and his encouragement and clear teaching set me on the right road.

Howard Phillips (WL 1962-67): When I attended

Above: Robert Scott on double bass in the Orchestra

an alumni dinner about forty years after leaving King’s, Robert greeted me by immediately saying, ‘You studied Hindemith, Ludus Tonalis at ‘O’ level.’ When I asked how on earth he remembered that, he admitted that he kept files. I was still mightily impressed. He was also my tutor; I should have consulted him far more.

Nigel Press (WL 1962-67): For a while in Walpole, Robert became my tutor. I was studying sciences, but we never talked of them. I confessed to my love of Elizabethan music and Robert directed me to Forwood’s to acquire copies of E.H. Fellowes editions of English lute songs. He then invited me to explore them on his clavichord which I often did when wanting to escape from some of the hurly-burly of school life. That kindness was characteristic of Robert and is something I’ve never forgotten.

Nicholas King (MR 1963-68): I remember with great affection his teaching whilst I was at King’s, his encouragement, his involvement in so many aspects of the school’s musical life, his slightly eccentric but nonetheless beguilingly magnetic personality. Not for nothing was he affectionately nicknamed as ‘Dippy’. It is said, rightly in my view, that all of us in our careers carry forward some elements of those who taught us, and his spirit certainly lives on in my own continuing work.

Adam Jones (MR 1964-69): I treasure not only the memories from my time at King’s (O Level Music and chamber music coaching) but also all the chamber music he played with me and my wife from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s – mainly in Kent but also when he visited us at our home near Leipzig. I never contemplated making music my career, but I owe to Robert a great deal of what I have learnt to appreciate in music.

Nicholas McNair (SH 1964-69): I have very fond memories of Robert, whose father had been my brother’s headmaster at Cranbrook – he was the essence of kindness. He lent us his square piano for early music concerts by our ‘Williams Consort’ (1966-67), which included Stefan Bown, Andrew Lyle, Keith Thompson, and myself. He was unfailingly supportive of my efforts both practical (piano and composition) and academic (O and A level Music).

Patrick Williams (WL 1968-72): My most recent memory of Robert was his hosting William Kendall, Stephen Barlow and myself in rehearsal for Andrew Lyle’s memorial a few years back. He was always so kind to me and encouraging of my continued flute playing. Stephen and I also performed arrangements of his song-writing in our Crypt concerts, where he always so modestly refrained from accepting deserved applause for his sublime imaginative compositions.

Peter Burrows (WL 1969-74): Robert was my tutor and I was and have always remained very fond of him. ‘Dippy’ was kind, utterly courteous, humorous and devoted to his work. He pinpointed one of my chief faults, introducing me to the word ‘procrastination’. I still think of him every time I lapse, and see his face and its mixture of exasperation, pain and concern. I last saw him at the celebration of Andrew Lyle’s life, accompanying him part-way home under my umbrella in pouring rain – but only part-way, because he first had to drop into his favourite pub to have a meal. “They know me well,” he said, “no need to come further, I’ll be fine.” We were all lucky to know him, to count him as a friend, and to call him Robert.

Right: Robert at the piano. Photo: Tim Hands

Peter White (SH 1970-75): I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been educated in Canterbury during the 1970s. There was a stellar cast of music teachers and amongst them, Robert Scott stands out as perhaps the one most responsible for launching my career in music and teaching. His quiet, persuasive and wonderfully informed guidance and his ability to make me occasionally overcome my reluctance to do any work helped me gain a place at Oxford and the rest is history. I often reflect that in my life as director of music at a large school it has been Robert’s omnipresent, quiet and deeply musical influence that has been my most potent model.

Christopher Barlow (GR 1971-76): Robert seized the opportunity to turn me into a double bass player first and, after finding I didn’t have a sufficiently wide embouchure for the tuba, a euphonium player. I remember him adapting a parlour song, ‘Good night, ladies’, to ‘Goodbye, WhiteThomsons’ to close a farewell concert for the Dean. He was such a marvellous example of how it was possible to do anything you set your mind to.

Martin Amherst Lock (GR 1972-76): Robert was an unobtrusive but consistently reassuring and kind

presence in the music department. I shall never forget his generosity – and trust – in making his extensive record collection available to us for music appreciation sessions – a Thursday afternoon, non-corps activity – when we would gather in his tiny flat and listen to everything from Wagner to Delius!

Robin Finney (Common Room 1973-80): It was a real privilege to have known Robert. He was the neatest and most fastidious scorer for the Harvesters and every bit an integral a part of the touring rabble as any player. But it was for his company that he was so much appreciated: the humour was never far beneath the surface. As a colleague, especially running King’s Week, I came to appreciate him as a totally unsung hero in the musical world, always there in support in whatever capacity he was needed.

Sally-Ann Edlin (SH 1975-77): Robert was the most sensitive accompanist; he had the ability to make one play or sing better. He was also great company and an entertaining dinner party guest with his witty humour. Robert was incredibly modest and full of surprises. I even remember him playing the saw in the Shirley Hall.

Alexander Stewart (WL 1977-82): Robert was extremely encouraging and a driving force behind my love for chamber music and especially the string quartet. He was a wonderful altruistic and sensitive human being and musician He always had time for the boys at school and his door was permanently open for advice. He had an indelible influence on my upbringing both as a person and musician.

Tim Hands (Common Room 1986-93): Robert was wonderful. I remember that Peter Hullah and I were waiting to go in and take Congregational Practice but by 08.32 there was still no Robert. He was quite deaf by this time so knocking was no use at Lardergate – we had to break in. He rushed on a suit over his pyjamas and in we went. The clothing was no problem, and neither was the hearing: Robert seemed, like Evelyn Glennie, to sense exactly what to play when, through the floorboards. He was an amazingly modest man and brilliant company. Oh dear. Why aren’t they made like that anymore?

Robert celebrating retirement in 1991

Richard Dibley

(WL 1957-61)

Richard James Dibley died on 27 April 2020. His brother Hugh Dibley (WL 1958-63) sent this tribute.

Richard was born in Crowborough, Sussex on 10th December 1942. At that time he had a sister, Jennifer, and subsequently a brother, Hugh. He was introduced to church music at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Willingdon at a very tender age, receiving tuppence (yes, two old pennies) for each practice and service attended. At the start of each service, Miss Downes also a member of the choir, turned to Richard and said ‘”Now don’t shout!” and proceeded to warble at the top of her voice!

As chance would have it, Richard’s father, on a rare occasion travelling back from London on a train, read of voice trials for St Paul’s Cathedral choir 48 hours later. With no voice training, Richard was ‘dusted off’ and taken to St Paul’s and was first reserve. The seed was sown and, subsequently, Richard was awarded a place at All Saints, Margaret Street, London at the tender age of 8. All Saints became a family affair: Richard’s brother, Hugh, became a chorister too and sister, Jennifer, taught French to the 16 boys after finishing work for the day as a secretary at the BBC.

This was a springboard for a music scholarship to King’s, and, in turn, for a Choral Exhibition to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He started to play the violin at All Saints and, as he grew, was able to take over his grandfather’s violin. He was very left-handed but somehow mastered playing the violin ‘the correct way round’, maybe looking slightly awkward in the process! He played a very full part in the music at King’s.

He read Natural Sciences at Cambridge and embarked on a career in industrial market research. He formed his own company, Planco Ltd, and acted as a Consultant Economist working for the European Union, advising on the value of the Euro in each member state which involved frequent travel to each country in turn.

His first wife, Maggie, sadly died of cancer and, many years later, he married Elvira who, by a cruel twist of fate, also succumbed to the same disease. Elvira’s daughter, Frances, became part of Richard’s life from a very tender age and he became a very loving second father to her and subsequently grandfather to Liberty and Magnus.

He made many close friends at school and at Cambridge and continued to perform in a singing cabaret act until very recently. Apart from music, he also had a great love of sailing and was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. All his family and friends have wonderful memories of a sunny, charming, optimistic and helpful character. One of his sailing friends, Peter Venn (Walpole 1954-60), wrote: ‘It was through our sailing together that I realised that beneath the charm and courteousness was a man of steely resolve (battling on the foredeck in all weathers) with a great sense of loyalty’.

He was followed to King’s by his nieces and nephews: Fiona-Jane Dibley, Richard Dibley, Willow Courtauld and Lilac Courtauld. He was a very loving and dutiful godfather to several who speak fondly of him. In at least one case, his duties extended to introducing his charge to the wonders of oysters and pinot noir!

He will be sadly missed; may he rest in peace.

Left: Richard Dibley

Jeremy Ard (LN 1961-64)

Jeremy Lawlor Ard died on 30 October 2021, aged 74. His widow Lisa sent us this tribute.

Aboarder of linacre House, Jeremy fondly remembered his time at King’s, where he laid the foundation for a long, successful and multi-faceted career in music.

Studying the cello at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music under Joan Dickson, he took up work as a freelance orchestral cellist, with spells in the LPO and LSO. He later went on to teach music at St Edmund’s College where he found a love of teaching and directing, playing a key role in numerous musical productions at the school. Always gregarious and supportive of all around him, Jeremy found the most enjoyment in music as part of communities and friendships, the latter stages of his career especially allowing this to blossom.

Upon settling in Norfolk he set up shop as a luthier, ventured into jazz bass and folk mandolin, and set himself at the heart of the music community. Jeremy always had time to help the people around him, and was never short of a good story. This helped him gain friendships

that will never fade, with his handiwork clear for all who knew him, be it in a handmade bench or mandolin, or simply in the burden he lifted through his support as a friend.

He was a loving husband, and an inspiring father to his children, with whom he leaves a legacy rich not only in music, but also in love and kindness. He was a good man who is dearly missed by many.

Robert Bottomley

Robert John Parkes (‘Bobby’) Bottomley died on 16 September 2021, aged 69. David Peters (SH 1965-69) and Andrew Stewart (SH 1965-69) sent this note.

Alover of basketball, squash and Bob Dylan, Bobby was an independent spirit who after leaving King’s was determined to set up his own business. He started a steel trading company and eventually moved to Brazil, where he stayed for many years. Later on, ill health caused him to move back to the UK. After early retirement and a long battle against illness, he sadly died at the end of last year.

Graham Wood

(Common Room 1989-2003)

Graham dudley wood died on 2 April 2022 at the age of 74. A graduate of St John’s College, Oxford, Graham taught history at Framlingham and then for 15 years at Oundle. He arrived at King’s to succeed Richard Maltby as Head of the History Department in 1989. His family had Canterbury connections and his uncle Keith is commemorated on the School’s Second World War memorial.

On arrival he told The Cantuarian that he enjoyed ‘cooking, bridge, acting and playing cricket

(SH 1966-70)

Above: Jeremy Ard

badly’. On his departure Richard Hooper wrote that was the epitome of the ‘oldfashioned schoolmaster’ – in the best sense. A scholarly, enthusiastic, inspiring and idiosyncratic teacher, he was also fully committed to his role outside the classroom.

He was a tutor in The Grange and director of house plays. He directed (and appeared in) staff revues. His sporting involvement was wideranging and included rugby, hockey, cricket (boys and girls) and lacrosse. Among other activities were bridge, crosswords and gardening. He will also be remembered for his pipe.

Outside the School he was Chairman and Treasurer of the Canterbury branch of the Historical Association and he served as a City Councillor from 2011 to 2015. His image appears as the Yeoman, one of the Pilgrims on the Geoffrey Chaucer memorial in Canterbury High Street.

The following is a selection from the many online tributes:

Richard Hooper (Common Room 1980-2008): Almost twenty years have passed since I wrote my comment about Graham in The Cantuarian [Lent & Summer Term 2003] and I would not change a thing now. In his years at King’s he inspired pupils both in the classroom and outside it. There can be no greater accolade.

Chris More (GR 1989-92): I saw a plaque bearing Mr Wood’s name on an upturned chair behind one of the questioners in the Malthouse Theatre on Question Time on 6 April. It led me to reminisce fondly to my wife about his lessons. Sad to hear he passed away just a few days before. He was an inspiring history teacher and fitting to have his name broadcast nationally just after

his death. It brought back very fond memories of a charming and erudite man… and that waft of pipe smoke!

Charles Aitken (LN 199095): That famous gruff voice, taking no prisoners, and puffing away at his pipe whilst teaching WWI history, interwar years and beyond – and completing the daily cryptic crossword in multiple broadsheets whilst we read or wrote our essays in class – a great teacher. Enjoyed learning to play bridge (Acol or Blackwood and often duplicate) in the activity he took as well.

Thomas Tallon (SH 199196): One day in the sixth form absolutely none of the dozen of us had done their prep essay. He paused for a bit and shouted “get out – BEFORE I KILL YOU ALL!!” So we all ran to the library and did them. The next day he welcomed us with a big smile and said “I’m glad I can still turn it on!”

Caroline Downes (BR 1994-99): His was one of the most eccentric classrooms, a true museum of artefacts. He taught me history in shells and 6th form, and who can forget him standing below the archway with his pipe. In 6a he invited our class over for Sunday lunch at his home in Canterbury which was lovely and had a shell grotto in the garden. I went back with a smaller group days after we left King’s and sat in his sunny garden.

Arabella Jennings (HH 1999-2004): He taught lacrosse in its early days at King’s. I will never forget the first lesson: “For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Mr Wood and I know BUGGER ALL about lacrosse. However, we shall LEARN TOGETHER!”. His figure on the pitch, fleece to his nose, fur hat to his eyebrows, and clouds of pipe smoke coming out the gap in between ensured the King’s lacrosse team was memorable from the offset!

Graham Wood –and his pipe. Photo: Tim Hands

Robert Swanson (TR 1989-94)

Robert ‘Pod’ Swanson died in February 2022. Members of the Canterbury Pilgrims Boat Club wrote in.

Tom jackson (GL 1989-94) and Ben LoxtonEdwards (MR 1990-95): Pod sadly passed away earlier this year whilst in Cambodia. Pod coxed the 1st VIII in 1992, 1993 and 1994. He was selected to represent Great Britain in the coxed IV at the Junior World Championships in 1992. He was tenacious and took great pride in representing King’s as a cox and scrum-half for the 1st XV. A rare feat. He was always full of mischief and we certainly had some fun together. Our thoughts are with the Swanson family. Adieu mon brave.

Tim Parker (Common Room 1991-2001): Pod tackled his coxing with the greatest gusto. He was expert, totally committed, loved the sport and met difficulties at full tilt. Consequently, his crews were superbly motivated and always knew that Pod would make the best of any

situation. Occasionally, racing rules may have been nudged; something the very best coxes do well. By the fifth form he was coxing the 1st VIII, taking them to fourth place at both the School’s Head and in Championship eights at the National Schools’ Regatta. It was no surprise that he was picked to represent Great Britain at the 1992 World Championships for Juniors in Montreal. As ever, he put his heart and soul into training and his crew was placed fourth (again) in the A final, a fine achievement. Pod went on coxing the King’s 1st VIII in 1993 and 1994, his international experience adding even further to his abilities. In 2000, Pod returned to King’s as a coach, particularly of the 1st VIII. He expected the highest standards of rowers, but his enthusiasm and confidence won everyone over, especially as fun and laughter always seemed moments away whenever Pod was around.

Charlie Heise (MO 1989-94): It is very sad to hear about Pod’s passing. He was the only cox I knew who made you feel he could climb down the boat and pull harder than you and tell you what you were doing right and wrong at the same time. I’ve spent years teaching other coxes what came naturally to him. The best cox I’ve ever rowed with.

Right: Robert Swanson (bottom centre) at the 1992 World Championships for Juniors in Montreal

Ludmilla Waitt

Ludmilla died on 4 March 2022 at the age of sixty. The following is an edited version of the Cantuarian valedictory tribute from Ben Pennells.

Nothing could have prepared me for Ludmilla’s energy, passion and enthusiasm – a true force of nature. When she moved into the Palace Block, her classroom became a wonderful celebration of Russian-speaking culture, with traditional dress modelled on mannequins, flags and maps on the walls and –presented on a pedestal – the ornamental bread made for a family wedding.

Born and brought up in Ukraine, Ludmilla was fortunate in being distanced from the effects of the Chernobyl disaster but her generosity of spirit meant she returned regularly to do anything possible to help affected orphans and members of her own family. Her giving nature was also exemplified by the wonderful ‘Russian for the Community’ course which she taught over a number of years – just for love – every

Tuesday evening, to sixth formers, parents and staff from local schools. Her Ukrainian straighttalking was legendary and she was the ideal ‘go-to’ for helping negotiate with Russian parents and she did many hours of work of translation, liaison and work on the school’s international plans, for which the Headmaster, International College and partnerships were very grateful.

There is no doubt that Ludmilla was a major contributing factor in the growing uptake of Russian Studies. Both native and non-native pupils achieved stunning exam results under her lively and engaging tutelage. I have observed many lessons but hers is the only one in which I have had a shot of vodka thrust into my hand and been told to drink – in Russian, of course!

As a Harvey tutor, the girls in the house grew exceptionally fond of her and Jo Cook was hugely grateful for the work she did. Ludmilla made a striking impact through her dress and was the epitome of glamour.

Ludmilla had hoped for a busy retirement, spending time with her husband Laurence and family, but she died, too young, of a second stroke.

DEAtHS

Roland Brealy (SH 1940-44)

9 February 2022

• Ivan Bullard (Common Room 1959-60)

30 January 2022

• David Hallen Elliott OBE (GR 1948-52)

18 January 2022

•

Captain Robert Hugh Lowry

OBE (GR 1945-51)

19 February 2022

(Common Room 2012-19)

Ludmilla Waitt (right)

OKS KInG’S tALKS ONLINE

Our OKS talk programme started over two years ago now and has been growing ever since.

Talks cover a range of topics from the history of the NHS to entrepreneurship and start-ups.

If you are looking for career advice, our talks are a great place to get started and many of our speakers are contactable online.

Search ‘OKS Association’ on YouTube to find our channel.

VISITING KInG’S

OKS and former staff are always welcome to visit King’s with their families.

Whether you would like to have a quick stroll around the Green Court or would like to see the new facilities, we can offer a tour of the School and even arrange entry into your old house.

Please visit oks.org.uk/visits to see our visitor policy and to submit a visit request.

Sport

The Silver Era The Fencing Trophy Team 1962-66

Lawrence Burr OBE (LX 1962-66) reflects on the strength of fencing at King’s in the 1960s.

Our oks readers may well have been seduced by the exploits of the School’s golden age rugby boys in the last edition of the OKS Magazine. But I thought that they should have a gentle reminder that over the same period there was only one school sport that actually put silver on the Top Table year after year and formed one of the most formidable sports teams in London and the south of England. That was fencing.

The sixties had seen the rise of a group of young bloods who – under the tutelage of ‘Lads’ Milner, William Cousin, David Miller and Professor Alf

Mallard – swept the south of its Junior, Senior and Open competition trophies at foil, épée and sabre and had become almost undefeated in match after match with the other fencing public schools. The earlier part of the decade was dominated by Tim Howard-Jones, John Meredith, Ian Paterson and John Eiser with Howard-Jones, in particular, sweeping Kent of all its Junior titles at all three weapons.

But by 1965 a new group had emerged that provided the solid backbone of fencing that was to leave a legacy seen at King’s today in the form of the highly successful Maurice Milner Fencing Centre of Excellence next to the new International College.

This new group, under the captaincy of Ray Ring, swept all before them in the following two years with the combined strengths of Manoli Olympitis, Richard Deighton, Julian Ogley, Richard Bird and Lawrence Burr, each dominating specific weapons. Winners of the prestigious Public Schools Pearson Cup,

Events

Saturday 14 January 2023, 6:30 pm

Join us at Birley’s for the annual Boat Club Dinner. For tickets go to kings-school.co.uk or call 01227 595778.

runners-up in the Bartlett Trophy, ten County Championships at Team and Individual level and 15 school team matches – all fell to the flashing blades of this small, tight knit band of friends.

This was a result never achieved before and established King’s as one of the top school clubs in the country. Their strength lay in the close comradeship they had together – despite being in different houses – and the team spirit imbued by ‘Lads’ and his wife, Maureen, who provided the strawberry teas in the summer!

Manoli Olympitis and I went on to fence for Great Britain at foil and épée and still meet up to mull over those glory days which provided the glistening array of cups in front of the Headmaster used to bedazzle prospective parents.

• The annual OKS vs. School fencing competition takes place during King’s Week and is a great opportunity to get together with other OKS fencers. To register your interest for 2023, please contact the OKS Office.

Opposite page: 1965 fencing team

This page L-R: Richard Horner, Nick Phillis, Charlie Clouston, Jonny Hudsmith, Ed Lines and Drew Dowie

Cyril Gray Golf Report

Ed Lines (LN 1975-80) reports on this year’s Cyril Gray tournament which took place in June.

The oks team was somewhat depleted this year with two of our lowest handicappers (Messrs Bragg and Lyons senior) declaring themselves unavailable. However, the team had two new players, Jonny Hudsmith and Nick Phillis, and were supported by Charlie Clouston, Drew Dowie, Richard Horner, Nigel Foster and Ed Lines.

Worplesdon hosted a dinner on the eve of this year’s tournament to celebrate the Covid delayed 50th anniversary. It was a huge success and may become an annual event.

Our first match on Thursday was against Brighton and despite having two matches at dormy three up, our ruthless approach to winning ensured that they were both eventually won on the 18th. Congratulations to Nick Phillis on his first victory, playing with Drew Dowie.

Nick unfortunately had to miss the Friday matches due to a prior commitment. Nigel Foster, a long-standing stalwart of the team, kindly stepped in to partner Drew and in our second round match against Liverpool delivered a fine win. This was matched by Richard Horner and Ed Lines and sent us through to the quarter finals.

Wrekin were the opponents and had won the event in 2019. Some fine golf was played and despite an uplifting (but premature) flypast by the Red Arrows, the top two pairs were unable to repeat their earlier performance. This was particularly unfortunate as Jonny Hudsmith and Charlie Clouston assured me that they would have won their match!

King’s was however represented on Saturday by Jon Cini and Jeremy Richards in the Senior Cyril Gray tournament. A creditable effort but sadly no silverware.

Many thanks to all the team for making this another very enjoyable event. 2023 just may be our year…

KSC & PILGRImS BOAt CLuB DInnER

Running for success

Matt Stonier (CY/MR 2015-20) won the Emsley Carr Mile on 14 May 2022. As a result of the impressive win, he gained an invitation to run in the Diamond League event (1500m) in Birmingham alongside the best athletes in the world. In June, Matt was selected to represent England in the 1500m race at the Commonwealth Games. He qualified for the final, finishing seventh. Then at the European Championships he again reached the final, coming fifth. Matt tells us about his summer.

It’s been an incredible summer and the interview with the Independent feels like a lifetime ago. I never thought after talking about Jake Wightman, he’d soon become World Champion and I’d be in the same team as him for the European Champs and later standing on a glass ledge 100 floors up a New York skyscraper.

Having refected on my summer, I’m sure that it’s one I will never forget. After competing in various European countries and racing against the world’s best, it could only be topped by signing my first professional contract with Nike.

Whilst it has been an incredible journey to reach the top level of the sport, the hard work only continues. Knowing I’m a sponsored athlete is going to come with its pressures and sacrifices, however it’s not often you get to live your dream job at the age of 21. I’m going to enjoy every moment of it, whether it’s on training camps in South Africa, training at Loughborough University or even running along the Crab and Winkle when I’m back in Canterbury, hopefully alongside Mike Mawby. Mike’s help and enthusiasm for myself and the sport ever since I joined King’s as a shell has been wonderful. From allowing me to schedule my training around games sessions, to continually supporting me, even watching the Commonwealth Games final in Australia in the early hours of the morning.

Over the next year, I’d love to replicate this past summer and continually improve and establish myself at the top of the sport, making senior championships and performing on the Diamond League circuit, hopefully in the London Olympic Stadium.

Top: Matt Stonier wins the Emsley Carr Mile

Bottom: Matt is presented with the Emsley Carr Mile trophy

Photos: Matt Lewis/ British Athletics